This morning I woke up and prayed it was still Sunday. Obviously, I was disappointed. It’s Mondays like today that I wish I had the guts to play hooky and spend half the day in bed and half the day getting pampered at the spa. If I muster up the courage one day, I will be sure to tattle on myself and blog all about it. But, until then, I can still plan for a spa getaway on the weekends, and these next few in May are perfect for booking yourself a couple of hours at the spa. I like to pretend that once I step foot in the spa I am in a different country, I turn my blackberry on silent (so liberating) and pretend like I’m a movie star hiding from the paparazzi. I also like to pretend I have a Black AmEx in my Chanel bag…Double negative.

This is when I turn to Spa Week’s Monthly Spa Deals; where you can find some luxurious, 5-star-caliber treatments for a fraction of the original price. Here are 5 spas from around the country offering L…O…N…G… treatments on a short buck. Go have a getaway, gorgeous!

Murrieta Day Spa & Hair Studio in Riverside County, CA is inviting guests to take advantage of their luxurious shower and steam room facilities with their purchase of a 50 Min Swedish Massage or 50 Min European Facial both $65, Originally: $115. Take advantage of their beautiful facilities; Stay as long as you can and snag a healthy lunch at their spa café.

Hey New Yorkers! Experience a days’ worth of relaxing spa with Beauty Jewel Spa & Laser Skin Care Center’s 3 Hour Package: includes Spa Manicure and Pedicure, Diamond in the Rough Body Scrub and Jewel Glow Deep Hydrating Facial for $200, normally $300.

Get some kneaded muscle work at The Spa Room in Washington DC. They want to treat you to an 80 Min Massage with Birch Back Cleanse and Superfoods Foot Treatment for $135, normally $185,

@ease Spa – Hillsdale in North Jersey wants you to stay the day with a 2 Hour and 30 Min Spa Package that includes three services that will feel better than a tropical vacation: 55 Min Massage and 55 Min Facial and choice of a 25 Min Body Scrub or 25 Min Reflexology for $149.

Spend all day at Body & Soul Spa and Fitness in Myrtle Beach, SC with a Body Polish and Wrap in their French Sea Green Mud while relaxing under a steam canopy in the Vichy Shower Room and finish with an Awakening Facial all for just $165.

To escape to a spa near you visit www.SpaWeek.com and click Spa Deals.

Today’s beautiful NYC weather has made all of us cranky New Yorkers positively peppy. Everyone is outside soaking up the rays and enjoying the smell of hot pretzels and toasty hot dogs—Manhattan’s eau de parfum at its finest.
If you’re in need of soothing scents that will tickle your nose hairs (more than salty peanuts), here are five spas participating in our May Spa Deals that are offering aromatherapy treatments at special prices.

Cinnabar Acupuncture Clinic & Spa in San Diego, CA is offering a 75 Min Rugged Bourbon and Sweet Vanilla Massage Scrub, sure to awaken your senses and your pores, $95.

Enjoy an indulgent Aromatherapy Swedish Massage for $105, with essential oils at INDABA Spa at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, FL.

Ageless Skin Solutions in Marlton, NJ is offering a relaxing fell-service package featuring a 60 Min Hot Stone Swedish Massage, Peppermint Nap Time Foot Massage and Eucalyptus Sinus Relief Pressure Point Face Massage all for just $79!

Prep your body for summer with the soothing aromas of a 60 Min Rosemary Mint Awakening Body Wrap for $89.95, normally $150 at Aveda Red Bell Spa in Hicksville, NY.

Take time to smell the roses during a 60 Min Rose Garden Facial for $65, normally $90 at Norris of Houston in Houston, TX.

Click HERE for a complete listing of spas offering sweet-smelling Spa Deals near you.

You love going to the spa, but for some, the thought of stripping down to nothing in front of a complete stranger still makes people nervous. Rest assured, the spa is the one place on earth where you can be 100% comfortable and able to let all of your inhibitions go. Some say the best way to learn how to swim is to just dive in, so that’s what we’re going to do here. We’ve placed a few of our West Coast/Chicago Spa Week $50 treatments on the naked scale and rated them from Modest Molly (1) to Naked Nelly (5), measuring the average of how naked spa-goers usually get. If a 5 sounds intimidating, just remember: there are always paper panties.

50 Min Acai Berry Body Scrub and Wrap (Naked Level: 4) - With this treatment after your therapist scrubs you down and rids your body of dead skin and toxins, you’re wrapped up to let the ingredients finish off the task. WELL Spa at the Platinum Hotel, 702.365.5000

Toning Synergie Massage for Cellulite (Naked Level: 3) – A few minutes of courage will work wonders for how you’ll look after the fact. Using a Dynatronics vacuum machine this treatment smooths out cellulite, as it stimulates circulation and lymphatic drainage. All Star Lake Spa, 425.462.2960

45 Min Spiced Apple Cider Pedi (Naked Level: 1) – This treatment is not very naked at all. You’ll have to show a little leg while you get your feet moisturized in an invigorating whirlpool bath. Oregon’s Grand SalonSpa, 503.644.2800

50 Min Citrus Lavender Salt Scrub (Naked Scale: 5) – A salt scrub treatment only works one way – naked! You have to take it all off so that your therapist can shave off all the dead skin cells to reveal your clear layer of skin underneath. Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, 602.431.6485

50 Min Aromatherapy Body Polish (Naked Scale: 4) – To get your body to its full glowing potential, you have to be brave and let your therapist work your body from head to toe.  The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale, 480.513.5145

45 Min Package: 30 Min Vichy Shower, with 15 Min Scalp Massage (Naked Scale: 5) – Vichy shower is considered one of most freeing spa treatments. You lie down on flat spa bed, and allow water from a shower head to cleanse your skin. Beach Massage and Day Spa, 310.322.2333

Laser Hair Removal of the Brazilian Bikini (Naked Scale: 3) – You know the drill. Of course this fares high on our scale as you’ll have to get naked in the most private place. Lunaris Medspa & Weight Loss Center, 310.371.9900

50 min Kohler Bath (Naked Scale: 5) – This is one of the most bare treatments you can find. We guess you can call this the cousin of the Vichy shower, the Kohler Waters Spa, 630.323.7674

50 Min Deep Tissue or Swedish Massage (Naked Scale: 4) – A milder route to go for those of you who rather leave a little on. Let your therapist work the kinks out leaving your bottom half covered. Chocolate For Your Body an AVEDA Family Salon Spa, 312.226.0777

65 Min Customized Signature Facial & Brow Wax, Including Décolleté, Neck, Arms and Hand Massage (Naked Scale: 1) – The only body part that has to be free of any coverage is your face. Your esthetician will allow you to slip under a spa robe for better relaxation. Facelogic Spa – Las Vegas, 702.531.3223

Life after 5 PM usually involves a handful of women circumventing a bar table cascaded with a half-dozen martinis. We would love to serve you the same intoxicating effects with a twist.  We’re taking happy hour from the bar to the spa with six different ingredients.  Here’s a dash of spa treatments to put on your calendar, inspired by the happy hour.

Champagne toast! Celebrate with bubbly, not just because it’s fancy. The fizz helps close pores, making the skin tight, firm and glowing—a natural toner. Worried about the alcohol being bad for your skin? Champagne actually contains less alcohol than most store-bought toners.

• Champagne Rose Mani-Pedi The ultimate manicure and pedicure for the privileged! Sit back and relax while you are served a flute of champagne. Your feet and legs will be treated to the healing and soothing qualities of a champagne extracts. Enjoy a warm whirlpool soak of champagne oil and grapes, followed by a grape seed masque, topped off with a soothing massage. This treatment will leave your hands and feet feeling smoother, more hydrated, and relaxed. My’ Amour Salon and Spa

Raise a glass of red or white! A calming glass of wine can be the perfect stress releasing remedy after a long day. Just imagine those effects applied to a spa treatment. Pure relaxation. The grape mixtures in vinotherapy assist in soothing the skin and helps to slow down the aging process. Plus in moderation, wine can be good for you. A glass a day has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and slow the progression of certain cancers.

• Vinoperfect Treatment The radiance and vitality-restoring facial for fatigued skin. A stimulating, sculpting massage with essential oils and alternating hot and cold basalt stones awakens the luminosity of the complexion and restores tone to facial contours. A radiance mask, and application of Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Radiance Serum and Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Cream SPF15, draws out the skin’s natural radiance from within and prepares it to face the world outside, better protected from the pollutants of city life. Caudalie Spa in NYC

Happy hour like The Queen – Think high tea. Green tea has been incorporated into healing remedies in Asia for centuries. It is naturally rich with antioxidants which help the body protect from free radicals, whether you’re sipping or slathering it on. Her highness would approve.

• Asian Green Tea Ritual This aromatic experience begins with a selection of green tea or mandarin water. A gentle sugar scrub exfoliates the skin in preparation for a complete mud mask to detoxify the body. In warm candlelight, ease into a green tea bath to soak away stress. Your ritual is complete with an anti-oxidant – rich massage using green tea massage oils. The Spa at the Crescent at Rosewood Crescent Hotel

• Green Tea & Ginger Wrap This sea enzyme wrap begins with a body scrub that contains a healthy dose of antioxidants and nutrients. It is followed by a body wrap with green tea to balance the yin and yang, ginger root to invigorate your mind and a seaweed algae to stimulate your body’s metabolism. Finally a tropical-scented papaya pineapple lotion containing rejuvenating protein enzymes is massaged in leaving your skin invigorated and nourished. Hammock Beach Resort

• ARIA Signature Massage with Green Tea Eye Treatment A Massage Therapist creates a custom full-body massage, focusing on particular areas to provide stress relief, ease tension, or just “get the knots out.” Soothe tired or strained eyes with green tea compresses rich in antioxidants. Includes a face massage with cool marble stones. The Spa at ARIA

• Hot Spiced Tea Scrub A sugar scrub for sensitive skin, this treatment helps exfoliate and detoxify the body as it hydrates and nourishes the skin. The Crystal Spa- Saratoga Springs

Venti Spa Latte? Why certainly, and it won’t even keep you up all night. Coffee has a variety of applications in the spa. Caffeine from coffee is a blood vessel constrictor, so it helps people with rosacea, reduces dark eye circles and puffy eyes. Coffee is also used in a lot of anti-cellulite creams because, well, have you ever had cottage cheese with your frapp?

• Green Coffee Wrap, a cutting edge, metabolism boosting anti-cellulite treatment. The Green Coffee Wrap will smooth and enhance skin texture and reduce the dimply “cottage cheese” look using a unique blend of micronized green coffee powder, chlorogenic acid and essential oils. During your wrap experience a relaxing face, neck and shoulder massage. After your wrap you are treated to a full body hydration with Pevonia’s smoothing and toning Body Svelte Cream. An ultimate luxury for the beach bound! Not recommended for pregnant or nursing mothers. My’ Amour Salon and Spa

• Espresso Body Polish, A gentle blend of crushed espresso beans, Indian sarsaparilla and black clay is lightly massaged into the skin removing dead skin cells and restoring balance to the body. An application of Creme de la Creme body moisturizer completes the experience. This treatment is ideal for sensitive skin. The Ritz-Carlton Spa in Denver

• Caffeine Manicure and Pedicure A blend of ground coffee beans and sugar to stimulate, detoxify and regenerate your tired hands and feet, followed by a cocoa clay mask and an invigorating massage with a combination of advanced moisturizers.  D. Tour Spa at the MotorCity Casino Hotel

Milk and honey baths… Cleopatra was onto something. The hydrating properties of milk really do a body good, applied on the outside too. Milk promotes moisture and prevents dryness. The Lactic acid in milk helps to cleanse the skin gently down to its deepest layers.

• Milk and Honey Body Wrap A luxurious hydrating treatment for any skin type. A lavish milk-and-honey emulsion is applied and then combined with a hydrating wrap and lotion application. The Spa at The Stoneleigh Hotel

• Milk and Honey Body Wrap A gentle brush exfoliation will prep your skin for a full body application of this hydrating body wrap that contains an exotic blend of coconut milk, raw honey, and exotic nut extracts containing a rich source of natural antioxidants and a bounty of nutrients to revitalize, moisturize and balance the skin. Finish with a nourishing body butter application for soft and replenished skin. The Catamaran Spa

Cocktail Specials. If it sounds like a girly martini, chances are it’s a spa treatment too. Who knew alcohol could be a good buzz for the skin? Alcohol acts as an antiseptic and works to exfoliate dead skin, and sugar is one of the best natural exfoliants we know.

• Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Wavelike and fluid Pineapple Passion fruit scrub. Full-body massage Hotel Valley Ho in Arizona

• 50 Min Mojito Body Exfoliation Smooth and rejuvenate the skin with organic sugar crystals and peppermint leaves to refresh and exhilarate. Close your eyes, enjoy and escape.  EnviouSkin

• Cocktail Vermouth Twist This “happy hour peel” is a potent 15% salicylic acid and 2% retinol peel that improves the appearance of all skin conditions. It helps regulate oily skin, decongests open comedones and smoothes the overall texture of the epidermis. The formulation is fortified with powerful antioxidants, including Spin Trap, Resveratrol, and Vermouth to minimize the effects of free radical damage. The Spa at BHPS

• Vodka Hydrating Face Wrap and Pedicure. Ambiance Salon and Day Spa

Images Courtesy of  University of Texas, Choice News, Gold Wing Cars, The Daily Green , Le Tourment Vert, bernardfarrell

There’s nothing like a relaxing spa day! But what if you’re so busy and can’t make it to the spa? Just googling around the web you’ll find a slew of DIY At-Home spa treatments. Some are easier than others. Last week we announced a new giveaway with your chance to win this Glowology Scrub At Home Set, one of the best when it comes to at-home pampering.

To win, we asked: What spa treatment is it IMPOSSIBLE to recreate at home? Check out some of the best answers below, and suitable professional alternatives from our Spa Week Deals.

Don’t D-I-Y: Pedi/Mani

“I love getting a manicure and pedicure and though I’ve tried them at home, it’s just not the same. It’s hard to polish the opposite hand and it just isn’t relaxing like it is when it’s done at the spa!” -
Cindy Scanlon Smith

“It’s pretty much impossible to give yourself a relaxing professional pedicure at home because massaging your own feet and legs is hard even with a home foot bath and you have to cramp up your legs to clip and paint them. The experience is not as relaxing and done as well as it is in a large massage chair at a spa, that’s for sure!” -
Danielle Marissa Schaum

“Hard to be two people at once- can’t do a mani/pedi at the same time!” -Stay Sea

“A spa pedicure with leg massage. It just doesn’t feel relaxing or the same when you try to do it yourself.” -Kristin Lonsinger

“A pedicure. I can never get it right!” -Maureen Vale

Spa Deal Alternative:

Spa Xanadu, Arcadia, CA: Choice of Xanadu Manicure and Pedicure Package: includes 45 Min Manicure with Scrub and Paraffin Wrap and 60 Min Pedicure including Scrub, Callus Remover and O.P.I color of your choice for $55,

Orange Skye Wellness and Day Spa, Redbank, NJ: Choice of Lime and Salt Rub Manicure and Pedicure for $50

Don’t D-I-Y: Facial

“Facials (besides mud masks) are very difficult… especially the extractions. There is nothing like a relaxing facial at a spa, and that’s something you just can’t DIY.” – Kate B

Spa Deal Alternative:

Nina’s European Day Spa and Laser Center, New York, NY: Pick two or share with a friend: Organic Stress Release Facial with Extractions, Microdermabrasion, 60 Min Full Body Aromatherapy Relaxation Massage, Sea Salt Body Exfoliation Scrub, or Laser Hair Removal for Bikini, Underarms or Lip.

Don’t D-I-Y: Waxing

“Waxing! I tried, and tried, and tried to wax my bikini line at home. I ended up bleeding and sore. Not a fun time. Next time I let the professionals handle it, and it was easy-peasy.” – Beata

“Eyebrow wax..could be dangerous” -Jodi L Smith Kozloff

“Good luck doing a full Brazilian wax yourself. Medic!” -Dawn Fishman Vollaro

“ahh- bikini wax- especially Brazilian! Do I need to elaborate? Probably not ;-)” -NJ Girl

“It would be tough to do just about any spa treatment at home by yourself but it would be toughest to do a back wax job.” -Karin Amour

Spa Deal Alternative:

Spa Ambiance, Rye, NewHampshire: Brazilian Bikini Wax for $50, normally $60.

Don’t D-I-Y: Body Wrap

“I think body wraps would be hard to recreate at home.” – Pat

“It’s impossible to give yourself a seaweed wrap” -Deirdré Shivon

“I exfoliate at home and I am not licensed. That alone must be illegal. Please help this terrible event from happening ever again and S.O.S!
(Save Our Sanity–I was going to write Save Our SEBUHM but didn’t want to gross out other “In The Know, Unlicensed Individuals…”)- Frieda Shor

Spa Deal Alternative:

The Spa and Salon at the Casablanca, Mesquite NV: 25 Min Body Wrap for $25 with offer code SWJB10

Don’t D-I-Y: Massage

“I so, so wish that I could recreate a back and shoulder massage at home, but it’s impossible. No one can relieve the tension in those spots like a professional masseuse.” -Michelle Fishman-Cross

“The best part about going to spa is to get a change from the mundane life…I love getting a massage but it is impossible to do it myself as well as a professionally trained person., Also, it is so relaxing to have a mini-getaway for that. ” -Ashita Khanna

“Vichy Massage – the warm waters definitely helped make the massage even more deep and relaxing” -Duyen Fenston

“It is impossible to give yourself a hot stone massage. Even though there are massage chairs and things you can lay on, nothing can compare to having a massage from a pro!” -Rori McKinley

Spa Deal Alternative:

Elizabeth Adam Salon and Day Spa, Chicago IL: Swedish, Hot Stone or Deep Tissue Massage, $50.

And the 3 WINNERS, based upon the truthfulness and originality of your answers:

1. “It’s pretty much impossible to give yourself a relaxing professional pedicure at home because massaging your own feet and legs is hard even with a home foot bath and you have to cramp up your legs to clip and paint them. The experience is not as relaxing and done as well as it is in a large massage chair at a spa, that’s for sure!” -
Danielle Marissa Schaum

2. “Waxing! I tried, and tried, and tried to wax my bikini line at home. I ended up bleeding and sore. Not a fun time. Next time I let the professionals handle it, and it was easy-peasy.” – Beata

3. “It’s impossible to give yourself a seaweed wrap” -Deirdré Shivon

Winners, congratulations! Please contact candace @ spaweekmedia.com with your address and phone number so we can send you your prize.

Image Courtesy of NY Daily News