Seriously Michelle, I can’t tell you how exciting it actually is. We have 4 kids; ages 2, 4, 15 & 17 and there haven’t been many “extras” recently. My husband & I didn’t even exchange gifts this year – it was all for the kids. So this package is now our “Christmas gift” and I can’t thank you enough. Can’t wait ’til it all arrives!

- Sara, @NJMomCooks

Check back on the blog, spaweek.com, our facebook and twitter pages often for new giveaways and promotions, because we really REALLY love making your day.

Starting right now, with our 27 prizes up for grabs in our January/February Monthly Giveaways. Look how much you can win! Or follow @SpaWeekGiftCard and you just may be the $50 eGift Card winner when we reach 1000 followers. Let us make your day too… please?

Did you make friends with Johann, Wolfgang and Ludwig? Shauna Mei, Spa Week’s Intellectual Wellbeing Expert and CEO of AHALife.com, challenged our readers (and the Spa Week team) to listen to classical music for two weeks. The plus side: increase your IQ a few points. In 1993, Nature magazine published a study that proved your IQ actually increases by listening to classical music, which is known as the “Mozart Effect.” So how did it go?

I’m not entirely sure how much smarter I am after this challenge (haven’t taken an IQ test) but I definitely felt less stressed starting my day, and as a New Yorker that is something I so appreciate. Rather than waking up to a high-pitched shrilling alarm noise, I was greeted by the sounds of violins and pianos. I must confess that I wasn’t a big fan of classical music before this challenge. I thought it was just music they played in fancy opera houses and elevators. However, I have a new lease on life (and music)! I won’t be lip syncing to these tunes in the shower but they will be waking me up from now on, as much as possible at least. When you feel like life is moving too fast or you don’t have a moment to yourself, put on some classical music and I swear you’ll find your peace by the end of one song. It also makes me feel quite sophisticated. Shauna is definitely onto something here.

You can expand your spatial-temporal reasoning long after this challenge with some of the greats.

10 Titillating Classical Pieces

First, here are Shauna’s top 4 picks:

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 – Andante

Vanessa Mae’s rendition of Toccata & Fugue (especially at 1:38 sec)

Chopin Fantasie Impromptu Op 66

And here are some I enjoyed listening to:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass In B Minor

Ludwig Van Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E flat major “Eroica”

George Frideric Handel’s Messiah

Johann Sebastian Bach Well-Tempered Clavier

Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida

Last but certainly not least, I’d like to announce the winners of the $50 Spa & Wellness Gift Cards by Spa Week (who shared their experiences on the event page):

Kimberly Y: “Each morning, I have faithfully listened to Bach and Mozart. I also enjoy the soundtrack to Memoirs of a Geish. The soundtrack is wonderful and very relaxing. I find myself breathing deeper and relaxing my shoulders when listening to classical music.”

Sincere thanks!!!!! ♥” 

Congrats you two, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, and please contact michelle at spaweekmedia dot com within 3 business days to redeem your prize!

Image via

What a great start to Spa Week! We announced 6 Spa-Tastic Giveaways in the Windy City the other week and now we are ready to announce the 6 lucky winners. If you’ve got $50 treatments on the brain but haven’t yet booked your bliss, then scroll down below to see some of fabulous treatments you can book – it’s not too late! See what these 6 spas are offering this week, and meet our winners…

Continuum Studio

This spa believes that healthy choices lead to a healthy mind. We need to remember to de-stress from our busy lives and take time for ourselves.

• 50 Min Computer Stress Relief Massage is designed for those of us who spend hours on the computer or typing on our BlackBerries
• 60 Min Continuum Signature Facial with Choice of Arm or Shoulder Massage

Marta R. will be enjoying a Computer Stress Relief Massage with a mini facial.

Ruby Room

Their mission is to positively affect the energy and spirit of those who walk through their doors by providing and recommending quality services that promote healing and beauty from the inside out.

• 50 Min Enerssage to Relieve Physical and Emotional Stress with Pumpkin Hand Treatment
• 50 Min Ruby Room Signature Spa Facial with Extractions Upon Request
• 50 Min Intuitive Reading with Energy Healer to Promote Clarity and Perspective

Kate D. will enjoy a $50 gift card, to be used towards spa, healing or salon services.

Appease Mobile Spa

Spa-ing on the go was on our Top 10 Hottest Spa Trends and Appease is bringing the mobile spa to Chicagoans.

• 50 Min Signature Massage of Choice, includes Swedish, Deep Tissue or Aromatherapy
• 60 Min Organic Chocolate Facial with Facial Massage
• 60 Min Cellulite Be Gone Body Wrap

Stacy B. will enjoy a 50 min Swedish Massage.

Soulistic Studio

Their 4,500 square foot facilities features two fitness studios where you can receive personal training as well as sauna rooms for relaxation. They are part of the Green Yoga Association, which focuses on ecological consciousness in in the yoga community.

• 75 Min Customized Massage Package, includes 45 Min Customized Massage of Choice and 30 Min of Infrared Sauna or Steam Treatment
• 60 Min Organic Glow and Go Facial Package, includes 30 Min Organic Facial and 30 Min of Infrared Sauna or Steam Treatment
• 75 Min Mind/ Body Wellness Package, includes 45 Min Private Pilates or Yoga Personal Training Session and 30 Min Infrared Sauna or Steam Treatment

Kim J. won a $50 Soulistic  Gift Card!

Organic Spa Intelligent Beauty

This family owned day spa doesn’t believe in using chemicals and have the best facials around.

• 60 Min Massage, Choice of Swedish or Relaxing with Organic Essential Oil
• 60 Min Facial, Choice of Anti-Aging Berry Whip, Natural Facelift Facial or Customized Facial all with Organic Products
• 75 Min Organic Spa Manicure and Pedicure with Choice of Paraffin or Hydrating Masque Treatment for Hands

Shakeia T. won $25 towards a facial!

Brennan Massage Day Spa

Minutes from the busy city, this spa is an 1800’s original farm house.

• 60 Min Full Body Massage and Scalp Treatment with Choice of Wild Lime or Deep Forest Aromatherapy
• 60 Min Fall Pumpkin Enzyme Peel Facial with Extractions Upon Request
• 60 Min Full Body Gilden Scrub Body Wrap with Exfoliation

Kathleen O. won a 1 hour full body Swedish Massage!

Didn’t win? Go to the Chicago $50 directory for all the spas participating, and to book those $50 treatments now!

It is the conclusion of another one of our life-changing spa, health and wellness giveaways. You are all winners in our hearts! But there can only be one true winner of the Joy Bauer’s Fast Track Health Giveaway, so let’s meet her. Congratulations to Grace Young!

I was thrilled to learn that I was the winner of the Joy Bauer “Fast Track to Health Giveaway” I am looking forward to experiencing a whole new way of eating. Nutrition tips will be greatly appreciated. The spa treatments are an unbelievable extra treat!

I plan on bringing my husband Chris with me. He has struggled with eating the wrong foods for years. At one time his Cholesterol was over 500! I’m hoping this experience may jog new habits.

Thanks you for this life changing opportunity.

Yours in Health,

Grace Young

Grace and her husband will enjoy a 6 night stay at the Biggest Loser Ranch in Malibu where they’ll be provided 3 healthy daily meals. A workout routine featured on the hit show, which will help transform their bodies. Daily nutritional and educational lectures with the resorts top fitness professionals, dietitians and life coach will get them on track. They will get all the personalized information and tips they need to help live a healthier life.

Then, they will relax with 4 spa services per person through the entire stay; that includes luxurious sports massages, toning and purifying facials, slimming body wraps . The journey doesn’t stop after they leave the resort! They will receive a nutritional at-home package that includes Joy’s best selling book, Food Cures, which helps you pick the right foods for maintaining optimal health and well-being. PLUS, they will receive a personalized nutritional plan from Joy Bauer, herself that includes all of  the custom counseling Joy gives to her very special clients. And the cherry on top… $175 in Spa Week Gift Cards.

Enjoy, Grace and Chris!

In the name of hot, sexy summer beauty – and with deep respect for the greatest movie of all time – we toured 5 cities on the Wet Hot American Makeup Tour, presented by Spa Week Daily and Your Name Professional Brands. In each city along the way you met an A-list makeup artist, learned their summer beauty tips, and had a chance to enter for a private pro makeup session with them. And now… it’s time to announce the winners!

The prize package:

5 winners – 1 from each stop on the Wet Hot American Makeup Tour – LA, Chicago, NYC, Long Island and New Jersey - will win:

* A big beauty gift bag with all Your Name Cosmetics items featured on The Tour

* A personalized makeup session with their city’s featured makeup artist!

Part one…

Part two + THE WINNERS

Here, the 5 Makeup Artists and the 5 lucky winners they’ll be making over, along with each winners’ “Worst summer makeup nightmare.”

Lori Neapolitano – Los Angeles, CA

Internationally recognized celebrity makeup artist Lori Neapolitan has made the art of makeup her life’s passion. Working with professionals in the beauty industry, she designs makeup collections for major cosmetic companies. Lori is available for salon training, consultations and assignments across the USA and Europe. Lori Neapolitano is one of YOUR NAME ® Professional Brands’ master educators and in her years of training other professional makeup artists, as well as working on everyone from brides to A-list celebritiesSome of her celebrity clients include Jessica Alba, Sarah Jessica Parker, Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep and more.

WINNER Teresa McKerracher My worst summer memory is a horrible burn that I got from spending the day on the beach with no sunscreen…20 years later and I can still see the effects! Not wise then but wise now :)

Sonia Roselli – Chicago, IL

A make-up artist for over 20 years with global exposure and experience, Sonia Roselli has worked with the world’s most renowned designers, photographers and celebrities. In 2000, she moved her expertise to Chicago, where she felt there was a need for professional artistry. Since then, she has opened a make-up studio, launched a successful make-up line, trained hundreds of everyday women and professionals, and developed a cult-like following of her booming bridal business. After being named Chicago’s best make-up artist by Chicago Magazine, she has developed a reputation as the Windy City’s most sought after artist.

WINNER Dawn Dull Holstrom Ending up with a peculiar sunburn, such as raccoon eyes…

Kathy Pomerantz – New Jersey

Kathy, Owner of The Makeup Design Studio, freelance makeup artist and national beauty educator has been creating makeup designs in the industry for over 20 years. Her inspired work has been seen at The Grammy Awards, The American Music Awards, ABC, NBC and on Broadway. Her roster of celebrity clients includes: Andi McDowell, Whoopie Goldberg, Robin Williams, Carly Simon, Jerry Seinfeld and Sheryl Crow. Kathy has made numerous television appearances as the makeup designer for “Style Court”, “Everyday Runway Makeover”, VH-1 “Fashion Week”, and “Fashion Emergency”.

WINNER Cindy Batchelor Any time it gets too hot and my makeup starts melting off my face! ugh!

David Maderich – Manhattan, NY

David Maderich has been a freelance makeup artist for 15 years.  In 2010, he was nominated for a prestigious NAHA award. His work has appeared in Vogue, Elle, Vibe, GQ, Glamour, Esquire, Rolling Stone, Surface and The New York Times.  He has perfected the faces of Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Brad Pitt, Bethenny Frankel, Mary Kate Olsen, Meg Ryan, Giselle, Carmen Electra, Ricki Lake, Tim Gunn, Drew Barrymore, Kim Basinger,  and Joan Collins as well as hundreds of models.

WINNER Anne Kotler My makeup, no matter what I do, melts off – help!

Anne DeMarco – Long Island, NY

Anne DeMarco has successfully run her own makeup company for many years, while also providing freelance service to a high-profile clientele. Always in high demand for her beauty airbrush makeup, for which she is extremely well-known, Anne is also often called upon to teach this special skill. In addition, she regularly runs beauty training seminars for a variety of corporate clients including Estee Lauder, Sephora and EOS Airlines, and has also worked with a number of fashion houses including Chanel, Christian Dior, St. John, and Donna Karan.

WINNER Dorothy Borgese Pick me for my birthday (Okay fine. Happy birthday!)

Winners, please contact daily(at)spaweekmedia(dot)com with your address and phone number within 3 business days of Tuesday, August 30th, to redeem your prize. Congratulations, beauties! Now, are you excited for Fall makeup or what?