Spa Week Presents: The Hot Mom Spa Squad

What It Is: Spa Week is on a mission to pamper every mom in North America. Moms are notorious for cheating themselves out of the me time they deserve, so we created this group to change all that. The Hot Mom Spa Squad is a growing list of influential moms who spread the message of pampering and wellness with tips, treatment reviews, giveaways, and other in-spa-ring stuff to come. Browse the full list of members here. If you're a mom and a blogger, and you love the spa, this is the group for you! Click here for info on how to join. Then browse some of the articles, tips, and treatments reviews below from other moms on the squad.

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We Spa-Napped a Reader! Watch the Video.

May 17, 2013 | By

In honor of The Month of Moms, I reached out on Facebook last week to learn some tried and true mom wisdom, and with that, I put the call out for a mom who was long overdue for a day at the spa. Two days later, the spa-napping went down. Watch what happened when winner Jenny Gill got a little taste of her own medicine…

“His mind is in motion and his body is in motion,” New York mom Jenny told me of her 2 year old son, Jack, as we sipped rose at Estancia 460, a restaurant on the cobblestone street next to TriBeCa Spa of Tranquility. “He’s crazy smart and physically advanced. He constantly wants to play a sport, sing the ABC song and tell you about his day. To get him to slow down and understand that you have to sleep, is a big struggle. The just kid doesn’t have time for sleep in his life.”

Although, what Jenny likely didn’t realize in speaking about her son’s misunderstanding of sleep, she was painting a pretty clear picture of her own misunderstanding of relaxation: Jenny has not been to the spa since before Jack was born. Yikes!

Jenny, who happens to be a member of Spa Week’s Hot Mom Spa Squad, clearly knows the importance of recharging your mind and body—so it’s time to give her a taste of her own medicine. How many moms out there dole out wisdom but neglect to follow it themselves? I could say: “To get Jenny to slow down and understand that you have to spa, is a big struggle. The girl jut doesn’t have time for spa in her life.”

Exactly.

When Spa Week reached out to TriBeCa Spa of Tranquility about this great public service for the sake of mom, the acclaimed wellness facility and celebrity hotspot offered up two massages for the cause.

JENNY GILL, You’ve Been Spa-Napped!!!

Filed Under: Hot Mom Spa Squad, Moms and Family, Social Media, Spalebrity Diaries, Spas Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Our Hot Mom Squad’s Mother’s Day Promise

May 8, 2013 | By

While we all scramble for those last minute gifts for mom—that beautiful, strong, devoted woman who gave you life—I had a different question on my mind. A question that invokes the inner spirit of who mom is, and who she hopes to become in the next month, year, decade. I’ve reached out to the members of our Hot Mom Spa Squad to find the answer—not what they want from YOU for Mother’s Day (that’s a Spa & Wellness Gift Card by Spa Week, of course!)… But:

What me-time promise for health and vitality will you give YOURSELF as a gift this Mother’s Day?

Roll call! Here’s what our Hot Moms had to say:

To log off social networks and the internet by 7pm each night to help me better unwind and sleep more soundly each night. –Shannon Nelson, agirlsgottaspa.com

I just finished a FAB 21 day detox cleanse and lost 10 pounds and then I bought a package of Power Pilates classes to ensure I get my butt to pilates 3x/week over the next 3 months :-)–Romy Schorr, RomyRaves.com

I’m giving myself permission to prune my professional offers. In other words, I may have taken something on expecting to be able to manage it, but when it feels like it’s just too much, I’m deciding to be okay with saying that I will no longer manage this thing. My emotional wellness comes first! –Akilah S. Richards, www.execumama.com

I’m buying myself a new camera and tablet this Mother’s Day so I can get work done more efficiently and have more time to relax! –Chelsea Day, somedayilllearn.com

My me-time promise for health and vitality that I’m giving myself a gift this Mother’s Day is a full out of pampering session just for me! I’m looking forward to my massage, haircut, mani & pedi and I will be looking good with my family this Mother’s Day! –Debra Rutt, TheHarriedMom.com

I am making an appointment for a facial and I simply can’t wait! This is the ultimate me-time, no kids, relaxation and healthy skin! –Deanna Underwood, mommyGAGA.com

My me-time promise is to remember to take some me-time in the first place. I’m making a promise to myself to get more rest and to make sure I get some time to myself each week so I can be a better me. This may or may not include regular pedicures. I wrote about that promise here. –Jenny Gill, nycjenny.com

The biggest gift I am giving myself is permission to delegate some of my responsibilities. I am currently finishing my first book, rebranding myself/my business, and building a new website and being a control-freak do-it-yourselfer, it is very hard for me to ask for help and also trust that other people can do something to my specifications as well as I can, in the time I need it done by. So I have begun working with a fabulous book editor and have entrusted my new site to a web designer/developer so I can stop feeling guilty for taking an evening off to catch up on my DVR and spend at least one weekend day doing nothing but playing with my kids. –Rachael Pontillo, holisticallyhaute.com

For Mother’s Day this year, I plan on giving myself some much-needed spa time. I have gift cards racked up for spa services! Getting away and actually using them is on my list of “gifts” I’d like to treat myself to this year. –Sondra Drahos, happyhealthyhip.com/blog

I will make time to meditate/pray/read devotions every day, even if I have to lock myself in the bathroom to do it! –Bekah, motherhood-moment.blogspot.com

I promise continue my Weight Watchers and fitness plan to meet my goal. –Nicole Kempka, redlotusmama.com

This Mother’s Day I am taking a great blog trip with 24 of my favorite friends to Destin! We are giving ourselves the gift of friendship, fun, and TIME OFF from our families so we can energize. –Trisha Haas, momdot.com

The “me time” promise I give myself this Mothers Day is the ability to unwind and de-stress at the end of the day. A mom’s to-do list is never-ending, and sometimes you need to tell yourself it is okay to leave the rest until tomorrow. I love relaxing in a nice bubble bator treating myself to a pedicure!
–Jeanine, mommyentourage.net

As moms, we are under a lot of pressure to go-go-go and do-do-do for our families all the time. It’s important, however, to take time to ourselves so we can be the best moms we can be. So, this year I will make time for: hikes to connect with Mother Nature, Pilates classes as a commitment to my physical health, chats with my girlfriends for my mental health, and the occasional ultimate treat—a spa day just for me! –Colleen Lanin, travelmamas.com

I promise to give my body a total makeover with Bikram Yoga this Mother’s Day…since giving birth to my son over three months ago, I have neglected my body but, for the sake of my kids, husband and sanity, I say no more! So vowing to be healthy, will make me one happy mom and wife. Gina Pompono, MommyPosh.com

My gift is to always embrace Skincare Sunday. Skincare Sunday is for that little bit of extra time that most have on this day to use for caring for themselves, including their skin. It makes for the perfect me-time. #SkincareSunday – it’s not just a Twitter movement that’s spread across the world, it can be your reality. –Ava Roxanne, SpaTravelGal.com

I’ve got FOUR teenagers (Triplets + 1, all born within a year) so I’m one really tense mom 365 days per year — though I do love and adore my darlings they are a bit challenging at this stage. For Mother’s Day I will treat myself to a full body massage and margaritas afterward with another
equally haggard mother friend. –Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

DAILY Me Time: Healthy eating, yoga, at least 10 minutes of meditation.
WEEKLY Me Time: Mani/ Pedi, a date with myself, window shopping for inspiration.
MONTHLY Me Time: A Facial, Bodywrap and/ or Reflexology.
Big promises, but I make big promises to everyone else in my life. Why not me?
– Ruth Staiman, Fashion Office

Filed Under: Home Sweet Home, Hot Mom Spa Squad, Moms and Family, Spalebrity Diaries Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Spa Week Buzz Around the U.S.

March 28, 2013 | By

Moms, bloggers, and spa-lovers everywhere are spreading the word about Spa Week. See why they’re marking their calendars for April 15 — and why you should, too.

1. San Francisco, CA: Sherilynn Macale of Hey Cheri
“I can’t even begin to describe just how amazing it felt to feel completely selfish and at peace for sixty full minutes.” Read more.

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2. Philadelphia, PA: Jeanine of Mommy Entourage
“Treating yourself to the spa is a tradition my mom passed down to me.” Read more.

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3. Tucson, AZ: Natasha Rao of Fashionalities
“I have been on a spa hiatus since having my babies and can’t wait to get back into the groove of relaxing…Spa week is the way to enjoy what I’ve been missing out on.” Read more.

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4. St. Paul, Minnesota: Bekah of Motherhood Moment
“Spas are known for providing celeb clientele with an enviable glow. You could get the same exact spa treatments, from the same exact spas as our beloved stars, for just $50 during Spa Week.” Read more.

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5. Westchester, NY: Gina of Mommy Posh

“It’s so easy to forget about any beauty regime when you are a mom on the go, but this April take the time out and indulge in a mom “me” moment during Spa Week.” Read more.

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6. Media, PA: Melissa of All Things Chic

“There’s nothing like a pampering spa treatment to make me feel like a new woman!” Read more.

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7. Austin, TX: Leigh Ann of Genie in a Blog

“Girl confession time: I’m not that into pampering.” See how we helped transform Leigh Ann’s perspective…Read more.

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8. Westchester, NY: Dagmar Bleasdale of Dagmar’s Home

“My masseuse Coutney was wonderful — so wonderful that I fell asleep during the massage, it was that relaxing!” Read more.

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Did you mention us on your blog? Email daily@spaweekmedia.com and we’ll add you to this post!

Spa Week * APRIL 15-21 * www.spaweek.com *

Filed Under: Spa Week Event, Spas Tagged With: ,

Review Roundup: Beautify Skin Care

March 19, 2013 | By

We partnered with Beautify Skin Care (they’re the exclusive skincare sponsor for April Spa Week!) and got pretty excited to try out this new brand’s products. Then, that gave us an idea — maybe all the fabulous mom and beauty bloggers we know would be excited to try them, too. So, we sent out samples and told the bloggers to let us know what they thought. The verdict? Beautify gets two thumbs up:

From Bekah at Motherhood Moment: “Really indulgent to use.”

From Romy at Romy Raves: ” I can tell that this is a more potent product than I typically use and am impressed by its fast results.”

From Melissa at What Mommy Wants: “From the gorgeous jar to the smooth application, you will be addicted!”

From Ava at Spa Travel Gal: “This hydration felt natural and not oily.”

From Nicole at Red Lotus Mama: “Within just a couple of days I noticed a change in my skin.”

Look out for more reviews on this new line soon…and enter to win a 5-product skincare regimen from Beautify HERE!

 

Filed Under: Spa Week Event, Spas Tagged With: , , ,

7 Ways to Fit a Workout Into a Busy Day

January 15, 2013 | By

By Bekah Jorgenson, Hot Mom Spa Squad member and author of Motherhood Moment

We all know that we should work out regularly – but sometimes just finding the time to get to the gym is half the battle! Between getting there, working out, and getting home, it can easily take up more than an hour of valuable time. We’re all busy – but that’s no excuse! Here are some ways that you can sneak physical activity into your day:

Break It Up
Experts recommend working out for 30 minutes a day, so try working up to that number by exercising for ten minutes at a time! Try doing ten minutes of slower-paced exercised like squats and calf raises first thing in the morning instead of hitting the snooze button. Then, while you’re cooking noodles for lunch, do sets of situps and pushups. At night, do a quick ten minutes of cardio – a brisk walk, jumping jacks, and so on…and there’s your 30 minutes of daily exercise!

Rethink Activity
Add functional workouts to your day. Shovel the snow instead of using a snowblower. Use the stairs instead of the elevator.

Make It Fun
You’ll be a lot more likely to make exercise a priority if you actually enjoy it. If you hate running, then don’t do it! There are so many different types of activities that you’re bound to find something you enjoy: pilates, yoga, weight lifting, kick boxing, dance-inspired workouts – too many to list! Keep trying different workouts until you find one that works for you.

Multi-task
Normally multi-tasking doesn’t work as well as we think. But doing a repetitive physical activity doesn’t take much brain power. So work out while you’re watching TV, or use an exercise machine while you’re reading a book or magazine or listening to an audiobook.

Convenience Helps
Don’t worry about going to the gym. You can an equally effective workout at home, even if you don’t have equipment. Quick internet searches will reveal a wide variety of workouts, tailored to any length of time and any activity you can imagine.

Consider Communal Activities
You need to spend time with your kids, spouse, and/or friends. Why not kill two birds with one stone and add an element of physical activity? Go to the park and actually climb on the structure with your kids. Rollerblade with your significant other. Play a game of pickup volleyball with friends. Not only will you get a workout, but you’ll help spur people you love into healthy lifestyles as well!

Just Move!
Anytime you catch yourself sitting stiill, move. Dance while the popcorn pops. Tighten your abs or your butt muscles while you’re waiting in line. Stand while you’re waiting for the bus. All of these little movements throughout the day will really add up.

About the author: Bekah writes parenting tips at Motherhood Moment, including saving money and time, family meal and activity ideas, and more. She also writes about eco-friendly and mindful living at Motherhood Mindfully.

Filed Under: Fitness, Workput Tips & Tricks Tagged With: , , , , , , ,