This is Stephanie on the train. (In honor of the 76th birthday of children's author Roger Hargreaves)

Last week, something awful happened to me when I was on the train. I was minding my own business, checking my Facebook news feed, when I heard the one noise no one wants to hear at 8:30am: the “traditional ringer” of an iPhone on loud. A passenger about three rows ahead of me was now rummaging through his jacket pocket trying to answer his cell phone. I cringed with each ring. I was hardly awake; my eardrums were not ready for that type of abuse.

After he found the devil’s device, something even more horrible happened: he answered it. He started shouting about some sort of deal or contracts something or other. All I could think was, “Is this guy serious?” I could see the passengers around me rolling their eyes and glaring at this guy over their morning papers.  No one had had enough coffee to deal with this torture. How rude! It was at this point I turned to my iPod for some relief. While my variety of music drowned out Mr. Cell Phone’s boisterous conversation, the high volume made me feel even more anxious. I was so irritated not even some feel good Earth Wind and Fire could make me cool down.

This is Stephanie after listening to Spa Radio.

I wish I had known then what I know now. The popular music app and internet radio website, Slacker Radio announced the addition of new stations to their platform last Thursday, including a station called “Spa Radio.” Slacker describes the station as, “healing, contemplative music – the soundtrack to a day at the spa, yoga, meditation, aromatherapy or just relaxing at home.” They should have added, “Perfect for annoying situations while riding public transportation.”  I now have the app on my phone and listen to soothing harmonies on the train. It helps me feel relaxed and calm as I ride to work and picture myself getting a soothing Swedish massage or a reflexology treatment. The best part: I can drown out everyone on the train while still feeling centered and completely Zen.

Dear Slacker Radio,

Thank you for helping me stay sane.

Sincerely,

Stephanie.

Click here to listen to the Spa station on Slacker Radio.

Sunday marks another year of honoring our mothers for all the hard work they put in day in and day out. Whether it’s providing filling dinners when we don’t have the time to cook ourselves, staying up for late night bedside venting sessions, being the brutally honest shopping partner we need and all around best friend — MOMS, we appreciate you! As you shop for the perfect gift this year keep in mind her interests and give her a gift she will love. In honor of those interests we reached out to our Facebook fans and Team Spa Week for their mother’s favorite songs. Consensus? Our moms are rocking to songs from The Rolling Stones and The O’jays to James Taylor and Boyz II Men. We love you mom. 

1. Shower the People, James Taylor ( Stephanie’s Mom’s Favorite Song)
2. Stacy’s Mom, Fountains of Wayne (Kaitlin’s Mom’s Favorite Song)
3. A Case of You, Joni Mitchell (Michelle’s Mom’s Favorite Song)
4. Sherry, Franki Valli & The Four Seasons (Rebecca’s Mom’s Favorite Song )
5. A Song for Mama, Boyz II Men (Melissa’s Mom’s Favorite Song)
6. Maggie May, Rod Stewart (Erin’s Mom’s Favorite Song)
7. Cry Together, OJay’s (Candace’s Mom’s Favorite Song)
8. Don’t You Forget About Me, Simple Minds (Dawn M.’s Mom’s Favorite Song)
9. Is This Love, Bob Marley & The Wailers (Marlene J.’s Mom’s Favorite Song)
10. Sitting On The Dock By The Bay, Otis Redding (Heather L.’s Mom’s Favorite Song)
11. Kashmir, Led Zepplin (Jennifer W.’s Mom’s Favorite Song)
12. Ave Maria, Celine Dion (Yvette D. and Mary Jo B.’s Mom’s Favorite Song)
13. I’d Give Anything, Beres Hammond (Rose T.’s Mom’s Favorite Song)
14. You Were Always On My Mind, Willie Nelson (Melissa R.’s Mom’s Favorite Song )
15. Gimme Shelter, The Rolling Stones (Breanna’s Mom’s Favorite Song )
16. Oh What a Night, The Four Seasons (Kelly’s Mom’s Favorite Song)
17. My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis (Carol R.’s Mom’s Favorite Song)
18. The Way You Make Me Feel, Michael Jackson (Mazelle J.’ Mom’s Favorite Song)

Image via

Ever been to a wedding where the bride and the groom were picture perfect, the décor was plucked straight from a bridal magazine, but the music was an unfortunate disaster? A bad band, pitch-y singer, or an unprepared DJ can completely throw off the whole vibe. There is nothing worse than seeing a bride mope around her reception because the master of music can’t get the playlist right. Even worse, being stuck with a pompous band chiming in with the drums like a badly timed joke. Then the night is over and your guest will remember your wedding by how bad the music was. We put the dress, food and décor so high up on the list, but the ambiance has to be set right. Here are a few tips to avoid a musical disaster on your wedding day. Cue the music!

1. Research, Research, Research! – This is not a task you take to Google Search — you have to thoroughly research the band that will be playing the music for your ceremony. As much as we would like to keep the whole ceremony a huge hush-hush surprise, it is safer to build a list of references from friends that have dealt with the company before. If you go with an agency keep in mind you could be charged 15-20% outside of the musician’s fees.
2. Draw Up a Contract – A contract insures that you expectations be met during the wedding. Take the lead when it comes to this. When you come to them with a contract it shows you mean business. Outline when they should arrive and how long you expect them to play.
3. Hear the Music – Yes, this is an obvious step, but many engaged couples don’t take the time to do this. When the choices are narrowed down take a weekend a few months ahead of the wedding day to how your musician plays.
4. Build a Playlist – Here comes the fun part. Put on your dancing shoes and call your bridal party over to help you build your playlist. Don’t forget to include suggestions from hubby-to-be. P.S. – You can’t go wrong with the Cheesiest Love Songs of All Time. Okay, maybe you can.
5. Discuss the Flow for the Night – To avoid abrupt interruption assign someone from your wedding party to stay on top of the band throughout the duration of the affair. Let them know the tempo of music you want played during different parts of the ceremony. Get in sync with your music man and then have fun!

Image via

In the words of Katy Perry last night at the Grammys:

This one goes out to all the Valentine lovers.

While Katy’s “Teenage Dream” might land on this list 10 years from now, we’ll let it slide for the time being. From the bottom of our hearts, here are the cheesiest, most classic love songs of all time. (Your list—we couldn’t resist recycling from last year.) Enjoy, and have a LOVEly night! <3

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…” You’re way more likely to hum it than do it, aren’t you?

The time of year for exaggerated gestures of love and unrelenting holiday cheer is finally upon us. As we approach occasions filled with endless laughs, conversation, dinners, and quality time spent with those who know us best, let’s reflect on the soundtrack. The holidays would be lackluster lacking Eartha Kitt’s seductive purr on “Santa Baby,” Dean Martin’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside” or Mariah Carey’s strong voice declaring all she really wants for Christmas is you. Silence your inner Grinch with our playlist of classics sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

1. All I Want for Christmas is You, Mariah Carey
2. Last Christmas, Glee Cast (Suggested by Aida Zejnullahu)
3. Sleigh Ride, The Carpenters (Suggested by Kristina Paulk)
4. The Hanukkah Song, Adam Sandler
5. You’re One Mean One, Mr. Grinch (Suggested by Dana Prigge)
6. Oh Holy Night, Martina McBride (Suggested by Monique Iacobacci)
7. Baby It’s Cold Outside, Dean Martin (Suggested by Sandra Aguirre Herrera)
8. Jingle Bells, Bing Crosby (Suggested by Julia Deets)
9. Good King Wenceslas (Suggested by Melissa Whiteford St Clair)
10. Silver Bells, Johnny Mathis (Suggested by Jacqui Brown)
11. White Christmas, Bing Crobsy (Suggested by Nancy Mickevich)
12. It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Andy Williams
13. Silent Night, Bing Crosby (Suggested by Darla Jolley Kelly)
14. Dominick The Donkey (The Italian Christmas Donkey), Lou Monte (Suggested by Nancy Maslanka McMillin)
15. Feliz Navidad, Jose Feliciano
16. Jingle Bell Rock, Bobby Helms
17. The Christmas Song, Nat King Cole (Suggested by Tammy Robinson)
18. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, Elmo & Patsy
19. Carol of the Bells, George Winston (Suggested by Kathleen Hoban)
20. This Christmas, Donny Hathaway (Suggested by Vanessa Weatherspoon)
21. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, Burl Ives
22. Winter Wonderland, Faith Hill
23. Step into Christmas, Elton John (Suggested by Megan Colombaroni)
24. Let It Snow, Boyz 2 Men
25. Santa Baby, Earth Kitt

Image Courtesy of sheknows.com