Hey moms, when’s the last time you took just 10 minutes for yourself? It’s Hot Mom Monday again, and we’re thrilled to introduce Spa Week’s Hot Mom Spa Squad member Lyss Stern. She’s got a list to share and an excerpted from a book she co-wrote, that every mom should stick on her mirror right NOW.

Lyss is the founder of Divalysscious Moms a networking and events company for the New York area’s well-heeled and fabulous moms. Think Sex and The City meets Mommy and Me. She also co-hosted Spa Week’s first Hot Mom Spa Night NYC last fall!

In 2004, after the birth of her first son, Lyss searched but could not find a single company that catered to the needs of new moms who didn’t want to give up their high heels and makeup in order to embrace the lifestyle changes that come with motherhood. So she combined her creative skills, chic sense of style, networking abilities, love of children, and dual masters’ degree in communications and early education to found Divalysscious Moms. In less than eight years, Lyss’s company, which started with just a few friends, has turned into not only the hippest mom event brand in the New York area, but home to the most coveted mommy database in NYC, which has grown to more than 275,000 women.

Lyss is also the co-author of IF YOU GIVE A MOM A MARTINI… 100 ways to find 10 Blissful Minutes for Yourself, in which supermodel and “super mom” Christie Brinkley wrote the foreword. Here, bliss out with a peek into the book with Lyss’s…

25 Best Blissful 10-minute Mommy Escapes:

1. Recline, Regenerate, Repeat – If you’re at the mall with your husband and kids, tell them you’re going to the ladies room. Instead, slip into Brookstone, sit in one of the massage chairs and listen to the sounds of the ocean on your iPod.

2. Tend to your Kneads – Swing to your nail salon for a maxed-out mommy foot massage. However, if you can’t make it to the nail salon, follow these instructions for a great foot massage at home: Add 4 cups of warm organic whole milk, 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts, and 3 drops of organic lemon essential oil to a warm water footbath. Soak your feet for 10 minutes, and enter mama nirvana.

3. Embrace your OCD – Dump out your makeup drawer and spend ten minutes cleaning and organizing each tube, brush and tool. Sort them by brand, color and frequency of use. Try on a forgotten lipstick with a long-lost gloss or a bold eyeshadow with a daring liner that you haven’t used in ages. Before you know it, you will have given yourself a full makeover!

4. Take a Mind Trip – Plan your next vacation. Start by fantasizing about your perfect locale, whether it’s Fiji, Paris or the Galapagos Islands. Imagine yourself stepping off of the plane and walking into your ideal accommodations. Imagine what you will eat, what you will drink, and what you will see. Then, scour the internet, travel books an magazine to fill in the tangible details.

5. Soak up the Sun – When it is too early in the day to treat yourself to a mommy martini, reclaim your disposition by finding a solo spot in the sun. Lather on the sunscreen, close your eyes, feel the warmth on your skin, and let the serotonin work its magic. You’ll feel better in minutes. Guaranteed.

6. Nap – Preschoolers love them. It’s time to recharge and take a ten minute snooze. Slip into something baggy and comfortable, draw the blinds and light a scented candle. You will wake up with more patience, productivity, and an improved mom-itude. (Don’t forget to set your alarm clock to wake yourself up!)

7. Take a Zen-Ten – A quick meditation session can cause a stressed-out brain to do a U-Turn. Next time you feel you are on the urge of a mommy melt-down, sit on the edge of a chair and place your hands on your thighs with your palms facing down. Close your eyes. Next, inhale and exhale deeply while mentally repeating the mantra, “Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile.” Allow yourself to smile. Try this for about six minutes to bring yourself to reality. *This is LYSS’S #1 momME time pick!

8. Try a Hair Blowout for Cheaters – Getting your hair blown out at a salon is a surefire way to feel like a million bucks. However, there is a shortcut method that can work in a pinch. Just section off the hair that begins at your outer eyebrows and reaches your crown, and blow out smooth. Then, work mousse through the rest of the hair underneath it, and let it air-dry. The idea is for the top half of your hair to look smooth and to cover the rest. Shhhhh…we won’t tell!

9. Power down – The only tools needed for this is a peaceful place to hide – a walk-in closet works nicely. Hit the mommy pause button and turn off all of your electronic devices: PDA, cell phone, computer. If someone important questions why you were unreachable, just tell them that your child flushed your BlackBerry down the toilet.

10. Lather on La Mer – Pampered women around the globe know that La Mer is the greatest moisturizing cream on the planet. At $150 an ounce, it might not be worth blowing your child’s college tuition on. For those every day moments when your skin needs a pick-me-up, try substituting Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Apricot Baby Oil ($8) instead. Your body will be smooth, nourished and as soft as your baby’s tush.

11. Get a Bloom for your Room – Lilacs and freesias and peonies, oh my! When you need to remind yourself that there’s an actual woman inside the room, say it with flowers. Visit an expensive florist in your neighborhood once a week, and have your child pick out a single, delicious stem for your bedside table. It’s a little thing that will fill your bedroom with a gorgeous fragrance, and will make you feel special all day long.

12.  Make like a Tree – Yoga is the best mommy-time you can make for yourself, however, if you don’t have time to take a full yoga class and only have ten minutes to spare, Tree Pose is extremely helpful for centering yourself and practicing balance in your life. Begin by standing up straight with both arms at your sides. Inhale and shift the bulk of your weight onto your left foot. Point your toes down, steady yourself and take a deep breath. Then raise your arms to shoulder level and stretch the, out from the middle of your back. Finally, bring your palms together as if you are saying a prayer. Inhale as you raise your arms overhead. Exhale.

13. Find your “Be” Time – Give yourself a time-out  by waking up a little early – maybe even just a few minutes before everyone else. Take some time to sit and breathe, and take inventory of your life and all of its blessings, things you want to accomplish and things you want to change. Life can be so serene and peaceful when you take time to just “be”

14. See the Light – Looking for a cure to pale, tired skin? Drop into a salon and try LED light therapy. It only takes a few minutes, and you will love the results. Sort of like photosynthesis for the skin, it utilizes light energy already found in skin cells to promote healing and anti-aging effects. More importantly, it also increases endorphins, so you will feel fabulous as a result!

15. Go Down Under – The subway is one of the last places on earth where a mom can spend a few minutes without interruption. No phones ringing, no Blackberries vibrating, no children asking for a snack. Next time you are on the train, savor the time and collect your thoughts. Daydream about the stranger sitting across from you (is he an actor or a porn star?) Or just close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Stand clear of the closing doors…

16. Get a Face Lift – Since phones and children do not mix (funny how they suddenly can’t live without you as soon as an old friend calls), stay connected on Facebook. It is a stealth bridge into the lives of our friends, allowing you to “poke” them quietly while the kids are engrossed in play. Then, pore over pictures of the adorable munchkins they are sneaking away from so they can chat on Facebook, too.

17. Polish it Off – Treat yourself to a manicure in order to escape the distractions of home. Afterwards once you catch a glimpse of your nails, you will surely feel sexier.

18. Fall in (Puppy) Love – Looking for devotion, attention and a big wet kiss? When your kids won’t deliver, spend ten minutes alone with your pooch. Studies show that holding, petting and talking to your pet can actually lower your blood pressure. Remember, a dog  or a cat can’t talk back, hate the outfit you picked out, or reject the meal you made for it.

19. Laugh – When you need to press the mommy pause button, go to a kid-free zone and log on to YouTube and search for videos like: “Girl licks pickle”, “Fat cat watches TV”, “Panda sneezes” and “Cat eats spaghetti”. We dare you not to forget your troubles and take some time to laugh.

20. Chocolate Indulgence – Chocolate is the one thing other than your child’s smile that is guaranteed to make you melt. If you are ready to live la vida cocoa, find your way to get your hands on some really find chocolate. Forget Hershey’s miniatures and indulge in a finer chocolate (think: one that looks like a beautiful mosaic or tiny present) To further indulge, pair your chocolate with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and champagne. You deserve it!

21. Feel Whole Again – Visit a gorgeous gourmet market such as Whole Foods. Just passing through the electronic doors will take you into a whole different world. For ten minutes you are pampered. You will also leave smarter, and free of guilt. After all, why cook dinner for the kids when you can pick up Citrus-kissed chicken fingers with a side of root-vegetable fries?

22. Gloss Over It – When you look good, you feel good! However, if your time-starved makeup routine has been whittled down to a concealer and Chapstick (on a good day), why not put yourself in the hands of the good people at the department store makeup counter? A free makeover may be just what the mommy ordered. The plus side: generous samples, abundant compliments, and walking away feeling polished and pampered.

23. Solo-Sex Break – Some people think that women need a lot more than ten minutes to have a fabulous sexual experience. With a partner, that’s true. Instead, give yourself an ultimate sexual time-out: put on your favorite music, read passages from your favorite erotica, or flip through some pornography. Then get comfortable, relax and spend time with your favorite vibrating accessory. Having an orgasm does wonders for recharging our sex drives and our overall health. Make sure you have AA batteries handy – there is nothing worse than a vibrator that dies in the heat of the moment!

24. Wax Poetic – If you’re having one of those days where you can’t seem to find the “me” in your Mommy and Me world, try immersing yourself in a great poem. You can even try downloading a poetry podcast – it will help transport you to an entirely different place.

25. Be Good to Yourself – Being a mom is humbling and important and amazing. As a mom, there will always be times when you can’t do enough, give enough or be enough. Overwhelming self-doubt is a prerequisite for your job (that and the ability to grab things with your feet!) Do yourself a favor and let go of “perfect” and surround yourself with friends who truly make you feel good. Remember – don’t forget to give YOU permission to take a few minutes to yourself once in awhile. Everyone (including your kids!) will be glad that you did!

Read last week’s first ever Hot Mom Monday with Ruth Staiman of The Fashion Office and her crystal ball to Spring 2012, and stay tuned for more!

Top mommy and kid photo via.

It’s no secret that to for important events, such as at our Spa Week Media Parties, I require some assistance. You know, no matter how good I think I can do my eyes, there’s always a makeup artist who makes me realize I got nothin’. This season, I have the talented, spunk-ified Krystal of Tres Jolie Beauty Boutique in Chelsea, NYC to thank for her re-inventive interpretation of everything north of my neck.

Also from Tres Jolie, read about the Shellac manicure with Chee Chee the Manicure Queen!

Krystal, tattoo’d all over with a super-cool sense of style, is no one trick pony – she’s also a dancer and a model.  But she’s always loved hair and makeup, and one day her mom was the catalyst for her to pursue the other half of her dreams. What she loves most about her job are the transformations. In her own words: “I love turning a woman who’s a bit uncomfortable into vixen sultry amazingness!”

First, we started with a hair cut. It had been a very long while since my last one, and all the AG Split End Spa serum in the world couldn’t fix what I had going on. And I know you’ve all been there before, ladies – you need a hair cut, but you don’t want to give up any length? Right?? The double edged sword! Scissor-happy stylists are a woman’s greatest salon fear! Well, I told Krystal my everlasting Rapunzel wish, and she did not take it lightly. By twisting hair (see first photo), trimming daintily, and building in slight layers, she was able to maintain the length of my locks almost in full… AND get rid of the majority of my splitsies. Bravo on your technique Krystal, and THANKYOUSOMUCH.

Next, she blew out my hair with a round brush, rolling each section of my hair like a yoga mat, and secured the ringlets with clips. Homemade curlers! I kept it up in my halfway-there hair state for a few hours, channeling Martha Washington while the volume of the waves set in. A little bit of hairspray, and then it was onto the makeup.

Now originally this appointment was only a hair appointment. Like I said earlier, I always believe I’ll be fine doing makeup myself, but then after the fact I don’t know what I’d been thinking. Krystal insisted that she glams up my face too, and although she “didn’t have any of her makeup with her” she actually had a TON of makeup with her. Oh, makeup artists. In her purse, she carried this enormous palette you see above. The cool thing about it besides its double rainbow beauty and the fact that Krystal had it in her purse is that it’s very multi-purpose. She used these colors as everything from eye shadow and blush to bronzer and face highlighter, and even to bring out my eyebrows. My ladies, remember this when flexing your makeup drawer – your shadows and lipsticks may be more skilled than you thought.

She took my everyday look and turned it to camera-ready glam. Not only was it a fun girly day at the salon exchanging life stories, hopes and dreams with Krystal (as salon visits tend to go), but I felt totally confident stepping onto the red carpet and playing host for our corporate video. I recommend Krystal, also known as Kys Clark, to anyone who needs to get glammed up for an event. Kisses!

Tres Jolie Beauty Boutique
166 West 27th Street
New York, NY 10001
212.675.7900

Let’s start with the dirty bit: THIS is what came out of my ears this morning:

WHOAH, will someone please tell me what this was doing there in the first place!? I happen to be one of those people who loves Q-tipping (only with Q-tip brand though, yes I’m a Q-tip snob), and LOVES getting out big waxy pieces of gunk. You know, when you skip a day or two and then you are able to dislodge those dark golden treasures from within your ear canal? Sadly, it seems I’ve only been scraping the surface!

Perhaps I’ve said too much. Here’s how it went down:

THE SPA: On this beautiful morning, the second day of Spa Week Fall 2011, I ventured to try a treatment I never had before: Ear Candling. (You know I believe EVERYONE should be trying something new during Spa Week…) It’s one of the $50 spa treatments offered this week at Fabylous Living, located in the fresh-scented flower district of Chelsea, New York City. Bright light spills generously into this 8-year-old wellness facility of alternative healthcare, where owner Fabiola and her team specialize in treatments like colon hydrotherapy, massage therapy, lymphatic drainage, nutrition counseling, and of course… Ear Candling.

THE BENEFITS: Ear Candling is an ancient Egyptian practice dating back to 2500 BC, trusted by millions to deliver a wide range of benefits. The treatment clears sinuses, alleviates and prevents allergies and colds, improves hearing, and helps people who have that pesky “ringing in the ear” problem. Also, it’s great for singers and heavy-talkers, such as actors, radio announcers, and your mother-in-law.

THE TREATMENT: One of the great misconceptions of Ear Candling is that the tool used is a candle, and that wax melts into your ear canal during the procedure. NOT SO! The candle-looking object you see is actually a hollow cone made of Egyptian cotton, held together with paraffin (not the wax kind). When the top tip is lit on fire, the other end (that is inserted into your ear) begins smoking, comme ca:

And then, with no song or dance, the smoking end of the cone is gently placed in your ear. It takes about 10 minutes for each cone to burn through, loosening all the extra, congested wax and bacteria from your inner ear, and elevating it up into the cone. Aside from the aromatherapy she used to open up my sinuses with deep breaths in the beginning, I also smelled the burning of the flame. I love that smell, reminds of of s’mores. And Chanukah. For me, Fabiola did two cones in each ear. This is recommended for candling newbies, or just as an extra cleansing for those who need (crave?) it most.

DID IT HURT? When you were all asking me questions about it in action this morning on Facebook and Twitter, one of the most common curiosities was if I was in pain. (Why, thank you for your concern!) The answer, to my surprise, is  no – it actually FELT GOOD. The process itself was extremely relaxing, and there was not even a moment of discomfort. At all. Whatever’s going on inside your ear happens very discreetly.

FABYLOUS BONUS: Along with the treatment, Fabiola adds to the wellness bliss by pairing it with Lymphatic Drainage Massage on the face, neck and shoulders. With great purpose, her fingers moved around my sinuses and stimulated movement from the outside, as the candling cleansed them from within. The combination was invigorating; it felt like she was physically massaging out my seasonal allergies.

And in actuality… she was.

THE RESULTS: I’ve always been prone to allergies, but for some reason these past few weeks have been worse than usual. I felt an immediate difference after the treatment: Clearheaded in the most literal of ways. No sign of itchy throat or watery eyes. My sinus passageways seem to have opened-sesame’d. Also, I honestly think that all that gunk could have been the cause of my obnoxiously-loud TV-watching. I’m the girl who wants to “turn it up!” until just before it gets staticky, and as far as I can tell today, it seems like I can hear things more clearly! Like louder, clearer voices in the office. Which isn’t necessarily a good thing when you’re a blogger. But I’ll take it.

IS IT SAFE? This was another concern of yours; some of you have heard things about it not being safe, or you are worried about wax falling back into your ear during the treatment. Fabiola has been doing Ear Candling since 1998, and says she has never encountered any complications or negative effects. And considering it’s been trusted since 2500 BC, it has quite a longstanding reputation.

So, just to remind you again of what should NOT be in your ears canals, here it is:

Now book yourself some Spa Week Ear Candling! Or something else Fabylous…

Fabylous Living – Chelsea
145 West 28th Street, Suite 900
New York, NY 10001
212.279.0558

Call now for their $50 treatments this week:

• 60 Min Fabylous Stone Massage with Organic Lavender or Eucalyptus Aromatherapy Oil
• 60 Min Cleansing Colonic Treatment with Consultation and Organic Aromatherapy Oil
• Choice of 60 Min Whole Body Lymphatic Drainage Massage or 60 Min Ear Candling with Face and Neck Lymphatic Drainage

Octagon Spa Salon in Gurnee, Illinois  is also offering the treatment. Call them at 847.360.9880. In another city? Browse spaweek.com in your city to see if it’s being offered near you.

It’s no secret: my favorite part of my job is the fact that I get to go to the spa. I feel quite lucky to be able to experience the wellness benefits of the spa lifestyle in such a capacity, learning hands-on about the best spas and treatments in existence. Which brings me to my second favorite part of my job: getting to share my experiences with you. Over the past 2 years I’ve done a good deal of spa-dventuring around NYC, so with Spa Week launching Monday and everyone asking me where I recommend, I put together this list of 28 of my favorites (is that too many to call favorites?) in Manhattan, where I spa most frequently.

Enjoy these gems located in my favorite city on earth, and if you still haven’t booked your $50 treatments for next week, do so immediately! I cannot urge you enough to take advantage of the incredible Spa Week price point.

Click for the full New York Spa Week Directory for phone numbers, websites and more info, and to see which $50 treatments each spa is offering this Fall.

1. Albina’Spa – It’s a lofty, open space with exposed brick and lots of plants that makes you feel like you’re hanging in your cool friend’s very zen living room. Albina’s the Spa Week office go-to for eyelash extensions. Midtown East

2. completely bare – It’s possible that I’ve been to cb more than any other spa in the city. Their Brazilian waxes are gentle and exquisitely executed – they use an “ouch-less” wax and I’ll say that it is less-ouchy than most. Their laser hair removal is second to none. Also, I recently fell in lurve with their Completely Bronzed sunless tan. Heyyy spray-vacay. Rockafeller Plaza, Midtown East, NoHo

3. Deva Spa – Located a level beneath SoHo, this spa has always come highly recommended by me. They have a beautiful canopied couples room with a private whirlpool.  One of our readers said she got “absolutely the most luxurious pedicure and foot massage ever!” at Deva. Also the location of our I Get Naked At The Spa music video. SoHo

4. Dorit Baxter – With over 30 years experience, Dorit’s little spa in midtown is cozy and a classic affordable choice for New Yorkers. I thoroughly AMEN’d their Smoothing Sea Salt Body Scrub. Midtown

5. Dyanna Body Nail Salon – Dyanna is actually where I personally go for my bikini waxes. Their staff of Russian waxing specialists rocks; I don’t even make an appointment, I’ll trust whoever is available. Speedy and GOOD. Also, I’ve had unique facials (like a Caviar facial) and body wraps at Dyanna – they are full service. Flatiron

6. Enliven BodyWorks - I had the Thai Bomb Massage here, and as a big fan of thorough, firm massages, this was everything I needed. They’re offering it for Spa Week and I’d recommend it to any frazzled New Yorker who needs the stress kicked outta them in Midtown East. Check it out on Live Spa TV. Midtown East

7. exhale mindbodyspa – What can I say, this place is just a phenomenal purveyor of the wellness lifestyle. Between their signature Core Fusion classes and variety of exceptional spa therapies, I only wish I had time to become one of exhale’s many cult followers. Meatpacking, Gramercy, Central Park South, Upper East Side

8. face to face nyc - There’s a lot more to this spa than being ridiculously, ridiculously good looking. Owner Enrique Ramirez and his team run the sexiest spa in NYC, which caters to both men and women. They are offering autumn-themed facials and scrubs (catch the review and livestream from last year – both were great). Also, for your sexy sparkly fix, they’re offering FREE Vajazzle or Pejazzle (click for our Pejazzle photo shoot) with your bikini wax. Flatiron/Chelsea

9. Fine Living New York Ayurveda - Remember the singing lady in the Fall promo video? Shree is my spa starlet, and she can be found at the fine space of Fine Living. With the mission of bringing the Ayurvedic lifestyle to the next generation in NYC, this spa truly delivers and provides unusual treatments you won’t find at many other spas, like Shiro-Pada-Abhyanga Head and Foot Massage. Union Square

10. Graceful Services - Forcefully strong yet equally graceful hands are a priceless commodity in this industry. The  flocks of suited men and women I saw coming and going during my visit are a sign that this no-frills 2nd floor spa is no secret to midtown professionals seeking top-quality services. Midtown East

11. Heaven E Beauty Spa - Ooooh, heaven is a place in Chinatown. From the outside you might think it’s a stereotypical Chinatown massage parlor, but au contraire! I could write a book about how pleasantly surprised I was— how pretty it is inside, the cutting edge spa technology they have (The ME K3 machine made me look 21 again), and the fantastic services they provide. Chinatown

12. Laser Cosmetica – With locations around New York, I’d recommend this spot for a photofacial – check out my photofacial video. I was thrilled with the results, and really felt and saw a difference that in my skin both immediately and over the next week or two. Flatiron, Midtown East, Midtown, Tribeca

13. Lia Schorr Day Spa - There’s a soft spot in my heart, and on my face, for the sweet Lia Schorr, owner of both her Day Spa and the Lia Schorr Institute, where she’s taught multi-generations her skincare secrets. Try this place for very thorough facials – like the 70 minute deep pore cleansing one they’re offering this Spa Week. Midtown East

14. LING Skin Care - For intensive facial needs like Quadra Peels and Oxygen Plasma rejvenations, visit LING. Ling Chan has been a facial expert since ’76, and her namesake skincare line is trusted by many celebrities. And spa-lebrities like myself. If you have 4.5 minutes, watch this. Union Square

15. Mezzanine Spa – Great for both facials and massages (click for Live Spa TV of each), this spa is a place I’d recommend to anyone looking for exceptional services in the heart of Soho. Downstairs there’s a dermatologist, which makes for easy referrals should your skin require more attention that just a facial and you didn’t realize it. SoHo

16. Perricone MD Facial Salon – I’ve all but written a Broadway musical about Estella, the woman who did my favorite facial ever. Dr. Perricone, a member of Spa Week Daily’s expert panel, not only pushes out books, tweets and products to make skin glow, he’s also offering a $50 facial and Electro-Stim Eye Lift next week at his UES flagship. Upper East Side

17. Randee Elaine - “90 minutes” is always a good thing to see in front of your $50 Spa Week treatment, especially when it includes both a body wrap and a deep pore facial. It’s a no-frills kind of spa but if the sports massage I had there is any indication, holy wow they are GOOD. West Village

18. Russian & Turkish Baths - Every time I go I have a grand old time. For over 100 years, it’s been a gathering spot those who cherish the bathhouse therapies and sense of community. After visiting with my boyfriend, I suggested it as a steamy spa date idea. Try for an all-day Spa Week adventure! East Village

19. Smooth Synergy – With a focus on thoroughly executed treatments, I’ve been here for many treatments, including when they chiseled and contoured by body with Lipomassage by Endermoligie (click for a video and more on Smooth Synergy). PS. Miley Cirus once got a spray tan here. Midtown East

20. SmoothMED – Lip plumping and Botox brow lifts… My little secrets. Shhhhh. Midtown East

21. Spa Martier - Gosh this place is full of FUN. Let’s see, they do 24 Karat Gold Facials, it was the gorgeous location of our Wanderlust Photo Shoot, AND they did this sweet  P-P-P-Poker Hand Manicure that lasted 3 weeks. Midtown East

22. Spa Merge - Probably my most frequently recommended of all spas on this list. They simply deliver with tremendous service each and every time, and although it’s a big spa and part of The Hilton, it remains intimate with non cookie-cutter services. I’ve tried multiple facials, bath soaks, massages… and I was thrilled to introduce it to over 80 new women at our Hot Mom Spa Night. Midtown

23. Supple Spa – With rooms called Tokyo, Sunset, Kaleidescope… this red-lit spa is couples treatment paradise! But still good if you’re flying solo. See why my spa date Lisa Gardner could hardly form complete sentences after our couples massage there. Flatiron

24. The Back Room Hand & Hoot Spa at Carol’s Daughter – I don’t usually travel so far north, but I couldn’t help but take my mom Carol here for her birthday last year. This place is full of character. And I’m really jealous that Carol’s Daughter has nearly 700,000 Facebook Likes. Harlem

25. The Salon & Spa at Saks Fifth Avenue - Shop till you drop… onto the massage table. The spa is just as high-end as the Saks clientele. And Victor gives amazing massages. Midtown

26. The Village Wellness Project - This is where I discovered the painkilling wonders of cupping and gua sha. It’s a tiny little wellness spa with a large variety of holistic healing services. Greenwich Village

27. Tribeca Spa of Tranquility – Their 70 minute Korean body scrub has been raved about by many as the scrub of a lifetime. I love visiting this spa because of the services, but also the calmness that settles around it down in Tribeca. Tribeca

28. Vada Spa & Laser Center – Home of my first Reiki experience! This Spa Week I recommend their massage or Shellac manicure. West Village

Again, here is the FULL NYC LIST. Good luck choosing – tweet me at @SPAWEEK or @michellejoni if you would like any more specific recommendations! xx

beautiful city skyline photo c/o W Hotels, taxi image via wired.com