Girls’ Night In: Lemon Sugar Body Scrub

One of the best parts of our Hot Mom Spa Squad is that it is always growing! We’ve welcomed a handful of Moms over the past few weeks that we can’t wait for you to hear from…

Speaking of which, newest member mommy, Dawn, founder of Not Just a Mommy!, wants to help you get your spa-rty on. Dawn is a mom of two boys, proud military wife of a Marine and the owner of a very hyper mini schnauzer. With a B.S. in Mathematics, she’s admittedly a bit of a geek but her true passion is party planning. Her blog is all about entertaining, event planning, crafts and lifestyle (and, if you live in Seattle or the surrounding areas, I she’s available for all of your party planning needs, from consulting to full event hosting). See below for her favorite DIY spa party crafts plus, her fool-proof Lemon Sugar Body Scrub. It’s so important to take time out for yourself, even if you don’t leave the house!

By Dawn Smith

Every woman needs a little pampering now and then, but sometimes you just don’t have the big bucks for a full day at the spa.  How about hosting a spa party at home with your girls?  Here are some great ideas to inspire you…

A few years ago I put together a Spa Party with goody bag favors, like face masks, bath beads, and nail files, all kinds of spa goodies the girls used that evening.  Hit up your local beauty supply and drug stores for great deals on nail polish, toe separators and more! (The stores are always trying to move those products to make room for seasonal items, so you’ll most likely get a good deal.)  Purchase items like bath beads in large jars and divvy up into smaller containers to save money.

If you can’t find individual soaps on sale, make your own! A silicone ice mold and a soap-making kit from your local craft store is a fun way to custom-make soap. It’s so easy, you just melt the glycerin, add colors and scents of your choice and wrap in clear cellophane. Everyone will think you scored them from a specialty bath store.

Another great party activity is make your own sugar scrub.  This is my fool-proof, all-natural lemon sugar body scrub that I’ve used at countless parties and have gifted WAY too many times.  It will make all those rough areas feel so smooth and you’ll smell amazing.  It can be customized. too. If you like your scrubs “scrubbier,” add more sugar, or if you want it to smell stronger, add a few more drops of the lemon essential oil.

Dawn’s Lemon Sugar Body Scrub

(Makes one batch)

Ingredients:

  • 6 oz air-tight container (I’ve used plastic Tupperware and mason jars before. this container is a Lock-Up, I’ve purchased mine from The Container Store and have seen them at Jo-Ann’s Fabrics)
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons of grapeseed oil
  • ½ tablespoon of olive oil
  • juice from ½ of a medium lemon
  • 3 drops lemon essential oil

Directions:

  1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl then, spoon into the storage container
  2. Considering this is made with no preservatives, it will not last forever, so store in an air-tight container and keep in the refrigerator

Don’t forget to feed your guests! Yes, chocolate is a given but don’t forget the healthy snacks and drinks. Make food that is easy to eat and transport around the party. One Charming Party has a great smoothie recipe and tasty meat and veggie kabobs that won’t make you a slave to the kitchen.

Cheers to planning a fabulous night in, one your guests won’t soon forget.

10 Ways to Glam Up and Zen Out Your Place On The Cheap

I’m on the verge of a move! In just two weeks I’ll be settling into a three bedroom apartment a few blocks east with my first-ever exposed brick wall. It’s a beauty! And the last thing I want to do is ruin it with all my decorative clutter. You know, if you pamper your palace it’ll pamper you back. My first goal is minimalizing my collection of all-too-excessive trinkets and decor, and after that, it’s adding the perfect select pieces to finish it off. With a small budget, and keeping in mind that we plan to be entertaining a lot (hello ugly sweater party!), it’s important to have a strategy. Interior design guru Michael Craig, founder of dinette.com, shares his budget-friendly tips on how to glam up your place with just a few strategic moves, along with my picks, all under strong consideration for purchase!

1.  First thing’s first… LESS. IS. MORE. Take away unnecessary items that distract the eye from the Main Event. Take notes from your favorite zen spa ambiance: de-clutter, ladies!

2.  Jazzy pillows. Add some to spice up your boring sofa. Also, make sure they are comfortable for your guests to relax. My pick: Add a patchwork safari touch from Urban Outfitters for conversational comfort- $36

3. Orchids. Orchids always add sophistication to any space – make sure to water accordingly and watch them blossom.

4.  Add a shiny bowl to your tabletop – nuts look great in a glitzy silver bowl. Editor’s pick: A giant spoon! From Z Gallerie – $29.95


5.  Put a runner on your tabletop.  Not only does it protect against nail polish remover spills (the worst!) but it will add charm and style. Editor’s pick: Opt for an unusual shape – who said runners need to be straight-edged? This red flamenco flower runners from Pier 1 will pop, even under 2 tons of turkey and potatoes. $29.95

6.  Candles. Not only do they provide great lighting but can fill the room with relaxing aromas. Go easy on the strong scents! Editor’s pick: get in the holiday spirit with a little luxury from Diptyque’s new Joie de Vivre collection, a pine and candied plum scent. Visit diptyqueparis.com - Starting at $32

7.  Edit your framed pictures. Too much is too much! We don’t need to see a 100 pictures of your baby. We already did on Facebook. On a similar note, here’s an idea for a very cool use of picture frames!

8.  Live plants. Putting a live plant in your home is never wrong – but proportional size is key. Editor’s pick: Bring the desert home with these small and very low maintence little cacti plants from Home Depot. 3-pack for $23.96

9. Rugs and runners.  Add a runner or rug to give warmth to your space. It keeps your toes from touching the cold surface. Editor’s pick: Dare to go furry and white for a cozy elegant touch. Crazy, you say? Actually – my friend has one just like this, and surprisingly it has remained unstained and looking brand new for over a year! Not recommended if you have kids… and keep Drunk Uncle Bob in the other room. On overstock for $290.

10.  Dimmers are key. This one takes a little more planning, but mood lighting always helps control the ambiance and allows you to drift off to your happy place.

Just like this.


Best Dressed Blogger Wins Big!

She looks pretty good, huh? Maybe it’s because she was getting pampered at our New York Fashion Week spa party with Lookbooks.com on Valentine’s Day… or maybe it’s because girlfriend knows how to put together a freakin’ outfit.

Congratulations to Emily of lovelywanderlust.com, who was voted by readers as the #1 best dressed blogger of the party, scoring her wine from Italian Wine Masters, a pair of Manolos, and a $100 Spa Week Gift Card!  Click HERE to browse everyone who entered the competition.

Emily had my vote from the beginning with her amazing high waisted leather shorts, demure Valentine’s Day spirited blouse, and perfectly V-necked cami  peeking out, revealing just enough and not too much. She pulled it together with almost-opaque tights and black booties and a soft furry clutch for a undoubtedly seasonal ensemble.

On behalf of Spa Week Daily, I’m excited to send this Wanderlust a la mode to the spa with a Spa Week gift card—whether it’s a massage, a facial, pedicure, scrub, eyelash extensions or something else she chooses, I know she’ll make it look exceptionally good.

Click HERE for the 2nd and 3rd place winners.

VAJEWEL: Vajazzle Your Privates in Private

Up until about a year ago, no one knew of the serious need for women everywhere to adorn, tattoo, bedazzle and sparkle their most private regions. Cindy Barshop, the owner of Complete Bare Spa brought you first the Vajazzle, then the Vatoo urging women to dress up a little more (down there). Now our go-to spa for bikini area adornment has just upped the ante with a limited edition kit that allows you to do all of the above in the privacy of your own home. For those of you who are curious but not bold old enough to walk into a spa an ask for the royal treatment, this may be your answer. Last week we were invited to the debut of the NEW limited edition bikini wax kit with BONUS Vajewel™, a $50 gift (Valued at $65) to learn all about it:

Real Housewives of New York Jill Zarin, Kelly Bensimon and Countess Luann de Lesseps supporting their friend, Completely Bare Owner Cindy Barshop (black hair)

Each kit includes:
•  step-by-step instructions for the ultimate, easy at home bikini wax
•  qr code to take you to an instructional video
•  bubblegum pink ouchless strip wax™ for your bikini
•  bubblegum purple ouchless stripless wax™ for a smooth brazilian
•  no mess mats to catch fumbles
•  spatulas for easy wax on application
•  disposable wax strips to wax off
•  completely prepped™ towelettes to get completely clean before you begin
•  completely off™ towelettes to remove any residual wax
•  rear-view-mirror to see what you’re doing
•  BONUS Vajewel™ in the shape of a bow, made exclusively with real Swarovski Elements to add some seasonal flair

Breanna gave the vajewel a try, in G-rated fashion.

Application was a piece of cake. You just warm the adhesive in the palm of your hands then hold it in place for a few seconds. The premiere party featured some swanky, superstar endorsers, the Real Housewives of New York. By the end of the night, Jill, Alex, Kelly and Luann were up on stage singing the praises of the Vajewel. The housewives have added their seal of approval and so have we. To get your vajewel kit in time for the holidays click here.

Showing off the vajewels...

Annual Spa Party at Nina’s = FREE Treatments

Calling all New Yorkers who love free spa treatments! WOAH, do I know you or WHAT? On Thursday, December 9th from 4pm – 9pm you’re invited to Nina’s European Day Spa and Laser Center on 5 W. 35th St in Manhattan for a spa party free-for-all. Nina has been in business for nearly 25 years and is known for bringing some of the most exclusive European spa techniques to the Big Apple. If you’ve never experienced the facial and body services at Nina’s Spa, now you can give them a whirl for free. During the party, fill up on free hors d’oeuvres, wine, waxings, lasers, masks and consultations. No RSVP necessary. Just show up and enjoy!

If you can’t make it to Nina’s that day…

…or you’re looking for more robust treatment offerings, they’re also running this awesome special through our Spa Deals program right now:

THE SPA DEAL: Pick TWO for you, or share with a friend:
- Organic Stress Release Facial with Extractions
- Microdermabrasion
- 60 Min Full Body Aromatherapy Relaxation Massage
- Sea Salt Body Exfoliation Scrub
- Laser Hair Removal for Bikini, Underarms or Lip.
Special: $99

Nina’s European Day Spa and Laser Center
5 West 35th Street
New York, NY 10001
212.594.9610