By now, you probably have already received tons of advertisements and email marketing regarding Valentine’s Day.  Not to mention that your loved ones keep reminding you this date, February 14th.

So, what’s the origin of this holiday?  Valentine’s Day, short for Saint Valentine’s day was established to celebrate love and affection between intimate companions.  It was named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD.  It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines”).

Well, in our modern days, the Valentine’s Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, flowers especially roses which represent love, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

In the USA, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800’s and now the date is very commercialized.

Many countries around the world has its own celebrations.  n France, a traditionally Catholic country, Valentine’s Day is known simply as “Saint Valentin”, and is celebrated in similar ways as other western countries.

In Spain, this holiday is known as “San Valentín” and is celebrated the same way as in the U.K, although in Cataloniait is largely superseded by similar festivities of rose and/or book giving on La Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George’s Day).

Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on Valentine’s Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was:

Good morning to you, valentine;
Curl your locks as I do mine…
Two before and three behind.
Good morning to you, valentine.

In Portugal, Valentine’s day is more commonly referred to as “Dia dos Namorados”  or “Boy/Girlfriend’s Day”. Though it is not an official holiday in Sweden, the day is called Alla hjärtans dag (“All Hearts’ Day”) and was launched in the 1960s by the flower industry’s commercial interests.  The sales of flowers and cosmetics for All Hearts’ Day are only exceeded by those for Mother’s Day.

While in Denmark and Norway, this date is known as Valentinsdag. It is not celebrated to a large extent, but many people celebrate with a romantic dinner with their partner, to send a card to a secret love or give a red rose to their loved one.

As I read that there are similar Asian traditions for this particular date.  In Chinese culture, there is an older observance related to lovers, called “The Night of Sevens”.  According to the legend, the Cowherd star and the Weaver Maid star are normally separated by the milky way (silvery river) but are allowed to meet by crossing it on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Chinese calendar.

Many of us do believe that everyday should be Valentine’s Day, but if you have already made plans for a romantic dinner for two, or sending your sweetheart for a relaxing Spa Day or pampering Spa Gift Basket, go ahead and make this date just a little more special! 

Happy Valentine’s Day & enjoy!

 
Source:  Wikipedia, History

I read a lot about the Sturebadet Spa in Stockholm and thought that I must get a traditional Swedish Massage while I was there.  This is one of the oldest spa in Sweden and located in the heart of town, at a busy Sturegallerian shopping complex.

Founded by a medical doctor, Carl Curman in 1885, this spa was created as a communal bathhouse.  His innovative concepts regarding bathing therapy was to encourage the people in Stockholm to promote good health and wellness through exercise and many forms of bathing.

Nowadays, I can see the locals going into this modern spa for a relaxing spa treatments, or any of the exercise workouts during their lunch hours. 

The spa offers more than massages, you can get state of the art exercise facilities in the gym, personal training sessions as well as aquarobics and Yoga.  I received one of my best facials along with their spa products in Sturbadet.  My massage therapist managed to release my kinks and pains from my hectic travels.  I felt that my stress melted away quickly. 

One of my favorite spots of the spa is the gorgeous swimming pool.  Built in 1902 with beautiful Moorish tiles which blends with Art Nouveau style.  Sturebadet has a separate Turkish Bathing area which was loved by Greta Garbo back in the 1920’s. 

I also heard that the cafe serves one of the best breakfast in town.  More reason to return to Sturebadet on my next trip.

New Year, new healthy you!
If you haven’t gotten one yet, let’s set up a wellness plan for better health and spirit.  Feeling aches and sore muscles from hard work or stress?  It’s time to prescribe yourself a massage therapy. 

Most of us feel that this is an indulgence.  In truth, I believe that a good massage is a necessity and try to schedule for monthly treatment can do wonders to our well-being.  Besides, releasing the suppressed anxiety and tension, massages can help to get rid of toxins from our bodies.  Our lymph system is responsible for carrying metabolic waste away from our cells which oftentimes get backed up.  During a massage session, the lymph is loosened, allowing these toxins to move more freely through and out of our bodies.  Essential oils or lotion can be added as aromatherapy spa treatments during the massage session – Lavender to calm & relax,  Peppermint or Citrus to energize. 

Below are some of the popular massage treatments at your local day-spa salons.

*Shiatsu:  Traditional Japanese hands-on therapy literally means ‘finger pressure’.  The practitioners massage specific parts of your body (energy meridians) by using their fingers, palm, and elbows and apply pressure to correct the imbalances of the body.

*Swedish:  A classic massage technique style.  The body will be kneaded, rubbed, and stroked with your desirable pressure – helps to relax muscles, release tension, and stimulate blood flow through the lymphatic system.  Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving poor circulation.  Adding essential oils to this massage is perfect for spa aromatherapy.

*Stone:  The massage therapist uses cold or water-heated stones (river stones that are smooth and polished) to apply pressure and heat to your body. Sometimes, the stones are coated with oil to deliver various massaging strokes.  The therapist places these stones along your back which help to retain heat- then deeply penetrates into the muscles and releases tension.  You can also enjoy the benefits of Heat Therapy with various spa products such as Heated Aromatherapy Neck Pillow, Spa Slippers, or Spa Mittens for sore neck, hands and feet.

*Deep-Tissue:  Designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles.  This techique takes a more aggressive approach by applying intense pressure to the body which you should discuss with your therapist first.  It is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity, such as athletes, and patients who have sustained physical injury.

*Thai:  This massage originated in India and is based on Ayurveda and yoga.  Combining massage with Yoga-like positions are used for this treatment. Some therapists emphasizes stretching for the northern style, while acupressure is used more often for the southern style.

*Reflexology:  Based on the Asian principle that there are reflexes in our feet correspond to every part, gland and organ of our body.  Applying pressure to these points help to relieve tension, improves circulation and promotes the natural function of the related areas of the body.  Most of us can feel a bounce to your feet afterwards.

So, stop feeling guilty and book a massage today.

Resource/ Image:  Wikipedia

Try these simple spa steps when you are traveling.  DIY spa bath products for easy spa treatments.

1)  sleeping eye mask – shield off light for a good night sleep or power nap

2)  few green tea bags – simmer in hot water, cool down and use as compress to get rid of puffy eyes

3)  few packs of sugar – add few drops of water to create a facial/ hand/ feet scrub

4)  travel size essential oil set – create your own aromatherapy spa:  lavender for relaxation, eucalyptus or citrus to rejuvenate, enhance breathing and relieve sinus pain.

5)  facial mist – hydrate your skin (DIY) mix the appropriate essential oil with water for simple beauty skincare

6)  golf ball – place under your feet, roll on pressure points to reduce sore muscle aches

7)  spa slippers – relax tired feet

8)  cotton gloves – cover moisturized hands overnight for soft skin

8)  pillow mist – (DIY) mix lavender essential oil with water – spritz on pillow before bedtime

9)  your favorite relaxation music CD

V Spa at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas is offering festive flavors for their Holiday Spa Treatment Menu.  Located just outside of downtown Dallas, the 45-acre Hilton Anatole Hotel offers gracious Texas hospitality with modern elegance.  The wellness complex is also home to the Zen-inspired V-Spa. 

Their luxurious holiday spa treatments of chocolates and peppermint are a simple way to help reduce stress, focus energy, uplift spirits, reduce anxiety or just relax and enjoy this special time of year.

Chocolate is beneficial for the skin because of its high content of cocoa butter, which is a natural skin softner and conditioner.  The antioxidants prevent free radical damage to skin and protect its natural elasticity.  Chocolate also contains caffeine which can stimulate circulation and give skin a healthy glow.  If you around Dallas for the holidays, try out these spa treatments and get a little pampering at V Spa.

Resource:  Spa Finder

Almost everyone I know love, love chocolates! 

As most of you know that we associate chocolates with pleasure, so even just the smell will stimulate a body’s ‘feel good’ chemicals and a sense of well-being.  And now we’re not restricted to simply eating chocolates, we can enjoy it calorie free with these Chocolate-Scented spa-bath products at Cozy Petal that are perfect for this year holiday gifts.  Send someone you love a little Spa-Love!

First, you can get our ‘Chocolate Scented Neck Pillow’ which is perfectly designed to stay in place around the neck and shoulders.  Washable cover in pink swirl embroidery pattern on the top side, plush fabric on the neck side for comfort. The detachable insert can be microwaved to provide aromatic,
moist muscle therapy.  Its delicious scent of chocolate elevates the mood by raising endorphins & boost the immune system.  What a nice reward for those hard working individuals to get some Chocolate Therapy to ease their daily stress.  It’s portable and easy to travel with.

Do you want to send love ones a luxurious spa-bath gift?  To indulge them with our divinely decadent chocolate scented body scrub, body cream or shower gel?  These aromatherapeutic spa bath products nourish, revitalize and restore the body good.

At Cozy Petal, we offer the leading brand of spa and bath products from Angel’s Spa of Tuscany, Italy.  This European company employ the principles of aromatherapy to cleanse, moisturize, restore and refresh.  Their products combine mineral-rich spa water from an ancient Tuscan spring with pure essential oils to support an overall sense of well-being.  Ingredients that can balance, stimulate, and refresh to keep the body and soul in harmony.

Try the ‘Raw Sugar Body Scrub with Extra Dark Chocolate’.  Indulge in this luscious blend of raw sugar, nourishing oils and the divinely decadent aroma of extra dark chocolate is a great body and mind treatment.  Gently buffs away dryness – replaces it with soft, glowing skin.  It contains refreshing mint leaves which refreshes her all day long.

The ‘Restoring Body Cream with Extra Dark Chocolate’.  Divinely decandent & deliciously light aroma of chocolate, and the Coco Butter restores the skin.  Pamper your moms and let them experience the luxury they all deserve!

Finally, our ‘Dolce Tentazione ’Chocolate & Coconut Shower Gel’ from Italy.  Think of this Shower Gel collection as dessert for the body.  These fun, youthful gels will make them think that they have stepped into a bakery shop, with mouth-watering fragrances that are light, breezy and perfect for someone who enjoy something new and playful.  This aromatic of chocolate and coconut scents of this Shower Gel fills the air when they shower.Lift their spirits and enhance their moods all day long!  What a great way to start the day!

Feel free to visit out Spa Shop at Cozy Petal to pick up something special for this holiday season!

Ok, if you are still skeptical about the Spas on the cruise ships, the AquaSpa on the new Celebrity Equinox ship is getting very positive reviews for their ‘floating spa’.  

Dena Braun of the Phoenix International Travel Examiner commented ‘In the past, cruise ship spas haven’t measured up to their rivals on land. While I still think destination spas are the best choice for someone whose focus is only on the spa, Equinox’s AquaSpa is the best cruise ship spa I’ve experienced and is a solid spa offering for the average luxury traveler looking to combine elements of relaxation with other vacation elements.’

Decorated in cool blues and whites, the spa sets guests at ease in the Persian Garden (see photo above, courtesy of Celebrity), a room with heated, tiled chaise lounges overlooking the ocean, steam and sauna.

So, do you think that the spa treatments at the AquaSpa are same old same old?  They range from meditative relaxation to sensory heaven treatments.  AquaSpa delivers a one-of-a-kind spa experience. In addition to deluxe manicures, facials and aromatherapy massage, pamper yourself with special spa treatments.  Experience their Sensory Heaven Treatments: a state of bliss conceived to help melt away stress and tension.  Using unique spa-bath products like Enriching Milk Bath, Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt or Coconut Rub & Milk does not sound like the spa packages from your local day spa. 

Egyptian Ceremony of Milk & Ginger / Asian Ceremony of Stone /
Tahitian Ceremony of Flowers / Cellutox Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap or Float / Algae-Detox Cruise Ritual, and more…

Don’t forget to try out the AquaSpa when booking your next vacation at Celebrity Cruise.  Sounds like that you are going to have your ’spa-cation’ on top of your vacation.  How divine!

It has been hot and humid for the past few weeks; a typical summer month.  I have enjoyed a great deal using natural and organic products for my skin.   My body benefits from the therapeutic and premium ingredients of a line of beauty and skincare products of Pharmacopic.   All their bath and body products are paraben-free and vegan.  Their holistic approach to personal care promotes health and wellness inside and out by combining herbs and unique blends of antioxidants, vitamins and premium essential oils to help your skin young and healthy, naturally.

One of my favorites is ‘Body Basics’ Spa Gift Set.   The citrus scent of this Body Wash can also be used as shampoo.  I feel refreshed after a great morning shower and what a way to start the day.

By the mid afternoon, do you feel tired from the hectic work load as me?  So I take breaks to ‘reboot’ myself and dab a little Lavender Body Lotion on my hands.  For centuries, lavender has been cultivated for its soothing and healing properties.  This body lotion suits me well.  It nourishes and soothes my skin with avocado oils and essential oils.

For the cooler days, I use the Rosemary Bath Salts to relieve sore muscle aches at the end of a stressful day.  Putting on my favorite music CD, light a soy candle and enjoy a fabulous soak.  This therapeutic bath salts draw out impurities and relax my body for a home spa hydrotherapy experience.

Natural and Organic bodycare and skincare products do the body good!

Ok, if you are still skeptical about the Spas on the cruise ships, the AquaSpa on the new Celebrity Equinox ship is getting very positive reviews for their ‘floating spa’.  

Dena Braun of the Phoenix International Travel Examiner commented ‘In the past, cruise ship spas haven’t measured up to their rivals on land. While I still think destination spas are the best choice for someone whose focus is only on the spa, Equinox’s AquaSpa is the best cruise ship spa I’ve experienced and is a solid spa offering for the average luxury traveler looking to combine elements of relaxation with other vacation elements.’

Decorated in cool blues and whites, the spa sets guests at ease in the Persian Garden (see photo above, courtesy of Celebrity), a room with heated, tiled chaise lounges overlooking the ocean, steam and sauna.

So, do you think that the spa treatments at the AquaSpa are same old same old?  They range from meditative relaxation to sensory heaven treatments.  AquaSpa delivers a one-of-a-kind spa experience. In addition to deluxe manicures, facials and aromatherapy massage, pamper yourself with special spa treatments.  Experience their Sensory Heaven Treatments: a state of bliss conceived to help melt away stress and tension.  Using unique spa-bath products like Enriching Milk Bath, Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt or Coconut Rub & Milk does not sound like the spa packages from your local day spa. 

Egyptian Ceremony of Milk & Ginger / Asian Ceremony of Stone /
Tahitian Ceremony of Flowers / Cellutox Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap or Float / Algae-Detox Cruise Ritual, and more…

Don’t forget to try out the AquaSpa when booking your next vacation at Celebrity Cruise.  Sounds like that you are going to have your ’spa-cation’ on top of your vacation.  How divine!

Bali holds a special place in my heart !!

Through my travels, I have discovered Bali my way, or shall I say that Bali found me many years ago.

Not sure if it is the culture, the spiritual air of this place, or simply they know about relaxation through its tranquil settings, to me: Bali + Spa = Haven!

In truth, it has been awhile since my last trip to Bali, but whenever I read anything about Bali and Spas, my eyes light up with by their wonderful photos; my heart fluttered with their words describing its settings, and all those fabulous Spa Treatments & packages.  Now, I know that these might not mean as much to other gals, but to me, it is a quick trip to memory lane, and best of all is the excitement to start planning my next trip! 

So, I have just read about Anantara Seminyak Resort & Spa  and just loving their special spa treatments to renew and restore both your body and spirit such as ‘Welcome Aromatherapy Bath in-suite’, ‘Tropical Coconut Body Polish & Seaweed-Cucumber Conditioner’, ‘Fresh Fruit Facial’, or ‘Floral Footbath Ritual’.  Their special package includes Yoga, and Spa Cuisines to purify and energizing the body good.

With quotes like this:  ‘Step into the world of Anantara and experience our timeless touch in surroundings of mystical allure.  Let your worries end and your journey begin.’ – Bali, I will be there again real soon!