Resoluting to relax more

The Spa of Essex Yesterday I had the day that every woman should experience in their life. And not just once in her lifetime. If it were up to me, I’d like for it to happen many times throughout the year.

If you live in New England like I do, then you can relate to the snowstorm that we just had. And if you’re anything like me, I’m not a big fan of the winter. Granted it is pretty, I’ll give you that, but to be honest, I prefer sand and ocean in my life.

Shoveling, cleaning off the car, sweating in the cold, and using muscles most of us don’t use on a regular basis is not an ideal way to spend some of my time. While I was doing all of this, I just kept saying to myself, “Get through this, tomorrow you’re going to the spa. Keep shoveling!” and then I was fine.

Sunday morning I woke up and it was little more than I expected but I was delighted to see that the roads were clear and I could start my journey to Essex, CT. If you’ve never been, it is a beautiful quaint town, only 50 minutes away from where I live, (one of the many in Connecticut) with beautiful scenery, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and this magnificent spa that I couldn’t wait to get to~ The Spa of Essex. I had the pleasure of attending the Open House that was held a few weeks ago and I couldn’t wait to go back.

When you arrive, you drive down this long driveway, beautifully touched by all this winter white snow thanks to the storm, and in front of you is this Victorian style architecture. As I walked inside, it is exactly how you would picture it to be in a historic town in Connecticut. The colors and decor gave a feel of peacefulness. Each room has its own “theme” and a sense of feeling like you’re at home. The chairs are over-sized and luxurious and some of the rooms even have a fireplace. Candles are lit and it gives you a sense of being at a home away from home.

On this day I was getting two treatments done~a Swedish Massage and an Essex Signature facial with an upgrade to the Skin Brightening facial after a consultation with the skin care therapist.

Upon checking in, you fill out a quick questionnaire, and then enter the woman’s room to change into your plush bathrobe and comfortable sandals and your clothes are stored in a mahogany lock and key ‘locker’. You are then brought into one of the warm and inviting rooms until your therapist comes for you. I was having my Swedish massage first. The room was not too dark and dimmed nicely, candles were lit, music was playing softly and the massage bed was nice and warm. The massage therapist asked me a few questions so she knew where I would like for her to work on. For me it’s my neck area, which is where I carry all of my stress, just like most of us do and my lower back. For 60 glorious minutes I was entranced into a world where I could relax and not have a worry in the world. RuthAnne did an amazing job and I felt so good when I was done. Once I was ready to leave the massage therapy room, I was greeted with a nice cold glass of water and lead to the relaxation room. This room is my favorite room! There are 6 over-sized, plush, chairs (I’ve already asked her where she got them and they are no longer available at the store-bummer!) and soft music is playing. There were soft lights lit and it is exactly what the title of the room says it is. My massage therapist set me up in a nice chair with a blanket and I felt like I was still in heaven.

After about 20 minutes of relaxation, my skin care therapist, Kathy, came to get me. The skin care room had the same quiet feel as the massage therapy room did. When I originally booked the appointment I hadn’t had a facial in a very long time, so the spa books you for an Essex Signature facial. Upon talking to Kathy, I explained to her that now that I’m in my 30s and experiencing hormonal acne with some scarring, she suggested that I would upgrade for the Skin Brightening facial. I couldn’t have been happier with the upgrade. This facial left my skin feeling so soft and smooth and it did look much brighter. It also evened out my skin tone.

After a day of pampering, I decided this was something I need to make sure I stay on top of. Not only do we feel like we are ‘spoiling’ ourselves with a day at the spa, but we are also taking care of our bodies. With massages we are getting rid of the toxins that are in our bodies and with facials it helps clear away all of the dead skin cells and clear out our pores. We take care our outer bodies by going to the gym monthly, why not take care of our ‘inner’ body by having monthly treatments.

The Spa of Essex has a VIP Club Membership that you join so you can have these wonderful treatments on a monthly basis. As part of our new year’s resolutions, we must not forget to resolute to relax this upcoming year.

Here’s to relaxing more and not feeling guilty about it!

Disclosure: All opinions in this review are my own and I paid for my own services.