After an intense workout, I was in much need of some R&R, so thanks to Spa Week I was able to indulge in just that over at Pretty Face Medi Spa.  Located along the Hudson and just 45 minutes away from Manhattan you feel like you’ve just stepped into a Norman Rockwell painting.

Arriving for my 60 minute Organic Facial, I was a taken aback by its no “frills” atmosphere.  Awarded as a “top sensational medi-spa in Westchester” by Hudson Valley Magazine, for Permament Make-up, Botox  and Laser Hair Removal. I deemed that had I stepped into a salon unlike any other.  This salon has been open for 10 years, and has not once raised their prices for the last eight. So that has to mean something?

My esthetician for the day, Michelle, greeted me at the front desk and I was then brought into a small room. Again “no frills” here.  The purple, small room included just a bed, a overhead lamp and the salon’s organic line of products.    I was expected to change into a terricloth robe, but nope, none of that here!

After I was asked to go underneath the covers, Michelle return to the room. Calming music surrounded the room which made me feel immediately relaxed, however since the room is not wall to wall, I was able to hear the street noise, as well as, the front desk conversations with clients. I learned to block out the noise, but its was still a little distracting.

"Concoction" for my face

After Michelle assesed my face she began to concot her potion for my customized facial. My only complaint here is that Michelle did not explain to me her process or asked if I had any medical issues (ie If I was pregnant or if I was taking any medications) and/or what an Organic Facial consisted of. Since I have had several facials (however this being my first organic facial) I didn’t feel the need to interrogate her.

Michelle cleansed, toned, exfoliated, masked, and moisturized my skin with an organic line from Kara’s Herbal Comforts. Michelle did have a relaxing demeanor to her and her hands were soft (which to me makes a great facial).  She massaged my neck, shoulder, arms and fingers…just what I needed!

Organic Face Scrub

 

After the 60 minutes the treatment was over and I felt that I overall got a good facial, maybe not a great one, my skin did feel soft and cleansed, but a grainy residue film remained on my face…however, with the lack of Michelle’s step by step guidance, noisey treatment room, a room that has a slight chill in the air and a lack of “bells and whistle” left me feeling like I wasn’t getting what I had sign up for.  But, please, don’t let me deter you from the scenic ride, decent prices, and clean and friendly atmosphere…if you are looking for a getaway from the busy NYC streets, this is the salon that you may want to check out.

Organic Face Cleanser

Menu of Services

Make sure you book your Spa Week appointment before they’re completely booked!

Pretty Face Medi Spa
2081 Albany Post Rd
Montrose, NY 10548-1529
914.788.9790

*Disclosure:  For this review, I was offered a complimentary treatment from Spa Week.  However the thoughts and opinions of this review are a 100% of Mommy Posh* 

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Yesterday, I embraced my inner poshness with a little help from the glam squad over at Lady Foot Locker and Glam Media.  

I was invited to attend a sponsored event called “It’s a Lady Thing” over at the Gansevoort Exhale Spa Park Avenue (its the newest and POSHest location in NYC) for my first-ever Core Fusion class and luncheon with my fellow lady bloggers.

I was pumped to get my work out on…even though I wasn’t sure what a Core Fusion workout was exactly, nothing beats chasing after an active toddler … or so I thought!

Getting Pumped For My Core Fusion Workout!

Before entering Exhale Spa, I was handed with the greatest gift ever, a swag bag filled with Lady Foot Locker athletic apparel and footwear. Not only will I be able to get my work out on at the prestigious Exhale Spa, but I was being styled by Lady Foot Locker, this was just a prelude to a FAB day!

The swag included:  White Nike Racerback Bra, Black ASICS Gel-Nerve Running Sneakers, Black Adidas Essentials Capri (w/ a pocket), Headbands, and a Black pullover Hoodie.  WOW!

Here’s me rockin the athletic swag pre-workout!

FAB workout gear courtesy of Lady Foot Locker

Knowing that I looked great (thanks to the proper breast support and comfyness of the gear) I felt really confident going into the class…with everyone matching we were lead into the studio filled with mats, a bottle of water, a towel and a strap (yep a strap)…oh boy, what was I getting myself into!

The studio was small, but you had that feeling of exclusivity.  I felt like a celebrity being trained for an appearance at the Emmy’s.  Finding a spot on a mat, I couldn’t help but take in NYC view of Park Avenue.  It was breathtaking.  Looking below at the street level I did notice paparazzi…I couldn’t help but think about who was going to show up .  Only later did I realize that I would get a glimpse of  Kourtney Kardashian and Baby Mason.  See, what’s that again about exclusivity??

Ok, back to my workout…

The description on the website sounded painless, but when you are incorporating planks, light weights, push-ups, leg lifts and kicks, ballet barre, and straps during your workout…Core Fusion really stands for burn baby burn…this was an hour full of a grueling and intense WORKOUT!  Wow, I am still feeling the soreness.

Wait there’s more….. View Post

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we must make it a point to educate ourselves – both men (yes, even men can get breast cancer) and women – on risk factors, ways to reduce the risk of breast cancer and learn how to give ourselves a breast exam. And remember, if you are over 40 years of age or if breast cancer runs in your family, it is important to schedule an annual mammogram.

Below is a mini guide to help you get started on your breast cancer awareness from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc:

Risk Factors:

  • Family history
  • Early puberty (before 12 years old) or Late menopause (after 55 years old)
  • Not having children or Having children after 30 years old
  • Obesity and high-fat diets
  • 2 to 5 alcoholic drinks daily

Reduce the Risk:

  • Exercise or Being physically active
  • Eat Soy, Broccoli, Red Apples, Red Cabbage or Red Grapes
  • Drink green tea
  • Regular screening tests
  • Avoid hormone replacement therapy if possible

 

Self Examination:

Breast cancer self-examinations should be done monthly at the same time of the month, and right after your period ends.

  • In the Shower: Fingers flat, move gently over every part of each breast. Use your right hand to examine the left breast, left hand for the right breast. Check for any lump, hard knot, or thickening. Carefully observe any changes in your breasts.
  • Before a Mirror: Inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead. Look for any changes in the contour of each breast, a swelling, a dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Then rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women’s breasts do.
  • Lying Down: Place a pillow under your right shoulder and put your right arm behind your head. With the fingers of your left hand flat, press your right breast gently in small circular motions, moving vertically or in a circular pattern covering the entire breast. Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.

Fight Breast Cancer:

Donate, fundraise and/or volunteer. You can also shop at selected stores where the proceeds are donated to the fight. Check out these sites for various ways on how you can help them fight breast cancer.

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Eliminating the bottle and binky

For my toddler son, his security blanket is not a binky, nor a woobie, but a B-O-T-T-L-E. Please, I can’t even say the word out loud in front of him, cause he will want his “fix”.

While he loves drinking water out of a sippy cup, drinking milk from one is a challenge.  His Pediatrician is pretty sterned about me weaning the bottle, but she doesn’t know the tantrums and crying spells that I experience if he doesn’t get his mid afternoon/night bottle feedings. However, over the weekend, I had a “mommy intervention” and learned that I may be causing him harm than good.

On Saturday, I took Lil B to an early speech class just to see how he is progressing for a child his age. Five minutes into the class, Lil B was showing off his fine motor and gross motor skills. With my ego pumped, I asked myself “what am I doing here again?” well, soon after asking that question, my ego was immediately deflated when the instructor asked me if my son was still drinking from a bottle.  Sheepishly, I said yes.  That’s when the intervention began.  She mentioned that any delay of speech and any future speech issues can be caused with the use of drinking from a bottle, sippy cups or the use of a pacifier. The reasoning was because drinking from a bottle/sippy cup fails to engage the lips and tongue in a way to develop more advanced speech patterns. Say no more!!

My hubby and I immediately went out and picked up a few spill proof straw cups, a bottle of wine, and a 12 pack of beer – please this was going to be a loooonnngg day!  Since we kept him busy throughout the day  he was able to fall asleep without asking for a bottle. Yay, issue diverted….however bedtime was readily approaching and that we knew would be a challenge.  We tried a straw cup — that was tossed out of the crib.  Next up was a sippy cup with a nipple-like top – no fooling him with that one.  Finally after nearly 90 minutes we gave him a bottle, but only with one ounce of milk –  he fell asleep soon after.

So after day one we have determined this won’t be a quick process, but it is something that we need to be strong about. Out of sight, out of mind, they say, so hiding a few bottles and throwing away most just might make this process work. I hope! More to come…stay tuned!

Are you going through a similar situation? Did you get a “mommy intervention”? Do you have some tips or suggestion that you feel may work?  Would love to hear from you.

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The season premiere of TLC’s Extreme Couponing aired this past Wednesday and all I can say is WOW!….this is not a show that I would usually watch (what’s that again about my guilty pleasure?) but I tuned in because of my new mom friend who is a self proclaimed “couponer”…huh? what’s a couponer, I wondered? well according to dictionary.com, a couponer (noun) is a person who seeks out or saves discount as for buying grocery items. So, when I found out about my friend’s love for couponing, I had to wonder, is she a coupon addict? a food junkie? or just plain savvy? I later went home and googled “couponing” and saw an overwhelming list of coupon blogs, reality TV shows and links associated with couponing…a topic that was once a dirty little secret has now taken a life of its own.

So, after watching 5 minutes of the show, I couldn’t believe how jaw dropping it was.  In one scene, a women takes us into her basement called “the cookie jar” which is filled with wall to wall amounts of toothpastes, spaghetti sauces, deodorants, you name it, she had it. She did clarify though that she is NOT a hoarder, so, with crazy eyes she says “hoarders have dust, I do not have dust, dust is the dividing factor.”  Seriously, that’s the dividing factor??!!

"The Cookie Jar" Basement

Of course everyone loves good savings, but when is too much to much?  Another women shows us how she and her sister spends hours and hours clipping coupons. During her visit to the supermarket she is excited that she has “the holy grail of coupons”.   Guess this is not to far from my addiction to shoes, designer purses, costume jewelry, makeup, gossip mags….blah blah blah.

I do admire how committed these ladies are to saving money, but it appears to be more stressful than fun.  That doesn’t mean I’ll stop watching…’cause now I’m hooked!

Extreme Couponing airs Wednesdays on TLC, 10/9c.

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