The Ultimate Home Spa Experience

You really need:

Ear candy. Think of the music and sounds that soothe you. There are sound machines that include sounds like rain, water, or even human heartbeats. Some models even have an aromatheraphy option. The ultimate version I like came from Avon.

Imagine a dark blue cushy eye mask equipped with headphones. The mask plays several soothing sounds or can be hooked up to any audio player to play your favorite music.

My favorite sound CD has to be a thunder effects CD. It was meant for a dark haunt, but thunder really soothes me. So think outside the box and grab a CD of your favorite sound effects. Kitty also recommends some of Jeff Jarvis's CDS like Falling Footsteps.



Quiet. It should go without saying that a nice quiet room is best for this, but honey work with what you have. If the whole house is chaos I can highly recommend Skull Candy ear buds. They come with several sizes of soft buds to give you a custom fit. They also block out a large amount of outside sound.

Aromas. Trat your hard-working nose. Wear some perfume or cologne. Try some incense that makes you feel all sensual and relaxed. I love musky scents myself. There are ones that are store bought blends like Dragon's Blood and Black Magic. Both of which came from Hot Topic and are affordable.



Again, do I have to tell you to eliminate all bad smells before starting? Clean that litter, tote that trash, put them smelly shoes in a plastic bag with baking soda in them. If your choice of relaxing spot is a bedroom that smells like a brothel air it out or light a candle.

Taste for your soul. All day long you'll want to indulge. You can go for the light and healthy spa fare, Im including some recipes to get you started. But as you are doing this at home nobody is going to see that chocolate wine or such. Taste the foods and drinks that delight your senses all day long. Kitty recommends food soo good it curls your toes.

Remember to savor each and every bite. Let yourself experience the pleasure of food. Is it salty, or sweet? Crunchy or silky smooth? How does that taste make you feel in your soul? Go ahead and indulge yourself over the sensual limit.



Touch. What clothes do you want to wear? You can go the spa route with robes and soft gowns. Or the more sensual silks that make you feel so free. Go naked if the blinds are down and you really love the caress of the air on your skin. Today is all about pleasure. Your going to need that touch to be free and open for the oh so good massages and other treats coming up.



Eye candy. Think of the sights that calm you. What colors make you feel cozy and relaxed? Which colors energize you or indulge your senses? If you are lucky you already have these colors in your home. If not think of how you can incorporate them. Candles, fabric swaths, throws or rugs can all contain your colors, Perhaps a robe or accessory. Hit the dollar store to find candles in a rainbow of colors. You can also find glass pebbles and clear vases.



You might enjoy seeing some flowers, real or not. Nothing is as beautiful as real flowers, but they don't last long. But if you have a garden of your own you can pick as much as you like. Some spas indulge by putting out bowls of citrus. Again you can get a candle in this scent. Or buy the citrus and use it.

After your day or two of pampering you can slice oranges, lemons and limes into drinks, cook with them, dry them for a garland, bathe and more.

See candles and other visual treats for more ideas.

What feels more soothing than getting your hair done? Why isn't it that good at home? Because we rush through an otherwise de-stressing moment. While the following works for most hair types be careful. We don't want treated or dyed hair being messed up.

Before you wash, brush. Or comb. Again we are doing this slowly and enjoying the process. I just love the feel of my two favorite paddle brushes. On has those hard plastic bristles with no caps. It feels so good to have a gentle scratchy massage while I brush.

My other love has a snazzy ceramic lining, gentle bristles and feels just awesome for daily use. Make sure whatever you use feels good to your scalp. We want a massage feeling, not anything resembling cat claws.

For your nether regions a nice hand fluff out to get rid of loose hairs will work just fine. If you have mats down there you might end up cutting them out. Just be careful. You'd be better off teasing out mats with your hands. Remember a nice clean nether region makes for a happier you.

Now to the shower. Massage that shampoo onto your hair. Enjoy the scent, the feel of the lather. Massage your entire head, feeling all your tension just drain away. Rinse and repeat. Kitty swears by her balsam and protein shampoo, but this is all about you. Indulge yourself with one of those sinfully expensive shampoos you love.



Now for the conditioner. I love my tea tree oil conditioner. The smell is heavenly and the bottle is oh so chic looking. Remember more than one sense is being made happy here. I highly recommend letting it stay in until after the rest of your shower experience.

As you rub that conditioner in close your eyes and let your senses lead you. Where does the smell take you? See that place, smell it feel it. Indulge in the sounds. When you've indulged, come back.

The rest of the shower will be covered later. Now we are going on to hair masks. Oh, heaven in a jar They come in so many delicious scents, that you could stand there all day getting a good sniff. I love Queen Helene's. The smell is so wonderful and it feels so good on. You'll want to use a heating cap or a towel designed to do the same thing.

This will feel so good you might want to lay down and close your eyes. Do it You'll be able to feel your hair and scalp hydrate and soak up some of that heavenly goodness. Try adding an egg for an over the top indulgence.

Now we rinse. Be sure to be gentle and use warm water. Rinse good and relax. Ladies or gents with long hair will find that doing the rinse in the kitchen sink gives you an instant lift without the damaging back combing.

We aren't done just yet. Now you get to apply either an oil, spray or other type of finishing product. I love IC mist for an overall shine and detangler. I also like to give those ends a little special loving with a creme or dab of oil.

I don't recommend anything for your nether region other then a gentle cleaning with just water or a mild shampoo. This area tends to dry out and be very sensitive. You can do a dab of conditioner, but rinse it out quickly. You don't want to feel greasy. If you feel too much dryness after shampooing switch to just water or the natural soapy runoff in a shower.

You don't need to blow dry your hair. Air drying is more natural, and there are towels that wick lots of water away. The ultimate is to relax near a fireplace and just let that soothing heat penetrate you. Summer days are good for this too.

Look at your hair and admire the scent and feel of it as it dries. Admire how good you look in the mirror. Toss that mane and really love your hair. Feels so nice and silky now doesn't it?

Drinks

Throughout the day drink what pleases you. But here are some excellent choices.

Smooches. They are light and feel so good for you. Even if you do make a chocolate one. I swear by the following smoothie that is actually good for you, and tastes awesome:

Chocolate Smoothie

2 packages sugarfree chocolate pudding mix
2 cups skim milk
2 cups water
2tbs milled flaxseed.
1 medium banana

You can mix all these ingredients using a hand mixer. I like mixing them in a large pitcher to save on cleanup. You could try green tea instead of water to boost fat burning. Bananas blast belly fat, chocolate makes you happier, and milk is good for bones, teeth, skin and nails. You can find one using yogurt under food.

Don't be afraid to make your own drinks or skip the healthy stuff. Honey if you love mint juleps or southern ice tea with tons of sugar go for it. Heck I drink coffee. The whole ideas is to treat yourself to the drinks you truly love. A nice chai with milk and sugar would be lovely. There is water too, which you will be served until it pours out your ears at a spa.

Hate water? Try lemon, ice, or one of those non-calorie flavored drink mixes if you like. Think of drinking all the lemonade you want with zero calories. Life is good when you indulge.

Herbal teas are awesome as well. Kitty adores mixing green and red rooibos with honey and a little Splenda. I get to indulge but watch the waistline Here's how to do it. Steep three green and three red rooibos bags in a heat safe pitcher. Once brewed remove the bag and add the honey. A good rule of thumb is two teaspoons per tea bag. But here we cut it to only three and use Splenda for the rest.

Mix this good and add cold water while stirring. Believe me it is the best drink on earth when cold and is actually good for you. It happens to be one of those super foods as is honey.

Hey you can save those teabags for a no fuss herbal bath. They also make great eye pads when chilled and they are wonderful for your skin. You'll feel a nice tightening and definitely notice a difference in how soft your skin is.

Tea Soother

You'll need
crushed iced
cooled rooibos tea
honey
cinnamon
Optional: whipped cream

To make the drink put the crushed ice in a cup. Then mix the tea, honey and milk, and cinnamon. Pour over the ice and serve. You can be more indulgent by adding the whipped cream topping with some cinnamon on top.

Food. OK here I might have a few tiny rules. Try to avoid too much fried food. I didn't say none, just don't overdo it. The reason being is that too much fat and starch will make you feel too sluggish to continue your spa day.

Here's a quick and simple spread for sandwiches or crackers. Beware as all cats adore this spread as much as I do.

Tuna Delight

You'll need:
Mayo 1-2tablespoons
Tuna 1 can
soul food seasoning a dash
garlic a dash
hard boiled eggs one or two
parsley a pinch

Mix the quantities you like together. If you are lucky enough to have a spa buddy, human or animal, make some for your buddy too. If you use low fat mayo and water packed tuna this becomes an even healthier dish.

Vegans might prefer humus. Which is wonderful on pit bread and light enough to be healthy in sensible portions. You can also buy wonderful prepped foods. Think of herb roasted chicken, flavorful cod, or a huge salad with lots of healthy veggies and other toppings.

For a twist try making your topping the flavor. Nix the dressing and you'll find out food really does taste good without it. The sheer pleasure of mixed greens, with shredded carrots, beets, chick peas, peas, and spinach is awesome. You can add light toppings of cheese, boiled egg, or lean ham or turkey. Oh, go ahead and add a tiny pinch of bacon bits too. Think outside the salad and add humus, mixed rice, or other non traditional toppings. I love mixing in fruit as well.

Smoothie Time! Yeah, I modified this from a smoothie book.

Chocolate Smoothie

1/4 cup skim milk
1/4 cup water
3 ice cubes
2 packages of sugarfree chocolate pudding mix
2 cups of fat free yogurt
2-4 tsp of flaxseed
1 large banana

You can leave the ice out and use more flaxseed.

But to make this combine the milk, water, flax, and pudding mixes in a large container and blend until well mixed. I like using a hand mixer. Pudding tends to form fast and the other ingerdients help slow it down.

Then blend in the banana and yogurt. You add the ice last if you want it.

I top mine off with enough water to make about four generous servings. Bananas help you blast bad fat and flax helps clean out the nasty junk that makes you sick.

The water helps woth hydrations and balances out the calorie load. Yogurt helps digestion, chocolate lifts your mood, and so forth.

If this is your first time using flax start off light. I like it myself and put up to six tablespoon in, but I've gotten used to it too.

For fast food addicts you can still spa. One of the healthiest foods out there, with zero trans fat is Chick-Fil-a. You can get the much healthier and just as tasty grilled chicken as well. Also to die for is the Cracker Barrel grilled chicken. Obviously you want to pick this up the day before or prior to your spa time.

Enjoy your food to the max. If you are having chocolate, taste every bit of it. Let it melt in your mouth and enjoy the velvety texture. Smell the aroma and let every pore of your being feel the chocolate release all those love endorphins.

Yes you can get as adult as you want here. Chocolate body paint is super yummy, providing your lover is nice and clean prior to the chocolate caress. Heck who needs the lover, eat it out of the jar if you want. Chocolate being better than sex in most people's books anyhow.

Now before you burn the house down, read all those safety rules. Don't place a candle where drafts will catch things on fire. A candlelit dinner is not so romantic when you set the chandelier ablaze. Not that I'd know anything about that. Ahem.

Having accidently burned my hair, nails, and skin I can assure you safety is a key issue. Keep your hair back, don't get too close to the flame and you'll be OK. If you smell something like burnt bones check for singed nails and hair.

Now that you know how to be safe, let's look at candle types. The salt candles that are hugely popular now release good ions into the air and get rid of bad ones. They look romantic when lit, keep the candle or bulb out of harm's way, and even have a slight scent like fresh air.

Being salt they will melt in water, but I've had them on the edge of a bathtub with no problem.

Scented candles. These can smell like just about anything. You might like a crisp scent like cedar, or a soothing one like lavender. You can match the scent to your current season or holiday. Think of scents you love that you rarely smell. Yes, they have one that smells like fresh baked cinnamon buns.

Supposedly the scent drives men wild. But when is the last time you saw men fighting to get into a bakery shop? But if your male and you love the scent like the legend says, go for it.

Here is also where magical folk can sneak in an intent. Think of a green candle for Bast that smells like roses. Can't find one? Buy an unscented green candle and rub it lightly with scented oil. From the middle up then from the middle down for best results. Ask Her to help you truly relax just like Her feline family.



Beeswax candles. These burn clean and smell wonderful. So do soy candles or handmade candles. Just keep in mind that the purer and more refined the wax the more expensive a candle tends to be.

For fun try one of those treasure candles with things hidden inside. If you are starting in the morning, say a simple prayer of thanks for a day to nourish your soul. Light the candle and begin your day. You want this candle in a safe fireproof place like a glass tabletop or fireproof container.

You can also go the gel route and find candles with just about everything in them. Most of these candles have wax shapes, but some include items like shells or starfish.

A shaped candle will bring that shapes energy to you. Think of pyramids for wisdom, cats for relaxation or sensuality, orbs for serenity and more.

Prayer candles. Yup, these can complete the spa day too. Light one to your favorite Saint, in memory, or to Deity. You can light one without any saint picture to nourish your bond with the Divine. White pleases most people for this purpose. Of course any color would work. Think pink to ask God/dess for healing of cancer survivors everywhere.

The Shower

Nothing indulges like a shower. You don't need five shower heads and marble tiles to get that spa experience. Trust me, even the plain plastic shower stall can reach the height of decadence. Here's how.

Aromatheraphy shower. You can buy ready made shower kits or make your own. Think of a few drops of essential oil in a small container of warm water. The scent will please you. You can use any oil you like. Just make sure if it is an irritant you place the container where it won't spill or overflow.

This can be fun with non-spa scents. Think of a pina colada shower. One that smells like fresh cut grass or anything else that pleases you. The same scents don't please everyone. So if you'd rather smell beer or coffee go for it. See? This is the nice non-judgmental home spa.

You might want to invest in a shower caddy if you haven't yet. They can hold shampoos, conditioners, and aroma packets, or anything else you like. Most are fairly inexpensive and hold a lot of products. You can put a massage item here too.

About those massage items, they are endless. Plastic, works best for the shower and comes in many styles. There are three armed ones that are excellent for an all body massage.

Now we have covered shampoo and conditioners. But body wash is also a must. You should indulge with your favorite scent and texture. I love a silky kind of texture and an exotic scent. There are also soaps that have essential oils or bits of herbs in them.

You can put either on with a loofa, hand towels, sponge or your bare hands. Bare hands do give an excellent massage if you take your time to relax. Think of it as a chance to meet your body all over again. Half of the spa fun is that you get to notice and cheer about your body, no matter what shape it is in. As you massage be gentle and non-judgmental.

Nobody has a flawless body. Even the stars get air brushed. Be happy with what you have, or don't, and celebrate your unique form with a circular or other massage. A good basic technique is to work the body like pie dough. As you relax the massage can go deeper. More on that later.

Music. I just love a shower radio. They are waterproof and you can pick up any station you like. Or you can play a CD player outside the shower loud enough to hear. Did I mention you can make a glass pane into a speaker? I kid you not. The tech is cheap and sells for a Halloween prop on many sites.

Just be careful as the sound waves may shatter antique glass.

Shower fizzys. These can be medicinal for head colds or sweet smelling to indulge. Follow the packet directions and do be careful. The reaction process makes some of them super hot.

Here's an essential oil tip to give you sweet dreams:

lavender oil
anise oil or seed
hot water
container

Place the water, oil and/or seeds in a container and place in a safe spot in the shower. Lavender helps you relax and anise prevents nightmares.

Shower heads. You can get fancy ones that change the spray. Just know that hard water tends to jam them in one position. You can get pulsing, different water patterns and more. Think of a needle fine spray as your personal loofa and a real eye opener. A rain pattern can be a refreshing change. Off and on sprays can be a lot of fun too.

Have just a regular head? No problem. You can still adjust the spray height and position. Keep it clean for the most powerful spray. You eco-conscious readers can get as water saving model too.

What kind of spa bath would you buy? A salt bath, a chocolate one? Maybe a herbal bath one with rose petals, milk, or expansive gels. While I can't promise you the personal attendant, I can tell you this is an easy do at home.

Towels. You can go from cheap to ultra lush here. A good rule of thumb is if you like it dry you'll love to towel off with it. If the texture makes your skin crawl don't buy it. There are people who like a scratchy towels that acts like a loofa. Nothing wrong with that as long as you don't irritate your skin.

Some like towels so soft they feel good enough to wear. I go for ultra soft but will accept something in between as just fine. There are also fancy towels to absorb water, act as hair caps for treatment, or polish the skin.

If you like a hand towel get a good one. At least buy a pretty one that says spa day to you. Yes you can use Hello Kitty. This is a home spa, remember? Some people even insist on a certain color.

Chocolate works for some, while black is a must for others. Ladies white towels are fine unless Mother Nature is visiting you. Then either switch to dark or cover your nether regions before toweling off. Guys, if you are really groddy go with your regular towel.

Essential oil baths. These can be combined with many things. But most of these baths have a safe essential oil added to them. I said safe because an irritant like peppermint needs to be treated before it is bath safe.

Leave this to the pros and buy bath oil or safe essential oils. You can add just a little or a lot for a more well, silky experience. Keep in mind too much oil may make getting out a bit tricky. Some people even rub the bath oil into the skin in various places and get a sauna treatment before washing it off.

Essential oils tend to pair well with soap, herbs, or anything else. So do bath oils so consider a little oil with some bubbles.

Chocolate baths are just fun. You can buy the products ready made. For the best buy products made for the spa at Hershey. They know chocolate. They also give out free spa recipes for your own chocolate bath. You'll need

Ingredients
.
1 cup powdered milk
1/8 cup cocoa powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
1
Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
.
2
Run hot bath water.
.
3
As tub is filling, pour the amount of chocolate milk bath mix you wish into the tub.
.
4
Stir to dissolve.

The original recipe is from: Recipezaar

Pair this bath with some chocolate soap for double the delight.



Rose petals. These are romantic, but need a essential oil or foaming bath to give off any scent. Think of pairing roses with vanilla or chocolate. You can also use safe plant leaves, fresh herbs and more. Think of some fresh mint leaves or eucalyptus. Again, if a substance irritates you or isn't safe don't use it.

Hemp baths. Hemp is the wonder-plant and all bath products made from it are safe and legal. So you won't get stoned. You can also get a wonderful hemp body lotion, towels, robes and more.
Kitty swears by Hemp moisture cream. Indulgent and wonderful. You can also buy safe hemp seeds to eat which are super yummy but very fattening. They taste fantastic on ice cream or in yogurt.

Salt baths. You can use sea salt, scented salts, or bath salts of any kind. A salt bath acts as a purifier and tends to drag the bad gunk out of your body. It can also help push water weight out of your body and cleans up your nether regions quite nicely.

After your bath or shower, or when skin gets dry moisturize. This is a fun spa regimen you should do daily. Heat, AC, and arid air can all wick the moisture from your skin. So does hard work and exercise. So what to choose?

Choose a moisturizer that works well with your skin type. There are essential oil ones, ones with herbs, ir deep conditioners. These work best after a hot shower or bath. Towel off first then apply generous amounts. Kitty indulges in the Vaseline products, but also like wintera scented or other scents.

Keep in mind there is a huge difference between cream perfume and moisturizer. Use cream perfume all over your body and the scent will knock you over for a week. You can add a tiny bit to your preferred lotion.

Foot lotions. These are deigned for the skin types of the foot. Many have a cooling sensation and help maintain good skin. Massage into the feet on a daily basis.

Hand lotions. I carry an Avon one everywhere I go. Sometimes you need to reapply after harsh soaps, intense heat, or dry air.

Facial lotions will be under facial care.

Let's not forget two important tools. The pumice stone works to keep your heels velvety smooth. The loofas is excellent for gently removing dead skin. Simply use it after you towel off and before you use lotion. Be gentle and avoid sensitive areas

Facials These can be a lot more than just a clay mask. Daily skincare is part of the facial regimen. Both gender need to cleanse the skin, apply toner/cleanser and a daily cream. Some creams have UV protection built right in.

Cleansers. These can be a gel or a lotion, or even watery in texture. A good cleanser balances you skins PH, oils, and overall tone and texture. Make sure you follow directions and don't over apply to avoid dry skin. As you work the cleaner in you have several choices. Your hands, a pad, or a brush. All work well but the brush gently massages and works the cleanser deep into pores.

Next comes a toner. This can tighten skin, reduce pore size, help balance oily zones and more. Be sure to use a pad to apply as many toners can be harsh on your fingertips, This is normal as it takes more to clear your face than any other body part.

Next is a day or night cream. You can use one with a sun block, wrinkle reducer, skin plumping action and more. You don't have to go high end, but Kitty does confers to a love of the Boots cosmetic line for all three products. They have herbal, anti-age, and combination products for all three products.

You also need an eye cream to revitalize the eyes regardless of age. A simple herbal one like Avon's works wonders. There are also roll ons with caffeine or other items. Some are safe for the entire eye and some just do the under eye or lid. Read that package before you buy.

Lip hydration. Apply this daily for soft lips. You can gets oils, herbs, aloe , shae butter, or just about anything else. A good balm will feel rich and silky, never greasy. If it is too heavy try a lighter application or exchange where possible. Yes you guys need to hydrate you lips too.

Both genders can use a dry toothbrush to remover dead skin and keep the lip area looking smooth. I've also notice some toothpastes do the same thing, FYI.

Lip balm goes on under lipstick. It helps seal in moisture that way. Also putting the balm on last loosens your lipstick and you'll have it all over your teeth and anything your mouth touches. Ew.

Well hopefully you know to keep the are nice and clean. You can also wax, or shave and many do so. Just be sure to let people who know what they are doing walk you through the process at least once. They really don't care what you look like down there, so stop blushing.

Women tend to endure this better than men, sorry guys.

There are also moisturizer for both genders. They keep things nice and healthy by preventing dryness. Make sure to test a tiny are before using. You can also buy powders if too much moisture is your problem but they tend to get messy.

Ladies this is what those daily liners are for, among other things.

If you are shaving try googling a shaver just for that area.. The hair tends to be of a different texture and leg shavers aren't always good at shaving it. Again you might not get to many spas that do any of the above. Which is why we are home spa-ing.

Shaving. Guys you are on your own here, sorry. But ladies should choose a cream that helps your skin. You can get hydrators, cooling gels, warming ones and so on. I love my Gillette cream. It feels so good you'll want to shave every day.

To get ready place a nice clean towel on the floor. Either wear shorts or your skivvies. Using warm water, drench the legs and underarm area. Put the later one the areas to be shaved and rinse your hands. Try having a small tub of warm water for this.

Using a good shaver. Schick makes an awesome ladies version with a head that can move to fits your curves. A three blade or more give you the smoothest shave. I haven't found an electric shaver yet that can be a razor, sorry.



Don't use too much pressure we a shaving hair, not slicing ham. After you are done, wash, and pat dry. Now comes the lotion of your choice. Please use something gentle that won't irritate your skin.

You can apply this to the underarm area too but hold off on deodorant for a while. It tends to burn chafed or shaved skin. Remember that razor is taking off dead skin too.

These masks can be homemade or store bought. Here are a few thing to look for:
What does it do? If you need deep cleaning try a lovely self heating clay or pore opening mask. Knowing your skin type helps you pick a mask type that will work for you.

Of course Kitty has her favorites. They come in single use packets and cost under two dollars around here. There are also dollar store masks that seem to work just as well.

Peeling mask. These are usually a clear gel that adheres to the skin when dry. You peel them off and rinse afterwards. They are good for lifting dead skin cells or sometimes blackheads.

Clay mask. These can bee self heating, pure clay, or herbal. These masks can lift out excess oils or be designed to do other things. Read what it does before buying.

Saturated cloth mask. These come packed in a solution to treat your face. Many have a lovely cooling sensation/

Herbal mask. These can be gels, a clay type, or even like mayo. They are more about feeling good but can firm skin.

Aromatheraphy mask. These are just for relaxation. Most smell wonderful and can be soothing if you can relax into them.

Honey. Yup, pure honey can make a great facial. The stuff tends to run a bit, but leaves your skin feeling refreshed.

Mayonnaise. It is one of the oldest at home masks. Simply put a teaspoon to tablespoon on. It should make a thin sheet, you can use less or more. Then rinse with tepid water. The oil soothes, the egg firms, and the vinegar acts as an astringent.

Don't use right after exfoliating as any broken or tender skin will burn from the vinegar.

Plastic gel masks. These can cover just the eyes or face. They can sometimes be warmed or cooled.

Eye coverings. Cucumbers, teabags, or specially treated pads all work well. Be very careful and read all directions.

A lot of women are just too embarrassed or not in the know but your breasts need attention too. Here are some indulgent treats.

Firming cream/lifting cream/firming gel. Even the youngest lady can benefit from firmer lifted breasts. These creams make a lady feel better about herself and the results are great.

Massage. A gentle massage can relive tired or sore breasts. You can use a small hand roller, your hands, or a warm towel and hands. This can help keep breasts soft and relives that compressed feeling a week's worth of bra wearing can give.

Vitamin E. Used on the nails, hair and face, it is also good for hydrating your nipples and keeping them soft and crack free.

Some women may have tender painful breasts when drinking an excess of caffeine. Always make sure with you doctor that it isn't something serious, but a twenty four hour switch to non-caff drinks will give a lot of relief.

Lotions any body lotion should be put on your entire breast area, including nipples. This keep you from getting itches in public you just can't attend to. It also makes you breasts softer. Did I mention a cream appellation can be a perfect time to do a breast exam?

You can also gently use loofah or exfoliating body wash to keep skin of your breasts fresh and feeling soft.

Meditation

The types of meditation are endless. No one way is right or wrong. There is just what works for you and what doesn't. If you already have a meditation, please feel free to do your own. These ideas are here to share and encourage other to step back from life and breathe.

Anti-anger quickee. It sounds horrid but imagine squashing or otherwise getting rid of the source of your anger. The sillier the method, the better. It releases your anger harmlessly. Remember anger punishes your body and soul, not the one it is directed towards.

Simple image. Good for high stress situations where you need to keep calm. Think of diving into a pool of water. That's it. Helps you to regain control of your emotions and handle emergenices in a rational manner.

Guided meditation. This was given to me by a dear family friend and has served me well. You may want to tape record the directions then play them back for yourself. First set the mood by going to a quiet dark place where you won't be disturbed.

Lay down and breathe deeply. As you exhale, imagine blowing up a white balloon. You are blowing all your negative energy into this balloon. Tie it off and let it go. Do this three times. See your problems and negativity floating away.

Next you will find yourself attended by spa workers. They will massage a green cream into your entire body, starting at the head. As this cream is massaged in feel the tension drain from your body. Go slow and relax each area. Your forehead, cheeks, jaw and so on. Do your entire body this way relaxing each part as you come to it.

If you feel any pain breathe into the area and let the pain go. Keep breathing into the area until the pain leaves. Your body is telling you it is sore and needs healing. You may also imagine a warm light taking the pain away.

Once your entire body has been relaxed, keep breathing deeply. With each breath you are going deeper into relaxation. Breathe as deeply as you can and exhale three times. Now you are ready to find your safe place.

Se the walls and floors. Feel the things there. What can you hear? Is there a window to see where you are? Look out that window and see your perfect place of healing. See yourself in the room with you. Give yourself loving and heartfelt advice, or words of love.

Now imagine descending from this place. As each step takes you lower you are deeper into meditation. Once your reach the ground look around. You will find a path, and that path will lead across a field.

You will meet a guide at the end of the path. He will help you and welcome you. Follow him into a wooded area. Here he will give you something. He may take you to a clear fountain and bade you to drink. Drink deeply as these waters are healing.

You may wish to write any problems you are having down on paper and your guide will help you burn them. Watch the fire consume your problems and feel healing and hope enter your life. When you are ready, count back from ten and return to your waking world.

Your guide, male or female, will be there forever. You may meet many guides and will have great adventures if you practice often. Great spiritual wisdom can come from these guides as well. Remember that they love you and will always protect you in meditation. They can answer your questions and soothe your soul.

Spirituality

I'm not going to preach here, but all the pampering in the world won't help you get right with Deity. Take time out on the special day for the two of you. You know your religion, so you should know what your Deity enjoys. Here are some other ideas.

Time with you. No kidding. Deity will do just about anything for five minutes of your undivided attention. This can just be quiet reflection, a walk in the woods together, or lighting a candle. You may wish to give thanks here for being able to have a spa day.

Prayer. Even if your last prayer was decades ago Deity still is there and loves you. It is man, not Deity that made up the rules we live by. Even just saying 'I love You.' would be an excellent prayer.

Real thanks. All too often we are taught to be satisfied with noting we have. We are told to see only the negative. Why not, for a whole day, see all the wonderful things you do have thanks to Deity. Being alive would be one of them. Having a home, food and friends would be another.

A wonderful idea (not mine) is to find a holy image and stare lovingly at it. As the man told the priest who asked why he stared at the crucifix said: "I'm looking at God, and He is looking at me." Remember you are looking through or into the image to see Deity, not the image itself.

There are wonderful at home treatments and some inexpensive store items to give you beautiful nails.

Vitamin E. Bought in bottles or caplets, pure vitamin e oil can help nourish your nails. Massage gently into nails or let soak in.

Olive oil Gently warmed or not, olive oil is a great soak for the whole hand. Again it nourishes the nail, and can prevent breakage and tearing. Gently soak nails or hands for 10-15 minutes. Then shower, bathe, or rinse with soap and water.

Nail files. You can use any size or type, but use the file gently in one direction. A sawing motion can encourage tearing or shredding.

Nail treatments. Often sold as a polish, they can brighten nails or make new nail growth healthier.

Nail strengtheners. These come in a rainbow of colors and can include anything from seaweed to diamonds.

Calcium. Milk does a body good. Does wonders for nails, teeth and skin too.