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aromatherapy

t spheres, a Pocket Spa for Travelers

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas, Celebrity Shopping

t spheresIt's not easy to bring the luxuries of home on the airplane with you anymore. With TSA regulations and bag checking fees, bringing a bottle of your favorite calming lotion or even face cream can be challenging. t spheres is a new product which aims to give you that do-it-yourself spa experience right in your hotel room (or your living room, or your office) without creating a hassle at the airport. We tried a set on a recent trip to see if these little aromatherapy balls can really be considered "luxurious."

The t spheres, or "tranquility" spheres, were created by Stephanie Whittier, a professional massage therapist who has studied "movement in relationship to pain relief" for over 17 years. The compact burlap package consists of two rubber balls about two inches in diameter and a mini spray bottle filled with the aromatherapy oil you select when purchasing. Spritz the oil on your hands or the spheres and massage it into the spheres to begin.

Once your t spheres are oiled-up and smelling great, there are all kinds of therapies you can try. For example, you can roll them under the sides of your spine on the floor, stick them behind your lower back while you work in a chair, and roll them under your feet. You can simply rub them into the back of your neck or along the backs of your legs; anywhere you feel needs relief. You can heat or cool them to create whatever relaxing, tension-releasing sensation you prefer.

How to Use Aromatherapy

Filed under: Spas, Cosmetics and Fragrance

aromatherapyMost of us treat ourselves with aromatherapy without even thinking -- ever taken a whiff of your coffee as it's brewing and instantly felt more energized? Or lit a scented candle after a long day's work to help yourself relax? The world is full of fragrance, and aromatherapy is the art of harnessing specific smells and using them to improve a person's health, mood, and overall well-being. Here's a basic guide to which aromas are relaxing, which ones are energizing, and which ones can help give romance a boost.

If you want to relax:
Lavender, Chamomile, Vanilla, Rose, and Sandalwood all have calming and soothing properties, and especially when combined with relaxing activities can really help relax muscles and eliminate headaches. Try lighting a candle scented with one of these oils next time you sit down to read a book or take a long soak in the tub.

Rejuvenate, a Spa for Power Naps

Filed under: Gadgets, Services, Spas


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
recently reported on a trend that's already hit some other big cities: the napping spa. An egg-shaped, computerized sleeping pod inside Rejuvenate, an atrium-level storefront spa at one of downtown Atlanta's busiest buildings, provides a haven in which to take a 20-minute, or longer, nap. The spa, which opened in November 2007, offers five snooze suites, each separated by chocolate-colored curtains. Nappers can adjust the temperature, add lavender or citrus aromatherapy and a cool breeze for their necks. Some pods vibrate and calculate the number of calories burned while catching 40 winks.

In NYC, Yelo opened in 2007, promising brief power naps and cashmere blankets. But many spas across the country, especially getaway ones, are introducing sleep treatments, including everything from feather beds and lavender mists to overnight sleep observation. I find the whole "pod" idea claustrophobia-inducing, but the environment at a spa seems so much nicer than what the ladies at my office have -- a sofa in the bathroom. Ick. Pass the lavender, here's my cash and wake me in 20.

Rejuvenate offers timed naps (you're wakened by a gentle chime) at $14 for 20 minutes, $19 for 30 minutes and $35 for an hour. Employers can purchase bulk packages.

The Malone Luxury Candle, in Grapefruit

Filed under: Decor, Cosmetics and Fragrance

Candles are one of those things that although they seem to be everywhere we look, they continue to be as popular as ever and we just can't seem to get enough. They add such a wonderful warmth and ambience to a room -- for example this Grapefruit Luxury Candle from Jo Malone will fill your home with a unique and uplifting spicy citrus scent comprised of grapefruit, tangerine, vetiver, and rosemary. It has a stylishly understated design so it will add to your decor without competing for too much attention.

Priced at $345, The Luxury Candle is also available in scents other than grapefruit, plus the website offers suggestions on what scents go well together so different rooms can blend seamlessly.

Aftelier Hydrosols

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance

Do you love the cucumber water often served in spas but never feel like making your own? Aftelier Hydrosols is selling new exotic flavors (cucumber among them) which can be added to water, cocktails or recipes. A hydrosol is the distillate water that remains after essential oils are steam distilled out of the original plant material. Hydrosols contain small amounts of the essential oil and can also be used in aromatherapy-style applications such as misting the room or added to a bath. The five types: Indian rose, cucumber, lime, passionfruit and Cape chamomile sell for around $20 each for a .5 oz. dropper bottle.

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