A Mothers Day Weekend in Vegas

Who would have thought that I'd be selected- out of gosh knows how many people- to win Spa Week's Escape to Vdara Giveaway!  All I did was put my name in a jar at a Spa Week event. Being the skeptic that I am I asked the lady manning the booth,

 "Is this for real?  Does anyone ever win?"
 "Yes.  You never know.  It doesn't hurt to try," she responded.

What the heck? She was right. I might as well give it a shot. Besides, it didn't cost me a dime to throw my name in the hat among hundreds, if not thousands of people that night. Fast forward two weeks later and I get a call from some lady claiming that I won a trip to Vegas.  I chalked it up to one of the many bogus calls I usually get about winning a cruise some where.  I almost hung up the phone.  But, then she said something that triggered a memory from that night.

"Yeah right.  How much does it cost?" I asked.
"Nothing! You won! I remember you. I was the one who took all your info at Spa Week," she said.

It took a little bit more convincing, but I eventually realized that this thing was legit.  My skepticism grew into pure excitement.  I couldn't wait to tell my hubby.  I knew that he wouldn't be excited  about the idea of going to a spa.  The only time he's ever had a message was on our honeymoon.  He said that would be the last one he'd ever get.

But, this is Vegas baby!  Spa or no spa, he was totally down for this vacation.  The major hurtle we had to overcome was deciding whether or not to bring Princess along.  We ultimately chose to make this a baby-free vacation.  I can't say it was easy to leave her behind, but I'll chat more about that in a later post.

I had up to a year to fulfill the prize which included a three night stay in a penthouse suite, a spa and salon credit, a dining voucher, and limousine transportation to and from the hotel.  We booked our spa retreat for Mothers Day weekend which worked out perfectly.

I've never been to Vegas before.  But when I think of Sin City, a scene from The Hangover comes to mind.  Thoughts of a bunch of guys at a bachelor party getting wasted, followed by a bunch of other crazy events.  Basically, I was totally clueless and didn't know what to expect.  As it turns out, Vegas is a beautiful city with so much more to offer than just casinos and booze.  Check out the scenery from our penthouse suite.

If you think the view outside is cool, check out the view inside.

It was our first time in Vegas and staying in a penthouse suite was also a first for us. This alone would have been enough. But, there was so much more to enjoy. The first thing on the agenda after checking in was to grab a bite to eat, and hit up the casinos. Being novice gamblers, we played it smart and went over to the slot machines.  I did pretty well in the beginning.  But I should have walked away when I was up.  I ended up losing my money.

 I had my spa appointment the next morning and we were famished from a long day of traveling. So, we made it an early night.

Our stay at this point was absolutely amazing.  But, visiting Vdara Spa and Salon completely took my breath away.  I was scheduled to have a message, facial, and brow wax.  I also got a chance to enjoy the other great amenities the spa had to offer.  I rotated between the stream room, sauna, jacuzzi, and relaxation room the entire day.  In fact, I loved it so much that I return the following day for another round.  I even talked my hubby into coming along.  They don't normally allow picture taking.  But, my tour guide said that it was ok to snap these pics.

From gambling to pampering, the fun didn't stop there.  We got a chance to see "O" Cirque du Soleil, and a variety show.  We weren't allowed to take pics during the show.  My hubby snapped this one after leaving one of the performances.

We also spent some time touring the neighboring hotels, and the fabulous Vegas strip.

When it came to satisfying our pallets, there were tons of different restaurants to choose from.  Being the foodie that I am, I wanted to try different cuisines.  The Japanese restaurant, Blossom, was definitely one of our favorites.

Our first trip to Vegas was a blast!  We were able to fit a lot of activities in during our three night stay.  We'd definitely love to return, and explore more of what Sin City has to offer.

Thank goodness I put my name in that jar at Spa Week, and I thank my lucky stars for not hanging up the phone.

Big up to Vdara Spa and Salon for sponsoring our hotel stay.  A special shout out goes out to Spa Week for hosting the giveaway.

Weather Anchor Mama

A Day at the Spa!

It's my favorite time of the year!  Spa Week!  It's a chance to take a moment to get pampered.  I try to make it to the spa at least once a season for rejuvination.  However, between caring for a baby, working full time, and taking classes, pampering has taken a back seat.  So, I made a promise to myself this week to make a spa escape.

When I was offered a chance to review Elizabeth Arden's Red Door Spa, I couldn't pass it up.  I was in heaven from the moment I pulled into the Bellmore, Long Island location.

My expectations were met before I even began my service.  The staff was friendly.  They immediately greeted and informed me about the various services offered.  I was in awe by the size and ambiance of this spa.  I was given a tour and was pleasantly surprised.  The waiting area had a beautiful fireplace which totally put me at ease.

In addition to the message and manicure rooms, there's also a top notch hair salon.  Those were just some of the highlights.

For me, the real highlight was the service I had done.  They recommended the Spa Week Stress Melter which was designed to increase blood circulation and restore the flow of energy back into the body.

It began with a deep exfoliation, followed by an aromatherapy body wrap and scalp message.  I immediately felt stress relief from my scalp down to my toes.  It was amazing!  I was well overdue for some pampering, and this spa visit was just what I needed.

Whether you're a stay at home or career mom, it's so important to take time out for yourself.  I love my baby girl with all my heart.  But there are times when I feel like I'm gonna lose my mind.  That's why I take moments like this to get away.  I encourage all you moms to do the same!

It's not too late!  Spa week is just getting started!  Red Door Spa is just one of the many participating venues that's offering services at discount prices.  Here's some more info on Spa Week.

In honor of this week of pampering, I'll be giving away a fab Elizabeth Arden Red Door scented candle as well as Prevage day and night moisturing creams.  All you have to do to enter is follow my blog by selecting the "Join this site" tab like the one below.  You can find it at the right of your screen and  follow the instructions thereafter.

Also, be sure to leave a comment indicating that you want to win!  Those of you who are already followers can be entered as well.  Just leave me note in the comments section too.  The winner will be chosen through random.org on Oct 16th.  Good luck!

Don't forget to book those spa appoinments this week.  For a list of participating spas head over to www.spaweek.com.  Happy pampering!!