If I can find time on the weekends, a few times a month I like to give myself a mani/pedi.

Over the years, I’ve realized that I sometimes prefer home mani/pedis to many that I’ve had at a salon—it’s just so much better to decompress on the couch with my favorite polish while catching up on episodes of America’s Next Top Model .

Of course I still like to be pampered at the salon, and I do have acrylics on my finger nails, so I often don’t want to spend the money on any extra’s, like a pedi, so I enjoy getting a little instant gratification without blowing my budget.

My oldest daughter is a hairdresser and surprised me by filling my stocking this past Christmas with OPI Manicure/Pedicure in Espresso Scrub and Cappuccino Massage.

The caffeine scented Scrub and Massage are both  formulated with sugar crystals for great scrubbing action that will leave you all tingly and feeling ready to grab a cup of Joe with a girlfriend or your sweetie.  Both come with caffeine to help perk up the skin, making it tighter and more youthful looking.  I use them on both my feet and dry hands.  It’s unbelievable how incredibly soft and silk they leave my skin.

In the past I’ve used OPI Manicure/Pedicure in Cucumber which has a twist of pineapple and is so refreshing- I think I will save that one for the hot months and use my Espresso/Cappuccino for the colder months!!

So coffee lovers REJOICE!  With some caffeine in your system and on your skin you’ll be ready to take on anything!

I was recently fumbling along on Glamour.com when I ran into some fabulous at home spa tips! I thought what a great way to relax with the hectic holiday season upon us when most of us are trying to watch the all mighty dollar as well!

No special tools are needed

Turn your shower into a sauna “Just turn your shower on and run it at its hottest temperature for about 20 minutes. While the water is running and the steam is building, take a warm washcloth and spray with your favorite relaxing oil. (Lavender, vanilla or rosemary are all great de-stressing aromas.) When you step into your shower, put the washcloth up to your face and take a deep breath of your soothing, oil-scented steam. It’s a great way to unwind right before bed—and it also helps clear up sinuses.”

Heat things up “Before jumping into the shower, stash your daily body lotion on top of a radiator or heating vent so it’s warmed up when you rub it on. There is nothing better than getting out of a hot shower and rubbing on the heated, soothing lotion. Just be aware that your lotion will get much more liquidy when it’s warm, so it might rush out of its container faster.”

Sugar Scrub “Once a week  give your whole body a nourishing scrub. Mix one cup of granulated white sugar with enough vitamin E oil to make a thick paste.  Head to the tub and scrub it in circular motions all over your body. This simple-to-use scrub helps rid your skin of dead cells while taking in the nourishment of the vitamin E oil. Simple and sweet!”

How about you, do you have any tips to give you that spa glow from home?

Although I can’t believe that it is actually Thanksgiving week, it is here and it is my favorite time of the year.  I have so much to be thankful for, and it will soon be CHRISTmas.

To put myself in the festive mood, last night I tried my new liquid soap and candle from the Sweet Grass Farm’s New Limited Edition Farmhouse Holiday Greenery Collection.  The aroma of lush spruce, pine and cedarwood is so fresh and brings me holiday excitement just thinking about it.

I washed my hands to prepare dinner last night with the all-natural liquid soap.  It had a creamy lather, and smelled so clean and fresh.  I couldn’t stop smelling my hands.

I then lit the hand-poured soy candle that is scented with pure essential oils.  It burned so clean and even, and I just loved the real tree smell that it brought to my house.  They also make dish soap, shea butter hand lotion and fragrant diffusers.

I sat down to read my stack of magazines after dinner only to find that the products were featured in the latest edition of Country Living.  If you want to put yourself in a festive mood too, check out the limited edition products at www.sweetgrassonline.com. I hope ya’ll enjoy your Turkey Day with safe travels and lots of yummy food!