If you were not a fan of the TV series Parks and Recreation (2009-2015), what is wrong with you? Sorry, sometimes I just type my unfiltered words. P&R starred Amy Poehler. No greater compliment can be paid to me than when someone says, “You remind me of Amy Poehler, especially when you make that face.” One of the best gifts P&R gave us was ‘Treat Yo’ Self’ Day, which was introduced by Tom Haverford and Donna Meagle in Season 4. It encourages you to ‘treat yo’ self’ to “clothes, fragrances, mimosas, fine leather goods and puppy parties.” Usually this day is recognized Oct. 13, but it somehow got past me this year. So I decided that during the crazy holiday season, I would declare ‘Treat Yo’ Self’ Week. How do I wield such power? Because I kind of look like Amy Poehler and I write this column.
My daughter talked me into the first activity: floating. Sure, I wanted to be confined to a pod that looked straight out of The Jetsons filled with water and Epsom salts for 90 minutes by myself, floating with only my mind to occupy me. If you follow my column, you know I have a mind that races and is best spent doing instead of being. But I decided to try it for just a few minutes. There are two locations of Float STL (floatingstl.com), and as we walked in the door, I could smell the candles burning and hear the hushed voices: two signs I should run for the exit, but I didn’t. Instead, after receiving my instructions, I disrobed and entered my pod, where I floated. Did I spend time in mediation? Not quite. I actually pretended I was part of the Olympic synchronized swim team and created a little routine. Ridiculous I know, but so much fun. When the 90 minutes were over, I was sad to leave and relaxed. I mean, maybe I did meditate or fall asleep and I simply don’t remember.
Next stop was Jennifer Farrar-Farmer (lockwoodchiropractic.com) for a massage—but not just any massage, a pillossage! Unlike floating, I stayed fully clothed for this experience. Jennifer used warm pillows filled with flax seeds and lavender to give me an all-over massage that can only be described as blissful. My shoulder stopped aching, my head stopped hurting and by the end, I wanted my very own flax seed pillow. Although I knew even if I had one, I wouldn’t be able to put the right pressure on the right places to make the aches and pains go away. Jennifer was the key to pillossage working.
And finally, did you know it is possible to spend $130 on fine chocolates? Well, I did just that in one visit to Bissinger’s during ‘Treat Yo’ Self’ Week! First, some truffles for my husband and then, well, everything else for me! I know, you are far too busy to make this ‘Treat Yo’ Self’ Week. But really, your family is not going to notice the one last-minute gift they didn’t get. (Unless you are a guy who believes your wife when she says, “Don’t get me anything this year. I have everything I want.” It’s a trap; don’t fall for it.) Come on, just treat yo’ self!
Contact Patty at phannum@townandstyle.com.
