Choco-Holics Anonymous at Bliss

We all know pedicures can be relaxing, but I was literally shocked to the core when I experienced the Double Choc Pedicure at Bliss. From the moment I stepped into the pedicure room, adorably decorated with oversized Essie nail polishes painted on a cloudy blue sky, I was treated like a queen. A mug of steaming hot chocolate with a plate of miniature brownies was brought out to me as I set my bag and shoes inside the little cubby next to my pedicure chair. Then I was given a set of headphones for my very own TV, every pedicure station had one, and was told I could watch episodes of "Sex and the City" as my feet were buffed, scrubbed and polished to perfection! As I made it through three episodes of Season 2, my pedicurist sloughed off dry and dead skin with miraculous buffing ability (aided by a sugar scrub), soaked my tootsies in a deliciously scented hot chocolate milk soak, and trimmed and polished my nails with ease. She even granted me with a gratis paraffin treatment to really make my feet extra-smooth. As I was led to the women's lounge afterwards to relax and let my nails dry - all while eating cucumbers, crackers and cheese and more of those tasty miniature brownies - I was most certainly pleased as punch with the whole experience!

$70
Available at: Bliss 49 (541 Lexington Avenue at 49th Street, NYC) and Bliss Soho (568 Broadway, 2nd Floor, NYC)
212.219.8970
www.blissworld.com

Get Polished at Haven Spa

Sick of having dry, dull skin all winter long? You simply must head to Haven Spa for the Hot Chocolate Body Wrap. Now, let me preface by saying that this treatment is not for the faint of heart! You must feel comfortable being naked in front of your aesthetician. But if that's not a problem for you, then listen up because I was seriously thrilled at how soft and smooth my skin was after this delectable treatment. As I derobed and lay down on the heated massage table, my aesthetician got down to business, scrubbing my entire body vigorously with exfoliating salt to stimulate my circulation and following with a paste of Issimo Relax Body Exfoliant in Dark Chocolate mixed with goat's milk. This smelled as divine as it sounds, I literally wanted to lick the gooey mess off of myself! But before I had the chance, I was wrapped in a massive multitude of thick towels and plastic and left to contemplate how amazing I smelled for about ten minutes. When my aesthetician returned, she proceeded to shower me off right on the table, an experience I'd never had before, which left me a bit off guard but very intrigued. She then massaged the seriously delectable Serendipity 3 Chocolate Body Icing into my skin and sent me on my way, with my skin soft, smooth and smelling more delicious than it had in quite some time. Embarrassment factor aside, this was definitely a treatment worth trying.

$110
150 Mercer Street between Houston and Prince Streets
212.343.3515
www.havensoho.com

High Tea at Acqua Beauty Bar

I've been in love with Acqua Beauty Bar for quite some time. And after trying out the new Tavalon Chocolatea Body Polish, my love has only grown! After changing into a comfy robe and following my aesthetician to a huge treatment room in the back of the spa, I derobed and settled myself comfortably on the table, eagerly awaiting what was in store. When she returned, my aesthetician first scrubbed salts all over me and followed with a yummy smelling body polish by Tavalon teas, infused with chocolate to give my skin tons of antioxidants and healthy benefits. Then came my favorite part. As I lay there on the table, a Vichy shower was positioned over me to wash off the polish, which I must admit created quite a mess! The multiple shower heads each rained down on me for a good ten minutes, pounding down with such force and magnitude but in a seriously amazing way. Then, as I sat in an armchair wrapped in thick terry towels and drinking a delicious cup of tea, my aesthetician prepared the bed yet again for my quick massage. As she rubbed in moisturizing lotion with smooth, even strokes, my skin became softer and softer and my mind became more and more blank with bliss! At the end of the treatment, I felt as though I had been transported to another world, one of rich-smelling chocolate and massage-filled rain. It was definitely everything I had hoped for.

$95
7 East 14th Street
212.620.4329
www.acquabeautybar.com

Foot Frenzy at Sweet Lily

When I walked into Sweet Lily, I felt as though I might be in my grandma's living room. Overstuffed armchairs and sofas were scattered around the room, while antiquey-looking tables and pedicure tubs added a homey touch. I sank into the huge floral-printed chair and dropped my feet into the tub, out of which wafted the scent of tasty hot cocoa topped with whipped cream. I closed my eyes and relaxed as my pedicurist filed, buffed, trimmed and scrubbed my tootsies, and then opened them to see her rubbing in a delectable scrub made of hazelnut oil and cocoa beans. But that wasn't all, she then proceeded to massage in a luscious hazelnut cream and finish with the absolute perfect nail application. My senses heightened and my feet smoother than they'd been in days, I waltzed home happy, rejuvenated and definitely wanting seconds.

$64
222 West Broadway between North Moore and Franklin Streets
212.925.5441
www.sweetlilyspa.com

Face Off at Allure Day Spa

While I love getting facials for the dewy afterglow, there's always something about them that scares me. What if the facialist hates my skin? What if she pokes and prods too much? What if the extractions hurt? And while I must admit that some of these fears came to light during my Chocolate Rejuvenating Facial at Allure Day Spa, they weren't enough to overshadow the entire experience. My facialist did think my skin was terrible, which she mentioned more than once throughout the treatment and I will say that was off-putting, especially as I've actually been told I have quite good skin. But as she rolled up her sleeves and got to work, I could tell my face would be the better for it. Tons of creamy masks and creams were massaged into my skin, each of which I could feel truly sinking in. Then came the extractions, which were quite possibly the most painful ones I have ever experienced - even with my high threshold for pain, I seriously thought I might cry right on the treatment table. But I held it together, and was rewarded with a mask smelling of delicious chocolate that stayed and tightened on my face for about ten minutes. When it was removed, my pores were smaller, my skin was clearer, and my face was brighter. So I guess there's something to be said for the saying "No pain, no gain!"

$115
139 East 55th Street
212.644.5500
www.alluredayspa.com