Once upon a time, I dreamed of owning a spa when I grew up. I was (and still am) obsessed with the spa industry and the business of beauty. I became enthralled with a marvelous and enterprising woman named Marcia Kilgore and ripped out magazine articles about her famed Bliss spa, a modern and youthful, fun-loving spa, an alternative to the traditional (and perhaps sometimes stuffy) business model I was always reading about. When I finally got my hands on my first Bliss products some years later I was hooked.

Bliss' signature lemon + sage scent is divine (reminds me of my first post-college apartment in Boston) and their product packaging and cheeky presentation is cheerful and bright. The Bliss spas (now owned by Starwood) are known for playing upbeat music in bright, clean yet still serene environments. Their delicious complementary brownies aren't too shabby, either. I've loved every single minute I've ever spent inside a Bliss location. My only sadness is that it doesn't happen nearly enough.

Here's how I create a little Bliss for myself at home: