Stacey Parks

by Jaime Richards

Chocolate is pretty much synonymous with Valentine's Day. And while you can check out YumSugar for ways to ingest it, here on Team Bella we like to explore ways to slather it all over our bodies. When it comes to using this decadent ingredient in spa and body treatments, it turns out there are several great reasons why chocolate is so sweet.

Stacey Parks, spa director at Spa Claremont in Berkeley, CA, explains, "Chocolate induces a euphoric feeling on an emotional level, so it just makes you feel really good, and it nurtures your well-being as well as your body." That's not it, though. "Chocolate is antioxidant, and the darker the chocolate the better, because it does help to boost the body's natural collagen production," she adds. If you just happen to be in the Bay Area, treat yourself to a chocolate manicure or pedicure at the Claremont. Or, for something you can do at home, this quick and easy DIY cocoa soak is perfection.

Be sure to check out more Valentine's tips from Stacey:
Getting the guy in your life into the spa
Two scents (and one massage technique) your guy will love

by Jaime Richards

Back in the day I worked in a salon, and I noticed a few techniques, services, and scents the guys seemed to gravitate toward. Stacey Parks, the spa director of Spa Claremont in Berkeley, CA, confirmed what I believed to be true. Generally speaking, when it comes to spa treatments, whether it be at home or at the spa, guys tend to like everything with a little extra spice. So to add some excitement to your man's Valentine's Day, just keep reading.

by Jaime Richards

With Valentine's Day just about a week away, you might be looking for a few ideas for creating a relaxing spa-like atmosphere at home for you and your significant other. Many spas, like the posh Spa Claremont at The Claremont Hotel Club and Spa in Berkeley, CA (where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie stayed when they visited the East Bay last August), offer up some amazing couple's packages. Their Duet Suite Service ($250 per person), for instance, includes 90 minutes of pampering, decadent treats, and a panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay. While a trip to the spa (or the SF area) might not be in your future, Claremont's spa director Stacey Parks has a few DIY ideas for making lover's holiday all the more sensual. To see her tips, just keep reading.