My Top 3 Girl Crushes:
(1) Megan Fox -- Props to David Silver!
(2) Trisha Paytas -- At first, I was like WTF is wrong with this beezie?! But after watching her NSFW YouTube videos, I've grown to love her bubbly, ridiculously TMI and IDGAF (self-love) attitude. Who else would make a video titled: "My vajayjay smells like tuna"?! (o_O)
(3) Sara Just Sara
Let me tell you about this Sara Just Sara (sorry, I don't know her last name). She was my massage therapist at Elysium and she gave me the BEST massage I've ever had!
Mr. NSS "tried" to surprise me with weekend getaway at Monterey to celebrate our anniversary. I say, "tried" because I guessed where he was taking me, down to the name of the hotel, and I didn't even have it bookmarked. Poor guy. As a token of my appreciation, I wanted to book a couple's massage but I knew better than to book something at Cannery Row because of the inflated touristy prices.
That's where Yelp came in. I saw Cat C.'s glowing review of Elysium and I was sold! Thank you!
Elysium is just a quick 5 minute drive from Cannery Row and the prices were half of what our hotel, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa charges. Street parking was plentiful but there is a two-hour max which is heavily enforced by DPT.
Elysium is a ranch converted spa that's very inviting, cute, and serene. Their lounge area was like chilling in someone's living room. They offer spa services (massage & facials), hair services (cut & color), nail services (including shellac), spray tanning, and even teeth whitening.
Depending on the type of massage, a 60 minute massage ranges from $95-$105. A 60 minute couple's massage is $170. I booked a 90 minute one ($210) but they were behind schedule so they charged us for the 60 minute massage. Talk about excellent customer service. If you're coming with a friend, book a couple's massage and share a room so you can save $20.
As suggested, we arrived 15 minutes early so we could enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly while laying on their lounge sofas in the waiting area draped with chiffon curtains.
Sara and Mr. NSS' massage therapist greeted us and whisked us away into the couple's room with French doors that opened to their courtyard. Coming from the SF, it was so relaxing to hear the sound of leaves rustling in the wind and to feel the breeze caress your back during the massage.
Because Mr. NSS has a very low pain tolerance, I choose the Relaxing Massage for us. I like it hard, so I requested strong pressure on my back and medium pressure everywhere else.
Sara is an absolute god sent with magical hands that was in tune with every crevice of my body. Her technique was unparalleled and she applied perfect pressure; strong yet relaxing. She was very thorough and went to town at all the right places at all the right times. She found each and every muscle knot and dug right into it which released so much pent up tension.
Usually the feet are an afterthought but the several minutes she spent on each foot, it was more beneficial than the 60 minute foot reflexology massages I've had. It's all about technique, I tell ya.
I've been getting massages since I was 14 years-old (thanks to my Chinesey hippie mom) and it was the first time I left feeling like a puddle of jelly.
Seriously. Doe.
BEST. MASSAGE. EVER.
By. Sara.
As for Mr. NSS' massage, he usually yelps "ouch" and "softer". What a wuss. *rolls eyes* This time, he was snoring away so I know he had an awesome massage as well.
Pro-Tip: Ladies, avoid making any plans right after your massage because you will need time to "freshen up". While I loved how amazingly relaxed I felt after the massage, I looked like mufasa after being slapped with a box of crayola then hit with a leaf blower...several times. read more