Page 2 – Hudson Valley Magazine

How to Spruce up Your Hudson Valley Home for a Spring Sale

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March 14, 2023

How to Spruce up Your Hudson Valley Home for a Spring Sale

Adobe Stock | Photo by coralimages

According to local expert Diva Haase, of Hudson Valley Staging and Redesign, a little effort now can mean a much better sale later.

The best time to list your house is March through April, according to real estate website Zillow. That means now is the time to get it ready. Home expert Diva Haase, of Hudson Valley Staging and Redesign, offers tips on what to do in the winter to prepare your home for sale in the spring.

Minimalism: Too much furniture and personal items can make the rooms appear smaller. Pack and store away anything you can live without, Haase advises.

Clutter: “Find a storage space in each room to put things away quickly when a showing appointment has been made.”

Painting: “If your walls have not been painted in quite some time, are dingy or painted in bright colors, this will negatively affect the sale of your home,” Haase says. But don’t make white your automatic go-to color.

“If a room has minimal to no light, white will appear dingy. On the flip side, if you have a home that is flooded with light and on the minimalist side, white can be wonderful.” Remember, too, that top-shelf paints give a more durable finish and cover more square footage. It often takes double the amount of inferior paint to do the job of one quality gallon.

Bonus rooms: Be sure to “define” your bonus room, for example as an office, playroom, or guest room. “Many buyers lack visual ability, so therefore an undefined space becomes a negative,” Haase notes.

spring sale — Adobe Stock | Photo by eranicle

Renovations: The majority of buyers are seeking turnkey homes, and unfinished or unrepaired items will be used as bargaining chips during a spring sale. Think carefully, however, before you upgrade. Research the current tastes of recent local buyers in your area first before choosing to do any major upgrades. Base the upgrades on the buyers’ tastes rather than your own, and keep the average cost of the neighboring homes in mind.

Bottom line: “A property should present an idealized lifestyle in an understated and relatable way,” Haase sums up.

Related: Spruce up Your Outdoor Living Space in the Hudson Valley

14 Colorful Wedding Ideas for Your Hudson Valley Ceremony

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March 8, 2023

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14 Colorful Wedding Ideas for Your Hudson Valley Ceremony

Adobe Stock / Laszlo

From eye-catching cakes to popping embellishments, you’ll love these unique wedding touches in the Hudson Valley.

By Samantha Garbarini and Sabrina Sucato

Color is everything at a wedding. Sure, there are the classic white and black hues of dresses and suits, but there’s also so much more than that. Depending upon when you tie the knot, you could lean into the auburns and oranges of autumn or the rosy pinks and pale greens of spring. Without further ado, here are the colorful inspirations to embrace when you tie the knot.

Card table at Roundhouse wedding — The Roundhouse in Beacon; escort table design by Michelle Bablo / Photo by Clean Plate Pictures

A card table gets an unexpected pop in the form of colorful origami hangings above it.

a colorful blue wedding cake — Cake by Nine Cakes

Skip the standard white wedding cake and go for something that makes a statement. This bold blue cake from Nine Cakes in Hudson is a stunner.

A bride with a pink dress — The Preston Barn; planning by Wild Blooms Bridal; dress by Justin Alexander, purchased at Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique; florals by Raised by Roses; hair by Annaliese & Co.; makeup by Allyssa Rae. Photo by Cassondre Mae Photography

Sure, you could opt for a white dress. But when pretty pink gowns like this exist, why wouldn’t you go for color?

Bridesmaids in colorful red dresses — Florals by Maple Field Floral. Photo by Alexa Tumbarello Photography

Bridesmaids dresses are the perfect way to add a colorful pop into your wedding. For a winter ceremony, cranberry and oxblood tones are a sure fit.

A groom with a blue jacket — Planning by The Wedding Library; florals by Peartree Flowers; shot at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. Photo by Sophie Kaye Photography

The groom (and the groomsmen) will look extra spiffy in colorful suits and fun accents. Plus, who doesn’t love a chic bowtie?

Bride and bridemaids wearing colorful dresses — Planning by Bluu Ribbon Events; florals by Fani Flowers; hair and makeup by Eye Of Luna; dresses by Jenny Yoo, purchased at Bella Bridesmaids; hairpiece by Forever Brooch Bouquets / Photo by Kristina Staal Photography

Instead of opting for matching bridesmaid gowns, let your posse pick from a range of colors. The shades will look stunning in your wedding photos, too.

A pink and orange wedding bouquet — Florals by Stacy K Floral. Photo by Jessica Oh

We love a colorful bouquet for the walk down the aisle. For even more flower power, go for bright and festive centerpieces at your reception.

A colorful wedding cake with fruit — Planning by The Wedding Library; cake by Nine Cakes; shot at Valley Rock Inn & Mountain Club. Photo by Shawn Connell

A white cake gets a multi-colored upgrade in the form of sweet fruit accents.

Grooms in emerald suits — Photo by Jesse Rinka Photography, shot at VIP Country Club

Emerald hues are a treat all year in the Hudson Valley. Pair them with gold bowties for a winning look.

Colorful wedding stationery — Invitation suite by Stephanie Potenza, owner and artist, Stephanie Tara Stationery

Color starts with the invitations! Set the tone for your big day with invites that stand out in the mailbox.

Chic outdoor table — Design by Wildflower Events + Design. Photo by KeLi Photography

Who doesn’t adore a chic tablescape? If you’re hosting a reception, go for tasteful additions of color in the form of candles and flowers.

A groom in a colorful purple suit — Photo by Nicole DeTone Photography

Planning a garden wedding? Pair the groom’s suit with the surrounding flora for a sweet scene.

Winter wedding invitations — Shot at Fable Farm; planning by Lovely Event Planning; floral design by Enza Events; cake by Sweet Grace Cake Designs; stationery by Bespoke Designs; jewelry by Blue Nile. Photo by Nicole DeTone Photography

If your wedding falls around the holidays, lean into the color scheme with rich red and green tones. Plus, your invites will look extra festive.

A black and white wedding colorscape — Shot at Glynwood; planning by Monica Relyea Events; rentals by North Country Vintage and Party Rental Ltd; florals by Viridescent Floral Design; black top purchased at Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique; skirt by Carol Hannah; hair by Renee Russo; makeup by Erica T. Martell / Photo by Alicia King Photography

Even black and white can be bold! Stick with the theme, then pair the hues with mixed metals for an effortlessly elegant occasion.

4 Steps to Prepare for Heart-Pumping Hudson Valley Workouts

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March 7, 2023

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4 Steps to Prepare for Heart-Pumping Hudson Valley Workouts

These pre-workout tips will help you make the most of your exercise time. Adobe Stock / Ty

Hudson Valley trainers share their expert advice on proper rest, stretching, and other important pre-workout techniques.

Whether you are hitting a wall or racking up recovery time, it may often seem that you aren’t getting the most out of your hours in the gym. These four pre-workout tips are sure to boost your performance, courtesy of Hudson Valley fitness professionals Jodi Berkowitz, Peter Marino, and Suzzanne Gomes.

Get Some Shut Eye

Preparation for a workout starts long before you even step foot into the gym. If you exercise early in the morning, a good night’s sleep is necessary to be alert and perform well—but Berkowitz says even if you hit the weights later in the day, getting sufficient sleep will do wonders for a workout. Get those recommended seven to nine hours of sleep every night, and you may instantly see your workout results improve.

Eat Like You Mean It

Trainers urge their clients to eat a light, healthy meal before a workout and can’t believe how many show up to the gym on an empty stomach. Without the required fuel to power the body, a workout can be over before it even starts. Berkowitz recommends a mix of carbohydrates and protein (wheat toast, banana, peanut butter, yogurt, and berries) and Gomes suggests a light snack like celery sticks or an apple. Drinking water before (as well as during and after) a workout is also necessary, as it allows you to avoid dehydration, supplying your muscles with oxygen and keeping you energized and focused.

Supplement Up

Marino recommends taking a branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplement before workouts, especially if you exercise early in the morning. This will help prevent excessive breakdown of the muscles, as the body is in a fasting state overnight. BCAAs are known to support muscle growth and will bolster your overall workout.

Stretch to Impress

Trainers have long debated the advantages of different types of stretching. Berkowitz says static stretching—the classic form you likely did in gym class as a kid—can actually make muscles more ineffective in a workout. Both Marino and Gomes say dynamic stretches are the way to go. These can include walking lunges, frog hops, or even a short jog. A brief and dynamic warmup (5-10 minutes) gets the heart pumping, makes you break a little sweat, and puts you on the right foot for a fantastic workout.

6 Small Changes to Live Greener in the Hudson Valley

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February 23, 2023

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Adobe Stock / Ronstik

Incorporating just a few small habits into your daily routine can make a huge difference in the long run for the environment.

We all know that we could always do a little more to make the world a greener and more sustainable place. Yet why is it so hard for us to go the extra step to living greener in the first place? “People are leading very full and increasingly complicated lives these days,” says Bill Meyer, the chairman and energy co-chair of the Lower Hudson Valley Sierra Club. “The good news is it is becoming increasingly easier to live a green life without disrupting our daily routines.”

Ain’t that the truth! Many of us dutifully remember to toss our milk containers and pasta boxes in the recycling bin, but that’s the extent of the green living for most of us. Here, we’ve outlined a few small things you can do to help in the Hudson Valley.

Change all your light bulbs to energy-efficient LED models.

Making sure your appliances are up-to-date and energy-efficient can also make a huge difference.

Using a dishwasher actually saves water as opposed to hand washing dishes the traditional way — Adobe Stock / Ronstik

Skip the hand-washing in favor of a fully-loaded dishwasher.

Using your dishwasher (especially an Energy Star efficient model) can save up to 5,000 gallons of water a year, and uses less than half the energy as hand-washing your dirty plates.

Wash your laundry in cold water.

Heating water for laundry consumes 90 percent of the energy needed to wash your clothes.

Unplug your phone chargers.

These “energy vampires” are still sucking energy even when there’s no phone attached to the other end of your charger – and adding 10 percent to your energy bill every year. Time to unplug ‘em when you’re not using them.

Reusable shopping bags are one way to develop environmentally friendly habits — Adobe Stock / Syda Productions

Use reusable bags to shop.

Once you get in the habit of bringing them with you, you’ll never leave the house without one again. Did you know that plastic shopping bags make up 10 percent of washed up debris on our coastlines? Or that they take anywhere from 15 to 1,000 years to decompose in a landfill? Even more reason to make the switch.

Eat local.

Given that the Hudson Valley is home to amazing farms and produce, this should be easy – eating local not only supports our local economy, but reduces pollution and energy used to transport otherwise far-flung items.

These small steps all aid in creating a greener future. Looking for larger ways to make a difference? “Now is the time to think big and weigh climate and energy efficiency into larger periodic decisions, like buying a hybrid or electric car, insulating your home, or putting solar on your roof,” Meyer says.

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Sierra Club NY (@sierraclubny) • Instagram photos and videos

Another step? Get involved with your local Sierra Club. Information for the Lower Hudson Valley Sierra Club can be found here.

How to Declutter and Organize Your Closet in the Hudson Valley

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February 16, 2023

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How to Declutter and Organize Your Closet in the Hudson Valley

Adobe Stock | Photo by EKaterina

Just in time for spring cleaning in the Hudson Valley, take small steps to declutter the closets and storage spaces in your home.

Cleaning and organizing seem synonymous with the springtime – and oh, so overwhelming! But they don’t have to be, especially if you get started before spring arrives and you have a closet that’s built for organization. If you’re in the mood for a revamp, consider these helpful tips for redoing your closet from Joanne Palumbo, formerly an interior design consultant at California Closets.

Where to start

Purge! To truly declutter, begin by taking an inventory of what you have and creating two piles: one for donations, and one of items to keep.

Dress shirts neatly arranged in a clean closet — Dress shirts should be spaced out evenly and can even be color-coded. Adobe Stock | Photo by CreativePhotography

Planning it out

The goal is to be able to see everything in your closet so you can access it easily and save time in the morning.

Dresses: Measure your longest dresses and make sure you have the space to hang them.

Pants and Shirts: Just like with the dresses, make sure you have rods that fit your shirts and pants as well. You can double these up next to where your dresses are hung to maximize space.

Sweaters: If you have a lot of bulky shirts or sweaters, consider getting drawers to store them, but remember, all drawers are not created equal. Check the drawer depths before you buy to make sure they work for what you have.

Outfits: A pull-out valet rod will definitely save you time every morning. It is a place where you can hang your outfit for the next day (accessories, too) so you can easily get dressed without the chaos each morning.

Jewelry should have it's own place to be stored — Jewelry should have its own organized storage. Adobe Stock | Photo

Jewelry and Accessories: Drawers, bins, or baskets work best for smaller items like jewelry and accessories.

Shoes: Slanted shoe shelves are amazing. You can see everything at a glance so it’s easier to grab a pair and go.

Dirty Clothes: Everyone has dirty clothes, but no one wants to see them. Consider adding a pull-out hamper that is neatly tucked away out of sight.

Beast Takes Barbecue to New Heights in Fishkill

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February 15, 2023

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Beast Takes Barbecue to New Heights in Fishkill

Featured courtesy of Beast

Sample the spicy world of barbecue fusion at Beast, a dining concept by the team behind Fishkill’s Dutchess Biercafe.

WHO: Beast, which opened in October 2022, is a joint effort from chef Kevin Viteri and Biercafe co-owners Nick and Jessica Forlano. Viteri, also the head chef, honed his barbecue skills at Blue Smoke in Manhattan and New Jersey’s SmoKING and Kimchi Smoke. His interest in exploring the boundaries of barbecue beyond its classic Southern flavors began in his native Jackson Heights, Queens—a melting pot of international cuisine.

WHAT: Viteri prepares all the meat in what he calls “New York style,” meaning it’s smoked Texas style (with hickory and cherrywood) and rubbed in a medley of spices that pay homage to his multicultural roots. The best way to taste his signature flavors is by ordering the Beast Platter—a sampler of smoked brisket, pulled pork, Peruvian chicken, a rack of gochujang-glazed ribs, and two large sides. According to Nick, Southerners tend to pair their barbecue with lager, so the Beast bar is stocked with Czech and German beers. Another must-try: the wings. They’re cherrywood-smoked and tossed in a dry or wet rub served with “boujee” blue cheese (the black truffle oil makes it fancy) or green goddess ranch. The brisket—smoked low and slow—is special, too, says Viteri.

WHY: The Forlanos, who are Fishkill residents, wanted to attract more visitors to the village and additional restaurant options is always appealing. Plus, who doesn’t love great barbecue?

WHEN: Beast is open on Fridays for lunch and dinner; Saturdays for brunch, lunch, and dinner; and Sundays for brunch. Brunch is a treat with options like Beast BBQ omelets (three eggs, smoked brisket, caramelized onion, and cheddar cheese, served with hashbrowns), sausage gravy and biscuits, fluffy buttermilk pancakes, and bananas foster waffles. The killer bloody Mary is garnished with a chicken wing and slice of pork belly. Since the restaurant has limited indoor seating and they don’t take reservations, considering visiting this spring when the patio’s open.

WHERE: The restaurant is housed in the former National Bank of Fishkill at 1064 Main Street. The building, erected in 1857, was also the town hall for a time. “Customers have told us they got their marriage licenses here,” says Nick. “It’s got good connections and good history.”

What to Know Before Getting a Tattoo in the Hudson Valley

Life & Style

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February 15, 2023

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What to Know Before Getting a Tattoo in the Hudson Valley

Adobe Stock / Alfa27

Thinking about getting inked? Graceland Tattoo’s Adam Lauricella gives his best advice for those shopping around for a tattoo.

Did you know that tattooing wasn’t legal in New York City until 1997? It’s hard to believe in today’s day and age, as 25 percent of people in the United States have ink in some shape or form. If you’re part of the majority with a tattooless epidermis, but you’re thinking of getting your first, the Hudson Valley is a great place to start with reputable shops from Albany to Westchester.

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But before you get your partner’s initials etched on your bicep, here’s what you should know about getting a tattoo courtesy of Graceland Tattoo’s Adam Lauricella.

Don’t just copy and paste your tattoo idea from Pinterest or a blog. You can bet everyone else has it.

“A good way to get inspiration is to look at things that aren’t even necessarily a tattoo. You can take your idea and bring it to a tattoo artist, and they’ll know what to do with it, and turn it into a piece of artwork that’s tattooable.”

Really think about what part of the body you want to tattoo to make sure the picture/quote complements your body.

“Flat parts of the body are good for writing: down the forearm, across the back, across the chest, and down the leg. Writing a quote is good when you can read all of it, without having to twist and turn, so you have the immediate impact. Areas that are not going to distort over time are really good. And it’s important when you are getting a tattoo containing words that you don’t get them too small, because over time that tattoo is going to change and distort.”

Accept that it will hurt.

“Everybody is different! People have different sensitivities, but, generally speaking, the tops of the forearms are one of the least painful parts of the body. Many times, parts of the leg can be the least painful, but some parts of the leg can be very painful. Typically the ribs are very painful, because they’re around the center of all your nerves.”

Related: 10 Hudson Valley Chefs Reveal Their Favorite Places to Dine Locally

Are you allergic to particular lipsticks or nail polish colors? You might also get a reaction from certain inks.

“Though red can be a really beautiful color and it can last a long time, there are some things [like iron oxide, mercury sulfide, ferric hydrate, aluminum, and manganese] in red ink that can be more apt to cause a reaction. That being said, it’s very rare when someone has an allergic reaction, but [in those cases] there’s probably a higher chance that it’s a red ink causing the reaction, than a blue ink.”

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A post shared by Adam Lauricella: TATTOOER (@adamlauricella)

Find a trustworthy tattoo artist.

“You want to find a tattoo artist and a studio that is a safe place to practice with a sanitary and sterile procedure. You want to talk to people who you know got a tattoo, and hear what they tell you about the tattoo studio. When you go in, look around to see if…the workstations are presentable. If the tattoo artist is in the middle of a tattoo, and the tools are not being used, are they covered in plastic that will keep them clean, and does it all look sterilized? And ask questions! The artist should jump at the opportunity to answer all your questions and walk you through their procedure and their equipment.”

Ask the artist to help you with the design.

“We are there to give you our input and expertise. Even though you’re getting a piece of artwork, there are limits to tattooing. It’s an art form, but there’s also a science to it. And if something is totally leading to a bad tattoo, we are not going to do it, but of course we’re there to collaborate and to use the client’s input.”

Don’t get inked on empty stomach.

True! “We recommend everybody to get a good night of sleep before getting the tattoo, and eat a good meal, too. You are putting your body through a little bit of stress.”

Finally, protect your tattoo.

“When you leave the studio, you’ll have a bandage on the tattoo. Clean it several times a day, put on lotion. Until the tattoo heals, you should stay out of the sun, and once it heals you should always put a high SPF on it, every time you are getting sunlight on it. Forever.”

The Little Rye Bakehouse Makes Sweet Treats in Kingston

Eat & Drink

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February 14, 2023

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The Little Rye Bakehouse Makes Sweet Treats in Kingston

Adobe Stock | tbralnina

After falling in love with baking, Catarina Cowden opened The Little Rye Bakehouse to share her passion with the Hudson Valley.

Catarina Cowden loves Ulster County. A Rosendale resident of eight years, she was charmed by the area while working a variety of jobs at the Outdated Café (Kingston, now closed), Twin Star Orchards (New Paltz), The Mud Club (Woodstock), Ollie’s Pizza, and the Last Bite (both in High Falls).

Little Rye Bakery — Courtesy of The Little Rye Bakehouse

But there was something special about Kingston, thanks to “the people I’ve met and the community that I’ve grown to become a part of over the years,” says Cowden. “They are supportive and kind and want to see [me] succeed in an authentic way.” As the food service industry came to a halt during the pandemic, Cowden had a lot of time to think about her future. She couldn’t picture a life without baking—her passion—and so she began collaborating with Tubby’s, a beloved bar in Midtown, to curate their food menu. This was the catalyst for the birth of Rosie’s Bakehouse, a micro-bakery named after her grandma. After launching the business, Cowden provided baked goods to a variety of wholesale clients and Ulster County residents, with pop-ups at farmers markets and events.

Little Rye Bakery pie — Courtesy of The Little Rye Bakehouse

When a space adjacent to Tubby’s became available for rent, Cowden opened her first storefront. The Little Rye Bakehouse debuted in early January and will act as a headquarters of sorts. Monday through Saturday, Little Rye is closed to the public as Cowden prepares pizzas, Bundt cakes, and hand pies—for Tubby’s, the Kingston Farmers Market, and other clients including The Ridge in New Paltz, Accord Market, and Tivoli General. On Sundays from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Little Rye is open for customers to purchase pies and other pastries, biscuits with seasonal jams, and cookies. Bonus: at the shop, you can sign up for Little Rye’s pie club, which gives members first dibs on exclusive, seasonal pies every other week. Cowden is thrilled with her new venture. “We’ve slowly grown into our own identity. We’re a tiny place, hoping to keep a tiny footprint with a simple intention—to bake for you.”

These Chocolate, Hazelnut, and Ginger Clusters Are Sweet Treats

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February 13, 2023

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These Chocolate, Hazelnut, and Ginger Clusters Are Sweet Treats

Adobe Stock | Photo by Ruslan Mitin

Whether they’re for a birthday or a custom Valentine’s Day chocolate box, these handmade candies are easy to make and tasty to eat.

This recipe for homemade chocolates is so easy that once you’ve done it, you’ll think up your own filling combinations. Hazelnuts could easily be swapped with cashews, peanuts, pecans, or walnuts, while semisweet chocolate chips could go dark if that’s more to your taste. Packed in cellophane bags tied with a red ribbon, they make nice, small gifts and are ideal inside a homemade candy box. So, if you’re planning an at-home Valentine’s Day celebration in the Hudson Valley this year, why not whip up a batch or two? Your sweetheart (and your sweet tooth) will thank you.

Chocolate, Hazelnut, and Ginger Clusters

Yields 22-24 clusters

Ingredients:

1 cup whole hazelnuts
8 oz semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup finely chopped candied ginger
24 hazelnut halves for topping

Method:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Spread hazelnuts in a single layer in a shallow pan and toast for about 10-15 minutes, stirring once.

Place nuts in the middle of a kitchen towel and rub off the paper-thin skins (sometimes hazelnuts can be found without this skin, in which case they only need to be toasted) and cool.

Melt chocolate in a shallow bowl in the microwave. Start with one minute, remove, stir, and repeat for 20 seconds, then 10 seconds at a time until completely melted. Carefully remove bowl from the microwave.

Stir in the cooled hazelnuts and chopped ginger. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto baking sheets covered with foil. Immediately top each cluster with a hazelnut half.

Refrigerate until cool and hardened. Store refrigerated in airtight containers.

Originally published in Delicious December: How the Dutch Brought Us Santa, Presents, and Treats: A Holiday Cookbook.

5 Warming Winter Spa Treatments in the Hudson Valley

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February 7, 2023

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5 Warming Winter Spa Treatments in the Hudson Valley

Adobe Stock / polinaloves

Ready to shake off the winter chill? Get warm and glowing these season with a luxurious trip to a Hudson Valley spa.

Ask any bear — sometimes you just need to put winter on defrost and take a break. Shorter, darker days can give you the blahs, while sudden temperature changes and blustery blasts dehydrate and dull your skin, stiffen up your muscles, chap your lips, and frizz up your hair.

Since there’s still a good chunk of chilly days ahead, heading to a spa seems like a super sensible thing to do. These five blissful treatments should help you banish the winter blues.

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Infrared Sauna at Bodhi Holistic Spa

Hudson

Touted by the all-powerful Dr. Oz and all the rage in Asia, the infrared sauna is in demand. Unlike high-heat steam saunas, these high-tech ones operate with incandescent infrared heat lamps so the air doesn’t heat up, but your body gradually gets warmer as circulation increases.

Expect to spend a bit longer in the sauna than usual. “It’s a deep heat over a longer period of time,” says Bodhi owner Melinda Macchiaroli. “They’re great for deep healing and flushing out toxins like heavy metals.”

One unexpected benefit for some of her clients: weight loss. That sure beats skipping dessert!

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Acupuncture and Cupping at Wholeness Center

Valley Cottage

What, you don’t know about cupping? A rediscovered ancient Eastern therapy, it’s the passion of Olympic swimming athletes and celebrities alike, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, and Victoria Beckham.

Clients come to the Valley Cottage spa seeking cupping treatment for all the usual reasons people want massages. The difference is that unlike a deep tissue massage, cupping allows the practitioner to massage into deeper layers of muscle without the invasive pressure. It’s all in the cups: They are heated by fire to remove oxygen, then placed on the skin (usually the back, but anywhere goes) to create a vacuum seal, which draws the skin up and mobilizes blood and energy.

Caveat: It can leave behind marks (which do go away), but some people view them as a status symbol of sorts.

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Warm Stone Facial at Buttermilk Falls Spa

Milton

Not on the menu at most spas, a warm stone facial for winter is a pleasant discovery at this beautifully situated facility in Milton, which is also home to farm-to-table restaurant Henry’s at the Farm.

All the perks of a traditional facial are included in this treatment — cleansing, hydration, exfoliation, and a restorative mask — with the bonus of a massage using warmed stones to stimulate blood and relieve muscle tension and sinus pressure.

Because this facility is also an inn, after it’s over you can choose to drift back to your room to sleep rather than getting on 9W. (This treatment is not recommended for those with acne or rosacea.)

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Detoxifying Espresso Mud at Haven Spa

Rhinebeck

Just the thing for winter, this purifying treatment at Haven Spa will help you start the year off right. With this full-body experience, Haven revives your skin using everyone’s favorite morning drink: coffee.

Using finely ground coffee beans blended with Indian sarsaparilla, honey, tobacco, and black slit clay, the spa’s practitioners detoxify the body to remove dead skin cells, draw out impurities, and seal in moisture. In other words, it’s the perfect remedy for winter’s dry skin blues.

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Moroccan Purification Ritual at the Spa at Glenmere Mansion

Chester

You’ll feel like you’ve just taken the Marrakesh express when you arrive at this Moroccan-style hammam (bathhouse), decorated in dramatic shades of purple with Moorish-style arched windows. As fragrant steam fills the air, patrons are exfoliated with a full-body scrub while lying on a warm, marble stone.

Next comes the application of clay, which draws out toxins, followed by a warmed rosewater rinse-off and invigorating scalp massage. A final application of Argan oil, the secret anti-aging ingredient of Moroccan women, creates a butter-soft finish. If that doesn’t sound like the perfect winter spa treatment, we don’t know what does.