Mary Hopper

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local gift ideas #5: a massage + bath salts + more!

I was given 3 bags of bath salts to try out in return for this blog post. All opinions are 100% my own. One of the nicest gifts I got after giving birth to Baby David was a gift certificate for a massage with Donna Sklaventis.  She owns her own massage studio out of her home in Mason City: 850 1st Street. I cashed in my gift certificate, and let me tell you friends, it was amazing. I decided to start going on a more consistent basis for a few months, as a self prescribed "medicine" for my grief.  I truly believe our mental stresses and sadness manifest in our physical body in tightness, ailments, and sometimes disease.  I was also healing physically from an epidural gone bad, and spinal headache. I wanted a way to help combat the physical and emotional stress I was under, and  I really think getting massages was one of the best things I did for myself. apothecary

Donna's massages are very reasonably priced: 30 min = $25, 60 min = $50.  She does an Indian head massage (I'm doing this next time I go to her) and uses a technique called Gua sha, which stimulates blood flow to stagnant areas of the body. I always feel amazing after leaving her house. And bonus, she's super nice too. :)apothecary2 Donna is not only a very talented massage therapist, she makes natural homemade body products: body wash, soaps, shampoo and conditioners, lotions, bath bombs and salts. apothecary3 I was surprised to hear she even makes those cute little bags (below-middle) to put the salts in (sews and stamps them). Love it!apothecary4If you're looking for an inexpensive, homemade gift for the holidays, any of Donna's homemade goodies would be great!

Donna can be reached on her cell: 641-494-7508.

Enjoy!

 

I was given 3 bags of bath salts to try out in return for this blog post. All opinions are 100% my own.