There comes a time in every relationship when you have to pay extra-special attention to your lover. Whether it’s your anniversary, her birthday or Valentine’s Day, you’re going to have to come up with a new creative way to impress her with romance. I’m not talking about sparing no expense by taking her to your favorite all-you-can-eat buffet. I’m talking about going the extra mile to show her that you have mysterious romantic knowledge that will both surprise and please her.

This week we are going to re-invent a typical romantic scenario by focusing on your attention to detail. Sure, drawing a bath and lighting a few candles can be romantic and spontaneous by itself, but consider how you can take it a little further to really impress her. With a little ingenuity and a few of my simple homemade concoctions, you’ll have her immersed in the most incredible home-spa she has ever experienced – and will never forget!

Prepare
The perfect beginning to an evening at the spa starts with a nice light dinner and ends with a relaxing romantic interlude. If preparing dinner is not your forte, consider ordering in a low carbohydrate meal that you both can enjoy before you get started. Try to stay away from anything heavy or greasy as it may leave you both bloated and uncomfortable. Before dinner, be sure you've set out some inexpensive tea light candles in the bedroom, hallway and bathroom. Then, as you finish dinner, explain to her that you have a relaxing evening planned for her, but you will need a few minutes to prepare.

It’s time to excuse yourself from the dinner table and get started. Turn off the ringer on the phone, unplug the TV, and close the blinds. Also, don’t forget to turn off those pesky cell phones. As you know, this technological convenience is always ringing at the most inconvenient time! Light those tea light candles – then turn off all the lights. This will be the setting for your home spa – it’s time to draw a bath!

Tub
Forget pouring dish detergent in the tub as a substitute for bubble-bath – take the extra time to mix up you own special combination of bath salt ingredients. Purchase these items and mix them up the day before your romantic evening:

1 cup Epsom salts
1 cup baking soda
4 drops jasmine scented essential oil
4 drops vanilla scented essential oil
3 tablespoons liquid glycerin

When you have all of the ingredients ready, mix all of the dry components together while you slowly add the essential oils one at a time. Keep stirring the mixture until it is uniform. If it gets lumpy, be sure to break the clumps and keep mixing until it comes close to being a fine powder. Next, add the glycerin and keep mixing. If you have trouble finding glycerin, try your local health food store or pharmacy.

With the bath salt mixture ready, draw the bath and slowly add the mix as the tub fills. Be sure the temperature is warm but not scalding. Remember, our pink parts are far more sensitive than your fingers – so test accordingly!

Now, with the bath drawn, you both should disrobe and assume a comfortable and relaxing position in the tub. Soak for 5 or 10 minutes then proceed to exfoliate her body with the following scrub.

Scrub
The word ‘exfoliate’ means 'to remove dead skin or scales.' I realize that this definition is far from romantic or sexy, but consider that spa exfoliation also increases circulation in the skin and invigorates the entire body. This will refresh her as well as make her skin more sensitive to your touch. What could be bad about that? Try the following recipe for simple and edible exfoliating scrub:

3 tablespoons of honey
3 cups of raw or coarse sugar

Apply this scrub to the less sensitive places on her body and rub firmly but gently with your hands. Take care and caution, the feeling of coarse sugar on the nipples, genitals or any of her other more sensitive parts will not be pleasurable. Instead, concentrate on her feet, shoulders back and buttocks. The nice thing about this scrub is that it is edible; so feel free to lick off any excess that you might find elsewhere on her body.

Rub
After about 5 or 10 minutes of scrubbing, offer her a sensual massage to conclude her night at the spa. Have a bowl of essential oils on-hand aside the tub for easy access. Personally, I recommend jasmine, as the scent is very relaxing and sensual. Also, the great thing about the tub is that you don’t have to worry about the oil getting all over the place - on your sheets, couch or carpet. So feel free to oil her up in any fashion you please. Just be sure to move slow and keep it romantic for the time being. Just remember, this is about HER – so concentrate on her shoulders, back and feet first. Then, move to her legs arms and neck.

For added relaxation, fill the sink with warm water and soak a towel along with a few drops of essential oils. Place this hot steamy towel over her shoulders and around her neck – the added heat will be appreciated on those body parts that are above the water.

Once you’ve covered every other inch of her in massage, feel free to gently and patiently caress her breasts and stomach and thighs.

By this time she should be extremely relaxed and very sensitive to your touch. Offer to continue your massage in the bedroom or let her remain in the tub to soak away her stressful day. But be careful, she doesn’t want prune hands! – so limit the soaking time accordingly.

Now, the ultimate goal on this day is not sex, although it more than likely will be the result of your well-appreciated efforts. Just be sure you concentrate on her and the rejuvenation of her body when you create the ultimate home-spa experience. Its simple, its cheap, and its one of the best ways for you to become closer to your lover physically, sensually and emotionally. Give it a try and your efforts will not go unnoticed!