Every woman knows it can be hard to work in a little personal time.

A recent survey conducted with women found that two-thirds of respondents wished they had a special place to treat themselves and indulge in a little luxury. While many men have their own private “man cave” section of the house, many women long for their own place for a little “me-time.”

“I know that women have the desire to make their own special place at home. I have a passion for creating simple and comfortable spaces,” said Melissa Michaels, blogger of “The Inspired Room,” who is partnering with the Skinny Cow^® brand to help women create their own lady lair or WoCavé.

You can turn any space into your own little nook by incorporating a few personal touches:

• Entertainment Reserve – Every girl loves a little rest and relaxation with her favorite movies, television shows and music. Whether you love sentimental “chick flicks” or action-packed movies, keep your place stocked with your favorite movies and shows to catch-up on at the end of a long day. Also, make sure you have access to your favorite songs to enjoy while lounging.
• Girlfriend-Worthy Nook – Everyone knows sharing is always more fun, so include comfortable seating for visiting girlfriends. Move nice furniture from other corners of your home or purchase second hand furniture and jazz it up with a sassy sofa cover and chic decorative pillows.
• Snack Stash – No personal space would be complete without a stash of indulgent, tasty treats, such as ice cream, candy and salty snacks. In fact, more than 57 percent of the women surveyed said they would include a candy bowl in their special room and nearly half would decorate their space with a freezer to keep their indulgent ice cream on hand, such as delicious Skinny Cow ice cream. 
• Fabulous Reads – An assortment of magazines and books are also a must for this space. Surround yourself with your favorite reading materials and bask in the peace and quiet. Be sure to keep these favorites organized with a stylish magazine holder tote or bookcase. These items can be found at thrift or craft stores and decorated to fit your flair for the room.
• Beauty Parlor – It can be hard to find time to treat yourself to a little beauty, so have a small stockpile of beauty tools for manicures, pedicures and makeovers. Invite girlfriends over for a night of nails, noshing and quality girl time. You’re sure to pick up some of their beauty tips as well.

For more details on Skinny Cow ice cream and candies, visit www.SkinnyCow.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

The post Create Your Own Restful Retreat appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Swap Shopping

Do you have shoes, clothes, books or home decor you want to get rid of? Consider doing some swapping with your girlfriends. Everyone brings a few things they want to part with and you can “shop” each other’s stuff. This is a great idea for anyone on a tight budget. Don’t forget to each bring an inexpensive bottle of wine to celebrate your new finds!

Have a Spa Night

Does a night of relaxation and pampering sound like a good time to you? Light some candles and invite your BFF’s over for a night of homemade beauty treatments. Check out our site for a few great recipes. Want to get out of the house? Check with your local spas to see if they offer a friends package of some sort.

Try Something New

Have all your girlfriends write down one thing they have never done that they would love to do and try it as a group. Maybe you want to learn to rollerblade, take French lessons, sing karaoke, visit a winery or go skydiving. Something new is always more fun when you have a friend sharing the experience.

Get your Culture On

Many cities offer plenty of cultural activities and chances are you may not even know they are available. Check with your local chamber of commerce, the city paper, the internet or your local performing arts center to see what you’re missing out on. Take your friends and experience it together. Some great ideas include: theatre, a book signing, art museum, the ballet, open mic nights or a symphony.

Plan a Girlfriends Getaway

Leave the kiddos with the hubby for the weekend (or a sitter if you’re thinking… “that’s not happening”) and head to the beach or stay in a B&B tucked away in the mountains. Time bonding with friends will have you feeling refreshed and ready to take the mommy duties on full force when you return.

Bonfire with the BFF’s

Get your girlfriends, get your drink and get situated around a nice warm fire on a cool spring evening! Ok, if the boys are drawn to this idea (and they might be… most boys love fire) and you don’t mind them hanging out too, invite them to join you… sit a bbq grill nearby and let them do the cooking while you and the girls catch up on all the latest gossip!

The post Girl Time! appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.