The Cabin – a Hidden-Hip-Affordable Spa in Mile-Ex & a Giveaway

Unfortunately, The Cabin Spa has closed.  We wish Amy all the best with her future endeavours!

Some things I love about writing this blog are discovering new places/spaces/people and hearing from readers so I was so delighted when Amy Johnson (above) of The Cabin Spa invited me to come around to discover her spa and offered me a pedicure.  How could I say no?

When entering the spa prepare to be first underwhelmed and then overwhelmed.  The spa is located in a fairly typical brick building on Jean-Talon with a large light-fixtures retailer on the main floor.  Take an elevator (or the stairs if you are not 8 months pregnant) up to the third floor and walk through a fairly industrious hall to reach Two Horses which is a salon and tattoo parlour (is parlour the right word? That sounds like it’s from the 1800’s…)  Within the salon is The Cabin.  But first you get to walk through the magical little salon.

It was pretty mind-blowing and not at all what I expected.  Amy told me that along with your usual coffee and water they also offer patrons beer with their cut and it gets to be a pretty fun hang-out type of atmosphere in the afternoons.  Just the opposite of those scary big salons where you are shuffled along from station to station with a million people whizzing past you.

I was going to get into Amy Johnson and her qualifications but just read all about her here.  Here’s what I do have to say though:

1. She does it all – nails, waxing, facials, pedicures (menu here) and it’s all very affordable.  A facial runs $55 – $80 and a shellac pedicure is only $35.

2. The environment is very relax and chill.  No rain spa music.

3.  There is ROOM FOR STROLLERS AND BABIES.  There are stairs to get up into the main floor of the building, but once you make it up there you are all good.  Spa services are in a large private room, so you can have your baby parked, and breastfeed in privacy if need be.  Also, the spa is not all hush hush so if your kid isn’t having a good day you aren’t disturbing a million old ladies.  Plus, she’s a mom herself so she gets it.

4. Facials – These have always totally intimidated me.  I thought they were for people that were extremely beauty oriented and normal folk like myself didn’t get them.  Wrong.  Amy said that the changing of seasons or around two months after having baby is the best time to get a facial as seasonal and hormonal changes can be tough on skin.  She’ll look at your skin, offer a variety of masks and provide a facial massage to get rid of dead skin and get some life back in it.  Just what you need after two months of no sleep and dry skin from breastfeeding.

5. Herbivore Botanicals – This is the line of products that Amy uses.  It’s from Seattle and all natural but very active.  It’s also very affordable which means she can offer affordable services.

6. Nails – Nail art kind of intimidated me/I thought it was a little cheesy.  Amy assures me she can do a mean flamingo but right now the trend is towards more geometric or empty spaces.  To get a feeling for what I mean check out Amy’s Instagram.  Very cool.

7. Services – The pedicure was so lovely, especially for these tired feet.  So relaxing plus… pretty toes!!

8. Amy.  Isn’t she sweet?  And there’s so much more to her.  Like she writes the fun online parenting mag Pomelo and used to design windows for Aldo!

CONTEST – Amy is giving away one Spa Pedicure to a lucky reader!  Just leave a comment below and I’ll choose someone at random one week from today.

The Cabin Spa at Two Horses, Atlas Building, suite 306, 170 Jean-Talon Ouest, H2R 2X4 438-383-1565

10-6 Tuesday and Wednesday

10 – 7 Thursday and Friday

12 – 6 Saturdays

Check out Amy’s Instagram, Two Horses Instagram, and Two Horses on Facebook

ps They are cash only

The winner has been chosen and contacted and the contest is now closed.  Thanks to all who entered!