Although snow and ice might not be the first things that come to mind when considering a spa vacation they're becoming more common as Nordic spas gain popularity with people looking to get their relaxation and invigoration fix during the cold winter months.

Nordic spas offer services based on the ancient European tradition of going from hot to cold (usually a hot sauna to a brisk cool dip) and back again. The therapy is said to help the body clear out toxins, boost immunity, stimulate circulation, and reduce stress. Sound interesting? Well it seems all the best Nordic spas are in Canada and here a few to get your search started.

Balnea Spa sits on 400 acres of nature preserve about an hour and a half outside of Montreal. The vibe is contemporary and a little urban, although expansive mountain views and a lakeside sauna make for plenty of opportunities to relax. You can even spend time in their winter-only igloo if you're so inclined.

The Scandinave Spa in Whistler is nestled in the northern woods and scheduled to open to the public next month (January 22, 2010). A Finnish-style sauna is supplemented with other options in individual glass and wooden buildings all connected by a series of meandering (and heated from below so you don't have to trudge through the snow) pathways. The feature list also includes open-air hot pools, complete with waterfalls.

Le Nordik is unique in that in addition to a Finnish sauna, four outdoor pools, several hot tubs, and a steam bath it offers a full pool-side restaurant that serves healthy fare like fish and veggie wraps, local artisan cheeses, and wine.

Heading off to a ski resort and alternating snow on the slopes with hot drinks in the lodge might be the epitome of a dream winter vacation for some, but for others it just won't do. Some need a little more excitement, a little more danger, and a lot more of something different.

If you're already a proficient skier then there are several ways you can step things up a notch. KiteWing is a large 'kite' that you hold above your head so it catches the wind and pulls you along on your skiis (or snowboard) at incredible speeds and over outrageous jumps. Heli-skiing (a helicopter drops you off) is an option for those loving deep powder in inaccessible locations that may never have been skied before, or if you don't mind climbing then ski mountaneering might be for you (climb up, ski down).

If skiing isn't your thing you can still enjoy the slopes by flying down them on a snow mountain bike instead. Or you can go Olympian and try your hand at flying down Cresta-Run faster than fast via toboggan, the luge, or the skeleton. Ice diving (brrrrr!) is a magical, thrilling way to experience the arctic, and for those who prefer to be on the ice instead of under it climbing up a waterfall is another way to go.

Whatever winter-thrill you decide to embark on this snowy season just be sure to plan ahead, stay safe, make sure you know what you're doing (or have an expert along with you who does), and pack an emergency kit just in case.

Winter can be a great time to take a trip but traveling through the cold, ice, and snow can pose a real safety risk. Being prepared for the worst is key to preventing the worst, and that means having an emergency kit.

If you're driving the entire way just pack an emergency kit ahead of time and throw it in the trunk. If you're flying and then renting a car pack an emergency kit in something like a small gym bag and pack it into the bottom of one of your checked luggage pieces.

Winter Car Emergency Kit

• 3lb coffee can, candles, and matches (to keep warm and for melting snow for drinking water)
• Whistle and a red bandana/brightly colored garbage bag to call for help/let rescuers know where you are
• Some granola or candy bars
• A flashlight with spare batteries
• A first aid kit (including any essential medications)
• A blanket (special foil-type survival blankets fold up to a very small size)
  
• Basic tool kit
• Jumper Cables
• Ice scraper (most rental cars don't come with them)

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So we at Luxist clearly love handbags, we feature a new one every day as part of our Handbag of the Day feature. But although handbags might be a fashion statement, a means of expressing ourselves, and an occasional therapeutic indulgence, they're also a necessity. Whether a tiny clutch or an enormous tote, when is the last time you left the house without a bag of some kind to carry your essentials?

Arguing that carrying a handbag is a necessity is easy, and there's no doubt that certain bags serve different purposes, but is there any certain number of bags a woman really needs? How much does fashion and personal enjoyment factor in when deciding how many bags is respectable to own and how many is too many? I read somewhere once that the average woman owns 8 handbags, but that almost doesn't seem like enough if you factor in the four seasons, daytime, nighttime, and allowing for at least a neutral and a statement piece for each of those categories. Plus it's nice to allow room for the occasional purely trendy indulgence every now and then.

It's a question that has no real answer, unfortunately. But just out of curiosity, how many handbags do you own? And how many do you think is too many?

Gucci has been nominated for the Luxist Awards in the category of Best Leathergoods Line, in addition to a nomination for Best Clothing Designer. Started by one man, Guccio Gucci, in Florence Italy in 1921 it was originally just a small leather goods and luggage shop that combined the master craftsmanship of Tuscan artisans with the refinement of English nobility. Gucci drew from his experience working in London's Savoy Hotel to grow his label that featured bags, trunks, gloves, shoes, and belts. The shop quickly began to attract sophisticated buyers from around Europe and the world.

In the 1940s Gucci got creative when faced with a shortage of standard materials and came up with the iconic 'Bamboo Bag', which is still available today. Then in the 1950s the brand famous 'green-red-green' web was created, and in the 1960s Jackie Kennedy carried the Gucci shoulder bag and inspired the 'Jackie O' name the bag carries today. The brand continued to grow and prosper over the years, becoming a global force of tradition and innovation in luxury goods. In 1995 Gucci became a fully public company, which enabled it to reach even higher heights of success -- including being named 'the most desirable luxury brand in the world' in 2007.

Want to learn even more about the history of this iconic luxury label? A special limited edition Gucci by Gucci is available at Gucci boutiques and offers a 450 page in-depth look into the brand's beginnings and its growth through the years, including previously unpublished product and celebrity photographs.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Bottega Veneta is nominated for a Luxist Award in the Best Leathergoods category. Founded in 1966 by the husband and wife team Vittorio and Laura Moltedo in Vicenza, Italy, the brand was known from the start for its exceptionally soft hand-woven 'Intrecciato' signature leather handbags. The Studio 54 crowd was especially fond of the brand, and Andy Warhol was known to do much of his Christmas shopping in the New York boutique.

Bottega Veneta continued to prosper over the years, maintaining a focus mostly on handmade leather accessories like handbags, belts, and shoes. Their incredibly luxe Intrecciato hand-woven leather styles became (and remain) a trademark of the brand, even through its sale to Gucci in 2001.

Although often colorful and certainly following and setting trends in fashion, Bottega Veneta creations usually lean towards clean lines and simple, classic color palettes. Trends are usually embraced subtly and as a result the brand has found a fine balance between cutting edge and timeless appeal.

Today Bottega Veneta is still known for fine leather and soft Intrecciato masterpieces but also offers a wide selection of other products for sale in boutiques around the world and online. Sunglasses, scarves, and hats are offered in cashmere knits and other materials and round out their leather offerings, helping the brand secure a solid spot in the niche of luxury accessories.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

A slightly less expensive option for brightening up your daily wardrobe, this Mabel Into the Wild tote from Marc by Marc Jacobs will help to satisfy any 'urban jungle' cravings you may be having. Taupe cotton-canvas with brown and black leopard print is layered with a contrasting bright green Marc Jacobs logo graffiti. Goldtone buckles make for adjustable handles and a little (but bright!) yellow logo plaque adorns the front. Magnetic closure and an equally bright black and white logo-lined interior round out this statement tote. $190

Scarves are a great way to dress up an otherwise drab outfit and can be layered with everything from a silk blouse to a cotton tank top. Some women have a knack for throwing on a scarf and instantly looking totally pulled together and gorgeous, but most of us have to make a deliberate effort in order to pull off the look successfully. The real key is confidence -- wear the scarf however you feel comfortable, in whatever way you think looks best, and in a color and material that flatters your skin tone. Truthfully, wearing a scarf isn't as complicated as it seems and is actually pretty difficult to get wrong, but there are a few rookie mistakes to avoid.

DO choose a material that fits the season. Lightweight scarves look great year round but save the heavier fabrics for fall and winter only.

DON'T mix too many patterns together. If you have a lot going on already in terms of prints or patterns on your outfit choose a solid colored scarf -- simple is usually better.

DO wear scarves to both formal and informal occasions -- just be sure to match the styling to the event. For something dressy try a sleek 'neckerchief' or an elegant butterfly wrap. For a more casual look the bandana is gaining popularity with celebrities.

DON'T be afraid to experiment. Scarves can not only be worn around your neck but also around your waist as a belt, on your head as a headband, or tied to the handle of your bag to add a punch of color and feminine flair.

DO collect scarves in a variety of colors, fabrics, and sizes so you have options when you're looking to accessorize. Although scarves are amazingly versatile they aren't all created equal and each has different strengths. The right scarf for the right occasion makes all the difference.

The Rivet Detail Tote by Michael Kors is a blend of toughness and femininity. A girly shade of deep plum purple contrasts nicely with goldtone hardware and rows of rivets running up either side and laced through to the top. A pair of large leather tassels decorate the front, a large goldtone logo dangles off to one side, and large gold rings connect the braided double handles. Neutral logo-printed lining showcases a 3-compartment interior (two open ones divided by a zip-close center) and pockets galore. Also comes with a key fob, £425.

Massages are a wonderful luxury and also one of the few traditionally "guilty pleasures" that aren't so guilty after all. Massages are a great tool for relaxation and stress management, as well as beneficial in treating a host of other problems and giving some unexpected health benefits.

Pain Science has yet to discover exactly how massage helps with pain but somehow it does. Theories surround the fact that massages relax muscles, reduce stress hormones, and stimulate good hormones. Pain due to fibromyalgia, migraines, and back pain respond particularly well to massage therapy.

Self-Esteem Believe it or not regular massages have been shown to raise self-esteem in some people. Direct contact in the form of touch can help a person feel connected and cared for, and as a result have a greater feeling of self-worth and higher self-esteem.

Mood One of the most common benefits of massage is a decrease in stress hormones and an increase in 'feel good' hormones, which means decreased stress, anxiety, and depression, and improved relaxation and overall mood.

Immunity The stress hormone cortisol impairs the body's immune system, but massages reduce cortisol and so give your immunity a boost.

Sleep/Alertness Massage, depending on what kind, can either stimulate deeper sleep or improved alertness.