MIA

I haven't been here in a while. My energies have been focused on other important areas of life lately. I always wonder when bloggers suddenly (or gradually) disappear, what might be going on... So, I thought it best to check in and say that I am officially taking a pause. I sure like sharing bits of info with you, and I don't think this is any kind of permanent thing. I'll probably pop in every so often with an inspiring tidbit. It's just a bit further down on the priority list at present. A lot further down, really. And I don't want to have it lingering in the far corner of my mind that I am being neglectful... (I'm really just taking the pressure off myself here).
So thank you to everyone who has been supportive of my humble blog. I hope you have found it of interest. And do check back every once in a blue moon, 'cause I may have been unable to resist posting a thing or two. And I know I promised some info in earlier posts... I haven't forgotten, and I will get there. But life is taking center stage now, and requires my undivided attention.
I am, however, leaving you with a tiny little morsel of loveliness: click here.
Enjoy!

Pretty Rosy

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just because you didn't get a dozen roses, doesn't mean you can't smell like them! Another wonderful Epicuren product I love, love, love is their After Bath Rose Petal Moisturizer.


Epicuren Body lotions are super luxurious, great for your skin, and the scents are divine! My favorite is the Rose, which is why I thought today would be the perfect day to tell you about it (although the Kukui Coconut is another fave).

Tip: The lotions have enough slip to make them perfect for massage - just in case your loved one deserves a little special treatment today...

Super Hydration

One of my new faves is Eminence Linden Calendula Treatment Cream. Eminence is an amazing company from Hungary and their hand-made products are 100% Organic. They've won awards for their sustainable farming and green practices...even their packaging and shipping practices reflect their commitment to the environment.

Best for dry, dehydrated skin conditions, this versatile nourishing treatment can be used as a mask or a rich night cream. I love using it in the treatment room - it seems to plump up every thirsty skin cell! And the smell..... it's my favorite smell of any product - ever! I want a body lotion that smells like this!


This stuff is a must for anyone suffering with dry or irritated skin. Our Eminence rep calls it "Nature's Neosporin", because it's very soothing for cuts, cracked skin, minor irritations, little peely patches, sore noses after a cold....

Keep in mind, Eminence products are very concentrated (they're made without any water), and they are meant to be diluted with a little water (or one of the amazing Eminence Toniques)... so a little goes a long way - and one jar will last forever!

We carry Eminence products (including this little gem) at Petite Spa.

Beeswax Candles are Super Pretty

Happy New Year, Pretties!

I hope you enjoyed the holidays. For me, they came and went so fast!!

I want to tell you about my favorite gift. This year, my family and I decided to ask for a few things we'd like. I was delighted when I got not one, but two, 100% pure beeswax candles.


I will definitely blog in the future about how amazing bees are (honey, for example, is so great for the skin), but for now, let me tell you what is so brilliant about the beeswax candle.

Unlike candles made with paraffin, which emit toxic substances like toluene and benzene when burned, beeswax candles are non-toxic and hypo-allergenic. They emit negative ions into the air - which actually attract and neutralize pollutants like dust, dust mites, mold, bacteria, viruses and other toxins. Negative ions also improve mood and impart a sense of well-being.

As an added bonus, beeswax burns brighter, hotter, cleaner, and longer than any other wax. And honestly, you really can't compare the golden glow and the natural honey aroma to any other candle... especially once you know the inside scoop.


Wouldn't you rather enjoy a natural, healthy product that comes from nature, is a renewable resource, and makes you healthier, than burn a bleached, perfumed, petroleum waste product that has been linked to cancer, asthma, and birth defects? Ummm... I would! They are permanently at the top of my my wish list.

You can find them at most health food stores and here or here.

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

It's been a little chilly here in sunny L.A. ~ and since it's Christmas, I thought I'd remind all of you who do not have your own fireplace, that there is always the virtual experience. At a holiday party last night, my friends had a cracking fire blazing away - on their computer screen! It was kind-of cheesy... but mostly just fabulous!!
Here is a good one I found on You Tube - but there are many to choose from. Just try to pick one that is long playing (don't want to have to "stoke" the fire every two minutes...) and that has actual crackling sounds.



Stay warm, pretties, and enjoy the rest of the holiday season!

And here is a link to a great one that plays 20 mins (wasn't able to embed it but it really is great:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLmwmX-mni8&feature=fvw

Super Scary

That faux leather bag may be vegan and all, but just make sure it's not poisoning you with high levels of lead. Yikes!


Here are a couple articles to read on the topic:

Your Purse May Be Contaminated with Toxic Metal

Faux Handbags Carry Real Lead Hazard

And a News Report:

Super Info

Because I am interested in natural health, I subscribe to Dr. Mercola's Natural Health Newsletter. And what do you think I read about today? Natural Skin Care!! In fact, he's got a whole Healthy Skin mini site and has posted some great stuff.

If you're anything like me, you may be interested in signing up for his newsletter yourself. There's more info coming into my inbox than I can keep up with, but there are plenty of gems in the mix that I find truly informative. You also have to take the information in without feeling you have to go and order all of his products. Although, I hear his products are very good.

Today's newsletter was about skin care ingredients to avoid. I always recommend that my clients check the labels of the products they're currently using for parabens or fragrance (two big offenders) - but there are even more things to watch out for. Here's what Mercola says to avoid:

Parabens:
Heavily used preservatives in the cosmetic industry; used in an estimated 13,200 cosmetic and skin care products.
Studies implicate their connection with cancer because their hormone-disrupting qualities mimic estrogen and could disrupt your body’s endocrine system.

Mineral Oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum:
These petroleum products coat the skin like plastic – clogging pores and creating a build-up of toxins. They can slow cellular development, creating earlier signs of aging. They’re implicated as a suspected cause of cancer. Plus, they can disrupt hormonal activity. When you think about black oil pumped from deep underground, ask yourself why you’d want to put that kind of stuff on your skin…

Sodium laurel or lauryl sulfate (SLS), also known as sodium laureth sulfate (SLES):
Found in over 90% of personal care products! They break down your skin’s moisture barrier, potentially leading to dry skin with premature aging. And because they easily penetrate your skin, they can allow other chemicals easy access. SLS combined with other chemicals may become a "nitrosamine" – a potent carcinogen.

Acrylamide: Found in many facial creams. Linked to mammary tumors.

Propylene glycol: Common cosmetic moisturizer and carrier for fragrance oils. May cause dermatitis and skin irritation. May inhibit skin cell growth. Linked to kidney and liver problems.

Phenol carbolic acid: Found in many lotions and skin creams. Can cause circulatory collapse, paralysis, convulsions, coma, and even death from respiratory failure.

Dioxane: Hidden in ingredients such as PEG, polysorbates, laureth, ethoxylated alcohols. Very common in personal care products. These chemicals are often contaminated with high concentrations of highly volatile 1,4-dioxane that’s easily absorbed through the skin. Its carcinogenicity was first reported in 1965, and later confirmed in studies including one from the National Cancer Institute in 1978. Nasal passages are considered extremely vulnerable, making it, in my opinion, a really bad idea to use these things on your face.

Toluene: May be very poisonous! Made from petroleum and coal tar… found in most synthetic fragrances. Chronic exposure linked to anemia, lowered blood cell count, liver or kidney damage…May affect a developing fetus.

Remember the skin is an organ. What you put on it affects you as much as what you put in your body. So opt for natural and organic products - and check the ingredients before you buy!

Don't know what products to use? Come in and visit me at Petite Spa where we carry three product lines that are great for your skin. I can take a look at your skin and give you my recommendations. Better yet, schedule a facial and get your holiday glow on!