Intro to Essential Oils

Last month, Lemongrass Spa offered an Essential Oil Safety Course with a licensed Aromatherapist.  It couldn't have come at a more perfect time since I had recently begun to make bracelets, many with a diffuser to add an essential oil to.  Admittedly over the past year, I had become more personally intrigued and curious about more natural ways to obtain and or maintain both physical and mental health.  The making of the bracelets and researching healing properties of the stones I select was one result of that.  Taking an 8 week course on Mindful Meditation was another.  Needless to say, I took this Essential Oil Safety Class as well... and I just "graduated!"

I am not a guru at this point by any means.  I am not a mixologist either.  But I do have a fundamental base knowledge for understanding what properties different oils have, how best to use them, and most importantly how to use them safely.

I thought what better way to celebrate my completion of this course than to create a Lemongrass Bag based on an essential oil.  So without further adieu, let me introduce to you The August Lemongrass Bag(s)...

Yes, this month, there are 3 Lemongrass Bags to choose from with 3 different price points.  I'll go through each product and give a description on how to use each one.

Organic Lemon Essential Oil:  With each of the 3 bags, I will include some recipes that you can easily make at home.  Cleaning products, air fresheners, etc.  Lemon is a great EO and carries such a clean, uplifting aroma.  Here are some other important things to know...

I do NOT recommend ingesting essential oils of any kind.  

Wool Dryer Ball:  Soften your clothes and reduce wrinkles with a wood dryer ball.  Better yet, add an EO to give a fresh scent at the same time!  Each bag will contain 1 dryer ball.

Personal Inhaler:  The quickest way to get an essential oil into your system is through inhalation.  Steam is the quickest (and I can share more about that if you want) and a personal inhaler is second.  With a personal inhaler, you can plug one nostril and bring the inhaler right up to the other and take in a deep breath.  You can do this up to 3 times.  (I will share a video on how to use this particular inhaler and how to load it up.)  I just started to use this inhaler and I love it.  Each of the 3 bags comes with a personal inhaler and I have 3 colors to choose from...

Teal, Mink, or Black

Lemon Bath Bomb:  After trying a few different recipes, I have finally found a bath bomb that I love.  Because it features Lemon EO, I thought that coconut oil would be a nice summertime partner.  Epson salts are a great stress and inflammatory reliever and the citric acids adds a fun fizz!  Each bag contains one bath bomb as well.

Here's where it gets a bit different...

Bag A:  This bag contains all of the products above and a $5.00 Lemongrass Spa Gift Card.*  If you were to purchase these on their own, it would cost you more than $30... but you can get it from me for only $20 (shipping included).

Bag B:  This bag contains all of the products above PLUS a 2 oz. bottle of unscented Lemongrass Spa Hand & Body Lotion.  Why unscented?  So you can add your own EO oil to it and create a Lemon Lotion (BTW, we used to sell Lemon Lotion at LGS and it was fantastic!)  Be Careful! When you use Lemon EO topically, you have to be very careful not to "overdose."  For this 2 oz. bottle you can add up to 12 drops.  Once you hit 6, I would take it one at a time until you find the right amount for you.  Again, don't go above 12 drops!

This bag also comes with a $5.00 Lemongrass Spa Gift Card.*  If you were to purchase all of these products on their own, it would cost you more than $35... but you can get it from me for only $25 (shipping included).  :)

Bag C:  This bag contains all of the products from Bag A, PLUS a car diffuser.  Do you have a long commute in the morning?  Are you traveling during the summer?  A car diffuser may become your new best friend!  Lemon EO is uplifting and will help wake you up.  (Hint: If you have kids and want to calm them in the car, you may want to invest in Lavender EO.)

This bag also comes with a $5.00 Lemongrass Spa Gift Card.*  If you were to purchase all of these products on their own, it would cost you more than $40... but you can get it from me for only $30 (shipping included).




If you are not interested in any of these bags, but I have plucked some interest in the Lemon Essential Oil, it is on sale now for only $9.00 a bottle.

You can pair that with the car diffuser for only $18.

Lemongrass Spa does carry more than just Lemon EO, and you can check them all out by clicking on the link below.

http://www.ourlemongrassspa.com/AMYMARIE/content/Product_Catalog.aspx#lemongrass2017/page/34-35


**The Gift Cards do have an expiration date, September 30, 2017.


Resources:  Lea Harris, Certified Clinical Aromatherapist:  http://www.usingeossafely.com/

Tridacna

These tridacna bracelets are now some of my favorites!  The tridacna is etched beautifully and the contrast between the white and the other stones is classic and clean.  (Click onto the images for a clearer view.)

Add a couple of drops of an essential oil to the lave stone and take the scent with you all day!

Tridacna is a large saltwater clam, a giant actually.  Despite having a brightly colored mantle, tridacna is the "most white substance in the world."
http://www.zjoyfashions.com/news/white-tridacna-calm-shell-meaning-and-healing-properties-8612.html  

Tridacna:  Wearing tridacna can help enhance your magnetic field.  It can help to relieve annoyances, increase wisdom, and protect you from evil spirits (Buddhist belief).

Purple Titanium:  Titanium Quart is aka “The Stone of Universal Light."  Titanium (Flame) Aura allows for one to go deep into meditation to receive spiritual attunement. Overall this crystal is one that brings insight, compassion, energy, excitement and joy into life’s experiences.  
https://mycrystalpedia.wordpress.com/t/titanium-flame-aura-quartz/

Onyx:  Onyx is believed to help with the challenges in life.  It helps to get rid of unwanted energies that can drain you.  It's a root chakra.  It's the zodiac birthstone for Leos.  
http://meanings.crystalsandjewelry.com/onyx

Pink Amethyst:  It offers all of the qualities of amethyst (peace, warmth, and harmony) but also adds in love and tolerance.  Amethyst is a crown chakra.  It's a birthstone for February and a zodiac birthstone for Pisces.  
https://exemplore.com/healing/Pink-Amethyst-Meaning

Lava Stones:  Lava is known for grounding and calming emotions.  It comes from the core of the earth and is a Root Chakra.  Because of its unique and porous texture, it can be used as a natural diffuser.  Essential oils can easily be absorbed by the lava stones, allowing you to carry its scent with you all day.  


Fashion?
Meaning?
Charity?

Those are my 3 birds... which one are you?






Other Resources:  
https://www.gemrockauctions.com/learn/additional-gemstone-information/a-list-of-gemstone-birthstones-and-astrology

The Rebecca

Please click onto the image for a clearer view.

The Rebecca is the first bracelet that I have incorporated Lava Stones into and I am excited for the person who makes this one theirs!  As with all of my bracelets, a great deal of effort was put into the thought process of combining different stones not just for aesthetic purposes, but to build a collaboration of meaning behind them.

Lava Stones:  Lava is known for grounding and calming emotions.  It comes from the core of the earth and is a Root Chakra.  Because of its unique and porous texture, it can be used as a natural diffuser.  Essential oils can easily be absorbed by the lava stones, allowing you to carry its scent with you all day.  

Carnelian:  Carnelian is "known as a stone of motivation and endurance, leadership and courage."

It is also a stabilizing crystal to help improve concentration and creativity.  It's an energy booster. Orange Carnelian stimulates the Sacral Chakra.  It is the birthstone for August and for Virgos.  

Black Tourmaline:  It is known to be a protective stone; to protect one from negative energies including one's own thoughts and feelings and to protect one from environmental pollutants.  

It is grounding stone and a Base or Root Chakra.  It is also a Capricorn birthstone.

This bracelet may appeal to anyone who is looking to ground themselves and rid themselves of negativity to make room for creativity, confidence, and energy.  Depression.  

This bracelet can be worn with or without adding an essential oil to the lava stones.  Sweet Orange has a fresh and sweet scent.  It is great to use to uplift your mind and body.  *If using an EO, please add one drop at a time until you find the perfect amount for you.  Add the EO prior to wearing the bracelet and give it a few minutes to absorb so as to diminish the amount of contact the EO has on your skin.  

Please click onto the images for a clearer view.

Interested in the Sweet Orange Essential Oil?

http://www.ourlemongrassspa.com/AMYMARIE/content/Product_Catalog.aspx#lemongrass2017/page/34-35

Fashion?

Meaning?

Charity?

My 3 Birds... which one are you?

Resource:  https://www.crystalvaults.com/crystal-encyclopedia/crystal-guide

The Julia

Please click onto the image for a clearer viewing.

The Julia bracelet is one of my favorites.  I love it so much that for the first time, I made more than one of the same bracelet.  The only two differences are the length and the clasps, which you can see in the images below.

Rather than referring to each bracelet as an item number, I decided that I preferred to call them by a name.  As soon as I finished the first of the two, Julia immediately came to find.  Beautiful, classic, elegant... Julia.  

The Julia bracelet is made with tourmaline stones.  When I created these bracelets I did so not only with the intent of creating an attractive piece of jewelry that anyone would love, but did so with the meaning of the stones in mind.  

Black Tourmaline:  It is known to be a protective stone; to protect one from negative energies including one's own thoughts and feelings and to protect one from environmental pollutants.  

It is grounding stone and a Base or Root Chakra.  It is also a Capricorn birthstone.

Quartz Tourmaline:  The combination of clear quartz and black tourmaline is "believed to create the perfect polarity of energies." They compliment one another aesthetically and purposefully.  Clear Quartz is known as a healing stone.  It is a Crown Chakra.  Tourmilated Quartz is a Libra birthstone.  

These stones may appeal to anyone who is in need of mental clarity, stability, and a release of negative energies or depression.  

Fashion?

Meaning?

Charity?

My 3 Birds... which one are you?

P.S.  If the 7.25 inch doesn't go by Monday... I have a meditation class and it's all mine.  ;)

Please click onto images for a clearer view.

Resource:  https://www.crystalvaults.com/crystal-encyclopedia/quartz

My New Adventure

I'm super excited to introduce to you a little project that I have been working on!  I've been antsy lately, looking for something more to do.  It's not that I am not busy, but I've been looking for something more fulfilling to do with my spare time outside of being a mother, wife, and teacher.  So I thought about the things that I love... photography, nature, pieces of positivity... and I thought about the things that I am intrigued by... health and natural products.  So I did some research.  I did some shopping.  And what I came up with was...

Each piece was carefully created with particular stones to promote a more vibrant well-being.  Some have a diffuser charm which can be used for adding essential oils that you can carry with you all day long.  Some have lava stones, which are also great carriers for essential oils.  Some have larger stones that can be used as a worry stone to help ease angst and stress.  The stones themselves also have meaning and healing elements to them.  Amethyst, tourmaline, quartz, carenelian, ametrine, tiger's eye, and titanium are just a few of the stones that I have started to work with.  

I am not a doctor and am not promoting my bracelets to cure any one's illnesses.  However, I personally am intrigued by the connection that we have with nature.  I am intrigued by the beliefs and practices that can be more commonly found in the eastern cultures.  I am also intrigued by the power of the mind and positivity.  Wouldn't it be great if rubbing the quartz stone on a bracelet during a long meeting helped to alleviate anxiety?  Or the lavender essential oil in the diffuser on your bracelet helped to calm you during a hectic day?  Or the tourmaline and the magnets in your bracelet helped to ground you?  But if nothing else... you have a handmade, unique, and fashionable accessory!

My goal, to create a piece of jewelry that does make a statement, 3 actually.  

1.  Fashionable

2.  Meaningful

3.  Charitable

Did I mention that 75% of the profits will go to various charities?  :)

So... what do you think?  Please give me any feedback and opinions on any of the bracelets you see above!  

💜

Call Me Mrs. Vein

Confession:  I had a cosmetic procedure done yesterday.  😲

Face lift?  Tummy tuck?  Breast implants?  Nah... there's actually a limit to what I am willing to do. However, when the opportunity was given to me to to have a simple procedure done to zap away my spider veins, I took it.

I've been growing my little garden patch of spider veins on my upper right thigh for years now.  I can't blame it on being pregnant or on even getting older (although I'm sure they didn't help) because I started to notice them in my twenties.  As time went on, my patch started to grow and expand. Admittedly, they didn't stop me from wearing skirts and shorts or even bathing suits, but over the past couple of years, I had become more aware and self-conscious of them.  Being fair skinned only enhanced their appearance too.  Tanning (the little color I do get) and even tanning balms and sprays only covered them slightly.  So my veiny legs were now apart of my appearance.  Until yesterday.

Before going on, let me say that more fortunately for me than being able to have this procedure done, is that my legs are healthy!  Prior to the sclerotherapy, I had first visited a doctor and had a sonogram done on my legs.  The doctor somberly told me the "good" news and I should have taken that as a sign that he was not the doctor for me because... I was happy that my legs were healthy!!!! even if that meant that if I followed through on the procedure it was purely for cosmetic purposes (and insurance won't cover that).

I decided to swallow that vain pill and went for it.  I pulled off about 12 cotton balls this morning, so my sclerotherapy included 12 injections.  My (new) doctor told me the needles were about the size used for acupuncture.  The biggest difference is that there's a burning sensation from the saline being injected into the veins.  She used a laser for some of the smaller veins near the surface and I think that was more annoying than the injections.  But overall, the procedure took about 30 minutes and it was completely doable.  I was even able to drive myself home afterwards.  The most annoying part now is that I have to wear compression socks for 3 days.

Before...

After...

Before...

After...

Initially, the bruising looks pretty bad, but I was pleasantly surprised this morning because I bruise very easily and I was expected my legs to be black and blue all over.  The best part is, is that I can already see a difference!!!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a rather simple, natural person.  I do wear makeup.  I do dress well.  But I don't overdo it and I am not egotistical or self absorbed or obsessed with  my looks. However, my legs were aging me (even more so than the lines on my forehead) and... why not?  I took a noninvasive route that didn't jeopardize my health in any way.  In fact, I feel like I need to make sure to get the rest of my body in better shape to match what will soon be my more youthful legs.  

How far are you willing to go to retain your youthful appearance?

My Day to Day Go To's

Here it is... my day to day arsenal that helps me to feel clean, pretty, and young!  Everything is a Lemongrass Spa product... except some hair products (which we don't make) and the coconut oil in the tupperware container in the back (I'll explain later).

 Let's start with the my daily facial regiment.  I am so happy that LGS finally made the facial kits customizable which will allow you to pick and choose the products that are best for you and you will get the kit discount instead of the al la carte prices (see bottom of post for more info).

1.  Cleanser:   I use the cleansing gel for normal skin.  I have noticed a diminish in black heads and other blemishes since I started using it 2 years ago.  I am  very happy with it.

2.  Toner:  As I have gotten older, I have noticed that I have more redness in my face, especially near the nose area.  LGS has just the remedy for that, The Prebiotic Facial Mist.  It has eliminated the redness and smooths out the skin tone.  This may be my most used and most underrated product.  I really just love it!

3.  Moisturizer:  I use the Face Creme with Botanicals for normal skin.  What I love most about this moisturizer is that it is not heavy or greasy.  After giving it a moment to absorb into the skin, you won't even be able to tell that you have it on.  It's a great feeling, especially in the hot, summer months.

Click here for reasons why you don't want to skin the moisturizer!
http://www.belledskincare.com/blog.php?d=35

4.  Eyes:  I currently have the hydrating eye creme, which does a great job keeping my eye area from becoming dry.  I am especially happy that I will now be able to create my own facial kit because my normal kit didn't come with the original blend with cucumber and witch hazel.  My eye area is very sensitive and I have dark circles below my eyes.  Witch hazel is great for puffiness and dark circles!

5.  Serum:  I use the Green Tea Antioxidant Serum.  It leaves my skin feeling super soft!  What I really love about this product is that it doubles as a primer!  That's right, its a two for one!

6.  Exfoliator:  You should exfoliate your skin 1-2 times per week.  I use the pomegranate exfoliator for normal skin.  It is so gentle and is smell so good!  I have to admit though that I am super excited to try out our new charcoal exfoliator! It's good for all skin types, so those of you with sensitive or dry skin, we have products for you too!

7.  Detoxify:  We live in a dirty, dirty world and our face is exposed more that any other area of our bodies.  It is suggested that we detoxify once a week.   I have the pomegranate mask for normal skin and it is one of my favorite products!  The mask is gentle and does not harden.  It feels like a thick pudding and smells good enough to eat too.  Even though I have been using this for 2 years, every time I use it, it is just like the first time.  I always notice an immediate difference in the radiance in my skin.

So there you have it... my facial regiment.  What's yours?

For a clearer image, go to http://www.ourlemongrassspa.com/AMYMARIE/content/Product_Catalog.aspx#lemongrass2017/page/6-7

The LGS facial line is a great investment in your face and your health!  It won't break the bank, and these products LAST a long time!  My kit last about 8 months; money well spent.

There's alot of information in this post, therefore I will continue to share the rest of my daily products in the next post.

Until then...
Stay Fresh and Fabulous!!