Holla, it's the Weekend! But Just in Case You're Sick Like the Rest of Us...

Do people even say that anymore, "Holla?"  Well this girl is, atleast today and I am going to completely plead the "I'm sick and can't think straight" card if  you are laughing at me right now.  ;)

I don't know about you, but this was a short work week for me, with Monday being Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and all, but still... what a week!  I am exhausted.  Deeply.  Truly.  Utterly.   I've been dancing the line of a cold all this week... semi-sore throat, stuffy nose, a little post nasal... but it hasn't taken over, yet.  I don't know if that is a good thing or not and I am too tired to decide.  What I do know is that I have been a fool because I've forgotten to add one of my favorite products to my artillery of cold defenses this past week, my mint revival essential oil.

I am fascinated with essential oils, and what I have found through research is that if you are using them to help with a headache or a cold, that it is best to use them before it turns full blown.  I am not a doctor or a medical person of any kind, but in my personal experiences, I have found that to be true, that the essential oils have worked best as I feel a symptom coming on.  So even thought I've had some symptoms for nearly a week now, cross your fingers with me that there's still EO hope for me!

Headaches, colds, sinuses... peppermint is your friend!  Mint Revival was one of the first essential oils that I purchased when Lemongrass Spa first introduced them.  It's also the one the that I use most, even when I am not sick.  It's a blend of peppermint, lavender, and rosemary... three of my favorite natural scents.  I have a diffuser next to my bed (I literally looked at it every night this week, duh!) and it is a nice relaxing scent to fall asleep to, sick or not.

Speaking of revival, I am somewhat reviving my Lemongrass Spa business hobby and we now have a featured essential oil for each month.  I don't think it's a coincidence that January's EO is none other than Mint Revival.  If you are interested or have any questions... holla back!  ;)

Who Said This!?! ;)

Why Not?!?

Abruption

Looking for a little romance to spice up your e-reads library (or bookshelf)?  I just happened to finish Abruption, by Riley Mackenzie.  This is the third book by these authors (yes, there are two!).  This book is not part of their debut series, Beautifully Awake, it stands alone. However, like true Riley Mackenzie form, this book will grab at your heartstrings, keep you on your toes, make you blush, and leave you with hope.

This book also made me LOL from time to time as well.  I have the privilege of knowing one of the two authors (my future sister-in-law!!!) and I can totally recognize her voice throughout not only this book, but all three.  I would love to share more about this book, but I don't want to give anything away!  

So get yourself a copy and I will revisit this book again next month!!!

Amazon US ➤http://amzn.to/1VCtYFK
Amazon UK ➤http://amzn.to/22HmW7B
Barnes&Noble➤ http://bit.ly/1n3Tmsq
iBooks ➤http://apple.co/1MNVmuS
Kobo ➤http://bit.ly/1R5Zvks

Enjoy Life Now

Recent research has shown that 56% of Americans have not taken a vacation in the past 12 months.  Perhaps a reason stronger than money, is the need to keep one's job.  Americans have been trending the non-vacation time for decades now and it continues to worsen.

When I was in France two summers ago, I found Paris to be rather... quiet.   Come to find out, August is a time when many Parisians take a vacation.  This happens all throughout Europe!  They take weeks off and not only that, they are expected too!

As a teacher, I am very fortunate to have 2 months off over the summer.  Even though that means that I am a stay-at-home mom for those 2 months, the time away from my job does wonders. Visiting my family in Western New York and taking a break from the fast paced life in NYC does wonders too!  If I am lucky enough to actually go away... well, then that makes it all the better!  By the time September comes and school begins, I am ready!  I am refreshed and honestly, ready and excited to start a new year!  It is too bad that most people don't get to experience that rejuvenation.

If you have the opportunity to take a vacation (even a stay-cation) of any sort, do it!  It will be worth it to you in so many ways!!!

(Information found at http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-08-19/even-fewer-americans-are-taking-vacation.)

Not for an Escape but for an Experience

Why You Should Travel More

I haven't done a great deal of traveling in my life until more recently.  What held me back more than money, more than spending vacation time moving and then going back to visit family, was I wasn't setting realistic opportunities to travel.  I wanted to go abroad, Europe in particular, and I was so focused on doing that and I didn't  even stop to think about the beauty and wonder right in my own backyard.  The United States is such a beautiful, rich, and diverse country.  It is so vast and there is so much to see.

Once I set more realistic opportunities for my self I found that in two years I had traveled to all four corners of the United States (Maine, Florida, Washington, and California).  I was even lucky enough to visit some others in between.  They were all beautiful in completely different ways.  Once I started to travel more, I got a taste for all that it offered.  It became a priority to see more the world.  I now spend less money on materialistic things, manage my vacation time differently, and take advantage of opportunities when I can.  As a result, I have been to Europe twice in the past two years!

Everyone has their own stories for where and why they travel or why they don't.  I think everyone should, even if it is just for a two-hour one-night getaway. A change of scene can do wonders.  I thought that this article made some great points in showing the benefits for traveling.

5 Reasons You Should Travel More by Michelle Phan

1.  It gives you perspective.

2.  It reduces stress.

3.  It increases your knowledge.

4.  It helps your physical health.

5.  It makes us more social beings.

To read this article in it's entirety, please click here.



Where are some places that you have visited?  Please share your experiences, photos, etc.  :)

The Fjords in Norway... A majestic and breathtaking view.