What's in My Shower?

It has been nearly 2 years since I signed up with Lemongrass Spa to be a consultant.  So I thought that this week I'd share all of my beauty care products so that you can get a genuine glimpse into how Lemongrass Spa has influenced me and the products that I use on a daily basis.  Today, I decided to start with the shower!

As you can see, I am a simple person.  I don't use many products but what you do see here are the following...

1.  LGS's Oatmeal Milk and Honey Bar Soap:  I LOVE LGS's bar soaps, especially the lavender and the frosted cranberry.  However, since I found out that I have eczema, I have switched to the OM&H soap.  It is so sweet and yummy too, there was no sacrifice made!  I am however super excited to try our newest soap, Midnight Orchid!  First off, the bar alone is gorgeous and the scent is... mmmm.   Bliss!

P.S.  I will be giving away 1 FREE bar of soap.  You can enter by commenting on this blog post OR by checking out my FB page at https://www.facebook.com/freshnfabulous/ and leaving a comment on the contest post for the soap.  Don't delay, the winner will be chose this Wednesday, 3/1/17.

(Each bar of soap is $7.50.  Buy more and save... 3 for $21.)

2.  LGS's Body Polish:  I have both mandarin orange and midnight orchid body polish in my shower.  The mandarin orange is a refreshing scent which is great to help wake you up in the morning.  The midnight orchid is what I would use if I was going out or if I was planning on snuggling up with John, lol.  All of our body polishes are exfoliate gently and leave your skin feeling velvety smooth.  They are also great to use prior to shaving (no need for any type of shaving cream if you do!).

(Each jar is $17.  Buy more and save $6... 3 for $45.)


3. LGS's Cleansing Gel for Normal Skin:  I do use a full facial LGS regiment.  You'll see the rest in my next post.  I just happen to keep the cleansing gel in the shower.  It keeps my skin feeling soft and clean!

(Each 4 oz. container is $13.  However, we have a variety of bundles and varieties for different skin care types.)

4.  LGS's Lavender Bath Crystals:  It's not often that I take a bath, but when I do, you better believe that the lavender bath crystals and a glass of wine join me!  I am a huge lavender fan and love how it helps to just calm me.  On those extra special days where I need just that, I will close up the drain and pour in some crystals as I take a shower.

(Each 16 oz. jar is just $12.  Buy more and save... 2 for $20.)

5.  LOMA Shampoo and Conditioner:  You caught me!!  I was getting my hair done in December and my beautician used this natural shampoo and conditioner on me.  I loved the smell and I loved that it was made with natural products.   Since I knew my LGS products were almost out, I decided to give this a try and I bought it.  What I found was that, like LGS's shampoo, it didn't get bubbly and lather well.  I know that this is true for natural hair products, but I haven't actually used any other than LGS.  So I was happy that I didn't find this particular brand to be any better than LGS.  When I finally do run out, LGS S & C will be back in my shower!

(Lemongrass Spa sells shampoo and conditioner individually or in sets.  A 2 oz. set is $9, an 8 oz. set is $20, and a 16 oz. set is $35.)

Sooooo... what's in your shower?  Anything Lemongrass you are interested in learning more about? 

Check out our catalog here.... http://www.ourlemongrassspa.com/AMYMARIE/content/Product_Catalog.aspx

Diagnosis: Eczema

It was around November when the pain and the itch began.  I wasn't quite sure what those red spot were but they seemed to respond to the only ointment that I had at home, my Lemongrass Spa Healing Elements Balm.  I used it for cuts, bug bites, even more private irritations (wink, wink) and it did the job, so why wouldn't it work on this new "rash?"  The Healing Elements alleviated the symptoms and as soon as they went away, I stopped putting it on.  It didn't take long for the rash to return and I would begin the dance again.  

Although uncomfortable, I wasn't overly concerned considering it took me two month to finally visit the doctor.  However, when I finally got around to it, it was nice to get an answer to my burning question.  Diagnosis:  Eczema!  Now I am very thankful that it isn't leprosy or any other horrific disease, but eczema wasn't what I was hoping for either.  Especially, in the armpits!  Ugh... it's annoying.  The doctor gave me the spiel of how there's not alot out there for it and not that much information about it.  What stuck in my head was that it doesn't really go away.  :(

I told her what I had been using and she asked if I wanted a prescription.  I said yes and got it filled, but I have yet to use it... I haven't had to!  I am all for modern medicine, but when I can use something natural and it works, I am absolutely going to take that route.  It's been two weeks since I have learned what I am dealing with and I have yet to have a flair up since!  

Being a consultant, I know that Lemongrass Spa has a number of products that are beneficial for those people who suffer from eczema, so as soon as I got home from the doctor, I went shopping!

Here's my artillery that is keeping my eczema at bay...

First, the oatmeal milk and honey soap smells phenomenal!!
It's a gentle cleanser that won't dry out your skin and perfect for sensitive skin.
You can use this on your face and whole body!

Although I was already using Lemongrass Spa natural deodorant, I felt that my Lavender Deodorant irritated my skin at times.  I later on read that essential oils need to be very diluted if they are going to be used on sensitive (eczema) skin.  So I changed over to our new deodorant paste.  I opted for the unscented paste and paired that with the lemongrass spray.
Read more here.

Last but not least, the healing elements balm!!!  So many uses and so far, it has worked for all that I have tried (lip balm, razor burn, anti-bacterial ointment, yeast infections, hemorrhoid cream, sunburn, canker sores, and deodorant).
Since my eczema is in my armpits, most of the time now, I am using this as my ointment and deodorant.  I love that I have the lemongrass deodorant spray to make me feel a little more protected from stink, ;)
Read more here.

If you suffer from eczema or psoriasis or if you just want to learn more about these or any other Lemongrass Spa, please comment below!  :)

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.)