All I Want for Christmas...

I love this time of year, the sound of children laughing, families spending quality time together, the beautiful decorations, and everything about Christmas just makes me feel like a kid again!  It's always been a tradition for my husband and I to take vacation time during Christmas week just to relax and enjoy this celebrating as a family:-) So yesterday we took a mini road trip and although it was raining cats and dogs I really enjoyed our conversation, laughing together, and listening to our 3 year old son sing Christmas carols!  We stopped at a few of my favorite stores and for the first time ever I didn't have this overwhelming feeling to shop until I drop.  It was really weird, my husband was in complete shock and I was sort of surprised myself because everyone who knows me knows that I cannot say "NO" to a beautiful Coach bag lol!  But for some reason this year my entire perspective on life in general has changed.  I'm much more appreciative of the simple things in life, much more grateful for all of God's blessings, thankful to have a loving family, and just to be alive and healthy is such a blessing to me.  Everyday I'm grateful that my husband and I are still madly in love with each other, and I'm glad he's my rock.  And out of the blue my son told me that I'm the best Mama ever and he has no idea how GOOD that made me feel.  I'm grateful for my beautiful Mother who is my best friend, sometimes therapist lol, prayer partner, and much more!  And for the people in my life, my family and friends who inspire me, encourage me, and make me smile everyday is such a blessing.  I've realized that when we stop to think about the people in our lives and the things that we do have, that's when we realize how blessed we truly are.  All I want for Christmas...is to remain grateful for the blessings that I already have and thank God in advance for his blessings that are soon to come!!! 

So, from my family to yours I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, see you in 2011!!!

Lutein...Skin, Hair, & Nails OH MY!!!

My last blog post about the benefits of Jojoba sparked a great discussion about natural hair care.  I mean, having great hair is a big deal, and feeling good about yourself from head to toe is what Life in the Spa Lane is all about:)  So at the request of my new friend @AvatarLady (from BlogFrog) I am posting my experience using Sensaria's exclusive Lutein Transforming Serum & Supplement.  The products were first introduced at our national convention in July and I have to admit I was a little apprehensive about trying another Skin, Hair, & Nails supplement due to using other brands in the past without having any real results.  So, I decided to go ahead and try it since I never recommend a product to a client unless I've experienced it first hand. 

What I found after taking the Lutein Transforming Supplement twice a day was that it made my nails grow longer and stronger and my hair produced so much new growth that I could've even believe it!  After taking the supplements for only two weeks, I went in for my next hair appointment and my hair stylist said to me, "Whatever you are doing keep it up because your hair is growing like crazy"!  And it's not that it's some type of magic pill, but the ingredients in the supplement result in healthy natural beauty from the inside out!  I enjoyed seeing results in a matter of days and here it is almost 5 months later and I'm still reaping the benefits of having to trim my nails often, my skin feels more hydrated (also thanks to Lutein Transforming Serum for my face), and my hair is healthy & still growing!




Sept.2010 - two months using Lutein

Nov. 2010 - four months using Lutein
*My hair is past shoulder length & it's thicker

So, I'm sure you're probably thinking yes this is all great, but I still don't know what Lutein is? I thought the same thing at first LOL, it's a powerful antioxidant naturally present in egg yolks, spinach, and kale.  Lutein is also great for eyesight, so I think it's best for you to hear more from our Product Development Expert and some great testimonials about the benefits of Lutein:-)  Check it out HERE!

Oh Jojoba!!!

Everyone in SoCal is buzzing about how cold it is and I'm sure our East Coast friends are thinking this is nothing compared to the weather they experience lol!  But the one question I'm often asked is how to naturally care for your skin during the cold winter season.  So today I want to highlight one of my favorite spa products that is a multi-purpose treatment from head to toe! It's often referred to as the "Golden Liquid" because it's native to the deserts of the United States and Mexico.What you'll appreciate about Jojoba Oil is that it's luxurious, it penetrates quickly, and it matches our skin's natural oils making it feel soft and smooth.  Here's a few head-to-toe spa tips that everyone can enjoy (men, women, & children):

Hair: Massage two tablespoons into dry/slightly damp hair and leave-in for 10 min-1hour (depending on hair damage). Wash and condition hair as usual. Jojoba is also great for use on natural hair as well!

Face: Winter months can be harsh to the skin, so for dry skin massage a small amount of jojoba oil into facial skin for added moisture.

Skin: Pour one capful under running bath water (optional), while your skin is slightly damp lightly massage  jojoba into your body skin. *SPA BONUS-have that special someone heat the oil by rubbing hands briskly together and gently massage your skin for YOU!!!

Cuticles: Gently massage one drop of oil into each cuticle (can be done daily)

Feet: After your night time bath/shower massage your soles with jojoba oil and put on cozy socks (your feet will feel so soft and smooth by morning).

We could go on and on about ways to be pampered with jojoba, I enjoyed massaging my son with the oil when he was a newborn:)  It's such a pure spa treatment and our only ingredient in this product is...Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil! So, in honor of Cyber Monday, be sure to go to the right of this page and click the link to Sign Up for my E-newsletter (under "What Can I do for You").  Everyone who signs up today will get a 20% off discount, simply contact me directly only and mention the code "Oh Jojoba".  Enjoy your day:)

If you need more _____, then GIVE _____!

Typically Mondays are one of my favorite days of the week but today just isn't quite starting off as I planned.  But as I mentioned in a previous post I believe that we have the power to change our thinking and how we react to situations.  So I'm sitting here thinking about what it is that I need in order to have a more positive day.  And I remember listening to Darren Hardy on one of his Success CD's saying that giving starts the receiving process.  If you need more love give love to someone else, if you need more peace give peace to someone who needs it, if you need to feel appreciated show someone that you appreciate them and so on.  You get the idea right? Take a moment today to think about what it is that you REALLY need, desire, or want and then sincerely GIVE that to someone else from your heart.  One of my favorite books is the "Go-Giver" and it mentions the law of receptivity which says "The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving".  So here I am, working on being positive today which is why I wrote this positive post, I hope it helps LOL (and I believe it will)!!!  Oh and have a Happy Thanksgiving, I'll meet you back here next week:)

3 easy ways to reduce holiday stress

YIKES, Thanksgiving is next week....already? Geesh time seems to really fly by around this time of year.  Especially if you're the one having to prepare thanksgiving dinner, decorate your home, and host lots of relatives who will be coming to visit.  Talk about stress huh? Well, no need to worry here are a few easy tips you can start today to help reduce holiday stress and from looking like this...

1. JUST BREATHE AND EXHALE!!! Grab your pen and paper or your journal and write down at least 10 things you're thankful for.  Every morning I go into my office with my rosemary mint home fragrance oil, I read an inspiring word and write down what I'm grateful for at this very moment in my life.  This will help keep things in perspective and help you focus on what's most important...giving THANKS!

2. Instead of being Superwoman/Superman and trying to tackle everything yourself, enlist the help of family, friends, or even your children!  Turn up the music, give everyone a task they can handle, and enjoy some family bonding together.  This will create memories that will last a lifetime!  Or, as our family does, we take turns hosting Thanksgiving every year and we each bring our specialty dish (easy, yummy, and certainly stress-free for everyone)!

3. This is my favorite tip, becaues whenever you're stressed out or feeling down it always helps to GIVE BACK to someone else in need.  It could be a monetary gift, but think about how much more meaningful it would be for you and your family to take action.  Maybe you can all help feed the homeless, have a canned food drive (make it a fun contest with your family), or even invite a friend whose having a tough time to enjoy holiday dinner with your family.  Not only is giving back the right thing to do but there are also numerous health benefits to the giver as well (it's certainly a win-win for everyone)!

So take a load off this year, relax, spend quality time with the ones you love, and help bring a smile to someone else this year.  Please post your stress-free holiday tips as well, I'd love to read them and from my family to yours, have the Happiest Thanksgiving EVER!!!

Got headaches?

I don't know about you but the last few days have been really busy.  And when you're on the go for several days, it's easy to neglect taking proper care of yourself.  Trust me when I say your body isn't shy about letting you know when it's time to take a spa break.  The last few days I've been combatting headaches and boy are they painfully annoying.  So tonight I looked into my bag of Sensaria goodies and I want to share 3 quick and easy tips to help aid headache relief.

You'll need a washcloth and Center Pulse Point Creme exclusive to Sensaria, it has green tea, chamomile, menthol, and peppermint oil.  Place your washcloth under warm water and find a dark quiet room to rest.  Gently massage the creme into your temples, earlobes, and dab a little under your nose.  Close your eyes, place the warm towel over your face, and take several deep breaths inhaling the aroma.  What you'll love is that the peppermint oil will begin to stimulate, your mind & body will naturally destress, and you'll appreciate the much needed relief in a matter of minutes:)

More than just a "PARTY"

I read an article on Yahoo today titled "6 Extreme Saving Tips You Can Use Now", and one of the ways is to Party at Home.  Girl's Night In have become so popular recently as opposed to a night out on the town which could get really costly in this economy.  So I started thinking about what I offer my clients, the whole reason why I became involved with Sensaria in the first place. I get to relax and party with the most fun women around (sometimes men too) and at the same time I get to contribute to our household income!

When people ask me about Sensaria the next question is usually "Oooh what's a spa party, that sounds like fun?"  Well, it's a great way to get together with friends you haven't seen in awhile, enjoy light refreshments and drinks while experiencing head to toe pampering...naturally.  But for those who have never experienced one, it's so much more than your average "party" and here's why:

1. How often do you get to spend time with your best friends and enjoy pampering spa treatments for FREE? I always laugh at a person's reaction when they hear that there's no charge for my parties! YES you get to experience body scrubs, hand massages, aromatherapy, facials, and foot soaks for free! A day at the spa would be at least $100 or so per person and this way you're in the comfort of a friends home.

2. A spa party can also be great therapy!  The first thing I tell my guests is this is a stress free zone, don't think about your spouse, kids, work, nothing but precious time for yourself!  It's a chance to get the week out of you and sometimes we even have some good ole girl talk, I've seen women empower other women  right before my eyes and it's such a beautiful thing!

3. The spa doesn't end when the party is over.  I admit I'm a spa junkie, and when I go to the spa I hate when my time is up LOL, I just want to take the masseuse home with me but I can't!  The best part of my job is helping others bring the spa home everyday with our pampering products!  Whether it's our mango body wash that turns your shower into hawaii or our anti-aging skin care that puts your best face forward, however it helps someone else relax & feel good brings a huge smile to my face everytime!

So as the article mentioned, if you're looking to save money (and earn lots of freebies too) then let's bring the spa to your home with these fun party themes http://www.bookfresh.com/profile/451170967

Inspiration from cartoons, huh?!?!

I know you're probably wondering what can I possibly learn from cartoons right?  I thought the same thing, but as a mom to a toddler I can't escape the TV shows on the Nick Jr. channel.  Everyday my son asks to watch Noggin (as he calls it) and we often just sit and watch the shows with him at night.  Although majority of the content is silly and playful they manage to teach kids (and adults) some very valuable life lessons. 

Every Monday, I get into relaxation mode and prepare for the tasks ahead of me.  I massage center pulse point creme into my temples to release tension, I write down my "You Can Do It" List consisting of family tasks, my business goals with Sensaria, and etc.  So today, I encourage you to write down your weekly plan  and as you set out to accomplish your goals, remember to keep in mind these inspiring lessons learned from Nick Jr. shows:

1. Make your dreams come true and ask for help when needed

Follow your dreams because that's how you make them come true.

~Franklin (the turtle)

When you make one or one hundred mistakes, don't worry you, you'll see, you'll see that friends give friends a hand...put your hand in mine, you'll be fine, friends give friends a hand.

~The Fresh Beat Band

2. Obstacles will come and things will get tough so...

When you're feeling mad the first thing you do is calm...calm...DOWN!

~Ni Hao Kai-Lan

Don't stop don't give up....keep trying, keep trying, don't give up, never give up.  Remember, remember, you'll get it right, you'll get it right!

~Yo Gabba Gabba

3. And finally, celebrate the accomplishments (your own, family, staff/team, etc)

We did it...we did it...we did it...HOORAY!!!

~Dora the Explorer

We had a great day it was a super way to spend some time together.  We had a great day the very best day and nothing could be better!

~The Fresh Beat Band

*So, next time your children are watching cartoons feel free to join them, get inspired, and sing along (I promise not to tell) LOL!

Good Morning or at least it will be...

I actually set up this blog over a month ago and I decided that today is the perfect day to start posting and I'll tell you why.  Have you ever gotten up in the morning and your head was spinning?  Not because you had way too much fun the night before but because there was so much on your mind.  You started thinking about things that didn't get so well for you on yesterday, what's on your to-do list for today, and all these negative thoughts and feelings started to overcome you.  Well, that's exactly how my morning started and all I did was open my eyes and those thoughts had my mind spinning out of control.  I know I can't be the only one whose had a morning like this so I wanted to share some ideas on how to overcome the morning blues.

The first thing you must do is STOP!  Literally, don't take another step, don't think about anything, just STOP right where you are.  Close your eyes for a few seconds, take some deep breaths, and be still for a minute or two.  You will be amazed at how a moment of silence or even meditation can quiet a storm.  Because I tell you what, if you don't take this moment for yourself every morning you won't have the energy or patience for anyone else (including your mate, child, boss, whoever it may be).

Second, go look in the mirror, stare into your own eyes, and encourage yourself.  Tell yourself how great you are, how you've overcome some of the biggest obstacles, and speak aloud how you want your day to go.  It may sound silly but it is such a mood lifter and a confidence booster, don't be afraid to try it.

Last but not least, take a moment to get inspired.  Read an inspiring word, poem, or quote.  Or if you're more of a music lover, listen to your favorite song, turn it up really loud, sing and dance to it if you want (after all this is your moment).  My song of choice this morning was India Arie's "Private Party" and right now I feel on top of the world.

The day is what you make it, just because it starts off overwhelming don't let it get out of control.  Even if you can only do one of the ideas above, it's worth it to get your mind right and your thoughts moving in a positive direction.  We all have a purpose to fulfill here on Earth and the world needs YOU at your best.  With that, have a fabulous day:)