california dreamin'

it's the week of the santa barbara film festival and the other night i got a last minute call from a girlfriend to tickets to the dreamgirls movie. i jumped right on that one. we were sitting in the theater when we realized we weren't there to see a movie but to see director bill condon be honored for his films (chicago, kinsey, gods and monsters, dreamgirls, more) and accept the montecito award.

i usually won't be seen out on a monday night... beauty sleep takes top priority now. BUT as part of my goal to embrace the unexpected and be a little more spontaneous, i waited and waited (santa barbara being on island time most times) and there to honor bill was jennifer hudson, anika noni rose, and keith robinson. the energy just amazing in the room. everyone's eyes seemed to sparkle with realized dreams, even bill condon, who started out in the business as he says was most luck.

so while finally accepting island time, i thought about luck and realizing passions. if we didn't follow our passions, would luck exist? there to answer my own question.... I THINK luck can ONLY exist if we do things to follow our passions. time ceases to exist. opportunities come.

may we all continue to follow our bliss.

happy film going,
maria

chicago, kinsey, gods and monsters can be rented via Netflix.com

We're back in stock of Organic Fiji Pineapple Coconut lotion!

Just arrived.... New Soy Candle Scents.

Happy Monday!

4 new scents just in...
2 sensual scents just in time for Valentine's day.

• Passion

This spicy fragrance is sure to heat up your valentine.
Fiery Red gift box

• Romantic Chypre (Cypress)
  

This French fragrance will shower you with love.
Fiery Red gift box

Other New Scents
Eucalyptus Vapor
Sage & Sandalwood

De-Stress Essentials

Henry David Thoreau quote

One of the main reasons why I picked up the book French Women For All Seasons was because of my intrigue with this inspiring quote Mireille Guilliano chose for the introduction.

"Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each. Let them be your only diet drink and botanical medicines."

- Henry David Thoreau

French Women for all Seasons

Bonjour mesdames et messieurs!

As one of my 19 or so books (really, I lost count) laying around the kitchen, bathroom, office, bedroom, living room, floor, hallways, piano, just about anywhere I can read depending on my mood... yes, I have an awful book addiction.... there's one I just finished worth mentioning. It's called French Women For all Seasons, by the same author as French Women Don't Get Fat. The author Mireille Guilliano writes about how french women anticipates, takes full pleasure in and indulges in the full bounty of each season, what she eats and relates this concept to all areas of life.

She's reminding us to maximize our pleasure factor. Less is more, less is better. For example, if having friends over for dinner, make a one course dinner, as opposed to an eight course meal, with a bottle of wine. Actually more pleasurable since now you are enjoying the art of getting together, with less stress on the host.

When I came across this book, I thought it would satisfy my appetite for things french which I've been craving. Success! and then some. Here's some quick tidbits of my thoughts from this book that gave me unexpected delights.

• thoughtfulness and mindfulness

• awareness that we're living for the moment

• finding a balance

• you are unique, fit these principles into your lifestyle (busy mother, wife, student, caretaker of aging parents, overworked single person, etc...)

• stop for enjoyment

• figure out what your priorities are and start working at them each day

• food and food traditions

• be comfortable in your own skin

• the best way you can de-stress is to BE YOURSELF

So this brings me to the conclusion that anyone is capable of writing their own life story in a picturesque way as Mireille. I'm off to think about which chapter my life is in right now. And you? Your life in chapters.

Also in the book are many delicious seasonal recipes scattered throughout your reading too. Pg 234 A week's menu for winter to help you get started enjoying winter's food bounty.

If you're in the all things french mood, check out this wonderful film, Un Coeur Hiver (1992, A Heart in Winter). Passion in a violin shop! It's available on Netflix.com.

You can view book pages or buy it on Amazon. Click on this link.
French Women for All Seasons: A Year of Secrets, Recipes, and Pleasure


Maria
maria@destressessentials.com

why all the book links

If you're wondering why you're suddenly seeing links to books and movies on my blog, here's an explanation of the ever evolving spahhh talk.... the reality.

In order for me to avoid google sponsored ads I'll instead bring you books and relevant movies, right now through the spiritual cinema and amazon.com that are relevant to the content I write about, related to spas, healthy living, mind, body and wellness, since these are my passions. Though it won't bring me as many links as google ads, purchasing books/movies through clicking on the links on my blog, with a collective effort your support, will help with the upkeep of Spahhh Talk so I can continue writing for enjoyment and continue bringing relevant inspiring content on these pages for all those who come across it to enjoy. If a book/movie resonates with you, by all means click and purchase. Thanks for clicking, supporting my work, and finding your bliss!

Keep on shining.

Maria
maria@destressessentials.com

Inspire Romance with these new soy candle scents

Greetings de-stress divas/divos!

Just want to let you know of 2 sensual soy candle aromas I'm stocking up on just for the special day coming up.... Valentines.

Because I can't sit still about soylicous candles I'm jumping ahead (only a week though) by accepting pre-orders on these dreamy aromas.

Order online now. Candels ship shortly after they arrive on or around Jan 26; shipping Monday, the 29th... plenty of time to set the mood ;-)
Do not stress, but do plan early.

(i'll have only a limited supply in stock)

• Passion

This spicy fragrance is sure to heat up your valentine.
Fiery Red gift box

• Romantic Chypre

This French fragrance will shower you with love.
Fiery Red gift box

Other Delightful New Scents coming in stock January 25th:
Eucalyptus Vapor
Sage & Sandalwood

De-Stress Essentials

$20 each, giving you or the receiver 50 hours of sensory pleasure.

Any questions, comments just email me!

Back in Stock - Gardenia Aromastick

Quick note to let you know that I'm back in stock of the large 16 oz Gardenia Aromasticks!

Makes a great dozen roses gift alternative for upcoming Valentine's Day. (appassionato and romantic soy candle scents coming in stock soon too.)

To tell her that she warms your heart and soul, I suggest Gardenia.
To tell him that you love him and he balances your life, I suggest Woods.

home-front getaways

Bonjour!

I was lucky enough to spend the past week in a cute french style B&B called Petit Soleil located in the town of San Luis Obispo, just a couple of hours from home. They served an out-of-this-world decadent (and high carb) breakfast each morning, all made fresh with a wine taste and homemade appetizers nightly, not to mention homemade truffles suprisingly waiting on my bed for the evening. The friendly staff, L'Occitane bath products, french music and cozy french country furnishings even made me forget about the cars passing on the main street and the passing nightly train, noises to my sensitive ears. All in all Love is definitely in the details at Petit Soleil and will do another getaway there again.

My intentions going there was to visit my niece Candice and do a little home-front getaway to think, write, and relax outside of my normal routined life. Success! Now, lots of work ahead which I'll share with you as soon as I sort it all out!

I love these words said by the Dalai Lama...

"If you're more relaxed your brain functions more effectively."

"We all need some relaxation, mental as well as physical. They all converge into the same point."

Think about how you'll relax your mind and your body this year. As with exercise, work appointments, personal commitments, dentist appts, hair cute, etc... it's so important to schedule time to relax the mind and body. Don't let 2007 pass without doing something nice for yourself! We all benefit.

We equally love comments from our male readers.

From J

Dear Spahhh Talk,
Is this veggie mask (minus the bird droppings!) beneficial for men too?
---> J

9:30 AM

Maria Carbonell said...

Bonjour J,

Great question and certainly so! Not just a girl thing. Every man and woman should take good care of their skin to ensure the innumerable kisses coming along their cheeks ;-)

Seriously though fact is men and women’s skin age differently and both have inherent advantages when it comes to their skin. Basically though skin care for men is remarkably similar to that of women. Because women have thinner skin our oil glands produce less oil than men’s, which did you notice the reason for all the moisturizing we do? You are blessed with lots of testosterone making your skin tighter and slow to wrinkle. And Rob Lowe is the perfect example of this high testosterone wonder (our tables were so close at Ruby’s I could see his healthy glowing pores!)

As with any recipe, tweak according to your face type. The honey is good for drier (winter and aging) skins. Try adding juices in strawberries and lemon; they contain natural astringents and great for oilier skin.

If you do decide to add the optional bird droppings, I hear “McSpeedy” is an eager supplier of this signature spa treatment phenomenon. Whatever you do, make it fun!

world's wackiest spa treatment

I come across alot of interesting spa treatments in magazines and books I read on helping us relax and feel youthful. Though I'm not as adventurous as some spa going divas who relish in "signature" spa treatments, I have to wonder what is behind the signature, in signature treatments and how much more creative and creatively high priced$$ can these signature spa treatments get!?

Well, I came across a "signature" skin cream that's used at an oceanside spa that's made from Japanese nightingale droppings. Yes, that is bird doo-doo to you and me. They claim it smooths the skin and that Japanese geishas have been using this treatment for centuries.

Personally, I'm not into the geisha look and I don't relish the idea of bird doo-doo on my face, even if it is dried, beaten to a pulp, sanitized with ultraviolet light, and mixed with essential oils; it's just not my idea of a relaxing time. So, here's a signature home spa recipe you can try. Bird doo-doo is optional.

Veggie Mask

1/2 c heavy cream
1 carrot (cooked and mashed)
1 avocado (peeled and mashed)
3 tbs pure honey

Combine the ingredients in a bowl and spread over your face and neck. Relax for 15 min. Rinse with cool water.

This recipe uses the beta-carotene and antioxidant vitamins from carrots, along with the calcium and protein in heavy cream, and vitamin E from avocado to improve texture, diminish age spots, and rebuild collagen.

new! gift reminder service

Gotta love technology...when it works for us!

I just added a new feature (great for our wonderful male friends out there, wink wink) that will help you remember a gift giving occasion.

Here's how it works... just fill in the short form with event name, date of event, when you'd like to be reminded, your email address so we know where to send reminder to and for whom the gift is for. Simple and it's a free service to you. It's designed to ease the stress (if you have any and kudos if you don't!) of remembering special birthdays and anniversaries. Enjoy!

You can find the Gift Reminder link on my De-Stress Essentials homepage.

reading to de-stress

Anyone who knows me knows I love BOOKS and reading. It really helps me to unwind and de-stress. For Christmas, hubby bought me a new luxe chair I earmark just for reading. It was inspired by the one I sit on at our local Border's where I used to hang out reading and day dreaming which now I can do comfortably and peacefully at home!

His name, yes my chair is named Bruno (manufacturer name so I kept it) and it gives me hours of delightful reading time. Bonus for me too that I get some great ideas sitting on this magical chair! Though maybe I should call her Bruna, Bruno sounding too tough for such a sweet chair. Ok so back to books.

Some of the best books I've read came to me from recommendations from strangers, a gift, casually browsing at bookstores and even airport terminals where fellow travelers were eager to suggest a book... am I that transparent in my hunger for a good read!?

Well, here's a book I just finished reading that's worth mentioning. I picked it up at Barnes & Noble Sept 06 while passing time to pick my mom up from her nearby work in VA-DC. There it was, it just appeared, a couple of months before I watched a life changing film called the Secret which a friend had given me as a birthday gift in July.

This book titled The Law of Attraction,also a life changing book for me, has a similar resonating theme as The Secret DVD!Without giving too much away, Abraham-Hicks say the Universe is based on 3 universal laws, happening whether we like it or know it or not. The Law of Attraction, the most powerful law says that which is like unto itself is drawn. "The more you think of what you want, the more the Law of Attraction will bring the evidence of it to you, until you will believe it."

Now I was thinking how I came upon this book that has greatly affected my life. It was through this law that I attracted it without effort because the law was at work for me. Just a tiny example of how it works and ok, very hard for me to explain but the book The Law of Attraction says it more eloquently. I highly highly recommend it whether you're on the path to spiritual growth or would like to invite some new thoughts and perspectives into your beautiful life.

Glow! just released

Today was a huge sigh of relief for me as I just released the first issue of Glow!, that's my store's new newsletter, first issue in fact you can almost smell the copy! Well, not really but you will get lots of tips to help keep you on the path to relaxation, wellness and a spirited way of living. I'm enjoying it, I hope you will too.

Read about Rejuvenation and Resolutions or sign up to receive Glow!

Have a glowing week!

Maria

daily dose of nature

happy new year, happy hump day, happy first everything this week! so far so good? isn't it great to have this feeling of a second chance to do things better this year. we get another opportunity to fine tune who we are and who we are meant to be.

so as i sat here looking at lots of white space on my computer i was thinking what could i possibly say here, the 3rd day of another new year, that hasn't been said already. nothing. however i will tell you what's on my mind, inspired by muse's daily walks and now my own -- commune with nature daily. ta da! a new year universal intention that can do us all good.

let me explain further...
while we like to think about the BIG new year resolutions like --- this year i will lose weight, cut down on clutter, get a bigger house, fancier car, promotion, less stress, spend time with family, taking better care of my health, etc... I think summing it up to communing with nature daily as allowing us to see a perspective on ALL of your huge life goals. Basic isn't it? A clear head has helped me to personally clarify my wants and needs. And as you begin to make the lifestyle habit of having nature a part of your daily life watch yourself as you begin to want and need less. here's the fascinating twist though... by wanting less, you'll start feeling sufficient; you'll be content with what you already have, actually be in a constant state of gratefulness. priorities shift and you get clearer about what you want from your life. don't take my word for it, experiment with this idea yourself!

where to start? make little habits each day or start every other day. for me, i intentionally live in a climate where i can commune with nature daily, walking, hiking, biking, playing so it's easier for me. for some, it'll be more challenging but doable. snowing? make a snow man. wet? slosh around in your raincoat and go for a walk. important thing is to make those little steps into little habits and next thing you know, you're not only loving these changes but embracing them!

remember, you can send your thoughts or feedback directly to me at maria@destressessentials.com or reply to post.

here's to you in 2007. make it a good one.
all is well.