a kick in the pants to go for it

Today is one of those days I feel totally human and totally unable to put into eloquent words what I'm feeling. Ever been there?

Well, I talked to my mom on the phone last night before my parent's flight to the Philippines. They live on the east coast and I'm here on the west coast now 5 yrs. My mom just retired last week. This makes both parents retired from their careers. My mom a nurse, dad an accountant. Both very practical careers. They're happy, my 3 other siblings are extremely happy. It's one of those realities that we're all getting older and a new chapter of the book is being written. They came with a dream over 30 yrs ago to come to the states for better opportunities for their 4 kids. they accomplished that and much more. i'm so proud of of them for all they sacrificed for us.

So it made me feel human in that I know I must stop with the things in life that hold me back from doing more, ie complaining about being tired, complaining about where the world is, complaining about people complaining, complaining in general, doing things that don't bring me to the path of joy or my life's calling. You know what I mean? I feel like to show appreciation for what my parent's and my grandparent's and their parents did for us, I must be what the army motto really states "be all that you can be" or I really would be doing a huge diservice to my ancestors who sacrificed to get me here. I came to the states at a young age, the youngest of 4 and always have been sensitive. hard being that way growing up, though I can feel good about who i am and becoming. I feel so blessed to be doing what i'm doing and at that place in my life where i appreciate it. I really am at the steering wheel/helm, whatever we want to call it, of my life. i'm guiding it in the direction that makes me feel good. some days i feel like taking the easy road, the road where millions of people travel and those really difficult days i feel like steering it off the cliff but i manage to use the principles of how i run my store, my life, my work through knowing my values. it is the rock in my life. the thing that remains steady and predictable.

so, today i live strongly by what vickie milazzo said in her 5 promises she made herself when she was at a crossroads. "I will go for it or reject it outright" from her book Inside Every Woman.

Today that welcome call has given me the big kick in the pants to go for it!

Here's another great quote by Erma Bombeck.

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and can say, 'I used everything you gave me.'"

May all your dreams come outrageously true!

how to get that post oscar glow

this post comes a day late post oscar but i wanted to say my 2 cents about what it all means to me. i think there's something so magical about the movies we watch and talk about months/years later and the people who make them, star in them or take any part in them. especially magical for me is to watch the glow of oscar night, from my tv at home of course. it's a testament to what happens if we all follow our bliss whether it be on the screen or off, in front of millions of people or quietly with no witness. i really salute those who choose the paths less travelled, their unique paths.

And I'm here to let you know that you that you can still get that Post Oscar Red Carpet Glow with 2 fabulous Body Polish Scrubs from Organic Fiji and Buddha Nose. I love them both however I do love the sea salt scrub best from organic fiji. Comes with a scoop for portion control in the shower and those sea salts are so healing on my dry and yes aging skin!

Buy your Glow Polish at De-Stress Essentials. Click to view more.
Organic Fiji Coral Sea Salt Body Polish

Buddha Nose Sugar Scrub

** Don’t use shower gel after a salt/sugar scrub – it’s good to keep the oil and aromatics on your skin.

luxurious daily self massage

I started practicing self massage after my *ayurvedic* consultation in Bethesda, MD's tranquil space last year. It's great in b/w professional massages and also saves alot of time and money. Every morning I start my day off with an invigorating self rub with coconut oil. You can use herbal oils or ayurvedic specific ones but I personally am loving the organic fiji's pure coconut oil.

Try adding a quick 2-5 min self massage ritual to your morning routine. It IS worth that little extra time. The full body massage will recharge and rejuvenate your body AND mind. Here's what you do: Focus on a body part (ie thigh, forearm) for maybe 30 sec and rub the (warm) oil in circular motion. Feel how your body is reacting to the rub. It is such a luxurious feeling that lifts you in the am.

Benefits to regular self massage:

* Increased circulation
* Toning of the muscles and the whole physiology
* Calming for the nerves
* Lubrication of the joints
* Increased mental alertness
* Improved elimination of impurities from the body
* Softer, smoother skin
* Increased levels of stamina through the day
* Better, deeper sleep at night

Enjoy and start feeling the benefts right away.

* ayurveda- the oldest recorded form of holistic healing which you'll be hearing alot more of in the areas of wellness and even bodycare.

relaxation meditation video

Greetings! I came across this great 10 minute video that you can relax to at work... careful though not to fall asleep at your desk.

Lime also has these awesome meditation themed rooms -- water room, zen room, floral room and my favorite one this month has been the winter room... we don't get snow in Santa Barbara! Enter now. You'll be taken to Lime's website.

Enjoy.

stress free home zones

One of my stress-free moves this past week was to clean and clear out clutter. Whew took years off me. After clearing out 3 huge garbage bags of clothes from my closet I was wondering why I still had so much left! My shoe collection didn't dwindle so much even though I wear flip flops almost every day (yeah winters are harsh here... wink wink)! Like life, closets go through ebbs and flows and mine is now in a nice flow state.

The purpose of this exercise was to create stress-free zones in my home. I was feeling the stress of neglecting casa de elliott. I started by strategically placing flowers (v-dayroses from spouse brett and freesias from brett to muse sabrina) throughout our home in tall drinking glasses. I think like people, roses too need breathing space so I place 2-3 in a glass instead of bunching them up in one vase. Freesias are right next to muse's bowl where she wakes up and sniffs the fragrant flowers.

So, here's some tips I put together (inspired by my living space) to help you create serenity zones sprinkled around your home. The idea is to come home to relax and unwind to your uncluttered space.

- Clean the bathrooms gals (and guys)! To be a home spa diva, this is a "must do" requirement!
- Dimmer switches placed in the bedroom and the living room corner for coziness.
- A candle is always lit in my home office and while I read on my bruno chair. It's sort of a ritual I started last year that promotes a serene environment.
- I love fabrics so I drape them over my desk for a change of scenery. I find the most luxurious fabrics at upholstery shops and look for the remnants (end of the bolt that is sold for cheap!). I love texture and print. Adds a playful and sophisticated touch to furniture. Going organic will make you feel good knowing you're using natural fibers. Experiment with patters and fabrics you like and place them around your home or office.
- Finally, get rid of clutter! It's stressful. If it doesn't make you feel good about it having it around - move it on. Toss the blurry photos, old bath and body products, items that have lost its meaning, etc...

Your Ultimate Goal to be a Home Spa Diva is to Simplify Your Space and Make yourself at Home. I'm not an expert on feng shui or inerior decorater. As a Cancerian homebody though I do take pleasure in having a home that speaks to my taste and makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Create your home sanctuary so you look forward to stepping into your home.
Enjoy!

bread and chocolate

Back to blogging after a brief hiatus. Baking relaxes me so this is what I've been up to... baking bread and eating chocolate (the 73% + kind). Sorry, no chocolate pictured (I ate them all!) but the best kinds are the Whole Foods organic truffles and very close second are the Trader Joe's organic truffles! Has to be the organic ones. They just taste better. Next on my baking agenda, a homemade batch of truffles a la Maria.

You're probably wondering what this has all to do with Spahhh Talk. Well, we all must find our ways that de-stress us and keep us away from our sometimes hectic and boring routines. Baking is a de-stressor for me and eating a TJ or WF truffle puts happy feelings in me. Similar to finishing a salt scrub to make my skin glow, or putting a smile on someone's face -- these too make me feel good. Well almost as much. In the past year I postponed this baking luxury to get DE up and running. However, I'm back to baking bread and it is fun, gratifying AND satisfying. Pictured here, experimenting with 100% whole wheat bread with a touch of honey and lots of oats. A sprinkle of cinnamon on the top. Simple stuff. Ahhhh... live well.

Happy Birthday to us!

De-Stress Essentials is a year old! In web years though we might be going through our teenage angst ;-) I'm amazed at how one little idea made it this far. Since my original article in Changing Course magazine I've been asked many questions to how do you get a store online to how can I quit the job I don't enjoying going to anymore. Though I don't have answers to those kinds of questions (or let me just say you gotta WANT it whatever it is, the rest just comes, honestly), you're still welcome to email me with your other questions, comments or feedback. maria@destressessentials.com

Read the press release (in pdf)

Here's some pictures I dug up from the past year.

1) me at the Day Spa Expo Vegas at the Herbal Works booth. I had a huge headache (due to lack of fresh circulating air at the hotel!) that day so they were giving me peppermint to relieve the tension. Peppermint oils when applied with pressure on your temples DOES work! ....and I do usually look happier than this ;-)

2) me at the Green Festival in Washington, DC. happy showing a book on balance ;-)

3) me again in Little Italy, famished after the Inside Beauty Conference NYC.

4) my sister Fern at the Green Festival DC. She helps me put together Glow! News. She's a go-getter and she brings her eco canvas tote when she shops at Whole Foods. She takes the bus to work too. She cares.









5) and finally this is brett my husband and technical guy. He helps me when computers go south and other techie stuff. He's very patient. Can you tell? He's in information gathering mode in this photo. He's a programmer searching for greener solutions.

Lifted

Just had to share this awesome picture of a friend of mine, Jim. If you look closely he's the speckle (very happy serene speckle I'm sure) in the blue sky enjoying that thing which makes his soul soar like an eagle!

Jim is the kind of guy who seems to have the big picture or as I'd like to call it island wise. He seems to be able to transport himself to magical places where being lifted gives him a sense of tranquility and simplicity... going to his own rhythm focusing on what really matters to him. Isn't that how we can make life sweeter for us and those around us if we continue to keep charting our heart's desires? Island wise.

His nephew is credited with this picture incredible photo (click to zoom in) taken while visiting his family in Michigan -- back in October 06 (seems sooooo long ago). Now Jim's back in Santa Barbara soaring through the surf!

Checkout his peaceful lullaby composition on PodBean.

Spahhh Talk on Delightful Blogs

Spahhh Talk is listed on Delightful Blogs - a discerning directory of delightful blogs.

Let me know what you think about my blog! Rate me on Delightful Blogs.

peace and blessings,

maria

This was sent out last week, in case you missed it!
February Glow! News

"Illuminate that with makes your light shine brighter"
- Maria Carbonell-Elliott

Orchid Neck Wraps are here!

Beautiful new Orchid print Neck Wrap are here!

With the change in fabric trends, this orchid print neck wrap has changed from the seafoam green prints.




Seafoam green mules are still available, for limited time and on Sale.
Check it out at De-Stress Essentials

Conscious Life Expo

I was at an AWESOME business symposium yesterday in LA. Sounds so official and stuffy doesn't it --- but au contraire. It was a full day conference for peole like me, business folks, who seek out more spiritual solutions to business issues. It turned up only a small group of people in its 3rd very young year so I like to think we're the underdogs of conscious capitalism. ;-)

Speakers had titles like financial confidante (aka cpa) , web marketing therapist (aka SEO specialist) --- gotta love it! All the 5 speakers were incredible but one really stood out for me was Monique Guild, a business intuititve (aka business coach). She evaluates the person or business project and 'sees' your blocks to keeping you from achieving your goals. Pretty far out there from what I was taught in business school... maybe that's why I'm so fascinated by these subjects and that it resonates with me!

Well being the curious person I'm always seeking persepctives on ways to stay connected to the purpose of why I AM in business and not let the rigors of business life get to me -- you know, that overwhelmed feeling? It's funny because people expect me to always be de-stressed in my line of work (and for the most part it is) but there are days when when I get immoblized by all the stuff to do... though I know I will never get it ALL done. The goal is to minimize those overwhelming days and feel good when I rest my head at night at how the day went. So to help me stay focused I go to conferences like these with like-minded entrepreuneurs. It REALLY helps me to stay congruent with my values and therefore to serve my customers better.

I plan far in advance by signing up for workshops, tradeshows, retreats, classes, as soon as I hear about them. I plan meetings not to far ahead and lunches with friends but for the most part I like to think I have an organic schedule and it's been working for me. In my past corporate 9-5 days, I'd be so overscheduled and even loved it, or so I thought. Rather I was merely going through the motions of meetings and to do's that I didn't stop to question whether they were necessary or that it was taking me a step closer to my dreams. Although we should have some amount of order into our daily schedules, it seems more natural to do things which make us feel good about each day --- whether that's to finish a project, start one, make phone calls, meet a friend for lunch or even skip out for ice cream and go to the park. Though I don't recommend this for everyone, I remember back when I lived in Alexandria and worked at PBS.org, that a co-worker and I spontaneously stepped out and watched a movie in the middle of the day (oh what fond memories ;-). It was our little secret we and we were even more produtive that day and week! You get my drift. Let's have a little MORE organic white space in our calendar to be free of total commitments. That's my little secret from having funky to fabulous days... now I sneak out without the guilt!

stay well.

Maria
dreamer in residence and cso
(aka chief spiritual officer)

bliss body spa review

From time to time I like to indulge and tell! I wrote up a mini spa review to share with other spa goers on various websites and voila the article...

I’ve always had an affinity for small things – quaint boutiques, smaller sized classrooms, petite moi!, small companies, small gatherings, maybe it’s the personalized feel that resonates with me. Makes me feel NOT invisible. So in my quest for local not over-the-top luxe but quaint-at-half-the-price of Spas in my own town of comes-in-a high-price Santa Barbara, my search took me to wine country San Luis Obispo, about a 1 1/2 hr short getaway from home.

Located in beautiful Downtown SLO (pronounced slow), Bliss Body Spa is housed in a charming adobe building across from the historic Mission SLO. The brief walk to the back of the adobe building took me to a tropical themed paradise courtyard and into the treatment room. As I breathed in the fragrant air of the lavender scented room, I lay on a heated treatment table waiting to get stoned!

Not that kind of stoned but a kind of stone therapy where heated and cooled stones are used to help in the body’s healing process... and by the way the only thing I inhaled was the lingering aromatherapy.

New to getting stoned the therapist with a gentle tone warns me of the hot rocks coming in contact with my body. No unpleasant surprises for this stone virgin! Like a stone veteran she circles the hot stones with 2 hands in beautiful unison around my body. 1 ½ hrs of stone pleasure relieved and dissolved my muscle tension, walking away from a totally relaxing experience. I glistened all day.

After a relaxing massage you can blissfully skip cross the street and visit Mission San Luis Obispo, one of the oldest buildings in the area founded in 1772. You can't miss it. It's beautiful.

Their Spa Menu is even man friendly too with packages titled
“Feel Like a Winner” Bliss’ New Sports Package that will help keep you in the game and “You Clean Up Nice”.

Love it !-- About Bliss from their website

Philosophy When we serve others...
...if we focus on their perceived issue – we’ll win or we’ll lose. I guarantee you - if we focus on the individual - if we help them to see their worth - then, no matter what the outcome of the issue – we’ll all win.

Dare To Live Your Dream

Who do you think that you are?
If you tell me your profession, your age, your religion, and what part of the country you are from, you really haven’t told me a thing. I want to know what you love because, if we can find out what you love, we can turn it into a life, - a life that you are going to love.

Let me tell you something else. If you are trying to figure out what to do with that life of yours, I don’t want to know your skills, I don’t want to see your resume, and I don’t want to know your experience. Those are handy things. They can get you a job and pay the rent. They are useful and that’s great. But, if you are ever going to be brilliant, if you are ever going to be special, you have got to go after what you love.

The simple fact is that everyone has unique gifts and talents, and, to be truly happy - to live a life, a completely fulfilled life, you don’t need self-improvement and you don’t have to walk out on your responsibilities. You just need to use the gifts that are waiting inside you.

Bliss Body Spa
970 Chorro St
San Luis Obispo, CA

Bliss Body Spa website

Happy spa'ing

Maria

Love on a Leash

My sister, who lives 3,000 miles away, and I chat at least once a week. We got off topic - again - with the subject of Love. How could something so beautiful hurt so much! Seems a healthier approach to love is accepting there WILL be bumps and bruises along the way, on whatever path you take. But isn't it the idea to travel on the less bumpy path, the path of least hurts... and we're just talking about our furry children here!

But even when it comes to dog love, it hurts to leave my furry child home alone, watch her yelp at the vet's office, even to see her tail down sad because she can't have another treat. Love on a leash is such a gift though. The joy muse gives me and the inspiration she brings to my life is priceless. My husband and I rescued Sabrina at the shelter in Lompoc, CA 3 yrs ago. Seems more WE were rescued. We learned that letting go of expectations and desires, you limit yourself from the good stuff out there. We were on a mission for a beagle back then but what we got was something more than what we asked for! So all this brings me to the conclusion... Love the parts of your life that you didn't ask for.





















Top pic: Geroge Washington's home in Mt. Vernon, VA
Bottom pic: at home surfing dogster

Dog friendly home spa luxuries for the pampered pooch:
The Barkery
Caine and Able
Happy Tails Spa


Sabrina pages
Edhat dog of the week
Dogster page

Go slow ... slow burning soy candles (that is!)

Call it what you will... Eco-Chic / Ergo-Chic the market has exploded with the all-natural trend. Going Green isn't just for the birkenstock tree hugging hemp wearing stereotypes anymore. This trend has gone from cleaning products to fashion and to All Natural Soy Candles.

Here are the soy candle scents you'll find around my home:
Office - Bergamot Fresh
Living Room - Orange Honey
Bedroom - Asian Bamboo

I rave about Soylicious Soy Candles not only because I offer them in my store but because I travel to tradeshows looking for the best in spa gear out there so I can bring them into healthy homes like yours and mine... I take this scent business seriously!

I was at a tradeshow a couple of weekends ago in LA and I took some soy candles home to try out. I light the beautiful candles and to my surpirse they're burning very quickly and obviously let off a dark soot rising up to the ceilings, not to mention it reaked of synthetic fragrance. My sensitive nose, knows! Muse too just looks at me and slowly walks away. Seriously, she sneezes when something gets too fragrant for her (and me!). Ah these candles are probably a soy blend (parrafin with petrol + soy wax). So when shopping around, look for 100% soy wax candles; say no to blends or something that simply says "natural". Get specific, it's your health!

The Benefits
- Derived from soybeans, a renewable resource.
- Burn up to 50% longer than paraffin wax candles.
- Cotton wicks are usually used, so no burning of metal-based wicks.
- Smoke less, so won't leave dark marks on your walls.
- Spills can be cleaned up with hot soapy water.

Candle Facts
- Nine out of ten candle users say they use candles to make a room feel comfortable or cozy.

- Candle users say they most frequently burn candles in the living room (42%), followed by the kitchen (18%) and the bedroom (13%).

- Consumers are increasingly purchasing candles as a focal point for their home décor, and for aromatherapy-like relaxation and stress reduction.

- Candle purchasers say they view candles as an appropriate gift for the holidays (76%), as a housewarming gift (74%), a hostess/dinner party gift (66%), a thank-you (61%) and as adult birthday gifts (58%).

Source: National Candle Association 2006

Shop Now for Soy Candles at De-Stress Essentials

New Partnership with Spas of America

In my quest to continually scout out the good stuff in the www relating to spas, relaxation and wellness, De-Stress Essentials has partnered with Spas of America.

Check out their site and you'll see how passionate they are about the Spa & Wellness industry in contributing as they say "positively to the enrichment of people's lives." I can't agree more.

Spas of America other partner sites. Click here.

Check out Melissa Mellott's (our monthly Glow! News feature article writer) shining review of The Lake Austin Spa & Resort. Click here.

Happy Spa'ing

Bamboosa

Greetings!

Business is beautiful when we find like-minded people who share our simple vision of trying to do things better. DE is on Bamboosa's Top Sites to Visit. This brings me to a little bamboosa story I wanted to share...

Today someone commented on the "top" I was wearing and I just had to do that inner giggle because I'm a big fashion fake! So I guess this fashion skeleton is coming out of the closet. Most people don't notice that I love wearing "nighty" clothes as everday wear. It's sooooo comfortable that for me it seems better to wear moving around on the streets than wasting good fabric sleeping in bed. So in this area in my life, I'm sloooowly going green. I've now got a couple of vital pieces to get me started on my eco fashion collection. Today I wore my bamboosa sleep slip to do some errands, dressed it up with accessories and voila, a tasteful and comfy low maintenance outfit, that's my little secret.

If you wanna go green visit our friends at Bamboosa, soft protective natural clothing.

Also on my bamboo favorites at DE...
Asian Bamboo Soy Candle

OUT OF STOCK update - Organic Fiji

We had such an outstanding month for these scents that we are OUT OF STOCK until mid-March

12oz. Pineapple Coconut Lotion
3oz. Pineapple Coconut Lotion
12oz. Tuberose Lotion
Cucumber Melon Cleansing Bar Soap

Pineapple Coconut Bar Soap & Body Polish ARE AVAILABLE

Take a look
Organic Fiji