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

Buddha Nose Body Treats for a stress-free holiday

A quick shout out that Buddha Nose is now available at De-Stress!

After a long day, doesn't a warm bath set the stage for a peaceful, restorative night's sleep by signaling your body that it's time to rest. We encourage you to enhance your experience by indulging in our spa-inspired find, Buddha Nose Body Treat that will definitely nourish your body and spirit.

After a warm soak, I love to wrap myself in a comfy robe and a cozy foot mule for a truly soothing evening ritual. A soy candle fills my room with a calming scent of lavender to really take me to that blissful space.

Meditation Bath Salts Be still and breathe. Quiet the mind and concentrate on nothing.

Happy soaking!

More NEW product news... LUXURY Soaps from Italy!

We're busy little bees at De-Stress. Just in time for the holidays... we're stocking our store with SOAP, 21 Luxury soaps from Italy!

Nesti Dante Luxurious soaps inspired by the beautiful region of Florence, made with enchanting perfumes from the hills of Tuscany.



They're beautifully packaged in elegant Florentine style paper.
** Makes a delightful HOLIDAY gift.

Shop the ENERGIZING & REFRESHING Fruit line (available for purchase now) and take a peek at the other luxurious soap lines (available for purchase 9/22-23).

Take me to the new luxury SOAPS

The FRUIT line combines the ENERGY of fresh fruit and the properties
of olive oil in six invigorating fragrances:

FIG & ALMOND MILK SOAP
CITRON & BERGAMOT SOAP
POMEGRANATE & BLACKCURRANT SOAP
RED GRAPES & BLUEBERRY SOAP
PURE OLIVE OIL SOAP
PEACH & LEMON SOAP

new scents just added to via botanica line

Exciting news Via Botanica pamering fans.

Just arrived! NEW SCENTS to expand the current Via Botanica bath and body line. You craved it, we've got it.

Whipped Body Butter/Hand and Body Lotion/Body Wash/Sugar Cane Scrub/Body Butter available in these scents
Vanilla Orange (most popular)
Lavender
Invigorating Mint
new flavors: Ginger Cream, Honey Almond

Ginger Cream - a warm and nurturing scent

Honey Almond - just a hint of warm honey that softens on your skin to the barest reminder of honey and almonds. Sweet and sexy, yet not overly fragranced.


Handemade Soap
new flavors: Vanilla, Ginger Cream, Honey Almond

New Product coming soon! Buddha Nose

We're really excited about this hip and tranquil addition to our store... Buddha Nose aromatic oils and plant remedies

Here's a sneak peak.

Bodhi Balm To relax, quiet the mind & peace out!
A unique balm to ease tension headaches, and aches and pains associated with stress.

Girl Balm To ease cramps and lighten moods
Hey Girlfriends! Need a belly balm to rub away aches and grouchy feelings associated with your cycle? Massage a fingertipfull of Girl Balm into your lower belly, as often as needed.

reasons why I home spa

By now it's probably no secret that I love pampering. It wasn't always in me... I actually shyed away from things that brought attention to myself. And even more so I shyed away from pricey spas. But now I might indulge only on occasion but home is where I'm most comfortable in integrating my spa routines.

I find the wonderful thing about getting older is becoming more in tune with our Self. That means, taking time out for us. Pampering should be as beneficial as reading a book, eating healthy and even walking your dog (shame on you if you're not!). It's up there with my peace, health, balance, my overall wellness.

As we head into the holidays be aware of how you're feeling and listen to what your body is telling you. What does it need? More TLC? A salt scrub perhaps? Make home spa'ing within your reach so that it's practical for you, your lifestyle and your wallet. I challenge you to get creative and use the ingredients in your cupboard right now. Take a look at Inside the Spa Pantry for creative practical home spa recipes.

I love this quote by Anais Nin "I go in to come out". It sums up why I take spa moments no matter how busy life gets. As the week goes by, I challenge you to just listen to your inner spa diva and give it the attention you deserve.

If you have a favorite recipe, I'm eager to hear about it to share with others.

Happy Spa'ing.

Girls Spa Day

A few weeks ago I had this self-indulgent idea for "Girls Spa Day" to serve a dual purpose of connecting with friends and pampering ourselves silly, but some were lacking in funds for such lavish professional spa treatments, nonetheless they loved the idea.

One could say that being short on cash does get the creative juices flowing. So, in order to pamper our inner divas we decided on a spa evening in someone's home (this time mine, minus the dog and husband!), complete with necessary pampering tools. I brought out all of my favorite spa products, like lotions, scrubs, facials, candles, music, pedi accessories, etcetera and everyone brought their robes and slippers. To top off the night, we enjoyed a glass of vino while giggling our worries and responsibilities away. The outcome... feeling connected in spirit and pampering ourselves to total bliss.

I would like to invite you to start your own traditions reconnecting with friends. We have now committed to spa night 3 times a year, alternating homes of course. It's something we can all look forward to in anticipation.

Pampered Papas

Father's Day is just around the corner. If you're looking for a gift a little more exciting than the traditional tie, consider a pampering treat for dad. Can't forget that father's need pampering too.

We've got the perfect pampering solution -- comfort essentials. Soothing herbal body wraps and herbal foot cozys!

They come in masculine colors and larger to fit men's size.

Get it now, in time for Father's day. Foot cozys and body wraps come in matching colors and fabrics. Hopefully your dad will take note of the matching body wrap and foot cozy you dutifully chose.
Men's essentials

NEW Organic Spa Collection!!

We're happy to announce a great addition to the De-Stress essentials bath and body line, the organic spa collection by Bonicca. The latest in spa quality organic lotions, salts and shower gels. Using 100% vegetarian ingredients, these natural body care products appeal to all your senses in 9 signature fragrances including Spice Island, Coco Coriander and Bamboo Flower, Cucumber Lime, Fig, Mandarin Dream, Provence, Unscented and my biased favorite..... California Coast.

Don't be fooled by the packaging. It has the looks of the Kiss my Face brand packaging, not too attractive (my opinion) but don't judge this "book by its cover". If you can get past the packaging, you'll be pleased with your purchase.

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Here's an interesting article I found on organics and Bonicca.

Chemotherapy Patients Praise Organics

(PRWEB) February 16, 2006 -- A fragrance-free Organic lotion for sensitive skin is quickly becoming the product of choice for many cancer patients suffering side effects from chemotherapy.

Recently, when cancer patient Kristina Jones was searching for a lotion to soothe the burning, itching sensation in her face and upper body (a common side effect of chemotherapy), she turned to her neighbor and friend Kim Cabot, owner of BONICCA Natural Body Care. Kim gave her some Unscented Bonicca Organic Spa Lotion, knowing that the high organic aloe content and all natural ingredients would be gentle to KristinaÂ’s irritated skin. “The itching and burning were relieved immediately,” reported Jones, “and the chapping, redness and swelling subsided in just a few hours. I feel like a new person!"

Bonicca President Kim Cabot states, “We are working hard to create the highest quality organic products” and we are offering samples of this remarkable product to Cancer clinics across the country.

WHY ORGANIC: When products are applied directly to the body, up to 60% of the compounds in the product are absorbed into the skin, including any toxic ingredients. This is the primary concern with toxic cosmetic ingredients. Lotions, creams and oils affect the skin’s appearance precisely because they are being absorbed. While looking your best is the reason many people use cosmetics, the ill effects of toxic ingredients is alarming, and is of even greater concern for people whose immunities are weakened by illness or medication.

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Bonicca is one of 200 companies who signed the Compact For Safe Cosmetics and they are proud to support the Breast Cancer Fund in this endeavor.

Bonicca was the Variety magazine's Stylephile pick of the day. Here's what they wrote.

Vegan Shower Dream

Bonicca's Organic Spa Collection may be ethically sound—the line is 100% vegan and uses 70% organic botanicals—but that likely won't be at the fore while lathering up with one of its swoon-worthy shower gels. Coco Coriander, Bamboo Flower, Spice Island and Pikake transport you with tropical fragrances that never overpower; Cucumber Lime, Watermint and California Coast are refreshing morning boosters; and scents Mandarin Dream and Fig are creamily sweet. Of note: Bonicca's unscented spa lotion has worked wonders for people undergoing chemotherapy.

Not sure which scent is right for you. Purchase a sampler kit for $5.



















View the complete Organica Spa Collection here.