Essential Oils: They’re Essential
I used to think that essential oils were boloney. The slimy, processed and artificial boloney I used to eat for lunch in Elementary school. I never believed the articles I read nor the medical gurus who spoke so highly about how these oils can benefit your mind and overall well-being. I thought to myself, yeah right.
Fast forward three years later, and here I am. The ultimate advocate for essential oils. Not only do they smell absolutely fantastic, they actually work!
I believe that, yes, certain essential oils can assist with easing physical pain or even treating a virus such as the common cold but that’s not why I turned to them. I simply use essential oils and aromatherapy to improve my wellness lifestyle and to ultimately put my mind at ease.
The beautiful thing about these oils is the pure natural ingredients used to make them. In other words, it is the purest form of therapy. At first, I was introduced to lavender: the calming and stress-relieving essential oil. It is commonly used for anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, headaches, etc. I expanded my horizons by ordering quite a large and overwhelming kit filled with every oil you could possibly name. It was one of those impulse obsession purchases. I began experimenting and googling what each oil was used for and which combinations to create. My ultimate favorite combination being eucalyptus and lavender. If you like the smell of a spa, you’ve found your match. Sooner than later, I invested in an oil diffuser and I will never, I repeat, never go back. The cheapest and purest form of therapy. Purest.
Three times a week, I fall asleep with my oil diffuser on. It sleeps right next to me acting as my companion and savior from a stressful day. I fall asleep much easier and wake up feeling much more content and happier like a new day and new chapter in my life is truly beginning. All I have left to say is thank you, essential oils, for being so essentialto my happiness and wellness.
How to live your happiest and healthiest summer
Summer. We automatically think of the millions of microscopic grains of warm sand getting lodged in between out hot pink painted toe nails, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore as the seagulls harass us for a sliver of our bread crust. We think of the “perfect time” for building the ultimate revenge body, the time to sit outside at over-priced restaurants, wallowing away in a bottle of Chardonnay.
When I think of Summer, I think of myself.
For me, Summer is the “perfect time” to yes…get into shape before heading back to college, soaking up the sensational scents of the salty air and listening to symphonic sounds of the seagulls signing. However, it is really the time to not focus on the past…the should’ve, could’ve, would’ve. It is the time to not stress about the future…the “will I get a job before I graduate.” It is the time to focus on the present, the now, the moment we are currently living in and it is glorious. Oh, so glorious.
The guide to living your happiest and healthiest summer is quite simple: focus on the now. Enjoy the stickiness of the ice cream melting down your hand. Lather in the overly salty ocean water as you get swept away by a huge wave, causing sand to enter itself in extremely unwanted places. Enjoy that the weather is on your side. The sun blistering down on your skin, leaving the perfect rosy afterglow under your eyes.
Living in the now sounds harder than it is, I promise. I am someone who LOVES to dwell on the past, “what if I said this, what if I did this.” I am also someone who YEARNS to bring about unnecessary stress and fears into my days by thinking about what is to come. No. You have all the cold Winter months to do that. The Summer season is about being happy with yourself and the place you are currently in.
Take a moment, look around the space you are confined in. List off the fabulous aspects of your life: your career, your family and friends, the adorable dress you’re wearing. Life’s not so bad, is it? Take these next two short months to enjoy all of that glorious goodness and live your happiest and healthiest summer yet.
July: Social Wellness Month
With the month of July on the horizon, it is important to reflect on what this month is truly about. Of course, it is about the freshly sliced watermelon, the hamburgers and hotdogs, and who can forget the 4thof July fireworks. However, surprisingly, July brings about much more than Independence Day for the United States. July is known as social wellness month.
Well, what is social wellness? Take a moment and think about it. Is it going the extramile to be extrasocial this month by asking your old college roommate to lunch? Or is it the complete opposite and having plenty of “you” time. In fact, Social wellness is a little bit of both: nurturing yourself and your relationships. It’s that warm fuzzy feeling of overall happiness – in your mind, body, and spirit. It is about giving and receiving social support and ensuring that you have friends and family to turn to in times of need who will give you a broader focus and positive self-image. We all need those compliments once in a while. Sure, there are millions of things that make us smile and get our endorphins going, by this month go the extra mile.
This month, focus on enhancing your quality of life, providing a buffer against adverse life events such as divorce or even a change in careers.
Deep down, we all know that social wellness is important, but do we really know why? Unbeknown to some, healthy relationships are a vital component of your overall health. We usually associate health with eating well and exercising, yet health also includes our social interactions and connections. The health risks from being alone or isolated without the support and “tough love” from companions are comparable to the risks associate with cigarette smoking and high blood pressure. Shocking, I know. We all tend to become occupied in our lives, ultimately lacking contact with our friends and family. Well, not this month.
July is the perfect time to build stronger social ties with your family and friends and reach out to that old college roommate. This month is all about encouraging to develop better communications and to spend time nurturing our relationships and ourselves. Don’t view this article so much as a lecture but more of a piece of very useful advice. Respect yourself and others and develop a solid social support system.
The Occasional Splurge is very much needed
It’s important to enjoy yourself even in hard times. Have you ever felt heart break? Have you ever just had a really bad day where absolutely nothing seems to be going right? Has there been a once in a lifetime opportunity that you just can’t miss out on? We’ve all been there. You feel trapped in a black hole and you know there’s only one thing you can do to pull yourself out of it: splurge.
Life is short, so we have to make the most of it! Seize the moment, carpe diem, and live a little. A splurge is often an unplanned purchase, especially if that unplanned purchase is of something you don’t need. With the prevailing mindset that every dollar is supposed to be accounted for, splurging can seem like the ultimate bad money management move. But is it? Could splurging actually be a positive thing?
We all have those days where consuming sweets and having a little retail therapy session is the only medication to make ourselves smile. Believe it or not, splurging is actually beneficial. A little pick-me-up here and there is just what the body and mind need to let go and invest in the little things that make us happy.
People spend money they hadn’t planned on spending, and the truth is, that’s really okay. A good, sound financial life is not about denying yourself of all splurges. It’s about finding balance. Splurging can be a wonderous thing. It allows you to enjoy something extra that’s beyond your normal routine, and it is often these little changes in your routine that make life exciting and vibrant.
Splurging is definitely my go-to form of therapy. It’s quite nice to let yourself live a little on the sweets and treats we don’t typically focus on. For me, it’s ice cream and a little retail therapy. For some, it may be jewelry, perfumes, cosmetics and wine or even a spa day. Whatever it is, take that extra cash from your pockets and go splurge. We all need a day of wonderment once in a while.
This is my happy place
Thousands of tiny warm grains seep between my toes, as the scent of the salty air brushes against my nostrils. Seagulls singing symphonies, harmonizing with the crash of the ocean waves. The beach. This is my happy place.
With the modern pressures of careers, money, and personal relationships, you sometimes need to get away from it all, even if it’s just for a short period of time.
A happy place is simply meditation. Think about the thing that makes you feel most rested and revitalized. Is it a comfy pillow, is it being in nature or is it feeling the tiny warm grains of sand between your toes? Maybe it’s the destination of your family lake house or your grandmother’s home that lingers with the sensational scents of freshly baked cookies and her perfume. Your happy place can be an action as well. Taking a calming bath surrounded by candles and music could be your serenity or maybe it’s taking a walk on the block with your beloved golden retriever.
Your happy place is yours. Take the time for yourself to decompress and breathe. Most people are very aware that some “me” time is needed yet stick to feeling overwhelmed with their everyday routine. Don’t just date your happy place, marry it. Meet with it as often as you can.
Anxiety and I have a somewhat close relationship, like it does with most people. I know that the beach is waiting for me. I know that the moment I recline in my chair, stretch out my arms, and smell the combination of suntan lotion and salt water, my sorrows and negative aura will simply wash away with the waves. In those few hours, time will pause. I’ll feel like a child again where the worst of my worries is whether or not I’ll have my turn on the monkey bars during recess. Although our daily dose of stress is healthy, it can become detrimental if we do not take a step back and take some time for ourselves. Find your beach. Find your happy place. Enjoy it. Love it. Never let it go.
Happy Halloween: Mask Style
If you’re staying in to hand out candy (and sip on some Cabernet), you might as well celebrate the 31stin style. Check out some freaky and fabulous facial favorites below, and happy Halloween!
We all love to show off our creative and cute costumes during this time of year, so make sure to snap a selfie in your Halloween inspired mask.
Follow the time instructions on the mask packaging for your skin to receive the full potential of each mask’s benefits.
Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask and Out Of Trouble 10 Minute Mask: Scary Skeleton
With a spooky combination of black and white, these two masks create the ultimate skeleton look. Not only will you look festive but your skin will feel brand new just in time for Halloween night.
For the base of your skeleton look, the Clear ImprovementTMmask is your best friend. This purifying mask will help unclog those backed up pores for a perfectly pure look while the Out of TroubleTMmask with help assist with problems that start to surface. Clear skin with a side of spookiness.
1) Apply a thin layer of the Out Of TroubleTMmask, leaving the areas around your eyes and the tip of your nose mask free.
2) In those areas, apply Clear ImprovementTMto give off that extra spooky vibe.
3) For the finishing touches, add a line of stitches to each cheek, beginning at the corners of your lips all the way up to your ears. A cotton swab is probably your best bet at making clean lines while refraining from a messy mask situation.
Out Of Trouble 10 Minute Mask, Original Skin Retexturizing Mask andClear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask: Cutie Cat
When skin is too-slick or more pressing problems start to pop up, Origins is here to keep skin Out Of TroubleTM! Steer your skin clear of slippery situations, refine rough texture and pull the plug on troublemakers to help prevent potential outbursts by turning yourself into the cutest of cats.
1) Apply Out Of TroubleTMto your entire face except for a little spot on the tip of your nose.
2) Fill in the tip of your nose with our Original SkinTMRetexturizing Mask for the perfect pink cat nose
3) Whisker time! Take a cotton swab and use our Clear ImprovementTMActive Charcoal Mask to create some wicked whiskers.
GinZing Peel Off Mask and Hello, Calm Relaxing & Hydrating Face Mask: Precious Pumpkin
This refreshing peel-off mask is fortified with caffeine from coffee beans, making sure you’re extra energized on Halloween night. Transform yourself into a precious pumpkin, thanks to this tinted orange mask, while helping lift away dull, dead skin plus dirt and debris leaving you looking clear and radiant.
1) Apply a thin layer of our GinZingTMPeel Off Mask, leaving your nose and the upper half of your forehead mask free.
2) Add the illusion of a stem with a hint of greenery to your nose and upper forehead using our Hello, CalmTMRelaxing and Hydrating Face Mask…and there you have it, a precious pumpkin!
GinZing Peel Off Mask, Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask and Original Skin Retexturizing Mask: Candy Corn
Can you name the most popular Halloween candy? Yup, you guessed it…candy corn! Not only do you get to snack on your fall favorite treat, you can actually mold yourself into a piece of this sweetness. First, separate your face into three different sections:
1) Add a layer of the Original SkinTM Retexturizing Mask to the bottom of your chin up to your nostrils.
2) From your nostrils to your eyebrows, add a layer of our GinZingTM Peel Off Mask.
3) To complete the sweetness, add a layer of the Out Of TroubleTM 10 Minute Mask from your eyebrows to your forehead.
Each section represents a different color, aka mask, of the candy corn. You’ll look delicious and your skin will feel delicious too.
Hello, Calm Relaxing & Hydrating Face Mask and Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask: Frightful Frankenstein and or The Wicked Witch
This is the cheese to your wine on Halloween night. This lush, nourishing mask deeply hydrates to calm & soothe skin while also de-stressing your senses with its essential oil blend. Sit back, relax and sip while having a glossy green Frankenstein and or Wicked Witch mask on.
The Clear ImprovementTMmask will assist with adding the details to complete your look. If you choose the Frightful Frankenstein route, make sure to include those stitches and bolts and if you choose The Wicked Witch route, you best be sure to include that lovely mole.
1) Apply a thin layer of our Hello, CalmTM Relaxing and Hydrating Face Mask to your entire face.
2) Frightful Frankenstein: Use a cotton swab to add two circles (bolts) to your temples as well as a stitch line to one cheek using our Clear ImprovementTMActive Charcoal Mask.
3) Wicked Witch: Use a cotton swab with a dollop of the Clear ImprovementTMActive Charcoal Mask to add a witch’s most memorable aspect…the mole right above the left lip. If you’re really feeling the holiday spirit, use your cotton swab to create a thin whisker coming out of the mole. Super ew and eerie!
Original Skin Retexturizing Mask: Day of the Dead
Celebrate Halloween and Day of the Dead with the Original Skin Retexturizing Mask that deep cleans and perfects pores for a naturally flawless look—no filter required when you take that selfie! Use the example below as a reference guide for the application steps:
1) Apply our Original SkinTMRextexturizing Mask, leaving two large ovals around your eyes mask free.
2) On a cotton swab, take our Clear ImprovementTMActive Charcoal Mask to add some finishing details including covering the tip of your nose, adding stitch lines across your lips, and any other charcoal accessory you want!
3) To add a pop of color, and a bit more hydrating and rejuvenation to that beautiful face of yours, put our GinZingTMPeel Off Mask on a cotton swab to add in the center of those flowers and tinted orange decals.
After a long and candy filled night, a great way to remove these playful masks is with our Original SkinTM Cleansing Makeup-Removing Jelly. It’s lightweight gel formula simply melts makeup away, transforming into a milky cleanser, leaving your skin feeling soft as silk.
Have a happy and haunted Halloween!
Staying Healthy and Stress Free During the Holidays
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And by that I mean stressful. Very stressful. Finding the perfect gift for your mother-in-law and or significant other (if you have one) can be quite the challenge. If you don’t have a significant other, you’re just reminded that this holiday season it’s just you…and that’s ok. You just have to get over that hump of realizing that buying presents for yourself is waybetter than buying presents for someone who might return them after you spent hours trying to find the perfect set of pajamas. It’s also that time of year where yes, you get to see and have your cheeks squished by your great aunt Marilyn. But that just means endless questions are on the horizon. Let’s face it, those questions are what we dread most. So during a festive time like this where calories don’t count and Rudolph’s nose is shinier than ever, taking some time to de-stress and truly enjoy the holidays is important. Here’s my cheat sheet to some much needed holiday cheer:
Take a bath
It’s cold outside, there’s snow and ice on the trees, and it looks like a beautiful winter wonderland. Now how beautiful would it be to watch all of that perfection from inside while your body melts away in a warm bubble bath. Light your favorite candles, dim down the lights, add in those bubbles and maybe even a few drops of lavender essential oils. Grab your latest guilty pleasure novel, pour yourself a nice glass of chardonnay and just let the bubbles cover your holiday angst.
Bake festive cookies
The smell of freshly baked cookies brings a smile to everyone’s face. And let’s face it, as much as some people truly dread the holidays, this time of year does provide the yummiest and tastiest baked goods. Check out the recipe for these delicious chocolate dipped peppermint chocolate cookies. (https://www.cookingclassy.com/white-chocolate-dipped-peppermint-chocolate-cookies/)
Read a book
Take an hour or so for yourself and indulge in a new book. Whether it’s a self-love book or a cheesy Christmas romance, it can be nice to emerge yourself into another world for a little while. Put on some comfy sweats, make yourself a cup of hot chocolate with those mini marshmallows floating on top and enjoy.
Watch Hallmark movies where you know the ending is always a happily ever after
My guilty pleasure during the holidays is no other than the corny Hallmark movies that take over cable and Netflix. As predictable as these movies are, you know you’ll leave the television room smiling because these endings always consist of a happily ever after. The cheerful holiday music, the perfectly fallen snow, and who can forget about Mr. Prince Charming sweeping Cinderella off her feet. Pop that popcorn, pour yourself a glass of wine, bring out the tray of freshly baked festive cookies and watch as the most predictable love story unfolds.
Exercise
Holiday weight is a real thing my friends. It begins during Thanksgiving and carries over into New Years. What a joyful time! Although it may be cold outside, and all you want to do is curl up in a ball and never leave your warm bed, a little exercise can be everything you’re looking for this season. Not only will you feel like you just shed seven batches of cookies and chocolate Santa’s, your mind will be thanking you. Exercising not only burns calories, it releases endorphins which will help turn that holiday frown upside down. I understand how easy it is to feel not so wonderful at this most wonderful time of the year, but with a few sit-ups and a good 15-minute jog on the treadmill, you’ll feel much better.
Indulge yourself
Like I said, buying presents for your friends, family, in-laws, pets, hairdresser, doctor, you name it, is not easy nor cheap. You walk in just about every store and picture how great you would look in that new lipstick shade, or how great that handbag would go with your black sweater. Well, this year, it’s ok to indulge and splurge on yourself. By all means buy yourself that lipstick and better yet, wrap it up in that sparkly wrapping paper that your mother hates because it gets all over her hands. You deserve some holiday happiness and what better way to do so than retail therapy.
Have a dance party
Ok so if your mother is anything like mine, Christmas music will be playing in her car for the next 2 months. As many times as you’ve heard Frosty the Snowmanand as stuck as it is in your head, you might as well make the most of it. And by that, I mean throw yourself a dance party. You know that saying “dance like nobody’s watching”? Well, now is your time to shine and bust a move. Grab your mother, if you dare to, and whisk her away for some good ole disco dancing. You’ll find yourself rolling on the floor with laughter and belting out like Frank Sinatra…trust me.
We all know the holidays can be a bittersweet time. You love the energy and cheerfulness they stand for, but you’re also not so fond about the stress and anxiety and overspending and questions from your in-laws and maybe not having a significant other to share it with. So, instead of ruminating on all of that, check some of these activities off of your holiday cheat sheet to happiness.