Infusion Fusion! ~ Aromatic Traditions, Elmira NY

Infusion Fusion ~ October 26, 2012…  a Celebration & a perfectly balanced experience for all of my senses at  Aromatic Traditions located in Elmira, NY. This special evening & event marked the launch of Aromatic Traditions first retail natural perfume called – Awakened Heart. 

A night for the senses indeed 🙂 –  in addition to experiencing this beautiful natural perfume, there was live music by Ash Grove,  an open studio & demo by local glass artist Jen Zitcov, infused cocktails & lemonade, apothecary glass jars filled with plump red raspberries & alcohol & another filled with the bright greens of Thai basil…

Shelves were filled with Aromatic Traditions product line – from body bars, to face serums, lip care, & infused oils, ahhhh 🙂 all perfectly packaged & created from local resources and done so by Aromatic Traditions creator, Susan Lewis Varga.  Aromatic Traditions began in 1999 & is located on 40 acres of wildflowers, herb gardens, & ancient forest in rural Pennsylvania, & is currently located in Elmira, NY.  Susan’s passion for quality, hand picked, and fresh materials is evident in her hand blended product line.  I found myself enjoying the way the products looked, smelled, the dancing, the glowing candles, and sipping on my pomegranate lemonade infused with rose water… Infusion!!!   Such a fantastic night!

The star of the evening was the natural perfume, Awakened Heart, which is a beautiful grounded floral perfume with notes of Rose Damask, Pink Lotus, Ruh Khus (Wild Vetiver), French Vanilla, Litsea Cubeba, cold pressed Lime, Pink Pepper, & fresh Raspberry Infused Alcohol.

This was my first natural perfume experience & it was amazing to me how the perfume takes on your own personal essence.  Susan’s vision with Awakened Heart, is to offer an experience to open & ground your heart with warm & comforting scents.  In addition to the perfume release, Aromatic Traditions is offering a personalized perfume special for $125, that runs through 12/31/21012. The special includes a personalized perfume session with Susan and a custom bead created by Jen Zitcov & with 5% of the proceeds going to support  Heart to Heart of the Southern Tier.

Two products I couldn’t walk away without that evening, were the Revive ~ Vegan Lip Shimmer & the Energize ~ Citrus & Calendula Salve.  The lip shimmer goes on so smoothly with just a subtle shimmer, it’s long lasting and doesn’t have that sticky glossy feel that I find in a lot of lip products… Love it!  I also have been using the Citrus & Calendula Salve all week!  I can’t get enough of its energizing scent, which is so refreshing this time of year.  It is luxurious, leaves my skin silky soft and glowing, but not greasy.  I appreciate the fresh, certified organic & vegan ingredients. A little goes a long way and I am using it on my hands & body… a new favorite product for me!

For more information about Aromatic Traditions, call, email or check out their website –

• 607-742-7384
• AromaticTraditions@gmail.com
• http://aromatictraditions.com

Products are also available for purchase at Skyland Farms on Seneca Lake, Burdett, NY & Emerge Spa in Wellsboro,PA…coming soon to Sundrees, Trumansburg, NY, & Green Star Market in Ithaca, NY.  Great gift ideas & clean LOCAL products to start incorporating into your body, face, & wellness routines.  Amazing & Inspiring Evening.  Thank You Aromatic Traditions!

Love Your Lower Body Pedicure ~ August Moon Spa

A pedicure has been on my to do list for myself for awhile,  but I was also in the mood for a little pampering 🙂  I came upon a pedicure service I couldn’t pass up offered at August Moon Spa at La Tourelle Resort – Ithaca, NY.

Their Love Your Lower Body pedicure sounded so lovely 🙂 A 60 minute pedicure that starts with a detoxifying seaweed soak, followed by a peppermint sugar scrub and mint foot mask.

This was my first visit to La Tourelle Resort & August Moon Spa.  When I checked in for my appointment, I was offered a choice of music to listen to during my session which I appreciated ~ Classical to Asian inspired.   I was taken from their  lobby after checking in to one of their Tranquility Rooms which offered dim lighting, cozy couches & chaise’s, and a fire place which seemed so inviting for the beginning of the fall season.  Cool water and tea were also available in the Tranquility Room.

I was taken from the Tranquility Room to the room for my pedicure.  The  room was small and private with bamboo floors, Asian decor, one chair for the pedicure and the music of my choice softly playing in the background.  The pedicure chair seemed standard to me with the option of a “massage” in the back for added relaxation.

I did not notice a seaweed product in the water while I soaked… It’s possible that is was added to the water, but the water seemed clear and there was no added scent or feeling that I experienced during my soak that made me feel that it was anything other than just water.  (I was so excited for the foot mask that I overlooked this part of my service and forgot to ask the technician after my service what product, if any was used – sorry!)

Details, details 🙂  I really appreciated the detailed work by my nail technician on my heels, cuticles, and nails.  She was thorough yet gentle.  She then scrubbed my feet with a peppermint sugar scrub (It was applied just to my feet ~ relaxing, but I personally would have enjoyed the scrub further up onto my lower leg in addition to my feet)  The scrub was followed by their warm mint foot mask.  The mask was  thick and luxurious and my feet were wrapped in warm steamed towels while the mask set.

Following the mask came color!!! – August Moon Spa offered  OPI & China Glaze polishes. I chose Schnapps Out of It (A peachy/salmon color) and my technician offered a little sparkle over this color for a little more fun – because I am just not ready to say good bye to summer!!

I was completely relaxed after my pedicure & my toes looked so cute!  Overall, I don’t feel like the mask or scrub make an impact on the smoothness of my feet or on the skin on the top of my foot, but the added bonus did feel nice.  My Love Your Lower Body Pedicure was $70 and I look forward to trying other services offered at August Moon Spa.

How about some DIY Beauty??? Summer Pick for SMOOTH legs – COCONUT OIL!!!

The benefits of coconut oil  keep popping up in my reading, not only for cooking, but for skin care.  I added it to my shopping list this week and decided to try it with shaving first.  I haven’t used a chemical shaving gel in some time, and typically use a hair conditioner for shaving.  The conditioner actually works just fine, but with this summer heat, swimming, wearing dresses… I wanted my legs to look and feel a little smoother!

WOW – coconut oil!!!!

I felt the difference in the shave immediately.  My razor glided over my skin so easily, no razor bumps, and smooth moisturized skin, long after I was out of the shower!!

Why coconut oil??? Well, it’s free of harsh chemicals, moisturizes the skin well, and has the added benefits of antiseptic and antifungal properties.  Antiseptic fatty acids in coconut oil help to prevent fungal and bacterial infections in the skin when it is consumed and to some extent, when it is applied directly to the skin. Coconut oil contains at least 3 antioxidants: vitamin E, Phenol, & Phytosteroll.

Coconut oil made my skin soft, without feeling greasy.  I’m also looking forward to trying this coconut oil hair treatment:

• Take a tablespoon of coconut oil and put it in your palm. In case of a white solid fat, you need to rub it with both palms until it melts into the oil.
• Gently massage your hair with coconut oil (do it while your hair is dry).
• Leave it for 30 minutes or more (better for 1 hour).
• Then shampoo it as usual (follow with conditioner if you want).
• Rinse it out.
• 2 – 3x/week

Its best to look for USDA Organic coconut oils as they are not refined bleached or deodorized, and in this pure virgin form, it retains the health natural to coconuts including the medium chain fatty acids and the 50% lauric acid now recognized as highly beneficial. Prices: typically $12 for 15oz USDA organic coconut oil… but check your local speciality stores!!

Smoooooooooth…

What are  your experiences with coconut oil? 🙂

Summer “Up Do” at Jazz Hair & Make Up Studio, Corning, NY

Summer is here!!!

All of those great summer event’s are starting to line up – weddings, showers, dinner by the lake… ahhhhh. 🙂  It’s nice to take a time out every so often from trying to pull together a hairstyle on these hot summer days and sweating away in your bathroom! 😉  Its also nice to step away from traditional go to moves for summer hair ~ just pulling it back into a ponytail, braid, or bun…

I decided to try Jazz Hair & Makeup Studio  in Corning, NY last week for a special “up do”.  I wanted something natural looking, yet classy.  My hair stylist, Sherry Moisson suggested I bring in a couple of pictures of what I had in mind…  45 minutes later I was out the door and feeling like a new woman!  The style was exactly what I wanted  and held through the entire evening without feeling like a cement block – just the right amount of  hold with hair spray and the rest was accomplished with bobby pins.  When I took the bobby pins out at the end of the night, I was left with beautiful curls and waves.  I was actually able to pull off  the “post event hair do”  into the next day as a casual beachy look 🙂 Yay!

                                     

Jazz Hair & Make Up Studio is located on the corner of Market Street and Cedar Ave in Corning, NY.  I have been admiring their large windowed corner storefront for awhile and I was excited to go into the studio to see what they had to offer. Hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, almost floor to ceiling mirrors and touches of retro glam throughout!  I was offered a tall glass of cool water while I was in the chair and enjoyed the breeze, brightness of the studio, and a little people watching on Market Street while I was being pampered.

My special occasion up do was $65.

Thank You Sherry & Jazz Hair & Make Up Studio!!!

 

Jazz Hair & Make Up Studio

52 E Market St.

Corning, NY 14830

607.936.4836

http://www.jazzhairandmakeup.com

 

VIBRANT LIFE YOGA – Horseheads, NY… $10/10 DAYS UNLIMITED YOGA for NEWBIES :)

Vibrant Life Yoga in Horseheads, NY is offering 10 DAYS OF UNLIMITED YOGA for $10 if you are NEW to Vibrant Life Yoga.

I couldn’t miss signing up for this great offer!  I am really looking forward to my first class in the studio this Sunday at 7:00PM for their Candlelight Flow Class. (A vinyasa style class set to the glow of lights)  Yay!  I can’t wait to try some of the other amazing classes they offer.

Scheduling a class is easy on  Vibrant Life Yoga‘s website, but you can also contact them at

607-738-1588

or

info@VLyoga.com

They are also offering some great ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPECIALS as well for the remainder of the month of June:

1 month unlimited yoga $59 (34% savings)
25% off the 5 and 10 class passes
(*does not apply to already discounted student rates)

VIBRANT LIFE YOGA is located at:

117 W Franklin St  Horseheads, NY 14845

Norabloom Beauty Lounge – Ithaca, NY ~ Amazing Facial Experience!!!!! :)

My skin looks and feels – AMAZING after my first facial at  Norabloom Beauty Lounge in Ithaca, NY!!!

I am incredibly  happy with the results after the Signature, 90 minute Facial I received from licensed Aesthetician and Makeup Artist, Holly Green… In fact, I think my skin has improved everyday since the facial which was 5 days ago, and not only the skin on my face, but on my neck and decollate as well.  Think – smooth, glowing, clean and smaller looking pores – YES!

I walked into the Norabloom Beauty Lounge and found myself with an instant smile.  The waiting area is welcoming and decorated beautifully with touches of femininity everywhere.. soft browns and greens on the walls and window treatments, a light breeze & sunshine coming in from the open door with lovely fresh potted flowers, and a perfectly set up product/retail area, – I love products! So I was sucked into this area right away admiring Holly’s neatly organized product line, Norabloom Botanicals.  This natural product line is petroleum-free & paraben free, uses no artificial colors, and contains primarily organic ingredients.

Holly took me from her waiting area into the treatment room and offered me the choice of  a cool carrot juice shot or a cool green smoothie shot – Yum 🙂  The rooms cozy atmosphere and music offer a instant disconnect from the world outside, allowing my relaxation journey to begin!

I crawled under the soft blankets and sheets on to the heated table and into my cocoon for the next 90 minutes.  Holly’s application of products during the facial is done with great intention and she is detailed and thorough with her technique throughout.  During my facial I experienced the amazing scents of Norabloom Botanical skin care products, warm moist towels to remove products and a steam that was perfectly positioned over my face – I find sometimes that the steam can seem overwhelming with my breathing if it is too close.  Her extractions were effective, but not painful, and i really appreciated the special attention to my lips with the Babelicious Lip Balm.

Holly sent me into an even deeper state of relaxation with massage to my neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and feet during my face mask.  I also appreciated the invigorating and detailed face and scalp massage.  After your service, Holly emails you an overview of your personal Norabloom experience that includes products used in your service and recommendations for follow up sessions… I loved this individual attention!  It allowed me to just be, after my service,… I didn’t have to focus on what she recommended or what was used, I just enjoyed being pampered and my relaxation.

As I got dressed I noticed a small card on the table with a quote from Gandhi that said “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”  Holly clearly demonstrates her passion for pampering and caring for you during your individual Beauty Lounge experience at Norabloom Beauty Lounge.    I left feeling well from the inside – out and gained a true sense of peace and relaxation, plus great looking skin!

Thank You Holly ~ Norabloom Beauty Lounge!!!

 

Norabloom Beauty Lounge is located at

 313 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850.

Phone:  607-592-8222
Email: norabloomskincare@yahoo.com

You can also book your appointment online!!

My 90 minute Signature Facial cost $115, and prices for facials range from $50 to $165.  Massage therapy, waxing, and other services are available as well! – Please check out the Norabloom Beauty Lounge  website for a complete list of services, products, information.

Cayuga Waterfront Trail – A Relaxing & Beautiful Stroll along Cayuga Lake :)

I am approaching my one year mark for living here in the Finger Lakes :)… Last summer and fall I noticed walkers, bikers, and rollerbladers using a trail along Cayuga Lake.  Spring is here,  but I still hadn’t explored this trail and what it had to offer.  This trail is called the Cayuga Waterfront Trail and made for a lovely afternoon stroll along beautiful Cayuga Lake and Cass Park in  Ithaca, NY.

After visiting the Ithaca Farmers Market yesterday, I decided to check out the Waterfront Trail while my fiance helped our friend paint his sailboat and get it ready for sailing this summer!

I accessed the 2 mile loop around Cass Park along the southwestern shore of Cayuga Lake.  This part of the trail was completed in 2003.  It was really pleasant yesterday for me to be able to take in the beauty of Cayuga Lake and see the happiness in the people who were utilizing the trail on this holiday weekend.

The paved, 10 foot wide Waterfront trail around Cass Park and along the Cayuga lake waterfront is maintained very well, offers mile markers along the trail, benches that overlook the lake, and the Cass Park setting.  Cass Park is lovely and has a swimming pool, four tennis courts, twenty athletic fields, playgrounds, and a large picnic pavilion!  You will also pass the Ithaca Children’s Garden on the trail which is home of the giant turtle Gaia!  It’s really wonderful to see such a beautiful park and trail system that offers so much to our community. There were several people enjoying picnics and taking in the beauty of the lake yesterday.

The Cayuga Waterfront trail is under development and when complete will be a six mile, multi use trail.  In addition to the two mile Cass Park loop, there is also a completed 1.7 mile connector between Stewart Park and the Farmers Market. This section of the trail was completed in 2010.  The section of the trail that is under development will be a 1.5 mile stretch linking the existing trail in Cass Park to the Ithaca Farmers Market.

It’s wonderful to see the initiative to create this trail system along beautiful Cayuga Lake which promotes an active lifestyle and access to the waterfront. You can learn more about the development of the trail on the Cayuga Waterfront Trail website as well as access maps of the trail and parking information.

Looking forward to getting on the Waterfront trail again soon!

Keep Moving and Stay Active! 🙂

SELF MANAGEMENT TOOL BOX: Roleo – Roll Your Pain Away!

This weeks self management tool, Roleo,  is one of my FAVORITES! I am so thankful for this tool as it has helped the longevity of my career as a massage therapist.

The Roleo can also help YOU if you if you use your hands for a living and help keep your hands, wrists, and forearms feeling well with all of the upcoming summer activities like golf, tennis, gardening, paddling, etc!

Just over a year ago I developed a “bump” on a tendon in my dominant hand.  I had pain, inflammation, and difficulty with basic activities.   In addition to the bump, the wrist flexors in my forearm were extremely tight, tender, and fatigued. It felt as though after 12 years, my massage career would be coming to an end.  I saw a hand specialist and was diagnosed with flexor tendonitis.  In conjunction with my doctors plan of rest, stretching, cutting back on clients, and managing the inflammation with ice  etc., I tried massaging my forearm with my left hand… Well this just wasn’t effective enough for me – I was starting to get fatigue in my left forearm because I was compensating for my right arm!! I needed massage, but couldn’t see my massage therapist every week!  What to do…… ROLEO!!!

My brother in law-to-be introduced me to the Roleo.  He works as a scientific glass blower and had also experienced fatigue & pain in his forearms and hands. Seeing his massage therapist on a regular basis was just not enough.

The Roleo allows you to have a firm and specific massage for your forearms, wrists and hands and helps alleviate any symptoms you may have from repetitive activities in your home or office.   It is easy to use  and requires no batteries or electricity.  It reminds me of putting my arm between two rolling pins!  There is a pressure gauge on the top of the product so you can increase or decrease the amount of pressure you feel comfortable with during your Roleo massage! I use the Roleo after working with a client, after a round of golf, or whenever I feel my forearms, wrists, & hands need some TLC.  It has made such a difference and I don’t experience any pain in my hand or forearms anymore!

The Roleo was developed by licensed massage therapist, Paul Klieman.  You can read his testimonial and how Roleo was developed at http://www.rollyourpainaway.com. There is also a wonderful instructional video and detailed written instructions on the website to show you how to use the Roleo.

You can order the Roleo at  www.rollyourpainaway.com.  I have seen it priced between $27 and $30.  It can also be found at:

– GAIAM (gaiam.com)
– Massage Warehouse (massagewarehouse.com)
– Bodywork Emporium stores in Southern California, and other retailers.
– Amazon.com (search: Roleo Massager)

Happy Rolling Everyone!!!

EcoTools® – Quality Make Up Brushes – Earth Friendly Beauty

New make up brushes have been on my shopping list for awhile now and I didn’t feel like braving the mall or the make up counter yesterday.  I remembered aesthetician, Holly Green recommending a product line called EcoTools^®  at her holistic skin care talk… So, I stopped into a Walgreens and I was pleasantly surprised to find the EcoTools^®  brand and pay under $15 for their Bamboo 6 piece brush set!!

Blush brush

Eye shading brush

Angled eyeliner brush

Concealer brush

Lash & Brow groomer

Hemp & cotton case

 

Ok, I was skeptical at first too, as I have been guilty of spending over $60 for a makeup brush in the past, but I had to try them out and I am so pleased!  The angled eyeliner brush was precise with its application, yet soft enough that it didn’t pull at the skin under my lashes. The other brushes not only felt nice while applying, but made the application of my blush, eyeshadow, and concealer look great too. 🙂

As I said, these brushes are incredibly soft and also 100% cruelty free.  The brushes are made out of bamboo, recycled aluminum ferrules, and synthetic taklon for the brushes bristles.  So what makes taklon better and what exactly is taklon???

Taklon is a synthetic material and unlike animal hair bristles, does not have a hair cuticle for makeup, dead skin cells, and other contaminants to build up on the bristles.  The hair cuticle allows bacteria to grow on your brushes making them unsanitary… Taklon has antibacterial properties, making it better for your skin.

1% of EcoTools annual sales are donated to 1% For The Planet^®, an alliance of businesses committed to leveraging their resources to create a healthier planet.  EcoTools^®  website is fun to navigate and offers beauty tips and tutorials, a link to their blog, and information on their collection which ranges from cosmetic brushes to eco conscious bath tools.  I am looking forward to trying more of their products!

You can also purchase  EcoTools^®  products locally at  Norabloom Beauty Lounge located at 313 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850

Enjoy! 🙂

Spa Day Pass at Rasa Spa – Ithaca, NY

Ahhhhh yes, WELLNESS.  I received a $5 Spa Day Pass at the Holistic Skin Care Talk that I attended last week at RASA SPA.  The Spa Day Pass is one of Rasa’s options for wellness and includes time to rest in the Tranquility Room, use of their sauna, showers and use of the Meditation Alcove.  Sign me up!

I was near Ithaca, NY  last Thursday & decided to call Rasa to see if I could  use my Spa Day Pass…  They were able to accomodate me immediately – yessss!!!

Again, the staff at Rasa was wonderful. I was shown around the areas I was able to utilize in the spa for the day. They provided a locker & key for my clothes, etc and I donned the terry cloth lined Boca Terry robe which was soooo cozy and wahlaa!!  Let the relaxation begin.  It is amazing how relaxed you can feel when you just step out of your normal routine and into a serine environment.

I decided to use the cedar sauna first.  The sauna was clean, spacious, and was heated with a McCoy Sauna heater.  A pitcher of cool water with orange slices was right outside the door so I was able to hydrate while I steamed 🙂

Rasa offers EO^® products in their showers.  This was my first experience with this product line, and it was lovely!  EO^® is a family owned and operated, Certified Organic Manufacturer of personal care products using the highest grade natural and certified organic ingredients.  I enjoyed the French lavender body wash, citrus shampoo & conditioner which were so refreshing after the sauna.  Lavender can sometimes be an overwhelming smell to me, but EO’s product was made so nicely.

I finished my time at Rasa in the Tranquility room.  I brought my book, got cozy on the chaise lounge chair and read for 15 minutes peacefully before I went back out into the world.

This experience left me feeling refreshed, happy, and just… well 🙂  Rasa’s Spa Day Pass is $20 and I would absolutely recommend this experience if you need some time to just ~ be.