Seven Ways to Sexy | Smell Good Spa™

You know I am all about women being whole in every aspect of their lives, and self-care is a part of that complete package.

The other day on G+, my social friend Dahila DeWinters shared one of her great blog posts. Immediately, I knew I had to share with my readers. So, I sent her a quick message on Facebook, to invite her to come and share this with you. This post fits right into the live good.feel good.smell good.™ experience.  Let me know if you do or will do any of these tips. Hopefully #3 is a tip you do already. ;o)


Seven Ways to Sexy
by Dehila DeWinters

I must admit the cooler days are a welcome relief after the sweltering days of summer that we just went through up here in NJ.  This is the time of year where the makeup colors change and it’s time for a fresh fall start.

Though I am a woman of a certain age, with three children and a rescue dog, I try to keep things hopping when it comes to feeling, well, feminine.  While driving a mini-van and making lunches may not seem like the optimal way to seem sexy, it’s not always about what’s on the outside.

Let me share my seven ways to sexy with you.

1) Wear a vibrant color.  I’m an Aries and my power color is red.  If you don’t believe in astrology, pick a bright fall color and wear the heck out of it.  It doesn’t have to be a shirt.  Try an bright orange scarf as an accent around your neck, red jeweled earrings or a hairband in a bright color.

2) Smile.  I’m not talking about a cheesy grin.  Smile like you’ve got a secret, like you’re on your way to a rendezvous with your favorite fantasy (whoever that might be).  Too many people walk around frowning.  Stand out with that little Mona Lisa smile on your face.

3) Wear a new scent.  No, don’t drench yourself in perfume.  Try a body oil, which gives a subtle smell that changes and warms with your body temperature.

4) Make a change.  If you don’t wear makeup, pick one item to try, such as a new lip gloss color, a different color eyeshadow or even a new tinted moisturizer.  If you’re a makeup maven, try a color that you’ve always wanted to try.

5) Invest in a good bra.  I know you’ve heard it a million times but a lot of women walk around wearing the wrong sized bra.  I’ll let you in on a secret.  A good fitting bra is the basics of feeling and looking good.  When you can throw your shoulders back and the gals are supported….nothing like it. Good posture is always sexy.

6) Splurge on expensive tights.  I love the cooler weather because I can stock up on tights.  I’m a huge fan of Spanx….and not just because of the name.

7) Listen to sexy music.  Whatever floats your boat here. Prince, Barry White, Hall and Oates, Fiona Apple….it’s wide open.  Pick a playlist that gives you that lovin’ feeling and enjoy!

What are some ways that you give yourself a pick me up?  Tell Dahila...  List ‘em in the comments!

Dahila DeWinters is an erotic and sensual multicultural romance author published with Liquid Silver Books, Evernight Publishing, Mocha Memoirs Press, Amira Press and Sugar and Spice Press. You can visit her at dahiladewinters.com


Be Whole,

{Tip} "I really don't like that vacuum cleaner bag smell." | Smell Good Spa™

My longtime social bud, Dahlia DeWinters, tagged me on Facebook the other day. So of course I want to share this tip with you.

Woman of the house, do you sometimes find yourself hating to vacuum, because of that yucky smell that blows out from the vacuum bag? Shep over at Lifehacker gives an easy peasy tip on how to have an aromatherapy experience while vacuuming.

If you have our Signature Fragrance Oil (ahem, if not, why don't you?), you can also use it for that method. And as one commenter suggested, a few drops of our fragrance blends can be added to the bag, too.

Hope you find this tip useful.


Aromatically,

Wife to Wife, Have You Buffed Your Booty Today? | Smell Good Spa™

Stop! If you are a woman entrepreneur working from home, and your husband works outside of the home; a wife and husband dynamic duo working from home together; or a stay-at-home mom, whatever you do....don't stop looking inviting.

Wait. I have a business to operate, children to tend to. You mean to tell me that I need to look good for this man too?! Actually, you need to look good for yourself; Give your man something to appreciate.

It's very easy to lose interest in your appearance when you work from home. Don't go there.  A good man (not to be confused with an adult male) will almost never bring up the change in the effort his woman puts into her appearance.  But, when she embraces that sexiness again, he can't help but notice.  Here are ways to keep your sexy, and to continue being THE eye candy for your husband.

• Change Up Your Gear - Sweatpants can be sexy, but, if you're wearing that same black pair, that's borderlining gray.... Um, yeah.  Pair knit leggings with a racerback tank, and take notice of the gleam in his eyes when he walks through the door, or, his boy-like glances throughout the day. Not only are knit leggings comfortable for you, they also accentuate those curves he admires; Racerback tanks showoff the entire area of your kissable shoulders. Add knit skirts and knit dresses into the change-up mix too.
• Length Doesn't Matter - Long hair, short hair, dreadlocks, afro, straight hair, low cut.... It doesn't matter how you wear your hair. But, what does matter is how nice it looks to him. For ease and style, accessories are excellent for adorning the hair.  There's no need to try out a new hairstyle everyday. Besides, would you have the time?  Decorative hair clips, barrettes, bandanas, and stunning headbands are simple ways to showoff your womanly beauty.
• Buff The Booty! - Come on wives - you know that love taps on the butt are a daily show of affection. Why not keep it smooth for that wind down time?  *Wink*  Create a husband-only zone by using a sugar scrub to keep the skin on the booty and thighs buffed, and smooth to the touch. 

Wives, do you ever find yourself taking care of everything and everyone else, forgetting that you're a woman oozing with femininity, fun, flirt, and sensuality?  What do you do to keep your sexiness, and to continue being THE eye candy for your husband?



Be whole,

3 Olfactory Methods for Your Home this Autumn | Smell Good Spa™

Aromatic incense smoke dancing before my eyes, the sweet throw of fragrance sailing beneath my nose - harmonizing with the fragrant air of transition.  Welcome to autumn.

The first sign of mild temperatures and a lingering breeze, always prompts me to open up the windows.  Fragrance abounds in my home, but there's something special about the autumn air catching a scent and carrying it from downstairs to upstairs; room to room.  My mind, heart and soul feel a heighten sense of peace, joy and "welcome".  Experience that.  

Try one or all three, wholesome methods to aromatically welcome autumn into your home.  

1. Signature Fragrance Oil- Use this Di-Propylene Glycol (DPG)-free and alcohol-free product in an oil burner.  Place the oil burner in one location, the fragrance will travel to the adjacent rooms.  Inhale.  Enjoy.  Relax. 
2. Signature Hand-Dipped Incense- Dipped in our concentrated, signature fragrances, hand-dipped incense are perfect olfactory bliss for the entire home.  One stick can do that -- 11" for 1 hour of pure pleasure, and a lasting, sweet after-burn. Or 19" for 3 hours of the same enjoyment.  Inhale.  Enjoy.  Relax. 
3. Green Tea Medley Melts or Indonesia Melts - Soy Melts are best for scenting more intimate areas. Use to fragrant the guest-bathroom and bedroom.  Soy wax infused with our concentrated, signature fragrances.  Inhale.  Enjoy.  Relax. 

Need recommendations for autumn scents?  It'll be my pleasure.
Email me: itiel(at)smellgoodspa(dot)com.

Aromatically,

Still Sniffing Out If Natural Deodorant Is For You? | Smell Good Spa™

The Huffington Post link directed me to Erica Cheung's personal story about running out of her antiperspirant, opting to purchase a natural deodorant, and what her experience was with it the days after.  SN: Isn't it funny how we call antiperspirant "deodorant"?  Deodorant neutralizes odor.  Antiperspirant prevents sweating.  I enjoyed reading about Erica's experience, my favorite part was this: After the fourth day of wearing the deodorant, I stopped noticing the manly scent and realized that I smelled of nothing -- not B.O. or "Fresh." I appreciated this because I could wear my perfume without smelling like the perfume floor of a department store. I also noticed that I wasn't sweating as much, and when I did sweat I didn't smell like sweat. Many folks think natural products will showoff their benefits instantaneously, not all will.  I had to even learn that wasn't the case.  I am glad that Erica did not give up on the first day.  Natural products work, just give it time (when it permits).  When it comes to natural deodorant, your body has to adapt to not getting that antiperspirant boost.

Should I look into natural deodorant if I am prescribed an antiperspirant?

If you are prescribed an antiperspirant, more than likely natural deodorant will not benefit you.  We infuse many absorbing ingredients into our deodorant.  However, as noted, it depends on body chemistry for their effectiveness.  Someone who is prescribed an antiperspirant usually is a heavy sweater.  Don't feel badly if you cannot come on board with natural-deodorant users.  Use what's best for you, what makes you feel comfortable.  If you can use natural deodorant without any adverse reactions, then you need to see me.  We've been told by several customers that our natural deodorant works better than major brands purchased in stores. 

Can I wear natural deodorant during the hotter months?

You sure can!  For additional absorbency, use a natural, talc-free deodorant powder with the natural deodorant.

Dancing the night away?  Are you the Keynote speaker at an event?

You just might want to use antiperspirant for that time, and return to your natural deodorant the next day.

Also, natural deodorant works best on clean pits.  

I am proud to create a quality product that many have been able to use successfully.  Our customers that use our natural deodorant are fitness enthusiasts, dancers, moms and their daughters, military men,  and teenage boys (Read that.  It's so cute, and it made me feel good.).

Will you be willing to take the challenge like Erica?  

If you are a natural-deodorant wearer, tell me what you like about it in the comments. 

Aromatically,

Tip:How Do I Savor My Body Scrub? | Smell Good Spa™

Body Scrubs and Body Polishes are win-win products. Slough off dead skin cells, seal in the moisture with the natural oils, and if you have a Smell Good Spa™ body polish, you're walking away smelling good, too! Three steps in one product, plus, there's no need to lotion up afterwards! See, told ya, win-win.

Here's a useful tip, to help you get the most indulgence from your body scrub.

Although fun, convenient and effective, many women can't figure out how to savor their exfoliants. The next time you're out shopping, pick up a pair of exfoliating gloves. You can find a pair of those textured gloves in the bath section.  Now, when you hop into the tub (or shower) for your spa-at-home time, slide on your gloves, grab a quarter-size amount (per body part) of polish out of the jar, and start massaging. The gloves will assist the exfoliant in removing dead skin cells and the oil will spread.

Another Helpful Tip:
Do not overuse your body scrubs or body polishes. These products should be used no more than 3 times per week.


Have Fun!

In need of wholesome exfoliants that'll leave you smelling good?  Check them out here.

How often do you remove dead cells from you skin?


Be Whole,

What's The Difference? Moisturizer/Emollient | Smell Good Spa™

Do you know the difference between a moisturizer and an emollient?  

• Moisturizer- Something that adds moisture to skin.

What are moisturizers in bath and body products?

Aloe Vera Juice

Water

Moisturizers are lotions and creams, and the skin benefits most when those products are applied throughout the day, and at night. 

• Emollient- Something that softens the skin. Something that protects the skin. A term used to describe single ingredients, however, the finished product is called "moisturizer".

What are emollients in bath and body products?
Nut Butter, Fruit Butter
Plant Oil, Fruit Oil, Nut Oil

Emollients are better known as body butters; body balms; after-bath oils. Those products are excellent to use after bathing/showering. Emollients attract moisture to your skin and retain moisture in your skin.

Natural emollients work best on skin that is hydrated from the inside out. So...drink plenty of h2o and eat "live"green vegetables.

To Your Health!

live good.feel good.smell good.™

Pure Body Balm

Be Whole,

Tip: Oral Hygiene

Tooth Powder Recipe

Promote healthier gums and teeth, prevent bad breath, and save money by making your own toothpaste (powder).

This recipe is based on what I like, you can modify the measurements and oils if you wish. I also like to use Cinnamon oil. These ingredients should be readily available at any health food store.

3 tbsp Baking Soda (cleaner)
1 tbsp Sea Salt (abrasive and "whitener")
1/8 tsp or 1/4 tsp Myrrh Gum-ground (bacteria fighter)
7 drops Tea Tree Oil (bacteria fighter)
7 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil (freshener)

Store ingredients in a container or small bottle.


How to use:
Place a nickel-sized amount of powder into the palm of your hand. Dampen toothbrush and dip it into the powder. Brush and rinse.

Initially you may be taken back by the taste, but your mouth will feel fresh, and the ingredients are very effective.

Tip: Castor Oil Packs

Castor Oil is used a lot in the products that I create. I love it! Not only are the healing properties superior when applied topically, but when absorbed into the skin the body's lymphatic tissue benefits too! I've taken this excerpt from an online article that I enjoyed reading. If you, or someone you know, are suffering from edema, arthritis, boils, hyperactivity, colon problems, etc, the castor oil packs could be beneficial.

Castor Oil Packs

One of the most useful and least utilized methods of using castor oil is to employ packs. Packs are an economical and efficient method of absorbing the ricinoleic acid and other healing components of castor oil directly into body tissues. (The following basic procedure was outlined in several of the readings of Edgar Cayce.)

To make a castor oil pack you will need the following items: cold pressed castor oil, a standard heating pad, a plastic garbage bag, two or three one-foot square pieces of wool or cotton flannel and one large bath towel.

1. Start by placing the heating pad on a flat surface and turn the setting to high.

2. On top of the pad lay the plastic garbage bag. Next, soak the flannel pieces with castor oil generally about 1/2 cup) and lay them on top of the garbage bag and heating pad.

3. The entire pack can now be placed against the body with the oil-soaked flannel on the skin. For general conditions the pack should be placed on the abdomen. (For treating lower back problems, the pack can be placed there.) To help hold the pack in place and to keep oil from getting on bedding, etc., the body can be wrapped in a large bath towel.

4. The pack should remain in place for at least one hour and the temperature of the heating pad should be kept at the highest temperature tolerable to the patient.

5. When you remove the pack, the remaining oil can be massaged into the skin or cleaned off using a little soda water made from 1 quart of warm water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.

6. The flannel can be reused if stored properly after removing the pack. Put the flannel in either a plastic bag or zip-loc container and place it in the refrigerator. Before using it next time let it warm up and always add another 1 or 2 tablespoons of fresh cold pressed castor oil. (After a month of use I would recommend using new flannel.)

Conditions Responding to Castor Oil Packs

Due to the many effects of its fatty acid component, ricinoleic acid, the use of castor oil can be used topically to treat a wide variety of health complaints.

Lymphatic Congestion

Obviously, conditions known to be related to poor drainage of the lymphatic system will tend to benefit from this type of therapy. These would include complaints such as:

1. chronic fluid retention with swollen joints and pain
2. arthritis
3. upper respiratory infections involving the sinuses,
tonsils and inner ear
4. colon problems like Crohn's disease or colitis
5. gallbladder disease
6. boils
7. liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, enlargement or congestion
8. menstrual-related congestion
9. appendicitis
10. hyperactivity
11. constipation, bowel impaction or adhesions
12. swollen lymph nodes
13. bladder and vaginal infections

Neurological Problems

Several neurological problems have also been responsive to castor oil. These include:

1. nerve inflammations such as sciatica, shingles, etc.
2. Parkinson's disease
3. multiple sclerosis
4. migraine headaches
5. cerebral palsy

AIDS

Conditions that stress or compromise the immune system will very often benefit from castor oil packs. Nowhere is this more obvious than with AIDS. I have talked with several AIDS patients who have added castor oil packs (usually for one hour a day) to their treatment regimen with very positive results. Within two weeks, it was not uncommon for them to see increases in their WBC counts (white blood cell counts), platelet counts, hematocrit readings and RBC counts (red blood cells).

I should mention also that in addition to the castor oil packs most of those I talked to are also drinking a combination of olive oil and lemon juice to further stimulate lymphatic flow and liver activity. It can be made by blending the following:

1 clean whole lemon, (pulp, rind, seeds and all)
1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups of distilled water
4 rounded tablespoons of frozen orange juice concentrate

The blended material is then strained through a wire strainer to remove the pulp, which is discarded. The remaining liquid is divided in four equal portions of approximately 1/4 cup each and a portion is consumed with each of the three daily meals and before bedtime.

In addition to stimulating lymphatic flow, the drink increases the flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder, which, in turn, enhances one's ability to digest essential fatty acids through the Peyer's patches in the small intestine. It is not uncommon for AIDS patients to experience weight gain and a reversal of a long list of complaints often associated with fatty acid deficiencies.


Source
Castor Oil-Natural Protection from Deadly Viruses

Tip: Feet Reflexes

Need more pep in your step? Who knew it could be achieved, just by soaking your feet!

What you need:
A basin or tub of warm water.
Your favorite soak.
Marbles!

What to do:
Put your favorite soak into the water.
Toss marbles into water.

Here's the fun part:
Roll your feet over the marbles. You are now stimulating your feet's reflex points.

Tips:Benefits of Massage

Guest Writer: Author and Blog Talk Radio Host Barbara Howard

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE
We all know a massage feels good and can make us more relaxed, but there are also many, many health benefits that come with a massage.

Therapeutic effects include:

• Stimulating blood and lymph circulation


• Loosening muscular tension


• Toning and firming muscles

When fibers stop sliding over each other easily, it's most likely the cause of people not getting enough exercise, too much exercise, or physical or mental tension. These factors cause the drop of any increase in muscle tone 

The waste products from muscular activity, like carbon dioxide, lactic acid and urea, build up in the muscles. Massage therapy fosters drainage of those wastes, therefore restoring there normal functions


• Stress reduction

The effect in reducing stress is seen as one the most valuable aspects, since stress is blamed for causing up to 90% of human diseases


• Increased muscle flexibility and range of motion

For both of these, this results in increased power and performance, which helps you work efficiently and with proper intensity to facilitate the body's muscle-building response


• Shortens recovery time between workouts

Waste products such as lactic and carbonic acid build up in muscles after exercise. Increased circulation to these muscles help to eliminate toxic debris and shorten recovery time


• Prevent over-training.

Massage has a relaxing effect on the muscles, as well as a sedative effect on the nervous system. This can prevent over-training syndrome which has limiting effect on muscle building.


• Aids in fat loss

According to some research, massage may burst the fat capsule in subcutaneous tissue so that the fat exudes and becomes absorbed. In this way, combined with proper nutrition, massage may help in weight loss.


• Prevents and even heals injuries

By stretching connective tissue, massage improves circulation to help prevent or break down adhesions. Massage also influences the excretion of certain fluids (nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur) necessary for tissue repair

Massage therapy also fosters the drainage of lymph, causing better circulation of the blood. Because of this, the skin looks much better than if drainage was difficult. Why bother with the how the skin looks? Often, the appearance of the skin is usually a good indicator of a person’s inner condition.

The effect of massage upon the nervous system gives birth to the feeling of relaxation. How? By stimulating the sensory nerve endings located within the skin. Signals are sent to the brain by the central nervous system. This in turn produces the experience of feeling good. Once again because of this action, a new reaction takes place by causing a significant reduction in the body's stress level. 

 Massage improves circulation and general nutrition of muscles. This appears to be the most valuable fitness-related benefit. After a muscle is exercised, vital nutrients must be supplied in order for it to increase in size. Massage maximizes the supply of nutrients and oxygen though increased blood flow, which helps the body rebuild itself.

Ultimate Body Polish Massage

Tip:Breathe Deeply

A lot of us go about our day doing the typical shallow breathing. Never stopping to think that our body (cells and organs) is not gaining any benefit from that type of breathing. From previous post I mentioned how I love high intensity workouts, at least 2-3 days a week. One of the reasons I do enjoy it so much, is because of euphoric and calming effects from breathing.

I was sent an article on breathing the other day from Bloom. Cool, because now when I miss my workouts, I can do these breathing exercises to give my body what it is yarning for, OXYGEN!

I do these exercises with my daughters in between lessons and throughout the day. Try them with your children--not to young to learn how to take control of their bodies.

Calming breath:
Close one nostril and inhale. Exhale from the other nostril.

This technique helps in relaxation, overcoming insomnia and fatigue, decreasing headaches, improving digestion and decreasing anxiety and depression.


Relaxing breath:
Exhale twice as long as the inhale.

This technique releases more toxins and stress from the body and can help you fall asleep, decrease anger and reduce physical discomfort or pain.



Stimulating breath:
Take rapid inhales and exhales of equal length through your nose.

This stimulates your nervous system and delivers more oxygen to the cells, helping them function more efficiently.

Here's the complete write-up from Bloom

To your health,
i.~