 Our innovative selection of 100% natural facial masques just got a facelift: we’ve tripled the size of each jar, while delivering a 60% savings. Tres fabulous, no? Each one is a dry powder that you can mix in 30 seconds or less with pantry ingredients to create a fresh, totally customized treatment especially for your skin type. It’s super-simple and no-mess, with instructions right on the jar. My personal favorite? Strawberries & Creme. Luscious strawberries blend with Argiletz rose clay and powdered buttermilk to create an amazing facial treatment that softens and renews tired skin as it boosts brightness. The perfect “perk me up” for you rksin this holiday season! 
 
Shop Bella Luccè's nonprofit to discover a treasure trove of handmade Moroccan luxuries and learn how adding beauty to your life can change the lives of indigenous Berber people. 
 Regular readers will likely know that I am obsesses with tea. And I don’t mean mildly obsessed. I fuel my addiction regularly with new tea varieties and teaware, but this particular tea-to-go mug is my favorite. Crafted of ceramic, it boasts double walls which help the tea stays hotter longer and also means it isn’t uncomfortable to hold, even when freshly filled. I love the bold graphic design and the sandblasting adds texture making it even easier to grip. Snatch one up for just $12 at Stash and take your morning pick-me-up on the road! 
Crushed Freshwater Pearls: Celebrated by Asian women and ancient Chinese pharmacopoeia for more than 3,000 years, pearl powder has a rich history and a myriad of legendary tales about its use at the Imperial Palace. Created by pulverizing real freshwater pearls, it is reputed to boost skins brightness and is rich in both amino acids and trace minerals. 
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma- which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” - Steve Jobs 
3 tbsp. Dried Lavender Flowers* Process lavender flowers in a blender until they become a powder, turning off the blender and scraping down the sides as necessary. Whisk together lavender powder, milk, and honey in a glass bowl, then pour into a jar. Before each use, shake the jar and pour half of the mixture into the bath. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes enough for 2 baths. *Dried lavender flowers can be found in the spice section of gourmet and specialty stores. (Recipe courtesy of the National Honey Board) 
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A life well lived…April 1, 2009My precious Samadhi was diagnosed with a brain tumor on March 30th and passed away the very next day. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes and dust to dust. She was my constant companion, a dear friend, a beloved member of our family, a trusted confidant and the best damn dog I’ve ever had. She saw me through college, cancer, the birth of two children, a divorce, the early days of this company, a remarriage, three moves and a whole lot of history. Here’s my tribute to a life well lived: 
Samadhi was a surprise gift from my college boyfriend Terry (who later came to be my husband and later came to be my exhusband). As a matter of fact, she was the first gift he ever bought me. I was insantly smitten; Samadhi was a ball of fluff with tiny little legs and she chewed EVERYTHING. She long outlasted our marriage and, luckily, I got custody in the divorce. Thank heavens.
Samadhi and I, circa 1997, when I was pregnant with my first daughter. She was my baby before I had babies and my perpetual companion. If I was in the car, she was in the passenger seat. If I was in bed, she was laying next to me. If was at Baskin Robbins having a cone, she was having a cup. :)
Once Chloe came along, they were the best of friends. I was terrified while I was pregnant that I’d never be able to love anyone or anything as much as I loved that dog…luckily, I discovered that I could. This is Chloe teaching Sam to “dance.” One of my favorite things about that dog: she didn’t just wag her tail…she wagged the entire back half of her body. The enthusiasm was contagious.
For Chloe’s second Halloween, she dressed up as a cow. Sammy dressed as a dog. And yes, we went trick-or-treating together.
A few years later, Miss Celie joined the clan and- true to form- Samadhi was her first best friend. By the time this picture was taken, I was in the midst of my divorce and had moved from Memphis to Knoxville to be closer to my parents. But Samadhi was with us, as always.
It’s hard to find a picture from this time period that Sam wasn’t a part of…even if it was just her tail.
Big love. Samadhi became accustomed to playing at my parent’s home, as they lived only a few minutes from us in Knoxville. I’d pop her in the car and head up for the day and she would run and run and run until she was utterly exhausted. They live in a log cabin at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac on the lake and Samadhi enjoyed being able to roam free and play with her pals. A few years later, when I remarried and moved to South Carolina, I made the difficult decision to leave Sam with my parents. They had recently become empty-nesters and could use the companionship and putting her in the fenced yard of a suburban home seemed cruel after she’d come to enjoy all that freedom.
But she was still a big part of our lives. My mother would ring us up and get Samadhi to pant or bark while she was on the phone with my girls so they could “talk.” Sammy was at our family reunion every year and we loved going to visit my parents for many reasons; chief among them was our cuddle time with Sam. This is a picture of my kid brother with her…you can tell she’s an old lady, but she was never any less beautiful in my eyes. My parents took impeccable care of her for the last five years of her life and we were all very blessed to be graced by her presence. Her hearing failed a few years before she left us and her hips were giving out, but Daddy patiently lifted and carried her when she was too tired or weak to go where she wanted. Goodbye Samadhi. We’re a bit devastated in your absence, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the wonderful times we shared. For your late-night cuddles, for your eager kisses, for licking tears away during some of the most painful times in my life, for your patience as my daughters pulled and tugged and wrestled. I could not have asked for anything more…
Samadhi
Tagsprinter friendly CommentsCommentsLela, My heart is so full. What a lovely tribute to a beautiful family member. My childhood family dog passed over 10 years ago after 15 years with us. The memories are still fresh and even today, his name is still the answer to my password reminder questions. I’m sorry for your loss but really happy that you and your family have such a wonderful tie that will bind you together forever. Thanks for sharing Sammy with us. CommentsOh, Lela, I am so sorry for you and your family’s loss of Samadhi. Your tribute is a true indication of just what an animal can bring into our lives if we let them. The loss of a four-legged family member is just as devastating. I know without a shadow of a doubt that Samadhi felt the love you and your family had for her. When Prevo’s cat died while he was in Iraq, the ER Vet in Columbia sent me the following. I hope it brings you the peace is brought us. ~ Lisa
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them; who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. CommentsLela, I am so sorry for your loss. She looks like a little bear…so sweet. I know she had a wonderful home and loving family. xoxo Jenn CommentsLela, This is such a sweet post & I’m sure it was heartbreaking but therapeutic to write. Animals bring joy to and enrich our lives in more ways than we could ever expect. I hope you are able to find peace in the happy memories you had with Samadhi. CommentsLela, CommentsLela, Nicole Chase CommentsMany, many heartfelt thanks for the warm wishes. Samadhi was an a amazing dog and I am thankful I got to share her with you…she was precious and I am grateful for every day we had with her. CommentsI am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. I too lost my 15 year old beagle last May. He went through so many things in my life with me just like you… collage, newlywed, career, divorce, re-marriage, moving from Canada to US…etc. Good times and bad times. I still choke up and cry remembering the last days of his life and made the most difficult decision to put him down since he was suffering so much. But after almost an year after his passing, I am dealing with the loss better by remembering good times with him and so much laughter I had from him. Instead of feeling sad about his absense, I try to smile and celebrate his life. My husband said to me that someday we will all reunite in heaven so it is not goodbye forever. But I understand you feel void especially at home for your dog’s absense. And it will take some time (for me, months) to finally get used to. Just hang in there… God bless. CommentsWhat a beautiful story about Samadhi - thank you so much for sharing. The tears are rolling down my face. We lost our family dog 6 years ago after 16+ wonderful years with him and there is hardly a day that goes by that I don’t think of him - especially when I visit my parents house where I said my final goodbye to him. Dogs are truly a gift - I treasure every day with my Oliver (the Golden Retriever my husband and I brought home when we purchased our home) - I even make sure to give him a kiss and tell him I love him every night before I go to bed. May your wonderful memories of Samadhi bring you peace and comfort. Take care… CommentsLela, |
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What a nice tribute Lela. It is so nice that you have pics of her with all the ones who loved her and she loved back.
I know what you mean about an animal looking old and not realizing it. I lost my Presley 2 years ago. She always seemed the same to me as when she was a kitten, but when I see pictures of her last days now, I can see how much she aged.
Sammy was well loved and lived above and beyond her full potential of loving unconditionally back, I’m sure.
I hope that brings Peace to you and your family.