 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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On a particularly personal note…June 1, 2009Nineteen years ago, I met a cutie named Christopher as we were on our way to the Science Olympiad state finals (how geekariffic is that?). He was on the local high school team, I was on the corresponding middle school team and we were bus-pooling. I spent the entire 8 hour-trip home from Oak Ridge flirting up a firestorm and we were dating within the week. Fourteen years later, I married that same man. Today is the fifth anniversary of the best decision of my adult life… Inbetween, I’d married another man and started a family. Christopher and I had put our relationship aside shortly after he went away to college. I was in high school and found it difficult to date someone three years older than I, who was pursuing a degree in another state. But we remained the best of friends- swapping letters, visiting when he came home and speaking via phone every Sunday at 2:30pm. He was my friend, my confidante and my consummate sounding board. After my first marriage crumbled, Christopher and I eventually began dating long distance… I had moved to Knoxville, TN to be closer to my parents, while Christopher was living in Columbia, SC. He dutifully drove 4 hours each way every weekend for two and a half years so that we could be together. The man has the patience of a saint. Here’s my favorite story from that time period: I left my previous marriage with precious few possessions. I had one pot and one pan to my name… which meant that I could make broccoli and chicken or rice and chicken, but not both- one pot meant one side dish. Christopher was always gracious when I blushingly put dinner on the table. For Valentine’s Day that first year, he told me he would come see me Friday night (as per our usual) and we’d go out to a fancy dinner Saturday evening. I was insanely excited, because fancy dinners for a single mom of a preschooler and a toddler didn’t happen very often. I awoke Thursday (Valentine’s Day) to the FedEx man bringing me chocolate-covered strawberries. *insert swoon here* I called Chris that night at our regular time, but got his home voicemail. I called again on his cell and he told me he was starving and running out for a bite. We chatted for about twenty minutes, until he asked me if I got the second delivery. I said “No, a delivery of what?” He asked me to check my front doorstep- nothing. He told me to check my side door… as I did, I discovered a silver wine bucket full of fresh flowers. I had the phone in my hand, but not up to my ear, as I said “Now how in the hell did he pull that off?” He stepped out from the shadows and said “How did I pull what off?” I dropped the phone and screeched. He’d taken the day off to come early and enjoy a long weekend. The next day, he took me to Williams Sonoma and bought me a full set of Calphalon cookware that I still use to this day. And we had a drop-dead fabulous dinner that night at the swankiest restaurant in town. As of that night, I knew I’d marry him- and I did a few years later. Christopher was my first love- he taught me how to drive a car, was my official first date, took me to prom and on and on and on. On more than one occasion, people have met my husband and said to me “He’s not at all what I expected.” And he likely isn’t. You see, I never shut my mouth. I am outspoken, ambitious, impulsive, passionate and bullheaded. My husband is an only-child introvert, quiet, conservative, thoughtful, grounded and brilliant. He is the yin to my yang, the tether to my hot air balloon and the careful balance I need to keep me sane. Though he operates largely in the shadows, I could not do what I do without him. He allows me to come home and unload my stresses, provides a critical sounding board, comforts me when I am a certain I am imminently going bananas, nurtures our children when I am abroad and inspires me to be a better person every single day. In a moment of humility that I will probably regret by tomorrow morning, I’m posting a picture of us at prom circa 1991 and another of us this weekend at our anniversary dinner.  Then
Please, no need to fall all over yourselves to compliment my orange hair and dyed-to-match shoes! We’re a lot older and a little fatter, but he remains the single best decision of my adult life. Christopher: I am forever grateful for your love, support, patience, and comfort. Thanks for being my silent cheerleader and best friend. Here’s to 55 more! Tagsprinter friendly CommentsCommentsHey, happy anniversary! I met my husband when I was 16. We parted ways when we started college, then married many years later. Last month, we celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. Life is funny. When we parted ways before college, I never imagined I’d marry him. Today, I can’t imagine being married to anyone else. Have a great celebration! CommentsMaybe, I’m just an emotional person but what a sweet “tear jerker” of a story! The Valentine’s story just took the cake for me…how much sweeter does it get? I wish you and your hubby all the best for 55 more! |
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That is a beautiful story. It is so true about relationships that work. My husband and I balance each other out as if we fill the gaps, some bigger than others.
Strange how that works….
It is also strange, Lela, that I, too, was in love with Brad when I was 15 was with him for 3 years, then went our separate ways with no communication for 5 years and then when we reunited for a friend’s wedding party it was crazy love again. We just celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary.
Congratulations. I am very happy for you!!!