Archive for June, 2010
Body Products - Cherry Blossom
I just bought my first batch of Bing Cherries at the grocery store which is a sure sign that summer is here. Cherries are one of those treats in life that is impossible to resist – once I start eating there’s just no stopping. How, you ask, will I weave this into the spa gift theme of this blog? Easy….cherries, summer, sun, suntans, sunburns, moisturizers…..there you go.
A friend of mine came to work last Monday with a sunburned face that could easily have been described as cherry red. “It happened quickly”, he said. He was delivering the children to their various sporting events and cheering from the bleachers with the other proud Papas. It didn’t seem so bad at first but, sunburns just keep burning.
We’ve talked about the preventatives – sun screen (lots of it and applied often), lip balm, a hat with a brim, sun glasses, and sitting in the shade. But, in this case, the damage is done so, what to do now. Keep the burned skin cool with wet towels and consider taking a cool bath which will make your entire body feel better. Apply aloe, moisturizing cream or over-the-counter hydro-cortisone cream to the affected skin. Beware of sunburn treatment products containing anesthetics, such as benzocaine. There’s little evidence that these products are effective. In some cases, they may even irritate the skin. It might help to take anti-inflammatory medication — such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) — according to the label instructions until redness and soreness subside.
Keep lots of soothing moisturizers and lotions handy over the course of the summer….cherry scented or otherwise. Our our wrapping can really take a beating out there so give yourself and others bath gifts that will keep you well stocked for the season.
Lime Blossom in a Magazine Rack
Men…one of my favorite topics, but did I blog about Father’s Day? Nope. It’s true thay my Pop hasn’t been with us for 16 years now but that doesn’t mean it isn’t an important day.
Actually, my favorite part of Father’s Day is hearing all the Day-after stories around the water cooler — the dinner out that bored the kids witless, the trip to the park that turned into a trip to the hospital, the gift made in kindergarten that was unrecognizable, or the barbecue that burned the neighbor’s garage…hahaha…oh well, I shouldn’t laugh.
It’s always a little tough to find the right gift for men but getting him something he wouldn’t necessarily buy for himself is always a good idea. Something like a spa gift set works well because men can be so stingy when it comes to pampering themselves. The truth is that secretly, they love bath gifts. Men. They seem complicated but heaven help ‘em, they’re easy.
So far this Summer, I haven’t indulged in the temptation of acquiring a tan – either from the sun or from a bottle. I’m always a little afraid the bottle tan will look good to me and totally fake to everyone else. Of course I’ve heard about the spray-on tans….hmmmm, have you ever tried that? Not so sure about it.
All of my casual research indicates that the key thing is to use sun screen and don’t forget your dainty little shell-like ears please – they need protection. Switching to a lighter weight moisturizer is a good idea and lighten up that foundation as well. Consider using a brush-on mineral based make up.
If you find yourself at the end of a particularly fun filled day of sun exposure, revive your skin with a face mask containing kaolin, white clay that absorbs impurities like oils, toxins and pollution. Keep your shades, lip balm and sun hat handy and if there’s a sun umbrella nearby – get under it.
Send yourself a luxurious spa gift set so that, after a day of fun and frolic, you can slip into a luscious bath filled with relaxing, soothing and great smelling bath salts. We have to take good care of our outer wrapping!!
Now, you will not find a big bunch of fennel nestled in the next spa gift set you receive but maybe it would be a good thing if you did. I’ve just recently read an article about many qualities associated with that crazy white and green bulbous thing we find in the produce isle.
I definitely love roasted fennel and often use fennel seeds as a spice but I’ve never known about it’s healthy properties like, how it promotes a healthy immune system with vitamins (particularly C), minerals and antioxidants. It has been known to alleviate symptoms of upper respiratory infections including whooping cough and bronchitis. Particularly important for women, Fennel has antispasmodic properties that can relieve menstrual cramps. It can increase breast milk secretion and helps to regulate hormonal change and is thought to boost estrogen production during menopause. Amazing, huh?
Maybe we should rethink spa gift baskets….give the gift of health.
Well, not really away, just not into blogging. I can’t believe it’s been almost a month since I last wrote anything. It’s June and New York is beginning to experience the typical and unpleasant humidity. The air conditioner becomes your best ally and heaven help you on a crowded subway.
I’ve also fallen out of the idea of a bath. A quick shower seems just the thing these days. Maybe batheing is just a cool weather activity. Sometimes I fancy the idea of slipping into a cool bath that’s been festooned with one of my spa gift sets but, the idea never seems to materialize. Ah well. I’m still thoroughly enjoying my Lavender Vanilla products…yes ideeed, they’ve lasted this long. The scent of Lavender is so luscious and light. Just the whiff of it carries me to Paris – clearly one of my favorite places on earth.
Now, mind you, I have the feeling I’m in this blog by myself….is that so? If you read these posts, however periodically, do let me know with a quick comment or two, will you? I’d love to hear from you.