Candle Making

 

The last couple of Sundays have been candle making day. I have always loved making things. When I was a child my parents bought me a candle making kit. I remember my dad and I sitting at the kitchen table making candles. I specifically remember the glass cutter that came with the kit that we used on a old wine bottle. We cut the wine bottle basically in half used it as our candle container.

I'm pretty certain the wax used in the 70's was paraffin which is not healthy for you or the environment. Thankfully, we can all enjoy healthier candles these days that also support the soy farmers. EclipseSpa candles are free of toxins and scented with pure essential oils. Check out our new line of aromatherapy candles that are relaxing and stimulating.

In Feng Shui, candles will illuminate and enlighten a space, alter a dark corner and enlighten your inner spirit.

Candles also provide us with eco-friendly light and comfort. I love lighting a candle in my office while I am working. I suppose it makes sense that I would do this, but is does enhance my work experience. Will it enhance yours? That is the question.

Have a great day and week,

Anne Keefe

Relax at Home...Sleep Better

I am always preaching about relaxing and rejuvenating at home. With the economic road so bumpy, it is more important than ever to take time to create a spa experience at home. Whether that is lighting soy candles for eco-friendly light and comfort, or taking a hot soak before bed for a better nights sleep.

We are not immune to stress at home ourselves. With basically two new businesses still finding its legs, there are still some stressful days and evenings.

A couple of weeks ago my husband was very stressed and feeling down in the dumps. It was a Friday night and he was tired from a long week and stressed. I got out my soy candles and put them around the family room, lit them, and turned out the lights. You could almost feel the stress leave my husband in a Whoosh. Within 15 minutes, the aromatherapy scent was filling the room and my husband was much more relaxed and feeling happier.

Last night I wanted to test a new natural fragrance in our bath salts I am contemplating and thought I would treat myself to a hot soak. While the tub was filling, I got my book and a fluffy bath towel, washed my face, and then got into the tub. I've written in previous posts about how water temperature heals and how water therapy has been used for centuries. Ever hear of the saying "taking the waters". I felt so wonderful after my soak. My skin was super soft and my muscles were much more relaxed. I lathered on some lotion I made and got into my bath robe.

The most important area I want to emphasize is that I slept like a baby. For the 20 minutes I spent in the tub, it translated to 8 hours of blissful sleep. Today I heard on the news that more prescriptions for sleep were written in 2008 than ever before. Take a hot soak..its almost free....I would rather see people addicted to hot soaks than to pills.

The moral of all this....you need to find ways to create an environment of peace and tranquility at home, and treat your body to the healing waters in your tub or shower in these extreme times of uncertainty and stress.


Anne Keefe

Uplifting Lemongrass

Lemongrass, one of my favorites, originates from India and is widely used as an herb in Asian and Caribbean cooking. Lemongrass brings its tempting aroma and skin- caring properties to the spa and spa products.

Lemongrass is also used as a medicinal herb. Rich in citral, the active ingredient in lemon peel, lemongrass is said to aid in digestion, as well as relieve spasms, muscle cramps, rheumatism and headaches.

Candles, soaps and fragrances capitalize on its fresh scent. And as a natural ingredient that normalizes overactive oil glands and features a heavenly aroma, lemongrass is used as a component in spa services and products.

In the kitchen, although normally used in small amounts, the entire stalk of the grass can be sliced very fine and added to soups. Its bulb can be bruised and minced in a variety of recipes. I love going to Thai restaurants and having soup with lemongrass in it.

A treat for both the palette and skin, lemongrass offers an escape from the everyday. Its clean, crisp flavor and scent complement culinary delights, comforting beverages and soothing spa products. Give yourself a lift with a spa product that contains the heavenly scent of lemongrass.

If I were a flower.........

This is fun, just let your imagination flow. If you were a flower, what type of flower would you be and why? Having trouble picking one, write more than just one.....

I'll go first............

If I were a flower, I would be a red rose because they are soft and pretty and smell amazing. I had red roses in my wedding bouquet,and remember the day when Michael sent me dozens and dozens of roses before he moved in. That is why I made some bath products with the fresh scent of red roses.


Okay, now your turn...........

How to Relieve Tired and Puffy Eyes

An inexpensive way to reduce puffy and fatigued eyes: Tea Bags

For people who suffer every morning from puffy eyes or have to cover the bags under their eyes, apart from purchasing expensive cosmetic creams to reduce the symptoms perhaps it is wise to try out one of the oldest natural remedies: a couple of tea bags. If you consider it, it is at least worth the try, as your eyes are, apart from the windows or your soul, also the focal point of your face. Thus, you should take good care of them and devote the necessary time to reveal their own special beauty. Having tired, baggy eyes can add years to your age, while sparkling ones can brighten your face and give you a more youthful appearance. Remember that it is vital to care for the delicate area around them and tea or tea bags can help you reveal the best set of eyes.

Just like when you are feeling tired you reach your kitchen's cabinet to grab some of your favorite tea brand and relax, the same should your reaction be in case you wake up in the morning and witness the symptom of puffy eyes in your bathroom's mirror. Chances are that if your body is tired your eyes will show it. Swollen, red or puffy eyes are indicators of fatigue and it is important to be aware of the fact that the black tea bags you place into your favorite mug can also offer your eyes immediate relief.

The restorative effect of black tea is so apparent that it will surprise you how quickly this simple process can reduce your problem and its occurrence. From the night before, you should boil water and put two tea bags in it like you would if you were going to make tea. After brewing for 5 minutes, take the tea bags out and ring out the liquid. Next, place both tea bags into your kitchen's freezer. You need to have them cool, but not frozen. Keep them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes and then take them out, lay down, relax and put the tea bags over the puffy ears over your eyes. Leave them there for approximately another 10-15 minutes, turning them over half way through. Afterwards, remove the tea bags and dispose of them. Then rinse your face with cool water to remove any tea stains. Make sure you rinse off any residue carefully with a cold damp tissue or face cloth.

In addition, warm tea bags might be more relaxing on a cold winter day, and it has been found to reduce under eye puffiness just as well as the cold tea bags. If you do drink tea often you can begin saving the two wet tea bags from your tea pot while they are still warm, but not hot! Then you should again select a comfortable spot in your home, be it the bed, the couch or the floor. Place a towel where your head will be resting to prevent leaking and staining. Lie down, place one black tea bag over each eye after closing your eyes first and relax for just five minutes. Deep breathing will increase your oxygen intake while you rest and promote increased energy levels.

You'll be amazed at how much wider open your eyes will feel and how quickly soreness will be reduced. This simple, old-fashioned home remedy is a true gift. There is always the option of buying special eyes tea bags from your local pharmacy or on Eclipsespa.com but any black tea bag works just as well and is certainly more economical.

Natural Skin Care for Winter

The cold and blustery winter months are upon us and for many that means problems with their skin. Whether you suffer from dry skin all the time, or your skin becomes chapped from being outdoors in the wind or from forced indoor heating,or any other number of skin issues, I'm sure you wished there was a cure for what ails you.

Did you know there are actually many ways that you can care for your skin, naturally without having to purchase anything from your local drug or department store? That's right, you have the ability to do your own skin care regimen at home for pennies, because most likely you already have everything that you need right in your own home.

Some ways that you can care for your winter skin naturally include:

Exfoliating: Especially if you have dry skin, exfoliating that old, dead skin can help allow moisture which you need to get into your pores once you have ridden them of those dead, flaky skin cells. To exfoliate you will need a physical agent like ground walnuts or apricot hulls, or an enzyme, which basically eats dead skin cells. There are even foods that are rich in enzymes which you can use to create your own at home mask to use in the process of exfoliation. These foods include pineapple and papaya. Milk also has fatty acids that mildly exfoliate. This is why the traditional milk bath has been so popular.

To create an easy inexpensive natural exfoliant, mix sea salt with olive oil. Smoothe in while standing in the tub and rub your skin gently,then rinse in the shower. You can do the same with sugar - not so great to eat, but awesome for your skin! Add a drop of your favorite essential oil to make it a spa treatment and relax you.

Eating: Yes, something that you already do on a regular basis if done correctly can change your skin. For example to help dry skin, include foods in your diet that are rich in fatty acids. Some of these foods include salmon, olive and coconut oils, avocado, and nuts. Incorporate these into your daily diet to see what a difference they can make. What may look like dry skin may even be eczema or a rash caused by food allergies, so be alert to that possibility too.

Make Your Own Treatments: You can also make your own at home masks and treatments to treat other skin issues. Some common combinations are oatmeal, honey and water to create a mask, or avocado and honey. Smear these on your skin, allow to dry and then rinse them off.

A simple honey treatment to moisturize your skin and make it glow? Pat two drops of honey on your face after cleansing, while still damp. Your skin won't be sticky with such a small amount.

Skin care is important to the health of your skin as well as your appearance. It's best to care for your skin as naturally as possible, so why not try these options for caring for your dry winter skin.

EclipseSpa's organic bath and body products will also make taking care of your skin easier without some of the mess. Try our wildcrafted shea sugar scrubs to exfoliate, soften and smooth your skin. Our lavender scrub is on sale right now for $9.99 ($20.00 off) Easy to use in the tub or shower.

Try either our loofah or sisal sponge for dry exfoliating. Take the dry sponge and gently rub around the dry areas of your skin such as knees, elbows, legs ect. Aftwards, apply the sugar scrub (homemade or ours) to your skin. rub gently, rinse. You will be delighted with the results.

EclipseSpa Launches Affiliate Program

We are excited to announce the launch of EclipseSpa's affiliate program!

An affiliate program pays you commission when you market our products.

When your friends, customers, acquaintances, etc. makes a purchase using your affiliate link you are paid a 40% commission on the completed sale.

Your affiliate link is www.eclipsespa.com/YourName. Some of the ways you can use your affiliate link are:

A. Comment on blogs and leave your name and affiliate URL

B. You are able to build a category text link such as "mens grooming products" and market the link in your emails, on blogs, newsletters and your own website.
C. You can place a banner which we have created for our affiliates in your emails, newsletters, blog or website.

We have more information on our website on the affiliate Frequently Asked Questions page in addition to a sign-up page.

It doesn't cost anything to become an affiliate. We reward you for marketing/selling our organic bath and body products.

Be part of an exciting trend of Spa at Home Tonight products.

Thank you,

Anne Keefe