Ok, we’re T minus 2 weeks guys.  Nervous? No.  Excited? Very!   I have to give the nightly lavender vanilla partial credit for that.  The pre wedding regimen has been absolutely helpful.

• My skin is still holding up well, I’m determined to keep away any last minute blemishes.  I’ll still be keeping the same morning ritual, and will be adding the Oil of Olay Deep Cleansing clay mask to it 2 evenings a week over the next two weeks.  This will replace the need to go get a facial at the spa.  Exfoliate, replenish, renew, and clean the pores…under control at home.

• I didn’t get my eyebrows waxed as intended and my makeup artist silently gave me a piece of her mind about the two bushes I have growing up there right now (which is why I didn’t do a video blog for this post as I originally intended to; I can’t let ya’ll see me like this!) She very politely informed me that in the future it’s not necessary to let your eyebrows grow completely out to correct what some happy go lucky “brow artist” messed up. There’s your beauty tip for the day ladies.

• My hair is soft and growing and forcing me to rework my bedtime ritual with it.  We had a detangling battle this morning due to my lack of combing it for a week, instead of my normal every 2 – 3 days.  We’ve come to a mutual agreement and I don’t expect we’ll have any more problems.  I’ll comb it as promised, put a few loose braids in it at night and cover it with a bonnet and I expect we’ll both be happy from here on out.  I’ll be doing a trial run on the planned wedding hairstyle this evening, just to be sure, what I have envisioned will work in real life.  This gives me plenty of time to rework as needed.  I’ll deep condition it this weekend, and next weekend in preparation for my color touch up.

• Lastly I went to the nail salon to get a manicure and pedicure today to do a trial run of the colors I’ll wear on the big day.  Sadly, I can’t get a manicure without the nail tech cutting my cuticles too deep resulting in an ugly scab.  Not very attractive for pictures.  This way I won’t have any color mishaps, or nicks and cuts on my cuticles the day of.  My nights from here until the night before will include thick, cotton socks and a healthy dose of body butter on my feet to keep them soft.

That’s my latest update on Operation: Get Me Down the Aisle.  I’ll let you know how things are going the week before the big day.  I’ll be checking out everyone’s entries to the Spa at Home Ritual contest in the meantime and if you have any at home spa/beauty suggestions you think I should try out between now and then, leave a comment and let me know.

We’re always excited about sharing the latest info, news and tips on natural spa products and techniques to our readers. We’re even more excited about the wonderful feedback from our readers…so excited that we’re sponsoring a contest for our blog readers to post their favorite “at home” spa ritual and experience, to win a mainelement: love spa basket worth over $100.

The contest will run from January 20th to February 12th, 2010, with the winner being announced on February 19th.

Here’s all you need to know and enter:

• Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email (see the right side bar)
• Email your favorite “at home” spa ritual including the products and/or ingredients you use and the steps to make them, and the cost to create this contest to tyrika@mainelementlove.com using “Spa at home ritual” in your subject header
• Include the natural health benefits of your spa experience and how it relaxes and calms you
• At the end of the contest period, the staff of mainelement: love will read and select the post with the best “at home” spa experience and ritual  using natural products and/or ingredients that are most cost effective

The winner of the contest will receive a mainelement:love spa basket(filled with the entire le’amour body line in Rise and Shine or Lavender Vanilla, a journal, box of chamomile tea, ceramic mug, and spa socks), and their ritual will be featured on the Love: Blog

The fine print:

• Blog followers may only post one spa experience story during the contest period
• All spa experiences must be authentic and solely created from contestant and not a copyright of any magazine, book, published author or day and salon establishment
• Products and/or ingredients must be natural
• Contestants must include their first and last name and valid email with blog entry to tyrika@mainelementlove.com  this info will not be used for any third party marketing, but winner contact purposes only
• No Purchase is necessary to enter

Blueberries are one powerful little fruit. Their pigment provides some of the highest concentration of anti-oxidants of all the other fruits and vegetables.  From cancer and heart disease, to vision and memory, blueberries pack a punch that fights many of your body’s battles.

From a skin outlook, those little blueberries power shouldn’t be underestimated either.  Their high concentration of anti-oxidants makes them anti-aging fighting machines.  Additionally, the ultra high anti-oxidant properties of blueberries help minimize flushing and  redness.  For those who suffer from severe acne and rosacea, this is an extreme helpful fruit to keep handy.  Blueberries serve this purpose from the inside out.  Meaning you can tastily snack on them as a treat and you can crush them and apply them directly to your skin to reap the benefits.

Blueberry and oatmeal paste recipe – safe for use morning or night, once or twice a week to help combat redness

You’ll need:

• Half cup of plain oatmeal
• ¼ ounce olive (or jojoba, or sweet almond) oil
• 10 – 15 blueberries

Instructions:

1. Grind oatmeal finely
2. Mash blueberries into a paste
3. Combine oatmeal, blueberry paste, and oil into a bowl
4. Apply to face and allow it to sit 10 – 15 minutes
5. Rinse face and apply normal moisturizer

As you can see, from the inside out, blueberries should have a permanent spot on your grocery list and a regular home in your bathroom cabinet.  What’s your favorite blueberry recipe? Leave a comment and share it with us.

The scent of lavender is widely recognized by people around the world as a sweet floral present in many perfumes and bath products to aid in relaxation.  Not as commonly known are its other characteristics that make lavender essential oil a must have around the house for anyone interested in aromatherapy and/or the healing powers of natural herbs.

1)      Fragrances – When lavender is included in a perfume or other fragrance product, it is most often the top or middle note.  It has a very pleasant (to many) but strong fragrance, that is not easily overpowered.

2)      Aromatherapy – Lavender is known to have a soothing and calming effect on people who are exposed to it.  It promotes balance and healing and can help with depression and anxiety.  For this reason, lavender is a popular scent for bath products, candles, incense, and air fresheners, as well as a plethora of other products designed for aromatherapy.

3)      Pain Relief – There are a few types of pain that lavender can help alleviate.  When combined with massage oils or lotions and rubbed on it can help with rheumatism and other joint and muscle pains.  A few drops added to the bath or diffuser can also help clear up headaches and migraines.

4)      Skin Care – Lavender essential oil added to lotions, oils, ointments, and baths.  It can be a powerful skin care tool due to its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.  Not only can lavender help combat oily skin and acne, but it has also been known to help athlete’s foot, scars, stretch marks, burns and insect bites.

5)      Respiratory Ailments – Lavender is also a known decongestant, and as such helps with asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems such as allergies.  Diffusers and vaporizers can be helpful in getting the essential oil into the air, or it can be added to a hot bath or pot full of boiling water.

Lavender essential oil can be such an invaluable answer to everyday aches, complaints, and illnesses, it is no wonder it is so widely used around the world.  I’m sure if everyone was aware of the effects it can have on the body other than relaxation, it would be considered a household staple by all.  To many of you, I know that it probably already is.  I hope this post has given you a few more ways to use lavender essential oil for the benefit of you and your family.