Whew!  I’m sure many of you will agree with me that 2009 was a crazy year…For my family it involved lots of change; a lot for the better, and a little for the worse.  All of it was hectic, though!  I am definitely looking forward to all of the positive changes that are sure to come in 2010.

As I’m sweeping out the old year and ringing in the new, I thought I’d take the opportunity to let you know what I’ll be doing with Love: The Element during the beginning of the New Year.  Currently, I’m planning on a series of blog posts called “A Beginner’s Journey into Aromatherapy”.  Until recently, aromatherapy was one of my interests, but I knew little about it.  I have a hunch that I am not the only one J.

This series will cover the things that can be confusing to novice aromatherapists, such as what common essential and carrier oils are and how to use them.  Different methods of using aromatherapy will be one of the things I focus on as well.

Another main focus of my blog posts will be how to use aromatherapy to pamper yourself or another. Believe it or not, the possibilities are limitless…

Since this is my New Year’s Eve post, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention what my resolution is for the year of 2010, especially since it directly relates to Love: The Element.

This year I resolve to spend more time pampering myself.

For at least 20 minutes, 3 times a week, I will do something that makes me feel special and girly.  I find that even in the worst of times, if I focus a little on myself, my health and my appearance, I feel much better about everything.  It also seems to be that at the times when I need to care for myself the most, I get so caught up in my life and my family that I neglect my own needs.

So I vow to take care of me this year, for the benefit of my sanity and everyone else’s.

What are your resolutions for this year?  Is there anything in particular I can include in “A Beginner’s Journey into Aromatherapy” for you?

Happy New Year!!!  I hope this year brings you every blessing you are praying for…

I know many of you reading this are wives and mothers who put their all into their families.  For many of us, it becomes more difficult to spend time on ourselves as our families increase in size.  Even those women without little ones become busier as they get older, leaving less time for themselves.  During busy times like the holiday seasons, it becomes extra important to reserve time for yourself.

Doing things for yourself, no matter how small they are, can positively affect your mood and outlook on life.  You feel refreshed. You feel loved. You ARE both refreshed and loved by spending your precious energy on you.

This includes doing everyday things that we often forget, such as taking vitamins and eating right, to things that are considered primping and make us feel pretty. You may, after something like a manicure or mini-facial, feel prettier or more attractive.  This, of course, makes you feel better about yourself, which shows from the inside, even if the signs of your recent facial are not visible to others.

Whether you’ve been neglecting yourself due to lack of time, lack of money or lack of energy, it is extremely important to take little moments to yourself to read, take a soak in the bath or to do your nails.  Whatever makes you happy.

If time and/or money are the issue, a home pedicure can be as gratifying as one at the salon. You can be in the comfort of your own home, taking your time.  Even doing something as small as lighting incense and simply breathing for a few moments can help you re-center yourself.

There are some really great bath and beauty recipes, both in this blog and other places online, that use ingredients you can find in your kitchen to produce spa quality results.  Tyrika’s sugar scrub is to-die-for and there are some really great ideas for aromatherapy (another inexpensive mood-lifter) as well.

Anything you can do for yourself (by yourself, moms!) has the potential to heal and decompress some of your stress.  The holidays can be notoriously stressful, for many different reasons.  No matter what those reasons may be, it is especially important to take care of yourself while trying to make everyone else smile during the season of giving.  As my brother in law says…”If Mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy!”

I am revving up my skin care routine…What are the things that you will take the time to do for yourself this season?

Hello, Love: The Element readers!  My name is Jamie, and I’m the newest addition to Team Love I’ll be sending bits of beauty and love from my desk to your blog on a regular basis now.

I’m extremely thrilled about being here too!  Aromatherapy has been an interest of mine since I started making candles with my sister a few years ago.  The human sense of smell is the sense with the most potential to be mood altering, it is my belief we should take advantage of that!

I am also COMPLETELY sold on and excited about everything else Love: The Element is all about.   I’ve had some rough and tumble times, but because of them I learned that the single most important thing any woman can do is love herself.  The old saying about needing to love yourself in order to truly love others is, in fact, true.  I know better than anyone that it can be far from easy sometimes, and it is not necessarily something that we are taught or encouraged to do, either.

So that is why we are here, to teach each other to love ourselves, and give each other the encouragement to do it!  Now, I’m not as egotistical to believe I have a bearing on your self worth;)  But, I do believe that the little bit of time you take for yourself (whether it’s to light a candle and have a soak, do your hair, or simply read something that makes you smile), can REALLY make a difference in how you feel.  I am the mother of a toddler, so I truly understand how scarce time can be, and often need a good shove in the direction of taking it myself.

And THAT, dear readers, is why I’m so excited to be on board such a delightful blog, because I’m right at home here!!!

I hope you are having a wonderful day!  I will talk to you soon,

Jamie

In my never ending attempt to improve something somewhere all the time, I’ve decided to participate in a challenge to help me help you, by bringing you the best blog I can to enhance your mind, body and spirit. Well there are over 8000 others that are on this quest too. Many of my fellow bloggers posts’ from yesterday challenge are simply fabulous.  I wanted to share with you my favorite ten list posts from yesterday’s challenge.

In no particular order I bring you my favorite ten list posts that will help you improve something somewhere all the time:

1. Carolina Transplant provides 10 Ways to Save Money on Your Grocery Bill
2. What’s Cooking Blog gives Four Great Reasons to Cook with Your Kids
3. This Side of Eternity lists Steps to Becoming Frugal Minded
4. The Time Finder with Paula Eder shows How to Find to Boost Your Energy and Satisfaction
5. Moore Thought gives Ten steps to making your change work for you
6. Abundance Highway provides 10 Simple Ways to Raise Your Vibes
7. 123Pizza give the 5 Benefits of Having My Kiddos Sick
8. Very Personal Finance lists 10 Steps to Kick Start Your Personal Finance
9. Zen Life gives 10 Ways to Remain Calm in Stressful Situations
10. Starr Studded Events lists 5 Best Websites for Planning Your Wedding

Bonus list – this one  was just too funny not to receive an honorable mention
Motherhood in NYC outlines for us How to have a Nervous Breakdown: Part One