Pumpkin Peel

Is it too late laud the lovely pumpkin?
So I’m my post wedding haze I may have missed the proper holiday order. I know I am supposed to be over the whole fall harvest pumpkin thing and onto Christmas and candy canes.
Well I feel compelled to step out of the holiday lineup to inspire us to love our leftover pumpkin for one more day.
Pumpkin is a carotenoid rich in vitamin A, a building block of collagen and cell regeneration. Pumpkin naturally contains salicylic acid and zinc, two widely studied treatments proven effective for acne treatment and prevention. Pumpkin naturally exfoliates and gently peels the skin resulting in fresh, glowing skin.
So here is what I propose.
Paste roasted pumpkin puree right on your face. Let it dry and rinse with warm water.
You could also mix it up with some almond meal or oat flour.
If you are to tired or god forbid you actually ate all that pumpkin pie then you can just pick up the Abundance Pumpkin Peel mask from Golden Path Alchemy.

Perfectly Persimmon

One of the colors I chose for my wedding was persimmon. The rich beauty of the color combined with the custard sweetness of these seasonal fruits provided the perfect inspiration. A friend of mine was musing on persimmon over dinner on Monday. She mentioned that during their season (October-December) her skin is softer and smoother than any other time of year. She attributes her angelic, rejuvenated complexion to the slippery, soft Hachiya persimmon. Of course I had one for breakfast yesterday to test their potency.
By noon I was a reaping the rewards. I could not believe it!
My skin was plump, smooth and much more even and toned than usual. Needless to say I bought a bunch more of the Hachiya variety. These are the acorn shaped rich orange fruits that are eaten when completely soft.
So what is it in the persimmon that makes you look as fresh as a full night of sleep following all day at the spa? Like everything we eat it’s the combination of vitamins, minerals and fresh goodness.
For all you nutrition nerds like me here are the stats:

• Vitamin A: 10,080 I.U.
• Ascorbic acid: 48 mg
• Thiamine: .11 mg
• Riboflavin: .08 mg
• Niacin: .4 mg
• Calcium: 26 mg
• Phosphorus: 97 mg
• Iron:1.3 mg
• Carbohydrates: 73 g
• Protein: 2.6 g
• Calories: 286

The perfect food right?
Persimmons are also rich in tannins which give the immature fruit its astringent taste, it contains two compounds known as shibuol and betulinic acid that are though to have anti-cancer properties. A study conducted in Japan showed that the peel of the persimmon contains phytochemicals known as proanthocyanidins which may protect cells against oxidative damage associated with aging.

I mixed the creamy fruit with whole raw walnuts and it was simply superb.
And don’t worry you Golden Path Alchemy persimmon product in on the way.

A Whirl of Love & Beauty

So the wedding came off without a hitch. The winds were warm and romantic. The lanterns were glowing and the music was amazing. The tent, the flowers, the food, the cake, the wine, all the elements united in wedded celebration. Despite all the last minute changes and upsets it was the most beautiful, magical day.

I just returned from our honeymoon in the British Virgin Islands which was incredible. I am of course a sincere spa lover and the Spa at Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin Islands did not disappoint. One of my favorite treatments was the Virgin Gorda Goat Milk and Honey Body Wrap.
I feel compelled to share the skin softening secrets.

First use a dry brush to invigorate and exfoliate your skin. When dry brushing start at the extremities and move toward the heart using a circular motion.
Next blend fresh Goat Milk, Raw Honey and Organic Banana into a rich cream and apply all over the body.
Then wrap up in warm towels while the cream soothes every cell.
After 20 minutes rinse with warm water in a shower and admire your supple, glowing skin.
You could also mix the cream with a Golden Path Alchemy Herbal Mask for a mini-facial.
I didn’t get the exact recipe form the spa so experiment. Find the blend that makes your skin shine!

Green Beauty Day at Visionary Boutique Sat Nov 7th 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.!

Here is Visionary Boutique’s invite:

We hope you can join us for a Green Beauty Day on Saturday, November 7th at our Pico location (5285 West Pico LA 90019). We at Visionary are on a mission to educate women about the hidden dangers in their daily use personal care products, while offering healthy alternatives.

Golden Path Alchemy is a skin care line local to Los Angeles, and you just can’t have more integrity than this line.
It’s made in small batches by hand, and contains only the most pure and thoughtful ingredients.
Meet the creators at our Green Beauty Day!

Let’s green your beauty routine before the holidays!

Get a free organic facial from Duchess Marden, Osea, and Golden Path Alchemy. Or perhaps a non toxic make up application form a Jane Iredale expert make up artist is more what you’re looking for.

You can RSVP on our facebook invite,
or send an email to info@visionaryboutique.com
to book an appointment for your FREE service.
Anytime on the half hour from 11-5
We will reply with a confirmation.
First come first served so book early!
Organic refreshments will be served!

Green Line Beauty Grand Opening Thurs Nov 5th 7-9 p.m.! Free Mini-Facials!

Please join us in celebrating the grand opening of Green Line Beauty’s new Green Boutique, featuring natural, organic skin care & cosmetics (including Golden Path Alchemy Skin Care).

Stop by to enjoy some organic refreshments and have one of Jane Iredale’s expert makeup artists introduce you to the most technically advanced makeup in the world. How about a mini facial or brow waxing? We will be offering complimentary brow Waxing by Marissa plus mini facials featuring products from Golden Path Alchemy, Dr. Alkaitis, Duchess Marden, Dr. Hauschka and Juice Beauty.

7123 Melrose Ave (next to M Cafe). Los Angeles, CA 90046
Thursday, November 5 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Seminars and demos will run until 9:00 PM
Complimentary services are by reservation
Please rsvp by October 26th

Just send an email to Stacey@greenlinebeauty.com to reserve your complimentary Mini Facial, Makeup Application or Waxing by Marissa.

Alchemy is in the air…

So Minka’s wedding is tomorrow!!! I stopped by the Visionary Boutique, an eco chic store in Los Angeles, that is now carrying our nourishing Body Scrubs. I was there dropping off products for the International Alchemy Conference which is all weekend in downtown LA at the convention center. As lovers of Alchemy we wish we could be at the conference but Minka’s wedding is more important! So off to Santa Barbara for a beautiful day celebrating LOVE and MARRIAGE!

A lesson in flexibility

We all know that when it comes to weddings nothing goes according to plan. I tried to be cool and calm when both the makeup artist and the hairstylist canceled yesterday. Yes that’s right 2 days before the wedding. My dreams of radiant planned yet effortless beauty foiled.
I thought calm down, no big deal, I can do this myself, right?
Well not really I hate how I brush my hair let alone style it. Come to think of it have I ever styled my hair?
So everyone I called was already booked. October is a very popular month to get married.
What could I do but give my self a spritz on Oneness Alchemyst and continue to make the bouquets.
Then I took some flower essences, a blend I made with a group of my nearest and dearest friends called divine align, and what do you know by 9:00 last night I had the perfect hair and makeup artist.
I don’t know if it’s the flower essences or the ear seeds, but I am so grateful that even today I can laugh at all these little wedding emergencies.

Countdown to Wedding – 3 Days!

So I am not supposed to stress out right? Easier said than done 3 days before the wedding. I have ears seeds in for the last two weeks to help me stay centered. I’m thinking I’ll add a few more today.
It can be very busy the week before the wedding so I’ll impart some wisdom that’s been handed down to me.

#1 plan your meals
It is so busy and last thing you need is a pizza hangover. Make sure you are taking your greens. In the morning I am loving a smoothie with Dr Schulze’s SuperFoods Plus powder. When I am eating right I feel better and I’m more likely to get it all done with a smile.

#2 Stay Hydrated
I carry a huge Klean Kanteen bottle with me everywhere, thank god I have a huge purse too.

#3 Care for your skin
The week before use natural products that help reflect your radiant beauty. Stress has a tendency to dehydrate and a good moisturizer will shine. I love the Purify Serum with the Refine Healing Herbal Serum from Golden Path Alchemy. Stress can also bring on breakouts which is everyone’s wedding nightmare right. So I have been using the Purify Herbal Cleanser in the morning and the Refine Cleanser at night. I also use the Goji Glow Mask about every other day, just to get that gorgeous glowing complexion.

oh shoot pedicure emergency – check back later!

Love is in the Air – Fall Weddings and Gorgeous Glowing Skin

Last Friday I was at a friend’s acupuncture clinic opening and he proposed to his girlfriend in front of about 50 people! It was very romantic to say the least…To top it off, my business partner and fellow skin care enthusiast, Minka is getting married this weekend! I know she has been treating herself to bi-weekly facials and DIY masks to give her skin a beautiful glow for the big day. Here is a guide to keeping your skin radiant and supple for the week before your wedding.

Morning Cleansing:

Squeeze 1/2 of a lemon or lime into a glass of water (warm or room temperature)

Tips:

Keep the salt to a minimum (unless you are using Himalayan Sea Salt)

Make sure to load up on fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains and organic lean proteins.

STAY HYDRATED!!!! This is crucial – drink at least 8-10 glasses of pure water daily.

Exfoliate! Make sure to use a good body scrub for glowing skin. Start now! Use a body scrub with either a salt or cane sugar base. Minka’s favorite is the Purify Body Scrub.

Keep your qi moving! In Traditional Chinese Medicine the energy that flows through the body is called qi and it often likes to get stuck if you are not exercising and moving. Walking, running, yoga, swimming or biking are great ways to keep your qi flowing. This is important especially during times of extra stress (planning a wedding?) and can really keep your mind centered and calm right when you need it.

Now for the DIY Facial:

1 tbs Raw Honey

1 tsp Romance Herbal Mask  – you can get it at Golden Path Alchemy
(substitute oats – ground is best)

1 tbs egg whites

Mix until creamy. Apply for at least 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.  Finish with toner and serum. Your skin will thank you!

Awesome Avocado

This week in Santa Barbara autumn officially arrived. Replete with all the crisp, chilly and blustery fall offerings. I got all wrapped up in my favorite woven wool scarf and toggled coat, loving every layer. Here in southern California all this enchanting weather comes with seasonal dryness. My skin is unfortunately reflecting the dry conditions and I am reaching for lip balm about every five minutes. The summer skin regime just isn’t cutting it. So I am moving on the the Renew Line. Which is of course what I recommend for the fall or metal season.

Get a jump start on refreshed, replenished and hydrated skin with a creamy avocado mask.
Avocado is deeply nourishing and rich in essential fatty acids as well as vitamins A, D and E, lecithin, and potassium – known as the youth mineral.

It is so easy.
Smash an avocado to a creamy paste either with a fork or in a blender.
First cleanse your skin, then apply the avocado cream.
Leave it on as long as you want, giving yourself at least 10 minutes.
Rinse, tone and moisturize.

You can also mix the avocado cream with raw honey or a Golden Path Alchemy Herbal Mask like the Romance Herbal Mask.