Breathe in….hmmmm….breathe out….ahhhhhhhh…

Just pass the threshold of this gorgeous, relatively new shop in Rolling Hills, and you will be subtly and sweetly struck with a multitude of heavenly aromas with every step you take.

While waiting for the kids to finish their pottery class the other day, my Mom and I decided to check out the shops on Deep Valley Drive as it had been a long time since we ventured to the top of the hill. Leisurely strolling around we happened upon a very enticing window that was entrancingly beckoning us, so we decided to accept the invitation. We were happily met by all sorts of colors and textures as well as aromas and lovely engaging displays - plenty of pick me up, feel me and smell me opportunities ranging from
all- vegetable, soy and beeswax candles, to beautifully crafted soaps (I have been enjoying my pumpkin loofah bar immensely - I am so wonderfully smooth now!), milk baths, essential oil blends, sugar scrubs, body splashes, green cleaners, and exquisite gift items from around the world.

Recently I had been searching online for a candle company that used all natural ingredients scented with pure essential oils, and I was unable to find one that possessed all the elements I was looking for, and voilà, here it was all along and practically in my own backyard! (Their Hermosa shop is actually even closer.) The very friendly owners Ken and Denise kindly welcomed us and gave us a bit of the background of this enthralling enterprise. Apparently Ken has been making candles now for over 26 years, and what started out as a passion that he shared with his wife Denise has evolved over time into the booming candle/natural body product business that they have created together. With two retail locations, an online store, and a warehouse/studio where they do all their formulating these alchemists certainly are busy, and the high quality goods they are producing are greatly appreciated by a loyal following of retail clients and wholesale customers alike. Having a wedding or special event? Need fabulous corporate gift ideas? Call them up and they will be more than happy to explore the options with you. Everything is all hand manufactured from the purest of raw ingredients, and they are very environmentally conscious as well.

So go check them out on the hill or at the beach, whichever place is closer for you, or online if your not local. But if you happen to be free tomorrow night go experience all this for yourself at:

An evening in South Africa - a wonderful wine tasting event happening
Friday, August 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. at their Rolling Hills location. I am going to try and make it - maybe we’ll meet you there!

The Out of My Tree
Rolling Hills shop is located at:
550 Deep Valley Drive, #114 (in the Promenade of the Peninsula)
Rolling Hills Estates, CA

The Out of My Tree
Hermosa shop is located at:
1134 Hermosa Ave.
Hermosa Beach, Ca 90254
(stop by and meet Herbal Jude!)

And their online store is at www.outofmytreecandlesandbath.com

Phone: 310.971.5126

Image Courtesy of the Gallery

For an immediate vibrational shift, just step through the threshold of this spiritual sanctuary and be lovingly embraced by the strong yet gentle power of the crystals and gemstones within. Not to mention the very welcoming personal attention provided by the lovely owners of this establishment. My sons and I were greeted warmly and felt free to explore as long as we wished. We feasted on a myriad of colors and textures, thoroughly delighted and inspired. They provide a very informative card to go along with each of the stones they display, so you can better understand the individual properties of each, greatly assisting you in making your selections. An impressive gathering of exquisitely sculpted statues seem to guide you along your journey, and give you a sense of inner calm and balance. A variety of spiritual artwork graces the walls and contributes to the feeling of reverence that can’t help but move through you. We were even invited to enjoy a brief retreat in the beautiful meditation garden that they have created in the back of the store.

Our purpose for this particular visit was to find crystals that spoke to our soul, as Silvia was going to be leading us in some wire wrapping techniques that afternoon. We needed to find several stones each to play with and craft into jewelry to wear or adornments for our environment. There was so much to choose from and they all were so gorgeous, it was difficult to limit ourselves to just a few pieces each, but we made our choices, and we also made the decision that this was some place we really should visit on a regular basis. Quite a wonderous and transformative place indeed!

Sacred Stone Gallery
1832 South Elena Avenue
Redondo Beach, CA 90277

(310) 378-8866

sacredstonegallery.com

For years I practiced foot Reflexology with clients lying on a massage table.
I had seen these portable reclining chairs in massage catalogs periodically that were sold in packages with other Reflexology paraphernalia, but I always thought client’s would be more comfortable on a table, propped up with pillows as I had always done.

But, last year I decided to bite the bullet and purchase my first Lafuma Zero Gravity Recliner, as I thought it would be much easier for house calls. What a HUGE difference! It is great not having to lug my awkward table around anymore!

It’s like being in a well supported hammock that bends the way you do, letting you sit back without stress on any part of your body. And it couldn’t be easier as a practitioner because it puts the feet at the perfect height. You just need to put a pillow under their ankles so they don’t touch the metal bar at the bottom. It has a handy dandy locking system under the arm rests so your client won’t be bouncing all over the place as you work. Light as a feather (comparatively speaking) and folds up nice and neat. Best business investment I have made in a long time.

Not only do they manufacture many different styles from a wide range of fabrics, but they also have an XL model which is approximately 2 inches wider, 2 inches more back support, and 2 inches longer for longer legs - perfect! I purchased one of their cushier models called Lafuma Mellow, and it is quite comfortable in a durable chocolate brown faux suede.

By the way, these chairs are not only wonderful for Reflex, but are just great to relax in, whether you are at the beach, your backyard or in your living room.

For a pretty complete representation of all that Lafuma has to offer, visit:

www.comfortstoredirect.com

This Ohio based store also offers other products useful for good sleep, a healthy back and deep relaxation; exercise, hydrotherapy and massage; travel and outdoors; and more.

Recently when we went to visit the Korean Bell of Friendship, we wandered the nearby artist community of Angels Gate. Scattered on the hills of
San Pedro, in renovated army barracks, this wonderful art center houses some magnificent creators that communicate in a wide range of mediums. You must take some time to go stroll around there - lots of interesting things to see, and it is a real treat to be able to observe the artists as they do what they do.
For more information on exhibits, future shows and classes at
Angels Gate, visit www.angelsgateart.org

One of the most compelling studios we came across, was that of
Myung Jin Kim. Her lighthearted and detail oriented eye and hand for whimsy and natural beauty kept us engaged for quite some time. She greeted us warmly, and offered us some tasty treats to snack on while we browsed, and I have since been back to make some unique gift purchases - I can’t wait to give them to their intended recipients! She shows her work in several galleries around the country, and if you are interested in upcoming shows visit her website at www.mjceramics.com

For the opportunity to enjoy some of her exquisite pieces, click here.

While at the Natural Products Expo last week, we came across one of the most inviting displays at the Dreamsacks booth.

Inviting both in arrangement and in the warm welcome we received from the staff. A great place for tapping into your touchy-feely side, this tactilely luxurious line of fine bedding, travel accessories, and clothing are manufactured from some of the softest natural materials around - silk, azlon from soy protein, cashmere and viscose made from bamboo.

Remember when you were a kid and you used to hide under the racks of clothes in the department store - well this thought crossed my mind briefly while thumbing through the alluring racks of robes, pajamas and loungewear - you just felt like diving right in - felt as soft as clouds look.

Check out their website at www.dreamsack.com - Even their swatch page looks soft!

So this little goodie was just one of many of the complimentary samples we received at the Natural Products show - I will be relieved to seek the sanctuary it offers next time I am in need!

Do you need help restoring emotional or mental balance?

For years the Bach Flower Essences have been able to simply and safely do just that. Based on the work of British physician Dr. Edward Bach, and formulated in part from his original list of 38 healing flowers, this blend of essences has been instrumental in bringing one back from emotional and mental distress, to a place where life can be calmly dealt with under many given stressful situations.

In times of heartbreak, grief or trauma, or if you are experiencing any extreme emotional or mental fatigue - reach for the bottle and take a few drops. It truly can work wonders. Give it a go, see how it can change your disposition, or maybe even your life. A friend of mine who had had countless sleepless nights due to a highly stressfull corporate restructure, swears it is one of the most effective sleep and stress solutions she has ever found.

And now, not only is it available in the original dropper method, but they also have sprays and chewy candy type “pastilles” if that is more palatable.

My first experience with Rescue Remedy left quite a lasting impression.

It was about 20 years ago and I was in my early twenties working at a day care center and going to school nights for Reflexology. In one of the community rooms they had at the center, one of the teachers had set up some small animal cages. One day while passing through the room I noticed the gerbils in one of the cages looked dead. I inspected a bit more closely and realized they were still breathing but very shallowly, and their tiny bodies were limp and practically lifeless. Well, work was just about over for me and I was headed to class, so I wrapped the two of them up in a small blanket and placed them gently in a shoe box. They were going to come with me to class, and I would figure out what to do from there.

When I got there I explained to my teacher what happened, and she quickly produced this curious little bottle labeled “Rescue Remedy”. She told me to keep trying to get them to drink every hour or so until they start to respond, and then every couple of hours and see how that went. They had no swallowing ability at that point and the liquid just kept spilling out of the corners of their tiny mouths. I took them home and continued to administer the drops - I can’t even remember how many times. It wasn’t looking too good. At around 1 a.m. I was exhausted and thought I would catch a little sleep but set my alarm for 3 a.m. so I could check on them. When I awoke, I checked in the box and one was missing!

Needless to say that was a tad surprising. I finally found him hiding out in a corner of my closet, and he was quite perky at that - if not a little freaked out! The other guy was moving a lot slower, but he seemed to have gotten the swallowing down. I placed him back in the box and the other in another make shift home, and went back to bed. Set the alarm for 5 a.m. Went to the shoe box and that little guy was moving around a bit. The one in the other box may well have been doing cartwheels - he was so alive. By the end of that day, I had purchased a new aquarium, a wheel and all of the other necessary components of setting up gerbil digs and I found myself the happy co-dweller of two healthy adorable (and really noisy - at night anyway) rodents!

So those are some powerful flowers -paired with positive intention - the result was miraculous in my estimation - thanks Dr. Bach!

Rescue Remedy is readily available at Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market if you have one close by you, and certain boutique health food stores, as found in smaller towns. For more information, visit their website at:
www.bachflower.com

For an amazing selection of crystals and geodes,
you must contact my dear friend, Carol!
Each piece has been lovingly chosen by she and her partner Wayne, from distinguished rock collections around the world.

They offer affordable prices for a fine assortment of
Amethyst, Citrine and Quartz (amongst other exquisite formations), whether they be in the form of
Majestic Cathedrals, Balls, Obelisks, or Clusters.
Here is just a small sampling of the glorious pieces they have for sale.

Call (or email) to set up an appointment to handpick one,
or a few that resonate with you!

(310) 251-4380, carolmoreno@bigplanet.com

And this is what transpired…

It makes me happy ; )

Feel the bliss with 100% Herbal Therapy Wraps
and Eye Pillows by Claudia

These beautiful wraps are made from a soothing blend of Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary and Chamomile, with the addition of Flaxseed, or Buckwheat Hulls, depending on whether you prefer a heavier or lighter weight.

Wraps can be used hot to ease discomfort associated with Arthritis, Backache, Colds, Headache, Insomnia, and Muscle Pain; or they may be applied cold to relieve the pain of Burns, Cold Sores, Headaches, Insect Stings, and Bruises.

Lavender Eye Pillows are great to promote relaxation, to ease you in to sleep, and for meditation, amongst other uses.

Peppermint Eye Pillows are excellent for opening and refreshing your mind, relieving nasal congestion, calming the symptoms of cold and flu, and alleviating headaches.

Each Eye Pillow comes beautifully wrapped in an organza pouch enclosed with a lovely gratitude stone inside. All items are available in a variety of fabrics per your specification.

Claudia also makes the sweetest little Crystal Pet Charms for the lovable furry friends in your life: and don’t forget to check out her exhilarating Yoga Hikes by the Sea, on our Class page.

For more information about Claudia’s product line or Yoga classes, please call (310) 370-3278, or email bliss-yoga@hotmail.com

Finding retreat in the middle of the city can be quite a challenge to say the least, but every time I have walked in to Rainforest Flora on bustling Hawthorne Boulevard, I am instantly taken a million miles away. The air even feels different, with a lovely mist cascading down on you, as you meander through the winding paths of exquisite plant life, rocks and ponds.

Offering a tremendous variety of Bromeliads, Air Plants and Staghorn Ferns, this incredible self sufficient nursery, also provides a unique habitat for several forms of wild life (koi, frogs and humming birds to name a few).

Even though the hum of the constant traffic outside is somewhat noticeable from the inside of this greenhouse (they get a nice breeze from the street side and often have the entire front open with just netting as a barrier), I still always think to myself what an amazing place it would be to receive a massage, or have a spa party amongst the waterfalls.

If you are trying to create a sacred space within your home or treatment room, I highly suggest you visit Rainforest Flora. The many different species and hybrids they have available can lend themselves perfectly to a variety of environments.

For more information visit their website at www.rainforestflora.com

Better yet, go visit them in person at:

19121 Hawthorne Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 370-8044

They are open Monday through Saturday from 9 to 5 PST