Blissful Living: a luxurious ritual for glowing skin

It's so important that we remember to take care of ourselves because we spend so much of our day giving, giving, giving. I make sure that I schedule in time for self-care into my planner. My planner helps support me in staying focused on the vision for my life. 

In this last issue of ISTA Magazine, Renata from LDV Nutrition shared with us a luxurious ritual for glowing and beautiful skin. Blissful Living is all about decorating and setting up your home to touch all of your senses. Perhaps you should take tonight to give yourself the gift of beautiful skin! 

Here is what she says: 

Imagine your skin smooth, silky and beautifully glowing… Skin that feels and looks fresh, perfectly hydrated and balanced! After a few months of too many layers of clothes… heated/air conditioned spaces… and extreme temperatures…our skin may feel dry and dehydrated.

Let’s awaken All Your Senses; Touch, Smell, Sight, Taste, Sound with my favorite ritual that feels self-nurturing, sensual and feminine. This ritual is not just pleasure for your skin…it is food for your soul! For me it is like stepping out from the tired and dull and into new, fresh and beautiful… allowing all that no longer serves us to be washed away… Bringing a fabulous feeling of freedom!

What you will need?

2-3 tbs or more of Pink Himalayan Salt

2-3 tbs spoons or more of Raw Coconut Oil

A few drops of beautiful and calming essential oils

A gorgeous scented candle

Play your favorite soothing music

Plush towels

A peaceful space in your bathroom

Cozy and beautiful clothes – silk or cashmere

A glass of champagne – optional but highly recommended

Your Steps

Step 1. Awaken your sense of smell! Mix the coconut oil, the Pink Himalayan Salt and The Essential Oils together in a small bowl using a spoon. Close your eyes for a moment – enjoy the beautiful scent of essential oils and the tropical scent of coconut oil.

Step 2. Give yourself a gift of relaxing and uninterrupted time.Whether you are single, married or even if you are a mom, you deserve to this level of luxury! Uninterrupted, relaxing time at least once or twice a week…Trust me, your family will benefit from your experience immensely! When we are doing things that feel self-nurturing and self-loving we naturally feel happier and more relaxed and, as a result, we are a better wife, lover… and a mother.

Step 3. Awaken your sense of touch. Step into the shower, but do not turn the water on, your skin needs to be dry while exfoliating. You will take a shower in the end. Take a small amount of the exfoliant and rub it in the palm of your hands. Apply using small, circular motions starting with your feet and work your way up your legs, tights, belly, chest and then start again with your arms, shoulders, back at all times move towards your heart. The pressure should be gentle and loving but firm (not painful).

Step 4. Take a relaxing, warm bath.Use a small towel to remove the exfoliant… Your skin should look glowing, lightly pinkish, and feel super soft. Dry your body with soft towel and put comfortable and cozy clothes like cashmere or silk…

Step 5. Enhance your tastebuds. Have a taste of chilled champagne with a strawberry while listening to your favorite music.I love creating this ritual on a weekend just before going on a romantic dinner date with my husband or in the end of the day just before going to bed.

Feng Shui: 4 crystals you should decorate your home with for harmony and bliss

This post will guide you to learning about how to decorate with crystals at home for good feng shui and which four crystals you should start with.

Okay, so if you are new to crystals you may want to read this post first to get yourself with a good understanding of how crystals can help you fall more in love with your home. As an interior designer, I fell in love with crystals just by their beauty but as I learned more about their spiritual and energetic healing properties, they became an essential part of my life.

Why you should be decorating your home with Crystals:

   As we continually walk the path of discovering our best selves and living at our full potential, I want to encourage you to set yourself up for success. . .at home. I fully believe that our home is a reflection of our soul and we have to treat it the same way we treat our bodies. These are our sanctuaries and the place where can should live in bliss. This is what my book, Blissful Living, is all about. Curating a home that inspires you to live life to the fullest. 

A few years ago, on a random day in NYC, a few girlfriends I went shopping after brunch. We stopped by a spirituality bookstore with a gorgeous and large gold Buddha out in front. We just felt pulled in to this store. As we walked in, the most enchanting music was playing. It was melodic and warm which made us feel so welcome. The sweet smell of sandalwood incense filled our senses, we just had a sense of inspiration and connection. We perused the books, motivational cards, spiritual trinkets and found ourselves mesmerized in the back of the store by the crystals. 

    We spoke with one of the managers of the store about the energetic power of crystals in the home. These crystals, rocks and stones, come from the earths energy and are physical representation of certain energies that we are inherently attracted to. She encouraged us to see what crystals spoke to us and as we picked them out she told us what energy was associated with the stones. It was pretty powerful for us because it seemed that we were selecting the things that each of us were needing in that moment. 

    That shopping experience was one of my most favorite moments ever. We girls will forever be connected by that experience. In our homes, these crystals and stones continually bring us high vibrations and joyful feelings when we see them. 

Important lesson for Blissful Living: Filling your home with things that bring you joyful and happy memories will make your home more blissful, no matter what the actual item is. 

    I’m always happy to incorporate crystals into my home. So, I reached out to my friend Ashley of In My Sacred Space to give you a few of her personal recommendations for crystals at home and which ones can help enhance your personal bliss. 

I personally have each of these crystals in my home and I absolutely love them. Another look I am over the moon about are calcite geodes. . .

Calcite geodes make such fabulous accents for your home decor. They look good anywhere, on bookshelves, coffee tables, kitchen islands, bathrooms, etc. 

Anthropologie is one of my favorite sources for any type of crystals. Adding crystal pulls to your drawers is also a fabulous way to incorporate the look. Here are a few of my picks that I was trying to decide for my vanity. 

I would LOVE to hear from you. Share with me your favorite crystals down in the comments below! 

SHOP MY FAVORITES

Title image: via @sswansondesign Article via ISTA Magazine