Rituals Grand Opening at Westfield Garden State Plaza

On Friday, October 19th, I stopped in for the grand opening of the Rituals store on the 2nd floor outside of Macy's at Westfield Garden State Plaza. This opening marks the first Rituals store in New Jersey, with other U.S. locations in New York and California. 

Rituals celebrated their opening all day Friday by offering complimentary full-size Foaming Shower Gel (valued at $15) + a $10 off voucher to the first 100 customers. Shoppers were also able to purchase a full size Foaming Shower Gel of their choice for just $5. My favorite is the The Ritual of Hammam Foaming Shower Gel with a fresh eucalyptus and rosemary scent!

On Saturday,  Rituals held a massive gift card giveaway. The first 50 visitors to the store at 2PM and 4PM received a Rituals store gift card valued between $5 and $100. 

During your visit to the Rituals store, you'll find skincare, body care, cosmetics and candles for the home. You can also try out their products in-store with a hand ritual, using the Foaming Shower Gel, Scrub, and Hand Balm. 

For the holiday season, Rituals has launched the limited edition collection of The Ritual of Yalda, featuring an uplifting pomegranate and watermelon scent to get you through any winter fatigue. I'm also really excited about The Ritual of Advent Exclusive Calendar, with 24 deluxe surprises to countdown to Christmas. 

Thank you to Rituals for sending me home with a Ritual of Dao set, with a calming scent of white lotus and yi yi ren!

- Kim Weling

Find Balance in 2017 with Aveda Chakra Body Mists

With a whole new year ahead, it's the best time to shift your personal energy with the aromas of Aveda's Chakra Body Mists. This gift set ($79, with an $85 value) includes authentic fusions of pure essential oils blended to balance and harness the power of Ayurveda, the ancient healing art of India, to help change how you feel. These seven balancing body mists, Chakra 1 (Grounded), Chakra 2 (Nourished), Chakra 3 (Intention), Chakra 4 (Harmony), Chakra 5 (Expressive), Chakra 6 (Insight), and Chakra 7 (Wisdom) enhances yoga, meditation or that spa-at-home experience.

Since your aroma preference changes day by day, based on your physical and mental needs, going on a Chakra Aroma Sensory Journey helps you select the best Chakra aroma for the day. All you have to do is choose 3 of the most appealing chakras whose colors/symbols/words appeal to you the most, breathe in the 3 balancing mists associated with the chakras you've chosen, and then spray the aroma you love most at the moment to feel balanced. 

For today's Chakra Aroma Sensory Journey, I chose Chakra 3, Chakra 6 and Chakra 7, and chose Chakra 6 (Insight), with certified organic petitgrain, orange, geranium, and other pure flower and plant essences. 

Thank you Aveda for sending me this amazing holiday gift I can use throughout the new year, to help me feel balanced and channel positive energy!

- Kim Weling

DIY Aromatherapy and Essential Oils with Aura Cacia

Earlier this summer, I joined Aura Cacia for a DIY night of hands-on workshops to benefit the mind and body. I learned natural ways to incorporate aromatherapy and essential oils into health and body routines. Guests created natural essential oils, including soothing hand gels, sugar body scrubs, refreshing shower gels, and calming foot soaks while enjoying organic cocktails and amazing food from David Bouley Botanical. Check out the DIY recipes below to create your own natural essential oils at home! They so easy to make yourself and also makes a great gift, too! I haven't made any bath and body products all summer but with fall around the corner, I might have to create some new scented products! I easily find all my Aura Cacia essential oils and ingredients at Whole Foods. 

Go to auracacia.com to learn more about essential oils and get aromatherapy recipes for the bath, body, home, kids and pets. 

Soothing Hand Gel - Renew

1/8 cup aloe vera gel

1/8 cup water

2 tsp. vegetable glycerin

1/2 tsp. sweet almond oil

29 drops Renew essential oil blend

2 drops tea tree oil

2 oz bottle

Daily Shower Gel - Freshen

1 Tbsp. sweet almond oil

2 tsp. vegetable glycerin

3 Tbsp. unscented castille soap

24 drops Freshen essential oil blend

4 oz amber bottle

Sugar Body Scrub - Indulge

3 Tbsp. sweet almond oil

1 Tbsp. vegetable glycerin

44 drops Indulge essential oil blend

1/3 cup brown sugar

4 oz amber jar

Soothing Foot Soak - Comfort

1/2 Tbsp. vegetable glycerin

30 drops Comfort essential oil blend

3/4 cup sea salt

1 Tbsp. baking soda

4 oz. amber jar

- Kim Weling

Maldivian Scrub DIY Recipe

DIY scrubs are perfect for fighting the drying effects of winter and also make great stocking stuffers for the holidays. I wanted to share this DIY scrub recipe to help detox and cleanse your skin. Inspired by a treatment offered in Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives, this scrub leaves skin hydrated and smooth. All ingredients are found on the islands of the Maldives and more conveniently for us, also in most supermarkets. 

Maldivian Scrub (Based off of the treatment Laamu Bliss) 

1) Combine the following ingredients in equal parts into a paste:

• Nutmeg
• Turmeric
• Ginger
• Rice powder
• Cinnamon
• Clove

2) Apply whenever desired on the body 

3) Leave on skin for 15 minutes or until skin begins to warm

4) Wash paste off

Nourish Organic Launches Deeply Nourishing Collection and Replenishing Argan Oil

Nourish Organic just launched the Deeply Nourishing Collection with Coconut & Argan Oil, including a creamy, gentle Organic Body Wash and a deeply replenishing Organic Body Lotion. Moroccan Argan Oil, packed with restorative omega fatty acids, intensely hydrates and replenishes skin, while Coconut Milk soothes skin and locks in moisture. Other healthy-skin ingredients include Aloe (instead of water), Vitamin E, and Rice Protein. The Deeply Nourishing Collection is available at Target stores and online at target.com. 

Nourish Organic has also just launched Replenishing Argan Oil with Pomegranate and Rosehip. This multi-purpose hydrator for the body, face and hair can be used as an all-over body moisturizer, massage oil and hand and cuticle repair treatment. It softens dry skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines, softens cuticles and treats split ends. Replenishing Argan Oil is currently available at Whole Foods Market. 

You can find all Nourish Organic products at nourishorganic.com. You'll notice on their website that they have also launched a new ultra-hydrating organic facial line including a face cleanser, face serum, face lotion and face cream made with Moroccan Argan Oil, Rosewater and Pomegranate. Check it out here.

Nourish Organic relies solely on 100% USDA certified organic fruits, vegetables and plant extracts. Their clean, healthy and eco-friendly products are held to the same strict standards as organic food.

- Kim Weling

DIY Skincare with Indie Lee + Beautylish

On October 8th, Indie Lee and Beautylish held a DIY skincare event, where attendees got to make their own natural skincare products, including a peppermint lip scrub, bergamot & orange bathing salt and lavender body scrub. It was so much fun and easy making my own skincare products and deciding what essential oils to add to the basic ingredients. DIY skincare is great for holiday gifting, so my friends and family shouldn't be surprised if they get a DIY skincare gift from me. 

During the event I got to meet with Indie Lee and find out more about her all-natural skincare line, while enjoying mimosas, cupcakes and cake pops. Indie Lee's Coconut Citrus Scrub that was showcased at the event immediately became a favorite of mine. 

Here are the instructions on how to make your own DIY skincare if you'd like to give it a try. Your local Whole Foods would be the perfect place to find the needed ingredients. 

Heaven Scent Bathing Salt

Ingredients:

- 1 Cup Sea Salt

- 1 Tsp. Carrier Oil (Apricot Kernel, Jojoba, Avocado, etc)

- 5 drops essential oil of choice

- Dried flower petals or buds of choice

Steps:

- COMBINE salt and carrier oil together with a spoon, fork, or craft stick in bowl or jar; break up clumps by mashing together.

- MIX and add essential oils until you've created the perfect heavenly scent for your bath time. Add a few flower buds for some extra fragrance, this adds a pretty touch as well. 

- USE whenever you want to transform your daily bath into a day at the spa - this also makes the PERFECT hostess gift!

Luscious Lavender Body Scrub

Ingredients:

- 1/2 Cup Sea Salt

- 1/4 Cup Carrier Oil (i.e., Apricot Kernel, Jojoba, Avocado, Sweet Almond)

- 1-3 Drops Lavender Essential Oil

- 1 Tbsp Dried Lavender Buds

Steps:

- COMBINE salt and carrier oil in a bowl until a delicious texture forms.

- MIX in dried lavender and then sprinkle in a drop or two of lavender essential oil. Add drops one at a time so you can decide how strong a scent you want. 

- USE for at-home pedicures or all over exfoliation - simply scrub the day away in the most luxurious way possible. 

Indie Lee

 

- Kim Weling

Review: Valmont Pop-Up Spa Cabin at Osswald Parfumerie & Luxury Skin Care Boutique

Last Thursday, I had a luxurious facial experience at the Valmont Pop-Up Spa Cabin at the Osswald Parfumerie and Skin Care Boutique at 311 West Broadway, between canal and Grand Street in Soho. This was my first trip to Osswald, which opened its US flagship location last August. The original boutique is located in Zurich, where the family-operated  Osswald Parfumerie was founded in 1921.

Osswald exclusively sells premium Swiss skin care and a wide selection of coveted perfumes. Clement Pinard, Osswald's Store Manager, took me on an informative fragrance tour. I was introduced to some unique and exquisite fragrances and sampled some of my favorites, including Lace by M. Micallef. I am really impressed with the brands that Osswald carries, and the stories behind each parfume. It really makes me feel like I have been transported to a European parfumerie with its distinctly curated products. 

After my fragrance tour, Valmont Skin Expert, Catherine Naisbett, took me through Valmont's Swiss cellular skin care line and new "Body Time Control" body care. Valmont combines active molecules, DNA, premium plant extracts, Glacial Spring Water and RNA to create amazing anti-aging skin care products. 

After introducing me to the line, Catherine took me through my skin care analysis, going over everything from wrinkle depth to my hydration levels. My skin is in pretty good shape, but my hydration levels are only at 50% so I need to work on that as well as keeping up with a routine regimen. 

My "Vitality of the Glaciers" facial experience incorporated a butterfly movement massaging technique, as I felt my skin soak in the nutrients and ingredients of the creams, masks and primers. Since I had my facial in the late afternoon, my Valmont Beauty Ritual was centered around a nighttime prep. My facial left my skin feeling hydrated and moisturized, with a glowing radiance and firmness.

I've been continuing to use a sampling of Valmont skin care based on my customized beauty prescription:

For AM:

1.  Instant Radiance Biological Enhancer

2.  Instant Beauty Primer

3.  Anti-aging Prevention Serum

4.  Anti-Sagging Corrective Neck Cream

5.  Lip Corrective Emulsion

6.  Eye and Lip Contour Corrective Treatment

7.  Multi-Active Energizing Cream

For PM:

1.  Fluid Cleansing Cream

1B.Instant Thirst Quenching Mask (1-2 times/week) and Instant Rebalancing Mask (2-3 times/week)

2.  Instant Beauty Primer

3.  Hydration Activator Concentrate

4.  Anti-Sagging Corrective Neck Cream

5.  Lip Corrective Emulsion

6.  Eye and Lip Contour Corrective Treatment

7.  Prolonged Hydration Cream

There are a lot of skin care steps here, but it's definitely worth it. Valmont's luxe line and skin care treatments are available in high end spa institutes and 4 and 5 star hotels. You can learn more about Valmont at evalmont.ca and the Osswald boutique at osswaldnyc.com.

A big thank you to Catherine and Valmont for such an indulging facial treatment, samples and jewelry box (love it!), and to the incredibly friendly Osswald team - Clement, Nik and Claudia. This was a great way to kick off my birthday! 

Valmont's l'Elixir des Glaciers, Valmont and Nature by Valmont lines 

Here are some images I took of the Osswald boutique

  

The incredible wall of miniature fragrance bottles. Can you believe this is only 15% of the collection? The remaining collection resides in Zurich

Lace (exclusive edition) by M. Micallef

Maison Francis Kurkdijian

Maison Francis Kurkdijian Les Bulles d'Agathe scented bubbles

Parfumerie Generale

Pro Fvmvm Roma

'C' by Clive Christian - the world's most expensive perfume

La Belle Helene

- Kim Weling