Holiday Happiness.......by http://www.La PorteRougeBlogspot.com
Please visit her blog, she is so talented in everything she does.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!
I hope that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day celebration. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I wish retailers both small and large would spend a little bit of time to promote it in their businesses. This year seemed like it had even gotten worst. By October Christmas was the main theme in too many stores with little evidence that their was another holiday that was still to come. I am not sure what is happening. Do people not like Thanksgiving anymore? Do retailers not see the value is promoting Nesting and Thanksgiving related products? It is just so annoying to see so much cheap crappy looking Christmas decorations and gift items displayed everywhere so early in the holiday season. Well I guess we just reached the point in society where being thankful for what you are getting (Christmas gifts) is so much important than being thankful for what you are able to give (Thanksgiving).

Well, this post is for all of you who like me really appreciate Thanksgiving. Above you will see some simple elegant Holiday Centerpieces that you can display in your home that will truly bring visual joy during the holiday. These images are from Domino Magazine.

Stay At Home Spa Recipes

Botany's Desire LOVES everything chocolate. We have the largest selection of natural and organic artisinal chocolates in the area. I personally believe in the health benefits of eating pure dark chocolate daily as well as incorporating it into many natural home beauty routines. When making my beauty products I use other ingredients that compliment the benefits of dark chocolate. Some of the ingredients I use are pure virgin olive oil, mineral rich sea salt from a variety of different countries, jojoba oil, Greek yogurt, seeds, oatmeal, lemons and pure essential oils. Below you will find some nice and easy recipes from Natural Spa Living.

Decadent Rose Chocolate Milk Bath

Ingredients:

• ½ cup dried milk or buttermilk powder
• ¼ cup of non-sweetened organic cocoa powder
• 1/8 cup of colloidal oatmeal or ground oatmeal (Colloidal Oatmeal should be available at the grocery store if not just grind oatmeal in a good processor or blender)
• 1/8 cup of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon dark chocolate shavings
• 1 tablespoon dried rose petals
• 8 oz. decorative glass or plastic jar

Mix the milk, cocoa powder, oatmeal, and baking soda together in a bowl. Place in a decorative container, then add the dried rose petals and grated chocolate shavings on top of the milk bath mixture. This recipe makes enough for two baths.

Add ½ the mixture to your bath or save for future use. When adding to the bath, you may add the mixture into a muslin “spice” bag available at grocers or an old nylon tied at one end to make for easy clean-up. However, having rose petals float in the water as you bathe is definitely decadent and part of the experience! For an extra special touch add fresh rose petals!


Revitalizing Rosemary Spritzer or Room Spray
Ingredients:
• 5 drops of rosemary Verbenone essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. verbenone) for Facial
Spritzer
• or 20 drops of rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis) for Room Spray
• 1 ½ oz. of distilled water
• ½ oz (3 tablespoons) of witch hazel
Other items needed:
• 2 oz. sterile, glass spray bottle
Give yourself a quick pick-me up anytime of day with this Revitalizing Rosemary Facial Spritzer or Room
Spray. Add the witch hazel to the bottle first, then add the rosemary essential oil. Finally, pour in the distilled
water and shake well. Shake well before each use and avoid spraying into your eyes. Don.t use rosemary
during pregnancy or if you suffer from high blood pressure or epilepsy.

Invigorating Citrus Body Smoother
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup of fine sea salt
• 3 ounces + 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil
• 5 drops of sweet orange essential oil
• 3 drops of bergamot essential oil
• 2 drops of spearmint essential oil
• 1 drop of rosemary essential oil
• Optional: 1 vitamin E gel capsule

Exfoliate dry winter skin, increase circulation, and lift your mood with this invigorating body smoother. Blend
sea salt and sweet almond oil in a bowl and then add in the essential oils. Break open and add a Vitamin E gel
capsule to the mixture to act as a natural antioxidant. Blend well. In the shower, use a circular motion to apply
the body smoother working from the feet upwards and the extremities inwards towards your heart. Don.t use
soap afterwards. Rinse off and pat your skin dry to retain the moisturizing benefits of the oil. Be careful as the
shower floor will be slippery from the oil. Store leftovers in a glass jar. Note: It.s best not to shave your legs
directly prior to using a salt-based scrub.


© Natural Spa Living, Inc. 2008. All rights reserved.

Going to Greece 2009!!.....Yes, I am on my way to Greece early next year. I have been thinking about this trip for over a year. There are so many places left for me to visit and so it is always so difficult to choose one country over the other. I am looking forward to this trip for several reasons. As much as I have always wanted to visit Turkey and Bulgaria, I was just not quite ready to visit them while there is so much going on in the world. So Greece seemed not so much a second choice, but as a wonderful alternative. I love pretty much everthing about the culture and its people and just can't wait till the moment arrives when I step off the airplane in Athens.

So you may ask what is up with the luggage. Well, I am stressing out about what kind of luggage to bring. I want something that is easy to identify at the airport, sturdy, flexible, stylish, elegant, light, durable and will look clean for most of the trip. I especially need luggage that is very easy and comfortable to travel with. We will be island hopping for most of the trip after we leave Athens. Traveling mostly by ferry and small planes.

I found these lovelies at Pottery Barn and they are priced ok. But I have yet to commit since I have a while before I actually have to decide. I am hoping though that they might go on sale after the holidays or that my husband may by chance read this blog and surprise me for Christmas.

Dream laundry Room.....Now, I really do not dream of having a laundry room like this. I hate doing laundry. I especially hate folding clothes . The funny thing though I am very OCD when it comes to my clothes and bedding. I will not wear anything more than once without washing. I do laundry almost daily. I go through about 4 fresh towels a week. I much rather dream about a fabulous spa bathroom/garden tea room in my house. But, I have to admit that this laundry room is amazing. I love the clean and fresh look and feel of it. It has everything you could ever want and need to do laundry. I love the fact that there are no colored clothes to be found. Everything is neutral and soothing. If in fact I had to do laundry in this room, I would add a few things. I would add a beautiful Pewter tea pot, I would add tons of silver and glass tins with all my favorite tea selections and have all my favorite essential oils to use in my laundry and clothes steemer. Lastly, I would add a beautiful and comfy chair with a side pocket with my favorite magazines to sit and relax and wait for my clothes to dry. What do you think?
(photo from apt therapy)

Turkish Style Pampering......

We at Botany's Desire are so excited about one of the newest additions to our boutique. We have found the most amazing source for traditional made Turkish towels and bath mats. You know I am always looking out for your best interest when it comes to your personal pampering needs. I know you will just love these and want to take several home with you for yourself and as holiday pampering gifts.

History

Deep in the mountains of Southern Turkey there is a small village nestled under snow capped peaks. In this mountain hamlet called Babadag, lived and worked many of the master weavers of Turkish carpets. Legend has it that sometime during the 15th Century, one of these craftsmen decided to try weaving towels in the same manner that he wove rugs. Previous to this, all towels in the world were flat woven and had no loops. This weaver thought that the same loops that were used in carpet weaving would make a better towel and in fact the addition of loops to the towel did make it absorb water much faster. And thus the Turkish towel was born and became the world’s standard.

As the towel weaving business in Turkey grew and became world famous, these descendants of the village of Babadag became the best quality towel producers in the world.

ABOUT OUR SPA THERAPY PRODUCTS.....South Florida's sultry tropical warm weather is what inspired the creators of these amazing spa therapeutic body care products. Having lived in Florida for more than 10 years, I remember the unforgettable tropical scents of Miami. A combination of the beautiful ocean, tropical flowers, spices and fruits are what I love about this line. The other thing that made me fall in love with this line is the fabric. The texture of the fabric is so luscious!! This is a must have for yourself or that special affordable Holiday Gift.

Combine the soothing elements of both heat and cold therapy with tropical aromatics and the result is an incredible spa experience. RPBotanicals range of spa products, including the neck pillow, mittens, booties, body wrap, and spa mask have been developed to revitalize and soothe. Based in the healing power of the flax seed and principles of aromatherapy, our products are designed to help you relax and increase your well-being.

Choose your own scent for each of the products. The scents of delicate Tiare Flower, refreshing Coconut Lime, invigorating Guarana Brazilian Fruit and warm, exotic Vanilla Orchid are available. All products can be either heated for muscle and stress therapy or chilled to relieve the symptoms of sunburn, fever, hot flashes or inflammation.

Tis The Season for Sucre......Exclusively only at Botany's Desire in California.
From breakfast to a midnight snack, Sucré will satisfy your sweet tooth. Sucré (French for sugared) is an emporium of "artisan" sweets. These French artisan treats will be arriving at Botany's Desire next Thursday Nov. 20th. These are available on a limited quantity because they are handmade fresh with all natural ingredients. During the month of December we will be pairing our Sucre Chocolates and Confections with our
favorite tea line Harney Teas and offering a Holiday Gift set at an incredible discount. So shop early and get some of this good stuff!!

Each of the luxury chocolate collections are inspired by the flavors of New Orleans, exotic teas, and libations. Sucre takes authentic Parisian macaroons to a whole new level of decadence. Flavors include chocolate, strawberry, pistachio, almond, hazelnut, pecan, orange, lemon and indulgent dark chocolate covered.

Executive pastry chef Tarik Hanna creates classic confections with a touch of Sucré sophistication. Handmade Sucré chocolate bark is a refined spin on classic brittle, made with rich sheets of dark chocolate filled with roasted nuts, dried fruit and sprinkled with Maldon sea salt.

(information from Sucre website.)

Holiday Packaging.....This isn't your grandma's gift wrapping.
Things sure have changed over the years. I remember growing up with all that red and green tacky packaging thrown all over and under the Christmas tree and given out at all the shops back in New York as a little girl. Back then in the early 70's taste in packaging was not that refined. I pretty much could care less what my toys where packaged with. I just wanted the good stuff that was waiting inside.

But now, no way no how. My taste has refined quite a bit and holiday packaging is so very important to me. I take my packaging and gift wrapping just as serious as the actual products I choose to sell in my boutique. I also now look for as much eco-friendly packaging as possible. Like they say it is all in the little details.

Fabulous Cupcakes from RoxyCakes in Canada.
Cashmere Coat JCrew

RangeRover 2008

Santa Baby....Hey Santa! Just in case you are reading my blog, I want you to know I have been an awful good girl this year. I worked hard, I don't think I sinned at all, I ate really healthy foods hmm well most of the time. I was good to the earth, my neighbor and I am always thankful for what I already have. So Santa Baby, please please please listen. The above are the things I really want for Christmas. I don't have to have ALL of them at the same time. My birthday is coming up in March, so I can wait to get a couple of them until 2009.

Santa Baby, I know the economy is not looking so good right now and so I understand some of these items may be a bit out of your budget...But Santa Baby just in case you need a little bit of help paying for my presents, you can always contact Washington and see if they will give you a loan or bail out package or a stimulus check to help pay for my presents. Well, Santa Baby I have to get to bed it's getting late. So, I will just wait and see what you decide to bring me on Christmas Eve, and know that no matter what happens I still love you and won't be mad if I can't grant all my wishes. Hugs, Sandra

Why I love the holiday season.....Any excuse to eat dessert. The richer the better. Yes, we need all that extra fat goodness because it is getting cold and we need the fat to help us make it through the rough weather that is soon to come. Right?? You betcha. These are some amazing looking treats for the holidays. The first one is my favorite because it is a combination of Creme brulee and pumpkin cheesecake. These wonderful deserts were created by http://www.Cakeonthebrain.blogspot.com. Please visit the blog site to get the recipes.

Winter Rugs Are Coming.........
Yes, we will featuring these beautiful wool and luxurious rugs. I will be featuring samples in the boutique and customers can order from a variety of colors, designs and sizes These tufted pile rugs are 3-ply 100%
New Zealand wool and are hand made in India. These rugs are made of the highest quality New Zealand wool and are of the finest construction available. Samples will be in by November 20th. If you would like to order before then please come by for assistance.

I am out sick today. In the five years+ since opening Botany's Desire I hardly ever just close down the boutique for a whole day. But today I just don't feel good. Sore throat, headache, and runny nose. I think the up coming election today has stressed me out so much my immune system is out of whack. So, I decided to take a mental and physical day off.

Now, that does not mean I am not hard at work. I have been busy all morning long ordering some fabulous things to sell in the boutique for the holidays. I have also been drinking and eating some of my favorite teas and chocolates and wrapped up in my yummy throws and blankets. These are the best things to have with you on a cold sick day.

P.S. just so you know that is not me in the picture, she obviously is not sick but that is one of the fabulous cashmere throws you get from Botany's Desire.

Finally!! It is feeling like autumn here in the desert.
I have been putting off having these beautiful bamboo and cotton scarves shipped to the boutique. It has been so warm and just didn't feel like it was time to get these in. Well it finally rained this past weekend and the weather is chilly and windy. These scarves and shawls are the most luxurious gifts for the season. They will arrive in a variety of warm colors. They will only be available in limited quantities.