I Spy With My Little Eye...

Do you know what I spotted yesterday in between rain showers, our very first red berry! I am so excited. This is our first year growing strawberries. I put them in a hanging basket to ward off the invasion of slugs, so far so good! Due to the very cloudy weather the berries have been delayed in their growth. However, I am so pleased that they aren't rotting! Hopefully we will be enjoying delicious red berries all summer long!

Little Friends

We have a visitor! He really likes the clover growing in our grass! He is very fast, has a twitchy nose, and very long ears to hear danger approaching...like two little boys who would love to pet him! Can you guess who he is???



We love that he enjoys our yard, Mr. Cottontail is welcome anytime! We just wish he would hang out a little longer for us to enjoy his very funny movements!

Coffee in the Rain!

There has been a song running through my brain all afternoon maybe you know it. " Do you like pina coladas, do you like dancing in the rain..." Although I like this song, I changed the words, and I think my version is a better fit for our rainy Seattle weather! " Do you like little cozy corners, do you like coffee in the rain..."
I have always been a fan of cozy spots, the rain, and coffee!!! I love having a place just my own to curl up and read, drink a cup of coffee, take a nap, or watch the beauty around me! When I was growing up, my parents had a window bench over a very cozy heater. I spent many hours all snuggled up on that bench! Now in every home I have had since getting married, I try to re-create that cozy spot...sometimes I have several places in my home I enjoy!
My latest cozy spot is on my front porch. My mom gave me a brown bench that she no longer had room for...it fit perfectly in an unused corner. I have added two great pillows that I scored on, a throw for extra coziness, some pretty potted flowers, and I am set for some quiet time! The spot still needs a little something on the wall behind it, but I would say that it still feels so cozy and I am really loving it!
Seattle has had a lot of rain recently! I love the rain, it is so peaceful and refreshing, some of my happiest memories involve rain. I was able to enjoy an amazing storm the other day, I will share some pics of my rainy view from my newest spot!

I hope you enjoy an afternoon cup of coffee, some quiet time, and the view from your cozy spot!

Happy Facial Monday!

Guess what, it is Monday again!!! I am hoping you had a great week cleansing, and you were able to see your stress literally wash away! I love starting my morning by washing my face, my cleanser smells soooo good and my skin feels invigorated!

Moving forward, step two on your way to a new, shiny, and happier you, exfoliation! This is such an important step. Cleansing is the most foundational step, but exfoliation to crucial to the new, and shiny... Most people will skip right over this step because it is just one more product to purchase and one more step added to their routine. However, this isn't a step to skip. As you age your natural exfoliation process slows down. This means that those dead skin cells are just sitting on your face absorbing the skins much needed moisture, and causing your skin to look dull/grey. So, by regularly removing those dead skin cells, you are improving the appearance of your skin, the tone and texture, helping to maintain your skins moisture, and stimulating the cells to begin the regeneration process!!! BOTTOM LINE, YOU LOOK YOUNGER!! So important!!! You can exfoliate twice a week, oh shoot...I guess you will just have to add another facial day to your week! Remember to cleanse before you exfoliate!

Something important to remember about exfoliation: lite pressure! There is no reason you need to scrub off your face. A good exfoliator will remove the dead skin cells without much effort on your part. Also look for fine buffing crystals, no reason for really big chunks. If you have very sensitive skin you may want to consider an enzyme exfoliator. This will allow you to exfoliate the dead skin cells without scrubbing your face.

Have fun buffing this week, and enjoy the time you have set aside for yourself!

Your skin without exfoliation...

www.mysensaria.com/allnatural

A Splash of Color In A Lot of Grey!

It is well known that this has been one of the rainiest Springs we have seen in Seattle in a very long time. We have been greeted with grey clouds almost every morning, which bring lots of rain and wind. The sun makes a glorious appearance every now and then, and we all experience a little rejuvenation of the spirit!
This weekend I was thankful for a rejuvenation of a different kind! I drove the I405 corridor several times this weekend, normally a sea of concrete and cars....more grey. However this weekend I was surprised by a sea of happy red poppies! I was so encouraged and blessed by this simple splash of color! Thank you to the person with the WADOT who suggested that wild flowers be planted next to the freeway! My weekend was made better by this lovely gesture! Wishing you a splash of happy color this week!

Happy Facial Monday!

Most people don't look forward to Mondays! Mondays mark the end of the weekend, another week of work, stress, time away from family, etc. But I believe that Mondays can be a day to look forward to, even if you have to work. It is all in your mentality.

For example, I have two pre-school aged boys and life, especially over the weekends, can be crazy. Often I don't get all the house work done, extra laundry is created with all our play, piles are created because Mommy is too tired to pick-up, and "me" time is so limited! So, because I am a stay at home mom, I use Mondays to catch-up. Laundry gets tackled, bills paid, errands run, and best of all, I do something nice for myself. I know that not everyone has the luxury of staying at home and a catch-up day isn't always an option, but EVERYONE has time to do something nice for themselves that will make a difference in their otherwise stressful week! We all have something we love, something simple, that would create joy in our life. It is my hope that you will bring that "something" into Monday!

I love facials, and Monday is facial day!!! I love the feeling of a clean face, and I love doing something simple that makes the rest of my week so much better! I would love to go to the spa every week, but that isn't practical. So I have learned how to re-create the spa rituals in my own home every week, and I look forward to it!!! Taking care of your skin is so important, and it CAN be pampering!

There are six easy steps to a new, shiny, and happier you! But, lets begin with the easiest and most foundational step, CLEASING! Try for a week cleansing both morning and night, and see what a difference it makes not only for your skin but also your mood and outlook on life! Don't believe that washing your face will make a difference in your mood? Have you ever noticed that when you are stressed or going through a crisis your skin breaks out? That is because your skin is the outward sign of what is going on inside your body, and it will show your stress! By washing and taking care of your face with a high quality cleanser, designed for your skin type, you can literally wash the stress away! I bet you are wondering what your skin type is and how to choose a cleanser that is right for you...
Normal/Combo: Oily T-zone by noon, visible pores in T-zone, Drier on cheeks...
Sensitive: Easily irritated, reddens easily, ranges from dry to oily...
Dry: Dry, tight feeling skin, no visible pores, fine lines and wrinkles...
Oily: Oily shine by noon, larger pores, blemishes...
It is really important to use a cleanser that is formulated for your skin type, so take your time making this decision! You can actually make your skin look and feel worse by using the wrong products!

Okay, Happy Monday! I hope you join me for "Facial Mondays." I will continue on Mondays to talk about skincare. I know you will see and feel a difference this week! If facials aren't for you, that is okay, but I encourage you to find something to incorporate into Monday for a little pampering! You deserve it!


This is what can happen if you don't take care of your skin! : )

www.mysensaria.com/allnatural

A party that left quite the impression...

I had a host create such an amazing evening for her friends last night! She created an environment that was festive, fun, inviting, and really set the stage for an relaxing evening. She and her friends work so hard every week serving 2,3,4, and 5 year old children, this is not an easy job. They are the most generous, patient, and kind group of women and they deserved to be pampered! I was so thrilled that they were able to relax and truly enjoy themselves! Here are just a few pictures of her creative and festive treats!

If you would like to host a party, I would love to hear from you!
www.mysensaria.com/allnatural