It is my sincere prayer that you had a wonderful summer and that you were able to cross off quite a few items from our summer-time fun bucket list post.  And while the summer leaves us, we welcome the fall.  But there is no need to be sad because this is also a beautiful time of year.  Particularly, in September, the weather is pretty perfect--it is not too hot and it is not too cold, the trees are still in full bloom, and, of course, it is back to school time.  When it is back to school, we often focus on children charting a new path but embarking on a new journey is not limited to children--you can as well. 

The fall is the perfect time to reset and revisit your goals for 2015.  Have you met them?  Are you working toward them? Any new ones to set?  There is still time to tackle them before the year ends and if you are feeling guilty or overwhelmed, then just start with one.  Sometimes, we do not reach our goals because we set them too high.  Start with a short-term goal that builds up to reaching a big one.  Here are some examples to start with.

• If you want to make a lifestyle change; commit to doing something new. Perhaps that is learning a new language, going back to school, taking an art or dance class, learning a new skill, taping into your creativity, embarking on a spiritual journey. If you don't know where to begin, commit to writing in a journal and reading spiritual and inspirational messages.  These are great ways to take time with your thoughts and obtain some clarity.  
• If you want to start taking better care of your body; commit to doing one new thing toward that goal.  If it is exercise, commit to going to the gym once a week and then every week spend a little more time, try a new apparatus, increase the frequency of your visits.  By years-end, you will be in a routine that will carry you through 2016.
• If you want to change your diet; commit to eating one additional serving of fruit and vegetables during the day or if you eating fruits and vegetables are not your problem, commit to decreasing the unhealthy snacks you enjoy daily. You may also want to try eating smaller meals, more frequently.  I use a portion-control plate and I set my phone to alarm when it is time to eat.  This keeps me on track.  We are so busy that we forget to eat and when we forget, when we do, it is often a big unhealthy meal.

When I am embarking on something new, need clarity, or approaching a crossroads in life, I like to sit in a dark room with my Serenity Scented Candles and quiet my thoughts, meditate, and pray.  Sometimes the answers come when we listen to our inner thoughts.

Whatever it is, just commit to doing one thing or changing one thing.  You will feel good about yourself and be well on your way to accomplishing your goals and embarking on a new journey.

The summer is the time of year most look forward to because of the warm weather--the opportunity to remove the heavy clothing we have been wearing all winter--and take time to appreciate the great outdoors with family and friends.  We look forward to engaging in summer activities because they are fun and they give us an opportunity to enjoy time outdoors soaking up the natural vitamin D from the sunshine that our bodies crave. 

It is also during this time, when we expose our bodies to the sun in our maxi dresses, hi-lo dresses, shorts, tank tops, swimsuits, and sandals  It is important, however, to be careful to protect your skin by using sunscreen with the appropriate SPF because it is certainly no fun getting a sunburn!  In the event of a sunburn, try using our Nourishing Body Butter.  Some of our customers have reported that it has been soothing to the skin after a sunburn because of its ingredients--particularly the aloe vera, butters, and oils it contains.

In thinking about what to do this summer, I put together a top 15 summer-time fun bucket list (in no particular order).  Be sure to take your selfies while enjoying yourself!

1. Go to the beach, pool, or Jacuzzi (there is something so relaxing about being in the water)
2. Take a vacation or a stay-cation (we don't often tour or vacation in our home city)
3. Read a new book outdoors (it is always good to expand your mind)
4. Give a barbecue or attend one (this is a great way to socialize with great food)
5. Attend a jazz festival, food festival, wine festival, or street fair (the summer is full of them)
6. Attend an outdoor concert (there are a lot of FREE ones during this time of year!)
7. Take a walk in the park, along the beach, or by the water (this can be a great way to become one with your thoughts or just enjoy a stroll while listening to your favorite tunes)
8. Attend a parade (a way to experience different cultures)
9. Get your workout on! (running, walking, yoga, basketball, tennis, soccer are great things to do outside to give you that exercise we all need) but remember to stay hydrated.
10. Visit with friends (over dinner and drinks at an outside restaurant and bar or grilling in your backyard while mixing your favorite summer spirit)
11. Enjoy family time outdoors in your home city--perhaps at an amusement park or water park
12. Watch the sunset with your favorite person (precious time)
13. Do something nice for someone else ("it is better to give than receive;" you will obtain so much joy and fulfillment)
14. Attend an outdoor sporting event (root, root, root, for your home team)
15. Take time to enjoy life and pamper yourself--it is important--you deserve it (we have products to help you do just that!)

How many of these things can you cross of your summer time bucket list?  What would you add to the list?  Let us know.

Good food, drinks, spa music, fun, and product demonstrations were had by all in attendance.  

We gave away a specially formulated Breast Cancer Soap (Grapefruit, Ginger, and Lemongrass with crushed Rose Petals) to the first 25 guests.  

Congratulations to Tonia Jones, for winning one of our Gift Baskets!

Contact us, if you would like us to host a spa party near you.  We offer our sincere gratitude and thanks to Retired Sgt. Stepherson and the Rochester Police Locust Club for donating the space for this event.

We offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to the City of Rochester for their support!

A name is vitally important.  We put a lot of thought into selecting a child's name, giving someone a nick name, thinking of the proper name you want your child, niece, or nephew to call you like "mom, mommy, ma, dad, daddy, pops, auntie, tee tee, nana, grandma, granny, etc." naming a creative work, or naming a car or a home.  

In selecting a name for this business, I had to remember something my mom (rest her soul) once told me, she said, "pursue your original thought, that is God guiding you."  I remembered that advice after many hours of thinking of names. I went back to my original concept.  

When I was crafting products for gifts during the holidays, I called them Renee's Intimate Escape.  I chose that name in less than 15 minutes because I wanted everyone receiving the gift to escape the stresses of life, have private time at home, and know that it came from me from my heart.  Deciding to formalize the business, I knew I had to make a change.  When I wasn't satisfied with the names I was coming up with, I went back to this thought of Intimate Escape and put more energy into.  I knew that the products would have a spa theme and I knew I wanted everyone to indulge in them every time they used them.  I also wanted the name to appeal to both women and men.  What came from that extensive exercise is I.E. Spa Indulgences LLC.  

i.e. spa indulgences:  i.e. (defined as: that is to say; namely; meaning…) I enjoy, I encourage, I engage, Intimate Escape.  Then I began naming the products based on how I wanted customers to feel or experience the products, i.e. rejuvenating, cleansing, nourishing, soothing, luxuriating, balancing, surrendering, calming, enchanting, seductive, energizing, meditating, relaxing, penetrating, clarifying, hydrating, stimulating, awakening, renewing, invigorating, revitalizing, purifying, softening, refreshing, serenity…

So now that you have experienced I.E Spa Indulgences, what is your favorite i.e.?