So you want to have fun do you?  So be it! … laughing, sharing touch, great conversation, enjoying a meal, and really allowing yourself to release from the day.  There really is nothing like a group of gaggling girls!  Thank you Antoinette & Deb for always being there to listen when I need to talk and really truly understanding me!

I love my girlfriends from high school too… they remind me of so many wonderful times we shared.  And yes, I still get to see those of my friends that I’m.  I love the special feelings I have for the friends I’ve reconnected with closely, like Gerri and Karen especially. At this point in my life, I’m really over the caddy girl competitive thing.  If that’s going on… you’re OUT (and you know who you are).

I get to share great adventures with my friends and be able to enjoy them as well! Spa Days are one of my favorite things to do and luckily I have a couple of friends who will GET NAKED with me as we swim around in the mineral springs!  Then it’s time for body scrub down and body conditioning where afterwards your skin feels as soft as a baby’s behind!  Can’t top that can you?

Overall, I love my girlfriends for all of the gifts they bring to my life and the love we all share for each other.  This blogpost is dedicated to all my girlfriends!

A couple of years ago, someone introduced me to essential oils for diffusing.  I had never heard of diffusing oils however the idea was something I took great interest in because I love natural scents and perfumes usually make me nauseous.

I purchased a diffuser and sever different essential oils and started to “play”.  I found that when I diffused essential oils, depending on which oils I was using I would have different effects.  Not only did I have the beautiful scent being infused throughout my home but I was actually feeling better as well.

Since that time, when I feel stressed, nervous, or anxious I find that diffusing an oil like Lavendar calms me down while infuses the smell of Lavendar in my home… win win (and my dogs love it too!)

One thing that makes you feel super clean is to get a manicure and a pedicure.  No matter how many times I try, I never get my hands and feet to look like the professionals do.

Today, you don’t need a whole lot of time for this easy and relaxing form of self-care that really makes a huge difference and doesn’t cost a lot of money.  When you wear rings or you talk with your hands people notice them.  It’s really when someone then compliments you on how beautiful your nails look.

You may think that your feet aren’t as important to have done however if you take off your shoes or wear open toed shoes, people really take notice of your feet.  They might as well look their best.  Pedicures also are great for the removal of calluses and dead skin which just seem to creep up and get worse as we grow older.

Making sure you always have manicured hands and feet is a simple easy way to feel good without a lot of time and effort.  I make sure my nails are done weekly and tootsies every third week.  You never know when you’re going to have to take off your shoes!

One of my most favorite things to do is to go to the spa and completely decompress physically, mentally, and emotionally.  When I go to the spa I don’t care about the time, what hasn’t been done, who is trying to reach me, where I need to be, or how it’s going to happen.  All I care about is being completely relaxed and into my body while I’m getting the treatment of a lifetime! My favorite spa which I recommend highly is Beverly Hot Springs if you’re in Los Angeles.

To me, the spa is someplace I can go for ME time!  And yes, it’s all about me!!!

From the moment I have showered and am submerging into the mineral springs all my worries are set aside.  I feel like nothing can stop me from opening up and relaxing into my body and I haven’t even had my body scrub/body conditioning treatment yet!

By the time it’s all over (anywhere from 2-3 hours later) I’m walking puddy… so relaxed that nothing phases me… until my workweek begins!

Most of you wake up, jump out of bed, and start your routine without even giving your body a chance to “wake up”!  One way that you can be more gentle with yourself as your day begins is to take five or ten minutes in the morning to stretch out all your muscles and see what a difference that makes in your day.

Stretching helps your muscles get ready for all the strain and stress you will most likely take on.  It also helps your muscles to be more pliable so you don’t create any strains or spasms.  Lastly, it really makes you feel great!  I love stretching and so does my body.

Whether you stretch to start your day or before your exercise routine, stretching does the body good!

Historically, baths and bath houses were places where people went to heal their bodies while they did business and socialized at the same time.  Baths allow you to decompress your body while relaxing your mind.

Most of you today, don’t make time to bathe and instead jump in the shower, lather up, rinse off, jump out and into your clothes.  You shower for cleanliness, not relaxation.

So, when do you really find the time to relax?  Most of you don’t.

I am a huge A type personality, constantly on-the-go, multitasking, and I find that the only way I really can calm down is to run some hot water, add some essential oils, and throw a few rose petals in the bath and light a candle as I submerge into my nice warm tub of water… Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh  Now that’s more like it!

When I’m in the tub I also massage my body with the essential oil laden water so that my skin feels lusciously hydrated and silky smooth!  Try this kind of bath and see how delicious you feel after!

Whether you are single or in a relationship, it’s always fun to get dressed up once in awhile!  Last week one of my friends, Deb Dutilh asked me if I wanted to join her and Sharon Otness Foot to see some magic.

At first I was pondering it a little since I haven’t been to the Magic Castle since I was a kid.  After a few seconds I thought, “what the heck, let’s give it a try.”  Then I went on to read the dress code… “evening attire, suits & ties for the men and women in dresses or dressy pant suits.” I was a little shocked.  I’ve always been of the mindset, “you can wear jeans anywhere in LA.”  I’m not living in New York after all, where it is a little more formal and people do dress up on a regular basis.

After rummaging through my closet, which has something for any occasion guaranteed I found a great fitting little black dress I got at the Flea Market quite awhile ago which I have never had the chance to wear.  Perfect!  On with the dress, some lacy black tights, leopard pumps, my camel hair coat and I’m all ready to go!

Needless to say, I enjoyed the night immensely, had a fabulous time, and even got a few great photos of me in my little black dress!  Once in awhile it’s fun to get dolled up, put on something dressy and do something out of the ordinary!

After the winter when it’s time to come out and play, why not treat yourself to something new?  Or should I say, new to you?  I love to Flea Market shop because I always get great “finds” and I never know what kind of treasure I’ll end up coming across.

“This Sunday’s shopping excursion I ended up finding:

  – Vintage 70′s purse – Balenciaga pencil jeans – Juicy Couture silk embroidered top – Africa top with lace – 2 yoga scarves – white eyelet 3/4 sleeve top – great finds!” ♥ Bonnie Gayle

Flea Markets are great because on many occasions you can find things that normally would cost a lot more money if you purchased it retail at a store.  Sometimes the items have never even been worn or used and other times, they are “nicely broken in”.

I’ve been shopping at Flea Markets for almost twenty years and I just love it!  I never know what treasures I will find and I love the deals I get too!  If you love a great deal and are up for a treasure hunt, a Flea Market may be the place for you!

After having been a “Sun Goddess” my whole life I find myself spending less and less time in the sun these days.  I do go outside every day however I also make sure that the sun is not too hot and it’s not the peak sun hours so I don’t get burned.  Spending some time outdoors in the sunshine (when it is not at it’s peak time for burning skin) is important for so many reasons:

-  Your body produces more Vitamin D after being exposed to ultraviolet rays.

-  It makes you feel happy

-  Deficiency of Vitamin D is associated with mental and physical diseases.

For a list of potential disease associated with a lack of Vitamin D

Not having enough Vitamin D can be very dangerous to your health.  Most foods which  contain Vitamin D, have so little that you would need to eat or drink a lot to get the required daily dose.  Supplements are available however you should ask a health professional before taking supplements.  Your Vitamin D levels should be checked on an ongoing basis regularly.

So have some fun in the sun and make sure you protect yourself during those peak times with some non-toxic sunscreen that doesn’t have parabens in it!

Planting is such a fun thing to do whether it’s herbs, flowers, or fruits and vegetables.  All of items can be easily found at your local market, hardware store, farmers market or nursery and many times you can get some great deals!

When you get your hands dirty in the dirt, it really allows you to connect with the earth and CALM down.  I know how frustrating stressful your life can get at times, just as mine does and it always makes me feel amazing when I spent 3-4 hours in my garden.  Getting down and dirty in the earth really makes you feel ALIVE even though it’s not the best thing for my beautifully painted fingernails!

I know that many of you may live the apartment life however you can still have a garden that lives inside of large pots.  That’s what I do.  I grow all kinds of succulents, pretty flowers, herbs and even some fruits and vegetables.  I also have a couple of chairs in my garden so that when I just feel like hanging out someplace relaxing and I don’t have a lot of time.

Have some fun playing in the dirt in your garden!