Hair Color Tips

Blush Response 001           

Tricks--one of them is really good--to keep hair color fresh for a longer period of time.

The Mystic Review: Scrying and the Bible

The Mystic Review: Scrying and the Bible

Wonderful blog, and this article is very interesting.

Gardening

WHAT IS THIS?

I purchased this plant from a native gardener in my town in north Florida several years ago.  The gardener told me that the plant is called Lavender Basil.  Initially, I wasn't even interested in buying the plant, but the gardener was so keen on this shrub that I decided to buy it.  I brought it home and planted it in my butterfly/hummingbird garden, and she took off!  Every summer, she's covered in profuse white blooms that have a little light-purple-colored center.  These blooms are a magnet for bumble bees, so beware.  The bumble bees, however, have never been aggressive towards me--they seem to be quite drunk on the nectar and couldn't care less if I'm watering right next to them.

Well, this became my favorite plant in the garden.  Over the last couple of years, I've taken cuttings from her, put them in soil, and have successfully propagated three new plants.  I've done research on this plant and have found that, apparently, it goes by several names:  Lavender Basil, Ohoopee Basil, Ashe's Savory... and there may be more names.  So, what is it?  I also learned that this plant is a native of the Ocala National Forest (north/central Florida), and that it also grows in Georgia, and possibly in the Carolinas.

Can anyone help me positively identify this?

Maitreya: The Buddha of the Future Figurine from Etsy Vendor

Do you shop on Etsy?  I do, and quite often, and it's a wonderful shopping site that offers many beautiful items that are handmade by very talented people all over the world.  There's vintage stuff, too. 

Recently, I purchased two little figurines of Maitreya, the Buddha of the future (one for me, one for a friend), from a wonderful vendor whose shopping site on Etsy is called spiritStuff.  The figurines are exquisite and sooooo reasonably priced.  Here's what spiritStuff has to say about this Buddha, and about her work:

Maitreya (Sanskrit), Metteyya (Pāli), or Jampa (Tibetan), is a future Buddha
of this world in Buddhist eschatology. In some Buddhist literature, such as
the Amitabha Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, he is referred to as Ajita Bodhisattva.

Maitreya is a bodhisattva who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on Earth,
achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma.

I enjoy making molds and casting repros, and I have been a mold maker
for more than 25 years. Buddhas and Quan Yins are a favorite, but also
I love making molds of totemic animal skulls, and had a collection of over
70 different ones at one time.

This is a casting that I made from an original, a carved Netsuke.
The Netsuke is a traditional form of bead that has evolved into an art form in Japan.

This little fellow is 2 1/8 inches tall, and I have done with a layered and shimmering
finish using silver and pearlescent paints, with a mossy under wash.
It ends up literally Glowing, and it faintly shows some of the original detail
that was etched into the surface of the Netsuke.

I'm continuing to design more color options on this and other Buddhas.

This Etsy vendor is a lovely person and very professional.  If you like her creations, I think you can have complete confidence in buying from her.

A very important postscript:  The little Maitreya has been with me two days, and since his arrival, I have noticed that a state of peacefulness is present in my home.  Amazing!

Candles and Home Fragrance Oils

Solstice Scents Roasted Chestnuts and Marshmallow Home Fragrance Oil

Well, well, well... What do I say about this hysterical-ly delicious fragrance? That I loved it? How blah. I bloody well LOVED IT!

This is the first time I've tried a Solstice Scents home fragrance oil and I found it to be  far superior to other home fragrances that I've used.  The Roasted Chestnuts and Marshmallow Home Fragrance Oil from Solstice Scents maintained its integrity, in other words, it didn't deteriorate as it warmed. I've used other home fragrance oils that have sort of fallen apart upon warming.

This scent is beautiful, it's warm, and perfect for the holiday season!

White Magick Alchemy Candles and other Great Things:

Here' a pic of one of their candles--this
one's just like the one I bought!
Beautiful, ha?

These are the best candles I've purchased recently.  I bought a black dragon's blood scented 3" pillar candle. (click here to see my candle).  It arrived with a beautiful black ribbon tied around it from which hung a tiny keepsake:  A pentacle!  This candle burned perfectly, evenly, and smelled divine.  It gave great juju to my home.  I also purchased a pewter stand and I placed my candle on this while I burned it.  Let me tell you, it looked amazing! 

Their packaging is excellent.  Their shipping speed is fast!
White Magick Alchemy has a website and they also have a blog.  Check them out, and I promise you won't be disappointed.  You can also buy their products through  ETSY. 

They offer excellent customer service!  The candles and other products they sell are works of art, and their fragrances are fresh and vibrant.  And remember, they also come with a lot of good juju!  The woman that runs this great little business is a lovely person!

Yankee Candles
Large Jar Candles Farmer's Market™ YankeeCandle.com

I'm not a fan of Yankee Candles, but this particular one--Farmer's Market--is fabulous! Guess where I discovered it? In the reception room of our dog and cat's veterinarian! The candle's label states, among other things, that its fragrance contains warm spices.  And you can definitely smell them!  A very nice scent, no cloying smell. I want one!

Beauty & Hair Products & Services

Haus of Gloi:  Honey Tree Body Emulsion
I haven't tried this product... yet, but it received a good review in the AMAZING blog, Chocolate Cherries Allamanda.  Check out the specifics on the product here and, of course, on the Chocolate Cherries Allamanda blog.


Touche Hair Salon in Gainesville, Florida

No, it's not ME!  I just wanted to decorate
my post just a little

This salon is top notch.  It isn't a "fru-fru" place, and I think you know what I mean by that:  Not snobby, not bitchy, not fancy.  What it is:  A place like home with a wonderful staff that make you look and feel great.  I go to Meridith at Touche and let me tell you, this woman is a friggin' magician!  She's an amazingly talented stylist, but more importantly, a beautiful person whom I'm blessed to call a friend.

Now I gotta tell you about Deb's products.  Deb's also at Touche.  What a sweet, wonderful woman!  Anyway, she has started her own line of natural body products.  Forgive me, but I don't know if the line has a name.  If it doesn't, she ought to call it "Deb's Naturals."  OK, so I bought a patchouli/lavender body cream that's to die for.  Goes on like silk, doesn't leave you greasy, and your skin looks and feels great.  I've also purchased a solid body emulsion.  Mine is in the shape of a heart, and you apply this onto damp skin then pat dry.  It really moisturizes the skin, however, I don't like feeling a cream on me, and I do feel it with this solid, so it's not for me--I'm sticking to the awesome body cream.  The products are very reasonably priced and you can buy samples.  You gotta try these!  I promise, you're going to be delighted!  Here's the scoop on Touche:

Touche Hair Salon

3911 W Newberry Rd, #E
Gainesville, FL 32607
(352) 375-0533