Love your Mom
 Escents staff member, Lisa Ashby, shares why she loves and appreciates her Mom!
I moved away from my mom when I was 19 years old and headed across Canada to Vancouver. My mom was there supporting me EVERY step of the way, even thought she knew it meant letting go of her daughter. I’ve lived in BC now for about 7 years and my mom still lives in Ontario, visiting me once every 2 years. Many years have passed by and I’ve had to make some really tough life decisions, career decisions, getting married and buying a house. My mom has NEVER once doubted me and my decision to move to BC because she raised me to be strong, independent and to really live my life to the fullest. Even though my mom hasn’t been in my life physically for quite some time, she is always in my mind, my heart and soul making sure I am making the best decisions and making sure I stay true to who I really am. I now truly know that moms are on this planet to make sure their children grow up and be the person they dreamed you would be from the moment you were born.
I love you forever and for always mom :)
Click here to check out all of our great Mother’s Day gifts!
 Free the Mind with Meditation
With all the negative things that seem to be happening in the world, stress from work, everyday life, and financial worries—no wonder so many people find it hard to muster up a smile. After almost losing my oldest daughter over the Christmas holidays, I was searching for an antidote to the weariness that I found myself in. In the end, I turned to meditation to deal with this painful, stressful situation.
I was surprised to find out that meditation shows us that sometimes the only way out is in. Meditating revealed to me that I already have the answers inside of myself; I just had to be still long enough to find them. Meditation is the relaxed stated of looking inward to find true peace and lasting happiness.
Meditation helps to bring our mind back to the present, returning to the "nowness" of the moment. As we work with our mind, we begin to see what arises—our thoughts, sensations and even emotions, will disappear when we simply allow them to.
Making mediation a part of your daily routine a couple minutes a day can improve your health. Meditation lowers blood pressure—studies reveal that those who practiced mediation outlived the national average by 23%. Meditation enhances memory—experts say that when the brain is functioning in a more relaxed state, it's able to absorb and retain memory better. Meditating helps you stay focused with your efforts to cut down or stay away from nicotine, drugs or alcohol. Meditating frees your mind, enhances alertness and focus and is a great stimulus for new ideas and creative thinking.
So there you go, just a few of the many benefits of mediation. In an unscented spray mist add:
10 drops- Vetiver
Plan a peaceful setting for yourself. I found it to be relaxing to turn off or dim the lights and light a few candles. My husband prefers soft instrumental music. Others simply prefer silence in any sort of setting. Whatever your preference, be sure to create it for yourself. Spray your mediation spray and breathe..... relax.... and let your mind wander....
Besos, Gina
Fake Christmas Trees vs. Real
A few weeks ago, I was away at a hockey tournament with my eldest son, and to my surprise my other two boys and their dad were busy decorating our tree while we were away—what a nice surprise to come home to!
So I went home was blown away! Wow, what a tree! We we’re having a party for one of my sons on the 8th of December for his hockey team, so John and the boys decorated the tree in hockey paraphernalia. It looked sooo good, so different and so fun. After dinner, I sprang my own surprise on John. I had bought a fake tree while I was away....a tree that perpetually snows! Right away he looked at all the little foam balls that got recycled up and out of the top of the tree and then back up again and said, “wow, this is going to make a mess!”
We set up the tree and turned it on. It worked for five minutes. The electrical switch on the tree was faulty:( I had to take all the little foam balls out of it and take it down, take apart the electrical box, and two hours later, John finally gave up trying to fix it!!
Anyway, after cleaning up the mess putting the tree away, we have now decided, no more fake trees. Natural is best for us:) What type of Christmas tree do you like? Real or fake?
Broadway Locations 20th Anniversary Party
On Thursday, December the 6th we're having a little get together at our Broadway location to celebrate our 20th year in business. Come by for some refreshments, door prizes, exclusive offers and SWAG BAGS for the first 50 customers! We look forward to seeing your lovely faces, and be sure to invite your friends and family:)
Escents CEO Shares Some Of Her Cherished Holiday Traditions
My husband John and I began traditions for our family soon after getting married. Both of us were in retail had to decorate our stores every year and that began December 1st. When I first met John, he always bragged about how his dad used to decorate like crazy! I loved that because we also spent a lot of time and energy on Christmas decorating in our family. It would of course include a Tree (always real) and would then extend out to the outside of the house. John talked a lot about all of the garland above the mantle, the lights & garland on the stair banister and about how much love and energy – his dad in particular, would put into decorating their tree. So when our first Christmas came, he did the same at our house. What is nice for me is that he loved doing it so much and the house always looks so great. I thought I would also share some of the other things we do during Christmas:
Christmas Eve: We always go to our friends house – it is great and she is an awesome cook. The food is always fabulous and it's great to spend it just relaxing with them. They have two kids and the boy is the same age as my eldest son. John and I are busy right up until Christmas every year with our stores, so it is nice not to have to worry about too much on Christmas eve.
When we get home we put out food for Santa and his reindeers. This is fun but I am not sure what will happen this year as last year my son has caught onto the Santa secret….this was tough for us as parents as we still have two nine year olds and were hoping to keep up the front for at least another year:) I am hoping they still believe enough to put out cookies and milk—as well as some dog food for the reindeers! No presents opened before Christmas morning. The boys have asked for years to make an exception but we’ve stood firm on this.
Christmas Morning: Always eggs benny. My mom and dad usually join us. John makes it and it is delicious! This is the only time of the year we eat it. Then we start opening presents. The rule is only one present at a time. Oldest person gets to open a present first, then the next oldest and so on. The stockings can be unpacked when the boys get up, but otherwise they have to wait for us and breakfast. Each year a different boys gets to be the “elf,” choosing a present from under the tree to give to the next person in line . We usually don’t have a lot of stuff under the tree; opening things one at a time makes the morning seem to last longer.
Christmas Dinner: We usually spend Christmas dinner at home. I love it as I get to hang with my boys, my mom and dad and alternating years, with my brother and his family. My husband I, when his parents were alive, would often go to Winnipeg and see them but now they are no longer here. Our dinner is usually Turkey with all the stuffing and trimmings. We often have a a few signature dishes like my husbands spinach casserole and my carrot soufflé. It is a very special time of the year and one that I cherish and look forward to.
What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?
A Chat with the My Canada Photo Contest Winner!
We took the time to chat with our My Canada Contest Winner, Dawn Walker, to find out why the Prairies are her favourite region and what inspired her to take such a fantastic photo! We also wanted to know where she's thinking of going with her flight across Canada!
Where is your favourite region in Canada, is it the Prairies?
The prairies will always be my favorite, It's where i was born and raised. It's home. I will always have a special spot in my heart for for the prairies. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a small town called Melfort, Saskatchewan. What inspired you to take this wonderful photo?
I absolutely love sunsets and landscapes. I'm always trying to capture that perfect moment! Were you surprised that you won? You had so many supporters:)
I was so surprised when I got the notification email, saying my picture was 1 of 6 chosen out of all of the submitted pictures. There were so many unbelievably gorgeous pictures! I couldn't believe it! And I was even more ecstatic when i found out i won the entire contest! I couldn't have done it without all the wonderful people who took the time to vote for my picture. Where are you going to go with your winning ticket?
I'm thinking somewhere on the East Coast! As to a specific location, I haven't quite decided yet.
Thanks to Dawn for being such a great participant and capturing such a great piece of Canada's natural beauty!
Breast Cancer Awareness
This year, join Escents Aromatherapy in the fight against Breast Cancer. It is estimated that in 2012, a staggering 22,700 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 5,100 will died from it. This month, if you buy a product from the Red Rose line, 10% of the profits will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Join the fight and help find a cure.
Happy Father's Day!
Escents CEO, Jacqui MacNeill, tells us how her Dad has been such a great inspiration to her. Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there.
Escents Says Happy Mother's Day
At Escents, we love our Moms! We love them so much, we wanted you to know how much we appreciate them for all that they've done for us. Here's a little video of our Escents staff explaining why they love their Moms, just in time for Mother's Day!
A Story of Hope
Local Vancouver writer Erin Jeffrey shares her experiences in dealing with breast cancer with her friends and family.
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