Parisian's Pure Indulgence

Live longer or live better? How to do both

For the past 16 days I've been hyper alert to all the foods I eat with hidden sugar.  We all know when we dive into a piece of banana cream pie, we are sugar loading, but have you ever stopped to think about all the things you eat with hidden sugar?

While, I don't want to obsess about every little thing I eat with sugar, I don't want to be blind to it either.  These past 16 days, I have eaten less sugar than I have in a long time...at least I think I have.

Why? What's the problem with eating sugar, beside weight gain?  

--Chronic Inflammation--

My goal, especially now that I'm about to enter another decade of life...the 60's, is to live better; live a life free of serious illness, many of which are brought on by inflammation in our body.  

You've heard of anti-inflammatory medications and anti-inflammatory diets, but do you really know what inflammation is? In short, it's the body's response to outside threats like stress, infection, toxic chemicals, or a high sugar/fat diet.  

Most of us know excess sugar in our diets can lead to type 2 diabetes, read more by Dr. Robert Lustig --the anti-sugar man-- sugar and type 2 Diabetes links.   Diabetes is only one disease we need to be concerned about.

"Cancer, depression, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's—these seemingly diverse diseases are increasingly thought to have a common denominator: inflammation. While our genetic predisposition for disease can't be changed, we can do something about this other major player," writes, Deborah Kotz, for US News-Health.  

You’d have to live in a bubble to avoid all sources of inflammation: saturated fats, sugar, stress, infections, and environmental toxins, but you can create balance by eating a diet rich in foods that fight inflammation-triggering free radicals and toxins.

Here are just a few inflammation fighting foods:

Tart Cherries - Not Sweet

Studies show that these delicious, tart cherries can reduce pain from arthritis and post-exercise soreness. One study showed the fruit has the highest anti-inflammatory content of any food!

Add it:  Look for tart dried cherries and tart cherry juice.  Add tart cherry juice to breakfast smoothies, or sprinkle dried tart cherries over your morning bowl of oatmeal greek yogurt.

Red/Purple/Green Grapes

Grapes contain a mix of antioxidants, including flavonoids and resveratrol, which has anti-inflammatory properties and is a potent antioxidant.  Resveratrol shows promise in helping to combat a range of maladies, from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, to cancer to aging.

Add it: Freeze grapes and eat them as a snack, use them whole in smoothies or halve and add to salads.  

Red Onions

This vegetable contains the flavonoid quercetin, which has been found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Add it: Caramelized red onions are a wonderful addition to salads, sandwiches, and whole grain dishes.  Top your turkey burgers with caramelized onions for a burst of flavor.

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

Studies show that antioxidants extracted from virgin coconut oil were more effective in reducing the inflammation in arthritis induced in rats, than Indometacin, a popular prescription Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) often prescribed for arthritis.  Click link to Study, Polyphenolics isolated from virgin coconut oil inhibits adjuvant induced arthritis.

 I don't know about you, but I'm not just looking to coast through the next chapter of life, I want to embrace it, live passionately, and in good health. 

The father of a friend of mine, just spent his 80th birthday, bicycling 80 miles! That's what I call living!  Do you want to be propped up on a couch watching TV at 80, or kicking up your heels, doing things you love?  The choice to eliminate inflammation from our bodies, can improve our odds of living an active life, and living better.

 

 

 

Your skin on Sugar, yikes!

It's about 9:00 pm as I write this blog, and I'm dreaming about the french vanilla ice creme in my freezer waiting to be topped with the smooth deliciousness of hot fudge...

I'm on day 5 of no #sugar, and needless to say, I'm having major sugar cravings!  

Nightly desserts and I have to break up. 

I won't tell you, I'll never eat another dessert--I know me to well-- I am telling you my awareness of how much sugar I eat, and my desire to drastically cut back on it, is real. 

Since I was a child, sugar has been my achilles heel. I remember bicycling to the local Speedy Mart, with 25 cents in my pocket; with the sole purpose of buying 3 different candy treats.  Yes, I could purchase 2 candy bars and a smaller package of candy for 25 cents!!  More than that, I loved soda, oh, did I love soda--my favorites were Squirt, Orange Crush, A & W Root Beer, and Coca Cola.  

I gave up the soda and junky candy in my 20's but my sweet tooth remained.  Up until a few years ago, I thought smugly to myself, since I'm only a few pounds over my ideal weight, what's the big deal if I eat dessert most every night?  I'm learning more, and more, it is a big deal, a very big deal. 

I've read 80 percent of our food choices contain sugar! I'm not talking about desserts either, it's the hidden sugar.

How about you?  Have you ever stopped to think about how much sugar YOU consume?  Everything I read tells me sugar is causing much of our inflammation; cancer feeds on it, and it's terrible for your skin!  Another way sugar affects us is:

Brain Fog!

Blanking out in the middle of a meeting or sentence? Research out of UCLA suggests that sugar forms free radicals in the brain's membrane and compromises nerve cells' ability to communicate. This could have repercussions in how well we remember instructions, process ideas, and handle our moods, says Fernando Gómez-Pinilla, Ph.D., author of the UCLA study.  

If you want to watch a very interesting video on how Sugar affects the brain, watch this video. It's Surprising!

When you ingest sugar or high-glycemic foods that rapidly convert to sugar --your body breaks down these carbohydrates into glucose, which raises your insulin levels. Simple carbohydrates, like refined sugar, white bread and soda, cause your insulin levels to spike, which leads to a burst of inflammation throughout the body.

Inflammation produces enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, resulting in sagging skin and wrinkles.

Digested sugar permanently attaches to the collagen in your skin through a process known as glycation. Aside from increasing the effects of aging, glycation can also exacerbate skin conditions like acne and rosacea. 

The good news about sugar-damaged skin--It's never too late to turn back the clock. One way to undo the damage is to look for products with ingredients that support the collagen layer of your skin. Treatments that contain Vitamin C and Retinols are best. Retinols have 25 years of scientific evidence to prove they work. 

Topical nutrients such as blueberries, pomegranate, vitamin C, tea blends, and hyalauronic acid can help protect against the damaging effects of glycation and oxidative stress on the skin.

Our Parisian's Pure Indulgence, 70% Organic Bleuet Oxygen Face Polish is infused with glycation fighting Blueberries, Pomegranate and Cranberries, along with hibiscus to cleanse pores deeply.  

In my next blog I'll share tricks to counteract the damage to our skin from sugar.  

In the meantime, I'll go have another plum!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good, Bad, and the #Ugly

Good or Beautiful can be thought of as the way someone looks or appears, but what is real Beauty...and what makes us #Ugly?

Interestingly, when you ask someone what makes a person beautiful, it rarely involves the outside. You will hear, she is fun-loving, generous, funny, smart, a great friend, etc.  The word pretty, may be in the description somewhere, but the emphasis is on how the person shows up in life...their character.

Appearance is the first thing we notice about someone, though. How they put themselves together, perhaps their facial features, their hair, and yes, even wrinkles.  We notice these things upon initial contact.  We may even want to get to know them better, based on these externals.

The way a single woman looks, may be how she attracts a man.  How you appear may help you land a job, or a new friend.  

But, be ugly internally, and you can lose all three real fast!

Open your mouth and let criticism, sarcasm, and back-biting come out--and ugly soon becomes all someone else can see.  You know what I'm talking about!   The most beautiful woman in the world soon becomes ugly when what comes out of her mouth is anger, bitterness, victimhood (complaining about how life or others have treated them).  Some women can hide this side for a while, but it usually doesn't take long for it to rear it's ugly head.

Personally, I struggle with sarcasm and women who say mean spirited things at someone else's expense.  Most of all, I struggle with victim mentality.  I have family members like this. It makes it very difficult for me to be around them, I'll be honest.  

I can love them, and care about them, I just don't want to be around it.  It feels like poison to me.  

On the flip side, I know women who are average looking on the outside, may not have been dealt the best hand in life,  and yet, they are so beautiful in character, you don't notice, nor care, about what they look like.  They are truly beautiful, and you want to get to know them.  

The truly beautiful woman, is the women

who cares as much about her character, and how she shows up in the world, as she does her appearance.  

She cares about others, she is generous of spirit, and resources. She observes, and shares, the good in life.  She is confidant and poised.  She radiates beauty. 

She also takes care of her appearance.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to look the best you can, as long as it doesn't become all you are about.  I know too many women who are far more concerned with their appearance, and pay little attention to their character.  

How do you find the balance?

Begin with the internal.  Be authentic (real).  Tell others what you struggle with, just don't make it the only thing you talk about; don't be afraid to share the real you.  Take ownership, don't be a victim, in your struggles. It's not always about the other person and how they've wronged you!  I hear women do this all the time.  I believe, in many cases, they don't even realize they do it.  How many people do you hear blame their parents for their poor choices?  If my Mom, had loved me, and told me how great I am, I wouldn't over eat, drink, pick bad men in my life...the list goes on and on.

You know what I say to this....blah, blah, blah.  Get help, and don't wallow in victimhood.  That may sound harsh, but it's true. 

We all have the ability to make the choice to be happy, kind, fun-loving, and yes, even grateful, when life has dealt us blows.  

Get busy, and make yourself feel beautiful!  

No one's going to do it for you.  Do something you're proud of.  Complete a project you've been meaning to do, learn something new and share your learning! Give of yourself to someone else. Stop, and just be grateful, even for the small things.  

Call someone and lift their spirits...genuinely, tell them something you like about them.  Doesn't cost a thing, and you'll be surprised at how making someone else's day, in turn; makes yours.   

When you feel good about something you've accomplished in life, be it large or small, it builds character, self esteem, and quickly turns the Ugly,  into someone...truly beautiful!

 

 

What I've learned from blogging 30 days!

 

If you want to live a life free of fear, you have to face it down!

Today is Day #30, of the Indie Business Network blogging challenge. When I took the challenge, I immediately got a case of nerves and insecurity.  What in the world would I have to write about for 30 days straight? The ole, "and who cares" popped into my head regularly.

Turns out, it's been one of the best things I've ever done!

Before I share why, I have to give special acknowledgement to Donna Marie Coles Johnson, Founder of Indie Beauty Network.  On day 3 of blogging, she sent me this email.  She wrote:

Kelli,

You are Stunningly gorgeous!  (I would reply, more like...not bad for my age!)

Please blog more about self care for women over 50 like me.

I see that opening up multiple doors for you.

Beauty

Exercise

Food

Family

Nail care

Accessories

Hair

I have always seen this for you.  No doubt, Go!

Well, dm, you were right!  Blogging has challenged me to get out of my comfort zone, and the rewards have been numerous....for that, I warmly say Thank You!

The rewards:

While I knew our market for Parisian's Pure Indulgence products was the woman over 50, I felt, perhaps I didn't want to limit our brand, by targeting them only.  But you know what, it is our market! Women over 50 are the fabulous, wellness driven women, who use our products, regularly. They are powerful and dynamic women!  I am one of them, and it's a group I'm proud to belong to.  

You beauties, over 50, became my audience in all that I've written this past month.  Guess what? It's a great audience, who appreciate being spoken to. You have encouraged, commented, and even shared this blog.

You cheered me on when I was asked to be a contributing writer to Living Better at 50...another benefit that came as a result of the 30 day challenge.  Here's the blog currently being featured on Living Better at 50.

I can tell you all the benefits of increased numbers to our Web site, Facebook page, Blog, etc.  But, more than the business benefits, the biggest benefit of completing this challenge has been

...to live in my own integrity.

What I mean is...following through, and doing what I say I'm going to do; even if the promise is only to myself.  If it's something I'm frightened of, as I was writing, the sense of accomplishment--and fear stomping-- is very rewarding.

My challenge to those of you reading this is...do something that scares you.  Create opportunities to reach new achievements.  Eleanor Roosevelt said it best, "Do one thing that scares you every day." I don't know about you, but I'm all in! 

 

 

 

Image credit:  Getty Images 

 

 

 

 

59 year old confesses- I should know better!

I hate eating breakfast, so there! Okay, well, maybe it's not a major sin (and the one you expected ;-), but it isn't a healthy choice either, especially at my age! 

We need fuel for our bodies first thing in the morning, at any age, but as we get older; it's even more important to keep our blood sugar levels up, throughout the day.

I arise at 6:30 am every morning and don't feel like having anything more than my 1 or 2 cups of coffee, until at least 10:00 am.  I love breakfast foods, just not at breakfast time!

3 years ago I decided that I must do something about my poor breakfast habits.  I discovered my solution at...Costco, in the form of a delicious breakfast smoothie! 

When my husband and I purchased a Vitamix Blender, the Rolls Royce of blenders (were told), I knew we were on to something.  We met, my soon to be best friend, during a friendly Costco demonstration. We stood at the demo booth for 30 minutes, mesmerized, as we watched our demonstrator whip up smoothies, and juices, and soups, oh my!  We sampled them all--isn't that what everyone does at Costco?--everything was delish; especially the smoothies. 

Today, I'm happy to report, I'm officially a breakfast person.  How can I not be happy, with the vast array of summer fruits available for my breakfast drink.  I've made smoothies with everything from vegetables to nuts...flax seed, almond milk, fruit, and occasionally all of the above.  I always come back to my two favorites I'm sharing here.

I use 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in all my smoothies now, almost religiously.  The oil boosts the flavor of the fruit, and gives my shakes a slight coconut flavor.

In case you haven't heard-or aren't on Facebook much-the benefits of incorporating coconut oil into our diet are many.  It's light and tastes great, but it's the health benefits that will keep me adding it to my breakfast drink.

Coconut Oil Benefits:  Using coconut oil can reduce hunger, boost thyroid function,  helping to increase metabolism, energy and endurance. It improves digestion and helps to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. 

Studies show that the fatty acids in coconut oil can increase blood levels of ketone bodies, supplying energy for the brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients and relieving symptoms.

Can it help those of us in our 50's and 60's to prevent Alzheimer's?  We're not sure yet, but studies are being conducted to determine this.  With all the other benefits, I'm going to continue to include it in my morning smoothies; and remain hopeful that it can also help prevent this disease too. 

Smoothie #1

1 small banana

6 strawberries

4-6 raw almonds

1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil

2 Scoops Almased Protein Powder* (or protein powder of your choice)

2 small scoops ice

1-2 tablespoons water if shake is too thick

Blend all ingredients together until smooth.

*Almased is the best protein powder I've found. I've tried many, but it's my favorite. I was chosen as on of the Almased success stories.  Read about it on the Almased web site.  

 

Smoothie # 2

 

 12-15 blueberries

6 blackberries

1/2 banana

2 slices pineapple

2-3 Tablespoons pineapple juice

1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil

2 scoops Almased Protein Powder

2 scoops ice

Blend all ingredients until smooth.  To your right is my breakfast or shall I say....brunch!  Yes, that is more to my liking.

I would love to hear what your favorite smoothie is.  Do you add Coconut oil to yours? 

Introducing the new look for Parisian's Pure Indulgence!

 

 

What excites one person, may not excite another, but this does it for me!!  

Introducing the new look for Parisian's Pure Indulgence!  This is our new logo and look for our labeling. We will be incorporating other colors, but this is the color we will use for the facial care line. As part of our rebranding, we are making many changes, from packaging and labeling; to a brand new web site and shopping cart. The quality of our organic products won't be changing! 

Our brand message--

My hope is that the message of indulgence is clear, from our logo to our treatments.  We want you to feel that you have indulged yourself in decadent, yet natural skin care.  The confidence you feel, knowing your skin looks more youthful and healthy, is the beautiful bonus!

More exciting PPI news....we are launching a new scent in our silk peptide body lotion; Creme de Soie, and ultra hydrating; Beurre Body Butter.  The new scent is called "Pikaki," also known as Hawaiian Jasmine. It's been called the “flower of love” due to its aphrodisiac and seductive qualities. The heavenly aroma opens with the freshness of dewy greens after an evening rain shower. The heart of this floral couples the romantic night-blooming flowers of jasmine and tuberose. 

A special thank you to Carolyn Sweeney, graphic artist, and friend, for your patience and understanding working on this project with me.  

It's my story and I'm sticking to it

In my not so humble opinion, I believe every woman over 50 should carry an extra 5-10 pounds. Why? It's good for your face, not to mention your attitude;-) For Women over 50, it's okay to have a little extra body fat. The fat actually plumps up your face a little; de-emphasizing wrinkles.

I'm sure you've seen mature women who are very thin--their face looks drawn and wrinkled. Now this is not an excuse to be 25+ overweight.  The problem with that is, if you do decide to lose weight, the skin on your face begins to sag along with the rest of your body.  Exercise will certainly help the body, but you will notice wrinkles you never knew were there, when you were heavier.

I am someone who believes in moderation.  I have always been 4-8 lbs over my ideal weight, but you know, I'm okay with that.  I enjoy food and everything that goes with it. I'm happiest in my dining room, with a table full of people, laughing and enjoying each others company, along with a good meal.

During the summer, I love nothing more than a nice big salad for dinner.  Who wants to heat up their kitchen on a 95 degree day, here in Southern California!

I made the salad shown here, for the 4th of July, and took it to our friends home.  I changed the salad dressing a little, because I felt it needed a little more zip.  Add your own favorite seasonings if you are adventurous, or follow the recipe as is. It was a hit at the party!

Southwestern Salad

The salad looked like this, when we arrived at the party. I tossed with dressing right before serving. Serves 8-10

 Ingredients

Large head of romaine
15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 large orange bell pepper
1 pint cherry tomatoes (I used Heirloom)
2 cups corn ( frozen, thawed)
5 green onions
Optional: avocado

 

 

Dressing:

1 cup loosely packed cilantro, stems removed and roughly chopped
1/2 avocado (or 1/2 cup plain vegan yogurt)
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime), more to taste
1-2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. white wine vinegar
1/8 tsp. salt

Directions

Make the dressing: puree all ingredients in a food processor/blender until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Finely chop romaine, bell pepper, tomatoes, and green onions.
Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine.
Toss with desired dressing.

****

Here's a Salad I plan to make soon.  I found it on Pinterest.  I love combining quinoa, fruit, nuts and greens. This looks like a hit to me.

Berry-Avocado-Quinoa and Kale Salad with Honey-Lime Poppy Seed Dressing

 

Yield: About 5 - 6 servings

 

Ingredients

Dressing

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 tsp lime zest
• 3 1/2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 1/2 Tbsp honey
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp poppy seeds

Salad

• 2 cups cooked quinoa (about 2/3 cup dry)
• 1 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• 9 oz baby kale or baby spinach
• 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
• 1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
• 2 medium avocados, peeled, cored and diced
• 5 oz feta cheese, crumbled

Directions

• In a blender or mason jar combine all dressing ingredients except poppy seeds. Blend until well combined (or cover and shake if using a mason jar). Pour into a container and stir in poppy seeds. Store in refrigerator.
• For the salad toss all ingredients together in a large salad bowl. Pour dressing over top and toss. Serve immediately after adding dressing.

 

• Recipe source: Cooking Classy

 

Salad after tossing:

 Yum!

What is your favorite Summer Salad?  Feel free to send me a link to the recipe!

5 Important tips for healthy, youthful looking skin after 50

Have you wondered why the products you used in your 30's and 40's aren't giving you the results you desire in your 50's? Simply put, we have different skin care needs as we mature.

Loss of elasticity and skin dullness are common complaints. Hyperpigmentation--usually sun related, Rosacea--redness, broken capillaries, under eye puffiness (bags!), and adult acne--hormonal, are all issues women over 50 can struggle with.

Here are 5 important tips to keep your skin at its best after 50.

1. Read your product labels - Be sure you are using skin care treatments that contain organic, high performance (plant based)botanicals.  We all know organic foods are better for us. It's the same with our skin care.

If the first ingredient on your skin care label is water--change products.  Do you really want to spend your hard earned dollars on a product containing mostly water?

The ingredients on cosmetic labels have to be listed in descending order of weight.  That means the first ingredient on the list generally makes up about 30%-90% of the product.

You should know--The first ingredient in most Parisian's Pure Indulgence skin care treatments is Organic Aloe Juice.

2. Cleanse and Exfoliate -  After 50 our skin can be dry and dull.   To perk your skin up, use a gentle botanical cleanser daily, and a exfoliating polish, 2-3 times a week.  Polishes are essentially used to get rid of the dead skin cells from our skin. If not cleansed from time to time, these cells can clog pores leading to problems like acne. They also age the skin faster by blocking proper blood circulation. 

*Important* -Please check the exfoliates you use for "Micro beads."  The beads from exfoliating personal care products and toothpastes, are washed down the drain after use, pass unfiltered through the sewage treatment plants and make their way into rivers and canals, resulting in plastic particle water pollution. Read which companies use them and why the Great Lakes are threatened.

3. For the most bang for your buck-Use a Serum -The molecular structure of a serum is designed for better penetration and absorption, and better efficiency in delivering the active (anti-aging) ingredients.  Look for anti-agers Retinol, Peptides, DMAE, MSM, Hyalauronic Acids, Alpha-hyroxy acid, Alpha Lipoic, and high concentrations of Vitamin C in your serums.  Remember, serums work best the longer you use them!

4. Moisturize Twice Daily- Always follow a serum with a good moisturizer.  Moisturizers are thicker and seal serums into your skin.  A good moisturizer will protect your skin from damage, especially if it contains SPF30.  Choose a moisturizer according to your own skin type. If your skin is dry, look for hydrating ingredients like Hyalauronic Acid--water binder, with the ability to attract 100 times its weight in water.  If your skin is sensitive, avoid parfums and fragrances in your moisturizer.

5.  Yes, you need a Eye Creme too!- Here's why:  The under eye area is the first to show your age. The skin is more delicate and drier than the rest of your face. It's also more sensitive. Have you ever used a product that caused your eyes to itch, get red, or tear up?  What the eyes really need are antioxidants, and skin-repairing ingredients, in soothing fragrance-free formulas.

Indulge your skin in Pure, Organic treatments and prepare to have youthful, healthy skin for decades to come!

 

 

 

 

This blog is sure to be my most controversial!

When did we begin to believe being suntan was somehow healthy looking? Seriously, when did SUNTAN=HEALTHY GLOW get programed into our brains?  

Here's what I see, when I look at someone tan:  Skin Cancer, shoe leather skin, wrinkles, someone who will be nipping, tucking, and laser resurfacing their sun worn skin, over and over.

I realize I'm a lone ranger here, why, because we HAVE been programmed to associate a suntan with healthy.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

“Sun is the greatest threat to your skin’s health and youth”

As a teen, I slapped the baby oil on, spritzed the "Sun in" into my hair and baked with the best of them.  I thought I looked great all golden and blonde!  Little did I know what I was setting myself up for years of sun damage that eventually caught up to me.

When did the Sun Craze begin?

The sun became associated with health when Arnold Rikli, the “sun doctor,” first used light therapy to treat consumption (tuberculosis).  He used light therapy to treat depression and "Madness" as well (madness- interesting huh?).  In the 1920s, many Europeans and Americans considered pale skin a mark of wealth and leisure until the early 20th century.

If there was a single person responsible for popularizing the tan, it was Coco Chanel, who bronzed herself on a yacht in the Mediterranean and declared in 1929, “A girl simply has to be tanned.” 

Historically though, pale skin has indicated high status. A tan signified that you had to work outdoors as a manual laborer, while pale skin announced that you could afford to stay out of the sun and spend time cultivating your mind.

Why are we no longer bursting with praise for our pale white skin?  Why not love and protect our own natural hue.

As Sarah Brown, Vogue’s Beauty Director, commented: “A healthy glow does not mean a tan, and I think that’s what we have to clear up. A healthy glow is your skin tone, glowing.” In 2008, The Skin Cancer Foundation appealed to people to stop tanning with the launch of Go With Your Own Glow, a PSA ad campaign, developed to encourage women to love — and protect — their skin, whatever its natural hue.

On the flip side of the coin, African American and Asian women are flocking to purchase skin lighteners!  UK-based scientist and consultant Dwain Neil proclaims, “Melanin which gives us our darker color protects us from dangerous UV rays. When you damage or remove that protection, you are leaving your skin more vulnerable to developing cancers." 

Ladies, we have to stop!

Stop trying to change what we're born with.

Does this skin look unhealthy to you? What would happen if we actually embraced the hue of the skin we're born into?

 

Is there anyone who doesn't love the show Shark Tank?

I don't know about you, but Shark Tank is one of my favorite television shows!  It appeals to my entrepreneurial spirit.

Time after time, you see these business start ups lay their hearts, finances, and efforts on the line, for that one chance of super success with a Shark.  

Entrepreneurs are risk takers!

All entrepreneurs have passion for what we do, that's a given.  We all think our product is what someone else needs, wants, and has to have...and may just be the next best idea since Spanks!    

Chris Oakley, former chairman of web design company Chapter Eight states, "An entrepreneur sees an opportunity which others do not fully recognize to meet an unsatisfied demand or to radically improve the performance of an existing business. They have unquenchable self-belief that this opportunity can be made real through hard work, commitment and the adaptability to learn the lessons of the market along the way."

Entrepreneurs must also be clear in conveying the message of their brand.

I know a thing or two about the lessons along the way.   My first unpleasant lesson was early on in my business.  I hired a man to do my first product brochure.  No, this isn't man bashing.  My first brochure ended up being straight forward, factual, gray and not feminine at all.  Very man like, and not at all what I hoped it would be.  I take responsibility for this, though.  I obviously did not enlist him in my vision for our brochure.  

I wasn't clear about the message the brochure needed to convey.   That's on me.

What is the message behind the Parisian's Pure Indulgence brand you ask?  First of all, Indulgence means,

"the act of doing something that you enjoy but that is usually thought of as wrong or unhealthy"

Women using my products must feel like they've indulged themselves.  They should know the scents, product textures, and the way their skin feels when they use our treatments, is indulgent. Yes, you've splurged, and done something nice for yourself.  The difference is...

...you've done it with pure, organic and natural products, so you know your skin is going to be healthier too.

You've done something for yourself, both, Indulgent and healthy!  

As I work on our rebranding, I've learned my message must be first and foremost in everything I do! The logo, web site, packaging and product photo's, must all tell the story of my brand.  I believe I've done a better job, this time around, enlisting my vision with everyone I'm working with.  I told my Graphic Artist early on, she may hate me at the end of this project, because I will not settle for anything less than my vision for, and message behind, Parisian's Pure Indulgence.  I've learned what happens when you don't.

Enlisting others in your vision and the message of your brand, is what entrepreneurs who find themselves in front of the sharks do, and if they do it well, they'll even get a shark or two to jump on board!