Neroli oil is one of my favorite ingredients for reasons that go way beyond its sophisticated scent. Studies have shown its aroma is useful as an antidepressant and aphrodisiac. This would come as no surprise to the woman it was named for- Anne Marie Orsini, duchess of Bracciano and princess of Nerola, whose incredibly long (she lived to be 80!)  life was full of more intrigue and romance than a Showtime bodice ripper. In the late 17th century the duchess/princess/all around powerhouse began scenting her gloves and bath with what was then known as essence of bitter orange tree. Soon thereafter it became popularly known as Neroli as a tribute. 

Neroli is derived from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, and like its cousins bergamot (derived from the rind of those bitter oranges), and petitgrain (derived from the branches of that tree), it has antiseptic properties and a fresh, earthy scent. These citrus oils are often used in massage and facial treatments to soothe the nervous system- in fact, the bitter orange blossoms neroli is distilled from have long been used in bridal bouquets, as they traditionally represent purity...and are thought to help soothe jittery wedding nerves.

Because neroli is both soothing and disinfecting it is ideal for sensitive, acne-prone skin. Our Organic Neroli Toner  helps balance skin and prevent breakouts, without drying or sensitizing. It also has a heavenly smell that is both uplifting and a little sexy. What could be better?

xoxo

Om Aroma & Co. thinks you sjhould never have to choose between being green and being gorgeous. Visit us online or at our West Village boutique spa! 

Leave a comment >

Lately, every time I am frustrated and therefore tempted to ask "why me?"  I try to remind myself how easily I could ask the same question out of gratitude. It's amazing how effective this little exercise can be. When your roof springs a leak and ruins a favorite piece of furniture, reminding yourself how wonderful it is to simply have a roof- not to mention possessions you love- is a quick way to shift from negative to positive. And when we focus on the good things we attract more good things. Not only that, medical studies have shown that gratitude literally makes us more healthy. What other activity as satisfying and relaxing as counting our blessings also helps us live longer? 

The next time you are overwhelmed, frustrated, or just plain upset remember that "why me?" doesn't only apply to our disappointments. 

 

Om Aroma & Co. is proud to produce products that help us remember not to forget to savor our lives. Book an organic spa treatment online  or at 212 304 2887.

Leave a comment >

There are so many things to love about rosemary...

In addition to making even the blandest foods taste wonderful without adding fat or sodium, rosemary improves circulation, strengthens the immune system, and has been found to contain anti-inflammatory compounds that might help with asthma. Also,  its wonderful scent has been shown to improve mental clarity!

An ideal container plant, rosemary responds well to the urgings of even novice topiary-makers, and stays hale and healthy on sunny kitchen counters, window ledges, and fire escapes.

Those same anti-inflammatory properties make rosemary a wonderful, non-irritating weapon against clogged pores and acne. That's just one of the reasons we use organic rosemary oil in our Jeux d' eau Aromatherapy Toner for Clogged Pores. It's not only a perfect pick-me-up when you're feeling unfocused, it also helps soothe acne- irritated skin while warding off the threat of future attacks. Stop by the store today for a product demonstration and to pick some up to keep your skin clear and glowing throughout the warm months ahead!

Om Aroma & Co. combines scientifically proven organic skincare ingredients with aromatherapeutic knowledge, allowing you to savor your moments while simultaneously getting the most out of them.

Leave a comment >

It's common knowledge that B Vitamin supplements are good for our health: B Vitamins are known to help our bodies deal with stress, enhance circulation, aid in digestion, and help aid in maintaining clear skin and healthy nails, just for starters. 

What's not as commonly known is how great B Vitamins are for our skin. Topically applied B Vitamins have been shown to smooth wrinkles and reduce acne. They've also been shown to help fight hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone! 

White truffles contain some of the highest concentrations of B Vitamins found in nature. Because they are in such high demand from gourmands (and skin care gurus) white truffles can cost up to $3,500 dollars a pound! We're incredibly proud to offer our guests at the spa, and on our website, our highly concentrated, ultra-rich Creme Luxe White Truffle Face Cream for $72 dollars, a bargain almost as hard to find as White Truffles themselves. We often hear from Creme Luxe users that it is so effective at evening skin tone and imparting a radiant glow that they've started using much less makeup. 

Come by the boutique spa for a complimentary Fresh Face Fix mini-facial to see for yourself! 

xoxo

Om Aroma & Co. uses the finest ingredients found in nature to produce luxurious, eco-friendly skincare. 

Leave a comment >

We are completely stocked up on our hand-poured, organic soy aromatherapy candles just in time for Mother's Day. Each deliciously scented candle burns cleanly for 40 hours, infusing the space around them with soothing scents and romantic light. Whether she'll use them during a relaxing bath, to set the mood for a romantic evening, or to fill her home with fragrance, the mom in your life is sure to be delighted by a gift that helps her savor the moments of her life. 

Come by the store and pick up a set; the second candle is half off with the purchase of the first. We're also fully stocked with all her favorite Om Aroma & Co. products and are happy to sell gift cards in any denomination.

xoxo

Om Aroma & Co. is your one-stop Mother's Day shop. Visit us today at our West Village boutique spa, or online.

Leave a comment >

We're so excited by our shop's latest addition: Fruition Chocolate's locally-made, organic chocolate. We think it's the perfect topper for a gift box full of products for the moms in your life...or why not a sampling of all five varieties?

Real dark chocolate, like Fruition,  is not only delicious, it also has health benefits. It's full of antioxidants, flavanoids, and flavanol...When's the last time something so delicious was also guilt free? Why not savor some fair trade, locally-made, organic chocolate today?

Om Aroma & Co. is your one-stop Mother's Day gift shop! Stop by today to buy the mom in your life something to help her savor life's sweet moments...

Leave a comment >

It's a new month, and the store is full of beautiful fresh flowers. What better way to revamp your spaces than with some gorgeous spring blossoms?

The local peonies are at that perfect point between bud and bloom, the calla lilies so beautiful in their simplicity they'll have you wanting to wear all-white,  the "Red Sonia" orchids as elegant as Grace Kelly, the "Rosa Cherry" roses unbelievably saturated with color, and the "Barcelona" tulips are sweet as candy. We're selling them by the stem, and we're even selling the vases. Between the skin care products, flowers, and the new local chocolate line we're carrying, the boutique spa is truly a one-stop-shop for everything you need to savor your life.  

Om Aroma & Co. believes that life should be savored. Come pick up a fresh bouquet today!

Leave a comment >

This spring, remember to stock up on Om Aroma products for those who love all things green, environmentally friendly, and healthy! Fresh, new products from the line will enhance the overall look of your complexion and enhance the natural glow and inner beauty of younger looking skin. 

---

Om Aroma is an organic skincare line, spa, and lifestyle gift boutique dedicated to all things green, good, and gorgeous. For more organic gift ideas, visit the gift section of our website or our online catalog. The boutique spa is located in New York City's West Village.

 

Leave a comment >

One of our clients just shared her mother's "secret formula" for preventing wrinkles. When she was 12 her mother pulled her aside and said, "Every night look into a magnifying mirror. At the first sign of a new wrinkle, run to the kitchen, open the fridge and eat until you've gained five pounds." 

Reminds me of Catherine Deneuve's famous statement that "At a certain age, you have to choose between your face and your a--," but our client assures us she's from Texas, not France!

xoxo

 

Leave a comment >

One of our favorite essential oils and aromatics here at Om Aroma & Co. is lavender. It's in our soothing L'Huile Douce  organic sweet baby oil and our Jeux d'eau organic toning mist, just to name a few. And aside from its well-known calming abilities, it can also...

Help promote a good night's sleep (put a vase of dried lavender near your bed, or spray your pillow with the abovementioned toner!) when used aromatherapeutically or  ingested in the form of tea!

Fight dandruff: according to Health Magazine  a mixture of 15 drops of lavender essential oil mixed with 2 tablespoons olive or almond oil and then microwaved for 10 seconds can be massaged into scalp and left on for an hour, and after a few such treatments dandruff is reduced.

Lavender tea also aids in treating indigestion, nausea, and colic, and can help battle bloating when sprinkled onto your morning organic yogurt! 

This is just a small sampling of the ways lavender has been used for centuries to treat physical and emotional maladies. Do you have any tips to share with us? Please do!

.

Om Aroma & Co. uses the finest quality, certified organic essential oils in our handmade, locally-produced skincare products. Visit our West Village Boutique Spa for a soothing aromatherapy massage today!

 

Leave a comment >

 

 

Clinical studies show that positive thinkers are physically healthier and heal faster when ill than negative thinkers...but if you're a negative thinker don't fret (really!) because it's never too late to learn how to live a more positive life.

There are countless books and websites written about how to be a more positive person, and they are full of amazing advice. 

But another, even simpler, way to learn positivity is to simply study the people in your life who seem happiest, those friends and loved ones who seem to always be in good spirits: what do they have in common?

I've noticed a universal trait amongst my happiest friends is their ability to experience gratitude. They seem to enjoy even the simplest things a little more than a lot of other people do. Hand in hand with this abundance of gratitude there seems to also be an ability to be in the moment: these are the friends who can make you feel like the center of their universe when you're together; they aren't constantly checking their cell phones or zoning out to worry about work on Monday morning.Basically, they take things in stride. And a good way to practice that kind of in-the-moment, rolling-with-the-punches attitude is to avoid negative self-talk.  

The Mayo Clinic Blog describes 4 common kinds of negative: 

Filtering. You magnify the negative aspects of a situation and filter out all of the positive ones. For example, say you had a great day at work. You completed your tasks ahead of time and were complimented for doing a speedy and thorough job. But you forgot one minor step. That evening, you focus only on your oversight and forget about the compliments you received.

Personalizing. When something bad occurs, you automatically blame yourself. For example, you hear that an evening out with friends is canceled, and you assume that the change in plans is because no one wanted to be around you.

Catastrophizing. You automatically anticipate the worst. The drive-through coffee shop gets your order wrong and you automatically think that the rest of your day will be a disaster.

Polarizing. You see things only as either good or bad, black or white. There is no middle ground. You feel that you have to be perfect or that you're a total failure.

Nobody is perfect, and so I'm sure you will see yourself in some of the above traits- and that's okay. Knowledge is power: just recognizing where we've made a wrong turn gets us that much closer to the route we're supposed to be traversing. Next time you find yourself succumbing to negative self-thoughts, step back, re-center, and take a moment to remind yourself of your qualities. 

xoxo

Om Aroma & Co.'s organic, handmade products are a perfect way to take time for ourselves. 

Leave a comment >

Happy Earth Day from your friends at Om Aroma & Co. 

xoxo

Leave a comment >

More and more science suggests that being too sedentary has more consequences than just weight! Even daily exercise sessions can't counteract the detrimental effects of sitting too much. According to a study published in Archives of Internal Medicine even if you are otherwise physically active, you have a much greater risk of illness and death if you sit 11 or more hours per day. 

Thankfully not all hope is lost, even taking a couple of 5 minute "standing breaks" per day can reduce inflammation levels, insulin resistance, and waistlines. Here are some easy ways to spend less time sitting while still getting all your work done!

- Get up to greet people when they enter your workspace. This also makes visitors feel welcome, which is a nice bonus.

-Park farther away from doors than you usually do.

-Use the bathroom on a different floor of your office building- take the stairs there.

-Move your printer across the hallway.

-Hide your remote control. 

-Make a habit to call your best friend from college, mother, or anyone else who doesn't live nearby a couple times a week and talk to them while walking around the block.

There are so many ways to be more physically active without becoming less productive at work. Do you have any tips to share with us?

xoxo

Om Aroma & Co. products are a simple way to be streamlined AND smart. Our one minute ritual is just as efficient as it is effective. Sometimes just a minute spent taking care of ourselves is all we need to keep focused and fresh. 

Leave a comment >

 

 

Spring has awakened!  As surely as May flowers come into bloom the travel season is upon us, as well.  Whether you are about to embark on a summer vacation or work related trip, that combination of anticipation and stress can require some assistance since traveling can be a pleasure or a nightmare.  In order for you to maximize on your experience here are some tips to make the onset of your travel an enjoyable one!

Dry air on an airplane can be hard on your skin, eyes and respiratory system. Prepare yourself for a comfortable flight keeping a few tips in mind!  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!  Drink lots of water while on the plane.  Alcohol will only add to the dryness of your sinuses and give you that horrible groggy feeling in the morning.  Carrying a small bag while leaving room for your Omaroma Lavender mist is the perfect way to revive and relax your face.  The wonderful aroma of lavender is proven to have soothing effects on your mood and the toner will do wonders for your dry skin, as well. Once you’re settled in for the long haul flight you’ll want to have a good night’s sleep to recharge your batteries. 

Morning sun on an airplane can be a shocking and almost disturbing rude awakening.  Let Om Aroma help revive you for your first day of travel with our one-minute ritual.  A quick and easy-to-apply three step treatment is all that you need to help you feel wonderful, refreshed and renewed.  A combination of the Elixir de Beauté (Elixir de Perle for those with dry skin), Crème Luxe and Extrait de Caviar will certainly give you that extra special pampered feeling you deserve.  Carry our lip balm, as well, and apply several times as needed throughout your flight.

The stress of passing through TSA security checks nowadays while holding heavy carry-on bags, removing shoes and lap-tops only to find out that your flight is delayed is only the beginning of a travel nightmare.  While there’s not much you can do about those inconveniences you can arm yourself with some of our products to pamper yourself on your long trip.

Happy Travels!  And make sure to pack Om Aroma products to help make your flight more enjoyable.

Om Aroma is an oraganic skincare line, spa, and lifestyle gift boutique dedicated to all things green, good, and gorgeous.  The boutique spa is located in New York City's West Village.  

Leave a comment >

We're in the process of creating the Mother's Day window at our West Village boutique spa, and we need your help! Please send us an email including a photo of your mother and the one word that best describes why she is beautiful to you. Email info@omaroma.com with the subject line WHY MY MOM IS BEAUTIFUL and we will include your mom's photo in our window display! Additionally, we'll be featuring individual moms on our Facebook page, and a few lucky ladies could win some Mother's Day goodies! 

 

You can't spell mom without om. Visit us online or at our West Village boutique spa, soon to feature your mother in its window!

Leave a comment >

It's tomato planting time!

Tomatoes are such a versatile, wonderful fruit that everyone thinks is a vegetable. Tomatoes were first brought to Europe in the 1600's after Spanish explorers in Mexico discovered them in Montezuma's garden. Cortes brought back their seeds and planted them as ornamentation, not food. The word tomato comes from the Nahautl (Aztec) word tomatl. Their Latin name is Lycopersicon esculentum, which means wolfpeach, because they were erroneously thought to be poison (their leaves are- tomatoes are related to the nightshade family) by the French botanist who named them. Europeans were very suspicious of tomatoes, because they were shiny and brightly colored (interesting factoid: the first tomatoes seen in Europe were yellow). This was a time period where common and noble Europeans alike considered bathing harmful, and beautiful things were commonly seen as sinful. Maybe because of this connection, French people later referred to them as pommes d'amour (love apples) and they developed a reputation as potent aphrodisiacs. And I definitely love them. 

In addition to the common types of tomatoes, more supermarkets are now also carrying heirloom varieties, which are also my favorite to grow. Heirloom tomatoes come in all colors and sizes. Some of my favorite varieties are Green Zebra, Hartman's Yellow Gooseberry, and Spoon.

 

Also, check out this great post from Apartment Therapy about how to make your own pesticides without the nasty chemicals in store bought brands...

xoxo

Om Aroma & Co. uses organic fruit, vegetable, and plant extracts in our skincare products. Try our red raspberry day serum to hydrate and protect your skin from harmful UV rays. 

Leave a comment >

Recently I read an alarming fact about shower curtains: vinyl shower curtains and liners leech off harmful VOCs, especially when in hot, wet environments...like a shower! Yikes! These VOCs have been linked to all manner of health problems. I laughed at the irony of my daily shower ritual: my organic body, face, and hair products being put to use in a room full of steamy swamp gas! Then I immediately purchased a nylon shower curtain. There are some really great ones available in all kinds of colors. Even better, a cloth shower curtain is machine-washable, so you don't have to worry about scrubbing off mildew slime every few months. 

Here are links to some of my favorite VOC-free shower curtains.  And even people who can't sew can easily fashion a shower curtain of their own using whatever fabric suits their fancy, as well. Craft night project? 

Marimekko!  

Squirrels!

xoxo

Om Aroma & Co makes it easy to be green, good, and gorgeous! 

Leave a comment >

 

Did you know that synthetic fragrances have been linked to, amongst other things, headaches, rashes, skin irritation, hyper-pigmentation and dizziness? There are as many as 4000 ingredients included under the umbrella of "synthetic fragrance" and many of these ingredients have never even been tested for safety (let alone for whether they make skin itchy, dry, and discolored!). What this means is that there's literally no way to know exactly what is inside products that list "fragrance" as one of their ingredients- scary stuff! And in a world so full of naturally wonderful smelling botanicals, so unnecessary. Basically, product lines that use synthetic fragrances use them for one reason, and it's the same reason they use sulfates and petrochemicals: because they're cheap.

 

Another interesting fact about synthetic fragrances in perfumes and body sprays is that they're often in a base of alcohol, which intensifies the power of damaging UV rays. Many women spray this mixture of UV-damage-amplifying alcohol and skin-irritating chemical fragrance onto the delicate skin of their decolletage. Have you ever noticed how this area is one of the first places to show hyper pigmentation and other signs of age? That's one big reason.

 

Thankfully as more and more consumers get savvy about the importance of using clean product lines, more and more natural perfume lines are becoming available. A recent article on one of my favorite websites basenotes.com (there's something so delightful about people describing something as subjective as scent- the memories, feelings, and anecdotes it inspires are often amazing) has some fascinating interviews with a few natural perfume pioneers.

 

French line By Kilian, started by the heir to the Hennessy cognac brand, smells every bit as luxurious as its price tag would suggest, and local Brooklyn line D.S. and Durga makes some of the swooniest natural scents I've ever encountered. 

 

Additionally, there are many classes available to learn how to blend your own scents using natural essential oils. A life free of synthetic fragrances smells pretty sweet, huh?

 

xoxo

 

Om Aroma & Co. never uses synthetic fragrances, dyes, or fillers. Stop by our West Village boutique spa or visit us online. 

Leave a comment >

More and more studies are showing that meditation makes actual physical changes to our brains. For meditators, gray matter density is increased in the parts of the brain connected with empathy, memory, and self-identity and decreased in parts connected with stress and anxiety. 

Recently I heard a meditation tip that has been very helpful for me. Every time your mind starts wandering away from the here-and-now, picture the unwanted thought as one of those pesky pop-up ads, complete with little red box, and "x" it closed. This tip has also been helpful in dealing with anxious or negative thoughts, cravings for junk food, and those random to-do lists that can keep us up at 2 am. It's amazing how easy and effective simply clicking away those counter-productive thoughts can be. And when our minds are free from all that static it's amazing how healing the silence can be.

Even if  you only have 10 minutes to spare, bringing the practice of mindfulness meditation into your life will greatly contribute to your mental and physical wellbeing. 

xoxo

Om Aroma & Co. has a variety of organic, hand-made items that aid in the practice of mindfulness. Our lavender toning mist is an excellent way to center yourself before practicing yoga or meditation, and our organic soy candles infuse the space around them with soothing aromatherapeutic scents for 40, clean-burning hours.  

Leave a comment >

I hear tie dye is making a comeback, but don't unpack those old Grateful Dead t-shirts yet...the buzz is over tie dyed Easter eggs! This year, instead of buying a dye kit from the drug store, why not rummage through your attic (you're already up there looking through old concert tees, after all) or local thrift store in search of colorful silk ties? This project is such a conversation starter, and you won't believe how cool your eggs will look when you're done. The bolder the colors and pattern, the better they will transfer onto your eggs. Dark blues, reds, and purples are especially suitable.

Cut the silk into pieces big enough to wrap around an egg (make sure the patterned side is touching the egg), then cover the silk wrapped egg with a piece of white sheet, pillowcase, dish towel, or t-shirt. 

Place your egg(s) in a pot and completely cover them with water. Add 1/4 cup of vinegar and bring to a boil. After about 20 minutes remove the eggs from water and let them cool. Once they're no longer finger-burning hot you can unwrap them. You'll be amazed at what you find. Buff them with vegetable oil if you want them to look glossier... then send us photos of your awesome eggs! 

xoxo

photo courtesy of ourbestbites.com, which has a more detailed entry about tie-dyed eggs! 

Om Aroma & Co. features fresh, local, organic face and body products for the whole family. Hop into our West Village boutique spa or visit us online. 

Leave a comment >