Happy Holidays Lovely Readers!
There is something extra appealing about bookstores and books in Winter. It is a sensory pleasure to get curled up with a steaming cup of The Republic of Tea’s Peppermint Bark Tea and a plate of biscuits in a big, cozy chair with a good book or quality magazine like the slender but sumptuous spines I discovered during the cold, rainy afternoon Lilith and I recently spent at Barnes & Noble in Calabasas.
Sure you can order books online. It is convenient and sometimes a life saver, however going to a book store is about more than 1click ordering and efficiency. Bookstores are about expansion, discovery and nourishing the Senses. Everything from the colors of the covers, to the beautiful note cards, and leather bound journals, to the lost in time feeling of wandering through the aisles with no particular destination in mind until something catches your eye and you plop down on the floor or on a bench or in a armchair – if you are lucky enough to score one to explore and pour over its pages. It is about the luxury and delight of being able to pick and chose and dip into other worlds without having to make a commitment until you find the perfect book for you that you otherwise would never have known existed.
I love the combination of photography and poetry in this special little book
This is my first real winter in 9 years and I am not complaining. What I am is aware of is needing to make an extra effort to get the nature and natural Beauty essential for my senses. So whenever the sun is out you will find me in it for at least 15 minutes soaking in its goodness. In fact, I am outside on the veranda writing this on a bright, nippy LA Saturday. Since my blood is still on Maui time, I am all rugged up as we say in Australia… We are lucky enough to have a gas fireplace in the living room and I loving standing in front of the cheery orange flames when it gets too cold.
It was still cold yesterday, but after days of days of rain being outside again felt important. So I took Satine Bunny out early for a hop in the back yard. The sky was so beautiful and for a little while the cold, dry air felt good. Standing in the early morning quiet, I breathed in its crisp freshness as I watched the reflection of the sun rising golden-pink across the clouds on the side of the glass tower across the road. At night, its wagon-yellow Wells Fargo sign glows (reassuringly?) over the backyard fence. It reminds me of a benign version of the eyes on the billboard in the Great Gatsby.
There have been many gifts in my life this year, and I know there will be even more in the year ahead. If you haven’t gotten your Beauty-full-Self a holiday present this year I recommend any and all of the inexpensive sensory pleasures pictured, especially Aromaland’s bespoke line of Elegant Aroma Sprays which are an exceptional value at less than five bucks! Made with 100% natural essential oils sourced from small independent farms all around the world, they come is gleaming silver bottles with lovely labels and are ideal for clearing away any stale winter odors and nourishing your senses. They all smell wonderful so you really can’t go wrong! 
At the moment I’m enjoying the strong but light, cheerful scent of orange, pine, frankincense and patchouli inspired by Holei, better known as the laughing Buddha, the calming relaxing blend of Peace which is a delicious mixture of Lavender, Orange, Geranium, Cedar wood and Frankincense, and the gorgeous Bulgarian Rose Flower Water!
Last night marked the longest night of the year and today, here in the Northern Hemisphere, Sunday Dec 21st, the Winter Solstice marks the return of the Light!!! This will be my last post of the year. I am taking a break and working on the book over the next couple of weeks..which is very exciting.
Until we meet again I wish you and yours Love, hugs, and every Blessing!!
Engagingly yours,
Sabrina xoxox<3
