I'm delivering a high energy, informative series of workshops designed to help your business reach its maximum potential!

1. Branding Your Business: How To Maximize A Key Competitive Advantage
2. Using An Email Newsletter To Promote, Market & Grow Your Business
3. How To Get Inexpensive Media Attention For Your Business

Essential Wholesale: pure essential oils, over 200 cosmetic bases, hundreds of carrier/fixed oils such as meadowfoam, cranberry, jojoba and shea butter plus a new Short Run Private Labeling Program!

Bramble Berry, Inc.: over 105 different fragrance and essential oils (including their exclusive "Energy" and "Relaxing"), all soap tested, soap molds and unscented soap bases!

Last Week's Question: Along with chemists from Esteé Lauder, a respected dermatologist named Dr. Elma Baron from Case Western Reserve University, recently completed a soon to be published study finding that a particular edible plant-based ingredient acts as an antioxidant, preventing some of the harmful effects of ultraviolet light.

Last Week's Answer: white tea

This Week's Question: I am an oxidative process of synthesis which is the result of melanocytes' response to stimulation from sources like the sun's ultra violet rays and an individual's hormones. I occur within the skin, usually inside specialized dendritic structures known as melanosomes. What am I?

Be the first to answer this week's question and win a Lemongrass-Bergamot Seltzer Bath Bomb made by The Oaken King.

Please read the contest rules here before submitting your entry. Put "TRIVIA CONTEST ANSWER" in the subject line or your answer will not be considered.

Orange Creamsickle Pedicure by Robert Andrew Salon & Spa
$65.00 | approximately an hour-and 15 minute-long treatment

I recently enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing pedicure and foot massage featuring one of the "Flavored Pedicures" offered by the Robert Andrew Salon & Spa, which bills itself as the largest salon and spa on the east coast. I don't know if that's true, but it sure is one of the best I've enjoyed.

Since a spa experience is so much more than just the treatment itself, let me first tell you about how lovely the surroundings are. The spa boasts 22,000 square feet on two grand levels with a fountain as the centerpiece of the first floor and a spiral staircase leading up to the manicure and pedicure area. The retail area is stocked with many types of beauty goodies in a variety of price ranges. Decorated in a Tuscan theme, each treatment area is especially designed to meet the needs of the clients being serviced there. My favorite area is the Tranquil Room, a quiet resting place with a fireplace and comfortable wicker sofas stocked with fluffy pillows. A client having several treatments in one day will rest in the Tranquil Room between treatments -- often sipping lemon or orange water and nibbling on grapes, cheese and crackers. 

Now for the pedicure which is so essential now that I'm sporting sandals for the summer! First, my technician, Mercedes, treated me to an orange foot spa soak with warm water and orange scented salts. Then, once toenails were clipped and feet were buffed to perfection, my favorite part finally arrived -- the Orange Creamsickle Sugar Scrub. Mercedes then scooped up a large handful of the mixture which contained lots of moisture rich oils and vigorously scrubbed feet, ankles and lower leg. After a thorough rinse, I enjoyed a massage -- with the Orange Creamsickle Massage Lotion of course. (I always close my eyes and sometimes fall fast asleep for this part. I managed to stay awake this time though because I wanted to be sure to be able to tell you how wonderful it all was. The finishing touch of course was application of the polish of my choice, something called "Wanted, Red Or Alive." It was all over much too soon!

If you're in this area and you'd like to visit a wonderful spa, you won't want to miss Robert Andrew. Other pedicure "flavors" offered include Vanilla Coconut and Peach Mango. Both smelled delicious but the orange was the one that really smelled most like a real fruit and definitely made me smile throughout the entire treatment! You can book your appointment at Robert Andrew at their website.

Visit our suite of Web sites serving the handmade toiletries industry:

IndieBeauty.com: the leading industry trade organization
MangoButter.com: 450+ suppliers of raw materials and packaging, updated weekly!
MakeYourCosmetics.com: ingredient encyclopedia & original cosmetics recipes
DonnaMaria.com: sound advice for your small business, Create The Life You Love™
AromaGirls.com: Coming Soon: "defining beauty for ourselves"