Our Spa Night

I recently read an article in the Dallas Morning News about the expected 5,500 women attending the annual BeautiControl convention held at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine this summer.

The article stated, "BeautiControl Inc., which is based in Carrollton, says it is prospering because it has carved out a niche for itself in the direct sales market. Instead of just selling products, it sells an at-home spa, where beauty consultants come to a client's home and pamper six to eight women for an hour with its skin treatment line. The clients pay only for the products, not the treatment."

"We provide a unique opportunity for women to de-stress and relax," said Laura Norton, 35, of Texarkana. She is an executive director who has been with the company for three years.

"A recent report by Focalyst, a joint venture between AARP Services Inc. and the Kantar Group, said that 48 million people will buy anti-aging products in the next 12 months, spending $4 billion on them. The anti-aging market is one that BeautiControl aggressively taps into."

As a "beautiful-older-woman" you have probably tried all kinds of beauty products during your life. I have been cleaning out my cosmetics drawers in preparation for moving to a new house. Can you believe that I was able to put together SEVEN grocery bags full of cosmetic samples and unopened jars and tubes of beauty products that I had never even used? As a member of our local freecycle.com, I was able to give those bags to 7 women who were thrilled to get them.

I recently attended one of the BeautiControl "spa" parties that the news article talks about and had a great time trying the products and getting pampered by the "hostess." It was a wonderful woman's "bonding" evening. However, when it came to purchasing a whole new line of products, those seven bags came quickly into my mind. My new leaf is... only buy what you will actually USE. However, it may be worth the price of a jar of bubble bath to get to attend one of the parties!

Here are some pictures of the fun we had. We got lip treatments, hand treatments, foot treatments and even some relaxation and aromatherapy. One of the other women sells a line of clothing so we even tried on sweaters. :)

It All Started with... "Younger Next Year"...

It all started last fall when my husband gave me a book to read called, Younger Next Year. At the time we were on a trip to Williamsburg, VA and I basically finished the book during our travel day. WOW! It was good. It is written by Chris Crowley and Dr. Harry Lodge. Dr. Lodge gives the scientific reasons for their suggestions and Chris adds his own personal journey.

What they suggest is vigorous exercise six days a week. In return, after age 50 your body will actually grow physiologically younger each year. In fact, they say that you can avoid 70 percent of the decay and eliminate 50 percent of the injuries and illnesses associated with getting older.

After I returned home and added more intensity to my workouts, joined a gym and signed up for strength training, I wanted to tell all of my friends about this new found wonder "drug."

I started giving books to people only to discover they weren't reading them, so I decided to bring Chris to our town to talk to my friends. Now that was a real job. I spent a lot of time over a 6-month period trying to make it all happen. And, I did.

On Thursday night, May 1, 2007, we held a "meet the author" reception at our home. The main event was held on Friday, May 2nd. It was a luncheon for women at Hollytree Country Club in Tyler, TX.

 Tickets were sold in advance and as the women arrived they checked in.

 Barnes & Noble sent a representative with a box full of books. The author, Chris Crowley, was available to autograph any books purchased.

 More of the women purchasing books.

 We also had a silent auction to help raise funds for Azleway, a local children's charity.

 Women visiting in the foyer while waiting for the luncheon to begin.

 More visiting.

 Scenes from the luncheon.

As the women were finishing up their lunch, Chris Crowley gave an inspiring and humorous talk to get all of us ready to improve our fitness levels.

If you would like to look at the book on Amazon.com, you can click on the link below.