Paris Express Travel Pod

My two dearest friends are off to Paris on a business trip.   Let's face it, Paris is amazing, getting there these days....not so much.    7+ hours sitting elbow to elbow with the constantly coughing, sneezing, fidgety, sometimes stinky fellow passengers can get a little horrific!   It isn't like you can take a break and get a bit of fresh air outside, you are in this shuttle until it lands!   So here are some things to make getting there a little more comfortable - all packaged in a clear, customs friendly travel case...... 

For the munchies in between those lovely meals served on board: Trader Joe's green tea mints, Annie's organic jelly fruit snack packets, Mariani chocolate sesame almond honey bar, and a packet of "sweet mint" Orbit gum for take off.    To combat any of those pesky germs that might be wandering about: Sovereign silver immune support spray, wet nap hand sanitizing wipes, body wash dry soap sheets and steripod cap for toothbrush storage.   For in flight grooming, relaxing and primping before landing: Rohto cooling intense eye drops, GO! Natural bamboo towel (just add water to expand), Vaseline mini lip therapy with rose tint, chic sheets dry smoothing hair towelettes, tiny evercare lint roller, colgate wisp tooth brush with paste bead, and a Tide stain remover stick.     Finally once in your hotel room use the hydrating paper blue agave mask to relax before hitting the streets in the city of lights!    Love you girls!    Bon Voyage!

SECU Family House Bake Sale

I made these little mini cakes for the SECU Family House bake sale.   If you happen to visit the UNC Hospital, you can purchase one today!   Made with WHOLE boiled oranges (skin and all) that I puree with almond meal - these are gluten free!   All proceeds go to the SECU Family House....

Mandir in Atlanta

The word “Mandir” is a general term for a Hindu place of worship and prayer – it is made up of the two words “Man” and “Dir” which respectively means Mind and Still…..So a Mandir is a sanctuary place where one can go and relax and pray under calming lights in front of statues of different Gods and Founders.   Often times the worship will be done in the traditional kneeled pose, but it is also possible to lie prostrate and face down then repeatedly stand in gestures of contrition.     Mandirs can also serve as school type or refuge buildings for the Hindu community in times of need. 

I do not know much about this religion, but my experience visiting the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Atlanta, Georgia recently was a very calming one.   Most all of the employees I came across sported open smiling faces and the Tilak or Tilaka dot on their forehead.  I love the idea of this as it symbolizes the third eye or mind’s eye of meditation or spiritual enlightenment.    This Mandir was breathtaking!   It took over one million volunteer hours over a year and a half to build this place!     The Mandir is made of Turkish Limestone, Italien Marble and Indian Pink Sandstone pieces and each piece was hand carved in India and shipped here then assembled.  

I was unable to photograph the interior but as I walked (have to take your shoes off at the door ) around there was a very soothing feeling about the place, the lighting was a soft lavender glow that seemed to emanate from the stone and the statues were so vibrant and life-like I felt I was staring into an otherworldly face that seemed alive from within, the expressions were androgynous and very, very kind.

It is wonderfully amazing that in the middle of an unassuming corner of this huge city, sits this refuge just waiting for a visit from you!