Everything She Wants

Taking long hot baths with epsom salt and bubbles is my favorite way to de-stress and shake off the seasonal blues. So at a recent media event for Lifetherapy , a paraben, sulfate and cruelty-free bath and body brand that promotes self-nurturing through the power of scent, I nearly lunged into a beautifully displayed claw foot bathtub full of fragrant salts and rose petals. Founder Lynette Lovelace has overcome numerous health challenges including severe endometriosis and believes that when we take ownership of our frame of mind, positivity follows.  The Chicago native has learned to take life as it comes, to pay it forward, and above all, to live in the moment with optimism and gratitude. Lifetherapy's moisturizing handcreme, luxe body wash/bubbling bath and hydrating body lotion are enriched with shea butter, vitamins and other rich skin conditioners. The brand also makes soothing soy candles. To help you #chooseyourmood , each product is available in five signature f...

What does Brooklyn smell like? Well, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t a fragrant candle or body butter.  But Brooklyn Flavors  ( 820 Washington Avenue, 718-854-7486), a Brooklyn-based natural skin care shop, wants to change that perception. Brooklyn Flavors owner, Sophia Sylvester/Yelp Created by Brooklyn native Sophia Sylvester, Brooklyn Flavors offers a signature scent inspired by some of the borough’s most distinct streets and neighborhoods (w isely, there's no Gowanus Canal flavor).  For example, Bed-Stuy ’s flavor is an earthy blend of sandalwood, jasmine, cedar wood and patchouli; Canarsie Cookie smells like freshly baked sugar cookies with butter cream frosting and vanilla extract; and the Caribbean-inspired Church Avenue combines juicy mango, papaya, jasmine peach and coconut.  Sylvester’s mission is to make quality handmade products using natural ingredients and to promote a healthy approach to candles and beauty and b...

As the temps drop and the days become shorter, many of us become less active.  And with the holidays approaching, it's super important to watch what your waistline now so that you'll be able to treat yourself to that extra serving of macaroni and cheese and slice ( or two ) of pumpkin pie, later.  To plan your snacking strategy,  Everything She Wants has compiled a short list of healthy treats and beverages to nosh on before the holiday gluttony begins. Pass the Peeled Snacks, please. 1. Brooklyn-based Peeled Snacks makes the first certified organic, baked pea snacks. Peas are a uniquely nutritious veggie--they're packed with fiber, iron and protein. The brand of non-GMO (non-genetically modified) snacks also makes dried fruit, apple clusters and trail mix. Available at Whole Foods and online . 2. New to the U.S. market, 1907water from New Zealand is naturally alkaline balanced, which helps your body balance its acidity levels by mitigating the negative e...

In this season of consumerism, the true meaning of Christmas and the holidays is often overlooked.  So purchasing a charitable gift is a lovely way to honor this spirit of giving. And when you purchase a tasteful costume jewelry piece from Ann Taylor's Hope.Strength.Love Collection   and the Elephant Jewelry Collection , until the end of December 2014 and January 2015 fifty percent of each item will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, respectively. Pricing starts at $39.50. So here's your chance to pick up an eye-catching ring, necklace or bracelet with a bit of bling that will make both the giver and the recipient feel good. Elephant ring set, $39.50 Elephant Charm Bracelet, $49.50 Elephant Necklace, $49.50 Hope.Strength.Love bracelet set, $75

You can never have enough baubles and bling.  And if you're looking for the latest costume jewelry trends for spring/summer 2014, look no further than Glitterrings and Jill Zarin ( yes, the former real housewife of New York has a successful jewelry line ). Here are some highlights from these nicely priced collections. Glitterrings' "Get the Message" layered pendant sets ($20-$25) and feature clear crystal and 14K gold and rhodium plated metals. Available March 2014 at Glitterrings.com. "The Numbers Collection" ($28 each): Find out what your numerological number says about you. Each number is beautifully crafted and has a special meaning inscribed on the back. Available January 2014 at Glitterrings.com. Jill Zarin's "Estate Blue Collection" ($40-$88; cuff, $55 and necklace, $88) features elegant looks in platinum rhodium  plating set in a "robin's egg" blue color stone. Available June 2014 at Macys.com, Lo...

Christmas may be over, but it's never too late to give someone you care about a token of your appreciation. Merci European Chocolates   ($5.99, CVS and Walgreens) is the perfect way to say thank-you.  Each package includes 20 individually wrapped chocolates in seven different flavors -- milk chocolate, coffee and cream, hazelnut and almond, hazelnut cream, dark cream, dark mousse and praline cream. Everything She Wants is thankful for great readers like you, and one lucky Twitter follower will win a box of Merci Chocolates.  Here's how to win (all steps must be followed): Comment on this post with your first name and tell us who you will give a meaningful thank you to this holiday season and why? Retweet this post using the #MeaningfulMerci hashtag Follow us on Twitter @TracyEHopkins The giveaway offer ends January 2 at 11:59 p.m.  Good luck!

Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities and supporting them is a great way to help fuel the local economy. According to research, eighty-nine percent of consumers said they believe that small businesses contribute positively to their local communities. So remember to Shop Small® on Small Business Saturday today on November 24th. As an incentive, American Express cardholders get a one-time $25 statement credit when they use their enrolled card to spend $25 or more in a single, in-store transaction at a qualifying small business location.  To enroll your Amex card and for more information about participating small business locations, go to www.shopsmall.com . 

Treat yourself and your BFFs to a little relaxation and rejuvenation this holiday season with Everything She Wants ' fragrant bath and body holiday gift picks. SheaMoisture Red Bush & Sage Congestion Relief Bath Soak ( $10.99, Target ): Relieve sinus pain and congestion with an essential oil blend of natural peppermint, rosemary, thyme and eucalyptus. Rich in alpha hydroxyl acid and zinc, the Red Bush helps heal skin, while the Sage brings anti-bacterial and calming properties to balance skin functions. JĀSÖN® Antioxidant Cranberry Body Wash ($14, natural food stores): Usually, feeling like a turkey isn't a good thing.  But this gentle, delicious smelling wash conjures savory and sweet Thanksgiving Day flavors.  The natural blend is infused with Cranberry Oil and soothing Aloe Vera to fight oxidative stress, and Vitamin E and Pro-Vitamin B5 to soften the skin. Forever Red by Bath & Body Works ($12.50 - $22.50, Bath & Body Works): A blend of l...

Everything She Wants  loves to promote products that inspire women to look and feel good.  Although wine isn't something we'd normally blog about, the spirit can definitely lift our spirits. And antioxidant-rich red wine, in particular, has proven  heart health benefits . Besides, it's holiday time and we're allowed to indulge in a glass (or two) of vino.  In case you're looking for a good bottle to pop at your next holiday party, here are a few brands to consider: Les Compagnons Wines contributes a portion of its sales revenue of each bottle sold to fund several New York City animal charities including Stray from the Heart and and the Toby Project . Try the Pinot Noir. If you like your wine white and sweet, you'll savor Mirassou Winery's California Moscato .  With a flavor profile ripe with peach, tangerine, melon and honeysuckle, the wine is as close as you can get to capturing California summer in a bottle. Each bottle of Moreno BHLV Sparkli...

While browsing the ethnic hair care aisle at my local Target, I discovered   SheaMoisture products and I've been hooked ever since. So I was thrilled when I was invited to the natural brand's pop-up holiday shop in New York City's Bryant Park. SheaMoisture products. Shea butter is naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F, evens skin tone and returns luster to the skin and hair.  The company's recipe is based on the homemade hair and skin preparations made by the founder's grandmother Sofi Tucker in Sierra Leone in 1912. Of the body products, my favorite is the SheaMoisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Wash , which leaves my skin feeling clean, refreshed and moisturized.  There's also an accompanying SheaMoisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Lotion . The hair products are designed for women ( like me ) who want to show-off the natural beauty of their hair and escape using chemically laden products. So I'm eager to try the products I was recently gifted at Shea...