Erba - Organic Body & Skin Care

Having the fight of cancer in my own life— stage 4 since Novemer 2002— I certainly can relate to Erma Bombeck’s written words below.  It is good for me to be reminded, though, as it is easy to get caught up in life and forget what is truly important.  Please read below….

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

 (written after she found out she was dying from cancer). 
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day. 

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.. 

I would have talked less and listened more. 

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded. 

I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. 

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. 

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. 

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been done. 

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains. 
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life. 

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. 

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. 

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, ‘Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.’ There would have been more ‘I love you’s’ More ‘I’m sorry’s.’ 

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it . live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!! 

Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s doing what
Instead, let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Really good moods are like gold dust;  bringing laughter, smiles and sheer joy to our lives.  This sprinkling of optimism can help us hear the daily trials of life with grace.  Sometimes, indulging your senses in beautiful fragrances will bring recall of a past joyful time in your life, and can also set you on a new NOW time of relaxiation and joy.  So… take 15 minutes to enjoy an aromatic bath… filled with salts and/ or bubbles and fragrant with Verbena, Lavender, Grapefruit— any essential oil.  Burn a candle in the kitchen while you are cooking and making the days chore list.  Rub some fabulous fragrant shea based body butter on your legs and arms.  Small indulgent things like this, can enhance your good mood, and then it just may spread that good mood throughout your home.  Give it a try today.  Come  visit Erba   Read the rest of this entry »

Why not go out on a limb?  Isn’t that where the fruit is? 

In this time of new adventure  - -  I know sometimes one that is just not too fun - -  you can take and remove what ails you let it inspire you to reinvent yourself to a new higher level.  Do not be afraid to try- ever- because the ladder of success does not care who climbs it.  You can make something special happen in your life right now with a plan and a willingness to go for it.  Use the power of your mind and the lesson this moment gives you to make a change that betters your life or makes you happy.

So go for it… get your mind and actions out on that limb.  You can do it!  Someone who tries never fails.

For books that inspire during times of being unsure, check out what ERBA has to offer.  we offer inspiration books and journals, body care, European soaps, and fabulous artisan jewelry.  Every day indulgences and everything LOVELY!

1. Americans spend $36,000,000 at Wal-Mart every hour of every day.
2. This works out to $20,928 profit every minute!
3. Wal-Mart will sell more from January 1 to St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) than Target sells all year.
4. Wal-Mart is bigger than Home Depot + Kroger + Target + Sears + Costco + K-Mart combined.
5. Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people and is the largest private employer. And most speak English.
6. Wal-Mart is the largest company in the history of the World.
7. Wal-Mart now sells more food than Kroger & Safeway combined, and keep in mind they did this in only 15 years.
8. During this same period, 31 Supermarket chains sought bankruptcy (including Winn-Dixie).
9. Wal-Mart now sells more food than any other store in the world..
10. Wal-Mart has approx 3,900 stores in the USA of which 1,906 are Super Centers; this is 1,000 more than it had 5 years ago.
11. This year 7.2 billion different purchasing experiences will occur at a Wal-Mart store. (Earth’s population is approximately 6.5 billion.)
12. 90% of all Americans live within 15 miles of a Wal-Mart

You may think that I am complaining, but I am really laying the ground work for suggesting that Wal-Mart should be the one that bails out Wall Street.

Better yet, let them run the darn government.

This is for all of my wonderful friends and customers of Erba.  We all need to be reminded of messages like this one, and these words relay my thoughts to you.

May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to dance, praise and love. Sing out in the shower, turn up the music that makes you smile, and give your kids a hug for no reason at all.

Remind yourself every day how special you are, and when you need a gift to express your love and friendship to those around you, remember to check out Erba for items that express those very thoughts and feelings.

The time will come when you’ll see that pretty much everything was better than you thought. That life was more beautiful, people were kinder, greens were greener, and the water was cleaner.

When you truly grasp how perfectly wonderful you are and then love yourself unconditionally, you will send a positive loving vibration to the Universe and to all who cross your path. So love yourself, hug yourself, and smile, and if you see someone without a smile or in need of a hug, give them one of yours.

Lisa

Yesterday I watched a small bird, flying very fast, disappear into the canopy of an oak tree. So dense were its leaves that it was impossible to see what happened next, though I can tell you it remained inside.

I wondered how the little bird found its opening through the leaves at such a speed, and then managed to gently align its fragile body on the branch it chose to land upon, all within a fraction of a second. Not to mention the impossible to imagine flying maneuvers required: the banking, the curling, the vertical and horizontal stabilizations, the deceleration and landing.

Memory? Calculation? Not in that tiny brain. Instinct? Maybe, but how does instinct know which way the branches of a tree have grown when no two are the same?

That little bird just knew. It had faith, in spite of not being able to see how things would work out, that if (and only if) it stayed the course the details would be taken care of; that an opening would appear and a twig would be found. In fact, had she slowed down enough to carefully and logically inspect the tree first, the prudent thing to do, she would have lost her lift and fallen to the ground.

Kind of like reaching for your dreams. Neither memory, nor calculating, nor instincts are the deciding factors, but faith coupled with action.

Find great books filled with inspirational thoughts and words of wisdom to help you through these tough times at shoperba.com

I was reading one of my favorite blog posts today by a company you can subscribe to for free for great inspirational emails- it said this,

“It’s not what’s happening around you, Lisa, that determines your health, finances, or hotness, but what’s happening inside of you - exclusively. You hottie, The Universe”

I love this weekly email… you can subscribe at www.Tut.com. Perhaps I love it because it reminds me of the many positive and uplifting items I sell in my boutique Erba, in San Clemente, Ca. Erba offers books that heal, inspire and give hope… products that are beautiful and make you feel better, items to indulge yourself and say to yourself “I am important.”

Check out our website too www.ShopErba.com, or stop by Erba if visiting San Clemente. It will truly be an uplifting experience.

Cancer sucks!  It’s even worse, because that f@cking dis-ease can kill you.  I myself, have had cancer 4 times, am stage 4, and have been since 2003.  I will never forget when a UCLA doctor told me I would be lucky to get 5 years—well, I am past that now… so I guess I am lucky.

I have had so many surgeries, I can’t even remember now.  I just had one last week and got cut up pretty good…under the arm, in my shoulder, chest and neck.  One thing I do know, is that as these surgery scars heal, one of the best things I know to do is cover the incision lines with 100% pure shea butter.  This is a balm, that heats up with your body heat, and helps your skin heal, and scars fade.  Shea Butter has natural healing properties, and a natural SPF.  You can use it to help heal burns, scars, bites, and chafing. 

Surgeries stink- and when they are cancer related like mine- they are even worse.  But, if you are like me, keep a tin of 100% shea butter in your medicine cabinet and use it daily to help heal and avoid the normal scaring.  You can buy this at my store Erba in San Clemente, Ca. or online at www.shoperba.com.

Lisa

“For every beauty there is an eye to see it.  For every truth there is an ear somwhere to hear it.  For every love there is a heart somewhere to recieve it.” Ivan paniin

No one knows these thoughts more than a loving Mother.  I know my own Mom is my greatest fan and advocate - taught me to appreciate the beauty in life, always speak and seek the truth, and showed her love to me and my sisters in unmeausarable ways.

My Mom works for me in my little San clemente shop Erba.  She loves it and our customers love her.  Since we have the best gifts available…this makes things a bit difficult– I cant surprise her with any of the many items I carry and love in my store - though she has quite a list.

We opened up boxes of a new English Body Care line called shelly Kyle - so fun and fragrant– offered the best body powder and HUGE–I mean Huge_ powder puffs I have ever seen.  Feels like your a movie star just when you pick it up!  Ha!  Love the scents of the lotion, bath salts, soaps and candles.  My Mom ooooed and awwwed over it, so I certainly can recommend it to everyone looking to buy Mom a great and loving gift for Mother’s day.

Erba always has the perfect gifts for MOM.  Shop in our Downtown San Clemente boutique, or on line at www.shoperba.com.