Fun with Essential Oils!

Right now in school we are studying aromatherapy and the use of essential oils in the spa. I'm already familiar with essential oils and their benefits (I use DoTERRA oils on a regular basis), but the thought of using them in the spa world is new and exciting to me! At school we use a brand called ESS Aromatherapy. ESS is a bit more affordable than DoTERRA, but I think DoTERRA oils are better quality essential oils. Having said that, ESS oils still work well in the spa, especially if you are on a budget! I particularly love their Rose Absolute oil. I've done a few aromatherapy facials and body treatments using the Rose Absolute oil and the clients have absolutely loved them!

Rose Absolute is known for hydrating dry, mature skin...not to mention the fact that it smells like heaven! For a quick and easy at-home hydrating treatment, I'd recommend mixing a few drops of Rose Absolute into avocado oil** and massaging into the skin (and it's even more enjoyable if you get someone to massage it into your skin for you!). **Avocado oil relieves dryness and is nourishing for both skin and hair!

This treatment is both beneficial for face and body hydration. Your skin will be left feeling smooth, and you will smell fantastic as well. Psychological effects of Rose Absolute include a sense of balance, harmony, and well-being. What more could you ask for?!

xoxo,
A

Now offering services at The Spa School!

It has been awhile since my last post, but that is because I went through an intense 6 week classwork period for the Esthetics program I am in! I passed the classwork portion of the program with a 97% (woohoo!) and I am ready to perform services on real clients (and not just on my mannequin head)! Please, please, please stop in at The Spa School and and come see me! I am learning something new and exciting every single day and I can't wait to show off what I have learned! At The Spa School we perform facials, body treatments, and waxing services. We also offer lash extensions, brow and lash tinting, spray tanning, and so much more, although currently I am only able to perform facials, body treatments, and waxing services until I receive those specialty certifications. For a full list of services and pricing, click here and download the spa menu! If you'd like to receive a service with me, shoot me an e-mail at ayshaherrera@yahoo.com and I will be happy to share my schedule with you!

Xo,
A

No Turning Back Now!

And the journey begins! I have officially submitted all of my paperwork and everything else necessary in order to become a beauty school student. Sharing my new career path with my friends and coworkers was a bit intimidating, but thankfully they have been nothing but supportive. Going from my position as a Youth Services Specialist working the reference desk at the library to becoming a beauty school student, I was worried that I would be judged. I was worried that people would question my decision...or question my intelligence. I think just about anyone can go to beauty school, which is wonderful for those simply seeking an education. I do not believe that everyone can turn their beauty training into a career. Once I graduate the esthetician program, it is my goal to go on for an associates in graphic design, and possibly business. My plan is to turn all of my training into a small business. I imagine myself owning a small studio in the future, offering skin care services, and doing freelance graphic design and web design work. 

Deciding to go to beauty school has seemed to motivate me in other areas of my life. Starting this blog (and my writing career) has been such a positive thing for me. I'd absolutely love to publish a children's book, but I didn't know where to start! Writing this blog is slowly building me up and giving me the confidence to branch out into other forms of literature. I'm not sure exactly why my decision to go to beauty school has opened my mind to taking action on my dreams, rather than just dreaming about my dreams (another New Year's resolution on it's way to completion). Maybe because the actual decision to go to beauty school was based solely on a dream? I'd always daydreamed about being a high fashion, chic beauty advisor, but never thought it was actually possible. Only beautiful people living in New York City ever hit it big in the beauty industry, right? Wrong! I may not be working with celebrities and high fashion models, BUT I am going to be helping regular women feel better about their skin (which may be even more rewarding!), and I'm going to be perfectly chic while I do it (and maybe even recommend some good books in the process, just to stay true to my nerdy, bookworm self).

The esthitician program that I have enrolled in starts February 3, and I CANNOT wait. I so look forward to embarking on this fantastic new journey to discovering beauty, both inside AND out. Isn't that what life is all about?

Xo,
A

Words of Inspiration

Today I stumbled upon another blog and found these words to be so true:

The 17 weeks I spent in school were amazing. They brought out the best of me and the worse in me. Even though I aced the program and earned my esthetician license shortly after graduating, it didn't come without a whole lot of sacrifice and heartache.

 Despite all of the sacrifice, the hardest part of beauty school for me was having to get out of my comfort zone each and every day. I had been living my comfortable life, doing things I could do easily in my sleep for the past seven years. Every day at school, I was challenged with something new. I was constantly having to deal with deciding if I had made the right decision. Was this going to be the industry I would leave bartending for and I want to work in? With each experience and struggle, the answer was always yes.

Today was a day where I was questioning my decision (for silly reasons that won't be mentioned), and coming across this blog was so inspiring and uplifting. These words don't just apply to beauty school. Stepping out of your comfort zone and chasing a dream is the key to finding happiness & beauty in your day to day life. Thank you, Kathleen.

I hope to look back on my blog a year from now and experience the pride and happiness that comes with working hard and following your dreams.

Photo by Chroma Photography

Xo,
A

A Look Back on 2013: My Wedding Day

My wedding day was a prime example of how dreams really do come true. The day was filled with beauty, love, and laughter, and I couldn't have asked for anything more! Here is proof that you don't need to have long, curly locks to be a feminine (and just plain girlie) bride, and that you can create beauty on a budget!

Rocking a pixie cut on my wedding day.

"So You're Going to Sit Through a Wedding" pamphlet. Super easy to make (Microsoft Publisher) and a lot of fun as well!

Saves:

Silver trays from Goodwill

Vases from Goodwill

Mason jars embellished with ribbon and raffia (made by me!)

Curly willow from Hobby Lobby

Paper mache numbers from Hobby Lobby

Splurges:

Dried lavender from a lavender farm in California

Handmade paper flowers (Etsy!)

Scrabble and a hot glue gun!

I wanted to keep my seating chart simple, so I made this myself! It was super easy and inexpensive. All I needed was a cork board, black paper, and a white paint marker! I embellished tacks with decorative buttons to give them a more polished look.

Splurge:

Flowers by Flowers on Springtree Lane

Who doesn't love balloons?!

Definitely a splurge:

MY VENUE

All of these beautiful photos were taken by the wonderful Courtney Bender! Check out her website here.

Xo,

A

(Bumble) Blooming into the New Year

By creating this blog, I have already fulfilled a New Year's resolution. Bust into the blogging scene? CHECK! It is my goal to look back on this post a year from today to see how I have grown mentally, professionally, spiritually...and really every other way in which I can grow!

Goals for 2014 include:

• Finding a career that I am passionate about
• Cultivating happiness in my life, as well as in the lives of the ones I love
• Finding peace within myself
• Actively working towards my dreams (rather than just dreaming about my dreams...)

The purpose of this blog will primarily be to mark my journey through beauty school (and life in general), and will one day become a tool to market my talent and love for everything beautiful. Beauty isn't just a pretty face. Beauty is found deep within the soul. And this year I plan on exploring my soul and letting its natural beauty bloom. 

Xo,
A