As I prepare my body and skin for the holidays, for being in the sun, out in a bathing suit, then days later in the snow and wind, I realize that no matter how firm my intention (P90X), I need to resist french fries (no matter how great they smell), sleep more than 4 hours a night, and make the time to get the best facial I can find. Fortunately for me, I am in NY this week, and can stop in to heavenly Tres Belle Petite Medi Spa in Brooklyn for a Duchess Marden Facial!! Ooh, I just read that they are offering specials on our facials…now you’re talking!

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Harvest time is upon us. We must surround ourselves with a sensation of bounty by making something from what we have, and pausing with the greatest sense of gratitude for just that. Rather than accumulating things gratuitously, I have always had a preference for treating myself to a few select and special things that have meaning. This has been my approach in developing the Duchess Marden line - always with thoughtful consideration of core “cherry picked” ingredients of the finest quality that produce benefits, and a pleasurable experience. Try anything of ours, and linger on this thought - made slowly with love, and the pleasure of your experience in mind.

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Now that summer has come to an end, you are faced with seeing everyone in their back-to-school mode… Are you ready to show yourself (with or without a tan and some good summer escapade story)? View this video from me for some great suggestions on having a fresh/clear look: End of Summer Skincare

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I cried like a baby when I was told we’d have to take down this oak on our property. It had gotten Sudden Oak Death Syndrome, then in it’s weakened state, was attacked by bark beetles. You get attached to your trees, so a part of our landscape, our history; a vital, never fully realized creature of nature to behold. And our Mothers, the same. They are out there. They are with us. And then they are not. So viscerally a part of our fabric, our nature, and a being and force to behold. Their intentions, not always understood, their messages, oftentimes obscure. Then, we become parents, and recognize what a tremendous responsibility we hold (larger than life). For it is life we are forming, principles we are guiding and values we are presenting. Ponder your own such challenges and sincerity, and you will invariably appreciate your Mother.

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You stop in time, and want time to stand still. The day goes dark, and you find yourself locking the door. Wasn’t I just going through this motion (or was that yesterday)? Linger on a moment, and you realize that time is slipping by without your express permission. Cherish time. Place fresh flowers and leaves around your space. Sip your favorite drink in the evening. caress your child’s cheeks. Smile at them even when you are angry. Remain calm and nurture your sentient self.

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Face it, you are cute. As my Mother used to say, “After looking at the same face in the mirror for so many years, you sort of get used to it, and it begins to grow on you.” It’s true. You have your certain something - your own cuteness factor. Studies may claim that it is possible to deduce universal cuteness down to a science: the size of the eyes, the distance between the eyes, etc.  But why  (pray tell) do some women think that an artificially puffed up upper lip looks good? Believe it or not, Kelly Lebrock was actually born with those lips! I was reminded the other day when I did a store training that many women call our Anti-Wrinkle Serum their “natural golden Botox,” (which I’m actually ok with). One woman named Jennifer swears that even after smoking for years, when she applies Duchess Marden’s Anti-Wrinkle Serum around her mouth, her lips are full and wonderful. A very young woman approached me at the tail end of the training and smiled sheepishly. “I’m just over 20, and I have this line across my forehead.” She swept her long fine brown hair away for a brief moment to share. “My Dad says it’s from moving my brows up and down,” she told me. I was told that your Anti-Wrinkle Serum could help. “Yes, it is healthy, and can certainly improve the texture of your skin,” I told her, but let me share something too.” I showed her my own forehead. “My Mom used to tell me the same thing, but I can’t help it, I’m simply very expressive with my face,” I told her. Amuse yourself. Next time you are extremely angry, and aware of your scowl, run to a mirror and look at your face, and especially at your exaggerated facial lines. Now smile. You are still cute, even when you try not to be. But yes, Anti-Wrinkle Serum helps!

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We had a great visit to Europe. The Duchess Marden line garnered a lot of interest and attention from various retailers. Our line will soon be available at White Wisp http://www.whitewisp.de/, a lovely retail shop in Regensburg, Germany. If you are a retailer in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, and have interest in carrying the line, please contact Caroline Albert at kontakt@whitewisp.de

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Lessons in Economics

My 2nd grade twins are learning economics in class already! They asked me to come in to speak to the class about my business in the context of what they were learning: producer-processor-distributor-consumer relationships. When we talked about the rose growers (one girl asked whether the line was pesticide-free, and was not tested on animals, and I assured her this was the case  - so cool and savvy)! We folded shipping boxes, and they learned about the significance of each person’s role in bringing a product to market. These children were wild with wonder, and so deeply interested in the process. They asked terrific, inspiring questions. I recognized a number of spirited future entrepreneurs.

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Mothers have carried their kids for centuries - both in a literal and proverbial sense. We pick them up. We tote the endless items we need for them. We carry their pains, both physical and emotional, and we “carry” them with our support. Your Mother’s turn never ends. It is always her turn to be carried. Stop to realize that this relationship is a perpetual see-saw: basque in the joy of caring for others.

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February is definitely one of my favorite months. Both my sister (whom I perpetually trail after in an uncontrollable fit of laughter) and my husband (lovable, and deserving of adoration) were both born in this wonderful month - so, to my mind, it is fitting to devote  a day mid-month on which to ponder & commemorate Love.

I have never held back from expressing myself visually (though my Mother used to warn me about using my forehead and mouth with such extreme & frequent movement). I simply cannot help it. We are feeling beings, able to communicate through universal visual cues beyond language. I do not want to freeze my skin, so that you cannot discern my emotions. Grow old gracefully, yet with unrelenting emotion (just stick to our Anti-Wrinkle Serum)!

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