Tag Archives: Christmas

SHARE YOUR SPARKLE: What’s Your Love Language?

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Happy Christmas Week Sista!

Are you in the holiday spirit? I sure am and after a whirlwind week of events, work and parties I took my own advice and recouped with lots of sleep and Wellness Formula over the weekend. If you didn’t catch my last blog on keeping your immune system strong, please make sure to check it out.

I’m just about finished with my holiday shopping and look forward to long holiday dinners with my VIP’s this week. Spending  quality time with the people I love is the best gift ever.

At this time of year, it’s easy to get consumed with buying just the right gifts when what people really want (and need) is the gift of YOU! I would much rather a friend or family member give me their time and attention than spending unnecessary money on something I don’t really need. But, that’s MY love language. Your love language might be receiving gifts. Mine is actually a combo of words of affirmation and quality time.  For me– gifts can never replace someone’s attention.  It lights me up when someone really takes the time to be present with me and ask me how I’m doing. It’s very important to me that I reciprocate as well. With all of life’s distractions and the phone being glued to our hand, this is a dying art. I encourage you to read The 5 Love Languages to understand yourself and your loved ones better.

My bestie and I decided against buying gifts for each other this year and instead we are planning to spend quality time together. We’re going to take our men to look at Christmas lights (whether they like it or not) then cook while drinking wine with holiday tunes playing. After so many lonely holidays in LA, this planned quality time is such a blessing.

I know this is a challenge with busy schedules and all the holiday activities, but that’s what makes quality time even more special when you carve it out. I decided to write a blog on this topic because it kept coming up in conversation last week.  The overall consensus was that as much as women love receiving gifts, what we love most are the things that money can’t buy. That’s the true beauty and magic of the holidays.

SHARE YOUR SPARKLE.

SHARE YOUR LOVE.

SHARE YOUR LIGHT.

BE PRESENT WITH YOUR LOVED ONES, KIDS, FRIENDS. It’s the best gift you could ever give them.

Share. Like. Comment.

Wishing you a beautifully blessed Christmas week!

Love, Tiff

 

 

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CHILDLIKE WONDER Vs. THE GRINCH

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photo-309Tiff Age 4

At lunch last week, my girlfriend and I were sharing holiday memories from when we were little girls. I mentioned how amazing my mom was at creating traditions not only at Christmas, but she also made a big deal out of Valentine’s Day and Easter. Mom’s work so hard and stress themselves out beyond belief to ensure their babies have a full of wonder holiday experience. Thanks mama! Oh… and can’t forget daddy. He toiled all night on Christmas eve to assemble things like swing sets, Barbie townhouses and electric pianos. Who else got that Barbie townhouse with the cool elevator? My mom bought us a new ornament every year and on Christmas eve we could open just one gift- new PJ’s. We would set out cookies and milk for Santa and mom always (and still does) had either pine or cranberry smelling candles burning. My heart is full right now remembering these childhood traditions. I had lots of challenges as a child, but Christmas was always blessed.

As I write this, the twinkle lights are glowing on the tree and I’m sipping hot cocoa with a splash of peppermint mocha creamer. I hung up all the beautiful Christmas cards we’ve received from friends and wrapped the last gift. I am officially in the holiday spirit and should be wearing an ugly sweater, but I just can’t bring myself to it. LOL. This time last year, I could barely fake being in the holiday spirit. I wasn’t quite a full on grinch, but almost. We had only been living in Dallas for a few weeks and adjusting to ice storms. Our cross-country move cost much more than we expected so the Christmas shopping budget was painfully tight. I didn’t even send out real Christmas cards. An e-card was the best I could do.

As I always say, life happens and we just have to show up and do the best we can with what we’ve got. The ebb and flow of life is inevitable and I’ve learned to surf it instead of fight it. We’ve all had crappy holidays, but even as an adult, it’s much more fun & fabulous to embrace the holiday with childlike wonder than to be a grinch. I was so at peace being back in my home state and that was the best gift ever. Finances may have been tight, but you cannot put a price tag on peace.

ARE YOU IN THE SPIRIT?

This time of year is difficult for many. Perhaps there is family drama or the loss of a family member creates sadness and a void in your heart. Like my holiday last year, maybe your finances are putting a damper on the festivities. I highly recommend doing fun simple things like creating a Christmas station on Pandora, burning holiday candles (I prefer the smell of vanilla over pine, cranberry or peppermint) and watch old Christmas movies. The original Miracle on 34th Street was on a few nights ago! Talk about getting in the spirit when you watch a good old black & white film. My mom, sister and I usually bake cookies together and I look forward to doing that with them next week.

Most importantly- if the holidays make you sad instead of spirited, I highly recommend helping someone else have a good holiday. Your sadness will lift and God will bless you richly. It doesn’t have to be a homeless shelter, although that is so needed, but maybe there’s a single mom at your child’s school who can barely pay the rent much less buy a Christmas tree. You could get her a cute small tree at places like Hobby Lobby or Target. All the holiday decorations are already on sale at both places! Last year, one of my besties gave us a beautiful little decorated tree and I can’t tell you how much life that brought to our new place for the holidays. When I couldn’t bring myself to decorate, a friend pulled through. My spirit was lifted.

Choose to be childlike.

Choose to count your blessings.

Love, Tiff

P.S. Don’t forget the SOS Stocking Stuffer Giveaway ends 12/24! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS! SOS Stocking Stuffer Giveaway

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HO HO HO Sistas!

If you received this blog post to your inbox, you are automatically entered to win this year’s SOS Stocking Stuffer Giveaway. The only thing you need to do now (before Sunday, Dec 22nd at 12:00noon CST) is hop over to the SOS FACEBOOK PAGE and make one comment anywhere on the page. How easy is that?!? If you aren’t part of the SOS community yet and would like to enter, simply subscribe to the blog at the top right of this website AND make a comment on the Facebook Page as well. I just love playing Mrs. Santa Claus and giving fun things away. Check out what’s inside the stocking:

PC_physical-sunscreen-with-titanium-dioxide-720x720PERFECTIVE CEUTICUALS Ultra-light Sunscreen SPF 40 ($48.)

Ultra-light Sunscreen SPF 40 with Titanium Dioxide is a non-comedogenic, broad-spectrum sunscreen formulated with naturally occurring Titanium Dioxide and cellular-protecting plant extracts. Ultra-light technology glides on smoothly leaving the skin with a soft, non-greasy finish.

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PERFECTIVE CEUTICALS Replenish Moisture Cream for Sensitive Skin ($61.)

Replenish Moisture Cream for Sensitive Skin is a restorative moisturizer designed to complement the skin’s natural healing process. The cream features Sodium Hyaluronate and Rosa Canina Fruit Extract as two of its key components.

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AARON HENDRA PROJECT “Vintage Microphone Hoodie” ($39.)

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AARON HENDRA PROJECT Limited “Alive” EP ($5.)

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GOLD CHAIN & TASSEL EARRINGS (Unknown Brand, $22.)

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A signed copy of LeeAnne Locken’s book, WHAT’S YOUR STATUS? Finding Your Way To A More Positive Life One Day At A Time. ($13.99)

What’s Your Status is a collection of daily posts designed to Motivate, Inspire and Encourage others to be their best! Take a daily journey with LeeAnne as she encourages you to live a more POSITIVE LIFE one post at a time!

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My signature nail polish by AVON in Gunmetal Bronze Canon. ($6.)

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(3) Winners will receive a signed copy of Susie Augustin’s book, SEXY FIT & FAB At Any Age! ($13.95)

This book was written to help you uncover the eight keys to being Sexy, Fit & Fab at Any Age! It’s intended to support you in exploring your inner beauty while watching your confidence increase.

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Again, it’s simple to enter. You must be a subscriber of this blog site and make (1) comment on the Facebook Page. Ends Sunday, Dec 22nd at 12:00noon CST. GOOD LUCK! 

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It’s been eventful since we have hung our hats in Texas and was wonderful to attend the private party for Duck Dynasty’s KORIE ROBERTSON and her opening of the fabulous boutique, Duck & Dressing! 

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(This tassel necklace I’m rockin’ is from Aftershock London)

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Excited to experience the Face Of Aftershock’s Finale and congrats to winner, Samantha McCoy! Spectacular event with the most Fashionable + Fabulous peeps in Dallas. 

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Aaron_Tiff_HOBFrom our family to yours, we wish you a Very Merry Christmas & Abundant New Year! Revel in the beauty of the season and take some time to slow down long enough to truly enjoy this time of year. Yes, the mall traffic is nuts… our to-do list for shopping/cooking/parties seems endless- but, make sure to take some time to pamper yourself.  As much as I love staying connected on social media, it’s more important to unplug and be totally present with your loved ones. I mean, isn’t everyone’s thumbs and necks stiff from all the cell phone use? 

Also, I’ve had several conversations lately about how so many of us have gone through major challenges and changes in 2013. If you have as well, consider yourself stronger & wiser as you go into 2014 sista! Challenges and changes strengthen, stretch and sharpen us. It may be unbearable when you’re in the midst of it, but shift your focus to how exciting it is that you are better equipped now. See yourself as a warrior! Pheww- I have gone through so many changes over the past year myself. I’ll be honest- I’ve had my pitty-party days, but as the year is ending I exhale and give thanks for everything I’ve learned, for the thicker skin and softer heart… and the fact that nothing killed me- it just made me stronger and it did you, too. 

You are ALL Warrior Women and I am so honored to be part of this Sista-hood with each and every one of you. 

I want to leave you all with one of my favorite Promises. Regardless of your religious beliefs, this is a great encouragement for the New Year:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plan to PROSPER you and not to harm you, to give you HOPE and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Love, Tiff

HELLO DECEMBER: Tiffany’s In Texas!

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Howdy Sistas! 

A quick hello and wishing you all a Wonderfully Fabulous December! We made it safely to Texas and a big wish of mine has come true. I’ve been longing to move back to Texas for the past few years to be closer to my family and besties. We thrive in the “atmosphere” that is best suited for us and I am thrilled to see what is in store for us here. My hubby is already loving it too! Aussie turned Texan! Yeehaw G’day Mate.

Remember, the holidays can easily turn into a stressful, rush rush rush and exhausting experience if you allow it. It is ok to decline that 19th cocktail party invite and choose to stay at home with a cup of hot cocoa and an old movie instead. Gift giving can become an expensive exchange if you aren’t diligent to stay in your budget. Sometimes a real snail mail card or phone call to connect is the best give ever! Take some time to enjoy and be grateful for the “reason of the season” and begin thinking of the intentions you want to set for 2014. The holidays are a time of celebration, reflection and taking time for the things that matter most in life. We can get pulled in too many directions then we end up starting the New Year frazzled. JUST SAY NO SISTA!

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EXCITING NEWS! The popular SOS Stocking Stuffer Giveaway will be back this holiday! Make sure to check in here or on the Facebook Page  for details and dates.

*If you have a product or service that is a “fit” with SOS [fashion, beauty products,health/wellness, fitness] and would like to be included in the giveaway- please fill out the form on the COLLABORATION PAGE for pricing & details. Deadline is Dec 11th to participate.

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Again, thank you all for you prayers, patience and support during this big transition!

I would love to hear your holiday tradition… please share!

Love, Tiff

YOU ARE BLESSED {Sunday Eve Affirmations}

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Hey Style + Spirit Sistas!

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Christmas is in just a few days and I’m sure you are all having a blast with family and friends this weekend so I am keeping it super short and sweet today!  I simply want you all to remember in the coming week that YOU ARE BLESSED!  Let’s define “blessed”…

bless·ed adjective: 1. Worthy of adoration. 2. Divinely or supremely favored; fortunate:  (i.e. to be blessed with a strong, healthy body; blessed with an ability to find friends. 3. Blissfully happy or contented.

Despite how difficult the past year was for you or perhaps you are in a challenging situation right now, you are still blessed!  When we focus on how blessed we are, the difficulties of life seem much smaller.

THIS WEEK I WILL……

  1. Be grateful and count my many blessings.
  2. Ignore my problems and focus on how blessed I am.
  3. Stop complaining about the things I don’t have.
  4. Shower myself with adoration instead of waiting for someone to do it for me.
  5. Remember…I AM WORTHY!
  6. Pamper myself with a foot massage or facial.
  7. Rock a bit of bling everyday.
  8. Be a blessing to others.
  9. Stop neglecting my needs.
  10. Indulge in my fave holiday treats without beating myself up afterwards.
  11. Stop for a moment, during the hustle + bustle and take in the beauty of the season, be totally present, take a deep breath and say to myself…YOU ARE BLESSED!

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I want to thank all the fabulous companies who participated in making the SOS Stocking Stuffer Giveaways extra special this year:

Drink Chia!

Sia Botanics

Luscious Soul

Steele Jewel

Liberty Emma Collections

Plexus Slim and Loveforpink.com

Aaron Hendra Project

Also, a big thanks to all you ladies who participated and congrats to all the winners.  It was a blast!

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Woohoo! I am taping new webisodes today so stay tuned.

I wish you all a magical and beautiful Christmas!  Revel in each moment.  You are all a blessing to me. 

Love, Tiff

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STRESS-FREE GIFT GIVING + VIDEO REPLAY {Plus Sunday Eve Affirmations}

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“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”  ― Mother Teresa

Who’s loving the festive season?  Who’s getting totally stressed out from it all?  With all the holiday parties to attend, one too many swipes of the credit card, scouring the stores for THE perfect gifts and the anxiety of spending time with that family member who just– to put it plain + simple— gets on your last nerve….. the sparkle, magic and beauty of the holidays can turn into a depressing, stressful and lackluster occasion.  Don’t let that happen sistas!

We’re wrapping up a big year and that alone is reason to celebrate.  In the remaining weeks of December, let’s sloooooow down.  Remember the reason for the season.  Has ‘gift giving’ turned into more of a commercialized expectation between you and your family and friends, rather than a genuine token of love and appreciation?  Has it become normal for you to start the New Year with maxed out credit cards?   Please take that pressure off yourself!  Some of the most meaningful gifts are the ones that cost very little, but had so much thought put into them.  Giving your time and attention to someone who gets very little of it throughout the year can be the best gift you could ever give them and it’s FREE! 

Trust me, I love shopping for the important people in my life!  It’s so fun to find that perfect, unique gift you just know will bring a big smile to their face and twinkle in their eye.   It’s a win-win.  The giver feels good and so does the receiver!   But, say you had a rough year financially….PLEASE communicate that with your family + friends.  It may bruise your pride and ego, but you’ll get over it.  That brief sting is better than the long-term pain of paying off the credit card interest throughout the coming year.   There are so many low cost options these days.  Get creative.   Also, many people feel if you buy them a gift then they’re obligated to reciprocate with a gift of an equal amount.  WHY?  This is just another way we suck the love, joy and beauty out of the season.  If you find that perfect gift for a friend, give it without expecting anything in return.  That is true giving.  

In the week ahead, I WILL…..

  1. Stick to my gift budget without running up my credit cards.
  2. Not feel guilty about declining a social invitation.
  3. Be present in the moment. This special holiday only happens once a year.
  4. Not allow that ‘certain’ family member to steal my joy.
  5. Slow down.
  6. Enjoy the cookies, candy and hot toddy in moderation.
  7. Respect others traditions, but will start a few of my own.
  8. Rock the red lip, red heel, red dress or all three.
  9. Give a deserving person my time and attention.
  10. Not neglect my workouts because it’s an instant stress buster.
  11. Give without expectation!

Need a few gift ideas for the fashionista or the foodie in your life?  Check out this video replay:

 

I would love to hear your thoughts and two-cents on the topic of gift giving.   Each and every comment is appreciated!   Do you have a great holiday stress-reliever?  Share it sista!

We have (2) more weeks of Stocking Stuffer Giveaways!  Don’t miss out.  Make sure to check in on the FACEBOOK PAGE during the week.  You must be a subscriber to this blog, part of the Facebook Community and make at least (1) comment during the giveaway week!  Winner will be announced on Friday.  BIG CONGRATS to last week’s winner, Colleen Campbell-Voigt!

Happy Hanakkuh to those of you celebrating!

Wishing you a week full of twinkly lights + sparkly sequin!

Love, Tiff

New Year, New You, New Products (+ Swag Bag Giveaway)

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Who is ready to kiss 2011 ba-bye?  ME!!!

I hope you all had a beautifully blessed Christmas and Santa was super sweet to you!  I really love this time of year because there is a bit of downtime to get organized, set goals for the new year and reflect on any changes I want to make…including changes in my beauty + health routine as well as my wardrobe.  I asked my Fellow Facebook Fashionistas to share any beauty or fashion resolutions they are making for 2012:

  • Dawn Lynn Takacs:  My beauty goal for 2012- This year centering the inner you that reflects the outer you. More “me” time for creative therapy, thought provoking reading, sharing time or just meditating with a fabulous candle. I will find (if only) 20 minutes a day to nurture myself spiritually.
  • Naomi Sampson Westgard: I am going to wear EVERYTHING in my closet at least once!!! Ok….for at least a few hours at a time. If I don’t wear it…it goes!
  • Ellen Stoneberg: To get the courage to wear false eyelashes to work on a daily basis. Something tasteful and not obvious but a little more lampchop (the puppet) like, you know flirty! I want to be more girly.
  • Syera Letiece:  To bring more color to my closet I love bright colors and how they look on my skin. I want to pop and stand out a little more with over doing it. But so that when people see me they know it’s me 🙂
  • Lachele Haines Stoeck:  I am resolving to eat healthier. Not to lose weight but to gain energy and feel stronger!
  • Muffy McKay: I am going to try to buy less and shop my closet more this year.
  • Kirsten Robison: Eat healthier, hair change (it is so time to do so), and try to loose the extra pounds I need to….want to be Hawaii body ready!….and the most important, read my bible more and let the light shine through….more smiles! 🙂

WATCH WEBISODE:

I love finding great drugstore beauty products!  In the latest webisode, I give you 10 of my favorite + latest finds for $10 or less.  For the New Year, I will be giving one winner an SOS Swag Bag filled with a few of the items I discuss in the video along with some extras (like some fabulous accessories or my fave nutrition products) to help give you a head start on looking + feeling your best in 2012! (value worth $100)

TO ENTER: You must be part of the Sanctuary Of Style Facebook community. Then follow 2 simple steps.
 https://www.facebook.com/sanctuaryofstyle

1. Share this video on your Facebook wall with SOS tagged. (To “tag” the  SOS page along with the video–you simply type the @ symbol and immediately type in Sanctuaryofstyle and the FB page will be tagged)
2. Post this comment on the SOS Facebook page: 

“I will walk tall in my power in 2012”

ENDS AT 12 MIDNIGHT PST ON JAN 7th.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY, JAN 8th.



YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED!  YOU ARE COMPLETE!  Just like Dorothy’s friends in The Wizard of Oz—the Scarecrow looking for brains, the Tin Man looking for a heart, the Lion looking for courage, when in fact — THEY HAD THESE THINGS ALL ALONG!

I appreciate each + every one of you for joining me on this path to us being our most beautiful, powerful + confident selves!  My prayer is that you all have more happiness, more abundance + more love in the New Year!

xoxo, Tiff

GET FESTIVE FAST *Plus* EXCITING CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY

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Sparkle.

Bling.

Shine.

Dazzle….these are a few key words for this weeks topic!

Are you getting those last minute texts to meet your friends at a fun holiday cocktail party?  Thought so..and you may only have 5 minutes to add some glam + sparkle to the outfit you’ve had on all day at work, right?!   This weeks webisode, I show you some easy, but glamorous ways to get festive fast!  *PLUS* I am thrilled to announce my Christmas Giveaway.  Watch video at the bottom of page for details.  Exclusively for SOS blog subscribers+followers ONLY.

I LOVE HENRI BENDEL BAUBLES! www.henribendel.com

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EXCITING CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY:

 

I’m excited to offer skype consulting/coaching calls as a VIP Service in 2012.  Winner announced Christmas Eve, December 24th. To enter you must be a subscriber or follower of this blogsite and you must send me a private email to asktiffanyhendra@gmail.com with your info.

Wishing you all a beautiful + blessed holiday!

Remember it’s all about us being more fabulous together,

xoTiff

FEELING FOGGY? FATIGUED? OVERALL FUNKY?

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A few years ago on a Christmas trip to Australia, I found out I had this crazy thing called CANDIDA! Hmmm, what the heck is that, you ask?   After indulging on my Mother-in-Law‘s ridiculously delish homebaked breads and cakes, a friend of mine recommended I “juice” for a few days to get my system rebalanced.  He gave me a juice of apple, carrot, celery, a few other things I can’t remember along with a serious helping of ginger.   It was so hot and tangy I could barely drink it, but being the brave girl I am…I downed the entire glass of this concoction.

A few hours later during dinner, my hubby looked at me and said “babe, what’s going on with your lips?”  I was itchy all over and so uncomfortable.  I pulled out a mirror and my lips looked like Eddie Murphy‘s in the Nutty Professor.  You know the scene when he’s turning into his alter ego and his body parts are all huge and morphed!   I did have a brief Angelina Jolie moment!  By the time we got home from dinner, I had hives all over my body.  Our friend said, that looks like a candida reaction to the ginger.  HUH?  He explained that candida was an overgrowth of yeast which feeds and grows off the sugars in our bodies.  It can cause fatigue, a lethargic feeling and overall sluggish energy.   With a few simple lifestyle changes like eating more yogurt and reducing starches and sugars, candida can easily be kept under control.

My sister, Natalie,  also battles keeping her candida under control and just went on a great cleanse which she shares in the latest webisode.  She’s candid about how the cleanse gave her a bad case of smelly feet!  Pewww!

 

SYMPTOMS:
Insomnia
Joint and muscle pain
Persistent gas and bloating
Recurrent bladder infections
Recurrent vaginal yeast infections
Sinus problems
Sugar cravings
Bad breath
Blurred vision
Brain fog
Chemical sensitivity
Fatigue
Mood Problems
Food sensitivities and allergies

 

FOR MORE,  http://www.renewlife.com/candigone.html