The Trendy Boutique That Employs People With Special Needs - ZABS Place in North Carolina provides on-site job training and business skills

Read article : The Trendy Boutique That Employs People With Special Needs - ZABS Place in North Carolina provides on-site job training and business skills

“Hello, welcome to ZABS Place! My name is Aaron.”

Aaron Roochvarg sports an award-winning smile. He’s there at the door, enthusiastically greeting customers when they enter the store and asking if they need any assistance finding items.

“How did you hear about ZABS Place?” he asks.

“I’ve been here a few times,” reports the customer. “Thank you, Aaron, for all of your help!”

“You are very welcome!” comes the reply.

It’s just a few minutes after 10 a.m. (opening time) and a stream of people file into ZABS Place in the charming town of Matthews, a 20-minute drive from Charlotte, N.C. There is a buzz around town about the quality and selection of clothing, books, games, toys, home goods, handbags, greeting cards and more at this thrift boutique that opened nearly three years ago.

It’s obvious that the selection of merchandise is excellent. But it doesn’t take long for first-time shoppers to realize just how special ZABS Place is. Colorful signs around the store inform customers that “ZABS Place is a thrift boutique employing young adults with special talents.” (The word “talents” appears over the crossed-off word “needs.”) The store’s website advertises it as “Affordable. Upscale. Inclusive.” That it’s all about “providing opportunities, realizing potential and having fun.”

Aaron Roochvarg (Photo: Howard Blas)

‘10 Years From Now . . . ’

In one part of the store, three teenagers sip frozen drinks and banter about whether or not an outfit “looks cute.” In another, mothers with kids in tow throw a few outfits over their arms, heading for the dressing room. All the while, half-a-dozen young adults with special needs are doing their jobs in every area of running a business. Roochvarg, 27, continues to greet and assist customers. Erin Keeter, 28, is organizing children’s games. And Jonathan Gale, a 22-year-old employee who has been with the store from the start and now works 10 hours a week, is shelving books.

He picks up a holiday cookbook and perceptively asks his supervisor, “Should this book be here? It is not near holiday time!” She suggests he move it to another section.

In the back corner of ZABS Place, Cammie Wilson, 25, is straightening books and games on a high shelf as employment coordinator Alison Dugo, 30, looks on. “If you can’t reach this, what you should do?” asks Dugo. Wilson carefully considers the question and suggests bringing a ladder next time.

Dugo has been working at ZABS place for two years. In addition to teaching job skills, she spends a great deal of time on soft skills—the not-so-obvious, real-life know-how needed to be successful and professional at work. These include dressing appropriately, having a positive attitude, knowing how to act in the break room, and learning how to get along with fellow workers and bosses. Dugo thinks quite a bit about the employees’ futures. “I ask them: What do you imagine doing 10 years from now? What are you good at? What do you want to be good at; what is challenging for you?”

ZABS Place offers everything from clothing and toys to home goods and greeting cards. (Photo: Len Weinstein)

In many ways, ZABS Place is intentionally designed to be a training ground and stepping stone to future employment elsewhere in the community.

While Dugo is working with Wilson, Rochel Groner—co-director of ZABS Place and Friendship Circle of Charlotte, with her husband, Rabbi Bentzion Groner—is up front with Keeter, patiently going over how to use the store’s scheduling program on the iPad to request time off. The young woman and her family are planning a trip to Canada in a few weeks, and she is learning the various drag-down menu options, which include vacation days, sick leave and time needed for a personal or family emergency.

Keeter works in the store Mondays and Thursdays sorting children’s clothing and organizing the toy section. She is also one of the artists and craftspeople with special needs who have signed a consignment agreement with ZABS Place to sell their creative works. She photographs flowers near her home and makes them into greeting cards. “I sold three last week!” she reports.

(Photo: Len Weinstein)

Hannah Strunck, 18, is also a consignor, making bath crystals, balms and creams at home to be displayed and sold at ZABS Place alongside jewelry, journals and non-noise-producing fidget toys. Hannah’s older brother, Andy, 27, works at the store two days a week for 90 minutes each day, cleaning floors, hanging clothes, and dusting shelves. He comes with his longtime-care staff member, Aaron, who serves as a job coach.

“Andy feels proud, he feels welcomed, and he can sustain work without complaining,” according to his parents, Michael Strunck and Ruth Singer-Strunck. “For him, this is a huge accomplishment.”

‘A Really Important Place’

For the Strunck family, ZABS Place is more than a vocational training program for their children; it is a source of Jewish pride and identity. While the main indicators that the store has a Jewish affiliation are the mezuzahs on all doors and a sign indicating that it is closed on Shabbat (it’s open on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.), ZABS Place has become a second “Jewish home” for the Struncks.

“It is a really important place. Much here in North Carolina is Christian-based,” observes Ruth Singer-Strunck, who grew up in New Jersey and moved to Charlotte from South Florida several years ago. “You often hear about a church doing this or a pastor doing that [for a good cause]. It made me feel especially good to have my kids involved in something Jewish. This is a connection to my community. I feel more plugged in and want my kids to have a connection to the Jewish faith.”

They’ve joined the Groners for Passover seder, and their children have participated in Friendship Circle.

A young customer checks out baseball caps. (Photo: Len Weinstein)

Cheryl Slane and her family, former members of the Charlotte Jewish community now living in New Orleans, agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed by the Struncks.

“Chabad believes that every neshamah [soul] has a place,” she says. Long involved with Friendship Circle, she looks to ZABS Place as a model for training young adults with special needs, like their son, Ben, who’s almost 20. “Giving people with a disability a place to work is pretty amazing. That’s what we are trying to do here in New Orleans. There are so few job sites in the country for people with special needs.”

Numerous Charlotte families have gotten to know the Groners through their children’s participation in Friendship Circle, which in many ways was the birthplace for ZABS Place.

“When Jonathan was a junior in high school, we asked him what he wanted to do. He didn’t want to continue in high school; he wanted to work,” recall his parents, Caren and Charlie Gale. “We wanted a place that would understand him in his fullness—with all of his abilities and disabilities. We sat around the kitchen table and said, ‘What can we do to help Jonathan and all the families we have met in waiting rooms all these years?”

The former clarinetist and screenwriter couple, longtime transplants from Los Angeles, had an idea—open a business. The Gales approached the Groners, “concerned about people like Jonathan, who were getting older, and what to do when they age out of Friendship Circle.”

(Photo: Len Weinstein)

‘A High Bar for Our Children’

Rochel Groner adds some important details in the evolution and growth of ZABS Place.

“In 2012, some Friendship Circle families approached us and asked if we would start a Jewish group home,” she explains. The Groners were more focused on vocational training and the overall lives of young adults with special needs as they got older. “We wondered: ‘What are they doing meaningfully during the day?’ When I would ask parents what their child was good at, many didn’t know. We had to do something.”

Rochel went home and started brainstorming. She was generating ideas for businesses with low overhead and thought of a thrift store. She searched online for “thrift stores and disabilities,” and came across Our Thrift Store in Franklin, Tenn., which provides 25 ongoing jobs for young adults with special needs. “A few months later, when Friendship Circle was on break for the summer, we made the nine-hour drive to see the program.”

Dave Krikac, the store’s founder, was very helpful in providing guidance about the ins and outs of starting and running a thrift shop. When the Groners returned to Charlotte from Tennessee, they met with the Gales and discovered that they, too, had been thinking about starting a business for people with special needs.

Keeter organizes a section of books. (Photo: Howard Blas)

Rochel’s formal training is in Jewish education; she was a classroom teacher for 10 years. She also notes with a small smile, “I did help run a basement business with family members many years ago in Baltimore, selling Israeli skirts.” At the time, Groner learned many things, including web design, though she acknowledges that the business was “minimally successful.”

When she and Bentzion married in 2005, they moved to Charlotte. In 2007, she began working with Bentzion at Friendship Circle International, an organization that creates chapters in local communities to foster relationships and friendships between typically developing teens and children with special needs. Through her work with Friendship Circle, Rochel acquired a great deal of experience in working with people who had all kinds of abilities.

“We know from Friendship Circle that everyone is unique, and has hidden qualities and something to share,” states Bentzion. In imagining a workplace for people with special needs, the Groners strongly believed that employees with special needs would develop social skills through their jobs.

Truth be told, “there were a lot of ups and downs” on the road to starting a thrift store, attests Rochel. “We looked at 25 places in a year and a half,” adds Bentzion. “Even when it got tough, people like the Gales stood behind us,” helping with fundraising and much of the behind-the-scenes work.

Rabbi Bentzion and Rochel Groner

Throughout the sometimes challenging startup process, the Groners stood fast to their sense of mission and their dedication to the people they serve. “It was a community effort—totally a partnership,” says the rabbi. Many helped gather, transport and store merchandise, as well as remove room dividers, strip and repaint walls, and more.

They credit Rochel with an eye for business and an easy demeanor. “Rochel is sweet, dedicated, hardworking and intelligent. When we met, I thought she was too young to work,” jokes Ruth Singer-Strunck, commenting on the 30-something’s young appearance.

Work she does, 24/6, her only day off being on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, when the store is closed.

“Rochel had a vision—a place that was bright and airy, where people will want to shop,” adds Caren Gale. “It has attracted a cross-section of people, from young thrifters to people struggling financially, and they buy because they feel like mensches here.”

Singer-Strunck also has kind words for the Groners: “They are lovely, good people doing good work. Rochel delivered on a concept. She knew what she wanted it to look like.”

Caren Gale agrees. “I admire her attention to detail, and her desire to run a store that is both professional and beautiful.”

But perhaps most importantly, she says, “Rochel sets a high bar for our children—everything parents of a child with special needs could hope for.” Her husband, Charlie, adds that “she has such an affinity to this population and believes strongly in what they can do.”

Caren and Charlie Gale, parents of employee Jonathan Gale (Photo: Howard Blas)

‘A Wonderfully Nurturing Place’

Another fan of the Chabad emissaries is Lisa Shporer, a community member with more than 10 years of retail experience. Shporer volunteers 20 to 30 hours a week, and sees herself as the “snow-globe shaker” since she is known for “shaking things up” at ZABS Place.

Her connection to the Groners and ZABS Place is uniquely personal. Her son, Zachary, died of leukemia in 2012, at the age of 19. He was a student at the American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro, N.C., and an active volunteer with such organizations as the Special Olympics, student council and Friendship Circle.

Community member and volunteer Lisa Shporer, whose 19-year-old son Zachary died of leukemia in 2011. The store is named in his memory. (Photo: Howard Blas)

The Groners, who had a special relationship with Zachary, approached the family at shiva about “doing something in his merit.” They decided to name the soon-to-be opened ZABS Place in his memory, using the initials of his Hebrew name: Zechariah Avraham Baruch. A sign and picture near the checkout station explains the origin of the store’s name.

Elias Roochvarg, the longtime cantor at Temple Israel of Charlotte and the father of Aaron is pleased with ZABS Place and his son’s work there. “It is a wonderfully nurturing place for adults with special talents,” he says, adding that his son looks forward to two afternoons a week there. “As parents of an employee and as members of the community, we shepped parental and communal nachas knowing how much our son is thriving as a result of the staff, and how great a service to the community Chabad is performing in this endeavor.”

Caren Gale is proud that Jonathan feels “confident and really productive,” creating the book section at ZABS Place. “Our hope is to be a model for other communities and to expand; it is always a process where we refine and add. We all need to find our own path. Why shouldn’t these kids?”

Employment coordinator Alison Dugo (Photo: Howard Blas)" />

Employment coordinator Alison Dugo (Photo: Howard Blas)

Merchandise With a Mission

Customers say they appreciate the variety and quality of merchandise at ZABS Place as well as the mission behind it. They learn an important lesson about people, in particular, the abilities of people with special needs.

“It’s nice to see their impressions evolve,” says Rochel. “For many, it is their first opportunity to come this close to people with special needs. ZABS Place helps them build educated opinions—that all people are important and can do things. We even see their patience when one of our employees is at the cash register.”

Caren Gale acknowledges that she hadn’t “anticipated at the start the role ZABS Place would have in educating the community. A byproduct of the program is that people came in, and their minds were changed. People were moved.”

Rochel says she never imagined directing a thrift shop. “But of all the jobs I’ve had, I am most excited to come here. I just love the people!”

She adds: “People ask me if I still teach. And I do. I teach here, every day.”

Photographs of Rochel Groner helping a child with autism on a transatlantic flight went viral on Facebook.

In fact, the general population got an opportunity to witness Rochel’s abilities firsthand. Several weeks ago, Rochel and Bentzion were on a flight back to the United States, via Belgium, after chaperoning a Birthright Israel trip. About an hour into the flight, a young boy with autism began screaming and crying. Passengers began getting upset, and the mother seemed unsure of what to do. Rochel approached the boy with her hand out, which he grasped; the two then spent a few hours playing near a bulkhead on the plane. A photo posted by Bentzion on Facebook went viral, generating more than 6,500 Likes.

That didn’t surprise members of the Charlotte community and those affiliated with ZABS Place. Singer-Strunck made it a point to say “that is who she is. She saw that a kid was in trouble; it didn’t matter who. This is their world. They are immersed in the work they do.”

Alison Dugo knows that all the attention on Rochel must have been tough. “She is humble and shy. For her, it is a calling—what she thinks she should be doing.”

“I didn’t like it,” admits Groner. “But I will survive the attention,” she says, as long as it’s been an opportunity for others to learn. “I hope what comes out of this is the ability for people to realize that they can reach out and offer support to one another, instead of staring or being apathetic. We’re all different, and the onus is on the community to make it work for everyone.”

It’s what her mother always taught, says the Chabad emissary: “Leave the world a better place than how you found it.”

Helping a customer with her selections. (Photo: Len Weinstein)

Len Weinstein browses through the wide variety of items at ZABS Place.

A Family’s Cramped Bungalow Is Replaced With an Accessible and Affordable Prefab

Read article : A Family’s Cramped Bungalow Is Replaced With an Accessible and Affordable Prefab

Since launching their Los Angeles-based prefab company Connect Homes, Jared Levy and Gordon Stott have worked with scores of modern-design lovers to build their dream homes. But when they received a query from prospective clients complete with concept drawings rendered to look as though they’d been plucked from the architects’ own canon, an incredulous Stott emailed back asking, "Who are you?"

Universal design and affordability were uppermost in the minds of TJ Hill and Jay Heiserman when they asked Jared Levy and Gordon Stott of Connect Homes to replace their cramped bungalow with a modern prefab. Since the firm’s modules are 8 feet wide, the house could only be 16 feet wide, but the architects used the remaining space for a large deck, creating a flexible and seamless first-floor plan.

The couple—disability rights attorney and mental health advocate TJ Hill and Emmy-winning production designer Jay Heiserman—had clearly done their homework. And their dilemma was one that many of Stott and Levy’s clients share: Their older home was ripe for replacement, but they had neither the budget nor the time for a ground-up custom build. 

Ameriwood Home table from AllModern." />

TJ and Jay’s daughter, Chloe, colors at an Ameriwood Home table from AllModern.

Moving wasn’t an option. They loved their Santa Monica neighborhood—an established enclave on the border of Venice—but the charm had worn off the 850-square-foot home they had purchased in 2009. They’d coped with the limited square footage, the water damage, even the termites that rained down from the ceiling, but the steep entry stairs, narrow doorways, and cramped interior presented significant obstacles to TJ’s younger sister, Melissa, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, when she visited from Florida. Things reached a breaking point when the couple’s household expanded to include their daughter, Chloe.

custom Eero Saarinen table for Knoll and vintage Arne Jacobsen chairs for Fritz Hansen. KitchenAid appliances, IKEA cabinets, and Home Depot tile furnish the kitchen. " />

The dining area features a custom Eero Saarinen table for Knoll and vintage Arne Jacobsen chairs for Fritz Hansen. KitchenAid appliances, IKEA cabinets, and Home Depot tile furnish the kitchen. 

"There were lots of things about the house that didn’t work," says TJ, who also serves on the City of Santa Monica Disabilities Commission. "Those barriers are highlighted every day when you have a child and you’re just trying to get a stroller in and out."  

Santa Monica Disabilities Commission with TJ, guided the design." />

Ensuring that the house would be accessible for wheelchair users like Marielle Kriesel, who serves on the Santa Monica Disabilities Commission with TJ, guided the design.

Rebuilding was in order, but the couple wondered if they could construct a house that not only was accessible, affordable, and environmentally friendly, but would adapt to their needs in the coming years. 

"While we’re aging in place, our needs are constantly changing. This house is adaptable and responsive to those changes." TJ Hill, resident

"We always knew we wanted to do prefab—here it is something interesting and beautiful that adds to the character of the street," says TJ (on deck, with Jay, left, and Chloe). "There weren't many options for staying in the area with a growing family," notes Stott.

"More and more of our clients are fitting this mold," Levy explains. "They own homes that were designed for consumer demands and needs that are now close to sixty years old. These homes are at the end of their life expectancy. If TJ and Jay were to rebuild going the conventional route, it would take close to three years through design, approvals, and construction and cost twice as much." 

sculptor David Tanych. " />

For the front deck, the couple chose a dining set by Teak Smith; the driftwood and metal corkscrew is by sculptor David Tanych. 

Whether they’re designing for a lot with views for miles or one in the middle of an urban streetscape, Levy and Stott, who spent more than five years at Marmol Radziner Prefab, believe prefab offers the perfect solution. For TJ and Jay’s 25-by-80-foot property, they set two of their steel-framed 8-by-40-foot modules side by side, with another pair on top. Two 8-by-20-foot modules above a new, site-built garage form the master bedroom and closet. At 1,600 square feet, the four-bedroom, three-bath structure nearly doubled the size of their former home. But because it doesn’t maximize the lot, it adapts comfortably to the neighborhood. 

The master bedroom consists of two modules set above a site-built garage. The fabric is from IKEA. 

Since accessibility was a priority, the architects set the building to one side of the lot, a move that paved the way for a sizable wraparound deck that’s flush with the interior so that Melissa can easily negotiate indoor and outdoor spaces. For now, she and other wheelchair users enter the house via a portable ramp, but once on the property they have full access to the entire first floor.

vintage Danish chair faces a sectional upholstered in Knoll fabric. The Nelson Ball clock is from Vitra and the throw pillows include a Jonathan Adler Seahorse design. Acacia flooring from Reward Hardwood Flooring was used throughout. " />

In the living room, a vintage Danish chair faces a sectional upholstered in Knoll fabric. The Nelson Ball clock is from Vitra and the throw pillows include a Jonathan Adler Seahorse design. Acacia flooring from Reward Hardwood Flooring was used throughout. 

To accommodate an office for Jay (an Ellen DeGeneres Show veteran and now a freelance production designer and art director) that would double as a guest bedroom for Melissa, the architects subtracted 10 feet from the kitchen and dining area. "Our standard Connect4 model doesn’t have a bedroom on the ground floor," notes Stott. "But TJ and Jay knew exactly how they would make it fit for their program and lifestyle needs."

George Nelson Bubble lamp hangs in the stairwell." />

A George Nelson Bubble lamp hangs in the stairwell.

Similarly, the couple’s desire for expansive windows translates to rooms flooded with light and opens up the house to the street. "Gordon and Jared kept asking, ‘Are you sure you want this many windows?’" Jay recalls.

Curtis Jere sculpture hangs above a bed from CB2 in the upstairs guestroom. The Louis Ghost chair is by Philippe Starck for Kartell. " />

A Curtis Jere sculpture hangs above a bed from CB2 in the upstairs guestroom. The Louis Ghost chair is by Philippe Starck for Kartell. 

Continues TJ, "At night, you can see us living in our house: We’re making dinner. Chloe is reading a book. A lot of our neighbors have said, ‘But we can see into the house.’ We have sun shades, but when we were thinking about the house, we were thinking about really being a part of the neighborhood. We did something that breaks molds for the neighborhood and for what people think about modern and indoor/outdoor living."

semigloss wall tile is from Daltile; the floor tile is by Deko. " />

In the downstairs bathroom, the semigloss wall tile is from Daltile; the floor tile is by Deko. 

Levy and Stott are delighted that they could give their clients a home that will meet their needs for the long run. "The core of the business is trying to make architecture more accessible for everybody," says Stott. "And that’s truly at the bottom of the modernist idea: Better design doesn’t have to be expensive. That was the idea more than a hundred years ago, and it’s the same idea now." 

Chloe’s bedroom features a Blake Tovin bed and nightstand from The Land of Nod. The roller blinds throughout are from Steve's Blinds and Wallpaper. 

9 Tips To Ensure You Get Your Dream Bathroom Remodel

Read article : 9 Tips To Ensure You Get Your Dream Bathroom Remodel

This bathroom remodel ideas post is sponsored by Sears Home Services.

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In our last house, we thought we were in our forever house. We bought it when the wee ones were almost 3 and not quite one. At the time, we planned to live there until they graduated high school or longer, and we treated the house that way. We replaced all the windows, we made an amazing front walk and redid all the landscaping. My favorite project included a gut of the master bathroom, and a complete kitchen remodel was next on our list.

Plans change, and we sold that house five years ago now. This house is now our forever house, except that forever is definitely a much shorter horizon. We built the new garage last year and just finished a roof replacement on Monday. I met with the house painter yesterday, and a completely redone basement (needed due to water issues that we’ve since fixed). Are you surprised that our master bath is on the list again?

We learned from our last house, and I have a ton of bathroom remodel ideas, both ideas we incorporated as well as some new trends that have sprouted. Our new bathroom won’t happen overnight, but even small changes can make a difference. I pulled out the brass and chrome fixtures from throughout my bathroom already. Just that little thing helped make our bathroom (built in 2005) feel less dated.

9 Bathroom Remodel Ideas

Add heated floors.

This was the best thing we did in our remodel. Hands down it was the best idea we had. Since we ripped out (all three layers of) the old flooring, we laid heating coils under the new floor. Nine months of the year, we used this floor and loved it. There is nothing worse than a cold Chicago morning and dancing from rug to rug to avoid frostbite on your feet.

We set it up to include a programmable switch. It turned on ten minutes before we headed to the bathroom each morning, so it was beautifully warm every time. It turned off by itself, and oh my word it was worth the investment. This is hands down the best of my bathroom remodel ideas ever. I’ll never do a remodel without one again.

Create a point of interest in your bathroom.

As much time as we spend in bathrooms, you want to enjoy the look. In our old bathroom, the towel rack hung over the far end of the bathtub. We had to walk from the shower over and climb in the tub or carefully reach over it to get our towel. That towel rack went away in the remodel, but initially we had no idea what to do with that blank wall. There was an identical blank wall on the other side of the tub.

Fortunately, my contractor came up with a fantastic bathroom remodel idea. I knew I wanted a window from my shower to make it feel bigger since we couldn’t increase the size of the shower itself. We chose an arched design, and our contractor suggested a tiled arch shelf built into the wall to hold some knick knacks and bath oils, etc. It turned out gorgeous. A shelf like this may not be the best fit for every bathroom, but it created a great point of interest on an otherwise boring wall. How can you give personality to your bathroom?

bathroom remodel ideas" />

Make sure you have enough storage.

Our current second floor has no linen closet. In fact, there’s nowhere to really store towels and sheets and other items in general. There is some wasted space behind the bathroom door, and we purchased a wooden shelf that we painted white to act as a temporary closet. It isn’t the prettiest, but it’s functional. For now.

When thinking about bathroom remodel ideas, don’t forget about storage. Do you have enough with your current setup? In our last house, we added a storage tower between the two sinks. We had a large bathroom and a long sink area, so this worked well. It separated my husband’s stuff from mine, and all our “things” stayed out of sight.

When we remodel our current bathroom, we won’t put a tower between the sinks because our bathroom is narrower. On the far edge of our vanity, we have wasted space there, and we’ll extend the cabinet up to create storage for towels and sheets and add some vertical interest with a change in heights.

And yes, we’ll build in a real linen closet where that space is currently wasted.

Choose the right sink.

Growing up, sinks were all the same. They were slightly oval and mounted into the counter. Now? Oh my word, the options! In so many bathrooms, a vessel sink looks amazing. It’s so sophisticated and so many have the personality many bathrooms lack.

They can be pretty expensive, however. A more traditional sink now comes in a variety of shapes. We chose a rectangular sink that gave me more room to presoak laundry in the “extra” sink since we had a second floor laundry and no laundry sink. It was large and gorgeous. An undermount sink worked great for us there because it minimized dirt that got stuck around the seal of the sink. In our current bathroom – because storage is at a premium – we know we’ll do a top mount sink that gives us more room in the vanity, but that doesn’t mean we won’t find one with the right look for our bathroom.

Choose the right fixtures.

Now that you have your sink, make sure your fixtures fit the aesthetic of your bathroom as much as you sink does. If you have a vessel sink or pedestal sink, make sure your faucets have enough room for you to wash your hands and more.

When it comes to the shower, it’s easy to find a showerhead in the same family as your sink faucet without it being identical. Do you want a showerhead you can move easily? Do you want an overhead shower for a more spa like experience? One of the bathroom remodel ideas I nixed last time was a steam shower. I didn’t think it was worth the money. Once we were done, I regretted it. Now there are smart showerheads that create that spa-like experience.

More and more fixtures provide great spray while still saving water. I miss the days in my old Chicago apartment where my shower beat on me. When I think of all the water wasted, I cringe. I can regain that experience with many showerheads now available without the need to hang my head in shame for the excess water.

Build a niche into your shower.

I am not a fan of the shower surrounds. When I do my bathroom, I want tile everywhere, which allows a ton of customization. My current bathroom? Yep, it’s a surround. And there’s nowhere to put shampoo or soap or anything. Shaving my legs? I’m balancing with a foot on the wall, and it isn’t pretty.

Another of those great bathroom remodel ideas? Build your shower to fit your needs. You can find a place to create a niche in a wall to hold your bath products. Make sure your contractor tilts it so water doesn’t stay in it. This is not only a functional addition, but it looks cool, too. We flipped the direction of the tiles we used elsewhere in the shower so they were diamonds instead of squares, and it looked fabulous. Major custom look without a major custom price. That inset? It’s a prefab option so my contractor didn’t have to build it by hand.

Create a bench, too, if you have room. We were able to have enough room for a bench so I could sit while shaving without feeling cramped in our last shower. Barely. Not every shower has that ability, but even in a standard size shower, you can build a foot rest into the tile so you have a secure place to rest your foot or booty while shaving. As with the inset for shampoo, just be sure your contractor angles it to avoid water pooling.

Don’t go too trendy.

Full bathroom remodels aren’t cheap. It isn’t the most expensive home renovation you can do, and it provides a great return on investment relatively, but you don’t want to go super trendy so that someone walks in and says, “Oh, yeah, this bathroom was done in 2016.”

That doesn’t mean you want to be blah or avoid any trends at all, but think about what has a longer term appeal. The pink tiles in my old master bathroom? I know they were from 1993. By 1996, I knew that. Avoid those traps.

If you plan to live in your house long term, create a bathroom that is your haven. You live there, not the person who’ll buy your house in 15 years. If it fits with the rest of your house design, go for it. What works in my 1925 more traditional home doesn’t work in an Italian villa style or in an ultra modern home. The overarching philosophy behind my bathroom remodel ideas is what matters.

Honestly, I can look even now at our bathroom remodel from five years ago and know that we chose too trendy a color wood that is too dark, especially with the granite countertop (which I do still love). This is where an expert designer comes in handy to help ensure you love your bathroom today and in 10 years. They have so many bathroom remodel ideas to make it fit you without being so trendy you’ll regret it.

Look for flooring with personality.

We chose rough stone tiles. Smooth is not your friend in the bathroom. The rough surface wasn’t uncomfortable to walk on, and we never had to worry about falls. Even better, the crags and such in the flooring meant we never had puddles when leaving the shower. We actually removed rugs from the bathroom entirely, which I loved. Why? The water that doesn’t evaporate quickly enough in a humid bathroom? Yuck.

While we love stone, that isn’t the choice for everyone. There are so many neat options out there today. Porcelain and ceramic tile come in so many neat patterns and textures now. Don’t do wood, as wood and moisture don’t get along. There are now wood looking porcelain tiles, however. Whatever you choose, find something that complements the entire style of your bathroom.

Update your counter surfaces.

We honestly may update our countertops in the master bathroom and in the guest bath on the main floor before we do a complete redo of the master bath because we have so many other major projects on our list with this house. Right now, they are a very cheap laminate countertop that doesn’t go with the aesthetic of the house. It bothers me every time I look at them.

Countertops aren’t as expensive as you might think, especially as bathroom counters tend to be a fairly limited area. Quartz is a great alternative because it requires no maintenance. You can find great designs with this. I love granite, personally. The uniqueness of granite and the personality it can bring to your bathroom make it worth the investment in my book.

Ready to Implement These Bathroom Remodel Ideas?

Just writing this, I’m excited to redo three of our bathrooms whether just a little countertop change or a full remodel. I’m not quite ready, but when I am, I know what I’ll do. Sears, of course, offers everything you need, whether you’re looking at a quick change like refacing your cabinets or a complete overhaul of your space.

Taking these bathroom remodel ideas and doing the whole thing? Sears has a savings of $500 on bathroom remodels of $1,500 or more through 11/30/2016.

Replacing or refacing your cabinets? Get $500 off a project of $1,500 or more through 11/30/2016, too.

Changing up your countertops? You can save $250 off a countertop purchase of $1,500 or more through 11/30/2016.

And of course, Sears offers free consultations on your projects so you can easily figure out what exactly you want to do and how much it will cost. Just know that if you’re anything like me, you’ll end up increasing the scope of the project as you go along, so make sure you budget for some changes!

What are your best bathroom remodel ideas?

great bathroom remodel ideas will give you a good place to start. Some tips on how to stay happy with it long term and some ideas you may not have thought about." />s

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Smart Devices in the Washroom? It's Not as Crazy as You Think

Read article : Smart Devices in the Washroom? It's Not as Crazy as You Think

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For centuries, the washroom has arguably been the most private room in the house. You could shut yourself away inside, lock the door, and escape from the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

Not anymore. Hundreds of companies are trying to join you in there, ready to log, record, and advise on every aspect of your bathroom routine.

Whether that’s for better or for worse is highly debatable. However, I’m not here to discuss the relevant merits of smart devices in the washroom — I just want to let you know about the best gadgets available right now.

Here’s what an average day could look like in a smart bathroom.

Morning

First, let’s take a look at a typical morning routine.

7:00 AM: Empty Your Bladder

Time to get real. The first thing we all do in the morning is head to the toilet. And at that ungodly hour, the last thing you want to be doing is dealing with cold surfaces, loo roll, and toilet seats.

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It’s easier to get a smart toilet and let technology do the hard work.

The Ove Smart Toilet offers all the bells and whistles you could ever want. It has a heated seat, a five-jet bidet, water temperature controls, an automatic flush, a self-cleaning feature, and an automatic seat. Models from other manufacturers might even offer foot warmers, overflow protection, nightlights, and Bluetooth speakers Best Bluetooth Speakers Under $25 and up to $300 in 2016 Best Bluetooth Speakers Under $25 and up to $300 in 2016You can't beat the convenience of going wire-free. Great audio quality may always need wired speakers, but for music on your phone Bluetooth speakers are a must-have accessory nowadays. Read More.

7:05 AM: Weigh Yourself

Once you’ve emptied yourself, it’s time to get on the scales. If you weigh yourself before you start eating and drinking, you’ll get the most accurate results.

However, if you’re striving for a 21st century bathroom, an old analog scale isn’t going to cut it. You need a high-tech body analyzer Use Automated Health Tracking to Lose Weight and Live a Healthier Life Use Automated Health Tracking to Lose Weight and Live a Healthier LifeHealth tracking is about taking care of your food, your workouts, your productivity, and your moods. Modern fitness trackers can now automate it all to help you lose weight and live a healthier life Read More.

Check out the Withings Smart Body Analyzer Wi-Fi Scales (UK). Obviously, these scales can tell you what you weigh, but they will also display your body fat measurements, body mass index (BMI), heart rate, and information on the air quality in the room.

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7:15 AM: Shower

Opinion is split on whether a steamy bathroom is a good thing. On the one hand, it is great for your lungs and offers some welcome warmth on cold winter mornings. On the other, everything gets saturated (including electric plug sockets), and you then have to wipe down the mirror.

If you prefer a stream-free washroom environment, get a humidity sensor such as the Aeotec MultiSensor 6 (UK).

Rather than powering up the extractor fan every time you turn on the bathroom light, you can combine the two so it only runs whenever excess humidity is detected. This little sensor can save you power and cut back on unnecessary noise.

Aeotec Multisensor 6, Z-Wave Plus 6-in1 motion, temperature, humidity, light, UV, vibration sensor Aeotec Multisensor 6, Z-Wave Plus 6-in1 motion, temperature, humidity, light, UV, vibration sensor6-in-1 Z-Wave Plus MultiSensor: motion, humidity, temperature, light lux, UV, vibration sensor. Buy Now At Amazon$58.99

7:30 AM: Get Out of the Shower

Once you get out of the shower, you’ll need a towel. And, if you’ve installed a humidity sensor, it’d be preferable if the towel was already warm since there’s not going to be any hot steam in the room to keep you toasty.

Sounds like you might need a heated towel rail. However, if you want a smart heated towel rail, you need to connect it to a smart switch The Automated Outlet: What Can Smart Outlets Really Accomplish? The Automated Outlet: What Can Smart Outlets Really Accomplish?Here are seven creative and useful ways you can make smart outlets work for you. Read More. It will let you program your towel to get warm at the same time every morning.

Consider pairing the VonHaus Electric Towel Rail, which has an AC adapter, with a Belkin WeMo Smart Switch (UK).

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8:00 AM: Get Ready

After breakfast, it’s back to the bathroom to prepare for the day. For most people, that means a lot of time spent looking into the mirror.

Smart mirrors are becoming increasingly popular. For example, in October 2016, Panasonic debuted its Smart Mirror at the Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies conference in Japan. It can do everything from offering make-up advice to recommending what outfit you should wear in light of the weather forecast 5 Apps That Make the Weather More Entertaining 5 Apps That Make the Weather More EntertainingWeather apps with jokes and GIFs; with pixels and profanity. Your morning will never be the same. Read More.

I covered smart mirrors in more detail when I described a smart home of the future 10 Future Technologies You'll See In Your Home in 3 Years 10 Future Technologies You'll See In Your Home in 3 YearsWhat technology do experts think you'll have in your house by the turn of the decade? I'm going to walk you through a typical day in the smart home of the future. Read More elsewhere on the site.

Another option is the Tech2O Cyber Mirror. It’s a mirror, TV, and web portal all rolled into one. It boasts a 32-inch screen, and it’s got an IP65 waterproof rating, meaning it’s safe for using in damp conditions.

Evening

After a long day at the office, a smart bathroom can offer you everything you need to unwind.

7:00 PM: Bath Time

If you thought running a bath was as simple as putting in the plug and turning on the tap, think again.

You can now get baths that offer “chromotherapy.” For those that don’t know, chromotherapy attempts to use colors to make your body healthier 4 Subreddits You Should Read For Tips To Stay Healthy and Fit 4 Subreddits You Should Read For Tips To Stay Healthy and FitI will tell you right now that I couldn't possible write an article about living a healthy life. I'm a self-confessed Taco Bell connoisseur. However, I can certainly tell you where you can find some other health tips.... Read More and more harmonious. Pegasus offers a bath with 11 different colors and five preset energizing programs. And if you’ve already got a Whirlpool bath, you can buy chromotherapy lights directly from the company’s online store.

If you’ve not got time for a bath, don’t worry. There are plenty of smart showers to choose from as well.

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One example is the Moxie showerhead. It has Bluetooth speakers that can play music, podcasts, or the radio for up to seven hours continuously. You can also adjust the water flow from a bill-slashing 2.0 GPM to a full-force 2.5 GPM.

If you want to go more upmarket, check out the offerings from Moen. Its “U” product has a connected app that can program the shower to start at the same time each morning, adjust the temperature, and even set which nozzles are used.

10:00 PM: Freshen Up for Bed

As the evening wears on, you might want to freshen up your hands and face in a bid to relax yourself before bed. Your splash-and-dash wash will be much more enjoyable if you have a digital electronic faucet.

They are touchless (and thus reduce germs), they have digital flow controls (saving you water and money), and frequently come with digital temperature control settings and programmable flow configurations. The programmable flow is especially useful when you’re brushing your teeth. The water won’t cut off if you take your hands away from the infrared sensor.

Check out the offerings from Grohe if you want one in your washroom.

Would You Like a Smart Washroom?

In this article, I’ve shown you 11 devices and appliances that can turn your boring “dumb” bathroom into a washroom from the future.

But is a smart bathroom right for you? Would you enjoy having all this tech around you while you shower, or do you appreciate the bathroom’s value as one of the last bastions of tech-free living?

Whatever your opinion, I’d love to hear from you. You can leave all your thoughts and opinions in the comments section down below.

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Modern 1675mm Right Hand L Shape Bath Shower Glass Screen Bathroom Set BL66 • £249.99

Read article : Modern 1675mm Right Hand L Shape Bath Shower Glass Screen Bathroom Set BL66 • £249.99

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£249.99 Buy It Now Sold, FREE Shipping, 30-Day Returns

Seller: ibathuk (316,627) 98% , Location: GB, Ships to: GB, Item: 331124354685Condition: New, Brand: iBathUK, Material: Acrylic, Length (mm): 1675, Height: 390, Width: 850, Colour: White, MPN: BL66, EAN: Does not apply,Details: iBath UK Need Assistance?Call 02476 389 051 Radiators View All Radiators Radiators Towel Rails Designer Radiators Radiator Valves Radiator Valves Showers View All Showers Shower Sets Shower Sets Shower Accessories Shower Heads Shower Arms Riser Rails Shower Pumps Accessories Bathroom Taps View All Bathroom Taps Basin Taps Modern Basin Taps Traditional Basin Taps Bath Taps Modern Bath Taps Traditional Bath Taps Freestanding Taps Tap Packages Tap Packages Kitchen Taps View All Kitchen Taps Kitchen Taps Chrome Taps Brushed Steel Taps Toilets View All Toilets Toilets Modern Traditional Basins View All Basins Basins Modern Traditional Vanity Units Counter Top Basins Cloackroom Basins Accessories Basin Waste Shower Enclosures View All Shower Enclosures Shower Enclosures Shower Enclosures Bath Screens Bath Screens Shower Trays Shower Trays Bathroom Suites View All Bathroom Suites Bathroom Suites Modern Toilet & Basin Suites Traditional Toilet & Basin Suites Bathroom Furniture Suites Complete Bathroom Suites Complete Bathroom Suites Cloakroom Suites Cloakroom Suites Baths View All Baths Baths Shower Baths Straight Baths Corner Baths Shower Baths L Shape P Shape Freestanding Baths Modern Freestanding Baths Traditional Freestanding Baths Bath Accessories Bath Wastes & Accessories Furniture View All Furniture Vanity Units Combined Toilet & Basin Units Bathroom Furniture Basin Units Gloss White Furniture Cloakroom Furniture Units Bathroom Mirrors Mirror Cabinets Illuminated Mirrors SALE Free Delivery for Mainland UK 10 Year Guarantee UK Based Customer Services No.1 UK Bathroom Seller 1675mm Right Hand L Shape Bath Set Our 1675mm modern L Shape square bath is ideal for a family bathrooms, as it features increased insulation which keeps your bath water hotter for longer, due to the thermal properties of the reinforced acrylic. This shower bath is formed from top class, sanitary grade acrylic and reinforced with a specially formulated glass fibre resin. This bath set includes a right hand L shaped bath and a reinforced glass screen. Ideal space saving solution Formed from sanitary grade acrylic 4mm Reinforced glass screen Warm to touch finish Increased insulation Watch item Ask a Question ANY QUESTIONS? Give our experienced customer teams a call on 02476 389 051 Description Bath Set Features:Large showering area combined with practical bathing area Ideal space saving solution for smaller bathrooms Formed from top class, sanitary grade acrylic 4mm Reinforced glass screen Increased Insulation keeping bath water hotter for longer Warm to touch finish Supplied with leg set Choice of tap positioning – drill to suit Waste not included - available from our eBay Store 10 Year Guarantee Please note: Side and end panels are not included Bath Dimensions: Length: 1675mm Width: 850mm Height: 390mm Screen Dimensions: Depth: 4mm Width: 805mm Height: 1400mmPlease Note: Screen may vary slightly from image Why buy an iBathUK bath?Our Baths have no pre-drilled holes to give a choice of wall or deck mounted tapsOur baths have a 'warm to the touch' finish due to the thermal properties of the quality acrylic that we use.The heavy duty sanitary grade acrylic means that our baths can withstand harsh household chemicals. We go the extra mile and offer a 10 year functionality guarantee and excellent customer service Delivery Returns Terms & Conditions Guarantee Delivery Returns Terms & Conditions Guarantee For the full terms and conditions please click here Delivery Returns Terms & Conditions Guarantee What does this mean for you? In the very unlikely event that one of our products is faulty, you can return it to us for a replacement, up to 10 years after you bought it. As you will no doubt be using your product on a regular basis, overtime it will pick up some signs of wear-and-tear. This warranty will cover you for faults that are due to manufacture. If your item does become faulty... There are a number of reasons why your item might not be working as well as it did when you first bought it. It's very possible we may be able to solve your issue without you have having to return your item. Your first step would be to contact our customer service team via telephone ro the ebay messaging service. We will need images of the product and fault sending over to us so we can analyze the issue and try to solve the problem. If they are unable to solve the problem they will ask you to return the item for an inspection. Once the item is found to be faulty we will arrange for a replacement part to be sent out to you and your delivery charge will be refunded. Exceptions Unfortunately we are unable to offer a 10 year warranty on the bulbs in our LED shower heads or the bulbs in our LED and back lit mirrors. We will cover the product itself, but because of the nature of this product we will not be able to offer a 10 year warranty on the life of the bulbs. 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 Price -  Seller - Over 316,627 items sold. 2% negative feedback. Top-Rated Plus! Top-Rated Seller, 30-day return policy, ships in 1 business day with tracking. Over 316,627 items sold. 2% negative feedback. Top-Rated Plus! Top-Rated Seller, 30-day return policy, ships in 1 business day with tracking. Recent Feedback

New Clarins Treatment Essence - how to use for best effect

Read article : New Clarins Treatment Essence - how to use for best effect

Treatment essences aren’t something new to us, skincare fans, are they? But what if there was a treatment essence that helps your skin, based on age and skin concerns? Now, that might be something worth investigating. And that was what I headed to discover in Paris with skincare brand Clarins, as part of the Malaysia digital influencer team! W00t!

Clarins’ office headquarters in Paris!

Paris is a beautiful city, filled with eye-popping monuments, historical artifacts, and stunning architecture that makes you want to look upwards all the time, so you don’t miss anything of the beautiful wrought iron balconies and rooftops. Paris is also home to world famous luxury fashion designer brands and international beauty brands, of which Clarins is one. I’ll take you through some highlights of my PB’s Parisian Adventure with Clarins, tell you a LOT more about these Clarins Anti-Ageing Treatment Essences (and how to score some samples) and how I was taught to use them for best effect. Settle in, it’ll be quite a ride 🙂

Learning about the Clarins Treatment Essence at the Clarins Headquarters

How often do I get the chance to visit a major brand’s headquarters and meet the owners? Never! That’s the answer! LOL! I’m a bit of a geek when it comes to skincare or brands in general, and I love meeting the people behind a brand or product. They are always so passionate about what they do, and that is very, very inspiring!

For this new Clarins Treatment Essence, we were briefed by Caroline Camuzat, Clarins’ International Scientific Manager at Clarins’ new HQ offices in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. The spanking new building is bright and shiny and eco-friendly, with a self-cooling system mimicking a beehive, that is also energy efficient, has an internal cafe and staff canteen, and pleasant gardens through which to walk. Wouldn’t I love to work there! 😀

Being the International Scientific Manager, Caroline took us through the what, how and why of the new Clarins Treatment Essence, and answered a couple of burning questions I had about which to pick, since we have 3 to choose from.

New Clarins Treatment Essence

Some of us are by now, familiar with the skin’s natural barrier that protects us against external aggressions. These Treatment Essences, which are applied immediately after cleansing, as the first step of your post-cleansing skincare routine are designed to “unlock” this skin barrier and boost skin hydration, so other products that go on, absorb more effectively into the skin. Think of it like a pre-serum, or pre-essence – something familiar in most Asian skincare lines.

I must say that when you first prep your skin using the Treatment Essence, you will find that any other products go on and absorb into skin more quickly. The logical summation is that this Treatment Essence will help boost the absorption and efficacy of other products that follow. This has been the premise of treatment essences since they appeared on the skincare scene in recent years.

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Cruising down the River Seine with Clarins Treatment Essences 

However, realising that our skin ages differently and is unique, and therefore one treatment essence cannot suit every skin type, Clarins came out with not just 1, but THREE different Anti-Ageing Treatment Essences to suit 3 different age groups.

• 25+ Multi-Active Treatment Essence Vitality Booster (pink) (RM200) – targeted at younger skin with the first signs of ageing, this essence boosts cell vitality, radiance and slows down cellulcar ageing. The result would be more supple, moisturized and revitalised skin.
• 35+ Extra-Firming Treatment Essence Bounciness Enhancer (orange) (RM215) – targeted at skin that has noticeable signs of ageing which includes dehydrated skin, this essence helps reinforce the skin structure so skin is more bouncy, smoother and firmer. The result is better hydrated skin, reduction of fine lines and skin that is more plump.
• 45+ Super Restorative Treatment Essence Smoothness Enhancer (red) (RM285) – targeted at much more matured skin that is dull with reduced cell turnover and lines and wrinkles, this essence helps re-energize the skin to boost skin radiance, and exfoliate the dead skin cells to help product penetrate better into the skin. The result would be softer, more supple and radiant skin.

As maybe expected, the 3 different Treatment Essences have different textures as well, ranging from the very light texture of the Multi-Active Treatment Essence, to the slightly heavier Extra-Firming Treatment Essence and to the almost emulsion feel of the Super Restorative Treatment Essence. I’ll share more about this when I post my review 😉

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Clarins Herbarium cart at the Jardine Palais Royal 

As Mr. Christian Coutin-Clarins, current Chairman of the Clarins Group told us when he met us, Clarins prides itself on using high quality ingredients, and to take the best from nature to create their products, while protecting bio-diversity and nature. The key ingredients in each of the Treatment Essences are from different plants and sources, to cater to different skin needs:-

• Multi-Active Treatment Essence – Teasel extract to increase cell vitality and boost skin energy, Acerola Seed Extract to boost skin radiance and Myrothamus Extract to slow down cellular ageing
• Extra Firming Treatment Essence – Lemon thyme and Green Banana extract to enhance skin bounciness and smooth and firm skin, Fig extract and hyaluronic acid to boost skin moisture
• Super Restorative Treatment Essence – Pueraria Lobata Extract to stimulate synthesis of collagen, Ginseng & Green Coffee Extract to boost skin radiance and Hibiscus Flower acid to exfoliate skin (I’m particularly pleased about the use of the Hibiscus flower because that’s our national flower! 😀 )

How do you pick which Treatment Essence to use?

I asked Caroline how we’d pick which Treatment Essence to use. Was it based on our calendar age? Or was it something a little more technical?

Answer:

You pick the Clarins Treatment Essence based on the age of your skin, which may or may not correspond to your calendar age. For those of us who take pains to care for our skin, and use sunscreen daily, you will likely find that your skin’s age is far younger than your calendar age. By way of example, I’m 42 this year and based on my age, would be a prime candidate for the Super Restorative Treatment Essence. However, Caroline assured me that the one I should use would be the Extra-Firming Treatment Essence for a while instead (whew! LOL!) as my skin did not display the concerns to be addressed by the Super Restorative Treatment Essence. By contrast, someone who doesn’t pay a lot of attention to their skin, or who displays the skin concerns that correspond to their age group might then need to pick a Treatment Essence from within their targeted age group or perhaps even the next one up. This is most likely to be true for the 20-somethings who may be living the party and late night lifestyle, and find that the Extra-Firming Treatment Essence does more for them than the Multi-Active Treatment Essence will.

GET YOUR SAMPLE! If you’d like to sample this Treatment Essence (I’m only posting my review in about 2 weeks from now so you can try it and share your experience when I share mine) CLICK HERE to get your sample (Malaysia only)!

How to apply the Clarins Treatment Essence

This is where I thoroughly enjoyed the session with Denise Bathe, Clarins’ Skincare International Training Manager, who is a wealth of information about the pressure technique recommended by Clarins and used at all Clarins Spas worldwide during their facials. She was trained by Clarins’ founder Mr. Jacques Courtin and is so passionate about what she does that I couldn’t help being caught up in the wake of her enthusiasm.

With Denise Bathe at Monseiur Bleu, a restaurant overlooking that iconic Tour Eiffel! She has BEAUTIFUL skin!

I also had the privilege to experience a Clarins facial at the Clarins Spa at the Hotel Molitor where we were put up, and I’m going to tell you right now that it feels EXACTLY like the Clarins facials here in KL! I used to frequent the Clarins Spa at BSC and KLCC and guys, it’s EXACTLY the same! You don’t have to go to Paris to experience it haha! 😀

I’m going to save the pressure technique for another day (or we’ll be here all day!) but what I wanted to share was how to use the Clarins Treatment Essence. Denise tells us there are 3 ways, all of which are effective.

• Use a cotton pad – Drop some of the treatment essence on a cotton pad to saturate it, and pat it over your skin. This takes the least amount of time and is good for those who are in a hurry.
• Use your hands – Drop 1-2 drops of the treatment essence in your palm, warm it up between your palms, and pat it on your skin, tapping with your finger tips. This takes a little more time, and is good for your evening routine, or for those who are used to making a little more effort with their skincare routine. I use this method as I abhor wastage 😛
• Use it as a mask – Get a paper mask capsule (you can easily get these at Daiso – Clarins will have some available, but it isn’t their mainstay right now) soak it with the treatment essence and then lay it on skin for about 10 minutes for an intensive treatment.

My personal preference is to use my hands. I do it with all essences, and I don’t see why I should stop LOL! I dislike the wastage on the cotton pad, and I find that with hands, you actually use a little less product (I usually use 1-2 drop at most) and that means your 200ml bottle can last you quite a while!

Meeting the owners of Clarins!

I don’t meet brand owners every day, and even less so when it’s an international brand of repute. Clarins is one of the few major beauty brands out there who are still owned by family of the founder. It is currently helmed by the 2 sons of founder Jacques Courtin – Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins and Mr. Christian Courtin-Clarins, both of whom are incredibly friendly and down-to-earth.

How many Chairmans would allow a bunch of strangers into their office? Not many, I warrant, but Mr. Christian invited us in to show us where he worked, and showed us pictures of his family (all the Courtin-Clarins children are involved in the company in one way or another) without batting an eyelid. It was quite an experience!

Mr. Christian Courtin-Clarins is also very passionate about environment conservation and is personally involved in many Clarins’ CSR projects worldwide. For him, protecting nature is protecting our future for our future generation, and the Clarins group is very active in these endeavours. We are assured that they will keep innovating and developing their products to be better and kinder to the environment, as well as moving towards airless packaging and keeping prices affordable.

Dr. Olivier Courtain-Clarins has recently launched his book “Doctor, I want to be the fairest of them all”, a book containing 60 of the most asked beauty questions he receives, one for each year Clarins has been in existence (It’s in English!) It’s adorably illustrated, and proceeds will go towards arthritis research. I haven’t had any information on whether it’s available in Malaysia, but you can get it on the international Clarins websites.

I always end up with weird pictures of me like this all the time haha! Having my book autographed by the author himself, who looks a little perplexed!

It was a humbling experience to meet both these driving forces behind the global success of the Clarins brand, and to realise that they are unpretentious and very personable people who love what they do, who love their work, and who are passionate about their incidental pursuits and the growth of their company.

Grab your sample!

So there you have it. The highlights of the Clarins x MWS adventure with Paris in Paris haha! 😀 I had an amazing time, I learned a lot and I hope I’ve managed to share some of what I’ve learned with you, so you understand a little more about these Clarins Anti-Aging Treatment Essences and what they’re for.

Paris dreaming of Paris while cruising down the River Seine – I loved this shot! 😀 We waited so long for the flag to unfurl properly and I swear I was almost sunburnt! 

I will be posting my review in about 2 weeks so I’d suggest you grab your sample now, give it a go and then in 2 weeks, come and share your thoughts with me.

GET YOUR SAMPLE! If you’d like to sample this Treatment Essence (I’m only posting my review in about 2 weeks from now so you can try it and share your experience when I share mine) CLICK HERE to get your sample (Malaysia only)!

Do these new treatment essences intrigue you?

They are available at counters from now, so go and have a play. Because some of you on Instagram asked, I checked with Clarins Paris and was told that the Treatment Essences are available only in Asia for now, because we are more receptive to a more complicated skincare routine. But who knows, they might expand to the rest of the world later, if people are receptive to the product! Now, go, get your sample and let me know if you enjoyed this post enough to try the product 😉

Paris B

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