Two Years and Counting

Yesterday was Lanikai Bath and Body's 2nd Anniversary! Two years and one day ago, we were putting the final touches on our brand new store and a customer came in. Our first! "Are you open?" she asked. "If you have a credit card," Dave responded," we'd be happy to sell you something. Our first sale happened on September 28, 2005.

It was followed by many firsts, and now many seconds, and this year -- our third Lanikai Bath and Body Women's Night Doubles (November 12 - 17) and our third Christmas.

To our customers, here on earth in beautiful Kailua, and online from many, many places, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Living in a Small Town

I grew up in Riverside, Connecticut which was part of Greenwich -- as was Old Greenwich which bordered our small town. Riverside had no town, so the town we "hung around at" was Old Greenwich. The main thing about Old Greenwich was the beach, and you had to be a resident of the township of Greenwich to get on the beach, which is called Greenwich Point (even though it is in Old Greenwich). In the summer, the beach was packed, and the greyish sand and not so blue Long Island Sound were a real treat for us. In the winter, the beach was a great place to walk your dog (who was not allowed in the summer).

In 1971 I moved to Hawai'i and while I loved the beach on the Sound, I could never go back there and consider it a treat. Now I live in the small town of Kailua -- our beach is even closer to my home than the Old Greenwich beach was to my house in Riverside -- and it is three times as long, beautiful white sand bordering on a blue green ocean that still knocks me out every time I see it.

You don't have to be a resident of anywhere in particular to go to Kailua or Lanikai beaches (or any other beach in Hawaii for that matter) because the beaches are wisely protected to the high water mark for the general public.

The other day I was driving through Kailua to do my banking, get an orange juice at Lanikai Juice, and mail some of our wonderful Lanikai products at the post offices to some lucky folks in Massachusetts. It struck me that Kailua was a bit like Old Greenwich in its small townish-ness, not because of the way it looks but because of the way it felt on an early morning with not a lot of traffic. It's easy for me to get around, I feel like I belong here and I really don't want to go anywhere else. That's the thing about small towns. Kailua is and always has been one of Hawaii's only real "small towns." I hope it stays that way.

Another World

This is the face of El Capitan in Yosemite. It is the largest exposed granite face in the world, and the picture was taken by my first cousin-once removed Nate Aden who was climbing it. What an amazing place this world is, our world, and how very far in feeling El Capitan is from Hawaii.

Our Hawaiian Healing Salve would be perfect for a climb up El Capitan. It would help protect against the wind and heal unwanted rope burns. Too bad I didn't know Nate was going -- I could have sent him some.

So, everyone, before your next trip up El Capitan, go on www.lanikaibathandbody.com and order some Hawaiian Healing Salve!

Calendula = Marigold

Lovely sounding Calendula is an ingredient in most all of Lanikai Bath and Body's products. If you say the word, it rolls off your tongue in a pleasing way. Now say "Marigold." Because that is what most of us call Calendula.

From botanical.com: Marigold is chiefly used as a local remedy. Its action is stimulant and diaphoretic. It is useful in chronic ulcer, varicose veins, etc. Was considered formerly to have much value as an aperient and detergent in visceral obstructions and jaundice. (Does anyone reading this understand these words?)

For our part, we use Calendula's powers as an astringent, toner and stimulant. In very small amounts, Calendula not only invigorates dry skin, it drys out oily skin. Such is the magic of nature.

Calendula is also energizing and activating to the tissue and believed to help increase circulation.
Now you know. Next time you are in a field of bright orange flowers that we all take for granted, say to your friend: "Allow me to pick some Calendula."

Vinnie Loves The Beach

Beautiful Lanikai and Kailua beaches are loved by everyone and their dog. Really. Our black lab Vinnie (shown here as a pup) is now five years old and has been going to the beach ever since he traveled to our house from his mom and dad's in a small box in Mark's jeep.

His favorite trip is to Lanikai Beach with Ian, who takes care to make sure he has everything Vinnie will need -- especially a bottle of water. Vinnie, it turns out, loves to meet everyone along their walk and this is a good way for Ian to scope out the chicks.

Brook and I take Vinnie walking on the beach at Kailua -- usually he is the only dog without a leash-- and he has a great time running along the edge of the water, rolling in the sand, and chatting up his fellow canines.

At home, Vinnie spends a lot of time sitting on the steps in the pool, hoping to cool off.

We introduced Lanikai Poi Dog for Vinnie and Skipper (Brook's dog) and their pals in Kailua.
We introduced it in the Year of the dog, and it's a popular seller -- along with our red doggie drying microfiber towels. Everyone and their dog loves its island mango scent and so do we! You and your best friend should try it.