There's A Lot of Shopping Going On in Pinellas County

There are many great shopping destinations in Pinellas County. Of course there are many retail shops in smaller shopping centers, but in this article we will focus on some of the larger locations.

The Oldsmar Flea Market is on the northern edge of the county and is a fun atmosphere for the whole family. Fresh produce, plants and flowers, jewelry, crafts and electronics are popular items to purchase here. It's a great place to stroll on a Saturday afternoon and maybe you'll find a great bargain or two!

In Clearwater the two main shopping destinations are the Countryside and Clearwater Malls. Countryside Mall is an indoor, two story mall with many department stores such as Dillards, JCPenney's, Macy's and Sears. In addition, smaller stores such as the Disney Store, Victoria Secret, Gymboree and Bombay Company attract many shoppers. There is a food court in this mall as well as an ice skating rink, children's play center and small train ride. Clearwater Mall is an outdoor retail outlet. You will find larger stores such as Super Target, Linen's and Things, Lowe's, Michael's Craft Store, Petsmart and Costco. There are many smaller stores as well as a wide assortment of restaurants. Some of the most popular include Smokey Bones, Moe's, Fatburger, Panera and Marble Slab Ice Cream.

In the central part of the city you will find the Largo Mall. This mall too is an outdoor retail shopping center with connecting sidewalk from store to store. Similar to the Clearwater Mall it has a Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Staples, Petsmart and Michael's Craft Store. This location also has a movie theatre and great restaurants such as Red Lobster, Durango, Sweet Tomato's and Chili's.

In the Pinellas Park area there are two great shopping areas. The Pinellas Parkside Mall has a large movie theatre, Super Target, Home Depot and many restaurants and smaller chain stores. The second location is the Wagon Wheel Flea Market. This Flea Market is extremely popular and has vendors selling great bargains as well as fresh produce, jewelry and electronics.

St. Petersburg shoppers love the Tyrone Mall. This one story mall features a Macy's, Sears, JCPenney's and Dillard's. Its large food court, children's playground and ample stores attract people from many locations in the county. It has a Bonefish Grill, Lee Roy Selmon's and Ruby Tuesdays for sit down dining. Some of the most popular stores are Hollister, Bath and Body Works, Brookstone and the Disney Store.

This city has many great boutiques, fine jewelry stores, and other locations to appeal to the most discriminating tastes. If you want it, chances are you can purchase it in Pinellas County. From great bargains to collectibles you're sure to find it here!

By Robert Lipply

Aromatherapy Oil: Learn The Art of Natural Pampering

In today's busy world, everyone needs to escape once in awhile. But not everyone can afford to go to the spa once a month for a relaxing weekend. But what if you could have a spa right in your own home? Picture this: You come home after a long day at work and needing a little time to yourself. You light a few candles, maybe play some soft jazz and indulge in some take-out, or chocolate. The only thing missing is the spa's aromatherapy oil. So you pull out the small bottle of oil and lightly mist the fragrance onto your skin. Immediately you feel yourself relaxing, and ready to end the night, week, month, or year right.

Sure, it may sound like a clichéd scene for self-indulgence. Most of us are overworked and just plain tired, however; and we need something to help us relax and rejuvenate our bodies and minds. One of the best ways of doing this is using a soothing substance such as an aromatherapy oil to calm our senses. Here is why aromatherapy oil is so good for you:

All Natural

Aromatherapy oils and their many different forms originate from essential oils, is the oils and saps of a plant or tree. All aromatherapy oil that has beneficial properties comes directly from nature. However, the only way to know before you buy that you are purchasing the correct product is to check the ingredients on the bottle. If there are no ingredients listed on your product, or if the bottle or box lists something like "fragrance oil", then it is not made naturally. You can purchase pure aromatherapy oil at outlets such as Bath and Body Works, or the nutrition section of any generic retail store.

Variable Usages

It isn't all about self-indulgence. If you want to make your partner feel as good as you do, then take a night and relax each other with aromatherapy oil. The scent of the oil, plus the touch from your loved one will definitely make for an enchanting evening. Aromatherapy oil is also good if you have an aching muscle and don't want to breathe in the unpleasant smell of ointments. It will soak into your skin the same, and leave a refreshing feeling in the end.

You don't have to get away from home to relax. You can as easily wind down your day, your week, your year in the comfort of your own home by pulling out a bottle of aromatherapy oil, a candle, or a bubble bath solution. Aromatherapy is also a way to bring you and your significant other together, physically and mentally. So let the drone of the day fade, and slip into tranquility with your favorite bottle of aromatherapy oil.

By Jill Brennan

Aromatherapy Skin Care is Increasing in Popularity

The uses of aromatherapy are many. We use it to reduce stress, unwind our minds, invigorate our bodies, and general reduce the impact of physical and mental exertion on our bodies. Aromatherapy is mostly used to induce a feeling of well-being. Applied to our skin, aromatherapy has several ways that it can benefit us.

Facial aromatherapy is probably the first type of skin care that comes to mind for most people, simply because that's where most skin treatments are focused. This type of skin care consists of essential oils, lotions, and creams that cleanse and hydrate the skin, and open up pores.

Facial aromatherapy skin care has this in common with all other types of skin care regimes; you have to know what type of skin you have and select the products you use accordingly. There are four main types of skin; normal to combination, dry, oily and sensitive.

All types of aromatherapy consist of different types of essential oils that work harmoniously with your body's system to give you the desired results.

For example, using sage and orange peel extracts in a shower gel will not only help with refreshing your skin, it will also invigorate your senses as the hot shower releases the beautiful aromas in the oils.

Bergamot is helpful for skin conditions such as cold sores and chicken pox, particularly when united with eucalyptus oil. Black pepper fuels circulation, which makes it ideal when applied to skin bruises. Lavender oil is also useful for soothing minor cuts and burns in the skin.

When using aromatherapy oils, it is very important never to apply undiluted oils to your skin. Undiluted oils are generally very strong and can burn your skin or produce a severe rash, and that is the last thing you need to do to your skin. Always read the label carefully and follow the instructions for the best results.

Most department stores carry aromatherapy skin care products, usually in the cosmetic section. You can also find these products in niche stores that focus specifically on aromatic and/or natural products, such as the Body Shop, Sephora and Bath and Body Works.

By Stacey Landry

How To Choose The Best Aromatherapy Gifts

Aromatherapy gifts can indeed be vastly appreciated by a lot of people. They are a nice thing to have in anyone’s house. I can never resent the opportunity to take one hot bath with aromatherapy salts. It is so soothing and relaxing, that I cannot imagine anyone will hate a present like this. Aromatherapy gifts would be perfect to give to your loved ones, to your colleagues, who are working so hard, to your relatives and friends. There is no age limitation for this gift, you can present anyone with it.

The best thing is that there are numerous types of aromatherapy gifts: you can choose amongst a lot of various scents and salts, each one of which combines different characteristic and can be the perfect gift for someone. The choice of the best present depends on the personality of the one who you want to give the aromatherapy gift to. You can try on the different types of scents and salts and discover for yourself which you like at most.

One of the greatest types of aromatherapy gifts are held by Bath and Body Works and Victoria’s Secret. These firms can really offer you a lot. You have the greatest selections to choose between, and really enjoy the numerous scents that you can avail of. You can order your aromatherapy gifts to be packaged attractively so that you needn’t bother yourself. You will surely be amazed at the quality of aromatherapy products from these brands.

You can also shop online, a procedure easiest to complete. You just pick up the online stores you prefer and see what they have to offer. You can get special offers, depending on the person you have to choose aromatherapy gifts for. You can choose between different fragrances, some of which alleviate stress, others increase energy levels, others induce sleep. It all depends on your personal preferences. Many sites offer deliverance to your homes, and they also cater for the great inscription and packing of your aromatherapy gift. You can always get good advice from these sites, and grow really confident in choosing the best aromatherapy gift for your loved ones, no matter what the occasion is.

By Morgan Hamilton

Great Gifts For All Times

Are you wondering what gift to buy and where to find it for a low price. The web is full of great gift ideas. Here are some ideas.

Sometimes great gifts are hard to find, but if you look hard enough you can find a gift for anyone at anytime. There are many gifts that don't cost much, especially if they are handmade. These ideas for gifts will work on Christmas, Valentine's, weddings, birthdays and anytime.

One of the best and easiest gifts to make are gift baskets. You can make one for every season. Sometimes you can just make them for someone because you want them to have a happy day. Some ideas for gift baskets are coffee, candy, baby, hickory farms, movie night, etc. One of the most popular types of gift baskets are soap or bath and body gift baskets. You can buy items from Victoria's Secret or Bath and Body Works or you can make your own. You can also visit www.amandassoaps.com for more ideas. You can choose from a variety of solid perfumes, soaps and items from Victoria's Secret or Bath and Body Works. You can also choose to purchase a make your own gift basket kit. In this kit you get a basket, decorative bag, ribbon, colored grass, and 2 soap bars. These kits are priced well and whatever you purchase from this site you will only have a flat rate shipping of $8.50.

Other inexpensive but great gifts are cookie mix or soup mix in a jar. You can purchase a wide mouthed jar and layer the dry ingredients in it. Then include a recipe card so the one you give the gift to can add the wet ingredients and presto easy soup or cookies. You can also decorate these jars with material, ribbon, stickers or other things you think might make it look pretty.
You can also make crafts items such as dolls or other items from polymer clay, cloth dolls or fabric bags. If you don't know how to make these items you can easily learn. Micheals.com has lots of easy projects with easy instructions. These projects are not only easy but make nice gifts. There are even projects for children. All of these are free.

There are numerous gift ideas, especially on the web. If you are looking for gift ideas just type in a word like glycerin soap, polymer clay or anything else you are looking for and you will find tons of information on it. Have fun searching and don't forget to visit the sites posted for some great ideas.

By Amanda Sullivan

Learn About the Latest Trends in Fragrance Now

The biggest trend today in the world of fashion isn’t so much what clothes you are wearing, but rather what—or who’s—fragrance you are wearing. Our noses connect the subconscious with an onslaught of emotions and thoughts, so be sure your fragrance works for you instead of against you! Regardless what the trend is, remember that each one of us has different body chemistry, so the scent that works for one person may not necessarily work for you. Although the trend may be important, keep in mind that finding a scent that works well for your body chemistry is even more so.

Today’s trends in fragrance mainly involve who is behind the fragrance. Popular singers like Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez are currently hocking a variety of perfumes. Although neither the pop tart nor Jenny from the block has personally worked in a laboratory to brew her own fragrance, the star power behind their names is powerful! Also, the fragrance counters have been filled with fragrances from a variety of fashion designers. Hot designers today include the ever popular Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger to the preppy Lacoste and the junior favorite, Candies. Often, individuals buy fragrances not because of what is inside the bottle, but whose name is on the bottle or whose face is behind the advertising campaign.

The current trend on the actual scent of the fragrance tends to lean towards the fresh, light, and clean smells. Whereas past years saw the popular perfumes being those with heavy and even spicy scents, today’s trend is completely opposite. Just look at Clique’s signature fragrance, Happy. This perfume has been around for years, but is now more popular than ever, with the recent introduction of Happy Heart added to the collection. Other companies, including rival Lancôme have introduced new fragrances that smell heavenly, and light enough to float away!

Many individuals choose to swap body sprays or mists for traditional perfumes. Stores like Bath and Body Works and the Body Shop produce a phenomenal array of scents, with everything from fruit to flowers. During the holiday season, many individuals shift their scents to those evoking a particular feeling. Consider following this trend and use holiday related scents during the long winter months. Bath and Body Work’s popular seasonal scents include light vanilla fragrances and even those with a hint of cranberry! Just like your wardrobe, your scent should change with the season, so stay abreast of the trends to find out which perfume works best for you!

By Bridget Allen

Why Make Bath and Body Products Instead Of Buying Them?

The minute you walk into a bath and body store (such as Bath and Body Works, The Body Shop, or Origins), you are being mind controlled. If you set foot in these territories, you will walk out with way more products than you intended to buy in the first place... and way less money.

Does this sound overly dramatic? It's nothing more than the truth. In fact, large companies are so intent on making you buy that they have special classes for it. They run their employees through these workshops and basically teach them how to trick you into buying more.

There is the fine art of making displays which encourage you to pick items up and not put them down. There is also the sales script that every employee knows when you're about to check out. With this script, sales people can rush you into making extra last-minute purchases at the register, sometimes doubling your total order! And then there is the opening line, "Here, have a basket." Ever heard that? This 'basket trap' is a proven technique that makes people buy more, according to "Why We Buy" by Paco Underhill.

"Why did I spend so much?"

There is nothing wrong with a company wanting more sales, but often these stores' tactics result in buyer's regret. After the fog clears and you're heading down to your car, you start kicking yourself for spending so much of your hard-earned money. What made you buy so much, when you didn't need it, or even want it? Was it worth it? You feel uneasy because your natural sense of economy told you that you made a mistake.

Natural ingredients only available in high-end products are yours for just a few dollars.

But learn to make your own bath and body products and escape that corporate mind control. Instead of feeling guilty, you'll feel great about using natural ingredients and fine fragrances to create the highest quality bath and body products. Use exciting and exotic ingredients such as shea butter, mango butter, and botanical extracts, and use more of them in your own products. When companies claim that their lotion contains shea butter, it's often just a tiny percentage.

You'll be able to experiment with ingredients such as cucumber, horse chestnut, green tea and sea kelp extracts. These are ingredients that hike the price of commercial products sky-high, but you can get the same things for only a few dollars. Some of these ingredients are only available in extremely expensive, high-end spa lines, but you can use them at home.

Any fragrance you want.

And you're no longer dependent on the fragrances of the month; you can make your toiletries in any scent you want. Just like how an artist's palette has unlimited colors, you have an infinite selection of scents to use. Want aromatherapy products with essential oils? They are simple to make! Do you have a fragrance that you can't find anywhere but keep wishing companies would make? Now you can make all the products you want in that fragrance. And if you're absolutely addicted to scents such as Moonlight Path, Cherry Blossom, and Warm Vanilla Sugar, you can also make your lotions, shower gels, and bath salts smell like those fragrances.

Making bath and body products is easier than you think.

But can you do it? Absolutely, you can! Even if you're not a typical crafter or "do it yourselfer," you can get started easily. You don't have to make everything "from scratch" if that sounds like too much work; there are other methods that don't need chemistry knowledge, just some basic kitchen skills.

There are many resources dedicated to helping the beginner get started - websites, books, ebooks, and even the public library. Many people have learned to do this, and you can too!

By Katherine Durkes