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 Twice a year, I leave my office and make sure that I get re-acquainted with what is going on in the retail stores, gift shows, restaurants, wineries, festivals and with my family and friends. I find that by visually viewing, as well as talking with people, I become more creative and progressive with my ideas. I recently attended the Summer Market Show at the Los Angeles Gift Mart Building and the LA Gift Show at the Convention Center. The energy, vibes and activities of both events were fabulous this year with lots of new resources and sources. I came away with new ideas for the Holiday Season, as well as thoughts for products and packaging. The day before, I walked around West Third Street in Los Angeles and went into the space that used to be my store Who Makes Sense? It was in this space where I created and launched my Vinci & Rakos Fragrance Bar, Body & Bath Care lines, as well as my gift items. It brought back so many memories, and I instantly came up with a few ideas from this stimulating space and the street action.
 I also walked around Beverly Hills where I used to live to get another perspective on their restaurant and bar scene. I walked into Wally's which opened in 1969 as a wine shop. Wally's has now become a fine wine, spirits and gourmet food market. I mention this particular restaurant becomes it was more like a big meeting place for people to eat, talk and shop - sort of the new version of Starbucks - but with wine instead of coffee --and the energy was contagious. Wally reminds me of Eataly in New York City where people also go to connect while eating.
After  the Gift Show, I had dinner with an old friend and client, Nand, who does Energy Healing and Intuitive Readings through his organization, Creative Life Sciences. We always eat at the Euth Caffee which is located in the Artist District of Downtown LA. In addition to offering organic coffee and high-quality health conscious meals, and exquisite chocolate desserts, the atmosphere makes you want to talk and engage and express yourself with ideas. We always go there to rejuvenate our senses because most of the patronage is from the Artist District and their energy comes through. It is also a big hang out for LA's finest, men and women from the police, sheriff and fire departments in the area.
I then made my way up to Oxnard/Channel Islands to visit old friends, spend time enjoying the water and the fresh air which always helps to invigorate my mind. My friends have a wonderful touring boat so our taking a leisurely trip around the bay was just what I needed. We also had the opportunity to stroll through a Farmer's Market smelling and tasting all of the fresh vegetables, fruit and flowers that the local markets have to offer.
Part of my visit included a day spent with old friends, Sherwyn, Bryan and Michelle, in Los Olivos, near Solvang, outside of Santa Barbara. We attended the Bacon & Barrels Event. It is the definitive outdoor festival for the bacon obsessed foodies and those who prefer their drinks from a barrel. The participating chefs created their most imaginative, fresh recipes incorporating bacon in all kinds of foods, including chocolates and breads. The festival highlights the best artisan and craft barrel beverages such as bourbon, beer, wine, and scotch. All the smells and tastes gave me so many ideas as to various notes to use when developing future fragrances. 
We then went restaurant hopping and met a mixologist who specializes in creating drinks based on your personality and mood. It reminded me of my original Fragrance Bar at my Who Make Sense? boutique in Los Angeles. There I worked with over 100 notes, and your personality and body chemistry, to help create and define what type of scent you preferred. In similar fashion, the mixologist works with about 50 herbs and potions to create some of the most memorable and tasty and fragranced drinks I have ever experienced. We both agreed that fragrances, beverages, wines, foods, coffees and chocolates were similar in their composition and design. 
It was wonderful to watch people spending time with each other talking and eating and enjoying their time together and unplugged. I was so happy to see how few people were on their phones or checking their messages. Perhaps talking to each other and enjoying their company is new again. I mentioned my trip and comments to one of my long-time clients, and she said something to me that made me smile. Beverly reminded me that I keep a Personal Folder on all my clients and that most of my clients call me directly to place their orders, so they can connect and get caught up on our lives. She said that I have always practiced the idea of talking and connecting with people. I will now put my new found creativity and knowledge to go forward with new products, fragrances, packaging and gift items to share with my clients.
Sincerely, Dolores
Vinci & Rakos * Who Makes Sense?
dolores@vinci-rakos.com
Call Dolores: 760-674-3060
Fax Dolores: 760-674-3070
Outside Calf: 1-800-545-4332
PS. I want to credit The LA Gift Mart Office, Wally's Catalog and the Bacon & Barrel Website for some of the information and photographs.
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Eau de Vinci Spray
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Fragrance Is An Experience
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The Eau de Vinci Spray is a rich and luxurious, long lasting formula of emollient oils, Vitamin E and parfum oils. This unique, non-alcoholic blend is the perfect carrier for your favorite Vinci & Rakos Parfum. After your bath or shower, spray liberally then gently massage onto your skin. Because of its richness, this special formula will take a few moments to dry to the touch. Feel the smooth and protective "cushion" left on your skin and the fullness of your chosen scent. A client favorite for nearly 25 years. Packaged in a soft and reusable, organza drawstring bag. Click Here
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Since you have not been out in the sun and outdoors in a long time, please consider the following helpful hints:
*Stretching is a great way to start the day. Start off with light stretching several times a day to loosen up your "winter body". Reaching up to the sky then doing a few knee bends will help keep you and your body young and vital.
*Begin your outdoor activities slowly. Perhaps walking for a few days before you begin running or jogging.
*Use a sunscreen/sunblock before outdoor activities, even when it is cloudy, especially on your face, earlobes, neck and throat areas. Women, wearing liquid makeup and lipstick help to protect us from the rays of the sun.
*Men, please remember to use sunscreen or sunblock especially when working out doors and playing sports, such as golf, tennis or hoops.
*Wearing a hat while outdoors will not only help keep the sun off of your face but your hair from fading, especially if you color your hair.
*Don't leave home without having a container of water with you. I get tired of drinking water, so I add a drop or two of lemon, orange or grapefruit juice squeezed from the actual fruit to liven up the water.
*When I find myself with too many oranges, grapefruits or lemons there is a perfect solution. Squeeze the juice from the fruit, and pour the juice into different ice cube trays. After frozen, the "fruit juice" ice cubes can then be added to your favorite ice tea, water, cocktail or summer drink. What a great way to experience fresh fruit and stay cool at the same time.
*Remember to moisturizer your body on a daily basis. We have a tendency to over shower during the summer so our skin needs to be protected daily.
*Spray yourself with anti-insect repellants before going hiking or a walk in the forest. This might be the time to forgo your favorite fragrance.
*Don't forget your Pets during the Summer. Their feet and skin cannot handle the hot sun and asphalt, as well as fleas. For more Dog Grooming Information:
Click Here
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