30 minute Cacao, Rose & Breathwork to start your day with steady grounded energy

When you have spent the day responding to everyone and everything around you, it can take a little time to recognize your own needs. This ritual offers a space to listen. Preparing the cacao, sipping it slowly and settling into your breath become an invitation to notice your body, your emotions and what deserves your attention. Allow yourself around 20–30 minutes. What you’ll need • Ceremonial cacao, finely chopped, using the supplier’s suggested gentle serving • 150–200 ml water • 1 teaspoon of Rose Beauty Tea  • A saucepan, strainer and whisk • A journal and a comfortable place to sit • A teaspoon of blackstrap molasses for those who have a sweet tooth * BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES benefits: A 1 Tablespoon (3 teaspoons) blackstrap molasses contains roughly 3.6 mg of iron, which equates to 20% of the overall Daily Value (based on a standard 18 mg reference target), supporting red blood cell formation and helping combat iron-deficiency anemia. * ROSE PETAL AND ROSEHIP TEA benefits: Contains natural anti-inflammatory compounds that help with PMS, reducing period cramps, bloating, mood swings, and anxiety. Rich in polyphenols (such as gallic acid and anthocyanins) and vitamins (including Vitamin C) that fight free radicals and support cellular health. Stimulates bile production from the liver to aid food breakdown. Offers a mild, soothing effect on the nervous system to help lower tension and encourage restful sleep. Provides hydration and Vitamin C, which assists with collagen production and helps maintain a natural glow. * CEREMONIAL CACAO benefits: ceremonial cacao contains theobromine, a gentle cardiovascular stimulant that promotes blood flow and mental alertness without spiking cortisol or causing caffeine crashes. It is mineral rich, serving as a strong plant-based source of magnesium (which relaxes the nervous system and supports muscles), iron, zinc, and copper.     THE RITUAL 1. Create space for yourself: Put your phone aside and prepare a place where you can sit undisturbed. You might light a candle or choose quiet music. Before you begin, notice how you are arriving. Tired? Restless? Distracted? There is no particular state you need to achieve. Taking a moment to notice how you feel helps you recognize what you need. You might become aware of tension you’ve been carrying, tiredness you’ve pushed through, or emotions that haven’t had room to surface. Let thsi awareness guide yor ritual - whether you need to get comfortable, move gently, or simply sit quietly. Begin by giving yourself the attention you so often give to everything else. 2. Prepare the rose infusion Pour hot water over the rose petals, cover and leave to infuse for 5–7 minutes. Strain, keeping the fragrant infusion as the base for your cacao. Let this preparation be part of the ritual. Notice the scent rising from the cup and the colour of the water. 3. Slowly prepare your cacao Pour the rose infusion into a saucepan over very low heat. Add the finely chopped ceremonial cacao and whisk gently until melted and smooth. Keep it warm without bringing it to a boil. Taste and add a little honey if you wish. Pour into your favourite cup.     4. Choose an intention Hold the cup and pause before drinking. Rather than setting a goal, choose something you want to give your attention to: Today, I make space for… Perhaps it is rest, honesty, tenderness or a decision you have been avoiding. Let the intention be simple and personal. 5. Drink with attention Take a small sip. Notice the warmth, the richness of the cacao and the delicate presence of rose. Drink slowly, pausing between sips. Feel your feet on the floor and allow your shoulders to settle. When your mind wwanders towards plans or unfinished tasks, gently bring your attention back to the cup in your hands.This is a simple way to practice presence. Paying attention to warmth, scent and taste awakens your sense and gives your mind somewhere to rest, inviting you to experience a familiar act more fully. It is also a moment to receive the care you have taken in preparing this drink. Partway through, pause and ask yourself: What am I noticing now? Perhaps your jaw has softened, you feel more settles, or you are simply enjoying the taste. Whatever you notice can be your starting point for the breath practice that follows. 6. Let your breath guide your attention inward Set your cup down and sit comfortably. Begin by following your natural breath. Then, if comfortable, breathe gently through your nose for four counts and breathe out for six. Continue for 5-6 minutes, without forcing the breath or holding it. Keep this practice soft. If you feel light-headed or uncomfortable, return to your normal breathing. More about Breathwork find out here.     7. Listen, then write Let your breathing return to its own rhythm. Sit quietly before reaching for your journal. Explore one or two of these questions: • What have I been too busy to notice? • What needs care or attention in my life? • What would honouring my intention look like in one small action? There is no need to make your answers beautiful. Let them be honest. 8. Close with an act of care Finish any remaining cacao and take a moment to look around the room. Feel the support beneath you. Choose one thing from your reflection to carry into the day. Give it a practical form: time in your calendar, a conversation, a boundary or permission to rest. The ritual becomes meaningful through the attention you bring to it—and the care that follows.If you haven’t exeperienced ceremonial Cacao with Rose Petal base, visit our Cacao & Rose - The Art of Savouring Day on November 28, at The Stylist in Zug    

Every year, a few days after Lammas—the ancient harvest festival that rests between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox—I notice the same feeling quietly arriving. A sweetness. A longing. A gentle ache. As though summer, despite its abundance, has already begun slipping through my fingers. A few days ago I wrote that August is the Sunday of summer, and I believe that more deeply with each passing year. It is the season that invites us to linger a little longer. To savour rather than rush. To gather what has ripened before the landscape quietly begins to change. When I look across the fields now, I see the hills softening from green into gold. The wheat bows under its own fullness, and I feel the presence of Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest, everywhere around me. Her season is not simply one of abundance, but of devotion—the quiet wisdom of tending, nourishing, and understanding that every harvest carries the promise of a new cycle. Perhaps that is why my understanding of beauty has changed so profoundly.     Nature has become my greatest teacher. So have the Greek myths, the goddesses, and the ancient feminine mysteries that remind us beauty has never been about perfection. It has always been about vitality. Presence. Rhythm. The aliveness that radiates from a woman who lives in harmony with the seasons—both around her and within her. This year, High Summer carries an even deeper meaning for me. As a mother, I find myself witnessing my daughter slowly crossing the invisible threshold into womanhood. It is impossible not to think of Demeter and Persephone—the eternal story of love, letting go, and trusting the cycles of life. I feel immense pride, touched with the bittersweet tenderness that every mother knows when she realizes time moves only in one direction. So I wanted to honour this moment.     A LOVE LETTER TO HIGH SUMMER To write a small love letter to High Summer—to this golden pause before autumn arrives, to beauty as a ritual rather than a pursuit, and to the quiet abundance that still surrounds us. The days are warm, the sun still generous, and we likely have a few more weeks before the first cool mornings announce the changing season. Until then, I hope you’ll join me in slowing down.Below you’ll find the beauty rituals I’m reaching for most this season, a few simple recipes you can make at home, and a guided beauty meditation I recorded for you—a gentle invitation to experience beauty not only on your skin, but as something that begins much deeper.     BEAUTY FROM WITHIN ◌ Rose capsules or hydration, even complexion and elasticity. Also to protect the skin against the aggression of the single oxygen radicals resulting from solar radiation ◌ Hibiscus tea to combat free radicals that damage skin cells. ◌ Mint and spearmint tea is one of my all time favourites. It supports hormonla balance, but also provides hydration, helps dygestion and helps you cool down. ◌ Nettle tea is great for any irritation, eczema and redness. It protect skin cells from oxidative stress and free radical damage. I’ve written often about the many gifts of the rose - its remarkable ability to nourish feminine beauty, soothe the nervous system, and gently support the heart. But if you’re only beginning your journey with this extraordinary flower, rose tea is perhaps the simplest and most accessible place to start. Marshmallow infusion: it hydrates the skin from inside out and prevents moisture loss by protecting the skin's natural hyaluronic acid.     FRESH SEASONAL FOOD Cucumber - I love using cucumber over my eyes to cool me down and refresh the skin. But another trick I use is drinking cucumber water. It calms angry skin and helps lower body heat. Coconut water is another favourite of mine. I drink it daily. replenishes vital electrolytes, and supports heart health.     BEAUTY SUPPORTING SUPPLEMENTS ◌ Milk Thistle is a favourite supplement - it protects the liver from toxins, lowers fasting glucose and fights cell damage from free radicals.I also love the VITALITY Greens by Anima Mundi, containing spirulina, dendilion, nettle, moringa. A HEALTHY LIVER clear skin and eyes, stable weight and good steady energy ◌  Liquid Silica helps the body's collagen production. ◌  Gluthatione - another supplement I can’t recommend enough. A powerful antioxidant that helps clean out toxins and keeps your immune system strong.     HIGH SUMMER SKINCARE SUMMER Face and Body Serum - because its wild geranium essential oil is the best ingredient for summer skin. It slows melanin accumulation to prevent sun spots, and acts as a lightweight astringent that regulates sebum and cools heat-stressed skin. It also contains Juniper berry essential oil which improves the metabolism in the skin layer, cleanses the skin of impurities and toxic substances and promotes its healing. Finally Marigold CO2 extract helps with skin hydration. It has a pronounced anti-age effect and is a proven antioxidant. If you need more protection from the sun use ZDRAVETZ fluid, which is more concentrated and focused on the qualities fo the wild geranium extracted through the innovative crytical CO2 method. Floral waters are fantastic hydration and skin refreshner for summer and my preferred ones are ZDRAVETZ & Lavender. One of my summer skin secrets for the whol body is the Dead Sea Mud Mask: I use under the shower. It is packed with powerful minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sulfur—each one a tiny superhero for your skin. These elements work together to detoxify pores, reduce inflammation, and deliver deep nourishment.   HIGH SUMMER PRACTICES Lymphatic clearance with dance and massage - Dead Sea Mud Mask to Start Fresh your morning 1. Dry brush your body. 2. Run the shower to wet your skin. 3. Apply Evenly: Spread a thin layer across your face and neck, avoiding eyes and lips 4. Relax: Leave it on for 10–15 minutes as it dries and works its magic 5. Rinse: Use lukewarm water and a soft cloth or sponge to remove the mask 6. Follow Up: Apply your favorite Body Oil. Use it 1–2 times a week. More isn’t always better—consistency is key!   MASK for fresh and clean skin 1 tbsp yoghurt 1 teaspoon Grape juice 1 tbsp honey 1/2 ttbsp. Ancient healing clay Mix everything together and apply on the skin. Leave till it dries.     MEDITATION TO CULTIVATE BEAUTY Take 10 minutes out of your precious day to reconnect with yourself. Click here, slow down, and enjoy your meditation.  

With shelves full of toners, essences, face mists and “miracle waters”, why return to something as simple as floral water? Perhaps because the skin does not always need more. Many modern skincare formulas come with long ingredient lists, while some conventional toners may contain alcohol, synthetic fragrance or other ingredients that can leave sensitive skin feeling tight, dry or irritated. A pure floral water — also known as a hydrosol — offers a gentler and more intelligent approach: it refreshes, hydrates and tones the skin while carrying the water-soluble plant compounds and a delicate trace of essential oil from the plant itself. But floral waters work on more than one level. Mist Rose, Lavender, Geranium, Melissa or Clary Sage over the face and you are not only caring for the skin. You are breathing in the natural aromatic molecules of the plant. This is where skincare meets aromatherapy — and where a simple daily step becomes a small ritual for both skin and senses. Used for centuries in natural skincare, perfumery, aromatherapy and traditional plant remedies, floral waters remain one of the simplest and most versatile ways to care for the skin.     Why Are Floral Waters So Powerful? They hydrate without overwhelming the skin. Floral waters provide light, water-based hydration and refresh the complexion without heaviness, making them especially beautiful for layering under face oils, serums, balms and creams. They have anti inflammatory soothing effect Depending on the plant, floral waters can help soothe sensitivity, calm visible redness, refresh oily skin and support a more balanced complexion. They contain the water-soluble intelligence of the plant Created during the distillation of aromatic and medicinal plants, hydrosols contain water-soluble botanical compounds together with tiny amounts of naturally occurring essential oil. They care for the skin without stripping it A pure, alcohol-free floral water can tone and refresh the complexion without the tight, dry feeling associated with harsher or highly astringent toners. Floral waters maintain the health and immunity of the skin. They prepare the skin for what comes next. Applied before a face oil, serum, balm or cream, floral water leaves the skin lightly damp and ready for the next step of your ritual, helping you layer skincare more beautifully and effectively. They work beyond skin deep The natural aroma of Rose, Lavender, Melissa, Geranium or Clary Sage reaches us through the senses. A mist can become a moment to soften, refresh, awaken or come back to yourself. This is the quiet power of floral waters: they do not ask the skin to be stripped, corrected or overwhelmed. They work gently — hydrating, balancing and carrying the subtle intelligence of the plant directly to the skin and senses. Their application is versatile – they can be used by adults, as well as children and babies. One plant. One distillation. Many ways to care.     How to choose floral water It is important to make sure that the floral water is 100% natural and does not contain alcohol or other chemicals and preservatives that, in addition to not hydrating, can dry out the skin. It is preferable that floral waters are stored in opaque or dark glass bottles that protect the active ingredients from light and do not contain the potentially dangerous substances of plastic packaging. Make sure the manufacturer is certified and follows good manufacturing practices.   Application of floral waters Cleansing – use daily for cleansing the face, neck and décolleté. Toning – floral waters are the fastest and most effective means of hydrating the skin, which you can apply to refresh throughout the day. Before the facial fluid or cream – we recommend using floral water immediately before the application of your daily face fluid or face cream to enhance their performance. That is how you will ensure even better and effective hydration for your skin.Hair hydration – to nourish the hair and refresh the scalp, spray and apply to dry or wet hair without rinsing. Natural perfume – with their natural charming aromas, floral waters can replace perfumes, which often have many artificial ingredients and preservatives. In the composition of natural masks – floral waters are highly suitable to use in natural homemade face and neck masks.   Choose the most suitable floral water for you Lavender floral water Lavender Floral Water is suitable for all skin types, especially for sensitive and oily, as well as for teens and young adults. Maintains natural moisture, regulates pH balance and refreshes the skin. It has an overall healing effect, including on sunburned skin. The scent of lavender is relaxing, calming and reduces anxiety. • Use it to clean and refresh the skin in the T-zone if it gets oily quickly. • To soothe bites and sunburns – spray the area with Lavender water. Eliminates itching, burning, redness and helps to heal damaged skin faster. • Add lavender floral water to the baby’s bath. Helps with different rash types on the body. The herbal aromas have a calming effect and help the baby sleep peacefully. • Spray your pillow with Lavender floral water to prepare your mind and body for sleep.     Rose floral water Rose Floral Water is suitable for all skin types – it hydrates and normalizes the lipid barrier of the skin. It has a toning, softening and lightening effect. Stimulates cell regeneration and skin renewal. The gentle Rose aroma has a soothing, relaxing and balancing effect. • Use as an additional treatment to reduce and eliminate pigment spots and enlarged pores.• Ritual to relax the muscles around the eyes – place cotton pads soaked in rose floral water for 15-20 minutes on closed eyes. The procedure has a muscle-relaxing effect and prevents the formation of puffy eyes.     Clary Sage floral water Clary Sage Floral Water is suitable anti-age care for mature skin (45+). It hydrates and rejuvenates the skin thanks to its regenerating effect, and controls sebum secretion. It can be used only in summer when the skin produces more sebum. The aroma has a pronounced anti-stress, calming effect and favorably affects the hormonal balance. • Evening ritual for tired eyes – place cotton pads soaked in Clary Sage floral water for 15-20 minutes on closed eyes. The procedure has a muscle-relaxing effect and prevents swelling in the eye area. • Use Clary Sage floral water to care for your hair. Spray the ends of dry and damaged hair – the water will hydrate and vitalize it. Apply along the length of the hair and you will improve its vitality. Applied to the scalp it regulates the secretion of sebum and the greasiness of the hair. • You can use Clary Sage floral water as a natural deodorant that reduces perspiration. It can be used instead of a deodorant stick by people with sensitive skin. Its aroma, in addition to being refreshing, has a pronounced anti-stress and calming effect.     Zdravetz floral water Zdravetz Floral Water has a whitening, regenerating and soothing effect thanks to the azulenes contained in geranium oil. It is suitable for daily cleansing and toning of oily and combination skin – it balances sebum secretion. • Zdravetz floral water is versatile and suitable care for calming and cleaning men’s skin as well. • Soothing compress – apply Zdravetz floral water to cotton pads and leave it on for 15-20 minutes on the inflamed areas of the skin. The compress soothes and promotes faster healing of inflamed comedones and prevents The formation of pimples. • Protects the skin from sunburn and hydrates – on summer days, spray the exposed parts of the body throughout the day and enjoy the wonderful fresh feeling.     Melissa floral water Malissa Floral Water soothes and improves the condition of sensitive and irritated skin in case of inflammation, dermatitis, or allergic reactions. Suitable daily care for dry, couperose and sensitive skin. Thanks to the natural aromatic ingredients, Melissa floral water has a pronounced anti-stress effect. • For red and sensitive skin, carefully apply the floral water to the face with a soaked cotton pad. This will calm the skin down and bring its comfort back. • Melissa floral water is a natural repellent. You can use to protect against insect bites. • You can also use Melissa flower water as a compress after being bitten by mosquitoes and other insects.     “La Vie en Rose” aroma tonic for face care Aroma Tonic “La Vie en Rose” with extract of fresh flowers of Rosa Alba and Rosa Damascena actively hydrates, refreshes and normalizes the lipid barrier of the skin. Stimulates the regeneration of epidermal cells and skin renewal. The fragrance of the white rose – Rosa Alba has a toning effect on stressed skin. The aroma of Bulgarian Rosa Damascena has a soothing and relaxing effect. • Use as additional care to reduce and eliminate pigment spots and enlarged pores. • Ritual for relaxation of the muscles around the eyes – place cotton pads soaked in Aroma tonic for 15-20 minutes on closed eyes. The procedure has a muscle-relaxing effect and prevents the formation of puffiness in the eye area.