Princess Theodora

Everyone appreciates a gift of beauty. And with the holidays rapidly approaching, it’s time to start picking up the perfect presents for your friends and family. For this issue of Beauty Guru, we’ve selected some of most desirable and memorable beauty gifts for both men and women. Read More…

Posted on December 13, 2011 to Press  

The durability and effectiveness of natural ingredients never cease to end. Their historical care reach throughout the ages, has made it to our present day mainstream of personal care. Read More…

Posted on December 01, 2011 to Press  

What are the best beauty/skincare products to splurge on? – Product Feature – Read More…

Posted on October 25, 2011 to Press  

Princess Theodora Skincare products are made from the most natural purest most refined ingredients. For those who appreciate a wonderful skin care regime that's a delicate balance between the luxurious feel of a product and its benefits, Princess Theodora Skincare is a great skincare to try. Read More…

Posted on October 14, 2011 to Press  

While runway-inspired beauty trends are tremendously motivating for every day make-up, beauty for a wedding is an entirely different entity altogether. Read More…

Posted on October 11, 2011 to Press  

Our skin is the only organ that can regenerate itself. Every second, deep at the bottom of the epidermis, new skin cells are forming. Once they’re ready, they move toward the top of the epidermis and take the place of the old cells that die and flake off.

The epidermis, the uppermost layer of the skin, as well as the dermis, the middle layer and the subcutaneous tissue, the innermost layer, make up the largest, most visible organ in our body. Yes, the skin is an organ!

And while of course it’s important to keep our skin looking good, the most important role our skin plays has nothing to do with outer beauty. It keeps us healthy, covering and protecting everything within us. It defends us against the elements, blocks bacteria from getting into our bodies and keeps our internal temperature at a normal 98.6 degrees. But really, getting better skin is all about getting healthier skin. So how do you do that? Your food choices, your skin care and even the way you think about aging all matter.

So are you truly what you eat? When it comes to the health of your skin, you certainly are. Just as food affects your heart, your cholesterol level and your blood pressure, food affects the health of your skin as well. Eating right can truly nourish the skin from the inside out. For a head to toe beauty boost, be sure to eat a wide variety of foods from all the food groups. Some particularly super skin standout foods include:

Seafood
Omega-3 fatty acids are good not only for your heart but also for your skin. Omega-3s are actually a group of several nutrients, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), none of which the body can produce on its own. They’re found mainly in coldwater fish (as well as walnuts, flaxseed and some green vegetables such as kale) and help keep the cell membrane strong (the skin is made up of cells, and the cell membrane is the outside layer of the cell), preventing harm from the outside from getting in. Omega-3s help the skin increase its ability to hold water, which leads to softer, wrinkle-free skin. Fish is also a great source of protein, an essential building block for healthy skin.

Fish high in omega-3s include salmon, mackerel, cod and tuna (particularly the albacore and bluefin varieties). If fish isn’t your thing, look for eggs high in omega-3s or go for flaxseed, almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts.

Taking omega 3 fatty acid supplements such as EPA, DHA or flaxseed oil is also an option.

Berries
Berries, especially blueberries and strawberries, are high in antioxidants, chemicals that protect the cells by combating the free radicals that damage skin at a cellular level. Antioxidants interrupt that damaging process.

Green tea
Green tea is chock full of phytochemicals, chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants. It’s particularly high in one called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which a 2009 study on rats in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology found is protective against UV-induced skin damage.

Tip: Steep a tea bag in the water you use to make rice or hot cereal. Keep a pitcher iced in your fridge.

Kiwis
Higher in vitamin C than oranges, this tangy treat can help maintain the skin’s collagen. Collagen is the most plentiful protein in the skin, providing its scaffolding. Collagen is what gives the skin its strength, to help it repair damage and keep it strong and elastic. One study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women with higher C intake from foods had significantly fewer wrinkles.

Tip: Chop some into salads or salsas for a sweet, surprising taste. Also high in vitamin C: red peppers and mangoes.

Olive oil
While too much saturated fat in the diet can be unhealthy, cutting fat out altogether can leave you with dry, flaky skin that’s unable to lubricate itself properly. Olive oil, a good monounsaturated fat, contains linoleic acid, a compound that does not allow water to evaporate from the skin. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study found that women who got more linoleic acid in their diet had less age-related dryness and skin thinning.

Tip: Sprinkle your salad with olive oil and toss in some avocado and sunflower seeds for even more healthy, skin-lubricating fats.

To nourish your skin with a healthy meal – try this:
Combine as many good-for-your-skin foods as you can for tonight’s dinner. How about grilled salmon brushed with olive oil, with a side of couscous loaded with diced fruit and berries.

Posted on September 07, 2011 to Beauty & Wellness Tips  

Published in Passport Magazine – July/August Issue, 2011

Passport Magazine is a luxury lifestyle publication of MTA Media Publications and is individually hand distributed by uniformed personnel at select locations in New York City during the late afternoon and evening.

Posted on August 22, 2011 to Press  

Beauty & Wellness @ Princess Theodora Von Auersperg – A Beauty

By Geraldine Lai
Published in A Beauty Feature and abeautyfeature.blogspot - July 04, 2011

Rose oil and Rose water are both used in Princess Theodora Skincare; as the most classic anti ageing agents, primarily they will nourish the skin and help it to retain moisture, at the opposite end of the spectrum, rose oil and rose water when used in a skin toner for oily skin, have astringent qualities that help control excess sebum on the skin. Read More in A Beauty Feature and abeautyfeature.blogspot.

Posted on July 06, 2011 to Press  

Dear Inner Princess,

The past several months a lot has happened behind the scenes and although we chose to be silent with our newsletter we were not sitting idle.

So far it has been an exciting journey and adventure since we introduced the Princess Theodora brand through a soft launch at dedicated marketing and PR events last year. Inspired by all the response and feedback our products have received from the public we decided to step it up a notch and upgrade and improve our overall appearance even more and transition from online only to retail as well.

After gaining a better understanding of today’s global market and its high demands and requirements our transformation involved the redesign of our original logo to a more stylish logo icon which combines the letters P and T creating an elegant and iconic symbol that can travel across the board in a contemporary yet classic manner representing the Princess Theodora brand in synergy with the latest trends in style and beauty. In the process our graphic design team also dedicated a lot of time designing an appealing and eye catching outside packaging which reflects the high quality and purity of our products while establishing a distinct and unique Princess Theodora look and shelf appeal.

We are confident now that our overall presentation projects what the Princess Theodora brand is all about: “Classics Your Skin Will Love Forever”.

Ready to go to market and enter into select retailers nationally and internationally we are pleased to share with you a couple of the latest reviews of our products:

• Geoffrey Rodriguez – Celebrity Make-Up Artist and Beauty Guru: “Wow - your products are amazing!! I've been using them since receiving the package and have seen great results! Last week I worked with Bazaar Editor in Chief Glenda Bailey and used the products on her and she really liked them. Here is a link to my feature in JC Report. “

• Style Apothecary: Review of our new and fabulous Restoring Lip Cream (with more reviews to follow). Read review…

While looking forward to sharing many more milestones of our brand in the future we are wishing all of you a beautiful and meaningful 4th of July celebration and a very happy summer!

Very truly yours,

Posted on June 28, 2011 to Newsletter  

By Geoffrey Rodriguez
Published in JC Report - June 01, 2011

As summer rapidly approaches, it’s imperative to establish and maintain your skincare regimen. Thorough hydration and exfoliation are key factors in maintaining year-round healthy skin, but it’s particularly important during the summer months—especially with heavy sun exposure and holidays on the horizon. Although cruelty-free formulations remain at the forefront of cosmetics marketing strategies, there is also a huge demand for diverse ingredients and formulations as well as distinguishable lifestyle branding. In our continuing search for the most superior formulations in skincare and cosmetics, we are pleased to recommend the following brands as worthy additions to your existing (or developing) regimen. Read More….

Posted on June 27, 2011 to Press  

As the holidays are approaching today’s busy lifestyle leaves little room for feeling slow or sluggish.  We are constantly on the go, juggling responsibilities and schedules and stressing about holiday shopping and attending holiday parties. Meeting those demands requires extra energy.

Stress, excess weight, lack of exercise, lack of sleep and poor diet all undermine our levels of energy. Take a moment and look at the choices you make in your everyday life to switch your energy from fatigued to energized.  Attacking any of the areas mentioned will give you more energy. And since they are all interconnected once you find the key to one behavior you will quickly unlock the door to improving them all. Making time for more exercise, taking frequently moments to relax, getting enough sleep and avoiding a diet filled with caffeine and fast food are the basic steps to an overall healthier life style.

Nevertheless during the holidays we are allowed to have a special kind of approach with different kind of eating and we should be able to relax while having portion control in mind. After all who wants to go through November and December not being able to have the cookies they love! Practicing portion control – eating a little bit at a time – is the key to a happy and healthy holiday season – a gift of wellness that we can give to ourselves and others in addition to the following suggestions:

For the overall wellbeing of the body here a few easy steps to keep in mind:

1. Do the Math: Balance extra calories with exercise to burn them off, like taking an extra 30 –minute walk or run a day.
2. Protein first: Be sure to start your meal or event with starters high in protein like hummus or a mixture of almonds and walnuts.  Eating protein before a large meal can have a stabilizing effect on blood sugar.
3. Use a Small Plate: Smaller plates encourage smaller portions and that means you eat less.
4. Don’t stand by the Buffet Table: If you stand out there, you will consume more calories.
5. Eat Regular Meals: Skipping meals so you can splurge at the party will only cause you to overeat. Start your day with a healthy breakfast.
6. Stay Hydrated: If you think you are hungry, you may actually be thirsty. Many studies show that drinking two glasses of water before every meal will help you consume fewer calories.

For the overall wellbeing of the skin here a few simple tips:

1. Pamper Your Skin: Your skin functions differently in the cooler fall and winter seasons which cause dry skin that can become chopped and cracked. Your skin’s goal when it is cold outside should be to moisturize, exfoliate (gently) and moisturize again, while also using gentle toners and cleansers.
2. Exfoliate Your Skin: Exfoliate twice per week to remove dead skin cells and allow your skin to absorb the extra moisture you are lathering on.
3. Revitalize Your Skin: For a simple home hydrotherapy, start out your day with a hot steamy shower and just as you are finishing switch the water to cold for about fifteen seconds. Repeat the process for two minutes. This hydrotherapy technique will revitalize your skin by stimulation the flow of blood though the skin.

For the overall wellbeing of mind and soul recently I came across a beautiful quote which I would like to share with you and recommend as a holiday inspiration: “Live each day well, and you will have an extraordinary life!”

Wishing everyone a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 24, 2010 to Beauty & Wellness Tips  

9/21/2010 Rouge Tomate, Manhattan - Exclusive product showcase for members of the media only.

The Luxury Review is an exclusive press showcase displaying the latest in luxury products & services. Brands from multiple industries including automotive, jewelry, cosmetics, private aviation, resorts, spirits, electronics, home design and more will all be represented.

The invited attendees for this event include members of the press & media industry, editors, product analysts, studio executives, product integration & product placement professionals, tv/film producers, personal shoppers, stylists and special guests. www.theluxuryreview.com

Posted on November 18, 2010 to Events  

Dear Inner Princess,

While still enjoying the last days of summer and reflecting on the recent hot summer months, where I had the opportunity to meet and talk to many new lady friends at summer parties or girl’s night out occasions, one question always came up in conversations: What does ‘Beauty’ mean to me?

Well, it is simple: I believe that real beauty is something that needs to be seen with your heart and soul in order to be fully understood. To seek balance and harmony in every aspect of our daily lives is true beauty to me and I have been striving to achieve that all my life. I consider my company and its holistic approach and philosophy an extension of myself while having the joy and pleasure to create and share a harmonious sanctuary for and with all women. Find a moment to listen to your inner voice and celebrate beauty!

The second question that usually comes up in conversations with new friends is: What does ‘Luxury’ mean to me?
Easy to answer:  In today’s hectic world I believe that real luxury is something that cannot be purchased with money. I consider true luxury as: Health, Wellness, Happiness, Simplicity, Balance and Harmony. And yes, I believe that women forget far too often that they deserve the best and that they need to have their daily moment getting in touch with their inner voice and feel pampered, luxurious and loved! Beauty might be in the eye of the beholder, but please allow me to remind you: You are all beautiful and you are worth it!

In this letter I would also like to take the opportunity to say hello to everyone I met in June at The Holiday Lookbook event in NYC. It was a pleasure meeting and sharing with all of you our products and brand philosophy.
When you have a moment you are welcome to check out our new YouTube Channel – PrincessTheodoraTV  – or visit the What’s New section on our Website for all related updates and posts. I am very much looking forward to sharing and posting moments of all upcoming events!

Wishing you a beautiful fall, I would like to close this letter by sharing a quote I came across recently that touched me:

“I hope that you'll be constantly surrounded by beauty, and you'll have the eyes and heart to appreciate them. When you feel more appreciative and thankful for all the beauty there is, you'll have beauty in your heart and you'll radiate with a touch of glow in your eyes...”

Very truly yours,

Posted on September 16, 2010 to Newsletter  

You Are What You Eat

Posted on September 7, 2011 to Beauty & Wellness Tips

Our skin is the only organ that can regenerate itself. Every second, deep at the bottom of the epidermis, new skin cells are forming. Once they’re ready, they move toward the top of the epidermis and take the place of the old cells that die and flake off. Read More...

Radiant Skin – Passport Magazine

Posted on August 22, 2011 to Press

Passport Magazine is a luxury lifestyle publication of MTA Media Publications and is individually hand distributed by uniformed personnel at select locations in New York City during the late afternoon and evening. Read More…

CelebrityDialogue.com – Interview: All about aging gracefully

Posted on July 14, 2011 to Blog

It was a pleasure giving an interview to CelebrityDialogue.com which is dedicated to bringing forward those who make a difference.  Read More…

Natural Woman – Noblewomen’s skin-care secrets revealed – PureWow

Posted on July 14, 2011 to Blog

Dedicated email by PureWow for sophisticated, influential women ready to be vowed. Read More…

StyleApothecary.com - Summary of Product Reviews

Posted on July 28, 2011 to Blog

Styleapothecary.com receives free products from beauty brands and PR companies. They are a beauty review panel comprised of 4 female and 2 male panel members, who review products how they see fit and are never influenced or paid by any company or firm for their thoughts. They adhere to the FTC guidelines. They are a group of consumer beauty junkies and not professionally trained, just a group of the people who spend their lives focusing on the next best products to hit the market... Read More…

Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose, Beauty & Wellness @ Princess Theodora Von Auersperg – A Beauty.

Posted on July 6, 2011 to Press

Rose oil and Rose water are both used in Princess Theodora Skincare; as the most classic anti ageing agents, primarily they will nourish the skin and help it to retain moisture, at the opposite end of the spectrum, rose oil and rose water when used in a skin toner for oily skin, have astringent qualities that help control excess sebum on the skin. Read More…

The Wonders of Creation

Posted on June 28, 2011 to Newsletter

The past several months a lot has happened behind the scenes and although we chose to be silent with our newsletter we were not sitting idle.

So far it has been an exciting journey and adventure since we introduced the Princess Theodora brand through a soft launch at dedicated marketing and PR events last year. Inspired by all the response and feedback our products have received from the public we decided to step it up a notch and upgrade and improve our overall appearance even more and transition from online only to retail as well. Read More...

Style Apothecary - Review: Princess Theodora – Restoring Lip Cream

Posted on June 27, 2011 to Blog

This luxurious cream with DMAE, MSM, antioxidants and rich essential oils will nourish your smile by redefining the soft tissue around your lips allowing the wrinkles to smooth out. Read More...

JC Report - Beauty Guru: More Product Breakthroughs

By Geoffrey Rodriguez
Posted on June 26, 2011 to Press

As summer rapidly approaches, it’s imperative to establish and maintain your skincare regimen. Thorough hydration and exfoliation are key factors in maintaining year-round healthy skin, but it’s particularly important during the summer months—especially with heavy sun exposure and holidays on the horizon. Although cruelty-free formulations remain at the forefront of cosmetics marketing strategies, there is also a huge demand for diverse ingredients and formulations as well as distinguishable lifestyle branding. In our continuing search for the most superior formulations in skincare and cosmetics, we are pleased to recommend the following brands as worthy additions to your existing (or developing) regimen. Read More...

BustersMama

Posted on Jan. 22, 2011 to Blog

As an animal advocate I do a lot of social networking trying to find like minded people. I have met many wonderful people that share my passion for helping and protecting our four legged friends. Through my search I came across this wonderful lady that I want to introduce to you. Her name is Princess Theodora Von Auersperg. Read More...

Vegan Skincare - Beauty Connexion – Toronto, Canada

Posted on Dec. 13, 2010 to Blog

Labels on skincare have become uber important. From natural to organic, to gluten free, to professional, to vegan, labels direct us to what is important to us individually. For some of us it is all about natural products, for others it’s professional strength and for a growing number of us it is a label called Vegan.  Read More...

Give the Gift of Wellness

Posted on Nov. 24, 2010 to Beauty & Wellness Tips

As the holidays are approaching today’s busy lifestyle leaves little room for feeling slow or sluggish. We are constantly on the go, juggling responsibilities and schedules and stressing about holiday shopping and attending holiday parties. Meeting those demands requires extra energy. Read More...

The Luxury Review, September 2010, NYC

Posted on Nov. 18, 2010 to Events

The Luxury Review is an exclusive press showcase displaying the latest in luxury products & services. Brands from multiple industries including automotive, jewelry, cosmetics, private aviation, resorts, spirits, electronics, home design and more will all be represented. Read More...

Celebrating Beauty and Listening to Your Inner Voice

Posted on Sept. 16, 2010 to Newsletter

While still enjoying the last days of summer and reflecting on the recent hot summer months, where I had the opportunity to meet and talk to many new lady friends at summer parties or girl’s night out occasions, one question always came up in conversations: What does ‘Beauty’ mean to me? Read More...

Examiner.com, July 19, 2010

Posted on July 27, 2010 to Press

Last month we were invited to the Holiday Lookbook at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Hosted by style and beauty expert, Jenn Falik, the media-only preview event showcased dozens of new and notable products. Read More...

The Holiday Lookbook, June 2010, NYC

Posted on July 13, 2010 to Events

Taking the guesswork out of searching for the hottest upcoming gift ideas Shiraz Events presented for the second time The Holiday Lookbook, a premier media only event for brands to showcase their products in time for seasonal gift guides. Read More...

The Holiday Lookbook, June 2010, NYC

Posted on July 12, 2010 to Videos

Presenting: Interviews with Princess Theodora by Host Jenn Falik, Style & Beauty expert and Co-host Gina La Morte, Queen of Green, Lifestyle expert and Founder/Editor of Boho Magazine. Read More...

Daily Joys in Life

Posted on June 29, 2010 to Philanthropy News

Dear 'Save a Soul' Friends,

There is no greater joy for me than waking up every morning and finding myself surrounded by my six furry cat children, who are purring, happy, playful and impatiently waiting for their breakfast. Hugging each one of them and telling them how much I love them puts me in a state of bliss and I keep this feeling within me all day long until it is time to go to bed at night and all six of them surround me again with their unconditional love and put me to sleep. Read More...

Living Your Dream

Posted on May 3, 2010 to Newsletter

Dear Inner Princess,

It has been three months since my official launch of my product line – and what a journey it has been so far! I realized that living my dream in my head and preparing for it for many years was one thing, but coming out and sharing it with all of you has opened a completely new chapter in my life.  Read More...

A Few Things About a Postive Body Image and Quality of Life

Posted on March 30, 2010 to Beauty & Wellness Tips

I started feeling comfortable with my own body and within my own skin when I finally accepted and started living a very simple truth: “We are what we think we are.” Everything we appear to be from the outside is a projection of our thoughts and feelings on the inside. My personal ‘secrets of the flesh’ are: As important as what we feed our body, are the thoughts that we feed our mind. Read More...

Natural Instincts - HamptonRoads Magazine

Posted on March 24, 2010 to Press

BEAUTY GETS BACK TO BASICS
I will admit I am not the best at using all-natural products all of the time, but I am learning, and these new products make it easy to make the switch. We can all start incorporating environmentally savvy beauty lines by simply reading the lists of ingredients. Read More...

Every Journey begins with a First Step

Posted on October 19, 2009 to Philanthropy News

Dear 'Save a Soul' Friends,

I am sure many of you who share the same compassion for animals will wonder why I am going through the extra step of starting a foundation, when I could easily just establish links from my web site to the organizations I support and donate 10% of the proceeds from my products sales directly to them. Read More...

Define & Embrace Your Own Sense of Beauty

Posted on October 14, 2009 to Beauty & Wellness Tips

What a wonderful feeling to be able to share with all of you who are reading this column, what I think about Beauty & Wellness!

First of all, please remember now and always: ‘YOU ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL ALREADY!’

As far as I am concerned, age is just a number.

I know most of you don’t want to be reminded that your body goes through a very natural aging process. But this is the course of life and each and every one of you responds and goes through this process differently. Read More..

Today is a Very Special Day

Posted on October 06, 2009 to Newsletter

Dear Inner Princess,

Today is the day where I invite you to join me on my journey of sharing my newly developed line of skin care and all the ideas, inspirations and thoughts that went along by doing so with you and the rest of the world.

Today is the day where I finally arrived home – on my true path, seeking to live a meaningful and purposeful live and to lead my company and foundation in a meaningful and responsible way and true to my purpose for many years to come. Read More...

Posted on September 15, 2010 to Blog  

Published in examiner.com - July 19, 2010

Last month we were invited to the Holiday Lookbook at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Hosted by style and beauty expert, Jenn Falik, the media-only preview event showcased dozens of new and notable products. While we didn’t expect a pet-themed event like the recent NYC Pet Show, we were pleasantly surprised to find many great items that are perfect for pet parents and their families.

Our Picks of the Litter for special gifts:
 
Chocolatines by Sweet Endeavours
While our doggies can’t eat chocolate, our human friends can. These decadent chocolates taste as good as they look—and the designs are absolutely gorgeous. They would make the perfect gift for dog walkers, groomers, or friends. chocolatines.com
 
Hylunia/Hymed Skin Care
Hylunia offers a line of vegan and cruelty-free skin care products. When we mentioned we were exploring products for “dog people” we were immediately shown the Colloidal Silver Mist with lavender – the product minimizes bacterial growth with the antiseptic properties of colloidal silver.  usamr.com
 
Princess Theodora Fine Beauty and Wellness Products
The products are made of the most luxurious ingredients based on aroma and plant therapy. The products are never tested on animals and none of the ingredients are of animal origin.
The Princess Theodora Foundation has been established to support the humane treatment of animals and animal rescue operations. Ten percent of Princess Theodora’s product sales are donated to select shelters and rescue groups. princesstheodora.com

Posted on July 19, 2010 to Press  

6/10/2010 Metropolitan Pavillon, NYC - New product showcase exclusively for members of the media only.

Taking the guesswork out of searching for the hottest upcoming gift ideas Shiraz Events presented for the second time The Holiday Lookbook, a premier media only event for brands to showcase their products in time for seasonal gift guides. The Holiday Lookbook Official Website >

Posted on July 13, 2010 to Events  

6/10/2010 Metropolitan Pavillon, NYC – New product showcase exclusively for members of the media only.

Presenting: Interviews with Princess Theodora by Host Jenn Falik, Style & Beauty expert and Co-host Gina La Morte, Queen of Green, Lifestyle expert and Founder/Editor of Boho Magazine.

Official Event Website: www.theholidaylookbook.com.

Posted on July 12, 2010 to Videos  

Dear Inner Princess,

Is has been three months since my official launch of my product line – and what a journey it has been so far!

I realized that living my dream in my head and preparing for it for many years was one thing, but coming out and sharing it with all of you has opened a completely new chapter in my life. Suddenly it hit me that my own brand of products is not a dream any longer but reality. Facing new challenges, surprises and obstacles on the way - here is what I have learned so far: It is all worth it!

Trying to catch up with and learn how communication and marketing is done these days, namely through social media, online press releases, blogs and videos turned to be a challenge by itself and mastering my first Facebook post without the help of my web designer made me feel like a champion. I know that this might seem laughable to many of you, but I can assure and hopefully encourage you at the same time that I am not alone in this endeavor. And yes, with practice and perseverance I have been improving and the online world is becoming slowly, but surely part of my daily routine. And for those of you who have been facing the same dilemma, keep going – life will get easier, I promise.

However I still believe that nothing will replace a good old personal contact with a real human being. The energy and encouragement that one can gain out of a personal conversation with a real handshake, smile, a kind word and a hug is just simply irreplaceable to this day. And while the online world can be all consuming and absorb all our time and energy, the importance of human contact should never be neglected.

It is amazing how many wonderful new people have entered into my life the past few months. They all came unexpected and offered me a hand just when I needed one and they might not even be aware of it.

When I was concerned about how and when the Princess Theodora brand will get its first publication, the beauty and style editor of a local magazine took a leap of faith and wrote about my products. I don’t think she will ever know what a relieve this was for me. Seeing the brand published in a magazine confirmed to me that all the hard work was worth it and that my dream has become finally reality.

While having lunch with a new lady friend at the oceanfront last month we enjoyed each other’s company so much, that I started remembering and sharing moments and challenges in my life which I have forgotten about for many years. But by doing so with a real warm and compassionate woman I felt inspired and came to the conclusion, that I have actually never given up on my dream and no matter what detours came my way, I kept going because of it. By listening to my friend and what she felt like sharing with me I sensed a connection that no video conference call will ever be able to establish and I knew that very moment that we will stay friends for a long time to come.

I guess what I am trying to say is: don’t let anything come in your way when it comes to your dream or whatever you always wanted to do. It is never too late to get started.  Let your Inner Princess come out – don’t be afraid of making new personal connections and friends and sharing with them your thoughts and feelings and in return you can give them your attention and help. People might just surprise you with their kindness, warmth, generosity and willingness to help. You never know whom you will meet on the way.  Just live your dream!

In this context I would like to end this letter by sharing with you a quote I came across recently that inspired me:

“Believe in yourself and all that you are… know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” Christian Larsen

Very truly yours,

Posted on May 03, 2010 to Newsletter  

I started feeling comfortable with my own body and within my own skin when I finally accepted and started living a very simple truth: “We are what we think we are.” Everything we appear to be from the outside is a projection of our thoughts and feelings on the inside. My personal ‘secrets of the flesh’ are: As important as what we feed our body, are the thoughts that we feed our mind.

I started my own business, because I am always looking for exceptional quality in everything that touches or enters my body and it is important to me to share my findings with as many women as possible. I am very curious about life and our planet in general and I would like to stay as strong and healthy, both mentally and physically, good looking, vibrant and energetic as long as possible and be able to overcome the challenges of life without fear. And I wish that everyone who reads this article will be able to do the same.

Gaining more wisdom, aging with grace, touching people’s minds, hearts and souls, helping wherever possible and passing on experience and knowledge to the next generation is what I consider a meaningful and beautiful life. How could and would that not reflect on my overall beauty and body image and quality of life?

I love to eat, and if you love to eat, it helps immensely if you make it your business to know what you put in your body. I was fortunate to grow up in Austria where eating healthy wholegrain/multigrain and organic food has been part of daily life for as long as I can remember, and long before it became “in” here domestically.

My daily guide lines for maintaining a healthy weight and physical appearance are: Don’t overindulge, eat everything your body desires, but eat everything in moderation. Excess is not in my vocabulary. I don’t recommend picking between meals and if there is no time for the gym or any other sport activity, a daily brisk walk after lunch and/or dinner will do the job. And yes, I do enjoy quality wine, preferably red and look forward to a nice glass of it usually with dinner. I am trying to avoid processed foods and any kind of food products with antibiotics, hormones and pesticides. And as naïve as it might sound I don’t believe in strict diets and I am always amazed about the many diet books with the so called ‘latest diet’ that are selling and are being advertised. I try to listen to my body and when my body tells me that it is on overcharge and needs to either lose some weight or needs to rest and cleanse I have come to like the idea of fasting, instead of starving myself to death and being all grumpy and in bad mood and dreaming of a good meal at night.

Here are my two favorite fasting diets, which I am usually on regularly in spring and in fall to jumpstart my metabolism, cleanse my body and as result achieve a very cleansed, rejuvenated and youthful looking skin:

Apple Fasting: Eat 3 days apples only (preferably organic). Drink a small cup of olive oil (preferably extra virgin olive oil) at the end of the third day. Drink only water, unsweetened tea or black coffee. Rest a lot.

Grape Fasting: Eat 3 days seedless grapes only (preferably organic). Drink only water, unsweetened tea or black coffee. Rest a lot.

You will be amazed what the above will do for you!
Something I have so far not been able to master yet, but would like to adapt as part of my regular routine for maintaining a healthy body and in the process a healthy skin is to fast one day every week. Many people who practice or teach Yoga fast once a week. Some of them don’t eat anything at all. Some abstain from certain foods only. It requires some discipline and change in one’s mind set to implement and make weekly fasting part of our life and I have to admit that I am still working on it. But I intend to get there and will be more than happy to share this experience with all of you in the future.

My body responds very well to having fruits (enzymes) only and unsweetened black tea or coffee for breakfast and applied over time, this kind of breakfast routine is usually helping me maintain or even reduce weight. Not to mention that getting into this kind of breakfast habit does wonders for our skin complexion.

Recently I came across a book that goes deeper into the issue of our personal relationship with our body and I would like to suggest: “Women Food And God” – by Geneen Roth.

Just remember: God has not created all women equal! We come all in different forms, shapes and sizes and that’s o.k. All we need to do is accept what was given to each and every one of us, learn to love it, treasure and maintain it and enjoy and live life to its fullest!

Posted on March 30, 2010 to Beauty & Wellness Tips  

BEAUTY GETS BACK TO BASICS
I will admit I am not the best at using all-natural products all of the time, but I am learning, and these new products make it easy to make the switch. We can all start incorporating environmentally savvy beauty lines by simply reading the lists of ingredients. But going green can also mean looking for ecofriendly containers that provide more product and require you to use less or packaging designed to be reused or recycled. Here are Pam’s Picks to help save the planet and our skin at the same time. by Pam Hopkins, HRM stylist

Princess Theodora Items:
Serum: This Rejuvenating Rose Serum is packed with essential nutrients and fortifying antioxidants such as Hyaluronic Acid; DMAE; vitamins A, B, C, and E; Alphalipoic Acid; Rosa Damascena; Meadow Foam; and Rose Absolute. These ingredients will assist in the miraculous rejuvenation process of your skin while maintaining an overall youthful appearance. Serum is 100 percent vegan. $158. Princess Theodora, an online company based in Virginia Beach. www.princesstheodora.com. Lotion: Moisturizing Rose Lotion is a wonderful restoring, refining and moisturizing treat for all skin types. An aromatic and super intense blend of softening rose hip oil and rich hibiscus extract packed with DMAE; MSM; vitamins A, B, C, and E; and rose absolute. Lotion is 86 percent organic content, 100 percent vegan. $118. Princess Theodora. Mood Balancing Spray: This mood balancing body mist made with pure jasmine, rose, and neroli oil has the most beneficial effect when sprayed all over the body after a shower, but it can be applied as a refreshing mist any time of the day. Spray is 100 percent vegan. $88. Princess Theodora. Lip Balm: Pamper and nourish your lips with Lip Nourishing Rose Balm. full of miracle ingredients such as sweet almond oil, palm christi oil, jojoba oil, meadowfoam oil, vitamin E, neem oil, rose, tangerine and lime, this lip balm will relieve your lips from dryness and flaking while also giving you a refreshing flavor. Balm is not tested on animals. $38. Princess Theodora.

Posted on March 24, 2010 to Press  

What a wonderful feeling to be able to share with all of you who are reading this column, what I think about Beauty & Wellness!

First of all, please remember now and always:
‘YOU ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL ALREADY!’

As far as I am concerned, age is just a number.

I know most of you don’t want to be reminded that your body goes through a very natural aging process. But this is the course of life and each and every one of you responds and goes through this process differently.

Please keep in mind that there are certain factors, which none of you have any influence about, but certainly affect your skin and its texture and appearance. Such as: Genes, the nutrition you were exposed to from birth, outside circumstances and stressful situations in life over which you had no bearing, illnesses you went through and environmental exposure, depending on what part of the world you live in.

Once matured and aware of your body and its needs, you can very effectively change a lot of your eating, exercising, sleeping and working habits and in the process improve your skin texture and body health gradually from the inside out and slow down the aging process.

Proper skin and body care products will achieve the maximum results only if you continuously work on all the other steps I mentioned before. And of course, don’t forget, every one responds differently to different products.

My philosophy and conclusion is that a positive, constructive and loving attitude towards your body, mind and soul and a proper selection and application of quality products on a daily basis will definitely slow down your natural aging process and let you forget about aging all together and instead allow you to enjoy life and its wonders to the fullest!

You should make it your daily principle to first think and take care of yourself and to cherish the Inner Princess within you!

By doing so, your daily routine, which for most includes balancing busy days between household, family and career, will become much more manageable, productive and joyful…

Posted on January 31, 2010 to Beauty & Wellness Tips  

Dear Inner Princess,

Today is the day where I invite you to join me on my journey of sharing my newly developed line of skin care and all the ideas, inspirations and thoughts that went along by doing so with you and the rest of the world.

Today is the day where I finally arrived home – on my true path, seeking to live a meaningful and purposeful live and to lead my company and foundation in a meaningful and responsible way and true to my purpose for many years to come.

As the CEO of my skin care company I am promising you to strive and dedicate all of my resources to providing the ‘Inner Princess’ in each and every one of you with products that will live up to the highest of standards and achieve the most wonderful, healing and restoring results possible not only for your skin, but also for your body, mind and soul.

As the founder of The Princess Theodora Foundation - ‘Save a Soul’, I vow to never give up the cause closest to my heart: contributing to and raising awareness off the so much needed protection and aid for the most innocent, helpless and vulnerable among us, our best friends, companions and angels in disguise, our animal friends.

It took many years of soul searching to find out who I truly am. After trying out various careers, different paths, relationships and approaches to life I finally came to the conclusion that my true calling is to go back to nature and seek its beauty, healing power and wisdom and  to share my newly gained knowledge and inspiration with all of you.

Yes, I am late bloomer after all. But I finally realized it is never too late to start doing what you truly love doing and to be courageous enough and take a leap of faith by coming out of your shell, making your dreams come true.
And yes, I am ready and up for all the challenges that might lie ahead of me.

The past several months have been very intense and emotional. As I was working around the clock on putting the final touches on the formulations of my skin care products, laying out the ground work and structure for my corporation and foundation and at the same time seeking to define and refine my message through my Web Site, I have to admit that I could not have done it all by myself.

This is why I also would like to take the opportunity and thank my small team of people in the background:

Brandon Costa and Danielle LeComte from Costa Designs, my Web Design Team: thank you so very much for providing me with the platform I needed to express my ideas and feelings and show case my products in the most creative and elegant way possible.

Sandy Greco, my copy writer and editor for most of the content: thank you for listening and understanding my sensitive soul.

Holly Wolfe, my graphic designer: thank you for tuning in with me and providing me with all the suiting label design my product line needed.

Stephanie Frantz, my photographer: you made it all come together and I consider your work the icing and the whipped cream on the cake!

At last, but not least, I want also to thank my husband, Michel, for supporting and encouraging me all these years to get to the bottom of what I really want to do with the rest of my life.
Your good and kind heart, kindred spirit and innocent soul are rarely to be found in a men and I feel truly blessed that you are taking the leap of faith with me on this journey.

And here I am, as a Princess and a grown woman of the 21st century, finally fulfilling my childhood dream of coming to America and opening up to you and sharing with you my harmonious world and peaceful kingdom of the purest and most refined skin care products.

Hopefully over time my brand and what it stands for will become also your sanctuary where you can turn to for high quality products you can trust, where skin rejuvenation and overall well being will become part of your daily life, where you will discover a new source for nurturing your soul, where you will find encouragement for lifting up you self esteem and spirit to whole new levels and where you will get inspired to empower and unleash ‘Your Inner Princess’ and all the wonders and powers that come with it.

What an adventure that would be!

Stay tuned, my dear ‘Inner Princess’! There is much more to come……….

Very truly yours,

Posted on October 06, 2009 to Newsletter