"Life is a journey, life is what you make of it, look at the glass half full, every cloud has a silver lining," all these quotes out in the universe must be there for a reason, right? They are so easy to say to someone else going through turmoil, but when turmoil lands in your lap, do we go to what we preach or do we get on the pity train? 

This is what I have loved about this flood experience at our Bristol spa. The proof that my personal work on myself over the last 20 years, reading books by Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Louise Hay, David Richo and the endless supply of self help books out there kicked in a positive patty outlook in what could otherwise be viewed as a dismal situation.

I learned that the culture I have created with my team kicked in a We Can attitude that continues 12 weeks later. The alayne white spa goddess team has been calm, creative and focused during this transition of having a lovely place to work filled with clients to a makeshift space with great clients willing to do whatever it takes to help us get back up and running.

What’s taking so long is probably going through your minds? 

I’ll use the water as a metaphor. First you have to mop it up, assess the situation, call upon the powers that be to assist, and most importantly give it time to dry. During the drying time, things come up, smells, continued leaks, minor fixes, band aids to hold you over while you are waiting for everything to return to normal. All part of the drying out process and because I have been really conditioning my mind to work on paying attention to signs, no matter how seemingly insignificant, I have remained steadfast in paying attention. This is how the move came about. I realized that I have been renting space for almost 11 years, and the opportunity came up to buy something that I could own on my own for both my business and my residence. As a single woman, single mother, entrepreneur, community activist, I could not pass up the opportunity and took a huge leap of faith and made an offer, it was accepted, all financing was approved and we are in negotiation for the appraisal.

This takes a lot longer than the neat little fantasy sale I had worked out in my mind, but I continue to believe that it will come to fruition at exactly the right time. Meanwhile, we may be able to use our original space in Bristol due to the generosity of my landlord who is willing to put it back to normal to hold us over until the transaction is finalized. Once again, proof that everything is happening the way it is supposed to be happening,

I honestly never imagined that owning a business could be such a deep instrument for both the education it provides me and the deep life lessons I continue to learn both professionally and personally. What I have learned in this process is that sometimes waiting is exactly what I am supposed to be doing, seeing what is stirring under the surface without my knowledge. Teaching me to meditate even for just 5 minutes morning and night, instructing me to breathe, to exercise, to eat clean and most importantly live in the NOW and BREATHE knowing that everything always works out exactly the way it is supposed to if you first do the work and then surrender it when you have no more control.

I love knowing that I am on purpose and that I lead a team to believe that they too are on purpose and that they can create that same feeling for our clients. 

We could all use a little more calmness in our busy worlds, yes?

In the midst of all of this seeming chaos, we have managed to find the beauty of our purpose, reinvent who we are as a business and a team and our amazing clients will ultimately be the beneficiaries of all this goodness and gratitude.

We thank you again for your patience and your belief in us and we are so glad you are on the ride with us.

Our business was going along great, our team was really happy, we were actively hiring more team members to satisfy the ever-growing demand for our services and our clients couldn't say enough nice things about us in their lovely positive testimonials.

We had 2 locations, providence for almost 6 years and Bristol for almost 11 years in the same locations.

Then on February 10, Storm Nemo happened and everything changed in our brsitol location because the hotel that our business resides in pipes burst flooding part of our lovely space and damaging our heating system.

I have learned to look at life through positive patty glasses. I had never once thought, poor me, poor us. I looked at this as an opportunity to refocus our vision and decide if this was a sign that it was time for a nice big forced change.

After dealing with the insurance settling as this takes way more time than I imagined, it gave me some time to think about moving and then a few opportunities came up and here we are. 12 WEEKS LATER AND WE ARE MOVING.

I love the cliché quote, "when life hands you lemons, make lemonade." I also live by the wisdom filled quote of Wayne Dyer, " When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." I live my life this way.

Our business in Bristol is changing. After 11 years, 3 expansions, a second successful location, it is time. Whether forced by the winds of nature or some karmic power, I believe that change is good for the soul no matter what. It stirs, it unsettles, it wakes us up and demands attention. Our changes coming are exciting and energizing. We are staying in downtown Bristol, we are waiting patiently for the final word on some property I am purchasing where we are going to create a space that not only brings you the services and care you have come to expect from us, but with added programs that will change the way you deal with your life personally.

I appreciate your patience, your enthusisasm, your excitement.

Great things are on their way and I am so happy you are along for the ride.

Stay tuned, watch us on facebook, twitter, emails and of course the ever present word on the street.

Life is grand, isn't it? I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE TWISTS AND TURNS that show up unexpectedly in our lives. It is what we do with them that makes us who we are and how we live in this beautiful place we call earth.

Keep an eye on our FB wall in the coming weeks. We'll be spotlighting all of the wonderful goddesses that make up our spa family. Bristol goddesses who have been rearranging their lives to work in Providence, and to make all the necessary adjustments to keep treatments running smoothly in Bristol. And the goddesses in Providence who have opened their arms to our Bristol staff and our customers. We have extended our hours in Providence and BOY are you guys filling up the schedule!

And YES, we are here in Bristol! We can't do everything just yet, but if you call to make an appointment, we can work with you and make sure that you're all set. Don't be alarmed that the online scheduling for Bristol is frozen. It just means that we want to talk to you on the phone to make sure you know about our 'situation' and that you get the experience that you expecting. (And if you are worried that you miss out on the JOY discount in Bristol if you call to book - don't fret. While we have the scheduling down, we are entering that discount for you!)

AND, we're not just talking about our goddesses on FB. We're talking about you, our friends! We've also got a little love-fest going on in our spas. If you check in on FB when you are checking out at the spa - and tell/show us - we'll be giving you a little gift to say thanks. It's the least we can do.

So, stay tuned. We have lots to announce and share with all of you. Spring is here and we've got big things just starting to sprout!

Needless to say our focus is to get up and 100% running and this is going to take about 12 weeks! Fortunately, we have amazing insurance, (thank you Selective and John Andrade Insurance) and more importantly an amazing team. We have added hours in our Providence location and are doing our best to service our clients the way you are all used to. For now we are offering limited services in Bristol, our shorter services like good old fashined facials, pedicures, waxing, peels, lash tints. Not as quiet, but still private and still fun, be part of the party, the best is yet to come.

Pictures of the GREAT FLOOD....

a drawer in our beloved pedicure room

our recently upolstered chaise lounge. water logged beyond repair.

our underground area where our now defunct heating ac system rests in peace.

the pedicure room

our beautiful collection of foot pictures out to dry

and pictures of the newer space we are temporarily operating in.some of my amaing team in the new space in bristol. in happier days....

happy clients in the new space, curtains behind are the rooms in which we are using for our services.

Not to bore you with the saga any further, but we thank you all for your patience in this process. This is the first time in almost 11 years that anything like this has ever happened and we are all trying to figure ut out. Here is a testimonial from a client who recently came in for a service in one of our temporary rooms

"Bravo! Ashley did not miss a beat in the modified accommodations.
Wonderful as usual.
Hope your problems end soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please keep me posted.
See you soon.
Much fondness,
Kathy"

Honestly, no one was injured, no lives lost, this is small compared to what has happened in other places. I am grateful. I feel that the pipes bursting have led to brighter opportunnities and challenges that I personally love to be a part of. THE ALAYNE WHITE SPA TEAM continue to blow my mind as everything for them has changed, their schedules, their hours, their plans and they have risen to the occasion. Our clients and the community have been lovely and kind and for this all I am so happy to own a business in this state.

THANK YOU.

here is a nice picture of part of my team of 25 lovely women, thank you to all of them for being so incredible during this time.

Below is a partial list of organizations and events Alayne White has supported.

    •    Keller WIlliams Realty
    •    St. Philomena School
    •    Camp Surefire Foundation
    •    Charter Care Health Partners
    •    Michael J. Mercurio Scholarship Foundation
    •    CODAC Behavioral Healthcare
    •    Bristol Rotary Club
    •    Bristol 4th of July Committee
    •    Water for Cambodia
    •    The Race for Matt and Grace Committee
    •    Herreshoff Marine Museum
    •    Special Olympics Rhode Island
    •    The Fly Foundation
    •    Bristol Warren Education Foundation
    •    The Miriam Hospital
    •    East Bay Sailing Foundation
    •    Barrington Early Childhood Center
    •    Big Sisters of Rhode Island
    •    Roger Williams University
    •    Our Lady of Fatima High School
    •    Portsmouth Abbey
    •    Olivia's Heart Fund
    •    Hathaway Elementary Parent's Association
    •    American Heart Association
    •    Boys Town New England
    •    Haiti Charity Hope Foundation
    •    Megastar Productions, INC.
    •    Hair, Heart, and Soul
    •    East Bay Food Pantry
    •    Forever Paws Animal Shelter
    •    International Women's Day
    •    Jamestown Education Foundation
    •    American Cancer Society
    •    Saint Alexander's Church
    •    Bristol Good Neighbors
    •    Interweave
    •    NCBR Scholarship Committee
    •    Women's Council of Realtors
    •    Rhode Islanders Sponsoring Education
    •    Elmhurst Extended Care
    •    National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Most women breathe unconsciously, shallow, quick, light. We are on the fly so why wouldn’t we breathe from the tops of our bodies. Deep breath is grounding. Notice your breath today, right now.  Notice how it enters, how it travels, how it leaves. Can you pay attention to the space between the breath entering and leaving?

An easy New Years Resolution can be just simply creating an awareness of the humbling power of breath. Here is a simple short very homemade video of a demonstration. (Pardon the rawness of it, but it was the wee hour of the morning and the mood struck.) Read on for some more tips for this New Year, let this be the year of you. May it be a healthy and joyful one.

So here is the idea. I want to create an awareness movement. I 'd like to simply start with awareness of our breath and our daily breathing. I want us to be in awe of our breath and how much we need it, how much we take it for granted and how lovely it is to wake up one morning with a consciousness of our wondrous and free breath. Ours for the taking, Imagine. We have the ability to access calmness anytime of the day. Breath is free. All it takes is some practice and some awareness and bingo, you have a moment to yourself that brings you right home. TO YOU. I am uploading some smiley photos of people who make me breathe happily and joyfully. Take a breath. Pay attention. Notice the insides of you today and see what its wisdom teaches.

so working on this project makes me breathe, it is a blend of all the broekn dishes, broken jewelery, and other mish mash things that i love but are past repair but I can't throw out. What brings you to the place of being in the present?

my dog frankie, who i rescued from the pound 4 years ago makes me breathe. there is nothing like a pet for some serious awareness.

friends and family, my aunt paula and my dear friend, ro.

Some of the lovely team at alayne white spa. l-r, alison, susan, ashley and jenna. They breathe with me and from them i am reminded of the privilege of leadership and serving.

my grandmother's mirror from florence, oliviagird.com

Gratitude is something we hear about a lot around Thanksgiving time. I love the excuse to talk about gratitude as I think it is one of the best ways to reduce stress and ease your mind in times of turmoil.

This quote sums it up from an author unknown; “Be thankful for the bad things in life, for they open your eyes to the good things you weren’t paying attention to before.”

I have found that owning a business has such moments of stress that it is easy to send myself into a tailspin and focus on the things that are not happening at the speed of light that I desire.

I have spent countless hours fretting over the little things that ultimately become insignificant when time takes its natural course. The discipline of gratitude and recalling all the things that I am thankful for has an immediate calming effect that it is almost like I went for a spa treatment at my spa.

So here I sit at the famous 3:00am hour wide awake, writing because that is what I am called to do rather than sleep. I am listening to Gabriela Montero, Albinoni Adagio; Baroque. The sounds of the piano at this witching hour make me take a deep breath. I look around my bedroom and notice the display of photos of my brother, Michael, who passed away 17 years ago this Nov 20. I look at my space and notice how far I have come in my 47 ½ years. I look at my dog sleeping quietly next to me. I spot my grandmother’s mirror she bought in Florence when she was probably my age trying to find herself as a woman and a mother and wife. I pause at the magnitude of life’s lessons and the journey it presents to me when I take a moment to stop the cyclone that goes on in my head and take a wondrous look.

this sun my brother drew before he died, i love it. it makes me so happy and grateful for the life we shared, albeit short, but ohhh so sweet.

the lovely place i lived for 2 years, (thank you jackie!)

Gratitude is such a simple gift, like a breath, it causes us to immediately bring our worrisome hearts into the blessed present. The only place we know, the now. Not tomorrow, not yesterday. None if it matters. This moment is the best moment when we simply invite its beauty into our hearts and give it a big warm mushy hug.

So often I hear from friends and team that they have heard clients ask if there is an alayne white? I always smile with deep gratitude at that question because my intention when I opened my business was to get people to think that my spas were a brand rather than a person, the great news is it worked. But for those of you out there who want to know me here is my start, my start of my thankfulness list.

So here is the start of my long list, what is yours? Send it to me, comment on this page and let’s spread the love.

I am grateful for:

My stunning team that works tirelessly for my business because they believe in me and they believe in what we do everyday.

Gina, my cousin, who has worked for me and with me since I opened in 2002. She is one of my biggest fans, supporters and friends and I honestly could not live my life the way I do without her presence in my life.

My friends and their patience with my shortness of time as I go spinning through the world at mega rpms with non stop ideas, plans and general busy-ness. I may not always have the time to have lunch or dinner, but I am in constant awe of my girlfriends who always call me or text me reminding me to remember the important people.

New friends

My son, Michael who continues to teach me life lessons beyond my years. His wisdom, his maturity, his beauty and kind heart are elements of him that I am so incredibly proud of. He never ceases to amaze me.

my grandparents and michael holding their wedding photo from 70 years ago!

My family, especially my mother, the foundation parent, the relationship where all other relationships grow from. I learn so much about myself through my root connection with her. My grandparents who are the trunk of the tree that has given me the guidance and strength to move towards the light and my aunt Kiley who is my light. The sun who makes the leaves on the tree blossom, evolve and move on.i am in awe.

This song that just came on, Alexi Murdoch, Orange Sky from the album, Away We Go. (yes I just said album, but you know what I mean.) I am grateful for my partner, as I am reminded that everytime this song comes on the radio, he will drop whatever he is doing and dance with me in the kitchen. I am so blessed to be with the person I was meant to be with.

My health, especially when I developed heartburn this past week for the first time in my world, I am grateful for the wisdom and intelligence to look for answers to help this issue holistically. I love how all the answers start to avail themselves to me when I open my eyes to the light.

Sarah Brightman, In Trutina, from Time To Say Good-bye, one of the most beautiful voices to hear at 3:15am.

Abundant thoughts. Remembering to think abundantly, “There is more than enough for everyone and I am always divinely provided for.” Anytime I ever go into a lack thought, I have trained myself to replace it immediately with this. Take a look at the quantity of sand and rocks on the beach, take a look at how much water is in the oceans. There is plenty.

I am grateful for my former husband. I was married for 20 years and we share our son and some really lovely times together. I grew in my marriage, I gained  a sense of self confidence and maturity from the good and the not so good and I will always hold a dear place in my heart for all of the lessons I learned from a 20 year relationship. If you are going through a divorce, try to remember to stay calm and grateful and keep your ego and resentment way away, it helps nothing and will only weaken your energy field (and your kids if you have them) Calmness during a crisis and trauma is the best medicine for healing and it teaches your children by example no matter what the other person is doing. Pain creates emotions many people are ill prepared to cope with and patience and calmness takes care of you during it.

I am grateful for shelter, warmth, a warm bed, a dry space.

Our clients who continue to support our business with enthusiasm and joy.

alayne and her great friend and client, janey

The vendors I do business with who trust me to pay them timely.

I am so grateful for the gift of gab and writing as these are two assets that really propel me in the world.

making hamburgers for all of michael's friends on a warm summer night.

WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY? WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? WHAT IS HAPPY ANYWAY?

new girlfriends

I post this question to so many of you out there wondering what is happiness and joy? I am posting a few of my favorite pictures up from the summer with some of my favorite peeps.

my grandmother (92, almost) and me

Then if you have the patience to read on, I talk about your skin which hopefully makes you happy. If not, READ ON.

traveling with great friends...

End of the summer, October is here, beach weather for the most part has come to an end and now you may be taking a look at yourself in the mirror and you may be realizing that all that fun in the sun was not such a good idea for your skin.

As I have said in past blogs, I love the beach. What the beach does for me psychologically, I can rationalize the bad stuff it likely is doing to my almost 50 year old skin.

Here are my suggestions for post summer, pre winter skin care.

SKIN CARE:

Move your regimen up a notch. You won’t be as oily or shiny pretty soon, so moving your super sudsy cleanser and super light moisturizer to the closet for the winter and upgrading to something with a little more ( or a lot more in some cases) moisture is a great idea. Dermalogica has great levels of moisturizers and cleansers and one of our fabulous spa goddesses can easily help you change up your routine. My personal favorite is ESSENTIAL CLEANSING SOLUTION, but this is not for the lighthearted. It is a super rich but very water soluble cleanser that I simply cannot live without.

Some other great cleansers are Special Cleansing Gel, a lighter sudsy cleanser great for normal – oily skin, and Ultra Calming Cleanser for the more sensitive types.

If you don’t want to totally change your cleanser you are comfortable with, you an always add a treatment cleanser that has a little more guts to it but not necessarily for everyday use.

Moisturizers are personal. My favorite is Earth Essence Wonder Cream, handmade by my lovely friend and colleague, Marlene and it will change your dry skin life if you like a shinier more luminous look. There are at least 7 Dermalogica moisturizers to choose from, something for everyone. But please, if I have taught you anything over the years, use one, it make such a difference when you use a moisturizer. So important to keep the skin balanced and under control.

Women always ask me what to do about those pesky wrinkles… Enjoy them, that is what I scream from the rooftops. Smile more, laugh a lot, lighten up, moisturize and your skin will show its loveliness more than any expensive product.

TREATMENTS

Schedule a facial. This will get you on track for your fall winter regimen, it will relax you. A facial (at alayne white spa) is so much more than what you may think. Just ask one of the thousands of clients who come to us regularly. We have hundreds of testimonials. I recommend a BEST FACIAL with a Multi Peel. One of my absolute favorite treatments. When you leave, make another appointment 4 weeks from then for a Multi Peel with Oatmeal. WOW. Your skin will shine and illuminate like the stars in the sky.

my dog, frankie

QUOTE

I love great quotes and here is one of my all time favorites.

“Whether you think you can or you can’t, you are right.” Henry Ford.

Have a splendid month, thank you for your business and tell all your friends.

I love to cook and bake, here are 2 of my favorite appliances, pans to cook with. Cooking makes me happy. what makes you happy? let me know... alayne@alaynewhite.com