Violet – The Flower and the Scent

Posted on July 20, 2016 by suzannerbanks

I’ve always loved violets. Wild violets, violets on a windowsill, violet ground cover – oh so petite and pretty. When I was bush-walking with my cousin on the weekend I snapped a pretty violet in the wild and it got me remembering ……

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pretty wild violet

Memories of my childhood, nothing specific really, just a general fondness and lovely feelings come to me when I see a violet. I love the delicacy of the flower, the deep rich colour (symbolising the Crown chakra), and the old-fashioned simplicity of the cute little things. I suppose they remind me of my Great Aunt, and other elders passed. I think I had a violet perfume and it could be this one:

The sweet little perfume Devon Violets

I remember this perfume being almost sickly sweet – I don’t think I even liked it! But what I liked was the colour of the bottle, the purple ribbon, and the idea that this came from violets! Well of course there’s no real violet absolute in here, just synthetic fragrance, but at the time I simply assumed it was real. So I over used the perfume, as most young women do, and as a 10-year-old, thought I was marvellous.

Lovely violet ground cover

Fast forward about 20 years, and as I discovered my love for essential oils I came across “violet leaf” absolute. Hardly able to contain my excitement I bought it, only to realise on opening the bottle it was “leaf”, not “petal” or “flower”. This absolute has a place in perfumery, but does not have a solid foundation in aromatherapy. Obtaining a real extract from violets is almost impossible because of the yield ratio – meaning millions of little flowers may yield a tiny amount of absolute, making it hugely expensive. I actually don’t know if anyone makes this, but if they did I probably couldn’t afford it!

As I forge further into botanical perfumery, I hope to add some violet leaf to a new creation – if only for the romantic notion.

My neighbours violets in the rain

I’ve often found describing a scent difficult, so my dear friend Portia Turbo from Australian Perfume Junkies, sums up the tiny violet perfectly:

“Violets are cool, waxy, fresh and crisp to me.

If any flower could simultaneously give the smell of spring and melancholy, I think it’s the humble violet.”

How can I say more?

Do you love violets too?

violet

3 Essential Oils for the Changing Times

Posted on July 6, 2016 by suzannerbanks

Hello natural beauties, we are seeing tumultuous times around the world, and this is just the beginning! War still rages and many people are being controlled and driven by fear. It is a time to look within and evolve! Here are my 3 essential oils to help us see the bigger picture:

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

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and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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frankincense resin burning on charcoal

Frankincense

Keywords: meditation, truth, preservation

This is the one resin and oil that helps us breathe more deeply and slowly, and therefore become more calm. When we are calm and quiet the universe can be revealed to us in profound ways.

This is the essence of truth. The truth of the intricate dynamics of the spec-time structure we live in; the truth about how we interact with our surroundings; and the truth of the fact we are participating in the evolution of humanity.

Use this beautiful oil to deeply ponder the meaning of life. Spread peace and kindness wherever you are.

black pepper

Black Pepper

Keywords: go forward and fulfil your destiny

This beautiful spice creates a wonderful essential oil that is soft in scent, with a powerful message. Black pepper is a warming oil and the oil of courage.

You no longer need to be afraid of this time you are living in. You are here for a purpose. We need you to be courageous and stand up for the betterment of our world.

Accept your destiny NOW! Go forward without delay and be active in your life. In turn you will help others do the same and we can overcome negativity and fear.

Palmarosa in situ – pic via http://www.florihana.com

Palmarosa

Keywords: flexibility, new ideas about love

This oil comes from a grass like lemongrass – with a green, rosy scent. This is a great skin care oil but mostly represents FLEXIBILITY to me.

Bend and flow with each moment in time – do not resist. “Resistance is futile”, say The BORG from Star Trek. However instead of hostile take-overs, palmarosa will help your outlook, allow you to be willing to see others points of view, and do it all with sweetness, light, and love.

Extend your energy to others, work with those around you, and inspire them to be flexible too.

The POWER Blend

Diffuser:

Frankincense 10 drops

Palmarosa 8 drops

Black pepper 7 drops

Perfume:

in a little carrier oil add

Frankincense 1 drop

Palmarosa 1 drop

Only add 1 drop of Black Pepper if you are NOT sensitive, Patch test first

Body Oil

in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil add:

Palmarosa 4 drops

Frankincense 3 drops

Black Pepper 1 drops

German Chamomile and Roman chamomile are both great for stress

What oils are supporting you right now?

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

Osmanthus – Heaven on Earth

Posted on May 18, 2016 by suzannerbanks

I walked past the osmanthus bush in the back lane today. It’s in bloom, in a warm Sydney autumn. I don’t know how I can endeavour to explain to you how beautifully mesmerising the scent of this plant is – but I’ll try.

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

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and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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Osmanthus fragrans

Here it is! Osmanthus fragrans, part of the Oleacae family. What else belongs in this family? Oleander, olives and jasmine.

As a small white flower (depending on the species the flowers can also be orange), just like jasmine, it’s hard to believe the intoxicating scent is so powerful. But it is.

Imagine jasmine, gardenia, frangipani all rolled into one, then add apricots, the secrets of the universe and unicorns, and you may come slightly closer toward this deep exotic floral perfume.

The leaf

“Osmanthus fragrans flowers are also known as gui hua. These tiny dried yellow blossoms are among China’s most heady and intoxicating flower blossom fragrances. China’s great flower-scented teas were developed during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Osmanthus, jasmine, rose, orchid, lotus, gardenia and wintersweet were all used to delicately scent batches of tea.”

Jann Erik Nilsson

Flower in broad daylight

“Osmanthus fragrans is associated with a number of Lunar legends in China, which makes it symbolic at the time of the Chinese Moon Festival which is held in September under the symbol of Osmanthus Flower and is also called Osmanthus Festival.

In the warmer parts of China, the plant continues to bloom non-stop throughout the winter to spring. During the nights of the peak season for the flower, Chinese families used to gather in their yards to eat moon cakes, while the grandmother of the family told traditional stories about the Moon, the sweet Osmanthus and the figures of Chinese legends.

According to those legends, there live on the Moon the Fairy Chang E and a Jade Rabbit which is Chang E’s pet, a Giant named Wu Gang and a huge Osmanthus Tree (Osmonth).”

Jann Erik Nilsson

The bush in the back lane

Osmanthus is a native of Asia, particularly China and Japan, and is even the mascot tree for some cities in both these countries. Having said that, this pic above was taken in the back lane today. The end of Autumn and 27 degrees. Hello global warming!

I have walked this lane for the past 10 years, never knowing what the beautiful scent was. I am embarrassed to tell you abut a year ago, I had to ask a natural perfumery group the question – “what is this plant?” As soon as I found out, I realised I had detected the scent many times before in various locations. I had always thought it was coming from this palm ……

The palm

Osmanthus is sold as an absolute and it’s often expensive. I’ve seen it advertised from as much as $32 for 1ml, $121 for 1gm, and as little as $22 for 10 mls. This is definitely an oil I’d encourage you to try.

So there you have it – from scented Ming Dynasty teas to lunar legends, this flower is beloved of the world. If I’ve helped one person discover this wonderful tree and perfume, it’s a job well done I reckon.

Thanks again lovely readers. Do you have a favourite scented plant?

Roses Are Always the Queens

Video

Hello lovers of beauty and scent! I have recently experienced some beautiful roses – the old fashioned kind you might find in a suburban garden. The shape and colours are as diverse as the magnificent fragrance emanating from the petals. Here are a few of my finds …

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

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and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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Last week I was in Goulburn, a country town about 2 hours south-west of Sydney. It has beautiful architecture and a gorgeous park right in the centre. There is a lovely rose garden in the park, and I set about smelling all the roses that were blooming. It was a warm autumn day and these apricot roses were divinely fragrant ….

A different rose, in the same park, about 2 years ago

A beautiful bunch of small roses at my friends house a couple of weeks ago were so beautifully perfumed- often the little roses don’t have a scent.

Little roses, big scent

When we acknowledge the beauty of a rose, we acknowledge the beauty within us.

The rose is the Queen.

Embrace roses and rose essential oil to enhance your experiences.

You are the Queen of your life – play this audio to remind yourself!

A bunch of mixed roses in a cafe. The large pink rose had a mild scent but the little white ones didn’t

And finally, the rose leaves us another gift when she returns to back to where she came from – the rosehip. This fruit grows after the flower has died, and gives us wonderful rosehip oil – the perfect skin moisturiser.

Rosehip in a back lane in Sydney

Thank you roses.

Myrrh Doesn’t Really Want to be an Essential Oil

Video

Hi aromatic geniuses! I was making a perfume today and a few drops of myrrh is in the recipe. I realised last week I’d run out, and had to rush to the shop to buy a little bottle, late Friday afternoon. Anyway, patience is a virtue when it comes to myrrh.

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

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and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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Here’s the thing….. myrrh is a resin that’s tapped from the tree. It is then steam distilled into an essential oil for us to use in our healing lotions and potions.

But the older the little bottle of myrrh gets, the thicker and more gooey the oil gets.

myrrh resin – pic via Pinterest

Initially the deep red oil, distilled from the deep red resin, is thin and easy to use.

Then, in all its power, it starts to harden up. Commiphora myrrha (or Commiphora molmol), really just wants to be a resin. So when I was making my perfume I had to take the plastic dropper out of the bottle, soak it in boiling water to clear the resin from it, and use an eye dropper to get a couple of drops. (This is after waiting for about 5 minutes for one drop to comes out of the bottle – ugh!).

Check out my video on myrrh, and how I feel about The Man with Two Brains:

the resin of myrrh

It is related to frankincense, as they belong to the same family, Burseraceae, but they really behave differently, Frankincense is quite happy being an oil thank you very much.

Myrrh is the healer of wounds. This makes sense when we look at its strength and its overwhelming desire to get back to its natural state. By healing a wound (whether emotional, spiritual or physical), we are returning to our natural state of health.

Do you use myrrh oil? Or do you prefer to burn the resin as an incense?

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

An Aromatic Sign from the Universe

Posted on April 13, 2016 by suzannerbanks

Hello dear friends. Today I saw a sign. An Aromatic sign. What was it’s meaning? Was I the only person that saw it? Read on to find out more …

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

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and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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Rosemary on the hospital lobby floor

I was leaving a busy Sydney hospital this morning, and as I was walking and looking down I saw this sprig of rosemary.

Initially I thought “take a pic”, but kept walking.

A second later I said to myself “you’re an Aromatherapist its your duty to show respect”.

I walked back and took this photo.

I thanked the rosemary.

I watched as people walked around it for a few minutes.

I wondered if they were also showing respect to this powerful plant.

I saw a sign. I wonder if anyone else did?

Flowering rosemary in dappled sunlight at Hyams beach

Rosemary = remember.

Remember? Huh? Remember what?

“Remember” is a term often used by spiritual people, spiritual movements and those on the path of evolution to signify that we have been here before. It may be in a parallel universe, and/or a multidimensional existence in all directions of space-time. It can be seen as a tool to stimulate DNA evolution and therefore the evolution of mankind into the next age on earth.

Rosemary is also used in aromatherapy to stimulate memory and brain function, to warm the muscles and stimulate blood flow to all parts of the body.

So whatever you believe, rosemary is sent to help us remember something and get moving.

Flowering rosemary in my client’s garden

I need to remember how fortunate I am, with every breath.

What do you need to remember today?

Ode to Lavender

Posted on March 16, 2016 by suzannerbanks

I can’t help myself when I see lavender – I MUST take a pic! I MUST behold it’s beauty and power! I MUST stand in its presence, if only for a few seconds. There is something wonderful, almost magical about this flower named by the Romans after the word ‘lavare“, meaning “to wash”. This beautiful herb has a long history with humans – cleansing, fortifying and healing us.

All hail lavender!

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

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and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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Caught on camera somewhere in Sydney

Forgiveness is the smell that lavender gives out when you tread on it

Mark Twain

it always seems to me as if the lavender was a little woman in a green dress, with a lavender bonnet and a white kerchief. She’s one of those strong, sweet, wholesome people, who always rest you, and her sweetness lingers long after she goes away.

Myrtle Reed

The Pobble who has no toes
Had once as many as we;
When they said, ‘Some day you may lose them all;’–
He replied, — ‘Fish fiddle de-dee!’
And his Aunt Jobiska made him drink,
Lavender water tinged with pink,
For she said, ‘The World in general knows
There’s nothing so good for a Pobble’s toes!’

Edward Lear

Lavender at my local market

The Legend of Four Thieves Vinegar

One version goes that in the 1630’s, when the plague was raging in France, the town of Toulouse was beset with looters. Four looters were apprehended, but rather than punish them, the judge offered them a deal. Amazed at their continued health after wandering though homes and businesses abandoned by their terrified (or dead) owners, the judge offered to let the thieves go if they gave him the secret of their resistance to the plague.

What was their famous secret? It was a vinegar made from thyme, rosemary, sage, and lavender. This infusion was termed thieves vinegar. Although garlic was added to the mixture later, this basic infusion became famous and was used for hundreds of years across Europe, both internally and externally, to provide protection from the dreaded plague.

http://theherbgardener.blogspot.com.au

To make a perfume, take some rose water and wash your hands in it, then take a lavender flower and rub it with your palms, and you will achieve the desired effect

Leonardo da Vinci

lovely lavender

But you, you foolish girl, you have gone home to a leaky castle across the sea to lie awake in linen smelling of lavender, and hear the nightingale, and long for me.

Edna St. Vincent Millay

“London life was very full and exciting […] But in London there would be no greenhouse with a glossy tank, and no apple-room, and no potting-shed, earthy and warm, with bunches of poppy heads hanging from the ceiling, and sunflower seeds in a wooden box, and bulbs in thick paper bags, and hanks of tarred string, and lavender drying on a tea-tray.”

Sylvia Townsend Warner

Lavender’s blue, dilly, dilly, lavender’s green

When I am king, dilly, dilly, You shall be queen

Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so?

‘Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so

Old English folk song and poem

Lavender in Sydney

Lavender is the little black dress of the wardrobe

Suzanne R Banks

Do you love lavender?

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

10 Recipes with Cedarwood Atlas Essential Oil – Cedrus atlantica

Posted on February 17, 2016 by suzannerbanks

Hello natural scent lovers. It’s been a while since I’ve done a “10 Recipes” post and this gorgeous cedarwood is next on the list. This is a true cedarwood, unlike the more common cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana), which as you can probably tell, is a juniper. Lets get into some recipes ….

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

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and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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Atlantic cedar

Cedarwood is a great oil that blends well with so many others. As a wood oil it is considered a ‘base’ and in this way can anchor a blend, and help lighter oils from flying away too quickly.

In aromatherapy cedarwood is used:

as an astringent for oily skin
as a hair and skin tonic
for stress relief

I use it for the above and also as an oil of abundance. Yesterday I used it with a client who was quite tired and it helped her relax and get back to her base energy levels, rather than running on Adrenalin and stress. It was very comforting too.

Sexy black diffuser from puzhen.com

Scent Your Space

In a traditional oil burner with a candle or a diffuser add 25 drops of oil

Mountain High

Cedarwood Atlas 8 drops

Lime 8 drops

Pine 5 drops

Siberian Fir 4 drops

Faeries

Cedarwood Atlas 6 drops

Rose Geranium 6 drops

Palmarosa 10 drops

Cypress 3 drops

The Only Way is Up

Cedarwood Atlas 7 drops

Spearmint 7 drops

Mandarin 6 drops

Cinnamon 5 drops

Treat your face – its lovely!

Facial Oil Treatment

Mix one or two drops of essential oil in one teaspoon of carrier oil. You can warm the oil slightly first if desired – it will be very relaxing! Massage your face and rest for 10 minutes. You can also place a cool or warm wet face cloth on your face as a compress over the oil mask. Remove excess oil with a tissue or cloth if necessary.

Cedarwood Atlas 1 drop

Frankincense 1 drop

Sea salt – pic via cooks.ndtv.com

Skin Scrub

Use 2 cups of fine sea salt, add some unperformed lotion, or some carrier oil, mix into a paste and then add your essential oils (only a few drops). You’re ready to scrub under the shower or in the bath, but remember to be gentle! If you use the scrub while standing in the bath you can then soak in the salt and oils too. When you shower scrub most of it gets wasted.

Oh Yeah!

Cedarwood Atlas 2 drops

Orange 2 drops

Date Night

Cedarwood Atlas 1 drop

Patchouli 1 drop

Ylang Ylang 2 drops

Anoint yourself with pure essential oil blends

Pure Pulse Point Perfume

In a little dish mix these oils and anoint your pulse points or chakras – 3 drops of essential oils and dilute with a few drops of carrier oil – always patch test first!

Putting Myself First Today

Cedarwood Atlas 1 drop

Geranium 1 drop

Ginger 1 drop

Get Going!

Cedarwood Atlas 1 drop

Lemongrass 2 drops

Cruise

Cedarwood Atlas 1 drop

Bergamot 1 drop

Peru Balsam 1 drop

Wish Upon a Star

Cedarwood Atlas 1 drop

Basil 1 drop

Lavender 1 drop

Happy blending and remember to use your intention when you are creating your formulas. See my article about intention.

How do you love using Cedarwood?

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

Be The Queen of Your Life

Video

Hello natural beauties! I have just done a couple of live TV shows on TVSN in Sydney, as Brand Ambassador for Springfields Aromatherapy, and their beautiful skincare. This week we featured the Rose Collection, so it was easy to talk about beautiful organic Bulgarian rose oil.

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble Booktopia AU Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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My dressing room for the day – feeling nervous

Live TV is nerve-wracking! The presenters are professionals and can turn it on quite quickly. I, on the other hand, found it challenging to be succinct and precise while going with the flow. Anyway it’s over now – phew!

I talked about rose oil as being “the Queen of Oils” due to its complex molecular structure and the fact that it is a “premium” essential oil. It is very expensive because the production of the Attar of Roses, or Rose Otto (meaning steam distilled rose oil), is very labour intensive. It can take 5000 kgs to make 1 kg of essential oil – or more – depending on the harvest, the size of the flowers and other variables. After all this is a natural product and we are subject to the ebb and flow of nature.

Rose is the Queen of oils

Using the Queen of Oils sends a positive energetic message to your soul – I am the Queen of my life. When I treat myself as a Queen, I am not the only one who benefits. I have more to share with others when I acknowledge my divinty.

My good friend Darryl, The Vitalist, took a sound grab from the TV. Thanks Darryl:

In my practice I use rose oil:

help the body deal with excess heat
help dry, mature, and sun damaged skin
help a client deal with grief
help a client process difficult emotions
allow the heart to open
acknowledge a client’s success or fears around a challenge ahead

More beautiful roses from my recent trip to New Zealand

As rose oil is expensive it is usually sold in a 3% blend in jojoba which is perfect to use straight on your skin as a perfume. If you are fortunate to have a pure rose oil then even 1 drop can be enough to soothe your soul, uplift your emotions, clarify your mind and help you feel abundant in many ways.

Me and Sarah on set

After the shows I was met by Springfields owner Rodney, with chocolates and flowers from the new Springfields garden. I hope to follow this story more closely as time goes on as Rodney has started the process of preparing the garden, which will grow the plants that will be hrvested to make botanical extracts for the skincare products. I’m excited about that!

Rodney from Springfields with dahlias and lavender from the new garden

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

Have you ever used rose oil? What are your experiences?

The Persian Garden – Cruising on the Celebrity Solstice with Eucalyptus Oil – Video

Video

Hello friends! I missed a post last week all caught up in summer in Sydney, parties with visiting DJ’s and singers, and the beach. This week I share a moment in time on the cruise ship the Celebrity Solstice, where I was excited to discover a eucalyptus infused steam room and sauna, sailing home from New Caledonia.

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble Booktopia AU Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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The theme of this little video is “aromatherapy is easy” …

And just to prove it here is a pic of my good friend DJ Wayne G (DJ WAYNE G) from San Francisco, playing tunes on New Years Day:

Me and Wayne at the start of a party

And me with other incredibly talented friends, singer and recording artist Peyton (Peyton Music) and travel writer and blogger Amanda (Adventures All Round). It was dark so I had to do a few little adjustments including some stars and fireworks too …

Friends

Thanks for your time! Have you been to a spa on a cruise? I’d love to hear about it.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

copryright SR Banks 2015

suzannerbanks

scent . intention . consciousness . essential oils

Category Archives: Essential Oil Profiles

Violet – The Flower and the Scent

3 Essential Oils for the Changing Times

Osmanthus – Heaven on Earth

Roses Are Always the Queens

Video

Myrrh Doesn’t Really Want to be an Essential Oil

Video

An Aromatic Sign from the Universe

Ode to Lavender

10 Recipes with Cedarwood Atlas Essential Oil – Cedrus atlantica

Be The Queen of Your Life

Video

The Persian Garden – Cruising on the Celebrity Solstice with Eucalyptus Oil – Video

Video

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