Juniper Spa & Body

Wowwww —look!! You’re all just as beautiful as I remember 🥰

Here I am, once again, attempting to “tiptoe through the tulips” of this funny space called Social Media….I’m not too proud to admit that I def had to sit for more seconds than I’d like trying to remember how to even post something….*embarrassing!*

I’d realized all too late that the month of February marked 8 years in business for me —and yes, I absolutely *did* have to check my calendar about 12 million times to confirm that!! It hardly feels real that much time has passed since Juniper’s humble beginning, and as I sat in my little studio space the other day soaking that crazy fact in, I reflected on the literally staggering amount of goodness, generosity, love, support, and friendship from my family, friends, and community that got me here. The last few years of this incredible adventure have, by far, been my most challenging….but it’s been the enduring purpose that serving this community has continually reminded me of, and called me back to, that kept my eyes dead-set on the horizon —and I couldn’t possibly feel more overflow of reverence & gratitude for every.single.bit of it.

I’ve shared this with a few people over the years, but it’s something that has rung loudly between my ears through every single moment of “growing pain” I’ve ever had….Something my Dad said to me in high school when I was failing math for what felt like the *ten-thousandth* time….when those “problems” felt unsolvable, or progress stagnant: “Iron is only made stronger when continually subjected to some of the hottest fires….it takes heat, pressure, and patience to be forged” —and you know what? I think those flames we’ve all walked through, both independently & together, have resulted in some Excalibur level strength, resilience, and fortitude (Also, yeah.…he’s chock-full of some solid wisdom and is pretty much the Mickey to my Rocky Balboa!).

As I look forward with wild anticipation to the next 8 years and beyond, I know that even when the flames get to feeling a lil extra spicy, it’s the HEAT which creates that sharp-ass blade, my Jewels…..So go bump that needle & chase that progress with every fiber of your being —and don’t forget to tell ‘em who sent you 💗⚔️🔥

📸:

I think it’s safe to say that a little “side eye” is warranted as we head into this new year 😂, BUT I’m keeping my hands and heart open to both receive *and* build the better things that are to come, and it’s sincerely my greatest hope that you do, too!!

Truly, some of my most formative life lessons arrived this year —which is a little crazy to admit!! It also reminded me that we CAN rise through difficult times, if we do it together. Community has sustained me in so many ways, and I realized that even with the most stringent work ethic, it takes love, compassion, care, and connection to fully thrive. What is achievement if you don’t share it with others along the way?! It can still feel good, but it’s wholeheartedly magnified when you feel connected to others in the process.

Here is a question I’d asked myself this past year while examining my own tendencies towards “lone wolf” syndrome 😅 that I hope will also provide you with a solid point of reflection to start this next page in our collective story —and maybe even some comfort & peace as it did for me:

“If you were alone on this planet, in what ways would you still feel inclined to modify/enhance your body, if at all?”

This question honestly kinda rocked me to my core 🥵 —both because of my chosen life’s path and the circumstances we faced this year....and my answer was the following:

Any “enhancement” or modification of my God-given body *must* improve BOTH function AND form, or it isn’t fully serving ME (or YOU, for that matter!). I hope that we can all take a discerning look at the ways we are spending our time, energy, and money on things that, on a visceral level, are not fully serving us or those we care for, and realize which are merely a band-aid for a deeper calling towards genuine wellbeing: physically, mentally, and spiritually 🙏🏻❤️

Go out and conquer this beautiful, bright year ahead, my Juniper Jewels!!! The world needs the light you have to shine now more than ever, and I’ll always be here to stand right beside you and hold that mirror so you can see your own dazzling reflection ✨

#2021

Sarah is what December bridal dreams are made of 😍

After having to reschedule their wedding twice, her and her husband decided that they wanted to take advantage of having booked THE one and only and do a wedding day photo shoot today!

Needless to say, I canNOT wait to see the magic that’s created....She was boooorn to rock that red lip AMIRIGHT?!? 🤩🙌🏻

Nothing beats this expression on your wedding day 💕

Flashback to this beautiful duo celebrating their love in the city they fell in love!

I remember this shoot so vividly because going in I knew we were working with a couple who had been married for awhile and who wanted to explore a less traditional “bridal/wedding” aesthetic for these photos, and I was SO excited to see what this team was going to bring to life for them!!

Not only that, but could not take a picture of these two where you didn’t see & feel the genuine love they have for each other —literally in every single shot!!! I remember feeling like I’d had 3 espressos afterward and totally buzzing off their energy and the true beauty of their bond.

Have you ever thought of taking “just because” photos of you and your partner? —because, let’s be real, some of the very best parts are often well beyond your wedding day, am I right?!



📸: DeGroot Film Co.
Planner: Events to a T

Little bit of story time about this beauty (inside and out!):

This lovely lady called me in a true panic. Her wedding is in early August this year, and the team she’d, seemingly, booked with had left her high and dry with not only a *very* concerning trial experience (like, nightmarish, you guys....), but couldn’t provide her with the remaining vendor information she’d been promised to solidify the rest of her day-of services and timeline.

Not only have I watched dozens of ladies have to postpone or drastically alter their wedding days due to our current circumstances, but it’s really hurt my heart to watch each of them endure it.

See, we’re in the biz of making magic come to life ✨ In helping manifest days that are dreamt about and prayed for. I just can’t take that stuff so lightly.....especially when you see such confident, happy, relieved smiles like the one on the last slide.

In times like these, it’s important people feel important, loved, seen, and genuinely cared about.

When I joke around and tell you guys to “just call the “ (likening it to calling the ever-fabled “Bat Phone” if you’re reeeeal nerdy like me LOL) when you feel panicked or in serious need —I’m really NOT kidding!!

It friggin’ fills my ever-loving cup to know that I can make a positive impact on your lives —*especially* when the going gets rough!.....and even if it’s with makeup brushes instead of a cape, sick gymnastic skills, and a Bat Mobile 💪🏻🦇🚨 @ Juniper Spa & Body

Taking the time to listen, learn, and empower 🖤

I still can’t seem to summon the words to fully illustrate how profoundly the gravity of George Floyd’s death has affected me. I’ve tried to sort through all of the emotions, thoughts, reflections, and make space to consider all of the Black voices in our community and beyond that are all too often disregarded —to try to understand even a fraction of their unique pain.

What I know deep within my soul is, while I am not Black:

I honor you.
I see you, and hear your voices clearer than ever before.
I commit to viscerally learning about your lived experiences.
I will dedicate myself in battling the forces that harm you, both independently and beside you.
I will dive deeply into the parts of myself that may add to your struggle, and do the work to dismantle them.
You are beautiful.
You are valued.
You are loved.
I will do better for you, and make sure others granted my same privileges do the same. @ Milwaukee, Wisconsin
🎨 by: .creates

The Red Poppy is a symbol of resilience and remembrance that dates back to WWI. These stealthy, vibrant flowers manage to endure and grow under incredibly harsh conditions returning every year with stronger roots than before.

Our soldiers are the very embodiment of what it means to endure, grow, and thrive amongst adversities that many of us will never be commissioned to face, let alone volunteer for, in our entire lifetimes. They turn towards the very forces that endeavor to shake our roots, and grant us the safety to continue to rise and flourish.

Today is not really a day that I choose to wish “happiness” upon but, rather, sit in a deep knowing of my privilege to be born into a country where the bravest men and women on Earth have chosen to defend our freedom, and relinquished the most precious of gifts in the process; their lives.

We remember you, we honor you, and we thank you. Because of your tremendous sacrifices, we remain free 🕊

As many of you know, there have recently been some changes to the Stay-At-Home orders here in Wisconsin.

While I am *so* incredibly humbled by the responses I’ve received and your excitement to return to Juniper, I wanted to make sure I’d taken the time to properly familiarize myself with the intricacies of this new information, leave space for all of the facts to come to light, and continue to be a clearly informed asset to you all! —because, let’s be honest, information that isn’t changing by the moment has been a challenge to come by these days.

We are all having to make some pretty intricate decisions based on some fairly limited information and resources. As business owners, it is certainly nothing new to be making lots of big and little decisions on the daily, however, this is a bit unique as it relates to our health as a collective and a community.

When you are in my space, I am fully responsible for your health and well-being. The primary focus of my job is to ensure that you walk out in a better state of wellness than you walked in, and you all know what that requires --plenty of time, research, implementation, modification, and making the RIGHT decisions when it counts.

As it stands currently, we as an industry are limited in our abilities to obtain the products and equipment we need in the volumes that we need them to maintain that safety to our stringent standards. Many of these resources have been diverted to the medical community (as they should) making proper, and *sustainable* (that right there is KEY!) sanitation measures more of a challenge to solidify.

I say that to now say this: Please be assured that our time is coming!!! Shipments are arriving daily, and supply chains are recovering swiftly from limited staffing and strained production abilities.
There is *zero* doubt in my mind that when I obtain everything needed to continue to offer you the kind of safety that is up to my standards in this new climate, Juniper will reopen as truly THE safest environment one could be in a public fashion during these circumstances.

Additionally, as a follow up to the Supreme Court ruling, the City of Milwaukee Health Department has released a memo that businesses falling within Milwaukee city proper (as I do) are, in fact, *still required* to remain under mandated closure. Know beyond any doubt that I will keep you informed as more *solidified* information becomes available to us concerning those developments.

I’m preparing SO diligently for you, and miss every single one of you more than I can really put into words. I know we’re going to come out stronger if we give ourselves the time and patience to execute this process with laser-like precision —and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do, because that’s, simply, what family deserves 💪🏻💗

Be well, be safe, and we’ll all be back to feeling fabulous so, so soon!!!

𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝐵𝐸 𝑎 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑑𝑢𝑜?! 💕

🌍𝐻𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑦 ⒺⒶⓇⓉⒽ ⒹⒶⓎ, 𝐽𝑒𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑠!🌍
On a day dedicated to celebrating our beautiful Earthly home, I thought it might be fun to share a few ways that I approach both Beauty & Business that keep the well-being of our planet at the forefront of my efforts!
•All skincare products that I use both within my treatments and that I retail MUST be cruelty free. Not only does this affect how the products are tested for human usage, but 𝓪𝓵𝓼𝓸, how they’re sourced and distributed!
•All appliances that keep Juniper’s studio space running each day are, if they are eligible to be, Energy-Star certified —Yep, even down to the lightbulbs!
•I have a program at the spa for any product packaging that may require special recycling measures outside of those offered in your area to be properly recycled —all you need do is drop them off with me at your appointment!
•60%+ of the products, furniture, and appliances I used to start the business were either recycled or second hand! —did you know you can actually buy “recycled” paint?! You can!
•I utilize the very fewest possible disposable items as the highest health code standards will merit, and just do a bit more work on the back-end to ensure I’m not producing truly unnecessary waste. For instance, I no longer purchase individually packaged wax containers —I buy wax in its raw form and melt it down as needed within a reusable liner which saves me nearly 700 cans of wax per calendar year! HOLY COW!!!
•Did you know that the average daily usage of makeup removal wipes is 1.3 BILLION and that it takes up to 100 years in a landfill for them to break down?! I don’t know about you, but add that to the horrendously toxic, and highly comedogenic (acne-causing) chemicals used within them and that’s one yucky combo!!! —I prefer to forgo that altogether and use a machine washable, chemical-free, lasts-for-5-years alternative called ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀᴋᴇᴜᴘ ᴇʀᴀsᴇʀᵗᵐ cloth instead!
What steps do you take within your beauty routine to show our planet some love?☀️🌈💗