Jun 29, 2011

Not So Bad After All:)

For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else...
our view from the house:)


I always thought I would never get used to living in a house since I have always been used to to condo lifestyle....well I have to say that I have surprised myself.  Not only have I gotten used to it, but I am also starting to like it.

For one it is so much easier to get to and from the car.  In the condo we had to take the elevator and go down to the parking garage level.  Here we open the door and the car is right there....EASY!

Bringing in groceries is also so much easier.  None of that getting a cart, loading and schlepping up an elevator....EASY!

The Grand
what used to be our view:)
 In the house there is so much storage place compared to living in a condo, although I have to admit that our last condo at The Grand was extremely well equipped with storage space.

I will admit to missing certain things though...openness, water view, the fact that we were able to walk to everything we wanted, hot tub and some other amenities...I also miss my friend Liliana a lot.

best of all Brutus is HAPPY here
at the house:)
 Ocassionally Arvid would ask me if I would like to move back to condo living and I have to admit that I am not sure anymore.   Could be it's because I am tired of moving, also could be I know we will not be moving...most of all I think is that Brutus is so happy here in the house and we have so much space...not sure I would sacrifice the space anymore and I am starting to get used to being in a house....ahhhhh....but it is tempting to think of it.

If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise....

until next time...

Jun 27, 2011

June In Chicago

Other things may change us, but we start and end with family....
The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family....

I can't believe it's been almost one month since we have been in Chicago and we have not really had time to do much exploring of the city as yet. 

It has been quite a busy month so far.  We have had Arvid's brother visiting and that was fun.  We spent a lot of time showing them around and just having a very good time.

Right after that we went on a week long road trip to PA and VA to visit my sisters and their families.  It was very wonderful seeing everyone just being able to catch up with each others lives and to just spend time with each other.  Being with family is always such a good feeling.  We may not all agree with each other, but at the end of the day we would do anything for each other.

Our first stop was in PA at my sister Nina and family.  We were there for my nephew's (Max's) graduation.  It was the first time in many years all five sisters were together...it was wonderful and I really hope we can do it soon again.

lunch break..

Next stop was Virginia to Rima's home. With us in the car we had our niece Danielle and our nephews Gabsy and Riley. It was a road trip full of fun and excitement. It's been a while for us since we have had "children" with us in the car. Very noisy, but in a good way. There is something about Arvid that all the kids just love....he just knows how to charm them all... be it Danielle (16 years) or Lilly Vade 3 years old. Pretty amazing to see them. They all love their uncle Arvid and aunty Nad..and we of course adore them:)

We left VA bringing Danielle with us to Chicago.  What a wonderful girl she is.  She was only here with us for a few days yet we had such a great time.  We did lots of shopping, touring the city, movies and just relaxing at home.  She even got Arvid to watch 2 movies every night she was here.  Together we all had such a good time.  It was very sad to see her leave...the apartment is quiet and it's missing the happy chatter of Danielle.

To add to our busy, but exciting month my sister Nina, David and Max surprised us for a weekend trip to Chicago.  June, what a month it has been and still not completely over....the next few days promises to be just as busy.   Can't wait to see what it holds...

There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human society, are created, strengthened and maintained...

until next time...

Jun 26, 2011

Picture Of The Day:)

Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one...

Nina and family surprised us with a weekend visit to Chicago. Needless to say we are very excited and of course we had to show them around the city we love so much. Even though Arvid is not at his best (flu) it did not stop us from taking them to our favorite restaurant on the water...was to be our treat, but David and Nina were ahead of us so it became their treat to us.


Nina and I
Lunch was fun..lots of laughter and catching up even though we just saw them over the weekend.  After that, we went to Navy Pier a favorite spot of ours.  Did the tourist thing and later on in the evening we had then over for a light dinner at our place.... was a great day and I am very happy....

In between goals is a thing called life that has to be lived and enjoyed....


until next time...

Jun 25, 2011

17 Brain-Boosting Foods.....

Enchant, stay beautiful and graceful, but do this, eat well. Bring the same consideration to the preparation of your food as you devote to your appearance. Let your dinner be a poem, like your dress...
Not a day goes by when we don't think of eating well, losing weight, starting a new diet or some other fad that is popular that will make us feel better and lose weight without effort.  A good diet improves your health, but also boosts your energy. Create a shopping list of these must-have endurance foods recommended by Dr. Mike Moreno, author of The 17 Day Diet

1. Beef, extra lean: High in iron, a mineral that improves memory, alertness and attention span.


2. Beets: Contains phenylalanine, an amino acid that helps relay signals from one brain cell to another.

3. Blueberries: Excellent source of antioxidants and “anthocyanins,” compounds thought to help protect brain cells from toxins, improves use of glucose in the brain, and promotes communication between brain cells.

4. Broccoli: Packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients that help protect brain tissue from toxins.



5. Carrots: High in beta carotene and other natural substances that help protect brain tissue from toxins.

6. Chicken: High in tyrosine, an amino acid required for the production of the alertness chemicals dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. When your brain is producing these, you think and react more quickly, and feel more motivated, attentive and mentally energetic.


7. Citrus fruits: Contain vitamin C and other antioxidants that help maintain sharp memory and help brain cells resist damage.



8. Edamame: Contains phenylalanine, an amino acid that helps relay signals from one brain cell to another.

9. Eggs: High in the B vitamin choline, which helps with memory.

10. Egg whites: High in protein, which can improve alertness by increasing levels of norepinephrine, which helps keep your brain at its sharpest.


11. Hot chilies: Contains the fiery-tasting chemical capsaicin. Capsaicin stimulates circulation, aids digestion, opens your nasal passages and, even better, sends a feeling of euphoria straight to your brain.
12. Legumes: Provide glucose to fuel the brain, and the fiber they contain slows the absorption of glucose, helping to maintain stable levels of energy and support alertness and concentration overtime.

13. Pork: Loaded with vitamin B1, which protects myelin, a fatty substance that helps facilitate communication among cells.



14. Romaine lettuce: High in folate, a B vitamin important for memory and nerve cell health.


15. Spinach: Packed with iron, which is involved memory, concentration, and mental functioning.

16. Tuna: Full of omega-3 fatty acids, which help build and maintain myelin.

17. Yogurt: A probiotic food that has been found in many studies to boost mental alertness.



Do you keep these brain-boosting foods stocked in your kitchen?

Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon....

until next time...



Jun 22, 2011

Picture Of The Day....

You can learn many things from children.  How much patience you have, for instance...

This is just an a sample of what a great time we had with everyone...here is Riley aka The Professor. He taught Arvid everything he knew...and Arvid enjoyed every moment even when he was at times tired.  Children have a way to make you do things you would not do under normal circumstances...and who can refuse Riley anything?



A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer...

until next time...



Jun 21, 2011

Make-Up Women Love But Men Hate.

The best thing is to look natural, but it takes makeup to look natural....

OK so we all like to dress up and make ourselves look as beautiful as we possibly can.  Thanks to make-up many of us are able to hide/cover up a lot of our so called "flaws".  We may say we do not care what men think about the way we look, but that's really not true.  Many of us make ourselves beautiful so that we can be admired by others mainly the opposite sex...of course we also do it because it makes us feel good....
Found an interesting article on what turns off men when it comes to our make-up habits.  Not saying it is true, but it is the way some men feel...

Neon lips, blue eyeshadow, shimmering glitter, and golden bronzers: This spring, some of the most dramatic looks we saw on the runways are making their way onto our faces. But not everything we dabble on pleases everyone. We had a hunch that some of our biggest beauty obsessions might be turn-offs for guys...so we went ahead asked. Prepare yourself: brutal honesty ensues.

1. Heavy foundation and powders:  The inch-thick powder is a huge turn-off.   No guy wants to kiss a girl on the cheek and then find he¹s wearing foundation himself.  A flaking face is one thing, but when your cheek becomes a palette of skin-tone colors, men pay attention...and not the good attention. Men say they are always amazed to see women with two-tone faces, two apparently different shades of skin on the face, as if they apply makeup in the dark.  Some say they would rather see one greasy face than some sort of melanin imbalance. The nose should match the cheeks.

2. Bumps: “I never liked, or knew of any other guy who liked, the Gwen Stefani "bumpit" look," says Henry Belanger, an editor at The Good Men Project. "Be wary of anything that makes your head look unnaturally large.

3. Neon lipstick: Most of the fashion world agreed that electric pouts were a beauty "do" this season. Some men, however, beg to differ. "Orange lips are definitely a departure from what we're used to and not necessarily something a lot of guys I know really respond to just quite yet,”  Have to say I feel the same....

 

4. Too-thin brows: "My pet peeve is overly plucked eyebrows," says David Swanson, Maxim's Features Editor."I mean, really? It's basically an advertisement that naturally you're hairier than Robin Williams. If it looks natural, we'd never have to wonder."

5.Bold eye-shadow:  Many men say they don't understand the revival of bright blue eyeshadow. They were wondering if "Is it retro? Is it purposefully over-the-top?  Some say it just looks tacky no matter how you wear it.  "Smoky eyes--when done right are great--very sexy and attractive but when done wrong they look a total mess", according to some make-up experts.  Also recommended is to seek professional guidance before trying at home.

6.  Rosy cheeks: “As far as make-up goes, I think rouge is for old ladies,” adds Good Men Project's Belanger. "I think guys generally prefer the kind of make-up you don't notice is there, and since there's a lot that guys don't notice I think women have a lot of leeway."


7. Two-toned lips: Remember Kim Mathers? She was almost as famous for her lip liner issues as she was for being defamed by Eminem. According to a dude survey, the pucker problem was more serious. "When I see thin lines drawn around a pair of lips, I think: Is this part of some gang initiation rite?" says Cury.

8. Glitter:  Just be sutle about it.  "It¹s like any good seasoning. You shouldn't shake it all over. It can overwhelm the main course." That being said, not many are opposed to a heavy heavy sprinkle of cleavage glitter.

I love make-up and the wonders it can do, but I also enjoy not having to use it all the time.  I like that clean and fresh look as Arvid calls it.  I know some girls that would not be caught dead without make-up...and I know some that take hours to just get ready to go any place....My girlfriend once told me that when she first got married she never wanted her husband to see her without makeup so she would go to bed after him so that she could take her make up off and wake up earlier than him so she can put it on....so coomplicated.
 
I love the confidence that makeup gives me....

until next time...

Jun 18, 2011

My Dad...

Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a dad...
It is much easier to become a father than to be one....

With this being said, a smile comes to me and I picture my dad.  My dad is not a part-time dad, he is always there for us even if we live hundreds of miles apart....you can say he lives to be our dad.   I cannot recall a time when I have needed my dad and he was not there for us....for so many it is so easy to become a father than to be one...but my dad takes pride in being our dad. He has been there through good and bad and still is.  I know that no matter when, where and how, if we need him he is there...for my dad family is first and always has been.

Growing up I have so many memories of him as a child.  The first 4 years of my life was spent with my mom and dad.  The next 5 years we were raised by my grandmother in Guyana, but my parents were always in my mind.  Looking for a better life for all of us, my mom and dad "left' us in Guyana and went to America as we called it back then.  I was only 4 years old, but I missed them everyday and I looked forward to their yearly trips every Christmas always hoping we would be able to go home with them.

My favorite memories of those Christmases were not the presents nor the candy they brought us...it was knowing that for 14 days I would be going everywhere with my dad.  No matter where he went he took me with him.  He was always holding my hand making sure I was safe and that nothing ever happened to me...
for as long as I live I will never forget those days..
When we finally left Guyana to be with them, it was one of the happiest days of my life because you see we got to be with mom and dad EVERYDAY after that.  We did not have much as far a money goes, but what we lacked in that department we made with love.  As they say a truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty...my dad's arms are always open for us.

My dad was and still is the most liked man in the neighborhood.  He was and is kind to everyone he meets.  All of the little kids loved him because he would always buy them ice-cream from the man that came in the bus.  The grown ups love him because he is Mr. Friendly.  Making friends is just his nature...a quality I believe all of his 5 kids have inherited....and it seems his grand kids as well. 

Being a parent is not an easy job...I have no kids, but I see my sisters, friends, parents and others and I realize that it takes lots of work and sacrifice and even so you never know how they will turn out.  Fortunately, we turned out OK even if I may say so. 

my dad..
For me Father's Day is everyday, but on this special day dedicated only for dads I would like to wish my dad a very happy Father's Day.  Daddy, I love you and I want you to know that I never take you for granted.  From little you taught us to be kind, and respectful to everyone....no matter who they are... a quality I find very lacking in todays younger generation.  You were very strict on us when we were little and today I am thankful for that as are Nina, Nirvan, Mala and Rima....

Looking forward to many, many more Father's Day....I love you daddy.  I found this poem and thought of you....

What Is A Dad

A dad is someone who
wants to catch you before you fall
but instead picks you up,
brushes you off,
and lets you try again.

A dad is someone who
wants to keep you from making mistakes
but instead lets you find your own way,
even though his heart breaks in silence
when you get hurt.

A dad is someone who
holds you when you cry,
scolds you when you break the rules,
shines with pride when you succeed,
and has faith in you even when you fail...

THAT'S MY DAD.....

until next time...

Jun 16, 2011

Picture Of The Day...

A celebrity is a person who works hard all his life to become well known, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized....

The other day we were out having some drinks and dinner just sitting minding our own business when all of a sudden who shows up and sits righ next to us?  Yes, no other than Bono and his entourage.  He was actually very pleasant and posed for pictures with everyone who asked him.  Unfortunately, Arvid was not keen on me taking a picture with Bono so..I just took a picture of Bono.

We all want to be famous people, and the moment we want to be something we are no longer free....

until next time...

Jun 15, 2011

HAPPY~

Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections...

A relationship as we all know requires work..lots of work at times to keep it happy and healthy.  Like everyone else we have had our bumpy times be it for whatever reason...

We come from very different cultures yet, that has not been such a big issue in our relationship..if anything it has only made the relationship more interesting and of course the challenges just add to make for an always not knowing what will happen kind of a situation.

If there was anyone in this relationship that could be considered difficult that would have to be me.  Arvid is more of the peacemaker and I am more of the let's say volatile type.  Not always easy for him I guess, but never boring as he is very fond of saying.


Someone said: "Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep... wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you're just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky his is to have you.... The one who turns to his friends and says, 'that's her.'”  I have found that person in Arvid.  To this day he still holds my hand anywhere we go...I LOVE this about him.

I have  a way of getting into trouble more than anyone I know...not sure this is good, but does that mean I will change?  Not sure, but for sure I will try to be less opinionated.  Ahhh...there lies my biggest problem.  I love to voice my opinion and be it right or wrong you will hear it if the situation so merits it.  Maybe not always so smart, but I can't stand seeing people being taken advantage of.  I feel it is my duty to say something and I do...then comes the trouble.


We have gotten to a point in our relationship where we are at peace and at ease with everything.  Our lives blend into each other and as Arvid says we have found the perfect rhythm.  I think this began even more when we brought Brutus into our lives.  Brutus has showed Arvid a side of life I think he has rarely witnessed.  With Brutus came patience, calm, serenity and relaxation....amazing what this tiny furry kitty has done.  Today I can say our live is complete and full of peace.

We are having the time of our lives.  We are happy.  This has been a really good year and hopefully it will be so always....
 
You don't love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear....

until next time...

Jun 13, 2011

Best Bathing Suits For Your Body Type..

People shop for a bathing suit with more care than they do a husband or wife. The rules are the same. Look for something you'll feel comfortable wearing. Allow for room to grow...


I don't know about you, but let me tell you as far finding the most figure-flattering bathing suit possible-- and all the trial and error that entails-- is one of my least favorite summer rituals.  I love the shopping part what I don't enjoy is not being able to find the right suit no matter how much I look.  There is always something that's just not right.  Either the top is too little...the bottom too big or vice-versa.  Then comes the fact that it's either too skimpy (according to Arvid).  As far as he is concerned I should wear a tee-shirt and shorts.  I try to meet somewhere in the middle.  Here though is some great advise from experts as to how to solve this dilemma...For instance, we all know that black is slimming, but if you have a pale skin tone, black won’t necessarily flatter. Your best bet is to choose a variety of colors that flatter your skin tone.


Everyone has aspects of their body they like less than others-- even supermodels. The key here is balance and knowing how to fool the eye. Higher cut bottoms elongate legs. Ruffled tops add volume to small busts...Here are some great options below for each body type.

Pear Shape 

Look for suits with high-cut bottoms. You don't want to be cut off at your widest point. A top with a deep V will attract attention to your sexy upper body.

Tall and Thin

Toss out athletic-style tank suits and opt for frills and romantic detailing to give the illusion of a more shapely figure.

Apple Shape
Ruching is your best friend. A suit with side details like a tuxedo stripe or sequins will also make tummy bulges less apparent.


Big Bust
Shop for bathing suits as you would for a bra. Look for underwire or a thick-banded bikini. A supportive fit is key.

Small Bust
Say "no" to bandeau tops. Try a ring-top halter or a triangle cut with ruffle trim to add volume to your chest area.
Full Figure
Avoid anything with strings-- it won't have much support. Pick your best feature and accent it. If it's your decolletage, an embellished plunging V-neck will draw the attention upward.

Real women have curves, so choose your swimsuits like you would your clothes. Look for silhouettes that flatter your body. Think about your shape first, your size second - that way you’ll be drawn to suits that will accentuate your assets and downplay the rest. If you’re plus size, shop for swimwear like you would your shape wear. You may not want to cut corners - there's too much at stake....HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

Bathing suits are like T-bags...you never know how strong they are till you put them in water


until next time..

Jun 11, 2011

Blues Festival Day 1

Chicago Blues Festival perfect place to unwind, kick back and listen to some great Chicago Blues....

With great anticipation we have looked forward to this day. Sadly it was not as good a day, temperature wise as to what we have been used to. It was wet, cold, and foggy. Arvid's brother and Siv even said it was colder that their home in Norway. Even so, we did enjoy some very good music, a great dinner afterwards and even more music at Rosa's Lounge....our company was way too tired having travelled for over 20 hours to get here. They did not make it too long into the night...we did! 
Today after going to the got tub, swimming a few laps we are all set for day 2 of the Blues festival.  sadly today is even colder and foggier...

As you can see from the pictures we are back to our days of sneakers and backpacks!  Welcome to Chicago...and we love it!!

The blues ain't nothing but a good man feelin' bad....

until next time... 

Jun 10, 2011

Blues Weekend...

Music is what feelings sound like...
Chicago is a city where there is always something to do at least as far as Arvid and I are concerned.  The main reason we started coming to Chicago was for The Blues Festival.  We have been coming for many years until we decided that this was where we wanted to spend our summers.  With that in mind we bought an apartment a few years ago smack in the middle of all the action...and have never looked back.

This year the Blues Festival will be held from June 10th to the 12th and what makes it even more special is that Arvid's brother and girlfriend will be here.  This will be a weekend filled with music, beers, more music and lots of good food and company.  With that in mind Arvid has already declared it a no phone weekend and a no work weekend.  I'm not complaining.  With the exception of a Pina Colada, I don't usually drink, but that never stops me from having a good time as well.


 
Last years Blues Festival

Both Arvid and I really look forward to this all year long.  He just loves the Blues...I enjoy the music, being in the park, seeing the people. Arvid gets transported into another world with the Blues....it makes him happy, stress free and so very relaxed...and this year having his brother is a big plus.  We are both excited and happy to have Vidar and Siv in Chicago.  We have rented a car to pick them up, take them to their hotel, do a little grocery shopping, come to our place and then go out to dinner....from that point on it is going to be a party weekend and just about everyday while Arvid's brother is here is going to be a "party" day...Lots of eating out and fun stuff in store for the next 8 days...

Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul...

until next time... 

Jun 9, 2011

Today's Picture..BRUTUS~

Cats were put into the world to disprove the dogma that all things were created to serve man...

This is our Brutus...he can do whatever he wants and neither Arvid nor I will ever disagree with him.  Here he is lying on Arvid's new guitar...normally a no no, but because it's Brutus it is allowed.  He is our Baby.
There is something about the presence of a cat... that seems to take the bite out of being alone. 


A while back I wrote a blog on A Pets 10 Commandments

If you missed it check out the link...and remember we are the lucky ones to have these trusting furry creatures in our lives...treat them well and you will have a friend for life.

There are two means of refuge from the misery of life - music and cats...

untit next time...

Jun 8, 2011

Summer Beauty Don'ts...

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness...
 For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people...
I've never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful...

With the changing of seasons comes a drastic overhaul to your beauty regimen. Out with the heavy moisturizers and flat irons, and in with the SPF and surf spray. And less is always more, unless you're talking sunscreen. Here's how to avoid making the biggest summer beauty blunders and keep your cool inside and out.

Streaky self-tanner

There’s nothing more obvious than orange hands or body streaks left over from self tanner, but thanks to celebs like Pippa Middleton and the cast of “Jersey Shore” tanning has never been more popular. After years of trying many brands, it seems like someone has perfected the application process. Apply self tanner before bed so the color has time to sink in. First exfoliate in the shower so your skin with be smooth and dead skin won’t flake off leaving uneven skin patches behind. Try the spray-on tanners which coat more area with less rubbing, but creamy lotions work well too. Use a pair of gloves to rub lotion all over your body, but think about where the sun naturally hits (go light on undersides of arms and wrists to avoid looking fake baked). Rub the tops of your hands together and don't coat in between your fingers. If you’re on the pale side, mix your self-tanner in equal parts with a moisturizer to cut the concentration in half. If you notice a few streaks in the morning, exfoliate again, and apply a little more product to even things out.

Faded hair color
Hair dye fades from the sun and chlorine, but there are a few things you can do to minimize damage. Use color extending shampoos and conditioner which will protect color. Wear a hat or headscarf when in the sun, and tie hair up when dipping in the pool. Or you could be one of those awesome ladies who wears a floral swim cap. Applying conditioner before swimming helps keep color intact and prevent snarls, and many hair care brands have specific summer products infused with SPF to protect color. To keep chlorine damage to a minimum, shampoo immediately after swimming, and try this easy hair mask from Spa Index: Blend one egg (to condition), a tablespoon of olive oil (to soften), and 1/4 peeled cucumber (to remove buildup and chlorine) in a blender. Apply to hair for 10 minutes and rinse with cool water.

Sunburn
You forgot to apply suntan lotion to the backs of your legs (ouch). You forgot to reapply after you went swimming. You were out on a cloudy day and didn’t feel the sun until it was too late. In the future, remember there’s no such thing as too much sunblock. Use an SPF 30 or higher. For now, apply aloe by the handful. If you have a real plant, awesome. Love the gel formulas and keep a bottle in the fridge all summer for extra cooling potential. You can take ibuprofen to help with headaches, pain, and chills. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting cotton fabrics that won’t rub on the affected areas. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated and avoid showering in hot water. And most importantly: stay out of the sun until the burn fades. If you must be outdoors, keep the affected area covered and stay in the shade. Though tempting (while gross), do not peel off your shedding skin. Let it come off naturally, and moisturize a ton.

Over bronzing
Bronzer is supposed to enhance your natural pigment, not create a tan where there is none. Find a powder (with or without shimmer, the preference is yours) that’s one or two tones darker than your natural skin color. Test them out at a department store. Be sure to apply on a clean, dry face with a wide bronzing brush to evenly distribute color. Think about where the sun would naturally hit like your forehead, temples, nose, and cheekbones, and apply ONLY on these areas. (Catherine Zeta-Jones clearly missed this advice.) Keep an extra clean brush handy to help blend of brush away excess color. You won't regret it.

Cracked, dry skin
When you’re revealing more of your epidermis, you want to be smooth and silky from head to toe. This means giving extra love to elbows, knees, hands, and feet. Use an exfoliating glove in the shower with a body scrub once a week to smooth out skin. A pumice stone can even out cracked heels and calluses. Lightly towel dry and apply lotion, or body oil while skin is still damp to maximize benefits and use less product. Use a light face moisturizer to keep skin from drying out. It’s easy to forget about your feet, but be sure they soak up the moisture too! Slather on a thick lotion before sliding them into some cotton socks before bed, or when hanging around the house. When you take the socks off, your tootsies will be infinitely smoother.

Caked on makeup
Let’s face if, some days even when you’re barely exerting yourself you’re still going to break a sweat. One swipe of the hand to the forehead could take a load of liquid foundation with it, so try and go as minimal on face makeup as possible, especially during the day. Try a tinted moisturizer that includes SPF to eliminate extra steps and product layers, or sunscreen with a powder foundation. Cream-based blushes will blend with your skin more evenly. Use light lip stains that look like you’ve just eaten a popsicle instead of goopy gloss. And set your makeup with a refreshing mist that cools you off and tightens your pores.
 
Fried hair
Heat and humidity are not only uncomfortable for your body, they can do a number on your hair as well. Once every week or two use a conditioning mask to heal damaged hair. Though difficult, please, please, please lay off the heat styling. We know you love your blown out/sleek straight/perfectly curled and coiffed hair, but in about an hour your hard work will be undone and your hair follicles will be extra cranky. Work with your natural texture, or apply a beachy surf spray to create easy waves. You can also apply a leave-in conditioning spray to the ends of your hair to keep it smooth and tangle-free.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides...

Jun 7, 2011

Picture Of The Day:)

Chicago at night...

I'd rather have a moment of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special...

until next time...