Wordless Wednesday

Another sign of spring?

No More Skin Excuses!

Beauty, the saying goes, is only skin-deep. But the importance of skin goes a lot deeper.Here are some bad habits that can play havoc with your complexion.

*Skipping suncreen—The primary culprit behind aging. The best way to keep skin looking youthful-- wear sunscreen with a SPF of 30 that’s labeled broad-spectrum. It should contain either avobenzone, helioplex,mexoryl,,titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

*Not removing your make-up—the 2 minutes it takes to remove your make-up and cleanse your face helps ensure good skin for years. Sleeping with your make-up on can result in enlarged pores and acne.

*Not exfoliating—Getting rid of dead cells helps soften wrinkles and brightens your skin. Watch out for aggressive scrubs that can cause redness and irritation. (walnut shells) Exfoliate just once or twice a week.

*Using hot water—high temps strip skin of its natural oils causing dryness. If you can’t give up your hot shower,wash your face first with lukewarm water and keep it out of the shower stream.

*Using outdated beauty products—Replace eye products at least every 6 months.

*Ignoring your neck—like your face, your neck is vulnerable to UV damage. It’s also a good idea to moisturize your neck when you moisturize your face.

* Not changing your pillow cases often. Maybe you always wash your face before you sleep but if you don't shower before going to bed, dirt from your hair will spread to your pillow. If that's the case, make sure you replace your pillow cases regularly.

*Being a couch potato. Exercise is very important as it helps increase blood flow. It also allows oxygen to circulate throughout your body, which will in turn keep the skin healthy and vibrant

*Smoking. Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles

*Not Shaving carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.

*Not getting enough sleep. Your body needs time to restore and rejuvenate the cells inside. This restoration and rejuvenation time is important for your skin. Your skin will look dull once you fail to give it proper rest and sleep.

By following these skin care tips,  your skin will feel great and look healthy. Do you have a favorite skin care tip?

Your Dream is Important

Love the message of this little video!

12 Things Every Woman Deserves in Her Life

I was reading Glamour Magazine's article by the same title and I thought I could come up with my own list of 12 things I think every woman deserves. Here is my list:

1. At least one really good friend who can laugh and cry with you.

2. At least one fun, funky purse. Doesn't matter what size.

3. Fresh flowers on your table. (dandelions count)

4. Someone special to share a sunset and sunrise.

5. A flattering profile picture.

6. A flattering low maintenance haircut.

7. A trip to a place where you can wear flip flops, have a tropical drink and hear steel drum music.

8. A child to love, an old person to get advice from.

9. Something sporty--a car, a bike, a motorcycle...

10. Recognition for something you're good at. Doesn't matter if it's a medal, trophy, newspaper article, blog post or a kind word from a co-worker or boss.

11. Time to read a really good book or watch a chick flick when you need some girly R & R.

12. Every woman deserves to look in the mirror and like what she sees. The media doesn't help with that so we need to let our daughters and granddaughters know that beauty comes in many forms.

What would be on your list?

Wordless Wednesday

The view from my kitchen window last night.

Thank goodness I have a fenced backyard or I would have nothing green left!

Share the Wealth (of Knowledge)

I am always so grateful when other bloggers share their knowledge and expertise. I have fun reading about baking,crafts, photography and inspiration among other topics.(Yes, I do read a lot of blog posts!) I was tickled when I came across a blog post that contained tips and tricks to improve your blog.

Kendra over at the Key Lime blog has put together a tutorial of sorts. It is laid out so well that I think anyone that blogs could follow it. I'm a very visual learner so I really appreciated the images to go along with the text.

If you are looking for some good general information to improve your blog, look no further. Head on over for some great inspiration. Then come back and tell us which tips you used. (Notice the size change in my images?)

An Apple A Day

You’ve heard the old saying but what does an apple really do for you? If you use it in a facial mask, it will replenish moisture. An apple’s acids help smooth fine lines. (In a blender puree 1 chopped green apple with the skin on and ½ cup sliced green grapes. Add 1 T. lemon juice and ¼ cup aloe vera. Keep blending until a thick paste forms. Apply to your face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.)

The apple’s skin is packed with an antioxidant called quercetin. This antioxidant may protect your lungs from pollutants. So think twice about peeling your apples and maybe improve your lung function.

Dandruff a problem? Then use apple cider vinegar directly on your scalp after washing your hair. Leave it on for 1 minute, then rinse off. The vinegar smell will dissipate quickly.

Love to bake, don’t love the calories? Use unsweetened applesauce for half the butter or oil in cake recipes. Your dessert will be naturally sweeter and moister with much less fat. Applesauce is cholesterol and fat-free. 1 cup has almost as much fiber as 1 cup of brown rice.

Late night? Use chilled apple slices on your eyes to reduce puffiness just like you would cucumber slices.

One of our favorite scents at Gathered From The Garden is our Green Apple--a fresh,crisp scent. We especially love it in our Goat Milk and Honey Lotion. An little of our apple lotion a day, keeps the dry skin away!

 

Wordless Wednesday

Snow predicted AGAIN for this weekend. Had to go to the mall to find tulips blooming in their planter. Attn: Mother Nature--the calendar says it's SPRING!

Formal Wear for Peeps

Aren't these just the cutest things ever? They are simple enought that even I could try it! For a tutorial on how to make them go to A Family Kitchen. You'll have the best-dressed dessert at the Easter table.

Power Thinking

Raise your glass for a toast to you and me and how special we really are!

Thoughts are powerful things. You've heard of "power dressing". I'd like to introduce you to "power thinking". Every woman should know that whoever you are, you are perfect before you put on a stitch of clothing. Whatever your shape, color or size, you are beautiful. (The media doesn't stress this so we have to--especially to our daughters and granddaughters.)

If your doctor tells you you're healthy, that's all you need to know. Anyone or anything that tells you that you are not beautiful is wrong. When you truly like yourself, you know you have no flaws. (or can accept those flaws as part of what makes you unique)

Celebrate! Have your own private celebration of who you are. Your accomplishments, your dreams and your hard work are nothing to sneeze at. Admire the parts of your body you do like with the same energy that you "dis" the parts you don't like.
For the parts you don't like just remember where they came from -- your female ancestors. Imagine what they did with those features -- survived holocausts, worked on assembly lines, cleaned other women's houses, raised a family -- to make you who you are. So, while you're celebrating yourself, celebrate your grandmother a little, too. (For many years, I disliked my body and blamed it on my mother. She has the same body shape. I'm embarrassed to admit that.)

Treat yourself.  If it feels good, do it. Spoil yourself! Get a massage. Hit your favorite spa. Go for a walk. Go to the gym. Go to the video store and max out on films featuring your favorite movie star. Use your imagination. Learn to play an instrument. (Order your favorite Gathered From The Garden product or try a new one!) Don't forget these words, “This is for me.”

For many of us we are always taking care of someone else. Who is taking care of us? It's up to you to treat yourself well.

(From an article by Janet Behmer and Shirley Pierce)

There's Room in the Garden for Every Flower

Love this quote:

A tulip doesn’t strive to impress anyone. It doesn’t struggle to be different than a rose. It doesn’t have to. It is different. And there’s room in the garden for every flower. You didn’t have to struggle to make your face different than anyone else’s on earth. It just is. You are unique because you were created that way. Look at little children in kindergarten. They’re all different without trying to be. As long as they’re unselfconsciously being themselves, they can’t help but shine. It’s only later, when children are taught to compete, to strive to be better than others, that their natural light becomes distorted.
—
Marianne Williamson

Wordless Wednesday

Now that the snow is gone, I'm hoping to see this soon!

Me, Myself and Eye

Follow these easy tips for the prettiest eyes ever.

* Mascara frames your eyes and can make your face come alive. To apply mascara look straight into your mirror with your chin slightly lifted so you can see your lashes. Insert the wand only once and twist, don't pump. Pumping can break the brush bristles and distribute the mascara unevenly and will dry out the mascara faster. Start by rolling the wand from root to tip in an upward motion.

*Use an eyelash curler to give lift to lashes. Apply a coat of mascara to set it that way

*Eyeliners are meant to define the eyes so they should do just that; not be the focal point of your makeup. For a smudged effect use a sponge tip shadow applicator or an eye shadow brush. When your pencils are too soft refrigerate them. When they are too hard soften them by holding them between your fingers. Never line the inside rim of your lower lashes; this will make eyes look even smaller.

*If your neck can tolerate it, use an extra pillow when you lay your head down to sleep. The extra elevation prevents fluid accumulating under your eyes. Fluid retention makes the eyes look puffy.

*Tired Looking Eyes? Another late night out? Rise and shine by applying white eye shadow to your inner eye and eyelids. The color will brighten your look, make eyes really pop, and erase and effects from the night before.

* Use a base before applying your eye shadow of choice. The eye shadow base is not only helpful in keeping your eye makeup longer, but also in preventing your eye makeup from creasing and smudging. Light shadow colors cause the eyes to open, dark colors will cause the eyes to recede.

*If you want to emphasize your eyes, make sure to use lighter shades of lip gloss or lipstick. However, if you want to put emphasis on your lips, make sure you use a neutral or light-colored eye shadow.

*Tame your arcs with a brow brush. If you don't have any, a clean toothbrush will do the trick.

I'm off to find an old clean toothbrush right now!