Yellow Week

For some reason it was way easier finding yellow things to photograph this week. Take a look...

Such a happy color!

The Color This Week Was Red

Here are my "red" photos for Week 1 of the Colour Project.

Next week's color is yellow. Wonder what sunny things I'll find to photograph...


 

Honey I Gotta Tell Ya

Honey, I gotta tell ya…. Cleopatra had it right. Fill a bath with milk and honey, and sit in it while the world goes by. Skin needs to be kept hydrated in order to remain soft, supple and elastic. Age, life's stresses, and everyday pollution really stretch our skin to the limit and affect its ability to stay moist. Skin becomes dry, cracked, and yes… those dreaded wrinkles appear.

 

Honey attracts and holds on to moisture, making it a natural humectant. Honey is also good for sensitive skin. But, the benefits of honey for beauty don't stop there. Studies show that honey has good antioxidant properties. Antioxidants not only play a part in protecting the skin from the harmful rays of the sun, but are also rather handy when it comes to skin rejuvenation. Its antimicrobial talents make it good for skin break-outs without drying the skin. 

Honey makes an excellent mask that is convenient and easy to use. It is especially appropriate for dry and damaged skin. It can be used as frequently as desired. 


 Basic Honey Mask 

½-1 teaspoon of honey per facial 
Pat and massage honey onto the skin, spreading it evenly over your face. Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. 


Give it a try... Honey, you know you're worth it!

Wordless Wednesday

No one on the beach today except me.

Keep Those Pearly Whites White

Jerry got his front teeth crowned and now he has some of the prettiest teeth around. Of course, they came with a hefty price tag. I'd love to have those beautiful pearly whites but I'll have to get mine a different way. 

One of the easiest ways to impress people and make the best first impression is to have whiter teeth. Studies show that whitening or bleaching your teeth can be hard on your enamel. (I've tried those whitening strips...yuck!) To keep your smile brilliant try these techniques. (They are in no particular order.)

 *Clean out your mouth right after sipping teeth-staining liquids like coffee, tea, red wine and colas. If you can't brush right away, swish your teeth with water. 

 *Cut back on acid-forming foods such as meat, dairy and sweets. Plaque build-up is promoted by these foods. Increase your veggies and whole grains.

 *Use baking soda on your brush before cleaning your teeth. You can mix baking soda with a dash of salt and add a little vinegar to make a homemade tooth whitener. Some toothpastes also contain baking soda for whitening.

 *Avoid tobacco use. 

 *Make regular appointments to get your teeth cleaned. Getting rid of the plaque build-up will make your teeth look whiter. 

 *Some fruits such as strawberries are excellent tooth whiteners. Strawberries can be rubbed on the teeth or mashed up in a paste and brushed on. Leave on the teeth for five minutes. Rinse well and brush.

 * Take care when choosing a mouthwash. Most have alcohol in them, and some even have ingredients such as chlorhexidine that can discolor teeth. Herbal antibacterial mouthwashes are available that kill germs and freshen breath without harmful chemicals

 *An apple a day keeps the doctor away- this goes for stains too! Eating an apple gives your body vitamins and minerals and also brushes your teeth and whitens them.

 Remember that results won't become visible over night and that patience and consistency are a must! 

Colour Lovers Project

I am going to try something a little different for the next couple of weeks. Instead of Wordless Wednesday I am going to try the Colour Lovers Project. It is hosted by Xanthe Berkeley and Andrea Jenkins. Each week they give the color and we are to find photos documenting that color. I am hoping to be a little more creative with my photography if I participate in this project. Plus it just sounds like fun. 

This week is RED. So later this week I hope to have some great photos of my favorite color! 

Winter Skin Tips - How To Look After Skin In The Winter

Changing temperatures mean a change of routine. (Ours have gone from somewhat "nice" in December to downright awful now!) Knowing a little about how skin functions in the winter can make all the difference between a dull winter complexion and glowing radiance. 

* Start the day with a warm, not hot shower... but before you get out switch to cold water for about fifteen seconds “Why would I want to do that?!” Sounds kind of crazy doesn't it?  This is a simple hydrotherapy technique which revitalizes the skin by stimulating the flow of blood through the body. It is both invigorating and highly beneficial to the skin. So even though you may not really enjoy the process, just think of the all the good it’s doing you! 

* Use a good moisturizer. Don't forget about your lips. Chapped lips are often the most noticeable problem for a lady in the winter. 

*Exfoliate your skin at least twice a week. This will remove dead cells and allow the skin to absorb extra moisture. The oil which we all complain about in the summer is no longer being produced because of cooler winter temperatures and central heating. Therefore the skin looses the water which should be retained in the lower dermis of the skin. This can lead to premature aging of the skin and fine lines.

*Drink a glass of very warm/hot water with lemon. This Chinese herbal remedy is a sure-fire method of energizing your body. It will de-tox your entire system, including the liver and gall bladder. This means that your body will be able to clean the blood faster to get rid of toxins responsible for bad skin. 

*Get your sleep! Money can’t buy the benefits of a good night’s rest. Your oxygen levels will drop if you don’t get enough sleep, meaning that your cells will not be renewed as quickly. Try to get seven, if not eight or nine hours of rest a night to achieve absolutely painless benefits. It’s ideal! 

*Riboflavin, known commonly as Vitamin B2, is also a healer. Foods rich in riboflavin are milk, cheese, natural plain yogurt, wild rice and whole grains. Cantaloupes, carrots and apricots are effective healers for dry skin because they are rich in Vitamin A, essential for healthy skin, and Vitamin C, which helps in collagen production. Dry skin can actually be a sign of deficiency in these vitamins. 

*Have you put together your list of New Year’s resolutions yet? Don’t forget to add “pampering myself” to your list. You deserve it!

Wordless Wednesday

Come walk with me...

Wordless Wednesday

Skin Care Tips for Guys

My blog often usually deals with topics for women but I thought the guys deserve some attention too. Pass these tips on to your favorite fella! 

 Hey guys, think about it. What is the first thing people notice about you? It's your face. Healthy skin is the most important element of a great looking face. It is not only easy to achieve; it is a critical thing you can do for yourself. Put your best face forward. I'd like to share some basic tips and guidelines to encourage healthier skin. It's simple… 
 

#1 Keep it clean. 
Men have approximately 15% oilier skin and significantly larger pores than women do. Basically, this means you get dirtier. It is very important; no matter what skin type you have, to clean your face every day. Deep cleansing is important. It keeps pores clear, skin healthy and you looking good

Moisturizing is a necessity.. Always use a light moisturizer on your face after cleansing and shaving and don't forget your neck! 



#2 Keep it toned. 
Because men are outside more than women are, environmental debris and pollutants are more a factor to their skin's health. Toning helps keep the skin clear and firm. 



#3 Treat your skin. 
All types of skin need to be exfoliated. This is the removal of dead skin cells that form daily. This is an essential part of skin treatment. 

After shaving, you need to moisturize with a product that has absolutely no alcohol in it. Avoid heavy fragrant after-shave products too, as they can irritate the skin.

 
#4 Protect your skin. 
Healthy skin is young looking skin. There are preventative techniques that can promote the best skin possible and keep it looking its best longer. Remember that your skin is a mirror of your overall body health. Avoid over exposure to the sun. 
 Use an SPF 15 or higher on all exposed skin, especially on your face (and a lip balm with sunscreen). 

#5 Stay in shape. 
Exercise promotes capillary functioning which can decrease premature aging. It also increases oxygen to the tissues which keeps skin looking young. 

#6 Eat right. 
Keep vitamins such as C and E in your diet regimen. Everything in moderation. 
Too much of anything is never a good idea. Stay away from excessive alcohol, smoking, fatigue and stress. Not only can these factors lead to premature aging; they also decrease facial circulation making you look older. 

 Tips taken from an article by Michele Probst

Anti-Aging Tips for the New Year

Anti-Aging Tactics You Should Know Taken from an article by Yvonne Finn 

It's the New Year and many people are making resolutions. How many times have you had good intentions but just didn't carry them out? Here are some ideas you can use to look and feel younger on a daily basis. After all, who doesn't want a long and joyous life without having every line written on their face?

 (1) Check your attitude! How do you feel about life? Is your life going the way you want it to? Do you take responsibility for what you have created, good or bad? How about accepting who you are? Be grateful for what you have, family, friends, a job etc. Then do an assessment of the things you want to change, if any. 

 (2) Know your nutritional needs! What you eat has a huge impact on how you look and feel. The foods you eat help make and maintain soft, smooth, glowing skin. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks, instead of over-processed manufactured "fast foods". Drink lots of water to keep skin hydrated. 

 (3) Take time outs! When was the last time you had some fun? A good laugh? If you cannot remember, it's been too long! What about pampering? Done anything special for yourself lately? A facial, or manicure? It’s easy to do these at home.  It's the time you spend just focusing on yourself that will make you feel special and cared for. 

 (4) Grooming is ageless! When did you last update your looks? A new hairstyle or wardrobe is a very effective anti-aging tactic. Subtle changes in hair coloring can make you look years younger. Find skin care that's right for your skin type. Take care of your nails and teeth. Beautiful well cared for hands are a must if you want to appear younger!

 **Meaningful beauty is not just smooth skin (which is nice), but it is also an outlook on life, your life. Treat yourself and others with respect. Balance your physical, emotional and spiritual life. Get rest when you need it, and play when you have the opportunity. These are the best anti-aging tactics!! (Better than resolutions you won't keep)