Wordless Wednesday

Here, let me get that for you...

You Scream, I Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream!

      Ah, it’s summer and the urge to eat ice cream is here!  We all need to take a break sometimes and what better way to cool off but with some ice cream.  Forget endlessly cranking the handle of an ice-cream maker. After combining the ingredients, each guest can simply shake up his or her own pouch of soft serve--and it's done in just 5 minutes. (recipe from the FamilyFun.com website)

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
	2 tablespoons sugar
	1 cup half and half
	1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
	1/2 cup salt (The bigger the granules, the better. Kosher or rock salt works best, but table salt is fine.)
	Ice cubes (enough to fill each gallon-size bag about half full)
	1 pint-size ziplock bag
	1 gallon-size ziplock bag

1. Combine the sugar, half and half, and vanilla extract in the pint-size bag and seal it tightly.

2. Place the salt and ice in the gallon-size bag, then place the sealed smaller bag inside as well. Seal the larger bag. Now shake the bags until the mixture hardens (about 5 minutes). Feel the small bag to determine when it's done.

3. Take the smaller bag out of the larger one, add mix-ins, and eat the ice cream right out of the bag. Easy cleanup too! Serves 1.

     I've done this with the grandkids and they had a lot of fun making and eating this ice cream!

Eight Easy Tips for the Prettiest Eyes Ever

     

     It's been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. So I guess it's pretty important to take care of your eyes! Here are some tips for you:

* 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 the 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.

Eye love these tips! (pardon the pun)

Wordless Wednesday

It's strawberry picking time around here!

Summertime Skin

     

     Is your skin summer worthy? These tips will help your skin keep a healthy glow  for these upcoming sunny days -- and with results designed to last through Labor Day and beyond. 

Exfoliate to Get Rid of Dry, Dull Skin   Experts say the best way to get your skin ready for summer is with regular exfoliation. This gets rid of dead, dry skin cells Use a washcloth, loofah or buff puff, Wet your entire body in the bath or shower. Apply exfoliating cleanser to your loofah or washcloth, and scrub, using gentle, circular motions. You should exfoliate no more than once a day or a couple of times a week. Get started before Memorial Day and keep the regimen up throughout summer.  Added incentive: exfoliated skin will help self-tanners go on more smoothly, making them less likely to streak and prevent your glow from fading prematurely. 

Moisturize to Hydrate Skin   After you exfoliate, moisturizing your skin is key. Use it after you exfoliate, shave, and shower. 

Apply Sunscreen -- and Use Enough   The most important thing you can do for your skin is sun protection so you never get a burn.  How high a number of sun protection factor (SPF) you need depends on how fair you are. People with fairer skin, lighter hair, and lighter eyes often need stronger sun block than their darker counterparts. Everyone should wear a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher with a broad-spectrum agent that protects against UVA and UVB rays.. Apply it generously.  Put on enough to cover your entire body, no matter how much it takes. Apply it before you reach the beach or outdoors. Sunscreen takes 15 to 20 minutes to kick into high gear, so apply it before you leave the house. Reapply it frequently. Remember that it only lasts for about two hours. 

Shave Away Unwanted Hair   A good shaving strategy also helps. Shave in the opposite direction from which hair grows. In places where hair grows in different directions and in hard-to-reach areas such as underarms and the bikini area, try pulling the skin slightly, making it more taut and easier to shave.  You could also try waxing, Waxing lasts longer than shaving. But remember that when you go to rewax, you have to let hair grow to a minimal length first.

Treat the Skin on Your Feet   Don't forget your feet this summer. People often complain of dermatitis, peeling, or callous on their heels. Using a /pumice stone will help to get rid of some of that. Use after a bath or shower when feet are softened up. Make sure that your toenails are cut straight across. 

     How many tubes of lipstick do you have in your makeup drawer? If you are like me, you probably have lots!! I never really paid much attention to what kind of lipstick I was buying—mostly impulse buying because I liked the color. Here is some information on what those “lipstick words” mean… 

Matte - These lipsticks provide full coverage color and tend to stay on longer than any other type of lipstick. They are a good choice if you are trying to make a bold statement with your lip color. They are best in dark colors, but might make your lips feel and appear dry because they contain zero shine ingredients. To remedy this, slick on some gloss. (Now I know why I use these tubes the least…) 

Crème - This type of lipstick contains more emollients than the matte ones, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they will shine more. You may still need that lip-gloss. Cream formulations are more opaque, so you need to be more selective about choosing a color. You'll find that the majority of lipsticks are "crème" because they are the most versatile and they wear very easily. 

Frost - Mature women should steer clear of this type of lipstick. Frost lipstick tends to be pale and metallic in appearance, which makes lips appear dry and older than they are. If you have a "frost" in your lipstick collection that you love, try pairing it with a lip-gloss that has no metallic tint to it. The gloss will tone down the harshness of the metallic pigment. (I don’t have any of these so I think that is very “mature” of me!) 

Satin or Sheer - This type of lipstick is perfect for the "natural" look. It is light, like gloss, but has a deeper and longer lasting color than gloss. It is full of moisture, but requires lots of reapplication. It usually has a high oil content and looks much darker in the tube than it will on your mouth. It goes on easily and doesn't smear or get transferred onto the teeth. 

 Lip gloss -not only makes lips look plump and shimmering, but is favored especially during cold weather because it also moisturizes the lips Moisturizing means the lipstick should be smooth and shiny and usually contains the moisturizing ingredients like Vitamin E and aloe...however, it won't last as long as some other formulas. 
 

Long-wearing means it should stay put for four-six hours but will also probably feel dry. To balance the dryness, look for long-wearing formulas that also containing moisturizers like Vitamin E and aloe.


Wordless Wednesday

Prayers for whoever the helicopter is bringing to the hospital.

Extra Special Skin Care For Anti-aging Sk

 "Every wrinkle on your face is where a smile has been."

     I'd like to think then that I've had tons of smiles! I'm not real concerned about my wrinkles--they come with age--but I wouldn't mind slowing down the process of getting more just a little.


     Fine lines and wrinkles are inevitable as we age, but with a little special skin care and these tips, you can help minimize wrinkles! 

1.  Sun protection 
The single biggest cause of skin aging is sunlight. You should use a sunscreen every single day of the year.   This will help skin from premature aging, as well as guard against burning.  

2.  Don't smoke 
Cigarette smoke speeds up the aging process because it strips your skin of oxygen and slows the rate of new skin cell regeneration. It's responsible for giving the skin a gray, sluggish look and can cause fine lines around the mouth. 

3.  Deep cleanse 
Many older women don't cleanse their skin as well as they should believing this can lead to dryness and lines.  Cleansing your skin properly is essential to ensure your skin is cleared of dead skin cells, dirt and makeup, and gives your skin a fresh, healthy glow. Massage a good creamy cleanser into your skin and rinse off with warm water.   Always pat your skin dry with a soft towel. 

4.  Deep moisturize 
As well as using a daily moisturizer you can give your skin an extra boost by using a weekly nourishing face mask. Apply to damp skin for extra effect. 

5.  Boost your circulation 
Choose a gentle facial scrub or exfoliator and use once a week to gently remove dead skin cells and keep the top layers of your skin glowing with good health. 

6. Eat Healthy Foods 
Foods that are high in antioxidants, such as berries, are great for your skin. Eat blueberries and strawberries as a nutritious snack, or add them to your breakfast cereal or yogurt. It's also vital to eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids can help regenerate your skin at the cellular level. High omega-3 foods also reduce inflammation, help prevent cancer and offer many other health benefits. Foods high in omega-3s include salmon, halibut, sardines, albacore tuna, flaxseed and walnuts. 

7. Stay hydrated 
Water is important for your overall health. Drinking eight glasses of water a day will help you lose weight, aid digestion, improve your energy and concentration, remove toxins from your body and keep your skin glowing and healthy.



8.Be gentle 
Always be as gentle as you can when applying skin care products and don't drag your skin, particularly around the delicate eye area. A heavy touch can cause your skin to stretch and appear "crepey".  Always use a light touch and stroke upwards, rather than drag the skin down. Avoid any products that make your skin feel irritated or itchy and switch to a more gentle formula. 



I'll leave you with a little wrinkle humor...

Wordless Wednesday

You can make music anywhere, anytime with almost anything!