Keep Cool, Look Hot

  

        A boat ride could cool you off...

       Keep cool and look hot with refreshing spa tricks
Susie Galvez, spa owner and author of Hello Beautiful: 365 Ways To Be Even More Beautiful gives you some hot summer tips for looking your best.   For more info check out www.sheknows.com

Hot times

 We have all heard about keeping fragrances in the refrigerator for a fast cool off in hot weather. But did you know that you could also cool down quick by keeping cleansing gels, toners, and moisturizers in the fridge as well. It seems our faces are the first to show the signs of heat, so put the product where the fire is. To refresh fast, cleanse off old makeup with a cooled cleanser, continue by applying toner with a cotton ball to all areas of the face as well as the back of the neck

Cheers!
Rinsing hair with champagne brings out blonde highlights. Conditioning the hair with beer adds sheen to your tresses. So the next time you indulge, save a little summer "cheer" for your hair. 

One up
Instead of water to moisten wet/dry foundation, put a little facial toner on a sponge to moisten before applying color. You will get the slip you need to spread the foundation smoothly, as well as a little extra skincare treatment to boot. A toner can also be used to remoisten a slightly dry water based formula. Mix a few drops of toner with your foundation.

When life gives you lemons take a soothing lemon soak
Slice a lemon into thin slices, sprinkle over a tub of warm water and immerse yourself in the wonderful aroma. Lemons contain citric acid, which is an excellent dead skin remover. The juice aids in gently cleansing and the oil form the lemon peel softly hydrates. For brighter, softer skin use fresh lemon juice on any area of your body, including the knees, elbows, and face to brighten up and soften your skin.

Turn down the heat
If  hot weather makes you really sweaty, try adding a bit of baking soda to your body powder before applying. Baking soda will absorb any excess moisture as well as odor. If your underarms have a tendency to stain garments, put a little baking soda over the deodorant to set and protect the garment.

Do you have any other favorite keep cool tips?

Hair Tips and Tricks

Some have more hair than others...

     Give your hair a much needed break and let it air dry naturally. Think of it as a vacation for your hair. If you are going to have your hair air dried, it is very important to remember that the hair is at its weakest when it is wet. So, take care not to rub your hair dry with the use of a towel. The friction caused by rubbing the hair with a towel will make your hair brittle and eventually break. Rather than rubbing it, you should instead blot the moisture out of your hair with the towel. Also, be careful not to tug or pull at your hair that much when it is still wet. Once the water is blotted out of the hair, fluff it out with your fingers.

If you blow dry your hair, make sure that it is not soaking. Blot the water out with a towel first. Do not hold the dryer too close to your head; keep it at least six inches away from your hair and move the dryer constantly around your head. Protect the outer strands of your hair from being over-dried by bending over and blow drying your hair with your hair hanging upside down. Also, try not to dry your hair completely with the blow dryer. Stop while the hair is still slightly damp.

Boost the shine of your hair--once your hair is completely dry, finish it off with a cool blast of air to seal the cuticle. 

            Here are some homemade beauty hair tips.  I have not tried most of these but thought they sounded fun.

Eggs?!? Lightly beat two eggs mixed with some milk and run throughout your hair. Leave on for 5 minutes, rinse and you'll see a shine instantly. 

Dandruff Treatment Dissolve 2 aspirins in your dandruff shampoo and watch how it clears up. Use a good moisturizing conditioner afterward. 

Hair Static  This isn't meant to be funny. Use static guard. Use about 7 inches from your hair lightly. Don’t over do! 

Greasy Hair Use powder. Most come in hundreds of fragrances, brands, and unscented selections. Put a little at the root of your hair. If it is a serious problem, put the power on heavily for 15 minutes wash completely, condition lightly, and style. 

Lemon-Boost  Lemon juice mixed with natural sunlight will lighten any hair. A few drops of Rosemary Essential oil mixed with olive oil, warmed and applied to your hair for about 15 minutes is great for brunettes. (I have tried this one. Love it.)

Sweet Shine  Honey in your tea, snack or applied as a small amount in the hair will give you shine. 

Coffee  For brunettes/redheads—take 8 cups of warm brewed coffee.  After shampooing rinse your hair with the coffee.  Do not rinse out.  Your hair will be thick and shiny.

Wordless Wednesday

House for rent...looking for good fairy family.

Beat the Heat!

As the temps climb much of our country is looking for a way to stay cool. Here in MN it hasn’t been unbearably hot. However, some friends are traveling out west and I know they could use some tips for dealing with the heat there.

Here are a few ideas for them and for you to keep your cool.

1.Eat something spicy.  They’ll make you sweat for when all your sweat evaporates, you’ll feel cooler.

2. Make a cool dessert.  You can buy popsicles or dilly bars or make your own cold summer treats.

3. Visit the library or a mall. Love yourself in the stacks of books and enjoy the air-conditioning.

4. Keep your windows and blinds closed while the sun is up. Keeping windows and doors closed will allow the house to stay as cool as possible for the longest amount of time. 

5. Staying downstairs can also keep you cooler. Heat rises to the upper floors of your household, so staying downstairs makes a big difference. 

6. Limit your physical activity, as well as your child's, to the coolest times of the day -- early morning or late evening. 

7. Spritz yourself. Keep a spray bottle in the refrigerator, and when the going gets hot, give yourself a good squirt. As the water evaporates, it cools you. (I put a body spray in the fridge. Then I just spritz myself after exercising or gardening.) Keep one in your cooler!

8. Go barefoot. As the sweat on your feet evaporates, it cools the skin and the blood in your feet.

9. Make a cold compress. Fill a cotton sock with rice, tie the sock and freeze it for two hours before bedtime. Then slide it between the sheets. Rice retains cold for a long period because it's dense and starchy. (I’m going to try this to help with my night sweats!)

10. Close your eyes and imagine yourself somewhere really cool.

*Remember symptoms of heat stroke include a headache, fatigue, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting and dizziness or fainting. You should probably seek medical attention if you suffer any of these and you’ve been in the heat.

What’s your favorite way to beat the heat? (I sat in the wading pool yesterday with my grandkids!)

This is one way to protect yourself from the sun.

  

   My sister just had a suspicious mole removed. With skin cancer on the rise, it’s hard not to worry about getting too much sun. Here are some pointers to have fun in the sun while protecting your skin.

*Take to the shade as often as possible. (This is especially true for children.) From 10am to 4pm the sun’s rays are the strongest. 

*Whether it’s cloudy or sunny, you need to slather on sunscreen. (This is especially true for children.) An SPF of 15 or higher is recommended.  Look for one that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients block both UVA and UVB rays.

*Sun damage continues to occur throughout life, although recent information suggests less than 50% of sun damage happens before a person is 18.

*Apply lotion at least 15 minutes before going out into the sun. Reapply every 2 hours. 

*To protect your head and face wear a hat. With a 4 inch brim, it will protect your ears, face and neck.

*Protect your lips! Very few people think of putting sun protection there. Use a lip balm with an SPF of 15. (An SPF of 50 is only marginally more protective than an SPF of 15; an SPF of 30 has only 2% more protection than an SPF of 15, and a 40 has only 1% more than a 30.) Reapply often. If you wear gloss or lipstick put it on over the lip balm.

*Any tan is a scar, and there is no such thing as a healthy, safe tan. UVA rays found in indoor tanning lead to deeper, more harmful skin damage. You do not have to have a sunburn to create damage to skin cells. Self-tanners are the safest way to obtain tanned skin.

*Scientists are suggesting that drinking 3 cups of green tea daily and adding turmeric in your cooking may provide some protection from skin cancer.

*Check your skin once a month for changes or new growths.

(It is recommended that for adequate Vit. D levels we need 10-15 minutes of sunshine on our arms and legs without sunscreen-- two or three times a week)

     My sister's mole was on her neck and found by her doctor during a visit for something else. She now has an inch and a half scar on her neck. Skin Cancer is nothing to fool around with. Please follow the tips above!

10 Safety Tips for Runners

   

 I am a runner. I try to run in the mornings when it is still cool and there is less traffic. However last week when I was running I had an unpleasant experience which could have become more than just unpleasant.

     I was running about 7:00 on what is usually a busy road. This morning it wasn't. I was on my way back home and just enjoying the morning. Then a man in a red car started driving along side of me speaking in what I think was Spanish. I immediately started running up to a house and he drove past. He did turn around but left when he saw I had gone up to the house. I didn't ring their bell but high-tailed it out of there.

    So this got me thinking how can runners be safe? Here are some tips I found:

* Know the area where you are running and make sure someone knows where you are going. I use the Road ID App. I start it when I set out and it sends a text to my husband. He can track my route if he wants. The Road ID App will alert him if I stop for more than 5 minutes.

*Run opposite the traffic. This helps you not be caught unaware if a car comes up behind you. It also lets you see the traffic ahead of you.

*Run defensively. Don't assume all cars will stop for you. Many aren't paying attention or are just plain not courteous. I can't tell you the number of times that a car wouldn't stop for me when crossing an intersection.

*Bring an ID. I wear a ID bracelet I got from Road ID. It has my name, two contact numbers and can list any allergies or special info.

*Bring your cell phone. Had that fellow bothered me any more I could have called 911. If you would get hurt or just couldn't finish a run, you'd be able to call for help.

*Change it up.  Don't run the same route or at the same time. Don't be predictable. I run a different route every day. 

*Listen around you. I don't run with music anymore because I had my earbuds in and didn't notice a car coming up behind me as I was crossing a busy road. If you run with music, turn the volume down or use just one earpiece. Best advice though--don't run with music.

*Run with a dog or other people if possible.

*Run a safe route. Choose well-traveled and well-lit roads. Stay out of woods or dark areas.

*Bring pepper spray. I'm not sure about this one. I used to run with it but it can be used against you too.

     I hope these tips will help keep you safe if you are a runner. Can you think of any other safety tips?

TOP TEN TIPS FOR SAVORING SUMMER

    

     Has your summer kicked into full gear yet? We are right in the thick of things having fun! I don't want it to go by too fast so here are some tips for us to savor those gorgeous sunny days.

01. devour your days. plan your last weeks of summer ahead of time and schedule in outings to the lake, afternoons at the park, grilled kabobs in the backyard or drive-in movies for the weekend. create lots of little activities to look forward to. remember, take advantage of the warm weather. it won't last forever!

02. open a good book, one that doesn't feel like reading homework. i love remembering summers by which books were read that year.

03. crack the windows at night, listen to crickets and count your blessings before falling asleep.

04. sip fun summer drinks from an icy glass with a bendy straw. daydream or doodle in a notebook for an hour or so. enjoy the little moments that remind you of summers past.

05. wake up early and go walking, running, hiking or biking. get out there and enjoy the great outdoors!

06. surprise someone special by sending them an ice cream party in the mail.

07. grab a sno-cone, paint your toenails, read a magazine and sit on the back patio in the sunshine.

08. fix up a picnic for the park and invite some friends. don't forget some bread for feeding the ducks!

09. write down what summer 2016 taught you; even if you don't regularly keep a journal. write down what you did, where you went, and the people you spent it with. write down all the details you can, you'll be glad you did.

10. as the summer comes to a close, make time to set new goals for the autumn. take the traditional shopping trip for school supplies, even if it's just for your own use at home! (a new set of stationery or cool pens always makes a desktop more delightful.)