New Year...New Skin

Get beautiful skin before Spring creeps in :)

Ugghhh.....I know, I know...I was here and then I wasn't...LOL...what can I say...holiday season was HECTIC, and contending with the "queen" aka Little Victoria as she's nearing her second birthday has been nothing short of CHAOTIC. Nevertheless, I carved out a little chunk of time to share an inexpensive but fabulous beauty secret with you. So lately, I've been receiving alot of compliments on the clarity and luminescence of my skin...I wish I could chalk it all up to good genes and a natural glow, but i've been getting a little help from a cheap but chic beauty bar. For less than $3.00 you can get the same clear, luminescent skin I've been experiencing for weeks now. Its the AMBI:Complexion Cleansing Bar, and its actually a facial bar...but what it does for the skin on your face it will do for your entire body-cleanse & tone it! Its great for fighting scars and blemishes from hair removal on your legs and bikini area. I follow it up with a simple cocoa butter based lotion like Vaseline Deep Conditioning Cocoa Butter Lotion while my skin is till damp. At night I use pure olive oil, also while my skin is still wet. Simple ingredients are the best for your skin...forget about those expensive body washes that promise to do the same things. These simple components, GOOD Old Fashioned beauty rest, and moisturizing heavily at night will have your skin glowing in no time. I've been using it for weeks but I noticed results as soon as a couple of days. Make sure you keep it on your EXTERNAL skin ;) Good Luck!

photo courtesy of Target.com

You can find the AMBI: Complexion Cleansing Bar at virtually any chain drugstore as well as Target and Walmart for less than $3.00/bar

Sexy skin is a good base...but what to put on top? What is your personal style?

I like to call mine VINTAGE PRINCESS GRUNGE- Ultra Glam when I'm going out...Comfy and a little distressed when I'm getting things done. Explore my style on the next post and learn how to define your own...and not just for you...we'll touch on developing your babes' style too See you soon ;)

Heirloom Ornament

Trim your tree with this beautiful "cheap but chic" ornament.

Pine cones are one of the most versatile crafting mediums in nature. You can turn them into tons of holiday decorations for virtually every season of the year. And the best thing is they're FREE!!! For Christmas they make beautiful sconces, medallions and of course ornaments. Here I'll show you how to make a personalized, simple but elegant heirloom ornament that will give your tree a fantastic sparkle for years top come. Its very easy enough for kids to make too!

What you'll need:

Pinecones

White Glue

Glitter

Thin String or Curling Ribbon

Pretty Organza Ribbon and/or sheer tulle

"Charm" such as a small photo, toy, figurine, or jewelry remnant

Scissors

Hole Punch

Paintbrush

1. First set out all your materials...use a plate to catch falling glitter. For a more modern look you can spray your pinecones first with a metallic spray paint like silver or gold. I like to keep them in their natural state for a more vintage, rustic look. Just make sure they are free of dried pine needles. Try to choose pinecones with attached stems, it makes it easier to tie your ribbons to them.
2. Holding the stem of the pinecone, or the top if there isn't one..."paint" the pinecone with the white glue in a downward motion, this will ensure that the glue collects at the tips of the pinecone scales.
3. Sprinkle the pinecone with your choice of glitter. I like silver and gold together, it gives it an opulent look-Set aside your glitterized pinecone to dry
4. Next make an heirloom "charm" for your pinecone by attaching a small photo or toy to the thin string or curling ribbon. It should be something that reminds you of a family member at a certain time. Use a small hole punch to make a hole in the upper left hand side of the photo. I used a picture of "baby" Chase :)
5. Next tie your charm to the top of your glitterized pinecone...leaving a couple rows of scales free at the top if your pinecone has no stem
6. Last...tie a bow at the very top of the pine cone....If your pinecone has no stem, slip the ribbon under the free row of scales on top and tie.
7. VOILA...attach it to your tree with a wire ornament hook.

When you're taking down the tree, wrap the pinecone ornaments in tissue paper and put them in a cardboard box by themselves. Take care to place the ornaments with the heavier charms on bottom so they won't crush the pinecones-they're very delicate ;)

Enjoy!

Welcome Back

Our "growing" family Christmas 2010

Its been a little over three years since the last time I uploaded a mere thought onto this newly non-defunct blogsite. And I upload these, my first thoughts back on the blog scene, with great excitement!!! Much has changed since 2008. God finally answered my prayers and welcomed a new muse into my life, a baby girl Victoria! Needless to say, she's been living up to her name...she's definitely the queen of our little castle! She's made our home more complete and happy, and me especially resourceful and inspired. Inspired to impart some of the great things that I've learned over the past year with the addition of a new baby to our family. Its no secret, that adding a new baby means adding a small boatload of new expenses. And like everyone else, living in this current economic state, it hasn't always been easy to stay true to what I really like stylewise, while making responsible financial decisions for my family. But with a good plan and the right resources...I learned being fabulous and having a big family is not an impossible task for the average woman. You can still lead a cultured, stylish, life...enjoy good food & great experiences with and without your family, all without breaking the bank. Here you will find cheap and chic beauty secrets, recipes that streeeeetchhhhhh for your family, and style advice from myself and other stylists on inexpensive wardrobe pieces and the best places to thrift for your body, home and beyond...These are just a few gems I'd like to share here with you...Look for these and others in posts to follow

What's coming soon....

Up next.... In time for Christmas, an easy beautiful ornament that will add sophisticated shine to your Christmas tree-and costs just cents to make. Get the kids to help!!!!!

Next week's post-The best roasted chicken dinner with potatoes and carrots that feeds a family of 5 people and costs just $10.00 for EVERYTHING!!!!

Don't forget to check the archives, there's alot of interesting old fodder lol and don't forget to follow us...you don't want to miss what we have coming soon! LOVE

Plum Wine

Ummmm uMMMM GOOOOOD!!!

At my husband's recent birthday dinner, I was introduced to something new...and VERY nice, plum wine. Also called Ume, plum wine is not made from traditional grapes. Instead, its made with plums and shochu, Japanese clear liquor. Its really popular in Japan and Korea, and is also produced in China. The taste is VERY smooth and sweet and is great with dinner. If you like the "buzz" of alcohol, but maybe not the taste, this is something to try. It tastes like REALLY good juice and compliments Japanese food extremely well. Domo Arigato, Elsa I love this stuff ;)!

I also tried sushi for the first time, and it was really good too!!! You should start out with the California Rolls if you've never tried before, that's what a lot of seasoned sushi vets recommend ;). I personally love Salmon, it has such a fresh taste! LOVE

Baby Aisle Beauty

Using this for 25 years and still counting ;)

Although, they come into your life and cut down the time and $$$$ you have to spend on your daily beauty regimen, babies open a door to a whole new world of marvelous health and beauty products. As a mother, and a new mom especially, its important to still take good care of yourself. Its imperative to your happiness with self and your post-baby appearance, the bond you'll build with your baby, and preserving your overall youth and vitality. Some of the very same things you purchase for your little one double and even triple as great beauty buys for you. Here are some of my favorites...take a look

• Vaseline: This tried and true favorite has been around for years, and for good reason. Some of the best protection you'll get for chapped skin, especially during fall and winter, will come from Vaseline which is also an amazing exfoliator of sorts. There are scrubs out there that remind us to resurface the skin and face, but 9 times out of 10 women forget to exfoliate one very important area of skin-the lips. This is where Vaseline shines ;). Rubbing it on your lips and letting it work for about fifteen minutes, then gently brushing with.... what else?, an infant toothbrush, will resurface them and keep them soft. Following with a layer of honey for about 15 minutes will soften and pinken them even more. You can try the process over and over depending on how many cells you need to slough off, but remember to be gentle with your lips. The skin is VERY delicate
• Aquaphor: Of the same family as Vaseline, but a tad more expensive and 150% more moisturizing, Aquaphor has become a favorite of some runway models. Why? This thick emollient, specifically formulated for thirsty skin, is VERY hydrating. Applying in place of body butter after exfloiating your skin, and wrapping yourself in Saran Wrap locks in the moisture and forces it deep into your skin. Making sure your skin is still a little damp before applying it will ensure the greatest moisture concentration.
• A Baby Brush: While we're on the topic of exfoliation, don't forget to pick up an infant brush for yourself, when you're considering grooming your babies' locks. Rubbing it over dry skin before jumping in the shower loosens the flaky top layer of epidermis and allows your scrub to work even better ;)!
• Baby Oil Gel: For instant glow in your evening gown or lingerie, Johnson's Baby Oil gel is the go-to. A thin layer of this transparent gem adds quick shine to your skin. A little goes a long way, so you don't need too much, and the gel formula makes it a lot less messy than traditional oil.
• Q-tips: Because nothing defines the lower lid of your smokey eye better than a fresh q-tip ;)! These are some of the best makeup applicators out there.When you need to line or define with precision, a q-tip is the perfect size and shape; especially the Safe-T-Tips that have a pointed tip ;)! Use them with dry makeup media like shadows, pigments and powders so you don't have cotton threads strewn about your face. If you need to use it with a liquid or cream based part of your makeup (like in the application of concealer) wet the q-tip, soak up the excess water and smooth the cotton tip by rolling it in a clean, fresh piece of tissue and then apply. This also works if you want a more intense color from your shadow. Wet the Q-tip, twist, dip it in the shadow and then apply the richer color ;).
• Baby Wipes: My friends and I have found out that these are some the BEST stainlifters in the world. Soaking up a fresh makeup stain with a baby wipe always works. They are also great makeup removers. Since they're formulated for a baby, they're gentle enough for use on your face, and they usually remove eyeshadow in one or two swipes. As always, be careful when manipulating the skin around your eyes, its very delicate and ages faster when pulled and tugged regularly ;).

Babies are such a blessing....definitely in more ways than one. It may be hard to keep up with your pre-baby health and beauty regimen, but if you're resourceful and utilize the things your baby has introduced into your life, you can devise a new post-baby one ;). REMEMBER not to FORGET to make time for yourself; you deserve it now more than ever!!! LOVE

Baby products are especially good because their light scent doesn't conflict with your perfume and their hypoallergenic composition is healthy for your skin...Cetaphil is one of the leading sensitive-skin baby lines that offers tons of soaps and moisturizers for mother and baby. Visit this link for some goodies for both http://www.cetaphil.com/ LOVE

Luxury in a Jar...or Two!

As close to Spa quality as it may get ;)

In one of my earliest blogs, Recession Beauty, I mentioned that body polishes and scrubs are my favorite spa therapy. If you've never had one, or performed one on yourself, what it is is basically an exfoliation process with a wet scrub usually made from a raw salt or sugar base that sloughs of dull dead skin cells and unearths the new, glowing skin beneath. Its usually followed by a very hydrating cream that deeply moisturizes the new skin. The process keeps your skin very soft and promotes circulation to give you an instant glow. There are tons of scrubs and body butters out there that you can purchase and use at home, but some are better than others. Some even provide professional quality results, and I found two in particular. In an effort to conserve time I paid my favorite NYC Spa, HAVEN, a visit to purchase some items I could use at home instead...and I'm so glad I did ;)

• Pure Fiji Coconut Sugar Rub $41 : This is the BEST sugar scrub I have ever tried!!! It comes with a scoop so that you don't waste too much, and a little bit goes a LONG way. When I read the bottle and it said 15 uses, I immediately shrugged that off; I usually get three at most out of a jar this size. The scent is very light and its very moisturizing, but like almost any sugar scrub, its VERY messy...so confine yourself to the shower. If you have the time...apply it and wrap yourself in Saran Wrap for 20 mins. ;). This really works!!! Rinse it off with warm water and follow with...
• Biotone Body Butter in Milk & Honey $36: Also a small jar that promises a lot of uses. Rub this all over your skin once you've patted dry and you'll feel your skin instantly turn into velvet. This body butter is amazing. It also has a very light scent that won't over power or conflict with your perfume. You can use it everyday!

These beauty finds are little on the pricey side, but they are well worth it. With the number of uses and the professional results you'll get, they pay for themselves over and over and over ;). Twice a week is a good number of times to exfoliate your skin. You'll be amazed at just how more beautiful your skin can be! LOVE

You don't necessarily have to go directly to a spa to purchase these items. You can actually find them on the Internet for a little cheaper. Visit these links to the sugar scrub and body cream respectively and indulge yourself.

http://www.purefiji.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=USA&Product_Code=PF-SR-C

http://www.biotonespa.com/?s=shop&p=product&a=view&id=BSBBMILK8Z&dept=SPAH

If you're in need of getting out & being pampered, definitely check out Haven Spa in NYC. The environment is very clean and relaxing and for an NYC spa the prices are very reasonable. Visit this link to check it out http://www.havensoho.com/

Your skin actually does glow!!! What you eat, how much you exercise and how you take care of your skin all plays a role in its radiance. Look for my upcoming blog on 10 things you can do to make your Skin Shine....LOVE

Tonight is the Night

The Forgetter vs The Orator ;)

If you haven't watched the two previous presidential debates, tonight is definitely the night to tune in! There's a lot up for discussion, e g. the economy, Obama's connection with former radical Bill Ayers, and John McCain's "new" plan to solve the economic crises sweeping the US. Because this isn't a town hall format, and because both candidates will be touching on sore subjects, political fireworks are sure to fly. Both candidates, John McCain especially since he trails Obama in the polls by a significant margin, need to use this final opportunity to address the American public with answers that are gonna secure votes. With the election only 20 days away, and the economy bouncing all over the place, tonight is definitely the night for both these candidates to stand and deliver. Judging by the past two debates, Obama's sure to win this one, but lets hope he stays composed and focused. An erratic John McCain will have to bring his A game tonight, but honestly at this point is that even enough?

The debate starts tonight at 9pm, and the best place to watch it if you can is CNN. They don't call these guys the best political team on television for no reason. Great recap, commentary, and discussion on the debate by seasoned professionals!!! Make sure you check it out! LOVE