Once you have all the ingredients, this cream formula will only
take you about 15 minutes to make, and 10 of those minutes are
spent melting the wax and oils. I’ve combined two of my favorite
skin creams from my book Better Basics for the Home for this
formula—one is my basic skin cream, and the other is
adapted from the Mayan Flora de Mayo “Cream.”
The inclusion of royal jelly, from the Mayan formula, makes this
cream powerfully healing for the skin. Royal jelly is a secretion of
honeybees, and one of the most nutritious substances known.
Some notes on the ingredients:
Oils: Choose the blended oils according to what feels great on your skin. It is worth the money to buy some sample oils from the health food store and trying them to see what feels right. For my 40-going-on-50 skin type, nothing feels as great as apricot kernel oil, but if I used that alone in this cream it would be too greasy, so I combine it with grapeseed oil, a much less greasy oil, and some jojoba, a liquid wax that never goes rancid. What feels right for you is what you should choose.
Royal Jelly: Buy active royal jelly found in the refrigerator section of many health food stores.
Beeswax: Most health food stores carry beeswax. If you are not able to find any locally you can buy it online from herbalist supply companies.
Grapefruit seed extract: Used as a preservative, and available in health food stores.
WINTER SKIN CREAM
4 ounces oil (2 1/2 blended oils, 1 1/2 ounces coconut oil or cocoa butter)
1/2 ounce beeswax
4 ounces distilled water
1/3 teaspoon grapefruit seed extract
1/2 teaspoon royal jelly
Note that using distilled water is important to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.
Combine the oils and beeswax in a double boiler over medium heat. Once the wax is melted, remove from the heat, pour into a bowl, and add the water. Blend with an electric blender until creamy. Add the grapefruit seed extract and royal jelly, stir until fully blended.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/winter-skin-cream-royal-jelly.html#ixzz1Dr81MD9D
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
How to Wears Thights
Making sure that black appears multiple times within an outfit ensures intentionality. Likewise, making sure that the color of your tights shows up at least twice helps the tights seem like a natural addition. Here, my outfit is mainly navy, but the complementary lavender looks fab in the mix since it shows up in tights AND belt.
Does the color of the tights
blend with or match to the shoes?
Those charcoal gray tights are the only charcoal gray element in the ensemble. Had I worn cream-colored pumps, the tights would’ve seemed a bit more incongruous. But since both tights and shoes are dark tones, the addition of this color seems more natural.
If your tights introduce an entirely new color, selecting footwear in similar values and tones will make your legs and feet look more like a single unit. This not only makes your legs appear longer, but helps the tights seem like an organic part of the overall outfit.
Are the tights clearly making
a stand-alone statement of their own?
In this outfit, those same lavender tights from the first outfit are the lone colorful element. Since every other garment and accessory is cream or gray – all muted neutrals – the bright tights look statement-y and intentional. Brightly colored and boldly patterned tights can be the focal point of an outfit, but will work best if it’s abundantly clear that they’re the focal point. Creating contrast and utilizing neutrals both help drive the point home.
How do you decide which tights to wear with your outfit? Do any of these questions float through your mind as you’re choosing legwear?
Does the color of the tights
blend with or match to the shoes?
Those charcoal gray tights are the only charcoal gray element in the ensemble. Had I worn cream-colored pumps, the tights would’ve seemed a bit more incongruous. But since both tights and shoes are dark tones, the addition of this color seems more natural.
If your tights introduce an entirely new color, selecting footwear in similar values and tones will make your legs and feet look more like a single unit. This not only makes your legs appear longer, but helps the tights seem like an organic part of the overall outfit.
Are the tights clearly making
a stand-alone statement of their own?
In this outfit, those same lavender tights from the first outfit are the lone colorful element. Since every other garment and accessory is cream or gray – all muted neutrals – the bright tights look statement-y and intentional. Brightly colored and boldly patterned tights can be the focal point of an outfit, but will work best if it’s abundantly clear that they’re the focal point. Creating contrast and utilizing neutrals both help drive the point home.
How do you decide which tights to wear with your outfit? Do any of these questions float through your mind as you’re choosing legwear?
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Winter Exercises
1. Find a Workout Partner: If you made a New Year’s resolution to be healthier, you may feel your resolution fading. Buddy up with a friend and help one another stick with your resolutions by working out together. It will make it more fun and enjoyable, you’ll feel more accountable for each others’ success, and most importantly, you’ll reap the healthy benefits of pushing one another to stick with your program.
2. Set a Goal: Set a goal to reach by a specific date in spring. Maybe you want to lose ten pounds by March 21st, the spring equinox. Maybe you want to gain some muscle. Or maybe, you want to be able to run three miles without running out of breath. Whatever your goal is, setting one will give you something to strive for, to be accountable for, and better yet, give you purpose to your exercising.
3. Schedule Adjustments: Just because you love to exercise in the morning during the summer doesn’t mean that you might like it as much in the winter. Forcing yourself to do something at a time of day that isn’t enjoyable won’t help matters. Adjust your schedule so that you are more apt to workout as seasons change.
4. Find a Winter Sport You Love: If the gym is completely unappealing, and you are more of an outdoors exerciser, then you may very well want to take up a winter sport. Sports such as down-hill skiing, snowboarding, snow-shoeing, ice skating, and cross-country skiing, are all great for staying in shape and burning extra calories. Or, if you like team sports, sign up for an ice hockey league. Try one or two of these until you find something you enjoy.
5. Seasonally Appropriate Gear: If you are still wearing summer weight workout gear, you may be making it more painful than necessary. Make sure that you are wearing winter appropriate gear so that the chill doesn’t feel as painful as it needs to.
How do you keep enjoying exercise in the winter? Have you done any of these to keep you interested?
2. Set a Goal: Set a goal to reach by a specific date in spring. Maybe you want to lose ten pounds by March 21st, the spring equinox. Maybe you want to gain some muscle. Or maybe, you want to be able to run three miles without running out of breath. Whatever your goal is, setting one will give you something to strive for, to be accountable for, and better yet, give you purpose to your exercising.
3. Schedule Adjustments: Just because you love to exercise in the morning during the summer doesn’t mean that you might like it as much in the winter. Forcing yourself to do something at a time of day that isn’t enjoyable won’t help matters. Adjust your schedule so that you are more apt to workout as seasons change.
4. Find a Winter Sport You Love: If the gym is completely unappealing, and you are more of an outdoors exerciser, then you may very well want to take up a winter sport. Sports such as down-hill skiing, snowboarding, snow-shoeing, ice skating, and cross-country skiing, are all great for staying in shape and burning extra calories. Or, if you like team sports, sign up for an ice hockey league. Try one or two of these until you find something you enjoy.
5. Seasonally Appropriate Gear: If you are still wearing summer weight workout gear, you may be making it more painful than necessary. Make sure that you are wearing winter appropriate gear so that the chill doesn’t feel as painful as it needs to.
How do you keep enjoying exercise in the winter? Have you done any of these to keep you interested?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Blazer
Blazing Success
A blazer is the perfect way to top off a look, always lending a fashionable and balanced finish to every outfit it meets. Looking for new ways to dress up—or down—your favorite one? Get inspiration from these put-together ensembles. From an out-on-the-town look to a chic office style, the following outfits are proof that the blazer is the ultimate “make it work” accessory.
Go Long
Go Long
Go Long
Balance an oversize cotton boyfriend blazer with relaxed high-waisted trousers; the belt draws eyes to your slim middle. Add novel accessories or a beguilin, not bookish, look.
Simple 120 jacket, $149; JJill.com. ISSACMIZRAHILIVE! cardigan, $55; QVC.com. Eileen Fisher top, $58; Bloomingdale’s Stores. Belted Paper Bag trousers, $79.90; TheLimited.com. Leelee’s Gold Metal Hoop necklace, $43.95; FantasyJewelryBox.com. Simply Vera Vera Wang Marcello tote, $109; Kohls.com. Isabel Toledo for Payless Cabana heel, $44.99; Payless.com.
Layer It On
Layer It On
Layer It On
Don’t give your favorite blazer the weekend off. A comfortable lined cotton version looks surprisingly casual over a lightweight down vest and a preppy gingham buttondown. Pull on a pair of slimming bootcut jeans and some bright sneakers and call it a (Sun)day.
Esprit Collection Jersey Blazer, $149.50; Esprit.com. Down vest, $14.97; LandsEnd.com. Gingham shirt, $39.50; LLBean.com. Dreamer Boot-cut Jeans, $34.50; OldNavy.com. Nine West Danford shoes, $79; select Macy’s stores.
A blazer is the perfect way to top off a look, always lending a fashionable and balanced finish to every outfit it meets. Looking for new ways to dress up—or down—your favorite one? Get inspiration from these put-together ensembles. From an out-on-the-town look to a chic office style, the following outfits are proof that the blazer is the ultimate “make it work” accessory.
Go Long
Go Long
Go Long
Balance an oversize cotton boyfriend blazer with relaxed high-waisted trousers; the belt draws eyes to your slim middle. Add novel accessories or a beguilin, not bookish, look.
Simple 120 jacket, $149; JJill.com. ISSACMIZRAHILIVE! cardigan, $55; QVC.com. Eileen Fisher top, $58; Bloomingdale’s Stores. Belted Paper Bag trousers, $79.90; TheLimited.com. Leelee’s Gold Metal Hoop necklace, $43.95; FantasyJewelryBox.com. Simply Vera Vera Wang Marcello tote, $109; Kohls.com. Isabel Toledo for Payless Cabana heel, $44.99; Payless.com.
Layer It On
Layer It On
Layer It On
Don’t give your favorite blazer the weekend off. A comfortable lined cotton version looks surprisingly casual over a lightweight down vest and a preppy gingham buttondown. Pull on a pair of slimming bootcut jeans and some bright sneakers and call it a (Sun)day.
Esprit Collection Jersey Blazer, $149.50; Esprit.com. Down vest, $14.97; LandsEnd.com. Gingham shirt, $39.50; LLBean.com. Dreamer Boot-cut Jeans, $34.50; OldNavy.com. Nine West Danford shoes, $79; select Macy’s stores.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Maid Cleaning Services
Maid Services Cleaning Professionals are expertly trained and insured to provide you with the best service around, giving you the peace-of-mind that only Sears can. We'll meet with you to discuss your home's unique needs or design and tailor priorities that meet your lifestyle. Whether you're looking for regular cleaning service or just a little help getting things back in order, we can customize a program that's right for you. It's easy to maintain a cleaner and healthier home with help from Sears.
We offer complete cleaning of kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and living areas and can extend your program to include washing dishes, making beds and emptying trash and recycling. Some of services we offer are:
Why Choose Sears:
* It's worry free. Sears is the company Canadians have trusted for their home maintenance needs for over 50 years.
* Residential Cleaning Professionals are industry experts and have all the necessary training, experience and licenses to perform a thorough and reliable and safe job.
* You can earn Sears ClubTM Points** when you use your Sears Card or Sears® MasterCard®.
o Vacuum Floors
o Wash & dry wood floors
o Dust baseboards, furniture, wood work, shelves, lamps, frames, knick-knacks, and window ledges & frames
o Clean stair rail(s)
o Clean appliance(s)
o Clean counter tops & cabinets
o Clean toilet bowl(s), shower(s), and tub(s)
*Some restrictions apply. Call for details. **Sears Club Points do not apply to taxes or travel charges. Sears® is a registered trademark of Sears, licensed for use in Canada. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated
Maid Services from Sears are available in the following markets and surround areas:
Alberta: Calgary
British Columbia: Vancouver, Victoria
Nova Scotia: Halifax
Ontario: Brockville, Guelph, Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo, Woodstock, Stratford, Ingersol, Mississauga, Oakville, Hamilton, Oshawa, Ottawa, St. Catharines, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Woodbridge, Maple, Concord, Downsview, Willowdale, North York
Quebec: Montreal, Quebec
We offer complete cleaning of kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and living areas and can extend your program to include washing dishes, making beds and emptying trash and recycling. Some of services we offer are:
Why Choose Sears:
* It's worry free. Sears is the company Canadians have trusted for their home maintenance needs for over 50 years.
* Residential Cleaning Professionals are industry experts and have all the necessary training, experience and licenses to perform a thorough and reliable and safe job.
* You can earn Sears ClubTM Points** when you use your Sears Card or Sears® MasterCard®.
o Vacuum Floors
o Wash & dry wood floors
o Dust baseboards, furniture, wood work, shelves, lamps, frames, knick-knacks, and window ledges & frames
o Clean stair rail(s)
o Clean appliance(s)
o Clean counter tops & cabinets
o Clean toilet bowl(s), shower(s), and tub(s)
*Some restrictions apply. Call for details. **Sears Club Points do not apply to taxes or travel charges. Sears® is a registered trademark of Sears, licensed for use in Canada. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated
Maid Services from Sears are available in the following markets and surround areas:
Alberta: Calgary
British Columbia: Vancouver, Victoria
Nova Scotia: Halifax
Ontario: Brockville, Guelph, Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo, Woodstock, Stratford, Ingersol, Mississauga, Oakville, Hamilton, Oshawa, Ottawa, St. Catharines, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Woodbridge, Maple, Concord, Downsview, Willowdale, North York
Quebec: Montreal, Quebec
Monday, January 24, 2011
Pimples and Acne
Pimples, acne, spots doesn’t matter what you call them, they affect pretty much everyone at some point in their life. From teenagers to adults, we all get this problem and look for the answer to . The only problem is there isn’t one definite solution that will just work and rid us of these attention seeking spots.
If you go to the various online stores you will see the huge amounts of pimple remover products available for you to buy. The majority of the time the online store will offer reviews from customers who have purchased and used the product. This is great as hopefully the person will give a detailed enough review to help you find what is best for you.
However make sure not to expect too much, as everyone’s skin is different so it may turn out not to be as effective on your skin. Be prepared for a bit of sampling of different products to find the right one for you.
Zeno Acne Clearing Device
One product which I have come across, although I haven't used it myself is the Zeno Acne Clearing Device. It has numerous reviews and as with most acne products you will find both positive and negative comments. Read the Reviews Here.
I’ve read about a lot of weird home remedy solutions that people swear by when it comes to getting rid of pimples, I have never tried them so can’t comment on how effective they are.
If you go to the various online stores you will see the huge amounts of pimple remover products available for you to buy. The majority of the time the online store will offer reviews from customers who have purchased and used the product. This is great as hopefully the person will give a detailed enough review to help you find what is best for you.
However make sure not to expect too much, as everyone’s skin is different so it may turn out not to be as effective on your skin. Be prepared for a bit of sampling of different products to find the right one for you.
Zeno Acne Clearing Device
One product which I have come across, although I haven't used it myself is the Zeno Acne Clearing Device. It has numerous reviews and as with most acne products you will find both positive and negative comments. Read the Reviews Here.
I’ve read about a lot of weird home remedy solutions that people swear by when it comes to getting rid of pimples, I have never tried them so can’t comment on how effective they are.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Faux fur
Faux fur has always been around to some degree but we can thank Karl Lagerfeld for bringing it to the fashion forefront last fall with his head-to-toe looks for Chanel. To our delight, plenty of designers followed with more affordable pieces. As we plunge into winter 2011, the faux fur options abound. There are vests, ponchos, scarves, hats—even stilettos to choose from. One of the many reasons we’re on board is that unlike, say, lingerie as outerwear, faux fur is a trend that women of any age can embrace. Before you hit the racks, have a look at our style guide to wearing faux fur in your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s.
Whether you prefer a soft and refined style or a loud and proud, shaggy-haired bohemian look, there are plenty of faux fur options to suit you. Here’s what we recommend if you’re in your…
20s
Take the trend to the extreme by playing with long-haired pieces, bold jewelry, and 70s-inspired accessories.
Dillard's cropped jacket, $41.60.
Dillard's cropped jacket, $41.60.
Asos cape, $43.64.
Asos cape, $43.64.
Asos chunky fur jacket, $84.45
Asos chunky fur jacket, $84.45
30s
Rein it in a little by using faux fur to accent an artfully layered look.
Lord and Taylor stole, $40.60.
Lord and Taylor stole, $40.60.
Last Call at Neiman Marcus vest, $99.00.
Last Call at Neiman Marcus vest, $99.00.
Forever 21 faux fur jacket, $49.00.
Forever 21 faux fur jacket, $49.00.
40s
Think classic and sophisticated with elegant pieces in natural colors.
New York & Company poncho, $14.99.
New York & Company poncho, $14.99.
Spiegel coat, $99.00.
Spiegel coat, $99.00.
Nordstrom fur coat, $84.90.
Nordstrom fur coat, $84.90.
50s
Monochromatic is key. Pair your faux fur with luxurious materials like silk brocade and leather.
Whether you prefer a soft and refined style or a loud and proud, shaggy-haired bohemian look, there are plenty of faux fur options to suit you. Here’s what we recommend if you’re in your…
20s
Take the trend to the extreme by playing with long-haired pieces, bold jewelry, and 70s-inspired accessories.
Dillard's cropped jacket, $41.60.
Dillard's cropped jacket, $41.60.
Asos cape, $43.64.
Asos cape, $43.64.
Asos chunky fur jacket, $84.45
Asos chunky fur jacket, $84.45
30s
Rein it in a little by using faux fur to accent an artfully layered look.
Lord and Taylor stole, $40.60.
Lord and Taylor stole, $40.60.
Last Call at Neiman Marcus vest, $99.00.
Last Call at Neiman Marcus vest, $99.00.
Forever 21 faux fur jacket, $49.00.
Forever 21 faux fur jacket, $49.00.
40s
Think classic and sophisticated with elegant pieces in natural colors.
New York & Company poncho, $14.99.
New York & Company poncho, $14.99.
Spiegel coat, $99.00.
Spiegel coat, $99.00.
Nordstrom fur coat, $84.90.
Nordstrom fur coat, $84.90.
50s
Monochromatic is key. Pair your faux fur with luxurious materials like silk brocade and leather.
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