Happy Valentine’s Day!

👄Don’t forget to wear a gorgeous lipstick 💄 today!

👄Sprinkle Kindness wherever you go today.

👄 Tell people you love ❤️ that you love them. Remind them. Don’t assume.

👄 Hug a stranger at Starbucks or CVS today. Ask them with a smile first. You never know who may need one.

👄 But some donuts 🍩 and share with the office today.

👄Buy yourself a bouquet 💐 of flowers or a single rose. TOMORROW or Sunday when they will be cheaper!

👄 Treat Yourself to something today. Be your own Valentine.

👄 Get your kiss 💋 on!

Have a beautiful day wherever you live!

Oh happy day…it’s National Nail Polish and DONUT day!

IMG_1913 National Nail Polish day.JPG

Don’t you just LOVE this edible art by Holly Fox who I discovered on Instagram and has a shop on Etsy! I must buy one of her awesome cookie creations. So many cookies to choose from so little time! Yum!!!

  • What’s Trending in nail colors this summer … the Northeast Distributor for OPI Vinnie Le from of Victoria Nial Supply says “Blue hues are so in from Mint blue,Baby blues and Aqua Ocean blue.He also says nude,pink nude and rose gold metallics are hot.” I am over the moon for these new shades!
  • How to make your nail polish last longer and strengthen them too? From Start to Finish by OPI is a 3 products in one new sensation. A base coat,a top coat and a nail strengthener too. So now you don’t have to apply a base coat,a top coat and a nail strengthener. ONE bottle and product for three steps. Genius! 
  • Cuticle oil is a must. Apply it on your fingers and toes to keep the skin soft and looking good. Sandal season means less shoes and clothes. So,don’t forget to take care of your fingers d and toes.
  • If your hands are showing age…or to prevent sun spots and wrinkles from forming so fast. Try using a sunscreen on them. I like a natural one that is the kind you roll/rub on from a deodorant like stick by Go Waxhead. It isn’t just about protecting your face from spots your hands and tops of feet need it too.
  • Always keep your hands and body hydrated not only with cuticle oil but hand and body lotions and creams.
  • Now all you need is to paint the town with your fave hues! Have a happy National Nail Polish Day!

And since it is also National DONUT day let me share my fave donut in Chicago…

Do-rite donuts! If you haven’t tasted them you don’t know what you are missing! And yes I am still in love with Krispy Kreme donuts BUT this company’s donuts  is really awesome too!

WORTH A TRIP to  Chicago! Was just there last month and can’t wait to go back and taste more!IMG_2056 donuts.JPG

TWO wonderful reasons to celebrate today!

Enjoy!

 

A getaway to work and play in Marvelous MAINE!

First Stop …Press Hotel in Portland Maine…LOVED my room.Press Hotel washclothFinally I get a chance to take my notes from my recent trip to Maine.I hope you enjoy!MAINE photo

I arrived in sunshine got picked up by a Mercedes van by my hotel. The hotel is called the Press Hotel and used to be home of the local newspaper.The staff was wonderful from the moment my 5 feet 1 self  hopped in that van. The rooms are pretty amazing,clean and have what I love and look for a mini refrigerator! The bar and meeting rooms are luxe and petite. Cozy and charming kinda place. The room had a frig,a Keurig coffee unit and some delicious Bar Harbor Tea Company bags.

The staff  down to house keeping were a delight to be around and always helpful to my needs. The Press Hotel is located in downtown Portland where a lot of eateries,bars and quaint shops and the waterfront is.

One of my other fav’ bath and body delights was the amenity tray filled with CO Bigelow products and adding to that impressive array was a BLACK wash cloth that had MAKEUP engraved lettering on it.This was the best part as white wash cloths are a big expense for hotels and destroyed by hotel guests daily from makeup or other unexpected messes.Using a black one to remove mascara and makeup keeps the hotels laundry bill down a notch and you can remove your makeup without looking at a big makeup colored mess on a white wash cloth.  I have been using black washcloths at home and in my beauty business for ears. Finally I found a hotel who uses them too.

TOP of my Maine list is to let you know the people of Maine are so friendly! And it is a very clean state.

Here are highlights from my trip!

My stay at the Press Hotel

Holy Donut (OMgosh) these potato flour donuts were absolutely wonderful and so unique and light.And did I mention ginormous?

Gilberts Chowder House makes the BEST Chowder I HAVE EVER TASTED!

There was lots of window shopping! And of course I had to buy some local treasures.But not ones you think. I used to buy souvenirs with the state or cities name on them. No more. I now buy things that are really local and indigenous of the area. Not mugs or ash trays with the states name on it but something more meaningful.

This trip I purchased a small bottle on a silver wire hanger for my bathroom window. I love to take herb clippings from my larger plants and place them in water and root them. Herbs like mint,rosemary and then after they root I can place in soil and start a new plant for my home. I also like to take those clippings and snip and use in my bath or a D.I.Y. facial treatment.Downtown Portland has some cozy lovely shops!

Fun Fact:

The Whoopie pies mesmerize and were ginormous.

They serve a bread call Brown Bread and it is made with molasses. But you don’t buy it at the bakery you buy it down the canned food aisle next to the pork and beans. So delicious!

Bar Harbor a few hours away is filled with so many sweet shops. My fav’ is the Bar Harbor Tea Company of Maine. The tea shop is a must for tea enthusiasts like me.

I love coffee but I also LOVE a great pot of tea!

Blueberry jam,syrup,tea,soap is BIG there. They have many blueberry and other farm fields.

LOBSTER,lobster and more lobster! My cheeks are all scratched up for the lobster tails and claws.(only kidding)

As for fashion…you don’t need to get all dolled up (Except I have to for work).  This is fishermen and women territory. I wore blue jeans and light sweaters or jackets. So unlike me. BUT it felt so freeing

I still have more to see and explore! It is a must go back.

If you’ve never been to Maine you’ll go insane…it is a lovely sweet place to escape.

Jet setting for Beauty & Food

I am ready to share my recent finds in WONDERFUL Chicago. Guest speaking at the International Esthetics Cosmetics and Spa show is always an honor and my pleasure. But playing in a city I travel to is always a JOY. I love to discover new hot spots and to visit my fave places I continue to go back to.STAN'S

Welcome to Donut Heaven! Stan’s Donuts is an awesome donut place I fell in love with. While I love Do-Rite donuts and will never stop. Stan’s Donuts and staff  was the best! For almost 50 years Stan has crafted some of the world’s best donuts and started in Los Angeles. So many choices so little time!!! And they are ginormous!Don’t let the name fool you they have bagels and so many other yummies too.Including a Dirty Chai Tea! I love the name. Don’t you?

Next I had to stop at Ming Hin in Chinatown for DIM SUM …I ordered an array of fabulous delights from dumplings, to shrimp to Chow Fun. I did not order the tough bird staring at me on the menu. Although it was tempting to TRY.

I PIGEON

I always go back to Merz Apothecary for old time pharmacy and beauty finds and for a drink at the Palmer House.So tres chic.

I adore shopping the Magnificent Mile with all the amazing stores but  I love to go downtown on State Street that great street with mom and pop shops and eateries. I love a store called Agaci for fashionable finds.Nordstrom Racks there too.

The beauty show was filled with energy and mystical crystals. I got a Chakra reading by the master Linda Bertaut. She said I am SUPER-CHARGED with lots of energy!!! But warned me to watch out for burn out.I guess it is all about moderation isn’t it? Visit: http://www.chakralicious.com for more info.

Korean beauty is still trending and there is beauty from the sea with Repechage skin care.

I discovered some more fun beauty things. Stay tuned for my posts.

Oh and its almost time for MY Spring Beauty Giveaway! Come back and see how you might win and score.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNIQUE Valentine’s Day gift ideas

car lashes_bmwOn TV today I am featuring a few FUN and unique ways to say I LOVE YOU!

Whether you have a sweetie or not or buying for your family or BFF…it is so much FUN to show how you feel.

NOT ALL GIFTS need to be expensive! Some of the best gifts come from the HEART!
Or hand-made or home-made.Bake him his favourite bread or meal. Or if you’re a busy working woman like I am or man and simply don’t have the time…here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing or to shop and do!Don’t stress.

I know a lot of men who LOVE Dunkin Donuts.They also love DD coffee and now the new hot chocolate and other drinks.Serving Breakfast in Bed or Midnight snack in bed on a tray can be exciting and simple fun! You can also create an I LOVE YOU bag or basket with his FAVE DD treats.
Add a note that says “I love you a latte” or other words you whip up makes it even more special and romantic too! What’s not to love about a really good coffee or hot chocolate and HEART shaped donuts to die for!Of course the ladies will love this idea too.

If the gal on your list LOVES makeup and can’t go anywhere without her lipstick…think of shopping for FUN lipsticks like lip stains or BOLD pigmented lipsticks that shout volumes.They also have a new formula lipstick by NYX are called Lip Butters. They melt on your lips and are so buttery smooth. Lip liners can say I love you for you too!
Go to your nearest local boutique,makeup studio or big box retailer and fill a lip bag from the dollar store with all things LIPS and lip,heart shaped and lipstick tube fashion accessories.Add a card and your gift is ready to give!She will be up to her lips with happiness.

If the lady or teen on your list loves LASHES and the one desert island beauty product she must have is her mascara…Why not get her some lashes for her car. She can bat her lashes for months with this new car bling sensation.Invented by a gentlemen with his supportive wife by his sound Robert & Dottie Small they created and founded a GREAT quality design that is sweeping the nation. You gotta see these lashes on my car to believe. So stinking CUTE! NOT just for teens the big girl in your life will swoon to the moon! They come in black,diamond lined and NOW HOT PINK carlashes.They even have a bling crystal eyeliner that sparkles in the sunlight.For more information check out:http://www.CarLashes.com A Turbo Style Products,LLC production.

If the teen in your house is wearing you out with a crush on makeup….A beauty filled makeup gift can be to buy her a monthly membership to IPSY the fun beauty club started by Michelle Phan YouTube video BEAUTY guru. Each month a fabulous kit gets shipped to her door to play with. The brands in each monthly bag are AMAZING and quality products from top brand names to new beauties on the block.

LOVE is in the air and its that time of year.Don’t go broke with your purchases.
Save some money and get creative.

Happy Valentine’s day everyone!To see my TV segment go to http://www.wjxt.com click on video for The Morning Show. We will post the link later this morning for you to enjoy!