Girls Just Wanna Have Sun!

Don’t you just LOVE a sunny day?

It really makes me happier,think better and I know more productive.

How about you? What does the sun do for you?While I live in Florida. I spent more time at the beaches of New York and New Jersey shore than I do now.Crazy huh?After getting stung by skin cancer I just can’t spend a lot of time out there. Being in the beauty and spa business I really have to practice what I preach.

BUT when I do go here are a few of my fave things to take and do to make your day in the sun more fun.

• At the top of my list I have to remind all you girls who are baking like cookies on the beach…to PROTECT yourself. Apply a shot glass size of sunscreen at least a half an hour before you leave.
• Freeze fresh grapes and blueberries overnight and pack in snack bags to enjoy a refreshing treat at the beach. Watermelon (do not freeze)cubes is another cool you down treat.
• Make your own fruit or vegetable infused water and put in a travel glass or bottle for sipping.

Examples: Kiwi and Strawberry slices or watermelon and mint. Get creative. But beware of citrus as it may interfere with your skin care and you can open the door to more sensitive skin in the sun = sun spots.

• Apply a quarter size of almond oil to your hair and comb it back and up away from your face. Your hair will condition while you spend your day at the beach.
• Give your feet  foot facial by taking a walk on the beach near the water. The WET sand is cheaper than any potion you can buy on the beauty store shelf.
• Rub in sunflower or almond oil on your cuticles (hand and feet) your skin will hydrate while you beach.
• Get some exercise and rev up that heart and walk or take a short run.
• Bring out you inner child and build a mini castle or sculpture …it will exfoliate rough fingers hands too.
• Hunt for seashells that might have a hole in them and create a necklace when you get home of it to remind you of your time. I have some from Hawaii and every time I wear or look at them I think of my awesome trip.Beautiful memories.

Have fun in the sun and protect that pretty face!

 

 

 

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Schools Out! What can you do with…

…Your daughter or granddaughters?

Summer is still here and your daughters and grand daughters are still out of school.

Here are a few fun things to do with them this summer!

Today I shared on TV what you can do and how much fun it can be!

• Bonding time:Do a little makeup at home day. Show them how to apply a little lipstick or gloss,a blush,nail polish and or a bit of glitter. A little goes a long way.

• Show them how to take care of their hair or braid the hair …Barbie Hair conditioner for detangling works wonders!
• Teach them that SUNSCREEN is a best kept beauty secret! Protecting their face and body from the sun is very important.Use dolls as demo’s.
• Enjoy making or serving yummy refreshments like fruit infused water,pretty pink lemonade,candy,Pez and or yummy  pink cupcakes.Make it like a beauty party!
• Another fun idea is:To show them how they can write a story book and they are the main character.All they need is an empty unlined notebook and some markers  or crayons. Encourage them to be creative.
• Princess Patch Parties is  a local company if you’re lucky enough to live in Jacksonville Florida in the Murray Hill section of town that offers birthday and mini spa parties with facials and a little mani & pedi outing. Pink and frilly place where glitter rules! www.princesspatchgirlsspa.com      
  
• Lip gloss D.I.Y. with you and or their friends with a MINI bar of Hershey’s chocolate or some crushed up candy mixed with a  dash of OrganIc coconut oil from Whole Foods Market. You will need to assist children with this in the microwave for a few minutes. What you’ll have is a shiny,lip softening lip gloss.No it won’t last you’ll watch them lick it off and laugh the afternoon away.
• I will share these ideas and more on the video from the segment. JUST A CLICK AWAY! http://www.firstcoastnews.com on The Chat
•  ENJOY watching and hope you will try some of my outside the box ideas!

 

I found beauty in a …Drink!

Getting into summer!

Two things you need beside a new bikini is to always remember to wear lighter colored clothes and lightweight too. It will keep you cooler!

To keep hydrated is another…All Beauty Drink is my fave’ to do this!

Both a drink and skin care in one! Talk about multi-tasking!

Naturally flavored and comes in three flavors:Cucumber Aloe,Strawberry Acai and Pomegranate Rose. Stay refreshed and hydrated. No artificial sweeteners,colors,flavors or preservatives.NEVER sugar!

8 Skin vitamins

7 Skin Nutrients

Staying hydrated is super important and we can never say it enough.

@allbeautydrink

www.allbeautydrink.com

Created by a woman of course!

What I saw,ate and did in Las Vegas!

I love Las Vegas. It is a beautiful and fun city. And the best part like New York it has so much FREE eye candy for you to enjoy. You don’t have to spend all your time on the Strip either!

My last post I told you I was going there to guest speak at the International Esthetics Cosmetics and Spa conference. This year the show was better than ever!Alongside the show is a full pavilion called the International Beauty Show. Both are shows if you are in the business of beauty and a licensed beauty professional you do not want to miss. This year we got an extra bonus…The Comic Con show was there. I saw all kinds of characters. From devils to Winnie the Poo to sexy sirens.In 113 to 117 degrees I admired the passion for the world of comic books.

Trends come and go but the biggest trend I continue to see and grow is the look of healthy skin and  the care of the skin.I tried all kinds of lotions,potions,hydrated by a new sheet mask  by the ever popular Image Skincare and skin feeling softer and loved.The ever popular Savvy Sleepers pillowcase rocks your skin with anti-aging smooth benefits. Protects your skin from more wrinkles and saves your hair and extends expensive blowouts all while you sleep. Especially from the aromatherapy spa product aisle. The smell of lavender,peppermint and more filled the show floor.

 

Another trend that continues to rise is COLOR.It was everywhere on the faces of makeup artists in my classes and on the show floor and at makeup booths. HAIR was colorful too. I saw all the colors of the rainbow kinda hair. It was AMAZING. My fave’ were the luscious world of lipsticks and glosses. Aqua,pink,coral,yellow,purple lipsticks are so on trend and sure to make you happy hues.Let’s not forget that nail polish continues to be in all shades to tempt you. I LOVE the fact that our world has become so color filled. Remember when our beauty world only offered safe colors like soft pink,pearly white and beige. How about when our blow dryers only came in boring gray? Well no more.

My classrooms were filled with eager to learn beauty professionals,spa and salon owners.I love what I do and travel too. After the show I was STARVING and needed to hydrate up and had to stop to my fave place for a for a burger and fries. Smothered in yum and made in the kitchen with LOVE. And a sip one of their shakes…Pink Strawberry. You know how I love pink!

I like to venture away from the strip where the locals who live there go. Not all your meals have to be in swanky expensive  I enjoyed the ever fabulous In and Out Burger where I ordered off their secret menu…ANIMAL style Fries ( see photo)

I also enjoyed exotic  meals from Orchids Garden where they serve ALL DAY Dim Sum! If you haven’t had is Chinese Brunch. The food is so fresh and the staff there is so friendly. Save some room as you might also want to try the coconut bun which is dessert that is perfect with a hot cup of jasmine or green tea.

Who doesn’t LOVE to shop? While I like the SHOPPING on the strip I also like to head to PRIMM at the outlet mall. They have some fabulous shops like Tommy Bahama,Charlotte Rousse,Coach and more.

ALL at fabulous DISCOUNT $$$$$$ prices …You won’t find on the strip.

I bought some Tommy Bahama tops and bathing suit for my husband. Gorgeous bracelets for me,sandals,perfume and a few LV souvenir gifts all for $197.00

So, I hope you enjoyed a peek inside my classrooms,the beauty and the hair shows and see what’s on trend. If you haven’t been to Las Vegas add it to your list!

Travel and explore my darlings and eat up all that life has to offer!!!

 

 

Vegas Baby!

I am so ready to paint the town pink!

It is that time of  year and I am so excited to guest speak again at the International Esthetics Cosmetics and Spa show in beautiful Las Vegas! It is not only a fun city it is home to so many of my fav’ foodie spots!

I will be working,exploring and shopping the show floor for the latest and greatest in beauty and skin! I love this show! It is THE BEST!

I also can’t wait to go to the strip and partake in some eye candy as these casinos offer so much. While I do not gamble I do love everything else!

It is going to be 117 average temperature and while they call it a dry heat. I call it HOT AS HELL heat just like Florida.I still sweat!

I might even take in one of the hot spas if I have time as these spots are so divine! So, I will be bringing you the best in beauty from one who craves all things beauty and who is a foodie.

I will miss my husband but so look forward to sharing with you my travel and fun finds!

 

 

 

 

Give Your Man Some LOVE!

It is almost that time to celebrate DAD…And with that comes the pressure to buy that perfect gift! Just remember it isn’t all about a material gift.

Sometimes its all about the little things.

Kisses are FREE !

All you have to do is pucker up and start kissing him.Head to toe…let him know how much you care.

Treat dad to breakfast in bed. Call me crazy but I do this almost daily (depending on my schedule) for my husband.  I bought a bed tray years ago from PIER 1 and it was the best money I ever spent and I got it on sale too!

Go to the drug store,grocery store or the always awesome Whole Foods Market.

Fill a tote or a basket with all things you know he will love and within your budget. They have all you need for that eco-friendly health enthusiast in your life. (My new fave brand for men is OLIVINA MEN). From wine,beer,food to shaving lotion to lip conditioner…this store has what you need.

Get him a shirt he will LOVE…Magna Ready is a unique shirt company you’ve gotta see!

Give dad a a bath. Fill a tub with Epsom salts and add a few drops of  pure essential oil like eucalyptus or peppermint or rosemary. Refreshing. I love the brand called Aura Cacia.

If you can get a baby sitter.escape and take him on a date. Nothing nothing date night. Surprise him and drive to the secret location. A yummy ice cream parlor,a new bar you discovered and more.

Drop him off at Massage Envy after you have prearranged an appointment  for a relaxing and fabulous massage.

Take him out for or make him a tropical cocktail at home and give him a foot massage with olive oil from your kitchen at home while he sips away.

D.I.Y. Make him a beard and mustache oil  that is if he has a mustache or beard. Did you know that hair gets dry and the skin underneath of it needs attention too.

1 ounce of jojoba oil

1/2 ounce of grape seed oil

8 drops of sandalwood essential oil

Combine all of the above and funnel in and place in an antique or medicinal bottle with a dropper if possible.Go ahead and shake this up. Include instructions on a sheet of paper on how to use it.

Use your imagination to make it happen. These are just a few of my ideas to get you going. Oh and of course a hand-made card or a LOVE letter would also be a good idea from you and one from the kids.Times running out!

Spread some love and enjoy dad’s day!

A Supermodel’s Lemonade Recipe

 

In Florida we went from a mild winter, to  maybe 4 days of Spring and NOW summer and it isn’t not even summer! As a Northerner who moved to Florida for her southern husband I hate it. I know I should be grateful for palm trees and sunshine but the heat SUCKS!

Here is a recipe I found from InStyle magazine that I think is pretty cool in more ways than one.

I love this recipe!

1 cup of room-temperature water.

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon of Agave nectar

1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Place all in a glass. Stir and enjoy!

And it makes you pee  lots because it is hydrating,cooling and eliminating!

The beauty of this recipe is it is Aussie super-model Elle Macpherson’s lemonade drink recipe and we know how fabulous her body is along with those LONG lovely legs.

No wonder she has been on the cover of Sports Illustrated five times! Drink up and refresh yourselves!

A getaway to work and play in Marvelous MAINE!

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

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.

DIY for your accessories & more!

 

I have a fashionable guilty obsession! Accessories!

If it sparkles,dangles or glows around your hair,neck,ears or wrists …I’m in!

I use to and still do store all my fashionable beauties on veleteen boards and earring trays like Tiffany’s. But that can get expensive after awhile when you own as much costume jewelry as I do!

Last month my husband and I visited a new Asian grocery store that sold some incredibly delicious Japanese Mochi in the freezer section. After devouring all these cool and yummy goodies I was going to throw away the tray they came on. I got to thinking…how wasteful is that. And SILLY. The tray was quite sturdy and had spaces that could accommodate earrings,pins and more. So, I rinsed it out and started to fill. I left some space empty so you can see.

They work beautifully. It was just perfect storing for me. And they do not collect dust like the black jewelry trays and boards can do. Today I went and got more Mochi flavors for the long weekend.I look forward to organizing my jewelry in them and more.

What do you think? Pretty cool and eco- friendly idea.

PS

I think it would be great for eye shadow,gloss pots and the like too.

An Apple a Day…keeps you healthier!

It has been non-stop for me for 11 days with work and play. I have been traveling to the BEAUTIFUL state of Maine, next a trip to NYC (will share soon about these trips with you) and then back to FLORIDA for more work. We did another one of our signature Pop Up shop at an event with Jacksonville magazine. Yesterday was spent painting pretty faces at my makeup studio.

Today  I am going to celebrate my husbands birthday starting with breakfast in bed.

And for me I am eating clean as I am craving green! Don’t you just love the first bite into a green crunchy apple? God’s edible masterpiece! Last night I shopped the aisles and bought the freshest batch of colorful fruits and veggies. And this week I am going to back on a beautiful food track (with a little bit of his Birthday cake)

Travel and stress takes a toll on your body and skin. Sometimes you have to take a break and treat yourself to all the bounty from a farmer’s market.And feed your body what it needs.

Be well and take time to smell the strawberries,apples and papaya!!!