Life is short!

This month I made a promise to myself. I want to make every single day count! I always have but now I treasure the days even more!

I am more grateful then ever to wake up and open my eyes. Ready to go and start a brand new day. This year I want to travel even more internationally. There’s so much out there in our world to see.

Life is short! I know it sounds cliche but it’s true. This week I saw on social media where more lives are being lost. Our world is so upside down! I read where an Olympian passed away he was only 29 years old! I saw on Instagram the tennis pro Christie Evert is on yet another round of chemotherapy for breast cancer. Reading that and seeing her photo in a hospital bed broke my heart as I have had the pleasure of making her up for the Women’s Tennis Association, Lipton Tea and more.

So, please treasure good health & enjoy every day of your life too!

I want to get into baking bread on a regular basis instead of just buying store bought. I love the rustic look of these breads. Do you?

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I’m going to use my fine China, glassware and silverware in gold yes a gorgeous gold hue. I’m not waiting for a special occasion! Everyday is SPECIAL!

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I need to learn to say “No” more often and not always be a people pleaser.

I hope to grow more herbs 🌿 in my garden. There’s nothing like your own crop!

I will control my multi-tasking if I can. Or at least do it less.

I’m going to eat more veggies if that’s even possible cause I do love them so much. But I need more of them in my life.

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I’m going to spend more time walking and bike riding again. I used to walk to and eat my lunch in Central Park in NYC every work day. Oh and bike ride too. Once I moved to Florida I walked and rode my bike less as it’s so hot most of the time it’s not fun! I miss the four seasons.

How about you?

What do you want to do?

Make new friends?

Get out of the house more?

Feel the sunshine on your face!

I’m going to keep buying myself flowers! You don’t need a man to buy them for you. Treat yourself!

I’m going to give myself even more self-care …Self-care is health care.

I’m going to add and try one new thing a month in this new year! It’s fun and exciting.

My message here is you can start something new too. Never stop growing. Never stop learning. Never stop exploring.

Life and the world 🌍 is waiting for you!

Feed Your Face from the Inside Out!

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I’m really trying to enjoy being more green, clean and eco friendly…with my food and lifestyle.

And in my skincare too!

Skin is so in…Especially when it is healthy looking. If your skin is not looking the way you would like it to… Perhaps its time to try something fresh and new! Looking good takes a little effort girls and so worth it. If you do not have a skin care regime now is the time to start. Also if you have been wearing sweat pants and not taking care of your skin think about taking time for YOU and get your skin in shape too.

They say “You are what you eat” and it is so true. Eating right … with a little bit of a naughty is really best. All in balance and moderation darlings! I’ve been on a kick of making SMOOTHIE BOWLS and making them is so much fun too. Your whole family will enjoy.

I love to get glowing, use beauty from my kitchen, a local farmer’s market, and make a few D.I.Y. beauty recipes and beauty potions on my own.

I will share some of the them on my new podcast to come too! But here are a few for you to enjoy this Memorial day too.

Take care of your skin and your skin will always take care of you!

Recipe for pretty skin starts from within. Not only are these good to eat they are good to use as skincare. Especially when many of us are on stay at home orders.

Yogurt (plain Greek yogurt) makes a GREAT cheap and chic face mask. Apply to a clan face and leave on at least 15 minutes. Genty exfoliates dead skin cells too.

Avocados are a great for hydrating your face and neck. Add honey to a mashed avocado and leave on at least 15 minutes. Your skin will LOVE it.

Bananas work wonders on dry elbows and knees. If your bananas are beyond ripe and you don’t feel like making banana bread…give your skin a moisturizing natural treat.

In addition, when the weather is hot and you want to chill down and make your skin feel amazing. Take a plain ice cube and rub gently on your skin. Not your eye area but try on the face. It will tighten your pores and make your makeup glide on beautifully. I also like to use an ice cube on my chest and neck. So cool and refreshing.

Have a BEAUTY filled deligthful day!

Easy Marvelous Mojito

I love to entertain my clients in my business and guests in my home. I even wrote a book on it “Entertaining in Your Salon or SPA. A combination of food,drink and marketing fun!

Now times are a bit different and we are in a new frontier as we are in the midst of social distancing. But we still need to stay hydrated and connected with our family at home too. I am sipping one or two with my husband today.

Here is a thirst quenching recipe to enjoy this holiday weekend!

Marvelous Mojito Lemonade

2 quarts of lemonade,6 large fresh mint sprigs crushed and place in the lemonade.

Refrigerate prepared lemonade for a few hours or overnight. Crush fresh mint sprigs. Place the mint into the bottom of the pitcher or each glass.

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To serve the lemonade pour into tall glasses and top with club soda. A lime wedge and a sprig of fresh mint. Want to rum it up? AND add some rum. Go ahead.

Everyday is a reason to celebrate. Celebrate the beauty and meaning of Memorial day and why we enjoy and celebrate this beautiful long weekend.

Creating A Healing Garden —

I love this blog post by another fellow blogger on WordPress. I have a healing garden but this blog tells you what I would post and tell you and so much more. Surround yourself with ALL things healthy in the new year! Take care of yourself! Be good to yourself.

Enjoy!

From Marigold to Aloe Vera, these are some of our favourite plants and herbs to create a healing garden at home. Being surrounded by nature is a peaceful, restorative experience and having your own home garden gives you the opportunity to be with nature every day. Going one step further, creating a garden that is…

via Creating A Healing Garden —

SHOP on,Gorgeous!

Last weekend was Shop Small Saturday all across the country started by American Express. I participated in it proudly again this year. And here are a few takeaways of what girls bought for their  besties or themselves.

Stocking Stuffers or token gifts…

Remember it is the thought that counts not the price OR how much you buy for that person! And you know what the real reason for the season is!

Makeup Brushes by the set are a coveted gift a girl struggles to get for herself. So many to choose from and it can be overwhelming. Buying ala carte is not the best thing to do unless that is your budget. It is cheaper and chicer to buy a set. And you don’t have to spend a fortune for them. Remember the $ dollar $ quality is not the same as a boutique.

Wine,rose,champagne  wine holders  chic and so versatile. Use them for booze, décor and or to rest your bling and baubles on. They say wine is most gals best friend over any other libation. Add a few gourmet or edible delights like below and you have a gift that won’t be forgotten!

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Lipsticks are always in style and putting together a set of a variety of them for your mom or bestie can be so much fun! Add a gloss or balm and they love you forever.

*Add a lip brush and you’re all set. Yes, they are still in.

Bath and Body Treats are so lovely! And SO NEEDED. When you shop you can get a lot of little pieces. Aromatic and hydrating are best for the skin. And aromatherapy is so relaxing and mood lifting and calming.

Candles are always a good idea!

Palo Santo,Sage and herb plants are both unique and practical too.

Fragrance is a very personal thing. So, I usually only give it in bath and body lotions not necessarily by the bottle. Unless you know the exact fragrance they love.

 

 

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I hope I got your juices and creativity going for finding that perfect token gift or stocking stuffer.

Have fun and happy Shopping,Gorgeous!

 

 

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Do you want to be more kissable?

I do too!

I love to be kissed and to kiss!!! So I simply had to share a few things with you the next few blog posts that you need to know for health and beauty wellness this spring!

I always like to celebrate spring! Do you? I like to refresh and renew with something new and to surround myself with fresh flowers (they look so beautiful )and fresh plants which purify the air in your  home or office too!

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Add herbs to your plant selection can also be used in your kitchen when cooking and more. Purifying the air and to eat.

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Now back to being more kissable AND its not just about having soft skin on your lips!

Your breath needs to be at it’s best. Sometimes your breath will not be so fresh no matter what you do or use.  BREATH ROX to the rescue. As a professional speaker, beauty therapist and makeup artist…My career also depends upon being my best and smelling my best.

I discovered these mini crystals with a powerful punch. I am usually an MINT IN A TIN kinda gal. Or pop candy mints. But they are NOT the same.

The beauty of this product is it is:

Sugar Free

Gluten Free

Tiny crystals that make your breath fresher for hours!

Three YUMMY flavors!

They really taste good..visit their webite for more info. And a few specials too. I so love what I do on TV and sharing beauty secrets with you!

 

 

From the garden to your glass!

I love to make fresh water prettier and taste it too by using awesome herbs and or flowers.

I prepare them in a pitcher, serve it by the glass in old time jars (from an antique mall) or in a gorgeous goblet. Today my recipe is with rosemary, mint and flowers.Organic or home grown is best. I rinse the herbs first and clip what I want to add to the water.It is so fun and refreshing too. I don’t use ice. I use fresh bottled water that is room temperature. I allow the herbs to mesh with the water and infuse it with the aroma and flavor. My fave’s are mint,rosemary,peppermint,fruits,veggies and flowers. If you want to use ice in it once this is infused and prepared of course you can do so.

As for flowers I buy  flowers that are edible and I buy them at Whole Foods Market just for decoration no infusion needed but they do make a lovely addition. Most of the box mix contain marigolds and pansies. So colorful!

And the best part? YOU can actually eat them.

If you’re looking for a fun thing to or to do with your family or sweetie this summer…this is a wonderful thing to do together and tasty too.

PS

I also like to place them in an ice cube tray one flower per cube space and freeze. Pop on in your next drink or add flower cubes to your festive summer punch bowls. So FUN to do and pretty to look at while you sip away. Please note: these flowers are edible. read the box from the store. AND I do not eat the rosemary etc. only the flowers that are edible. Or you can just look at them and enjoy the colorful sight in your glass or pitcher.

 

 

Give the Earth some love today!

Today is the day… Earth Day.  Time to start to be more green or continue our quest.

Plant a tree! I am on the hunt for a lemon tree.

Plant and grow your own herbs. It doesn’t have to be big start small. My new pretty crop outside my kitchen door is filled with basil,parsley,peppermint,rosemary and spearmint.

Try reusing your small plastic and paper bags from shopping and line your garbage bags with them. Grab another for your car to tidy up your car after the day.

Save and recycle those extra hangers you may have from the dry cleaners.Next time you have clothes to be dropped off for dry cleaning again give them to the cleaners for reuse.

Need an instant lip conditioner and don’t have any or want a quick fix?

Dry lips can be smooth in seconds. Just got to your kitchen closet and grab some organic coconut oil. Swipe a 1/2 teaspoon or less into a mini bowl and apply on your lips. Any extra can be rubbed on your cuticles to soften them up.

Make fruit or veggie infused water daily. Fill it in a to go bottle and enjoy on the go all day. Or just have a pitcher handy with a fun yummy mix. So much better for you than a sweet tea,iced coffee or soft drink!

Oily skin or hot flashing?  Start using Asian Powder papers. 70 sheets of joy to a booklet that fits in your purse for on the go refreshment and touch ups.

Did you know there are bamboo and other eco-friendly and vegan loving makeup brushes? Give them a whirl.

Shop with using reusable totes.

Say Bye Bye to plastic straws…they not only cause wrinkles around your lips they are bad for the earth.

So enjoy a little green in your life and do some good too!

Take time to smell the daisies,herbs and grass today.

Freshen up your air…

 

Spring is here even though it seems to be snowing again almost everywhere. Here in Florida we have had both cool and a taste of summer weather. So, that is putting us in the mood for planting.  I have been on the hunt for more new herbs for my garden,re-rooting my other herbs to make more and discovering new plants. Around St. Patrick’s day I found something even better than a green beer I found a Shamrock plant also known as Oxalis. I hope it will bring good luck!

I came across a survey that stated common household plants are incredibly effective at removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air,this is really good news for our health.

Certain plants including bromeliads (a tropical house plant),dracaenas and spider plants may be better at eliminating some indoor pollutants than traditional ventilation systems.

But my local nursery guy says having any kind of plant is great for the air in our home or office especially with all the tech tools and our computers.

Acetone,formaldehyde and toluene are pollutants that hang at most nail salons air. (Found in many nail polish brands) And who knows what’s lurking in our hair salons air?

I think it is time I deliver a plant for my mani and pedi tech and help clean her NAIL SALON air too!

Enjoy the beauty of green and  surround  yourself with plants and flowers to brighten your world too.

Happy & healthier Spring to you!.

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!