All the Feels of Fall

Spice It Up …Fall has arrived even though we don’t feel it in Florida. The temperatures in the 90’s this week! Wow. Today on TV I shared these with our TV viewers on a lifestyle morning show on River City Live… on WJXT-4.

But it is going to feel like the chill of fall before we know it. Let’s get in the mood and spice your life up with something new. Perhaps something or some place you never tried before! 

• A great way to do this is with a new sweater or better yet buy a pair of cozy socks! Say goodbye to boring black,white or blue and color your world too! I just discovered this awesome brand called JOHN’S CRAZY SOCKS! So many sock styles to choose from for guys, gals and kids too. The fun socks I purchased are so ME with luscious lips all over them.

Check out …
Browse: www.johnscrazysocks.com Feel even better about your purchase knowing you are supporting a small business owner who just happens to be born with Down Syndrome.  His company donates a portion of your purchase to  Special Olympics. The holidays are coming. Great gift idea too.   

Adding fall decorative touches in your home is nice. But how about adding some spice to your kitchen by trying out new and exotic spices like Vietnamese cinnamon and or French Lavender for your culinary adventures. I have had a party in my kitchen with these spices and herbs.

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•Love sipping coffee? Tea? Smoothies Or Hot Chocolate? Me too. 

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Bitty and Beau’s Coffee Shop is coming soon to San Marco in Jacksonville Fl. But you can also find this coffee shop around the country. The brainchild started by a mom Amy Wright who is co-owner and named the coffee shop after her two children Bitty & Beau who were born with Down Syndrome. Why not stop in when they open their doors here and enjoy a NEW place to sip your coffee and enjoy a delicious treat too. They employ amazing people with disabilities. Now that’s something to brag about! Guests love the vibe and coffee too!

Try a new autumn inspired self-care treat like Honey Heel glaze and or hand and body lotion like Honey Chai. Men love this scent and products too. Self care never smelled or felt so good!

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A new lipstick can change your life! Really. The trending hues for fashion and lipstick are cinnamon and metallic and earthy colors. But still think about PINK to brighten up your face to go with the new fall fashions.

Let’s celebrate the beauty of fall 🍂 and all it has to offer us.

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Nasty Ingredients

If you’re looking to stay healthier 🍃 and polish your nails with that in mind. Do a little research. Avoid these ingredients commonly used in nail polish.

Dibutyl Phthalate or DBP

Toluene

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde Resin

Xylene

Camphor

Resin

Photo by locrifa on Pexels.com

After you find the a nail polish that is right for you…HAVE FUN!

Spring 💐 is here despite the fact it snowed in places this week. it’s time to add some color to your 🌍 world, style, fingers 💅 and toes.

Oscar Time! 🎥

It happens once a year. The time is here!

My husbands not into watching the Oscars from year to year. But I like to watch the show. So, prepare a mini feast of delights for myself on a silver tray. Yes, just for ME.

As I mentioned before I think every single day is a reason to celebrate! 🎉

Champagne or a “virgin” mocktail cocktail is always a good idea! Right?

Everything is better with a cherry 🍒 on top or the bottom! Isn’t it?

Did you know some mixologists place a sugar cube in a glass of champagne? They say when the champagne 🍾 hits the sugar cube at the bottom of the glass it creates an ongoing fountain of bodacious looking bubbly!

A luxurious dip is delish! Especially while watching the Oscars. This recipe is from a client. I’ve used it for years. It is like a meal in itself. Of course if you’d like to make a charcuterie board or other delights… do that.

What you will need for this Artichoke Casserole recipe:

1 6oz jar of marinated artichokes

1 8oz package of cream cheese

2 packs of chopped frozen spinach

1 tsp 🍋 lemon juice

1/4 lb of real butter

Fresh Parmesan cheese shavings or sprinkled on top.

Cook spinach and be sure to drain it well.

Next add butter & cream cheese into the hot spinach.

Stir cheese but not too much. As lumps are ok.

Cut artichokes into halves.

Grease a casserole dish and line with the artichokes only. None of the liquid.

Add the marinade from the jar and the lemon juice to the spinach mix.

Pour this over the artichokes.

You’re almost done.

Now sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Casserole will be creamy dreamy and delightful! Serve with sliced veggies or crackers of your choice. You’ll be licking the casserole dish. Add some fresh fruit and you’re good to go!

Saving the best for last I like to make something sweet. And popcorn 🍿 from my old vintage popcorn machine makes it even better. It is so cute and so fun!

While the popcorns still warm pour a melted chocolate 🍫drizzle on top. I found some pretty colorful pastel Easter M & M’s and sprinkled that on top! If you’re not into these toppings create something else.

Allow it to cool and harden.

OMG! Yum for one.

Happy Oscars.

Blessed!

I’m so blessed and I want to be a blessing to others. That is why I opened up a beauty & wellness brand & company. It is also the reason why I started this blog….

I have to admit it isn’t easy being “up” when the world all around us is crashing “down.” But I must. It’s in my DNA.

I simply wanted to take this time to say THANK YOU for following my blog, for your likes on my posts, for your kind words and for being there on the other side of the screen.

I try and give you a glimpse into my life, beauty,skincare, recipes and travels. ✈️

I also want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving 🍁 for those who celebrate. I am thankful for YOU!

Martha Stewart rocks!

I’ve always enjoyed Martha Stewart, her magazines, food TV shows and all her amazing talents. She’s had her ups and downs but now there are more ups than downs.

She’s pretty cool actually 😎!

She’s come out with her own chill pill kinda CBD products. My favorite thus far are the CBD Wellness Gummies. They come in a tres chic beautiful box like you are enjoying some decadent chocolates.

There are 60 gummies to a box! And the best part they are only 15 calories!!! 100 % natural hemp!

Delicious little CBD gems!

If you’re anxious, stressed, have got too much going on in your life. Instead of prescription 💊 pills, wine,beer,cocktails. Try a MS CBD Wellness Gummy.

Gourmet flavors include: Meyer Lemon,Persian Lime, Kumquat, Blood Orange and Red Rasberry to name a few.

They offer a sense of CALM.

Know when to say…GOODBYE & Clean your Skin Care Routine!

While staying at home and helping to do our part on flattening the curve you can get your mind off of the virus 🦠 and be productive and get lots of things done. I can’t stop organizing my home,cleaning and doing other things to bring me joy.

The other day I started to use a cream I had received from a beauty event in NYC six months ago and I applied this new face cream but I quickly smelled something funky.

I washed my face IMMEDIATELY.

It wasn’t something I wanted to use on my face So, I also threw it out. Once opened or sitting in a box for several years OR unopened BOTH matter!You have to know when to throw it out!If you HAVEN’T worn it in many months and are not sure how old it is…it is probably old.

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You want to be safe and protect your face,body,hair, fingers,toes and more! Don’t you? Be smart. Armed and dangerous and protect yourself!

So I thought you might need a reminder on your skincare.

Here is what to KEEP or Toss when it comes to your skincare:

Moisturizer and eye cream or gel – Unopened lasts 2-3 years. But only if it is stored in a dark place. Not in or near a sunny 🌞 window or area.

Once opened = Lasts up to 1 year

Sunscreen or Sunblock- Unopened 2-3 years Once opened-Lasts 6 mos. to 1 year .

Face Masks –Unopened 2 to 3 years Once opened– Last up to a year.

Treatment skincare products– Unopened last no longer than 1 year. Once opened– Lasts up to six months.

Now just a reminder. Did you know you can disinfect your skin care products too?

You simply need to own a SterileLight disinfecting case. Visit their website for all the information.

http://www.sterilelight.com

All you do is open the jars, tube cap, tops and more. Next place in the SterileLight disinfecting case unit. Three minutes of disinfecting ❤️ love!

And once a week I like to wipe down all my skincare jars, bottles, tubes that I have used or that need some cleaning attention.

Washing our hands and makeup brushes is so important but disinfecting the opened products you use makes so much sense.

Now what are you waiting for? You’ve got the time. Go over all your skincare and decide what to keep and what needs to be thrown away. Your health and skin health depends on it!!

Vitamin C , AHAs, retinoids, Facial Serums, Essences or skin toners. Unopened or Opened the cosmetic chemists recommend to not keep them beyond a year.

Now, to disinfect and sanitize your skincare products especially in today’s new world.

You need to DISINFECT and sanitize your skincare and beauty products. I USED TO and still do wipe them down with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel. Your safety and health (as well as your families) is very important. But now I use the SterileLight disinfecting case. I am addicted since this COVID-19 hit the US. I feel SAFER.

Photo by Natalia Hawthorne on Pexels.com

Best Celebrity Hair Makeovers of 2020 (So Far) — StyleCaster

All I can say is wow!

There’s something about a hair makeover that’s so hard to look away from. Whether it’s your BFF, mom or favorite celeb, seeing their new look can inspire your own. The best celebrity hair makeovers of 2020 (so far) are both subtle and exciting and just might make you want to try a new look this…

via Best Celebrity Hair Makeovers of 2020 (So Far) — StyleCaster

I so love 💕this!

I used to work for the designer Diane Von Furstenberg in NYC. One thing that stood out with me is her love for 👗 dresses!

After all she created the first wrap dress! I owned so many of them! And felt like a million in them!

Now as time goes by I am on a passionate all things lips 👄 high with another awesome designer with a huge creative and playful touch of whimsy!

Designer Betsey Johnson!

Do you love her too like I do???

Isn’t this dress a adorable?

 

Recipe for Your Throat

Made it back from New York! I worked,I shopped, I dined and conquered the days before the blizzard. On the return flight someone behind me on the plane kept on coughing (and did not cover her mouth) all two hours and 45 minutes of the flight.

Not sure what I have caught but since I am on TV today at 3:00 for my beauty and lifestyle segment on NBC 12’s The Chat…I need to help my voice.

As the weather goes up and down all over the country and a chill in the air can make us feel like bad and come down with a cold or sore throat… give this recipe a try.

Here is one of my personal recipes for a dry sore throat:

A teaspoon raw local honey

1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon powder

*A sprinkle of cayenne pepper

Take twice daily for three days. It is antiviral,anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.

Enjoy it as you wish!

I do this straight up on a spoon or my fave is to put it in hot water and sip like a cup of tea.

Works like a charm!

Stay tuned to my blog this weekend all about my adventures in beauty,fashion and food from NYC.

 

How to …Clean Your skin!

Who doesn’t want gorgeous healthier looking skin in the new year? 

This week on my beauty & lifestyle report on TV on NBC 12’s The Chat  at First Coast news station (see my video) I  shared with the viewers a  simple skin care routine. I find women use far too many products on the face and that can cause a traffic jam on the skin…with not so pretty results. 

Here is what you really need to do to jump start your way to the skin you've dreamed of!
 
By a starter kit,try a free sample from inside a magazine,buy small sizes to TEST drive products first!
Keep it simple! Using expensive skin care doesn't make it any better. Experiment and see what brands
work for you!
 Daily AM and PM

• Clean
• Toner/ skin Freshener
• Hydrate
• Protect/sunscreen (daytime)
  

For your eye area:

• Eye gel or cream

For Your Face (not eye area) this is a MUST.

• • EXFOLIATION is key and is essential to refresh,plump up and renew collagen! 
    This is THE most important thing you can do for your skin at least every 7 -10 days. 

    The Super Star of exfoliation DIAMOND BUFF
    The hottest tool that is all the rage in spas and dermatologists offices.

  •  Diamond Buff by www.beestunning.com   

  • Explore their site online for all the details.
    
    Use a face mask weekly and choose one for your  SKIN TYPE. 

  • Sometimes that may be 2 different types of masks. 

  • One for the T-zone which is the forehead,chin and nose and one for dry cheeks!

  • Lastly NEVER go to sleep with makeup on! 

  • It ages your skin faster and you will wake up a hot mess!

  • Stay tuned…I am going to start using the new cool tool above and hope I will shine bright like a diamond! I’ll keep you posted and give you a play by play on my experience and results on my skin.