Kisses 💋 from Las Vegas!

I’m in beautiful and always fabulous Vegas! The heat is on. The other day it was 116 degrees.

Have you ever been?

Today I guest spoke at the International Esthetics Cosmetics and Spa Conference show. I had a sold out crowd! I so LOVE what I do!

💋

Anyone who is anyone in beauty and hair is here! It is so exciting. I have missed guest speaking since Covid. But it’s beginning to look like a sense of normalcy and happiness!

The show floor was filled to the brim with so many booths. I attended a few classes and shopped and explored. I’m exhausted.

Tonight we had dinner at a delicious place called Orchids Gardens. They serve all kinds of Dim Sum 🥟 all day. I have been going to this place for years.

I’m taking notes 📝 and checking out all that I can and that is trending!

So please … Stay tuned. The time zone for me is a 3 hour difference and I’m starting to fade. Im going to take a bubble bath 🛀 and relax.

Then, I’m joining my husband for a cocktail 🍸 and eating a box of chocolates together in bed.

Sweet Dreams!

Dull Tired Skin?

Afternoon delight or after dinner beauty while in quarantine. Dull dry skin needs your attention for your makeup to glide on like silk and for your skin to feel softer and look refreshed and smooth again.

This recipe’s anti-oxidants and lactic acid also help with fine lines and wrinkles.

What you will need is:

A bottle of red 🍷 wine

2 tablespoons of wine

2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt (organic)

*This recipe is for adults only please.

Another version can be by simply adding a teaspoon of honey 🍯 to the recipe. Very extra hydration.

Mix all of these in a small glass bowl.

Wash your face.

Apply mask ingredients to your face.

While the face mask dries sip a glass of heart ❤️ healthy wine 🍷 if you’d like.

Leave on at least 15 minutes.

Rinse off with lukewarm water and a washcloth.

Apply your moisturizer and eye gel or cream and you’re good to go.

Your skin will love you back. I promise!

Photo by Burst on Pexels.com

Photo by freestocks.org on Pexels.com

Is YOUR Skin Acting Up?

Photo by Daniel Spase on Pexels.com

Is your skin feeling tight,dry, have a bit of red patches and flaky? Is your skin acting up?

You’re not alone. It is the fall season and headed into the dreaded cold long winter.

This morning I will be on TV on The Saturday edition of the Morning Show on WJXT4 you will find today’s video link there later this morning. http://www.news4jax.com

Here are the deets on skin care right now:

Is before you moisturize you have to make certain that your skin is exfoliated. CURE Natural Aqua Gel has got you covered. This I have a feeling is going to be my new beauty go to a friend told me about. One bottle is sold every 4.5 seconds in Japan. Girls and women can’t get enough of this gel. No chemicals!

Keep calm and moisturize on. Your skin needs it now! Keep a large bottle or jar handy in your home or at your desk or add a travel size one in your purse. There are so many to choose from. There is no excuse for not using moisturizer. *Even oily skin needs it!

Don’t wash your face with deodorant soap.enjoy the beauty of a goat milk soap Beekman 1802 in honeyed grapefruit is my fav’!

The skin on your body needs LOVE too. TherapiSpa has some deeply moisturizing lotions for hands and body.

Repair Balm Balm by Eminence Organics can rescue your red irritated skin. Or choose the Aveeno with oatmeal.

Kocostar Eye Rescue mask capsules are the latest and greatest serious to give you the 911 for your skin. Eye areas need moisture too. But NOT moisturizer you use on your face. This delicate area needs an eye gel or a mask.

Besides the above Aveeno has a body wash that you can use in the shower or bath. Bye Bye to feeling very dry and itchy and red skin. It too works wonders and is gentle.

Got fly aways and having a bad hair day? Your hair needs moisturizer too. Give it a treatment with not only conditioner but a hair treatment too.

If your skin needs EMERGENCY relief NOW and FAST.

Try any of the face,lip,eye area and body care with a sheet mask or a gel mask. Not only are they the latest trend that isn’t going away. They REALLY work.

Got a beauty or skin care question? Just ask.

 

 

 

 

End of summer… Skin Smoothie

Photo by Mihai Stefan Photography on Pexels.com

As you take in and soak in every minute of summer in the sun 🌞 your skin will get dry and look it too. A simple mask I love to do and highly recommend cause it is a natural beauty recipe too. A dermatologist shared this recipe with me.

This home-made skin smoothie and soother is as near as your kitchen.

All you need is:

1 ripe avocado (I prefer organic)

1 tablespoon of local organic  honey

Mash the avocado and spoon in the honey. Stir together. Apply to your face and decollette. Leave on the face at least 5 minutes.

Rinse well with a lukewarm water and a washcloth.

Your FACE will love you back and feel lovely!

You can use this recipe year round but it is wonderful around this time of year.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

PLEASE note:

If you are allergic to the above ingredients do NOT use this recipe to soothe and soften your skin.

Can you smell the lovely scent ?

On a long holiday weekend I love to make things and they are usually with a beauty or baking twist.

Cause I am on the road for work alot I am happy to stay in and chill. I made sugar cookies with lavender. And I made this scalp treat for my hair. I LOVE LAVEVDER! Do you? The scent is so relaxing, soothing,RELIEVES tension and great for migraines or a basic headache.

5 drops of essential oil. (I prefer Aura Cacia)

1/4 cup of olive oil (organic)

I Warm the oil and shut burner off. Sprinkle in the drops on the stove top and stir. The oil will make conditioning hair love~

I like to apply on wet hair. Massage into the scalp and the ends a bit too.I take a shower cap I have from my hotel stays and place my hair up in it. Leave on at least 15 minutes.

Shampoo when done. Rinse well.

If you are up to your lips in work or that TO DO list enjoy making and using this aromatic softer hair and happy hydrated scalp too!

ENJOY the beauty of lavender!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

My new guilty pleasure!

I recently discovered a delicious and unique delight and today I featured it on TV.

Have you ever heard of Cocktail Caviar?

Tantalize your taste buds with this new tongue tingling sensation. Yummy BOOZED UP pearls filled with vodka and soaking in a delightful bath of liquor lover. Choose from: Lychee,Strawberry,Raspberry,Blueberry & Wildflower as well as a new baby about to be launched… Autumn Apple. Who needs pumpkin spice coffee when you can enjoy this applelicious delight in your cocktail?

All lovers of NATURAL and Organic and Vegan foods …you will love it too!

Cocktail Caviar is placed in a glass of champagne,sparkling rose,punch,non- alcoholic beverages too for a kick!

I have enjoyed it at room temperature and frozen. The mini pearls (encapsulated in kelp) don’t freeze but the taste is so cool and refreshing to the tongue!

They can also be served over a cheesecake,on top of jello shots,on ice cream and more. Let your imagination soar!

There are some awesome recipes available on their website!

http://www.cocktailcaviar.com

Never have a boring PLAIN old glass of champagne again! 

Let your spirits pop!

Oh and always POP responsibly!

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.

 

 

Kitchen Beauty

Friday on a pop culture and entertainment show here in sunny Florida called River City Live TV I shared some of my signature beauty secrets from the kitchen or your own backyard. I thought you would enjoy them!

Make a facial steam bath…to open up your pores and sweat!

Your skin will love it. Make a pot of tea water…fill a glass bowl with some of that hot water.Rub herbs in palm of your hand a bit.Place sprigs of rosemary OR fresh spearmint inside the bowl of steamy water. Allow time for it to float and infuse the aromatics from the herb.  You can also try this D.I.Y. with other fresh herbs from your fridge or garden. Place your face near the bowl and let the steam (not water) hit your face.Do this for at least 5 minutes. Rinse your face well and use your fav’ face toner and a light moisturizer next.

In a pinch and don’t have any facial scrub at home?

Try using cornmeal from your pantry!

Take a spoonful and place in a little dish. Add some water. Make a little liquid  grain like paste. Apply on a clean face and work in gentle circular motions. Stay away from your eyes and lips. Leave on for a couple of minutes and rub again gently. I like to do this on my T-zone. Rinse well and follow up with your facial toner.This is not only great for the pores but also great for dry flaky skin as a natural exfoliant.

Got stress?

A kitchen rolling pin isn’t just for baking darlings…Get it out and have your sweetie release the stress on your back and or back of legs. Use with gentle strokes.It really does wonders. Use a dash of olive or sunflower oil for some massage oil slip (like massage therapists use). I like it better than on dry skin. When you can’t see your massage therapist this works!

Roses aren’t just good to decorate your house with they also make a floral delight for your eyes. In place of cucumbers a rose petal has soft hydrating properties. They say ancient Chinese royalty loved to do this. I prefer organic roses. All you do is take a petal and place one on each side. Rest your eyes and listen to some music or enjoy the quiet in the room.Now, remove the petals and enjoy softer skin.

I LOVE making fruit or vegetable infused water.…and drink it all day. Better than coffee or sodas and they quench your thirst and make your skin happy too. On TV I showed the viewers how to make a personal bottle of this water. I found an adorable glass with a straw built in and keep it on my desk or work area.

1 container or large pitcher of spring water

1 fresh organic kiwi sliced

1 sprig of  fresh mint

ANOTHER version simply add wedges of oranges.

Allow them to set in pitcher for at least an hour or more. This lets the above make love together and makes the water taste great. Enjoy!

*Drink at room temperature. That’s what a lot of doctors say is best to do. Not ice cold.

Remember my philosophy is not all things have to come from a store…making it yourself is fun and kinda therapeutic. I hope you’ll let me know of any ideas or recipes you like to do too! I LOVE hearing from you.

xoxo

 

 

Sugar Me up!

Tis’ the season for sugar and  all the tempting sweets that come with it!

It is also the time of the year to kiss lots and the weather can give us the driest lips!

I like to make and use this D.I.Y. when I ma ready to KISS under the mistletoe and my lips get dry from rapid change in the weather  or times your lips simply need a moisturizing plumping boost.

My recipe is simple~

1 Teaspoon of honey (organic is my fav’)

1 Teaspoon of brown sugar (organic is my fav’)

Stir the two together for a lip softening treatment at home! Apply to clean lips and rub back and forth with your ring finger. Leave on at least 3 minutes and repeat rubbing process again.

Rinse with warm water on a wash cloth or flat round cotton pad.

Apply your fav’ lip balm afterwards.

Kiss the night away and ring in the new year with soft lips!

 

Because you asked…MY Skin Care Rituals!

The most common question I get asked is what are  MY daily skin rituals?

So, because so many of you have asked I decided to share it with you.

#1 I take care of my skin!

NO secret there. I never go to sleep with the end of the days makeup on. No matter how tired I am or how much champagne I  might have enjoyed at a beauty event or at a party that evening.I always remove my makeup and wash my face well.

My main goal is to have healthy looking clear (blemish free skin) skin and also want to be healthy from within!

I love to spray my face with rosewater during the day.I also set my makeup with it.

I don’t wear lots of foundation.I apply it where I need it. I am not fond of looking at a couple of  sunspots I got from sunbathing when I first moved to Florida.I like an even looking  complexion.

I am a “water girl”…I drink tons of it!!!

I drink bottled water and also enjoy drinking a special water called All Beauty Water. I rarely drink soda or other sweet drinks.

After I wake up I drink a cup of hot water with a squeeze of lemon.This is my go to!!!

My mother taught me this since I was a little girl.She drank this daily. Then I drink either coffee or aromatic jasmine tea. Sometimes depending how my day is going to be I drink  Italian coffee with a pot I bought in Italy I got addicted to it on trips to Italy.

I take Belle + Bella   Probiology  capsule probiotic daily.It really helps me to maintain healthy skin from within…the gut~

I also love to drink my collagen and wear it too with NeoCell‘s new collagen supplement in powder form and my standby Beauty Infusion powder skin supplements by NeoCell too. Just add them to water,sip and go! My skin LOVES it and it shows.

Since moving from NYC/NJ to sunny  Florida for my husband I have gotten smarter and learned to love adding a sunscreen to my beauty skin routine.After meeting countless women with weathered sun damaged skin,I simply had to.

I also learned a good pair of sunglasses “sunnies” are a healthy addition to my fashion/SKINcare wardrobe.”They protect your eyes as well as the skin around your eyes where squinting wrinkles form.

I love to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. I buy them almost on a daily basis.Fresh is BEST! They do wonders for your skin.I love to visit Asian market and stores and farmers markets or shop at Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe’s.

I love supporting small biz farmers vegetable and fruit stands when I travel too! This weekend I am going to enjoy steamed veggies,yummy salads with edible flowers,I’ll make some blueberry sangria and a bit of naughty.Not sure what that naughty will be.

When I want to eat candy I love Sweet Pete’s in Jacksonville Florida or shop Dylan’s Candy Bar in NYC or pop in the Sugar Factory in LV…but since  sweets age your skin faster I put myself on pause and eat a Beauty Burst by NeoCell.It is like candy for your skin. It has wonderful bonuses  for skin,nails and my hair and tastes like a StarBurst’s chewy candy.Taking vitamins never tasted or feels so good.

Since I LOVE natural I am going to make my skin a treat! I use this mask before I put on makeup. I vary using different fresh recipes I have created through the years.

An Oatmeal & Coconut Milk Face Mask

Try this recipe if you like to D.I.Y.face mask:

3 ounces of ground oats

1 1/2 ounces of coconut milk

Optional: Grind a small vanilla bean into the oats.It will smell amazing!

Mix dry with the wet ingredients and add a dash of fresh whole milk if it is not moist enough.

Apply to a clean face and leave on about 10-15 minutes.

The Beauty Benefits?

Great for all skin types including sensitive skin. It adds moisture to your complexion and gently exfoliates dry flaky skin too. I prefer to leave it on 10 minutes or so. Rinse mask off with  warm water and a washcloth. Add any one of the  moisturizer’s on my shelf and apply Young Eyes eye gel.

I also will slice some cold cucumbers and place one of each on my eye lids and rest my eyes. I truly think music is healting to the soul and calms the spirit.My fav’ is listening to the beautiful music of George Skaroulis “Sanctuary or David Young’s “Bliss”. If you don’t know their music you need to!

Hope you enjoyed a peek inside my skin care rituals.

I embrace my not so perfect lovely face. Do you?  What do you do?

*Due to your requests and inspired by the site Into The Gloss too. I hope you enjoyed the rituals I do.More on my skin rituals to come .