Do you like to DIY?

I am doing a Galentine’s Day (Valentine’s Day) Workshop at IKEA in sunny Jacksonville Florida 🌴 only problem is it’s NOT so sunny. It’s been storming and it’s 90% chance of rain ☔️ today. I hope the ladies come out and play with me and not let rain get in the way.

So excited to do a Workshop at IKEA ❤️

If you’re looking for a fun DIY gift 🎁 I like to give as gifts … you’re in luck. My workshop is all about self-care and made with love.

SPA in a Jar

Here’s what you will need to make this gift:

❤️1 medium or large glass jar with a lid and a large neck so you can fill it. Decorative ribbon and other touches to embellish it. Greenery and faux or even fresh cut flowers work too. This gives it a natural and pretty touch.

❤️Things you might want to use to fill your very own SPA in Jar are:

A headband,washcloth or eco friendly washable facial rounds,sheet masks, eye gel masks.

❤️ How about some bubble bath,epsom salts,shower gel,hand lotion, a body lotion and a luxurious soap and bath sponge.

❤️ Crystals, incense, sage,Palo Santo or a mini book.

❤️ A bottle of Prosecco, mini liquor, small beer can, (optional)

❤️ A small box of candy. An apple 🍎 as an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Or you can create a mix of store bought and hand-made DIY recipes. Please note IF you are allergic to any of my recipe ingredients please do not try them.

Kiss Me Lip 👄 Polish

1 jar organic coconut oil

1 packet of sugar left in your purse from last coffee shop stop or 1/4 cup brown or white sugar. It all depends how many jars you want to make. Note: both sugars will work too.

Mix the two together with a spoon or spatula and place in a small microwave safe bowl. Warm the polish 5 seconds to melt a bit and stir again. Be careful. It will be hot. Let cool a bit.

Place mixture into a small glass or plastic jar of your choice. If you want a bigger batch double the recipe. Add a pretty lip stickers or custom label you make and it’s all set. Men and women love ❤️ thus recipe. Including my husband.

Kissable lips in minutes! This is a unisex recipe guys love it too!

❤️ Chamomile Flower Facial Steam Bath

Chamomile dried flowers- a small handful will do.

A pot of water 💦

This recipe is so easy and so gratifying. Your skin will love you back by the way it looks and feels. A relaxing detox facial steam!

Place some dried chamomile flowers in a bag and give it to the person you are gifting to. Add instructions with it. All they do is warm water to a light boil. .

Place the flowers in the water. Place a small towel over your head like a tent. Do NOT put your face in the hot water. You are simply allowing the steam to RISE up to your face. Do this for 3 or 5 minutes. If you have high blood pressure or a skin condition like Rosacea or acne please do not use this facial steam recipe.

Rose 🌹 Eye Mask

Cooling cucumbers 🥒 are refreshing and certainly you can still use them. They work! However, I love this simple aromatic eye mask. Asian Royalty and in many other times in history used them to look younger and refresh their eyes. Did you ever really feel a petal from the rose? It’s so soft and lovely to the touch. It’s known for its skin softening and feel good properties.

Pick me up … for the eyes.

1 fresh Rose rinsed please.

Rinse rose gently in water

Tear off one of the rose petals for an aromatic relaxing treat. They add a touch of moisture for your eye area.

Eyelid pillows are great but I love this nature based eye treatment.

Chill out & rest with a rose petal eye mask!

Laying down close the eyes. Place a rose 🌹 petal on each eyelid and rest the eyes. Listen to some relaxing music. Leave on your closed eyelids at least 6-10 minutes. That’s it!

I hope you enjoy these recipes! Please note…Store bought self-care products are great for your jar. However there’s nothing like a handmade and homemade creation.

Made with LOVE. ❤️

Oops! Forgot to post to my blog before I left. Update despite the rain i had an awesome crowd, workshop and morning at IKEA! Went crazy shopping in the stores food market. Had one of their awesome pretzel with their yummy dipping sauce and drive away smiling all day!

❤️Love that store.

Next Beauty Stop?

 

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Las Vegas ! This trip ✈️ is for the International Esthetics,Cosmetics and Spa Conference. All my makeup ,brushes,skin potions and beauty tools packed and I am so excited.

I LOVE working! I know I have a problem. All work and no play makes you a dull girl. But I will play. A little.

I will show you the show floor, share the latest and greatest in 💄 beauty, skin and wellness. Alongside this show is an international hair show. I will give you a peek of that show and all things new in hair there too!

I also love to eat where the locals go. I love the Las Vegas strip so much but there are so many other yummy places!

And the shopping 🛍 is to die for!

Do you have a special request? Do you want me to look for something special on the market? Do you have a burning makeup or skin question?

Just ask!

Stay tuned …

 

 

 

Hello & Kisses 💋💋💋from Hong Kong!

I am alive and kicking and haven’t forgotten YOU and my blog. But it has been difficult being on a twelve hour time zone difference from the US, to Korea and then on HK time. ✈️ The struggle is real!

I am having the time of my life… in my high heels and Skechers!

Learning new cultural rituals,shopping 🛍and eating 🥟 my way from country 🍚 to country!  I’ll be posting my travel notes soon.

I can’t wait to share my exotic travel, beauty 💄 and foodie 🥢🥡 adventures with you! Come back for more!

IPhoto by Jimmy Chan on Pexels.com

What a Beauty!

 

From the moment I arrived in New Mexico I loved it! I also was drawn in to the sights of these chili peppers dangling at homes,stores and restaurant doors.

They say that the wreaths,strands and other shaped chilies are not just for cooking and eating but for “Welcoming” people to your home or business.I kinda like that.The colorful red hues welcoming you! In fact much of the food I ate had some heat!

I traveled to New Mexico the locals call the land of enchantment for work and play!

The fashion also got my attention with the Native American decor, clothing and more!

Take a scenic drive on the Turquoise  Trail you’ll never know what you will find…like a yummy haunted tavern,fun shopping and more.

The historic Loretto church is rich in religion and history. There are other fabulous churches to explore as well.

There was an annual Chinese Lantern Festival I would have loved to go to…but time did not allow.

One fabulous meal I had has been seen on Diners,Drive Ins and Dives.…it is called TUNE Up Cafe. It was off the food chain fabulous! Beyond YUM and a husband and wife owned business.

Shop the little road side stands you might see…something NEW to discover wherever you go!

Note to self…the SUNSETS are truly amazing! REALLY!

Loved my hotel La Posada de Santa Fe resort. Next post I will share all about my visit to a famous SPA out in Santa Fe.

I only wish my travel date was able to be timed with their annual Hot Air Balloon Event and race. My husband is a hot air balloonist. It would have been quite a ride.

Hope you enjoyed my view of colorful and beautiful New Mexico!

How To Speak to a Crowd

 

First, do a little prep before you do a presentation.

 

Get a good night’s sleep. Stay away from that cup of anything Starbucks! You may simply be nervous or caffeine wired up that they you cannot sleep. Instead, try sipping some hot chamomile tea or take a supplement that calms the muscles and nerves called Magnesium.

 

The day of your speech or presentation, eat a good but not heavy breakfast. Keep it light but hearty like an acai yogurt bowl or steel cut oatmeal. If you eat too much you will want to take a nap and feel no energy. If it is a luncheon or evening presentation, pay particular attention to what you eat too.

 

Drink water and stay hydrated. Do you know liquids help your brain think better, you will be more on your toes? This is especially true when you have to take a test or an exam too.

 

Bring honey and lemon throat lozenges you never know when your throat may get that annoying tickle in the throat and a coughing fit comes on.

 

Do not forget to brush your teeth if possible BEFORE your talk and carry Altoids to the rescue.

Guys and gals. Do not’ wear shoes that are brand new. Nothing feels worse than sore feet. Be comfortable in a pair of shoes that are broken in and that are in pristine condition.

If you happen to get the dreaded nervous red flush on the face and chest before you speak…. Apply a CC cream. This cream is unisex and it covers and corrects your skin and calms down the red or pink flushed appearance. No more red.

Ladies…wear a bolder lipstick and cheek color and eyeliner or mascara is necessary. You want to be seen from a distance. If you are in a conference room or small luncheon meeting, lighten up a bit on these.

Guys you can wear a dash of tinted moisturizer to even out your complexion.

Add some guy liner or manscara.

However, not as heavy as Johnny Depp in the pirate movies. A little goes a long way.

Really, they all work and define your eyes and fine-tune your complexion. If you are prone to DRY lips. Apply lip balm. Nothing worse than crusty dehydrated lips.

Do not over do on aftershave or cologne. It can be over powering and you never know who has allergies in the room. You want them to remember you and what you said…Not your fragrance.

Smile as you open up to your audience with your presentation. A smile is better than wearing a Rolex watch that they most likely will never see.

A smile invites them in. Also, tell a little story about yourself or a fun joke that will fit in to what you have to say. If you are nervous…picture the audience is naked. This is a speaker’s tip that works as unusual as it may sound.

Above all, engage your audience, work the room with your eyes, and smile! Do not just look one direction or at a few people in the audience. Show everyone you care about them by your eyes and glance at as many people as you can. Eye contact is key.

After your speech…thank your audience and ALWAYS have your business card ready to give. Never be without it. It is like a mini billboard of you. Add your social media info.I also  find a picture is worth a thousand words. Ever since I added my photo on my business card and website business booms even more. People want to see who they are doing business with and put a face with a name.

I hope this helps you put your best forward and always know this. My words of wisdom: “YOU are a star no matter whom you are so …Shine brightly!”

My SPA & Makeup show beauty haul!

I just enjoyed  two glorious days of awesome at the IECSC conference in beautiful FT. Lauderdale Florida.

I am jet lagged and I didn’t even fly enjoyed …and enjoyed a little bit of Palm Beach and a bit of R&R so I am energized.

There was a vibe on the show floor that happily filled the air…after Hurricane Irma beauty professionals and beauty business owners were so ready to learn and explore the show floor.

I taught my two classes and enjoyed shopping every inch of the show floor.

I sniffed,touched,played in new beauty potions and makeup shades and watched other beauty and skin care experts slay the show floor with their demos and new product releases!

Here is my beauty and skin haul!

The show floor was a candy store for the skin care pro,spa,makeup artist and beauty retailer.

Color has become bolder in makeup, skin has never been more in and the future looks bright for business! Finally!

To Go Spa has added new face masks that offer instant gratification. My fave’s is for the neck and the lips.

Farmhouse Fresh has added soaps to their line and an awesome decadent Chai and a dash of honey Shea butter lotion for the body and hands. This line is coveted by Oprah,J Lo and Kim Kardashians makeup artist have used the brands Agave Nectar on the decollete and body on the red carpet.

Sassi lashes have the most amazing human hair lashes that a lot of makeup artists were buzzing about.

Tan Towel is the safest got to tan that not only do I use but celebrities and the girl next door uses. Their face tan towel comes wrapped like a condom and is great for travel. They also have one for half body and touch up where you want a kiss of color. No orange hands,no smelly TAN,no skin cancer from baking in the sun. I love love love this product.

I purchased a new roller for the skin…It’s called Micro-needling and will explore and chat more on this in a future blog to come soon.

Blinc Mascara  doesn’t paint the lashes but tubes them with mascara has some awesome colors like purple and blue. They also added an amplified mascara to their lash lineup too. This mascara washes off with luke warm water and a washcloth. No running,no clumping!

I took in a few classes and took lots of notes in my glam notebook!

Not only are their more beauty tools and skin devices, dream creams continue to soar.

This fall it is all about BERRY hues on lips, cheeks and eyes … BOLD and beautiful. Metallics are really in too. Thank goodness the smoky eye is taking a bit of a rest.

Red lips dress to impress with the rest so don’t worry girls you can still wear your signature classic red.

I wanted to shop even more…but because of the hurricane the show floor had less vendors. Florida is still TRYING  to make a comeback.

I have a gift box to give away… How would you like to win it?

 

Let the Beauty Show Begin!

 

Ready, set and my beauty bags packed for the International Esthetics,Cosmetics and SPA show in sunny Ft Lauderdale. This weekend  is going to be business and pleasure. I like to mix the two. Work hard… play hard. There are several beauty events I have been invited to and I really look forward to guest speaking too.This is one of my classes in the show book. I will take pictures of my model who also happens to be another speaker…Alysha Carlo. My class is for professionals in the spa,med-spa and salon industry.

The attendees come from all over the world! It is very exciting.

I also can’t wait to shop the huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuggge show floor and bring back my beauty and skin care haul to share!

I’m also happy to escape from the sadness in Jacksonville from that hurricane IRMA.

I am planning on doing a giveaway on MY blog when I get back into town…So stay tuned for some giveaway fun!

xoxo

 

 

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.

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.

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beauty,Beauty and more beauty in the Big Apple!

A week ago I escaped the blizzard and traveled to NYC for work and play. I was bound and determined not to let the cold weather get in my way.I arrived safe by Delta Airlines and landed almost an hour sooner than scheduled. The sun was shining gloriously and the weather was awesome in the 60’s. I checked in to my first hotel and quickly had attend to refresh and go to two planned beauty events. I  discovered new beauty products to show on my beauty and lifestyle segment on NBC12- TV. I also love to see what I would like to enjoy and add to my own beauty routine. My first stop was at a loft terrace in a sun-drenched  huge room. I sipped champagne,noshed on yummy treats and explored what’s hot a new.The best part besides the awesome products I saw. They served up COTTON CANDY fresh from an old time machine! How cool was that! I love cotton candy in its soft rainbow fluffy hues of sweetness.More to come in another post on the products I enjoyed and fell in love with.

Next stop I hustled in a cab to the event of the year. It happens once a year. NYC beauty editors,cosmetics executives and anyone who is anyone in beauty attend the Cosmetic Exec Women event. We sniff,touch,smell,play and test drive NEW beauty launches from the past 12 months.After we do this we vote after testing some more brands at home.There are many categories. Makeup,Hair,Skin,Nails,Fragrance,Male Grooming,Beauty Tools nail polish and so much more.It is a exciting packed party of wall to wall women.Each year is different. This year QVC was offering makeup applications and even gave us a cosmetic bag.Hair was being styled and more.And did I mention they had cupcakes and cocktails?

After the tabulations are all in brands receive an Academy award of beauty no not a gold statue but winning  is the most coveted accolade you want by a beauty brand. My swag weighed in at 12 lbs.Two fast and furious hours of a really packed pavilion.

The next day while the weather was still in the 60’s I had a few business meetings but made time to go downtown for Chinese Brunch called DIM SUM at one of my fav’ places in Chinatown section of NYC. The Joy Luck Palace. I was seated with two women and two of their nurses who took them o the city for an outing. They were from Hong Kong and 95 and 99 years young.So fun to watch the friendship between the two ladies. The older one was a fashionista dripping in jade jewelry.The two ladies did not speak English but I understood the language of their smiles,facial expressions,laughter and appearance.Women push carts filled with hot Chinese food from soup to dumplings to chicken feet.

My fave’ Dim Sum was 3  little piggies sitting in the bamboo steamer looking at me! They were meant for the end of the meal. A warm fluffy dough filled with a creme brulle kind of cream and it also reminded me of the yummiest vanilla pudding.The Chef’s  here make the best tiny bites of love.If you have never tried or enjoyed dim sum you must find a place to dine in your travels.

Did I mention I got caught in the first flurry of snow and slush and had not packed any boots? MY husband told me I wouldn’t need them.Note to self…never not pack your boots with all your other needed winter gear.

Window shopping is the best shopping! I window shopped all the hot stores like Bloomingdales,Macy’s and Bendel’s and more. I used to live here and really miss having this city at my feet on a daily basis.But I also shopped the fashion district too and discovered some amazing fabrics. So inspiring.Even stopping by candy stores and food stands gives me yummy inspiration since I so love candy and beauty too.

I took some time for at my fav’ places for a mani,pedi and facial too.And I discovered some more places to shop and play for K beauty too.

Oh and I went to the International Beauty Show and guest spoke at the International Esthetics,Cosmetics and Spa show. The show floor was filled with the latest and greatest in the world of beauty. Then came the SNOW.Thank goodness I was already booked on a flight the day before the storm.

Off on another beauty trip soon.Gotta unpack to pack.Stay tuned for more on my beauty adventures.

 

 

 

 

 

On the Go again!

Never a dull moment. How’s life with you?

Starting to pack my makeup bags and luggage. I am so ready to work and rock  New York City too. As much as I travel for work and play…packing is always a challenge when I have to fly for my work.Between the beauty supplies needed as a working make-up artist. So many rules too much beauty and clothes! I want to take every lipstick and walk in closet with me!

Other than working which is my fave’ thing to! I look forward to taking it all in…the city that is and the many things it does for my spirit and soul.I miss living up north.

PS

Found this artist on Instagram who drew this playful illustration of me and my LOVE for makeup and all things LIPS!

I am wild about this shade …it is like a violet with a touch of pink ! Do you like this hue? 

I am hoping to find clothes and accessories in this hue! May even create a lipstick in that shade for my cosmetic line too.

SPRING is calling me!

Stay tuned …I can’t wait to share my beauty,travel and food adventures from my trip with you!

 

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