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Ten Day “You” Challenge – Day 2

7 Mar

Day two. Hip hip hooray! The end is near and the start of my 2012 blog writings about the things I find and discover on a daily basis that surround me in the world of fashion and glamour. Don’t get me wrong–I did enjoy doing the “thinking” involved in this process. But the fact is, my heart and soul is in writing about the things I love… in a way I love to do it. It will be joyous and a relief to get back on the track that I originally started on. Come to think of it, I ran track in high school. I don’t think that is relevant here, but I did just think of it. *Random* Ha ha.

Day Two: Two Songs. WOW! I am such a music lover. I can listen to anything from 70’s disco to today’s pop songs. I am an 80’s rock fanatic, even a follower of hairspray metal! My mom grew up in a country music household, and although it is in my roots, I’m not such a fan anymore. Because my favorite music styles are so varied, I think I’ll just share with you the songs that are my favorites today:

TWO SONGS

1. Reviewmirror by Pearl Jam– Oh, the greatest rock song about deep thinking then moving on. Sometimes you think things are just fine, then one day you realize…. “Ya know? They’e not. And I’m not going to take it anymore.” Usually people like this song because they have just said goodbye to a relationship with a significant someone that they couldn’t see was more toxic than it was. But when you think about it, it really doesn’t have to be a person. I can be a job, it can be school, it can be a relative, it can be anything. And once you’re free? YOU’RE FREE! Things are awake, alive, open, clear. Like Eddie Vedder sings:

     I gather speed from you %$@#ing with me
     Once and for all, I'm far away
     I hardly believe, finally the shades
     are raised... hey

2. What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger by Kelly Clarkson – Kelly Clarkson’s newest album is totally pop and a little too “high school” for most, but I’m finding that I am listening to the songs on it more and more. This tune is pretty self explanatory, and although it is about a girl who just moves on and does just fine without her ex, I find the strength in Clarkson’s voice gives anyone who listens to it a feeling of “YES!” and “I can conquer the world!” right down into their soul. This is a great song to exercise to (if that’s your thing) as well as any type of self-expression or self-improvement. It really hits home when you hear:

     Thanks to you I got a new thing started
     Thanks to you I'm not the broken-hearted
     Thanks to you I'm finally thinking 'bout me
     You know in the end
     The day you left was just my beginning, in the end.

I’d say check back tomorrow because I’ll probably have two new songs I’m loving, but with any hope and luck at all, I’ll be down to #1 on my Ten Day “You” Challenge and I’ll be moving on to bigger and better things. Who knows? Maybe when I start keeping up with my own blog I’ll have a Song of the Day section. Then you all can contribute as well. How about now? If YOU had to pick a song for today, which would you pick? Hmmmmm?

The Ten Day “You Challenge” – Day 4

22 Feb

I think someone should have called this the “Worse Than A Root Canal You Challenge” because I’m finding it very hard to stay focused and get this finished. Maybe it’s because I am most used to writing and comfortable talking about my passions: fashion, glamour and makeup. I’m not really comfortable talking about myself, although my husband, Mr. Sassy would probably debate me on this since when we go out with friends, he can’t get a word in edge-wise. I guess it’s the radio talk show host taking over.

So today we are on day four, which is…. let me look…. four books. Oh really? I am a fashion magazine fanatic. I don’t think I have read a book–cover to cover–in years. And you know what? That is pathetic. I should work on that.

Some of the best books I have ever read, though, I read when I was in high school. And elementary school. So here’s my very “childish” list:

Four Books

    1. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger – This was actually a “banned” book in my high school (NO, I’m not THAT old!) and my English teacher “encouraged” me to buy the book (since it wasn’t even in our school library) and do an extra credit book report on it. The book, and that teacher, literally changed my life. I think if it wasn’t for her and that assignment, I wouldn’t have had the desire to get into writing like I did. Thank you, Mrs. Mueller!

    2. The Pistachio Prescription by Paula Danziger – A typical teen book that I read when I was in 7th grade. I could totally relate to it so much that it just became my Holy Grail. About 10 years ago, I found an older paperback copy of the book in a Salvation Army for 50 cents. The memories came flooding back, I bought it, and it sits next to my bed even now. When life gets a bit overwhelming, I pick it up and read it again.

    3. Inside, Outside, Upside Down by Stan & Jan Berenstain – This was my favorite book as a kid, and my favorite book to read to my kids. The book is fun, simple, easy to understand, and NEVER fails to make me smile. Even now that my kids are older, if I say a line from the book, they will laugh out loud. To me, that’s awesome.

    3. How To Be A Winner by Zig Ziglar – I’m not one of these people who are all woo hoo about motivational and self-help books. But what was nice about this one was I obtained it on audio tape! I remember I would listen to it in my car constantly. I like how it made me feel, I like how it made me think. Out of them all, I would recommend everyone listen to this one at least once.

That was a bit of a challenge. I guess I remember more of the books I read when I was in school than I have since I have gotten out. Most books I pick up now are reference books. Something about fashion, color pallets, makeup application, things like that. I think that’s something I’ll have to change this year. Read more. Whether it be self-help, fiction, non-fiction, motivational…. I think it would be good to put words into my mind, instead of just accumulating them waiting for them to come out on paper. Or in my case… in my blog! Yup, gotta do that. Make it happen, Sassy!

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The Ten Day “You” Challenge – Day 9

19 Nov


I never said that my Ten Day “You” Challenge would be done in exactly 10 days., now did I? Okay, so I’m a tad inconsistent (and noticeably lazy) lately. Work with me people….

Where were we? Oh, yeah, so today is Day 9–Nine Loves. This will certainly be easier than the ten secrets. I could put my husband down nine times but I’m sure that’s would not be very soul-searching of me. So, let’s dig a little deeper….

Nine Loves

    1. My fabulous husband

    2. My two great kids

    3. My kittie cats (all five–yes I said five–of them)

    4. Pistachio ice cream

    5. Fall

    6. Jeans (All brands, all styles, all prices!)

    7. Writing about makeup and fashion

    8. Designer handbags

    9. A fabulous steak dinner, complete with baked potato & sour cream

I probably could change the list each week — adding things some days, taking things off on others. The above nine, however, will always stay the same. Of course there is one thing I didn’t put down but I don’t think I should have to. In fact, it should be so much of a given that is should be everyone’s number one. And what is that great love?

Yourself.

That doesn’t mean you have to be a narcissist or egotistical. It just means you have to love who you are, what you are, where you’re at, and where you’re going. Getting to that point doesn’t happen in days, months or even years. In fact, many aren’t at that point yet at all. And that’s okay. For some it’s a work in progress, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Because the key word there to remember is this: progress.

I challenge all of you to enjoy your loves…. if possible, every day of your life!!

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The Ten Day “You” Challenge

12 Nov


Earlier today, the above photo came across my Tumblr feed.
I liked it. It got me thinking. Usually, I like things that get me thinking. Without hesitation, I re-Tumbl’d it and committed myself to doing it. I figured I would write about it on my own personal blog because a) I am usually too busy blogging elsewhere to be here that much; b) it would give my followers some information about me; and c) it’s kind of like one of those online surveys which I am totally addicted to.

The first item on the list, of course, is ten secrets. Wow. Why couldn’t that be around two or three? TEN? I don’t even know if I have 10 secrets! I’m pretty much an open book and if you asked me a question, I’d probably answer you not just honestly but with more details than you’d ever want to know. Okay, so let’s get this thing rolling….

Ten Secrets

    1. I have an addiction to makeup. (Buying it, I mean)

    2. I ate frog’s legs once and did NOT think it tasted like chicken.

    3. I stole the back of an earring at my local discount store when I was 10 because I had lost one of mine. (See? I still feel guilty.)

    4. I dressed up in a school girl costume to get a job once. (Great story!)

    5. I lost my father in a boating accident when I was only 7… and I miss him every day.

    6. I have been diagnosed with not one but two auto-immune diseases, but still never hesitate to face each day with a smile.

    7. I have some pieces of clothing in my closet that are my daughter’s that she thinks just went “missing”.

    8. I lived three months in shelter for victims of domestic violence about 16 years ago, then became an advocate against violence towards women in my community.

    9. I had to buy a new pair of shoes once because I realized I left the house with two different ones on.

    10. I did not meet my husband at a horse race track like we used to tell everyone. I actually met him online in an AOL chat room.

Some of my “secrets” aren’t hidden to everyone–a few of my closest friends know about them. Many of my secrets, however, are probably a surprise to many. Did I disclose them to enlighten you or me? Nah. I just want people to know that in regards to some things?… I’m no different than anyone else. I’m just your average sassy fashion and glamour blogger–with a few challenges–chasing her dream…

… and I dare you to do the same!!

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I “heart” Red?……

12 Feb

It’s that time of the year that people in love simply adore and people that are single and/or on their own curse till the end of the month. It is the season of St. Valentine. It begins approximately one week after Christmas, choking you with endless teddy bears, flowers, hearts, chocolates, perfume, jewelry, lace and candies right up till the middle of February.  You begin to see the world through rose-colored glasses, and that’s only because you only see things that are the colors red, white and pink for almost two months straight.  Even as a happily married woman, totally in love with her soul mate, I happen to think this holiday can get a little overwhelming.

Not that all the hype and merchandising isn’t enough to process, but now you have to throw in three colors that are not fashion- and glamour-friendly in my wardrobe ensemble… AT ALL! As a flaming, auburn-haired girl with pale ivory skin, some colors do not look good on me. Cupid’s colors embrace almost all of them. My hair should be enough to speak to the masses that I am Valentine’s Day friendly. But no… they want more from me. They want me to embrace the red-hot color of love. Bah.

Because I promised myself this year to add new hues to my closet and makeup drawer, I thought there was no better time like this huggy-kissy holiday to do a little color infusion. “Bring on the red,” I said! So what did I find to kindle a little fire in my color scheme during this season of amore? Take a looksie…


**L’Oreal HIP Shine Struck Liquid Lipcolor in Turbulent**
In my quest to find a neutral red lip color that didn’t look too over-powering, I stumbled upon a brand of lip color that I have had good luck with in the past. L’Oreal’s HiP Shine Struck Liquid Lipcolor goes on smooth with its sponge tip applicator, with highly pigmented color that will WOW most. Although the color was a bit too bright for me at first, I found a way to apply it with my own lip brush and blend it in a bit more. I then topped it with a light beige frosted gloss which subdued it slightly. I think this specific shade is being discontinued where I bought it because I found it for 75% off. A sexy steal for only $3.75 at CVS, but it will surely be missed.


**Milani Nail Lacquer in Ruby Jewels**
One thing I have never been afraid of is red nail color. I think it is the one shade that goes with anything and everything, and never goes out of style. There is only one problem with my red nail polish: I wear the same shade all the time. Flat, matte, hooker red. Traditionally stylish, but nothing out of the ordinary. This Valentine’s Day, however, I decided to pick out a red that had a bit of pizazz. This specific Milani nail color caught my eye from a distance, even on the shelf amongst all the other polishes. The deep red glitter polish reminds me of Dorothy’s famous ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz. Hmmm. Maybe this would be the perfect nail polish to wear on a blind date! Then if it doesn’t go so well, you could tap your nails on the bar and say, “There’s no place like home….?” Or not. This magical nail lacquer was found at CVS for just $4.50.


**bebe for 90210’s Silk Voile Ruffle Top**
I wish I could take the credit for daring to step out of my comfort zone when I bought this top, but I can’t. The fact is, I won it! bebe ran a contest where pieces of their newest collection were shown on the television show 90210 (for which the collection is named.) The first Twitter follower to Tweet about the pieces won one of them. I’m a sucker for a contest so I chimed in right away. And voila… the winner was me! The spring top is gorgeous. A very feminine silk top with rouched sleeves and an asymmetrical ruffled neckline. And the color? Bright true red! The top is so versatile that it can be worn dressed up with a black pencil skirt and pumps, dressed down with capris and flip flops, or worn casual chic with skinny jeans and peep-toe shoe booties. Now available at select bebe stores or online at bebe.com for $79.

American designer Bill Blass was once quoted as saying, “When in doubt, wear red.” I doubt he had a redhead in mind when he said those words. Regardless, I have elected to ease into my new-found red fashions and accents. A lipcolor here, a nail polish there, a splattering of crimson in my closet. And although I’m not ready to completely dive head-first into a glamour routine with endless scarlet treasures, I will stick with a few things that I know suit me quite nicely: red roses, Red Hot candies, and red strawberries… dipped in chocolate of course!

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Great Makeup Finds In January…

26 Jan

As the month of January comes to a close, some things are obvious to me. First, it was one of the snowiest months that I can remember. In fact, it’s the 6th highest of all time… and we still have a few days left to go with a storm on the horizon! It also has been cold. DAMN cold! And finally, this has been a month where my energy and motivation has been slim to none. Could be a vitamin D deficiency. Could be because my iron level is low. Duh… could also be because of the first two things I listed above!!

Even though I spent most of the month inside where it is warm and cozy, I did manage to venture out into the icy blue yonder where I discovered a few awesome things that I have added to my daily makeup routine. What’s even better? They can easily be found in your local drug or chain store at a very reasonable price. If you search around online, you might find a coupon for them as well. They are:

Maybelline’s Volum’ Express One By One Mascara – Maybelline promotes it as a mascara with “bold volume without any of the bulk.” It’s patented Lash Catcher™ brush “catches, coats and de-clumps each lash to make them all fatter and flirtier.” Sounds like what all mascara fanatics are lusting for, right? But the real question is… does it deliver? In my opinion, it does! I love how the brush keeps the mascara from clumping on my lashes and seems to individually coat each one. I think it could be a bit more plumping, but I usually only use one coat. With two coats, the look was more than stunning. After all day wear not one smudge or flake either. My lashes looked so voluptuous that my husband even noticed. Now THAT’S saying something! I purchased it in the waterproof formula in the shade Very Black. Uber sexy! (Priced around $6.)

L’Oreal Paris’ Studio Secrets™ Professional Magic Perfecting Base – Kudos to L’Oreal and Allure Magazine for the fabulous idea of putting makeup samples in the latest issue of the magazine! I have used foundation primers in the past, and have just found them to be just so-so. That is not a good grade especially when the price of some of these high-end items can go as high as $50! Not to mention, many primers and bases have a tendency to clog my pores as well as cause my face to burn because of my sensitive skin. Being able to try the new L’Oreal Perfecting Base before buying it was a huge plus. I immediately noticed that it evened out my skin tone and minimized the appearance of my pores and fine lines. Its texture was very light and silky. And after wearing it all day, my skin had no reactions to it. I put it on right after moisturizing and right before I use my NEW foundation. (Priced around $10.)

L’Oreal Paris’ Magic Smooth™ Soufflé Makeup – Speaking of my new foundation, this little gem was stumbled upon when I tried L’Oreal’s Perfecting Base. Kudos to them for putting these two samples together in Allure Magazine for people to try. Alone, each item is great. Together, they are simply fabulous! My concerns with the foundation were the same as with the Perfecting Base—I worried about breaking out, burning and irritation to my face. I was happy to be able to try it for a day to make sure my skin did not react to it. It didn’t, thank goodness… because I loved how it made my skin look and feel! As light as it was, it took very little of the Soufflé Makeup to get a nice even coverage. It didn’t feel greasy but it wasn’t drying either. It went on smooth, especially over the Perfecting Base. And the coverage lasted all day without streaking or fading. Although the shade selections weren’t very extensive, I did find one that matched my skin tone perfectly. Something to keep in mind, though—the shade I selected looks totally different on my skin than it does in the jar! (Priced around $14)

eos Lemon Drop Lip Balm with SPF 15 – We all know that the checkout counter at the market or drug store is cluttered with things from candy to cookies, makeup to magazines, asprin to ankle socks. If we linger in line longer than a minute, we know for a fact we are going to start picking through the array of goodies around us. (And the store couldn’t be happier about that.) I had been eyeing this out-of-the-ordinary balm near the register for some time now for two main reasons: 1) its odd shape; and 2) its unique flavor. First, it’s not a tube lip balm at all. It is actually in the shape of an egg, and about the size of a ping pong ball. You twist the cap off and inside is the dome-shaped lip moisturizer, enriched with shea butter, jojoba oil, and vitamin E. It goes on smooth, with no tugging or pulling of the lips. Plus its natural lemon flavor is refreshing and not fake at all. It’s sweet, so it doesn’t burn your lips. Although the shape of the product is definitely unusual, I find that this makes it easier to keep track of! Its bright yellow color stands out in my nightstand, makeup drawer or purse, and the shape makes it easy to find just by feeling around for it! Granted, you can’t just “pop” it into your pocket comfortably, but this great organic, non-animal tested product does keep your lips super soft and protected for many, many hours. (Priced around $3.50)

It is nice to have found some great new makeup items to add lift my spirits this month, especially ones that won’t break my wallet! How about you? Have you fell in love with any new products, shades, formulas or colors recently? Found something to lift your spirits during these cold, grey, winter days? If so, I want to hear about them! On my homepage is my new contact link! Just hit me up at *Click Here To Contact Sassy* by clicking on the words! Send me your questions, hot new finds, or opinions on something you’ve tried—from the worlds of fashion, makeup, skin care of glamour! Can’t wait to hear from you!!!

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Letter From “The Editor” – New Year, New Me?

5 Jan

It’s that time of the year. The ball drops, the champagne pops, last year fades, and new goals and resolutions get made. I have to laugh a bit about one of my goals I had in 2010 and how life can be very unpredictable. Since I began “Tweeting” towards the end of 2010, I had told my husband I wanted to end the year with 100 followers on Twitter. Well, at 11:59pm on December 31st, I had 97 followers. I was more than pleased with that number and content with what I had achieved. I mean, they were Tweeps that I loved and was happy to have on board with me. However, when I woke up the next morning and checked my Twitter account, I was thrilled to find out I had gained ten new fans while I slept and awoke to 107 followers! Hmmm, funny how life works that way, isn’t it?

Now, with the New Year upon us, there are definitely things I’d like to change about myself and my life in 2011. I would like to be healthier… but, sadly, most of that is out of my hands. I would like to win the lottery… but that is kind of out of my control and more of a luck thing. I would like every day to be sunny, low humidity, and any where from 60-75 degrees…. but in New York, that’s almost a flat out joke.  And I’d like my husband to come home every day from work relaxed, happy and worry-free… but I think the other three things would need to happen first before that could ever be an option.

For the most part, I am pretty happy about where I am in my life. I think if I could share one piece of advice for the New Year, I would tell you to make your first resolution in 2011 be the following: be happy about where you are, in your life, right now! Even if your ultimate goal is to be someplace else—in destination, finances, personal achievements, career or love—it is important to be content about who and where you are as a person before you move upward and onward. You don’t have to like where you are, but you need to be accepting that this is where life has taken you. Ask yourself some questions:  How did you get there? Was it by choice? Could you be someplace else—better or worse? What accomplishments are you proud of? Who has made a difference in your life up until now? It is only when you have become accepting of where you are starting from, can you set a goal to be someplace else.

The year 2010 didn’t always bring good things my way. I didn’t change everything I wanted to. I didn’t achieve every goal I had set. But the fact is I was happy with where I was in my life as I ended the year. And with a clean slate of 365 days ahead of me this year, I ask myself:  What is next?  Here are a few things I will begin and continue to work on in the year 2011:

    1) Setting and achieving short term goals for a long-term gain
    2) Getting the proper rest and nutrition that will give me the energy I need to accomplish my daily tasks
    3) Refuse to settle into a comfort zone—take chances, put myself out there, and try new things that may not seem possible for me
    4) Share my thoughts and experiences with others, so they can be inspired or enlightened to continue to reach their own goals.
    5) Add more color into my closet and think outside of the black-n-white fashion box! (The fashionista in me had to throw that in.)
    6) Be more diligent and consistent in my blog posts.

I think it is important to assess your progress and dedication each month to the resolutions you have made and the goals you have set. Sometimes things change that make it necessary to adjust your list… especially if you have achieved some of your objectives.  If that is the case, you need to celebrate your victory and then raise the bar!

Wishing all of my blog followers and fashion friends a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2011!!

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My Fab Finds of 2010…

28 Dec

Another year has come and gone, and much like last year, I have no clue where the days went. I could spend endless hours sitting around with my friends from high school, remembering so many of the fun times of our teens just like it was yesterday. We’d talk about the fabulous hairspray metal bands of the 80’s, headlines, fashions and trends like we were still in class together. But if you asked me what I did last month, last week, even yesterday?… it all blurs together like cream in coffee. I should follow in the footsteps of the hilarious bogus talk show host, Jiminy Glick (played by comedian Martin Short) and use “Ginko Bilobo” to improve my memory. But like him, I’d probably forget to take it.

There are a few things, however, that I never forget as time goes on: my fabulous discoveries in the world of fashion and glamour. Once a hot find gets burned into my mind, I truly believe it is there to stay. Not only do I personally get the benefits of these little treasures, but I get to share them with the people around me! Nothing makes me happier than to talk about a product, look, style or sale that I have stumbled upon with my friends, family and blog followers. It is like graduating from the student to the teacher!

So, as I sit back and enjoy my memory-stimulating treats (rosemary-mint hot tea and those dark-skinned… umm…. berry things, the name escapes me), I will share with you a few of the things that Sassy found and fell in love with this year:

1.  Maybelline’s Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner – I love the look of defined eyes with a deep black liner, but I could not find a pencil that had the stay power I wanted or a liquid that I could perfect. The oil-free formula of Maybelline’s Gel Eyeliner is highly pigmented for dramatic color and keeps going strong all day with its smudge-proof, water-proof wearability.  Although it was hard to master the look I wanted with the brush it came with, I decided to try something different. Which is how I came to fall in love with….

2.  Bare Escentuals’ Slanted Liner Brush – For those of you who feel like a five year old who can’t color inside the lines when using liquid/gel liners (like me), try a brush specifically designed for those who are straight-line challenged. This brush enables you to keep your hand straight in front of you without bending your arms in ways that would make Gumby frown. It works well with gel liners as well as powder eye shadows that can be used as eyeliners too. Plus it cleans up easily with regular soap and water and holds its shape. A must have brush in anyone’s collection.

3.  pureDKNY Perfume – Talk about squeaking in under the wire! I received a small bottle as part of a promotion that Sephora was running when I ordered my slanted liner brush two weeks ago. I’m a big fan of DKNY’s BeDelicious perfume, so I was happy to give this newer scent a try. I must say, it is totally different from BeDelicious. And that’s a good thing. With that scent focusing on top notes of apple and grapefruit, pureDKNY is primarily a floral perfume wrapped in the soothing scent of vanilla. Normally I lean towards citrus-type scents, but I absolutely love this one. I can see me wearing this as an every day scent. It’s genuine, soothing, simple and calm. And that’s exactly what we all need in our busy lives!

4.  bebe Logo Knit Top – I don’t care what age you are… everyone needs a little bit of bling in their closet, and bebe is well-known for their logo tops with some sparkle! The white logo top I found at bebe has half sleeves and is ribbed for a bit of extra style. It’s classic yet eye-catching, and is always worth a head turn or two when I wear it out. Even on a basic jeans kind of day, my bebe top makes me feel NYC chic!

5.  Vintage Leopard-Print Trench Coat – Some people call them thrift shops. Others call them vintage stores. I call them a gold mine… on the right day! Earlier this year, while looking for items for a costume party, I stumbled upon a brushed velvet animal-print trench coat with the original tags still attached ($75). It was stylish beyond belief and it was mine… for all of ten bucks.  Anyone who has ever watched “Sex and the City” knows that their infamous costume designer, Patricia Field, is the queen of mixing high-end designer fashions with off-the-wall vintage finds. I LOVE that! It inspires me to seek out great items at my local thrift store that can be worn “as is” or to be vogued up to push the style envelope.

6.  Cardigans, Cardigans, and more Cardigans – Before this year, the word “cardigan” brought to mind a four button, argyle sweater with the pizzazz of a slice of white bread. Yawn. This year, however, designers brought this layering piece to front of the class! Ruffles and lace, long and cropped, metallics and neutrals, buttons and belts… the styles were amazing. It brought a whole new dimension to my closet, and the mix and match possibilities were endless. And now that the colder temps are here, they are stunning and functional too!

7.  Over-The-Knee Boots – Usually when I think of high boots, visions of Goldie Hawn on “Laugh In” wearing her slamming white go-go boots always came to mind. (Did I just date myself?) For the past couple of years, the height of the boot has continuously been getting higher and higher. And with jeans getting skinnier and skinnier, the tucked-in pants look has been growing more popular. Of course, this look is NOT for everyone. I think when worn correctly on the right person, the OTK boot look just screams style and self-confidence.

As we all think back about what 2010 brought us, don’t forget to realize that on January 1st, we will be given 365 blank slates to use for whatever we want. Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, “Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.” We can expand our knowledge, learn new things, and develop new talents. I challenge you all to do, be or learn something new next year. You will be so glad you did!

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Exfoliate Your Face—The Winter Way

9 Dec

Ah, winter… the most drying time of the year for your skin… head to toe. Even me, the redheaded shiny-faced oil slick gets big time flaky from the dry, inside heat as well as the cold, outside air. That means it is even more important now that we all take the time to exfoliate the dead skin cells that occur during these chilly days and nights. But how can we get rid of the old and expose the new without drying our skin out even more??

Easy. VERY easy!

All skin types should exfoliate at least twice a week (slightly oily skin can exfoliate a little more).  In the winter, exfoliating can leave your skin feeling tight and dry. The key to keeping your face from getting too dehydrated is to prepare it – and protect it! – BEFORE you exfoliate!  Here’s how:

1)  Get yourself fresh, pure oil that is great for your skin. My favorites include sweet almond oil, coconut oil (organic cold-pressed and unrefined), apricot kernel oil, grape seed oil or even organic extra virgin olive oil. You don’t have to get anything special online. Just go to your local market and take a trip down the aisle with all the oils. If you don’t find one there, check the market’s organic department. I have found that lately even Wal-Mart Super Centers carry most of these!

2)  Now invest in a mild face cleanser with an added gentle exfoliant in it! By combining these two steps, you reduce the chance of over stripping your skin of the natural oils and moisture it needs, especially now. My favorites: Aveeno’s Positively Ageless Daily Exfoliating Cleaner ($9.99 @ local retailers); Befine’s Exfoliating Cleanser ($25.00 @ befine.com); Clarins’ One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser ($35.00 @ fine department stores)

3)  Prepare your skin by splashing it with warm water. (Stay away from hot water as it is drying and irritating to your face.) Cover your fingertips with your preferred oil and rub it all over your face in small circular motions. Loosen up all of your makeup (including your eye makeup if you want!) then let the coating of oil sit on your skin for about a minute.

4)  Apply your exfoliating cleanser to your face (be careful around your eye area especially when working with a granular exfoliant) by gently rubbing where you applied the oil.

5)  Rinse everything off with warm water and pat dry. Apply an enriched moisturizer immediately.

By pre-conditioning your face with an oil that is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, you not only prevent your skin from becoming overly stripped of the oil and moisture that can occur when you exfoliate during the colder months, but you will also protect it against free radicals that can cause premature aging. And if you have a tendency for the occasional breakout, don’t fear: the pure oils that I mentioned above are non-comedogenic. That means they won’t cause pimples or blackheads. It’s the “waxy” based oils and creams that clog up your pores and causes those nasty breakouts!

Remember, too, that hydrating is important from the inside out so don’t get slack on your water intake during the colder months. Treat your body right on the inside, pamper it correctly on the outside, and keep yourself glowy and fresh all year round!!

Letter From “The Editor” – Color My World

23 Nov

As I flipped through the fashion magazines that have been sent to me so far this month, one of my magazines really caught my interest. It wasn’t its beautiful fashions, make up looks, hair styles or flashy ads that made me take notice. It was its editor’s letter. Although I know that all magazines have a Letter from the Editor, it made me think about me and my own blog. I realize that each of my blog entries is written from the heart to all of my readers, kind of like a personal letter to each of you. I thought though that it might be nice to do my own version of a magazine’s Editor’s Letter and maybe start a new monthly trend. So here we go…


As I look at the load of laundry on my bedroom floor, I am mentally categorizing which basket I will have to put each piece of clothing in when I bring it to the basement to wash. I see jeans, a black sweater, a black pair of pants, a white t-shirt, a black sweater, a grey cami, a black cami, another black sweater, ANOTHER black sweater, a grey sweater, a grey cardigan, black socks, white socks, a black cardigan, a black pullover. Oh, and a purple tunic. ONE colorful item. You sensing a trend here?  Approximately 20 pieces of clothing, and only one of them had a color that did not appear on a TV show till after 1956. How come I didn’t notice until now that I was about as colorful as a character from one of the first episodes of “The Dick Van Dyke Show”?


When I go clothes shopping with my daughter, she always yells at me saying I seem to leave with tons of colorful bags, but they all seemed to be filled with items from the same color line: black and white. *Sigh* She is right. I must confess… I am afraid of color. I think that is because I have a powerfully pale skin tone and raging auburn red hair, and I feel that wearing color might draw attention to a potentially huge multi-hued faux pas. A horrific clashing of my coloring with my fashion shades. So I stick with blacks, whites, and shades that fall in between. The ultimate in safe. Only last year did I add two new colors to my wardrobe—purple and brown. Not really vibrant, huh? Sure, I have maybe an item or two of some other colors–lime green, gold, turquoise. But there they sit, tucked away in the back of the closet, sad and virtually unworn. Yawn.


Although standing out is something I never wanted to do in high school, I actually embrace it now that I’m older. The problem is I like to stand out with new styles, not new colors. I have a jazzy new pair of platform boots. In black. I just received a stylish ruffled cardigan. In white. And I have an awesome fleece zebra-print belted jacket. Yup, of course, in white and black. I need to change my mindset. Fast. I need to put myself out there. Now that I think about it, I ask myself why haven’t I taken notice of this sooner? I have to say that wearing bright colors in fashion brings about a newer sense of confidence when I wear them. They are a mood lifter, a smile maker. They make me walk taller and encourage me to make eye contact with people that I hope will walk away and wonder, “Hmmm. Who is she?” Why wouldn’t I want that feeling more often???


Tomorrow I am heading out to the mall to take my cousin, who is visiting from Italy, shopping at some of the popular stores here in America. Being so close to the holidays, I most likely won’t be buying a lot of things. But I will make a promise to myself to get one thing—a sweater, a top, a jacket—that stands out and makes me feel good about me. Something bright and totally out of my element! I challenge you to do the same. Step outside of your fashion comfort zone. Go ahead be bold… I dare you!!!


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