Jan30

January 2017 Finishes

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January 2017 Finishes

Helloooo everyone and happy Monday! I hope all of you had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. With January coming to a close and the reminder of Valentine’s Day in February coming in at full force, it’s time to talk about my empties for the month. I actually had a lot of finishes in January which I was so happy about because I was working on a few of them for quite a while and it’s always fun to start something new! Take a look at the products that I bid adieu to this month and let’s discuss:

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Would I Use Again?

  • The Body Shop Argon Oil body wash: YES
  • Peace, Love, & Juicy Couture lotion: NO!!!!
  • Jergens BB Protect lotion: YES
  • St. Ives Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange scrub: YES
  • Olay Total Effects moisturizer: MAYBE
  • Yes To Grapefruit Correct & Repair treatment: NO
  • The Body Shop Almond body butter: YES

Why/Why Not?

TBS Body Wash: This jumbo sized body wash was compliments of TJMaxx for a whopping EIGHT dollars. It took me well over three months to finish completely and I would definitely use it again. The Argon Oil scent is mild and soft and it left my skin feeling well moisturized after each use. It might not be my favorite scent that TBS has to offer but getting the jumbo sized shower gels from TJs is a steal so I take what I can get!

Juicy Couture Lotion: This is a product that I’ve been putting off using for a long, long time because it smells like butt! Many Christmases ago my mom gifted me with a Peace, Love, & Juicy Couture box set that came with the perfume and this lotion. I don’t think that I have ever even used the perfume and the only reason that I finally caved and used the lotion was to be rid of it! The smell…it just isn’t for me. It is so overpoweringly flowery and god knows what else and I (and my entire family, who reminded me every time I wore it) completely hated it. It took me about three weeks to finish this lotion and I could not have been happier to see it go! BYE FELICIA.

Jergens Lotion: I won this Jergens BB lotion from a giveaway last year along with the BB hand cream, which I loved. I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy this body lotion again but if it were offered to me or if it were cheap enough, I would snag it. I liked how light it smelled and how quickly it absorbed but it was not an incredibly great value as I finished it after about four uses!

St. Ives Scrub: You guys already know that I love my St. Ives products and this scrub is no exception. First of all, the Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange scent is delicious. It is so invigorating and bright and I loved using it first thing in the morning. Second of all, my skin felt great after every use. It both felt and looked radiant and instantly took away the dull, tired look that sleep can bring to your skin. It took me a little over one month to finish this scrub.

Olay Moisturizer: This empty is actually compliments of my mom who handed it down to me two days before Christmas because I was all out of whatever I was using. She said there was about two uses left which was great because I knew that I would be getting more moisturizer and skin care goodies under the tree! My mom was dead wrong though, because I got about three weeks of use out of the rest of this product which shows that just a little bit of it goes a long way. This moisturizer absorbed quickly and its scent was subtle and mild which I liked, however, the texture was too thin for my liking. I like moisturizers with a little bit of heaviness to it, like The Body Shop’s Vitamin E cream, so this Olay one just didn’t pack enough of a punch for me. I won’t say that I wouldn’t use it again but it’s not something that I’m dying to buy after using it for close to a month.

Yes To Grapefruit Treatment: I like the idea of this Correct & Repair treatment but it really didn’t do much for me. The grapefruit scent did smell great but I never saw any noticeable differences in my skin after using it. I used this product about three to four times per month and it lasted me three months so the value of it was good but that’s really all I have to say for it. I think that this product was trying really hard to be a peel and it just didn’t work out that way. Rather, it was more like a scrub that sat on your face for ten minutes before washing off. -__-

TBS Body Butter: I love, love, LOVE the almond scent from TBS so when I saw this for SIX bucks at TJs, I had to grab it! The light nutty scent is so rich despite its subtleness and it just feels (and smells) so good on the skin. I love putting body butter on after a nice, long bath so it was a treat to be able to use one of my favorites for the past month which is about how long it lasted for me, too!

The month of January brought me seven finished products and some I loved and some…not so much! But that just means that I have seven new products to test in the months ahead which is something that I always look forward to. I would say that this month was still very successful as there were quite a few empties that I would definitely use again but I am so ready for the newbie products come February!

So there you have it, my January 2017 Finishes! Have any of you ever used any of the above products before? What did you think of them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan30

Finding Your Dream Home Needn’t Be So Difficult

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Finding Your Dream Home Needn’t Be So Difficult

Buying a home can be a trying time even when you’ve already identified your dream home. When you’re unable to discern which homes offer everything you need, it can become even more complicated. But you don’t have to, and shouldn’t be, treating it like a gamble. Instead, you should use these techniques to make your search all the more effective:

Know Your Wants and Needs: The first thing that you should do is make a list of what is a necessity in your new home and what are things that you just would like to have. Organizing your wants vs. your needs will make it easier for you to narrow down your choices based on your list. For a home that exceeds your needs, you might have to be willing to compromise on some wants. The point is to figure this out beforehand. What’s more important, the right amount of space or the right area? A patio or a pool? Energy efficiency or a wood stove? These are the elements that you need to prioritize before you even start viewing. As you establish your wants and needs, you might find that you are not willing to compromise on them. Should that be the case, it’s important to think about the pros and cons of building vs buying a home so you will be fully satisfied with the end result, whatever you choose.

Broaden Your Horizons: If you’re having trouble spotting the home that fits all of those needs (and a few wants for good measure), the fact might be that you’re not looking in the right place. There are a lot of different marketplaces to check out and some of them might be exclusive, meaning they’re out of your reach. This is why you should consider getting on side with realtors that could help broaden your search. With the experience of finding homes specific to individual needs, they could not only help you see more but also stay updated on the latest additions to the market. Otherwise, be willing to spend a lot of time looking in a lot of diverse directions for your dream home.

best suburbs for commuting to Philadelphia

Do Your Research: Worse than not finding a home is finding one only to discover later that the home comes with some issues that you never expected. Make sure you get your own house inspection and even an evaluation done on a house before agreeing to it. You should consider doing research on the neighborhood, as well. Not only can that highlight problems such as crime rates, but it can also highlight opportunities. You could find development prospects in your area which will make it an even more attractive neighborhood in the future. For someone considering a home as an investment, there are few better signs.

Another important aspect of doing your research is looking into the school district. Is your new home in close proximity to award winning schools like in this Milton Ontario neighborhood? If not, are you able to drive your child to a better option? Be sure to consider the distance to local hospitals, grocery stores, and entertainment. If everywhere you like and need to go is a fair drive away, that can really put a damper on the dream home experience.

Be Willing to Do Some Work: Sometimes, you need to bite the bullet and accept the compromise. If that compromise is that the home lacks the lighting or the fixtures that you really desire, then you should be all the more willing to make it. In that case, all it takes is a little work. Don’t let the decor or the color of a room put you off in any case. Know which aspects of the home could be easily fixed and put in the effort to solve the problems.

Take your time with any decision before you make it. Make sure you know the alternatives, as well as the properties of the home you’re potentially buying. Visit it as often as you see fit and, most importantly, be willing to understand that most houses are going to take some work before they really become a home.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan30

Time To Take Care Of Your Body: Easy Ways To Show It Some Love

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Time To Take Care Of Your Body: Easy Ways To Show It Some Love

We are often so busy in our lives that we leave little time to think about ourselves. But for the sake of your health, you need to look after number one. Our body is so important and if you don’t make time to care for it, you will end up feeling so blah and run down. Here are some easy ways to take care of your body and show it the love it deserves:

Give Your Body a Chance to Relax: It’s often the case that we are on the go constantly. Whether it’s being busy at work or running after the kids, we are not left with much time to relax. But for the sake of our body, we need to make sure that we do have a chance for a little R&R. As we said before, relaxation is essential to lowering your blood pressure, clearing your head, and easing knotted muscles. Try and make sure to spend at least an hour in the evening relaxing. Whether it be with a bath or a good book, allow yourself the time to take a breather. And make sure that you are getting enough sleep at night. It can be a challenge to get plenty of shut eye, but sleep is so important as it gives your body a chance to rest and rejuvenate to make sure that you’re ready for the next day.

Pamper Yourself Occasionally: You can also show your body some love by enjoying a pampering session every now and again. You could have a pampering session from the comfort of your home. Have a warm bubble bath and relax for a while. You can then use a great lotion or body butter to moisturize your skin and leave it in good condition. Also, take the time to give your hands and feet a massage and apply some creams to ensure that they are shown some love, too! If you fancy something even more relaxing, you might want to consider heading to a spa. Take your loved one or a good friend and go and relax in the pool and Jacuzzi. You could even book some treatments such as a massage and a facial to ensure that your body gets the pampering it deserves. You will come away feeling refreshed and ready to move forward with your life and all of the tasks you need to face for the week ahead.

Make Sure You Eat a Healthy Diet: It’s not just the outside of your body that you need to worry about. You need to make sure you are taking care of the inside, too. And one of the easiest ways that you can do this is by making sure that you are consuming a healthy diet. Make sure you are consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables to help you maintain a healthy weight and avoid high fat and sugar foods. If you start eating a healthier diet, your body will definitely love you for it!

Finally, make sure you exercise regularly to keep the rest of your body machine in working order. Here’s to the best you possible thanks to a little self love!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Jan29

Hodge Podge Weekend Dinner

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Hodge Podge Weekend Dinner

Hey everyone and happy weekend! So yesterday I slaved away for the afternoon creating a hodge podge feast for dinner. We had a lot of odds and ends in the fridge and pantries that needed rid of so our meal consisted of a Minestrone soup compliments of our beloved Moosewood cookbook and then, I freestyled an avocado and black bean salad and a mozzarella ciabatta sandwich. Take a look at the finished products and then I will share my secret recipe for the avocado salad:

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In the fridge, I had a leftover avocado and lime from when I made guacamole last week. I wasn’t quite sure what to do with these, so I Googled avocado recipes to see if I could get some inspiration. I saw a recipe for an avocado and black bean salad but it looked incredibly lackluster, so I decided to just whip together something from my imagination and came up with the first picture seen above.

I was so pleased with the final result of my salad that, for once in my life, I actually wrote down how I made it so that I could share it with all of you. In my opinion, it looks like something that you could buy from the store and I was incredibly impressed with both its taste and overall appearance. This salad is perfect for eating plain, scooped up with tortilla chips, wrapped in a tortilla, or as a filling for fish tacos. Here is the recipe for my avocado and black bean salad creation:

  • 1/2 of a large avocado (if you go for a huge avocado like what was in my fridge, 1/2 is really all you need)
  • 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/3 cup cooked corn kernels (so happy to be rid of a leftover in my fridge!)
  • 1/2 of a tomato, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red pepper, finely chopped
  • Juice from 1 lime
  • 6 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro
  • A few shakes of Morton Kosher salt
  • A few shakes of cayenne pepper
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Now, bear in mind that all of the above amounts are approximations and you can really add as much or as little of an ingredient as you want. Love tomato? Use the whole thing! Want it spicier? Add some chili powder and cumin. It’s totally up to you to personalize the salad and turn it into something that you and your whole family enjoys!

Interested in my recipe for mozzarella ciabatta sandwiches? Let me know in the comment section and I’ll publish that, too!

Overall, I am so happy with how my Hodge Podge Weekend Dinner turned out and the leftovers for days is definitely going to be nice! What dishes have you cooked or baked recently? Who is going to be making my avocado and black bean salad soon? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan28

Never Been On A Date

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Helloooo everyone and happy weekend! I hope all of you are having a wonderful day so far. So in case you guys weren’t aware, my Think Spring guest bloggers series is launching on February 15th. This series has been a fun one to work on and it has given me the opportunity to make some new blogging friends, like Lakshmi from The Rink. Lakshmi will be featured in my guest bloggers series but she was also kind enough to provide me with another terrific post for lifewithlilred. This article is titled “Never Been On A Date” and you saw it here first!

Never Been On A Date:

Terms, which you won’t believe, that exist!

I am L.R. and I come from India. For those who don’t know, there is this system in India known as the “arranged marriage system” – a guy and a girl who are ‘destined’ to be with each other (through the idea of horoscope matching) get married. They need not know each other or even have to love each other before getting married. Why, in the olden times, they wouldn’t even meet each other until the wedding ceremony. Just to clarify, this system doesn’t happen all over India but in the conservative families.

The rules have since relaxed a little. Nevertheless, it is still of importance to get the girl married before she turns a certain age, currently it is 24 (which is pretty late according to them!). I am in this inevitable system. There is this thing known as “trust” – something that I built with quite a strong foundation in my parents’ minds for not ‘loving’ or ‘dating’ any guy. This will keep me out of any relationships with a constant status of “Single but not available”. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to my friends of other lands but that is how it is!

I live in the Present too!

Being in such a connected world in the 21st Century, I have to say that 99% of the movies I see, books I read, and all of media revolve around “love”… not the daughter-parents love or platonic love but love – the feeling you have towards a special someone. While people on every other side of the Earth keep waiting to meet “the one”, I know that I’ll meet him through my parents. Nope, the guys on whom I have crushes on will never be my one. As of now, love is a forbidden emotion, almost like the Candy House in Hansel and Gretel! Yes, I know that I live in 2017!

I mean, forget love… lets talk about the dating game.

Have I ever dated? Nope! Because this will lead to love, of course. While some of my friends go on dates and love guys, I freak out about the fortress of trust. Once we break it, it will take long to re-build it. Do I want to go on a date? I am restricted from giving an absolute answer. I want to try it. Just imagine that you are forbidden from eating chocolate for your entire life and everywhere you see, there are movies and books about chocolate (analogy is, admittedly, not the greatest here). You would want to taste this restricted deliciousness… at least once, right?

Looking back at it now, it is funny that I have grown up with this ‘inserted’ thought that I’m not beautiful and I should be beautiful only for the guy I marry. To tell you the truth, I’m not a very pretty girl but a girl with some definite admirers. Yes, some of them have mustered up the courage to even approach me (dating game and love is still considered a mild taboo). I just rush away from the spot or speak to them meanly or even lie to them about already having a boyfriend. Haha! This is what I did! After all of this, my girlfriends and I sit and talk and laugh about these encounters! Although I kept brushing away dates, deep inside I knew that I wanted to try it once.

When I really wanted to try it and I asked some of my ‘experienced’ friends, they always tell me to never fall into this trap! Then, they would overflow with episodes from their bad dating life – the ones in which I would hate to be a part. Seeing them cry, I would feel that it is the right decision to stay far away from the dating world. But hey! I don’t know how it will be… These friends of mine recommend it one in four times… one in four times, they would actually be content in the game. This left me with the only thing that improved over the years – my imagination.

I imagine being on a date with the most awesome and handsome celebrities out there in the world. Even in my daydreams, the date doesn’t go well! I feel like everything is in the right place except my conscience. Haha! Growing up this way, I don’t think that I will ever sneak around to go on a date. I just cannot be a badass – it’s not me. And guess what? I like this style of living. I am familiar with it. I don’t have heart-breaks. I don’t need to search far and wide for my true love. I don’t need to date a couple of losers to find the one. I kind of get a fast-pass to the real deal in this game! Around 95% of the arranged marriages that happen through this system in India come with a guarantee that the couple will stay together as long as they live!

Welcome to my life!

❤ L.R.

Fashion blogger

THE RINK

^^^ Thank you so much again to Lakshmi for such an informative and delightful read! You can catch her again soon during my Think Spring guest bloggers series! What is the best or worst date that you have ever been on? How does Lakshmi’s lifestyle differ or relate to your own? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

PS: If you are interested in participating in my guest bloggers series, feel free to shoot me an email at sarah.mush6794@gmail.com! 🙂

Jan27

Blogger Recognition Award

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Blogger Recognition Award

Hiii everyone and TGIF! So I was nominated by my darling friend, Jackie, over at Makeup & Beyond for the Blogger Recognition Award. I love doing these things, I think that they are so fun so many thanks to Jackie for the nomination! Jackie is a good friend of mine with a fabulous page so please make sure to check it out AND be on the lookout for a guest post from her on my Think Spring series coming soon to lifewithlilred. Okay, let’s get to it:

The Rules:

Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
Write a post to show your award.
Give a brief story of how your blog started.
Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
Select 15 other bloggers you want to give this award to.
Comment on each blog and let them know you have nominated them and provide the link to the post you created.

How lifewithlilred Started:

So about two and a half years ago when my blog baby, lifewithlilred, was just being conceived, I was getting ready to start college at Tri-C. I was going on my fourth year of working a shitty retail job and was at a place in my life where I felt like I wasn’t really doing much of anything. I had always been commended by many people for my personal style and had often been urged by others to create a blog because they would definitely read it.

Finally, after the millionth time of being advised to start a blog, I rolled my eyes and said “fine” and got to work. Lil Red was a nickname given to me because of my bright red hair and lipstick by one of my favorite coworkers so I knew that I wanted to incorporate that into my blog title somehow. lifewithlilred just seemed to roll off the tongue perfectly and after a name was settled, I went from there. Two and a half years later and I am read in over one hundred and seventy countries and I could not be more thankful for my beloved readers and the encouragement to start this crazy little slice of my life website by my friends and strangers many moons ago! ❤

My Advice:

  1. Network Yourself: I hate to say to be that annoying person who constantly talks about your blog – but be that annoying person who constantly talks about your blog. No one will know your page even exists without help from word of mouth, social media, and interacting with fellow bloggers. Post your page on Facebook, make your own Facebook page for your blog, and like and comment on posts on the WordPress newsfeed. You will be giving yourself exposure as well as making awesome new friends!
  2. Work Hard: Blogging has this preconceived notion that it’s going to be easy peasy lemon squeezey and you will be a famous blogger after a week. That’s not the case. It took me over a year of hard work to get a barely stable following of readers and after two and a half years, I am still not where I want to be. But that’s okay! If you love to write, then blogging is an amazing hobby and not a chore. If you are only in it to make money or toy with the possibility of working from home, then I wouldn’t quit your day job!

My Nominees (I am only doing three!):

Once again, thank you to Jackie for the nomination for the Blogger Recognition Award and I can’t wait to host you on my page soon! What is everyone up to this weekend? Any big plans? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan27

A New Doggy Friend: The Importance Of Training

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A New Doggy Friend: The Importance Of Training

Make no mistake, when you invite a dog into your home, you’re inviting an entirely different species. Dog behavior is different than ours, and it is necessary for us to coexist. Training is one of the most important elements when it comes to raising a pup. It will form the basis of your relationship and will ensure a caring and fun life together.

Where Do You Start? Dogs are dogs, and we should embrace their spirit and instinct. This should be rewarded with regular treats and praise. However, destructive behavior must be dealt with in a caring but firm manner. Crate training is often seen as a good place to start. Crates can be purchased from sites such as http://indestructibledogtoys.org/dog-crates/. Introducing your puppy to them at an early age will provide them with an area of their own. Add some toys and blankets to the crate so that it feels safe and inviting. This is a place that your dog can go to if there are loud bangs or fireworks outside, etc. Crates can also help when it comes to toilet training. Confining your dog to a crate will train them to hold their bladder until you take them outside or go for a walk.

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DOGGO!!

Lots Of Love: Dogs, like humans, are social animals. They need others around them. Therefore, providing your dog with lots of love and attention will help them grow into happy, healthy pets. Just as they need to learn your ways, you will also need to adapt to their likes and behaviors. Dogs are essentially pack animals and will act accordingly.

Take them for regular walks and let them play with their favorite toys. Find ways to make it as fun as possible. Sites like huffingtonpost.com have lots of suggestions. Don’t leave them alone for long periods but let them understand your absence in short bursts. At first, get them used to you leaving the room for five or ten minutes and build up from there. Once they realize that you’re going to return, this will become more acceptable and tolerable to them.

Reward your dog for good behavior and just for being them (because dogs are great!). Treat them to a new toy and provide them with some healthy, tasty doggy treats. Keep them interested and curious by alternating their walks and trying new things. If you have the opportunity, take them camping and they will love you forever.

Simple Commands: Start with simple commands such as ‘sit’, ‘come’, and ‘down’. There are simple techniques that you can use yourself, without having to go to a class. The ‘come’ command is particularly important as it will ensure that your dog returns to you when you’re outdoors. This will keep them safe in potentially harmful situations such as when you’re near traffic, etc. Teaching your dog to ‘leave it’ is also important from a safety point of view. If he or she spots something that is potentially dangerous, mastering this command may save you a trip to the vet.

Training a dog takes time and patience, but it is an essential part of their maintenance. Tackling this early on will ensure that you both live comfortably and happily together, and that your dog has a loving and safe environment. HURRAY FOR DOGGOS!!! ❤ ❤ ❤

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jan27

Maintenance Checks for When Spring Has Sprung

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Many places might just be reaching peak winter conditions but spring isn’t too far around the corner. It will be here before you know it, so don’t despair if the cold weather is getting you down. If you can’t wait for spring to arrive, you can start thinking about how to prepare your home for slightly warmer weather. Winter can be harsh on some parts of your home and other things could be a little rusty from misuse. Take your spring cleaning to the next level by doing a bit of spring maintenance as well. These tasks will help get you started:

Clean Your Gutters: Wind, snow, and rain during the cold months can affect your home’s gutters, spouts, and roof. Leaves and other debris might block up your gutters, making it harder for them to drain properly. With rainy spring weather on the way, you need them to be able to cope with a lot of water. Cleaning them out, along with your downspouts, is an essential job to do before the spring. You should also make sure to inspect your roof to ensure that there is no damage. It needs to hold up through the spring to keep your home warm and dry.

Check Your Air Conditioner: Spring might not be the time to put your AC unit on just yet, but you don’t want to leave it until the last minute. Checking your air conditioner well before the summer months is essential if you don’t want it to suffer a sudden breakdown once it’s stifling hot. There are a few simple jobs you might do yourself, such as changing the filter. However, it’s a good idea to schedule an AC service from a professional to give it a thorough check. They’ll know what to look for to make sure that your air conditioner is working correctly.

Remember that it’s important to schedule an appointment for your air conditioner well ahead of time. Everyone is going to have the same idea to do so to ensure their AC is working once summer is here. Your preferred AC servicing company will get booked up quickly so while you’re thinking about it, give them a call! You will be glad you did when the hot days of summer come around and you’re perfectly comfortable in a nice, cool house.

Check Your Home’s Exterior: Winter can put a stop to working on the exterior of your home. Who wants to paint their house or fix any fences while it’s so cold? But once the weather gets a little warmer, it’s a good opportunity to spring clean your home exterior. You don’t want to do them when the temperature is through the roof, either! Check decks, fences, and other woodwork to see if you need to reseal them before the spring rains arrive. Pressure washing will be an instant face lift to your home as well as a deep clean of the windows. You might choose spring to paint your home’s exterior or maybe install some new siding.

Tend to Your Garden: When spring first arrives, it still might not be the best time for planting. However, you can start to prepare your garden for later. Turning over your soil once it’s not too hard to do so is a good task to start with. Start planning what you want to plant and when you need to plant it. It might be time to unwrap or replant some plants that you had to protect during the winter, too.

Spring is a time of renewal, so take the opportunity to refresh your home. It’s a good way to get your mojo back after a cold and blah winter!

Jan27

Show Ageing Who’s Boss With These Hot Lifestyle Tips

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When it comes to ageing, most of us have a tendency to not really take it all that seriously. Pre-30, or even pre-40 (40 is the new 30, after all!) many women don’t even think about ageing – which is understandable, when you are too busy living your life to notice! But regrettably, ageing does end up affecting us all at some point. Plus, women tend to age more quickly and more severely than men, meaning you could reach a stage where you look much older than your partner. The main difficulty with the physical ageing process is that once it’s happened, it can be quite hard to turn back the clock – sometimes impossible, in fact. So, here are some ways that you can start to prevent the ageing process from happening – it might seem tiresome at first, but your future self will thank you!

Avoid Stress: Easier said than done, of course – but stress is one of the leading causes of ageing, much more so than people usually think. Stress can deprive us of much needed restorative sleep which helps our skin, hair, and bodies in general to recover every day. Sleepless nights can, as a result, begin a breakdown in the collagen of our skin, meaning we are automatically more prone to wrinkles. Stress can also be a leading cause behind hair loss and the thinning of hair, too. If you suffer from stress and find that it affects you more than other people, dedicate some time to taking better care of yourself – whether it is a spa break, taking a yoga class once a week, or some R&R time with a cup of tea and a good book.

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Massages are a fab stress reliever

Wear Sunscreen: We’ve all been told a thousand times from our parents about the importance of wearing sunscreen – but, chances are, we ignored it in our teenage years! Everyone wants to get a tan, of course – but don’t compromise the health of your skin to do so. Too much exposure to UV rays without adequate protection can lead to wrinkly skin with the appearance of leather – not a good look. Of course, if the damage is already done you can always turn back the clock with facelift surgery. But, if like most people you would rather avoid the issue entirely as opposed to having to cure it, stay out of the sun around midday and always wear sunscreen.

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Who needs a tan anyways!

Implement a Good Skincare Routine: Having a skincare regime might seem like a bit of a hassle in your already busy life. But the younger you start, the better your skin will look in years to come. Try and get into the habit of using a gentle cleanser every day and moisturize once your skin is dry. You may also want to use an exfoliating scrub every so often, as this will help to rub away dead skin cells and any excess oil that could be clogging up your pores. Finally, always remember to take your makeup off at night. It may seem like a chore when you’ve got in late, but your skin will thank you for it.

Jan27

Boost Your Body Confidence Now

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Boost Your Body Confidence Now

If you’re the kind of gal who wears baggy sweaters in the blistering heat, just so you don’t have to show off your wobbly bits, you need to boost your body confidence now. There is not a person alive who does not have some kind of issue with at least one aspect of their body, but there is little point in beating oneself up about it, especially when there are so many things that you can do to boost your body confidence immediately.

Here are some simple things you can do to feel more confident, whatever your body issues may be, right now:

Stop With the Negative Self-Talk: Women especially have the knack of torturing themselves with their own thoughts. If you are someone who’s endlessly telling yourself you’re fat; you’re ugly; no one will want you because you have stretch marks… just stop! Instead of engaging in negative self-talk, start focusing on your positive features (and you have tons!), and you will instantly feel better.

Emphasize the Good: If you have great eyes, look up makeup tips that will help you to show them off, or if you in have great arms by a pretty sleeveless dress and let the world see them. You can always camouflage the bits you don’t like, while showing off what’s good about your body, so there’s no need to worry about your appearance at all.

Improve What You Want: If there is a particular area of your body that you would really like to change, then there is no shame in seeking out a plastic surgeon for help. Certain insecurities cannot be improved by simply going to the gym, dressing your body type well, or being skilled with a makeup palette. If this is something you are considering for yourself, simply enter a search for “plastic surgeon nyc” (or your local area). Schedule multiple consultations to find the best fit for you and make your decision wisely. The chances are very high that you will be extremely happy with the outcome.

If there is a specific type of plastic surgery you would like, then it is best to find a specialist in that particular area for optimum results. A surgeon skilled in face lifts might not have all of the know how to perform a breast augmentation, for example. If the latter is what you are interested in, simply enter a search for “breast augmentation Palo Alto” (or your local area). During your consultation, your surgeon will be able to hear your concerns and determine the best size and shape for the improvements you are looking for.

Invest in Good Products: There are lots of products out there which will help you actively improve any of the bits you don’t like. For instance, a good breast lifting cream can help you with boobs that are heading south and an effective eye cream can deal with your crow’s feet, so if you really truly can’t deal with a particular body issue, there’s a good chance there’s a product that can help you.

Granted, products alone are not a cure all and you might want to consider using plastic surgery for your problem areas. That is perfectly okay! Just make sure you are doing your due diligence to find an excellent surgeon to take you on. Start by researching “breast lift surgery in houston” (or your local area), reading reviews, seeking advice from friends and family, and reading into all that your desired surgery entails. When you are armed with knowledge, you can make the best decision for yourself.

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others: Women are great at comparing themselves to other women. We can walk into a room, and within seconds we’re comparing our legs to those of the waitress, or we’re telling ourselves off for not putting in as much effort as the more made up members of our party. This can be so damaging, and it rarely tells the whole story. The waitress may have good legs because she spends all day on her feet and the heavily made up woman may not get out much so she’s making the most of it. You have to do your best and not worry about how you look in comparison to another person on any given day.

Exercise: Whatever your body shape and no matter how much you weigh, taking part in regular exercise can give you a huge body boost just because you are taking the time out to look after it. Exercising, you will also come to realize just how amazing your body is and how much it can do, which can put concerns about trivial cosmetic matters into perspective. However, if you are not achieving your body goals through exercise and diet alone then you are not alone! Stubborn areas like your stomach might feel like it isn’t improving no matter what you do. If this is the case for you and you would like to see it changed, simply enter a search for “tummy tuck atlanta” (or your local area). This can be an excellent option for anyone seeking changes to their body but especially if your workout regimen is not working as it should.

In the end, you just have to accept that your body is your body, do what you can to enhance your appearance and not worry too much if you fall short of your own realistic expectations!

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