HOW TO DEAL WITH CREPE-Y SKIN - 3 STEPS

Yes I have crepe-y skin, AND I still show my legs!

Crepe-y, drape-y, dry, “old” looking skin…IS THERE ANYTHING WORSE? Well, yes, but it’s it’s definitely at the top of the list of cringe worthy, despair inducing, feelings of hopelessness in the beauty realm.   Why?  Because not only do we think it looks “bad”, but also because it induces feelings of panic that one is getting older, doesn’t look as good, or is less desirable, or has less clothing options.  It also includes feelings of insecurity, where we feel exposed in the world, lest someone see our imperfections and judge us; and mostly because it’s just so darn hard to fix, “cure”, or deal with in a way that leads to satisfaction.  Whew!!

So if you’ve ever encountered or dealt with crepe-y skin then you know what I’m talking about.  If you haven’t, go enjoy your life for goodness sake; or read on so you can be prepared if and when it happens to you.  But no matter where you fall on the crepe scale, you can probably benefit from the following suggestions, tips and tricks.  These are the things that work for me.

The Best Mascara is Totally Tubular

One of the most important beauty items for me, is mascara.  I am fair, with light blonde hair…not only on my head, (yay), but on my lashes, (boo).  Because of this, mascara is essential to helping me feel presentable and pretty and like I have “eyes”.  And because I am frugal and constantly on the lookout for things that are simple and work; the search for the right mascara was on. 

Yours truly with no "eyes"/mascara

Because of my fair skin and “white” eyelashes, I have tried just about every type of mascara.  From the inexpensive to the “luxury” brands, I’ve given them a chance.  Maybelline in the pink tube, yup. Lancome, Benefit, Physician’s Formula, Cover Girl, Estee Lauder; and on and on. 

Like I mentioned earlier, I just didn’t feel pretty until I had my “eyes” on.  Because of this, I wanted a product that became part of me and actually looked natural, but most importantly STAYED PUT!!  The issue that I’ve had with every other mascara was that when I put it on, some part of it would end up under my lower lashes, in the form of a smear, smudge, or residue or flake or running; not only that, ANY kind of unforeseen change in weather, emotion or activity could exacerbate the aforementioned disasters – swimming, crying, laughing too hard, wind…you never knew, and waterproof mascara was too harsh, sticky and stiff! 

How I Stay Healthy

Tips, Tricks, and Tools

If you read my post, “Become a Lean, Mean, CLEAN Machine”, then you know that I have done the “Clean” Cleanse by Dr. Junger twice.  I really believe in this program and recommend the book, and the cleanse as a great way to learn about your body, food and toxicity, take control of your health, and begin a new journey to feeling and looking your best.

Jar salads keep me prepared to eat well.

It’s one thing to do a 21 to 30 day program, but it’s quite another to actually change your lifestyle and have something become a new routine or habit.  I definitely believe in the power of good food and making healthy choices, but I also know how difficult it can be to make these changes and stick with it.  I’m as susceptible as anyone, and can succumb to temptation, laziness and apathy.  Therefore, not only do I have to have my desire to eat healthy, I have to have things in place to ensure that I’ll be successful.

Tips and Tricks:

Edit your kitchen – give your kitchen a make-over; a food make-over.  Go thru your cupboards, pantry and refrigerator and clear out all the junk.  Get rid of as much of the processed foods as you can handle.  Anything in a box is suspect.  My philosophy is, “if it’s not in the kitchen, I can’t eat it”. 

Become a Lean Mean CLEAN Machine

"Clean" is the Cleanse I Recommend

INTRO TO CLEAN

I recently completed a 21-day detox program called “Clean” by Dr. Alexander Junger.  I love this program, and it has jump-started a new way for me of looking at life and eating.  I did it about 4 years ago as well, and loved the results.  I was ready once again to change some of my habits and create a happier healthier me.

Feeling good after "Clean" on the Oregon Coast.

There are a lot of cleanses out there and ways to detoxify your body, and I’ve looked at many.  I believe Clean to be the best-rounded, simplest and user friendly system out there.  I like that you eat real food and you can tailor it to make it workable for you.  I loved Dr. Junger’s own story and experiences as well as his well-researched information on food, toxicity and how our bodies work.  The book itself is an education and well worth the read.  I re-read it prior to beginning the 21-day program for the 2^nd time – it’s that worthwhile.

8 EASY and ECONOMICAL Style Tips 

to Make Getting Dressed Hassle Free

How did getting dressed become such a chore?  Style should be fun or at least not something you dread.  The truth is, we can ALL feel good about how we look. 

Me, following some of my tips!

Why do some women just seem to instinctively know what their style is or how to buy and put together the coolest items?  Do they really have a “style gene” that the rest of us lack?  Or do they just have interest, aptitude and a few trusty style tips they abide by?  That’s what I believe and I also believe that once you have adopted a few of these tips and start feeling a bit more confident and successful; getting dressed starts being more fun and you begin to exert your own individual flair.

Remember, style is for YOU.  If you feel good, and you feel that you look good, then that’s all that matters.

Let's Get Physical

“Five Simple Ways to Use Your Body to Feel Better”

 Beautiful inside and out. 

Are you feeling sad, depressed, or unmotivated?  Do the afternoon doldrums have you down?  Chances are if you’re feeling low, your body language is reflecting those feelings in the way you carry yourself.  Maybe you’re slumping with shoulders hunched, head bent, eyes down, not smiling, and breathing shallow.  But our bodies are smart and we can use that intelligence to feel better.

We don’t need to wait for circumstances to change to feel more joy.  We don’t need to run to a pick me up like alcohol, coffee, or shopping.  We don’t need to feel helpless or hopeless and wait for your emotions to change.  Relief can be right where we are.  We can use our body to help fight the blues and give us more energy. 

Down and Dirty Ways to Keep Your House Neat and Clean

 A clean slate feels so good!

I really hate a dirty house, but more than that, I dislike cleaning my whole house at once. But I sure love looking around my house when all is neat and tidy and better yet, actually clean. When my house is tidy I feel at peace and the options to do something else are endless. I can relax and not feel as if I SHOULD be doing something else. 

I am not a “clean freak”, but I do like my home to picked-up and relatively clutter free, and when it’s actually clean, I feel pretty satisfied and smug. Therefore, I have adopted a few strategies to keep my house looking presentable and me calm and peaceful…for the most part.