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Beauty Products Are Travel Treasures

July 1, 2009 By 2 Comments

Bonjour mon amis!

Well, so much for complaining about running in the heat last week. This morning it was 60 degrees when I went out for my daily run. It was a bit chilly and rainy, but quite a nice change from sweating bullets the last few mornings. After my energizing run, I decided to splurge and enjoy a little French pâtisserie – a chocolate chocolate chip muffin.

My rich chocolatey breakfast.

My rich chocolatey breakfast.

OK, so it wasn’t so little and not very French – but it was definitely a pastry. As a show of my strong willpower, I only ate half – ha!

Now, onto the post….

DISHING ON SOAP
As Americans head out for their typical July 4th vacation, many will come home with more than a scorching sunburn. Sadly, a great number of vacationers also will return with cliched travel trinkets like magnets and shot glasses, or worse, a t-shirt that says “I went all the way to Aruba and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.”

Why not bring home a unique memento from your journey?

For nearly 10 years, during my vacation and work travels, I have been collecting individually wrapped bar soaps – most of which are the small hand soap variety. And these soaps aren’t just your run-of-the-mill soaps. They are the luxurious kind with wonderfully clean scents that are almost always wrapped in fancy smancy paper. 

 A recent article in the London Times notes that beauty products, like hand soaps and shower gels, make some of the best souvenirs. I absolutely agree with this notion!  While on vacation or traveling for work, I always keep my eye out for new and interesting beauty mementos – particularly soaps, hand creams, other personal care items that are made in the local area. And because many of the foreign stores and boutiques cater to tourists, most beauty products can be obtained in small or travel sizes so you don’t have to buy huge vats of shampoo or body scrub.

RAISING THE SOAP BAR

My soap collection is full of bars from several countries around the world. A unique benefit about collecting hand soaps or other beauty souvenirs during my travels is that I actually get to use the soaps and be reminded of the city where I bought them. I have a beautifully packaged citrus soap from Barcelona and a gorgeous Penhaligon lavender soap from a boutique hotel in London. It’s like taking a little bit of England and Spain home with me!

L'Occitane Verbena Hand Soap

L'Occitane Verbena Hand Soap

I also have many luxury soaps obtained during my North American travels, including a lovely oatmeal bar from the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montréal and an aloe vera bar from the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in Denver. But, one of my favorite soaps in my collection is L’Occitane’s shea butter soap with milk – it’s such a refreshingly mild scent. I picked up my first bar nearly 8 years ago while staying at the Four Seasons Hotel in Maui. And, since that trip, I have been enamored with many of L’Occitane’s products, all of which are developed and produced in a little Provençal town in France called Manosque. Aside from shea butter, I also love the verbena soap with its delicious, although quite strong, citrus scent – reminds me of lemons hanging on a tree! I’ve been collecting and using these luxury soaps for so long that it’s hard to go back to normal soap. Hmmm…is there such as a thing as a soap snob? 

THE GOOD SOAP

A display of soaps from my travels....

A display of soaps from my travels....

Although I try to use this treasure trove of soaps on a regular basis, I have so many that I’ve put them on display in my bathroom. I also use a select few bars as soap for guests – or as my father would say, I’m putting out the good soap. This extra special touch for guests has resulted in more than one question about the soap’s origin and where my guest could buy additional bars. Just don’t let me catch any stowaways in their suitcases – gotcha!

So, on your next vacation or trip, ditch your standard t-shirt or magnet souvenir. Bring home a luxurious bar of soap – a unique travel treasure that will have you enjoying your vacation for weeks to come!

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All You Need Are 3 Perfect Lipsticks

June 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Good morning everyone! Wow – what a hot one today! Even at 5:30 AM it was nearly 80 degrees outside. After my 4-mile run, I really needed to refuel with plenty of H2O and reload with some protein (thank you Trader Joe’s Greek Yogurt!)

Trader Joe's Vanilla Greek Yogurt - a super energizing breakfast!

Trader Joe's Vanilla Greek Yogurt - a super energizing breakfast!

One thing great about getting up so early to run (other than beating the heat) is that there are very few people outside milling about. I never have to worry about my hair or if I’m wearing make up. I only ever see the occasional dog walker or a sleepy-eyed husband picking up the morning paper from the end of the driveway. It works out great because I can really concentrate on my run and not have to worry about how I look – like I used to do when I would go to the gym for a workout. 

Makeup is not something I’m usually concerned about. Like many European women, particularly French women, I prefer subtle make up, or if I can get away with it in the summer, no make up at all. But one thing I do love to wear is lipstick. No matter how tired I look or feel in the morning, lipstick provides an almost automatic facelift – especially when you pair it with bright white teeth (love those Crest White Strips!).

The lipstick you wear says a lot about the woman you are...

Lipstick - an instant facelift

HOW MANY LIPSTICKS DOES A GIRL NEED?

Author Helena Frith Powell in her book All You Need to Be Impossibly French, bluntly states that to be more French all you need are two lipsticks (and a lover). She explains that one lipstick is for everyday wear and that the second is for nighttime or those occasions when you really want to vamp it up. But I wonder – but about those in between times when it’s more than just a normal day, but not a special enough day to bring out the big guns – or tubes in this case.

The average women owns five shades of lipstick.

The average women owns five shades of lipstick. Here's a peak at a few of mine!

Just a few years ago, you could have counted at least a dozen lipsticks in my makeup bag. But, when cleaning out my makeup one day, I wondered why I had all of those lipsticks. They were mostly freebies from Clinique or other department store beauty counters.

When I really thought about it, I only used one on a daily basis – this is my “go to” or signature lipstick (Aveda’s Golden Bixa). Yet, there was one that I also used on weekends and special occasions like parties, holidays, and fancy vacations. Still, a third lipstick I saved for occasions where I really wanted or need to stand out, ie. going to a fancy gala or to a posh wedding.

Aveda's Golden Bixa - My "Go To" lip shade

Aveda's Golden Bixa

So, in a way, two lipsticks are sufficient, but having three really perfect lipsticks is even better. With three perfect lipsticks, you know that you’re always prepared for whatever the day may throw your way.

SHADY LADY

Although owning 3 lipsticks in three different shades is important, having the right shades of lipstick for your face or your look is equally as important. I’ve been through many different lipstick and liptint shades before I found one that I liked and felt looked well with my thin lips and slightly freckled complexion.

And, it pays to be picky about lip shades. According to a recent survey by British online beauty store Vie at Home, what shade lipstick you wear may have a significant effect on your attitude, mood, and possibly love life and career success. The poll found that of the 3,000 women surveyed, women owned an average of 5 lipsticks, but only carried one in her purse. The survey also found that:

  • Nearly 70% of women admitted to keeping several lipsticks on hand in order to adapt to their changing mood or to initiate a mood change. 
  • One in four women said they turned to deep red shades if they wanted to feel sexy, while another quarter applied a pale pink lipstick when they are feeling happy.
  • Almost half would rely on a bright red to get noticed, while 24 per cent would rely on a deep red shade if they wanted to feel sexy.
  • Two thirds of women also turn to dark shades in the evening after sticking to a more neutral colour during the day.

READ MY LIP(STICK)

Like many women, I am very picky about lipstick shades, not wanting the shade to send the wrong or inappropriate message – especially at work. According to the Vie at Home survey, lipstick shades really say quite a bit about the women who wear them. 

They found that women who wear specific shades of lipstick, radiate certain personality characteristics. So, if you want to send a certain message to the world – try one of these shades:

Self confidence

  • Deep or Bright red
  • Fuchsia
  • dark plum

Great Love Life

  • Pale pink
  • Coral
  • Bright red

Happiness

  • Pale pink
  • Sheer
  • Deep red
  • Peach

Success in Career

  • Bright red
  • Dark plum
  • Fuchsia
  • Coral

The next time you invest in a new shade of lipstick, choose wisely! Have a great day and remember to wear your favorite lipstick!

Ciao!

 

 

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Olive Oil Pedicure: An Ancient Greek Recipe

June 19, 2009 By 1 Comment

Bonjour Everyone!

A few months back, I came across the book, Passport to Beauty, at Barnes and Noble that detailed the many beauty secrets of women around the world. I was stunned to see that most of these beauty “secrets” could actually be found in my own kitchen and pantry. Standards like lemons, bananas, strawberries, honey, and eggs, were popular items used to keep these women looking young and beautiful.

I’m a runner, so naturally I gravitated toward the advice about soft skin – particularly in the feet area. My feet take quite a beating each day as I pound the pavement or the treadmill so I try to pamper them as much as possible so that they look good, especially in the summer.

Getting ready for my morning run...

Getting ready for my morning run...

In years past, I would splurge on pedicures at least once a month – now I’m down to twice a summer and pray that the pedicure is good enough to last a few weeks. In between pedicures, I often do my own “touch ups” but my feet never seem to get as soft and smooth as they do when I’m in the salon.

In the book, the author, Shalini Vadhera, explained that, for years, women in Greece have been using sugar mixed with olive oil on their feet and other rough areas of their body to smooth and soften the dry skin. I’m guessing this was well before they had Aveda salons.

Because I am now in between pedicures, I thought I’d give this do-it-yourself foot scrub a try. 

The Greeks use olive oil and sugar to soften and smooth dry skin.

The Greeks use olive oil and sugar to soften and smooth dry skin.

I started out with a little white granulated sugar and then added a few teaspoons of Trader’s Joe’s olive oil. After mixing the two ingredients, I ended up with a dull yellow paste that smelled strongly of a Friday night dinner at my favorite Italian restaurant. Although this smell is appetizing when you’re eating, it’s not the most ideal scent for a pedicure. I added a teaspoon of vanilla just to see how it would change the smell and voilà it smelled much better.

Olive oil and sugar makes a great exfoliant.

Olive oil and sugar makes a great exfoliant.

I soaked my feet for a few minutes in warm water then scrubbed the olive oil-sugar mixture all over my feet. After a good rinse and towel dry, I did notice that my feet were much softer than they were before. And, thankfully, they did not smell like food, because that would so not be a good thing. I then gave a quick paint job to my nails using my signature color – OPI Melon of Troy (how ironic considering this is a Greek recipe!)  - and low and behold – a fresh looking pedicure all in about 20 minutes and it was sooo easy! Not bad for an at-home pedicure in your pantry. 

Results from my olive oil pedicure....yeah, pretty toes again!

Results from my olive oil pedicure....yeah, pretty toes again!

Here is the recipe for what I now call my olive oil pedicure scrub, adapted from Passport to Beauty:

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2-3 tsp olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla (to avoid smelling like an Italian restaurant)

Mix all ingredients together into a paste. Rub on feet or other dry areas in the shower and rinse off.

Unless you absolutely hate the smell of olive oil, there’s really no reason that you can’t try this great scrub at home. 

Happy pedicure!

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12 Superfoods for Great Looking Skin

March 2, 2009 By 1 Comment

If you’ve ever met a French woman and tried to guess her age, it is quite likely that your guess would be years off. French women are known for taking exceptionally good care of themselves. And, if it’s one thing they never overlook, it is their skin. The classic French woman has flawless, radiant skin, that makes her look years younger than she really is. But how do French women maintain such beautiful skin? Many reports point to the plethora of anti-aging and other skin care products that they use. While creams, especially those with SPF, play a substantial role in keeping skin beautiful, they generally focus on the outside of the skin. The food we eat, and the vitamins and minerals in them, also play a significant part in keeping our skin healthy and young looking, from the inside out.

Strawberries - the superfood that's great for your skin.

Strawberries - the superfood that's great for your skin.

In the last decade, there has been substantial research on how specific foods – superfoods – can help defend against certain diseases, while others help us maintain overall health. Research suggests that foods high in certain antioxidants—vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and vitamin A —nourish and protect skin, keeping it looking young and healthy, while other nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids help fight off harmful toxins in the body. 

So, if you can’t afford expensive anti-aging creams but would like to maintain a clear complexion and a youthful glow, look no further than the produce section!

12 Superfoods for Great Looking Skin:

  1. YOGURT: Yogurt contains live bacteria called acidophilus, which promotes good digestion. But, yogurt also contains vitamin A, the vitamin that maintains the body’s protective skin layers, preventing dry, cracked skin and nasal passages. 
  2. BERRIES: Berries of just about any kind provide great health benefits for the body. But there are a few specific types that do wonders for the skin. Strawberries contain one of the highest levels of antioxidants which help stop free-radicals (produced from sun damage) from damaging the skin. Other good berries include raspberries and cranberries and, more unusual berries, like acai berries and goji berries, also get rave reviews from experts. Acai berries contain powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins and flavonoids that help defend the body against life’s stressor and, like strawberries, can help neutralize free-radicals and prevent sun damage. Goji berries, which look like red raisins, are used to enhance immune-system function, improve eyesight, protect the liver, improve circulation, and promote longevity. But, Goji berries also are a rich source of vitamin C, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help fight wrinkles.
  3. NUTS: Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital to skin health. These healthy fats help maintain cell membranes so that they are effective barriers—allowing water and nutrients in, and keeping toxins out. Almonds are an excellent source of vitamin E, which also helps protect cell membranes and guard against UV radiation damage. Some research suggests that vitamin E may work in combination with vitamin C to provide an extra boost of anti-aging skin protection. 
  4. CANTALOUPE: Cantaloupe has been known to keep the skin firm and bright. Just 1/4 of a cantaloupe melon is an excellent source for vitamin A, converted from the melon’s high concentration of beta carotene. Beta carotene/vitamin A is involved in the growth and repair of body tissues, and may protect against sun damage. Cantaloupe is also full of vitamin C, the potent antioxidant that encourages skin cell turnover and supports the formation of collagen – the connective tissues that give your skin its elasticity and youthful fullness.
  5. GREEN TEA: Green tea contains the highest levels of EGCG, which reduces inflammation and lowers your risk of skin cancer. Even more benefit-rich than green tea, Japanese matcha tea offers 70 times the antioxidants of orange juice. 
  6. SALMON: Like walnuts, Salmon is also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which is necessary for cell membrane health. 
  7. LEAFY GREENS: Dark leafy vegetables, like spinach and kale, are rich in vitamin A which is great for clearing up acne and promoting skin repair. 
  8. WHOLE-WHEAT BREADS: Whole-wheat breads are high in selenium, which helps safeguard the skin from sun damage and delays aging by protecting skin quality and elasticity. If you’ve had your fill of carbs, good sources of selenium also include Brazil nuts, tuna (canned light in water), crab, and wheat germ.
  9. CITRUS FRUITS: Citrus fruits, like lemons and oranges, are very high in vitamin C, a strong antioxidant which protects skin cells from being damaged by the body’s free radicals. 
  10. HONEY: Research has shown that honey has many “healing” properties, aiding digestion, soothing a sore throat, and helping to fight off the cold and flu. But, due to its antioxidant properties, just a small amount of honey a day also can keep the free radicals away.
  11. DARK CHOCOLATE: If you needed an excuse to eat chocolate, well here’s a great one! Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, and, the higher the cocoa content, the more antioxidants.
  12. WATER: Although it’s not technically a “food”, drinking lots of water each day can help keep your skin hydrated and refreshed. Drinking water can also help flush out the harmful toxins from your body, which can help prevent those untimely breakouts.


Not only are these superfoods less expensive than anti-aging creams, but you don’t have to go to a fancy department store to buy them – they are available in your local grocery store! So, the next time you head to the market, remember that healthy, young looking skin is just an aisle away.

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10 Reasons You Need A New Hairstyle

January 27, 2009 By 1 Comment

Natural. Effortless. Chic. These three elements can easily describe a French woman’s overall style, including her hairstyle. Our French cousins may wear their hair in a twist or leave it flowing freely across their shoulders. But no matter how a French woman styles her hair for the day, her hair remains polished and never overdone.

Take a look at your hair today? Would you consider it natural, effortless, and chic? If not, maybe it’s time for a new style.

If your stylist gives you "the usual" it may be time for a new hairstyle.

If your stylist gives you "the usual" it may be time for a new hairstyle.

That’s what I did, more than 10 years ago. Back then, I had very long hair, past the middle of my back. Although attractive to men, this hair was hard to manage, made my head feel heavy, and left me with more bad hair days, than good. As I entered graduate school, I gave great thought to how my hair looked and how my hair represented me. Because I was teaching in grad school, I wanted a hairstyle that made me look more professional and not one that made me look like I belonged on a Key West beach with spring breakers. A big wake-up call came when I came across my high school pictures and noticed that I still had the same hairstyle that I did in high school. Then and there, I made my date with destiny, or at least a date with a pair of scissors.

Although I put my decision off for several weeks, getting “the cut” for the first time was liberating – although I’m sure I shed a tear when that big chunk of hair hit the salon floor. Deciding to cut my long hair was one of the best beauty/style decisions I’ve made. I was free from heavy hair and now had a new shoulder-length style, a new look, a new image to help me start my new career.

Many years have past and my hair follies continue. Although I’m still under 40, my career is such where I need to remain stylish and professional. In the last 3 years alone, I’ve had many haircuts and a half a dozen new styles, including color changes. These style or color changes have not been drastic, more like gradual changes to find the right hairstyle for me for this point in my life. My hair is now above my shoulders with a much nicer cut and style for my features. What used to take 45-60 minutes to style my hair now takes 15-20. I receive regular compliments on my hair from both men and women and love it.

Does your hair need a wake-up call? 

If you’re not sure, here are a 10 subtle (and not so subtle) hints that say it’s time for a new ‘do.

  1. It takes more than 30 minutes to tame your ‘do. If you are spending more than a half hour to blow dry and style your hair, you are putting in too much effort. Along the same lines, if you use a significant amount of product in your hair to keep it “in place”, to others it will likely appear stiff and overdone. Too much time + too much product = desperate need of a new hairstyle. 
  2. Your hairstyle dates you. If you go to a high school reunion and an old friend says “you haven’t changed a bit”, she’s probably referring to the mop on your head. Look at a picture of yourself from 5 years ago. Do you have the same style hair as you do now? If you answered ‘yes’ there is no doubt that it is time for a change.  
  3. You live one never-ending Bad Hair Day. If it seems that your hair never looks the way you want, causing you to put it up in a clip or hide it under a hat, then it’s probably time for a new style. 
  4. Only your mother knows your true hair color. I’m all about changing your hair color. It can change a look and your mood in an instant. But too much coloring can leave your hair looking processed and unnatural. Although highlights are fun and can add new texture to layers, they are often hard to grow out. Consider an all over semi-permanent color or glaze a few shades off from your normal color, to give your hair a rich, deep look and feel.
  5. Your hair color clashes with your skin tone. As a general rule, if you have pale white skin, coloring your hair jet black is not a good idea, unless of course you are a Geisha or a drag queen. When choosing a hair color, keep in mind your skin tone to make sure your new color does not clash it. On the other hand, you also don’t want your hair and skin tone to blend too well, or you’ll run the risk of looking washed out.
  6. Your cut and style don’t fit your lifestyle. Your clothes, your career, and your life have evolved. Your hair hasn’t. Think about your clothes – if you have a great wardrobe full of classic and trendy styles, why ruin the look with frumpy hair? Think about your lifestyle – if your life is fast-paced with an always hectic schedule, why make it more stressful with a high-maintenance hairstyle? Think about your career – if your new job requires you to put your best face, and tresses, forward, this may be a great time to update your hairstyle to a more professional look. Now, think about your new hairstyle….and smile.
  7. Your hair retreats to its “old self” after 30 minutes. Even with high humidty, a good cut can take you through most of the day looking presentable. Hair that goes from curly to flat or flat to frizzy in 0 to 30 minutes is just begging for a new style. 
  8. Hair compliments are few and far between. What woman doesn’t love a compliment? But, if you find that people only compliment your clothes or shoes and avoid looking in the general direction of your head, they’re sending you a subtle message.
  9. Your stylist asks if you want “the usual”. A saloon where everyone knows your name is good. A salon where everyone knows your standard haircut is bad. Likewise, if your stylist never offers suggestions on a new hairstyle or disregards your suggestions, it’s time for a new stylist. 
  10. You’re envious of other women with great hair. Have you ever followed a woman around a store to get a better look at her hairstyle? Ok, maybe that’s borderline stalking, but if you do admire a woman’s hair, ask her where she has it done. Keep in mind, her hairstyle may not look the same on you, but if she has a great cut/style, chances are whoever is cutting her hair can give you an equally good cut and style that’s perfect for you. 

I know how difficult it is to try a new hairstyle, especially when you’ve become so comfortable with the one you have. But a new hairstyle can do wonders for your face, your wardrobe, and your confidence. Still not ready to make the cut? Start small by taking a few inches off or adding a few layers, then go from there. And, whether you have curls or stick straight hair, work with a stylist to find the right cut and style for you, preferably one that is natural, effortless, and chic. Then, don’t be surprised if another woman asks you for the name of your stylist.

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