Home Remedy- Facial cleansers and Mask recipes

       

 

Please remember that these are remedies that have either been mailed onto me, or that I have found on the Internet.  I haven't tried them all and cannot guarantee the effectiveness of them.  Of course, you should always check with your physician before starting any type of medical regimen.

Facial Cleanser Recipes

• Mix 2 Tbls. cornstarch, 2 Tbls. glycerin, and 1/2 cup water until smooth. Heat in a small pan placed in a water bath inside another pan. Heat until thick and clear; it will have the consistency of pudding. Do not boil. Cool completely, Use in place of soap to cleanse your skin. (If mixture is too thick, you may thin it by adding a little water, 1 Tbls. at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.)
• For a gentle facial cleanser mix 1/2 cup oatmeal or cornmeal and plain yogurt (add enough yogurt to form a paste).   Smooth over entire face avoiding eye area. Wash off with warm water.
• Oat and Brown Sugar Scrub- Mix 2 Tbsp. ground oats, 2 tsp. brown sugar, 2 Tbsp. aloe vera and 1 tsp. lemon juice in a clean bowl until you have a smooth paste. Gently massage onto damp skin, and rinse off with warm water. You can triple the recipe for a fantastic smoothing body treatment.   **Ground Oats: use rolled oats and a clean coffee grinder or blender to grind the flakes to a fine powder.

Facial Mask Recipes

• Apple Facial Mask (oily skin that is acne prone)  Mix 1 medium size apple (grated), 5 tablespoons of honey to make a mask. Smooth over skin then let sit for 10 minutes, rinse off with cool water.
• Banana Facial Mask (dry skin)  Mash 2 bananas with a fork...dont over mash or it will be too runny. Add some honey* if desired. Smooth over skin, let sit for 10 minutes, rinse off with cool water.
• Peach Facial Mask (normal skin)  Cook 1 peach until its soft, mash with a fork, add 1 Tbs honey and oatmeal until its a thick consistency. Apply to skin. Let sit for 10 minutes, rinse well with cool water.

Oatmeal is highly absorptive, hypoallergenic, and helps to soften skin. Oats have the best amino acid balance of all the cereal grains (amino acids work as water-binding agents in skin care products). Oats have also been clinically shown to help heal dry, itchy skin. Oat grains and straw appear in shampoos, dusting powders, moisturizers, and cleansing bars and more.

 

I've been working on a little birthday video for Sammi because today is her 19th birthday.  Unfortunately to upload it I have to have in saved a particular way and I haven't been able to figure it out yet.  I'll get it posted as soon as I get it figured out.

Sammi and I have plans to do some birthday shopping tomorrow.  It is something that we haven't been able to do much of for the past several years and I am very excited.  I love spending time with her.  She is such an awesome kid.  By the way, she is at her new job.  No more working 2 jobs as this one is really great and she will have full benefits after the first 90 days.  I am so proud of her. 

                         I love ya Tink!

 

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Tags: Facial cleansers, facial Mask, recipes, home remedy

Microwave cleaning tip, Benefits of a cleaning schedule, organization and supplies

 

        

Microwave Filth: Food splatters all over the inside of your microwave and cooks itself on after time. To easily remove this mess, place a sponge soaked in water or just a dish filled with 1/2 cup water in the microwave. Cook on high heat for 2 minutes. The filth is now ready to be wiped right off - no scrubbing!

Repeat Entry:

I originally made this entry (the part written in blue) in November of 2005.  I went back through it and decided it was worth posting again with some additions (the part written in brown).  I think when we are young and get our first place that we don't really appreciate how much work it takes to keep a clean and well organized home. 

 

Oh, it's easy to throw all (darks, whites and colors) in the washer in one or two huge loads and get the clothes washed.  Then how clean did those clothes really get in that heavy oversized load, that wears the washer down, when the cycle is done?  LOL, that's why so many young people walk around in those nasty looking dingy gray shirts, that used to be white. 

 

Or it's easy to toss all the junk into a corner in the bedroom, or front closet where no one can see it when they show up.  But take a closer look.  How deep are the dust fields on the furniture?  How many trails of ants are traipsing across the floor?  Look up...how many cobwebs are dangling from the ceiling and walls?  (I'm only 5' 3 and 3/4" tall, and that is one that I often forget or don't notice.)  Are the bugs riding wee little sleds down the slopes of dust on the lamp shades? 

 

I believe that being a housewife and mother is a full-time job.  The key to being successful at any job is organization.   

When one gets their first own place it is a good idea to sit down with pen and paper and make a plan, a schedule if you will.  I think it is much easier to get organized and keep things clean if you have a plan.  As time goes by, you will most likely be able to get rid of a written schedule as you become used to your schedule of doing things every week and it becomes a part of your everyday life.  

The daily and weekly chores may seem mundane, but they really do make a difference.  Some of the things that I do each and every morning are the ones that make everything seem a little less dis-organized and cleaner.  1) Make my bed---the room looks ten times cleaner.  2) Clean the kitchen sink---just like making the bed, when the sink is clean the kitchen appears much cleaner.  3) Do at least one load of laundry---that way it doesn't have a chance to accumulate into this seemingly overwhelming chore. 4)Give the living room a quick once over---it's the room everyone ends up in and when it's messy, the whole house feels "messy".

Those aren't my only daily chores.  But they are the ones that I do at least once every day, if not more than once, that seem to help me feel more organized.  If I stay on top of the other chores, then on some days I may be able to do those 4 little things and maybe one or two other chores, then be free to spend the day doing something with Rylie. 

Grab a calendar and take a look at it.  There are times when you will want to major cleaning.  For instance, perhaps May would be a good time to wash the windows.  Also to shampoo the winter gunk out of your carpets.  Every 6 months, or so, you should also turn the mattress on your bed over to keep it from developing those saggy spots.   

Then come the end of October or the beginning of November do it again.  This is a good time for me because the holidays are coming up and I like to have the carpets cleaned around then.  Write these chores down when you want to do them on the calendar.  

Monthly cleaning chores may include things like cleaning the refrigerator, dusting the cabinet with all the little knick-knacks, changing your box of baking soda in the refrigerator and behind the toilet (I keep one there for odors), etc.  Pick a good date like the first Saturday of every month and write it down on your calendar for every month.  

Take a look at the things that you need to do every other week or so.  This is going to be different for different people.  It will depend on how clean you like things and on how big your family is.  For instance, a single woman living alone might only need to clean her bathroom every other week.  But a large family may need need to do it once a week.  If it is a large family with 6 boys, they'll probably need to clean the bathroom every day! LOL   

Now look at the chores you do weekly and daily.  Write them down and approximately how much time it takes to do them and how many times a week you need to do them.  Now that you have a list of what you want to do weekly and daily, make a schedule for yourself.  

Write down the days of the week and when you think it will be best for you to do each chore.  Be sure to include simple things, even if it only takes a minute.  For example, I make my bed every morning before I get into the shower.  I can't stand for my bed to be unmade.  The rest of the room may be a disaster, but the moment your bed gets made you will notice the room looks much, much better.  

Once you have the schedule made you may find that being organized and having a set schedule actually helps you to save time in your day.  As I said, as you repeatedly do it over and again every week, it will just become routine and you probably won't need a written schedule.  

But then ya'll might think this is just silly.  I can be anal retentive sometimes.  I am one of those people who makes a list of what I need to do every day, who I want to call, what I want to get at the store (organized by the order of the aisles in the store).  Heck, even my underwear are folded!  How sick is that?  LMAO!  

I believe that children learn by example, and being organized and keeping some kind of schedule is a great trait to pass onto your kids.  Even though she is just 3 yers old, Rylie is a great helper.  It isn't often that I even have to ask her to help me.  She will usually just walk up and start helping me with whatever chore I am working on.  I think it is wonderful that she does that.  I believe it is because she see's that we each have our part to do around the house and she wants to participate and help us out.  I sure could have used a little helper like that when I spent the last 3 months of my pregnancy on doctor ordered bed rest.  Maybe then I wouldn't have needed surgery to save the baby and ended up in the hospital for the last 40 days.

I found this schedule of housecleaning at Click here: Ask The Helpful Housewife: Requested Routines .  Its a good plan to follow if you need an idea of where to start.  Of course, your home may be bigger or smaller, just adjust it to fit your needs.  I think it would be a great idea to print out the list as a helpful reminder.  After some time everything will just become second nature and you won't need the list any longer.  Also you will find some things that you don't need to do and some that you may want to add to your list.

Daily Cleaning Master Checklist

Entry Areas
Sweep
Shake out rugs

Kitchen
Wipe down counters
Wipe down sink
Dishes
Sweep floor
Take out trash every night
Hang wet dish cloths in laundry room

Living Areas
Vacuum
Pick up miscellaneous clutter

Bedrooms
Air beds in early morning
Make beds in late morning
Pick up laundry and put in hampers
Hang clothing that can be worn again
Remove water glasses to kitchen

Bathrooms
Wipe down counters, sinks
Hang towels to dry 
Pick up laundry and put in hampers

Master Cleaning Checklist
(full housecleaning)

Master Bedroom
dust
vacuum
windows
change bedding
laundry
ceiling fan
empty wastebasket
lamps and shades

Master Bathroom
sinks
mirror
tub
shower
toilet
vacuum
mop floor in water closet
change towels
straighten closet
windows
empty wastebasket

Kids' Bedrooms
dust
vacuum
change bedding
windows
laundry
empty wastebasket

Kids’ Bathroom
sinks
mirror
toilet
tub/shower
mop floor
change towels
window
empty wastebasket
clean training potty chair

Guest Room
dust
vacuum
change bedding
window
empty wastebasket

Hallway – second floor
dust banister
vacuum

Stairs
dust railings
vacuum

Entryway & Hallway – first floor
sweep
mop
dust
windows
shake rugs outside
clean door handles and surfaces
sweep front porch

Office
dust
vacuum
empty shredder & wastebasket
windows
panes on french doors

Living Room
dust
vacuum
windows
lamps and shades

Dining Room
dust
vacuum
windows
chandelier

Half Bath
sink
mirror
toilet
mop floor
empty wastebasket
clean training potty chair

Kitchen
cabinet faces
counters
dishes
appliances (countertop and full-size)
oven
sweep floor
mop floor
empty trash
tabletop
built-in desk
bleach countertop fountain
wash throw rugs
window
sliding glass door

Family Room
vacuum
dust
ceiling fan
lint brick over furniture
lamps & shades
swiffer fireplace tile
windows

Laundry Room
clean washer & dryer
counters
cabinet faces
litter box
cat food dishes
laundry
sweep floor
mop floor
shake rugs outside
clean door handles and surfaces

Also, are you a smoker?  Be sure to empty the ash trays daily.  Not only do they look nasty, but having them sitting around contributes to the smell of smoke in your home.

Something else that you may find useful is a list of cleaning supplies to keep on hand.Just as you have a toolbox with a hammer, a flathead screwdriver and other home repair essentials, you should have an area that you keep stocked with cleaning supplies.   That way, you will not always have to hunt down or go out and buy what you need when it is time to clean a specific area or object.
Here is a basic list:

1. A broom
2. A dustpan
3. A good mop
4. A vacuum cleaner. Even if you do not have carpets, you will need at least a small vacuum cleaner to clean your drapes and upholstery.
5. Several dishcloths and dust rags. Demote sink sponges down to cleaning sponges, also wash clothes that begin to fray or old tee shirts.
6. Nylon cleaning pads. These work better than sponges for cleaning stubborn stains, & do not scratch counters or appliances.
7. Gloves. They will protect your hands from germs and chemicals. For an added bonus, try putting cream on your hands first. After you finish cleaning, your hands will be nice and soft. It is also good to have a pair of cotton gloves handy for cleaning between the slats of mini blinds, if you have them.
8. A wood cleaner for cleaning wood floors and woodwork in general. Murphy's Oil Soap is a good one.
9. An old toothbrush. This is great for getting the crud between crevices that are otherwise unreachable.
10. Baking soda. This product can absorb smells from your refrigerator and freezer, deodorize your drains, and serve as a carpet freshener, among other uses.
11. Bleach. Bleach can be kept in a spray bottle and used for stubborn stains on white grout, or can be added in small amounts to spray bottles of water to disinfect counters and other surfaces. Just be sure to label the bottle BLEACH and don't add other chemicals to it as some will cause a caustic reaction.
12. Clear vinegar. Vinegar is not only an economical way to clean windows, but if used to clean pet stains, can cover the smell, thus deterring the pet from soiling the same area again.
13. Scouring powder, such as Comet.
14. A feather or lambs wool duster. Thelamb'swool variety is more expensive, but they attract dust the best.
15. A non-abrasive cream cleanser, such as Softscrub.
16. A degreasing cleaning spray.
17. Glass cleaner, such as Windex. 
18. Toilet bowl cleaner.
19. Salt. You can use it with ice to clean out a grimy coffee carafe, or combine it in a three to one ratio with lemon juice to create an effective polish for brass or copper. It is also good for soaking up stains on carpet before they have a chance to set in.
20. Rubbing alcohol. You can use this for removing those annoying stickers that won't come off of new purchases, as well as removing stickers from windows and other non-wood surfaces. Also great for removing ink stains.
21. Oven cleaner. Unless you never use your oven, this will come in handy for getting those baked on spots off. Be sure not to breathe the fumes, as they can be quite strong.
22. Liquid laundry detergent.
23. Dishwashing liquid. Of course you will need it for the dishes that you wash by hand, but you can also use it to clean your floors, and most other surfaces as well.
24. Furniture polish. This is perfect for giving a finished look to your furniture. Be careful not to overuse it, as it can attract dust and become sticky if over applied.
25. Canned air. This is essential for cleaning the dust and other particles out of your computer keyboard. It can also help with crevices around buttons on televisions and other appliances as well. Use in a well-ventilated area.
* I also like to keep at least one extra bottle of shaving cream on hand.  It is great at removing stains from carpet and also clothing.  I also use it as a cream whenever I feel a cold sore coming on.

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

 

 

Tags: microwave, cleaning, tips, cleaning schedule, cleaning supplies, organization

Recipe---CRISPY AND CREAMY DOUGHNUTS

I found this recipe while wandering around the Internet.  It's a bit time consuming, but sounds like it would be very much worth the effort. 

CRISPY AND CREAMY DOUGHNUTS
Original recipe yield:
18 doughnuts
PREP TIME  10 Min
COOK TIME  30 Min
READY IN  2 Hrs 40 Min
INGREDIENTS
2 (.25 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees)
1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup shortening
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
GLAZE
1/3 cup butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4 tablespoons hot water or as needed
DIRECTIONS
Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water, and let stand for 5 minutes, or until foamy.
In a large bowl, mix together the yeast mixture, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix for a few minutes at low speed, or stirring with a wooden spoon. Beat in remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Knead for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough into a greased bowl, and cover. Set in a warm place to rise until double. Dough is ready if you touch it, and the indention remains.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and gently roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a floured doughnut cutter. Let doughnuts sit out to rise again until double. Cover loosely with a cloth.
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in hot water one tablespoon at a time until the icing is somewhat thin, but not watery. Set aside.
Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large heavy skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slide doughnuts into the hot oil using a wide spatula. Turn doughnuts over as they rise to the surface. Fry doughnuts on each side until golden brown. Remove from hot oil, to drain on a wire rack. Dip doughnuts into the glaze while still hot, and set onto wire racks to drain off excess. Keep a cookie sheet or tray under racks for easier clean up.

From what I read about this recipe, the end product is suppose to be very similar to those famous Krispy doughnuts.  If you do try it out, please come back and let everyone know what you think of the doughnut recipe.  Thanks!

My mom would occasionally make doughnuts on the weekend.  However, it was a much quicker and easier way.  Take one can of ready to bake biscuits and separate them.  Make holes using a pop bottle lid, or something of similar size.  Drop the doughnuts and holes into hot oil.  Let cook until golden.  Dip in cinnamon sugar or powder sugar. 

I remember mom making these on weekends at the lake.  We loved the doughnut holes.  Mmmm.  Sometimes we would stretch out the dough and braid it or twist it before dropping in the oil.  Those made good dunking doughnuts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Onto a completely different subject that has really been bothering me lately.  Drugs.  Do you realize that while many of us are working to have a nice home and take care of our children and responsibilities, that there are people out there milking the system so they can spend their money on drugs?  They don't work.  They collect from the system  and many times they sell or trade their food stamps, or whatever, so they can get their drugs.  Yes, you pay your taxes so that many people can use the system to continue to do their precious little drug habit. I wonder how many children in the system have parents who don't, or can't take care of them because of drugs.

It is amazing to me that people know the risk of using drugs and yet they will still "try" it just so they can experience it "once".  Then they do it again and think they are in control of the situation.  Let's be clear, once you do a drug and it works it's little "magic" on you...you are NO LONGER in control.  You have let an illegal & dangerous substance take control over your mind and body for a period of time.  How crazy is that?

Not only that, but you have killed some very precious brain cells, and will continue to do so each time you use.  Something that some people can't afford to do.  I don't understand why anyone would do that, and frankly I don't want to understand it.  It is stupid, ignorant and selfish to spend hard earned money on a substance that will control you and destroy brain cells.  You have no idea the first time you try something what it is going to do to you.  Whether or not you are going to become addicted to it.  So why take the freaking chance?! 

Go downtown and take a look at all the homeless people and the prostitutes.  Is that what you want out of life?  No, that doesn't happen to everyone.  Some just end up being unable to hold down a job and mooch off of everyone else.  Expecting the people around them to take care of them so they can go smoke or shoot up.  Or perhaps they end up in jail, where once again our tax dollars feed them, house them and provide them with medical care.  Some people are lucky and don't like it and never use again.  Or some just die the very first time, not knowing what chemicals they are putting into their body. 

Come on people, these drugs are not created in a sterile environment.  They are made by other junkies, in a dirty garage or shed, with dangerous chemicals.  Why in the heck would you smoke something, that if you drank it would poison you?!  I just don't understand how people can be so stupid.  And it isn't even just that people are so dumb that they will do this...but they actually pay people for the 50/50 chance of either getting high or dying.  OMG!  Freaking Idiots!

If your concerned that someone you know and/or love may be using, here is a list of signs & symptoms that may be useful from HelpGuide.org

What are the signs and symptoms of drug addiction and abuse?

The more drug use begins to affect and control a person's life, the more likely it is that he or she has a drug problem. Unfortunately, substance abusers are often the last ones to recognize their own symptoms of dependence and addiction. If you suspect that a friend or loved one is abusing drugs, it's important to remember that drug abusers often try to conceal their symptoms and downplay their problem. But there are a number of warning signs you can look for:

• Inability to relax or have fun without doing drugs. 
• Sudden changes in work or school attendance and quality of work or grades.
• Frequently borrowing money, selling possessions, or stealing items from employer, home, or school.
• Angry outbursts, mood swings, irritability, manic behavior, or overall attitude change.
• Talking incoherently or making inappropriate remarks.
• Deterioration of physical appearance and grooming.
• Wearing sunglasses and/or long sleeve shirts frequently or at inappropriate times.
• No longer spending time with friends who don't use drugs and/or associating with known users.
• Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors, such as making frequent trips to the restroom, basement, or other isolated areas where drug use would be undisturbed. 
• Talking about drugs all the time and pressuring others to use.
• Expressing feelings of exhaustion, depression, and hopelessness.
• Using drugs first thing in the morning.

You can read the entire article at Drug Abuse and Addiction: Signs, Symptoms & Effects.  It is pretty interesting reading.  If you go further down the page you will see a list of drugs that are most commonly used and the effects of them.  If you have concerns about someone using I would definately recommend reading more.

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Tags: doughnut recipe, crispy creme doughnut recipe, easy doughnuts, drugs, drug addiction, drug abuse, signs of drug use, symptoms of drug use

Mothers and Daughters

              

I came across that saying in an advertisement.  I really liked it and chose to use it in this graphic.  I've also posted it, without my mom and daughters names, in my Coloring Inside the Lines journal if anyone wants to snag it.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs to all my friends!

Tags: mother, daughter

Tips to look younger

Since this mornings home remedy tip was about dry skin I thought I would include these tips from ediets on looking younger.

1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. You’ve heard it before, but using a regular face lotion will make the skin appear younger by helping it to retain moisture, which in turn helps to plump up fine lines and increase circulation. When your hands, legs or feet are dry and cracked, they look older and worn out. Add a little cream and the skin is renewed. The same goes for your face.

If you have normal to combination skin, pick a lightweight formula that sinks in so it doesn’t feel heavy. Try Olay Complete All Day Moisture for Normal Skin ($9.29, walgreens.com). Dry skin types can use a little more hydration, so consider a cream like Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream ($6.49, drugstore.com).

Even if you have oily skin, use an oil-free moisturizer to keep skin looking young. You may not think you need one in your 20s, 30s or even 40s, but later on in life you will notice the difference. If you’re thinking, “I don’t use a moisturizer because it’s too greasy and heavy,” then you just haven’t found the right one for your skin type. The right moisturizer should make your skin feel soft and comfortable. Next time you’re in the cosmetics department, look or ask for samples. There are a million and one products out there, but there is also one that’s just right for you.

I've gotten real serious about moisturizing in the last several years.  I don't spend a bunch of money on this though.  I often pick up my moisturizer at the dollar store.  I like cocoa or shea butter.  I only wear foundation in the winter, and when I do, I usually mix it with some moisturizer so it feels alot lighter and not so "cakey".

Or I will buy that lightly tinted moisturizer.  I really like that as I don't feel as though I need to use foundation then.

2. Keep out of the sun! Ever notice how most celebrities manage to look tan and young at the same time? Their secret is not baking out in the sun for hours at a time -- they really don’t have time to do that anyway – it’s sunless tanning. Regular tanning, whether it be in the sun or in tanning beds, not only causes sun damage and cancer, but also leads to premature aging. What does that mean to you? Wrinkles! So, take a hint from the stars by wearing an SPF daily and use a sunless tanner indoors to keep the skin golden and line free.

Okay, I have to be honest and admit that I don't follow this rule.  I always feel so much better, healthier and happier, after I've been out in the sun.  Although, I always slather that highest level of SPF on Rylie when we go out.

3. Drink water like it’s going out of style. This is also a no-brainer, but it’s nice to be reminded once in a while. Water helps our bodies perform basic functions, and helps keep us healthy by providing a helpful environment for cells to do their duties. This also leads to younger-looking skin. Your skin cells will be full of water, which, like a moisturizer, helps to plump up fine lines and reduces puffiness around the eyes.

 

I agree with that one.  Not only is it good for your skin, but it helps eliminate all kinds of toxins from your body.  Have you heard that little tidbit of information from Dr. Oz on drinking water?  You know your drinking enough water if your urine is clear enough to read a newpaper through it.  Um, I wouldn't recommend actually trying to do that though.  Icky!

4. Don’t leave the house without a little makeup! When we were in our teens and 20s, we could run out of the house without a stitch of makeup and still look fabulous. Unfortunately, we can’t stay 18 forever, and our faces need a little help sometimes. You’d be surprised what a little concealer, bronzer and lipstick can do. Crunched for time in the morning? This routine takes less than three minutes. Dab a little concealer under the eyes and on spots like pimples and blemishes. Blend with fingers. Next, apply bronzer with a big, fluffy brush to the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. Lastly, swipe a little lipstick on, and you’re ready to go. If you have time, use a lipliner first. See, wasn’t that easy? Now that we know makeup is our friend, it’s also good to remember that…

5. Too much makeup can make you look older. It’s easy to get a little carried away with the concealer, blush, bronzer, lipstick and whatever else we use to get ready in the morning, especially when you feel like you haven’t gotten enough sleep. But, before you pile on that foundation, get into some natural sunlight, or a well-lit area of your home. If you take a minute between steps to check your progress as you’re applying, you may notice you don’t need as much makeup as you thought. Natural-yet-polished makeup will help you look younger by enhancing your best assets and camouflaging your flaws. Too much makeup will actually draw attention to fine lines and wrinkles.

 

I almost always have a wee bit of make-up on.  I at least wear a natural looking eye shadow, mascara and lip gloss or chap stick.  In the winter I usually also wear some blush or a bit of bronzer.

I've learned that at a certain age wearing "frosty" looking eye shadows is a no-no.  That stuff will make you look real old and wrinkly.  I quit wearing that stuff the year I turned 30, lol.

6. Use an eye cream regularly. The skin around the eyes is the first place to show signs of aging, so it’s important to take extra care of this area, even if you don’t yet have any lines. When applying eye creams, use a small amount (that’s why they come in those teeny jars) and use your ring finger to dab and spread the product around. It’s OK if the area is a little shiny, but if it feels heavy to you, switch to a lighter texture or reserve it for nighttime use.

 

 Yep, again, the same stuff that I get at the dollar store.

 

7. Try a luminizing product, but use caution. Many cosmetic lines have come out with foundations, lotions and concealers that give a gentle, highlighting effect. Most of these products contain some kind of luminescent particle, which helps to blur imperfections and fine lines. While these products are fun and help the skin to glow, remember they can also have the reverse effect if not applied correctly. If you like the idea of a foundation that has this property, use it sparingly, and only if you have fine lines. Deep-set wrinkles will not benefit from any kind of shimmer as they only enhance and emphasize the texture in the skin.

8. Make sure your hair looks young. Even if you’ve had a face-lift, you won’t look young if your hair is damaged, out of control or doesn’t have a style. If you’re starting to go gray, make an appointment with your colorist to touch up or refresh your color. A few face-framing highlights will also help to take a few years off. If you’ve decided to keep your hair gray, give it a style that will enhance your features. Avoid pulling your hair back tightly, as it will only make the face look older and more severe.

 

I tried to darken my hair color this past year.  It was alright, but I really had to stay on top of it, because I noticed one or two gray hairs (they must have fallen out on Ray's head and landed on me) would show up.  That's why I went back to my paler blonde color.  Those grays don't show up.  Or I just don't notice them.

9. Don’t forget the neck! There’s a reason why your grandmother used face cream on her face and neck. Like the skin around your eyes, losing skin’s elasticity in the neck area adds years to your appearance. There are a number of neck creams out on the market, so look for one that is hydrating and firming. A good one to try is La Prairie Cellular Neck Cream ($99, neobeauty.com).

 

 I always continue my moisturizer down my neck and onto my chest.  Of course, it's the same cheap stuff I use on my face from the dollar store.  OMG!  Who spends $99 on cream?  I could feed my family for a week on that.

10. Keep your pearly whites white. A nice bright smile helps you to look healthier, happier and younger. Your teeth can become stained over time, especially if you drink coffee or colas. Make an appointment with your dentist to see how you can maximize the look of your smile, or use an at-home whitening kit such as Crest Whitestrips ($42.99, dentist.net).

 

 I like the stuff that Wal-Mart sells for $4.99, and that includes the little mouth guard looking thingie that you put the gel in.

 

Have a great afternoon!

Tags: looking younger, beauty tips, ediets

Home Remedy-Dry Skin

           

Please remember that these are remedies that have either been mailed onto me, or that I have found on the Internet.  I haven't tried them all and cannot guarantee the effectiveness of them.  Of course, you should always check with your physician before starting any type of medical regimen.

Dry Skin

• Combine 1 cup oatmeal, 1 cup warm water, 1 Tbls. vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup baking soda in a blender or food processor until you have a smooth paste. Pour this paste under the running water while drawing the bath. Very soothing to dry, itchy skin.
• To relieve dry patches, massage in vegetable shortening like Crisco.  Sounds gross, but it is emollient rich and full of vitamins and replenishing oils.  It is also preservative and fragrance free.

• Beauty Mask for Dry Skin
  1 egg 
  1 teaspoon of honey, 
  1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and 
  few drops of rose water
  *Mix the ingredients thoroughly and use as a mask.

• Tea tree oil has been known to penetrate into the skin's cellular level. Add 1 drop of oil to your favorite day or night cream to help moisturize and smooth skin.

• Aloe Vera is soothing, healing, and moisturizing. It also helps to remove dead skin cells. Apply aloe Vera gel topically on affected areas.

A diet consisting of a lot of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin E can be taken for an inner glow in the skin. Leafy vegetables help the most in replenishing the moisture in the skin. The water intake needs to increase a lot to help the body have the required amount of fluids. Fruit juices are also considered to be very helpful in softening the skin.

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Tags: dry skin, home remedy

Cleaning grease

Good Tuesday morning!  Time for another cleaning tip.  I've found some more tips for cleaning grease, I hope you find these helpful.  I really like the last one, the skin so soft.  The last time I tried to use a product on my kitchen cabinets it almost took the stain off along with the grease.

 

                    

 

Kitchen Grease 

• When I went to clean the hood of the stove exhast fan, it was covered with grease and accumulated dust.  The cleaner I had wasn't doing much good, just gunky it up and slightly moving it around.  So I put a little dishwasher powder on a wet sponge and used that.  It worked great!  It cut the grease and the powder acted as a mild abrasive without scratching the finish.
• Ammonia - cuts grease really well
• Washing soda - cuts grease and disinfects (For those of you who haven't heard of this I've included this link at Wikipedia that gives more information)
• White vinegar - cleans grease
• For grease on wood cabinets, use Avon original Skin So Soft bath oil. Wipe it down and the grease will literally roll up. It puts a great luster on the cupboards, the kitchen smells great.

Ohmahgosh!  This heat is just about unbearable.  I took Rylie to the pool yesterday, but it was almost too hot to even be outside for that.  She doesn't care though, she loves to play in the pool.  Although as soon as she gets out, and it doesn't matter that heat index may be 100, she start's in with the shivering and "I cold, I cold mommy!" 

 

So there she is, sitting under a blazing sun, almost 100 degrees, wrapped up in one towel, another one covering her legs and one over her head.  She is too funny.  Don't worry, I took plenty for her to drink.  I just left my own jug of ice water sitting on the kitchen counter.  LOL

 

Oh, and here are some recent pictures I made into a little "picture page".  Thanks to Shelly for sending out the request to her friends for fishing picture tubes.  I really appreciate the help and I think it turned out real cute.  I just need to work on being able to free hand draw a smoother line.  LOL

 

How do y'all like that Bass?  That ol' boy was having no luck fishing at all.  He wasn't catching anything, broke a pole (mine, by the way) and was looking a bit like a child that lost his lollipop.  So on Saturday evening, as they were pulling away from the dock, I did a "fishing dance and chant".  LMAO  Then he came back with that big ol' Bass.  How funny.

 

Have a great day & hugs to all my friends!

Tags: cleaning tip, grease, fishing pictures