xoxo

Here are some hygiene and daily routines that you should never avoid:

1. Shower or Bathe Every Day: Nothing beats a clean body. This not only makes you feel better but it helps you to start your day fresh. Also it is important to wash your face twice a day (In the morning and before you go to bed.) Never go to sleep with make-up on your face. This causes clogged pours, pimples, and acne.

2. Find a fragrance that Defines You: After you bathe, splash a little of your signature fragrance on. When you find a fragrance that suits you, no one can wear it better than you! When you walk into a room whether a person sees you or not, they can smell the beautiful fragrance that says, “She’s here, and she smells so good!”

3. Moisturize: Whether you are young or older your skin must be moisturized. Moisturized skin stays youthful, bright, and tight. Find a good lotion that lasts all day. Oils are good as well, and if you ask my grandmother Olive Oil is the best moisturizer in the world. Pour a little Olive Oil in your everyday lotion and rub it all over your body. You will glow like never before and your skin will be so healthy. One more thing, with summer coming, please don’t forget to moisturize your feet. While wearing those gorgeous flip flops or sandals, you don’t want to ruin your glamorous look with dry calloused feet. Make sure they are as moisturized as your body.

4. Wash your Hair Often: Please don’t convince yourself that washing your hair too much can cause drying. Washing your hair not only keeps it healthy but it also keep you face clear of bumps and clogged pours. Dirty hair often has a smell. You don’t want to have your body smelling good and you hair smelling awful.

5. Wear Deodorant: Ladies, just because you have on perfume does not mean that you skip wearing deodorant. The summer is coming, that means hot weather is on the way. Hot weather means sweaty bodies, and sweaty bodies mean not so good smelling under arms. Find a deodorant that is right for you and wear it every day.

6. Underwear is Important: It is important to wear the right underwear. You have to be comfortable and it must never be seen. If your pants are low rise, wear low rise underwear. There is nothing worse than seeing the color of someone’s underwear peeping out of someone’s pants while they are seated. If you are wearing a flowy or form fitting dress it is always good to wear spanx or shaper shorts. This helps to hide panty lines or unwanted bumps and wrinkles on your body. Trust me; they are the best investment any person can buy. They have saved my life and helped me look slimmer! Bras are also important. Wearing the right size bra can make an outfit look exquisite. Wearing the wrong size bra can give several impressions: you can’t afford a new one, or you are in denial about your true size. Ladies, invest in a good bra, it is worth it.

7. Don’t forget to Floss, and keep a Mint in your Purse: Need I say that first impressions are everything! You never want someone to meet you and say, “Her breath was awful!” When you brush your teeth, don’t forget to floss, it gets all the food in between the teeth that you missed while brushing. Also if you have eaten something that you know can cause your breath to be unpleasant, make sure you eat a mint afterwards. Gum is also good; however, if you are at a social gathering or an important event, it is impolite to chew gum. Mints are always easier because they can dissolve and then you can swallow them.

8. Have a standard Manicure and Pedicure Appointment: A woman’s hands and feet must always look neat and taken care of. Find a manicurist that you like and go every two to three weeks.

9. Keep up with Hair Removal: Whether it is waxing or shaving, ladies please don’t let the hair growth in certain areas get out of control. You always want to be neat and tidy, even in places that people can’t see.

10. Do your Laundry: Laundry must be done at least once a week. This should be your regular routine. Spots and stains on clothes are always a no-no. Not only should your body be clean and fresh, so should your clothes! Choose a detergent that is right for you. You can choose fragrance free, or one that has a fragrance. Either or, your clothes should always be clean and smelling fresh!

8 Bosc pears, peeled, halved and cored

2 cups pear nectar

1 stick melted butter

2 cups biscuit mix

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups half-and-half

Cinnamon sugar, for sprinkling

Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Pear Topping, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large resealable plastic bag, add the pears and pear nectar. Seal the bag, and marinate for 1 hour. Remove the pears from the marinade, reserving the marinade. Grill the pears for 5 minutes per side.

Put the melted butter in a 13 by 9-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine the biscuit mix, sugar, and half-and-half. Pour the batter into baking dish over the butter. Arrange the pears on top. Do not stir the pears. Pour the reserved marinade over the top of the pears. Bake until lightly browned, about 45 to 55 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and serve warm with ice cream and Pear Topping, if desired.

Pear Topping:

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 diced pears

1 tablespoon Pear Honey, recipe follows

In a medium skillet, over low heat, add the butter and sugar. Stir to combine, then add the pears and honey. Saute quickly until warm. Serve over the cobbler.

Pear Honey:

1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple with syrup

8 cups (about 3 pounds) peeled, cored, and chopped pears

10 cups sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Mix all ingredients in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the pears are tender and the mixture thickens, approximately 30 minutes. Pour into sterilized jars and seal while hot.

There’s probably not a woman in the world who doesn’t love a great pair of shoes and thankfully there are a variety of styles to choose from as every season new shoe styles are dominating the fashion scene. Shoes are a must have accessory when it comes to fashion and style as they have been created to suit different fashion styles and complete their look. This spring/summer 2011 season the shoe trends are diverse and allow you to match them to your trendy new outfits. The must have shoes for spring/summer 2011 are the shoes which manage to stand out and attract a generous amount of attention, completing the look of a stylish spring summer 2011 outfit.

Shoes can really make a difference when it comes to your physique as well as posture and style so shoes need to be given a lot of thought if you want to look amazingly stylish. The new shoe designs look absolutely fabulous so here are the spring/summer 2010 shoe trends – must have shoes so you can inspire and prepare yourself for the new season:

High heels

There are different high heel shoes styles to choose from and they all look fabulous from pointed toe high heels to rounded toe sandals all high heels look great. This type of shoe style allows the leg to receive a lovely feminine posture but that does require a bit of effort as high heels are a bit difficult to wear if you’re not used to wearing them. You can choose high heels which feature straps which hug the ankle for better support.



Platform shoes

Platform shoes look absolutely divine and they not only offer a slimming effect but also have to offer a greater amount of comfort due to the platform which allows the foot to receive a much comfortable position. Comfortable and best looking shoes will always have a high demand.

The platform shoes can have a chunky or narrow heel depending on personal preference, either way these shoes look fabulous.

Ankle booties

Ankle boots look hot and seem to maintain their popularity as they have been highly fashionable now for quite a few seasons. These ankle booties hug the ankle and offer the leg a greater amount of support but a crucial condition is for the heel to be the perfect height for you to feel comfortable.

There are different ankle boots styles to choose from depending on the outfit as well as personal preference.

Flats

Flat shoes seem to be a definite must have as they not only look fabulous but offer a great amount of comfort as well. It seems that the straps which offer these flats their stylish appearance can vary in length from ankle to thigh high so go for the style which suits you best.

You can also select fabulous ballerina shoes or thong sandals this season as these flats too look fabulous.

Nothing says youthfulness and good health like glowing, fresh skin. Some people are born with it, some can thank their family genes, but for the rest of us beautiful skin takes some work. What you may not realize is that it is easier than you think to have skin that glows. These seven tips will help you get the skin that you have always wanted.

1. Eat Healthy

If you want beautiful skin, it is important to maintain a healthy diet. You need plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and dairy in order to have a healthy body and healthy skin. You want to steer clear of processed foods and canned foods because these have a great deal of sodium and ingredients that can cause your skin to become dry, oily or just malnourished. Do your skin and body a favor and only eat fresh foods. Broccoli is a great food to eat if you have acne and fish is great for your skin in general. If you are eating the good foods, your skin will show it.

2. Drink Plenty of Water

It is important to drink lots of water to keep your skin supple and moist. If you do not drink enough water, your body will begin taking water from various minor organs in order to feed the major organs. One of the minor organs that is affected is the skin. When the water is drawn from the skin to take care of major organs, you may notice that your skin is very dry and even flaky or it is extremely oily. Drinking lots of water, though, combats that and keeps your body balanced.

3. Cleansing Matters

Cleansing should be a vital part of your daily routine. You should remove your makeup each night and thoroughly cleanse your face each morning. The products that you use are also important. Whether you opt for a brand name, drugstore brand or a natural brand of skincare, you should cleanse your face daily and do it the right way: Using lukewarm water (not hot, not cold), splash some on your face. Put some cleanser on your fingertips and work it into a lather. Using a circular motion, rub the cleanser on your face, jaw line and neck. You don’t want to scrub, be gentle. Rinse your skin by splashing lukewarm water on your face and neck until the cleanser is gone. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

4. Exfoliate

Exfoliation is a great way to get a quick glow. The trick is to get an exfoliator that is gentle but effective. You don’t want a very coarse grit because you don’t want to overwork your skin. Use a fine grit and make sure that it is gentle. You can use it each morning prior to applying your makeup for a glow that will last all day. To apply, splash your face with lukewarm water. Apply the exfoliator with the pads of your fingers in a circular motion. Avoid your eye area and don’t scrub hard. Rinse well and pat dry with a clean towel.

5. Sleep

A good night’s sleep is one of the best beauty tools you can have. While many people believe that sleep deprivation causes dark circles under your eyes, this is not true. When you miss too much sleep, fluid can collect under your eyes, making them puffy. If you are prone to dark circles, which is a concentration of blood vessels just under the skin, then the puffiness will make the dark circles more prominent. This can add years to your look. Plus, your body repairs itself while you sleep so if you don’t get enough sleep, it can not repair itself adequately. So take the time to get a good night’s sleep.

6. Your Makeup Means a Lot

Your makeup can mean the difference between great, glowing skin and acne or dry flaky skin. The mineral makeup that is gaining popularity lately is actually a makeup that is good for your skin. Some versions have certain minerals, though, that certain skin types react to so you may need to try a couple of different formulations until you find the one that is best for you.

7. Relax

Stress can wreak havoc on your skin so it is important that you take time to relax. Meditate, take a warm bath (not hot! Intense heat can harm your skin) or just talk with a friend. Classes such as yoga and Pilates are great stress relievers. If you take the time to relax and relieve your stress, your skin will thank you.

If you follow these seven simple steps, you’ll soon have softer, younger looking skin, and you just might start getting unexpected compliments.

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure– pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

Pieces that last are those that you can wear repeatedly, like a little black dress, a blouse that can go with slacks or jeans, or a tailored fitting blazer that makes any outfit look snazzy. Neutral colored clothes are a good investment as well because they can match with absolutely anything and can look like a new outfit once you mix and match different pieces.

Finally, because we are watching our pennies in order to make any old outfit look new this season it is important to accessorize. As we saw in this years Oscars, big chunky necklaces are in, so if you find a good deal on one, buy it!

A lot of us have come to believe that the best way to unwind from the stress brought about by the daily grind to work and to whatever activities we have that makes our schedules jam-packed is to escape to the spa. True enough, the services we get at a spa are designed to pamper us from head to foot, making each trip a relaxing indulgence that is truly worth getting addicted to.

Sometimes, however, we do not need to go to the spa just to rest and loosen up. We can do that inside our very homes.

One way of getting the spa atmosphere at home is to just sit with your feet soaked in warm water mixed with spa salts and essential oils. This is an instant, do-it-yourself foot spa. When the skin of your feet is all soaked and soft, you can scrub away at the calluses and thickened layers of dead skin with glee. Afterwards, you can treat yourself with a nice pedicure.

For some people, the idea of relaxing at home is never complete without food. Why not cook yourself a nice dinner for one? Immerse yourself in the therapeutic rhythms brought about by the pounding, dicing, slicing and mincing that comes with the preparation of food. Make the experience a little more sensual by adding fragrant herbs in your food and by using aromatic mood candles instead of the glaring fluorescent lights. This experience will surely leave your stomach filled and your soul refreshed.

Another great way of relaxing at home is taking off your watch and just lounging about the den all afternoon. Spend the afternoon eating your favorite snacks while vegging out on a daytime soap opera or a rented movie. For once, keep your mind focused on something that is not even remotely related to work.

Perhaps you can try lying in bed with head directed towards the foot of the bed and your feet up on the headboard and flat against the wall. Let your arms rest at your sides away from your body and breathe deeply. Savor the relaxing feeling of blood flowing from your legs to your head. It is a great way to de-stress the body.

If you find yourself awake early in the morning and you do not have to go to work, start your day with a cup of piping hot coffee and drink it while sitting at your porch. Prop up your feet and take your time reading the morning paper. Alternatively, you can just sit back and breathe the morning air while watching your neighbors jog or walk their dogs.

The body needs to relax every once in a while so it can continue functioning properly, without falling to any illness brought about by stress. Going to the spa for some, time off for you is always a good idea. However, the idea behind relaxing is spending some time not really doing anything and just letting the body rest. You can always do this at home if you do not feel like going to the spa.