Category: body image

body image, skin care

Friday Favorites

Note: I’ve decided to add a feature which I’m hoping to do weekly. I’m calling it “Friday Favorites.” I’ll be sharing some of the items I buy and use in my everyday life. Hope you enjoy. And thanks for stopping by.

Today’s “Friday Favorites” are a selection of my every day skin care routine. A few years ago I discovered Origins. I’ll say this, I absolutely LOVE Origins. I use them primarily for cleansing and moisturizing.

Checks and Balances: This is a face wash and is for combination skin. Although my skin tends to be on the oily side, I’ve found this wash to do the trick without drying out my skin. This is a great product. I use it morning and night. But don’t fret, if your skin is oily or dry, Origins has a face wash for you. The best part is if you are not sure which one is right for you, simply ask for a sample and the folks at Origins will be glad to give you one.

Modern Friction: In my humble opinion, this is the best. It exfoliates your skin and leaves it unbelievably smooth. In fact, the description on the bottle calls it “Nature’s gentle dermabrasion.”  I have been using this product for a number of years and can honestly say I cannot live without it. Although the instructions say to use it two to three times per week, the beauty consultants at Origins have told me it can be used every day – it just depends on your skin. And did I mention there is also a Modern Friction for the body? Again, it is incredible!

Out of Trouble: I’ve just discovered this. I stopped by the Origins store this past weekend and took advantage of the mini-facial they were offering. The consultant used this mask on me. It’s billed as a “10-minute mask to rescue problem skin.” If your skin is oily and you are having break-outs, then try this mask. Once you have it on your face, you will instantly notice the Camphor penetrating your senses. Once removed, you can feel the difference on your skin.

Starting Over: I finish my daily facial ritual with this moisturizer which contains mimosa. It comes in both a regular and oil-free version.  It’s great and is not heavy like some moisturizers. The best part is that a little goes a long way.

I could go on about all the other products I use from Origins, but these are just a few that I really like.

Just remember, if you’re not sure about a product you can always ask for a sample. And the beauty consultants are always ready to give you a mini-facial and explain the products.

body image, self awareness, shoes

Some love affairs never end

For  more years than I care to admit I have had an ongoing love affair. Try as I might, I simply cannot break the bonds. I try to stay away, but I keep getting drawn back.

And I’m sure there are many women in the same situation. My love affair is with…shoes.

When I feel a little down, I head to the shoe store. When money is tight, I tell myself I am simply going to “visit’ the shoes. And this usually does the trick. But sometimes when you walk into the store you know your destiny is waiting and it could be in that cute pair of wedges with the intricate design on the heel or in the 3-inch multi-colored Bandolinos.

Women and their love of shoes is something men simply cannot understand. I mean what woman has not heard a man ask, “why do you need so many shoes?” Chances are the response we give is a simple, “They’re cute” or “I just do, that’s all.”

But deep down, we all know why we love shoes. Perhaps it is on a subconscious level, but the true answer is there. And perhaps we are afraid to admit it to ourselves because then we would be admitting we are not perfect.

The real reason for our love affair with shoes is that shoes do not discriminate.

Any women, no matter her size or shape, can try on a pair of shoes that will leave her feeling good.

If you stop and think about it, you will realize this is true.

I mean, when was the last time you heard a woman ask her boyfriend, husband, lover “Do these shoes make my butt look fat?” or “Do I look fat in these shoes?”

Yes, that’s what I thought.

Shoes do not discriminate. We can wear them without the dread or fear of looking in the mirror and finding flaws with our bodies or not liking what is staring back at us.

So, the next time that special man in your life asks the shoe question, simply smile and say “Because shoes do not discriminate” and leave it at that.