tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-748164350402846242024-03-12T19:45:52.538-04:00Ages of BeautyA lifestyle blog for fabulous women over 40!Denise Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06332900977543895575noreply@blogger.comBlogger364125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-11367155153736749192015-02-02T08:00:00.000-05:002015-02-02T08:00:01.524-05:00Sally Hansen Miracle Gel<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qdUzHO3gIGA/VM75VYJpo9I/AAAAAAAABOc/mbzTY47wgsE/s1600-h/Sally%252520Hansen%252520Miracle%252520Gel%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 2" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x1zfXyV3Ph8/VM75V_kh7pI/AAAAAAAABOg/sbSBH_u68aQ/Sally%252520Hansen%252520Miracle%252520Gel%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 2" width="258" /></a> </div>
I’ve written before how hard I am on my nails. Most ‘regular’ polishes make in one, maybe two days if I’m lucky. That lead me to get my first salon gel manicure a couple of years ago (that one lasted around two weeks without chipping) and as a result, I invested in my own curing light and quite a few polishes. Unfortunately, I’m one of those people who gets bored easily so two weeks is a long time to keep me satisfied with just one nail color. Anyway, early last year I discovered Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel polish and it has proved to be an affordable way to get an inexpensive, non-boring manicure that lasts a week on my abused mails. Woohoo!!!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xFsZm2qwhYE/VM75WCh3V8I/AAAAAAAABOo/GnhsAPqpQxQ/s1600-h/Sally%252520Hansen%252520Miracle%252520Gel%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 1" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t2PlN2jnLNI/VM75WiIrg-I/AAAAAAAABO0/ZEEW_HXwnik/Sally%252520Hansen%252520Miracle%252520Gel%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 1" width="428" /></a> </div>
These babies are great! They are available at most drugstores for right around 8 bucks (or $15 for a bottle of color and the top coat, which is a must have to make the whole thing work). I’ve got five or six colors in my collection and have worn them on fingers and toes. My favorite for my professional life is Bare Dare, a warmish nude that seems to match my skin tone pretty well. The nice thing about Miracle Gel is that there’s no light requirement or fancy nail prep or bottom coat. All you do is brush two thin coats on clean, bare nails and then add a coat of the Miracle Gel top coat. According to Sally Hansen, natural light works with the polish to continuously cure the gel thereby hardening the finish so that the wearer gets up to fourteen days of wear. Now, I generally do not get fourteen days of wear with any polish but anything over two days is a win for me! Miracle Gel definitely fits the bill and I consider it an affordable staple in my nail polish collection.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9mi3o-4Zotw/VM75XLjJb4I/AAAAAAAABO8/FCss23BSgiA/s1600-h/Sally%252520Hansen%252520Miracle%252520Gel%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 3" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hYb2nAYyVXo/VM75Xhx2BcI/AAAAAAAABPA/WxbFiozV-pE/Sally%252520Hansen%252520Miracle%252520Gel%2525203_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 3" width="504" /></a> </div>
One thing I noticed about Miracle Gel is that the applicator brush seems to be quite a bit wider than all of my other polishes, including other gel polishes. At first, I thought this would be annoying but it really seems to work well. Unlike my experience with some thinner brushes, I do not get any drag or brush marks in my polish with Miracle Gel. Not sure if that’s why the brush is so wide, but it’s OK by me!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wca-oXgLlKo/VM75X9tQb2I/AAAAAAAABPI/SOR7xm7hn2E/s1600-h/Sally%252520Hansen%252520Miracle%252520Gel%2525204%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 4" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-81EuCtQ94Kc/VM75YdS3dzI/AAAAAAAABPQ/rCubrYzwyuY/Sally%252520Hansen%252520Miracle%252520Gel%2525204_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 4" width="430" /></a> </div>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n-O9Z3XZJi8/VM75Y9Vq7mI/AAAAAAAABPc/5bwT_yryjTQ/s1600-h/Sally%252520Hansen%252520Miracle%252520Gel%2525205%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 5" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8v4D_hao6wk/VM75Ze9w1SI/AAAAAAAABPk/ImpKcZaGUbw/Sally%252520Hansen%252520Miracle%252520Gel%2525205_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 5" width="543" /></a> <br />
Last week I wore Bare Dare and these pictures were taken on Day 3. Since I traveled all week, the fact that my manicure shows no wear after three days is quite a big deal. Do you know how beaten up you get traveling by air? It’s killer!<br />
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Miracle Gel is available in over 45 shades at a drugstore near you. If you’re looking for a good, economical long wearing polish, this is definitely worth checking out!<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Ages of Beauty rating: ****</span></strong>Denise Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06332900977543895575noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-73282768589863643722015-01-26T11:47:00.001-05:002015-01-26T11:50:05.145-05:00Accomplishing the “Impossible”<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vaFannmxEQ4/VMZvtE-eauI/AAAAAAAABN8/vPcpBTMWPvY/s1600-h/canstockphoto14506472%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="canstockphoto14506472" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0cqEvTkLaIw/VMZvttuPZeI/AAAAAAAABOA/ecd94hu0Ijc/canstockphoto14506472_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="425" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="canstockphoto14506472" width="640" /></a> </div>
This morning I received a message from one of my personal heroes that included a quote from one of his. The quote is “It always seems impossible until it’s done,” said by Nelson Mandela. Sitting at my desk this morning, I started thinking about how that really is true. Every one of us has obstacles to overcome, goals to achieve and dreams that may come true one day, if and only if the stars align in such a way to make them possible.<br />
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As women, we are faced with obstacles every day of our lives. Depending on where you grew up, it may have been “women are supposed to…” or “you can’t do that because only BOYS do that” or even “nice girls don’t…” Maybe your messages were less about your gender and more about the color of your skin, your race, you wealth (or lack of) or sexuality. Think about all of the times that you didn’t listen to or heed those words. I know that the times I didn’t do “what I was supposed to do” resulted in success, some failure but overall, incredible learnings. And every single time I took my own path, I gained just a little bit more confidence that I was on the right path and that I could handle just about anything that came my way. Now I definitely benefit from a kind of privilege that not everyone enjoys so I KNOW that my path has been easier than that of many others. But what we all have in common is the doubt that we’ll be successful in the trails we’re blazing. It is only after we have tried that we can turn the “impossible” into the “possible.” And if that attempt results in failure, we take what we learned and try again and again and again, making adjustments along the way.<br />
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So the next time you find yourself at a crossroad, feeling like you should give up or knowing what needs to be done but you are afraid to do it, jump forward--step out and take a leap of faith. Make that emotional investment in yourself and find the courage (even if it’s just a tiny bit) to move forward. One day you’ll look back with confidence and see all the impossible things that YOU have done.<br />
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Have a great day!!Denise Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06332900977543895575noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-51518017278629851442015-01-23T12:59:00.001-05:002015-01-23T13:05:53.226-05:00Butterflies in Winter<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zvlCgUS0L0k/VMKMA4r5E1I/AAAAAAAABL8/oMgir7wYnOo/s1600-h/canstockphoto7598993%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="canstockphoto7598993" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rOKaDn2imsQ/VMKMBfihTfI/AAAAAAAABME/USO2ImfHWYk/canstockphoto7598993_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="canstockphoto7598993" width="575" /></a> </div>
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It’s not Spring yet but wouldn’t it be great if we could import some signs of Spring into these cold days of Winter? Well, I stumbled upon a way of doing this as I was multitasking the other day---relaxing, doing a hobby that I love, learning a new technique and trying to enter a contest! I’ve written before about how I learned how to make soap last Spring and that I “soaped” as a way of dealing with my grief over losing Dad. Now, I’m taking it to a higher level and learning some advanced techniques.<br />
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Along the way, I discovered the <a href="http://www.greatcakessoapworks.com/handmade-soap-blog/index.php/category/making-soap/soap-challenge/" target="_blank">Soap Challenge Club, hosted by Great Cakes Soapworks</a>. For the third time, I entered the contest, which is designed to teach new soaping techniques but THIS TIME I actually finished my project in time to blog about it and upload the link for my entry! This month’s challenge is the Butterfly Swirl, an advanced technique that is very tricky and can be quite frustrating. The idea behind it is that the soaper (that would be me) creates a design in a loaf of soap using various colorants, a “hangar tool” which allows the swirling to happen and a technique that is just right. What’s supposed to happen is that once the soap is unmolded and cut into bars, two of the bars will fit together in such a way that the resulting image will be that of a butterfly. Sounds SO EASY right? WRONG!!! I tried this a couple of times before finding a couple of soaps that would give me the design. Here are a some pictures from my final effort.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XA3AVKGXNz0/VMKMBwYvtoI/AAAAAAAABMI/VnoGTDObCU0/s1600-h/Butterfly%252520Swirl%2525204%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Butterfly Swirl 4" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8NmmTk-Zsco/VMKMCQhL3vI/AAAAAAAABMU/xdb5q4eU0pQ/Butterfly%252520Swirl%2525204_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="297" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Butterfly Swirl 4" width="640" /></a> </div>
This is what a (fancy) loaf of soap looks like once it has hardened in the mold and is ready to cut. I started out with all the raw ingredients to make the soap (in this case, coconut oil, shea butter, water, aloe, silk and sodium hydroxide) and then mixed in a gorgeous cherry fragrance oil called <a href="http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/candlemaking-soap-supplies/item/rf-9001/-black-cherry-bomb-fragrance-oil.html" target="_blank">Black Cherry Bomb from Nature’s Garden</a>. The swirl on the top is not the Butterfly Swirl but is a nice little decoration for the finished bar. Here are a couple of close ups of the top design:<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T_q9muMBBFA/VMKMC9AjwnI/AAAAAAAABMc/2lrpFvuzLD0/s1600-h/Butterfly%252520Swirl%2525205%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Butterfly Swirl 5" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g9r8Je2h6ME/VMKMDdLIl6I/AAAAAAAABMk/7_WvaNM8tAc/Butterfly%252520Swirl%2525205_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Butterfly Swirl 5" width="616" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3NWiTjFjSLU/VMKMD-RIljI/AAAAAAAABMs/EUmnm-G_wYU/s1600-h/Butterfly%252520Swirl%2525206%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Butterfly Swirl 6" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eF1uODQoF80/VMKMERoZ92I/AAAAAAAABMw/xwsC24qX17M/Butterfly%252520Swirl%2525206_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="436" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Butterfly Swirl 6" width="640" /></a> </div>
I know it looks really fancy, but the top design was really easy. The inside design is the problem. Once I got the soap put together with all of the ingredients (not including the fragrance oil and the colors), I blended the soap until it got slightly thick. So far, so good. This is where a lot of things can go awry (and we haven’t even gotten to the design yet!). Normally, I wouldn’t use a fragrance oil that I had not yet tested in soap but I wanted to try something that wouldn’t discolor this particular soap (some fragrances change the soap color) AND that smelled like Spring to me. Since I have a LOT (and I mean A LOT!!!) of fragrance oils on hand, I researched each oil that interested me to see how it performed for others. I finally settled on the Black Cherry Bomb fragrance, which is strong and heavenly! The biggest risk, besides discoloration, is that a fragrance oil will harden the soap before I could get the swirling done. Fortunately, Black Cherry Bomb behaved beautifully!<br />
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Next is the color. I decided to do a white base color with four swirling colors. I used three colors from <a href="http://www.nurturesoapsupplies.com/vibrance-mica-set/" target="_blank">Nurture Soap Supplies</a> (Pink Vibrance, Blue Vibrance and Yellow Vibrance) and then a smidgen of black (Brambleberry’s Black Mica). Once I got the colors mixed and incorporated into the various parts of the soap. I used my hangar tool to swirl away! For this particular recipe, I was able to unmold the soap after about 24 hours and then I cut it into bars. Now the trick of the Butterfly Swirl was to find two bars that I could put together to form a butterfly. Fortunately, I was able to find several combinations. I also took it a step further and put four bars together to form really huge butterflies! Here are the results!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEZvENW51axdAPD8p6wS3iWjxuHxQFL2dImUVTlODjJpLzj9RCl4AQJeQ1-vo-QMe70RJnR3ZsTEaV7NQSpJ098UIuwBEPu7l8F4DeUPSauclnUJ_LrBRajhj_EiQeujYVjeTz3zeqX-B/s1600/Stamped+Image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEZvENW51axdAPD8p6wS3iWjxuHxQFL2dImUVTlODjJpLzj9RCl4AQJeQ1-vo-QMe70RJnR3ZsTEaV7NQSpJ098UIuwBEPu7l8F4DeUPSauclnUJ_LrBRajhj_EiQeujYVjeTz3zeqX-B/s1600/Stamped+Image.png" height="291" width="400" /></a></div>
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Two Bar butterfly</div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SVuSQQJHJcA/VMKMFgSWpDI/AAAAAAAABNI/BIdjpF1_9sc/s1600-h/Butterfly%252520Swirl%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Butterfly Swirl 1" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HOoRLet4yv0/VMKMGLhI6kI/AAAAAAAABNQ/TGFpgdrQ5cE/Butterfly%252520Swirl%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Butterfly Swirl 1" width="434" /></a> </div>
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Four Bar Butterfly</div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jT9JnPUm9RY/VMKMGVSg4xI/AAAAAAAABNY/shQglxUJSTU/s1600-h/Butterfly%252520Swirl%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Butterfly Swirl 3" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2oeiy6LVShQ/VMKMG1zyUDI/AAAAAAAABNk/wQhGgqWL_yM/Butterfly%252520Swirl%2525203_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Butterfly Swirl 3" width="471" /></a> </div>
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Four Bar Butterfly<br />
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It may have taken me several tries, but I finally did it! Learning this technique was a lot of fun and I will definitely be doing more Butterfly Swirls in an attempt to perfect it. The great thing, though, is that not only do I have tons of soap (as in I have a whole separate batch of attempts that I didn’t even show) to give away within 4-6 weeks but my office smells just like cherries. That’s the way to get into Spring!</div>
Denise Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06332900977543895575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-1064815021192834392015-01-20T19:22:00.001-05:002015-01-21T15:41:11.162-05:00For the Love of Linen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pCfom8sRyfYXud0kCYxDRRnZJlpwkw8e7LwFFiGfSGBo36TBLgdWryy0mZ0G8rfQuU8ht_eB5KBCUFkFG58qk86rJUcmg_j63LEblj58GMVw5usTMKB5CTopcbCQSz4pdQFfQBPIrK22/s1600/canstockphoto22847945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pCfom8sRyfYXud0kCYxDRRnZJlpwkw8e7LwFFiGfSGBo36TBLgdWryy0mZ0G8rfQuU8ht_eB5KBCUFkFG58qk86rJUcmg_j63LEblj58GMVw5usTMKB5CTopcbCQSz4pdQFfQBPIrK22/s1600/canstockphoto22847945.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></div>
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This week has been crazy! Even though we had the day off on Monday, I spent plenty of time on a couple of work projects in preparation for the rest of the week. Fortunately, I was able to get some relaxation in as well.<br />
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As I've written about before, I am in love with bubble baths. A good bubble bath relaxes me and puts me in a great mood for the rest of the evening. I do have to say, though, I have definitely been re-thinking my stance on bath towels. It used to be that I'd reach for any one of the thick towels in my linen closet but I've become less enamored with them (too heavy, sometimes don't air dry well, etc). Well, at Christmas, my husband purchased two sets of linen towels for me and now I am hooked!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPX-GYKEWSQBiiJF1nGvx3gpCpCyHAmDONDq5jzh_kO-EA43_5Y3eOOY7m9f-2COm7QvFumBa92BoPognGhsC2AvGAcorvtHa-j1qahZrOf6RYHC3l68wgUimHwwRXfUjMbF71a6zjOdWK/s1600/goodlinens1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPX-GYKEWSQBiiJF1nGvx3gpCpCyHAmDONDq5jzh_kO-EA43_5Y3eOOY7m9f-2COm7QvFumBa92BoPognGhsC2AvGAcorvtHa-j1qahZrOf6RYHC3l68wgUimHwwRXfUjMbF71a6zjOdWK/s1600/goodlinens1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo <a href="http://www.goodlinens.com/products/" target="_blank">via</a></span></div>
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"Why linen?" you ask? Here's the deal: linen is absorbent, dries quickly, feels luxurious and doesn't take up a ton of space on the closet shelf. It's also not heavy, which I really like. Hubby giifted me with the <a href="http://www.goodlinens.com/" target="_blank">goodlinens</a> Diamond Weave towels that he found on the website <a href="https://www.thegrommet.com/good-linens-linen-bath-towels" target="_blank">The Grommet</a> (you MUST check it out!). I absolutely LOVE these towels and now they are all I use. I'm never caught with a damp towel because these dry so fast. And you know how those thick towels can sometimes smell not so good (like musty smells never leave them no matter how much you wash and dry them)? Yeah...that doesn't happen with my <a href="http://www.goodlinens.com/" target="_blank">goodlinen</a> towels. So check them out!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0HZrRSLa85Tlme-kkNB3YDL3i8Vc5JlqhRuxA5rKh2J6gKLKqCZ0GZf8oa45hYLNSGuWIoNS8Baebq_yNvI9kBX93kOMnmUIwgFZsI8C2ymRKsOb2b2NB2qA7mN2LOd9sLwQieWMh8Kk/s1600/goodlinens2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0HZrRSLa85Tlme-kkNB3YDL3i8Vc5JlqhRuxA5rKh2J6gKLKqCZ0GZf8oa45hYLNSGuWIoNS8Baebq_yNvI9kBX93kOMnmUIwgFZsI8C2ymRKsOb2b2NB2qA7mN2LOd9sLwQieWMh8Kk/s1600/goodlinens2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo <a href="http://www.goodlinens.com/products/#Heavyweight" target="_blank">via</a></span></div>
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Besides the natural color of the Diamond Weave, they also have a couple of other patterns which I will be sure to try out (and you should too). One of the other things I love about this towel is that it's made by a small business and I love supporting artisans. </div>
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Love these towels! goodlinens, you have a new fan for life!!!<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><b><span style="background-color: white;">Ages of Beauty ratin</span><span style="background-color: white;">g:</span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: white;">:</span> <b>*****</b></div>
Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-50901255861761253272015-01-15T13:26:00.001-05:002015-01-15T13:34:15.145-05:00Urban Decay Ink for Eyes in Perversion<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HB-dRVTge48/VLgGM5aZFlI/AAAAAAAABKk/MpE9pBWbXXU/s1600-h/Urban%252520Decay%252520Ink%252520for%252520Eyes%252520Perversion%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Urban Decay Ink for Eyes Perversion 1" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TT-lYO7p44E/VLgGNb9z7SI/AAAAAAAABKo/vMZLn6VoJGA/Urban%252520Decay%252520Ink%252520for%252520Eyes%252520Perversion%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="276" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Urban Decay Ink for Eyes Perversion 1" width="640" /></a> <br />
Have I told you lately how much I love Urban Decay’s Ink for Eyes? No? Then let me tell you now! I first bought this liquid liner when it first came out earlier in 2014. But then things went to hell in a hand basket and I stopped blogging for awhile (and I had planned on telling you then about my new favorite black eyeliner). Suffice it to say that Ink for Eyes was a staple for me all thru 2014 until I mistakenly left the top off of it after months of use and it dried out during a business trip (sad face). BUT I LOVE IT! Let me show you why…<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J9g8rH1AcKE/VLgGNnYnUdI/AAAAAAAABKw/ih6QEN9Al7g/s1600-h/Urban%252520Decay%252520Ink%252520for%252520Eyes%252520Perversion%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Urban Decay Ink for Eyes Perversion 2" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WrPCDvgulWI/VLgGN0BjMpI/AAAAAAAABK8/mcRtsDomsZE/Urban%252520Decay%252520Ink%252520for%252520Eyes%252520Perversion%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="Urban Decay Ink for Eyes Perversion 2" width="637" /></a> </div>
See that tip? Yeah, I know…you really have to look hard because it’s so tiny and fine. That’s one of the many things I love about this liner. Precision is key when drawing a fine line whether it’s on paper or on your eyelids and this liner is as good as it gets. I can achieve the finest, blackest line ever on my eye lids or go thick, rich and dark for a more dramatic look. And flicks and cat eyes are NO problem! If you’ve never been able to get a good flick or cat eye, then this one is for you!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nZn6-6WaaOk/VLgGOR0marI/AAAAAAAABLE/YP6xGBlZuwY/s1600-h/Urban%252520Decay%252520Ink%252520for%252520Eyes%252520Perversion%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Urban Decay Ink for Eyes Perversion 3" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sEVBkGQdqwI/VLgGO0kuNyI/AAAAAAAABLM/gazP4K_J2WU/Urban%252520Decay%252520Ink%252520for%252520Eyes%252520Perversion%2525203_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="Urban Decay Ink for Eyes Perversion 3" width="588" /></a> </div>
See how perfect? The color is also a to-die-for rich, deep black. Perversion is glossy and the blackest black. What’s not to love?<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JrOqZPsjnbc/VLgGPfV_iTI/AAAAAAAABLQ/5Nzqk_QsLAk/s1600-h/Urban%252520Decay%252520Ink%252520for%252520Eyes%252520Perversion%2525204%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Urban Decay Ink for Eyes Perversion 4" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bIpT-9fc9QY/VLgGPjWpJjI/AAAAAAAABLY/FnU-NtrYEMM/Urban%252520Decay%252520Ink%252520for%252520Eyes%252520Perversion%2525204_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="324" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="Urban Decay Ink for Eyes Perversion 4" width="640" /></a> </div>
Yes, that is the thinnest black line you have probably ever seen (OK, maybe not). This stuff also holds tight, doesn’t smudge and lasts all day and into the evening. Awesome stuff!!<br />
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You can purchase UD’s Ink for Eyes at Sephora for $20 (click <a href="http://www.sephora.com/ink-for-eyes-P386038?skuId=1611169" target="_blank">here</a>). I know you’ll love it as much as I do!<br />
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<span style="color: #ff0080; font-size: small;"><strong>Ages of Beauty rating:</strong></span> <strong>*****</strong>Denise Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06332900977543895575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-29928730991981156822015-01-12T08:00:00.000-05:002015-01-12T08:00:01.835-05:00Outfit of the Day: Business Casual at a Conference<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8ArtTGKOgio/VLMhE1ck-sI/AAAAAAAABJI/8koM7C7BOAk/s1600-h/Global%252520Map%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Global Map" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Bhpf6u2IGn8/VLMhFZ_SuAI/AAAAAAAABJQ/S7uE97s6-tg/Global%252520Map_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Global Map" width="533" /></a> </div>
2014 was the year for business travel and if the beginning of 2015 is any indication, there will be a lot more business travel to come. I spent all of last week at my company’s global sales kickoff. It was just me and 3,000 other people, from all over the world, in Orlando for the week. Trips like these are really nice because not only do you learn a lot about the plans for the coming year but it’s a great opportunity for exposure to other cultures and languages. Fortunately, I love my job and the people I work with (even though we all work out of our homes, I see them A LOT!) because I end up spending plenty of time away from home. Believe me…coming home is really sweet! <br />
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Packing for business travel can be difficult due to climate, unpredictable weather and airlines (ugh!). I usually try to plan and cram everything into a carry on but since this trip was six days long, I decided to pack a larger bag and take many of my favorites. Most of the time, conference dressing means business casual (no suits) and since this one was an employees only affair, that meant I could take advantage of my very serious collection of clothing by <a href="http://www.dobbinclothing.com/" target="_blank">Dobbin!</a> In case this is your first time reading this blog, I must tell you that I absolute love this brand! Dobbin’s fashions are made in the USA, using amazing European fabrics (you will be amazed at the quality!) and priced just right! Just the fact that I, literally, purchase multiple items from every collection is a testimony in itself—I have NEVER fallen in love with a brand before! Not only is the fit just right but they have great sales (<a href="http://www.dobbinclothing.com/" target="_blank">and they’re having one right now</a>)!! Here’s a peek at one of the outfits from last week.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RGEOdjLYdX8/VLMhFtiAVcI/AAAAAAAABJY/ZMIK0ieUJI4/s1600-h/Picture%2525204%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Picture 4" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eyeHQ0iDg6o/VLMhGJga6mI/AAAAAAAABJc/RkuD786v4DU/Picture%2525204_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Picture 4" width="361" /></a> </div>
My outfit began with the gorgeous <a href="http://www.dobbinclothing.com/luisa-silk-crepe-de-chine-blouse-in-black-ivory-leopard-print/" target="_blank">Luisa Silk Blouse from Dobbin.</a> The beautiful black and ivory print ensures that this top works with a majority of the items in my closet. It’s comfortable and a great layering piece.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hEGvfz_UXJ4/VLMhGkY7S5I/AAAAAAAABJo/9XFWC4wOq2s/s1600-h/picture%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="picture 2" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rhRnwL64idY/VLMhHFtyHNI/AAAAAAAABJw/gB1pblqTn8Y/picture%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="412" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="picture 2" width="640" /></a> </div>
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My pants were also from Dobbin: the <a href="http://www.dobbinclothing.com/new-stanton-slim-pant-in-black-stretch-corduroy/" target="_blank">New Stanton Slim Pant in Black Stretch Corduroy.</a> Honestly, I thought these pants were like my velvet feel pants from Talbots---the corduroy is that soft! And just like the other New Stanton pants in my wardrobe, this fit is amazing! On my feet I wore a pair of LK Bennet burgundy colored suede booties from last year. Even though the heel was quite high, the platform inside ensured that these babies were really comfortable! (<a href="http://us.lkbennett.com/Shoes/Boots/Doreen-Suede-Platform-Ankle-Boot/p/SBDOREENSUEDEBlackBlack?nv=" target="_blank">Here’s</a> a pair that looks just like them but in black)</div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2N_GT38nilU/VLMhHW7DBRI/AAAAAAAABJ0/3eiMUjViudA/s1600-h/Picture%2525203%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Picture 3" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uvAtiWlrdOc/VLMhH17pYLI/AAAAAAAABKA/o9bMeHkOYO0/Picture%2525203_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Picture 3" width="444" /></a> </div>
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Because I am always cold (and temps in large ballrooms tend to be on the chilly side), I topped my outfit off with a <a href="http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi33409&N=4294966578+10501&No=24&selectedConcept=Misses&_=1421024976065&Nrpp=12&Nr=AND(product.siteId%3ATalbotsSite%2COR(product.catalogId%3Acatalog20002))" target="_blank">Talbots Charming cardigan</a> in black. I have these in many colors and they are great!</div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aoGWTrIaFFw/VLMhIYEPZSI/AAAAAAAABKE/apW642EzWXI/s1600-h/Picture%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Picture 1" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J6iw_wK-yGQ/VLMhIsLs3_I/AAAAAAAABKQ/vTYjpRby8eA/Picture%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Picture 1" width="359" /></a> </div>
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Outfits like this take me thru most conferences and even when it’s more of a prospect or customer facing event, these same pieces can be easily dressed up. <br />
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I’m getting back into the “regular blogging” groove so stay tuned for more this week!Denise Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06332900977543895575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-87621185659622537042015-01-05T08:00:00.000-05:002015-01-05T08:00:02.884-05:00Looking Forward to 2015 (or Thank Goodness 2014 is Over)!<div>
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It's no secret that 2014 was a tough year. A year ago, I was enjoying sunny skies and warm weather as I visited my parents at their winter home in Naples, FL. Little did I know that within 4 months, the worlds of all of my family members would be turned inside out as each of us navigated the new territory that only the death of a parent can reveal. Life as we knew it had changed forever.<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Dad's death had far reaching consequences. For me, it meant deep sadness and mourning, of course, but also impacted just about all of my close relationships in some way. Along the way, two of my girlfriends lost their mothers as did my sister in law. During that time, I "failed" as a friend as I was unable to provide them with support due to my own grief. I lost touch with quite a few friends and am just now reaching out again. The stress and strain has been overwhelming at times and something had to "give." That something was this blog. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But now it's a New Year and it's time to get things back on track! From a career perspective, 2014 was awesome---full of some pretty intense challenges and stress for sure but also promotions, success and record setting sales for me and my team. Over the last couple of days, I've been reflecting on what I'd like to accomplish this year at a high level. Here are a couple of highlights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This sounds slightly loaded but it's really about getting back on track with what I need to feel my best. For me, that means regular exercise and taking time for myself, doing activites that relieve stress---music, crafts, writing, and learning new things in addition to doing the job I love. Despite being very extroverted, I definitely do need "alone time" and I've gotten so little of it this past year. That is going to change in 2015!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><u>Spend More Time at the Beach </u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><u>I</u> don't need to go to a tropical island (although I plan to visit at least one this year) but there's something about being near the water. It's so relaxing and calming. Heck, I even love heading to the Outer Banks in the middle of winter! It's cold and often windy, but the impact on my mood is exactly the same. Love it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">For years, I've looked for opportunities to help people. Sometimes that means giving money anonymously, other times it's volunteering my time or helping a friend to look at a situation from a different perspective. I'm not sure what that the plan is for 2015 but I'm open to the possibilities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So here's to 2015! More to come---I'm back!!</span></div>
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Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-91193923843614919682014-08-21T12:50:00.001-04:002014-08-21T12:50:06.231-04:00Skincare Ingredient Myths<p align="center"><font size="3"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b38IuwkKQzM/U_YjMfe5jlI/AAAAAAAAHb0/z30SQb-phlA/s1600-h/fact-v-fiction-300x257%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="fact-v-fiction-300x257" border="0" alt="fact-v-fiction-300x257" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fRnW3Cpcfvc/U_YjOE13GiI/AAAAAAAAHb8/LP_Unax-L5k/fact-v-fiction-300x257_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="560" height="480"></a> </font></p> <p><font size="3"></font> <font size="3">It seems like every time we turn around, there is some new untruth or urban legend about the ingredients used in the products we put in or use on our bodies. Off the top of my head: titanium dioxide (a common ingredient in sunscreen) is a carcinogen, parabens (and other preservatives) cause cancer, “all” essential oils are non toxic and edible, silicones are bad, hydroquonone is bad, “hypoallergenic” products will not cause skin reactions, certain skin creams can prevent wrinkles or “cure” them after they show up on the face, natural or organic ingredients are better than “chemicals,” your skin gets used to certain products and then they stop working…the list goes on and on. That these assertions are not based in scientific fact often does not matter and that’s where the problem is. Unfortunately, many of these myths are generated by cosmetics manufacturers themselves, in an attempt to make their products (which, of course, do not contain the offending ingredients) seem better, more “natural” (gahhh! I hate that word!!!) and overall worth more of your money. Marketers are not stupid. They know that by instilling fear, uncertainty and doubt in our collective minds, as well as playing on the fears that aging brings on, they can perpetuate whatever idea they want that helps them sell their products. </font></p> <p><font size="3">For those of you interested in actually reading what science really shows about a few of the more recent (and blatant) fear mongering stories, read on!</font></p> <p><font size="3"><font color="#a64d79"><strong>1. “Hypoallergenic” products:</strong></font> This one isn’t based on science, just fact as it applies to cosmetics labeling “rules.” Did you know that the definition of the word “hypoallergenic” is not regulated in any way (unlike “organic” and even then, there are all kinds of classifications)? I can make any product I want, slap a label on it that says “hypoallergenic” and I don’t have to prove anything. There are no guidelines anywhere, in any country, that define what that word means. What that means to you, the consumer, is that you very well can have a reaction to a product labeled “hypoallergenic” and many people do. So, instead of being impressed with a word on a label, do yourself a favor and look at the actual ingredients list as you work to find out what specific ingredient causes a reaction for you. </font></p> <p><font size="3"><strong><font color="#a64d79">2. Products that prevent (or cure) wrinkles:</font></strong> We have to face it. There are three things that cause wrinkles: genetics, sun exposure and smoking. Take a look at what your parents look like at any age and that will give you an idea of what you will look like. Then consider their exposure to the sun and any smoking habits, compare that to what you are doing in those areas and you’ll get an even better picture. As I always say to my friends and family, “Sunscreen is your friend!” Unfortunately, once we have wrinkles, there’s not much we can do to get rid of them, short of cosmetic surgery. There are creams (like Retin A) that can help improve the texture of skin over time but once you have wrinkles, they are a bitch to deal with. If you don’t believe me, click <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0846.2007.00220.x/abstract">here</a> to read the abstract of a Swedish study published in <em>Skin Research & Technology</em> <em>(Lodén, M., Buraczewska, I. and Halvarsson, K. (2007), Facial anti-wrinkle cream: influence of product presentation on effectiveness: a randomized and controlled study. Skin Research and Technology, 13: 189–194. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0846.2007.00220.x). </em>This controlled study shows that there was no difference between subjects using several facial creams marketed to improve the look of wrinkles and the surface of the skin. In other words, not only do facial creams not have a measurable impact on the look and feel of wrinkles, luxury creams do no better than low cost creams. Interesting stuff! (But you already knew that, right??)</font></p> <p><font size="3"><strong><font color="#a64d79">3. “Natural” and organic skincare products and better than those that aren’t:</font></strong> Why do I hate the word “natural?” Because things like arsenic, ammonia and cyanide are “natural.” And you wouldn’t want any of those things in your face cream or in your vitamins. The word, “natural,” like “hypoallergenic,” can mean anything a cosmetics manufacturer wants it to mean. In fact, one of the ingredients that many people are so upset about (wrongly, based on the science)is the class of preservatives known as parabens---which are mostly plan-based (so, therefore “natural?”)---are found in the foods we eat (methylparaben’s natural source is blueberries). So…yeah…not buying that. And regarding parabens--if you want actual citations regarding research on parabens, click <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraben">here</a> for a Wikipedia page that has lots of info on studies, citations, uses of parabens, links to more info, etc. This page even discusses where the hysteria originated.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><strong><font color="#a64d79">4. Silicones: </font></strong><sigh> Silicones are everywhere, from our food to our medicine to our electronics and cosmetics, these useful compounds are much maligned and misunderstood. For those of us who love and wear cosmetics, we owe the silkiness of the product and the finish that our skin takes on to silicone. In the <em>August 2014 issue of Skin, Inc</em> magazine, Rebecca Gadberry’s article, <a href="http://www.skininc.com/skinscience/ingredients/12-Silicone-Myths-Exploded-269445911.html?utm_source=newsletter-html&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SI+E-Newsletter+08-20-2014">“12 Silicone Myths Exploded,”</a> exposes the myths and the facts around this building block of many cosmetic products. Full of sciency stuff, Ms. Gadberry is able to explain, in layman’s terms, where each “urban legend” began and why it’s not true. Check it out if you have any doubt about silicone. It’s an interesting read.</font></p> <p><font size="3">So that’s my rant for the day on beauty and cosmetic myths. Hope you find this info interesting and helpful. And remember---don’t blindly believe what you are told by a marketer---check out the <strong><font color="#a64d79">science</font> </strong>behind the claims. You’ll be much happier with your results and spend much less money in the long run!</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-60405167431057600772014-08-20T08:00:00.000-04:002014-08-20T08:00:00.874-04:00Sometimes All You Need Is A Little Skin Conceal!<div align="center">
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UK8X2_NQIWM/U_PuSN12xkI/AAAAAAAAHZI/RCkYG4AANn0/s1600-h/OCCConcealerR114.jpg"><img alt="OCC Concealer R1 1" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IcF9kZpLrSw/U_PuU19nvhI/AAAAAAAAHZM/wUhfrfdEpSI/OCCConcealerR11_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="OCC Concealer R1 1" width="486" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-size: small;">After a very intense work week last week, which included a flight out to the West coast, all day meetings (with a lot of people) in a too small conference room and then the pollution, traffic and stress that go along with all of that, my body and skin needed a break! Well, fortunately for me, I just had an hour and a half massage with my favorite massage therapist, Mike. That took care of the knots all over my body. Last week, though, my skin reacted differently to all the stress---in the form of a large blemish! It had been literally YEARS since my face had seen such an eruption! Having just re-packed my traveling makeup bag, I (fortunately) discovered that I had packed <span style="color: #a64d79;"><strong>Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics’ Skin Conceal. </strong></span><span style="color: black;">Honestly, most of my love had been given to my up-to-the-moment favorite, IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye, so I was anxious to give Skin Conceal a real workout!</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tqY3uSiJ194/U_PuVtm1AEI/AAAAAAAAHZU/tV3NZOtV6Tc/s1600-h/OCCConcealerR124.jpg"><img alt="OCC Concealer R1 2" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IKX1DYnUbjY/U_PuXj6t_NI/AAAAAAAAHZg/D2IaZSImBUw/OCCConcealerR12_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="OCC Concealer R1 2" width="483" /></a> </div>
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Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Skin Conceal in R1 (light, red-based skintone)</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Available for $20 in twelve colors at <a href="http://www.sephora.com/skin-concealer-P379448?skuId=1536044">Sephora</a> and at <a href="http://occmakeup.com/collections/skin/products/occ-skin-conceal">OCC’s Website</a>, Skin Conceal will take your complexion to places it has never been! I found that not only did it cover the minor discolorations that come from normal aging, but it also concealed the major spot that my newly-teenaged self seemed to grow over night. And it did so ALL DAY!!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c-7fsIUeQgs/U_PuZOoGGsI/AAAAAAAAHZo/Zo4p6JqvxRc/s1600-h/OCCConcealerR1swatch4.jpg"><img alt="OCC Concealer R1 swatch" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V6Nvokuwcao/U_Puaan-oKI/AAAAAAAAHZw/VYzrrV16oZE/OCCConcealerR1swatch_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="OCC Concealer R1 swatch" width="469" /></a> </div>
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Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Skin Conceal in R1 (light, red-based skintone)</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">See below for before and after pics:</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_4QpOd2lL7I/U_Pub506DBI/AAAAAAAAHZ4/0IJ2LiGsRK0/s1600-h/BeforeOCCConcealerR14.jpg"><img alt="Before OCC Concealer R1" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GPYX4zzTKXQ/U_PudaXZW7I/AAAAAAAAHZ8/Iv_HkooIxMA/BeforeOCCConcealerR1_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Before OCC Concealer R1" width="598" /></a> </div>
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Before: No makeup, no concealer (wet hair!)</div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-moCyC5hBhlo/U_PueveChbI/AAAAAAAAHaI/mgSLwYgEzbs/s1600-h/BeforeOCCconcealerR1afterCCCream4.jpg"><img alt="Before OCC concealer R1 after CC Cream" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9QnxcEbK788/U_Puj6BFMOI/AAAAAAAAHaQ/AxUI09JOUv4/BeforeOCCconcealerR1afterCCCream_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Before OCC concealer R1 after CC Cream" width="612" /></a> </div>
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Midstream: After a light layer of Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream in Light</div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0Sc39rNA3XQ/U_Pulqfq7OI/AAAAAAAAHaU/kTTcExrI1UA/s1600-h/AfterOCCConcealerR14.jpg"><img alt="After OCC Concealer R1" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZaxXGB-aL24/U_PumkRwuXI/AAAAAAAAHag/dP1w9X6lqSI/AfterOCCConcealerR1_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="After OCC Concealer R1" width="629" /></a> </div>
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After: CC Cream plus OCC’s Skin Conceal in R1. Wooohooo!!!</div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LhoV8X-jAQo/U_PuoXgCp-I/AAAAAAAAHao/T8WJtziER3c/s1600-h/BeforeMidstreamAfterOCCSkinConceal7.png"><img alt="BeforeMidstreamAfter OCC Skin Conceal" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cPKLSyrOanQ/U_Puq3yRX0I/AAAAAAAAHaw/JgWibta9bnQ/BeforeMidstreamAfterOCCSkinConceal_t.png?imgmax=800" height="168" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="BeforeMidstreamAfter OCC Skin Conceal" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Before, Midstream and After OCC Skin Conceal</div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-unLnmufIIt0/U_PutU8hs-I/AAAAAAAAHa4/lyL-Y61UVUg/s1600-h/BeforeAfterOCCSkinConceal7.png"><img alt="Before After OCC Skin Conceal" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cwsuS5bhFFQ/U_PuvV1v0MI/AAAAAAAAHbA/znNszmB61ow/BeforeAfterOCCSkinConceal_thumb5.png?imgmax=800" height="252" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Before After OCC Skin Conceal" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Before and After: OCC Skin Conceal</div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sPt3qGbpILE/U_PuwonDYMI/AAAAAAAAHbE/o2hFNVEfI7w/s1600-h/AfterwithMakeup4.jpg"><img alt="After with Makeup" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VYdMKc5tBZo/U_Pux_ySFSI/AAAAAAAAHbQ/wfxmEVv5EUg/AfterwithMakeup_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="After with Makeup" width="635" /></a> </div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>OCC’s Skin Conceal </strong><span style="color: black;">has now found a permanent place in my makeup bag---it’s that good!!! Check it out at <a href="http://www.sephora.com/skin-concealer-P379448?skuId=1536044">Sephora</a> or <a href="http://occmakeup.com/collections/skin/products/occ-skin-conceal">OCC</a> and find a shade that’s right for you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Ages of Beauty rating: *****</strong></span>Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-27851891991301822572014-08-12T08:00:00.000-04:002014-08-12T08:00:03.274-04:00The Love of a Dog<div align="center">
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.<br />It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.”<br />― </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8002.John_Grogan"><span style="font-size: small;">John Grogan</span></a><span style="font-size: small;">, <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/14961">Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The other day, as I was perusing Face Book, I noticed that a co-worker of mine had just adopted a golden retriever puppy. This was a big step for her as she had had to put down her beloved thirteen year old golden, who finally lost his battle with cancer. She told me that she was finally “ready” and I knew exactly what she meant. Losing a dog is like losing a friend or family member. The grief cuts deep and, at times, one feels like it will be impossible to get over. But, with time, the jagged edges are filed down and with those edges go the sorrow we feel for losing our best friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R0CKEO9fPcE/U-fj95xph4I/AAAAAAAAHYQ/TlevONEy_bQ/s1600-h/Josh%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Josh 1" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kF89UGleoTQ/U-fj_KZfstI/AAAAAAAAHYU/-hyRgqSMSXs/Josh%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Josh 1" width="640" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Josh</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This year, in addition to losing my father, we also lost my parents’ dog, Josh. It was sudden and unexpected but at 13 years old, Josh had developed a fast moving cancer. He had his breakfast one morning as normal and within hours he was gone. We loved Josh and he loved us and our lives are better for knowing him.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gjeMSyWQbx4/U-fj_pykUHI/AAAAAAAAHYg/xr6R0JQlEWY/s1600-h/Bentley%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Bentley 1" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t7R0QmT-bDE/U-fkAheVnAI/AAAAAAAAHYo/P9ih9PmOexg/Bentley%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Bentley 1" width="610" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bentley</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yRopTu1MwrQ/U-fkBBZLuqI/AAAAAAAAHYw/cSxtpvmwxMM/s1600-h/Bailey%252520Sweet%252520Pea%2525201%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Bailey Sweet Pea 1" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PRFwwvRAENE/U-fkCFD2zkI/AAAAAAAAHY4/_4SfVcaSzi8/Bailey%252520Sweet%252520Pea%2525201_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="430" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Bailey Sweet Pea 1" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bailey</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">These days, I count my dogs, Bentley and Bailey, among my best friends. They cheerfully greet me when I return from my trips, from journeys to the grocery store and even from the next room after leaving them for ten minutes---their excitement never wanes! And today, another friend of mine sent me a link to the You Tube video, below, “So God Made A Dog.” You owe it to yourself to view it. This video says all we need to know about Man’s Best Friend.”</span></div>
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Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-44618148091989350912014-08-11T08:00:00.000-04:002014-08-11T08:00:01.612-04:00Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette<div align="center">
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DHunbae_NvA/U-fcn1wclTI/AAAAAAAAHXI/MGlQoiguzMg/s1600-h/Too%252520Faced%252520Natural%252520Eyes%2525204%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Too Faced Natural Eyes 4" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FBy5twxHePg/U-fcpAvYmiI/AAAAAAAAHXQ/9U_l0nbE-r4/Too%252520Faced%252520Natural%252520Eyes%2525204_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Too Faced Natural Eyes 4" width="639" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-size: small;">I’ve been traveling a lot this summer and today, my husband and I are actually on the way to the Bay Area for work (me) and relaxation (him). My habit has been to not really fully unpack (except for dirty clothes) so I’ve kept my makeup bag pretty steady all summer. One new staple has been the Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette. It’s size and the flexibility of the shades has made this one a winner for me. Read on to find out more!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--Y4X-rwAJB8/U-fcp2eYLPI/AAAAAAAAHXY/mMw2NthaNWs/s1600-h/Too%252520Face%252520Natural%252520Eyes%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Too Face Natural Eyes 2" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XKS2Xeim0So/U-fcqnEA9dI/AAAAAAAAHXg/Y5xtTNPabTs/Too%252520Face%252520Natural%252520Eyes%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="458" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Too Face Natural Eyes 2" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The palette consists of nine neutral shades, ranging from very light to very dark and matte to satin. Each shade is VERY pigmented and goes on as smooth as a dream! I’ve also found that the color last more than twelve hours on my oily lids (I almost always wear a primer but even without a primer, these shades last and last!). The color selections are split into three categories: Day, Classic and Fashion. Day shades tend to be matte while the Classic and Fashion shades have a little bit of shimmer (not too much, which I really like). Lately, I’ve been mixing the Day and Classic shades to create my own look. In the pictures below, I’m wearing Silk Teddy on the inner half of my lid, Push Up on the outer half, Erotica on the outer crease and Heaven under the brow. From a texture perspective, each shade is silky and easily blendable.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nHLNoZrj9fk/U-fcrc8e79I/AAAAAAAAHXk/Ks8JQvaQ90c/s1600-h/Too%252520Faced%252520Natural%252520Eyes%2525205%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Too Faced Natural Eyes 5" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Lx4EgTTZw3M/U-fcsN1eQfI/AAAAAAAAHXw/8bc06rxDywI/Too%252520Faced%252520Natural%252520Eyes%2525205_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="405" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Too Faced Natural Eyes 5" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gcv8V_oyYxk/U-fcsuOfSVI/AAAAAAAAHX4/L2qj351788U/s1600-h/Too%252520Faced%252520Natural%252520Eyes%2525206%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Too Faced Natural Eyes 6" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k2KnuEAQavU/U-fctmLdSJI/AAAAAAAAHYA/KqCNb66MmZg/Too%252520Faced%252520Natural%252520Eyes%2525206_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="359" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Too Faced Natural Eyes 6" width="640" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Natural Eyes is an excellent palette and a great choice for someone looking for a compact palette full of long lasting, neutral shadows. You can find it for $36 at <a href="http://www.sephora.com/natural-eye-neutral-eye-shadow-collection-P241303?icid2=too_faced_bestsellers_carousel_P241303_link">Sephora</a> and where Too Faced Cosmetics are sold. This one is definitely worth the cost!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;">Ages of Beauty rating: *****</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span>Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-52855588158699010302014-08-05T16:00:00.000-04:002014-08-05T16:00:01.440-04:00Tales of a Bad BloggerI haven't been a very good blogger lately and it's been driving me crazy! Those of you who read this blog regularly know I've had a very challenging year with the death of my father and my mother's health issues. And those of you who know me in real life (IRL) also have the additional insight of other distractions that have required that my attentions are focused elsewhere. Throughout this whole journey, I will say that I am constantly amazed at the power of love, communication and understanding.<br />
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I am re-focusing my energies to this blog and hope to, once again, provide excellent content to women like me---hard working, deeply caring women who try to take care of themselves and others, while trying to maintain a sense of beauty in our everyday lives. So with that, I thought I would give you a glimpse of my life in the past week (via pictures!). Hope you enjoy!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLP_vRck6giuF0Gtncafo6EC-NxGQ_AkLavkqSQ0oHqNW7L34ooCpc0WeG4NkeZS6xmniOna5TZVifHvTZTt55sSLXHBfk6596zhF-JbGhggE-2H2DixGGmq7dYBJSDTcGoA31w7z5FuB/s640/blogger-image-2121406693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLP_vRck6giuF0Gtncafo6EC-NxGQ_AkLavkqSQ0oHqNW7L34ooCpc0WeG4NkeZS6xmniOna5TZVifHvTZTt55sSLXHBfk6596zhF-JbGhggE-2H2DixGGmq7dYBJSDTcGoA31w7z5FuB/s1600/blogger-image-2121406693.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've been traveling a LOT this summer on business!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZvNoSv_WjbguURkLLVdi7hV5uj3ixZZmYmytfpNPwNwqUjKWfqvmyZEkgxwmELMagW3hHV-N7EKa4P9KIQVGIxK3NiOnmdDQ2FDp9xBW6OyyekhsEqPI7VXR-4XoFuBIZVY8QklP27I/s1600/Dobbin+Carson+Stretch+Ponte+Dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZvNoSv_WjbguURkLLVdi7hV5uj3ixZZmYmytfpNPwNwqUjKWfqvmyZEkgxwmELMagW3hHV-N7EKa4P9KIQVGIxK3NiOnmdDQ2FDp9xBW6OyyekhsEqPI7VXR-4XoFuBIZVY8QklP27I/s1600/Dobbin+Carson+Stretch+Ponte+Dress.jpg" height="640" width="334" /></a></div>
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The gorgeous Carson Stretch Ponte Faux Wrap Dress by <a href="http://www.dobbinclothing.com/carson-stretch-ponte-faux-wrap-dress-in-meadow-green-white-floral-print/" target="_blank">Dobbin</a>. Every time I wear it, I get a ton of compliments. So lovely!!!<br />
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My latest travel makeup stash.<br />
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A look from the <a href="http://www.sephora.com/natural-eye-neutral-eye-shadow-collection-P241303?icid2=too_faced_bestsellers_carousel_P241303_link" target="_blank">Too Faced "Natural Eyes" palette</a>.<br />
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Facial Masks from Korea (a gift from my friend Stacey)!</div>
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Pretty in Peach!!!</div>
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Candy Crush is my mood stabilizer under stress...<br />
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If you haven't seen "A Conference Call in Real Life," you need to! It's the funniest thing I've seen in a long time and it will definitely resonate with you if you spend 90% of your time in corporate life! Click<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYu_bGbZiiQ" target="_blank"> here</a> to see it.<br />
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The first thing I saw when arriving home from a long business trip---newly blooming Black Eyed Susans!!<br />
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And the love of my life, Bentley-Boo!<br />
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Followed by our "Bad Dog," Aqua Kitty!<br />
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Time for the kids to go back to college. This was the result of Saturday's shopping at Target---outfitting both for two separate apartments at JMU!<br />
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Last but not least, my new favorite past time! Barry and I are taking dancing lessons at the <a href="http://www.westendballroom.org/" target="_blank">West End Ballroom </a> and absolutely love it. What a great way to spend couple time and prepare for date night!<br />
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More to come as I get my blogging muscles back!!</div>
Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-79448393443228274742014-07-22T08:00:00.000-04:002014-07-22T08:00:05.578-04:00Don’t Bug Me!!! (Or, How to Make Your Own Mosquito Repellant--That Really Works!)<div align="center">
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Tv_HpPgNjls/U82SF2KrR5I/AAAAAAAAHUw/vpJa16svnOg/s1600-h/wannabescientist.com%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wannabescientist.com" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a8gY22nIznc/U82SHL7CIFI/AAAAAAAAHU4/PO7sdUAEExU/wannabescientist.com_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="wannabescientist.com" width="555" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture </span><a href="http://thewannabescientist.com/mosquitoes-suck-literally/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">via</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I’m one of those people who can literally sit on a patio with a citronella candle between my ankles and STILL get eaten up by mosquitoes! No matter what I have tried---candles, those fancy “bug lanterns,” the petroleum-based oil torches or just covering up in layers, those little jerks always find me. Then, in about two days, I’m covered in ugly, itchy red welts. This summer, I decided that it was high time that I faced, and beat, my nemesis so I began looking for a solution that really works.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ogBu6ylgiyc/U82SI33TkZI/AAAAAAAAHU8/oqu1v1lGAUs/s1600-h/Brambleberry%252520Catnip%252520Essential%252520Oil%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Brambleberry Catnip Essential Oil" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8am2A9vYcIk/U82SJrO7K1I/AAAAAAAAHVE/eBhNBanLqq0/Brambleberry%252520Catnip%252520Essential%252520Oil_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Brambleberry Catnip Essential Oil" width="359" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Since I have successfully made lotions, soap, shampoo, conditioner and a number of facial products, I decided to check out my trusted sources in the hopes that there would be information on mosquito repellent. It wasn't too long before I stumbled across <a href="http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/home-crafts/bug-away-spray-bouquet/">this post</a> on the SoapQueen.com website. In it, Anne Marie explains how she came up with two recipes for natural bug repellent using essential oils. I already had some essential oils in my soaping stash but not the catnip essential oil, which is used in the “stronger” recipe so I ordered it from Brambleberry.com. Now, this essential oil isn't cheap, but you only need a little bit. I was desperate for a solution so I gladly parted with $10 for .8 ounce. Anne Marie makes it really easy if you don’t have the ingredients. One click of your mouse puts all the needed items in your cart for quick check out online and in a matter of just days, the ingredients for your very own natural bug spray arrive at your door!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I admit that I did tweak the recipe a little bit as I did not have enough citronella essential oil (I just used more catnip). This recipe made enough for me to halfway (or so) fill two 6 ounce spray bottles, one of which I gave to my stepson and his girlfriend to take to the beach (a place notorious for vicious mosquitoes). This recipe is enough to take most people through the summer but not so expensive that you can’t easily (and inexpensively) make another batch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The big question though---does it work? You bet your bug bitten butt it does! Tested in both the buggy Outer Banks of North Carolina and the humid, bug-ridden forests of Virginia, this recipe gets a big 5 stars!!! So for those of you who want a more natural, less chemical-ly bug repellent alternative, get yourselves over to <a href="http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/home-crafts/bug-away-spray-bouquet/">SoapQueen</a> and check out the tutorials. You can thank me later!!!</span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Ages of Beauty rating: *****</strong></span>Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-75417012799758570512014-07-21T08:00:00.000-04:002014-07-21T08:00:02.771-04:00L’Oreal Visible Lift Blur Foundation<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8eLzcJZ1Qjo/U8w7ES-UyVI/AAAAAAAAHT4/y26fu5Pu9pU/s1600-h/Loreal%252520visible%252520lift%252520blur%252520foundation%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Loreal visible lift blur foundation" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oZkCO0kV6u0/U8w7FL4rdiI/AAAAAAAAHUA/cUDQX4g3OrE/Loreal%252520visible%252520lift%252520blur%252520foundation_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Loreal visible lift blur foundation" width="480" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It’s been awhile since I’ve written a strictly beauty product post but for the past couple of weeks, I’ve been using <a href="http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/products/makeup/face/foundation/visible-lift-blur-foundation.aspx#ingredients">L’Oreal’s Visible Lift Blur Foundation</a> so I thought I’d blog about my results. Read on for more!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I look for a couple of things in an every day foundation. First, it has to be really easy to put on without a lot of tools. There’s nothing I hate more than trying to get made up quickly but finding I need significant brush work on my foundation. I also like a decent amount of sun protection, coverage (not too much) and it needs to be relatively long lasting. So far, I’ve worn Visible Lift Blur on a long plane trip, during business meetings and as an every day, light coverage foundation. The good news is that this foundation is light weight and easy to put on using fingers only. It blends well into my skin and does the whole “blur” thing. That’s due to the loads of silicones that it contains, which isn’t a bad thing for most of us. If silicones are problematic for you, steer clear of Visible Lift Blur. Texturally, it’s light, smooth and powdery feeling. it dries nicely on the face and leaves a smooth finish.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J9uYpbh7jPI/U8w7GQxG8sI/AAAAAAAAHUI/Cl-ZIUxS-ks/s1600-h/L%252527oreal%252520Visible%252520Lift%252520Blur%252520Foundation%252520Before%252520After%25255B4%25255D.png"><img alt="L'oreal Visible Lift Blur Foundation Before After" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u5XIGQoftgA/U8w7Ib_Zl9I/AAAAAAAAHUQ/crRQD20hNdU/L%252527oreal%252520Visible%252520Lift%252520Blur%252520Foundation%252520Before%252520After_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="433" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="L'oreal Visible Lift Blur Foundation Before After" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;">L’Oreal Visible Lift Blur Foundation: Before and After</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">In the picture on the right, I’m wearing just the foundation in Nude Beige (see swatch below). This foundation is very sheer and I’ve attempted to build it up a few times without much luck. Now, I happen to like my foundation on the sheer side so that my real skin shows through. I conceal any problem areas (for me, under eyes, around my nose and on either side of my chin) with my favorite concealer (<a href="https://www.itcosmetics.com/bye-bye-under-eye">IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye</a>), powder, and I’m off. Since I don’t tend to have blemishes, that’s not a concern for me but some women our age do have breakouts. For those of you who do, Visible Lift Blur may not offer the coverage you are looking for.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pn5Ac89BFt8/U8w7J65l3bI/AAAAAAAAHUY/cWQlD88-j5I/s1600-h/L%252527oreal%252520visible%252520lift%252520blur%252520foundation%252520swatch%252520%252520nude%252520beige%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="L'oreal visible lift blur foundation swatch nude beige" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BF5HG6ULMrc/U8w7KrT6qiI/AAAAAAAAHUg/359E-3n7pbk/L%252527oreal%252520visible%252520lift%252520blur%252520foundation%252520swatch%252520%252520nude%252520beige_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="470" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="L'oreal visible lift blur foundation swatch nude beige" width="640" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;">L’Oreal Visible Lift Blur Foundation in 203 Nude Beige</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">My only real complaint about this foundation is that it does not seem to last well on the skin, even with a nice dusting of powder. It showed significant wear after four hours and that’s an issue for me as I don’t like to really touch up my makeup (other than a light dusting of powder and maybe some lip color). If I’m just working at home or stepping out and want to even out my skin tone and add some spf, (which is 90% of the time if I’m not traveling), then this one is a great “go to.” And for that reason, I’ll use if for the rest of the summer. It really does lightly even things out and, while I don’t really see a big “blur” impact, I do like this foundation for everyday wear.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">L’Oreal Visible Lift Blur Foundation is available for $14.99 in twelve shades at drugstores everywhere. Check it out!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Ages of Beauty rating: ***</strong></span></div>
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Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-28468732695623576922014-07-15T12:28:00.000-04:002014-07-16T09:25:57.332-04:00Outfit of the Day: Bright and Beautiful!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJp_I-SNpy5BYxxIGZrT2V4UvSc1Ifywsp3g-Y4v0NpAmTH2Yd0xzD9l1nrpHTkiGBZDVcOvcLXleGJvZfN5sIPXhKVjWM76rYMWXpW3PnoxnLINJb-Th0pRqk2VOghdkVGc_6gxckEpzH/s640/blogger-image-1448508514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJp_I-SNpy5BYxxIGZrT2V4UvSc1Ifywsp3g-Y4v0NpAmTH2Yd0xzD9l1nrpHTkiGBZDVcOvcLXleGJvZfN5sIPXhKVjWM76rYMWXpW3PnoxnLINJb-Th0pRqk2VOghdkVGc_6gxckEpzH/s640/blogger-image-1448508514.jpg" /></a></div>
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It may sound old fashioned, but there's just something I love about a new dress! And a dress that is beautiful, bright AND comfortable, makes me happy beyond words! That's just what I found when I put on my new <a href="http://www.dobbinclothing.com/carmen-lightweight-ponte-flip-dress-in-aegean-blue/" target="_blank">Carmen Ponte Flip Dress</a> from <a href="http://www.dobbinclothing.com/" target="_blank">Dobbin Clothing</a>. I've written about Dobbin a lot, not just because they are a great American success story (and the founders are really nice!) but because I literally feel like I could be a fit model for their larger sizes. Seriously, everything I have purchased from Dobbin fits like a dream, is great for travel, and always looks great (and no, I am not a paid spokesperson for Dobbin)!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsDZaBaPlZ-0Nyt1o82pvB4DGJoPSGfOrjFQ_Vh5P-EXhoi6qEimiFnR45-SZ0YUX4gSZo1wrYC9RMMCgLjeIObgtgn795OHsvyjDSilgKvJ7V3VXhwEkdpgBHK8Cyn1Aw3gd_5a1F2Jy/s640/blogger-image-1637821025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsDZaBaPlZ-0Nyt1o82pvB4DGJoPSGfOrjFQ_Vh5P-EXhoi6qEimiFnR45-SZ0YUX4gSZo1wrYC9RMMCgLjeIObgtgn795OHsvyjDSilgKvJ7V3VXhwEkdpgBHK8Cyn1Aw3gd_5a1F2Jy/s640/blogger-image-1637821025.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrYmJj0oDd3eigM9iIR9xLGp_gA9Lz7rvtluQMTBpmCCaUYfNZiA2ixIMRVXX2QnA8kF6m_jBlQ4TmUp8Um4FlYqCov28o_lcrq6VlznnQW4nlEC5akRbD2v3HSTfbVB5JOOrOe0p18el/s640/blogger-image--665137072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrYmJj0oDd3eigM9iIR9xLGp_gA9Lz7rvtluQMTBpmCCaUYfNZiA2ixIMRVXX2QnA8kF6m_jBlQ4TmUp8Um4FlYqCov28o_lcrq6VlznnQW4nlEC5akRbD2v3HSTfbVB5JOOrOe0p18el/s640/blogger-image--665137072.jpg" /></a></div>
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Now, I am not a thin person. My normal size is a 14 or a 16. I am short and I have what is known as a large hourglass figure. I've long ago become comfortable with my body and I know what looks good on me and what doesn't. In other words, I work with what I have. That mindset allows me to face the world with confidence and impacts (positively) how people interact with me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJIBpovz2o2LtEFu54u6fCDxWAItywYU1uZ149FrgVOIU-VZVse7BDqLvyX0SFoM-JUAWvYWBPUrIS-G1_VPjqJ0rPslJoPxUH3j73YhUKbBaAVBE4x_I9Dm-gWHKnbx3KmxKENIAgs0w/s640/blogger-image--394524586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJIBpovz2o2LtEFu54u6fCDxWAItywYU1uZ149FrgVOIU-VZVse7BDqLvyX0SFoM-JUAWvYWBPUrIS-G1_VPjqJ0rPslJoPxUH3j73YhUKbBaAVBE4x_I9Dm-gWHKnbx3KmxKENIAgs0w/s640/blogger-image--394524586.jpg" /></a></div>
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In addition to the beautiful dress, I am wearing a <a href="http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi32652&mode=search&catId=&rootCategory=&trail=&addFacet=SRCH:charming&viewAll=&conceptIdUnderSale=&prdi32652_selectedColor=1043&prdi32652_userAction=colorSwapSelection&section=Sale&prdi32652_colorIndicator=saleColor&backurl=%2Fonline%2Fsearch%2FsearchResults.jsp%3Fquestion%3Dcharming%26trail%3D%26pageNum%3D0%26addFacet%3DSRCH%253Acharming%26removeFacet%3D" target="_blank">Talbots Charming Cardigan</a> (it's cold in the office where I'm working this week but I have no problem taking it off and exposing my arms) and my Stuart Weitzman cork wedges. I'm comfortable and polished looking and that's half the battle, right?</div>
Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-11416701147647567822014-07-13T21:02:00.001-04:002014-07-14T09:35:38.469-04:00Keaton Row: Your Personal Shopper and New Best Friend!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYf6HO_El0zROx1erjeYkM4tSJhCJtVNrOq3LIFSA70e-Hxp_vw-13cwfQD04NTrmCVZs72fgfRT2V2EH4CeeCPZy4-opGORKvg-Ke01Vj1TB9Kx3LULwRyRKr34FnpHQ5zDzpnZqz2o/s1600/Keaton+Row+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYf6HO_El0zROx1erjeYkM4tSJhCJtVNrOq3LIFSA70e-Hxp_vw-13cwfQD04NTrmCVZs72fgfRT2V2EH4CeeCPZy4-opGORKvg-Ke01Vj1TB9Kx3LULwRyRKr34FnpHQ5zDzpnZqz2o/s1600/Keaton+Row+Logo.png" height="76" width="400" /></a></div>
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A couple of months ago, while reading one of my favorite message boards, I learned about <a href="https://www.keatonrow.com/" target="_blank">Keaton Row</a>, a new personal shopper/stylist service available on the web. Since I both hate shopping and appear to have a faulty accesorizing gene, I decided to give it a try!<br />
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Once I created a profile, I was immediately able to browse the profiles of stylists that have been working with Keaton Row's customers. The profiles are really helpful because they allow you to understand a little bit about the personality about each stylist. Honestly, I can't remember if I chose my stylist or if the Keaton Row system chose for me (both are options available at any time), but my assigned stylist,<a href="https://www.keatonrow.com/leahprice" target="_blank"> Leah Price</a>, contacted me within a day and we started the process of figuring out my needs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiJ5aneQsEWKW_qsmJjBNOI0KX3apjYw_aqWDKwj7z4zTK8ISvawbxysBN3Sch3NRHqPMSJTh6k1V6F-2fJTRX8BwsAMqyMtOv9EG1YmazKn1-ktR8UfY8nW07ak7zJLMUlMSsjqi90s/s1600/Look+Book+1a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiJ5aneQsEWKW_qsmJjBNOI0KX3apjYw_aqWDKwj7z4zTK8ISvawbxysBN3Sch3NRHqPMSJTh6k1V6F-2fJTRX8BwsAMqyMtOv9EG1YmazKn1-ktR8UfY8nW07ak7zJLMUlMSsjqi90s/s1600/Look+Book+1a.png" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
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I told Leah that I was mostly interested in putting together some "casual chic" looks that included jewelery, shoes, handbags and other accessories. Since my profile included not only the types of styles I liked but also my sizes, favorite colors and problem areas, Leah was able to come up with quite a few possible looks. This whole process can be done via email or over the phone (I chose email) but once the stylist has finished putting pieces together, the looks are available on the Keaton Row dashboard.</div>
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Leah really got my style right from the beginning! She was so easy to work with and the options she gave me were outstanding! I also asked Leah to take me out of my comfort zone somewhat and, for me, that showed up in earrings that I would have never picked on my own. When wearing Leah's outfits, I truly feel well styled and put together!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6YP54CKICktNGfHdMopguhzZ5oEzZnDRMCwuYMw-LT-vThJgadYjxNxWyBaH_wwmSyOfeRJABeWiMsSoBhr0zGXf-d027x6loW26QeEAhsvGTX4DV0qkznXev5RvNReMJWaKEKM_1iU/s1600/Look+Book+1b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6YP54CKICktNGfHdMopguhzZ5oEzZnDRMCwuYMw-LT-vThJgadYjxNxWyBaH_wwmSyOfeRJABeWiMsSoBhr0zGXf-d027x6loW26QeEAhsvGTX4DV0qkznXev5RvNReMJWaKEKM_1iU/s1600/Look+Book+1b.png" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
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The key to working with Keaton Row is understanding that the items chosen by the stylist have a shelf life---sometimess if you don't act quickly, the items will not be available in the participating store. You can be sure, though, that you will receive the best price offered by the retailer even though the Keaton Row site may not yet be updated with the promotions that the retailer may be running. I definitely found this to be true with my purchases, as sometimes the Keaton Row site showed one price but when I purchased the item, I actually received the store's sale price.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdaoFuK_ciqog8B2a1_Nq3ztongm6Pr776EbwtA-wOXVga6G83AeFuOy-q-8eBpVoeh5rUTMcsxeHMj8kZ3dsFET3FYha8X62ytDcM9783S0G8HTVmngEnPVIXkT4aK9-hPFvsdSLUWQ/s1600/Look+Book+1c.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdaoFuK_ciqog8B2a1_Nq3ztongm6Pr776EbwtA-wOXVga6G83AeFuOy-q-8eBpVoeh5rUTMcsxeHMj8kZ3dsFET3FYha8X62ytDcM9783S0G8HTVmngEnPVIXkT4aK9-hPFvsdSLUWQ/s1600/Look+Book+1c.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Another things I really like about the looks is that you may already have something suitable in your wardrobe that can be substituted instead, giving you a new way to wear one of your own pieces! I did this with a pair of shoes, a handbag (I substututed a Rebecca Minkoff bag I already had in my collection) and some jewelery. Of course, I did end up spending quite a bit that time around but it was all worth it! Leah hit a complete home run with my looks and every single item I received fit beautifully!</div>
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I give Keaton Row and Leah Price five stars so you should check them out at <a href="https://www.keatonrow.com/">https://www.keatonrow.com/</a></div>
Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-82513891457679571382014-07-07T08:00:00.000-04:002014-07-07T15:21:33.561-04:00My Current Must Haves<div align="center">
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q4yK9APZDhA/U7n-fZhVfaI/AAAAAAAAHRA/6Co8DMj2KCg/s1600-h/Current%252520Favorites%252520070614%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Current Favorites 070614" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6MJpNFFxRxU/U7n-gPvq-dI/AAAAAAAAHRI/3sdi154676A/Current%252520Favorites%252520070614_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="459" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Current Favorites 070614" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I’ve tried so many products this Spring and Summer and since I’d much rather write about the ones I like, it’s time for my current favorites! Each of these has been my go to for several weeks and they are worth telling you about (so you should try them too :) )! Click on the links below to find these products.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wj0zRNNtdaI/U7n-gpiqQ3I/AAAAAAAAHRQ/-4KB5rQMacM/s1600-h/Current%252520Favorites%252520070614%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Current Favorites 070614 2" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-10FSe1Rqcc8/U7n-hD0mVkI/AAAAAAAAHRY/7z4P1FBQuVg/Current%252520Favorites%252520070614%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Current Favorites 070614 2" width="604" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.caldrea.com/product/Rosewater-Driftwood-Hand-Soap/155615.uts">Caldrea Rosewater Driftwood Hand Soap</a> (OMG!!! Beautiful scent!!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Julep polishes in <a href="http://www.julep.com/shop/nail-polish/maddy.html">Maddy</a> and <a href="http://www.julep.com/shop/new-arrivals/nail-polish/ramona.html">Ramona</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sephora Formula X polish in <a href="http://www.sephora.com/new-neutrals-P382113?skuId=1547520">Invincible</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cquHzAtRTXA/U7n-h7jBgBI/AAAAAAAAHRg/rosZPq09pbM/s1600-h/IT%252520Cosmetics%252520Blush%252520in%252520Peony%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IT Cosmetics Blush in Peony" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iCrjylYBpaM/U7n-iijH5LI/AAAAAAAAHRo/yzgANMsnick/IT%252520Cosmetics%252520Blush%252520in%252520Peony_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IT Cosmetics Blush in Peony" width="433" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">IT Cosmetics Vitality Cheek Stain in <a href="https://www.itcosmetics.com/vitality-cheek-stain">Pretty in Peony</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CXf9-UrFVDs/U7n-jLXs3uI/AAAAAAAAHRs/ZAhUzuSvgFY/s1600-h/Marc%252520Jacobs%252520Foundation%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Marc Jacobs Foundation" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AqvVvTXswbs/U7n-jTfeXnI/AAAAAAAAHR0/sGTZapagsrg/Marc%252520Jacobs%252520Foundation_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Marc Jacobs Foundation" width="326" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.sephora.com/genius-gel-super-charged-foundation-P380708?skuId=1511104">Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Foundation</a> (light enough but stays put in humidity)</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CyDTzo2ZIGE/U7n-j7WqaiI/AAAAAAAAHSA/52ZIXbLhsbQ/s1600-h/MyKitsch.com%252520hair%252520bands%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="MyKitsch.com hair bands" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jpwUxnLX5ec/U7n-klCacsI/AAAAAAAAHSI/7av9wM3CMU0/MyKitsch.com%252520hair%252520bands_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="284" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="MyKitsch.com hair bands" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.mykitsch.com/headbands/">MyKitsch.com Headbands</a> (these don’t stretch out on my big head!)</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dKfKQv0V1Bo/U7n-lFAWiJI/AAAAAAAAHSQ/gc0hzgxrjzo/s1600-h/IT%252520cosmetics%252520Naturally%252520Pretty%252520Eyeshadow%252520Palette%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IT cosmetics Naturally Pretty Eyeshadow Palette" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-87v2roVUNSY/U7n-lrc84SI/AAAAAAAAHSY/p7HJUV04Mh0/IT%252520cosmetics%252520Naturally%252520Pretty%252520Eyeshadow%252520Palette_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="284" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IT cosmetics Naturally Pretty Eyeshadow Palette" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.itcosmetics.com/naturally-pretty-matte-luxe-transforming-eyeshadow-palette">IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Eyeshadow Palette</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-36eqhENSYyc/U7n-mNmmleI/AAAAAAAAHSg/GC4AC4abTE8/s1600-h/Surf%252520%252526%252520%25253BSound%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Surf & ;Sound" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QZsWRuJ35p0/U7n-mhu8mvI/AAAAAAAAHSo/0jUeFbDPTHo/Surf%252520%252526%252520%25253BSound_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Surf & ;Sound" width="634" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/125128350/surf-sand-olive-oil-soap-yellow-blue-and?ref=shop_home_active_1">Bella Fresca Bath & Body “Sand and Surf” Handmade Soap</a> (smells like my favorite beach scent!)</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uNMDCV_06ZI/U7n-nBAyxSI/AAAAAAAAHSs/5rfDNSPrdbc/s1600-h/Bobbi%252520Brown%252520Beach%252520Perfume%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Bobbi Brown Beach Perfume" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TAgeO5PPRS0/U7n-nTQLMRI/AAAAAAAAHS4/t6blxnYAriQ/Bobbi%252520Brown%252520Beach%252520Perfume_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Bobbi Brown Beach Perfume" width="246" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.yousmellsoap.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1836">You Smell Wet Wipes</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">and…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/product/2294/20499/Gifts/Fragrance/Beach/Beach/SS12/index.tmpl">Bobbi Brown Beach Perfume</a> (the absolute best beach scent of all times!!!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">What are you loving so far this summer?</span></div>
Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-63674942348615606382014-07-02T14:21:00.001-04:002014-07-02T14:26:41.672-04:00As Cool and Blue as the Turquoise Waters of…<div align="center">
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ABSd26yMnQ4/U7RNak_QfkI/AAAAAAAAHPI/4Z968d1Fw_s/s1600-h/Turquoise%252520blue%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Turquoise blue 1" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KLwEYnD5gVg/U7RNbopmoBI/AAAAAAAAHPQ/uQAWkJJDBss/Turquoise%252520blue%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Turquoise blue 1" width="288" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">the South Pacific? The Mediterranean? The Caribbean? Or how about the Gulf of Mexico? Seriously, when I think of cool and relaxing, I think of the waters of all of those places (and I’ve been to each in the past fifteen years). Since it’s 97 degrees today in Virginia, I think I was subconsciously drawn to this beautiful turquoise silk blouse from <a href="http://www.dobbinclothing.com/">Dobbin Clothing</a>. The <a href="http://www.dobbinclothing.com/elodie-silk-crepe-de-chine-short-sleeve-tunic-in-aegean-blue/">Elodie tunic</a> is actually described as “Aegean blue” (same thing, right?) and boy, is it a beauty! A substantial silk crepe de chine, normally, I would wear it with a jacket or tucked in (Elodie is actually a staple of my business wardrobe) because my figure demands a defined waste but as hot and humid as it is today, that wasn’t happening! So today I went with a (for me) kind of bohemian look. I think this is a great casual yet “put together” look. Read on for more details.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vRfOSnynYtw/U7RNcFf1_SI/AAAAAAAAHPY/zSosfj8yAgs/s1600-h/NYDJ%252520Basic%252520Stretch%252520bootcut%252520Jeans%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="NYDJ Basic Stretch bootcut Jeans" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8cNr5pzttr4/U7RNdC7mpaI/AAAAAAAAHPg/GexE4zOtlck/NYDJ%252520Basic%252520Stretch%252520bootcut%252520Jeans_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="NYDJ Basic Stretch bootcut Jeans" width="234" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br />NYDJ Basic Stretch Bootcut Jeans</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Mine came from Nordstrom and you can still find them <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/nydj-sarah-stretch-bootcut-jeans-regular-petite/2957768?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=nydj_%27sarah%27_stretch_bootcut_jeans_(regular_&cm_pla=bottoms:women:pant&cm_ven=Linkshare&siteId=J84DHJLQkR4-7ohzohdYSoyFrpu6Wo_Khg">here</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YMRBcQIs1rY/U7RNdw6xSuI/AAAAAAAAHPo/7EYsSgBds84/s1600-h/Stuart%252520Weitzman%252520wedges%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Stuart Weitzman wedges" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TmQwyJ43wdQ/U7RNeq0KJfI/AAAAAAAAHPw/qBSg36jclCc/Stuart%252520Weitzman%252520wedges_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Stuart Weitzman wedges" width="604" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My wedges are the Stuart Weitzman “Jean” Wedge in Adobe Aniline. They are also available at Nordstrom <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/stuart-weitzman-jean-wedge/3073381?origin=PredictiveSearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=60166658&fashionColor=Black+Patent&resultback=329&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_1_A">here</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kwKCSJ71Jew/U7RNfHTjJAI/AAAAAAAAHP4/7PAbw4eegMk/s1600-h/Rebecca%252520Minkoff%252520tote%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Rebecca Minkoff tote" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-usTg5qO-KGs/U7RNgAXhjGI/AAAAAAAAHQA/ipWGeH5FZVM/Rebecca%252520Minkoff%252520tote_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Rebecca Minkoff tote" width="461" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Rebecca Minkoff Medium MAB Tote</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.rebeccaminkoff.com/shop/handbags/medium-mab-tote-tortora.html">Here’s a link</a> for the tote on the Rebecca Minkoff site (but it’s not the same color). It’s a beautiful tote but an investment piece. There are other options out there but this is a great classic shape and color!</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_D3rilY896g/U7RNgnFK4zI/AAAAAAAAHQI/C2sdEeGRh9c/s1600-h/Tree%252520of%252520Life%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tree of Life" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-prNqNgFl1ws/U7RNhJWhQ6I/AAAAAAAAHQM/DmrvyNmbcNY/Tree%252520of%252520Life_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Tree of Life" width="549" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Tree of Life pendant from my collection. I have no idea where I purchased it!</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-99hWKb3_qKE/U7RNhll6yLI/AAAAAAAAHQY/du_9yboloPQ/s1600-h/sisco%252520berlutti%252520bracelet%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sisco berlutti bracelet" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WnfSnEoqGcw/U7RNidFv0kI/AAAAAAAAHQg/z_7P8Eu13MM/sisco%252520berlutti%252520bracelet_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="sisco berlutti bracelet" width="420" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This Sisco Berluti Bracelet Stack actually came in the PopSugar Must Have Summer Resort Special Edition Box. The colors really tie my outfit together! You can find similar Sisco Berluti bracelets <a href="http://www.siscoberluti.com/">here</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dlBmCAWtAtY/U7RNi2_k20I/AAAAAAAAHQo/HhnSAsEVK-g/s1600-h/Vince%252520Camuto%252520earrings%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Vince Camuto earrings" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FrqVO67MiEM/U7RNj0NrqiI/AAAAAAAAHQw/NAYeCghyzbY/Vince%252520Camuto%252520earrings_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Vince Camuto earrings" width="503" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">These Vince Camuto earrings are waaaay outside of my comfort zone but I was convinced to get them by my personal stylist, <a href="https://www.keatonrow.com/leahprice">Leah Price</a>, from Keaton Row (I’ll be writing about my experiences with Keaton Row soon!). When I wear these giant (for me) open teardrops, I feel a little bit “edgy” and cool (a girl can dream, right??)! You can find them <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vince-camuto-open-teardrop-earrings/3362187?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=vince_camuto_open_teardrop_earrings:595855&cm_pla=jewelry:women:earring&cm_ven=Linkshare">here</a> at Nordstrom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So that’s it! Cool, comfy, put together and casual. What more can you ask for on a hot summer day?</span></div>
Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-7579686501736280292014-07-01T08:00:00.000-04:002014-07-01T08:00:00.574-04:00Quick!!! What Would You Take?<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QEbbzVz7Sa0/U7IbgOKGgcI/AAAAAAAAHNg/AidzoxNPYgw/s1600-h/Tote%252520Bag%25255B5%25255D.png"><img alt="Tote Bag" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BuzkYpOXtB4/U7IbhXhHMrI/AAAAAAAAHNo/gYeY03Wyp84/Tote%252520Bag_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Tote Bag" width="360" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Today I had an entirely different subject in mind for a blog post but due to a situation beyond my control last night, I thought I’d switch it up a little. My Mom, who has moved into assisted living nearby, got up in the middle of the night one evening last week and fell. She fractured her hip, which is a very serious injury for anyone, let alone an 86 year old. Mom has had some difficulty adjusting to living alone after Dad passed away (she’s never lived alone in her life), which is understandable, and the stress of it all has caused the “sundowners syndrome” to raise its ugly head. Mom’s last night in the hospital was last night and she was terrified so I ended up spending the night at her side.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The hospital staff was very accommodating and understanding. They had a lounge chair/recliner brought into the room and it was actually quite comfortable (a nice surprise!). Because I left the house quickly and had some work to do, I already had my iPhone, iPad and laptop with me (the hospital has free wireless internet). I also was able to call my husband to quickly bring a few items before it was time to go to sleep, thus the inspiration for this post. My goal was to bring him the most important things that 1. he could easily find in the house; 2. would ensure my comfort and 3. could fit into a small bag. Here’s my list:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GhlvCjuA27o/U7IbiF56ToI/AAAAAAAAHNs/lnaNVwwQr8E/s1600-h/iphone%252520cord%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="iphone cord" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-slRWaPBH1kc/U7IbiRqHHrI/AAAAAAAAHN4/8a-HImyxC-w/iphone%252520cord_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="iphone cord" width="240" /></a> </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>iPhone and iPad Power Cords</strong></span></div>
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Let’s face it---who among us can live without our electronic devices? Enough said.</div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Ear Plugs</strong></span></div>
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A must for any hospital stay! I already had a ton of them at home because I wear them every night. Anyone who sleeps next to a snorer knows what I mean (and even someone like me who sleeps with a cpap wearing reformed snorer). Hospitals are noisy places with alarms going off, machines vibrating and phones ringing.</div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Toothbrush and Toothpaste</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">These are pretty much a given. I hate morning breath and didn’t want to subject the public to mine so there you go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4XAVDvenu2s/U7IbjF2QYKI/AAAAAAAAHOA/i9sL6UYFwMk/s1600-h/secret%252520deoderant%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="secret deoderant" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gpt5WU6y0r8/U7Ibj91R7jI/AAAAAAAAHOE/4JI5FU_8qgI/secret%252520deoderant_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="secret deoderant" width="240" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Deoderant</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Away from home with no available shower equals potential stink. Not only do I not want people to smell me, I don’t want to smell me either. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Comb</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">A comb or pick to brush out my thick head of hair works well when paired with the pony tail holder. It’s enough to get me out of the hospital in the morning and home without too much of a mess. At least that’s what I told myself this morning!</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Kf2a_zoN5NQ/U7Ibkbyny8I/AAAAAAAAHOM/TwyfqLzF2Hg/s1600-h/Packaging%25255B4%25255D.png"><img alt="Packaging" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IK0v9XvfhSE/U7IblBEvZaI/AAAAAAAAHOY/q5__ruG6Tb8/Packaging_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="240" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Packaging" width="240" /></a> </div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Salicylic Acid Toner and Cotton Pads</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">The hospital had some decent facial soap that I used in the last evening and this morning. An abbreviated routine had to contain my acid-based toner. My husband was able to pick out my home made toner among the various lotions and potions on my vanity. A little bit of home is nice to have at the hospital.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Pajamas</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">No hospital gowns for me!! My Karen Neuberger PJs kept me in comfort all night!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>A Pair of Underwear</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Obviously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-akNCbpG5TnU/U7Ibl-JBvMI/AAAAAAAAHOc/8Us0_hJuUxQ/s1600-h/Lands%252520End%252520T%252520shirt%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lands End T shirt" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--4rB44tjzk8/U7IbmdRek-I/AAAAAAAAHOg/8CGUEriifPo/Lands%252520End%252520T%252520shirt_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Lands End T shirt" width="320" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>A Tshirt for tomorrow</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I wear the Lands End long sleeve V neck t shirts year ‘round. They go with everything and are comfortable. My husband brought me a yellow one that I paired with the navy pants that I wore to the hospital. Comfort city!</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Du4r9Ux_Q-U/U7IbnK2lMgI/AAAAAAAAHOw/qgFpFppuHfY/s1600-h/pill%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="D6DXA0" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XHCQwWZE_Wo/U7Ibnvybj1I/AAAAAAAAHO4/ZAA1HrvmnQk/pill_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="399" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="D6DXA0" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Two Pain Killer Tablets for My Back</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">No matter how “comfortable” the recliner was, my back was killing me this morning. The two pain pills that my husband brought me left me as good as new!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So what would you pack in a hurry? Would any of my choices make your list?</span>Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-20665234963131111122014-06-27T08:00:00.000-04:002014-06-27T08:00:02.508-04:00DIY Lip Balm Redux: Adding Color<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9R2ze1WoTWo/U6yBI9ak49I/AAAAAAAAHLE/ObTRCsM20rw/s1600-h/Colored%252520Lip%252520Balm%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Colored Lip Balm" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5ctu4dKcF_c/U6yBJnDqyhI/AAAAAAAAHLM/tWGjY4lbyqc/Colored%252520Lip%252520Balm_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Colored Lip Balm" width="587" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I’m trying to have a lot of fun since returning from Florida and the debacle that was my winter/spring. Part of that is getting my creative juices flowing again and this time around, it’s about making cosmetics, shampoo, bubble bath and soap (the last time this happened I started a custom wedding cake business that kept me busy for about four years). Everything I make is either for personal use or for my friends and family, but it sure is rewarding and, as my younger brother refers to it, my “therapy.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">In <a href="http://agesofbeauty.blogspot.com/2014/02/soft-lips-for-less.html">this post</a>, I showed you how to make your own lip balm. It’s sooo easy and a lot of fun! For pennies, you can have a much better lip balm that you’ll find in the store AND you can customize the ingredients you want to include. The next step for me was adding color to that lip balm and I did that a few evenings ago. Since getting involved in soap, I began noticing the colored pigments that are available from many of my cosmetic and soap suppliers. These are companies like <a href="http://www.tkbtrading.com/">TKB Trading</a>, <a href="http://www.nurturesoapsupplies.com/">Nurture Soap Supplies</a>, <a href="http://theconservatorie.com/">The Conservatorie</a>, among others. I loaded up on samples as a means to test out different colorants so I had many to choose from when formulating five colors (four of which are shown above). The possibilities are endless but I’ll show you what I came up with. Just make sure that the pigments you use are safe for the lips---the package or website will tell you which ones will work.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2ggVjaWfoAU/U6yBKQZxADI/AAAAAAAAHLU/jFvPLq1G2IQ/s1600-h/Colored%252520Lip%252520Balm%252520Swatches%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Colored Lip Balm Swatches" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2wmmrmi4-GE/U6yBLO5Su9I/AAAAAAAAHLc/gDIBfNPVKVU/Colored%252520Lip%252520Balm%252520Swatches_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="433" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Colored Lip Balm Swatches" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">First, please note that this can be messy work (as proof you should see the hot pink fingerprints that I left on the microwave, refrigerator, etc---but those prints are EASILY cleaned!). You’ll need some kind of grinder (I use a cheap coffee grinder that I use only for grinding pigments) and some measuring spoons (the smaller the better). I also used ziplock baggies to store my extra blended colors. For all of these shades, I blended 1/2 teaspoon of color with 1 Tablespoon of the lip balm base. You can use more or less color to achieve and more opaque (or sheer) look.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Color #1: My Lips But Better (MLBB)</strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eprjMrstvq4/U6yBLsr3zfI/AAAAAAAAHLk/46XnH7J6NKI/s1600-h/Lip%252520Balm%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lip Balm 1" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9XILcewOWNc/U6yBMCHQa6I/AAAAAAAAHLo/0qFRqKbsuWs/Lip%252520Balm%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="311" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Lip Balm 1" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This lovely berry tone was achieved by blending the following in the grinder and then adding 1/2 teaspoon of the mixture to 1 Tablespoon of melted lip balm:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">* 2 parts Red Basics (TKB Trading)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* 1 part Cosmic Carolyn (TKB Trading)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* 1 part Purple Vibrance (Nurture Soap Supplies)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Color #2: A Warm Coral</strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sy8GzvgOlDk/U6yBMpg6LdI/AAAAAAAAHL0/hb29d3p1kec/s1600-h/Lip%252520Balm%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lip Balm 2" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3EVCpp4YV-8/U6yBNaXDncI/AAAAAAAAHL8/9HBOlljOnd4/Lip%252520Balm%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="286" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Lip Balm 2" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This warm tone was also mixed using 1/2 teaspoon of the pigment mix with 1 Tablespoon of melted lip balm:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">* 1 part Red Basics (TKB Trading)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* 3 parts Red Oxide 170 (TKB Trading)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* 3 parts Serecite Mica (TKB Trading)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Color #3: A Dark Coral</strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YjS9xRz1Tg8/U6yBN80A_BI/AAAAAAAAHME/VZfyCv6a81I/s1600-h/Lip%252520Balm%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lip Balm 3" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mSoCBxjOQyQ/U6yBOeSZRxI/AAAAAAAAHMM/pgPPS0o2naQ/Lip%252520Balm%2525203_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="316" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Lip Balm 3" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This pretty and pigmented coral uses 1/2 teaspoon of the pigment mix with 1 Tablespoon of melted lip balm:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">* 1 part Muraski Violet (TKB Trading)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* 3 parts Serecite Mica (TKB Trading)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* 6 parts Red Oxide 170 (TKB Trading)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Color #4: Shimmering Coral Pink</strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mk4FLEmpfME/U6yBPeVRSNI/AAAAAAAAHMU/Ct-CQv9HNNk/s1600-h/Lip%252520Balm%2525204%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lip Balm 4" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HqnC1K2GyCk/U6yBP_S912I/AAAAAAAAHMc/jyNw1zSJoAE/Lip%252520Balm%2525204_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="263" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Lip Balm 4" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">* 1 part Red #6 (TKB Trading)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* 3.5 parts Pearl White Mica (TKB Trading)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* 1.5 parts Glitter Bordeaux Pigment (TKB Trading)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>Color #5: Cherry Red</strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fB26ZzEQ9_g/U6yBQaCBycI/AAAAAAAAHMk/SjSq0fvNkjI/s1600-h/Lip%252520Balm%2525205%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lip Balm 5" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lz4lBenqL4g/U6yBRJdq0qI/AAAAAAAAHMs/78PISi1byIk/Lip%252520Balm%2525205_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="309" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Lip Balm 5" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This color is very pigmented at 1/2 teaspoon of the blended color to 1 Tablespoon melted lip balm base. The pictures really don’t do it justice---it’s beautiful!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">* 4 parts Red #7 (TKB Trading)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* 2 parts titanium dioxide (I use the oil dispersible one from TKB Trading)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* 3 parts Cosmic Carolyn (TKB Trading)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Once you’ve gotten your color mixed and your lip balm base melted, pour it into your pot or tube as normal. Et Voila! Your own colored lip balm!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">This is a fun and inexpensive hobby that doesn’t take a lot of time. Be creative and have fun!!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OZ-qrAuhLbE/U6yBRz1HdmI/AAAAAAAAHM0/Lk0Hi3lqLaY/s1600-h/Lip%252520Balm%2525201%252520face%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lip Balm 1 face" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H16dV-SIkM0/U6yBSvwlZGI/AAAAAAAAHM8/QQapUzH2XpE/Lip%252520Balm%2525201%252520face_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="456" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Lip Balm 1 face" width="640" /></a> </div>
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I’m wearing color #1 in this picture</div>
Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-21364774789238824012014-06-25T14:34:00.001-04:002014-06-25T14:36:18.362-04:00Holy Moly Bubbles of Joy!!!<div align="center">
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZSOkfPNldYo/U6sV-Psa0pI/AAAAAAAAHJM/JJmZ5h-MMNo/s1600-h/Lush%252520The%252520comforter%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lush The comforter 1" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f0-jty2Pk8M/U6sV-3r00sI/AAAAAAAAHJU/qrEOW1Am9TU/Lush%252520The%252520comforter%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Lush The comforter 1" width="500" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-size: small;">It’s no secret that I love all things bath related. A few months ago, I did a review of Lush’s <a href="http://agesofbeauty.blogspot.com/2014/01/get-comforted-with-lush.html">“The Comforter,”</a> a big, bodacious bubble bar that rocked my world! Now that I am into “soapy crafts” and formulating my own bubble bath, shampoo and conditioner, I stumbled across a tutorial on the <a href="http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/how-to-make-solid-bubble-bath-on-soap-queen-tv/">Soap Queen blog</a> about making your own solid bubble bath. As I watched the video, I thought, “Hmmm…I’ll bet I can do that and that kind of reminds me of that cool bubble bar that I got from Lush!” So, being the committed DIYer that I am, I ordered the ingredients that I didn’t already have and then got to work!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The nice thing about Anne Marie’s tutorial is that she tested out the formulation beforehand (which is a lot of hard work) so I already knew it would work. Her video clearly shows how easy it is to make solid bubble bath (aka “bubble bars”), which you can customize by using your choice of colors and fragrances. I used a fuchsia color from Brambleberry (Anne Marie’s online store) to make a dark pink and white bar (the same idea as the picture above) as well as a Brambleberry fragrance oil that I already had on hand (<a href="http://www.brambleberry.com/Hello-Sweet-Thang-Fragrance-Oil-P3632.aspx">“Hello Sweet Thang”</a>). A note on this fragrance—it smells sooo good but it did “brown up” the white part of my bubble bar so next time, if I use this fragrance, I’ll use different colors!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here’s a link for Anne Marie’s tutorial: <a href="http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/how-to-make-solid-bubble-bath-on-soap-queen-tv/" title="http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/how-to-make-solid-bubble-bath-on-soap-queen-tv/">http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/how-to-make-solid-bubble-bath-on-soap-queen-tv/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The process was really easy!!! Almost all of the ingredients are available by clicking the link in the tutorial but you may already have many of them at home (I did). And interestingly enough, the ingredients list is very similar to “The Comforter!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here’s what I did:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qjn9s7kxqLE/U6sV_mlfXCI/AAAAAAAAHJc/ptfNbv5yyRw/s1600-h/Lush%252520Dupe%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lush Dupe 1" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jeabfkWLOAw/U6sWAMs5OVI/AAAAAAAAHJk/HERL0qYHpec/Lush%252520Dupe%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="429" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Lush Dupe 1" width="640" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Mix the Dry Ingredients.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7fefZjkD04k/U6sWAjdqolI/AAAAAAAAHJo/HZVrDG5nuqg/s1600-h/Lush%252520Dupe%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lush Dupe 2" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ix7p6JgHiy4/U6sWBfQInhI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/y1-dwMUOvOA/Lush%252520Dupe%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="427" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Lush Dupe 2" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Once the liquid ingredients are mixed in well, the dough is divided and colored.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uGqWNCOXEqQ/U6sWB8aKjnI/AAAAAAAAHJ8/9pd7yoxzERA/s1600-h/Lush%252520Dupe%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lush Dupe 3" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5NQ5lVECgTo/U6sWCb3T0sI/AAAAAAAAHKE/ggsqG2PT6rE/Lush%252520Dupe%2525203_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="425" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Lush Dupe 3" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">One color is formed into a rectangle on freezer paper or wax paper and then the second color is patted on top. At that point, the mixture is rolled up like a jelly roll (or sushi).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y2xATJChDnk/U6sWDBQeEHI/AAAAAAAAHKM/kDYBT-MGY-U/s1600-h/Lush%252520Dupe%2525204%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lush Dupe 4" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5gw5THpdRVc/U6sWDqSwTJI/AAAAAAAAHKU/jjZB2oGdzew/Lush%252520Dupe%2525204_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="427" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Lush Dupe 4" width="640" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Then you end up with a “roll” that is cut into pieces. When I do this recipe again, I will make my roll shorter in length, which will make it “fatter.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qbL-Zbvp588/U6sWEOjk95I/AAAAAAAAHKc/_KCI5I2ipuE/s1600-h/Lush%252520Dupe%2525205%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lush Dupe 5" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f3alvgIPJ7U/U6sWE3UrELI/AAAAAAAAHKk/jovpQnqzT1c/Lush%252520Dupe%2525205_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="222" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Lush Dupe 5" width="640" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This recipe made ten bubble bars, which took about five days to dry, thanks to Virginia’s humidity.</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P9YjCiLSUKo/U6sWFwq4r9I/AAAAAAAAHKs/au51-o3-eP0/s1600-h/Lush%252520Dupe%2525206%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lush Dupe 6" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7waH2vBA_oE/U6sWGUgo2vI/AAAAAAAAHKw/xDHbGNghjtc/Lush%252520Dupe%2525206_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="458" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Lush Dupe 6" width="640" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-size: small;">I used one of these bubble bars for the first time over the weekend. WOW!!! The bubbles were huge and long lasting—amazing!!! I will definitely be making these again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Do check on the <a href="http://www.soapqueen.com/">Soap Queen blog</a> and give <a href="http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/how-to-make-solid-bubble-bath-on-soap-queen-tv/">this project</a> a try. It’s a lot of fun and very rewarding, especially if you love a good bubble bath!!!</span>Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-45347020347145609772014-06-23T08:00:00.000-04:002014-06-23T08:45:50.565-04:00Skin Actives Pumpkin Enzyme Peel<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ95yzt9tUjBvijKwqogd7tf-Da1uy9yq2TN89A_l7thPrzRt94HdpGKj6unML1bIxzX8xfDJ8yjbNE5HV0AW6Zf6W8ARap8DVhSyZUPJDvwUbS_tJLFwGJpEwvpnoym_5Z5Wwy-04yKZL/s640/blogger-image-1963713129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ95yzt9tUjBvijKwqogd7tf-Da1uy9yq2TN89A_l7thPrzRt94HdpGKj6unML1bIxzX8xfDJ8yjbNE5HV0AW6Zf6W8ARap8DVhSyZUPJDvwUbS_tJLFwGJpEwvpnoym_5Z5Wwy-04yKZL/s640/blogger-image-1963713129.jpg" /></a></div>
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Happy Monday!!! Hope you had a great weekend and are refreshed and ready to go for the week. Techincally, this is the beginning of the first week of summer but here in Virginia, it has felt like summer for quite awhile!!!<br />
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With the warmer weather often comes skin problems. Gone are the blustery days of winter when my skin is often dry and chapped. These days, I'm fighting the perpetial glow of humidity and sometimes my facial pores get clogged and bumpy. That's usually when I increase the amount of exfoliation power I'm using. For toners, I go from my DIY White WIllow Bark concoction to a full on salicylic acid potion. As I still use my Retin A every other evening, I often feel the need to use a "day time" exfoliant and Skin Active's Pumpkin Enzyme Peel fits the bill! </div>
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This clear, colorless liquid provides the gentle exfoliation that we all need. Containing 100% <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Enzyme, usage is anywhere from a couple times per week to every day (depending on whether you have dry, normal, oily or acneic skin), I normally use it once or twice per week, in addition to my normal routine, but for those months when I experience hormonal breakouts, every day does the trick for me. I've tried so many different exfoliants including really strong acid peels and it's so nice to use a product that is effective yet so gentle on the skin---there's no worry about burning or painfully "roughing up" your face by accident. Skin Actives Pumpkin Enzyme Peel is like that friend who is always there for you---you may not realize how much it does for you when you're using it but you sure do notice when it's not around!!!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just like all of the Skin Actives product line, Pumkin Enzyme Peel is so well priced at $9.50 for one ounce. A little goes a long way so you will get much more benefit than you can imagine for the price! Click <a href="http://www.skinactives.com/Pumpkin-Enzyme-Peel.html" target="_blank">here</a> to purchase at the Skin Actives website.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Ages of Beauty rating: *****</b></span></span></div>
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Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-33149807104723990632014-06-18T10:56:00.001-04:002014-06-18T10:59:43.565-04:00A Sudsy Kind of Therapy<div align="center">
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-61MCBHCnAOU/U6GojUFUYYI/AAAAAAAAHIE/RXYGSZYXXRA/s1600-h/Triple%252520Butter%252520Trio%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Triple Butter Trio 2" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-imo3RigoBUY/U6GokZauYAI/AAAAAAAAHIM/Hx3PSXYlsGM/Triple%252520Butter%252520Trio%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="312" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Triple Butter Trio 2" width="640" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-size: small;">I’ve gotten all kinds of practice lately dealing with stress. Right now it’s coming at me from all sides and honestly, sometimes I do my best work during challenging times. Since creating things, whether it’s sales, a strong sales team, a process at work or something that my friends and family can eat/drink/use, seems to ground me, it was time for a new project! </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GK7pvDlCDJU/U6GolD-6tmI/AAAAAAAAHIU/VZvjy7ahlzs/s1600-h/Triple%252520Butter%252520Trio%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Triple Butter Trio" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5G2VqeaTzEQ/U6GolqxbA8I/AAAAAAAAHIc/ZWkKSz6M5NU/Triple%252520Butter%252520Trio_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="471" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Triple Butter Trio" width="640" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-size: small;">A little over a month ago, I started making soap. Yep, soap! Real, honest to goodness, handmade, oil and lye, feel good, smell good SOAP!!! I already had the cosmetic formulation bug (which I’m still loving) and this seemed like a good tangent to follow. My very first batch, a triple butter soap, just finished its minimum four week cure and I’ve already started giving it away to friends and family. Reports back say that it’s luxurious, lovely and nothing like they’ve ever washed with (in a good way!). I’ve also been using a bar and I just love it! Of course, one of my guilty pleasures is handmade soap so I knew what to expect. I have to say, though, that it’s so rewarding that I can make something so practical and personal for my loved ones to enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_htQDVr2Mh8/U6GombqkvPI/AAAAAAAAHIk/fJD-od5pOPY/s1600-h/Triple%252520Butter%252520Finished%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Triple Butter Finished" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dluREGLb11c/U6Gomw7TvVI/AAAAAAAAHIs/t-rcl0QNngc/Triple%252520Butter%252520Finished_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="411" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Triple Butter Finished" width="640" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Making real soap is surprisingly easy. Not only are handmade soaps fun to make but they are extremely gentle to the skin. And more than one person who has used one of my bars was surprised that it was made with oil and lye. A big misconception seems to remain that “lye soap” is harsh and dangerous. Nope…the only way to make soap is by using three required ingredients: oil, water and sodium hydroxide (lye). The chemical process of turning those three ingredients into soap is called “saponification.” And if the ingredient calculations are correct (which is really easy to calculate using any number of available “soap calculators” on the internet), all of the lye is used up, leaving you with a lovely, moisturizing bar of pure soap!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">My first bars are kind of rustic looking but over the past month and a half, I have produced some pretty cool looking, dare I say “pretty” soaps (I’ll eventually post pictures). Most of them are still curing and I can’t wait to give them away! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you’re interested in learning more about how to make soap, check out the following resources:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: small;">Soap Queen Blog: <a href="http://www.soapqueen.com/">http://www.soapqueen.com/</a></span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Miller’s Homemade Soap Page: <a href="http://www.millersoap.com/">http://www.millersoap.com/</a></span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">The Dish: <a href="http://www.thedishforum.com/forum/">http://www.thedishforum.com/forum/</a></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I made the soap above using an all inclusive kit from Essential Depot. Here’s a link for the kit to make “Bonnie’s Triple Butter Soap:” <a href="http://www.essentialdepot.com/servlet/the-560/Bonnie%27s-Triple-Butter--dsh-/Detail">http://www.essentialdepot.com/servlet/the-560/Bonnie%27s-Triple-Butter--dsh-/Detail</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">You can find Bonnie’s (Good Earth Spa) You Tube channel here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/EdentiaFarms">https://www.youtube.com/user/EdentiaFarms</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I purchase my supplies all over the internet but some of my favorite vendors are:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: small;">Brambleberry: <a href="http://www.brambleberry.com/">http://www.brambleberry.com/</a></span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Essential Depot: <a href="http://www.essentialdepot.com/">http://www.essentialdepot.com/</a></span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Wholesale Supplies: <a href="http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/">http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/</a></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you decide to get into soaping, you’ll find that it’s not only relaxing but also rewarding as you brighten other peoples days with a gift of handmade soap!</span>Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-15186567954422024912014-06-16T00:55:00.000-04:002014-06-16T00:56:42.521-04:00Another TV Obsession: Revenge!!!<div>
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Happy Monday!!! Hope you all had a great weekend and a great Father's Day. If you've been following this blog, You know that my father passed away two months ago, so it was a bit of a sad day for me, but I tried to keep busy by reoganizing my office, taking on a number of DIY projects and watching marathon sessions of my new favorite TV show, Revenge!<br />
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I'm not watching much TV these days, so Revenge is one of those shows that I didn't discover until I saw it in the lineup on Netflix. I blasted thru seasons one and two and then switched over to Amazon Prime for season three. This show is full of soap opera drama and it is just amazing at how evil and dastardly some of the characters are (I'm looking at you, Victoria Grayson!). Plot twist after plot twist has kept me interested and I swear, this show is like crack!!! </div>
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Emily Thorne and Victoria Grayson<br />
(Emily Van Camp and Madeleine Stowe)<br />
Picture <a href="http://fashionbombdaily.com/2013/06/04/the-fashion-bomb-news-breakdown-81/revenge/" target="_blank">via</a></div>
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My favorite character is Nolan Ross, the delightfully geeky computer nerd who is perfectly played by the delicious Gabriel Mann. I've always been attracted to smart guys, and he's as smart (Nolan--despite his social awkwardness) as they get. Plus, he's got great taste in clothing and houses (and he's a great friend to Emily Thorne, the Queen of Revenge).</div>
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Gabriel Mann</div>
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Photo <a href="http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/revenge/images/32171647/title/season-2-cast-promotional-photo-gabriel-mann-photo" target="_blank">via</a></div>
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Photo <a href="http://www.popsugar.com.au/celebrity/Surprising-Celebrity-Ages-33028961" target="_blank">via</a></div>
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Revenge really does grab you and pulls you in. There's so much going on in this show---intrigue, murder, love, sex, scandal...the list goes on and on. I've also been reading a little bit how the show is made and interestingly enough, one of the stars of the show, "Grayson Manor," the summer home of the fabulously wealthy Grayson family, actually doesn't even exist---it's completely computer generated!!! Check it out in the picture below:</div>
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Photo <a href="http://hookedonhouses.net/2012/10/29/revenge-behind-the-scenes-at-grayson-manor/" target="_blank">via</a></div>
Amazing, huh?</div>
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Anyway, Do yourself a favor and get yourself over to either Netflix or Amazon Prime to begin watching this addictive show. If your're anything like me, you'll devour the first couple of seasons and be ravenous for more!!!</div>
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Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816435040284624.post-45199358823535965432014-06-12T11:54:00.001-04:002014-06-12T12:11:02.894-04:00Naked 3: Round Two<div align="center">
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ottlnGSKXWo/U5nMm0Bee7I/AAAAAAAAHFw/K4gCAT06wNE/s1600-h/Naked%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Naked 3" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wFw4F-17Ois/U5nMruCi-gI/AAAAAAAAHF4/2jnMaK8FDtw/Naked%2525203_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="403" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="Naked 3" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Urban Decay’s Naked 3 is a beautiful palette and I’ve enjoyed wearing it since its debut a few months ago. From natural to bold, it’s easy to get a variety of looks from its rose tones. I’ve already written about one look <a href="http://agesofbeauty.blogspot.com/2014/06/naked-3-soft-eye-look.html">here</a> and today I’ll provide a different twist on this versatile collection.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fAx2J6ZRRkk/U5nMs6jxLEI/AAAAAAAAHGA/Sn_qthSFkLM/s1600-h/Naked%2525203%252520Look%2525202a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Naked 3 Look 2a" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wETnPc9WsL4/U5nMuHPuBEI/AAAAAAAAHGI/P_OLiVA6mL0/Naked%2525203%252520Look%2525202a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="Naked 3 Look 2a" width="550" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In these pictures, I’m wearing the following:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Base: Strange</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Crease: Factory</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Lid: Limit</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bottom Lash Line: Factory</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Inner Corner: Strange</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ph20uVI8qJw/U5nM0bm9j3I/AAAAAAAAHGQ/2U3Qynu4zrg/s1600-h/Naked%2525203%252520Look%2525202b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Naked 3 Look 2b" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RdU0nEhIMDA/U5nM9cHZXJI/AAAAAAAAHGY/tWu2YKVfsYg/Naked%2525203%252520Look%2525202b_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="Naked 3 Look 2b" width="541" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VcaEn0saglE/U5nNEZFXaqI/AAAAAAAAHGg/6wqcsN0Y3zc/s1600-h/Naked%2525203%252520Look%2525202c%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Naked 3 Look 2c" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v_IC9iN87sI/U5nNFkiF3iI/AAAAAAAAHGo/cNONCpoYRL0/Naked%2525203%252520Look%2525202c_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="480" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="Naked 3 Look 2c" width="524" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I really like the “wide open” look that these colors and textures impart. To me, it helps add some youthful light to my face (and who can’t get enough of that!!??). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Do you have a favorite Naked 3 look? Please share!!</span>Denise Ages of Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234739791442559654noreply@blogger.com0