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How to Deal With Wintertime Dry Skin

by | Nov 30, 2016 | Beauty

wintertime-dry-skin

Winter weather brings with it cold, harsh wind and dry indoor air. With these come dry skin, at least for most of us. Wintertime dry skin can be hard to deal with. Also, as our skin ages, it becomes more and more prone to being dryer in winter.

There are a number of ways to combat the dry skin wintertime may bring. Here are a few.

1. Moisturize

aveeno-moisturizer

This may seem obvious, but it bears mentioning, mainly because it’s one I personally tend to forget to do as regularly as I should. Slather yourself up with moisturizer after a shower. Rub some in after you wash your hands. Keep some handy throughout the day to manage into your hands when they are feeling especially dry. (My favorite moisturizer right now is Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Lotion.)

2. Humidify

humidifier

Keep a humidifier running in your home. If you heat your home with wood, this is essential. With any kind of heating system, it is important to keep the air in your home humidified throughout the winter months. Your skin will not be as dry, and it will help keep dry eyes and sinuses at bay as well. (This is the humidifier we use.)

3. Hydrate

water-glass

Drink plenty of water. Hydrating on the inside will help keep the outside (your skin) from being too dry as well. Hydration is extremely important for our overall health and wellbeing, yet most people do not drink nearly enough water.

To know if you’re drinking enough, calculate half your body weight in ounces. For instance, if you weight 140 pounds, you should drink 70 ounces of water a day. That’s a lot of water, and that’s only a starting point—a number to aim for. Ideally, you should be drinking even more than that.

Some results of drinking enough water could be: clear, hydrated skin, more energy, weight loss, and fewer cravings. Try drinking more water and see what happens.

Wintertime dry skin can be a challenge, but these strategies can help combat it.

Do you have any tips for dealing with dry skin? If so, please leave a comment and share them. I’d love to hear more ideas for how to keep dry skin at bay this winter!

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

2 Ways to Save Even More on Cyber Monday Deals

by | Nov 28, 2016 | Lifestyle

cyber-monday-deals

It’s Cyber Monday! As if the past week of online deals weren’t enough, the savings continue. Deals abound on websites all over the internet. I love a deal, and I’ve found several over the weekend. But I made sure to maximize the deals with my two secret weapons.

What are these secret deal-maximizers?

Ebates and Ibotta.

These two little apps can create some big savings, especially right now.

Today, Ebates is having some absolutely incredible cash back percentages. Combine these with Cyber Monday deals being offered by so many online shops, and you’ve got yourself some pretty stupendous savings!

If you haven’t signed up for Ebates yet, don’t miss your chance to get the extra deals they’re offering today. Now’s the perfect time to take advantage of the cash back opportunities on things your’e already buying from online stores you’re already shopping at!

It’s totally free to sign up for Ebates, and it’s so simple and easy to use. Why wouldn’t you sign up?

What are you waiting for? Sign up already!

Ibotta is also a helpful little money saving (or making) app. Using Ibotta can help you get cash back on groceries and other everyday purchases. It will definitely come in handy during this time of holiday baking. You’re buying it already anyway—why not take make some money back? Plus, you can combine Ibotta with coupons and sales to save even more!

Sign up for Ibotta now.

Try these two ways to save extra money today as you shop for Cyber Monday deals. I guarantee you’ll be glad you took the couple of minutes to sign up for both of them. Did I mention they are both completely FREE?

 

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

Festive Fashion for the Holidays

by | Nov 25, 2016 | Fashion

Looking for some festive fashion ideas for the holidays? I’ve come up with a few from my own wardrobe.

festive-holiday-fashion
All Glammed Up

modest-glam3This silk wrap top and chiffon skirt are a dressy and feminine combination. There is a certain sophistication in using separates as formalwear.

modest-glam2

The skirt is a very dark charcoal grey color. I’ve had this skirt for many, many years. It has served me well throughout many a formal occasion. I’ve worn it to banquets, weddings, and parties—pretty much any type of dressy event you can name. It presents the perfect balance of simplicity and elegance.

modest-glam1

This top is absolutely the most beautiful color. It’s a lovely shade of purple. The silk fabric has a beautiful drape and the design lines of the blouse are simply perfection. There is a lovely little ruffle detailing on the edge of the sleeve.

These two pieces, paired with the statement necklace, clutch and heels, make for a festive holiday look perfect for a formal occasion.

Party Ready

wrap-dress-shawl1

Going to a party this holiday season and not sure what to wear? Let this outfit give you some holiday fashion inspiration!

wrap-dress-shawl2

This soft mocha colored wrap dress is flattering yet comfortable. On its own, it’s a fairly basic dress. Paired with nude heels and a beautifully patterned wrap, the neutral color of the dress is elevated to a festive party look.

wrap-dress-shawl3

Family Gatherings

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The holidays are a time of gathering with family and keeping time honored traditions. This outfit has classic elements with a more modern twist.

slouchy-sweater-pleated-skirt1

A forest green, pleated wool skirt acts as a neutral when paired with a more vibrant rose colored sweater. This sweater is so cozy and soft, it’s like wrapping up in a comfy blanket. The cowl neck adds interest, and the batwing sleeves give off a relaxed feel. The overall effect is a ladylike but effortless look ready for hugs, dinners, and hanging out in the kitchen after the family meal.

Worship Services

lavendar-blazer-pleated-skirt3

Christmas time brings with it special times of worship and remembrance of the birth of Christ. Church services may be more frequent. A festive but appropriately demure outfit is what’s called for on these occasions.

lavendar-blazer-pleated-skirt2

This velvet blazer sets the tone for a lovely but simple look. It has a dressed up feel, while still serving as a wardrobe basic. The lovely lavender color is subdued but classic. It pairs beautifully with the green skirt from the previous outfit example. The tones of the two colors compliment each other well. The overall effect is serious but not stuffy.

lavendar-blazer-pleated-skirt1

Dressing for special occasions during the holiday season can be so much fun. I hope these outfits give you inspiration for some festive fashion for the holidays!

What I Wore

Formal skirt: Fashion Bug, many, many years ago (I found one that would give a similar effect.)
Wrap top: BCBG via ThredUp. (Try this one.)
Shoes and Clutch: via ThredUp

Wrap dress: Banana Republic via ThredUp (Here’s one similar)
Shawl: Mine was a gift (similar)
Shoes: Lauren Conrad

Sweater: thrifted (similar)
Skirt: Chadwicks, many years ago (similar)
Boots: Zulily

Blazer: Ann Taylor LOFT via ThredUp (similar)
Scarf: via ThredUp

(Can you tell I really love finding clothes at ThredUp? If you’ve never heard of ThredUp before, it is an online consignment store which sells designer clothing and accessories. It’s a great place to find high quality, very gently used clothing for a fraction of the price of new. Use my referral link and receive $10 off your first order.)

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

Happy Thanksgiving

by | Nov 23, 2016 | Uncategorized

simple-fall-decor1

Wishing a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

To all my reader friends in the U.S., a Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday by far. It is profound in its simplicity. There is nothing commercialized about it. It is not about consumerism. In fact, it is about the opposite. How often do we take an entire day to pause and reflect on the blessings we have been given? Not often enough, to be sure. Thanksgiving is a time of remembrance, a time to slow down and be grateful, a time to reconnect with our families and loved ones.

So, as you enjoy your holiday festivities, may you be blessed. May you look at all that God has given you throughout this year and praise Him for His goodness.

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.”

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Wardrobe Wish List: 6 Looks I’d Love to Try

by | Nov 21, 2016 | Fashion

Winter time will very soon be upon us. I’ve been loving the sweaters, boots, and cozy clothes of fall. Even though we’ve had a mild fall, I know that soon enough the cold will come and my beautiful New England home will be buried in snow for months. Which means it will be time for lots and lots of layers of warm clothes.

I realize that in some climates, winter clothes really aren’t that different than fall. But where I live, bundling up in the dead of winter is an absolute necessity.

Dressing fashionably when the ground is covered with several feet of snow and the roads are dirty from the salt and sand is a bit of a challenge. But I’m up for it.

I’ve been doing a bit of online “window shopping” lately in preparation for the shift into winter fashion. There’s nothing in particular I really need right now as far as clothing goes. But it’s sure is fun to look, isn’t it?

My absolute favorite place to shop for clothing online is ThredUp. That’s where I have found so many amazing deals on designer brands, all of which have been in excellent condition. I just love the concept of an online consignment shop selling good quality used clothing at a tiny fraction of what they would cost new. If you’re in the market for some new wardrobe pieces but you’re clothing budget is tight, check out ThredUp. I guarantee you’ll find something you love for a price you can afford. (If you use my referral link, you’ll get $10 off your first order.)

Before I go shopping at ThredUP, though, I like to do a little looking around the web for inspiration.

I’ve discovered a few other little fashion gems in my travels across the internet.

A few of the items on my wardrobe wish list are…

This pretty sweater. I love the color as well as the design details. It look like such a cozy but stylish way to layer for the winter.

gray drape sweater

This scarf. I have already admitted to my love of scarves. A blanket scarf was something I didn’t even own until this fall. I’ve found that I love it so much, I would love to have more in other colors. The plaid of this scarf is classic and the colors are perfect for a winter wardrobe.

black watch plaid blanket scarf

This dress. I love the olive green color. Wrap dresses are such a great, universally flattering style. Plus, it’s a maxi dress. What more can you ask for?

olive wrap dress

Another wrap dress, and this one is in velvet. Ah, velvet—it’s such a luxurious fabric. The silvery color of this dress is gorgeous.

silver wrap dress

This simple dress would be so easy to dress up or down for almost any occasion. Add a sweater, scarf and boots for a cute casual look, or pair it with a statement necklace, shawl, and heels for a more formal outfit. It looks so comfy, too.

simple knit maxi dress

Another pretty sweater. I love the fringe detailing along the front.

fringe front drape sweater

All these clothing pieces are inspiring me as I curate my winter wardrobe choices. What do you think? Have you created your own winter wardrobe wish list?

 

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

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