For all of you who missed Black Friday sales, here is a link for hundreds of online coupons that will save you quite a bit of money. Enjoy your online shopping and avoid the crowds!!!! Merry Christmas............... www.keepcash.com.
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November 2008
November 30, 2008
November 29, 2008
November 27, 2008
Hundreds of Recipes for Christmas
Here is a link to a site you have to visit!!! This site has a lot of cute ideas for Christmas activities and ideas. But, you can't miss the Christmas recipes. You may want to copy these and make a cookbook of your own. I did it last year and it really comes in handy. Go to www.northpole.com. At the top of the page, click on the word kitchen. Once you are in Mrs. Claus' kitchen, click on the Mrs. Claus' cookbook icon. YOU WILL LOVE THIS!!!!!
November 25, 2008
November 23, 2008
Grocery Savings
I am always looking for ways to save money on groceries. One thing that I always do, is charge all my groceries on my Discover card. It pays you cashback or gives you reward points. Groceries are one thing you have to buy, and you usually pay cash for. Instead, charge it on Discover and save your cash to pay the bill at the end of the month. Make sure to pay it off so you won't have to pay finance charges. This way, you are getting a discount on all of your groceries every month. I also charge my gas on this same card. You will get a discount on gas as well.(or anything else you charge) The key is to pay it off every month so you don't pay the finance charge, or you will defeat your purpose. Also, clipping coupons is worth the trouble. You can save even more by doing this. In addition, I found a program on amazon.com called Subscribe & Save. You sign up to receive everyday items at intervals you select. Delivery is 1, 2, 3, or 6 months. They have items such as coffee, shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, etc. You can save an extra 15% and you also get free shipping. This is good if you like to buy in bulk because these products come in large quantities. This is just a program that is being tested, but for some this could save quite a bit of money and saves you the hassle of having to get thee products at the store. You can cancel the program at any time and there are no fees. Go to www.amazon.com/subscribeandsave and check it out.
November 22, 2008
Tired, Puffy, Eyes
Don't you hate it when you have an important event coming up where you need to look your best, and you're so keyed up or excited about it, that you just can't sleep? You're lying in bed thinking, "I've go to get some sleep. I'm going to look and feel horrible tomorrow!" And the more you think about it, the harder it is to sleep. Then you get mad. And you're just too mad to sleep!! I've found a miracle product. It is Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Eye Mask. (You can click on my Bliss ad in the right column to order.) It is for those of us who need to fake 8 hrs. of sleep. You can depuff and brighten those bags in 15 minutes. In comes in a box of 4, which should be a one month supply. It's ingredients include Vitamin C and cucumber extract. It is $54 which seems expensive. But, if you have a speech to make, a tv interview, a wedding, a class reunion, etc., it is so worth it! You can also treat your eyes before you sleep with a generous dose of a caffeine-packed eye cream. There is a good one on the market that has organic coffee bean in it. You can get it at Amazon.com (also on my site). It is much less expensive at $19. Because it isn't topped by eye makeup, it can easily seep into skin to tighten and reduce bloating. If you do not have any products available, you can also apply ice packs to your eyes in the morning. Also, you should elevate your pillows before you fall asleep to prevent fluids from building up under eyes. Nothing can make you look older than tired-looking eyes. And of course, sleep is the best remedy. But, sometimes you just can't get enough. Luckily there are products on the market that can help!
November 20, 2008
Spider Veins
Spider veins are veins that are close to the surface of the skin and look like tree branches or spider webs with their short jagged lines. They are usually red or blue and can appear on the legs and face. They can cover either a very small or very large area of skin. About 50-55% of American women have some form of vein problem. There are several factors that increase a person's chances of developing spider veins. These include: 1) Increasing Age 2) Genetices or being born with weak veins 3) Hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Birth control pills also increase your risk. 4) Obesity 5)Sun Exposure-increases the risk on the face. Also, the force of gravity, the pressure of body weight and the task of carrying blood from the bottom of the body up to the heart make legs the primary location for spider veins. Spider veins usually don not need medical treatment, but they may be unsightly. Therefore, many people wish to have them treated. To decrease your chances of developing spider veins: 1) Wear sunscreen. 2) Exercise regularly to improve leg strength, circulation and vein strength. 3) Control your weight. 4) Do not cross your legs when sitting. 5) If you must stand for long periods of time, shift your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes. If you must sit for long periods of time, get up and walk around every 30 minutes. 6) Wear elastic support stockings and avoid tight clothing that constricts your waist, groin, or legs. 7) Eat a low-salt diet that is rich in high-fiber foods. One of the oldest methods of treating spider veins is Sclerotherapy. This is when a doctor injects a solution into the vein that causes the vein walls to swell, stick together, and seal shut. This can be very effective. The average cost is about $350 per session. You may need three to four monthly treatments depending on the size of the area. The results are permanent, but it does not prevent new ones from forming. Risks include blood clots at the injection site and pigmentation changes. There is no downtime, but you should not exercise for 24 hours. However, pulsed dye lasers and Nd:YAG lasers are newer methods for eliminating blood vessels and spider veins. These lasers can eliminate the spider veins with just one or two treatments that only take a few minutes. You may be red, and some people may experience a bruised appearance in the treated area for 7 - 14 days. It feels like a stinging or a sensation similiar to a rubber band snap. There is no downtime.
November 18, 2008
November 17, 2008
Who Wants A Flat Stomach?
Who wants a flat stomach? Well, just about everyone. For women the stomach can be one of the hardest parts of the body to get in shape. Bloating, water retention, years of dieting and weight fluctuation, pregnancy, and genetics can all play a role in having a less than perfect stomach. Luckily, I have never had this problem. I think it might be due to genetics because my sister also has a flat stomach. When I look in the mirror and start seeing a bulge, I freak out. I have enough trouble battling my butt (this is where I carry my weight). I really would hate to have to worry about both. I also think running keeps my stomach under control. In addition to running, I drink a lot of green tea and water. These liquids help the body flush out any excess water that might cause bloating. You should also avoid eating frozen and processed foods. They cause bloating. And of course, you should limit your sugar intake. Remember, metabolism slows by about five-ten percent with each decade starting at age 25. That is why it becomes more difficult to lose weight. Women who have never had a problem with their weight may see a thickening around the waist during menopause. And honestly, there is very little you can do about it. But, you can keep it under control. You can exercise and watch your diet, and you may want to try a skin tightener for the stomach. There are several treatments available such as Titan, Thermage, and Aluma. But, if your stomach hangs over your pants, you probably have excess skin or fat that can only be treated with a tummy tuck or liposuction. Tummy tucks cost an average of $4,000-$15,000. It is usually permanent, but weight loss and pregnancy can affect the results. Liposuction usually costs an average of $1,500-$5,000 per area. And, like a tummy tuck, the results are permanent as long as weight is maintained.
November 16, 2008
How Does Stress Affect Your Skin?
Have you ever looked in the mirror when you've had very little sleep or have had a hard day at work? Your skin probably looks dull and may even have some pimples or red splotches. The overall tone and color of your skin becomes sallow. On days like this, it seems that everyone you run it to says the same thing...."You look tired today." And you probably think, "Do I really look that bad?" And chances are....you probably do. The skin is the first and best indicator that you're under some sort of stress. Stress can cause pimples, redness and rashes because of increased oil production. Under extreme amounts of daily ongoing stress, such as illness in the family, financial worries, or a new job, the stress hormone cortisol rises, causing an increase in oil production. Your pores can become clogged with sebum, giving way to acne. Stress can also make your skin appear more wrinkled. Stress within the body can cause your heart to beat faster and breathing to increase. This can reduce the amount of oxygen able to circulate, which can cause the formation of free radicals that break down collagen and elastin. Which in turn, causes wrinkles and fine lines to look worse. What should you do to keep your skin looking stress free? First you need to identify the triggers. Is it work,illness, insecurities, fear, etc.? Once they've been identified, control them with a regimen that works for you. It may be exercise, more sleep or eating better. However, this may be easier said than done. It's sometimes hard to sleep with problems weighing on your mind. Sometimes, you have to take a Tylenol or Advil p.m. and go to bed early enough to get eight hours of sleep. These aren't addictive, and really do help. There are also several products on the market that will help your skin look better during stressful times. For instant relief, try Dermalogica Soothing Protection Spray. This can be found on amazon.com. (Click on the add from my site) It normally sells for $31 at dermalogica.com. But, you can get it cheaper on amazon.com. I found it for as low as $24.99 for 8.4 oz. and also a travel size for $5.99. It can be used daily, or as needed. Its ingredients include green tea, willow herb and cucumber. This product protects the skin from damaging stressors like temperature extremes, pollution, irritating cosmetics, stress and hormonal factors. Also on amazon.com you can get skyn Iceland Anti-Stress Oral Spray. It sells for $25. This is an oral spray that helps to calm frazzled nerves before they manifest themselves as clogged pores and dull skin. Just three squirts of the cranberry mint-flavored spray under your tongue as needed calms you from the inside out. To reduce redness, try Neova R2 Serum for Sensitive and Red Skin. On amazon.com it is $52. It contains natural plant extracts to reduce the appearance of redness and irritation and de-puff the skin. To stop stress related wrinkles you may want to try La Prairie Anti-Aging Stress Cream. You can purchase it at www.bergdorfgoodman.com for $190. It is formulated with a unique cellular anti-wrinkle complex of Valerian root-often referred to as nature's version of Valium--mushroom extract and herbal and plant extracts, this anti-aging cream's ingredients help lessen the visible appearance of deeper lines and wrinkles, and increase low moisture levels, which can result from environmental stress. But sometimes, you need to stop and take time for yourself. A relaxing bubble bath can work miracles. Bath and Body Works sells Aromatherapy Luxury Bath Stress Relief--Eucalyptus Spearmint ($16.50), and Molton Brown Stress Relieving Hydrosoak-Seamoss ($32.00). These are great! And an Aromatherapy Stress Relief candle for $10.50 will just enhance the relaxing effect as you bathe. But remember.........You must get plenty of exercise, drink plenty of water, and eat a healthy diet during times of stress.
