Avoid Winter Mistakes

Winter is coming! Even though I have lived in Utah for many many years, I am never really ready for winter. This year is no exception. I am not ready. Ready or not, it is coming..soon. Maybe this will be the year that I am finally able to handle winter a little better.

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There are several winter mistakes you will probably make in the upcoming season. These can make your life a little more unbearable during a miserable time. But you can avoid most of them if you are aware of what they are and how to spot them. So, here are a few hand suggestions.

Steaming Hot Showers and Baths

Winter is, of course, cold, and it's only normal to want to get warm. For some of us, this means taking longer showers and baths at higher temperatures. But this is a terrible mistake for your skin. One of the most effective tips for healthier skin through winter is to keep your showers short and at a moderate temperature. This is because the natural oils will be removed by heat, and you need these to provide protection through the cold and to keep your skin moisturized.

Winter Mistakes Include Food

There are actually biological reasons why we eat more in the winter, and they mainly relate to providing ourselves with more energy. But as we have evolved, we don't really need to do this, but we still overeat anyway. Christmas and other holidays don't help, as we are aggressively exposed to commercial ads. Still, the average person puts on around 0.5 kgs during winter. The weather can also make you feel like you need to eat more as you feel colder even when warm.

Also, What You Drink

Drinking also comes into it and can contribute to seasonal issues throughout winter. You can crave high-calorie drinks as you do food because of biological urges. But alcohol consumption also increases during winter. This is higher during high-stress periods like Christmas and New Year but never really has a positive effect. Be kind to yourself this year, and try to drink less alcohol. You never need a drink to have fun, and you may even find you have a much better time.

Staying Inside for the Season

You need to get outside in winter. Of course, it's much harder to motivate yourself to do this when there is no sun and the wind is outrageous. But as long as it is safe to do so, you should take a few minutes to take in some nature. Walking the dog is always a good motivator. But it helps to force yourself to take a walk. Doing so will help increase your vitamin D production, and some fresh air and UV rays can help get the blood circulating as it should to stay warmer.

Not Protecting Yourself from UV Rays

Further to exposure to UV rays, you still need to be careful. Summer might be long gone, but the sun can still be dangerous. To protect yourself in winter with the following handy tips:

• You still need to wear sunscreen even when it is cloudy during winter.

• Be aware of the different types of sunscreen, such as UVA, UVB, and SPF.

• Wear clothing that UV rays cannot easily penetrate, such as dark and thick fabrics.

• A hat with a brim will protect your head, neck, and nose from excess UV radiation.

• Sunglasses may look silly in winter, but they will protect your eyes on a high UV day.

• Stay inside and out of the sun if possible, which is easier in winter anyway.

Even a cloudy day can be high in UV exposure, and sunscreen is a great protector. This is for your skin, of course, so a hat and sunglasses can provide further protection when UV is high.

Ditching the Exercise Routine

You may be prone to less energy when the sun says its goodbyes. And this means not exercising as you usually would. But this is a costly mistake, and it is made worse if you overeat and drink too much during winter. This could lead to substantial weight gain, making all your previous efforts worthless and even harder when the sun comes back next year. And you know you won't stick to the New Year's resolution to exercise more after buying unused gym stuff.

Staying in Bed for Too Long

There's nothing quite like a warm blanket on a chilly night and a cooler room when you are deep into sleep. But the cold gets colder in winter, and this can make it much harder to spring out of bed. However, sleeping for too long has effects like fatigue, brain fog, and decreased focus. It can also contribute to weight gain. Fortunately, all you need to do is set a timer for your heating to warm up the home for getting up in the morning. And Alexa can even start some appliances.

Winter Mistakes Include the Home

You need to look after yourself during winter. And this includes taking care of your property. It can be a disaster if anything goes wrong with your home during winter, especially the heating, plumbing, or drainage. These can all be dangerous under the right (or wrong) conditions, so prepare your home for the season ahead. Check the gutters once a week when it is safe, bleed the radiators and, reset the boiler pressure, and have an expert inspect your home's pipes.

Not Addressing Your Well-being

Of course, there might be genuine medical reasons why you find it harder to get up in winter. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is now a recognized condition where the lack of sun has a physiological effect on your well-being. It affects around 3% of the general population and up to 25% of people with previously diagnosed depressive disorders, including bipolar. There are ways to combat SAD, including using a SAD lamp that mimics the rising of the morning sun.

Summary

Taking steamy showers and baths is one of the worst winter mistakes you must avoid for skincare. And even though it is less sunny in winter, UV rays can still have an impact on your health. Also, you must take steps to make sure your home is as safe as it can be for winter.

*collaborative post

A Youthful Glow

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The older I get, the more I am looking for ways to look and feel a little younger while still finding ways to age gracefully. I love a good dose of botox just as much as anyone else, but there are other things we can all do to look a little younger if we want to.

If you fancy looking more youthful for a day or two, you’re in luck. This post takes a look at some of the beauty and fashion tips and tricks you can use to appear younger, even if only temporarily. Check out our ideas below:

Hydrate Your Skin

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One of the first things you can do is hydrate your skin. Finding ways to add moisture to it can stop it from looking dull, dry, and cracked – all problems as we get older. 

The best way to hydrate your skin is to use products that keep moisture locked in. Top moisturizers include things like glycerin and ceramides but you can also use basic hyaluronic acid if that’s helped you in the past. 

Make sure to use a humectant. These moisturizers don’t wet the skin. Instead, they help its natural moisture remain trapped inside, making your skin bouncier and less prone to dryness and cracking over time. 

Revamp Your Skincare Routine

Another thing you can try is revamping your skincare routine. Using various anti-aging products, such as vitamin C and retinol can help it appear more youthful over time.

You should also get into the habit of applying sunscreen daily in the morning before you set off. Protecting your skin against the harm caused by UV rays is one of the most powerful things you can do to keep your complexion looking healthy. 

Curl Your Eyelashes With Mascara

Another technique is to curl your eyelashes with mascara. Adding this type of makeup to your routine can significantly enhance the openness of your eyes and how “wide awake” you appear. 

When using mascara, ensure you curl your eyelashes upwards and outwards. Try to make your eyes appear bigger. 

Select Brighter Clothes

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When it comes to your wardrobe, it’s a good idea to select brighter clothes. Vibrant colors communicate a sense of youthfulness, making you appear more energetic. 

The best colors for appearing more youthful are bright yellow, orange, and baby blue. However, you should focus on choosing colors that suit your skin tone. You don’t want them to clash!

Don’t Wear Baggy Clothes

While it might be tempting to wear baggy clothes as you get older, avoid the impulse if you can. Bagginness naturally makes you look older and makes it hard for others to define your shape. The best approach is to choose fitted clothes that contour to your figure. 

Change Your Hairstyle

Another way to unlock your youthful glow is to change your hairstyle. Choosing something more youthful can rewind the clock by as much as ten years. 

Pigtail hairstyles for adults are becoming more popular. These immediately communicate a sense of fun and joy, making you feel more energetic. 

You can also try getting a pixie cut. These help to emphasize the jaw and neck, again bringing out your youthfulness. 

Add Concealer To Your Routine

Adding concealer to your routine is another way to unlock your youthful glow. Covering up dark circles around the eyes and putting down some base along your lower lash line can help to transform your appearance significantly. 

Concealer isn’t necessary for everyone, but it can give you an instant glow if you’re just looking for something that will work fast. 

Groom Your Eyebrows

Another way to unlock your eyebrows is to invest in some grooming. Eyebrows look well-kept and stunning when we are younger, but can get out of control as the years go by. 

Fortunately, grooming your eyebrows can make a tremendous difference. That’s because they frame the face, giving it character and structure. Darkening them and trimming them to the proper shape can make a tremendous difference in how youthful you appear overall. 

Buy More Tailored Clothes

If you really can’t find anything that fits you, you might want to experiment with buying more tailored clothes. Getting a professional to cut garments to fit you perfectly can be a fantastic investment.

You can also talk to tailors about which styles will flatter you the most. Many will take cues from your figure and tell you where to shop and what to buy. 

If you really love the clothes you already own, you can ask a tailor to adjust them so they fit you better. Having clothes that fit well can make a tremendous difference in how youthful you appear. 

Add Fun Accessories

Finally, it’s a good idea to add fun accessories to your outfit, such as statement necklaces, heels, and jewelry that make you appear more youthful. Being more playful in your choices will create the desired effect automatically. 

How to Pick out Jewelry

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I am a big jewelry girl. I feel like it adds so much to an outfit and can totally change a look. There are so many different types of jewelry. It can sometimes be difficult to pick out what is the right fit for you.

Choosing the correct type of jewelry for a gift can be a highly personal experience. Regardless of whether you need to buy a necklace, engagement or wedding ring, or a pair of earrings, you want to be confident that the piece you purchase is precisely what they will love and is their style.

Jewelry can hold a lot of meaning, and different types of jewelry and gems can have different meanings depending on the reason it is gifted. So, where do you start when it comes to finding the right piece?

Look At Their Existing Items

The best place to start is to simply look at the type of jewelry they already own and wear regularly. This will allow you to see what to avoid as they already have it and what colors and styles they tend to lean more towards.

It could be that they prefer white gold or silver to yellow gold jewelry, or that they like large, eye-catching designs not understand simplistic pieces that blend into their outfits. Or they might prefer to wear earrings over rings, meaning you can avoid buying them rings as they won't be as included to wear them.

You can give yourself a head start by paying attention to their current style.

Set your Price Range

Giving yourself a budget to stick to can help you to narrow down your choice. This will automatically eliminate many styles and designs from your options and give you an idea of what you can realistically afford.

If you have a higher budget, then you can opt for custom designs and Find the best diamonds. In contrast, if you need to be more conservative with your spending, you can opt for commercial designs that don't come with as high a price.

What Will The Jewelery Represent?

It goes without saying that buying a ring for your mother will require different considerations than a ring you want to use to propose to your partner. The meaning behind the gift should be driving your choice. What this ring will signify and what it should be saying can allow you to tailor your choice and look for suitable options. Whether it is a gift to say well done for graduating college or confirming your commitment to a person, what it represents needs to be considered in the purchase decision.

Know The Materials

You need to know the type of materials you will be purchasing for your items. This includes the metal used and the type of gems in the piece, too. Doing your research not only into the kind of jewelry your loved one prefers but what you are actually paying for can allow you to make a more informed choice.

If you are purchasing an engagement ring, you should be looking at the different types of gems for engagement rings, looking at the 4 C's of diamonds if you want a diamond ring, which are Cut, Clarity, Colour, and Carat to help you ascertain what you can afford and know exactly what you are paying for. The more you know about jewelry, gems, and metals, the easier it will be to make the right purchase and know exactly what you are buying.

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Body Jewelry

I am a big earrings girl. I need to wear earrings every day. I got my ears pierced when I was a little girl. I got a second piercing when I was 13, but I took those earrings out a long long time ago. As additional piercings are getting more popular, I recently went to a piercing party and re-pierced my second piercing again. It is still in the healing stage so I haven't been able to change them to other fun earrings. I am excited for that soon. I am pretty sure that is all the piercings I need.

Body jewelry isn’t for everyone. Some might limit themselves to just one or two piercings on their ears, while others will experiment with piercings on their face and all over their body.

There are many areas of the body that can now be pierced, some more painful and intimate than others. While they might not be as permanent as a tattoo, they can still be pricey, and painful and leave scars once healed.

So how do you choose the right body jewelry for you? It’s important to be selective about what you choose and how you go about getting the body piercing so that it suits you and is done successfully. Here’s how to choose body jewelry for the first time.

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Use AR apps to try out different piercings

When it comes to trying out different piercings, think about using the technology we have today when it comes to AR (augmented reality). There are lots of apps and filters on social media platforms that you can use to see different piercings on your body, particularly when it comes to facial piercings.

It’s a very privileged position to be in when you can explore piercings for your body and not need to worry about having to go through with them if you don’t want to.

With that being said, do give these filters and apps a go, to get an idea of how these bodily piercings actually look on your body.

Know what budget you have available

It’s important to be aware of what budget you have available when it comes to shopping for body piercings. They can vary depending on the type of piercing and who you opt to get the piercing from. For example, here are a few guidelines on pricing when it comes to bodily piercings:

Body piercings for earlobes, cheek or ear cartilage - $20 to $55

Body piercings for the eyebrow, navel, nose, or nipple - $30 to $65

Body piercings for piercings above the lip, and surface of the body - $40 - $85

Of course, this is just for the piercing itself, not for any of the jewelry that you might pick for the piercing. This is something to factor in, especially as the jewelry can often have high price points depending on the materials used.

You’ve also got a great selection of jewelry to pick from, like this wide selection of eyebrow jewelry for example.

Trial out more tame body piercings first

Body piercings are no easy feat, especially if you’re someone who has a fairly low pain threshold. It’s therefore useful to be aware of what body piercings you should try out first. For example, earlobes are likely to least painful, and then there are others that might be significantly more painful.

Building up your pain tolerance with piercings is likely a better option than going straight in with a piercing that’s notoriously painful to have.

Choose a reputable and qualified piercer

When it comes to getting a body piercing, it’s similar to that of a tattoo in that you want it to be done properly. While it’s only a piercing, it can often be done wrong if the person doing the piercing is not qualified or knows how to pierce correctly.

Not only that but if they’re not using the right equipment or going about sterilizing said equipment effectively then this could lead to some pretty nasty infections.

With that being said when you’re looking to get a body part pierced, make sure it’s with a reputable and qualified piercer.

Opt for the right materials when picking body piercings

The right materials are important when it comes to picking body piercings because you want to have high-quality materials going into your body after all. For example, most materials you’ll find that are suited for body piercings are surgical stainless steel. Make sure to look out for this feature in a piercing shop when you’re browsing the different piercings available.

There are other materials that are used, but it’s definitely worth doing some research to know what you should be going for and what you should be avoiding with a bargepole.

Be sure to know what aftercare is needed for each piercing

Finally, and this is important for any type of piercing you get on your body, make sure you know what type of aftercare is needed. Ensure you’ve got all the relevant aftercare information from the piercer and that you’ve got the stuff needed to keep your piercings clean and free of bacteria.

Getting a body piercing is fun but you want to take caution, especially when it comes to your first one!

*collaborative post

Skincare-

When I was younger I basically didn't even think about my skincare. I have always been pretty lucky to have decent skin. As I started getting a bit older, I knew I needed to make some changes. I found a skincare routine, started using sunscreen, and prioritized my skin. The older I get, the more important it is to take care of my skin.

We all want to look and feel healthy. So it’s no surprise that our skin condition is a big part of that. Our skin can be the biggest indicator of how we are feeling both inside and out. However, many people get it wrong when it comes to their skincare. So I thought it would be a good idea to share with you some of the things many people get wrong and how you can change that. I hope it sets you on the right track for younger healthier looking skin. 

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Overcomplicating things. 

Many people try too hard when it comes to their skincare. They may use many different products. All will have different properties or accolades of what they can do for your skin. But the thing is, your skin doesn’t need lots of fancy products. Sometimes just simplifying your routine could be the secret to a more flawless complexion. So take a look at the products you use and try and downscale it. 

Not considering what they put into their bodies

Your skin can be affected by the food you eat. So it’s crazy not to consider your diet when it comes to good skin care. Many people forget that this is exactly one of the reasons that could affect your skin's look. Food like sugary sweets, cakes, and desserts can all be bad for your skin's complexion. But also some foods can cause you to get sensitive skin. Things like dairy products and gluten-based ingredients. Take a look at your diet and try and increase the amount of fruit and vegetables you eat each day. 

Avoiding treatments that can aid your skin's appearance

Many people think that certain skin treatments are not so great for your skin. But this is where some people go wrong. Sometimes these treatments, like dermatology consultations, can help improve your skin condition. As well as the look of your complexion. It’s not all about getting things done for cosmetic reasons, sometimes your skin's health requires it. Sometimes you need to think about cosmetic skin care treatments that could help improve things. 

Drinking too much alcohol and caffeine

Your skin can be affected by the amount of alcohol and caffeine you drink. Which is where many people go wrong. They are a stimulant and have a way of drying out your skin. Making it appear tired and aging. Try and limit your intake to improve your skin's condition and look. If you can, increase the amount of water you drink. This can have a real positive effect on your skin’s condition. 

Not getting enough sleep at night

Finally, when you burn the candle at both ends, your skin is a big indication of it. This is why getting more hours of sleep is a great way to improve your complexion. Lack of sleep can reduce dark circles around the eyes. Getting more sleep allows your body to regenerate the skin cells, making you appear more alert and youthful. 

I hope this has highlighted some of the areas you could be going wrong in when it comes to looking after your skin.

Do you have a favorite skincare routine or favorite product you use?

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Fall Fashion:Horse Race Edition

Fall Fashion: Preparing For A Day At The Races

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As the seasons start to change, many of us are wondering what to wear. This isn't your everyday fashion post. This is a special occasion kind of fashion-horse races.

While many people think of horse racing as an event solely for the Spring, the Fall racing program is immensely popular too. From Albuquerque to Woodbine, the October schedule in the U.S. and Canada is simply incredible. If you’re planning a day at the races over the coming weeks, though, ensuring that you look the part is vital.

In truth, the process isn’t vastly different from planning a day at the races in Spring or Summer. Focus on the simple tips I’ve provided below for guidance and you won’t go far wrong.

Find The Perfect Outfit

A day out at the races may be one of your final opportunities to wear a dress to an outdoor event this year as it will soon be time to wrap up. Beautiful race day dresses will undoubtedly enhance your experience of being around the paddocks. After all, looking good naturally makes you feel good regardless of whether it’s a work outing or a day with friends.

To perfect the outfit, though, you will probably want a lightweight jacket. Meanwhile, carrying an umbrella is advised if the weather forecast suggests rain.

Choose The Right Hat

After an incredible summer, I can’t wait to continue the fun over the coming weeks. However, the Halloween and Thanksgiving season is one when I often feel cold. Thankfully, eye-catching hats like fascinators play a big part in race day fashion for women. Aside from the visual benefits, it’s one of the best ways to prevent body heat loss.

Hats should be fun but will also need to coordinate with your race day dress and footwear. So, you should always prioritize those items first.

Perfect Your Hair & Makeup

When dressing to impress for a day at the races, it’s equally important to consider your hair and makeup choices. The windy weather could play havoc with your hair if you’re not careful. These updos for fall are ideal, not least because you can find one that pairs well with hats. Likewise, it’ll be easy to fix them should the wind make them come loose.

As for makeup choices, bitten-berry lips and autumnal-colored mascara can work exceptionally well. However, the key is to find what matches your natural tones.

Consider Your Body Language

Looking your best during a day at the races is as much about the way people perceive you as the way you view yourself. With this in mind, carrying yourself with a confident posture can make a world of difference. Jewelry, simple but bold nails, and a winning smile will do just the trick. If you have bought new footwear, you should wear them in before the big day.

Even if you’re not overly confident, you can fake it until you make it. Crucially, many aspects of your race day attire can subsequently be used for other events over the coming weeks. 

The Final Warning

Lastly, it’s advised that you set a budget for the day. After all, nothing will ruin your look quite like frowning due to losing a small fortune.

*collaborative post