.

Eyelash Goddess

2008-08-08T19:05:00.000-07:00

Long, fluttering eyelashes have long been associated with femininity and sensuality.

"The eye is the jewel of the body." ~Henry David Thoreau

I have discovered the secret to become an Eyelash Goddess. It is simple. Go to http://www.mdlashfactor.com/ and order the most amazing eyelash product I have come across. It is called MD Lash Factor, and 5% of the proceeds go to charity for Autism.

Loyally apply every night, and after 2 months you will notice incredible eyelash growth. Patience is a virtue, and it truly does take about 8 weeks before you will see an improvement in the length of your pretty lashes.

Remember to always use an eyelash curler, before applying mascara. Also, remember to always remove all eye make-up before bed.

The eyes are our windows to the soul, so let us frame them with beautiful lashes!

The Water Connoisseur

2008-08-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

"Water is fluid, soft and yielding. But water will wear rock away, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong." ~Lao-Tzu

Water is a life source. Hydration is the key to a supple, clear, dewy complexion. The beverage of your skin's choice is water. Nourish your skin with moisturizing creams and moisturizing cleansers. We do not want to eliminate the natural and essential oils in the skin, but rather achieve a balance.

Become a water connoisseur:

There are many different brands of bottled water on the market today. Most grocery stores have an entire aisle dedicated to bottled water. There are subtle distinctions in taste, and it is completely personal preference.

You can train your palate to become a water connoisseur. At first taste, close your eyes, and try to notice the weight of the gulp on your tongue. Notice how the water rushes to fill your mouth, above and beneath your tongue. Feel the temperature of the water completely adjust to match the temperature inside your mouth. Now, pay attention to the sudden weightlessness of the water, as it blends in like it was meant to be there. It is meant to be there. Notice how your body actually pulls the water down your throat. It is as if with each swallow, your body shares its gratitude to you for nourishing yourself.

I recommend that you do a taste test of several different brands of water to discover which brand you fancy. Make a commitment to yourself to drink several bottles of your favorite water each and every day. My personal favorite is Smart Water.

Bottled water at this level of consumption can be expensive. Thankfully, there are more economical alternative, so your skin does not have to go dry. Water from the refrigerator door is filtered, and always cold. There is also a fantastic water filter on the market called, Brita. It is a pitcher-like container that you fill with regular tap water, and the Brita filter transforms your tap water into pristine drinking water. Voila! Hydrated skin appears supple, smooth, and glowing, so love your water, no matter what the source.

There are creative ways to drink your water. Make it fun for yourself! Throw some delicious raspberries or strawberries into your glass or bottle of water. As they sink to the bottom, a challenge is born. Now, you must finish the water to reach the berries. It is also psychologically encouraging, because there is a reward at the end.

**remember to recycle your water bottles!

Sip & Stitch

2008-07-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

Set aside an afternoon with some close friends, colorful yarn, antioxidant tea.....and.....sip & stitch!

Before your special guests arrive, prepare a variation of different antioxidant teas, perhaps: Green Tea, Pomegranate Tea (drop some seeds in it!), Jasmine Tea, or Blueberry Tea (add some fresh blueberries at the bottom--it's not just a yogurt delight). Set aside some honey for your company to enjoy with their antioxidant tea. Serve the antioxidant teas with a generous platter of dates, Tibetan Goji berries (associated with longevity), and sprinkle with your favorite nuts.

Indulge in a High Tea with your closest friends and family members, enjoying openhearted talks and sharing laughs with one another.

After High Tea and healthy antioxidant-rich treats, move to a cozy area with open space and have a seat on your comfy couches to begin a knitting session. The stitching begins! Don't forget to take your tea with you, so you can sip & stitch.

I love soft white and ivory shades, like that of the hat and scarf I am wearing in the above photo. I designed and knitted the winter items last year.

Knitting is an introspective activity, and if it is shared with people you care about, the energy translates to one another, and you may likely decide to spontaneously alter your knitting designs, in accordance with the energy created in the the room. It is always more special and rewarding to give a hand-made gift, so I recommend that you have someone lovely in mind that you are knitting for. Choose a color that will compliment her skin-tone, or a safe color you happen to notice she wears often. Stitching with calming, lavender yarn for a scarf while sipping lavender tea will keep you warm inside and out, quite literally!

If you do not know how to knit, do not fear! There is beauty in the simplicity of learning a stitch. You and your dear friends can take a super-fun group knitting lesson at a local yarn or fabric store that offers lessons. If you are in the L.A. area, I love Knit Cafe on Melrose Avenue. Once you and your friends feel confident, likely after one lesson, commit to sip & stitch afternoons--alternating houses/hosts.

Friendship is a beautiful part of life, and it needs to be nurtured. Weekly sip & stitch afternoons can build deeper friendships and connections. Life is about making time for yourself and for others.

Friendship is a reciprocity of advise, support, concern, love, and human connection. It ought never to be taken for granted.

"If we are not beautiful to each other, we cannot know beauty in any form."
~Dorthy Parker

Aging Gracefully

2008-07-29T17:44:00.000-07:00

Time gives us many gifts, one of which is aging, or the evolution of our soul; who we essentially are. Wrinkles represent a full life and smile lines represent laughter. We should embrace these changes, because the changes are in fact a process of becoming more of who we are, not less. You are beautiful and only become more-so with age. Aging gracefully is done by exploring our inner beauty and wisdom. Growing older ought to be celebrated as an opportunity to fulfil one's dreams. Life is ready and waiting for you. The future is yours: grow into it gracefully.

"As we grow old, the beauty steals inward."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The process of aging equates to growth, and it is a futural process. So, let us all look forward toward our future! Nurture yourself and welcome wisdom and the opportunity to expand the scope of possibility as we grow older. The road ahead is not narrowed by age, but rather broadened with dreams waiting to be actualized. Dream big!

This inspirational poem, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, illustrates the inner beauty that blooms with age:

For age is opportunity no less
Than youth itself
Though in another dress,
And as the evening twilight fades away
The sky is filled with stars invisible by day

It is never to late to chase and fulfil your dreams. Creating a dream journal is a wonderful way to stay present to your ambitions. Before you lay your weary head down to sleep, write in your dream journal. Record what your dreams are, what your hopes are, and write down 10 beautiful thoughts about yourself. Now, you may close your eyes and fall into a dreamy slumber.

Tomorrow is a day of full of promise.