Gabrielle Union Rocks KOA Swim!
Why Exercise? I’m Not talking about the obvious reasons
Believe it or not, some people in this day and age still don’t exercise. I know it’s hard to believe, with all the promoting of good health and a gym on just about every corner. However, people still walk pass them to get to the fast food spot next door. I am going to jump on the band wagon and tell you how important exercise is to you. When you exercise, you change your body, mind, attitude and mood. Let me start with how it changes your body. I am not going to state the obvious like weight loss, tone and build muscle. I am going to tell you about the things you may not notice.
Exercise can boost your sex drive. If you want to rev up your sex life get into the gym. Not only will you be more flexible, you will also have more stamina in bed. Exercise causes the brain to produce endorphins that stimulate the release of sex hormones and when men lift weight it increases testosterone. Work out together and double the effects.
Exercise can improve your skin. When you exercise, you work up a sweat and that sweat is pushing all the built-up toxins out of your system. So, make sure you wash your face when you are done with your workout. Exercise increases your blood flow which carries oxygen and nutrients to your skin and increases skins production of collagen. Exercise can help you fight off wrinkles and have that healthy glow.
Confidence booster – When you exercise on a regular basis you tend to stand a little taller. You feel stronger, your energy level increases and just by sticking to an exercise plan gives you a sense of accomplishment.
Go ahead and visit your local gym you can make several changes in your life. We know the obvious changes that occur are weight loss, tone and building muscles, but now you know you are doing far more than that. Boost your sex life, make that skin radiant and push that chest out in pride you deserve it.
Get more info about Elizabeth Colen, Confidence Coach on www.MsFitOne.com. Fit Mind, Fit Body and Fit Spirit
7 Ways to Maintain a Young-Looking Face
We all want to look as youthful as possible for as long as possible. We spend money on creams, facials, fillers, and even sometimes plastic surgery. To get some tips for how we can maintain a young-looking face, we went to several great beauty professionals including Dr. Kirk Brandow, founder and director of the Brandow Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery in Philadelphia, who has appeared on national programs such as Good Morning America and 20/20. Here’s what they all have to say.
- Get rest.
There absolutely is such a thing as beauty sleep. “Women come to my practice thinking they need an eye-job or a facelift when all they need is sleep. Sleep is a time when we rejuvenate ourselves and cellular turnover is at its height. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep nightly will make a huge difference in how youthful a woman appears especially as she approaches age 30 and collagen production decreases,” says Dr. Brandow. “A woman can speed up aging if they are constantly sleep deprived.”
- Use an overnight treatment.
If you suffer from breakouts or skin dryness leading to wrinkles or blotches, treating your skin concerns at night, is a way to maintain a youthful glow. “Work closely with your dermatologist or aesthetician who can recommend non-irritating skin treatments specifically addressing your concern,” advises Dr. Brandow. You want to take advantage of overnight options available to boost collagen and heal skin while sleeping.
- Hydrate
When it comes to anti-aging and putting your most youthful face forward, water is key. Water flushes your system of toxins which helps skin to glow. “Women spend a lot of money on topical creams formulated to boost moisture and hydrate the skin yet, if they integrated more water, even 4, 8 ounce glasses per day, they would see fewer wrinkles and an overall smoother younger skin texture within a month,” says Dr. Adriane Pompa, Miami based board certified dermatologist who specializes in aging skin.
- Be smart about fillers.
Fillers are used to add volume that diminishes as we age but people have taken it to extremes. There have been many advancements with fillers over the past 5 years offering more options and more sophisticated ways to administer them to achieve a youthful look.
According to Dr. Brandow, many patients believe that filling their cheeks will soften their laugh lines, so they push doctors to administer two to four syringes in their cheek bones and cheek area at once. This can result in swelling and doesn’t necessarily lift their face. Fillers are often done as an alternative to a face lift but, if not spread out over several weeks, it just gives the patient an unnatural look that distorts their face and makes them look odd.
“My personal preference is to perform the fillers sequentially. For example, I will use one syringe of filler in multiple locations. Then I’ll have patients return in 4-6 weeks and perhaps do another syringe to the same places, or different places, giving them an overall natural look. This leads to a softer, more natural result. The key to doing fillers well are going with small amounts every 4-6 weeks,” explains Dr. Brandow.
- Get facials.
According to Dr. Adriane Pompa, one facial per month does wonders for skin’s clarity, texture, and ability to produce collagen. “There are many at-home facials available one can do weekly. The key is knowing your skin type and ingredients that address your specific skin concern. Also, you can treat different parts of the face differently depending on skin issue. Let’s say you are prone to breakouts on your jawline, have wrinkles on your forehead and dryness on the cheeks, your dermatologist or aesthetician can recommend a facial plan customized for you.”
- Consider lasers and light!
Lasers are another tool that blasts away acne scars, evidence of past sun damage and evens out skin giving that flawless, youthful glow. There have been so many advancements with lasers resulting in more immediate results without downtime. Lasers typically cost between $600 – $1200 per treatment depending on the city and type of laser. The advantage with lasers is accuracy. You can treat a specific area without affecting the rest of the surrounding skin.
- Tone down your make-up.
One way to immediately take 10 years off your look is to revamp your make-up. Consider hiring a professional make-up artist who can teach you how to enhance and even modernize your look. New York make-up artist, Carlo Geraci, who was protégé to Trish McEvoy and Kevin Aucion, explains that a lot of women are doing their make-up the same way they did 20 years ago. That bronzer that you loved in the 90’s when you were 24 may appear harsh and outdated at 44. “Heavy eye liner and strong lip colors may only accentuate wrinkles and fine lines. As women age, less is more when it comes to make-up. Opt for a great hydrating foundation or a touch of concealer, a pinch of blush, a swipe of mascara or a gray or brown eyeliner and a natural looking lip liner topped with a tinted hydrating balm,” he suggests.
About the Experts:
Dr. Kirk Brandow, founder and director of Brandow Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery is a plastic surgeon with 2 locations in the Philadelphia metro area and a 3rd one at the jersey shore. Named a “Top Doc” in Plastic Surgery by Philadelphia Magazine as well as nationally recognized for one of America’s “Best Plastic Surgeons” of this decade, Dr. Brandow is a trusted expert who has developed many innovative, minimally invasive procedures for the face, body and skin. He has been featured on local, national and international television programs including 20/20, CNN’s Headline News, Good Morning America.
Dr. Adriane Pompa is a board-certified dermatologist and Associate Professor of Dermatology at University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital who is highly trained in medical dermatology, dermatologic surgery and cosmetic dermatology. In addition to her general practice, she specializes in anti-aging skin care, skin cancer prevention and treatment, and laser use in dermatology.
Carlo Geraci, New York make-up artist has worked alongside Kevin Aucoin, helped launch the Trish McEvoy brand, and was invited by Barneys New York to became the first Beauty Guru, a position created specifically for him. His work has appeared in print and commercial campaigns, New York Fashion Week runways, red carpets, Broadway stages, television, film, and fashion editorials. He has also appeared on the Style Network, CBS News, and Today on NBC.
Key Elements of a Celebrity Inspired Wedding
Celebrity weddings always tend to be a rather big deal thanks to their lavish venues, stunning décor, impressive guest lists, and jaw-dropping price tags. If you have recently become engaged and you are looking to hold a celebrity-inspired wedding, but don’t think your budget can handle it, you may be surprised at just how many details you can use in your wedding that are affordable options.
Here we’ll take a look at how and what to include in your celebrity-inspired wedding that will leave you and your groom-to-be feeling like Hollywood stars.
Put the Bling on Display
First things first, any celebrity wedding always has the bling front and center and by the “bling” we mean the engagement ring. In order to showcase your ring and really let it be the star of the day, you’ll want to make sure you’ve had it professionally cleaned for the big day. Depending on where you go to have it cleaned, they will actually take the diamond out of the setting and clean/polish it. Imagine solitaire engagement rings or diamond halo rings just sparkling away as the photographer takes their shots.
Another tip is to have a professional manicure as this will help to showcase the bling further. Opt for a pale polish shade in a pastel or neutral colors such as peach or pink. A French manicure is also a wonderful option and will work well with any ring style, setting, and color.
As for the rest of your jewelry, you may want to speak to local jewelers to see if they offer jewelry rental. Some places allow you to rent pieces for the day, making it possible to wear pieces that would normally be way out of your price range. Antique shops are another great spot to find unique bling that will draw attention to you on the big day.
Set the Tone with the Invitations
The first place you’ll be able to incorporate some celebrity inspiration is with your wedding invitations. While you don’t have to spend a fortune on elegant stock and over-the-top features, you can choose to make them yourselves and add a personal touch. By making your invitations unique, you’ll be following in the footsteps of the top Hollywood stars.
Pick a Unique Venue
Because celebrities can afford to hold their wedding pretty much anywhere, they tend to have some really unique venues. Just because you’re working on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t find a unique venue. Nowadays, places such as zoos, lounges, museums, libraries, art galleries, aquariums, and more are getting into the wedding business. These kinds of venues help to make your wedding pop and really stand out, giving the illusion of a very celebrity-inspired wedding.
Focus on Flowers
When you take a look at some of the most over-the-top and glamorous celebrity weddings out there, you’ll find that flowers play an absolutely pivotal role in the décor. Celebrity wedding planners tend to fill the venue with flowers so that they cascade over walls, tables, and drip from the ceiling. While this would obviously cost an absolute fortune to do for your wedding, you can use this same idea on a smaller scale.
A great tip is to ask your florist what is in season at the date of your wedding. Flowers that are in season and native to your region will be much cheaper. What this means is that you can get more bang for your buck. Large amounts of flowers do a great job at adding drama to the venue. Another tip is to use flowers that have large heads, such as Hydrangeas. What this means is that you’ll require less of them to fill vases. This results in more money savings.
Create Your Own Red Carpet
Think of all the top movie premieres and award shows – celebrities always arrive on a red carpet. This is another touch that you can easily add to your wedding. The two of you can be standing right there on the red carpet to greet your guests and your photographer can snap a photo of each arrival. Not only is this a fun celebrity-inspired item to add, it also means you’ll have pictures to remember each and every arrival.
As an added thought, you can then include the photo with that guest in their thank you card that you send out later.
Include a Wardrobe Change
Any big celebrity wedding is going to include at least one dress change by the bride. Typically celebrities opt for a traditional dress for the ceremony and then change into something a bit more showy, glamorous, and sexy for the reception. Two dresses may sound like a huge hit to the budget, but you can make that second dress less of a bridal gown and more of a cocktail dress if you like. This will be much cheaper.
If you can’t afford to have two dresses, change up the look instead. This could mean changing your headpiece, removing your veil, changing your jewelry, adding/removing gloves, add a belt with bling, pinning your hair up/down, and even changing your shoes. These little changes will totally transform the look of your dress. Some dresses can even be made with a skirt that is removable so it is long for the ceremony, and then removed to reveal a shorter, flirtier skirt underneath.
Don’t forget makeup is another way you can change your look. If you start out with soft and romantic makeup, you can glam it up for the reception. This can be done by smoking out your eyes, adding a bold lip color, highlighter to your cheekbones, and even putting on false eyelashes.
Of course, the wardrobe change isn’t reserved just for the bride; your groom and the rest of the bridal party can also take part in it.
Look for Designer Inspired Knock-Offs
As you shop for your gown(s), don’t be afraid to ask about designer knock-offs. These knockoffs are meant to look like the real thing, but typically are made from a less expensive fabric and may include fewer beads, fewer details, etc. It will be close enough to the real thing though for your guests to feel as though they are looking at a celebrity bride.
And it’s not just your dress that you can find a knock off version of. You can also look for designer-inspired jewelry, hair pieces, shoes, and purses.
The Cake – Go Big or Go Home
The cake is an excellent opportunity to go over-the-top glam. Celebrities are known for their tall and imposing cakes. You can speak to your baker about cheaper options such as only using a cake for the top layer, and the rest is just made from foam or another material. As well, you can save money by using fresh seasonal flowers. It will cut down on the decorating time from the baker’s perspective and it will add drama to the cake.
Live Entertainment – Go the Extra Mile
There’s a good chance that a full orchestra or band isn’t in your budget, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a little live entertainment. You can price out a local singer to see how much it would be to do a few songs, look into a local dance troupe, or even a solo pianist during the cocktail hour. Live entertainment may require you to be a bit creative and step outside the box.
Swag Bag Favors
Celebrity events are also known for their swag bags, so this is a great opportunity to combine a swag bag with the wedding favor. You can give out little baskets or bags of posh pampering products such as hand cream, lip butter, scented candles, bubble bath, gourmet snacks, a bottle of water, stationery, monogrammed slippers, and other items that scream “swag”.
Don’t Forget the After-Party
Any big celebrity event goes on until the wee hours of the morning. If your venue doesn’t allow for you to keep on partying then you can create an after-party for you and your guests. You can rent out a couple of hotel rooms create some décor in them, and really party until the next day. Décor can include things such as candles, votives, champagne and wine on ice, snacks, and music: everything a great party needs.
A True Celebrity Wedding
By following these tips and ideas you’ll be able to create your very own celebrity-inspired wedding that all your guests will be talking about for months/years to come. The key to planning the ultimate celebrity wedding is to focus on each of the individual details. Nothing is overlooked in a celebrity wedding, no matter how small it may seem. By taking that same approach you’ll be able to really make things pop and stand out.
Remember that a big part of a celebrity wedding is making guests feel special, rather like celebrities themselves. You are creating a whole vibe here that is memorable, over-the-top, and extremely posh, not just for you but for everyone there.
HappiSnappi: Making A Difference Through Fashion
A mother/daughter team have come together to make a difference for girls everywhere and children fighting Cancer. The two 10 year old girls, one of which currently fighting cancer, are on a mission to inspire creativity, confidence, strength and self-expression in all girls. HappiSnappi provides cute hair accessories and hats that are all interchangeable in a snap! Switch out each embellishments based on your mood or style, using a simple snap – giving the little girl in your life endless fashion choices.
Diagnosed with cancer in February of 2015, Sadie Keller is a beautiful and courageous young fighter. Each day, 45 children are diagnosed with cancer and Sadie is determined to change this. Partnering with Sadie and her mom, HappiSnappi is helping to find a cure for childhood cancers by raising awareness and donating some of the proceeds to her cause.
As Sadie Keller began to lose her hair from her chemotherapy treatment, she began to wear a cadet style camo hat which quickly became her ‘go-to’ prior to leaving the house. Due to the
camo color and Sadie’s bald head, she was often referred to as a boy when in public, often crushing her spirits. Sadie wished for a fun accessory to attach adding a more feminine flair, while still being able to wear her favorite hat. The HappiSnappi “Sadie Hat” was born and has quickly become a top seller. With a heart for giving back, Sadie was always bringing gifts and baked goods to her doctor and nurses and at Christmas, even started a toy drive named Sadie’s Sleigh to bring toys to other children fighting cancer in the hospital on Christmas. Sadie has since started her own foundation, the Sadie Keller Foundation, where along with Sadie’s Sleigh, she gives Milestone gifts to cancer fighters as they reach pivitol parts of their treatment, or need a reminder to keep fighting.
When Peyton Ohm, was growing up, she used to tape flowers on her clothes to accessorize them. HappiSnappi allowed her the opportunity to easily switch out her accessories in a snap. Peyton having a big heart, is there for Sadie as she completes her treatment and the two have become great friends, while partnering together, with their mom’s, Karlee Ohm and Sarah Keller, to build HappiSnappi. This mother/daughter duo is extremely passionate about supporting childhood cancer. So much so, that they made the brand commitment that for every HappiSnappi purchased, another will be given to a child fighting cancer. Peyton and Sadie now help to select products for many cancer fighters across the country, and with a hand written note from the two of them, are putting smile on so many faces.
How does it work? Watch this fun tutorial to see the magic of HappiSnappi! Explore the different, unique designs this bold brand has to offer:
Cupcake Hair Kit ($20): Available in fun favorites like Lavender Cream, Raspberry Ice, and Rainbow Sherbet, and packaged as the perfect treat, this cupcake hair kit will be her number one gift for any event! Packaged as a cupcake, this kit is filled with goodies including interchangeable hair flowers and many accessories. One size fits most babies and girls of all ages.- The Sadie Hat ($20): Looking to add some cute to your cap? Throw on the Cameo “Sadie” Hat! Designed in a cadet cap style with a variety of bright, bold colors, each hat comes with two snap on flower embellishments.
- Chiffon Blooms ($6): Sold in almost every color of the rainbow, and multiple sizes, these chic Chiffon Blooms will dress up any HappiSnappi accessory! Available in sets of two or one snap on flower accessories.
With a focus on giving back, you can support childhood cancer charities while getting your little ones a cute creation from HappiSnappi!
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Restonic Sleep Survey Shows Electronics and Exercise Have the Greatest Impact on Sleep Quality
Leader in Handcrafted Mattresses Seeks to Raise Awareness on Key Lifestyle Issues That Affect Sleep Habits
Buffalo, NY (April 21, 2017) – Restonic, leader in handcrafted mattresses and high-quality sleep products since 1938, today released findings from its 2017 Sleep Survey showing that people report the use of electronics and lack of exercise have a significant impact on their quality of sleep. The company is making the insights available to help increase public knowledge about the importance of quality sleep, and common factors that plague many consumers’ sleep habits.
The Restonic Sleep Survey shows that only 14 percent of people feel they get enough sleep, with use of electronics, like smartphones and tablets, negatively affecting sleep quality. Only six percent of people who use electronics in bed say they get enough sleep. Those who limit the use of their smartphones and other electronics in bed say they get enough sleep at more than double the rate of those who don’t.
The new survey findings also revealed a clear connection between lack of exercise and sleep quality. Only 11 percent of people who don’t workout think they get enough sleep. The type of exercise also impacts sleep, as those who participate in high-impact activities like cardio, running and CrossFit report getting enough sleep at double the rate of those who engage in low-impact exercises like yoga (22 percent for CrossFit and 18 percent for cardio and running, versus only 10 percent for yoga).
“Through our Sleep Survey, we wanted to get to the heart of the factors in people’s lives that are impacting the quality of their sleep,” says Julia Rosien, brand director for Restonic. “Sleep is one of the most important things we all need biologically to recharge and help our bodies repair. While awareness is growing about how critical a restful night of sleep is, most people are still not getting enough. We hope the findings of our survey put a spotlight on those key lifestyle issues that are preventing people from getting a better night’s rest.”
The Restonic Sleep Survey polled more than 1,000 people on their sleep habits. Additional findings include:
- Ninety-one percent of people surveyed say they wake up at least once during the night.
- Nearly two-thirds of people (63 percent) would give up coffee or alcohol for the rest of their lives in exchange for a better night’s sleep.
- Thirty-eight percent of women report feeling like they don’t get enough sleep compared to only 20 percent of men.
- Women wake up more frequently in the middle of the night because of kids or pets than men (23 percent of women, versus 12 percent of men).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, inefficient sleep is an important public health concern, especially as unhealthy sleep patterns and self-reported sleep difficulties continue to rise. Sleep insufficiency has been linked to car accidents, industrial accidents, medical errors, and can even contribute to chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, depression and obesity.
Restonic was founded in 1938 to bring high-quality mattresses with better materials and greater attention to detail to consumers everywhere. Restonic mattresses can be found in fine retail stores across the nation as well as internationally. Learn more at www.restonic.com, and visit Restonic’s Sleep Blog.
About Restonic
Founded in 1938, Restonic is guided by the principle that getting a healthy night’s sleep is a right, not a privilege. This means that every Restonic mattress is crafted with better quality materials and greater attention to detail than comparably priced mattresses from competitive brands. Restonic mattresses can be found in fine retail stores nationwide, and internationally. Visit Restonic’s Sleep Blog and learn more atwww.Restonic.com, and follow Restonic on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
La Difference makes all the Difference
I finally opened my box of La Différence Cosmetics Instant Face Lifte Lift. LDC Instant Face Lift is a new skincare product recently introduced i the U.S. This skincare is high end and is a professionally-formulated anti-aging skin care product which claims to dramatically lift and firm your skin, providing instant results. I have been using Instant Face Lift along with LDC Anti-Aging Moisturizer as directed. I can honestly tell you that I saw results immediately.
If you have deep folds in your skin like your forehead for example, they won’t disappear. What LDC Instant Facelift will do is have an incredible effect on the fine lines and wrinkles on your face. After washing drying your face, I applied the serum (contained in a syringe) onto my finger tips and spread the serum on the areas of concern like the eye area and around my mouth. As the serum dried, I could feel my skin tighten and the wrinkles I was concerned about improved dramatically. I applied the LDC anti-aging Moisturizzer over my tightened skin and applied makeup as usual. I loved the results.
All of LDC Skincare products were created in ajn FDA-approved, scientifically-advanced laboratory. The skincare is formulated with plant stem cells along with clinically-proven ingredients that provide “instant rejuvenation and hydration of the skin, while powerful tightening actives work to reduce visible fine lines and wrinkles” according to their website and that is exactly how it worked for me.
The Triple Stem Cell Plant Therapy contained in LDC Skincare will revitalize your skin and remove any wrinkles and fine lines and effectively reverse the signs of aging. LDC Skincare will work for men too!
LDC™ Instant Face Lift combines some of nature’s best kept secrets including:
· Veegum: the ingredient that activates immediately to firm and tighten
· Acai Palm: antioxidant that benefits and defends skin
· Chinese Basil: rich source of Omega-3 and Rosmarinic Acid, soothing properties that calm inflamed skin and antioxidants that fight free radical damage that reduce fine lines and wrinkles
· White Oak: has skin smoothing benefits with high levels of tannins and Quercin.
LDC Anti-Aging Moisturizer is the complement to Instant Facelift and contains a proprietary blend of 6 Peptides and Resveratrol Complex. This moisturizer not only makes skin appear younger, but hydrates and moisturizes.
You will find these incredible skincare products at www.ladifferencecosmetics.com,
The Winner of our January Beauty Box is…..
Congratulations Dorcas H from Johnstown, you are the winner of It’s a Glam Thing’s Surprise Beauty Box. Please enjoy all the wonderful beauty products we are sending you!
PURA D’OR Scalp Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner www.purador.com
Gerard Cosmetics Lip Creme gerardcosmetics.com
Miss Spa Gold Creme Mask miss-spa.com
OPI Nail Polishes www.opi.com
Pacifica Deodorant Wipes www.pacificabeauty.com
Whish Body Oil www.whishbody.com
Tony Moly Bubble Cleanser www.ulta.com
Kandoo Detangler www.kandookids.com
Retinol gel pad www.ulta.com
Ulta Eye Shadow www.ulta.com
Bali Blossom Cooling cream www.ulta.com
Maybelline Shine free www.maybelline.com










