Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Beauty Secrets for the Beach


you don't feel like baking in the sun but still want a nice tan, a self-tanning cream might be the solution. The Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream smells a little like chocolate liqueur - not something I particularly care for - but at least it's not such a strong chemical smell. The cream's caramel color will help you apply it evenly without missing a spot (you inevitably will, though, unless you're very, very experienced!). The cream contains a type of cocoa butter called "unsaponifiables," that supposedly prevents premature skin aging, and thanks to a dash of aloe vera, it feels moisturizing. I applied the cream only on my body, not on my face, though you can use it for both; the result was a real nice tan that lasts for about a week, after which you can reapply (or earlier, if you want a deeper tan).

If you still believe the simple application of a cream will cure your cellulite, try the new Elancyl Cellureverse. This slimming serum is supposed to tackle stubborn cellulite, and show results in just 14 days. The woman who hoped it would slim down her thighs a little reported it felt extremely pleasant, toned the skin, and absorbed quickly, but unfortunately didn't "remodel" the targeted areas. Cellureverse contains an extract of Sichuan pepper, which helps to burn fat; the serum smells refreshing, and the application feels pampering.

Instead of wearing stockings to cover up unsightly veins on your legs or hide their white color, you can try Giora Shavit's Perfect Cover, a cream that will provide a nice color, without all the chemicals. The cream washes off and works as a kind of makeup for your legs. A woman with some spider veins on her legs thought it was easy to use and covered up what she wanted to be hidden; at any rate, this is certainly a good alternative to wearing stockings during the hot summer months.
Sunleya Age Minimizing Sun Protection by Sisley is a face cream that supposedly enables the skin to protect itself from the sun's rays. The cream filters UV-rays, and it contains ingredients that reflect the light. The white cream rubs in easily without leaving a white layer on the skin, and smells deliciously of certain herbs, such as rosemary. You should apply it half an hour before exposure to the sun, and reapply every two hours.

New sunscreen products from Dr. Fischer this year are a spray for kids containing SPF 30, which is fun to apply because it is blue when sprayed on the skin. After rubbing it in, the blue color disappears; 200 ml. is NIS 80. Another novelty is a sunscreen gel for men; the reason why men need something specifically for them is that their bodies are hairier and therefore it is harder to rub in the cream (which makes sense, at least for some men). The gel is easier to apply and absorbs right away.
DSM, which stands for Dead Sea Minerals, has some relatively cheap sunscreens that offer a sun protection factor from 15 to 45, with prices ranging from NIS 30 to NIS 38 for a 250-ml. bottle. More expensive, but delicious to use and suitable for sensitive skin is the Avène spray with a sun protection factor of 20;
Specifically for hands, which also need good protection in order to avoid brown spots, Crêma has a cream called Daily Sun Defender, enriched with vitamin E, and containing an SPF of 15

A summer blanket that looks attractive in your bedroom and feels wonderfully light and soft is the Formesse blanket, made with the climate-control fabric Tencel, and with aloe vera in the upper part. The blankets only come in single-size format,

To cheer up your bedroom and bathroom, Vardinon has some beautiful items in the summer collection; for example the Juliet model beige or off-white towels with roses embroidered on the edge. The quality of the Vardinon towels is good, and they hold up well after many, many washes.


another great way to accessorize yourself on the beach is with the personalized flip flops of Big Baby. at www.big-baby.com you will find affordable personalized flip flops and so much more!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

BBQ FUN!!!


For laid-back, no fuss summer entertaining, my backyard barbecue offers a refreshing twist on the traditional menu of burgers and dogs. Try this summer party and greet your guests with a Watermelon Vodka Cooler or Sassy Pink Lemonade!
Serve your barbecue family-style with platters of Lamb Burgers, Tuna Burgers, Cucumber Salad with Fresh Mint, Grilled Fruit Skewers and S’mores Coffee and Fudge Ice Cream Cake. Add fresh flowers scattered around the table for a cool summer’s night.

Mindy’s Five Elements for a Successful Backyard Barbecue: • Lively music• Festive ambiance • Refreshing drinks• Great food• Guests who have plenty of fun summer stories to dish
Watermelon Cocktail Cooler
Cocktails
Great drinks always inspire a fun party atmosphere. Check out my Cocktails from Around the World video to add a splash to your backyard barbecue!
Grillin’ Music
As cool drinks flow, allow guests to unwind with Bob Marley, a reggae deity. As the cocktails kick-in, step it up a beat with a sexy Rio- Brazilian vibe or retro summery selections:
Legend: The Best of Bob Marley
Bossa Nova Brazil by Antonio c. Jobim
Pure Brazil by Gilberto Gil
Cruel Summer by Bananarama
Hot Stuff by Donna Summer
Summer Days by Bob Dylan
Indian Summer by Chet Baker
Tide is High by Blondie

Summer Tabletop Tips
Summer Tablescape
With the summer heat, set your table about 1 hour before guests arrive to ensire it still looks beautiful and fresh when they see it.
Use bursts of playful colors in a palette of lime-green, honeydew, sunflower gold and watermelon pink to add fun to any backyard barbecue tabletop.
Cluster flower pots of yellow roses or sunflowers with pillar candles. You can also use smaller hurricane lamps with short pillar candles and scatter fresh cut gerbera daisies around them.
Place the dining table in the backyard with the bar closer to the house and remember to have extra citronella candles around the perimeter of the party area to keep bugs at bay. Watch my Tablescape Idea video for more ideas.
Butter Babies Keep Hands Clean
Grill Basics
To keep food from sticking, brush it with olive oil or vegetable oil before placing it on the grill. For extra protection, brush the grill with oil or spray with nonstick cooking spray before heating.
Grill with the top closed to retain heat and decrease cooking time. Use tongs to turn meat or skewers as a fork punctures the food and allows juices to escape.
Before serving, always let meat rest so juices can be absorbed; burgers should rest about 2 – 4 minutes.
When serving corn on the cob, be sure to set out Butter Babies so your guests can keep their hands and clothes clean.
For more Ideas log on to www.big-baby.com the ideal place to find affordable party favors for any occasion!