BEAUTY IS A LIFESTYLE THING

Where I live the climate and weather isn't warm yet, So I like my interior design to feel alive and fresh, and never overdone. I fell that sometimes our surroundings set the mood in your daily lives if it feels all tired and worn out; you might just be as well. How To Keep It Fresh Early morning Sunshine The first thing I do, especially if it's sunny, I open the curtains. I accept what nature gives us. Yes, I even open the curtains on a dark and dreary drab day. I try to embrace nature (and that's another article for another day) and that does help me get my day going.  I'm sure no one disagrees that when it's awfully cold out the sun does help make it a better day.  My dining room's location is just to the right of the foyer in my house, so any guests that enter will first see our open floor plan to the back of the house and fireplace and mantle, but immediately after, they will glance right and that takes in the view of the dining table. I always ha...

You may notice in a couple of days some slight website changes.  I'm trying to embrace my inner "Marie Kondo" and retooling my web site. It will appear more minimal but definitely more meaningful. I will never skimp on the content ever, but there'll be way less clutter in the overall look. I  hope you'll like it, and I would hope that you'll love it and want to keep following! More pictures and more interesting subject matter. Pull up a chair and sit awhile. 

"Every Love story is special, unique and beautiful, but ours is my favorite." ~Unknown Make Valentine's Day last all year long. Have a heart hanging nearby to remind you of the special love you have together, or just because it adds a certain softness to the room. Today's craft is not difficult. This project took me just under 10 minutes and about 5 minutes to gather my supplies.  I saw this pearl craft on another blogger's web site and I wanted to credit them and let them know they inspired me to create my own, but for the life of me cannot remember where I saw it. If someone has run across it somewhere let me know. This project can be varied in so many ways, like the types of beads for example. I always use what I have on hand if I can. The type of beads can completely change the look of this.  It also can be made any size that you may want. You don't have to hang this from a ribbon, you could use a chain, a leather, a piece of twine. It is up ...

Photo Credit: Pinterest Want to capture romance? Want to rekindle the art of lost love? Perhaps you're looking to connect with your significant other like you haven't before, let he or she know how you really feel. Let's face it cards can only say so much and they really are not personalized enough. A Dying Art Well, the title heading says it all, all letter writing period has become a dying art. In the world of texting, e-mails and e-cards and our insatiable desire to have things immediately sent, received and responded to take precedence over everything. It has been proven for 100's of years that couples wrote letters to communicate and enhance the lives of each other. When one writes another it lifts their spirits, it shows someone how special they are, and writing someone can actually confirm a relationship. It is also an elegant form of class, that has its romantic benefits. Health Benefits Can one gain health benefits from writing love ...

Today I hosted an in-home tea tasting for my family. A tea tasting is where a professional or enthusiast tastes types of tea to determine the tea's components. Sort of like a "flight of tea". I was given a sample of Cusa Tea from The Daily Goodie Box. Cusa Tea is an instant tea, that has no steeping time. I am also a tea editor for at least 11 years with Bellaonline.com on their subchannel Food & Drink. I have authored tea articles, edited and run the forum there. Organic English breakfast, Oolong, and Mango green tea A tea tasting is a skill, while I have no license or certificate, I do have a skilled palate. I like and drink tea. Now, I most likely could not tell you down to the region these teas were grown, like some, but I can judge the important parts of tea with the education and knowledge I do have. A tea tasting depends on controlled conditions. I will judge and taste this tea based on the directions of the manufacturer and the single tea kettle of fr...

Tiger Balm Active As a Lifestyles blogger, I often come across products sent to me either for personal use or to try for a fair and true review. I am part of many review groups that often get sent new products as well. Today I'm reviewing the topical pain relieving analgesic muscle spray   Tiger Balm Active. I previously discussed in my article on pain, how everyone at some point in their lives will experience some type of pain. I am an active participant in exercise. So this review is a perfect match for me as I am active as well as experience osteoarthritis in my knee. This pain reliever is an OTC (over the counter) drug and does not need a prescription to use. One should always ask their doctor if it is okay to use this medication BEFORE using. This medication was designed by Tiger Balm to be used by individuals who are active. Their website tells the consumer that they have been in business for 100 years and that they sell their produ...