Microdermabrasion: What is it?

Jun 132013
 

Microdermabrasion: What Is It?

Many people wind up seeing fine lines and wrinkles on their face that they simply cannot stand. This happens as we age, so don’t think that time is just being unfair to you. If you are someone who is particularly bothered by these fine lines and wrinkles, however, you may be looking for a way to get rid of them. One of the best courses of anti-aging action is known as microdermabrasion.

Microdermabrasion will remove the fine lines and wrinkles by removing the dead layer of your skin. If you want to know more about this wonderful treatment, here is the 4-1-1.

microdermabrasion

Getting Started

The first thing you should know about microdermabrasion is that there really are no risks that come with it, so don’t worry. What happens with microdermabrasion is that the top layer of your skin is removed, unveiling healthy skin underneath. A wand with a coarse head is run over your skin two or three times and followed by a vacuum to suction up the dead skin cells. This does two wonderful things.

First, it removes old, dead skin cells, allowing the newer, healthier cells to show. Secondly, it stimulates the dermis (second layer of skin) to produce collagen as well as new cells. Collagen is clinically used to fill in fine lines and wrinkles. With microdermabrasion, you stimulate your skin to produce its own – without painful injections.

Treatment Options

You will go for treatments every couple of weeks until you see the results you desire.  The number of appointments you need will be discussed at your evaluation appointment.

What is great about microdermabrasion is that there are many ways it can be done. You can go to a spa or even to your doctor’s office for this treatment, but you can also do it yourself at home using a kit known as Riiviva. It can be a lot cheaper for you to do the treatments in your own home, because the kit will only cost you $400 and you can use it unlimited times. If you go for treatments in a spa, you can expect to spend at least $1000 or more. The Riiviva kit also comes with a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied.

Microdermabrasion is a great treatment to use if you have fine lines and wrinkles that are driving you absolutely nuts. It is virtually pain free and is affordable for almost every budget. The only thing you need to do is to decide whether you will be doing the treatments for yourself or having a professional do them for you. Don’t be upset about your lines and wrinkles any longer. Allow microderm to help you get your wrinkle free skin back and boost your confidence levels today!

About the Author: Rebecca Sanchez is a veteran esthetician who writes about skin, nails, makeup and overall health. She loves the Riiviva at home microdermabrasion system.

Photo credit – How it works

 June 13, 2013  Posted by  Anti-Aging, Beauty and Cosmetic No Responses »

How to Host a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

Jun 052013
 

mad hatter tea party

Planning a children’s birthday party can be a challenge to say the least! If they love Alice in Wonderland, then how about a Mad Hatter’s tea party?! It’ll be a huge hit with all the kids and you may find yourself enjoying it more than you’d expect. It doesn’t even have to be a birthday – the Mad Hatter’s tea party was for his ‘un-birthday’! As he quite rightly pointed out, there are 364 days in the year when you can have an un-birthday party – so you need no excuse for one! If you are looking for ideas for your very own Mad Hatter’s tea party then we’ll give you some ideas here:

Sending Out the Invitations

hand painted kids invitation

It’s time to get crafty! Dig out your paper, glue and scissors and make an invitation in the shape of a teapot or a teacup. Tell your guests ‘don’t be late’ and ask them to wear really colorful clothing or perhaps an Alice-inspired fancy dress costume. You can be sure that people will put a lot of effort into it – they’ll be really looking forward to it! Hold the party in your house, or if it’s nice weather perhaps you could go to a park or the forest and have a picnic tea party? Pop the invitations in the post and get planning!

The Planning

Find some long tables and lots of odd-looking chairs to put around it. Cover it in a colorful tablecloth and set out lots of mismatching teapots, cups, saucers and cupcake plates. The more bonkers they are the better! Watch Alice in Wonderland again to remind yourself of the characters, and have a notebook to hand so you can write down any ideas that spring to mind during the film. Find a spot to put a big picture of the smiling Cheshire cat (perhaps up a tree), and pop a dormouse or two in the teapots. Pink flamingo cut outs will look great dotted around the place, and print some pictures of Alice and the White Rabbit to put up too.

The Food

flower sandwiches

More is more here guys! Put out loads of differently flavored cupcakes, biscuits and cookies, sweets, chocolate and more sweets. When considering drinks it’s best to go for a nice variety including a chilled cloudy lemonade, tea (of course) and fruit juice. Other party food is a great idea too – cocktail sausages, crisps, popcorn and pizza will all be a big hit. Make sure you have a big plate of jam tarts!

The Games

Obviously croquet is a must! Use brooms and umbrellas and other everyday household objects to mark the stakes – the more random the better! Another great idea for an activity is to get the kids to decorate their own teapots or top hats – just get some paints in. Games of musical chairs and statues, along with pass the parcel, will also go down well.

Let your imagination run wild and both you and the children will have a Mad Hatter’s tea party to remember forever. Don’t forget to take loads of pictures of everyone having fun!

Featured images:

childrens drawing License: Creative Commons image source

 

Today’s guest author, Jenny Wadlow, is a freelance blogger. She is a tea enthusiast and is a regular at various tea tasting events. In her opinion, Adore Tea, designs the most adorable tea pots in Australia.

 June 5, 2013  Posted by  Entertainment No Responses »

How To Pick Your Perfect Corset

Jun 042013
 

If I asked you what was the most luxurious lingerie you could think of, there’s a good chance you’d be thinking of a corset. Corsets have gone from standard, everyday lingerie to being something that’s typically saved for special occasions.

If you don’t own a corset yet, it can be difficult to pick out your first one. The average corset is much more expensive than the average bra, and you want to be sure you’re not wasting your money. To help you out, here are four things to think about and my advice on making the right decision for you…

corsets

Image Source

Overbust Vs. Underbust

Corsets come in two main styles – over and under-bust. As the names suggest, an over-bust corset covers your breasts like a strapless top would, and an under-bust one stops just short of the bust line. Waspie-style corsets are a type of under-bust, being just long enough to cover the waist but no more.

An over-bust corset creates a smoother silhouette under clothing and pushes the bust up, acting like a push-up bra, however it can also have a flattening effect on your bust when viewed side-on. Also, if you wear a DD or above cup sizes and aren’t buying a corset designed specifically for DD+, you might find an over-bust uncomfortable.

An under-bust on the other hand can be worn with a bra to create more of an hourglass silhouette from the side, or you can team it with pasties if you’re daring enough!

corsets

Image Source

Style

Style extends to more than just under and over-bust however. A very popular style in days of old is the S Bend corset, so named because it pushes the bust out to create an S shape from the side.

However that style is both hard to come by nowadays, and not very practical to wear under modern fashions. Most modern corsets, especially off-the-rack ones, are hourglass shapes. These have the typical, nipped-in waist we associate with corsetry and flare out above and below.

Conical corsets are similar to hourglass ones, but are narrower above the waist. They’re best-suited to those with a small bust unless you’re choosing an under-bust style.

If you’re really intent on creating a tiny waist, you could try a pipe-stem corset which has an extended narrow section at the waist. However this will only work for you if you have a naturally small waist or have been wearing corsets for years.

corset toile

A toile for a bespoke corset. Image Source

Custom Vs. Off-the-Rack

Whether you choose to buy a bespoke or ‘off the peg’ corset will largely depend on budget. A custom corset is created specifically for your exact measurements, which means it may be the best choice if you have a unique body shape, such as a unique waist-to-hip or bust-to-hip ratio. You’ll typically get a toile made up (a disposable corset in cheap fabric) which will be fitted, adjusted as necessary and then the final piece sewn up.

If you’re on a tighter budget however, you can still get a gorgeous and high-quality corset! Brands such as What Katie Did offer beautiful corsets starting at £129.50 that can be customized to some extent.

For those on a very small budget, cheap corsets like these are easily affordable and can still look great. The difference with fashion corsets is that they’re usually made with plastic boning, although many still have a steel busk at the front, so they won’t offer such a big waist reduction as a fully-steel boned corset will.

colourful corsets

Image Source

Colors

Last but not least, you need to choose a color! This will largely depend on your personal taste and the occasion, such as a white, ivory or pale blue bridal corset for your wedding. However, if you’re unsure which color to pick it may be a good idea to opt for something classic such as black or red, which will match a lot of lingerie.

You can mix-and-match the same black corset with different knickers, stockings and bras (if it’s an under-bust one) for a completely different look every time!

You might also want to consider which colors flatter your skin tone best (dark skin looks amazing contrasted against bright, light colors like yellow, whereas this color might make pale skin look washed out) and also what you’ll be wearing over the top. If you love to wear white, a black corset might not be so suitable after all!

Hopefully this advice will help you pick out your perfect corset. Still unsure? Ask me any questions in the comments below…

Featured images:

Estelle Puleston is the founder of Esty Lingerie. She’s currently saving up for an ivory What Katie Did corset for her wedding day!

 June 4, 2013  Posted by  Fashion, Lingerie No Responses »

Single And Pregnant Is Not A Stigma

Jun 032013
 

pregnancy

Sometimes life doesn’t happen as we’d like it to, and discovering you’re pregnant when you’re single can come as a shock both to you, and the people around you. Perhaps you were in a relationship and he left when he found out you were pregnant (nice bloke!)? Whatever your circumstances it is essential that you find a way forward that you are happy with.

You’ll be feeling cautious, but it is entirely possible to go through pregnancy and into motherhood by yourself. You’ll need to be strong and resourceful but you owe it to yourself and your unborn child to do the best job you can. Here’s how to succeed (not just get by) if you’re pregnant and single.

Keep Your Female Friends Close

Women are always the best people to have around when you’re pregnant. Whether they have had children themselves or not, they will be empathetic, practical and helpful and they won’t let you feel sorry for yourself for too long. Women understand the impact of hormones, and they are great at finding ways to cheer each other up. Reach out to the women around you, let them know you need them, and accept the help they offer. They will be glad to be of use! Your support network will not let you down so build it up strong and let them know how much you appreciate them.

Find a Birth Partner

friends

One of these women could be a great choice for a birthing partner. It’s nice to have someone to come to antenatal classes with you and hold your hand while you’re preparing for the birth. Knowing that this person will be there the minute you need them is really reassuring. It’s far better to go through an amazing experience such as childbirth with someone you know. That woman will be close to you and your baby for the rest of your lives – because you have shared such a special experience together.

Sort your Money out

You need to know exactly where you stand financially. Review your finances, find out about maternity leave and other benefits, and establish how much you will receive from the child’s father (they are legally responsibly even if they feel no moral responsibility). Stock up on all the baby bits you’ll need gradually, but don’t spend a fortune. Many items are easily found second-hand with much more life in them.

Above all, you need to look after yourself. Take regular baths, go for massages, take gentle exercise such as swimming, and treat yourself to a regular pampering session. You need to be your own best friend here. Looking good will help you feel good throughout your pregnancy so put yourself first.

You may not know it yet, but you have a world of joy ahead of you. There are definitely pros to single parenting – you can do it all your way. Your baby will bring you so much happiness and you will never be alone again, they’ll always be by your side. Enjoy your solitude while you have it!

Jenny Wadlowe is a freelance blogger and writes on woman issues in her articles. In her opinion an unplanned pregnancy is a tricky situation for every woman and advises women to take a thoughtful course of action during this period. She also has taken part in several health awareness campaigns for women over the years.

 June 3, 2013  Posted by  Maternity No Responses »

Where to take Dad for a Father’s Day Getaway

May 302013
 

Trash the ties, socks, and boring golf books this year and take your dad on a totally memorable trip to a top Father’s Day destination. In this list, you are sure to find a really special experience to share with the dad who has these specialty interests.

playing golf1. Ar-Guy-le Golfer

For golf enthusiasts, there is no better place in the country than the world famous golf courses at Pebble Beach. Included in the range of courses are Del Monte, the oldest course in continuous operation west of Mississippi, and Spyglass Hill, a champion course where Robert Louis Stevenson found his inspiration to write Treasure Island. Set in beautiful California climate, Pebble Beach is an ideal choice for Father’s Day weekend.

2. Brew Daddy

If your dad has a passion for brewing, he will love Portland where the number of microbreweries per capita is the highest in the nation. During a single weekend, you will be able to tour a number of breweries and sample a wide range of beers.

This weekend is for your dad, so make it extra special by planning the trip or joining a prepackaged tour where he can learn all about the brewing process and get-hands on experience in some of the best breweries in the country. Dad is sure to come back home eager to brew some of his own, so everyone will benefit.

3. Bettin’ Man

Spend the day seeing the sites and enjoying some of the entertainment options including golf tours, shows, and the unmissable Atlantic City Boardwalk. Hit the restaurants or bars in the evening to enjoy the great selection of food and drink that dads love best in steakhouses, quality burger joints, and seafood restaurants. Look up hotels in Atlantic City to end the day with some NJ casino nightlife.

4. Manhattan

New York City is an experience that everyone should have at least once. If you dad has not yet visited this iconic place, make a comprehensive plan to be sure you will see absolutely everything this jam-packed city has to offer. Even if your dad has been to New York on business, he may not have had time to appreciate all the top spots such as MoMA, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Broadway.

gallatin river5. Great Outdoors Man

Adventurous dads or those who simply want to relax in the serenity of the outdoors will love Big Sky. Give your dad the chance to take in the scenic vistas along the banks of the Gallatin River and surrounding the Gallatin and Paradise Valleys. With enough walking trails, fly fishing spots, and camping grounds over many miles in the lower region to keep you busy for years, there will be plenty to do over Father’s Day weekend.

6. The Fisherman

Dads who are passionate about fishing will not find any better place than Key West, Florida. With some of the most abundant deep sea fishing locations in the world, you will be able to participate in a variety of sport fishing activities. Why not treat your dad to a fishing tour tailored to his needs and experience while you are there?


While your dad will probably enjoy any Father’s Day he spends with the family, why not make this year extra special? Wherever you choose to take your dad, make sure it is an experience he will remember for years to come.

Marilyn Smith specializes in covering the latest news and events about the gaming and hospitality industry, including hotels in Atlantic City, NJ.

 May 30, 2013  Posted by  Fathers and Dads, Men in General No Responses »
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