This actually makes a great gift (Mother’s Day maybe?), and upcycling glass jars is always good for the environment.

Before I give you the full recipe, let me explain how this whole thing happened…

I’m not the Do-It-Yourself type. Not in the least. I’m just not crafty. Creative, but not crafty. However, I was having some serious skin issues. My skin was extremely dry, with small plaques of silvery skin. Lotions, creams and oils were not helping. I was using an exfoliating brush. No luck. I used another scrub. It got worse. So finally I decided to take matters into my own hands.

I decided to use honey because it’s a great moisturizer. I suggest an unpasteurized honey as it has far more benefits with its antioxidants and all that other good stuff. Trust me on it. I did my research. I also used raw cane sugar, not Domino brown sugar, because that’s what I had on hand. However, if you like a gentler exfoliant, you should use a fine sugar. Any sugar (white or brown; Domino or Turbinado) will do, but I am a sensory person, and I enjoy the smell of brown sugar. At this point I had a thick paste. In an effort to loosen it and make for easier handling, I added some Extra Virgin Olive Oil, mixing until I had a consistency I was happy with. I added some Vitamin E oil that helps boost cell regeneration. Remember, I was having some skin issues! By the time I was done, I had a pint sized jar.

Using this every other day on my entire body, except for my face, within a week most of those plaques were gone. My skin was softer and glowing.

A week later, I had an allergic reaction to something I ate. Sigh! A girl can’t catch a break. I ended up with hives and a horrible lip reaction. My hives went away within a few days after some serious medication, but my lips split and were swollen. Dry and cracked, nothing I used would help. I made another batch of my scrub, rubbing it against my lips morning and night. 3 days later and I had the softest most kissable lips ever! At least, I think so.

Anyway, I say use this scrub! It did wonders for me. On occasion, rather than using Vitamin E oil, I use vanilla or almond to scent the scrub. You can also replace the EVOO with coconut oil or sunflower oil. I don’t use this on my face, as I use a salt scrub, but it is safe to use on any part of your body. Here’s the basic recipe:

All Natural Brown Sugar Scrub

2 cups Brown Sugar (coarse or fine)
1/2 cup Unpasteurized Honey
1/2 – 3/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil/ Coconut Oil/ Sunflower Oil/Almond Oil
1 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil/ Real Vanilla Extract/ Pure Almond Extract

Directions:

In a medium sized bowl, add your sugar. Stir to get any clumps out.
Add the EVOO, or whichever oil you would like to use, a little at a time. Stir, trying to keep any clumps to a minimum.
Add the honey, mixing well.
The scrub should be easy to stir, not too liquid and not too firm. If it is too firm, add some more EVOO a teaspoon at a time. Think cake batter consistency.
Add the Vitamin E, or extract of your choice. Mix thoroughly.
Empty into a jar of your choice. Keep it for yourself or give it away. It’s all up to you.

You may find that you need to stir the scrub before each use, as separation will naturally occur. DO NOT use a loofah, washrag or body brush with this. You will not be happy with yourself. Instead, use your hands or a soft sponge to gently rub the scrub into your skin, in small circular motions, focusing on rougher places like elbows and knees. Soap your skin prior so you don’t wash away all those moisturizers in the scrub.

Winter boots have gone away and pretty sandals have come out to play.

Living in New England, I wasn’t too sure if we were still experiencing Sprinter, so I decided to hold off on packing up my snow boots. However, with several days in the high 60′s, I’m thinking Spring finally decided to show up. And now that she’s here, let’s not scare her away with jacked up feet.

Most people don’t get pedicures in the winter. Why? I don’t know! It makes it easier to get ready for sandal season. And who doesn’t love a foot massage? Working on a budget, as I do, it can be tough. But I say if you’re going to splurge on something, this is would be the thing. Your first  Spring pedicure should be a professional one. But if you INSIST on doing it yourself, then make sure you do it right.

Sandal Season Rules
No cracked heels.
No dry feet.
Cut those toenails and shape them.
No chipped or outgrown nail polish.
No toes or heels hanging over the sandal’s edges. Make sure your shoes fit!
If you have hair on your toes, unless you’re a male, shave it.
A pumice stone is your friend. Use one everyday during the warmer months. Sandals help your feet pick up dirt; dirt which can only come off with some extra help. Also, your foot is prone to drying out and becoming cracked and callused. Smoothen them out!
I don’t think I should need to tell you to shave your legs. But I will. Shave, laser or whatever you do to get rid of that leg hair.

Simple rules that more people than you know refuse to follow. Make me proud, people! And feel free to send in some pics of those cute sandals or feet!

Every girl, and sometimes guy, has a product in their make-up bag that they have no idea what to do with.

The extra bright neon eye shadow that you just had to have.

The highlighter that makes you look like a shimmering raccoon. 

That green paste looking stuff that says it’s concealer.

We’ve all been there. We’re probably still there.

That’s where the MakeUp Bag Remix comes into play. MakeUp For Ever is bringing their complimentary mobile makeup school to town to teach you how to use that weird item that you have in your bag. So stop wasting valuable bag space and make an appointment. They will not only tell you how to use your item, but go through your makeup bag (Any brand by the way. So don’t feel bad if you have Revlon, MAC, Covergirl or Dior) and provide a lesson on how to create your most flattering look.

Don’t have time for a full 30 minute session? MakeUp For Ever will also be offering lip and complexion touch ups.

Boston Saturday March 23 from 12pm-8pm, Sunday March 24 from 11am-7pm @ The Shops at Prudential Center

Hope to see you there!

Of course, I haven’t written (in my journal. I have continued writing my stories, blogs and articles) in over a month. However, I decided to look back at some of my old journals. And it blew my mind.

I read about a young girl whose parents got divorced when she was about 9 years old. Her mother remarried, and moved from NYC down to rural Georgia, dragging the girl and her 3 year old brother along with her. Here she was ridiculed for being different because she was mixed, went to a white school, smart, chubby and liked to read. 

I read about how the girl hated Georgia and missed her Daddy. Her Daddy (who was not her biological father) sought and won custody of her brother a year later, moving him back up to NYC, leaving the girl alone (in her mind). 

Her Mommy decided she couldn’t live without her child near, so the new family packed up and moved back to the old NYC neighborhood. 

I read about pain that the girl could not express to anyone. Because when she tried, she was called a liar or told to dismiss it. She felt small and ignored. But she wrote to the one person who would ever listen to her. 

Herself. 

She wrote about being lonely. Being pushed and pulled emotionally. She wrote about friends and backstabbers. She created a code, a new alphabet, because she didn’t want Mommy to read her words. What was the point? Mommy didn’t really want to listen anyway. 

She wrote about the birth of a sister when she was 13. She wrote about nearly losing her sister to sickness when she was a baby. She wrote about never letting anything bad happen to the brat, because she wanted more for her. 

She wrote about first love and heartbreak. She wrote about wanting to marry a man that was older, but distance and age difference got in the way. She kept love letters written to her by admirers.

She wrote about sex, dreams, lies and words of poetry that filled her mind then seemed to wither. She wrote about wanting to be lost within her own mind because it seemed infinitely more welcoming than the world she lived in.

She wrote about college, hating it, loving it, and not being able to go away. She wrote about running. Running away from the existence she lived in, because she was always alone.

She wrote about creating a new life, the uncertainty and surprise. She described the gnawing in her womb, as she lost that life to the universe. The strange sadness mixed with slight relief.

She wrote about her second pregnancy, still unplanned but different. This time she knew something was different. She shared her experience with knowing that she was having a boy, and the scariness behind having to do it alone. 

She described his heartbeat pumping through her soul, infusing her with a strength that she didn’t know she had. His fluttering movements the night she first felt him moving. 

She wrote about his birth and shared the joy of still being alive to hold him. The joy of hearing him finally cry, because it had taken him a while to “catch his breath.” I read about how she named him and he smiled at her. How she saw her face in the dark reflection of his eyes, and she decided that running away was no longer an option.

I read how she moved to a new state and married a man who spoke words of love, but failed to show that he meant them. I read how she fought until she stopped fighting for someone else and decided to fight for herself. How even in her marriage, she felt somehow alone.

Alone.

That seemed to be the main theme in all of her writing. She wrote of highs and lows. But always, in even the best of moments, she was lonely. Standing in the midst of a crowd and  yet no one seemed to realize that she was missing. 

I read this girl’s story. And for a brief moment, I saw her clearly.

Then I realized I was looking at my reflection.

I am this lost, lonely, chubby, smart, pretty, angry little girl, that no one realizes resides inside. Because she is buried in the pages of a story that she continues to write.

Every Spring, we all do it. The ubiquitous Spring cleaning.

Like waking from a long slumber, we all take a nice long stretch after Winter and shed the pounds of clothing that we need to keep us warm.

However, what fit last year, may not this year. What was cute and trendy five years ago, just may not cut it this year.

Then there’s the shopping that will of course be done and the space for our newest must-have that we just don’t have.

What’s a girl to do when faced with the option of getting that new to-die-for Spring jacket, or keeping the new coat she got for graduation (10 years ago)?

Just follow the instructions on this infographic (made by the lovely modern-eve) and you’ll be well on your way to a (temporarily, undoubtedly) slimmer closet.

You can find the original post here.

Some of us like to fully embrace color, whereas others are a little more wary. Can we be both? Of course! Here’s how to do it.

Turn your outerwear into a bold statement piece. Use that as your big block of color…until you take it off and then have smaller elements, like a beautiful necklace to give you a pop of color. Simple!

More of a visual learner? Well, here you go.

Here’s an easy outfit, using mostly neutrals and bursts of Emerald as an accent.

What do you think? Let’s do this! or You’ve done lost your mind!

Emerald is defined as a rich green color, mostly notable because of the stone of the same name. 

While wearing the color itself will draw as much attention as wearing one of these beautiful gemstones, some people may balk at it. What to wear? Think flowers and their stems. Any color can go with green! Why not try wearing a floral dress with a beautiful Emerald cardigan or jacket?

Because of it’s rich jeweled color, Emerald will look beautiful with other rich colors, such as sapphire, amethyst and gold. More of a neutral girl? Use Emerald to make your outfit pop. Not only does this color look good with black, but tans, browns and grays as well.

Even though I have yet to visit the land over the rainbow (I’m still hoping that one day…), with all of the available options, I’ll be more than ready to make a quick trip to the Emerald City.

What about you? Will you be making a statement in this jeweled tone?

Picnics, walks in the park, cute cardigans and swishy skirts. That’s springtime to me. Here are two trends to get you into the Spring, soon to be Summer, mood.

Jimmy Choo Cage Sandal

Altuzarra Spring 2013

Gladiators

The gladiator sandal is a staple in the Spring/Summer wardrobe. So what makes it so wonderful this year? Extreme heights, lacing and buckles, along with a vast array of embellishments, keeps these oldies but goodies  fresh.

Miu Miu Geometric Sunglasses

Prada Baroque Sunglasses

Bug Eyed

Huge sunglasses are another trend that seems to be going nowhere. How do you stand out from the crowd? Embellishments and different shapes! Though bug eyed is in, try not to look too much like a fly, and match your facial shape.

Want more on trend Accesorizations? Check out Issue 3 of The Society Magazine, the Accessories issue for some of my picks for this season.

When I say extreme wedges, I mean anything that gives you an extra boost of height than a normal heel. Say instead of 6 inches, 8 inches or more. While I know some of you may think that I’m secretly wearing my stripper heels out and about on the DL, I assure you I am not. Besides the fact that I do not work in that industry, when you see these, you will not think stripper.

In fact, if I hadn’t said they were 8 inches high, you would have thought these were regular wedges. I certainly did. Until I put them on and realized that I was very, I say very, tall.

So here’s the thing. How does one wear shoes such as these, stay standing, walk without looking like a giraffe AND style it without looking like Lady Gaga?

Step 1: The initial test

• Try your shoes on in-store. If you’re struggling to get them on while in the middle of a crowded department store, then you’re going to struggle to put them on at home before your event. And you’re going to be majorly pissed if you can’t put the shoes on, that you just spent X amount of money on. If you’re an online buyer, then you had best have a back-up plan, just in case your shoe doesn’t fit well. 
• Remember that all shoes are cut differently. Try the same shoe on in the same size but from a different pair. It may be a hassle to the sales associate, but if you tell them up front, you’ll feel less guilty.
• Stand. Flex your feet in the shoes. Take in account any uncomfortable spots. If you can’t simply stand without your feet killing you, then put those bad boys back. There’s no point in having a shoe that you can’t wear for at least three hours. Also, because your center of gravity is thrown off, you need to take a moment and assess your body.
• Walk. DO NOT lead with your heels but with the ball of your foot. You’ll not only ruin the heels, but you just may end up on your butt. Keep walking around the store. If you find you’re teeter tottering, or that the shoe is uncomfortable in some way, then maybe they just aren’t for you.

Step 2. Practice

• If you have decided to buy your shoes, then there are a few things you need to do. First, take off all stickers, including size, price and materials. Goo Gone is a great product for those hard to remove items. 
• If your shoe is a material, cloth or suede, then you should weatherproof it. Scotchguard will make sure that your shoes stay as gorgeous as they originally were when you bought them, just in case of a freak downpour.
• Sometimes, the padding inside the shoe is not enough. Walk around the house, on different surfaces, ie. wood, carpet, tile. If your foot feels like you’re barefoot, then get yourself some high heel insoles. Works wonders and I swear by them.
• Keep walking. Up stairs, down stairs. In the kitchen, the bathroom, wherever. You don’t want to go on your hot date, looking sexified in those gorgeous new heels, only to look like a newborn trying her first steps. Nothing quite dampens the mood like that.
• Practice. Practice. Practice. Your walk. Your smile. Your posture. Ballerinas are the epitome of grace and they are literally on their toes. What’s your excuse?

Step 3. What to wear?

• Here’s where it gets tricky. Extreme wedges normally are very in your face. It’s easy to tone them down though. These particular shoes have a very vibrant pink hue. Which is great because they can look great with just about anything.
• Just because your heels are a little higher, have studs or chains or bright sparkly crystals, doesn’t mean you can get away with trying to look like Lady Gaga. As wonderful as she is, she is a performer. Unless you are on the same level as her, which I doubt because then you’d have a professional stylist, then do not attempt to look like her.
• On the other hand. Do you. If you have the confidence to pull off even one of her outfits in real life, then I need to be your friend. And I am serious about this. Do not think I am joking in the least.
• Since I don’t want to, or even think I could, look like Gaga, here’s an idea of how I would wear my extreme wedges:

Here’s the thing.

I absolutely love pencil skirts.

There’s just something about them.

They’re classy. Business appropriate. But sexy at the same time.

If I could wear one of these every day, I would.

Or not. Because I mostly wear jeans because of all the running around that I do.

What I did here was used a white shoe and classic clutch to accessorize. With most women, they:

• Fear the white shoe. Like the white shirt, they get dirty easily. Who wants to walk around looking like dirty dishwater?
• Think of Easter. And all the various holidays/occasions that you were required to wear a pair of white mary janes when you were younger.
• Think of old ladies. Especially those that go to church with big hats.

My advice? Don’t over-think it. Just go with it. Your shoes may get a little dirty, but you can easily clean them with warm water and soap. Mary Janes are actually really sexy on adult women. You’re crazy if you think you look like someone’s grandma, even if you are someone’s grandma.

The point is, get outside of your comfort zone. Use the white shoe! Now, do I have to sell you on mixing patterns as well?

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