Winter Skin Weapons

Dry skin, chapped lips, and pale skin, this winter is making me feel like buying a one way ticket to Miami. Anybody with me? My skin was really suffering, until I took serious action. 

If you're going to splurge on anything it should be jeans, shoes,  and skincare. The first secret to battling the effects of winter is knowledge, knowledge of the products you're slabbing on your skin. Anything with alcohol as a primary ingredient, is not going give you moisture, or make you look like the woman's skin dancing around in the commercial. Most skincare lines will provide you with the primary ingredients on their website. You also want to make sure your product does not have too many chemicals that can cause cancer, allergies, or developmental/reprotoxicity. There is a great free app, called "EWG's Skin Deep. It conducts research on chemicals in your skincare. It gives you the option to scan the barcode or search your product by name. They score your search 1-10. Ten being the greatest risk, and one being practically risk-free. Go check it out!!


Here are your winter secret weapons: 

This is magic in a bottle for dry facial skin. I would not recommend for oily or acne prone like skin. I  like to use a lot of this product nightly to ensure perfect skin in the morning. Dispense 4 or 5 drops on hands. Pat hands together and spread the concentrate evenly on the surface of your palms. Bring hands together and inhale the essential oils. Gently massage into skin starting with cheeks, forehead and chin. Usually there is some excess formula on your hands, extend the product to your elbows and cuticles. Available in department stores. 

Ah, La Mer. If anyone knows skincare you know La Mer is genius. This is definitely a splurge and should be used in a pea-sized amount. To activate and release key ingredients, warm a small amount in between fingertips and pat onto skin. Can be used on face, neck, and even under your eyes. Prepare for flawless skin. Available in Neiman Marcus, Saks, Bloomingdales, and select Nordstrom stores.

Hello bargain! This body lotion is made for winter skin. Use after shower, everyday and on feet at night. Available at drug stores. For an even better bargain, don't forget to sign up for the savings card at your favorite drug store. I think I am signed up at 4 different drug stores. Prepared. 

We've all used it. It's amazing. It's natural. Make sure you get the original, it's the purest and has the lowest rating on the "EWG's Skin Deep" app. Much more effective than EOS. EOS's tend to have the opposite effect on a lot of people by actually drying their lips out. Burt's Bee's products are available at drug stores.

This product is for sure not just for babies. Apply anywhere you are feeling dry. Great for your hands and heels. I would recommend using Aquaphor at night. Available at drug stores.

Again, don't forget to use your savings card at the drug stores. Also, look for coupons at the bottom of your receipts. At department stores, if you sign up to be on their mailing/e-mail list, they have great promotions and events for a girls day. We tend to forget about these little savings secrets but they really do help. Enjoy your new and improved skin.

xoxo 

Jessie

Images via Lovegenseis.com/Kiehls.com/LaMer.com/Eucerin.com/Burtsbee.com/Drugstore.com

Ginger Tea

Winter is approaching faster then we all intended.  It's the perfect time to light a soy-based candle, cuddle up in an IKEA throw blanket and put yourself first. Let me just start with, what doesn't ginger do for you? Ginger is one of my fav super foods. Feeling nauseous, getting sick, or looking to kill Ovarian Cancer cells, then this is for you! 

-Wash organic Ginger throughly. 

-Peel and cut into small pieces, (about 10 thin slices) 

-Boil Ginger in a small saucepan for about 15-20 minutes

-Squeeze some lemon into the saucepan. (It's always good to use a small strainer to make sure the seeds aren't an added to your tea.)

-Grab a soup ladle and put your tea into a mug.

-Add a teaspoon of raw, all natural honey, if you like it a little sweeter, add a tablespoon. Honey is a great alternative to sugar and offers a lot of benefits.

It's very important to make sure your foods are organic, and all natural. Though expensive, organic foods are grown with natural fertilizers, insects and weeds are controlled using natural methods and they contain no GMOs. Shopping for honey is also crucial. You must to make sure it reads "au naturale". Lately, I've been coming across articles on how honey on the market contains additives and preservatives, that you mind as well just indulge in sugar. Not cool.

Stay warm!!

xoxo 

Jessie

Images via Jill Nystul/PonchoGallery.com

Your Halloween made easy

Am I the only girl that feels like Halloween is the one of the most stressful times of the year? First of all, it's the end of October... there was just an outpouring of birthdays, everyone's broke, and it's freezing. And now I have to jump around in a cheap, slutty outfit from "Party City" that I will never wear again, spent half of my life finding in a "Black Friday" crowded store with horrible customer service. How can we forget the pictures of the costumes posted on the wall, rather than hung on a rack like a normal store. Lets be honest, we all end up doing this routine, every year and at the last minute. Let this be your last year that your Halloween really is a nightmare. 

This year, use your imagination sooner than later. Planning in advance is key to looking good for any event. Late September, I started start searching the web for ideas. Definitely lean on YouTube if you're looking to do crazy makeup, or face paint. I found a great site that incorporates your Little Black Dress into 13 Halloween costumes, which is perfect if you're on a budget.

http://www.collegefashion.net/inspiration/13-little-black-dress-halloween-costume-ideas/

Some say it's corny, but I absolutely love when couples dress up together. It gives you a chance to spice up your relationship by spending time putting both of your ideas into a sexy or funny costume. This can definitely take a platonic relationship to the next level. If you and your man are dressing up for Halloween together, congratulations you two are official! Don't forget, you don't have to use these costumes just on October 31st ;) Here are some great couple and group costume ideas. 

http://www.pinterest.com/gailfrazier/couples-costumes/

http://mashable.com/2013/10/12/group-halloween-costumes/

"Party City" is definitely okay for accessories. I got a great pair of boy shorts and cute knee socks from there, but during the holiday opt out and use their online stores. 

Did you guys hear how Paris Hilton prepped for her Halloween this year? http://www.tmz.com/2013/10/27/paris-hilton-halloween-katy-perry-roar-video/ 


Happy Halloween!!

xoxo 

Jessie 

a BRAND NEW BLOG, a BRAND NEW YOU

I'm so excited to finally share this blog with all of you. For a while now I've been wanting to start a place where young, chic women can find answers to their beauty and everyday-life questions. As I was growing up, my life constantly felt like a crazy roller coaster ride of emotions and confusion. I always looked for guidance. I was raised in an upper-middle class suburb of New York City. It was combination of a blessing and a curse all wrap up in one. As you know, living in the suburbs, the school systems are great, it's quiet, you have your own space (driveway, backyard etc.), great markets in every surrounding town, and it's safe. Overall, it's a wonderful place to raise a family. My grandparents bought the house I grew up in way before the town had developed. We kind of just got lucky living here for so long that it turned out to be a great place to live. The hardest thing for me was being surrounded by my friends and classmates who seemed to have it all, and my family not having the means to give my brother and I that same life. My mom did everything and anything to give us that new IPOD we wanted for Christmas, or fun, new clothes at the being of every school year.  Unfortunately, my father was never in the picture and never supported us. My mom had to be both a mother and a father. She went through so many things that most people wouldn't be able to bear. She is such a strong woman. I really don't know how she does it. And even though my mom did her absolute best, there was always conflict in our household and as a child, I didn't know it then but, I always looked for direction and structure. With that being said I really want to make this blog your our structure and guidance, the structure and guidance I searched for, for so long. Treat this as your bible, your Cosmopolitan magazine that you don't have to pay for every month. From what to carry in your purse on a day to day basis to money saving tips, it's all here. Let's be the best version of ourselves. Let's help each other be "Poised and Prepared". 

xoxo 

Jessie