Nuts About Summer Skin

Summer's here in LA!......sort of? Well despite the errant weather and peek-a-boo sun patterns, I can't help but think about my favorite summer products. So I finally got off my arse and decided to post! With poolside cabanas and waves ashore---come bare shoulders, sexy legs, pretty toes and other once covered unmentionables! Since your skin will be center stage during these warm months, its a smart idea to keep it in great shape! One key way to do that : MOISTURIZE!!! Keep your body hydrated from the inside out. Drink plenty of water and moisturize your skin on a regular basis.

One of my favorite products is Alba Botanica's Kukui Nut Organic Body Oil. Derived from the celebrated Hawaiian nut, Kukui oil is packed with fast-penetrating nutrients! It moisturizes, repairs and protects! It contains vitamin A, E and is very high in oleic acid (omega 9), linoleic acid (omega 6) and alpha-linolenic (omega 3). Blended to perfection, it also contains pure coconut, sunflower and flax seed oils. All rich in essential fatty acids for smooth, soft summer skin. This oil gives your skin a protective shield without blocking pores or leaving you feeling greasy. And it smells fantastic---nutty with a whisper of coconut. Perfect for all skin types, apply a few drops after a shower or add 1/2 ounce to warm tub water.

At 8.5 fl oz per bottle and retailed at around $9.95, you can find it at some CVS stores, Whole Foods and Target.


Alba's Kukui Oil also happens to be a Diva Select product! Thats right, I haven't always been a beauty guru. One is always open to the ways of the universe and its Divas. I happened upon this jem while house sitting and showering in the Diva's temple. So rest assured, this product is guru tested----Diva Approved!

Kukui Nut is actually more popular than most realize. You've probably seen them strung up as lei's around your favorite Trader Joe's cashier, on a graduate or even at weddings. In Hawaiian, Kukui means, "enlightenment." It also go's by the name, Candlenut. Because of its high oil content, Kukui nuts are sometimes shelled and used at lanterns or lights. Only recently have its benefits for skin care become more and more well known. If you happen to visit Hawaii, pick up a bottle straight from the source...and one for me too!!!

Uhhh I've got a Thunda Downunda!!

What's up ladies? Well as you may have noticed, I've been MIA. Mostly due to a road trip and some gnarly PMS. But we're back in black and slowly trying to catch up. The beauty report for this week : You know who's beautiful? I'll tell you! Chris Hemsworth of Marvel's THOR. Four words girls : Good lawd have mercy! I literally gasped when he emerged shirtless and gliding across the silver screen. And those sparkling baby blues! What's a girl to do? but see this movie again and again and again! Luckily my man is a comic aficionado, so I can partake with next to no guilt. 

But I implore you ladies : take your man or fellow gal pals to see THOR this summer.  You won't regret it!

*All titillation aside, its a great, fun, action packed summer movie. Another jewel in Marvel's Crown of Hits!

"....it's just the nearness of youuuuu."

one of many goddesses, The Getty Villa, Malibu, Ca. 

One of the most important things I've learned from the Diva is the art of proximity. I can recall little details about the space around her : a small red Buddha tucked gently into a soap dish in her shower, a statue of St. Francis---guardian saint of animals---nestled in her garden, Tibetan prayer flags and framed artwork drawn by her daughter. "No wonder she feels good and vibe-y all the time," I thought. She keeps the love around her everywhere : at work, in her home, traveling along in her car...even in the shower! Kinda makes me wonder, what do my surroundings say about me? What kind of daily peace

 am I cultivating? 

It's important to have beauty, what it is for you, around you always. Closeness, nearness to what you love and hold dear, can resurge your faith and strengthen moral. Visual cues and sign posts live amongst our beloved objects : framed photos of loved ones, a post card from a favorite show or exhibit, prayer beads and a stack of books. All packed with the power to enliven and remind us of what our purpose is, what means most to our soul. 

water lilies from The Getty Villa

This morning I caught a glimpse of one of my favorite magnets as I shut the freezer door. A small square replica of a fresco that hangs in The Getty Villa, Malibu. I clenched the cold rock material in my hand and thought about that trip. Kevin took my mom and I to the villa on my 30th birthday. It was a beautiful day, one I'll always cherish. And with that I began to mull about how important art is to my life.  And how silly it is that I have all this time and we live so close to the other Getty Museum! And why have I not gone and spent the day? ...so that is my new plan for next week. To go in search of beauty and bathe in it for a time. 

I implore you to do the same. Even if you're beat and don't feel like leaving the house or it wasn't planned----who cares. Go anyway : to a museum, a park, a play, a cafe, to a friends house...anywhere that fills you up. 

H2O Go!

Beauty tip for this week : Drink more water. Water makes up about 60% of your body weight and every system in your body depends on it. It is your bodies principal chemical component because it :  flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides moisture to your ear-nose&throat tissues. Everyday we loose water through breathing, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. You need to replenish these losses to maintain proper body function and blood volume. 

And if that's not enough, getting your daily recommended allowance can make your hair and nails grow fast AND strong! Also, substituting water for beverages high in calories can help control your weight. 

You can either go by the standard 8x8 rule = 8 full 8 oz. glasses of water a day. Or locate your recommended daily allowance by dividing your weight in lbs. by two. So for example, if you weigh 150 lbs. than you should be consuming 75 oz. of water  A DAY. 

Another good little test : If your urine is dark in color and has a very strong odor ---- time to pour a few glasses my friend. Your urine should be clear to slightly yellow in color and not have a strong odor. 

GO FORTH AND DRINK!!.....WATER!!!


ps I love how obnoxious this photo is!

You gotta know when to hold'm, know when to fold'm....

Recently I came across this photo of a fifteen year old's makeup collection. It made me shutter. Not at the sheer volume of products, because let's face it, this is no where near enough. But at the possibility that a lot of this makeup could be old. If this young lady is as busy and distracted as I remember being at that age, expired products could be lurking in her makeup bag. And one thing is for certain, makeup does not get better with age.  

I know, I know, we hate to throw our beloved products away. But cosmetics do reach a certain point where not only do they stop working properly, they could be dangerous. And you can't always consult a label to determine if your makeup is still good. Cosmetics are not required by law to have expiration dates. Even dated items can be misleading as some may expire long before the printed date or batch code. Your best defense? Stay up to date on your purchase dates and clean out your makeup bag, drawer or arsenal. One helpful hint : Use a wax pencil, sharpie or silver sharpie to write the date of purchase or open onto your products. This will make cleaning house a much easier feat. 

And to add that extra measure of aid, because I'm fabulously devoted to you, I've written up a list of general guidelines for tossing and trashing. Enjoy!

When to toss

Mascara - 3 months TOPS. Probably the number one major offender, a mascara tube can be a breading ground for germs and bacteria. Think about it---its dark, moist and a small space. Using old or contaminated mascara can cause conjunctivitis (Pinkeye), a stye or various allergic reactions. NEVER share mascara and if a makeup artist is applying mascara to your lashes, they should be using disposable applicators ---a new applicator--- EVERY time they dip into the tube.  tip* Don't pump your mascara wand before application. All that does is expose the tube to a lot of germs, air and helps it to dry out quickly.  

Powders - 2 - 3 years. This includes face powder, eyeshadows, blush, etc. The length of these products depends mostly on how they're used and kept clean. Note that adding water to any product, introduces bacteria and shortens the life span. Touching products with your fingers also adds existing oils and bacteria to the plate. If you can't avoid applying with your fingers, be sure never to share your makeup and that your hands are very clean before making contact. tip* if you enjoy using powder shadow as a liner and usually wet your brush or shadow to accomplish this look---try using a cosmetic palette knife to scrape a small amount of powder from your shadow onto a separate surface. Wet your brush and dip into powder to line. Try to keep from wetting your shadow over and over which can infest your product with germs. 

Pencils - 2  years. (lip liners, eye liners) As long as you sharpen your pencils regularly, you should be fine. If they start to crumble or become hard to move across the skin, its time to discard. tip* keep your sharpener sanitized by regularly swabbing with alcohol. 

Lipstick - 1-2 years Usually the wear of a lipstick will communicate its longevity. If your product starts to smell or has a particular odor, its time to trash it. Also if you notice it doesn't wear the way it used to : crumbles at the sides, beads up easily or quickly and feels gross---its time to say goodbye. 

Lipgloss - 6-8 months. This is another product like mascara that can be dark, moist and confined to a very small space. Easily a potential germy mess. Keep track of its scent, consistency and wearability. Another product not to share with fellow peeps. 

Concealer - Wand applicator - 6 months, stick/twist up tubes - 12 months

Foundation- waterbased - 12 months

                      oil based - 18 months

Nail Polish - Up to 12 months. A good rule of thumb is that if the product is difficult to apply--stringy or clumpy -- its time to go. Also, if you notice that while holding the bottle, the product has separated and a layer of oil is floating along the top----its dead and gone. 

Dope Nails

I'm still having A LOT of fun with the Sally Hansen's Nail Strips. They really do make doing my nails fun <3  They come out perfect every time and aside from the top coat, theres no drying time. Plus I have no inclination to bite my nails while I'm wearing them---and I love my new length. Can we say AbFab! This graphic is called, Laced Up. 

To see original post : click here

Take Time Out

I spent quite a beautiful day with a beautiful friend doing ordinary things. We even had time to steal away and try some fun blue eye shadow. These days are the best, these moments are what I live for...