Scrub Away Your Bathroom Blues

    We all know how quickly our bathrooms can get dirty and who wants to spend all day trying to scrub away dirt, grime, and water stains? Not I! When cleaning my bathrooms, I have two products that I use religiously - SC Johnson Scrubbing Bubbles for your bathroom and the mega foaming shower cleaner. SC Johnson Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Mega Foamer works wonders on my bathtub and shower and even keeps it looking immaculate up for 4 days later. The foaming bubbles start working immediately so there is no need to use all your strength scrubbing away shower grime. Bending, squatting, and stretching to reach all the corners in the shower is difficult as it is, so any less scrubbing I have to do is a plus. This foaming cleaner eliminates any need for hard scrubbing so I'm able to do my house chores more efficiently and with less back and shoulder pain. This gives me enough strength and energy to clean the rest of my bathrooms, which I clean with SC Johnson Scrubbing Bubbles antibacterial bathroom cleaner.
    Before I started using this product I had about 4 or 5 different products I had to tote around the house just to clean my bathrooms. Now all I need is my one product and a sponge and vuala! All of the bathrooms in the house are clean. If you find yourself struggling to keep your bathroom spotless, I urge you to try these products. They are fabulous and make house cleaning a far more enjoyable experience. Spending less time cleaning means I have more time to spend with my family and doing things that I enjoy. The next time you find yourself suffering from Bathroom Blues, stop by any grocery store or Target and pick up a couple bottles of Scrubbing Bubbles. You'll be scrubbing away your blues in no time!


*I recommend using gloves while cleaning because the products are very strong and will cause your skin to become dry. 

Frizz & Flyaway Free Summer

   I love my curly hair, but I hate my frizz and flyaways with a passion! I've used products like Frizz Ease and BioSilk, as well as shampoo and conditioner combos like Redken All Soft and Garnier Fructis for curly hair. No matter what I do, I can never get it just right. My friend recently had an extra bottle of Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel and suggested I give it a try. I was a little skeptical at first because I normally steer clear of all hair gels. I've never wanted to have crisp or crunchy curls, but I've never been able to obtain those soft, defined, bouncy curls I've always longed for. I'm a firm believer in "Don't knock it 'til you try it." (most of the time), so I gave it a try and I am so glad that I did. I absolutely adore this product now! It's approximately $38 in the store, but it is well worth it. There are many beauty supply stores that sell it for as little as $20 so even if you're on a budget you can still use it.
    I rarely use a flat iron or a curling iron because of the damage it causes, but this product says that you can even use it on straight hair as well. No matter what kind of hair you have please try this wonderful product. It controlled my frizz/flyawayas and left my hair feeling silky and soft, keep in mind I have only tried the gel. I haven't even tried the shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioner yet. I'm so pleased to have found this lovely hair product. Although it is a little more expensive than the hair products I buy from Target, it is worth every penny. While browsing their website, I saw that they have mini travel kits so if you want to try all of the products in the Climate Control line you can do so without spending a small fortune. This is a new must-have for me, especially with the summer heat fast approaching. I highly recommend this product for anyone and everyone who has frizz or flyaways. No matter how straight or curly your hair is, it is absolutely amazing! It smells wonderful too, so please give it a try, you will not regret this one. Enjoy your weekend beach bunnies, stay beautiful! XO

Olive Oil Nail Treatment

~Olive oil, I love you. In addition to tasting amazing, you moisturize and nourish my hair, feet, and nails. Thank you!!
    I'll bet you didn't know that so many of your beauty prayers could be answered with an ingredient you most likely already have in your kitchen. I've already covered the hair and foot treatment using extra virgin olive oil, now comes the nails. Almost every woman I know, as well as some men, love a relaxing mani/pedi, but what's the point of having great looking nails if beneath the polish they are cracked, dry, and brittle. Even if you're nails appear to be healthy, doing this treatment once a week never hurts. Remember to take off any nail polish with an acetone-free polish remover prior to this treatment.
    All you need is one pair of cotton gloves, 1 roll of medical tape, 10 small cotton balls (enough to cover each nail), and extra virgin olive oil. If you're doing this treatment on your feet as well just add in a few extra cotton balls and a pair of thick cotton socks. I recommend cutting the tape into sections first so it's easier to apply. You will probably need less than a 1/4 cup of olive oil, but measure out 1/4 cup just to be safe. Fully submerge each cotton ball into the olive oil; after about 5 seconds lightly squeeze out most of the oil. Cover your nail completely with the moist cotton ball and secure it with tape by wrapping one loop of tape around each finger. Repeat on each nail before carefully putting on socks and/or gloves. Leave the socks/gloves on as long as possible in order to get the most out of this nourishing treatment. Do this treatment at least once a week and you'll be as good as gold. Stay beautiful inside and out beach bunnies! XoXo

Olive Oil & Sugar Lip Scrub

    Kiss uncomfortable, dry lips goodbye with this quick, easy, and cheap lip treatment. It works like a charm and the only two ingredients you need are extra virgin olive oil and sugar. Mix approximately a teaspoon of each ingredient in the palm of your hand until you make your own little "sugar scrub," then GENTLY smooth over your lips with your finger for about 30 seconds. Wash off your sugar scrub mix and then apply a small amount of olive oil alone to your lips. Applying the extra virgin olive oil to your lips every single night before going to sleep, plus doing this sugar scrub once a week, will keep your lips soft, smooth, and every so kissable. Hope your Monday goes smoothly beach bunnies! XOXO

Olive Oil Foot Treatment

    In order to keep my feet looking and feeling fabulous, I soak them at least 3 times a week. Over the years, I've tried bath oils, salts, pumice stones, and lotions but my all time favorite foot treatment is pure extra virgin olive oil. I prefer to use it in conjunction with a foot spa like the Homedics Jet Action Footbath, although a regular container will work just fine. I pour about 1/4 of a cup of extra virgin olive oil into warm to hot water and soak my feet for 30 minutes to an hour. Make sure you keep a clean towel nearby to dry your feet, as well as a clean pair of thick socks, because your feet will be extremely oily and slippery after this treatment. The last thing you need is fabulous feet and a few minor injuries. Pain is not always beauty beach bunnies! Back to the treatment, after thoroughly drying your feet, massage a small amount of extra virgin olive oil onto them, focusing on your heels and soles. I recommend only using thick socks, as the oil will soak through thinner ones. Again, safety first. Thanks to this treatment, I now only use a pumice stone every other week and my feet always look and feel fantastic. Follow these simple steps 3 times a week and you will find yourself pumice-ing less and flaunting more! Hope everyone is able to enjoy your Sunday with your family and friends XO

Fabulous Foot Spa

    After a long day at work or  running errands and picking up kids, there's nothing like relaxing with the Homedics Jet Action Footbath. You can say goodbye to dry, cracked heels and tired achy feet once and for all with this product. While it's not the same as having a pedicure done at a spa or salon, I find that this footbath works quite well and will save you money in the long run. I love it because it's fairly inexpensive, keeps the water warm, and includes a pedicure tool caddy with a pumice stone. I soak my feet in this foot spa 3-4 times a week for at least 30 minutes and I rarely ever have to use the pumice stone.  Soft feet are a must for me because I love wearing sandals and heels, and we all know nothing looks worse on a cute pair of shoes than not so fabulous feet. This product has mini jets and massaging foot pads that feel wonderful for at the end of the day, or even as a mid morning pampering.
    Not only do I love this product, but my husband does too! When I first got the product he wanted nothing to do with it, however I soon my husband to let me give him pedicures. Before I knew it he was asking me for them every week! There are areas to rest your feet on either side of the caddy if, for example, the water is too hot or if you are giving a pedicure to someone else. This makes it a lot easier on your back and eliminates the need of an extra stool. You can find this product at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Amazon, or  eBay for approximately $40. It's one of the best investments I've made and I recommend it to everyone. Have a fabulous Friday beach bunnies! XO

Olive Oil Hair Treatment

    
    Here is a great olive oil hair treatment that I found by Traci Vandermark on www.ehow.com. I tried this treatment before posting this and I absolutely loved it! I modified the treatment by combing the olive oil through my hair with a wide-toothed comb and, rather than leaving it in for 30 minutes, I left it in overnight. I placed two towels over my pillow case and secured a plastic bag over my shower cap when I went to sleep. This treatment worked better for me than deep conditioning treatments I've received at salons, not to mention it was much cheaper and far more convenient. 
    "The health benefits of olive oil have been proclaimed for centuries. Olive oil is gaining increasing popularity as a beauty product, as well. What it does for your body on the inside as a nutritional product, it does for your body on the outside as a beauty aid. One of the beauty benefits of olive oil has to do with your hair. The best way to use olive oil on your hair is by making a conditioner with it. The process is simple, but the benefits are rewarding." - Traci Vandermark


Things You'll Need:

• Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
• Microwave
• Shower cap (or a plastic bag)
• Towel

Instructions:

1. Pour 1/2 cup of olive oil into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in the microwave for 20 seconds, or until warm.
2. Place a towel over your shoulders to protect clothing.
3. Put a small amount of olive oil in the palm of your hand and massage it into your hair. If you have a dry scalp, massage a small amount into the scalp, as well. If you have oily hair, massage it into your hair, but stay at least 1/2 inch from the scalp. Repeat the process of massaging small amounts at a time into the hair until the hair is entirely covered with olive oil.
   
4. Place your hair loosely on your head and cover it with a plastic shower cap.
   
5. Relax for at least 30 minutes while the olive oil is treating your hair.
   
6. Shampoo the olive oil out of your hair with a mild shampoo. Give a light condition with your usual conditioner. Rinse it out completely. You will see that the olive oil treatment makes you hair much softer and much more manageable, as well as gives it some added shine.

Tips and Warnings:

• If you have extra long hair, you will need to use 1 cup of olive oil instead of 1/2.
• When heating the olive oil, heat for no more than 20 seconds the first time. This will give you a chance to observe the strength of your microwave and the amount of time you will need to heat the oil so it is warm, but not too hot.

Olive Oil Hair Treatment

A Healthier You Is Only A Few Steps Away

    "Today, I'm going to work out." We've all said it at one point or another. Be it the weather, the inconvenience, or the lack of time, we've all had our moments when we haven't followed through with this commitment. Going to the gym can be expensive, time consuming, and often difficult to incorporate into your daily life, especially when you're trying to balance work, family, and after-school activities. While exercising in public areas is free, one cannot always depend on the weather or the safety of the area. As a woman of petite stature, exercising in a safe area is one of my main concerns. Although I once had a membership at a private gym, I stopped going because I was unable to go without being approached or stared at. Needless to say, I stopped working out for quite some time, with the exception of walking and yoga.
   Working out at home always seemed like an uneconomical option. I was completely flabbergasted when I came across the Mabis Healthcare, Inc. Mini Stepper Exerciser with Digital Computer. In comparison to most equipment, this mini stepper only costs $77.99 at Walmart, maybe even less expensive on websites such as Amazon or eBay. I'll admit, I was hesitant to buy the product at first because I assumed the price would reflect the quality and be cheap. Much to my dismay, this apparatus is quite sturdy and has suited my needs perfectly. The mini stepper is easy to store, fairly lightweight (less than 20 lbs), and even has a digital computer to aid you in tracking your steps and calories. It has an adjustable resistance system for low impact exercise, which is a huge plus for me because I've had knee and ankle problems in the past. I love that I am able to work out in the privacy of my own home and on my own time. For example, if I find myself with a spare 30 minutes I'd never have time to make it to the gym, but I have more than enough time to pull out my mini stepper and get in a good workout. Believe it or not, I'm actually using my mini stepper as I'm writing this blog! The next time you get the urge to exercise, run on over to Walmart, or order it online (free shipping), and purchase the Mabis Healthcare, Inc. Mini Stepper Exerciser with Digital Computer. You'll be stepping your way to a healthier new you! Have a wonderful Friday beach bunnies! XO