Body

Stylemama here, thinking about wrinkles.  Many of us have been talking all about the beauty that defines the older woman.  I’ve always thought that older women had so much more beauty than the younger crowd.  No offense little ones, you’ll be old one day and then you’ll get to have that  secret-special something too!

Many of you know I’ve got some funkified skin so I’ve always thought, “If only I just had wrinkles I’d be pretty happy.”  Think I’m exaggerating?  Just ask my 62 year old mama, she’ll tell you I’ve been envious of her wrinkly skin for years.  Yes, I’m talking about her flappy arm wings, her wonderfully squishy boobies, and seriously soft wrinkly cheeks.   My children, Isabelle (9) and Elizabeth (7)  couldn’t agree more.  They see those lovely breasts as the perfect place to rest their head while being wrapped in a loving flappy arm embrace.   Want to know the truth about something?  Just ask any child, it’s all about perspective people.

Here at Meg’s we are a group of women that want the power to transform when we feel like it while maintaining our exact identities throughout the entire process.   I am all for that.  I say we take it a step further and really figure out a way to love who we are right now.  Not, who you hope to be after your next raise, or  session at the gym, but “as is", flappy arms and all.  How many of us really accept ourselves in that manner?  Well, not me, not yet, but each day I’m getting closer and closer.   Funny, the arms seem to be getting flappy and flappier at the same time.  Hmm……

G’day Sheilas!  Stylemama here, skipping through the billabong singing about Tea Tree Oil!     

Did you know we have the Australian Aborigines to thank for our beloved Tea Tree Oil? Long ago, they discovered that using poultices made from the soil and waters that surrounded Tea Trees produced “mystical” healing benefits.   Even today it’s still believed that such lagoons create magical healing waters.

Tea Tree Oil is my favorite essential oil.  The natural healing properties and the cosmetic benefits are endless.   Once you start using it you’re going to wonder how you ever lived without it.   (As with any health or beauty product, make sure you do a skin test to check for allergies or sensitivities prior to use, always use 100% TTO, and don’t ever ingest it.)  
The love affair begins…….

 - Minor cuts & insect bites:  1-2 drops directly to the affected area. The anesthetic qualities take the sting out (immediately) while the antibacterial qualities prevent infection.

 - Fungal infections:  no one likes the word fungal,  but into everyone’s life a little fungus must fall!  Whaaaa????  Seriously, TTO will treat Athlete’s Foot and nail fungus.    Several drops directly to the affected area 1-3 times per day, for two weeks.  It can also be used to prevent Athlete’s Foot after a day spent at the beach or community pool. Apply directly to the feet and in between the toes.   

 -Stinky feet!  2-4 drops directly to the entire foot in the a.m. or added to any moisturizer you would use on your feet.  When used daily it will eliminate odor.  Add a few drops to your smelly shoes, allow them to air-out and this will decrease odor there too.  The bacteria on our feet caused by sweating/moisture is responsible for that pungent scent.   TTO’s natural antibacterial properties kill the germs that cause the stench.  (Is that a commercial or what?)    

 - Body piercing:  A few drops to the belly ring and belly button, and your button will heal quicker and cleaner than traditional treatments.  For pierced ears, 1-2 drops directly to the area, twice daily for 4 weeks.  You should also swipe the earrings with it prior to putting them on.

-  Natural insect repellant:  combine 1 part TTO to 10 parts water in a spray bottle, shake and apply all over your hot bod before going outdoors.  Insects don’t like the scent, unfortunately some humans don’t either, but it’s effective and DEET free!

 -  Ingrown hairs:  1-2 drops directly to affected area 2-3 times per day until symptoms subside.

 -  Post-shave/waxing treatment (legs and pits): use several drops full strength if you like that super cool, tingly  feeling, think of the old Sea Breeze Toner on crack.  Or if you just want to prevent inflammation, ingrown hairs, and razor burn; add 8-10 drops to a large dollop of your favorite moisturizer, combine and apply all over entire legs, adjust amount for pits.  (When adding TTO to existing beauty products, I prefer to add it to natural or non-scented products.)

 -  Eczema:  15 drops to your bath water, soak 10-15 minutes daily until symptoms subside.  For maintenance, use the same system twice a week.

Sweetassgal here today opening my mind and my olfactory senses to one of my least favorite scents...lavender.  Love the color...never loved the scent.  Something about it just makes my nose itchy!  But it's in everything nowadays and so I thought I'd give it another go.  Fresh lavender is just too much for me so I picked up a bar of Tom's of Maine Moisturizing Body Bar in Lavender for me and unscented for my husband.  I popped his in the shower and mine by the tub since that seems to be where I spend most of my time lately.  My daughter Samantha too since she had arthroscopic surgery on her knee last Thursday and it's tub time only for her.  Feel better baby!
 
First off I'm very impressed with Tom's of Maine's mission in the world.  They are, of course, 100% animal cruelty free, use the most natural (not necessarily organic) ingredients possible, they take excellent care of their workers, use sustainable materials and generally give back to the world.  Not only do they encourage all employees to volunteer but they also sponsor a dental program that gets care to those in need.  VERY impressive!  And I must admit...I've overlooked Tom's because of a negative experience with the natural deodorant.  In hind sight I've learned the deodorant WAS doing its job...controlling odor.  I wanted it to be an anti-persperant as well (which is counter productive to the "natural" deo mission) and so I therefore disregarded everything.  Just like the lavender...I'm taking another look.
 
 
Tom's of Maine's Business Practices - "Our work begins and ends with relationships. We start by respecting and empowering each other as coworkers, and build on that to develop true ties with our retail partners and vendors. The ultimate goal is to create honest and open relationships with everyone who uses our products, and believes, like us, that a company can and should be both successful and socially responsible." Tom O'Brien, CEO
 
Sound familiar anyone?  This is JUST the kind of forward thinking and respect for empowering individuals that Meg has managed to create here for us to enjoy every day!  Just goes to show great minds think alike!  You rock Meg!!!
 
So to the soap...I like this soap a lot.  Social responsibility aside its a great bar of soap for $3.00.  It lathers well, feels very creamy...almost buttery (without the grease, fat and calories!) and hydrates well.  I've tried other natural soaps (Dr. Bonners and EO) which were good but this is better.  I'm dying to try Pangea Organics as I'm hearing great things about them but I haven't had the opportunity to come up on one.  And of course there is always my FAVORITE...Suki Lemongrass Bar cleanser.  It's $11 and a splurge for me but it's where I set the bar.  Tom's comes in somewhere in between...kind of a "good solid 7 and a half" (For any of you who have had the pure pleasure to see the movie Beautiful Girls...this is one of my fav quotes.  Rent it to see an adorable Natalie Portman at about 13 and a hysterical rant from Rosie O'Donnell's character on men's obsession with fake women).  It's a great soap for the price and won't leave you disappointed.  Oh...and I also did the ultimate soap test this morning.  I bathed, used the lavender soap and left for work sans deodorant to see how I'd hold up.  It's evening now and I'm getting a little funky...I'd say mini-funk but not reminiscent of my Weleda OMG-my-eyes-are-burning SUPER funk I experienced a while back.  That was funk on crack, on meth, on speed (are any of those the same thing?...I'm not up on the drug speak).

Sweetassgal bringing you some natural and organic love today via natures most perfect nut.  No...not Jeanasina (we love your nuttiness honey) but via the Almond...one tiny little piece of crunchy perfection that packs a powerhouse WALLOP of health and beauty power.  It's the Demi Moore of the nut world and I'm loving it.
 
Am I over exaggerating?   I think not.  As posted a few weeks back I've begun adding essential oils to my bath for relaxation purposes.  Following the suggestions of many I also added a tablespoon of Almond oil to the water to help moisturize my skin.  What I have found has been absolutely remarkable.  Not only is my skin insanely soft after bathing (lotion isn't even necessary so this saves me valuable time before bed) but it acts as a great natural shaving lotion as well.  The oil sits on top of the water and I simply rub my legs with my hands spreading the oil/water around and shave.  My razor glides over my skin effortlessly and my skin is left silky smooth and completely hydrated...and NO shave cream bottles to take up space around my tub or end up in landfills!  Not to mention the $ savings.  I'm skipping expensive lotions and shaving cream and feel great about both.  Though I do have to warn you it gunks up the razor a bit.  Just tap it on the side of the tub to remove.  
 
An added bonus...for those of us who don't have Meg's coveted "space" between their thighs and like to wear skirts in the summer you know how your bare legs rubbing together while walking can create some MUCH unappreciated friction.  OUCH mama...fire down below!?!  It's like the 4th of July with all those sparks going off down there!  The almond oil creates a natural barrier that keeps that friction from building up and you are left pain free and cute as can be in your summer dress.  I bought three new summer dresses this weekend just because of the Almond oil!!  FUN!
 
Worried about the oil in the bath getting in your hair and looking greasy?  Don't be.  Almond oil massaged into your scalp is a natural answer to excessive hair fall (the amount you lose in the shower), it nourishes and smoothes your cuticles making it strong and thick and adds beautiful shine to your hair.  Remember...you are only adding one tablespoon to your bathwater and this is being distributed ALL over your body and hair so excess is minimal.  Almond oil deeply moisturizes your skin, improves your complexion retaining a natural glow, smoothes skin irritation and inflammation (ahem...devil's thigh burn), prevents aging, heals rashes and calms dry irritated skin.  They say it helps lighten dark circles too but I cannot attest to that.

But don't stop there...get Almond oil from the inside by snacking on this delicious and SO good for you treat (plain unflavored almonds...otherwise you add unnecessary salt and calories).  Almonds reduce cholesterol, promote brain and nervous system health and enhance endurance.  They contain vitamin E and vitamin D and really help as a light snack between meals to keep you from overeating.  You see my friends...just a perfect little bit of natural and organic goodness for your hair, skin and from within!  I bought Aura Cacia Organic Sweet Almond Oil at my local health food store for $7 and you can get it online in bulk for even cheaper.  Get a big enough bottle that you can refill your bath side container and keep packaging out of our landfills.  

Sweetassgal here today to bring Green Chi Tuesdays into the future...or I guess in this case...to relive the past.  I grew up on Hannah Barbera cartoons like Scooby Doo and the Jetsons.  These were the kind of cartoons that had you laughing on Saturday mornings and then running outside to play Mystery Machine in an old refrigerator box and drive your flying car!  In my youthful adolescence we really thought that by 2010 we'd have condos on the moon and dinners that came in pill form which took 3 seconds to turn into an instant gourmet feast.  Alas...the world has not progressed the way Mr. Hanna and Mr. Barbera once prophesized but every once in a while a product comes along that reminds you of the kind of world they had envisioned.  EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm is just such a product.

When I first got this in my pack from Meg I kind of overlooked it.  At first glance I thought it was like a mini ped-egg or something.  Then I gave it a second look and was really intrigued.  This space age looking little pod was actually a lip balm!  Fascinated I ripped open the packaging and tried to pull off the lid.  I pulled and pulled and couldn't get the cap off.  You see, I wasn't forward thinking enough to realize this is not your traditional applicator.  I opened my mind to new possibilities, gave it a quick twist, and off it came revealing a round bump of moisturizing goodness.  Up it went to my lips and I swirled it around my top then bottom lip.  To be honest, it was a little odd to me and it just didn't feel right in my hand.  Again...my Virgo linear thinking here so I had to jolt myself out of it and realize there is more than one way to swipe a balm.  I gave it another pass and realized this is lip balm for LAZIES!!!  Hold your lips in their natural position (don't make the make up face O) and with just one quick sweep the large round balm quickly covers both lips at once!

Meg sent me the sweet mint flavor and I was SO touched.  This just proves what she has said all along.  She really thinks about each of us when she puts these packs together.  She knows our likes and dislikes, our needs and our wants.  I LOVE mint lip balms and this one sets itself apart from many others because it's not a spicy mint but a delicately sweet and subtle spearmint scent.  The first thing you notice is that it's super, super creamy...almost like lotion for the lips...and it doesn't leave a waxy film behind, it's just a feeling of softness with a slight moisturizing kick.  It was so fun trying out this new little contraption that I kept using it over and over throughout the day just to show off!  Like I said, this is a light coverage balm and great for summertime application so I don't think it would stand up to harsh winter cold like the heavily medicated balms I sometimes use would.  But for now I'm enjoying using the cute little mint colored orb whenever I need a little extra moisturizing without heavily coating my pucker.  The men in your life will love it because it's such a sweet tasting soft mint that won't leave them with girlie residue on their lips when you smooch your sweetie.  I know my husband hates that and he didn't even wince when he kissed me with the EOS on!