Not Ready For Swimsuit Season...NO PROBLEM!

Sure, it's a bit early to be worried about getting into swimsuits, but with the warm weather I've found myself having this conversation several times already.  On the upside, there is time to get it together and work on getting your body in "shape".  While it doesn't hurt to work out, nobody is perfect though, and like me, maybe you're realizing that your body just isn't as cooperative at 35+ as it was at 29.  That being the case, I've found the perfect solution.

I've always been a two piece girl.  Maybe it's because that's what my mom always put me in when I was little, but mostly it's two reasons of my own.  My superficial reason is I've never had a white tummy and I just can't bring myself to start having one now.  My fit reason is my torso is REALLY long so one piece swimsuits don't fit...if you know what I mean ;o).  For the last couple years I have toyed with the idea of getting a tankini (tank top fitting top with a bikini bottom) since I find myself playing with more and more kids on the beach and boating.  I have yet to go that route but I came across one in my Sundance Catalog recently that really caught my eye.  Their Ipanema Mosaic Tankini has all the details I consider slimming.  The bikini bottoms are cut right across the hip, solid brown with patterned top band that distracts from unwanted attention to the abdomen, and wide 5" or so long patterned ties that hang against the thighs creating the illusion of long toned legs.  The tankini top is your basic slight v-neck tank silhouette bringing the right amount of attention to the bust line but, it's the print that is the real WOW factor.  It's a beautiful mosaic that creates curves and distraction without looking busy and loud.  This tankini is a real head turner.  It's striking and flattering in every way possible and more.  I may just breakdown and get it because I like it so much...and since the top is a tank I can pull it up under my bust for tummy tanning :o).

Just my own personal FYI, since I'm giving my two cents about what makes a swimsuit flattering, unless you are ultra tan and/or have the perfect body, black (whether it's a one or two piece) is NOT the way to go.  On pale skin it's the worst but on any body it practically disappears and makes all your skin stand out.  Prints are best.  Side ties that hang against the thigh are a must in my book.  And finally, believe it or not, browns, whites, oranges, and greens are the most flattering colors on everyone.  Tan or pale, these colors complement any skin tone.

Now, get ready to hit the beach...and don't forget your SUNSCREEN!

Get Growing!

Last year I didn't plant vegetables until the beginning of June.  At that time, I planted small plants and hoped they would provide me with a reasonable harvest.  They did not.  By the time my, one or two, peppers started getting larger, and my measly cucumber became a couple bites worth it was September and the sun had moved for the season leaving my finally flourishing veggies shaded and cool.  This will not happen to me this year!

On a warm day this past February I decided it was time to take action.  My plan was to successfully grow the vegetables I buy the most and do so inexpensively.  Taking the shortcut and buying small plants was not an option.  So, a week ago today I planted cucumbers, radishes, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, green beans, bell peppers, and snap peas in little peet cups that will serve as fertilizer when I plant them directly into my garden next month.  Delightfully, I already have some little sprouts!  The weather has been amazingly warm and sunny this past week so I have been able to keep my little ones outside during the day to reap all the benefits of the sun.  At night, since they are just on a cookie sheet (thanks to my co-worker, Kim, for that tip), I bring them inside and put them on the stove.  Yes, the stove.  Naturally, you would think I would put them on the counter but last year my husband, Kris tried to start some seeds on the counter and windowsill and our three little kittens nearly lost their residency because they nibbled all his sprouts while we slept.

Now is the perfect time to start your garden and do it economically.  With a few peet cups, bag of seed starter soil, seeds of your choice, cookie sheet, and a couple of minutes you can be on your way to a summer of fresh, homegrown vegetables.  Include your kids in the process.  They'll love getting dirty, watching the magic of growing things they planted, and most of all, eating veggies they grew and harvested!  I can't think of many things more satisfying and delightful than watching tiny seeds in dirt become green shoots and then food.

Can't Find The Right Words?



"I don't think of it as working for world peace, he said.
I think of it as just trying to get along in a really big strange family."

 Storypeople by Brian Andreas can!

I think my sister, Rachel, was the first to discover Storypeople prints in a boutique years ago.  Since then, she has given me many of them.  Each story expresses her feeling or intention so clearly and uniquely.

These stories and Storypeople are available on prints, cards, even artwork like wall hangings and furniture.  Have a quirky best friend?  I do!  There are no words to describe her...except "Kindred Spirits" sums her up perfectly.

Happy, sad, deep, funny, there's a Storypeople for every emotion, occasion, person, and more.

When I read the Storypeople prints around my house I always find myself standing there reading the story over and over again, my heart filling with emotion.

I'm A Foodie, Too!

One of my passions is food!  Thanks to some allergies and health/lifestyle preferences, the food I love is mostly healthy.  Since my blog is "The Product Muse", I feel blogging about recipes doesn't really fit in with the overall subject matter.  Thankfully, I have been invited by my friend to share my passion on her blog.  Mary Rose started the blog Next Gen Green which focuses on the many ways we can help and benefit from protecting our environment.

Check out Next Gen Green and join me there every Monday when I guest blog delicious recipes on "Meatless Mondays"!

Banish Dry, Flaky Skin!

Recently, my friend and I were having a heart to heart about our troubles with our largest organ...skin.  I confided in her that when I wear my black yoga pants it looks like someone clapped chalkboard erasers together near me.  My waistband, at the very least, is always covered in white powder.  Not really believing me I proved it to her by lightly rubbing my stomach.  Poof, epidermis everywhere!

Let me start by assuring you I take every possible measure to hydrate my skin and body.  I drink at least (most likely 16) 8 glasses of water a day, eat healthy, avoid salt (try to), exfoliate, use moisturizing body washes, put baby oil on when I'm still wet, apply lotion when I've toweled off, and often use lotion at bedtime.  You'd think I'd be able to slide across the floor like a wet seal, but sadly, nope.

Frustrated, I sought the help of my go to beauty guru, Sephora :o).  I searched almond oil and voila, I was presented with L'Occitane's Firming and Softening Supple Skin Oil.  SOLD!  When it arrived I was even more convinced it would work because of all the consumer test results and massage application instructions that were so attractively presented on the box.  I couldn't wait to shower and apply this heavenly (yet very faint) smelling oil on my chalky body.  Well, one week later I can happily tell you my skin is smooth, hydrated, free of flakes, and smells amazing (I keep smelling my forearm)!

Today, the L'Occitane's Cleansing and Soothing Shower Oil I ordered arrived and now I can't wait to add that to my shower regimen!

For all you mom's to be, this oil is also said to be great for pregnancy and stretch marks.  And I quote, "Product Plus:  Ideal before, during and after pregnancy."

Spots? What Spots?

As I'm staring out my office window at the gloomy, overcast sky it occurred to me (a snow and cold weather disliker) there is an upside to it being dusky all day long...I can use my Paula's Choice Remarkable Skin Lightening Lotion during the day as well as at night!  In the summer I only use it at night because it's ingredients make your skin more sensitive to the sun.  Even with sunscreen I'm not taking the risk.

See, when I was a teen I wanted freckles so, since people with freckles seemed to get more of them from sun exposure I figured I could get my very own by simply sunburning my face.  Please don't remove my blog from your "Favorites" list...I promise I am SO very much wiser now!  Anywho, those of you who know me know I DO NOT have freckles.  I have what I refer to as linebacker stripes and large swaths, as opposed to spots, of discoloration.

Forever, there wasn't much I could do about hiding my attempt at acquiring freckles.  Sure, heavy makeup was still pretty popular in the 90s but I always felt gross and overdone.  Slathering SPF 50 in the summer was my only defense (still is, Dad, I promise) against these patches of discoloration becoming darker until Sephora entered my life.  I was then introduced to dozens of skin lighteners that cost a mere arm and a leg or more.  Oh yeah, on the few occasions I did hand over that arm and leg the product didn't even work!

Thank goodness my mother-in-law (and guest blogger of The Product Muse) told me about Paula's Choice!  This Paula lady is all about debunking product and cosmetic claims.  My thing about her is that she has her own line.  I'm not saying it isn't great, I don't know anything about any of it except the Remarkable Skin Lightening Lotion, which IS great, I'm just saying I think people need to try things for themselves or also consider the advice of others who are not turning a profit as a result of their advise.  But I digress.

The point is, for $18 (currently $15.96) you too can fade your spots!  Yes, I said FADE.  If you want them gone you'll have to talk to someone else about that because I'm not planning on having my face lasered or whatever.  Faded to the point where a little tinted moisturizer is all I need to conceal my botched freckles is good enough for me :o)!

Happy, Healthy, & Delicious!

You don't have to be vegan, vegetarian, organic, raw, or whatever to eat healthy.  In fact, the previously mentioned dietary lifestyles can be VERY unhealthy without the proper knowledge.

Recently I came across the cookbook "The Happy Herbivore Cookbook".  Is it a vegan cookbook?  Yep.  Does it contain delicious recipes for anyone trying to put healthier side dishes on the table or have one or two vegetarian dinners a week?  Absolutely!  I mentioned this find to my cousin and to my delight, she already had it.  That got me thinking about my "Veganomicon" cookbook collecting dust on my shelf.  It's considered the bible (or encyclopedia, if you prefer) of vegan cookbooks.  It's introduction is almost a textbook lesson in food and nutrition, therefor, more than providing me with delicious meat and dairy free recipes, it taught me the importance of supplementing and substituting.

So, if you're looking to switch things up this year and throw in a few low-fat dinners throughout the week I highly recommend these two cookbooks.  Maybe your burger and french fries night will become southwestern black bean burgers with baked herb hash browns and tangy green beans.  It won't kill anyone to try something new and shine a delicious light on foods that may otherwise go untried.  And don't forget, kids are AWESOME helpers in the kitchen.  If they make it, they'll eat it...probably ;o).