Home Decor: Floral Ideas to Chase Away Winter Blues

1. Cheer up your dining table:

Instead of a large floral arrangement that might take the time to put up, you can create floral floating candles. The warm glow of the candles and fresh colors of the flowers will instantly cheer up the dining table. Fill tall glasses with water and place a stem or two of your favorite flowers. Submerge the flowers completely underwater and float a candle on top.

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 2. Cheer up a blank wall with floral ideas

A unique way to fill your home with floral ideas freshness is by hanging flowers instead of placing them on tables and mantels. Bring a blank wall to life with this arrangement which is easy to install. Hang glass jars on the wall with jute twine. Fill the jars with water and add fresh flowers for a pop of color.

Why not make a pretty winter wreath in your abode? How To Make a Burlap Wreath.com has some beautiful winter wreath ideas like this rustic wood slice wreath adorned with gorgeous flowers.

Image via: Etsy – Blessed in the Midwest… Wood slice wreath

 3. Floral Ideas: Cheer up your reading nook:

Another way to cure the winter blues is to bring color into your favorite parts of your home. Every house must have a reading nook to curl up in during the dreary winter months. Use floral pretties to perk up your reading nook and make it brighter. Choose a small but colorful vintage vase for your arrangement. Pick flowers that bloom in winters like lavender and roses to arrange in the vintage vase.  Stack your favorite books on a side table and place the vase on top.

Floral ideas are a therapeutic way to fight away the winter blues when you are stuck indoors. If you cannot get your hands on fresh flowers, consider creating decorative floral arrangements with paper flowers, silk flowers, and plastic ones. A little color can go a long way.

For more winter home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Here are 5 awesome Epsom salt bath benefits for you to try out at home.

1. An Epsom salt bath can help you recover from injury:

Epsom salts can heighten your body’s natural healing abilities while also assist in preventing injuries. Whether you are trying to unwind after a hard day’s work, or you’re preparing to head to the gym, the combination of warm water and Epsom salt can help to loosen tight muscles and provide relief from muscle fatigue which may aid in preventing injury due to fatigued or tightened muscles.

The Epsom Salt Council has more magnesium salt benefits here.

2. Epsom Salt Uses: It can detoxify and deodorize:

Epsom salt uses can also help clear your skin. Your skin is a truly remarkable organ. In addition to regulating body temperature and providing protection from the elements, it is also porous and is able to pull in vital nutrients and minerals on contact. This can, unfortunately, mean that skin is also at risk for absorbing unwanted toxins and metals from the environment as well. Through a process known as reverse osmosis, An Epsom salt bath can aid in the removal of these toxins as you soak in the bath. Epsom salts also boast deodorizing properties, perfect to freshen up before a night out, or after returning from the gym.

3. Magnesium salt can improve your immune system:

Epsom salt or often referred to as Magnesium salt can also help your immune system. Magnesium and sulfate, the primary ingredients in Epsom salt, both aid in a biological process known as vasodilation, or the dilation of blood vessels which decreases blood pressure. This same process can also assist in creating white blood cells, which is your body’s natural defense against colds, the flu, and infections. If you take an Epsom salt bath weekly it can help your overall well-being.

We like these Epsom salt bath benefits from Natural Living Ideas.

4. An Epsom salt bath can help relieve headaches and migraines:

Since we’re on the topic of vasodilation, let’s talk about headaches. Not only can a soak in warm tub loosen tense muscles, but Epsom salt’s ability to dilate your blood vessels can also relieve built up pressure associated with headaches and muscle cramps.

5. Relax your body with Epsom Salt:

Really, what more can be said about being able to relax after a long, hard day? In addition to the muscle relaxing benefits of a hot bath on its own, the magnesium in Epsom salt can help your body to produce serotonin, a neurochemical essential for promoting feelings of happiness and relaxation.

For more beauty tips and health and wellness ideas on Stagetecture, take a look at this remarkable aspirin mask!

Healthy living has always been a struggle in my family. Having a family history of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and cancer has always been a major concern of mine. Through regular exercise, eating on a regimen that fits my blood type, body type, and characteristics and being open to new healthy living experiences has made me and my family healthier in general! That’s why I was excited to pair up with NOW Foods to travel to Bloomingdale, Illinois, right outside of Chicago to see how they make their wellness, beauty, sports and food products*. Take a look at my awesome nutrition and health-filled time I had and how you could win a $500 NOW Foods prize pack to enjoy with your family.

*Please note: Dietary supplements are natural products that are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or relieve the effects of diseases, ailments, etc..  Please consult a physician or health professional for your own dietary and health goals. 

NOW Foods #Giveaway for YOU and My Healthy Living Experience

The moment I got into my room I was greeted with the most amazing two bags of NOW Foods products! I was amazed… and you will get a chance to win your own products too! From snacks and quinoa cups to supplements and beauty products for the whole family… I could tell this was going to be an awesome event.

All of my products couldn’t even fit in the picture

Our First Night Starts Off with Meeting the CEO and an “Iron Chef’ Healthy Food Event

It was an exciting event because I got to meet other bloggers who were from all types of backgrounds and blog genres: healthy living, recipe creation, family and home lifestyle like Stagetecture.

The first night we all met to meet Jim Emme, CEO of NOW Foods and the recipe and development team to have an “Iron Chef” event! It was so much fun to see how their natural food products are perfect if you need:

• Their Living NOW products are certified gluten free, certified kosher, sugar-free ( as well as a better tasting stevia), pasta – tastes like wheat ( but is gluten free)- made without corn- better for those with wheat and corn intolerances.

Suzy Sing, Recipe and Development Chef made us a delicious dinner that was PURE comfort food but made with all NOW Foods healthy ingredients.

All images by Stagetecture.com

Healthy Living Starts with a Healthy Mind & Body

After a wonderful night, we all headed to bed because Friday was going to be a whirlwind of events.. like waking up to a 6:45 am yoga/pilates/cardio workout on the terrace overlooking this gorgeous golf course at Eaglewood Resort.

Our morning yoga and pilates was great! I was so sore for the next two days I could tell I used muscles I had never used in my regular workouts. Between the gorgeous sky, the cool, crisp air, and our Yoga Instructor – Vanessa Mackay’s pumping music, it was the perfect start to the day.

We Learned How to Make our Own NOW Beauty Recipes!

After our morning yoga, we learned how to make our own roll-on essential oil blends as well as hand foaming soap! These are great recipes if you like using essential oils or if you like giving beauty products as gifts. My personal favorite beauty product is the shea butter lotion. It smells like heaven and every time I put it on it lights up my mood. Healthy living isn’t only about eating and exercising, it’s also about making yourself feel good, right?

Here are a few healthy living notes I learned about the NOW Beauty Products:

• NOW Doesn’t test on animals, they only test on people. Their products are gluten free and they make sure all of their products are pure.
• They have products for kids, teens, and adults including kids mouthwash, toothpaste and
• Did you know your skin is the largest organ? Your skin can be exposed to over 200 chemicals on skin per day. WOW!

Next Stop: Touring the NOW Foods GMP Facility:

After the beauty products seminar, it was time to head back to our rooms to pack up and head to the NOW Foods plant tour. This was going to be good! Take a look at just some of the wellness supplements and sports nutrition supplements products they create at their plant.

We walked through the Bloomingdale plant to see how they make their supplements, powders, foods, beauty products and more. They actually make 1,400 high-quality, natural and affordable products. Isn’t that insanely awesome?

The picture on the bottom right of the image above are solid marble tables that ensure all of their weighing and testing are exact. My analytical/architectural nerd side found this fascinating.

NOW Foods offers Healthy Living Supplements, Beauty Products, and Natural Food Ingredients

My husband and I use to always get NOW Foods products at our local health food store, but never realized the wide array of products they truly have. Whether you are trying to find supplements to help you lose weight, gain muscle, replace vitamin deficiencies or help your overall mental well-being, there are products to assist with your goals.

It was truly a pleasure learning how the NOW Foods stands by their motto of “Living Happy, Living Health, Live NOW”. From the staff and the quality testing to the countless number of quality-assurance tested practices that go into every product, it was quite an amazing event. I encourage you to follow NOW Foods on their social channels below and visit their website to see how you can start living NOW.

Healthy Living Starts Here: Follow NOW Foods on their Social Channels

Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram accounts. All of their social channels are a great way to keep up to date on their latest products but to also get inspired on how others in the NOW Foods community from around the world are living healthier lives!

Here’s Your Chance to Win! Now Foods Giveaway – Product Pack valued at $500!

Note: Contest entrants are only eligible to win once per sweepstake, per household as part of a campaign sponsored by Influence Central

Official Rules for the NOW Foods Products Prize Pack:

1. Contest starts on Sunday, August 13th and ends at 12 am, Wednesday, August, 16th 2017.
2. Please follow the Rafflecopter directions below and enter as many times as you’d like, once a day, between the afore mentioned dates.
3. The winner will be announced on Stagetecture.com on Wednesday, August 16th.
4. The winner should live in the Continental United States and have a postal address, not P.O. Box address for NOW Foods to ship to.
5. The winner should contact me by using the Contact Form here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more healthy living tips on Stagetecture, visit our wellness archives here.

9 Essential Oils Beauty Recipes for Mother’s Day

Whether you use essential oils for their healing benefits or just love their scents, there are hundreds of uses for essential oils. Here are a few easy and amazing essential oil beauty recipes:

1. Sweet Orange Body Wash:

Ingredients:

2 cup castile soap

1 teaspoon of vitamin E

2 teaspoons of glycerin

¼ cup of honey

2 teaspoons of sweet almond oil

40 drops Organic Aromas sweet orange

How to Make:

In a bowl, mix all the ingredients and store in a plastic pump bottle.

2. Ylang Ylang Shower Gel:

Ingredients:

2/3 cup castile soap

2 tablespoons honey

2 teaspoons glycerin

1 teaspoon jojoba oil

1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

20 drops of Organic Aromas Ylang Ylang

How to Make with Essential Oils:

Mix all the ingredients well and fill a plastic pump bottle with this mixture. Enjoy the shower!

3. Rose Face Wash:

Ingredients:

1/3 cup of Castile oil

2/3 cup of rose water

1 teaspoon jojoba oil

¼ teaspoon vegetable Glycerin

4 drops of vitamin E

10 drops of Organic Aromas Lavender

10 drops of Organic Aromas Rose Geranium

5 drops of Organic Aromas spearmint

How to Make:

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and store in a plastic pump bottle.

4. Peppermint Face and Body Scrub:

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut oil

½ cup organic white sugar

½ cup brown sugar

3 teaspoons organic coffee grounds

3 teaspoons organic vanilla extract

2 teaspoons organic honey

2 Vitamin E capsules

1 teaspoon Organic Aromas Peppermint

How to Make:

In a bowl, mix all the ingredients. Place this mixture in an air tight container and store in a cool place.

5. Epsom Salt Foot Bath:

Ingredients:

2 cups Epsom salts

1 tablespoon ground ginger

5 drops of Organic Aromas sweet orange

5 drops of Organic Aromas Lavender

How to Make:

In a bowl, mix all the ingredients and store in a mason jar with lid. Take a look at these 35 uses throughout your home to use oils.

6. Eucalyptus Cleansing Facial Mask:

Ingredients:

3 capsules activated charcoal

2 tablespoons bentonite clay

4 teaspoons Aloe Vera

2 teaspoons Shea butter

1.5 oz. chamomile tea, brewed

1 drop Organic Aromas Peppermint

1 drop of Organic Aromas Eucalyptus

How to Make:

Mix all the ingredients very well. Store in an air tight container.

7. Lemon Toner:

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups distilled water

½ tablespoon lemon juice

2 drops of Organic Aromas Grapefruit

How to Make:

In a spray bottle, mix all the ingredients and shake well. Store in the fridge and use when needed.

8. Eczema Cream:

Ingredients:

¼ cup Shea butter

¼ cup coconut oil

½ teaspoon Vitamin E oil

25 drops of Organic Aromas sweet orange

15 drops of Organic Aromas Lavender

How to Make:

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Transfer this mixture to a container and store at room temperature.

9. Rose Deodorant Stick:

Essential Oils Ingredients:

¼ cup cornstarch

¼ cup coconut oil

¼ cup baking soda

20 drops of Organic Aromas Rose Geranium

How to Make:

In a hand mixer, mix all the ingredients and store in deodorant containers.

If you try one or more of these recipes, please share your experience.

For more beauty ideas on Stagetecture, visit our archives.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ScriptSave® WellRx.

Spring cleaning at my house is never a fun project! Whether it is under the bathroom sink, or cleaning out the medicine cabinet and finding 5-year-old prescription drugs, it’s a chore that I dread every spring. I’m excited to pair with ScriptSave® WellRx to help you save money on prescriptions that you buy! In my family my daughter’s medicine cabinet, my husband’s gym bag and my makeup drawer are places that need spring cleaning of all medications. Take a look at how ScriptSave WellRx and their mobile app can help you save money and help you spring clean your medicine cabinet this season.

The importance of spring cleaning to keep my family healthy

Have you ever realized how unhealthy it is to have old prescription drugs, old makeup and expired health and beauty products around? It’s kind of like leaving food in your refrigerator too long, right? It was time for a spring cleanup in our house and I started with my makeup bag and bathroom drawers that have everything from old makeup brushes to pill bottles that had been there since 2012! Hey, don’t judge!

How ScriptSave WellRx can help you save on prescription drugs

Whether you are on the go at your local drug store, or you’re refilling prescriptions on a regular basis, ScriptSave WellRx can help you find local pharmacies on their handy smartphone app. It will help you search the lowest prices for your medications and you can show your digital savings card right on the app, so you don’t have to dig through your wallet! On an average customers save between 45%-80% on their prescription drugs by using the program.

Here’s how it works:

Spring cleaning my husband’s gym bag is a chore too!

Is it me or does your gym bag seem to collect items from months and months ago that go into a black hole somewhere down in the lining? My hubby has prescription meds that he takes 3 times a day and he often leaves in his gym bag. He literally has dozens of pill bottles swimming in the sides of his gym bag. He finally agreed it was time for some spring cleaning!

Here are some of the benefits of using the ScriptSave WellRx program:

• There are no fees! The app is free to download and it works if you for those who are insured with high out-of-pocket costs.
• Easy to use! The pharmacist can look in their system for the cost of your medication with insurance and then compare it with the ScriptSave WellRx price, right on your phone.
• Depending on your zip code, prescription drugs are often different prices. With the app or online tool you can check your pharmacy in specific areas, before you arrive.

Take a look at this infographic to see how prescription drugs cards work:

This infographic gives you clarity on how prescription savings cards can help you and your family.

This season as you are spring cleaning your medicine cabinets, gym bags and makeup drawers think about the health benefits of having a clean home with old prescription drugs tossed away. Also, try downloading and using ScriptSave WellRx to help you save money on your current and future prescriptions. Your family’s health and your wallet will thank you!

Make sure to enter the invite code Stage when registering for a Card or installing our mobile app.

Disclosure: This was a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ScriptSave® WellRx.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dove. All opinions are strictly my own.

If there’s one important lesson I’ve learned from my parents it is building self-confidence is important when you have to face adversity. Growing up in Colorado my sister and I didn’t see many other minority children that looked like us. Although, my parents always helped us understand that our unique features, hair, and personality made us special, unique and important. My hubby and I are trying to raise our daughter with the same values in building self-confidence about herself and especially about how the world can make her feel. I’m excited to pair with Dove Hair in the #LoveyourHair campaign as we as women teach our daughters that regardless how they look, they should always feel confident, secure and safe in their own skin. Take a look at how Avrielle and I are building self-confidence every day.

We are Building Self-Confidence: Dove Love Your Hair

My #LoveyourHair Journey Helped Build High Self-Esteem

When I was younger I had to get comfortable looking different from my friends and neighbors. While at times it was difficult to have hair that was thick and coarse, I also learned from my school-aged friends that my difference is what they loved about me! Sometimes when I would spend the night at my friends’ homes they were jealous that I didn’t need to wash my hair every day as I explained that would dry out my hair… they actually wanted my hair!! He he… For my sister, and I we both learned to accept our hair and our differences.

How I Talk to My Daughter about Building Self -Confidence

Avrielle is one of those girls that leans more towards being a tomboy than a “girlie-girl”. She doesn’t like to wear dresses and she prefers to wear her hair in twists or braids rather than out and flowing. I said to Rellie (our nickname for her) “What do you love most about your hair?” She said, “Every morning I like acting like I’m a supermodel and flipping my hair back and forth like this….” Then she proceeds to crash her head around like a crazy Van Halen heavy rock star from the 80’s! I tried to capture it here in our silly photo collage below. She’s a girl that building self-confidence hasn’t been hard! She says she likes looking different from her friends, and her Girl Scout sisters. Avrielle said, “It doesn’t matter how I look, just that I feel awesome”.

Dove Hair is committed to Helping Women and Girls Feel Confident

• Dove Hair is helping broaden what we, as women consider beautiful. They are committed to helping women and girls in building self-confidence about their hair. They are all about teaching us to love our hair!
• As a Mom, you can build a strong and confident daughter and help her embrace and celebrate her unique hair.
• Start the conversation with your daughter about their hair. Dove Hair has a great site where you can personalize a mother/daughter photo and text for you to share with your friends on your social networks.
  • Upload your Mother/Daughter picture

Your Self Esteem Reality: How Much Do you #LoveyourHair?

I think to myself every time I come out of the gym and my hair is plastered to my forehead, I wish I had hair I could just pull back into a ponytail. Then when I talk to my gym friends with ponytails they say “I wish my hair was short so I didn’t have so much to style and wash!” I love how women of all walks of life struggle with the love-hate relationship with their hair.

I would love to know how you all talk to your daughter(s) about their hair and building self-esteem. Do you know if your daughter feels comfortable in her own skin or does she feel ashamed to express her true self? Have you asked her if she likes her hair? I encourage you to start the conversation, you and your daughter may learn more about each other.

Disclosure: This was a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dove. All opinions are strictly my own.

Building Self Confidence

Low self esteem

Do you know how to sleep better? I think my insomnia fight started in college when learning how to fall asleep was always a struggle. From late night studying for tests to staying up until 3-4:00 am in the morning working on architecture projects, it seems sleep and I have never been friends! As I’ve gotten older and now that I work from home, learning how to sleep better is a constant challenge. This is why I’m excited to pair with the National Sleep Foundation to share information about a helpful resource: BeyondTired.org. Take a look at how you can start a conversation with your doctor about your sleeping habits and how it is affecting your daily life.

Beyond Tired: How I Fight Insomnia and Finally Sleep Better 

How to sleep better with resources and information about insomnia

I was glad to see that I’m not alone in my issues with sleeping. Many people have problems falling asleep, while others have problems staying asleep (which is my issue). Even if I go to bed later, my eyes open about 4- ½ hours later and I’m ready to get up, despite the fact I’m still tired. If you take a look at the Sleep Resource website it helps you find out which disorders you may have, as well as helpful ways to bring the discussion up with your doctor.

Common sleep disorders include:

• Insomnia
• Sleep Apnea
• Cataplexy
• Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders
• Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Disorders

I finally sleep better with their ‘Bedroom Environment Tips:

After reading through the helpful resources from Beyond Tired I loved the ’Bedroom Environment’ tab in the menu. It helps you use your 5 senses to ensure you get a good night’s sleep.

Under the “Touch” category I already found an area that could help: ‘Shivering and sweating at night. ‘ – Living in Florida it is always a challenge to know when it will be too hot or your air conditioning is on too high and in turn leaves a freezing bedroom. We’ve been experimenting with setting the thermostat a little cooler on warmer nights and vice versa for a sounder sleep… Seems to be working!

Check out the Bedroom Environment tab beneath ‘Sleep Topics’ to see what you learn!

Want a chance to win an Amazon gift card prize and sleep better?

From October 25-November 23 you could win:

• Prize: Five (5) $100 Amazon e-gift cards and one (1) Grand Prize $250 Amazon e-gift card

• I-C will randomly select winners from all program entries and will facilitate fulfillment of the winning prizes (6 winners)

National Sleep Foundation Giveaway

If you’re like me and many other restless sleepers at night take a look at the National Sleep Foundations resources and see how the Beyond Tired tips and resources can help you get back to normal sleep again.

I’ve heard of a Bluetooth thermometer but didn’t know how they worked. One of the worst parts of my daughter being sick has to be waking her at night to take her temperature!  Since she was a baby it seems like taking her temperature has been a chore and one that has gotten actually harder as she’s gotten older. I was excited to pair with TempTraq temperature monitor that enables me to download an app to my smartphone and track her temperature continuously through the night. Take a look at one of the best thermometers for kid’s works to help them rest, and help you gain peace of mind.

TempTraq® Bluetooth Thermometer: No More Kids’ Sleepless Nights

A Bluetooth Thermometer that keeps you Informed:

Whether you are a new parent of a newborn or you have a child in elementary school, when they are sick you want them to get as much rest as needed, but you still need to know when they have a fever. The TempTraq® Temperature Monitor is an adhesive patch that is applied to their armpit and monitors their temperature throughout their sleep.

Download the Temperature Monitor App to your Smartphone:

The TempTraq® app can be downloaded to your iOS or Android device and you will enter in the Patch ID# on the app that coordinates with the Patch ID# on your child’s patch. This will ensure they are synced together and you can read the stats at any time.

TempTraq® Temperature Monitor Patch Benefits:

• The patch can continuously monitor for 24 hours
• This device is safe and is an FDA cleared medical device
• The monitor patch is safe and secure and can stay in place
• The wireless technology ensures you stay informed of your child’s temperature
• Set an alert temperature to be told when the temperature is too high or low
• Make notes in the app to remember important details for you, doctor, or family member.
• Monitor multiple children on the same app with separate patches
• Constructed of safe-to-use, soft materials and not made with natural latex rubber.
• In addition to temperature, caregivers may track when a child eats, drinks or takes medicine.

How I Monitored My Daughter’s Temperature With My iPhone

These screen shots show you how I could put in my daughter’s name, especially handy if you have multiple children using the Bluetooth thermometer patches at once. I really liked how at anytime I can see her temperature by date and time, so I don’t have to remember them when her doctor asks.

You Can Find TempTraq® at a Store Near You:

TempTraq® is currently available at Target, CVS, and Walgreens stores nationwide as well as TempTraq.com. MSRP is $19.99. You can Buy TempTraq now

Now that the season is getting cooler that means Flu season is right around the corner here in Florida. I love the fact that these TempTraq® Bluetooth thermometer monitors can be packed in an overnight bag, suitcase, etc… if traveling. These would also be great for babysitters and elder grandparents who need to monitor fevers and are watching over a child.

I’d love to hear what you think of this innovative temperature monitor.

Organic hair products are not always easy to find for kids that actually clean and style the way that they claim.  My daughter, Avrielle and I have been working on trying new curly hair products now that she’s getting older and washing and styling her hair is getting more time consuming I was happy to pair up with As I Am® Born Curly kids hair products that are specially formulated for black hair for babies and children. Take a look at how we use their curly hair products to wash, condition and style Avrielle’s hair for a new hairstyle that she loves!

I Finally Found #Borncurly Organic Hair Products for Kids

Naturally Organic Hair Products from As I Am® Born Curly

I was familiar with the As I Am® brand before as I had seen it on the shelves in the ethnic hair care area of Walgreens in the pretty brown bottles. I was excited to see the turquoise line of products just for children and babies for ages birth to 10 years old. Here are a few things I learned about Born Curly:

• The NSF Seal of Approval: This mark is your assurance that the product has been tested by one of the most respected independent certification organizations in existence today.
• Safe for Kids Hair: They are professionally formulated to be safe for kids hair as they are made from toxic free ingredients and are made with natural and organic ingredients.
• Where to buy: You can purchase the organic hair products at Walmart, Target, Walgreens, RiteAid and most local beauty stores.

We Enjoyed Trying out the Kids Hair Products

The first thing Avrielle and I always do before we try any hair products is to smell them. You can often tell a lot about products by their scent and if they have a lot of alcohol and other drying ingredients you can smell it instantly. We loved the scent of all of the products, especially the Rosemary Vanilla Twist Defining Smoothie that we used on her hair to make the curls stay soft and not crunchy! The ingredients smell fresh, natural and like you could use them as lotion… he he…

Here are a few of the As I Am® Born Curly to try:

• Rosemary Vanilla Twist Defining Smoothie
• Aloe Shampoo & Wash
• Argan Curl Defining Jelly
• Nourishing Hair & Body Oil
• Argan Leave-In Conditioner and Detangler

Washing and Styling with the Curly Hair Products

The Aloe Shampoo Wash was almost clear, which surprised me because most shampoos have a more pearl color to them! When we washed Avrielle’s hair it felt smooth and kept Avrielle’s hair from getting tangled while washing. Avrielle usually wears her hair in twists or braids because it tends to tangle easily. So it was great to find organic hair products that kept her hair tangle free and still shiny. My favorite product is the Argan Leave-In Conditioner and Detangler. When we applied it after shampooing her hair felt like moisture was locked in and it wasn’t going to eventually dry out like other black hair products I’ve used in the past.

Avrielle loved her new curly hairstyle and I enjoyed the fact that it didn’t take hours to blow dry her hair and braid it! I encourage you to try out the As I Am® Born Curly kids hair products and let me know what you and your little one think.

5 Essential Tips for Clearer Skin this Season

Skin Care Tip: Change Your Pillowcase Often

Whether you’re a stomach sleeper, side sleeper, or back sleeper, or you rotate positions throughout the night, your pillowcase collects dirt, sweat, and oil from your hair and skin every night. When your pillowcase isn’t washed frequently, this build up can transfer back to your face, clog your pores, and cause your skin to breakout.

Try to use pillowcases made from a natural fabric since it won’t transfer oils as easily, and replace your pillowcase with a clean one every two or three days. Also, keep in mind that dryer sheets and liquid fabric softener can leave behind a waxy residue that can clog your pores. Therefore, it’s better to avoid using these products when you wash your pillowcases.

How to Get Clear Skin – Try to Exercise More Often

Exercise isn’t just good for your muscles; it’s good for your skin as well. While we all have busy lives, if you can carve out 30 minutes for physical activity every day, it will do your skin a lot of good. Whether you go for a short walk, take a bicycle ride, or hit the gym, exercise increases blood flow throughout the body so that more oxygen can get to your skin.

Just make sure that you wash your skin before and after you work out. While it’s obvious you want to remove sweat from your skin after your workout, you also want to make sure you take off any dirt or bacteria on your skin before you exercise, so it doesn’t mix with your perspiration and get into your pores.

Drink Plenty of Water to Avoid Dry Skin

Your skin is an organ and just like every other organ in your body, it needs water to function properly. Without the right hydration, your skin becomes tight, dry, ashy, and flaky. On the other hand, water plumps up the skin so scars, wrinkles, and pores become less noticeable. Water also helps your body and skin flush away toxins. When you drink water, it reaches the internal organs before it reaches your skin. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re drinking enough throughout the day. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water each day.

However, drinking isn’t the only way to add water to your skin. As soon as you step out of the shower or bath, apply a hydrating moisturizer. Your skin is still porous so the moisturizer absorbs better and helps lock the water into your skin.

Limit Sun Exposure

While sun is an important source of vitamin D, it also causes plenty of issues for your skin when you get too much. Being outside between 7 and 9 a.m. is the ideal time to get those helpful rays. Anytime after that, and you want to avoid the sun as much as possible, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

This is when the sun is at its peak, and the harmful UV rays that can cause wrinkles, skin damage, and cancer are at their strongest. If you can’t avoid being outside during this time, try to wear clothing that covers most of your skin, and make sure you apply sunscreen with SPF 45 or higher. Style Caster has great tips on how to get clear skin.

Know Your Skin Type

From oily to dry to a combination of the two, nobody has the same skin type. However, it’s important to know and understand what type of skin you have so you can tailor your skin care routine to meet your needs. You can learn about skin care with Amway, figure out what your skin type is, and create a plan that gives your skin everything it needs to be clear and healthy.

From a clean pillowcase when you sleep, to a few extra glasses of water, if clearer skin is your goal, work these five tips into your everyday routine to see results.

For more beauty tips on Stagetecture, look at this DIY Aspirin & Aloe Vera Gel Face Mask