Archive for the ‘Clean’ Category
Out with the (c)old
Posted on: May 9, 2013
- In: Clean | Colour | Fashion | Footwear
- Leave a Comment
Now that spring has arrived and the weather has warmed, it’s time to switchover your closet.
Store the winter clothes:
- First, edit. Look at your winter clothes and identify those that are past their prime and destined for the garbage. Also look for items in good condition that you want to donate. Keep the staples and timeless styles for next year. Get clothes drycleaned before storing.
- Second, shift. Move items to another location (either back of closet or another closet). Their time is past. Keep any items that may still work in cooler spring days if paired with tops or jackets.
- Don’t forget your shoes and boots in this process. Clean and put away your fall/winter shoes and boots.
- Finally, discard or donate any items that don’t fit, are in disrepair or stained.
Bring on the sun!
- Bring back your spring/summer clothes. Give them a good once over and dryclean/repair anything that wasn’t attended to last year. Donate or discard those fashions that no longer work for you: out of style, beyond repair, don’t fit.
- Organize your closet. This is a personal choice but there are a couple of ways to approach this. You can colour coordinate and group like-coloured items together. Or you can arrange by outfit, grouping pieces that work together.
- Find your sassy, strappy sandals and summer shoes. Clean them and organize to make it easy to pair them with your outfits.
- Gather your rain gear for those stormy days. Umbrellas, raincoats or trenches, rain boots. Consider getting a micro-umbrella to carry in your purse.
Does your closet runneth over?
Posted on: May 2, 2013
- In: Accessorize | Advice | Clean | Simple | Style
- Leave a Comment
How many times have you looked in your closet, heaved a heavy sigh, frustrated that you “have nothing to wear?”
Fact is, you literally can’t see the outfits for the tees. An overstuffed closet is worse than actually having nothing to wear, because you’ve clearly invested a small fortune into its bulging racks.
The kindest cut
The best thing you can do is cull your wardrobe. Pull out everything and lay it on the bed. One by one, TRY ON each piece. Do you love it? Is it in good repair? Is it the right colour for you? Is the style still current? Does it fit you today (not some day when you’ve lost 10 lbs)? If the answer to any of these questions is ‘no,’ then set the item aside to donate or discard.
(A word about donations: just because people in need may receive your items for free doesn’t mean they have to accept crap. Please do NOT use your local charity as a garbage bin. If the items are ripped, worn out or stained, throw them out!)
You’ll feel better once your wardrobe is reduced to a manageable size, containing just the items you love and wear. You will be able to see components of outfits at a glance and will likely end up making new combinations right before your eyes.
Amazing!
Can’t wait for spring?
Posted on: January 15, 2013
- In: Accessorize | Clean | Colour | Fashion | Shopping | Style | Trends
- Leave a Comment
For many, it’s already been a long winter. Snow came early in Alberta and wearing warm sweaters and multiple layers is getting old.
While we won’t see spring here any time soon, there are some easy ways to channel spring into your winter wardrobe. Try some of these ideas:
- Wear bright colours, or at least a pop of colour, to brighten what can otherwise be a dark winter wardrobe. Fun, flirty scarves or bright tops under jackets can bring a hint of spring to a cold day.
- Find fun nail polish colours that lift your spirits. Bright pinks, oranges and fun nail art can help you feel spring-like, even on dark winter days.
- Change up your fragrance to a lighter scent. Citrus notes, for example, can remind us of warm summer days.
- Lighten up your make-up. We tend to use a heavier hand in the winter… remember the warm summer days ahead and reflect that in your look.
- Lastly, many boutiques are starting to receive spring stock. Check out the beautiful fashions arriving in stores now.
These are simple steps to help you cope through the final weeks of winter. Enjoy!
New Year’s Beauty Resolutions
Posted on: December 28, 2012
- In: Advice | Aging | Clean | Skin care
- Leave a Comment
It’s that time of year when people make, and (briefly) keep, New Year’s Resolutions. Courtesy of the fine folks at The Body Shop, here are some beauty resolutions to consider:
Resolution #1: Start to take care of your skin… really.
Many of us “dabble” with skincare, but with more and more environmental factors affecting us, it’s time to take skincare seriously. No more “raccoon eyes” when you wake up. No more quick splashes of water as you run out the door. Find a skincare regime that works for you. The first step is to discover what kind of skin you have. Visit The Body Shop for a free Skincare consultation in store, or find your perfect skincare regime online at www.thebodyshop.com.You’ll feel and see the benefits, and your future self will thank you for being smart with your skin.
Resolution #2: Find a beauty best friend – for life.
The more beauty trends come and go, the more profile natural ingredients get for their established and effective approach to skincare. Just think about how many jars of unused skincare products haunt you from the back of your bathroom vanity. The latest “miracle wrinkle cure” may have seemed great at the time, but in reality, it didn’t fit the bill. A safe bet for 2013: choose products with ingredients that have been time-tested and nature-approved. The Body Shop Nutriganics Drops of Youth ($36) is a great example. It’s certified organic and also uses Community Fair Trade organic babassu oil from Brazil, renowned for centuries for its intensive moisturizing properties.
Resolution #3: Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize.
Let’s face it – winter is here. Now’s the time for moisture to become your best friend. Dry, itchy skin can be uncomfortable and if not treated with care, will only get worse as the winter wears on… and on… and on. Try The Body Shop Shea collection and say “bye-bye” to dryness with a moisture-filled approach to body care. Creamy Shea Shower Cream ($8), indulgent Shea Body Butter ($19) andexfoliating Shea Body Scrub ($19) all work to drench winter-weary skin with moisture and help you get your glow on.
Resolution #4: Chocolate! Wear it, love it, but don’t eat it!
Your new year diet may dictate that you lay off the chocolate, but there’s no reason why you can’t smooth it on instead! The Body Shop Chocomania range, including Chocomania Body Butter ($19), smells divine and goes on silky smooth for extra long-lasting moisturizing benefits and a healthy feel all around.
Resolution #5: Fruits and veggies are your friends
Our sense of smell is one of the most powerful tools to lift our mood and our outlook. Breathe in a little therapy with The Body Shop body care products featuring fabulous fruity flavours like Satsuma, Pink Grapefruit and Strawberry. Even in the dead of winter, the fresh fragrances bring brightness to your bath and body ritual. Try these fragrances in our Shower Gel ($8) format; it’s like a bit of sunshine in the shower.
Resolution #6: Start fresh
January is a time for new beginnings. A time to de-clutter and organize your life. Start with your make-up bag. Get rid of those “fun” shades that you only wore once (or maybe never), and instead of just buying more, buy smart. Try new all-in-one products like The Body Shop All-In-One BB Cream ($20) that combines a moisturizer and foundation. Pigment-filled capsules transform for an even finish that suits your skin tone, and 24-hour hydration keeps you looking fresh. Now that’s smart!
Resolution #7: Turn winter blahs into ooohs and aaahhhs
Winter blahs can make you want to hide under a blanket and escape from the world. This year, face them head on by embracing winter and finding a new look to add some sass to the season. It’s amazing how we all get stuck in make-up ruts, and how a small change in colour or technique can brighten your look and your world. Come into The Body Shop for a free make-over and let their make-up artists share the latest tips and tricks. You’ll blast those blahs into ooohs and aaahhs in no time flat!
Resolution #8: Know when it’s time to say “goodbye”
Make-up doesn’t last forever and as much as we all hate to throw things out… there comes a time to say goodbye. The new year is a great time to sort through your make-up collection and discard any “questionable” items. Mascara is the big one – it should be replaced every three months to avoid eye infections and ensure bright-eyed beauty.
Resolution #9: Look Spa Fit… every day.
Exercise is the key to a healthy mind and body. You can also give your body an extra boost with New Spa Fit Firming & Toning Gel-Cream Massager ($20) from The Body Shop. A pure pleasure to use, this new Gel-Cream is enriched with 100% natural-origin active ingredients like citrus and caffeine. Combined with its exclusive built-in spa-massager for extra toning action, it’s like getting all the firming and toning power of a trip to the spa in just minutes. The entire Spa Fit collection will make you feel great and will give you a “leg up” at the gym.
Resolution #10: Make the world a better place!
We all want to do our part to help others whenever we can. Through Community Fair Trade, The Body Shop is committed to trading fairly with suppliers and seeking out the finest quality raw ingredients available from the four corners of the globe, to offer the very best in product composition. We harness the skills of artisan farmers and add our expertise to create effective products that are wonderful to use. What started at The Body Shop in 1987 is stronger than ever, positively impacting the lives of 300,000 people around the world, every year. Stop by The Body Shop and see how your purchase can make you feel great – inside and out.
When the festive kissing is over, take some time to renew your mind, body and spirit for the year ahead. Whether you’re looking to enhance your daily routine or embrace a totally new approach, The Body Shop can help you face 2013 with a fresh new outlook. Drop by the stores or check it all out online at www.thebodyshop.com.
- In: Accessorize | Advice | Clean
- Leave a Comment
When you live in Canada, you experience each season to the max. Summers are hot, with temps between 25-30C, then fall comes when temps drop to mid-teens before winter sets in. Winter temps, well, you don’t want to know (although it hasn’t hit -40C here for a few years).
Nevertheless, we are required to maintain four distinct wardrobes: a robust winter wardrobe, a good summer wardrobe and modest spring and fall wardrobes (because those seasons tend to be so short).
As we enter fall, it’s time to migrate breezy summer wear to the back of the closet and bring out the cozy fall fashions. Here are some tips on making your closet switchover easier:
- First, edit. Look at your summer clothes and identify those that are past their prime and destined for the garbage. Also look for items in good condition that you want to donate. Keep the staples and timeless styles for next year. Get clothes drycleaned before storing.
- Second, shift. Move the most summery items to another location (either back of closet or another closet). Their time is past. Keep any items that may still work in fall if paired with warmer tops or jackets.
- Third, reinstate. Bring back your fall winter clothes. Give them a good once over and dryclean/repair anything that wasn’t attended to in spring. Donate or discard those fashions that no longer work for you: out of style, beyond repair, don’t fit.
- Organize your closet. This is a personal choice but there are a couple of ways to approach this. You can colour coordinate and group like-coloured items together. Or you can arrange by outfit, grouping pieces that work together.
- Don’t forget your shoes and boots in this process. Clean and set aside all the strappy sandals. Discard those that are worn out. Pull out your fall/winter shoes and boots. Clean them and organize to make it easy to pair them with your outfits.
- Lastly, prepare for winter to hit any time. (This is especially true when you live in Canada!) Find and clean your hats, scarves and mitts. Replace any that are worn. Donate any that are in good condition but you no longer need.
Happy fall, everyone!
Skin care primer
Posted on: May 24, 2012
- In: Advice | Clean | Simple
- Leave a Comment
Mature skin can be delicate and requires regular TLC to keep it glowing. There are hundreds of skin care products on the market, ranging in price from a few dollars to several hundred (yes, Creme de la Mer, I’m talking about you!).
While mature skin has its issues, there are some basics that can help you be your best.
1. Wear sunscreen. I wear sunscreen every day, and have done so for a couple of decades now. Sun damage is permanent – and potentially dangerous (there are three kinds of skin cancer). Many daily facial lotions have SPF 15 built right in. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, choose a sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15 that offers both UVA and UVB protection. If you plan on being outdoors for a good portion of the day, choose SPF 30 with UVA and UVB protection. And, wear a hat to protect your scalp.
2. Morning and evening, be sure to wash your face with a gentle soap-free, fragrance-free cleanser. Choose a formulation that meets your skin’s needs: dry, oily or combination.
3. Using a moisturizer with retinol can help to firm the skin’s appearance.
4. Pimples and wrinkles at the same time? Arggh! A topical spot treatment with salicylic acid can help to deal with occasional pimples that result from our fluctuating hormones.
Many women aged 50+ start to see the appearance of fine red veins on their cheeks or nose. This can be a sign of rosacea, a chronic skin condition that affects many people over the age of 30. If this is a concern for you, see a dematologist to determine the best course of action for you.
The best tip for great skin is simply to pay attention to it. Remember that your skin changes as you age so you may need to adjust your regimen to meet your new or emerging skin concerns.
Dressing for your body shape
Posted on: May 16, 2012
As younger women, we might have had hourglass or V-shaped figures.We might have been thinner. We might have even been taller (well, certainly with our stilettos on).
As women approaching or dealing with menopause, however, we’re starting to lose our waistlines. A common casualty that has everything to do with hormones (and, well, that pint of chocolate ice cream might have contributed. too!)
How we dressed when we were younger has changed in many ways, including that many of us are now dealing with a rectangular or “H” shaped body. You know, a barely discernable waistline – often just a straight line from our ribcages to our hips.
The good news is, it’s easy to adjust for the rectangular body shape, simply by choosing more flattering silhouettes.
Create the illusion of a waistline by wearing structured jackets, blouses or dresses that have (modest) shoulder pads. This will broaden out the shoulders – just a little, mind you, this isn’t the 80s and we’re not on Dallas or Dynasty!
Next, cinch in your waist with an attractive belt. Popping a belt over a longer tunic or blouse will enhance your waistline. Wear that structured jacket over top and voila!
Wrap tops or dresses also do a masterful job of creating curves in all the right places. Be sure to wear the right foundation garments to smooth your look.
Patterns and embellishments, such as ruffles, can provide visual interest. When choosing patterns or texture (like ruffles) be sure to match the scale of your facial features. If you have small features, choose small patterns and texture. This will provide balance and alignment to your look.
