Marilou Bio is a French manufacturer of certified organic and natural cosmetics.
I was given some with Argan oil to try. Sometimes your skin is extra sensitive or needs a break in between using other products. I had these sitting on my shelf for weeks before giving them a try. They have a lovely smell, the packaging is cute and the prices affordable. They soak into the skin very nicely, are neither too rich nor too light so I would recommend them even though they are not easily available here in Canada.
Product Features :
For anyone who thought argan oil was strictly for moisturizing, think again. Its antioxidants help to restore skin that’s seen better days, improving elasticity, firmness and complexion through intense hydration. Known by the Moroccan Berber community as the “Tree of Life“, the Argan tree has supported the people of these arid regions and their livestock for centuries.
Ingredients:Argan oil (rich in fatty acids, vitamin E, squalene, sterols and polyphenols), Shea butter, and Beech extract.
Organic Argan Oil:Contains anti-aging properties; firming and regenerating effects thanks to the moisturizing powers. This product will help provide a more youthful look and more intensely radiant looking skin.
Based in Magog, Quebec – Neolistic Trade is an ecological and organic certified products importer – distributor & exporting agency with a great reputation for providing premium quality products and exceptional customer service.
Neolistic is devoted to holistic, non-toxic, and natural alternatives to human health.
by now you should be familiar with these luxury hair care products by Moroccanoil
Food trucks are becoming increasingly trendy on the streets of Vancouver. This was evident last Sunday (for Father’s Day) when 20 blocks were closed to traffic on Main street for Car Free Day.
Store “FRONT” window
I couldn’t believe the amount of trucks with their ethnic diversity on every block considering how many varieties of restaurants there already are on Main.
What would a street festival be like without Cotton Candy? Soooo cute!
And, like many other cities right now we’re not talking hotdog & philly cheesesteak Okay, maybe a grilled cheese but most of these provide culinary quality and some of their prices match that of going to an actual restaurant. Here are some of my photos of the ROW’s.
Vij’s IndianZe French FoodHave you ever tried Korean tacos?
Lebanese
No shortage of food
AsianWest Coast
…restaurants, street vendors and food trucks (even some of the restaurants have their own food trucks).
In tango, heaven is found through the simple gift of grace.
IN MEMORY of my dear friend and dancing buddy Jon who loved Tango so much. He will be greatly missed especially by all the women dancers and his daughter whose name happens to be Grace. He was a kind and gentle man – a true gentleman.
PiazzollaAstor Piazzolla – a major influence
Mesmerizing, sensual and intimate are just a few words you might use to describe the Tango. A dance of romance and passion, it is among the most famous genres of dance in the world and is currently enjoying a massive renaissance throughout much of Europe, South America and the USA.
In Argentina, its spiritual home, the tango is a way of life and considered as important as the samba is to Brazil or bangra dancing is to India. Music is absolutely key, essential, absolutely impossible to separate from the dance itself. It’s not just some initial inspiration; the intricacies and interplay within the music itself are the whole lifeblood of the dance.
Argentine Tango – some history: There is none. But really, The origins of Tango are obscure. There are many theories, each with its passionate advocates, but ultimately it is impossible to discover the facts because the records don’t exist. Tango sprang from the poor and the disadvantaged, in tenement blocks and on street corners, amongst people whose lives usually leave little trace in the history books. Nevertheless, we owe a great debt to the many dancers and musicians who gave shape to the Tango, though we shall never know their names. Well we do know one:
Astor Piazzolla (March 11, 1921 – July 4, 1992) – “In my head I had Bach and Schumann and Mozart and very little tango.”
A LEGEND:
Astor Piazzolla is best known for being the father and inventor of Tango Nuevo – a revolutionary new genre in which jazz rhythms and classical music were infused into tango. Tango Nuevo, at first, was strongly rejected in his home country Argentina, but eventually was appreciated and celebrated for the genius it was throughout the world. I happen to love Tango Nuevo the best of all the tango music.
So often music can reach much farther than any words.
Adiòs Nonino, was composed by Astor Piazzola in 1959 after his father’s death, Vicente (Nonino) Piazzolla. Monica (one of our best local tangueras) posted this one on Jon’s Facebook page.
“My first bandoneón was a gift from my father when I was eight years old. He brought it covered in a box, and I got very happy because I thought it was the roller skates I had asked for so many times. It was a letdown because instead of a pair of skates, I found an artifact I had never seen before in my life. Dad sat down, set it on my legs, and told me, ‘Astor, this is the instrument of tango. I want you to learn it.’ My first reaction was anger. Tango was that music he listened to almost every night after coming home from work. I didn’t like it.”
“To give pleasure to the old man, I clumsily tried to learn, and I was dreadfully bad” (He got better).
Of course tango is a major influence on young Piazzolla, but one must be aware that he is much more multi-faceted than that. His dad said “If you want to change the tango, you had better learn boxing, or some other martial art.”
Whilst in New York his father buys him boxing gloves and Astor decided he wants to be a boxer no less! But this “career” is sharply curtailed after losing in matches against friends Rocky Graziano and Jake La Motta. However what Piazzolla takes from this is a resilience to endure the hard and very critical world of music.
Piazzolla meets Gardel (another Legend)
They say timing is everything! It is 1933, Astor is now 12, when his father – who is a huge Carlos Gardel fan – realizes that the icon is in town. Vicente has the crazy idea to make a wood carving to pay him tribute, and asks Astor to take it to Gardel. When Astor reaches the building where Gardel is living, who does he happen to run into, but Gardel’s musical assistant Alberto Castellano, who is looking lost.
Castellano has a small disaster on his hands – a most fortuitous one for Astor! He has left his key inside the room; but our youthful Piazzolla volunteers to climb the fire escape into the penthouse, through a window, to wake the sleeping Gardel. Inside Astor mistakes the sleeping lyricist Alfredo Le Pera for Gardel and wakes him. Le Pera reacts aggressively until he realizes Astor is a boy and not a thief. Eventually, Gardel is found, who accepts the present and even gives him a signed photograph.
One thing leads to another – Gardel and the Piazzollas became good friends, enjoying the cuisine and Latin musicians that meet in the Piazzolla household, allowing Gardel to feel nostalgic for Argentina. Eventually Gardel, because of his poor English, hires Astor as his interpreter; and after seeing his musical ability, also uses him as a bandoneón player, though only in private functions. Piazzolla takes part in Gardel’s movie El Dia Que me Quieras – who according to biographers was Gardel’s favorite – playing a brief part as a newspaper boy, for $25. Piazzolla considers this movie monumental to his life.
Gardel even offers Piazzolla to accompany him in his world tour as an assistant – but Astor’s father refuses this given the fact that Astor is only a boy of 14. This is a very fortunate refusal, for Astor is replaced by Jose Corpas Moreno, who along with Gardel is killed in the plane crash of 1935, on this tour. Timing, again.
There’s so much more but I will close with this quote from Piazolla:
“I learned the tricks of the tangeros, those intuitive tricks that helped me later on. I couldn’t define them technically; they are forms of playing, forms of feeling; it’s something that comes from inside, spontaneously.”
“Satisfaction of one’s curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life” – Dr. Linus Pauling
Funny the way life works sometimes. I was reading W. Gifford-Jones MD “a collection of columns” from his book “What I Learned as a Medical Journalist which I find fascinating by the way….when I realized I was out of Vitamin C. I was also feeling under the weather and it was suggested to me that I try out a brand new product – a powder with a high concentration of Vitamin C and L-Lysine called Medi-C Plus. It sounded pretty good so I’m trying it out when I then realize that the Harvard Medical graduate’s name is on the bottle. So now I’m even more curious to know more about this product.In a revolutionary finding, based on scientific fact that should have hit the headlines of every newspaper in the world, he says this powder can both prevent and reverse atherosclerosis in coronary and other arteries to prevent heart attack – a number one killer.
I just needed Vitamin C but while we’re at it…..
“If I had the power to improve the nation’s health I’d prohibit daily TV commercials that tell us that something is wrong with us. I’d do this because Madison Avenue advertising is triggering false hopes and injuring health. We’ve reached a point where a well person is someone who hasn’t been seen by enough doctors, or had a battery of tests done. Then we could dump half of the pills in the trash.” – W. Gifford-Jones, MD (with a twist).
A condensed EXCERPT from the book: How Vitamin C and Lysine Powder can help prevent Heart Attack.
Many years ago, Dr. Linus Pauling, two-time Noble Prize winner, is ignored for reporting that large amounts of Vitamin C and Lysine are needed to prevent coronary attacks. Twenty-five years ago, Pauling reported that animals make Vitamin C while humans do not. That’s why sailors died of scurvy during long sea voyages, but the ship’s cat survived.
Vitamin C is required to manufacture healthy collagen, the glue that holds coronary cells together, just like mortar is needed for bricks. Lysine, like steel rods in concrete, makes collagen stronger. Pauling claimed that it takes a mere 10 milligrams to prevent scurvy, but several thousand to prevent heart attack.
But to take large doses of Vitamin C and Lysine requires swallowing many pills daily. It’s a tall order for those who dislike swallowing even one pill. So for several years, Gifford-Jones had been trying to find a company that would manufacture a combination of Vitamin C and Lysine powder. Now Medi-C Plus is available at health food stores.
It’s easy because the dosage for the Medi-C Plus combination is easy – one flat scoop with breakfast and the evening meal, with either water or orange juice. The only thing you can’t take it with is *Grapefruit juice.
The berry flavour doesn’t taste bad at all. I read labels – it is naturally sweetened with berry and stevia. The scoop inside is not so large that you feel you won’t go through it so quickly which is another plus factor. Helps in collagen formation, developing & maintaining bones and for teeth and gums. Nothing not to like – I’M IN! This may be my new “for life” product.
*Grapefruit juice and fresh grapefruit can interfere with the action of some prescription drugs, as well as a few non-prescription drugs. Grapefruit most commonly interacts with drugs taken for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety, allergies, HIV, impotence, and seizures. If you’re taking medication for any of these conditions, avoid grapefruit as a snack or juice. To be on the safe side, also stay away from tangelos, which are a hybrid of tangerine and grapefruit.
**Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad Kingfor the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America. Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health
In April I signed up for the Lululemon Seawheeze half marathon with my sister. Good thing we were fast because it sold out in minutes. Part of the attraction is that you get a cute pair of booty shorts and it seems more like a party than an actual run. Anyway, we started training last month but I just had to take two weeks off due to an annoying asthmatic cough (and a slight back injury) which happened all an once. I managed to re-join the Running Room group last Sunday where we did a manageable 8K run (reluctantly chosen over the 10K group). While I was secretly happy that it wasn’t much longer than that, I did wonder if I should have pushed myself for the extra 2K. I just didn’t want to chance wheezing my way through the Seawheeze run in August. Then it occurred to me that maybe I’m not a natural born runner. Some people just seem to keep up the steady pace without falter. Others like me are unpredictable – sometimes I have tons of energy and feel like I can go even longer than the actual planned run and at other times I’m done after about 10 minutes. What gives?
Starting out:
Practice patience, grasshopper. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a happy runner.
If you want to become the kind of runner who can’t wait for the next workout, it’s going to take time to get there. Truth is, the most common mistake new runners make is running too much too soon. For example, some new runners set a lofty goal to go couch to marathon in three months. Don’t get me wrong, it can be done. But these runners are more likely to spend their time in the “bite-me zone” of hurt and pain. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.
I’ve seen way too many runners cross the finish line only to toss their shoes in the closet to collect dust because they’ve burned out by overzealous goals. Invest in running. Take your time to find the joy, and you’ll be a runner for life. If you are about to take your first steps, think about running 30 minutes straight in a few months (or a 5K event). With the pressure gone, all you need to focus on is putting one foot in front of the other. Set a smaller goal for your first running session. For example, aim to finish and go a little farther than you have to and complete your workout in a good mood. Set another goal for your second workout and so on, and so on.
50,000 people runners can’t be that stupid can they? The Annual largest 10K run in N. America.
Consistency is the secret to success. It’s all about creating momentum.
I use to play with dominoes when I was a young girl, and I’d line them up on a table close enough together that when I knocked over the first one, the rest came falling down in a breathtaking sequence. This is exactly how running works as well. You want to maintain the momentum from one run to another to maintain a consistent progression. If you space the workouts too far apart, you begin to lose the wonderful effects of consistency (improvement). If you find yourself in a bind and unable to get in your normal 30-minute session, head out for a quick 15 minutes of running (or even a walk). A shorter workout is better than none at all.
Running is like life. It will have its ups and downs. Ultimately, it will come down to what you do on the down days that truly pays off in the long run. Be prepared to edit, tweak and modify to ebb and flow with life’s running interruptions. It’s not about perfection, but rather keeping your running momentum flowing.
I learned to run from a course – of course I did!
I like to get high: It’s the best part of running and it doesn’t happen all the time. It’s a euphoric state that is experienced by not only runners, but by anyone engaged in a vigorous workout. Boxers and bikers have reported similar states of being, as have weight lifters, cross country skiers and rugby players. The high itself is described as a feeling of well-being, to being one with the world or to a total out of body experience. It is typically related to longer periods of vigorous exercise rather than shorter, easier workouts, possibly due to the stress the body undergoes as the major muscle groups begin to run short on glucose. The experience of the high also seems to rely on the individual makeup of the runners themselves, with some experiencing it at 5 miles, while others must run 20 before the euphoric feelings kick in.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. An intimate look at writing, running, and the incredible way they intersect, from the incomparable, bestselling author Haruki Murakami.While simply training for a New York City Marathon would be enough for most people, Haruki Murakami’s decided to write about it as well. The result is a beautiful memoir about his intertwined obsessions with running and writing, full of vivid memories and insights, including the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer. By turns funny and sobering, playful and philosophical, relevant both for fans of this masterful yet guardedly private writer and for the exploding population of athletes who find similar satisfaction in athletic pursuit.
Using black soap won’t make your face turn black any more than using white soap will make your face turn white.
African black soap is a gentle, all-natural alternative cleanser made only from plant materials.Ordinary store-bought soaps can be too harsh or drying for your skin. Proponents of African black soap say it does more than just keep you clean — the suds are packed with skin-loving benefits, too.
THERE’S NOTHING BASIC ABOUT AFRICA’S BLACK SOAP.
Most black soap is made with a blend of Plaintain skin, Cocoa Pod Powder, Tropical Honey, and Virgin Coconut Oil. African Black Soap is most commonly hand-crafted by village women in Africa who make the soap for themselves and to support their families.
The same women who make black soap choose to use only black soap on their babies, as its purity makes it gentle and non-drying for babies’ sensitive skin. In fact, black soap is generally the only soap used in most Western African countries.
Uses of African Black Soap
African black soap contains shea butter, which moisturizes skin but doesn’t clog pores. Shea butter gives the soap some UV-protection properties, but not enough to replace your usual sunscreen. According to Organic Spa Magazine, the soap may fade skin discoloration and dark spots. The soap cleanses gently, so it’s ideal for people with rosacea, rashes, dryness and other skin conditions. African black soap contains plantain extract, which has antibacterial properties that may help treat acne breakouts. Some people use the soap as a shampoo or mild makeup remover.
How the Soap is Made
African soap is traditionally made by harvesting and sun-drying palm leaves, cocoa pods and the bark from shea and plantain trees. This material is then roasted in a kettle at a constant temperature and mixed with oils, such as coconut and palm oil. The soap then cures for two weeks before it’s ready to use.
What makes Black Soap different:
Black soap is made with rare tropical honeys that are known for softening the skin and creating a smooth surface.
Black soap is also a natural source of vitamins A & E and iron. This helps to strengthen the skin and hair.
Black soap contains a high amount of glycerin, which absorbs moisture from the air and literally deposits it into the skin, making the skin soft and supple.
For centuries, Ghanaians and Nigerians have used black soap to help relieve acne, oily skin, clear blemishes and various other skin issues. Many swear by it for skin irritations and conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Women in Africa will use black soap during pregnancy and afterwards to keep them from getting stretch marks and to protect them from dry skin that is often accompanied by pregnancy.
Black soap can also be used as a hair shampoo. The shea butter in the soap softens the hair, while the vitamins give it strength.
Men can use black soap in shaving. The high shea butter content leaves the skin smooth and protected.
African black soap is unique in that it contains no preservatives, color enhancers, or fragrances. African black soap creates a soft lather without the animal fat additives that are commonly used in soaps made in the US.
Mine came in this plastic container bought in New Orleans. It works wonderfully.
Buy at Amazon.com or elsewhere online unless you go to West Africa or New Orleans.
Nothing quite finishes a look like a great pair of sunglasses.
Not to mention that they help to protect your eyes from the SUN
These are some of the chicest pairs to grace a face:
Michael KorsRalph Lauren – if you can wear White. I WISH I could but look ridiculous.I LOVE these MEN Sunglasses!Looove Kate Spade, fun floral – it’s summer after all!Marc by Marc Jacobs
Opening Ceremony
Prism by Anna LaubJeremy Scott. Not my personal choice but just HAD TO SHOW YOU….that, plus the DRESS!Dolce & Gabbana
Do you have a favourite?
I can’t seem to get away from tortoiseshell– it’s still my all time favourite.
Double click on photos to enlarge them.
They have a lovely smell, the packaging is cute and the prices affordable. They soak into the skin very nicely, are neither too rich nor too light so I would recommend them even though they are not easily available here in Canada.
Real People (okay a model here & there but can you spot them?) – Real STYLE
IN MEMORY of my dear friend and dancing buddy Jon who loved Tango so much. He will be greatly missed especially by all the women dancers and his daughter whose name happens to be Grace. He was a kind and gentle man – a true gentleman.
I am a very bright person….in my new neon runners which actually help to increase my odds of running.
Funny the way life works sometimes. I was reading W. Gifford-Jones MD “a collection of columns” from his book “What I Learned as a Medical Journalist which I find fascinating by the way….when I realized I was out of Vitamin C. I was also feeling under the weather and it was suggested to me that I try out a brand new product – a powder with a high concentration of Vitamin C and L-Lysine called Medi-C Plus. It sounded pretty good so I’m trying it out when I then realize that the Harvard Medical graduate’s name is on the bottle. So now I’m even more curious to know more about this product.In a revolutionary finding, based on scientific fact that should have hit the headlines of every newspaper in the world, he says this powder can both prevent and reverse atherosclerosis in coronary and other arteries to prevent heart attack – a number one killer.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. An intimate look at writing, running, and the incredible way they intersect, from the incomparable, bestselling author Haruki Murakami.While simply training for a New York City Marathon would be enough for most people, Haruki Murakami’s decided to write about it as well. The result is a beautiful memoir about his intertwined obsessions with running and writing, full of vivid memories and insights, including the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer. By turns funny and sobering, playful and philosophical, relevant both for fans of this masterful yet guardedly private writer and for the exploding population of athletes who find similar satisfaction in athletic pursuit.
African black soap is a gentle, all-natural alternative cleanser made only from plant materials.Ordinary store-bought soaps can be too harsh or drying for your skin. Proponents of African black soap say it does more than just keep you clean — the suds are packed with skin-loving benefits, too.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
You must be logged in to post a comment.