“love is a hawk with velvet claws
love is a rock with heart and veins
love is a lion with satin jaws
love is a storm with silken reins” – Kurt VonnegutPhoto: d. king (Art Museum)
Fancy chocolate, heart-shaped pasta, red lipstick, and nostalgic candy are just a few of the Valentine’s Day things to make us happy.
Christian Louboutin
Of course new shoes can make us happy any old time. And it goes without saying that whatever makes us happy will put a smile on our face and lessen our stress – which is healthy. At least that’s my excuse.
There’s nothing like coming across a good ‘find’ vintage or otherwise. I spotted an EmilioPucci pair of wedge wood sandals with scarf print in exactly my size at an outdoor vintage market which takes place once a month in Palm Springs. Only one pair, never worn and with a perfect pricetag.
DIY natural highlightsYears ago there was a spray-on hair lightener called sun-in which to my surprise is still on the market. It was used to brighten & lighten blonde to medium brown hair. You used it by dampening your hair and combing through to evenly distribute the product. For a sun-streaked look you sprayed on only the stands you wanted highlighted. It was heat activated, so you just relaxed and let the sun do the work for you or you could bring the hightlights out with a blow dryer. It now comes in “lemon fresh” and “tropical breeze”. Who knows what all of the ingredients are but for sure there was some lemon in the “lemon fresh”.
There was a lemon tree with tons of lemons outside the bungalow we rented in Palm Springs so I got the fresh idea of doing my own lemon lights. I mixed ½ cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice with ¼ cup of conditioner and combed it through my damp hair. Then I sat out by the pool for an hour and a half while my hair slowly turned to straw. At first it was scary because it seemed possible that my hair would just break off but after washing and putting tons of moisturizing conditioner on it – voila! It turned out to be at least one shade lighter. For DIY natural highlights you just repeat until you get the lightest shade you want. It works. You just need a sunny day.
Have you done this or used any of the products that claim to lighten your hair?
Hey kids, here’s something new and useful that I noticed in a fashionable boutique
The Mighty Purse is the essential accessory!
It’s a little purse that has a hidden capacity *rechargeable battery. The perfect fusion between fashion and technology. The mighty Purse contains a light weight battery that can fully re-charge any smart device. Then simply recharge via any USB port. It’s that brilliant and that simple! Charge On the Go!
Made of high quality genuine leather. Different colours and finishes. Use as a clutch purse or inside your hand bag.
Because being selfieless is not a good thing.
It can recharge your smartphone up to 2 x per charge. Supercharge me!
This post came about after I was out looking to buy an ordinary sandwich condiment – known to compliment everything from tuna to egg salad sandwiches. It was difficult to find a low-fat healthy mayonnaise. By now I’m way more careful about reading labels. You may have some idea that mayonnaise is not exactly a healthy condiment, but you may not be aware of just how high in fat and other harmful dietary elements it really is. Every single mayo jar I came across including ½ the calories (in fact specifically half the calories) contained high fat. Which made me question how many people actually pay attention to what they use in countless recipes. I mean you can make a sandwich without mayonnaise but honestly the stuff really does add to the overall taste. So if I can make my own mustard then I can certainly make my own mayonnaise. It’s very easy and a whole bunch healthier. Have a look at two DIY recipes.
1) Healthy Mayonnaise Recipe
Please note: it is very important that all the ingredients are at room temperature for this recipe. Having ingredients that are too hot or too cold can cause the mayo to separate or not emulsify. Any oils can be used for this, though I prefer coconut, olive, walnut or other healthy oils.
Ingredients
4 egg yolks at room temperature
1 TBSP lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
1 Tsp regular or Dijon mustard (or ½ tsp dried mustard)
Salt and pepper
⅔ cup olive oil
⅔ cup coconut oil (warm) or other healthy oil (macadamia works well)
Instructions
Put egg yolks into blender or bowl and whisk/blend until smooth
Add lemon juice or vinegar, mustard and spices and blend until mixed
SLOWLY add oil while blending or whisking at low speed, starting with olive oil. Start with a drop at a time until it starts to emulsify and then keep adding slowly until all oil is incorporated.
Store in fridge up to 1 week.
Author: Wellness Mama
This is a good organic store-bought veggie mayo – from health food stores.
2) Best Homemade Mayo
ingredients
2 whole pastured eggs
1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
3/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. prepared mustard
2 cups light olive oil (not a vegetable blend)
instructions
Blend eggs, vinegar, salt, and mustard in food processor. While machine is running, slowly add oil, VERY SLOWLY!! Continue until all of the oil has been added and the eggs and oil have formed an emulsion or Mayonnaise. Taste for salt and adjust if needed.
Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
NOTE: Be sure to use eggs from a healthy, trusted source. Most people worry about raw eggs, but there is no need to worry if you purchase pastured (NOT pasteurized) eggs from a local farmer whose chickens freely roam, eat off of the land and are well-cared for. There are MANY more cases of salmonella from processed, cooked foods than from using pastured, raw eggs. Just a thought.
It’s always nice to visit the art galleries and museums in any city you happen to be visiting. I really enjoyed the Palm Springs Art Museum, established in 1938. The displays are culturally diverse, interesting, ethereal and thought provoking. A feast for the eyes.
In the sculpture garden
What began as a museum about the desert has evolved into an oasis for the arts, focusing on international Modern and Contemporary painting and sculpture by artists such as Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Robert Motherwell, Helen Frankenthaler, Duane Hanson, John Chamberlin, Anselm Keifer, and Anthony Gormley.
wood horse
It includes works by historically significant west coast artists Sam Francis, Robert Arneson, Nathan Oliveira, Mark di Suvero, and Edward Ruscha, among others, as well as contemporary Native American artis
Karen LaMonte – Pianist’s Dress Impression
Additional areas of focus include Contemporary and Studio Art Glass by Dale Chihuly, Karen LaMonte, Howard Ben Tré, Lynda Benglis, and William Morris; Classic Western American Art by Thomas Moran, Charles Russell, Frederic Remington, Walter Ufer, and Agnes Pelton; Native American baskets; Mesoamerican artifacts; and Photography with special attention to natural, built, social, and leisure environments.
Yoshitoma Nara, “your dog” – fibreglass
Warhol (brillo) & LichtensteinNavajo – natural handspun wool & synthetic dyesFritz Scholder – galloping indian on horse, acrylic on canvasPaiute willow & glass beaded baskets
What a great idea! I think there should be more parks like this one with exercise equipment sprinkled throughout, nice water fountains and especially a Healing Garden.fragrant & healing GARDEN (double click to enlarge) to know about all the benefits of these historical herbs. Many are readily available at your local supermarket.
When life throws you a bunch of lemons, make the most of them!
Some signs are a bit faded
Jojoba & Lavender oils are used in my new natural skincare line. I’ll tell you about it soon.
LIVE WELL!I guess the smell alone will lift your spirits to make you feel better.
What’s your sign, gorgeous? I thought it would be fun to post our beauty horoscopes for this month.
Whether you are a Gemini with an active imagination, a Taurus with a love for all things beautiful or another sign entirely, we know you’ll appreciate knowing what’s in store for you this February. Find out what you can expect and get beauty tips for looking your best all month long. Teaser: If the stars align, you just might be looking at a fresh, new haircut.
Aries
This month is all about the four-letter word: L-O-V-E–and it has nothing to do with Valentine’s day. Your confidence (and amazing hair) will gain the attention of someone special so take this opportunity to play with your day-to-day style. Try a new braid or a sleek, slicked-back look, but refrain from cutting off any length.
Taurus
You are a natural beauty with a strong devotion to those closest to you. This month plan a picnic, host a day of wine-tasting or lead a group hike for friends–anything that gets you together with others and celebrates nature. Show your true beauty and go with a no-makeup look (some BB cream, a mousse blush and moist lip balm), and pull your hair away from your face. A topknot or a milkmaid braid has never looked so good.
Gemini
You’re a true work-hard-play-hard kind of girl. Your social life couldn’t be more exciting, and your colleagues are all praising your incredible work. What better way to show your winning streak than with an eye-catching mani? Reach for sunshine yellow the next time you pop into the salon for a color change–it reflects your enthusiasm, curiousness, strength and clever wit.
Cancer
You are always pulled together, and your constant radiance is undeniable–mostly because your power color mirrors that of moonlight. For you, this month is all about your career and finances so be sure to shine on the outside as bright as you do on the inside when you get that raise at work. Try a new highlighter this month to make your amazing cheekbones stand out.
Leo
You are lovable, passionate and dominant in relationships. This year, your perfect Valentine’s Day consists of a front-row seat at Fifty Shades of Grey (we’re with you on that one). This month get a look that is as intense as you are by wearing your hair up in a flirty chignon and rocking a bold red lip.
Virgo
You are no stranger to a weekly spin class and constantly watch what you eat. This month you kick it into overdrive and have never felt better. Doubling up on your chia seeds is making your nails stronger, and those extra helpings of raspberries have your hair shining like the sun. For a big night out, break out your bronzer and try a flattering contour.
Libra
You are modest and soft-spoken but you also enjoy your time in the spotlight. This is your month to shine and try something new. You have an important and exciting event coming up so why not take this opportunity to show off your new haircut or dye job? In the mood for a drastic change? Try a platinum or pastel-colored ‘do. The thought may be nerve-wracking, but the payoff is well worth it.
Scorpio
Special recognition is headed your way, and it’s shining a public light on your professional life. Aside from your incredible work ethic, the other thing others focus on are your expressive eyes. Make your peepers pop even more by trying false lashes and a smoky eye. Update your go-to smoldering look by using purple eye shadow.
Sagittarius
You are a worldly and educated traveler. Your curiosity leads you to beautiful places most people don’t take the time to discover. Whether you’re taking a trip abroad or going on a weekend getaway, plan to get some color this month. If you plan to soak up the sun, don’t forget your SPF. For a more immediate dose of color, try a new orange blush.
**Capricorn
This month is all about making over your home, seeking inspiration for a new look and diving into at-home DIY projects. Take this time to declutter your space, purge what you don’t use anymore and refine your sense of style. When it comes to your closet and makeup collection, go for quality over quantity. At the end of the month you’ll look more polished than ever. The daytime smoky eye (chocolate browns, coppers, and caramel shades) should be your new signature look.
Aquarius
This is your time, beautiful. (In case we haven’t missed it, happy birthday!) With the month of love upon us and the stars aligning, you might be in for a marriage proposal or a new business partnership. Start your new relationship with tell-all eyes and fun pops of color. This month try shadows and eyeliners in cobalt blue, fuchsia and neon shades.
Pisces
This month you’ll experience a boost in finances. Take this opportunity to invest in a new pair of great heels. Before you slip on those gorgeous new shoes, take the time to pamper yourself with a relaxing pedicure. If you get stuck at your salon’s color wall, your power colors are light turquoise, pale mint green, lavender and white.
If so, here’s a glimpse of entrances to some of the abodes around old Las Palmas, Palm Springs…while riding my bicycle 
Photo: d. king (Art Museum)Of course new shoes can make us happy any old time. And it goes without saying that whatever makes us happy will put a smile on our face and lessen our stress – which is healthy. At least that’s my excuse.
I spotted an Emilio Pucci pair of wedge wood sandals with scarf print in exactly my size at an outdoor vintage market which takes place once a month in Palm Springs. Only one pair, never worn and with a perfect pricetag.
Years ago there was a spray-on hair lightener called sun-in which to my surprise is still on the market. It was used to brighten & lighten blonde to medium brown hair. You used it by dampening your hair and combing through to evenly distribute the product. For a sun-streaked look you sprayed on only the stands you wanted highlighted. It was heat activated, so you just relaxed and let the sun do the work for you or you could bring the hightlights out with a blow dryer. It now comes in “lemon fresh” and “tropical breeze”. Who knows what all of the ingredients are but for sure there was some lemon in the “lemon fresh”.
For DIY natural highlights you just repeat until you get the lightest shade you want. It works. You just need a sunny day.
It was difficult to find a low-fat healthy mayonnaise. By now I’m way more careful about reading labels. You may have some idea that mayonnaise is not exactly a healthy condiment, but you may not be aware of just how high in fat and other harmful dietary elements it really is. Every single mayo jar I came across including ½ the calories (in fact specifically half the calories) contained high fat. Which made me question how many people actually pay attention to what they use in countless recipes. I mean you can make a sandwich without mayonnaise but honestly the stuff really does add to the overall taste. So if I can make my own mustard then I can certainly make my own mayonnaise. It’s very easy and a whole bunch healthier. Have a look at two DIY recipes.
fragrant & healing GARDEN
(double click to enlarge) to know about all the benefits of these historical herbs. Many are readily available at your local supermarket.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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