• Letters to my Daughter

    Letters to my Daughters

    Letters to my Daughter

    Just as everyone says…having a child changes you and your view of the world instantly. After having Celine last December, I see everything in a new light. It is refreshing to have someone so pure, so innocent, so full of curiosity in your world because it gives you a renewed sense of hope, a fresh perspective on life and a depth of love that words cannot describe.  

    I am always wondering who she will be at different phases of life and what she will need. The feelings I have are so overwhelmingly good that I feel the need to get them out…and, so, I have started a tradition of writing her a letter once a month…maybe more, if I have a lot say. I tell her what she is doing, how she is developing, what has happened and I tell her how I feel about her and what I want for her life. I plan on doing this as she grows up and then having all of them put into a beautiful book as a souvenir of my love for her.  

    It has been so fun to have her in our life and I am constantly thinking of new traditions and ideas to build a life that integrates meaning, kindness and looks to extend love wherever possible.

    What traditions can you start for your loved ones? What will touch them and create lasting memories and love? I am always looking for new ideas and would love to hear yours in the comments below.

    Bisous,

    Rebecca

  • Extending Kindness at Thanksgiving

    Style & Life Blog: Extending Kindness at Thanksgiving
    Extending Kindness at Thanksgiving

    Thanksgiving has always a been a favorite holiday of mine. I love Christmas but sometimes feel that gift giving becomes a silly gift card exchange or time to exchange unneeded and unwanted items just for the sake of going through the motions.

    Growing up, my parents always hosted Thanksgiving…it was “our” holiday and I have fond memories of family and friends coming over and spending the entire day chatting, laughing and eating. Thanksgiving is a time to come together in the spirit of gratitude with family and friends to eat a delicious meal. So simple and beautiful.

    However, there are many that do not have these kinds of holidays. Many are lonely, hurting and hungry. Why not start a tradition of extending kindness to someone who wont be enjoying the holiday the way you may be?

    Here are some ways to extend kindness to others at Thanksgiving.

    Invite a colleague, friend or neighbor to join your Thanksgiving meal Most of us know at least one person who will not be with loved ones this holiday. Extend the invitation and welcome them into your celebration.

    Visit elderly people at a nursing home. his is something that does not cost money, just your time and maybe an uncomfortable moment. Many elderly people are alone for the holidays and would welcome sincere care and concern about their well being.

    Make meals for the homeless.

    There are many organizations nationwide that help the homeless. We live in an area where there a number of homeless people and will be creating bags of hot meals and passing them out to individuals who live on the street

    Participate in a food drive at your work, church, synagogue or local charity .

    Donate to an organization of your choice.

    It is in giving that we truly receive. 

    I wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving.

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    Bisous,
    Rebecca

  • Friday Night Beauty Solutions

    Friday Night Beauty Solutions

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    Friday Night Beauty Solutions

    Do you ever receive that Friday 5 pm text or call from your significant other or best friend that says ….”I have this fantastic ticket/reservation/idea…”, when you had been planning a quiet evening at home with takeout? Being that my love is spontaneous and social, I receive that call every so often. When we first started dating, there were a few occasions I found myself unprepared. After seven years together, I now am prepared to enjoy these impromptu outings. I keep a few products on hand that help me revive and refresh so I can enjoy our evening. When I feel confident about my appearance, I enjoy the occasion more. Here are my Friday night beauty solutions and last minute routine. 

    water

     

    Step 1: Prepare a glass of ice water with lemon

    The cold water wakes you up and the lemon cleanses the palette. If I have mint leaves, I toss a few in and head to the bathroom begin my preparations

     

    crest

     

    Step 2: Apply Crest Professional Whitening Strips

    A former dentist sold these at her office…Crest professional white strips. In conjuncton with tan, I feel more confident with whiter and brighter teeth. I purchase them at Amazon.  Available at www.amazon.com.

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    dry-brush

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    Step 3: Increase Circulation with Dry Brushing

    Dry brushing is an acquired practice as it can be somewhat uncomfortable, I like to do it before going out to increase circulation and exfoliate so my skin feels smooth.  The brush is available at www.netaporter.com.

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    ©Erica Dunhill

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    Step 4: Shower and Smooth with Coconut Oil Exfoliator

    See my post Three Coconut Oil Beauty Treatments for other coconut oil beauty uses, but I combine coconut oil and coconut sugar, slather and rinse. Be careful in the shower, coconut oil can make it slippery.     

                                

    aveda

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    Step 5: Rinse and Invigorate 

    Lather, rinse…repeat if desired. This Aveda Rosemary Mint Body Wash smells AMAZING…I take a deep inhale of this invigorating body wash and use generously. Available at www.aveda.com.

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    tan-towel

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    Step 6: Dry and Apply

    Once out of the (very quick) shower, I always re-read the instructions and apply the tan towel. While many do not like or need to look tan, I am one of those people who simply look better with a healthy glow. A tan complements my hair and skin tone and I look better in photographs. Tan towels are easy to use and I have never had residue on my clothing or sheets. The tan typically only lasts a day or two but is perfect for achieving some quick color. Available at www.ulta.com. 

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    patchology

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    Step 7: Brighten the Eyes

    After a long week of juggling work, family and all other aspects of life…my eyes tend to look and feel a bit fatigued. I discovered Patchology’s hydra gel patches and find they give me the boost I need. They help my eyes look and feel brighter. I use the five minute application time to take a few deep breaths and have a moment of meditation. These are also in my suitcase as they help with jet lag or fatigue from travel. Available at www.neimanmarcus.com.

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    evian

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    Step 8: The Finishing Touch

    I have the large one as well as the six pack
    of minis. I use these Evian facial mists each day before applying makeup, to freshen up mid day and also take them in a cooler to the beach for a cold mist. I love the nice refreshing moment you experience after spraying this fine mist. Available at www.sephora.com. 

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    So here are my Friday night beauty solutions…feel free to shares yours below. You should be prepped, refreshed and ready to start hair and make up for a festive night out!

    Bisous,

    Rebecca

  • Giving Back through Amazon Smile

    Giving Back through Amazon Smile

    amazon-smile

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    Giving Back through Amazon Smile

    Unsure if everyone uses Amazon to the degree that I do…when I need household items, to send a gift, order supplies for my daughter or make purchases on Shopbop (wink wink)…often, the first place I go is Amazon.

    My husband has titled me the CJO of our family…Chief Juggling Officer. I suspect many of you are also juggling family, friends, career and hobbies. Which is why Amazon is a godsend. Spending time in stores purchasing paper towels, diapers or going to the post office is not how I want to spend my free time. I want my weekends to be spent with the people I enjoy…at the park with my daughter, at lunch with friends or on a date with my husband. I try to not place more than one order a day but I have been guilty (primarily during those newborn days) of placing 3-4 orders in a day.

    One program I have been participating in for a few years is Amazon Smile. Amazon Smile is a simple and automatic way to support your favorite charitable organization at no cost or effort to you. I support International Crisis Aid Inc, the non-profit organization that my parents started (www.crisisaid.org). You simply have to visit Amazon Smile and select the charity you wish to support and 0.5% of the purchase price on eligible items will be donated to your charity.

    Another convenience courtesy of Amazon. Visit www.smile.amazon.com to select your charity today and add a positive benefit to your shopping habits.

    Bisous,

    Rebecca

     

  • Style & Life’s Original Guacamole Recipe

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    Style & Life’s Original Guacamole Recipe

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    style & life guacamole recipeSince Cinco de Mayo is Tuesday, I thought it was time to share my original guacamole recipe. I tried many different versions of this recipe and landed on this one, which receives rave reviews from friends and family. The ingredients and technique are simple; the taste fresh and delicious. One essential tip is to ensure you use ripe avocados; otherwise, they will be difficult to mash and will not blend well with the other ingredients. In order to have uniform vegetables, I like to use the Vidalia Chop Wizard. It’s inexpensive and effective. Try this recipe, not only is it delicious with tortilla chips, it can be added to salads, tacos or other dishes. 

    2 ripe Haas avocados

    1 small tomato, seeded and diced

    1 jalapeno, seeded and diced

    1 small or ½ large sweet onion, diced

    2 tablespoons of finely chopped cilantro

    juice of ½ lime

    sea salt to taste

    tortilla chips

     

    Dice tomatoes, jalapeno, onion and place in bowl. Chop cilantro. Dice avocado and mash until smooth. Mix all ingredients together. Juice ½ of a lime and add sea salt to taste. Add more or less of any ingredient to your liking. Serve with tortilla chips.

    Enjoy. This may be my all time favorite recipe.

    Bisous,

    Rebecca

  • The Butterfly Effect…Does It Apply to Kindness?

    [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90PUAMv7-DM[/youtube]

     The Butterfly Effect…Does It Apply To Kindness? 

    Have been enormously touched by the story of Chris Rosati. I first learned of this story from Steven Hartman of CBS News.  Steve’s show “On The Road Again” has featured Chris Rosati, a man from North Carolina who has been diagnosed with ALS.  ALS, also known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Once diagnosed with the disease, Chris developed an inspiring point of view on the way he wants to spend the rest of his life.  He wants to help as many people as he possibly can.

    The Butterfly Effect, put simply, is the idea a very small change in initial conditions can create a significantly different outcome…Edward Lorenz coined this theory  and speculated that a hurricane may have its roots in the faraway flapping of a butterfly’s wings.  The second segment, shown above, shows Chris and and his thoughts on the butterfly effect and how it applies to kindness.

    I hope this inspires you the way the same way it did me.

    Bisous,

    Rebecca

     

  • Alexandra Soveral’s Facial Massage Video

    Alexandra Soveral’s Facial Massage Video

    [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJw7KYPz-KU[/youtube]

    Alexandra Soveral’s Facial Massage Video 

    Am a bit obsessed with skin care and am always looking for ways to better take care of it…I am an avid user of Alexandra Soveral’s organic skin care line (see post https://styleandlife.com/soveral-organic-skin-careluxury-face/).  I follow the brand on Facebook and enjoyed this video they posted. The video was originally created for beauty blog, Into the Gloss, and shows Alexandra’s technique on how to give yourself a facial massage. This massage improves circulation, detoxifies glands and keeps skin hydrated.  I have created a ten minute ritual at the end of each day where I take off my makeup, wash my face and give myself this massage. It feels good to invest in a moment of wellness at the end of each day.  

    Take a moment for yourself and your skin and enjoy the video.

    Bisous,

    Rebecca

  • A Reflection on the Meaning of Kindness

    A Reflection on the Meaning of Kindness

    A Reflection on the Meaning of Kindness

    Most I know are familiar with the work of Crisis Aid International (see Africa Trip Anniversary post). Many are less familiar with the work of my mother, who runs Love and Care Youth Center in Saint Louis. Love and Care Youth Center was founded in 1983, by a French woman, Mina Paille. Mina immigrated to Saint Louis and started Love and Care Youth Center to feed and assist low income families. My mother volunteered with Mina for eighteen years and when Mina passed several years back, she asked my mother to continue her work under the umbrella of Crisis Aid International.

    “The Center” as we affectionately call Love and Care, hosts a church service and food distribution every Friday afternoon. They run an after school tutoring program on Thursday evenings for children in the neighborhood. For Thanksgiving and Christmas, they feed over 200 families and provide gifts for the children. Most of the people “The Center” serves come from broken familes and have experienced abuse, struggle with addiction or have physical and mental handicaps.

     My mother is my best friend and we speak every day. Rare, if ever, is the day she has been shopping and lunching with friends. Usually, it’s her account of taking a homeless friend to help file social security, going with a woman who needs teeth to the dentist or meeting with a young woman who needs marital advice. She is intimately involved with the details of the people’s lives she helps.

    Fortunate to have an example like this, I am reminded to slow down and consider ways that I can extend kindness and care to others.

    Bisous,

    Rebecca

  • A Travel Palette from Urban Decay

    All In One

    Being a frequent traveler, I am always looking for items that will streamline my suitcase. I am a fan of Urban Decay’s Naked eyeshadow palettes and decided to try their new Naked on the Run palette for a recent trip. Finally! A makeup palette that contains everything you need…I packed this, foundation and brushes and was able to create multiple day and evening looks from this palette. The packaging is beautiful and the palette contains blush, bronzer, highlighter, lipgloss, eyeliner, mascara and five eyeshadows in shades of taupe. The combination of colors allows you to create a range of looks, from soft and pretty to deep and dramatic. Any friend would be delighted to receive this as a gift or would make a nice stocking stuffer for yourself.

                    Bisous,

                   Rebecca

     

  • Stylish Stationery…the return to paper

    Stylish Stationery…the return to paper

    stat The Return to Paper

    Recently have felt overwhelmed by technology and all of its auto-reminders, beeping and vibrating and, in turn, have returned to using an agenda to manage my calendar and to-do’s. There is something enjoyable about looking at the days ahead and writing down plans over a cup of tea. I feel more present and focused managing my schedule this way.

    The return to an agenda inspired me to start sending proper thank you notes rather than a text messsage. While the text message is certainly more timely and efficient, I like sitting down and thinking about the effort someone put into selecting a gift or hosting an occasion and, in turn, expressing my appreciation. In addition, I enjoy buying stationery and it gives me a reason to buy more. Two of my favorite stationery companies are Sugar Paper and Rifle Paper Company. Sugar Paper is a Los Angeles based company who believes that “love is in the details” and offers a beautiful selection of notecards, place cards, and other lovelies. Rifle Paper Company has a fantastic selection of notecards, iPhone cases, calendars and other paper items.

    While the holidays can be overwhelming with the shopping, parties and travel, it is a time of year when people are hosting and giving…trying to make others feel special. Perhaps a thoughtul note of appreciation will bring a smile to their day.

     Bisous,

    Rebecca

    Agenda, Kate Spade, available at bloomingdales.com

    Stationery, Sugar Paper, available at sugarpaper.com

    Stationery, Rifle Paper Company, available at riflepaperco.com