Darbie Dear

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Archives for December 2017

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Gone Fishing

Gone Fishing Christmas Holidays

Hi All,

Gone fishing, well not really, but it sounded good!

This is a quick post, in between my travel destinations, to apologize for the spotty blog posts last week, this week, and probably next week.

I had hoped to be better organized and have two posts up while I was traveling for the Christmas holiday. Unfortunately that did not materialize. I live and learn. 🙂

Blogging is a fun but there is a learning curve to it, and man am I learning! I apologize for all of you having to roll with my learning curve. I appreciate you, my readers. I hope all of you are having a good and peaceful holiday season!

Do you have any plans that you are looking forward to or any special holiday traditions? I would love to hear about them!

Until I post again, wishing you all peace, love, and a wonderful holiday season!

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Easy Skin Care Hacks to Keep Your Skin Looking Fresh

The holiday season is in full swing. As fun as the late nights, food, beverages, and frivolity are, they also mean added stress to our complexions.

All of those delicious, rich desserts and party foods can contribute to sebum production which promotes acne breakouts. While our favorite adult beverages and late nights, cause dry, dull skin. What’s a girl to do?

Do not fear. With a little TLC during the week, your skin will recapture its glow in time for the next holiday soirée!

Dull Skin Culprits

It isn’t just alcoholic beverages that contribute to dry, dull complexions. The holiday season tends to throw off exercise routines and water intake, contributing to our skin not looking it’s best.

First and foremost, work water back into your routine. It will help to start the process of rehydrating your skin from the inside. Shoot for 8 8oz glasses of water a day, minimum. If you know that you may be having a few alcoholic beverages that evening, up your water intake during the day, that you won’t become too dehydrated.

Don’t go to bed with your makeup on. Arriving home late after a great night, it can be hard to muster up the strength go through the whole nightly beauty routine. I completely get it! However, your skin does not. Sleeping with make up on breeds bacteria, clogs pores, which contribute to acne and dull skin. Do yourself a favor, wash that face! It will save time and frustration in the long run.

Try to get 8 hours of sleep. For some of us this target maybe laughable. Your skin isn’t laughing. While we are sleeping our bodies are busy repairing, that goes for our skin too. Do your best to reach that 8-hour target, during the week. You will be so glad you did when the weekend comes around!

Out with the Old, Exfoliate

Exfoliating is the next step to adding the pep back to our complexions and skin. Sloughing off the old skin cells reveals brighter, younger skin. Once the old skin has been buffed away, the skin will be able to more readily absorb serums and moisturizers.

For most skin types, exfoliating once a week is good enough. Exfoliating too often can aggravate, rosacea and acne.

The skin of the décolleté, neck, and face are delicate. It’s important to take special care when exfoliating these areas. Choose a facial scrub, or make one of your own, that is face specific. When applying, start at the décolleté and work your way up, using upward strokes on the application, followed by gentle circles. No tugging down ward on the skin! When it comes time to take off the facial scrub, again use upward motion so as to not pull the skin.

The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask

Two exfoliating face masks I would recommend are: The Body Shops Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Mask and a homemade Oatmeal Honey mask.

The Body Shop Purifying Mask tingles when your put it on. The charcoal draws out the impurities in the skin. The chunky texture helps to exfoliate when it is taken off.

What I love about a DIY mask or scrub is that many times everything you need is in the kitchen. I kinda love that whole instant gratification thing. And they are cheap! An oatmeal honey mask/scrub goes together quickly. Both the honey and oatmeal have anti-inflammatory properties. Honey also acts as an antiseptic and helps the skin to retain moisture. This mask is great for acne or clear skin in need of a little TLC.

Oatmeal Honey Mask or Scrub

½ C of Oatmeal

1c. of water

2 Tablespoons of honey

Optional: 2 drops of Lavender oil (relaxing and antibacterial)

Make the oatmeal as you would for breakfast. While it is still warm, add the honey and possibly lavender. Apply lukewarm or cold.

If using for exfoliating purposes, apply in circular manner, gently. Then gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth. Making sure to wipe upward as to not pull the skin.

For use as a mask: apply and leave on for 10-15minutes. Wipe off gently with a damp washcloth.

Moisture and Vitamins

Moisturizers and serums are epically important after having exfoliated.

A moisturizer with glycerin, vitamin E, or sphingolipids will help to retain moisture. For ingredients that help fight the signs of aging look for hyaluronic acid, glycolic or alpha hydroxy acid.

Serums are also a nice compliment to your skin care regime, especially when you are trying to pamper and reinvigorate your dull skin. A serum with Vitamin C is a little power house. Vitamin C helps to brighten skin, even out the skins tone, combat free radicals, prevent wrinkles, combat sun damage, and aids in collagen production. This little vitamin does a lot!

Apply your serum before your moisturizer. This allows your skin to absorb all of the good stuff that the serum offers, while the moisturizer will help to lock it all in.

All Skin Needs TLC

Exfoliating the rest of your body is so important too. The winter weather and holiday parties take their toll on the whole body.

Exfoliating isn’t just for faces, necks and décolleté. The skin on our bodies is different than that of our faces. It tends to be tougher. Exfoliating scrubs for this type of skin are generally grittier. Exfoliating your whole self once a week, with special attention to elbows and knees.

Sloughing off the old skin, will give your body the chance to renew itself too. Just like with moisturizing the face, soon after exfoliating is a perfect opportunity to moisturize. After the old cells are buffed away the body is ready to absorb the nourishment and moisture of a body crème, preferably with shea butter.

Having trouble deciding on a body scrub? Look no further than your kitchen or Amazon (they have everything).

A homemade honey scrub is so easy to throw together and great for your skin. While the sugar gently buffs away your dead skin cells, honey will draw moisture into the newly revealed skin cells.

Honey Sugar Body Scrub

1 tsp honey

ÂĽ C. light olive oil

1 C. raw or granulated sugar.

Optional: 2 tsp citrus zest

Mix well, then store in an air tight container.

If DIY isn’t your thing, Amazon has you covered. The Majestic Pure Himalayan Salt Body Scrub with Lychee Essential Oil, is their best-selling body scrub. The lychee oil has antioxidants and vitamin C. Both help to fight free radical damage.


Another bonus of this scrub, it is cruelty free and not tested on animals. Now you can feel even better about using it!

What are some skin hacks you use during this busy time of year?

 

 

 

 

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18 Gifts Under $40 That Give Back, Something for Everyone

There are so many things that I like about the holiday season. One of my favorites, is the emphasis on giving and kindness. One way that kindness and giving can be combined, is when we give gifts that give back.

The holiday season is a time for giving and a time for budgets. We’ve compiled a list of 24 gifts from 28 different companies that give back and are all under $40! With the most inexpensive gift being $3.50.

There is something for everyone on your list. Do you need to purchase an office gift? This list has you covered! Need a gift for Grandma? Done! What about the guy in your life? We’ve got something for him too!

Our list will help you give to someone in your life, stay on budget, AND brighten the life of someone you don’t know.

How awesome, that our gifts can do two things at once, when we purchase from a company that is working to make the world a better place!

With out further ado, we give you the list:

Me to We Rafiki Bracelets

Me to We Rafiki bracelets aren’t only cool and stylish, they give back! Each bracelet is made by a woman in Kenya who is paid a fair wage.

Choose from health, water, opportunity, food, and education impact bracelets. These impacts will be felt in a developing village or here in the U.S. with WE School Programs. The jewelry comes with a tracking code so that the recipient can track the impact of their gift.

Rafiki bracelets start at $10. There are so many colors and patterns to choose from!

Soap Box Holiday Bundle

Soap Box is on a mission to sell quality, natural bath and body products while also providing quality, natural, paraben free bars of soap to people in need.

With every purchase of bath and body products, soap box will give a bar of soap.

On the back of each Soap Box product is a Hope Code. When entered, the Hope Code will show your gift recipient which Soap Box project your purchase supported. The bar of soap could be given to someone in need here in the U.S. or around the world!

For as little as $4.49 you can start changing the world.

Dopper Water bottles start at $15.50. So many cool things to say about this funky water bottle. Dopper water bottles have a “cradle to cradle” certification, BPA and toxin-free, and easy to clean. This bottle is one little eco-warrior!

With the purchase of a Dopper water bottle, 5% of your purchase is donated to the Dopper Foundation. The Dopper Foundation is “investing in universal access to safe drinking water”. Financing sustainable water projects in Nepal, is just one of its endeavors.

Fire Department Coffee

Fire Department Coffee is made by real firefighters. These guys know the importance of a good cup of coffee! Fire Department Coffee’s beans are freshly roasted for each order. If that weren’t good enough, a portion of each coffee purchase goes to support firefighter and military charities. Starting at $11.99 a pound, grab a few and support java habits and worthy causes.

Prosperity Candles, Wasabi Tin

Prosperity Candle Company employs female refugees and artisans.

Each candle is hand poured. The fragrances are made of essential oils, and these candles are vegan!

These candles are not only gorgeous, but they are providing employment opportunities for woman here and abroad. Each candle comes with name of the woman who made it and a story card.

Charity: Water Everything Tank

Charity: Water is working in 24 countries to fund clean, safe, sustainable water solutions. Profits from the gifts purchased through the Charity: Water Goods store help to fund clean water projects.

The Charity: Water Goods store has gifts ranging from cards to bicycles. Gift prices starting at $10. You are sure to find something for the kid or adult in your life, while helping to fund clean water in at risk areas of the world.

BeeLove Pure Necessities Collection

BeeLove produces all-natural raw honey and honey infused body care products.

BeeLove’s products are made by men and women returning from incarceration. When you purchase a gift from BeeLove, you are helping to fund a place that provides a stable work history, skills, and confidence for someone who wanting to re-enter the workforce.

Help BeeLove transform lives and give someone the gift of luxurious, handmade, honey-infused skin care for the holidays. With gifts starting at $5, why not grab a few stocking stuffers too?

Thistle Farms Jet Set Pack

Thistle Farms, in Tennessee, provides shelter, job training, medical care, and counseling for women who are the survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction.

Their mission is to HEAL, EMPOWER, and EMPLOY. You can help them in their mission, with the purchase of body care products, textiles, hand made leather wallets, and so, so much more. Gift’s start at $3.50 for a Chapstick that changes lives.

Vibes

Vibes High-Fidelity ear plugs are a great gift for your favorite concert goer. The ear plugs come with small, med, Lg interchangeable fit sizes, and a case all for $23.99!

Your purchase of hearing preservation ear plugs gives the gift of hearing. Vibe partners with Hear the World Foundation to provide hearing aids, funding or education, to disadvantaged people worldwide.

Lula’s Garden, Jewel Garden

Lula’s Garden offers gorgeous, unique, eco-friendly succulent gardens. The gift box they arrive in doubles as a planter, cutting down on package waste.

Succulents add a unique touch to your gift recipients home or office.

For the green thumb challenged, like myself, fear not. Succulents are easy to care for. They require very little water.

If being eco-friendly and easy to care for weren’t cool enough, Lula’s Garden supports organizations that provide access to safe drinking water.

Alex and Ami Jewelry that gives back.

Alex and Ami Piece of the Puzzle Bangle.

Alex and Ani jewelry are gorgeous, amazing, unique, and supports so many charitable organizations!

These are a great gift for the stylish person on your list, who has a cause that is close to their heart. The gold and silver bracelets start at $28, with a portion of that going to your gift recipients favorite cause.

Conscious Step Socks 3 Pack allows you to give style and give back. Whether the guy on your list is a professional or just likes great socks, this 3 pack has you covered.

These socks will cocoon your gift recipient’s feet in vegan, animal friendly, fair trade organic cotton.

While they are enjoying your gift, your purchase will have funded 2 school books, 18 months of clean water, and 6 packs of food!

That is one way to make $44.95 go far!

Purpose Jewelry, Jasmine Necklace

Purpose Jewelry is stylish, beautiful, and unique. They offer bracelets, ear rings, necklaces, and rings. They have something for any woman on your list.

If their selection weren’t enough to get excited about, Purpose Jewelry is crafted by woman rescued from human trafficking. The women, who work in Mumbai, India, and Orange County, California, are involved with the jewelry from creation to shipment. These women are earning a fair wage while gaining employable skills.

Purpose Jewelry provides education, healthcare, and counseling through their non-profit, International Sanctuary, to further help empower their female artisans.

Soma 6 Cup Water Pitcher

Soma’s sleek, stylish pitcher is a unique gift for the person on your list who has everything.

The Soma Water Pitcher holds 6 cups of filtered water, is BPA free, shatter proof, and the filter is made of 60%, plant based renewable materials all for $29!

When you purchase a Soma pitcher for that unique person in your life, your purchase supports clean water in developing countries. Soma is a sponsor of Charity: Water and partners with them on their sustainable, clean water projects.

United by Blue-Dopp Kit is water repellent, and stain resistant. This is a great travel companion for the person who likes the indoors or the outdoors.

When you purchase a United by Blue product, they pledge to remove 1 pound of trash from the world’s oceans and water ways. This purchase helps to keep the person on your list clean and our earth clean all at the same time!

Love Your Melon is known for their hip beanies and pom beanies that benefit pediatric cancer.

Love Your Melon has beanies for the hipster, mom, dad, husband, kid, wife, ect. in your life. The recipient of a Love Your Melon beanie will love their gift. They will adore that their gift is helping to give a hat to every child battling cancer in America.

Love Your Melon’s dedication to pediatric cancer extends with their Nonprofit partners, of which they give 50% of their profit from Love Your Melon products.

This a gift that would warm even the Grinch’s heart.

Pela

Pela Phone Cases for the eco-warrior on your list. They offer cool, speckled, protective cell phone cases for Android, iPhone, and Samsung Galaxy S7.

Pela is proud to manufacture cell phone cases made from sustainable bioplastics.

These cases are made of biopolymers, flax, recycled materials, and are free of BPA, lead, cadmium, and phthalates. Utilizing low-impact manufacturing, give Pela a smaller carbon foot print.

Pela doesn’t feel like it is enough to just manufacture an eco-friendly phone case, they give back to the planet too. Pela donates at least 1% of their sales to environmental non-profit groups. So many reasons for the eco-friendly person on your list to enjoy this case.

Sudara Men’s Globe Tee

Sudara clothing helps women in India who are survivors of trafficking or are at risk of human trafficking. One of Sudara’s goals is to break the cycles of trafficking. Sudara does this by providing job training, such as sewing, and employment to these survivors. Sudara employees are paid a living wage, and are given other educational opportunities.

A gift from Sudara gives the gift of a brighter future for a woman in India.

 

Giving is at the heart of the holiday season.

Is there something that you, your family, or friends do to give during this time of year?

Are you starting any new traditions this year with a focus on charity?