Summer's Thirsty

A beautiful friday afternoon, there's a warm breeze passing through, the summer weather is finally here! First things first, sunbathing beside the pool, with the right music, and people, anything's possible. It's a hot day, after all, something's missing... why it's your refreshing beverage! The best accessory while lounging! Now, you can stick with the original team of pool drinks, beer, iced tea, lemonade, or water.

Why not spruce up your summertime with a few different beverages, worth sipping on and cooling you off!

Here are a few of my favourites for the summer!

1) Pomegranate Fizzes

-->Ingredients<--

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

4 cups of pomegranate juice or cranberry juice

1/4 cup of sugar or honey <-- Optional

1 2 liter bottle of carbonated water

-Extra ice cubes

-Fresh mint sprigs <-- Optional

-Pomegranate seeds <-- Optional

--->Directions<---

For syrup; place mint leaves in a pitcher, using a wooden spoon, gently bruise the leaves.

Add pomegranate juice and sugar, stirring until dissolved. Cover and chill for 2-4 hours. 

For each glass pour 1/4 of the the syrup and 1/2 cup of carbonated water over ice cubes and stir

to combine. If desired, you can garnish with the mint sprigs and pomegranate seeds, and serve after.

2) White Sangria

-->Ingredients<--

1 bottle of fruity white wine, like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc

1/4 cup of orange liqueur <--if you don't have the liqueur, you can always use juice

1 medium peach, washed, sliced, and pitted (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 cup of strawberries, washed, and sliced

1 orange, thinly sliced

1 cup of green grapes, halved

1 cup of bing cherries, pitted and halved

-Extra ice cubes

-Fresh mint sprigs <-- Optional

-Carbonated water <-- Optional

-->Directions<--

In a large pitcher, mix the white wine and orange liqueur . Add the peach slices, strawberries, orange slices, grapes, and cherries. Stir gently and let refrigerate for 2 hours.

For each glass, pour 1/4 of the wine and liqueur mix over ice cubes, and 1/2 cup of carbonated water( if desired). You can also garnish with the mint sprigs and serve after.

3)Flavoured Water

-->Ingredients<--

750ml of water

1/2 pomegranate seeds

1/2 cup of blackberries

1 cup of cherries, pitted

Carbonated water<-- Option instead of water

Coconut Water <--Option instead of water

---> Flavour ideas<---

Basil

Blackberries

Cherries

Cucumber

Grapefruit

Green apple

Lavender

Lemon

Lime

Mango

Mint leaves

Orange

Papaya

Pineapple

Pomegranate 

Raspberries

Sage

Strawberries

Thyme

Watermelon

-->Directions<--

Take a pitcher pour water, and fruit together gently, stir if need be.

Refrigerate for 4-6 hours, and serve in glass after.

Three wonderful, refreshing drinks for the summer. There is nothing like sprucing something up with carbonated water, and it's a great substitute for soda too.
Have a wonderful afternoon by the pool!!

You've got legs? Then, flaunt 'em!

Good afternoon fellow readers, 

      I came across this huge spread of shorts on Pinterest earlier today, and decided shorts are the way to go! I am a huge fan of this particular clothing item, one does not need to be skinny, blonde and over flowing with legs to rock a pair. With the right style and length, any woman can look dashing!

     Where to begin? We're lucky, today, we have such a wide variety of shorts, from jeans, to lace, to patterns and different colours being neon.

     Now when choosing the right pair of shorts for your body, there are a few things to consider, how it looks, feels and what it says about you.

     *Let's say, you're leaning more on the short side, being that height isn't your major asset. Try choosing a pair of shorts with a high waist, that way, it gives the illusion of longer legs, instead of stocky legs.

     *Also, when pairing shorts with heels, make it a note, to avoid heels with a strap going across your ankle. Unless you have a models ankles, anything with straps, will strap you down! Leaving you with legs that cut at the ankle. Preferably, I enjoy a pump or sandal that doesn't disconnect your foot from your calf. This rule does exclude oxford shoes or canvas shoes.

     Knowing what type of shorts suit your body is all fine and dandy, though, you may want to invest some time in having smooth legs. That way the puzzle pieces fit nicely together.

**Buy an exfoliant or an organic bristle brush and before hitting the shower or bath, while your skin is still dry. Brush or rub in circular motions towards your heart. As we all know, gravity pushes things down, while we push them back up!

     Rinse when finished, after your shower or bath, don't forget to moisturize your skin that is freshly exfoliated.

I find exfoliating while the skin is not wet, gives you a better result and it also stimulates circulation in the skin, meaning the blood is flowing. 

With all of this, you will be ready for summer shorts in no time, until next time!

Summer 1.0

Summer is here, birds are chirping, beach parties are unravelling... but where to start? It's been winter for so long and you haven't taken the time to prepare yourself for the nice weather!

Winter is over, yet, your skin is looking dull and pale, your nails need some TLC with a rockin' new shade. Let me guide you to a wonderful summer with a glowing complexion and perfectly manicured nail that will have others sittin' with a green bug o' jealousy on their shoulder!

First things first, we'll start from head to toe

Your face: Get a facial or do it at home.

Why? The winter had your skin going through harsh weather; from freezing temperatures to strong winds. Your skin has fell victim to dehydration among other issues. By getting a facial at a spa or doing it at home, you are performing a type of "spring cleaning" meaning, your skin is being brought back to life, by exfoliation; removing dead skin cells, and being treated by a mask of your choice. 

Now since this is the season for tanning, don't leave out the rest of your body!

If you are intending on tanning or even going the artificial route, being spray tan or by machine.

Make sure you exfoliate and treat your skin properly before and after each treatment.

Now if you decide to do it at home, here's a tip, NO HOME RECIPES. 

You'll see people posting oatmeal or coffee exfoliants. What isn't being mentioned is the type of grain you are exfoliating with. The grains used in "home recipes"are typically store bought, meaning they were made with a grinder and if you looked at them through a microscope, you would see they have sharp edges, which will cut your skin, microscopically speaking. Which could lead to break outs, especially if your skins pH balance is leaning toward alkaline, you won't have enough defences to stop bacteria from forming a papule(red pimple) or pustule(pimple with infection). When purchasing an exfoliant at a store or spa, the grains are shaped to be oval, thus not harming your skin.

For a manicure or pedicure with spa like results, follow these steps!

Step 1, purchase(if you don't already have these items) -hand towel -cotton balls -rubbing alcohol -nail polish remover -buffer -nail file -cuticle pusher -nail cutters -almond or apricot cuticle oil <-- choose any flavour oil -hand cream -base and top coat -nail polish of your choice

Step 2, soak hands in warm water for 2-3 minutes -->this will soften the skin, making it easier to push the cuticles after 

Step 3, Dry your hands with the towel and cut your nails if need be, then file to shape

Step 4, After filing one hand, apply cuticle oil to your nails and massage your nail and cuticle -->this will keep the skin soft

Step 5, Take your cuticle pusher and gently push the cuticle back, giving your nails a lovely shape,

Step 6, Take some hand cream and moisturize the rest of your skin

Step 7, Take a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol and remove the excess cream and oil on your nail then take your buffer and buff each nail

Step 8, After buffing, take another cotton but this time take the nail polish remover and swipe your nail

By doing this you are preparing your nail for the polish

Step 9, Apply your base coat to each nail then two coats of nail polish -->when applying your first layer of polish, try leaving a small space between the sides of your nails and cuticle, it will made it easier and there is less chances of messing up! 

Step 10, Wait a minute or two before applying the top coat, this will allow the polish to set and dry a bit faster, after waiting you can apply the top coat and voila! A manicure or pedicure just like the spa!

Since you know how to treat your skin with the right technique it doesn't mean, you can't go to the spa and enjoy someone else giving you the treatment, it is always a treat well deserved.