Supernatural Botanicals

   Not utilizing the nozzle that came with your blow dryer?  You should be.  The nozzle concentrates and controls airflow to speed dry hair, keeping hair from whipping around, therefore, keeping hair healthier.  Aiming the nozzle down the hair shaft increases shine.   

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ouL9M0t5Lo

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Recently, I received a comment from a reader in regard to a prior blog post on Thoughts on Business Casual.   She asked what the big deal was with dressing for success?  She stated that as long as your clothes are clean and ironed, we really shouldn’t fuss about what we wear to work. 

Au contraire, reasons of which will be displayed below.  Dressing for success is more than your appearance, it’s a mind-set.  When you are in appropriate business dress, it changes your demeanor; it changes the way in which you carry yourself.  The way in which you carry yourself can project how people perceive you.  If you radiate confidence and professionalism, it shows, and you’ll earn the respect of colleagues.  And if you are dressed inappropriate or look like a slouch, you’ll project that, too. 

Business dress is implemented for a reason…we need guidelines.   The following are pictures of women in their “business attire.”  It becomes blatantly obvious that we need guidelines as to what is appropriate…and what is not.  While these clothes are clean and pressed, they are completely inappropriate for the business world. 

However, another post followed the first post.  Our same reader wants to know why it’s unacceptable to wear Crocs to work.  She also wants to know why it’s inappropriate to wear open-toe heels to work.  …..I’ll be glad to explain.  Most corporate employers have very strict attire guidelines for the office.  That is the first and foremost reason one should look professional and appropriate at work.  However, lets gather some visuals to further drive the point home, shall we?  We don’t want open-toe shoes, essentially because everyone does not have the same hygiene standards.  Below are some examples of why you don’t want to see one’s feet in the workplace, i.e., dry, cracked heels, dirty soles of feet, blisters, corns, dirty toenails, long toenails, chipped nail polish, etc.  Do you want to see that…..do you?  It makes you re-think the whole foot exposure in the office, yes?   

Lets look at another example of inappropriate shoe-wear in the office.  Perhaps visuals will help to clarify how overtly wrong Crocs are for an office and professional setting.  As Bill Maher once said….“Crocs are for pre-schoolers and mental patients.”   

I do hope this clears up any confusion as to why we need guidelines on business attire in an office/corporate setting.  If this does not bring clarity, however …you’ll need to contact Stacy London, stat, for a fashion intervention. 

Did you know that three-fourths of the bottles from bottled water do not get recycled?  That’s 75%!   Scientists roughly estimate that it takes 450-1000 years for a water bottle to decompose.  If you are going to drink bottled water, please be mindful of the environment and recycle the bottle….and then encourage someone else to do the same.  Plus, you’ll save money on trash bags.  It’s one small step you can take to being more responsible to the environment.  It’s everyone’s job!

Check out this rare behind the scenes peek of Jamie Oliver at home. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJJi8ROrvZE

Bedroom design is so important.  We spend so much of our time in our bedrooms, that it should be a place that feels good…to you.  Whether you go monochromatic or bold, your bedroom should feel like a sanctuary and appeal to what makes you feel good.  It should be a place free of clutter, so you can relax, think, read, and sleep comfortably….not to mention, feel sexy!

Gorgeous monochromatic bedroom.

Soft and sexy, with perfect lighting and shadows.

Light and breezy, ocean view.

Crown molding at it’s finest!   Stately, grand, and beautiful.

For more great design inspiration, see Hooked On Houses.

   Avoid looking like an oompa loompa  self tanning mistakes with proper application.  Exfoliation and moisturize porous areas, such as ankles and knees prior to self tanner application. 

If proper application fails you and you still end up with orange palms, knees, and ankles, these products are most helpful:

   Use exfoliating shower gloves to exfoliate and buff the skin.  These remove self tanner in hard to remove places, like feet and ankles. 

   A pedicure paddle works great to remove self tanner from palms and wrists. 

Lawn-care giants, Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., says it will close its Smith and Hawken stores by the end of the year.  Smith and Hawken sells upscale lawn, garden, and outdoor lifestyle products.  The recession and weak economy are to blame, Scotts says. 

Store-wide sales start today in all stores.  All 56 Smith and Hawken locations will be closed by year’s end. 

Smoothing the natural lines of one’s face, filling it with Botox, has become one trend that’s not about to go away any time soon.   Women (and men) are scheduling their Botox appointments at regular intervals, much as they would their teeth cleanings. 

   It’s fairly safe to say that the majority of Hollywood has had their face injected with Botox.  Not everyone in Hollywood agrees, though.  In a recent Harper’s Bazaar UK interview, actress Rachel Weisz said “It (Botox) should be banned for actors, as steroids are for sportsmen.  Acting is all about expression; why would you want to iron out a frown?”

   One of the most notorious Botox-lovers in Hollywood is Nicole Kidman.  Nicole takes a lot of heat in the press, claiming she’s practically expressionless as this point.  They claim her face is beginning to look unnatural at this point.  Do you agree? 

  There are, however, very good examples of where a little Botox can do a world of good.  Take fashion designer Rachel Zoe, for example.  Rachel’s skin was prematurely wrinkling, especially in her forehead area, from what I suspect is sun damage and smoking.  In Rachel’s case, it smoothed the lines out in her forehead and turned the clock back on her appearance.  Rachel’s end result has taken many years off of her face and Botox, in her case, was quite beneficial. 

Going Green goes far beyond recycling.  Lyocell is a fabric most know better by its brand name Tencel. It has a soft finish, packs light and is made from cellulose (vegetable matter), or wood pulp, typically a mix of hardwood trees like oak and birch. This makes it a natural fabric, and it is noted for its durability and strength, in addition to its eco-friendly manufacturing techniques.

Lyocell is made by chipping wood, breaking down the wood fibers with the non-toxic chemical amine oxide, and then placing the material in a spinneret. The spinneret produces long fibers, which are then dried and woven into cloth.  …What’s not to love about that?  Be cognizant of what you are buying.  Buy Green!