Wow!  Sorry it has been so long for this update!  Bill and I were out of town on vacation and I seriously took a vacation from too much obviously.  We had a great time in Northern Michigan visiting family and friends and we even got to spend a day on Mackinac Island!  I think I could almost live there in such a laid back environment. If you ever get the chance to go there and you are looking for true relaxation, go.  There are some great deals if you look for them online, especially the last minute deals for hotels.  Just google Mackinac Island Hotels.  There are no cars or other motorized vehicles other than emergency vehicles.  You can ride around the island on horses or bikes or you can take a carriage ride.  You can visit the old Fort or the Grand Hotel which is where the movie, “Somewhere In Time” was filmed.  It is just an all around great place to relax and enjoy the best fudge on earth! 

Summer Skin:

1) Exfoliate:  It’s so very important to exfoliate your skin. Your body sheds skin cells at an amazing rate every minute of every day. If you don’t get rid of them, they’ll just sitting on your skin making you look dull and dry. No matter how much lotion you use, you’re never going to have glowing skin if you don’t exfoliate. Grab a body scrub and hit the shower. Gently rub your exfoliator in circular movements on your entire body from the shoulders down (you’ll want a facial exfoliator for your face and neck) and rinse clean.  Don’t overdo exfoliating, once or twice a week should be enough, you don’t want to dry your skin out either.

2)  Shaving:  I won’t ask for a show of hands; you know who you are. In the winter, what is the point of keeping your legs religiously shaved daily when you know your legs will never see the light of day? Those lazy days of winter are over. Find a good razor that won’t cause razor burn. 

3) Skin Care Regimen:  Find skincare that works for you.  I have found with my somewhat oily skin, especially in the “T-zone” that my best friend in the Summer heat is my Toner.  Anytime I feel like I need a lift, I just use my toner and a light facial moisturizer.  Sometimes it is necessary to change moisturizers from what you might use in the Winter.  Winter moisturizers can sometimes be to heavy for the heat of Summer. 

4)  Hydrate your body:  There are some great smelling moisturizers for your body out there.  I personally love the Body Shop!  Your skin gets so much more exposure to the elements during the Summer so it is important to moisturize as well as use the appropriate Sunscreen!

5)  Don’t forget your feet:  There are some great foot soaks and moisturizers to keep your feet looking good in your sandel and flipflops!  Check out The Body Shop at http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/  If they don’t have a store near you, you can order online or if you are looking for some extra income you can sell the Body Shop at home. 

Summer Hair:

“The heat and humidity and the chlorine and salt water make summer the season for frizz,” says Michael Shaun Corby, Global Creative Director for Alterna.

Corby says controlling frizzy or limp hair is all about using the right products. “This will allow you to work with your hair’s natural texture, not against it,” he says.

Here are Corby’s four tips for sexy, shiny summer strands:

1. Always start with a thermal protector, like Hemp with Organics Sun Recovery Spray, which will coat the hair and protect it from the heat, UVA/UVB rays, and other damaging summer elements. After your hair is protected, then you can style it many different ways.

2. For a natural, summer look, Hemp with Organics Ocean Waves Spray easily creates fun, beach-like texture on all hair types. Spray it on damp hair and let hair air-dry for a piecey, wavy, sexy look.

3. If you want to wear your hair straight, use a lightweight serum to keep frizz at bay. Try Caviar Polishing Serum before blow-drying to keep hair straight and frizz-free, then add a few drops to the finished style as well.

4. Use a weekly moisturizing masque during the summer, like Alterna’s Caviar Hair Masque to deeply hydrate the hair and keep it in great shape.

Aside from products, don’t forget the importance of keeping your tresses cool in style.

“Headbands are the perfect way to keep short hair off the face,” advises Corby. “I love ornate headbands with antique jeweled embellishments, but a simple black headband works too. I also love the look of headscarves — they keep the head cool and are very stylish. Pick a fun pattern, I like ones with a boho vibe.”

For longer hair, Corby says ponytails are totally chic. “You can do a quick casual low ponytail or a create a higher ponytail and wrap a small section of hair over top of the elastic for a more sophisticated look. I also love the look of a loose side ponytail, especially when hair is wavy or has beach-like texture.”

Whatever style you choose, don’t forget the number one summer hair must-do: use sun protection!

“Women are very conscientious about protecting their skin from the sun’s harmful rays but, surprisingly forget to properly care for their hair,” says Corby. “A day at the beach can really wreak havoc on the hair due to extensive sun exposure and drying salt water from the ocean.”

Baby Stuff:

                                                                                                 Key Lime Cheesecake Pie

DIRECTIONS

Thank you for visiting I hope you have a blessed week!  If you have any great recipes you would like to share please email them to me at [email protected]  Please pray for our ministry  Free Our Family and check out the resources we have at www.freeourfamily.com  

God Bless,

Janet Scott