You're only as old as you feel.

My 86 yr.old grandmother is living proof of this statement! While it is actually my mom that has said this statement to me over the past years (when I have teased her about getting older, though she looks younger than her age too) it is my grandma who is constantly fooling people with her age because they simply can not believe that she is 86 yrs. old. This is not entirely due to her looks, although she really does look amazing for her age, but it is really due to her attitude, her out look, and the energy she puts forth EVERY day with getting herself ready, exercising, cooking, doing things around the house etc. She really does get up and do that EVERY day. You will never catch her with out her make up on, and that usually includes her lipstick as well. She is an avid believer in keeping your mind and body busy in order to keep them working and she really does stick to that. In fact just up until a couple years ago she was still mowing her own lawn (and she has a very good size yard-front and back both). She just re-wall papered her bathroom and kitchen (after striping it all herself... yes, I did say wall paper!). I truly believe the reason that my beloved, beautiful grandma is still in such excellent shape is due to her attitude to keep going and not start to lay around and complain about some of the aches and pains she is having. According to her "what good is to complain about all of my aches when they are going to hurt anyway? If I quit moving around and stop staying active, then they are going to stop working"! I admire my grandma so much for the discipline she has kept over the years with her health, and beauty in order to live a nice long life, and to still be enjoying her life now at a much older age. I know the good Lord has had his hand in it mostly, but here are some, really only some of SO MANY, of her secrets which have aided in keeping her looking and feeling younger than she is.


* She has always gotten up and walked three miles...now that she is older it is not quit so long but she at least makes sure to stretch her whole body if she does not get out to walk.


* She gets herself ready EVERY morning. This means, some make up, fill the eye brows in, and always put those lips on. She has always told me to never leave the house with out make up on (aka -looking nice) and that she always has more energy when she is wearing some make up, just feels more put together....I agree!


* She eats fish once a week.


* Never misses Church, and that includes during the week. Says her Rosary every morning.


* Has ALWAYS worn nylons to keep her legs looking good and aiding in support with veins...her legs still look so good too. Can't tell you the lectures I have had about wearing hose!!!


* She has, and still, stays out of the sun.


* She has, and still, goes places (movies, plays, vacations etc.) with friends and family.

*She has always choosen to drive herself around, and still does.....takes grat care of her car too.

*She does cross word puzzles EVERY morning (has for years and years) and usually evenings too, "to keep her mind going".


* She has always stuck to Eb5 as her number one face product.


* She takes a bath EVERY night with baking soda to keep her skin smooth with the natural exfoliant.


* She has always kept her diet in moderation, and can tell you when she has had too much salt, chocolate etc.....she knows her body.


*She still, at her age of 86, going on 87 this year, watches her weight.


* She has a beautiful attitude. She is always happy, joking, positive and THANKFUL for the life she has had.





This women has always been so disciplined in every aspect of her life, yet she never looked/looks at it as a chore. She just lives that way, and appreciates a lot. I truly believe that this (along with the Lord's covering) is why she is still in great health, looking good, and full of energy today at 86 yrs. old. She gives many of us in the family desire and motivation to follow that same lifestyle.

Oh, and she just joined a Senior's movie night club!!





Blessings!!!

It's your choice.

With another new year coming, it's only to safe to bet that most of us are also coming back around to those resolutions for this year of 2010. It is also probably safe to say that many of those resolutions are those that deal directly with our bodies. Whether it is to quit smoking, put the bottle down, or get back into that work out routine, many of us have improvements that we want to make with our bodies. As many of you readers have seen, I am an avid believer of taking care of yourself, because I truly believe that looking good and so much of your 'style' comes from how you feel. Confidence in one's self truly does wonders for how you carry yourself and look overall. When we take care of our bodies it is like a domino effect through out our being. Our minds, thoughts, feelings and so on begin to change as well. For example: Once you start working out, faithfully, 3 or more times a week, you naturally start eating a little bit better, which means you start to have more energy, which means you're mood through out the day will be more uplifting, and you start to feel better in your clothes and how you look, which means you might also take some extra time with the hair and make up, again your feelings and your mind are becoming more positive, because you are feeling good! I am not saying in order to feel good go workout and strive to be a size 2. Definitely not. I am not a believer in sizes, or weight. To me it's all about the fit and the flattery of your shape, so the size is out the window as far as I am concerned. However, we only have these one bodies. There are no renewals, or warranties that come with us, not to mention the good Lord gave us these bodies as his temple to take care of, so it really is up to us to take care of ourselves. I am writing this not only because I believe in the importance of taking care of yourself, but also because I have read twice this week now about the significance of exercise and the affects it has on our bodies.

Did you know? Working out 80-90 minutes a week (broken up- 4 days of 20 mins. cardio and weights, or 3 days of 30 mins.) has an outstanding affect on the fat that your body holds around it's organs, not the fat under our layer of skin, but around our hearts, liver, kidneys, pancreas etc. Exercising will not only help to rid your body of those dangerous fats, but also help to ensure they don't return...being that you make it part of your lifestyle. For a full article on this click here: health

* Eating well also contributes a whole lot to our health, and believe it or not what we eat does affect our mood as well, see Good Mood Food.

Truly more than anything, I hope to inspire and encourage all of you to take a hold of your health and take care of those bodies that we have all been so blessed to be given. While none of us know what tomorrow holds, that's why we should not boast about tomorrow, we can still live for today and take care of ourselves. I can almost guarantee you that once you start living more balanced with exercise, eating and rest too, you will be feeling fabulous...and, therefor, looking fabulous....I really believe that it all ties in together!

Happy New Years Lovelies!

Bendiciones!!!

Need a boost?

I needed some extra motivation this morning with getting myself going, and so I thought I would re-post this blog, a little extra amped up, incase some of your were having a slow start to the week too. It seems like Monday mornings can be hit or miss when it comes to feeling quite motivated in getting ourselves ready and out the door. Whether it is heading into work, getting the kids to school, or even just running erands, we all have those mornings, especially Mondays, when we just don't feel like taking that extra time to get ready. Well here are some tips for a quick make up application, which in turn will create an instant energy boost (that, along with our coffee) to help when a jump start is needed.

Eyes: If you have a tired eye (keeping moisturizer in the fridge can help with this too) you can apply some concealer underneath to aid in brightening them up, and then follow with an illuminating shadow if wanted. Not much is needed, you just want to give some lightness to the area. Use a nice light shadow over the lids and corners, gold-flickered is always pretty. Follow with a darker shade by applying slightly upwards in the outer corners. Put on some mascara and the eyes have life!
*Hint: For best results when applying mascara take nice long, SLOW strokes. You will get better coverage and more length...yes you will be surprised at how fast you might tend to go with that.

Cheeks: Apply blush in a C shape to enhance those cheek bones. Start at the center of the brow and apply around to cheek bones. By using this method it will help to create an over all sheen to that area.
*Always pretty: If time allowed, try a bronzer before, or apply a base with some tint in it to start. This will give some extra sheen to those beautiful cheek bones.

Lips: Berry color lip stains always add some extra life to your color, and rose colors are always pretty too and flatter any skin tone. Add some gloss for extra shine if wanted.
*Please: If using a lip liner always smudge with your pinkie finger to soften and not be left with a line when lipstick fades.
* Hint : Wearing a lipstick in a warm pink shade, which flatters all skin tones, will distract people's eyes from any imperfections or blemishes giving you a more perfect look with your skin.




Whether you create a natural look

or go with a more dramatic look,

the goal is to feel like this....

Even if it is only putting on some mascara with some lipshine (for me it's always at least blush, mascara and lipshine), to get your energy up and make you feel more "alive", then take that quick 7-15min. to do it. It really will not only brighten your face up, but your mood as well!

Blessings this Monday morning lovelies!