Easy like Sunday Morning - Life in Costa Rica

Lily & Lola chillaxin as the sun come up over our ridge

My Happy Birthday look - 2 ways

Happy Birthday 65!

Oh and about this dress

I imagine it might look a tad familiar.

It's another Yea dress from Molly b

This sleeveless version is a little more dressy (when you want it to be)

The material feels a little more like a light taffeta

I LOVE it!

Paired with a sleeveless white linen jacket from Bryn Walker

I'm off today but there is always something to do. 

As a matter of fact I need to finish this post.

 My 2 girls (Lily & Lola) love the scent of my birthday flowers

It's been a very relaxing day.

Lots of well wishing, cake and even a few gifts!

but

now it's time to hit the "publish" button and upload today's post.

The Notorious Over Packer! I'll Take it - Just in Case!

Hey everyone

I know I haven't written lately as I've been busy putting thr final touches on our upcoming trip to Costa Rica but today I thought I would share a post from one of my relocation blogs

The over packer's motto:

“I’ll take it.... just in case” 

GUILTY as charged!

I have travelled near and far and no matter where I go, I end up packing too many clothes. I really have the best of intentions because my desire has always been to take "only what I need".  However, even though I bought a fancy luggage scale - in the end I always have at least 2 suitcases full of clothing and have even found myself re-shuffling clothing from one bag to another at the airline check in counter - which is sort of embarassing, I might add -- especially since a good majority of those clothes I never end up wearing. It's a very stressful way to travel!

My packing process has not served me well in the past and for 2015 and beyond I have vowed to change my overpacking ways and travel lighter -- using only a carry on.  (all bets are off when relocating to a new country)

Here's why

You can save yourself some money!
The U.S. airline industry has made about $3.4 billion a year in baggage fees since most airlines started charging for checked bags in 2008. On one trip returning from Barcelona I added a 3rd bag and it cost me over $200! 

The BF says he wil not repeat the luggage debacle we experienced in France when he had to carry our 4 over stuffed suitcases up and down several flights of stairs (no elevator) in one of the train stations in France. All annoucements were in french and they kept switching the departure gate (we think). That was in 2010 and he brought it up again last week. Seems he will NEVER forgive me for that one - although I swear to you "it was not my fault!"

But beyond that, what is really driving this decision is our upcoming trip to Costa Rica because we will primarily be using various forms of public transportation. There will be 5 of us and we will each be repsonsible for our own luggage (meaning the BF won't be carrying my bag). Plus I am pretty nervous about letting my luggage out from under my watchful eye on the buses  -- as I have heard horror stories about luggage and personal items being taken in Cost Rica.  So, it's one bag for me. I might even let the bag have the seat  on the bus and I will stand! :)

Here are some of my tips 

AND.......Don't Forget

Be ready to go through screening and remove electronics and liquids and gels for inspection. If you can, place these items separately in the zipper portion in the front of your suitcase.

Use dryer sheets. Put one in each suitcase. Keeps it smelling nice!  Plus, reminds you of home if you are prone to homesickness. 

PACK YOUR UNDERWEAR LAST

Underwear is tiny.  It doesn’t need it’s own dedicated corner in your suitcase.  It doesn’t even need to be folded.  This might seem a bit haphazard but once you’re done packing you can literally just stuff your underwear into the gaps between your clothes.  Saving a bit of space sometimes really is that simple.

Last but not least

"i don't think you need to bring this"

After you've finished packing and repacking, have an impartial friend or family member go through what you've packed and give you their honest opinion of what you are taking.
Remove the unnecessary pieces.  Zip your bag and Enjoy your trip!

Costa Rica Here We Come!

Let's call this one Marsala! My hats a wrap

It's a wrap!

It's finally Friday and I've exhausted all the decent hat photos we took last week. I'm pretty proud of myself though because in the beginning the plan was just to take a couple of pictures of myself wearing a few of my hats and it turned into something completely different.  

I changed direction!

I'm back

Today I end the "my hats" segment with pictures of the regular me, hair up and pulled back but remembering that there is still a young, and sexy side of me right underneath that hat!!

You can leave your hat on

Joe Cocker 1986

My classic oldie jam pick this week is

in memory of Joe Cocker who passed away on Dec 22

A great singer and musician with a voice like no other

He will be missed

This song was used frequently in one of our class routines when I was an instructor

for Art of Exotic Dancing for Everyday Women (short video)

(dancing in a man's oversized shirt - lots of fun!) 

But I digress..

Here's Miss Lily

I've mentioned before that my girls are always around when I do my photo shoots. 

They are also getting much more used to the camera and you will find them peeking around the corner or hanging out on the fringes just out of camera range

but 

sometimes....

 I'm able to catch one of them for a quick photo.

As for the color of my hat
Let's call this one "Marsala" 

(even if it isn't)

I have this hat in 5 colors. It's been my go to hat

The jacket is one I've had for a number of years - I bought it at Bryn Walker

Sporting a pair of my moto jogging pants from the Gap
I also bought another pair of Tom's. Black ones this time.
They aren't the longest lasting shoe, but I do like their "one for one" philosophy
And it was nice that they were on sale at Whole Foods over the holiday for $48
instead of the usual $60+

Well, as you can see, things don't always go as planned on my photo shoots!

Gottcha
Well almost!

Whatever you have planned (or don't).  Hope you enjoy your weekend!!

************
if you missed any of my other 4 posts this week featuring 
"my hats"
no problem -- to see them
 start here

My newly discovered anti-aging beauty secret

I'm going to let you in on a secret which I stumbled upon quite by accident (no pun intended).  A few months ago I took a nasty fall on the street when I got tangled up while running across a street near our apt with my 2 Yorkies (on a double leash).  I hit the pavement quite hard and scraped my upper lip and my knee pretty badly.  Although I followed all the instructions (to avoid scarring), it seemed like it took forever for them to heal.  I wasn't too concerned about any resulting scarring on my knee but I did notice a black mark right above my lip (similar to a beauty mark but not). This one I wanted gone and fast!  So I began searching for a way to lighten it without using a harsh bleaching cream. 

My friend Edna works at Sunshine Health Foods. I generally consult her for any ailment I have.  I talked to her about my scar and also asked her to recommend a natural facial moisturizer.  She told me about using aloe vera to help the healing and fade the scar, plus she said an added benefit of using the aloe vera was that it is an excellent facial moisturizer.  

I went home, ditched my facial moisturizing cream and began using the aloe vera (Lily of the Desert 99%).  After only a few days I began to notice a change in the scar and my face began to feel tighter and smoother plus it just felt so much better to the touch. 

Shorty thereafter, I noticed I had run out of body oil (which I usually have blended for me at Body Time).  As an African American woman, I must use an oil for my skin. I was desperate to find a quick fix to tide me over until I could get to Body Time.  

Just so happens that I had recently researched how to make my own tooth paste and one of the ingredients was coconut oil.  I had heard that women from some native cultures swear by coconut oil. So I began reading about all the many ways that coconut oil is beneficial.  One of those ways is as a body moisturizer.  Hmmmm.  I mixed some up in a glass bowl and added a few drops of essential oils.  But, it doesn't stop there. Coconut oil can be used as a replacement for soap on your face, as a make up remover and for anti aging. You can also eat it to reduce belly fat.

• It has antibacterial and antifungal properties
• It won't change the pH of your face so it's not irritating
• Lots and lots of antioxidants to help diminish fine lines and wrinkles
• It tricks the skin into thinking it has enough oil to slow down oil production while locking in the moisture
• It's been shown to work for all skin types 

OK, I'll bite!  I wasn't really expecting anything dramatic. I just wanted a replacement until I could pick up some of the body oil that I usually use.  So, I began to use the coconut oil all over my body and on my face.  In about a week I noticed a BIG change in my face.  Suddenly the wrinkles seemed to be diminishing and I felt like my face looked younger!  It was really quite shocking!  It also worked wonders on the rest of my body.  Shortly thereafter I started adding it to my diet (and gave it to the dogs mixed in their kibble)

Check out some of the additional benefits of Coconut oil 

1. Relieves Stress

2. Makes Your Hair Grow and Repairs Damage

3. Improves Healing and Fights Infections

4. Improves Digestion

5. Gives you Energy

6. Prevents Disease

7. Great for the Heart

WOW!! The benefits are endless 

There are many, many links, so you can do your own research, but here's one to get you started. 

and here are some of the benefits  of giving it to your dog(s) and cats

If you decide to try it, be sure to get the organic kind, cold pressed is best. You can put it on your popcorn or use instead of butter.

Please let me know how it works for you.

Here comes the weekend!

What are your plans for the weekend?

I survived week one. Got the blog up and running all by myself and that is quite an accomplishment in itself. I'm pretty proud of myself.

It's raining out but I hope it will clear up for Saturday and Sunday.

Tonight I'm hanging with my girls Lily & Lola and painting my nails. I have a hair appointment on Saturday morning and I'm not sure what else is in store for the rest of the weekend.

Livin for the weekend!

Happy Dance in a pair of black NYDJ from Nordstrom, Raspberry & black dotted blouse by Vince Camuto and Black scarf  purchased in Nice, France

Friday is jeans day at our office

Have a wonderful weekend, whatever you decide to do!