All posts by ECVtalks

Physical

Weekly Beauty Tip – Week 2: Sugar Body Scrubs

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It is full blown winter all across the US this week.  Earlier this week the polar vortex sent freezing temps even into Florida.  Sunday the local temperature topped out in the 70s and by Monday afternoon it had fallen 30 degrees.  Regardless of where you are, this frigid winter weather can wreak havoc on your skin.  Not to mention the hot showers, which honestly even though we know it’s bad for our skin who is really going to give them up?  So this week’s tip is an at-home treatment to loosen those dry, dead skin cells and take your skin back to feeling baby soft.

Body Buffer
Dip half a grapefruit in sugar and gently scrub over clean body. Do not use over freshly shaved legs.  Shower off, then moisturize.

I personally like to do the whole exfoliating process in the shower. You can also use an orange if you don’t like grapefruit.

grapefruit

The nice thing about this at-home treatment is this is the season for grapefruit here in Florida so trying this is an Value exfoliant. Right now grapefruit are about $4 for a 5-lb bag or free if you know someone with a bumper crop of grapefruit from the tree in their yard like I do. So that’s between $0 – $0.50 for a grapefruit and 1/4 cup of sugar out of your cupboard for an at-home body scrub.

The C2 option (common commercial) is a body scrub that can run you about $10  from Victoria Secret’s or Bath and Body Works. The nice part is you do get whatever scent you prefer as opposed to just a citrus scent.

The Extrav options can cost up to $28 for a sugar scrub exfoliant that contains  essential oils, vitamins and other ingredients that combine the physical exfoliation with a low-level chemical exfoliation through the use of various acids (i.e. salicylic, lactic, etc.).

Another suggestion for added skin health that I heard from one of those doctors with a TV show was to take 500 mg of evening primrose oil daily.  I’ve been taking it for about 25 days now.  I forgot to take a photo of my skin before starting but I will say I don’t see any increase in this mysterious skin condition that’s been stripping me of my pigmentation.

And no, I don’t have vitiligo. The dermatologist and my doctor were able to rule that out.

Lifestyles

Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary

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For a few  years now I’ve heard about this place but never actually went. Maybe because it’s on the other side of town and I tend to be a lazy slob when it comes to driving across the county. Strange because I just drove to VA and back. Maybe that’s why I stopped coming up with excuses and went Saturday night.

If I wanted an excuse to not go, I could have easily used the cage escape by a lioness at a similar facility in Spring Hill Friday that someone so thoughtfully sent me a text about. But I didn’t even though I was going at night.

The Catty Shack Ranch is home to a lot of big cats, such as multiple tigers, black panthers, cougars, and lions. This is a picture of one of the first tigers you see when you enter.

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She’s too busy playing with a bowling ball and her Christmas tree to turn around for the cameras.
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One of the many cougars at the ranch. She posed the best! 🙂

Tiger “cub” Monterey – He is one of a litter of three that came at the beginning of 2013. I really wish I had visited then when the volunteers could still get closer to them.  At any rate Monterey is camera friendly.

Hoped to get a good roar out of one of the lions but the best we got has that guttural grunt half roar when they’re defensively hovering over a kill (chicken quarters in this case). Has anyone else ever visited this or another wildlife sanctuary and had anything exciting happen?

Cosmetics, Fashion Forum

Weekly Beauty Tip – Week 1: Picture Perfect Lips

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Who doesn’t want picture perfect lips ladies? Here are three simple steps to get the perfect pout.

  1. Draw the line.
    Define the shape of your mouth using a lip liner. If your lips are naturally full, there really is no need to line outside the natural edge of your lip. Choose a shade that complements your favorite lipstick. Now color in your lips with the liner to get color that really clings. For my ladies with two-tone lips, feel free to go lighter with the liner application on the darker lip or skip it all together.
  2. Choose the right color and formula.
    Matte lipsticks give off intense color, but can be drying. Crème lipsticks deliver great color and keep lips moisturized. Whatever formula you choose, make sure to evenly apply the color, covering the liner and blotting any excess. We’ve found paper towels work well here as opposed to facial tissue which, depending on the brand can leave lint.
  3. Set the look.Finish off with a little dusting of translucent powder and a second coat of lipstick or a coat of lip gloss. Or start off by using a transfer-resistant lipstick to help color stay put and perfect for hours.

Now if you’re looking for the picture perfect full pout watch the video below. There are a couple of extra steps but it’s still really simple and easy to do. The hardest part might be picking out a shade. Check back each week for a new beauty tip.

Art, Lifestyles

Artwork by ASP – 2

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Another drawing from aspiring artist ASP. This is a cat inspired by a kitten she saw approximately three years ago and another Sonic character named Blaze.

Honey the cat

A little information about the artist: ASP is 11 years-old and has been drawing since the age of 4. She has yet to have any formal art training although options are being explored since her departure from ballet classes.

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