Natural And Organic Skincare Routine

The beauty world is overflowing with advanced ingredients and fancy procedures which are expensive and can show signs of aftereffects. While on the contrary, botanical products are rich sources of vitamins, proteins, antioxidants, essential oils, hydrocolloids, and terpenoids, which provide nourishment to the skin. These products are safe and cost-effective alternatives to fabricated products.

Several remedies are available in natural and organic skincare routines for oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin. Here is a list of ingredients that will enhance the quality of the skin and will fit your needs:

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Coconut oil 

Coconut oil is a plant fat that is a perfect skin soother and provides hydration to the skin. They have anti-inflammatory properties and suppress the inflammation caused by the UVB rays. Coconut oil helps moisturize the skin and fight skin issues like dryness or itchiness and skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema. It promotes wound healing as coconut oil has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. One can apply coconut oil to their skin every day and night in small amounts without any complexities.

Manuka honey 

Manuka honey is called super honey because of its healing properties. Applying manuka honey will improve the appearance of the skin and will balance its pH level. You can use manuka honey as a cleanser as it helps slough away the dirt, dead cells, and debris from your skin. This ingredient has antibacterial properties and can be used to treat spots and pigmentation on the skin. The high concentration of sugars in manuka honey keeps the wound area moist and is substantial for emollients.

Green tea

Green tea is known for its therapeutic properties that provide numerous benefits to your skin. The polyphenols present in green tea have antioxidant properties and treat sun-damaged skin. Green tea can combat the signs of aging or dull skin and can make it appear more youthful. The anti-inflammatory properties of green tea reduce skin redness, skin irritation, and swelling. The antioxidants and antimicrobial properties of green tea make it an effective treatment for acne and related issues.

Shea butter 

Shea butter is loaded with fatty acids, antioxidants, and antiaging properties. It is an effective option for skin hydration and has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. This natural ingredient is used for scar healing, and the fatty acid helps soften the scar tissues. For those who have an acne-prone skin type, the antibacterial properties prevent the acne outbreak and help keep it moisturized. Shea butter is used to treat skin-related issues like eczema, dryness, and itchiness.

Oatmeal 

Oatmeal is used as a home remedy for soothing itchy, dry or irritated skin. Ground oatmeal is also used for exfoliation to slough away the oil, dirt, and dead skin cells. This ingredient has anti-inflammation properties and bathing with oatmeal also relief skin conditions like eczema and rashes. It is an effective moisturizer and helps improve skin scaling and roughness. 

Conclusion 

Other natural and organic ingredients like soy and tea tree oil are exceedingly efficient for your skin health. If you’re planning to go all-natural and organic with your skincare routine, be sure to do your research. Always remember to read the labels, do a patch test and then apply something on your skin. Even a natural ingredient might not suit a few skin types.

How to Host a Wine and Cheese Party That Your Friends Will Love

Are you about to host a wine and cheese party for your friends? What could be more fun!

But if you’ve not done this before, you probably are unsure how to go about this. From the most suitable time for the event to the best wine and cheese to pair, there’s so much you need to know. And that’s what this article is here to guide you about.

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So, come along! 

Items you’ll need

Of course, you do know you’ll need some bottles of wine and cheese. But there are other  essential items, including:

  • A cheese slicer
  • Plates
  • At least one corkscrew
  • Serving platter
  • Wine glasses (try to get more than the total number of guests)

When to fix a wine and cheese event?

A wine and cheese event isn’t actual dining, and there will be no well-rounded meals. So the best time to host the event is some hours before or after dinner, say 4 pm or 9 pm. This will allow the guests enough time to eat at home before or after the party.

Now, it’s time to figure out what wine and cheese to get.

Sorting the right wine and cheese

For a wine and cheese event, never be too shy to go with the wine you consider the best. Chances are your guests will like it too, even if it isn’t their favorite.

You can find excellent wines curated according to your preferences by joining a monthly wine club. This will allow you to control the kind of wines you want to be delivered — you may know some of your friend’s tastes — so there’s enough variety to go around.

But after getting your wine, you need to pair it with the right cheese.

Some classic pairings that never disappoint include:

  • Champagne and Brie
  • Pinot Noir and Gruyere
  • Aged Port and Blue St
  • Riesling and Ricotta
  • Tempranillo and Idiazabal
  • Vermentino and Fiore Sardo
  • Chianti Classico and Pecorino Toscano
  • Sauvignon Blanc and Goat Cheese
  • Provence Rosé and Havarti
  • Cabernet and Gouda
  • Sweet Port and Bleu Cheese

Make sure, though, that you have at least 3-4 different types of cheese, different textures, different flavors, and from various sources (goat, cattle, vegan, etc.). Variety, indeed, is the spice of life. 

Incorporate some snacks into the party

Although a wine and cheese party isn’t mealtime, adding some snacks is a great way to have something to chew on while you discuss and have fun. This will also prevent you from spending precious time in the kitchen preparing something big for your guests.

Excellent snacking options include:

  • Gluten-free crackers
  • Gluten-free snack mix
  • Fresh fruits
  • Dark chocolate
  • Nut cookies
  • Dried figs and oranges, etc.

It’s worth labeling the snacks’ boards to protect people with allergies from accidents.

Forming your wine and cheese board

Now for the last part, a picturesque wine and cheese board may seem complex to create, but it’s far from it. The best way to go about this is by creating a structure.

To accomplish that, place large items on the board first. These may include bowls and other decorative items that can stand independently. Then, fill in the gaps with colorful snacks and other ingredients.

Birthday Candles On Broadway with Debra Messing

OMG..I loved loved Will and Grace. I mean beyond loved so when I heard Deborah Messing was coming to Braodway, I know it was a must-see. The show is called Birthday Candles and here is the summary

Debra Messing (Will & Grace) returns to the stage as Ernestine Ashworth, who spends her 17th birthday agonizing over her insignificance in the universe. Soon enough, it’s her 18th birthday. Even sooner, her 41st. Her 70th. Her 101st. Five generations, dozens of goldfish, an infinity of dreams, one cake baked over a century. What makes a lifetime…into a life? A new play by Noah Haidle.

Here is an article from today’s post on the show!!

We have a section in the Orchestra on 3/30 at 8 pm for $160. Email me to save your spot!!!

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5 Fun Water Sports and Activities to Try at Least Once

There are many brilliant ideas to try out when it comes to having fun on land. You can decide to visit a favorite restaurant with a loved one, watch an exciting movie at a cinema, go hiking in the glamorous Runyon Canyon, Los Angeles…the list is endless!

However, when it comes to enjoying oneself on the water, one might have to brainstorm really hard to come up with a unique and super-exciting idea. You don’t have to go through such difficulty.. There are a lot of water sports and activities to try out when looking to experience those once-in-a-lifetime moments. Lucky for you, we have compiled a list of these activities below.

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1. Flyboard Flying

If you are a superman enthusiast, the chances are that you have—probably once or twice—imagined yourself, high-up, in the sky, staring down at the ground like the revered Clark Kent. While a flyboard cannot bring such a bizarre dream to pass, it can at least make you enjoy the feeling of being a floating human for some time. Regardless, there are a lot of thrills and spills packed in this fantastic water activity.

2. Kayaking

Another fun water activity to try out is kayaking. In the United States, there were around 18.12 million participants in kayaking, an increase of 16.62 million in 2021. If you’ve had your reservations about kayaking, such statistics are a clear indication of why you need to rent a kayak (or buy one) and head out to the water to enjoy the picturesque view.

3. Sightseeing

Wouldn’t you love to have a close-up view of some aquatic creatures or sea features? Rather than spend all of your precious time engaging in an onshore activity, why not take the fun offshore? One of the best ways to do that is by buying an LA whale watching ticket for yourself and perhaps family members. If you would love to see what a whale actually looks like in real life, this is an excellent chance for you.

4. Cliff-Diving

There is something remarkable about diving off one of Mother Nature’s magnificent creations. Cliff diving is a fun activity for those with a penchant for adventure. For a brief moment, you feel like you’ve cheated gravity, then shortly, you find yourself plunging into the water like a fighter jet on a solo airshow display. It’s a thrilling activity everyone should try out just for the experience.

5. Jet Skiing

Have you always been wishing to try out some insanely fast and furious high-speed stunts? Rather than try it on land and get caught for overspeeding, you can get on a jet ski and put those driving skills of yours to the test.

Unlike the land, where you have many restrictions, the sea offers you a wide array of space to perform whatever stunt you have in mind. You can decide to travel at some heart-stopping speeds, perform droughts, go in circles, or even jump awake. The feeling of wafting through the waves as guts of cool wind soothes your skin makes this a must-try water sport.

Conclusion

Aside from the usual activities individuals engage in while on the water, there are many other unique fun activities to try out. These activities are designed to leave a lasting impression on your memories and offer you the fun that you’ve never dreamt of. Ensure you go for something that suits your taste and always exercise caution when engaging in these sports. 

Supporting Up-and-Coming Designers is a Staple in Dolce Gabbana’s Portfolio

Mentorship and guidance from established powerhouses in any field is a valuable way to gain some of the knowledge and insight that comes from decades of experience. When it comes to fashion design, there are few as qualified to provide this type of support as iconic couture brand Dolce & Gabbana. The company knows that working with emerging designers is a win-win. Creative collaboration and mentor relationships reap benefits for all involved.

Dolce & Gabbana lends its expertise to newcomers to the fashion world, and in turn, benefits from the unique vision of the next generations. Working with D&G launches new designers into the fashion stratosphere and this opportunity has been extended to many fledgling brands.

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Harris Reed

Harris Reed’s brand represents fluidity in all its definitions. Elegant, changeable, and freely moving around societal expectations, this brand focuses on high fashion with a heavy dose of inclusivity. Their designs seek to liberate wearers from the constraints of gender norms, highlighting the beauty in originality and freedom of expression. The brand describes itself as romanticism gone nonbinary, and there is no better way to put it.

Dolce & Gabbana’s collaboration with Harris Reed manifested in a show-stopping Met Gala look worn by Iman. D&G’s support helped Reed’s vision and inspiration come into existence in the form of a gorgeous gown and headpiece. Reed was inspired by the regalness of the event, the iconic status of Iman, and the idea of over-the-top individuality and self-acceptance. Dolce & Gabbana expressed their joy at the opportunity to nurture this incredible creator and help bring his vision to life.

Spiga 2

Spiga 2, a Dolce & Gabbana concept store, has become a Mecca for rising creative talents in the fashion world. The company transformed this retail storefront into a showcase space for a myriad of new designers. This allows young clothing brands to display their pieces next to Dolce & Gabbana accessory items, which is the exposure opportunity of a lifetime.

This visibility is priceless in a highly competitive industry like fashion, and the designers chosen to be featured in Spiga 2 are some of the most talented and innovative creatives emerging in the business. Among the many names included in D&G’s roster of new talent are Fausto Puglisi, Behnaz Sarafpour, Christian Blanken, and Heather Williams. Part showroom, part retail store, and all creative genius, Spiga 2 invites experimentation and exploration for fashion lovers.

Miss Sohee

Korean designer Sohee Park’s brand Miss Sohee has quickly gained fans around the world. Inspired by vibrant imagery and surreal design concepts she utilized in her work as an illustrator, her clothing is transcendent. Bold prints, exaggerated silhouettes, and playful details accentuate and experiment with the feminine form. Having made clothing donned by fashion-forward celebrities like Naomi Campbell, Bella Hadid, and Ariana Grande, she is no stranger to attracting attention from people who know quality.

Dolce & Gabbana recognized the talent radiating from the Miss Sohee brand and has been quick to provide support for a potentially meteoric rise. Feeling a connection with Park’s authentic and fresh styling, D&G chose to collaborate with her to create her new collection, to be presented at Milan Fashion Week at the end of February 2022. Miss Sohee’s designs, created from her partnership with D&G, will be a representation of her personal creative vision.

Artistic expression, unique perspectives, and prioritization of quality are crucial to the success of a fashion brand. However, even with all of these things, it can be difficult to get noticed. That’s why Dolce & Gabbana’s commitment to highlighting the works of up-and-coming designers is paramount to the integrity and evolution of the world of fashion.

Some New Projects From Bargello Needlepoint

I have loved partnering with Bargello Needlpoint since they opened in Tuckahoe, NY. In recent shop news, they have an exclusive partnership with the amazing designer Katie Ridder to sell some of her beautiful canvases. The canvases are based on her peony fabric/wallpaper design.

Bargello Needlepoint is a full-service shop that honors its classic namesake while celebrating modern style. They offer a carefully curated array of sophisticated canvases, a spectrum of gorgeous fibers, all the necessary accessories, as well as first-class finishing services.  Stitchers of all skill levels and ages are invited to join Christine and Leslie, the ladies at Bargello, in creating a community from a common thread: a passion for this timeless, transformative craft.

To see all of the shop’s offerings or for more information, click, HERE.

And if you have not been able to visit the shop yet, here is what some of their clients are saying or should I say raving:

Finally!! A needlepoint store that reflects today’s modern needlepoint stitcher! Leslie and Christine not only have deep knowledge of the art/skill of needlepoint, but they have incredible taste in canvas selection which makes you want to stitch everything in their store! In a space that feels clean and uncluttered, Bargello features canvases that are fun, interesting and even one-of-a-kind – for all levels! They are both so helpful and friendly – thrilled to have this new store in our area!

Bargello is fantastic! I’m a relatively new stitcher and I’ve been so grateful for their creativity, encouragement and ever-changing collection of beautiful canvases. I especially love the needlepoint community — open to all levels –they’ve fostered at the Wednesday night “sip and stitch.” The store is so light and bright — a real gem in the neighborhood.

Leslie and Christine are wonderful! They’ve created such a warm and welcoming environment that’s also filled with a fantastic selection of canvases and fibers. Bargello is an easy train ride from the city, and I can’t wait to go back!

Happy Stitching!!!!!

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