Let’s Stop the Aging Process GIVEAWAY…ENTER NOW

I’ve been hearing amazing reviews about @defenageskincare, and I was thrilled when they offered to send me some products to trial, and also host a giveaway so that one of my special followers can test these products along with me! This giveaway includes the DefenAge Clinical Power Trio, worth $380. Are you ready for an overall glow? This trio is DefenAge’s signature, clinical-study tested, and award-winning skincare. Let’s just say it’s a game-changer! To enter:

  1. Go to my INSTAGRAM Page

2. Follow me + @DefenAgeSkincare 

3. Tag a friend in the comments who would also love to win! You can tag as many friends as you’d like for more ways to win!

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The giveaway closes at midnight on Monday, August 30th.

Address all signs of aging with DefenAge Clinical Power Trio.

This three-step full-size skincare system combines the latest in clinical anti-aging technology to address up to 16 signs of aging. DefenAge 8-in-1 BioSerum (1.0 fl oz) works with a proprietary blend of peptides, niacinamide, Liposome-encapsulated hyaluronic acid, and potent botanicals to smooth wrinkles, brighten hyperpigmentation, and firm skin. 24/7 Barrier Balance Cream (1.5 fl oz) provides deep hydration while repairing the natural moisture barrier, and 2-Minute Reveal Masque (2.5 fl oz) gently exfoliates, refines pores, and clarifies with sugar crystals, papaya fruit enzymes, and lactic acid.

Key Features:

  • Formulated with Age Repair Defensins technology, featuring patented peptides that help to facilitate the production of new skin
  • Peptides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid promote a youthful complexion
  • Three-piece skin care set targets 16 signs of aging
  • Dermatologist-tested
  • Free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, petrolatum, pthlatates, paraffin, colorants and gluten
  • Fragrance-free option available

[This contest is open to all legal residents of the US and will close on Monday, August 30th at 11:59:59 P.M. PST. Winners will be chosen at random. This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram.

End of Summer Berry Crisp Dump Cake

I keep seeing a bunch of “dump cake” recipes on Tik Tok and decided to try my own. I found this one and brought it with me to a friend’s house. It was so easy to make and came out great. I find it is best to serve this cake right after it comes out of the oven. It would be great for the upcoming Labor Day weekend. Stay tuned I am working on some of these Dump Cakes in fall flavors for fall celebrations too.

  • 2 bags frozen mixed berries
  • 1 box french vanilla cake mix
  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup salted butter melted
  • Heat oven to 350° and spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Spread out frozen berries in the bottom of the dish (
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix ), oats, and melted butter. Stir together until thick crumbles form. Sprinkle evenly over the frozen berries. (If you are watching carbs you do not need to add the oats!!!)
  • Cook for 50-55 minutes. Crisp topping will be a golden brown and the berries will be bubbling.
  • Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream

8 Best Foods to Eat When You Are Sick…

Did you know that certain foods can boost your immune system, work as a remedy for sore throat and congestion, and even shorten the duration and reduce the severity of the common cold?

While medications certainly help, you can support the healing process by eating certain foods.

Foods like garlic have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, while citrus fruits have high amounts of vitamin C to help you feel less miserable and get better faster.

Next time you’re beginning to feel under the weather, remember these eight foods to eat when you’re sick.

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1. Chicken or Other Broth-Based Soup

Broth-based soups are great for when you’re feeling under the weather. Chicken soup has been touted as the best food to eat for colds and flu since the 12th century, and research backs this claim up.

Chicken soup has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties due to cysteine, which is an amino acid found in chicken that is thought to thin mucous in the lungs.

The steam from chicken soup also helps moisten nasal passages and reduces inflammation in the throat. Research has also shown that chicken soup and the thick vegetables and broth that go into it inhibit neutrophil migration in patients with upper respiratory infections.

2. Fermented Food

According to research published in the British Journal of Nutrition, fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut contain probiotics that can help prevent colds and even shorten their duration.

Fermented foods can help you feel better when you’re sick because they contain live “healthy” bacteria that support your gut biome. More and more studies are suggesting that a healthy gut biome aids digestion and supports a strong immune system.

Other fermented foods include cultured plain yogurt, fermented soy, pickled vegetables, kombucha, and miso.

3. Hot Tea

Hot tea is a great way to stay hydrated when you’re sick, and the steam can also clear your sinuses and soothe a sore throat. Some teas have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which can also help support your immune system.

According to the Journal of Complementary Medicine, there is evidence that drinking Echinacea tea can boost your immune system and shorten the duration of the common cold – and a squeeze of lemon and spoon of honey in your tea can help ease other symptoms, too.

4. Garlic

Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and immune-boosting properties – it is a powerhouse when it comes to fighting colds and flu.

You can add freshly-pressed garlic cloves to soups and stews or you can try a garlic-infused tea. To make garlic tea, chop three cloves of garlic and infuse them in hot water – try adding honey and fresh lemon juice to disguise the pungent garlic flavor.

5. Raw Honey

Like garlic, honey is another powerhouse for fighting colds and flu. 100% pure, raw honey contains an array of antioxidants to fight inflammation of the nasal passages and throat. Honey also has antibacterial and antifungal properties because it naturally contains hydrogen peroxide. Manuka honey kills germs and reduces the duration of infections.

Raw honey also boosts the immune system, helps treat digestive issues, and has also been shown to work as well as dextromethorphan (found in cough suppressant cough medicine) as a natural cough suppressant.

6. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which – according to studies – may reduce the length and severity of the common cold. Citrus fruit such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit also contain flavonoids, which reduce inflammation and give your immune system a boost.

Eating foods that contain high amounts of vitamin C is always a good idea, however, be cautious if you are feeling nauseous or if you have a sore throat because the amount of acid in these foods can irritate your throat and stomach lining.

7. Popsicles and Sorbet

Although it may seem counterproductive to eat something as cold as popsicles or sorbet when you’re feeling ill, they are a great way to stay hydrated. The cold temperature soothes a sore throat by reducing inflammation, and staying hydrated when you are sick helps your body thin out mucous and reduce congestion.

The healthiest popsicles and sorbets to eat when you’re sick are made from 100% pure fruit, and choosing orange and other citrus fruit flavors will give you an extra dose of vitamin C and flavonoids, too.

8. Bananas

Bananas are mild in flavor and bland enough to eat even when you’re feeling nauseous. Bananas contain essential nutrients like potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese, soluble fiber, and several antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties. Bananas are also great for gastrointestinal illnesses like norovirus.

We Found More Of What You Asked For

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  1. I love having these gold scissors sitting on my desk or kitchen island. I am actually happy when they are not put away!!
  2. This ruffle dress is adorable. I would throw on some white flip flops and you are perfect for walking around town or an early dinner!!
  3. Lace is going to be HUGE this fall, let’s start with this adorable blouse!
  4. I wore this top all last summer, I am so happy they brought it back.
  5. Another pretty blouse, I especially love the flared sleeve.
  6. This Target dress is giving me Roberta Roller Vibes.
  7. I am so into making Charcuterie boards. This Veuve Cliquot is on my wish list
  8. I would love this cute little matching ice bucket…
  9. Here is another color…
  10. What a cute white shirt for the fall with jeans or leather pants.
  11. This Serena and Lilly scalloped tray is fabulous!
  12. I am asked for silver cleaner for flatware and serving pieces. I have been using this for years. It works perfectly. You can also put small silver items and jewelry in the canister as well.
  13. This hat was a best seller all summer. The look is great but the price point is better!!
  14. Another fabulous lace blouse…I fell in love with this the first time I saw it…
  15. I love these fancy flip flops!

Book Club Monday

This week’s Book Club choice is Behind the Bid,  Li-En Chong’s hilarious #OwnVoices debut –  that reveals the secretive, elite world of high-end auctions, where class identity determines the rules.

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Based on Chong’s eight years of experiences at Hong Kong-based international auction houses, Behind the Bid spins a laugh-out-loud, witty tale of what it takes to get to the top when you are weighed down with baggage that isn’t bespoke exotic leather. “Each incident and character in Behind the Bid holds a kernel of truth,” Chong explains, “Sometimes downplayed to seem more believable!”

A must-read for fans of Crazy Rich Asians and The Devil Wears Prada, luxury, ambition, and snark shine in this witty examination of wealth and excess. “Ambition requires a degree of ruthlessness and in women, it is too often criticized as aggressiveness,” Chong says, “I also wanted to address the stereotype of the docile Asian woman in a light-hearted way.”

Let’s all get together and read this book and then we can ask the author to speak to us via Zoom to answer our questions or to tell us some funny anecdotes like the time she cracked an exquisite sapphire ring. Click HERE to purchase the kindle or book or for more information!!!

Are You Ready For A Laundry Cleaning Miracle?

I was so excited when Tide asked me to partner with them for their new detergent, Tide One Wash Miracle. It is absolutely amazing in getting those really stubborn impossible smelling items looking fresh and as good as new! I am always asked by readers for the best detergent for getting athletic clothes fresh smelling or to get pet orders out of fabrics or musty orders out of towels, and this is the best product I have found so far.

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You will get a certainty of clean for your family’s laundry with Tide One Wash MiracleEliminate stubborn odors and get a deeper clean for your laundry than regular washing.

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Use One Wash Miracle in place of your regular detergent and let the dual-chamber formula handle the rest. Safe on virtually all fabrics that are machine washable, including:

  • Everyday Clothing
  • Musty Towels
  • Sweaty Athletic Wear
  • Washable Smelly Pet Items
  • Washable Smelly Sports Gear
  • Any Washable Smelly Clothing
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Simply remove the cap, pour it in or drop in the canister, and start your laundry. The powerful liquid detergent and odor-eliminating agents combine at the time of the wash, maximizing the cleaning power and cleans fabrics without masking scents or perfumes. Tide One Wash Miracle is safe for front load, top load, and HE washing machines, and comes in a Tide Fresh Coral Blast scent (lightly scented).

Are you curious or ready to try? Click HERE to try this laundry miracle and get 10% off your entire purchase.

View full ingredients list click here