Tricia's Musings

Random Thoughts about life in general, living in the big city of Toronto



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Save Money on Beauty Care Yet Look Like a Million Bucks!

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It can seem almost impossible to find good beauty products without spending an arm and a leg. Not to fear: while it may seem that way, it is not entirely impossible. In fact, you can take care of all of your basic fashion and beauty needs with everyday household items.

As crazy as it sounds, it is true! Some of the household items you will see on this list may actually be better for your beauty routine than some of the store-bought items you own.

Below is a plethora of ideas that will help you to save big on money while still looking like a million bucks.

Skin

Before you click “buy now” on the next bottle of your favorite, slightly overpriced face wash, finish reading this article. After you finish reading this article, go directly to your kitchen. You may not collect $200, but you won’t need to after these money-saving tips.

If you have brown sugar and honey in your baking cupboard, then you are in luck. Mix equal amounts of both into a jar and use it as a sugary-scented body scrub. You can also create a deeper reaching scrub by combining sea salt and olive oil.

If you are running pretty low on a few essential beauty items, don’t leave for the store just yet. Finish reading this paragraph! If you are getting to the last drops of your favorite perfume or body spray, don’t toss it into the trash. Instead, you can pour those few drops into your body wash, face wash, or moisturizer to help the scent last even longer.

Another easy way to save on cash is by using bar soap instead of body wash. The former is typically much cheaper because they require less packaging.

Hair

Here is a tip to save you both time and money: only wash your hair every other day. When you wash your hair too often, you are ridding it of essential oils that keep it healthy. If you feel like your hair has excess oil, you can rub a pinch of baby powder on the roots of your hair.

Have you used clarifying shampoo in the past to keep your hair healthy and full of shine? Did you stop buying it because you were spending too much money? If so, here is a useful tip to get the best of both worlds: rinse your hair with the apple cider vinegar hidden in your cupboard. The vinegar will work to give your hair the extra shine you desire without spending the extra cash.

Nails

Did you know that the quick fix to your nail woes is hidden in your desk drawer? It’s sitting right next to your pens and pencils. The secret fix is actually your White Out. If you received a French manicure recently but don’t want to spend the extra cash to get your chips fixed, then go ahead and fill in the chips with White Out.

Lips

We have one last tip before you run to your kitchen in search of your new beauty products. This one’s about your lipstick. Do you have a bunch of tubes with a little bit of lipstick? Cut off the extra pieces, mix them in a microwavable container, pop it in the microwave, and rub it on whenever you want some lip balm.

After you give these tips a try, let us know what you think!  Do you have a suggestion we left off the list?  Let us know about those too!

Blogger Mayra Zepeda loves trying out low-cost, DIY beauty ideas.  She also likes taking advantage of inexpensive ways to change up her appearance.  For example, she is a big fan of cheap colored contact.





Lilies Flower Guide

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Lilies are a work of art from nature. This flower is everything a flower should be; it has strong colour and an elegant shape. The slightest variation in tone and you are already sending an entirely different message to the world.

Give white lilies to someone you feel is serene and pure, as this is what this flower symbolises, and is sure to fit their personality well. For someone with a strong and proud nature a bouquet of orange lilies will suit the strength of their personality.

Start using orange lilies in your fall décor; this is the flower you should be looking at first, as it has the warm shades needed to suit the season. This flower will make a great impression as part of an arrangement for an autumn party. Yellow and red lilies are also suitable, either in a single colour arrangement or in a combination of all three colours. These can also be combined with roses or gerberas to suit

The petals of this flower may appear to be delicate, but it is actually among the more long-lasting of blooms. So you can use it for events that stretch over a longer period. Conference tables, reading lecterns and side tables can all be decorated with lilies. The lily is large enough to make an impression in a bigger space, such as on stage, or around a gateway, where a smaller bloom would appear insignificant.

For the bride-to-be planning an autumn wedding this bloom really has the endurance and beauty to outlast the ceremony. A particular favourite for a bridal bouquet is the simplest possible posy of pure white lilies tied together with string or raffia.

Though the calla lily is a floral favourite, what many people do not know is that it is not actually a lily at all, but belongs to a different family. But it does not matter, as they are equal in their beauty.

One favourite idea of mine is to give this flower as an accessory to a gift, for example, floral bouquets for birthdays do not need to be extravagant. A single lily arranged in wrapping paper and tied with ribbon, will not go unappreciated. Send this flower accompanied by a small box of chocolates for total delight.

This flower is also appropriate as a special surprise for you partner or spouse, as it conveys the meaning of ‘Gentle Love’. Send lilies as a quick reminder of your love.

This post is written by London flower delivery company – Flowers24hours.co.uk

Everything You Need to Know about Dogs and Heartworms

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No matter what type of breed you have, or where you live, heartworms are a threat to your dog. Heartworms are exactly what they sound like: worms that live in your dog’s heart. As you might expect, this condition is very costly, and extremely dangerous for your furry friend. Fortunately, it is also relatively easy to prevent. Here is everything you need to know about dogs and heartworms:

How do dogs get heartworms? There are many myths surrounding the spread of heartworms, but the truth is that they can only be spread in one way – by mosquito. This means that your dog cannot give it to other dogs, or to you. If a mosquito infected with heartworm larva bites your dog – and one bite is all it takes – then your dog can become infected. Unfortunately, mosquitoes are everywhere, and there is no way to tell which mosquitoes are infected and which aren’t. That is why prevention is so important.

What are the symptoms of heartworm infection? The worst thing about heartworm infection is that it often takes a long time for symptoms to present, which means you won’t know your dog has heartworms until the condition has progressed enough to cause health problems. The earliest symptoms are shortness of breath and coughing. Eventually, your dog could lose energy and not be able to exercise, and may even pass out from lack of blood flow. If left untreated heartworms can lead to death.

How do you treat heartworms? The best way to treat heartworms is with a drug called Immiticide. This drug is delivered in a series of three injections; however, there are two ways to proceed with treatment. The most preferable (and safest) way is to run a course of pre-treatment prep work, including x-rays and blood work, in order to determine the seriousness of the case before giving the drug. This method is rather expensive (around $1000), so it is not unusual for dog owners to forego this step and proceed straight to the injections, which cost around $300.

How do you prevent heartworms? Of course, the best approach to heartworms is prevention. You have a few options when it comes to prevention: monthly topical treatments, monthly pills, or twice-yearly injections. The great news is that these treatments are extremely inexpensive (less than $100 for an entire year’s treatment) and easy to administer.

If your dog has heartworms, then you should know that the condition can be successfully treated, as long as you catch it in time. Therefore, you should pay close attention to signs that your furry friend may have contracted this troublesome infection.

About the Author: Bok Leikam just adopted a new puppy and the vet put him on heartworm meds right away. He orders his petmeds online to keep costs low and spends a great deal of time caring for his new family member.

Some Ways To Improve Your Arthritis

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There are millions of people that deal with the pain and frustration that comes with various types of arthritis each and every day.  Unfortunately, this particular health condition has the tendency to stick around and can get progressively worse overtime.  If you’re one of the many that suffer with this problem, you’d probably be interested in learning about some of the treatment options that are available.

Medicinal Options

Many health professionals will stress the importance of introducing some type of medicinal treatment into your daily routine as a way to reduce the effects of arthritis.  For some individuals, this prospect can be stressful, frustrating, and even introduce a number of side effects into the picture.  However, it is important to understand that finding an effective medication often requires a certain amount of trial and error.

As each human body is unique, so too are the ways that one person may respond to one medicine or another.  Usually the only way to be sure how you will react to a type of medication is to give various doses a shot, and to adjust them as needed.  This process can take a considerable amount of time, but for those individuals that find the right balance, it can pay off immensely.

Physical Treatment Options

Of course, there are more ways to counteract this medical condition.  Staying active is an important part of keeping your body as healthy as possible.  While this can be a real challenge for people who suffer from arthritis, finding the right exercise routine can have a big impact on your overall mobility.  Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy, or even recommend finding another activity to keep you moving.

Enrolling in a yoga, tai chi, or water aerobics class are popular solutions that can help you stay fit without causing excessive stress on your joints.  It is important for people with arthritis to start fitness plans at a slow pace as to avoid over-exerting themselves to the point of causing more pain and discomfort.  As your body becomes more accustomed to the movements and the routine, you should be able to increase your frequency and intensity little by little.

Diet

You might be surprised to learn that diet can have a real effect on the way that your body moves and operates.  Like a car, keeping your body healthy requires the right fuel to keep it running smoothly.  Speaking with your doctor or someone with training in proper nutrition could help you eliminate the harmful foods, and incorporate more beneficial eating habits into your diet.

A Balancing Act

Depending on your individual situation and what type of arthritis you are dealing with, you may find that combining more than one treatment method provides the best results.  In fact, many doctors recommend that their patients find a good balance of all of these treatment methods to improve overall health, as well as to address their arthritis.  Doing some research, or speaking to your doctor to learn more about your options might just be the first step towards being healthier.

Staying healthy when you’ve got a health condition working against you can be a real challenge, but it is possible.  While it cannot be denied that arthritis can be a painful condition, with the right treatment plan that possesses the most effective balance, you may be able to take back control of your life.

Written by Lawrence Reaves for Solstice Medicine, providing chinese herbal medicines to treat ailments such as arthritis and joint pain and many other illnesses.

Out With The Old – The Therapeutic Benefits Of Regular Wardrobe Clean Outs

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Seasons change and times change. Changes in life can without a doubt be difficult, but in certain situations it can bring forth a great sense of renewal if you feel unsatisfied or monotonous. Believe it or not, but regularly rewarding yourself with a cleansed wardrobe can therapeutically benefit you and give you a new outlook on life.

Having to wake up for work in the morning with the same clothing options in your closet month after month can become tedious and boring. If you have come to a point to where you’ve tried every possible combination of skirts and blouses, your jeans have snags in them and your favorite purse no longer zips, then maybe it is time to purge and refresh your wardrobe. Neglecting your wardrobe and accepting it even if it does not meet your true personal expectations can drain you of your energy and self esteem.

Although you do not have to completely clean out everything in your closet if you so choose not to, start with clothing that you no longer wear. This can include shirts that are missing buttons or pants you are no longer able to fit. Also, remove clothing that you wore at a difficult period of time in your life, such as a divorce or family death. Casting these clothes out of your closet will also cast out any emotional baggage and ties. You would be amazed at how much better you will feel.

As stated previously, times change. Acid washed jeans and tie-dye shirts are a thing of the past. Getting rid of outdated clothing will make you feel more modern and youthful.

You could sell your old items to a second hand shop and get a small amount of money for them to put towards your new clothing and fashion accessories. You could also throw them into a bag and take it to the nearest donation center. Knowing that you are helping a less fortunate individual will bring about a rewarding sense of self satisfaction. You will also feel less wasteful. The clothing in your closet can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars, you definitely do not want to completely throw these items into the trash.

Cleaning out your wardrobe will provide you with a sense of freshness and freedom to take on any new style that you may want to try, but never possessed the courage to do so before. Become creative and try out new accessories that you never wore before. Become bold and daring with different colors and patterns. Obtain ideas from your favorite fashion magazines and create different looks that you like.

Once you fill your closet with a brand spanking new funky wardrobe, you are going to feel empowered and ready to take on the world in your new clothing and accessories.

Of course personal budget must be taken into consideration when changing your wardrobe. However, you can find some pretty amazing things on clearance racks. Change you wardrobe whenever you feel the need for a fresh start and when you are financially stable to do so.

Article by Noelle Greenwood who owns and operates Australian online fashion stores Accessory Heaven and Wallet Shop.

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