Summer Beauty Tips

Tip #1:

I have sensitive skin. It's olive-toned and I generally tan easily in the summer, which makes it seem like I would have a tough hide. But I have always had extremely sensitive skin. When I was a teenager I had my share of pimples and there was a limit to what skin care products I could use on my face as most things caused me to break-out further. Even today something as simple as the moisturizing strips on my razor give me a rash in the underarm and bikini areas if I'm not careful to exfoliate regularly. 

I mentioned my issues with razor-burn/rash to a friend who then shared a tip she'd gotten from a friend. She recommended using those exfoliating scrubby mitts to scrub the affected areas each time she showers. Yes, she recommended using them in the underarm area and bikini area, gently of course, where you get shaving irritation. I was slightly hesitant at first but after seeing the results after using the exfoliating mitts just a few times, I was hooked. What an awesome tip and one I use on a regular basis now. 

Tip #2:

Yes, I use them on a regular basis now, with the exception of those occasions when I'm so sleepy, can barely stand up in the shower and couldn't be bothered to struggle to pull those things onto my hands. Sometimes I think I should put them on before I get in the shower when both my hands and the scrubby mitts are dry but that seems a bit awkward and I usually exfoliate toward the end of my shower. 

Then I discovered something amazing. One day when I was in a particular hurry I grabbed the mitts while I still had soap on my hands and would you believe it? They slipped right on! The following day I actually lathered my hands up with soap first and those babies pulled right on like butter. No struggle at all. I’d like to think I saved myself some time with this discovery but in all honesty it might save one minute of time, if I am generous. 

Even so, the added ease of using them makes it that more likely that I will actually exfoliate my irritation/rash prone regions on a regular basis. Which, with summer right around the corner, is a good thing.

Do you have any tips for battling razor and shaving irritation? I’d love to know! 

It's Pimm's O'Clock!

Summer to me is sunshine, fresh berries, picnics and a swim in the sea, soft breezes blowing as I ride my bike, and cool refreshing beverages to break up the heat. Okay, an ice cream cone now and again can’t hurt either. But a recent re-discovery (in London, of course) of a classy English cocktail has reminded me of another lovely association with summer: The Pimm’s Cup Cocktail. 

Many years ago while traveling back to the US from Sweden we had a 24-hour layover in England. Deciding that one day wasn’t really enough to see much of London, we opted to go down to Brighton for the day instead, to visit my husband’s goddaughter and her parents. They took us to dinner at a lovely little restaurant called Bill’s (I wrote about the London location in my Breakfast in London post), where I discovered, or rather was introduced to, the Pimm’s Cup Cocktail. It was so delicious, fruity, and refreshing that as soon as we arrived back home to Texas and settled in, I headed to the liquor store to purchase a bottle of Pimm’s No. 1 so that we could re-create this lovely summer drink.

On our recent London excursion, I was reminded of this tasty beverage and, even though we did not sample a Pimm's Cup Cocktail while there, I was inspired yet again to make one myself. 

Here it is...

Pimm's Cup Cocktail:

Ingredients:

8-10 fresh mint leaves

8-10 slices of English cucumber

10 cubes diced watermelon

10 cubes diced nectarine

8 frozen (or fresh) strawberries

Fresh squeezed lemon juice (approximately 1 lemon)

Agave syrup

Pimm's No. 1

Ice 

2 mint sprigs

Makes 2 cocktails

In the bottom of two glasses, place a small handful of mint leaves, crushed gently with your fingers, several slices of cucumber, 4-5 cubes of diced watermelon, 4-5 cubes of diced nectarine, 4 frozen strawberries, then fill with ice. 

In your cocktail shaker:

2 parts freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 part agave syrup

2 parts Pimm’s No. 1

Shake and pour evenly into the two glasses. Add seven-up, ginger ale, or sparkling lemonade. Top with a sprig of fresh mint and enjoy!

You can also serve your Pimm’s Cup Cocktails with a small spoon, for enjoying the fruit at the bottom once your drink is finished. Refreshing, light, summery. What else could you ask for? Aside from a warm sunny day to enjoy it with?

*Use other fruits of your liking as well. I'd like to try making one with rhubarb syrup and sparkling water in place of the seven-up, ginger ale, or sparkling lemonade. ;-)

Happy Summer!

Ps. A couple of other suggestions for enjoying Pimm's No. 1:

Pimm's Royal Cup: 

Equal parts Pimm's No. 1 and champagne. Drop a strawberry or two into the bottom of the glass and garnish with a mint leaf.

Pimm's Midsommar Cup:

Same ingredients as the Pimm's Cup Cocktail above only use all strawberries for your fruit and sparkling lemonade instead of seven-up or ginger ale.

25 Rules for a Happy Vacation

(Cooling off the tootsies at Finnhamn)

• Leave your expectations at home. Something always "goes wrong" or doesn't happen as you expect. Hence, the “leave your expectations at home” rule, which just might be the most important one. 
• Over packing is okay. You're on vacation. Unless you are traveling with a backpack. Then pack as little as possible. 
• If you will be gone longer than a week, bring two sets of sleep clothes. You might have access to a laundry room but if you don't you'll be glad to put on fresh jammies at the start of week two. Maybe even ecstatic.
• If you aren't taking a plane, bring a reusable bottle for water. Makes life easier when you can fill it up at the hotel, hostel, cabin etc., and not have to think about where the nearest convenience store is. And they are often "inconvenient" to find when thirst strikes and you are in an unfamiliar place. 
• Eat ice cream, or some equivalent treat every day. This is vital to vacation happiness. You will be doing a lot of active exploring and you need to keep your energy up. 

(4 of the 18 flavors at 18 Smaker in Stockholm)

• Don't forget your camera and/or charger for said camera (or mobil phone if you use that for picture taking, which I do).
• Plan activities and places to visit at your destination ahead of time but leave room for some spontaneity too. 
• Sleep in until you wake up. You're on vacation!
• Band aids and Neosporin for blisters, scrapes, or cuts. Always. 
• If breakfast isn't included with your hotel room, venture out and try a local breakfast spot. This is one of my favorite things to do when traveling.

(Granola in Copenhagen)

• This may be crazy, but I always bring my own bar of soap. Being prone to migraines and sensitive to scents, having my own soap sometimes means the difference between a headache day or a non-headache day. And I love having a normal sized bar instead of those tiny medallions that I seem to constantly drop in the shower. 
• Sit at a cafe with a latte and treat and people watch. As often as possible. 
• Wet wipes or hand sanitizer can make your life easier, and germ free!
• Bring a rain jacket and/or umbrella.
• Go out for an evening stroll or bike ride after dinner. I tend to eat more and later when I am on vacation and getting even a little exercise after a big meal helps me sleep better. 

(A bike ride, with my rain jacket that I was happy to have brought along!)

• Drink lots of water! With all the extra coffees, beers, or glasses of wine I tend to forget to drink enough water. And hydration is always a good thing even if you are not consuming above mentioned beverages. 
• Plan down time. I have a tendency to go, go, go when I'm visiting a new place. I want to see as much as possible. But I've learned over the years, with some help from my husband, that vacation "naps" or quiet time is definitely not overrated. And they give you a second wind for continuing on with your exploration. 
• Go off the beaten path. I often find the hidden jewels of a city, town, or destination this way. Explore the local neighborhoods, not just the city center. 
• Buy local art. It is a nice keepsake and it supports the artist who is trying to make the world more beautiful.
• Be Happy all the live long day! You're on vacation!

(Need I say more?!)

• Take time to smell the roses, or other fragrant flowers, along the road. 
• Send post cards to family & friends. It may be old-fashioned in today's day and age but everyone loves to receive mail. And it's a nice way to let them know you are thinking of them. 
• Bring a good book to enjoy on the journey to and from your destination. 
• Invest in good luggage. The right rolling suitcase or carry-on/handbag can make a huge difference when you are hunting for your connections, hotel, etc. 
• And most importantly.... HAVE FUN!!!! You’re on vacation!

(Fun and games at the Mirror House in the Copenhagen's Central Park. We practically pee'd ourselves taking photos and using the mirrors to make our heads, feet and rumps huge or tiny. Embracing your inner kid is always lots of fun.)