3 Simple Ways to Effortlessly Cure Dry Skin This Busy Holiday Season

How's the weather treating you? If you’re like me and many other ladies over the country, then you’re starting to dread this chilly wind that this season brings. These past few days, I've been going out and about in my skinnies, chunky ankle boots and an oversize top or sweater. It might seem like a normal hip outfit but I’m actually trying to hide as much skin as I can.

My dry skin has been forcing me to hide under piles and piles of clothes this holiday season. But to continue on the cheers, I’m going to share with you today a couple of things that I learned and have been practicing to keep this seasonal skin problem at bay. Let me know how these would work for you and please do share this with your family and friends so we can all have a fabulous skin even if it’s the busiest time of the year.

First, stay hydrated. Nothing can beat dry and flaky skin better than the good ol’ H20. Drink it cold or lukewarm, it can surely quench your thirst and help your skin stay supple despite the chilly weather. But remember that drinking gallons of water in a day can only do so much.

Your efforts to keep your skin soft can be made more effective when you also control your alcohol consumption and try to quit smoking. Though these conditions make having good skin pretty difficult – but trust me, it’ll be all worth it in the end. If you want to kick it up a notch, you should also start eating healthy. Mix in more fruit and vegetables in your diet. These natural produce also have a considerable amount of fluids that could keep you hydrated. That is on top of containing vitamins and minerals that will keep your skin and body healthy both inside and out.

And then don’t take a bath. Of course I’m kidding – but truth to be told, taking a bath can dry your skin so if possible, don’t spend too much time in the shower thinking about the most important decisions you have to make in your life. And please take the singing somewhere else too. You can try to launch your singing career at YouTube so better ask Santa for a video camera this Christmas.

But kidding aside, harsh body soaps and even plain water can rob your skin of its natural minerals. The best thing that you can do to prevent this is to shift to rich liquid soaps during the fall and winter season. Your skin should continue to feel like a pair of velvet ankle boots once you make the big change. Another thing that you can do is to use heavy skin moisturizers, lotions or body butter to lock in moisture and hydration.

But if you do decide to take a bath, it helps to exfoliate twice a week. The beads on a body scrub doesn't make your skin dry – it even removes the dry layer of dead skin on your body so you can have that soft and smooth all over.

Do you get dry skin during the holiday season?

Faux snake skin looks great on a pair of boots – but on your skin? It certainly does not. Provide extra care for your skin this holiday season to avoid red patches and flaky skin. Let me know how you show your holiday loving to your skin by sharing your personal tips and tricks below.

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Holiday Fashion: 3 Outfit Must-Haves for Traveling In Style

Are you going somewhere this holiday? No, I’m not going to stalk you. But I’d surely love to know if you have any of the traveling-in-style essentials that I've listed below.

I’m pretty excited to share with you these 3 travel must-haves so let’s get it on. Zip up your favorite pair of chic Bamboo Shoes and let’s start spreading holiday cheers in style.

Holiday Travel Style # 1 Put on something skinny

Have you tried going for a long ride or a 20-hour flight wearing a skirt? Sure, it keeps your feminine flair but was it comfortable? Traveling during the holiday season is nothing like doing so in some other time of the year. Keep in mind that this is the busiest time of the year in possibly every part of the globe. Just so you can be ready for anything, say a delayed flight, it would be best for you to wear pants. You can go for jeans, leather, floral or even a polka dotted one to express your personal style.

Being comfortable is your main goal throughout the trip is your main goal – so skip the excessive Bling or plunging top. Save the fancy outfit for your next night out with your friends.

Holiday Travel Style # 2 Be comfy in flat shoes

Though A-list celebrities have been giving us a lesson or two on how to travel the world in high heels, I’d rather leave that traveling fashion style to them. I’m more of the Bamboo Shoes wearing kind of girl and I love it. Here are 3 reasons why you should love ballet flats and sneakers for travelling:

• Run in the plane, the train or the airport without worrying about a breaking heel
• All you have to worry about is a tired foot – no thinking about aching muscles and foot from killer stilettos
• Get that effortless fashion vibe without trying too much

If you’re not a fan of utterly low pairs of shoes, just go for a pair that’s not higher than 3 inches. This would give you the comfort of ballet flats while maintaining that sexy feel that you so love from high-heeled shoes.

Holiday Travel Style # 3 Cozy up with a scarf and a jacket

Aside from the chilly weather that we’re having, the holiday season is just a wonderful time for snuggling – with or without that special someone.

It’s that time of the year when single ladies all over the country, myself included, can legally snuggle up with their fur coats. But kidding aside, traveling in style requires a couple of accessories that wouldn't easily get lost while keeping you fab and comfortable.

I highly recommend that you skip pilling on bangles and other jewelry pieces when you travel since they can easily get lost. Staying with the basics like a watch, a pair of earrings and a ring or two would be enough. Just get your style on by making a statement with your oversize wool scarf and leather jacket.

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3 + 1 Expert Tips To Keep Your Skin Glowing This Holiday Season

I know that parties, marathon shopping and cocktail drinks are always part of merry making during the holiday season. Without sumptuous food and great drinks, Christmas might as well be just any other ordinary holiday. You can always make the holiday season fun by just gifting yourself with a candy-colored pair of Bamboo Shoes. But without all the glitz, fun and stress – it doesn't feel the same.

You see – this very fact makes me wish year after year that cocktails were made from some magical alcoholic drink that doesn't dry the skin. So today, I’m sharing with you 3 + 1 effective ways to keep your skin healthy throughout this holiday season. Let me know how these tips work for you by leaving me a shout out below.

Great Holiday Skin Tip # 1 Shift to oil-free moisturizers

Dryness is just one of the common skin problems during the holiday season. But another skin care concern that’s taking the spotlight is the outbreak of acne caused by lack of sleep, stress and too much partying. One of the best ways to keep your skin clear, smooth and radiant this cherry season is to trade your regular moisturizer for an oil-free one.

Even if your skin condition is normal on the average, it is very possible to start getting a little bit more oily than usual with your busy holiday schedule. Stop acne before it develops by taking on a special beauty practice this season. Think of it as taking care of that designer pair of shoes that you longed to own.

Great Holiday Skin Tip # 2 Slather on some sunscreen

This is a non-negotiable. Putting on sunscreen does tons for our especially now with the unstable environmental condition where summers are hotter and winters go even colder. Keep in mind that the sun can affect our skin even if we don’t see it directly in the sky. With that, I mean to say that as long as the sun rises – you’re skin would need protection from the sun’s UVB and UVA rays.

Great Holiday Skin Tip # 3 Take loads of water and fruit juices

I've yet to know if Santa Clause would grant this wish of mine this year but until then, it’s inevitable. For the longest time, I’ve been dealing with its effects during the holiday season in two ways. One is that I drink responsibly and second is that I load up on water and fruit juices to wash down my system after a drinking spree. Aside from keeping me dehydrated, these healthier drinks are also refreshing to the taste buds.

ULTIMATE HOLIDAY SKIN CARE TIP: Never skip your nightly cleaning regimen. No matter how tired or dizzy you are, always make it a point to remove not only your shoes but your make up as well to get rid of the dirt and oil that might have accumulated while you were out. This tried and tested skin care tip has never failed so it’s really worth it to give it a try.

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Post-Thanksgiving Dilemma: How Will You Go Holiday Shopping? Online vs. Old Style

Still thinking of whether to accomplish your holiday shopping list online or through the traditional way?

Here’s a short guide to help you find the most efficient way of shopping that fits your lifestyle. It doesn't matter if you still can’t decide on how to get that sassy pair of wedge boots, these 3 tips have surely got you covered. Let me know how this got you to make up your mind by leaving a comment below.

Shopping Dilemma Cure # 1 Online shopping is pretty much the same as going to the mall

I know they should be different but they’re really just one and the same. To look at it at simplest way, buying online or offline is just that – buying so none of them is rocket science when you come to think of it.

The biggest difference between the two is the way of buying a piece of clothing, a pair of boots or whatever it is that you’d like to buy. Online shopping, especially during the holiday season, provides instant access to tens of thousands of products with just a few clicks which makes it very convenient for the shopper. Who wouldn't want to get things done without leaving their home, right?

With convenience being the upside of online shopping, going to the mall has its own perks to like getting to try on and inspect the quality of the product before paying for it. Another advantage of taking a trip to the mall or the retail shop is that you’d be able to take your item home at once after you pay for it. If the shopping crowd is manageable, the longest time you’d wait possibly wait to get the product is like 15 minutes tops.

Shopping Dilemma Cure # 2 Research online, buy offline

A lot people are reaping the rewards of online research when it comes to getting the best deals and finding the right product for their needs. I actually find this way of shopping really help since it allows me to make informed decisions. With tons of product reviews, expert bloggers, price charts and other resources available online, I’m just not sure how anyone can still go to a store not knowing a thing about what they’d like to buy.

Doing online research before heading to the store has been giving me huge savings on many purchases. Aside from giving me the chance to catch special online deals for wedges and other fancy shoes, I also get to compare prices and products that surely give more options.

Shopping Dilemma Cure # 3 Fitting is the best policy

Aside from factory defects, dresses and boots are commonly returned to a store because they just don’t fit right. Remember that in fashion, anything too loose or too tight is less than ideal especially if not’s flattering to your figure. To avoid the hassles of having to return items in a retail store or an online one, make sure to get the measurements right.

Although offline holiday shopping may have an advantage in this area, it is very much possible to get the perfect fit when you shop at a virtual store. The key is to know your size before hand and take time to understand the size chart of the merchant if it doesn't follow standards

Are you up for some cross-channel holiday shopping this year?

Let me know if you’re going to shop in stores or online or both this busy holiday season. Share with me your shopping escapades this past Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales at the comments below.

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Don’t Mourn on Black Friday: 3 Reasonable Ways to Get the Best Gadget Deals

I just can’t wait for the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales this year! As a matter of fact, I spent the last 10 months of this saving up to make the most out of my laptop purchase. I’m pretty sure I can beat any scrolling LED sign when it comes to rushing into a store and grabbing my new laptop.

Before any outdoor scrolling LED sign lights up for the most awaited Black Friday sale, here are 3 practical tips that would help you get the best deals on the hottest gadgets this season:

Black Friday Gadget Buying Tip # 1 Know what you need

What you want is not always what you need. Keep in mind that there is a big difference between the two – and more often than not, it is a few hundred bucks. When buying electronic gadgets on Black Friday, make sure that these products suits your needs.

Laptops, tablets and smartphones are best viewed as investments. Aside from the hefty sum of money you pay to bring them home, you should also think about the costs that you might obtain in maintaining your electronic toys.

Remember that top of the line gadgets might need high-end accessories or spare parts when they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. If you are not sure whether your monthly budget can accommodate costly repairs, stick with a model that delivers nothing more than your needs.

Not sure what you need? Do some thorough research before the Black Friday sale hits. Aside from reading reviews online, you can ask your family and friends for advice especially if they already have a similar product. Weigh the suggestions and information you get before settling on a model that you think is right for you.

Black Friday Gadget Buying Tip # 2 Stay on the budget

Money doesn’t grow on trees. No matter how bad we wish for dollar bills to start sprouting out of leaves, they don’t and it will never probably happen. Buying what you can only afford is giving justice to your hard-earned money. But buying top of the line products is not bad at all. Just know that every purchase you make becomes your responsibility.

How can I stay on the budget? I’m pretty sure you’re asking yourself this very moment. And I have a couple of tips for you. Looking for the electronic gadget of your dreams should start months before the Black Friday sale. Once you’ve found the one, start looking for its regular price. This will give you a pretty good idea on how much to prepare. When the Black Friday season creeps in, start hunting for a deal on stores that carry the product. It is best to check the price in at least 3 stores so that you’ll be able to compare them. If your gadget is included in the sale, expect to spend way less than its original price. Keep an eye on the store and rush to get your hands on that coveted gadget on the big Black Friday or Cyber Monday sale.

Black Friday Gadget Buying Tip # 3

Make sure that after-sales support is available In buying cameras or tablets, never think that you can fix them by yourself. Working for the manufacturer is of course an exception. But kidding aside, customer support is very important when buying electrical gadgets. Remember to ask about return and refund policies especially when you buy gadgets during the sale. Also, make sure that a user manual is included just in case you need more directions in setting up your purchase. Always keep the customer service hotline so that you can easily call the store or the manufacturer for assistance on warranty claims and other needs.

Are you ready to beat the opening of store signs and shop on Black Friday? I’d love to know what’s on your wish list this year so do leave me a comment below.

Shopping Application on your iPad Mini

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