So I’ve moved my sauna time up from 15 minutes to 30 minutes 2 times per week, and am thinking that maybe I want to do 3 times per week, because I’m already seeing a difference in my skin and dare I say it…my waist!

Fortunately, there is a regular sauna-goer at the time I’ve been regulating and she constantly is pouring water directly on the floor of the room to make the air more moist. Her belief system is that if the air is dry and hot, you will only release pure moisture from your skin, which isn’t good for wrinkles, or skin…however, if there is a constant influx of steam/moisture in the air, then the body releases toxins from the pores and the skin is still moisturized to a certain amount and wrinkles are actually prevented…if at all possible.

So yea…30 minutes in the sauna is the same as a 30 minute brisk walk, because your heart rate is higher, and the metabolism is increased as a result. And for a forced-exerciser like myself, I can easily see adding an additional 30 minute session per week in the sauna rather than another 30 minute session of the treadmill with much more success… lol.

happy sauna-ing!

I’ve completely fell in love with my bellydance fusion class at LA Fitness and am looking to maybe take some more intensive/dance-like classes to get more focused teaching instead of more focused work-out. Fortunately, the instructor has a schedule of the dance studio with tons of available courses for everyone, including little ones, to anywhere in between. Some of the classes that already pique my interest? Belly Dance, of course, but also the Candlelight Yoga, Zumba and African Dance. Check out BodyWorks Fitness & Performing Arts Studio. Pricing is also available on the website.

John McCain, whose ads skewer Barack Obama for his “celebrity” status, has his own close ties to show business, the new issue of Us Weekly reports exclusively.

The 72-year-old was recently made TV-ready by makeup artist Tifanie White who’s worked on So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol.

McCain paid the 2002 beauty-school grad $5,583.43 for her services, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Story source: USMagazineOnline.com

My take, you ask? Well, it seems like McCain got a super deal, especially if the MUA has to travel with him and take the worry off his face on location – I think I would charge closer to 8k to do that very same project. Just My input, of course, and probably why she got the gig and I didn’t.

Ingredients
2 parts ABSOLUT® LOS ANGELES
½ part Crème de Cassis de Dijon
3-4 basil leaves
½ ripe kiwi
¾ part fresh lime juice
½ part simple syrup
3 parts ginger beer

1. Muddle first six ingredients in a Boston glass.

2. Shake and strain into a Collins glass with ice.

3. Top with ginger beer.

4. Garnish with two thin slices of kiwi and a basil sprig.

For more information, go to absolut.com/cities.

ABSOLUT®. ACAI, ACEROLA, POMEGRANATE & BLUEBERRY FLAVORED VODKA. 40% ALC/VOL. ABSOLUT, ENJOY WITH ABSOLUT RESPONSIBILITY, ABSOLUT BOTTLE DESIGN AND ALL OTHER ABSOLUT TRADEMARKS ARE OWNED BY V&S VIN & SPRIT AB. ©2008 V&S VIN & SPRIT AB. ABSOLUT SPIRITS CO., NY, NY.

Parissa has their blue oil that comes with their wax strips, and Aveda has theirs in a roller ball, but both are basic run of the mill Chamomile Oil which is said to hinder the growth of body hair. I’ve saved mine from Parissa, and have been using it after I shave my legs and after shower care, but besides ultra smooth skin, I haven’t noticed any hair growth hinderance. Aveda claims that theirs will “balance, restore and awaken” but I’m not too sure about that claim either. I’ll give it one more week and she what happens.

Just a reminder – from 5-8 thursday is free coldstone ice cream day

Banana Ripening: Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

Ok ladies, here is a website to fuel some conversation or, if you’re like me, to completely stop you in your tracks. I don’t even know what to say. I can’t even fathom the thought. Seriously.

C’elle Collect your Monthly Miracle.

Just for the record…today I decided to splurge on a $3 latte, and of course, forever being on a calorie watch I ordered the new swanky Skinny Mocha Latte that I feel like I JUST blogged about and was told it has been discontinued. So apparantly, only the gross skinny vanilla latte is available. And so it starts, I believe.

I was surfing the web this morning and came across this recipe that sounds SO amazing…who’s up to try it out? I’m going to give it a run this weekend perhaps. I’ll post my results. I just hope my muffins end up looking as pretty!

Source: Written by Cassie Young on VeggieMealPlans.com

Using apple juice, ground flax, spelt flour, agave nectar, carrots of course, all spice and coconut shreds, it sounds unbelievable!

A woman’s chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer is about 1 in 233 when she’s in her 30s and rises to 1 in 8 by the time she’s reached 85. (source: health.com) The website Health.com has a quick-list for you to click on your age to find out what clinical things you should do/be aware of for your breast-wellness. For instance, I am in my 30′s and the list seems easy enough.

At my last gyno-pap appt, my doc gave me some good ideas on how to do the touchy-boobie thing in the shower while you are lathered up, because when your skin has soap on it, you will feel any lumps or other things you should be aware of fairly easy, as opposed to laying on your back and feeling around on dry skin. So here’s to happy boobies! xoxo

What does that mean? Here’s my list for today:

- Candles are going back onto the shelves
- I’m starting to put up my glittery flip-flops into storage, just keeping a couple of ‘generic’ pairs for trips to yoga & the grocery store on hot days.
- Stashing all coral, pearly and peach/nude toned lip gloss/lipstick
- Stashing glimmery bronzer. I’m still using matte bronzer as a highlighter/shadow/blush contour

- Going through my shoe collection & trying shoes since my feet are shrinking

I’d love to swap doggie costumes for the upcoming halloween season – my dog is 19 lbs, so all my costumes are size Medium, and I’d like to swap for the same. here is my list:

Fluffy bunny costume (jumpsuit style made of Kashwere material)
Pumpkin costume (includes hat, and collar with pumpkin swirls)
Bumble Bee (includes striped body suit with 2 straps underbelly & antennae headpiece)
Glittery Devil ears headband (size small/medium)
Secret Elf (green body suit with matching hat and elf ears)

please feel free to send me an email to see pictures if you are interested. xoxo!

Known as call & response Sanskrit chanting, Kirtan is fairly popular in my thursday night yoga class. My instructor does alot of kirtan and I’ve no idea what is being said or chanted, but I do find it relaxing and effective in being able to focus moreso on not knowing what is being said and leave my unquiet mind behind, which ultimately brings me to a peaceful place. I’m just beginning my google research on this topic, so as I learn, I will share.

Check out  for a great idea on how to carry your favorite lipsticks on the road or to an event:Product Girl’s do-it-yourself lipstick tray. She’s got an easy step by step tutorial gallery so you can do it super simple.

Thanks!!!