THIS WEEK'S RECOMMENDATIONS (BEAUTY AND SKIN CARE BLOG POST)

Blog post contains affiliate links.

FOR YOUR SKIN

Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream

With few and natural ingredients including olive oil, bees wax, honey and royal jelly, the EGYPTIAN MAGIC CREAM (affiliate) achieved what it promised--to hydrate skin.

Please beware that it looks and behaves dissimilar to other skin cream: a waxy consistency, as opposed to a succulent, white paste, that dissolved into oil after gentle rubbing. 

Though oil promptly absorbed into skin, there was slight residue; but such annoyance can be overlooked considering that the cream, after a week of consistent use, accomplished healthier appearance.

The cream is all-purpose and suits all skin types, and that is allllll-right with us. 
 

Appearance at first.

After gentle rubbing.

Almost fully absorbed after a few minutes.

FOR YOUR NIGHT TIME ROUTINE

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Solid product, trusted brand, and affordable price too (around $12 - 15), this NEUTROGENA ANTI-WRINKLE NIGHT CREAM (affiliate) combats the appearance of wrinkles while protecting skin at night, when you cannot hydrate and therefore lose moisture the most.

FOR YOUR MAKEUP BAG

Physicians Formula Multi-Colored Custom Blush

The product's natural shade and pleasing presentation give it that "everyday-wear" factor. Its ingeniously-designed compact, with a pop-up layer that encases brush and mirror, adds more reason to love PHYSICANS FORMULA (affiliate).

FOR YOUR NIGHT STAND

Fun Classic Reads

Entertaining books. But of course, you already know that; as well as how, instead of helping you asleep, they might keep you up. :O)

FOR MONDAY MORNINGS

Inspirational Speeches

Seattleites suffer not the Monday-Blues but the Monday-Grays--thanks to the Upper-Left's moody weather--and therefore need extra fuel to rev our engines for the week.

After coffee, inspirational words please! And please consider AmericanRhetoric.com's Inauguration Speeches. Reason being: as recommended by TEDx TALKS Donauinsel (How to be confident -- and lay down on the street for 30 sec by Till H. Groß), "if you want to be really good at something...you have to learn from the best."

And it would be nice to have a good, productive week. :O)

Thank you for your time!

EASY LAYERING IN 5 STEPS (FASHION BLOG POST)

Rainy Seattle winters have benefits.

Temperature, for example, remains mildly chilly, but never frigid. After adapting to the gloominess, you realize that, with one extra cup of coffee each day, "that Seattle-Winter" is not-so-bad.

Seattle is surrounded by mountains.

And sits in the way of the Pacific's "moisture system" that evaporates ocean water into clouds that can't get over the mountains, and amass a density that turns into constant rain.

The clouds, however, also insulate the city. :O)

The closer to the water, the warmer the temperature.  

For example, the Northeastern outskirts, where our family lives now, can be 10 degrees colder than Downtown, which sits against the Pudget Sound.

"That Seattle-Winter" permits layering for style.

Not that other parts of the world can't layer, but our winters last from September to June, offering extensive time to master this layering-thing.

And because Seattle girls are known for being fast-paced and outdoorsy...

we layer in easy steps and practical pieces that anyone can do.

EASY LAYERING IN 5 STEPS 

Step 1

Start with the basics.

We recommend a monotone dress-shirt in black-and-white stripes.

Step 2

Add color. 

A pair of maroon tights should suffice.

Step 3

Bulk it up.

Dimension and texture are always nice. Today, we used a knitted scarf.

Step 4

Add layer.

When in doubt, wear denim. It sharpens almost everything.

Step 5

Accessorize.

And try flats and a bag in seductive, neutral tones. 

Done!

Thank you for visiting!

Hope you enjoyed today's simple layering.

See you next time. 

10 EASY HEALTHY SNACK IDEAS FOR THE WEEK

1. Pistachios and Raspberries

2. Whole Wheat Crackers with Natural Gouda Cheese and Homemade Cranberry Sauce

3. Organic Blue Corn Tortilla with Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Guacamole

4. Rain City Crunch Clusters

Made local by Sisters Baking Company in Edmonds, WA

5. Apple and Cheese Slices

Using BEECHER'S FLAGSHIP (affiliate)

6. Whole Wheat Toast with Nonfat Honey Ricotta, Strawberries and Organic Chia Seeds (affiliate)

7. Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt with Granola, Strawberries and Honey

8. Veggie Sticks with Hummus Dip

9. Artisan Bread Pieces with All Natural Peanut Butter and Hard Boiled Eggs

10. SENECA Crispy Apple Chips

Find them at SENECA APPLE CHIPS. (affiliate)

Enjoy!

Friday's Fab Five

* This post contains affiliate and sponsored links.

Happy Friday to you!

Hope the New Year has been fabulous so far. And if you want more fun and fab treats, please enjoy today's recommendations.

Friday's Fab Five

1. Stretch Cuff with Purple Stones

Cuffs make a bold statement--and one in gold and purple is even more loud and proud. 

Find it at B.young clothing.

2. Avena Hand and Body Moisturizing Cream

Protect winter skin with an all natural moisturizing cream that brings elasticity, softness and nutrition. The formula is rich, creamy and non-greasy; and it smells amazing!

Find it at Avena Cream.

3. Nutri Ninja Juice Extractor

900 watts of professional power, plus extractor blades that break down fruits and vegetables to their finest to extract the most nutrients. Then, all you have to do is turn the cup upside down, and enjoy.

Sold at Nutri Ninja.

4. Fruit Topped Salads

Add healthy fruits to luscious greens; drizzle your favorite organic dressing, like today's poppy seed, on top; and a super food salad is done.

5. Date Nights In

Flowers and wine are always fabulous, especially when you share them with your sweetheart on date nights in.

Thank you for your time!

Happy Friday, and have a FABULOUS weekend!

Rainy Day Fun: 10 Things To Do During Seattle's Rainy Season

* This post includes affiliate and sponsored links.

Seattle has rainy winters, and Seattleites have rainy day fun.

Below are 10 fun things to do during the rainy season. Of course you know more, but perhaps our recommendations offer a good start.

1. Spend a day in the market.

One of the busiest farmer's market in the US, Pike Place offers fresh produce, local crafts, restaurants, burlesque, tea tasting and more. You can easily spend a day there, especially because almost everything resides indoors.

2. Sip. Read. Relax.

Seattle is famous for local roasters and coffee shops. Grab a book, or device, and enjoy a steamy latte.

3. Brunch with friends.

Brunch is especially popular in the Pacific Northwest. Who doesn't like comfort food in rain?

We recommend Portage Bay Cafe, 13 Coins and Serious Pie & Biscuit.

A sensational creation from the Breakfast Bar at Portage Bay Cafe.

4. Take Bill Speidel's Underground Tour.

The original city of Seattle, built in Pioneer Square, was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1889. After rebuilding the new city on top of the old, the neighborhood suffered neglect, until publicist Bill Speidel revived the neighborhood with an Underground Tour that attracted thousands of visitors who petitioned to ordain Pioneer Square again.

And that's how Bill Speidel and his genius production saved Seattle's most historic neighborhood. (Go Bill!)

Image Credit: Destination360.com

5. International District

Good dim sum. Good bubble tea. What else do you need?

6. Spin around.

Every great city needs a big wheel. Well, at least we think so.

Visit Seattle Great Wheel for ticket info. We've "spun-the-wheel" three times, and enjoyed each experience.

7. Go high.

For an amazing view of Seattle, go up the Space Needle or the Sky View Observatory (Columbia Tower). The view is better on sunny days, of course, but still incredible in rain.

8. Get artsy.

And stroll around Chihuly Garden and Glass or the Seattle Art Museum.

9. Or get nerdy.

And visit the Museum of Flight, Pacific Science Center and the Boeing Factory Tour.

10. Stay in.

There is nothing wrong with curling up on the couch, turning on the fire place, and satisfying every guilty pleasure with shows like Amazon Original's Mozart in the Jungle (staring current crush Craig Revel Horwood) and The Man in the High Castle.

You do have Prime, don't you?

Sorry!

Kind of a Seattle-thing. :)