Dear Frances - I'm a Nomad

Dear Frances,

It's been so long since I've written, and though I remember your address well I wonder if you still live there thirty years later.  I still think of you often, my pen-pal. I always wish you well over the miles and genuinely hope to reconnect with you once more.

In just a few days I'm moving away from Columbus once more.  I lived in Arkansas for a few years during my college years, and I've come to miss the thrill of being surrounded by natural beauty.  Here in the city I'm surrounded by skyscrapers and sad, angry people.

After a whirlwind weekend of packing necessities and giving the rest to charity we will depart for a week of fun and frolic with friends and family, then it's off to Hawai'i! I'll certainly write more once we arrive.  Until then, and always, I wish you all the best.

Rachel

Life's a Beach

Life's a Beach by rachel-cook featuring one piece bathing suits

We Are Handsome one piece bathing suit
$360 - coggles.com

One piece bathing suit
topshop.com

Got Gear?

Got Gear? by rachel-cook featuring leather boots

Superdry
superdry.com

Sorel leather boots
endless.com

Element Skate Camp Logo Skate Backpack
zumiez.com

Gelert Sleeping Pod JNR Sleeping Bag, Purple
$43 - johnlewis.com

Hawaiian Dreams

Hawaiian Dreams by rachel-cook on Polyvore

Hawaii STATE-ment
scrapyourtrip.com

Cocoa Loco

Cocoa Loco by rachel-cook featuring a pattern dress

Dorothy Perkins pattern dress
dorothyperkins.com

Armani Jeans aviator jacket
$560 - johnlewis.com

Mantaray coin bag
$22 - debenhams.com

Handcrafted jewelry
etsy.com

River Island cream eye shadow
$9.37 - riverisland.com

Alyssa Chocolate Brown EU 26 (US 9-9.5)
pediped.com

Harrods Curious Chocolate Selection (6 Pieces)
$11 - harrods.com

Gilt Trip

Gilt Trip by rachel-cook featuring sequin leggings

STEFFEN SCHRAUT cap sleeve shirt
stylebop.com

Sass Bide sequin legging
net-a-porter.com

Biba leather shoes
$110 - kurtgeiger.com

Esquivel low heels
net-a-porter.com

Alexander McQueen gold cocktail ring
alexandermcqueen.com

Gold plated jewelry
$240 - harveynichols.com

Arteriors Gold Porcelain Organic Vase Set
zincdoor.com

Beauty Tip - Nude And Improved

A heavily made up face in the summer time just looks out of place and uncomfortable. I understand we all want a little help with our color, I do too, but sometimes less really is more. Especially when you can play up the natural warm tones of summer to enhance your own natural beauty. Not to mention, nude lips, luminous eyes and radiant skin, looks fresh and feminine year round.

Naked Is A State Of Mind

Or shade of lipstick – look for something pale, satin with a hint of sparkle. This soft iridescence will provide a pretty reflection without looking slick and gooey like some lip glosses. Plus it won't gather at the corners of the mouth and look like drool like other lip glosses. Keep the rest of your face simple with a light sweep of pale pink or baby blue shadow on the eyelid, and finish with a coat of mascara. Skip blush completely and dot on a bit of pearly highlighter along the cheekbones for a soft, natural glow that goes from grocery store to glamorous date night.

Beauty Tip – Steal His Stuff

Remember that episode of Weeds where Esteban threw a hissy fit when he smelled Nancy wearing his deodorant? It's okay if you don't, I don't really want to talk about Weeds, I want to talk about the reaction men have to smelling their deodorant on their lady. In the case of Esteban and Nancy, he didn't like it one bit (oh snap, I said I wasn't going to talk about Weeds) but that's pretty much because one woman had already emasculated him, his machismo couldn't handle more of the same from his wife.

My own personal experience in this department has been wildly successful, so much so that I've been known to stop by the cologne counter at Nordstroms for a quick spritz of Eternity for Men before a night on the town. Smelling a traditionally “manly” scent on a woman makes the male brain go all funky and territorial, it's like they have to replace those pheromones with their own in order to feel all is well in the world. My boyfriend prefers the smell of Old Spice deodorant on me, compared to the sweet, floral varieties offered to ladies, and I have to say I agree. Shaking things up a bit by sampling his Speed Stick is great, but it's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the treasure trove of products hiding in your man's medicine cabinet.

Such as:

Scrubs – Men have harder skin that can stand up to rougher treatment which is why their exfoliators have larger particles making the products made for a man's face the perfect thing to scrub your back, elbows, legs, and anywhere else extra scrubbing may be needed. A good one to try is Neutrogena Men Razor Defense Face Scrub (Amazon.com, under $6.00).

Shave Soothers – Want to prevent razor burn on your dry skin? Reach for his shaving cream because it's super moisturizing. While you're at it, snag his shaving oil as well – a little dab along the bikini line before will result in a smoother shave after. I happen to like the sandalwood pre-shave oil offered by The Art of Shaving (amazon.com, $24.00) because it smells great and works even better.

Stop fretting about the smell already, the days of tell-tale manly smell are practically over! Many of today's products for men have toned-down aromas that are suitable for either gender. Consider also that many products marketed to men also come with a more reasonable price tag, and you're sure to see the logic in raiding his shaving kit.   

Food Tip – Eat Your Water

If you're like me, you find it difficult to drink eight glasses of water a day, as recommended by health professionals. No need to fear, those same health professionals know water can be found in some of our favorite foods. The even better news is eating water-filled foods may aid your weight control efforts by helping you to feel full.

I really can't stress enough the importance of water for overall health and wellness. Our bodies lose about 10 8-ounce glasses worth of water per day, just from the random activities life, such as breathing, sweating, and passing wastes – consuming water-filled foods can easily replenish five of those lost glasses.

Best food sources for water:

Apples

Celery

Cucumbers

Fruit Juices (100% please!)

Grapefruit

Grapes

Milk

Shellfish

Watermelon

It won't hurt you to drink more than the recommended 8 per day, just know that when you're sweating profusely from an especially rigorous workout you may need extra replacement water, so bring some apple slices along for the ride.

Fit Tip: 7 Best Ways to Workout

Finding time to exercise is tough! I know I've complained about it before, there simply aren't enough hours in the day to dedicate a whole lot of time to exercise as much as I would like. Which means I have to fit in my workout when I can, so getting the most out of my calorie burning is important to me. Apparently it's important to fitness professionals as well, a poll of over 17,000 of them yielded the following list of must-do exercises:

In order of popularity:

1. Squats – If you're looking to build balance and strength in one powerful move, this is the one. Squats are great if you want to target all of the major lower-body muscles at once.
2. Running – Aside from a good pair of shoes and perseverance, you really don't need much more equipment when it comes to this great way to build leg strength and cardio fitness.
3. Abs – No equipment necessary, anyone can work their abs regardless of fitness level. Okay, some of you are probably shouting that you just can't do ab exercises because of your bad back. My suggestion, try using a stability ball, sitting on one of these will work your abs while being easy on your back.
4. Lunges – Similar to squats, lunges are great for strengthening the butt, calves and thighs with just one move. As an added bonus, lunges also promote good balance and posture.
5. Walking – A kinder, gentler form of running, don't take the slower pace for granted, walking is great for toning legs, building cardio and can be done anywhere.
6. Push-ups – Finally something for the arms! Whether your do them “girly” style, or like a traditional plank, push-ups target the core and upper body with no additional equipment needed.
7. Yoga – Just dipping your toes into the fitness pool? Try yoga, and revel in the improved coordination, flexibility, concentration and relaxation.

Turn up the intensity of your workout by adding some weight resistance, and always make sure you're using proper form. Likewise, intensity can be added to your running and walking by adding steps and hills to your route. Not everyone can afford expensive gym equipment, fewer still want to risk the vulnerable feeling that crops up when in an unfamiliar situation, that's why I'm here to tell you that you absolutely can achieve your fitness goals with just a little creativity and willpower. Have fun!

3 Low-Cal Flavor Fixes

A healthy diet used to mean sacrificing flavor in exchange for bland, “better” alternatives, but active people world-wide know that spices and other flavor enhancers are within easy reach. Delicious and healthy really can exist on the same plate, it just requires reaching for something a little out of the ordinary. You don't have to be a celebrity to eat like one, try some of these flavor fixes.

• Truffle Oil – Okay, it's expensive, but it's incredible! Truffle oil is pungent and powerfully flavored so a little really does go a long way, saving you calories in the long run. Try it drizzled over an endive salad with hearts of romaine and roasted walnuts – yum!
• Seasoned Rice Vinegar – Instead of asking for your salad dressing on the side, swap out your dressing with a little seasoned rice vinegar. The flavor is delicate, even slightly sweet, so it doesn't need all the extra oil to temper the flavor of sharper vinegars like balsamic or red wine. You may even feel so good about saving calories that you can indulge with a little avocado on your salad.
• Bacon – Yes, bacon! Try it sprinkled on veggies, or just about anything. Since fat is used for flavor, why not enjoy it bacon flavored?

A no-fat diet isn't any good, or good for you, there's no need to sacrifice flavor or necessities in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.  

Pick The Perfect Outfit – In A Snap

Normally I avoid having my picture taken at all costs, I just don't think I'm photogenic. But when it comes to getting ready for a big, important event, I take my cues from celebrities, after all they're always having their picture taken.

When I'm getting ready for a big day, the night before I like to try on my entire outfit, accessories and all, then snap a picture of myself. Mirrors are cruel, but pictures provide an even more objective representation of your outfit. With just a quick click and a glimpse at the preview window on my digital camera and I can know in an instant if my outfit isn't working.  

In The Pink

When it comes to the perfect summer glow, faking a little color is always the safest bet. But why paint yourself up like a gingerbread lady when a rosy glow looks so much healthier. Really, you'll look like you've just returned from an invigorating jog or an afternoon of playing beach volleyball. A rosy flush will give an appearance of an active, healthy lifestyle, compared to a dark, leathery tan that suggests you've been languishing in the sun for hours.

The best thing about this pretty summer trend is you can achieve the gorgeous look with little-to-no effort. Seriously, just pat a little lip-and-cheek gel onto your mouth, cheeks and areas of your face where the sun would land were it high above you – you know, across the tops of your cheeks, bridge of your nose, upper forehead.

This simple look is best over a lightweight moisturizer and lip balm, paired with a full face of foundation and it comes across as unnatural. This is one of those times when less really is more. To finish off your sun-kissed look, dab a shimmery, neutral eye gloss just onto the corners of your eyes with the tip of your finger, leaving the rest of the lids bare. No one will know you're wearing makeup, but they'll certainly think you've been skimping on the sunscreen.  

Health Made Easy – Kick A Cold

When it comes to my sinuses, I think it's safe to say I'm “built cheap”, if I'm not actively involved with my health it's easy for me to become sidelined by seasonal sniffles. Now that June is right around the corner, I'm preparing ahead of time for the inevitable summer cold. There are some pretty simple strategies for relief and since they work so well for me, I'm going to share with you so you can feel better also.

• Turn Down The AC – Who doesn't love a nice, cool, air-conditioned room? My sinuses, that's who, and probably yours too if you're feeling miserable. Turn down the AC just a smidge, all that cold air can dry the protective layer of mucus in your nose which prolongs unnecessary suffering. If you insist on running the AC, then bolster your poor nostrils with an over-the-counter saline spray, or my personal favorite, a neti pot, to maintain precious moisture.
• Sip Chicken Soup – It's okay to sip it at room temperature if it's just too hot for soup, the broth will hydrate you while the salt soothes your sore throat.

Been doing all this for over a week and you're still not feeling beachy-keen, get thee to a doctor, stat!  

Health Made Easy – Pig-out Prevention

This time of year, I'm cuckoo for cookies and cream, ice cream that is. If I'm not careful, I can polish off a whole pint, which is way more than the little label says is a reasonable serving size. Since I can't promise that little pint will last two days, tops, I've developed this little trick:

Let the ice cream sit out for a minute or two to soften, then scoop half-cup servings into disposable paper cups. Cover, and return these little personal portions to the freezer. Grab one when the craving strikes and say farewell to those guilt trips of “I can't believe I ate the whole thing.”  

Attitude Is Everything – Look Forward To Living Longer And You Will

After more than two decades of research spent following men and women aged 50 and older it's been found that people who report a positive attitude towards aging live more than seven years longer than those with a negative view.

Some of the positives expressed by these individuals includes enjoying wisdom and creativity, and being able to share that knowledge with younger generations. Sure, it could be said that people with positive attitudes are well-practiced at questioning the negative stereotypes encountered in every-day life, but there's just too much data to support the health benefits of optimism.
It's never too late to start, my friends. If you have good genes, eat well, exercise and enjoy social support, chances are you'll feel more comfortable with getting older, and live longer as a result.  

Don't Let A Breakup Hurt Your Health

Ever notice how we tend to celebrate when one of our friends gets divorced? What about those folks who break up with someone after living together for several years, they go through all the same post-breakup anxiety, suffering all the same physical and mental consequences as the recently divorced, where's their parade? Plenty of researchers have proven beyond a doubt there is no difference in physiological complaints between the recently divorced and the recently split.

All this emotional trauma can take a major toll on your immune system. Depression associated with the end of a relationship can increase the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. We've all seen the effects of a population operating with high cortisol levels – the entire country is obese and our current generation of children won't outlive their parents, for the first time in a very long time, but that's another rant for another day. To stay healthy during a split, try some of the following suggestions:

• Eat Carefully – Your appetite is likely to kick into top gear, so rather than reach for the cool, soothing mush of yet another pint of premium ice cream, make sure what you eat is healthy and high in quality.
• Slow Down – Your body is in a fragile state, slow down just a little and get plenty of rest. Naps rule.
• Reach Out to Friends – There's no reason to forge through this time alone, stay connected with your friends and family for the emotional support you need and deserve.
• Find Emotional Balance – It's healthy to vent! Purge those feelings by talking to someone or writing it down in a journal, experience the emotion and move on, rather than dwelling and festering in negativity.
• Don't Let Yourself Go – It may be tempting to slip into your comfy jammies and hide from the world for a while as you slowly pack on the pounds. A little bit of jammy indulgence is fine, just remember that your appearance can and will effect your self-esteem.
• Add Some Color – Even though your spirit may be black, leave your doom and gloom garments alone for a while, color is a natural spirit lifter, so reach for something bold and bright.

Breakups take time to get over, it's the death of a relationship so do take the time to experience the various stages of mourning, just don't become a crazy cat lady in the process. You're a champion, treat yourself with some care and you'll be back at fighting weight in no time!  After all, Ivana Trump said it best when she advised, "looking good is the best revenge."  

Dig In – Healthy Eating Is In The Palm Of Your Hand

 High protein, low carb, no refined sugars, no french fries after 9:45 PM unless you're standing on one foot and singing the national anthem – so many diet rules it's no wonder obesity is nearing epidemic proportions. The USDA guidelines are kind enough to provide general comparisons to help us trim our servings to healthy sizes, but let's be honest, how many of us are carrying a handy-dandy deck of cards when we head out to dinner? And that chunk of cheddar, what size dice do we use to measure that? Surely not this twenty-sided honker left over from my youthful experiments with D&D!

Food Portions Out of Control? Get a Grip!  

With all the guesswork that goes into healthy dining these days, I'm surprised anyone even bothers playing the trendy diet game at all. I'm going to dispel some of the mystery for you, my friends, because I intend to live a very long time and it won't be half as exciting if you're not all along to enjoy the ride! Did you know the secret to measuring healthy portions lies within your very own hands? It's true, your palm, fingers and thumb are great for measuring ideal portions. Just don't send your guy into the kitchen to prepare a cheese plate if his hands are twice the size of yours!

The “All Fingers and Thumbs” Approach to Portion Sizes  

If you want to look and feel your best, you need to put as much thought into measuring the portions you put on your plate as you put into picking out clothes that make you feel beautiful and confident. After all, Joan Rivers put it best when she said, “Diets, like clothes, should be tailored to you.” This is the number one reason I like using my hands as a guideline when measuring my portions, but don't just take my word for it, plenty of dieticians agree. Here's how you can make it work for you:

• 3 ounces of meat, fish, or poultry = the size and thickness of your palm
• 1 ounce of hard cheese = the length and width of your thumb. 1 tsp = the tip of your thumb (from the knuckle). 1 tbsp = 3 thumb tips
• 1 cup dry cereal, popped popcorn, or one medium piece of fruit = the size of your fist
• ½ cup cooked veggies or pasta = one cupped hand
• 1 cup raw, leafy spinach or tossed salad = two cupped hands

I really can't say which came first for me – the diet or the exercise – I just know that when I started taking the internal condition of my body seriously the two seemed to fall in line pretty naturally. I didn't set out with the goal of losing weight, a problematic thyroid pretty much rendered my metabolism non-existent. Instead, I don't bother worrying about what I'm eating, I prefer to focus on how much, gravitating towards healthy-sized portions, rather than fretting over the calories or decadence. If you'd like to get on the road towards a healthier lifestyle, but you're not sure if these handy (no pun intended) measuring tools may not be right for you, it's perfectly reasonable to invest in a kitchen scale as a backup form of measurement until you're feeling more confident with eyeballing your portions.  

No Excuses – Everyone Has Time For These Easy Exercises

The concept of boredom is lost on me, then again, so is the concept of free time. I would love to be one of those pampered sorts who spends hours at a time sculpting the perfect, peachy pilates rump, but let's face it, if I had that kind of time I would probably spend it doing anything but pilates. Alas, I have a weakness for coffee cakes and orange soda, and as far as metabolisms go, I'm built pretty cheap, so I have no other choice than to create an exercise routine that works for me.

If there's any truth to Loretta Young's assessment that “A charming woman is a busy woman” then I may be one of the most charming women I know! And I know lots of charming women. I also bore easily, if something can't keep my attention I discard it for something more engaging. Because of this I like to multitask – sitting on a balance ball while sitting at my desk, for instance, keeps my abs working as well as my brain. You know what I'm talking about if you've ever let your mind wander while sitting on a balance ball and lost your balance as a result.

Exercise on the Go

There's plenty of other ways to turn your home into a home gym, busy mom's everywhere have been using canned goods for resistance training for everything from tricep curls to bicep training. Try balancing plates, the fear of dropping them will cause you to bring previously ignored muscles to engage – simply lift the plate up towards the ceiling then out towards the wall, keep the motion smooth, and repeat 50 times on both sides. You'll feel it, I promise. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to ways you can incorporate exercise into the routines you take for granted every day.

Workout Anywhere, Anytime  

• Create Curvy Calves – In just two minutes a day you can shape your calves into sexy curves, you can even do it while brushing your teeth – talk about beauty from head to toe! Step up onto a phone book, opposite its spine, with the balls of your feet balanced on the phone book and your heels dangling over the edge. Slowly lower your heels to the floor, hold for two seconds and slowly return to your starting position, hold for two seconds, and repeat the process.
• Sculpt Sexy Shoulders - If your grocery store is anything like mine, then you know how they love to jam pack those reusable shopping bags to the brim. While making your way to your car, which you parked on the far side of the parking lot for extra calorie burning, do a few repetitions of bicep curls, hammer curls and upright rows – repeat on both sides in case of curls. Imagine all the jealous glares you get when someone asks your secret to beautiful biceps and you answer with total sincerity, “shopping.”
• Hip Drop At the Bus Stop – It's pretty natural to settle your weight on one foot or the other when waiting for the bus, train, or a taxi to arrive. Might as well make this waiting more productive by practicing some hip adductions and hip abductions, this is just fancy talk for balancing on your left foot and crossing your right foot in front of your left to work the inner thighs (adduction), or balancing on your left foot while raising your right leg laterally to the side to work your outer thigh (abduction). Or, if your familiar with some belly dancing moves, practice your hip lifts, hip drops, hip circles, you name it. Just remember you're in public so be slow and subtle with your moves – the slower you go, the deeper the burn!

Not everyone can afford to have a treadmill in their home, let alone the room to contain one, which is another reason why it's so important to find creative ways to stay in shape. The fancy trappings of exercise gear, high-tech water bottles and a membership to the hottest gym in town is just daunting to someone who may already feel pressed for time. Let's not forget that kicking off your shoes and having a dance party with your kids can be as effective as a Zumba class if you're creative with it.  

Nutty for Nail Polish

Most of you know that I work from home, this is great because I have absolute abandon when it comes to selecting my attire (or not, Hugh Hefner really had something with the 24/7 pajama idea). It also means I'm responsible for not only showing up on time for work, but staying there all day. This setup is not for everyone. One of the ways I keep myself occupied at work between conversations with clients is by painting my nails. I telecommute, so I'll never see anyone face to face, the fumes from the polish will offend none but myself. If it bothers my boyfriend, he's never said so, which means he's perfectly fine with the tell-tale aroma of creativity. Right?

Water marbling, gradient color, ombre, konad stamp plates, dotting tools and detail brushes, you name it, I've used it. Fimo canes and rhinestones have found their way to my fingertips as well. If I could figure out a way to sport some of the wild, three-dimensional designs which are so popular in Japanese nail art and still function throughout the day, I would totally do it. Someone needs to clue me in to a toned-down version, so if you know of something, please comment!

In the meantime, please enjoy this little compilation of some of my amateur attempts at creative nail coloring. Emphasis on amateur, after all my job does come first!

  

Sleeping Beauty – Treat Yourself Like a Princess

Some days I just run myself ragged. I know I'm not the only one who has fallen into bed at the end of a long day, not even bothering to wash my face after giving my teeth a half-hearted brushing. Lazy shortcuts are fine every once in a while, but bad habits do catch up and the whole world will know about it, because the results of a lackluster bedtime routine will be written all over your face. The poet Ovid once said, “beauty is a fragile gift” and I'm pretty convinced this comment was made after one of my great (great x10) ancestors forgot to wash off their khol before hitting the hay.

Good Days Come From a Great Night's Sleep

It doesn't have to be so difficult, trust me, I am a woman of convenience. I enjoy feeling pretty, pampered and princess-like, but I don't like investing a whole lot of time in achieving these goals. Being low-maintenance doesn't make me no-maintenance though, I just like to follow an equation of minimum input/maximum output. Drugstore make-up, homemade face masks and body scrubs, you name it. In my mind, true beauty blossoms from within, and starts at home, with sleep and water being the most vital ingredients to my daily routine.

Three Bedtime Tips to Make You Feel Just Dreamy  

A good night's sleep will help alleviate dark circles under the eyes and sallow skin, but also make you feel more alert and centered, which is great for lifting your mood and putting a genuine smile on your face. Before you dive under the duvet in defeat, hear me out, try out the three tips I have to share and see if you don't notice a difference.

• Cap That Minty Toothpaste – Mint-heavy toothpaste is fantastic for morning perk-ups, mint being a natural mood elevator, but not so great for setting the mood for a trip to dreamland. Instead, try a toothpaste with a calmer, gentler flavor formula. Good choices include lavender, vanilla, and chamomile. Read the label, some blends may also include valerian root which has been reported to improve sleep.

• Check the Potion In Your Lotion – Did you know that your skin loses quite a bit of moisture during the night? Anyone that's woken up at night drenched in sweat is probably wondering what took me so long to learn this interesting tidbit, but it's still true – your skin loses quite a bit of moisture during the night. Slathering on any ole lotion is fine, but why not reach for something containing cardamom. This fragrant cousin of the ginger root is also a natural relaxer, its aroma will help put you in a more restful mood while the rest of the lotion goes to work at keeping you moisturized.

• Speaking of Aromatherapy – If the chamomile in your toothpaste and the cardamom in your lotion have gotten you to the edge of Slumberville, then dabbing a scented oil on your wrists should put you on the VIP list in the Dream District. Not sure which scents are the most sleep-friendly? Lean towards sandalwood, rose, and iris, each of these are fantastic for relieving stress and clearing a cluttered mind.

Of course, there may be other factors which contribute to your tossing and turning at night. If you're not able to get a restful night's sleep, consider a new bed, I happen to love my Select Comfort sleep number bed, or maybe a new pillow if a brand new bed isn't in your budget. Sweet dreams!