How to Keep Your Skin Moisturized (Winter Guide)

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Krissyar

Winter weather is certainly not fun for your skin. Low humidity levels and cold weather result in dry air which steals the moisture away from your skin. Dry skin can also lead to other several conditions such as cracking, bleeding, and even the appearance of acne. If you think that dry skin is just a normal part of the cold season, you should think again. Skin pros have shared their best strategies to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated during winter.

Hydrate from the inside out

Rich and hydrating products are certainly a must to help boost your skin’s moisture levels. However, there is one more golden rule that you have to keep in mind all around the year. Not intaking enough water will make your skin become dehydrated and lose its moisture. Staying hydrated during the cold season is a must to have radiant skin. Warm and comforting herbal teas, hydrating fruits and vegetables, plain water will help you hydrate your body from the inside out. Moreover, they will also boost your immunity during the flu season.

Exfoliate your skin

Skin exfoliation is wrongly promoted to be bad for the skin during winter. People believe that exfoliation only makes your skin become dryer. However, it is the best way to remove the top layer of dead skin cells and allow better absorption of your body products for moisturizing. Exfoliation is also beneficial for boosting collagen for a more healthier looking skin.

Use the right moisturizer

Once you have removed all the dead skin cells from your body, you have to apply the right moisturizer. Dryer areas like your hands, feet, elbows, and knees have thin skin and tend to lose moisture faster than other areas of your body. Choosing the right product for your skin type may be difficult.  Find out more on https://www.acnefoundation.org/best-acne-moisturizer/ to help you choose the perfect moisturizer for your skin. Also, once you apply it, make sure to leave plenty of time for the moisturizer to absorb into the skin.

Avoid hot showers

We all associate long hot showers with the sensation of relaxation. And, especially during winter when you have been out in the cold the whole day, you can barely wait to get home and warm up your body with a hot shower or bath. However, despite that calm sensation you feel afterward, long and steamy showers can seriously affect your skin. Hot water strips the beneficial oils of the skin and leaves it dry and sensitive. Therefore, you should either opt for moisturizing ingredients to infuse your skin with moisture while you soak or take shorter showers.

Protect your skin

The most exposed areas of your skin to the cold weather are your hands, face, and neck. During winter, get used to wearing gloves and scars to protect your skin from the cold winds, rain, and snow. Moreover, winter sun can be as damaging for your skin as during summer. Therefore, applying sunscreen before going out of your house is also essential to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized.

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Strawberry Trifle

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Krissyar

Since I made the Death by Chocolate Trifle, I’ve tried my hand at a few variations. During Easter I decided to try my hand at a lighter type of trifle using strawberries – and it was a success! I think it would be a perfect addition for any summer cookouts, or a weekend treat!

What You’ll Need:
I made a homemade strawberry mousse for my trifle, which I found on Pinterest, (so go check out the recipe on An Italian in My Kitchen’s blog). You’ll need a lot of strawberries, some granulated sugar, and whipping cream.
For the remainder of the trifle you’ll need:
Sliced and diced strawberries
Angel food cake
Cool Whip

I would suggest making the strawberry mousse, and letting it set (and get nice and cold) over night if possible. If you are making your own angel food cake, do the same with that as well – you want everything cooled to make the trifle.

 In  a trifle bowl layer angel food cake pieces, strawberry mousse, cool whip and then strawberries until trifle bowl is full – be sure that the top is a layer of strawberries! Keep chilled – and serve in small bowls and enjoy!

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Hiking Fun in Yellow Springs

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Krissyar

So anyone that follows me on social media knows that my family (like legit, mom, Dad, sister, kids, niece and nephew) all enjoy going hiking. We make it a family affair (including carrying the little one on our shoulders after she poops out). I’m constantly on the look out for great places to hike that give us a bit of variety, so as I was searching I came across the area of Yellow Springs Ohio. I was super excited because it has a ton of trails (over 2000 acres of woodland and rivers edge hiking trails in Glen Helen, John Bryan State Park and Clifton Gorge). and WATERFALLS! I knew the family would be totally up for a water adventure, so after church one Sunday we headed up to Yellow Springs to see what kind of trouble we could get into!

This park is HUGE so without really knowing where we were going we found a place to park and ended up on the Glen Helen Multi-trail loop which is about 4 and 1/2 miles around.
Already this park was different than we were used to – trees that really tower, bridges, boulders and narrow paths. It reminded me a bit of Hocking Hills (I can’t wait to take the kids there this fall).

We ran across a fresh spring ‘waterfall’ within the first few minutes and the kids jumped right in (literally) it was a pretty hot day so I didn’t mind, though I wish I would of brought an extra outfit (or two) and had them wear their swim trunks!
Miss Sassy pants enjoyed playing in the water too – we do hike quite a bit, so I think she was shocked there was actually water she could play in!
The boys love to climb on anything and everything, so we allowed them where it was permitted.

About mid way in, we found the mother of all waterfalls (well, at least for the kids) and they got super excited to jump in and play. Now I am not entirely sure that playing in the falls is something that is usually permitted since on our way back out of the trails, we saw some park rangers headed to the direction of the falls with a few flyers about some rules (I still don’t know what they said for sure, but I wanted to give a disclaimer that we didn’t see anything posted when we let the kids play)

But the boys had a blast and didn’t want to leave! I love seeing them enjoy the outdoors and not have their nose stuck in a tablet or playing video games. I would take them hiking every day if I could.

We enjoyed a few hours of hiking, stopped and had a picnic lunch at one of the picnic areas and headed home, but we will be back!
If you are looking for a fun new place to hike you definitely need to check it out!

 

 

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Avengers: ENDGAME Speechless: Marvel will never be the same, and either will my heart.

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Krissyar

In Infinity War, the audience left the theaters with their mouths wide open, shock running through their minds.

With Endgame, those reactions will be much more intense.

Remember all the emotion you felt while watching Infinity War?? Remember the laughter, the gasps, and the tears? Multiply that by 20 – no make that 100, That still doesn’t reach what you’ll feel watching this iconic film.

With twist and turns and an ending you won’t see coming, Marvel creates a film that they themselves will never be able to recreate. There is no mercy, no character that gets away unscathed, and no viewer that will walk away with no tears. It’s a messy, beautiful ending for some characters and stories that we’ve all been following for the past ten years. I was speechless : Marvel will never be the same and either will my heart.

A focus on the heroes who started the stories, the Russo Brothers deliver a truly bittersweet and heartbreaking ending. Using trips down memory lane and small drops of hope for the future, we get beautiful complete arcs for the characters we love. It all comes full circle, and you’ll leave the theater both happy and sad that you’ve seen this legendary film.

(Spoilers) Tony Stark finally gets a child. A cute, adorable little girl named Morgan. Ignore all the snark and attitude you’ve seen from Tony in older films – in this movie, every action, every word is full of love. Having a child changed him, and it changed him for the better. He’s no longer the man we met in Iron Man – he’s far from it.

Steve Rogers finally finds happiness in a way you don’t expect it. His arc will end in a way that will leave you both happy and tearful in the best way possible.

Thor Odinson has hope for the future. He had spent his time trying to hide his sadness, trying to hide the fact that he was afraid. But the events of the movie force him to deal with this. Though he doesn’t reign down on the bad guys or use any of that lightning going through his veins, his character development reaches new heights.

One thing’s for sure – you’ll leave the theater proud of them all.

But, you’ll also leave with sadness. For every smile you have, there will be 20 tears to greet it. Not every character will have the ending or story you want them to have. But I promise you – it will all be worthy of the brave and selfless people you fell in love with.

While some characters don’t get the most screen time, you know you’ll see more of them in the future. But that’s ok – this movie was a tear-jerking yet heartwarming tribute to the OG characters. Just know when you see it – bring tissues.

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Things Every Traveler Should Know Before Visiting France

Posted on April 23, 2019 by Krissyar

France combines romance and classy living with history and fine wine. Throw in the stunning Riviera and Alps, and you’re sure to have your ultimate Luxury Retreats french summer getaways. But not every trip to France goes to plan. And that’s because tourists don’t take the time to prepare themselves before they arrive. If you’re thinking of travelling to France this summer, check out these essential things you should know before you go.

Paris is the city of romance, but…

Paris is the most famous city in the world. The name alone conjures images of roadside cafés, candlelit dinners and the iconic Eiffel Tower. For centuries, Paris was the centre of European culture. But in the 21st-century, this allure and appeal have diminished. Holidaymakers have a glitzy and romantic image of Paris in their head before they take their vacation. Some are disappointed when they arrive. Paris is an incredible city, just have a realistic expectation of what it’s like.

As much wine as you can drink

Vineries fill the French countryside in the southern regions of the country. Wine-lovers could easily spend a month touring the different grape growing regions and tasting the different varieties of wine. You can then buy a bottle straight from the vineyard as either souvenir to take home or to enjoy in your hotel or vacation rental. And when you visit any village, town or city, you’ll find hundreds of bottles filling the shelves of shops and supermarkets. Most come at a very affordable price tag as well as giving you the perfect excuse to indulge.

Don’t stay in one place

France offers diversity in its landscapes, architecture and culture. Tourists should seize the opportunity to get around and experience everything the country has to offer. If you’re planning a two-week vacation, why not visit three or four places instead of one? You can quickly get from one town or city to the next using the train. This gives you a chance to see the very best that France has to offer. Consider stopping by Paris before making your way down south to the French Riviera.

Rent a car

One of the most convenient ways to explore France is by renting a car. You can find a rental at the airport or in most cities at a reasonable price. Once you have a vehicle, you have the freedom to drive around and soak up the atmosphere and culture. A highlight is driving around southern France. You’ll pass through a network of small towns and villages. Each one has its own appearance and ambience. Stop by for lunch and to enjoy a coffee. Having a car also lets you travel further afield to explore Roman ruins and the mountainous landscape in the French Alps as well.

Don’t neglect the history

France has a rich history spanning millennia. Roman ruins fill the landscapes around Provence. North France provides an insight into World War Two and the chance to visit the places you read about in your school history books. Most tourists miss out on this part and prefer to spend their time taking photographs in the metropolitan cities. But with a dose of history, you can get a much deeper understanding and appreciation of France. If you decide to explore the past, it’s recommended to get a guide. Tour guides provide so much more value and insight compared to visiting alone.

Attend a festival

Festivals and local events take place on an almost weekly basis ranging from film festivals to Christmas markets to Mardi Gras. Visit in February and witness carnival parades. Plan your trip to coincide with the Tour de France. Throw in smaller events like the International Kite Festival. There’s always something going on. Get online and search to see what’s happening when you visit. Joining in the festivities is both fun and cultural experience.

Take the chance to experience rural France

Rural France consists of undulating landscapes, fields and vineyards. Other parts has mountains, long stretches of pristine coastline and the Alps. Rather than spending all your time in the city, get out and see more of the countryside. You can rent a car and drive along country lanes stopping off for a picnic en route. Or go hiking in either the Alps or Pyrenees Mountains. You can find yourself in the countywide within less than 30 minutes of most cities. Take the chance to see the best of France’s natural beauty.

Explore neighbouring countries

If you’re flying halfway across the world to visit France, why not explore some of her neighbours. France is part of the Schengen Agreement, which means you can travel to 26 countries on the same visa. If you’re in northern France, head over the border to either Belgium or Germany. Take a day trip to Geneva or Basel in Switzerland or drive into Italy from Southern France. Or you can visit the tiny micronation Andorra high in the Pyrenees Mountains. You won’t have the time to visit everywhere, but it’s always nice to see somewhere different. Public transport in Western Europe is extremely efficient, and high-speed trains can get you from one city to the next in a few hours.

Having an awesome vacation to France

France is among Europe’s most beautiful countries. You can visit romantic cities one day and spend the afternoons in Vineyards the next. Relax on the beach for a day or two before hiking in the mountains. France has a lot to offer in terms of travel experiences, activities and culture. Make the most of it.

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