Make this Valentine’s Day edit the reason you rekindle your connections with your partner, your family, your friends, or yourself.
Valentine’s Day Edit
There are many expectations that come along with this holiday. But instead of just expecting, this is what I do…
Buy Flowers
To give our home a happy lift, I like to buy us flowers. Thankfully, I have a husband that loves them. Here are some tips on making them last longer:
Use a clean vase
Keep leaves out of the water, stems only below the water line
Use a sharp knife or scissors to re-cut each stem right before it goes into the vase
Keep them away from heat and direct sunlight, and move them to a cool room overnight.
Replace the water every few days
Change it up
Do the unexpected. I know it can be a stretch, but doing something out of the ordinary works like magic. Go to a different restaurant, serve a special meal, or book a room. Anything that will remove you from your regular atmosphere and expose you to a new one.
Bake Something Sweet
Baking is a great way to treat your loved ones with something that you’ve made with your own two hands. Plus, it’s delicious. They’ll love it and you’ll get to enjoy it as well.
Here is my favorite, super simple cake recipe even I can’t do wrong:
Cake
4 oz. butter
4 oz. bittersweet chocolate
3 whole eggs
1/8 cup sugar
1/4 cup cake flour
Directions
melt butter and chocolate together
whisk eggs and sugar together
whisk melted chocolate mixture into egg and sugar mixture
whisk in cake flour
Pour cake mixture into the pan
bake 350 degrees for 10 minutes until outside of the cake is set and center is still soft
For some fun toppings you can try: strawberries, whipped cream, cocoa nib, rainbow sprinkles, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, candied rose petals, raspberries, blackberries, marshmallows
Treat Yourself
Along with taking care of your basic needs, don’t forget to treat yourself now and then. Drink the bubbly, eat the chocolate, take the plunge, or go to a spa!
Feeling sexy over 60 and beyond is all about attitude and state of mind. It’s an important and healthy part of our life that often gets ignored. Even something as simple as taking a bath or reading a novel can make you feel sexy. Find what makes you feel your best, and make sure to mix it in with your day-to-day activities.
Don’t Let Menopause Steal Your Romance
If you’re a woman that is navigating menopause and still trying to keep the romance alive, you’re not alone! Some of my favorite products, which I have found very helpful, come from Pure Dharma and Womaness.
Pure Dharma Recharge Activated Salt Soak is a great way to elevate a regular bath and it’s infused with pure plant extracts that help to soften and brighten your skin. I have also been enjoying the Glow CBD Activated Oil Serum. The formula consists of stem cells and Vitamin C that brighten and tighten the skin which also leaves you with a luminous glow.
Menopause can be a confusing time . With all the changes we go through sometimes it’s hard to navigate romance. Do you find that to be true?
Between dwindling hormones aches and pains and worries in general it can be a confusing time.
If truth were to be told, women seem to have a higher libido at this time, but it seems taboo. I know that if you’re in your 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, you were probably trained to ignore it.
Thankfully we are now shedding some light on the issue. Between #hormonetherapy and companies like @mywomaness we can start feeling good about our sexuality again, or for the first time.
What do you think? Let’s empower ourselves!
Dress it Up or Down
If you’ve got some exciting dinner plans then by all means, find that outfit you’ve been waiting to wear and dress it up. I love this all-pink ensemble for Valentine’s date night. Or if you’re going to stay in or have some low-key plans, toss on a pair of jeans and a cute top and keep it comfy.
That’s it for this year’s Valentine’s day edit. Don’t forget to always treat yourself as well as the people you love. Check out last year’s post for more fun ways to celebrate, and have a wonderful Valentine’s day!
Has your hair texture and volume changed in your 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and beyond? Enter the Meaningful Beauty hair product line by Cindy Crawford!
As we age, natural processes such as genetics and hormone change can lead to thinning hair. Between dullness, dehydration, breakage, and brittleness it seems like a never-ending battle. But just because that might be happening to you, does not mean that you have to accept a lifetime of thinning strands – there are some great ways for us to get thicker fuller hair even at this stage in life!
In this blog post, I’ll dive into the actionable steps one can take to get thicker, fuller heads of hair despite the common challenges we all have. It’s all thanks to Meaningful Beauty.
Meaningful Beauty Products
With a scalp treatment, shampoo, conditioner, and styling protector, the science of hair care has advanced tremendously and Meaningful Beauty products are on the cutting edge.
The Meaningful Beauty 3-step Age-Proof Hair Care System includes a shampoo and conditioner that are gentle on your hair and a restorative scalp treatment that encourages a healthy environment for healthier, shinier hair. The line is formulated with the brand’s proprietary melon leaf stem cell technology that started it all…, Meaningful Beauty system is a game changer!
The hero of this set, the Meaningful Beauty Scalp Treatment, I use nightly. It includes vitamin H, castor oil, peptides, a plant-based alternative to keratin, and a natural wheat protein to keep your hair thicker-looking, stronger, and full of volume.
It’s a four-in-one primer that detangles, conditions, smooths, and protects the hair from heat. Vegetable proteins strengthen the hair and conditioning agents add shine.
My hair is what gives me the most confidence. When I have fluffy, bouncy hair I know my day is going to be just fine. I don’t have to be well-styled or even wear makeup, my hair is what sets the tone. Do you feel that way? To get that I have been using the scalp treatment to great advantage, which also nourishes hair follicles and replenishes vital amino acids to moisturize and revitalize the scalp.
To sum up, do yourself a favor and try the incredible Age-Proof Hair Care System from Meaningful Beauty. Now my hair is healthier, thicker, and shinier than ever! It makes my day.
Also, it has encouraged me to grow my hair a bit longer, past my shoulders actually. I’m thrilled!
If you’re looking for an exotic and affordable vacation destination, look no further than Costa Rica! This beautiful country is close to home but offers a world of new experiences.
Travel to Costa Rica
I have traveled to Costa Rica on several occasions and wanted my husband to see this wonderful country as well. Flying to Costa Rica from Dallas was so easy. We flew direct to San Jose the capital of Costa Rica in 3 1/2 hours on American Airlines. The airport was beautiful and modern and customs was a breeze. The people greeted us with great smiles and that feeling of warmth from the people in Costa Rica continued throughout our 10-day trip.
I always make sure to wear the most comfortable clothes while I travel. These amazing stretch pants by Lysse are a favorite of mine. Plus, when it’s paired with this Athleta Urbanite shirt, it’s perfection.
Whenever I take a flight to a foreign country I make sure I have a driver waiting to take us to our hotel. Even in the chaos of everybody landing, we met up with our local driver easily. It’s a great opportunity to get to know the area and the driver is more than willing to show off their country.
I must say it was great to be speaking Spanish again even though most people there can speak English. Going through the city with its well-kept roads and homes was a treat. Also, you can use the US dollar! Everything is billed that way and there is no problem with the rate of exchange. I use my American Express card which has never failed me.
First Stop in Costa Rica
For our first night on our vacation to Costa Rica, I chose a small hotel up in the hills overlooking the city. The Alta Hotel was peaceful and beautiful and it had the feeling of a large home that had been converted into a hotel.
Alta La Paloma is quiet with a lovely pool and a great restaurant. The room rate was very affordable and the people staying there were mostly European. Plus, it was child friendly.
The next day we were leaving on the 4-hour drive through the central part of the country to go to the Arenal Volcano area. I don’t sit in a car well so thankfully I discovered a better way.
Flying to the Arenal Volcano
We returned to the airport but this time to fly on a small National airline called Sansa. We flew up to Fortuna, the main destination for anyone looking for a jungle adventure in the volcanic range.
It’s also so much better to see the countryside via a small plane. Best of all, it was very affordable, both financially and time-wise.
Though I had been to the Arenal volcano when it was still erupting, it was very quiet and undeveloped at that time. It still is but there are several beautiful high-end properties and I chose the Nayara Resort.
To say it was luxurious might be an understatement. With three separate but contiguous properties, anyone you choose will be amazing. Nayara gardens, Nayara Springs ( adults only) and the Tented camp are all amazing.
Set within the beautifully preserved jungle Nayara Springs resorts is an eco-conscious property that can teach us all how it’s done well. As a matter of fact, all of Costa Rica is that way. They revere nature, their resources, and their animals.
Our suite at Nayara Springs was absolutely stunning. I could’ve stayed for weeks in this incredible oasis.
Zipline Adventure in Costa Rica
Our big adventure there besides the fantastic dining, my hot springs-fed private pool, and the incredible service, was the zip line. Which was not for the faint of heart, even though people of all ages were there. This amazing experience had seven platforms and a fantastic jungle to fly through. It was a great adventure, so definitely look into it before you leave.
There is so much to do in this area. There will be something for everyone! From great adventures to Spa Days and yoga retreats, you will never want for more.
We drove across the country to the Pacific coast, a three-hour drive. With a bonus stop to see the large alligators in the river. Can you believe these were the small ones?!
VRBO homes can be found on the pacific coast. We stayed in one near the Playa Negra and they are great. This one had a swimming pool and was so close to the beach. It couldn’t be a better way to get to know the country.
One thing I love about traveling is going to the drugstores so beautifully kept and well done. Typically I buy my Retin-A while I’m abroad. This area had a fantastic supermarket with everything fresh and fantastic prices.
The big adventure here was a 4 hours ATV ride through the jungle to the waterfall complete with a lovely lunch at a local restaurant in the mountains. Gorgeous beaches quaint little bars well behaved dogs and wonderful waves were all part of the experience there.
My daughter discovered a wonderful little hotel on the beach that had a yoga class so we even managed to do yoga by the beach. This hotel was gorgeous, quaint, and so well-kept. Although a beautiful and small property, Encantada still offers everything you might want for a quiet stay on a pristine beach.
As Our trip comes to a close we are back at our hotel in San Jose. The Alta La Paloma has such a lovely view of the city, it’s bittersweet to be leaving.
My vacation to Costa Rica was the perfect location for some much-needed relaxing. I highly recommend this location for your next adventure! Or for more travel inspiration, check out my blog about my trip to Taos, New Mexico. Plus, for more vacation reels check out my Instagram. Happy travels!
Do you have a favorite Holiday fashion staple that you want to wear on every occasion? I certainly do. But not to worry, in this post I’m going to share my tips and tricks on how to maximize your festive wardrobe by making small changes and creating budget friendly Holiday outfits.
Budget Friendly Holiday Outfits
This tuxedo dress from Adrianna Papell is one of my favorite Holiday outfits. It has so many possibilities, but at my age, it’s just a little too short for comfort. Though pantyhose and tights always work well, sometimes you need to try something a little bit different.
Thankfully, this particular dress has quite a few stylish possibilities. Mainly a chic black coat, which made it so much more versatile. With one quick adjustment, this beautiful dress became a sophisticated and polished budget friendly Holiday outfit.
Here is the trick. I took the extra button they had on the inside as a spare and attached it to the opposite side. It made for an easy transition from the flap that was part of the dress to the coat it is now. If you know me then you know I love to shop my closet. So, finding simple and versatile ways to transform an article of clothing into a whole new outfit is very exciting.
I usually add ostrich feathers to the bottom of my shorter skirts. It’s an effective way to add some length while also adding in some fun detail. Keep in mind that if you’re going to be using feathers, they can often be quite thin. So, if you’re going to use options from places like Amazon, then it’s best to double up to create a fuller look.
Recently, however, I stumbled upon another idea. I found the most fabulous skirt from J. Crew that works perfectly under this dress. It is latticed, sparkly, and super chic. Not only does it give me the length I need, but it completely changes the look without breaking the bank. Making this a perfect example of a budget friendly Holiday outfit!
Budget Friendly Handbag Tips
Last year I spent some time exploring all of the fashionable evening bags on the market. Then I found this one on Amazon that was very similar to the designer bags but at a fraction of the price. This stunning bag by Cariedo worked beautifully for all of my events last year. But this year I had an idea on how to transform it into a chic new look.
All it took was one simple change! I found some patterned shoe bags that I happened to have on hand and used them to cover the original burgundy insert. The first one is a gorgeous animal print that is stylish, fun and perfect for any occasion. The second one is a bright tropical print that was a great change of pace. I love the way the print stands out against the sparkling jewels.
3 different looks, with a quick and simple adjustment. You can do this with almost everything in your wardrobe. A little trial and error and you’ll find that there are many ways of transforming your favorite pieces into something new. This is the easiest way to get the most bang for your buck and to keep within your budget during this Holiday season.
Maximizing the Use of Beauty Products
These tips don’t just apply to fashion, there are also ways of maximizing the use of your beauty products as well. A simple tool like this lip brush applicator is an old-fashioned trick that will allow you to use every last bit of your lipstick. Plus, it will provide smooth coverage of your lip color or gloss and it’s reusable.
If you’re committed to sticking to your budget this season, then try to keep some of these tips in mind. There is always a way to give your favorite outfit a new spin, and usually it just takes a small change. If you’re interested in some more feather inspiration, then check out my blog post on how to wear the trend here.
What if you could know what’s going on inside your body and search for 500 different conditions with a 60-minute scan and no radiation? Enter the Prenuvo scan. Read on for more information and a discount code!
Prenuvo is a new body scan that can detect your risk for developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease and cancer.
The Prenuvo scan is a Whole-Body MRI scan that is aimed at the early detection of disease and cancer. As it is an MRI scan, it doesn’t use any radiation, nor does it use contrast. It uses anatomical and functional imaging sequences, and an approach called multiparametric imaging to scan many organs of the body in one session. Due to this technique, Prenuvo scans can capture 10 times more images at a high quality compared to traditional MRI.
Why get a Prenuvo Scan?
We all do what we can to stay healthy. But what if we don’t really know what’s happening inside our bodies? Eating healthy and exercising are important ways to keep yourself in good shape. But sometimes we don’t know if we have internal issues until it’s too late. I posted before about the fear of the unknown and it is truly something we need to be aware of.
The primary reason people get a Prenuvo body scan is for preventative health measures. When you get one, you’re able to obtain a baseline profile of your health that you can use as a monitor over time. As we age, our immune system slows down, and the risk of disease increases. Those with a family history of disease and cancer, or who experience unexplained symptoms over time, will use a Prenuvo scan to help identify potential early signs of disease. This will alleviate uncertainties about what is going on in their bodies.
How it Works
The Prenuvo scan was actually a lot easier than I expected. It lasted approximately one hour, and I was able to watch Netflix or listen to music. The technician was very kind, she explained everything and gave me information every step of the way. I was amazed to learn that up to 2000 images are taken during the scan. Afterward they’re sent to a Prenuvo-trained Radiologist for a comprehensive assessment.
Honestly, I was a bit nervous about what my results may be, especially where my brain was concerned. But the Prenuvo body scan can identify over 500 different conditions, both common and rare. It’s comforting to know that if there may be something wrong, there’s a good chance that Prenuvo will catch it. Check out their website here for a detailed breakdown of the conditions and commonly asked questions.
For an explanation of my experience and the results of my scan check out my YouTube video here. If you’re interested in trying this service and would like to find a location near you, click this link here.
The lovely people at Prenuvo have also created a promo code for my friends and followers that will give them $300 off the price of the full body scan. You can either click the link prenuvo.com/SONIAL (with capital letters) when booking online or mention the code SONIAL for over-the-phone bookings.
With the news and social media, we are constantly exposed to an abundance of health scares. Plus, we all have our own reasons for worrying about our health. Whether it be genetic dispositions, unexplained pain, aging, or general curiosity, taking preventative measures is the best way to give yourself and your loved ones some peace of mind. I’ve recently entered my 7th decade so I’m especially grateful to have had this scan and can now be confident in the knowledge of my health. If you’re interested in learning more about your well-being, ask your doctor about getting a Prenuvo body scan! Or for more information about how I maintain my vitality at my age, check out my blog post here.
