Hello, Helpful!

I am super excited about this find.  As I was shopping for some outdoor lights and accessories at Target the other day, I happened upon this grocery list made by Real Simple.  Because, seriously - do you ever end up with exactly what you walked in to Target to buy?  No.  This list has magnets on the back so you can hang it on the fridge - just check the items you need to re-stock as you run out.  This is a huge time-saver and will set you back $9 - it's a large pad and will surely last you a long time.

For more info, click here.     

Making grocery shopping fun again.....................XOXO, Tiff.    

Since we've been on the topic of "faking it," why not fake a clean house?

Real Simple, I love you. Now that I have THAT out of the way, I have yet another helpful article from the trusty Real Simple folks. I found this article and I actually let out a little giggle at the title, "How to Fake a Clean House." Because, let's be honest, when you're planning on having people over, cleaning your house appropriately can take a looooooong time - time that could be spent on preparing those adorable hors d'oeurves and fanning the cocktail napkins (you know you want to).

This article is full of seriously helpful hints - even if you don't want to fake the cleanliness of your abode, there are some good tips anybody can use. Check it out here.

Happy "cleaning"................XOXO, Tiff.

Party Planning Checklist

As the weather warms up, we will surely be increasingly social, right? Which means parties, parties, parties. I found this helpful checklist at Real Simple - it provides a great, organized approach to party planning to ensure a low-stress affair!

Check it out here.

Who has fun at their own party? You do..........XOXO, Tiff.

*photo by Rob Howard on Real Simple's website

Skincare 101

I found an article from Real Simple that educates about common skincare product ingredients.  Have you ever read multiple labels, only to be confused about what it is exactly that you're slathering all over your face?  Here is the low-down on what they are and why you might want them or not want them in your regimen.  

1.  Vitamin C (a.k.a. ascorbic acid, l-ascorbic acid, ascorbate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate,                                     ascorbyl palmitate)

Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant (meaning that it combats the free-radicals our skin encounters daily) that is good for aging and sun-damaged skin.  Watch for this ingredient if your skin is sensitive.

2.  Salicylic Acid (a.k.a. beta-hydroxy acid)

Look for this ingredient if you have normal-oily skin and want to treat acne.  Do not use products containing salicylic acid if you have sensitive skin, dry skin, or have an allergy to aspirin (FYI - I just read in a magazine that a quick at-home remedy for combating a pimple is to crush an aspirin and make a paste with water - leave mixture on pimple for 10 minutes and rinse off).  Aspirin and salicylic acid come from the same family.  

3.  Ferulic Acid (a.k.a. 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid)

Use products with this ingredient if you have normal-dry skin and are interested in fighting sun damage and aging.  According to Real Simple, this ingredient is usually used in conjunction with Vitamins E and C as a stabilizer.

4.  Retinol (a.k.a. retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate)

This ingredient is good for normal-oily skin and treats acne, aging, and sun-damage.  Avoid   this one if you have sensitive skin.  

5.  Idebenone (a.k.a. ubiquinone, coenzyme Q-10)

This one is good for all skin types and is a powerful antioxidant that treats sun damage, 

irritation, and aging.  As an antioxidant, it possesses anti-inflammatory properties that strengthen the skin.    

6.  Hyaluronic Acid (a.k.a. sodium hyaluronate)

Look for this ingredient if you want to treat aging; it's good for all skin types - especially 

dry skin.  

7.  Green Tea (a.k.a. EGCG [epigallocatechin gallate])

This is another antioxidant good for all skin types.  It treats sun damage, irritation, and aging.  An interesting factoid on the Real Simple page states that "...studies have shown that a product containing at least 5% green tea extract may help prevent skin cancer."  

8.   Niacinamide (a.k.a. nicotinamide)

Especially good for dry skin, this ingredient treats sun damage, irritation, and aging (I'm noticing a theme here - ha).  A full description regarding what exactly this ingredient does can be found on the website, but it translates to this: that it gives your skin a "healthy, youthful glow."  Yes, please.

9.  Alpha Lipoic Acid (a.k.a. lipoic acid)

This is a powerful exfoliator used to treat sun damage and aging.  All skin types can use this, but avoid it if you have very sensitive skin.  

This completes our first lesson; now you are armed with more knowledge to go out and embark on the wonderful world of skincare.  At the very least, you will know what those ingredients are doing in your products.  Check out the full article here; it goes into more depth regarding why these ingredients work and provide some examples of products containing the ingredients.      

Happy skin-caring......Tiff.