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Inspiration for living a luxuriously and balanced life

Thursday, November 8, 2012

A story of Hope...the gift of helping Children

This little bundle came into the world an innocent Angel, full of smiles, curiosity and an unlimited abundance of unconditional love and trust. All this little Angel required was love , nurturing and guidance to grow. 

Unfortunately, this little Angel received nothing and was denied life's basic necessities. Much like yesterdays garbage,"it" was discarded on the curbside. To be picked up or to find "its" way in the world, without being provided with proper tools. 

Despite this cruelty, the little Angel remained trusting and full of unconditional love
 ~ falling easy prey to all the evils of the world.


Then .. a helping hand reached out ... offering protection from the cruel storm. 
 And for the first time in this little Angel's life the helping hand 
asked for  NOTHING in RETURN!
Nor did it TAKE as it pleased! 

Instead it offered many more helping hands, just like it.

 It may have been a long, hard journey of survival for this little Angel, but for the first time there is HOPE, for a future that seemed non-existent, his/Her Future!!!

A story of HOPE...

Hope Unlimited provides the helping hand to some of the world’s most desperate children—the street kids of Brazil. 

In the rescue phase, children are referred to Hope by the Brazilian courts, who have determined that these children are at mortal risk. Hope staff provide immediate emotional support, psychological and medical care, and spiritual healing.

 In the transformation phase (four to eight years), the child is guided through educational programs, and vocational coursework, within the context of family life.

In the re-entry phase, Hope’s young men and women intern with local businesses for a year and live at a transition home for six months. Upon graduation (around the age of 18) each Hope student is guaranteed a job and is given ongoing support through the Graduate Center. Each graduate receives basic household furnishings and a complete set of tools for the trade he or she has learned.

Our family recently became a  THRIVE TEAM member. A program created by Hope Unlimited in response to the numerous inquires, if they had a child sponsorship program, to which they had to respond No until now. Brazilian privacy laws expressly prohibit the organization from linking a sponsor to an individual child.

Why did I choose to support Thrive Team? 

Though I am not linked to a specific child, as a Thrive Team member my monthly contribution gives a child everything he or she needs to thriveMy support helps provide the tools these Angels need to thrive: home, food, a sense of belonging, stability, the opportunity to be children, education, friends, role models and spirituality.

Each month I will receive an email featuring the story of a different child who is benefiting and thriving from Thrive Team contributions.

Because, 100% of my commitment will go to change the world of a child in desperate need. 


To learn more about Hope Unlimited or how  you can become a Thrive Team member, click any of the links within this post or the links below.
CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE

I came to learn about Hope Unlimited by clicking the link to Hope Unlimited, last year, on my dear blog friend Susan's blog ~ My Place to Yours . Clicking that link and learning about Hope unlimited, has given me an opportunity to give back. Thank you Susan. 

Susan has seen first hand the difference Hope Unlimited is making in the lives of these children. She has heard directly from these children how it has saved and changed the direction of their lives.

Many Blessings to all who make a difference in the life of a child, near or far. Next to being given our own life, the gift of helping a child (maternal or not) grow is truly a precious gift above.




Monday, November 5, 2012

Fall into Healthy Skin Care - What's your Secret?

The weather is quickly changing from comfortable cool autumn temps to cooler crisper temps, reminding us that winter is just around the corner. In our area sprinkling of snow like powdered sugar have started to arrive with early mornings.


Products that I have been using this past year that seem to be working ~ by the positive comments friends make about my skin.

Now that the weather is changing I will be looking for a light hydrating cream (I have combination skin - oily T-zone, drier cheeks) that will help combat the winter cold days that are just around the corner.


To ensure optimal protection and moisturizing of skin during the the cold months, it's important to replace the light products used during warmer months for a richer, thicker facial cream. The best face cream for winter should keep skin hydrated and prevent it from becoming dry and flaky. 

Skin type and sun protection also need to be considered when choosing a cold weather facial cream. People with oily skin can and often experience dry patches ~ using a light and hydrating cream will help  in combating this. Normal skin is not as impacted by the colder weather, still it requires a richer and more nourishing cream than what is used during warmer months. When the temperatures drop dry skin is the most affected and thus a richer and deep moisturizing face cream is the best choice for cold weather.

Our environment, poor eating habits, lack of proper sleep/exercise, aging and medications individually can cause havoc on our skin. If you are like me, "facing" a combination of these at any given time, you already know/understand how the effects of these show up in the skin's appearance. A preventive at home maintenance plan along with a seasonal visit to either a dermatologist or an experienced-certified esthetician are beneficial in achieving healthy looking skin.
Along with regular at home skincare maintenance, at the change of each season I book a deep cleansing facial with my esthetician

A Basic Facial includes:
~ Cleansing and exfoliation  
             -  stimulate cell renewal, remove dry skin, break down stubborn discoloration
             -  prepares skin 
~ Face, neck and shoulder massage
             - improves micro circulation to help bring new nutrients to the skin at a 
               cellular level
~ Steam
             - softens the hardened oil in the pore, making it easier for extraction and 
               deep pore cleansing.   
               Steam is also excellent for hydrating the skin provided a cream is used to 
               seal in moisture.
~ Manual extractions
             - manual removal is the most effective way to remove blackheads and unclog pores.
~ Mask
             - used to deeply hydrate and give the skin a healthy radiant glow.
~ Moisturizer (face and eye)
             -  Seals in moisture and adds a protection barrier from harsh elements.

A professional skin care specialist will analyze your skin, hear your concerns and show you how to properly care for your skin based on your unique needs and skin type. 

I have recently discovered the Oxygen Facial and am completely amazed by the results. An oxygen facial delivers oxygen, moisturizer, vitamins and antioxidants to the skin through an airbrush. The pressure and serum help to plump skin, which minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and increases circulation. Unlike traditional treatments there is no red blotchiness and make-up can be applied right after a treatment. Perfect to have done for a special occasion

Would love to know what you use 
if you change your skincare products 
when temps change from  warm cold?



Saturday, November 3, 2012

Pawsitively Lick Worthy Sweaters...

This little fashionista  is refusing to go outside to do her "business" since the weather started turning crisp in the mornings ... and don't even think about it if there is a drop or two of rain (anytime of the day)...

Stay Calm and Go For a Walk
Click link for Furbaby Outfit details Stay Calm and Go for a Walk by highheeledlife



Maybe she is Pawtesting, because she has not been taken shopping for her cold weather sweaters and has been having to wear her brother's sweaters.  

May be these will get her excited to go out ... what do you think?

Dolce has got the cold day routine down pat! Vest and boots ...

Maybe while I'm out shopping for Gabbana .... I'll see about some items for Moi .. After all I enjoy an autumn walk as much as the furbabies ... and one can never have too many cashmere sweaters, can they?

An Autumn Walk Calms the Mind

Click link to see complete outfit details An Autumn Walk Calms the Mind by highheeledlife 








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