Month: May 2020

Finding New Words and Expressions at Any Stage of Life

Finding New Words and Expressions at Any Stage of Life

We all use words every day. Whether to express an ordinary sentiment, a technical problem, or something much deeper and reflective, we do our best to get the words right.

We learned most of these words a long time ago, and they have served us well. Occasionally, we pick up a new one from reading a book, watching television, or conversing with friends.

But what if the ‘right’ word does not come to mind?

Foreign Words and Expressions

One solution is to find the right word in another language. People have been ‘borrowing’ words for a long time.

The French talk about ‘le week-end’ or ‘le hamburger’ or, as I recently learned, working ‘freelance’. We also borrow from them, with words such as crêche, savoir faire, chic, and, famously, ‘entrepreneur’.

We also borrow from many other languages. One that is often used as an example is schadenfreude, taken from German. It means taking pleasure from another person’s misfortune, a complicated thought but it comes in handy from time to time.

Creating Words and Expressions Where They Are Lacking

But it is also fun to create your own. Often, these are not carefully planned, but are invented on the spur of the moment and then take on a life of their own. They become a ‘family expression’ for something where there is no other word.

Let me offer a few examples from my own family.

Dime Warming

When I was in my teens, my family lived in Manhattan, New York City. Because this is an island, it was necessary to cross a bridge to go anywhere else and this inevitably required a toll.

When my parents got into the car, my mother would always get out the appropriate change (initially, much as it is hard to believe, 10 cents) to be ready for the bridge.

It took some time to get to any bridge, and my father called this ‘dime warming’ (for non-Americans, a dime is the word for the 10 cents coin).

Hence, dime warming is useful shorthand for any excessively early preparation for an event, at least in my house.

Doing a Wellisch

A more frivolous example comes from a university professor, named Wellisch (pronounced Vellish), who taught my husband years ago. He was very accident-prone, often involving dropping things.

The decisive moment came when he took out a large box of matches to light his pipe, but it turned out to be upside down. The result was a rippling of matches all over his desk and the floor. My husband said it was hard not to smile.

‘Doing a Wellisch’ became a ready description of any messy spillage of no great importance. You are transferring rice, for example, from a plastic package into a storage jar and you miss – there is rice all over the floor. You have ‘done a Wellisch’ for sure. There is no English word that expresses this so clearly.

Doing an André

Yet another expression comes from a different acquaintance. We used to go out frequently to local restaurants with friends. On one occasion, we were joined by a guy named André at a wonderful Indian restaurant.

He was a man of great enthusiasms. Although we had each already ordered a complete meal, he liked his first course so much (which was, indeed, delicious) that he impulsively ordered another one.

‘Doing an André’ means ordering the same dish again, because it is so good.

Being New Yorkered

We have recently added another saying to our repertoire. We were regular readers of the New Yorker for many years and, as you may know, its articles tend to be extremely long.

I would often start an article that looked interesting only to find myself unexpectedly stuck with numerous pages to go. I called this ‘being New Yorkered’ and it can happen with any magazine.

Renaming Existing Concepts

Of course, every family has a tendency to create its own vocabulary for day-to-day events, arising from an accident of language or often the misunderstandings of a young child.

When I was young enough to require a nap, I famously said I was allowed to do anything ‘becept’ reading, if I didn’t fall asleep. My brother used to say that my father did ‘grouse-talk’ when getting out of bed, as he complained a lot.

And I suspect every family has its own expressions for excreting. These are generally not very interesting, but I did like the word used by a friend for what his baby produced (a ‘dumpette’).

Perhaps you also have your own words that have developed over time.

Do you have family expressions for circumstances where there is no English one? What are they and why did they come to happen? Do you have your own words for commonplace events or things? Let’s have a fun chatconversation!

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Most Tinted Moisturizers Have SPF, But These are the Best

Whether you’re spending most of the day inside or outdoors for work or errands, sun protection is a must. I’ll say it again for the people in the back—wearing sunscreen is very important. Apply it every day, even when the sun is hiding behind the clouds; UV rays will find their way around them. And if you’re someone who forgets to apply it before or after putting on your makeup, invest in the best SPF tinted moisturizer or other coverage option. There’s plenty to choose from.

This time of year—those months when cool spring days are sandwiched in-between humid summer days and a random day where it’s 40 degrees and raining—tinted moisturizer is the product everyone seems to be banking on. And while there are so many that target every and any concern, including dryness and acne, almost all of them include SPF (thank goodness). So which ones are the best? According to reviews (and a whole lot of scrolling and clicking on my part), these seven formulas are the hall-of-famers that actually do what they say. Keep scrolling and get familiar before locking down your in-between-seasons routine.

PÜR 4-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer, Broad Spectrum SPF 20

PÜR.

PÜR 4-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20

If like me, you rarely want to give more than five minutes to a morning beauty routine, this multitasking glow getter should be at the top of your shopping list. It moisturizes, primes the skin for makeup, provides sun protection, all while being the makeup it preps your skin for, too. In addition to enriching the skin with multiple hydrating ingredients, its exclusive Ceretin Complex also provides reparative properties for targeting skin damage.

Buy: PÜR 4-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer, Broad Spectrum SPF 20 $34

EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Face Moisturizer SPF 40

EltaMD.

EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Face Moisturizer SPF 40

Its hyaluronic acid-boosted sunscreen is an Amazon top-seller and the tinted version comes in a very close second. The dermatologist-tested and fragrance-free formula can be worn under makeup to enhance the overall finish or alone for just a hint of sheer color.

Buy: EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Face Moisturizer SPF 40 $31.50

Image Skincare Prevention Daily Tinted SPF 30 Moisturizer

Image Skincare.

Image Skincare Prevention Daily Tinted SPF 30 Moisturizer

Reviewers on the brand website laud this sheer coverage moisturizer for its non-greasy finish and ability to blend seamlessly into the skin with or without the addition of foundation. The formula includes a trademarked Digital Aging Defense technology that provides protection against blue light in addition to broad spectrum protection from the sun’s UV rays.

Buy: Image Skincare Prevention Daily Tinted SPF 30 Moisturizer $40

bareMinerals COMPLEXION RESCUE™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

bareMinerals.

bareMinerals COMPLEXION RESCUE™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Reviewers love the consistency of this vegan gel-cream made with 98 percent naturally-derived ingredients and available in an impressive range of 20 buildable shades that give you “the benefits of makeup, skincare, and SPF in one step.”

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bareMinerals COMPLEXION RESCUE™ Tinted… $33

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Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30

Laura Mercier.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30

Even after getting a makeover, this award-winning option remains a cult favorite for its long wear formula that doesn’t cake up over time, but instead, keeps the skin dewy and hydrated with multiple fruit extracts.

Origins GinZing™ SPF 40 Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturizer

Origins.

Origins GinZing™ SPF 40 Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturizer

Dry skin types—don’t overlook this tinted moisturizer just because its formula is “oil-free.” In addition to its more popular ingredient (caffeine) that will energize and revitalize the skin after an all-nighter or stressful week, are dozens of other essential oils renowned for their moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties.

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Origins GinZing™ SPF 40 Energy-Boosting… $39.50

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NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

NARS.

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Might as well pair your Orgasm blush with this complexion booster enriched with revitalizing Mineral sea water, hydrating Kopara, and a vitamin C derivative to reduce dark spots and areas of hyperpigmentation in just one month.

Buy: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 $42

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

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Scarcity or Abundance? The Choice Is Ours

Scarcity or Abundance

Scarcity is traditionally defined as growth in demand which is not followed by supply. We tend to think of scarcity in terms of water, food, and other resources.

For many of us living in developed countries, scarcity was simply not a part of day-to-day thinking. At least until Covid-19 made its dramatic entrance across the globe.

Losses Abound

There’s nothing like a pandemic to spark worldwide scarcity. Many are experiencing limited access to food, hand sanitizer, soap, and other necessities. Some essential employees lack appropriate personal protective equipment. We may perceive a lack of valid, helpful information.

As we watch the stock market waver, businesses close permanently, and farmers unable to sell their crops, it is easy to see the economy as doom and gloom.

Interactions with high-risk family members are limited. Many have lost jobs, while others can no longer enjoy meaningful pursuits such as volunteering.

The greatest losses are loved ones; from Covid-19 and other causes. While the causes are different, those left behind have all been thrust into a world in which they cannot mourn in typical ways.

Scarcity Is Also a Mindset

While scarcity can be defined in terms of supply and demand, it can also be defined as a state of mind. There are many circumstances that readily send us into a scarcity mindset. The human brain is designed to keep us safe from danger, so it naturally focuses on negative, potentially perilous circumstances.

Thanks to the pandemic of 2020, there is no shortage of those circumstances. Circumstances are all the things outside of our control: pandemics, other people, and anything that happens outside of us. I

t’s easy to think that our circumstances directly create our sense of scarcity, but actually feelings of scarcity (or any other feeling, including abundance) begin their existance in our minds.

The Superpower Within Us

Fortunately, there is a protective shield between our circumstances and our feelings – and that is our thoughts. Our thoughts are our superpowers, and they are 100% optional.

For every thought our brains choose to think, there is an infinite number of other thoughts equally available to us. We can only feel scarcity if we choose thoughts that produce feelings of scarcity. Or we can choose other thoughts that still feel true to us but create a different feeling.

This is good news. It means we are not victims of our circumstances if we are leveraging the power of our thoughts. It takes all the power away from our circumstances and places it directly with us.

For example, General Electric, General Motors, IBM, Disney, HP, Hyatt, Trader Joe’s, FedEx, Microsoft –all have something in common: these large companies were all started during a recession. Add to that Facebook and Google which were all launched right before economic meltdowns.

Those leaders saw opportunity when many others were spinning in a scarcity mindset. We can choose that for ourselves, too.

Is a Pandemic Also an Opportunity?

What if this pandemic were just like a weight in the gym? It’s heavy but that heaviness serves a purpose if we choose to pick it up. It can make us stronger. Ask your brain to consider all the ways you have become stronger this year, what you’ve learned, and how you’ve grown.

When we keep the long term in mind, we can see the current crisis as a blip in time, even an opportunity to better manage our minds; to think thoughts that serve us.

Thinking Thoughts on Purpose

We can acknowledge that it is normal for our brains to spiral on scarcity to keep us safe. Recognize the brain for trying it do its job, then ask it to also consider abundance. For every area of life that seems to represent scarcity, think of at least two areas of abundance.

For every thought about what might go wrong, ask your brain to also consider what might go right. For every unsettling story on the news, seek out stories of triumph, teamwork, and resourcefulness.

Even this unprecedented time can be a moment to enjoy abundance and create more of it. It is completely up to us to choose.

How have you been affected by the pandemic? Do you notice a mindset of scarcity or abundance, or something in between? What thoughts are serving you? Let’s have a conversation.

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Braunwyn Windham-Burke’s Red Ruffle Maxi Dress

Braunwyn Windham-Burke’s Red Ruffle Maxi Dress on Instagram

Real Housewives of Orange County Instagram Fashion 2020

Although her sophomore season of RHOC may not be hitting the air for another 10 years awhile, thankfully we can always rely on Braunwyn Windham-Burke to provide us with cute outfit inspa on Insta like with the flowy red ruffle maxi dress she wore while bringing Sophie Beador some graduation balloons. Which is not only still up for grabs just in time for summer, but is also one size fits all; therefore definitely giving us enough reason to (social distance-style of course) celebrate…maybe with cake. 🎂 🎉

Fashionably,

Faryn

Braunwyn Windham-Burke’s Red Ruffle Maxi Dress

Click Here to Shop Her 9seed Dress

Click Here For Additional Stock

Photo: @ShannonBeador

Additional Colours:

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Originally posted at: Braunwyn Windham-Burke’s Red Ruffle Maxi Dress

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Can Castor Oil Really Help Your Lashes & Brows Grow?

Hair loss is a well-known and wide-spread issue. Thinning hair can be caused by a vast array of different things, from genetics to stress to diet and prescription medications. However, while we typically think of the hair on our head when it comes to this concern, our lashes and eyebrows can also be impacted by the same reason the hair on heads begins to thin. Castor oil has been generating buzz lately, touted for its apparent ability to help promote accelerate eyebrow and eyelash re-growth. Unlike Biotin and other B-vitamins, there isn’t a ton of clinically backed research vetting the alleged connection between castor oil and accelerated hair regrowth. On the other hand, the anecdotal research is pretty compelling, with plenty of before-and-after pics scattered throughout the web.

While the academic research and clinical trials examining the oil’s ability to promote hair re-growth may be scant, that doesn’t mean the connection is to be completely discredited. In fact, castor oil does have natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal proprieties, which can thoroughly cleanse and remove dead skin and product buildup from the scalp. When the hair follicles on the scalp are clogged, this inhibits normal hair growth. Just like congested pores on your face, congested follicles on your scalp are simply no good. And, according to some castor oil manufacturers, it functions as an effective growth accelerant because it’s penetrated easily, delivering a saturated dose of Vitamin E, triglyceride fatty acids, and bond-building proteins. In short, while more research needs to be conducted for castor to earn  the FDA’s seal of approval, if you’re like us, the vast amount of “true stories” documenting its benefits are enough to convince us to try it out for ourselves.

After experiencing a month or two of non-stop stress and lack of sleep, I woke up one morning and as I looked in the mirror, I realized that my brows were noticeably thinner than a week or two ago. Of course, given my non-stop schedule that had taken over my life during the past weeks, it makes sense that the thinning brow situation would go unnoticed until that very moment. In panic mode, I immediately began to research what type of disease could be at the root of my suddenly skimpy brows, only to settle on the conclusion that it was in fact, probably stress — a very common cause of hair loss according to my bible, WebMd. Anyways, after learning that a few friends of mine had also been battling this sudden onset of thinning brows, I began to try out the oil myself to see what I could glean. I’m not sure if my restored brows were courtesy of my return to a more balanced schedule or the castor oil, but there was a visible improvement in the fullness of my brows. While I can’t speak to its impact on eyelash growth, I would imagine it would have same effect and the products below all claim to help in this department. Here are some of our favorite formulas.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

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