My mother just received the results of her PET scan. Did the radiation treatment she got in September work or not?

She is 83, and I am happy to say yes, the radiation did its job. Does she know how relieved I am? Does she know how much I still need her, even though I am 58 years old and a grandmother to boot? Maybe.

But, just in case she doesn’t, guess what my mother is getting for Mother’s Day. Perfume? Flowers? More stuff? Heck no! My mother is getting a tribute legacy letter and if you haven’t written yours, now is the time to begin.

Start Writing Your Legacy Letter Today

So, let me help with some suggested sample questions you can answer. You can incorporate your answers into your letter. That’s how easy it is to develop content for your tribute legacy letter to your mother.

If you write a tribute legacy letter to your mother, consider letting me know her reaction or sharing your letter with others here on the blog. Your letters and the questions you asked your mother can give others invaluable guidance in accomplishing this important task. Please click here if you want to see legacy letter examples.

Below are 10 sample questions. Next month, I will give you ten more sample questions, so you can write your father a tribute legacy letter too, just in time for Father’s Day. Don’t you think he has enough ties?

Sample Tribute Legacy Letter Questions about Your Mother

• What are your two or three favorite memories of your mother?
• What are the two or three things you most admire or appreciate about her?
• What do you consider are her most significant achievements and accomplishments? Why?
• What are some of the difficulties or challenges she faced in her life? How did she handle these? What did you learn from her about overcoming obstacles?
• Can you recall a choice or decision you made based on a value or principle taught to you by your mother?
• What trait(s) of your mother do you most wish to emulate? Why? Can you share a story or two that helps illustrate these traits?
• What talent or skill does your mother have that you would like to develop? Why?
• What life lesson(s) did your mother impart to you that were most useful? In what way?
• Was there a crisis in your life that your mother helped you overcome? How?
• What are profound ways your mother helped you, or someone you love?

Even if your parents have passed, perhaps you have someone else special in your life that awakens the best in you. Write them a tribute legacy letter.

If you would like some help with writing a legacy letter, please get in touch with me. Otherwise, I hope that the questions listed here inspire you to write a legacy letter for your mom or someone else special in your life.

If you started to write a legacy letter for your mom today, what would be the major themes that you would focus on? What do you appreciate most about your mom? Please join the conversation in the comments below.

Each season offers fresh opportunities to begin anew. And because this past year has been incredibly challenging due to the pandemic, many people are welcoming positive change and a better future. What positive shifts are you working on? Can you visualize brighter days? In order to be successful, we must be willing to reach higher than our current circumstances.

During my morning spiritual practice last week, I read two articles from different sources that touched my heart. One was about saying “yes” to new opportunities, and the other emphasized the importance of non-attachment. Each discussion was significant individually, but when paired together, they presented a powerful lesson in living a creative life.

Be Open to New Opportunities, But Don’t Be Attached to the Outcome!

Sometimes when people set personal intentions, they are quick to throw up their hands in despair when the plan doesn’t pan out the way they expected or when the dream seems to be taking too long. Why put a limit on your progress? Once you give yourself permission to let go of the self-imposed constraints you’ve placed on your path, you’ll be greeted with unexpected opportunities.

Be wary of clutching your dream so tightly that your blessing can’t reach you. Resistance impedes circulation. Release your limited expectations and allow your good to flow.

Let’s Explore an Example Together…

Say you want to build meaningful relationships this year and look forward to expanding your network of like-minded friends. You heard about an awesome virtual book club but are not sure that an online connection can offer the kind of experience you’re looking for. Plus, you may not be feeling confident about your technology skills and are reluctant to register.

Well, here’s your opportunity to connect with others. That’s what you want, right? And you love the idea of a great book discussion. The rest doesn’t matter. Stop looking for the same way you used to do things.

Prepare yourself to be open to a new experience. Don’t allow one minor concern to prevent you from fully participating with the group. You can always ask for guidance if you’re not sure how to navigate the online platform.

Inaction Will Cancel the Best Intention!

Once you click the link to join the meeting, you’ll determine that it wasn’t as difficult as you thought. And most importantly, you’ve made instant connections. Look how much you learned about yourself and others in just one meeting! As you turn the page to a new chapter, you’ll discover others are ready to enjoy it with you.

Back to Your Intentions for This Year…

What are you calling in? Is it a more nutritious meal plan? Are you serious about your new fitness schedule? Do you want to dejunktify your home? If you’re opening the door for more community service engagements, clearing your home of clutter would be a great start. Families in need will be grateful for your donations and your generosity.

One of the most important missions in life is to realize your purpose and bring it forth in the world. I believe that’s why we’re here. However, your purpose should be viewed as a living contract – forever expanding and evolving just like you are.

Be open to continually redefining your purpose. We must remain in a constant state of renewal and growth. That’s why it’s imperative to accept opportunities that will nurture our gifts and talents. Saying “yes” to new experiences keeps us young and vibrant.

Look How Far You’ve Come!

Consider this: Whatever expectation you’ve created in your mind regarding your life’s work is naturally narrow in scope. In other words, you’re capable of more than you’re able to recognize through your current lens.

You see, although we live in an abundant universe, we have yet to experience all that life has to offer. Our daily decisions are based on our awareness at that particular time.

As a life explorer, appreciate how far you’ve traveled since you set your intention. You’re not the same person you were yesterday. The knowledge, experience and wisdom you’ve gained over the years have prepared you for greater things.

Begin where you are and move forward. But know that where you are at this moment is not where you have to be tomorrow, if you remain curious and open.

On a Personal Note…

If I had not been willing to step into the unknown and accept a new opportunity, I would not have discovered my mission for the second half of my life. I had to venture outside my comfort zone of teaching in the public school system to using my skill set in a different way that included my passion for wellness.

Opening the door to something fresh and original was intimidating, but I allowed Divine Spirit to lead the way. I’m still inspiring and motivating others, but now my programming is specifically designed to prepare mature and seasoned women to live their best life.

“An acting teacher once told me, ‘Greet everything with yes… Even if you abandon one idea for another one, saying yes allows you to move forward.’” — Elizabeth Stamatina Fey (AKA Tina Fey)

With any venture, give yourself time to appreciate its value. That’s how you grow! Ask yourself what you gained from your involvement. But most importantly, what did you learn about yourself?

Perhaps you will decide not to continue investing your time in a particular activity. And that’s okay, too. It’s all part of the process. Remember: Don’t be attached to an outcome, but be open to the possibility of advancement.

You’ll Never Discover What You’re Made of If You Develop a Closed-Minded Attitude

We must be patient and gentle with ourselves when making conscious, transformational changes. Focus your intention on small, actionable lifestyle shifts. Prepare your plan but be open to a higher plan. Set your heart on welcoming opportunities that will encourage you to explore more of who you were meant to be.

What positive shifts do you plan to make in your life this year? What is your purpose in life? How do you keep refining it? Tell us about a time when you were reluctant to try something new, but once you did, you received more than you expected.

Vintner’s Daughter’s now-iconic Active Botanical Serum dropped back in 2015, and after just a few years on the market has far surpassed the cult-level status, amassing an impressive fan following among editors, makeup artists, and celebrities, including wellness-obsessed Gwyneth Paltrow, model Hilary Rhoda, and Naomi Watts. Before we get into the best Vintner’s Daughter dupes, let’s first address why this facial oil is so universally beloved, despite its jaw-dropping price point. This multi-use oil has been touted for its vast array of skin-enhancing benefits and its uncanny ability to work its skin-enhancing magic on just about any skin type and apparently, improve just about any skin concern, from clearing recurring acne flare-ups, softening fine lines, and fading acne scars just to name a few.

To be fair, though it’s steeply priced at a whopping $185 a pop, this complexion-nourishing holy grail is one product that loyal fans claim is a splurge-worthy game-changer in their skincare lineup, and Vintner’s Daughter’s website provides an extensive explanation of ingredients, benefits, and shares their elaborate formulation and sourcing process to help warrant its lofty price point. After working at her family-owned vineyard in Napa for a decade, founder April Gargiulo (yes, she is indeed the daughter of a winemaker) became inspired to formulate an all-natural skincare product equally as effective at combating common skincare woes as other chemical-laden counterparts after she gave birth to her first child.

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. 

Courtesy of Vintner’s Daughter.

Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum

Drawing from her vast knowledge of winemaking, she formulated the Active Botanical Serum with a roster of 22 different clean active ingredients sourced from sustainable growers around the world, including Grape Seed Oil, Turmeric, and Rosehip alongside a slew of regionally-sourced, cold-pressed botanical oils and nourishing fatty acids. According to the website, formulators spend about three weeks infusing the plants with other powerful additives to ensure the utmost in quality and efficacy. In addition to its eco-friendly actives, the oil is also formulated with a three-level delivery system, which helps the skin better absorb the ingredients, allowing them to penetrate deeper, while the push/pull application design helps boost circulation for an instant glow. Basically, this oil is like a nutrient-packed green juice for your face.

With all this being said, if you simply can’t even entertain the idea of dropping nearly $200 on face oil, we’ve done the research for you, and found some promising Vintner’s Daughter dupes for a fraction of the price. These alternatives all contain similar, clean, nutrient-dense ingredients that deliver anti-inflammatory and skin-nourishing properties but come with much more palatable price points. You’re welcome!

Courtesy of Kiehl’s.

1. Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate

This face oil-serum hybrid is like an instant pick-me-up for your skin, especially when you’re jet-lagged, under the weather or sleep-deprived. With a blend of ginger root, sunflower oil, and antioxidant citrus extracts, this lightweight oil gives your skin an instant glow and offers free-radical defense. Because it’s mineral oil-free and noncomedogenic, it’s a great choice for those with acne-prone skin.

Courtesy of Paula’s Choice.

2. Paula’s Choice Moisture Renewal Oil Booser

This booster oil is infused with anti-aging and skin-plumping ceramides suspended in a moisturizing argan oil base. With continued use, it promises to help soften lines and restore skin’s elasticity, and it layers well under your makeup during the daytime too.

Buy: Paula’s Choice Booster Oil $38

3. Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

A cult-favorite in its own right, this luxe face oil contains a gentle form of retinol suspended in a lightweight oil to offset any irritation. It also contains soothing ingredients including German Chamomile and Blue Tansy to nourish the skin, restoring plumpness, and softening fine lines without feeling heavy.

Buy: Sunday Riley Luna Oil $55

Courtesy of Fresh.

4. Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil

Like the original Vintner’s Daughter Oil, this alternative also contains grape seed oil to help balance the skin’s hydration levels and keep pH in check. It’s also chock-full of powerful antioxidants including seaberry oil to protect against free radical damage and fatty acids like omega 7 to keep skin looking plump and luminous.

Courtesy of Herbivore.

5. Herbivore Botanicals Orchid Face Oil

Similar to Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, this orchid-infused dupe contains high-quality, cold-pressed actives, including Camellia oil and both omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

Buy: Herbivore Botanicals Orchid Face Oil $64

A version of this article was originally published on May 3, 2019. 

They’ve done it again. Just a few weeks after their Watermelon serum went viral on TikTok, Glow Recipe launched another product that’s set to blow up, too. The Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum was made for sensitive skin to soothe and calm redness, irritation and dehydration. Even if you don’t have dry skin, this can help repair a damaged moisture barrier that happens for all kinds of reasons and you might not even know it’s there.

All the acids we love, the BHAs and AHAs, the retinoids, can help unclog pores and smooth out the skin’s texture. But it can also leave your skin a little sensitized. That happens if you don’t use the right hydration with these types of products, or if you use them too often. Add in environmental damage like pollution and the sun and you’ve got a recipe for an effed-up moisture barrier.

Have you ever applied your normal daytime moisturizer or sunscreen and wondered why it stung? Yup, that’s that damage telling you it needs to be soothed. This serum can help.

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.

Glow Recipe.

It targets dry, irritated, itchy red skin with Ceramide-5 to prevent and repair any discomfort. There’s also avocado butter and avocado extract, which acts as an antioxidant packed with Oleic and linoleic acids to smooth and moisturize. The addition of Allantoin helps continue to moisturize and protect the skin, while K-beauty favorite rice milk soothes and hydrates.

The vegan and cruelty-free serum fits right into your nighttime skincare routine because it’s lightweight and has no sticky texture. You can easily apply it under your heavier moisturizers for extra hydration. If you have oily skin, you’ll love the light feel under an oil-free lotion that won’t clog your pores. Then you can really get some beauty sleep.

They’ve done it again. Just a few weeks after their Watermelon serum went viral on TikTok, Glow Recipe launched another product that’s set to blow up, too. The Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum was made for sensitive skin to soothe and calm redness, irritation and dehydration. Even if you don’t have dry skin, this can help repair a damaged moisture barrier that happens for all kinds of reasons and you might not even know it’s there.

All the acids we love, the BHAs and AHAs, the retinoids, can help unclog pores and smooth out the skin’s texture. But it can also leave your skin a little sensitized. That happens if you don’t use the right hydration with these types of products, or if you use them too often. Add in environmental damage like pollution and the sun and you’ve got a recipe for an effed-up moisture barrier.

Have you ever applied your normal daytime moisturizer or sunscreen and wondered why it stung? Yup, that’s that damage telling you it needs to be soothed. This serum can help.

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.

Glow Recipe.

It targets dry, irritated, itchy red skin with Ceramide-5 to prevent and repair any discomfort. There’s also avocado butter and avocado extract, which acts as an antioxidant packed with Oleic and linoleic acids to smooth and moisturize. The addition of Allantoin helps continue to moisturize and protect the skin, while K-beauty favorite rice milk soothes and hydrates.

The vegan and cruelty-free serum fits right into your nighttime skincare routine because it’s lightweight and has no sticky texture. You can easily apply it under your heavier moisturizers for extra hydration. If you have oily skin, you’ll love the light feel under an oil-free lotion that won’t clog your pores. Then you can really get some beauty sleep.