Month: October 2021

6 Tips on How to Get Back to Traveling NOW

tips to resume travel locally

It’s either spring or fall in your part of the world, a perfect time to get out there, stretch your legs and your imagination again. Yes, there are changes in the way we can travel now but with some simple tips it is definitely a go.

Think Local

Local can refer to your state or province or whatever geographical region is within driving distance. Maybe places close to you are not on your list, but they can be a gateway to more travel later on. Look for local tours and trips where there are only a few people going.

I just booked a week-long trip a couple of months from now, which includes biking, hiking, and kayaking. Five people, two locations for accommodation. When we are together, we will wear masks. When we are outdoors (most of the time) masks will be optional.

You can google “day trips near me,” or check with museums and tour guides in your area. They all have safety precautions in place.

Transportation

Right now, traveling by car is probably the safest way to go. Some airlines are doing a great job and others are not.

My daughter just took a short flight lasting a couple of hours that was filled to capacity with no social distancing at all. And other flights are either late or get cancelled. So, stay out of airplanes unless you know their policy regarding safety and how many seats they plan to fill.

Traveling by car allows you to stop when you want and even bring your pets with you. They want to get out too and be with you.

Accommodations

When your local outing takes longer than a day trip, finding the right accommodations can enhance your experience. During this time, doctors are recommending places where you can open the windows or even better, housing that has a balcony or a terrace where you can open the doors.

Call ahead and see if the place you have chosen has a way for you to have access to fresh air. Hotels and other places to stay will sanitize the interior, but they can’t change out the air unless there is a way to bring in fresh air.

Food and Drinks

For a day trip where you travel longer than half a day, it can be fun to have your own food and drinks and not have to wonder if places will be open.

Pack your favorite snacks (those forbidden ones) and picnic foods and drinks and stop whenever you want. I’ve been known to have a thermos of Bloody Mary all-ready to drink with celery and olives and pickles for good measure.

If you are going to be staying overnight, check to see if your accommodation has a microwave or even a small kitchen. If so, then you can avoid restaurants all together and bring your own food in a small cooler with some paper plates and utensils and cups and relax and have an indoor picnic.

Of course, an easier way is to get takeout or even room service. Most room service options deliver in disposable containers now. Do it, you deserve it.

Where to Go

Okay, so you want to get out but don’t know where to go. If you just have a few hours then go to a local park, a greenway, or garden. Sometimes these gems are very close to you, and you don’t even know it.

Nature and science museums are also fun places and often have outdoor eating areas. Think kids. Think water. Most places with rivers have paths that go along the sides. Look up a map of your area online and check out the green places. Start there.

If you are going out for the day – or a few days – then the circle widens. This way you can look at things like state or provincial parks, campgrounds, hiking trails to waterfalls, or a walk around a small lake or pond. Check those out. Most of the time you can get a day pass by paying a small amount to use the facilities and the picnic tables.

For urban travelers, small towns or villages a few hours away down windy, country roads are full of surprises, great food, friendly people, and lots of fun things to see and do. Sitting at a sidewalk café and watching people while you read your book gives your mind a vacation.

Another way to find out about wonderful places to go during this traveling season is to ask other people and read online travel sites and magazines to get ideas.

See what Travelocity has to say about where you live, and the amazing things people have done while visiting your area. Airbnb also has some great activity suggestions organized by area on their site. Get out there.

Safety

Finally, let’s not forget about safety. Keep hand sanitizer with you all the time. And wash your hands with hot soapy water whenever possible.

Use the hand sanitizer after you pump your petrol/gas and BEFORE you get back in your car. Use the sanitizer after opening and closing doors used by lots of people and that includes elevator buttons.

Wear a mask around people if you are in a high-risk group (me=older person) or are compromised at all – even if there are no guidelines or restrictions have been lifted.

Have you looked at local travel options? What did you find? Did you go on a day trip this summer? Or are you planning a fall vacation? Please share any tips that you learned about online or during your travel experience!

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The Best Tweezers For Plucking & Priming Unruly Brows

Brows are subject to as many beauty trends as the way you draw your eyeliner. Whether you wear them brushed up and fluffy or trim and tame, grooming is part of the process. Of course, you could leave the shaping to the professionals and get them waxed or threaded to perfection, but a good ol’ set of tweezers will do the trick, too. You just have to know how to use them.

At the risk of sounding cliche, the first set of eyebrows that caught our collective attention (other than our own unruly pairs) were model Cara Delevingne’s natural set. TBH, they’re still our browspiration: bold, beautiful and unashamedly bushy. But here’s the thing: even if you prefer to let your brows run wild, there’s always one or two little hairs that go rogue and need a swift plucking. Even Chalamet brows (yes, Chalamet as in Timothée) require some level of grooming, while pared-back brows demand your undivided attention to keep them (literally) in line. 

With a good pair of tweezers, you never have to leave the house to tame stubborn strays or combat rapid growth. These are the best pairs on to help you get and sustain the style you prefer.

Read More

The Best Tweezers For Plucking & Priming Unruly Brows

Brows are subject to as many beauty trends as the way you draw your eyeliner. Whether you wear them brushed up and fluffy or trim and tame, grooming is part of the process. Of course, you could leave the shaping to the professionals and get them waxed or threaded to perfection, but a good ol’ set of tweezers will do the trick, too. You just have to know how to use them.

At the risk of sounding cliche, the first set of eyebrows that caught our collective attention (other than our own unruly pairs) were model Cara Delevingne’s natural set. TBH, they’re still our browspiration: bold, beautiful and unashamedly bushy. But here’s the thing: even if you prefer to let your brows run wild, there’s always one or two little hairs that go rogue and need a swift plucking. Even Chalamet brows (yes, Chalamet as in Timothée) require some level of grooming, while pared-back brows demand your undivided attention to keep them (literally) in line. 

With a good pair of tweezers, you never have to leave the house to tame stubborn strays or combat rapid growth. These are the best pairs on to help you get and sustain the style you prefer.

Read More

The Best Tweezers For Plucking & Priming Unruly Brows

Brows are subject to as many beauty trends as the way you draw your eyeliner. Whether you wear them brushed up and fluffy or trim and tame, grooming is part of the process. Of course, you could leave the shaping to the professionals and get them waxed or threaded to perfection, but a good ol’ set of tweezers will do the trick, too. You just have to know how to use them.

At the risk of sounding cliche, the first set of eyebrows that caught our collective attention (other than our own unruly pairs) were model Cara Delevingne’s natural set. TBH, they’re still our browspiration: bold, beautiful and unashamedly bushy. But here’s the thing: even if you prefer to let your brows run wild, there’s always one or two little hairs that go rogue and need a swift plucking. Even Chalamet brows (yes, Chalamet as in Timothée) require some level of grooming, while pared-back brows demand your undivided attention to keep them (literally) in line. 

With a good pair of tweezers, you never have to leave the house to tame stubborn strays or combat rapid growth. These are the best pairs on to help you get and sustain the style you prefer.

Read More

8 Hair Colour for Older Women Mistakes… And How to Fix Them!

hairstyles for older women

You know it when it happens because you start to look washed out and tired – your hair colour isn’t working. To say it isn’t flattering is probably an understatement. Are the things you’re doing to hide the grey hairs aging you? That’s not the way it’s supposed to be.

Is the colour you are using designed to make you look younger or older? Yes, there are even younger people looking for the gravitas endowed by grey hair. Weird.

Best Hair Colour for Over 60s

There are so many choices of hair colour out there, and it can be difficult finding the right shade due to hair length, skin tone, etc. What looks good on one person won’t necessarily suit another, either.

So, this is a list of the most common hair colour mistakes made by women over 60 and how to fix them. It isn’t rocket science – or even hairdressing.

Mistake #1: Using Too Dark a Colour

Using too dark a colour creates the illusion of more fine lines and wrinkles! Also, the clear line that appears when your colour grows out and the grey makes a re-appearance is not a good look, and you should not espouse it.

Instead of an overall dark colour – and don’t forget natural hair is never one solid colour – try a warm tone which is a shade or two lighter and adds light reflection to your skin. Another alternative is subtle highlights which create dimension to an all-over dark hue.

Mistake #2: Using Too Much Ash

Your hair, blonde or brunette, should not have an ashy appearance. If you’re of a paler complexion, the smoky look will make you appear washed out. Add some warmth to brighten your skin.

Mistake #3: Funky Hair Colour for Over 60s

You may like bright-coloured hair, and that’s fine. You can choose to go for the trendy bright colours like red, purple, or blue. Just try to use shades that aren’t too bright as this can wash out your face depending on your skin tone.

Also, be prepared for the upkeep because bright colours tend to require a lot more retouching than typical hair dyes.

Mistake #4: Looking Too Brassy

Your hair can look dull and damaged if it is too orange or reddish. Now is the time to start using an ash toner! Brassy hair makes your skin look redder and tired, and it puts years to your age.

Ban the brass by using a purple shampoo to eliminate the yellow. The two neutralize each other. I use purple shampoo every day because my hair pulls red when it’s bleached!

Mistake #5: Going Too Light

If your face isn’t ready for it, being too light can be as aging as being too dark. Again, hair is not one colour all over, and it’s important to maintain a level of contrast.

If your hair is too light, it looks as washed out as your face. Add some colour with lowlights that are a little lighter than your natural hair colour.

Mistake #6: Using Too Many Highlights

Too many highlights can make your hair look damaged and tired. It may even look like wire wool. Don’t go for cool-toned highlights which work well when you’re young but not now. Golden tones around your face make you look more youthful because they add brightness.

Mistake #7: Going Too Red

I know a lot of women love all over red hair. But I think it is aging and old-fashioned. Your skin starts to lose pigment after 40, and the contrast between hair and skin is too much. Use a colour-enhancing shampoo, or even a few highlights or a little copper to look more natural.

Mistake #8: Being Too Bold

Chunkiness often doesn’t work past 60. It looks too unnatural. Banish chunkiness by making sure the colour is blended in. It’s a sophisticated look, and an air of sophistication sits well on women our age.

The secret of chunky colour is in the placement; such as a section in your fringe or around your hairline to frame your face. If you’re grey, experiment with pastel tones like pale pink or smoky blue. That can be very stylish.

If you want to know even more about hair that’s grey or greying, or if you have more Bad Hair Days than you have cups of tea in a month, get your copy of Grey Hair & You. Will it help? Yes!

Here’s an article that contains some helpful tips and tricks and more information about hair colour: Spectacular Hair Colour Options for Fabulous Older Women.

Are you guilty of any of these hair colour mistakes? Are you happy with your hair? Do you despair of ever having gorgeous locks again? Share some of your woes and triumphs; we love to hear from you!

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