Angie Harrington’s Black Octagon Sunglasses on the Tubing Trip

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 2 Episode 7 Fashion

Much to Lisa Barlow’s chagrin and our delight, Angie Harrington is back on this week’s episode of RHOSLC. And not only that, but she’s rocking an amazing yellow ski bunny lewk made complete with a pair of black octagon sunglasses that appear to have even more sides to it than that catering story.  

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to See Her Dior Sunglasses

Click Here For Info on Her Ski Suit

Originally posted at: Angie Harrington’s Black Octagon Sunglasses

We’ve all seen TV shows and movies featuring coaches with hearts of gold, but usually they have a gruff exterior. But in the popular TV series Ted Lasso we see a coach who’s gentle, compassionate and sweet through and through. His unshakeable kindness to everyone is like a warm hug every time we see him. That may be a big part of the appeal of the series.

According to a study that Kindness.org commissioned from Oxford University, “The more you engage in kindness, the greater your wellbeing, compassion, trust, positivity about humanity, and connection.”

Therapists often recommend that people who are depressed or even suicidal take up volunteer work as a way of showing themselves that they add value to society, that what they do makes a difference. As it turns out, we learn that Ted Lasso has some mental health issues, and it may very well be that his kindness is one of his coping mechanisms, even if he doesn’t recognize it as such.

Being the kind one really makes you feel good about the world and about your place in it. We see this theme in hundreds of Chicken Soup for the Soul stories, and one of our most popular books is about random acts of kindness and how they make us feel great.

A Good Deed a Day

Since helping others makes us feel good, why not do it every day? Here’s a little motivation, courtesy of Chicken Soup for the Soul contributor Shannon Anderson.

As Shannon describes it, one evening she was cooking and doing laundry, the kids were squabbling over whose turn it was to let out the dog, and her husband was annoyed that dinner wasn’t on the table yet. Everyone was in their own little silo, caring about their particular lives and tasks.

Shannon was upset that night. She explains: “We had become absorbed in our own activities and not very considerate toward those around us. We needed to do something to bring back some meaning into our lives. It needed to be something that would refocus our own agendas and energize us toward the common good.”

So Shannon purchased a journal, labeled it “Our Deed Diary” and held a family meeting. She told her husband and daughters that she wanted them to start doing something kind every day. That good deed could be for another family member or for someone outside their home.

The purpose was to reduce the focus on themselves and brighten someone else’s day in the process. Shannon and her husband and children would discuss their good deeds over dinner each night and record them in their deed journal.

Shannon says it was harder than you might think to come up with their good deeds each day. Remember, it had to be something they didn’t normally do. So if they normally sent someone a birthday card, that didn’t count. If the girls normally helped their mom with a certain chore, that didn’t count. These had to be new good deeds.

Making a Habit of Kindness

After a few weeks, they got the hang of it, and Shannon says it has made a difference: “Instead of always wondering what the day will bring for us, we think about what we can do for someone else. At dinner, we have an instant conversation starter, as we all share our stories.”

Shannon expanded the good deed experiment to her first-grade classroom. The kids began by writing thank-you letters to the people who worked in the school. Shannon says, “It was most touching to observe the janitor, nurse, librarian, and other school staff hang our notes on their walls while beaming because they felt appreciated.”

The class as a whole tried to do three good deeds per day, and it transformed the kids. “When a student spills his or her crayons, you wouldn’t believe how many kids scurry over to try to help and clean them up!” reports Shannon.

“Just as with my family, keeping and sharing a Deed Diary changed our whole outlook on life. Who would have thought that trying to do a simple kindness a day would be so rewarding?”

I love that story. What an easy way to change a family dynamic, invigorate a classroom, and instill lasting values in kids. And what a great way for you to brighten your own days.

You don’t even have to write down your good deeds. You merely have to decide each day to do one little thing for someone else – open a door, pick up a piece of trash, let a mother with a squirming kid go ahead of you in line at the store, or pick up an extra coffee for someone at work.

The famous basketball coach John Wooden had this to say: “You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” That is indeed the best kind of good deed, one you do with no thought of personal benefit.

For me, it works. Whenever I do a random act of kindness for someone, I come away from the experience with a spring in my step and a smile on my face.

How do you feel after you’ve done a good deed for a stranger? Would you commit to one good deed a day for the next week to see how it feels? Have you tried using kindness to change a bad day into a good one?

If you’ve lived six decades or more, you have probably experienced some unexpected and profoundly difficult life events. Perhaps the loss of a spouse, divorce, an unsuccessful business venture or being let go from the job you loved. Events like these create a massive fault line, dividing life into the “before” and the “after.”

The question is how to navigate the “after.” Especially when we didn’t see it coming, and particularly when it’s never happened before.

History Isn’t Always Helpful

The brain’s natural tendency is to look to the past for evidence that the task at hand is possible. Yet often the most devastating of life events happen once-in-a-lifetime, so there is no past evidence to reassure us that we can do it.

Difficult life events can make us wish there was a guidebook or owner’s manual for how to navigate the unexpected and unimaginable.

There Is No Rule Book

There is no training to live this life “after.” There is no rule book, no orientation class, no onboarding process to help us adjust to such a surreal and life changing situation. Dealing with other losses was certainly painful, but the most life altering events bring unprecedented pain and intense uncertainty.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to tell us that we’re doing it “right,” that we’ve got what it takes?

No One Feels Qualified

Author and productivity expert James Clear writes, “Don’t feel qualified? Nobody does. You can only be qualified to do that which you have already accomplished or trained for. Anything new is accomplished by unqualified people.”

So here we are, a bunch of people navigating the day-to-day after a life altering event, with no actual “qualifications,” trying to learn to live with what feels insurmountable.

There Is No One Right Way

Here is the good news. There is no rule book, orientation class or onboarding process because there is no one right way to navigate life after a difficult event. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The right way is your way, on your terms and on your timeline.

Is it messy? Definitely. Is it linear? Not at all. Is it sometimes an unsteady one-step-forward-two-steps-back shuffle? Absolutely.

Do you have what it takes? You get to decide the answer to that. But just answer it for today, for this hour and this minute. Can you do today? I bet you can. Then you just do a bunch of “todays,” one by one.

As you do those “todays,” write down anything that feels like the smallest win. Notice your thoughts and don’t believe everything you think. Ask your brain to explore what else might be true. Choose your thoughts with intention and think them regularly – on purpose.

It’s a Learning Curve

No matter how long ago your life took a dramatic turn, my guess is that this is new for you. You’ve likely never been in exactly this place. It’s one massive learning curve which can only be mastered little by little, day by day, and sometimes breath by breath.

Think back to when you were 18. You had no past evidence that you could get a degree, land the perfect job or find a life partner. You simply believed you could, with no real evidence to prove it.

You chose thoughts that made you feel motivated or intentional, and from that place you began to take the necessary actions: applying to college, studying for the exam, polishing the resume, or stepping into the dating world. The various actions aggregated and resulted in the desired result.

Live Like You’re 18 Again

We can channel our 18-year-old selves today as we face a life we didn’t expect to live. We don’t have evidence that we can do it, and we don’t exactly know how to do it, but we can simply choose thoughts that serve us, such as I’m a person who is figuring this out. I believe in my ability to put one foot in front of the other, to draw the next breath, and to become this next version of me.

What have you navigated in life despite feeling unqualified at the time? What advice would you give to someone experiencing a life altering event that you have also experienced? What have you accomplished without any past evidence that you could be successful?

“There’s often a combination of excitement and anxiety as people approach retirement. The excitement comes from having more free time, but the anxiety comes from figuring out how much can I afford to spend? And what will I do with all that time?”

– Kevin Reardon

We spend years dreaming about our retirement. All of the things we will do, and all of the time we will have to do them, are often the center of these aspirations.

Still, many people report that all of the free time they thought they would have is quickly booked with errands and family responsibilities or is limited because of tight budgets and unexpected financial restraints.

Taking time for yourself is just as important as making time for your family and loved ones. Deliberately setting aside “you” time can make you happier, more relaxed, and better able to manage all of life’s To Do’s. Here are just four ways to create a relaxing experience on a budget that won’t stress you out.

Relax with Reading

“It is both relaxing and invigorating to set aside the worries of life occasionally, seek the company of a friendly book… from the reading of ‘good books’ there comes a richness of life that can be obtained in no other way.”

– George B. Hinkley

Reading has the power to sweep you up and carry you away. With a world of possibilities in each book or magazine article, anyone can go on an exciting voyage without ever leaving the comforts of their home.

And it even has proven benefits! A 2009 study at the University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%, lower heart rates, and ease muscle tension.

If you aren’t already an avid reader, it may be hard to know where to start. I’ve heard a lot of people say you can just pick up a book, but with so many possibilities for almost any taste, the choices can be overwhelming.

For a good starting point re-read an old favorite! Stories have a delightful way of changing meaning for us overtime. Re-visiting a book from your past can take you on a wonderful trip down memory lane and even allow you time to reflect on how far you’ve come.

Pour a Cup of Tea

Nothing is quite like being curled up with a warm cup of tea and a good book in hand. As an avid coffee drinker, I’ve always felt a bit reluctant to succumb to the soothing powers of tea. But as I take these last sips of my Chamomile infusion, it’s hard to deny the sense of calm that has washed over me.

Tea enthusiasts have a favorite flavor for almost every mood. Maybe it’s all the coffee I drink, but to unwind I particularly enjoy a cup of Chamomile, Lemon Balm, or Catnip, which are all renowned for their calming effects.

Too crunched for time? A cup of tea can also be the perfect excuse to take a quick break on those overly busy days. For more on Teas that are sure to put you in a relaxation mood check out The Daily Tea.

Listen to Music

Music is a critical piece to your relaxation day and will set the mood for the occasion. For a relaxation, session try soft classical music, lullabies or non-rhythmic instrumental background music. The soothing sounds will simply make all of those daily worries drift away.

Much like reading, listening to classical music has a physiological effect on our bodies. It’s shown to slow the pulse and heart rate, lower blood pressure, and decrease the levels of stress hormones. No matter what you enjoy listening to, music will undoubtedly be the perfect addition to “you” time.

For some fun, try revisiting old favorites or explore new styles and genres. One great site that allows you to search for your favorite kind of music is “If you dig”. It will also provide you with a list of other artists and songs you might enjoy.

Try Meditation in Retirement

It was to my complete surprise and delight that meditation was not just sitting and staring at a wall! Okay, there is a lot of sitting and staring, but there is also a focus on breathing, posture, and mindfulness.

Even a beginner’s class can be quite effective in teaching the proper technique. Soon you will begin to receive all of its fantastic benefits like stress relief, increased happiness, improved concentration, and cardiovascular and immune health. For more on Meditation and tips on how to get started check out free meditation basics.

Pamper Yourself: Retirement Is Hard Earned and Well-deserved

No matter how hectic life gets, we all deserve a bit of pampering. Deliberately taking time out of every day to focus on yourself and to relax will lift your spirits and recharge your energy to successfully manage all of those post-retirement “To Dos.”

Do you know how you want to spend your retirement? How do you plan on spending your “you” time? What do you do to relax? Please join in on the conversation!

Concealers are great for covering up pigmented spots and unsightly under-eye dark circles. Personally, I have always dealt with dark circles that are genetic if I look at other family members who have the same issue. So, that being said, I know a thing or two about concealers as I have been buying them since I was a teenager.

As I get older I am leaning towards more natural products and I feel like many women do the same as they mature. We want to stay healthy as long as we can and that means eating well, staying fit, and caring for our skin.

More and more cosmetic companies and brands are offering natural beauty products that are free of harmful chemicals, don’t test on animals, and that take the environment into consideration when designing their packaging.

I’m always on the hunt for the best concealers out there. Let’s take a look at some of the top-rated natural concealers for aging skin.

What Should You Look for When Purchasing Natural Concealers?

These are some of the words to look for to know that your concealer is natural:

• Natural
• Organic
• Vegan
• No preservatives
• Gluten-free
• No artificial colors
• Talc and paraben-free
• Hypoallergenic
• No silicones
• No Parabens
• Minimal plastic packaging
• Nickel Tested

The Organic Skin Co Hide and Seek Concealers

This concealer from The Organic Skin Co. provides full coverage that helps minimize the appearance of pores and irritations. It’s packed with yummy stuff like organic castor seed oil, organic candelilla wax, and extracts of rosemary, pomegranate, and seabuckthorn.

All these great ingredients make this concealer super hydrating, moisturizing, and conditioning.

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Long Last Concealer with Super Fruits

This concealer from 100% Pure conceals redness, dark circles, and discoloration. The creamy texture allows for easy and even application, withstanding water, sweat and oiliness.

The concealer is rich in antioxidants and nourishes skin with ingredients like vitamin C and E, carrot root, rosehip seed oil, coffee beans, and chamomile.

Alima Pure Mineral Powder Concealer

This weightless, velvety loose mineral powder concealer from Alima Pure is perfect for providing extra coverage to areas of discoloration and under the eyes. The soothing minerals and gentle pigments hide blemishes and discoloration on even the most sensitive of skin.

Mineral powder concealer is perfect if you have oily skin.

Au Naturale Completely Covered Creme Concealer

This concealer from Au Naturale is made with meadowfoam seed oil, coconut mct, castor seed oil, vegan candelilla wax, jojoba, lavender, and vitamin E. It has all-day color stay power and provides a soft-focus effect that instantly mattifies and smooths your complexion.

Available in 10 diverse buildable shades that give you the perfect amount of coverage you need.

Fitglow CONCEAL +

Fitglow concealer is a full-coverage natural concealer that is made with nourishing and powerful ingredients to cover and treat skin blemishes. It combines green tea, vitamin K, licorice, caffeine, plant elastins, and nourishing plant oils that all work together to lighten dark spots.

Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Perfecting Concealer

The creamy plant pigment formula concealer from Juice Beauty delivers natural, crease-free coverage that blends seamlessly without settling into fine lines. This concealer is buildable from medium to full coverage and blends effortlessly for spot coverage.

It’s made with Certified Organic Ingredients that protect humans, animals and the planet.

Bo-ho Concealer

This compact concealer stick from bo-ho provides excellent coverage for concealing wrinkles, redness and other skin imperfections. It can be used for contouring and adding light accents.

It’s made from exclusive organic agriculture ingredients.

Pros

Many shades to choose from

Affordable

Cons

May feel thick and difficult to blend

Do you use concealer every day? Are you thinking of switching to a natural concealer? Which natural concealer for aging skin on our list is your favorite? Do you have any suggestions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.