Several counties in the San Francisco
Bay Area have already announced a mandatory shelter-in-place requirement. They
said all non-essential businesses would have to be closed. Essential businesses
were defined as medical facilities, grocery stores, gas stations, and hardware
stores.

They said restaurants needed to only
serve takeout. They said it was fine to walk dogs and hike as long as we kept
social distancing. That may soon happen where some of you are living, or maybe
you are already in quarantine.

I had already been in a voluntary
quarantine for over a week as I am 67 with a cancer diagnosis. However, I know
these new directives will further restrict and isolate everyone.

Last Wednesday I woke up and wanted to
figure out how I could help others in some way – right from my home. Here are a
few of my ideas. In the comment section below, please add your suggestions.

Start with Your Own Network of Friends and Family

Begin by thinking about the people in
your life. Ask yourself a few questions:

Be a Cheer-Upper

Have you checked in with all your friends? How about a friendly hello to see how they are doing? I sent out a set of electronic cards to my children and their spouses and to my sisters and their children. They all thanked me for a friendly hello. I try to send at least one electronic card every day. Free ones are available at Blue Mountain.

Who is isolated alone and needs a call
to cheer them up? I have a friend in New York who lives alone. She was happy to
get a call. My friend decided to “meet up” with another friend (who lives
alone) on FaceTime for a shared exercise session.

Take the Heat Off for Parents Staying Home with Their Kids

Do you know anyone who has kids and
could use help with home schooling? Maybe they might be very glad to have some
distraction for their children. I used to be a teacher so this came to my mind
immediately.

Imagine being cooped up all day for
days on end with kids who cannot go out. And it is not even raining. I am sure
the kids would appreciate friendly distractions, tips for what to do, and even
help with schooling. Every parent who has heard this idea says they would be
highly grateful.

I picked the son of a friend and
started today. My friend and her son were very grateful for the hour I spent
with him. We had a lot of fun researching and writing a story. The second
grader picked the theme: Cookie Cutter Sharks. I learned something new as well!

Support Friends and Family Who Have Suddenly Lost Income from
Their Livelihood

Has anyone close to you been laid off
or cannot work because they are not in an essential business? Do you know
someone who is financially at-risk? I suggest we all try to help in any way we
can.

Huge spending bills passed in the US
that are aimed at helping people avoid financial disaster. Will this be enough?
Consider how you can help. You might help financially or by providing
work-from-home resources.

If you hire people to work for you to
clean, for example, pay them anyway. Independent contractors probably do not
have sick leave pay or access to unemployment benefits.

You can also help by discovering
opportunities they may not know about – here are a few examples: getting an
extension to pay income tax late, getting waivers for parking tickets, learning
where and how to obtain small interest-free or low-interest loans for small
businesses.

Then Think of How You Can Help Other People in Need

It may seem hard to think of what you
can do from home, but here are a few ideas:

Volunteer for a “Warm Line”

I had never really heard of this form
of a hot line until I read a news article about this option being used to
support seniors who are shut-in. A warm line is a version of a hot line which
is not for crises, but for support in general.

The Institute of Aging coordinates volunteers who operate a “friendship line.” Check on the availability
of this type of volunteer work. I submitted an application, and I am waiting to
hear from them.

Consider How to Use Your Expertise and Talents

As a retired person, perhaps you have
expertise that can help others. I am a retired educator. Some educators reached
out to me, and we are working to provide collections of educational resources
to support kids. We also will be doing webinars or group calls where educators
share what they are doing.

Helping Others Always Cheers Us Up

I had a full day today working on all
these ideas. My mind was active, and I felt connected to others. Together, though
sheltering in place, we can support each other and feel joy and warmth even
across many miles during this difficult time.

Resources and Ideas to Use Now

Group Call Apps

Zoom offers
limited services at no charge for 40 minute group calls. It is a way people can
come together to talk, hold meetings, or even hold a book club. Google Hangouts is another similar app for
group calls.

Games to Play Over the Phone

Did you play 20 questions while on
family car trips? I fondly remember how we spent hours playing together. Here
are 21 games that can be played over the phone.

Free Educational Tools for Helping Children

• TED Talks with Lessons: Seems to be for older students
• Khan Academy: Math Science Arts K-12
• Duolingo: Free Language Learning App
• Project Gutenberg: Free Online Books by Grade Level
• NASA Science Lessons K-12
• Exploratorium: Science Experiments
• Power My Learning: Free activities for families

You can find more ideas on things to do while you stay at home during coronavirus pandemic here.

What expertise do you have to help
others in this time of crisis? Can you help children via virtual connection?
What resources have you found for helping others? Please share in the comment
box below!

Right now, touching one’s face is the equivalent of placing your hand on a hot stove: do it and you could potentially get hurt. Thankfully, as long as you’re a diligent hand-washer, maintaining some semblance of a skincare routine at home is still allowed, including the things you’d typically leave to a professional. And while I’m certainly counting my blessings and thankful for the simple things, I’m not going to lie—a facial would be a nice distraction from the chaos. In the meantime, the best at-home chemical peel products come in a close second. So much so, that I may never go back.

Exfoliation and those all-too-familiar tingles let me know that I’m not going crazy with cabin fever. They also work wonders for my complexion. With careful use once or twice a week, any of these formulas will brighten, tighten and smooth the skin so when you do step out, it truly feels like a fresh start. Ahead, some of the best-reviewed options for a modest budget and a random splurge.

Neogen Dermalogy.

Neogen Dermalogy Gauze Peeling Wine Pads

These chemical acid-infused, 100 percent cotton pads are enhanced with wine extract to peel away dead skin cells and deliver antioxidants that will help smooth and firm the face.

Buy: Neogen Dermalogy Gauze Peeling Wine Pads $24

Bliss.

Bliss Jelly Glow Peel

For an even gentler at-home peel experience, try this drugstore exfoliator made with pineapple and papaya enzymes to loosen dead skin cells and brighten the skin over time.

Buy: Bliss Jelly Glow Peel $10.99

Good Janes.

Good Janes Face Gift Papaya Mask

You will fall head over heels with the creamy consistency of this papaya-rich face mask that instantly brightens the face and increases elasticity with continued use.

Hear Me Raw.

Hear Me Raw The Brightener with Chlorophyll+

A green and gooey formula that uses chlorophyll, lactic acid, phytic acid and over a dozen other natural ingredients to give your complexion an immediate boost and smoother tone/texture.

The Inkey List.

The Inkey List Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel

The newest addition to The Inkey List’s affordable range is this 10% glycolic acid peel also made with apple cider vinegar to target redness and improve texture.

Drunk Elephant.

Drunk Elephant T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial

The notorious Babyfacial is one of the most powerful OTC, pro-level face masks out there. Its formula is a whopping 25% of alpha-hydroxy acids and 2% beta-hydroxy acids to exfoliate and leave you with a brighter and tighter complexion.

Buy: Drunk Elephant T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial $80

The Route.

The Route The Party Peel

What sets this illuminizing peel a part from other exfoliating products is a patented oxygen delivery system that causes the formula to bubble and start exfoliating the skin instead of causing painful peeling.

The Ordinary.

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA

One of The Ordinary’s milder exfoliating blends is this 5 percent lactic acid peel infused with Tasmanian pepperberry to reduce inflammation and sensitivity.

Sobel Skin Rx.

Sobel Skin Rx 30% Glycolic Acid Peel

This pro-level, once-a-week peel is suitable for all skin types and utilizes a generous amount of glycolic acid to nix fine lines and balance uneven skin tone.

Peace Out Skincare.

Peace Out Dullness One-Step Brightening Face Pads

A combo of seven different chemical acids along with brightening niacinamide and antioxidant-rich Evodia fruit extract brighten and smooth the face with weekly use.

Dr. Dennis Gross.

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel

The limited-edition version of Dr. Dennis Gross’s iconic peel pads combines three gentle acids and botanicals to exfoliate the face sans irritation.

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.

Lala Kent’s Black Polka Dot Dress at Vanderpump Dogs

Season 8 Episode 12 Vanderpump Rules Fashion

Lala Kent’s black polka dot dress at Vanderpump Dogs while “volunteering her time” is so cute. It seemed that polka dots were quite the theme this episode because I was seeing them on everyone, but I’m not complaining. Polka dot is a print that will always be around and therefor never go out of style. So even though her exact dress is sold out at Forever 21 there will forever be similar styles to get our hands on. So while most of us have nothing but time to volunteer right now something that can make it go by a bit faster is shopping. Even if it’s just a little window shopping, in our browsers that is!

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here To Shop Her Forever 21 Black Polka Dot Dress on eBay Size S

Originally posted at: Lala Kent’s Black Polka Dot Dress

It’s looking like now we’re going to be in quarantine, washing our hands and staying six feet away from others, for…a while. While there are way more important things than our nails, it’s nice to keep them up and keep ourselves busy. Essie’s nail polish collection for Spring 2020 features gorgeous pastel hues that will make you not long for the nail salon—for a little. The limited-edition line features the creamy, high-pigment shades you expect from Essie, including the cute names that’ll put a spring in your step—at least while watching Netflix.

Put down Ballet Slippers and the Wicked, for now at least, and give one of these trendy pastels a chance. Play around with nail art while you have the time. These would also look amazing with the “skittles” trend of each nail painted a different hue. Choose from Rainwear Don’t Care (a creamy white-based taupe), Feeling Wellies (a soft pastel yellow with red undertones), Kissed by Mist (a mid-toned cool pink with blue and pink pearl flip, Spring in Your Step (a lilac with pink iridescence pearl), Can-Dew Attitude (a muted celadon green) and Make a Splash (a dusky blue nail polish with a blue and violet pearl flip).

Image: Essie.

Can-Dew Attitude

Image: Essie.

Feeling Wellies

Image: Essie.

Kissed by Mist

Image: Essie.

Make a Splash

Image: Essie.

Rainwear Don’t Care

Image: Essie.

Spring in Your Step

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.