Dolores Catania’s Tie Dye Pajamas at the Jersey Shore

Season 10 Episode 14 Real Housewives of New Jersey Fashion

You know we love ourselves a good PJ set, and with the whimsical colour scheme and sweatshirt/shorts combo Dolores Catania’s tie dye pajamas at the Jersey Shore on last night’s episode of RHONJ are just totally irresistible to us. So irresistible in fact that we may just have to devour them faster than Frank Catania did those cupcakes.

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Wildfox Sweatshirt on Sale in Limited Sizing

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Click Here to Shop the Matching Shorts on Sale in Limited Sizing

Originally posted at: Dolores Catania’s Tie Dye Pajamas

Valentine’s Day is one of the few holidays
that reaches all of us, regardless of our age, religion, gender, or
relationship status. It’s splashed everywhere with images of romantic love,
date nights, flowers, chocolates, and starry-eyed couples.

At the same time, young children are inundated
with cute card exchanges, parties, and of course, plenty of candy. More than
any other holiday, it celebrates an important aspect of every human being’s
life: Love.

All You Need Is Love

When I worked in bookstores, those of us
behind the counter always found the holiday amusing, as woman after woman came
in to buy hearts-and-flowers books and gifts, while male customers invariably wiped
out our stock of the Kama Sutra and other sex manuals.

“Love”
means different things to different people. But the pure, sweet, innocent
adoration between two kindergarteners deserves the word no less than the
besotted teenager, the bride on her wedding day, or the husband caring for his
wife’s daily needs, even when she no longer remembers who he is.

If we are in a relationship, Valentine’s Day
is an opportunity – or perhaps, intense pressure – to express our appreciation
toward our significant other. If we are not in a relationship, it may prompt
sadness, regret, and loneliness, or it may spark happy memories and an
appreciation for our newfound self-love.

In our 60s, we may be widowed, divorced,
married, joyously single, or longing for connection. In any case, we cannot
escape the holiday’s prod to focus on love, all its attendant joys and sorrows,
and specifically, its place in our own lives.

Find the Sweet Spot

In Feng Shui, there is one area of your home
associated with Love and Relationships. In your bagua – the nine-square grid of
your floorplan, with the wall where your front door is creating the bottom line
of the grid – the Love and Relationships area is the top
right corner section, or far right, as you face your front door wall from the
outside.

Its power color, unsurprisingly, is pink. Whether
you are in a solid, happy relationship, an unhappy one, or none at all, you can
help this area of your life by giving this part of your home a little special
attention.

Clean, Clear, and Color

First, as always, this area needs to be cleaned
and cleared of clutter. It should reflect you as you are now and should be
filled with things you love. Remember that getting rid of things you don’t
love, use, need, or want in this area will help to clear the obstacles and
impediments to your fully joyous love life.

If the idea of the color pink repels
you, remember that there are many, many variations of this color, from fuchsia
to rose gold, salmon to mauve, creamy champagne to cotton candy.

Reds and whites –
which make pink when combined – can also be used here, in moderation.
Bring in pinks in paint colors, fabrics, furniture, and artwork. Pink flowers,
such as peonies – real, artificial, or in artwork – are also good here.

Coupling Off

Another important addition you can make to
this area is an obvious one for loving relationships: things in pairs. The
traditional Chinese pair is two mandarin ducks, but a Western version might be
a modern rendering of two swans.

Hanging a set of two pictures or one picture
of two birds is a nice, easy way to start. Pairs can be furniture, objects, candles,
or knickknacks, for example. Choose items that symbolize love to you, such as
heart shapes or figurines of loving couples.

I also like to use sets of decorative bookends
for this purpose, as it’s an easy way to get two items that clearly go together
or match perfectly. And you do not have to have any books at all in the area to
use them beautifully.

Words and Images

This is the place for love affirmations,
quotes, or poetry that is meaningful to you, either in wall art, framed on a
tabletop, or written down and kept in a pretty box.

If you are in a relationship, place here
photos of your beloved and/or of the two of you together in happy times. Wedding
photos, souvenirs from happy trips or events, or love letters in a beautiful
box are all good ideas.

Love Is Everywhere

You can also find the Love and Relationships
area of all the other rooms in your home – using the door to the room as you
did your front door, and finding the far right corner of the room from there – and bring in a bit of pink or red, or some
things in pairs, happy personal photos, or love affirmations.

Just a couple of candles, a pink picture
frame, or a red pillow can add a little spark of love energy in any room.

I Believe in Miracles

All of these enhancements can help whether
your love relationship is happy or unhappy, or you are not in a relationship
but want to be in one, or you are happily alone, learning to love yourself.

Maintaining, improving, and attracting a
loving relationship call for the same love energy to be freely flowing and
healthy.

Avoid dark blue and black, wavy shapes, mirrors,
pictures of water, and water features in the Love and Relationships areas, as
these represent the Water Element. Water douses Fire, which is the Love area’s
power Element.

You can use Valentine’s Day to remind you of
the power of love, and the importance of it in all of our lives. Let it inspire
you to get to work on the Love and Relationships part of your home.

Are you content with your relationship status?
What do you think you’re lacking? Would you readily experiment with some Feng
Shui enhancements? Which ones sound most interesting and doable? Please share
in the comments below!

If you think bladder leaks are only a problem for older adults, think again. I, for one, had my first memorable bladder leak in high school. And memorable it was; I was mortified at the thought that someone might have noticed and I slinked off to the bathroom, clenching my legs together as I went. 

But here’s what I’ve learned since: bladder leaks (aka incontinence) are incredibly common for women of all ages. Nearly half of women in midlife experience bladder leaks and it just gets more common with age. So, we really have nothing to be embarrassed about. 

But don’t misunderstand me. Just because it’s time to abolish the stigma and embarrassment around bladder leaks doesn’t mean we have to accept them as inevitable. There are plenty of things you can do to tell your bladder who’s boss. Bladder leaks shouldn’t get in the way of you living your best life.

Do I think that Lily Bird pads can be a part of the solution? Of course! That’s why I’m offering you a 10-pad trial for just $1.99. 

But, there are other things that you can do to feel confident and free, too. Here are a few of my favorites. 

The Best Advice? Pee at Least Twice

No, this doesn’t mean running to the bathroom every chance you get. (That’s actually a bad idea)!

But have you ever experienced a bladder leak when you just went to the bathroom? If so, it could be that your bladder isn’t completely empty — or that some urine is stuck in your urethra. In that case, there’s a technique called double voiding that just might do the trick. 

Here’s how to do it. After you pee, either stay on the toilet or stand up and walk around for a minute – about the same amount of time that it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice. Then, try again. 

If those droplets need a bit of coaxing to come out, you can try massaging your lower stomach or inner thighs while sitting on the toilet, tugging on your public hair, running water, or tapping on your bladder.

It’s Always Good to Have a Plan B

I’m a planner, which means I always like to have a backup plan. And a high-quality absorbent product designed specifically for bladder leaks is exactly that. Because sometimes, even when Kegeling and furiously crossing your legs during a sneeze, it just isn’t enough. And menstrual pads definitely don’t cut it. (You wouldn’t use a fork to eat soup, would you?).

Plus, contrary to popular opinion, bladder leak products don’t have to make you feel like you belong in a nursing home. Yes, there are a lot of terrible products out there that imply we are all decrepit centenarians instead of midlife women living our best lives. 

That’s why I started Lily Bird. Because you aren’t old, broken, or alone and you don’t have to buy products that say that you are. At Lily Bird we like to squash stigmas about the female body, hand out 10-pad trials for only $1.99, and help our customers skip the store by delivering discreetly to their homes.

You’re the Boss: Get Your Bladder on Board with Your Schedule

Are your bladder urges the ruler of your schedule? This is so inconvenient and can seriously cramp your style. If you’re ready to tell your bladder who’s boss, it’s time to try bladder training. 

Bladder training is a technique that works wonders for both putting your bladder on a predictable schedule and also increasing the length of time in between each pit stop. All you need is a little organization and a clock.

Skip the Just-in-Case Peeing

My mom is the best. And she has the best advice — with one tiny exception. As a kid, whining that I didn’t have to go to the bathroom, she would tell me to “just go try.” (I did, though not without an eye roll). 

But it turns out that peeing when you don’t have to can break down the brain-bladder communication. Your bladder starts to think that it’s full when it really isn’t. (And no, there’s no such thing as a “small bladder”). So, stop the just-because-I’m-near-the-bathroom peeing.

Re-think Your Coffee, Wine, and Chocolate Habits

I know. Giving up coffee, wine, or chocolate is a non-starter for most of you. But before all of you click off this page, hear me out. What you eat and drink goes through your bladder and some of those things can be pretty irritating — alcohol, spicy food, and caffeine are big ones — which can make bladder leaks worse. 

The full list of potential bladder irritants is long, but the good news is that not everyone is irritated by everything. So listen to your body and cut out your triggers (or don’t, but know better what to expect). 

Dear Diary….

A bladder diary helps you figure out which foods and drinks bother your bladder. With a bladder diary, you’ll keep track of everything you eat and drink (and when) for several days. You’ll also keep track of any urges, leaks, and trips to the bathroom. 

Once you (and your doctor) look at all the information together you may find that that morning orange juice or your Szechuan chicken lunch habit are the primary culprits to blame. And once you know what irritates you, you don’t have to cut everything out. But you can selectively avoid those foods or drinks if you’re in a situation where you don’t want to be running for the restroom. 

Kegels, Kegels, & More Kegels

Kegels can do more than just make sex better. When done properly, they can strengthen your pelvic floor and improve bladder leaks. 

The key phrase here is: “when done properly.” Because most women don’t do Kegels correctly! Don’t clench your butt cheeks or abs, for starters. 

Imagine trying to hold back a stream of urine or stop from passing gas. Only a few muscles in a very specific area should be getting tighter. Until you’re sure you’ve got the technique right, practice Kegels lying down.

But watch out: if your bladder leaks are caused by a hypertonic pelvic floor where the muscles are too tight, Kegels can actually make bladder leaks worse.

Find Your Perfect Product

There are mountains of terrible bladder leak products out there. Plus, even when choosing among the good ones, there is a ton of personal preference. Everyone’s body is a little different and leaks vary from person to person as well. That’s why, at Lily Bird, we’re such big believers in starting with a 10-pad, 10-day trial for only $1.99. You don’t have to buy a large package only to realize that it isn’t the right thing. 

When you’re testing out bladder leak products, you’ll want to make sure that they fit well and are comfortable — and that they are “just right” in terms of absorbency. Too little absorbency and the leaks may leak. Too much and you’re wearing and paying for more than you need. 

To find your perfect product, we recommend testing out a new product 5 to 10 times in different situations and on different days because every day is a little different.

Ready to tell your bladder who’s boss? Get pads and underwear for leaky laughs and dribble dilemmas delivered straight to your door from Lily Bird. Try 10 products today for $1.99.

Sydney Larson is passionate about solving real problems for real women and about de-stigmatizing women’s midlife health issues. She founded Lily Bird — a subscription service for midlife women for products we don’t want to buy in the store — to do just that! Her favorite part of the job is hearing from happy customers. When she’s not working, Sydney enjoys baking sourdough bread, hiking with her dog, and skiing with her husband.

Teresa Giudice’s Snake Print Jumpsuit at Gia’s Pre Prom Party

Season 10 Episode 14 Real Housewives of New Jersey Fashion

According to the previews tonight is the episode of RHONJ we’ve been patiently waiting for all season long: Gia Giudice and Frankie Catania go to the prom together in what may be the cutest (and maybe only?) coupling we’ve ever seen in housewiveskids history. And I’m just hoping that he got her back home safely by midnight, because I sure as hell wouldn’t want to piss off his mom’s best friend and potential future mother-in-law Teresa in her fierce snake print jumpsuit.

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to See Her Sold Out Ariella USA Jumpsuit and Shop Additional Prints

Photo: @TeresaGiudice

Originally posted at: Teresa Giudice’s Snake Print Jumpsuit

For most of us, dryer, thinner lips are an unavoidable part of the aging process – not to mention a telltale sign of our advancing years!

In spite of this, they’re also often the most neglected part of even the strictest beauty regimes – through dehydration, sun/frost exposure, and wind damage, our lips’ protective barrier thins out with age, and a chapped texture leaves lines and wrinkles looking yet more noticeable.

The good news is that it’s possible to relieve the dryness, flakiness, and soreness of chapped lips. Read on for our useful guide.

Hydrate and Heal

Want to know how to get rid of chapped lips and relieve soreness instantly? One the best and easiest ways is to keep an intensive moisturizer in your purse. A lip balm will form a protective barrier against the elements, locking in moisture to rehydrate the skin. With regular use, especially before you head outdoors, your lips will stay supple, with fine lines becoming less noticeable.

Prevention is Better than a Cure

Just like the rest of your complexion, your lips are susceptible to the elements – whether that’s a strong wind, extreme cold, or the sun’s harmful UVA rays. Protect your lips as you would the rest of your face: don a wide brimmed hat in the sunshine and wear a high-factor SPF, or apply a good lip moisturizer and wrap up in a scarf to protect against icy winds, which can further strip moisture from your lips.

Don’t Lick Your Lips

Licking chapped lips will provide instant relief from that dry, tight feeling. However, in the long term it will actually make it worse: when the saliva evaporates, it leaves behinds digestive enzymes which can cause more severe cracking and only serves to prolong the cycle. Regular use of an intensive lip balm or moisturizer will prevent lips feeling uncomfortable and hopefully should stop your urge to lick.

Exfoliate (Gently!)

While it is oh-so-tempting to pick away at those flaky bits of skin caused by chapping and dryness, try to refrain! Picking at your lips will not only make things worse by pulling away at the delicate skin, but can also transfer dirt and bacteria leading to a painful infection. For a gentler exfoliation, layer on some petroleum jelly and carefully buff lips with a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush.

If You’re Still Smoking, Stop!

We all know that smoking comes with a long list of health-related warnings, but did you know it can also have a devastating effect on the skin on and around your mouth? The repeated action of inhaling causes wrinkles to develop around the lips, while the chemicals present in cigarettes can also thin and dry out the skin.

Now dry, flaky lips is one thing less you can worry about. With these simple tips, you’ll be well armed, knowing how to get rid of chapped lips as soon as the problem strikes.

How do you take care of your skin now that you are a little older? Are there any special products or treatments that you use for your aging skin? Please join the conversation.

This is a guest post by John Brasington.