Top 5 chemicals to avoid to sustain healthy, luscious hair

Before kids, I always had shiny hair. Maybe I do now too, but I don’t really know since it’s pretty much wash, then throw in a pony tail whilst still wet. Today’s guest post is all about shiny hair. I’d better take note….

Everyone wants beautiful, luscious and healthy hair, but no one seems to know that the products we use to keep our hair looking shiny are actually doing the complete opposite! Most products on the market these days are riddled with chemicals that set out to destroy your hair – this will make you think that you need the products more and subsequently creates an evil cycle of consumerism that in the end only destroys your crowning glory! To help you out, here are the top five chemicals you should be avoiding in order to keep your hair looking healthy, luscious and beautiful!

Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS)

Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) is also known as sulphuric acid. SLS is not only found in heavy duty cleaning products, but in many brand name shampoos! Most commonly, SLS is found to dry out hair, which often leads to breakage! Something that is used to clean garage floors definitely should not be put in your hair to clean that too! Next time you’re buying shampoo, look out for SLS in the ingredients on the back.

Isopropyl Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol is found in many hairsprays, gels and volumizers, as well as in antifreeze, shellac and wood finish. This product is used mainly to dissolve oils, which is great for things like shellac, but not so great for your hair. Since it dissolves oils, isopropyl alcohol strips the hair of its natural oils and moisture, leaving your hair victim to breakage!

Proplyene Glycol

This chemical is found in a terrifyingly large range of hair care products: shampoos, conditioners, lotions, hairsprays, hair dyes and much more! This product breaks down the proteins in healthy hair, giving it a false “shiny” appearance, but in reality is just causing your scalp to become itchy and irritated, and your hair weak and dry.

Mineral Oil

You’d think mineral oil would be good for your hair and would keep it shiny and healthy – but no! Mineral oil will just make your hair look greasy and unwashed! It will find its way into your pores which will block the natural oils from coming through and cause breakage in your hair. Unfortunately, many hair moisturisers contain this product, so be careful next time you’re looking for a new one – always check the ingredients!

Ammonia and Peroxide

This may seem obvious to most people, but constant hair salon go-ers need to understand that the ammonia and peroxide you are putting in your hair to change it’s colour are really damaging! The peroxide will dry out your hair and cause it to become brittle, and break really easily!

There you have it – five chemicals you must avoid if you want your hair to be as long and luscious as possible! If your hair is starting to thin, there’s always something you can do about it! Check out online sites like Transitions Hair to get your personalised hair loss treatment sorted – you’ll have a full head of hair again in no time. In the meantime though, keep avoiding those harsh chemicals!

*This post was brought to you by Transitions Hair.  All opinions and research are from of the guest writer.

If you enjoyed reading this, please vote for my blog. All you have to do is click the link below. That’s it… Clicking the link brings you to the Top Mommy Blogs home page. You don’t have to do anything else. Any clicks from my site to theirs is a vote.  THANKS!

Like my blog? ‘Like’ it on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommy-Adventures/203964682967827?ref=tn_tnmn

Pin It You officially have my permission to pin this (as long as it links back to my site).  Just don’t act like you wrote it. Because you didn’t….

Copyright 2014 Sheri Thomson

Vacationing with your pooch

Now that we have a cheeky little dog, we have to seriously re think all of our future vacations.  Do we board her somewhere when we’re gone?  Get someone to feed her and let her destroy the side yard in boredom?  What if you could bring your dog with you on vacation?  Today’s guest post has lots of dog friendly vacation ideas:

The world’s most dog-friendly places: Vacationing with your pooch

One of the reasons we take on a dog, along with those dreams of having a loyal, trusty companion, is for the lifestyle change that goes with having a pet. Owning a dog means long, healthy walks, even in rainy weather. When it comes to vacation time though, often the only alternative is to leave our hounds with friends or family or to find boarding kennels for them. But, there are lots of places across the globe which are perfect for dog-comes-too trips. If you can visit out of season, even better, as it will be easier for your pooch to explore. Here are just some of the best places to go with your pet:

Oregan, USA

While opting for a city break with your dog may not be the most obvious choice, pooches are incredibly pampered in Portland, Oregan. Nicknamed the Rose City, Portland has more than 30 dog parks and it also has an incredible number of pet message therapists so your dog will come home feeling incredibly relaxed. There are lots of dog-friendly eateries too, so, while in some places you might have to eat in your holiday accommodation or outside a bar or restaurant, in Portland, you could try Dog Lovers’ Night at the Tin Shed Garden Café (details) where, if you buy a meal, they get one free.

 

The Cornish coast

Most dogs love the beach just as much as children do, the sand underneath their paws, the waves to splash in, the wide open spaces. And, there are few better places to take your pooch than England’s south-western corner. Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula is the perfect choice because, while some beaches ban dogs from the sands all the time or during the summer, there are 13 beaches along the Lizard which your pet can explore year-round. Parkdean’s Mullion site makes an ideal central base as the caravan park itself has pet-friendly bungalows and a dedicated dog walking route (details) and Mullion’s gorgeous cove is one of the most dog-welcoming.

Brittany, France

France is renowned as one of the most dog-friendly countries in the world. In most villages and towns, you’ll see dogs in pubs and restaurants and, if you’re ordering a meal, you’ll often find a bowl of water is brought out for Fido as you peruse the menu. The huge stretches of sand on Brittany’s Quiberon peninsula make it a good choice. Your dog can run across the flat, wide beaches to their heart’s content, something that is sure to tire out even the most exuberant of pooches. Most campsites in the area welcome dogs if you want to sleep under canvas with your pet.

Girona, Spain

Dog owners in Girona were recently told they must walk their pets for at least 20 minutes a day or face a fine of up to $500. The byelaw was brought in to cut down on the number of neighbourly disbutes arising from dogs left home alone to bark for hours. And, really, when you consider the beautiful countryside and coast that surrounds Girona, there’s really no excuse for not getting out and about to enjoy it with your dog. Many private villas offer dog-friendly accommodation and, for those looking for a strenuous workout, you can trek the Girona Pyrenees.

 

Lake Louise, Canada

One of the dilemmas faced by dog owners in Canada is how to exercise their pet when temperatures plummet dangerously low. People are urged to walk small dogs for short amounts of time and to think about investing in dog boots to prevent paws becoming irritated by the salt put on sidewalks. But on a crisp, clean, sunny day, there can be few places in the world better to enjoy the Great Outdoors. There are more than 100 kilometers of dog-friendly trails at Lake Louise, so you never have to do the same walk twice on a break, and pet-friendly hotels including The Fairmont Chateau and the Lake Louise Inn.

They’re all breathtaking locations and, with so many places welcoming dogs, it just goes to show that you can appreciate the scenery together. There’s no need to leave Fido at home.

If you enjoyed reading this, please vote for my blog. All you have to do is click the link below. That’s it… Clicking the link brings you to the Top Mommy Blogs home page. You don’t have to do anything else. Any clicks from my site to theirs is a vote.  THANKS!

Like my blog? ‘Like’ it on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommy-Adventures/203964682967827?ref=tn_tnmn

Pin It You officially have my permission to pin this (as long as it links back to my site).  Just don’t act like you wrote it. Because you didn’t….

Copyright 2014 Sheri Thomson

Safe exercise ideas for mums to be

When I was pregnant with Daniel, I exercised all the way until I was 37 weeks and my gym membership ran out. I spoke to my doctor first to make sure the things I was doing were safe for me and my unborn baby. There are definitely some exercises you shouldn’t do when pregnant, so today’s guest post contains some that most people can do when they have a bun in the oven. (it’s always important to speak to your doctor before embarking on an exercise journey whilst pregnant):

Exercise; for some people it’s a swear word, but for others it’s what gets them through life, and keeps them sane in a mad world. When it comes to pregnancy, exercise can be a good friend, because it can help to prevent complications such as pre-eclampsia. It is believed that it can also help with a shorter labour, which is every mother-to-be’s sweet dream. An active lifestyle during pregnancy can also assist with keeping the body in shape, and reducing back pain, constipation and fatigue. So when you think about it, exercising during pregnancy is really actually the only way to go, if you want to get the most out of the experience! Here are some safe exercise ideas for Mums-to-be.

Yoga

Yoga is probably the best exercise in the world, because it is so gentle, yet does so much for your body. Most yoga teachers have specific classes for people who are pregnant, where they will work specific muscles according to what the mother’s body needs at the time. Yoga truly is an amazing tool for keeping the body in optimal condition and there are poses for soothing any pain, or bodily concern – all you have to do is ask. Always communicate with the teacher about your concerns as they will be able to guide you. It is important to avoid laying on your back after 16 weeks as the weight of the baby presses on a main blood vessel. If the worry is about finding the right clothes to fit, check out this URL for some lovely maternity wear for Mums-to-be.

Walking

Walking is an excellent choice as it gets you out of the house, and out into the world. Often during the hormonal fluctuations of pregnancy, the mother-to-be can experience bouts of depression, or other feelings and walking will help with getting a change of scene. Sitting in a house, worrying, and dwelling on the pregnancy and birth is not going to do anyone any favours so get out, get the blood moving and get some fresh air into your body.

Swimming

The great thing about swimming is that it is so low impact. Any exercise that you do in the water is supported, and it is the one place during pregnancy where you will be able to experience feeling weightless – which is a stark contrast to the heavy feeling of carrying the lump!

Me at 37 weeks pregnant with Hannah. I used to do aqua aerobics during my first pregnancy.

Pilates

Pilates is awesome for strengthening and toning, but can be quite a lot of work if you are doing the regular class, so make sure you find a teacher who can tailor the class to your needs as a pregnant woman.

Exercise Bike

An indoor exercise bike will mean that you can still exercise will staying in the comfort of your home, which is definitely advantageous if you are getting to the later stages of the pregnancy.

It’s best to mix it up and vary the sorts of exercise that you do, as this will help to work all the different muscles. Half an hour of exercise a day is a decent amount for a pregnant woman, and this can be easily split into 3 ten minute sessions. Any activity counts, (even housework!) so it doesn’t have to be formal exercise to get the benefits of an active pregnancy.

If you enjoyed reading this, please vote for my blog. All you have to do is click the link below. That’s it… Clicking the link brings you to the Top Mommy Blogs home page. You don’t have to do anything else. Any clicks from my site to theirs is a vote.  THANKS!

Like my blog? ‘Like’ it on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommy-Adventures/203964682967827?ref=tn_tnmn

Pin It You officially have my permission to pin this (as long as it links back to my site).  Just don’t act like you wrote it. Because you didn’t….

Copyright 2014 Sheri Thomson

Fun and easy meals for the whole family

As I’m sure most of you are aware, getting Hannah to eat (a healthy variety of stuff that is) has been a huge battle. It’s hard enough getting fussy kids to eat, but thinking of things to cook just adds to the stress. Today’s guest post can help with meal ideas:
It can sometimes be a challenge to make meals that everyone in the family will love; one child may prefer vegetarian while another may think vegetables are the worst thing ever. Your partner may be fussy and you may be short on time. Luckily there are plenty of options to make meal times easy, fun and delicious experiences for everyone involved. Sites such as Ziegler and Brown can provide you with recipes AND the equipment to cook on – check out these tips to take the pain out of cooking.

Breakfast

Eggs, bacon, mushrooms, sausages, tomatoes. Add or subtract ingredients as required. Vegetarian? Drop the meat or replace with vegetarian alternatives. Mega carnivore? Throw some quick cooking BBQ steak into the mix or go mad and have some chops. There are endless varieties to be had with the mix and match approach to the first and most important meal of the day.

Lunch

Whether it’s a long lazy lunch with some friends and a bottle of wine, or an indigestion inducing grab, eat and dash speed lunch, regardless of the time that’s available, you’ll want something tasty. If you’re time poor then perhaps opt for some pre-prepared salads, crusty bread and a variety of meats from the local deli but if you’ve got hours to spend, why not prepare a slow-cooked Osso Bucco? If you get it in the oven at the start of the day, by lunch time you’ll be feasting on a delicious meal of tender cooked meats – and once it’s in the oven, you’re free for the rest of the morning.

Dinner

Dinner is quite possibly one of the most traumatic meal-times because everyone’s tired from their busy days. Ease the pain with something simple: pizza. Everyone loves pizza and once the dough has been made and importantly, proofed, it’s the same basic process with only the toppings to vary according to taste. The variations are limitless and the cooking time is short so make your life easy- have a separate bowl for each topping and knock ‘em out.

Snacks

A little bit of deep-fried food never hurt anyone; as the saying goes, after all, everything in moderation. Some deliciously light crumbed calamari drizzled with lemon juice will certainly fill that empty stomach until the next meal comes around. Or maybe some churros are more to your liking? These delicious fried long doughnut-like delights are sure to satisfy cravings for sugary goodness. Remember to exercise restraint though.

Morning/Afternoon Tea

One could easily refer back to our snacks tip for an easy solution but perhaps a simple fruit platter or selection of vegetable crudities would be more up your alley? Get your fruit and/or vegetables, slice them up and serve. Easy. Simple. Healthy.

Are you tempted by any of these suggestions? Or are you outraged that saturated fats have made it on the tips list? What are your go-to meals when you’re short on time and energy? Comment below to share your opinions, ideas and personal experiences.

*This post was in cooperation with Ziegler and Brown.

If you enjoyed reading this, please vote for my blog. All you have to do is click the link below. That’s it… Clicking the link brings you to the Top Mommy Blogs home page. You don’t have to do anything else. Any clicks from my site to theirs is a vote.  THANKS!

Like my blog? ‘Like’ it on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommy-Adventures/203964682967827?ref=tn_tnmn

Pin It You officially have my permission to pin this (as long as it links back to my site).  Just don’t act like you wrote it. Because you didn’t….

Copyright 2014 Sheri Thomson

Four tips for frugal camping

I love camping.  I’m also cheap frugal.  Needless to say, this weeks guest post is very interesting indeed:

 

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned camper, you’ll always think of something you need before your next trip to the great outdoors. With gas prices on the rise this summer, there are other ways to reduce your family vacation costs while still having a good time roughin’ it in the woods:

 

Cheap Accommodations

Unless you own a trailer, fifth wheel, or motorhome, you’ll probably be camping in a tent. Ask your neighbors or friends if they have one you could borrow before investing in your own – especially if this is one of your first times camping and you’re not sure if you’ll like it enough to do it again in the future. If nobody you know owns a tent you can borrow, then you have a couple options: either check out your local Walmart and outdoorsy stores (REI is a great place to start) or go on Amazon and look at high-rated tents in your price range. If you go the online route, you’ll be able to read customer reviews prior to purchasing and not only are the tents sold online probably cheaper than what you’d see in stores, but you could qualify for free shipping, making the online purchase option seem like a no-brainer.

 

Reusable vs. Disposable Supplies

When it comes to camping supplies, you’ll need to consider your circumstances prior to going. Are you going to have access to a sizeable supply water for cleaning dishes? Or would you prefer disposable utensils and plates, assuming there’s a place where you can safely throw them away after usage so the wildlife doesn’t get into your garbage? For cooking supplies, you may prefer to invest in longer-lasting items like a cooler and pans. Regardless of whether you go the reusable or disposable route, you can save money on supplies before your departure by searching for deals online – Amazon has great discounts on camping supplies and SumoCoupon has several coupons available – and be as creative as possible when it comes to reusing your supplies (for example, some people use empty soda cans for cooking bread or meat over a campfire).

 

Stay Off the Beaten Path

Summertime is the peak season for many campgrounds, so you will likely have to pay a little more out of pocket for the privilege of using the campground’s amenities. If you prefer roughing it over luxury camping, then search for campsites that offer “primitive” camping where you’re headed. Oftentimes, you’ll just have a patch of dirt where you can park the car and pitch a tent and nothing more. No bathrooms, showers, or other campground amenities such as a pool or tennis court. But, you’ll pay much less per night. Staying in state or national parks might also be cheaper than a local, commercial campground, so be sure to compare the costs of campgrounds before you decide where to stay.

 

Foil Dinners

Whether you’re bringing a small grill or using a campfire for all your cooking needs, foil dinners can be a wonderfully simple and delicious way to feed the family while you’re on a camping trip. All you need is some heavy-duty foil, cooking spray, a fire, and some food – grilling meat and veggies is a favorite among seasoned campers – and voilà: a great meal with minimal preparation. It certainly beats eating hotdogs and s’mores every single night!

*This post was in partnership with SumoCoupon.

If you enjoyed reading this, please vote for my blog. All you have to do is click the link below. That’s it… Clicking the link brings you to the Top Mommy Blogs home page. You don’t have to do anything else. Any clicks from my site to theirs is a vote.  THANKS!

Like my blog? ‘Like’ it on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommy-Adventures/203964682967827?ref=tn_tnmn

Pin It You officially have my permission to pin this (as long as it links back to my site).  Just don’t act like you wrote it. Because you didn’t….

Copyright 2014 Sheri Thomson

Eco warrior

I’ve always liked gardening.  Maybe it’s because we didn’t have much money when I was little.  Fancy toys were out of the question, but outside of our mobile home/trailer, we had a large yard and  a horse pasture, so when it wasn’t pouring down rain, I spent most of my time outside.  Even though I refused to eat vegetables when I was little because I was the most annoying, fussiest eater on the planet, watching them grow was amazing.  Once I spent an entire day pulling all the long grass out of the ground in front of the barn and then planted flower seeds.  I was only about 7 or 8 at the time, and it was the very first garden that was all my own.

Down the road there was a big wooden windmill next to a house.  Even though I knew nothing about sustainability or eco-friendly practices back then, I always thought it was really neat that  the family living there used wind to get electricity.

Fast forward many years,  go half way around the world, and now I’m very passionate about sustainability and being eco-friendly.  I am doing a degree in sustainable agriculture and food security, after all.  But it didn’t happen all at once.  I’m not even sure when it started happening.  Maybe when I lived on my own for the very first time at the age of 19 or 20.  I rented the 2 bedroom granny flat across the street from where Aaron and Jess lived with their Mum and Grandma.  The lovely family I rented from said I could do whatever I wanted with the little garden next to the house.  I planted tomato plants that ended up being taller than me, lemongrass, cucumber, and I can’t remember what else.

How eco-friendly is your house?Take Our Quiz!

I started cleaning the little house with vinegar, baking soda, and eucalyptus oil.  Not because I knew it was eco-friendly, but because I lived on my own, only made $400 a week, and was saving for my wedding and honeymoon.  Cleaning with such things was way cheaper than using nose curling store bought sprays, but they work just as well.  I still clean that way, but now I do it for the environment and my family’s health.

Now that we have our own house, I would love to plant every square inch of the front lawn (if you can call it that, it’s more like the front bindii infestation) with vegetables, fruit, herbs, and all things edible, but Aaron is not so down with the edible landscaping movement.  Instead, I have an edible garden around the perimeter of the back yard (leaving enough room for the kids to play), which, at the moment, is growing peas, beans, grapefruit, purple broccoli, cauliflower, four kinds of lettuce, two kinds of spinach, kale, asian greens, spring onions, basil, perennial basil, sage, thyme, blue borage, nasturtium, and marigolds. I’ve also started to infiltrate some edibles amongst the decorative plants in the garden under our front window, including a dwarf red banana plant, a red chilli plant, chocolate mint, peanuts, strawberries, chives, oregano, coriander, native finger lime (in a pot), rosemary, and a macadamia tree (in a pot).  It’s amazing how many things you can plant in a small space.

Growing some of your own food not only teaches your kids about where food comes from (some kids these days don’t realise that milk comes from cows!), but it also saves money (which is a huge plus if you’re a cash strapped parent.  Kids are expensive…), and encourages kids to eat more healthily.  Hannah and Daniel love eating veggies from the garden.  Before we started growing our own, Hannah wouldn’t touch veggies.  Plus, if you grow your own, you know exactly what they’ve been fertilised with, and what hasn’t been sprayed on them. You know your food won’t be laced with synthetic, bad for the environment, eco unfriendly herbicides, pesticides, and fertilisers, or genetically modified material.

Instead,  I have a worm farm. The kids love looking at the wiggly worms, and they eat all my veggie scraps.  Then I use their castings and diluted pee (worm “tea” if you want to be polite about it) to fertilise the garden.

I also have a bokashi bucket, which is an anaerobic digester that can take any kind of food, even stuff like chicken carcasses, and all the other food that the worms can’t have, and the compost heap won’t like.  My local council is very into sustainability as well and has a special bin for food scraps and yard waste.  When my bokashi bucket is full, I can put all the scraps in my green bin and they will be taken away to be made into compost in a giant anaerobic digester.

One of the best things the eco and budget conscious Australians can do is take advantage of the sun and get solar panels and/or a solar hot water system.  The sun shines a lot down under (according to the world wide web, Sydney has around 236 days of sun or partial sun per year, way more than my hometown, near Seattle, which gets around 201 cloudy days per year), so we live in the perfect place to harness it’s green, non-polluting power that has the added benefit of slashing electricity bills.  Yes, there is the initial outlay, but the panels will pay for themselves after a while. How many panels do you need? How much does it cost? How does it work?  Australian solar quotes can answer all these questions and more.

One day we also want to install a rainwater tank.  Fresh water is a precious resource, especially as the population increases and ground water can be contaminated with herbicides, pesticides, agricultural runoff, landfills leaching toxic chemicals into aquifers, etc.

Maybe my sustainable/eco friendly ways started because I’m cheap, but it’s so much more than that now. For the sake of our kids and our kids’ kids, we all need to at least start thinking about sustainability and being eco-friendly so that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch doesn’t keep increasing in size.  So that our fresh water supplies stop getting contaminated.  So that we lower our greenhouse gas emissions and stop global warming.

*This post was in partnership with Australian Solar Quotes.

If you enjoyed reading this, please vote for my blog. All you have to do is click the link below. That’s it… Clicking the link brings you to the Top Mommy Blogs home page. You don’t have to do anything else. Any clicks from my site to theirs is a vote.  THANKS!

Like my blog? ‘Like’ it on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommy-Adventures/203964682967827?ref=tn_tnmn

Pin It You officially have my permission to pin this (as long as it links back to my site).  Just don’t act like you wrote it. Because you didn’t….

Copyright 2014 Sheri Thomson

Inside guide: 5 top hollywood hair secrets

Right now I’m trying to grow my fringe out a bit.  Not to the length of the rest of my hair, but just to about my chin or so.  At the moment it’s at that really annoying length that’s a bit too long to be a nicely kept side swept fringe, but too short to be a face framing fringe.  Plus I’m usually wearing my glasses so it hangs down to my glasses, the kind of shoots out over the sides.  It looks pretty ridiculous, but I can’t really do anything about it, I just have to wait until it’s that little bit longer and less silly looking.  In the meantime, I can dream about how nice it will look when it’s grown to where I want it, and take the advice of this week’s guest post so that the rest of it looks luscious:

Why is it that all celebrities seem to have the magic formula that creates flawless hair 24/7? Atevery red carpet event, without fail, their hair looks healthy and effortlessly shiny. Well, there is good news. It is possible for everyone to share in the perfection with the right products and tools.Below you will find five hair tips straight from Hollywood guaranteed to make your locks as luscious as the stars. The plus side is these don’t involve forking out for constant hairdressing appointments and expensive treatments.

Hair Concealers

You never see a spot of baldness, hair loss or hint of scalp on any celebrity – they always seem to have thick, luscious locks cascading from root to tip. One way to get this look is with a good hair concealer, a product that caters for endless shades of colour. Once applied, the fibres cling to the hair and cover up any gaps – making the hair appear full and healthy. Products like BioTHIK have a great range of affordable options that only take minutes to apply and will last through rain, hail or shine.

Dry Shampoo

Dry Shampoo is one of the best products to have on hand at all times – it’s quick, effective and can be applied anywhere. The shampoo works by eliminating the greasy look created by your hairs’ natural oils, and comes in powder form. Simply spray or pat on lightly and watch your hair turn from lanky to fresh and clean. Great if you haven’t had time to wash your hair properly and just need to get through the day without your hair looking like a puddle of grease.

Nourishing oil

The idea of adding extra oil to your hair is probably making you cringe, but nourishing oil is a must-
have for anyone wanting their hair to look healthy and shiny. Made with many natural products and antioxidants, it helps to calm down frizz-prone hair and heal dry ends. It’s designed not to make your hair appear oily or dirty, and is great for anyone who uses straighteners or other harsh tools to style hair.

Extensions

How does all of Hollywood seem to be blessed with voluptuous waves of hair? Well, often times they cheat the camera with the use of good hair extensions. Decent quality extensions are brilliant at adding extra length and volume and can easily be removed and re-attached for future use. Just make sure that the extension matches your hair type and colour exactly; it’s probably best to consult a hairdresser before making a purchase.

Ceramic Curlers Instead Of Metal Curlers

Curlers are generally a must-have in any woman’s hair care arsenal, but many don’t know that metal curlers are actually very damaging in the wrong hands. Because of the extreme heat of the metal, home-taught DIY hairdressers are probably best using the ceramic kind, as misuse leads to damaged, dry hair. Hollywood standard hair can be achieved by anyone with the right products and techniques, even if you don’t have an army of stylists and hairdressers at your fingertips. These products will keep your locks looking like the A-list for all situations, without costing a fortune.

If you enjoyed reading this, please vote for my blog. All you have to do is click the link below. That’s it… Clicking the link brings you to the Top Mommy Blogs home page. You don’t have to do anything else. Any clicks from my site to theirs is a vote.  THANKS!

Like my blog? ‘Like’ it on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommy-Adventures/203964682967827?ref=tn_tnmn

Pin It You officially have my permission to pin this (as long as it links back to my site).  Just don’t act like you wrote it. Because you didn’t….

Copyright 2014 Sheri Thomson

The secret to getting streak free mirrors

My kids have a stand alone white and pink mirror (not with real glass, but somehow it’s mirror-ish anyway) in the play room (aka dining room).  Hannah loves standing in front of it and practicing her funny faces.  Daniel loves to wipe his grubby fingers all over it and giggle.  Needless to say, it’s a sticky, finger printed mess that I really need to clean far more often.

And to get it sparkling for the kids’ enjoyment, here is some advice in today’s guest post:

The Secret to Getting Streak Free Mirrors

If you have sprayed and polished and the mirror still shows streaks, this can become very frustrating. You will notice it every time you walk past the mirror and will know exactly where the streaks are! Cleaning mirrors to a great standard should not be a long laborious process. There are many secrets to getting streak free mirrors in a surprisingly short amount of time with minimum effort.

Never use newspaper

In days gone by, a spray and then circular motions made with scrunched up newspaper used to leave sparkling streak free mirrors. Today’s newspaper is printed with a different type of ink. This ink will actually leave a residue on your mirror so you can buff with the scrunched up newspaper all you want, but you will never get a good result. Paper towel is no good either as it will leave small flecks of lint on the mirror.

Use the correct cloth

A flat weave microfibre cloth will give a great result. Flat weaves dry fast and will leave not lint behind. Flat weaves also do not allow debris to accumulate on a microfibre cloth.

Always use a glass cleaner

Cleaning products made specifically for glass do not suds up and therefore will not leave any residue on the mirror. Using the wrong liquid cleaner can actually leave a slight haze over the surface of the mirror. Another good liquid option is a mixture of white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Rubbing alcohol can also be used for a streak free finish.

How to remove sticky globs

Dab a cotton pad with rubbing alcohol. Bathroom mirrors tend to have spots of toothpaste spatter, flecks of soap suds and droplets of hairspray all over the surface of the mirror. Insects can also leave behind unsightly evidence that they have been on the mirror. Quickly rub any sticky globs with the rubbing alcohol.

How to finish the job

Quickly give the mirror a light spray with the glass cleaner. Fold you cloth in four and starting in the top left hand corner, slide your cloth to the right hand side. Then zigzag backwards and forwards across the mirror. Cleaning your mirror in this way will mean you won’t miss any spots. Turn to a clean spot on your cloth and immediately wipe away any streaks or marks. Your mirror will sparkle like a new one!

Clearly Glass is a company that offers glass cleaning solutions. Glass and mirrors are a great addition to any home as they can make a small area look spacious. Mirrors come in all shapes and sizes and are used in the home and in commercial premises. In fact, some people have a love affair with mirrors and become collectors. A streak free mirror will always look good and if positioned correctly, can enhance the room in which it is hung. Instead of hanging a piece of artwork, why not hang an ornate mirror instead!

*This post was brought to you by Clearly Glass.

If you enjoyed reading this, please vote for my blog. All you have to do is click the link below. That’s it… Clicking the link brings you to the Top Mommy Blogs home page. You don’t have to do anything else. Any clicks from my site to theirs is a vote.  THANKS!

Like my blog? ‘Like’ it on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommy-Adventures/203964682967827?ref=tn_tnmn

Pin It You officially have my permission to pin this (as long as it links back to my site).  Just don’t act like you wrote it. Because you didn’t….

Copyright 2014 Sheri Thomson

Enjoying a grand family vacation in San Francisco

I grew up in the U.S.  I’ve been to California on a number of occasions, as a kid and an adult, but I’ve never been to the famed San Francisco.  Maybe one day….  Since I am clearly not qualified to write about San Francisco, please enjoy this weeks guest post instead:

San Francisco is a fantastic destination to have a family vacation whether you’re travelling with toddlers or teens. There are so many things to do in this wonderful city: you can check out its wonderful tourist attractions, enjoy its culinary delights, and so much more! Simply put, boredom is the least of your concerns if ever your San Francisco trip pushes through because there are so many things to do in this Bay Area City and you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice.

Bear in mind however that there is one place that you shouldn’t miss on your trip. It’s a magical marine conservation centre called the Aquarium the Bay and since Aquarium of the Bay Tickets can be easily purchased online, you shouldn’t miss this world-class attraction during your San Francisco family holiday.

Situated at Pier 39 in San Francisco, you and your kids will definitely will experience a couple of jaw-dropping moments while touring its vicinity.

Aquarium of the Bay is home to close to 20,000 marine animals like the seven-gill sharks, giant pacific octopi, moon jellyfish, and a myriad of other sea creatures, all housed in 300 feet of aquarium tunnels that hold close to 700,000 gallons of sea water. It is open all year long and is flocked countless national and international visitors.

Your Aquarium of the Bay tour will be divided into three sub-tours: Under the Bay, Touch the Bay, and Discover the Bay. Their primary objective is to educate visitors like you about the vibrant sea life and inspire each and everyone to help conserve marine in every little way possible.

If you want a more exciting family vacation, you can partake in the Aquarium of the Bay’s “Feed the Sharks Tour.” By paying a little extra, you can enjoy a 75-minute tour where you’ll have a bucket of seafood that you can use to feed the sharks, sting rays, seals, and other aquatic animals. Take note however that your kids must be aged 8 and above so that they can participate in the said tour.

Summary

While there are a so many of other tourist destinations s in San Francisco, the Aquarium by the Bay should be on top of your list. Its facilities and attractions are simply world-class and you and your kids will definitely love your stay in this one of kind marine conservatory.

Need more proof? In its fifteen-year history, the Aquarium of the Bay has been visited by close to seven million guests and it’s about time to include your name on the list.

If you enjoyed reading this, please vote for my blog. All you have to do is click the link below. That’s it… Clicking the link brings you to the Top Mommy Blogs home page. You don’t have to do anything else. Any clicks from my site to theirs is a vote.  THANKS!

Like my blog? ‘Like’ it on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommy-Adventures/203964682967827?ref=tn_tnmn

Pin It You officially have my permission to pin this (as long as it links back to my site).  Just don’t act like you wrote it. Because you didn’t….

Copyright 2014 Sheri Thomson

Bathe like Cleopatra: luxurious routines for royally soft skin

Everyone wants soft skin.  Well, I do at least.  I can’t stand it when my skin is dry.  When my hands are dry, touching anything feels really gross.  Yes, I know that’s a little weird, but it’s the truth.  When I put lotion or something on my dry cracked heels, I blob the lotion on and then smooth it out with my other foot because they are so dry that I don’t even like touching them.  True story.  Needless to say, I could definitely use the advice from this weeks guest post:
Cleopatra is famed for soaking in milk baths, which were said to keep her skin in impeccable condition. With the price of milk in our modern world it isn’t likely that too many people could afford this luxury, but you can give your skin the royal treatment and keep it soft and supple.

Luxury for Skin

Bath time is the perfect time to luxuriate your skin. After a stressful day you should take a long bath with scented oil and just relax in it. Perhaps even light a candle and play some gentle music. Allow your mind to relax and your body to feel pampered. Too much stress can negatively impact your immune system resulting in skin complaints. Flaky dry skin, itching or sensitive skin and even acne can worsen with stress. So, run your bath, grab your favourite book and spend some time indulging in a freshly scented bath. It will benefit your skin and your mental health.

Body Butter

An equally royal routine is to soak in a luxurious bubble bath followed up by lashings of opulent and rich body butter applied to your body.

What is Body Butter?

Body butter is the modern answer to Cleopatra’s milk bath. Body butter is whipped to a decadent thick consistency, perfect for your luxurious skin routine. Body butter can be massaged all over the body and has amazing nourishing properties. Shea butter is one of the main ingredients of body butter and has long been known for its smoothing effect on skin. Honey and fruit are often added too. These natural ingredients are said to have amazing moisturising properties and antibacterial effects, however dry flaking skin between the toes or yellowy toenails, could be the result of a fungal infection and will not respond to moisturising. Check out www.excilor.com.au if you have these symptoms.

How to Use

Because body butter is very thick, it can sometimes be a little hard to apply. Placing the container in the bath or beside the bath where it is warmed by steam, will help soften the butter and make it easier to massage into the skin. You should not apply body butter to your face or neck, but it is great for the rest of the body.

Great for Dry Skin

Because of its oily consistency body butter is excellent for really dry skin, like knees and elbows. It can even help control dermatitis if used regularly. If you use body butter often you will find your skin is much more supple and smooth, and that any areas of dry skin clear up quickly.
If you apply body butter at night, the body has a chance to really absorb the nutrients and your skin will be replenished from the day’s wear and tear. Just as you would do with facial moisturizer, try and make this a nightly routine if you can. If you apply at least three times a week your skin will definitely respond by becoming softer and smoother.

If you enjoyed reading this, please vote for my blog. All you have to do is click the link below. That’s it… Clicking the link brings you to the Top Mommy Blogs home page. You don’t have to do anything else. Any clicks from my site to theirs is a vote.  THANKS!

Like my blog? ‘Like’ it on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommy-Adventures/203964682967827?ref=tn_tnmn

Pin It You officially have my permission to pin this (as long as it links back to my site).  Just don’t act like you wrote it. Because you didn’t….

Copyright 2014 Sheri Thomson