Rockin' GPYES!- My Kind Of Directions

Russell Brand

"His mind is like a Ferrari"--Helen Mirren

Agreed. Brilliant pod casts available on the BBC online. Check em out-awesome.

And I just love them as a couple. Saucy, cute, naughty and seemingly so compatible.

30 Rock

It took me a few weeks to finish the episodes, but I finally made my way through the first season of 30 Rock. What great writing. Alec Baldwin deserves every award it looks like he's gotten since the show's inception. If you're like me and not a 'be home just to catch a tv show' kind of a girl (guy) and have never seen this show, I recommend checking it out DVR style, Netflix or disc. Well worth the time, I promise.

*"I smelled crazy in here, and assumed it was you"*....classic.

Grovelling...Not Fun. Dignity and Respect.. Much Better

WORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY

grovel (grah-vil) :
To humble and abase oneself using apologies and sometimes trying to coerce to the point of annoyance. Emotions such as crying or frustration can sometimes accompany this action

Want to be very unattractive? Want to make a person uncomfortable at the idea of seeing you? Just do the above. It's a guaranteed everytime. Take it from me, don't ever grovel. It's not nice for anyone involved and is such an unhealthy action. Having done it, and having had it done to me by someone in the past, I can tell you it literally makes your insides sick, and upsets all parties involved. Nothing makes you want to put on track shoes faster and head for the hills. I will never experience this word again.

Mind Control and The Law Of Attraction

From a science online journal I was reading last night:

As early as 1902, references to something similar to the law of attraction can be seen in a discussion of basic matter formation by John Ambrose Fleming, an electrical engineer. He said- "Every completed manifestation, of whatever kind and on whatever scale is an unquenchable energy of attraction that causes objects to steadily increase in power and definiteness of purpose, until the process of growth is completed and the matured form stands out as an accomplished fact." He went on to say that "thought no doubt precedes physical form and the action of mind, plants a nucleus of intention which, if allowed to grow undisturbed, will eventually attract to itself all the conditions necessary for its manifestation into visible form." He concluded by saying- "Therefore, there is no such thing as an unlucky or lucky break, or a more gifted person, that exist on it's own. There is either one who works hard and focuses on an intention that seizes moments, thoughts and ideas or one who does not use this focus."

Nighttime

I wish we had more awake time during the night than the day sometimes. Something magical, cozy, energizing and quiet about the night. Not too much talking... relief. The world just feels relaxed.

SOTD- Rosanna- Toto

If you say you don't like this song....I won't believe you.. ;)

Congratulations Nancy!

One of my best friends Nancy got married last weekend. She was so happy and just giggled and had a big perma- grin the whole time.They took a long time and didn't rush into it, so it feels good to see them enjoy such a happy day. Congratulations Girl!

I don't know how long ago it was-10 years ago maybe (I should have looked it up) that the company 'Life Is Good' really took off. Living out by the beach as I did for a long time, you couldn't go a full day back then without seeing at least 5 of your surfer/boating friends with one of their t-shirts on, or one of their stickers slapped on their jeeps, skate and surf boards. Just the happy stick figure guy stating that positive matter of fact, , simple three word phrase- "Life Is Good" (talk about a prime example of 'less is more') I've been reading up on Bert Jacobs and his brother (the founders of the company ) the past couple of days and watching some of his talks at corporation seminars, and I really like them and wanted to share one. But also to share why I was inspired to do so as well. It was after talking with a really old friend of mine out East, Thanksgiving eve who owns a sports shop. We randomly ran into each other at a local bar/lounge, and once the initial hugs and happy smiles waned, he asked me 'what was wrong". Though I was smiling and thought I was looking good, he's known me so long, I guess he could see indifference in my eyes. Maybe it''s just been looming there and I've stopped noticing. What he's known is a happy bubbly kind of goofy, positive girl. I went on to tell him how the past two years really seemed to change my previous life view that 'anything is possible' and my whole belief in 'finding the good in every situation or person', something that was just natural me. That two big unexpected pitfalls (both financial) seemed to have changed that. Changes that I let effect my mind-(operative word 'let') and that has always been one of my biggest beliefs-that your mind is what creates the life that you are currently living today. My life today, in fact, being very honest is nothing more, and is in perfect tune actually, to where my mind had been focused the past 6 months to a year. He then went on to tell me a story that literally made my night/day/year. He reminded me of when I was working at this fashion company out East that was housed in a huge multi level potato barn. It housed not only our office, but 3 other spaces. One was a lawyer, one was a Pilate's studios and the other was waiting to be rented. One day, he and his buddy came to look at the space to rent. They were going to share it, using one half for a new venture into extreme sports that would book trips and take people on extreme sport adventures- like a package type deal business- and the other half would be a sports shop. He had been trying for three years to find a space, get the money and get it off the ground. He asked me if I remember running into him the day they came to look at the space and I did remember, but then he asked me if I remember what we talked about and that, I didn't. He went on to tell me that he and Alex had walked out dejected because they had just been told that the rent was $800 more than they were originally told and they just weren't going to be able to do it. He said I was getting out of my car (I'm guessing from lunch?) and I said 'hey' and asked them what they were up to, what they were doing there. He told me what happened, and said that he was just going to go back to real estate probably,(he was a broker for a few years before quitting to pursue this) that he had been hitting so many roadblocks the past three years and he was just sick of it. He told me - and I really don't remember- that I hugged him and took he and Alex by the hand (typical corny me) and that I said "no you can't give up! think positive, if you really want it bad enough and think positive, you'll get it . Just picture it in your mind" I've always been a big fan of visualizing, so that makes sense. I'm paraphrasing how he told me (he also imitated my voice which was pretty funny considering he has a very deep one)- but he said that he and Alex left feeling like they'd keep trying for awhile longer. Really? Because of me? I didn't believe him at first, thought he was telling me that to be nice, but he swore it was true. I also laughed and said 'what the hell happened", he responded with a laugh in agreement. The end of his story, is he ended up finding a shop of his own eventually and his friend ended up renegotiating that space in the barn and his business is still thriving. He then said that it seemed to him that I had done so many interesting things that I liked, among all of our friends who were always struggling, that he respected my advice that day.
It is true, I am reminded with this run in, that the things you need to hear, the people you need to see, seem to show up at just the right moments. Me for him back then, him for me that night. And it's true, if you feel on the outside that you are flailing, or that you've got nothing , or it's not possible, you ALWAYS HAVE OPTIMISM and a positive attitude. And what you feel is nothing or impossible , is many times the negative attitude that is at work in your mind. A false perception. Pessimism can really destroy. Looking back on all my bigger successes in my mind, I can tell you with all honesty, it always begins with a positive attitude. Here's just a quickie-- ...when I drove the 20 minute drive from Sag Harbor to Southampton some years back, nervous as all hell for my interview at Billy Joel's office, I purposefully kept the radio off and kept focused, telling myself over and over "you'll get this, this job is yours", and as silly as it may seem- it worked!
So, no matter what- THINK POSITIVE!! xoxo

Basic Truths
by anonymous

*I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.

*There is great need for a sarcasm font.

*How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

*Was learning cursive really necessary?

*Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

*I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.

*Bad decisions make good stories.

*You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

*Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my collection…again.

*I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

*I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn’t answer? Drop the phone and run away?

*I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

*I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Beer than Kay.

*I wish Google Maps had an “Avoid Ghetto” routing option.

*Sometimes, I’ll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

*I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

*The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to finish a text.

*How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?

*I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

*Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

*Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?

*Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

*Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey – but I’d bet my ass everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

     “Why do people in ship mutinies always ask for "better treatment"? I'd ask for a pinball machine, because with all that rocking back and forth you'd probably be able to get a lot of free games.”

 Jack Handy

 

Victoria's Secret Spring Runway Photos Released- Daily Candy

At work, I get a daily email from a fashion news site called 'Daily Candy'. You can read things there from the frivilous (what color is 'in'-lame) to the more business oriented (stock prices). Most times though , I have no time to look as I am too busy. But, I did peruse it a little this afternoon, and saw that they had released the 2010 Victoria's Secret runway show photos (actual show airs on CBS next Tuesday Nov 30 @ 9:00) and I have to say- thank goodness for VS!! Girls should be playful and flirty and sexy and sweet and in a non trashy way, this is the only company keeping that idea alive. I love it. I love being a girl and I love the sexy way they style thier girls. ; Girls- celebrate being a girl! Enjoy your sexiness, don't be afraid of it or cover it up. (too much anyway) - lol

SOTD- Show Reel- Martin Kaye

My adorable friend Martin-- it's about time he was a song of the day.
Check out his new website here:
www.martin-k.com

Cool Lego Scultpure

Adam Carolla- In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks

I have a problem that when I buy a book for someone, I start to read it and have to be careful with the binding so you can't tell. It's bad. I saw the above in the bookstore today and had to get it for my brother for Christmas, but, of course, I've begun reading it and it's damn funny. Aww Adam..The Man Show was never the same when you left. ( 'wife school', 'adam and jimmy visit snoopp dogs house', Adam works at a hardware store'- the trampoline :) ) classics. And when they considered replacing you on LoveLine, some fan freaks actually made threats to the producers. They should have ended the show when Jimmy and Adam left, in my opinion.
Anyway, just a Christmas tip if you have any boys that appreciated The Man Show and Loveline, they'll definately like this book. :)

SOTD- Pour Some Sugar On Me- Def Leppard

From the first time heard this song at 16, until this very day, I always want to do a little strip tease to it.....only in private of course. :) Come on, try and tell me I'm wrong-- you know it's perfect. This song never NOT kicks ass.

My Dream...

A porch, the man I love, and maybe someday owning my own little store/business after my professional career has run its course. Some beers, nice dinners and some laughs. Some sort of little family...made up of cats, or a little one, or a fish? lol -I really don't want much more than that. Not immediately,things take time, but it is a goal. Me and my man on that porch. Watching the world go by, having a beer, listening to the crickets and the rain. I laugh when I think I went so far from where I grew up, just to want the simple things I grew up with. It's so much less to ask for than I know the universe can provide. :)

SOTD- Wicked Game- Chris Isaak

This video was so sexy when it came out. And that long guitar drop that sounds so sexy and drippy wet. I also remember the first time I heard the song, and every time thereafter, what an unlucky guy it seemed he was, and what a sad song too. Like was what he singing about really true? Did it happen to him? Sad--but still sexy
*I couldn't help but think also, the first time I saw the lead in theme to 'Boardwalk Empire', that they definately took inspiration from this video's sound. Anyone agree?

SEXY

SEXIER

MEOW

Josie Maran Argan Oil and a Sexy Bum To Boot:)

Josie Maran is a model and a very smart career woman in the health field. She has created a line of all natural products for your body using oil from the argon nut. I tried the face oil today, and I must say that my skin feels softer than ever- and my skin is pretty soft naturally. I highly recommend the oil for your face. And she has a body oil also, and I would say her tush looks pretty smooth to me. Sexy girls are awesome, huh? Find her line at the site below:
http://www.josiemarancosmetics.com/

And here is a little info about the argan oil itself :
Argan oil is an oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree, endemic to Morocco, that is valued for its nutritive, cosmetic and numerous medicinal properties. The tree, is extremely well adapted to drought and other environmentally difficult conditions of southwestern Morocco. The species Argania once covered North Africa and is now endangered and under protection of UNESCO.^[1] The Argan tree grows wild in semi-desert soil, its deep root system helping to protect against soil erosion and the northern advance of the Sahara.^[2] This biosphere reserve, the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve, covers a vast intramontane plain of more than 2,560,000 hectares, bordered by the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains and open to the Atlantic in the west. Argan oil remains one of the rarest oils in the world due the small and very specific growing areas.

Animusic- Harmonica

This is pretty cool

When The Planet Wants To Explode, No Mere Mortal's Gonna Stop That Shit From Goin' Down

I went grocery shopping tonite, and because I didn't feel like going to my favorite, Whole Foods (kinda out of the way), I went to a local store that has pretty good stuff anyway. Though I like the healthy diverse stuff at Whole Foods, I do believe there are many crossovers in all that stuff and in many instances, there is not a ton of difference. If you stay fresh and buy healthy things and steer clear of the shit and processed stuff , you can do pretty well at any store. As I was going to by baking soda (which I have been using to clean the bathroom to try and be more 'natural' - ahem) I was honest with myself that my bathroom just hasn't been as clean, and bought good old comet with bleach. My mom would giffaw at the thought of anything but industrial bleach out lime out whatever for the bathroom! I then bought another case of Poland Spring water (after blah blahin-ing on the bad case of the plastic bottle)--- Cuz here the thing: we can do as best we can, but hell if I want to be some sort of exhausted global preacher. It's boring and impossible. I do little things I can like recycle and eat healthy, but damn, water bottles are convenient and comet gets things clean. I think you have to be pretty damn bored to think about this stuff too much. It's time to relax on this stuff an start focusing on the really important stuff.
I used to roll my eyes all day at these health food hippies when I was working at a healthfood store in college that were over the top in everything, like they needed a straight jacket (My co-worker Chelsea and I used to slip the kids of some of these health freaks real candy bars (snickers, three musketeers) during Christmas and holidays. Always felt sorry for them. Their parents needed to loosen up big time. I mean what in the world is childhood without too much sugar! :)
Just do try to recycle- that sounds good enough to me and takes a shitload of effort in itself.

PS- I heard "Only The Good Die Young" by Billy Joel today and when I hear it, always remember how much I love the line (and I've told him so)-
"I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints, the sinners are much more fun." Right? Without being loosened up, you'll die a high strung cow!

Make Humor and Laughter Daily Medicine: Laughter reduces muscle tension. This muscle relaxation and the easing of psychological tension that accompanies it, is the main goal of pain and stress management. This ...certainly accounts for the stress- reducing power of humor.

Gems In Conversation

Me: What do you think he's thinking about?

Brother: umm, I don't know..beer and freedom, freedom and beer. (sarcastic laughter) oh, and work and probably boobs. Yep, for now.. beer, freedom, work and boobs.

SOTD- Do You Believe In Magic- Oz

glee club ..oz.. lol always

SOTD- Brighter Than Sunshine- Aqualung Cover

Beautiful Cover Job

Some Rare Alone Time & Perspective

I haven't had alot of just me, all by myself alone time, in over a year . If I am not working, I was with my boyfriend, if I was not with him, I was with my roommate- the most alone time I've had, when I think about it, is on my car ride home. That's not alot...not real time..not enough. Tonite I did. All by myself. And I noticed something interesting. Yes, I like alone time. I like to be quiet and read and think and write and do my little artsy things, watch a girly movie, etc...I've lived in my own apartment before and was fine with it. But, I haven't been able to do that in a long, long time. Until tonite. I came home at around 6:30, alone. I plopped on the couch, turned on the TV and found myself just now, three hours later, still sitting here, in my work clothes, completely slumped. I laughed to myself when I noticed, and I realized one of the interesting things about sharing time with someone from my former point of view. I'd always felt like we had to be watching some interesting program or movie, talking about 'interesting', deep topics or making a fancy dinner. I thought I had to impress the person in my space, or make constant conversation, and in turn the other person felt that way too. ( people mistake that for high brow attitude, when it''s usually the opposite- insecurity. The feeling of having to always fill the space) I feel like I came down tonite. Down to the Illinois girl that likes to just sit and watch random tv in her jeans and just be a lump. I never allowed myself to let my hair down because I thought the relaxed,' mind blank' girl wasn't going to be 'exciting' or 'interesting' 'enough. And honestly, even on nights off and alone, I never really have been with a shared space. Guess what though? That would be true comfort. When you can just allow yourself to be quiet. I miss sharing my time, but I almost feel like I decompressed by getting to be alone and was taught the great lesson that it is true what they say about being really close with someone. That you should just let yourself 'be' and that's true intimacy. That is true relaxation. We spend so much time being 'on' for other people all day, you should be allowed to be a goofy idiot at home if you feel like it. Your home is not the Queen's palace. I am just a small town, down to earth girl really. I'm much more simple than I've let on to be. I work almost too hard to be 'on' during my work days,and even sometimes socially- impressing bosses because I am intimidated by all these fancy NY girls or groups of people that all know each other . Always have been. Sometimes, I also think there is some misperception of me that because of the way I look or the things I think. I'm not that complicated. And btw, I still see myself with crooked bangs and little buck teeth in the fourth grade, so I'm far from all that, if people judge a book by it's cover. I want people to know that side of me more. I think I mixed the lines of when I could turn that off and be free just to be me. Not anymore. Just to be content with being quiet and silly. Without that, what's the point? I think true closeness starts to evolve when you can just allow yourself to 'be' with another person, so they feel free to be the same. No big talks or lots of energy and perfection.No more being 'on' out of insecurity to impress people. Sometimes you want to be a slump and a slob. That's real and that's true intimacy. I haven't turned off in soooo long and it feels good. I'd rather be a hick than a snob..anyday! I am learning a great lesson and seeing a gift in what I just went through to use in my life. It would be better to be loved for my slob lazy side than a contrived perfect side. That's not comfortable or real. And in another way, it's nice to not always have to be accountable for what you do and when and how and always answer to someone. That's a great thing to have to- to do what you feel and be understood finally and not have to explain what makes you happy. That is a great gift to have and give in a relationship. To really listen to your instincts and honor those needs and just know.
Oh...and what I watched was one of my all time favorites for the, oh, I don't know, 1,000th time. This movie never fails to make me happy. :)

Live each moment with humility, love, respect and gratitude for the whole of life that surrounds you. And you will find a treasure that has no end.--

Ralph Marston

Little Gems in Conversation

Dad: Do you like when someone calls to sell you something or tries to pry a pamphlet into your hand and pressures you?
Me: No
Dad: What do you do?
Me: Hang up, close the door, cross the street..
Dad: Exactly. Noone wants to feel pressured. There is no happiness in pressure. There is no gain in pressure. It causes the opposite of what you ultimately want. You get the hard things, but you'd be better off understanding more of the simple things.

I sometimes journal on my blog and just think outloud, and some of that you've related to me has helped you and it also helps me. And sometimes, I say things that are straight forward and true. Things that through the course of history have not and will not change kind of truths. And this is one of those times: In a relationship there are only two ways-
*keeping your lives outside of each other full (hanging out with friends, doing your hobbies, spending time alone) OR
*not do that and split apart to get it back.
It becomes almost less heartbreaking if you split mainly because of this, because the loss of that time for yourself and not feeling free (which is so key to practice in a relationship) is so great a need, that you'd rather be without them to get it, than stay with them and not have it.You become angry and kind of numb to the emotions because you are so desperate to feel freedom. Hear this if you need to: keep your own seperate lives healthy and active and give that to each other!! Seriously. Don't let it break you up. You BOTH need it. Even if you are the one not giving it, you too are missing it in your life and you don't even know it. (Like me- blogging more, playing guitar more, getting up early for yoga, catching up with friends) Don't blame each other if you can if you've been through this, just try be gentle and explain it,understand and be better at it. Healthy way vs unhealthy way. 2 choices. You lose the fun and that's what you should be having together! Life is too short. Eventually, we all don't want to be 'alone' alone,( much different than 'alone time') and we all need to connect with someone eventually. It's about having freedom while having connection, I've been reminded of through some hard times. You don't want to kill beautiful moments and love shared, with memories of built up resentment. That is terrible. Go back to what you find beautiful in each other if you've built up any of these.Cherish understanding each other as friends and do what you would do for your best friend, as that's who they should be. Be happy just to see them happy -in moments with you and without you! I think more than love, respect is key. Sometimes I go through a lesson hardcore to really get it. :(

He's Ba-aack!

"The good news: I will be doing a show on TBS starting in November! The bad news: I'll be playing Rudy on the all new Cosby Show," O'Brien posted on Twitter.
Yay- Conan O'Brien is back! Jimmy Kimmel kind of filled the space, but he ain't no Conan. Clever, witty, sarcastic and smart is back! Someone who is just naturally funny- nothing so overly written or contrived. You can smell bad funny a mile away. No lame opening monoluges here-- Thank goodness. From getting the shaft to coming out way ahead of them all with a sweet settlement and a new show. haha- redemption at it's finest!
TBS- 11pm

"Each one of us has to find his peace from within. And peace, to be real, must be unaffected by outside circumstances"
-GHANDI

Learned this the hard way. But, it is the truth.

Tim Gunn- Excerpt From Interview Regarding His New Autobiography

Love This--

Q: If you can impart one lesson from the book, what would it be?

A: Tim Gunn: "Take the high road. You will never regret it. No matter how much anger and strife you feel you're facing, no matter how badly you want to lash out, don't do it. You'll never regret taking the high road. There isn't one single time that I've lashed out that I haven't deeply regretted it. "

DisneyLand!

All these years I've spent my trips going to Europe and back packing in remote foreign countries- I'm poetic and like it simple, you know? So, Disney has never been a thought. It was not exotic enough, interesting enough, far away enough, adventurous enough or romantic and mysterious enough- not to mention the major issue of American commercialism.
But, I had a chance to go as part of a last minute boyfriend work related offer- and I must say, it is magical (not in a 'Bali sunset' kind of magical mind you, but a 'cartoon come to life' world magical)and innovative and you really do feel like a little girl. At least I did. All the little ones were dancing and laughing and smiling and they sang about dreams and being nice. Walt does bring joy and 'live your dream' inspiration to millions of people (even if that dream is in a land far away living simply and donating your time. Whatever it is. ) It is no small feat and I would like to see many more businesses of all kinds have the same kind of incentive to start and run a business as Walt Disney, the man, did. Making money but bringing quadruple that in joy and encouraging that positivity in others. All of the films had a message of environment and kindness in them..not just fun. There are many green incentives on the property as well, otherwise I would be a bit more turned off as to waste management. And ask me how much it made my maternal instincts go crazy! lol It was so fun to see families together laughing and having fun. Sharing it with family and littles ones would make it all the more fun! If you've never gone and ever get the chance- do it. Worth seeing.
Thank you Walt. You really did make a magical, fun place.

"Believe that you can do it, under any circumstances. Because if you believe you can, then you really will. That belief just keeps you searching for the answers, then pretty soon you get it."
– Wally "Famous" Amos

SOTD- Steady As She Goes- The Raconteurs

I'll just always want to purchase things that involve Jack White- won't you? :)

Graduation Outfit Dilemna Solved!

'Don't worry ma, I don't need a new tie, this here corona shirt I won at a wet t-shirt concert will do just fine!" Classy.

Hot Lemon Water

Water, water, water! I've touted it before on my blog, and I will surely tout it again. There are few things better for your body than this lovely, clean simple liquid. Wake up in the morning and start your day with a yummy glass. Nutritionists say that if you change nothing in a poor to mildly healthy diet, but to drink lots of water (especially starting your day first thing with a glass ), your liver will detoxify 50% better and you will see many visible health changes.

Today's little tip is for the upcoming cold weather days. I used to find myself craving hot soup, an extra cup of coffee, hot chocolate or herbal teas (which are nice) throughout out the day during the colder months. That is, until I started cutting up a fresh organic lemon and always having a container at my work place and in my fridge at home. With my water drinking quotient slightly declining in the fall/winter due to cold weather (even though I drink it room temp), I find drinking hot water with lemon is a wonderful alternative to help to keep me toasty and warm when I have a chill. It also keeps my up my water intake.

I realize the concept of hot water with lemon is not anything new, but how many of you really have fresh lemon accessible easily at work? Lemon also keeps your skin vibrant and healthy. So, next daytime reach for coffee or teas, try doing a simple hot water with lemon. Yummy and clean!

SOTD- I Can Change - LCD Sound System

Everytime I hear this song on the New York Underground, I could sware it's some old school 80's new wave song- but alas, it's current band 'LCD Sound System'. They are so reminiscent of that genre, that if you are an underground synth new waver from the past or like it currently as 'old school', you'll love this song.

There's A Little Extra Sexy Work For Fashion.......

..and then there's this. These heels were 2 inch platform in the front and 6 inch stilettos in the back. Now, I'm all for rockin' it high if you've got the legs to work it, but this poor girl. I was behind her for four blocks and she was wobbling and struggling and tripping. :( As crazy as I've been with fashion, I've always been wise enough to know that a visible struggle will take away any bit of sexiness or cool vibe the piece you are wearing has to offer.
One of the greastest fashion tips that I can give, is to wear what you are also comfortable wearing. Confidence and feeling good is the best ribbon to wrap around your look.

*ps- Though I don't believe in 'rules' like no white after labor day- (White in winter can be so classic) -the bright white heel died in about, oh, 1976 . 1970's Easter with bad clear pantyhose. Save white heels for the occasional summer/spring dress. And never with black! That is, unless you are dressing intentionally as a Mod.

Global Warming -Part 2 "Energy Blues" SchoolHouse Rock

I wrote a blog this past July regarding the flooding in China and linking it to the careless global destruction of natural resources as a cause, (You can read it here:
(http://trennylynn.blogspot.com/2010/08/global-warming-its-for-real-and-its.html) and as a result I received the most reactions ever from a blog, and ones that were the most heartfelt, (sometimes angry) and passionate. I wanted to follow up and post some of the reactions here:

"What are you talking about? You live in the state with a city(NYC) that is considered one of the most crowded, polluted, consumeristic and populated of them all."

"What are you doing then to change this? I hear alot of talk, but what about suggestions?"

"I agree with you and me and my debate team have started a "Green Missions" group on out college campus"

" I say screw it. There's no going back. It is our destiny to destruct ourselves and anything we do won't be enough."

Those were just some of the points from emails that I thought exhibited the overall top feelings that were conveyed in most emails. Whew- well, let me try, as concise as possible, to answer and defend that I still feel the same way about the environment as I explained earlier, and also list some things that we can do daily (that I do) to limit some of this destruction. Having a response and rebuttal does not mean that you're thoughts are not valid. They are great and true and I've thought them all myself. I like that they made me think more.
I am not naive to the world that we live in. We were born as creatures meant to evolve. The urge for man to evolve and advance sealed it's fate the day that there was the invent of fire. There is not a generation today that could understand life without a light bulb, without electricity, many, that are not city dwellers, without a car, etc.. I watched 'No Impact Man" (the documentary where a man, his wife, and baby live in NYC for a year, as close to foraging cavemen as possible) and though I loved many of the things they did (ie-composting, recycling, biking more, growing their own food), there were many things that living in this society would deem impossible for them to continue for long. So, I am in full understanding that there is a slim chance that we will go back in our progress- but there is a fine line. Even the commune living hippies drive a car into a near town once a month to get 'supplies', so even they cannot do it in this society, as romantic as they think the idea. That's ok. That's reality. The point is we can try harder. We tend to (especially Americans) live in a 'too much' world. There is surviving and functioning happily, and then there is ego and greed. Big difference. No, we don't need a TGIF every 5 miles or another mall. I don't need 10 different fast food choices in a town with a 10 mile radius. I don't need my lettuce in a plastic bag and box and another bag. We live in a very "piece of cake wrapped in plastic, put in a plastic container, in a plastic bag with a plastic fork, eat in in five minutes and dump it all in the garbage" society. Many times followed by a cigarette which smokes up the air and gets thrown on the ground. It's not right and we can do better.See my point? .
There is a great article I read in the NYT's last week about an 82 year old Vietnamese man who came to New York to meet long lost family. At one point in his visit, they had taken a walk in Central Park. In doing so, they came across tree cutters cutting down tress. He asked his walking partner- a native New Yorker- 'why' they were cutting down such pretty trees? His friend told him that it was because they were putting in a concrete basketball court. When the Vietnamese man saw the chips going into a dumpster, he recounted his feelings the next day to the reporter. "I couldn't believe that not only would they cut down beautiful trees, but that they wouldn't use them to put back into the earth. In Vietnam, we make compost for other plants, re- plant them somewhere else or build houses and make things like paper resources. I had never seen such careless waste"
Yes I do live in New York. Not New York City, mind you, but Long Island, which is a whole different world. The reason I don't live in NYC is because I agree that it is too crowded and too polluted and I agree that because of that, it does promote attitudes that can be sometimes fear based. Very "me first, take what you can" kind of greed. Though anyone who does not live here does not know that there also is a lot of passion, kindness and intelligence in this city too. It is not like you see it portrayed on TV in criminal shows. There are many people who have great green incentive ideas and organizations here. Hopefully, I can be a small little bit of that group. So, onto solutions. Very briefly, here is a quick summary of global warming and how waste and pollution is affecting the earth and why these tips are necessary.

**Scientists have determined that a number of human activities are contributing to global warming by adding excessive amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide accumulate in the atmosphere and trap heat that normally would exit into outer space.

Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming
While many greenhouse gases occur naturally and are needed to create the greenhouse effect that keeps the Earth warm enough to support life, human use of fossil fuels is the main source of excess greenhouse gases. By driving cars, using electricity from coal-fired power plants, or heating our homes with oil or natural gas, we release carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Deforestation is another significant source of greenhouse gases, because fewer trees means less carbon dioxide conversion to oxygen.

During the 150 years of the industrial age, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has increased by 31 percent. Over the same period, the level of atmospheric methane has risen by 151 percent, mostly from agricultural activities such as raising cattle and growing rice.

The Consequences of Global Warming
As the concentration of greenhouse gases grows, more heat is trapped in the atmosphere and less escapes back into space. This increase in trapped heat changes the climate and alters weather patterns, which may hasten species extinction, influence the length of seasons, cause coastal flooding, and lead to more frequent and severe storms. ****PS- we are seeing the latter happening right in front of us!!!

Below, are some of my simple tips that, if we all practiced them, would make a tremendous difference:

1. Recycle. Just do it. More than half of American's waste is recyclable. That everyone isn't doing it is ridiculous

2. Eat less meat. Two times a week maybe. Id like to say be vegetarian so no animal gets killed, but the jury is still out on that whole animal kingdom food chain order. Buy the meat organic. The eggs and chickens 'free range'. Those farmers grass feed their cattle and chickens, and are much healthier. Also, we would save thousands and thousands of farm land acres as we wouldn't waste it growing corn and rice feed to get them fat fast so we can kill them faster and supply fast food chains and fat bellies with meat.

3.Change your lightbulbs. CFL lightbulbs are great and you can get them here: http://letsgogreen.biz/pages/lighting.html?gclid=CNLe5aLjyKQCFc9L5QodIlf7iw

4. Just turn off that light behind you when you leave the room , k? And you don't need to rock that tv all the time. You'll save brain cells this way too! ;)

5. Heat off when you leave the house, fresh air, open windows and less ac

6. If you can take the train to work a day or two in the week or carpool with a co-worker, just try it. One less day of driving from everyone would make such a HUGE difference!

7. When it's the season, shop at farmer's markets . Not only does this reduce waste of traditional grocery store packaging, you also support the farmer and the nearby land. What he/she grows puts healthy green oxygen back into the world. And, if you add it up, all these tips of following the natural order of the world the way it is, has the wonderful off shoot of making your body healthier and your mind sharper.

8. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth! This is such a habit to have this sound for many people. A habit that makes no sense and causes such waste. You are suppose to brush for two minutes and it is said that leaving the water running that whole time wastes 8 gallons of water! So unnecessary. :(

These are some of the things that I think are easiest and that I practice. You may think it naive or impossible. But, I am telling you if everyone just did the above, we would get progressively better at it and our bodies, minds and world would change. It would! For more earth friendly tips, go here:

**In closing, any of you from my generation will remember the Saturday morning PSA above. As a kid at 8 years old, it made me sad then. That was 30 years ago and we were in trouble already! Not many listened. If it helps to have his little energy head in your mind, then think of him. It helps me, oddly enough. Be good to your planet and it will be good back to you :) **

SOTD- Six Underground- The Sneaker Pimps

"Take me down...Six Underground.."
I've always thought this was a sexy song.

John Lennon Would Have Been Cool At 70. SOTD- Woman

SOTD- "WOMAN"- JOHN LENNON

You can think he was self righteous and outspoken because he was famous and rich. You can think that all his publicity on peace and love was just to kill time and use up the spotlight. That he was just bored and had spare time, a public voice and lots of money. That maybe he meant it, maybe he didn't. You can think, like everyone else has, that Yoko Ono was a screeching little foreign girl who was narcisitcally controlling and dying for a spotlight that her flailing art did not provide on it's own. But, to all that, I will disagree. I see the easy assumptions with this public figure of a man.
But, I truly feel that John Lennon was a brilliant man. A gifted songwriter. A man of the times who spoke to people. He was a man who didn't mince his words and I've always loved that about his personality. He meant what he said and he didn't give a fuck, yet he had the heart of a poet and believed in the idea of love. ("Imagine"? I mean come on, one of the most beautiful songs ever) He and Yoko were very much in love. You can just tell by the body language in photos and old video footage. The way they were together in life- to love at the cost of much ridicule. It is wonderful to see true soul mates. There are many John and Yokos out there, and I can't imagine a woman truly in love that would not be swept away by a song such as "Woman" written for her. I would have to put it in my top 5 of favorite love songs. What a tribute to the woman he loved. How special. Though I love many of his songs (within and without The Beatles), this is my birthday tribute pick. If you haven't listened to it in awhile, or never really got into the words, do. It truly is so sweet and beautiful.

Hand to Hand With Cher

Atlantic City Boardwalk Sunday, after seeing Jerry Seinfeld and I was astounded at just how big my girl Cher's hands were! Although, maybe her's are average and mine are teeny. No matter...she is still the one and only and I adore her.

SOTD- Al Green - You Should Be With Me

The greatest hits of Al Green is one of those records you throw on while you're cooking dinner and drinking a glass of wine. Or, when you want to just mellow out and groove. However, not many people know alot of his songs outside of that record (ie- Love & Happiness, Let's Stay Together, etc..) This song is a great, sexy Al Green song that has always been a favorite of mine and I would reccomend you add it to his collection in your library. Or, at the least, check it out now while you're browsing other things online. I know you've got many other things to do than stay on this blog all night! :) Happy Groovin'!

The Social Network Trailer -Creep by Radiohead

With the sometimes ever too pervasive -and contradictory- mix of narcissism and self loathing that is exhibited on Facebook at times (I have been guilty of it myself), can anyone else acknowledge with me how brilliant a choice it was to use the first verse of "Creep" by Radiohead for the trailer of The Social Network? With it's brilliant lyrics and sung by a boy's choir--- good damn choice to convey a point.

Watch it here: http://tinyurl.com/29xxv2l (you may have to copy and paste address into your browser)

And Dammit. It is still two weeks and I have not written my response to Global Warming as promised. I will do it before Monday. I have to admit to you all that it is truly only because I have been so bogged down with work 6 days a week, that my brain is mushy when I am not working. But I'm changing all that......well trying :)

I Let Those 20 Somethings Know That "Yes, There Is A Kick Ass Video For Eyes Without A Face"

I was in a rather popular lounge/bar in NYC's trendy meatpacking district last week. I was meeting up with groups of work related friends that had traveled in from all over the country for fashion week and it seemed like a place where people could easily come and go. The place was a good mix of relaxing, sexy, ambient, fun and at the same time cozy. But, the greatest thing was that it had the best music. A nice mix of European easy trance, jazz, underground alternative and fun 80's songs at the just the right moment. We were having some sing along time, when I noticed something cool. When "Eyes Without A Face " by Billy Idol came blasting through the bar, a big group of 20 something guys were singing along, and singing every world. As I stood next to one of them, I said "Man, you would have loved the summer of 1984 when MTV played this video about 19 times a day." He replied "Oh man- there's a video for this? I gotta check it out!"

Oh yes there is. The blue eyes. The lip. The singular head close up. Billy looking tender like he's gonna cry. Then, the guitar solo and leather, smoky segeway. The rebel yell fists. Good on Billy that rebel boys more than half his age are still singing along. .....It's a nice day for a White Wedding.

Unemployed In Summertime..Only Just at 21 by Emiliana Torrini

I liked this song initially because of it's sweet, ambient sound, but when I listened to the lyrics the second time, it brought that summertime, 21 year old feeling. I'd like to be romantic and say I wasn't working then, so I was JUST like the song, but I was waitressing like a dog. Yet, remember summertime then? At 21? Summertime was romantic then. You weren't living at home, and you were an adult....but not really just yet. You were still a residual 19 year old, but with your own place and lots of freedom. Maybe you were living somewhere totally new and strange. You weren't married or with child. If you were in college, you were not yet graduating and were not tied to a 'career'. If you weren't in college, like I wasn't yet, you may have been traveling and drinking too much, and doing crazy things and having one night stands and meeting interesting people who hand rolled European cigarettes for you, while you shared life stories at 2 am . You could probably just wake up at noon and roll to the beach anyway, so what the hell--stay up all night. Those are when the best stories come anyway. Layers are stripped in the dark late at night, I find. I think if we could learn to really do what Buddha teaches and truly "Live In The Moment", and not be planning and fretting about a future that doesn't exist yet, 21 years old wouldn't be only fun in a nostalgic, retrospecive way, but instead it would definitely have been one of those ages where we milked all the juice out of life...and loved every minute of it. Yes-- a juicy time of life. Don't let these moments now pass wishing for the past or worrying about the future. If you wish for the past, think of what you will feel about today when you are sitting watching dusk at 80. Don't wait for then to think this time of life isn't youthful and juicy in rich in it's own way. Carpe Diem!

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." – Eleanor Roosevelt

America's Poor Health Is A 'Culture Crisis' , Not A 'Health Crisis'

*A friend Stephanie posted this the other day and it is so full of truth and clarity and care for true health, that I had to share. (It has been circulating, so you may have seen it three times over..but maybe not) .I wish everyone had the desire for the best health for themselves, because I believe that one simple thing, would create his vision of eliminating bad health. We could try our best. ) Take a read, and as he says at the end-- if you agree, pass it on.

Pictured is a young physician by the name of Dr. Roger Starner Jones. His short two-paragraph letter to the White House accurately puts the blame on a "Culture Crisis" instead of a "Health Care Crisis"..

Dear Mr. President:
During my shift in the Emergency Room last night, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient whose smile revealed an expensive shiny gold tooth, whose body was adorned with a wide assortment of elaborate and costly tattoos, who wore a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and who chatted on a new cellular telephone equipped with a popular R&B ringtone.

While glancing over her patient chart, I happened to notice that her payer status was listed as "Medicaid"! During my examination of her, the patient informed me that she smokes more than one pack of cigarettes every day, eats only at fast-food take-outs, and somehow still has money to buy pretzels and beer. And, you and our Congress expect me to pay for this woman's health care? I contend that our nation's "health care crisis" is not the result of a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. Rather, it is the result of a "crisis of culture" a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on luxuries and vices while refusing to take care of one's self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. It is a culture based in the irresponsible credo that "I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me". Once you fix this "culture crisis" that rewards irresponsibility and dependency, you'll be amazed at how quickly our nation's health care difficulties will disappear.

Respectfully,
ROGER STARNER JONES, MD
If you agree...pass it on.

Missy Higgins- Where I Stood

She's vulnerable, honest, and current. A kind of 2010, early days Sarah McLaughlin--less an ethereal quality and a more gritty, raw quality. I like her, maybe you will to. :)

My Job- Spring 2011 Collection

The collection I work with, Alice & Trixie, got lucky this week. The owner decided to shoot the Spring 2011 collection on her Soho loft's rooftop, and it was one of the most beautiful days we've had all year. Between me sneaking these candid shots, and re-tagging clothes, we got a little color like we spent the day at the beach. For just the three of us (owner, designer and myself), plus model, I think we are going to turn out quite a pretty look book. I'll be sure to post the official book here for buying in the New Year when it's available. Until then.....back to thoughts of boots and sweaters. :( Blargh..

Extended Fall 'Trailer Blog'

Hello Fall. Hello you! I haven't written on my blog in quite awhile. Reasons being rather non interesting. In addition to working 6 days a week, I have been spending quality time with my boyfriend and being a little more social. Now that I've bought a new (environment friendly) car and have gotten used to the place on Long Island where I have now lived for a year, I have not been as still as I was once. I admitted to my boyfriend tonite, that I miss the simplicity when I didn't have too many 'things' (material or social). A simple way of living. I wasn't allowing myself to get distracted by lots of other outside, unnecessary things, and I want to get back to that mind set, despite the changes in my life. I was more peaceful with less distractions and I want to keep it that way. I was more in touch with the truth. That's why I started this blog, because I was starting my life over with nothing I had before (physical or material) save a few dear friends, and I was face to face with myself. In retrospect, it has been a great gift. I think we should all be forced to purge everything at least once in our life and be a little shaken up by fear. But, those thoughts for another day. So, I am regrouping. I do miss writing about my life, the world, whats happening---and hearing from and sharing with you, so I'm glad to be back. That said, you probably also noticed a slight re-vamp in my blog. My 'mission statement' has changed slightly, and I figured while I was at it, how about I go from pink to a more neutral earth tone. Am I silly to think that maybe I'll be taken more seriously, less the pink? Hmmmm..... haha. I also want to be more true to things I say above. One of those being "send me what you feel about anything you read good and bad. I learn just as much from you". I do read your emails and very much appreciate them- yes the good and the bad- but I have rarely talked about the positive comments, the negative or opposing ones, nor your insightful inputs here on my blog and I want to do more of that. I want to be a woman of my word and not be afraid when I might be wrong, or when I have inspired you to share something. I will, of course, leave it anonymous, unless you want to be named. I truly want all of us to share. So, that will be a new addition I'd like to include when responses are plentiful. Different ways and points of view is what makes life tasty anyway. yum!
So, this is like a trailer to my trailer last blog, not the first true blog I want to share. Scott (that's my boyfriend, and I suppose we will give him a name. It has been almost a year now) got tickets to the movies and he actually approved my pick (shocker) of going to see "Going The Distance" with Drew Barrymore--so we are heading out momentarily. I know, rom-com---and I usually HATE romantic comedies. Like really won't sit through them hate. I never watched shows like 'Friends', or 'Sex In The City' and can't stand sitcom-ish story lines. I would much rather see a Godfather or Inception when at the movies. But, ever since The Wedding Singer and 50 First dates, I am a sucker for Drew Barrymore.
So, I promise tomorrow I am going to address some of the rather passionate questions, and very vocal thoughts and comments, I got about my 'Global Warming' post, where I talked about killing the environment. Some of you were up in arms and I wanted to defend myself in some instances, and agree with you in some. So, lets pick up there.
I hope you all had a great summer, and I look forward to being part of your Fall. ;)

Sleep, Fall, Blog

I haven't had a good exercise/sleep/discipline/work pattern the past month. I've been happy, but I have some important good changes to make. My blog has been suffering as well. Stay tuned this week. Lots coming. :) Thanks for the hellos! xo
Working on one tonite to post tommorrow. It's Fall-time to get into the swing. Stay tuned!

SOTD- Summertime Thing- Chuck Prophet

Happy Labor Day loves! This song always makes me want to drive with the windows down. Enjoy the sun as much as possible today! xoxo :) Hope you had an amazing summer season.

**" Take off your clothes and jump in the river!"**

SOTD- (sort of) Listening Booth: 1970- Marc Cohn

I was in a cafe last week just relaxing and reading the paper, when a really beautiful version of the song "Tears of a Clown" came on over the speakers. I hold fast that no version has ever outdone Smokey Robinson and The Miracles original (although the ska English Beat version from the 80's is pretty great), but the particular version of the cover that I heard that day, was really good. It's from Marc Cohn's current record, which is covers of all 70's hit songs-mostly those on the 'AM' side of the dial. You remember him, right? The "Walking In Memphis" guy.
I could have sworn that it was Elvis Costello when I was listening, so that gives you an idea of how mellow and pared down it is. You can go to Amazon or Itunes to sample any of the songs, this one of course, included. There are some good ones like "Make It With You", "Maybe I'm Amazed", and "Wild World", etc.... and some interesting duets (India Arie anyone)?
Check it out.

SOTD-Because - Across the Universe

Just listen and watch. I am a White Album/Sgt Peppers fan mostly, but I love the re-makes in this film. This one is particularly beautiful because of the harmonies, and the sweet visuals.

SOTD- The Only Exception- Paramore (Cover)

Paramore is a current band that I've always liked. They burst onto the scene a couple of years back with the hit 'Misery Business' (you know the song...."Oh, whatever makes you break..but I got him where I want him now..", etc) This is their recent hit "The Only Exception" and I think it's super sweet. If you watch clips of them singing it live, all the kids are singing along word for word, so it' obviously stricken that love song chord with the masses. I always thought that must be a fabulous feeling to be on stage and singing an emotional song with a mass of people singing it back to you/with you. To touch people on an emotional level and all sing along together. I definitely would have been one of those sing along girls if I were 14 right now. Great band.
Because of violation rights, I can't post the official video here just yet, so I found this beautiful cover.

Natural Wildflowers Are The BEST!

Just look at these gorgeous Dahlias we got at our local Farmer's Market today! So pretty! Flowers have always made me fascinated with the genius of nature, especially ones from this family of flowers. They're so Dr. Suess-like, all big and lush. I got all of these from one huge bunch, at the cost of only $5.00. It made not only these three vases worth of beauty, but a fourth!
At a local flower shop or grocery store these would have been sprayed with pesticide and cost upwards of $20.00.
I hope this inspires you to take frequent trips to one of your markets and support a local farmer. :)

Dream Get Together- Citay

I love listening to 91.5 NYC in the mornings. It's a publicly funded radio station with amazing music, where I heard this band 'Citay'. Formed in 2004 in San Francisco, by a bunch of dudes who like to jam (oh- and one groovy girl), you can tell they are influenced by the 70's and early 80's. Just guitars and happiness and a little bit of a California Beach Boys feel too. As I drove down the road with the windows opens and the wind blowing my long hair around, it gave me that perfect summer sunshine driving feeling. Check 'em out. I hope you get that happy sunshine feeling too. Play it in your car as you rock down the road--I'm telling ya. .. ;)

**Ps- you can lives stream this station on the web below.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/media/html/radio/radio.shtml

Stretch

Stretch! Ahh!! Doesn't that feel good?
If you don't make time for exercise, or are in a crazy busy time of your life- work/kids, etc..- and just don't have time, try to at least take a 5 minute segment out of your day and stretch. Keep your muscles alive. Wake up your body. If there was only one thing you could do above all other exercises it would have to be some good stretching. (walking probably rates an equal)
If it's been awhile, try a few of the basic ones from gym class. For instance, the one where you sit flat on your bum, one leg out to the right and one to the left, and reach out to the tip toes with your hand on each side, and end in the middle with your arms and hands outstretched between your legs. You'll see very quickly just how much of your limber-ness you may have lost or, that you still have. Your body has good memory, so it won't be long until you gain that grace, length, and flexibility back.
And take some deep breathes while you're at it. A simple little thing can start making wonderful changes in your body.
Here's to happy limbs and a healthy body!

Healthy Face Scrub/Mask- Cost?Less Than $1.00

I always encourage you to try and use the things that go onto your body in their most natural forms. Many of my suggestions can usually be found in your kitchen. I've shared my favorite body scrub in the past and today, I wanted to share another simple one. It's the 2 ingredient face mask/scrub. No $45.oo jars, chemicals, dyes or perfumes and your skin will be glowing!

* 3 Tbsp natural cane or fine ground turbinado sugar (Make sure sugar is fine not course as the skin on your face is delicate)

* 1/4 cup of honey

*Simply stir these two up in a little bowl, scoop out and very gently scrub a dub dub your face for a minute or two. After you scrub, leave it on for about 5 minutes. The natural sugars in both the honey and the sugar cane have natural enzymes and acids that clear dead, dry skin and bring back natural health. You are, literally, feeding your skin! It is the largest organ of your body, so feed it and treat it well. :)