A Woman's Network - for when life is like juggling huge exercise balls

Fall Colors

When I speak of "fall colors" I am not referring to the foliage during the first two weeks of October in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  I am talking about hair color, eye shadow, lip tints and blush.  Yes -- it is time to rethink those summer highlights. Time to tone down your simmering hot look and take on some earth tones that will soften your look this Autumn.

If you are like me, your hair has probably seen enough highlights until next season.  It is time to tone it down one or two shades.  I have gone from a double process -- dark blond base with highlights a shade brighter -- to a light brown single process.  It has softened up my look in time for the festivals of fall. 

As far as eyeshadow choices -- I will put away my shimmering bright colors -- and begin to use warm browns, and other earth tones.  A few great products that have caught my eye this season are:

Smashbox Eye Shadow Trio  - These versatile, perfectly coordinated shadow trios take the guesswork out of the picture-perfect, three-color eye. 

Paula Dorf's Eye Color Collection -- particularly the Bark, Safari, Tribal and WetSand.

For your lashes -- you must get a good conditioner and lash builder -- Paula Dorf's Perfect Lash fits the bill.  This lash conditioner thickens every lash for a full, lush look. Plumps up thin, sparse lashes and also works great as a pre-mascara.  And don't forget a good mascara -- I use Lorac.

For the lips I always recommend soft natural colors for any season.  Nudes, soft pinks and natural browns are perfect for Autumn days and nights.  Lip Fusion color shines and lip liners are the answer for the soft look of this fall.  They also make a fine lip conditioning product.

Finally for the cheeks -- I say go easy.  A soft earth tone with a shimmer of pink on your upper cheek will highlight your cheek bones and open your eyes. 

Lauren Hutton's Good Stuff is really good stuff.  With different shades for different skintones -- you can't go wrong with this purchase.

Fresh Summer Scents

I like to change my perfume with the season.  During the winter I like the rich fragrance of vanilla and musk in Gucci Rush.  In the spring I go for a more floral aroma, such as Prada.  And, in the autumn I like the earthy scent of Donna Karan's new Cashmere Mist.  But in the summer I like the fresh, clean smell of citrus, I like grapefruit and I like tangerines. For those of you who are not so lucky as to live around the corner from a Fresh cosmetics store, may I recommend a few of their really wonderful and crisp scents for summer.  The Fresh Index fragrances can be worn alone or layered.  The scents that I favor for the summer are... Index Grapefruit Musc, Index Tangerine Lychee and Lemon Sugar.  However, my very favorite Fresh scent for the summer is Index Pomegranate Anise -- You will love it too.  All Fresh Index fragrances are available at sephora.com.  Search fragrance -- keyword: Fresh.

Hair Essentials

Three main things are needed for a good-looking head of hair -- good health, the right attention to cleanliness, and caution when using cosmetic treatments.

1 . Adequate Diet

Hair growth depends on an adequate diet. A widespread diet problem which causes loss of hair is iron deficiency Anemia. The cause is too little iron in blood, brought on by a diet containing too little meat, eggs, cereals or peas and beans. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also needed to provide vitamin C, which enables the body to absorb iron.

2. Cutting the hair

Although cutting the hair is not essential to its well-being, it is easier to keep the scalp clean if the hair is kept reasonably short. Regular cutting does not make the hair grow strong or faster.

3. How hair can be damaged

Although scalp hair is hardy, and can withstand a lot of abuse, it can be damaged by too much or inexpertly applied perming, dyeing, bleaching and massage. The amount of treatment the hair can take varies from person to person. Occasionally the scalp is allergic to the dye and becomes inflamed and swollen. To prevent this from occurring, the dye should be tested by applying it to a small area on the arm. If a patch of inflammation has developed, the dye must not be used on the hair.

Most people who bleach their hair do so with hydrogen peroxide. If the peroxide is repeatedly applied, it may make the hair brittle. If this happens the hair may turn rough, develop split ends, or become thinned or shortened.

Treat Yourself Well - Bare Essentials

Have you ever worn a bra that was very uncomfortable? 

Never wear an uncomfortable bra again! Bare Necessities  From sports bras to very sexy bras -- find all quality designer name lingerie and much more at very affordable prices

Treat Yourself Well - Beauty Products

Not feeling so pretty these days?

md Formulations -- for beautiful skin

Free complimentary sample at Prescriptives

Ahava skin, hair and body treatments

Spa Finder -- Health and luxury day and extended spa stays

Sephora.com -- Skin care, cosmetics, hair care and fragrances, HUGE SELECTION

Beauty.com -- Skin care, cosmetics, hair care and fragrances, DAILY PROMOTIONS

Greatskin.com -- Wonderful skin care products at affordable prices

Drugstore.com -- Health and beauty products, FREE SHIPPING with orders over $25.00

Treat Yourself Well - Accessories

A little bling to brighten up your day!

Ebay - for hard to find items

BlueNile -- Fine jewelery at affordaple prices

Beautiful Designer Handbags and accessories

No better accessory than a hot little sports car

Protect your eyes with the hottest summer shades by top designers at affordable prices

Nothing like a pair of new shoes

Can I interest you in a beautifully designed briefcase?

Fossil Handbags

Fossil watches

Treat Yourself Well - Shoes

Zappos.com -- the largest selection of designer shoes on the internet.  FREE SHIPPING

Steve Madden, Ltd. -- get the hottest and latest shoes by Steve Madden

Ebay - for hard to find items

B. A. Mason - well-known and popular name brands such as New Balance, Easy Spirit, Hush Puppies, Rockport, Keds, Ros Hommerson, Naturalizer and more! We specialize in providing hard-to-find sizes & widths.

Auditionshoes.com -- casual and dress footware for women

Birkenstock Central

Boot Barn

Frye Boots

ShoeMall.com -- SHOEMALL IS ONE OF THE WEB’S LARGEST FOOTWEAR SITES! ShoeMall has an extensive product list of well-known and unique brands available in hard to find sizes and widths

Shoedini.com -- Customers shop Shoedini for their huge brand selection, incredible range of sizes and widths, fast, free delivery on all orders, free return shipping, and unmatched customer service.

Treat Yourself Well - Clothes

Ebay - for hard to find items

Swimwear, sportswear

Swiss Army Gear

Just My Size

Champion workout

Walmart.com --  Laurie's link

Fossil Women's

Shop Women at Target.com

Treat Yourself Well - Home

Ebay for hard to find items

Brookstone.com -- Great items for your home

Candles and accessories -- Candle Bay

More candles

ALSTO'S for the home and garden

For the kitchen-- The Kitchen Collection

Shop home and kitchen at Target.com

Kitchen and bath, Home Center