There are many ways to help ensure your skin always looks good and feels soft, supple and clean.  Eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of vitamins is always beneficial, as is drinking a good amount of water daily.  Another way is to switch to using natural, organic skincare products.

A good daily routine should consist of cleansing, toning and moisturizing.  Cleansing helps to rid the skin of dirt and debris, toning opens the pores, preparing the skin for moisturization and a good natural moisturizer will hydrate the skin, preventing dryness and locking in moisture all day long.

Natural skincare products use extracts from plants for their nutritional properties and many contain vitamins which are beneficial to your skin.  Look for creams containing Vitamin E as it’s a natural antioxidant and can help to reduce the signs of aging, making skin feel much softer and smoother.

Another vitamin to look out for is Vitamin C, which is easily absorbed by skin and is a good natural remedy for sun damaged skin.  If you live in a sunny climate, it’s a good idea to use a moisturizer containing Vitamin C, and you should also use a good quality sun cream to prevent burning.

Written by Susan Black

Charm necklaces are a fantastic way to express your individual style, and they make any outfit unique, as can be seen in these photographs.  They’re also a wonderful gift idea for a loved one.

The great thing about charm necklaces is that you can swap the charms around and add or take them away using just a pair of pliers and you’ve got a completely different accessory.  Choosing charms that hold a special meaning for you, such as your birthstone, is a great way to personalize your look.

The bright print dress featured here is well complemented by the addition of the charm necklace, which adds a personal touch to the outfit and the chunky stone charms co-ordinate well with the bold pattern.  The wedge shoes are a blue which matches well with the blue in the dress pattern, bringing the whole outfit together to be a perfect summer look that’s comfortable and easy to wear.

Bold prints are ideal for summer and choosing a print with lots of colors means you’ll have plenty of coordinating items in your wardrobe to pair it with, making a print dress a versatile item of clothing you’ll reach for again and again.

It seems to happen overnight: all of a sudden you baby is a toddling little girl, with hair that needs taming and lots of energy!  Here are some tips on dressing your little lady and ideas for first hairstyles.

Clothes for toddlers should be practical before anything else, because toddlers move around a lot.  So, for girls, look for dresses for the warmer months as these allow most freedom of movement, and they also look cute as a button in them.  Add a vest underneath and tights if it’s not warm enough to go without.  For toddlers, bright colors are always a lot of fun and bold prints are also great for hiding small stains or spillages that can happen on a daily basis!  Toddlers don’t need to wear shoes all the time but, when they do wear them, ensure they are comfortable and a correct fit to ensure they protect their growing feet.

Toddler hair can be notoriously difficult to tame, due to the length, how fine it is and how wriggly most toddlers are!  Rule number one is don’t attempt to do your toddler’s hair if she’s unhappy.  Always make hair brushing and styling a fun experience, sing to her, maybe let her watch her favorite show on TV, to help her relax while you brush and style her hair.

Elastic toggles and pretty clips are excellent tools of the trade for first hairstyles.  Because of the restrictive length, a series of pigtails, each leading into the next, as shown in the photos, is a great way to keep the hair tidy as it’s likely to be too short for just two pigtail bunches.  For very short hair, just use clips to keep it off the face – letting your toddler pick out which clips she wants is a good way to help her be involved in the process and overcome any reluctance to wear clips!  If your toddler’s hair keeps coming loose or falling forwards, bright headbands are another easy way to keep it looking neat and practical.

This is a perfect casual look for everyday wear, and shows how wardrobe basics such as skinny jeans can go with pretty much anything you like.

This outfit cleverly utilizes many simple style tips that everyone can benefit from.  The heels add height and the skinny cut pants are another great way to enhance leg length, while also being comfortable and easy to wear.

The ruffles add pretty detailing and a feminine touch to this top, and the three quarter length sleeves are a great length for most seasons.

Many women wonder what kind of top they should pair with their skinny jeans.  A loose, flowing top, such as this, is the perfect partner for slim cut jeans and pants, as its contrast creates a balanced overall look.  Although the model has a petite figure, remember you don’t have to be skinny to wear skinny jeans; they are flattering on many figures, particularly in darker colors.

This type of outfit is versatile and comfortable but at the same time stylish and flattering.  In winter, these clothes could easily be paired with boots and a shawl or cardigan added to adapt this look for a colder climate.

Written by Susan Black

Add a touch of winter sparkle to your life with this fabulous combination of white and silver glitter colors!  Glitter heels have been a hot trend this past winter, bringing a sense of youthful fun and glamour to any outfit.

Here we can see a gorgeous combination of white pants and cardigan, with a touch of color provided by the purple top beneath.  The wide headband is silver and sparkles just like the shoes, balancing the outfit perfectly.

Adding a headband is a simple way to keep your hair neat and give it a different look with a minimum of effort.  To keep your band in place, even if it has grips, use a little hairspray so it doesn’t slip and your hair looks pristine all day long.

White pants or jeans are a fashion staple and every wardrobe should have a pair; they’re perfect for winter when paired with a cardigan like this but they’re so versatile you’ll find yourself reaching for them all year round.

Another great way to wear the glitter heels trend is with a casual outfit, to give it a touch of glamour.  This might surprise you, but a simple pair of shoes really can transform an entire outfit!

Many women worry about what to wear for special events such as weddings or smart dinner evenings.  In fact, no matter what the occasion, you can be sure you’ll make a statement in an elegant outfit such as this stunning sleeveless dress with its flattering tulip-style skirt, which is very on-trend right now.

This dress is figure-hugging, but has a secret weapon: the tulip-style overlay on the skirt, in addition to adding a decorative touch of class, defines and highlights the wearer’s curves, slimming the appearance of the waist at the same time.

The model’s glamorous updo is a perfect example of how the right hairstyle can complement an outfit.  The twists are very feminine and elegant, ideal for a special occasion such as a wedding and, at the same time, the model’s long hair is secured so the bare shoulders this sleeveless dress shows off are visible.

The statement heels and eye catching necklace complete the outfit.  As there is a large area of bare skin, you don’t need to restrict the size of your necklace and can feel free to really glam this dress up with a necklace that highlights your own personal style.

This gorgeous red dress is just perfect for Fall.  It is elegant and has a rich, warm color while at the same time being feminine with its soft, layered effect.

The loose, asymmetrical neckline of this dress gives it an individuality which makes it stand out from the crowd.  It’s a versatile look that would suit any figure.

It can be tempting, when trying out a bold color like red, to wear red jewelry, red nails and red accessories but it is easy to go overboard.  If you decide to reflect the color in one way, for instance with lip color, it’s advisable to leave your nails natural.  Too much red would detract from the dress itself.

Red has a lot of meanings but, for me, the main one is love.  This dress would be perfect for a Valentine’s dinner with a spouse, or a special date night.  This dress would be look great for any smart occasion, and the coat is a perfect partner for it, providing a contrast to the warm color of the dress.

Wearing a white coat is a simple way to brighten up any outfits, from casual to smart.  You would be amazed at how different many tried and true outfits look when paired with a white coat.

With so many indoor distractions like the TV, video games and other gadgets, it can be easy for kids to overlook the simple pleasures of playing outside.  Spending time in the great outdoors is a fun way to exercise, a wonderful learning opportunity and a natural way to ensure your child gets Vitamin D.  Here are some tips and play ideas to inspire your family.

Learning to ride a bike gives children a great sense of achievement and helps to boost their confidence.  It’s great for balance and fitness too, so why not teach your child or, if they can already ride, take a family bike ride.

Spotting birds and other wildlife is a great way to get your child interested in nature.  A simple pair of binoculars is all they’ll need, and a notepad to write down what they see and maybe do some pictures of their favorite critters.  This is a great project to link in with school learning or Show and Tell sessions, too!

There are many simple games you can enjoy, which will keep children amused for hours.  Help your child’s language skills by asking them to spot as many things as they can beginning with a certain letter during your trip.  Give your child an empty matchbox and see how many different items she can fit into it during your visit.  Simple games like these get little ones thinking and discovering things – they’ll have so much fun, they won’t even realize they’re learning at the same time.

Written by Susan Black

Maxi skirts are a timeless fashion classic, and this photograph is a perfect example of the best way to pull off this flattering style.

The floor length maxi skirt shown here is a beautiful flowing light colored skirt.  It’s offset perfectly by the contrasting tight fitting, dark colored top.  The tightness of the top balances out the loose, flowing look of the skirt for maximum impact, the halterneck style giving the outfit an elegant and impactful look.

A belt is a great way to hide the waistline of your skirt, while making your outfit look more glamorous.  Because the belt shown here is a different texture and color to the skirt and top, it’s eye catching.  A thick belt works best here, as it stays in place easily and keeps the waistline looking neat for effortless chic.

Many petite women believe they can’t wear maxi skirts or dresses because they’ll be swamped by them.  In fact, I would suggest that height is not a barrier and a more petite lady could even find that the right maxi skirt makes her look taller.  The trick if you’re on the shorter side is to find a high waisted skirt (this gives the illusion of longer legs) and wear heels for extra height.

Today’s outfit shows us that, provided you have the confidence to give this trend a go, a bare midriff can be a great fashion accessory!  Charming and playful, this look is perfect for Summer and the best part is, it’s easy to pull off.

The miniskirt is pencil cut and curve-hugging, and the thin cord used as a belt with beaded ends, tied in a loose bow, adds a sense of fin to this casual summer outfit.  Its floral pattern is very feminine and its low-rise waist exposes the belly button.

Don’t be tempted to match the figure-hugging skirt with a tight-fitting top.  To keep the outfit relaxed and casual, a loose top is the most effective way to create this cute and flattering style; just choose colors you like that co-ordinate with your skirt, it’s that simple.

If you love this look but feel conscious about baring your belly button, you might prefer easing yourself into the style.  You could start with a high waisted figure hugging skirt (or a dress) with a loose cropped top for a similar effect but without showing your midriff, and move onto a low rise skirt once you feel comfortable.