Be Kind to Your Skin
In your 20s it is all about prevention so just be sure, if you are lucky enough to be in your 20s you wear sun screen. Now that I have bridged into the 30s category…it is important to exfoliate, generate collagen production and focus on hands & eyes. If you are 30 and not using an eye serums…you best begin now.
Here are some new products worth considering for the 30 somethings…
Clinique: Even Better Skin Tone Corrector, virtually undo the visible evidence of sun damage, dark patches, skin stresses, age spots, even the darkening that follows acne scarring. Gently create-for all ethnicities-brightness and clarity you thought long gone.
Nia 24: 2009 Indie Beauty Award Winner. Repairs Sun Damage & its effects
Olay: Pro-X Eye Restoration Complex is designed and professionally tested for the part of your face that communicates age the most: the delicate eye area. This treatment hydrates to restore the area to its optimum appearance by improving the look of crow’s feet. Massaging it in reduces excess fluids to diminish dark circles and puffiness.
Patrica Wexler: This gentle microdermabrasion system uses medical grade exfoliator alumina crystals to resurface skin. It also has the added, active benefits of MMPi and Niacyl™ for a dual impact on skin: exfoliation and rejuvenation.
Fresh: UMBRIAN CLAY FACE TREATMENT is a purifying multi-functional treatment with a neutralizing action that detoxifies the skin.
Tribeca Film Festival
Not all that different from a regular cinema experience, except you are one of the first 1000 people to see the film and it costs $15 (+fees). Getting tix was made possible of AMEX Concierge. A feature that I am not aware if any other credit card has, but something I have now used a few times and just love!
I saw two films during the Tribeca Film Festival this year and both were in the same theater, AMC VII on 3rd Ave. The theater was small, but still smelled of popcorn and the seats were filled for each event.
First I saw, The Exploding Girl, a narrative about a college student home for a summer break in Brooklyn, NY. The movie was slow, but enjoyable. The love story between two teenagers was juvenile and chaotic, but reminded every audience member of their first “like” in life. The acting was good and the scenes were realistic. The directors, webpage.
Second I saw, Racing Dreams, a documentary about go-karting. Racing Dreams won the Tribeca Film Festival Award for Best Documentary. I learned that Jeff Gordon and other NASCAR racers got their start in go-karting and governed by the WKA it is becoming a more popular youth sport. The documentary followed 3 karters for 1 season and it was just sensational. The director, Marshall Curry took some questions after the film and everyone was mostly curious where the 3 kids are today. Watch the red carpet premier and meet the three stars. It has been 2 years since the first film footage was shot. I laughed hard and got teary eyed too. We went to dinner and talked all night about the 3 kids. It was a really great film. Want more…Clip
IFC- The independent film channel might be the best chance you have to see these films, so if they come across your t.v. stop and watch.
Buttermilk Brownies
Courtesy of Carmella….aka “All Things Chocolate”
I got buttermilk for a bundt cake I made last week and needed to do something with it so after receiving 2 great cook books from a friend, I found a way to satisfy my sweet tooth and use the buttermilk. This is sooo Yummy, I made it in a smaller pan (8 x 12) so I had to cook it a little longer in the over, but it came out DENSE and so THICK. The best part is the icing that cools over top of the brownie. I let mine cool overnight and then dug in the next morning. I have received rave reviews on this dish from co-workers, husbands and family. A Keeper.
2 cup sugar
2 cups flour
4 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup cold water
½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs, beaten
Wisk sugar, flour, and cocoa powder in large bowl. In saucepan, bring water, oil and butter to a boil and pour over dry ingredients. Mix with a hand mixer until creamy. Add buttermilk, baking soda and eggs. Beat again for another 3 mintues. Bake 18 minutes at 400 degrees. Frost while warm.
Frosting: In a sauce pan, bring 1/3 cup unsalted butter, ¼ cup cocoa and 1/3 cup buttermilk to a boil. Add ½ tsp vanilla extract and confectioners’ sugar, as needed, until ideal consistency is reached. Spread over warm brownies.
