Peace Candles

Valentine's Day is around the corner!
Don't all your sweeties deserve a little sumthin' sumthin'?
Check out these Peace Candles from Kiss My Face.
I already love most of Kiss My Face's products, so when they introduced Peace Soap, it was no surprise that I adored this all natural lather with a conscience.
Well, they've done it again with Peace Candles. Every purchase of the deliciously scented soy candles (Grassy Mint, Lavender Mandarin, Lemongrass Clary Sage and Pomegranate Acai) supports Seeds of Peace, an organization dedicated to "empowering young leaders from areas of conflict all over the world, giving them the opportunity to build leadership skills and friendships that will last a lifetime."
Show your love and your conscience with this great gift!
Purchase online at http://kissmyface.com
(image courtesy of LaForce-Stevens)

RuPaul's Drag Race

Monday Night Guilty Pleasure: RuPaul's Drag Race on the Logo Network.

I'm not sure if there is any show out there right now that is more about looking and feeling Damn Good, then the Drag Race.

The hour long reality show searches to find the "next drag superstar" with the most clever, witty challenges. The writing and unscripted banter is clearly where "Glee" gets most of it's inspiration.

RuPaul's show may be filled with camp, glitter, glitz and glamour, but at the heart is a message.

At the end of every episode, Ru reminds the Queens and the viewers, "If you don't love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else? Can I get an Amen?"

Amen, RuPaul!

Loving yourself and making the best of what you've got is what looking damn good is all about. Self acceptance is the key to happiness and successful relationships. And damn, that sure feels good!

(image from: logotv.com)

Super Bowl Workout

Put on your favorite Black Eyed Peas CD and turn out this interval cardio workout inspired by the Super Bowl! GO PACK!

Perform each exercise for one minute. Complete one to three sets, depending on how tough you are.

1. Field Goal Kicks: Kick your right leg across your body toward the extended left arm. Then kick your left leg across your body toward the extended right arm. Repeat, alternating sides for the minute.

2. High Knees

3. Freestyle touch down dance: work it your own way, as if you scored a TD for the minute.

4. Butt Kicks - yup - one minute.

5. Three Point Stance. Start standing straight up, legs together, arms by your sides. Jump legs apart, push hips and glutes back to bend knees and touch ground with your right hand. Jump legs back together to come back to standing. Repeat touching ground with left hand. Alternate for the minute. (See picture for correct body position.)

6. Wide Football runs: Stand with legs wider than hips, squat down a bit and moving feet as quickly as possible, run in place. Keep going for a minute.

7. Burpee: any style of burpee you like for one minute

8. Narrow Football runs: Same as wide football runs, but keep feet close together for one minute.

9. Tackle drop downs: Run in place for four counts, then drop to the ground flat on your belly, immediately use hands and feet to push yourself back up to standing. Repeat for the whole minute.

10. Sprint in place to finish off for one minute.

Be sure to drink a big glass of water and stretch when you're finished!

(image from: posters.ws)

Oldie, but look damn goodie Sunday

Need some motivation to not let your eating get out of control during the Super Bowl Game?
(Go Packers!!)
Then heed the advice of the always disciplined, Victoria Beckham:
http://lookdamngood.blogspot.com/2009/12/victoria-beckhams-three-bite-rule.html
(photo from: ppshop.co.uk)

Week in Review Jan 31 to Feb 4, 2010

It's great to be back! Here's what you missed this week!

A skin care product that delivers: http://lookdamngood.blogspot.com/2011/02/sk-ii-facial-treatment-essence.html

Start the day with quinoa: http://lookdamngood.blogspot.com/2011/02/yummo-huevos-rancheros.html

Blingtastic ideas for Valentine's Day: http://lookdamngood.blogspot.com/2011/02/trio-jewelry.html

A dose of inner beauty for the weekend in the new On the Inside Friday: http://lookdamngood.blogspot.com/2011/02/Look Damn Good - On the Inside Friday


(image from: atriojewelry.com)

Look Damn Good - On the Inside Friday

This blog is dedicated to looking and feeling damn good, but sometimes with all the products, books, fads, foods, fashion and physical stuff, it's easy to just focus on what you see, rather than what's skin deep.

So, from now on, Friday's will be dedicated to inner beauty, to spirituality, to what truly makes you look and feel damn good!

Today's inspiration is a quote from the Kabbalah Center's daily email from June 3, 2010. As we near Valentine's Day, we focus on those we love ... so here is a reminder to do just that:


"Thursday June 3
Love is a weapon of Light, and it has the power to eradicate all forms of darkness. That is the key. When you offer love even to your enemies, you destroy their darkness and hatred - which is the reason they became your enemies in the first place.

Today, awaken love for your spouse, friends, family, colleagues and self.
Dissolve any animosity and bitterness that may have arisen after an argument with a loved one or co-worker."

To sign up for Daily Kabbalah "Tune Ups" click here: http://www.kabbalah.com/blogs/yehuda

(Image from: http://kabbalah.com)

A Trio Jewelry

Need a great gift idea for Valentine's Day?

Look no further than A Trio Jewelry Design Studio in Milwaukee, WI. (Disclaimer - this is my brother, soon-to-be sister in law and her father's business, so I am a bit biased, but everyone seems to agree with me that A Trio Jewelry ROCKS!)

The heart and soul of this Historic Third Ward studio with an onsite manufacturing shop, is custom made jewelry created by the client in collaboration with designer, Amy Shallow.

Amy uses computer aided design to make any jewelry dream a reality.

Custom design consults are available online or over the phone ... but, if you are in a pinch, be sure to check out the A Trio "Ready to Wear - Valentine's Collection."

Pictures of the pieces are available on their web site (http://atriojewelry.com or Facebook page (http://facebook.com/atriojewelrydesignstudio). Be sure to check out the gallery of custom jewelry they've created as well!

Pictured here is the very fabulous "LOVE" ring in Sterling Silver, but is also customizable in gold or platinum and very precious stones set in the flowers!

Blingtastic!!

Find out more, set up a design consult or order: atrio@atriojewelry.com

Yummo Huevos Rancheros

This is an uber-healthy, great start to any day!
I use quinoa instead of tortillas for a fiber and protein packed meal!
This meal works for lunch and dinner too!
Enjoy!

Yummo Huevos Rancheros

Ingredients:
Cooking spray
2 - eggs
1/2 cup cooked quinoa (I make a one cup dry batch and use throughout the week)
1/4 cup rinsed, canned black beans
Your favorite salsa (no sugar added)
2 tbsp guacamole (I use Trader Joe's prepared Fresh and Spicy)
Franks Red Hot Sauce (to taste)

1. Reheat quinoa and black beans in microwave
2. Cook eggs over medium in frying pan using cooking spray.
3. Layer ingredients starting with quinoa on bottom as follows:
quinoa, black beans, eggs, salsa, guacamole, hot sauce
4. Enjoy!

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence is the product that made me miss writing "Look Damn Good." I couldn't wait to share my experience using this product with you!

Completely lured by the SK-II ads featuring the luminous Cate Blanchett, I buckled and purchased a bottle of the "Holy Water" that so many rave about.

Keep in mind as you read this, that I started using SK-II while I was in the Midwest, "enjoying" the effects of one of the harshest winters I've ever experienced.

The very first evening I used this liquid, as instructed - by placing a small amount directly into the hands and pressing onto the face - I noticed an immediate effect. My skin felt instantly tighter, but not in a "Sea Breeze" way, almost in muscular way. It looked and felt as if my skin had actually been made snugger.

The next morning, my skin looked more clear and pores less noticeable.

After a week - others started noticing. When you start hearing unsolicited "You've got great skin" comments, you know something must be working.

A month, my visage, is dare I say ... more radiant and even toned? I am confident enough to go out without make up now - not saying that I ever would - I love a full beat down too much. Plus, make up looks even better on my new, smoother canvas! This product is an aesthetician/make up artist's dream.

The bottom line is that SK-II Facial Treatment Essence totally works for me.

It is the only new product I have added into my skincare regiment and the results are stunning enough to make me a believer.

The secret? Pitera, an ingredient discovered in Japan in a Sake Factory. According to the SK-II website, "Pitera, the seemingly magical ingredient found in all SK-II products, helps restore vital balance by promoting the skin's natural 28-day surface renewal process. This single blend of vitamins, amino acids, minerals and organic acids produces a seemingly miraculous rebirth of appearance."

Be sure to hydrate your skin while using this product, as it does exfoliate quite aggressively.

Learn more and purchase SK-II here: http://www.sk-ii.com

(image from: sk-ii.com)