Silky smooth, moist, radiant skin…every woman’s dream, right? There are about a million products on the market that claim to produce just that. Unfortunately, most of them don’t live up to the hype, and many of them take an iffy complexion and actually make it worse! (That’s usually because of perfume, dye, preservatives, and other nasties.)

What I crave is a natural product without a laundry list of ingredients. A company called Eden’s Semilla makes an excellent product, Jojoba oil, that is truly awesome.

Never heard of Jojoba? It’s a very unique product. Structurally and chemically similar to human sebum, it’s non-toxic, non-comedogenic, non-allergenic, and anti-bacterial, making it a safe choice even if you have sensitive or breakout prone skin. It’s also not an irritant, so it can safely be used around the eyes.

What makes Eden’s Semilla Jojoba oil different from others on the market? All of these great features:

• Cold Pressed
• Unrefined
• Rich in vitamins & minerals
• 100% Organic

It can be used on skin, hair, and nails, making it a perfect all-around moisturizer. Because it’s highly concentrated, only one or two drops will be needed to cover your entire face (even less for cuticles). There is no greasy feeling and it absorbs quickly.

Jojoba can also be used as a carrier oil. I regularly use Peppermint oil for headaches and Lavender oil for insomnia. By mixing them with a little Jojoba, all of my oils will stretch further.

Eden’s Semilla is so sure you’ll enjoy their oil, they offer a 100% money back guarantee. Learn more about their fabulous products and/or purchase them here.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click them, I may be compensated.

Bullying is one of the biggest problems kids have to deal with. CustomInk wants to help. They’ve kicked off the sixth annual Be Good to Each Other bullying prevention campaign. The campaign unites and encourages people of all ages to take a stand against bullying by promoting kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

CustomInk has partnered with a roster of prominent celebrities ranging from actors to athletes to design limited edition t-shirts as part of the campaign. Influencers were encouraged to use the word “Be” to create their own inspirational message to be featured on a shirt. Phrases include “Be Unique” (Charlie Puth, platinum Recording Artist), and “Be an Includer, Not an Excluder” (Lizzy Greene, Actress).

Now through October 31, CustomInk will donate profits from the sales of bullying prevention t-shirts to benefit PACER’s center in its efforts to engage, educate, and unite communities nationwide.

Show your support for this very important cause. Design your own custom shirt and wear it with pride. These are perfect for individuals/families or would also be great for schools, clubs, or community groups.

Bone-dry, breaking, frizzy, lifeless, blah—all of those adjectives accurately describe the recent state of my hair. (Sad but true!) What has contributed to this disaster? You name it: summer sun, summer heat, monthly coloring, age, long strands, etc.

The look I crave is straight and sleek. Since I have naturally straight hair, that part is effortless; it’s the smooth part that trips me up. Obviously, some intensive repair is in order.

Due to frequent couponing, I have an entire shelf devoted to commercially made hair care products. I have tried most of them and while they do work, none are a miracle cure. After reading about the joys of homemade oil masks multiple times, I got the urge to play mad scientist and concoct my own version.

The two-ingredient recipe could not be easier: Combine 3 Tbsp. of coconut oil with 2 Tsp. of Argan oil in a microwave safe cup. Heat for one minute. Stir and it’s ready to apply. Simple, huh? Essential oils can be added if you’re dying for scent, but I just wanted super quick and easy, so I stuck to the bare minimum.

1.  Start by brushing hair so it’s free of tangles.
2.  Mask can be applied to hair that’s wet or dry. I prefer the wet route. If you do it this way, make sure hair is damp but not dripping.
3.  Apply mask from root to ends, saturating everything.
4.  Cover with a shower cap. (Walmart sells a 10-pack of cheapie disposables that are only $2.00. Look in the ethnic hair care section.)
5.  Leave on for at least an hour. For maximum results, do it overnight while you sleep.

When the timer goes off, shampoo with a moisturizing product. Some folks will need to lather twice to remove all residue, especially those with thick or curly hair. Afterwards, let it air dry. This step is key! No blow dryer, curling iron, straightener, nothing.

From a single treatment, I had a noticeable difference. With continued use, I think I can get my hair off life support and back into decent shape. Fingers crossed, anyway…

Do you have any dry hair tips?

High Holidays will be here in a little over two weeks! Can you believe it? I’m preparing by planning our annual festivities, tweaking my menus, and searching for the perfect outfit!

Seriously, would it be a holiday without new clothes? Not for me. I literally get giddy with excitement/anticipation every new year, trying to top whatever dress I wore the year before. Plus, my temple, like most others, is a total fashion parade and I do want to look as good as the other ladies.

In the past, I have spent hundreds of dollars on special occasion clothes. Inevitably, they would be worn once and then sit in the back of the closet forever. Not only was this expensive, it also made me feel guilty for being wasteful and extravagant. Sure, I could wear something I already own, but that’s no fun.

After I tried clothing rentals, everything changed. Now, I can get something new, wear it for a day, send it back, and do it all over again. Rent the Runway, my personal favorite, has so many dresses available, it’s actually hard to choose. If I had to sort through everything, it would be impossible, so I filter, starting with Daytime dresses and hem/sleeve length. By doing this, I can find something that’s modest enough for temple, but still looks fantastic.

Out of the 148 dresses available, based on my search criteria, I narrowed it down to 2, one for Rosh Hashanah and one for Yom Kippur.

Pink Print Julian Two Wrap Dress – Diane von Furstenberg

This one has everything I want—3/4 sleeves, long enough but not frumpy, bright color, and a generous fit so I can eat lots of goodies! I love anything pink, especially for a party. Nude pumps and dangling earrings will be my accessories.

Deep Blue Trina Dress – ST by Olcay Gulsen 

Since Yom Kippur is more solemn, I chose a muted color (navy). Similar sleeve/hem as the other dress, plainer but still fitted. I have a nice double strand of long white pearls that should compliment it perfectly and a pair of navy pumps.

To avoid catastrophe, Rent the Runway provides the option to select a 2nd size dress for FREE! (How is awesome is that?) I do read the suggestions in the fit guide, but we all know nothing is guaranteed. Having a backup is so worth it.

And that’s my plan. Quick, easy, done, and less than $100.00 total! No try-on, no parking nightmares. No wonder why I love online shopping.

What are you wearing for High Holidays? Something old or new? I’d love to hear about it!