It’s common to gain weight as you age, but you can prevent pounds from creeping on by understanding some of the changes that occur and gaining insight on some of the solutions.  Although we want to prevent as much weight gain as possible, it’s important to understand that some of the weight gain that occurs with age is natural. Starting in your late 30s, you begin to lose muscle tissue, the body’s chief calorie burner. It’s replaced by fat, a relative freeloader and, with age, muscle tissue simply doesn’t work as efficiently, says John M. Jakicic, Ph.D., an exercise physiologist at the University of Pittsburgh.   Research shows that a solution for muscle loss is to simply pump iron.  That’s right, studies have shown that strength training with hand weights, resistance bands, or even your own body weight not only increases muscle tissue but also strengthens bones, which helps you stay active longer and work out harder.  Another change that occurs as we age is hormone fluctuation.  Losing estrogen hormones is common is women over 40 and since estrogen has appetite regulating properties, many women experience cravings or find themselves hungrier than usual.  So what’s the solution?  Maintain a healthy diet by eating well, exercising, and living a stress free life!  If you’d like to know more solutions on how to keep weight off as we get older, let me know here or on my facebook page!

With summer in full swing, the beach is filled with incredible swimwear variety that we probably all admire with envy.  Well now you can get the same look you see everyone sporting this summer.  Here are the Swimwear Trends everyone is going to stick to this summer

Prints

All kinds of prints will look amazing on swimsuits. But florals, wild and tribal prints as well as geometrical ones will be hotter than ever. Python, leopard, stripes, zigzags and kaleidoscopic prints can be great options.

Cut out

Forget traditional bikinis and swimwear, bring on weird tan-lines with these cut-out swimsuits. Making things interesting at the beach or by the pool seems to be the goal for swimsuit companies.  Cut out bathing suits are very sexy which makes them incredibly popular with girls who want to conceal a less-than-perfect middle or for those who want something a little different than the average swimsuit.

Sequins

If you love sparkling clothes you might be attracted to shining swimwear pieces which will be a hit on the beach this season. Sequins are everywhere, in all colors, complemented with beading, crystals and embroidery.

Retro

Retro is again in fashion. While men might not find high-wasted bottoms and full-coverage tops very appealing -  you can wear a retro-inspired bikini or a one-piece suit to cover your problem areas and feel comfortable in any situation. So there!!

Bandeau

Bandeau Swimwear is extremely versatile and chic.  Bandeau top swimsuits are great for sun tanning and laying out at the beach because they don’t leave any tan lines in the neckline area.  Most bandeau tops are fully lined, some feature foam cups and a clasp closure at the back that assures your assets are protected from untimely exposure!!

What is your favorite suit this season?  Post your photo on our Facebook page.

Give your porch or patio an affordable decorating makeover with these budget-smart ideas.

Arranging the furniture
Instead of a single sofa or two chairs facing out, try situating two love seats set at an angle or across from each other. This helps create a spot perfect for casual conversation.

Add an outdoor rug
A rug always completes any room, indoors or out by giving it that homey touch. Depending on your patio or porch an outdoor rug (one that is water and mold resistant) might be the best choice.

Pretty potted plants
Potted plants and flowers are right at home on a porch or patio. Showcase your green thumb by arranging them on an étagère or baker’s rack. Place them on the higher shelves to ensure the plants get enough sunlight and also help decorate wall space.

Hang curtains
Protect the porch and your family from the sun with flowing curtains. Not only do these offer privacy, but curtains are an easy way to incorporate color and pattern. You can purchase pre-made curtain panels and hang them easily use rings with clips.

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Decorating with Chevrons is a new trend that has been popping up everywhere this season.  Chevron is the inverted V-shaped design pattern that can come in the form of wallpaper, accent rugs, throw pillows, and even wall art.  From thick, bold graphic to soft, subtle weave, it comes in many forms, making decorating with pattern a breeze. And there are just as many ways to incorporate it into your style. Design an entire room around chevrons or use it to add a pop of colour; let it draw the eye or tame an otherwise busy space. As much as I love the classic and fun zigzag look, I think it can also look completely timeless when mixed into more traditional decor. I also love that it can feel both masculine and feminine, making it incredibly versatile.  Creating a chevron accent wall is one of the boldest but easiest ways to introduce a little chevron love into your home.  It looks especially fun in a kid’s room!  Just use painters tape to create the pattern, paint the entire wall and then remove the tape to reveal the pattern!  Another way to add some chevron is with chevron curtains and bedding, and then playing with color to give your room a summery feel. Not ready to commit to chevron all at once? How about just a few bright throw pillows to give your home a tiny touch of chevron.  Now that you have some chevron decorating ideas, I would love to know what things you will decorate with chevron!  Share them with me on facebook!

Limes are a bright, inexpensive centerpiece option that will add a pop of color to your event tables. Use limes in their whole form or in slices to create an unexpected touch of texture to otherwise ordinary centerpieces.  Use clear glass vases that will support the type of flowers you are planning to use. Gather the blooms into thick bunches and place them in the vase. Before you add water, slide lime slices down the sides of the vase so that the circular sections rest against the glass.  Finish the centerpiece by pouring water to cover the limes and keep them fresh. For the greatest impact, choose flowers in a contrasting color like yellow, purple or pink.

You can go further with your lime theme by turning them into cute placecards.  Write out each guest’s name on one end of a sticky file label, center the label at the dull end of a toothpick, then wrap, bringing the label ends together. Stick each toothpick into a washed lime and place one on each plate.  How neat is that!?

How will you use limes to decorate your table?

If you’re looking for comfortable sandals to wear to the beach this summer then you have come to the right place.  When considering anything for the beach, what usually comes to mind is relaxed, laid back, and comfortable….at least for me anyway.  I try to stay away from wearing high sandals to the beach as I don’t feel like having my heels get stuck in the sand and losing my stability.  Here are several stylish options in sandals for Summer 2012.

A reader asks:  How do I get tomatoes to ripen on the vine?

To encourage the green tomatoes on your vines to ripen, remove any remaining flowers. The flowers won’t have time to mature into fruits anyway, and removing them will signal the plant to finish setting seed by ripening the existing tomatoes. If the tomatoes are still a stubborn green, lift the whole plant and hang it in a dry spot in the garage or basement. The tomatoes should take the hint that their mother plant’s days are numbered and begin to ripen.

With so many different types of cleaning products available, it’s easy to find yourself wondering what items are truly necessary to keep your home in top condition. Fortunately, finding the best cleaning products isn’t as difficult as you might expect. All you need to keep messes under control is a few basic products and some versatile cleaning tools.    Some of the very best cleaning products are items you probably already have in your kitchen.   Vinegar works well for removing mineral deposits from your windows and faucets. Baking soda acts as a natural scouring powder. Dish soap cleans almost any surface in your home from dishes to windows! As an added benefit, these items are much safer to use around pets and small children than commercially prepared cleaning products.    An all-purpose cleaner is essential for people committed to keeping their homes clean. These cleaners can handle dirt, grime, and grease on almost any surface.   Lysol’s latest line of super sponges is the perfect cleaning tools for your home.  These super sponges which are half scour pads and half wet cloths have Lysol’s germ-killing power built in and it promises to ward off odor-causing bacteria for the life of the sponge.   For those who strive to keep their home green and eco-friendly, consider an energy saving iron.  A specially designed sole plate leaves gaps to trap the steam between the fabric and the iron.  This means you get more wrinkle-fighting abilities with less steam.   After you’ve gathering the best cleaning products for your needs, grab a microfiber duster vacuum for your hardwood floors.  This innovative tool from Shark lets you sweep and vacuum wood floors simultaneously using a microfiber cloth positioned behind the suction nozzle.  This system is designed to more thoroughly remove the fine dust and dirt from the cracks and crevices of hardwood floors. Right now it’s available with the Navigator Lift-Away Professional upright vacuum.

What cleaning product is a must have in your home?

We love fresh frozen drinks…….These are a few of our favs.

Frozen Blueberry Lemonade

• 1 1/2 cups blueberries
• 1 cup lemonade
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

In a blender, puree the blueberries, lemonade, mint, confectioners’ sugar, and 3 cups ice until smooth.   Garnish with mint sprigs and enjoy.

Gingery Peach Cooler

• 3 cups ginger ale
• 1/2 cup peach nectar
• 2 ripe peaches, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

In a pitcher, combine the ginger ale, nectar, peaches, and ginger. Serve over ice.

Jalapeño-LimeSpritzer

• 3 cups club soda
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 1 lime, thinly sliced
• 1 jalapeño  pepper, thinly sliced (seeded, if desired)

In a pitcher, combine the soda, lime juice, nectar, lime, and jalapeño.  Serve over ice.

What is your favorite recipe for a refreshing summer drink?

Summer should not only be enjoyed outdoors, but also in the comfort of your home. The bright, sunny colors of summer always get me inspired to bring that same light and airy feeling to the interior décor of my home.  Furniture will breathe easier when it’s not bogged down with heavy pillows that we typically use in the winter.  Replace these items with lighter toss pillows in fun summer colors.  Use removable slipcovers, or decorative throws to bring bursts of color and brightness.   Try replacing darker colored curtains with white ones paired with sheers.  If you prefer to leave your windows open to enjoy the view, valances in bright textures and colors will give a chic and finished look to your windows.  Flowers, plants and fresh fruit centerpieces make your home smell aromatic and look beautiful.  If you’re green savvy try bringing in eco-friendly materials like bamboo, hemp, and jute area rugs.  These materials bring an exotic and natural feeling of the outdoors in.  Got kids? Make sure fabrics and slipcovers are machine washable, and are casual and fun.