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11.09.00
  We were talking about this at work the other day, and we all agreed that something about getting off work when it's already dark makes us want to go home and curl up on the couch in our sweats with some hot cocoa, and not do much else besides read or watch TV. Sometimes I'll vary the routine and take a long hot bath first, or cook some horribly fattening delicious something that lets me stand near the warm stove for an hour or so. (Chocolate chip cookies, anyone?)  One of my favorite parts about cold weather is the keeping warm part, whether it's snuggling up with my honey or my cat. I just wish I could do that every day--you'll notice that most of the stuff I've mentioned would make anyone gain several pounds of, er, insulation over the course of the winter. This year, I'm trying to maintain a workout schedule through the cold months so that I don't end up LOOKING like I've spent three months on the couch. Wish me luck. In the spirit of the changing seasons, I've dedicated this issue to finding the perfect gift for your glam girlfriends, to getting the most out of your bath, and to dealing with the kinds of nasty changes that could knock anyone on her butt. Do you have a favorite way to cocoon? To cope with disaster? Drop us a line and we'll include them the next time we dedicate an issue to this stuff. I hope you enjoy! As always, if you have any great sites to recommend or comments on what you would like to see in this newsletter, please feel free to contact us. Please visit our sponsor, Perfumania. They help bring this newsletter to you for free. Sincerely, Betsy Boyd and Amy Taylor Co-Editors, FemmeJolie  Singing in the Rain...
Life is not all fun and games, and when dark clouds cover your sunny skies, you have a couple choices to make. You can sit in the rain and cry, you can run for cover or you can choose to find a rainbow. Okay, enough of the cliché-riddled advice, but seriously, what do you do when your life takes a turn for the worse. The way you cope with disastrous relationships says a lot about who you are and how easy it will be for you to pick up and move on to brighter days.--A.T. Moving On: How to Cope When the Bottom Falls Out of Your World  Get Your Gift
On...
Ok, girls, it's time to start thinking about Holiday shopping. You've got some serious work to do, unless you're like my best friend who starts shopping around July. She's so efficient that I'm convinced that she's actually an alien, but I don't mind, because she always gets me good presents. Stuck for ideas for your best buds? Here are a couple of sites offering goodies that would make any girl feel truly loved by her friends. 
Dooney & Bourke have a feature on their site that spotlights six
great gifts under $100. For the worker bee in your life, check out
their business gifts. (How about a leather PalmPilot cover?)
Check them out: www.dooney.com Frankly, there isn't much RedEnvelope doesn't have in the way of totally spoil-you-rotten gifts you'd love to get. Go there to get something for your friend, then drop broad hints that it's a great site, and you might end up with a similar surprise on Christmas. You can also order a catalog through their site (hey, you could read that on your couch OR in the bathtub!) www.redenvelope.com |
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For ad details and prices... susan@FemmeJolie.com Another idea is to do what my friends and I are doing for ourselves and each other: Book a day together at a spa. You end up spending about as much as you would if you bought gifts for each other, and instead you get to totally spoil yourself and hang out and gab for a day. That sounds like heaven to me. If your budget is bigger (or smaller) you can find plenty of stuff to do, together, that will help you de-compress after the stress- fest that some folks call the holidays. How about a girls-only weekend getaway, or a fancy dinner out? Get everyone together for a drink and brainstorm. The important thing is to be together!  Don't Dry Up!
Check your Elbows: I mean it. Right now, roll up your sleeves and check your elbows. How do they feel? Leathery? How about your knees? Almost as bad? These are two areas of the body that tend to dry out quickest, because they have the most extra skin and the least padding. Winter hasn't even really begun around here yet, and already I step out of the shower feeling like I'm a rapidly shriveling raisin. The heat in my apartment keeps me toasty, but in minutes I feel like an actual piece of toast: dry and crispy. Sound familiar? Before it gets any worse, you'd better take action. Simple lotion isn't enough. Here's some advice that will really keep your skin smooth and soft. 1) Cool Off! When the temperature drops, it's tempting to warm up with a scalding hot shower. It's never a good idea to do this too close to bedtime, since it will make you wakeful. It's an even worse idea this time of year, because that heat robs your skin of the oils that help keep it lubricated. Baths are even worse in this respect. So ease off on the hot water, honey, and make sure your bubble bath/bath oil is moisturizing. In the shower, you should lather up with a body wash or soap that's at the very least not drying. If your skin can handle it, add some fat to your bathtime frolic and use a moisturizing soap. 2) Scrape off the Gunk: While you're getting clean, take some time every other day or so to work on the rough spots. Elbows need a gentle scrub with a thoroughly wet loofah or sisal washcloth. For calluses on your feet, buy yourself a simple foot file, plunk your butt in the tub, and rub GENTLY for a few seconds whenever you think about it. 
3) Slick Yourself Up:Body moisturizers are constantly innovating these days, so there are good choices for every skin type and personality. Slow dry ladies can get pots of thick moisturizing cream to work into especially dry skin anywhere. If your skin is a little less dry, traditional lotions are a good choice. If you're in a hurry, there are even spray lotions available now that make the routine as simple as spritzing yourself and rubbing it in a bit. Give yourself another minute in the steamy bathroom to let your lotion soak in-this minimizes the rub-off factor, which defeats the purpose of lotion for your skin, and can stain your clothes. For the feet, elbows, and hands, you should follow up with a thick lotion when you step out of the steam, and at night especially, don some cozy cotton socks and gloves. Make this a nightly ritual and you'll be able to go a little lighter on the lotion in the morning, while still feeling soft and fabulous. |
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