Here We Are...with Luci

Burt's Bees Men's Shaving Cream & Aftershave Lotion Take The Sting Out of Shaving For Women, Too!

A Product Review By Here We Are

Here's the buzz on the Burt's Bees natural skin care Shave Cream & Aftershave "For Men"... It's the best kept secret from women in the Burt's Bees product line! If you have seen the shave cream and aftershave lotion but haven't tried it due to the company's marketing campaign geared toward men, then you are missing a honey of a beauty item.

The shave cream doesn't foam up like other products on the market that are filled with propellants and alcohol; instead, it goes on creamy and smooth. NOTE: Because they are sold in a tube instead of a pressure pump can, and lack chemical emulsifiers, you do need to shake them well before using. An easy trade-off considering you get natural skin care products that deliver a close, silky shave.

While the products can be used separately, they are most effective when used in conjunction with one another. According to my testing (and I used it everywhere on my body dozens of times with a Daisy razor) the result is a tight and sting-free shave. I haven't noticed any bumps or breakouts, and my skin feels hydrated. Both products are loaded with essential oils which lend themselves to a kinder treatment to the top layers of skin.

The scent of the shave cream is light and non-distinctive; unlike the overpowering medicinal, barbershop smell of some commercial brands. Once the product rinses away, so does its scent. Speaking of rinsing... For best results, keep the razor blade under hot water between each shave stroke. Its consistency is creamy, similar to hair conditioner or body lotion.

The scent of the aftershave is clean and fresh, and very light. Its moisturizing properties make the 2.5 ounce tube worth the $8.00 price point. A little goes a long way; its consistency is thin but a small amount covers a large area, so one tube will last you a while. BONUS: It makes a great travel tube which doubles as aftershave and body lotion (even if you haven't shaved).

The only complaint I have about either of these products is that the company has marketed them to men! Don't be fooled by the packaging, Burt's Bees Shave Cream and Aftershave take the sting out of shaving for women, too! So buzz away the fuzz with these must have additions to a beauty arsenal of naturally derived products.

Extra: Check out the HWA product review Burt's Bee After Sun Soother for an anytime smoother moisturizing treat.

{Product Review Disclaimer: This is NOT a paid review. No consideration of any kind was offered to or received by LUCIMAC Productions, the parent company of Here We Are, in connection with this product or review.}

Bauble, Bauble... Do You Dare?

Part 11 of the HWA Series: Live Your Life Out Loud 

Several summers ago, I was in a book store with a friend. At the check out counter, there stood a ring tree adorned with large, costume, cocktail rings...Or, as I call them, Baubles. They were shiny, sparkly, colorful, and very eye-catching. Besides thinking this was a strange place to sell such trinkets, they exuded a charm and folly that was quite fascinating. It was as if the display was filled with fabulous Christmas baubles on a tree instead of showy jewelry.

Caught up in its size and hue, I tried one on similar to the one in the picture. It instantly made me smile. As I was turning my hand to catch the light, my friend shared a story about a colleague who wears a giant sized, bauble-like ring. She told me that, "It's on her hand every day to remind her to always enjoy life and not take it too seriously."

This season, I've seen similar rings for sale everywhere. It has me wondering why I didn't buy that ring, even though I loved the "reminder" message it could deliver. Did I secretly think the fashion police would jump out and say, "Aha! We always knew you belonged in a carnival?" Some women can pull off a bauble like this, while others wouldn't dare (I've learned that I'm somewhere in the middle).

Whatever the reason at the time, I now wear a baubley charm bracelet; some charms carry a significance, and others are fun and make me smile. It's not expensive; the true value is in its "reminder" message. There is something about they way it shines on the outside that reminds me to shine on the inside. At any moment, no matter what is happening around me, I can look down and it helps me instantly reassess the situation in a positive way. This may sound as frivolous as some of the jewelry might appear, but I share this with you, and the lesson I learned, to encourage you to find something that helps you to let yourself shine every day.

Bauble, bauble... Do you dare to wear? Tell us if you wear something that reminds you to shine. Share with us!

The World of Las Vegas Dining: Uncovering The Best of Vegas

CLICK HERE to listen to the Here We Are radio show, The World of Las Vegas Dining: Uncovering The Best of Vegas.

Like to dine out when traveling? Then this is the show for you. Find out about this definitive travel guide to the best dining experiences Vegas has to offer. The World of Las Vegas Dining is a gorgeous book filled with "facts that translate into experiences" for you to enjoy during your next visit. Even if Las Vegas isn't on your itinerary this year, the hundreds of photos and detailed information will make you feel like you've been on a fabulous trip!

Join me to learn more about how co-author, Laury Bakie, worked for over two years to uncover the "it" places we all want to visit. She also gives us a taste of how she stayed slim while eating 750+ meals, and what it takes to work with a spouse on a big project as they became experts on the glittering world of famous chefs and restaurants in Las Vegas. 

Sure to be the coffee table book of the year, this feast for the eyes will help you decide where to eat when you're in town. Even if you're only dreaming of a vacation in Vegas, foodies, cooks, chefs, and travelers will savor every one of its 280 pages in this winning display of culinary adventure. Bon appetit!

Walking The NY High Line Is a Fine Time

If you are looking for something to do the next time your are in NYC, then the NY High Line might be a fun, FREE, outdoor choice. Check out the pictures in this Here We Are photo album for sights, info, and tips.

Tips to help you enjoy your day:

Wear: sunscreen, a hat, good walking shoes. While there are a few shady respites, you are very exposed to the sun throughout the journey.

Bring: a camera - there are lots of photo opportunities along the way.

"Heads Up" = Look Down: There are funky curbs along the outer portions in parts of the path. I saw a lot of people tripping or getting their ankles caught. Check out the picture in the photo album of one of these, note how they are raised above the grade (drainage perhaps?).

Breathe!: Yes, the gardens scents are fresh and green. You might even catch a cool breeze off the Hudson River.

Brochures: If you can't find one, check the railings... The streets and locales are marked along the route.

Time: I walked at a leisurely stroll and it took about an hour and a half down and back.

Eats: There are food vendors on the path; the ice pops are a refreshing treat. If you need to get out of the sun, or want to sit for a spell, go down the 16th street stairs or elevator and enter the Chelsea Market on 10th Avenue. You won't be disappointed! There is something for every one in your group. I can vouch for Eleni's chocolate chip cookies, the roast beef sandwiches from Dickson's Farmstand, and the Ninth Street Espresso... Maybe not the healthiest of lunches, but definitely delicious!

Sights: If you are a die-hard gardener, then you might be a bit disappointed at the common types of flowers on display, but the overall experience is lovely.

This is a wonderful way to see New York city in a new way. Taking a walk on the High Line is truly a fine time!

EASY Blueberry Pie Recipe

It's blueberry season! Not only are blueberries healthy, they are the easiest fruit to bake with because you don't have to slice, dice, peel, pit, core, or chop anything. Just wash and dry them, pick out the mushy ones, and you are on your way.

If you are looking for an easy, quick recipe to put those extra blueberries to tasty use, then look no more. Try my sister-in-law, Lynn's, "Blueberry Easy-As-Pie" recipe. Simple, and simply delicious!

Pie Ingredients:

• 1 Pillsbury Pie Crust (use 1 of the 2 dough sheets)
• 2 pints fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons corn starch or flour

Crumb Topping:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup softened butter (1/2 stick)(NOT melted)
• Dash cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cover a cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper (makes for an easy clean-up).

Unroll one pie crust into a 9 inch pie plate and crimp the edges.

In a bowl, toss together the blueberries, sugar, and corn starch/flour; then pour into the pie plate.

For the crumb topping, mix the flour and cinnamon in a bowl; add the sugar. Cut in the butter using a fork to combine until it is a "crumbly" mixture. Pour topping mixture over pie.

Put pie into oven on covered cookie sheet on the bottom shelf. Bake 45 - 60 minutes until the crumbs are golden brown and the pie is bubbling. TIP: Depending on oven, you may want to cover the edges with foil so they won't burn. Remove, cool on wire rack.

Alternative 1: Instead of the Crumb Topping, use the other dough sheet on top and cut shapes out of it (use a cookie cutter before covering the pie mixture). Apply and crimp the top and bottom crust edges together.

Alternative 2: No pie crust for the bottom? Just skip the crust part entirely and cover the blueberry mixture with the crumb topping - Voila! - a Blueberry Cobbler! BONUS: No pie crust means fewer calories so you can have a second slice!

Bonus: Not a blueberry fan? Need another healthier dessert option? Also, try our EASY Apple Tart Recipe!

This recipe first appeared in the July 2009 Announcements article. This updated version of "Easy-As-Pie" is being republished in honor of Pat S., who recently lost her battle with breast cancer. She was a friend, a colleague, as well as a fan and critic of Here We Are from the start (this was her favorite recipe). Her smile, friendship, and advice will be missed by all who knew this terrific lady.

July 2011: Jackpot!

Announcements, Updates, & Reminders

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hitting The Jackpot: If you like to dine out & travel... And who doesn't? Then the July 12, 10:30 AM EST, Here We Are Radio Show is the show for you. Join me for The World of Las Vegas Dining: Uncovering The Best of Vegas as I interview one of its authors, Laury Bakie. We're talkin' hot spots and behind the scenes info! Learn how this busy lady ate over 750 meals, tasted numerous wines, and then worked tirelessly to share it with the world beyond Vegas. Sure to be the coffee table book of the year, this feast for the eyes will help you decide where to eat when you're in town. Even if you'll only be dreaming about all the places you'd visit, foodies, cooks, chefs, and travelers will savor every page of this winning display of culinary adventure.

Upping the Odds: It's official! HWA is accepting product review requests. If you are interested in a review, please read the recently posted Product Review Policy before inquiring. As HWA readers know, our #1 priority is building and maintaining their trust - we are adamant about this with every word that is spoken on our radio shows, published here on the website, or at the HWA page on Facebook (please come by and "like" us when you have a sec). 

UPDATES

Gifts On The House: Congrats to the May gift recipient, Aimee K., who received a Blue Q flower motif shopper bag. June's gift of a similar tote bag with a fanciful bird motif goes to Susan D. Thank you to both for being email subscribers. The July gift is a pink & brown zippered shoulder tote bag by Blue Q. Love these bags... They are colorful, eco-friendly, and light-weight to carry, yet deceptively strong!

Round 'n Round She Goes: HWA has increased the number of random "You Might Also Like..." choices that appear at the bottom of every article. You'll see the pictures with titles that alternate with each article to offer you others that may be of interest. We hope this helps you find additional information to make your life better, brighter, and easier.

REMINDERS

Know When To Show 'Em: ... Or not!! Some things are better left to the imagination. When packing for the pool or beach this summer, here are some tips on what to bring for a Beach Cover-Up - Show The Bust, Hide The Butt. Why gamble with style when you can be prepared to look great from every angle?!

Flower of The Month: July's flower is the Delphinium, commonly known as the Larkspur. This tall, spiked flowering plant is named from the Latin for Dolphin, i.e., Delphinus. Its general meaning is lightness and levity; the pink larkspur means fickleness.

There is no blue like the blue cup the tall delphinium holds up. ~ Louise Driscoll, Poet (1875-1957)