As we start the last unofficial week of the summer, it's time to maximize the opportunity for relaxation and re-evaluation of whatever stress you are carrying around. If you recognize that you are not relaxed, perhaps beating yourself up for the unfinished to-dos, or worrying about the upcoming busy fall season, just stop. Relax... Read more →

A Product Review by Here We Are You know by now that when I find something I really like, I like to share it with you! Well, I couldn't wait to share this product after my trial usage. The Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color is Insta-Handy! It offers fast and fabulous nail color that... Read more →

It's BBQ time and the cookin' is easy! Especially if you know the right time and temperatures to serve up sizzling hot and juicy food. When Jack Thompson, founder of BroBBQ, wrote to me and shared his very detailed infographic, I knew I had to share it with you. So for all the Here... Read more →

With all the confusion about the new General Data Protection Regulation as to what needs to be done, I'm reiterating the privacy policy for both Here We Are (HWA), and the e-commerce site, Better Brighter Easier(BBE). As per the Terms of Use for LUCIMAC Productions (the parent company of HWA & BBE) for both... Read more →

Hello! Here's a question... When was the last time you sealed the granite in your home? If the answer is never, it is not hard to do. In my latest One By One video, I show you the fast and easy way to maintain a kitchen's best home improvement addition. Many times, when granite... Read more →

It seems that there is a lot of somethin' somethin' going on in life lately, not just for me but for a lot of people around me. Whether your car gets creamed by a woman with purple hair driving a Hummer (yup, this happened), your house renovation stalls because of a nosey neighbor's interference,... Read more →

Article UPDATE April 9, 2018: The newsletter is here! Please read all about it below, and you can see it for yourself in the first volume, Spring Has Sprung & So Has The Better Brighter Easier Newsletter! Please subscribe this month if you like what you see so that you will be included in... Read more →

Welcome to one of my decor consulting projects! This video takes you through the entire process of a full bathroom renovation... In this long-form video, I guide you from the old and dated "everything beige" before, through the decision making process, to the up-to-date design choices, including things to consider to increase space in... Read more →

Ahhh, February, the traditional month of flowers, hearts, chocolate, and all things love. There are those who like Valentine's Day and all that it brings in the form of sentiment, images, and feelings, and others who see it as a commercial vehicle to sell roses and cards. I'm somewhere in the middle, but what... Read more →

Hello Here We Are readers, we are two weeks into the new year, and I bet you are already swamped with to-do lists, a full work-load, appointments, and the daily grind of this fast-paced life. Time management is simply a series of well-honed skills that when applied consistently will help us approach tasks in... Read more →

"It's Never Too Late" seems like an odd title for a holiday post, but as we close out yet another year, it is a good time to think on all the things we still want to do in life. As we know, each day is a gift, and when one suffers the loss of... Read more →

It's baking time again. Or as dessert lovers and avid bakers say, "It is always baking time, and there is always time to bake!!" Ok, that is actually my quote... But if you like to bake, I bet you agree with me. This made from scratch apple tart recipe was originally published in 2010... Read more →

Here We Are entering another winter season and that means, for most of us at least, woolen sweaters, scarves, mittens, and hats, not to mention some socks, robes, pajamas, pillow covers, and throws... That sure is a lot of wool! And if any of your items are cashmere or cashmere blends, you know the... Read more →

Hello Here We Are readers, listeners, and video watchers... Oh my gosh, another year has gone by and we are back to the holiday season. I've gotten a number of emails about preparing for the holidays, and I took a look at what people are recently searching and finding on HWA... Thought I'd combine... Read more →

After the recent article, Become The Light, I began thinking about what it actually means in terms of actions we can each take to become the light that will change the world (that article was sadly prompted by yet ANOTHER evil tragedy [that took place in Las Vegas]). While there are broad, complex issues... Read more →

After the horrific events that took place this week in Las Vegas, like everyone else I find myself speechless and heartbroken. I've been struggling all week to figure out what I can say, write, or do to help. When I looked at the Here We Are editorial calendar for ideas, every item of better,... Read more →

As the new autumn season falls into our lives with promises of sweet apple pie, spooky pumpkins, cozy sweaters, and crisp cool breezes, it's time to reset our focus. Everyone is busy checking off one list after another, but being busy should not be an excuse to miss out on wonderful autumnal experiences. That... Read more →

When I say "mango ice made easy," I mean EEEEAAASY! This recipe serves up a tasty, full of flavor, sweet, refreshing treat. You'll wonder why you haven't made it before, I know I did! While mangoes aren't something I usually buy or cook with, I had a mango salsa over mahi-mahi recently that reminded... Read more →

There are those of us who are either water drinkers or not... If you are, spa water will entice you to drink more water, and if you aren't, you'll be pleasantly surprised how quickly sweetened beverages lose their sparkle. Spa water, AKA water infused with fruit, vegetables, and herbs, is a wonderful, refreshing, less... Read more →

Two Words for you today, not Tuesday, not Friday, but TODAY... SLOW DOWN! If you are a regular Here We Are reader, then you know that I've written 22 #TwoWordTuesday articles. In slowing down to assess my work on HWA, it is clear that the words matter most, not the timing, so we are... Read more →

If you have a kitchen, you have wooden utensils somewhere in your utensil drawer... From spoons, gadgets, knife handles, to cutting boards and egg cups, those wooden items need a little extra TLC to stay in tip-top shape. If you are like me, and often put wood into the dishwasher - I know it... Read more →

If you are not using Instagram, then please join me there when you are... If you are, please join me there now, I'd like to get to know you better! Of all the social networks that I regularly participate on, Instagram is the most satisfying AND SOCIAL. At this point in time (and I... Read more →

A Product Review by Here We Are Every thing is prettier in pink! Maybe yes, maybe no, but a smile is certainly revved up by a little extra color. Whether you like a heavy lipstick or very little to no color at all, this e.l.f. Gotta Glow Lip Tint has you covered. Don't be... Read more →

Yes, I baked this loaf of bread myself! And you can, too! This homemade bread recipe (borrowed from my friend, Michelle) is simple to do, and best of all, there is no need for a bread machine because this is a NO knead bread recipe! Yeah!! Everyone I know who owns a big bread-making... Read more →

I came across this fun, little diddy on Instagram this winter. I thought I'd repost it for you since it never hurts to revisit a few, fundamental ideas as we reflect on this past winter season and move into a new one... Welcome Spring!! All I need to know about life I learned from... Read more →

I love, love, love my Cuisinart Rice Cooker... I've written about the other ways I use this handy, kitchen gadget in the Here We Are article, The Rice Cooker: A Better Way To Cook Brown Rice, Couscous, And Oatmeal In Less Time. This time, I am sharing with you how to hard-cook, or hard-boil,... Read more →

Give yourself a hand, point to a menu item, show off that new bauble on your ring finger, raise your hand, shake someone else's, clap at the show, shuffle the cards, and a thousand other ways we use our hands every day... It's an exhaustive list - and a blessed one - but the... Read more →

Life is short... EAT CAKE! Whatever the "cake" is in your life, devour it with gusto, enjoy it fully, then worry about it later. This Two Word Tuesday is dedicated to my late friend, Sandra, on the first anniversary of her passing. It's hard to believe that it's been a year since I wrote... Read more →

It's the season of hearts and romance. And while we all love to look at the Valentine's Day decorations, eat chocolate, and enjoy the flowers that are everywhere, it's also a good time to assess how much you love numero uno. That means YOU! This morning, I came across a quote and a thought... Read more →

So you are in the mood to do a little baking, and you come upon a strip of dry yeast packets in your cabinet... Not sure if they are any good? Use my quick tip to test the potency BEFORE you begin the process of baking bread or whatever other warm and toasty goodies... Read more →

If you've ever been strolling the supermarket produce section and thought about buying pomegranates but figured it would be too messy to peel and seed them... Stop pushing your shopping cart! After you watch this One By One video, the next time you are in the store you'll want to treat yourself and your... Read more →

Every year we talk about what we want to do that is new or different, or simply adjusted, to create a more complete, happier life. This year, I propose that you let yourself shine... Allow your light to be brighter, bolder, and more colorful than the rest. Stand with confidence to SHINE and sparkle... Read more →

This is a very simple #TwoWordTuesday that I hope will serve as a heartfelt reminder through the end of the year and beyond. Your financial status does not matter when you have generosity of good intentions, hope, and a helping hand, AND we can all GIVE HUGS as if we won the lottery. I'm... Read more →

If you like DIY - do it YOURSELF - projects, then this is a simple, fun, and quick project you'll enjoy doing. Sugar shapes are easy to make once you get a few little tips and tricks out of the bowl! In this One By One video, I show you just how easy it... Read more →

Chinese fortune cookies are fun, crispy treats that we break open to get a little "gift of wisdom" hidden inside. Some are funny, some don't make sense, and others offer a message we need at the right time. Whether you believe they are fate, fortune, future predictions, or plain old folly, these sweet notions... Read more →

I had a difficult time coming up with the title to this article. I thought of things like, "who's your buddy," "your adventure gal," "dial up trouble," and "go-to friend," (which has a whole other meaning than the one I wanted!). Then it hit me, "Who you gonna' call" when that crazy, adventurous, questionable... Read more →

This Two Word Tuesday is a very simple one, Details Matter. It doesn't mean that every thing has to be perfect or else it isn't worth doing, because we all know that nothing is perfect! There is no magic moment when you are "ready" or optimum circumstance that you've dreamed about, there is only... Read more →

There is always a room in every house that is in need of an update. The easiest way to transform a room - and most cost effective - is by choosing a new wall color. This means selecting a different paint color entirely from the one that is already on the wall. Easier said... Read more →

Call it whatever you want... Italian Ice, Lemon Ice, Granita, Sorbet, or Sorbetto, it is still a sweet and tasty cold treat perfect for hot summer days. This recipe came out of my attempt to make a watermelon-lemonade granita BUT when I sliced open the seedless watermelon, it was rotten! Since I had the... Read more →

In this One By One video, I show you how to make my EASY Lime Dressing recipe, step by step. You may remember the original article, Lime Salad Dressing: Simple, Tasty, and Versatile. Check it out for the exact ingredients and measurements as described in this video. This homemade, delicious dressing can be used... Read more →

It's almost impossible these days to shop the beauty aisle and not bring home a product that is packaged in a tube. Everything from shampoo, conditioner, face cream, and self-tanner, to body lotion and scrubs are packaged in tubes. But when you think it's empty, think again! It's amazing how much product can be... Read more →

Nothing says "summer" more than an ice-cold glass of lemonade... Sweet, tart, and oh so refreshing on a hot day. While a tempting glass full of mother nature's goodness is a welcome sight, sometimes we get served sour lemons in other areas of our life. It may be a heart ache, a difficult issue,... Read more →

Product Review by Here We Are When it's summer, your lips will be better, brighter, and easier to kiss with a little preparation and protection. How to achieve this in a quick and simple way? Give these two products a try: e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator AND e.l.f. Lip Balm with SPF 15 Sunscreen. (UPDATE on... Read more →

Wherever you live, find an opportunity in your area to go fruit picking this spring, summer, or fall. Whether you pick apples, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, or cherries, it's a fun outing and can be an adventure. Besides getting outdoors, you will be up close and personal with Mother Nature while supporting local farms. Walking... Read more →

No matter the size or style of your house, the eye first goes to the front door. The entryway and its immediate surroundings say a lot about the overall feeling of a home. It also sets the tone for either a happy, welcoming entryway or a dull, lifeless one. The easiest way to achieve... Read more →

May Day, May Day! It's that time again to reach out to a Friend-A-Day-In-May! If you've been a regular reader of Here We Are, you know that I've asked you to join me in this exercise in 2012, 2014, and 2015. All three times have been very rewarding both personally and professionally. I hope... Read more →

Busy, busy, busy! We are all "busy" most of the time these days. In an effort to slow down the clock, you can employ techniques like putting your smart phone away, meditating (IF you can fit it in!), and focusing on breathing deeply. All are great and work to create better health and wellness,... Read more →

A bathroom basket full of useful essentials is a simple, but very thoughtful, way to keep your event guests happy during your wedding reception, anniversary party, surprise bash, or any other celebration you have planned. A stocked basket of emergency and personal toiletry products - placed in both the men's and women's rooms -... Read more →

Last summer, I took this picture... I don't remember now if it was a sunrise or a sunset. It seems appropriate with the sentiment of the quote, "Life is made up of two dates connected by a dash... Make the most of your dash." Over the past few weeks, since my friend unexpectedly passed... Read more →

Dear Here We Are readers, Please indulge me with this quick note to remind you to choose carefully what you allow in your life to keep you busy. My quote, "I am only as busy as I allow myself to be," came out of my mouth last Thursday as I was leaving a coffee... Read more →