I have long sought makeup tutorials that are actually use-able.  Before and after pictures of makeup applications rarely work for me; I need to see the process in action.  Well, I just stumbled across makeup/YouTube sensation Lauren Luke, and my wish has come true.  Lauren has created great video guides that walk through the steps of applying various makeup looks.  In her videos, Lauren offers celebrity looks, experiments with the latest colors, responds to readers’ special requests, and more. 

Here’s one of my favorite videos from Lauren.  It illustrates how to achieve an everyday smoky eye using brown and neutral shades.

Millions of people have viewed these videos…you should too!  Lauren has a new website in the works.  Although it’s not quite ready yet, you can find it here. 

Cheers!

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WebMD has a great article entitled 7 Most Effective Exercises.  If you are in need of a jumpstart in the fitness department, try these moves.  You can do almost all of them (with the lone exception of the bent-over row) at home or anywhere without any equipment whatsoever.  For information on technique, click here and review the slide show carefully.

Walking

Interval Training

Squats

Lunges

Push-Ups

Abdominal Crunches

Bent-Over Row

Cheers!

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I came across a recipe on Rachel Ray that I really want to pass on to you.  This delicious-sounding recipe for a healthy snack bar is from Robin McGraw. 

Ingredients:

• Non-stick cooking spray or melted butter, as needed for pan
• 3 cups large marshmallows
• 3/4 cup nut butter, such as cashew, almond, peanut or hazelnut
• 1 10 to 12-ounce box brown rice cereal
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 2/3 cup chopped cashews, toasted

Preparation:

Lightly coat the bottom and sides of a medium baking sheet with the nonstick cooking spray or melted butter.

In a microwave-safe bowl, zap the marshmallows and nut butter, stirring after 1 minute, until melted, about 2 minutes.

Add the brown rice cereal, cranberries, pecans and cashews to the melted marshmallow mixture and stir gently to combine – be careful not to crush up the bits of cereal too much.

Either wet your hands or spray them lightly with the nonstick cooking spray and turn the cereal marshmallow mixture out onto the greased baking sheet. Press it into the pan using your slick hands so that it’s evenly distributed. Set the pan aside and let the bars set up, about 30 minutes.

Once set, cut them into squares and serve.

Enjoy!

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It’s giveaway time here at living a LuSHHus life.  Enter to win TWO stylish Vera Bradley notebooks…these are organization made beautiful.  All you have to do for your chance to win is leave a comment on this post.  One post per person, please.  A winner will be chosen at random on Friday, August 8 - yes, that’s 08-08-08! - and will be notified via e-mail.

Thank you for visiting living a LuSHHus life, and please check back often for exciting LuSHHus tips and ideas and for more giveaways!

Cheers!

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Savvy Auntie is the "first community for cool aunts, great aunts, godmothers and all women who love kids."  If you spend time with children who belong to someone else, this may be a great resource for you.  Savvy Auntie offers:

• suggestions for fun things to do
• help and information on all kid-related matters
• a community for people just like you
• gift ideas for those young people in your life

As I browsed the Savvy Auntie website, I came across the Founder’s blog which I enjoyed.  One of the best entries, in my mind, was 20 Tips for the New Entrepreneur.  If you hope to start your own business one day or launch some other big venture, read this article.  You won’t be sorry.

Cheers!

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"Joy is not in things; it is in us." ~ Richard Wagner

Have a great week.

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I just finished perusing a perennially  elegant catalog, Source Perrier, and I found that a couple of my favorite items are on sale:

I love these pewter songbird salt and pepper shakers that are now only $35 for the set.

These rock crystal candle holders would enliven any space in your home.  A set of two is $45.  Personally, I would like a few sets!

Check out Source Perrier’s entire selection of sales in the Private Stockroom.

Cheers!

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Try this recipe for Chickpea and Romaine Salad with Lemon-Parmesan Vinaigrette from everybody likes sandwiches.  It’s the perfect summer salad if you ask me!

Cheers!

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I found a great sale on some accessories and furnishings at Williams Sonoma Home.  You’ll find savings up to 40% so check it out to see if there’s anything that catches your eye. 

This lacquer tray and the coordinating needlepoint canvas pillows would look good out on my porch.

I also like the following for a more tailored or nautical look.  The rope knots can be used as accents, bookends, or doorstops.

Cheers!

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I’ve mentioned how much I love my new Kindle a few times, and today’s quote for LuSHHus Lines was chosen because it reminds me of the Kindle.  The short story behind how the Kindle got its name is: By reading to me at bedtime when I was a child, my parents kindled my life-long love for reading. 

Here’s a line from Victor Hugo that speaks to the same idea.

"To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark." ~ Victor Hugo

Have a great week, and Happy Reading!

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Hello!  I’ve been gone a while, and I apologize for my absence.  I’m back and ready to focus on living a LuSHHus life.

I got to read two books in less than one week not too long ago.  This is something I haven’t found time to do in…well, I would say about three years…since my son was born.  I loved both books I read and thought I’d recommend them to you for fun summer reads. 

The books are Sail by James Patterson and An Absolute Scandal by Penny Vincenzi.  Reading the books was even more fun than normal because I read them on my new Kindle.  It’s an incredible little device, and if you like to read even a little bit you’d love the Kindle!

Cheers!

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Having just returned from a trip to a new locale, I found this quote appropriate for this week’s LuSHHus Lines:

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." ~ St. Augustine

Have a great week!

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