Real Women Please Take Note

Thank-you Cindy Crawford.  Real women please take note.

     I was watching good Morning America on a recent snow day.  There was a segment about Cindy Crawford's non-retouched lingerie photo that was leaked out on Twitter.  It seems that the photo was leaked from Marie Claire magazine Mexico and Latin America.   This photo shows super model and fashion icon Cindy Crawford with a real-women body in lingerie and a fur coat.  Cindy doesn't look PERFECT.  She has a little pouch tummy, cellulite and discolored and uneven colored skin.
    So the buzz seemed to be about the imperfect Cindy Crawford.  Should the buzz have been about seeing glimpses of the real and aging body of 48 year old Cindy Crawford?
     I can't help but examine all of this deeper.  What is beauty and who defines what beauty is?  Does Facebook, Instagram, magazines, celebrities, cosmetic and drug manufacturers contribute to defining what we think beauty is?  And should they?  Are so many of us picking up the message that we have to look a certain way to be beautiful?  And, if we don't look just right, we aren't beautiful?  This can make us become self-conscious about our bodies.  And, if we don't look right, do we emotionally think we are weak and not acceptable?  I think we are getting some very powerful messages. Messages that are sad and toxic.  I think that a lot of 40,50 and 60 plus year old women seem desperate to look younger, and to be beautiful, as defined by social media and so many other sources.
     Beauty shouldn't be about having an unwrinkled face, a bikini body shape, perfect white teeth and a head of non graying hair.  The women who are fighting on the front lines for our country, saving lives from cancer and other deadly diseases, raising and teaching our children, to mention just a few, these are truly the women of beauty.
     This morning turned into another snow day.  And, once again I was watching Good Morning America.  This time there was a segment about Monica Bellucci.  She happens to be the 50 year old Italian actress who was just cast as the latest Bond Girl.  Or, should I say the latest Bond Women. This is the first time that the Bond love interest has been 50 years old.  Two quotes were stated during this segment.  "Beauty isn't about having a pretty face.  It's about having a pretty mind, a pretty heart, and a pretty soul."  And, " A mature woman doesn't loose her charm."
     Cindy Crawford doesn't look perfect.  Nor does anyone that I know.  Whatever our age, we need to realize that beauty is only skin deep.  We need to embrace who we are and what we represent and have accomplished. And, know with pride and self love that this is enough.  This is beautiful.

Valentine's Day 2015

Valentine's Day ?

Valentine's Day is almost here.  I can't help but be reminded of love.  It seems to be all around me. I overhear chatter at the office and at the gym.  Then there's Hallmark cards, florists, jewelers, clothiers, chocolatiers, and the food industry, who all love this day. And, let's not forget the images of cupid and hearts on e-mail advertisements , in the newspapers, in magazines, on Facebook and on TV.

What is Love?  It's a deep romantic feeling.  It's a strong affection for another.  It's a fondness. It's an intimacy.  It's a deep passion. It's an infatuation. It can heal. It can nourish. It can empower. It's delightful. It can hurt.  You can love a person or love a thing.

It's a floppy , shaggy  puppy and a devoted, loyal dog of 12 years.  It's an 85 year old couple holding hands and shuffling together ever so slowly.  It's the look of a mother holding a peaceful , swaddled infant in her arms. It's a hug from a special friend after you share your deepest, darkest secret and have fallen apart. It's chocolate.  It's Louboutin shoes.  It's your favorite football team winning the Super Bowl.  It's Bogie and Bacall.  It's watching a beautiful butterfly flutter around on a peaceful sunny summer day. It's watching the pure white snow fall outside as you are indoors in a warm , safe place.  It's a fresh doughnut.  It's your 88 year old Dad telling you a hilarious joke.  It's your 27 year old daughter sending you a card and telling you that she loves you.  It's your 23 year old daughter coming home for this weekend and giving you a huge, heartfelt hug upon seeing you. It's a ballerina dancing or a handicapped Olympian winning the gold.  Actually, it's just so many, many things. And seems to come in so many different flavors.

From love can come intense feelings of peace, contentment, security and euphoria.  From love can come intense feelings of darkness and sadness.  It seems to be a cycle.

I love this quote about love: " Love as though you have never been hurt before." And, I grew up with this one:"All you need is love."

Whatever love is to who ever wants to try and describe it, it is after all, their own unique love.  It appears that we can't live without love and it does seem to be all around.

Hotflashfinds wishes all of you a day filled with your own special and unique love.
xoxo Hotflashfinds

Delicious and oh what a SWEET day Friday June 1 will be !

HotFlashFinds:  KrispyKreme  is Giving Away One FREE Treat on National Doughnut Day.

Stop in to KrispyKreme on June 1 for a FREE  delicious doughnut of your choice.   Please go to http://KrispyKreme.com/ for store locations and www.CelebrateKrispyKreme.com  regarding their 75th Anniversary celebration.

  

                                                                      

A Sweet Idea for Summer Entertaining

HONEY as an Hors D'Oeuvres

Raw Orange Blossom Honeycomb Square from Savannah Bee Company.
Served for company December 2011.
www.savanahbee.com and look for store locator in your geographical area.

HotFlashFinds:  Honey is a sweet food made by bees using nectar from flowers.  The variety produced by honey bees is the most commonly referred to and is the type of honey collected by beekeepers and consumed by humans.

The good news is that honey provides a concentrated dose of antioxidants.

Darker honeys have more nutrients and are more flavorful.  In baked goods,  Heidi Swanson, author of Super Natural Cooking, recommends substituting 1/2 cup honey for every cup of sugar, reducing the liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup, and increasing the baking soda by 1/4 teaspoon.  Note: When baking with honey lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees to avoid overbrowning.

One of my new go to hors d'oeuvres is the all-natural 11oz  Raw Orange Blossom Honeycomb square from the Savannah Bee Company.  It is great paired with cheeses, crackers, nuts, fruit, and edible flowers.  And, any unused portion can be stored in the original box at room temperature for up to one year.

Wishing everyone a Happy and Relaxing Memorial Day Weekend.

Information obtained from Wikipedia and The Oprah Magazine April 2012

Finds and Activities for the Weekend and the Week Ahead

The Weekend is Finally Here!

HotFlashFinds:  It looks like we will get a preview of summer this weekend.  Below are some finds and activities for you to enjoy.  Wishing you all an enjoyable weekend and week ahead.

Olive Garden is offering a free appetizer or dessert at Olive Garden when you buy two dinner entrees and present this coupon.

For all of our active duty members of the military starting May 19, Armed Forces Day: you and your dependents can get a free annual pass offering free entrance to all 397 national parks.

Need Tires?  Buy four selected Firestone tires at Mr. Tire, and get a $70 Firestone gas prepaid Mastercard. Expires July 8.

Harris Teeter 20% off  cases of wine May 17 -May 20, 2012.  If you are an e-VIC member you can get 20% off specialty cheese purchases.  This week Harris Teeter will triple manufacturers coupons up to .99 face value. www.harristeeter.com.

A haircut at Supercuts will get you a $10 Live Nation concert cash card free. You can use it buy concert tickets or merchandise like T-shirts and posters. Start the ball rolling by printing this voucher and bringing it to Supercuts when you get your next cut.

P & G beauty products April 20 - June 5, 2012:  Spend $50 on participating Proctor and Gamble beauty products (brands like Olay, Clairol and Safeguard) and get a $10 rebate through the mail.

Chipotle: free burito, bowl, order of tacos or salad: Buy $30 worth of gift cards from Chipotle and keep your receipt. Bring that receipt back on your next visit before June 30 and they'll give you a free burrito, bowl, order of tacos or salad.

Marriot: Earn up to three free nights through a Marriott Rewards summer bonus promotion. Register for Marriott Rewards, stay twice at any participating hotel between June 1 and August 31, and you'll earn one free night after every second paid stay.

Free Slurpee time at 7-Eleven May 23:  11 a.m. and 7 p.m. May 23 to celebrate SlurpFREE Day. Every customer gets a free 7.11 ounce Slurpee while supplies last.

Anthropolgie's semi-annual clearance sale is now going on online and in stores .www.anthropogie.com.

Chico's : buy one get one 50% off jewelry and pants www.chico's.com.  for details.  

The Limited is offering 30% off all dresses, pants, ankles, crops, skirts and jackets and up to 50% off jewelry online at www.thelimited.com.

Activities:

May 19 & 20 :   Andrews Air force Base's Joint Service Open House & Air Show. Annual air show this weekend, featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Army Golden Knights. Admission is free. Free shuttle buses will take you to the show from the Fed Ex Field parking lots, and the Branch Avenue Metro station.

May 20 noon - 5 p.m. : Take a trip around the world, without getting on a plane. The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission's Festival of Nations  at the Tucker Road Athletic Complex in Fort Washington. There will be performances, games, food tastes, vendor areas and an interactive children's area.

DC Yoga Week is May 13-20 and participating studios are offering free classes. You can also join Yoga on the Mall, 1:30-4:30 p.m.  May 19. It's a free collective practice expected to draw hundreds of yoga enthusiasts of all skill levels to the Sylvan stage near the Washington Monument.

Gaithersburg Book Festival May 19 Free.  Tom Angleberger, Buzz Bissinger, "30 Rock's" Judah Friedlander, Jenny Lawon ( a.k.a, the Bloggess) & Stewart O'Nan.  A wide array of authors will discuss and sign their books.  Also featured are a Children's Village, coffeehouse entertainment & writing workshops. Gaithersburg City Hall, 31 S. Summit Ave. Gaithersburg, MD. www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org.

Mystics Season Opener May 19.  Show your D.C. pride at the season opener against the Chicago Sky.  It marks the team's 15th year in Washington.  7p.m. Verizon Center. www.verizoncenter.

Gem & Jewelry Show inc. May 18-20, 2012 Dulles Expo Center (South Hall) Chantilly, Va.  Sat. 10am-6pm,Sun 11am-5pm.  Baubles, stones, gems & other gift items.

Strawberries are ripe for the picking.  Yum!   Berry season has arrived early.  Find a patch for a taste of sweet, local strawberries.  Most farms are charging around $2 per pound.  Butler's Orchard,  Germantown, www.butlersorchard.com, Mackintosh Fruit Farm, Berryville, Va. www.mackintoshfruitfarm.com.

Sunday, May 20 : Northern VA Fine Arts Festival: Reston Town Cneter is host to the work of  200 plus contemporary artists, plus music, performance art and hands-on children's projects.  10am-4pm 11900 Market St., Reston. www.northernvirginiafineartsfestival.org.

some info obtained from wtop.com and The Washington Post newspaper.

National Bike To Work Day Today

Today is Bike to Work Day

Locally,  there are 58 pit stops in D.C., Maryland and Virginia where bicyclists can stop and grab free refreshments www.biketoworkmetrodcorg. and other free goodies.  Check out the interactive map for details by location. 

HotFlashFinds:  It looks like today is going to be a beautiful day.  It is very important to try and incorporate exercise into our daily lives.  If you are unable to bike to work today, try to take a bike ride after work.  Or, try to take a walk, go to the gym, or find another way to get some movement into your life.
Also,  for those of you who are environmentally conscious, this is  great way to have a commuting alternative.

Addendum:  Loyal reader and friend Lennie sent me an e-mail about Bike to Work Day.  Below is some interesting information about the evolution of this day.  Also,  below is a link to http://www.ohiobike.org/kids-cyclng-ed.html.

National Bike to Work Day:

Today is National Bike to Work Day! In 1956, the Cycle Trade Association of America announced the first ever Bike Month. The purpose of this occasion was to promote bicycle sales. Today, National Bike Month, Bike Week, and Bike to Work Day have a much broader focus. These events encourage safe bicycling practices and promote cycling as a legitimate commuting alternative.
Join thousands of other Americans and participate in Bike to Work Day today. Whether you are environmentally conscious or just love the exercise, biking to work is a great way to avoid the commuter traffic and stay in shape! Happy cycling!

 " A Bike is not a toy, it is a child's first vehicle" and this one, " Drive your bike" ..... This is where it all begins! We can all stand to learn something here.

 

Thank-you Lennie for this great informative information.

 

Readers, please feel free to contact HotFlashFinds@gmail.com.  I welcome your comments and contributions to this blog. 

 

some of the above info obtained from wtop.com                                                                     

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL

Wishing all of my friends, family, and loyal readers a very Happy Mother's Day !

HotFlashFinds:  Motherhood is probably the hardest job in the whole wide world.  And, it sure doesn't come with a user manuel.   But it sure does come with lots of hugs, kisses, joys and happiness.  And, at times some nail biting, worries and concerns.

I know that I've made some mistakes along the way.  I sure hope that my girls will forgive me.  But, I do hope that they know that the love and the support that I have for them is endless.  And , I sure hope that they know how very proud of them I am as I watch them grow into beautiful and successful young adults.

My daughters in the iris gardens helping me celebrate Mother's Day 2012.