Posted by Chrissy Dolezal
My mom died from cancer. What started as breast cancer, moved through her body damaging both of her breasts, her liver, bones, brain, and ultimately her heart. After four years of treatments and surgery her body was very different, with no hair, no breasts, and scars all over her body. But I never saw her differently, she was always my mother, and to me she never changed.
I was young then, a preteen girl whose body was changing as well. Maybe I didn’t notice the differences in my mother’s body because all I could see were the differences in my own.
Once I was married I began to think about my mom in a different way. Not as a mother, but as a wife, as a woman. I wondered how womanly she felt after her surgeries. Did she mourn over the differences in her body? Did she mourn over the loss of her breasts? When she was alone with her husband, my father, did she feel like a woman?
My mom never acted like her cancer was a big deal. She didn’t enjoy all the treatments and regular hospital stays, definitely not. But she never showed any real emotion or fear over it. And she definitely didn’t show any reaction to the changes in her body. If she did, it was in laughter, in comedy. But I wonder what emotion was really there and what was for the benefit of her three daughters. How much weight did she bear so we wouldn’t have to?
I hope she still felt loved, still felt like herself, even though her body had changed so much in just four years.
Many people have been affected by breast cancer.
Rachel Stephens, a portrait photographer, wants to help women whose bodies and lives changed because of breast cancer. Knowing that all women, no matter the circumstances that surround their lives, have the right and desire to feel sexy; Stephens has opened a time in her regular travel schedule for one woman to have this
opportunity. At every travel stop in her schedule, Stephens is giving the chance for a breast cancer patient to tell her story, have a 90 minute photography session and a gift certificate for $295. These women will have the opportunity to be photographed looking their sexiest, with full hair and makeup.
For more information on how you or someone you love can be a part of this wonderful opportunity, please go to
Rachel Stephens Photography.
Posted by Chrissy Dolezal
I love this soap made by
Goat Milk Stuff. It lathers well, feels good on the skin, and it feels like you are using something really special on your body.
When I first received my soaps in the mail (I tried Black Raspberry, Ocean, Cucumber Melon, and my favorite, Oatmeal, Milk & Honey.) The packaged smelled so nice. Even with all the different scents together is was not overwhelming or too powerful. The scent stays nicely on the skin, giving a nice refreshing clean scent.
The soaps lather is generous, needing very little of the soap to get a good lather. It does not leave a filmy residue, just smooth and soft skin.
I felt comfortable using this soap on my children, especially my baby. Even with the fragrance there was not an irritation or breakout.
I also enjoy the fact that it is a family company. The entire family (Dad, Mom, and all eight children) have a specific and important job in the soap making business. Being a mother of small children, this is very inspiring to me. I would love to come up with a business idea that would not only teach the value of hard work to my children but also to be able to work beside my children in forming memories and building family unity.
I highly recommend this
soap. What a wonderful gift it would make for those you love.
Posted by Chrissy Dolezal
After receiving many comments from readers about Made from Earth Skincare, I had to check out the company. Although I have not been able to try the products yet, everything I have read and heard about Made from Earth has been extremely positive.
Made from Earth is a skin care line that also offers hair, body and lip products. They are organic certified with the USDA and are also vegan as well as cruelty free (meaning they do not test any products on animals). The products offer great natural solutions to common skin care problems like aging, discoloration, uneven skin tone, and acne. But instead of masking the problem, the skin care will work to correct the problem.
Made from Earth has extended an amazing offer for all Suite101 readers. From now until September 30, 2009, Made from Earth will give a 5% discount plus a free Strawberry Mocha Lip Balm with every order. Make sure to input the code: suite101 during checkout.
Thank you,
Made from Earth for offering such a great reward to new and existing customers. I know I will enjoy my lip balm with my order like many others! I cannot wait to try your products, from what I have heard, they are amazing!
Posted by Chrissy Dolezal
I spent time with my cousin this weekend and her tan was fabulous; perfectly golden, healthy glow, not a line in sight. Trying not to be jealous of her golden luster, I had to know if this was a “real” tan or fake. To my surprise not only was this a spray tan but a tan her husband had sprayed on her in their garage!
About a month ago she and her sister went to get spray tans at a salon, the cost, $25. Spray tans will last about a week. For many people, dropping $25 a week for a tan could bring on the need for their own financial bailout.
Being the little snoop that she is, she looked through all the spray tan tools and products before the spray girl came in. She wrote down the name of the solution that the salon used for tanning. With a quick google later that day, my cousin discovered that she could purchase her own bottle of spray tan for $25. One bottle will spray about 25-30 tans.
When the bottle arrived, her husband attached the bottle to his paint sprayer and went to work. Results, a perfect golden tan on the cheap!
One quick warning, when being sprayed naked in your garage; make sure no one has an extra garage door opener, just in case!
For more tanning information: Face Tanning and Tanning Tips.
Posted by Chrissy Dolezal
Christmas is a wonderful time of year to branch out from your everyday look and try something new. I love trying new makeup products and makeup looks during this year. Whither it is for my husband’s work party, for mine, or a special evening out with family.
There are three looks I created to help you celebrate the holidays with a little more glamour then everyday life.
Best Holiday Look – This look is a lot of fun. Instead of traditional evening colors, you use emerald green eye shadow. This look will definitely get you noticed, for all the right reasons!
Holiday Glamour Makeup – This holiday look reminds me of old Hollywood glamour. It is very sophisticated. Plus, it works for all skin tones and eye colors.
Holiday Glamour for Ebony Skin – A holiday look designed for dark skin. This look is simple yet elegant. It is perfect for every Holiday event on your calendar.
Don’t forget all the special people on your list. Beauty gifts are great stocking stuffers. Also, you can create your very own Beauty gift basket for everyone on your list. Just customize it for their skincare needs and favorite fragrance and you will have everyone marked off your list!
With winter upon us, it will probably be necessary to adjust your skin care regimen as well. Winter Skin Care is important to make sure your skin stays healthy and line free, which is all we really want for Christmas right?
