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Get crafty this year and spread a bunch of holiday cheer

2020-11-02T07:01:00

(BPT) – Holiday decorations bring a smile to everyone’s face, and this year, we could all use that now more than ever. Crafting seasonal décor instead of shopping for it gives you and your family something to occupy your extra time at home and helps you avoid big crowds and shopping stress.

Perhaps you’ll make wooden signs with jolly messages or metal snowflakes covered in lights? Or maybe you’ll craft ornaments for the tree or engrave life-lasting messages into the menorah? No matter the craft, a homemade holiday novelty will bring a sense of pride and happiness to all.

Ready to get crafty and holiday savvy? Here’s what to do:

Make a plan

Visualize your project in your space and measure the location so you know how many supplies you need. Take a look around to notice what areas have the most room. Get a view from the outside to see what your neighbors will see when passing by.

Browse social media/decoration sites for inspiration. Save pictures of your favorites and then picture it fitting in your space. You could even sketch out your design on paper to get a clearer vision of what you’re going to create.

Locate your sources of electricity if you want to incorporate lights, music or even snow machines (hey, we can dream!). Be sure you have extension cords if you’ll need them.

Shop for your materials

Shop for and select the items that are eye-catching and fun. Consider bright, festive colors and pretty patterns.

Research the items you need, and what stores near you carry them before you leave to save some time. Price check between stores to ensure you don’t overspend. If possible, you can even order online supplies ahead of time to avoid the crowds.

Have the best tools in your tool belt

Equip yourself with tools that are lightweight, versatile, portable, user friendly and the very best to get the job done. The new MakerX line of tools from Worx will elevate your home-crafter game, giving you a range of creative options, allowing you to create from anywhere and perfecting the small details that make all the difference. The tool set revolves around a 20V Power Hub battery that powers five versatile tools, including an air brush, angle grinder, mini heat gun, rotary tool and wood and metal grinder, so the possibilities are limitless.

Be sure to test out your tools on some scraps first before diving into your perfect materials and always follow safety measures and be careful when handling tools.

Set the mood

You’ve got everything you need so now it’s time to start feeling festive. Light an apple cinnamon, vanilla cookie, fir and firewood or whatever spiced-snow-scent-tickles-your-fancy candle, turn on the cold weather carols and get your groove on.

Pour a cup of cocoa — or a glass of spiked cider for mom and dad — and get to work!

Kick back and admire your work

Enjoy the company of those around you as you work together to make your holiday crafts and see the beauty in creating something with your hands, regardless of the imperfections. Work any mistakes into your final design. After all, the experience is half the fun, and you’re making memories that will last forever.

Proudly display your holiday decorations in and out of your home for yourself, your family and your neighbors to enjoy.

Take lots of pictures for friends and family who can’t be there in person and share your work on social media. A little joy goes a long way.


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4 tips for restoring sensitive, irritated, dry skin

2020-11-02T04:01:00

(BPT) – Beautiful, healthy-looking skin is a reflection of overall good health. But it’s not just a question of how your skin looks — how it feels is just as important. If your skin is sensitive, you may experience symptoms that make you feel uncomfortable.

How do you know if you have sensitive skin?

  • Your skin flushes or turns red easily
  • You have itchiness or dryness
  • Beauty products or fragrances irritate your skin
  • You’re sensitive to sun or wind
  • You have broken capillaries on your face

Because your skin is affected by your internal health and your external environment, there are many potential causes for skin sensitivity — and many possible treatments.

Sensitive skin is typically caused by a compromised skin moisture barrier, allowing for increased water loss and faster absorption of irritants and allergens that come in contact with your skin. Psychological and emotional factors can also contribute to skin sensitivity, as well as environmental conditions.

Whether your sensitive skin is on your face, body or both, it helps to identify common triggers.

Everyday sensitive skin triggers

While some people are genetically predisposed to sensitive skin, others can be sensitized by their environment and lifestyle. Some factors that may trigger sensitive skin reactions include temperature or humidity changes, pollution or smoking, plus use of soaps, household or cosmetic products — especially those containing high concentration of fragrances. Other potential triggers include medical treatments like chemotherapy or radiation, or factors like emotional stress or lack of sleep.

The good news is, there are steps you can take in your everyday life to safeguard your skin against possible triggers.

Create restorative spaces

We’ve been spending a lot more time at home, so it’s worth evaluating your living space. Making small changes can create a more restorative environment to improve your overall well-being, including the health of your skin.

Humans are attracted to nature for a reason. Being in or around nature offers restorative benefits to your physical and emotional well-being. Here are four tips for bringing positive, natural elements into your environment and daily routine.

1. Grow plants.

Bring more plants into your home, as they can improve indoor air quality by absorbing toxins and increasing moisture levels — which helps nourish dry, sensitive skin.

2. Stock up on gentle skincare.

Use products specially created for sensitive skin. For example, Aveeno offers gentle cleansing and moisturizing products made from naturally derived ingredients — like oat — formulated to nourish, calm and restore skin so it looks and feels healthier. Oats have been used in skincare since ancient times for their ability to soothe and nourish skin, because they help:

  • Replenish and hydrate the moisture barrier
  • Restore skin’s pH
  • Soothe sensitive, dry skin

Both of the company’s new collections are formulated without fragrance, parabens and phthalates.

For the body: The Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy line is a dermatologist-tested body care regimen clinically proven to be well-tolerated and effective on distressed, sensitive skin. Their Restorative Skin Therapy Oat Repairing Cream is formulated with a rich complex of aloe, pro-vitamin B5 and the brand’s highest concentration of prebiotic oat, and is clinically proven to intensely moisturize over time to improve skin’s resilience.

For the face: The Aveeno Calm + Restore facial care collection is formulated with soothing oat and calming feverfew to calm irritated, dry skin. The line includes a Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer for daily use. It hydrates to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier over time.

3. Get choosy about fabrics.

Select clothing and linens — including face masks — made from gentle, natural materials (like cotton or bamboo).

4. Amp up your lighting.

Increase natural lighting to boost vitamin D intake.

For National Healthy Skin Month this year, find new ways to improve your skin’s health and appearance. Visit Aveeno.com to find the right products for the health of your skin.