Here are a couple of body scrubs you can make yourself (yay!). Treat yourself and your wallet to a spa-quality body scrub.

Peppermint scrub * Mix one cup coarse sea salt with 3/4 cup peppermint tea, forming a paste. Use in the shower to exfoliate and create glowing skin. Works best if you get in the shower and rub the paste all over before turning on the water.

Oatmeal scrub * Mix 1/4 cup oatmeal, 1/4 cup cornmeal, 1-1/2 Tablespoons wheat germ, 2 Tablespoons honey, and 1/2 teaspoon orange or almond extract in a bowl. Add just enough water to make a paste. Scrub your face and body with this mixture to wash off dead skin cells and make your skin feel very soft.

Your favorite gel is now a scrub * Mix equal parts coarse sea salt and your favorite bath/shower gel. Get in the shower and get wet, then turn off the shower and rub the mixture all over, giving rough areas extra attention. Turn the water back on and scrub it all off.

Body silkening cucumber scrub * Cucumbers provide gentle toning and stimulation to the second layer of skin. In a blender, mash three peeled cucumbers. While showering, apply the pulp to a loofa and scrub entire body. Rinse well.

Don’t forget to moisturize when you’re done!

Photo by Pam Roth

Are you sitting up straighter now?

Good.

You’re longer and leaner when you sit and stand tall, but even better, your body is in better alignment and it works better when you sit and stand tall. Better digestion, better breathing, better spinal support.

Looking good – feeling good. It’s all connected.

If you live where late February and early March are the gray months, when winter gets tiring and spirits start to sag, then use these ideas to create your own inner warmth and sunshine.

• Keep exercising. The endorphins created by exercise will keep your spirits lifted.
• While you’re at it, try to get some kind of outdoor exercise. Yes, you’ll have to dress for it, and it might not be enough, but try it. Fresh air is uplifting.
• When you’re inside, enjoy the benefits of winter – hot soup, a crackling fire, snuggling, flannel pj’s.
• Don’t hibernate. Invite friends over or go out and socialize. Winter is perfect for board games with friends.
• Dress for the weather. The people who create fashion spreads in magazines don’t know how to dress for “real” winter. Now that outerwear is on sale, pick up a new (really warm) coat in a bright color, and look for warm, waterproof boots with a nice tread. While you’re at it, bright warm scarves, hats, mittens, and gloves are fun, too.
• Get some vitamin D. If you’re not near the equator, it’s hard to get enough sun in the winter to make your own vitamin D, so be sure to supplement. And of course, get outside on sunny days.
• Eat for a good mood. Skip the sugary, fatty “comfort” foods (there’s no comfort in looking at the scale tomorrow!) and replace them with foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, vegetables, and B vitamins.
• Stay hydrated. Winter air is drying, so keep drinking that water. Your skin will love you for it.
• Moisturize. It’s a corollary to staying hydrated. Use a citrus-scented lotion for the aromatherapy benefit of a bright, awakening scent.

Even if the rest of the world can’t see it, you know when you’re wearing your sexiest lingerie. It gives you a special little secret to carry through the day, it makes you more aware of your body and how you’re moving, and you’ll feel sexier and more powerful.

Start your day off right – and fit everything in with a simple routine. If you’re confused about how to fit in dry skin brushing, this morning jumpstart will help you understand it.

The night before *

• Check your calendar for tomorrow.
• Select your clothes for tomorrow based on your calendar. Lay them out.
• Select your workout clothes for tomorrow. Put them in the bathroom.
• Wash and moisturize your face!
• Drink a glass of water.

In the morning *

• Drink a glass of water.
• Skin brush.
• Put on those very convenient workout clothes before you talk yourself out of exercise.
• Work out!
• Shower and dress for the day.

There’s no denying that part of the Miss America contest is looking good. Like, really good. One of the things Marilu will be judging is the appearance of the contestants.

What do you to look your best?

• Hair * When did you last update your style? Your color? Do you follow trends in hair styles, or do you let your hair decide what’s possible? Sometimes it’s fun to let your stylist run free with whatever s/he wants to do with your hair. (Remember – it grows back.)
• Skin care * Are you still following the routine you figured out in junior high school? Are you using products that are right for your skin type? Your skin changes as you age – finding new products can help you maintain a youthful look.
• Makeup * Is your makeup regime the same as it was in high school? Do you skip makeup altogether? Stop at a department store makeup counter and get a new face. You don’t have to buy all the products, and maybe you’ll learn something new about applying it.
• Body care * We’ll get to fitness on another day – this is about the basics of hair removal and exfoliating and moisturizing. If you’re tired of shaving, have you tried waxing or laser hair removal? Check at your salon for referrals and information (there’s no risk in getting information). Skin brushing is our favorite method of exfoliation – removing dead skin cells. And moisturizing is critical in dry winter air.

Try something new this month to look your very best.

New Year’s Eve weekend is coming.

Heat up as you chill out by taking a nice long baking soda bath. Play soft music, light candles, and really let yourself relax. Don’t skip the music and candles! Go for the full, deluxe treatment.

It’s a great way to unwind after all the shopping, cooking, and running around. Plus you need it to prepare for the partying you’re going to do this weekend!

Pedicures are a wonderful way to pamper yourself, but you don’t have to wait for one to take care of your feet.

Use a thick cream* on your feet before bed – really slather it on. Then put on a clean pair of cotton socks, and sleep with the socks on. Your feet will love you for it. (Besides, it’s cold, and you’ll sleep better with warm, socked feet!)

Use the same thick cream* on your feet before putting on your socks and shoes for exercise. If your feet are prone to blisters, try wearing two pairs of socks. Sweaty feet also benefit from special athletic socks that wick moisture from your feet.

*Some people like petroleum jelly for this, others prefer a cream made just for feet. Use your favorite product, just make sure it’s really thick, not just lotion.

If you find that you’re stuck in a beauty rut, try wearing a different lipstick, a new hairstyle, or a different perfume or cologne. You can always go back to your old ways, but for one day, rethink an old habit.

Is there a look or a product you’ve been dying to try? For the guys, maybe it’s growing (or shaving off) a mustache or beard. Or maybe parting your hair on the other side, or trying some product in your hair for a different look. Remember that hair grows, so if you get it cut a little shorter, or try a new color, it’s not permanent.

A different lip color is an easy switch. You probably have several colors in your bathroom that you don’t use, and you can try one today or tomorrow.

If you’re looking for a new scent, try something your husband or boyfriend already has. Who decided it was reserved for men?

Bags and dark circles under the eyes may come from one or more of several factors: weak kidneys, menstrual irregularities, smoking, too much sugar, lack of sleep, dehydration, or exhaustion (to name a few).

A temporary remedy can be obtained by gently pressing the curved side of a cold spoon against the area right under your eye. (Keep a few spoons in your freezer – pick them up at garage/rummage/tag sales or secondhand stores.) You can also try cucumber slices, or ice cubes made from chamomile tea (wrap the ice cube in a soft cloth first). Try all three remedies on different days to see which one works best for you.