Hair Coloring Tips: Choose a Good Color to Skin Tone Fit

My hair started graying when I was in my late twenties. It got progressively worse, fast, after several traumatic pregnancies. I would have been completely roots-to-tip gray had it not been for M. Revlon! I have never spent much on beauty products. And I will not pay professional salon service prices. It's DIY for me or nothing. I've tried many different hair color products and found this Revlon works best for my hair. Happily, their Colorsilk is also one of the cheapest on the market--about $3 a box. Here are other +Beauty-products I like that are cheap. Hair Coloring Tips: Choose a Good Color to Skin Tone Fit

How I Lost 82 Pounds Without Surgery, Drugs

I was a chubby child, then slimmed down around 12. I never had a weight problem till age 40, even through four kids. Then I lost a stillborn infant and hit a nasty depression jag. I started taking the antidepressant Paxil (paroxetine). I couldn't shed post-pregnancy weight as I normally would, breast-feeding. I lost another pregnancy, spiraled further into depression and gained more. In all, I put on 100 pounds. I quit Paxil in 2010 and started dieting (not too successfully). I got serious about weight loss in fall 2012. I've lost about 82 (more since writing this) pounds, dropped 7-8 sizes without surgery or drugs.Left is August 2013 right is June 2011 (I'm the one on the right). Here's how.   How I Lost 75 Pounds Without Surgery, Drugs

I Am Going to Try Facial Waxing

I'm going to try waxing. And no not a Brazilian bikini wax--let's just get that awkward question off the table right away. It's going to be difficult enough where I am doing it. I will not rip wax off really sensitive areas. Sooo, where? Well, on my face. Yes, I'm one of the unfortunate women who grow facial hair. Better than my sons in fact, which is embarrassing for all of us. Here's how pot wax works. I Am Going to Try Facial Waxing

Lost Weight? Purge Closet, Donate Fat Clothes

I've lost 80 pounds. I'm not trying to reiterate ad nauseum. But I just want you to know that when I share a diet tip, it's a what-worked-for-me. So today's weight loss tip: purge the fat clothes. Get them out of your closet. I just did that for the second time. I'd done it a few months ago but missed weeding out the summer garments. Purging fat clothes is therapeutic on many levels: it's a great self-esteem booster. It's helps you see how much progress you've made. For more on how to makeover that wardrobe, read onDiet Tip of the Day: Purge, Donate Fat Clothes

Plus-Size? The Old Masters Called It Sexy

I've lost nearly 80 pounds. Yeah right, yea me, woo-hoo. In our era, that's a good thing. But if I lived in Ancient Rome or Greece, I'd be outcast as a model. They'd be like, "meh, too skeeny." And if I, who still need to shed 30-40 pounds wouldn't pass muster, thinner ones would be on the unemployment line for sure. "Too leetle"--the painter would say "eez tweeg. She no beeg enough to hold vase. She gonna snap, like so."

And the German's were even more fussy about having their girls plush and padded. Look at Rubens' Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus! Those aren't dainty little maids. They look like they could curb stomp their attackers if they wanted. If they wanted. The artists of old would have preferred me in my former avoir du pois splendor. Let's consider the concept of "fat" in classical sculptures and neo-classical paintings. Plus-Size? The Greco-Roman Word For it Was Sexy

Budget Fashionista's Cheap, Under-$170 Clothing Wardrobe Makeover

I've taken off 73 pounds, dropped three blouse sizes and four pants sizes. I purged my wardrobe, but since I still plan to lose, I'm keeping my clothing makeover cheap. I'm buying clothes I can still wear at goal weight. Here's my under-$170 fashion upgrade.  Budget Fashionista's Cheap, Under-$170 Clothing Wardrobe Makeover 

Plus-Size Fashion: From Faux-Pas to Fabulous

I've been wearing plus-size clothes since 2004. I lost two stillborn babies and couldn't shed weight. I was depressed and didn't care what I wore. Money was tight and fashion was an easy place to skimp. Consequently, my wardrobe resembled post-garage sale dumpster. I've since lost weight and am back in regular sizes. My mood is improving too. Combating depression, I discovered, meant taking pride in my attire, whatever the size. Here's how to take fat-clothes fashion from faux-pas to fabulous. Plus-Size Fashion: From Faux-Pas to Fabulous

Stop Overdoing It: Work Smart, Relax, Feel Better

I'm a recovering workaholic. Since childhood, I've been an obsessive-compulsive, Type A over-achiever. This hurts me, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically. So I'm practicing ways to work smarter, not harder. Though I'm not a Zen Buddhist, I find great comfort in the wisdom of the east. I call my philosophy Catholic Transcendentalism. Slowing, centering, focusing, I accomplish more than I do rushing about frantically. Most importantly, I feel better. HereStop Overdoing It: Work Smart, Relax, Feel Better
's how.

Diet Foods I'll Never Eat After Weight Loss

I'm on a mission to lose 100 pounds gained from antidepressants and postpartum depression. So far, I've shaved off nearly 70 pounds (feel free to cheer!) To lose weight, I've obviously had to greatly amend my food intake. Some diet switches were easy and painless. I'll keep eating even after I lose all the weight. Others I won't touch ever again! Here's my list of worst diet foods and some better alternatives. This is important for losing weight. If you don't like the food, can't stomach it, you'll be much less likely to stick with it. Dieting? Skip These Foods Read more.

Where to Find Free Prom Dresses

Spring means prom season for most high school students. Girls eagerly look forward to choosing their dress and accessories. But what happens if you can't afford a prom dress? Prom dresses are expensive. Donate My Dress my dress is here to help. Donate My Dress, partners with several stores and organizations that collect donated prom dresses and give them a second life. Organizations like The Princess Project, The Magic Wand Project, Becca's Closest, The Priceless Gown Project and local area missions and stores provide free prom dresses for high school girls in need. Donate My Dress operates a database of stores and venues where girls can donate dresses or select a free one. And PLEASE consider sharing if you have prom dresses, first communion or quinceanera, wedding dress, bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses. I gave away several and loved playing fairy godmother! This article is written about free prom dress outlets in Michigan, but the organizations listed operate nationwide (some in Canada and Mexico, too).  Where to Find Free Prom Dresses