My Rays of Sunshine

Give the Gift of Food

Thanksgiving is next week with Hanukkah, Christmas and the New Year right around the corner. In 2009, one in seven families had difficulty putting food on the table. Feeding America is aiming to provide a Thanksgiving Feast of nine million meals for Americans suffering from hunger. Or if you prefer to donate at your local food bank it is easy find a location near you. Often your local grocery stores and many houses of worship accept food or monetary donations as they provide many meals to the hungry during the holiday season and throughout the year. My Rays of Sunshine wishes you and yours a wonderful, thankful Thanksgiving.

I live in Florida where the weather is unbelievably humid during the summer months but as soon as the colder weather appears, there is a noticeable dry change in the air. Have you noticed your hair tends to be drier during the winter? Why? Cooler temperatures leave hair feeling and looking dry because of the lack of moisture in the air. Your scalp is also left with fewer natural oils, making your hair thirsty and prone to breakage. We’ve had two weeks of unseasonably cold, dry weather. I scheduled family pictures on a frigid day but the cold weather wasn’t the frightening factor facing the pictures, my unruly, dry hair was. I knew I had to defy my dry winter hair. I grabbed my bottle of Kalea Rose Argania Tree Hair Oil and prayed for a miracle. I squeezed three drops of the oil into my hands and gently...

I have been a proud supporter for many years of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. While working as an on-air personality for various radio stations, we would host share-a-thons for this wonderful organization. Now I am no longer on-air, but I still give to this amazing hospital every year. A quick background on St. Jude’s ■ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital opened in 1962 and was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas. His mission was to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. ■ St. Jude covers the cost of food, travel and lodging for patients and a family member. ■ St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. ■ In 1962, the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer, was 4 percent....

Johnny. That’s what we called him; that’s how he referred to himself. Johnny was my maternal grandfather. Johnny loved me and I loved him. I guess I have to write in past tense because he’s no longer here with us, but I still love him. Dearly. I’m the only one of his four granddaughters who really knew him. My baby sister is almost six years younger than me, so she only knows of the sadder times with Johnny. My older cousins never knew Johnny. They knew him as grandpa, but they didn’t have the relationship we did. Johnny was a man’s man. He fought in World World II and because of his service in the U.S, Army, he saw the world. His favorite place he visited while on duty was Sydney, Australia. He told me I should go visit and someday I plan to. Being a manly man, Johnny...

Have your voice be heard and vote. These beautiful Iraqi women did not always have the right to vote but when the opportunity finally arrived, they made sure their voices were heard. Like my friend Ben, who is living and working in China said, “Vote. 1.3 billion Chinese wish they could.” Show the world your purple finger and let everyone know you took your American responsibility to vote seriously.

Meet Sophie. Sophie is a 3-year-old Yorkie who has Daddy issues. Sophie follows Daddy everywhere he goes. Unfortunately for Sophie, her love for Daddy is not always reciprocated. Sophie is too feminine of a dog for daddy. Daddy wanted a French Bulldog (I’m planning on getting him one eventually) but when his son was 18-months-old, he picked out picked out Sophie. Little man and Sophie have been best friends ever since. Now, Sophie and little princess are best buddies. Sophie can usually be found in the baby stroller with little princess pushing her. Funny thing is Daddy loves Sophie, but he won’t let you know it. When he gets home at midnight from work, Sophie is patiently waiting for him. As soon as she hears the doorknob turn, she’s at the front door wagging her stubby little tail for him. They hang out and have a midnight snack...

Dreaming of a beautiful Italian vacation? Do not pack your miniskirt or low rise jeans if you are planning on visiting Castellammare di Stabia. The mayor of this resort town south of Naples, Italy, has ordered his police to fine women who wear ‘very short’ miniskirts. Mayor Luigi Bobbio got his way when the council approved a ban on "very skimpy clothes." Tourists and locals dressed in low-cut tops, low rise jeans and miniskirts could be found in violation of these new rules and be punished with a fine of up to €500 ($700). Bobbio said the regulations would help “restore urban decorum and facilitate better civil co-existence” and wants to ensure that people wear “nothing too revealing” on the city’s streets. Some also see it as a means of combating sexual harassment. Also proposed is a ban on sunbathing, playing football in public places — Bobbio says these...

I’m in love with Kalea Rose’s Revive Hair Complex. It is a wonderful detangling and conditioning spray. I have long, dyed red hair. I try not to dry, curl, or use a straight iron on my hair to keep it long and healthy. Because it is long, I have to use a hair detangler on it after every shower to remove knots creating during lathering and rinsing. For years I have used Suave For Kids Detangler and Johnson’s Kids No More Tangles Spray Detangler on my hair. When I was asked to review Kalea Rose’s Revive Hair Complex, I was thrilled. A grown-up detangler for my hair with an added sun filter. How could I refuse? Kalea Rose’s Revive Hair Complex is a leave-in penetrating conditioner with amino acids. It helps prevent split ends by strengthening your hair’s elasticity. And it protects your hair from the sun with sunscreen....

Stop Doing the Hover And Help Fight Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You’ve seen the pink ribbons everywhere, but now you can fight breast cancer and practice good hygiene too! It’s nice and convenient when you use a public restroom and the owner of the restroom provides you with toilet seat covers. But what happens when you can’t find any toilet seat covers or the dispenser is empty? Do you strategically place sheets of toilet tissue on the toilet or do you practice your hovering skills and give your thighs a good workout? Meet Toletta premium toilet seat covers. These purse sized pouches contain 5 toilet seat covers. The covers are premium 3ply and cover the entire toilet seat. Just think, next time you’re on a road trip and you have to use a gas station restroom, you can be a little more comfortable knowing Toletta is between you and whatever may be growing on...

Victoria’s Secret is spicing-up Halloween (as if needs it) with it’s Sexy Little Fantasies costume collection. Here’s our five favorite fantasy looks: The good news, these costumes are reusable (wink). Just a hint to help you live a green lifestyle. After living in Vegas and doing Halloween Vegas-Style, these costumes are tame and cover a lot compared to the Vegas days. So what’s your favorite Sexy Little Fantasy for the this week’s Who’s Wearing What Wednesday?

I don’t know about you, but I would LOVE to spend a day of beauty on a luxury cruise ship. On October 24, 2010, drop the kids of at the in-laws and join your host, The Real Housewives of Orange County’s Jeana Keough for a day of beauty. Jeana will be joined by Dr. Sanjay Grover, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, as well as an amazing array of beauty and lifestyle brands. Ever thought about a little nip or tuck? Now you can discover if it is right for you and get pampered at the same time. Enjoy relaxing aboard The Majestic and be rejuvenated with delectable treats, aesthetic services, soothing massages, spray tans and many more beauty treats! Register for a Jeana Keogh’s Day of Beauty 2 click here! Visit Beaute Report for more information regarding A Day of Beauty 2 and all things beaute. Meet The Sponsors...

“Hey, that’s a nice baseball bat you have there” the guy who I thought worked at the store told me. “Yeah, it’s for my son. He’s playing t-ball and needs to practice” I said, thinking I was just participating in friendly store-customer banter. I picked-up a few more items and everywhere I went he was there. But now, he had a friend with hm. Ok, I’m not going to steal. I’m on my way to the gym. I have no pockets or a purse on me. There’s nowhere to stash anything. I thought as I made my way to check-out. Leaning next to the candy display at check-out he said, “your son’s going to like that” while his buddy stood next to him smiling at me. Yes he will, and I know how to use it too! I finally made my way to the front of the line. I asked...

Summer is over and the weather is cooling down. You’re storing your tank tops and replacing them with sweaters. While you’re excited for the leaves to change colors and daydreaming about snow angels, cooler weather usually leads to dry skin. One of my biggest complaints about body lotion is how sticky it is right after you apply it. You’ve just had a nice, relaxing shower and now you have to wait 15 minutes to get dressed because you’re body lotion is drying and you’re a sticky mess. Future Face’s Hydrating Body Milk eliminates the wait time. Hydrating Body Milk immediately absorbs into your skin as soon as you apply it. Because it’s creamy, not thick and gooey, Hydrating Body Milk leaves your skin soft, silky and smooth for the rest of the day. I’ve been using Future Face’s Milk Cleanser and Hydrating Body Milk for two weeks now. Future Face’s...

Aquafresh Iso-Active Whitening – Foam Party for Your Mouth

All my life I’ve been a Crest girl. Growing-up, my parents always purchased Crest for the family and I never thought of switching brands. I’ve been searching for a toothpaste that will leave my teeth feeling clean all day. I love the feeling of running my tongue along my teeth and feeling how slick my teeth feel. One night I saw a commercial advertising Aquafresh Flouride Toothgel – Deep Impact. I was intrigued by the foaming action of the toothpaste, so I purchased it on my next trip to Target. I was amazed when I used it. I could not believe all the foam the pea-sized amount of gel made. When I did the tongue test, my teeth were very slick. I was happy. The next day, I still had clean, slick feeling teeth. Overall, I am very pleased with Aquafresh Deep Impact. My main complaint is the gel...

It was a hectic summer for me. My sister and sister-in-law were both married, my husband started a new career which led to us relocating and my little man started school. There was no me time. It had been three months since I visited a salon. When I realized I couldn’t get my comb through my hair and it consisted of three various shades of red, I scheduled a salon appointment. For me it’s always nerve-racking going to a new stylist. You never know if they know what they’re doing or if you’ll leave with a terrible style. My husband kept insisting to me that bangs are back in style. Nice subtle hint dude. Great, additional added stress. All I could think of as I stepped into the salon was “I hope this girl know how to color, cut in a straight line and not give me mushroom...

We’re diehard Target fans. What can’t you get at your local Target store? And Super Target? It has really great organic meats, natural cereals and all the various Target brands of food are really tasty. Have you tired the Archer Farms Wild Mushroom Risotto? Delicious. Times are tough for just about everyone. Your old handbag may be hanging on by a thread, but you don’t want to spend a fortune on an expensive tote when there are other necessities you have to purchase. We found this cute, everyday tote at Target.com. The Danica Bonsai Elisa Tote is priced for the budget friendly girl at $39.99. At $39.99 and the cute bonsai print on the tote, we knew it had to be This Week’s Handbag. The tote is available for bullseye free shipping with qualifying purchase. See target.com for details. Great finds at great prices, that’s one reason we love...

Wow! What a heavy, bright jar I thought as I opened my package from Future Face. The black and green jars are very eye-catching and the smell is enticing once opened. The scent reminded me of an Aveda or Origins store; very botanical and clean smelling. I began using my Milk Cleanser that night. I was impressed. My eyeliner, mascara, foundation and blush magically disappeared. I didn’t have to scrub or reapply the cleanser to remove any residue or leftover make-up. We all know the difficulty in removing mascara and eyeliner. It either doesn’t come off and the next day you awake with raccoon eyes, which is super sexy, or you have to rub your eyelids off, loose a few eyelashes and you end-up with soap your eyes. Can you feel the burn? Once I was finished cleansing my face and patted it dry, I decided to look in the...