We are being reintroduced to the tooth fairy at our home. My six year old has proudly enjoyed her first loose tooth and very recently lost it!  What perfect timing for us to be introduced to TheRealToothFairies.com!

I recently interviewed Marilyn Bollinger, the founder of The Real Tooth Fairies. She started this business when her own daughters started losing teeth and asking about the Tooth Fairy. The site offers fun games and interactions for girls. They get to meet their “real tooth fairy” and can even write letters to the fairy. When your daughter writes a letter, you will receive an email notification and you then go on the site yourself to create the letter (consists of filling in relevant information in a pre-written letter so you don’t have to be really creative- they do it for you!). The idea is super cute if you can keep up with replying to your chatty daughter’s pen pal needs!  Your daughter’s Real Tooth Fairy can even leave her a letter when she loses her first tooth.

There are many ways to use the site. I suggest you explore and purchase the “kindness kits” that include ribbons and charms, books, party supplies, t-shirts and so much more for your “earthie girls”. The site is safe to use, keep girls where they need to be and allowing parents in the Parent Only Zone with an account. Upgrade your membership to allow your girls more activities to play. The site is dripping with sweetness and full of encouragement to be kind and be yourself!

Montana approves of The Real Tooth Fairies:

For more information and a tour of Fairyland, visit TheRealToothFairies.com

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I recently finished “Brazilian Sexy- Secrets to Living a Gorgeous and Confident Life” by Janae Padilha of the J Sisters. If you don’t know who Janae is, she is the sexy mama who invented the Brazilian wax for yes, down-there hair. In her book she shares the inspiration for inventing the beauty treatment (it’s not pretty) and how women would open up to her about their problems while being in the vulnerable position receiving the treatment. Janae uses those experiences and stories in her book to help us with similar problems we may face.

Janae covers everything from beauty to sex to healing emotionally from hurt. Her optimism is contagious. Her tid bits are helpful and in some cases, unconventional.

My favorite part of the book was when she shares first of her mother’s amazing ability to welcome change with a smile and excitement, even if the change was a difficult one. Janae grew up with 13 siblings and she learned a great sense of self from her mother and the way she lived her life.  No wonder she is a “can-do” person!

I also loved Janae’s recommendation for healing from emotional pain. In the chapter, “Cry Yourself an Amazon River”, Janae shares this:

“When I hear women telling their kids, “Oh, stop crying, stop acting like a baby, stop showing your emotions,” I get very upset. Because I know it is very bad advice. Our emotions are not something we should be ashamed of. No, I feel that we have to claim our sadness and turn it around. Crying does that. It lets you control something that feels very uncontrollable. And that controls adds up to something that moves you forward.”  I love this perspective on crying and am embracing it each time one of my kids comes to me crying, even when I think the tears are unwarranted.

Janae once coached a client, who had lost her husband, to make herself cry for one hour every day. Just cry. After an hour, get up. She suggested her client do this every day for a month. By the end of the month, the woman was cried out and back to living her life again. I think this is wonderful advice. Allowing yourself the time to cry and get the emotion out is more healing than trying to hold back the tears all day long. Give yourself permission to cry when you are sad.

Beyond these two sections of the book, I thought the information was just luke warm.  I was hoping for more. Janae is a confident and likable woman and has been helpful to many women in her years of service. She brought to us a cutting edge beauty treatment that has been embraced by many women, there is no questioning that. However, I thought the book was only fair. It is a quick read but it didn’t leave me wanting more.

$13.57 new
Amazon.com

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DYT suggests 4 Types of profiles in the Beauty Profiling system developed by Carol:

• Type 1- The bright, animated woman who says, “I have an idea…”
• Type 2- The subtle, soft woman who says, ” What do we need to know and do to make the idea possible?”
• Type 3- The rich, dynamic woman who says, “Let’s get to work and get it done!”
• Type 4- The bold, striking woman who says, “Here is how we can make it better, and here is how we can duplicate it.”

If you do not instantly recognize yourself in one specific type, do not worry.  Every woman actually has all four types within her personality but there will be a dominate type.  Carol shares many clues for figuring out which type you are in the book.  Even more information is shared in the online course, including an analysis of your facial features.  Carol told me in an interview that the team of experts can nearly always tell which type a woman is by studying her facial structure.  She offered to have me send her a picture of myself so she could help me with my type since I’m simply not clear.  I’m waiting to hear if it’s the type I suspect!

When determining your type, be prepared for some emotion to arise.  Carol told me when they used to do live events that women would cry in denial over what type they were placed in.  This may stem from suppressed feelings/personality from childhood or due to trama in life that changes a person.  Carol wants you to try and remember how you were when you were 2,3 or 4.  Don’t remember?  Ask you parents or older siblings!

I told Carol, when I spoke with her, that I “cheated” and went to her website where she has accessories, makeup and skin care broken down into profile Type.  I simply found the style of jewelry that I liked best and proclaimed that type to be mine!  Carol cautioned me not to do that as my perception of what I like may be influenced by the culture, trends and comments I’ve received in the past. Her whole program is based on dressing in such a way that compliments the TRUE type that you are.  It may be a struggle in the beginning to switch to a new style but her challenge is to try it for 30 days.  She’s sure that once the true personality of a woman is granted permission (from self) to be seen, the woman will embrace her new look and feel more confident than ever.

By reading the book I could see that the Dressing Your Truth course is helpful to women in more ways than just how she looks.  There is a new found confidence that carries into every area of life.  Carol even mentioned that many women will lose weight once they start dressing their truth!

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in the online Dress Your Truth course online.  The book is the jumping point to the program but the online course is where it’s at!  Filled with videos to guide you to dressing your Type, wearing your hair to compliment your Type and doing makeup.  They offer monthly video meet-ups and plenty of support to helping women and men discover their true look.  I’ll be reporting on my progress as I participate.

Enter to Win:

Carol wants to help women grow in confidence and become the women God designed them to be.  She is offering five (5) readers the opportunity to win her book, “Dressing Your Truth, Discover Your Personal Beauty Profile”.  To enter for your chance to win, enter in the comments which TYPE you initially think of yourself to be based on the short descriptions above.  Five winners will be selected at random.

Deadline to Enter:
July 3, 2010 @ 11:59 PM PT
US Shipping addresses only, please

I have a lot more to say about Dressing Your Truth but in the meantime, visit DressingYourTruth.com for a video introduction and more information about the program.  Then, go to Carol’s blog for a ton of helpful tips!

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“Rarely do I meet a woman who is actually excited to get into her summer bikini. In fact, according to Michele Promaulayko, Editor in Chief of Women’s Health, only one in five women is happy with how she looks. I fall into that camp! After trying gazillions of different fitness and diet plans, here’s why I like Promaulayko’s “6 Week Plan To Your Leanest, Hottest Body–Ever!” that she dishes out in her new book Look Better Naked.

1. The workouts are quick. I don’t love working out, but some of the routines are only 20 minutes long, which anyone should be able to handle–no excuses! The exercises tone up all over as well as target specific body parts women find most problematic.

2. The plan includes a nude attitude adjustment. Promaulayko points that improving your body confidence is just as important as getting in shape. If you can’t flaunt it, why fight for it, right?

3. The diet is delicious and doable. The book is packed with easy-to-follow eating guidelines and yummy recipes. To give you a taste of how easy her advice is, here are a few of the tips I really like:
• Eat Dessert. Yes, you heard right! A small amount tells your body the meal is over and it’s time to stop eating.
• Always Snack at 3 p.m. A low-calorie snack can prevent you from binging on high-cal foods later on.
• Buy organic bread because it’ll most likely have fiber counts that put the conventional choices to shame.
• My favorite: The Signature Look Better Naked Cocktail! Recipe: Shake 2 oz. vodka, 1 oz St. Germain (an elderflower liqueur), and 1/2 oz fresh lime juice with ice. Strain and garnish with fresh mint. YUM!”

While 6 weeks is half way through the summer season, it’s better than nothing! If you are in need of jump starting a fitness and health plan so you can look better naked (or just in your swim suit), give this book a try! Daily Makeover is giving a free copy away. Enter by June 3.

Read More Trends & News on Daily Makeover:

Celeb Summer Hair: How To Maintain Your Style In The Heat
Do Guys Like Short Hair?

*images from DailyMakeover/this blog is affiliated with Daily Makeover

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Your Name: Lila Dare

How many children do you have? Two daughters—ages 10 and 12

Your Business Name : www.liladare.com

Brief Description of Your Business: Murder, mayhem, hairstyling and humor—I write the Southern Beauty Shop mystery novels featuring five women, ages 17-60, who work at Violetta’s Salon in the fictional town of St. Elizabeth, Georgia. The first book in the series, TRESSED TO KILL (Berkley Prime Crime), is available now from Barnes and Noble, Borders, Amazon and other bookstores.

What was your inspiration for writing this book? I have always loved writing. After twenty years as an Air Force intelligence officer, it was time to reinvent myself. I had a moment of epiphany in the Elliott Bay Bookstore in Seattle and embarked on my writing career shortly thereafter. It’s marvy to have a husband who was willing for me to give up a six-figure income to pursue the penury of writing.

When do you make time to run a business with your busy MOM schedule? Luckily, my girls are in school, so I write while they’re getting educated. I have to travel for book signings and conventions and such, but they’re old enough now to take care of their dad/my husband when I’m not around.

What is your favorite beauty tip? Exercise regularly! Fab for skin, figure, health, and attitude. Even a 20-minute walk is great.

Tell us about the outfit that makes you feel confident and beautiful. I love vintage jewelry, especially “statement” necklaces or earrings, so I like scoop-necked tops in velvet or silk that set off the jewelry. A pair of sleek black slacks with high heels in a color that coordinates with the top or jewelry always makes me feel like I can take on the world.

What’s your favorite online site to shop for beauty or fashion? I’m a tryer-onner, so I don’t shop for fashion or beauty stuff on-line. (I like to experiment with all the make-up products in the store, feel the texture of moisturizers, etc.) I’m a huge fan of Nordstrom Rack for fashion bargains. (Okay, I do buy some casual wear—tops and outdoor gear—at www.Land’s End.com.)

What motivates you to look your best? Getting out of my routine of writing/taking the girls to school/ferrying the girls to activities/doing housework. I like to look good when my hubster and I go to a movie or out to dinner (it’s sooo wonderful that my oldest is 12 now and we don’t need a babysitter!), or for church, or lunch with a friend. Obviously, I adore coordinating my outfits and accessories for conventions and book signings.

As a mom, “Me Time” is limited… what are your time saving beauty tips? Use a tinted moisturizer with a high SPF; that way, you can apply three products—moisturizer, foundation, sunblock—in one quick step.

Name one beauty product you can’t live without: Now that I’m past forty, I have to say moisturizer/sunscreen. Sigh. Mascara used to be the one beauty product I wouldn’t leave the house without applying, but the dry Colorado climate and my less elastic skin now demand moisturizer.

Heels or flats? Describe your favorite pair. Absolutely heels. My husband thinks I’ve been brain-washed by the prevailing culture and can’t understand why I’d voluntarily cram my feet into black satin peep-toe platform pumps with four-inch heels and flirty rosettes, but he’s a guy. Need I say more? My newest pair are red patent leather with a Mary Jane strap and three-inch heels. Compliments galore when I wore them for the first time last week!

Lip gloss or Lip Stick? Do you have a favorite brand/color? Lipstick. Gloss always feels too tacky to me. And I love color! Right now my favorite is Bare Escentuals in Gelato.

Are you on Twitter, Facebook or MySpace? If so, please include your links so we can follow you! I’m on Facebook under Lila Dare . . . I’ll “friend” anyone, so look me up.

Any additional comments on beauty and style you’d like to share: I always have my toenails painted. I don’t do manicures too often because with tapping on a keyboard all day, my fingernails get chipped too quickly, but I love a pop of color on my toes, especially with summer approaching. I try aqua and chartreuse and deep eggplant . . . all the colors I’d be to conservative to wear on my fingernails.

Editor’s Note: Lila’s book is due out TODAY! Tressed to Kill is a fun read and it offers organic skin care recipes to boot! You’ll enjoy the story for all it’s charm, style and mystery- a great read for the poolside this summer! Get it on Amazon.com.

Thanks for sharing your beauty and fashion tips, Lila!  I’d love to see your new red high heels!  Congrats on your brand new book!  What an accomplishment!

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