“Going Under the Knife” Without Going Under the Knife

We all know that we cannot stop the aging process. So, the question then becomes, what can be done to help slow down the aging process?

How does one get a facelift without actually going under the knife?
 

Non-surgical facelifts have become increasingly more popular now as patients are willing to forgo long-term results for an easier recovery process, avoiding the risks that are associated with a surgery plus saving thousands of dollars in the process. With science constantly advancing, below are 7 anti-aging, non-surgical facelifts that tighten your face without you having to go under the knife.

Botox – The number 1 procedure on this list and most popular in general is Botox. Botox is cosmetically used to remove wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing muscles. Botox is made from a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Now in layman’s terms, Botox is an injection used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by paralyzing the underlying muscles.

Fillers – Dermal fillers like Botox, help to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, fillers are also used to restore volume and fullness in the face including the lip.

Laser Skin Resurfacing – Laser skin resurfacing removes skin layer by layer with laser precision. Laser skin resurfacing can help reduce wrinkles, age spots, acne scars, and other blemishes. The new skin cells that form during healing give the skin a tighter, younger-looking balanced surface. Laser skin resurfacing procedure can be done alone or with other cosmetic surgeries. Unlike LED below, Laser Skin Resurfacing may be a bit more painful.

LED – Light-emitting diode (LED) therapy are painless, non-invasive procedures that use a variety of different colored lights (blue light kills acne-causing bacteria while red light is used to stimulate collagen production, at the same time, shrinking enlarged pores and tightening the skin). The LED procedure has no downtime, which is the draw; however, they require multiple treatments before you see any results.

Thermage – Thermage is a skin tightening treatment that uses radiofrequency to smooth fines lines, wrinkles and to tighten plus lift the skin of the face and body. Thermage treatments can be divided into 2 categories: skin tightening for the face, neck, or eyelids and body contouring on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and arms.

Threadlift – The thread lift is not a very invasive procedure for the face, neck, or jaw in which threads. The small cones are passed under the skin via a large needle, then the cones grab hold of the skin from the under the surface and pull to re-suspend the skin in a lifted, more youthful position. Threadlift does call for local anesthesia and a downtime of 2-3 days. Previously the procedure had side effects that caused a lot of backlash. However, with recent technological advances, this can be the next Botox.

Ultherapy – Ultherapy is an FDA-cleared procedure that uses ultrasound technology to lift skin on the neck, under the chin, on the eyebrow plus improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the décolletage. Unlike a lot of the other procedures, Ultherapy is known to cause a lot of discomfort.

You can look into additional non-surgical beauty procedures by consulting with Innovations Health & Wellness New Jersey. You can try body procedures options other than liposuction and tummy tucks.

Moms, Ensure Your Children Get Less Plastic Toys And More Meaningful Gifts

It is truly beautiful when the kids get lots of gifts for birthdays, Christmas and other celebrations, but sometimes I bet you wish there were less plastic toys that they get bored with within in a week and more meaningful items? Well, I'm here to tell you that there are some methods you can use to help swing the balance of gifts in favor of this, read in to find out what they are.



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Lot of gifts is great, but how many will stand the test of time?

Set boundaries
First of all, it can be super tough for a child to go from piles and piles of gifts to be unwrapped to a few smaller, more significant ones. That is why it's an excellent idea to set gift giving boundaries from the start.

Of course, the boundaries you set are up to you, but it may be that grandparents and other relative are only allowed to gift a single item at a time, or are asked to chip in together for one significant thing.

Alternatively, you can use the rhyme, "Something they want, something they need something to wear, and something to read," to cut down on the number of gifts expected at a celebration, but still ensure that what they receive will please them and be useful.

Make it easy
Of course, sometimes, instead of individual gift items would be much more practical to ask for a contribution to a more long-term goal such as college tuition, a new laptop for school, or even piano lessons. However, the awkwardness of asking for money for these things can often put a lot of parent off doing this.

Luckily, there is a way around this now and its by using an app like Goalsetter which allow you to set a savings goal and then ask others to contribute. It's sort of like what you would do with crowdfunding, but where you get to select the people, you request it from.

Folks that want to contribute don't even have to sign up, as they can purchase a gift card, making it super easier for even the most tech-phobic of grandparents and relatives. Something that should result in less plastic toys on special occasions and more funds to put towards something that could make a meaningful difference in your child's life.

Create your own traditions
Lastly, when it comes to gifting meaningful presents, it can help a great deal to establish traditions in the family. For example, on special birthdays you may wish to buy your child a piece of jewelry that they will get to keep with them and treasure forever.


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In fact, this idea of gifting keepsakes is something that can help you ensure that the gifts you buy for your kids are always significant. This is because the focus shift from the cost to the longevity of the item, and the fact that they will be able to look back on them and remember a positive time with the family.

Who knows, they may even turn into family heirlooms? Then your child will end up gifting them to their children and start a long-term gifting tradition that is more focused on meaning than throwaway items.

Grow Your Home To Suit Your Family

When you first bought your home, it probably seemed perfect- you had the right amount of space to suit your needs at the time. However, fast forward a few years when you have children and pets it can be a completely different story, and your once spacious feeling home is now cramped and chaotic where you’re running out of room. While moving is always an option, there could be plenty of reasons as to why you wouldn’t want to do this. Perhaps you’re close to good schools, nearby to friends and family or just don’t want the hassle associated with moving. You might just be sentimental about your home and not want to move! Either way, it’s good to know you have options to adapt your existing home so it suits your needs if you’d rather stay where you are.


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Extend
Extending could mean going outwards with a single or double story brick extension. This could add extra square footage to the downstairs living space and add another bedroom upstairs. You could add a conservatory or orangery which could function as an extra living room, kids room or dining room. You could extend up in to the loft or down into the basement- ideal for an extra bedroom, guest room, office or hobby space. There are lots of different directions you could go in so work out what would suit your family and budget.

A Garden Room
Unlike traditional extensions, garden rooms don’t usually require planning permission and can be erected much more quickly and cheaply. Unlike summer houses or outbuildings they’re completely insulated and are fitted with electricity so function as a normal room- just separate to the house. If you have a large garden this is especially useful as it allows you to make the most of the space and add more usable rooms to your home. Again, these work well as a guest room or even an office if you work from home. This can be useful for if you work from home as while you’re still technically at your property, it’s separate from the main house. This can help you to achieve a good work/ life balance.

A Bigger Kitchen
A practical kitchen is essential when you’re cooking for a family, and if yours is cramped and claustrophobic it can cause problems. If you’re unable to extend, consider removing the wall and opening it up that way. Take some space from the living or dining areas and make the kitchen larger. Features like an island and modern appliances like plumbed in fridges with water and ice dispensers can all make life easier. Find the best plumbers, electricians and workmen for the job and you’ll have it done as quickly as possible.

An Extra Bathroom
Are you constantly arguing over the bathroom in the morning? The addition of an extra one can make family life much easier. You could add an ensuite to one of the larger bedrooms in your home, or look to adding a wc downstairs. Places like under the stairs often work well for this and allow you to utilise all of the space in your home.

The Bridesmaid's Checklist Series Spotlight & Book Tour Giveaway

This morning, I am featuring a contemporary romance series in our book spotlight!  Check out the books of The Bridesmaid's Checklist series, learn about the author & enter for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

Laura's Wedding

The Bridesmaid’s Checklist Series Book 1

By K.T. Castle

​Genre: Contemporary Romance

Kassandra is a single, independent woman who prides herself on her own success. But when she’s asked by her best friend Laura to be the Maid of Honor in her wedding, Kassandra finds herself questioning her lifestyle. Helping Laura plan the wedding is no problem—she’s done it before for all their other friends. The first time was a blast, the second super fun, but doing it without receiving any help from the rest of the girls gets old really fast.

The whole event kicks off with the worst kind of surprise when Kassandra discovers who her friend's fiancé really is, and she's torn between supporting Laura's future happiness and hiding the deeply buried, intimate past she shares with the groom-to-be. Struggling to be the bigger person and do all the hard work on her own, Kassandra finds surprising comfort in Josh, the best man in the wedding and someone she's been avoiding for years. He's charming, thoughtful, handsome, and the worst kind of womanizer, but she just can't seem to stay away. All the while,Kassandra can't help wondering if the wedding could be any more cliché—until she finds unexpected ways to change things up a bit.

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Marisol's Wedding
The Bridesmaid’s Checklist Book 2

Kassandra’s last single friend got married in the summer. But even if Kassandra herself is the only unmarried girl in the pack, she isn’t single anymore. Now that all her friends are married and all the wedding planning is over, she has a chance to concentrate in her relationship with Josh. Or so she thought until Marisol visits her with a major, life-changing crisis. Helping her friends plan their wedding was no problem─dealing with an unexpected pregnancy is a whole other thing.
Kassandra is unable to decide the best way to help Marisol, especially when her relationship with Josh reaches a level of commitment she wasn’t expecting. Both girls will have to remember the past in order to move their relationships forward.
Destiny is full of surprises, and sometimes, the plans you have aren’t laid out on the path set before you.
Join Kassandra and Marisol as they remember how they planned Sol’s wedding while they solve together the difficulties in the present.

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Natalie's Wedding

The Bridesmaid's Checklist Book 3

Kassandra never thought she’d be in another committed relationship, but now she’s living with her boyfriend Josh. Things can’t get any better. But they can get worse.

Natalie has dropped a major bomb on her, confessing she believes her husband is having an affair. Kassandra is always ready to help a friend, but accepting that one of their marriages isn’t working goes against everything she believes about the people she loves. Wanting to help their friend overcome this difficult situation and provide Natalie the support she needs, Kassandra and the girls pull a lot of strings to help Natalie uncover the truth. In the process, Kassandra discovers remarkable similarities between Josh’s recent changes and those in Natalie’s allegedly cheating husband. She’s always been an independent woman who prides herself on her own success, and when she digs up one dirty secret after another, she can’t help but wonder if her man’s womanizing days are really behind him. 

Sometimes, love makes us twist reality to avoid hurting those we hold closest to our hearts. Join Kassandra and Natalie as they struggle to reconcile their fears in love with the truth.

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K.T. Castle loves reading, writing, and painting. She's on a quest to find the words, forms, and colors to materialize the worlds and people of her imagination. She loves reading Romance, especially Young Adult, New Adult, Contemporary, and Paranormal. She never saw herself as an incurable romantic, but lately, that's what she finds herself musing about. Love is found everywhere, regardless of whether it comes from a nice person or an ass—mundane or even vampire.

When she's not busy with work, in front of a computer placing many thoughts in order, she does her best to be creative or relax with a good TV series and snacks. Some of her favorite characters are Lucifer, Jace, Clary, Affton, Cable, Poppy, Zack, Maleficent, and Ariel.

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The Genes of Isis Book Spotlight & $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

This morning, I have an epic fantasy in my book spotlight! Check out The Genes of Isis, learn about the author & enter for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

The Genes of Isis

by Justin Newland

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Akasha is a precocious young girl with dreams of motherhood. She lives in a fantastical world where most of the oceans circulate in the aquamarine sky waters.

Before she was born, the Helios, a tribe of angels from the sun, came to Earth to deliver the Surge, the next step in the evolution of an embryonic human race. Instead they spawned a race of hybrids and infected humanity with a hybrid seed.

Horque manifests on Earth with another tribe of angels, the Solarii, to rescue the genetic mix-up and release the Surge.

Akasha embarks on a journey from maiden to mother and from apprentice to priestess then has a premonition that a great flood is imminent. All three races – humans, hybrids and Solarii – face extinction.

With their world in crisis, Akasha and Horque meet, and a sublime love flashes between them. Is this a cause of hope for humanity and the Solarii? Or will the hybrids destroy them both? Will anyone survive the killing waters of the coming apocalypse?

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JUSTIN NEWLAND writes historical, fantasy and speculative fiction with a supernatural bent.

His first novel, The Genes of Isis (Matador, 2018), is an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian skies.

His second novel, The Old Dragon's Head (Matador), is a historical fantasy set in Old China and is due out in November 2018.

His work in progress is a historical novel set in Prussia during the Enlightenment in the 1760’s.

His stories add a touch of the supernatural to history and deal with the existential themes of war, religion, evolution and the human’s place in the universe.

He lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.

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Hard Drive Contemporary Romance Book Spotlight & $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

This morning, I am featuring the first book from the Tech Titans romance series by Marcella Swann.  Check out Hard Drive, learn about the contemporary romance series and the author--and be sure to enter for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

Hard Drive

Tech Titans Series Book 1

by Marcella Swann

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Can I tame the Bad Boy Playboy of Silicon Valley?

Damian Black: He’s gorgeous and knows it.

A titan of the tech industry and not yet 30.

Models and starlets are his for the taking.

A billionaire.

And so very good at being bad.

I tell myself I don’t want him even though I do, in the worst way.

But I’ve got a secret that could ruin everything.

Gigi Stevens: She’s brainy and beautiful and has a tongue as sharp as an ice pick.

I’m the face of a multi-billion-dollar tech company and I’ve got a rep.

I’m used to shallow and superficial but that’s not her.

That’s not her at all.

And it throws me.

Is something real worth the risk?

There’s only one way to find out.

It’s a dangerous dance: Will she tame the Bad Boy or will she be the one who’s conquered?

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Marcella Swann is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of heart-thumping and heart-melting contemporary romance. She's plied her trade in the newspaper business, written and produced a way off Broadway play, and is the proud mama of a singer-songwriter. When she's not trying to save newspapers from eminent doom (by subscribing to them all), she loves to take her readers on dreamy journeys to that place where all the men are hotties and the women are beautiful and strong. She also swings a mean kettle bell at the gym and likes people watching at Grand Central on a busy day. 

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