blog
02/01/2012
I love a big, beautiful smile, and a contagious laugh! So did you know that keeping a happy and healthy body starts with good oral hygiene?
In fact, I just read that Yale University School of Medicine researchers have discovered that patients with pneumonia had a significant change in oral bacteria before developing pneumonia. They actually found a link between good oral hygiene and the flu, particularly pneumonia. Good food for thought to keep those pearly whites gorgeous as we are in flu season.
So, don’t forget to keep your smile in good shape by limiting your intake of sugary foods and drinks, brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day, flossing daily, and seeing your dentist regularly.
Not only does a great smile boost your attractiveness, reduce stress, and make others around you feel happy, but it also adds health! Dr. Mayo of the Mayo Clinic once said, “If a person can take care of their teeth and gums, they can extend their life by at least 10 years.”
Cheers to health, happiness, and a big smile!
xoxoxo
Gretchen Christine
01/18/2012
Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of questions on Twitter about how to diminish under eye bags and dark circles. Honestly, I have never really had them, and I would say my number one recommendation would be to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. I always try to get that when I can, because that is when I look and feel my best!
But since I definitely don’t want to get under eye bags, either, I did some research and here’s what I found out.
Dark under eye circles are generally caused by lack of sleep (I was right!). While puffy eyes are not usually caused by fatigue, a lack of sleep can make under eye bags more noticeable.
Dark circles can also be caused by iron or other vitamin deficiencies, sickness, or visible blood vessels due to a rapid weight loss. Other factors such as prolonged exposure to the sun. stress, as well as aging (which results in thinner skin) can also cause a sunken look.
So the best things to do:
- Get more sleep (7-8 hrs/night)
- Don’t stress (or reduce stress)
- Cut back on smoking and or excessively drinking alcohol
- Watch your salt intake (salt can increase fluid retention and make your eyes puffy)
- For allergies, use an antihistamine or nasal decongestant as allergies can aggravate puffy eyelids and can cause irritation around the eyes.
- and as usually, protect your skin and use SPF!
Finally, I’m a big believer in doing any preventative measures, so I regularly use a good under eye treatment to help prevent dark circles and wrinkles. Right now, I'm trying out
Dermadoctor Wrinkle Revenge Rescue & Protect Eye Balm which claims to improve puffiness and dark circles, firm skin and fade fine lines - and so far so good! The formula is light yet I feel hydrated. And when I'm up working late, it soothes and perks up my tired eyes for morning meetings. What under eye cream do you use? Which one is your favorite?
As they say, your eyes are the windows to your soul, so let’s keep them bright and vibrant!
xoxoxo Gretchen Christine
01/16/2012
Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and not fighting a flu, like myself! I am however super excited to be on the cover of Absolute OC Magazine! This was a very fun and different photo shoot for me. It’s not my typical look, but it was fun to change it up and create a very different look for the launch of this beautiful Magazine. I’m much more subdued and serious in this cover which creates an artistic point of view, however the inside photos are more of how you typically see me with my blonde curly hair and a face full of smiles! It's out now, so please pick up an issue to see the fun interview we had! Here's a snippet of it below:
Max Shar of Absolute OC: Has fame changed you as a person at all?
G: It has not changed me as a person, I’m still me. I’m silly, I’m goofy and I’m a dork. However it has changed my life in the public. Fans are always taking pictures so I have to always look good, sometimes the pictures end up in the media so I have to always try to look my best.
M: Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
G: My parents. They are amazing and wonderful people, and they are my best friends. They taught me the value of working hard, being entreprenuers themselves from the ages of 17 and 18 and married for 40 years. They are definiately the people I look up to in my life
M: If you had to choose to change just one thing in your life what would that be?
G: I don’t know if I would change anything, everything that I have gone through in my life has brought me to where I am today and taught me very valuable lessons. I am very blessed to have a wonderful family and friends, and I have a wonderful man In my life, so I feel very blessed right now.
M: How long does it take for you to get ready in the mornings before you step out of the house?
G: Truthfully or made up answer? Seriously if I had to wash my hair it could take one and a half hours but I don’t wash my hair everyday so it depends. If I’m just going to Target 3 minutes max. But I have my own makeup line and I love to put on my make-up and look good every day.
M : If you had to choose to stay for a weekend with one of the members of the Housewives of New York, who would it be and why?
G: I would love to say Bethany but she is no longer on the show. So I am going say Ramona because she seems like a lot of fun and she has her own line so we could have a good time together.
M: If you could relive any day in your past so far, which day and why?
G: Wow, good question… hmm… it would have to be the day I signed papers for my house, as a 26 year old girl it was a proud moment for me. It was the best feeling ever.
For the whole article, please check out
Absolute OC Magazine! For more info about them, visit their website at
absoluteoc.com or find them on Twitter at
@absoluteOC
xoxoxo Gretchen Christine
01/04/2012
Now that it’s a brand new year, I’m excited to try out some of the new beauty trends that are supposed to be big for 2012. Are you ladies ready to feel even more beautiful? I sure am! Here are a few trends I’ve spotted:
Super Bold and Bright Nails
I love getting my nails done. It’s such a treat, but I never have the time to go to a salon - much less to wait for my nails to dry! So what I’m super excited for this year is all the new innovation coming out just for nails! There are bold new colors and patterns, new techniques and now even nail bars! What really impressed me is gel polish. You can ask for it in the salon, but
SensatioNail offers this at-home kit that is easy to use and has the exact same result. The color lasts for 2 weeks - plus, it dries instantly - which just blows my mind! My fave color is Coral Sunset. Have you tried gel polish?
Attractive Natural/Organic Products
Natural and organic products are still huge, but many of them have now ditched the bland and boring look and upgraded to something more fun and girly. I was really attracted to Love + Toast. I don’t really wear a fragrance (I swear by my Victoria’s Secret scented lotion), but
Love + Toast’s Honey Coconut Perfume, which is made from sweet honey, sugared vanilla, violet, and sandalwood is natural and never tested on animals, plus it smells divine! It’s definitely worth a try. What is your favorite organic product?
Keratin-Like Smoothing Hair Treatments
Straight, long hair, worn down or pulled up in a pony tail was all over the runways and will be a big trend this year. What woman doesn’t want to have sleek, straight hair on occasion? We could all do
Keratin treatments, but if you can’t spare the expense or don’t want to go through the process, an easy solution is the HBL Straightening & Styling System.
The Hydrating Shampoo and
Conditioner moisturizes parched tresses while
Straight & Style creates smooth, straight and frizz-free styles effortlessly.
The Closest Shave
I’ve noticed lately that there have been a plethora of new shaving formulas and high-tech razors with scientific breakthroughs popping around everywhere to make sure we ladies have the closest shave. I particularly like
Lady Cremo Cream, an astonishingly amazing shave cream I found in Laguna Beach recently. Unlike most shave “creams” and “gels” that are actually foam – which is primarily air, Lady Cremo Cream has no air: it’s an extremely rich cream so that the blade glides effortlessly over the skin. No more bumps, redness, itching, irritation or ingrown hairs. Love it!
Shocking Lipstick
Pout that pout, because lipstick is big! The bigger, bolder and redder; the better! Luckily for me (and for you, too!), the GC cosmetic line has two great shades of red lipstick:
Blood Red, which is a beautiful, classic red, or
Fire Engine Red which is more of a neutral red. Even better, the lipstick formula makes lips appear plump and fuller and the color has extreme staying power that will not fade or feather. Our luscious lips lipstick contains antioxidants as well to soften and protect beautiful smiles.
So smile big! 2012 is here and I can’t wait for what the year will bring for all of us!
xoxoxo
Gretchen Christine
12/28/2011
If you’re like me, I’m sure health and fitness is at the top of your new year’s resolution list. It’s important to stay in shape, eat healthy, and feel good so I have lots of energy to grow my businesses, film the show, and do everything else I need to do on a daily basis. Since we often have good intentions, but all too often lose steam to keep this goal going, I thought I’d share a few of my tips to make sure you stay on track:
Have a realistic and attainable goal. Throw out any resolutions to look like a Victoria’s Secret runway model. God has made each one of us different, with our own specific body type and shape. We need to learn to be content with who we are, and pray for that strength as we take on any new workout or when trying to change eating habits. Honestly, resolving to look like Miranda Kerr is not realistic for most of us. But, pursuing daily physical activity, looking food and feeling good in our lives is very possible.
Craft a plan. Write a comprehensive plan on how you plan to achieve your fitness goals. Just like all successful businesses start with a business plan that describes a mission and specifics on how they will achieve it, detailing the specifics on your own personal plan will likely help you achieve them more, too.
Break down your goals so you’re not overwhelmed. Set several smaller goals to achieve throughout the year that will get you to the one big goal you have in mind. For example, if your goal is to run a half-marathon, make it less intimidating. Start with running a mile, or a 5K, then lead up to a 10K, and so forth. That way, if you aren't able to reach your final goal, you will have made many smaller, but still very significant, achievements along the way.
Give it time. Don’t expect overnight results! Most experts agree that it takes about 21 days to create a habit and six months for it to actually become a part of your daily life.
Be accountable. Friends and family are the best support system, so ask them to help you so they can encourage you throughout the year, as well as be people you’re accountable to.
Finally, take the pressure off yourself! Know that no matter what, if you are happy on the inside it will reflect on the outside, no matter how big, small or fit you are. You have to be comfortable in your own skin; no one can decide what is best for your body but you. Don't try to be another person's size! That will never happen.
What are your other NYE resolutions?
Happy 2012 to everyone!
xoxoxo Gretchen Christine
