Graye Note

With each changing season, we must analyze our beauty routine to determine what the new weather conditions are calling for. I've done that for us, and these are the top 4 beauty buys to get us through fall.....

Our Wellness Contributor, Tara Felice, is an expert at finding truly nutritious food that her kids will actually eat. That seems like a miracle to me, so I wanted to find out exactly what she packs in their school lunches to make all moms' and dads' lives easier. Here's her list....

I think I say this every year: "I LOVE fall fashion!" It marks the beginning of a new year on the fashion calendar. However, these days, true fall clothing generally isn't weather-appropriate until it's almost time to stop wearing it! This is not acceptable because I'm certainly not going to march about Manhattan in my coral-colored beach dress just because it's still 80 degrees. So, here's the solution of what to wear instead....

There was definitely a time when I did NOT feel that getting dressed was easy. I love fashion so much and I always want to look on the outside how I feel on the inside, but I NEVER want it to take more than a few minutes to accomplish this goal. Once I got myself organized and streamlined my process, I was able to cut down the time immensely. I just need to stick to these simple steps.....

I really love my dip-pity-do-da. I always have. Since I was little, I always ordered every dip offered when I ate at a restaurant. I also love things to be festive, so I named my latest dip creation, "Labor Day Dip." I like each special occasion to have its own food. As always, I made sure to pack protein and nutrients into this snack that's super easy to make and serve....

Knowing your hair type is just as important as knowing your shoe size, as far as I'm concerned. Unless you're Kendall Jenner strutting the catwalk for Balmain, you can't squeeze into a size 6 stiletto when you're a size 10 and look good. You also can't use tools and products meant for another hair type. If you do, bad hair days will be trending in your world! How do you figure out your hair type? Hair types are based on porosity, density, texture, and coarseness....

I essentially like to shop any and EVERY day, but I find it challenging once we're nearing the end of a season. I want new clothes, but I also want to be able to wear them more than once before I have to say goodbye until next year. The trick that solves this dilemma towards the end of summer is to find dresses that we can wear now AND are appropriate for fall. Here's what we need to look for....

The biggest dangers to the human mind are confusion and lies. If we don't acknowledge every thought that travels through our brain, ideas and beliefs that are absolutely NOT TRUE can easily set up camp and we will be mislead. One of the biggest misconceptions we can fall for happens when we don't address our feelings head on. We can very easily confuse....

"Taken its toll" is a phrase that pops up in my mind around this time of year, and summer has done just that to some of my flower filled containers! They're looking a little frazzled, due to either the summer heat or the soaking rains during the season. They could barely take a breath and drain quick enough before the next storm! With some, the soil was so soggy I had to drag the containers under the eaves of the house to help them dry out a bit. But, through it all, those hard working annuals have now...just about exhausted themselves! So, in order for them to remain that "focal point" I talked about in my last article, My View From Here, now is the time to give those flowers a little sprucing up...

I LOVE a good farmer's market. It feels so exciting and refreshing to wander around looking at all those delicious fruits, vegetables, and meats. But how do you narrow down what you should ACTUALLY take home with you and if it's definitely "healthy"? I don't know the answer to this question, so I interrogated our Wellness Contributor, Tara Felice. Here are her tips on how to make the most of your farmer's market....

Smoothies are out there...everywhere! You can’t get away from them, so you might as well join in. However, let’s join in the “right” way! Some smoothies are infused with so much sugar, processed flavors, and absolutely NO nutrition. I prefer a smoothie that is high in protein and fiber, which can make you feel fuller, is nourishing, and has less calories. This recipe includes ginger. I LOVE ginger because of its many benefits. It can be a pain reliever, help with digestion, reduce nausea symptoms, and is an anti-inflammatory. With my recipe, I’ve made it simple for you to make this healthy, wholesome, and tasty treat...

I love a day at the beach or by the pool...the sun, the breeze, the water. It's magical. But then once I am home and squeaky clean after a nice shower, I don't want to put on my PJs yet because it's only 4pm! I want to be comfortable, but as always I want to still feel like myself, which means put-together. So, this is the perfect option and here's why....

The beauty of summer is fresh warm air and the freedom to run around barefoot in the grass....but what do we do (and more importantly, what do we have the little ones do) when we're stuck inside on a rainy day? From Graye Note Supermom, Stephanie Viloria, here's the kid-approved activities to keep everyone happy and engaged...

Years ago, I very wrongly thought that my straight-haired ladies had it easy and your hair always behaved perfectly. But the more I chatted with my peeps about it, I realized you too can struggle with terrible frizz problems in the summer! So, with the help of my straight-haired Little Mama (and husband!) we devised a simple frizz-blocking plan....

Ahh, summer.....the sun, the sand, the salt, the.....frizz.  Okay, so up until very recently, I have to admit I did not embrace that last one.  I was the classic curly-haired girl growing up in the 90s, idolizing every silky, straight-haired lady gracing a magazine cover.  But, finally, I have changed! Yay for me, and soon to be, yay for you too. Here's my easy summer hair care routine that keeps my curls poppin....

For a date night in the summer I want to feel fabulous, but I also want to feel comfortable and be able to throw a look together in seconds. I don't like anything to feel complicated in the summer! Here's the perfect look, and the best part is, the dress only costs $18....

New York is amazing...even for little ones! It truly has so much to offer if you know where to look. Lucky for you, we do! Here is a list of fun summer activities in Manhattan that are definitely kid-approved....

It is important to wash your swimsuit after every wear (remember, they are just like your undergarments!). It's also important to wash them as soon as possible to get the chlorine and salt water out of them. These 3 easy steps will keep your swimsuits looking brand new...

A night out with the fam requires your outfit to have a different vibe than when you're getting dressed for a "date night." Here's the perfect head-to-toe look for a summer night with loved ones....

Summer is here and the livin' is easy! You AND your hair must be ready for a vacation by now. This time of year, allow your natural tresses to flow against your summer fresh face and beach season glow. Here are some tips to keep your hair healthy all summer long...