Monday, August 30, 2010

Bien Dans Sa Peau

 Elle y est.   ink & colored pencil.  mounted on William Morris design.  by Linda Hampton Smith


One of my favorite expressions is to be "bien dans sa peau" (feeling good in one's own skin, at ease with oneself).   I'm much closer to that state of mind in my fifties, than I was in my twenties.  But I'd like to be positively aglow with self care and self love and self celebration.  Kindness unto me.   A sweet gentillesse.

In order to help that feeling along,  I figure one must truly care for oneself, non?  Take time to exercise, meditate, breathe deep and nourishing breaths, eat well,  sleep well.....  All of which is one's true "beauty" regime  (and none of which I do on a consistent basis.)    

So, as a nice first step in consistent self care, I thought I'd initiate a daily face cleansing routine... French Style:

1.  Apply cold cream to face.  Massage in a circular motion.  
2.  Remove cream with cotton balls,  wiping off in upward strokes.
3.  Apply a toning lotion with the cotton.
4.  Apply a light moisturing lotion.

I've done this for a couple of days, now, and I can say that the extra minute of pampering is a cherishing moment at the mirror. 

A sweet tendresse.   To which I say, continuez, ma fille.


Friday, August 13, 2010

Fenêtre

Les Fenêtres     Watercolor   by Linda Hampton Smith
 
"J'ai tendu des cordes de clocher a`clocher; des guirlandes de fenêtre à fenêtre; des chaînes d'or d'étoile à étoile, et je danse".         -Arthur Rimbaud

                                                                        and

"La fenêtre, en province, remplace le théâtre et les promenades."     -Gustave Flaubert

                                                                        and

"Les yeux sont les fenêtres de l'âme."     -Georges Rodenbach


All of these wonderful "window" quotes come from an awesome online resource.  Mots d'auteurs  allows you to search for quotes by way of a single keyword (mot clef).   I find this wildly entertaining and sometimes make a game of it.  Choissisez un mot and give it a go!