A new year always means new fashion and a new collection of colors comes to into focus.  Pantone, which tracks colors in the fashion and home-décor industries, has named turquoise the color of 2010. Pantone’s executive director said it was the obvious choice because it’s soothing and makes people think of being on vacation, which we all need after the tough year of 2009.  The shade is on the cusp of blue and green, which makes it both inviting and serene – characteristics associated with blues – and invigorating and luminous, which comes from green, she says.

Interior designer Charlotte Moss says she turns to turquoise to liven up a look that otherwise seems stilted or conservative – and it pairs nicely with a wide range of colors more typical to home decor: gray, navy, black and white. “We’re looking for things that are that are flexible and more universal, and that is turquoise,” she says.

Pantone’s color for 2009 was mimosa yellow, intended to carry a hopeful, optimistic message. The public is shifting gears as the economy shows some improvement: They are ready to fantasize a bit about the beach resort.  How can you make turquoise work for you? In cooler months it pairs with black and navy, and in the spring and summer it can be worn with white or coral.

Here are some ideas of how to incorporate turq1uoise right away:

First off, get a pair of these before they’re gone.  These flats are perfect for spring and they are just $12.99 at Target! Find them here.

These gorgeous turquoise beads are at a fabulous price at Kohls. Wear these to dress up your neutrals. Click here to buy.

This bag is great buy for the money.

Have you checked out Lands End’s new Canvas line? It has a very J. Crew feel.

How will you add a splash of turquoise into your spring wardrobe or home this year? We’d love to hear from you!

Keep in touch with Belladerm!

If you haven’t already started preparing for it, Valentine’s Day is JUST around the corner so get moving!  We’ll offer some help by dishing out some great date ideas in case you are stumped and feel you are lacking variety.

Dance Lesson: Do you want to get close to your date? Then try dancing! I’m not talking about the freestyle stuff you find at most clubs, but couples’ dances like salsa, swing, or the tango. This type of dancing has been coming back lately and can be a lot of fun to learn with the right partner. A little tip for the guys, you might not understand dancing’s appeal and may even choose to fight it, but you’ll never change women’s love of dance.

Rock Climbing: If you both enjoy being active, give rock climbing a shot, it may develop into something you’ll enjoy doing together regularly. It’s easier if either of you have climbed before, but not necessary, most gyms offer private and group lessons where they will show you how to put on the equipment, proper belaying, climbing techniques, etc. Equipment consists of climbing shoes, a harness, and a chalk bag, and should all be available for rent at the gym. This is a good date idea because you’ll have a lot of fun cheering each other on while you see which climbing routes you can complete together.

Star Gazing: If done right, stargazing can be an amazing date! Think about it, the scenery’s beautiful, no one else around, and you’re lying next to each other in the darkness, looking up at the sky. Mix in cuddling under a blanket, and sipping wine or eating chocolate, and this might be an okay night after all. Unfortunately for those of us who live in cities, we can’t just grab a blanket, a bottle of wine, and drive over to an open field and see much through all the light pollution. If you live in a populated area, try to get even 15-20 minutes outside of town and you’ll have a much better stargazing experience. You really can’t compare the majesty of a brilliantly-lit night sky with what we see in the cities. It’s worth the trip, really!

Live Music for Two: This is the type of date that will score you all kinds of points with a boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse, but should never be attempted on the first date, or even a second, third, or fourth date. Unless you want to appear insanely needy and drive your date away forever.  In an existing relationship, having someone play your guy’s favorite jazz on the guitar or romancing your girl with a classical violinist should have you on the receiving end of some (serious) loving.

Hot Air Balloon Ride: Close your eyes and imagine soaring through the air and holding your date close as the sun sets in the distance. This doesn’t have to be a dream, you can find it all on a balloon ride! Hot air balloon flights are a romantic way to spend time experiencing something different together and seeing the surrounding area from a completely new perspective. They come in two flavors; the popular sunset balloon flight and the less known, but equally fun, sunrise flight. For raw romantic appeal, I’d say choose the sunset flight, but if you’re morning people and just want to have a good time, the sunrise flight is also a lot of fun.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Belladerm!

Did you know that this is the perfect time of year to give blood? What a BIG difference you can make by doing something that is just temporarily uncomfortable for you.  Start off the new year right, by donating blood to the Red Cross or your local blood bank in honor of National Blood Donor Month. The process only takes an hour of your time, and results in lifesaving platelets or pints of blood for those in need. All blood types are needed and with more traffic accidents happening during the winter season, clean backup blood is sparse this time of year.  In light of what has happened in Haiti, the importance of blood backup is very evident. Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti as they are in the midst of such a harsh tragedy.

The first month of the year has been recognized as National Blood Donor Month since 1970. According to the American Association of Blood Banks, now known as AABB, in the United States every day, “approximately 39,000 units of blood are required in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities for patients with cancer and other diseases, for organ transplant recipients, and to help save the lives of accident victims.” The AABB works in conjunction with the American Red Cross and America’s Blood Centers and their main goal is to help those in need of blood, especially in harsh winter environments due to illness, accidents, and unforeseen weather conditions.

Be in the know:

- One donation has the ability to save three lives. Three!

- Every day approximately 40,000 pints of blood are needed.

- One out of every seven people entering a hospital will require blood.

- Fewer than one in ten people donate blood. Inspire others to give as they’re able. Each of us has blood, many are able to give it, few do. Help change that.

It is easy to donate! Click here to search for a location by zip code or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) for more information.

In order to donate blood, you have to meet certain donor requirements. The most important is that you must be at least 17 years old in order to give blood voluntarily, although some states do consent at 16 with written parental consent. You must be at least 110 pounds, you should be healthy meaning without infection, not on antibiotics, without a fever, and generally feeling well on day of donation. You may only donate if you have not given blood within 8 weeks.

Now go make a difference out there! Give the gift of life!

Visit us on Facebook and Twitter!

The beginning of a new year is always revitalizing and can really get you moving.  Sometimes keeping the motivation up is the problem when it comes to tackling a huge task.  Just keep focused on how good you will feel once that insurmountable task is completed and crossed off of your list! If you need some encouragement on getting organized in the year ahead, look no further! Read on and get going. Best of luck!

SET GOALS WITH DEADLINES. The first step in getting organized is goal setting. Do you want to organize your home? Your office? Your exercise program? Your family? Your time? Jot down exactly what you want to do and designate a deadline for accomplishing that goal. The deadline should be as specific as possible, like March 6, 2010.

MAKE MINI-GOALS. Break your goals down into small, bite-sized pieces. For instance, instead of a large goal, such as organizing your entire house, choose one room at a time. Or, instead of organizing all of your business files, start with one drawer. Smaller pieces are easier to accomplish.

DESIGNATE REWARDS. Always designate an enticing reward for each goal you accomplish. The reward acts as your motivator and helps you achieve your objectives. (Ohhh–we can’t think of a better reward than being pampered at Belladerm!)

USE A CHEERING SECTION. Inform your family and/or friends of your goals. Ask them for their support. Ask them to ask you about your accomplishments from time to time, so you stay on track.

LAUGH AT MINOR SETBACKS. Don’t expect everything to run perfectly smooth. As with any improvement you’re trying to make, there are bound to be bumps in the road. Don’t get discouraged. Ask questions. If it looks like you’re not going to accomplish your goal by your deadline, simply reschedule. It’s better to get back on track than to give up.

KEEP A ‘CAN DO’ ATTITUDE. Attitude is everything. If you think you’re going to fail, you will. If you think you’re going to succeed, you will. Zig Ziglar, a motivational speaker, always says that to succeed, you must get rid of that ’stinkin’ thinkin’ and set your mind to achieving your goals.

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU. Sometimes the motivation you need comes from focusing inwardly and recreating your look or doing something special for yourself.  Belladerm’s New Year, New You promotions were designed with you in mind and we’d love to help you achieve the momentum you’re looking for in the year ahead! When you look good, you feel good – and you accomplish more! We’ll see you soon!

If you love your beauty treatments and don’t like the idea of forking out more money for them in the years to come, PAY ATTENTION! It is critical that our voices are heard on this matter and we’re asking you to join us in opposing this unfair tax.  Please read below and do all you can to stop this from happening! Together, we can keep your aesthetic costs down!

Find out more and join us here: StopCosmeticTax.org

Thank you once again for your support of StopCostmeticTax.org. With your help, we really can stop this unfair, discriminatory tax.

We only launched this effort a few days ago, and we’ve already been overwhelmed by the response. Thousands of you have signed up, and added your voice to the opposition. And we expect that opposition to keep growing, since a clear majority of Americans opposes this tax, according to a newly released poll.

But the battle still continues, the next few weeks will be critical, and we need your help. Here’s what you can do:

1) Send a Letter to Congress

If you’ve not done this yet, please visit StopCosmeticTax.org , and send a letter to your Senators and Representatives. We’ve set it up so you can do it right from the web site, in under 30 seconds. It’s quick, and it’s easy, but it makes a big, big difference. If you oppose this tax, your leaders need to hear from you, and they need to hear from you today.

2) Become a “Fan” of our Facebook Page

Are you on Facebook? Then please visit Facebook.com/StopCosmeticTax today, and become a “fan.” This simple action not only makes a statement, it automatically spreads the word about this effort to your Facebook friends.

3) Forward this Email to Friends and Family

There are a lot of untruths and misconceptions about this tax, and it’s critical that we fight back and set the record straight. Forward this email and let them know that:

• The tax places an additional burden on the middle class – 60% of patients considering a cosmetic medical procedure are squarely in the middle class, earning between $30,000 and $90,000 per year.
• The tax discriminates against women – 91% of patients seeking cosmetic medical procedures are women.
• The tax puts cosmetic medical procedures in the same category as cigarettes and alcohol – “Sin taxes” on cigarettes and alcohol were imposed to try to change unhealthy behavior and cover the significant costs that these products placed on the health care system. But a tax on cosmetic medical procedures is illogical because such treatments are not unhealthy and do not impact the heath care system as patients pay for these procedures themselves and they are not covered by insurance.
• The tax will be impossible to effectively and equitably administer – It is not clear which procedures will be subject to the tax and which will not. Further, the same procedure performed on two different patients could lead to different conclusions concerning application of the tax.

• The tax discourages innovation and promotes dangerous and unregulated alternatives – Because only drugs and procedures regulated and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be subject to the tax, manufacturers may choose to circumvent FDA regulation to avoid the tax. Further, patients may seek untested and potentially dangerous treatments from unlicensed practitioners to avoid the tax, including seeking treatment across our borders and overseas.

We’re in the final, critical days of this effort, and your support is essential. Please keep up the good work, please keep spreading the word, and together we can stop this unfair, discriminatory tax.

Sincerely,

StopCosmeticTax.org

________________________________________________________________________________________________

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!! We are partnering with you to make sure you don’t have to pay more than necessary to look your best!

Taking good care of your mouth — teeth and gums — does more than help ensure you have a bright, white smile.

A healthy mouth and healthy body go hand in hand. Good oral hygiene and oral health can improve your overall health, reducing the risk of serious disease and perhaps even preserving your memory in your golden years. The phrase “healthy mouth, healthy you” really is true — and backed by growing scientific evidence.

It’s never too early to start teaching your children to take care of teeth and gums — healthy habits learned in childhood can pay off in adulthood. And, if you’re tempted to shrug off your good oral hygiene habits — brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly — remember that you’re a role model for your kids. Keep in mind these six ways having healthy teeth and gums helps boost overall health. Below are 6 ways that oral hygiene can keep you well!

Boosts Your Self-esteem and Confidence

Decayed teeth and gum disease are often associated not only with an unsightly mouth but very bad breath — so bad it can affect your confidence, self-image, and self-esteem.

May Lower Risk of Heart Disease

Chronic inflammation from gum disease has been associated with the development of cardiovascular problems such as heart disease, blockages of blood vessels, and strokes. Experts stop short of saying there is a cause-and-effect between gum disease and these other serious health problems, but the link has shown up in numerous studies. The findings of these studies may suggest that maintaining oral health can help protect overall health.

As someone who trusts Belladerm to help you look your best, we are excited to share some wonderful news with you:

The “Best of Citysearch Spa & Beauty” nominations are in, and Belladerm MedSpa has been nominated for the best Laser Hair Removal! In case you aren’t familiar with Citysearch, the “Best of Citysearch” is a nationwide competition that lets local businesses compete for local votes– and win the ultimate honor of being named best in the city!

We are so excited about this nomination and are pleased to hear that we have achieved the excellence that we have set out to create for you! Please take a moment to click on the voting link below to show your support.  We need your votes and thank you in advance for your help with this!

You don’t have much time to help us get from nominee to winner! Voting ends December 2nd! Winners will be announced on Citysearch.com on December 3rd.

Click here to vote!! It will only take a couple of quick minutes! Click on the orange voting button.  Yes, you will need to create a login with Citysearch (and confirm it in an email that they will send to you) in order to vote, but this doesn’t take long and you are on your way.  It means a great deal to us and we thank you in advance for your votes and for your time!

We appreciate your help and we love having the opportunity to serve you! Don’t forget to call with any questions you might have about getting gorgeous for the holidays! Happy Thanksgiving to you all from all of us at Belladerm!

With the holidays quickly approaching, you are sure to open up an invitation or two requesting your presence at a festive party.  What will you wear? While they say the little black dress is always the perfect choice for attire, you may be feeling like you just can’t pull that look off like other women can.  Au contraire, my friend! Read on to gain the knowledge you need to look stunning at those fun parties!

Bottom Heavy Figure

The easiest way to balance a bottom-heavy figure is to choose a little black dress that skims over the lower half of the body. Fuller skirts, like this disguise heavy hips, while showing off the waist.

Petite

The perfect little black dress for a smaller frame elongates and flatters like this stretch satin dress. More flattery: look for a dress with a lot of shape — here it has a V-neck and horizontal seaming — and is scaled just right for your figure. Avoid too-cutesy looks (like puffed sleeves) so you won’t look little girlish.

Plus Size

Just because your figure has curves doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a pretty sleeveless little black dress. Show some skin and enjoy the flattering capabilities of a knit dress.

Thick Waist

Disguise a thick waist in a little black dress by either raising, lowering or eliminating the waistline. This shift works by skimming the body without defining the waist.

Wide Shoulders

You don’t need to hide your upper body in a little black dress if you have wide shoulders. Instead, look for body-balancing details like the trendy asymmetrical neckline, like this one-shoulder style.  Avoid puffy sleeves or voluminous tops paired with slim bottoms that will exaggerate your shoulder width.

Now get out there and knock ‘em dead!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Everywhere you look you can find pink, pink, pink!

The National Breast Cancer Foundation estimates that each year, over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and over 40,000 die. One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. If detected early, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer exceeds 96%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram. C’mon, ladies–get your appointment on the calendar for your mammogram! Though they are usually dreaded, you can make the day fun by scheduling something you really enjoy immediately following your appointment! Get a massage or a facial! Better yet, schedule your mammogram back to back with a girlfriend and then spend the rest of the afternoon together having some fun as a way to celebrate your healthy choices. This could be your annual tradition to protect your health.

The National Cancer Institute and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend that women in their forties and older have mammograms every one to two years. A complete early detection plan also includes regular clinical breast examinations by a trained medical professional. Monthly breast self-exams are suggested in addition.

Check your knowledge to see if you have fallen for any of the myths surrounding breast cancer:

MYTH: Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.

TRUTH: Eight out of ten lumps are benign, or not cancerous.

MYTH: Men do not get breast cancer.

TRUTH: This year 178,480 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,460 will die; however, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die.

MYTH: A mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread.

TRUTH: An X-ray of the breast is called a mammogram. The X-ray and the pressure on the breast from the X-ray machine cannot cause cancer to spread. Do not let tales of other people’s experiences keep you from having a mammogram.

MYTH: Having a family history of breast cancer means you will get breast cancer.

TRUTH: While women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. If you have a mother, daughter, sister, or grandmother who had breast cancer, you should have a mammogram five years before the age of their diagnosis.

Looking for a way to help? Click here to help fund free mammograms for women in need — low-income, inner-city and minority women whose awareness of breast cancer and opportunity for help is often limited. Your click is paid for by site sponsors, and mammogram funding is provided to clinics throughout the U.S. through the efforts of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

If you’d like more information about breast cancer, click here to connect to the American Cancer Society’s website.

Clever minds out there are always coming up with interesting inventions.  Have you heard of these?

ORANGE SOLAR POWERED TENT WITH ELECTRONICS

Camping is always fun. A chance to get away from the world, and live in a world of isolation without any form of electrical aids or entertainment. Well, up until now that is. Orange recently revealed their new solar-powered tent which is labelled as a ‘tent of the future’. The tent will ensure that all your gadgets and electronics will function during your camping visit, though some may feel this defeats the purpose of camping.

Orange teamed up with American product design consultants, Kaleidoscope, to create this modern day tent which harnesses solar energy in order to power your gadgets and equipment via a wireless charging pouch. The tent uses a photovoltaic fabric to receive the maximum amount of energy directly from the sun throughout the day. There is also an integrated “glo-cation” technology instilled which assists campers in finding their way back to their tent. You can use your mobile phone to send a text message to your tent, which will then cause the camp to glow and become easily identifiable.

The solar powered tent has a wireless control hub which illustrates the total amount of energy generated and also the amount of that energy consumed. There is also a wireless internet signal on a touch screen display, and even a heating system, which kicks into action as soon as the temperature within the tent drops below a certain level. SO MUCH FOR ROUGHING IT, HUH?

AN ATM FOR BOOKS

The Espresso Book Machine—meaning “fast,” not coffee—can churn out a 300-page paperback on demand, complete with color cover, in just 3 min. The $50,000 machine could transform libraries into minibookstores, making hard-to-find titles as accessible as cappuccinos. At $3 a book they might be cheaper too.

GOOD MORNING, SUNSHINE

Most people hate their alarm clock. That’s why Eoin McNally and Ian Walton created the glo Pillow. Embedded with a grid of LEDs, it uses nothing but light to wake you up. About 40 min. before reveille, the programmable foam pillow starts glowing, gradually becoming brighter, to simulate a natural sunrise. This helps set your circadian rhythm and ease you into the day.