Do Windows protect you from the sun's UVA rays?

Many people falsely believe they’re shielded from UV exposure as long as they’re indoors, but research suggests otherwise. While window glass may block UVB radiation, much of the UVA spectrum is allowed to penetrate.

UVB rays don't beyond the superficial skin layers. These rays are responsible for delayed tanning and burning; in addition to these short-term effects they are the rays that are responsible for sun damage that causes premature ageing of your skin AND significantly promotes the development of skin cancer. 


UVA rays account for approximately 95 per cent of the UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. These rays can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and are responsible for the immediate tanning effect. They also also contributes to your ageing and wrinkled skin. 

After observing that melanoma had been increasing among fair-skinned, indoor workers since before 1940, a team of FDA scientists reported in 2009 that the increased cancer risk could be explained by the sun’s UVA rays penetrating window glass in office buildings.

In a recent study published online by JAMA Dermatology, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, found that airline pilots flying at 30,000 feet are exposed to the same amount of UVA radiation over the course of about an hour as they would in a 20-minute tanning bed session, due to the longer UV wavelengths penetrating airplane windshields .

You too may be receiving more UV exposure behind glass windows than you realize. Some suggestions to help protect yourself include:

• Wear a daily moisturizer such as Rodan + Fields REDEFINE Triple Defense Treatment that has a broad spectrum SPF 30 protection. It contains a clinically proven concentration of powerful peptides to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles and visibly firm skin while providing effective broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection
• In your office, consider adding window blinds or shades
• If you can, re-position your desk, and
• wear protective clothing

As always for all your skincare needs pop by my Rodan + Fields website. If you have questions about regimens or are interested in the business opportunity send me a message from my site....Would love to connect....Sue

 

Skincare - A History of Innovation

Skincare has really come along way over the past few decades.

In the 50's it wasn't uncommon to see women using cold cream as their nightly skincare regimen.

The 60's brought in moisturizing beauty bars while the 70's moved onto Retinoids like retinal and other Vitamin A products.

In the 80's, it was Vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acids that were all the rage. 

The 90's continued to move forward with Peptides and their awesome anti-aging benefits. 



Today, we’re seeing at-home alternatives to derm-office practices dominating as the latest beauty breakthroughs.

Inspired by tools Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields (makers of Proavtiv AND Rodan + Fields) doctors use in their practices...Rodan + Fields is at the forefront of the anti-aging skincare movement.

Rodan + Fields brings the best of the dermatologist office home with noninvasive, at-home alternatives.

REDEFINED Regimen with the REDEFINE MACRO Exfoliator

The REDEFINE MACRO Exfoliator ™ is and awesome handheld microdermabrasion device that I use once a week and it provides my skin with extreme smoothness and a radiant glow. 

REVERSE Regimen with the AMP MD™ Micro-Exfoliating Roller

Another great tool is the REDEFINE AMP MD ™ Roller. It's a noninvasive micro-exfoliating roller which helps with firmer-looking skin. 





Combine these tools with the REDEFINE or REVERSE Regimen and you will quickly see why Rodan + Fields is the 4th largest premium skincare line in the US.

As always for all your skincare needs pop by my Rodan + Fields website. If you have questions about regimens or are interested in the business opportunity send me a message from my site....Would love to connect....Sue

         

Add These To Your Plate For Glowing Skin!

Let's face it...we are all aging all the time. 

If you want a smoother, clearer complexion not only do you need a great skincare regimen like Rodan + Fields REDEFINE Regimen, but you also need to add toss these six fortifying "Feed Your Face" foods into your grocery cart.

Rodan + Fields REDEFINE Regimen

Dr. Kathy Fields often says "Preventing wrinkles is far less painful and expensive than correcting them. The best wrinkle is the one you never get." Why begin your day with Rodan + Fields REDEFINE Regimen. REDEFINE is a comprehensive skincare regimen that layers cosmetic ingredients and proven peptide technology to help defend against and reduce the visible signs of aging for noticeably firmer, smoother, flawless-looking skin. The REDEFINE Regimen features four full-size products: 

• Daily Cleansing Mask 
• Pore Minimizing Toner 
• Triple Defense Treatment SPF 30 and 
• Overnight Restorative Cream

Tomatoes 

Tomatoes contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene which many studies suggest may be responsible for helping to protect the skin against sun damage. Lycopene is best absorbed by the body when it has been cooked or processed, so eating tomato sauce, tomato paste, and ketchup is likely to be more effective than just eating raw tomatoes when trying to safeguard your skin against harmful UV rays. That doesn't mean you should skip the daily sunscreen though!




Red Meat 
Red meat sometimes gets a bad rap, but lean red meat is high in protein and zinc. To produce collagen, your skin needs the amino acids glycine and proline, and the protein in red meat has the highest concentration of these two amino acids. The mineral zinc is also crucial for collagen production. Without enough zinc, it’s difficult for the skin to make collagen. Plus, zinc is a natural anti-inflammatory. Dont' eat meat - No worries, vegetarians don’t need to miss out as glycine can also be found in seafood, proline in cottage cheese and cabbage, and zinc in lentils, kidney beans, and raw oysters.

Green Tea 
It’s no secret that green tea is an antioxidant powerhouse. Its strong anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects are attributed to its high concentration of catechin compounds. Research suggests that drinking one cup of green tea twice a day over the course of six months may actually reverse sun damage and significantly improve any problems you have with redness and broken capillary veins. So drink up!

Green Beans 

As long as we’re going green, let’s talk about how these low-calorie beans are a star "Feed Your Face" food because they’re one of the richest sources of silicon — not to be confused with silicone, which is found in bad lip jobs and breast implants! 





Walnuts 

Did you know that walnuts are also incredibly high in omega-3s? If you’re concerned with redness, swelling, blotchiness, acne breakouts, or wrinkles, walnuts may be your new best friend. Plant-based omega-3s, such as the ones found in walnuts, are naturally anti-inflammatory; they can help seal moisture into your skin and protect it from chemicals and other toxins. In particular, the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in these omega-3s can work to combat the dryness associated with aging that leads to wrinkles. But don’t stop with walnuts; you can also increase the amount of plant-based omega-3s in your diet by eating almonds, olive oil, and flaxseed, too.

Yogurt 
Not only is it the main ingredient in the best smoothies, yogurt is an excellent "Feed Your Face" food for dealing with acne breakouts, eczema, and even dandruff. Just be sure to choose a low-fat and low-sugar yogurt, since sugar can aggravate inflammation. And if you think your breakouts are related to dairy, skip the yogurt and going straight for a probiotic supplement instead.

As always for all your skincare needs pop by my website. If you have questions about regimens or are interested in the business opportunity send me a message from my site....Would love to connect....Sue

Networking Basics: 8 Tips to Networking Without Being Fake

Once again Marie Forleo provides some great Networking tips.

Enjoy :)

How The Sun Sees you!

Have you ever wondered how the sun see's you? This is an awesome video that shows you the importance of sunscreen!

Your skin likely already has sun damage and you don't even know it. Rodan + Fields REVERSE Regimen can help reverse the sign of aging.

Exposure to the sun and the environment can leave you with less-than-youthful skin. Erase the appearance of premature aging, including brown spots, dullness and discoloration with REVERSE. 

This regimen exfoliates, visibly brightens, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and defends against sun exposure for a long-term solution for a radiant complexion. (Available in Canada Fall 2014).

Pucker Tips for Great Lips!

As women we focus mainly on our aging skin, but neglect our lips! What most of us don't know is that the thin skin on our lips is particularly sensitive and vulnerable to showing signs of dryness and aging. 

Many of us are quick to grab a cute coloured lip gloss as a quick fix for dry lips, but layering on the gloss won’t help cure dry, flaky lips. Lip gloss is primarily cosmetic, designed to add a splash of colour and a great shine, they aren’t formulated to improve the quality of lips over time.

Rodan + Fields products will be available in Canada Fall 2014

To keep my "pucker" looking young and fresh I follow 3 basic steps.

1). I exfoliate my lips using Rodan + Fields ENHANCEMENTS Lip Micro-Dermabrasion to remove any dead skin cells. This is an effective and convenient exfoliation stick created specifically for your lips. This conditioning treatment makes your lips look and feel more defined and youthful by renewing the surface and helps reduce the dreaded "lipstick bleeding."

2). Next, I use ESSENTIALS Lip Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 25, This lip shield goes beyond moisturizing!! It hydrates your lips, soothes, softens and protects your lips from the aging and burning effects of the sun. It  contains collagen-stimulating peptides to smooth lip texture, lipid molecules for long-term moisturization. Vitamins A, C and E provide anti-oxidant protection, while shea butter, avocado and sunflower seed oil hydrate and moisturize. It's awesome and I never leave home without it in my purse. 

3). Lastly I use REDEFINE Lip Renewing Serum before I hit the sheets for a good night's sleep (on my back of course to help prevent wrinkles). Each peptide and antioxidant-rich capsule helps lips retain natural moisturizing factors, smooths your lip's texture and reduces the appearance of lip wrinkles. One use and you'll be hooked like I was.

Follow these three pucker tips for fabulous looking lips! 

Rodan + Fields products will be available in Canada in Fall of 2014.

The Difference Between UVA and UVB Rays

We all hear the words UVA and UVB when it comes to the sun, but do we really know what they mean? 

Here's a quick tip I've learned from Drs. Rodan and Fields to in help you understand the difference: A=Aging and B=Burning. 

Here's a great video from Rodan and Fields that helps clarify the difference between UVA and UVB rays.

Now that I am 40 I fully understand how important it is to protect my skin from the sun all day, every day, 365 days a year! 

Each final stege in all of the Rodan + Fields Regimens contains suncreen so you know your skin is protected from the harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun.

Rodan + FIelds is coming to Canada in August 2014. If you would like more information on their products or are interested in becoming one of the first Canadian Consultants send me an email at sueanpaul.rfcanada@gmail.com.

Be sure to check out other posts from Derm RF for great tips on skin care from Drs. Rodan & Fields and Nurse Mary.

The way your skin ages isn't because of your genes

I often here people talking about how their mom's have great skin. Yes, my mother falls into that category as well. Most women compare themselves to their mother's and think, if my mom has great skin in her 60's so will I. 

This isn't entirely true. DNA actually only accounts for 20% of visible skin aging. It's our environment and daily habits that are responsible for 80% of the visible signs of aging with the sun being the largest contributor.

To help you get that radiant skin as you age I've compiled a few tips for you.


Tip #1: Don't skimp on the water

There’s a reason your face resembles a celebrity mug shot after a night of partying. Sleep and hydration are essential for skin health. Not getting enough water can literally leave your skin thirsty, making it look dry and dull, so make sure you’re drinking enough water every day. And hitting the sheets a little earlier can help give you a healthier glow. Sleep is so important for skin turnover and for blood volume coming to the skin, it just makes all the difference in the world. Stay fresh-faced by aiming for the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Tip #2: Select the right products for your skin issues 

When a single product promises you clearer skin, fewer wrinkles, smaller pores, etc. who wouldn’t want to snatch that up? The problem: It’s highly unlikely that a product will contain enough of each ingredient to live up to all of those claims—and if does, it’s probably too harsh for your skin. 

Rodan + Fields offers four different skin care regimens that target your specific needs for each skin type. Rodan + Fields products will be available in canada in August 2014. If you want information about the products send me an email at: sueandpaul.rfcanada@gmail.com.

Tip #3: Use your products in the correct order

Yes, it actually matters which products you put on first, which ones you combine, and when you apply them! When it comes to layering products, you want to put on the treatment-oriented product first before your moisturizer. Rodan + Fields makes this easy for their skin Regimens. Each bottle is labeled in the the order you use them, making it quick and easy to use.

Tip #4 Remove your make-up when working out

We know it can be a little unnerving to work out totally bare-faced, but your skin will be better for it. Even mineral makeup formulas that swear they won’t clog your pores can still cause you to break out after a sweat session. Keep makeup removing wipes in your gym bag so that you have no excuses.

Tip #5 NEVER skip your daily sunscreen 

We know you’ve heard it a million times, but it’s worth repeating, Don't skip on a daily moisturizer that has an SPF!!! Not only can it protect you against sunburns and skin cancer, but new research found that people who use a daily sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher have significantly younger-looking skin. Much of what if often dismissed as “normal aging”—dull skin, uneven skin tone, sunspots, brown spots and eventually age spots—are actually evidence of sun damage.

These are also all factors that cause you to look older than you feel; a 2006 study showed that pigmentation on skin can change your perceived age by as much as 20 years.

Before you jump to an anti-aging solution, start by addressing the visible signs of sun damage. Much of what you might not love about your appearance is reversible with the right skincare products such as Rodan + Fields REVERSE regimen.

Rodan and + Fields is coming to Canada in August 2014. For information about products about the business opportunity message me: sueandpaul.rfcanada@gmail.com.

Mixing And Matching Skincare Products Is A Faux Pas!

Mixing and matching outfits can be a great way to add some flare to your wardrobe, however if you over do it by mixing and matching certain fabrics and patterns you may encounter a fashion Faux Pas. 

Most of us don't realize it, but this rule not only applies to fashion, but applies to our skincare regimen as well!

Combining incompatible skincare products, increases the likelihood that you won't get the results you are looking for.

According to the website dermrf.com owned by Dermatologists Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields (makers of Proactiv and Rodan + Fields Skincare):

"Sometimes the ingredients in different skincare prod­ucts counteract each other, so you won’t experience the intended benefits of either product. You may experience tandem irritation. This means that if you were to use either of the products independently, your skin would be fine, but when you use them together, your skin experiences irritation.

When layering different products on your skin, you also may experience “product incompatibility,” which you can easily test for by rubbing your face after a product has dried. If it peels, balls, or curdles, there is product incompatibility. To get the most from your skincare, you should use a regimen that works synergistically to deliver measurable results."

My favourite products to use are from the Rodan + Fields skincare line (available in Canada in August 2014). If you are looking for a great Anti-Age Regimen that is clinically proven and specifically formulated to ensure amazing results... I recommend the REDEFINE Power Pack.

Featured in this photo: REDEFINE Daily Cleansing Mask, Pore Minimizing Toner, Triple Defense Treatment , Overnight Restorative Cream, AMP MD System, REDEFINE Macro Exfoliator
Available in Canada August 2014

The REDEFINE regimen is a comprehensive skincare regimen that layers cosmetic ingredients and proven peptide technology to help defend against and reduce the visible signs of aging for noticeably firmer, smoother, flawless-looking skin.

For best results, use REDEFINE Daily Cleansing Mask, Pore Minimizing Toner and Triple Defense Treatment in the morning. Replace Triple Defense Treatment with Overnight Restorative Cream as the last step of the regimen in the evening.

For smooth and fresh looking skin, add the REDEFINE MACRO Exfoliator into your nighttime skincare routine once per week and use the AMP MD System in your regular nighttime skincare routine. It's important to note that The AMP MD System should not be used on the same day you macro-exfoliate.

The order in which you use any skincare product is also be important. One product may create an environment on your skin that enhances penetration of subsequent products, while another may actually block products or ingredients from penetrating skin.

The thing I love about Rodan + Fields skincare products is that all their regimen's come with an easy 1,2,3 step process, so you know exactly what product to use and when.

Using products consistently and as directed helps you achieve a skincare fashion statement that will never go out of style!

Want to be one of the first Canadian Rodan + Fields Skincare Consultants with me? Let's talk: sueandpaul.rfcanada.@gmail.com.

Vanity is not a dirty word!

It's official...I'm 40. I am determined to embrace this new chapter of my life, and am excited to see what the next decade has in store for me in terms of my Rodan + Fields skincare business that's launching in Canada August 2014.

Most of us start our skincare regimen once we start seeing those pesky wrinkles and age spots caused by sun damage...but the truth is, no matter the number of candles on your birthday cake, it’s never too early, or too late, to begin a healthy skin regimen. 

If you’re a Millennial, adding an anti-aging skincare such as Rodan + Fields REDEFINE regimen, to your daily skincare regimen can help preserve your youthful-looking complexion. Most importantly don't forget the sunscreen. Age spots are caused by sun damage, so if you want to avoid those sun spots early on...wear sunscreen. 

Protecting your skin from the sun doesn't mean you can’t achieve a sun-kissed glow the healthy way. Rodan + Fields Foaming Sunless Tanner is  oil-free, mess-free, applies easily and dries quickly. Click here for tips on achieving the best results with this product.

If you’re a Generation X or Y and are beginning to experience dullness, brown spots or lines and wrinkles, start a skincare regimen such as Rodan + Fields REVERSE Regimen combined
with the REDEFINE Macro Exfoliator™. 

The REVERSE Regimen erases the appearance of premature aging, including brown spots, dullness and discoloration. This regimen exfoliates, visibly brightens, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and defends against sun exposure for a long-term solution for a radiant complexion.

Combine this regimen by using the REDEFINE MACRO Exfoliator™ once a week to sweep away dead skin cells leaving behind a smoother, healthier-looking and more luminous complexion.

“Vanity” is not a dirty word. It means looking after yourself and striving to be the best you can be!

Skincare Is Your Best Fashion Accessory

When thinking of accessories most of us think of a snappy necklace, cute earrings or a great bracelet...but we rarely think of our skin as a fashion accessory.

Just like fashion accessories our skin is forever changing. Our skin changes over time due to environmental factors and biologic changes, such as climate, lifestyle and age. 

The difference is that fashions fade...but your skin lasts a lifetime, which is why it can be your best accessory if you take care of it properly.

With every passing year, your skin functions a little bit differently. When you're young your skin renews itself every month. That’s why young skin always looks so bright and fresh.

Over time, skin cell turnover slows down so that by the time you're in your 40's, it could take 50 days or more for your skin to rejuvenate.

Wooooaaahhh...I know. Since I'm approaching 40 this year I'll share with you my secrets for keeping my skin looking bright and fresh.

It's really important to incorporate regular exfoliation into your daily skincare routine, along with a good macro-exfoliation once a week, to assist the natural shedding process and reveal newer, fresher skin cells.

My favorite routine is the use Rodan + Fields REVERSE Regimen daily combined with Rodan + Fields Macro-Exfoliator once a week. (Both will be available in Canada August 2014)

Rodan + Fields REVERSE regimen - available in Canada in August 2014

This regimen helps clean your skin's slate when it comes to sun damage. The REVERSE Regimen helps erase the appearance of premature aging, including brown spots, dullness and discoloration by exfoliating, visibly brightening, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and defending against sun exposure.

Rodan + Fields Macro-Exfoliator  - available in Canada in August 2014.

Once a week I like to use my Rodan + Fields Macro-Exfoliator. This hand-held, personal use exfoliation tool sweeps away dead skin cells leaving behind a smoother, healthier-looking and more luminous complexion. 

It features technology, developed and programmed by Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields (makers of Proactiv), to vary the degree and duration of macro-exfoliation based on facial area. It's clinically proven to visibly improve your skin's texture even after one use.
We all know that aging is inevitable...but it’s your daily behaviors that influence 80% of how you you age, only 20% is hereditary. 

Everything from sun exposure, smoking and alcohol to diet, stress and sleep plays a critical role in shaping the future of your skin. That’s why it’s important to complement your skincare routine with healthy habits like daily sun protection, sleeping on your back and wearing sunglasses.

Following this skincare regimen will help to keep your skin looking young, healthy and luminous which is a fashion statement that never goes out of style!

Skincare is like the Little Black Dress

With Spring finally here and Summer just around the corner, every new season brings new fashion.

We’ve all succumbed to that “look of the moment”… only to find our fashion is quickly replaced by a new fashion trend. Except for the true classics found in every woman's closet - the classic little black dress.

What most of us don’t realize is, the same can be said about skincare.

When it comes to creating lasting, natural-looking, real results, the best solutions don't come from the latest skincare fad, but from clinically proven, time-tested ingredients with scientific discoveries that truly deliver.

The skincare ingredients that you should thin of as your little black dress are:

• Retinol
• Alpha-hydroxy acid
• Peptides
• Antioxidants, and 
• Sunscreens

Rodan + Fields skincare is clinically proven and developed by world renowned Dermatologists Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields (makers of Proactiv - the most famous acne skincare regimen on the planet).

Here is the regimen I recommend that is clinically proven and like your little black dress will remain classic.
 

REDEFINE Regimen combined with Macro Exfoliator

The REDEFINE regimen is a comprehensive skincare regimen that layers cosmetic ingredients and proven peptide technology to help defend against and reduce the visible signs of aging for noticeably firmer, smoother, flawless-looking skin. 

I also like to combine this regimen by using the Macro-Exfoliator once a week. This hand-held, personal use exfoliation tool sweeps away dead skin cells leaving behind a smoother, healthier-looking and more luminous complexion.

It features technology, developed and programmed by Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, to vary the degree and duration of macro-exfoliation based on facial area. It's clinically proven to visibly improve skin texture after only one use.

Avoid the latest fads and stick with classic products like Rodan + Fields that have clinically-proven results and success stories with real-world “before and after” examples. 

While the “look of the moment” is here today, your best fashion accessory - your skin - needs to last for a lifetime.

Rodan + Fields is coming to Canada in August 2014. If you would like more information about products or the business opportunity send me a personal message at sueandpaul.rfcanada@gmail.com.

A True Beauty - Audrey Hepburn

Ever since I was a little girl and watched my all time favorite movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s, I have loved Audrey Hepburn. Today she would have been 85, so I thought I would dedicate my post to her since she is still such a huge icon and represents beauty in every aspect.

The Audrey Hepburn Look was first inspired when she graced the cover of Time Magazine in 1953. The elegant Audrey Hepburn look is still a mark of classy and classic femininity to this day.  

Hubert de Givenchy is responsible for creating the Audrey Hepburn style - particularly the little black dress - that would inspire women’s fashions for decades. 

When told that he’d design a dress for “Ms. Hepburn” for the movie Sabrina in 1954, Givenchy mistakenly believed it would be for Katherine Hepburn, and expressed some disappointment when he found out that it wasn’t. But in classic Audrey Hepburn style she won him over, forging a friendship and collaboration on fashion that would last for the rest of her life. 

The most recognizable style was the iconic Givenchy black dress Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), a film inspired by a Truman Capote novella.

Hepburn won an Academy Award in 1953 for the movie and stole the hearts of audiences and critics worldwide. 

Audrey was born Audrey Kathleen Ruston in 1929 in Brussels, Belgium. 

Not many people know this but Audrey Hepburn didn’t have an easy childhood. She endured many hardships during WWII. During the German occupation of the Netherlands, she suffered from malnutrition, anemia and respiratory issues. Her family barely had enough food to survive. 

Many years later Audrey reflected on her youth to recognize that many others had it much worse than she did by saying “I have memories. More than once I was at the station seeing trainloads of Jews being transported, seeing all these faces over the top of the wagon. I remember, very sharply, one little boy standing with his parents on the platform, very pale, very blond, wearing a coat that was much too big for him, as he stepped on to the train. I was a child observing a child.”

She had a knack for languages (she was fluent in English, Dutch, French, Spanish and Italian) and a natural aptitude for dance. When her family moved to Amsterdam, she took ballet lessons with Sonia Gaskell, one of the greatest Dutch ballerinas. Although very talented, at 5’7” Audrey was considered too tall to become a first-rate ballerina at the time.

Audrey’s childhood helped increase her empathy. When she left her successful movie career to focus on her family and humanitarian issues, Audrey became a Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF.  

Even four months before her death she was quoted as saying “Taking care of children has nothing to do with politics. I think perhaps with time, instead of there being a politicization of humanitarian aid, there will be a humanization of politics.”

Audrey Hepburn still has a universal appeal. There was something about her beauty that was childlike and unthreatening to women.

She had a unique and astonishing form of beauty, intelligence, kindness, modesty and class. 

Ultimately, it’s not the roles she played that made her an enduring cultural icon, but who she was as a person…and this is why I love Audrey Hepburn. 

Throwback Thursday - Two words...Jack Ryan!

If you were a teenage girl growing up in the 1980's you likely know who Jake Ryan is...and if you don't, you need to revisit the movie Sixteen Candles staring Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall and Michael Schoeffling who plays the famous Jake Ryan.

Jake Ryan was my first real crush, and to this day, I still have a crush on him!

Sixteen Candles was a huge hit in 1984. The story line follows Samantha Baker played by Molly Ringwald, a high school sophomore who struggles to get through the day of her 16th birthday. 

Her entire family has forgotten her birthday because her older sister, Ginny, is getting married the next day. Sam has a major infatuation with the most popular senior in school...The one and only, Jake Ryan.

To add to Sam's problems her eccentric grandparents are staying at her house for her sister's wedding. One set of grandparents brings with them a foreign exchange student "Long Duk Dong." 

Sam's grandparents force her to take "The Donger" as he calls himself, to her school's senior dance that night.  The Donger quickly finds himself a girlfriend at the dance and goes along his night with his girlfriend. 

Another subplot involves a geeky freshman, played by Anthony Michael Hall. He calls himself Farmer Ted...No idea why. Farmer Ted is a very insecure teenage who continually pretends he's popular but in all reality he's a geek and is in love with Sam. 

After the dance Jake's girlfriend, the most popular girl in school, throws a huge party at Jake's house. By the end of the night Jake's entire house is completely trashed. 

At night's end, Jake finds Farmer Ted trapped under a table and they begin to talk. Jake asks Farmer Ted about Sam. Jake allows Farmer Ted to drive home his drunk girlfriend Caroline home in his father's Rolls Royce. Farmer Ted...doesn't have a license. lol.

The next morning Jake finds his girlfriend and Farmer Ted in the church parking lot where Sam's sister is getting married and breaks up with his girlfriend.

Jake waits for Sam to exit the church after her sister's wedding to help celebrate her 16th birthday. 

The movie ends with an iconic scene of Jake and Same sitting on a table with a birthday cake between them. Jake says "Make a wish Samantha", and Sam replies "It already came true"...then they kiss!!

THE END!!! and I LOVE it!

Some interesting facts about Jake Ryan or his real name Michael Schoeffling:

• He was a member of the U.S. Junior Wrestling Team. His team won a gold medal at the 1978 European Championships in West Germany.
• At the time of shooting Sixteen Candles he was 23 and Molly Ringwald was only 15 years old.
• Viggo Mortensen was almost cast as Jake.
• He was so shy during his audition that he almost lost the role. But the film’s producer found him so “stunning and dreamy” that they cast him anyway.
• He had a serious girlfriend at the time of shooting Sixteen Candles. They eventually married and now have 2 children together.
• He retired from acting in 1991 and is now the owner of a handcrafted furniture woodworking shop

Jake Ryan was my very first crush...and to this day whenever I watch Sixteen Candles, I still get butterflies in my stomach!!

Countdown to turning 40 -1980's popculture

My Countdown to 40 continues. If you haven't had a chance to read my other posts check out The Countdown to 40 begins, Countdown to turning 40 - The 1980's, and My Countdown to turning 40 - 1980's Fashion Faux-Pas for a trip down memory lane and some good laughs.

So to continue with the theme let's talk more about 1980's fashion. I have 2 words for you, Shoulder Pads!

It was tough in the 1980’s to find a dress, jacket, top or sweater that didn’t have built in shoulder pads. If for some reason your outfit didn’t come with shoulder pads, no problem you could insert shoulder toppers on your own. 

I blame the television show Dynasty for introducing this awful look. Dynasty was a very popular prime time television show that profiled a rich and powerful family who "lived and sinned" in their 48-room Denver mansion. Most of the outfits these luxurious woman wore, included large shoulder pads or ruffled edges. 

Thankfully, the big, boxy silhouette went out of style and never really came back. Phew!

Tacky jewelry

Large dangly earrings were very popular in the 1980’s. Other popular jewelry ranged from, candy necklaces, slap bracelets, and large cross earrings inspired by Madonna. 

Slap bracelets were flexible stainless steel that was sealed within a fabric or plastic cover. The bracelet could be straightened out then slapped against your  forearm, causing the band to spring into a curve and wraps around your wrist, securing the bracelet to your wrist.

I remember slap bracelets being banned in my grade school classroom, because we would continued to slap the bracelet on our wrists (or unsuspecting friends as a prank) throughout the day.

Swatch Watch:

Swatch watches were a stylish watch that was trendy and affordable for teens. Most teens had at least two or three Swatch watches when growing up in the 80s. 

If you were really cool, you had a dozen or more and you wore two or three at the same time!! Now that I’m an adult, it makes me laugh at the thought of wearing 2 or 3 watches as a fashion statement.

The first collection of Swatch models was introduced in 1983. If you are lucky enough to still own one of the original Swatch Watches…you might be surprised to find out that original swatch watches are quite the collector’s item. Some collectors pay top dollar for those bad boys.

ValleySpeak:

Like gag me with a spoon...totally grody to the max!

No idea what I'm talking about?? The term Valleyspeak is used to describe a way of talking that combined 1960s surfer slang, hippie lingo and street jargon. It originated in southern California's San Fernando Valley.

The term "Valley Girl" became popular with the release of a Frank Zappa’s 1982 hit called "Valley Girl", on which Frank's teenage daughter, delivered a monologue in "Valley speak" behind the music. This song popularized such phrases as:

• Grody to the max
• Gag me with a spoon
• Barf-out
• Grody,
• Like – Oh my Gad
• Like - totally

If you're looking for some good examples of Valley speak I recommend two classics. The first:

Valley Girl (the movie) starring Nicholas Cage. It was release in 1983 and is loosely based on Romeo and Juliet (very loosely). It's a really cute romantic comedy.

Square Pegs was an awesome show that starred Sarah Jessica Parker in 1982-83. I recently just started watching it again on Netflix. It’s still a great show!!

Tracey Nelson played a character named Jennifer DiNuccio. Her character was the typical Valley Girl. For you younger people Alicia Silverstone also does a great job of Valley speak in the movie Clueless as she plays Cher Horowitz with her famous line "AS IF!!!".

Hopefully this brought back some good memoreies for you. Stayed tuned as we will soon be venturing into the 1990's...What will that bring?