When the leaves start to change and nights turn chilly, there’s no denying that autumn has arrived. We all look forward to the upcoming holidays and sweater weather, but the changing seasons can leave your hair looking less than lovely. Wind, cold weather, and forced air heating can zap hair’s moisture levels in an instant. Here are five tips to help you adjust your hair care routine before a bad hair day strikes. Turn Down the Tap When temperatures dip, most of us take longer, warmer showers. While our muscles may appreciate the added heat, hair isn’t a hot water...

Even though autumn has only just begun, store shelves are stocked with everything for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pumpkin spice everything abounds, but if you’re dealing with summer-like temperatures, it can be hard to start thinking about a roaring fire, hot cocoa, and wearing anything with sleeves. One way to jumpstart your seasonal transition is to start bringing autumnal touches into your home. Here are four of our favorites. Warm Up Your Neutrals Bright white towels, sheets, throw blankets, and pillows are always in style, and adding a few warmer, neutral tones is a good way to keep your home from...

Even if the weather in your area hasn’t fully transitioned into autumn yet, you may still be feeling the effects of a long, hot summer. Spending time outdoors, lounging by the lake, or simply taking the family on a fun vacation to a drier region can leave your skin looking a little worse for the wear. Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to help your skin recover while you’re ramping up for the holiday season. Deciphering If Your Skin Is Dry or Dehydrated Understanding your skin type isn’t often easy, especially when it comes to deciphering the difference between...

Ever wonder about life in Italy and the things that the creators at Acca Kappa draw inspiration from? The food, art, culture, wine, and architecture in the Veneto region constantly enthrall us, and as we celebrate our 153rd anniversary, we thought you’d enjoy a virtual tour of some of the region’s highlights. Indulge in the Culinary Delights of Venice  While romantic gondola rides may spring to mind when thinking of Venice, you’d be remiss if you failed to enjoy a traditional Italian meal here on your visit. A multi-course meal often begins with antipasti – tiny morsels that whet your...

Lately, it seems like any and all topics are open for discussion, but talking about perspiration and body odor prevention still isn’t something most of us want to do unless the natural bodily function has approached critical territory. Deodorant has been around since the late 19th century, but antiperspirant didn’t gain widespread acceptance until after 1910. Early incarnations were acid-based and caused skin irritation, so it wasn’t until marketers began playing on our fears of being shunned in popular society  that the product truly gained a foothold. Facts Not Fiction Today, the two products go head-to-head while competing for consumer...

If you live north of the equator, you’re probably experiencing the hottest, most humid days of the year. Long referred to as the dog days of summer, the July, August and September months can become unbearable, forcing us all to get really creative to stay cool. Short of hermitting indoors until autumn, what can you do to beat the heat? Here are 10 fun ways to enjoy the summer without overheating. #1 Reschedule Your Workout  Even if you prefer to exercise at a specific time, it’s best to let the thermometer dictate your schedule. Overexerting yourself during hot weather leads...

When you think of summer, what comes to mind? A wellness adventure where you can meditate and refocus? An eco-tourism trip to observe wildlife in one of the world’s most exotic locations? Many people thrive on travel, but when you couple soaring gas and airfare prices with the unpredictability of rising Covid-19 outbreaks, staying home – and staying safe – sounds better and better by the day. Many people embrace staycationing – including us – and here are five ways we elevate the at-home and in-town experience for a summer to remember. Give Yourself an At-Home Spa Experience If staying...

The salt, sand, and sea trifecta makes for a perfect summer destination, but those three elements can wreak havoc on your skin’s healthy glow. And when you spend your days luxuriating poolside or playing volleyball on the beach, your skin needs more pampering than usual. To get your healthy radiance back on track, try incorporating all five of these activities into your weekly routine. Reap the Benefits of Dry Brushing If your wellness practices involve meditation or yoga, you may already know about dry brushing. The principle is simple actually. In Ayurveda, a healing system with a 5,000-year history, garshana...

One of the most generous things people do is open their home to family and friends. After the long COVID-19 separation, it’s time to rekindle our friendships, and summertime brings out the entertainer in us all. If your friends have invited you for an afternoon barbecue, pool party, or even to stay a few days, consider yourself incredibly lucky, but don’t show up empty-handed. Make your visit or temporary stay a memorable one by thinking outside the gift-giving box. Give the Gift of Self-Care Every hostess wants her guests to enjoy themselves, which usually means putting in hours of pre-party...

As the weather heats up, we all seek refuge near the water. A day at the beach can help you unwind and relax … but only if you have the creature comforts within reach. Sunscreen, sunglasses, snacks, and a beach blanket are pretty much essential for any waterfront outing, but if you haven’t packed a beach bag in a while, you may need a few additional tips. We think the following items make a day at the beach, well, a walk in the park. Preemptive Hair Protection You wouldn’t dream of heading out to the beach before applying sunscreen, so...