Sunburn Relief

With the weather getting warmer, and the Memorial Day weekend kick off to Summer rapidly approaching, many of us will be donning bathing suits and heading outside in an attempt to get some color. Unfortunately, for some of us, that color will be RED. Now, if you always wear sunscreen, big floppy hats, and are against a “healthy glow” at all costs, please don’t judge. While I always appreciate being warned about sunburn after having gotten horribly sunburned, I don’t know a single person who hasn’t visited the Sunburn Walk of Shame at one point or another. It leads me to wonder why we forget to apply some sort of sun protection when we clearly know the outcome of our neglect will be lobsteresque and crispy. Yes, we all know a good broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher is recommended by the folks qualified to make such a recommendation. But, perhaps you’ve fallen asleep at the pool or beach and have a full body burn, or maybe you just missed that one spot during your dutiful application of SPF 2000. There are things that can be done to reduce the damage done and the discomfort caused by a nasty burn. For those with a full out, “What were they possibily thinking to let that happen?” sort of burn, following the steps below may also help to reduce the humilation of being called a lobster, or worse, an idiot.

Conch (kongk): any variety of large, spiral shaped mollusks; the shell of which is used especially in cameos. When capitalized, Conch: a native or resident of the Florida Keys.

Drive past the Last Chance Saloon on US 1 in Florida City, and you’ve just entered a new country. Well, sort of. That country is the Northernmost Territories of The Conch Republic. Don’t worry. You don’t have to show your passport, but that wasn’t always the case.

For some strange reason, back in 1982, the U.S. federal government border patrol had deemed it altogether fitting and proper to establish a border-type roadblock 100 miles within U.S. territory to check for illegal immigrants, drug smuggling, and heaven knows what else. Nearly almost every car was stopped and searched, resulting in a 17-mile-long traffic jam on the only road connecting the Keys to mainland Florida. Getting to and from the Keys became one giant hassle, and tourism to the area plummeted. Not to mention residents of the Keys were made to feel like outcasts or criminals, having to show passports to travel within their own country.

Wow. To say “what a week, “ would be an understatement. I know Aloe is like a drink for your skin, but it's Friday, and I could use a beverage of a more literal variety. I found this recipe, and thought I would pass it along. Its yummy combination of not too sweet, not too sour smells just like our Key Lime Moisturizing Lotion. One sip, and I’m transported to a hammock at the beach. Try it and let me know what you think.

Have a safe weekend!

-Vera

Key Lime-Tini

Ingredients:

* ice
* 2 shots vanilla vodka OR 2 shots vanilla flavored soda
* ½ shot Key Lime juice
* 2 tablespoons cream of coconut
* 1 shot pineapple juice

Add all ingredients to a martini shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into glass. Enjoy!

Hi, All.

Check out the new Key West Aloe video. Makes this blogger want to go shopping...

They had me at "Aloe,"

- Vera

“I gave her my heart, and she gave me a pen…”

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and though it's a retail driven, materialistic holiday, pressure to find “the perfect gift” for can be stressful. Bad gifts are remembered long after bad breakups, however. For instance, I have a friend who once received an Epilady, because I guess nothing says “I love you,” more than a rapidly spinning coil of torture intended to rip hair out by the root. Even I will never forget his name. So, below are a few suggestions to help make your Valentine’s Day a success, no matter what stage the relationship…