Are you flaunting an incredibly white summer smile? This summer, learn to brighten your teeth without the expensive whitening treatments.

Check out these 6 ways to naturally whiten teeth:

1) Limit your intake of coffee, tea, and red wine.

2) Brush and floss your teeth twice a day. Allowing plaque to build up on your teeth can cause discoloration.

3) Strawberries not only taste delicious, they’re known to whiten teeth! Cut one open and rub over your gums and teeth. Leave on for 5 minutes before rinsing.

4) Quit smoking. It initiates gum disease, helps the formation of bacteria, and causes teeth to yellow.

5) Mix baking soda with a little bit of salt and water and brush onto your teeth. It will not only whiten and brighten, but also give you a fresh, squeaky clean.

6) If you’ve used lemon juice to lighten and brighten your hair, it also has the same effects on your teeth. Mix with salt and apply to teeth with your finger or a toothbrush.

What are the secrets to your winning smile?

July 4th is filled with outdoor activities and long days in the sun. With the increase in exposure to the sun and environment, it’s extremely important to protect our skin.

Check out these 6 tips to look flawless for the fourth:

1) Slather on the sunscreen- Wear an SPF of at least 30 and remember to reapply.

2) Don’t forget the bug spray- Spray generously to prevent getting those itchy, unattractive, bites.

3) Shield the sun- Pack a hat or sunglasses for extra protection from the sun. Your skin will thank you later. : )

4) Waterproof It- When heading to the beach or pool, opt for waterproof eyeliner and mascara. After applying, let dry for at least 5 minutes so that perspiration won’t cause running.

5) Ditch the powder- For eye shadow, a cream base will last longer than a powder (which disappears when you sweat).

6) Be patriotic- Though I don’t suggest wearing red, white, AND blue all over your face, incorporate one or two colors in your eye makeup. Another cute way to show your pride is by sporting decals or patriotic colors on your nails.

How do you stay flawless for the fourth?

The Fourth of July means food, family, and fun! This holiday, indulge without hurting your waistline.

Check out these 5 tips for a healthy Fourth of July:

1) Keep active- Sign up for a local 5K race or get the family involved and go for a swim. If you’re having a get together, organize games for the kids in your backyard.

2) Watch the sauce- Swap the extra mayo and BBQ sauce for a fat-free alternative.

3) Switch up the menu- Instead of predominantly filling your skewers with meat, add some colorful vegetables! You can also cut calories by ditching the chesse and bacon for tomato and avocado. Be sure to add sides like salad and fruit instead of chips and heavy carbs.

4) Look for lean- Make your hot dogs and hamburgers healthier by only purchasing lean meats.

5) Stay Hydrated- If you’re consuming alcohol, make sure to drink 80z of water for every drink you consume!

How are you celebrating for the holiday?

Unfortunately, testing doesn’t stop at high school. Whether pursuing higher education or trying to advance in the workplace, we are constantly tested. In order to succeed, studying is crucial. But with all the stress and daily tasks at hand, how can we survive the studying? The answer lies in organizing, taking care of yourself, and effectively managing your time.

Check out these 8 tips for study survival:

1) Get up a little earlier- Study your most difficult subjects early in the day when your mind is fresh.

2) Add a little music- Pick a tempo and artist that is relaxing, not distracting.

3) Time yourself- Instead of spacing out or getting mentally exhausted, stick to a schedule. Time how long you will study each section so you will be productive.

4) Brain Food- Load up on vitamins, antioxidants, and Omega 3 fatty acids to improve brain function, circulation, and memory.

5) Group Study- Two heads are better than one! Get your classmates together for a little motivation! You can quiz each other and check answers.

6) Change the subject- You will easily get tired of studying one subject for too long. Make sure to switch it up but devote more time to the subject that is the most difficult.

7) Create a schedule- It’s more effective to study over a long period of time than to cram it all into one day. Make a study schedule and stick to it.

8)Always have an off day- Taking a day off will allow your mind to rest and relax. Make sure not to engage in any stressful activities during your off day!

How do you survive studying?

Drop the expensive pills and products and head to the grocery store!

Check out these 5 foods for healthy hair:

1) Salmon- Did you know that your hair is mostly made of protein? Salmon is a great source of protein and also contains omega 3 fatty acids which are good for your scalp!

2) Nuts- Try walnuts, cashews, or pecans to achieve thick, shiny hair.

3) Beans- They contain protein, zinc, and biotin!

4) Whole Grains- Incorporate whole grain cereal, bread, or crackers for a source of iron, zinc, and vitamin B.

5) Eggs- Instead of a messy hair mask, simply add eggs to your breakfast to get Vitamin B12 and achieve healthy hair.

What is your secret to luxurious locks?

#1 Best-Selling Author, Therese Benedict, has released her new book Days Go By, Not Love on Amazon.

“Days Go By, Not Love ~ A Beautiful Journey of Change is book one of a four-book series. It is the beginning steps to changing your life and to finding the answers to the questions you’ve long been seeking. In book one, you will learn how and where to begin with finding happiness. When you take your first steps you will begin to live with your soul and your heart’s true desires. And as your steps continue you will see many doors open for love to enter and learn where to close the doors of misery. You will see the brightness of light that you desire and feel it come from within your soul. You will understand how to take each step with love and strength – with more insight on the knowledge of deeper thoughts and understanding your actions and the actions of others; including learning how to change your actions and to help others to change theirs.”

When you order from Amazon, you enter to win 1 of 3 Scandle $50 gift certificates! To learn more about the book and prizes, visit www.daysgobynotlove.com.

It’s time to get your beach bag ready. While packing your bag, remember that every product is not an essential! You don’t want to be taking your entire bathroom to the beach. Summer is all about being low-maintenance and care-free!

Check out our 4 summer beach essentials:

1) Sunscreen- This is a MUST! Sunscreen protects our skin and prevents aging and uneven pigmentation. Use it in a spray, powder, cream, or moisturizer before sun exposure.

2) Water- It’s important to stay hydrated! Also bring a spray bottle to keep skin hydrated if you don’t plan on taking a dip.

3) Scandle “Sol” Survivor Beach Bag- Who needs a towel when your bag converts into a beach mat? Check out our stylish, functional, beach bag here.

4) A summer read- Relax on the beach with new magazine or steamy summer romance novel!

What are your “must-haves” for the beach?

Although a week in paradise with close friends sounds like perfection, these vacations can often end in constant arguments and stress. It seems like everyone has limited time and a different agenda. Instead of succumbing to drama, take time to plan so that you’ll leave and return with your friendships in tact. : )

Check out these 6 tips for traveling with friends:

*Take a trial trip- If you haven’t spent much time with the people you plan on vacationing with, spend a weekend together or take a road trip. This should show you a bit of what to expect on your vacation.

*Openly discuss your spending- Are you planning to be on a budget and opt for fast food or spend freely and indulge in fine dining? If you and your friends are not on the same page, there will be problems!

*It’s all about timing- Would you rather be up at 8am to explore or sleep in until 12? Does it annoy you to leave a little late or extend an activity an hour longer? Discuss these preferences before hand and plan accordingly!

*Create an itinerary- Find out what you would each like to do and briefly plan out each day. It is very important to discuss flexibility. Is your friend a control freak that must stick to a particular schedule? Find out BEFORE your trip to prevent any surprises.

*Spend time alone-When you are around someone for 24 hours a day, it can get to be frustrating. Schedule time to have a spa day, read, take a walk, or go to the pool by yourself.

*Communicate- If you feel tension between both of you, talk it out! It is best to be honest and discuss the problems at hand. This way, you can all develop a solution and get to enjoying your vacation.

What experiences have you had when traveling with friends?

Anger is an inevitable emotion but uncontrolled anger is not! Outbursts and rage are not at all healthy and can have a long-lasting negative impact on your relationships with others. All frustrations can be dealt with in a positive way. Check out these 6 tips to tame your temper:

1) Breathing- Take slow, deep, long breaths to calm your nerves.

2) Think before you speak- Instead of mouthing off take time to calm down and think about how to better express your feelings. If you aren’t able to control yourself verbally, write it down.

3) Exercise- Engage in any type of physical activity to release emotion.

4) Engage in healthy venting- It’s important not to let your emotions build up with no release. Call a close friend and discuss the issue at hand and ask for advice.

5) Listen to music- Listening to slow, relaxing music will help lower your heart rate and clear your mind.

6) Find a solution- Take the time to think of solutions to the problem before confrontation so you will not encounter the same situation in the future.

What steps do you take to tame your temper?

Summer is here! Have you stocked up on Scandles? With 19 scents, it’s hard to choose just one. Check out the countdown to my favorite summer scent:

5) Hummingbird- An original fragrance of kiwi, lilac, tiger lily, with pineapples and pears. I adore this scent, especially in the Dead Sea Salt Scrub. It leaves my skin smelling fruity and feeling soft and smooth. Its great to use in your shower before heading to the pool.

4) Margarita- Smells JUST LIKE a Margarita. It is a fresh lime fragrance with hints of lemon rinds and fresh greenery. I like to keep this scent in my kitchen or out on the table while entertaining.

3) Sex on the Beach- Enjoy the tropical fragrance of fresh ripened peaches, fresh squeezed oranges, and coconut. When I think of summer, this is what it smells like.

2) Green Tea Aloe- I absolutely love love LOVE this scent. It is a unisex fragrance of fresh citrus and jasmine petals on a woodsy, sweet musk background. It has such a clean, fresh smell and is perfect after a long day at the beach.

1) Coconut Kiss- This is my summer favorite! Our NEW limited edition summer scent. A tantalizing aroma of sweet coconut milk with warm base notes of rich, creamy vanilla. This is a scent you just cant get enough of (I often find my nose inside of the fragrance bottle). I really enjoy Coconut Kiss in our Shimmer Lotion Candle and keep a travel tin on my desk : ).

What’s your favorite Scandle scent for summer?