Author Archives: tracy

After July 4th weekend

Hope everyone enjoyed the 3 day July 4th weekend and is well rested now.

Have you noticed that gots2know.com is under some major upgrades to provide a better user experience? Therefore, please excuse the delay of new post(s) during the upcoming week or two.

Thanks for coming to gots2know.com!

Happy July 4th Weekend!!!!

July 4 fireworks 2

Whether you are enjoying beers, having a BBQ at the beach or in the backyard,

whether you are in Hawaii, Miami, Alaska, or CA,

don’t forget the sunblock cream to protect you and your loved ones while you enjoy the fabulous summer weather.

Enjoy,

Gots2know.com

July4 fireworks 1

Can Natural/Organic Sunscreen be 100% effective on UV Ray Protection? (Part 2)

Part II: Regular Activities

Unlike my children, I don’t do any outdoor activities or outdoor sports at the competitive level. That’s just crazy!!! I’m an indoor/city girl!!! LOL! I care too much about sun damage that can cause discoloration or any color pigmentation in particular on my face. Since the only time I do worry about my skin getting exposed to UV rays is during driving or sitting on the pool deck watching my kids competing in their swim race, it’s not necessary to have higher % of ZnO in sunscreen. In fact, I am more concerned about  Natural ingredients, the scent, the thickness, oily greasy or not, and any allergic reactions (Note: I have very sensitive skin).  I have been using Sisley, the French cosmetic brand, for 20+ years now, but I’m also starting to explore other brands to accommodate changes in my lifestyle over the past 5-7 years. Continue reading

Can Natural/Organic Sunscreen be 100% effective for UV Ray Protection? (Part 1)

Part I: Outdoors and Sports Activities

Collection of Sunscreen: All Natural

Collection of Sunscreen: All Natural

Sunscreen — essential and your best friend during the fabulous summer season. How to choose the best sun block cream to effectively protect from UV ray damage, sunburns, and Continue reading

Why I love my Bimmer!!!

The Ultimate Driving Machine

Poeka (L), Tubby (R) @ 535xi 2008 station wagon

Poeka (L), Tubby (R) @ 535xi 2008 station wagon

From reluctant to hesitant, giving it a try, then madly falling in love, and now I can’t imagine my life without one. It only took a split second for a black M3 coupe fully equipped with Racing Dynamics gear zooming past me on Highway 110 in Los Angeles, Southern California on a Friday night 20 years ago Continue reading

Zumba Fitness

Fitness

Ok, I would like to shift gears here for a second; as summer approaches, I’m sure many of you start paying extra attention on diet and exercise to keep fit in order to wear beautiful cocktail dresses, that bikini on the beach, or shorts or whatever to show off your figure. Because I DO!! Ha ha!

Halloween Party, 2012

Halloween Party, 2012

I would like to talk about and introduce my favorite fitness class: ZUMBA. I always DISLIKED (the word not strong enough to describe me) exercise and exposure to the sun since forever. And now I’m huge fan of Zumba, especially crazy for this one particularly fascinating lady’s Zumba class: Oola Zumba Fitness.

It wasn’t until 6 years ago that I decided to do something with my health after two complicated pregnancies. I discovered this new thing called “Zumba”, it was the MUSIC that drew my attention, not so much the choreography because I’m too shy to do the salsa, belly dance etc in front of a group of people. I stood outside the classroom and watched for weeks and finally decided to give it a try. Oh believe me, I looked like an idiot, body so stiff, Continue reading

Preventing & Controlling Breakouts, Part 2

So, continuing from my last post…

Use a cleanser and facial scrub on a daily basis to remove excess oil produced overnight and during the day. Don’t forget that make-up residue can clog pores as well. Not sure how many of you are aware that sunblock cream can easily clog pores too. As we are entering the beautiful summer season, the cleansing step becomes the most important step to preventing breakouts.

If your skin condition is more normal to oily than you can use a gentle facial scrub on a daily basis; otherwise, use it once or twice a week to avoid dehydrated skin. BTW, one tip: Continue reading

How to Prevent & Control “Breakouts”

As much as I believe in natural skin products (less chemical elements), there are certain things that just can’t be all natural, for example preventing “breakouts” before they breakout.

I didn’t have a severe breakout problem when I was a teen, and I didn’t have any acne issues throughout my life, but I do have a few breakouts here and there. In particular, 7-10 days before my menstrual cycle begins. The breakouts that I refer are “white heads” or “black heads”, but from time to time I do have a bad breakout. And because I don’t like to feel bumps on my face, Continue reading

Dehydrated Skin

What!?!? It only takes just a drop or two of an oil based serum to correct my “dry” skin problem??? This finding came as quite a shock and surprise as I was told that I had ”dry” skin since I was a child, and my dear mother has spent enormous amounts of money on hydrating skin products to help improve dry skin. My esthetician gave me a few samples of Omega-3 from Sonya Dakar without any intention of improving my dryness problem but because the spa owner was just about to throw them away.  After applying 3 tiny samples, I begin to notice my skin started looking moist and radiant.  Continue reading