Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Summer makeover...from drab to FAB!

Yes! Summer has officially arrived! Let the makeovers begin!

Sunny days are so motivating to throw on a pair of sneakers and take a walk around your block getting as much cardio exercise. Summer's about getting fit! So save your gym allowance this summer and enjoy the great outdoors!

You'll need every dollar you don't spend at the gym to buy a new wardrobe! Changing your style and finding new flattering clothes will increase your confidence ad keep you up to date on the latest fashions.

Summer's also a great opportunity to eat right and drink plenty of water.  Salads have never been crispier and juicier in the summer time to me! Eat plenty of protein and pair it with a side salad, or veggies. The energy you'll get from this is unbelievable!

Time for a new skin care routine! Just as season's change, so should your skin's moisturizers. Wash and exfoliate daily, and look for a lighter textured moisturizer this warmer season as your skin will tend to be more on the oily side under warmer weather.

Finally, getting a haircut is  really fun way to change your style and is healthy for your hair too!

Turn your look from drab to FAB this summer for your own good and self confidence! Most importantly, wear a SMILE every day! That's your best accoutrement!

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Slow and steady wins the shave…

Ah yes! Summer has fast approached us. We’re longing everyday to wear our dresses and skirts and plan a weekend at the beach. But, like most women, you probably hate shaving. And the worst part is that just when you think you’re done, you’re out of the shower and realize you’ve missed a spot or find yourself bleeding around the ankles. Or maybe you notice hair on your big toe…Ugh! Regardless the process, here are some ways to help you shave safely and effectively and probably even shave LESS!

Step One
Begin with a good razor. Personally, I like a man’s razor. Gillette Fusion with Aloe. A man’s razor has razors for a closer shave and that’s what I’m looking for, especially on my legs!

Step Two
Exfoliating. By exfoliating, you are removing the dead skin cells so that the small hairs are exposed! And you don’t need to buy any fancy creams or whip up a complicated remedy. Just bring a tablespoon of salt or sugar with you next time you shower, and rub this against your legs.

Step Three
Ditch the soap! Instead, after exfoliating, try using some body oil. I like to lather my entire body in Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Oil Gel in Aloe. It will not only give you a smoother shave, but your legs will have a natural shine of pure moisture when you’re done!

Step Four
Know the direction you’re shaving. Instead of shaving in the direction of your hairs, try shaving against them. So, begin at the ankle and move your way up toward your knee. And ladies, it’s not a race!


Sunday, June 16, 2013

A closet full of clothes...but I have nothing to wear!

As a mom of two, my days and thoughts are now spent on planning and thinking ahead. Always. From what are we going to eat...to WHAT ARE WE GOING TO WEAR!

With Father's Day being today (Happy Father's day ladies btw), aside from thinking what I can buy my husband, and managing my morning so we're out of the house and in time for our brunch reservations, I'm trying to put an outfit together in my head as I'm feeding the little guy his bottle.

"I like the outfit I had on yesterday. Skinny jeans and a black top...maybe I would throw on some wedges though since we're having lunch out today, oh wait...I just bought all these new tops! Oh and that chevron sun dress? Maybe I'll wear THAT instead...but we have all summer, I'm sure they'll be more occasions. Ok, I'll wear the jeans but maybe with a different top. Let me get some use out of the size 10 skinny jeans for what it's worth..."

Here's something you should know about me: if I've worn it once, chances are, you may never see me wear it again. Call me cliché or snobby or materialistic, I have this weird idea that because I remember events and people by the clothes they were wearing, others do too. This is why it's a battle for me trying to look the best that I can and not spend a fortune on clothes...every week! And also, my ass use to be a size 3 so until I loose this baby weight, I'm challenged a little bit more now.

Here's what I've concluded: mix & match! Changing up a pair of jeans from flats to wedges and tops from T's, short sleeve, long sleeve, sleeveless to throwing a cardigan over a tank top, belt no belt...will change your entire look completely!

There's no reason why this new top you bought can't be worn underneath a lightweight jacket after you've worn it with a hot pair of jeans...last week. Dress it UP with high wedges or dress it DOWN with cute flat sandals. And don't forget, always accessorize with big jewelry to bring out a whole new style to your outfit!

Can any of you relate or am I just cray-cray?!



Saturday, June 8, 2013

For your face? Really?!

A real girly-girl who loves makeup will go to many lengths to try new things!

A recent discovery of mine has been the Blending Sponge. So, I bought it to see what the hype was about. I hurried it out of it's packaging, began dabbing it into my foundation and thought it would smoothly work its magic onto my face...WRONG!

At first, I didn't get it. I've been trying this precision blender sponge all week and I only find myself hurting my face!

 
It's unabsorbing and hard and the best way it works is when I push it hard to my skin to get a smooth finish. However, the best part of this product is the tip where I can go underneath and in the crease of my eyes and the creases of my nose.

It is then when I had my "ah-ha!" moment and realized...don't you dampen sponges? See my "How To Use A Precision Blending Sponge" below:

 
 

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Do you rock Class?

Classy: An adjective. Meaning very stylish and elegant, not crude or misgusting or dirty or depressing; a deeper, more meaningful word for 'cool'. Prestige and high quality. ~definition by the Urban Dictionary.

Do you rock class? You don't have to own a very expensive item to show you have class. Class is not only in what your wear, it's about who you are. How you carry yourself, how you work what you own including your attitude and personality.

It's being in tune with the latest trends without being over the top gaudy. Simple and sophisticated. Making a $10 top look like a million bucks because you carry yourself like a lady.

Has anyone ever told you that you lack class? Being elegant and stylish comes in so many shapes and forms. It's in the way you talk, the way you walk. Your expressed  opinions show class. Your maturity shows class. Your void to drama and cliché's shows class. Back straight, head high is what I always say.

Know your worth and never forget it. We're all jewels and God's children. I've learned the hard way to speak when spoken to and just answer the questions asked. No need to go into detail about aspects of your life, now matter how big or little the topic might be. Learn to "smile and nod", be cordial but direct. Always choose your words carefully when expressing an opinion, we're not all the same, people will always twist your words according to how THEY heard it.

That, to me, is CLASS.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Narcissism: Surving the Self Involved

A self-help book of as little as 100 pages by Meredith Resnick.

"(Hurt) encounters with a person who lacks empathy for us is painful" a quote in this book that hits the spot when you are dealing with a narcissist. I could never find the word for this type of behavior until now.

I always could describe it: when someone attacks you of being something you are NOT. A narcissist is sadly a disease of a self-loathing person who is reflecting all their negativity on you.

Have you ever been in an argument with someone and wondered as you listened to them be-little you "are you insane?".  It's like they are taking the words straight out of your thoughts and saying them to your face when in fact, they should be looking in the mirror confronting themselves.

A narcissist will appear too good to be true one minute, and completely cold and distant the next. I find it quite sad that a person with this ugly behavior cannot find complete fulfillment in their lives. There's an old saying "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me"; a narcissist will call YOU negative, they will say YOU have mental problems and that YOU are the one with the insecurities, but the truth is, it is THIS person (not YOU) who is negative, insecure and mentally dysfunctional. This is a disorder in a person that will drive everyone crazy-except the person who has it. It's not that they are completely in love with themselves, its actually the complete opposite: it's the IMAGE of thyself.

What is the point really of owning a beautiful house, car or the most expensive designer bags, shoes, clothes if you cannot maintain, cherish and value these things? Things. Materials. False self = narcissism. It's not just the picture you draw, it's what's behind it that matters.

Unfortunately these people lack the ability to love at all. If you're a compassionate person, show empathy towards a person like this as they are deeply lonely, needy and disown feelings from themselves consciously and unconsciously.

"I'm sorry" are two letter words that may be appropriate at the time, but if they are not believed and felt, they mean: nothing. Do not give in to the words or acts of a narcissist. They will find ways to hurt you because of their own insecurities and unhappiness within themselves. They will strive for success and power, and are not compassionate when they've kicked you to the ground and stepped over you. They will say their sorry and you may forgive, but you can never forget.

REAL EYES recognize REAL LIES ~unknown

Believe that their is a greater power out there, that you are here living and breathing and not a THING checked off someones "to-do" list. Respect yourself enough to free your mind, body and spirit from someone who takes you down when all you want to do is help them up. 

"Sometimes, people try to expose what's wrong with you, because they can't handle what's right about you"  ~lessons learned in life.

I'm done.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Oh sunshine! Kiss my face!

It appears that in the summer we're all more concerned about our outer appearance. We start dieting, we look for better ways to enhance the glow of our skin. Let's face it, with 90 something degree weather, we tend to wear less layers. Show off more leg and arms and who wants milky white legs when you can have stunning sun-kissed ones?

The secret is in the making, and it begins and should be practiced daily, all year through.

For one, avoid steamy showers. That's easy, right? Who wants to stand under hot running water in the heart of summer. Hot showers strip the skin of its moisture. Keep your showers cool.

Apply Aloe Vera daily. Aloe Vera eats away at dead skin and speeds up the healing process. From head to toe, apply it generously and let time take its course.

Get plenty of Vitamin C. This helps keep your skin smooth and youthful. Vitamin C is a natural energy booster and helps "wake up" those sleepy skin cells.

Exfoliate everyday. And I don't mean the harsh stuff. Many beauty products now-a-days make daily exfoliating cream cleansers that are safe for daily wash. Neutrogena and Oil of Olay to name a few.

Take multivitamins. I can't stress this enough. Eating healthy alone won't cut it if you're not taking your daily dose of "ACE", vitamins A, C and E. Let's face it, we don't spend days on end eating greens. And these in particular, are vital to healthy skin.

KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF YOUR FACE. How tempting though?! But, it's not OK! Don't pick at something and think you're doing any good by applying the old myth of toothpaste at the end of the day. Stop examining your face, looking for something to pick at.

Change your moisturizer every season. In the winter, you should apply moisturizer a little heavier in texture. In the summer, your skin doesn't require so much moisture, but a daily SPF is still a good idea.

Get rid of excess oils from your skin. AKA Toning. And if you don't have the name brand ones, Peroxide does the trick.

Choose your cosmetics carefully. Including moisturizers. Anything with color or fragrance is an absolute no-no to your skin. Read the labels carefully. Anything that says "antibacterial" should be avoided!

With these tips, you're on the right path to even, healthy glowing skin. And to add a little color, it is so vital to avoid tanning salons. Ugh! Been there...done that and I've paid the price!

Try a Body Drench like Quick Tan. It's an instant self tanner for a natural look all year around. It won't streak or make you look orange. Apply it every other day, and I prefer the cream over the mist.
(Found at your local BeautyLand for $12.99 (+/-) for an 8oz bottle.



Saturday, June 1, 2013

Whether you’re new to the world of extensions or have been wearing extensions faithfully, it’s important to know how to maintain these. Wearing hair extensions is a great way to add length, color, volume to your own hair.  Dramatically change your look without all the processing of hair dyes and scissors to your already lovely locks.

It all begins in the purchasing of a new pair. Most people tend to chose natural hair extensions over synthetic ones since they look and feel more like real hair. It’s totally up to you and what your wallet allows.
 
There are so many different ways to attach hair extensions to your hair, but if you’re just starting out and want to try the simplest method, try clip-on extension.
 
Now, let’s discuss caring about your extensions. Once you pick out what type of hair extensions you want to wear, get yourself a good brush or comb. Cleanse and condition your hair extensions so they are soft and shiny just like you would care for your own hair.
 
Be extremely gentle while washing hair extensions! Wash hair extensions separately and avoid twisting, scrubbing or rubbing while you wash. Apply the shampoo and conditioner in a downward motion and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and gently squeeze.

While styling your hair extensions, typically you only want to use heat tools on 100% human hair, but overusing blow dryers, curling irons or flat irons can shorten the life of hair extensions. Treat your hair extensions like you would the natural hair on your own head.

Another important tip on caring for extensions properly is storing them. If you wear clip-on extension, you’ll want to remove them at night and lay them out flat. Semi permanent or permanent extensions should be wrapped on your head in a silk scarf or braid your hair to avoid knotting and tangling.

Lastly, as much fun as it is to wear hair extensions and change your look, if they are causing damage to your hair or scalp (ex: thinning hair or falling hair), it’s time to give your scalp a rest.

Good luck with these ladies!!
To work a casual polished look or a more dressed up (or down) look depending on the occasion, tailored shorts are a must have this summer! Team up these shorts with plain t-shirts or a blazer; take your appearance from basic to awesome!

Chambray Shorts…are high waisted and are great for a smart sophisticated look.  Made to be paired with a plain blouse and patent ballet flats, they are an alternative to your casual denim shorts.
 
Striped shorts…team them with a slouchy tee, and a colorful bag for a cool nautical inspired look!

Tuxedo shorts…are perfect for working a polished look. Team these babies with a lace-up shoe and fitted blazer and a printed top. This look is so fun!

Contrast tailored shorts…are longer and great for working a casual look. Wear them with a tank top and bold necklace. The little contrast will add the right amount of “wow” to your ensemble.

Polka dot shorts…are just so trendy this year. If you’re brave enough to pull off this pattern, team it with a plain tank top and flats or high wedges.

Pastel Bermuda shorts…you can’t go wrong with these. They are very feminine paired with a silky blouse and neutral shoes.
 
Geometric Printed shorts…are also very popular this time around. Whether you pair it with a plain top or a dressier one, these geometric shapes make for some fun!
 
Floral printed shorts…because floral is just an absolute favorite print this year. You can’t beat a good floral pattern this summer! Try it out!
 
What are your favorite shorts? Do you think you’ll be trying these this season?