iRene kim beauty

How Does It Taste? -Mark Nepo

2012-01-11T02:20:00.005-05:00

I recently read a story from Mark Nepo's Book of Awakening (Oprah approved!!!) that I loved and have been sharing with my friends.

For my first post of 2012 (HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!), I would also like to share it with you.

"How Does It Taste?"

The more spacious and larger our fundamental nature,
the more bearable the pains in living.

-Wayne Muller

An aging Hindu master grew tired of his apprentice complaining, and so, one morning, sent him for some salt. When the apprentice returned, the master instructed the unhappy young man to put a handful of salt in a glass of water, and then to drink it.

"How does it taste?" the master asked.

"Bitter," spit the apprentice.

The master chuckled and then asked the young man to take the same handful of salt and put it in the lake. The two walked in silence to the nearby lake, and once the apprentice swirled his handful of salt in the water, the old man said, "Now drink from the lake."

As the water dripped down the young man's chin, the master asked, "How does it taste?"

"Fresh," remarked the apprentice.

"Do you taste the salt?" asked the master.

"No," said the young man.

At this, the master sat beside this serious young man who so reminded him of himself and took his hands, offering, "The pain of life is pure salt; no more, no less. The amount of pain in life remains the same, exactly the same. But the amount of bitterness we taste depends on the container we put the pain in. So when you are in pain, the only thing you can do is to enlarge your sense of things... Stop being a glass. Become a lake."

So I hope that all of you can remember this bit of wisdom and remember...........be a lake.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 16

2011-11-17T23:04:00.002-05:00

"On Spaceship Earth there are no passengers;

Everybody is a member of the crew.

We have moved into an age in which everybody's activities affect everybody else."

-Marshall McLuhan

4/18/11:
Be wary of foam products.
Those made in the U.S. prior to 2004, as well as imported foam products (couches, upholstered chairs, mattresses and pads, futons, pillows, children's car seats, carpet padding), may contain toxic flame retardants.
Either encase them completely, or get rid of them.

4/19/11:
Fact: If you don't wear synthetic fabrics, you won't need harsh synthetic detergents.
Plant-based detergents and soaps clean natural fabrics just fine, often in cold water.

4/20/11:
Mildew Removal:
Mix distilled white vinegar with water, or sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge to clean affected areas.
Proper ventilation and dehumidifiers can reduce or eliminate the growth of mildew and mold.

4/21/11:
Be ready when the soil is ready.
Sharpen your hoe, pruning shears, and clippers.
If you have a compost pile, turn it every couple of days and water it if it doesn't get moist from the rain.

4/22/11:
Wean your lawn and garden off drugs in the form of industrial fertilizers and pesticides that can be harmful to humans, animals, and the earth.
Both Canada and Connecticut have enacted laws that just say no to weed 'n feed- Roundup, Sevin, and dozens of similar products.
All 266 Canadian Home Depot stores have removed synthetic pesticides from their shelves.

4/23-24/11:
Differentiate between wants and needs.
When you stop to think about it, you have precious few needs.
Buy only what you need.
Occasionally you can buy what you want as long as you shop smart and can afford it.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Trish McEvoy Brush Bath

2011-11-16T08:46:00.005-05:00

Everyone that has worked with me or knows me knows that I'm kind of obsessed with brushes.
To be more specific, I'm really anal about brush maintenance.
Many a people have received my look of horror when they tell me that they have never washed their brushes.

I recently discovered a new product to add to my beauty arsenal.
It's made brush washing a lot easier, quicker, and a much nicer experience.

I present to you

Trish McEvoy Brush Bath

Trish's high performing Brush Bath is a gentle shampoo for brushes of all kinds,

powerfully formulated to break down makeup collected in brushes whether powder or cream.

Brush Bath will add years of use to your investment in fine brushes.

Retail Price: $20- 4 oz.

There are a few ways of using the Trish McEvoy Brush Bath
1. Using directly onto brushes (for very dirty brushes)
2. Placing a drop of the Brush Bath in a bowl/container
3. Conditioning your brushes

I previously used to use Johnson's Baby Shampoo (and regular bar soap for really dirty brushes first) to clean my brushes, but I love love love the Trish McEvoy Brush Bath.
I was introduced to the Brush Bath by my co-worker after many discussions on Brush Maintenance.
It's one of the best recommendations I've gotten. (Thanks V.B!)

* It's quick and easy.
My brushes are clean and very conditioned after being washed in the Brush Bath.
-Old brushes that were starting to get brittle and yucky are now soft and brought back to life.
[I realized this when I washed my coarse Bare Minerals brush in the bath and it was much softer after a few washings. If you use Bare Minerals, don't wash it in the Brush Bath, because the brush is meant to be coarse to work well with the minerals]

* It has a nice light peppermint scent
(Two of my makeup artist friends wanted to get the Brush Bath on the scent alone!)

How To Use
I recommend getting a small bowl or container (I use a small plastic container that previously held candy) and squeezing a drop of the Brush Bath, adding warm water, and swishing your brushes around.
- The water should start out soapy and turn flat and makeup-colored as your brushes get clean.
- I usually empty the dirty water and repeat about 2-3 times depending on how dirty the brushes are.
- If the brushes are very dirty (especially if they have a lot of creams/liquids on them), I will use soap/diluted dishwashing liquid first to get the excess makeup off first before using the Brush Bath.
- Rinse with clean water, Squeeze out the excess water, and Lay brushes flat to dry.

Here are some other reviewer's opinions on the brush bath from Makeup Alley (The average rating was 4.9 out of 5 lipsticks and 100% of reviewers would buy the product again!)

So whether you have invested in great brushes, or have cheap/coarse brushes, the Trish McEvoy Brush Bath will be a treat for your brushes.
(Hakuhodo, Crown Brush, and the Cover FX are some of my favorites)

You don't need a lot of product, it works fast, and it works well.
So keep those brushes clean, ladies!!! No excuses~* ;D

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 15

2011-11-02T08:34:00.003-04:00

"It is our collective and individual responsibility to protect and nurture the global family,

to support its weaker members and to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live."

-Dalai Lama

4/11/11:
Reuse egg cartons.
Drop off empty egg cartons with a local egg farmer at your farmer's market.
Reusing them in this way is more energy efficient than just tossing them into a recycling bin.

4/12/11:
Plant a garden.
Whether it's flowers, vegetables, herbs, or a landscape that attracts birds, a garden gets you closer to nature.
Nature is our best teacher.

4/13/11:
Find used items online:
Shift to thrift and buy used instead of new when you can.
Check these sites on the web to both buy and sell used items:
http://www.shopgodwill.com/
http://www.craigslist.org/
http://www.half.com/
http://www.thegreenumbrella.org/
http://www.freecycle.org/
http://www.reuseitnetwork.org/
http://www.freesharing.org/

4/14/11:
Keep a small compost container in the kitchen to easily collect food scraps so you don't have to run to the compost bin every time you peel an orange or crack an egg.
Storing it in the freezer will keep smells and flies at bay.

4/15/11:
Take a tip from UPS.
Plan your driving route with right turns.
Left turns take more time and burn more fuel.

4/16-17/11:
Trade in your car for a hybrid.
It does take energy to create a new car, but the energy wasted by driving an inefficient car quickly makes up the difference, according to http://www.treehugger.com/
If you can afford to trade in an older inefficient car for a much more efficient one, the green choice is to do so.
One of the greenest options is a hybrid car that gets at least 40 miles to the gallon.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

~ Happy Halloween 2011 ~

2011-10-31T23:56:00.012-04:00

It's Halloween! It's Halloween!

The moon is full and bright

And we shall see what can't be seen
On any other night.

Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls,
Grinning goblins fighting duels,
Werewolves rising from their tombs,
Witches on their magic brooms.

In masks and gown we haunt the street
And knock on doors for trick or treat.
Tonight we are the king and queen,

For oh tonight it's Halloween!

-Jack Prelutsky

"I'm a Bag Lady!"

*~ Have a Boooootiful Day! ~*

*All makeup by Make Up For Ever .
The Make Up For Ever Academy opens in NYC on January 2012*

Make Up For Ever Sunday Seminar Series- Fall/Winter 2011

2011-10-28T05:03:00.001-04:00

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 14

2011-09-15T08:27:00.005-04:00

"It has to do with keeping things in balance.

It's like the spirits have made a deal with us. We're on our own.

The spirits have been good enough to let us live here and use the utilities, and we're saying:

We know how nice you're being.

We appreciate the rain, we appreciate the sun, we appreciate the deer we took.

Sorry if we messed up anything.
You've gone to a lot of trouble, and we'll try to be good guests."

-Barbara Kingsolver

4/4/11:
Amazing Statistic:
Switching to a meatless diet is 50% more effective at cutting carbon dioxide than switching from a standard car to a hybrid.

4/5/11:
Green scouring powder:
Lightly sprinkle baking soda onto the surface to be cleaned-
Countertops, Bathtub, Toilet, Sink.
Wipe with a sponge. Rinse well.

4/6/11:
Freecycle.
Keep items out of landfills by reusing them as much as possible.
Freecycle is an online group where members post items they are looking and items they want to get rid of.
Check it out at http://www.freecycle.com/

4/7/11:
Focus on people and relationships rather than stuff.
Consider who is affected by what you buy and who you buy from.
Support organizations that help people help themselves.

4/8/11:
Compost it!
Food scraps and yard trimmings make up 23% of the U.S. waste stream.
Reduce the amount you send to the landfill- and create rich, earthy fertilizer for your garden and yard- by composting. It's easy.
Add fruit, vegetable scraps, and leaves to your compost pile.
Meat, bones, and dairy products need to be thrown in the trash.

4/9/11:
Eat grass-fed, rather than grain-fed, beef.
Grass is a cow's normal diet.
Eating grain fattens a cow quickly, and is like feasting on a candy cane diet.
It's bad for hte cow, and not as tasty for you.
Plus, grain as feed has a much higher carbon footprint.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Your Relaxation Rx- Mind/Body Alternatives to Common Problems

2011-09-14T13:54:00.006-04:00

"It is amazing how much crisper the general experience of life becomes

when your body is given a chance to develop a little strength"

-Frank Duff

Life can be rough.
It can bring about a lot of different ailments.
So many people are stressed out, overworked/underpaid, tired, and achy.

It's easiest to take some medication to help with your ailments, but I believe it's better to get to the source of the problem to try and fix it instead of just masking it.

Here are some tips for some alternative methods to a few common health problems from Self Magazine:

Which mind/body treatments have the most rock-solid science backing them up?

Brent Bauer, M.D., director of the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, provides the big picture.

For... Try....

Back Pain Yoga

High Cholesterol Qigong

Depression Music therapy, Qigong, Yoga

Eating Disorders Meditation, Yoga

Fertility Visualization, Yoga

Heart Health Deep Breathing, Meditation, Qigong,
Yoga

Insomnia Acupuncture, Visualization, Yoga

Joint Pain Music Therapy, Qigong, Yoga

Migraines Acupuncture, Yoga

Here are my thoughts on the the Dr.'s advice

* Yoga is one of my greatest joys in life. It makes me calmer, healthier, happier, and more energetic.
Here are some dvds I recommend.

* I've been told that meditating will do me a lot of good (I may be a little high strung..... haha), but I'm not usually one to sit still... or stay quiet.... or concentrate on one thing... but I do hope to try it out.
* I don't know much about Music Therapy, but I use music as my own therapy =)
* Accupuncture and Qigong are not things I'm interested in, but they do seem to work well for some people.

So instead of popping those pills and making all those Doctor's appointments, try some of these alternative therapies out and see if it works for you!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Hurricane iRene.....

2011-08-27T05:37:00.000-04:00

The past few days, I've been getting lots of texts about all the trouble "I'm" causing in the North East this weekend.
Yes, the irony...

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it won't be so bad... but better to be safe than sorry.

If you live in the North East, here is some of the latest information about all the public transportation closings, evacuations and what not that you should be aware of for Hurricane iRene.

Everyone~ stay safe!
Those iRene's are nothing but trouble!!! ;)

Storm Coverage

ALERTS Hurricane Irene: Regional Impacts for Northeast Updated: Aug 27, 2011, 2:45 a.m. ET
NYC Evacs Ordered Mayor Bloomberg orders evacuations from the city to begin.

Irene: Other Affected Areas
•Mid-Atlantic
•North Carolina
•New England

Hurricane Irene is slowly moving its way up the coast, poised to slam into the Northeast region beginning Saturday evening and promising to deliver a destructive combination of storm surge, damaging winds and flooding rain. Areas inland, including all of New Jersey and Connecticut and areas of the Hudson Valley will feel the impacts of this destructive storm as well.

Hurricane warnings now include New York City, Long Island, New Jersey and southern Connecticut.

With New York City expecting damaging winds, particularly strong around the city's skyscrapers, Mayor Bloomberg has ordered evacuations to begin in parts of the city. Also, the city is preparing for Irene with planned shutdowns of mass transit beginning on Saturday. Transportation will be disrupted. Urban and coastal flooding is also of utmost concern.

Both New York and New Jersey have declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm. Governor Cuomo urged residents to take stock of their emergency supplies, and assist elderly and disabled neighbors in the case of emergency orders.

Prepare:
Check and make sure you have everything you need to take with you in the event of an evacuation. Also, be sure you have cash, batteries, water and all valuables nearby in case you are strandeddue to flooding or damage. Check out our preparedness tips as well.

New York
•State of Emergency: President Barack Obama has declared an emergency for New York state in anticipation of Hurricane Irene, which means that the Homeland Security Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency can coordinate disaster relief efforts declared for the state ahead of the storm.

•Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano: Had ordered a mandatory evacuation for approximately 300,000 people living for miles along a swath of the southern shore of Long Island by mid-afternoon Friday.

•Port Authority and MTA: Will impose traffic restrictions on the city's bridges when winds hit 40 mph and full shutdowns if/when winds hit 60 mph. Conditions could arise where they would close earlier even without those wind speeds.

•NYC Tunnels: Will close on a case-by-case basis depending on flooding conditions. No plans to preemptively close any of the city's tunnels.

•Port Authority: Has announced that it will close its five airports -- John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, Stewart International, LaGuardia and Teterboro airports -- to all arriving passenger international and domestic flights beginning at noon Saturday, August 27. The five airports will remain open for departing flights pending further updates. The Port Authority is taking this measure to avoid stranding passengers at its airports when the region's mass transit systems suspend service tomorrow due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Irene.

•Weekend Departures Cancelled: Many weekend departures already have been cancelled at all of the airports, so travelers are urged to contact their carriers prior to leaving for the airport.

•JFK: Due to MTA closures in NYC, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is closing JFK to arrivals at 12pm Saturday out of concern for international passengers who will not have a way to get into the city. Accordingly, this is forcing many flight cancellations on Saturday afternoon/evening. Limited departures are expected to continue at JFK through 1am Sunday.

•Evacuations on Long Island: Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for the following areas: south of Sunrise between Queens and Rockville Centre, south of Merrick Road from Rockville Centre to Nassau-Suffolk border, and in low lying areas of north shore. About a quarter million people to be affected.

•Evacuation Centers and Emergency Shelters: Now open for those who need shelter.

•Closed to International Flights: The Port Authority will close John F. Kennedy International Airport to incoming international flights beginning at noon tomorrow

•Tolls Suspended: Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced he will suspend some fares and tolls to help ease the evacuation of low-lying areas. Tolls are now suspended Friday at the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Memorial Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge.

•Airline Cancellations: The most impacted airports tomorrow in terms of cancellations related to Irene are Newark Liberty Intl (KEWR) with 414 cancellations, John F Kennedy Intl (KJFK) with 178 cancellations and LaGuardia (KLGA) with 157 cancellations. Airlines have already cancelled 2,412 flights in the US tomorrow, and 4,445 on Sunday. These numbers are expected to climb.

•Baseball: The Mets announced on Friday that their afternoon contests against the Braves on Saturday and Sunday have been rescheduled as a single-admission doubleheader to be played at 4:10 p.m. on Sept. 8.

•Broadway Cancels: The show will not go on on Broadway. All 23 Broadway musical and plays have been canceled for Saturday and Sunday.

•Public Transportation: The governor says New York City's public transit will halt around noon Saturday because of the hurricane.

•New York City Mayor's Office: All City beaches will close on Friday at 6pm and remain closed Saturday and Sunday.

•Hospital Patient Transfers: Health care facilities located in what is identified as Hurricane Evacuation Zone A are being required to transfer their patients to facilities located outside this zone.Ãƒ”š Beth Israel Petrie, Roosevelt and St. Luke's are all beginning to receive transfer patients from NYU Friday afternoon.

•Brooklyn: 250 patients already have been transferred from Coney Island Hospital and will remain closed for the duration of the emergency.

•Bridges: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said that a half dozen bridges — including the George Washington Bridge, the Robert F. Kennedy Triboro Bridge, the Throgs Neck Bridge and the Whitestone Bridge — would be closed if winds reached 60 miles an hour for more than a short time.

•New York City Evacuation Zones

•State Level Emergency Responders: Agencies and local governments around the state will meet today to plan coordinated response efforts, such as emergency operations support and field staff deployments to areas that are expected to be hit the hardest

•State Level Emergency Responders: Agencies and local governments around the state will meet today to plan coordinated response efforts, such as emergency operations support and field staff deployments to areas that are expected to be hit the hardest

•Getting Prepared: Cuomo urged New Yorkers to take stock of their emergency supplies, such as water, non-perishable food, radios, batteries, supplies for any pets, and first aid kits

•The Governor: Encouraged New Yorkers to check in with neighbors, especially the elderly or disabled, who might need assistance to ensure that their needs are met if emergency instructions are issued

•26 Tower Cranes: Tower cranes located in the city (13 of those at the World Trade Center construction site) do not disassemble quickly and may not be able to be taken down in time for the storm. They are only built to withstand winds of 65 mph or less.

•Underground Bunker: The state's Office of Emergency Management has increased staffing in its underground bunker

New Jersey
•State of Emergency: Declared for the state ahead of the storm.

•Mandatory Evacuations: Ordered for nearly 1 million visitors and residents of Cape May County, coastal Atlantic County and Long Beach Island.

•Police Chief Falco: Ordering that licensed alcohol establishments in Hoboken stop serving alcohol by 8pm on Saturday, August 27. Driving of personal vehicles, including taxis will also be prohibited after 8pm.

•Hoboken: The City has declared a state of emergency.

•Evacuation: Residents are reminded to evacuate Hoboken as soon as possible and not underestimate Hurricane Irene. Flooding can be very widespread and severe.

•Shelter Opening: For those who are unable to leave, a shelter will be available at the Wallace School at 1100 Willow Avenue at 9am on Saturday. Residents should bring blankets, pillows and sleeping bags. Designated bus pickup locations will be at 3rd and Jackson, 1st and Bloomfield, 5th and Willow, and 12th and Hudson. Buses will pick up residents at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm and transport them to the Wallace School.

•Jets vs. Giants: NFL preseason game, originally scheduled for Saturday night at the Meadowlands, has been postponed until Monday.

•PGA Tour: Barclays tournament at Plainfield Country Club in Edison will be reduced to 54 holes, ending on Saturday.

•Governor Chris Christie said that all lanes of 28-mile stretch of a major highway in Ocean County would go in only one direction — westward — beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday to help speed the trip away from Long Beach Island, which is connected to the mainland by only a single bridge.

•State Officials: Preparing to open an emergency operations center

•Gov. Chris Christie: "If I order a mandatory evacuation, you better leave. If it turns out to be less, we should thank our lucky stars."

•State Emergency Management Division: Coordinator Frank Donato said public notices will go out on Thursday urging residents to prepare for flooding, high wind and power outages

•Casinos Close: Atlantic City casinos shutting down for only the third time since gambling was legalized 33 years ago

•New Jersey Transit: All rail service will be suspended as of at 12 p.m. on Saturday.

Connecticut
•Presidential Request: The governor has asked President Obama to declare a pre-landfall emergency in Connecticut

•Likely Power Outages: Officials warned Irene was likely to cause prolonged power outages and flooding in low-lying areas along the shoreline.

•Requested Evacuation: Governor urged anyone living in areas that have flooded in the past to seek shelter elsewhere.

•Governor Dannel P. Malloy: The state is using all emergency personnel available. Police, fire, "in effect we are activating are military and National Guard as been reported."

•Naval Submarine Base: Groton, Conn., sent four submarines out to ride out the storm deep in the Atlantic Ocean.

•State Level Emergency Responders: Preparation for an emergency is necessary for all residents in the event of a worst-case scenario.

So, if you are in the East Coast, make sure you have all the emergency essentials you need.
Stock up on water and food.
Be careful and Be Safe!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 13

2011-08-23T08:51:00.001-04:00

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself"

-Andy Warhol

3/28/11:
Iron less, stay wrinkle free.
Typical irons draw as much power as 10 to 18 100-watt incandescent light bulbs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
To prevent wrinkles from forming, remove clothes from the dryer and hang them up or neatly fold them while they're still warm.
Hang creased clothes in the bathroom while you shower and the steam will straighten them out.

3/29/11:
If you must use disposable paper products, choose those with the highest post-consumer waste content.
And make sure they are free of chlorine bleach.
Seek out brands that tout 100% recycled content with more than 40% post-consumer waste.

3/30/11:
Ten fair trade products to look for:
coffee, tea, sugar, apparel, chocolates, bananas, olive oil, vanilla, rice, wine.

3/31/11:
FACT:
The FCC's standards for cell phone radiation were set 17 years ago, when cell phones and usage patterns were much different.
The standards are based on the effects of radiation on a "200-pound man with an 11-pound head" who talks for just six minutes a day, according to The Daily Green.

4/1/11:
Dry laundry on an outdoor clothesline.
Sunshine is free and a natural disinfectant.
Drying laundry outside cuts your carbon load by a whopping 4.4 pounds, and can save $100 a year, according to The Daily Green.

4/2-3/11:
Choose reusables over disposables, always.
Next time you're faced with using a disposable item, think twice.
Can you replace it with something you can reuse again and again?
With the exception of toilet paper, reusables are always the better choice.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Makeup Testing Tips From The Pros At Allure

2011-08-22T10:39:00.007-04:00

When people come to me to find new makeup, I always recommend testing it out before buying it.

I also highly recommend using the products correctly when trying things out (i.e. test foundation on your face, eyeshadow on your eyes).
Just make sure to wipe the makeup clean and be sanitary.

There are some people who don't like to try on makeup before buying it.

For those people, here are a few tips on the best ways to shop for beauty products from an online Allure article.

I test tons of beauty products every day (rough life, I know), and over the years I've found that there are a few simple tricks for spotting the winners. Here are the the best techniques for testing products that I've learned from makeup artists (and other Allure editors). The methodology may be less than scientific, but it's sure to help the next time you go shopping for makeup, skin care, and fragrance.

Choose a lipstick shade that flatters your coloring

Instead of testing a lipstick shade on the back of your hand, try it out on your fingertip. “That’s the closest to what it will look like on your lips,” says Maybelline global makeup artist Charlotte Willer, who showed us this trick backstage at Max Azria's Fall 2011 show.

Find a shadow that won't crease

When deciding which cream shadow to carry in their line, Illamasqua’s director of product development, David Horne, tests them on his wrist.
He bends his wrist five to six times and, if the shadow creases, he knows that it won't wear well through the day.

Choose an eyeliner that won't budge

Allure associate editor Sophia Panych says you can tell a lot by drawing a line on the back of your hand: Wait for it to dry, and then try smudging it with your finger (if the line stays in tact, it will most likely stay put on your lid). You can even splash it with a little water, to really put the liner to the test, says Horne.

Bring your own mirror

Having one stashed in your purse means you can step out of a department store to check out foundation in natural light before deciding whether or not to buy it.
"The light in stores is often designed to be incredibly flattering, so unless you live in a mall, it’s best to see how the colors work on your skin in the real world," says Allure contributing executive beauty editor Alyssa Kolsky Hertzig.

Figure out whether skin care products will pill
It's frustrating to buy an expensive moisturizer, only to have it pill when you apply foundation on top. The next time you're shopping for skin care at a department store, you can see if it will flake.
First, apply the moisturizer to the back of your hand.
After two-to-three minutes, grab a foundation sample (any old one will do) and rub it on top to see how well the moisturizer holds up.

Sniff out the best perfume
Instead of spraying five fragrances up and down your arm, spritz the scent into its cap first.
After you've found one or two that you love, try them on your wrist to see how they'll smell on your skin.

Personally, I generally don't like to sell or recommend any makeup without trying on the makeup first
(The same colors can look different on everyone, and your skin can react differently to different formulations), but if you don't have the time or the desire to try on the makeup, these are some great tips to test out makeup before buying it.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 12

2011-08-05T03:16:00.002-04:00

"There is hope if people will begin to awaken that spiritual part of themselves,

that heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers of this planet."

-Brooke Medicine Eagle

3/21/11:
Run a fully loaded dishwasher.
You use a third less water than washing the dishes by hand, saving up to 10 to 20 gallons of water a day.

3/22/11:
Say "No Thank You" to paper receipts.
Any time you're asked if you want a receipt- at the gas pump, at the checkout counter, at the bank- just say no. Most end up in the trash and create a lot of waste.

3/23/11:
Use eco lip balm, not ChapStick.
Most ChapStick contains petroleum, a non-renewable resource.
Researchers link petrolatum (a common ingredient in lip balms) to breast cancer, hence the EU's restriction on its use.
Plant based options are now widely available, and work better.

3/24/11:
Identify gizmos sucking vampire current.
Vampire current is caused by any appliance or electronic gizmo that uses electricity even when its turned off.
They have remote controls, continuous digital display, or external power supplies.
A typical home contains about 20 such vampires.
They add about $200 to your annual electricity bill, according to Cornell University.

3/25/11:
Skip single serving containers.
Food packaging accounts for an alarming two-thirds of packaging waste.
Minimize it whenever possible.

3/26-27/11:
Celebrate Earth Hour on Saturday.
A project of the World Wildlife Federation, Earth Hour is a worldwide initiative aimed at boosting awareness of global warming.
The goal is lights out from 8 to 9pm around the globe.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Stressed Out? Why You May Be Feeling Frantic These Days...

2011-08-03T19:14:00.004-04:00

"Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency."

-Natalie Goldberg

Do you feel like you never have enough time?
Do you have a crazy To-Do List that just keeps getting longer and longer?
Do you pass out from exhaustion frequently... and in public places? (haha.. ok.. maybe that's just me...)
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you probably have a lot of stress in your life and should read on.
If you answered yes to these questions but don't feel stressed about it... please share your secret!

I recently read an article in an old issue of Cosmopolitan magazine that I totally connected with.
It seems like everyone is running around with too much to do and not enough time to do it.

Maybe this article will help you with a few tips to feel less stressed.
Maybe you'll realize you're not the only one who feels a lot of pressure and is always tired.
Maybe you'll be too busy to read this.....

Whatever the case may be, here is an interesting article on stress and a few ways to cope with it.

There's so much pressure on young women right now, plus they've got an endless to-do list.
Free yourself from a crazy-busy cycle with our advice.

Drop everything and take this pop quiz.
Are you (a) surgically attached to your to-do list, (b) unable to turn off your cell phone or BlackBerry for fear of missing something crucial, (c) tempted to just skim this article, or (d) all of the above?
If you answered yes to any or all of these, you just may be a "stressette": a word that sounds cuter than what it means.
Market-research firm Synovate coined the term to describe a type of high-achieving young woman- one who drives herself crazy with stress, pressure, anxiety, and unending busyness- when a survey it conducted found that young women today feel the need to succeed more than ever.
The strange part is that no one's complaining. In fact, some people are bragging.

"I see competitive stressing all the time," says Susan Nolen-Hoekesema, PhD, professor of psychology at Yale and author of Women Who Think Too Much.
"It's a marker of status. It means you're important and other people are demanding your time and attention."
Some experts are even beginning to characterize this drive for a constant whirlwind- meetings, deadlines, parties, dates- as a kind of addictive behavior.
"When you're under pressure, your body responds with a hormonal surge of chemicals like cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine," explains Debbie Mandel, author of Addicted to Stress.
"You become hypervigilant, all senses on alert. You feel powerful."
* That can be great at times, fueling you through a deadline crunch at work or a crazed holiday season.
But if you live on that high all the time, it becomes toxic.

Girls Gone Anxious
So what prompted women to begin driving themselves this nutty to begin with?
A survey by the Associated Press and MTV found that jobs and finances were the most commonly cited stressors for young people ages 18 to 24, and certainly, the recent economic down-turn hasn't helped.
But the Synovate survey found additional factors: a constant struggle to be both the hot, desired girl and the successful woman, and an immense pressure to live up to unrealistic standards to be "perfect," from looks to relationships to careers.
"You start to see everything, even relationships, in terms of success or failure," says Mandel.
Once you're thinking only in terms of winning, you can literally forget how to relax- or how to accomplish things without being frantic.
Mandel remembers one woman she met in a stress workshop who said she went on a trip to the Amazonian rainforest and found herself saying to the tour guide, "I can't get reception on my BlackBerry!"

The Good, Bad, and Ugly Sides of Pressure
Stress itself is not inherently bad. In fact, says Nolen-Hoeksema, "a certain amount of stress and anxiety is actually motivating. You're alive cognitively; you perform better. You have to be up for a challenge, a bit hyped."
This kind of stress, says Mandel, is Acute (as opposed to chronic): a surge of energy focused on a particular outcome, like a presentation at work.
Chronic stress, on the other hand, is a killer, causing such physical symptoms as fatigue, sleep problems, changes in appetite, stomachaches, headaches, and back pains.
Chronic stress has been shown to weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness, slowing the healing process, and producing inflammation that can lead to heart disease.

On the emotional side, being too stressed for too long makes you a basket case: Your temper frays, your attention wanders (you find yourself spacing out as a friend is talking to you), and you're plagued by bouts of generalized anxiety and low-level depression. And perhaps worst of all, you can lose touch with the big picture.

That may be the most insidious result of stress: Lots of people make themselves super busy as a way of avoiding the real stuff (i.e., the hard stuff).
But if you're always too frantic to stop and focus on important questions- about things like why your third relationship just tanked or whether you've chosen the kind of work that truly makes you happy- then you really have put yourself on an endless treadmill where nothing ever feels like its progressing.
"You need personal, unscheduled time in order to develop the other parts of your identity, to get to know yourself better," explains psychiatrist Jeffrey Brantley, director of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program at Duke University.

How to Stop Stressing
The truth is, you don't have to drive yourself crazy (or crazy-busy) in order to get things done or feel like your life has purpose.
Here are rules and tips to help you use stress to your advantage- while still being able to get some decent sleep at night.

Live an Hour at a Time
"This is the multi-tasking generation," says psychologist Dale Atkins, PhD, author of Sanity Saver, "and many people feel they're being more productive when they do several things at once." But in fact, the opposite is true: Research has shown that a 50-minute task takes four times as long to accomplish if you're juggling too many things simultaneously.
You also can't think as creatively when you're multitasking, says Atkins, because "the process gets interrupted. Creativity comes in bursts and in silence. If you don't have any downtime, you can't think outside the box."
Some ways to calm the chaos:
* Clear your desk of everything except the one project you're focusing on, says Atkins.
If you can't work on only one project at a time, says Nolen-Hoeksema, at least compartmentalize your day- break it into morning and afternoon or into two-hour chunks.
* Ask your boss to help you prioritize, if necessary: "I can have this done by 5, but it means I won't have that other project done until tomorrow. Which do you prefer I focus on?"
* Force yourself to schedule tasks by deadline, then do them in order (e.g., don't let yourself obsess about next week's term paper when your mind is still on this week's assignment).

Separate the Positive From the Negative
Good stress- the kind that makes you stronger- flows from doing things that, though they may be difficult, are important to you personally.
"If you feel that what you're doing has little meaning or purpose, that it's something others want you to do, that it's not moving you toward your goals, it's the kind of stress that takes a toll," says Nolen-Hoeksema.
Here's how to identify the healthy variety of stress.
* Take five minutes in the morning to take stock, suggests Nolen-Hoeksema. Are the things you have to do today worth your time and energy? Are they valuable to you? Are they somehow helping to further your ambitions?
* Ask yourself, If I could drop everything and start over, which things would I continue to do and which would I never do again?

Watch Your Words
Changing your language means not just the way you talk about being stressed out but also the way you beat down yourself (and your confidence) with negative self-judgements. "I'll kill myself if I don't get this done" or "I'm so crazed!" are what Atkins calls the language of reinforcement- you're feeding the shark within yourself.
Even more insidious is that mean inner voice whipping you, saying "You will never get this right" or "You're a failure." As a culture, says Dr. Brantley, we are more self-critical than self-encouraging, and that can be paralyzing.

Adjust your inner dialogue like this:
* Become aware of what your inner voice is saying, suggests Dr. Brantley, and then challenge it: I'm not defective or a failure. Calling myself that is simply an old habit that I can break.
* Talk to yourself as you would to a friend who is overwhelmed and needs a pep talk. Develop the skill of comforting and soothing yourself.
* "Learn to count your successes more than your failures," says Mandel. "Who responds to a negative coach?" Remind yourself of the last time you aced an exam or presentation.

10 Instant Stress Busters
LAUGH. Collect a list of funny websites
CRY. It's nature's de-stressor
CUDDLE with your cat... or dog or other nonverbal creature
SNIFF lavender oil. It's known for its calming effects. Keep a vial in your bag.
EAT complex carbs. They enhance serotonin, your body's natural tranquilizer.
LISTEN to a favorite song or a track of nature sounds, like rain or waves.
LOOK at a memento of happy memories. Keep a snapshot or a pebble from a beach trip in your office.
SAY NO to something you really don't want to do.
BREATHE in deeply through your nose, filling your belly with air, and then breathe out through your mouth.
CLEAN out your purse (or your closet, if you're feeling really ambitious).

So, I hope you got some good tips, learned how important it is to relax, and realize that you're not the only one that has too much on your plate.
Just remember that you choose what goes on that plate.... life can be simple (or at least simpler) if you want it to be.
And don't forget to breathe. =D

"For fast-acting relief, try slowing down."

-Lily Tomlin

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 11

2011-07-28T12:10:00.002-04:00

"We all moan and groan about the loss of the quality of life through the destruction of our ecology,
and yet every one of us, in our own little comfortable ways, contributes daily to that destruction.
It's time now to awaken in each one of us the respect and attention our beloved Mother deserves."

- Ed Asner, Actor

3/14/11:
Twelve products you should never buy again:
* Paper towels
* Styrofoam cups
* Bleached coffee filteres
* Plastic forks, spoons, knives
* Paper plates
* Teak and Mahogany
* Herbicides and Pesticides
* Conventional Household Cleaners
* Toys made with PVC plastic
* Rayon
* Farm-Raised Salmon

3/15/11:
Turn off your computer at night.
In one year, you'll save $90 worth of electricity, plus wear and tear, according to The Daily Green.
Better yet, plug your computer into a Smart Strip (a power strip that turns off electricity at the wall, thereby eliminating phantom electricity)
And don't forget to turn off the strip at night.

3/16/11:
Pay bills online.
Check the websites of companies you do business with for details.
Paperless billing not only saves trees, it eliminates the fossil fuel necessary to get those dozens and dozens of billing envelopes to you and back again.

3/17/11:
Store winter gear
-mittens, scarves, coats- in zippered plastic bags your new duvet came in.
Add a piece of chalk to absorb moisture.

3/18/11:
Purchase products packaged in aseptic paperboard.
Think tomatoes, chicken broth, juice, milk, wine.
These containers are recyclable and use less energy to manufacture, ship, and store than comparable packaging materials.
The lightweight compact brick design takes up less space, and the materials preserve foods without refrigeration or preservatives.

3/19-20/11
Don't pre-rinse your dishes.
Dishwashers made in the last ten years are designed to handle food residue.
Simply scrape leftover food into the compost bin or trash, then put dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
Let your dishwasher do the dirty work.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Make Up For Ever Pro Seminar July 28 and 30, 2011 at NYC Studio

2011-07-26T17:00:00.000-04:00

Are UV Nail Dryers Safe?

2011-07-26T10:23:00.006-04:00

I don't usually get my nails done in a salon (I'm more of a D-I-Y type of girl), but when I do, I've always been a little paranoid about using the UV Nail Dryers.
I typically try to avoid using them because you never really know how much damage can actually be done.
Also, I would never use a tanning bed for my body (use a self-tanner!), so why would I use one on my hands?

I recently read an article in the March 2011 issue of Allure magazine on this topic.

Two women were diagnosed with squamous-cell carcinoma on their fingers with no predisposing reason other than their consistent use of UV nail dryers, according to the April 2009 issue of Archives of Dermatology.
Two cases are not a lot, but doctors are concerned.
- "These have the same wavelength of UVA rays, type of bulbs, and level of radiation that we know cause cancer in tanning beds," says Neal B. Schultz, assistant clinical professor of dermatology in New York City.
- James M. Spencer, clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine says, "Just intuitively, these dryers are a terrible idea; we're talking about a known carcinogen."

Here is also a quick article about an episode of the show "The Doctors" that essentially says that using the UV nail dryer is not worth the skin cancer risk.

Dr. Ordon explained the DNA of skin cells mutate when exposed to ultraviolet light and this increases the risk of melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.

He then tested the amount of UV light produced by a standard UV nail dryer using a Sper Scientific UV-A/B Light Meter. As co-host Dr. Jim Sears explained to viewers that a meter reading of over 100 was bad, Dr. Ordon turned the monitor so all could see a reading that climbed to 8,617 before giving a final result of high UV exposure.

Dr. Ordon referenced research from the University of Texas that found squamous cell carcinoma on the hands of two women who had no predisposing factors for skin cancer, except for repeated the use of UV light nail dryers during manicures. The research, which was published in the medical journal Archives of Dermatology, states the amount of UV radiation exposure per meter produced by UV nail dryer lights (once one adjusts for body surface and bulb wattage) is comparable to that of tanning beds.

So, hopefully none of you are still going to tanning beds and are refraining from using the UV nail dryers.
Use the regular fan dryers as much as possible, or let your nails dry on their own.
Nail dryers get you out of the salon faster, but there is a possibility for dangerous side effects.

You never know the damage that can happen over time...... Is it really worth the risk?
I say no.

And if you do your own nails at home, I highly recommend using the Karma Organic Nail Polish Remover to take off your polish in a quick, safe, and fragrant way.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 10

2011-07-22T21:25:00.001-04:00

“So many people spend their health gaining wealth,

and then have to spend their wealth to regain their health.”

-A. J. Reb Materi

3/7/11:
Avoid Bisphenol A (BPA), a nasty hormone disruptor that leaches from plastic.
Do not microwave or heat plastic cling wraps.
Do not plastics in the dishwasher.
Do not put warm or hot liquids in plastic.
Avoid canned foods with plastic linigs.
Look for a "BPA-free" guarantee.

3/8/11:
Five products you should always buy green.
Paint (Look for no or low-VOC)
Paper (Look for products with high post-consumer waste content)
Light Bulbs (CFLs and LED)
Appliances (Look for Energy Star
Fruits and Vegetables (Look for Organic, in season, and local)

3/9/11:
How healthy is your tap water?
Check the tap water database at http://www.ewg.org/ to see what you're drinking.

3/10/11:
Save energy ironing.
If you have to break out the iron, save energy by doing a large load at once.
Don't overheat the iron.
Iron lightweight fabrics first on lower heat settings, then work your way up.
Dry ironing tends to use less energy than steam.
Iron at night, when electricity is cheaper and loads are lower.

3/11/11:
Repair and mend rather than replace.
Reuse. Reuse. Reuse.

3/12-13/11:
Use water and vinegar to wash produce.
According to http://www.idealbite.com/, a diluted vinegar rinse gets rid of 98% of bacteria on produce.
No store-bought washes necessary.
Mix three parts water to one part distilled white vinegar.
Rinse with water after spraying.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Make Up For Ever Pro Road Show

2011-07-19T07:57:00.004-04:00

MAKE UP FOR EVER is very excited to announce the launch of our first ever Pro Road Show! Beginning in August 2011, The Pro Road Show will bring the MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Studio experience to you.

Each stop on the Pro Road Show will provide your local make up and beauty community with exclusive access to MAKE UP FOR EVER‘S full range of professional products, bringing together make up artists, industry insiders, models and entertainers for a weekend of make up, education, career building and networking!

Join US in…

San Francisco, CA

August 13-15

W Hotel San Francisco

Miami, FL
September 10-12
W Hotel South Beach

Austin, TX
October 8-10
W Hotel Austin

Atlanta, GA
November 12-14
W Hotel Midtown

At the MAKE UP FOR EVER Pop Up Studio, attendees will be able to experience and order products from the full selection of over 1,400 references, including our Artistic and Special FX products. Apply for the brand’s Backstage Card Professional Discount Program which is open to all working professional makeup artists, students, licensed graduates, models, actors, performers and other industry professionals. The pop up studio will be open from 10:00am – 7:00pm each day during the event.

In the MAKE UP FOR EVER Education Space you will be able to attend complimentary educational sessions presented by members of the MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Education team along with other top industry experts and local talent. The full education schedule will be available soon on makeupforeverpro.com and all requests and reservations can be sent to prorsvp@makeupforeverusa.com.

A MAKE UP FOR EVER Networking Event will be held on the Sunday evening in each location. It will give you a chance to meet and mingle with other local contacts in the industry as well as interact with members of MAKE UP FOR EVER’S Pro and Artist Relations teams.
So come join together with make up artists, industry insiders, models, and entertainers for a weekend of make up, education, business development and networking!

* This event is open to all make up artists and industry professionals. Attendance is complimentary. Space in educational programs is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information please visit makeupforeverpro.com or email us at artistrelations@makeupforeverusa.com.

This is a really great opportunity to network, learn, and have a great time.
I'll be in San Francisco 8/15, so I hope to see you there!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 9

2011-07-15T00:00:00.003-04:00

"Just because you're not sick doesn't mean you're healthy"

2/28/11:
Use care with paints and stains.
Conventional paints and stains contain harmful VOCs, fungicides, and biocides that contaminate indoor air.
The solution? Use low-VOC, or better yet, no-VOC paints and stains.
Also look for biocide-free paints and natural pigments.

3/1/11:
Look for the WaterSense label.
When buying plumbing equipment and fixtures, look for this EPA label.
The government-sponsored WaterSense program aims to protect the future of the water supply by promoting water-efficient products and services.

3/2/11:
Eight body care toxins to avoid.
When shopping for body and hair care products, avoid these ingredients:
* Mercury (also the mercury-based Thimerosol)
* Lead (listed as Lead Acetate)
* Nanoparticles
* Placenta
* Hydroquinone Skin Lightener
* Phthalates
* Petroleum Byproducts (such as 1,4-Dioxane)
* Fragrance

3/3/11:
Get rid of conventional cleaners.
Most contain dangerous ingredients such as Formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, harsh acids, and hormone disruptors linked to cancer, nervous system and reproductive disorders, and eye and respiratory irritation.
Use nontoxic biodegradable cleaners free of synthetic fragrance.
Don't overlook white vinegar and baking soda.

3/4/11:
Test for Lead.
If your home was built before 1970, test the paint for lead, especially if children are in the house.
Paint over lead-based paint to minimize dust and chipping.

3/5-6/11:
Recycle cardboard toilet paper tubes.
Every little bit helps.
According to http://www.idealbite.com/, the average family of four uses about 240 rolls of toilet paper a year.
All those tubes take up a lot of landfill space.
Don't throw them away. Recycle, instead.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

A Tip for Tidy Toilets

2011-07-14T03:32:00.004-04:00

"I grew up with six brothers.

That's how I learned to dance - waiting for the bathroom"

-Bob Hope

As much as I like to clean, cleaning toilet bowls is one of my least favorite chores.

Personally, I don't understand the people that spend a lot of time sitting on the toilet.
(Do you really want to finish your reading on a toilet bowl?!?
Finish your business and get outta there!)

Whether you spend a lot of time in the bathroom or pop in and pop out, everyone should have a clean toilet bowl. You never know what might fall in there!

Here's a great tip to help keep your toilet bowls so fresh and so clean for a long long time.

Fizz Away Toilet Rings

- To whisk away unslightly buildup in your toilet, drop a denture tablet in the bowl once a month.

- Let it sit overnight, then flush.

* The effervescent compounds in the tablet loosen particles, while the oxidant ingredients work to polish the porcelain.

The result: Your bowl is left gleaming- without the work!

This is one of my favorite tips I learned from Barnes and Nobles' Smart Solutions: 250 Simple Remedies and Quick Fixes for Every Day Life book.

I don't have to clean my toilet as often, and it's a lot less work when I do.

So whether you're a quick "taking care of business" type of person or someone who likes to spend quality time on a porcelain throne, I hope you have a clean toilet bowl no matter how long you're sitting on it.

"Life is like a roll of toilet paper.

The closer you get to the end the faster it goes"

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

10 Reasons To Exercise

2011-07-06T15:46:00.001-04:00

We all know that exercise is good for you and can be beneficial in many ways.
Here's a quick and condensed list of reasons that will hopefully motivate you to get off your butt and work it out!

These are tips from Oprah's trainer Bob Greene in Oprah Magazine's January 2011 issue.

The only exercise some people get is

jumping to conclusions,

running down their friends,

side-stepping responsibility,

and pushing their luck!

1. You want to fight disease
Exercise reduces your risk of a number of conditions, such as cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes
(The National Institutes of Health says a healthy diet and exercise can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by 58%)

2. You want to lose weight and keep it off
This is a given, but it bears repeating that people who maintain weight loss work out regularly.
They don't just exercise until they take off the pounds, then go back to being a couch potato.
If you want a thinner, healthier body, there is no way to avoid being active.

3. You want to look better
Exercise doesn't just help you lose weight; it also firms the body, improves posture and gives the skin a glow.

4. You're always annoyed and sapped of energy
Research has found that just one session of exercise can put you in a better mood for three to four hours- at least.
It's also a well-documented fact that exercise helps combat depression, sometimes as effectively as medications.
Many psychologists use it as a standard part of treatment.
People constantly tell me, "I just want to feel better."
If you exercise regularly, you will.

5. You take too many sick days
If you're looking for a way to reduce colds and upper respiratory infections, a good fitness programs is key.
Regular exercisers are significantly less likely to call in sick.

6. You have joint pain
The right kind of exercise can reduce the pain of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis by strengthening the muscles around damaged joints.

7. You have a bad back
Once upon a time, people with bad backs were urged to avoid physical activity.
We now know that, in most cases, the best thing you can do is move.
Recognize your limits, of course, and work with your doctor and perhaps a physical therapist.

8. You don't sleep well
Even though exercise is energizing, it also wears you out.
It's a paradox, I know, but eventually you'll feel more vibrant during the day and sleep better at night.

9. You want to slow the effects of aging
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to fight aging.
- Regular workouts drastically reduce the loss of muscle and bone, and improve circulation.
- Exercise may also help reduce inflammation and stave off age-related diseases.
- As if that's not enough, physical activity seems to have a protective effect against dementia, and may help improve memory and other cognitive functions.
One Harvard University researcher called exercise "Miracle-Gro for the brain"

10. You love your kids
When you care about yourself- and exercising is a sign that you do- you are doing your kids a favor by setting a good example.
If you're active, there's a better chance that your kids will be active, too.
Plus you're more likely to be around longer for them.

So those are some of the best reasons to start (or continue) exercising.
I know I definitely feel better when I make the effort to exercise and I'm hoping many of these reasons (especially 1, 3, 7, 8, and 9) will motivate me to make exercise a regular part of my life.
I think I'll go do some yoga or pilates now..... ;D
Wishing you lots of health and happiness (and a hot body while you're at it) ~*

"The greatest wealth is health"

-Virgil

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 8

2011-07-04T00:00:00.005-04:00

"The planet is fine.

The PEOPLE are f*cked."

-George Carlin

2/21/11:
Filter your water.
In 2009, the public water supplies in 19 of America's largest cities contained contaminant levels exceeding EPA limits.
These days, if your water comes from a municipal system, it's a good idea to install an activated carbon filter on the kitchen tap.
Be doubly safe: Install a whole house reverse osmosis system, too.

2/22/11:
Green means:
Reducing your negative impact on the planet, living with nature instead of trying to subdue it, and choosing products for positive impact on home, health, and environment.

2/23/11:
Don't allow your toddler to mouth your cell phone or remote.
These and other electronics contain toxic fire retardants that can harm your child's development.
Always wash their hands prior to eating.

2/24/11:
FACT: Every year since 1986, the U.S. EPA has warned that indoor air pollution is a major health threat.
The pollution is caused not by where houses are located, but by the products we bring into them- a direct result of the proliferation of industrial chemicals since World War II.

2/25/11:
Reuse paper bags.
Few paper bags are made of recycled fibers, meaning trees are cut down to make them.
True, many communities recycle paper bags, however paper fibers can only be recycled a few times before they start to break down.
So, before recycling them, reuse them as wrapping paper, shopping bags, liners for trash cans or animal cages, covers for books. Get creative.

2/26-27/11:
Be wary of dry cleaners:
Hand wash delicates and take them to the cleaner for pressing only.
When you do enlist the services of a dry cleaner, make sure it doesn't use perc or other petroleum-based solvent, which can be hard on fabric, hard on the environment, and unhealthy for those who use it.
The best green methods appear to be wet cleaning and liquid carbon dioxide.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

A Guide To Beauty Product Labels

2011-07-02T16:12:00.008-04:00

With all the thousands of products out there, there are tons of words that are thrown at you that you might not understand.

I recently found a good article from Real Simple.com that can help you out.
Here are some commonly found words used in marketing that will help you understand what you are buying or what you should be looking for to target your specific beauty needs!

A Guide to Beauty-Product Labels

By Sally Wadyka

You don't need a Ph.D. in chemistry to decipher the terms: Real Simple translates.

Clinically Proven

What it means: The maker has conducted some testing of the product in a clinical setting, like a lab.
What it doesn't mean: That anything significant has been "proven."
Best for: Someone willing to do her own researching of independent data about ingredients.

Hypoallergenic

What it means: The product has a low chance of causing allergies.
What it doesn't mean: It has been tested for all allergies. "There's no way to prove it won't cause a reaction in some people," says Howard Murad, a Los Angeles dermatologist.
Best for: People with sensitive skin or a history of allergic reactions.

Broad Spectrum

What it means: Found on sunscreens, it tells you the product protects against both ultraviolet A and B rays.
What it doesn't mean: That you're fully covered. No matter what the label says, no sunscreen blocks out all harmful rays.
Best for: Everyone. Broad spectrum is the best protection available.

Brightening

What it means: The product contains temporary brighteners, like mica, or ingredients that help even out skin tone.
What it doesn't mean: Lightening, a term regulated by the FDA. A cream can't claim it will "lighten" the skin or dark spots unless it contains the chemical hydroquinone.
Best for: People with mildly uneven skin tone.

Fragrance-Free

What it means: The product has no noticeable smell and usually contains no added artificial or chemical fragrances.
What it doesn't mean: It's totally free of added substances, like botanical extracts, that mask the smell of the basic ingredients.
Best for: Sensitive, allergy-prone skin.

Firming

What it means: Contains ingredients that help plump up skin for a fuller look.
What it doesn't mean: Dramatic results. Chances are any "firming" effects you see will be subtle and not permanent.
Best for: Skin that lacks elasticity.

Lifting

What it means: The product helps repair sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles.
What it doesn't mean: Miracles. "The only thing that can really lift is the plastic surgeon," says Annet King, director of training for the International Dermal Institute.
Best for: Mature skin.

Detoxifying

What it means: Helps skin look radiant by expelling toxins from cells.
What it doesn't mean: Purification. It's hard to prove that products can eliminate whatever is actually "toxic" to skin.
Best for: Dull, oily, or acne-prone skins.

Noncomedogenic

What it means: Contains no ingredients known to clog pores or cause acne.
What it doesn't mean: It definitely won't cause a reaction or be irritating in other ways.
Best for: Those with acne-prone skin and anyone concerned with clogged pores.

Dermatologist-Tested

What it means: A dermatologist tested the product.
What it doesn't mean: It's approved and endorsed by a dermatologist. "The implication is that the dermatologist liked it, but you don't know that," says Murad.
Best for: People who don't necessarily need a doctor's approval.

Restructuring

What it means: This word implies a hair-care product will restore hair to its natural structure―before it was damaged with styling and chemical treatments.
What it doesn't mean: That you can permanently restructure hair. This is a temporary fix that will leave hair looking and feeling healthier.
Best for: Anyone who damages her hair on a regular basis with heat styling and coloring.

Oil-Free

What it means: The product doesn't contain mineral oil, plant oils, or lanolin, which can clog pores and irritate skin.
What it doesn't mean: That it won't cause a reaction. Be careful that something more irritating―like menthol, eucalyptus, or camphor―
hasn't been substituted to help the product glide on easily.
Best for: People with oily skin who don't want to look shiny by lunchtime.

Long Wearing

What it means: Generally found on makeup packaging, it refers to the product's staying power.
What it doesn't mean: Waterproof. "Long wearing" means it lasts longer under normal circumstances but still may not survive swimming or crying.
Best for: Times when you don't want to touch up your makeup.

Hope this helps you understand what you're buying and using!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 7

2011-06-22T15:25:00.004-04:00

"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man

if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature

and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"

-E.B. White

2/14/11:
Green your chocolate choice.
Much of the cocoa produced around the world is grown using unsustainable farming practices.
That sweet little treat could be contributing to deforestation, toxic pollution, and expolitive labor practices.
Look for organic, fair trade-certified chocolate.

2/15/11:
Unplug.
The surest way to kill phantom load (aka standby or low power mode) is simply to pull the plug.
When you're done with your coffee pot, cell phone charger, toaster, microwave, hair dryer, and other devices, disconnect them totally from their power source.

2/16/11:
Use cold water, not hot.
For most laundry loads, cold water works just as well as hot.
Cold is just as effective when it comes to washing hands, too.
Friction and soap are what really gets hands clean.

2/17/11:
Don't microwave in plastic, even if the container says "microwave safe".
Ceramic and glass are better options, and go from fridge to microwave and back again without breaking or leaching toxins.

2/18/11:
Stop getting phone books.
Up to 5 million trees are cut down each year to create the white pages of phone books.
Taxpayers spend $17 million each year to have these books recycled.
In this electronic era, you can use free online directories and mobile applications to find the contact information you need.
Sign a petition to opt-out of receiving phone books at http://www.banthephonebook.org/

2/19-20/11:
Avoid anti-bacterial products.
Experts fear that overuse of antibacterial agents will render them useless and lead to germs developing resistance faster than new alternative controls can be discovered, tested, and brought to the market.
It is best to avoid anti-bacterial products and save antibiotics for the times when you really need them.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow

2011-06-20T13:23:00.025-04:00

A while ago, my co-worker gave me a product that she thought I'd like.
She was right~ I love it and have used it regularly for the past few months.

Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow

Intense and lustrous, this dewy cream eye shadow transforms into powder that creates a glaze of brilliant shimmery color.

Crease-resistant. Long-wearing.
Color looks brilliant alone or in combination.
Available in 13 shades

How to Use: Apply using the enclosed applicator tip or finger.

Retail Price: $25 (6 g/ .21 oz)

* It gives a very light Glittery look that I like (a little more pop than shimmer, but not crazy Drag-Queen glitter)

* It applies like a smooth gel, but stays on like a powder. By the end of the night, my eyes are still shimmery.

* Considered a cream shadow, I think it is much much more and can be used on all skin types (Creasing shouldn't be a problem with this product!)

* I usually use my fingers to apply. It only takes a few seconds to swipe on, but it definitely adds a pretty girly look to your eyes.

My co-worker gave me the "Rose Tulle" (H11- light pink) color which I've been using all the time.

It's really pretty by itself or under a neutral eyeshadow, but I love layering it over different shades of purple.

It feels really light and cooling when you first put it on.

[ I've tried a few of the colors, and I have to say this is my favorite one ]

I also bought the "Gold Lights" (H1- a Sophisticated Gold w/ Sparkles).
I like to put this over more neutral shades, browns, bronze, gold, and green shadows (sometimes all over, sometimes just as a highlighter on the middle or inner corners)

Before buying any color, I DO recommend trying out the color that will flatter you (I did find that some colors were too bright and shiny for me).

If you don't get a chance to try out the colors, "Rose Tulle" is the one I would recommend people to start with.

So, shake up your typical eye look and add a little bit of glitter to your life!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Thou Shalt Obey The 10 Commandments of Anti-Aging... OR ELSE!

2011-06-15T13:57:00.005-04:00

"Say what you will about the ten commandments,

you must always come back to the pleasant fact that there are only ten of them"

-H.L. Mencken

There are certain things you know you should do, but don't end up doing.
Well... Here I am to help refresh your memory on the little beauty facts that you know you should follow, but probably don't on a regular basis.

Just as I'm pretty good at keeping mooooost of the real Ten Commandments (#3 is probably the one I break the most..... I can curse like a sailor....) I DO keep most of the following beauty commandments.
Of course it's hard to follow the rules all the time... but the more consistent you are, the easier it'll be!

Here are the 10 Beauty Commandments of Anti-Aging according to an online Allure magazine article:

1. Wear sunscreen—and not just at the beach.
Rain or shine, "liberally applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen that contains both UVA and UVB protection every day is the single most important thing you can do to prevent sun damage and skin cancer," says New York City dermatologist Doris Day.

2. Quit smoking.

In addition to causing cancer and bad breath, smoking cigarettes "destroys collagen and elastin and decreases levels of estrogen, which is necessary to keep skin firm," says New York City dermatologist Fredric Brandt.

3. Use a retinoid.

It's the best way to slow down the clock with a cream. "Retinoids minimize the appearance of existing age spots and fine lines and prevent new ones from forming," says New York City dermatologist Heidi Waldorf.

* I would only use these at night (if I used them)... but then again, I'm super paranoid about the sun....

4. Stay hydrated.
No, Diet Coke doesn't count. "The more hydrated your skin, the better your wrinkles will look," says Montclair, New Jersey, dermatologist Jeanine Downie. "Drink lots of water, cut back on coffee and soda, and moisturize regularly."

5. Sleep well.
The expression "beauty rest" actually has some science behind it. "Not only does your skin require downtime to repair itself, but sagging skin and puffiness around the eyes make wrinkles look much worse," says Great Neck, New York, dermatologist Jeanette Graf.

6. Maintain a healthy weight.
Not surprisingly, yo-yo dieting isn't great for your skin. "Skin loses elasticity over time," Waldorf says. "The more your weight fluctuates, the harder it is to snap back into shape."

7. Eat right.
"Your skin receives nutrients not only from creams and treatments, but also from the food you eat," Waldorf says. "The more balanced your diet, the younger you'll look. And if you're not taking a multivitamin, start now." To keep skin happy, eat more fatty fish (such as salmon), dark green vegetables (like broccoli and spinach), almonds, and walnuts. Drink lots of antioxidant green tea. And lay off the refined sugar and booze—both cause aging inflammatory reactions in the skin.

8. Get moving.
"Exercise increases blood flow to the skin and promotes a glowing, healthy-looking complexion," Downie says. "Working out for just 30 minutes four or five days a week can make a huge difference."

9. Try to relax.
The mind-body connection is a powerful one. "Do whatever you need to do to decompress," Waldorf says. "Stress causes cells to age faster, which absolutely shows on the skin."

10. Don't pick.
You got the same advice when you were a teenager. "Sun damage causes dark spots as you age, but so does picking at your blemishes," Waldorf says. "And since the skin takes a lot longer to repair itself as you age, the spots won't disappear right away."

* Don't pick at your face! I'm sad to say that I have broken capillaries (broken blood vessels) on the side of my nose from too much squeezing and using an extractor. =( sad.

Hmmm.. it seems that the only commandments I follow regularly are #1,2, 4 and 9 (and perhaps I can squeeze in #8 if I consider running around all over the place moving and "exercise).

So, remember to keep these commandments!
And try not to steal and kill while you're at it ;D

Grandma's 80+ and looks pretty darn good for her age.
Thank God for the Asian genes! ;)

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Helloooooo June!

2011-06-09T06:05:00.007-04:00

“Better late than never,

but never late is better”

Wow, the past few months have flown by in a whirlwind and left me in a daze.
I can't believe I only posted once the whole month of May!!! =(

Life has seriously been too crazy for the past few months: Between working 3 (technically 4 jobs), meeting with friends and family, and all the other aspects of my life, I literally had no idea what day it was most of the time.

Luckily I had my planner: I looked at where I had to be the next day... and I'd make sure to be there =D

An example of the craziness that was my life.... my room.
And yes.... those are bags of laundry at the foot of the bed
o_o

Although I hadn't written a lot last month, I learned soooo many different things and had sooo many amazing experiences that I hope to share with you.

I was able to hear the Dalai Lama speak at the Newark Peace Education Summit (although I was so exhausted that I kept dozing off...) =(
I went to the The Make Up Show NYC , where I was lucky enough to see the amazing work of Dany Sanz and assist Esterique Aidan.
I went to a few Make Up For Ever Pro Seminars.
I listened to lots of great sermons.
I watched lots of Oprah.

There's been lots of learning and growing, being inspired, living, and loving.

I've been working really hard on "getting my @#*$(# together".
It's always a process....... but I'm getting there.

I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up with my blog (which is an understatement), but I hope to update more often and share all the wonderful things that I've been able to learn and experience in my life with you.

Thanks for reading!
xoxo~*

"Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music -
the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people.
Forget yourself."
-Henry Miller

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 6

2011-05-22T17:25:00.003-04:00

"The bad people trying to make the world worse never take a day off, so why should I?"

-Bob Marley

2/7/11:
Keep a sharp box cutter handy to cut cardboard boxes into proper sizes for recycling.
Cardboard is easily recycled and should never be thrown in the trash.

2/8/11:
Use a manual can opener.
Here's a shocking fact: If everyone in the U.S. used electric can openers instead of manual ones,
it would cost a collective $36 million per month, according to http://www.idealbite.com/

2/9/11:
Read labels on egg cartons.
The words "free range", "free roaming", and "cage free" don't mean much.
For truly cage-free conditions look for the phrase "American Humane Certified."
Better yet, visit the farm where the chickens are raised and see for yourself how they're cared for.

2/10/11:
Keep your kitchen clean.
Put away all food and food scraps. Don't leave them out on the counter.
Even crumbs should be swept up and put in the garbage.
First line of defense against an insect invasion is to not supply them with food and water.

2/11/11:
For Valentines Day, give your sweetheart a bottle of USA-grown wine that's either biodynamic or organic.
They don't cost much more and don't travel as far from vine to table.
As an added plus, organic wines don't contain added sulfites, which makes them friendlier to people with asthma and allergies.

2/12-13/11:
Buy organic or local flowers for your Valentine.
Flowers from your local greenhouse or farm are fresher and more eco-friendly than those shipped, flown, and trucked into the U.S. from the far ends of Ecuador.
Look for organic flowers online, at farmers' markets, and in boutique flower shops.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Welcome to the (Concrete) Jungle- I ♥ NY

2011-04-28T03:16:00.034-04:00

"New York is a different country.

Maybe it ought to have a separate government.

Everybody thinks differently, acts differently

--they just don't know what the hell the rest of the United States is"

-Henry Ford

Ok, Ok.... I will be the first to admit that I don't always love NYC.

We have a passionate Love/Hate Relationship going on.
And it IS two-sided: NYC can be very good to me, and it can be a reeeeeal pain in the @ss.

Growing up in Jersey, right across the GWB (George Washington Bridge for those not in the know), I've spent most of my life in and out of NY.

* Being a little kid, going to NYC was always fun and exciting.
Dinners, Theatres, Shopping~ Going into NY was always an adventure
* When I was in High School, NY was the place to sneak off to and hang out on the weekends
Ahhh..... so many fond memories of going into the city and carelessly dancing the night away, sitting on stoops, and all the crazy adventures I've had over the years.
* Now that I'm older and have to go into the city for work and to see friends and family, it's not as pleasurable as it was back in the day
("JUST COME OUT TO THE CITY!?!" my friends will have to coax me)

The traffic and crazy drivers, the hustle and bustle, the chaos that can be NYC can put me in a state that I like to call "New York Neurotic".

* HOWEVER, I have literally travelled all around the world and one thing I can say without hesitation is that there is nowhere else in the world that is like NY.
Love it or Hate it~ NYC is one of the most amazing places in the world.

Spring is one of my favorite times to be in NY.

The warm weather and carefree breezes, the flowers and trees blooming everywhere, and a renewed feeling of energy and positivity that New Yorkers seem to carry after a long and cold Winter help to make NYC a wonderful place to visit in the Spring.

If you are a tourist or have never been to NYC, here is my advice to help you get the most out of your trip.

KEEP MOVING

Yes, the skyscrapers in NYC are very tall.
There is too much to see all around you~ There's tons of Stimuli.
However....
DO NOT STAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET!!!

* New Yorkers are always on the go. They also hate it when tourists walk really slowly and just stop in the middle of the street to look at something.

- If you want to get a closer look~ Step to the side.
- If you want to take a picture~ Step to the side.
- If you want to rest~ Step to the side. (Do we see a pattern here?)

“Traffic signals in New York are just rough guidelines.”
-David Letterman
New Yorkers jay walk all the time. If you're not used to this, just wait for the traffic lights. It can be dangerous (the drivers will NOT stop for you). Or quickly follow the New Yorker rushing across the street before a car hits them.

“A car is useless in New York, essential everywhere else. The same with good manners.”
-Mignon McLaughlin
If you're not used to city driving, don't drive in NYC. The drivers can be VERY AGRESSIVE and NYC is a walking/public transportation city. Some of the best things you'll see will be on subways and while walking from neighborhood to neighborhood

COME HUNGRY

“Every block of the city is a quintessential definition of the highly diversified New York food culture.
Each area is divided as a small village of its own unique flavors and history.

The variety of cuisine that the city provides is almost infinite.

Starting from Tribeca, Chinatown, Little Italy, Soho, Lower East Side, Meat Packing district, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Gramecy Park, Theater, Lincoln Center, Upper East Side, Harlem, The Bronx, Brooklyn to Queens; New York City will never fail to surprise us with its treasure of cuisines"

-Vikas Khanna

NYC has some of the most amazing chefs and restaurants in the whole entire world.

You can eat cuisine from all different countries, cooked in all different styles, and things you'd probably never even imagine is edible (yet taste delightfully delicious).
PLEASE do not come to NYC and eat at a chain restaurant!?!?!?! (Especially one in Times Square)
You can eat Mickie D's and Applebee's anywhere in America~ Don't do it in NY.

There are sooo many amazing culinary opportunities at all different budgets.
- If you don't have a lot of money to spend on dining, NYC is a great place to find small hole in the walls that have fabulous food at frugal prices.
- Find out the where the locals eat. If you can find the same restaurant in another state, avoid it and try something that you can only find in NY.
- Splurge. You can always go on a diet when you get home. Get the cupcake! Eat the Creme Brulee. Drink the glass (or bottle) of wine (but go to happy hour when it's much cheaper!) =D

LOOK AROUND
“Every person on the streets of New York is a type. The city is one big theater where everyone is on display.” -Jerry Rubin

New York is a city of sights.
There is a plethora of things to see.
- NY is probably one of the best places to people-watch.
Generally, the more downtown you go, the more interesting the people watching can be (until you get to Wall Street~ they're boring down there!)
- Sitting in an outdoor restaurant or bar is great. There is a place for whatever vibe you are looking for, so just do a little research and go exploring.

- Get some nature in Central Park. It's huge. It's beautiful. It's a nice respite of green among all the buildings and concrete. (I have yet to find the elusive white bridge that is in all the movies... but it exists!)
It's always fun to lie out in the Sheep Meadow Park after a long day of walking around.

-NYC has an amazing array of entertainment and cultural options. Go to the museums. See a play or musical. Check out the flea markets. There is sooo much to do~ but make sure you get a good mix of touristy activities and things that a real New Yorker would do. If you only go to see the World Trade Center, Empire State Building, and Statue of Liberty, you're missing out.

DON'T TAKE IT PERSONAL

New Yorkers can be very up front and in your face.

I like to think of it as "keeping it real".

-New Yorkers don't really have time for B.S. (at least not in the every day interaction sort of sense).

For the most part, the people that you encounter probably aren't as friendly as your neighborhood grocer.
I guess you might even say that New Yorkers can be rude (Gasp!)
They want you to order as quickly as possible, pay, and get out of the way.

- Don't take it personally. I used to~ and I used to feel bad for the rest of the day that the counter person was so rude to me. I have learned to grow a thick skin.
It's usually not a personal thing. The city environment can bring out a certain side that living in a less populated area might not. Or it could totally be because you're a tourist (and New Yorkers can hold a slight feeling of disdain for tourists) ;)
*My advice: Expect the worst, and you'll probably be happier with your experiences than if you expect the people to treat you the way they would back home.

ENJOY
Whatever you do and wherever you go during your trip here, Carpe Diem!
NYC has so many opportunities for a myriad of experiences.
Take advantage of being in one of the most unique and amazing places in the world.

Yes, it can be extremely fast paced and stressful, loud, and overwhelming... but it's all part of the experience~
You'll be back home safe and sound soon enough!
Make sure you're living it up while you're here

So... I hope my advice to surviving NYC helps you out a little bit.

As much stress that I can get from the city, I can't help but love her.
It's truly the "City That Never Sleeps"~ (Perfect for Insomniacs like me!)
And when people ask me why I don't live in the city~ I'll just say, "My life is crazy enough as it is" ;D

"You come to New York to find the ambiance that will evoke your best.

You do not necessarily know precisely what that might be,

but you come to New York to discover it"

-Dr. James Hillman

"The thing that impressed me then as now about New York . . . was the sharp, and at the same time immense, contrast it showed between the dull and the shrewd, the strong and the weak, the rich and the poor, the wise and the ignorant . . . the strong, or those who ultimately dominated, were so very strong, and the weak so very, very weak-- and so very, very many"
-Theodore Dreiser

“It couldn't have happened anywhere but in little old New York.”
-O. Henry

If Louis was right, and you only get one great love,

then New York may just be mine...

and I can't have nobody talkin' shit about my boyfriend.

-Carrie Bradshaw

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 5

2011-04-27T07:53:00.004-04:00

"We have to shift our emphasis

from economic efficiency and materialism towards a sustainable quality of life

and to healing of our society, of our people and our ecological systems"

-Janet Holmes Court

1/31/11:
Simmer Cinnamon.
Instead of synthetic fragrance, simmer a few sticks of cinnamon and a few cloves of allspice in a pan of water on the stove to make your house smell naturally inviting.

2/1/11:
FACT:
"Hundreds of studies over the past decade suggests that many industrial chemicals have potent effects at very low levels because of the way they perturb the endocrine system and, in effect, trick our hormones into disarray.
This can have profound health effects over a lifetime."
-Nena Baker, The Body Toxic

2/2/11:
Opt for powdered mixes over trucked in liquid drinks or frozen concentrates.
Pound for pound, powdered mixes have a lower carbon footprint.

2/3/11:
Fix bathroom leaks and run an exhaust fan.
A moist bathroom is a haven for rot, mold, and insects.
Fix leaky toilets and faucets.
Mop up spills.
Ventilate so air circulates and keeps the room dry.

2/4/11:
Steam clean your carpets.
Conventional carpet cleaners use fragrance and other synthetic chemicals that are harmful to health.
Choose companies that don't use synthetic chemicals.
Allow the carpet to dry completely

2/5/11:
Use cloth napkins.
Use up your supply of paper napkins then never buy them again. Use cloth napkins instead.
Always prefer reuseable products over those made for one time use.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Purify My Heart~ My Favorite Christian Songs

2011-04-24T06:44:00.009-04:00

"But I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things"

-Vincent van Gogh

There's a lot of really great Christian songs that I think are beautiful (even if you're not a Christian).
Since today is Easter (and I've been awake since 3am!), I figured it'd be nice to write about my favorite Christian songs.
I didn't grow up going to church, so I don't know a lot~ But the ones I DO know are AWESOME.

*Side Note- Most if not all my favorite Christian songs are the slow and emotional ones.
I'm a "Frozen Chosen"- I always feel awkward when we have to clap to the fast ones. =P

Hosanna - Hillsong United
This is probably my favorite Christian song. I first remember hearing it at our GNC retreat.
It was a memorable experience. I love the lyrics, the melody.... everything.

How Great Is Our God- Chris Tomlin
This song really moves me. It's been a glimmer of hope through some of my darkest times.

Worthy Is The Lamb- Hillsong
*** This video has clips from the movie "The Passion of the Christ" so it's really graphic ***

That's What Faith Can Do- Kutless
This a really great song that really lifts me up. I think it can apply to those that aren't religious. It's inspiring.

Mighty To Save- Hillsong
So take me as You find me
All my fears & failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Stronger- Hillsong
No beginning, and no end
You're my hope and my defense
You came to seek and save the lost
You paid it all, upon the cross

All Creation
This is a song I learned in Kenya. The Orphans at the By Grace Orphanage
I can't find the mp3 anywhere~ If you know where to find it, please let me know!!! =D

Refiner's Fire/Purify My Heart
I like the Lena Park version but couldn't find it...

Lord I Lift Your Name On High
I don't like the fast versions of this song but I can't find any good slow ones =T

Habitation/Oh Lord My Heart Longs To Be
Oh Lord I want to be like You
My lips to speak the words You do
My hands to streach forth, in healing others
My feet to carry the good news

Father I Adore You
This was one of the first Christian songs I learned.
We always sing this song in rounds in Kenya.

All in All
You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all

"All are but parts of one stupendous whole,
Whose body Nature is, and God the soul"
-Alexander Pope

*~ Have a Blessed Day! ~*

Say Sayonara to Stinky Shoes: Sneaker Balls

2011-04-22T08:20:00.007-04:00

"I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes.
I had one thousand and sixty"

-Imelda Marcos

For the past year or so, I've noticed that my shoes stink!!!
I'm very sensitive to smells (or I should say odors), so it would drive me nuts when I would come home, take off my shoes, and my feet and socks would stink! GROSS!

I would wash my feet every night before going to bed... but the next day, my socks would still reek!

Say Hello to my Funky Friends:
Kate Spade, Pajar, Spyder, and Salvatore Ferragamo

* I have a habit of wearing shoes until they literally fall apart and cannot be worn anymore... many a times have my friends and family pleaded with me to throw out my shoes and get new ones. haha... *

I bought an odor-eating spray that I wasn't diligent with and tried sticking dryer sheets in my shoes~ They didn't work.
About a month ago, I discovered a product that has changed my smelly shoe dilemma forever!
SNEAKER BALLS!!!

Sneaker Balls deodorizers are designed to take action in those tiny and undesirable places where average air fresheners will not fit.
With the ability to tackle the inside of those smelly sneakers or dirty soccer bags, they are the only air freshener with the ability to get inside where the ugly stuff grows.
Place them in shoes, gym bags, lockers or even your sock drawer.
Sneaker Balls will freshen up even the worst of odors in time for your next activity.

Acquired in 2007, Sneaker Balls come in a variety of styles and scents and are sold in leading sporting goods and sepcialty shoe retailers nationwide.

These little suckers make such a big difference!

It actually makes me happy to take off my shoes and smell the fresh and clean laundry smell of the sneaker balls.

(It even fragrances the room a little when the balls get thrown on the ground in my mad dash to get out the door!)

So if you have stinky shoes (and even if you don't), these little sneaker balls will make a huge difference.

Your feet and nose will thank you! =D

"Thank You"

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

I'm an April Fool- Jokes and Pranks

2011-04-18T09:49:00.011-04:00

"We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance"

-Japanese Proverb

It seems that my co-workers and friends didn't get the memo that April Fool's is on April 1.
Lately, a lot of them have been having fun at my expense by pranking me =P
Although I usually like to be the one playing the prank, I have to admit that practical jokes are fun.

So, if you really want to play an April Fool's Joke on someone, do it after 4/1! =D

Here is a clip of the prank my friends Josh and Susan played on me the other night.

* Side note: I was ALREADY in a scared mood because we were going to watch a scary movie and Susan had already scared me with the mask a few minutes before!!!!
- I think I was trying to say "Stop!" but couldn't even get the words out.
- As you can see, I was so scared that I couldn't even look or stand up
- Josh found it amusing that I hadn't even really looked at him before screaming.

I am currently plotting ways to get back at them. The Prank War is ON! =D

Prank vs. Prank is a You Tube Channel that features a couple that are always pranking each other.
I can't believe some of the stuff they do to each other.... but it's pretty funny.
Here are my two favorite videos from them.
* How to wake up your hot girlfriend with a fake head
* Girlfriend scares the hell out of sleeping boyfriend

Here's some of my advice when it comes to pranking others:

Don't prank the wrong person:
Some people will get really mad and won't find it funny at all.
It's not worth it to prank these type of people.
And don't prank anyone that can get you in trouble or has health issues =)

Keep it Safe and Simple:
You don't want anyone getting hurt over a prank.
Make sure it's not dangerous~ You don't want someone to end up in the hospital or jail over a stupid joke!

Don't Dish It If You Can't Take It:
Rule of thumb... If you can't take a joke... don't do it on someone else.
And if you can't take a joke.... Learn to take one. Life is short!

So, go out and prank your friends. But remember to keep it safe, simple, and have fun!

Happy April.... Fool! ;)

"I pity the Fool!"

*~ Have a Laughter Filled Day! ~*

Awesome April 2011 Giveaway: Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream

2011-04-16T07:57:00.013-04:00

"No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow"

Spring is FIIIIIIINALLY here!
After a horrendously cold and snowy East Coast winter, the flowers are starting to bloom, the Spring air smells oh-so-deliciously fragrant, and the short skirts are starting to come out!

SPRING CLEANING. Two words that I love~

Spring Cleaning doesn't have to refer to just cleaning and organizing your home~
It's time to Spring Clean your makeup and cleansing routine!

Have you been following some of my Beauty Resolutions for 2011?? I hope so! (Although I have to admit that #2,6, and 7 have been really hard for me to keep up with!) =P
If you haven't been keeping up with your skin care routine or organized your beauty products (wiping away, throwing out), it's a great time to start fresh!

One beauty basic that not enough people seem to keep up with is Exfoliation.

So this month, I am giving away a full size Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula!

All you have to do is:
1. Subscribe
2. Leave a comment telling me some of your favorite Spring Cleaning supplies!

(Here is a list of some my favorite household items)
If you subscribe and comment to this post by 11:59 pm PST on Saturday 4/30/11, you could win a Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream!

Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula
Developed by dermatologists, a lightweight, rinse-off scrub for extra cleansing, polishing.

Nudges away roughness, flakiness to refine skin. Helps lessen the appearance of fine lines. Clears the way for moisture. Suitable for all skin types.

What it is:
A gentle skin polisher that smoothes and refines skin.

What it is formulated to do:This exfoliating scrub gently brushes away roughness and flakiness. It smoothes skin to lessen the appearance of fine lines while clearing the way for moisture.

What else you need to know:
Suitable for all skin types.

Retail Price: 3.4 fl. oz.- $18.50

Remember, if you'd like to win a full size Clinique7 Day Scrub Cream
1. Subscribe
2. Comment your favorite Cleaning Supplies by 11:59 pm PST on Saturday 4/30/11!!!

I hope you get lots of Spring Cleaning done in your life: Get your homes all neat and tidy, throw away your old makeup, and keep up a good skin care routine

And don't forget to stop and smell the roses, daffodils, lilies, violets.... =D

HAPPY SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ♥
"April Showers bring May Flowers"

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 4

2011-04-11T23:17:00.006-04:00

"Till now man has been up against Nature;

From now on he will be up against his own nature."

-Dennis Gabor

1/24/11:

Idling wastes gas.

If your car is stopped more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine.

You can save one cent per gallon for every two minutes you avoid idling.

1/25/11:

Leave outdoor shoes at the door.

Keep a pair of indoor shoes and wear them indoors only.
This cuts down on dragging pesticides, herbicides, and soil into the house.
It keeps the house much cleaner.

1/26/11:
Eat low mercury fish
like Tilapia and Pollock, rather than high mercury choices like tuna and swordfish.
Check the Safe Fish List at http://www.ewg.org/ to see which fish to avoid and which to eat.
This varies, so if you eat fish, keep current.

1/27/11:
Start your day with a power shower.
A power shower is a short five-minute shower that uses about 12.5 gallons of water, half the average shower which uses about 25 gallons of water, according to the U.S. EPA.

1/28/11:
Buy eggs from chickens that roam free.
Eggs from chickens that range freely on grass have about half the cholesterol of factory-farmed eggs, and its mostly LDL, the cholesterol that's good for you.
They also have more vitamin E, beta-carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids.

1/29-30/11:
FACT:
Humans consume so much of the planet's natural resources we need the equivalent of four more earths to keep up with our lifestyles.
Americans are the most wasteful.
While we comprise 4.6% of the world's population, we consume 25% of the planet's resources

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Make Up For Ever Pro Seminar Schedule 2011

2011-04-08T08:30:00.004-04:00

There's a lot going on at the Make Up For Ever Studio NYC Boutique this Spring and Summer!
They are holding a lot of seminars that are basically free- The cost is redeemable in product:
Backstage Card and TPG Members -$95

General Admission- $120

I am lucky enough to have learned from or seen the work of many of the educators (Orlando Santiago, James Vincent, Floriane David, Wendy Karcher)~

I HIGHLY recommend taking a class if you have the time and money

(and if you don't.... make it! it'll be worth it!!!)

PRO SEMINAR SCHEDULE

APRIL 2011

FRI 4/8
3:00–5:30    D’angelo Thompson: Music Video and High Definition
SAT 4/9
3:00–5:30    James Vincent: Global Complexion
MON 4/11
6:00–8:30     Wendy Karcher: An Eye for Editorial

MAY 2011
MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Week

FRI 5/13

11:30–2:00 D’angelo Thompson: The Business of Make Up Artistry

3:00–5:30 Paul Mafuz: FX Basics: Cuts, Bruises and Burns

SAT 5/14

3:00–5:30 Fabiola: Make Up for the Red Carpet Client

TUES 5/17

11:30–2:00 Sarah Pascoe: Character Design for Theater

6:00–8:30   James Vincent: Mixology: Creating Color and Texture
WED 5/18
11:30–2:00 Victoria Stiles: Ageless Beauty for Mature Skin
6:00–8:30    Floriane David: Incorporating Body Art
THURS 5/19
6:00–8:30   Wendy Karcher: Unconventional Beauty: A New Approach to Avant Garde
FRI 5/20
6:00–8:30   Orlando Santiago: Rethinking Period Make Up

SUMMER 2011
FRI 6/17
6:00–8:30 Megan Garmers: Waterproofing Your Bride
SAT 7/9
3:00–5:30 Megan Garmers: Asian Bridal Focus
WED 8/17
6:00–8:30 Floriane David: Techniques for Advanced Special FX

Seminar Fees
Deposit: For Backstage Card and TPG Members – The $95 registration deposit will be fully redeemable in product upon attending the workshop. For General Admission – The $120 registration deposit will be fully redeemable in product upon attending the workshop.

Cancellation and Wait–List: The last day to cancel your registration for a full refund is (3) days before the event date. However, the deposit will be forfeited for no–shows or late cancellations. If a class is full, you may request to add your name to a wait–list and we will contact you when there is an opening.

*Presenter and topics are subject to change. Please visit http://www.makeupforeverpro.com/ for the most updated seminar schedule.

To Register, please contact the MAKE UP FOR EVER NYC BOUTIQUE at (212) 941–9337

Seminars are held at 8 East 12th Street, NY, NY 10003

(Right by Union Square~ between 5th Ave. and University)

Here are some of my favorite MUFE products!

Make Up For Ever HD High Definition FOUNDATION

Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder

Make Up For Ever Aqua Creme

Make Up For Ever Flash Palette/ 12 Flash Color Case

Happy Learning! =D

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Cinema Secrets Professional Brush Cleaner

2011-04-06T10:07:00.009-04:00

I hope all of you are cleaning your brushes!!!
I have seen some diiiiirty brushes... and it's terrifying.
All the makeup, dirt, bacteria that has collected onto your unwashed brushes..... YUCK!

Here are my tips to wash your brushes thoroughly.
* I recommend washing your brushes this way at least every week or two weeks (depending on how much you use them).
At the very least... every month.
* If you can apply a whole face of makeup from your brushes without applying any product... they're too dirty!

Although I don't like using chemical brush cleaners, they can come in handy.
Sometimes, you can't always deep clean your brushes.
* When I'm doing a makeover on 5-6 women in a row, I need to be able to clean my brushes well.
* In the past, I'd just end up using all new brushes for each person (and I tend to use a looot of brushes for one makeover), but then I'd spend practically an hour washing all those brushes!!!!

I stumbled upon an old makeup cleaner that I'd bought but never really used.
I recently tested it out, and I was surprised by how well it worked.
My recommendation for a Brush Cleaner is Cinema Secrets Professional Brush Cleaner!

Brush Cleaner is required to do two things.

First, it should clean brushes by removing all makeup (any type) from your brushes and condition the brushes to promote the longevity needed for a profesional quality brush.
Second, the brush cleaner needs to santitize and remove all bacteria from the brush.

Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner is the only Brush Cleaner that will completly remove 99.9% of the bacteria in your brush (when you follow the recommended instructions).

The most requested makeup brush cleaner on the market, ours is known for its rich blue color and vanilla scent.

Top professionals rely on the quick-drying formula to clean, sanitize, and leave tools with a pleasant smell.
Safe for use with natural and synthetic hairs, the cleaner immediately dissolves all traces of wax, liquid, and powder residue from brushes, spatulas, and palettes.
It's the only makeup brush cleaner to remove 99.9% of all bacteria--and it conditions to extend brush life.

Environmentally safe and non-carcinogenic.

Directions:

Use long strokes to wipe excess makeup on a tissue or paper towel.
Pour a small amount of brush cleaner in a bowl or other container, and dip brush or tool in cleaner.
Remove immediately. Wipe clean on tissue. Repeat a second time if necessary.
Allow to air-dry for two to five minutes.
For faster drying (30 seconds), lay brushes flat on non-porous surface, hold brushes in place by handles, and fan hair dryer from six inches away for a maximum of 30 seconds.

Retail Price: 4 oz. $12.99, 32 oz. (12 total) $419.88

Now, I've tried out lots of different brush cleaners from different companies... but I have to say this one does the job really well, quickly, and without a horrible smell.

It feels more oil-based, so it seems more conditioning and not as harsh as some alcohol cleaners (which I find don't even work that well~).

Now, I still recommend a good deep-cleaning over a brush cleaner, but when I need to get my makeup brushes cleaned quickly, my go-to will be Cinema Secrets Professional Cleaner!

Keep it clean, Ladies!!!! =D

* A note from my brushes to my co-worker....
And her response*

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 3

2011-04-01T07:15:00.003-04:00

"It is by acts and not by ideas that people live"

-Anatole France

1/17/11:
Make this a community service day.
Volunteer.
Help someone.
Make a person feel better.
Smile more often than usual.

1/18/11:
Install CFLs.
Lighting eats up 10% of a typical electric bill.
Swap out incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, which use 75% less energy.
Start with five fixtures you use most, then swap out bulbs as they burn out.
You can save $30 or more in electricity over the lifetime of of each bulb, according to the EPA.

1/19/11:

The future of lighting is LED lights.

You've seen them as tiny decorative lights.

LEDs boast an extremely long lifespan, and use even less energy than CFLs.

Where CFLs are 75% efficient, LEDs are 95% efficient.
Even better, they are free of mercury, and give off almost no heat.
Buy them when you can.

1/20/11: (*Disclaimer*- I totally disagree with this tip... but whatevers.....If you use the dishwasher, at least make sure it's a full load)
Use dishwasher instead of hand wash.
If you make proper use of their efficiency, dishwashers are more efficient than washing dishes by hand, especially if the dishwasher is new and rated Energy Star.

1/21/11:
Food storage tip:
Pack meat in reusable vacuum-sealed containers to protect it from freezer burn.

1/22-23/11
Stop buying bottled water.
The energy required to make one plastic bottle is the equivalent of filling it 1/4 full of oil.
What's more, some plastics leach toxins.
Get a stainless steel water bottle, instead, and make sure it doesn't have a plastic liner.
Annual savings: $600, according to The Daily Green.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Marvelous Marina and the Diamonds

2011-03-30T08:55:00.008-04:00

“I probably have a bit of a different sound

because I don’t really know what I’m doing”

I first discovered Marina and The Diamonds when the extremely talented Makeup Artist Lauren O'Jea posted the "I Am Not A Robot" song on her facebook page.

I watched the video, and I remember loving all the different makeup looks, but thinking the singer was really quirky and odd. Her voice sounded kind of funny and the all black makeup kind of freaked me out.

But the video and song definitely intrigued me, and after listening to it a few more times.... I was hooked.

Since I first heard Marina and the Diamonds last Fall, I've become a huge fan.
I think she's a really unique singer, I love a lot of her lyrics, and she makes really interesting videos.
It seems that each week, I discover a song that I like even better than the last one.
I hope you can appreciate her as much as I do!

She'll be performing at NYC's Webster Hall in June~ I can't wait!!!

Here are some of my favorite songs of hers.
Not only are her songs awesome, but so are her videos.

(I would love to know who her makeup artist is... or if she needs an extra hand~ Marina, call me!")

I Am Not A Robot- Probably my favorite song of hers. The video has lots of crazy looks (covered in paint, sequins, glitter..... loves it!!!)
"Better to be hated than loved for what you're not"
"Guess what.... I'm not a robot"

Obsessions- Been obsessed (haha) with this song. I have a tendency to obsess over things, so I like songs that can relate to OCD tendencies
"We’ve got obsessions. I want to erase every nasty thought that bugs me every day of every week"

Shampain- This song is pretty different from the stuff that's out there. I think it's one of those you like the more you hear it (Actually.... that's how most of her music is... at least for me~).

"Elderly stars slide down the morning sky

Slipping away to find a place to die
I wonder when the night will reach it's end
The sleep is not my friend"
"I feel celestial"

Oh No- A fun and cheeky song. A tongue in cheek song that I can relate to. I love the cartoonish vibe of this video~ perfect for those of us with ADD. =D
"I know exactly what I want and who I want to be"
"I'm gonna live. I'm gonna fly. I'm gonna fail. I'm gonna die"

Mowgli's Road- This is a little weird when you first hear it.... but I love this song! The video creeps me out a little (with her fake "Dr. Seuss" type body parts...) but it's interesting and she looks gorgeous.
"There's a fork in the road
I'll do as I am told.
Well, I don't know..... Who I want to be"

Are You Satisfied- A really great song about... life~*
"High achiever don't you see
Baby, nothing comes for free
They say I'm a control freak
Driven by a greed to succeed
Nobody can stop me"
"Are you satisfied with an average life?"

Hollywood- I only recently started listening to this song... I liked it a lot more after watching the video.
And I totally live in a movie scene.... so much better than reality! ;)
"Hollywood infected your brain
You wanted kissing in the rain
Living in movie scene Puking Anerican dreams"
"Your mind is just like mine
All filled up with things benign
You’re looking for the golden lie"

Marina~ She's Quirky. Creative. Sassy. Unique. Cheeky. Talented. She's Awesome.

"I'm Marina. You are the diamonds"

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

MAKEUP IS ART- Professional Techniques For Creating Original Looks

2011-03-26T08:41:00.004-04:00

For the past 2 years since becoming a Makeup Artist, most of the books I've read are beauty related

(and the occasional Self-Improvement book~ What can I say... I love makeovers whether it be on the outside or the inside!).

I have read/skimmed through dozens of beauty books, but there hasn't been one that has brought about an actual gasp of excitement until recently.

I opened up a package in the mail from my cousin to find the book

MAKEUP IS ART- Professional Techniques For Creating Original Looks by Jana Ririnui and Lan Nguyen

It. Is. Amazing.

I'd been meaning to write about this for about a month since the book came out, but I knew I had to write about this book when I was looking through the book in the morning before work, got to work and a copy of the book was there, and there was a huge ad for the book in an issue of Makeup Artist Magazine~ all in the same day. It was a sign.... I was MEANT to share this book with all of you (and sooner than later!)

Every face is a blank canvas and every brushstroke creates something magical. In MAKEUP IS ART: Professional Techniques for Creating Original Looks, top makeup professionals, many from London's Academy of Freelance Makeup, offer imaginitive ideas, inside knowledge, and a wealth of advice for aspiring artists.

In addition to absolutely stunning photographs to accompany each new technique, the book includes,

Basic advice on skincare and ways to create a flawless base
An index to help determine what your facial structure is
Ways to create periodical looks that stem back all the way to the 1920s
Techniques on how to use mascara and eyeliner
Ways to use specific tools and brushes
Professional advice for fashion shows, magazine editorials and advertising shoots
A question-and-answer section on how to get into the business

A master class for anyone who wants to learn more about the tricks and trade of a makeup artist, MAKEUP IS ART gives a glimpse into their glamorous world. When you feel good, you look good and makeup helps you acheive this positive feeling.

This book is a beautiful work of art. It is inspirational. It is fascinating.

I keep it around and like to flip through it often to be inspired.

So whether you are a makeup artist, would like to become a makeup artist, love playing with makeup, or just like seeing cool and beautiful pictures~ this is the book for you.

My version of the Rainbow Lips.
Make Up For Ever Products on Etzel the Pretzel.
Lots of Products. =D

*~ Have a Creative and Colorful Day! ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 2

2011-03-24T03:43:00.004-04:00

"What's the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?"

-Henry David Thoreau

1/10/11:
Buy local food:
Keep your food dollars in the local economy.
Ask where your food comes from.
Buy at farmers' markets.

1/11/11:
Get crocked:
Winter is the best time to bring out the crockpot and get dinnr going in the morning before heading off to work.
That way your dinner will be ready when you get home, saving a considerable amount of electricity while providing high nutritional content and a tasty meal.

1/12/11:
Avoid PBDE and DECA:
They are harmful fire retardants found in carpets, sleepwear, and foam products from pillos to mattresses.
Scientists have found that exposure to minute doses, at critical points in development, can damage reproductive systems and cause deficits in motor skills, learning, and more.
Opt for less flammable fabrics and materials like leather, wool, and cotton.

1/13/11:
Nix the garbage disposal:
If your disposal breaks, remove it and do without.
Garbage disposals bring unnecessary energy and water consumption to the waste process.
Composting, and even regular trash disposal, are better options.

1/14/11:
Turn off your dishwasher's Dry Cycle:
This easy adjustment can reduce your home's energy use by 15-50% and could save $26 a year in electricity bills, according to http://www.idealbite.com/.
If there's no off switch for the drying cycle, open the door when the cycle starts and let the dishes air dry.

1/15-16/11
Lower the heat:
We've gotten too used to the luxury of constant temperature.
In reality, an indoor climate that fluctuates six to eight degrees is healthier for the human body and keeps the mind alert.

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

March 2011 Giveaway: Mario Badescu Minis

2011-03-20T23:50:00.010-04:00

Spring is in the air and it smells divine. I love the smell of Spring Air, Clean Laundry, Babies (Clean ones!), and the Beach. I also love perfumes and colognes.

For March 2011's Giveaway, you could win a mini Mario Badescu set that contains some of their best selling products

(Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Seaweed Cleansing Lotion, A.H.A & Ceramide Moisturizer, Citrus Body Cleanser, and Elasto Seamoillient Hand Cream)

All you have to do is:

1. Subscribe

2. Leave a comment telling me what your favorite smells are (Whether it be a fragrance or not)

If you subscribe and comment your favorite smells to this post by 11:59 pm PST on Thursday 3/31/11, you could win these five mini Mario Mario Badescu products!

Mario Badescu is a great line~ The products work well, are fairly priced, and it's one of the lines that I use multiple products from and can recommend confidently.

Some of my favorite products that I use are:
Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs, and Rose Water
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum

For over 40 years, Mario Badescu Skin Care has been known for personalized skin care and acne treatment. We continue to offer spa and skin care services not just to celebrities, but to individuals across the world who appreciate the importance of quality skin care. Our proven line of products helps thousands each day fight acne, treat rosacea, control teen acne, and help with their aging skin. From cleansers, astringents and moisturizers to exfoliants and eye creams, Mario Badescu Skin Care offers a comprehensive array of products for all of your needs.

Enzyme Cleansing Gel:
Benefits: Our Best Selling Daily Cleanser. This non-foaming, gel cleanser thoroughly removes the day’s make-up, dirt and oil without drying the skin. Papaya and Grapefruit Extracts are exfoliating Alpha Hydroxy Acids that help prevent dulling build-up that can cause blackheads and pimples.

How to Use: Twice daily, massage in a circular motion on wet skin avoiding eye area. Rinse with tepid water. Pat dry and follow with toner or astringent.
Retail Price: 8 oz.- $12, 16 oz.-$20

Seaweed Cleansing Lotion:

Benefits: This is a non-drying, non-alcohol toner that cleans and disinfects dry and sensitive skin. Mild Witch Hazel formula removes pore clogging debris and anti-inflammatory Seaweed and Aloe Extract soothe sensitive areas.

How to Use: Twice daily after cleansing, pat skin dry and apply lotion dampened cotton by wiping in an outward direction until cotton comes up clean. Avoid eye area. Follow with moisturizer or night cream.
Retail Price: 8 oz.- $15, 16 oz.-$26, 32 oz.-$45

A.H.A & Ceramide Moisturizer:
Benefits: Reduce Wrinkles and Sun Damaged Skin. Oil-free, gentle, AHA daily moisturizer is formulated with Lemon Extract and soothing Aloe. Revive and rejuvenate dull, congested skin. Helps reduce sun spots and skin pigmentation conditions. Non-greasy, absorbent and very lightweight.

How to Use: After cleansing and toning, apply daily all over face, avoiding eye area.
Retail Price: 2 oz.- $20

Citrus Body Cleanser:
Benefits: Grapefruit Extract gently exfoliates the skin while the soothing Linden Flower Extract leaves the skin feeling clean and refreshed. Leaves no soapy residue.

How to Use: Use daily all over body, avoiding face and eyes. Massage on wet skin with a soft cloth, loofah or sponge using caution around acne-erupted areas on back and chest
Retail Price: 8 oz.- $10, 16 oz.-$18

Elasto-Seamollient Hand Cream
Benefits: A unique formulation of protective Seamollient and nourishing Vitamin E makes this thick, rich, hand cream perfect for frequently washed hands. Contains antioxidant Peanut Oil to moisturize and protect dry, chapped or cracked skin.

How to Use: Apply as often as needed especially after hand washing.

Beauty Tip: For an intense hand treatment apply liberally and wear beauty gloves to bed.

Retail Price: 4 oz.- $8, 8 oz.-$14

So if you'd like to try out this great line and these products, don't forget to
1. Subscribe
2. Comment your favorite smells (Fragrance or Not)
by 11:59 pm PST on Thursday 3/31/11!!!

So let's say ADIOS to Winter (because you have been no friend of mine), and say BONJOUR to beautiful Spring Sunshine and all the wonderful sights and smells it brings!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Happy St. Patricks Day: Irish Blessings

2011-03-17T04:08:00.007-04:00

I didn't start celebrating St. Patrick's Day until I met the boys in the "Michael Jordan Suite" 2 years ago.

Since then, I've been a fan big fan of St. Patty's Day

It seems like only yesterday that I was celebrating St. Patrick's Day (ironically in L.A. China-Town and K-Town) with the fabulous Christina Lee, Hosanna Wong, and some of the K-Town Cowboys.

My friends know that I have my issues with Irish boys (Be careful of the cute ones with accents!), but on St. Patty's Day, everyone is Irish~ (especially me... as I like to tell Irish people that I'm part Irish since my name's Irene) =D

So here are some of my favorite Irish Blessings to share with you:

“May you have the hindsight to know where you've been,
The foresight to know where you are going,
And the insight to know when you have gone too far”

“May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live”

“May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day.
May songbirds serenade you every step along the way.
May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue.
And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.”

“May you never forget what is worth remembering,
Nor ever remember what is best forgotten”

“May God grant you always...

A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you,

a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you.
Laughter to cheer you. Faithful friends near you.
And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.”

“May your days be many and your troubles be few.
May all God's blessings descend upon you.
May peace be within you may your heart be strong.
May you find what you're seeking wherever you roam.”

“May the sun shine all day long, everything go right and nothing wrong.

May those you love bring love back to you, and may all the wishes you wish come true!”

Have a fabulous St. Patrick's Day!
Eat some Irish Soda Bread,
Have a pint /shot or two ... or five (if you're legal!),
and if you need to make a toast before having a drink (which you should ALWAYS do in my book)... my go-to is always, "To Health, Wealth, and Happiness!"

Wishing you a lifetime full of Irish Blessings!

Be safe kiddies~*

“May God give you...

For every storm a rainbow,

For every tear a smile,

For every care a promise,

And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends,

A faithful friend to share,

For every sigh a sweet song

And an answer for each prayer.”

*~ Have a Beautiful Day ~*

10 Thoughts On Whole Living

2011-03-15T09:50:00.006-04:00

I have tons of things hanging on the walls in my apt.
In my bedroom, I have Posters and Pictures, Vision/Inspiration Boards, Calendars, and too many dry erase boards to count (ok, 7 that I can see around me).
Right by my door, I have an ooooooold article (June 2005) from Body and Soul Magazine.

10 Thoughts On Whole Living

1. Let yourself make small mistakes. Happiness is not found in perfection.

2. Healthy food is good for you and the environment

3. The breath is the link between body and soul.

4. Don't hold your body hostage. Allow it to move and stretch.

5. Meditation is not an esoteric skill- it's a natural instinct.

6. Rediscover the pleasures of old-fashioned physical work.

7. Your body sends signals when it's out of balance. Heed them early.

8. Become aware of your habits; they may not support who you want to be.

9. True beauty radiates from joy, wellness, harmony, and inner energy

10. Life is a series of moments. Inhabit every one of them.

Most of the time, I never even notice that it's there...
But every once in a while, I like to read it and remind myself of these basic but important thoughts.
I especially like # 8,9,10
#5 definitely doesn't apply in my life, but I'm sure it would do some good.

Hopefully these little tips will remind you of what really matters and who you want to be~*

Live it up people!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 1

2011-03-06T13:17:00.009-05:00

I recently bought an "Every Day Is Earth Day 2011 Daily Boxed Calendar"
I already have schedules and calendars all over my room, but I thought it had good advice so I bought it (Plus it was on sale and you know I'm a sucker for a good deal!)

As a modern hippie, I'm always looking for ways to go green and spread the word.

Hopefully, you'll pick up some new tips that will become a lifelong habit
(Hey, I didn't always turn off all the lights, unplug unused appliances, and wash laundry in cold water either!)

Come on, people. Little things make a big difference!
(Over 55 inches of snow in NYC is NOT NORMAL!)
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle!

1/1-2/11:
New Year's Resolution:
Use it up. Wear it out. Make do. Do without.

1/3/11:
Don't de-ice with salt:
No chemical de-icing material is good for plants or the soil. Instead, spread sand, gravel, or ash to gain some traction. If you must de-ice do so in moderation.
Check out a product called Combo Therm, available at hardware stores, that forms a bring beneath the snow, discouraging ice from forming. Apply it before the snow falls and you'll use less de-icer.

1/4/11:
Mantra for a new year:
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Rethink.

1/5/11:
Buy "green" printer paper:
Look for unbleached recycled paper with the highest post-consumer waste content you can find.

1/6/11:
Green your takeout:
Stryofoam, flexible plastic, and anything noncompostable is NOT green. Look for petroleum-free plastic cups made from corn, tough clamshells made from recycled materials, and cardboard made from renewable resources, delivered by carbon neutral companies.

1/7/11:
Designate meatless Fridays:
Make this part of a program to eat less meat. Compared to meat eaters, vegetarians have lower rates of diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and obesity.

1/8-9/11:
Walk softly:
The old myth of unlimited growth alienates humans from nature. To live sustainably we must respect nature and live by its rules. We must walk softly, leaving as small a footprint as possible.

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,

There is a rapture on the lonely shore,

There is society, where none intrudes,

By the deep sea, and music in its roar:

I love not man the less, but Nature more.

- Lord Byron

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Old School Girl In A Fast Paced World

2011-03-04T07:46:00.009-05:00

Recently, I've been noticing how I'm constantly talking about how old I am.

I realize I need to stop doing this (because it's annoying and makes me seem REALLY OLD).

However, I can't help feeling that things are changing way too quickly!

When I asked my father (who up until a year or two ago had never used a computer before) what 4G meant, and he knew that it meant "generation" while I had thought it meant "4 gigs", I got really sad...

I'm constantly asking people, "What is that?!?" and "What does that mean?!?" when it comes to new cultural and technological terms.

It seems like everyday there's a new acronym that I have to decipher!

I'm an Old School Girl in a world that's rapidly changing by the second.

It's sooo hard to keep up, and sometimes I feel left in the dormant and dated dust....

* My phone is the LG ENV3 (which I love because it has the keyboard. I never texted before because it took too long)

- I hate blackberries and iphones: I never know how to use them and it has literally taken me 15 minutes to get to my email and make a phone call on one of these! =P
* I hate MACs. Everyone says they're really easy to use, but I'm a PC girl at heart.
* How many freaking IPODS do they need to make?!?!? I only own an ipod shuffle. I have trouble using the normal ipods...
* I don't have GPS. I only recently switched from mapquest to google maps (and only because I needed walking directions when I was in L.A.): I write out the directions on scrap paper. I will admit it CAN get really annoying....

* I like to use actual take out menus instead of going online to menupages.com

* I read books and magazines. I don't like to read things online or on an electronic book reader: I like the act of flipping through pages, being able to underline things, and ripping things out.
* I don't like using certain electronic items because I feel like they're bad for you or wasteful: microwaves, UV machines in nail salons, blowdryers/heat styling tools, dishwashers
* I don't download any music or movies: I go to the library and rent c.d.'s and dvds.
* I don't like downloading programs on my computer. I've gotten way too many viruses and of course I have no idea what to do when something goes wrong....
* I hate remote controls that have a million buttons~ I just want to be able to turn on the t.v., flip channels, and watch a show!!!!
* I don't have a scanner.... so I take pictures of pictures (haha... so ghetto!)
* I like writing on paper (in pencil/blue ink): I carry around tons of notebooks, I write things on scrap paper, and my life is written out in my infamous planner (yes.... I still carry around a planner)
* I don't follow trends. If anything, I end up wearing "trendy" items much later when the trend is dead and gone, OR I wear something and I find that it becomes "The next new thing". Either way after or way ahead, I'm never quite on track when it comes to trends.
* I like hairstyles from childhood: hairbands, pigtails, ponytails
* I still like to put stickers on everything (ok...maybe that's not old school... just immature) =D

Not only do I do a lot of antiquated things, I also longingly look back on the "good old days"

I Remember When:
* MTV actually played music videos!?!

* Cartoons were good, had a point, or were entertaining (I learned so much from the old school Looney Tunes cartoons: music, historical references, cultural references)

*Video Games were simple: Oregon Trail, Word Munchers, Mario Brothers, Bubble Bobble

* People actually smiled and talked to strangers (and you didn't have to worry that they were crazy or dangerous)

* World News wasn't which celebrity is dating which sports star

* Television was more than fat people trying to lose weight, tone deaf people who act shocked when told they're not going to be an idol, and Staten Islanders giving Jersey folk a bad name!!! (Although I do have to admit t.v. has gotten muuuuch better in the past few years and I'm happy that sitcoms are coming back)

- I miss the t.v. shows that had heart and a message (even if they were corny): Saved By The Bell, Full House, The Wonder Years, Growing Pains.... ahh the shows of my youth

* Movies were more than CGI special effects: I miss the simple goodness of John Hughes and Gary Marshall movies

* You could buy things for a quarter
* There were Bell Atlantic/AT&T public telephones (You could have a conversation for a quarter!)

* Mix Tapes/ C.D. Mixes------> Watch High Fidelity~ the ultimate movie about mix tapes

* Everything wasn't digital
* Polaroids weren't considered retro

Ahhh.. the good old days are long gone, but they still live on lovingly in my memories.

What do you hold onto or look back on?

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

(Trust me... they go by fast!)

Anne Taylor Private Shopping Party: 3/3/11

2011-03-01T16:26:00.002-05:00

Captivating Cupcake Craziness!

2011-02-25T07:33:00.012-05:00

"Stressed spelled backwards is desserts. Coincidence? I think not! "

For a while, it seems like every week, there's been an occasion to eat cupcakes.

Whether it's because my roomie is trying out a new baking recipe (SOMEONE has to eat them since she won't!), it's to celebrate a birthday, or just because it's been a long day and I need a small treat to make the day a little sweeter, I've been eating lots of cupcakes!

Most of the time, I'm not much of a dessert person.

I'd rather eat more of an entree or appetizer than dessert: I don't usually "save room for dessert" so I'd just get really fat if I ate as much food as I usually do ALONG with dessert!

However, if I do get dessert, it'll usually be a fruit tart or creme brulee (my fav!)

Even though I don't usually eat a lot of dessert, I love cupcakes.

They're delicious, cute, and convenient (small and portable)!

Cupcakes have become really popular in the past few years (Cupcake shops are popping up all over, people have them instead of cake at weddings, etc)

Here are my favorite cupcake shops in the bi-state (NY/NJ.... sorry Connecticut~ you don't make the cut) area:

Magnolia Bakery:

This was probably my first foray into the world of cupcakes (other than class parties in elementary school). It was great walking a few blocks to this West Village staple when my friends lived in the area.
Made famous by the ladies from Sex and The City, there used to be lines and about a 10 minute wait to get a yummy frosted cupcake~ I always liked the one with a flower on top!

Back in the day on 11th Street: Jean is really enjoying her cupcake!

Magnolia Bakery first opened its doors in July, 1996 on a quiet corner of NYC's Greenwich Village. It was conceived as an old- fashioned shop where people could come for coffee and something sweet. In 2007, the original owner chose native New Yorker and veteran restaurateur, Steven Abrams and his family to take over the iconic bakery. This family owned and operated establishment became famous for its freshly baked, old-fashioned desserts and charming vintage decor which leave many patrons feeling they've been transported back in time.

Magnolia is a full service bakery offering an array of freshly made, hand crafted desserts including cakes, pies, pudding, brownies and bars, cookies, mini cheesecakes, breakfast goods and more... Magnolia cupcakes, made from scratch in small batches with only the finest ingredients, are the Bakery's signature offering.

The delectable cupcakes further captured the attention of a world-wide audience after being featured in popular TV shows and movies such as Sex and the City, Saturday Night Live, Prime and The Devil Wears Prada.

Crumbs Bake Shop

I usually eat a Crumbs cupcake when I'm in the city.

There are about 17 locations throughout NYC, 4 in NJ, and also throughout CA, CT, DC, IL, and VA.

I love getting the Taste Size cupcakes in the package

(Unfortunately, you can't get the mini cupcakes individually~ they sell by the dozen)

I like the Red Velvet, Cookie Dough, and Candy Cupcakes!

At Crumbs Bake Shop, we believe in celebrating the simple everyday things in life. In a world where we move too fast, a cupcake is the exception. They add something so small, and so needed to our lives. Maybe what they really do is remind us that the best things in life really are so simple and easy.

Crumbs Bake Shop first opened its doors in March of 2003 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan by Mia & Jason Bauer. The menu is an irresistible blend of comfort-oriented classics and elegant baked goods, but the specialty of the house is the Crumbs Signature size cupcakes! With our more than 50 varieties baked fresh daily and a new cupcake of the week every Monday, each Crumbs Bake Shop is an oasis of wall to wall deliciousness. And now you can enjoy your favorite Crumbs treats in the comfort of your own home - just like Mom used to bake. Delivered straight to your front door, perfect for any occasion, without needing an occasion at all.

Mr. Cupcakes:

There are three locations in NJ: Clifton, Hackensack, and Oradell.

This is the one I usually eat at least once a week. Thank God they make mini cupcakes!

My Fav's are the mini Red Velvet, French Toast, and Cookie Jar.

Our mission is to provide our customers with the best tasting and freshest cupcakes in New Jersey. Not only will you love our cupcakes, you'll be happy with our customer service. We pride ourselves in keeping our customers coming back for more!

We make over 40 different cupcakes with all kinds of flavors from Peanut Butter & Jelly to French Toast. None of our cupcakes are stuffed or filled, we bake our cupcake ingredients right inside.

Baked By Melissa:

I first tried these earlier this year and recently again on Valentines Day (Thanks for being an awesome Valentine Cindy!).

It's happened to you. You wander into a sweet smelling bakery thinking maybe you'll order something. But when that door shuts behind you, you suddenly need to taste everything in sight! For Melissa Bushell, this moment was the inspiration behind Baked By Melissa. Create a line of miniature stuffed cupcakes so dessert lovers can taste more flavors, without the post dessert guilt trip.

There are 3 locations in NYC: Soho, Union Square, and Grand Central
These are MINI mini cupcakes.... About the size of a quarter

They're bite size and teeny tiny! So cute that I didn't want to eat them..... but of course I did =D

Barnes and Noble Starbucks Coffee Shop:

Last year, Ang and I were sitting in the Union Square Barnes and Noble with an hour or so to kill before meeting up with our friends. We decided to split a Red Velvet cupcake from the B&N Starbucks section.

It was baked from Cheesecake Factory.

It was one of the most delicious cupcakes we'd ever had.

It was AWESOME.

We were literally picking the crumbs off of the paper (I may have even licked the paper... haha)

I recently got a Red Velvet and Plain Cupcake for Valentines Day (because they were ALL SOLD OUT at Mr. Cupcake!). Cindy also fell prey to the cupcakes powers.

Cheesecake Factory makes amazing cakes, but they don't sell the cupcakes in their restaurants.

Luckily, there's a lot more Starbucks around (although I've only seen the Cheesecake Factory cupcakes in Barnes and Noble... there's usually a small sign saying it's from Cheesecake Factory).

So go to your closest B&N and pick up a cupcake~ Especially if you're a mooch who goes there to study or read whole books without buying anything (haha.. many a conversations have I had with friends over this issue. They don't WANT you to read their books for free or study there~ that's what libraries are for!)

Where do you get your cupcakes and what are your favorite flavors?
I hope you have many occasions to celebrate~
If not, you don't need it to be a special day to eat a cupcake.
Eating the cupcake is special enough... 'cause everyone should have some sweetness in their life.
And in my world, the sweeter, the better! =D

"That it will never come again is what makes life sweet"
-Emily Dickinson

*~ Have a Beautifully Delicious Day! ~*

Winter Essentials

2011-02-16T18:11:00.011-05:00

OMG. This winter weather is unbearable!?!?! Old Man Winter~ You're killing me!!!

Now, I'm the type of girl that carries jackets and sweaters around in the summer, but this is ridiculous!
We've had too many snowstorms on the East Coast (and there's still a lot of winter left!), the wind and cold air is brutal, and everyone is sick!

Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do to change the weather for the better right now (although I definitely think we've contributed in making it worse~ GLOBAL WARMING!!!)
However, there are things we can do to stay warm, stay healthy, look and feel better!

Here are my tips on surviving this horrible, terrible, no-good, very bad winter!

*~*~* These are all older posts, but it's the same advice I'd give now and it may be new to you! *~*~*

Staying Healthy:

Staying Beautiful and Moisturized:

Ok. So I hope these tips help and you've learned something new... or been reminded to keep up with those grooming habits you've forgotten about!

P.S. I'm finally sick after fighting off a cold all winter.... because I didn't make the time to follow my own advice =P The irony!!!! ;)

Be Happy. Be Warm. Be Moisturized! =D

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

February 2011 Giveaway: Sexy Lips From Mattese Elite

2011-02-08T23:32:00.069-05:00

Valentines Day is right around the corner~*

To get you in the mood to get in the mood, I'm giving away some great lip products from Mattese Elite!

All you have to do is:
1. Subscribe
2. Answer the question: What is your Favorite Romantic Movie/ Movie About Love?

Pretty simple, right?
You can list as many movies as you like, but name at least one.
Here is a list of MY favorites!

If you subscribe and comment to this post by 11:59 pm PST on 2/15/11 (because hopefully, you'll be too busy on 2/14!), you could win these two sexy lip products:

Mattese Elite Lip Wand in All The Way

Retail Price: $10

Mattese Elite Lip Gel in Do Me

Retail Price: $10

So remember to Subscribe and Comment what your favorite Romantic Movie/ Movie About Love by 11:59 pm PST on 2/15/11!!!

*~ Have a Flirty/Sexy Day! ~*

~ Glorious Grapefruit ~

2011-02-06T21:54:00.006-05:00

There is a very limited variety of fruits I eat on a regular basis....
I basically only eat fruits that you can just wash and eat.
(I can't cut fruit... idk why it's so difficult.... I've tried learning... but alas one cannot be good at everything....right?)

One of my favorite fruits is Grapefruit.

Happy National Grapefruit Month!!! (yes~ apparently it exists....)

My mom always used to cut me grapefruit with a sprinkle of sugar on it: I'd eat it with my little fruit shaped beveled spoons~ Delicious!
Now that I'm older, I usually eat grapefruit by peeling it, opening the clear skin, and eating it slice by slice. (It can be a little messy, but I like it).

However you may eat it, Grapefruit is a delicious, healthy, ball of sweet and sour goodness!
Here is an article about this fabulous fruit from Bergen Health and Life :

You can find the fruit in three main varieties, categorized by the color of their flesh:
White, Pink/Red, and Star Ruby/Rio Red

POWERS:
* Step aside, OJ: Grapefruit can also help ward off nasty winter colds with its high vitamin C content (just one half of the grapefruit contains 80% of your recommended daily value)
* The fruit is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin B6, potassium, thiamin and niacin, and contains pectin, a form of soluble fiber that may lower cholesterol.
* Not all grapefruit are created equal: The pink and red varieties contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that may play a role in reducing cancer risk, and are more vitamin-rich than the white.
* At just 40 calories for 1/2 a medium-sized grapefruit, there's no doubt this nutrient-packed super fruit is a great option for those watching their weight.

BUY. STORE. GROW.
* The fruit thrives in warm, subtropical climates.
* Luckily, you can purchase grapefruit at your local grocerty store year-round, and right now is the height of the grapefruit season, when they are ripe and contain the most antioxidants, according to research.
* Choose a grapefruit that is glossy, smooth and round, heavy for its size, and steer clear of those with brown or soft spots.
* Store grapefruit at room temperature for up to a week, or in your refrigerator for up to eight weeks.

Grapefruit Beauty Benefits:
Now, it seems juicy grapefruit boosts health and benefits beauty, too.
* Full of vitamin C, grapefruit encourages collagen production for younger-looking, more taut skin.
* Grapefruit is loaded with citric acid, a powerful exfoliator.
* It’s even believed that grapefruit extract can reduce cellulite.
* Oils from grapefruit have a soothing effect on the body, which is why it’s showing up in lotions, scrubs and creams
* Who should avoid it: As an alpha hydroxy acid, grapefruit can be potentially drying or irritating, so it might not be ideal for those with sensitive skin. If you're interested in trying a grapefruit product, first do a patch test. Most people, however, can safely use products containing grapefruit.
* Here are some DIY grapefruit recipes that sound interesting (Although I haven't tried these myself....)

DID YOU KNOW?
* Named for their tendency to grow in clusters like grapes, these juicy gems were first discovered in the West Indies in the early 1700s.
* A member of the citrus family, they're believed to be the result of a natrual crossbreeding between an orange and a pomelo.
* We can thank the Spanish for introducing grapefruit to Florida in the 1820s, though they grew grapefruit trees purely for their beauty, turned off by the fruit's slightly bitter taste.
* Today the United States is the world's top grapefruit producer, with about 75% of our country's supply grown in Florida.

So whether you like to peel it, slice it, drink it, or scoop it~ go get some... and enjoy it.

Grapefruit. It's awesome, sweet, and slightly bitter

(just like me) ;)

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

iRene kim beauty

How Does It Taste? -Mark Nepo

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 16

Trish McEvoy Brush Bath

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 15

*~ Happy Halloween 2011 ~*

Make Up For Ever Sunday Seminar Series- Fall/Winter 2011

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 14

Your Relaxation Rx- Mind/Body Alternatives to Common Problems

Hurricane iRene.....

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 13

Makeup Testing Tips From The Pros At Allure

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 12

Stressed Out? Why You May Be Feeling Frantic These Days...

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 11

Make Up For Ever Pro Seminar July 28 and 30, 2011 at NYC Studio

Are UV Nail Dryers Safe?

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 10

Make Up For Ever Pro Road Show

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 9

A Tip for Tidy Toilets

10 Reasons To Exercise

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 8

A Guide To Beauty Product Labels

You don't need a Ph.D. in chemistry to decipher the terms: Real Simple translates.

Clinically Proven

Hypoallergenic

Broad Spectrum

Brightening

Fragrance-Free

Lifting

Detoxifying

Noncomedogenic

Dermatologist-Tested

Restructuring

Oil-Free

Long Wearing

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 7

Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow

Thou Shalt Obey The 10 Commandments of Anti-Aging... OR ELSE!

Helloooooo June!

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 6

Welcome to the (Concrete) Jungle- I ♥ NY

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 5

Purify My Heart~ My Favorite Christian Songs

Say Sayonara to Stinky Shoes: Sneaker Balls

I'm an April Fool- Jokes and Pranks

Awesome April 2011 Giveaway: Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 4

Make Up For Ever Pro Seminar Schedule 2011

Cinema Secrets Professional Brush Cleaner

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 3

Marvelous Marina and the Diamonds

MAKEUP IS ART- Professional Techniques For Creating Original Looks

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 2

March 2011 Giveaway: Mario Badescu Minis

Happy St. Patricks Day: Irish Blessings

10 Thoughts On Whole Living

Every Day Is Earth Day: Week 1

Old School Girl In A Fast Paced World

Anne Taylor Private Shopping Party: 3/3/11

Captivating Cupcake Craziness!

Winter Essentials

February 2011 Giveaway: Sexy Lips From Mattese Elite

*~ Glorious Grapefruit ~*

~ Happy Halloween 2011 ~

~ Glorious Grapefruit ~