Nails Of The Week

OPI - Cajun Shrimp

Health Tip Of The Week - Experience Your Meals

We live in such a busy and rushed world, that many times we miss out on enjoying our experiences.  Between the demands on our time, technology, and social media, we miss out.  We tend to rush through the pleasures of life, instead of taking the time to be in that moment and appreciate it.  One of those pleasure is sitting down to a meal.  It seems simple enough, but it actually happens less now than ever before.  Instead of sitting down to breakfast, we eat it on our drive to work.  For lunch, we eat at our desks in the middle of multi-tasking.  For dinner, we run our families to the drive through, and eat our dinner while on our way from here to there.  We no longer taste and experience our meals.  We rush through them, eating as fast as we can between chores, which often leads to overeating.  We are consuming all that is in front of us, without thinking about if we are full or not.  We see it as a chore so when the food is all gone, we are done.

Stop, sit down at the table, present your food in an attractive manner (not in food wraps with plastic silverware), and experience your meals.  Take the time to enjoy the presentation, smell, taste, and texture.  It's an experience for our senses.  Eat slow, taking the time to really taste what you are eating, and to stop when you are comfortably full, not stuffed!  Taking the time to enjoy your meals means you will consume less, enjoy your food, and have a little break in your day.  It is also a time to connect and communicate with your family, which in many homes happens less than it should.

I am a stay at home mom.  During the school year, I eat breakfast and lunch at home alone, but I still sit down at my kitchen table for every meal.  I look forward to the break in my day to enjoy my meal.  For dinner, we all typically sit down together.  I am ALWAYS the last to finish, which most of the time leaves me eating half of my meal alone, but I refuse to be rushed.  I will take my time, not over eat, and enjoy my meal.  It keeps me from feeling deprived and is a relaxing activity that I look forward to.  So, ignore your phone, computer, and tv, and enjoy the moments of your day!!

Quote Of The Week

Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.  -Babe Ruth

Health Tip Of The Week - Making Time For Yourself

We are all busy.  We have jobs, significant others, kids, family, time commitments, responsibilities, etc.  It is easy to get caught up in our "to do lists," and simply let stress and our obligations consume our lives.  Then, one day you wake up and wonder how you got here.  How did you become this controlling, stressed out, overly obligated, cranky person?  It's pretty simple....you forgot about yourself.

You forgot to put yourself on your own "to do list."  Sometimes to the point that you no longer know what you would want to do if there was an extra hour in the day.  You may not even know what your interests are now, because your interests have been neglected for so long.  At some point you decided that your needs weren't as important as everyone else's needs.  If you hadn't decided that, then you would not be able to relate to this post.  I'm here to tell you, that it is time to put yourself back on the list!

Communicate your needs and feelings.  Tell those closest to you what you need.  If you need a Saturday afternoon to yourself, while your mom or husband takes the kids, express that.  Most people aren't mind readers, and the people who love you want to give you what you need.

Schedule your "me time" like you would an appointment.  Block off the time, and mark it on your calendar.  Look at it as if it is as important as a doctor's visit, because it is that important!

Plan your time.  What would you enjoy doing with your extra time?  Get a massage?  Take a ceramics class?  Meet an old friend for lunch?  Go for a hike in a beautiful setting?  Having an hour to drink a cup of tea, and read a book?  Planning your time is just as important as scheduling it!

You are the person you need to spend time with!  I'm not saying to never take your scheduled time to do an activity with a friend, but I don't think every "me" appointment should be spent with someone else.  I have noticed that so many people are uncomfortable to be alone with themsevles.  They wouldn't go to lunch alone, the movies, take a class or a long walk alone.  I think that's a problem.  We need to be alone with our thoughts.  We need to reflect on our lives....where we are in the moment, and what path we want our life to take.  Many of us need to reflect on our relationships as well, and not just our relationships with our significant other.  All of our relationships.  Kids, boss, family, and friends.  How can we better meet their needs?  Are we neglecting some of them?  Are some of them toxic?  Should some of those relationships end?  Not every appointment needs to end in an epiphany about your life, but asking yourself questions, and really pondering where you are, would do a lot of us a lot of good.

Don't feel guilty about needing and making time for yourself.  Women seem to do two things that I don't see men doing.....feeling guilty about making time for themselves, and feeling the need to be busy all the time, because they think they are supposed to be.  We have a lot to do, that's true, but stop  over committing yourself, and learn to say "NO"!  Stop glorifying being busy.  Stop wearing it as a badge of honor.  It isn't a competition to see who can lose their mind, by being everything to everyone all the time!  It isn't a race to see who can neglect and lose themselves the most!  Taking time for yourself will renew and refresh you.  It will give you a new perspective.  It will awaken you to new experiences.  It will make you a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.  It will enrich your life, and those around you.  So stop neglecting yourself, and make your weekly "me time" appointment today!

My Saturday Night Date Look!

My son was away with his grandparents for the weekend, so my husband and I got to have a date night, which I have to say isn't often enough.  My husband typically sees me in little to no makeup and a bun, at least through the week anyways.  I did a more dramatic, yet neutral eye, and a pop of color on the lips.  It was a very simple look to achieve.  Here are all the products I used....

Face

-  Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation

-  Maybelline Dark Spot Eraser - Neutralizer (highlighted under eyes, bridge of nose, center of forehead, around the nose, and chin

-  Revlon Nearly Naked Powder

-  Flower Cream Blush - Peach Blossom (apples of cheeks) available at Wal-Mart

-  Sonia Kashuk Powder Blush - Sunset (backs of cheeks) available at Target

-  Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer (jaw line, under cheekbones, and temples)

-  Starlooks Lip Liner - Tipsy (coral)

-  Wet N Wild Lipstick - Purty Persimmon (black tube)

-  NYX Butter Gloss - Apple Strudel

*Make sure you use all of your cream products before your powder products.  All Starlooks products can be bought at starlooks.com

Eyes

-  Too Faced Shadow Insurance Eye Primer

-  Wet N Wild Nude Awakening Palette - this palette has been discontinued, but I have seen it on amazon and ebay.  Any matte neutral palette will work.

-  Star Looks Eye Liner - Obsidian (black)

-  L'Oreal Butterfly Mascara - Black

-  L'Oreal Million Lashes Mascara - Black

After applying your eye primer, use a light to medium brown shadow on the lid.  Apply a shadow a shade or so darker in the crease, and a dark brown or black shadow in the outer corner of the crease.  Use a light highlighter shade under the eyebrow and inner corner.  The trick to great eye looks is quality brushes (I love real techniques), and blending out where the colors meet.  This will help it to look like a smooth and seamless transition from one color to the next.  Line the top lash line and two-thirds of the lower lash line (starting from the outer corner).  Keep the inner corner lighter to make the eyes look more open.  Then, go over the black liner with black shadow and a smudge brush.  This will sharpen the harsh line of the liner.  Apply the highlight shade on the bottom lash line where there is no liner, blending it where it meets the black.  Apply two coats of each mascara on the top lashes, and two coats of one on the bottom, and you are DONE!!

If you are looking for nail colors to go with this look, try Nicole by OPI - Hello World or L'Oreal's Le  Orange, which is a little lighter.

I hope everyone is having a great week!  If you have any questions, please comment below.

Quote Of The Day

For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Drugstore Beauty Deals - 7/20/14 - 7/26/14

CVS

RB = Reward Bucks

-  Cover Girl Cosmetics - Spend $15, get $5 RB

-  Crest Pro Health, 3D White Luxe, and Clinical Toothpaste - Spend $10, get $5 RB

-  Schick Hydro 5 Disposable Razors - BOGO 50% Off

-  Dove Antipersperant/Deodorant - BOGO 50% Off

-  Secret Clinical Antipersperant/Deodorant -BOGO 50% Off

-  Revlon Cosmetics - BOGO 50% Off

Rite-Aid

UR = Up Rewards

-  Maybelline Cosmetics - Spend $10, get $5 UR

-  Oral B Manual Toothbrush - Buy 3, get $5 UR

-  Tresemme Shampoo & Conditioners - Buy 2, get $3 UR

-  Sally Hansen Cosmetics, Bleach, and Depilatories - Spend $15, get $5 UR

-  Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner, Stylers, and Treatments - BOGO 50% Off

-Colgate Sensitive Pro and Advanced Toothbrush - $2 UR

-  Degree Deodorant - $2 UR

-  Banana Boat Suncare - BOGO FREE

-  Nature Made Vitamins - BOGO FREE

-  Osteo Bi-Flex - BOGO FREE

-  Physicians Formula Eye and Concealers - BOGO FREE

-  Secret Outlast, Scent Expressions, Natural Minerals, and Fresh Effects Deodorant - $1 UR

-  Gillette Venus Razor Kits - $2 UR

-  L'Oreal Suncare - 20% Off

-  Olay Age Defying, Complete, and Fresh Effects - BOGO 50% Off

-  Gillette Venus Razors and Cartridges - Spend $25, get $5 UR

-  L'Oreal Preference Mouse Absolue Hair Color - Buy 2, get $4 UR

-  Cover Girl Foundation, Powder, Blush, and Bronzer - BOGO 50% Off

-  John Frieda Precison Foam Color - $3 UR

-  Revlon Lip, Nail, and Face Cosmetics - BOGO 50% Off

-  L'Oreal Skin Care - 20% Off

-  Gillette Body Wash and Body Soap - Buy $25, get $5 UR

Walgreens

RR = Register Rewards 

-  Nature Made Vitamins - BOGO FREE

-  Sundown Vitamins - BOGO FREE

-  Osteo Bi-Flex - BOGO FREE

-  Marc Anthony Hair Care - BOGO FREE

-  Dial Soap and Body Wash - BOGO FREE

-  Crest Mouthwash and Toothpaste - Buy 2, get 4000 pts added to your card

-  L'Oreal Advanced Hair Care - Buy 3, get $3 RR

-  Scope Mouthwash - Buy 3, get $4 RR

-  Crest Toothpaste - Buy 3, get $4 RR

-  Oral B Toothbrush - Buy 3, get $4 RR

-  Bic Disposable Razors - BOGO 50% Off

-  Dove Advanced Hair Care - 25% Off

-  Lady Speed Stick Deodorant - Buy 4, get 5,000 pts added to your card

-  Nexxus Hair Care - Buy One, get 5,000 pts

-  Revlon Cosmetics - BOGO 50% Off

-  Centrum Vitamins - BOGO 50% Off

-  Maybelline Face, Nail, and Lip Cosmetics - BOGO 50% Off

-  Clairol Nice and Easy Hair Color - Buy 1, get $2 RR

-  Almay Mascara and Eye Makeup Remover - Buy 1, get $2 RR

-  Colgate Toothbrush - Buy 2, get $3 RR

-  L'Oreal Cosmetics - BOGO 50% Off

-  Old Spice Deodorant - BOGO 50% Off

-  Citracal - BOGO 50% Off

-  Caltrate - BOGO 50% Off

-  Tresemme Hair Care - 25% Off

-  Gillette Shave Gel - BOGO 50% Off

-  Olay Fresh Effects and Age Defying Skin Care - Buy 1, get 1,000 pts added to your card

-  Cover Girl Cosmetics - Buy $15, get $3 RR

-  Roc Skin Care - BOGO 50% Off

-  Almay Face, Eye, and Lip Cosmetics - BOGO 50% Off

-  L'Oreal Skin Care - BOGO 50% Off

Nails Of The Week

Nicole by O.P.I. - Hello World

Health Tip Of The Week - How Your Decisions Can Change, Depending On Who You Associate With

This may not be a topic that is discussed very much, due to some people finding it offensive or even hurtful, but I do believe it greatly affects us whether we are aware of it or not.  After having my own experience with this, I feel the need to address it.  Not from an emotional or judgmental place, but as a potential problem that we should all be aware of for our own health.

I was always a naturally thin child and adolescent.  I could eat whatever I wanted without any concern about gaining weight.  Then when I was 18/19, I got put on a medication that added some extra weight.  Then at 21, I met my husband, who was obese.  My weight quickly skyrocketed, and one day I woke up ashamed, disgusted, and wondering how I had gotten there.

It didn't take long to realize that my lifestyle had significantly changed, because of my new relationship.  We were having the time of our lives!  We quickly fell in love, and our entire lives as we knew it, stopped.  We were young, carefree, happy, in love, and had little responsibility, other than for ourselves.  As with all new relationships, you engulf yourself with that person, and quickly start to take on some of their qualities, mannerisms, sayings, habits, and hobbies.  Because we both worked 2nd shift, we ate every night around 11 or 12 o'clock.  He loved to take me to my favorite restaurants, so I was eating large portions of fattening foods.  He ate a lot of fast food, so I started eating it right along with him.  He smoked and I had given up the habit for more than a year, but I quickly picked it back up in full force.  It was definitely a time in my life where I lived the mantra "if it feels good, do it," at least my version of it anyways.

It wasn't long before I woke up disgusted with myself, and wondering what the heck happened to me?!!  I no longer recognized the girl in the mirror.  I was recently thinking about this time in my life, and wondering if other people had experienced anything like this.  If spending time with others who make unhealthy choices has altered their behavior in any way, and this is what I found....studies show that obesity is contagious.  A large study done by The University Of Arizona shows that people who have a higher number of overweight friends, are usually overweight themselves.  They pick up more unhealthy eating habits, and participate in more sedentary activities.  They also start to view being overweight as a normal size, since their friends and family are overweight.

So, am I saying that you should dump your overweight friends and family??  NO, not at all!!  Studies done by Brigham Young University show that people with strong social ties with their friends, family, and/or co-workers, have a 50 percent lower risk of dying and have less depression, than those without strong social ties.  Research also found that those with little to no social ties, had many of the same health risks as smokers and alcoholics.  They also found that they have higher associated risks than those who don't exercise, and twice as many risks as being obese.

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I talk a lot about balance.  The work/life balance, diet/exercise balance, balance in relationships, and pretty much everything else.  You don't have to have an all or nothing mentality.  For me, I was completely unaware of the harmful changes I had made, and what I was putting my body through, because I was completely distracted by being in love, having fun, and doing whatever I felt like.  I had never had a time in my life like that before, and haven't since.  It was a great time in so many ways, but sooner or later reality sets in, and you gotta get it together!  It wasn't my husband's fault that I gained weight, it was my own carelessness.  If you do have a lot of overweight friends and family members, just be conscious of your choices.  Do you make different ones when you are with them?  Do you justify their behaviors, because you love them?  And remember, if your friends and family can affect your behaviors, then you can also affect theirs.  Show them the healthier choices you are making, and suggest some healthy activities.  Don't preach it, but rather live by example.  That always does the most good in changing behaviors for the better.  I can honestly say that since getting healthy, I have positively affected the behaviors of those around me.  It was a very slow change, and I thought it would never happen, but it has.  Loving, respecting, and taking care of yourself will only bring positive changes to your life, and hopefully to those you love most.

Quote Of The Week

Respect your efforts, respect yourself.  Self respect leads to self discipline.  When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power. - Clint Eastwood

Recipe Of The Week - Cranberry, Orange & Goat Cheese Salad

Contrary to what many people like to think, I am not a salad person.  I have them once in awhile, but not too often.  This salad is my absolute favorite.  I could eat this every night!  It is super easy, and super tasty.  It is a nice addition to any meal, especially summer meals.  

Ingredients

-  Lettuce of your choice (I usually use hearts of romaine and/or leaf lettuce)

-  Craisins (50% less sugar), probably 8 or so

-  One cutie, peeled

-  Goat Cheese, 1 - 2 Tablespoons

-  Private Selections Raspberry Vinagrette

- Almonds, Pecans, or Walnuts (optional)

Simply assemble your salad starting with the first ingredient, and layer.  The sweetness of the cranberries, along with the tartness of the oranges, and creamy goat cheese, is just an explosion of flavors.  This is my favorite raspberry vinaigrette.  I have tried others, but this is the best.  It isn't too sweet or too vinegary.  It is the perfect blend.  If you are looking for a new salad, give this one a try.  I really think you will like it!!!

Health Tip Of The Week: Stretching & It's Benefits!

We focus so much on cardio and strength training, that we often forget another very important type of exercise, stretching!  More often than not, people omit stretching from their workout routines.  Everyone is short on time, so it seems to be the first thing to go.  Many don't understand just how important this step is in their routines.  So, what benefits do we get from stretching?

-  Increased Circulation
-  Better Range Of Motion
-  Reduced Risk Of Injury
-  Enhanced Muscular Condition
-  Decreased Muscle Soreness

In today's world, many people spend a large part of their day sedentary.  Whether it's sitting in the car, or at a desk, it takes it's toll on our joints and muscles.  Being in the same position, causes muscles to become smaller and tighter, making us more prone to muscle tightness, decreased range of motion, injury, and poor posture.  So, let's talk about how to stretch.....

-  Static Stretching:  Holding a stretch for 20 - 30 seconds to gentle tension (Not Pain) is a static stretch.  I do this type of stretching at the end of my workouts to relieve muscle tension and soreness. Over time these stretches will lead to a greater range of motion for your joints, resulting in less injuries in the future.

-  Dynamic Stretching:  Is stretching through continuous movement.  An example would be arm circles, hip rotations, flowing yoga poses, and brisk walking.  These stretches help to prepare your muscles for their workout.  You do not want to hold a stretch with a cold muscle.  This can lead to injury, along with decreased power and performance of that muscle.  Do these stretches in a way that is similar to the exercises that you will be doing for your workout.  A few minutes at the beginning of your routine is all you need.

Remember - Never stretch to the point of pain!  This will only lead to injury.  Stretch until you feel a gentle tension.  Over time you will notice a greater range of motion in all of your joints.  Stretch each muscle group at least twice a week, but also after prolonged sitting or standing in the same position.

My June Favorites!!

-  Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette - This is my first ever Too Faced Palette, and I used this pretty much nonstop for the entire month!  Such a versatile palette!!  I did a full review last week.  If you would like to see it, Click Here!

-  Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick - Primrose - I love this line of lipsticks!  There are so many colors, and different finishes to choose from.  There is something for everyone.  These are one of the best drugstore lipsticks available, in my opinion.  Primrose is a classic, light pink, with a cool undertone, and a creme finish.  It pairs well with so many eye looks, and it was definitely my go to for the month.  They retail for around $7.99.

In this picture, I am wearing Revlon's Primrose & NYX's Butter Gloss in Eclair over it.

-  NYX Butter Gloss - Eclair - I have never met someone who didn't like the NYX Butter Glosses.  They are so moisturizing, smell great, and have beautiful colors to choose from.  They go great on their own or over a lipstick.  For most of the month, I put this light pink shade over my Revlon Primrose, and I loved the look!  You can find NYX at ultra, Meijer, and some Target stores.  You can also purchase online.  If you haven't tried them, you are missing out!  They retail for around $4.99.

-  Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation - This foundation has been out for quite a long time now.  I noticed it at first, because Emma Stone was their model, and I really love her and her style.  I was a little reluctant to try it, just because I typically like at least a medium coverage foundation.  This is a light coverage for sure, but it does everything I need it to.  Foundation is a tricky product to review, because everyone has different skin types, skin conditions, coverage preferences, and finish preferences.  This summer my skin has been quite normal (it has been very oily in the past).  It blends out great with my Sigma F80 Kabuki Brush, and seems to melt into the skin.  I do one layer of foundation, and if after blending I still want a bit more coverage, I add a little more to that specific area.  It is very comfortable and lightweight.  It feels as if you have nothing on your skin!  It lasts the entire day for me, even through a workout,  and gives me a very natural finish, not too dewy or too matte.  I have been reaching for it day after day.  I never thought I would love a lightweight foundation!  Revlon offers 16 shades, and they retail for around $9.99.

-  Revlon Nearly Naked Powder - This is not a new product for me.  I have been wearing it off and on for probably a year, but I have to say that I love it with the Nearly Naked Foundation!  They are a perfect match.  This powder does everything you want it to, without looking cakey, powdery, or too matte.  Just a light, natural look that will look great on sun kissed summer skin!  Revlon offers 6 shades, and it retails for around $9.99.

In this picture, I am wearing Revlon's Nearly Naked Foundation, Powder, and Maybelline's Dream Lumi Concealer.

-  Clean Cotton T Shirt Perfume - This is a new purchase for me.  I had heard of this perfume line before, and loved the smell, but had never purchased it.  I found this one day on my hautelook app, and had to buy it.  I bought the perfume and body lotion as a set.  I gave the lotion to my mom, because with my skin issues, I can't wear it.  The scent is such a perfect, clean, summer day scent!  This would be a hard scent to over do.  You won't have to worry about it being too overpowering.  It is just a light, clean, fresh from the shower scent.  I am very picky about my perfumes.  I either go for clean, fresh scents, or more musky, earthy scents.  I will not wear anything too floral or sweet.  If you enjoy fresh linen or cotton scents, you will love this one!!  Clean offers around 15 different fragrances, all with the fresh scent in mind.  You can buy Clean at Sephora, Amazon, Ulta, or www.cleanperfume.com.  The bottle that I bought retails for $69, but I got the same size, along with the lotion for $25 on www.hautelook.com.   Check them out for daily deals on men, women, and children's clothing, housewares, accessories, shoes, and beauty items!

-  Maybelline Dream Lumi Concealer (Nude) - I have talked a lot about my Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in Illuminator a lot, and I still love it, but this concealer is great too!  The Age Rewind brightener is very pink, which gives more of a highlighted look.  This concealer definitely brightens, but I find it to be more subtle.  It pairs great with the Nearly Naked line, when you want a day time or more natural look.  It does have a bit of a dewy finish, but not too much.  This is not a heavy duty concealer that will hide heavy circles.  It is a light concealer for those who want lighter coverage.  It comes in 6 shades, and retails for around $7.99.

If you have been curious about some of these products, I hope this post helped.  If you have any questions, please comment below.  Have a great week, everyone!!

Quote Of The Week

I said, "somebody should do something about that."  Then, I realized I am somebody. - Lily Tomlin

Review: Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette

This is my very first Too Faced product, I am definitely more of a drugstore kinda girl!  I have seen this palette many times, and it always caught my eye.  I understand that this is their newer, updated version.  They replaced 3 of the original shadows, and made some packaging changes.

I bought my palette from HSN.  It retails for $36.  It is great to buy from HSN & QVC, because they have flex pays/easypays, that divide the cost up over a few months.  Which is great if you are on a budget or buying bigger items.  My palette came with Shadow Insurance, an eyelid primer, and a how to guide on different eye looks you can create with this palette.

Below are swatches of all the colors.

I have been using this palette for a month or so, and have come up with so many looks!  Here are a few....

As you can see, it is a very versatile palette, that can make so many different looks!  The shadows are easy to blend, with little to no fallout.  This palette is seasonless, and would look great on all skin tones.  Too Faced offers several different palettes in this series, along with natural eyes, there is also smokey eyes, naked eyes, boudoir eyes, matte eyes, romantic eyes, cat eyes, naked at night eyes, a la mode eyes, rock n roll eyes, and country eyes.  You are sure to find a palette that suits your style.  I am already eye balling my second palette!  Because of the small/lightweight packaging, and versatility, I think this makes for a great travel palette.  If you have a favorite palette, please comment below.  Have a great week everyone!!