Acne Tips - 3 Tips to Get Rid of Your Acne Infection Forever

Are you worried about your acne infection? Are you still concerned about your facial skin? Is your flawed skin tone starting to bother you way too often? If the answer to even a single question is 'yes', it's time you read this article with care.

Keep Your Face Oil Free

Blemishes are known to strike at will. Especially if you are a teenager, the chances are that you may be suffering from either blackheads or whiteheads. To be able to get rid of them, you would be required to cleanse your face with fresh water and mild soap. You simply need to remove the excess oil from your face.

Make Use Of A Face Pack

Pollution and stress play a major role in aggravating the acne infection. In order to remove the pollutants from the surface of your facial skin, you simply need to apply a face pack, preferably a fruit facial, on a weekly basis. Likewise, you can try and soothe your mind by listening to soft music.

Apply An Anti-Acne Cream

There are plenty of anti-blemish supplements available in the market today. In order to avoid the occurrence of whiteheads and blackheads, you need to try and apply an anti-blemish cream on a regular basis. These creams are readily available through an online store. Simply place an order and the cream of your choice would be delivered to your doorstep.

In order to look good and maintain a flawless skin tone, you need to try and make use of the above mentioned tips on a regular basis.

Sexy High Heels Need Sexy Feet

When I wear my favorite red high heels I have to know that my feet are looking their best. I love high heels, shoes that make me feel great about my legs make me feel good all over.

When you put on some gorgeous high heels people will notice and they will also notice your feet so they must look as good as your shoes. Instead of spending your hard earned money at a salon you can do your own pedicure and save your cash for new shoes!

To do your own pedicure requires that you gather some simple and inexpensive tools for the job and these are:

- Nail varnish remover
- Cotton wool
- A bowl of warm water
- A rough sponge
- A foot file

To get the best results from your DIY pedicure there is some preparatory work to be done first and these cheap tools will be all you need.

Prepare your feet by first removing any old nail varnish using the nail varnish remover and cotton wool, you can buy special sticks with cotton wool on but we are saving money, right? Be sure to get into the edges and corners by the cuticles and thoroughly clean your nails.

Once you have done this soak your feet in a bowl of warm water for five to ten minutes, this is a treat in itself so make the most of it. Once the skin is softened massage your feet all over with the rough sponge, this does two jobs in one, it relaxes your poor tired feet and exfoliates the dead skin cells leaving the skin looking fresh and soft.

Dry your feet thoroughly especially between the toes and then you are ready for the foot file. Foot files generally have a rough and a smoother side, use the rough side first and then turn it over to finish the job. Concentrate on the heels, balls of your feet and the area underneath the big toes.

When you are satisfied that you have gotten rid of the old, ugly dead skin then you can begin to bring those little tootsies back to gorgeousness. Use a good quality foot moisturiser and work it right into the skin. Take your time to do this step as it feels good and the deeper you get the cream into your skin the better.

Now you need the next set of tools which are:

- Cuticle sticks, some call them orange sticks
- Nail file
- Nail buffer
- Nail coat base
- Nail varnish.

Use the cuticle sticks to gently push the cuticles up and around the base of the nail, the idea is to get a smooth and crisp line around the top of the nail, this will give your nails length.

When you are happy with the look of your cuticles you can then trim your nails with a special clipper or with a pair of nail scissors. Care should be taken to only cut the nails straight across, cutting down the sides can lead to very painful ingrowing toe nails. After you have trimmed the nails use a nail file to smooth the cut edges.

Next you will want to use the nail buffer to get the surface of the nail as smooth as possible. This will give the nail base coat and eventually the varnish a good surface on which to adhere. The finished product will then be stronger, more shiny and resistant to chipping. Now you are ready to paint.

The first coat of varnish should always be a base primer coat, this will prpare the surface and allow the top coat to go on smoothly and without ripples. Take the brush and dip it into the base, wipe off excess against the side of the bottle, you do not want to overload it. Use three strokes, center, one side and then the other, use a finger nail or cuticle stick to remove any that gets onto the skin on your toe.

Now, be patient, the base coat needs to dry thoroughly and that will take twenty minutes to half an hour. Do not be tempted to try and hurry it along by using a hairdryer, most varnishes are extremely flammable and you do not want to set your pinkies alight.

When the base coat is dry use the same method of three strokes to apply the top coat, one coat is usually all that is required but allowing the same amount of time to pass and applying a second layer of varnish can make the color deeper and more vibrant. I love to use a wicked and very glamorous cherry shade to go with my red high heels.

Is Dry Shampoo Right For You?

You may have heard of the many wonders of a product called dry shampoo. This convenient product is widely touted in some beauty circles, but the cynic in you might be wondering if this product can really offer anything to you in particular. Dry shampoo is a powder that you can apply to your hair to absorb the excess oil and make it look cleaner and smell fresher. Although many people use it successfully, whether or not it is a good fit for you depends on your hair styling habits, your hair's condition and texture, and your budget.

First, consider how frequently you wash your hair. If you wash your hair daily and actually enjoy this process, you probably have no need for waterless shampoo. Perhaps you are one of the lucky few who can wash your hair and let it air dry and it looks perfect. If so, thank your lucky stars and stick to your routine. But if you are like most people and washing your hair is a bit of production, powder shampoo can help. For many of us, washing our hair is followed by conditioning, then blow-drying, then heat styling such as straightening, which adds up to a lot of time spent in the bathroom. Most of us wish we could get away with doing all of this less often, and dry shampoo enables us to take the easy way out sometimes. Also, people who travel or camp a lot will find it useful because it means lighter packing and a quicker beauty routine on the go.

Hair condition and texture also play a role in determining if dry shampoo is right for you. If your hair gets greasy quickly, dry shampoo is made with you in mind. Since its primary effect is absorbing the oil in your hair, then it is great to keep on hand even if you do enjoy washing your hair frequently as you can use it for touchups throughout the day. On the other hand, if your hair is very dry, you may not even need it because you might be able to go a few days between washings without having the telltale slick look. If your hair is colored, dry shampoo can help you prolong the time between colorings since frequent washings are a surefire way to fade your color quickly. And if you use a lot of heat styling, this is a great way to give your hair a break from all of those damaging tools.

Budget is another consideration for this product. Although you can find hair powder in any price range, some of the best dry shampoos can be pricey. Some people consider the convenience worth the effort. Also, when weighed against the cost of styling products and even your utility bills from using heat styling tools, it can actually work out to be cheaper. If cost is a big concern, you can also make your own, although it won't work as well as the commercial products.

101 in 1001

I was going to make a list of 10 green things I wanted to accomplish in 2010. Instead, I am going to do a 101 in 1001 list. Yes, I am going to try to accomplish 101 different new things in 1001 days. I am going to start 1/1/2010 and my 1001 days will end 9/27/2012 (yes that does include the leap year in 2012). Wow, now that the dates are written out that is a long time.

So here it goes:

The mission: Complete 101 preset tasks on 1001 days.

The criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).

Items that have been completed will be strikedthrough.
Items that I am currently working on will be green.

GOING GREEN
1. This is the biggest one...Get the Hubs on board with the "green" lifestyle
2. Convert all cleaning products to eco-friendly ones, preferably homemade
3. Convert all beauty products to eco-friendly ones
4. Get educated with books and documentaries
5. Reduce the use of paper towels
6. Shop locally and at farmer's markets
7. Start composting
8. Use recycled toilet paper
9. Reduce water usage
10. Figure out a way to reduce junk mail

TRAVEL
11. Visit friends in NC (2/2010)
12. Visit a US city I have never been to
13. Travel outside of the country
14. Visit friends that are moving to Omaha
15. Go to Vegas (7/9-7/16/2010)
16. Go see a Broadway show
17. Visit 5 attractions in the tri-state area that I have never been to or don't remember
18. Go to a vineyard (7/12/10)
19. Actually take pictures during my travels
20. Visit a National Park

CREATE
21. Track my 101 in 1001 experience in my blog
22. Make 10 new recipes (10/10) +1
23. Take an activity class just for fun and not related to Grad School
24. Start making my own hair and beauty products
25. Give homemade products as gifts (and for feedback)

EXPAND KNOWLEDGE
26. Finish Grad School(12/7/10)
27. Read 50 books that are not crime related (7/50)
28. Read 100 books not including 50 above (11/100)
29. Re-read "To Kill a Mockingbird" and remember why I love the book so much
30. Watch 5 documentaries on eco-friendly living (4/5)
31. Eat at 10 new restaurants (6/10)
32. Go to an opera
33. Learn to correctly tie a bow tie
34. Learn a new language
35. Be able to accurately label a US map
36. Be able to accurately label a map of Africa
37. Be able to identify 5 constellations
38. Learn about a current political issue and be able to speak on it intelligibly
39. Learn how to change the oil in my car

ORGANIZE
40. Finally change my name on all documents
41. Organize and clean my entire home
42. Paint the guest room
43. Donate clothes and shoes that the Hubs and I no longer wear
44. Make the bed every day for 1001 days
45. Make sure the kitchen is clean every day before I go to work for 1001 days

RE-CONNECT
46. Send Christmas cards (12/2010)
47. Meet 3 online friends in real life (7/3/2010)
48. Have a GTG with people I have not seen since high school
49. Restart "Girls Night Out"
50. Go out to lunch with my mom and mother-in-law (5/8/2010)
51. Spend the day doing whatever the Hubs wants to do
52. Join an organization that will help my career goals

GIVE BACK
53. Donate to Sankofa International
54. Pay for the meal of someone behind me
55. Volunteer at a food bank or shelter
56. Donate to charities through CFC every year (1/3)
57. Put money in someones expired meter
58. Go to church more regularly

FINANCIAL/LEGAL
59. Get term-life insurance for the Hubs and I
60. Get a living will and trust for the Hubs and I
61. Reach our goal for our E-fund
62. Open ROTH IRA's for the Hubs and I
63. Become debt free except for the mortgage
64. Update my resume and have it reviewed by others
65. Make an actual effort to find my dream job
66. Research a stock and invest in it
67. Put $5 in savings for each task completed

HEALTH
68. Run 3 miles in 30 minutes
69. Run in an organized 5K
70. Train for a 10K
71. Swim 300 hours (1/300)
72. Eat vegan for a day
73. Eat raw for a day
74. Attend a spinning class once a week for a month
75. Go on a run with the Hubs
76. Get to my goal weight the healthy way
77. Go to a naturopath doctor (1/24/11)
78. Go to the doc and have the TTC discussion (OMG!) (2/11/10)

GOOD FOR THE SOUL
79. Spend an entire day with my goddaughter (just us and maybe the Hubs)
80. Get dressed up for a night on the town with the Hubs
81. Convince someone else to start 101 in 1001 (1/1/2010)
82. Write down 10 reasons why I love the Hubs and give it to him (6/13/2010)
83. Surprise the Hubs with a romantic evening
84. Embrace my inner beauty, Diva, bombshell, sexpot for a night
85. Watch a sunrise
86. Watch a sunset (3/18/10)
87. Kiss the Hubs in the rain

JUST FOR FUN
88. Buy a pair of shoes I want no matter the price (12/7/10)
89. Go to a professional tennis match(8/2-8/3/10)
90. Do B-pics as a gift for the Hubs
91. Go see "Sex and the City 2" with the girls(5/28/10)
92. Do Karaoke (12/25/10)
93. Play in the rain
94. Get the Hubs to act like a kid as much as I do for an activity
95. Buy a gift for the Hubs that will really surprise him and not worry about the price
96. Stay in a fancy room in a hotel for one night (maybe the penthouse!)
97. Go see Cirque du Soleil (7/13/10)
98. Take a dance class
99. Grow my hair for 1001 days only getting trims
100. Play Trivial Pursuit and learn some things (3/19/10)
101. Do something rewarding at the end on my 1001 days!!

Holidays

I know I have been MIA for a while. It is due to the holidays. I find them physically and mentally exhausting. I love my family and despite what they think I love being around them; it just drains me. I have had the energy for this in the past because I normally take 2-3 weeks off of work during this season. That gives me the time I need to recuperate. I did not do that this year because I am trying to replenish the leave I used for the wedding and the Hubs injury. I honestly did not even realize that I "needed" that time off until I did not take it this year.

It is not just the family I find draining. It is all the Christmas music, shopping, twenty-four seveness of it that drains me. And since I did not, I have been drained and now I am sick. I have not updated my blog, cooked, really cleaned (hanging my head in shame), or anything for weeks. I think since Thanksgiving. I am surprised the Hubs is still here now that I think about it.

In coming to this realization, I realize that I am an introvert. An introvert is defined as "
(psychology) a person who tends to shrink from social contacts and to become preoccupied with their own thoughts". Those who know me may say DUH, but I did not see myself this way. I do love going out, having fun, etc. etc., but I become drained from those outings and need my time alone to recover. Nothing wrong with that (in my opinion anyway). And now that I understand my psychoses I can handle them in a positive way. I will definitely take time off around the holidays in the future. I know I need it for my mental and physical health.

Oh yeah, and since I love to read (probably a quality of an introvert) "The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World" is added to my reading list. Yes, I am branching out from my crime, serial killer reading.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and Kwanzaa Everyone!!

Sarah Silverman Casual Fashion Style

Sarah Silverman Casual Fashion Style

Also known as “Big S” Sarah Silverman is a multi-talented American actress, comedienne, musician, writer and singer who has gained fame with her satirical comedy routines focused on controversial topics and social taboos. Her appearance underscored her irreverence for conformity by arriving for the premiere of the film "Inglourious Basterds" in New York at the SVA Theater, in distressed blue jeans, red denim-textured tee-shirt and retro sneakers, replete with backpack, but without any type of jewelry at all. Her casual attire gave her a carefree look and suited her personality well, while adding a bit of comedy to the dramatic backdrop that usually accompanies a movie premiere.
Sarah Silverman's Casual Styling

Making a controversial statement is the trademark for this young actress who has written for and performed occasionally on the television comedy series “Saturday Night Live” and now has her own show “The Sarah Silverman Program” on Comedy Central.
Because she is known for her unpredictability, her appearance in this ultra-casual attire was par for the course even in the midst of celebrities who were dressed to the nines. And in keeping with her radical, campus girl look, Sarah Silverman wore her hair in the classic ponytail parted on the side finished off with a side swept bang. Her makeup was simple and uncomplicated with the minimal amount of mascara to make her eyes noticeable. Sarah Silverman is blessed with a beautiful complexion allowing her the freedom to go au natural. She added a rosy shade of blush to match her lipstick that accented her beautiful smile.
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Britney Spears Eye Makeup

Britney Spears Eye Makeup

The most noticeable elements in Britney Spears at first glance are her beautiful eyes. The eyes are often the center of attraction in most cases. To recreate the similar Britney Spears eye makeup, here are some simple steps you can take to get those dashing highlighted eyes.
For your eyelids, use a neutral shade on your lid and put on a faint pearly hue. You can also use other light shades like baby blue or frosty light ones. For the crease, put on a brown eye shadow close to a chocolate shade and blend on your skin well. To achieve a wide-eyed look, apply that similar shade on the outermost portion of your top eyelid and on your lash line with strokes going outward. With proper blending, you can have a dreamy look on your eyes. For your brow bone, apply a light shade that brings out the shape of your brows.
For the eyeliner, use a light to medium shade of brown. You could use a dry or wet liner brush for this. Apply faintly on the top of your lashes from corner to corner. What you are aiming for is a constant thin line. Put on a similar thin line on the bottom part of your lashes and finally another thin line on the inner portion of the eyes. Use black mascara for defining your eye lashes on both your upper and lower lashes. It is advisable to use the one that thickens the lashes as more is applied.
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Desperate Housewives Teri Hatcher, Makeup Trends

Desperate Housewives Teri Hatcher, Makeup Trends

It does not take one to be an actual desperate housewife just to look magnificent as Teri Hatcher, of the TV series’ hot stars. She may not look her age because of some beauty secrets she holds dear. However, here are some steps to recreate her stunning look.
Teri Hatcher

She stated that wearing less makeup can actually do you good than putting on too much. If you are over 40, it pays to put on fewer amounts of makeup. It helps you achieve a younger look. For this step, a tinted moisturized will do for giving you a beautiful glow.

Apply a shimmering brown eye shadow so that the eyes pop. Curl your eyelashes with the use of brown mascara for creating a natural look. For seductive yet subtle lips, first put on a neutral lip liner. Apply a faint shade of pink tint using a lip brush. A lip brush makes it appear natural because of the strokes it makes. For finishing your lip makeup, apply a sheer gloss instead of a matte finish. This can make your lips shine naturally.

For the cheeks, use a cream cheek blush on the apples of the cheeks. It can compliment your whole look by being subtle and not too flashy. In a nutshell, the desperate housewives makeup says a lot about wearing just the right makeup – the natural one. Being mature tends to stay away from bright colors and sticks to the ones that enhances the facial features rather than altering them.
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Chelsea Handler Hair, Makeup, Fashion Style

Chelsea Handler Hair, Makeup, Fashion Style

Chelsea Handler arrived in elegant celebrity style joining many other of the industry’s famous faces on the red carpet to celebrate the achievements of the honorees at the “Women in Film 2009 Crystal and Lucy Awards” ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.
True to form, Chelsea Handler wore a fabulous strapless taupe two-piece outfit that accented her curves beautifully. The strapless top was perfectly tapered from the bustline to the waist and designed to flow gracefully over the waist band of the contrasting dark gold knee length skirt with strappy gold, high heels. She finished off her impressive fashion statement with a hairstyle that matched her outfit with simple, understated elegant style.
Chelsea Handler

Full attention was on her face with her golden blonde hair swept up and away from her face to the back of her head with a swath of curved bangs grazing her forehead. The gold and toffee highlights brought out the natural beauty of her the hairstyle and complimented her facial features nicely. Her makeup provided a lovely color lift to the neutral tones of her clothing, starting with a foundation that gave her face a glow, she added ruby red lipstick and highlighted her eyes with a silver blue color to bring out her eyes. Keeping her accessories simple, Chelsea Handler wore silver drop earrings with a matching bracelet and carried a silver and gold tone clutch. Chelsea Handler choice of clothing was a fantastic choice for the evening that worked well on the red carpet without being over the top.

Renee Zellweger Hair, Fashion, Makeup

Renee Zellweger Hair, Fashion, Makeup

The accomplished actress Renee Zellweger was one of the many celebrities on hand for the New York premiere of “The September Issue” at the Museum of Modern Art, making her appearance with a sophisticate refreshing style. Dressed with a heavy dose of glamour, her tangerine orange mini-dress was patterned with a gold floral motif making her look striking and dramatic. The sleeveless, scoop neckline blouson style pencil dress had a dropped waist for added interest toward her long stretch of leg finished off with a pair of beige, open-toe sandals. The mini-dress choice in this lively color was the perfect complement to Renee’s sparkling personality and wry sense of humor.
Renee Zellweger's Fashion Style

Renee Zellweger has beautiful facial features that were nicely accented by her hairstyle. The slightly off-center part formed the beginning of a full-fringe, side swept bangs formed a focal point to highlight her charming eyes. She wore her hair pulled back in a low ponytail, which seems to be a favorite style among celebrities attending this star-studded evening.
To pull this spicy, fresh look together, Renee Zellweger made an excellent choice in her makeup as well. With her intense blue eyes, the gold dust color eye shadow gave a nice lift to her complexion and the coral hue lipstick was reflected in the slight blush on her cheeks. All in all, the full effect of her fashion statement was a terrific boost to the spirit of the evening. The fans who appreciated the standout color of her dress as well as the beauty of Renee Zellweger.
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Jane Seymour Hair, Makeup, Fashion Style

Jane Seymour Hair, Makeup, Fashion Style

Adding a new perspective on the saying “pretty in pink” the beautiful actress Jane Seymour looked like a vision in her crystal pink outfit at her arrival at Hollywood’s famous Pantages Theatre for the opening night of "Legally Blonde: The Musical."
Jane Seymour is an English born actress who entered the celebrity spotlight in the James Bond film “Live and Let Die” and for her starring role in the 1990s American television series “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.”
Jane Seymour

Wearing a stunning pale pink sheath iridescent dress have a lovely open weave pattern that she accessorized with a deep pink velvet shawl. These colors were the perfect choice to enhance the lovely pink tone of Jane Seymour’s complexion and her makeup. The combination of the various hues of pink was offset nicely with her choice of silver jewelry and open toe sandal pumps.
With her golden brown hair styled super-straight, Jane Seymour parted her hair on the side to create a fringe bang swept to the side to frame her face beautifully. She accented her deep blue eyes with a soft pink silver eye shadow and used a deep rose on her cheeks and lips. The full impact of her makeup was made even more glamorous with the lustrous sheen of her velvet shawl that she draped elegantly around her shoulders, showcasing her beautiful, long brown hair. In a sea of stars, Jane Seymour’s appearance made her stand out in the crowd in spectacular fashion, just what her fans have come to expect from this wonderful actress.
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Accomplishment

Today I finished the 9-week Couch to 5K program. What a sense of achievement. I don't think I have ever committed to a workout and seen it to completion. I am proud of myself. My time sucks, but I know it will get better. That is what I am going to work on now, my speed. I also need to find the motivation to do weights. I have always liked cardio, but not running. And while I still have a love/hate relationship with running, I do like seeing the progress. Now I have to find a way to get that out of lifting weights.

On top of completing the program, I am also down 6 pounds since the beginning of October. 15 more pounds to go.

Cassie Hairstyle, Makeup, Fashion Style

Cassie Hairstyle, Makeup, Fashion Style

Cassie (“Cassandra Ventura”) is an American singer, model and actress who hails from New London, Connecticut, made a stunning appearance at the New York premiere of “The September Issue” at the Museum of Modern Art. Wearing an exquisitely cut black silk, draped styled V-neck pantsuit with elongated arm openings that showed just a hint of breast, Cassie looked exciting and sensual. The dramatic design of her outfit was a real head turner, but it was Cassie’s radical hairstyle which really stole the show. Her extra-long, luxurious jet-black tresses were gracefully pulled to the front of her body on her left side, while the right side of her head was shaven accented by a long, glittering dangle earring, giving her an incredible profile that had all of the cameras clicking furiously.
Cassie's Hair, Makeup, Fashion Style

The combined impact of the pantsuit and hairstyle was tempered by Cassie’s makeup selection working with a beautiful foundation with a matte finish. Keeping a balance between her hair color and that of her attire, the focus was on her eyes, made ultra-sophisticated and glamorous, with a healthy application of lash-loving mascara; it gave her a total polished look. She used a beautiful bronze blush to match her mocha brown lipstick with just enough sheen to make her lips look absolutely delectable. Without a doubt Cassie’s appearance at this celebrity event had the crowd of spectators buzzing at her ability to pull off a radical look with poise and grace under the scrutiny of fans and the press that would have cause others to wither.
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Poppy Montgomery Hair, Makeup, Fashion Style

Poppy Montgomery Hair, Makeup, Fashion Style

Poppy Montgomery arrived at the “Women in Film 2009 Crystal and Lucy Awards” ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles in glamorous style as one of the many other notable personalities of the film industry. Her appearance on the red carpet created a beautiful contrast to the aqua blue floor-length silk chiffon gown. She looked simply gorgeous in this fluid sleeveless, v-neckline design with its empire waistline. The vertical line of the design was accented with a bandeau of tiny pleated silk under her bustline. This was an elegant outfit that was the perfect choice for an evening dedicated to the fabulous achievements of women in the movie industry.
Poppy Montgomery

For her hairstyle for this event, Poppy Montgomery chose to wear her long golden auburn hair in full, loose curls and waves that cascaded gracefully over her shoulders supporting the fluid look of her gown. With a subtle center part, the curls formed an ideal frame for the face of this beautiful young actress. With total attention on her face Poppy Montgomery selected her makeup to be in harmony with her lustrous hair swept off of her forehead to the side of her face. Using a soft shade of pink for her cheeks and lips, she played up her lovely brown eyes with a soft blue eye shadow. The deep pink lipstick was a playful way to accent her smile as well as intensifying the blue hue of her gown while the fluid lines added a regal touch to her appearance.
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Happy Thanksgiving!

It is Thanksgiving 2009 and this year I have sooo much to be thankful for. This year in June I married the man of my dreams. It was perfect day and a perfect wedding and I would not change one thing about it. Also this year the Hubs was shot on the job. At the time we had only been married for 1 month and it was the day before his birthday. Definitely not how I thought I would spend that day and not something that I ever thought would happen. But thankfully it turned out ok. No permanent damage done. But that day showed me how fragile life can be and to appreciate every day that is given to you. Based on those two things alone I have lots to be thankful for.

Even though my family thinks I am not family oriented, I really am. It is just that I am slightly introverted, or maybe very, and I need periods of recuperation from my large, loud, loving family. Anywho, I love that my family is always there for each other. When times get rough, we drop everything and gravitate together. Unfortunately we have had to pull together in times of bad to frequently this lately...the loss of a parent (love you Aunt Janice), a shooting, others being rushed to the hospital, and just having too much on your plate and needing a break. But every time we are there for each other and there is not greater feeling. I am truly thankful to have my family.

Every day remember to give thanks.

Melania Trump Fashion Style, Makeup, Hairstyle

Melania Trump Fashion Style, Makeup, Hairstyle

Melania Knauss-Trump arrived at the New York premiere of “The September Issue” at the Museum of Modern Art with a lot of stylish flair on the arm of “The Donald” as her husband Donald Trump is known. Melania Trump looked lovely in a soft white, gathered chiffon mini-dress that showed off her great, long legs.
Melania Trump, With Her Hubby Donald

The design featured a rounded satin-ribbon neckline and belted with black satin, decorated with black and white silk flowers under the waistline causing the dress to flow gracefully around her curves. She accented her outfit with black satin, open toe, 3-inch stacked pumps and a pair of fabulous diamond earrings. With her golden brown hair styled up and away from her face, she chose to part her hair in the middle of her forehead with long fringe bangs gracefully framing her oval face. Melania Trump has an almost flawless peach complexion with beautifully expressive blue eyes. Her makeup for the evening was muted and elegant with a lot of attention to making her eyes the focal point for the photographers. She used a silver blue eye shadow with plenty of lash-extending mascara to add dramatic impact to her eyes. On her cheeks and lips she chose a pouty shade of pink that made her cheekbones look sculpted and elegant. As the wife of the real estate magnate, Melania Trump is accustomed to being in the spotlight. She showed her ability to please the crowd and the photographers on the red carpet with graceful celebrity style.
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Pre Cyber Monday Coupon offering

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Special coupons only for our already registered customers


Pre Cyber Monday Coupon offering
30% off all in stock merchandise
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on already deep discounted items and final sale items
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we will notify Lucky winner on 12/02/09

Diane Kruger Summer Fashion, Makeup, Style

Diane Kruger's Summer Fashion, Makeup, Style

Diane Kruger made a spectacular entrance as she arrived at the premiere of the film "Inglourious Basterds" in New York at the SVA Theater in August. Wearing a sparkling tri-colored beaded, short-sleeved mini-dress, with a daring scoop cut back that verged on scandalous. She topped off her star power look with three-inch black pumps and a small snap box style purse to sum up the total effect befitting a talented movie star.
Diane Kruger's Styling

Her outfit was quite sophisticated the front of the dress had a high neckline and hugged her curves wonderfully, but it was the almost-dangerous design exposing her back, that really gave her a great presence. Sporting a short, pixie haircut, that was swept away from her face giving her a completely exposed face look, focusing all of the attention on her outfit.
This talented actress prefers an au natural look and keeps her makeup uncomplicated but not lacking in dramatic impact. On this evening where dozens of celebrities gathered, Diane Kruger accented her fashion statement with a striking shade of mauve on her lips and eyes. The glittering design of her dress was enough to dazzle the eye and served to display her glamorous style without jewelry. To say that Diane Kruger caused a sensation at the premiere might be an understatement, the combination of her hairstyle, makeup and fantastically designed dress had the photographers all in a whirl from the front and especially when she turned to reveal the backline which left very little to the imagination.
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Recipe of the Week - Cheddar Corn Chowder

It's that time again. Recipe of the Week. I have to admit I am starting to like cooking these recipes. Well, I guess that is if the Hubs like them. But so far I have had only one fail. So far, so good.

This week I decided to make corn chowder. Perfect for tonight because it is rainy outside. So nothing like a good, hearty chowder. The smell is amazing. I am actually still in the process of cooking. Right now I am letting the potatoes get tender.

I got the recipe from Proceed with Caution. You can probably see that I LOVE this blog. I did modify it a little, making it vegetarian.

Cheddar Corn Chowder

2 Tablespoons good olive oil (I don't know what that means, just used what I had)
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions (1 large onion) - (I only used 1 cup, not big on onions)
1/4 cup flour (I used whole wheat)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric (I didn't have this so I left it out)
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
3 cups chicken stock (I used vegetable stock and used 3.5 cups)
3 cups medium-diced white boiling potatoes, unpeeled (1 pounds) (I used 4 cups)
5 cups corn kernels, fresh (5 ears) or frozen (1.5 pounds) (I used 2 lbs. of frozen organic corn)
1/2 cup 2% milk (I used plain soy milk)
2 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, grated

Directions

In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions and cook for 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent.

Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, old bay and turmeric and cook for 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and potatoes, bring to a boil, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender (it may take longer, I just let them simmer).

If using fresh corn, cut the kernels off the cob and blanch them for 3 minutes in boiling salted water. Drain. (If using frozen corn you can skip this step.) Add the corn to the soup, then add the milk and cheddar. Cook for 5 more minutes, until the cheese is melted. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Note: After I added the corn I decided to add some more vegetable stock. So I used a total of 4 cups of vegetable stock. I also added some extra Old Bay, salt, and pepper for the added ingredients. Also the Hubs is going to add some chicken strips to his, so he will have chicken and corn chowder.

And the verdict is....Yummy.

If I make this again i would add more vegetables, celery, carrots, red pepper maybe. It would give more flavor.

The Repercussions of being a Slacker

Well I got motivated enough to go to the gym today. It has been a while, maybe a week. I could definitely tell that I had not been in the gym in a while. I did W8D3 of the C25K program. Um, there are only 9 weeks of this program so I am very close to the end. Yeah, I was dying. I did it, but I did not look like someone who has run this distance twice. Needless to say I will be doing this distance again and then attempting week 9.

It is sad how quickly your body reverts to slackdom. Absolutely ridiculous. The way I felt tonight in the gym has motivated me though. I know I need to get in there or do some other form of physical exercise at least 3 times a week. I just want to finish this 5K program and be able to run it without walking at all. Is that too much to ask?

Slacker, Underachiever

These are words I used to use for my brother all the time when he was in school. (In the most loving way possible of course.) He was just content with getting a B in school without studying instead of studying and getting an A. How are we related?

Well now, that is me. I am in grad school and I am just not motivated. This is so not like me. If I get a B in this class, which is where I am headed, I am going to be so upset. But I cannot muster up the energy or effort to get that A.

On top of that I have been slacking on working out. I was so motivated last month with the Rocktober Challenge. But now, I don't even know what happened. I think I have worked out once this week. I am definitely working out today, so that would be twice. But I am definitely not doing what I want to be. I could make excuses, like the weather sucks right now and I just don't want to leave the house when I don't have to. That statement is true, but it is just an excuse. I have to somehow find that motivation I had last month. Oh motivation.....where are you???

I refuse to let this one bad week curtail my fitness goals. In the past, one week of no exercise would turn into months of no exercise. Not this time. Not gonna happen. I am gonna get up and do it.

That is gonna be my mantra, just get up and do it.

Recipe of the Week - Sea Scallops

The Hubs has tried several times to make scallops and the results have been....well, not good. He had given up on them. So the last time we went to the wharf we got a pound of scallops for me to give it a go.

I got the recipe from the Food Network.

16 medium diver scallops, cleaned
1/8 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for searing
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon finely chopped thyme
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups field greens

In a medium bowl, marinate the scallops with olive oil, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let them marinate for 20 minutes.

Heat enough olive oil to lightly coat the bottom of a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the scallops. Cook quickly in each side until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove from the heat and place 4 scallops around a mound of greens. Repeat.

I did not use the field greens and just made the scallops.

I figured out what the Hubs was doing wrong each time he made scallops. He was using waaaay too much oil, well in his case butter. (I am trying to get him out of that unhealthy habit).

If I made this recipe again I would not add the salt, but other than that they were very good. Yeah, because we both love scallops.

Recipe of the Week - Black Bean Enchiladas

So last weeks recipe was a fail, for the Hubs anyway. I liked it and ate leftovers a couple of times. So this week I was trying to be positive and continue on with my quest in becoming a domestic goddess. A healthy one at that.

I found this recipe on Annie Eats and modified it a little.

Here is my adapted recipe.

Black Bean Enchiladas

For Black Bean filling:

• 2 cans organic black beans, rinsed and drained


• 1 tsp. EVOO


• 1/4 c. chopped onions (I am not an onion person)


• 4 cloves garlic, minced


• 1 1/2 c. corn kernels (I wanted to use the whole can)


• 1 c. pico de Gallo (recipe below)


• 2 tsp. ground cumin


• 1 tsp. chili powder


• 1 c . Reduced Fat Mexican Cheese

Side Note: Tasted the filling and it is so freakin good. If the Hubs doesn't like this something is wrong with him.

For the enchiladas:

• Black Bean filling (from above)


• 6-8 Whole Wheat tortillas


• Enchilada sauce (recipe below)

Directions:

To make the black bean filling, place the black beans in a medium sized mixing bowl. Partially mash the beans. In a medium sized skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic and sauté for 4 minutes. Mix beans, corn, pico de Gallo, cumin, and chili powder into the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes or until thickened. Remove the pan from the heat, mix in cheese. Stir until cheese is melted.

Grease a 9×13” baking dish. Preheat oven to 350°. To make the enchiladas, spoon some of the black bean mixture down the center of a tortilla. Fold sides over the filling and roll up. Place seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Pour sauce over the tops of the enchiladas. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese and bake 2-3 minutes more or until cheese is melted.

Recipe for Pico de Gallo (adapted from Proceed with Caution):

• 5 plum tomatoes, diced


• 6-oz. of pickled jalapenos (I didn't use the whole can, I thought it might be too hot for us.)


• 1/4 of a sweet onion (Again, not an onion person.)


• 1 to 1.5 c fresh cilantro


• 1 to 2 avocados


• juice of 4 limes

Combine all ingredients except avocado and lime juice in a large bowl and refrigerate at least one hour. Dice avocado(s) and add to the bowl, along with the lime juice. Toss together and let sit for 15 minutes.

Side Note: Can I tell you this is so good. And there was some left over. Future plans for this, whole wheat tortilla chips. Yum!

Also in an attempt to be more healthy I made my own enchilada sauce. I got the recipe from here. Of course I modified it a little, trying to be more healthy.

Easy Enchilada Sauce

• 3 tsp. EVOO


• 1 tbsp. whole wheat flour


• 1/4 c. chili powder


• 2 c. organic vegetable stock


• 10-oz. tomato paste


• 1 tsp. dried oregano


• 1 tsp. ground cumin

Directions

In a medium saucepan heat oil, add flour, smoothing and stirring with a wooden spoon. Cook for 1 minute. Add chili powder and cook for 30 seconds. Add stock, tomato paste, oregano, and cumin. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. The sauce will thicken and smooth out. Adjust the seasonings. Serve atop your favorite enchiladas.

And the verdict is...Pass. The Hubs loved it. He said it was the best meal I have ever made. So for new recipes my record is 2-1. I will definitely be making this meal again. Now to find my recipe for next week...

Big Buddha Style Star Free Giveaway

Our Next set of Style Stars all received the Beauitful Big Buddha Mia Dome Bag

Michele M from california Received the Black

Marci G from New Jersey Received the Chestnut

Pam R from Scarsdale NY Received the Grey

First set of Style Star Pictures in From Pam R

Who Loves The Mia Bag

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Review - Homeade Laundry Detergent

I have been using my homeade liquid laundry detergent for a couple of weeks now. So what do I think? I love the stuff. I did make too much of it. That was my fault for not fully reading the directions. It was very easy to make just too much. I was trying to keep it in the pot until I needed it, but the Hubs made me throw it out. It is very cheap to make so he said I was not wasting that much money. So ok I threw it out.

I did make some modifications though. I could not find the Dr. Bronner's Mild Baby Soap, so I used Burt's Bees soap, no fragrance. The mildest I could find. I cannot remember the actual name of it. Also, I think the recipe said to use 1/4 c for each load and I felt I needed WAY more than that. I used 1-1.5 c per load. So out of the 4 quarts of detergent I kept (the recipe made 10 quarts I think) I got 18-20 loads of laundry.

One positive I did have from this is our clothes smell great. The other night I was laying next to the Hubs and his shirt smelled so good. I love the smell of fresh laundry.

This time I am going to try dry detergent.

Here is the recipe I am going to use (modified from The Good Wife):

1 bar of soap (I will be using the Burt's Bees again. It is easier to find)
1c borax
1c baking soda
1c washing soda

Each load will use 2tsp. of detergent. I might cut this recipe down just in case we do not like it, but I have heard nothing but positives.

I will let the Hubs decide which he likes best and that is the one I will use.

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Rocktober Challenge/ Holiday Challenge

So I finally weighed myself. My weight seems to go up and down, so I can be positive, but I think I lost 4 pounds doing the Rocktober Challenge. If that is true, I am amazed. So now the hard part...keeping it off.

I am starting a new challenge for the rest of the year. It is based on a points system and the person at the end with the most points wins bragging rights. I am not starting off too good. I think I was a little burned out from working out 29 out of 31 days. But so far this week I have only worked out once. It is only Tuesday, so I have some time to recover, but that is not good. Fortunately for me working out is not the only way to get points.

There are points for eating home cooked meals, drinking enough water, wearing sunblock, not drinking alcohol, etc. This is more of a total body challenge as opposed to just fitness. The truth is I do not care if I win or not. I am the least competitive person I know. But somehow these challenges inspire me. I like having other people to be accountable to, not just myself.

In other fitness goals, I have 2 more weeks of the C25K program. Other people said that week 5 was the hardest and that is when the majority of people quit, but I am starting to have my difficulty now at week 8. It is definitely mental, but I cannot seem to be able to run more than 2.5 miles. I think I may be going too fast in the beginning and am burning out. So tomorrow when I go to run I am going to start off slower. I also learned that I need to listen to slower music in the beginning of my run. It helps with my breathing. So I am going to try to rearrange songs on my iPod and see if that helps as well. I am not going to give up though. I am going to complete this program and run in a 5K when I am done. That is my goal. And I would like to lose 20 more pounds. That is my ultimate goal.

So what I am going to work on for this month - eating correctly. I think I need to invest in a food scale because I think I eat healthy the majority of the time, but maybe my portions are too big. I am not a calorie counter at all so I will have to see how this works. I think I am also going to try to cut out carbs after lunch. Being a vegetarian I think this is going to be a little hard because that is where I get my filling food, but I am going to have to find alternatives.

So that is the plan.

Rocktober Challenge - Week 4 and more

The last week of the Rocktober Challenge is done!!! This challenge tested me not only physically, but mentally. I did things I never thought I would be able to do. I did miss 2 days though. So for the 31 days of October I worked out 29 days. I personally think that is amazing. Yes, I will toot my own horn. There were so many days when I did not want to workout. There were so many days when I thought I could not do another day, another sit-up, or take another step on the treadmill. But I did it. WOW!

10/22 - 20 minutes on treadmill and strength training
10/23 - went to the pumpkin patch and ran around with a bunch of 5-year olds (most tiring exercise of the whole month)
10/24 - arms, back, and abs
10/25 - NOTHING. (but I got myself back together. I did not want to fall apart at the end.)
10/26 - circuits of jumping jacks, abs, and legs while watching The View
10/27 - w7d2 of c25k
10/28 - Total Body Pilates and abs
10/29 - w7d3 of c25k and abs. I think I may need to do this week of c25k again, or at least one more day of it. It was a struggle and I don't see how I can add to it in the condition I am in now.
10/30 - level 2 of the 30 day Shred
THE LAST DAY 10/31 - repeated w7d3 of c25k.

I still have room from improvement though. I think I have hit a mental roadblock with running. I don't know what it is, but I can't seem to get past 2.5 miles continuously. This may not be a long distance for all, but for a non-runner like me I am impressed I can even do that. But I have to figure out a way to push myself.

I also need to work on my diet. For the most part I would say I eat pretty healthy, especially during the week when I am at work. It is when I am off that I am concerned. I enjoy waffles, but I think I am having them to frequently. And then there is the occasional Oreo (but that is only when I go to VA for work). I think I am "treating" myself for having to go out there. But no excuses...I have to do better.

The real results will be seen tomorrow when I finally weigh myself. I have seen changes in my body and my jeans are too big, but I would like to see changes on the scale. I have not weighed myself all October. The only way I accomplished this was having the Hubs hide the scale. So tomorrow I will see. Hoping the results are indicative of the work I put in.

My Battle with "Being Green"

It is not emotional, spiritual, or even financial (and that is usually the issue for me). So what is the issue...it's immunological. That's right, my own freakin body is fighting my quest to be green.

A little backstory: Sometime in my early 20's I started developing food allergies. I don't know why or what happened, but there they were. It started with bananas, i think. But in that list of food allergies are sunflower seed/oil/etc. and almond nut/oil/etc.

So what does food allergies have to do with being green? Well, sunflower oil and/or almond oil are in probably 90% of organic products for your hair and skin. Why? Because they are so great.

Benefits of sunflower oil: It is very high in essential fatty acids; helps moisturize, regenerate, and condition skin. Good for sensitive skin (just not mine).

Benefits of almond oil: It is a great emollient for softening and conditioning skin; rich in essential fatty acids.

Therefore, it is used for lots of stuff; lotions, lip balm, soap, conditioners, etc.

That means I have to read the ingredients of everything. It can be very annoying. So I finally found chapstick that does not contain either of these oils from Dr. Bronner's. This is great because I can buy it at target. And soap Shea Moisture (also can be bought at Target). Conditioner: Giovanni (also at Target). Does anyone else see how much I love Target. And yes as I am writing this I am pronouncing it Tar-jay because it is where I get all my fancy products, so its better. Duh.

But other items are not so easy. It took me months to find a facial moisturizer with SPF that was "green" and did not contain sunflower and/or almond oil. But, with persistence I finally found it. The issue is I have to buy if off the internet and I don't really know how great it will work. But I am optimistic. Keys Solar Rx Moisturizing Sunblock SPF 30 was voted the number 1 Moisturizing Sunscreen by the Environmental Working Group for 2009. That means it is the best green product in the category. AND it does not have sunflower or almond oil. So I am off to order this product.

Review to follow.

Recipe of the Week - Fail

So this week I tried something new. Butternut Squash and Vanilla Risotto that I got from here. I have never had or made risotto before so I was not sure how it would taste, but it looked good and I was willing to try it. All I knew was that it was similar to rice and they made it on every episode of Hell's Kitchen this year.

Now I think I cooked it the appropriate amount of time, but it was a little firm. I cooked it longer, but it was still firm. That is what is in the directions (tender, but firm), but the Hubs said it tasted like it was not done. To me it was the same texture and firmness as rice you get at Chinese restaurants.

As you can see from the title, it was a fail. I personally did not think it was bad (believe me I have no issue saying something I made was nasty). On the other hand, the Hubs did not even give it a try. Well ok, he took a bite out of what was in the pan and decided he was going to eat something else for dinner.

I will admit, I was a little pissed. It is fine with me if he does not like something, but he did not even try it. He has never had risotto either, so I told him it was similar to rice, but I guess he wanted it to taste like rice. Whatever. So from now on I will stick to ingredients he has had before because obviously he is not into experimenting. Guess there is no point in me trying quinoa or bulgur. Guess I will stick to making pasta dishes.

Recipe of the Week- FAIL. Better luck next week.

Winter Hair Routine

I have been developing a routine for my hair. Trying to make the amount of time I spend on it shorter and more efficient. I am also trying to protect my delicate strands from the harsh winter weather.

Weekly

Co-Wash with Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Conditioner (this can be bought a Target)

Detangle with the same conditioner - To do this I divide my hair into 4 sections. Put a good amount of conditioner one the section. Comb the conditioner through with my fingers. Then detangle with a large tooth comb under the shower stream. The twist the section. Repeat for all sections.

Then I completely rinse the conditioner out of my hair with lukewarm water while still in the twists.

Once out of the shower I use Curls Coconut Sublime Moisturizing Conditioner as my leave-in and then sytle my hair. My hairstyle of choice for this winter is 2-strand twists. I do this on wet hair and style with my homeade shea butter concoction.

Bi-Weekly

I clarify my hair with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of lemon juice mixed with conditioner. I have been using Aussie Moist Conditioner (this can be bought at any grocery store). It is pretty cheap and doesn't have bad products for my hair. Then I follow my weekly routine from above.
Note: I am clarifying my hair so frequently because I work out a lot. Therefore, I get a lot of sweat build-up and I need to clarify.

I am hoping that by doing this routine I can keep my hair from breaking and improve growth during the winter months.

I know I need to add some deep conditioning treatments in the mix. Maybe I will try to do them on the weeks I do not clarify. And while my hair seems to be sensitive to proteins, I think it might benefit from a protein treatment every once in a while. I am going to try it out and see what the results are.

You may have noticed there is no shampoo in this routine. That is because I follow the No-Poo Method. Find out more about it here. I personally believe it is the best method for curly hair whether you are black, white, or somewhere in between. If you have curly hair I would definitely recommend you try it.

Paulina Rubio Hair, Fashion, Makeup Style

Paulina Rubio Hair, Fashion, Makeup Style

Hollywood, California is home to the Hollywood Palladium. The 9th Annual Padre’s Contra El Cancer’s “El Sueno De Esperanza” Gala was held at the Palladium. Latin singer Paulina Rubio was one of many in attendance.
Paulina Rubio

Paulina looked wonderful from head to toe. Her makeup was flattering and simple. She wore pink lipstick, blush, and mascara. She lined her eyes in a way that was unique and highlighted them; she wore black eyeliner on top and a silvery blue one on the bottom. Her hair was parted on the side and her bangs were swept over her forehead. The rest of her hair was left loose and fell around her head and shoulders naturally. Her hair had large, loose curls in it and was very flattering and lovely.
Paulina has a lot of style and great color sense. She wore a teal blue, wraparound dress that went to her knees. The dress accented her nice figure and had small, tasteful slits around the knees for ease of walking. She wore shiny black heels and a short, black leather jacket with the dress. The color combination was perfect and she looked very stylish. For jewelry, she wore a wraparound necklace that ended in a swirled pendant, lots of bracelets that ranged from charms to semi-precious stones, and a silver armband. Everything that she wore tied together perfectly. Paulina was hands down one of the very best dressed stars there. Some of the other celebrities could stand to take a few fashion lessons from Paulina.
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Patricia Arquette Hair, Fashion, Makeup Style

Patricia Arquette Hair, Fashion, Makeup Style

The star of the hit show “Medium” recently attended a party held at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, California. The party was called “Paleyfest: Fall TV Preview Party for CBS.” Patricia looked beautiful as usual.
Patricia Arquette

Patricia’s hair and makeup made her look sweet and sassy. Her makeup was done perfectly. She wore blush, dark pink lipstick, mascara, and line her eyes in black. Her hair was a short style that had layers and was shaped around her ears and close to her hair. The longer layers were in large, loose curls on top of her head in a flattering style. The eyeliner and the hairstyle really put emphasis on Patricia’s beautiful face and brought out her eyes.
Patricia wore a pantsuit instead of a dress to the party. She looked great in it. Her long-sleeved shirt was a V-neck with a high collar in the back. Ruffles were along the lower part of the V right above her chest. Patricia can get away with ruffles, unlike some stars who don’t know when too many is just too many. Her pants were very loose and flowing around her legs; they went all the way to the floor and covered her shoes completely, but the style didn’t make her seem sloppy. The outfit is a great one to emulate if anyone wants to flatter any imperfections in their figure and look more slender at the same time. She wore a black belt and small gold hoop earrings. She added two long necklaces that were very pretty. One was gold and large frosted purple diamonds. The other had small, round, frosted purple beads and semi-precious stones.
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Recipe of the Week

Well this week I did not make anything special, but I wanted to make sure that I cooked something this week. So I made some baked salmon, baked potatoes, and asparagus. Yes, I know not exciting in any way. Not as good as what I made last week in any way. But I am going to find something good for next week. Then we will see if the Hubs like it.

Rocktober Challenge - Week 3

Three weeks down of the Rocktober Challenge. This is such a mental and physical challenge, but it is so rewarding. I know I cannot keep this up forever, but from doing this challenge I know that I can work out 5-6 days a week with no problem. OK, probably 5 days. It is very hard for me to work out on my days off. And I have realized this even more doing this challenge. When I am off, I like to be OFF. But I digress, here is what I did this week. I did miss a day, so bad. It was because of work and not planning well. My body did enjoy the day off and unlike how I would have done in the past, I jumped right back into my workout the next day.

10/15 - P90X Yoga
10/16 - 30 min Boot Camp Cardio
10/17 - NOTHING! so bad
10/18 - W6D3 of C25K
10/19 - elliptical and strength training
10/20 - W7D1 of C25K
10/21 - elliptical and strength training

I also realized something yesterday. I need a smaller pair of jeans. I was able to take off my jeans while they were still buttoned and zipped. This is a huge deal for me. Since I am not weighing myself this month, and because I am my own worst critic, I have not really noticed if I have lost any weight. I know that I am stronger and have greater endurance and I have started to change my mental outlook on working out, but I have not really been able to tell if I have lost weight. Well, I guess I have since I need new jeans. But I will be waiting a while before I do that. Good to know though.