Makeup Monday: Choosing The Right Eye Makeup For Your Eye Color

Photo Credit: Google Images

The eyes are one of the most prominent and expressive facial features you have so the right makeup is essential for enhancing their beauty. I have learned quite a few tips and tricks concerning eye makeup during my modeling career and I would like to share a few of them with you.


First things first, you will need to learn what color works best for you. Do not apply a color simply because it is your favorite or because it matches your outfit. An important rule of thumb is that the makeup should highlight the color of your eyes.

If your eyes are medium to dark brown then you can try green, violet or bronze colored eye shadows. You truly can wear almost any color of eye makeup if you have medium brown eyes. A purple or green eye shadow palette can work equally well for daytime. Experiment by pairing neutral shadow with metallic eyeliner in copper or bronze for evening.

If your eyes are light brown avoid black eyeliner, if you have light brown eyes, use dark brown or other colors instead. Apply a neutral shade of shadow on the lid, a darker hue of the same color in the crease, and then line your eyes in gold or green to reflect the flecks of color in your iris. If your eyes are so light they are hazel, try Champagne tones with violet, bronze or brown liner to define the eye.

If your eyes are dark blue, you can wear both dark and light shades, but if your eyes are light in color, choose a light shade so that the color of your eyes is not lost. The best color for blue eyes is pink. All shades of pink look good and bring out the blue color nicely. Apart from that gray, silver, lavender, taupe, reddish purple, violet and turquoise also do a good job of highlighting blue eyes. You can also try bronze and gold shades if your skin tone is darker. Mint green too, can be used if your eyes have a shade of green in them.

Hazel eyes are very unique in that they often changed their color, allowing them more freedom for makeup expression. While black is the most conventional choice for eyeliner color, women with hazel eyes can use different colors to help influence their current color. If you want your eyes to appear bluer, try lining your lids with purple, and if you want eyes to appear greener, try lining your eyes with taupe or brown. These are some of the best makeup tips for hazel eyes because you can affect the way others see your eye color without wearing colored contacts. You can also use white eyeliner on the lower lids in order to brighten your eyes. Purples, blues and gold’s are good color choices if you want to make your eyes stand out dramatically. The least flattering eye color for hazel eyes is blue-grey. This doesn’t mean you can’t use it, just try to use it as an accent color in conjunction with another color. Also add a highlighting powder around your eyes, but use sparingly, in order to draw more attention.

Once you have decided on the right shade for your eye color, follow the tips below during the application process.
Prep your eyes with concealer. It can be used to cover up under-eye circles or just the bluish discoloration just under your inner eye. To cover dark under eye circles, apply three dots of concealer under each eye. Start at the inner corner where skin tends to be darkest, then under the pupil and the third on the outer edge. Pat, never rub with your ring finger (this finger tends to have the softest pad) until the concealer disappears.

Apply eye shadow primer to your lids, it’s the secret to keeping your shadow in place for hours. If your eye shadow ends up a greasy pool in your crease, you should invest in a good eye shadow primer. Eye base will keep shadow in place through workouts, torrential rains and even a night's sleep.

Follow with eyeliner. You can use liquid liners or an eye pencil, but I prefer to use dark eye shadows as eyeliners. Wet a slanted brush and dip it in a dark eye shadow. Line your eyes as close to the upper lashes as possible from the inner corner to the outer corner. Follow with liner on bottom eyes, but only line from the middle of the eye out. Smudge the bottom line with a Q-tip or your finger. You don't want a prominent line. For a smoky eye, use a brush to pat in a dark eye shadow along the upper lid and below the lid. You don't want a stark line; instead you want to blend it so it's smudge-y. It's great to use a three-toned shadow and build from lids to brow when applying eye shadow. Allowing them to blend into each other like a rainbow is gorgeous. Start with a light color that almost matches your lid then sweep the color across the lid and up to your brow bone. Follow with a medium color across your lid only. Build on this with a darker color in the crease. Blend the colors well.

Brighten your eyes with a highlighter, but only the inside part of the eye. Putting a bit of your lightest eye shadow in the inner corner of your eye will brighten it significantly (this is the makeup artist's secret and I use this trick all the time). I usually dab a finger into my lightest eye shadow and then I press it into the inner corner of my eye where the upper lid meets the bottom lid. This totally makes eyes pop.

Next, you can highlight your brow bone. Take the same light eye shadow and dab it on your brow bone, concentrating on your mid-brow outward and then blend with your finger.

An eyelash curler is a must even if you already have long lashes. For added effect, you can heat the curler under a blow-dryer for a couple seconds. Test curler before applying to lashes because you could burn yourself.

The last step is mascara application. Place the wand of your mascara brush at the bottom of lashes and wiggle back and forth. Follow with another few sweeps of the wand. Apply to your bottom lashes as well.

Off The Runway and Into Your Closet: Daring The Latest Trends

Fashion trends come and go in the blink of an eye. If you don’t keep up with the latest trends you risk looking outdated. On the other hand if you blindly follow every trend you see in a magazine or on the runway, you risk looking ridiculous. In order to bypass a disastrous fashion trend don’t, you’ll need to acquire a little styling knowledge. Don’t fret I am here to give you a helping hand.
Looking chic and trendy at the same time requires a balancing act with your wardrobe so as not to look overdone. This may seem like a daunting task for the fashionably challenged but sit back, relax, and soak up the fashion ideas on the pages of this blog.

Trending: The Low Cut V-Neck

Photo Credit: Google Images

How low can you go? Unless you’re doing the limbo this is not a question you should be asking yourself when wearing this trend. One thing to keep in mind when deciding to adopt the low cut V-neck is the size of your chest. The smaller your bust the lower the V can go and on the contrary, the larger your bust the higher the V-neck should go. If you do have the body to take the plunge, just remember that double-sided tape is your friend. It’s important to keep the V narrow. You only want a peek a boob to show. Neutral colors look best with this style, which can range from sheer slip dresses to structured silhouettes. A bonus feature of this trend is that low cut V-necks give the illusion of a longer leaner torso. Keep all these tips in mind when shopping for this look and you’ll be ready to take the plunge in no time at all.

Trending: The Oxford Shirt

Photo Credit: Google Images

Photo Credit: Google Images

Photo Credit: Google Images

Oxford shirts don’t have to be stuffy and buttoned-up! The beauty of a classic shirt like this is that it can fit with almost any style, from preppy to bohemian. By belting one over a maxi dress and adding some serious accessories, you create the perfect weekend outfit that is casual but still put-together. Your oxford shirt doesn’t have to be limited to daytime wear, either. Dress it up for a night out with the girls by pairing it with a metallic skirt, statement necklace, and some killer heels. With accessories like this, no one will even notice that your top half could be headed to a business meeting! Sundresses are great in the summer, but they can quickly become uninspired. Try tying an oxford shirt over a sundress you already own to make your summer uniform feel new again. This also comes in handy for when the sun goes down and you need an extra layer. The Oxford shirt is a wardrobe investment because it’s not going out of style anytime soon. Styled up or down the Oxford shirt is a wardrobe classic.

Trending: Pleats

photo credit: Google Images

photo credit: Google Images

It doesn't get more ladylike -- or on-trend this season -- than the pleated skirt. After years of skinny jeans and boyfriend pants, the skirt is finally making a comeback. They are everywhere, in knee length or tiered styles, in knife, accordion, or superfine crystal, pleats are a sophisticated way to be trendy. Precisely folded pleated tops, bottoms, and dresses look chic and trendy when styled the right way. This piece can make you look like the chicest Parisian on the planet, but first you need to know how to wear one that suits your figure. This style flatters most body types because It glides as you walk, leading the eye away from any problem areas. Choose a fabric with an easy drape, like silk crepe, and if you're thicker in the middle, make sure the skirt has a wider waistband. Top with a blazer or knitted cardigan and keep the shoes delicate. Think stilettos, pumps with small details (like a bow), sling backs, and T-straps. If you are on the shorter side then don't go shorter than knee length. If you are on the taller side then try a midcalf length for a 1920s look hot off the set of Mad Men.

Trending: Polka Dots

Photo Credit: Google Images

These graphic circles are coming around again. One thing to keep in mind when wearing this style is that polka dots go preschool quickly so keep the look adult by mixing in some polished accents and keeping your hair and makeup light and understated. Stick to styles that are classic, not cutesy. For flirty fun, pop a dainty dotted top over your favorite pair of jeans. Never wear a Polka dotted shirt with a patterned bottom. Stick to solid colors for a more fashionable outcome. If you’re going with a polka dotted dress then keep the accessories simple and wear it with a solid belt, solid shoes, or a solid tote. If a whole dress is just too much dot for you, then try adding just an element of this pattern to your attire. Try something like a polka dotted neckerchief or polka dotted peep toe wedges.

Trending Patterns:

Everything is coming up roses. Floral print is everywhere so when in doubt, cover it with flowers.

Matchy Matchy. Everyone is wearing the same print on your dress as on your shoes and on your handbag. If you don’t own matching ones, mix your prints together, anything goes.

Trending Colors:

Pantone, the global authority on color has submitted their annual report and told the world, what shades will be trendy in the spring 2014.

10 trendy colors for 2014

photo credit: Google Images

 Placid Blue. Imagine the color of the sky just before sunset on a clear day.

 Violet Tulip. Rich with romance and femininity, this light purple is a must for any summer dress.

 Hemlock. Similar in color to mint green or pistachio. This hue adds a touch of classy perfection to any outfit.

 Sand. This name explains itself, picture grains of sand glistening in the summer sun.

 Paloma. This color is a soft grey, neutral tone.

 Cayenne. This reddish hue will spice up any outfit.

 Freesia. Think of a bright and sunny summer afternoon.

 Celosia. Think super charged neon orange.

 Radiant Orchid. This pink color is very similar fuchsia and it’s a great way to add a pop of color to any outfit.

 Dazzling Blue. Stronger and brighter than placid blue. Think royal blue with a twist.

5 Immunity Boosting Foods to Rev Up Your Immune System and Fight Off The Common Cold

Do you want to give your runny nose the cold shoulder? I know I do and the best protection against the common cold can be found at the grocery store or your local farmers market. Ensure your body and immune system run smoothly by rounding out your plate with plenty of fruits and veggies and at least 8 glasses of water. For an extra boost of immunity try these flu-fighting foods to provide your body with the right nutrients so it will be able to protect you when you need it most. 

1: Oatmeal

Beta-glucan is a fiber found in foods like yeast, oats, barley, and mushrooms. Immune cells have special receptors designed to grab onto Beta-glucan, kicking up the activity of white blood cells that eat up bacteria and viruses. 

Try it:

Cooked and cooled in your yogurt. Make risotto, add 1/4 cup steel oats and 1 cup chicken broth to a pan and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup frozen then thawed peas and top with shaved parmesan. 

2: Butternut Squash

One cup equals 60% of your daily dose of vitamin A. Your body needs vitamin A to help boost your guts goblet cells which help your body digest and absorb nutrients. When not properly working nutrients can't get where they need to go. 

Try it:

Fold into whole wheat Mac and cheese or drizzle with olive oil and honey then roast till tender. Serve over kale or lentils with honey mustard. 

3: Yogurt

Contains probiotics which are live active cultures found in yogurt. They are healthy bacteria that help keep the gut and intestinal track free of disease causing germs. An 80 day Swedish study of 181 factory workers showed that those who drank a daily supplement of lactobacillus reuteri, a specific probiotic that appears to stimulate white blood cells took 33% fewer sick days than those given a placebo. 

Try it:

Eat 2 6 ounce servings a day topped with your favorite fruits or alone. 

4: Shrimp

Rich in selenium which ups your body's production of cytokines which are proteins that tell your immune system to work harder. 10 shrimp are 62% of a daily dose of selenium. 

Try it:

Defrost 10 and toss with arugula, oranges, and avocado for a salad. Cook 1/4 a cup of brown rice add 1/4 tsp curry powder, stir in 1/4 cup cooked peas, 2 sliced scallions and 10 shrimp. 

5: Chicken Soup

It's not just for the soul. In a university of Nebraska study researchers tested 13 brands of the soup and all but one (chicken flavored ramen) blocked the migration of inflammatory white cells. Cold symptoms are a response to the cells accumulation in the bronchial tubes. The amino acid cysteine, released from chicken during cooking, chemically resembles the bronchitis drug acetylcystaine which may explain the results. The soups salty broth keeps mucus thin the way cough medicines do. 

Try it:

With a whole what grilled cheese or by itself with some soup crackers. 

Remember that when you eat you are feeding your cells as well as your stomach. If those cells don't get nourished with the vitamins and minerals they need your body can start to malfunction. So incorporate some of the above mentioned foods and you'll not only evade the dreaded circulating office cold but you will improve your overall health and longevity in the process. 

Work cited:

Prevention Magazine

Web MD

Get Up And Glow

Clear and beautiful skin is every woman’s dream but with our busy schedules, polluted environment, and the suns harsh rays it is more difficult that one might imagine maintaining a healthy glow. No to mention that every woman’s skin is different; some of us have dry skin, oily skin, or a combination of both, but no matter what your skin type over 24hrs dirt, makeup, and oil are going to build up. The first step to clear skin is washing all the buildup off at night.

If you wear makeup on a daily basis be sure to invest in a good makeup remover. I like Cetaphil’s
Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths. This will ensure you have unclogged all your pores and will not leave bacteria on your pillow. When washing with soap, be sure to use a gentle one that cleanses but doesn’t strip your skin of its natural moisture. I like Cetaphil daily facial cleanser for normal skin. Be gentle around your eyes because the eye area is too delicate for cleansers. When rinsing off your face be sure to splash with water and then pat dry. Do not rub. If you have oily skin, follow with a toner to remove excess oil the soap missed and to close your pores. If your skin is dry then using astringent can actually cause acne oil glands to overcompensate. This is why you should use a light and natural toner. I like Thayer’s Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel with Organic Aloe Vera Formula Toner (Rose Petal) and Kiss My Face Balancing Antioxidant Toner. Apply a few drops to a cotton ball and swipe over your face. Follow with a moisturizer. Use a light moisturizer during the day. I use Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15. This is very important, every time you step outside you need to wear SPF. Following this rule will leave your skin dewy and supple for years to come. It only takes 15 minutes to burn and the tan is not worth it. I know a great tan looks amazing but lucky for you we have so many products that offer a glorious tan without the sun. I like….If tanning lotion is not your cup of tea, then try a tinted moisturizer with SPF which will give you light coverage and color. At night use a heavier moisturizer. I like Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. Be sure to apply moisturizer all over the face including the neck.

If your skin is extremely dry then you should exfoliate once a week to clear all the dead skin cells. Some facial scrubs contain scrubbing agents to gently remove the top layer of skin on your face. Broken pieces of seeds, like apricot seeds, or nutshells are commonly used. However, the University of Maryland Medical Center warns that these ingredients may damage skin. Instead, choose scrubbing cleansers that use micro beads, which are less likely to scratch skin.

You can turn your regular facial cleanser into an exfoliating cleanser with a few simple steps. Add a small amount of white sugar or corn meal to your cleanser, then rubbing it gently onto your face to avoid scratching your skin. Additionally, cold coffee grounds and baking soda added to your regular cleanser will help to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. Oatmeal is also effective as a gentle scrubbing agent, and scrubbing your skin with a soft washcloth or other fabric with texture will remove dead skin cells as well.
Along with an exfoliation once a week you should also apply a face mask once a week to create a flawless and glowing complexion.

The skin is composed of many layers and tissues, and each of them needs certain requirements according to age. The first requirement is energy, and this is supplied by sugars in honey and fruits, and medium chain triglycerides present in milk.

Certain vitamins play an integral part in the health and integrity of the skin, like vitamin A which acts like a hormone on the skin cells, vitamin B complex which is necessary for all the metabolic processes when the cells are active, and vitamin E which acts as an antioxidant to guard against the harmful effects of free radicals. Fruit acids (alpha hydroxyl acids) requirement appears with age, when the superficial layer of dead skin cells is required to be shed off more quickly, and this is done by fruit acids when they reduce the stickiness of the cement material that holds the dead keratinized cells on the surface of the skin. There are some phytochemicals present in plants that have specific effects on the enzymes of the skin cells. To sum it up for you, Face masks that supply energy, vitamins, and membrane components are going to show the best results.

It is hard to find a facemask that fits your skin tone perfectly and some of the facemasks on the market today are quite expensive. With that being said below are a few recipes for homemade face masks that will leave you wanting more.

1. Neem, gram flour, and curd face mask

The yogurt softens and moisturizes while the neem helps to create a natural glow.

You will need:

• Neem powder

• 1 tsp. gram flour

• 1 tsp. curd

Put curd and gram flour in a bowl to create a paste. Slowly add the neem powder and mix thoroughly. Apply this mixture to a clean and dry face. Wash with cold water.

2. Almond, Honey, and Saffron Face Mask
This pack gives a glowing effect. The saffron helps to lighten your skin tone and reduce the appearance of spots, while honey tightens the skin. The almond and lemon aid in the removal of dead skin.

You will need:

• 4 to 5 Almonds soaked in water or milk overnight

• 1 tsp. Honey

• Some strands of Saffron soaked in 2 tbsp. warm milk

• 1 tsp. lemon juice

Grind the soaked almonds into a paste. Next, add the saffron infused milk, honey, and lemon juice to this paste. Apply to dry, clean skin and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Once dry, wash off with cotton pads soaked in milk or cold water.
3. Banana and yogurt face mask
Lemon is a natural bleaching agent (you can also use it on blond hair to accentuate highlights) Banana is great for glowing skin (the skin of a banana can be used for teeth whitening)

Yogurt is a moisturizing agent

You will need:

• 1 Ripe banana peeled and mashed

• 1 tsp. Honey

• 1 tbsp. yogurt

• 1 tsp. lemon juice

Add the mashed banana and yogurt to a bowl and mix. Next add the honey and lemon juice and mix into a smooth paste. Apply to the face and neck, let dry, then rinse off with cold water.
This is just a sampling of all the wonderful homemade facemasks you can create. Why depend on expensive packaged face masks when you can get better results from your kitchen.

Are you tired of your loose caboose? Follow my tips and you’ll be tighter from tush to toe.

Everyone wants a little junk in the trunk, but little is the key word here. While some women are just blessed with curves others have to work at it. First things first let’s start with your diet. This is the most important step because you can work out all you want but it won’t do any good if you fuel up on the wrong foods. It’s important to flood your body with vitamins and antioxidants that will crush the free radicals that age your body. This is easy to say but hard to do. It’s tough to eat the recommended amount of daily veggies especially if you barley have time to cook. There is an easy fix to this dilemma and its called juicing. You can eat up to five pounds of leafy greens in one sitting and juicing removes the fiber in veggies so the nutrients will enter the blood stream at warp speed. An important thing to remember is to go raw in order to preserve the nutrients in your veggies. Spinach, kale, and leafy green goodness is low in sugar and high in polyphenols and carotenoids which protect the body from sun damage. Add some fruit to your veggies and get your daily servings of fruit and veggies in one sitting. Just remember to go raw and all natural. Make your daily dose of juice with fruit and veggies only do not add sugar like a lot of store bought smoothies do. If you must go with a store bought version be sure to read the label. Juicing is a great start to a healthier body. Making healthy choices can be hard but the benefits are worth it.

Once you have your diet on track you will need to add some tush tightening exercises to your daily regime to tighten and lift your butt. Butts are the new boobs and you don’t have to go under the knife for this lift.

Exercise #1: Get Down On All Fours

Wearing ankle weights, get down on your forearms and knees (similar to the hands-and-knees position, but you bend your arms and support your weight on your forearms instead of your hands). Keep your back straight and your head in line with your back so that your eyes are looking down. Keeping your back straight and leg bent, slowly swing your right leg back and lift your right foot toward the ceiling until your thigh is parallel to the ground. Your foot should remain flexed throughout the exercise. Hold for 1 second, then return to the starting position. Do one set with your right leg, then switch and repeat with your left. Don't arch or hunch your back during the exercise. This will prevent you from putting stress on your back. You can also make the exercise easier by doing it without ankle weights. If you don't have ankle weights, you can do the exercise with a light dumbbell held behind the knee in the crook of your working leg.

Exercise #2: The Dog Walk

Get down on all fours with your arms fully extended, your palms on the ground, your back straight, and your head in line with your back so that your eyes are looking down. Contract your glutes and, keeping your knee bent, raise your left leg out to the side at a 90-degree angle until it is parallel to the floor. (The position resembles a dog lifting its leg on a fire hydrant, hence the name Dog Walk.) Pause, then return to the starting position. Do one set with your left leg, then switch and repeat with your right. Remember, while doing this exercise, keep the rest of your body still; swaying back and forth can put unwanted stress on your back.

Exercise #3: The Side-Lying Side Kick

Lie on your left side, resting your head on your upper arm, and place your right hand on the floor in front of you for support. Bend your lower leg back for balance, and bend your top leg toward your chest, holding it in front of you so that it's parallel to the floor with your foot flexed. Keeping the rest of your body stationary and your top foot flexed, slowly straighten your right leg up and out at a 45-degree angle from your body. Pause, then slowly bend the top knee and return your leg to the starting position. Do one set with your right leg, then roll over and repeat with your left. Lift Tips Avoid swaying forward or back during the exercise; keep your body completely stationary, except for the working leg. You can make this exercise more challenging by adding light ankle weights.

Exercise #4: The Standing Press Back

Wearing ankle weights, stand facing a sturdy chair with your feet about hip-width apart. Hold on to the chair for balance and keep your knees soft. Keeping the rest of your body stable and your hips stationary, contract your glutes and slowly extend your right leg up and back at a 45-degree angle. Pause, then slowly return back to the starting position. Do one set with your right leg, then switch and repeat with your left. Resist the urge to bend way forward while raising your legs. Standing close to your supporting chair can help.

Your Workout Plan:

Perform the exercises 2 or 3 days a week (just not on consecutive days; your muscles need a rest), and you'll feel significantly stronger after just 3 to 6 weeks. After 6 to 8 weeks, you'll start seeing and feeling an improvement in your butt's firmness and appearance

Blogging for Beginners: Tips and Advice to get the Blog Rolling

I recently received a comment on one of my posts asking me if I have any recommendations for aspiring writers who would like to start a blog. Instead of commenting back I figured I would answer this question with a post, a sort of how-to on blogging. If anyone reading this posts thinks they can’t be a blogger, think again it’s a lot easier than you may have thought. All it takes is a little inspiration, a love of reading and writing, moderate level computer skills and a lot of free time to dedicate to your blog. The blogosphere is your oyster.


Step 1: Choose a platform

The first thing you need to decide is whether to go with a hosted platform or a non-hosted platform. A hosted platform sits on the platforms server. For example, if you have a blogger blog it will be hosted on the blogger server. A hosted platform is either on your own server or a web host server, which is a third party you usually pay to host your blog.

There are pros and cons for each type of platform.

The pros of a hosted platform are:

They are very user friendly making them easier to get started and they are inexpensive. Type pad offers tiered pricing depending on your needs and some, like Blogger, are free of charge. If your site becomes popular and you begin to get thousands of hits they will actually pay you to put up a few ads on your blog. Hosted platforms are self-intuitive so you will not become overwhelmed if you are not a computer whiz. For example, hosted sites control your HTML and CSS codes for you and offer a tab allowing you o see your HTML code if needed.

The cons of a hosted platform are:

They do not offer domain names. You can change various parts of HTML code but not all of it and your theme customizations are limited as well.

The pros of a non-hosted platform are:

You can control your HTML and CSS codes but you will have to pay for this option. It isn’t very expensive, it only costs about 5$ a month. With a non-hosted platform, you own it, you control it, you do it all this may seem overwhelming for all of you newcomers but don’t fret. There are tons of sites out there ready to lend a helping hand. Sites like Wordpress.org, Codex, Cyberspace, and Wordpress101.org to name a few. The internet is also abundant with plugins and widgets which will help to add functionality to your blog.

The cons of a non-hosted platform are:

The biggest con for this platform is the fact that you do everything. This is not a good way to start as a newcomer.

I started on a hosted platform and found it very easy to get started. As a beginner to the blogging scene you will be able to get a taste of what the blogging world has to offer. Once you have mastered this platform you can buy a domain and move to a non-hosted platform if that is something you are aiming to do.

I hope this post has been helpful for the blogging newcomers. I am going to leave you with a few key words of advice for a new blogger: Write from the heart about things that make you happy and interested. Most importantly, take baby steps so you don’t become overwhelmed and give up. There is a blogger inside each and every one of us, you just have to learn how to let it out.

Friday Night Fashion: How to Dress Sexy and Chic

Whether you are going out with the girls or even your typical birthday party, anniversary, or special event, these occasions call for the proper Performance Gear.  And when I say Performance Gear, it's a tongue-and-cheek way to describe your right outfit for the right event.  These events are special and you want to look your best for the occasion.  Specially at serious events like weddings or graduations where life-long pictures will graze the pages of Facebook.  The art of subtle, sexiness is the  best way to go when trying to pull off that sexy look.

The clothes you choose should accentuate your silhouette without revealing too much of your body.  There is one main rule to follow in these situations, choose one body part to show off.  For us women the main go-to in these scenarios is show off your chest or legs.  I agree both of these can accentuate the sexiness factor, but my advice is to stick with one.  Pushing the boundaries with too many revealing body parts can fall into the "trashy" category.  You always want to leave them guessing, so showing off just a little will tease your audience enough to inquire more about you!

Make sure your clothes are fitted; not too big or too small.  Tight does not always equal sexy!  Do however wear a form-fitting outfit with very few layers.  Keeping lines consistent with few layers will help accentuate your curves.  A sweater or jacket are fine if it's cold, but be sure they are fitted well enough.  A chic way to top off a sexy dress is with a fitted blazer.  There are loads of options out there, you just have to experiment to what works with your specific body-type.  And remember don't get discouraged!  Rome wasn't built in one day.  Sometimes getting together the right outfit is like putting together a puzzle, once the foundation is built, the pieces fall into place!  

Health and Fitness Fact sheet: 32 Tid Bits of Knowledge to Improve Your Overall Health

There is a plethora of information out there to help you lead a healthier lifestyle, but who wants to take the time to look for it? That's what I'm here for, to give you some health and fitness information.  All it takes is a few subtle changes to your diet or fitness routine to improve your overall health. Enjoy!                                           

Oatmeal, citrus fruits, and honey can improve sec drive and boost fertility. Oats produce a chemical that sends testosterone into the blood stream which increases your orgasm and sex drive as a result.  Vitamin c ups a males sperm count and vitamin b produces estrogen who his key for arousal and blood flow. 

Getting in plenty of fruits and veggies can help the body produce it's own form of aspirin. A study done by the Journal of Agriculture and Food  proved this. The test subjects ate fruits and veggies containing benzoin acid causing them to produce there own salacytic acid, the main ingredient in aspirin. 

Garlic can help cure athletes foot and Honey can soothe a hangover.

It’s harder to put on 10 pounds of muscle than it is to lose 10 pounds of fat. It takes a deficit of 3500 calories to loose a lb. 

Once an adult, fat cells can be created, but they cannot be lost – only shrunken. 

Eating late at night does not make you fat – overeating does.

The perimeter of the grocery store is where 90% of the healthy food is. 

Thyroid hormone output and exercise intensity are positively correlated.

Healthy levels of testosterone are good for both men and women. 

Unless you weigh less than 100 pounds, it’s unlikely you need less than 1000 calories a day to loose weight. 

There are 3 types of skeletal muscle fibers – type I, type II-A, and type II-B.

80% of people who begin an exercise program will quit.

The body has 3 energy systems – ATP-PC, anaerobic glycolysis, and aerobic. 

Dehydrating a muscle by 3% can cause a 10% loss of strength. 

The more muscle mass you have, the more calories you burn at rest.

You can lose weight and still gain muscle; likewise, you can also gain weight while still losing fat.

Consistency and patience are key to long term successful weight loss.

Carbohydrates, protein, fat, and alcohol have 4, 4, 9, and 7 calories per gram respectively.

It takes about a 3500 calorie deficit to lose 1 pound.

Insulin and growth hormonehave an inverse relationship.

The average person can store 500 grams of glycogen.

Only fat and protein areessential macronutrients – carbohydrates aren’t (but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat them).

Muscle glycogen is about 3 parts water to 1 part glucose.

The fat burning zone does not burn more total fat calories – only a higher percentage of calories from fat.

You’re never too old to dosquats.

Weight loss is not a physical challenge – it’s a mental one.

You can eat anything you want and still lose weight – but weight doesn’t always equal fat.

You can’t target fat loss – fat loss is systemic.

Muscle does not weigh more than fat – it’s just denser than it.

0 grams of fat on a label doesn’t always mean there’s no fat in the food product.

Whole grain bread can be highly processed – pick one that has few ingredients. 

Beauty Care for Healthy Skin and Hair

Photo courtesy of google images

Do you suffer from damaged hair? Ever wonder what causes hair to break, or better yet a solution to fix it?  To answer that you'll need to start at the root of the problem. While breakage is a normal occur acne for most people the reason behind it lies in the caretaker. We loose between 50! And 100 strands of hair every single day so take care of the hair you have.

Start a hair routine to manage the damage. First, dry hair is usually the first to break so add some moisture and oil to your hair.  Be sure to massage the oil into your scalp this will increase blood circulation and stimulate the hair follicles which will improve the quality of your hair.   You don't have to buy expensive hot oil treatments to moisturizer your hair.  You have a product sitting in your kitchen pantry.  That's right, olive oil isn't just for cooking it can be used as a treatment for your hair. You can also use coconut oil which will leave your hair smelling like you spent the day laying on a beach in Hawaii. You can heat a towel and wrap it around your head after you soak your hair in oil. This will increase the moisture and leave your hair soft and smooth. The time of the treatment depends on the damage. You can't overdue it so don't worry if you leave it on longer than desired.  When your ready rinse your hair with warm water, then shampoo.  After a shampoo you should condition your hair. The most important thing to remember when conditioning is to use it on the tips only.  Massaging conditioner into the scalp actually weakens the hair follicles.  Another tip to beautiful hair is to get a regular trim. When your hair is trimmed on a regular basis it will not only look and feel healthier, but it will make your hair less prone to breakage.  The old adage "you are what you eat" is so true. Make sure you eat lots of fresh fruit, veggies, healthy fats containing omega 3,6,&9.  Eat lots of Salmon, sweet potatoes, eggs, oysters,  walnuts or almonds, spinach, Greek yogurt, blueberries, and poultry.  Following this diet will not only help moisturize your hair, it will moisturize you from the indside out. 

Now that your hair looks amazing your going to want your skin to match.  Creating clear and beautiful skin doesn't have to be a daunting task. Start with cleansing, which should be done twice a day. Use a mild and natural cleanser, then add a few drops of your favorite essential oil  to boost its cleansing effect and aromatic quality.  At night your body excretes toxins through your skin as you sleep so be sure to wash your face every night before bed. This is extremely important if you have on makeup as your skin needs to breath while you sleep. Exercise as much as possible. If you go outdoors the fresh air will help to oxygenate and Facilitate waste removal through your skin. Another way to keep a lustrous glow is to get plenty of sleep. Sleep deprivation causes puffy eyes and makes your skin look sallow, tired, dull, and saggy. Soak up some rays for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a week to keep your bones and skin healthy. Your body converts the sun rays into vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. If you can't sunbathe there are vitamin D supplements you can take. 

One last tip to keep you looking beautiful: Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, more if you exercise. The skin is sometimes referred to the third kidney because all the impurities you didn't wash out with water come out through your skin. Those impurities take the form of pimples, blackheads, and rashes. So be sure to drink plenty of water for hydrated and moisturized skin.  

Wildlife Wednesday: The Fossa

You are probably thinking what is a Fossa? The Fossa (pronounced "foosh") is an extremely rare mammal that can only be found in Madagasgar. While the Fossa looks similar to a mountain lion it is actually more like the Mongoose.  It is the largest member of the Civet family as we'll as the largest mammal on Madagascar.   There are only about 3000 of these mammals alive today. They are endangered due to habitat loss. Only about 10% to 15% of Madagascar remains forest.  of Madagascar's original, intact forest cover, the Fossa's only home, remains today.

The Fossa is nocturnal just like the mongoose. There bodies are slender and they somewhat resemble that of a cats,they have very long tails, and their faces hold a similarity to the weasel. They have gray or brown fur and some can have patterned markings in different varieties. They also have big ears and big eyes. They walk on the soles of there feet just like bears. They have retractile claws and long tails which aide them while hunting and maneuvering through the tree branches. 

  The Fossa, like all members of the Civet family have glands in a pouch near their rear ends which are used to produce scent. The scent helps them mark their territory and keep other Fossa out. The musky odor is also used to lure the females or males as the case may be. A bright yellow fatty acid is secreted from the glands and has been known to be used in perfumes. Hunters will capture or kill the animal for its natural perfume. The Fossa is also hunted for its fur which is gray or brown with dark spots or rings around its tail. It is about 3 feet long, not including it's tail which can be up to 22 inches and weighs about 25 pounds.  
The male Fossa is larger then the female of the species. Being that Fossa are very private animals we don't know that much about their daily rituals or habits. They wield their tails like a tightrope and move so fast in the trees that scientists have trouble observing them. The 
carnivorous Fossa eats almost anything he can scavenge for, from small mammals to insects and birds.  If a Fossa could eat just one thing for the rest of its life, it would eat Lemurs. The 
Fossa sneaks up on the Lemur while it is asleep.

 They lead solitary lives except during mating. They breed once a year but have been known to have 2 litters. The gestation period for a Fossa is about 60 days or 2 months.  They have between 2 and 6 babies who are born covered in fur, with eyes closed, and no teeth.   A Fossa  is considered an adult at 3 years of age. Fossa's breed in September and October and if successful in about 60 days they will birth a baby in a tree or a den cave. The Fossa has no known predators, they are only preyed upon by humans because of their attacks on domestic livestock. 

Sources Used: 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossa_(animal)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Fossa_(animal)

All pictures courtesy of Google Images

It's Just Another Manic Monday

For those of you who haven't heard of the song manic Monday by the bangles you are missing out. The Bangles are an American all-female band from the 1980s. They had a few hits but Manic Monday is still my favorite.

Lyrics to Manic Monday

Six o'clock already
I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin' Valentino
By a crystal blue Italian stream
But I can't be late
'Cause then I guess I just won't get paid
These are the days
When you wish your bed was already made
*It's just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
'Cause that's my funday
My I-don't-have-to-run day
It's just another manic Monday
Have to catch an early train
Got to be to work by nine
And if I had an aeroplane
I still couldn't make it on time
'Cause it takes me so long
Just to figure out what I'm gonna wear

Blame it on the train
When the bus is already there

CHORUS

All of the nights
Why did my lover have to pick last night
To get down
Doesn't it matter
That I have to feed the both of us
Employment's down
He tells me in his bedroom voice
C'mon honey, let's go make some noise
Time it goes so fast
When you're having fun