Thursday, March 29, 2012

Bringing back the Classic Peplum

Following the 2012 Metallic Trend for Date Night

Following the 2012 Metallic Trend for Date Night

Aztec Trend...

What's your skin undertone?

A bit ago, I wrote about spring makeup trends. Then I realized that one of the hardest thing about finding makeup is finding makeup that is suited for your skin tone. Below is a test that I adapted for you. 


1. Turn your arm over. What color are your veins?
a. Blue
b. Green
2. Which clothing colors tend to look best on you?
a. Blues and purples
b. Yellows and oranges
3. Do you burn it in the sun, or do you tan?
a. I tend to burn
b. I tan very easily
4. Which type of jewelry tends to look best on you?
a. Silver
b. Gold

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If you answered more A’s you have a cool undertoneA pale, rosy, ebony, or dark-red cast to skin usually indicates that you have a cool tone.You are able to wear eye shadows that have shades of silver, grey, pink, white, and those lovely jewel tones. When picking out lipsticks look for reds that have blue undertones. Your foundation should have a hue of pink.  


If you answered more B’s you have a warm undertone. When shopping for eye shadows, you will find that those coppers, golds and bronzes are just gorg against your skin. Lip sticks with orange undertones work best. Foundation usually works best with yellow-based colors. 

Then again, you may be a neutral tone. This means that you look great in almost anything. 




Friday, March 23, 2012

Week 12 on your financial Challenge

Time to put your $12 dollars away. We should have a total of $78.

  



 In 52 weeks you can save $1378 by saving money each week. All you need to do is save the same amount as the week you are on.


Week 1= $1
Week 2=$2 
So on and so forth. 


Feel free to add more to your savings but please to the minimum. At the end of this challenge do what you like with the money; vacation, IRA, Saving, down payment of a car or home project. 

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So I am trying the CG Method


Curly Girl The Handbook - Second Edition 



If you look at YouTube or read a lot of blogs, you have probably have heard of the CG method like I have. I was thinking the other day that since I wear my hair mostly in wash-n-go's (curly), I thought that I should read up on the CG method. I purchased the e-reader version of this book to see how my routine related to this method. I realized that my current routine was quite similar to what I was already doing. I already use a sulfate free and natural cleansers. I also use a conditioner that ingredients that have oils as the top five ingredients. The only real difference is the steps that I use during my cleansing process. I will describe my new process, new results, talks a little about the book and answer a few questions that I had before I really started this process.


My New Process:




I havent dC'd yet since I only do them once a month. I will talk about that when I DC.


Before washing my hair, I prep my hair with a pre-poo. I do not let it sit for a really only time but at least 30 minutes to an hour.


After pre-pooing, I jump in the shower and then apply Amala Creme Rinse. I massage my scalp and run the creme through my strands. I, then, let it sit well I bathe. When I'm finished bathing, I rinse from head to toe.  Since Amala Creme Rinse gives my great slip, I finger detangle while applying.  I don't  use a comb. I am heavy handed and me and a comb have a rough time together. :)


Prior to getting out of the shower, I apply a generous amount of Moist Condition 24.7 to my hair, only adding water to help distribute through out my hair. 


Then I style leaving conditioner in my hair. According to CGM, we must use a condition that is packed with water and oils as the first few ingredients. I avoid deep conditioners and protein as my final conditioning aid. 


In the book, it states that the more and more you do this method the less and less you will need styling aids, such as gel. I am not at this stage quite yet because my curls are fizzy when hair is completely dry. I also use oils to seal my ends. You can also use a water soluble natural grease. I also use to grease my scalp after lightly misting throughout the week. 


A tip that I got from this method is right before I begin my hair cleansing process to put my styling products in the freezer or Fridge before applying. Also to avoid gels with alcohol. I am still using my KKC. I love that stuff.


I am all about less time spend in my hair and this whole process may take 15-20 minutes. I do not rake gel in my hair I scrunch it.  So my process with that is about 5 minutes. 


It may take longer if I decide to dry my hair but when the weather is nice I just allow it to air dry. 


I will keep you posted on how I like this process. It will probably be by the end of next month. 






My Result:


Like I stated before, my hair doesnt clump well without gel so I end of with lots of frizz. I am currently using gel until I see that my hair doesnt need it anymore. According to the book, it will happen soon as my hair gets use to this process. We will see!! 


I want to also state that my hair has a natural s curl and corkscrew pattern. You can not make your hair curl if it does not curl naturally.Also If you have a Zig Zag pattern, your hair will not change to a different pattern. In turn, all results may vary. 


Also, make sure that your hair is trimmed. The less breakage the better the results.




The Book:


I think that the book is very helpful. It talks about hair that is from a very loose curl to a very tightly coiled head. The author also had someone else who is experienced in tightly coiled hair to write a portion that referenced tightly coiled hair. I also enjoy that the author did not push her products. She provided information that assisted you to find products that may work for your hair. Thoughout the e-reader version, there were little videos to aid in the directions. For those who want to see what she is actually referencing too. There are also recipes for hair concoctions to help with different things that may be needed in your hair. 


I believe this a great tool and buy. I would recommend to book to anyone looking to explore this method. 



Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday


'So it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead' - Luke 24:46

Depending on your protestant denomination, you have started your observation of Lent. Some of us, observe differently but I wanted to share briefly how my family observes these 40 days.


 On February 22, I began my observance of Lent. In this observance, I fast. Though I do not fast the whole 40 days. I do take a week of participating in a fasting. My fast is similar to the Daniel Fast. I have been advised because of my health that I should not change my diet for longer than this period.  

I also pledge to give up certain luxuries during those 40 days. The three things that I have given up is fast food, excessive internet (which is part of the reason you haven't been seeing me), excessive shopping (limiting things to  what I need), and I also gave up beef.  

Every year I try to give up something...Coffee was last year. If you know me, that is a hard one. :) 

Do you participate in Lent observance? What do you do? 


Below is a little more information on Lent from http://www.catholic.org




What is the significances of the 40 weekdays before Easter?

The 40 days of Lent, which precedes Easter is based on two Biblical accounts: the 40 years of wilderness wandering by the Israelites and our Lord's 40 days in the wilderness at which point He was tempted by Satan.

Prayer, fasting and almsgiving

The three traditional pillars of Lenten observance are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The key to renewed appropriation of these practices is to see their link to baptismal renewal.

Prayer: More time given to prayer during Lent should draw us closer to the Lord. We might pray especially for the grace to live out our baptismal promises more fully. We might pray for the elect who will be baptized at Easter and support their conversion journey by our prayer. We might pray for all those who will celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation with us during Lent that they will be truly renewed in their baptismal commitment.

Fasting: Fasting is one of the most ancient practices linked to Lent. In fact, the paschal fast predates Lent as we know it. The early Church fasted intensely for two days before the celebration of the Easter Vigil. This fast was later extended and became a 40-day period of fasting leading up to Easter. Vatican II called us to renew the observance of the ancient paschal fast: "...let the paschal fast be kept sacred. Let it be celebrated everywhere on Good Friday and, where possible, prolonged throughout Holy Saturday, so that the joys of the Sunday of the Resurrection may be attained with uplifted and clear mind" (Liturgy, # 110).

Fasting is more than a means of developing self-control. It is often an aid to prayer, as the pangs of hunger remind us of our hunger for God. The first reading on the Friday after Ash Wednesday points out another important dimension of fasting. The prophet Isaiah insists that fasting without changing our behavior is not pleasing to God. "This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own" (Is 58:6-7).

Fasting should be linked to our concern for those who are forced to fast by their poverty, those who suffer from the injustices of our economic and political structures, those who are in need for any reason. Thus fasting, too, is linked to living out our baptismal promises. By our Baptism, we are charged with the responsibility of showing Christ's love to the world, especially to those in need. Fasting can help us realize the suffering that so many people in our world experience every day, and it should lead us to greater efforts to alleviate that suffering.

Abstaining from meat traditionally also linked us to t he poor, who could seldom afford meat for their meals. It can do the same today if we remember the purpose of abstinence and embrace it as a spiritual link to those whose diets are sparse and simple. That should be the goal we set for ourselves—a sparse and simple meal. Avoiding meat while eating lobster misses the whole point!

Almsgiving: It should be obvious at this point that almsgiving, the third traditional pillar, is linked to our baptismal commitment in the same way. It is a sign of our care for those in need and an expression of our gratitude for all that God has given to us. Works of charity and the promotion of justice are integral elements of the Christian way of life we began when we were baptized.

Week 10 of the 52 Week Financial Challenge/Going on a mini Vacay



 
We should have $55 saved as of week 10.


Just because I am not posting every week doesnt mean that I am not thinking about you and I saving a little. So dig in your pocket and get your $10 out. 


When on vacation, I have a hard time with my spending. I go hog wild. I mean I like to eat out. I love souvenirs. Just extra shopping that I REALLY shouldn't be doing. This vacay is only for a couple of days and I want to break bad habits. So I am making a budget. I will let you know how that goes.  How do you watch spending on vacations?  Do you make the most of travel and leisure promos, found online?


In 52 weeks you can save $1378 by saving money each week. All you need to do is save the same amount as the week you are on.


Week 1= $1
Week 2=$2 
So on and so forth. 


Feel free to add more to your savings but please addthe minimum. At the end of this challenge do what you like   with the money; vacation, IRA, Saving, down payment of a car or home project.