While I was shopping at the mall last week-end for my 4th pair of
Leggings,  I had a deja vu moment. It occured to me that the fashion I shop for and embrace in my closet is reminiscent of beloved days gone by…You guessed it!

Busting out once again…with
Big Hair (Teased & Sprayed with Big Sexy Hair Spray )
Bright Colors (teased, Sprayed with Big Sexy Leggings, (Orange & Yellow for me this Spring),
Over indulged make up,
Sequins and

It’s time to hit my Halloween Box and resurrect those lovely treasured garments with
Shoulder Pads.

Shoulder Pads are back on the Runway for Fashion Week in an exaggerated way up to 2 inches thick. It is suggested to start small and work you way up as confirmed by The Huffington Post.

It is my opionion that I have been there…done that and I have vowed to never say never again because each and every time it bites me…you know where.

True Story! and fresh in my mind.

My good friend, professed back in October 2007 that she would never be seen in a pair of leggings again while I stood in front of her in my Dress with leggings. Made me feel pretty!

In late January 2009, we enjoyed our annual Girl’s Trip to Florida where my friend went so far as to foreworn me that she would be fashionably stepping out in her “new style” which would include leggings. She promptly followed her statement by refreshing my memory that she remembered saying the “Never” word to me and would glady eat her mistake.

Shoulder Pads make me smile because the Eighties were a crazy, very busy and FUN time in my life. Fond memories that were full of family, friends, parties, hot tubs and lots of subdivision chatter. This can be confirmed by me looking into my extremely valuable storage space that is adorned with a large box (labeled Halloween) full of garments from that decade. Rest assured that I will buy more!

Technorati Tags: woman, fashion, shoulder pads, eighties, clothes, big hair

Kidding sort of BUT instead a brisk 6:00am hour long walk with three of my friends all chatting away while solving not only our problems but also the worlds.

(Not quite the picture but more the vision of a neighborhood)

After clearing my head, I walk up my driveway, through the front door and arrive back into my office (home), follow it up with Coffee and “GMA” (Good Morning America) as I begin my day in front of my computer and my work day generally ends on the computer.

I have been struggling with my weight since I quit smoking 18 months ago which is often a HUGE source of frustration because I MISS MY CLOTHES and pride myself in being able to exercise self control!  UGH!

AH HA MOMENT!

My next thought was to start a Facebook group of other women (men too) that are having the same problem because they sit daily in a situation of very little accountability and could use the support within that environment. The excitement of launching such a group is building in me when on “GMA” Dr. Oz appears with his winning personality and matter of fact words of wisdom regarding being beautiful and fit.

He met with the men first, addressing the Top 5  issues that will age you . I believe these are are equally important factors for women to be aware of as well :

1. Blood Pressure – Go get yours checked!

2. Belly Fat – Dr. Oz’s words not mine! He went onto say that your waist size should be no more than half of your height. Such a simple idea that is an easy to track goal !

3. Stress – We all know that it is a killer and seems to lurk around every corner.

4. Smoking – I thank God and pat myself on the back that I QUIT! Feel free to ask me how because I loved smoking when I quit.

5. Eating Bad Food – In my book, this is the toughest one to control. Time for a food diary for this girl.

Thanks always to Good Morning America and Dr. Oz for some useful added support. Yes! GIRL POWER is next on your list and mine.

I personally embrace the belief of a “NO DIETS” policy. I know from my own past successful experience that I will only achieve my goal if I take a life change approach for the better, healthier, fit me.

You too??? I would LOVE to hear from you.

Technorati Tags: women, Good Morning America, Dr. Oz, exercise, fit, healthy

These seductive eyes are created in fabulous living color for fall 2008 unlike those boring simple shades of gray and browns.

It’s time to go shopping…Let’s sparkle!

Complimenting the color of you eye is the most important tip to keep in mind when browsing for your perfect eye shadow shades. Green Shadows do not look good on green eyes unless it is the same color as your eyes. Think of blue green or a more yellow green which will keep you are the right track for perfect shades for you as it is impossible to have eyes in both categories. The same applies for those of you with blue eyes. Don’t go running out to purchase a deep aqua blue for your pale ice blue eyes.

Blending your shadows seamlessly into one another is the foremost important trick to creating the smokey eye. A good set of brushes is a “Must Have” to master the application technique and will give you the needed tools to become a pro in no time.

• You will first want to apply an eye shadow base or in many cases a light weight foundation will do the trick as far as evening out your color tone. There is nothing better than a clean canvas to create your masterpiece.

• Take your lightest shade which this year should be a metallic gold, champagne, silver, opal or pink and brush it from the crease upward to your brow bone.

• Take your deepest shade and apply it heaviest in the inner corner and outer corner of your lid only brushing lightly in the center. You will want to concentrate your lighter shade in the center of the lid to give you a highlighted effect for a more opened eye look.

• At this point, I would recommend a lighter third color although you can easily blend your deepest color with your lighter color and start blending up and out.

• To add depth to your eyes take your deeper color and apply in the crease and pull it out to your corner and below the eye all the way into the inner corner.

• Take a eye pencil or liquid liner and apply closest to your lashes both upper and lower. If need be make run your shadow up to and over your liner so that it is not obvious. You do not want the liner to appear visible although the very dark line next to your eye lashes will naturally make your lashes appear fuller. That is the reason that I recommend lining at the end of the application process. For a bit of added drama you will want to line right above your bottom lashes.

           Mineral Oil has been used safely used in cosmetics for eons. It is not a harmful ingredient and actually quite to the contrary.

         Let’s discuss and hopefully dispel the associated nasty myths pertaining to mineral oil.

 

          The most mis-leading myth that continues to fly around in the media is that Mineral Oil causes cancer which in the case of cosmetics is rubbish. Studies continue to be conducted addressing certain types of petroleum derivatives that do contain carcinogens. The mineral oil found in cosmetics is a completely different because it is highly refined and purified and thus  named COSMETIC GRADE Mineral Oil. Cosmetic grade oil has been proven in multiple studies to NOT cause cancer and further more it will not going to clog your pores and thus is non comedogenic. Yes! As is the case with most ingredients either natural or synthetic approximately three percent of the population will have some sort of a negative reaction.

          Keepin it real, I had a humorous thought to share! I drink water out of the Mississppi River which happens to look like a mud pit. YUCK! Purification systems here in St. Louis, Missouri are what purifies my water that ends up in the tap in my kitchen. My water is so delish that guests from out of town will often ask if it is bottled water. Purified is the operative word for our good water as well as cosmetic grade mineral oil.

          The one myth that I find to be most humorous is that Collagen cannot penetrate mineral oil. Quit wasting your hard earned money on products that contain collagen! The molecule itself is too large to be properly delivered to the skin in any kind of lotion. Instead talk to a Plastic Surgeon regarding Collagen injections.

         The rant that Mineral Oil dries your skin is actually an out and out lie. Mineral Oil is a naturally derived substance and will not only moisturize your skin but will also protect the skin. It is extremely beneficial and safe.

         Mineral oil clogs pores…Who Says? Check out this study published in the Blackwell Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. I have held steadfast on mineral oil receiving a bad rap when addressing clogged pores. It has been proven to not cause blackheads or whiteheads.

        It’s time to move on from mineral oil and scare tactics used for personal gain. How about pesticides in our food supply or mad cow disease?

[tags]Mineral Oil, Bad, Skin, Cosmetics, woman, cancer, collagen[/tag]

I am only allowed to follow.

Last Saturday began early for me as I was applying my new fall cosmetics in preparation for a day of shopping for my new fall Clothes. I created a vision in my head of the garments that would be returning home with me and rewarded with earning a supreme prime location in my closet. Oh! the excitement that is stirring in me when all of a sudden my daughter tells me that she needs a White Dress for her Sorority Initiation Ceremony. Are you kidding? White Dress? Fall? is my only response as I realize that this day will not live out my selfish vision. Oh well, it will come another day as it doesn’t matter that much when I can spend the time with my daughter. We will shop the sale racks for the little white dress as well as check out the hottest fall clothing trends for my Fashionista daughter Alexis, the college freshman.

FUN! FUN! FUN! Would be all I have to say when I shop with my over enthused new clothes junkie, shoe addict, never enough purses, “I proclaim my own style” daughter. Yes! It’s true that the apple does not fall far from the tree when it comes to this one.

She always has a budget which has made her an extremely Savvy shopper. We will first head to the finest department stores that St. Louis has to offer to include Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom’s. Alexis will scout out, touch and sometimes try on the clothes of her dreams and then focus on duplicating those looks at stores that offer quality as well as volume suitable to her personal budget. These stores this season will also include TJ Maxx, Marshalls, DSW and Target and if she has extra money then she will head to Macy’s and Express.

Sometimes she will splurge and this season it happened to be in Nordstrom’s shoe department. She found a trendy, hot, sexy (her word) pair of flat, knee high black boots that she knew could be teamed with straight leg jeans, short skirts, bohemian long skirts and that very short dress with some fabulous colorful tights. She had me convinced that they probably would go anywhere and quite possibly should be in the “Must Have” category,

DSW happens to be her next stop as she laughs and says that she looks best in shoes so we should continue on the roll. Normally, I would not recommend shopping for shoes before clothes but Alexis enjoys nice shoes and will gladly work around them. She purchases a beautiful black suede pump complete with a stiletto heel in a gold patina metal as well as a Multi toned pump in brown, deep green and black with a slight platform and a few rivets yet still sophisticated. On to Marshall’s where she finds an absolutely gorgeous shoe that is a four inch grey suede bootie with a criss-cross strap detail. This year many of the shoes will actually make the outfit because many have intricate detail which creates the “WOW” factor. Don’t underestimate the coolness of Target for many of the hottest trends. While we were at Target, she chose a modified multi gray & black toned hound’s-tooth pencil skirt. We then whisk off to shoe department where she found a pair of Patent Oxford deep Red pumps with a great detail and a buckle. At this point, she wants to look for plastic headbands and chooses several with some detailed with gems, stones or chains in multiple widths to accessorize her new trendy fall clothing purchases.

Have you been to a TJ Maxx that has the designer department? Ed Hardy happens to be a very strong staple trend on college campuses and you will find T-shirts, hats, jackets and even scarves available in the designer department. Trench coat jackets are abundant and a must have to complete even the simplest pair of jeans. She chose a fitted trench coat in a deep metallic brown with a buttoned belt. Dresses were on her mind as she bolts to the dress rack only to find multiple dresses by her favorite designer Max Azria that label under BCBG, Max, Max Studio. Alexis struts out of the dressing room with five fabulous short trendy dresses in all the right colors to compliment her new shoes. At that point, she decides that she needs (what a word) a short black swing jacket to be worn as a wrap for one of the dresses as well as teaming it with skirts and jeans that she already owns. The Trench Coat and the Black Swing jacket will be a considered staples and extreme versatile additions to her wardrobe.

Time to head to Macy’s as she feels the need to splurge once again on a loud pair of animal print tights that she considers an accessory. She wanted many other pairs although recognized that she would be able to purchase them at a much better price at Target. I just love it when she uses her head. On to Express where she buys a Black Sweater Coat with an elbow length sleeve and a sleek little patent belt. I look forward to purchasing that coat for myself this week-end.

I finally ask her what she plans on wearing to class?? My sweet daughter replies that when she wants to look cute she will wear jeans teamed with T-shirts but that her usual daily campus class wardrobe will be a hoodie with sweatpants or pj pants.

Okay, so you have probably figured out that I really never shopped for myself that day. I got to spend time with my daughter, have lunch and learn a lesson on how to configure that quite youthful look into my own wardrobe. In the end, I had to remind her that we were shopping for that perfect little White Dress for her big day that turned up a Macy’s all alone on the sale rack at the rock bottom basement price of twenty one dollars.

Technorati Tags: woman, clothes, clothing, fashion, trends, shop, shopping, trend, college, fall, 2008

Shopping for new additions to my fall wardrobe is on my mind today.

Now is the time to do a little homework before I head to the mall. First on the list is always choosing which color I will be adding to my fall closet. It is my personal practice to only add one new fashion color each season to my wardrobe. Let me assure you that this type of wardrobe planning will benefit you for years to come and cut down on shopping time as well as bad purchases that you thought were wonderful just 30 short days ago.

Clothing color trends for fall 2008 will not offer the usual blend of subdued warm tones but much more vibrant hues. Cool tones are winning in gorgeous regal shades of violet, a rich deep blue true green that reminds of a peacock, a slightly off navy blue, and scarlet red all of which offer a powerful fashion statement. It seems as though teaming of Black and Navy are fairly consistent even at Target in the Bedding department.

Let’s address those women like me that look best in warm tone shades. My personal top pick for this season is a gorgeous Burnt Orange. The orange is intense yet not loud and teams beautifully with another shade that is deep golden rod brownish mustard yellow. If you have a bit of brown in your wardrobe then adding one of these colors will be a certain winning combination.

The colors this year will compliment and pop all those basic black items that seem to hang prominent in the forefront of every woman’s closet. Black is the only color that breaks my wardrobe shopping rule because I am always on the lookout for great black basic clothing. Going shopping for wardrobe staples is always the easiest excuse to shop.

Technorati Tags: fall, women, clothing, trends, 2008, wardrobe, shop, shopping

Naturally, it made me feel rather prehistoric until I realized it confirmed that I still know quite a bit more that my daughter…WHEW! I will only share a few of my top picks on the list as one in particular hit home for me in a huge way considering Alexis had some editorial control over the pages of her yearbook allowing her the freedom of expression in a unique fashion on one page.

Check out my top Picks from the list that Class of 2012 grew up thinking.

It was said that Jay Leno was the ONLY Tonight Show host while they were watching late night NBC as well as Gas stations have never fixed flats but they do serve Cappuccino and I might add I have four within walking distance of my home. Another quite interesting fact is that they have never known Telephones that did not have caller ID and did not know that IBM ever made typewriters.

Beauty is something that Alexis knows quite a bit about because she has grown up with a mother that has always been a slave to fashion, trends & beauty. It would seem only logical to that she would need to make an everlasting fashion statement on the pages of her yearbook. Thus my favorite pick from the list is that “Girls in head Scarves have always been part of the social scene”.
Yes! So picture a photo of my daughter and her best friend Bre adorning such fashionable head scarves on the pages of the Parkway South 2008 High School yearbook forever. You can only imagine the stir when those books arrived at the homes of young adults and parents alike stating that they had no idea that head scarfs were any type of trendy fashion statement.

So for all of you doubting Thomas’ out there please take a look at the list that was published by the Beloit College in Wisconsin validating one of the hottest trends for those styled down girls born around 1990…Head Scarves.

Technorati Tags: College, trends, head scarf, scarves, fall, young adults, teens

 Veretekk Online Lead Generation Tools for your Business

This summer the “Mizzou Do” is gaining popularity outside of Columbia Missouri as those trend setting girls return back to their respective towns for the summer break & FUN! As recent as Tuesday evening a few girls gathered in St. Louis for a little “Mizzou Do Bathroom Party”. This was not just any party but one where you go to socialize with friends armed with your
Big Sexy Flip It Over,
Big Sexy Spray and Play Harder,
Multiple Teasing Combs, beloved Bobbie Pins and a Camera. As I am certain you can imagine this hot new do requires a pro to teach the technique. Why? Because these young ladies are not necessarily familiar with the fine art of teasing hair which happens to be the fundamental base of the new “Mizzou Do” hairstyle. It is was said by a couple of the young ladies that teasing with a large hair pic will offer you huge volume although if you choose a smaller comb you may want to tease all the way from the beginning of your hair shaft to the full length of your hair to not only give you volume but to assist in keeping your Bobbie Pins in place.

1. Take your Rattail comb and create a hair triangle. Begin on the sides of you head about one and a half inches above your ears extending and completing the triangle a smidge beyond your crown.

2. Spray liberally with “Big Sexy Flip it Over” at the roots of the only the hair on the top four inches of the triangle all the way back to the crown. Tease like crazy then Spray teasing with Big Sexy Spray.

3. Smooth the teasing down just slightly and gather up the triangle bringing it all together gently at the back of your crown. Roll all ends under and push your hair forward about one half inch which should leave you with something that looks like a teased POOF on top of your head although mostly pronounced towards the back of your crown.

4. Use those trusty little Bobbie Pins to hold that Roll (the ends of your hair) in place. **A very skilled Mizzou Do girl will make sure all those Bobbie Pins are well hidden.

Now…Spray like crazy because gravity is not your friend with this hairstyle.

With just a little practice you should be perfectly coiffed and ready to hit the town. Don’t forget to sport a dress with your new hair as the “Mizzou Do” is best complimented with a casual dress. It is rumored that those Mizzou girls love there dresses too.

Technorati Tags: hair, hairstyles, Mizzou, Sorority, University of Missouri, Columbia, Big Sexy Hair, girls, trends

Accountability raises the bar when addressing success with weight loss and for that matter most tasks. You merely need to read about the most successful programs for dieting and up pops Weight Watchers every time. Makes complete sense to me that when someone has to weigh in weekly and then attend a meeting in a crowded room with everyone trying to achieve the same objective that the natural conversation is something like; How much weight did you lose this week? Yikes! Such accountability… You cannot deny that it is a huge piece of the widly chosen program for weight loss called Weight Watchers .

The new study conducted by Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Health research recommends a weight loss diary as well as a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low to non- fat dairy products and 30 minutes of daily exercise to double your weight loss. In the diary, they would write down what they ate, and also estimate the portion sizes to help keep track of calories. Sounds pretty much like the Weight Watchers concept for a healthy weight loss program. It is just very simple accountability that elevates the speed in achieving the desired end result. Nothing like feeling accomplished at the end of the day. The more in depth detail you write in your food diary will directly correlate to the bottom line of your end result.

Here is my recommended list of questions that you should answer in your diet diary only after you purchase a small notebook that will be able to travel with you daily.

1. At the top of the page write down the date and don’t be shy about using as many pages as you deem necessary daily. Do this every day until you have reached your desired weight.

2. Write down every morsel of food you put in your mouth as well as the number and or estimated size. (Just that task alone will make you put less food in your mouth to avoid picking up your pen)

3. Write down each the time you ate it and estimate calories.

4. Write down your how you feel when you ate? Was it satisfying?

5. Write down each time you exercise even if it’s only 2 push ups and 8 crunches.

6. Write down how you feel at the end of each day.

Are you looking to lose weight? Something like 20 pounds in the time it takes to lose 10? It just doesn’t get any simpler than this technique and I am not surprised at all that it is proven that you will double your weight loss.

Technorati Tags: weight, weight loss, lose, pounds, diary, food

When looking to purchase a Vitamin C Serum it is necessary to pay close attention to the concentration of vitamin C contained in the product. Be very cautious when looking at most lotions as they have such a small amount of vitamin c so they can merely claim it is in the product that in the end will offer little to no benefit to your skin. You will be throwing your dollars down the tube as those types of lotions offer no real benefit to the skin at all except a momentary moisturized look. Many of these lotions come from well established companies that will charge exorbitant amounts for of money for their products on name alone. Serums can be very expensive due to the fact that vitamin c (ascorbic acid) is very difficult to formulate because of it instability.

A good stable vitamin c serum will give you added stimulation f0r collagen cell formation which will result in a more youthful appearance due to reduced fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, it will in fact work to replenish your skin with all the neccessary ingredients that are caused by exposure to the environment, stress and poor diet. Overall Vitamin C serum packs a powerful punch for the skin.

Technorati Tags: skin care, vitamin c, skin, stress