Eureka its the Amika Styler!!

Sultry Lace- loveamika.com

This isn't any ordinary "flat-iron", the Amika 100% Ceramic Styler is the best on the market!  I know because I have one!  It's called a styler because you can create multiple styles with your hair because it has floating plate technology that allows the hair to smoothly straighten and style hair without tugging or breaking the hair PLUS no creasing!  Styles can be curly, wavy, straight, flip up/out and a root lift.  The styler is for all hair types and textures, from fine to ethnic.  Tame that mane!

Tattoo- loveamika.com

The styler has 100% ceramic plates all the way through and uses far-infrared heat to soften your hair, heat it from the inside out while locking in moisture and the result is silky, shiny hair.  No frizz, no fuss, no kidding!  Not only is the Amika Styler easy to use, it come is awesome fashion prints.  They get their inspiration for their prints from New York Fashion Week!  The prints change seasonally as fashion changes.  How cool is that!  These stylers can be found at Beauty Brands and Sephora.  You can also shop online at different sites or go to loveamika.com.

Mini- loveamika.com

So if you are shopping for a "flat-iron" switch it to a "Styler" and go for Amika, Girlfriend!

Pink Cheetah- loveamika.com

Lifestyle = Beauty

 image from decisivemagazine.com

To have beautiful skin you need to have a healthy lifestyle.  Having a healthy lifestyle determines your energy level, daily attitude and how your skin looks, behaves and ages.  You can avoid pitfalls by taking good care of yourself.  

According to the Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual, good skincare habits start with drinking water, exercising, getting enough rest, protecting your skin from the sun, not smoking and limiting your intake of caffeine and alcohol (24).  What we put in our bodies are a direct influence on our overall health.  Now I am not a doctor, but this is not brain surgery either.  Taking care of yourself matters!

image from skybluecross.org

Take a look at these amazing vitamins that can pump up you skin to look its best:

• Vitamin A- Antioxidant essential for the growth and renewal of skin cells.
• Vitamin B- Increases fatty acids in the skin, promoting exfoliating and firmness.
• Vitamin C- Building block of collagen, the protein that gives skin its structure, tone and elasticity.
• Vitamin D- Essential for the development of skin cells.
• Vitamin E- Antioxidant that helps build and maintain healthy skin tissue.
• Fat- Also an important nutrient for the skin and the health of the whole body.

(ref. Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual 26-27)

As you are trying new skincare and searching for products to work for your skin, search for these beauty vitamins so keep your skin healthy.  Treat your skin to some beauty vitamins, Girlfriend!

Rent-A-Bag?

Do you like designer jewelry, accessories and handbags?  I most certainly do but my budget does not fit the 'designer' type.  So just recently I found a website claiming that you can RENT yes, pick and rent anything from Prada, Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo to Valentino...keep it for a while...and send it back at no cost.  Where is this site???? It's called Bag Borrow or Steal and I think its kinda cool.  Here is a snippit from the website:


Think of Bag Borrow or Steal as your "pinch me this can't be true" closet — full of the most coveted designer handbags and accessories. All waiting for you to enjoy! See how fast, easy and fun it is to rent authentic luxury.
(bagborroworsteal.com)

 "

Gucci Patent 'Indy' Tassle Hobo Handbag"

  

You can rent this for $87 per week, $255 per month or $650 per 3 months.

Tory Burch 'Steffi' Hobo Handbag

Or you can rent this for $20/week, $60/month or $153/ 3 months. Your pick!

Need to see more??? Go to bagborroworsteal.com and see for yourself!  The possibilities are endless!  

Now, I also like designer look-alikes, too.  They are just as good and cheap!  You might not like designer and that is cool, too!  Some people are so talented that they create their own wallet, handbag or clutch themselves!!  Now THAT is oober cool!  I love handmade goods.  So whatever floats your boat... work it, love it, and work it some more!  Your bag represents YOU:)  And that is awesome to me!

Find it, work it and love that perfect handbag, Girlfriend!

Busy, busy, busy

Texas Bluebonnet

Did I mention that I have been busy?  So sorry that I have neglected my blog!  It is so easy to get caught up in the daily busy-ness! If your life has been pulling you in different directions...STOP AND SMELL SOME BLUEBONNETS!!  Oh, I have been in the Texas Hill Country aka Fredricksburg and it was amazing!!!  If you have never been then check it out.  The flowers were in bloom and I was able to take pictures of them...they were everywhere!  I love taking macro pictures. I am not clear on the names of some of the flowers, but I labeled what I know for sure.  Enjoy them and I will be back soon for a new Girlfriend post!

Texas Thistle

Indian Paintbrush, Winecups 

Catterpillars

Texas Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush

Winecups

Perfume Scents

Do you have a favorite perfume you wear everyday?  You love it so much that it screams "ME"!  I have a scent that I absolutely love...it's Vanilla.  Yup, straight up vanilla.  I also love anything that smells like cake or baked goods (check out the Laura Mercier post).  But I have several perfumes that claim to be my scent and replicate my mood for the day.  

For example, today I am wearing Victoria Secret Heavenly.  It's a nice powdery, fresh scent that speaks relaxed and taking it easy.  But when I am going out in public I will wear Juicy Coture's Viva La Juicy or Chanel Chance Eau Tendre and to me they speak "yeah I'm a girl who likes to smell good".  

I have a running total of 7 perfumes including 2 roller ball perfumes.  I kind of cleaned house late last year and gave a few away (like 3) and kept these seven.  How many do you have?

So what is your favorite scent?  What speaks when you pass by a stranger or walk into a room?  Here are a few scent meanings:

• Happiness Scents -Vanilla, Cinnamon, and Green Apple
• Sexiness - Cloves, Lavender, and Oriental Spices
• Energy - Lemon, Orange, and Peppermint
• Serenity - Chamomile, Thyme, and Lavender   

(source: http://www.cheap-perfume.co.uk)

Have a sweet day, Girlfriend.

Opportunity!

So many times we coast through life doing our thing as usual and miss out on an opportunity. Opportunity is defined as, " favorable time or condition for doing something"(Dictionary.com).

Has there ever been a time that you could have done that one thing, but got scared or didn't seize the moment? That was your opportunity. Be alert for opportunities and take charge! It could be staring you right in the face...think about it. Is it an opportunity to shine, to take a chance even though it feels uncomfortable, to explore possibilities, or to give back? Take your opportunity and run with it and when you get tired, push yourself to keep going. The chase can be long and hard but you can make it, don't let it escape. The thrill of your victory is priceless!
Find your opportunity today, Girlfriend.

Good Friday

Today is not about a beauty blog for me.  Today I say, "Bring on the GLORY to God!"  He sent his son to live a sinless life, die on a cross and RISE UP so that we could have a shot at eternal life!!  Please don't forget what he has done for all of us!  Celebrate the KING OF GLORY!!

John 3:16

"For God loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Be blessed, Girlfriend.

Beach Hair

I was at the grocery store (as usual) looking for some hairspray when I noticed a product called BIOSILK BEACH TEXTURE.  Hmmm...that sounds interesting.  I would love to try something that would prevent me from having to blow dry and flat iron my hair.  Okay, let's give it a try.


This product says that it contains "natural silk, vitamins, herbs and texturizing salts to create natural looking beach waves" and you can let your hair air dry or diffuse it.  Well, I don't have long hair to look like a beach goddess so I will have to make due with the what I have.  As you can see in the picture, my hair turned out kind of pieced and textured looking.  A little length and I might actually have more of a 'beach texture' look.  Oh well, at least its not a big poofy mess!  


Give a 'new hair look' a try today!  Braid it, curl it, scrunch it, straighten it, or give it a 'beach textured' look.  Anything you do will look fabulous, Girlfriend!

Take it to the next level

Maurices.com

In a previous post, Spring is in the Air, I showcased a picture of this dress for spring fashion. Today I would like to show you how to take a cute dress from fab to spectacular with a little accessorizing.
According to Maurices.com, this dress is called the Zig-Zag Chiffon Belted Tank Dress.  It has a cool zig-zag pattern with an amazing color scheme, chiffon ruffle bottom and a skinny belt for the smock waistline (Maurices.com).  This tank dress can be worn as is or dressed up for a special occasion.

Maurices.com

In this picture (right) I added a coral shrug, layered two enamel, gold-toned necklaces and chose a pair of brown sling-back, mini-platform heels to complete the look.  Don't be afraid to add something to your outfit even if the color is not 'matching'. Anything goes in the fashion world today... well, almost anything.  I am actually wearing this completed look to a wedding next weekend. 

Maurices.com

So whatever you decide to wear today, spruce it up with a little bling, a stylish shoe, a scarf or vest and work it like your are on the runway!  Have a stylish day, Girlfriend!

Maurices.com

Encouragement

So today I only have some encouraging words for you and hopefully it engages you to think clearly about who you are.  My words of encouragement are... BE EXTRAORDINARY.  Okay so what does this have to do with the 'beauty thing'?  TONS!!!!!  Beauty is not just the latest fashion, the hottest handbag and the most awesome makeup application imaginable. Beauty lies within, too.  Beauty emits from the inside out no matter what you look like.


The word extraordinary is composed of two words- extra and ordinary.  They both mean two different things but put together creates a totally different meaning.  According to Dictionary.com, extraordinary is used as an adjective and describes one to be "beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular or established" and "exceptional in character...noteworthy, remarkable".  Okay, enough with the English lesson.

Let me ask you something, are you just going along every day doing the same old thing?   Hopefully not, but if you are I want to encourage and challenge you to do something EXTRAORDINARY.  You are fully capable of it!  In a previous post I asked what you see in the mirror...now I ask if you see ordinary or EXTRAORDINARY?  You can do anything!  You can be more than what you are today.  You can take charge and write a blog about stuff you are passionate about.  You can help someone in need, be a true friend, live out loud, dance in the rain, feel good about you and be MORE than you are now.  Not to say that you are not, I'm not saying that, but could you do something that is "beyond what is usual"?  Do it for you, to create a sense of accomplishment and stamp a smile in your heart.  


I know that I am EXTRAORDINARY because I was created this way.  It took me a long time to believe that I was more than just plain, ordinary, vanilla me.  I now have this sense of urgency to live my dreams and do more than I have ever imagined because I am equipped to do so.  Believe that you are more than ordinary.   Be EXTRAORDINARY, Girlfriend.