The Soap & Paper Factory Jasmine Shea Butter Soap

Around the winter time everything seems bland and boring. In the need to spice things and brighten  up a dreary month I decided to use this cheerful soap to cheer me up. The sweet scented shea butter filled up the bathroom with the scent of Jasmine even before I removed the wrapper. With the floral scent wafting through the air, I imagine walking through the meadows full of flowers -- I guess I am in for a treat. The creamy soap lathers well and left my skin soft and smooth. The best part is my skin was left moisturized and softly scented. The soap still managed to scent the entire bathroom even long after I finished taking a shower.

Julep Nail Polish - Karmen

The crimson nail polish is packed with golden microglitter. It is one of the most gorgeous colors I have used in awhile. I always get tons of compliments when wearing it. The color goes on smoothly and evenly without leaving any streaks.

Sephora Tangerine Grapefruit Body Lotion

I came across this body lotion along with several other varieties of it while organizing my room. I didn’t even know I had these  but it was a nice treat to use. I like the unique shape of the container. It seems this body lotion has been discounted for awhile,which makes me sad since it was a really good product. I noticed a lot of Sephora’s products get discounted very quickly. The body lotion is packed with aloe vera and jojoba to soften and moisturize. The body lotion is lightly scented with white grapefruit, Italian mandarin, blood orange, lily of the valley, and Gold Coast jasmine. The creamy lotion went on smoothly and absorbed easy and didn’t make my skin greasy. I really like this body lotion, I wish they would bring  this back :(

Kneipp Pure Bliss Mineral Bath Salt - Red Poppy and Hemp

As being a fan of their Kneipp Deep Sleep Mineral Bath Salt - Valerian & Hops, I decided to try the other salts they had to offer. This bath salt being packed with red poppy, hemp and other essential oils promises to deliver you in a state of bliss. While I was totally relaxed soaking in the pale red water, I didn’t notice much of a scent as I did with the deep sleep one. I guess, they didn’t want to overwhelm your sense of peace with a scent. Overall, I think I prefer the deep sleep one to this any day of the week.

Obsessive Compulsive (OCC) Lip Tar - Role Play

The metallic lip tar is describe as deep maroon with a red pearl shimmer finish. The lip tar looked a bright red unlike the deep maroon as described. I also like slight metallic finish. Like all the other OCC lip tars, I recommend exfoliating  before applying so dead skin flakes are not apparent or using lip balm before applying to tone down the color. The color last for around 3 hours and left a slight stain behind.

Self July 2014

Get rid of swim hair - to rinse the greening chlorine from the pool and damaging salt from the sea out of your strands, pour 1 cup of vodka over your hair when showering and leave on for five minutes, then shampoo and condition. The spirit removes harmful water deposit without altering your color or texture. It also detangles and helps close hair’s cuticle layer, leaving it shiny.

Fight sweat spots - To help keep skin dry and flower fresh, mist your body with an stringent. The astringent’s alcohol and menthol make skin feel cool, and along with witch hazel, cleanse it of sweat and oil.

Marie Claire July 2014

How to grill

1. Prep your surface - before use, wipe down grates with vegetable oil. Brush off charred food with a grill brush after each use.

2. Get the gear - you’ll need noth grill and meat thermometers, and a pair of tongs

3. Let it marinate - coat chicken a day ahead with a simple garlic, ginger and soy sauce marinade [fish and steak only need two to four hours]. No time to spare? Make a spice rub and olive oil paste for major flavor fast.

4. Leave it be - checking on the meat too much. Let it sit for a several minutes per side or until you see grill marks. Then rotate 180 degrees for a crosshatch pattern.

Lucky June/July 2014

Master Class - Great Legs

1. Do both cardio and strength training - the fastest way to see results, is to alternate lifting weights with aerobic workouts such as running and jumping rope. Without cardio, lifting weights alone can make you bulky.

2. Strengthen - squats, lunges, split squats, and jump lunges increase strength, stability, and coordination.

3. Tone - extended leg lifts and side/karate kicks engage every muscle. Isometric exercise like planks and wall sits, which contract your muscles for a set period, are also excellent.

4. Shock your muscles - unless you want to simply maintain your current weight and muscle definition, you need to push yourself beyond your normal limit. Hold weights while doing lunges, aiming for 15 squats if you normally do five. Don’t do what you can do - go a step further.

5. Stretch - muscles are like rubber bands and have an elastic, recoil effect. Stretching helps them stay supple so they perform more powerfully.

6. Run toe to heel - this engages and tones effectively.  The body stays upright and relaxed, so the impact of your feet hitting the ground is less on your joints.

7. Work on your calves - defined calves make the rest of your leg look stronger and more shapely. The key :  calf raises.

Glamour August 2014

Flattering tips for yours jeans -

- Try on two pairs in the same size, same cut; they can vary

- If you hem skinny jeans, taper them too or they’ll be straight-leg

- Large pockets slim your butt

- If the waistband digs, swap it out for a wider 3.5inch ones at a tailor

- Look for side seams that come to the front a bit. They’re very slimming.

Redbook June 2014

How to Get Ready in 5 Minutes -

1. Start with a creamy concealer stick. Swipe it half an inch under your eyes from corner to corner [if you do it right at the lashes, it can look heavy]; tap with your ring finger to blend. Pat it on any redness or spots, too. This alone will brighten your whole face.

2. Even out your skin tone. Dust a powder foundation all over your face with a big, fluffy brush. It’ll give you flawless coverage that won’t cake or look heavy.

3. Sweep on blush - swish a rosy or soft peach cream blush first on your apples, then back along your cheekbones. You can apply with your fingers, but a blush brush helps the color go on more evenly.

4. Add mascara - smush the brush into the base of your lashes, then bring it in toward your nose as you pull up to the tips, wiggling a bit as you go. That - and filling in any sparse areas on your brows with a pencil - wakes you right up.

5. Swipe on a sheer pink gloss - it makes your lips look lsh - and you don’t even need a mirror to put it  on.

To make any lipstick last hours swipe it on as usual, then finger dab a bit of plain of powder blush on top of it. To add sheen, use a shimmery blush or a highlighter instead.

To do a quickie facial - chop up two cucumbers and toss them in a blender with a handful of ice; whip to a puree texture. Pour out the mix, add a few drops of peppermint oil, and spread it  on your face.

A good body scrub - mix two scoops of coconut oil [microwave it first to soften it] with twice as much sugar and lemon peel. Rub it on and then wash off.

Marie Claire June 2014

10 Hard Lessons Learned in the Trenches

1. Get people to confide in you.

2. Become a media darling

3. Win over a room full of sharks

4. Collaborate with rivals

5. Forge ahead after an epic failure

6.  Call in favors - be the person that does for folks. People never feel put out by someone who they know has other people’s backs.

7. Know how to champion unpopular positions.

8. Avoid saying something you’ll regret in a crisis.

9. Embrace criticism and your critics.