BLOG HISTORY
THE SECRET OF BEAUTY
July 1, 2014 Tuesday
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
The truth behind the industry
Today we are going to discuss a few tidbits from the beauty industry by one of the leading men in the industry, Ken Paves.
In his book, “You Are Beautiful,” Ken not only gives tips on how to enhance your beauty but he tries to encourage his reader to see their true beauty and realize the truth behind the beauty industry.
“When you treat yourself well by taking time to care for your body, hair, skin and nails, and when you nourish your soul by doing things you like and surrounding yourselves with upbeat people and experiences, your whole outlook brightens,” said Ken Paves (page 65).
When you are searching to see your true beauty, to see yourself as you really are, you learn to make the most of what you’ve got and feel the best you can both physically and mentally.
Beauty is both a physical and mental thing. Physically, it is about caring for your outward appearance. Mentally, it is about teaching your brain to say and think nice things about yourself. If you do not THINK you are beautiful, it will be hard for others to think that you are. You treat yourself based on how you feel about yourself.
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
One of my favorite things that Ken Paves says in his book is that the beauty industry’s goal is to make you think you have a lot of problems so that you will buy products that you DO NOT need.
So all those problems you have taken for yourself because of what the media feeds you, throw those out the window right now.
Let’s get down to the bare skin and natural hair. We will start at the basics, at the beginning. In this journey of beauty, let us discover what we really need to enhance our best features and stay away from the things that are not doing anything other then adding stress lines and worry wrinkles.
You are beautiful just the way you are. You do not need pounds of make up and gels or creams.
July 2, 2014 Wednesday
KEY PIECES PART 2
What you need in your closet
We will pick up where we left off from last Wednesday. We were discussing the top 10 pieces that make up the foundation, the basics, of your wardrobe, according to Lauren Conrad, in her book “Style.”
Just a fast recap, the first 4 were: The Little Black Dress, Jeans, Collared Button Down Top and a Skirt.
Today we will start with #5:
5. Boots
These are a need for the cold season. I live in Florida and we do not get snow but we love wearing boots just as much as the next girl does.
The fun thing about boots is there are so many different styles and you pick the one that matches your personality: ankle, cowgirl, hooker, snow ....
6. White & Black Tops
I find I can never have enough white or black tops. I have many styles - fancy, tanks, tees, spaghetti ...
Lauren says that these are the glue that holds the look together. They are solid, classic, neutral colors so they do not detract away from the centerpiece.
7. Black Heels
You can never have enough black heels.
Always have at least one comfortable and practical pair of black heels because you can throw them on with anything to dress it up.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Sportin one of my plain white tops so all attention is on the skirt
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
8. Blazer
These are the perfect layering piece
They pull your outfit together
Of course, find one that fits your personality - it can be fitted, flared, have some sort of embellishment. It does not have to be the stiff, professional suit jacket that I imagined it was to be.
9. Coat
Much needed for the states that get the cold weather. I get to wear mine at least two days a year lol.
Once again it should be something functional for you and your area but fashionable as well (whether is is a bold color or has an embellishment).
10. Your Item of Choice
The last item is your favorite thing to wear. It could be a dress, an accessory, you name it.
For me, my favorite thing to wear always changes. That may be the same for you or you may have something that is your favorite and has been for 10 years.
See in fashion, there are guidelines but they mean something different to each person. As a unique individual, you are always changing in one way or another. So your own personal style will continue to change with you. It is just a matter of knowing what you like and knowing what looks good on you.
Come back next Wednesday and I will do a photo shoot of my top ten for you!! If you are feeling adventurous, do the same for us and put it on our facebook page!! (: We would love to see your style.
July 3, 2014 Thursday
IMPORTANT THINGS
Striving after the worthless
Life goes by really quickly. I think we forget that because sometimes we have long days. Some situations seem to go on forever. Some of us wait around for life to happen.
We often forget that we are only here for such a short time, some even shorter than others. Nn one knows which day will be their last. Think about it!
It feels like just yesterday I was a little girl, playing around in my backyard in Kansas. No care in the world, no bills to pay, no one to please. Fast forward twenty years, I am an adult now. Where did all that time go?
Time speeds up the older you get, or so it seems. We think we need to speed up to keep up with it or we will get left behind. We add more and more to our plate, striving after one thing or another (whether it is to get rich, own a big house, retire at 40).
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
The more we add to our plate, the less we remember that we are supposed to be living. We forget about the important things. We forget to take time for ourselves and enjoy the world around us. Next thing you know you are 50, then 80 and where did your life go? You meant to travel the world. You meant to settle down and start a family. You meant to spend time with your family .You meant to build strong relationships. You don’t remember what roses smell like.
This is what happens. We get too carried away in all the things of life that “need” our attention and we forget to give attention to the most important things. Who do you love? What do you love doing? What do you want to do?
Most of what we strive after is so meaningless and will hold little to no value next year and definitely not when we die. Let’s not get so caught up in the distractions of life that we forget what we are really here for.
Amidst all your striving, I encourage you to live a little. Don’t be stuck with regret at the end of it all.
July 4, 2014 Friday
LOVING IN REAL TIME
Let the Lovin
begin
Happy 4th of July to all!! I hope you all have a spectacular day with friends, family and fireworks. If you have to work today, like I do, may you have pleasant people to deal with and still get to watch the fireworks.
The past 5 Fridays, we discussed the 5 Love Languages individually. I found this awesome picture online that broke down the 5 Love Languages, making it easy to relay those love languages to both friends and family.
Remember, the hard part is figuring out their love language. Then you just love them the way they will feel it most. You cannot go around loving everyone in your language, they will never feel the love, unless of course they love the same way you do.
So happy loving and eat a hamburger for me!! (:
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
4thing it up yo!
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
July 5, 2014 Saturday
CHOCOLATE
A Chocolate Pill ??
I have a feeling that this will brighten many people’s day. Research has been found that chocolate helps your body in many ways and does not harm it, unless eaten in binge fashion.
A magazine clipping I read from the Beauty Bazaar, June/July 2014 edition, is titled “The Chocolate Pill.” It discusses in great detail the benefits of eating cocoa and how it is so beneficial that they are running tests and trials to see how it may perform as a pill for patients with heart risk.
If you have been feeling guilty about eating chocolate, read this list of all that it actually does for you and feel guilty no more. (Tip: The higher the quality of chocolate and the darker the chocolate the more beneficial it is to you.)
-
Cocoa flavanols can protect your heart by lowering blood pressure, insulin, cholesterol and it improves the ability of blood vessels to dilate
-
Drinking hot chocolate daily increases memory functions in the brain and improves the flow of blood in your brain
-
High-flavanol chocolate can increase your skin’s UV protection from the sun
-
Dark chocolate helps you stay slim, wait, what??
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
Beatrice A. Golomb, coauthor of the San Diego study, says, “The antioxidants and other compounds in chocolate may spur an increase in how you use energy, in part by increasing blood flow and the production of small blood vessels that allow oxygen and nutrients to be delivered better.”
Studies have shown that people who ate a small square of chocolate 5 times a week were actually 5 pounds thinner than those who avoided chocolate.
Please note, when eating your chocolate, these studies are based off from high levels of dark chocolate, milk chocolate does not contain all of these benefits because it is more sugar and less cocoa. Also note, the people in these studies ate a small square of chocolate a day, over indulging and binging may not be the wisest decision. One last thing, the study is based off from eating just chocolate, not chocolate covered ...
I recommend grabbing some little dark chocolate bars from Peterbrooke Chocolatier (if you are in Florida) and eat half of it per day. Get some unsweetened cocoa powder and throw that in your daily smoothies.
I am going to go eat a square of chocolate now ;) Happy Saturday
July 6, 2014 Sunday
DESTINED
To
Rule & Reign
You entered this life with a destiny. I think most of us can feel, deep down, that there is more to our life than what we are living. We know we are made for more than this.
How do we get to that place where we are living in our destiny? Where that gnawing feeling on the inside of us goes away? How can we be fulfilled on this earth?
Before we can ever get to that place, we have to make a few changes in our own lives.
First off, we need to learn how to rule over our circumstances and not them rule over us. When your circumstances are in charge, they push you around, throwing you on emotional roller coasters, keeping you off balance in life.
When you take charge of your circumstances, you make a mental decision long before anything happens that you will not let it control you emotionally. You will stay in control. You will not be thrown off and thrown around by the things that life gives you.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
You will decide to make a mental shift, finding the good in every situation. Believe me, there is good in every situation. So no matter what happens, you will choose to be happy. Choose to accept it. Choose to find the good in it. Choose to move on.
I am not meaning turn into a robot, what I mean is, with the day to day situations of life, you cannot let other people’s attitudes, the weather, traffic ... things like that get the best of you. You make the most of every situation that you are given.
Just by making these simple changes in your life, you will already feel more fulfilled just in your everyday life.
When you are able to rule in your own life, then you will be ready to accept the seasons of preparation, the times of waiting and you will appreciate each step of the journey that takes you to your destined place.
Stop complaining and start ruling. You are in charge of you and your life.
July 7, 2014 Monday
CELLULITE
Shake
that ..
wiggle
It is time you know the truth about cellulite. I was so excited when I find out what causes it and how it can actually be gotten rid of. So you can now get excited too. :)
Just last week, I was spending some time on Pinterest while waiting to fall asleep, something I find myself doing often. I came across a pin that talked about getting rid of cellulite.
This is something that most women deal with, yes, even me. I watched the video that described how cellulite happens, mostly on our thighs and butt, and then realized the solution was quite obvious.
Cellulite cannot be cured by creams, pills or any of that mumbo jumbo that people try to sell you. Once again, that is just another ploy to get you to waste your money.
Cellulite is caused by inactivity of your muscles. The reason that so many people get cellulite on their butt and their thighs is because those two areas of your body have many, many muscles. You can work out but continue to have cellulite if you are not targeting all of those muscles in those two areas of your body and doing it consistently.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
Now I for one have tried to stay away from doing many squats and lunges for two reasons. First, I did them wrong and way too often and hurt my knees for a while last year. Second, I heard they made your butt big and I DO NOT want a big butt. I know that is the popular thing right now but I don’t want it for myself.
But, when you do those right, as well as many other butt and leg workouts, every other day, you will watch as your cellulite disappears. Its like a miracle.
They also encourage you to mix some cardio into your exercise routine. But the point here is to keep active and workout those muscles that are not getting used very often.
Some of the main exercises that are recommended are squats, lunges, side lunges, wall sits ... I will put up different leg and butt exercises that you can do throughout the day on our instagram. Give as many of them as you can a try. You have to keep at it for at least a month before you start seeing some improvement. There are no such thing as quick fixes in this life.
But be happy, we have solved the global cellulite issue. Now we can all have nice butts lol
July 8, 2014 Tuesday
SHAMPOO
So no
to
Sulfate
Today we will discuss the four top tips that Ken Paves advises to shampoo use and washing your hair, in his book, “You Are Beautiful.”
I am sure you have heard many different ways about how you should wash your hair and when you should wash your hair. Today we will put to death a few of those rumors that are floating around and next week we will take out the rest of them.
Ken Paves has been working in the beauty industry with top celebrities and stars for years. He knows hair, so who better to get advice from then a hair genius?!
Tip #1
Sulfate-free shampoo is the way to go
When shopping for shampoo, do not get any that contain sodium laureth sulfate or sodium laurylether sulfate (SLE). These chemicals are what strips your hair of healthy oils which are your greatest defense against damage.
* It is actually pretty difficult to find shampoos that do not have this in them .... I have been searching since I read this book.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
Tip #2
Roots Only
Washing your hair with shampoo, scrub only the roots of your hair. Massage the shampoo onto your scalp gently with your fingers. Shampoo is used to clean your hair and your scalp is the part that needs cleaned the most. The rest of your hair will get as much shampoo as it needs when you wash it out.
Tip #3
Cool Water
Wash your hair with cool water because this helps maintain the health of your hair. Hot water dries your hair out.
Tip #4
Finish with a Cold Blast
End your shower with a nice, cold blast of water. This closes the cuticles on your hair and makes your hair shinier.
Those are all the tips for today so happy shampooing and remember to check back next week to find out how often to wash your hair and get more tips on how to care for your hair.
July 9, 2014 Wednesday
MY TOP 10
My wardrobe basics
I know you have been waiting all week for this, here are my top 10 wardrobe basics. I would love to see yours. Post them on our facebook or send us a message and we will tell you something about your personality based on your choices.
If you have been following us on Instagram, you will see I have been posting my top 10 randomly all day.
What can you tell about me from my choices:
1. Little Black Dress: one shoulder and short
2. Jeans: Skinnies, colors, hot pink
3. Collared Button Down Shirt - short sleeved or 3/4 length
4. Skirt: Love me some skirts, I prefer above the knee
5. Boots: The higher the better, but I love all kinds of boots
6. White & Black Tops: can never get enough of these, I love all kinds
7. Black Heels: not too high, patent leather please
8. Blazer: Ruffles, black but fun colors too
9. Coat: Leather, or fun colors, longer but not trench coaty
10: Accessories: my item of choice is accessories. Purses are my thing but I love scarves and jewelry too
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
July 10, 2014 Thursday
KEEP ON BELIEVING
Don't stop believing in you
Belief in yourself is one of the most powerful tools you can use in life. Belief in yourself propels you to new heights, it can take you to places people never dreamed were possible.
Without belief in yourself it is hard to achieve, it is hard to dream. You get stuck where you are. And you will stay where you are until you believe that you can move yourself forward.
Your brain can be your biggest friend or your worst enemy. It can confine you to the comfortable places that you have always known and keep you there, never growing or getting the most out of life. Or it can allow you to believe in the things unknown, unseen, unaccomplished and you can live a life that others only wish to dream about.
But believing in yourself is not as easy as it sounds. It is hard to find others to believe in you. It seems family does not even believe in each other much anymore. With so many people trying to bring you down, trying to keep you confined and snatching away your dreams, how do you continue to believe in yourself?
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
I know I am not the only one but it seems someone is always coming up against what I believe about myself and what I want to do with my life. They don’t believe I can do it. They cannot see it happening.
For whatever reason, there are always “those” people. I will be honest with you, it is hard to keep believing in myself at times like that.
What has helped me through the years and what may help you is to stick close to those friends that really do believe in you. Talk with them on a regular basis and let them know how you are feeling. Real friends will be there for you, offer you encouragement and help lift you up.
Write down what you believe about yourself and your future. Keep it posted on your bedroom wall. Read it every time someone tries to bring you down.
Research, study, read as much as you can constantly about what you love, what you want to do. In hard times, engross yourself in that. It will help you believe again.
Don’t stop believing, beautiful!
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
GIVE YOUR HEART A BREAK
July 11, 2014 Friday
Give your heart a chance to heal
I know my audience is to people of every age and in so many different stages of life. Today’s blog may not relate to you, as you may already be married or well on your way. But maybe you know someone who needs to hear this and I encourage you to pass on the good news.
There is more to your life than being in a dating relationship. If you have heard Demi Lovato’s song, “Give Your Heart a Break” you know where I got the title of today’s blog. I love her song but I am taking a different route with this blog than the message of her song.
The “in” thing is to be in a relationship, starting out in middle school, sometimes even in elementary school. Once you get into the pattern of being in a relationship, you start to believe that you should be in one constantly. As soon as you break up with someone, you need to go find someone else to date.
In the mix of all the dating, you never give your heart a chance to heal, recover, find stable ground. That is where you get the feeling of being on a roller coaster. Constant dating is like throwing your heart back in forth.
You were only given one heart, you need to take care of it. Once your heart is broken into little tiny pieces it effects your entire life and it takes a long time to heal.
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
So instead of jumping from one relationship to the next, give your heart a break. Give it time to fix itself.
I know singleness is looked down upon. On television, if you are single there is something wrong with you. But we confuse tv with real life too many times. We forget that they are just actors, they are not going through those relationships in real time. However, we still try to mirror our lives after the roles we see played out on tv.
Singleness is actually a wonderful gift. Once you are able to get past all the lonely feelings, you can truly discover yourself when you are single. You cannot discover your true self when you are constantly with one person or another.
It is important to know who you are because then you can see what you really want in a relationship, then you know how you deserve to be treated.
Plus when you are single, you can do whatever YOU want: travel, explore, eat what you like, go shopping, learn how to play an instrument. There is no one holding you back. Believe me. Being single is a great gift. I have been single many years ... my whole life. I spent most of my life moping around because I wanted to be in a relationship. Over a year ago, I finally embraced singleness and I have been loving and living my life like never before.
Give your heart a break, beautiful, it will thank you.
July 12, 2014 Saturday
WHAT DO YOU HEAR?
Messages to your brain
When you look through magazines you are looking for more than just the latest trend, you are looking at the models, the image the companies promote. Everything you look at is sending messages to your brain, what to eat, what to drink, how to be… What are you hearing from the things you see?
The message that the media is sending out encourages women to strive after being photoshopped, airbrushed, unrealistic people. Our brains are being told that you have to look this certain way to be beautiful. Your hair has to do this and your body needs to do that. It is unachievable even by the model in the photo.
I don’t quite know the message that it is sending to men because my brain does not work that way. But if you think hard enough about it, you will hear a little voice inside your head when you flip through magazines or watch tv, you are feeding your brain a message.
Is this a message that you want to be listening to? Is this a message you want to mold your life around? Will it make you a better person or make you feel miserable because you will never reach this pedestal that is constantly being raised before you?
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
If it is not something you want shaping your thoughts and your life, you might want to back away from the constant entertainment that is being brought before your eyes and your ears. Chances are, you are already shaping everything about yourself to what the media has to say about you every single day and you do not even know it.
Think really hard about this next question. Would you even know who you are as a person or what you like without the media telling you?
Chances are, you would but it would not be what you think of yourself now and it would not be the things you like or enjoy now.
Hmmm … that is kind of scary to think about isn’t it?!
Someone else is telling you how to live your life and has been all along. We are all just going along with it like cows being led to the slaughter (sorry for the gruesome illustration). Is America full of a bunch of mind washed individuals or can we make decisions on our own?
I do not know about you, but I for one am willing to stand up and challenge the message that is being fed to me. I will be a voice crying out in the wilderness with a message of truth. Who is with me???
July 13, 2014 Sunday
WHO ARE YOU?
More to you than that
Before you can really start pursuing your passion, purpose or dreams, you need to have a good idea of who you are. In the world we live in today, it is not as easy to see who you are, what your identity is.
When I ask the question, who are you, I am not asking what your marital status is, if you are a mom or dad, or what your job is. I am asking, deep down, who are you. What is your character, personality, the things that make you YOU.
So many people get wrapped up in one identity or another, or their career and they think that is all there is to them.
For example, when my mom became a mother, she consumed herself with being a mother. That became her only identity. Her children were all that mattered. We were her life. But we grew up and all went away to college. She felt that she had lost her identity and her purpose because we were all leaving home. She did not know who she was or what she was supposed to do with herself.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
She had taken on “mother” as her only role in life. In fact, a lot of mothers do this. But when the nest empties, it can be very devastating. The same goes for those who become consumed in their jobs.
This is why it is important to really know who you are. Without all the labels that others have placed on you or that you have placed on yourself. When one door closes or a season ends, if you know your identity, you will not be as upset because you know there is more to come and more to you than just that one part.
We are each intricate individuals. With many different things that make up our identity, our reason for existence.
Maybe it would be a good idea to make a list of all the things that make up who you are. Keep it in a place where you will stumble upon it often and remind yourself of all the facets that make you, you.
Make sure to add “Beautiful” to the list! :)
July 14, 2014 Monday
GLUTEN UPDATE
Bad
Gluten
:(
A few months back, I wrote a blog about gluten and the celiac disease. I promised that I would try taking gluten out of my diet to see if it helped get my energy back. And I promised to give you an update, so here it is :)
I found, as I was trying to remove gluten from my diet, in order to clean my system from it, that it is a much longer process than cleaning sugar from your body. In order to get all gluten out of your system, you have to stay away from it completely for three months or longer.
So I started out trying my hardest to avoid all gluten in take. But as I continued to research, I was finding that I was still taking in gluten by different things I was eating that I would not even expect to have gluten in. Many nuts are even processed in a facility that comes in contact with gluten, so I have to find gluten free nuts.
Another thing I found is that if utensils or plates, etc ... have come in contact with any gluten and they have not been cleansed properly, that can still affect you.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
Needless to say, gluten has continued sneaking into my diet and my system since I first started to take it out. So I am not anywhere close to being cleansed from it but since I do not consume it in large quantities, like through pizza and pasta, anymore I have noticed an effect on my energy. I am a lot more lively and my body feels great. I just feel really good.
The past few weeks, I have started to feel like my body is able to accept the nutrients that I am feeding it. So I know that I am on the right track. For the past few years, I have just felt like my body was not receiving any of the nutrients that I put into it. When I changed my diet this year, it still wasn’t. That is why I knew that I needed to try taking gluten out.
Gluten messes with your intestines and digestion, blocking the food from giving your body nutrients.
Also, I can tell when I have not made a wise decision with food because I will immediately feel sick and drained again.
Gluten is a scary thing and it really is in practically everything except the raw, fresh goodness. I am very happy that I decided to take it out of my body and I will continue removing it until I am living a completely gluten free life.
July 15, 2014 Tuesday
SCRUB N BRUSH
Takin' care of those locks
It is hair time again!! Are you ready to hear the rest of the secrets about washing your hair? We will put to rest those myths and get you in on the goodies to make your hair shine.
How often you wash your hair depends on what kind of hair you have:
If you have thicker, dry or coarse hair, you only need to wash your hair once a week. Wash, meaning shampoo and condition it.
Everyone else only needs to wash their hair with shampoo two to three times a week. I have thinner hair and have grown accustom to washing my hair every day. But I am trying to switch to shampooing it every other day. The days that I do not wash it, I still get it wet and put conditioner on the ends.
Ken Paves, from his book, “You Are Beautiful” says that water alone dissolves your natural oils so you do not need to put the harsh chemicals of shampoo on them everyday.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
He also recommends using dry shampoo in between washes if your hair tends to get a lot more oily on the second day. Or wash your hair with warm water and massage your scalp. Then condition the ends.
Another great tip, one that you have heard on our blog numerous times, is to nourish your hair by eating plenty or fruits, veggies and omega-3.
Something that I found to be really cool, is back when women would brush their hair 100 times a night, they did this so that the natural oils from their scalp would travel down to the ends of their hair. Ken said it is a nice thought but it would not work for us in this day and age because of all the dying and flattening and blow drying we do these days. But I am going to try it because I have virgin hair and it just might work lol.
Hope you have a fabulous hair day :)
July 16, 2014 Wednesday
PERFECT JEANS
Looking good
legs
We have briefly covered the basics that make up the foundation of our wardrobe. According to Lauren Conrad, in her book “Style,” finding the perfect jeans and T-shirts are the first big step to making the perfect wardrobe.
There are still things that I am learning about style myself. It was not until recent years that I realized that not all jeans and T-shirts are created equal. I had so many styles of jeans and T’s and would wear them all the time. All that mattered is if they were comfortable, right? Well, not really. That is a big component. But I would wear jeans and tops that were way too big for me, so it looked like I had saggy britches and was wearing a tent for a top. Thankfully, my style sense has grown wiser and I know what looks good on me now.
Lauren says, “Perfect jeans can do more for you butt and legs than any contouring bodywear.” And I have found that to be true.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
So I will give you a few tips for jeans today and next week we will cover T’s.
Jeans need to have a little bit of stretch in them, it gives your legs a nice line.
When you are purchasing a new pair, make sure they are as tight as possible because they will give a little.
Butt pockets -
not too small because they will make your butt look big
not too close because it will make your butt look wide
standard size pockets are the best
To keep the dye on your jeans as much as possible, wash them inside out and hang them to dry
Now all you need to do is find the fit that you are most comfortable in and that fits your body shape nicely.
Read the fun jeans and shoes pair up to see what footwear goes nice with what jeans.
July 17, 2014 Thursday
STRESSED OUT
Let it go, life will
go on
I am sure many people are enjoying their summer and hopefully taking vacations to somewhere remote and tropical. Somehow there is still stress that sneaks in.
There is stress with trying to get everything done at work and at home before you leave for the trip. Stress with trying to plan the vacation perfectly. Stress because you do not get a vacation and your body and mind are on overdrive.
If you do get to take a vacation, there is still stress when you are on the vacation. Dealing with late or delayed flights. Trying to stay on your detailed schedule. Going here and rushing there.
It defeats the whole point of a vacation. Vacations are something that we should take to get away from the whole hustle and bustle of life. Something that calms us and in a way resets us. We all need that. We cannot keep going and going at the crazy rates that we work ourselves.
Whether you are getting to go on a vacation or not, take time to unwind. I know that seems impossible anymore. But it is so important. I am preaching to the choir here.
I have been so extremely stressed out. Working three jobs, getting ready to leave for New York in two and a half weeks. Getting everything ready to meet with my manufacture when I land in New York. I still have six dresses to sew, garment packages to put together, a few things to get for my trip. Oh and my birthday is almost here. So I have to plan that. But I am planning a jam packed vacation in New York. I want to see it all and do it all, eat it all. When I come back from New York, the crazy continues.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Crowns, halos, chandeliers all make great accessories! lol
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
How do we cope with all the things on our plates? How do we make time to unwind, breathe, relax?
That is just the thing. You have to make time. It is not going to appear out of no where. If you are scheduler, like me, you might as well pencil it in to your schedule. Treat it as a very important meeting in which no one can interrupt.
I always put it as the last thing on my to do list and somehow I never get to it. Maybe it is time I start putting it in the middle or somewhere closer to the top.
When we take that time to relax and let go of the stress we actually are more effective and quick when we get back to work or whatever is on our planned list. When we do not, it can be a scary thing.
Last night, I should have taken some time to relax after work, but instead, I jumped right into my sewing room and started sewing. Everything seemed to be going wrong. I wasn’t gaining any ground. I was getting super frustrated and angry, ready to throw things and put the whole thing in the trash. I almost started crying, that is how stressed I was.
That can’t be good for a person. It definitely can’t be good for your heart. We are trying to promote beauty and taking care of yourself with this blog, part of that is making sure you have time to rest and regroup.
I am going to try harder to let it go this week. I am really not in control anyways. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t life still goes on.
July 18, 2014 Friday
THERE IS ONE
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
This is a little poem that I wrote yesterday in regards to relationships and waiting for the right one. I do not really consider myself a poet but sometimes random inspiration comes to me and this is what you get.
Hope your weekend is off to a great start!! :)
Just wait a little bit longer
July 19, 2014 Saturday
MONEY MONEY MONEY
We cannot get enough
Everything in today’s world seems to circulate around money. We are all working to get money. Everything costs money. Most stores are open everyday of the week to make more money. Some places even stay open 24/7.
We need money for food, for a house, for a car, for clothes, for toys, for college. The list of things we need grows to be outrageously expensive. But then we have our wants too. We want to look nice, we want to smell nice, we want the last tech gadgets.
We will do whatever we can to make as much money as we can. Just so we can have more money. Or more stuff.
GREED.
This is a disgusting disease that seems to have gripped its claws into everyone’s pocketbook. We can never be satisfied. More, more, more. But for what benefit.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
Does all this money or all these things really make us more happy? Do they benefit our lives or the lives of the ones we love other than providing food, shelter and clothing?
We will not get to take any of it with us when we leave this earth. Why is it so important to us?
Merriam Websters dictionary definition of Greed is
“a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (as money) than is needed.”
Most businesses operate out of greed instead of out of serving the community or caring for the customer. The big man at the top wants as much money as he can possibly get and goes through many extremes to get, such as: paying next to nothing to employees, making employees work seven days a week and holidays, offering less quality for more money.
The worst thing is, we feed into the madness by going to Black Friday on Thanksgiving day or complaining when a store is not open on Sunday.
As a country, we have our priorities backwards. What can we do to change it around?
DREAM WITH PURPOSE
July 20, 2014 Sunday
Allow your dreams to awaken
As young kids, we are taught to dream. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” seemed to be the most popular question adults would ask. As kids, there was no limit, there was nothing that could hold us back.
As we continue to grow up, some of us continue to dream, some give up on dreaming, and some connect their dreams with their passion and find their purpose.
It is important for us to never loose sight of our dreams. To never stop dreaming. Never stop hoping. No, we won’t be everything we wanted to be as a child. I wanted to be a professional ice skater, an architect and a teacher when I was in elementary school.
As you continue to grow and mature, some of the dreams stick with you and some of them fall away. You find what fits better for you and your personality. You find the things that you are talented in and you work at honing your skill.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Combine two lace shirts. Makes for a fun effect.
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
Once you are able to join your dreams with what your heart is most passionate, then you can run after your dreams whole heartedly. Nothing will stand in your way. Mountains can be moved and obstacles will be jumped. With a clear purpose, you know that something needs to be done. You know that you have what it takes to get it done. You know that it is possible, even if it seems extremely impossible for everyone else.
That is the key, uniting dreams and passion. Your passion could be to end world hunger, end sex slave trade or to increase the joy of the people in the world around you.
Most of us know what we are talented and gifted at. Most of us still have dreams of something we have always wanted to do. Now we need to ask the question, what am I passionate about? What will I go after full force to see accomplished or changed?
It is amazing what things have been done and what things can be done when dreams and passion collide. Tell me, what are you passionate about?
July 21, 2014 Monday
SOMETHING SPICEY
Spice Up Your
Life
Maybe you have noticed, but the word on cinammon has been getting around. What is the big deal with this spice? Why is everyone getting into eating cinammon, taking cinammon supplements and adding it to their beverages?
Great question.
A friend of mine was telling me that he heard all of this great stuff about cinammon, how it helps different parts of your body and he thought I should share it with my beautiful friends.
So I will, but you will have to come back next week to see what I have to say! :)
Until than, here is a sneak peek at what you might find.
Happy Monday!
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
July 22, 2014 Tuesday
KEEP CONDITIONED
Hair
so
Soft
Keeping with the hair theme that we have been on the past few Tuesdays, we will move onto conditioner. I learned a few more great ways to keep my hair soft, healthy and happy thanks to Ken Paves, from his book, “You Are Beautiful.”
Ken says that conditioner is the most important thing to use in your daily hair care routine. The goal of conditioner is to make the outermost layer of your hair lie flat and smooth.
Conditioner should only be used on the parts of your hair that need it. This means, avoid the scalp. The scalp produces enough natural oils that you do not need to condition it anymore.
Here are a few juicy tidbits on how give your hair a little extra conditioning:
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo taken by Karissa Hagemeister
For dry, curly or coarse hair: Mix 1 TBSP of olive oil, 1 egg (uncooked) and 1/2 a banana. Rub it through your hair, avoiding the scalp. Leave it in for 20 minutes and then wash your hair as usual. Ken suggests doing this every other week.
For a deep condition: In a spray bottle, mix 70% water and 30% olive oil. Spritz it in your hair, avoiding the roots again. Leave this in overnight. This treatment is recommended for once a month.
I have done many of these different types of condition treatments, using ingredients from my own kitchen. It is amazing how they make your hair feel. Even examining the ends closely, you notice a difference at how healthy your hair became from the one treatment.
Love on your hair with a little extra oils tonight!!
July 23, 2014 Wednesday
PLAIN WHITE T'S
What are T"s
for??
T-shirts!! I have had mixed feelings about T’s over the years. For a big part of middle school, they were a staple in my wardrobe. I wore them practically everyday. And I am talking about school t-shirts for choir, sports, DARE, whatever. I do not really know why I felt they were something special.
You will be glad to know that those school and event T’s have been put to good use - I made a t-shirt quilt out of them. You can go to our instagram to see it @bringingbeautifulback.
After that phase, I got more into fitted T’s. I loved all the colored ones. And I think I liked wearing them so often because they were comfortable. I was just being lazy with my fashion.
T’s are an important part of your wardrobe but they are something you wear to draw attention to a cool jacket or a statement necklace. They are not meant to be the focal point of your outfit and that is how I would normally wear mine.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Hehehe couldn't resist
But Lauren Conrad, from her book, “Style” gives us a few tips in picking out the perfect t’s for ourselves. Some opacity is acceptable in T’s but the shirt needs to have some structure so that it glides over your curves and does not cling to them.
The sleeve length and where the end of the sleeves fall make a difference in how big your arms look. If you have a bigger section of your arm, find T’s that have sleeves ending right after that point. It will make them look smaller.
So we find that T’s are important but they are not meant to be the focal of the outfit. They are good at hiding areas we may not want seen.
If you have some white T’s that you love, you know they get dirty easily. Read the tip box on ways to get rid of the stain. Skip the bleach, it won’t help.
Oh, and make a t-shirt quilt out of your old T’s. It is so soft and snuggly. :)
July 24, 2014 Thursday
STRONG ENOUGH
Strength
for
life
I fall into the habit of thinking about my own life too often. I forget that I am just one little person in this gigantic world. When I face problems, they can sometimes feel like they are greater than the world itself.
I am pretty sure that many of us feel this way. Things can seem so hard. Much bigger than we are. They may even seem impossible and unable to handle. A time or two, I have felt like things were much to big and weighty for me to bear and that I would definitely crumble underneath it all.
Somehow, we make it through. Normally, it is a very long, hard, breaking process. But when we hold in there and keep living each day as it comes, we make it to the light on the other side.
Once we reach the other side, we find that we have become a different person through the process. We are stronger, bolder and have a greater belief.
I think it is important to remember in times like these that we are not the only person in the world. We are definitely not the only one dealing with something. Many people all over the world are facing situations much greater than our own.
We may feel alone in what we are facing. But we are not alone.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Haven't worn these pink pants in at least a year .. forgot I had them
Photo by Karissa Hagemeister
Everyone walks their own path in life. Everyone has their own mountains to climb. Their own demons to overcome.
Something so simple and so true that I heard the other day is, “You were given this life because you were strong enough to live it.”
I would not be strong enough to face things that others have faced and there are some people that would not be strong enough to deal with what I have dealt with. We each have to find the strength that was placed within us and pull through it.
I can guarantee one thing, though, it is much easier, quicker and helpful to get through when you rely on the strength of Jesus to pull you through. His strength is made stronger when we are at our weakest. When we reach the point where we feel we cannot make it anymore, he loves to come down and rescue us. Showing us that he was there all along. That he was all we needed.
He has done this more than once for me. It is a truly beautiful thing to see what he makes out of a life I have turned to ashes. He has continually been my strength when I have none.
LOVE & RESPECT
July 25, 2014 Friday
Respect
is
loving
I am sure you have noticed that men and women are very different, in practically every way except for the fact that they are both humans.
This little matter can make a big difference in relationships. The way we communicate, think, feel, desire, understand, comprehend, love … is completely different. If we go into relationships completely blind sighted by this fact, we can make a big mess of things.
Even though men and women have been walking the earth for a very long time, we still have not figured out how to understand each other. I am just as clueless about men as the next girl, maybe even more so, since I tend to avoid them.
I know countless attempts have been made in which women have tried to explain themselves to men and vice versa but it is like we speak two different languages.
One thing that I have found to be quite clear in the difference of men and women is the love and respect issue.
In the Bible, Ephesians 5:22-28 makes a point that many women seem to get very upset about.
“22Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing b her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”
Women read this and think that this means they have to be a slave to their husband and they get very offended. But this is actually describing how men desire to be treated and how women desire to be treated.
Men want to be respected by women. They want to make the important decisions and feel like their wife will support them no matter how it turns out. They want to be the “man” in the relationship, “wearing the pants.” They do not want to be made fun or feel diminished of by the person that is supposed to love them most.
Respect is more important to men than love. Women want love. We want to know that you love us. We want to be shown in every possible way.
Part of loving someone is respecting them. That is the part that is most important to men. The part that is most important to women is knowing that she is the only one he loves, that she is safe, loved and will be cared for.
Just something to think about.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo by Karissa Hagemeister
July 26, 2014 Saturday
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Happiness
&
Joy
What is it about the holidays that makes (mostly) everyone so much nicer, happier and friendlier?
I love Christmas time. It is by far the most absolute best time of the year.
I am one of those crazy Christmas lovers that starts celebrating in July. Once my birthday is over, I am ready for Christmas. If I lived on my own, I would already have my tree up. But everyone is not as enthusiastic as I am.
Even for me, being a naturally happy person, my mood lightens at Christmas and I have a completely different joy. Perhaps it is childhood memories. Maybe it is the house feeling more full. The excitement of giving. I am not sure what it is but life would not be the same without Christmas.
You may be wondering if there is a point to today’s blog and there probably is not. I just felt like talking about Christmas, because like I said, I am already in the mood for it.
But what is your favorite holiday? What do you love so much about the holiday?
I want more interaction with my readers. You get to hear my crazy stories all the time. I would love to hear about you and what you love.
Anyways, remember darling, life is beautiful. You are beautiful. Have a happy Saturday!!
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo by Karissa Hagemeister
July 27, 2014 Sunday
THY WILL BE DONE
Your Will,
Oh
Lord
As you were growing into a human being inside of your mother’s womb, God already had many great plans and a purpose worked out for you. He knew from the very start of you, what you would do with your life.
If God has a plan and a purpose picked out for us already, why do we strive after other things? Why do we try to make our own way and come up with our own plans?
God is the Creator. He created you, everything about you from the way you look to the way you smell and how you think and feel. The crazy thing is, he knows you better than you know yourself. He knows what you are good at, what you would excel in, how you can make a difference.
If he knows all of that about me, than I am going to do whatever I can to figure out what he has planned for me. I know I would enjoy it and love it far more than anything that I could pick out for myself.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo by Karissa Hagemeister
So many times we try to make the easy things so difficult. We think we have to put on a song and dance, cry our eyes out on the floor, to get God to tell us what he has for us. It is really so simple. All you need to do is spend time with him.
As you spend time praying, reading the Word and listening, you learn to hear when he speaks to you. You will begin to understand his heart beat for you. Slowly, he will show you his plan for your life.
You never will get the whole plan right up front. He gives you a step at a time so you do not become overwhelmed. Sometimes he will show you parts of the big picture and then you learn to take steps of faith to get to where he has you headed.
Walking with the Lord is really quite a glorious journey. I hope you have made the decision to walk with him in the plans for your life.
July 28, 2014 Monday
NEWS ON CINNAMON
Photo by Karissa Hagemeister
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
What’s the big deal with cinnamon? A lot of people are talking about cinnamon as the next big thing so here is the scoop for you.
I did my research and here is what I found about cinnamon:
Cinnamon has been tested to see how it benefits different parts of your body. The thing is, it is still being tested so it may or may not really help.
The things cinnamon is being tested for are: lowering blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, diabetes, inflammation, yeast infections and fighting bacteria.
In some studies cinnamon has helped in these areas but in some it has not. They are really not quite sure all the health benefits that cinnamon has.
Health
Benefits of
Cinnamon
However, cinnamon will not harm you unless you are allergic to it or take it in large doses. A teaspoon a day is what is recommended.
(Source: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/supplement-guide-cinnamon).
Whenever I remember, I mix about a teaspoon into my coffee in the morning or my green smoothie at lunch. If anything, at least it adds a nice little flavor to it.
So sprinkle on my friend and maybe, just maybe you will be doing your body a favor! :)
WHETHER THE WEATHER
July 29, 2014 Tuesday
Hairy
Situations
As we all know, the weather has a way of changing our hair plans and sometimes our hair dos. Humidity, rain and snow are all enemies to our precious curling, straightening or updoing’s that we spend hours working on.
However, hair genius, Ken Paves gave some great tips in chapter 5 of his book, “You Are Beautiful.” Some of these I have already started putting into play and am loving the results.
Warm Vs. Cold
Warm air opens the cuticle in your hair, helping you change the shape of it (hence, why we use blow driers and straight irons). After you are done putting it in the place you want it, give it a blast of cool air. This closes the cuticle and locks it into place.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo by Karissa Hagemeister
Winter Hair Blues
In the cold weather, hair gets staticky because it is dehydrated. Here is what to do to keep your hair down in the winter:
-
Use extra conditioner when you take a shower.
-
Deep condition weekly with the treatments I gave you last week.
-
Sleep with a humidifier.
As we are in the hot days of summer, keep some conditioner with you wherever you go. But be warned, the winter days are just around the corner.
Summertime Hair
In hot weather, you have the sun, chlorine (pools) and salt (ocean) dehydrating your hair. Here are a few tips to keep it hydrated in the summer:
-
Wet your hair and apply conditioner before jumping into the pool. This will help protect it from the nasty chlorine.
-
Always rinse your hair with clean water after being in the pool or the ocean and use conditioner.
-
On summer days, coat your damp hair with conditioner and than pull it back. Leave it in for the day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
July 30, 2014 Wednesday
Celebrate
Life
Something a little bit different today, we will get off track of our schedule just for today.
I hope everyone had a beautiful day, today. It is my birthday and it was such a nice, relaxing birthday. I got to take a break from the crazy work life. I got some of my freebie birthday goodies. I took myself to get a mani/pedi. I layed out by the pool side. But most importantly, I celebrated my life.
It is important to remember that our birthdays are days to celebrate who we are, what we have done in this life and that we are still alive. Don't look at it as another year older but as more opportunity to live and enjoy the life you have.
Your life is a gift. But it is not guaranteed as to how much time you have with your life here on earth. Cherish the days you are alive. Celebrate yourself.
There were nights, years, seasons of my life that I wanted my life to end. That I would wish to end it. But I am so thankful that it did not. I see how important life is. Life should not be taken for granted. My life is not mine to take.
So no matter how long I have in this life, I will cherish every minute of it. I hope you do too.
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo by Karissa Hagemeister
SPARKLE
July 31, 2014 Thursday
Just
as you
are
You are something worth smiling about. You are someone worth loving. Just as you are, you brighten the lives of those around you. Who you are touches the lives of every person you encounter.
You sparkle. You shine. Your personality brings joy to your closest friends. Your laughter lifts the heavy clouds surrounding others lives.
You make such a difference in this life by just being you. Great job at being you!!
Keep up the good work. Keep loving, laughing, smiling, singing and just continue to be you. The world needs more people who are willing to just be themselves.
Who you are is most beautiful. Most radiant. Exquisite. Exotic. Unique. Admirable. Charming. Delightful.
Have a beautiful day as you bring everyone around you a beautiful day too!!!
Hugs XOXO
Outfit of BEAUTY of the Day
Photo by Karissa Hagemeister
