Make Up Beauty Tips

Sorry for the long hiatus, my loves.  And even as I write this, I am away sitting for my adorable little nephews while my sis enjoys a New York trip with her hubs.  Long story short, I've been without proper internet connection for over a month and trying to sort it all out. Add in an all of a sudden crazy personal life and busy work schedule and you get -- no time for the love of beauty.  The horror, you say? Always time for beauty ... indeed!  Coming back slowly as I've missed my own ramblings. (Yes, we bloggers know we do this for ourselves and if others get a little goodness out of what we write, it's a nice extra).

p.s. -- Sis just called frantic about whether her child was home with me as school is calling her in New York wondering why the boy didn't show for school today. Yes! Yes, dad gummit! Evil auntie kept the pre-schooler home today to enjoy the visit. Shoot me. lol.  Guess it's good the school calls to check on the lad, however not enjoying the wrath fired upon me by my sister.

xo

So, yes have been away from the blog for about a month, and have missed it.  Life events took me away from this and many other elements that serve as reminders for what I enjoy about life. But I'm back.

Yes, realize that blog post title may appear confusing ... sit with it a while, you'll get it. Or you won't ... and it's still ok. LOL x

With all the hustle and bustle women and men come in contact with each day, it's important for us to take the time to de-stress, renew and spend a few moments with ourselves to regain our perspective, decide who we are, what we want to accomplish and create our lives purposefully.  Here's a little help reconnecting.





What do you want to do today? This site will help you figure it out, with links to possibilities in categories as wide-ranging as "Change the World," "See the World," "Go Green," "Cook and Entertain" and "Nourish Mind and Body."  You can also drop in on interviews with inspiring people, courtesy of the video links at Inspiration Lounge TV.





The offshoot of Gretchen Rubin's book The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle and Generally Have More Fun (Harper, 2009) is the perfect place for igniting ideas, organizing tasks and getting more aggressive about whatever it is you deem most important.  Post your own resolutions or get inspried by other members' first.  No matter which of the eight tools you choose, you'll have just what you need to construct a virtual shrine to your own well-being.






Ready, set, simplify!  The thrice-weekly posts from writer/runner/vegan Leo Babauta, author of The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential ... in Business and in Life (Hyperion, 2008), along with an eclectic array of guest bloggers, offer indispensible advice on cutting out chaos and streamlining everything from your fitness goals to your family life.






It's the blog that launched a multimillion smiles, with regular posts about the minutiae of everday life - from "high-fiving babies" to "wordless apologies."  Toronto-based human resources worker Neil Pasricha launched the site to create an escape from the bad news of the world and remind us that there are plenty of reasons to feel good. Come up with your own list of things that make you go ahhh!








I've introduced you to this diverse group of influential and inspirational men and women before.  You know them.  Among them: Richard Branson (Virgin empire), Peter Gabriel (singer/songwriter/musician/genius ... ok, so that last descriptor is mine, but he certainly is), the two men along with Nelson Mandela are the founding entities of The Elders and since their original conversation years ago they've grown to include Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Graça Machel, Mary Robinson, Kofi Annan, Ela Bhatt and others.

The story of The Elders (aka The Global Elders) started in a conversation between the entrepreneur Richard Branson and the musician Peter Gabriel. The idea they discussed was a simple one. In an increasingly interdependent world – a global village – could a small, dedicated group of independent elders help to resolve global problems and ease human suffering?

The Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela, who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity.

"The Elders can speak freely and boldly, working both publicly and behind the scenes. They will reach out to those who most need their help. They will support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict and inspire hope where there is despair." Nelson Mandela.

So there's a good bit here to get you started and then some.  Hope you find these sites as enjoyable, refreshing and inspirational as I do. Enjoy! xo

images/source: Vivify (May/June); The Elders

Too big for their britches?

Anyone else having a ridiculous time trying to get the number of posts they wish to display on their front page maximized?  You know, I've gone back into "Blogger Help" only to see that apparently this has been a well discussed issue with Google since at least February of this year and there's been no relief to those waiting for a "fix" to the problem. Blogger (they say it's an outside "virus," sure, blame someone else) is limiting the number of posts showing on the front page no matter how many posts or days one notes in the Design element's administrative options.


Whew .... really, Google?  This wasn't an issue until you "enhanced" the editing features.  We're in August now.  You can't get it together enough to fix by now? Ridonculous!!

Really, what it all boils down to, is that they just don't care.  This isn't the first time, or even second, that I've had a major beef with Google only to be dismissed as yesterday's garbage.  Many will empathize with their whole AdSense fiasco and not re-signing Google Affiliates due to problems internally with their functionality - yes, "their" functionality not the user.  Idgits!

Thinking about changing hosts.  What a pain in the ass too .... thanks, Google.

In one word - HELL NO!

Forgive the swearing and sarcasm, but I want my voice to be heard loudly and clearly on this subject.  Printed magazines are not obsolete.  They are still very much appreciated, loved and wanted.  There is absolutely nothing that gives us the same experience as thumbing through the glossy pages of a magazine - no matter what the genre of that magazine might be.  Sports, home, cooking, fitness, art, my favorites - beauty and fashion - or other, all have their traditional place in the hearts and homes (and yes, even bathroom floor baskets and tables) of most American folk.  And we want them! We don't want them to go away.


I've read way too many posts, articles, blog opinion etc. praising the virtues of electronic media over printed, and they do have their place.  It would be quite hypocritical (and ridiculous) of me to feign otherwise as here I am speaking out about printed media via my electronic medium blog.  However, comparing printed media to electronic is like comparing apples to oranges. 


Reading through the pages of my Allure magazine while relaxing on a white sandy beach during a long weekend's vacation gives me an altogether different experience than if I were to substitute that magazine for my mobile phone, an iPad, or my laptop/netbook computer.  One difference, at the very least, is the feeling it gives me.  And the quality of that experience. The variety of information, editorials, images, columns, and more on paper in that one book is all very different than clicking through numerous screens on a digital screen.

For me, magazines are therapeutic! They relax me. When I'm reading through a magazine, I'm very aware that I'm giving back to myself - it's "me time".  Magazine reading is even more than therapeutic for me, it's inspirational.  Now, some may argue, well it's meant to "inspire" you, especially where your wallet is concerned.  And while I'm certainly no idiot to the fact that a good bit of magazine content is dedicated to enticing me to buy, I also appreciate the creative ideas that go along with that piece, whether in a photograph of a well designed bedroom, a how-to article on makeup application for a flawless complexion, or a strategically illustrated image of a cocktail with naked bodies digitally added in the ice cubes to enhance the allure of the drink. I enjoy it. I don't want to see print magazines go away.

So support your favorite magazine's publishers.  Let them know you still want printed magazines.  Be willing to buy them on the newstand or subscribe to have them delivered to your front door.  They're worth it!  The quality of experience received only through this form of media is well worth the pricetag of a few dollars. 

Interested in subscribing to a magazine or two you like or want to renew, some sites offer highly discounted magazine subscriptions.  One such site is Magazines.com (get $5 off here) and there are many others as well as visitng the publishers' websites directly.  May you reap much enjoyment from your favorite mag! xo

images/photos: VIV Magazine (July/August 2010)

image: Redstamp/Roxy


To each and every one of you, Happy Easter!

Here's wishing you a glorious day, a beautiful season full of renewed perspective, energy and joy!

xo