Winter Ready Body

      Winter differs for all of us all over the world. In some parts of the globe it could be months of rain, other areas have warm weather, and lastly we have extreme cold conditions. So what is the best beauty advice to give such a diverse spectrum of seasons. The most important thing to outer beauty is keeping your insides in beautiful condition. What I mean by keeping your "inside clean", is eat food rich in colors, minerals, and high in amino-acids as well as omega fatty acids. Foods that contain all these can be found everywhere no matter where you live. Putting healthy things in your body allows for you to detox your body for toxins created by stress, unhealthy eating habits, and outside influences. The main thing to remember is to stay away from processed foods and use seas salts and other seasonings instead of condiments to flavor food.
      So now that we got your insides taken care of lets get your outsides looking pristine. Personally, products using natural ingredients in my experience really have amazing results. In fashion I think being stuck on labels is ridiculous but when beauty is concerned reading labels is a must. It is good to know what your putting on your body and knowing what is worth splurging on and whats not. The beauty industry is smart, they market thing to attract you, but just because it's high in price or even endorsed by celebs doesn't mean you will obtain great results. Bottom line if you read the label and don't know what or even how to say half the things in the ingredient section, you need not to buy it.
    Alas because winter for me is the cold and snowy  I will be focusing on the beauty products for that type of weather. The Brand that I'm all about this winter is LUSH cosmetics. I love their products all season round but for winter it is especially my go to place for body products. Moisture is the most important word in the cold of winter so you need to moisturize your skin as well as exfoliate to make skin soft, and radiant. Below is a list of Lush products that will put the moisture back in you skin!


LUSH Winter List

Soap/Bodywash
+ Porridge - this soap moisturizes and exfoliates with real almonds
+ Figs and Leaves- soap is creamy leaves skin soft







Body Butter or Body Lotion 
                   + King of Skin - shea/coco butter base with bananas and jojoba/almond oil. Makes skin feel like a baby.

+ Aqua Mirabilis- exfoliates and conditions with almond butter.




Face Masks
+ Brazened Honey- deep cleansing and exfoliating

                      + Oatifix- conditions with banana, oat, and almond.


Facial Moisturizer
+ Full of Grace- is a serum that moisturizes all skin types with mushroom and murumuru/cupuacu butters







 

No matter what you beauty routine happens to be incorporating these product and you wont be disappointed. Check out Lush online!

Ready Set Shop: Black Friday or Cyber Monday

  When Fall strolls in we think of all the festivities having to do with the season. In modern culture at least in America, two days are considered the best days to shop out of the whole year and they are Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year it seems stores are preparing to be open even earlier than usual as well as having pre- Black Friday sales. I would strongly suggest that you keep your eyes open for the pre- sales before Black Friday so that you have time to browse with out the crazy crowds. If you decide not to do the pre-sales hoping for better deals on the actual day of Black Friday then you will want to wake up early and head out. The earlier you are at several stores the higher the discounts are usually, especially in the department stores, outlets, and malls. If you utterly hate crowds and the fight to go Black Friday shopping  but want deals while shopping Cyber Monday is for you. Cyber Monday in a nut shell is Black Friday but for the internet shopper. You will be able to shop in the comfort of your house with out feeling totally overwhelmed. I do believe that in  order to shop on these days you must be prepared so I would keep some things in mind.

Things to Keep in Mind for Black Friday ( Nov 25).
+ Make a list of wants, needs, and likes
+ If shopping for gifts pay for with cash and keep receipt in case the store does not have gift receipts.
+ If shopping for gifts and store offers gift receipts ask for one.
+ Know the return policy of the store,"Did they start a holiday return policy". Policy might be extended.
+ Have a budget, don't over spend just because there is a deal, remember the holiday season always have sales especially in this economy.
+ Dont party too hard on Thanksgiving, you want to be able to wake up early as possible in order to get the best parking and early bird specials.
+ If driving on Black Friday park away from the stores, everyone wants to park close to the store make it easier on yourself to get out.
+ Find out when stores are open, every store will be different, by knowing this you can divide your time wisely.
+ Eat before you leave, and bring a beverage from home such as coffee or water, also use the bathroom. Sounds weird but these things can take away from spending money as well as time from shopping.

Things to Keep in Mind for Cyber Monday (Nov 28)
+ Before hand set up a Pay Pal account or make sure your credit card is protected for online use by security settings etc.
+ Consider shipping costs
+ Sign up for sites that sell stock items such as Amazon.com, Ebay, and Overstock.com etc. Doing this can give you options when looking for deals on line.
+ Remember most stores, and shops have online shopping find out what deal they may have for online shopping.
+ Make sure you save and print all online transaction numbers or receipts.
+ When buying item on line unless you know it will fit dont buy it, its always best to try on items for fit and easier as far as returns go.
+ Budget, you can easily over do online shopping just keep you I on the prize
+ Purchase insurance, when buying high priced item you want to make sure you protect your self against possible issues or problems with shipping.
+ If buying from Ebay make sure the seller is highly rated and read reviews. This can make or break your decision.

Leisure Male

  Men I truly believe have a harder time to dress down but still look work or possible business appropriate. The mistake I see constantly is the graphic T-shirt matched with dark fitted pants and a blazer or even pant that fit too loose in the waist with a baggy shirt. It is always best for you to look well put together and not too causal. It is also important to consider your atmosphere in a way, consider the season, and above all make sure the fit is not too loose or tight. The shoulder fit is especially important so when trying on clothing put your arms forward and back, lift your arms up make sure the length is right. Use the bottom image as a starting point , then explore.

Untitled #119 by bethany23sp featuring flannel pants

Can you be a Heterosexual Male and dress well?

Silly Ideas of  Gay vs. Straight

When working in retail or even being a girlfriend you are asked the most infamous question a male heterosexual seems to wonder pertaining to clothing,"Does this make me look Gay",? It's a sad funny truth to me that men associate grooming well and dressing to impress as being a gay quality. So what does that say for heterosexual men, that they are dirty barbarians that grunt. I suppose in some cases this is true but in most it just isn't the case. Men like women do like to look and feel their best as well as get attention and be paid compliments. The term most coined as "metro sexual", is the term to describe the straight but fashion forward man. I personally believe this phrase is tacky, a man has style or he doesn't gay or straight. Plenty of men dress well and are heterosexual, though some have style gurus helping you can do it yourself! If you are a man who like fashion embrace it, watch runway shows for color trends and styles, look to your male mags as well. The only thing you should worry about is fit not whether you look "gay", or not.