Here are some upcoming blog articles! Stay tuned for....
Dry Shampoo: Is it for you? And, recommendations!
Money saving beauty tips!
Easy Summer Hairstyles!
6.23.2011
A Transformation
I think it's time for me to put into words how I have felt over the past 3 years....it's a disservice to other mothers or even those that are just feeling a bit "lost" if I don't share my experience. There is a lesson here and it's one for you and I both...
When I had my son just over 3 years ago, I remember the first two weeks being pure adrenaline- better than any drug I had ever heard of-- it was "superwoman-mom mode" and I LOVED that feeling. I actually was excited for it when I was close to having my second! I anticipated that feeling for weeks before my daughter was born a year ago...
Eventually, the adrenaline died off and exhaustion set in somewhere around the 4th month or so. I had done pretty well with losing the baby weight up to that point and then...something changed...things got dark...I submerged into this lonely place and I had no idea how to get out of it.
To spare you of every single detail, and to keep this blog relatively readable in length, suffice it to say that my confidence had been broken, my physical well-being damaged by a very difficult birth, and I was wreeling with self-doubt and hopelessness about my role as a mother. Time went on and I did some patch work on the cracked surface of myself, but, really, the cracks were to the core. My sweet baby boy had brought about so many changes in my life- some that were great, some that weren't, and some that were just purely unexpected. It brought up old emotional scars from my own childhood...it put me at odds with the image of myself that I wanted to have as a mother and the mother I had become. It was a really tumultuous time for me and I never shared it with anyone except for my husband. Even to this day, I am undecided whether this was post-partum depression or if it was just me going through the process of adjusting to broken expectations that I had placed on myself since I was a little girl...
So, as the months went by, I gradually started to get back into a groove- it still wasn't me, but it was an improvement from where I was. I was starting to value my appearance again and I was doing some soul-searching, too, trying to figure out ways to regain the characteristics of myself that made me the person I am.
This process is long, well, at least it was for me. I was probably half-way through all of this when I found out that I was having another baby! What should have been a joyous time, was tarnished by the fact that I had just been laid off and my husband, too. We were facing a major transition and I had no idea what to do. I knew that it would be very difficult to get a new job being pregnant, and though I interviewed multiple times, I found it difficult to find something that would fit into our transforming life as a family. Either the money wasn't right, the hours weren't right, or, the job just wasn't right.
I had a good friend from college who happened to have a little boy the same age as my son. Over time and many playdates, she introduced me to the Motives brand and the business opportunity. I can honestly say that this was a HUGE catalyst for me...it is, still, to this day, what motivates me to keep searching for the person I was before I had children.
So, I bought some of the Motives products off of my friend, just being supportive, not really believing they would be as amazing as they are, and not really thinking that there was a future with the opportunity. When I bought this makeup, I wore it the very next day. I felt that if I was going to put this fresh face on, then I needed to put a nice outfit on, too. This was, in hindsight, a major milestone for me! I was coming together...
A few weeks passed and, the layoff notice came. I found out I was pregnant again. I went through another dark spell. I felt like a complete shell of the person I was and that I expected myself to be. I remember thinking that I was such a loser- to be pregnant AGAIN but with no job- putting all of the pressure on my husband....who, soon, was also out of work. Luckily, he went back to work very quickly. I just saw the life I wanted to be living disappearing before my eyes. My reality and what I had always wanted to be my reality at that point in my life just weren't lining up and it was painful and heartbreaking and disappointing. I felt my head slipping under water again...
A few weeks out of work, I decided to learn more about the Motives opportunity. Turns out, its much like a franchise but without a lot of the ugly franchise characteristics. I had some experience with makeup, having worked for Lancome before and just being interested in the topic. So, I decided to become a Motives business owner. I had all of these visions of pounding the pavement (pregnant, with a toddler!), selling the product to every person and salon I met, and basically becoming Donald Trump's nemesis!!! I had the vision...I did not have the confidence and the will to change.
Skip ahead 9 months...My daughter was born! It was a very easy birth, luckily and I was up and walking that night. I was a seasoned vet at this mom thing and no baby blues were going to keep me down! I was ready to fight off those feelings of self-doubt, sadness, etc...And minus a few bumps along the way, I think I managed relatively well. I started getting out with my kids early- the more moms I was around, the more I started to reflect on myself...I didn't want to always be "that mom that doesn't work, that wears yoga pants daily, and who always looks like she just woke up"...My appearance was the #1 hangup that I still had...I still was not confident in my style (lacking style, I should say) or my post-baby-body. I didn't feel attractive. In addition, I still felt a little weird when people would ask me what I did....I, personally, wanted to have a career, too. I wanted to have an identity outside of being a mother and wife. I wanted to be able to create my own income for the family and ...create my own success, too! A traditional, 9-5 job was not going to work for us. There were (are) many days that I wished it would, but, it just wasn't going to. And, I considered letting go of my Motives business and "thinking up" some new business, but, we didn't have the money for that. So, sort of by default, I decided to make a go of Motives, again. I decided that it was ALL or NOTHING and this was my chance to make it happen. I am so glad that I did.
Now, as a rep of a cosmetic line and owner of my own business, I could not go out and meet people (potential clients, business partners, friends) looking like I just rolled out of bed...That is not the image I wanted to portray to people and its definitely not a good representation of Motives and the business. In other words, I needed to try when I got up in the morning =). I admit, some days, I just say it's an "off day" and I put the comfy stuff back on, but, most days, I try to look put together. I always do my makeup! Its as much personal as it is professional...it makes me feel good about myself and it displays the makeup for others to see. I don't just buy new clothes for my husband and kids, I get myself some new things now and again, too! Slowly, I am chipping away at the wall of gloom that had been holding me back for too long.
You see, sometimes, for the love of ourself is not enough. Sometimes, we have to be forced to do something that in turn, has a huge positive impact on us. For me, the need to create a way to earn income and have a professional life, lead me to becoming a Motives rep. Becoming a Motives rep forced me to take care of myself. In taking care of myself, I have found my confidence and happiness again. I have seen the dark-side and now I have risen from it. I feel as though I can do anything now! There is a saying out there about success- that there are no limits to what we can achieve once we allow ourselves to get out of our own way. I totally believe that! The self doubt I was carrying around is gone and I now know that- yes, I won't connect with everyone and I won't find a fan in everyone I meet, but, it's not those that matter. The ones who support me and who are kind are the ones who matter. The others just keep it interesting and challenging- otherwise we'd give up!
I guess I am truly transformed because now I focus on working with other moms to help them feel better, too! It breaks my heart to hear or see another woman struggling because I know just how difficult it is. I like to give them a new, exciting reason to get dressed in the morning- to do their makeup- to shave their legs- to spray a little perfume...One thing leads to the other and they are smiling a lot more...and enjoying life a lot more. And, hopefully, they will see the possibility for sun through the storm, too.
My kids are now 3 and 1 and there are still rough days. But, I greet each and every day with a made-up face and a decent outfit and it's surprising how just those two things can help me feel like I can handle it all. Motives has been a blessing for me. I am definitely not saying it's for everyone, but, you have to find something that will inspire you and excite you and give you a reason to get out of your pajamas! Whatever that is, do it! One foot in front of the other, you will find yourself transforming, too!
And, last, but not least, I have to say that in taking care of myself, I am able to love my children more. I don't feel like I "gave up" so much of myself to give them life, now. I feel like they are the best part of who I am. Those babies and my husband are why I fought so hard to get where I am today- I owed it to them just as much as myself. I wanted to be a positive role model for my kids- I didn't want them to remember me being unhappy or emotionally spent- I want them to remember me as a energetic, fun-loving, intelligent, and caring mother. And now, I finally reflect that.
Thank you for reading this incredibly long post! Feel free to email me if you'd like to make a personal comment @ nicjoniec@gmail.com, and as always, leave a comment...I love reading them!
Be well:) Nicole
When I had my son just over 3 years ago, I remember the first two weeks being pure adrenaline- better than any drug I had ever heard of-- it was "superwoman-mom mode" and I LOVED that feeling. I actually was excited for it when I was close to having my second! I anticipated that feeling for weeks before my daughter was born a year ago...
Eventually, the adrenaline died off and exhaustion set in somewhere around the 4th month or so. I had done pretty well with losing the baby weight up to that point and then...something changed...things got dark...I submerged into this lonely place and I had no idea how to get out of it.
To spare you of every single detail, and to keep this blog relatively readable in length, suffice it to say that my confidence had been broken, my physical well-being damaged by a very difficult birth, and I was wreeling with self-doubt and hopelessness about my role as a mother. Time went on and I did some patch work on the cracked surface of myself, but, really, the cracks were to the core. My sweet baby boy had brought about so many changes in my life- some that were great, some that weren't, and some that were just purely unexpected. It brought up old emotional scars from my own childhood...it put me at odds with the image of myself that I wanted to have as a mother and the mother I had become. It was a really tumultuous time for me and I never shared it with anyone except for my husband. Even to this day, I am undecided whether this was post-partum depression or if it was just me going through the process of adjusting to broken expectations that I had placed on myself since I was a little girl...
So, as the months went by, I gradually started to get back into a groove- it still wasn't me, but it was an improvement from where I was. I was starting to value my appearance again and I was doing some soul-searching, too, trying to figure out ways to regain the characteristics of myself that made me the person I am.
This process is long, well, at least it was for me. I was probably half-way through all of this when I found out that I was having another baby! What should have been a joyous time, was tarnished by the fact that I had just been laid off and my husband, too. We were facing a major transition and I had no idea what to do. I knew that it would be very difficult to get a new job being pregnant, and though I interviewed multiple times, I found it difficult to find something that would fit into our transforming life as a family. Either the money wasn't right, the hours weren't right, or, the job just wasn't right.
I had a good friend from college who happened to have a little boy the same age as my son. Over time and many playdates, she introduced me to the Motives brand and the business opportunity. I can honestly say that this was a HUGE catalyst for me...it is, still, to this day, what motivates me to keep searching for the person I was before I had children.
So, I bought some of the Motives products off of my friend, just being supportive, not really believing they would be as amazing as they are, and not really thinking that there was a future with the opportunity. When I bought this makeup, I wore it the very next day. I felt that if I was going to put this fresh face on, then I needed to put a nice outfit on, too. This was, in hindsight, a major milestone for me! I was coming together...
A few weeks passed and, the layoff notice came. I found out I was pregnant again. I went through another dark spell. I felt like a complete shell of the person I was and that I expected myself to be. I remember thinking that I was such a loser- to be pregnant AGAIN but with no job- putting all of the pressure on my husband....who, soon, was also out of work. Luckily, he went back to work very quickly. I just saw the life I wanted to be living disappearing before my eyes. My reality and what I had always wanted to be my reality at that point in my life just weren't lining up and it was painful and heartbreaking and disappointing. I felt my head slipping under water again...
A few weeks out of work, I decided to learn more about the Motives opportunity. Turns out, its much like a franchise but without a lot of the ugly franchise characteristics. I had some experience with makeup, having worked for Lancome before and just being interested in the topic. So, I decided to become a Motives business owner. I had all of these visions of pounding the pavement (pregnant, with a toddler!), selling the product to every person and salon I met, and basically becoming Donald Trump's nemesis!!! I had the vision...I did not have the confidence and the will to change.
Skip ahead 9 months...My daughter was born! It was a very easy birth, luckily and I was up and walking that night. I was a seasoned vet at this mom thing and no baby blues were going to keep me down! I was ready to fight off those feelings of self-doubt, sadness, etc...And minus a few bumps along the way, I think I managed relatively well. I started getting out with my kids early- the more moms I was around, the more I started to reflect on myself...I didn't want to always be "that mom that doesn't work, that wears yoga pants daily, and who always looks like she just woke up"...My appearance was the #1 hangup that I still had...I still was not confident in my style (lacking style, I should say) or my post-baby-body. I didn't feel attractive. In addition, I still felt a little weird when people would ask me what I did....I, personally, wanted to have a career, too. I wanted to have an identity outside of being a mother and wife. I wanted to be able to create my own income for the family and ...create my own success, too! A traditional, 9-5 job was not going to work for us. There were (are) many days that I wished it would, but, it just wasn't going to. And, I considered letting go of my Motives business and "thinking up" some new business, but, we didn't have the money for that. So, sort of by default, I decided to make a go of Motives, again. I decided that it was ALL or NOTHING and this was my chance to make it happen. I am so glad that I did.
Now, as a rep of a cosmetic line and owner of my own business, I could not go out and meet people (potential clients, business partners, friends) looking like I just rolled out of bed...That is not the image I wanted to portray to people and its definitely not a good representation of Motives and the business. In other words, I needed to try when I got up in the morning =). I admit, some days, I just say it's an "off day" and I put the comfy stuff back on, but, most days, I try to look put together. I always do my makeup! Its as much personal as it is professional...it makes me feel good about myself and it displays the makeup for others to see. I don't just buy new clothes for my husband and kids, I get myself some new things now and again, too! Slowly, I am chipping away at the wall of gloom that had been holding me back for too long.
You see, sometimes, for the love of ourself is not enough. Sometimes, we have to be forced to do something that in turn, has a huge positive impact on us. For me, the need to create a way to earn income and have a professional life, lead me to becoming a Motives rep. Becoming a Motives rep forced me to take care of myself. In taking care of myself, I have found my confidence and happiness again. I have seen the dark-side and now I have risen from it. I feel as though I can do anything now! There is a saying out there about success- that there are no limits to what we can achieve once we allow ourselves to get out of our own way. I totally believe that! The self doubt I was carrying around is gone and I now know that- yes, I won't connect with everyone and I won't find a fan in everyone I meet, but, it's not those that matter. The ones who support me and who are kind are the ones who matter. The others just keep it interesting and challenging- otherwise we'd give up!
I guess I am truly transformed because now I focus on working with other moms to help them feel better, too! It breaks my heart to hear or see another woman struggling because I know just how difficult it is. I like to give them a new, exciting reason to get dressed in the morning- to do their makeup- to shave their legs- to spray a little perfume...One thing leads to the other and they are smiling a lot more...and enjoying life a lot more. And, hopefully, they will see the possibility for sun through the storm, too.
My kids are now 3 and 1 and there are still rough days. But, I greet each and every day with a made-up face and a decent outfit and it's surprising how just those two things can help me feel like I can handle it all. Motives has been a blessing for me. I am definitely not saying it's for everyone, but, you have to find something that will inspire you and excite you and give you a reason to get out of your pajamas! Whatever that is, do it! One foot in front of the other, you will find yourself transforming, too!
And, last, but not least, I have to say that in taking care of myself, I am able to love my children more. I don't feel like I "gave up" so much of myself to give them life, now. I feel like they are the best part of who I am. Those babies and my husband are why I fought so hard to get where I am today- I owed it to them just as much as myself. I wanted to be a positive role model for my kids- I didn't want them to remember me being unhappy or emotionally spent- I want them to remember me as a energetic, fun-loving, intelligent, and caring mother. And now, I finally reflect that.
Thank you for reading this incredibly long post! Feel free to email me if you'd like to make a personal comment @ nicjoniec@gmail.com, and as always, leave a comment...I love reading them!
Be well:) Nicole
6.18.2011
New Feature!!!!
Hey everyone! In an effort to gear my topics towards your "likes" and "dislikes" I have incorporated a "rating" bar at the end of each blog article. I would really, really appreciate it if you would use it so that I can gain a greater knowledge of what you like reading about! Also, feel free to send me a message @ nicjoniec@gmail.com OR leave a comment! I would love for this blog to be more interactive!
Thanks again! Leaving you with an awe-spiring picture!
This is an image from Kevin Aucoin's book, Making Faces. It's an amazing collection of makeup techniques! Take a look at this picture......
Can you believe that the person in that photo isn't James Dean? Leave a comment and tell me who you think it is!
Thanks again! Leaving you with an awe-spiring picture!
This is an image from Kevin Aucoin's book, Making Faces. It's an amazing collection of makeup techniques! Take a look at this picture......
Can you believe that the person in that photo isn't James Dean? Leave a comment and tell me who you think it is!
6.17.2011
Because Self-Care Isn't Limited to Women...
In honor of the dads out there, I thought I would write a special blog just for them! Happy Father's Day, Gent's- I hope you take a thing or two from this!
It's widely known that women primp and preen themselves and feel most confident when they feel beautiful! I don't think men are all too different...Even the manliest men need a little TLC sometimes!
So here's my list for MEN because they deserve to feel confident and "beautiful" too!:
It's widely known that women primp and preen themselves and feel most confident when they feel beautiful! I don't think men are all too different...Even the manliest men need a little TLC sometimes!
So here's my list for MEN because they deserve to feel confident and "beautiful" too!:
- As awkward as it may be at first, get a pedicure! If this is just way too much for you, let your wife/lady friend give you one so you can get a feel for what it's like. I am sure she knows the routine by heart so, it's the next best thing if you are afraid to go "pro"! Afterwards, your feet will feel rejuvenated and you'll be ready to wear those flip-flops with pride! I also recommend manicures and usually the nail places have a good package deal for both, just ask. Heavenly!-- you'll thank me, trust me!
- Trim your eyebrows! YES, men, too! Usually men can get away with a trim and it won't look "done" they will just look....kept....and that's a good thing! My hubby (love him!) gets these long whispy hairs from time to time and we just snip them carefully with some nail scissors. I am not even going to dare give "simple" instructions on this because I don't want hate mail later for botched jobs from guys who didn't "read and follow" the instructions, so, leave it to your barber or stylist- they know what they're doing!
- Use Lotion! I know, I know...you think it's only for dry skin, BUT IT'S NOT! It's to keep your skin healthy! Most lotions contain Vitamin A and E and lots of other great additives that will keep your skin looking soft and healthy! There are many lines out there, Dove and Suave, to name a few, that actually have men's scents so you aren't stuck smelling like a flower- but most brands have a "unscented" option if that's more your speed.
- And last but not least (I have to keep the list short or no man will read it!), use a facial moisturizer with SPF. Not to be morbid, but skin cancer is actually the most common form of cancer in the US (Read more on The Skin Cancer Foundation's website) and it's more prevalent in men. In addition to protection from the sun's harmful rays, using a moisturizer will smooth your skin helping you to look younger! Do your homework to keep yourself and your skin healthy and add this one very simple step to your daily routine! Neutrogena and L'Oreal both have skincare lines for men and they are at a great value (under $13.oo)!
I promise you that if you implement even a few of these recommendations into your busy life, you will feel better about yourself! Your wives/girlfriends, daughters, mothers, sisters, and just girl-friends, will love you even more for it!
Hope ya'll have a great Father's Day weekend! :))
Nicole
6.16.2011
It's Summer: Bronzer Season is upon us!
I have to thank a loyal reader for asking me about what bronzer I recommend! I actually have gotten this question many times. And for everyone the answer would be a little different. But, I will go with a good, general answer for now.
So, bronzers are great for adding some "glow" to your skin. They rise in use during the summer months, but there is absolutely no reason why you can't include them in your beauty routine year round! They are a great way to add some healthy color to otherwise lifeless skin OR to give the appearance of a tan without the time in the sun! Two great reasons to use a bronzer!
As far as my recommendation for a great bronzer, these are my favorite:
1) Motives Blush Bronzer Duo - $22.50
WHY: It's a very subtle bronzer AND blush compact- multi-use means less bulk in your makeup bag and a multi-seasonal product means money well spent! The neutral shade of bronzer combined with a translucent powder make it perfect for anyone wanting to achieve a natural, healthy glow without a "orange" look.
2. Physicians Formula Magic Mosaic Bronzer- $9.00 @ Walmart.com
WHY: A fine mixture of powder and bronzer shades make it virtually impossible for this to be look orange. Great price-point, too!
3. Clinique Almost Bronzer SPF15: $29.00 @ Clinique.com
WHY: You may be noticing a trend here- I like the bronzers that are more than just ONE shade of bronze- I think it gives a much more natural look. I love this one because it comes in two options- light/medium or medium/deep. This way, fairer skinned gals aren't stuck trying to work with a dark bronze color (which can easily look unnatural and is harder to apply subtly for fairer skin) and darker ladies can get a nice glow that actually offsets their already tan skin-tone. And, each compact comes with two shades. And a bonus, this one contains SPF15! Get a nice glow while protecting your skin! I love it!
Now, a very important bit of info is how to apply a bronzer. It's actually very simple: Sweep a dusting of bronzer anywhere the sun hits first! The forhead, across your cheeks and bridge of your nose, and whatever is leftover on your brush- on your chin. You can go a step further and add a dusting on your shoulders and collar bone for full-body-bronzed effect!
Hope this helps! Thanks again for reading!
:) Nicole
So, bronzers are great for adding some "glow" to your skin. They rise in use during the summer months, but there is absolutely no reason why you can't include them in your beauty routine year round! They are a great way to add some healthy color to otherwise lifeless skin OR to give the appearance of a tan without the time in the sun! Two great reasons to use a bronzer!
As far as my recommendation for a great bronzer, these are my favorite:
1) Motives Blush Bronzer Duo - $22.50
WHY: It's a very subtle bronzer AND blush compact- multi-use means less bulk in your makeup bag and a multi-seasonal product means money well spent! The neutral shade of bronzer combined with a translucent powder make it perfect for anyone wanting to achieve a natural, healthy glow without a "orange" look.
2. Physicians Formula Magic Mosaic Bronzer- $9.00 @ Walmart.com
WHY: A fine mixture of powder and bronzer shades make it virtually impossible for this to be look orange. Great price-point, too!
3. Clinique Almost Bronzer SPF15: $29.00 @ Clinique.com
WHY: You may be noticing a trend here- I like the bronzers that are more than just ONE shade of bronze- I think it gives a much more natural look. I love this one because it comes in two options- light/medium or medium/deep. This way, fairer skinned gals aren't stuck trying to work with a dark bronze color (which can easily look unnatural and is harder to apply subtly for fairer skin) and darker ladies can get a nice glow that actually offsets their already tan skin-tone. And, each compact comes with two shades. And a bonus, this one contains SPF15! Get a nice glow while protecting your skin! I love it!
Now, a very important bit of info is how to apply a bronzer. It's actually very simple: Sweep a dusting of bronzer anywhere the sun hits first! The forhead, across your cheeks and bridge of your nose, and whatever is leftover on your brush- on your chin. You can go a step further and add a dusting on your shoulders and collar bone for full-body-bronzed effect!
Hope this helps! Thanks again for reading!
:) Nicole
6.15.2011
Ask ME!
So, because I have been swamped lately, I thought I would try something interactive with you guys- How about you ask me a beauty question OR tell me something you would like to see a blog about? I am taking on all serious suggestions here so feel free to shoot me a comment here with your ideas. I am really looking forward to it!
And because I can't completely leave you empty-handed, I thought I would recommend something today- The June 2011 issue of InStyle magazine is awesome! There are lots of great articles to read when you have some down-time: "Pretty summer hair in a snap" and "166 Summer Style Steals Under $50" happen to be my favorite so far. So, if you need a little inspiration yourself, pick up a copy, flip through it, and I am sure you will have some fresh style tips and maybe even some questions FOR ME! :)
Thanks for reading!
BE WELL! ;)
Nicole
And because I can't completely leave you empty-handed, I thought I would recommend something today- The June 2011 issue of InStyle magazine is awesome! There are lots of great articles to read when you have some down-time: "Pretty summer hair in a snap" and "166 Summer Style Steals Under $50" happen to be my favorite so far. So, if you need a little inspiration yourself, pick up a copy, flip through it, and I am sure you will have some fresh style tips and maybe even some questions FOR ME! :)
Thanks for reading!
BE WELL! ;)
Nicole
6.12.2011
Protection is very important
So, this weekend I spoke at one of our trainings to a group of new women and men looking to build a business representing Motives. It was so good for me and I think and hope that I did a good job for everyone that was there.
One of the things that I spoke about was protecting your 'psyche' from negative people. It's not only important from a business stand-point, but it's extremely important from a personal stand-point when it comes to internal peace and happiness.
As one of my favorite motivational-guru's, Dr. Rob Gilbert has said, "You wouldn't let someone come into your house and throw trash all around in it, so why would you let someone do that to you emotionally?" It is absolutely the analogy that I needed to hear. I now feel the need to protect myself from anything and anyone that is going to break-down my spirit. Of course, it's not always fully avoidable, but, it definitely can be prevented.
You know the negative nilly's in your life- keep them at a distance and the time you spend with them at a minimum. Think about it: you spend 20 minutes with them and then a whole day trying to get past the negative virus they spread to you. Does that sound like a good way to spend your time? And just think of all of the stress you put on yourself and those around you while you were trying to kick that funk? NOT WORTH IT. Instead, spend your time with people who make you laugh, motivate you to be a better person, and that give you a positive outlook on life! Spending your time any other way is a waste!
And please, please, please....be a positive influence in other people's lives, too!
I always say that positivity is a muscle that has to be exercised. It's not a natural reaction for humans to be positive- you have to work at it!
One of the things that I spoke about was protecting your 'psyche' from negative people. It's not only important from a business stand-point, but it's extremely important from a personal stand-point when it comes to internal peace and happiness.
As one of my favorite motivational-guru's, Dr. Rob Gilbert has said, "You wouldn't let someone come into your house and throw trash all around in it, so why would you let someone do that to you emotionally?" It is absolutely the analogy that I needed to hear. I now feel the need to protect myself from anything and anyone that is going to break-down my spirit. Of course, it's not always fully avoidable, but, it definitely can be prevented.
You know the negative nilly's in your life- keep them at a distance and the time you spend with them at a minimum. Think about it: you spend 20 minutes with them and then a whole day trying to get past the negative virus they spread to you. Does that sound like a good way to spend your time? And just think of all of the stress you put on yourself and those around you while you were trying to kick that funk? NOT WORTH IT. Instead, spend your time with people who make you laugh, motivate you to be a better person, and that give you a positive outlook on life! Spending your time any other way is a waste!
And please, please, please....be a positive influence in other people's lives, too!
I always say that positivity is a muscle that has to be exercised. It's not a natural reaction for humans to be positive- you have to work at it!
6.07.2011
Selecting Eyeshadow shades!
EYESHADOW...Probably one of the most FUN and overwhelming choices to make when it comes to make-up! It's never easy when there are a million options out there! But, I hope that this post will make it seem more fun and less overwhelming for the next time you go eyeshadow shopping!
I recommend reading the colorwheel post I did a few weeks ago just to help get a little background on color selection. It's a really interesting process and I think it would be really helpful.
We're going to start with:
BLUE Eyes:
Blue eyes are captivating and beautiful and really a miracle of mother nature! No two are alike but all are absolutely gorgeous!
Shades of eyeshadow that are great for blue eyes are:
Browns, grays, yellow/gold, red/plum and blue CAN be good too- it just has to be the right shade. I would suggest navy or a shade that is darker than your eye color- no cotton candy blue or 80's blue unless you are interested in rocking a bolder look.
BROWN Eyes:
Browny girls are probably the luckiest when it comes to selection of eyeshadow shades that compliment their eyes! They can wear just about anything!
Depending on the hues that are in your brown eyes, many different colors can be perfect! Whatever the dominant hues are in your eyes, pick a shade that is contrasting to them when looking at the colorwheel.
Generally speaking, brown eyes look great with:
purples, golds, greens, pinks/reds, brown
take a look....
[caption id="attachment_140" align="aligncenter" width="100" caption="Brown with PINK"]
[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_139" align="aligncenter" width="112" caption="Brown with GOLD"]
[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_138" align="aligncenter" width="106" caption="Brown with PURPLE"]
[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_143" align="aligncenter" width="112" caption="Brown with GREEN"]
[/caption]
Gold, prune, sand (shimmer), brown (taupe), coral/red tones
[caption id="attachment_144" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="Green with PURPLE"]
[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_142" align="aligncenter" width="102" caption="Hazel/Green with RED"]
[/caption]
I hope that this has been helpful! These pictures are only to open your mind to the possibility of the color combinations! Play with it and find the way to make it work for you! Most importantly, wear it confidently and you will look perfect!
I recommend reading the colorwheel post I did a few weeks ago just to help get a little background on color selection. It's a really interesting process and I think it would be really helpful.
We're going to start with:
BLUE Eyes:
Blue eyes are captivating and beautiful and really a miracle of mother nature! No two are alike but all are absolutely gorgeous!
Shades of eyeshadow that are great for blue eyes are:
Browns, grays, yellow/gold, red/plum and blue CAN be good too- it just has to be the right shade. I would suggest navy or a shade that is darker than your eye color- no cotton candy blue or 80's blue unless you are interested in rocking a bolder look.
- Blue with GOLD
- Blue with PLUM/BROWN
- Blue with GRAY
BROWN Eyes:
Browny girls are probably the luckiest when it comes to selection of eyeshadow shades that compliment their eyes! They can wear just about anything!
Depending on the hues that are in your brown eyes, many different colors can be perfect! Whatever the dominant hues are in your eyes, pick a shade that is contrasting to them when looking at the colorwheel.
Generally speaking, brown eyes look great with:
purples, golds, greens, pinks/reds, brown
take a look....
[caption id="attachment_140" align="aligncenter" width="100" caption="Brown with PINK"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_139" align="aligncenter" width="112" caption="Brown with GOLD"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_138" align="aligncenter" width="106" caption="Brown with PURPLE"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_143" align="aligncenter" width="112" caption="Brown with GREEN"]
[/caption]GREEN & HAZEL Eyes:
These two eye colors can use many of the same and because they are so similar, I decided to list them together. The important thing to remember about hazel (as with brown) is to focus on the dominant hues when trying to determine the shadow color you should use. If it is brown, follow the browns, if it is blue, follow the blues and if it is green, well, follow the colors listed here below. Hazel is a really interesting color!
Gold, prune, sand (shimmer), brown (taupe), coral/red tones
[caption id="attachment_144" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="Green with PURPLE"]
[/caption]
- Green with SAND/BROWN
[caption id="attachment_142" align="aligncenter" width="102" caption="Hazel/Green with RED"]
[/caption]I hope that this has been helpful! These pictures are only to open your mind to the possibility of the color combinations! Play with it and find the way to make it work for you! Most importantly, wear it confidently and you will look perfect!
Because I am a real, imperfect, humble person...
I will tell you that even after writing what I thought was a pretty empowering blog post last night, I had to give myself a pep-talk this morning to get ready. Honestly. I don't know what it was but I know that my hormones were putting up a good fight and almost won! I said I was going to the gym and though I was making slow strides to getting there, I was very, very close to falling off the bandwagon. Then, I logged into Facebook and saw that I had some "fans" of my blog post. For me, seeing that I had resonated with those fellow mom-friends, I was energized and ready to get out the door.
And that leads me to my bit of un-beauty-related wisdom today:
And that leads me to my bit of un-beauty-related wisdom today:
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is to help someone else.
Have a blessed, beautiful day! Don't forget your sunscreen!!!
:)Nicole
6.06.2011
Did someone say "Frumpy"?
The other "F" word! I grew up hearing this word and never, ever thought it would become a word that would describe me! Though many of my dearest friends would probably disagree (hence the high placement in my friend hierarchy!), I definitely have succumbed to "frumpiness" since becoming a mother. Sad, but true.
Let's be real...when your baby belly is no longer with baby but it's still a belly...it is no fun to get dressed. When you have dimples in more places that just your face, it's no fun to get dressed. And, when your new heartthrob (the little cherub!) spits up, wipes food/snot all over you, and you are constantly crawling around on the floor (which, if yours is like ours, is usually spotted with crumbs!), it's also not very much fun to get dressed in anything other than comfortable, very-washable, post-baby-belly hiding, clothes. But, from my experience, this is a vicious cycle. The more you lose yourself to "babydom", the more you really lose it! ...I found that I felt sad, overwhelmed, and unconfident in myself. It made me bicker with my kids and my husband more often. It made me never really want to do more than just sit around and play with my kids. And before I knew it, I felt like I had lost myself and my identity. And that saddened me more than the baby-belly without the baby.
I will save my "transformation"/"ah-ha" story for another post (suspense is killing you already, isn't it???), but suffice it to say that one day, I had to conciously decide that I was "taking back my SELF". I was going to give identity back to this frumpy mom that I had become.
So, through my second pregnancy, though I donned yoga pantsquite regularly, I did make an honest attempt to look as cute as I could. And, because I was mobile quickly after my daughter was born, I lost the weight faster and felt "alive" faster. I was so thankful to have my body to myself again and I started treating it that way. For the past year, I have been putting effort into getting dressed and primped in the morning (or mid-afternoon). I still do wear yoga pants because they are the most comfortable thing possibly ever, but I have acquired some cute tops and sassy flip flops to dress them up a bit. I do my makeup every.single.day. and I am so proud to say that!
It is a labor of love. Everything in life is! I never thought much about clothing before- It was easy to buy something I liked in the store and fit it on my size 6 body. Shorts were rarely too short- my belly never had a jiggly spot that needed concealing, and I never had to wonder "is this appropriate for a mom to wear?" It was a lot easier back then. But, it didn't mean as much to me as it does now. Finding clothing that makes me feel comfortable in my "new" mom body and confident, too, has never been so important. Putting on a fresh, bright face every morning has never been so critical to my mood and outlook on the day! I am always ready for someone to stop by- I am ready to go out if I receive an invite! Being a parent can be confining but not having your makeup done or being dressed appropriately should never be an excuse! Though there are so many things that change in your life after you have kids, one thing that shouldn't is the level of care that you give to yourself! It doesn't matter if you are a stay-at-home mom or a working-mom, you should take care to preserve who you are. You'll be a much better, much happier mom for doing so!
My 5 favorite tips:
1- Always wear lipgloss, blush, CONCEALER and mascara!
2- Always spray on a fresh, clean fragrance! I love DKNY Pure.
3- Invest in a cute casual jacket- it's an easy way to add character to an otherwise run-of-the-mill outfit and, it covers up spit up, leaks, drips, and whatever else you could imagine!
4- Short or long, DO YOUR hair at least every other day so that it's still somewhat styled the second day!
5- Get a cute purse that can be used as a diaper bag. No more lugging around a Whinny-the-Pooh diaper bag! If your baby was carrying it, then it would be cute. But they aren't-- you are! There's no way to ruin an outfit faster than to finish it with a cartoon-themed diaper bag...okay, barring a diaper explosion...
Hope this helps! Be well....be beautiful, but most of all, be YOU!
Let's be real...when your baby belly is no longer with baby but it's still a belly...it is no fun to get dressed. When you have dimples in more places that just your face, it's no fun to get dressed. And, when your new heartthrob (the little cherub!) spits up, wipes food/snot all over you, and you are constantly crawling around on the floor (which, if yours is like ours, is usually spotted with crumbs!), it's also not very much fun to get dressed in anything other than comfortable, very-washable, post-baby-belly hiding, clothes. But, from my experience, this is a vicious cycle. The more you lose yourself to "babydom", the more you really lose it! ...I found that I felt sad, overwhelmed, and unconfident in myself. It made me bicker with my kids and my husband more often. It made me never really want to do more than just sit around and play with my kids. And before I knew it, I felt like I had lost myself and my identity. And that saddened me more than the baby-belly without the baby.
I will save my "transformation"/"ah-ha" story for another post (suspense is killing you already, isn't it???), but suffice it to say that one day, I had to conciously decide that I was "taking back my SELF". I was going to give identity back to this frumpy mom that I had become.
So, through my second pregnancy, though I donned yoga pants
It is a labor of love. Everything in life is! I never thought much about clothing before- It was easy to buy something I liked in the store and fit it on my size 6 body. Shorts were rarely too short- my belly never had a jiggly spot that needed concealing, and I never had to wonder "is this appropriate for a mom to wear?" It was a lot easier back then. But, it didn't mean as much to me as it does now. Finding clothing that makes me feel comfortable in my "new" mom body and confident, too, has never been so important. Putting on a fresh, bright face every morning has never been so critical to my mood and outlook on the day! I am always ready for someone to stop by- I am ready to go out if I receive an invite! Being a parent can be confining but not having your makeup done or being dressed appropriately should never be an excuse! Though there are so many things that change in your life after you have kids, one thing that shouldn't is the level of care that you give to yourself! It doesn't matter if you are a stay-at-home mom or a working-mom, you should take care to preserve who you are. You'll be a much better, much happier mom for doing so!
My 5 favorite tips:
1- Always wear lipgloss, blush, CONCEALER and mascara!
2- Always spray on a fresh, clean fragrance! I love DKNY Pure.
3- Invest in a cute casual jacket- it's an easy way to add character to an otherwise run-of-the-mill outfit and, it covers up spit up, leaks, drips, and whatever else you could imagine!
4- Short or long, DO YOUR hair at least every other day so that it's still somewhat styled the second day!
5- Get a cute purse that can be used as a diaper bag. No more lugging around a Whinny-the-Pooh diaper bag! If your baby was carrying it, then it would be cute. But they aren't-- you are! There's no way to ruin an outfit faster than to finish it with a cartoon-themed diaper bag...okay, barring a diaper explosion...
Hope this helps! Be well....be beautiful, but most of all, be YOU!
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