Feminine Blog

Best Makeup to Wear to an Interview

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:50:00 +0700

Nail your next meeting with a (future) boss by looking the part! Here, see professional tips for what eye shadow shades and lipstick colors are most appropriate.

Whether you're a recent college grad or simply back on the market, applying for jobs is stressful enough. Agonizing over an upcoming meeting after you've snagged an interview? Even worse. Although we can't do much for your resumé, we can give you pointers on how to ace your makeup. Go ahead and relax a little: You have one less thing to worry about.

Eyes
The team at Glossybox, a prestige beauty product subscription service, says that matte, neutral shades like browns, tans, and soft beiges are best. Opt for matte formulas, and "stay away from shimmer as it can be distracting." When it comes to eyeliner, go with traditional blacks and chocolates, and apply in a thin, soft line. "Stay away from colorful eyeliner," the pros advise. Vivid aqua and sparkling gold might look cool for a night out with pals, but reflect poorly on a future employee.

Lips
For your kisser, Glossybox experts recommend sheer lipsticks or tinted balms that are "close to your natural lip shade, like an everyday nude or soft rose." When heading into the corporate environment, it's best to let lippie enhance your look, not claim it (read: now's not the time to experiment with trendy tangerine). As far as gloss goes, use matte or satin finishes since traditional tubes can be distractingly shiny and don't look professional.

Nail Polish
In our eyes, a professional manicure is an indulgence warranted by stomach-churning pre-interview nerves. Before heading to the salon, settle on a color so you won't be tempted to reach for the season's latest blue or green. The Glossyboxers agreed, reminding us that neutrals are best here, too. Put down the neon purple and reach for a creamy beige or light pink instead.

10 Tips for Nail

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:21:00 +0700

Nail art has become as ubiquitous as an ombre mane or black ankle booties. You can skip the salon and attend to your digits in the comfort of your own home.

1. Grooming is key.
The most important thing is to start with nails that are the same length and shape, and cuticles that are pushed back. Once you achieve this, Lippmann says you're set to start!

2. Be careful!
People tend to try to make polish look like the shade in the bottle on the first coat, but you want to apply two thin coats and build the color, advices Lippmann. If you use too much lacquer, the color will peel and chip easily. If you apply very thin coats, let the polish dry in between each layer (waiting at least a minute or two) so that the solvents evaporate. This will make it wear better and last longer.

3. Hydrating is important.
"Most of us don't hydrate nearly as much as we should, and our nails would look a lot better if we did," says Lippmann. "Try to moisturize your hands with hand cream or cuticle oil every time you wash them."

4. Be Creative!
When it comes to fun DIY nail art, Lippmann suggests starting by painting ideas on fake nail tips before actual nails. "It's not rocket science, but it does take a little bit of practice. Playing with nail tips takes some of the fear out of it. Women feel different when their nails are different shades, and we like being able to state what our mood is by showing it on our nails. Have fun with it!"

5. Shape up.
The shape of the nail can help to elongate your hands and improve the overall appearance. Never saw back and forth on the tip of the nail. File from each outside edge toward the center of the nail. "Right now I am enjoying a slightly longer, almond-shaped nail. It's very slenderizing, quite sexy, and still very strong," says Lippmann. "Stay away from a super square-shaped nail, it's not the most flattering shape and makes fingers look shorter."

6. Exfoliate.
Similar to your skin, your nails need to be exfoliated to stay strong and healthy. Use the Smooth Operator Buffer and buff nails with fabric #1, #2, and #3. Only use fabric #4 when you are not finishing with nail lacquer. This brings the nails to a high gloss causing it to not adhere. Don't over-file or over-buff, but make sure your nails tips are smooth to prevent tearing.

7. Cap it!
During the application of each layer, be sure to cap the tip of the nail to seal the color-it will make a huge difference in the wear.

8. Layer.
You can paint a shade that has a little bit of shimmer over a crème shade and completely change the look. "The fun thing about layering is that you're creating your own color," says Lippmann. "Let your creativity come out-you can't make a mistake!"

9. Don't cut!
"I'm a big believer that cutting the cuticle is not the way to go. Your skin is your body's largest organ and your cuticles are the end of the skin-they are meant to be there to act as barrier for bacteria. The Deborahh Lippman Cuticle Remover is a convenient way to care for and maintain cuticles because it's a completely waterless system. Apply it liberally to all nails where the skin meets the nail and gently push the cuticles back. You must go around the cuticle area several times to get a clean cuticle, finally wipe clean with a piece of cotton.

10. Fix a chip!
If you have a little chip, put remover on the pad of your index finger and smooth out the ridge where it is. After you let that dry, take a thin coat of polish and dab (not brush) the polish on, then lift the brush. Let it dry for thirty seconds to a minute, then apply a top coat over the whole nail.

Drew's must-have new make up line

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:03:00 +0700

We've been eagerly awaiting Drew Barrymore's new beauty line, Flower, since we first heard about the project, and now the products are finally hitting store shelves. Last night at a launch party for the brand, which is a collaboration with Walmart and available exclusively from the mass retailer, we caught up with Drew herself, who told us all about her role in developing the products and being a "drugstore queen."

Do you have any quirky beauty habits, or tricks you've picked up being in front of the camera for so many years?
I definitely still love to wear my lipstick on my cheeks. There's symmetry in the color, I love that. I love when people highlight the corners of your eyes, and all of a sudden you're like, 'Oh my God! What did you just do?' And I don't do it as well, but it is an art.

I wash my face as often as I can in a day, because it keeps my skin clear. I'm kind of drugstore queen, I have to admit. I love witch hazel wipes and a very gentle soap - it's like a facial on the go. I like brushes and bobby pins and hairbands. I don't go to a lot of fancy stuff with hair and skin. I do love prestige makeup though, and I do love mass makeup and with this line, I wanted to bring the two worlds together.

What's your favorite product in the line?
I am that jerk who's going to say 'everything' because I labored over every single [one of] 181 SKUs. But I've always wanted to do minis. Bags are getting smaller, makeup is getting bigger - this is not working. And we love to throw things in our bags for two weeks at a time, and then switch it out, but for those two weeks you get stuck on whatever makeup is in your bag, because you go to work and you have to go to a function that night, you have what you have in your purse. I like the idea of choosing - you could have a darker eye and a lighter eye and a darker lip and a lighter lip; you can have several different looks you're carrying.

How did the partnership with Walmart come about?
I loved the women who ran it. They were sophisticated and they were smart, and very much like my relationship with CoverGirl, I got to know them, and I trusted them, and respected them. And I knew that the vision was the same [as mine]. I don't know how to put my name with things, I don't think I could succeed in that way - I want to put myself into things infinite percent. I knew that what they were driving at, that they wanted to build a brand and not a name, was completely in keeping with what I thought that we could bring to a brand, what I want to deliver. I fought for the best formulas. I wanted to design a campaign that I thought was happy. Happiness is the best makeup you can wear, period!

Moms of only children are fake moms?

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 09:54:00 +0700

When an acquaintance gave birth to twins recently, she was quick, in her diaper-drowning misery, to make one thing clear: "I'm sorry, but people with one kid have no clue about what hard is. This," she said, "is hard."

As the mother of an only child, my reaction was twofold: First, guilt. Wow, I thought, she's right. I can't believe I ever had the nerve to whine about sleep deprivation or sore nipples! But then came the resentment. Really? I have no clue? None at all?

Anyway, I didn't dwell on it. But the latest mommy-war kerfuffle reminded me of my annoyance: This time, it's Hunger Games star Elizabeth Banks telling People magazine, essentially, that moms of only children aren't really moms at all.

"You don't realize how easy one is until you have two," she said. "Now I'm really a mom. Oh, I am a mom now! This is for serious-I am responsible for two people now." Predictably, her comment set off the mommy-blogger alarm bells.

"It's so rude and so insulting to parents of only children," wrote a mom on the Stir. "Whether she meant it that way or not, it's incredibly insensitive." Mommyish wrote: "Looking down and realizing that you've just doubled the amount of lives you need to protect is quite the wake up call. But using that experience by which to quantify 'real motherhood' is sketchy terrain."

And, weighed in Babycenter: "Although I can relate to Elizabeth Banks' feeling that two kids are shockingly more work than one is (my two sons are the same 20-months apart that hers are, as a matter of fact), I'm cringing over the 'really a mom' comment."

Anyway, whatever. It's debatable whether Banks was slighting moms or just being awkwardly honest about two kids feeling more difficult than one (they are 2-months and 22-months-old, which sounds like a total nightmare). The larger question is, to quote Mommy Dearest, "Why must everything be a contest?"

It's a very particular subset of the endless Mommy Wars—the I-haven't-slept-in-a-year, haven't-made-my-yoga-class-in-weeks, can't-even-poop-in-peace martyrdom that's on endless loops in playgrounds everywhere. Seriously, why is this interesting? And why are moms so obsessed with one-upmanship when it comes to who has it hardest?

"What it's really saying, is, 'I do more for my kids than you do for yours,'" Barbara Risman, senior scholar for the Council on Contemporary Families, told Yahoo! Shine. "It's ironic because it's macho, like 'My life is tougher than yours.' It's a competition of self-sacrifice."

A mother getting into a pissing match about how she's got it toughest, adds Risman, a professor of sociology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, is actually a response to a powerful societal message. "It's a way to justify one's mothering activities, and a way of pushing back against the cultural devaluation of motherhood," she says.

So maybe let's try the empathy approach toward Banks, since the need to justify, whether we've got one child or five, is probably something all moms can relate to? Alternately, jump into the self-sacrifice competition with an unexpected barb, as a Facebook friend did so beautifully today in response to the "really mom" actress: "Personally, I think it's plenty hard with one.

My daughter has no playmates in the house except me and her dad, so we end up in endless games of Polly Pocket or whatever. We have friends who have more than one, and in this particular regard, they seem to have it easier!" Yes! Score one for moms of "onlies" having it tougher.

The Secret to Wearing High Heels Without Pain

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:30:00 +0700

That pain that you feel at the end of a long night-no, it's not a hangover and it's not exhaustion. We're talking about something worse-the pain that's caused by a seemingly evil and malicious pair of high heels.

But, believe it or not, not all high heels are created equal. In some cases, they can actually be healthier for your feet than flats. "Excess pronation is a condition that affects 75 percent of the population and has been related to many conditions, such as heel pain (otherwise known as plantar fasciitis), knee pain, and even lower-back pain," says podiatrist Phillip Vasyli.

In this case, doctors actually recommend wearing shoes with a slight heel, as opposed to our trusty flats. "The popular trend of ballet flats has caused us to see an increase in many of the aforementioned conditions due to a lack of overall support and flimsy shoe construction," Vasyli says.

Generally, there are a few things to look for when you're shopping for stilettos. First, make sure the heels are of moderate proportions, not the towering Lady GaGa variety. Save those for dinners out, where you'll be sitting for most of the evening.Vasyli recommends opting for well-constructed "quality" shoes, especially those that have shock absorbing materials in the ball of the foot, and using an insert like Orthaheel, which he invented.

He also suggests wearing your highest heels for only short periods at a time and giving them a little bit of closet time now and then."If you feel the need to wear higher-heeled shoes daily, then take a more comfortable shoe to get to and from work and wear the higher shoes while you're sitting at your desk," he adds.

Also, while you're having a ball, be conscious of the weight that's being distributed onto the ball of your foot. "The higher the heel, the more the shoe increases the arch height and also changes the 'arch position'," Vasyli says. He suggests looking for shoes that "contour" to your arch and distribute your weight over the entire foot, not just the ball of the foot.

Is 12-12-12 a lucky wedding date?

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:30:00 +0700

Forget once in a lifetime: this year, thousands of couples are tying the knot on 12-12-12, a once in a century wedding date. According to a survey by David's Bridal, approximately 7,500 brides will tie the knot on December 12, 2012. To put things in perspective, that's a 1,446 percent increase from last year's un-special 12-12-11.

The date is popular across the globe. French news agency the Agence France Presse reports that in Hong Kong nearly four times as many couples will be married on 12-12-12, as compared to last year, and in Singapore, 540 couples will be married on 12-12-12, eight times as many from the previous year.

Marry Abroad UK, a planning website for weddings abroad. Shine it has received a 15-percent increase in inquiries about that date, despite the fact that it falls outside the traditional May to September wedding season. "The lucky couples who have succeeded in booking 12-12-12 will be amongst a very select few in the world, with such a memorable wedding anniversary," says Marry Abroad's co-founder Steph Bishop.

12-12-12 follows the trend of sequential numbers for wedding dates, like 10-10-10, 11-11-11, and 10-11-12. Back in 2007, Las Vegas's Clark County saw 4,333 marriage licenses issued around the date of 7-7-07, a huge increase in daily requests, since the office would usually license only about 7,400 marriages per month.

Canadian couple Krisztina Sebesi and Rex Lu, who plan to get married on 12-12-12, have incorporated the date into other aspects of their wedding: thank you cards with palm trees with 12 coconuts, a buffet of 12 courses, and 12 starfish decorations on their wedding cake, they told The Windsor Star.

Though many assume that the symmetry of 12-12-12 will bring good luck, from a numerology standpoint, "each couple in considering when to get married, should choose the date based upon their own personal charts to be sure that the date gets the marriage off on the right foot," numerologist Daniel R. Hardt, of the Life Path Numerology Center in Indianapolis.

"12/12/12 is popular because it is easy to remember. That date reduces to an 11 number (12+12+2012) for the marriage, a high level of spiritual awareness. It also brings sensitivity and romance to the marriage, but there is a danger of one or both parties taking everything too personally."

There is, however, a major drawback to the date 12/12/12 falls on a Wednesday, not a popular day for weddings. "If 12/12/12 was on a Friday or a weekend, that would be a different scenario altogether,". Despite the spiritual symmetry, real or imagined, for some couples a weekday wedding is just out of the question.

Ten-Minute Holiday Hairstyles

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:30:00 +0700

It's that time of year, again no, not the holidays, holiday PARTY season. Whether it's a Yankee Swap fest, a New Year's shindig, or just an excuse to get dolled up and drink festive cocktails, we have the cutest and quickest hairstyles for all your partying needs.

Ten-minute waves with a twist
Ten-minute waves are our way of saying, "waves that you don't need to obsess over." Life is too short to be spent torturing each and every strand of your naturally gorgeous hair in to a "perfect" curl that will only last as long as it took to read this sentence. This will work best if you've added some mousse or texturizing product to wet hair and letting it air dry (if you want to avoid bombarding your follicles with extra heat damage from a blowdryer), so while these are "ten-minute" waves, they do require a bit of forethought. Start by lightly (lightly, guys) misting dry hair with a light hair spray, and curl hair in sections.

A hint for curls that really last? After you take the curled section out of the hot iron, quickly re-roll section and pin in place and allow to cool entirely before unpinning. By allowing the hair to cool in that shape, you've just guaranteed hair that will finally cooperate. Don't overdo it with the iron--if you have naturally wavy hair, consider this a touch-up. If your hair is straighter, go for sleek 1930's starlet waves. When you're finished, twist back a piece from the front and pin it above your ear. Feel free to jazz it up with a few jeweled pins like these Stella Bobbies from Anthropologie.

Heidi braid
We were inspired by Noisettes' singer Shingai Shoniwa's milkmaid braids for this look. Start with a middle part, and split your hair into two sections. If you have bangs, you can choose to leave them out. Tie one section back to keep it out of the way and begin braiding the other section tightly. When you braid, be sure that you are going up along the crown of your head by holding the section skywards--this will ensure that the braids will lay flat on your noggin. When you've finished with the first section, pin it in place and repeat the process with the other section. You can make this messy à la the vintage Olsen Twins, or precise and tight like Shoniwa--either way this style is a total hit!

Faux bob
Embrace the Roaring '20s trends that's re-emerging this season with a faux bob style. This will work best on girls with wavy locks. Simply gather your hair into a loose pony tail just below the nape of your neck (or wherever you would like your bob to hit) and roll the excess hair under and towards your neck--the goal here is for the rest of your hair and the elastic to be hidden underneath the top layer and to add volume to your style. Use bobby pins to secure in place but leave the sides of your hair unsecured to get a more natural-looking bob. You can jazz up the look with a sparkling hairpin at the temple or a even a bejeweled headband for a truly flapper-worthy 'do.

Side-parted pony
Whether you love or hate her, Kristen Stewart is proving to be a dark horse in the running for best hair in Hollywood. True to her aesthetics, it never looks "done," yet is somehow always on point. Take a page from her book and opt for a simple side-swept pony. The easiest style of the bunch requires that all you need to do is create a deep part and pull the rest of your hair back in to a high ponytail. You can leave it there, or take a small section of hair and wrap it around the hair elastic (and pin it in place with a few bobby pins), or use a decorative hair tie for a more polished look. The beauty of this effortless style is that it allows you to take bigger risks with makeup and accessories--definitely do like Stewart did and try a dramatic lip and smoky eye!

Best 5 Fall Wreaths to Purchase This Season

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 07:53:00 +0700

Indeed, it is possible to prepare a fall wreath yourself if you can manage enough time. But if you are busy with daily chores and prefer buying a high quality, stunning fall wreath for decoration, then you will be amazed to know your options.

However, to further simplify the task for you, the options are narrowed down for you to choose the best one according to your requirement. A few of the following most amazing wreaths will be perfect for every door of your house. Take a look:

1. Pomegranate and Artichoke Wreath
Displaying a pomegranate and artichoke wreath will bring in color, form and high-quality texture within your dwelling. These wreaths usually have baby globe artichokes on them, which are basically cultivated miniatures that are often used fresh. On the other hand, due to their heavy weight, the pomegranates hanging on the wreath arrangements are usually hollowed before they are wired in.

The wreath you get from Frontgate includes lotus pods, Austricia cones, avena, yarrow, artichokes, pomegranates and salal mixtures. The arrangement provides the most enchanting main door display during winter.

2. Magnolia Leaf and Feather Wreath
The latest trends in fashion and home design are talking about the usage of feathers. Feathers are everywhere in hair, jewelry and every other place you could imagine. As a fall décor item, feathers are considered a well demanded tradition in wreaths. This wreath design uses striking pheasant and turkey feathers to create a lovely and lush arrangement against the base of the magnolia perfectly preserved leaves.

3. Gourd Wreath
Introduced from the families of squash and cucumber are the gourds. Unlike their other tastier family members, these inedible hard-rinded fruits with dried shells are usually used for decorations, ornaments and even as vessels, utensils and instruments. Just like the well-known pumpkin, gourds are known as an autumn symbol.

With their goose-necked, twisty shaped stripes, miniature varieties of gourd are crafted in wreaths to give a stunning look to any door you hang it up on. Gourd wreaths are crafted on gourds and a twig base with oak leaves, yarrow, flax pods, yellow myrtle and eucalyptus leaves.

4. Harvest Wreath
The harvest wreath is amazingly served by Sur la Table and Panache. The beautiful wreath is ideal to welcome guests all along the fall season. Indeed, a very colorful and stunning ways to say welcome to your guests. The handmade wreath is completed with other decorative items including Japanese lanterns, golden yarrow, orange strawflower and dried maple leaves. These are usually made in the USA.

5. Hydrangea Wreath
After Madonna, the pop-star, stated that she personally like hydrangeas more than roses, a huge number of hydrangea lovers popped up and desired to own products made of heavenly hydrangea and so hydrangea wreaths were introduced. Probably, one of the best choices for a pleasant decorative item for your welcome door!

5-Step Survival Guide to Meltdown-Free Holiday Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Sun, 9 Dec 2012 15:40:00 +0700

It's already December. There are gifts to buy. One more important than the rest. I'm speaking, of course, about the one for your wife. But there's a catch. Not only do you have to buy a gift for her. You also have to buy your children's gifts for her, too.

Which, of course, brings you to another catch. How to execute this mission - which could take hours - without your children melting down. And my partners in crime for such expeditions are five-year-old triplets. Which, you know, presents challenges. Exactly why, though, I've come up with a fool-proof, five-step plan. If you, too, will be shopping with your kids, you might wanna take a peek.

1. Come up with a game plan
You know what the best game plan is? To knock this stuff out online. But then, of course, your children wouldn't feel as if they were part of the process. At least mine wouldn't. Which means that visiting an actual store (gasp) or mall (double gasp) is a must. This, of course, means that you have to have a game plan. Without it, you're destined for misery. So figure out (a) exactly what you want to get her and (b) exactly what types of things your children will want to get her.

2. Come up with your itinerary
For me, I always just settle on the mall. Primarily because that way I only have one main destination (albeit with sub-destinations) instead of multiple destinations. So this year, I know exactly what I want to get my wife and, what's more, I know exactly where to get it. I also know what types of gifts my children would like to get her. One will probably want to get her something athletic, while another will probably skew a bit more fru-fru. And the third is a foodie and would likely prefer to give her something pertaining to culinary endeavors. This means that in addition to my stop, I'm basically planning for three more. But that's okay. Because at least I now have my itinerary.

3. Snacks
Don't be a rookie. One key to multiple-locale shopping with little ones is to make certain they have snacks to look forward to. In my case, this means the food court. But only after we've completed our first transaction. You know, so as to incentivize the deal.

4. Entertainment
Kids are funny, right? Even with a tight gameplan, a reasonable itinerary and a little snacky-snack, they can still come undone by the daunting task of spending a couple of hours in pursuit of one deliverable. (Gifts for mom, in this case.) Which is exactly why in addition to snacks, I've also made time for a little entertainment. Sadly, for me that means the germ-infested kiddie land at the mall. Here's the catch, though. They will only be permitted this entertainment break once all but one of the four gifts have been purchased. Again, incentivization to stay on task.

5. That's a wrap
Why not consummate your outing with a little wrap-up session? Sure, one option is to just get your gifts wrapped at the store. But since I have multiple presents to buy, and since there will be both a food break and an entertainment break, I worry that the gift wrapping will get all jacked during our outing. Plus, my guys feel more part of the process if they see it all the way through. And if you follow these five steps, you, too, will have seen your process all the way through. The process of meltdown-free holiday shopping.

6 Beauty Tricks to Amp Up Your Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Fri, 7 Dec 2012 15:34:00 +0700

It's the most wonderful time of the year: When smoky eye tutorials, bold red lip photo spreads and updo how-to blanket the pages of holiday glossies. But if busting out an entirely new look isn't exactly your idea of a good time (hey, we'd rather spend the time with eggnog and friends instead of in the powder room), our experts say small tweaks can still add a special aura of glamor to your evening with minimal output. Cheers to that!

1. Eyes: Smoke 'em Simply
No need to pick through your hodgepodge of eyeshadows that require blending until the cows come home-our expert says there's just one shade you need to look polished. "Taupe is a universal and super functional tone for the eyes since it matches every wardrobe and works on all skintones," says makeup artist and brand founder Laura Geller. Simply dot a cream taupe on lids and blend out and into the crease with fingertips for subtle smoke, and finish with a top line of smudged brown or black liner and two coats of your favorite mascara. Laura Geller's Waterproof Eye Spackle Hues in Mink Madame, $22, is a primer-shadow hybrid that mixes flecks of shimmer into a gray-beige taupe.

2. Eyes: Fake Awake
If the holidays have run you down with tired, red eyes, celebrity makeup artist and brand founder Mally Roncal says to skip the smoke and instead go golden. She preps under-slept celebs with Visine Maximum Redness Relief, $9, drops first, and neutralizes red lids with brightening eye primer. "I then blend a shimmery champagne shadow on the inside corners of eyes and outwards to make them appear bigger and brighter," says Roncal. Curling lashes and topping with mascara will further awaken eyes that now catch the light.

3. Skin: Dewy Looks Younger
Simply adding a luminous sheen to skin can take years off your face. "Red carpet celebrities go to great lengths to achieve natural, radiant complexions to look younger," says Geller. Before applying foundation, prep with an illuminator like Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, $48, for skin that glows. You can also spray it as a refresher on top of makeup.

Or after you've finished making up, reach for a low-glow sheer beige shade to add subtle luster. "Sweep it on the height of cheekbones, across each brow bone and into the inner corners of eyes to create dimension and to highlight bone structure," explains Geller. Geller's Baked Split Highlighter, $43, pairs a creamy French Vanilla highlighter with a luminous sparkling peach blush called Portofino.

4. Lips: No-Commitment Red
"Red is such a sexy and jubilant color that's a great way to add a punch and instantly change your look," says celebrity makeup artist Molly Stern. "Opaque red may be too much and requires that you adjust the rest of your makeup, but a sheer splash of the color is so easy to wear and instantly warms up your complexion," she adds. Try VMV Hypoallergenics Lip Gloss in Cabaret, $27, a shiny yet sheer red gloss that bathes lips in moisturizing virgin coconut oil and green tea antioxidants. This product is available at our sister site, BeautySage, where we only sell products proven to work!

5. Nails: Wear Them Like Jewelry
One simple trick can turn your manicure into a built-in accessory. "For Badgley Mischka's show this season, I used a deep aubergine shade called Dark Side of the Moon, $18, and lined with gold shimmer Nefertiti, $18, across the tip," says celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann, of two new polish shades from her eponymous nail line. "A touch of gold or silver across the top looks like jewelry," she explains. To get your metallic tips to last longer, be sure to apply your topcoat on the sides and underside of your nails, too. Bonus: simply touching up the tips may be all you need to make your mani look fresh again.

6. Hair: Simple Is Elegant
In pursuit of a grand party entrance, women can pin and preen over hair all night when in fact it's simplicity that communicates the most elegance. "During the holiday season, it can be as easy as dressing up a simple ponytail to make it look clean and chic," says celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend. For a captivating pony that lifts and brightens the face, Townsend sprays a disposable mascara wand with a clear hairspray like Dove Style+Care Strength & Shine Extra Hold Hairspray, $5, and brushes the baby hairs around the hairline and nape of neck into a crisp ponytail.

Another simple option is the half up, half down style that flatters every face shape. "The modern version is softer and more romantic with just the hair from temples pulled back, leaving the hair above the ears down," explains Townsend, who adds that where you gather the hair in the back is the perfect place to add an accessory like a pin, brooch or even earring to dress up your style.

5 surprising ways people judge you on first impression

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Wed, 5 Dec 2012 19:23:00 +0700

When you meet someone for the first time or simply pass a stranger on the street, it's human nature to make assumptions about them: He's conceited and lazy, she's rich and friendly, that little girl is a huge brat. And you may have wondered what people think of you the first time they lay eyes on you.

"When it comes to appearance, how you put yourself together matters more than being conventionally pretty," says Brandy Mychals, author of How to Read a Client from Across the Room (McGraw-Hill, 2012). "A job interview can be over before you even sit down because the person has already made snap judgments."

Some of the ways others come to those opinions aren't what you may expect. Check out these five things people rate you by so you can make that tenth of a second count and wow everyone at first sight.

1. Your feet do the talking:
You can never have too many shoes-and people judge you based on every single pair. In a study published in Journal of Research in Personality, researchers found that people could accurately guess a stranger's age, gender, and income simply by looking at what was on their feet. They also associated certain personality traits with different shoes. More masculine-looking pairs were thought to be worn by less agreeable people, while stylish or attractive shoes were assumed to be donned by rich, conscientious folks. And people rocking those ankle boots that are so in right now came across as aggressive.

2. Cosmetic powers:
Brushing on a little shadow or blush can not only up your attractiveness factor, it can make you appear more confident. In a 2011 study funded by Proctor & Gamble and performed by Harvard University, people said women wearing a little makeup were more likeable, competent, and trustworthy than those with bare faces.

But don't use a heavy hand with that eyeliner: Too much makeup still made women attractive, but they also seemed untrustworthy and dishonest, especially when participants only got a quick glimpse of the woman.

3. Grin and bear it:
Your dentist is about to become your most popular medical practitioner. Earlier this year, Kelton Research conducted a study funded by Invisalign where more than 1,000 people were shown pictures of men and women's teeth. Those with straight smiles were perceived to be happier, smarter, and more successful and popular than those with crooked teeth.

Thirty-eight percent also said crooked choppers would kill the chances of a second date, and almost half said that when two job candidates had the same skills and experience, one with straight teeth would be hired over one with crooked teeth.

4. The clothes make the woman:
While Hillary Rodham Clinton rocks the pantsuit-and certainly nobody would doubt her confidence or competence-showing a little leg (tastefully, of course) may work better for you. Women in skirt suits were thought to earn more money and be more confident than those in pantsuits in a study conducted at the U.K.'s University of Hertfordshire. The researchers say the skirt balances professionalism with attractiveness without being provocative.

Wearing the right outfit can also change your self-perception, researchers at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management found. Students who wore white lab coats while doing a scientific experiment performed better than those in regular clothes.

5. Take up space:
Simply standing tall can speak volumes. According to a 2011 study published in Psychological Science, so-called "posture expansiveness"-where you open up the body and occupy space-not only makes you appear more confident and authoritative, you actually think and act that way. Posture matters even more than your title: It gives you a sense of power, no matter where you line up on the totem pole, researchers say.

10 Ways to Get Your Kids Excited About the Election

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:30:00 +0700

To raise a global, well-informed citizen, try these ideas to engage children big and small in the United States' biggest political event: the presidential election. Politics just got a lot more kid-friendly.

Take your kids to vote.
If your parents took you to polls with them, it's likely a fond memory that you tap into every time you vote. Share this with your children by voting during before- or after-school hours, and bringing them along. You'll send the message that part of being a good citizen is participating in one's democracy, and they'll get a kick out of pulling the lever.

Go to a political event.
We don't blame you for not wanting to face the crowds at an Obama or Romney rally. Make things tamer - and more personal - by attending a speech by a local politician. You'll leave better informed about the issues, and your kids will gain an understanding of what candidates are often asked, and how they comport themselves in high-pressure situations.

Read up
If your kids are bored of hearing adults drone on about the next president of the United States, give them the lowdown via children's book characters just like them. Joanne Bamberger, a political strategist and author of Mothers of Intention: How Women and Social Media are Revolutionizing Politics in America, recommends See How They Run: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, and the Race to the White House (ages 8 and up), Grace for President (ages 5 and up), and Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts (ages 7 and up).

Arrange a one-on-one
For those with a neighbor, family member, or friend who serves on a local school board or town council, Bamberger suggests setting up a time for your child to speak to that person about their motivation for running for office, and what changes they hope to make in the community.

Make a game out of it
Permission to play computer games? You won't have to ask them twice. Frustrated by Americans' declining civic knowledge, former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor founded iCivics, a website that has produced 16 educational video games in the past two years. Children can campaign for an issue of choice in Activate, manage a presidential campaign in Win the White House, and present real Supreme Court cases in Argument Wars.

Spot the sign
You've likely survived many long car trips by playing the license plate game, attempting to identify ones from every state as you cruise down the highway. Update the challenge by counting how many homes feature lawn signs for each candidate, and whether that changes in the weeks leading up to the election. Try this on several routes, stopping to consider why certain neighborhoods might favor one candidate over the other.

Get cultured
You may not live within spitting distance of the Washington Monument or Lexington and Concord, but every state has a presidential museum, library, or capital city in which most government business takes place. Most have education centers especially geared towards the under-18 set, so research offerings before you set out on a day trip. Ohio residents are especially in luck - the state is the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents.

Hold your own election
In 2010, Allison Stevens, the Washington D.C.-based writer of MomAgenda, held a mock family election in which she and her husband pretended their then three-year-old son was running for president of the family. "It gave him the idea of having to persuade someone to vote for you, and what a platform is," says Stevens. For older kids, try asking them to consider the family's opinions, and make decisions on behalf of the group for the night. In the context of the family, they'll learn some of what being a political requires.

There's an app for that
The universally beloved Arthur isn't quite ready to run for president, but as the result of winning an essay contest, he's invited to recite his paper, "How I Can Help Make America Great" in front of the commander-in-chief. On the Arthur Meets the President app ($2.99 for iPhone or iPad), kids can follow along as the book is read aloud, color, and work on jigsaw puzzles. As children hear the story, they'll begin to consider what they can do to make America great.

Write a letter to the president
Before your child pens her annual letter to Santa, ask her to compose a message to the president presenting what she wants for the country. She's likely gotten an idea of what issues are important to you, and can speak to things like keeping our troops safe, being able to go to the doctor, and school lunches.

When and what to eat before a workout

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 08:38:00 +0700

When and what kind of foods to eat before a workout can be a mystery, so we hope to dispel some of the myths and get you on the right track to eating the right kinds of pre-exercise meals. The two fuels that the body uses during exercise are carbohydrate and fat; during high and moderate intensity exercise more carbohydrate is used.

The body stores carbohydrate in small amounts in the liver and muscles, as glycogen; it is therefore important to make sure that the glycogen stores of the liver and muscles are optimal before exercise as they are depleted during training. The carbohydrate in your diet will provide some energy during exercise mainly from starchy snacks and sugary drinks that you take immediately before and during exercise.

The best advice regarding workout foods is to eat a meal three to four hours before exercise and have a small snack just before, ideally between one and two hours before your workout. So, if you plan to go to the gym at 5.30pm, try to have a meal (lunch) at 1.30pm and then a snack at 4pm.

Pre-workout meal ideas — foods suitable for 3-4 hours before exercise:

A small baked potato and baked beans or cottage cheese
Six crackers and cottage cheese followed by a piece of fruit
Porridge with a banana and a teaspoon of sugar
Rice with vegetables and lean meat
Pasta and sauce (for example: low-fat tomato and bacon sauce or Bolognese)
Two slices of toast, peanut butter and a banana
Two Weetabix and a small glass of pure fruit juice
A small baked potato with tuna and reduced fat mayonnaise and a fruit yogurt

Pre-workout snack ideas — foods suitable for 1-2 hours before exercise:

One slice of toast and jam
One small flapjack (oat bar)
One slice of fruit cake
A piece of fruit
Two digestive biscuits (graham crackers)
A fruit yogurt
A cereal bar
A small bowl of cereal
A scone

Not only should you think about your food intake before exercise, but you also need to consider the fluid that you drink. Don't turn up at the gym or go for a run dehydrated, you should be fully hydrated prior to taking any exercise. Dehydration is easy to detect, when you pass water make sure that it is as clear as possible.

The darker the color of your urine, the more dehydrated you are. Also, the frequency with which you pass urine can indicate whether you are drinking enough, if you only pass water once or twice a day it’s time to consider drinking more fluid.

So what should I drink when I am exercising?
When you are exercising for less than an hour; water or a hypotonic drink (a drink providing more water than carbohydrate) is the best to take. This is recommended for people who are at the gym or running for less than an hour.

If you are unsure about whether you have had enough fluid before you exercise, try to keep a ‘drinking diary’. This will help you remember to keep hydrated and maintain your fluid intake throughout the day before you exercise.

Tipsy Maple Corn

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:23:00 +0700

You Need:

3 1/2 tablespoons bacon grease, or non flavored vegetable oil
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
1/3 cup Jack Daniels
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup unsalted butter
fresh ground black pepper
1 cup peanuts
3 pieces pancetta, baked until crispy and minced

How:

Place the bacon grease in a 3 quart dutch oven with a lid. Add the kernels and place the covered pot over high heat. Once the popping begins, gently shake the pot to keep the kernels from burning. Once it is done remove the lid and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In another small pot add the Jack Daniels and heat it to burn off the alcohol and reduce it by half. Add the syrup and butter and heat until the butter is melted. Season with fresh ground pepper.
Place the popcorn, peanuts and the pancetta into a large mixing bowl. You want to sprinkle a little of the syrup over the corn a little at a time. You want to stir as you do this. Take your time.
Once it is coated put it on a sheet tray and spread it out. Then place it in the oven and back in for 20 to 40 minutes. Sometimes it takes longer to crisp that others so just check it and stir it around about every ten minutes.

Halloween-Themed Nail Art to Die For

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 09:17:00 +0700

Sporting your Halloween costume before the 31st may get you some awkward stares. A better move: show off your Halloween spirit subtly (aka not crazily) with nail art. With a Halloween-themed manicure, every time you glance down at your nails you'll get a fun little reminder that the holiday is just around the corner.

This year's nail art designs are an ode to all the classics monsters, like vampires, mummies, and skeletons. We've even got some bloody nail art. We know, sounds gross but it's actually super cool. Check out all the best Halloween nail art designs here.

Kruger Claws
"Sexy" cats, Freddy Kruger, and Lady Gaga are just a few Halloween costumes that require claws. But before you file your nails into sharp little daggers, try this nail polish trick instead. First, paint your nails with a nude nail polish. Once dry, place two pieces of tape diagonally on the tips of your nails to create a pointy template. Fill in with a gray or black polish. Once the dark polish is completely dry, remove the tape. Instant claws!

Gory Globs
If Andy Warhol was a manicurist something tells us he would've invented these pop art-inspired nails. After all, these blobs of blood and freaky eyeball/vampire teeth are all about fun. To get this look, use a nail art striper brush, $1.77, to create the thin, detailed lines of the accent nail. And to create the big blob shape, try a nail art dotting tool, $1.95, then spread the polish with the striper brush.

Monster Mash
Frankenstein is one of Halloween's most iconic monsters and you can celebrate this green guy with some nail art. Either keep it subtle with a simple stitch (use a striper brush) or go all out with an entire portrait. The main thing is to pick the right shade of green. Our suggestion: Julep Nail Vernis in American Beauty, $14.

Skull Candy
Usually we hide our skeletons in the closet, but not with this mani. You'll definitely need a striper tool to get these fine lines, or you can use a toothpick if you don't have a brush handy. Keep in mind that it's always easier to paint over white polish than black polish. If you want to paint over the black polish, it'll take at least three good coats of the other color.

Stop Excessive Pregnancy Weight Gain

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:54:00 +0700

If you have kids, you remember that pregnancy self-talk that, as we enter the drive-thru, says, "I'm already going to gain a ton of weight. What's another few pounds?"

But research has demonstrated that even a few extra pounds above the recommended weight gain amount increases a woman's chances of retaining excess weight after pregnancy and becoming obese in the long-term. In one large study, 14.2 percent of previously normal-weight women became overweight by one year postpartum.

And among normal-weight woman, 40 percent of them put on excess pounds during their pregnancies. Given that this added weight increases the risk of long-term obesity in both the mother and the infant, preventing the excessive weight gain in the first place is central.

A new study highlights an exercise and nutrition program that succeeded in preventing a significant number of women from gaining excessive weight during their pregnancies and also from retaining extra weight afterwards. Women were divided into three groups: a moderate-intensity exercise group who received nutritional counseling, a low-intensity exercise group who also received the same nutritional counseling, and a control group who received no intervention.

The exercise program was simple: Walk. The first week began with 25 minutes of walking three to four times a week. The women gradually increased their walk time to 40 minutes.

The nutrition program was equally simple, with suggestions for calorie intake that would support the recommended progressive weight gain (about 2000 kcal per day). The women were instructed to eat three meals and three to four snacks per day, with 40-55 percent of the calories coming from complex and low-glycemic index carbohydrates, 30 percent of the calories stemming from healthy fats, and 20-30 percent coming from protein.

The results, for the most part, were what you would expect. A lower percentage of women in the exercise groups gained excessive weight when compared to the controls, and they also retained less weight at two months postpartum. But the surprise comes between the two exercise groups.

No significant difference was found between gestational weight gain in the low-intensity group versus the moderate-intensity group. You would expect more dramatic results from the higher-intensity group, but this was not the case. Thirty-one percent of the moderate-intensity group gained above the recommended weight, while 35 percent of the low-intensity group did…not a significant difference. By contrast, 53 percent of the women in the control group gained excessive weight.

A few possibilities surface to explain the similar weight gains in the exercise groups of different intensities. One explanation is that the higher-intensity group ended up burning fewer calories from non-exercise activities during the rest of the day. Maybe they were just more worn out from the exercise, and it manifested itself in decreased activity later.

Another possibility, as proposed by the researchers, is that, even though the two exercise groups reported similar caloric intake, the higher-intensity group may have actually consumed more calories to make up for the calories burned in the exercise. Whatever the causes, the message remains the same. Low-intensity exercise appears to be as beneficial as moderate-intensity exercise for decreasing the risk of excessive weight gain in pregnancy.

Another interesting side-observation of the study was that almost half of the women who ended up gaining excessive weight, had already gained much of it before the start of the intervention (16-20 weeks gestation). This finding suggests that women who have not been exercising prior to conception should begin to exercise earlier than they did in this study. If you are newly pregnant or are hoping to be soon, aim for starting an exercise program at the beginning of the second trimester, about 13 weeks gestation, when the risk of miscarriage is low.

If you have been exercising before conception and have no complications that make exercise unsafe during pregnancy, you can continue your program as comfort allows, taking extra care to avoid exercise in hot and humid conditions. And remember, a modest stroll seems to be about as effective for healthy weight gain as a brisk power-walk.

Fall Pumpkin Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 10:18:00 +0700

1. Pumpkin Gingersnap Ice Cream

1 pt. whipping cream
1/2 cup milk
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup Homemade Pumpkin Puree
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt $
1/2 cup coarsely crushed gingersnaps
2 tablespoons bourbon (optional)

Preparation

Whisk all ingredients except gingersnaps and bourbon in a bowl to blend. Strain into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions.
Scrape ice cream into a bowl and stir in gingersnaps and bourbon. Freeze, covered, until scoopable, 2 1/2 hours and up to 1 week (gingersnaps soften somewhat after 1 day).

2. Pumpkin Puree
Skip the canned stuff and make a fresh pie filling with plump squash or pumpkin-both are in season now. Choose a dry-fleshed baking pumpkin like Sugar Pie (Halloween pumpkins are too moist) or a dense orange squash like butternut or kabocha.

Preheat oven to 375°. Cut 2 lbs. pumpkin or squash in half with a large, heavy knife, then scoop out the seeds (save them for toasting if you like). Rub the inside of the pumpkin halves with vegetable oil and set them, cut side down, on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until very soft when pierced, 45 to 75 minutes. Scoop flesh into a food processor and whirl until smooth. If the puree is watery, let it drain in a strainer for 30 minutes. Makes 1 1/2 to 2 cups puree.

3. Pumpkin Bourbon Shakes

4 1/2 cartons (14 oz. each) vanilla ice cream such as Häagen-Dazs, softened
2 cups canned pumpkin
1 cup milk
1/2 cup bourbon
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
About 1/2 tsp. nutmeg (preferably freshly ground)
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Sweetened whipped cream (optional)

Preparation

Whirl a third of the ice cream, pumpkin, milk, and bourbon at a time in a blender until smooth, adding sugar and spices to last batch. Pour into a large bowl and stir to combine.
Ladle shakes into 8 tall glasses and top each with a dollop of whipped cream if you like and a little nutmeg. Serve with straws.

4. No-Cook Pumpkin Chocolate Icebox Pie

3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
2 tablespoons half-and-half
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
28 chocolate graham cracker sheets (12 oz. total)
Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Preparation

Beat cream cheese and sugars in a bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth. Then beat in pumpkin, half-and-half, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy.
Lay enough graham crackers in a 9- by 9-in. pan to cover bottom (cut to fit if necessary). Spread a quarter of pumpkin mixture over crackers with an offset spatula. Layer 3 more times, ending with pumpkin mixture.
Cover; chill overnight. Set leaf cutouts (trace them on paper) on top and dust with cocoa, then remove. Cut and serve.

Immortal Foods

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:39:00 +0700

Professor Liu Shaoqun from the Food Science and Technology (FST) says food can be spoiled via the following reasons: (1) Microbial activity (e.g. growth of bacteria and molds); (2) Chemical reaction (e.g., oxidation as a result of exposure to the air); (3) Biological/ biochemical activity of the food itself. These activities can result in changes in the food and affects taste, quality, smell and colour.

Soy sauce & Salt
Soy sauce contains salt, which is a natural food preservative. It slows down food spoilage by preventing microbial growth. Prof Yuk explains that salt binds to water molecules and ‘removes’ the available (free, unbound water molecules) water required for microbial growth. Prof Liu explains that most microorganisms are not able to tolerate and survive in the high salt environment as they tend to lose water and get dehydrated.

Salt can last forever as it does not degrade or become stale when in its dry crystalline form, as stated on the official website of a salt producer in the United States. However, the ‘useable life can be limited by caking or lumping of salt crystals due to moisture.’

Sugar
As with salt, sugar has a similar effect in inhibiting microbial growth through dehydration. When kept well and in a moisture free environment, sugar can last forever. That is, in our lifetime.

Honey
It is commonly known that honey does not expire. As with sugar and salt, the high sugar content in honey results in a low water activity. Such an environment is not suitable for microbial growth, explains Prof Yuk. However, he says if it is left exposed to the air, mold will be able to grow on the surface.

Rice
Uncooked rice is dry with low moisture. Prof Yuk explains that such a condition does not allow for bacterial growth. If such dry conditions are maintained, we can keep them for as long as we want.

Hard liquor
Hard liquor such as rum Chinese bai jiu (white spirit), vodka, rum and whiskey are high in alcohol (ethanol) content can last for a very long time if properly kept without exposure to the air. Prof Yuk explains that if wine is exposed to air, it will be oxidized by the oxygen in the air to produce vinegar (acetic acid) which will then lead to a change in flavour. He adds that alcohol is anti-microbial. Thus, their growth is prevented in such drinks.

Vinegar
Acetic acid is the main constituent of vinegar. Research studies conducted by the Vinegar institute, an association of vinegar manufacturers confirms that vinegar’s shelf life is almost indefinite. They explain that its acidic nature makes it self-preserving, without the need for refrigeration. White distilled vinegar, for instance, will remain virtually unchanged over a long period of time. Prof Yuk explains that the acidic environment (low pH) prevents most microbial growth. While there may be some observable changes in colour or sediment appearance, the vinegar is still edible.

Baking soda
The alkaline nature of baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) inhibits microbial growth. If kept away from moisture, the dry powder form can remain unchanged. Prof Liu adds that nothing will be able to grow on it, not even mold.

Candy-inspired beauty products

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:37:00 +0700

Calling all chocoholics and candy corn lovers: Just because your trick-or-treating days are long gone, doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the candy. OK, so the type of Halloween candy we have in mind isn't edible, but it's almost good enough to eat. Almost.

We found sugary sweet beauty products that look, smell, and even taste like our favorite Halloween candy. Unlike the real stuff, these candy cosmetics will last you well into winter, and spare you any calories or cavities.

Candy Corn Craze
Halloween wouldn't be Halloween without candy corn, something skin care line Philosophy picked up on. The go-to for comforting beauty products has created an entire line inspired by the iconic yellow, orange, and white confection. This year, you can celebrate the spooky season by lathering up with candy corn scented shampoo, soaking in a sugary sweet bubble bath, and coating your lips in candy corn-flavored lip gloss. Prices range from $10 to $16.

Coats of Cotton Candy
Want your nail polish to do more than just look good? Revlon to the rescue. The cosmetic brand has created a scented nail polish, $4.99, that smells divine after the polish dries. Our pick is Cotton Candy, which comes in a sweet pink shade and leaves a scent that takes us back to childhood ... without the sticky fingers.

Marshmallow Fluff
Urban Decay took the "looks good enough to eat" phrase to a whole new level with their Sparkling Lickable Body Powder, $20. It not only gives you an ultra-fine shimmer, but also smells and tastes like marshmallows. We're not sure we want to lick body powder over eating a real marshmallow, but we love the adorable box and luxe puff that completes the soft, fluffy marshmallow experience.

Matte Milk Chocolate
Snickers, Milky Way, Three Musketeers ... for us, it's all about the chocolate. Too Faced helps curb chocolate cravings with their Milk Chocolate Soliel Matte Bronzing Powder, $29. Infused with real cocoa powder for a chocolaty smooth finish, it adds warmth to your skin along with a comforting chocolate scent.

Black sugar and sticky date pudding

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:48:00 +0700

In China and even Japan where black sugar is known as Kuro Sato, it is widely used in the traditional desserts and the slight savoriness of the sugar lends a nice contrast to otherwise one-dimensional sugary aftertastes.

It even has some health benefits to boot because the unrefined sugar contains trace minerals present in the sugarcane. A common health drink for females in China is to boil some black sugar with ginger slices and drink it to promote blood circulation and reduce abdominal cramps during that monthly menstrual cycle.

As black sugar is present in many Asian desserts such as sweet soups, puddings and even steamed sweet buns, using it for baking should produce some very interesting results! In particular, the Medjool date, known as the king of dates for its plump, sticky and rich fruit yielded. Despite their sweetness, they only contain about 66 calories each.

They are a good source of fiber and contain high levels of potassium, magnesium, copper and manganese. In color, Medjool dates can vary from a deep brown to a rich dark purple or crimson, and they work perfectly together with the black sugar in sticky date pudding.

Another variation done to the pudding to lend more dimension is to stir in some malted milk powder like Horlicks, it complements the spices in the batter! Lastly, the addition of brandy to the caramel sauce gives a nice festive heady punch to the dessert, serve this at any occasion and your guests will thank you over and over!

YOU NEED:

1 cup worth of stoned and chopped Medjool dates
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 cup boiling water 2 tbsp softened butter
2 tbsp Horlicks ½ tsp each cinnamon and nutmeg, sifted together with a pinch of salt
1 cup Chinese black sugar
2 eggs
1 and ½ cups self raising flour

Caramel Sauce:

¼ cup Chinese black sugar
¼ cup soft brown sugar, lightly packed
2 tbsp condensed milk
2 tbsp golden syrup
2 tbsp butter
¼ cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp brandy or whisky

HOW:

Bring one cup of water to the boil in a heavy-based pan.
To rapidly bubbling water, add dates and bicarbonate of soda, there should be furious bubbling for a few seconds.
Turn heat off, and let stand.
Preheat oven to 180C.
Whisk butter and sugar together, add Horlicks and spices.
Whisk eggs in and sift in flour, combine till smooth.
Add a little of date mixture in and whisk to combine.
Do not add all at one go as the eggs will scramble.
Gradually add the rest in, whisking to mix.
Immediately pour into lined 8×8-inch baking tin and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
Start testing with a skewer at 30 minutes, there should be moist crumbs clinging to it.
Otherwise, it is overdone.
Alternatively, you can divide the batter between lightly greased ramekins or muffin-tin moulds to aid individual servings, fill these ¾ full.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until an inserted skewer shows moist crumbs clinging to it.
Let it stand for 10 minutes then serve immediately in slices with warm caramel drizzled over, and a scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream.

Sauce:
Meanwhile, combine all sauce ingredients except milk, in a heavy based pan and boil rapidly till thickened. You may want to add in a pinch of cinnamon for extra fragrance. Remove from heat, pour in milk (otherwise it will curdle) and return to heat through.

7 Romantic Foods

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:43:00 +0700

Chocolate is one the most sensual and romantic foods, and its aphrodisiac power traces back hundreds of years in history. Eating chocolate releases endorphins in the brain which makes a person feel happy and loved. Throw some strawberries in the mix, one of the foods people think of most often before romantic encounters, and let the evening unfold. Try this delicious fondue recipe which is sure to please you and your lover.

1. Spicy Hummus
Chickpeas were believed to have aphrodisiac properties in ancient Roman history, making hummus a very provocative appetizer. Put a Mediterranean twist on your romantic meal and hand feed your lover bits of pita bread dipped in hummus.

2. Coffee
Coffee has always had a romantic, late-night feel to it. Just the aroma of coffee itself can perk up the senses any time of day. What better way to get a special someone feeling energized? Serve it up for them in a demitasse cup to create a special love buzz.

3. Steak Dinner
Few things are more fulfilling and romantic than a classic steak dinner served with a deliciously creamy sauce. To complete the mood light candlesticks, put out roses, and enjoy a romantic evening in your lovers company.

4. Oysters
Known as the culinary symbol for passion, oysters have long-earned their romantic reputation for their salty, sweet taste and velvety texture. Whether you pile them with chopped vegetables, lime juice, and herbs or just prefer their raw taste, oysters will add a romantic allure to any meal.

5. Spaghetti and Meatballs
Any food that can be shared on a plate can be very romantic, especially if it may lead to a kiss! Whether you order from a restaurant or make it at home, spaghetti and meatballs will offer a very special romantic dinner. Make the sauce and meatballs from scratch to ensure your special someone feels the fiery effects of the herbs and spices.

6. Fruit Salad
Top off a romantic evening with an even more romantic fruit salad. Using sensual fruits like strawberries, bananas, pears and blueberries will not only load your meal with essential nutrients, but inspire lustful feelings as well. Spice up the dish with a tantalizing honey dressing.

7. Basil
Basil, known as the herb for lovers, has a sweet, spicy scent with rich undertones. It has an alluring aroma and healing power known to cure any type of headache. Basil will warm the body and promote circulation, igniting sensual and loving feelings. Serve pesto pasta salad for a very alluring meal.

Halloween Cookie Bites

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 00:30:00 +0700

Classic candy treats serve as our inspiration for these amazing homemade Halloween dessert recipes. These fancy slice-and-bake cookies are a breeze to make at home thanks to a little food coloring.

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp lemon zest
Yellow food coloring
Red food coloring

Directions

Beat butter and sugar together at medium speed with an electric mixer 2 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Combine flour, salt, and lemon zest; gradually stir into butter mixture.
Divide dough into 3 equal pieces (about 1 1/4 cups each); tint 1 piece with yellow food coloring. Tint another piece orange using red and yellow food coloring. (Add 1 to 2 tsp flour to orange dough if food coloring makes it softer than other colors.)
Place white, untinted dough in bottom of a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan, pressing down. Top with orange dough and then yellow, pressing down. Cover and chill 2 hours.
Turn dough out on work surface. Cut slice 3/8-inch thick from dough. Cut each slice into 6 triangles. Place on parchment paper- or aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 7-8 minutes.

Sun protection tips

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 00:03:00 +0700

Women seeking healthy lifestyles will be in direct sunlight at times and should use sun protection products to really get the best benefit from any sun exposure. Sun safety tips are important in view of the fact that there is scientific proof that harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun can cause wrinkles and skin cancer.

Before you even venture out for sunbathing or swimming, take a few moments to assess your individual potential risk for harm from sun rays. Consider your ancestry, the type of skin you have inherited and if there has been any skin cancer among relatives. If so, chances are you may have the same risks and should be extra cautious with exposure to direct sunlight. Genetic studies show that regardless of skin pigmentation or shade, if there is a family history of skin cancer, all descendants can be at risk.

Remember these sun safety tips at any age:

Protect the skin physically by keeping it out of direct sunlight.
Be reasonable when sunbathing; use a timer if necessary so you are not overexposed.
If you must sunbathe, use proven and safe products that contain zinc oxide.
Work with your physician on a regular basis to test levels of Vitamin D.

Protecting the skin means wearing protective clothing to shield your skin from harmful sun rays. Wear hats and clothing that cover most of the skin area. New clothing material is designed specifically to protect skin from sun rays.

Products that contain zinc oxide are the most effective sun blockers. It is not a chemical that will penetrate into the skin and does not break down in storage. Use on facial areas as well as other body regions. Use lip balm to protect delicate lip tissue. Limit exposure to sun rays to about 5 minutes daily a few days per week; this should get you enough natural vitamin D. Enjoy outdoor activities from a shady location.

Always consult your doctor about the impact of sunlight on your own skin, or if you are concerned about skin spots, any wrinkles, or other skin blemishes. Take sun safety tips seriously and use sun protection products regularly so you do not burn, and remember that sun rays do their worst damage during mid-day hours.

10 Reasons You Don't Have the Skin You Want

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:03:00 +0700

Even though you think you're doing all the right things, some of your daily habits could be taking a toll on your skin. No one is perfect. But there are a few things you can change right now to get a glowing appearance. Find out if any of these activities are culprits, and get your complexion moving in the right direction.

1. You Use Scalding Water :
A steaming shower or bath may be relaxing, but using hot water every day can actually dry out skin. Do yourself (and your complexion) a favor; turn the valves to a more tepid temperature while bathing.

2. You Don't . . . You Know:
The endorphins that come with having sex (or even fantasizing) help increase the amount of collagen - aka the stuff that gives skin its plumpness elasticity - produced. Maybe you should read 50 Shades of Grey after all.

3. You're a Product Junkie:
It can take weeks for any new product to do its best work. In addition, constantly switching regimens can cause your skin to misbehave. So give your products a fair chance to do their thing, and be cautious when incorporating new ones.

4. You Overindulge:
Just say "no, thanks" to that extra cocktail before bed. Alcohol dehydrates the skin, puffs up the face, and interrupts your beauty sleep. Smoking is also a complexion wrecker, as it speeds up signs of aging by decreasing your blood flow.

5. You Exfoliate With Salt:
Did you know that coarse salt has been used to remove tattoos? And as you might deduct, jagged edges aren't the best choice for your facial scrubs. Look for gentle bamboo or sugar exfoliators over rougher-textured apricot and salt scrubs.

6. You Love Sweets:
Put down that chocolate bar and sidestep wrinkles. Excess sugar can break down the collagen that contributes to skin's elasticity, and it turns out candy isn't your only sugar culprit. Watch out for carbohydrates that quickly convert into sugar (like potatoes, pasta, and bread). Reach for foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin C instead.

7. You Don't Work Out:
A few hours at the gym a week can do wonders for your complexion. Exercise increases blood flow, giving your skin a glow from within. Sweating also helps your body release toxins. Just make sure to cleanse before and after workouts to prevent acne from rearing its ugly head.

8. You Sleep on Cotton:
There's nothing inherently wrong with sleeping on cotton, but thanks to its smooth fibers, silk is often considered to be gentler on the hair and face. Its soft fabric also helps moisture stay close to your body, keeping dehydration at bay. Besides, its cooling properties feel sensational on the skin.

9. You Don't Wear Sunscreen:
You've heard it countless times before, but sunscreen is a must in preventing all sorts of skin damage. Even when the weather cools, it's important to apply protection to the uncovered areas (face, neck, and hands). While your entire body requires a shot glass, your face only needs about a blueberry-sized portion.

10. You Don't Visit a Dermatologist:
Your parents instilled the importance of visiting the dentist and the doctor regularly, but what about the dermatologist? Even women without acne can benefit from professional help. Dermatologists can customize your regimen and reveal damage you can't see with the naked eye.

9 Sources of Vitamin C

noreply@blogger.com (amroni) — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 09:02:00 +0700

Vitamin C helps the body maintain healthy tissues and a strong immune system, and it aids in the absorption of iron. Vitamin C is considered a powerful ally if you're trying to avoid or kick a cold or other illness. Together with calcium and iron, it's also an important part of a diet that counteracts lead poisoning.

1. Red Sweet Pepper
You probably instantly think citrus when you think of immune system-boosting vitamin C, but red sweet pepper offers a solid dose of the nutrient. One half cup of raw red sweet pepper contains 142 mg of vitamin C and 20 calories. If you cook the veggie, a half cup offers 116 mg of vitamin C.

2. Kiwi
Kiwi the fruit, not the bird that's the national symbol of New Zealand is rich in vitamin C. One medium kiwi contains 70 mg of the nutrient and 46 calories. The fruit is typically eaten raw, but you could always attempt to make New Zealand's national dessert, the Pavlova, which is often topped with kiwi.

3. Orange
Who doesn't want an injection of acidic orange when in need of a vitamin C boost? You're justified. One medium orange contains 70 mg of vitamin C and 62 calories. If you prefer it in liquid form, 3/4 cup of orange juice contains 61-93 mg of vitamin C and 79-84 calories.

4. Green Sweet Pepper
Green sweet peppers offer 60 mg of vitamin C per half cup, with only 15 calories. When cooked, the vegetable provides 51 mg of vitamin C.

5. Grapefruit Juice
Grapefruit juice provides almost the same amount of vitamin C as green peppers: 3/4 cup has 50-70 mg vitamin C and 71-86 calories.

6. Vegetable Juice Cocktail
Drinking your vegetables provides plenty of nutrients, including a vitamin C punch (and, if your veggie juice is tomato-based, a healthy dose of lycopene, a disease-fighting phytonutrient). You'll get 50 mg of vitamin C and 34 calories in 3/4 cup of juice.

7. Strawberries
Strawberries are full of fiber and antioxidants, including vitamin C. A half cup of strawberries contains 49 mg of the vitamin and 27 calories.

8. Brussels Sprouts
This veggie may not be the most kid-friendly choice, but it is a true superfood packed with both 48 mg of Vitamin C, 300 μg of Vitamin K and just 28 calories.

9. Cantaloupe
One quarter of a medium cantaloupe has 47 mg of vitamin C and 51 calories.