Venusity

Five Mom-Inspired Driving Tips

2012-01-25T20:19:00.001-05:00

Mothers say it everyday. Watch where you're going, be careful and don't rush around. It's almost like a mantra as kids scurry here and there in a haphazard fashion. This sage advice also benefits moms on the road.

Watch the road, not the clock. Mama said there would be days like these. One kid has soccer practice at the same time another has to get to dance rehearsal. Dad is working late and mom is in a bind. Forget the clock and watch the road. Hurrying and clock-watching causes accidents. Dare to be five minutes late and get there safely. Nobody will really mind.

Signs, signs, everywhere signs. Avoid the urge to slide through stop signs, coast through yield signs and rush toward yellow lights. Safety is more important than time. The demands of rushing home from work and taxiing kids to activities get overwhelming. Take a deep breath, look for signs and you'll still get everything done in the long run. Accidents happen when people fail to observe signs and traffic signals.

Take a back seat. Each state has different laws about children riding in the front seat. Mothers know the familiar refrain, “I've got the front seat!” Unless the child is age appropriate, they need to take a back seat. This protects children in case of an accident as little ones can be crushed by air bags. It may also prevent mom from breaking the law and getting a ticket.

Sit on it and clamp it. States also have various laws about putting children in car seats. Know the law before you hit the road with children in tow. If you're driving kids that belong to someone else, make sure you have the right car seat. Babies one year and under are typically placed in a rear-facing car seat. Older children need front-facing car seats and booster seats. Check for recalls, read reviews and verify local laws. Know how to properly buckle the child into the care seat. Be aware of car seat laws when you travel, too.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself. Mothering is a 24-hour job and sometimes other tasks fall through the cracks. Make sure none of them are related to driving legally. Always know the expiration dates on your drivers license, automobile registration, car insurance and inspection. Check yourself before you wreck yourself and wind up without proper coverage.

Bottom line: Slow down, you move too fast. Stop, look and listen – just like you tell the kids. Know the laws, take your time and always put safety first. Your kids are precious cargo and so are you.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Esurance blogging program for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Holiday Makeup Tips 2011

2011-12-05T09:37:00.001-05:00

Feeling and looking good comes from the inside out. If you don't look your best and want to cover it up with makeup, consider:

-Did I get enough sleep last night? Anything less than 6 or 7 uninterrupted hours will show on your face and body. Weight gain, stress, fatigue and darkened eyes are the result of ongoing sleepless nights.

-What did I eat or drink? Salty foods make you bloated. Sugary snacks put on the pounds. These treats are everywhere during the holidays, so try to resist as much as possible. The rule of one helps - just take one (but don't take one of everything!) so you don't feel deprived.

-Did I get any exercise lately? Marathon shopping for the holidays does not count as exercise. If you feel tired from holiday running, try yoga or a simple walk around the block. It energizes you and boosts your appearance.

Now that we realize Venusity comes from inside, we want to dress up the outer package a bit. Here are a few ways to perk up your look for the holidays:

-Red lipstick is a great way to brighten your face. Try pale reds with shimmer or deep burgundy if you don't like the traditional clarity of red. Another alternative are golden beige tones, especially for darker skin tones.

-Use a good concealer to hide those imperfections under your eyes and breakouts from holiday snacking. Lancome and Dermablend are good choices. On a budget, try the classic Maybelline cover stick.

-Add sparkle to your holiday face. Bronzing powder with metallic nuances and mineral eye shadow with shimmer light up your face without being obvious.

-Dare to add a bold touch to your eye makeup. Apply two coats of mascara - Maybelline Great Lash is always an excellent choice. Try dark colored eye liner such as navy blue or hunter green. Neutral eyes have pizzazz when you apply a bit of color to the outer eyelid.

- Primer makes your makeup last through all the holiday partying. Too-Faced Shadow Insurance is my favorite to keep shadow from creasing and wearing off. For the face, try Maybelline Primer Skin Transformer. Your foundation glides on smoothly and stays all day. Add a dusting of mineral powder to complete the look.

Happy holidays from Venusity! When you look fabulous, you feel fantastic!

Holiday 2011 Fashion Trends with Venusity

2011-10-25T22:07:00.000-04:00

Hot holiday fashion trends for 2011 are already being considered at businesses plan corporate parties and people plan their annual holiday bash. Wearing the right dress makes you stand out from the crowd. Of course, an unattractive dress can do the same thing for all the wrong reasons.

Now is the ideal time to shop for your fabulous holiday evening wear. As Black Friday approaches, the stores become more crowded. Shopping online is another way to beat the crowds and find the perfect holiday dress.

The little black dress is livened up with white for a delightful contrast. Rachel Zoe recommends "black and white and chic all over." Alternatively, bold jewel hues are a top choice for holiday 2011 cocktail dresses. Choose eye-catching colors such as ruby red, emerald green, turquoise blue and fuchsia.

No holiday season is complete without a bit of sparkle. Choose an evening dress with embellishments, embroidery and sequins. Helen Terzyan of Elegant Mart said, "Old Hollywood glamor is making a mod comeback for the 2011 holiday season."

Always remember to accessorize. Choker necklaces, cuff bracelets and dangle earrings add an extra touch of glitz to your holiday look. Add a pair of high-heeled pumps or low boots to finish off the look.

Makeup trends include smokey eyes in blues, silver and gold with drop-dead long eyelashes. Several coats of mascara is the choice over fake eyelashes this season. Lips are pouty with metallic gloss or shades of red and burgundy. Hair this season is big, smooth and shiny to finish off your holiday 2011 look perfectly.

Bring Venusity to any party and show your ability to shine!

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Elegant Fall 2011 Evening Wear Fashion | Bizcovering

2011-09-21T07:44:00.000-04:00

Can you believe that summer is over and fall is upon us already? I wasn't quite ready for it but I do love the cooler autumn season.

It also means time to revamp your formal wear closet. Check out this article to find out how:

Elegant Fall 2011 Evening Wear Fashion | Bizcovering

Yes, attending fall parties will definitely help me get over the end of summer. Anyone ready for a Halloween costume ball yet? Alright, off to shop for my cocktail dresses and evening wear!

Michaele Salahi On Rock Star Journey as Tareq Salahi Worries

2011-09-15T11:45:00.003-04:00

Michaele Salahi is the wife of Tareq Salahi, the famed couple who crashed a White House state dinner. Amazingly, the couple emerged from the incident unscathed and Michaele Salahi became one of "The Real Housewives of D.C." Many believe their actions are ongoing publicity stunts. The most recent situation involves Tareq Salahi believing his wife was missing.

I will digress for a moment about the "Real Housewives" series. As "Desperate Housewives" reaches its final season, we will be left with these allegedly "Real Housewives" such as Michaele Salahi. As a real housewife myself, get real! Frankly, there was more reality in the comedic "Desperate Housewives" skits than the some of the reality shows I've seen. But let's get back to the Michaele Salahi situation.

It seems this "real housewife" really isn't missing. Tareq Salahi is reportedly devastated she left but relieved she is alright. Nobody knows if a divorce is in the future for this gate-crashing couple. Who could possibly be a partner to Michaele Salahi after that daring stunt?

According to the Washington Post, Michaele Salahi ran off with a member of the band Journey, a group who played at Salahi-run polo matches in the past. Apparently Salahi is at a concert tour stop in Memphis with 57-year-old Neil Schon, the guitarist for Journey.

A deputy spoke to Michaele Salahi after her hubby reported her missing on Tuesday. The deputy was told by the housewife that she left home with a good friend and was where she wanted to be. The FBI is trying to make additional contact with her to ensure her well-being. Tareq Salahi was convinced his wife was kidnapped but that doesn't seem to be the case. Reality must be crashing down around his ears right about now (unless this is a stunt to get attention).

Do you think the FBI would look for an everyday housewife running around with an aging rock star while hubby worried about her? I somehow doubt it. It's more likely the housewife would return home to changed locks and glares from her fellow PTA members. Sort of like Desperate Housewives...I am really going to miss them and can't wait for the season premiere on September 25 on ABC at 9 Central.

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Go Bounce Your Question off Millions at Facebook

2011-09-12T11:12:00.000-04:00

I thought it was so cool to have an opportunity to Bounce my question off millions on Facebook. Life means making big (or incredibly small) decisions. Either way, sometimes you need a helping hand.

Right now Bounce fans are trying to figure out whether they prefer the Bounce Dryer Bar or Bounce dryer sheets. I think I like the sheets better because it's hard to teach me new tricks! Anyway, I had other decision to make and turned to Facebook.com/Bounce to get help figuring them out.

Check out the “Bounce it Off Millions” app to submit a question you need help making a decision on. Should you wear shorts or jeans? Is the sky blue or gray? Should you live in a house or apartment? Will you serve green beans or corn? Earth-shattering decisions such as these may require a helping hand.

Let over 150 million Facebook users help you decide between two options. All you need to do is like Bounce (which you already do, so why not go public?) then submit your question. You can also enter a sweepstakes to win two Bounce Dryer Bars – one is for you, the other is for a friend. Get in it to win it with 5,000 winners chosen.

The Bounce it Off Millions contest started August 22 and ends on September 17, so what are you waiting for? I found out about it through One2One Network and I'm so glad I did!

Glee, Martin, Rihanna!

2011-06-24T11:27:00.000-04:00

Summer is here and it's time to make plans! Concerts are one of the best ways to enjoy the summer. Hot stars such as Ricky Martin, Rihanna and the Glee Live cast will be performing across the country this summer.

Do you remember Ricky Martin in Menudo or am I showing my age? My parents remember singing in the "Glee" club, but when I went to school we called it "Chorus." Rihanna is long past the dark days with Chris Brown and moving into a stellar future.

Ticketamerica.com has tickets for Glee Live and Ricky Martin concert tickets and Rihanna concert tickets.

Don't miss out on all the summer fun! Dance and sing along with your favorite performers including Ricky Martin, Rihanna and the performers from "Glee."

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Let's wrap up this sponsored post with Rihanna performing "Rude Boy," one of my favorites:

Summer Fun the Safe Way

2011-06-24T11:02:00.000-04:00

Summer is here and the living is easy - or is it? We get relaxed during warm, sunny summer days and often expose ourselves to dangers. Dehydration, sunburn and insect bites are casualties of the season. Here is a brief checklist for good times without the summer side effects:

- Wear absorbent cotton clothing. Avoid polyester and other materials that might trap in heat. Light colors and fabrics breathe so you can, too.

- Use a facial moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15. Always wear sunscreen when you are outdoors for 15 minutes or more. Sunburn happens quickly and can put you out of commission for awhile. Nobody wants to be stuck indoors with a burn while everyone else is having fun outside! My favorite facial moisturizer is L'oreal Revitalift. It contains SPF and gives your skin a fabulous boost!

- Get a stainless steel water bottle and fill it with icy cold water all day. Bring it with you around the house, backyard and on day trips. Always have water available to combat thirst and dehydration. Drinking plenty of water also helps you maintain your weight and have beautiful skin.

- There are natural and over-the-counter methods to repel insects. There are several types of Off geared for everyday use, family use and camping. Natural insect repellents include citronella, lemon and garlic.

Enjoy the summer and be safe! That's celebrating the sun with Venusity! After all, I just wanna soak up the sun...

Making Traveling w/ Friends Suck Less - ad

2011-06-01T17:08:00.001-04:00

Super cool! Bonvoy is awesome if ur planning a trip w/ friends.The Facebook app lets u plan,book,and split the cost

Two Faced Shadow Insurance

2011-05-10T13:20:00.001-04:00

I love this eyeshadow primer. It goes on smooth and really makes your eyeshadow last all day. No creasing or wearing and the color of your shadow is beautifully enriched.

College Answers Engine - ad

2011-05-10T13:15:00.001-04:00

You guys/gals gotta check out the College Answers engine. It's like Yahoo! Answers but for College related stuff.

GLEEK out with Glee: The Music, Volume 6 - ad

2011-05-09T13:23:00.001-04:00

Pre Order GLEE The Music, Vol. 6. Fun doesn’t end because the show is over! Gleek out to hits like ♫Born This Way♫

Your mom deserves some flowers! - Sponsored Post

2011-04-20T22:08:00.001-04:00

Show some love on Mother's day. Click here to get 15% off and order Mom some flowers

Don't Do This While Pooping. - Sponsored Post

2011-04-19T15:19:00.001-04:00

Things you shouldn't do while taking a poop...should I get this list laminated?

Red Bull's Exclusive Music - Check It Out! - Sponsored Post

2011-04-15T08:21:00.001-04:00

Red Bull's got music! Have you heard their exclusive mashup of Far East Movement's "Like a G6"? Flyyy -->Listen

Half Price Gift Cards to National Stores - Sponsored Post

2011-04-11T17:45:00.001-04:00

Half Price Gift Cards to the top brands and websites. DailyOwl.com is like Groupon but instead of local places it's for web and national brands. http://www.dailyowl.com?1=ML

Saltwater Canvas Mom Sized Mesh Beach Bags - Sponsored Post

2011-04-10T10:28:00.001-04:00

This mesh beach bag is perfect for moms who need a lot of space for their beach goodies. 9 pockets!

Pell Grants for Moms - Sponsored Post

2011-04-07T19:07:00.001-04:00

We help moms return to school and receive the funding & grants that they deserve!

Soci-ads - Sponsored Post

2011-04-04T07:56:00.001-04:00

Get Paid to talk about your favorite brands ! Sign up today to get an early invite! www.Soci-Ads.com

Book Spa Week Treatments - Sponsored Post

2011-04-02T10:59:00.001-04:00

OMG. Deluxe spa treatments for only $50, Apr 11-17. I totally love @SPAWEEK - hope you booked!

ShoeDazzle's Free Shopper saves you Time & Money! - Sponsored Post

2011-04-01T08:33:00.001-04:00

Busy Mom? Step into style faster with our help. For a limited time, your first ShoeDazzle order is 20% off!

Glee: The Music Presents 13 Warblers Songs - Enjoy! - Sponsored Post

2011-03-31T19:16:00.001-04:00

Glee: The Music Presents The Warblers. 13 songs including "Teenage Dream" "Raise Your Glass" 2 unreleased tracks

Private Sector Adds 201,000 Jobs This Month

2011-03-30T12:48:00.000-04:00

Private Sector Adds 201,000 Jobs This Month

Red Door Spas - Sponsored Post

2011-03-30T08:57:00.001-04:00

It's almost @SPAWEEK, which means $50 Spa Treatments at 800 spas nationwide April 11-17. The Red Door Spas...

Get More Twitter Followers! - Sponsored Post

2011-03-30T08:55:00.001-04:00

Get more & better quality Twitter followers with these amazing tools. Build your followers the right way.