The Beautiful YOU

I always say and will keep saying, "be yourself", "you need to wear that, instead of that outfit wearing you", " you are beautiful" and "wear what you like regardless of what other people think". Well, in these sayings, there is something I'm trying to say. I have now discovered what I'm  saying between the lines and an even better, simpler but complicated way to say it, with the help of Nigel Barkers in his book, Beauty Equation.

He describes this as confidence. Yes it makes total sense! If you are confident you wear what you like, and you feel confident that it looks good on you. You become yourself and stop trying to look like this model, or act like that other celebrity. We also stop following "the trends" because what we wear is what looks good and "no one looks as good as me in this outfit."
Mr Nigel, goes in detail, he talks about inner and outer beauty. He mentions that they both compliment each other and that these two make a more beautiful and remarkable you. Do you know what your inner you is? Maybe not, because we are too busy trying to look like someone else instead of emphasizing ourselves.
With this in mind we should probably focus in ourselves and tell the world you are beautiful just because you are YOU.

The Key points to our absolute beauty are:

• Be Yourself- That's going to be the first and most difficult one. Portraying your self in yourself. (sounds incorrect but it makes sense)
• Emphasize your natural beauty instead of having a "make-over"
• Being sexy does not mean showing (or almost )you underwear in public. That's juts nasty and inappropriate.
• I would have to add that health mentally and physically. That's when we are happier and glowing with confidence and your real you. You just feel GOOD, trust me.
• Skinny (anorexic or bulimic) is not beauty,..that goes under health, and different and delicate subject;I might not even touch the subject. I trust everyone would be smart enough to know that's not healthy.

I would highly recommend this book, there is a website that follows the book were you can experience and have fun with your inner and outer beauty through photographs at Beautyequation.com.

Did I miss anything?

Maybe an example:

Have you notice that person that's always "glowing", happy and smiling and you don't know why? That's inner beauty. That person may not even be skinny or have a six pack or be model height (*cough me cough, cough the tall part anyway,...)

Any other example? How about you?

Sources:

• Barker, Nigel.Beauty Equation. Abrams Image, 2010. Beautyequation.com
• Stracci's Blog Writer Angel

Stracci's Winter Break

Hope your holidays were full of joy and harmony!

It has been a long winter break and thank god I had quite a few orders- crochet hats,scarves,bags,totes. Now it is time to resume on our beauty quest. Our next blog will be about inner beauty and our “outer beauty”.  Stay tuned, I promise this one will be worth it!

My question to all would be-

WHAT IT IS YOUR NEW YEAR”S RESOLUTION?

Bye-Bye Cellulite!

Source: Flickr.com By Geomangio

Cellulite is our target. Everyone has or gets them, even the skinny and the fit, may it be mild or severe. Cellulite is what we call dimples made by accumulated fat just under the skin.  Now that you have some insight of what they are, you might have an idea of how to get rid of them.

• Lets start by saying water is always the key to everything. So drink plenty of water, or your 32 ounces per day.
• Massage the affected area, where dimples are visible, massage with fingers in a circular motion.
• Exercise three to four times a week for at least 30 minutes. Since we're dealing with fat, it might be common sense that burning it will help.
• Reduce your "fat" intake. Obviously, eating healthier.  Figure out your serving per day in vegetables, fruits, water etc,. Get a little help by your instincts when you eat. "Juicy fried chicken or that grilled chicken? ", " I want fried chicken, so I might balance it with vegetables and water or natural juice". ( Once in a while is not so bad to give in to your craving).

Based on Dawn Gallagher, author of Nature's Beauty Secrets, anything that helps "boost circulation" will help with cellulite appearance. Below are some of her treatments.

For five minutes a day,  use a sisal mitt, soft body brush, or massage glove to brush cellulite, using long, sweeping movements. Work in the direction of the heart. (Gallagher 102)

Scrubbing with natural ingredients has its benefit depending on the ingredients. In this case we have:

Source: Flickr.com By Oberazzi

CELLULITE SIMPLE SCRUB 

...cellulite-busting scrub by one part olive oil to two parts coffee grounds. Olive oil moisturizes, while caffeine boosts circulation. Massage into skin with a handheld mitt or washcloth and rinse off. (Gallagher 90)

Beauty only requires one thing - to take care of oneself. Most of the tips always say drink water, eat healthy, exercise, pamper yourself (massages), relax, etc,..., now, if were caring for our selves doesn't this come automatically? As I see it, if there's a "defect", something we do not like, we're missing one of those things. It takes time to get it right and to fix it; Being persistent is the key, it is always an ongoing process.

Thanks again for stopping by, and for the comments which are greatly appreciated. Feel free to share this blog as long as you share the link and give credit to Stracci.

Sources:

Gallagher, Dawn. Nature's Beauty Secrets. New York, New York: Universe Publishing, 2011.

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Blackheads & Pores

Source: Flickr.com by estelabelleza

Pores are enlarged, right after puberty, due to the increase sebum release by the skin. The purpose of this sebum is to protect and hydrate our skin, but among those benefits it also contains fat and debris. Therefore, excessive release of sebum equals larger pores and oily skin, resulting in acne and/or blackheads. I have gathered tips to treat blackheads and pores.

First tip that applies to just everything in skin care, wash your face before you go to sleep, especially if you are wearing makeup. When you sleep your pores close, if you have a dirty face, you know where all that make-up and debris goes to.

Sarah Jessica Parker's facialist Yana was interviewed by Kym Douglas and Cindy Pearlman in the book The Black Book of Hollywood Beauty Secrets. Yana's tips was to buy a scrub with the beads the same size as your pores. Smaller beads will not be enough to penetrate the skin. On the other hand, larger beads will hurt your skin. (41)

To tighten pores, Rachel Ray recommends a banana mask. Yes, a BANANA mask. Squish the banana and rub it on your face. No, really make a creamy mask and apply to face. "Leave on for twenty minutes, rinse off with warm water, then dash on cold (water)." (Douglas and Pearlman 11)

Lisa Rinna uses an egg white mask to tighten her pores. (Douglas and Pearlman 12)

The best alternative for nose strips and to remove blackheads is glue. Ha ha, did I say glue? Yes, I did! Glue such as Elmer's glue it is nontoxic since mainly kids use it for crafts. Smear Elmer's glue on your T-Zone and let it dry. Remove it gently. (Douglas and Pearlman 10)

I hope you find this enjoyable and useful. Comeback for more tips.

Sources:

Douglas, Kym and Pearlman, Cindy. The Black Book of Hollywood Beauty Secrets. New York. Penguin Group, 2006.

Deals!

Stracci is having a very nice offer. Customers will receive a free bag with any purchase. Offer is valid while supplies last and is first come first serve.

Exfoliating Tips

Source: Flickr.com by Hotel Legenstein

Exfoliation is removing the top layer of skin, most likely dead skin cells. We shed dead skin cells everyday and renew our entire body skin naturally every month. By exfoliating, we are doing this process a lot faster. Removing the top layer of the skin leaves the skin fresh and vulnerable, therefore applying skin aid will be more effective. In my opinion, I would rather use natural ingredients instead of chemically made products.

To have a smooth, soft and "glow-y" skin, it is recommended to exfoliate once a week. Exfoliating more than once weekly, would damage and dry your skin. For people with sensitive skin, it is recommended to avoid exfoliating.

EXFOLIATING TIPS

Source: Flickr.com by Public Domain Photos

• Ladies everywhere have used this very simple and inexpensive body scrub-Sugar.  Mostly likely you already know, but have you tried it? All you do is add a small amount of sugar on your scrubber or wash cloth.

• Another alternative for sugar is Baking Soda. Baking Soda is a must have ingredients, since it has multiple uses.

Source: Flickr.com by rob.knight

• Helen Hales-skin care guru in Los Angeles -said a regular double
  sided(green one side and yellow on the other)  dish sponge is great and easy to use in the shower. She uses it to scrub the bottom of her feet and compares it to a foot file. (Douglas and Pearlman 9) Why not use it for those rough edges elbows knees and heels?

• Exfoliating and/or scrubs should not hurt.

• "Exfoliate back of arm with a texture glove or a cloth (Bristles are too harsh)." ( Claire 41) Marie Claire, author of the book Gorgeous Face & Beautiful Body, to avoid loose skin behind the arm you need to nourish and take care of it.

Thank you for visit and  come back for more amazing tips.

Sources

Douglas, Kym and Pearlman, Cindy. The Black Book of Hollywood Beauty Secrets. New York. Penguin Group, 2006.

Claire, Marie. Gorgeous FACE & Beautiful BODY. New York. Hearts Books,2006.

Timeless Black

Source: Flickr.com by QuilPhil

Everyone has or had a little black dress, black dressy pants, black high heels,black coats, you name it. Black its flattering, black is for mourning, black is elegant, black is hip, black is "Emo", black is sexy, black just works! For the coming seasons take on the color black trend.  

 Now, the black trend is black..... I mean back!! Besides the amazing designs from the  professional famous designers, the trend has combined different textures of black in one outfit. I have noticed various combinations of fabric on these 2012/2013 designs. So if the twist is texture, we are taking this trend and wearing our self inspire black. 

If you are thinking "OMG!! this girl is way too late" and you are already in the trend then show us what you have done to make the trend be yours.

*Come back for beauty tips

Must Know Tips About Weight Lose

Source: Flickr.com by UNE photos

Why do we lose weight fast and then it slows down?

The more you have to lose the faster those unnecessary pounds come off.  Personal trainer, Chris simplifies it by saying its like getting water out of a big container with a bucket, the majority will come out easily, but when you get to the bottom the water it's just so difficult. You body wants and needs to get rid of that weight. In addition, if you have never worked out your body will go into shock, causing the same effect.

The ability to lose weight has a lot to do with age and genes. After a certain age around 30 for girls, is extremely difficult  to lose the “pouch” and get into the model body, but not impossible. It means you have to be dedicated, actually workout, and really stick to a healthy diet. Diet that suits your life style and health.

Some people’s genes come from heavy parents, and although they can lose weight to a healthy weight you will not see them wearing a string bikini or will you? Don't give up. If you stopped losing weight or have slowed down, while exercising appropriately, remember slow and steady its good. You are closer to your goal.

Remember no pills, no starvation diets. There are exceptions for everything, in this case pills are taken for people who strictly need to lose weight due to endangered health and even for life threatening cases. In these cases pills are used to get a head start and maintaining to lose weight by dieting and exercising. Otherwise, pills can make you lose weight fast but as fast as you are losing it you might gain back.

Be stress-free, be happy, be active and overall love yourself, since this is going to help you make the right decisions for your body.