From The Window

Up in Big Mama’s high-rise apartment, I recall as just a little kid, peering down at a big world. Everything was so intimidating. The people were tall – the city was moving at a fast pace. From the window I felt safe, but every other morning Big Mama’s exercise was to take my sister Mal and me down the elevator to the street (on our way to the market). It was scary being blended into that big world, but she held my hand tight. Every once in awhile I would peer over my shoulder to look for the window up high – always amazed that we had come so far. Later, after returning to the apartment, I played a game in my head. I would return to the window and say, “I was there…and there…and WAY over there.”

A call from God is a beacon to the heart…a call to go there… and there… and sometimes WAY over there. His destinies for us are exciting, but often intimidating… out of reach, demanding that we STRETCH beyond our safe windows. We travel His way because our hearts love Him, but still the unknown is scary. Only in looking back, can we realize how he strengthens us one faithful step at a time. We discover the potential in ourselves. We discover that we can always do much more and go much farther than we originally thought. Today, remember that every God-given goal is attainable. We can advance and travel to every “place” of destiny. Every impossible thing can be achieved. Every mountain can be climbed and the unimaginable realized. We can do and be anything, if we hold His hand and allow Him to hold us tight.

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:19-20

No matter where, no matter how far He calls us to go, we’ll arrive – if “we don’t quit.” Everything is just intimidating from the window!

We’ve Prayed For You!
Minister Wilma Walker
Religious Editor

Makeup your Eyes Lips and Face for $1

One of my all time favorite beauty sites is e.l.f. (Eyes Lips Face)
Why? Well, as every fashionista knows it is the greatest site to indulge your beauty product spending habit and still maintain a budget. Once thought to be owned by Nordstrom, Eyes Lips Face offers the hautest beauty looks in the coolest colors, and in most cases for only a dollar a pop. No, your eyes do not deceive you; I said $1!

The beauty experts at e.l.f. believe that

Beauty comes from feeling and being your best, an inner confidence that translates to the outer-world as attractiveness.

And we, at COVERINGS, couldn’t agree more. Bringing beauty to the masses is what we are all about, and what better way to do that than to offer it at a price that every woman can afford? Offering everything from lipstick, to eye makeup, to skincare products, to complete beauty kits…Our hat’s off to you e.l.f.
You definitely have the stuff we love!

Step into spring

Spring has officially sprung, ladies. And nothing is more ferociously fierce than a brightly hued pair of heels! It’s the ultimate way to usher in Spring. Check out these women’s shoes, from Aldo, in Spring inspired colors.

HIMEL
This retro inspired faux patent leather pump screams “Spring!” The bright yellow color conjures up thoughts of long sunny days and freshly bloomed flowers. Use this shoe to add a pop of color and turn your outfit from drab to fab.

LAGATTA
Aldo describes this shoe as having a safari inspired print, which I totally disagree with. I would say it’s more carribean inspired. Either way, the print on this pointy toed stiletto is haute! The splashes of orange are what make this shoe come alive, adding vibrance and pizazz to your look and your day.

MCTHUNE
A pointed toed pump in a slightly distressed leather finish will have you singing songs of springtime. This brilliantly hued fuscia high heel will have you stepping into Spring in style.

Beauty Bargain: e.l.f. Liquid Lipstick

I love lipgloss! It has a more vibrant finish than lipstick and it’s far less likely to feather. While I am an avid user of MAC’s lipglass, sometimes a girl has to tighten the purse strings. In those instances I am a huge fan of e.l.f.’s Liquid Lipstick, which is much akin to the Stila Lip Glaze. But why not get the same quality with a smaller price tag?

With shades like Ruby Slipper and Pink Lemonade, you’re sure to find a whimsically named color that boasts of intensive hydrating agents and natural long-lasting pigments that works for you.  The Liquid Lipstick from e.l.f. will only run you $1, minus the cost of shipping and handling. At that price you can by 20 wands of your favorite shade or stock up on glosses, one in each color. Either way, your wallet and your lips will be thanking you for your colorfully, well moisturized lips on a shoe string budget.

Ellen Tracy’s Spring ‘09 Collection

This morning I was doing my daily internet perusing, with coffee in hand, and decided to pop on over to EllenTracy.com and see what was new with their Spring ‘09 Collection and am I ever so glad I did.

Talk about classy. Every outfit from her line is perfectly tailored and full of classy, elongating pieces. She is utilizing the trend of accessorizing with thin belts, to give the illusion of an hourglass figure. That look, partnered with her perfect fit pencil skirts make any woman look like a million bucks. Ellen Tracy tops off her looks this season, with trench coats and lightweight cardigans, coupled with long necklaces.

Her Spring Collection is full of pieces to mix and match, and easily transition from a day at the office, to a night out with the hubby, to bible study, and into Sunday morning with little to no forethought. And isn’t that the best kind of wardrobe to have; the kind that styles itself? Take Ellen Tracy’s Spring ‘09 Collection straight from the runway to your wardrobe.

Flat Abs Without Crunches

Combine a crunchless workout with flat ab results and you get a very happy Sharifa. Thanks to the guys and girls over at Self.com this dream is now a reality. Finally, you can get up off the floor and still have the type of tummy you’ve always wanted, tight and taut. Check out the video below to start your Springtime slim down.

COVERINGS’ Designer of the Month: Meet J. Goodwin

This month, COVERINGS has tagged J. Goodwin as the designer to watch. The 22 year old is a native of St. Louis, IL. Jessica comes from a long line of seamstresses, and started to design at an early age. Whenever Jessica’s mother would make her clothes, she always had input as to what they would look like. She took her first clothing and textile class as a high school senior.

Jessica’s fashions are eclectic with lots of volume and attitude. Her sense of style is classy and fun. She uses bold colors and printed fabrics that add geometrical movement.

Jessica Goodwin now attends American Intercontinental University in Atlanta, GA. “Perfecting what I already know is my main goal,” says Jessica. When asked where she gets her sense of creativity and style, she does not hesitate to say, “from only one source. God!”

Model LaToya is pictured in J. Goodwin Designs. Photos courtesy of Tessa Perkins of Eye On You.

M.A.C. Makes Over Hello Kitty

What do you get when you cross the cutest Kitty with the most fabulous makeup in the world? You get M.A.C.’s hottest makeup collection. A full line of makeup featuring Hello Kitty; Hello Kitty lipstick, Hello Kitty lipglass, Hello Kitty nail lacquer…I think I’m in Hello Kitty heaven. Any fashionista would be proud to don these colors in over the top blinged out cases. I fully intend to treat myself to a tube of Hello Kitty Lipstick in Stylin’

As for the beauty geniuses at M.A.C…I’m not sure whose bright idea this was, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am forever in your debt for this rockin’ Haute trend that we gals at COVERINGS totally love!

His Paths

God has His best in store for us today! Be encouraged and know that His eye is on your every step. No matter where your foot (in life) is positioned, no matter your pace, or leverage – know that more of US are being controlled by Him than we think. We pray and ask Him to have His way and He does. The confusion comes (“Lord are you with me?”) because His paths are often not ones we think He would choose.

He has truly proven not to be a God that leads His people down the “easy” road. Whether it it’s a desert or a sea, a test that demands we wait years, or request for a sacrifice unimaginable, we are still in the
process of learning “His Way!” Stay encouraged in your heats! Some of us may be on a strange unknown path today, but God is with us…and believe or not, it will eventually end.

When I was a kid on 53rd Street in Centreville, we had to walk, everyday down a path which we called, “The Alley.” During the warm months it seemed short and fun. We would laughing, kick rocks, and pick daisies: however, walking that same direction during the winters was torturous. Snow blowing in your face – wind pounding your body.

Every once in awhile you peeked ahead to see how much farther you had to go (which seemed like forever!) The encouragement was in knowing that the path would eventually end. Our storms in life will too and none of His tough selected paths for us last forever. Whew! Isn’t it good to
know? So just spiritually bundle up and keep striding – Spring is coming!

Psalm 37:
23 The steps of a good man are ordered of the LORD: and he delighted in
his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD
upholdeth him with His hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous
forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed

“We’ve Prayed For You.”
Wilma Walker
Executive Religious Editor & Staff

Keeping God’s Temple Beautiful

We have all heard the old clichés passed down from generation to generation: “Beauty is as Beauty does”, “Beauty is more than skin deep”, and “True beauty comes from within”. These age-old, but wise sayings come to us from conventional wisdom. I believe they are based in truth, and that true beauty comes from within and begins in the mind.

Today, “beautifying” the body has become a huge multi-billion dollar business. We spend money on face lifts, gastro-intestinal surgical procedures, tummy-tucks, liposuction, lipo-dissolve, cosmetic laser surgery, skin tanning and/or bleaching, collagen lip -injections, chemically straightened or curled hair, nose-jobs, breast reductions and/or enhancements, weaves, nails, tips, lashes etc., etc., …and the list goes on. I am not suggesting that these procedures are “bad” in and of themselves. But don’t you think that at a time when increasingly more time, effort, research and money are spent on beautifying the outward appearance, we might do well to re-visit the echoes of wisdom from the past. The voices of our mothers and grandmothers, and more importantly, the voices of our heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ…calling to us, wooing us, grounding us, sobering us, lest we become caught-up and intoxicated with the “ways of the world”.

The word of God says: “As a man THINKS in his heart, so is he”. Do you THINK you are beautiful? “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power; and of love; and of a SOUND MIND”. Many women have fear in their minds: FEARFUL of growing older and inevitably changing and losing their outward beauty. But remember that true beauty really does come from within and does not diminish but can actually improve with time!! Are you afraid that your looks don’t measure up to those of the models parading before us everyday? Do you feel powerless to control the effects of time and the standards of beauty upheld in our society? Jesus said, “Fear not!” Fear activates the sympathetic nervous system, making the heart beat faster, raising the blood pressure, increasing muscle tension, increasing stress, constricting the blood vessels, increasing respirations and oxygen consumption, causing palpitations, headaches and worry. No wonder Jesus said: Don’t be afraid!” and “Don’t worry!” “Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”. Just have faith in God and trust His care: “casting all your cares upon him because he cares so much for you!” When we are secure in His perfect love, fear is driven away. Trust in the Lord. Let the light of His love shine through you and your temple (body) will glow!

Remember, that greater is He that is within you, than he that is in the world. He has empowered you to make the right choices about your life and your health and has promised to never leave you nor forsake you. You have been admonished to LOVE yourself…and to use that self-love as the standard by which you measure your love for others. Did you know that “negative” thoughts stimulate chemical secretions in your body that weaken your immune system and speed-up the aging process!! With your sound mind you can THINK the same thoughts that God thinks about you: You are fearfully and wonderfully made. As the stars in the sky and the number of the grains of sand on the seashores of the world, so are His daily thoughts about you!

So, why not let the same mind (thought-processing) be in you which was also in Christ Jesus? “And finally, (my Sisters) whatever things are lovely, whatever things are true (according to God’s word), whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue; if there be any praise…THINK ON THESE THINGS”. Do a superb job of taking care of your magnificent body, keeping it healthy and beautiful. After all… it is His temple.

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