Look Your Best in a Swimsuit

The first thing I look at when buying a swimsuit is coverage because I am body conscious. However, I found that the stress of trying to find the best swimsuit for me is to follow these tips. If you focus on a suit that will alleviate your most critical area, you have accomplished much.

 

Shop for a swimsuit that will flatter your shape an not take anything away from it. Finding a suit that will compliment your flaws and create the confidence you want is also the key. This swimsuit is to flatter women with a smaller bust. The key here is to look for suits with the underwire, and maybe a little padding, or ruffles to present the illusion of a bigger bustline. Victoria Secret has some of these styles starting at $40. 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to target the the tummy, try a swimsuit that takes the eye away from the midsection. An attractive neckline or detail will subtly distract attention from the waist to the cut of the suit. Anthropologie has an asymmetrical one-piece for $168 that focuses the eye on your top half of your body. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For women who want to improve their curves, a swimsuit that has the detailing along the bottom and on the sides. It is important to accent with ties, folds at the waist, and ruching to give you a shaplier figure. Delia’s “skirtini” bottom with cinching at the sides is available in seven different patterns and colors for only $30.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women who have been blessed with more bust should look  for tops made specifically for large-breasted women. For example, find fabric that provides more support- thicker straps, and underwire designs.  Figleaves has some designs to target this area starting at $40 that should give you the support you need.

iPhone Beauty App

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out this new app for iPhone users seen on fashion week. Dr. Brandt has created a new application that can measure the UV index where you live to protect your skin. This is a free app you can download right from iTunes to get skin type-specific product recommendations and Q&As with Dr. Brandt. The cosmetic dermatologist is well-known in New York  for of the injectables like botox and other fillers. Also, this app makes it easier to buy product on the go, for instance, a bottle of Brandt’s UV SPF 30 face lotion.

Do You Have a Healthy Body Image?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most of us have a critical image of our bodies which other people may admire. Art does not always imitate real life, though. The culture around us can warp our self-image and distort reality because it is impossible for every woman to be a size 4.

From movies to magazines, we have all dreamed of having the ideal body type, perfect hair, and skin -the list goes on… You know almost zero percent body fat. Well, here is another point of view. God wants us to all realize that He made us differently to serve His purpose. Think about it. Everyone has a different talent that cannot be duplicated. No one sings the same, draws the same way, or cooks the same. You might not swim Mike Phelps the Olympic swimmer, but you may have a gift for something he cannot do.

In fact, the bible tells us that God knew the plans he had for us before we were knitted in our mother’s womb. We were made especially for our purpose on earth, the purpose that he planned for us. I do not know why we cannot be content in our own skin. It is a journey that some of us grow into with time, maybe.

I know people in my community that are real sizes, maybe a size 14. Yet, their inner glow and comfort in their skin is so inspiring that I am sure girls want to emulate them instead of the super thin models in the magazines.

So what about your body image? Yahoo Shine has a self-test that I included. Tell us what you think.
How do you feel about your body?

• The way I feel about my body is definitely informed by media images. If I steer clear of magazines and television, I feel better about myself.

• I love my body! Sure, I have down days about it, but for the most part, I really have a good self-image.

• I feel pretty crummy about my body. Losing weight is the only way I could feel better about it.

• When I exercise, I feel great about my body. It helps me to remember what it can do, not just what it looks like.

• I recognize that my body is not the Hollywood ideal, but that look is a manufactured fantasy! I feel sexy and strong just the way I am.

• Something else — I’ll explain in the comments.

Prada Does Perfume For Her

Last April, Prada’s Infusion de Fleur d’Oranger  was publicly launched. The orange-blossom scent quickly marks its spot as one the hottest perfumes to debut. It is packaged in a collector’s box printed with a beautiful Art Nouveau pattern from the Prada textile archive. The scent is drawn from a series of limited edition “Ephemeral Infusion” Prada’s exclusive fragrance. Much like the Infusion d’Iris, Infusion de Fleur d’Oranger has a layer of sparkling orange blossom on top with notes of neroli, orange blossom, tuberose, jasmine and serendoline.
Other new fragrance to debut is Infusion de Tubéreuse. This latest edition to the collection is a mix of Indian tuberose, petitgrain bigarade (its from the leaves of the bitter-orange tree), and hints of dynamone to balance out the floral/citrusy notes, a bit sweet for our own taste, we’re quite drawn to Infusion de Vetiver, the first masculine eau de toilette in the series. Tarragon, Madagascan pepper, and purple ginger—surprising hints of grapefruit combined that wears well with our female pheromones. Some critics suggest wearing both fragrances which can only enhance the organdy scent. They last for hours and are well worth the value you pay to collect them.

Keep Your Brain Fit

 
 

 

 

 

There studies that prove that certain foods help improve the function of the brain. The spice called turmeric found in curry, has shown to prevent the accumulation of plaque build-up in the brains of Alheimer’s patients.  The spice interferes with the communication between neurons which is beneficial to the overall health. Also, it is equally important to engage in regular physical and mental exercise, and make sure your diets is chocked with leafy greens and foods rich in omega-3s.

For example, Salmon has omega-3 fatty acids which is a mood enhancing brain chemical. These fatty acids are responsible for improved cognition and alertness, reduced risk of degenerative mental disease. Tuna has omega 3s high levels of vitamin B6 that is most important for balancing your mood. Seeds like sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, and tahini plus almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, and walnuts are great choices that are rich in vitamin E to serve as a positive mood enhancer with stress-fighting antioxidants and important brain-boosting minerals like magnesium.

IMAGINATION

 

 

 

 

 

The imagination is a most intriguing thing. I once saw it spelled
“IMAGE-NATION.” It prompted me to consider the total concept. Is there really a place where images exist? The imagination truly is a world where images and concepts are born. It is a nation where the pioneer thinkers hang out. It is in the spiritual realm and to those of us with creative gifts it is more familiar and comfortable than the real world. It’s our favorite place. We go there every chance we get. Dreams are born there. Designs, ideas and inventions hide there waiting to be discovered.

The Apostle Paul said that there are many gifts in the body of Christ.
Some teachers, some preachers… all members with particular functions. I once heard Kenneth Copeland describe very simply that while some of us are toes, hands and so forth, some of us make up the minutest parts of the body which are atoms. So all of you designers out there…you artists and pioneer thinkers, who just can’t seem to “fit-in,” consider this. There are those of us who make up the imagination of the body. Don’t think it is strange. Everybody has one!

Stay beautiful,
Paulette Whitfield Black
Editor-in-Chief

Harvey Faircloth Designs for Real Women

Abby Clawson Low, Mara Papa, and Katie Hatch are the three designers of Harvey Faircloth for the past ten years. Hatch was an editor in chief of Martha Stewart Weddings, Papa was an executive assistant, and Clawson Low was a graphic designer and former art director for Kate Spade. In 2008, these women decided to launch their label despite the recession. The Harvey Faircloth name was conjured from a chance encounter with a gentlemen Hatch met at a wedding.

Equipped with only their creative minds in tout, the women sought to change the fashion industry with ingenuity. “People thought we were out of our minds,” says Papa, “but it made sense for us at that time in our lives to just go for it.” “Our references aren’t as obvious as those you might already see in the fashion world,” says Clawson Low. “And we don’t take ourselves too seriously, which I hope can be refreshing in this industry.”

Katie designs the initial sketches for each season full of eye catching prints, silohouttes, and brilliant construction. Hatch calls the Faircloth look “classic sportswear with a twist”.

What is their unique vision? “She’s the ideal Harvey Faircloth girl: well-read, smart, witty, fun, and creative,” Hatch says. She is not the typical thin, long- legged model to launch their spring look. Harvey Faircloth label is sold at Castor + Pollux, A. Cheng, and the Harvey Faircloth e- commerce site, and they’re featured designers on Fadmashion.com.

The Secret to Prevent Midday Fatigue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pamela Peeke, MD, is a Pew Foundation scholar in nutrition and metabolism at the University of Maryland and author of Fight Fat After Forty. Peeke introduces a plan proven to prevent the midday slump (from 1,400 to 1,600 calories). She gives an example plan for the average 5-foot-4, 140-pound woman to keep her spirits and energy high throughout the day. Start by eating “smaller meals and bigger snacks, avoid sugar sprees, and mix high-fiber or multigrain carbs with lean protein (especially soy, which is not only loaded with calcium but also helps ease symptoms of menopause) and only a little fat (preferably olive oil)—too much drags you down.”

Breakfast: Unsweetened oatmeal (cooked with water or skim or soy milk) with cinnamon, raisins, blueberries, or a dollop of jam. Or a smoothie: soy powder with water or skim milk, and fruit.

Snack: Small whole wheat pita with two to three slices of low-fat or soy cheese melted in the microwave. Or a container of fat-free yogurt.

Lunch: Grilled fish or chicken on a bed of greens with a little dressing. (Use the real stuff—the fat-free spin-offs don’t satisfy.) Or a vegetarian wrap.

Snack: A cup of soup or half a sandwich (tuna fish with a dash of vinaigrette, or turkey with mustard—hold the mayo) and a piece of fruit.

Dinner: Three to four ounces of chicken, fish, or beef, or a veggie burger. Salad or cooked vegetables. Twice a week, add one cup of brown rice or whole wheat pasta.

Snack: Fruit and fat-free yogurt or unbuttered popcorn.

Article by O, The Oprah Magazine

Booties in the Spring?

Do Not Forget To Protect Your Eyes

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunglasses are essential to the wardrobe soon as we move into the warmer weather.  The best way to protect your eyes is with Ultra Violet sunshades.  Incidentally, I just found out there are UV-absorbing contact lenses are now available, however, they still do not protuding the eyelids.  Here is a list of tips from SHINE by Yahoo! for purchasing sunglasses:

1. Check for the OSHA label with 99 or 100 percent UV protection.

2. Look for sunglasses that are close-fitting. These will prevent UV rays from filtering in.

3. Look for larger lenses or wrap-around sunglasses to prevent light from entering in.

4. Don’t be misguided by price — higher priced sunglasses usually reflect fashion or durability, not UV protection.

5. Dark-colored sunglasses don’t necessarily provide better protection. A clear chemical coating applied to the lens is responsible for UV protection, not the lens color.

6. UV-absorbing contact lenses should not be used as substitutes for sunglasses.

Sunglasses are a timeless peice that can be own throughout each of the seasons. Please get in the habit of wearing the sunglasses because there are no replacements.

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