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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

A Healthy Snack...




This is a quick healthy snacks that I always enjoy with the IT Guy...

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

Never Too Late to Plan Ahead

After my post yesterday it occurred to me to make a follow-up post. Sometimes having senior problems are inevitable and well to combat that I'm making sure I have some financial coverage for myself when I am over 60.

I am always a believer of financial planning and right now I am investing for my future. I just want to make sure I can take care of myself in my senior days. And well for those who weren't able to start young, it's not that late yet. People in their seniors can still get life insurance coverage even when you are over 65. My Grandma and my mom who are both over 60  were still able to get one for themselves!

So what are you waiting for? Start shopping around for a good deal. When senior problems are inevitable, we just have to make sure we are ready for them when they come!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Ways to Prevent Senior Problems


I spent last weekend at the farm with Grandma. It was my Grandpa's death anniversary and well I always grab every opportunity to visit the farm and my Grandma. She will be 90 this year and with God's grace she is still very active and of good health.

I'm trying to look at her life and see how I can mirror her lifestyle to I get to reach her age without any senior problems and I sum it up to 5 tips --

1. Adopt a healthy lifestyle at any age. Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, limit alcohol intake, and quit smoking.

2. Engage in mentally stimulating activities. Read, play cards, do puzzles and memory games. Take up a hobby if you will!

3. Be socially active. Do volunteer work, join a club, travel in group.

4. Visit your doctor regularly. Be in tip-top shape and get prompt treatments for any conditions as the crop up.

5. Adopt a positive outlook in life. Avoid stress and learn to relax.

I'd say the last one matter a lot and seems to be the hardest to do!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Importance of Breakfast



You want to lose weight, then make sure you eat your breakfast!

Regular breakfast skippers tend to consume more fat, be heavier and gain more weight over time. A study from Imperial College in London reveals a possible explanation. Twenty non-obese people were shown pictures of low-energy foods (salad, vegetables, fish) and high-energy foods (cake, chocolate, pizza). They were asked to rate how appealing the foods were after either having a filling breakfast or no breakfast at all. To check their responses to the pictures, brain imaging was used. The evidence showed that after having no breakfast, the participants' reward and appetite centers in the brain were simulated by pictures of high-energy foods. The findings are said to prove the theory that skipping breakfast is more likely to lead to weight gain.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Another Surprise Use of Baking Soda


If you have chronic kidney disease, you might delay its progression and prolong your life with sodium bicarbonate- also known as baking soda.

Did you know that this common kitchen ingredients is also good a pill? Well, it is according to a new study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology! Kidney function decline was about twwo-thirds slower in advanced chronic kidney disease patients who took a sodium bicarbonate pill than in patients who did not. They exhibited improved nutrition and had no problems associated with higher blood pressure despite sodium in the pill. The patients were also less likely to develop end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis. Sodium bicarbonate makes the urine less acidic and has been used for years to prevent uric acid kidney stones.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Wedge Shoes for 2010!




Though I admit I'm a big fan of high heels, lately I can say that nothing can beats the comfort that wedge shoes offer. Though its that high heels add a few inches and confidence to women, wedges shoes still give any women that heightened confidence with comfort!

Yes, wedges are a very comfortable alternative to high heels which can wreck havoc on our feet if we are on our feet all day long. They now come in all styles and trends from the casual chic to the corporate finish. And the very recent pair of wedge shoes I got are very light, and most of them are, contrary to what others presume that they are heavy and hard to drag.

If you have seen Christian Dior Spring 2010 shoe collection, it featured only one style which was meant to suit for both the season and the outfit created. Wedges seemed to be the top preference of Christian Dior.

As of now I have about 4 pairs of wedge shoes, this one is the recent addition to my collection!




Happy Wordfull  Wednesday!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

2010 Hairstyles for Women

For some of us, new year calls for a new look! And what better way to create a new look than a new hairstyle?! Yesterday we talked about 2010 beauty tips. Today I will talk about 2010 hair trends, specifically on hairstyles for women. I promise to make a series post on this topic so as not to load you with so much information. ;)

So what hairstyles are at focus for 2010? For sure there are a lot of new look to watch. As there are the new hair trend heavily influenced by the recent Spring 2010 catwalks, and there are the evolutions of last year's hair trends. Below are top picks for hair styles in 2010, with seasonal styles alongside looks for hair from short to long.

The Plaited and Braided Hair

The popularity of milkmaid braids in 2009 is not yet over.



Rather it evolves into the braided hairstyle trend in 2010. While it's natural for hair trends to evolve between the years, the resurgence of plaited / braided hair is mostly as a result of the hairstyle heavily featuring on the Spring 2010 catwalks. I'm referring particularly Alexander Wang's Spring 2010 runway, and also Miuccia Prada's Miu Miu Spring 2010.

There are two distinct braided hairstyle looks for 2010: the long side braid, and the fish plait as seen on the Missoni Spring 2010 catwalk.



This hairstyle is perfect for any hair color and is easy to do!

The Long Waved Hair

Having appeared in 2009, 1940s hair styles will continue as an inspiration for women's hairstyles in 2010. As it was last year this hair style is again inspired by the late 40s and, to a lesser degree, the early 1950s.







This hair style is suitable for all hair colours, though less effective on black hair. Waves should be firm but not curly. Can be worn with an off-center or side part, length wise and must fall below the shoulders. This hair style will look best with classic make-up and styling.

The Long 1970's Inspired Hair

There will be several fashion revivals happening in 2010 as influenced by the 20th century. The 1940s revival gives us the 1940s hair style above, while the 1970s influence upon 2010 gives us two distinct hairstyle trends.

My favorite, straight long hair, naturally styled and the 1970's inspired flowing texture.

Slickly styled, but not so slick that it feels overly styled or straightened. This hair style should be voluminous and definitely a style that works for super-long hair.



Unlike the waved hairstyle inspired by the 1940s, this flowing, textured, (and sometimes) waved hairstyle trend in 2010 relies instead on natural-looking waves that border on bed hair. This suitable with both a center and off-center part and as with straight and naturally styled long, flowing waves also work well with very long hair, like mine which falls to the midriff.

This hairstyle is so easy to carry and I can do it by just running my fingers through my hair!  See what I mean?! A proof that anyone can have this hair style!





The Slicked and Gelled Hairstyle

The Slicked Back - Just slick it back with gel, with fingers or a wide toothed comb providing the texture, this slicked back hairstyle mixes hair slicked back across the top of the head with textured length. Though there are some dry, heavily brushed texturing for the length, I'd rather you stick to a wet look as seen on Alexander Wang and Thakoon's Spring 2010 catwalks.




The Slicked Side - This hair style is the perfect alternative to 2009's half-shaved head hairstyle, the side slick is the strongest of the three slicked hairstyle trends for 2010. All attitude, it marries an overall wet and tousled look with a side part.

Masculine / androgynous slicked hair - This hair style made the slicked side becomes the slicked all-over for this masculine take on a wet look hair style this 2010. This hair trend also suits perfectly the year's fashion trend: the female dandy!





This hairstyle is great for short hair cuts and strongly defines the line of the part, and you can wear it as far to the side as is suitable for your face shape.

The Chignon

Hair buns, chignons, and hair twists are also in for 2010!

Amongst hairstyles every year there is always at least one 'up-do'. And it's no different for 2010. No more tacky interpretations, this year's up-dos (four no less) will all embody elegance without erring on the side of caution.





Traditional neat chignon is an easy and chic style for day or night for 2010. Even a sleek, tidy chignon should feel natural and sophisticated. For a fresh 2010 take on the chignon, try a highly textured low bun like what I did! I did it in less than a minute while making this post and asked the IT Guy to take a quick shot.



The Two Top Knots

Top knots were popular on the street in 2009. It conveys a young and playful look. In 2010 topknots are best in two forms: the sleek and the messy top knot.

Sleek top knots are nothing but tidy buns that sit right at the top of the head. (The one you saw at Marc Jacobs and Nina Ricci for Spring 2010.) This hair style best sit dead centre of the head, but can also work slightly off to the side. These top knots work best with straight hair neatly brushed upward and slicked into place with the top knot twisted around neatly and fastened. You may also try plaiting the hair first before twisting it into a top knot for a variation.





For a messy top knot, just sweep the hair up and fasten haphazardly. The effect is one of nonchalance and effortlessness. In this hair style volume is key, thus some help from teasing and hairspray might be needed. This works well with hair that has some soft waves and texture to it and best on hair with subtle highlights and lowlights.

The Up-do Hair Twist

In 2010 the classic French Twist is great when disheveled, as yet another chic yet carelessly thrown together look - tiwsts and rope braids! Twist hairstyles can also take the form of strands of hair twisted and then pinned to create interesting shapes. Rope twists, or rope braids, have also sprung up as another new style for Spring 2010. This style is simply achieved by twisting two strands of hair, then winding the strands around each other to form a 'rope'. This style can be left to cascade down the shoulder much like the side braid below; tied up into buns; or twisted around the head like a milkmaid braid




So that's it! Happy hair styling!


Monday, January 4, 2010

2010 Beauty Tips


Any beauty resolution for 2010? Resolved to look better? We all know that "you ware what you eat" stuff and drinking more water, moisturizing the entire body, using sunscreen and what have you right? So what are those good intentions we should really be making and putting into our list for 2010?

Well let's keep the basic and let's keep it simple. From laying a good foundation to rethinking our  haircare regimen, regrowing versus plucking one's brows to keeping a long lasting perfume, let's take a look at top beauty details we all should be sticking to this year.

1. Use make-up that's kind to your skin!

Yes, it's now time you take a look at your make-up and examine closely if they are kind, gentle and good to your skin. If they're not, then it's time to switch to a healthy product, such as mineral make-up. This type doesn't clog the pores and let your skin breathe and is good for sensitive skin. You may also want to check the content if it has talc as some people are allergic to it!

In choosing a foundation,you may want to include primers in dealing with uneven skin surface, open pores or oiliness. I usually apply a primer after a light moisturizer before I apply my foundation. You can check out Estee Lauder Spotlight Tone Perfector for a luminous skin and Avon Magix Face Perfector to have a lovely matte smooth finish!



2. Take care of your crowning glory.

I already wrote about haircare tips in the past, and you may click on it for some basic tips. In addition to that, let me share with you some ticks of using hair treatments the right way for better shine.

When you apply treatment, always do it after you shampooed but before you put your conditioner. I know most of us do it the other way around. This works best because the shampoo roughs the cuticles of the hair leaving it naturally shaft open letting the protein from the treatment to penetrate deeper. Applying the conditioner after the treatment slick the cuticles of the hair back down this giving a nice gloss and shine.

3. Regrow those brows!

I've seen so many women who have overplucked eyebrows and it can really add you years. Nothing beats a healthy defined brow framing your face and can certainly takes years off your look. Go strut for that fuller look with attitude, people would LOVE that!

If you have overplucked your eyebrows, no problem you can try some applications to help it regrow fast like, Adonia BrowRevive.

4. Dress up those nails!

A clean and well groomed nails says a lot about a woman. Here are some nailcare tips I wrote last year! Other than keeping a healthy year, 2010 is about going bold, so if you want to dress up that nails, go get that reverse french manicure! This was all over the runways from Tracy Resse to Christian Dior, remember?

A reverse french manicure is basically any color other than the traditional pink, with a contrasting tip, let's say a darker tip like black. (I remember I used to do neon green for my tip when I was in college, that was like the late 90s!). So have you decided what color to use for those tips?

And if you don't care for long nails, now worries! There is one getting the most popularity, the half-moon manicure, which was seen on several Fall runway shows- this is a darker nail with a neutral or white half-moon painted at the base. This can be done to any nails regardless of length!

Of course Mariposa starts the year with the right nails!



It was quick and easy to do! I did mine in less than 10 minutes. After spending my last day of the 2009 at the kitchen, I managed to dress up my nails before New Year's eve. This is the half moon manicure, I chose a platinum base and a perfect red color from Elizabeth Arden to cover the rest of the nails. I LOVE it!


5. Make it linger...

Yes, you can make your perfume last longer! Instead of reapplying perfume, just add a little baby oil to the areas where you apply your perfume. Of course, make sure the baby oil is unscented so it doesn't clash with the scent of your perfume.


6. Spring clean your make-up and make-up kit!

It's time to throw those old make-ups you've been keeping for years. Remember I wrote about make-up shelf life before? Yes, they do expire and once beyond their shelf life they won't do you any good. Though it will not kill you, it might cost you a lot going to the derma to fix whatever irritation it will give you.

Also you need to make over your brush collection. Applying make-up has also a lot to do with using the right brush and make-up applicator at the right time. Trust me once you have the right tools, it can save you time and do wonders! (I always invest on good make-up tools and I'm telling you it's really worth it!) And more than anything, always make sure to keep your brush, and other make-up applicators clean.

7. Get enough beauty rest!

Beauty rest is not only about sleeping and getting some proper beauty sleep. Other than the number of hours sleep you may also want to switch from an ordinary pillowcase to silk! I know I have mentioned this before, a silk pillowcase not only keeps the hair from breakage once rub against the fiber of the pillowcase while sleeping, this is also a great anti-agers because it has similar pH level to our skin. This allows our skin to maintain its natural moisture levels which means the skin doesn't get to dry out as much at night thus minimizing creasing and wrinkles. Silk also let our skin breathe and is hypoallergenic and while other fabrics wipes out your night cream, it let is penetrates the skin. Ever thought why most night gowns are made of silk? If you can invest on one, a pillowcase should not be a problem right?

8. Sort out those skin problems!

One can just imagine the impact of the state of the skin has on a woman. And not just to on women, but to most of us I believe. So I'd say never take any skin issues lightly no matter how seemingly minor it is. Visit your derma at once and attend to it. Improve your diet, avoid any source of irritants and never be afraid to avail of new technology to treat skin problems.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Happy 2010!




I wish you a year full of joy, laughter and success. May 2010 be the best ever for you all!


Cheers!