Tips for Beutiful Hair

Hair tips # 1: Don't over-wash your hair
Ever wonder why women in Europe or Asia, or for that matter anywhere outside the United States, have such amazingly healthy-looking hair? They do not, I repeat, do not wash their hair every day. They go at least two or three days between washes, letting their natural scalp oils coat and nourish their strands. Now I know there are some women out there saying, "You're absolutely nuts. I go to the gym, run, do yoga, and sweat, so my hair has to be washed every day." Take it from me, it doesn't. Instead, just give your hair a good rinse with water and follow with minimal product to avoid buildup. I promise, soon you'll find that you have a head full of lustrous, healthy hair.

Hair tips # 2: Learn to love leave in conditioner
If you give your hair a break from shampoo, it will dry out less and won't require much conditioner. That said, I am sort of addicted to leave in conditioner and recommend massaging one into damp hair on days you do wash. It gives your do just the right amount of moisture it needs to stay soft and adds a bit of texture and hold too.

Hair tips # 3: Stock up on dry shampoo
This is a permanent fixture in my styling case because it has so many uses. For example, you can dust dry shampoo on to absorb excess oil when you've gone too long between washes. Or you can use it to give fine hair some oomph—just apply it at your roots all over your head and brush through.

Hair tips # 4: Accessorize with caution
Steer clear of elastic bands with metal closures; although they might look harmless, they literally rip out your hair. Instead, use cloth-only ponytail holders to create "cruelty-free" tails and updos.

Hair tips # 5: Layer styling products
When working with a new styler—anything from mousse to pomade—take baby steps. Remember, you can always add product, but removing it is not so easy and can leave you with a serious case of the greasies. Begin with an extra-small dollop and build up from there. Another smart move: Apply stylers to the back of your head first. That way, even if you accidentally used too much product, you won't end up with a big, unsightly glob of it where everyone can see. And when it comes to hair spray, spritz it onto your hands first, then smooth them over the top of your head for a nonsticky finish.

Hair tips # 6: Make the (right) cut
If your hair is fine, ask your stylist to "blunt-cut" it. This is a styling technique where scissors are used to snip straight across each and every strand, creating thickness at your ends. And if your mane still lacks body, wrap large, dry sections around Velcro rollers, mist with hair spray, blow-dry briefly, and unwind for insta-volume.

Hair tips # 7: Pick the best brush
I have tried just about everything out there to get rid of static— and feel strongly that boar bristle hair brushes are the best at detangling and boosting shine without inducing flyaways. But the catch is that these brushes can be costly. The perfect compromise? Choose one of the boar bristle hair brushes that combines natural and synthetic bristles for all the gleam minus the price.

Hair tips # 8: Color your do on the cheap
I'll let you in on a big secret: If you're on a tight budget, do a little research and find a beauty school near you (go online or look in the yellow pages under "cosmetology"). On Fridays and Saturdays, the students usually run a salon, and for a small fee they will color your hair. Even though a student is applying the dye, she is being watched over by an experienced teacher. It's a win-win situation: The students get the training, you get the discount!

Hair tips # 9: Fix wayward strands
Got a strong cowlick or part? Once you've styled your whole do, go back to the section that's misbehaving and run a drop of gel through it (any level of hold will do). Then brush the area to the side you'd like it to gravitate toward and blast with a hair dryer.

Hair tips # 10: Avoid a "blow-fry"
If you have a dryer with a metal nozzle, be careful not to touch your hair with that thing! It can get really, really hot and do damage to your hair. Use the nozzle only to direct heat, and opt for a dryer with a plastic attachment.

Hair Style

Last night I was trying to do something new with my hair, after fighting about it, I decided to put this hair clips and I love it! It sticks like glue but still looks natural.

To be honest, I bought for $13 dollars but I decided to make some by myself so I just bought some material and I will be working on it during the week.

I will take a picture to show it to you ok?

Regarding Hair Style, I found 3 types of ways how I do my hair during the week and here are my advices for each of them:

Waiver: Use a defining hair curls with a moisturizing cream. Work it in when wet, then air-dry-practically hassle-free. You can use sunsill captivating curls de-frizz lean-n creme $4

Sleek: For a straight hair with sleek, grassy effect, air dry, then flat iron with a heat-protecting, sleekifying hairspray. You can use Straight Sexi Hair Smooth & Protect Flat Iron Hairspray $16

A chic Ponytail: 1. Starting with dry hair, spray volumizer at your roots, then blast them with a blow dryer (this is the way to activate any wet product you want to use on dry hair, Dornan explains). 2. Spritz the rest of your hair with texturizing spray all the way to the ends. 3. Brush your hair into a low, loose ponytail. Concentrate on pulling the sides tighter as you leave volume at the top. Secure hair tightly with an elastic at the nape of your neck. 4. Set only the sides with hairspray. Then stop—you’re done. “It’s tempting to polish up, but try to resist,” says Dornan. “You want it to look a little raw.”

How to Develop Self-Discipline

Hi Everyone,

Its finally Friday and I am happy planning how I am going to spend my weekend. Lately I start doing yoga and running and so far I am feeling good but I just need to put more discipline on it.
I was looking for a good topic to share with you today and because of what I am going through regarding exercise; I decided to search for how to develop self discipline.

"Perhaps no other skill is as important to develop as self-disciple or self-control. It is the key to self-mastery and the achievement of your dreams."

Now, let’s look at some steps you can take to increase your personal power.

1. Acknowledge your own responsibility. Admit that if you sit around doing nothing, you will achieve nothing.

2. Allow yourself to feel the resistance. For example, if you are like me who is trying to achieve self discipline working out, but don’t feeling too much energy to do it, say something like the following to yourself. “I don’t feel like working out today. I feel like pursuing some pleasure instead. But rather than running away, I allow myself to feel the resistance and I admit I need to work out. I also need to develop self-discipline. And doing what we don’t like to do develops self-discipline. So, I welcome this opportunity to kill two birds with one stone (work out for my own health and develop self-discipline).”

3. Take a few deep breaths. Relax and let go of any tension. Pause and visualize the action as if it were already completed. Study the image of the completed project in your mind for a few moments. This step prepares both your conscious mind and subconscious for action.

4. Now act. After doing so, you will feel a sense of relief as you free yourself from the stress that comes from ignoring an important task. Second, you will enjoy the pleasure of accomplishment. Third, you will discover the task was easier to do than you first imagined.

5. Relish the relief and pleasure you experience. Remember it. Savor it. Focus on it. For it will become the source of motivation. At first, the lure of relief and pleasure will be weak and the memory of it dim, but as you repeatedly do what you don’t feel like doing, the motivation to act will grow stronger and stronger, until a firm habit is formed.

6. Those who haven’t yet developed the habit of self-discipline avoid tasks because they focus on the effort that needs to be made. In their minds, effort is synonymous with discomfort. Change what you focus on. When facing a new task, focus on the relief and pleasure you will be experiencing. Also focus on the memory of how your imagination tricks you, always blowing things out of proportion. Remember that the task will be easier to do than your now believe.

7. When you launch your personal Self-Discipline Development Program, you will do two things: complete tasks and develop self-discipline. Of the two, developing self-discipline is more important. For once you have mastered that you will be able to do anything. So, it is important to be successful. Therefore, when starting out, don’t decide to work on the most urgent task, but choose the easiest one first and work your way up. Pretend you are working out in a gym for the first time. If you begin by trying to lift 100 lb. weights, you will probably feel overwhelmed and quickly give up. But if you start with 10 lb. weights, your workouts will be easy to do and your successes will motivate you to move on to bigger challenges. Take baby steps and work your way up. Trying to bite off more than you can chew will lead to failure.

8. Be gentle but firm with yourself. Act firmly in that you stop running away. Face your task, accept it, and accomplish it. Finish what you start. Follow through on every project. Focus on one task at a time. Don’t scatter your attention. But be gentle in the sense that you don’t have to do all your tasks immediately as long as you start doing some. Don’t expect to go from zero to a hundred in one second. Work up to it. Start slowly, but gradually pick up the pace as you develop your skills.

9. Expect to be tempted to avoid your tasks. Your mind will come up with rationalizations and excuses for putting off till ‘tomorrow’ what can be done today. Remain aware of your feelings and learn to think before you act. Use your reason (rational mind), not your emotions, to guide your actions. Do what is good FOR you instead of what FEELS good.

10. Once you learn how to quickly act on all the tasks, responsibilities, and challenges facing you, you will want to remain fit, always ready to act. Keep in shape by deliberately going out of your way to do things you don’t want to do, even if they are unimportant. The truth is, nothing is unimportant, for if doing something trivial helps maintain your self-discipline, it is no longer trivial. Remember that it is just like working out in a gym. After all, the workout I choose to do is unimportant; it is only the result (physical fitness) that is important. The same is true for your mental fitness. Look for opportunities during the day to ‘work out. ’

11. Once you can keep your level of self-discipline, you will be ready to move on to the next level by stretching yourself. Now you deliberately seek out difficult and complex challenges that you only dared to dream about in the past. Now that you have mastered self-control, you are ready to make those dreams come true. At this point, you are no longer paralyzed by task-avoidance. Each task you do frees up more time to work on the next project. You have now started on the path of endless growth.Life is not something that happens to you, but you are something that happens to life. Decide today to give up the blame game and take responsibility for your own life by mastering the art of self-discipline.

5 Tips for Effective Business Planning

• Clearly define your business idea and be able to succinctly articulate it. Know your mission.
• Examine your motives. Make sure that you have a passion for owning a business and for this particular business.
• Be willing to commit to the hours, discipline, continuous learning and the frustrations of owning your own business.
• Conduct a competitive analysis in your market, including products, prices, promotions, advertising, distribution, quality, service, and be aware of the outside influences that affect your business.
• Seek help from other small businesses, vendors, professionals, government agencies, employees, trade associations and trade shows. Be alert, ask questions.

10 BlackBerry Commandments

I am not a big fan of cell phones. To be honest, I don’t really like to talk in mine; I prefer texting, or chatting in person. However with the technology boom and all this new kind of cell phones, everyone has one, and something that annoy me most is to see people who plan a meeting with you but spend half of their meeting talking with someone else in her cell.

So, this post goes for those who are starting to be concern of why they are spending less time physically enjoying people who they love, or why their children are jealous of you spending time with your PDA or cell, boyfriends/girlfriends who start a fight just because you cant leave your cell resting.. Step away from the Blackberry, at least every once in a while and enjoy life!!!

Here it goes the 10 commandments:

1. Thou shalt not take the BlackBerry to any table with food on it or family around it. A BlackBerry is not a fruit, nor does it come from a tree.

2. Thou shalt not use the BlackBerry as reading material in the event of insomnia. It will only worsen your situation.

3. Thou shalt not BlackBerry in lieu of responding to a child's request (e.g., "Wait a second, I'm reading something.").

4. Thou shalt not place the BlackBerry within distance of hearing its incessant beeps while at home. It is not a bird.

5. Thou shalt not check BlackBerry as if it were your baby. It will not cry or stop breathing.

6. Thou shalt not confuse number of e-mails with self-worth.

7. Thou shalt do everything possible to misplace your BlackBerry on weekends. "There's No Place Like Home" will never be the tagline for the BlackBerry company.

8. Thou shalt remember that a BlackBerry is not a body appendage. It is a device that belongs in your briefcase or on your desk, and not in social settings.

9. Thou shalt refrain from bringing the BlackBerry to events involving family interaction. Extraneous dialogue with this contraption in lieu of real conversation suggests addiction.

10. Thou shalt never, ever, ever bring the BlackBerry to bed. Do this and you are BlackBuried!

A Checklist for Successful Onboarding

An interesting article:

"Onboarding — easing a new hire into his or her job as quickly and efficiently as possible — is a technique that a growing number of businesses are adopting. But while onboarding programs are becoming increasingly popular, it's also true that many businesses fail to exploit the process to its full potential. That's a shame, because a little time and energy spent helping a worker at the beginning of his or her employment can pay big benefits in terms of job performance and loyalty for many years to come.

This checklist can help any company get the most out of its onboarding program.

• Be professional. While new employees are typically concerned with putting their best foot forward, the hiring company also needs to leave a good first impression. An ad-hoc or slipshod onboarding program will make the new employee feel as if he or she has just signed up with a second-rate company. Over time, a poor onboarding program will damage employee morale, productivity and, ultimately, retention.
  
• Be clear and precise. Onboarding is a particularly terrible time to deliver weak or inconsistent messages. Miscommunication at the start of a job can lead to disastrous mistakes down the road as the employee naively performs actions that are contrary to best practices. To reinforce verbal instruction, companies should give a new hire an employee manual and other critical documents before their first day on the job.
  
• Keep it simple and low-key. Even if the employee's new job involves complex duties and responsibilities, the onboarding process should be kept as simple and as low-key as possible. This means that while you should divulge the information that the new hire needs to know to become a full team player, you should not overload him or her with every possible bit of available intelligence. There will come a time when the new hire needs to know that the company holds a picnic every Labor Day and that Nov. 21 is the company founder's birthday. That time, however, is not the first week on the job.
• Keep it interesting. Onboarding, by nature, will always require new employees to fill out forms, watch orientation videos and perform various other mind-numbing tasks. But try to make the process less boring by alternating rote tasks with more engaging activities, such as touring production facilities, examining new tools and meeting colleagues.
  
• Designate a mentor. The new hire shouldn't feel like a lonely piece of driftwood bobbing in a vast ocean. Assigning an experienced mentor to the new hire, preferably someone in the same general business area, will give the newcomer a reliable escort and contact source. The mentor should be available for consultation throughout the business day for at least the first week or so of a new hire's employment. After that, you may trim access back to scheduled meetings.
• Take time to listen. Onboarding is a two-way process: The mentor provides facts and support, and the new hire asks crucial questions about his or her job. To facilitate the ongoing flow of information, build time into the onboarding schedule to allow both parties to sit down and discuss — uninterrupted — whatever happens to be on their minds.
  
• Prepare the workspace. Onboarding's primary goal should be to get new hires comfortable with their jobs and working at near peak efficiency out of the starting gate. But this isn't possible if the person's workspace isn't available or is missing essential tools or materials. That's why it's important to have a permanent workspace ready as soon as the new hire arrives for work.

• Provide follow-up support. Too many companies take a "sink-or-swim" approach to onboarding, designing the process as a stand-alone system with specific starting and ending dates. Actually, onboarding should be viewed as just the first step in an ongoing employee-support program. During the onboarding process, employees need to be introduced to the company's full spectrum of career-advancement, wellness, recreation and other programs, as well as encouraged to seek information and other assistance whenever the need arises."
  

17 Things You Should Always Know About Your Company

I am currently part of an internship and I found this article which I am using as a check list of things to do before I finish my 6 months internship.

I thinks is really important not only for full time employees, intern and if you are looking for a job. So, here goes the article:

"There are a lot of things to learn in every job. Besides the job description, there is the corporate culture, policies and expectations for every employee. Here are some of the things that each employee should know about a company.

1. Mission Statement: Companies seek profits, of course, but they do so by fulfilling a mission for their customers. You need to understand that mission in order to know why you were hired and what your contribution is expected to be.

2. Customers: Every company exists to serve customers, and so does every job within a company. Know your company’s customers, even if you have no direct contact with them, and you will be able to do your job better.

3. Financial Condition: There is no better harbinger of your fortunes than those of your employer. If you work for a publicly held company, pay attention to SEC(Securities and Exchange Commission) filings, reports to analysts and trade press about your company. If your employer is closely held, you will have to rely on more subtle hints such as the ebb and flow of budget dollars and the grapevine of business successes and failures.

4. Chain of Command: You should know your boss, your boss’s boss and everyone else in your chain of command up to the CEO. If you do not know your place in the organization, it can be hard to tell where you stand. Know your boss’s allies and who might be trying to undermine him or her.

5. Health Insurance: The place to ask about your deductible is not the emergency room. You should know your primary physician, whether you need referrals to specialists, the cost of in-network versus out-of-network care if you are in such a plan, co-payments for prescriptions, dental and vision benefits, and the details of any additional aspects of your health plan. Health-savings accounts can complicate issues even more.

6. Retirement Plan: Afterheath insurence,returement plan options may be the most complicated of all employee benefits. Your employer may offer a simple 401 (k) or no retirement plan at all. You should know your options, how much you can contribute, your employer’s matching contributions, vesting periods and how your money is invested.

7. Your HR Rep: By now, it may have dawned on you that you need help understanding employee benefits and corporate policies. That is where your HR department can help. Take advantage of education classes or make an appointment to discuss particulars that are giving you difficulty.

8. Drug and Alcohol Policies: Almost every company has a written policy prohibiting use of drugs or alcohol at work. Some reserve the right to test employees under certain circumstances or at random. It can pay to know these policies, what appeals processes are available and the consequences of refusing testing.

9. Public-Statement Policies: A growing number of employees are surprised to learn that what they post on their Web pages or social-networking sites matters to their employers. Policies about public statements that reflect upon the employer’s reputation are increasingly common.

10. IT Help-Desk Contact: Who are you going to call when your computer crashes or you cannot access the network? Help-desk staff can save you hours of frustration and downtime. Their phone numbers should be pasted to your computer monitor.

11. IT Acceptable-Use Policies: Most companies tolerate a certain amount of personal use of corporate IT resources, including personal phone calls. But they take very seriously activities that slow down the network for everyone, downloading pirated music and installing unauthorized software that may infect the network with a virus. Also, employees should never view adult or objectionable Web content at work.

12. How to Request Supplies: Whether you need a stapler or a new computer, you should know the procedure for requesting supplies. Do you have to go through your boss, or is there a central supplies hot line? What paperwork is involved?

13. Smoking Policy: Even if you do not smoke, you may want to know where your employer allows it so you can avoid those areas. If you smoke, you may find some companies ban smoking during business hours. A few firms even forbid smoking on your own time.

14. Grievance Procedure: Sometimes a grievance with a supervisor or a co-worker cannot be resolved informally. At such times, it is important to know how to begin a formal grievance procedure. Often, it starts in the HR department.

15. Disciplinary Procedures: Supervisors must know what disciplinary options are available to them, from informal admonitions to termination. Workers should know what each form of discipline means to them, and the consequences of further need for discipline.

16. Fraternization Policy: Office romances happen. Most companies have policies forbidding fraternization between supervisors and subordinates. Others have more stringent policies. Before you start a fling, consider the potential consequences.

17. Vendor Relations and Gifts Policies: In order to avoid even the appearance of undue influence upon business relationships, many employees are forbidden to accept gifts from vendors in excess of some nominal amount. You should know if such policies apply to you."

Tips to Maintain a Healthy Metabolism

Metabolism slows down in our late 20’s and 30’s and keeps going downhill so in order to prevent it we need to do three to five cardio workouts and three total-body strength-training sessions each week or do three to five cardio workouts and three total-body strength-training sessions each week.

Here are some tips I found to increase Metabolism
1. Maximize your muscle. Muscles are fat-burning furnaces, so be sure to do enough resistance training to build and maintain them and follow your workouts with a snack or meal balanced in protein, carbohydrates and fat.
2. Don't forget the cardio workout routines. It improves definition and blasts the fat that covers your muscles. Combining regular aerobic exercise with strength training will give you the slimming effect you've been going for. After all, toning without cardio is like building a house on a weak foundation.
3. Be sure to stretch. It can help your muscles work better so you can more effectively isolate your problem areas.
4. Focus on your assets. Playing up your favorite body parts can boost your confidence and draw attention away from spots you want to minimize. Sculpting your shoulders, arms, chest, and back, for example, can help balance heavier hips so you look more proportionate. Plus, you'll be firmer all over.
5. Don't starve yourself. Undereating causes your metabolic rate to drop and your body to hold onto fat. The average, active woman consume at least 1,800 calories daily.
6. Go graze-y. Eat 6 small meals a day to avoid blood-sugar spikes and minimize urges to binge.
7. Get real. Fuel your body with wholesome, nutritious foods, and limit your intake of refined carbs (anything sugary or white-flour based).
8. Drink more water. Staying hydrated will help you feel full longer and keep you healthy.
9. Sleep tight. Get 7-8 hours of sleep at night.
10. Control what you can. Keep stress levels in check by managing your time, focusing on the present and not over-committing, also Yoga & Meditation can help you with this

Need a mini vacation?

“Travel often pushes us to our limits, and it presents a great time to reflect on the things that mean the most.” Kim Mance

Between projects, meetings, business lunches, decisions and frustrations you need a break. Now, you don’t have two weeks to relax in some tropical place. But what about a mini vacation? It’s perfect to take the edge off of all that office tension you’ve built up.

Women are more likely than men to feel guilty about taking time off from work, according to a 2009 study from Expedia. The same study found that women more often cancel or postpone vacation plans because of work. But how can you fit that much-needed vacation into your busy schedule?

Plan ahead , "A healthy balance is important when taking a mini vacation". As business women, our curiosity to see and conquer all can get the best of us.” Dont fail in over-scheduling yourself. Instead, “sit in the park, stroll slowly through a historic cemetery, sip coffee or attempt to speak the local language. Just try to get rested.”

Here are a few ideas to get this vacation started:

1. You don’t have to travel far to get away from the everyday stresses of life. Go Local! If you’re on a budget but still need a break, try checking in to a local B&B.


2. Visit a winery. There’s nothing better than a relaxing vacation served with a nice glass of wine.


3. Usually your girlfriends know just what you need to calm down. Make it a girlfriend getaway.


4. Don’t have time to plan? “A lot of larger cities offer great 3-day passes through the Tourism Office, which often highlight many of their major attractions.”

If you are like me, maybe you could be wondering if planning the mini-vacations could be more stressing than relaxing... Therefore, here are some tips:

1. Arrange for a pet-friendly hotel so your pooch can have an enjoyable vacation as well. Log on to petswelcome.com, a website devoted to pet travel, for a list of hotels that allow animals. If you decide to leave your pet behind, check out the American Boarding Kennels Association (abka.com) to find a legit kennel, or visit petsitters.org to find a professional pet sitter.


2. Pay bills due before return. Many service providers offer automatic bill pay, which allows them to withdraw the due amount from your account every month. To set up automated online bill pay with the phone company, you will need to give the company a voided check and one or two forms of authorization.


3. To avoid overpacking, plan outfits ahead of time. Choose a color palate and pack a few interchangeable pieces. For example, black pants or jeans can be worn multiple times with different tops. Choose travel-friendly fabrics like knits, gabardine and denim. Add some fun accessories to spruce things up.


4. Don't carry a lot of cash. Chieppo suggests bringing a small amount of cash and withdrawing what you need, using your debit card as you go. Travelers checks are also a good option because they are insured and can be replaced.


5. Don't wait until the last minute to renew or apply for a passport. During the summer months it can take up to 10 weeks to get a new one. In general, expect to wait at least four weeks from the time of application, but check with the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov) for travel updates.


6. Have each child pack a "survival kit" with games, books or iPods. Avoid packing pens and pencils; opt for crayons and washable markers instead. For road trips, cookie sheets and breakfast-in-bed trays are good flat surfaces for eating on, sticking magnetic toys to and coloring on.


7. Get your car ready. If you're hitting the open road, remember that car maintenance is always less expensive than emergency road service. Check the condition of tires, belts, battery and spark plugs before any road trip. Always keep an emergency kit in your car with (at least) a flashlight, flares, tire changing tools, jumper cables and a blanket.
   
   

10 Makeup Tips for Beautiful Makeup at Work

Moisturizer is the key to fresher-looking skin, and it creates the perfect base for makeup. For normal skin, use a lightweight moisturizing lotion or cream. When skin feels dry or sensitive, use a rich hydrating cream or balm. For oily skin, choose an oil-free formula that hydrates and helps control oil production. Hydrate the delicate skin around eyes with a lightweight eye cream to ensure under-eye concealer goes on smoothly.

Here are 10 steps to the perfect makeup application:

1. Concealer: For the most natural look, choose yellow-based shades of concealer, foundation and powder. When a shade is skin tone-correct, it will blend flawlessly and look like skin. To lighten dark circles, apply concealer under the eye, up to the lash line, and on the innermost corner of the eye using the concealer brush. Smooth and blend concealer by gently patting with your fingers. For extra-dark circles, start with pink- or peach-toned corrector, then layer on concealer.

2. Foundation: To find your perfect foundation shade, swatch a few shades on the side of your face and check the colors in natural light. The shade that disappears is the right one. Use your fingers or a makeup sponge to spot-apply foundation where skin needs to be evened out (around the nose and mouth where there's redness). For full, all-over coverage, use a foundation brush to apply and blend foundation. To cover blemishes, spot-apply foundation stick or a blemish cover stick in a shade that matches your skin exactly. Pat with a finger to blend.

3. Powder: For crease-free, long-wear makeup, apply loose powder in pale yellow over concealer using an eye blender brush or mini powder puff. Apply powder in your skin tone-correct shade to the rest of your face using a powder puff or powder brush.

4. Blush: Smile and dust a neutral shade of blush on the apples of cheeks with the blush brush. Blend up toward the hairline, then downward to soften color. For a longer-lasting look, layer a pop of bright blush (applied just on the apples of cheeks) over the neutral shade. For an extra glow, dust shimmer brick compact on cheekbones with the face blender brush. If needed, gently exfoliate lips with a damp washcloth.

5. Lip liner: For natural-looking definition and to keep color from feathering, line lips with lip liner after applying lip color. Use the lip brush to soften and blend any hard edges.

7. Brows: Using a slant-tip tweezer, pluck any stray hairs between and below the brows. Pull hairs in the direction they are growing, in one quick motion. Define brows using eye shadow (match it to your hair color) applied with the eyebrow brush. Use the eye-definer brush if you have sparse brows. To apply shadow, begin at the inner corner of the brow and follow its natural shape using light, feathery strokes. Set unruly brows in place with a natural brow shaper.

8. Eye shadow: Sweep a light eye shadow color from the lash line to the brow bone using an eye shader brush. Dust a medium eye shadow color on the lower lid and up to the crease using the eye shadow brush.

9. Eye liner: Line the upper lash line with a dark eye shadow color applied with the eye liner brush. For a longer-lasting look, dampen the brush before dipping into shadow. After lining the upper lash line, look straight ahead to see if there are any gaps that need to be filled in. If you also line the lower lash line, make sure the top and bottom liner meet at the outer corner of the eye.

10. Mascara: Choose your mascara formula based on your needs and desired effect. Thickening mascara gives individual lashes a denser look and is ideal if you have a sparse lash line. For lashes that are enhanced but still natural-looking, choose defining and lengthening mascaras. Roll the wand as you go to separate lashes and avoid clumps. If you choose to curl lashes, be sure to do this before applying mascara; curling lashes after mascara makes them more prone to breakage.

*Tips from Bobbi Brown –CEO of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, an Estée Lauder company.

How to Diminish Stress at Work

Don't let work, co-workers, papers, deadlines, etc make you tense. Stress raises your body's production of cortisol and adrenaline hormones, which lowers your immune response, making you more susceptible to illness. Here are simple ways to work on managing your stress at work:

1. Get Moving
   Short bursts of intense physical activity burn off stress hormones, release endorphins and restore balance. Instead of taking a coffee break, go for a walk around the building or climb the stairs at work.
2. Eat Breakfast
   Skipping breakfast may cause you to eat more later in the day. If you're hungry by the time lunch rolls around, you're likely to overeat, which isn't just harmful to your diet, but your stress levels as well. Putting too much glucose (blood sugar) in your system at one time adds stress to your body. Plus, any glucose that isn't used is stored as fat and carrying around extra pounds is a strain.
3. Grab a Snack
   Another way to keep your hunger pangs and blood-sugar levels in check is snacking throughout the day. When your blood sugar gets too low, your body goes into survival mode. Stash some healthy snacks at your desk so you're not tempted by the vending machine. Keep in mind that a snack should be no more than 200 calories; a handful of nuts, a piece of fruit or nonfat yogurt are good options. By fortifying yourself with food, you'll have enough energy to cope with the day's stresses.
4. Cut Back on Caffeine and Alcohol
   Many people reach for a latte to stay alert at work or relax with a cocktail after a busy day. These substances only aggravate your anxiety by releasing stress hormones. Your best bet is to replace your caffeine fix with a walk and hit the gym instead of happy hour.
5. Stretch It Out
   Even if you're stuck in an epic meeting or tied to the phone with constant conference calls, you can still move your body. Hunching over a computer all day can take its toll, so do some stretches to release muscle tension. Reach forward to stretch your upper back and shoulder. To relieve tension from your neck, lift each ear away from the shoulders. Cross one foot over the opposite knee and lean forward slightly to stretch your hip and butt muscles. Or, sign for a Yoga Class!

Why is Important to Follow Your Intuition?

That feeling in your stomach compelling you to do--or not do--something for no logical reason. It's what drives you to take the long way to work and miss the traffic accident or to accept the date with the guy who turns out to be the one. And while it may seem like a mysterious force,intuition is actually a highly specialized way of thinking." It's learned expertise--something we might not even be aware we had—that is instantly accessible, says David Myers, the author of Intuition: Its Powers and Perils.

The good news is you can find out how to tap into your gut, take control of your destiny, and start living a more rewarding life simply by answering these six questions.

1. Are you in tune with your environment?
To fine-tune this ability yourself, identify a few places you know very well, like your home, office, or neighborhood, and try to find three things in each that you've never noticed before. This simple act will help train you to be attuned to changes or irregularities. Once you've picked up on a message from your environment, use it to make a decision. For example, if you look around your home and notice that an electrical cord has become frayed, replace it. Even if you don't have a child, you may prevent a guest's toddler from having a serious accident.

2. Are you a good listener?
"In order to be intuitive, you need to actively pay attention to what others and your environment are telling you. The more information you take in, the more your mind has to draw from when it comes time to make a pivotal decision.

"Go with the solution that resonates most with you, even if you can't pinpoint why it seems right"

To become a better listener, start by asking yourself, "How often do I cut people off? Am I frequently trying to get my point across rather than listening?" If so, try maintaining eye contact with the person speaking to you. "You're less likely to interrupt someone you're staring at," says Whelan. This will help you really hear everything he or she has to say. Over time it will help you pick up on things others don't.

3. Do you pay attention to body language?
Highly intuitive people may seem like mind readers, but the truth is, they're just better at guessing what people around them are thinking--largely because they're adept at sussing out nonverbal signals.

"Being kicked out of the group could mean death, so people became very good at evaluating facial expressions and social cues,". Now a similar phenomenon occurs with people who have faced rejection (e.g., they've been booted out of a clique at school or gotten dumped. "They are generally able to recognize who is and isn't being genuine simply by scrutinizing their smiles." To become a better body language reader, stare someone in the eyes when they smile: "If the muscles around their eyes crinkle, it's the real deal. A faux smile only requires you to move your mouth." Rapid swallowing or blinking and restricted arm movements can indicate dishonesty.

4. Are you a risk taker?
The most successful were not those with the most experienced. Rather, they were the ones whose workers had the most diverse and unconventional backgrounds--in other words, the companies that made risky hires instead of just seeking out the strongest résumés. "Going out on a limb is another bedrock of intuition. When you take risks, you're being proactive, which helps you control events better than when you're reactive,". In essence, you're upping the odds that good things will come your way.

Get in the habit of actively seeking out opportunities to do things that are outside the norm for you. Take an unexpected route on your evening walk just because it feels right, or pick up the phone and call someone who inexplicably pops into your mind. Not only will this get you in the habit of listening to your gut, it will also help you get accustomed to making proactive choices. Chances are, some of them will eventually make a difference. Reconnecting with an old friend, for example, could result in a lead on a great new job.

5. Do you second-guess yourself?

Identify the things you probably know more about than most-- your health, family, and job. If you have a strong feeling about any of these, pay attention to it—and ask yourself as many questions about it as possible ("How long have I felt this way?" "What exactly am I reacting to?"). Then write down the answers and determine whether you're onto something that could warrant further action and ultimately lead you to a wise (aka intuitive) decision.

6. Can you let go and relax?
Scientists are discovering that when you’re looking for insight, taking a break from what you're doing is often the best approach.

"Consciously or not, your mind is always working. Giving yourself permission to let go of your focus and ignore all the maybes and what ifs can make room for you to follow more intuitive ideas,"

Doing something fun can give your brain space for insight, according to Jung-Beeman. So try to find 30 minutes a day for exercise, reading for pleasure, enjoying nature, or even squeezing in a catch-up session with a friend--anything that steers your thoughts away from daily stresses and patterns will help clear your head of clutter. During those times, force yourself to not think of anything in particular. Instead let your mind free-associate--and don't be surprised if the insight you gain leads to an outcome you never dreamed possible.

Shopping-Must Have

Basic wardrobe planning includes these 21 must haves:

1. Classic trench coat : A basic belted trench coat is versatile and comes in a variety of fabric and color options. To avoid looking like a secret agent: Choose a well-tailored option that hits right at (or below) the knee for a polished look.



2. Sexy bikini: The most flattering two-piece is one that's not too skimpy; pick a halter or bandeau top with a hipster bottom for just enough coverage in your sexy bikini. Or play up curves and make legs look longer in a one-piece suit with a high-rise cut.



3. Stylish pair of flat shoes: Give your feet a well-deserved break; try a knockout color like red. Heels aren't the only way to fancy up your feet. From preppy-casual to peep-toe sexy, you'll love the way the right flat shoes look with jeans, dresses and trousers.



4. Sophisticated white shirt: Think of a white button-up blouse as your upper body's version of black pants—it's versatile enough to wear anywhere, with almost anything. Pair your white shirt over a bikini for a weekend getaway or with your favorite pants for work.



5. Cashmere sweater: Invest in a classic style in a statement-making, vibrant color to brighten up your wardrobe. A cashmere sweater is luxurious and versatile—you can wear it to the office, for an evening on the town or just chilling out at home.



6. Sexy camisole: For a hint of sexiness and sophistication, wear this essential underpinning with a jacket or a cardigan. With several flattering styles from silky to lacy, a sexy camisole looks super-stylish on its own too.



7. Slimming A-line skirt: From mid-thigh to knee-skimming or longer, an a-skirt with just enough volume to move with you is always feminine and fun.



8. Fabulous-fitting jeans: Whether faded or tailored, the right pair of jeans will make you feel super-sexy every minute.



9. Signature scarf: The right scarf can add instant impact to a suit or a crisp white shirt. Pick one in a bold color or vivid pattern; tie it around your neck or onto your purse handle, or twist it and wear it as a simple, but vibrant, belt.



10. Confidence-building suit: From boardroom to bistro, an up-to-date, well-fitting suit flatters any shape. And it offers endless style options: Wear blazer and pants with a blouse for that impress-everyone meeting; pair the pants with a crisp white shirt and cashmere sweater for everyday; or add a camisole to the suit (along with a sexy pair of heels) for that evening event.



11. Sophisticated leather belt: Well-crafted leather belt looks polished and completes your look. Pair it over a long blouse, with a suit or to dress up a basic tank.



12. Face-flattering fashion sunglasses: The easiest way to class up any outfit—for work or weekend—is with a super-classy (and UV-protective) pair of fashion sunglasses. A general rule of thumb when shopping for the perfect pair: Rounded frames soften a square jaw line, square frames slim cheeks and rectangular frames add width and dimension to your face.


13. Jewelry you love :Simple but striking, jewelry can give everyday basics new life. Finish off any look, for example, with a pair of simple gold hoops, or opt for a large, chunky necklace (and skip the earrings altogether); either of these will instantly add glamour.


14. A supportive bra: You need at least five of these (or one for every day of the week that you work out). Replace them every year -- otherwise stretched-out fabric won't give you the support and figure flattery you need for a smooth, jiggle-free silhouette. Pick fun colors if you don't plan to wear a T-shirt over it.


15. Comfy lounge pants: Who doesn't love coming home to a pair? In fabrics like terry cloth, cotton or velour, you can pull them on for yoga or wear them to the grocery store (with a pair of comfy shoes) without feeling sweatpants-sloppy.


16. A stay-dry tee: With the evolution of breathable, sweat-wicking fabrics, this closet staple keeps skin dry so you're cooler during workouts (who likes -- or needs -- a soaked tee?). Look for those with antimicrobial fabrics too, which can help prevent sweaty, post-workout aroma. And always opt for bright colors (other than white) to help boost your mood, confidence -- and your desire to work out. Our tip: Have plenty on hand for frequent workouts.


17. An all-around tote: A clunky bag does nothing for a suit or dress. Instead pick a roomy, sleek, well-structured leather tote. You'll look put-together, and it will keep your papers, cell phone, datebook, makeup and more in place.


18. A multifunction watch: Wearing a timepiece is no longer just about helping you stick to a schedule. With the advancement of technology, today's tech-savvy designs tell you the outdoor temperature, the date, the direction you're heading in and so much more.

Fashion Tips for Evening Essentials

1. A clutch purse: Accessorize your evening wardrobe with a sleek, compact clutch purse that's just big enough to hold your keys, cash and cell phone.



2. Strappy high heels: Whether you buy them in satin or leather (silver, gold or black are always good choices), a pair of dressy-looking strappy high heels can be worn year-round to the office—as well as out on the town.



3. Sexy black dress:Dazzle in a classic black cocktail dress with a provocative neckline. The look of a sexy black dress is simply stunning—now and for years to come.

Work-Make Up Emergency Kit

I read the following article and I believe it will help you!

Every working girl must be prepared for those "O-M-G I can't believe this is happening to me at the office!" moments.

From coffee stains to stocking snafus, the key is to be well-equipped with an emergency kit to combat any fashion or beauty crisis with a quick fix.

Simply create your own go-to bag stocked with essentials to get you through any disaster without breaking a sweat.

First, pick up a cute cosmetic case to keep all of your travel-sized must-haves in one organized place. This also makes it easier to discreetly transport your "top-secret weapons" to the bathroom.

Skin Care Products:

You never know when you'll need a dab of cover-up, a concealer touch-up for those dark circles, or a smidgen of moisturizer for super dry hands. But rather than spend a fortune on full sized bottles of all your favorite skin care products, see if a brand you love makes a great set featuring mini versions of your must-haves.

Nail Polish Remover:

You've been holding out until Friday for a manicure so your nails look impeccable for the weekend. But your boss just summoned you to a meeting with some major bigwigs. Nail polish remover to the rescue! Quickly wipe away those last chips of the super dark polish you tested out last week, so you look less tormented Emo chick and more executive.

Safety Pins and Double Sided Tape:

Who has time for sewing? If you noticed a busted button on your shirt or pants (big lunch?), a safety pin and/or double sided tape will do the trick.

Stain Remover:

Your day got off to a rough start when you spilled your morning coffee all over your keyboard. But even worse, it splattered on your clothes. Having a stain remover on hand will help tone down the damage.

Roll on Perfume:

Sometimes an extra dab of perfume is necessary, especially on your way out for after-work cocktails. A roll-on version of your favorite scent is easy to tote around and won't overwhelm your cube-mates the way an "over-spritz" does.

Tooth Brush, Floss and Mouthwash:

Salads can be risky business if you're not prepared to tackle spinach-in-the-teeth fiascos with an after-lunch brush, floss and rinse. Pop a mint for good measure.

Baby Powder:

Especially in the summer months, the inside of those ballet flats can get a little … sticky. Freshen up and keep your feet comfy with a dash of baby powder.

Band-Aids:

Breaking in those new heels has caused you some major blisters, but you refuse to stop wearing them. A few protective band-aids will keep your tootsies in tip-top shape.

Pain Reliever:

No need to suffer! Ease anything from a bout of cramps to spreadsheet-induced headaches, pronto!

Hair Brush and Elastic Band:

If you get caught in some inclement weather on the way to work, quickly brush and pull your hair back into a sleek pony, rather than rocking an "I just stuck my finger in a socket" look.

Lint Brush:

In case that new winter scarf sheds all over your outfit; de-fuzz quickly with a few rolls.

Everyday Work Makeup:

Rather than lug around your full makeup bag, keep an extra lip gloss, blush, and mascara on hand to brighten up when you look particularly burnt out—or need to easily transition from an office to evening look. If you think your makeup needs a refresher at the end of the day, use a makeup remover pad (which come in handy individual packs) to start from scratch.

If you want to take it a step further:

*Keep another a pair of black stockings tucked aside in case a little run goes a long way. That disheveled look may work for Lindsay Lohan, but it's certainly not office appropriate. Although you could use some clear nail polish to seal up a tiny snag.

*Your work space shouldn't be a shoe closet, but keeping a practical pair under your desk doesn't hurt. They'll come in handy when you feel like walking home instead of taking the bus, or don't want to ruin your new suede pumps in a sudden snowstorm.

*A black blazer always adds a professional touch when you have an unexpected important meeting (plus it will match pretty much anything you're wearing). So if you have an extra, keep it on the back of your chair just in case! While these products can't veer your boss off his daily warpath, an emergency kit complete with your favorite everyday work makeup,skincare products, and wardrobe-malfunction fixes will certainly keep other scary occurrences to a minimum.

How Many Calories and Fat Grams Do You Need?

Assess your activity level, first

This formula will help you to calculate the number of calories and percentage of fat grams you need each day at your current weight if you are relatively inactive to moderately active.

moderately active person = a working person who doesn't do a great deal of exercise
relatively inactive person = a person with a sedentary lifestyle
if you're more than moderately active, calorie needs may have to be adjusted so that you don't lose weight

To maintain your current weight, follow this formula:

To determine the number of calories and fat grams you need to consume each day in order to lose or gain weight, consult your doctor or a registered dietitian.

Write your body weight in the equation that fits your activity level and gender. Then, multiply.

Moderately active male:_____ pounds x 15 calories = _____ total calories per day.

Moderately active female:____ pounds x 12 calories = _____ total calories per day.

Relatively inactive male:____ pounds x 13 calories = _____ total calories per day.

Relatively inactive female:____ pounds x 10 calories = _____ total calories per day.

Take total calories and multiply by 30 percent.____ calories per day x .30 = ____ calories from fat per day.

Take calories from fat per day and divide by 9 (there are 9 calories per gram of fat):____

calories from fat per day divided by 9 =____ fat grams per day.

Remember, saturated fats should account for only 10 percent of the total fat grams consumed.