Etta James Flys to Heaven

Etta James passed away today in Riverside California due to complications with leukemia. Etta sang the blues yet she added such sass and style to the songs. Her career had many ups and downs. Her life like a blues song had its struggles with drug addiction. Yet I think the title of her auto biography " Rage to Survive" says it all.I've found myself listening to Etta over the years. On the nights your sitting alone nursing a broken heart tears rolling down your cheeks for the love you lost.Then at a turn of hat you find salvation the power you have. You know it will be okay you'll love again. In the same token someone will love you. Your heart will no longer be wrapped in clover as she says in At Last. One thing about the blues is that it isn't always about being broken. I find them to be healing for they show you. We all get broken then we heal. Emerging stronger than before to fight. Etta thanks for filling my life with joy. Now for you Etta James..

A Few Good Men ( Duran Duran)

  I am an anti fur person . In the past weeks Duran Duran has come under fire by Animal rights groups. In result of the usage of fur in the video for there song " Girl Panic" . I had thought over the years that Duran Duran may not be anti fur  I kept saying “ Nick Rhodes is a vegetarian, I thought they were safe”    ( Duran Duran has never confirmed or denied there stance on the fur trade)  I wasn't happy about the fur used in the video. In the world of high fashion fur is a common element. I know from years of being anti fur it goes away for a while. Then some designer decides to bring it back. I wish it would just go away personally. I've never agreed with the hate campaigning targeted at fur wearing people. They get annoyed with tactics and it comes to nothing being resolved . Look at this interview with Anna Wintour she discusses her experiences with the anti fur demonstrators. In my opinion they in targeting her with hate. They have indeed acomplished the later of cementing her resolve to wear fur . Could something different been done to send a message to Anna without attacking her. Would she have been open to at least start a dialogue. If you want to turn something to turn around in Fashion she is the women to see. I decided that Duran Duran  had enriched my life in such a positive way. That if they were indeed not anti fur that I would have to agree to disagree. You can still be loyal to your cause.    I have friends that wear fur even though I didn't agree with them.  I still love them all the same. Would you like to know that Mark Ronson is anti fur , he  loves Duran Duran. 

 Duran Duran have become the targets of some really negative back lash due to the fur used in the “ Girl Panic “ video. I read some of the comments on there facebook page. I ended up in utter shock at the down right cruel nature of the comments. It made me angry ,  I understand the passion fueling the debate. The almost demonetization of the band I've seen on many of the anti fur sites is ghastly.  Duran Duran is not a group of heartless guys that people are making them out to be. People don't understand how much much love, joy, hope they have brought too so many people. Including this women who writes with them as my muses.  As Humanitarians they have shown there support to many causes such as but not limited too Amfar , British Red Cross, Amnesty International ,Tsunami Relief.  Keep a Child Alive is an amazing charity that a helps in the survival of children in Africa and India the work that is done helping children living with HIV/AIDS or have been orphaned due to losing there parents to the disease. 
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Kids Living With Slim from keepachildalive on Vimeo.


 Maybe this would have been a time were we could have opened up a dialogue with the band explaining why you don't support the fur trade. If they got enough of these messages with well thought out educated view points something could have been accomplished. Just maybe being that in the future they wouldn't have any fur in there videos. I am anti fur but I will never ever ever be anti Duran Duran. I am blessed to have them as an influence in my life I send them my love .  

Body Image : What Size is Beautiful

Most of my readers know I'm a curvy girl. I was watching the evening news about size 6 being considered plus size in the modeling industry.This has to be wrong I thought to myself. I've watched so many friends deal with body image issues / eating disorders thin and overweight. Our end result is different yet the pressure of being some form of perfect has brought you there. Lets take a look at the story that has everyone talking I was talking to a friend who made a wonderful observation. When she asked this question of me " What was it that made you think you weren't beautiful, when did you start believing it ?" I couldn't remember particulars really. I knew it happened around Junior High. I was told that I was ugly and believed it. Over the years it would be little things that would convince me.  Im striving to shake those self defeating thought daily. Super models of 20 years ago were between a size six and four. Is it wrong that someone like Beverly Johnson would be considered plus size now? Yes it is wrong the insanity of it  is right.  She is one of the most beautiful women in the world. In my ups and downs of weight loss I've learned one valuable lesson. You have to love yourself as you are now.  This is a struggle for allot of us who are told that daily that we fall short of a standard.  In the grand scheme of things this isn't about fat and thin its about being a women. We are all beautiful mosaic pieces in different colors and shapes that form a masterpiece. My advice to you put this on your mirror read it every morning. Its an excerpt taken from a course in Miracles written by Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." (A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles", Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3])

Be strong my beauties in that big crazy world out there. Remember to shine brightly no matter what. 

Lizard Queen Winter Skin Tips

Duran Duran Inspired Lizard Queen Makeup Look ( Union of the Snake -  

Most of the country is finding itself in a deep freeze or a heat wave. In my corner of the world its very cold. I cant stress how important it is to take care of your skin this time of year. I’ve posted this info before think its good to have a refresher of course. As start a new year lets protect and preserve our skin. Though we are all Lizard Queens here we surely don't want our skin to look reptilian.

No Lizard Skin for you 

Face and Décolleté:  Cleanse and tone moisturize 2x a day as usual. Exfoliate usually about 3x a week. Use your regular products. If your feel your skin may be dryer in the winter a switch up of products may be needed. Allot of skin types change with the seasons. I would also recommend using a mask at least twice a week. As always when you apply product do it in upward and outward motions. Face, Neck and Décolleté ladies!

Hands : Please for the love of all things winter . Wear gloves this will help your hands more than any lotion , potion or notion. Use a soothing healing lotion on your hands. Id say my three picks are Eucerin , Vaseline Intensive Care, Aveeno Oat meal. As much as I love smelly girly lotions they usually can be drying causing you to use more. So stick with the classics.
















Lips : Aquaphor / Raw Sugar ( brown packets)
At night take some sugar in the raw and aquaphor. I crush the sugar in the raw using the bottom of a bottle or canister while its in the packet. Add to a dime size amount of aquaphor. Apply it on your lips circle motions. You may even want to use a soft bristle tooth brush. After take a very warm face cloth rung out. Let it steam on your lips for a little bit. Then gently remove the dead skin and product from your lips. Apply aquaphor on before you sleep to protect your lips.

Body: After shower or bath apply lotion head to toe. Your pores will be open an will receive the moisture gladly. I would say stick with body butters, baby lotion, balms. Remember to exfoliate that flaky skin at least three times a week between shaving. Done at the same time can irritate your skin. When I was in Seattle I went to LUSH an got this bar called Buffy. Seriously I'm in love an it exfoliates an moisturizes your skin. ( I did not receive payment or product . I just love it )

New Years Hangover Beauty Tips

I suspect some of my beauties had allot of fun on New Years Eve. The bunch of sassy social butterflies you are. If your champagne fountain flowth over , the result being a pounding headache. While you lay on your couch trying to recall the fabulous evening you had. You may want to try some of these beauty products that may put a spring in your step.  You can also use some of these tips or products for sleepless nights also. I've used them when I get bouts of insomnia . I just thought since its New Years the Hangover twist would be fun. I've put my champagne glasses into retirement this year. Though I've known the pain of the hangover.
 



Clean and Clear Morning Burst, In Shower facial
When I first saw this line via the commercial , it made me laugh. I felt there was a tongue and check marketing agenda. If your out all night getting your drink on, you don't have to look like it.  I was intrigued . Im in my 30's and love there facial cleanser here is some info on it .

- Made with Ginseng, citrus, natural fruit extracts, Micro-beads help exfoliate away dead skin cells while a combination of moisturizers help hydrate skin, leaving your face feeling clean, smooth, and totally awake.

via http://www.cleanandclear.com/productDetail.do?productid=73
( I like the product , I don’t get anything from the folks at Clean and Clear for the mention )  You have been reading this blog long enough to know. We don’t get anything from anyone.

 

Champange Facial Masks
I don’t know how much this will help your hangover. It will most likely help you get rid of the remaining bottles of champagne. Sometimes they say a little of the hair of the dog that bit you. Where dose that phrase come from anyway. Give it a try it’s a new year. I'm always telling you to put food and drink on your face these days.
E-How's Contributing writer Hiedi Braley , gives you the ingredients , application process.

There is something so relaxing about applying a facial mask. It means you can have a little down-time when you can sit back and enjoy doing nothing for a few minutes while your face gets rejuvenated. There are many products on the market but when you read the labels on them, there are a lot of ingredients you are not sure you want to have soaking into your skin. Make your own facial mask, with just a few of the best ingredients, so you can indulge your face without concern.

The Rest of Hiedi's article can be read at http://www.ehow.com/how_4855262_make-champagne-facial-masks.html
 
                                               Hangover Makeup 

Makeup artist Gia Mills shares some of her tips on how to disguise a hangover. These tips are also great if you had a sleepless night. My friend used hangover makeup, when she was up night after night with her newborn. I think one of the best gifts to tired women is white eyeliner its a miracle that's all I'm saying. You might find the products she uses to be on the high end. You can always switch them out for more cost friendly alternatives. She is going to stress that you look natural. Which I agree with if you pile on the makeup your apt to look more tired and run down. 

 
So here are three ways you can use even if you aren't hungover . To bring you into the new year fresh as a daisy. Yours truly has a Twilight Zone Hangover from watching it on SYFY all night. If everything else fails a big greesy diner breakfast , eye cream & of course like my Tam says " A latte bigger than your head" Should get you going . The best thing you can do to avoid a hangover is to drink responsibly or not at all. I know something at always perks me up . Why some Duran Duran but of course.


I must say Ive wanted a red dress since I saw this performance ! Ana rocks it !