{february}

Home Sweet Home February 2010

{pizza}

California Style:
You're a risk taker especially when it comes to your food. You're willing to try anything including crazy toppings on your pizza. You would indulge in a Thai pizza topped with bean sprouts or a Mexican pizza with guacamole and sour cream. There is no limit when it comes to your creativity.

{vacation}

	Educational: Get those brainwaves pumping with an educational trip. There is nothing you enjoy more than learning. You'll find yourselves consulting maps of a city or absorbing the rich culture of a different country. Wherever you are, you'll seek out museums of all types.

{valentine}

{motto}

Our Family Motto

{date}

Soft Makeup Looks for Romantic Nights

Get sultry eyes and sweet pink lips to dazzle your date!

Less is definitely more when it comes to creating an feminine look. but let’s face it: Every woman can use a little makeup help to create that glow. Here’s how to make your big date night your most beautiful yet.
“Romantic makeup always works best with tones in the pink family — and that can range from soft pinks to lilacs, violets and salmon, depending on what works with your skin tone,” says professional makeup artist Elke Von Freudenberg. “Keep the focus on the lips and cheeks for the most romantic look, with soft pastels on the eyes and the darkest color reserved for the lashes,” Von Freudenberg suggests.

Don’t overdo the dazzle. “Go for a modern matte appearance to the skin, while adding a soft shimmer on only one feature,” says Von Freudenberg. She suggests using a light, shimmering powder over blush as a highlight on the apples of the cheeks.

Create kissable lips. “While the trend is matte lips, the most romantic look for lips includes a slight shimmer applied to the whole lip or just the bottom center,” says Von Freudenberg. Keep shimmers in an off-white, silver or gold tone that compliments your lip color. Keep lip shades muted, and try one of the new grayish pinks or violets, she suggests.

And what’s the point of a beautifully colored pucker if your lips aren’t soft and inviting? Ward off dry, chapped lips with hydrating products. Before applying lip color, “definitely apply lip balm,” says professional makeup artist Chris Lanston. “It works wonders.” Remember, you can exfoliate your lips, says professional makeup artist Joy Randall. Take a soft toothbrush or a fresh washcloth and buff off dead skin to create a smooth lip surface. Now you’re ready for that luscious color.

For romantic eyes, keep colors subtle. “I would suggest a light nude to soft brown shadow, or gold, depending on your skin color,” says Lanston. Cream shadows are all the rage, says Randall. “They give you that natural, barely there look, and you can find a lot of varieties that go on creamy and dry powdery, so they don’t crease or budge.” She suggests adding a light application of eyeliner — think definition, not high drama — and ending with mascara for a truly romantic look.

{postmark}

Pssst, come over here a sec. Shhh, have to whisper, so your Valentine Sweetheart doesn't hear. Guess what I just found out?! It's the neatest thing! If you put all your Valentines in a big envelope and send them to the Postmaster in the tiny town of Valentine, Texas, she will stamp them all with a big RED stamp that says: VALENTINE, TEXAS! Imagine your Valentine's face when they see that special postmark...I just HEART this idea. :-)

Okay...here's how it works. Put all your fully addressed and stamped Valentine's Day cards in one big envelope and send them to:

Valentine Post Office,
Valentine, Texas 79854-5400

You will probably want to mail the large envelope with all the valentines in it from your local post office so you will know that you've used the correct postage. The Valentine Post Office does this every year and they don't charge anything extra for the more than 10,000 Valentine's Day cards they postmark each year. Their postmaster, Ann Carrasco, calls their post office the "Love Station of Texas." :-) This is an especially neat thing to do if you're sending valentines overseas to loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan.

To make sure the red Valentine, Texas postmark shows up, it's best to NOT send your valentines in red envelopes. The post office recommends mailing your valentine in a pink, white, or lavender envelope. If you'd like more information, you may call: (432) 467-2912.

Click HERE to see the postmarks and addresses for several other post offices that also have special postmarks for Valentine's Day cards.

{vampire valentine}

Kiss Collection

This amazing kit is made up of two Femme Fatale Lip Glosses (in Surrender and Butterfly Kisses), Just Bitten Staining Balm in Blush, and our infamous, lip-plumping Twilight Venom. It's the ultimate in lip indulgence!

Volturi "Eye" Love You Set

It's all about the eyes-- Edward loves Bella's brown beauties, and you can accentuate you own with our "Eye" Love You Collection from Volturi Twilight.

With mascara, primer, and eyeshadow you'll be sure to mesmerize anyone you come across. This fantastic collection contains Crown Metallic Mascara in Black Knight and Royal Blue, Foreshadow Eyelid Primer, and Labyrinth Loose Eyeshadow in Frost, Beloved, and Dusk.

{snowboarding}

Snowboarding:
You're a thrill seeker who is always on an adventure. You love to show off new tricks and get excited when crowds go wild for you.
Get out on the slopes and practice, so that you can master a backside 720 or conquer the half pipe, and you'll be the next gold medalist.

{january}

Home Sweet Home

{ego}

According to egodevelopment.com there are seven (7) ways to boost your self-esteem (easy-to-do choices - by the way!)

1. Make a list of your strengths/positive attributes. Grab pen and paper and start listing all of the strengths you have. Include skills (fast reader, good cook, great listener, etc.), attributes you possess (dark green eyes, nice hands, etc.). Even include what others have said about you. You don't have to agree with them. For example if someone said your handwriting is pretty-write that down. After all, the opinions of others are just as valid, aren't they? Ask friends, family and colleagues to name three positive things about you and include these on your list. Take a few days to do this exercise. You'll be surprised at the results!

2. Learn to accept compliments. Do you feel awkward when others compliment you? Do you minimize them or find it difficult to know what to say in response to the compliment? If so, it's time to practice receiving compliments! If someone compliments you, simply say "Thank you" and smile back. Do not discredit their kindness by saying "This old dress" or "I usually mess up". Receive the compliment and then take pleasure in it. This will be difficult at first, but it becomes easier as you practice it.

3. Stop Apologizing! Are you always saying "I'm sorry"? People with low self-esteem often have a habit of apologizing for themselves all the time. Sorry to bother you, sorry I'd like your attention. Stop! You are worthy of being who you are-no regrets. Instead of "I'm sorry" begin smiling at people-it's much more positive!

4. Try new things. If your self-esteem is low, chances are you avoid trying new things and meeting new people. This only reinforces your negative opinion of yourself. Instead break out of the mold (one baby-step at time) and get out there! Take up a new hobby, begin a sport, get a gym membership or try a new recipe and invite some friends over.

5. Spend time with people who help you feel good about yourself. This really is important to do! People with low self-esteem will often allow themselves to be used, bullied or abused. They behave like doormats by allowing others to order them around and take advantage of them. They may also seek out others that are negative about life. If you are being pushed around by someone-say "NO"! Choose to spend time with others you enjoy and spend less time with those that don't contribute to your well being. If you are in a destructive or abusive relationship, get out or seek professional help. Audit your relationships. Stop spending time and energy on people who bring nothing positive to your life! It's your choice after all!

6. Smile at others-and look them in the eye. People who lack confidence often avoid eye contact and look down. Instead look up and make eye contact! Smile and say "hi". Most people will smile back and the friendly response will feel good. This may seem like a small thing to do-but these positive interactions will pay off BIG!

7. Be aware of your body language and presentation. Stand up straight. Pull your shoulders back and get your head up. A straight posture says a lot about you (so much better than a stooped over body). You are worthy of the space you occupy. Put your best foot forward by also dressing neat and clean. Your grooming say a lot about you-even before you open your mouth to speak!

{support}

RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority'. We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.




Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday - and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear something red.



By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers.



If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before the USA is covered in RED.

The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is.....We need your support and your prayers.



Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity.

{pantry}

As we tackle the lofty goal of cooking and eating from the pantry, a concern has arisen. Don’t worry, I share it, too.

What if I can’t refill my pantry at the end of the month and still stay under budget?

What if? What if you have to pay full pop for some items come February because you’ve used up all your reserves and haven’t been constantly buying. What if you miss some great deals this month or just this week because you’re using up what you have? It could happen, couldn’t it? What if?

Well, here are a few things to consider:

• The Six Week Cycle - Manufacturers and grocery stores offer items on sale every 6 weeks or so. Chances are if chicken breast is on sale this week, it will be on sale again sometime in the next 6 weeks. It’s not a once-a-year opportunity. Good deals can be had almost all the time. Sure, some deals are better than others. But, usually, if you keep your eye on the sales, you will find some good sale prices sooner or later.
• Stock Rotation - A good grocery store practices this all the time. When they restock the shelves, they move the current stock to the front and place new items in the back. This is called “rotating the stock” and ensures that food is bought and used before it goes bad. You should be doing this in your own kitchen. Use up things that have been there awhile. A good deal is no good deal if it rots before you can use it. And while canned goods don’t necessarily “rot,” they do lose texture and quality over time. So make sure you’re using up what you have.
• Creativity – Sometimes it’s really good to get your creative juices flowing and see how far you can stretch things. You’d be amazed at how easy it is to make a huge pot of soup from very few ingredients. Necessity is the mother of invention. Sometimes we find our best solutions when we’re pushed beyond our comfort zones. Cooking from what you have may help you discover some menus your family will adore.
• Enough is as Good as a Feast – Having enough really is as good as the excess to which we’ve become accustomed.

Do It Your Way
The most important thing to remember is that you get to set your own goals this month. Maybe you’ll still allow yourself to pick up the good deals, but you’re going to focus on what you already have? Maybe you want to be Mother Hubbard (with a bare cupboard) on January 31 and are happy to start fresh come February 1st. Maybe you’ll limit yourself to buying a few items that you know you will want in the coming months. You get to choose!

And, while I have some of the same fear that I will “miss a good deal,” I know from experience that good deals are plentiful. Obviously, I’m still going to grocery shop in January but I’m going to focus on what we have and try to reduce my grocery spending in January.

Are ya with me?

{party}

	You're a game night party: You love gathering with your closest friends for a little healthy competition and a lot of laughter. Your guests always look forward to participating in the fun activities you have planned.