It’s time to step off the scale

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Joy

If you are a parent, especially a mother to a girl, please stop and re-evaluate the dialogue you are having with yourself, your friends, your husband, the TV, the radio and especially with her.

Stop talking about your insecurities in front of your daughter. Unknowingly we project our feelings of inadequacy onto our daughters. Don’t do it! She may not acknowledge it at the time. More than likely she will remain quiet, but when she’s alone in her room, she will look at herself in a way that she has not thought about before. She doesn’t deserve that.

We have the potential to raise beautiful, secure women. We can have a great impact that is either positive or negative. In order to model a healthy image, we must work from within and stop comparing our insides to another person’s outsides.

This is no longer a silly little obsession. It is a matter of life and death.

I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. Please believe me when I say that I am reminding myself here as well. I battled an eating disorder for 12 years. One that almost took my life. And yet I still find myself making derogatory comments about my body in front of my daughter.

I have to make a conscience effort not to speak negatively about any part of my body. I have to replace the thoughts in my head with statements such as these;
~ I am thankful for two legs that take me where I want to go
~ I am thankful for two arms that hold my children.
~ I am thankful for two eyes that see
~ I am thankful for two ears that hear
~ I am thankful for natural, God given lips, to speak the truth in love
~ I am thankful for a backside (or booh-tay as I like to call it) that makes long sits in folding chairs more tolerable
~ I am thankful for an abdomen stretched with signs from each pregnancy
~ I am thankful for breasts that are free of cancer and for a time sustained the life of each of my babies
~I am thankful for the fine lines that grace my eyes from years of smiling and laughing

When I stand before the mirror…fully exposed…completely naked…I say these positive affirmations out loud. Sound crazy? What’s crazy to me at this stage in my life, after all I have seen and walked through, is to accept even a fraction of the world’s view of me as valid or worthy of attention.

The following pictures are graphic and will be disturbing to some.
There is no time for sugar-coating and acting as if everything will be okay.
It’s an epidemic and the ultimate tragedy is when it claims another life.

Isabelle Caro found international fame after posing for an Italian anti-anorexia stream of billboard poster back in 2007, and she was known for her skeletal frame due to the disorder she’s been fighting against since she was 13. According to her acting coach, Caro was already sick after returning from a gig in Tokyo, and she passed away November 17, 2010. She was 28 years old.

You don’t have to agree with what I have written here, but please consider the way you are communicating with the girls/women in your life. There is a crucial need for those in recovery to speak up and share hope. This conversation has only begun.

Beauty, the Beast and the Product of the Week: Moisturizer

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Joy

This week’s product comes from the beautiful and talented, Tara Shaia. She was recently featured on the cover of Little Black Dress magazine. I am privileged to call her friend and blessed to be exposed to her influence. She is beautiful inside and out. When Tara offers a suggestion or beauty tip, I listen!

What? Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30. I have not worn Clinique products in years, but this morning routine product is amazing!!

Where? You can find it at any Clinique counter in department stores, at Sephora, online, etc. It’s not hard to get your hands on this gem!

Why? What’s not to love?! It’s a lightweight tinted moisturizer (moisturizes and covers blemishes), makeup primer, antioxidant cream for age prevention, and offers SPF protection, all in one little tube! I’ve been using it for about a month now, and it’s done great things for my skin. At first I was a little apprehensive. I mean, with all that stuff inside it, how in the world would this not break me out? But in fact, the results were just the opposite. I’ve not had any breakouts, my skin has felt smoother, and I’ve been able to wear less make-up!

Cost? Around $37, but for everything it does, I think it’s a steal!

I will be heading to the nearest Clinique counter today to pick up a tube.

About this whole beauty thing… It’s easy to play. Here’s what you do:

1. List your favorite product or routine in the comments section below (it has to be something that you have tried.) Answer these 4 things, 1. What (Is the product or routine?) 2. Where (can you find it?) 3. Why (do you love it?) 4. Cost (ballpark figure, less than $10, less than $20, and so on.)
2. You may have 100 things, like I do when it comes to mascara, moisturizer and the things we would have a hard time choosing between if asked, “Out of these things, what 1 thing would you take if stranded on a desert island?” You can list a new one each week. Start with your favorite.
3. Before you know it, we will have an amazing list of products loved by real people. We will pick one favorite each week.

Please share this with your friends and in no time we will have a list to rival anything that the magazines are flashing.

Before you go, if you would like to participate in the beauty question poll click here and scroll to the poll at the end of the post.

The scoop on Tara:
She is wife to Jeremy and mom to two beautiful girls. She is a homemaker, photographer, avid exerciser and always on the move. When I am able to spend time with Tara, I always leave feeling better than before I came. She is a burst of energy, a wealth of knowledge, a source of godly wisdom and a loyal and trusted friend. Whether in front of the camera or behind it, her beauty and creativity shine through and those who are blessed to be around her are better for it.

*Photos of Tara were taken from

Other weekly beauty picks:
Beauty, the Beast and the Product of the Week: Lips
Beauty, the Beast and the Product of the Week: Brows
Beauty, the Beast and the Product of the Week: Mascara
Beauty, the Beast and the Product of the Week

Beauty, the Beast and the Product of the Week: Lips

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Joy

Just in time for summer!
The perfect (in my opinion) companion and a must have for your make up bag.

What? Nourish-mint Rehydrating Lip Glaze

Where? Online at Aveda and in stores. Salons that carry Aveda products will also have it. I have purchased it from Van Michael Salon in Buckhead several times when there for a cut.

Why? It’s not sticky like other glosses. It has a refreshing tingle. It nourishes my lips like chappy but with the benefit of shine. It looks great by itself, over a pencil or matte lippy. (Tip: The key to have beautiful lips with color that lasts is not licking your lips throughout the day. Also try to keep hands away from your face to avoid introducing oils and bacteria on your skin.)

Cost? Under $20. $18 to be exact. Sound like a lot? I know, but listen, this product is worth it. You will not be disappointed. Don’t neglect your lips! You will regret it when you’re older.

Go ahead… try it! You’ll thank me.

About this whole beauty thing… It’s easy to play. Here’s what you do:

Please share this with your friends and in no time we will have a list to rival anything that the magazines are flashing.

Before you go, if you would like to participate in the beauty question poll click here and scroll to the poll at the end of the post.

Something Stinketh

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Joy

Have you ever found yourself standing in this isle of the grocery store or super target, mouth slightly ajar, overwhelmed with where to even begin?
I have! In fact, every couple of weeks I find myself standing right here, eyes glazing over as I look at all of the options that promise incredible results. As U2 would say, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”

Which leaves me no choice but to implore you to join me in the fight against sweaty pits in the south. I’m tired of throwing money away on products that leave me feeling less than “fresh.” Help a sister out. What do you use and why do you love it?

I know there are some gals out there using men’s deodorant. I’m not opposed to that. Come on! Share your secret. The only thing worse than bad breath is smelling “tired” as my grandmother would say.

Before you start flooding the comments with helpful suggestions, see how many of the slogans you can correctly match with it’s brand of deodorant or as I affectionately call it, “el stinketh repelente.”

Give it your best guess…(hint: there are more answers than slogans. I couldn’t make it too easy)

Possible answers: Almay, Ban, Dove, Secret, Sure, Gillette, Rexona, Axe, Arrid

“Raise your hand if you’re sure!”

“Strong enough for a man. But made for a woman.”

“It won’t let you down.”

“Dare to bare your even-toned underarms.”

“Outstanding protection against odor and wetness.”

“Giving you the confidence to handle whatever the day has in store.”

Ok, now you can answer this short poll. Who doesn’t love a great poll?!

Beauty, the Beast and the Product of the Week: Brows

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Joy

This week, my favorite product is…

What? Brow Box – Brown Sugar by Urban Decay (they offer a lighter palette as well.)

Where? Online at Urban Decay; Online and in store at Ulta (this is my personal preference) Make sure you sign up for an Ulta Rewards Card and start racking up those points with purchase. You will receive coupons and freebies! Who doesn’t like that combo?!

Why? Remember how we talked last week about the importance of accentuating the eyes? Brows play a huge role in that. You can be the best make-up artist around, but if your brows are unruly, too thin, too thick, too dark or light, you may as well forget all the time you spend on your lids and lashes. In fact, many make-up artists and stylists say a great brow shaping is second only to an eye lift. Don’t believe me? Try it! The great thing about Ulta is that they have a professional who can assist with questions, shaping, concerns and anything relating to your brows. I love this product because it’s precise. The little drawer at the bottom has wax to set the brows after you achieve the desired color. (TIP: each time you use the brush, before putting it away, wipe it from side to side on a paper towel. Do not put unneeded strain or pull on the bristles.) It also has miniature tweezers for those stray brow hairs you catch in the rear view mirror. It is quite handy!

Cost? Worth every penny! Okay for real, it’s just under $30 and it lasts forever!

Go ahead… try it! You’ll thank me.

About this whole beauty thing… It’s easy to play. Here’s what you do:

Please share this with your friends and in no time we will have a list to rival anything that the magazines are flashing.

Before you go, if you would like to participate in the beauty question poll click here and scroll to the poll at the end of the post.

Beauty, the Beast and the Product of the Week: Mascara

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Joy

This week, my favorite product is… (drum roll please!)

What? Maybelline – Volum’ Express the falsies in blackest black.

Where? You can find it at most drug stores, Ulta, Target, and some grocery stores.

Why? I have seen so many mascara companies claiming to provide results that only false lashes can bring. This product actually makes me look and feel as if I have thicker, longer lashes. I love a product that does what it says! (see pics below)

Cost? Under $10