A Stinker? Not me!

Being that I have a highly active job which requires a highly energetic persona and brute physical strength to lift children and haul around equipment, I cannot work without sweating. On top of that, I sweat pretty easily, so from a bodily odor standpoint, I'm doomed. Thankfully, I don't get armpit stains or anything of that embarrassing nature, but I would appreciate it if, at the end of the day, I don't smell like a boy's locker room.

When HBA companies recently began offering clinical prescription strength deodorants, I was thrilled, not from a wetness standpoint, but from an olfactory one. Unfortunately, these products are not cheap. Generally, they retail for between $7-$12, an amount that seems a little steep when compared to regular deodorants that sell for between $3-$5. But in this sense (no pun intended), you get what you pay for.

I've tried 3 different clinical strength deoderents. Here are my reviews:

Secret's Clinical Strength Advanced Solid - I tried this product first. It instructs you (as most do) to apply at bedtime so your body has the maximize time to absorb into your skin, offering the greatest protection. It worked generally well. It smelled nice, like a typical deodorant. My one gripe with it is that it is not a solid. In fact, it goes on more like a cream. Kind of weird, right? It did not absorb quickly, so if I was not careful I "left my mark" on anything I lifted my arm to. If you go to Secret's website, you'll find that 33 of 46 reviewers would recommend this product to others, so for many this is a God-send. 

Nevertheless, due to the creaminess, when Dove's Clinical Protection happened to be on sale when I need to re-stock, I figured I'd "give it a whirl" (Home Alone reference). I went through two rounds of this product and really liked it. I tried both the Cool Essentials & Energizing scents. The deodorant was also not solid; it was akin to other non-solid deodorants I had used previously. The big appeal - it absorbed rapidly. No residue. No long waits for absorption. No unwanted traces left behind on my couch. For that reason, I believe it worked better for me. I would continue to use this product and definitely recommend it to anyone. 

However, when I ran out of deodorant over the long Thanksgiving weekend, I found myself at Rite Aid, unwilling to pay $10 for it. I'm not made of money, and the holidays are coming! I happened to spot Mitchum offering Clinical Performance Smart Solid for $5. I figured I had little to loose, so I bought it. However, I approached with skepticism because I had tried Mitchum products in the past with dissatisfying results. To my pleasant surprise, this is now my top pick. Unlike Secret's, there is honesty in the packaging; the deodorant is a solid. It is water based, so it goes on cleanly without any mess whatsoever. Consequently, it seemingly glides on better than Dove's, which requires several swipes to make it disappear. Additionally, although I'm unsure why, it has a cooling sensation after application that is kind of nice. It surprised me at first, but I rather enjoy it. It makes you feel a little more fresh! And for $5, who can complain? I am sure not! And after 2 long workdays that had me sweating significantly, I could not detect any stench from my underarm region at the end of the day. SCORE!

All of these products fared well in terms of wetness protection. An added bonus for me, but not a selling point because that was not why I experimented with them.

If you have tried any of these products, I encourage you to comment and post your own review. Different products work differently for different people, so don't necessarily take my word for it. "Give it a whirl" and see for yourself. Here's to no B.O.!

"I love my lips. Usta!"

Before I continue, I invite you to watch this amusing Veggie Tales short:

One of my favorite personal physical features are my lips. They are not outstanding, like Angelina Jolie's pout. But, they are nice, and I like them! My eyes are my most beloved natural accessory. While I do little else with makeup, if I wear any at all, it always goes on my eyes. Yet, because of my deep appreciation for my mouth, I enjoy dressing it up as well, though minimally. I usually use a neutral pink liquid lip tint by e.l.f. - their Luscious Liquid Lipstick line in either Baby Lips (#80530) or Pink Lemonade (#80828). I don't care for super shiny glosses or unnatural shades; they make my pucker a little too imposing for my tastes.

Baby Lips

Pink Lemonade

Recently, I dared to break away from my norm. In a magazine, I had read that plum shades are very "in" right now and would compliment my complexion and natural hues. So, I splurged on a $1.97 NYC lipstick in Sugarplum, #418. At my first application, Jon (my husband) immediately noticed and commented, "Since when do you wear lipstick? It's too dark for you." After I explained myself and a few minutes had passed, he reneged his previous statement; "Maybe it's not too dark. I'm just not used to it." Regardless, I liked it. It darkened my lips enough but not too much and with a deepness possible only with plum. I believe it is my new favorite fall/winter lip glaze.

Sugar Plum

Along with the color advice, the afore mentioned magazine also gave me the idea to use a brand like NYC that allows you to "try on" various shades without breaking the bank. A wise notion, I think. It is not worth spending big bucks if you are unsure you will even walk out of your bathroom with it on, let alone out the door. So my encouragement to you this time, dear readers, is again to muster up the courage to try different things. If something stands out to you, or as my mother says, "strikes you," there is a reason for that. And of course, you won't find winners all the time, but you never know until you try.

Furthermore, know that you can appreciate trends without wearing them. Skinny jeans, for example, are a really neat and fresh take on leg coverings, but with my boxy/pear-like shape, I cannot wear them. My muscular thighs and calves discount me from this one, and that's OK! I can still smile as I see girls prance around in their leggings and Uggs (so effortlessly chic). And while that might cause some initial disappointment, when it comes to fashion, it works both ways - what looks great on me will not look as stunning on others. Thus, we have reason to celebrate each other's uniqueness and individuality! So, go on; pick something! And maximize on it - whether minimally or extraordinarily. I think you'll be glad you did!

A Very Vegan Thanksgiving!

So over 7 months ago, my sister bravely stepped away from animal products and took on the dietary lifestyle of a Vegan in the hopes of bettering her quality of life due to endometriosis. I was so proud of her for undertaking such a feat and even prouder when she stuck to it month after month. She and I have had numerous conversations about how interesting Thanksgiving would be as a Vegan, so I asked her to write a post about just that. This is uneditted and highly appreciated. To Erica, thank you, and to all else - enjoy!


Happy Thanksgiving!  I’m Erica, Holly’s big sister, and she asked if I would write about the joys of being a vegan for her Thanksgiving blog.  First I have to say that my sister is an amazing woman, and inspires me every day with her creativeness, her unabashed uniqueness, and her gentle caring spirit.  I’m honored to have her as my BFF4L!

Thanksgiving has always been right up there on my list of favorite holidays.  It has all the magic and familial closeness as Christmas, but without all the shopping stress and grinches.

Thanksgiving food is, by nature, comfort food and always induces a wonderfully satiated tryptophan coma (pay no attention to the negative food coma comments in the last post!)    This Thanksgiving is going to be different for me in that this is the first holiday season that I will be celebrating as a vegan.

I started my vegan journey back in April when I noticed that the symptoms of endometriosis were worsening.  Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrial cells which normally shed during a woman’s monthly cycle, start growing outside of the uterus.  This results in significantly more painful periods, and other not so wonderful symptoms.  Endometriosis was something that I dealt with as a teenager, but laid dormant during my pregnancies.  

About two years after having Brooke, I noticed that my symptoms were back so I did some research and found that a holistic approach to the condition is a diet free of animal products.  Hormones and the inflammatory nature of meat and dairy are said to “feed” endometriosis.  Conversely, a diet rich in foods that help your body dispose of estrogen will help relieve the symptoms and “shrink” the endometrial deposits scattered through your abdomen.  Those foods are vegetables!  Come on…get excited here!

So, back to Thanksgiving.  What’s a vegan girl to eat?  Obviously the turkey is out and the thought of a jiggling tofurkey is not really appetizing to me.  Fortunately for me, my favorite thing about Thanksgiving is the side dishes, and instead of reinventing the wheel, I decided that the best route would be to veganize all those classic sides.  The following are some examples of what will be on my Thanksgiving table this year.

The first thing I did in preparation was make about 16 cups of vegetable stock.  It’s very easy – just simmer good fresh veggies like carrot, celery, onion, potato, leek, mushrooms and handfuls of fresh herbs for 45 minutes and you’ve got a great rich broth you can use in all your sides.  Freeze big batches of this stuff to keep on hand for all your vegan recipes.

Stuffing, unless it’s Grandma’s giblet version, is inherently vegan.  I like to add apples to mine for a little sweetness.  I also saw on food network stuffing made with collard greens.  Interesting, but I think I’ll save that one for next year.  

Every Thanksgiving for the last few years I’ve made Bourbon Sweet Potatoes.  I dug out my recipe yesterday and was delighted to find that the only substitution that I needed to make was to trade off butter for fake butter.  I like to use either Earth Balance or Best Life Buttery Spread because they are made with Olive Oil so they are much better for you than that nasty margarine stuff.

Green Bean Casserole is another one of those must-have dishes for Thanksgiving, but what do you do about the Cream of Mushroom soup?   Unfortunately Campbell’s doesn’t make vegan cream of anything, so you have to make it yourself.  No worries.  A little butter and flour rue, soy milk, mushrooms and herbs and you’ve got yourself a vegan cream of mushroom soup to drown your green beans in.  And of course the French fried onions are vegan so you’re all set.

So you see, as a vegan you can look this holiday season in the eye without fear because with a little creativity and ingredient substitutions you can have a wonderful meal full of all the foods that make Thanksgiving great.  After all, Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for what you have, and this year I’m thankful that my endometriosis symptoms are completely gone, and I can enjoy a wonderful vegan meal with the ones I love.  I thank God every day that he has given me a wonderful family, and a terrific little sister who I am more proud of each and every day.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

You Are What You Eat

Alright folks, this is it. We are entering the first official week of the holiday season, which usually means over-eating, and not on wholesome, healthful foods. Too often, the holidays send dieting hopefuls careening off the healthy living pathways they have been carving all year long. But what people don't realize is that just because there is a smorgasbord available to them does not mean you have to eat it ALL. You are not obligated to heap food on your plate, go back for seconds and possibly thirds, and finish it all off with waaay too much dessert and a food-induced coma. This scenario may seem tantalizing and an indispensable tradition, but if you stop to think about it, what does the momentary gluttony award you, really? A belly ache? Tight fitting clothes? A downward spiral that won't end until after the New Year that ruins all of your previous hard work? Why bother?

You are in control; you are what you eat. Here are some strategies you could use in the weeks ahead:

1) In preparing your own dish(es), opt for healthier versions, insuring that you have at least one healthy option. Be sure to make one of your favorites in this manner so that you can more "safely" indulge.

2) If you're like me, you may feel hunger pains not long before it is time to leave for the dinner destination. Have a light snack to prevent a pig-out session upon arrival. I've done this several times, and it really does help. Also, don't skip meals thinking you're saving up your caloric intake for the feast later. Eat, but do so lightly. It will actually keep your metabolism running better if you eat something every few hours than if you fast all day and then binge.

3) Be realistic and abandon the all or nothing mentality. Most certainly, holidays offer many opportunities to delight your taste buds with those special dishes that you may only see once or twice a year. Depriving yourself or feeling guilty after consumption is no way to enjoy the holiday season. "Everything in moderation" is the key. Control your portions, and listen to your body when it's screaming for you to put the fork down.

4) In the same vein, eat slowly. If you wolf everything down, you won't be able to heed your body's inner groanings. Also, taking the time to really chew your food and enjoy it will make the whole feasting experience that much more pleasant and full-filling. :) Furthermore, it will extend its duration, and with so much of the holidays centering around spending time with family, what better way to do it than noshing over spectacular grub!?

5) Finally, try to work in some physical activity into your holiday plans - whether in the form of a family football game, a brisk walk following dinner, or in a well-thought out workout. Anything is better than nothing, and physical activity to any degree can only help you. This notion holds true all year, but cannot be more important to put into practice than during the holidays.

Having read this, you may think me to be a Grinch of sorts with nothing more than brussel sprouts and celery heaped on my plate. (I have yet to try brussel sprouts). This idea could not be more false. I enjoy every holiday and all their fixings. My favorite holiday staple is yams; I usually make them myself-with marshmallows on top. But for the last few years, I've emerged from holiday feasts fully satisfied and not bulging at my waistline. All it takes is a little careful thought and self-control and you can emerge victorious (and not a pound heavier) too. Good luck!

Making a Statement

{I dedicate this post to my mother whose eclectic style and originality has always inspired me to be true to who I am in all areas of life. I love you, Mom!}

One's wardrobe should help express features of his/her own personality. It should be more about you and less about what the runways are flaunting this season. Now, that is not to say popular fashion is inherently evil and rids people of their individuality. On the contrary, I, like many, enjoy reading about the hottest trends and adding a few pieces to my closet from the suggested list of "must-have's." It's fun and helps keep you looking and feeling fresh. But, I also do not have the cash flow or closet space to keep up with all of the trends.

One of the popular fads right now is statement jewelry. The idea occurred naturally following the recession: people do not have an excess of money to spend on loads of exorbitant jewelry. So, construct your outfit around one piece that has the power to communicate volumes in and of itself. Such obvious pieces can include: cocktail rings, chunky cuff bracelets, layered or bib necklaces, and chandelier earrings. However, it matters little what the piece actually is. Simply, by its incorporation, you effectively enhance and compliment the rest of your outfit without overpowering it.

my brooches

Being one who does not naturally wear a lot of jewelry, I have had some difficulty jumping on this band wagon. My favorite type of statement jewelry is actually brooches for which I must give my mother all of the credit. I received one for my birthday or Christmas a few years ago, and now annually, my mother continues to expand my collection.

It is for this reason (and many others) that I pay homage to my mother with this post. She is awesome and inspiring, a pioneer of originality and uniqueness. Let me explain to you why...

Back when I was in 5th grade, my mother began working at a bus company responsible for shuttling airplane passengers to and from parking lots and terminals. No, not the most glorious job, but my mother has a great work ethic and enjoyed it most of the time. Yet, no matter how good one's attitude, the vocation remains somewhat mundane. So, to liven up the third shift she was working, she began wearing hats. I don't mean baseball caps; I mean HATS. Everything from large brimmed ones with plumes atop to berets to straw ones with plastic zucchinis hanging off the back. I kid you not! Invariably, she became known as "the hat lady" around the airport. Her collection was out of this world. And, it only became more interesting when she started creating them herself according to holidays and seasons (hence, the zucchini). Sadly, in more recent years after she stopped working there, the collection has been down-sized. Occasionally, my mother will break one out of its box and wear it to church. But more so now, she continues to leave her mark on society with statement necklaces. She coupled one with a simple black dress this past Sunday; I marveled at how great she looked.

The picture here gives the necklace almost a brownish hue, but it is actually a glossy black. Coupled with such a simple motif, it gave the outfit pizazz. I like it!

Over the years, she has accumulated a decent number of statement necklaces. I had the honor of wearing one on my wedding day, the aurora borealis. At first, when I was looking through mom's collection to find "something old" to go with my something borrowed and something blue, I was skeptical about it; however, in the back of my mind, I knew it was the one. It turned out to be nearly the last one I tried on, and it fit so beautifully. I could not have been happier (or prouder to be wearing it).

Part of the fun of fashion is taking chances. Sometimes, you think something will look awful on you...until you try it on.  Every once in a while, you discover something that you would never have even considered wearing previously now makes you look glamorous. And presto! Your wardrobe is reborn!

There are so many other things I could share with you about my mother's great sense of style. In the posts ahead, I'm sure I will. Admittedly, people have occasionally raised an eyebrow when they have seen one of my mother's hats or ensembles. But I relish in the fact that my mother wears what she loves and what makes her feel good about herself-whether that is a hat with a plastic zucchini or a stunning necklace-and so should you!

From Gym Buff to Video Gamer

Good health and fitness are an integral part of my life. In college, one of the best pieces of advice I ever received was: While you may be able to neglect exercise and eat less-than-nutritious cafeteria food day-in and day-out now (with frequent trips to your favorite fast food chains to supplement), someday your age will catch up to you. If you don't change your habits, your waist size will likely grow. Just like so many other things in life, you need to make an action plan now for the future in terms of how you will deal with your overall health and fitness. Now, 3+ years after graduation, I wonder who else was listening?

Thankfully, I formed a habit of regular, independent work-outs during college, but truly, fitness has been a part of my life ever since I received my first workout VHS tape at the age of 9. My sister and I would push back the futon in our family room and get our sweat on doing The Fun House Funk with Jane Fonda & J.D. Roth. With moves like "kick, step, touch" and "Fonda-U's," you could not help but have fun! When we got older, we started doing the boot scoot with Tayna Tucker. Here's a sneak peak into that one (prepare to laugh at its corniness):






After college, when Jon and I lived in New City, I had such a convenient gig! My gym, Fitness II, was literally 3 minutes down the road. 2-3 days a week after work, rather dutifully, I drove past our apartment (which was, indeed, difficult some days) and on to the gym to get in a solid workout. And with a certified personal trainer as a husband, who was constantly providing new workouts that kicked my butt, I was in fitness heaven and loved, loved, loved it. I even got a few of my co-workers to join me!

Then, a year and a half later, we moved to NJ. Despite signing up for a nearby gym, I found it difficult to go due to schedule changes. Also, Fitness II had spoiled me, and while this particular facility did offer group classes (a feature Fitness II did not have), its exercise equipment was just not up to par. Nevertheless, I did not discard my fitness regimen. I simply worked out at home to the DVD's I've amassed over the years, and then, it happened. I got Wii Fit Plus.

Wii Fit Plus was a dream come true. It tracked my progress, challenged me, and made exercise very, very fun. I loved the calendar and stamp feature that allows you, once you've completed your daily body test and accompanied workout, to mark your progress with a stamp. Also, I love the variety of fitness activities the Wii Fit Plus offers: strength exercises, cardio activities, yoga, and balance games. Admittedly, I was a little skeptical as to how well this video game was going to help me with my fitness endeavors, but I was pleasantly surprised! For beginners who are looking to establish a new habit of consistent exercise and fitness, the Wii Fit Plus is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.

Several months later, I purchased the EA Sports Active, and I fell in love all over again. Comparing the two, EA Sports Active better suits fitness die-hards. The exercises challenge individual muscle groups a bit more than Wii Fit Plus through the use of resistance bands and a more comprehensive monitoring of your body's movements via a leg strap and nunchuck. Again, I was skeptical, but the first workout left me dripping with sweat and sore the next day. Again, there is quite a variety of activities available, including sports simulations that feature baseball, basketball, and tennis skills. A further selling point of EA Sports Active is that the cardio demand its workouts place on the participant is far greater than that of the Wii Fit Plus. All things considered, I prefer EA Sports Active, but also still use & greatly enjoy the Wii Fit Plus, especially for Yoga.

Recently, I discovered that Zumba Fitness is coming out with a video game as of 11/18 for the Wii, Playstation 3, and Xbox 360 platforms. I pre-ordered it the evening I found out. :) I cannot wait to try it. And!!!! 2 days earlier, EA Sports Active is introducing its 2nd version that comes complete with a heart-rate monitor and wireless monitors to strap to your arms and legs for more freedom of movement and more accurate movement tracking. Like Zumba Fitness, the game will play on the Wii, Playstation 3, and Xbox 360 systems, but you will need Move and/or Kinect for the latter 2. Who's excited??? ME!!!

Sometimes, people feel the need to exercise outside of their homes, and that approach works really well. Conversely, the notion of having to leave one's house coupled with the daily list of looming To-Do's can also cause people to fall off the fitness band wagon. Personally, I enjoy the flexibility and freedom that working out at home offers. I have my video games and DVD's along with enough fitness equipment to exercise sufficiently without the aid of electronics. Granted, it sometimes takes more discipline to exercise at home, but, for me, that's a non-issue (thanks, karate!). I do sometimes miss my group classes and having workout partners like I had at Fitness II, so if anyone needs one and has a guest pass feel free to give me a call. Likewise, if you want to come over and do an EA Sports Active workout with me, you're more than welcome and can help me earn a trophy for working out cooperatively! Happy exercising!!

'Tis the Season to Need Moisturizer!

Winter weather has arrived, regardless of the fact that we will not witness the winter solstice for well over a month yet. My skin has certainly noticed the temperature shift and has already felt the effects of the dry, brisk winds.

Skin issues run in my family - thanks, Dad! But, they evidence themselves differently in each one of my siblings. My sister and I have been so nicely endowed with dry skin with the resulting irritation (both physical and emotional) only growing as the days get colder. My sister's skin is typically dry. I, however, have a combination of oily/dry skin, which leans more towards the dry description than oily. Most of the time, I do okay; I really can't complain. However, once it gets cold, the tune of my song quickly changes.

If I don't be careful, my dry skin, particularly on my legs, can be become full blown eczema, and that sucks all of the fun (and moisture, haha!) out of my day. Generally, it takes minimal action to thwart the crazed spells of itchiness, redness, and blotches; applying a good lotion to the skin directly after a shower usually does the trick.

Over the years, I've tried many different types of lotions, so here is a list of a few of my favorites.

1. Aveeno Baby, Soothing Relief Moisture Cream - I have to credit my sister with this find. Having had 2 kids (who also have some skin issues - thank you, Grandpa!), she was introduced to this cream and invariably began using it on herself. It works great. Specifically to help ease the ill symptoms of eczema, it is one of the few products I've tried that really does soothe my irritated legs.
2. Look Ma, New Hands Softening Hand Lotion with Paraffin - If you have any degree of cracks in your hands, this stuff will fix you right up! The paraffin fills in all those crevices, making your hands feel unbelievably soft. The only downside to this lotion I have ever found is that due to the paraffin wax engineered into the cream, if you need to wash your hands after applying,  you will likely need to lather twice and afterward reapply the lotion. The wax certainly keeps moisture locked in, but also locks it out. An exceptional lotion overall.
3. Victoria's Secret's Body Lotion - If you have fragrance sensitive skin, this lotion could be your worst nightmare because it is highly fragranced, which is actually one of its selling points for me. It moisturizers your skin decently well, but can smell  almost as potent as some body sprays. The travel sizes are good accompaniments to your handbag.
4. Huggies Naturally Refreshing Lotion with Cucumber & Green Tea - Work turned me on to this lotion. Its great for everyday use. "It contains a natural blend of green tea and cucumber along with a touch of aloe and Vitamins A & E." It's a general moisturizer intended for babies, but just works just as well for everyone else. The fragrance is light, and it moisturizes well. I use it daily.
5. Aquaphor Healing Ointment - Use this for those extreme cases, when your hands have become painfully cracked and parched. This ointment also serves as a great tool in healing after a tattoo! However, that being said, be aware that it is not a lotion, but an ointment and, while it does absorb into the skin, it goes on more like a Vaseline.

Wintertime is own of my favorite times of year. The cold and fallen snow sets the magical undertone. Combine the natural ambiance with a few good family-centered holidays, and it is easy to see where the good tidings come from. But do remember, it is good tidings of comfort and joy they sing about, so hopefully these reviews will help with the comfort part so you can be engaged less in scratching and more in joy-making. :) Here's to the holiday season!!

What Colors to Wear

One of the hardest parts of owning a wardrobe is deciding which pieces to wear and in what combination. Females tend to pay far more attention to the "fine lines" of color coordination than do males, which is why we often get hassled by our male counterparts for "taking too long" in our preparation. But there is, boys, a method to our madness. Sometimes, albeit, it is haphazard and potentially misguided, but we females usually know what we're after, whether that be a comfortable chic, refined elegance, or a simple yet stunning look.

One of the defining moments in my never-ending quest of looking great was when I discovered that I look AWESOME in deep purple. Soon after, I forget how exactly I stumbled across it, I found an article that talked about one's personal color palette when it comes to fashion and makeup. When considering your hair and eye color as well as your skin tone, the combination your genetics have created lend themselves quite nicely to certain colors. You already know this! This premise is why you never wear the color (fill in that putrid shade here). Therefore, those colors that you look great in and those others that are wearable but may not be quite as smashing would fall under your personal color palette. You have a primary and secondary set (so I'm told).

One of the ways people look at personal color palettes coincides with the seasons of the year-spring, summer, autumn, and winter. I fall under the autumn spectrum with my brown hair, brown eyes, and peachy complexion. One website pegs me as having a "warm autumn" palette, which features these colors:

There's that deep purple! And when considering the other colors in this repertoire, I do tend to look rather nice in those shades as well! Success! Once I came to the realization that I do not need to try to look great in every color and that certain colors are more well suited for me than others, the doors to the world of fashion were flung wide open. Such a simple notion of coordinating your wardrobe to your genetically determined color preferences offers great freedom and opportunity. Now, when searching for a specific clothing item or fashion trend, you know it will go better for you if you look at pieces that fall under your personal color palette. Shopping can be stressful and frustrating enough as it is. Any "tricks of the trade" that make it go easier for me, I am all for!

For those interested, I found a quiz that helps identify what your personal seasonal color palette is. It takes all of a minute to do. Then, I found this website that breaks things down a little further as well as and includes examples of the different palettes. The same website offers a second standard by which to analyze yourself, called the gold or silver test. This test uses jewelry color, gold or silver, as the guideline. Either it will serve to enhance or wash out the wearer. From this simple determination, a set of colors can then be suggested that will compliment him/her. Easy peasy!

Like I said before, most of you have probably already figured out what your color palette is. You just may not have known that there is a science behind it. I hope this post has served to shed a little light on the subject.

Prologue

So here goes nothing! I have long since been fascinated by fashion and beauty products. Not the craziest thing you've ever heard, right? But coming from me, it might surprise a few.

I grew up and still largely am a tomboy. While my sister participated in lyrical dance and played with Barbies, I was in the woods with the boys of the neighborhood playing Army with an arsenal of Nerf guns. I was never able to convince my parents to let me play Powder Puff Football (although, I do recall a mischievous gleam in my father's eye at the time I made my request, which makes me believe he was not altogether against it). Instead, I signed up for kempo karate lessons at the age of 12, quickly becoming a force not to be reckoned with.

Soon after I began my training, my mother was involved in a parent-teacher conference with my 7th grade Homeroom teacher. There was no discussion of my grades as I was typically an A student; rather, the topic centered around my ability to exude more feminine qualities, which included a change in wardrobe. My teacher meant well, but the resounding implications of that conversation continue to plague me to this day. Hence, I purport that a blog about health, beauty, accessories, and fashion, written by yours truly, will likely surprise some.

As all awkward teenagers do, I continued to grow & mature, (without a new wardrobe and a makeover, mind you), and eventually I began to assume a more "girly" veneer. I did it at my own pace and according to my own preferences. But beauty is not, and by NO means, only skin deep. I am a firm believer in and an advocate of one's sense of inner beauty and self-esteem. Notwithstanding, being a woman with an athletic build and a demeanor that is more rough and tumble than graceful and chic, I do struggle with all of the same self-doubts and negative self-talk every other woman in the world combats. And so this blog, while it will certainly contain my opinions, views, and impressions on the latest trends, beauty products, etc., it will also likely delve into my personal triumphs and struggles with self-esteem as it relates to my perception of beauty and the expectations placed upon women by pop culture. Hopefully, somewhere along the way, you will find some piece of useful information or some thought inspiring. I am doing this largely because I enjoy the topic, and I hope you will enjoy it too.