Blessed with Curves

A typical model is usually visible in all sorts of medium as gracefully thin and most likely as gaunt as possible, the kind of promoting pro-anorexia. And yours truly, who resorts to unhealthy habits of eating is impossible to achieve it. These made me celebrate women who are blessed with curves and embrace their body shapes with no reason at all to join the skinny-craze bandwagon. They know how to flaunt their curves in a flawlessly healthy, lean, beautiful and desirable way.

Kate Winslet

"I'd much rather be known as some curvy Kate than as some skinny stick."

Katherine Heigl

“I’m too lazy and I like food and I like my free time too much to spend it working out!”

 Gemma Arterton

"I dress like a woman and wear a lot of couture because it's made for real women with curves. I'm a size ten, which I don't think is big."

 Amanda Bynes

"I feel better when I'm fit, but I don't like to work out. I used to say, "I'm young; I don't need to." But I do feel my body changing. I just can't eat pizza at midnight without waking up feeling really bloated. I try eating healthy, but it's hard. All I want is frozen yogurt with chocolate chips and waffles!"

Vanessa Hudgens

"Confidence is key. Sometimes, you need to look like you're confident even when you're not."

Salma Hayek

"I act tall! But look how short I am...I can't even act to be tall. I'm five-two. I can't even create the illusion that I am tall!"

Hayden Panettiere

"I've always had a mad addiction to salt. I've been known to pick the salt off of pretzels and eat it!"

Monica Bellucci

"When I eat with my friends, it is a moment of real pleasure, when I really enjoy my life."

 Kim Kardashian

"Of course, I struggle with insecure moments. I wish I didn't but I love to eat! Especially sweets. And I'll say it, I think my thighs are jiggly and I have cellulite. Not let's move on! Because when I put the time in at the gym, I'm confident. You have to feel good to look good."

Scarlett Johansson

"I`m curvy - I`m never going to be 5` 11` and 120 pounds. But I feel lucky to have what I`ve got."

photos via designhairstyles.com, askmen.com, fashionfame.com, hatersforhire.com, sawfnews.com, entertaintmentwise.com, clickswelike.com, beautyisdiverse.com  & google.com

New Shoes, New You

by Jackie Clark  

Walking into the office in a killer black pantsuit that is tailored to fit a woman’s body perfectly, a pair of six inch Louboutins and a handbag that screams “I am the epitome of a fashionable, successful woman” is what all women want when they go to work. When they go to dinner they want to walk into a restaurant in an amazing designer dress and smile to themselves as heads turn and looks of envy are evident on every face in the building. No matter what the situation, looking great makes a woman feel like the most powerful, confident woman in the room; and she needs that to help keep her self-esteem healthy.

Every woman has a bad day from time to time; the day nothing goes right, her hair isn’t cooperating and her favorite outfit just isn’t looking as amazing as it typically does. Those days happen and women know that. However, for women dealing with mesothelioma cancer, those days happen more often than not. Unfortunately, when dealing with cancer and treatment, a woman needs her sense of confidence, self-esteem and her feelings of power more than ever. How a woman feels about herself is directly related to the health of her immune system; feelings of depression and sadness can have a negative effect on the immune system, which is the system that fights disease and illness. To make sure a woman’s immune system is at its strongest, she needs to feel good about herself and the best way to make sure that happens is to look to fashion for the answers. 

Because a woman’s confidence level is directly related to how she perceives herself, it is imperative she feels beautiful. This is not a vanity thing; this is a health fact. The more gorgeous a woman feels, the better her mood, the higher her self-esteem and the more powerful she feels. A woman in a great outfit and killer shoes feels like she can conquer the world and that’s exactly the attitude she needs to have to face her cancer head on.

For an immediate self-esteem boost, a new hairstyle always works. Highlights, low lights and a new cut will have a woman feeling glamorous. Add to that a new outfit, jewelry and shoes and she will feel like the most powerful and confident woman on the planet. In the right shoes, cancer will seem like nothing to a woman. Fashion has a way of making women feel good; the materials, styles and designs of clothing can make a woman feel beautiful and confident. Cancer patients should make it a habit to put on an outfit they love, do their hair and makeup and face the world in great shoes.

No matter cancer diagnosis a woman faces, she must remember that life is for the living. Take over cancer and look beautiful doing it. Fashion is a great way to feel confident and forget even just for a moment that cancer has invaded such a private and personal space. Remember that no matter what you are beautiful and can still look amazing with or with out cancer.

Read more about Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance and visit Jackie Clark's blog. 

The best part of being a blogger isn't just about my trivial activities.
It's getting the chance to share awareness on important areas of the society.
This time, I feel fortunate to have my guest Ms. Jackie Clark.
It was worth noting her article and made me more realize the importance of self-image.
There are plenty of ways we can support this campaign to minimize the weight of sadness
they are dealing by encouraging them that each new day is a gift that should be
fashionably appreciated in spite of any living condition.

Thanks for reading!

aileen

Beholding Myself

I was suffering tremendously from boredom yesterday, even though it was the time of our much-awaited salary. Working is a full-time job so I am discreetly aware that I have to spend my hard-earned money wisely.

Likewise, living is a full-time job too.

As an expatriate, I've been missing my motherland, my home, my love ones.

I am bored.

I am depressed.

I am lonely.

What's the best therapeutic thing to possess?

Spend a chunk of my income with friends!

We indecisively went for a fancy dinner, and afterwards we had a sprightly shop along the way.

It was a brilliant relief to unburden myself last night. Not bad at all.

A dinner at Friday's, I had my scrumptious medium rare New York Style Steak which I've been wanting for months. ugh, please ignore my ring-less finger and boring nails.

We went to Zara and I bought this leather cross-body bag, perfect on or off duty, a versatile addition to my wardrobe.

I bought beauty essentials in the newly open super market. You'll see a multitude of hair products because I'm a huge hair junkie. Every time I finished a bottle of shampoo and conditioner, I always switch to other brands. The last brand I used was VO5 Volume Boost Elixir's shampoo and conditioner. This time I'm gonna use Tresemme's Healthy Volume. Without any clear reason at all, this method works healthily on my hair apparently.

Part of their opening is a grand raffle draw which the lucky one will win a brand new Range Rover. Regardless of the small quantity we bought, the representative is still generous to allow each of us a two ticket entries aside from the cute freebies.

I've never won any contest or raffle draws or giveaways in my year of existence. I consider myself one of those unlucky few who never win anything. But maybe, maybe in only a matter of time I will win big time. With all my daydream of optimism, Range Rover here I come.

On the other side, I feel unfortunate to be unable to visit the graves of my deceased loved ones during All Souls' day. Being far away, I lighted a candle in their memory and prayed that their souls may find the everlasting peace and light.

Anyway, have fun everyone.

aileen

Victoria’s Secret : Sparkling Lipstick : L54 On Fire Review

Red lipstick is a typical and timeless beauty statement. It is safe to wear in the office to glam up a tasteless daily white uniform, or bring a simple jeans + white top combo a lively look, or stand out for a night out with a classic Little Black Dress (LBD).

Colossal Victoria's Secret's products were the early present of my friend from her mom who is now in the US. Her mom is so thoughtful to reserve a tiny space inside the box for me. This unexpected lipstick is a very early Christmas gift in a fiery mood!

I'm not a big make-up fan, except when it comes to discovering products that goes well with my skin so let me take this opportunity with you my experience.


I find difficulty to choose the right shade of lipstick for my skin tone and this gift comes in a slash of shade that matches my complexion. My lips are chappy and rather than my heavy matte textures, I like to wear this sheer and creamy lipstick while I keep the rest of my make-up minimum.

without flash

with flash

Red lipstick is not a color I want to make mistakes with, but then again this is my epic failure attempt of a heart-shaped kissable lippy.. I'm bad at make-up........ la, la, la, whatever...

How do I get the look? I first conceal around the edges of my lips and apply the lipstick using a soft lip brush. To make it polished, I gently buff my lips with a toothbrush that has a soft bristles to remove dry  and dead skin.

Wish to brighten your dull complexion?

Wish to shine in the middle of a frazzle?

Wish to glam a casual outfit?

Simple.
Wear your favorite Red Lipstick, and you're ready to go!

greetings, aileen

Orange Daily Cream & Sebamed Cream Review

I want to share my skin dilemmas with you and how I temporarily found the solution. Make-up is never really my thing. For years my friends are persistent that I should try some serious cosmetics (I'm at ease with my regular pressed powder, blush, gloss & lipstick), like other women, I also dream of a flawless skin, so one day, I indecisively bought over-the-counter foundation, I chose the perfect shade for me. At the beginning I received positive response, but after 2 weeks, it gradually started to clogged my pores and I got whiteheads and pimples that are inflamed.

I went to a Dermatologist and he prescribed me with Accutane (Isotretinoin) which cannot be taken by women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant because of the risks of serious birth defects (though I don't have plans yet), the worst part is the whooping price! I asked for other topical medicines, and he unbelievably replied that there is no other medication that goes well with my skin condition aside from Accutane.

I wouldn't splurge on something which according to my research, the possible negative side effects of Accutane could be inflammatory bowel disease and liver damage. I did not stop for my sheer determination to find other option. So I've searched for skincare remedy through online and even asked my beauty friends. Nonetheless, I gathered below ideas to keep my acne from getting worse:

• To gently wash my face with mild soap and warm water twice a day to remove excess oil
• To use topical acne treatments that may contain antibiotics such as Clindamycin or Tretinoin as directed
• To wear sunscreen
• To take daily supplement (Take as prescribed by your physician)
• To use cosmetic labeled noncomedogenic (Still on the verge of finding)
• To apply creams that is rich in vitamin E or vitamin C

Wondering what is the best cream to eventually reduce my pimples and for a fairer complexion, I tirelessly look for the one, while I'm standing in front of a shop's beauty shelves staring in bewilderment upon endless line of products. The selection of creams was infinite to offer in this world and so seldom that a person would meet their demands. And despite the promises and claims by beauty and skincare brands to have a pimple-free skin (since before, I've tried Himalaya, Clearasil, Nivea, L'Oreal and Olay creams but they don't effectively help me) - so there's one question in my head - which one could be right for me this time?

Orange Daily - Moisturizer Cream $14.50, with vitamin C

Orange Daily - Dual Action Whitening Cream $18.00, with vitamin C

I apply the Moisturizer cream during the day and the Whitening cream during the night, which are consumable for approximately within 2 months. My pimples slowly reduced. The cream felt nice - the downside would be the strong smell which keeps me sneezing all day. My black spots failed to minimize.

Sebamed - Moisturizing Cream $9.27, for sensitive skin, with vitamin E
This cream helps me to prevent from breaking out that turn into unattractive zits. Delighted with the healthy glow this cream gave me, though slightly greasy by noon so I had to use powder. It has no smell which is good for my allergy. It gently revive my delicate and sensitive skin. This cream won't break the bank, it's much cheaper than Orange Daily and this bottle alone is consumable within 2 months both day and night. A tiny amount can cover the whole face. Now, I incorporated it into my daily routine and use it without fail.

My personal tip : Gently pat cream in your face and avoid rubbing it - this minimize fine lines due to skin dragging.

For my pimple scars, I am still searching for a good product. If you have any suggestions, please let me know, that would really help!