Valentine's Day Inspired Makeup Looks

By Kristina Goldberg 

After the glitz and glam of the holiday season, I suggest to start the New Year off with a fresh updated look with your makeup.  Something simple, clean and romantic is in order as we celebrate the winter's end.  Valentine's Day is the perfect time to tone it down as we cozy up and get romantic.   Whether  you are going on a red hot date night or simply taking it easy with your true love, one thing is certain, guys don't' like a lot of makeup!  So if you want to woo him or leave a lasting impression on this special day, please tone down the makeup.

Study after study by magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Allure and In Style have researched, diagnosed and dug deep into men's psyche to discover why men don't like makeup.  Here is my theory on why a woman wearing makeup can be so distracting to the male companion.

My belief is, and please don't share this with my husband, that too much makeup confuses the guy you are so intimately having dinner with.  Guys are simple.  SIMPLE.  The color added to your face and the style of makeup is what he sees first, you second.  Guys don't like the confusion it causes and they are just wanting to see your pretty face as is.  Never put on makeup to impress a guy.  Big mistake.  Wear makeup for you, for fun and for your own confidence.  I know I feel much more put together when I have at least a little makeup on to go out for the day.

Scenario:  He sits across the table with the sparkle of candlelight in your eyes and all he can see is the dark color around you eyes, that intense cheek or bronzer you are wearing and the heavy sparkly gloss coving your lips.  It makes it hard for him to see you thru all that glam makeup. He is searching for you and all he can see as you talk are your lips moving and the light dancing off your heavily glossy lips.  

 Don't get me wrong, I love a beautiful glam makeup look, just not for a romantic dinner.   Now I am totally confident that you have applied a beautiful application of makeup, however, he is much simpler than that.  Guys like a clean face, without all the "dark stuff" as my husband puts it.  They are a different breed we all know, and the beautiful makeup you just applied that took an hour getting ready is not going to impress him.  Save that look for your girls night out.  Your friends will appreciate your makeup talents much more.

Keep it simple, soft, and romantic.  Not distracting, try to think like your man.  If you know he loves a smokey eye, then try a softer version.  If he loves red lips, then do the red lip and keep the eyes to just mascara, and soft contour. A nude, matte contoured lid is best.  He will see you and not the makeup. 

My best tip for keeping it simple is to stand 2 ft. from your mirror and apply your makeup.   This gives you a better understanding of how your makeup enhances your features, not distracts from you.  When you do your eye makeup so close to a mirror ( I understand some women need to for sight purposes) you can get heavy handed and end up with too dark of application. Standing back from the mirror allows you to see how other people see you and you'll achieve a more symmetrical look.  It feels odd at first, but you will soon see how much better things will look.  If you need the 5x magnified makeup mirror, just keep standing back and checking on your work.

For those of you who are a classic romantic, look at portraits of european woman from the 17th century.   Rosy cheeks, bitten red stained lip, soft skin , a nude eye and deep brows.  A really romantic makeup look should include rosy cheeks.  This is scientifically proven for stimulating his romantic side, it mimics the flush of blood rising to the skin out of passion, this is why women started pinching their cheeks and wearing blush in the first place!  To attract the opposite sex.  

***For the coming of Spring, everything is coming up blossoms, bright colored blossoms.  go bold on the cheeks and lips, keep the eyes soft.  A sheer wash of gold or coral on the lid with a soft taupe liner and mascara, perfect for the bold statement in the fashions.

Here are a few looks and products I suggest:

1 Ferro Mineral Radiance foundation, soft stained Red lip Stila lip and cheek stain  (no gloss), nude eye with thin liquid liner Lancome Artliner in Black at the lash base, full lashes Dior Show mascara, and a defined  brow MAC brow pencil for a more youthful  
lifted eye and Jouer Mineral Powder blush Dusty Rose $24.00 

2 fresh face, smooth skin Boscia BB cream with Laura Mercier tint moisturizer , romantic pink and grey smokey eye Dior Pink Idol pallet $60, soft pink lip Yves St. Laurent Rouge Volupte sweet honey $34 sheer lip, flush rosy cheeks NARS stick blush sheer 

3 Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint $38 7 shades, for defined liquid liner MAC Blacktrack gel liner and nude lip, sheer Cheek tint Jouer sheer rosy nude $20

Take Control of Your Hunger and Lose Weight Fast

In today's world, hunger is often the last reason why we eat. A variety of factors—from processed foods, to environmental toxins, to social conditioning—have disrupted our body’s natural hunger and satiety cues and re-engineered our bodies for hunger, cravings, and weight gain. But many of us are crying out: Enough is enough! It’s time to take control and kick the overeating cycle.

BEAT OVEREATING NOW! [Fair Winds Press, June 2012 $16.99 US/$18.99 CAN] by Dr. Scott Isaacs utilizes the latest research on what reallycontrols our appetites and provides a step-by-step plan for fixing faulty metabolism and appetite controls while working with the body's natural hunger and weight loss triggers to beat overeating easily and permanently. Throughout the book Dr. Isaacs provides helpful tips and suggestions for changing eating patterns which include:

• Turn down the thermostat to boost metabolism – Turning down the thermostat by just a couple of degrees forces your body to burn more calories to generate body heat. You can burn an extra 100 calories per day.
• Avoid “obesogens.” – Obesogens are chemicals and toxins that act as “environmental endocrine disruptors” to imitate and disrupt hormones resulting in weight gain. BPA is the most well know, but there are others as well.
• Spice up your meals to boost metabolism – Chili peppers contain capsaicin, black peppers contain piperine, and other spices contain substances that boost metabolism and aid with fat burning
• Get better sleep –There is a growing body of research linking poor sleep to weight gain.
• Ditch the diet soda – Artificial sweeteners cause increased hunger and sugar cravings hindering weight loss.

BEAT OVEREATING NOW! just may be the game changer that will help readers finally break their poor overeating habits and get back on track to a healthy, responsible eating schedule.

Photo Courtesy of Google Images

About the Author

Dr. Scott Isaacs is on the faculty of Emory University School of Medicine and is considered one of the leading weight loss experts in the country. He was referenced several times in Jillian Michael's NYT bestselling book Master Your Metabolism. He has been profiled onCNNHealth.com and WebMD.com, and has been featured in countless national publications including Ladies Home Journal, Better Homes and Gardens, Fitness, Shape, Men's Health, Good Housekeeping, Glamour, Prevention, Women's World, and First. He has provided expert commentary on CNN Health and National Public Radio. He has received a research grant from the National Institutes of Health for his work on endocrinology and metabolism and won an award from the American College of Physicians for his research on diabetes and obesity. He is the author of The Leptin Boost Diet andHormonal Balance: Understanding Hormones, Weight, and Your Metabolism. He lives in Atlanta, GA.http://www.intelligenthealthcenter.com/

Laugh and the Whole World Laughs with You!

Photo Courtesy of Google Images

    It seems that laughing can be contagious.  Have you ever found yourself laughing after you see someone else laughing?  You don’t know why you are laughing but just seeing someone laugh can cause you to do the same.  Wouldn’t you rather catch a laugh then a cold or the flu? 

    Our children certainly know how to laugh.  We can learn much from them. They seem to spend a lot more time laughing than we adults do!  Babies smile naturally too.  Remember your baby’s first smile? 

We have all heard the age old saying “laughter is the best medicine.”   Have we experienced this ourselves?  

Laughing results in the exercise of your diaphragm and the movement of your facial muscles.  Have you ever laughed so hard that your side hurts?   

    There is a lot of research into the physical benefits of laughter.  When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.  Laughter activates and relieves your stress response by lowering your adrenaline level, resulting in a good, relaxed feeling.  Laughter can also soothe tension by stimulating the circulation and aids in muscle relaxation, both of which help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress. 

    Laughter has some positive long term effects too.  It improves your immune system. Negative thoughts result in chemical reactions that can impact your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. In contrast, positive thoughts actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.  Laughter may also ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers, such as endorphins.  Laughter can also break the pain-spasm cycle common to some muscle disorders such as fibromyalgia.  Finally, laughter increases personal satisfaction by making it easier to cope with difficult situations and in helping you connect with other people. 

    So, yes it’s true!  Laughing is really healthy by promoting good physical health and mental well being.  It’s good for our hearts and our heads.   This is wonderful news for us all.  We are not wasting time laughing we are exercising our bodies and elevating our moods.  No drugs needed! 

Happy people seem to make others happier too.  Most of us would rather talk with a happy person than with a grumpy one-right? 

    So if laughing is good for us, why aren’t we doing more of it?  In today’s post 9/11 world we are much more stressed and on guard than ever before.  Tragedy seems to be everywhere and with instant media you can follow it for days if not weeks.  I am not suggesting that we not empathize or be engaged with happenings in the world, but we should keep it all in perspective and not let current events put us in a state of constant depression and immobilization. 

    Wouldn’t we be more able, mentally and physically, to respond to a crisis if we were in good health?  If your doctor prescribed laughter in a pill form, would you take it? 

What about our children.   Do they feel this angst?  Do they feel more stressed today, than we did growing up?  What would your guess be?  The answer is obvious.  They feel your mood. 

To summarize, there is now clear evidence that laughter is good for mental as well as physical health.  If you are healthier you are more likely to be patient and energetic.  Wouldn’t that be good for your family and children?  Again, an obvious “Yes!” 

Here are some of my favorite tips to make you and your family healthier and happier: 

• Go to a funny movie together
• Find jokes to share with your kids
• Tickle your kids and let them tickle you
• Don’t take yourself so seriously.  No one else does!
• Have a backwards day at your house where you have dinner in the morning and breakfast at night.
• Have your family make funny faces and take photos
• Read a funny story with your kids.  The “Last Night I Had a Laughmare” book was created for exactly this purpose. 

Wouldn’t our lives be so much better with a little more laughter in the world?  You can be the change that your family and your community needs. 

Enjoy! 

Judy Egett Laufer BA, author of the new release, “Last Night I Had a Laughmare-Bedtime Adventures in Gigglyville” (www.littleeggpublishing.com), is a certified early childhood educator/consultant and has taught Kindergarten for over a decade. She wrote this to help families bring laughter and joy to their children’s bedtime routine. Her strategy for diffusing difficult situations with children is to infuse a little humor and silliness.  Laufer wanted to give children and their parents a fun way to approach bedtime. Laufer attended Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.  She is married and she currently lives with her husband and son in the Southwest.

Cover Shoot with Kym Johnson

Behind the scenes photos of our cover shoot with Dancing with the Star's Kym Johnson. Be sure to check out our January/February issue to see more!

Travel Around the World Without Ever Leaving L.A.

Keeping up with the Olympic spirit, one of team USA fiercest competitors is China. As the two teams learn the others strengths and weaknesses in their battle for the gold, this week we will learn about the flavors in the cuisine and the vivacity of the culture in China.

Many of you are tired of the quick and easy Panda Express, Pick up Sticks and even P.F. Changs. I know I am. So here is a place I have been going to with my family for years and though it is a little bit out of the way, the food is well worth the drive. Silver Panda in Chatsworth is a small family owned restaurant that never fails to serve what I believe to be the best Chinese food in the Valley. From their spicy hot and sour soup to their freshly made rice and crunchy sesame chicken, anyone can find a dish to their liking here. They serve the dishes we are all familiar with- orange chicken, beef and broccoli, imperial shrimp and sweet and sour pork- but with a twist that is exclusive to Silver Panda. Aside from the mouthwatering meals, the hospitality there is truly warm. The waiters always have a bright smile on their faces and whenever you see them; you can’t help but smile yourself. This is a fantastic place to go with the family because the atmosphere of the restaurant makes you feel as if you are in your own home. This cozy feeling is what truly puts this family owned business over the top.

Aside from food, China is well known for its rich and colorful traditions and customs, many of which are exhibited and continued in America. Here are just a few of the cultural events you can be a part of in L.A.:

The Chinese American Museum is the perfect place to go to learn everything about China’s vast history, from the ancient times to modern day. There is currently a wonderful exhibition about Chinese architecture and how it has evolved over the centuries and how it impacts modern day architectural styles. In addition, the museum is connected to Chinatown and is working on a project called “Constructing Chinatown,” which brings local artists together to make new statement art. It strives to change the assumptions many have about Chinatown and re-invent a new and more genuine perspective for many.

Speaking of Chinatown, this is the best place to visit to experience all aspects of China- food, culture and entertainment. There is a weekly farmers market where you can buy authentic Chinese ingredients, from soy sauce to bok choy, and numerous delicacies. In addition, you can browse through art galleries displaying traditional Chinese art and shop among the hundreds of boutiques. Chinatown has many annual festivals and shows, one of the most famous being the Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-autumn festival, which occurs in September. Though this is still a ways off, the people are already starting to prepare for this grand occasion.

Lastly, in our own L.A. zoo, there is now an “Elephants of Asia” exhibit and show. There is a new elephant plaza where statues of the majestic animal decorate beautiful Chinese botanical gardens, which pave the way to a beautiful deep-water pool. This new exhibit not only brings more attention to the need for preservation of this endangered species but also, highlights the artistic and cultural aspects of China.

Just like we have taken traditional Chinese dishes and blended and “Americanized” them, both nations come together to celebrate the competitiveness, honor and friendship that the Olympics arouse. Keep watching to see who will come out on top this year and enjoy the games!

Love, Life & Literature

Coming Home

Danielle Alakija, Westlake local, can now call herself an Olympian. Just two days ago on August 3, she competed in round one of the Women’s 400m, finishing sixth for the Fiji track and field team with a time of 56.77. Though she did not qualify for the next round, Danielle can certainly feel proud of herself for competing at the Olympics, a place so many athletes work towards but rarely reach. Her achievement is especially remarkable considering she is only sixteen years old and among the very youngest competitors at the Games. You may be wondering what a young lady currently living in Westlake Village is doing running for Fiji, a country thousands of miles away. Before making the move to SoCal, Danielle and her family lived in Fiji for fourteen years! And in what seems like a story line that could only come from fiction, Ms. Alakija was actually born in the same city in which she just made her Olympic debut, London. It’s as if Danielle’s destiny came full circle as she returned to the place she first entered into this world to give her very first performance in the Olympic Games. Congrats, Danielle, and we certainly anticipate your return to the track in 2016!


--Bailee Ahern

Fashion

Watch out Lululemon there's a new sheriff in town. Australian workout clothing store, Lorna Jane, has moved into Westlake's local hotspot The Promenade. Loren Jane Clarkson is the founder of the stylish lifestyle clothing line. She started off as a dentist's assistant teaching aerobics classes on the weekends. It was always important to her to look stylish and fabulous while she worked out and was never satisfied with exercise clothing. To fix the issue she took an old swim suit fabric and created her own outfits. Women at the gym stared in awe of her fashion forward clothing and wanted some in their own closets. She started making more and more, eventually opening her first store in 1993. The clothes consist of bright colored sports bras, patterned leggings and motivational graphic tees. Some that read: "love the skin you're in" or "strength, confidence, courage." Knowing all you Westlake women out there who care about your health and are taking kickboxing, yoga, p 90x etc. These new designs are fashionable, comfortable and versatile. Not only can you go workout in them you can go grocery shopping, to coffee with friends or just running errands around town. Go stop in and check out the new store!!

Xx
Hannah