What Your It Bag Of Choice Says About You!

  I saw this article on refinery29.com and I had to share it! Enjoy!!

 Your eyes may well be the windows to your soul, but we believe your handbag reveals more about your personality than a staring contest ever could. In fact, your handbag is probably the one fashion item you consistently wear the most, and anything that you trust to shuttle all your daily necessities and to match all your outfits should be pretty darn distinctive. And in the world of accessories, there are a few carryalls that have reached icon status. We're highlighting six…and the personalities we think they reveal. So, tell us, which bag are you?

Illustrated by Isabelle Rancier

Am I The Only One That Still Writes In Cursive?

I have noticed a lot lately that it seems that I am the only one at my workplace that still writes in cursive, and I have quite a few people come up and ask me what it is that I wrote because they can not read it. I have found this really odd, and somewhat heart breaking to be honest. You may be wandering why it is heart breaking, but my reason is because it seems like a part of my history, or should I say American history is being erased? When I entered the fourth grade, I had a writing class that taught us the basics of writing in cursive. I felt so  sophisticated to write in this new writing form, but do they even teach cursive in school anymore? I love how the letters glide together so fast when writing in cursive, where as with print it seems to take longer for me to even write my name! Does that make sense to you?

 Many years ago handwritten communication was the only way for individuals to express themselves. So logically, good handwriting, and specifically the highly personalized, more intricate cursive format, was an important skill. Poor handwriting, like poor speaking, could make you look stupid, lazy or ignorant. But in this culture of apps and OMGs is, at best, up for debate. Just because we have spellcheck, we don’t stop teaching spelling. Spelling and grammar checks should be used as guides, not as the definitive on right and wrong. We all know the subtleties the spell check can miss. A few misspelled words or improper usage can make you look unprofessional at best or at worst, uneducated. Being able to write nicely isn’t something you can pick up easily later in life, just in case you decide maybe it is a skill worth having after all. And in this day and age, a handwritten note certainly will get someone’s attention, as it’s definitely not the norm anymore.

 While cursive isn’t exactly necessary for a fulfilled life, I hate to see it go entirely. Can’t we build a little time in for both learning cursive and keyboarding? Yes, I know all the standardized test preparations take up a lot of time, but that shouldn’t be an excuse. I have heard of plenty of schools no longer emphasizing cursive, but I haven’t heard of too many schools offering keyboarding in lower grades. And in lower grades, many teachers are already asking that papers and book reports be turned in typed. Both skills — cursive and keyboarding — are valuable assets for our children and worthy of taking the time to learn while they are young.

Make It A Great One!!!

I hope you all have a great Weekend!!

How To Get Ready For A Girl's Night Out!!

1. Invite the girls. Only invite the gal pals you know will make this occasion rock. Leave out anyone likely to spoil the night by acting spoiled or pining for their male counterpart. Send out the invitations with enough time to get back to you.  

• Ensure that everyone has confirmed they're coming and that you have organised some form of transport.
• Arrange for a designated driver. If someone is going to be driving, ensure that they won't drink.

2. Get prepared. To make sure that you're not rushing, start to get ready approximately 3 hours before you have arranged to go out. This doesn't mean you'll be full-on prepping but it does give you time to relax in between getting ready, allowing for a leisurely preparation time.

3.  Select your outfit. It should be something you're comfortable with because confidence is the sexiest accessory. Wear something that you can move in easily, that fits well and shows off your best self.

•  If you like them, heels add an additional spark to an outfit. However, if you struggle to walk in heels, find lower heels or sexy low/flat shoes  

4.  Freshen up. Treat yourself to a luxurious bath before heading out. Use bath oils that refresh rather than relax though; you don't want to end up getting sleepy!

5.  Pamper your face. Apply moisturizer, preferably scented, to help feel pampered. Moisturizer will help make the makeup stay better throughout the night.

6. Have something to eat. It's best not to go out on an empty stomach, as this will make you feel the effects of alcohol quicker. Also, you may be tempted to overeat unhealthy foods if you're hungry. Have a light snack if you'll be eating later, or a meal if you're only going out for drinks and dancing.

7.  Now is the best time to apply make up. For a night out, it is best to focus on a certain feature. This might be: eyes with false eyelashes, smokey eyes or dramatic eyeliner, or focus on your lips using either gloss or bright lips.

8. Fix your hair. Decide on a style that will suit your outfit and where you're going. Either straighten, curl or create an interesting up-do. Also, make sure you're happy with the hairstyle, so that you won't be playing with it all night. Beauty is meant to be effortless!

•  Avoid wearing your hair in too tight a style; it'll cause headaches and scalp pain.
•  If it's going to be an active girl's night out, choose a style that won't fall out when moving.

9.  Get dressed and accessorize. Take your time and get the whole look just right.

10. Organise your bag. Remember these important things: ID, money, bank card (in case of emergencies), key, flat shoes to change into, mobile phone, essential makeup for any touch-ups and camera (or use the one with your phone). 

11. Arrange safety cover. Let someone trusted know that you and your friends are going out. Give this person a contact number and get theirs. Give them a tentative time for your return home and let them know that you might call them if you need any help. It is important that someone is aware of your movements and that they're prepared to help out if needed. Hopefully, they won't be needed at all but it's better to be safe than sorry. 

•  It's also a good idea for all of you to organize a pre-arranged meet-up area should you get separated during the night. Exchange phone numbers for those of you with mobiles and promise to text one another if you get separated and to go straight to this pre-arranged spot to regroup.
•  Another thing to do is to organize a secret signal to help each other out if any one of you needs to get away from someone coming on too strong or who is boring. Have a keyword or special phrase that will let the rest of you know to come to the rescue. And regardless of this, you should all keep an eye out for one another during the night.

12.  Invite all the guests round and have a few drinks before going, chat and play music to get you all in the mood. Then head out for a fantastic night out with everyone ready for fun.

Make-Up Brushes You Must Have!!

Please do not tell me your one of those ladies that use brushes that come with your make-up container! If so, please stop and read this!! The only time I use a brush that comes with the container is when I am using my eyeshadow to pat the eyeliner in on my water line of my eye, and that is it, period! Here are 7 brushes that every woman needs in her make-up kit!

1. Foundation Brush. Most people apply foundation with their fingertips or a sponge, and although there is nothing wrong with that, a foundation brush gives a totally flawless finish with no streaks or lines. Also, it actually saves on product because a sponge tends to absorb most of the foundation you put on it. A foundation brush is flat with long bristles that are soft too the touch. If it feels coarse, don’t buy it—it’s not a high quality brush. To apply, simply pour a bit of product on the back of your hand, dip the brush into it, and apply on your face. Gives a smooth, perfect finish.

2. Powder Brush. A powder is large and fluffy and is used to apply face powder as a finishing touch to your make up look. It gives a more natural finish then a sponge or powder puff. To use, swirl the brush in your loose powder or compact, tap excess product off, and apply on face. Make sure you invest in one made with natural material such as sable, goat or badger.

 3. Highlighting & Bronzer Brush. Used to apply bronzer and highlighter, this brush looks like a smaller powder brush. Apply bronzer to your cheekbones first and then blush only to the apples of your cheeks. Blend the bronzer and blush together well for a natural looking glow.  I have two of these brushes and I use one for the all over highlighter that I have.

 4. Eye Shadow Brush. An eye shadow brush has short bristles and is used for applying shadow on the eye lid up to the brow bone. I love Sonja Kashuk's medium eye shadow brush!

 5. Blending Brush. This is used to blend eye shadow to eliminate streaks and division lines between colors. This brush is crucial because the worst you can do is go out with unblended makeup. It has a rounded tip and soft fibers and can be used to blend colors as well as soften eye shadow applied on the crease.

 6. Blush Brush. They resemble smallish powder brushes with either a sloped or rounded tip. Great for applying blush or bronzer to cheeks.

 7. Eyebrow Brush. Not as stiff as an eyebrow brush, eyeshadow brushes have square heads used to evenly apply both powder and cream shadows to eyelids. I reach for this brush so often that I might as well have it permanently attached to my hand! Expect to use these a lot.

 

Setting Up A Bar!

There are no rules when it comes to stocking a bar. Follow your preferences and those of your most frequent guests. Stock your bar with the following items, and you should be able to handle any occasion.

Alcohol

Beer
Blended whiskey
Bourbon
Brandy
Champagne
Gin
Liqueurs (coffee, orange, and herbal)
Rum
Scotch
Sherry (dry and sweet)
Sour mash whiskey
Tequila
Vermouth (dry and sweet)
Vodka
Wine (red, white, and sparkling)

Mixers

Club soda
Fruit juice
Soft drinks
Sparkling and still waters (flavored and plain)
Tomato or seasoned vegetable juice
Tonic water

Garnishes and Flavorings

Bitters, for old-fashioneds
Citrus (lemon, lime, and orange) whole, slices, wedges, or peels
Coarse salt, for margaritas
Cocktail onions, for Gibsons
Cream of coconut, for piña coladas
Hot-pepper sauce, for Bloody Marys
Ice (preferably coarsely crushed)
Maraschino cherries, for Manhattans and old-fashioneds
Olives, for martinis
Simple syrup, for sweet cocktails and punches
Worcestershire, for Bloody Marys

Equipment

Blender
Bottle opener
Citrus squeezer
Coasters
Cocktail napkins
Cocktail shaker or pitcher
Corkscrew
Cutting board
Dish towel
Drink stirrers
Ice bucket
Jigger
Paring knife, for fruit peels
Strainer

Bar needs vary greatly according to the party's size and budget. The general rule is 1 1/2 ounces (1 jigger) hard liquor and 3 or 4 ounces of wine equal 1 cocktail serving. Most liquor stores allow returns of unopened bottles providing that the wine has not been refrigerated. Every bar should have a supply of soft drinks, bottled water, and fruit and vegetable juices.

If you are serving only wine, offer red, white, and perhaps even sparkling. If wine is part of a more complete bar setup, white wine is the most commonly requested. Don't serve red wine if you are concerned about spills.

For a meal, tradition says that white wine goes with white meats, fish, and seafood; that red wine accompanies meats and richly sauced dishes; and that blush and sparkling wines go with anything. Today, the rules are less strict. The best guide is your own taste.

In general, light wines, both white and red, best complement light and delicate foods. Bolder wines of both colors stand up better to richer, more assertive foods.

Red wines are generally best when uncorked and allowed to "breathe" for about 15 minutes before serving at room temperature.

Liqueurs are usually served after dinner. Brandy and cognac are the most common types. Fruit, coffee, and herbal flavors are also popular. The best-quality liqueurs can be expensive but have almost unlimited shelf life.

Bar Tips

If possible, chill cocktail and beer glasses ahead of time.

Handle glasses by the stem to avoid leaving finger marks and warming the contents.

Add carbonated beverages at the last minute, even to punches.

To avoid spills, don't fill glasses to the brim.

Keep a kitchen towel handy; making drinks can be messy.

Don't over serve.

Never allow an inebriated guest to drive.

The 10 Jewelry Staples That Every Woman Should Have

I am loving all the new jewelry designs that are coming out recently, aren't you? Yet, I still love my simple "staple" pieces that I have. You can never go wrong with a pair of diamond studs, or a pearl necklace. I believe these 10 items that I am going to list, are pieces that every woman should own. Because they're versatile and go with the rest of your wardrobe - securing these essentials can help you save a lot of time and money.

1. Diamond Stud Earrings. These work whenever, wherever, for whoever-from day to night, for work, school, and special occasions. The ideal stud size is 0.25ct which is big enough to add that subtle pretty sparkle to your outfit without looking like too much. But if you're going for a high-class fashionista, you can always go bigger with a 1 or 2 carat and really get your message across!

2. Diamond Pendant Necklace. You want to be able to wear it for day and night, as well as various other occasions. Make sure to select a smaller diamond to avoid drawing to much attention. Choose simple and versatile pendant shapes such solitaire, marquise or cube.

 3. Pearl Stud Earrings. A pair of pearl stud earrings are pretty but not too flashy, and are excellent with all outfits and occasions. Great for office work, school, visiting your in-laws and so on. Secure your first pair in a size that doesn't extend past your earlobes. Large pearls tend to make a fashion statement, you need stud earrings that are neutral.
Get the pearls in your best light neutrals. So if you have a cool skin tone, go for pure white, rose pink and/or silver. If you have a warm skin tone, opt for ivory, cream, browns and gold.

 4. Pearl String Necklace. Pearl necklaces complements your pearl stud earrings and are a must for a classy lady! Make sure you pick a length that won't choke your neck making it look shorter. It's of course ideal if you have a long neck but it's not that versatile. The ideal pearl necklace length falls between your collarbone and right above your bust.

 5. Hoop Earrings. Hoop earrings are versatile but are some of the stylish jewelry essential you can ever own. They add that extra spiff of stylishness that work with almost any outfit. The best and most ideal size is between 1 to 2 inches, depending on your facial shape. They're not too small nor big. You might also want to make sure to select a pair that are scaled to your facial features. Thinner and smaller if you have small facial features, and vice versa if you have average to large features.

6. Chandelier Earrings. You need at least one pair of dangle earrings that boosts the glam-factor of a cocktail dress! A pair of chandelier earrings are perfect for this and are suitable for various special occasions. Anytime you want to look and feel glamorous! Make sure your first pair of chandelier earrings are in either neutral silver or gold. Preferably with clear crystal embellishment.

7. Chain Bracelet. A simple chain bracelet is a great accent to any outfit. You can also wear it in stacks with your casual leather and bead bracelets, creating an ultra chic style. I love my Tiffany's bracelet! 

8. Statement Necklace. A fashionista needs at least one good statement necklace that brings a boring dress shirt or tee to life! Think large chains, gemstone beads, colors, multiple layers and so on. But it's completely up to your personal style. The point with a statement necklace is that it should contrast with a plain top. 

9. Cocktail Ring. An elegant and versatile cocktail ring is a must have for any occasion! I love big rings, with a lot of bling, some people (like my mother,) who think my rings look gaudy, but to me the bigger the better!!

10. Nice Watch. I absolutely love watches, and the same concept is THE BIGGER THE BETTER! I have many watches, small, medium, large, and x-large! I love the sheek look of the metal Rolex watch, and the manly look of my Bolivia watch, or my newest addition is my DKNY ceramic watch! Watches always accentuate your personal style!