Since my last post a little while ago I took some time out for me…

After taking out my contacts which I haven’t done in forever!  I started off with that Mediterranean Bath product by L’occitane I told you about… it is wonderful, my skin feels great - this is a must try product. 

Followed by a facial cleanse with DDF Marine Cleanser… I love this stuff, but I don’t think it’s for everybody, it  has a sea smell to it… I have had it forever and it’s almost done, when I put it upside down I noticed it expired 06/06!  yikes, my face is ok, I don’t want any of you to worry out there!!

Took a nice long shower (I’ll leave some stuff out at this point) and then it was time to moisturize.  I used Nivea Age Defying Moisturizer for body (nothing you wouldn’t expect from Nivea). I just got it the other day, it came with a sample sized q10 wrinkle advanced night creme which is REALLY good, I can feel it working which I like.

I also used my L’oreal Hydra Renewal which is ok, but I cannot wait for it to be over because I really don’t like the whole tub thing for creme… I hate getting creme under my nails… I don’t mind soaps, but creme’s are finishing touches and are better pumped.

By now you’re wondering if I sphritzed perfume and I want to rest your minds that I did, Chanel Gardenia of course.  Now for a glass of water then bed time. 

Sleep tight everyone… until next time.

Posted: November 29th, 2006 under Public.
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All of our opinions and attitudes are based on where we are standing in the world and our past experiences.  Cultural differences often dictate how we view things and how we feel about ourselves. 

When I lived in Japan, many people loved Audrey Hepburn, I’ve heard it’s because she had a long neck.  Traditionally, a woman’s neck was the only thing showing because women wore long Kimonos.

I grew up in Queens, New York, I was a minority in the sense that I did not belong to any large ethnic group.  In New York, it’s not enough to be black, white or something in between.  You’ve got to speak the lingo, dance the dance and fit in the box. 

Being mixed (French & Brazilian) was both a luxury and liability because I had no one group where I belonged. When I was first born, we lived in Astoria, which was culturally diverse, different types of immigrant Europeans, some different types Hispanics, and some blacks from different nationalities (Hatian, African countries, some African American).  The entire time I grew up I never met any other French or Brazilian decent people in my school travels or neighborhood… my parents did have friends with some kids but I saw them maybe 3 times a year. 

I remember thinking that ma from little house was beautifulI always felt out of the loop and not totally with any one group and never beautiful.

My mother always points out women that have long necks… I’m like, what, that makes someone beautiful.  I may think they are elegant, but not always beautiful.  The people I find most attractive are not necessarily great beauties but they usually have rounder faces and I tend not to look at any one feature as an indicator, beautiful or not.  What about you?  This is just a bunch of my thoughts about beauty in random order.

Posted: November 29th, 2006 under Public.
Comments: 4

Turkey!! Just kidding, the best thing for a Steeping Beauty is SLEEP!  I don’t know about the rest of you, but I will be up by 6 to put my turkey in the oven.

It’s now 10 p.m. so I should be between the sheets by now.  I’m running about 22 minutes behind at this time.  When I’m tired my eyes are always red and look terrible. So I’m off to get some sleep.

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving 2006!!

Posted: November 23rd, 2006 under Public.
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Dear Husband,

I am thankful that I met you, a good man amongst thieves, drug users and alcoholics. 

I’m thankful that you never listened when everyone around us said I was no good. 

I’m thankful you stood up for me, that you told me on our first outing, “I’m an angel sent to watch over you”.  I’m thankful I believed it even though you don’t ”look” or walk like an angel. 

I’m thankful that in ten years of marriage, at one time or another you’ve been all the men I never had in my life - that includes brother and father. 

Not only are you my husband, you’re the head of our family and I’m grateful that you are not an extremist. 

I’m thankful for your moodiness, it gives me time to get on the internet. 

I am eternally grateful for every moment you support us and encourage me to stay at home.

I’m thankful you listen to me sometimes.

Love,

ME

This is a post inspired by the Thanksgiving Feast at http://www.balancedlifecenter.com

Posted: November 21st, 2006 under Public.
Comments: 2

I’ve been very good so far:

Eating moderately!!

Keeping Hydrated!!

Cleansing & Moisturizing!!

I’ve gone walking about 45 minutes 3 times in the last week!!

I have had boy2001 on time for the bus, belly full and not in a panic!!

Everything else is going well, so I will try to keep all this up this coming week.  My DH has Thursday through Sunday off for Thanksgiving 2006, so I hope to do even more for myself since he can watch the kids.  The kids really enjoy the walks, which we’ve always done, just not on a regular schedule.

I have also been using all my good products that I have been hoarding for some reason.  I enjoyed having them, but didn’t want to use them.  Weird, huh?  Anyway, one of them is L’Occitane Olive Paste for Hair which I absolutely love, you only use ittwice a week for 5 minutes.  It’ s great deep conditioner.  In the past, I’ve used hot oil, but this is so much less of a hassle and there is no risk of being burned!!  It came together in a set with L’Occitane Mediterranean Bath which is no longer available at Sephora.  I’m almost done with this, it’s one of those favorites, that I’ve used sparingly but love in the winter when it’s very dry out.  It is very moisturizing but not at all greasy.  This is really nice if your husband is hogging the shower because you can apply before you get in and let it s(t)eep into your pores.

I’ll be back soon with some more of what’s going on over here in the pre-Thanksgiving frenzy.  I’ve had my turkey in the sink overnight, but I need to go down and put it in the fridge for the rest of it’s thaw. 

I also need to remember to buy stuffing (guilty as charged), citrus fruits for garnish and cranberry sauce… on a side note about that, I hope they’ve come up with a single serve of cranberry sauce.  DH is the only one who likes it and the fridge is crowded enough without having to mess with leftover cranberry jelly.

Posted: November 20th, 2006 under Public.
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Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love being a mother, had 3 VERY easy low maintenance pregnancies and had/have no problems breast feeding.  And when I haven’t been feeding someone else, I’ve been carrying someone else.  It’s been over 6 years and my body has not been my own. 

I am going to start a list of things I want to get done when I get to do my own thing which should be in about 8 months (June 2007).

* spray tan

* facial peel or some type of skin resurfacing

* tooth whitening

* a screwdriver!!

Even as I type this little list, I feel sad that I won’t have any more babies.  It is so unfair that it costs money to raise little people.  Children should go to those who have the patience and willingness to provide a positive environment.  

**Warning: THIS MAY MAKE YOU SAD…  I once saw this story about a poor mother (I won’t mention what country, on the off chance that they are looking at this little blog) who wanted a better life for her baby, so she handed it over on t.v. to a rich couple… The mother did NOT want to give up her baby, she just needed financial help to care for the new baby and it’s siblings…  She did not look like she had access to birth control and it was really bad to see her sobbing as she handed the baby over.  I’m sure a few dollars a month would have changed her life and allowed her to keep her children together.

Ok, now I made myself depressed! :(  and no, I’m not usually a downer… but this is one of those subjects that has been bothering me lately. 

Posted: November 20th, 2006 under Public.
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I was wondering, how long do you hold a grudge? 

It was at least 2+ years ago when I bought a copy of InStyle at the supermarket, tempted at checkout I spent $5 or so dollars.  Although I don’t remember the cover and why I spent the money, it is totally out of character for me to do so… I do remember what happenned when I got home. 

I happily put boy2001 in front of a t.v. show and flipped through the magazine.  I immediately saw several of the perforated sheets were missing.  The type that have coupons or requests to send in info, etc…  and 1/2 of a sheet had been ripped out!!  I was surprised but was sure there was something to do… I had the phone handy, so I decided to call the supermarket, they said, they had a no return policy on magazines… period.

I decided to call the magazine itself to see what they say.  I spoke to the young woman there, she told me the same story and also implied that I was lying so I hung up but was really unhappy.  Somehow I’d gotten a used magazine and someone had taken somethings out of it.  I know I could have tried to make a big stink out of it, but I decided to suck it up and move on with my life.

I think about it every once in a while when I’m at the check out… and it’s kept me from buying InStyle several times.  I guess I hold a grudge a long time, that feeling that you’ve been duped is the worst.

Posted: November 20th, 2006 under Public.
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Wondering how to boost your immune system? decrease stress hormones and raise endorphins?  LAUGHING!  As seen on CNN, Laughter Clubs are meeting all around the world to do nothing but laugh and breath.

It seems that laughing helps the mind/body connection, EVEN if you have to fake it… according to the doctor you don’t need to have a sense of humor or even find anything funny.

I don’t know about you guys, but I am getting into my inner child and LAUGHING it up!!! I can’t wait to see the new CNN special, Happiness and Your Health this Sunday @ 10p.m. with Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Find a laughing club for yourself…

Posted: November 17th, 2006 under Public.
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I just love my new button for

STEEPING beauty!!

 Because life isn’t skin deep

Posted: November 17th, 2006 under Public.
Comments: none

How many of you remember that show that Bill Cosby created as a spin off to his Cosby show?  It was called A Different World and starred Lisa Bonet.  Being from the 80’s it is probably the LAST thing you would think about when you think about BEAUTY.  I know you’re thinking the last time I got beauty advice from a television sitcom, Jan was cutting lemons and smearing her face with them to get the frecklees off.

Anyway, I was a young teenager when I watched it, I think it’s in syndication now.  One of the characters Whitley is a former beauty queen and in one episode she’s giving pointers to some other character.

She divulges a pageant secret in that episode!  I’ve thought about it over the last 15 years or so, and it’s now time to put it out on the net for all you beauty lovers.  If you want a shiny bright smile, after brushing put a swipe of Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline or generic) on your teeth as well as your lips!! Shocking news I know, but I’ve done it off and on when I have special pictures to take and it REALLY makes a difference!!

Posted: November 17th, 2006 under Public.
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