the LORD guides you way

"The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." ~ Proverbs 16:9

the worst of the worst

Wearing high heels

More and more of us are opting to wear heels on a daily basis, and this could be bad news for our health. High heels affect our posture, put pressure on joints, and can lead to a range of conditions including arthritis, hammer toes, back pain and tendon injuries – and that’s before you take into account any heel-related accidents! To minimise damage, limit your heels to 1.5 inches for daily wear, and wear insoles to help reduce the pressure on joints.

Women wearing high heels

Carrying a heavy handbag

With the rising number of gadgets and accessories the majority of women haul around, many of us are carrying around several pounds of weight on our shoulders every day. As a result, lots of us are also putting our long term health at risk. While you may not feel the effects right now, lugging around a heavy handbag can lead to serious back problems and neck pain as well as poor posture. Don’t wait until the damage is done – do your health a favour and try clearing out all non-essential items and switching to a smaller bag.

Sleeping in makeup

Most of us have succumbed to the temptation to sleep in our post-party makeup at some point. However, leaving makeup on overnight – along with the dirt and oil that naturally accumulates on skin throughout the day – is a quick route to clogged pores, congested skin and spots. Sleeping with mascara and eye makeup on can also affect your health by causing eye irritation, bloodshot eyes or even infection.

Matching men drink for drink

From networking drinks to first dates and social events, there are many instances when women may feel compelled to keep up with the drinking habits of the opposite sex. However, women not only tend to weigh less than men but they have less body water to dilute the alcohol, which means they tend to get more drunk more quickly. To minimise the risks of alcohol on your health, try to keep within the recommended guidelines for alcohol consumption and alternate alcohol with soft drinks.

Wearing the wrong bra size

It is thought that more than 70 per cent of women are wearing the wrong bra size. However, wearing a badly fitted bra can not only affect the look of your clothes, but research suggests it can cause a range of health problems including back, neck and breast pain, breathing difficulties, poor posture, skin irritation, circulation problems and even irritable bowel syndrome. Rather than guessing your size, make sure you get measured to ensure you are getting the support you need.

Worrying and harbouring regrets

Stress is damaging to both our physical and mental health, and women are twice as likely as men to suffer from stress-related disorders, as well as having higher rates of depression and anxiety. While it is thought there may be biological reasons for this, worrying about the future and dwelling on regrets can also add to our problems, with research suggesting that women are more than twice as likely as men to harbour regrets over lost loves and broken relationships.

Obsessing over appearance

While both genders suffer from body insecurity, many women tend to overly obsess over their idea of the “perfect” body. Research findings published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that 16 per cent of the normal or underweight women studied believed themselves to be overweight, while a study commissioned by Dove found that 90 per of women wanted to change at least one aspect of their appearance. Body insecurity not only affects our mental health, but it can also lead to physical damage caused by extreme diets, yo-yo dieting, eating disorders and cosmetic surgery.

Woman looking in the mirror

Emotional eating

While comfort eating affects both genders, research has suggested that men are more likely to reinforce positive emotions with food, while women comfort eat when they’re sad. Women are also more likely to satisfy their cravings with sweet, high-calorie foods. Rather than letting your waistline suffer next time you’re feeling blue, try distracting yourself from cravings by doing something you enjoy, or boost your endorphins and health with an uplifting workout.

Not getting enough sleep

Not only can lack of sleep make us look and feel at our worst, but insufficient shut-eye can also lead to increased accidents, calorie consumption and heart disease risk. Unluckily for women, statistics suggest that sleep problems affect more women than men, while a study by the University of Michigan found that women are more than twice as likely to give up sleep to care for others. Unfortunately, sleep has been found to affect women’s blood pressure and mood more than men’s, making it imperative that you do your best to get a good night’s sleep.

Putting themselves last

Not only are women more likely to compromise their sleeping habits to care for children and others, they are also prone to putting their own wants and needs at the bottom of a hectic to-do list of chores and obligations. To avoid running yourself into the ground, learn to sometimes say no to those requests and commitments that are less than essential, and make sure you set aside some “me” time each week to do something enjoyable just for you.

xoxo

ps http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/10-worst-female-health-habits-095153398.html

"May the Odds be ever in your favour"

So I just went to watch ‘The Hunger Games’ on Saturday and I must say I am quite impressed. I was not expecting much from it, because I thought my expectations would be to high from all the hype. But it was pretty good. It might actually be ‘the next big thing’. The only problem I had was that it was way too long. It ended up being 2 ½ hours long! But having said that… if they made it any shorter they would have had to cut out a lot of information. So maybe it’s a good idea that it is so long?

Trailer: The Hunger Games

How to dress for your body type.

As you can see in the following diagram, there are 4 basic body types.

Banana Body Description:
-You generally have an athletic body with toned arms.
-Rectangular shaped body.
-Your waist is less than 9 inches smaller than either your hip or bust measurements.
-Your upper body is proportionate to your lower body.
-Smaller bust size.
-Not much curve at your waist.
-Usually have great legs.

How to dress a banana shape: The goal of dressing the banana shape is to use clothing to give your body curves.

Do:
-Wear knee length a-line skirts.
-Chose jeans, pants, and skirts that sit below your waist.
-Look for tops with ruffles, large prints, or detailing.
-Wear a padded bra to add a cup size.
-Add fun necklaces and scarves to your outfit.
-Jackets with a cinched waist will give you more of an hour glass shape.
-Wrap dresses look wonderful on you.

Do Not:
-Don’t wear tight clothing that will accentuate your lack of curves.
-Stay away from vertical lines.
-Do not wear high waisted pants or skirts – these do not help create curves. Quite the opposite on you.
-Avoid wearing loose fitting tops and dresses. Remember the goal is to create shapes, not hide them.
-Jackets that end at your waist are not a good choice since they do not help to define your waist.

Celebrity Banana Shapes: Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Bosworth, Kate Hudson, and Keira Knightley.

Apple Body Description
-Inverted triangular shaped body
-The bust measurement is larger than the hip measurement.
-Large chest and bust for your frame.
-You carry most of your weight around your midsection.
-Usually have slim legs, hips, and bottom.

How to dress an apple shape: The goal of dressing an apple shape is to elongate your upper body, and define your waist .
Do:
-Pants and skirts with a flare will help draw attention to your lower body, balancing out your upper body.
-To elongate your body, wear longer tops that end over your hips. Pair this with pants that taper out.
-Wear darker colors on top, brighter clothes on your lower body.
-Chose wrap shirts and wrap dresses.
-V necked tops draw the eye in and away from your shoulders.
-Get fitted for a good bra that will let you look your best and show off your best assets.
-Belted jackets, dresses, and tops help your waist to look smaller.
-High heels help to elongate your body.

Don’t:
-Avoid tops with puffy sleeves.
-Pleated pants will only add inches to your waist.
-Pants that taper in towards your ankle should be avoided as they only make your top half look larger.
-Tops that are busy with a lot of detailing, or too tight should not be worn.
Celebrity Apple Shapes: Tyra Banks, and Dolly Parton.

Pear Body Description

-Triangular shaped body
-Hip measurement is larger than the bust.
-Wide hips and bottom.
-You carry most of your weight on your hips, thighs, and bottom.
-Usually have slender neck and shoulders
-Often have a flat tummy

How to Dress a Pear Shape: The goal of dressing a pear shape is to draw attention away from your hips and bottom, and emphasize your top half. This will help create balance.
Do:
-Wear brighter colors on top, and darker colors on bottom.
-Pants should be a straight leg.
-Chose tops that have ruffles, or interesting details to draw attention away from your lower body.
-Empire waist dresses are a good choice for accentuating your smaller top half, and hiding your wider lower body.
-A-line skirts are your best choice.
-Wrap dresses work well with your figure.
Don’t:
-Do not wear pants that taper in at the ankles. This will make your hips look even larger.
-Jackets that end at the widest part of your hips.
-Tuck in your shirts – this creates a boxy look with your shape.
-Pencil skirts should not be worn.
Celebrity Pear Shapes: Jennifer Lopez, Mischa Barton, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Kelly Clarkson

Hour Glass Body Description

-Classic Hourglass Shape
-The bust measurement is roughly the same as the hip measurement
-Your waist is about 10 inches smaller than your bust and hips.
-Your body looks proportionately curvy.

How to dress an Hour Glass Shape: With your well proportioned body, you need to find clothes that don’t add extra weight to your frame, and clothes that elongate.

Do:
-Pencil skirts.
-Wear a good support bra.
-V-neck tops (but not too low cut) will draw attention to your face.
-Wrap dresses will accentuate your beautiful curves.
-Short fitted jackets.
Tailored pants with slight flare at bottom.
Don’t:
-Wide belts
-Shapeless tops – they do not accentuate your waist, and add weight to your body.
-Empire dresses & tops.
-Short skirts will visually cut your body into small pieces.
-Baggy pants will only add extra weight.

Celebrity Hour Glass Shapes include Jessica Simpson, Kate Winslet, and Salma Hayek.

this blog was written by:
By Candace Anderson who can be found on her blog www.frugalmom.net/blog

Work Clothes

so i have got this now job that i am starting next month and im SO excited! but what im most excited about is all the clothes i can wear. its a corporate position, so i cant look too casual, but i want to look modern and fashionable. there are so many things i can do, but im not sure if they are appropriate?

i absolutely LOVE these two outfits. i cam actually thinking of having the one on the right made for myself. i think it is so classic and yet at the same time modern.

 now these two are great, but i have no idea how i would or could make it look edgy yet professional. i want to 'stand out', but not like a sore thumb.

what can i do to make these outfits look better?

love it!

xoxo

33 things to LOVE about life!

1.      Love.

2.      Family.

3.      Just being able to wake up to the sun shining in the morning.

4.      The ridiculous things my dog and cats do. They live in the moment and enjoy being alive, and it reminds me to do the same.

5.      Moments of realization that I’m not as alone as I too often think I am.

6.      Every breath I take reminds me I’m still here and still have much to enjoy.

7.      The ones who never give up on me.

8.      Positive and creative people.

9.      Being alive and happy at this moment because is the only thing that exists.

10.  Affecting people without realizing it.

11.  The beauty of it. No matter how bad things get, there is always something beautiful to keep us going forward.

12.  All the funny people.

13.  Hope.

14.  The unexpected things.

15.  That every moment in life is a chance for a new beginning.

16.  Creating abundant joy is what I love most about life.

17.  The diversity that everyone brings to the table.

18.  The way life’s traumas end up making the good times even sweeter.

19.  Second chances.

20.  Freedom of choice!

21.  It’s the little things that matter the most to me, like kisses on my forehead.

22.  I love the fact that I can see only love around me.

23.  People, nature, animals—everything.

24.  Good food, good friends, good health, and a good night’s sleep!

25.  Smiles and laughter.

26.  Being free to do what I want when I want how I want.

27.  The fact that nothing is permanent. You can always change what you don’t like.

28.  Music.

29.  Knowing the difference between being alive and living.

30.  The incredible beauty that surrounds us if we look.

31.  Small moments of enlightenment that show you the path towards being a more fulfilled and compassionate human being.

32.  Quiet time.

33.  Being at peace.

"beauty is in the eye of the beholder"



call me a hopeless romantic, but there is one movie that i can just watch over and over again. beastly!

it is such a beautiful movie. and i think in a world where everything is based and built on image and how you look, this really puts it in perspective. now i know this is a movie, but i truly believe that there are people like lindy out there.

"beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

Revelation Song

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah...

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
                                                                 ~ Kari Jobe

GIRLS NIGHT!

a girls night doesn't happen very often, but when it does we always have a blast!

i love the 'getting done' part. trying to decide what to wear and making the hair look good. putting make-up on is my favourite part. everything has to be perfect and of course all the colours have to match!

if i can give one bit of advice, in terms of make-up, blue eyeliner is NOT in fashion anymore!! i cannot stress that enough. it looks like the girl wearing it is stuck in the 80ties. don't get me wrong, i LOVE the 80ties, but lets just stick to the dance moves. its less offensive;-)

stones durbanville is a fairmont high school reunion! you are constantly bumping into people from your past. people to love to see, people you definitely don't want to see and people you just have the energy to give a 'head nod' to. its definitely less place you want to PAR-TAY if you are a montie.

love it!

xoxo

~ I Dreamed a Dream. performed by glee cast lea michele and idina menzel

OSCARS

last night i watched THE OSCARS. it was awesome as usual. but no one really watches to see who gets all those awards, because it ends up going to the same movie, more or less, anyway. i was interested in what the lovely ladies were wearing:D and according to an E! Online game my favourite dressed was sandra bullock. her dress kind of reminds me of the white shirt-pencil skirt effect. PA style;-) love it!

xoxo

Christian Louboutin

as an absolute girls-girl, who loves high heels. these must be a pair of the most amazing shoes! and the creator of this heaven sent shoe is none other than mr christian louboutin. with his trade-mark red sole, this shoe is feminine yet, with the shiny little balls, still edgy. love it! :)

Anything & Everything

i've decided to start a blog on ANYTHING & EVERYTHING that i love.

i had this idea to start a fashion blog. but then i realised that i dont know enough to dedicate an entire website to it. so what i have decided to do is to write about things that i love. i always say that i have so much love in my heart, so this is my way of showing it. this blog will vary from politics, fashion, animals, food to God. i hope that you will enjoy reading my posts and that you are able to feel and share my love.

xoxo