Hair trends for 2012. What's new for hair in 2012.
Best Makeup for Valentine's Day Need some makeup ideas for your Valentine's Day date? Try these!
10 best hairstyles for Valentine's Day Hair ideas for your Valentine's Day dinner.
What to Wear on Winter Dates It's hard to dress for winter dates - here's how to look cool and stay warm.
Best makeup for winter dates. Get your makeup ready for your winter date night.
Get your hair ready for winter dates Tame the frizz for your date night.
10 easy manicures you can give yourself Some easy DIY manicure styles for you to try.
10 body parts you can slim instantly. Look slimmer right now with these tips.
How to grow your hair for your wedding day. Want to grow out your hair for your wedding? Here's what you need to know.
Five steps to faster hair styling. Get ready faster with these hair styling techniques.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
My sweet husband, knowing that I'm always looking for beauty topics to write about, picked up a magazine for me the other day. The magazine is In Touch, and the headline is "100 Stars without Makeup." It was pretty neat to see all the faces of these gorgeous, glamourous women stripped down to their bare skin. Some of them still looked beautiful. Others looked like a normal, every day person, many of which I didn't even recognize. A few didn't look too great. It's amazing how much makeup can alter your appearance. And it made me start thinking about how appearances are so deceiving.
Right now, my life is on a little bit of a roller coaster. I can't go into detail, but I can tell you that I have a lot of ups and downs. Some days I am convinced that things are going to end up how I want them to go, and other days I just feel disappointed and scared that they won't. The reality - the part that I'm really trying to grasp and learn - is that God is at work in my circumstances whether I see it or not. It doesn't matter how it appears to me, He is working it out, just as He wants it to go. So even when things aren't looking good for me, when I'm feeling low, or scared, or disappointed, I can at least have peace knowing that even though it seems bleak, God is still at work. And He will continue to be at work, no mater what I'm feeling.
Right now, my life is on a little bit of a roller coaster. I can't go into detail, but I can tell you that I have a lot of ups and downs. Some days I am convinced that things are going to end up how I want them to go, and other days I just feel disappointed and scared that they won't. The reality - the part that I'm really trying to grasp and learn - is that God is at work in my circumstances whether I see it or not. It doesn't matter how it appears to me, He is working it out, just as He wants it to go. So even when things aren't looking good for me, when I'm feeling low, or scared, or disappointed, I can at least have peace knowing that even though it seems bleak, God is still at work. And He will continue to be at work, no mater what I'm feeling.
Romans 8:28
New International Version (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
I hope the end of 2011 finds you happy and content. And I hope that 2012 becomes your best year ever. Do you have plans to make 2012 better than 2011? Are you setting any New Year's Resolutions?
I have never been very good at keeping New Year's Resolutions. By February they are out the window and my old ways have resumed. It's kind of depressing, really. But I do use New Year's as a time to refocus my priorities. And trust me, they need a lot of refocusing right now!
On a similar note, I received an interesting devotional from Purpose Driven Connections the other day. It talked about making a 'things not to do' list this year. The devotional went on to say that so many things - even good things - can sidetrack us from our purpose in life. We can't achieve our goals, or do what's most important, because we're so busy with other things. That is so true for me, a person who loves too many different things in this life. So I plan to refocus on what's important and cut out some of the other stuff. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it, but I am definitely a work in progress! I so often find myself tired and stressed, and I know that some of that is because I stretch myself too thin.
One thing I'm doing is decluttering. My hubby and I are taking this week to declutter as much as possible. We are sorting closets, cleaning the basement, and getting rid of old toys. We have way too much stuff! Stuff takes time to manage, organize, and clean.
I suppose I also need to give facebook the heave-ho. Okay, not. I love facebook because it gives me the chance to connect with friends that I don't get to see often. But I think I'll try to keep account closed until the kids are in bed. Or something like that. It's a great time stealer, that's for sure.
I'm going to keep my family at the forefront, as well as my daily devotional time (which I hate to admit has been sorely neglected!). Thankfully, I can talk to God as quickly and easily as I can pick up my cell phone. But I do need to spend more, solid time in the Word of God, and not just read a few verses as I'm nodding off at night (although, falling asleep with God's Word on my mind is not a bad thing in and of itself).
I need to do something about the food issue in our house, too. We found ourselves so tired by dinner that we hit the drive through instead of making something good for us. The problem with that, as you know, is the more fast food we eat, the more tired we become. When we focused on all -natural, healthy food (think no preservatives, no high fructose corn syrup, etc) we were much more energetic. Food for thought, I suppose.
So maybe these are resolutions, but I try not to think of them that way. I try to think of them as a return to my values, a time to take inventory of what my family needs, and I time to re-purpose myself. And I'm looking forward to making 2012 my best year yet!
Happy New Year's and thanks for reading!
I hope the end of 2011 finds you happy and content. And I hope that 2012 becomes your best year ever. Do you have plans to make 2012 better than 2011? Are you setting any New Year's Resolutions?
I have never been very good at keeping New Year's Resolutions. By February they are out the window and my old ways have resumed. It's kind of depressing, really. But I do use New Year's as a time to refocus my priorities. And trust me, they need a lot of refocusing right now!
On a similar note, I received an interesting devotional from Purpose Driven Connections the other day. It talked about making a 'things not to do' list this year. The devotional went on to say that so many things - even good things - can sidetrack us from our purpose in life. We can't achieve our goals, or do what's most important, because we're so busy with other things. That is so true for me, a person who loves too many different things in this life. So I plan to refocus on what's important and cut out some of the other stuff. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it, but I am definitely a work in progress! I so often find myself tired and stressed, and I know that some of that is because I stretch myself too thin.
One thing I'm doing is decluttering. My hubby and I are taking this week to declutter as much as possible. We are sorting closets, cleaning the basement, and getting rid of old toys. We have way too much stuff! Stuff takes time to manage, organize, and clean.
I suppose I also need to give facebook the heave-ho. Okay, not. I love facebook because it gives me the chance to connect with friends that I don't get to see often. But I think I'll try to keep account closed until the kids are in bed. Or something like that. It's a great time stealer, that's for sure.
I'm going to keep my family at the forefront, as well as my daily devotional time (which I hate to admit has been sorely neglected!). Thankfully, I can talk to God as quickly and easily as I can pick up my cell phone. But I do need to spend more, solid time in the Word of God, and not just read a few verses as I'm nodding off at night (although, falling asleep with God's Word on my mind is not a bad thing in and of itself).
I need to do something about the food issue in our house, too. We found ourselves so tired by dinner that we hit the drive through instead of making something good for us. The problem with that, as you know, is the more fast food we eat, the more tired we become. When we focused on all -natural, healthy food (think no preservatives, no high fructose corn syrup, etc) we were much more energetic. Food for thought, I suppose.
So maybe these are resolutions, but I try not to think of them that way. I try to think of them as a return to my values, a time to take inventory of what my family needs, and I time to re-purpose myself. And I'm looking forward to making 2012 my best year yet!
Happy New Year's and thanks for reading!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas!
The presents are wrapped, the Christmas groceries purchased, stocking stuffers ready to be squeezed into the stockings that are never nearly big enough. My piano music is practiced, Christmas Eve outfits are picked. The house is decorated and nearly clean. I even baked a few Christmas cookies this week. It feels good to be so prepared for Christmas!
But those things are all meaningless if I haven't prepared my heart. Tonight I'll be spending long hours at church, playing piano for a number of Christmas Eve services. I'm excited about the chance to serve. I'm also looking forward to the time of getting my heart ready for Christmas. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, born in a dirty, humble stable is the best gift we could ever be given. As you enjoy Christmas day, sharing gifts, eating fruitcake, and having fun with your family, I hope that you will receive Jesus as your best gift.
Merry Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Be a guardian angel.
I don't feel like I have a lot to brag about. My house is not fancy, nor is it big. In fact, I find it a little embarrassing at times. I don't wear designer clothes. My idea of fine dining is a few appetizers at Applebees. I'm just a regular, ordinary person. But if I stop comparing myself to the other folks in town, and instead, look at the rest of the world, I'm a lot embarrassed. I have so much. My kids don't lack for toys, clothes, or food. They barely know what it feels like to be hungry. They're never alone. I often think our budget is so tight, but their stockings will still be stuffed to overflowing on Christmas morning, the heat will be on, the coffee brewing, and Santa will have eaten his cookies and left plenty of presents behind. And we won't even talk about the feast that Daddy and PopPop are planning to prepare.
Come to think of it, I often drive through a nearby city, with my windows tightly rolled up in my minivan, the doors locked, the Christmas music blaring, and the kids eating snacks in the back. I am secluded from the poverty - this city I drive through is the most impoverished city in the United States. I see it several times a week. And I lock myself away, protecting myself from its pain and brokenness. I busy myself with my own family so I don't have to take notice.
And then I get an email about Hope for AIDS Orphans. Millions of children in Africa have been orphaned by the AIDS epidemic. They have no food. No shelter. No clothes. And no one to love them. I can't imagine my little ones without a mommy to give them love, and it breaks my heart. In steps Hope for AIDS Orphans. They have a mission to feed, clothe, shelter, and love these impoverished children. They want to share the love of Jesus with them. And we can help. A small donation will go far in helping these children. Compared to the cost of Christmas toys or books or videos, the amount it takes to rescue a child in need is so small.
Want to help? Here's how.
You can Express Your Care by signing the Angel Mosaic.
You can Share Their Story by sending a short video to friends.
You can Give Them Hope with a donation of any size. Every little bit can help.
Please take a moment and share the Christmas spirit - and God's never failing love - with the children who need it so much. You can be their Guardian Angel during a time when they need it most. Thank you.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Drink coffee. Help villages.
It's no secret that I adore coffee. I'm sure that I drink more than my fair share. I love the smell, I love the taste, and I love it first thing in the morning to help me get my day started. I've never met a cup of joe I didn't like! My love for coffee is what inspired me to read Nicole Johnson's book, A Fresh Brewed Life. And it also inspired me to get involved with Pangeo Coffee. Now, at least my passion for good coffee can be put to good use. If you drink coffee, you can help villages by ordering coffee from www.pangeocoffee.com. They are a group of humanitarian aid workers who help the poorest of poor in Africa learn techniques and skills to overcome poverty. And they love coffee.
Pangeo Coffee has generously offered a special discount code for The Beautiful Blog readers. Just visit www.pangeocoffee.com and enter the code, beautiful, at check out. You'll receive $2 off per bag through the month of December. In fact, I'm going to go order some for myself right now!
Have a beautiful day and a great cup of coffee!
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