What do you have right now?

Part of planning for whatever it is that you want, involves looking ahead and imagining; imagining how life will be when the door of the business you’re planning for finally opens; imagining how life will be when that first book is written, imaging how life when your brand is internationally known. It goes without saying that planning, working, regrouping, and living takes so much time. Sometimes it feels that even if there were 27 hours in a day, I would still wish for more time! Even though planning for the future is important, I don’t want to forget to focus on what is currently in front of me. I have parents and grandparents that need me to check up on them (I’m sure they will love to read this). I have siblings that need to me to make sure they are behaving in a way that will NOT embarrass their big sister. I have a niece and nephew that need spoiling. I have “nutty” friends to exchange stories with during conference calls and happy hour round tables. I have my special one who needs my attention (He may take issue with me listing him last, but I don't think he'll loose any sleep over it). I also want to remember to be thankful for, take care of, and manage the material things I have (Yes people! It is okay to be thankful for material things!). Side note: I believe that when you can handle and manage what you have right now, you are proving you can handle more in the future.  For the past month, I’ve realized that my time spent, along with my mental energy, has been focused on my future. From now on, I will make the time to just simply be thankful for what my life looks like right now.  

Red Lipstick..never leave home without it

So I hear women say, “I only wear red lipstick on special occasions.” I’ve even heard, “I can’t wear red lipstick because it’s too much." Whatever that means! Why do we get into a panic over red lipstick anyway? It’s just another lip color that can actually be worn everyday. Kind of like the little black dress, red lipstick is a staple. Just make sure you get the right shade. Let’s talk about it. Red lipstick comes in so many shades: there are reds with orange, brown, purple, blue, and pink undertones. Choosing the right shade of red isn’t complicated; it just depends on your skin tone. There are 3 groups: Warm, Cool, and Neutral. Now, the easiest way to know your skin tone is to look at your veins: if they look green, you have a warm undertone. If they look blue, you have a cool undertone. If you still don’t know, then just go with the lucky neutral. If you fall in the Warm group, you will have a yellow/golden tone. Your shade of lipstick should have brown and orange tones. For those of you in the Cool group, you will have a pink or even red tone to your skin (this group is really for those with very pale skin). Your lipstick shade should be of the pink or even blue influence. For the Neutrals, you have a lucky mix of the warm and cool undertones. This group is also where those with olive tones will be. Your perfect red shade can be fiery red, with no chaser. When you find your shade, you can either choose to go with a high gloss or a clean matte finish. However you choose to wear it, remember, everyday is a special occasion, so get your red out, apply, and go! (One more thing: Whatever you do, do NOT buy your shade at a drugstore. I need for you to go to a make up counter where you can actually test the shade before you buy.)