June 17, 2015

It’s just not Father’s Day without a Spritz of INVICTUS

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With Paco Rabanne’s Invictus, it’s all about competition. Athletes competing against each other and, of course, there can only be one winner. The prize is Invictus and this Father’s Day, your favorite guy will be the winner when presented with this most attractive and masculine cologne. My husband and son thoroughly enjoyed Paco Rabanne One Million Intense so I thought I would test out Invictus on my son to see if I had picked another winner. I already knew I liked the fragrance from a sample in a magazine. When I spritzed the cologne in a room, I asked my son if he liked the smell, and he said he did. He asked what it was, and I told him it was Paco Rabanne Invictus, and it was going to be a gift for Dad for Father’s Day. He immediately said that if dad did not want it, he would take it. Another winner! One thing is for sure, if my 21-year-old college student didn’t like it, he wouldn’t ask for it as he is extremely fussy colognes when it comes to choosing colognes.

Invictus is not a powerful scent but rather a refreshing scent of a tropical beach. You immediately sense the grapefruit and sea water. As stated by Paco Rabanne, this amazing fragrance has “the refreshing top notes of grapefruit and the sensual heart notes of guaiac wood and patchouli. A truly magnetic woody-aquatic scent which embodies masculine strength.”

Top Notes: Fresh grapefruit, mandarin oranges, and a marine accord Heart Notes: aromatic bay leaf and Hedione jasmine Base Notes: Guaiac wood, patchouli, oak moss and ambergris.

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Paco Rabbane Invictus is also available in gift sets, which is perfect when selecting a Father’s Day Gift or for any occasion. The set shown above contains Eau De Toilette Spray 100Ml/ 3.4Oz and an After Shave Lotion 100Ml/3.4Oz. Other gift sets available are Eau de Toilette Spray and All Over Shampoo, Deodorant Spray and Eau de Toilette Spray and, Eau De Toilette Spray and 3.4 oz Shower Gel for Men. You will also find this incredible fragrance in a Deodorant Stick For Men. Find Paco Rabanne at Fragrancenet.com.

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June 16, 2015

Nothing like Miami’s heat

The South Beach heat came all the way to Tampa Bay with the M.I.A 2 The Bay “All White” Fashion Party. A show and a party all in one, it was truly a night to remember. Featuring designers Hakat Re By Lance Stephens, ADreamRocks By Tiffany Ward, & Ankara by Ester L. They truly brought Miami’s heat!

M.I.A 2 The Bay

M.I.A 2 The Bay

With guest host Rima from The Bad Girls Club (season 9) M.I.A 2 The Bay was unlike any other fashion show I have been too. Everything from the food to where it was held was just unbelievable. Then came the fashions! Each designer brought their own taste to the runway. We had everything from Ancient Egypt (Hakat Re) inspired to blinged out beach attire (ADream Rocks) that “shined bright like diamonds”.

MIA 2 The Bay

MIA 2 The Bay

M.I.A 2 The Bay also gives back to the community to families in the Tampa and Miami area as well as benefiting children for the 2015-16 school year. This was the 3rd annual fashion show of M.I.A 2 The Bay. For more information on M.I.A 2 The Bay visit http://www.mia2thebay.weebly.com/

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June 15, 2015

Effortless “Flower” hair from Butterfly Studio

The best summer hair accessory? Flowers! Take your hair to the next level by adding beautiful flowers. Try this effortless braided look from the owner of Butterfly Studio Salon, Kattia Solano. This style is ideal for any hair length and perfect for summer outtings. See below for a step-by-step hair tutorial.

Flower Hair

Flower Hair

How To: Flower Hair
1. First step: set the crown area with a small curing iron.
2. For the rest of hair, take random sections and simply wrap the hair vertically around the rod. This will give it a bit of wave and texture.
3. Spray with Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray before you brush out for hold, grip, and a better style.
4. Softly brush out to amplify waves and enhance texture. (Don’t worry, we are not looking for perfection – think more along the lines of rolling around the garden instead!)
5. Braid hair over to one side and secure.
6. Open the braid and create a soft frame (wave/swoop) in the front.
7. Take your flowers and cut to desired length, keeping the stems long and choosing wider and fuller flowers.
8. Place the flowers by sticking into the braid and secure with a bobby pin.
9. Design your own way, follow your inspiration, and break the rules. An added idea to create a look with more drama is to apply flowers through the length of the braid.

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June 13, 2015

Do You Need to Be Acnefree?

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My Children have been huge fans of AcneFree for quite some time. They use several of their products because AcneFree contains 2% Salicylic Acid. Salicylic Acid is very beneficial in combatting acne, and unfortunately they do have annoying breakouts from time to time. With the summer months upon us, sleeveless shirts, shorts and bathing suits are part of their wardrobe, and they are more conscious of blemishes on their skin.  They have many acne products for their face but what about the body, like your back, legs, arms?

AcneFree has a great body spray and my kids having great results. AcneFree Body Clearing Acne Spray is a continuous spray that you apply on your body. The spray makes application quite easy. No mess, just spray on the affected areas and hard to reach places (avoiding your face of course) and AcneFree will work its magic, reducing unsightly and uncomfortable acne breakouts. AcneFree Body Clearing Acne Spray is a clear spray and is recommended by dermatologists.

AcneFree Body Clearing Acne Spray is oil-free. It also contains Vitamin B3 which helps the skin produce more natural ceramides, Glycolic Acid acts as an exfoliator and aloe and plant root extracts which will soothe the skin and even skin tone. AcneFree Body Clearing Acne Spray can be used at any angle, and dries quickly.  Show off your back, arms and legs this summer! You can start by purchasing your AcneFree!

AcneFree Body Clearing Acne Spray, as well as other AcneeFree skin care products, can be purchased in drug stores and mass retailers nationwide.

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June 13, 2015

10 days with Jessica

“Colour is a personal style, it defines who you are” -Jessica Vartoughian

Never truer words have been spoken when it comes to your nail polish. Jessica Vartoughian, known as “The First Lady of Nails”, redefined the overall way we look at the structure of our nails. That’s when she found her true calling and discovered a regimen for nails made with the individual in mind. That’s right, when you visit one of her many successful salons her her manicurists , called nail cultivists, will help you get the perfect regimen just for you. Opening the first ever Nails Only Salon in 1969, Jessica educated herself on the anatomy of the nail saying that just like the skin and hair, it must be maintained. To this day she is always coming up with the newest and best thing to make sure that all of us can have beautiful nails, the natural way.

Jessica Cosmetics Logo

Jessica Cosmetics Logo

Out of all of Jessica’s lines and of all the beautiful colors, I had the pleasure of trying the new Phenom line. Alot like a gel polish, Phenom is a complete 10 day chip free manicure in just 3 easy steps. But the catch is you do not need a UV light like your normal gel polishes. Simply apply the whole system of base, color, and top coat. Then let the top coat dry in natural lighting & ten minutes later, beautiful gel shine! The color will dry faster or slower depending on what kind of lighting you happen to be in. Ex. sunlight will be faster than the light in your bathroom but never more than 10 minutes. Lately I have found that my nails would get to a certain length then just break off but with the Phenom I have achieved my goal of having long beautiful nails with no chipping. The colors I was gifted are three of the most perfect colors. They are incredibly vibrant and yes it has lasted me ten days. No matter where I was, the nail polish lasted with no knicks and my manicure looks brand new everyday.

10 day Jessica Journey

10 day Jessica Journey

For the first time in a long time I feel in love with my nails all over again. Just like me, Jessica wants you to love your nails again. Jessica is truly a nail goddess and I can thank her for this. I know you will want to thank her when you first try out her Jessica Cosmetics nail colors. Check out www.jessicacosmetics.com to see where you can find a Jessica salon near you. Love your nails, love your color, bring out your personality.

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June 11, 2015

The Men Making Women Beautiful

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In terms of fashion, the 20th century brought women’s apparel to the next level. Spearheading this reform were a class of male designer artists. Most of these famous male iconic fashion designers are known for their ability to exhibit the beauty of a woman’s body by way of stylish, modernist, creative and elegant clothing. Below you will find a list of my favorite men who have been making women look stunning, beautiful and gorgeous through their interesting and unique fashion designs.

GIORGIO ARMANI

An amazing Italian fashion designer. Noted for his clean and tailored lines. He formed his company in 1975 and by 2001 was acclaimed as the most successful designer to come out of Italy, with an annual turnover of 1.6 billion. Fun Fact- Armani was the first designer to ban models who body mass index was under 18.

CALVIN KLEIN

The American fashion designer was born in the heart of fashion, New York City in 1942. He originally launched a denim line, but his name rapidly became one of the most recognizable in fashion. In addition to clothing, Klein has also given his name to a range of perfumes, watches and jewelry. Fun Fact- Before going mainstream, Calvin was considered the toast of New York’s elite fashion scene and quickly became known for his ability to charm so effortlessly, and to “work a room”.

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RALPH LAUREN

A fashion designer, philanthropist, and highly success business man with an estimated wealth of $8 billion. Known for his timeless fashion sense, the man has made his name by way of the famous short sleeve collared shirt with the Polo emblem. These shirts have since become highly sought after and can be seen worn around the world. Fun Fact- Under his high school year book picture he stated that he wanted to be a millionaire.

TOM FORD

The Texas born designer is counted among the most famous designers today, his portfolio includes serving as a creative director for both Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci. His designs are sexy, yet elegant. He encompasses modern glamour and is known for using superior materials and workmanship. Fun Fact- Tom is also a film director. His most notable film “A Single Man” starred Colin Firth, who was nominated for an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award.

When it comes to males creating fashionable clothing and accessories for women, these men are the cream of the crop. They’ve spent their lifetime designing and producing some of the best fashion the world has ever seen.

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June 11, 2015

Femininity the Secret to SEXY

“Women of the world: our femininity will always be their weakness.” – Unknown

In todays’ society women play many different roles and more often than in the past, women are in roles that in the not so distant past, have been dominated solely by men. Some women think that they must sacrifice their femininity because of it. I do not think that a trade off is needed in today’s society. Women should embrace their feminine qualities as a strength.

It is my opinion, that a female looks her best when she plays up her feminine style. This is not to say that you can’t wear a tank top and jeans and look feminine. What I mean is that there is a special attractiveness when femininity is emphasized. Femininity is a presence; it’s about the way you carry and present yourself to the world. Posture, elegance, class, grace … all go hand-in-hand to MAXIMIZE YOUR femininity.

Embrace your femininity, as this is very attractive and if used correctly it is a lethal weapon that can bring any man to his knees. It is a look, an attitude, as well as, a right of passage for any grown woman.

How do you display your feminity, you ask? Well, I believe, that it is best to try and make yourself look as soft as possible, when trying to achieve the feminine look. Try not to use dark lipsticks, go with something lighter.I personally believe that soft pink is a very attractive shade on a woman but if you don’t like pink find a shade that works for you.

Looks – It is possible to be feminine and progressive. Opt for hair styles that are not too short especially in the front. Unless you have an absolutely flawless face it is hard to pull off really short styles. Often if a person looks good with really short hair, they will look stunning with longer hair. Your hair styles can change from straight to curled, just make sure it flatters your face. Don’t be afraid to try new styles, but trust your instincts, choose something that looks best on YOU. If you wear your hair curly make sure there is no frizz. Frizzy hair always makes your hair look dry and often times unkept.

Nails, Ladies, Ladies Ladies please know that no man wants a woman with dirty fingers. Keep your nails nice and tidy, you don’t have to wear nail polish or acrylics but a little trim and buff never hurt anyone.

Carriage – The way someone walks reveals a lot about them. A feminine image will be achieved by a confident stride, by standing erect and strolling lightly. DON’T walk like an elephant, glide like a beautiful swan. Contrary to popular belief men still like women who care about their appearance.

Making yourself appear feminine – Femininity is always important in a woman’s attractiveness. Women are almost always more appealing as soft, sweet and delicate creatures. It doesn’t mean we have to be helpless or weak, just smoother around the edges. Embrace your femininity as this is very attractive. It is a look as well as a demeanor.

In terms of a feminine demeanor, this is achieved by staying away from impolite behavior. Loud noises such as burps, farts, and other loud noises should be done in private. Be a LADY, cross you legs slightly at your ankles when you sit down, don’t just plop down into the chair, say excuse me when you sneeze or walk past someone. It is important to carry yourself with grace to achieve an irresitable feminine flair. If you are in a work environment you can always be polite and if a problem arises just be firm, never bitchy.Be assertive but not rude. Nobody likes a woman with a BAD attitude, keep that at home. SMILE! A smile goes a long way in terms of social graces. A smile will also make you come off as more attractive.

Dresses are feminine but a nice blouse with a colorful scarf or some other accessory will add to the femininity of your look. This can even be achieved by wearing a nice pair of black or blue jeans and high or mid level heel. I personally love pearl studs as they are often understated but regal and extremely feminine.
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I met a man once who said if a woman takes care of their appearance then I know that I can trust them to take care of our household. Remember that it’s about the WHOLE package. Be the BEST you, you can be. Always strive to evolve and grow.The bottom line with femininity is that always think softer, mild and subtle and not brash, harsh or brusque.

Now Go out there and show the world that Femininity is alive and well. Like Beyonce said “Who run the world GIRLS.”
donna green bikini leaning outside

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June 11, 2015

From the PROS: The Beyonce Diet: Pros and Cons

Summer is here and that means time to get fit! With all these diets going around, do you know which one is best for you? The newest is Beyoncé’s standby 22 Day Vegan Diet, which promises quick and permanent results including a meal delivery service. Not sure if it’s for you? Let’s look at the Pros and Cons from Amanda Foti, Registered Dietitian for https://www.selvera.com
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PROS:

1.       Eating Targeted Food Groups. As a rule of thumb, avoiding processed foods and increasing plant-based foods in your diet has been shown to improve a variety of health issues such as cholesterol levels and reduce risk of developing chronic diseases.

2.       Easily Available. The meal delivery option takes all the work out of it for the client. This makes it easy if you don’t have the time or knowledge to figure out exactly what you should be eating every day.

3.       Healthy Balance of Foods. Includes a healthy balance of unrefined carbs, plant based protein and heart healthy fats.

4.       Motivational. Following a very structured diet for 22 days could serve as a great kick starter to motivate those who want to change their eating habits.

CONS:

1.       Expensive! To stick with their meals and products exclusively is going to require some cash, as it is quite expensive!

2.       Long Term Commitment. In terms of kick starting healthy eating habits, this takes several months of commitment and sometimes the additional support of an expert.

3.       Restrictive. To be successful in keeping the weight off, be prepared to adopt these restrictions long term. Once the diet is over and you go back to old eating habits, the weight will likely creep in once more!

4.       Lack of Personalized Treatment. Meeting nutrition needs on a vegan diet is possible, but takes work. As a dietitian, when a client informs me they are vegan I immediately inquire about certain essential nutrients that plants may not be adequate in providing, like B12 and iron. This often times warrants a supplement. Unless you are working 1-on-1 with an expert or have the time and resources to research on your own, how do you know

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June 10, 2015

Investing for charity

INVESTMENT STARTUP THAT HELPS YOU MAKE MONEY WHILE SUPPORT SOME GREAT CHARITIES!!

A new investment startup is targeting millennials looking to invest in causes and issues they care about.

Swell Investing’s cause-driven model allows you to choose from four different charity-themed stock portfolios — End Poverty, Fight Cancer, Uphold Human Rights and Improve Education.

The goal is to give investors a chance to make money and make a difference. This new investment program is hoping to get the attention of young investors who are passionate about giving back.

Each investment model is designed to move with the stock market and support your cause at the same time. Swell Investing does this by creating models that consist only of shares in top companies that champion the same causes as you. Swell Investing is partnered with Motif Investing, an innovative brokerage platform that allows you to easily invest in each model.

When you invest or rebalance your investment model, Swell receives a minimum royalty of one dollar from Motif Investing. From that revenue 20¢ out of every dollar in given to the causes that Swell Investing supports We give from our money, not yours.

That is 20% of Swell’s revenue that will go to charity!

Watch Liam Monaghan and Dave Fanger discuss what motivated them to create this charitable platform. (video will post soon)

melinda blog

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June 10, 2015

Its SHOWTIME in Orlando

4 student teams, 6 professional teams and one goal in mind.. to win the Orlando section of Global Beauty Masters. Last week the 3 teams from The Villages went to Orlando to take on the challenge. With the clock set they went to work. Then at 7 o’clock on Saturday May 30, SHOWTIME! In 2 categories, student and professional, the models walked the runway, complete with a panel of judges, to show off the teams hard work.

After much deliberation and bickering between the judges it was time for the teams to talk about their inspirations and time leading up to this. According to audience members it was like sitting in on American Idol. Team Shear Force created their mermaid with an octopus made out of hair. Team Teasetastic were inspired by “The Little Mermaid” making their model with bright colors because it was held in Orlando and the students wanted their mermaid to be from the dark part of the ocean. The students assumed that mermaids were always usually whimsical with bright colors, they wanted to stand out.

2 teams from the students and 2 teams from the professional group were chosen. Even though the teams from The Villages did not make it to the round in Las Vegas, I wanted to showcase their beautiful hard work. From what I saw on FB posts and talking to a few of them they said this experience was amazing and were very honored to be a part of it.

Congratulations to all teams for making it this far. You all did so great and I am happy that each of you had this opportunity. Check out their beautiful work here below.

STYLISTS:
Shear Force
Lindsey House – hair
Tyler Sponaugle – makeup
Livia Chestnut – nails

Photo by Molly Soltis Model: Bethany Bandy

Photo by Molly Soltis
Model: Bethany Bandy

Teasetastic
Jerri Taylor – hair
Brandy Smith – makeup
Ivette Marti – nails

Photo by Molly Soltis Model: Leigha Miller

Photo by Molly Soltis
Model: Leigha Miller

STUDENTS:
Manna McCloud – hair
Cierra Mills – makeup
Joslyn Carcano – nails

Photo courtesy of Molly Soltis Model: Briana Rideout

Photo courtesy of Molly Soltis
Model: Briana Rideout

For more information on Salon Jaylee and The Salon Professional Academy in The Villages check out www.salonjaylee.com and www.thevillagestspa.com

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