Spotlight Saturday: Brandi from Oh-Blondie.org
Today’s special guest is Brandi from Oh-blondie.org. She is both gorgeous and hilarious when she muses on her blog.
Name: Brandi
Age: 20
Height: 5′2″
Weight: 120lbs
Career Goals: actress
Hair Color: BLOND 
Eye Color: hazel
Beauty:
Best/Favorite Physical Feature: eyelashes
Worst/ Least Favorite Physical Feature: nose
Top Five Make Up Items You Cannot Live Without: mascara, bare minerals, eyeliner, NARS lipgloss, and blush
Your Regime for Clear Skin: usually Clean & Clear products and I use a vaseline lotion before applying foundation
Your Regime for Beautiful Hair: I use So Sexy shampoo and conditioner, plus a purple shampoo that keeps the blond bright, instead of brassy. I then use other So Sexy products, such as a shine serum and thin serum
Biggest/Most Embarrassing Beauty Blunder: My eyebrows back in early high school - they were so badly plucked!
Fashion:
Your Style Icon: Nicole Richie
Timeless Fashion Must-Have: skinny jeans
This Seasonʼs Fashion Must Have: long dress-like jackets
Diet:
Your Diet Regime: I follow slim-fast and South Beach Diet meal plans
Your Workout Schedule: 3 hours at the gym every day
Top Five Must-Have Workout Songs: Paris Hilton - “Nothing in This World”, M.I.A. “Paper Planes”, Anthony Green “The Devil’s Song”, Miley Cyrus “See You Again”, Hilary Duff “Play with Fire”
Biggest Food Temptation: Ice cream! and carbs
Don’t forget to get more of Brandi at Oh-blondie.org!
5 Rules Starbucks Should Have
I have only been working at Starbucks for a month now and have definitely dealt with the most annoying people. I wish there were rules for the public who want to drink some Starbucks. Today was horrible with the public. This is my little rant.
1. No Cell Phones: I think it is so rude when some one comes in talking on their phone and makes you wait for them. The people that come in are not that bad, but the people through drive thru are especially bad. Today, a woman talked very loudly on her phone for a while before she ordered. After she ordered, she could not move up any further and still talked loudly – roll up your window – I don’t want to hear your conversation!
2. Don’t Tell Me How to Do My Job: My co-worker had to take a break, so I had to do register and take orders in drive thru, and it was a rush. I am also new there so a little bit slower. One lady started yelling at me at the window because I was trying to take someone else’s order. The first time she went off on me, I smiled and apologized. I then took her money and took another order while I made change for her. She then started yelling at me again about how I was supposed to help her because she came first. She acted like I kept her there for more than five minutes, when the actual truth was she was there for maybe 2 ( a long time yes, but if there is a rush, there is a rush). She then became upset that I did not treat her so nicely anymore and shoved her drink at her (you still want me to be nice to you after yelling at me twice for a stupid thing?). In the end, she was happy because I gave her an extra donut. Anyways, the point of that was, be patient if there is a rush. If you have to be at work in ten minutes, do not get in a flippin’ drive thru line at any store that already has a line!
3. Nothing Over $20: I have no clue why so many people are just carrying $100 bills on them, then expecting us to cash it. We drop all of our $20s. Another lady came through the drive thru today, handed me a $100, and said, “You better take it, I have nothing else.” If you have nothing smaller, why don’t you break it somewhere that has cash, not a small coffee store.
4. Don’t Get Mad When We Repeat Your Order: We are trained to repeat orders back to customers so that they feel confident that we are going to make their drink right. However, so many people get so mad or annoyed when I repeat their drink back. They answer me as if I am stupid or something.
5. And Finally…Just Because You Have A Better Job, Does Not Make You Superior: Why do business men and women think they are so much better than the person who makes their coffee. I am 19 years old and am working on my degree. I am not some deadbeat doing drugs. These people also think that since it is just a coffee house, it is the easiest job in the world. It may not take a rocket scientist to make your Triple shot skinny vanilla latte over ice, but it is stressful and takes time.
Thanks for all who listened! I will post a list of healthy and not so healthy things to get from Starbucks. Love ya!
Garden Party Patio Look for Under $1000
Pottery Barn’s interesting piece of garden furniture inspired me to do a style spread for patio decor. Since it is summer, it is the perfect time to be outside enjoying family and friends. These pretty objects will make you want to sit outside drinking lemonade rather than being inside.
Lounge: On sale at Pottery Barn for $599 here.
White Rocker: On sale at Walmart for $55 here.
Tea Light Lanterns: These cute lanterns are only $14.99 at Target. These will give your patio a great ambiance during the night. Find them here.
Wind Chimes: These wind chimes will add some affordable charm to any garden or patio. Find them at Target for $21.99.
Tray Set: For a party of two or ten this cute set will will look great with your green themed patio. Again, find these at Target for $23.99.
Coffee Table: A white wicker coffee table will fit in perfectly with the lounger and chair. Peir 1 has one for only $39.98.
Side Table: Finally, to finish this green patio look, try placing this green accent table which is both chic and practical. Find it here for $149.
Lauren Conrad’s Look for $68
I love Lauren Conrad’s fashion because it is so simple yet stylish. To celebrate the Hills’ new season premiere here is a great Lauren summer look that can easily be worn into the fall season. A look Lauren probably spent hundreds on, you can get for$67.96.
Sandals: These stylish sandals are great to pair with dresses as well as jeans. They are on sale for only $8.99 here.
Sunglasses: For only $5.99 you can get the big sunglasses look here.
Red Skirt: Wear the red skirt high in the waist. To get a more flattering look, look for skirts that can hug your shape, instead of making you look shapeless. American Apparel has a great one for $30 here.If you want the exact skirt Lauren is wearing, check it out at her website.
Tank: Any basic white tank will do if it has a flattering neckline. Target has one for $7.99 here. Wear it tucked in for a polished look.
Purse: To finish the outfit, grab a black patent oversized tote. Target also has one for sale for $14.99 here.
The Four Main Causes of Acne
Any one who has ever had acne can agree with how ugly and embarrassing it is. I know with my struggle with acne, it seemed as if I would get a pimple if I just thought about it long enough. However, the causes of acne can be divided into four main sections. Attacking acne from these four sections can help prevent and treat acne.
Genes: Alongside with thanking your parents for raising you and the $20 they lent you last week, you can also thank them for your acne. Genes are a big part of acne. However, just because it is in your genes does not mean you are doomed. You cannot alter your DNA to fix this gene problem. You can, instead, stay on top of your acne problem through eating right and topical solutions.
Hormones: Crazy hormones are also to blame for your ugly spots. Hormones especially go haywire during your teen years because of the imbalance. To balance your hormones, you can always ask your doctor for estrogen supplements or a low dosage of birth control to balance the hormones. You can also naturally balance your hormones through supplements such as primrose evening oil pills.
Bacteria: Bacteria is everywhere! To prevent bacteria from clogging your pores, cleanse your face twice a day with an antibacterial facial soap. I love using a tea tree cleanser from Trader Joes that naturally kills bacteria and prevents acne. Other big bacteria causes are dirty make up brushes, pillow cases, and phones. Clean these items frequently. Also avoid excess touching of your face and pin your hair back while you sleep.
Food Excess and Vitamin Deficiencies: Several people swear that food and acne are not related. I am living proof that it is. While many can scarf down sweets and dairy and not get a bump, I suffer greatly from it. Excess dairy, sugar, and bad carbs could also be to blame for your acne. Try eliminating them for a week or two to see if any difference occurs. Also, studies show that acne can result from zinc and other vitamin deficiencies. Try taking a multivitamin or a Hair, Nails, and Skin vitamin.
7 Tips to Your Best Shave
Beautiful legs always must start with a perfect shave. Stubble, ingrown hairs, and cuts are just not sexy. To get the perfect shave, just follow these tips.
1. Do not shave in the morning. In the morning, our skin is puffier than during the rest of the day.
2. You should shave within the first five minute of your shower. This is because within the first five minutes, the steam really opens the pores and softens the hair shaft, letting you get a close shave. After five minutes, the skin can get puffy from the water, which can lead to stubble shortly after your shave.
3. You do not need expensive shaving lotion for a smooth shave. Just use hair conditioner. A friend of mine has sensitive skin and was prone to razor burn. She tried hair conditioner and did not get the rash.
4. Shave in the opposite direction of hair growth first, then shave in the direction of the hair growth.
5. Exfoliate the skin before shaving to get rid of all the dead skin cells before shaving.
6. Always shave with a sharp blade. A Dull blade will not get as close and increase your chances of ingrown hairs or razor burn. Sometimes a men’s razor is better because of the number of blades.
7. Before your legs are completely dry, apply an oil-based lotion for silky, sexy legs.
Now you have no excuse to not enjoy beautiful smooth legs.
How to Heal A Sunburn Quickly
One look that is never sexy no matter what time of year it is, is a sunburn. So if you went a little overboard with tanning or just forgot to put on sunscreen, use these tips to heal your sunburn quickly. Also learn from your painful sunburn so that you can get into the habit of putting on sunscreen whenever you go outside. Burnt skin is not healthy skin!
Hydrate Yourself: A good way to help the skin heal itself is to drink plenty of water. This will help in the skin’s cell renewal. A good amount of water is anywhere from your average eight ounces a day and up.
Aloe Vera Gel: For a cooling effect that also will help heal your skin, try aloe vera gel. Only use Aloe Vera Gel that is 90% or more of aloe vera. You can also take the gel straight from the plant if you choose.
Tea Time: Another relief for your burn is tea. Brew about 5-10 tea bags (More if you have a lot of skin to cover). After the tea bags are soaked and cooled, apply them to your burn. This can get a bit messy, so keep a towel nearby.
Noxema: Another product that has been tried and true for sunburns is Noxema. It has a pretty strong smell, so if you cannot handle it, just stick with the other products. The best way to reap results from this is to smear a thick layer on your burn and let it set overnight. In the morning, you should find your red has slightly lessened in color. Noxema typically should cool your skin as well. However, if you find that it burns your skin, remove it immediately.
Use one or all of these products and you should notice immediate relief from your sunburn. The redness should go away in about three days to a week. All these tips no only help a sunburn, but they also help you get better skin.
Top Five Beauty Fruits
Beautiful skin starts from the inside. Here are five top beauty fruits that are delicious to eat and will give you beautiful, younger, clearer, glowing skin. They also have many other health benefits. So eat up!
Blueberries: Blueberries are packed with anti-oxidants. They help balance out free-radicals that can be showing up on your skin in forms of acne or bumps. Blueberries’ benefits also include improvement on short term memory loss and reducing the risks of some cancers.
Avocados: Avocados are not only good for you to eat, but they are also good for you to wear. Eating avocados helps with skin problems because it is a great anti-oxidant. Mashed avocado makes a great mask. Wearing this mask helps with skin rashes and leaves skin feeling soft.
Mangoes: Mango contains a lot of beta carotene. Beta carotene helps maintain the epithelial tissues. Maintaining your epithelial tissues is important to prevent premature wrinkling.
Apples: You have heard the cliché, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Studies show that it will also keep the dermatologists away. Like blueberries and avocados, apples also have a lot of anti-oxidants. It is also anti-inflammatory, which is good for those who suffer from skin rashes or redness.
Oranges: Oranges are full of vitamin C. Vitamin C prevents loss in skin elasticity. It also aids in healing cuts and bruises. Having a good amount of Vitamin C in your diet has also been known to make your skin glow.
Each of these beauty fruits are inexpensive and easy to indulge in. To eat more of these fruits, try adding them to a salad or blending them into a smoothie. Who would have thought that beauty was in the refrigerator?
What is Really Making Your Skin Irritated?
For those of you who have sensitive skin, does it not seem like you are putting a gun to your head every time you try a new product? There is always that risk that using it will cause some kind of redness or heighten your skin’s sensitivity. Even if you are not prone to sensitive skin, there are some things you need to watch out for.
Many of these things have been recommended time and time again. However, if you have sensitive or fine skin, you may find that over and over again, these products are irritating your skin.
Here is an extensive list of some products that may be causing your skin to flare up or get worse. If you discover you are using one of these products and are having problems, stop immediately. If you are seeing a dermatologist, discuss with them the problem of the product. After you have not used the product for a while and your skin has returned to normal, you may be able to use the product again. However, you will probably only be able to use the product in a small amount. Always do a week test patch somewhere not so noticeable to see what happens.
Exfoliaters/ abrasive scrubs/loofas/other abrasive washing tools: It is good to get off dead skin cells, but did you know that a lot of exfoliaters and abrasive scrubs rip the blood vessels? This will not result in pretty skin at all.
Extreme heat or cold: This includes weather conditions, water temperature, as well as steaming and icing the face. Stick with lukewarm water when washing the face. When in the heat, wear a lot of sunscreen and avoid cooling your face off with an air conditioner, although it is tempting. The same goes for when it is cold; do not warm your face up by sticking it in the direct line of heat.
Astringents and Toners: A common myth is that you need to feel a sting or tingle with a product to know it is cleaning. A sting or a tingle could be your face’s way of saying, “Get this off!” Find toners and astringents made for sensitive skin (usually they contain no alcohol). You can always make your own as well.
There is a long list of irritating ingredients that can be found in your make up, cleansers, mask, ect. - Acetone, Any type of alcohol, ammonia, arnica, bentonite, bergamot, camphor, cinnamon, citrus juices and acids, clove, clover blossom, coriander, cornstarch (and to think people use to use this as a face powder), eucalyptus, fennel and fennel oil, geranium, grapefruit, horsetail, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, lime, marjoram, menthol, mint, oak bark, papaya, peppermint, phenol, sandalwood oil, types of sodium sulfate, thyme, wintergreen, witch hazel, and ylang-ylang. (A lot of these are found in perfumes and scented luxuries as well.)
These are just a list of things that can be causing your sensitive skin to go haywire. There are other several factors that can be irritating your skin due to personal allergies. In this case, an allergy test should be taken. Also, if you cannot discover what it causing your irritated skin, stop using all your products for a week. Slowly introduce them in until you can find which one is causing the problems. A skin irritation can also occur when two products are used together, yet do not work well together.
E.L.F $8 Look: Sparkle
1. Begin on a fresh and clean face.
2. Brush on the Clarifying Pressed Powder with the Total Face Brush dusting the powder onto the T-zones.
3. Create the Sparkle by applying the All Over Color Stick in Lilac to eyes, blending from eyelid to brow bone with finger.
4. To add the soft lilac color, apply the lightest shade from the Brightening Eye Color in Silver Linin to eyelids, focusing on staying close to the eyelash base, both below and above the eyes.
5. Coat Lashes with the Earth & Water Mascara Duo in Black for a defined look.
6. To get that rosy glow, brush on the Natural Radiance Blusher in Glowto Cheekbones using the Blush Brush
.
7. Lastly juice up your lips by applying the Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 in Pink Kiss to complete your Sparkled look.
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