Fashion & Style Happiness Boutique: Happiness In A Small Box 8:00 AM We define our own happiness. Happiness can come from many things. Some from the most profound reasons, others from life's simple pleasures. My latest happiness came from Happiness Boutique. Happiness in a small box it is. A simple parcel that contains a fanciful pair of earrings and an elegant necklace. Life's more beautiful when you surround yourself with pretty things, don't you think? It's perfect timing because it's my friends' wedding. Oh, I'm so happy to finally see her get hitched. She and her fiance were my favorite neighbors when I was living alone. So, to the wedding I went and celebrated their milestone---with my Happiness Boutique jewerlies. It was a happy day. Happiness Boutique: Happiness In A Small Box The items Dainty Flower Earrings Material: zinc (nickel and lead free). Pastel Colors Statement Necklace Material: zinc (nickel and lead free), acrylic, rhinestones. The verdict Packaging: I love that they took extra care by wrapping the items in bubble wraps separately. The box was simple but nice. There was a card that contains instructions on how to care for the jewelry. It has a short note for me too. Design: I definitely love how the jewelries sparkle especially in the light. The design is very posh and versatile. You know it will not go out of style any time soon. I chose the product because I think it will be easy to find a dress or top that will match with it. And I was right. Superb quality for the price. Did I say I love it? The customer representative was also professional and helpful. So it's a breeze transacting with them. My dress was really simple, but I felt elegant. I was confident because I chose the right accessories---thanks to Happiness Boutique! I got to see good friends, I witnessed a marvelous cerebration of love, and I was more than satisfied with my look. Oh, happy day! We define our happiness. Happiness for me is surrounding myself with people who appreciates me for who I am, laughing my head off over silly jokes, and catching up with friends I don't always see. Happiness is a heart full of gratitude at the end of the day because you know that somehow, you've done something right in your life to deserve wonderful friends. Happiness is witnessing true love being celebrated. Happiness is a pair of dainty earrings and a pretty necklace to go with your dress. Yeah, happiness can be found everywhere if you know where to look. Disclaimer: I have received these products from Happiness Boutique free of charge in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own. 📸: Carlo Vicente If you like this blog post about life and love, please share the article using the social media buttons below or on the left. Thanks!
Fashion & Style How To Tell Your Hairdresser What You Want 9:17 PM I think that the most important thing a woman can have- next to talent, of course- is her hairdresser. -Joan Crawford How often have you left the hairdresser with a hairstyle you don't like because you were too scared to say that you wanted something else? For example, you asked for a change in hair color from your natural blonde to red. But you're unsure if your hairdresser gave you the right shade after. It's quite lighter than you expected. Do you dare ask your hairdresser what's the difference between a redhead vs ginger? Here are some tips on how to be firm and stand up for yourself and tell your hairdresser what you want. How To Tell Your Hairdresser What You Want Why do so many otherwise self-possessed women feel intimidated by hairdressers? Hairstylists are on a pedestal, and we are quailing below, afraid that if we say the wrong thing before we put our heads in their hands, we will emerge looking ridiculous. Not that hairdressers will actually take revenge and deliberately make you look that way, but that, artistic egos wounded, they will lose interest and do a half-baked job. We've had too many experiences with hairdressers who act as though they are doing us a favour: that we are the merely raw and poor raw material. Well, a hairstylist wants to style, create, take your hair, and do something extraordinary. The problem occurs when she or his idea of something special does not coincide with yours. The hairdresser may either be fixed on the current trend or not possess an excellent eye for what flatters a face. It is your responsibility to communicate your wishes. Some hairdressers have become like spoiled children. Dealing with hairdressers involves an extra psychological dimension. A hairdo has to be a collaborative effort: the stylist's expertise, plus your personal preferences, in light of what's possible. Simply putting yourself into someone else's hands is an odd way of behaving. Would you call in a house painter and say, "Paint the living room any color"? Too often, women approach hairdressers as if they wield a magic wand instead of a pair of scissors. It's scary to confront your own looks analytically, but force yourself! It's not vanity, just common sense. Going to a hairdresser with a vague fantasy is simply unrealistic. You lay open to having the hairdresser plant her or his ego on your head, and the chances are you'll be disappointed. To get on the right track, here are some helpful tips. How to find a hairdresserBest results come from dealing consistently with someone who knows you and your hair.Get recommendations from friends whose hairstyles or cuts you like. What you are looking for is a general indication of expertise, not a replica of how you would like to look.Ask for the head of the salon or for the head stylist.Ask the receptionist for a person who is good with your type of hair or hairstyle.Meet your new hairdresser before you change into a smock and are shampooed. Seeing you in your current hairstyle and clothes helps a stylist to give you advice.Check out a hairdresser first for a shampoo and set or blow dry. It's a perfect opportunity to talk long before severe cuts or colouring.Avoid the fashion dictator who gives every customer (regardless of age, face, or hair) the same style. What to discuss first with a hairdresserTell the hairdresser as much as possible about your hair: how often it needs washing and how long it holds a set.Be honest about how much upkeep you can give a hairstyle. Can you set it or blow it dry or do you only have time for a wash and wear?Make sure that you are perfectly clear in describing what you want. Leave nothing to chance; don't forget to state the obvious.If you want a change but are unsure what and want the hairdresser's expert advice, you should at least say what you don't want.Confront your expectations and keep your wishes within the bounds of reality. Don't fall in love with a hairstyle that is impossible to have with your hair. Beware of big changes.If you are contemplating a dramatic change of length or color or going from straight to curly or vice versa, go somewhere and try on wigs first.In the case of a perm, set your hair on lots of little curlers to try out the effect. And if you achieve just what you want, get it right before you go to the hairdresser.It is worth the effort to test the look of permanent waves, straighteners, and hair color because these are chemical processes. The results can continue to affect your hair for as long as two years, and no magic will take them away.Take pictures of the hairstyle you want, but remember, it's only a starting point.Feel free to complain to your hairdresser.If things don't turn out entirely to your satisfaction, complain to your hairdresser, not to your friends, and if you continue to be unhappy, it's time to switch.Don't be afraid to go back for a correction to a cut.If you're not much at handling a hair dryer, ask to be shown how to blow-dry your hair. Or how to set it or comb it. The days of the weekly shampoo and set visits to the hairdresser are pretty well past; today, hairdressers mostly do the big stuff (cut, curl, straighten, colour) and are happy to help you learn how to maintain your hair between visits. About the author: Scarlett Hilton is a lifestyle blogger at Life Tips. She has the heartbeat of one passionate to share her beauty secrets on how to look pretty.
How-To 9 Incredibly Easy Steps You Can Do That Will Change Your Life 7:28 PM 9 Incredibly Easy Steps You Can Do That Will Change Your Life A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life. -Coco Chanel Change does not happen overnight. But there are incredibly easy steps you can do that will change your life for the better---forever. 1. Change your mindset It all starts in the mind. You can't improve your life if you don't change the movie playing in your head. Outward changes manifest what is happening internally. It will not be easy at first. You will keep returning what you're used to thinking---especially if you've been doing it for a long time. I've tried this super simple imagination exercise and how it changed my perspective! How it changed my life. I know you can do it too. As the genius Albert Einstein once said, "Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere." It's your turn 2. Proclaim it Your words can change your world. So, whatever you want to change in your life, proclaim it. Claim it as if it's already there. This is not just some New Age belief. It's been proven scientifically by Dr. Masaru Emoto's Water Experiment. Our words are powerful. We must start harnessing that power and use it to improve our lives. Proclaim blessings in your life. Proclaim healing. You'll be amazed to see that this easy step will change your life. Giphy 3. Change your looks Changing your looks will change your life. When you see something different in the mirror, your mind will get the signal that "Hey, things have changed. It's different now." You don't have to spend a lot to change your looks. To begin with, you can simply change your hairstyle. Get a new haircut, color your hair, or if you're too afraid to do so, get a wig or hair extension first. It's remarkable that Clip in Human Hair Extension and Tape In Hair Extension not only look like natural human hair, but they have a lot of styles and colors to choose from. 4. Get a new hobby I've learned that getting rid of an old hobby is not enough. You must replace it with a new one. If you used to spend 3 hours on social media doing nothing productive, you can't just take that away and not replace it with another activity. What will you do with your vacant 3 hours? Chances are, you'll get back to it eventually. Get a new hobby. Read a good book (because crappy books will bore you, and you might go online again). Learn to do something new. Try going for a walk or run instead. Learn a new recipe. You'll be surprised at how wonderful it is to be out there again and be one with nature. Paint, sketch, and work out. Keep yourself entertained with a new hobby. Imgur 5. Let go You can't change your life if you keep holding on to the past. Or some people who are not contributing to your well-being. Leave your emotional baggage behind. Let go of your regrets, your mistakes, your what-ifs and could-have-been. Let go of your Dementors---people who suck out your energy and happiness whenever they're around. Know when to say goodbye and let go. Mariah Martinez wordpress 6. Keep on learning "The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know." Who said that? Only the genius Albert Einstein. Keep on learning. Be an eternal student. Attend a workshop. There are free online webinars, and you can learn many things from them. Learn to play an instrument. The internet makes DIYs and tutorials accessible in a few clicks. Senior Gif 7. Volunteer Give your gift of time, talent, and treasure to those in need. No tiny act of service and kindness has ever been wasted. Search for organizations that help the charity of your choice or whose advocacy you support. When you change people's lives by what you do, you change yours. It's funny how that works the other way around, too. Magoosh 8. Travel Ah, yes. Traveling. I can attest to how it changes life. Travel and see how tiny a space you occupy in this big world. Travel and realize that the problem you've been focusing on is just a teeny tiny speck in this vast universe. That even heartbreak is so trivial compared to how profound the crisis some people face on the other side of the globe is. Travel and marvel at the beauty of nature. Travel and be in awe of how different we are, yet we are all the same as people. Travel and be a storyteller. Travel and change your life for the better. If budget is a problem, my friend Becky has tips on being a traveler when you can't travel. Metro 9. Quit Quit waiting for things to happen. Quit chasing people. Quit taking crap from people.Quit settling. Quit arguing with a fool. Quit your bad habits that are slowly destroying you. Quit beating yourself up. There are crazy things I quit to be crazy happy. Maybe it's your story, too. Tenor It is never too late to be what you might have been. (George Eliot) If you want to change your life for the better, you can. Change may not be easy, but there are easy steps you can take to work towards the life you want. Start today.
Health & Wellness Hand-Picked Replacement Shakes To Boost Your Weight Loss 8:00 AM Hand-picked replacement shakes to boost your weight loss Meal replacement shakes are great when you wish to lose weight. It is healthier than skipping your meal or having junk food when you are hungry. When you decide to go for meal replacement drink, ensure that you cap it to shakes, as protein bars have a high composition of sugar. It is highly advised that you should not replace over 2 of your 5-6 meals everyday with replacement shakes. In this article, we will help you gain more insight regarding meal replacements. Benefits of Meal Replacement Shakes over Protein Shakes Meal replacement shakes can be substituted for any meal of your day and will still keep you energetic, which is not possible with protein shakes. It is easy to consume and is low on calories, thereby making it a great choice among people who are on a diet. Protein shakes comprise only of proteins and they do not have any carb content, due to which you would not be able to replace it for a meal. However, meal replacement shakes have enough calories to make you push through the next few hours and they also have a balance of carbohydrates, proteins and other nutrients that are required. Weight Loss and Meal Replacement Shakes There are no fat reducing elements present in meal replacement shakes. They only comprise of healthy foods that can help you in replacing a meal. However, unless recommended by a dietician, do not replace more than 2 meals with weight replacement shakes. The calorie content in each serving must be at least 200 calories so that there is a balance between the protein, carb and dietary fiber content in your meal. When you do not cap your nutrient requirement, your body will remain healthy at all times. Generally, it is a nice idea to replace meals which you generally tend to skip. Suppose you skip your breakfast daily; it would be a great idea to consume one serving of a meal replacement shake instead. The idea is to provide your body with a constant supply of calories throughout the day. Eat fruits and vegetables during your whole meals and also try changing the flavor of meal replacement shakes, as it will ensure that you do not get bored of it. When you are home or if you have an off, skip meal replacement shakes and eat foods that are healthy and rich in protein. Choosing the best meal replacement shake The calorie content should suit your calorie requirement. If you have shakes with high sugar content or low calorie content, you might not be able to achieve much. Check for the nutritional content in shakes available from different brands. Also, there are two types of meal replacement shakes that are popular: Low Calorie Meal Replacement Shakes. These replacement-shakes target weight loss and is priced comparatively higher. Low Carbohydrate Meal Replacement Shakes. These shakes are recommended for people who are targeting a low-carb diet and there are products available with 0 grams carb as well! This article was submitted by site supporter and may contain affiliate links. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Guest Blogger Important Vitamins For Damaged Hair 8:00 PM Important Vitamins For Damaged Hair Don't you wish you have beautiful long hair that's shiny and healthy? Nobody wants to have damaged hair. 🤷On average, human hair grows about six inches each year. When your hair becomes damaged and broken, hair growth diminishes. There are important vitamins and supplements you should take especially if you have damaged hair. Now that more people are taking better care of their hair, there are a lot of companies to choose from when it comes to purchasing vitamins. Many private label vitamins Manufacturer companies are becoming more successful than ever. 7 Important Vitamins for Damaged Hair and a Bonus Here's a list of essential vitamins for healthy growing tresses:Vitamin C Vitamin B Biotin Niacin Vitamin A Vitamin D Vitamin E Let's learn a little bit more about each of these vitamins. Where to find them and what they can do for your hair.So you can flip it sexy like Denise Richards over here. ⤵ Giphy1. Vitamin C Vitamin C is a popular vitamin found in everyday food.orangesbroccolikalebrussels sproutspapayastrawberrieskiwired bell peppers Vitamin C is known for boosting the immune system to protect us from cold and illness. What many people don’t realize is that it works well to strengthen and help hair grow because it contains collagen---a vital protein for healthy hair, skin, and nails. Along with eating vitamin C-infused food or supplements like Vitamin C powder, there are also hair products that contain this ingredient. 2. Vitamin B There are 8 different types of Vitamin B and they each have their own benefit (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12). Vitamin B 12 is the most important of the vitamin B complex. Some sources of Vitamin B are:nutsgrainsvegetablesnutritional yeastfortified plant-based milkB vitamin affects our metabolism, energy, nerves, skin, nails, and hair.The main role of this vitamin is to promote cell growth hence it is essential in hair growth. 3. Niacin Niacin is still part of the Vitamin B family (Vitamin B 3) but is indispensable that it needs to be mentioned separately. It helps nourish your scalp and promotes hair growth. Without the correct amount of niacin, there is a risk of your hair becoming dry and brittle. This vitamin can be found in:avocadopeanutswhole grainsmushroomsgreen peaspotatoes 4. Biotin Biotin is Vitamin B7 and plays an important part in hair growth.It creates glucose which breaks down the protein into amino acids that helps strengthen and protect your hair. It's important to combine a mixture of both biotin-enriched foods and hair care products that contain it.The best foods sources of Biotin are:mushroomsavocadopeanut buttersweet potatoescauliflowertomatoes5. Vitamin AVitamin A is necessary to add to your diet especially for your hair. It promotes the growth of your hair cells. Vitamin A contains sebum which is an essential oil that hair needs to grow healthily. Foods that contain this are:(orange) sweet potatobutternut squashcarrotspinach and other green leafy vegetablesdried apricotskalecantaloupe melonspring greens 6. Vitamin D You know well that Vitamin D comes from the sun. A few hours a day is enough to give us healthy and nourished hair. This is easy to fulfill when it's the summer months. It becomes tricky during winter though.Here are some foods enriched which Vitamin D you can consume during the gloomy season: soy milkmushroomsalmond milkorange juicerice milkfortified cereals 7. Vitamin E Vitamin E is vital for healthy hair, skin, and nails. It helps promote hair growth because of its antioxidant properties.These foods are rich in vitamin E:seedsnutsavocadoalmondbroccoliIt's not only beneficial to take this vitamin internally but it's also known to be good when rubbed onto your scalp. This leaves the hair healthy and shiny. Bonus: Important Minerals for Damaged HairIron for damaged hairAlthough iron is not a vitamin it is an essential mineral that we need for our body to function correctly. Without enough iron, our hair would become dry, dull, and brittle. Foods with iron: lentilschickpeasbeanstofucashew nutschia seedsground linseedhemp seedspumpkin seedskaledried apricots and figsraisinsquinoa Magnesium for damaged hair Eating rich in magnesium food helps make sure you're giving your scalp what it needs to stay healthy. It also helps your hair grow strong and shiny. Foods rich in Magnesium:beanspeasgrainssoyseedsnuts Proteins for damaged hairProtein is an essential mineral for hair. When you're protein-deficient, your hair gets damaged and breaks off. Adding protein to your diet fills in gaps in damaged hair follicles. Foods that are rich in proteins are:tofu, tempeh, and edamamelentilschickpeaspeanutsalmondsspirulinaquinoamycoprotein What's your favorite hair food? About the author: Francesca Jaques is the author and editor of www.hairday.co.uk. Beauty therapist by day and writer by night, she reviews every hair product available, finding the best of the best and giving you all the tips possible to make life easier for you. For hairstyle ideas, tips and reviews, you can find them on her:Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Travels Capturing Philippines' Beauty 8:00 AM There's no question that the Philippines is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. According to the latest survey, three islands---Palawan, Cebu and Boracay--- are among the top 5 most beautiful islands in the world. So, if you disagree, go check the numbers. 😉 I have personally explored a few places in the Philippines and captured its beauty on my phone. There is no doubt. It is indeed captivating. Truly, it is more fun here. (Click individual image to view in full size) What is worth capturing in the Philippines? The scenery See the pristine beaches, white sand, rich marine life. Climb the wondrous peaks, be surrounded by the sea of clouds, explore the caves. Travel down memory lane with historical buildings. There is just endless options with what you can see in the Philippines. Here are a few of my travels captured from my phone. Boracay Fortune Island Calaguas Isla de Gigantes Guimaras The Ruins, Talisay Balay Negrense in Silay - Paris of Negros The people Filipinos are world-class when it comes to talents and skills. But more than that, we are known for our hospitality and resilience. We treat our guests like royalty and make sure their trip will be something worth remembering. We remain strong even in the face of tragedies. photo credit: CNN Celebrating love amidst the storm and flood. (photo: Boy Wander) And we are confidently beautiful with a heart. (photo: Google images) Festivals Filipinos are revellers in general. We love to have fun albeit in a loud way. Thus, there are fiestas anywhere. Every province in every region celebrates a certain festival that depicts history, reflects the culture and celebrates oneness. As expected, it's always vibrant, fun, and it could get crazy sometimes. Here are a few famous festivals enjoyed by locals and foreigners alike: A parade of flowers at Baguio's Panagbenga Festival Yes, the floats are made of fresh flowers. (photo: Gridcrosser) A thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest at Kadayawan Festival in Davao (photo: Equator Asia) A thanksgiving dedicated to Sr. Santo Niño at Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo (photo: Primer.com) A festival of smiles to remind everyone of the time the people of Bacolod chose to smile in the face of economic crisis at the Maskara festival. (photo: Islands of the Philippines) The food Your trip to the Philippines, that is, capturing Philippines' beauty will not be complete if you don't try Filipino foods. Adobo, sinigang, sisig, tinolang manok, kare-kare, halo-halo are only a few of the many traditional Filipino dishes that will capture your heart and make you ask for more. Anthony Bourdain (photos: Buzzfeed) Favorite destination to capture The next place I want to capture the beauty of in the Philippines is somewhere I haven't gone to yet, but dying to see---Palawan. It's been consistently on the top most beautiful islands in the world. It's kind of crazy to say that Palawan is my favorite destination because I haven't been there yet. I don't need to be there to know that Palawan is worth capturing. Palawan, I knew I loved you before I met you. If this snap of Palawan can't convince you to visit, I don't know what could. (photo: Palawan Island Philippines) The Philippines is such a beautiful place you'll fall in love with. It's good to keep memories of your travels. I mostly travel with my smartphone and that's what I used to take photos. Invest in a good camera to make capturing Philippines' fascinating beauty a whole lot better. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
