Happy Happy Birthday!!!!

I celebrated my birthday in true ASHLEY style, which means lots and lots of fun and laughter in my three favorite cities Baton Rouge, La Place and New Orleans...

With All My Besties...

....and my WONDERFUL husband!!!

What Color Looks Best On Your Skin????

In order to know what colors will look best on you, you must identify your undertone.  Your undertone can be Warm or Cool.  Once you know what your undertone is you can determine your season, thus telling you  your best clothing color.  

Are you Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter?  

Your undertone has 3 pigments: Melanin which is Brown, Hemoglobin which is Red, and Carotene which is Yellow.  Red and Blue together makes purple which would mean your pigment is Cool, so, if you have more Melanin and Hemoglobin in your skin, you have Cool undertone.  If you have more Yellow, Carotene, your undertone is Warm.  

It is best to cleanse your face and look in the mirror at your skin.  You should be able to tell from this, but if you can't it is suggested that you place a white piece of paper next to the inner portion of your wrist to see if your skin gives off more blue or if it gives off more yellow (golden).  Blue signifies Cool which means your season will be either Summer or Winter.  Golden signifies Warm which means your season will be Spring or Autumn.  

Spring

Your skin tone is very golden.  Your skin may be golden brown, peachy ivory or a darker beige.  Your eyes are bright blue, dark blue, light brown  or clear blue. Your hair is strawberry or dark brown with red highlights, golden blonde or brown, or black.

Summer

Your skin tone appears blue based but has lighter beige overtones.   Your skin may be a pale beige, medium brown or even olive.  Your eyes are probably Hazel, soft brown, light blue or even soft gray.  Your hair tends to be strawberry blonde, golden brown, chestnut or red.  

Autumn

You have a yellow or golden tone to your skin. Your skin may be golden/peachy or beige. Your eyes are clear blue, green or even light or dark brown.  Your hair is red, strawberry blonde, or golden brown.

Winter

Your skin has a lot of blue in it.  Your skin can be really pale/milky white, beige, olive or even really true black.  Your eyes are dark blue or brown.  Your hair is medium brown or blonde. 

If you select colors that enhance your natural tones/beauty you will look dazzling in anything that you wear.  

Here are the colors for each season: 

Ombre Fever!!!

I am ecstatic to find out about Ombre nails, only because I am obsessed with Ombre hair. It has been my guilty pleasure for about 5 years now so you guys are late LOL.  You can either go from light to dark on each fingernail or you can apply one color per finger but still from light to dark. 

Check out the pics below...video coming soon!!!!

Spruce Up Your Morning Coffee - My Top 5

I LOVE, LUHV, LUV a hot cup of Joe in the morning. My coffee is like me, a compliment to my man.  You don't necessarily need it, OH, but you want it! ;) My top 5 coffee creamers are as follows:

1. Coffee Mate Cafe Collection Caramel Macchiato

2. International Delight Almond Joy

3. Coffee Mate Vanilla Caramel

4. Coffee Mate Cinnamon Vanilla Creme

5. Coffee Mate Cafe Italian Sweet Creme

What is/are your favorite creamers???

Boost Me Up

 

Here are is a list of foods that I found out boost your metabolism.  I have been experimenting to find out what works and what doesn't work for my body, you should too.

1. Water - flushes out toxins and sodium, stops bloating and allows your metabolism to increase.  Your metabolism is the rate at which calories are burned.

2. Green Tea - boosts metabolism, aids in weight loss and enhances your mood.

3. Soup - an appetite suppressant. It is made up of hunger satisfying combo of liquids and solids.

4. Grapefruit - reduces insulin, promotes weight loss and and boosts metabolism.

5. Apples and Pears - low in calories, high in fiber which helps boost your metabolism.

6. Broccoli - fights fat and boosts your immune system increasing your metabolism.

These are also metabolism boosting foods: Lowfat Yogurt, Lean Turkey, Oatmeal, Hot Peppers, Lemons, Limes, Spinach, Sprouts and Tomatoes.

Water has made the most significant improvement in my metabolism. I noticed on the days that I consume more water I accomplish more, BUT I have to go tinkle often. Eating oatmeal for breakfast has decreased my appetite. When eating fruit I feel an energy boost.  Also, I add peppers to anything I can as often as I can because they do improve my energy. 

Submission Published - MBIB

VISIT https://apps.facebook.com/mbibmosaic/ 

Type in my name (Ashley G) or email (guyash5@yahoo.com)

My black is BEAUTIFUL because I love myself, in the midst of it ALL. I love myself in the midst of taking care of my husband & being a woman & a wife that he can respect & be proud of, in the midst of taking care of my two daughters & being a virtuous, ambitious, relentless, inspiring role model for them, in the midst of maintaining a clean & positive home, in the midst of being a true, loyal & honest friend, in the midst of being a genuinely good person, in the midst of being a blessed child of God, in the midst of being a dedicated student, in the midst of being a volunteer, in the midst of being a sister who is there for her siblings wholeheartedly, in the midst of being an understanding, patient & loving daughter, in the midst of being a fun & loving cousin, in the midst of ALL those things I still love ME. Living for others can sometimes cause people to lose themselves but because I can maintain, sustain and love who I am in the midst of it ALL, I can say MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL!!

Tuesday's Top Coat

Disco Dolls of the Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolor Collection

Life Secrets

There are certain things that I do to keep my life normal.  All my friends know I live a very drama free but fun filled life.  Now it's time to share the wealth.  I'll let you in on a few things that I do and am trying to do to keep my life as normal as possible in this crazy world.

 Memorize Something Daily

Everyday that you breathe you should learn something. I have taken on a vocabulary app to improve my and my husband's vocabulary.  It has been quite entertaining.

Constantly Reduce Your Attachment to Your Possessions

I try not to be a materialistic person but there are a few things I might want to strangle you about if you destroy.  LOL I passed my most recent test concerning this because a girl I no longer associate with broke my laptop that I let her borrow and she failed to tell me about it until I asked her to return it.  I could have easily gone from 1 to 10, but I didn't. I just told her how much she needed to reimburse me for it and I let it go. 

Try to Remember People's Names

I am one of the most forgetful people I know. I make lists or save reminders in my phone's calendar for E-VE-RY-THING!! SO, this one has been a task for me but I noticed I am having success because I have learned all the names of the teacher's at my daughter's school.  #progress

Get Fit

I am having little success with this one as far as working out. I've been working out very sporadically not consistently. I have, however, corrected my eating habits. I'm staying away from sugar and red meats and incorporating more veggies and fruit into my everyday life.  #progress

Focus Only On The Present

If you are living in the past you cant move forward. Everything happens for a reason and you have to trust that your life will be what you want and make it.  Dreaming about what it could have been won't allow you to see what it can be.  Learn to let go.  Get your closure and move on. 

Smile Often

I learned that when you smile your brain releases serotonin. Some people smile for several minutes in the morning just so they can get themselves straight for their day.  When I learned that it helped me to understand why it is so easy for me to feel happy all the time. I laugh ALL day.  I laugh at myself, at others, at television, at everything. You may look crazy sitting in a chair smiling for no reason BUT the outcome will be worth it. #progress

Drink Water

As simple as it sounds if you think about it, you probably haven't had a glass, cup or bottle of water today, but I bet you had some coffee or a soda or some juice.  When I corrected my eating habits I added water to my every day regimen and on the days when I do drink all the water I should, I accomplish more.  Hydrate yourself.  Your body is your temple. #progress

Try Not To Take Life So Seriously

A lot of people forget that everything you do daily is a blessing.  Waking up is a blessing because somewhere there's someone who didn't.  While you're driving turn the music up and sing, LOUDLY. I bet that will reduce your road rage.  Actually, I know it will, because it reduced mine.  I used to have the worst road rage out of any girl I knew, but not anymore. #progress

Help Others

Everyone has a life, I know this. Work, school, homework, friends, family, kids, shopping, cleaning, washing, all of these things come in to play for people BUT the five minutes you take out to help someone else will come back to you.  The $0.25 you gave to the homeless man probably meant more to him/her than you know. Extend yourself to someone who needs help w/o them asking you to.  Helping others causes a ripple effect.  Have you ever let someone into your traffic lane and then later you see that car you let in letting someone else in?  Ripples are a good thing.  Start a ripple everyday if you can. 

Be Honest At All Times

Being honest is one of the best ways to an easy life.  If you are honest in all aspects of your life how can good things not come to you.  Honesty may hurt people's feelings but in the end they will respect you more for being honest.  It is one of the best traits to have because it builds character and integrity.  Two things that are great for business.

Magnetized

Sally Hansen's 

Magnetic Nail Color

REVIEW COMING SOON

Party Hard but SMART!!!

Health is becoming more important to people day by day.  I can't tell you how excited that makes me because I too am learning to be more healthy BUT! I still love to have a good drink on the weekends.  So! I did a little research and found some alcoholic beverages that all are under 200 calories or a little above but are still fabulously delish! 

Grape Crush Cocktail

 Can be made one of two ways: 

muddled red grapes and freshly squeezed lemon juice OR

Grape Crush soda with lemon juice.

Mojito Cocktail

Bramble Cocktail

 The Bramble Cocktail is made from gin, lemon, fresh blackberries, & blackberry liquor.

Margarita Cocktail

 Margaritas are quite common but if made with 

corn syrup free margarita mix you have a 144 

calorie drink & that is fabulous!

Michelada Cocktail

This Mexican cocktail is made with beer for you beer loving ladies.

Brain Fart Much?!

That moment when you're taking a test and you can't, for the life of you, remember that 1 + 1 = 2.  You KNOOOW that you know the answer but for some reason you just can't remember.  Well, I found a way to help that.  Most people accept that memory loss comes with age BUT there are things that you can do and eat to begin slowing that process.  I am the QUEEN of two sayings "who" and "I don't remember." LOL I have never had a great memory but as I got older I started researching how to improve that.  I can say my memory has improved about 10% in the last 2 years.  That may not be the largest number, but something is better than nothing. 

Memory is the name and Concentration is the game.  Brain performance, of course, is affected by nutrition, or the lack there of, if you don't eat nutritiously.  Certain FOODS improve your brain's actual ability. They help to enhance focus and the ability to remember things.  Berries - blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries, and also spinach.  Brain Cell Performance tests have proven results that when these foods are eaten BPT scores are better.  Blueberries have antioxidants. Antioxidants protect against changes in your memory that come with age.You may also want to try walnuts, cashews, and almonds, they help with mental clarity.

Wine and Green Tea increase the activity in your brain.  Green Tea enhances concentration and contains antioxidants that work toward protecting your body from deterioration because of the presence of polyphenols in them.  Omega 3 foods are good as well, the most popular being fish, salmon and herring.  There's also flax seed oil, olive oil, canola oil, brown rice (ugh), pumpkins seeds, beans, and eggs.  Eggs make your thinking process FASTER and improves memory.

EXERCISE is beneficial for your brain and your memory because it increases the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain,

and it increases the chemicals in your brain need for cognition, which is the process in which you acquire knowledge.

STRESS negatively affects your brain and adversely affects your memory.  The lower you stress level the better your memory is.

If you can't eat berries and spinach to increase brain function, try increasing your intake of nuts and eggs. I know most of you can't workout for an hour or more but 15 minutes a day can get the chemicals in your brain flowing better and reduce your stress levels.  It all works hand in hand, if you take it seriously. You never know whenthat next brain fart may happen. :o)

Be Dazzling.

Tough As Nails

I thought I'd share this with you guys because I've been doing these things for a few months now and have gotten positive results. 

Fingernail DOs & DON'Ts

DO:

Keep your fingernails dry and clean at all times.

~moisture can cause bacteria or fungi. (common under acrylic nails)

~wear cotton lined gloves when washing dishes or cleaning

~don't soak your hands long in the bathtub

DO:    

Trim AND file your fingernails often.
~trim your nails straight across the top and round the edges
~trim your nails after bathing and your cuticles and nails are soft
DO:
Use moisturizer
~massage into both your hands AND your cuticles
DO:
Apply a clear top coat
~a top coat or two can help your nails stay strong

DON'T:
Abuse your fingernails
~don't use your nails to pick, poke or pry things open with your nails
DON'T:
Bite your fingernails or pick your cuticles
~this can damage your nail bed, even a minor cut in your nail can cause bacteria
DON'T:
Pull off hangnails
~you'll damage your live tissue, clip them off
DON'T:
Ignore problems
•if you have a problem that won't go away ask a nail tech (I did) about it or a doctor

Sugar Lips

It's been an extremely HOT and busy summer for me this year and my lips have been paying the price.  I've had an increase in my social life and have stepped my makeup game up a notch.  Even though I've been applying lip moisturizers prior to applying my lipsticks, my lips are still peeling all the time.  Nothing works but my Mary Kay Lip Treatment but it hit me that eventually I will run out of it and in order to get again I would have to buy that $250 package I told you about in my "How I Care For My Skin" post.  UH UH that's not gonna happen LOL so I decided to try the age old trick. Sugar! 

Put a tablespoon of sugar in a bowl and add 3 to 4 tear sized drops of water into the sugar.  You don't want to add so much water that the sugar dissolves.  Rub the sugar and water until it has grimmy feeling, then gently rub it across your lips, left to right, gently massaging your lips and rubbing away the unwanted top layer of dead skin.  Remove with a warm, damp towel.  Apply a lip balm, liberally, after opposed to a lip gloss your lips and you lips should be really soft.  You can do this process as many times as you need.  It's quick and easy but the best part about this is, it's FREE.

Be Dazzling

Forget Ears, Necks and Fingers!!!

The next accessory I will be purchasing will be BODY JEWELRY.  

Talk about fabulous! What can make a one shoulder dress pop more than body jewelry on the exposed shoulder. 

I love the idea of wearing body jewelry over a one piece halter swimsuit instead of a two piece as seen on Angela. I would definitely wear one of these over a fitted dress for a Girl's Night Out. 

From Darker Skin to Lighter Skin

Review Coming Soon