Merry Christmas- Gift #1 & 2

Hey Everyone!

Check out some of my christmas presents.

I am super excited to start using them...

New Year's Eve

What do you usually do to celebrate New Year's Eve?

With the cold weather recently, I have been getting really excited about Christmas and New Year's Eve. December is one of my favorite month's because I love the holidays but I am simple not sure what to wear or what to do!?

Do any of you have plans?

I am sure that it will be a super busy time for all of you stylists. Stay tuned on my blog and look out for coupon specials upcoming later this week!

merry christmas

my thoughts on blogging.

If anyone knows me well, they know that I love to read blogs.

I began reading blogs only a couple of years back. It was interesting to me to not only read reviews of makeup, hair, and bath/body products but, to get an imtimate look at what people were doing with their everyday lives. What I really love and admire about bloggers is that they all share interesting pieces of themselves with their readers. I really enjoy blogging here and sharing things about me here and there with all of you.


One of the things that I don't do enough of as a blog reader is commenting! To me, commenting on a blog is really one of the best things you can do to support your favorite bloggers. It takes so much time and energy for bloggers to come up with material to contanstly write about. Even harder, I would imagine, if your blog is a niche blog based on one particular subject, to find material that is both relevant and fun to read.

I am actually inspired by some of my favorite bloggers to keep creating interesting and meaningful content for you all. I am curious though.... have any of the salon owners/stylists out here made a concret online presence?

There are a few salons that I have heard about just from browsing online on both YouTube and in the blogsphere. Using the internet to connect with those interested in hair/spa services or other related  things could bring customers to your salon that might not have known about it previously.

All About Blowfish!

Yesterday I had a really fun, interesting and adventurous experience with my coworkers... I tried blowfish for the first time!

The main dish that we ate blowfish (otherwise known as puffer fish) which is considered to be a delicacy in Japan. I took some photos of the food that we enjoyed below:

Boiled fugu skin!

Hirezake!

Fugu Nabe!

Some new pictures of my home Christmas setup.

Here are some more pictures of my Christmas Tree and setup in my family room. My mother loves Charlie Brown and so you can see why we have so many Christmas themed Charlie and Snoopy collectables around. Everything on the table sings, dances, or moves... neat huh!?

Tuesday Tresses-- Nicole Kidman Hair

Nicole Kidman's Hair is always so classy! Love her beautiiful golden locks!

Gift Giving Pressure!

This weekend was a very relaxing one for me and I am glad that I got to relax indoors but, I am not so sure that this will be the same this weekend!

Many of you probably already know that there is a ton of gift-giving pressure during the holidays. For people that are in families that celebrate the "true meaning" and spirit of Christmas, this may not be true but, I always feel a lot of pressure about what gifts I should give people during this time of year.

There are always so many questions--- do they have something like this already? What do they need? Would like like this color? What is their size?!

On one hand, you want to give the family and friends that you love, gifts that would mean something. Gifts that they can make use of. Gifts that they could use and remember us by.

On the other hand, you want to get them something practical... something that is guaranteed that they'll love. But giftcards are too impersonal.

What to get!?

I'll update on how my Christmas shopping went... I hope my loved ones love my presents!

Have you checked out our online store?

I am just about to leave the office and continue my holiday shopping but I wated to reach out to all of my readers and ask... HAVE YOU VISITED OUR ONLINE SHOPPING CENTER?

Please take a look at our online shopping page! It's the easiest way to get our products shipped straight to your home or salon! Visit armada-usa.com for more information.

Don't forget to watch my blog and continue to read our e-CURE Newsletter closely for coupon codes!

Simply, having, a wonderful Christmas time.

Hello Everyone!

During this time of year, my house is busy with the Christmas spirit. My parents love Christmas and decorating for this time of the year. Bright lights, stuffed animals, singing dolls, and mistletoe. Growing up in this enviornment, I also really love holiday time and the decorations and warm memories that go with it.

That being said, I would like to present to you my family's Christmas tree....

What do you think?

I will take lots more photos of the Christmas decorations around my home to share will you all over the next few weeks.

Tuesday Tresses- Aaliyah.

For this weeks edition of Tuesday Tresses, I would like to feature Aaliyah. Her hair was always so beautiful and she was known for her signature swoop. An angelic voice and beautiful woman taken way too soon, her legacy will live on through her music.

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." - Charles M. Schulz

an office treat :-)

e-CURE NEWS

One of my favorite times of the month is when we start working on the e-CURE Newsletter. I have always been really passionate about writing and sharing information and knowledge with others. From the time I entered middle school. I had a thirst for knowledge and understanding different topics, especially about hair.

It is a great joy to be able to write articles about haircare and the different ways that stylists and salon owners like you can make a difference in their client's everyday lives. Have you read the December issue of our e-CURE Newsletter?

e-CURE News not only includes information about haircare but, we also include lots of tips about alternative ways to use the products, business tips to improve sales, ways to talk to your clients about the e-CURE Treatment and even coupons for special savings!



Myself and the December issue.

I think you guys will REALLY enjoy January's issue but... have you read this month's?

Let me know in the comments below that you read the December issue with the name of your HAIR SALON and get FREE SHIPPING on your next order!



Today's Lunch.

Ajisen Ramen!

Today for lunch I had ramen, one of my favorite Japanese foods for lunch-- RAMEN!

I don't eat ramen very often here in New York and when I say ramen of my friends and family assume that I am talking about the cup noodle ramen cups often found in grocery stores for less than one dollar.

Yankee Candle Review: Bahama Breeze

                                                     

Today I will be reviewing Bahama Breeze from Yankee Candle. This was one of first candle purchases and I made the decision to get this because of the description offered on the Yankee Candle website.

About This Fragrance (yankeecandle.com) 

There's cool summer refreshment in this tropical blend of pineapple, grapefruit and mango.

Now on to my thoughts...

Scent Name:  Bahama Breeze

Description of Scent: I didn't really get the fruity, citrusy, smell that I was looking for. When I bought it, I assumed that I would be getting more of a "mixed drink" fragrance from this. I was right!  I can't really place it but, it kind of has the smell of a sports energy drink, with some very subtle citrus notes.

Candle Type: Sampler votive

Things I Like: This candle burned really easily and it's honestly a beautiful color to look at in my transparent glass votive holder.

Things I Dislike: This sampler has virtually NO throw. I have to shut the doors in my small bedroom to even smell anything so that was a little bit disappointing.

Rating (1/10): 4/10

I liked this candle enough to burn it all the way but, I probably will not be purchasing this again.

Tuesday Tresses - Historical Edition.

Glamourous, bombshell hair by Brigitte Bardot,

the French movie star who was also a fashion and beauty icon.

What do you think?

Yankee Candle Review: Pumpkin Pie Small Jar.

I am back today with a review of my first Yankee Candle Small Jar purchase. As I have said before, I am relatively new to the world of Yankee (and candles in general) so bear with me!

                                                                                                                                                                    


  A couple of weeks ago I made my first small jar purchase. I've read online and seen on several Youtube videos that even the small jars would be a step up from votive candles, and I was ready to take the challenge.

I usually purchase my candles from Bed Bath and Beyond (and will continue to do so as long as awesome coupons exist!). I was immediately drawn to the section featuring autumn scents because I am generally a very festive person. Before making my selection, I smelled both Cranberry Chutney and Spiced Pumpkin. I was drawn to Pumpkin Pie because it's always been a favorite of mine and I figured that it would be more of a complex scent.

Scent Name:  Pumpkin Pie
Description of Scent: Pumpkin Pie is a sweet scent with a subtle hint of spice. I really love the cinammon in this but, above all, I am really impressed with how even the scent of the buttery, pie crust comes through! 
Candle Type: Small Jar
Things I Like: Smelling the crust, had a much better throw than Sampler Votives
Things I Dislike: Takes a while for the scent to disperse, a good amount of wax has to pool before I smell anything

Rating (1/10): 7/10

I really liked Pumpkin Pie! I am looking forward to trying some more of the food scents that I have in my stash.

Happy Thanksgiving 2011!

Hand Cream Review. Soap & Glory- Hand Food.

As a city girl who ride public transportation quite often, I am guilty of washing my hands several times a day. This might sound like a good thing but, I also suffer from dryness on my hands and cuticles. To combat this, I have tried several different brands of hand lotion. Today I'd like to tell you about one of my favorites.

I first tried this when I heard about the brand   SOAP & GLORY  being new to Sephora. I stopped by the Grand Central Station store and tested a small amount. I was pleasantly surprised by how well this hand cream glided on. The best part about it is, you only need a small amount and it is not oily at all.

This is now one of my favorite hand creams! Because the consistency is not too thick, I would say that this is better suited for warmer climates (or during Spring/Summer anywhere!). Right now, I am sticking to my tried and true hand cream... which I will tell you about another time!

Tuesday Tresses - Selena Gomez, American Music Awards 2011

This week I'd like to feature Selena Gomez and her beautiful hairstyle from the American Music Awards 2011, which happened this past weekend.

Bonus: Selena and Justin Bieber on the red carpet!

This week's Tuesday Tresses was suggested by my collegue Margaret!

If you'd like to submit your suggestions for a Tuesday Tresses celeb in the future,

drop me a line in the comment box below!!!

Can you guess my favorite color this week?

The orange snack party at my desk right now!

X Factor USA!

I have recently fell in love with watching

X Factor USA!

I was never much of an American Idol fan but, after hearing a lot of hype about this show, I decided to tune in. Needless to say, I have had a number of favorites on the show and the performances get better and better each week!

I was utterly shocked and disappointed though, when my favorite contestant, Astro (better known as @Astronomical Kid on Twitter) was placed in the bottom two. The contestants that are in the bottom two, are the ones who received the lowest amount of votes that week from viewers at home. Astro, with over 60,000 Twitter followers (and probably thousands of others) has done a great job week after week so, he too, seemed shocked to be placed in jeopardy! I personally think that this was done for ratings--- but, just in case-- I will be voting 3 times more this week! I think his work ethic and persona are awesome and his talent deserves to be recognized!

Tune into FOX next week at 8pm (EST) to see X-Factor on Tuesday night!

*And whatever you do... vote for Astro!*

Today's Lunch!

 

A beef bowl from a brand new Japanese fusion restaurant around here. I had been looking forward to trying this since I first saw it on the menu. Unfortunately, it was not what I was expecting :-( but, it was still tasty enough to almost finish!

Tuesday Tresses. Raven Symone's Natural Curls

This week's feature for Tuesday Tresses is Raven Symone, who is pictured below with soft fluffy curls on the red carpet.

Unlike a lot of celebrity women today, Raven Symone (The Cosby Show, That's So Raven etc.) is wearing her natural hair on the red carpet. I love it!!!!

To buy the boots or not to buy the boots

One of my favorite parts about winter is that I get to wear my UGG boots.

                                                       Now, I know that some of you may not be fans of this shoe.

I can understand (and agree!) that the classic UGG boots are not the most stylish pair of shoes around. I have been wearing classic UGG boots for the past 4 or 5 years and really love how warm they keep my feet. Living in New York, it is always a task to try and find shoes that are comfortable There were a few days last winter where outdoor temperatures were close to 10 degrees! Living in NYC, I get around using mostly using public transportation and sometimes the bus isn't very reliable. What's a girl to do? I put on my trusty UGG boots and even if the rest of me was freezing, my feet were alway warm!

I still have a pair of chocolate brown and a pair of black but, a part of me wanted to see what else UGG was offering this season. I have a number of favorite boots this season but, my absolute favorite has been the Mailyn boot (seen below).

front.



back.






I actually went and tried these on and I DO love how they look on me.
However, I just don't know how  practical they are for everyday wear.
Although I may change my mind sometime in the future, right now,  I am pretty confident that I am going to hold off on these for the moment. I will just continue to admire them from afar...


Have you ever given up on a clothing or shoe item because of its practicality?



One of my new loves: Candles!

THIS POST IS ALL ABOUT     CANDLES   !
Late this summer I started a small collection of candles, specifically Yankee Candle votives. I have always loved different fragrances and candles are no exception. After realizing sometime early this year that I had become a product junkie (hey-- who doesn't love buying scented lotions, body creams, and sprays?) I decided to satisfy my craving for yummy scents elsewhere.

Although I know there are many options when it comes to candles and home fragrance, I decided to take the plunge and start burning candles from one of the most well-known brands, Yankee Candle.

I must admit, I really love the wide range of scents and options that Yankee offers. I am personally a fan of both sweet/fruity scents, food scents, and fresh scents. I took a few shots of my collection here below. I have to say that it is quite modest but, I am proud of what I have.



This is the box that I keep my Sampler Votive Collection in
(an old gift set box from Victoria's Secret-- I love VS scented creams and lotions too!)
You can see here, my two latest purchases
to kick off the holiday season: SPARKLING SNOW & CHRISTMAS COOKIE




My candles!



CITRUS PUNCH was one of my eBay finds -- I have like 4 of this scent!

Chocolate Chip Cookie--- another hard to find "cult classic".

I haven't burned this yet but, I will let you know how it smells when I do :-).

A fresh and comforting warm scent!

and ... pictured above is what I am burning now-- Pumpkin Pie. It is warm and inviting and the butter, sugar, and cinnamon combination on this is just divine!

+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Do any of you like candles like I do?

I plan on going over some fun facts about candles, how to burn them properly, preserve them, and introduce/review new scents and products. I look forward to sharing another one of my passions here with you all!



Going to the Spa.

Today, a copy of "American Spa" magazine landed in my hands and I was reminded that I still have never been to a spa! (Isn't that wild?!)

I have been meaning to go since this summer began but, as I am largely a "do-it-yourself" kind of gal, I have had such a hard time deciding what to do! Should I get a facial? How about a massage? Or maybe just a manicure/pedicure? I have even contemplaed going to a spa and buying products instead of services--- crazy right?!

I would love to hear what some of your thoughts are. Do you have any spa services at your salon? What would you recommend to a first time spa-goer?

multipurpose beauty picks.

One of the things that everyone tries to do during times of economical downturn is simply, save money. Actually though, the beauty industry is one of those industries that does not suffer much during a recession. Needless to say, any time is a good time to papmer onesself--- right? One of the things I love though, is finding products that can be used for a few things at once. Who says that items can't be multipurpose?

Below I have listed a few of my favorite multipurpose beauty products!

fRxtion sugar exfoliator & lip balm duo by Tarte Cosmetics

This lip product has lip balm and one side and a gentle lip exfoliator on the other. Not only is the product itself multipurpose, the packaging is too! The top of the tube includes a flip-out mirror so, no need to try and squeeze in an extra mirror in your purse--- it's already right there for you! Visit http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-fRxtion for more reviews or to purchase this product!

M-3.2 by Armada-Style

M-3.2 can be used both on the skin and hair as an intensive moisturizer and anti-aging toner.  I love M-3.2 and I honestly have never experienced deep moisture like I have from this product and my hair has really turned around. The Foam Pack has been a cruicial step in my haircare routine and I really recommend this product for any and everyone who has suffered from dry hair. Using it during my skincare routine, after cleansing and before applying moisturizing cream has proven to also be great for my face! This product can only be purchased at professional salons, so for more info, check out armada-usa.com and the salon locator to find a retailer near you!



Melt T-Glow Lotion Candle by h.wood beauty



Ingredients: organic raw sugar, extra virgin coconut oil,
raw honey, jojoba oil, shea butter, vegetable grade glycerin,
organic tea and tea extracts

This candle is handmade and made of 100%  "natural soy, organic shea butter, organic coconut oil, essential oils and natural frgrance".  This candle is infused with tea and when melted at 102 degrees, the "wax" becomes a warm and hydrating lotion. On b-glowing this candle is on sale right now for only $11.00 and it comes in green apple, peppermint anise, and gingergrass. I personally love candles and suffer from really dry skin so, I would love to get something like this as a holiday gift!  http://www.b-glowing.com/product/detail.cfm/pid/3586


Do you know of any other multipurpose beauty products that are worth trying? I always love hearing about new things--- drop me a comment below to tell me aboit your suggestions!

-----

Tuesday Tresses-- Kerry Washington

This week's Tuesday Tresses will feature

Kerry Washington and her soft and bouncy curls.

 

ALLURE magazine online featured this hairstyle of one of the most desired medium length hairstyles for thick and/or coarse hair. The layers help to streamline the hair, according to the author of the original article.

Source: http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-look/makeup-skin-care-hair/staticslideshowallure.aspx?cp-documentid=31076571&gt1=32002

Happy Halloween!

     Happy Halloween!     

Below is a really awesome costume from one of my favorite glamourous celebrity faces!



Kim Kardashian as Poison Ivy. She hosted the MIDORI Halloween Costume party here in NYC this weekend!



I am posting this costume not only because it was my favorite celebrity costume of the year but... have you heard? Kim is making headlines today, as she just has filed from divorce from hubby Kris Humphries. :-( I was rooting for them!