At-Home Beauty Treatments That Can Prepare You For Date Night

Whether you’re going for a romantic dinner or a trip to the cinema, when you’re on a date you want to look your best. This is the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with your special someone. So you understandably want to look and feel your absolute best. Getting ready for date night is something that many women look forward to the most. Instead of just sticking to your everyday look, you can make more of an effort and get dressed up. This can make any woman feel more confident and beautiful. To help you achieve the most flawless finish possible, here are some at-home beauty treatments you should try.

JT out with her hubby at a special event.

JT out with her hubby at a special event.

Teeth Whitening
Who doesn’t love having a bright looking smile? Teeth whitening has become a highly popular beauty treatment that you can do yourself at home. You can use toothpaste, bleaching trays or strips to help you get a celebrity worthy smile. They can remove stains and yellowing on your teeth while also making them look healthier and cleaner. It also takes little time to get the results you desire. Making them an ideal treatment to prepare you for a romantic date night. Do your research into the different types of teeth whitening before you buy. You can read reviews on the best teeth whitening strips here or ask for guidance at your local beauty counter.

Conditioning hair mask

Hairs masks are a brilliant beauty treatment that will make your hair look healthy and shiny. They are quick and easy to apply and have long-lasting results. Making them perfect for your date night beauty regime. You can buy pre-made hair masks from reputable brands such as Aussie and L’Oreal from most drug stores. Just make sure buy one that is suitable for your hair type and that works in little time. Or you can create your own using ingredients from your kitchen. Egg yolks, olive oil, and mayonnaise can all be combined to create a nourishing hair mask. Find out more on making your own hair mask here. Your hair will have never felt so soft and looked so glossy.

Face and Body Scrub
If you want to have soft and smooth skin all over, a body scrub is the perfect beauty treatment for you.  This will exfoliate your skin and remove dead skin cells, makeup and dirt from your pores. This will make your skin glow and also makes it easier to apply your makeup evenly. Again, you can make your own face and body scrub using coconut oil, brown sugar, and lemon. Or you can read reviews on exfoliating scrubs online. Never scrub too hard as this can cause damage to your skin and always consider your skin type before you buy. Your date won’t be able to stop looking at you when your skin looks this clean and clear.

Photograph by JT

JT and her hubby at home after a special night out.

Give yourself plenty of time to try these beauty treatments out before your date night begins. You’re bound to receive endless compliments from your boyfriend or husband about how good you look. Which is bound to make you feel incredible throughout the date.

JT Style File: Purple Rain

Hello Beautiful People!

What a week!

I found out that Prince passed away on Thursday when I arrived back at work from my from lunch break. I could not believe it. At first, I thought, it could not be true?!? Sadly, the reports that I was hearing turned out to be true. Prince was an icon, a musical genius, and a true professional who had a heart for helping people.

 I celebrate Prince’s life, I never met him nor did get a chance to go to one of his concerts, but i enjoyed a lot of his music. I could not listen to Prince’s music as a young girl because my parents would not allow me. We use to have this show here in the Lou called Friday Night Videos. I had a chance to see the video for When Doves Cry. I practiced and practiced and was able to get the moves down pat, including his signature scream. I was not allowed to listen to the radio because my parents never knew what song might be playing. My Dad was an avid Jazz enthusiast, so I may get a chance to turn the channel to catch some pop tunes; but it was mostly Jazz for me growing up. When I was in high school I had to exchange gifts with one of my classmates. I but don’t remember exactly what was the reason for the gift exchange. But my friend wanted the Purple Rain album. I knew that I could not get that one for myself, so chose another favorite of mine, Wham! I know you are saying, you can buy it for someone else; but not yourself?  Hey, I didn’t ask questions, I followed the directions and that made for a happy household.

I remember watching the Raspberry Beret video and I asked my mother if she could get me  my very own beret from JCPenney. The beret was white with leather trim. I remember the lyrics, …”The kind you buy in a second hand store.”

Another memory I have was of guy who thought he was Prince. He would dress in purple and I would see him walking down the street dancing in his own world. He was the boyfriend of a girl I was friends with while in high school. When I would be on the bus going to school, he would motion for the bus driver for his stop and he would do a spin and jump up and go into splits before he got off the bus.  It was pretty amazing to see the influence Prince had on him.

My style file today is dedicated to Purple Rain and the influence that Prince had on fashion for both men and women.

JT in Bob Mackie Sequined and Embroidered Cardigan

I decided to wear my purple Bob Mackie 3/4 quarter length cardigan for church today. The design amassed with pallets and black embroidery that highlights the cardigan reminds me of rain. Prince was never afraid of incorporating lace, sequins or pearls in his wardrobe and still be masculine.

My hubby and I wore purple on Sunday, he wore a purple cotton shirt and I wore a black shirt with my Bob Mackie cardigan.

JT & Hubby

 I didn’t wear a necklace because I thought the cardigan spoke for itself, however I wore a purple drusey ring and  a fashion bracelet that was gifted to me.

JT3

The outfit worked and the purple is a deep color and means royalty.

This is one of my favorite videos, Diamonds and Pearls. When I heard this song, I bought some a 36″ strand of pearls from a girl at school named Rochelle.  She sold fashion jewelry when I was in high school. I wore those pearls with all sorts of outfits.

 In interviews Prince was soft-spoken; but didn’t take any stuff off of anyone and would get his point across. Videos of Prince from loving fans are being taken off Youtube because Prince was very specific about his musical content and who had access to it.  This is a vintage interview below I watched on Youtube with Larry King interviewing Prince whom at the time called himself “The Artist.” In this interview he was married at the time and gives you a little glimpse why he called himself the Artist and how he felt about his music.

He wrote his own songs and if he wanted to make sure his music was filtered the way he wanted to into various outlets then he had the right to do so.

Prince wanted this video taken down but it’s Radiohead’s song so it’s still up on Youtube.

This was his final appearance on the Arsenio Hall show in 2014 below.

I miss Prince and celebrating his life, his music will live on forever.

JTwisdom signature*I linked  a Youtube  that wasn’t uploaded by me of a video of Diamonds and Pearls in this story; however, it had been taken down which I was not surprised at all.  I included in its place some good interviews with Larry King and Arsenio Hall in case you missed them. Also, included to video, 2008 Coachella, Prince performing Creep.

Anti-Aging Regime for a Youthful Glow

Hello Beautiful People,

Today was beautiful, a little warm, about 80 degrees.  I was doing my walk to reach my 10,000 steps and I could tell the difference very quickly when I hyped up the momentum.  Hopefully it will stay in the 70s for a while longer, I was getting use to those cool breezes.

Well with it getting warmer and were shedding the sweaters, turtlenecks and coats. More focus is on the face and our skin. The number one anti-aging benefit is plump, moisturized skin. How do we get that?  First, you need a good serum before you put on your moisturizer. A serum acts as an anti-aging force that elevates your moisturizer to a new level. I have been using the Valentia Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum that claims to support natural circulation of an all over youthful and revitalized complexion.
Other benefits:
Repair Refresh Renew
Renews texture and tone
Deeply moisturizes
Minimizes fine lines (This is a bonus)
Increases elasticity (Another bonus)
Brightens and corrects (Youthful glow)

The serum goes on smooth and feels very soft on the skin after I cleanse my face.

Valencia Clearlift Serum

Key Ingredients:
Source:Valentia
Wake Bioferment (Seaweed): Increase skin oxygen consumption to detoxify and boost antioxidant defense.
Gotu kola:Lessons the appearance of scars and increase skin firmness.
Lactic Acid:A natural Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that increases skin cell turnover, for healthier renewed skin.
Licorice:Lightens unwanted pigmentation and corrects skin discoloration.
Argan oil:Naturally rich in Vitamin E, this oil reduces water loss and protects skin resiliency and elasticity.

Valentia Clearlift Revitalizing Serum is cruelty free, paraben free and suitable for all skin types. The serum contains 98% natural ingredients, it contains phenoxyethanol which is the last ingredient on the box. I wonder why they didn’t go for 100% but I digress, the phenoxyethanol is the last ingredient so it’s not much in the serum.

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image from Amazon.com

How to use the serum?
The directions state that you can use 1-2 pumps after cleansing face and follow with your favorite moisturizer and eye product. Before I put on the serum I use a couple of drops of Argan oil on my face rubbing it in a circular motion, this feels so good. One pump was all I need for my face and neck. After that I used a moisturizer and eye cream. In the daytime make sure you are using a good SPF and even better if its in your moisturizer.

Overall,  I really like the serum and the benefits of anti aging for the face and neck. It didn’t sit on the skin and absorbed very well and my face felt moisturized and hydrated. The Valentia Clearlift Revitalizing Serum retails for $35.00 and can be purchased on Amazon.com.

Bubblingwitheleganceandgrace.com purchased the Valentia Clearlft Revitalizing Serum at a discounted price and the opinions are honest and come from the heart.

JTwisdom signature


Top 8 Factors to Consider Before Buying Bollywood Ethnic Wear Online

Most businesses and designers have moved their marketing campaigns online. The main aim of this is to reach a wider market and create a huge online presence. Online shopping is on the growth and therefore, it would seem unreasonable not to have an online shop. As a consumer, you will have to exercise a lot of caution when shopping for clothes or jewelry online. To get the best ethnic wear and jewelry online, consider the following factors:

  1. The genuinity of the designs

There are many replicas in the market for sarees, kurtis, salwar kameez and lehengas. This means that you have to undertake a thorough research about the item s sold before placing your order. Visit other fashion stores online and compare prices of the same items. In some cases, the replicas will be sold at a lower price than the expected average price.

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  1. The store’s license

The number of scammers online is unbelievable and you need to ensure that the store is licensed before you make your purchase. Keenness and patience will tell if a store is licensed or not. You may ask for proof of licensing though this is a long shot.

  1. Publicity

Well known websites and online shops have a positive public presence. They will be easily recommended by different people because of their prior experiences. You may also learn about the brand by checking out the websites highest and lowest reviews. This will give you a general idea into what the company does, how they treat their customers and how they will treat you when you interact with them.

  1. Range of available products

It is easy to trust and purchase sarees from a store with a variety of products. This should be more than just sarees but also Kurtis, Salwar and lehengas. This ensures that you can get an alternative or something new.

Priyanka_Chopra

The ethnic wear should also be from different designers. It is easy to trust a shop that is trusted by some of the biggest Bollywood designers.

  1. Prices of Clothes

Before settling on a shop, compare prices in different shops. Some shops could have clearance sales thus cheaper prices for high quality clothes and jewelry. Others could just be listed high prices due to high mark ups set for their businesses. With a little more research, you will find online cheap Surat sarees.

  1. Shipping policy

Choose to buy from online stores that offer insurance on the shipping. Loss of products accidentally or intentionally will be borne by you and you will go at a loss. Therefore, shop at a store that gives assurance of product delivery within the agreed time period.

  1. Guarantee

You’ve probably worked a lot for your money and when you make a purchase of an item and are dissatisfied, it is worth knowing that your money will be returned in case of misfortunes on the company’s side. A 30-day return policy will give you peace of mind.

  1. Certified Jewelry

Most jewelry shops will sell very valuable pieces of jewelry. You should be given assurance and even see that the jewelry you intend to purchase to accessorize with your saree is certified. Gold and silver or diamonds often get into the wrong hands and you do not want to be on the wrong side of the law after making a purchase.

In conclusion, shopping online has made shopping convenient but for you to enjoy these benefits fully, keep in mind these factors to get great value for your money.

Author Bio
Ms Sheeva Ghandi is an online marketer for Ethnic wear. She has decades of experience on marketing and gives advice on where to buy online cheap Surat sarees at affordable prices. Visit her blog to read about Bollywood replica sarees and online marketing strategies.

9 Exquisite Trends in Men’s wedding bands for 2016 Weddings

After picking a wedding ring for your bride-to-be, it is time to get your ring. You are most definitely considering the normal plain wedding band that your father, godfather, uncles and married buddies don. You don’t have to. Standing out from the rest is a key personality trait and with all the fashion trends in the market, you are also catered for. Below are some of the trends in the market:

  1. Alternative

Shopping for a silver or gold traditional wedding is so overrated. Get a sophisticated black tungsten band to match your athletic nature and the love of the outdoors. Most alternative metals are more durable and scratch resistant. A black tungsten brass feel on the band can be softened with grooved details and polished edges.

Men's wedding ring

Men’s wedding ring

  1. Wood embellishments

Being unique is a great form of expressing your personality. Pure metal can be cliché, especially with the normal silver and gold finishes. Try a titanium wedding band with wood embellishments e.g. black cherry wood. You might make your bride jealous; so ensure that what you bought for her is either as good as or better than yours.

Men’s wedding bands are no longer boring. You can also buy a titanium band with a  barrel wood. This is a purely classic expression of your feelings and preference. Other available varieties include ones with wood oak embellishment or Damascus steel with a  barrel white oak.

  1. Sandblasted wedding bands

This is a lustrous wedding band that will leave an impression. They are durable, non-shine and scratch resistant. They are also hypoallergenic and affordable. Men’s wedding bands should also have some effort put into their design. The value added is invaluable.

  1. Brushed bands

Tired of the shiny finish of gold wedding bands? You can have a brushed one with a smooth finish. This is a new trend where crafters use recycled gold- 14carat- to obtain a finish to die for. You can also find lustrous brushed titanium wedding bands.

  1. Rustic design

There is timeless beauty and timelessness in a manly rustic design. Your house could be designed in a rustic style and now you can complement this by buying a wedding band with a rustic finish. The best can be textured with silver and copper or silver, copper and brass. They are fairly priced.

  1. Modern contemporary designs

To level up with the sophisticated modern designs, men’s wedding rings have been revamped big time and an example is an oxidized sterling silver ring with a black-grey finish. They have to be re-oxidized after some time but they will retain their smoky grey look.

  1. Slim bands

Gone are the days of wearing big uncomfortable bands. Men’s wedding bands have been revolutionized through slim and sleek bands. The types of metals used vary but the most common ones are from bronze and titanium.

  1. Meteorite based

The metals we know of should not limit your options when shopping for a wedding band. Other rare metals have been used in the recent past to make classy and sleek wedding bands. An example is the rare Brenham band over titanium.

  1. Diamonds

Ladies are not the only ones meant to wear diamonds. Men’s wedding bands can also have diamonds in them. For example, using sterling silver and blue diamonds, you can have an incredible wedding band for your man.

In conclusion, once you’ve decided to walk down the aisle, make the day memorable by investing in a trendy wedding band designed with your taste and individuality in mind.