Dress Yourself Thinner! Get your measurements

Did you know that you can look 10 lbs. thinner by simply dressing yourself? Everyone has a particular body type that they can relate to. Learning the basic rules for your body type will help you dress better, look taller and thinner just by applying them. Ask yourself these questions: Where do I gain weight first? What area of my body is the widest? What are my basic measurements (hips, bust, height)? Also measure your arm length from shoulder to wrist and your leg length from top of the thigh to knee and knee to ankle.

Gather all of this information and the next post will discuss the various body types and you can determine which one is closest to your body. Tips on dressing accordingly to follow!

At Home Spa: Natural Skin Brightening Treatments

I am officially on vacation and headed to the spa for a facial but before I go, I wanted to share with you some amazing home-remedies that you can do anywhere and anytime. These recipes are all very easy to make and can enhance any bubble bath or face regimen that you may already have. The best part is that they are all natural and non-toxic. Sugariffic!

Skin Brightener: Papaya, Pumpkin and Pineapple Face Mask
I started getting dark spots on my skin last year as a result of using a luminizer on my cheeks. This year, I have more spots and my skin tone has become very uneven and people are starting to notice. Yikes! I found this natural skin brightening recipe that will help lighten skin and help reduce the appearance of acne scars.

Combine 3 Tablespoons of each Pineapple, Green Papaya and Pumpkin in an blender and mix until a liquid. Mix 1/2 cup of that juice with a pack of unflavored gelatin and bring to a boil to dissolve. Let cool until comfortable to the touch. Apply mixture to the face and decollete and relax for 20 minutes. Peel off. This mixture can be refrigerated up to three days.

Alternative: Oatmeal and Lemon Skin Whitener
Bring 1cup of cold water to a boil. Add 1/2 cup of oats and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Add lemon juice and stir. When mixture comes to a simmer turn off the heat and let mixture stand for 20 minutes or until cool stirring occasionally. After it is cool, apply to skin and relax for 20 minutes. Rinse and apply regular moisturizer. Note*** If you use regular oats vs. quick oats, you will want to blend the oats before cooking to reduce the size.
 
Recipes are compliments of www.lookbeauty.com, Homemade Natural Skin Whitening Remedies.

Cute Spring Fashion Finds Under $50!

I found a few great pieces for you!  All of them are under $50 each and are perfect for the spring and summer seasons. Add them to your collection and you will be fashion forward without breaking the bank!

These cute, versatile J Crew Chino Shorts are a great piece for all of your lazy summer days. Pictured on the left, they are available in three different lengths: 3", 5" and 7". They are $42.00 but are currently on sale for $29.99 and come in multiple colors. Check them out at www.jcrew.com


Target Trench: This is the real deal steal of the day...the Coffee Shop Belted Twill Long Trench for only $39.00! It is available online and in select Target stores. The one review that was available stated that it is not waterproof so you may want to spray it first. It has a nice high collar to block chilly spring winds and is fitted at the wait with the belt creating an hour glass shape. www.target.com

Victoria Secret's Shell Halter Bra Top Dress is seemingly effortless and a great outfit for an island dinner or any other HOT summer event. This simple yet seriously sexy dress (pictured left) is available at www.victoriassecret.com for $48. Right now it is on sale for $39 if you want to save a few bucks. You may be able to find some great accessories as well. I would stack my arm with gold bangles of all shapes and find some great earrings that are long and luxurious.

BCBG Maxazria's Fashion For Haiti Tee Shirt (pictured on right) is not only supporting a great cause but duals as a fun layering piece that is bound to strike up conversations. Consider it the new coffee table book but but wearable. www.bcbg.com H.O.T for cause!

I love this swimsuit! It is bright and summery with numerous colors and a fun pattern. I found it on Delias website. There are different styles for the tops and bottoms but these were my faves. The top is called the Ruched Bandeau and the bottom is called Ruched Hipster each are $29.50. Don't forget to wear sunscreen.

To make things even cooler, I found this lovely blog by FashionAddict with ENTIRE outfits under $50!! The page is called Fashion for the Economically Challenged: Style for the rest of us. Check her out! She has great style and shares all of her finds as well as photos of her outfits.


Photos are from the following websites: www.jcrew.com, www.target.com, www.victoriassecret.com, www.bcbg.com, and www.delias.com

Yogurt: The New Coca Cola? Alarming Sugar Levels

You all know that I get really fired up over food and what we feed our kids. The article below will BOGGLE YOUR MIND. Let me ask you this: Would you give your child soda for dinner? Would you feed them ice cream for breakfast? Would you eat 14 sugar cubes in the middle of the day just because it's trendy? Chances are extremely high that you have said NO to these inquiries.

Now, riddle me this. Why would you give your child a yogurt for breakfast when it is has more sugar than a Krispy Creme glazed donut and a serving of ice cream combined? In the same day, you casually stroll into Starbucks to get yourself a grande vanilla frappuchino and your kid an "Odwalla Superfood drink". Superfood sounds really healthy and looks healthy because it's some gross green color but in fact has more sugar than a can of coke and a Krispy Cream glazed donut combined.  Not to mention the sugar laden frappuccino that you just ingested which accounts for both of those and then some. Hmmmm....a marketer told you that it was healthy... YIKES! Marketers are playing on the ignorance of the public and unfortunately it is working.

This is where the article below comes in handy. There are numerous foods on the market today that are making us fat. Why? Partly due to the high sugar content. Understand that you can still have convenient foods without the dangers of these chemically altered ingredients. It is as simple as educating yourself on what ingredients really are and the body's reaction to each.

My friend Sara posted an article on Facebook today that was written around this woman's findings and I had to share it. The author, Darya Pino, is a local Bay Area foodie who is a scientist, advocate and writer. She has a great blog called Summer Tomato which includes recipes, market reviews, tips, science and much more. I highly suggest that you visit her blog, become a fan on FB, request a copy of her guide: How To Get Started Eating Healthy and learn everything you can from her because she is a GENIUS.

Darya Pino's Info:
Blog: http://summertomato.com/
Article: Shocking: Sugar Content of Common Food Products

The Face Behind the Name: Meet Chantelle!

Meet our newest professional and Sugar Lips Lifestyle Tips go-to Make-up Artist, Chantelle!  I introduced you to her work last week with a live smokey eye make-up demo on my page. She has been in the beauty and fashion industry for over ten years. Beginning her career with MAC Cosmetics, she has been professionally trained for six years and has transformed many faces. She can answer any questions that you may have regarding creating the perfect look for any occasion. Welcome Chantelle!

Closet Basics: 10 pieces for a versatile professional wardrobe

Spring has sprung and revamping our wardrobes is inevitable. My sister is entering a new profession and she asked for tips on classic pieces to enhance her wardrobe. Having versatile pieces in your closet can help you make your dollar stretch further as well as give you a polished look. Here are my picks for a professional spring wardrobe. 
 

Trench Coat:  Everyone needs a great trench coat in the spring. Mornings are chilly and this can complete your look.

Slacks: Every woman should have a great pair of form fitting slacks. The length should be adjusted according to the shoes that you are wearing. You don't want pants that drag on the ground or ones that are too short unless you are Audrey Hepburn and in that case it's fine. If you find a pair that you absolutely love, buy two and have one tailored for flats. I caution you to avoid slacks with cuffs on the leg, they tend to shorten your legs and make you look stumpy.

Day Dress: Adding a fun day dress to your collection can add some flirty fun without being too casual. It can be layered for work or worn alone for a summer BBQ.

Black Dress: This is a classic piece that should remain basic yet sophisticated. We all have a wedding or two every summer and this is the perfect selection for any elegant affair. You can also layer it with a sweater or blazer and wear it to work for a professional presentation.

Skirt: A well tailored skirt is a great way to get noticed. It is clean and can be A-line, pencil, gathered, high-waisted etc. Choose a basic color (black, tan, grey) so it can be mixed and matched with numerous other pieces.

Classic Shirt: A classic collar is so sharp! Crisp and bright, this piece is a statement and a great palette for beautiful accessories. Choose one that has great structure and requires minimum maintenance. I like Banana Republic's "No Iron" fitted shirts.

Sweater: I also like a cardigan or layering sweater in my collection. In my opinion, this is the key to versatility as you can layer any look with it. I like to add a skinny belt at the waist to keep this style from looking too bulky.

Classic Black Pump: This goes with everything and always looks sharp. When in a work environment, a 1-2 inch heel is appropriate and will help save your legs from spider veins.

Blazer: Choose a fit that accentuates your body type. This should also be in a basic color and can be worn with pants to create a suit, a skirt for a skirt suit or over the little black dress or your day dress as well. I particularly like this with jeans on a day off to sharpen my look.

Top with Color: With all of your basic colors for your mix and match pieces, I love to throw in a bit of color. In the spirit of spring, I like something bright but not too loud. I prefer a silk or soft material to keep it flirty.   


Here are some additional pieces that can enhance your look without breaking the bank.

Trendy Splurge: A hot shoe

Handbag: Get one great nuetral colored handbag to complete your look. This can be used for work and play.
Belt: A skinny belt is essential to accent your waistline, or create one.

If you need additional help, please feel free to email me at sugarlipslifestyletips@gmail.com


All photos were found overstock.com,  Piperlime.com and  Bananarepublic.com

"I'm not going to cook you a lettuce": Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

Read this and pass it on to everyone that you know. I want you all to take away one message: It's time for change and it starts with you, today.

I love Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution show. If you haven't seen this yet, follow this link and watch it: ABC.com It is a real eye opener for all and you will see why I chose this title after watching the first episode.

The premise of this show is to educate people on what it means to "eat right" and to develop the palates of children by changing their current eating habits.  Jamie Oliver is attempting to open the eyes of educators, parents and the government to help develop better food programs in our school systems. He considers budget, availability and preparation. This is a powerful movement and one that I am VERY passionate about...French fries are NOT a vegetable.

I believe with all of my heart that if people really knew what they were consuming and/or feeding our children, they would not do it. A big reason that I started blogging was to help those I love eat better one change at a time. I am absolutely appalled by the school systems in this country and what they are feeding our kids. There is a significant age difference between myself and my little brother and I was disgusted by his hot lunch menu in 2000. Now in 2010, things have not changed but in fact are worse.

The food choices provided in our school systems are a serious health risk and with diabetes and obesity on the rise, we can not compromise on what we choose for our families to consume. Please take a moment to consider these shocking statistics from the American Diabetes Association website:

• 23.6 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes
• Almost one in every 400 to 600 children and adolescents has type 1 diabetes
• 2 million adolescents (or 1 in 6 overweight adolescents) aged 12-19 have pre-diabetes

 
Although Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution is a large scale movement, change starts small with each choice we make. Understand that transition begins with small changes; overwhelming yourself and your family with a lifestyle overhaul is unrealistic and setting yourself up for failure. I have included tips below to help you get on the right track and I am always available to discuss this topic further. Email me anytime at sugarlipslifestyletips@gmail.com

• Eat fresh: Stop buying prepackaged dinners, frozen meals and boxed meals
• Use fresh herbs and spices: Incorporate fresh flavor into each dish. You can grow your own or buy them from your local market.You will be amazed at the difference!
• Eat less meat: Swap out two meals a week with all veggie dishes. Be creative. My favorite is fresh tomatoes and chopped basil cooked in garlic infused olive oil over pasta with freshly grated Parmesan.
• Eat when you are hungry: Going too long in between meals can increase your insulin levels and cause your body to hold on to fat. Snacking in moderation with healthy fresh choices such as an apple with peanut butter or an oz. of almonds can help lead to weight loss.

Good luck and start changing today!
Cyn

Follow your heart-Experience your dreams: A Tribute to Rachel and Dan

I have recently experienced a crude lesson in my career and as a result, I have taken time to reflect on where my life is going and what I really want. Is there balance when it comes to monetary benefits and quality of life? Or must one compromise one for the other and where is the threshold?

Two of my friends are currently living their dreams as we speak across the country and across an ocean. This post is dedicated to each of them for honoring their hearts and living the dream. Here is an introduction to the two I admire most.

In 1993 I was introduced to a spunky, beautiful, curly haired brunette named Rachel. She was everything you wish you could be as a high school girl. She was smart, independent, sexy and had a sweet car. She lived one neighborhood over and had the world at her fingertips.

Over the years, she had become even more successful opening her own design studio, completing her master's and networking as only the professionals do. Last year, she packed a bag and a bag for her son and left to live in Europe for a while. She wanted to teach him a true life lesson by experiencing the places that he has only read about in books first hand. She went to study European architecture, history and to write a book about her experience. 

My second favorite person came into my life in 2001. I was the president of the local AIGA chapter at UWW and was trying to network my members with the best ad execs in Chicago through the CAF Career Day. I was walking into a seminar after it had begun and Dan was at the door to greet me. He asked me to wait until the interim and he would show me to my seat. Later I learned that he was Alumni and had strong connections to the University so we joined him for drinks after the conference and our friendship was born. To this day, Dan has visited me in every city that I have lived in. This year he is traveling the perimeter of the US on his Harley in memory of his best friend, Ethan Willoughby.

Both of Rachel and Dan are eloquent writers and great photographers; I encourage you to visit their sites for inspiration. They have influenced me throughout my entire life and I am honored to be a part of their journey.

Rachel's page: http://rachelcorrine.com/
Dan's page: http://ridetheedge.blogspot.com/

Travel safely and I love you both.
Cyn

First Live Demo!! Smokey Eyes With Color by Chantelle

Chantelle does a live demo to show you just how the professionals do it. Often times we don't get the full explanation so she has given us a very detailed demo to help all of you!

Click here to see the live demo  on You Tube - Smokey Eye with Color with Chantelle