Usher - Lemme See ft. Rick Ross

Candy Coated Beauty

In a nutshell, it seems that the summer beauty scene has been sugar coated—and quite literally. From Louis Vuitton to Chanel, cotton candy pouts and sugar sprinkled cheeks were paraded down the spring 2012 catwalks, making this sweet façade the look du jour for summer.

In honor of this pretty summer trend, I’ve put together 10 of my favorite candy-colored beauty picks along with tips on how to wear each one…

Sweep on a subtly iridescent loose shadow, such as Make Up For EverDiamond Powder in Baby Mauve, for delicately sweet lids. Wear it with a soft pink lip and a fresh face to keep the look wearable for work or play.
Slick some shimmery highlighter over your cheekbones, across your jawline and over your collarbones for a glowy, glistening finish. I like Benefit High Beam.
Gloss on 2012’s hautest yet most refreshing shade: Mint Candy Apple by Essie. I love how unexpected yet insanely chic mint tips look when worn with summer neutrals and bright whites.
Savor your sweet tooth by rocking a candy-colored kisser. Fill in your lips with something like NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil for a sugary-sweet pout. I suggest pairing this lip with long, black lashes and natural face makeup for a Louis Vuitton-like finish.
If rock candy pink isn’t for you, opt for a peach sweet pout by wearing Yves Saint Lauren Volupte Sheer Candy Lipstick in Tangy Mandarine. Peach is a nice, understated way to wear this trend since it works well with most skin tones and can be worn with full or minimal makeup.
Applying a sheer blue shadow along your lower and upper lash lines will make your eyes pop. Sheiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color in Fondant is great for this. When worn with a bold lash and neutral lip, the results are simply stunning.
Pucker up for a sweet but sour glow by sweeping on a luminescent blush such as Sephora Microsmooth Blush Duo in Fuchsia Flushed. Brush it over the apples of your cheeks for a perfectly flushed finish and pair it with a natural matte eye for contrast.
Use a pillow-soft neutral shadow such as Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow in Ivory or White for a smooth, natural base. Wear it with winged liner for a doe-eyed effect and a punchy pink gloss to keep the look interesting.
Let’s face it—Lemonhead lids are tough to pull off. Instead, use a yellow-tinged color correcting eyelid primer to refresh tired or red eyes. BenefitLemon-Aid works well and the sheer pale hue instantly hides any discoloration so you can confidently wear all of summer’s candy-colored shadows without worrying about what lies beneath.
If a bold fuchsia flush intimidates you, try Dior Rosy Glow Healthy Glow Awakening Blush. It gives you that effortlessly natural rosiness that’s perfect for a summer day. This is a great shade that goes with almost every beauty look. Definitely a good investment piece for your beauty kit.

Peanut Butter Banana French Toast

Make a sandwich of peanut butter and banana

Egg mixture:

One whole egg whisked together
2 Tbls juice from fresh orange or ready-made OJ
pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
pinch of cinnamon
pinch of cayenne

Whisk egg mixture together. Dip both sides of sandwich in egg mixture.

Place sandwich in a heated iron skillet or non-stick that has had a small pat of butter melted. Allow to brown for 60 seconds or slightly longer on each side.

For the garnish:

Pour syrup and sprinkle powdered sugar.

Tyga - I'm Gone ft. Big Sean

DIY: 5 Step Facial

Here’s how you can give yourself a lovely at-home facial in just 5 easy steps:

What you will need…

• gentle facial cleanser
• exfoliating scrub
• washcloth
• face mask (clay-based for oily skin, cream or gel mask for dry skin)
• face moisturizer

Instructions

1. Clean. Remove all makeup and then wash your face, neck and ears with a good facial cleanser.
2. Exfoliate. Using your fingers gently rub an exfoliating facial scrub in small circular motions all over your face. Make sure you focus on areas around your nose and forehead. If certain areas of your face are oilier than others, give that section an extra scrub.
3. Steam. There are a few ways to steam your face (over the stove, using a steamer), but the safest way is to do the washcloth trick. Fill your sink with warm water and soak a washcloth in it. Ring out the towel and then press it to your face. Repeat this 2 to 3 times.
4. Mask. If you have oily skin, use a clay mask. For dry skin, I suggest using a hydrating cream or gel mask. Depending on the mask, leave it on for the suggested amount of time and then rinse completely. (DIY Alert: Making your own mask is very easy. An orange and yogurt mask is especially simple. Mix 1 tablespoon of plain Greek yogurt with the juice of about one fourth of an orange. Spread the mixture evenly over your face and rinse after 5 to 10 minutes.)
5. Hydrate. Last by not least, moisturize! Smooth a nice, thick moisturizer over your face and neck.

Nas - Daughters

Summer Beauty Secrets (:

When it comes to facing the sweltering, sticky summer elements, I’ll be the first to admit that my beauty regimen is not so hot on the season’s trying temps. That said, when summertime rolls around I like to pull out a few of my favorite beauty tricks to combat unwanted raccoon eyes and green-tinged post-pool strands.

To keep your face from melting off and your hair from frizzing up, I’ve put together 10 of my favorite beauty tips for you so you can keep your look cool, calm and collected no matter how hot and humid things get…

1. Prime. Use primer to keep your makeup in place throughout the day. It also helps reduce unwanted shine too. Apply it after your SPF and moisturizer and allow it to dry completely before putting on your face makeup.
2. Love liquid. While pencil liners are great, a good waterproof liquid liner won’t smudge or run when things get hot (or wet). This one is my favorite. (I’m wearing it as I type this blog!)
3. Scrub and soothe. Be sure to give those gams a good scrub. And don’t forget your feet too. To get your tootsies sandal ready, give them a scrub in the shower and then slather them with lotion afterward. Next, slip your feet into a pair of cotton socks and hit the hay. When you wake up, your feet will be soft as a baby’s bottom and ready for their close up. 
4. Ditch your dryer (and your bathroom). Since the summer is characteristically a very dry season, it’s a great time to let your strands air-dry. I find that a simple low pony (pulled to the front on one side) is a great fallback, as is a loose side braid. But if you must blow dry your hair, do not do it in the bathroom right after you have showered. The humidity will only make your hair frizzier. For a super sleek summer blowout, head into another (dry) room and dry your hair there.
5. Shave smart. After shaving your legs, use an alcohol-free lotion to avoid razor burn and irritation. 
6. Chill out. It may sound unpleasant, but cold showers are much better for your skin because hot showers leech your skin of its moisture. Hot showers also wreak havoc on dry hair because it opens your hair follicles, causing them to dehydrate. Instead, opt for a lukewarm or tepid shower. At the end of your shower, turn the water to cold to seal your hair follicles and quench your skin. This will make your hair extra shiny and your skin extra smooth. 
7. Don’t go green. To prevent your hair from turning an unpleasant shade of green after a dip in chlorinated water, slater it with oil (it can be baby oil, olive oil, coconut oil etc.). If all else fails, simply rinse your hair with tap water before jumping in. 
8. Lighten up. Since cake-face is never a good look, I like to dilute my cover-up with a little eye cream during the warmer months. It makes this traditionally heavier makeup a bit lighter and sheerer, which is ideal for summer. It’s also a good idea to use less foundation (unless you’re up for risking a serious facial landslide) and preferably one that is silicone-based to prevent smudging and sliding. During the summer, less is more!
9. De-puff. After a day spent in the sun (and possibly drinking margaritas), you will most likely find yourself with a major case of puffy eyes the next morning. To reduce puffiness, slice up a few refrigerated potatoes, soak them in water for a moment or two and then place them over your lids for 15 minutes. Works like a charm. 
10. Go sheer. While I love a great red lip, thicker ‘sticks should be saved for other seasons. During the summer I like to swap out my favorite lipsticks for their sheerer counterparts. Lip-glosses, tints and balms are other summertime favorites for me as well. 

2O12 NBA Championship Winners!!!

The

MIAMI HEAT!!

#AllSmiles on this end!

“It’s about damn time!” Lebron James

Yes, Lebron! It’s about damn time, but you did it!

After almost two years of intense criticism and constant slander, congratulations are finally in order for Lebron James and the entire Miami Heat squad who snagged the Championship title last night after a 121-106 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. For the past two years, since Lebron decided to leave Cleveland to play alongside Dwyane Wade in Miami,  the LJ naysayers did not care, how many points he consistently put up, nor did they care how many MVP trophies he had under his belt. All that mattered was that he snagged a ring, if he wanted to solidify his place amongst greats, and he finally silenced the critics.

Hot or Not?? Cassie & Rihanna’s V&V ‘Guardian Angel’ Gun Bag

I’ve never held a gun before. Never had the desire to…but these bags are kind of dope.  Over the weekend, Cassie posted a photo of herself with the caption, #StopTheViolence, while holding a clutch bag with a gun embossed on the side.   The bag, from Vlieger & Van Dam’s 'Guardian Angel' collection, gives the illusion of the owner being armed.  There are also a few from the collection that have a butcher knife embossed on the side as well as handcuffs. According to Vlieger & Van Dam’s website, the bags narrate the increasing violence and crime in the media, objectifying our addiction to fear.

Trendsetter Rihanna is a huge fan of the ‘Guardian Angel’ collection and has been spotted several times with the ‘handgun’ tote as well as a handcuff clutch.

Check out a few pics

Take It To The Head !!

Mercy - Kanye West

1O1 Fun THINGS To Do

This Summer!!!!

1. Invent a new type of pizza.
2. Make a music video.
3. Grow a tomato or sunflower plant.
4. Walk barefoot through the grass.
5. Build a sandcastle.
6. Have a wet t-shirt relay race.
7. Picnic at a local park.
8. Make the best ice cream sandwich ever.
9. Have an overnight movie marathon.
10. Play frisbee golf.
11. Have a car wash to fundraise for a club or charity.
12. Grab a blanket, spread it out in the grass and cloud watch.
13. Make a card for a friend.
14. Bike five miles.
15. Catch lightning bugs.
16. Eat the Best Banana Split ever.
17. Take a nap under a shade tree.
18. Go swimming.
19. Have a pool party.
20. Play with water balloons.
21. Make a summer tote bag out of a recycled tank top.
22. Soak in the bathtub with homemade summer bath salts.
23. Sketch a flower that is growing in your yard.
24. Bury a friend in the sand.
25. Babysit and make paper airplanes.
26. Volunteer in a community effort.
27. Go fishing.
28. Sleep in your backyard, under the stars.
29. Create a photo journal.
30. Hike a rail trail.
31. Visit the local library and sign up for the summer reading list. You could win something.
32. Swap a favorite book with a friend and read it.
33. Make a friendship bracelet and send it to your friend.
34. Write a poem
35. Write a song.
36. Write a play.
37. Start your novel.
38. Make a website.
39. Give your MySpace/Facebook page a summery look.
40. Friend someone famous on your MySpace/Facebook page.
41. Have an outdoor basketball free-throw contest.
42. Have a watermelon seed spitting contest.
43. Sketch your pet.
44. Make smoothies.
45. Have a high tea, only use iced-teas.
46. Help plan the family vacation.
47. Make a root beer float.
48. Write in your journal, "My Top Ten Favorite Summertime Activities".
49. Make toe ring.
50. Paint your toe nails.
51. Make a barefoot sandal.
52. Make Hawaiian Pizza for your family dinner.
53. Paint your fingernails with bright sparkly polish.
54. Watch the sunrise.
55. Watch the sunset.
56. Get your community’s events list for the summer and attend an event.
57. Have a summer clothes fashion show.
58. Create a summer safety poster for the local library.
59. Volunteer to read to children at the library.
60. Learn to grill a hot dog.
61. Learn to grill a hamburger.
62. Learn to grill pizza crust.
63. Eat some fruit with fruit dip.
64. Make a collage out of old magazines.
65. Swing.
66. Skip stones at a lake.
67. Surf/boogey board at the beach.
68. Get a new hairdo.
69. Change something about how you wear your make-up.
70. Decide to pick up one good habit, then pick which one you’ll do.
71. Make your own popsicles.
72. Watch last year’s hot summer flick.
73. Go to this year’s hot summer flick.
74. Make a list of your favorite summertime movies in your journal.
75. Make a summer sun shaped collage out of summer fashion magazines.
76. Make a leaf t-shirt.
77. Make a earring holder out of a branch.
78. Make peach lemonade.
79. Make a CD of your favorite summertime songs.
80. Enjoy a board game marathon on your backyard picnic table or on your back porch.
81. Have a scavenger hunt.
82. Make some summer jewelry.
83. Change something in or add something to your room.(You could clean it too.)
84. Give your dog/pet a bath outside.
85. Take your dog/pet for a walk.
86. Run through a sprinkler.
87. Make a whirlpool in a kids pool or play Ice Cubes and Piggies Game.
88. Visit a flower garden and/or butterfly house.
89. Grow some lavender so you can make your own potpourri.
90. Turn up the music and dance.
91. Go stargazing.
92. Sleep until noon – once.
93. Tie-dye your bed sheets.
94. See some fireworks.
95. See a local baseball game.
96. Play mini-golf.
97. Learn how to hula-hoop.
98. Create a sidewalk mural with chalk, use a tropical theme.
99. Organize your summer sandals and flip-flops.
100. Visit a college.
101. Plan and enjoy a luau.

IMPROVE YOUR LIFE!

Update your clothes! Refreshing your wardrobe is an expensive task. Not everyone has the funds to run out and purchase enough new clothes to fill your closet. The key to updating the clothes you already have is being creative while adding a few new pieces.

Leggings can refresh any old skirt. They’ll also keep you warm when the weather gets cooler! Pair leggings with a miniskirt and it’s like gaining a whole new outfit. Opt for solid colors so you can rotate them more often—you don’t want to be known as the girl who wears her striped leggings every week.

Open-toed wedges don’t need to be packed away with your bathing suits. Buy opaque tights or knee highs to keep your legs warm and you’ll emanate ‘80’s glam. Stock up on chunky bead necklaces and bangles. This will dress up less than exciting outfits.

Update your relationships! Are you in a toxic relationship with a guy? If you’re dating someone who isn’t nice, doesn’t appreciate you, or doesn’t respect you—drop him. You deserve to be with someone who makes you feel happy and warm inside. Dating someone who makes you feel any less than that is not worth your time. You have probably had the same conversations over and over about making your relationship better. Both of you always promise to try harder, but you never do! If you’re not both working at this relationship, then your hearts aren’t in it. Tell your guy that things just aren’t working out and move on.

Update your period! Still using the same type of tampon since the day you got your first period? It’s may be time for a change. Try Tampax Pearl. Tampax Pearl tampons were designed with women in mind. With details like the absorbent core and Built-in Backup™ Braid, and the original Anti-Slip Grip™, it’s Our Best Protection Ever. Tampax Pearl is so comfortable, you’ll think, “Period? What period?”

 
Update your schoolwork! Were your grades less than perfect last year? The beginning of a new school year is the perfect time to start over! Cut down on the time you spend each night chatting with your friends and devote that extra time to your schoolwork! It’ll be hard at first, but getting better grades and being prepared everyday will make you feel like a superstar! Having trouble in a specific class? Ask your teacher for help! That’s what they’re there for! Most teachers keep after school hours where you can get extra help. Stay a little late to get the help you need. Teachers would rather you ask for help than have you struggle!

Male a list of all the aspects of your life that you’d like to update. And then get to work!

Nicki Minaj - Right By My Side ft. Chris Brown