Life!

Trying to hang in there? I am too.

These days into months have not been easy for us. I’ve been keeping busy with my work and lost in our pandemic life. (Sorry I have not posted a blog lately.)

But we’ve got to keep moving, keep going, keep working,keep dreaming and keep taking care of each other and our families.

And above all continue to take care of ourselves even if it is doing it ourselves until we can see a PRO and visit the spa or salon again. I have been able to see my stylist for my haircuts unlike many of you across the country and globe. Wonderful!

Nothing like a fresh haircut and someone else shampooing your hair.

Am I right?

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TRY A New mani & pedi nail color!

Missing a trip to the SPAaah!

I long for a real mani & pedi!!

I so want a facial! (And not one I do myself)

I want to fly ANYWHERE or travel out of the country again!

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I want to work again on the road and continue to spread beauty and love all around the country again! I want to pamper my clients and wrap my arms around them again.

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I long to eat at some of my fave local places and around the country safely again!

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I want to see the faces of my sisters and feels their hugs and LOVE in person again! There is nothing like A HEALTHY dose of love from your family.

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How about you?

What are you doing to take care of you?

How are you?

What are you looking forward to once the world heals better soon?

International Kissing 💋Day!

I couldn’t let this day getaway until I reminded you … it was all about kissing and spreading love ❤️ today!

And if you want softer lips. Check out…

How did you spend this day?

Brown & Black Girl Beauty!

I love ❤️ ALL my clients and those who are girls of color too. So, I thought you’d like to learn some tips for a pretty awesome complexion,makeup and hair.This post addresses three beauty issues.

Since I am Eurasian I usually mix two foundation colors to create my look. Same is true for women of color.

Things have changed in the world of beauty with beauty brands like Fenty Beauty and other brands you can find a foundation. But at times or if you’re a mixed chick like me or not sometimes you’ll find foundation for you may be too pink, too pale, too red… so you’ll look better if you play chemist and mix two. It’s fun actually.

Mixing one foundation from a brand and a few dots of another brands color you will look even more even toned. That’s the goal… Right?

For applying foundation I like to use my Makeup Magic Wand sponge on a stick damp with a dash of water. This way it spreads easier and you can sheer the colors out as you give them a whirl.

I apply a lighter color on the inner part of the face and a darker on the edges, forehead and chin. Black or brown skin is usually two-toned. So I have learned to play with makeup and mix.

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For feet, soft elbows and knees I highly recommend one of Oprah’s favorites.

Farmhouse Fresh Honey 🍯 Heel Glaze. It has an aromatic scent with hydrating loveliness that takes away an ashy look to your soles,toes, elbows and knees. It smells like grandma baked an awesome pie! Instant soft skin gratification. Beyond yum!

As for the eyes. I show my clients how to create a one color all over the lid look with a highlighter. Or how to apply several shades of  highlighters …all over the lid. Champagne, gold, copper… and at the outer corner a smidge of a deeper matte shade to pull it all together for even more definition.

As for hair I recommend what clients tell me they use for a hair hydrating treatment it is Clarified Butter. Yes, a spa hair treatment awaits you at the grocery store. You just need to go buy it. Do this once a week and leave on at least 20 minutes. Your hair will say… Thank You!!

My clients teach me and I teach them. Caring is sharing!I hope you’ve enjoyed my tips and tricks!

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Make Mom Happy!

If you’re on a budget and you want to show mom some love ❤️ today. Here are a few ideas you can gift 🎁 her today!

*If she’s away from you mail her something with a love note.

Even better than a card. Nothing like an old school love ❤️ letter to your one and only MOM!

❤️Calling and saying I love you is priceless and will last in her memory a lifetime. Really!

❤️Colorful flowers 💐 are lovely but a plant will last a lot longer! Choose ivy, 🍃 aloe, rosemary. Every time she looks at them grow she will be reminded of you!

❤️ Give her a relaxing foot massage. Use sunflower oil or coconut oil and add a few drops of lavender or rose 🌹 essential oil.

❤️ Drop off a bag of her favorite cookies 🍪

❤️Give her a bottle of her fave wine 🍷 Or even a few cans of exotic 🍺 beer.

❤️A bag of Hershey’s Kisses says I love you and sends kisses too!

❤️Run a bubble bath 🛀 for her bubbles and all! Add some Epsom salts for ultimate muscle relaxation. It’s like a cheap massage in a tub! So relaxing to the nerves. Especially in the midst of this pandemic.

❤️ Make her a face mask… wearing facial covers and 😷 face masks are rough on the skin on our face. All you need is: 1 cup of natural Greek yogurt and 1/2 cup of oats.

Blend the oatmeal and yogurt together.

Mix well and place in a jam jar. Or a jar that you can recycle that has a large mouth for scooping the product out.

This mask is great for normal to dry to sensitive skin. give her instructions. Tie a bow and a small spoon for scooping out. She needs to leave on at least 10 minutes. Rinses off with warm water 💦 and a washcloth.

❤️Buy your mom a few of her fave magazines. Or buy a years subscription. Fashion, food, beauty or wellness. She’s bound to love anyone you choose.

❤️ A book 📚 is another great choice!

As you can see these are all SIMPLE ideas but ones she will love ❤️ and they are so useful too!

These are great ideas for a glamma or auntie or godmother too! Whoever you want to celebrate this Mothers Day… do it in your own loving way. Life is short and sweet. We’re not promised tomorrow so celebrate 🎉 all things mom today.

If you’re like me and your mom is no longer with you. Talk to her and let her know how you feel. She’s listening.

Blessings 🙏 to all you moms all over the world 🌎! YOU rock and are yet another essential worker on the universe!

 

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

👄Don’t forget to wear a gorgeous lipstick 💄 today!

👄Sprinkle Kindness wherever you go today.

👄 Tell people you love ❤️ that you love them. Remind them. Don’t assume.

👄 Hug a stranger at Starbucks or CVS today. Ask them with a smile first. You never know who may need one.

👄 But some donuts 🍩 and share with the office today.

👄Buy yourself a bouquet 💐 of flowers or a single rose. TOMORROW or Sunday when they will be cheaper!

👄 Treat Yourself to something today. Be your own Valentine.

👄 Get your kiss 💋 on!

Have a beautiful day wherever you live!

Nailed It!

The latest trend that snuk up on me is one a client told me about! I just had a nail party with my fingers and toes in my hotel room with a thing called Nail Strips. The Brand name is Color Street nails. What fun!

Here are the deets:

Dry Nail Polish Strips 💅 Who Knew?

💯Real nail Polish

No dry time, no smudges or streaks!

They come in glitter,solid hues and fun nail art designs too. Also available for pedicures.

They are like applying a sticker.

Lasts up to 10 days!

Removes easy with nail polish remover. Preferably with moisturizers.

My absolute favorite is “Tokyo Lights” which is like a rose gold on steroids. So sparkling and gorgeous! I also am in love with Charmed and Dangerous which is a lip 💋 theme and pink polish nail strip. So ME!

It took a 5 minute learning curve for me.😜 But I did it and it was so fast and pure fun!!!

I hope one day you’ll explore and get all dolled up with them!

Application video on:Bewitched Nail Magic.com and to learn more!

PS

Another friend test drove them and shared with me it does not come off easily. She just birthed twins a few months and has a  toddler too.She said it lasted with diaper changing,washing hands,cooking cleaning,bathing …SHE was amazed at the superior performance and the gorgeous hues they come in.

 

Inhale the new and …

Say “Goodbye” to last year too.

Moving forward …

Open your mind and embrace new ideas and mindful rituals. Create a space in your home (your own little sanctuary) and keep a little something on your work desk that will assist with mindful wellness.

You can even take a little something like a crystal with you in your travels ✈️ too!

Healing Harmonies…I love the music 🎶 from David Young. My fave is “Bliss” and George Skaroulis CD 💿 named Sanctuary. Take time to listen to calming music and just breathe. Use music to relax or to mediate or do yoga with.

Crystals are mined from the earth and they can offer some intentional light or meaning in our life too.

Each stone does a different thing and has meaning and a mood. Here are some you need to know about.

Pink Rose quartz is a LOVE 💕 stone.

Agate is a stone for good health.

Green Jade is for luck and prosperity.

Clear crystals are for clarity of the mind.

Amethyst’s are the Happiness stone.

Crystals can be very empowering.

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Add some incense, burning sage and Palo Santo which is also known as a “Holy Stick” to your life.

Palo Santo has a sweet scent of pine, lemon and mint. You may also use sage as well. It is also used for a deep meditative state. You light it and let it burn. You may use it and move with it from room to room. When done. Blow it out. Wet the ember tip a bit and place in a 🔥 fire proof dish. Be cautious when using sage or Palo Santo and incense.

FYI

Palo Santo is harvested from natural fallen trees.

Smudging is the ritual of cleansing a physical space, an object or a person.

Great for the spiritual, detoxifying properties, cleansing and clearing the air of a physical space of negative energy.

 Will not upset pets or people with allergies. Also they say it is great to kill bacteria after a illness or the flu.

Wellness is not just about what you eat. It is also about what you feed your mind. Check out some new things online and there are plenty of books 📚 you can explore on these modalities too.

Start fresh in this new year and take time to smell the incense and just be.

 

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I love you Chicago again and again!

I traveled to Chicago recently but it wasn’t long enough! Although I travel ✈️ there often. I never get tired of exploring new places and visiting some of my fave places too.

Here are a few highlights from my trip.

I love staying at the W hotel on the lake and I also love to stay at the iconic Palmer House. But this time I stayed with my husband at the Residence Inn 700 in the Loop. What a beautiful stay! Such cozy Suites with fabulous beddings and a kitchen with a dishwasher, huge refrigerator and mini loft bing room space area.

I discovered a beautiful church around the in corner in a section they call the Loop. I fell 😍 love! I attended several masses and services. A gem 💎 in the heart of downtown. Run by Franciscan friars.

I love shopping the magnificent Michigan Avenue. AKA the Miracle Mile …

So many shops so little time! One of my fave fashion shops is called Akira. Also since I love 💕 all things fun I shop at Riley Rose!

Food glorious food is another thrill in Chicago! I never get tired of their hot dogs, donuts and dim sum in Chinatown! Oh and this time I discovered a real chocolate filled bao delight! Warm and fluffy and so delicious.

I so wanted to go for a spa day but after doing everything else no time left.

Have you been to Chicago? Lately? Do share.

Vegan LOVE

Gluten Free COOKIES!

I so LOVE CANDY…That is why I named my blog Beauty Candy. I also love a good cookie. A friend of mine shared this recipe with me and I am going to make them as soon as I get the three easy ingredients. I have been on the road for beauty so much I am starving my husband according to him as I have not grocery shopped much lately. He eats sardines and clam sauce pasta as meals when I travel. Kinda crazy!

So, I am going to make him so home-cooked meals and cookies!

1 egg

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of peanut butter (substitute almond butter for peanut if you want)

Pre-heat oven 375 F.

Grease a cookie sheet.

Place in a bowl all of the above. Drop with a cookie scoop little rounds. Flatten with a fork. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until a slight golden look and center settles in.

Cool cookies on wire rack.

She said before she knew it they were all gone and so was a gallon of milk. Yum!

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IF you’re a MOM…

Happy Mother’s Day!

While I’m not a mom but was sort of a mom to my twin when my mother passed away. I could never take the place of my mother but I did my best.

My twin was born with Down Syndrome so he needed even more love and TLC attention.

I hope all of you awesome moms had a glorious day filled with family and lots of LOVE!