Glowing Winter Skin 2014

Hello Friends!


Today I just wanted to talk about what you can do to keep you skin radiant and moisturized this winter. My mother instilled the practice of good skin care throughout my life. I feel it's my job to pass my knowledge on to others.  As I get older I noticed my skin isn't as firm and looking soft as a baby's bottom. I noticed when I wear my sweaters, I have a problem with itching my skin and even scratching to the point of leaving little scratches. In order to prevent the scratchiness, wear another thin layer underneath a sweater.

So I thought I would give you some ideas of what I have tried and want to try in the future. I heard layering your daily serum with a moistizer keeps the serum's ingredients penetrated onto the skin. I use Bobbi Brown's day moisturizer on my face. I want to try putting the L'oreal Age Perfect serum on before my moisturizer to leave my skin feeling super soft. My Bobbi Brown Nightime moisturizer works wonders in the winter. It's a thick cream for my dry skin. I did receive a sample of Philosophy's Hope in a Jar Night Cream so I'm testing this one as we speak. Whatever moisturizer you choose, anything is helpful for the winter days. Remember an SPF for daytime!

I recently read by taking a flaxseed oil supplement can hydrate and help prevent future wrinkles. Look for 1,000 milligram pill form. Flaxseed has a source of omega 3's and your skin uses this to produce its own moisturizing oils.

Using a steamer for you face is also a great way to hydrate the skin. No need to go buy a facial steamer, just boil a pot of water and wait for the steam to rise. Be careful! It can get hot! Use precaution and common sense.

Make sure to exfoliate your skin. I have have been using Neutrogena liquid cleanser and then I add Bobbi Brown's Buffer Gains for the face. Exfoliating your face takes off the dry skin cells that we all accumulate during the winter months. Do this once a week.

Keep the bathroom door closed after your done showering and slather on a good moisturizer just before you dry off. This keeps your skin nice and hydrated. A good shower oil will do wonders. Even Johnson and Johnson baby oil! Just be careful you don't slip getting out of the shower.  Use Caution! It's super slick. The steam from the shower is always good for your skin. Bronzers  don't look natural in the winter. I would like to try the Chanel illuminating powder as a touch of glow and go for the face.

Those are just a few pointers I wanted to share if you suffer from dry skin and want a radiant glow. Sparkle and glow like a snowflake!

Sunday Funday Brunch: French Crepes

Good Day Everyone!


I hope your having a fabulous weekend! I wanted to give you a recipe I made for my husband last weekend. I had no idea I could make crepes! These little French pancakes are so tasty! I really enjoyed them because they are not as filling as a whole pancake. They are incredibly thin and it's fun to throw some fresh fruit or mismatch certain toppings.

Surprisingly, I didn't burn the kitchen down. I was really proud of my newly acquired French cooking skills. I am really starting to love cooking different things in the kitchen. Here is the recipe and some pictures I took of a delicious Sunday brunch plate!


Vanilla Crepes Recipe:

• 2 cups milk
• 1 and 1/3 cup flour
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Nutella, and or peanut butter
• Bananas
• Strawberries 
• Blackberries

Mix the egg, milk and vanilla together in a medium bowl. Set aside. Next mix the flour, sugar, salt, and melted butter together.  I used my Kitchen Aid on medium speed.  Heat oil in large frying pan turn to med heat.  Add the egg mixture into the bowl and mix again until well blended.

Cut up your fresh fruit. You can add any kind of fruit. I used strawberries and bananas. Set the fruit aside and pour the mixture into the pan. Pour slowly. The mixture is thin, so you need to move the pan around to gain a thin surface around the pan. It looks similar to a pancake when it starts to look ready to flip. Usually you see the edges getting hard and bubbles in the center start to form. Flip a few times until a bit brown.

Make a few crepes and set them each flat on a plate. Fill with Nutella or peanut butter. Drop you fresh fruit around the plate. If you want a light drizzle of chocolate, warm up a little Nutella and add a bit of milk 1/4 cup or less and mix together. It creates a light drizzle of chocolate.

This little brunch dish is délectable with espresso! 

Chanel Pre-Fall Show 2014/15 Blanc et Noir

Hello Friends!


Today I wanted to talk to you about my weekly find. I was so happy Harper's Bazaar featured their traditional colors of black and cream. I was waiting for one of my great girlfriends at Penn Station.  I was so happy to see her little smiling face!  As I was waiting for her train to come in, I thought I would use my time wisely and strolled down the street into the 34th Street Macy's.

As I move to and fro against the wave of the busy crowd, I made my way into a very large freight elevator filled to the brim with people with their bags of gifts nestled inside. We stopped at every floor and unto my surprise, I needed the fifth floor. Now, I usually would take the stairs or an escalator in busy times like these, but this was my first time in this colossal store.

I wound up getting pushed out and walked around aimlessly waiting for time to pass by. I was wearing black that day, and as I was leaving, a little tweed long cream jacket caught my eye. I tried it on, took it off, tried it on and took it off again. I then decided to look at the price tag. Wow, what a deal! And it looks like Chanel. I love black and white together. Such a stark contrast between these colors. The cream somehow popped with sophistication and awe.

Today, as I'm scrolling my newsfeed and noticed Chanel recently had a show in Salzburg, Austria for Fall 2014/15.  Of course they bring back the classic black and cream ensemble. Cara Delevigne and Kendall Jenner really take this style to a whole new level. Although, it did remind me of a fashion forward Victorian era, I could see where it was going. I love the idea of a black bow  ribbon in your hair!

I was so happy to see my best girlfriend for dinner and drinks at Rock Center Cafe. That is the best place to watch all the ice skating action. We also saw the Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday window displays and walked into St. Patricks Cathedral in its newly renovated stages. I miss my friend, but we will meet again!

If I look sick in these photos, it's because I am! It's cold season. Sniff, Sniff! Below you can see what I wore and our adventures in the city:

Chanel Fall 2015:

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/paris-salzburg-chanel-pre-fall-2015-heads-to-austria?click=main_sr#slide-1

Chanel Video Inspiration:

http://youtu.be/wO4-TV6Zckc

Giving Thanks, What I'm Thankful For This Thanksgiving 2014

Hello Readers!

I thought I would take a moment and just write down some of my thoughts for today. It's almost Thanksgiving and this week has been long, tiresome, but also full of life! I am thankful that I get to share with you my ideas, and inspirations I write each week. No, I don't have enough time to fully devote my time to a writing career. But, that's ok! I like writing in my free time. It gives me a creative outlet into my hobbies and my passion for style and imagination.

As I see some of these fashion blogs out there, I conclude they must spend a ton of time and money on marketing and photography and spend lots of time getting ready. I don't have a professional photographer at my fingertips catching every picture perfect Pinterest snap. Wow, that would be really either incredibly expensive, or I would have to ask my husband to take glamour shots of me. Don't get me wrong, He loves me, but I don't think he signed up for that:) I'm not a fan of spending hours in my bathroom trying to look FLAWLESS. 45 to and hour, -if it's a special occasion, -tops or else I get sick of looking at myself. In the words of Beyoncé " I just woke up like this".

 All Kidding aside- you'll just have to take little old me trying to take a quick silly selfie, a snap of something I find interesting, or even settle on a Pinterest image as I try to look for pictures that inspire.

I really do enjoy photography, it's very time consuming, and I don't have all that much time in a day. When I do get to make good use of my high resolution camera, I will post them up for the world to see.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, if I can take you into a world that uplifts you or makes you feel inspired, well I guess I'm doing my job! This Thanksgiving I'm Thankful for my friends and family, my husband, our happy home, and writing to people who stay positive and  inspired. How's that for FLAWLESS?


Happy Thanksgiving!

Winter Style 2014: Don the Winter White

Hello Friends!


Today I thought I would share with you my curiosity with the color white this winter. I would have NEVER even thought of wearing a pair of white pants after Labor Day. Since I've lived in the city, I've learned that some rules are meant to be broken.

A little "risqué" you might add.

The color white looks so elegant on. Women waiting their whole lives for that special wedding day don the purest of white shades. Since my wedding day has come and gone, I thought, why not take full advantage and wear a little white. It's not snowing in New York yet, so I'm not waiting for the snow to accessorize with this color. Before I did, I wanted to consult Vogue and make sure that I wouldn't be the laughing stock of the town. Beyonce's sisters entourage showed this color tastefully.

So, I went out and this is what I wore:

Baby, it's cold outside!


Vanity Fair:

http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/2014/11/beyonce-saved-solange-wedding

Vogue:

http://www.vogue.com/4598559/white-pants-kim-kardashian-anne-hathaway/


Harpers:
http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-articles/fall-2014-celebrity-jeans-trends-11#slide-1

Kristen's Killer Krispy Kale Chips

Hello Friends!

Today I thought I would share with you my snack I love! It's Kale chips! Some of you are wondering how good these so called vegetable chips may be. You really must try some. Not only are they delicious, they are super easy to make! Some stores sell these chips extremely high. You would be surprised that you can make them in minutes with a few spices and olive oil.

Kale is full of  vitamins A, C, and K. Consuming Kale on a regular basis can help improve diabetes and supports heart health.  Kale also helps in digestion, bone health and healthy skin and hair health. Kale also helps guard against cancer.

Here is a yummy treat to try. Forget the store preserved high end chips, you can make them in minutes.


Kristen's Killer Kale Chips:

1. 1 package of Organic Green Kale
2. 2 Tbsp. olive Oil
3. A couple pinches of sea salt
4.  1 Tsp. Cayenne pepper
5. 1 Tsp. Garlic Powder

Wash Kale and lay out to dry. Sprinkle all seasoning on kale and olive oil in a bowl. Mix until blended. Preheat oven to 350. Bake 10-15 minutes or until crispy. Serve.

Cold, Flu and Ebola Season?

Hello Friends!

This morning was the first symptom of the sniffles. I couldn't tell if it's allergies, the beginning of the cold, flu, or some other scary term we all are fretting about. The media instills fear in each American with minute to minute updates on the latest Ebola news.

It's great to be informed and aware, but I feel like it can be a little much sometimes. It is not the zombie apocalypse as many of you would like to believe. No you will not get to play your favorite character on The Walking Dead anytime soon.

I do have some health tips to keep you safe and Ebola free if you do need to stock up on some supplies if need be;) I will be sanitizing everything in my classroom and house.

Ok, nothing kills more germs than Clorox bleach. I love buying the handy wipes and foam spray for my bathroom and other areas in my environment. Things that get touched constantly like door handles, sinks, counters, toilets, showers, garbage cans and refrigerator handles.

Yes, bleach is awfully strong, but I would prefer that smell knowing that I wiped out the flu virus away effectively. I like organic cleaning supplies, but nothing feels more clean than good old fashioned bleach.

Heres are some tips and supplies to keep on hand this season:

1. Clorox Bleach Wipes
2. Clorox Bleach Foam Spray
3. Hand Sanitizer
4. Get a Flu Shot
5.Claritin
6. Drink lots of water
7. Kleenex
8. Cover your mouth when you sneeze
9. Make some homemade Chicken Noodle or Matzo Ball Soup! Mmmmm!
10. Stay in if your not feeling well. Don't spread germs!
11. Wash your sheets on your bed and towels in hot water weekly or every other week.
12. Wash your hands with warm soap and water. Sing two happy birthday tunes should be enough time:)


Stay healthy!

True Grit: The Ability to Have a Growth Mindset

Hello Friends!

I want to inspire you this Thursday morning. Rest assured, I'm not a morning person. This is my "True Grit" moving full speed ahead as we speak. On that note, Good Morning!  I wanted to talk today about the term, "Grit"."Grit" is defined as:

1

a :  sand, gravel

b :  a hard sharp granule (as of sand); also :  material (as many abrasives) composed of such granules

2

:  any of several sandstones

3

a :  the structure of a stone that adapts it to grinding

b :  the size of abrasive particles usually expressed as their mesh

4

:  firmness of mind or spirit :  unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger

Wait, go back, "Grit" is defined as firmness of mind or spirit: unyielding in the face of hardship or danger. I really like this term. Especially since I'm a teacher. 

Unsurprisingly, it's difficult to motivate a student.  Especially on A Monday morning when they may be half asleep, dreaming of bed on a rainy morning clutching a teddy bear. 

I even dream those thoughts! We're all human. We all have difficulties in our lives and tragic events such as someone close to us passing away, a debilitating sickness, or a hardship in our family. 

It's the ability to move past those experiences, no matter how hard they may be and keep moving. This is were a teacher can not only be teaching the common core standards, but teaching students to move past these experiences in time of fear and anxiety. 

We almost need to be inspiring life coaches that frame a child and prepare them for the life ahead. Good or bad. School shouldn't be just about getting recognized by achievements, but also working past obstacles in daily experiences and trying our very best in life. 

If  you didn't learn about this term in school, it's never too late to start! Never give up! 

Because one day, that little grit of sand will become a beautiful pearl:)