Wednesday, June 18, 2008

When is a lip plumper like an ab machine?



When it works, you've got to *feel the burn*.? According to AOL readers, Lip Injection Extreme by Too Faced ($28 at Sephora.com) really works, better than any other they tested for the network. The only issue was a long-lasting slight burn. Still, I've found this more of a success than those that only showed results for 30 minutes. (What good is that, without constant “freshening up”?)


Plump lips


This makes me think ... it's too bad a girl can't just do exercies to plump up lip muscles, instead, for permanent results!



Aaliyah covers Fader…



Fader magazine is honoring Aaliyah on its June cover. The annual Icon issue highlights the life and legacy of the revolutionary songstress. My personal favorite song/video of hers is “We need a Resolution” and “Rock the Boat”. I was truly devasted when she died. No entertainer has filled the void that she left. Pick up a copy of the magazine to read what many of Aaliyah’s family, friends and industry peers have to say about the fallen star. Read some of their tributes below:

Missy Elliott
“We was gonna save the world. We was gonna change music every chance we got. We was gonna always be family. Forever.”

Mark Ronson
“If it wasn’t for Aaliyah being the face and voice of [Missy Elliott and Timbaland’s] sound they might have never got to where they did. They were presenting their sort of brilliant but challenging breakthrough music through this beautiful young girl who could sing it perfectly.”

Kidada Jones
“I think about her all the time…Anytime she’s brought up or her music comes on the radio, it’s sweet, but it definitely sounds like she found a niche before it was here. If you listen to her music it’s so relevant today, but we had it so long ago.”

Damon Dash
“She was already a fashion icon, she was getting into movies, she had already planted that seed. If she was alive today she would be so relevant. I see little bits of her everywhere I look, in a lot of artists.”

Jomo Hankerson
“I think a lot of that mysteriousness they talk about was just what she was. She seemed like she came here already grown up, from the beginning.”

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The Daddy Likey Straight Talk Express: Yes, I Love My Swimsuit That Much



I raved about my new Esther Williams swimsuit back when Daddy Likey was but a zygote floating in the womb of the blogosphere (note to self: quality of metaphors decreases sharply after 2 a.m.), and in the years since, I've heard from many readers who bought their own Esthers and loved them, a few who didn't, and a great many with general questions (mostly, "Jesus, do you really love your swimsuit that much?").

In the past month alone, I've gotten no less than ten inquiries about my swimsuit. This, combined with the ominous cloud of the approaching swimsuit season, is why I've decided to set the record straight with a rapid fire Esther Williams Swimwear FAQ:

Are Esther Williams swimsuits
really as awesome as you say they are?
Yes.

If Esther Williams swimsuits were handed out as free gifts to every person in New York, would it have the same effect as blaring (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher from the Statue of Liberty in the climactic scene of Ghostbusters II?
Absolutely.


Who is Esther Williams, anyway? Is it Madonna?
No, no, silly. Esther was a swimmer/movie star (best combination ever) in the 1950's, and now she designs adorable retro swimsuits that are flattering and comfortable. She is a hero and a patriot.

Seriously though, a swimsuit that's retro and flattering and comfortable? No way. Shut up.
Yes way!

So, Esther Williams suits are custom made to order. How does this work? Is it easier than ordering a sandwich at Subway? Cuz that's sort of involved and annoying.

Don't worry--it's way easier than ordering your five dollar footlong. Here's what you do:


1. Go to Esther's website.
2. Don't let the 80's-tastic photos faze you.

3. Pick out the style of swimsuit you fancy.

4. Pick out the fabric you fancy (so many cute options--I want them all).

5. Place your order.

6. In two weeks, receive your suit and look amazingly retro glamorous.
7. Begin spreading the gospel.


Since these swimsuits are custom made, they must cost, like, $500, right?

That's where you're wrong, friendo. All suits are around 80 bucks, which is way less than most designer suits churned out in third world factories, and way worth it.


Are there plus size options?

Yep. They carry sizes 6-26.


Soft foam cups sound good, but that "3/4 inch elastic under bust for support" bit makes me nervous. Will I feel saggy and naked in this thing?
As a chesty girl, I can measure my life in the number of swimsuit bust support systems that have let me down (quite literally) in frustrating and horrifying ways, so I was also nervous about the soft foam cups. I was pleasantly surprised by the suit's support--I think it's all about the quality of the fabric and getting a good fit. I wouldn't jog in it (I also wouldn't really jog, period), but I definitely don't feel saggy and naked in it. Praise the lord!

I hate buying a new swimsuit every damn year. How do Esther Williams swimsuits hold up?

Well, I got mine in September of '06, and it's still going strong. Here is a list of some of the things my swimsuit has been through:
  • Daily lounging and lap swimming in a chlorinated pool during my five month stay in Hawaii.
  • Snorkeling and swimming in the ocean in Hawaii.
  • Halfheartedly splashing around in the ocean before screaming, "Holy shit it's cold!" and running away from the ocean in Oregon.
  • Pretending I know how to boogie board.
  • Teaching a man who may have been Danny DeVito to pretend how to boogie board.
What does your swimsuit look like in real life?
Before you look (you already looked, didn't you?), I want you to know that I got to snap one photo before my stupid camera died, so this picture really doesn't do it justice:

But if it still looks cute tossed hastily onto my living room floor, think how cute it looks on a person, poolside, with a pair of Jackie O shades and self-esteem to boot! Bonus: the halter strap can be tied around the back for a cute strapless look and no tanlines.

This style is the 1 Piece Classic Sheath and the fabric is called...wait for it....wait for it...Polka Dot (White on Black).

Is Esther Williams paying you?
She's not, I swear! I just really love my swimsuit and want to share
the Good News.

Updated to add:
Today I received an email from wonderful reader Stephanie, who recently bought an Esther of her own: "In the spirit of sharing, I attached a bad picture of my swimsuit tossed hastily onto my bedroom floor."

Love it.


Monday, June 16, 2008

Blog Break



Due to some personal issues I'm working through right now, I'm taking a break from the blog. When stress and depression are present, inspiration is not.

Rainbow


I'm going through a pretty rough time currently and I need to focus on getting better and attempting to enjoy the holidays and my family.

Peace, love, and bulletproof marshmallows,
The not-so-Happy Hippie.

Gorgeous Gold Rings at HSN



Yellow has been a favorite color since this past winter, and what better embodiment of that trend in jewelry than gold.

Though it's ever so pricey, yellow gold has made a comeback in a big way this year, and rings continue to be bold and chunky. So I set out to find some beautiful gold rings that won't put a gigantic dent in your bank account. Surprisingly, I found a wonderful selection at HSN.



gold jewelry

14k Gold Heart Dangle Ring

Midas-touched in polished yellow gold, this ring showcases a puffed yellow gold heart dangle. The heart features a textured, rhodium-plated heart design in the center with a prong-set, round diamond accent, for a splash of sparkle. Polished finish, tapered shank, so cute!

$119



Pure gold is too soft to withstand the stresses of every-day wear, so it is alloyed with a mixture of metals like silver, copper, nickel, and zinc to give it strength and durability. Caratage, indicated by a number followed by k, indicates purity, or how much of the metal in a piece of jewelry is gold. Caratage is expressed in 24ths, 24k gold being 100% gold.



designer jewelry

14k Gold Polished and Satin Bypass Ring

This stunning yellow gold bypass ring showcases a thick, overlapping design. The ring's sleek polished side overlaps atop a sugary satin-finish side, for a sinfully asymmetrical appearance. Measures approx. 13/16"L x 13/16"W x 1/8"H with 3/16"W shank. Tapered shank. Made in Italy.

$170



Of all metals, gold is the softest and most malleable, yet has exercised the strongest hold on the human imagination. It appears naturally in its metallic form, and can be fashioned into complex shapes with the simplest bronze, bone, or wooden tools, meaning that gold could be worked into tokens, personal adornments, and talismans by the earliest craftspeople.



jewelry techniques

14k Gold Hand-finished Floral Motif Ring

Fashioned from polished yellow gold, this picturesque ring features a wide silhouette with an openwork floral motif on a satin-finish backdrop. Creating a bold, yet feminine look upon your finger, this golden garden radiates elegance. Polished finish, tapered shank, made in Italy.

$220



The Cost

The price of gold jewelry is dependent upon the purity of the gold used or karat weight, as well as the design and construction of the piece of jewelry. The color of the gold is determined by the type of metal alloys included in it, and the percentage of each alloy. 18k gold contains 75% gold, which is alloyed with other metals to make it strong enough to withstand everyday wear.



Now, these are all 14k gold rings - 18k is not in my budget. Because 14k gold is composed of only 58.3% gold and 41.7% other metals, its gold color isn't as rich as 18k gold. 14k gold is most commonly used where strength is most important, like in earring backs and bracelet clasps, but if I can have a nice 14k ring - or none at all - I'm going for it.



jewelry trends 2008

14k Gold Polished 'Snakeskin' Concave Ring

This impressive yellow gold ring boasts a sizable, eye-catching square table with a concave silhouette. The table showcases a snakeskin design, while open geometric cutouts on gallery let light pass through the hand-polished piece. Split tapered shank, polished finish, made in Italy.

$330



Pure gold doesn't react with other elements to create tarnish - the residue that accumulates on some metals before transferring to your skin as a stain. Sometimes people have allergy or staining problems with metals that are combined with gold, but the gold itself is rarely a problem.



gold jewelry trends

14k Gold Brocade Ring

Enhance your style with a touch of opulence when you wear this elegant ring. Polished yellow gold is crafted into a bold, slightly domed square with an intriguing openwork design. Cutouts in the top of the square form a swirling, brocade-like pattern that reveals a layer of translucent blue enamel, while filigree scrolls form an open gallery along the sides. This allows light to reflect through the sapphire-colored enamel, simulating the rich look of stained glass. The raised, dimensional-looking square appears to float atop a polished band, which feels smooth and comfortable on the finger. Made in Italy. A customer favorite!

$200



To clean gold jewelry, use a solution of warm water and detergent-free soap and wash gold gently with a soft-bristled brush - an old toothbrush works well. Store gold pieces separately in soft cloth bags or in their original boxes to protect them from the exposure to harsh daily elements.



gold rings

14k Gold Bold Concave Square Ring

Smooth, silky and irresistibly seductive, this ring is a striking testament to your sophisticated taste. Sculpted from yellow gold, this highly polished ring has a modified cigar band silhouette with a concave center. Flattened edges and tapered shoulders produce a square shape in front, lending a geometric flair to the dramatic design. Tapered shank. Made in USA.

$124



Sweet!

See full article
.





Related Entries:


Sponsored Post: Men's Jewelry from Heavenly Treasures - 21 February 2007


Gold Jewelry Feast! - 11 October 2007


Gold, Gemstones and Gilt Gone Green! - 02 December 2007


Baubles up for Bid - 08 December 2007













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Sunday, June 15, 2008

Age Resistant Hand Treatments from Become



Prod_Rejuve.jpgBecome_HandSmooth.jpg

I have been obsessing about my hands lately. They show age without fail, like the rings on a tree. I have a bathroom full of treatments and products to prevent my face from aging but what about my hands?! They need love too. And now that I am going to be 40 soon (ok, not that soon but eventually I will be), I want to start taking care of my hands so they can be my accomplice when I lie about my age rather than my mole. And speaking of moles, that is what I am trying to avoid, or rather age spot, liver spots - age detectors. You do not want hands full of them because no matter how fresh your face looks, if your hands are full of veins and spots, you will not be feeling very pretty. The sun of course is our skins' biggest enemy, I am thinking of wearing gloves when I drive but that would make me into one of those freaky Asian women I used to make fun of (I am talking about all my cousins who have no limits to what they will do to stay fair, wearing gloves is just a small and minor part of their insane ritual). Luckily, I have discovered Become, it is an Australian line and who knows about the damages of the sun more than the Australians? It seems like there is just no shade on that giant rock. I am so happy that there is Age Resistant treatments specifically made for the hands. I keep the Smoothing Complex by my sink, it is a salt scrub full of mineral oils. It is important to exfoliate to get new skin cells to be exposed in all its beautiful young glory. The Rejuvenating Hand Cream I keep in my bag, at all times. I wash my hands A LOT, I've got 2 kids and I cook so it is unavoidable. Of course I have tons of creams but none that are Age Resistant, need I say that again? Sure I like to be moist, but I need more, I need to resist aging!! The Rejuvenating Hand Cream is $15 and the Hand Smoothing Complex is $29. Become is a direct marketing company but you don't have to get involved in all that, you can order on their site with Advisor ID # 100109, password 'become'. Or, call Customer Service at 1-877-BECOME2 (1-877-232-6632).

All About Celebrities Blog Carnival: Volume 3



This is the 3rd Edition of the All About Celebrities Blog Carnival. Thanks to everyone who has been following and submitting to our blog Carnival. We've had two great additions so far and this one is going to be even better I think. Also feel free to link back to the Customized Girl Blog. To submit to the All About Celebrities blog visit Blog Carnival and click “submit an article” on the side bar. Thats old business now to new business. Ladies and Gentleman I give to you the 3rd Edition of the All About Celebrities Blog Carnival! Enjoy...


Jwill presents 2008 CMT Awards (with videos) posted at The Wi11is.


Cindy McKie presents Three Hot Short Hairstyles posted at Her Hairstyle Blog.


Woman Tribune presents Mary-Kate Olsen, The Hippie posted at Woman Tribune.


Andy Boyd presents 25 Ludicrously Expensive Celebrity Homes posted at ProTraveller.


A. Lee presents Meet Banksy - video | eArtFair . com posted at eArtFair . com.


Fierce Diva presents Celebrity Fish Lips - This IS NOT Cute posted at Fierce Diva - Humorous Insight, Celebrity Gossip, Fashion, Fitness and Diet Tips for Women.


Fierce Diva presents Screech Diamond - The Assclown of VH1 posted at Fierce Diva - Humorous Insight, Celebrity Gossip, Fashion, Fitness and Diet Tips for Women.


garry presents 2 Million Dollar Bills ? Blog Archive ? David Beckham, Celebrity Boxing Match, Scotland Versus England posted at 2 Million Dollar Bills.


Don presents Asia'h Epperson posted at Asia'h Epperson.


Sara Ost presents Cindy Crawford Is Thirsty for Change Are You posted at Sara Ost.


Tamika M. Murray presents Monday Man-Nick Swardson posted at PJ's and A Movie.


Marilyn Terrell for Marc Silver presents Pop Omnivore - Advice to Paris Hilton: Look Out for the Cheetah! - National Geographic Magazine - NGM.com posted at Pop Omnivore.


Jason DeFuria presents Britney Spears, crazy in a good way? posted at What Planet Is This?.


Leslie Carbone presents Jeremiah Wright, Superstar posted at Leslie Carbone.


Tony Clements presents i just got gooned! posted at t u e s d a y s.