Most moms will tell you that there simply isn’t enough time for some “me” time. As a mom, you might even feel guilty to crave for time for yourself. But you don’t have to! We need to take care of ourselves so that we can better care for our family. This isn’t the concept most of us have adopted, and certainly the one that doesn’t come naturally for many of us, myself included. Yet to stop and smell the roses once in a while really does make a difference. It can be as easy as refreshing ourselves, like having a facial or pedicure.
One easy way to pamper yourself is to give yourself an instant makeover. Bring out your favorite dress and pair of shoes, spritz on some perfume, style your hair with your favorite hair accessories (hopefully they’re No Slippy Hair Clippy®!) and for a few minutes, just sit back, relax and do nothing! (Is that even possible?!) Maybe take 5 minutes to take a walk outside and just breathe in some fresh air…it’s only 5 minutes, but that 5 minutes can make all the difference.
Here are some more suggestions from Parents Connect:
Take some time out for yourself at least once a month. Just once in a long month, leave your little one to grandma or to a dozen other relatives who think you have the cutest baby on earth. Or make a deal with your husband—once a month, one takes the baby out for the evening while the other will relish having the house to himself/herself.
Turn your bathroom into a spa. Enjoy a long bath. Invest in some expensive salt, oil, or bubble bath, light some aromatic candles and play relaxing music. Nothing beats a relaxing, warm soak.
Splurge on some inexpensive indulgence. Body lotion that’s worth $20 may be too much, but at the end of the day, it's still just $20. And you totally deserve it! You’ll be surprised how special one little purchase can make you feel.
Make it all about you and make it a habit. It’s not being selfish to take a break every now and then. Your body needs it! Besides, your little tot is going to grow up real fast and you will need strength for the years to come. Replenish yourself whenever you get a chance!
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Balance Your Life
Parenting is probably one of the toughest jobs in the world. But even though the challenges seem to call for superhuman powers, you are not super woman. Believe it or not, it’s okay to take a break and ask for help every now and then!
This week, we’re offering some tips on how to take care of yourself. After all, you want to feel your best to be able to give your family the best. So when you are beginning to feel like you’re the poster child for stress, give yourself an instant style boost by clipping on a cute flower! It’s amazing how a flower in the hair can brighten up your day!
No Slippy® offers many style options that perfectly complement busy lifestyles. Our hair accessories are guaranteed non-slip, so once you put them on, you never have to worry about your hair, or if your clip is going to stay in. Why not vacuum in style, or grocery shop! You can even match your little girl, and do a Mommy and Me style while out and about!
Here are some more tips from Parents Connect to get some balance in your life:
You can't solve every problem. Your life spins out of balance when you spend too much time trying to fix unfixable problems. When you inevitably fail to fix the unfixable, you get even more frustrated and try harder to keep things from going off track. It is important to realize when some problems are simply unsolvable. Know what you can change, and what you cannot. It’s easier said than done, but it does help with the stress.
Go with the flow. When you emotionally resist life’s ups and downs, you can end up blaming yourself over circumstances you cannot control. So next time you're stuck in traffic, or the dishes are piled a mile high in the sink, or the kids decide to choir their tantrums in unison, tell yourself, “This all will pass” and take three deep breaths, and exhale out slowly. It won’t magically make things better, but it will help put yourself in a calmer place.
Play some music. Numerous studies have suggested that music does wonders for stimulating the human brain. Listening to music or singing a song activates the right and left sides of your brain and helps you feel less stressed.
Work out. Getting active might be the least of our priorities when we are stressed out, but it really does work wonders! It also uses both sides of your brain, so when you exercise, you’re actually making yourself stronger both physically and mentally. Even a short walk with the stroller, and putting yourself in a different place or different surroundings can be helpful.
It’s going to be okay. The truth is, we can't control everything, and maybe that’s a good thing! The ups and downs are all part of life. We need to trust letting go of the things we cannot change or do anything about. Sometimes, it’s breaking it down into smaller focused goals, one task at a time, one day at a time, one minute at a time, that can ease those overwhelmed feelings.
This week, we’re offering some tips on how to take care of yourself. After all, you want to feel your best to be able to give your family the best. So when you are beginning to feel like you’re the poster child for stress, give yourself an instant style boost by clipping on a cute flower! It’s amazing how a flower in the hair can brighten up your day!
No Slippy® offers many style options that perfectly complement busy lifestyles. Our hair accessories are guaranteed non-slip, so once you put them on, you never have to worry about your hair, or if your clip is going to stay in. Why not vacuum in style, or grocery shop! You can even match your little girl, and do a Mommy and Me style while out and about!
Here are some more tips from Parents Connect to get some balance in your life:
You can't solve every problem. Your life spins out of balance when you spend too much time trying to fix unfixable problems. When you inevitably fail to fix the unfixable, you get even more frustrated and try harder to keep things from going off track. It is important to realize when some problems are simply unsolvable. Know what you can change, and what you cannot. It’s easier said than done, but it does help with the stress.
Go with the flow. When you emotionally resist life’s ups and downs, you can end up blaming yourself over circumstances you cannot control. So next time you're stuck in traffic, or the dishes are piled a mile high in the sink, or the kids decide to choir their tantrums in unison, tell yourself, “This all will pass” and take three deep breaths, and exhale out slowly. It won’t magically make things better, but it will help put yourself in a calmer place.
Play some music. Numerous studies have suggested that music does wonders for stimulating the human brain. Listening to music or singing a song activates the right and left sides of your brain and helps you feel less stressed.
Work out. Getting active might be the least of our priorities when we are stressed out, but it really does work wonders! It also uses both sides of your brain, so when you exercise, you’re actually making yourself stronger both physically and mentally. Even a short walk with the stroller, and putting yourself in a different place or different surroundings can be helpful.
It’s going to be okay. The truth is, we can't control everything, and maybe that’s a good thing! The ups and downs are all part of life. We need to trust letting go of the things we cannot change or do anything about. Sometimes, it’s breaking it down into smaller focused goals, one task at a time, one day at a time, one minute at a time, that can ease those overwhelmed feelings.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Hair Nightmare? Here We Come to Save the Day!
So… you’re having one of those days when your hair decides to rebel? This week, the No Slippy Style Train is ready to share some tricks of the trade for taming your tresses. And you don’t even have to break a sweat or spend a dime!
The first stop: quick fixes for the most common hair nightmares. No Slippy Hair Clippy says: A stylish hair accessory will not only enhance your overall look, it can also start a conversation!
Here are some more tips from Cosmopolitan.com:
When Your Hair Gets Entangled in a Round Brush:
* If you panic and tug; the knots only get tighter.
* Gently remove as much hair as you can with your fingers, and clip up the freed strands.
* Using a rattail comb, knitting needle, or any stick with a thin tip, dislodge the remaining hair bit by bit from the bristles.
When Your Dye Job Goes Awry
* See a professional colorist as soon as possible. This may be more complicated than normal coloring, so be prepared to pay more.
* If you can not set an appointment immediately, wear your hair curly. This will make the botched colors less noticeable.
When You Mess Up Trimming Your Bangs
* If you accidentally chop off too much on one side, it’s time to do a side sweep! Part your hair on the side where your bangs are the longest, then sweep them across your forehead.
* If you trimmed your bangs straight but too short, you can brush them against your forehead and place a scarf or headband at your hairline. This will nudge them down to a normal-looking length.
When You Get a Burn from Your Curling Iron
* Assess the burn. A first degree burn has redness but no blistering. A second degree burn has inflammation and mild blistering.
* If it looks like a first-degree burn, apply an antibiotic ointment twice a day to guard against infection. In the meantime, avoid sun exposure to prevent discoloration. If it looks like a second-degree burn, see a physician for a prescription topical antibiotic.
* Until it heals, don't use makeup on the burn. You can disguise it by leaving your locks loose and tousling them forward.
Our lovely model is wearing our Tonya Headband. Check out more styles on www.hairclippy.com!
The first stop: quick fixes for the most common hair nightmares. No Slippy Hair Clippy says: A stylish hair accessory will not only enhance your overall look, it can also start a conversation!
Here are some more tips from Cosmopolitan.com:
When Your Hair Gets Entangled in a Round Brush:
* If you panic and tug; the knots only get tighter.
* Gently remove as much hair as you can with your fingers, and clip up the freed strands.
* Using a rattail comb, knitting needle, or any stick with a thin tip, dislodge the remaining hair bit by bit from the bristles.
When Your Dye Job Goes Awry
* See a professional colorist as soon as possible. This may be more complicated than normal coloring, so be prepared to pay more.
* If you can not set an appointment immediately, wear your hair curly. This will make the botched colors less noticeable.
When You Mess Up Trimming Your Bangs
* If you accidentally chop off too much on one side, it’s time to do a side sweep! Part your hair on the side where your bangs are the longest, then sweep them across your forehead.
* If you trimmed your bangs straight but too short, you can brush them against your forehead and place a scarf or headband at your hairline. This will nudge them down to a normal-looking length.
When You Get a Burn from Your Curling Iron
* Assess the burn. A first degree burn has redness but no blistering. A second degree burn has inflammation and mild blistering.
* If it looks like a first-degree burn, apply an antibiotic ointment twice a day to guard against infection. In the meantime, avoid sun exposure to prevent discoloration. If it looks like a second-degree burn, see a physician for a prescription topical antibiotic.
* Until it heals, don't use makeup on the burn. You can disguise it by leaving your locks loose and tousling them forward.
Our lovely model is wearing our Tonya Headband. Check out more styles on www.hairclippy.com!
Friday, April 30, 2010
D.I.Y Hair Food
Say that again?
That's do-it-yourself hair products using ingredients just lying around innocently in your kitchen! Here are two "recipes" from Teen Vogue that you can try at home. (Although you might want to ponder the mayonnaise. Read on.)
FOODIE HAIR TYPES: TRY AT YOUR OWN RISK!
I know a LOT of you lovely ladies are beauty mavericks and are willing to DIY-it-up with food products. I, it must be admitted, am a beauty scaredycat. I stick to things that have been, um, made for me by Big Business (or, in most cases, Small Organic Businesses). Anyway, for those of you who are brave-brave-brave, here are some kitchen-friendly hair trips from the gurus at LA-based salon The Parlour on 3rd.
To create an olive oil moisturizing treatment:
1. Take 1/4 cup olive oil and pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds.
2. Part your hair into four sections and apply the warm olive oil to your scalp, section by section. Make sure to work the olive oil from the scalp to the ends of your hair.
3. Put a plastic cap on your hair and let the olive oil work its magic for 30 minutes.
4. Remove the cap. Shampoo, condition, and style your hair as usual.
To creative a healthy hair mask:
The easiest, cheapest, and most effective hair mask secret known to stylists is mayonnaise. Who would have thought? Mayo is composed of egg yolk, lemon juice and vinegar, which can strengthen and moisturize your hair. Avoid commercial brands. Stick with organic for best results. Place a plastic bag over your hair after you apply. Leave it on for 30 minutes. If you don't mind smelling like a ham sandwich, the end result is worth it!
This article was originally posted here!
To see more fashionable hair accessories for women like the one above, visit www.hairclippy.com!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Freedom from Frizz
I don't know about you, but when my hair gets static-y I don't get ecstatic over it. As much as I want to have picture perfect hair like all those shampoo commercial girls, I am unfortunately just a meek human being. Nevertheless, there is hope for you and me! Teen Vogue clues us in on solutions to static hair:
1) When styling hair, try not to use a plastic or metal hairbrush. Instead opt to utilize a brush with all natural bristles.
2) When brushing hair, first spritz the brush with spray gloss to avoid hair standing on end. Using the spray gloss isn't as greasy or harsh.
3) If it's a cold day outside and you need to wear a hat, to avoid the static cling flyaways, store a travel size styling wax in your bag. A tiny amount (on the fingertips) will go a long way.
This article was originally posted here!
To see more chic hair accessories like the ones above, visit www.hairclippy.com!
This article was originally posted here!
To see more chic hair accessories like the ones above, visit www.hairclippy.com!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Beauty and Bacteria?
We've all been through it: the inevitable make-up counter samples. While it's great to get free stuff, did you know that you could be getting a lot more for free than you'd want? I'm talking about bacteria here. And it's lurking on that innocent-looking make-up brush.
Here's an interesting article from Bella Sugar on make-up counter hygiene:
BEAUTY AND BACTERIA: A LESSON IN MAKEUP COUNTER HYGIENE
When it comes to sampling chips and dip at a barbecue or sampling makeup at the beauty bar, I've always maintained the same philosophy — no double-dipping allowed. But, even if you don't see the double-dip in action, it doesn't mean the product is safe; in fact, when it comes to makeup, more often than not, it isn't.
The truth is that even if you practice good hygiene, the thousands of mall visitors who frequent the same makeup counter, and even the workers behind it, probably don't. That's what Dr. Elizabeth Brooks of Philadelphia's Jefferson Medical College found when she conducted an extensive study on public makeup testers. Her research revealed staph, strep, and even E. coli bacteria on makeup testers, and on high-traffic mall days, like Saturdays, the percentage of contamination on tester products was 100 percent.
But even Dr. Brooks, who's tested hundreds of makeup counters and has seen the worst of it, isn't afraid of the germs lurking in the samples — she just knows how to handle it. You, too, can brave the beauty bar when you practice safe makeup application. Learn how when you read more.
* Don't dip — Whenever possible, use sample products that don't require finger dipping. Squeeze bottles of creams and lip glosses are always a better alternative to lotion jars or pots of lip gloss.
* Forgo communal tools — Never use shared brushes, and always opt for disposable applicators instead.
* Wipe it clean — Remove or scrape the top layer of lipstick, and always wipe the surface of makeup samples with a tissue and some alcohol. Don't test any products where the top surface cannot be removed, like a face cream or eye cream.
* Be mindful of where you apply — The study also showed that cosmetics used around the lips, eyes, or nose are the worst, resulting in the spread of afflictions like cold sores, conjunctivitis, or pink eye. Therefore, avoid any products that must be directly applied to the nose, eyes, or mouth, especially mascara.
* Be your own healthy advocate — If you don't see rubbing alcohol or disposable applicators, ask for them, and don't be afraid to ask for individual samples as well. Just because they're not out on the counter doesn't mean they're not available.
This article was originally posted here! Check out the site for interesting beauty advice.
Here's an interesting article from Bella Sugar on make-up counter hygiene:
BEAUTY AND BACTERIA: A LESSON IN MAKEUP COUNTER HYGIENE
When it comes to sampling chips and dip at a barbecue or sampling makeup at the beauty bar, I've always maintained the same philosophy — no double-dipping allowed. But, even if you don't see the double-dip in action, it doesn't mean the product is safe; in fact, when it comes to makeup, more often than not, it isn't.
The truth is that even if you practice good hygiene, the thousands of mall visitors who frequent the same makeup counter, and even the workers behind it, probably don't. That's what Dr. Elizabeth Brooks of Philadelphia's Jefferson Medical College found when she conducted an extensive study on public makeup testers. Her research revealed staph, strep, and even E. coli bacteria on makeup testers, and on high-traffic mall days, like Saturdays, the percentage of contamination on tester products was 100 percent.
But even Dr. Brooks, who's tested hundreds of makeup counters and has seen the worst of it, isn't afraid of the germs lurking in the samples — she just knows how to handle it. You, too, can brave the beauty bar when you practice safe makeup application. Learn how when you read more.
* Don't dip — Whenever possible, use sample products that don't require finger dipping. Squeeze bottles of creams and lip glosses are always a better alternative to lotion jars or pots of lip gloss.
* Forgo communal tools — Never use shared brushes, and always opt for disposable applicators instead.
* Wipe it clean — Remove or scrape the top layer of lipstick, and always wipe the surface of makeup samples with a tissue and some alcohol. Don't test any products where the top surface cannot be removed, like a face cream or eye cream.
* Be mindful of where you apply — The study also showed that cosmetics used around the lips, eyes, or nose are the worst, resulting in the spread of afflictions like cold sores, conjunctivitis, or pink eye. Therefore, avoid any products that must be directly applied to the nose, eyes, or mouth, especially mascara.
* Be your own healthy advocate — If you don't see rubbing alcohol or disposable applicators, ask for them, and don't be afraid to ask for individual samples as well. Just because they're not out on the counter doesn't mean they're not available.
This article was originally posted here! Check out the site for interesting beauty advice.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Your Child's Body Image
We live in a world that is obsessed with the external. Everyday, your child is exposed to media that bombards her with images of skinny girls pretending to be overjoyed with their malnourishment. It's no wonder girls as young as 8 or even 6 years old are already concerned about their weight! And this concern should get you concerned.
An article in Breezy Mama addresses how you can help your child have a healthy body image, with tips from pediatrician Dr. Chrystal de Freitas:
BODY IMAGE: TIPS FOR HELPING YOUR CHILD HAVE A HEALTHY ONE
After hearing two six year olds ask one another if they look fat, what would you have recommended I had said?
Children need to be taught that a person’s value is not based on whether they are fat, or on how they look but on how they behave towards others and themselves.
In addition remind children that everyone is different and that our bodies are gifts to them from their parents. Encourage children to find their unique characteristic. This could be that they are funny, athletic, smart, caring and innumerable other traits that make part of our human nature. Nurture that along with a good diet and a healthy portion of exercise.
For moms with older children, what signs should they look for that could indicate an eating disorder?
Signs of an eating disorder may be very subtle and often go unnoticed for months. If your child is experiencing a rapid weight loss, always makes an excuse for not eating, starts to use baggy clothing (as a way to hide the weight loss), plays with his/her food shifting it around in the plate but not eating it – all of these can be red flags. You may also notice an almost obsessive compulsion to exercise. In the more extreme cases, a girl may miss her period, feel light headed and complain of temperature changes – being too cold. These are just a few of the many signs of an eating disorder.
What steps should they take if they suspect their child may have one?
You should visit your health care provider and be open with your concerns. Periodic weight checks and close follow up with a mental health professional may be needed as well as with a nutritionist.
To read the rest of this insightful article, click here!
PONDER, PONDER, PONDER...
Have you ever noticed such behavior from your children? How did you deal with it? Do you think a parent's self-esteem will impact how his/her own children will see themselves?
Cheerios!
Rach
An article in Breezy Mama addresses how you can help your child have a healthy body image, with tips from pediatrician Dr. Chrystal de Freitas:
BODY IMAGE: TIPS FOR HELPING YOUR CHILD HAVE A HEALTHY ONE
After hearing two six year olds ask one another if they look fat, what would you have recommended I had said?
Children need to be taught that a person’s value is not based on whether they are fat, or on how they look but on how they behave towards others and themselves.
In addition remind children that everyone is different and that our bodies are gifts to them from their parents. Encourage children to find their unique characteristic. This could be that they are funny, athletic, smart, caring and innumerable other traits that make part of our human nature. Nurture that along with a good diet and a healthy portion of exercise.
For moms with older children, what signs should they look for that could indicate an eating disorder?
Signs of an eating disorder may be very subtle and often go unnoticed for months. If your child is experiencing a rapid weight loss, always makes an excuse for not eating, starts to use baggy clothing (as a way to hide the weight loss), plays with his/her food shifting it around in the plate but not eating it – all of these can be red flags. You may also notice an almost obsessive compulsion to exercise. In the more extreme cases, a girl may miss her period, feel light headed and complain of temperature changes – being too cold. These are just a few of the many signs of an eating disorder.
What steps should they take if they suspect their child may have one?
You should visit your health care provider and be open with your concerns. Periodic weight checks and close follow up with a mental health professional may be needed as well as with a nutritionist.
To read the rest of this insightful article, click here!
PONDER, PONDER, PONDER...
Have you ever noticed such behavior from your children? How did you deal with it? Do you think a parent's self-esteem will impact how his/her own children will see themselves?
Cheerios!
Rach
Monday, April 12, 2010
Losing It
Sometimes, kids make it very difficult to just grin and bear it. Sometimes, you just want to throw a tantrum yourself. But as a parent, you know that you have to set a good example because ultimately, you are one of the biggest influences in your child's life. How you handle circumstances will reflect how your child would react to the same circumstances when he/she has to face them. So what do you do when you're on the verge of losing it?
A recent article from breezymama.com clues us in:
THINGS TO DO IF YOU LOSE YOUR TEMPER
7. Walk Away
While this seems like a ‘no brainer’, disengaging is often the very thing we fail to do. We stay engaged in the upset, our energy & frustration increases – our child’s energy & frustration increase and pretty soon, we’ve got a mess on our hands. If we could begin practicing walking away, then we can calm ourselves down, figure out what we want to be teaching our children and how we want to respond.
6. See Where Your Child is Right
I know this seems counter-intuitive to what we’re supposed to do, but by seeing where your child is right, you can get their perspective, begin to understand their feelings and see how they see you in this situation. In addition, you will no longer be viewing them as wrong which will go a long way.
5. Breathe
Breathing allows your nervous system to relax, gives you some time to calm down and respond instead of reacting and brings new energy to this situation.
4. Look at What’s REALLY Going on
If you find that you are losing your temper repeatedly or over the same situation then take the time to figure out what’s really going on. What is causing that situation to be a “hot button” for you? Why does it bother you so much? It probably has much more to do with you than it does your child and finding out will give you peace in other areas of your life, as well.
3. Do a Make-Up
When we make a mess, we clean it up. When we break something, we fix it. And when we disturb a relationship, we do something called a Make-Up. Make-ups are your way of doing, saying or contributing to the one you’ve disturbed your relationship with to re-establish harmony and peace (And it can be fun!).
To see the rest of this much-needed advice, click here!
Image from sxc.hu
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