When I Grow Up…

As children, we are told we can become anything our hearts’ desire. So why are people so surprised when children give colorful answers when asked what they want to be when they grow up?

I vividly remember my response to that question. I knew I was going to be a mermaid when I grew up. I loved the water. While other kids played Marco Polo in the shallow end of the pool, I was deep under the water, imagining what my beautiful tail would look like when I grew up.

www.mermaidmelissa.com

I hated leaving the water. My mom would always give me a five minute warning before I had to get out, but I never listened. When she would tell me to head towards the steps of the pool, I would dive underwater and pretend I hadn't heard her. Sorry Mom.

I worshiped Ariel. I would have been content with being best friends with Flounder and collecting dinglehoppers for the rest of my life. I even put a seashell necklace, like the one from The Little Mermaid, on my cat, who I believed, wanted to be a mermaid as well.

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Eventually, the dreary old grownups told me I couldn't be a mermaid when I grew up. Apparently, grownups needed to have jobs not tails. Even though I was told that becoming a mermaid was impossible, I've never given up my interest in mermaids.

One day, while perusing through random YouTube videos, I came across the answer to my “mythical creature” problem—Mermaid Melissa. Melissa is a professional mermaid performer who uses her underwater entertaining to educate the world with her message: “Let’s help save our oceans before all creatures become mythical.” 

There are many other mermaid performers, like Mermaid Melissa, all over the world. They get paid to make appearances, both in and out of the water, in gorgeous tails that bring fantasy into reality.

iamamermaid.com

www.modelmayhem.com

www.myspace.com

And mermaid performers aren't the only ones who can live out their childhood dreams. There are several companies that create custom-made tails, with materials ranging from swimsuit fabric to silicone. Realistic mermaid tails can be pricey, but some tail retailers offer rentals.

www.seatails.org

I’m comforted by the fact that we can really become whatever we wish. We don’t have to give up the fanciful dreams of our childhood days. If a child tells me she wants to become a mermaid someday, I can proudly tell her that her fairy tale ending is only the swish of a tail away.

www.etsy.com

Healthy Habits to Avoid Heat Damage to Hair

The smell of burnt hair isn't easily forgotten, and with the surplus of heated hair tools available to the public, more consumers are experiencing extensive heat damage to their hair. It takes very little heat exposure for hair to become harmed from drying, straightening, curling, and sun rays. Thankfully, with a few protective measures, consumers can still use heat to style their hair, and keep their locks shiny and strong.

www.stylelist.com

Properly caring for your hair starts the moment you step out of the shower. Never apply product to hair that is dripping wet. The product will run off your hair with the water. You should towel-dry the hair first, and then apply a moisture-sealing product.

 I like to use Rusk Deepshine Bio-Marine Therapy Phyto-Marine Lusterizer, because it softens the ends of my hair, making combing through it a lot easier. This product repairs the damage of heated tools, color treating, and sun rays. 

www.drugstore.com

After applying Rusk Deepshine, you’re safe to start drying your hair. Drying your hair excessively can lead to more damage. If you have thicker hair, separate it into sections to avoid over drying parts of your hair. Dry from roots to ends, and do not hold the dryer directly over your hair. Keep the dryer moving, and leave a little moisture in the hair. You can lock in extra shine if you switch the heat setting on the dryer to cool as you finish drying the hair.

www.folica.com

When you’re finished drying your hair, add a few spritzes of thermal protection spray to the hair before styling. For touchable, smooth hair, I use CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray. It keeps the hair moist when styling. You may see some steam coming off your hair after use, but this is from the product, not the oils in your hair.

If I want some hold while styling, I use Healthy Sexy Hair Soya Want Flat Hair Hot Iron Spray. This spray gives my hair a lot of volume and grip during the styling process. This product will give off some steam as well.

www.beautydepot.com 

The best way to keep hair healthy is to refrain from going over and over the same section of hair when styling. The more you go over the pieces, the more your hair will start to burn.

Your hair will also appreciate a few days off. If it isn't absolutely necessary to straighten or curl your hair, don’t do it. Natural hair is beautiful too, and the break from the heat will give your hair time to restore what’s been damaged.

Does Safe Haven Play it Unsafe?

If you are wondering whether you should see Safe Haven don’t let the fact that it was based off of a Nicholas Sparks’ novel cloud your judgment. This film has all of the romance and sentiment expected from it with a thrilling twist.

fredasvoice.blogspot.com

Like many of the Nicholas Sparks based films, Safe Haven will have the ladies nudging their boyfriends to turn up the romance in their lives. As anticipated, this film had an attractive cast with Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel cast as the leads. 

Safe Haven will have you crying, sighing, and denying any doubts of true love. From the very beginning of this film’s journey, audiences were able to identify the familiar with the famous Nicholas Sparks film “passionate embrace” poster. And the film just wouldn't be a Nicholas Sparks film if it didn't have love letters and a beachfront setting.

cinemavine.com

Safe Haven is as enjoyable for its classic romantic qualities as its exciting surprises. Unlike the previous Nicholas Sparks films, this movie has a little action among the steamy scenes. If you become as engrossed in films as I do, you will experience tears, followed by laughter, followed by shrieks. Don’t let films like Dear John and The Notebook fool you into believing this film will just be a sop fest. You may be as pleasantly surprised by this movie as I was.

The only shortfall of Safe Haven would be how unrealistic it is compared to real life.  I mean, I would love to say I look like a super model after being caught in a torrential downpour, but I guess that luxury is only reserved for ladies like Julianne Hough and Rachel McAdams. It’s hard to connect with a girl who looks beautiful in every scene, even in situations where no human being could possibly look that perfect. 

www.usmagazine.com 

www.femalefirst.co.uk

Despite the predictability and impracticality of parts of the film, Safe Haven is a must-see for any girl looking for a good film to pair with a dose of post-breakup Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. This film is also the perfect way to prove to your boyfriend that romantic films can have action in them. Regardless of your reasons for watching it, Safe Haven has the Sparks’ themes you know and love, plus a little extra punch of passionate drama.

My Cat...Girl's Best Friend or Evil Genius?

‘Twas was a cold night in December, when all through the May house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…

You know why? It was the night the feistiest cat in the world came into my life. 

Striking a pose

My mother and I rescued Sassi May, my beautiful gray tabby, during the Great OKC Ice Storm of 2007. My mom went out the back door to look at the blankets of ice covering our yard, when she heard a soft meowing. There on the back porch, was the cutest little kitten she had ever seen. 

What a cutie!

The poor kitten had icicles on her whiskers. So naturally, my mom had no choice but to bring her inside. The moment I laid eyes on that sweet baby’s face, it was love.

Baby face

I swear the mushiness stops here. For as the ice began to melt away, so did the kitten’s sweet nature. It didn't take very long for my family to realize this cat had an attitude, hence the name Sassi.

There's a monster in my bed!

This cat will roll over at your feet, a trick we have termed “playing cute”. And as soon as you lean over to pet the little darling…SMACK! She will slap you with her paw and run down the hallway like a maniac. You’re probably thinking that’s playful and cute. Well, you’re wrong. This kitty has a mean set of claws.

She only looks friendly

This cat knows every cute trick in the book. In the mornings, I usually enjoy a nice bowl of cereal, until I feel a tiny paw prodding my leg. I always look down and see Sassi staring at me with these big “please love me” eyes and I lose my nerve. My voice takes on this creepy, high-pitched squeaky tone and I baby talk myself into madness. As soon as I get up to get my sweet baby a treat, I return to find her on the kitchen table, drinking my milk. 

This cat truly believes she is queen of the house. No one in my family gets to sleep the night through. Sassi will wait until all the lights in our house are turned off, gives us a good half hour to fall asleep, and scratches on the window screen to wake someone up to let her in. This occurs approximately three or four times a night, which makes me thankful I don’t live at home anymore. When I do come home, I startle her when she's sleeping, just so she knows how it feels. After all, I have to keep some semblance of authority.

The fur donut

Sassi may sound like a conniving little fiend, but every time I look into her eyes, I see that helpless little kitten with the icicles on her whiskers. And who could possibly resist that?

Mommy's little angel

Celebrating Galentine’s Day

If you've never celebrated Galentine’s Day, or don’t know what this celebration is, you are seriously missing out on some good times with your gal pals. Women celebrate Galentine’s Day on February 13^th.  It’s a day spent having brunch with friends, buying each other silly gifts, and putting up any and every over the top Valentine’s Day decorations you can find.

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Galentine’s Day was introduced in episode 16 of the second season of the comedy television series, Parks and Recreation. Leslie Knope, portrayed by Amy Poehler, described this annual celebration as "Lilith Fair minus the angst and plus frittatas”. She started Galentine’s Day to celebrate her friends’ independence and the fact that they don’t need a man to complete them.

www.amazon.com

During the show, Leslie gave her friends some interesting Galentine’s Day favors including hand-crocheted flower pens and mosaic portraits made from diet soda bottles. The Galentine’s Day festivities ended with a love story that Leslie said “makes The Notebook look like Saw V”.

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We can’t let the ladies on TV have all the Galentine’s Day fun. You too can celebrate your friends and corny Valentine’s Day presents. All you need to do is plan a nice meal, preferably breakfast food, for all of your closest gals. Make sure you have loads of pink and red decorations at the celebration; it is impossible to have too much sappy stuff lying around.

2013-valentinesday.blogspot.com

Have everyone in attendance bring gifts for one another, but they can’t be something you’d actually want. They have to be as ridiculous and silly as possible, and don’t be afraid to make your own Galentine’s Day gifts. Here are a couple of pictures of some priceless gems I found online.

www.etsy.com (Jowjow- Happy Daisy Pen)

www.etsy.com (LexDevil- Lego Portraits)

While celebrating each other’s awesomeness, listen to some festive music. Leslie’s group listened to classics such as, “The Way You Look Tonight”, “I Only Have Eyes for You”, and “ I've Got You Under My Skin”. Any romantic playlist will do, and it will really take your Galentine’s Day to a more meaningful level.

www.amazon.com

Even though Galentine’s Day is a fictional holiday, it can be used as a time to tell your friends how much they really mean to you. You don’t have to write a personalized 5,000 word essay like Leslie’s; a sweet message in a card will do. So grab your good friends and some frittatas and celebrate!

nycityeats.com

RumBelle Makeup

Hello dearies! This post is for those of you as crazy as I am about the blossoming romance between Rumplestiltskin and Belle on ABC’s hit TV series, Once Upon a Time. Get ready to bring a little OUAT magic to your life with my RumBelle inspired day-to-night makeup look.

While watching the show, I was captivated by sweet, subdued eye makeup Emilie de Ravin wore when she portrayed Belle. Her soft, neutral-toned makeup matches her refreshing, collected demeanor on the show.

Emilie de Ravin as Belle (tumblr.com)

Similar to the collision between Belle’s approachable behavior and Rumple’s sinister nature, de Ravin’s makeup look contrasted with the heavily gilded look of Robert Carlyle’s makeup.

Robert Carlyle as Rumple (www.empowernetwork.com)

Rumplestiltskin’s gold-flecked skin and glowing eyes perfectly coincide with his dramatic mannerisms and haunting personality. Despite this dark description, Rumple remains one of the favorite characters among OUAT fans who know that beneath the beast, lies a lonely man.

Falling in love...literally

I thought it would be best to use Belle for the daytime look. Her makeup on the show is very natural looking, but the simplicity of it is gorgeous. For my Belle look, I used all earth-toned colors from the Smashbox Master Class Palette.

Smashbox Master Class

After priming my eyelids, I applied Cinnamon Toast,a shimmery tan color, onto the middle of my lid. Then I applied a taupe hue called Sable on the crease of my eyelid. For the brow bone and inner corner of my eyes, I used, Butter, an off-white shade to highlight my eyes and make them appear more open. Next, I applied Flirt, a sparkling beige color, all over my lid to blend the colors into one another.

Neutrals from Smashbox

I finished the look with a thin line of mocha-colored gel eyeliner above my top row of lashes, just enough to make them look fuller. I applied mascara last, using an upward sweeping movement, so the ends wouldn't flare out. The end product was a very clean makeup look that is perfect for daytime.

Day-Belle

Rumple’s love of gold made it perfect to do a flashy nighttime look. I used the same structure I used for the Belle eye, but I used darker colors and winged out my eyeliner for added drama. For the Rumplestiltskin look, I used the Too Faced the Return of Sexy palette.

Too Faced the Return of Sexy

I used New in Town, a glittery gold color, for the middle of my lid. Then I applied Too Faced Innocent, a rusty gold, on the inner crease, working my way out to Casting Couch, a smoky brown, on my outer crease.To highlight my brow bone and inner corner of my eye, I used Naïve, a candlelight gold shade.

Golds for Rumple

The most dramatic part of the look is the eyeliner.I used a black gel eyeliner to get a crisp line surrounding my eye. I pointed the eyeliner around my tear duct and slowly winged it out on the ends. I applied my mascara at an angle, so my lashed would wing out with the eyeliner, but a nice pair of false eyelashes would really take the look to the next level.

Night-Rumple

I "twooly" hope you enjoy the RumBelle day-to-night eye makeup looks!