Lifetime Beauty Brief: Day at the Office

I Love My...

What You See Is What You Get

One of the things that I love about Mary Kay Inc. is the emphasis to our sales force on personal growth. Mary Kay Ash was so far ahead of her time, and one thing she taught from the very beginning was, "What we think about, we bring about". In an age of self-help sections at the bookstore & motivational speakers, this type of thinking could be thought by some to be cliche. And I have to admit that I was a skeptic, at least in the affirmations department.

If you aren't familiar with affirmations, they are positive statements you tell yourself in an effort to reprogram your mind from the negative & manifest your dreams into reality. The average person is naturally negative in their thinking, and it truly takes a concentrated effort to remove all the negative thoughts that run through our minds every day. It is no coincidence that depression is one of the fastest growing "diseases" in society today. Have you watched the news lately? Read the paper? How many of the stories are positive?

About three months ago I decided that I needed to make a change in my life & that I needed to start with my thinking. I was frustrated with my business & realized that even though overall to outsiders I was a very positive person, in my head I was constantly fighting with self doubt. I would tell people outwardly that I wanted to accomplish certain things, and immediately in my head think of all the reasons why they wouldn't happen. I'm embarrassed to say that even though I had taught this concept to my Mary Kay consultants for years, I had never truly practiced daily affirmations in my own business. I decided that I had nothing to lose by trying it out. So I compiled my list of positive statements, and really figured out what it is that I want for my future....I put them on my mirror, on my desk, recorded them on my ipod so I could listen to them anytime, and even made a movie with pictures of the things I was saying. It became part of my routine!

Now, three months later I can honestly say I see them working! I won't get into specifics, but I will say that I have seen huge changes in my personal & professional life. I still struggle with fighting those negative thoughts, and I am sure I always will, but it so easy now to go straight to my list and start reading or turn on my ipod. It is a process and something that takes time! And even though I am not where I want to be just yet, I AM A BELIEVER!

Of course, starting on this journey has opened my eyes even more to the concept of positive thinking. And I have noticed more & more when successful people talk about their journey, even if they don't specifically say that they used "affirmations", they do talk about their thinking. I was watching the 2010 Tony Awards last month, and was truly touched by one of the winner's speeches. Katie Finneran won the Tony for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Promises, Promises. I found myself in tears at the end of her speech, because I knew exactly what she was thinking. It is a true example that "What you think about, you bring about!":

"I couldn't help but wonder...."

I am counting down the days! This weekend Sex & the City 2 hits the theaters, and I cannot wait! To get ready I have been watching past episodes of the original series, and re-watched the movie for what seems like the 100th time. What is it about these girls that gets me so excited? Even though I love the fashion, the scenes of NYC, and the crazy dating scenarios...I think the thing that sucks me in is the friendships between the characters! And I think that is what attracts the majority of fans. There is something comforting about watching a group of women who love & support each other through failed relationships, new jobs, babies, marriages, and just the ups and downs of life. Although, the Manolo's and fabulous lifestyles don't hurt either! Only 3 more days...

Nashville Flood

Nashville Rising

This past weekend Nashville experienced the worst flooding in over 100 years. It was "Katrinaesque" in damage, andis going to take months to rebuild & will cost close to $1 Billion. It has been amazing to see the response of people, and the National FEMA Director says he has never seen such volunteerism. Last night on Anderson Cooper 360, Anderson said, "I have never seen such a response from a community after a disaster". And this is why I love this city so much!

It has been so heartbreaking to see the pictures of the areas affected, including many of of Nashville's city treasures like the Ryman, 2nd Avenue, & Opryland Hotel. Many homes were lost in the flooding, and one of those was was my friend & sister Sales Director Candy Johnston. She was able to get most of her clothes, and her Mary Kay office was spared on the second floor along with her computer & inventory, but her house had 6' of water in the downstairs for 2 days. Unfortunately, like most people in Nashville, she did not have the flood insurance to cover all that has been lost. Here are a few pictures of the damage:




To help with some of the cost, an account has been set up at Nashville's Avenue Bank for donations & contributions to her situation. To donate, you can either call Tiffany McGee directly at 615-503-2983 or you can send a donation through the mail to:

CC: Tiffany McGee
101 International Drive, Suite 100
Franklin, TN 37067

So many people are in the same position, and it is almost overwhelming to know where to start in the process of helping them through this disaster. Here are some other ways to help:

Tide Loads for Hope trucks arecoming to Nashville on Wednesday, May 12. The Tide staff will literallywash, dry, and fold clothes for our neighbors who need it. Please contact Tide at 800-879-8433 (press 0 for operator) and let them know Nashville needs Loads of Hope. The more calls they receive the bigger priority we become.

Visit http://www.hon.org to find out about specific volunteer opportunities.

Thank you for your thoughts & prayers!

Message from MODA Image Consulting ~

Spring cleaning time!

Spring has sprung and the fabulous fashions have arrived! Spring is a time for cleaning out the old and bringing in the new…if you are not happy with your current wardrobe, now is the time to change it and buy the clothes that not only look good – but make you feel great every day!

One of the most common fashion mistakes that I find in closets has to do with the ‘fit’ of clothing. Have you ever bought an item because it was on clearance or was a trend that you just knew you would wear but never did? Common mistake! This month in Glamour Magazine, they will tell you to take a ‘style risk’ by wearing shoulder pads, straight skirts, high-waisted pieces of clothing, socks with heels (awful…) and much more. Style ‘risks’ are just that, risks. When you buy a piece of clothing, you should follow a few rules…

Rules to follow to ensure you do not make common fashion mistakes.

1. Think FIT FIRST - This is the number one most important rule to follow. Many women and men buy oversized clothing thinking that it will hide their imperfections. Unfortunately, the resulting effect is sloppiness and a lack of femininity.

Also, don’t buy pieces of clothing that are too small thinking that you will lose the extra 5 or 10 pounds. Even when you do lose the weight, your body shape does not always stay the same and the smaller pieces of clothing may not fit you ‘right’ anyway.

2. Your foundations will make or break your outfit. Most women are wearing the wrong size bra. If you haven’t been fitted in a while, it is worth being measured by an expert! One of the other common mistakes made is showing panty lines when wearing well fitted pants or skirts.

3. Know your brand. Your “brand” is the first thing people think about you when they see you and is your most visible credential – your brand sticks with you - it is what people envision even when you are not with them. In order to be consistent, you must know what your brand is. When buying an item of clothing, think – does this match my brand? Is this something I would wear with confidence? Does it complement who I am?

On a personal note…I recently tried on a military inspired jacket that is a huge trend for spring. It looked fantastic, but I knew that I would never wear it as it just didn’t ‘match’ nor did it ‘complement’ my own brand. It was too structured and didn’t say what I needed it to say. In essence, it did not represent me well and would not make the ‘right’ first impression.

4). For those of you who are ‘petite’ – most of the time, I will not dress my clients in petite clothing. If you know your body shape, you can shop for regular clothing and hem your pants properly. Most of the time, petite clothing just does not ‘fit’ as well as it could and it is worth getting pants hemmed when they fit you in the stride.

5). Does it make you FEEL good? If you try something on and you don’t feel confident, don’t buy it. Many closets have numerous items that are just ‘ok’ and are a complete waste of money. If you try it on and don’t love it, take it off and keep shopping.

Your clothing should make you feel confident. When in doubt, buy pieces that are classic and stay away from trends you are unsure of. Please let me know if I can help you to dress with confidence and discover what ‘fits’ work for your body type!

I look forward to serving you. If you missed my latest fashion segment on 'Talk of the Town,' please click the link HERE to see it! (You will see some of the newest spring trends that you can add to last years wardrobe!) Please don't hesitate to call for a copmlimentary consultation, and don't miss the next fashion segment on April 16th!

Happy Shopping,
Mila
mila@modaimageconsulting.com

Here are a few of my favorite spring updates worth investing in!

Sunglasses: Sunglasses are worth the investment since you wear them daily. Make sure to pick the right shape for your face - do not buy an 'aviator' just because it is a trend.



Bags: An easy way to update your spring wardrobe is with a fantastic bag...buy one that you can dress up or down. Again, this is worth the investment since you wear this daily! You can have fun with this for spring and summer - ruffles, bright colors and accents are ways to express your own personality.



Scarves: Fun accents to throw on even with a white tee to spruce up your daily outfit!



Sandals: Invest in one great pair of neutral sandals that make a statement!

Direct Sales - Jobs in Beauty on ELLE.com

Direct Sales - Jobs in Beauty on ELLE.com

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Marie Claire Behind-the-Scenes

3 Seconds!

It only takes 3 seconds to make a first impression! Does that scare you? Working in the beauty business, I do believe that can be an intimidating thought.

So, if you are in business for yourself, think about this: Why do companies spend money creating a consistent brand? It's because they want the customer to remember their product even when it is not actually in front of them. Studies have found that Mary Kay is one of the world's most recognizable brands. It has consistently been named in the Top 3 of Key Brand studies. Along with that, it has also been found that Mary Kay customers are some of the most loyal.

Now my responsibility, as an independent business owner of the Mary Kay brand is to make those findings work for me. I am responsible for creating my own personal brand. What my customers will think about me when I'm not in the room. That is exciting! Another exciting statistic is that women who wear make-up earn 20% more then women who do not....How can I go wrong? Right?

Stop It!

The best kind of therapy...

Away I Go ~ Live

Another performance by Johnnyswim:



BTW, some of my other friends who are in a trio called Stealing Angels just released their first single "Lightning in a Bottle". Listen for it on your local country radio stations!

Find Your Way to Beautiful

Life is too short to blend in...

Anyone who knows me, would probably say that I am a minimalist as far as accessories go. Usually I throw just throw in my diamond stud earrings, put a ring on my finger, and possibly a necklace around my neck. Growing up a tomboy, where my best accessory was a baseball cap, accessorizing outfits is not my forte.

Although recently, with the help of some very talented friends, I have realized how important accessories truly are to finishing off a look. I honestly think that my minimalist style comes from a fear of over-doing it. What necklace & earrings look the best together? How many rings are too many? These are all questions that I have a hard time answering.

My friend, Ginger Jones, owner of NalaStyle says, "accessories are the way people tell their stories". And the more I have been reading from professional stylists, and watching my friends who are talented in that area, I believe that statement to be true. So my mission this week is to study Rachel Zoe, Monica Rose (Kim Kardashian's stylist), & my own good friend Ginger Jones. I am in the beauty business & this is an important piece to my beauty knowledge!

Shop Nala at www.nalastyle.com & follow her Ginger's blog at www.nala-style.blogspot.com

Follow Monica Rose's blog at www.monicarosestylist.blogspot.com

"A Small Component of a Million Different Pieces..."

Are you ever just overwhelmed by how many AMAZING people are out there following their dreams? It is so inspiring to watch someone who is passionate about what they are doing, and I would say it is almost contagious. Have you ever walked out of a business meeting, networking event, or conference and felt like you could conquer the world? There is just something about being around a group of people who are inspiring & who are all working toward a common goal. Although, I have also found that that feeling can go away as fast as it came. It is so important to constantly be searching for people who are passionate about what they do & to surround yourself with positive people who build you up! Today I was inspired by a photographer named Jasmine Star, and I wanted to share this video with you. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO ON JASMINE STAR!

Not Gonna Leave Me Here!

This is a video from some of my most talented friends! Amanda & Abner Ramirez, also known as Johnnyswim, performing my favorite song of theirs " Not Gonna Leave Me Here". This performance is from their show here in Nashville at 12th & Porter about a year ago. I love their music, and am hoping they will be releasing more songs in the near future. You can download 4 of their songs on Itunes.
Enjoy!

Brows that Wow!

I have ALWAYS struggled with my eyebrows! I look back at pictures of myself in middle school & even a little of high school and cringe. If I didn't watch it, the two of them could become one. And since trying to control them through waxing and plucking there have definitely been some missteps along the way.
In my journey to become a professional beauty consultant I have come to realize how important good brows are to your overall appearance. The first make-up artist I trained under, Robert Jones, talked a lot about symmetry and thinking of your face as art. That was new to me, and I found that through some simple tricks we can do a lot with what we have to work with.
Last night the girl's in my organization had the pleasure of having our brows shaped & waxed by professional stylist Erin Finn. Even though we are in the beauty business, many of us have not attended beauty school & learned these more niche markets. She did an outstanding job, and really took her time at making sure everyone was happy. She pointed out tips throughout each individual session of how to maintain good brows, and really tried to keep any "pain" from the waxing to a minimum. I recommend visiting a professional stylist to get the best advice on how to shape & maintain your brows.

Click here for a video on "How to Get Brows that Wow"

To book an appointment with Erin Finn, located at Studio Hair Design in Franklin,TN, please call 615.289.5830 and CLICK HERE to visit her blog.

I Can't Get This Thing To Print!

Vote for Mary Kay! ~ Allure Magazine

Through Feb. 28, 2010, you can vote for your favorite products in Allure magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards in categories such as skin care, makeup, hair care and body care.

Consider casting your votes for these Mary Kay® products to help make them “top picks” in the following categories:

Lip Gloss: Mary Kay® NouriShine® Lip Gloss in Beach Bronze
Facial Cleanser: Mary Kay® TimeWise® 3-in-1 Cleanser
Facial Scrub: Mary Kay® TimeWise® Microdermabrasion Set
Facial Moisturizer: Mary Kay® TimeWise® Age-Fighting Moisturizer
Anti-Aging Product: Mary Kay® TimeWise® Replenishing Serum+C

Visit Allure magazine to cast your votes now:
http://www.tsgresearch.com/studies/allure/readerschoice/poll.htm?id=&t=33898454653084

And why not share the news with your Mary Kay® brand-loving customers, family members and friends, so they can cast their votes for their favorite products, too!

Sunny Day!

Isn't that picture gorgeous? I'm not at the beach, but oday is the second day in a row, since I can't remember when, that we have had SUN! It is amazing what a little Vitamin D can do for your energy, spirit, and motivation. It's Friday and I definitely needed a gorgeous day like this to finish out the week. It's going to be a busy weekend with a Mary Kay party tomorrow morning, business meetings, & follow-up but it is still the weekend. So, I have put on my Sunny Dad mix on itunes in my office and I am doing my affirmations, making phone calls, and making the most of this gorgeous day.

The Many Lessons of Ash Wednesday

This is a very interesting article on Ash Wednesday & Lent. Personally, I did not grow up participating in Lent. In fact, I had not even heard of this process of giving up something in your life for the 40 days between Ash Wednesday & Easter to represent what Christ gave up for us when he died on the cross until I was in college. I grew up going to church, but in the Methodist and Baptist church we did not exercise this challenge. I love the idea of giving up something for 40 days, but this year I have had a really hard time figuring out what to give up! I'm only a day behind...
RELEVANT Magazine - The Many Lessons of Ash Wednesday

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My One-Year Goals

How often do you look over your goals? Do you do it once a year when the New Year rolls around? Seasonally? Monthly? I have found that it is extremely easy to lose sight of your goals in the day to day hustle and bustle. I sometimes get to the end of a work day and have no idea if I accomplished anything of significance. Working in sales, I have found that my results don't always show up immediately. It can take days, weeks, months, even years for the rewards to show up. I believe that is a big reason people in my particular business get frustrated. In our microwave mentality if it doesn't happen NOW it never will!
The way I have come to terms with the waiting period, and suppressed my impatience, is by working with consistent goals. I easily get distracted and so I am committed to making a habit of looking over and imagining my goals completed every day! It is time that I could easily skip, but I have found that the visualization makes a huge difference in whether I accomplish it or not. For me personally I am making it a habit of writing out my "dream" commission check each morning of what I want to earn that month, saying my affirmations throughout the day of what I am going to accomplish, and reading my list of 25 things I could do, be or have regardless of time, talent or money. It takes 21 days to make a habit and so I will check back in in 20 days! The exercise below is what encouraged me to get RE-FOCUSED!

YOUR DREAM BUSINESS ONE YEAR FROM TDOAY

"Take a moment and fill in a description of your goals. Imagine it is one year from today, and that you are describing your dream business and your own position within it, including your financial state, from that vantage point.
Don't worry about making this perfect; just let it rip. Creating goals is always a work in progress. In fact, we strongly recommend returning to this exercise regularly ---not just once a year, but once a season, once a month, even once a week. As you grow, so will your goals.

Today is (one year from today) _____________________, and I need to take a moment out of my busy day to reflect on all the amazing things that have happened over the past year, and to note the amazing place at which I have arrived:

1. PURPOSE
My dream business or career is making a huge difference in the world around me, because through it:

2. NUMERIC TARGETS
I now have a net worth of $_________________
an annual gross income of $_________________
and I am giving $________________ to (church, charity or other recipient).

3. MEANING
As a result of this extraordinary financial abundance, I now have and feel:"


*Exceprt from The Answer by John Assaraf & Murray Smith

Why Are You In Business?

"Let's start by asking a fundamental question: Why? Why are you in business? Why are you doing what you're doing?

People talk about motivation, but motivation - at least the way we usually interpret the word-is fairly ineffective. Getting pumped up because someone else has cheered you on or whipped up your enthusiasm is all very well, but typically it doesn't last more than few hours or days. Here's what does last, for months, years, a lifetime: your motive.

Big goals, in and of themselves, do not create great accomplishment. What creates great accomplishment is what lies behind the big goals: your own personal motive, the force that drives you. It may have to do with other people; perhaps somebody is relying on you - your children, your spouse, your business partners. It may be that you've made a commitment to yourself. Whatever it is, that motive is what we call your why. Clearly knowing why you want to achieve your goals will play a major role in your achieving them.

Remember the power of the seed, the power that enables that tiny acorn to pull in everything it needs from its environment? Your dream business is also formed around a seed, and your why is what lies at the core of the seed. On the days you don't feel like doing what it takes, the days when obstacles seem bigger than possibilities, it is that irresistible force within you that will provide everything you need."

Excerpt from The Answer:Grow Any Business, Achieve Financial Freedom, and Live an Extraordinary Life"

It's Red Carpet Season!

Recently I was going back and forth on whether or not I should go brunette. I have been blonde my entire life, and I was wanting to do something different! To get an idea of how it would look I went to www.marykay.com and did a Virtual Makeover. I was able to upload my own picture, and try on different hair colors & styles. I ultimately decided that I would wait, and stay blonde. It has taken a lot of time & money to get my hair this color, and Spring is almost here. I knew I would want to be blonde in the Spring & Summer. Although trying out the different styles was a lot of fun. I recently found on www.instyle.com the Hollywood Hair Virtual Makeover, which is the same as the one on the Mary Kay site, but has celebrity hair styles you can try.
It definitely takes some practice to master this Virtual Makeover program. At first my photos definitely looked fake, and I couldn't figure out how to make it look real. I played around with the different color options, and I quickly realized that it is really important to have a good photo of yourself to use. It is a lot of fun once you get the hang of it, and I think it can be a great tool to use if you are ever contemplating a big change in the hair department.

Spring Trends~

DVF Awards ~ People's Voice

One of my favorite designers is Diane Von Furstenberg. Not only do I love her clothes, but I also love how she is such a proponent of women! The most recent example of this is her creation of the DVF Awards, which includes the "People's Voice" Award that has been created to recognize and support women who are using their vision, resources and commitment to transform lives. These are women who have had the courage to fight, the power to survive and the leadership to inspire.

The DVF Awards Board of Advisors has selected five women from the United States whose passion and courage have inspired them and who are working to make changes in their communities and beyond.

The winner of the “People’s Voice" Award will receive $50,000 in support of their associated organization (U.S. 501c3) from The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation. The Award will be presented on March 13th, 2010 at The DVF Awards ceremony on the occasion of The Daily Beast’s Women in the World Summit.

The winner will be announced on March 1st, 2010 on DVF.com and on the DVF fan page.

VOTING STARTS
February 10, 2010 @ 12:00 am (EST)
VOTING ENDS
February 10, 2010 @ 12:00 am (EST)

VOTE FOR THE WOMAN WHO INSPIRES YOU THE MOST!
To vote go to www.dvf.com or the DVF-Diane Von Furstenberg Facebook Fan Page

Anti-Aging Secret for your Skin Tone! According to InStyle

There's no doubt that sun damage is a huge factor in the battle against aging. But dermatologists say that our skin's genetic profile also plays a rold in the onslaught of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. So while the usual advice still applies to everyone - wear broad-spectrum sunscreen, drink lots of water, eat a balanced diet - here are some tips to benefit each skin tone:

Dark Skin


With lots of pigment and a relatively thick epidermis, your skin is the least susceptible to premature wrinking. "In general, the darker you are the slower you age," says New York dermatologist Francesca Fusco. The main concerns are pigmentation issues, such as dark undereye circles and hyperpigmentation. As you age, your skin may sag and develop tiny raised brown spots known as dermatosis papulosa nigra. According to dermatologist Jeanine Downie, "We dark-skinned women tend to lose elasticity as we age because we often don't wear sunblock."

Your Regimen
*Cleanser
*Eye Cream
*Daily SPF
*Fade Mark Cream
*Treatment Lotion

Reaction to the Sun
With the most melanin (aka natural sun protection), this skin type always tans, rarely burns.
How you Age
Rough patches of skin and uneven pigmentation (including dark and undereye circles) are likely to show up before crow's-feet or laugh lines make an appearance.

Olive Skin


With more melanin in your skin than most Caucasians', your skin is relatively robust. One of your biggest complaints? Melasma, large patches of hormonally driven discoloration triggered by UV exposure. Depending on how much time you spend in the sun, you may also have fine lines and other signs of sun damage. Dermatologist, Elizabeth Alvarez Connelly says, "I often remind my patients that just one day in the sun can reverse months of therapy when treating dark spots."

Your Regimen
*Cleanser
* Sunscreen
*Night Cream
*Discoloration Serum

Reaction to the Sun
This skin type often tans easily. But keep in mind: Burn-free skin can still be damaged-it's just happening below the surface.

How You Age
Blotches on cheeks and along hairline can appear as early as your mid-20's, though you might not wrinkle until many years later.


Light Skin


The yellow under-tones in your skin help bolster it against the damaging effects of the sun. If you are Asian, you have another anti-aging advantage: "Studies have shown we have thicker collagen bundles," says dermatologist Jessica Wu, noting that sagging and skin-tone problems tend to be more common than wrinkles among light-skinned women. When pigmentation patterns do develop, they tend to occur in small clusters as opposed to large patches. Jessica Wu also says, "Light skin usually develops uneven color and sagging before it starts to wrinkle."

Your Regimen
*Night Cream
*Serum
*Daily SPF
*Spot Lightener
*Cleanser

Reaction to the Sun
You tan a little, but you burn too.

How you Age
Without adequate protection, small clusters of sun spots on your cheeks may begin appearing in your 20's. Wrinkles, however, may not be a concern until your mid-to late 40's.

*February 2010 InStyle*

NalaStyle, Mary Kay, & Stephanie Marie Photographie

My Headshot!

Here is my head shot, which was taken by Stephanie Hambley of Stephanie Marie Photographie. I haven't had a photo like this taken of myself since college. Isn't it hard to look at pictures of yourself and be objective?

Heart of Gold!

Below is the first video & single for new artist Ashlyne Huff. She was a classmate of mine at Brentwood Academy, where I knew her as a very talented dancer. She wrote all of the songs on her upcoming album, and this first single Heart of Gold has been in my head since I heard it. It is so neat to see former classmates doing so well. Enjoy! And if you like her, be sure to become a fan on facebook.

Ashlyne Huff: Heart of Gold (Official Music Video - HD)
Uploaded by AshlyneHuff. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Valentine's For You & Yours!

Yesterday was our Valentine's event, which we called Valentine's For You & Yours! The idea was to invite customers to come & be treated like a star, and it worked! Each person who attended was treated to a glamour makeover by Mary Kay (of course), hair styling by professional stylist Erin Finn, were accessorized by Ginger Jones the owner of NalaStyle, and then photographed by Stephanie Hambley of Stephanie Marie Photographie. Not only did they walk away with a gorgeous 5x7 headshot, but they were also given a $10 gift card to use towards Mary Kay products. NalaStyle offered a 10% discount on all products, and booking discounts were offered by Erin Finn and Stephanie Hambley. The Aloft hotel of Franklin, TN was where the event was held and they could not have been a better host. Their modern & trendy feel was perfect for our event, and we can't wait to hold more events their in the future. It was a great day, and there will be more pictures to follow!

Yay for February!

January flew by! I did a lot of traveling, and that always makes things seem to go by faster. Today I am making my February goals, and getting things kicked off for the new month. If you don't do this in your own life & business I cannot express how much of an impact it can have. I did not do this very well in January, which is why I ended up being very frustrated. I think that just like a lot of people I was "recovering" from Christmas. So today I am establishing my goals for February in both my business & my life. It gives me a track to run on, and a VISION for what I want to accomplish.

"The first step toward creating an improved future is developing the ability to envision it. Vision will ignite the fire of passion that fuels our commitment to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to achieve excellence. Only VISION allows us to transform dreams of greatness into the reality of achievement through human action. VISION has no boundaries and knows no limits. Our VISION is what we become in life."
(Quote from Tony Dungy's book Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices & Priorities of a Winning Life)

Down to Earth Essentials!

Celebrity make-up artist Luis Casco tries some long lasting, lightweight, , good-for-your-skin Mary Kay mineral products that combine beauty and benefits in one. As seen on the style network here is Beauty on a Budget:

Ladder!

I have watched this group from the beginning! They started out as solo performers & have since joined together to form Stealing Angels. It has been really neat watching them sing a couple of nights a week at a local bar, to getting a record deal and now getting ready to release their debut album. It's one of the things I love about living in Nashville!

Brows that Wow!

Tory Johnson: Free Ways to Attract New Small Business Customers With Web Sites - ABC News

Tory Johnson: Free Ways to Attract New Small Business Customers With Web Sites - ABC News

This is another example of how important it is to be a part of social networking. I know that some people are not fans of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc, especially for personal information. Yet as a business owner, access to this many people all over the world is priceless.

"Pink Zone"!

This is a really fun story..and at the end the Coach mentions a woman named Eileen Huffman, who was a Top Sales Director in Mary Kay. Eileen lost her battle with Breast Cancer at the end of December. Coach's Incredible Blind Shot Nets NCAA Final Four Tickets - ABC News

In February the NCAA will hold what they call "Pink Zone" games, where the teams will wear Pink in place of their school colors. It is done to raise awareness of Breast Cancer and also to raise money through the Kay Yow Foundation. If you are interested in donating here is the website: http://www.wbca.org/kayyowwbcacancerfund.asp

Love Them!

Go to your Pretty Place!

Have you ever heard the expression, "Go to your pretty place"? It's the place you go when you want to get away from all the chaos and de-stress. This blog is going to provide a place where you can come for fashion & beauty tips, uplifting messages and whatever else I come across that is interesting.