Shopping Anyone?

A great look for a day of shopping! I put this look together because I am digging the bag! I hope I didn't push it with the shoe. What do you think?

Moisture Anyone?

I don't know what is going on, but my moisturizer is not working for me anymore. I started off using Clinique's Dramatically Different moisturizer, but after about 15 years, my skin no longer responded. (It had a long run though!)

I then began using Kiehl's Ultra Facial moisturizer and I thought I had found a winner, but now my skin is rejecting it as well. I went to see a dermatologist and she suggested I use Cetaphil. I liked the cleanser, but the moisturizer is too heavy.

I only have this problem in the winter, but I need help because my skin looks like a rough patch of concrete and that is not sexy. I have resorted to adding a little bit of Vaseline to my moisturizer to help it along, but I end up looking like a greasy faced 2 year old. I am in search of the right balance. I need something that will provide moisture without making my face too shiny.

I don't want to search out a new moisturizer and waste tons of money trying different ones, so can anyone help me with some suggestions to narrow down my search and lead me in the right direction. I have combination skin in the summer, but in the winter I am totally a dry skin gal.

Thanks for any help!

Today"s Scripture

Line up Your Heart

"…The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart"(I Samuel 16:7, NIV)
When the Lord looks at your heart, what does He see? Everyone has an outer life and an inner life. The outer life is our public life that people around us see. The inner life is made up of our thoughts, attitudes, and motives. Only you and God know what's going on inside of you.
Too many people go around today pretending—acting one way, yet on the inside they're thinking something totally different. Their heart and their actions don't line up. We have to understand that God looks at the inside. We can fool a lot of people, but we can't fool God. God would rather us be open and honest than go through life pretending.
Take inventory of what's going on inside of you today. Are you at peace? Are you overlooking offenses? Do you believe the best in people? Are your heart and actions lining up? If not, submit your ways to the Lord today and ask Him to give you an undivided heart. Line up your whole being so that you can live pleasing Him all the days of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Dear Father, I humbly come before You today and ask that You search the deep places of my heart. Show me if there is any area where I need to line up my heart and actions. Help me to be authentic in You today. In Jesus Name. Amen."

Sassy Weekend Chic!

I love the weekends and I like to be sexy, yet comfortable. This look is sexy, yet simple! I don't wear a lot of necklaces, hence no necklace involved in this look. This can easily go from day to night depending on the occasion. I think I am going to try and recreate this look for a night out this weekend with my sweetie!

Today's Scripture

Take the Limits Off

"They turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel"(Psalm 78:41, KJV)
We serve a God of increase! He wants to do new things in our lives. We should always be rising to new levels, but it's so easy to get stuck in a rut and just settle for the status quo. Sometimes we think, "Well, I've reached my limits. I've gone as far as I can go. This is as happy as I'll ever be." But if we're going to continue to increase and really experience God's best, we have to get our thinking lined up with God's thinking
It's interesting that in this scripture the people limited the Holy One of Israel. Think about that. How can the all-powerful God, the Creator of the Universe, be limited? By our thinking. He can be limited in our lives by what we believe. A lot of people don't realize today it's their own wrong thinking that's keeping them in mediocrity
Today, take the limits off by choosing to believe God. Feed your faith by studying His Word. As you meditate on His promises with an open and humble heart, you'll see Him move mightily in your life, and you will experience the blessings He has prepared for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father God, today I choose to believe You. I take the limits off by trusting that You have good plans for my future. I invite You to search my heart and remove anything that isn't pleasing to You. I bless You today and always. In Jesus' Name. Amen. "

Product Review - Say Yes To Carrots!

O.K. ladies, listen up! You all know I love to try new products and when I come across a good one, I am definitely sharing the info.

I received a full-sized jar of Say Yes To Carrots Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Mud Mask in my goodie bag at the Shecky's Girl's Night Out event this past summer and I have been using it for about 4 months now. Well, I am hooked! Not only does it make my hair really soft, but I have noticed my hair holds on to water like a sponge after I use it. Say Yes To Carrots for hair care contains extracts of organic carrot, organic pumpkin & organic orange, rich with Beta-Carotene, Alpha-Carotene, Vitamin E and other enzymes that keep your locks in tip-top condition.

Ingredients List
Water (Aqua), Silt (Maris Limus), Dead Sea Water (Maris Aqua), Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Oil, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacin, Dimethicone, Algae Extracts (Rhodella, Dunaliella, Spirulina), Ipomoera Batatas (Sweet Potato) Extract, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Juice, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Organic Extracts, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Juice, Panthenol, Chamomila Recutita (Chamomile) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Juice, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Fragrance (Parfum), Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Oil, Apple Vinegar (Acetum), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Seed Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Peel Extract.

It smells divine and it does wonders for frizz control. I use it as a deep conditioning treatment twice a month. Sometimes I will use it along with either extra virgin coconut oil or Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie. I put whatever concoction on my hair after cleansing or co-washing (either the Say Yes To Carrots by itself or with one of the above mentioned), then I put on a plastic cap and do something around the house for about 3 hours. If you don't have that kind of time (or patience) you can put on the plastic cap and sit under a dryer for about 15 minutes. Rinse completely and style as usual.

I am sure you will like it and it is good for all hair types (natural or relaxed).

I am going to try the Say Yes To Tomatoes Daily Volumizing Conditioner one day in the future and I will give you a review. I am definitely sticking with the mud mask!

Fashionable Toppers!

It's cold outside! At least it is in my neck of the woods.

With that being said, here are just a few ideas for those of you that love being fashionable even when the weather is frigid. And remember, try to get hats with a satin lining in them because wool and acrylic can snag the hair.

A trick that I use is to wrap my hair with a silk scarf or put on my satin bonnet, then my hat. This way, you can wear any type of hat and still preserve your hair's health.

Happy Hat Wearing!

Gap Jean Giveaway!

Hey everybody!

The fabulous Mitzi (the young lady graced my blog a few days ago) is gifting one lucky Mitzi Moments reader with a gift certificate for a FREE PAIR OF GAP JEANS.

Here's what you've got to do:

MANDATORY•

Visit the gap.com and leave me Mitzi one comment telling her which pair of jeans you're going to use your gift certificate to purchase. You can visit her blog at http://www.mitzimoments.blogspot.com/

Be/Become a Mitzi Moments subscriber (you MUST verify your email subscription to qualify).

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES (please leave separate comments for each)

TWEET "I just entered the @MitziMoments Better Booty in 2010 giveaway for a free pair of GAP Jeans. http://tinyurl.com/yzlpuzl"

BECOME a Mitzi Moments Member through Google follower on site OR get the Mitzi Moments RSS feed HERE (leave an additional comment letting me know you’ve done so, and include an email address so that I can contact you if you win).

FOLLOW @mitzimoments on Twitter (send me a direct message letting me know you've done so).

BLOG about this giveaway.

JOIN the official Mitzi Miller Author/ Journalist/ Opinionated Personality Facebook Fan Page HERE (leave a comment on the FB page letting me know you've done so).

THIS CONTEST ENDS AT 11:59 P.M. on MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2010.

THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2010.

It is open to residents in the continental U.S. and Canada. The gift certificate is good for one free pair of Gap jeans with a value up to $69.50 at any Gap, GapKids or BabyGap retail store.

Today's Scripture

Pave the Way for Victory!

"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation"(Psalm 5:3, NIV)
Did you know that every morning you have the opportunity to set the tone for your whole day? When you put God first and decide to go out with a grateful attitude and a positive frame of mind, you'll not only feel better, but you're going to draw in the good things of God. You are paving the way for success and victory. But, if you get up thinking, “Man, life's a drag. Nothing good ever happens to me. It's going to be a lousy day,” then you are going to attract defeat, failure, and mediocrity.
Today, choose to set your day in the right direction. Find something to thank God for. If you have to, make a list of all the good things in your life and post it on your bathroom mirror. As you continually choose to set your mind on Him first thing in the morning, you'll be paving the way to victory and enjoying the blessing and favor He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father God, thank You for the gift of today. I choose to set my mind on You and thank You for Your goodness and mercy in my life. Help me to stay focused on You and keep You first place in everything I do. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

A Cure for the Winter Blues!

Well ladies, if your town is like mine, (it is 6 degrees here and snow on the ground - BRRR) I am sure you are ready for summer. My readers in Cali, you are so lucky, but for the rest of us, we need warmth. I have attached a few pics of summer in the way of sexy sandals. Pretty soon it will be sandal time and these pics will help get us through the frigid days ahead.

Below are selections from the new Spring/Summer Gucci collection I thought were oh so sexy!
I won't be seeking out a pair this year because I am on a quest to pay off debt in 2010, but I can look.

Happy Dreams of Summer!

Here's Mitzi - Again!

I thought I would post this again for my natural sistas who may have missed it!

I tried the mixture Mitzi mentioned below and my hair loves it!

Well ladies, here is another natural beauty who has so kindly allowed me to feature her and her natural hair tips for all of my followers. This beautiful lady is extra special to me because she is one of the reasons I decided to go natural. After seeing her hair in Honey Magazine years ago, I said to myself "I wish my hair could look like that". Well, I am on my way and I hope Mitzi's tips can help others achieve a healthy, natural head of hair! Now remember, all natural hair textures are different, but all natural hair textures are beautiful. It's all about embracing your pattern and taking the steps to properly care for it. If you do this, you will have a beautiful head of hair, no matter how you choose to rock it!

Mitzi Miller is an award-winning journalist and the bestselling author of five books, including the wildly popular Scholastic/Point 3- book teen series, Hotlanta. A contributing writer for Essence, Miller also regularly contributes entertainment and relationship stories, as well as biting commentary and first-person pieces to a wide array of magazines, including Elle (U.K.), Uptown, and SET Magazine. Her extensive television experience includes regular appearances on VH1’s humorous list shows, as well as ABC’s top-rated morning show, Good Morning America, and The Food Network.

When not pursuing writing and television opportunities, Miller is a skilled public speaker who has appeared at various forums and seminars nationwide including the 2009 Young Women’s Empowerment Summit at Long Island University; The Freshman Honors Reception at Florida A&M University; and Essence Magazine’s Image of Black Women in Media Panel.

Miller resides in my fave New York City. You can keep up with her daily drama at her personal blog: http://www.mitzimoments.blogspot.com/

Here's Mitzi's routine:

OK, so for the record- I LOVE wearing my hair chemical free!

I made a spontaneous decision to cut off all the perm portions of my hair when I was a sophomore at Florida A&M University in 1995 and have not looked back since. Okay well, maybe once or twice on the days when my hair is giving me major attitude, I see a fabulous weave or it's freezing outside and the 'fro won't fit under a knit hat. But those moments never compare to the sensation of feeling of the natural texture of my own natural curls.

Honestly, I've tried a million products on my hair. But nothing works better than a little leave-in concoction my hairstylist Edris (who I HIGHLY recommend to anyone with natural hair) shared with me a few years back Its a combination of 3/4th natural Aloe gel (you can purchase this in any health food store) and 1/4 olive oil (you can actually use any type of perfumed oil you like, lavender, etc. I choose the olive b/c I prefer little to no fragrance). The oil keeps my curls moisturized while the aloe gel provides a light hold for the curls.

Here's how to 'make' it:

Pour to two ingredients into a container and mix together completely (if the container has a top, you can just shake it vigorously). Saturate your hair completely by running your fingers through small sections of your hair from root to tip. And voila, you're good to go! Depending on the amount of time you have, you can either air dry or use a hairdryer.
This leave-in conditioner is way affordable, easy-to-make and the best part?

No chemicals to dry out or damage the hair!

Much thanks to Mitzi for sharing with us!

Much love to her and the hair is fabulous!

I will definitely be adding this to my summer regimen!

Happy Hair!

Healthy Living - Slim Your Waist!

Well, we all know this is the time of the year when resolutions are made to lose that extra baggage we call weight gain. If you are like me, this time of year is when you eat the most and really find the need to up your aerobic activity. My problem area is my middle (tummy) and I have to work extra hard to keep it in check. Below are some ideas I found on http://www.ehow.com/ that will help if your middle is your problem area too. I left out the one about doing back bends because I am too old to even try those anymore so I could not even suggest them with a straight face. If you are not as vertically challenged as I am, then by all means be my guest and add those to your list of to-dos.

Another benefit to slimming your waistline is the fact that you are cutting down your chances of developing diabetes, which is a silent killer among African-American women.

You will also look fabulous in your clothing!

Step 1 - Burn fat!
The benefits of exercise aerobically are the most important. Good exercises for the waist are walking, swimming and rowing. But anything exercise that burns fat is beneficial.

Step 2 - Do abdominal exercises!
Perform exercises like crunches, but do them with a twist. Lay down on your back with your knees bent and slightly apart. Cross your arms at your chest. Lift your head and upper shoulders off the ground, moving your right elbow to your left knee. Move back to center, and then move your left elbow to your right knee. This is much better for your back and neck than regular crunches. But remember, you must lose some weight first or you will only build up the muscle underneath the fat. This will cause your midsection to appear even bigger.

Step 3 - Lift your legs!
Lie on one side, supporting your head with your hand. Raise the upper leg slowly, keeping it straight. Hold, and then slowly lower it to the ground. Repeat on the other side. When this move becomes easy, try lifting both legs up together.

Step 4 - Twist your torso!
Stand with feet apart and clasp your hands behind your head. Twist at the waist to the left, and then back to center. Twist to the right and back to center. Each time, twist a little farther. Another method is to place a broom handle behind your neck and drape your wrists over the stick. Twist from left to right, concentrating on each movement.

Step 6 - Bend to the side!
Standing straight with your feet apart, hold a three- to five-pound dumbbell in one hand while bending your waist in the opposite direction. Repeat on other side. (This really works)

Step 7 - Touch your toes!
Stand in a wide stance. Reach one hand toward the opposite foot, keeping legs straight.

Step 8 - Change your diet for the better! Try to rid your routine of processed and fast foods and incorporate more fresh produce in your diet. Eat only one serving of meat a day and fill the rest of your meals with whole grains, fruits, and veggies. Cut out soda and high fructose juices. Drink more water - at least 64 ounces daily.

Also, as you get older, you should actually limit the amount of dairy you consume. It is o.k. to continue eating it, but your body does not need it as much as it did when you were younger and for some, it causes bloating. If you must have dairy, incorporate organic choices instead of regular store brands. (No hormones)

By following these simple steps, you will not only slim your waistline but you will slim your entire body.

Next time I will discuss weight training to strengthen muscles and core.

Keep Moving & Happy Healthy Living!

Today's Scripture

He Holds the Keys!

"I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades"(Revelation 1:18, NIV)

Have you ever been locked out of your car or house? It can be very frustrating and inconvenient. Not having the right keys can keep you stuck and unproductive. It steals your time and can steal your peace and joy if you let it.
On a spiritual level, we need keys to access what God has for us—eternal life, peace, freedom, and blessing. But we don’t have to stand on the outside and be frustrated because the good news is, Jesus holds the keys, and He has opened the way for us to walk from death to life. We don’t have to live in defeat, mediocrity, sickness, sin, or any kind of bondage any longer. We have access to the abundant life Jesus came to give!
Today, if you feel stuck, locked out, or defeated; remember, Jesus is the one who holds the keys. All you have to do is call on His name and He will answer. He promises to hear you and will deliver you! Call on His name today and receive the salvation and deliverance He has already prepared for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father God, I boldly come to You today and thank You for giving me access to life through Your Son, Jesus. I surrender every area of my heart to You and ask that You make me whole and complete. Set me free from anything that would keep me from You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen."

2010 HAS ARRIVED!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

I WISH EVERYONE A BLESSED AND FRUITFUL 2010!