Lancome Presents: “Beauty of Giving”

You know I love it when Big Companies help out the children of the world.  So here you go!  🙂

October 21st, 2011, Lancome invites customers to experience the “Beauty of Giving” by celebrating Genes Day, a one-day national event Lancome began in 2010 to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases. On this day, Lancome will donate $7 from the sale of every bottle of Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate to St. Jude. (This is in addition to special promotions and events nationwide surrounding Genes Day throughout the month of October.)

“The partnership between Lancome and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a true celebration of the beauty of giving,” says Lancome ambassadress Julia Roberts. “I’m honored to be part of the Lancome family as it supports St. Jude’s mission of helping children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”

Lancome, the world’s largest luxury beauty brand, pledges to double last year’s donation and raise $300,000 to support the lifesaving research and treatment done at St. Jude.

“We’re proud to join forces with St. Jude for a second year in a row,” says Serge Jureidini, president of Lancome USA.  “St. Jude is an organization that shares Lancome’s commitment to groundbreaking research and we’re committed to supporting the cause for years to come.”  Jureidini adds that in this second year, it’s even more clear that Lancome and St. Jude share many of the same core values, namely their focus on research-led initiatives. “Our partnership,” says Jureidini, “only grows stronger.”

“Lancome is a partner that, like us, understands the importance and value of research,” says Richard C. Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. “Our founder Danny Thomas believed that no child should die in the dawn of life, and the funds raised by Genes Day and other Lancome programs throughout October helps enable us to continue the groundbreaking research that leads to cures for children in communities everywhere.”

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family’s inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, go to www.stjude.org and follow St. Jude on www.facebook.com/stjude and www.twitter.com/stjude.

About Lancome and Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Lancome, founded in Paris in 1935, is the world’s largest luxury beauty brand. Its award-winning skincare, makeup and fragrances are sold at 2,000 counters across the U.S. Just as science and research are the cornerstones for St. Jude, they are the driving force behind Lancome skin care. Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate, introduced in 2009, is a shining example of this single-minded focus. The award-winning and best-selling product is the result of 10 years of research and the recipient of seven international patents. It also marks the brand’s entry into the area of genes technology as it relates to skin. After extensive clinical testing, Lancome confirmed that in just seven days the Genifique formula enhances the youthful quality of skin and improves skin tone, texture and luminosity. After two months of regular use, Genifique stimulates the production of proteins associated with young skin—this is Lancome research and innovation at its best.

A truly innovative formula, Genifique was the first skincare product to enter the genes territory. And the results speak for themselves: visibly improved tone, texture and luminosity within just seven days. The unique, sleek packaging with the dropper system only adds to its appeal. Fans include “Mad Men” actress Christina Hendricks, Lancome ambassador Julia Roberts, British songbird Lily Allen, supermodel Veronica Webb and star makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury.

About the Lancome and St. Jude partnership

Through scientific and consumer research, Lancome continues to innovate through new concepts in beauty and knows that a woman’s beauty goes beyond appearances.  As Lancome’s national charity partner since 2010, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children. Through its focus on research, St. Jude has raised the overall survival rates for childhood cancers from 20 percent in 1962 when the hospital opened to 80 percent today. Lancome respects St. Jude’s passion for research and their focus on  finding cures, saving children and making a difference for families. This is why they believe so strongly in the beauty of giving. For more information, go to www.stjude.org.

Genes Day: Celebrating the Beauty of Scientific Research

The suggested retail prices for Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate are $58 for 0.67 ounce; $78 for 1 ounce; $98 for 1.7 ounces; $125 for 2.5 ounces. Those new to Genifique are welcome to stop by the counter during the month of October for a deluxe seven-day sample of the product. On Genes Day, October 21st, a $7 donation will be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for every concentrate sold at a Lancome counter in the United States or at lancome-usa.com.

Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/lancome

Decorating Tips From the Spa

Decorating Tips From the Spa

By Shelley Levitt for The Style Glossy

Even without the massage, body wrap or facial, spending a few hours in a spa is a great way to relax. That’s because the smells, sights and textures that surround you are themselves antidotes to stress. Having your favorite massage therapist on call 24/7 would be relaxing, we’ll admit. But these decorating tricks from some top spas are the next best way to make your day-to-day life at home more serene.

1. Bring the outside in. Natural elements soothe. At the spa at Colorado’s Vail Mountain Lodge and Spa, the art includes branches sprayed with silver and gold paint and affixed to the walls with dowels and wire. For an even easier do-it-yourself project, simply place branches in a vase. Taniya Nayak, host of HGTV’s “House Hunters on Vacation,” loves to include pieces made of natural wood, like a rustic bench or a carved wooden bowl, in the homes she designs. Or, consider hanging a group of wooden picture frames in different shapes and sizes on a wall. “Don’t put anything inside the frames — not even a piece of glass,” says Nayak. “The frames themselves are the art.”

2. Engage your sense of smell. Bring home the “aaahhhh” scent of a spa with reed diffusers. As essential oils seep up the wood stems, which are housed in a glass cylinder, the scent wafts throughout the room. You can find a wide collection at Pier 1 Imports. Search online for the Archipelago collection — which is available in that spa staple, eucalyptus and dozens of other scents from arugula to verbena — or for Red Flower’s organic diffusers in scents like jasmine and orange blossom.

3. Remember the five natural elements. Incorporate wood, fire, metal, earth and water. For fire, consider flameless candles and tea lights. “These protect your home from candle-related fires, but still give you the ambiance of the perfect spa escape,” says Mindy Terry, president of the consulting company Creative Spa Concepts. Terry’s favorite way to introduce metal is with Tibetan singing bowls. Made from an alloy containing copper, tin, zinc, iron and other metals, “they’re not only beautiful; they’re also an interesting conversation piece.” Plus, they appeal to your sense of sound. Simply tap the rim of the bowl with the mallet and the vibrations will produce crystal-clear tones. You can find both antique and modern versions of the bowls online.

4. Use transparent materials. Glass hurricane vases, for example, will help to create a sense of light and airiness. At the spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, orchids and lilies are submerged in tall vases — a clean, crisp and uncluttered way to introduce water and earth elements in your home. “These simple arrangements add a sense of movement to your space and keep your environment dynamic,” says Jennifer Kleen, the spa’s designer.

5. Keep colors harmonious — but not dull. When interior designer Warren Sheets chose the colors for the Renaissance-inspired spa at the luxurious Grand Del Mar resort in San Diego, he wanted them to be “simple and soothing.” But instead of a monotonous palette of white and beige, he mixed earthy creams with warm slate hues and ecru, and “to lend energy and life,” he used azure blue as an accent color. “Restricting color to various shades of the same family imbues a relaxed feeling, while also evoking a positive energy,” says Sheets. Nayak suggests choosing a paint color for your walls, such as teal blue — and then adding white to make it 50 percent lighter for your ceiling. “A spa vibe doesn’t have to be Zen and quiet,” she says. “It can be hip and modern and still serene.”

Photo credit: Jerry Atnip

Shelley Levitt managing editor of The Style Glossy, is a former West Coast editor of SELF and senior writer at People.

Atol de Elote (Warm Corn Milk)

Atol de Elote

As you know, I love the cold. I love it so much once I got home I went straight to my kitchen and Made some Atol (AH-Toll) de Elote (Eh-low-teh). Its something I grew up drinking along with Arroz con Leche. I remember when I use to go to San Lucas, Guatemala, right at the entrance there is a farmer’s market and there the Indigenous ladies made this drink.  San Lucas is known for their Coffee farms. (Now you know why I love coffee so much!). And the entrance welcomes you with HUGE pine trees. Nevertheless, today I was cold… and I made some Atol de Elote. 

Here is MY recipe. I’ve revamped it, but it taste the same.

So here you go! 

Ingredients 
Two Tee-spoons (O_o) of Vanilla 
One Can of Sweet Corn 
Cinnamon
Nine Splenda packets (1/2 or 1 cup of sugar) 
4 cups of Milk 
(I use Skim because I just do, mom uses 2%, others use Whole Milk, All your choice. LOL).

(Yes I shop at Target….LOL) 
What to do!
1. You have to open the can, but DO NOT drain it. 
2. Add the can of corn into a Blender. 
3. Add the Vanilla
4. Add the Milk and Blend to liquefy (as the Yo Gaba Gaba peeps say YEEEEAAAAH!) 
5. Add a bit (like 3/4) of milk to warm up onto a Pot big and add (3-4 dashes of Cinnamon)  
6. Once that warms add the Liquefyness in the pot. 
7. Under lite fire, move it around. Let it simmer (light fire)
8. Once the milk foams up move it around some more and lower the fire EVEN more. 
9. Shut the fire, then
10.  POUR and DRINK (but don’t burn your lips) 😉
you can always add sweetness to your liking. 🙂
Jes’ Atol de Elote

Smile (If you want)

Jes Sofia

Coach for Cure

The last time I bough a purse it had a lot of meaning to me because It was my little coach purse I take into all my sessions. The Little but VERY FABULOUS Pink purse.  First of, I carry it because it reminds me of what can be overcome by strong women all over the world. It reminds me of things I’ve gone through, but most of all its pink, which reminds me that no matter who or where you are at as long as you have yourself, your love for you and others, I will be OK.

This one I bought at the Sherman Oaks Westfields Fashion Square.  And Again, The attendant was awesome!

So When you buy this one, think of all the strong women you are buying it for!

Smile (if you want)

Jes Sofia

Speed up Your Morning Routine

By Michelle Goodman from Las Fabulosas

Busy juggling your kids’ routine, your work emails and countless other to-dos every morning? You probably don’t have time to glam up on your way out the door. The right products and a little preparation can shave an hour off your busy schedule.

Skin
For glowing, killer skin, pamper your cutis the night before, says Jackie Cioffa, celebrity makeup artist and author of the blog Make up to Model Citi Zen. Apply a regenerating serum that’s packed with antioxidants to help protect against photoaging. Then, apply a night cream on your skin and an anti-aging cream under your eyes. Rinse your face and apply a light moisturizer. When you get up in the morning, your skin will be fresh and ready to go.

Lips
Right after you finish brushing your teeth, brush your lips with a wet, rinsed-off toothbrush to remove any dry flakes from chapped lips. Next, apply a moisturizing lip balm. Look for one that isn’t sticky and is full of antioxidants. Then add some color to your lips with a lip stain in a berry color.

Makeup
For a golden glow, mix a liquid bronzer with moisturizer to avoid any shading, and then blend with a brush. It will leave your skin looking fresh and glowing. Next, use a lash curler for an eye-opening lift, says Cioffa. Apply volumizing mascara in your color of choice.

Take a cream-based shadow and sweep it once over your eyelids. Finally, with a synthetic brush, apply concealer under your eyes.

Hair
If you have oily hair but no time for washing and styling, use a dry shampoo, says Rafael Nieves, owner of The Heights Salon of Brooklyn. It will refresh hair and make it look and feel cleaner.

If your tresses are dry, mix a bit of leave-in-conditioner with water in a spray bottle. Shake, spray your hair, shape with your fingers and allow to air dry.

Straight-haired gals: Wrap your hair around your head and cover it with a silk hair wrap overnight. This will prevent tangles in the morning. Remove the silk wrap, brush and you will be ready to go.
Michelle Goodman  is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in beauty and health
issues.

Arroz Con Leche?

http://bakinghistory.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/arroz-con-leche-ii.jpg

You know, my mom always told me that cooking always make her smile. She was the one who inspired this blog today. I was making some grub… Yes, I love cooking. And I was looking at my mom picture in my kitchen of her cooking… I remember that she use to smile a lot growing up and she felt wanted and needed when she was making us food. Now, I’m happy when she makes arroz con leche and I will attempt to head over to the hood and pick some up.

But sometimes, I just make my own. So why Arroz con Leche? What is this… its like rice pudding with out the pudding. Its a hot rice milky substance… anyway. This is something I think of when I’m feeling sick, in a low mood (no I’m not in a low mood ya) and when I just want to feel close to my mom or my family. You see… My mom made it for us and still does during the cold season… YUM! We woke up or come home from school and have some Arroz con leche. It is the bomb drink, its like having oat meal, but with rice and much tasty-er.

So why am I writing about this? Well… because I figure I’d tell you my most fav drink in the world, and because Arroz con Leche is part of my culture and this is my way I pay tribute to my heritage… with arroz con Leche (translated, milk and rice).   Yum. I think I’m going to make some now…

Have a great day!

Smile (if you want)

Jes Sofia

Like the recipe?

Ingredients:
1 cup of rice.
4 cups of water.
1 cinnamon stick
1 liter of milk 
1/2 pound of sugar
1 tsp of grounded cinnamon
Bring the water to boil, add the rice, cinnamon stick. Let it cook at low heat, stirring occasionally. When the rice is cooked add milk and sugar and let it simmer. Keep on stirring. Cook it to liking. I like mines a bit watery because I like to have it like an atol (thick hot yummy drink). Some people like to add raisins.. I don’t. Some people sprinkle Cinnamon, I do and some nutmeg. Yumm-e! Enjoy!

Do you Belong?

I hear  lot of people… and A LOT of people always tell me that they do not feel that they belong in their family. They don’t understand how or why they were chosen to be in a family like theirs and sometimes, some people wish that they want to belong to another family. Belonging to your family… Think about it, do you really feel you belong in your family all the time? Some may say yes, others no… this really is based on your own experience and your own point of view. So I base my thoughts process today through facts…as usual.

You see… Belonging…belong…According to http://www.dictionary.com/ is:

1. to be in the relation of a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc. (usually followed by to ): He belongs to the Knights of Columbus.

2. to have the proper qualifications, especially social qualifications, to be a member of a group: You don’t belong in this club.
 
3. to be proper or due; be properly or appropriately placed, situated, etc.: Books belong in every home. This belongs on the shelf. He is a statesman who belongs among the great.
 
And all I can relate to family is being a member to a group. You see, your family is a group, weather it be two people or one person. Sometimes your family is connected by a blood line, or others, it can be an emotional attachment. Like when You don’t feel you belong to your Blood line family, are adopted, you tend to have some sore of family. According to Dictionary  #7. this also included Servants. BEHOLD Servants are family too!
Family:
1. a. a basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not: the traditional family.

   b. a social unit consisting of one or more adults together with the children they care for: a single-parent family.
 
2. the children of one person or one couple collectively: We want a large family.
 
3. the spouse and children of one person: We’re taking the family on vacation next week.
 
4. any group of persons closely related by blood, as parents, children, uncles, aunts, and cousins: to marry into a socially prominent family.
 
5. all those persons considered as descendants of a common progenitor.
 
6. Chiefly British . approved lineage, especially noble, titled, famous, or wealthy ancestry: young men of family.
 
7. a group of persons who form a household under one head, including parents, children, and servants.
 
8. the staff, or body of assistants, of an official: the office family.
 
9. a group of related things or people: the family of romantic poets; the halogen family of elements.
 
10. a group of people who are generally not blood relations but who share common attitudes, interests, or goals and, frequently, live together: Many hippie communes of the sixties regarded themselves as families.
 
A family usually is what you make of it. You can choose to belong and be accepted for who you are, or not accepted for who you are…regardless its your choice. Some get over their moments of not feeling belonged and then end us feeling like they do…So Like i said…The way you CHOOSE to VIEW if you belong or not, is your choice. The fact that you belong to a family is a fact. You will always be a part of a family. Weather it be your blood line, your friends, your work, something… Someone will always care for you even though it may not feel like it at times. So when you go through the moments or facts that your family doesn’t want you or care about you… you will find someone in your family, friendships or else where that usually you can call family and know you belong there.
 
Note: I never mentioned you belong to someone…the only person you truly BELONG to is yourself. No ones else. But your can always be a member of some group.
 
Have you ever felt like you don’t belong?
 
Smile (if you want)
 

Fall Back with Michael Kors!

It’s that time of the year! My favorite! When the air is cooler, crisper at nights and I have to look for something to warm me up! Yes, its Fall ladies and Gents! I’m Happy to announce that this fall I am a few pounds lighter and I still am able to wear my sweet sweet Michael Kors. 

This fall you will find  that my picks are what else than awesomeness. Gold! Brown! (my favorite color) and shimmer (a girls friend).  A color that looks awesome an Latina Women! (Happy Heritage month ya’ll).

So this is the pieces I’m IN LOVE with this fall…

I know… it is calling your name. Michael call my name every season too! One of my faves! You can buy online http://www.michaelkors.com/

Do you like my pics of the MK season?

Smile (if you want)

Jes Sofia

Independant Woman with Lafayette148 New York

 

Plus-Size Causeway Stripe Ellen Blouse,Plus-Size:What's New

There is something about Stripes that make an Independent woman seem that much more independent. I’m happy with strips. It makes my body look curvy in the right places. So when I saw Lafayette148’s new Blouse, I feel in love with it. I want it. 🙂 Imagine me in it? HOT!  Going into the office looking and feelings like a million bucks. Check out this season’s Line at http://www.lafayette148ny.com

I think being Independent is part of looking and feeling Independent. But some sugar helps too. 🙂 

What makes you feel independent?

Pumpkin and Spice and everything nice.

Smile (if you want)

Jes Sofia