Holiday Party Ideas

Cherry Gin-gria

 

 

Ingredients

• Ice cubes
• 2 ounces cherry syrup (recommended:Giammona)
• 2 ounces gin
• 5 to 6 ounces club soda
• 1 ounce red wine
• Maraschino cherries
• Fresh or frozen raspberries

Directions
Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour in the cherry syrup and the gin; stir to mix together. Lighten the drink with a generous splash of soda. Float a layer of red wine on top by pouring it over the back of a wide, flat spoon. (Don't worry if it doesn't float; it tastes great either way.) Drop a few maraschino cherries and raspberries into the glass. Drink.

Serves: 1 drink
From:  Food Network Kitchens

 

Poinsettia Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vodka
• 1/4 cup Champagne
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• Crushed ice
• 2 strips orange zest, each about 1/4-inch wide and 2 inches long

Directions

Combine the vodka, champagne and juice in a large-stemmed red wine glass. Add crushed ice and stir until the mixture is well chilled. Twist the orange strips over the glass, drop them in, and serve.

Serves: 1 cocktail

Recipe adapted from Emeril's Creole Christmas Cookbook, by Emeril Lagasse with Marcelle Bienvenu, published by William Morrow, 1997



Candles

Using candles to decorate during the holidays is an easy way to add holiday spirit, use as a beautiful centerpiece, illuminate a corner of a room or just ignite seasonal romance.

Glitter Candles

These candles light up the room even without a flame, thanks to a dusting of superfine metallic glitter. To make: Place a few in a large box and coat with spray adhesive (sold at crafts stores). Spoon glitter over the candles to coat; let dry overnight.

 

Glitter Candle Sticks 

Make plain candlesticks sparkle with a coat of shimmery glitter. Buy inexpensive wooden candlesticks, or use a weathered pair you already own. Working in sections, brush craft glue onto the candlesticks, and dust with fine glitter (shake off excess). Let glue dry overnight. With a paintbrush, apply a thin layer of clear shellac over glitter, and let dry.

ehow.com

Banana Eggnog (non-alcoholic)

 Ingredients

• 1 Ripe banana, sliced thin
• 1 Egg
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 1 cup Cold milk
• 2 tablespoons Maple syrup

Beat together banana, egg and sugar until well blended and smooth. Add milk and maple syrup and beat until combined. Pour in chilled glasses. Garnish whipcream (optional)

 

Cranberry Floral Centerpieces

Rinse the cranberries to remove dirt and rocks, and get them their brightest.
Fill your vase with cranberries about 3/4 full. Then fill the vase with water, also about 3/4 full. Trim your flowers to the size that will fit in your vase. Add one flower at a time to the vase, using the cranberries to hold them up in the positions you would like.
ehow.com

Pomegranate Cocktail

Ingredients

2 cups pomegranate juice                                              

1 1/2 cups vodka

1 cup grenadine

1 cup fresh blood orange juice (about 2 oranges)

1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes) Garnish with a lime twist if desired

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Serve over ice

Cooking Light
DECEMBER 2003

 

 

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Secrets of Natural Curls

 Secret #1: Careful With That Shampoo




Deva No-Po Cleanser

Shampooing can strip hair of its natural oils, which are actually great frizz fighters. To avoid frizz, lather up only a couple times a week with a gentle shampoo, preferably one that contains no sulfates which tends to dry your hair out. Sulfate-free shampoos are gentler on the hair and the scalp. STAY AWAY from getting shampoos at your local drug or grocery store since they aren't focused on your hair their products aren't enriched with rich moisturizers and nutrients.

Currently what’s extremely popular Deva Curl's No-Poo and Lo-Poo shampoos, created by curly-haired women for curly hair, are sulfate-free, full of organic moisturizers and created for ultimate frizz protection.



Deva Curl Sample Kit
(No-poo Shampoo, One Conditioner,
Defining Gel, & Moisture Lock Spray
Genesis Price: 18.99)

Secret #2: Don't shampoo every day, but do condition every time you are in the shower. Wash with cold water. Cold water helps making hair shinier, locks in moisture, and reduces frizz.

Secret #3: Deep Condition at Least Once a Week

If your hair is susceptible to dryness, frizz or dandruff, keep away from products with alcohol and treat hair to a deep conditioning hair mask at least once a week. Consider natural oils as well. Stylist Ebony Coles recommends add a 1-2 teaspoons Of Naturally HairGlaze oil in your conditioner and use a wide tooth comb and massage with your fingers into your scalp and hair. Then put a shower cap on and sleep in it, washing the oil out in the morning or set on hair for about 45 mins.

Secret #4: There are Right Ways & Wrong Ways to Use a Blow Dryer

The blow dryer can be a curly girl's nightmare if used improperly. To avoid the poof, let hair air dry as long as possible, then blow dry hair with a diffuser like this amazing one from Deva. Hold the blow dryer under hair, cupping (not squeezing) curls in your palm up folding the hair accordion-style as you dry hair.

Deva Curl Defining Gloves $15.99, Deva Frizz-Free Towel 9.99, DevaCurl Dryer & DevaFuser

If you don't use a diffuser, aim the blow dryer nozzle downward, in the direction hair grows.

Secret #5: The Right Kind of Blow Dryer

Invest in an ionic hair dryer, which dries hair much faster, therefore creating less damage to the hair's cuticles. You should use a diffuser when blow-drying curly hair. Stylists swear by Deva's hand-shaped diffuser which allows you to actually get into the curls to dry them.

 

 

Secret #6: Don't use too much product. With a styling milk, gel or mousse, put some into your palm and rub your palms together. The product will warm up as you rub and distribute better by not 'globbing' onto one spot. Most women apply product to the top of their heads which can weigh hair down. Coles suggests to apply product is to start in the back where hair is thicker. You can then work the product through the sides and at the top of the head. Add small amounts of product as you make your way through sections of hair.

You can comb the product through or massage it into hair with your fingers.

Secret #7: Detoxify your hair about once a month. Your hair is one of the most absorbent and dirtiest parts of your body. Think of the smog, pollution, germs from sneezes and coughs, smoke, etc. that you encounter every day. All of this can get trapped in your hair. If you smoke or someone around you does, your hair will trap and smell like smoke. So even if you choose to live with the frizz and not use anything in your hair, please use a detoxifier once in a while. It will help your hair. Try a good clarifier ask your stylist she should have one.

Secret #8: Layers are a Curly Girl's Best Friend Pick a trustworthy Stylist Ebony Cole's suggests aiming for long layers cut in to allow your curls to move. "You want the curls to be full of spring back" she says.

Because it's so important to "shape" curly hair, stylists often razor or scissor cut curly hair when it's dry. And there's definitely a technique to shaping curly hair, says Cole's. Also your stylist is pulling too much on your hair; simply ask them to please pull less on the curls while cutting can make hair shorter than desired length.  If you wear your hair curly and let it air dry, Cole's recommends you inform your stylist so he or she can keep the layers on top of the head longer. Why? Curly hair dries tighter than it would if you blow dry it daily using a diffuser or drying it straight.

Secret #9: Don't Throw Out Your Brush It's actually a myth that you can't brush curly hair. While some women swear off even a comb, preferring finger-combing (I know of one woman who swears she's never, ever combed or brushed her hair). Brushing hair for 2 minutes a night helps distribute natural oils from scalp to hair, making it "smoother, more manageable,  less frizzy, softer, less tangles and shinier."

Yes, your hair will likely pouf up into a mass of curls after brushing, but this is OK. Simply wait until just before bed to brush and rinse hair in the morning. The benefits are worth it. "Whether you are plagued by frizz, dryness, split ends or even hair thinning, nightly brushing with a natural-bristle brush will help to alleviate if not completely cure the condition.

 

Secret #10: Keep Extensions an Option

It's OK to add some extension for added fullness and length. Whether you want it while your in process of growing it longer or weather condition issues. Just don't for get to take proper care of hair in between weave installations.

(pics above: before and after weave installation  @ Genesis Salon 336-722-2233)
*All products sold at Genesis Salon 336-722-2233

Curly Hair is Sexy Hair, So Embrace Those Curls…stay tuned to “Coloring Your Curly Locks”

Relationship Talk #3 Have You Been Mistreated by your Mate?

What is Emotional Abuse?


Iyanla Fix my Life: fix My Cheating Husband

This episode is about a woman who call in for Iyanla to help her make a decision about what to do with her husband of 10yrs who happens to be a pastor and has cheated with about 20 women. They currently live a double life because she has her own apartment with the kids and then on Sunday they go into chuch togther as if nothing iswrong. She sits in the first pew knowing that some of the women her husband has sleep with are right there in the congregation (he admits to ), one of his indecretions has resulted in a child. The whole thing has been a mess and now she has had an affair as well. When Natashia has a sit down with Iyanla she has a few things she wants her to realize and this is one:

Verbal abuse is a pattern of behavior that can seriously interfere with one’s positive emotional development and over time, can lead to significant detriment to one’s self- esteem, emotional well-being and physical state. Verbal abuse creates emotional pain and mental anguish. It is a lie told to you or about you. Generally, verbal abuse defines people telling them what they are, what they think, their motives, and so forth.  It has been further described as an ongoing emotional environment organized by the abuser for the purposes of control. Usually one person is blaming, accusing, even name calling, and the other is defending and explaining.

Below are some common signs of verbal abuse:

  Being called names by your spouse. Any negative form of name calling is unacceptable. If you feel that it is a put down, then it most likely is. There are names that are obvious and, without question abusive. Then there are the covert, veiled attempts to put a spouse down that are harder to identify. Verbal abusers love to use constructive criticism to beat a spouse down. If your spouse is constantly criticizing you, “for your own good,” be careful. This is the most insidious form of verbal abuse.

   Using words to shame. Critical, sarcastic, mocking words meant to put you down either alone or in front of other people.

Yelling, swearing and screaming. I call this the “walking on eggs shells” syndrome because you are living with someone who goes verbally ballistic for very little cause. You’re stunned, shocked, and thrown off balance by mate's sarcasm, angry jab, put-down, or hurtful comment.

Using threats to intimidate. No threat should be taken likely, even if your spouse tells you they are only joking, especially if it causes you to change behaviors or to feel on guard in the relationship.

Blaming the victim. Your spouse blows his/her top and then blames you for their actions and behavior. If you were only perfect they wouldn’t lose control!

Your feelings are dismissed. Your mate refuses to discuss issues that upset you. They avoid discussion of any topic where they might have to take responsibility for their actions or words.

Can’t seem to resolve issues. It is the issue in the relationship. When a couple is having an argument about a real issue, the issue can be resolved. In a verbally abusive relationship, there is no specific conflict. The issue is the abuse, and this issue is not resolved. There is no closure.

You often wonder why you feel so bad. You bury your feelings; walk on egg shells and work so hard at keeping the peace that every day becomes an emotional chore. You feel depressed and have even wondered if you are crazy. Your self-esteem gradually diminishes, usually without her realizing it. You may consciously or unconsciously try to change your behavior so as not to upset the abuser.

Manipulating your actions. The persistent and intense use of threatening words to get you to do something or act in a way you find uncomfortable. This form of verbal abuse is common at the end of a marriage. If your spouse doesn’t want a divorce they will say whatever it takes to play on your emotions, to get you to stay in the marriage. All in an attempt to get you to comply with their desires, regardless of what is best for you as an individual.

Verbal abuse usually escalates. It increases in intensity, frequency, and variety. The verbal abuse may begin with put-downs disguised as jokes. Later other forms might surface. Sometimes the verbal abuse may escalate into physical abuse, starting with "accidental" shoves, pushes, and bumps.

Responding to Verbal Abuse:

If your mate, the person you are closest to habitually, verbally abuses you and dismisses your feelings, you will begin to see yourself and your needs as unimportant, of little consequence and irrelevant. When you finally recognize and come to terms with the idea that you are being verbally abused you need to also become focused on getting help. Here are some steps you can take if faced with verbal abuse:

  Abuse is never justified so, you should never feel that it is your fault.

  Let the abuser know how hurtful their words are and discuss with them the fact that it is unacceptable to you. Set boundaries on what you will and will not accept from your abuser.

  Seek counseling, either together or separately.

  Surround yourself with a support system of family and friends. Discuss with them what is happening and how you are feeling.

  If the verbal abuse escalates to physical abuse, leave. Your personal safety is far more important than the relationship.

  Do not engage in conflict with your abuser. If your spouse becomes angry stay calm, walk away and don’t give him/her what they want…a reaction from you.

  Take back your power. If you react to the abuser, you are rewarding them. Letting them know they have power over your emotions. Don’t allow the abuser to have control over how you feel.

  Leave the relationship. If setting boundaries, getting therapy and refusing to respond to the abuse doesn’t work, then it is time to consider divorce. There are times when the best thing you can do for yourself is, break all ties with your abuser. If you make this decision hire an attorney familiar with domestic violence, stay in close contact with your support system and focusing on learning good coping skills.

Usually the underlying factor in the dynamic of abuse can be viewed as the abuser’s low regard for him or herself. As the abuser may fear not being “good enough” and/or meeting other’s expectations, the abuser may attempt to place their victim in the position to feel or believe similar things about him or herself.

Physical abuse is easily identified. There is no doubt, once you have been hit, that you have been physically abused. You don’t second guess yourself because the bruises and scars are visible evidence that abuse has taken place. Verbal abuse is different. The damage is internal; there are no physical bruises or scars, but it wounds your spirit and sense of self-esteem. Just because a old relationship is what you’re used to and your scared to move on it’s not worth giving up on you having a happy fulfilled life. You can’t have that with someone who just cuts you down. SO Live Love and Be Glam U lous!

Source: About.com