Ending Fat Talk……One Anonymous Post-It at a Time!

This is part of the mission of anonymous do-gooders of Operation Beautiful. Their mission is to post anonymous notes in public places for other people to find. Notes like, “Yes you ARE beautiful!” Expect to find these notes anywhere….on a public bathroom mirror, in a clothing-store change stall or on the parking meter. Upon checking their website, I found that most people leave their anonymous positive posts on public bathroom mirrors (school, gym, restaurant, etc.) The Operation Beautiful web address is almost always left at the bottom of the note. On their website (www.operationbeautiful.com), you can find samplings of notes left behind, along with stories on how people left their words of encouragement. Check out the recent posting below!!


Laura wrote:
Instead of sleeping, or studying for my three final exams that are tomorrow, I decided to write out a “You Are Beautiful” post-it note for everyone who lives on my floor and stick it to their doors for them to find in the morning. I plan to put one on every door in my building. I am a firm believer that health comes first, and beauty follows. I believe it’s possible to think yourself beautiful. That’s why we have to remind people, every day, just how gorgeous/amazing/wonderful/beautiful/good-looking/ marvelous/handsome/attractive/awesome they actually are.”


So as I write this heading into 2010, I think this will be one of the many resolutions I will make and actually follow through with. I will write a note on a Post-It and leave it somewhere in Calgary. Pretty simple (I know), but maybe the person who finds it will be having a really crappy day, and that little note of inspiration will turn their day around. Maybe you can do the same?!

Happy New Year…..and remember, beauty is NOT a size.

GaGa for "Glee"

I've got Glee on the brain after watching another great episode last night and then waking up to a Glee article in today's paper. I also just got off the phone with a media friend who recently interviewed Canadian born Cory Monteith who plays Finn on Glee. What juicy little tid-bit did he get to learn about "Finn"?. Cory misses ketchup chips!! Ha! I guess they don't sell ketchup chips in U-S where Cory now lives. Poor guy.

If you missed the Glee article.....here it is. Enjoy, cuz if you're anything like me, you can't get enough of Glee!!!

http://tinyurl.com/yhrmnb7

Taking a PERFECT Driver's License Pic......

My girlfriends and I were laughing a couple of nights ago about our terrible driver's license pictures. Oh, and it's not just bad D-L pics!! My Costco pic is uber awful...my husband's is awful too. In fact, whenever I need a really good laugh I dig his out....look and laugh. (His is worse than mine).
Anyway, in the quest for a better pic I dug up some tips on how to put your best face forward for the dreaded driver's license mug shot.

*Wear more makeup than usual to avoid looking washed out. And don't forget the powder....that'll avoid shine on your pretty face.

*Set your feet hip-width apart and then place your palms up on your backside and drop your shoulders.

*Tilt your chin down (only a bit). If your nose is long, face the camera head on.

*Because most faces are asymmetrical, angle your head with your smaller eye out in front.


Simple tricks to a prettier you.
Now if we could only use these tips for our passport pics!!

Erin

Have you "Done It"?!

The list could be endless...eating blowfish in San Fran, checking out the Windsor Castle in Berkshire England or experiencing the Sydney Opera House in Australia. It’s what you’ve done and what you’ve yet to do. Jen Leo of the L-A Times recently wrote about a cool new website called diddit.com.

http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-tr-webbuzz6-2009sep06


“Diddit” is a place to discover new things to do, keep track of what you want to do and share stories about your life experiences (your "diddits")! The website allows for any experience to be chronicled. So for instance, one of my “diddits” would be, “landed at the bottom of the Grand Canyon in a helicopter”. And a wanna-do-it??...”eat olives and drink wine at a little cafe in Greece”!

Have fun “doing”-I know I will!!

Erin

Back To School ALREADY??!!

That seems to be the consensus of parents with school aged kids across Calgary this week. Every where I turn, parents are shaking their heads in disbelief..."I can't believe they're back in school on Thursday"....as I sit writing this, Thursday is now tomorrow. YIKES! Where did the summer go?
I have many Calgary school teacher friends who were grumbling over this past weekend. You see, it was their last weekend of freedom....our school teachers were back in school on Monday.
If you're a parent, you most likely know that our traditional school calendar was adjusted for "Worldskills Calgary 2009"!
Check out everything you need to know about the upcoming school year by checking out this website!

http://www.cbe.ab.ca/


While you're on the Calgary Board of Education website, be sure to check out the CBE H1N1 Resources Centre. There's some great information reagrding the H1N1 influenza A virus, seasonal influenza and strategies for staying healthy during the school year!!

From one parent to another, I hope tomorrow goes smoothly for you and your kids as they head back for another year of reading, writing and arithmetic!

Erin

Facebook = Jealousy???

As I sat reading this article out of yesterday's Calgary Herald, I found myself questioning any "feelings" that have come up with my use of Facebook. Can't say I've ever felt jealousy. But I CAN see how easily it could happen. I do have two friends who discovered their realtionships weren't what they thought it was upon discovering their boyfriend went from being "attached" to "single". What a crappy way to get dumped!!!
I've been on Facebook for just over a year....and I'm embarassed to admit it took me about a month before I realized if you write on somebody's wall, everyone else can see it! DUH! I also know that amongst friends, even putting pics up can cause some grief. You have four couples over for a BBQ, you snap pics and throw them up on Facebook....your other "couple friends" see it and wonder why they weren't invited. Oh the drama!!! :)
If you didn't catch this article in yesterday's paper...enjoy the read!!

Erin

http://tinyurl.com/lawjoj

Beauty Tips for Pregnant Moms from Liza!!

You're not imagining it, we're in the middle of a baby boom! Did you know, more Canadian babies are born in July than any other month.

One of North America's most foremost experts in pregnancy beauty Liza Elliot Ramirez will be sharing her coveted secrets to help Mom's show off their beautiful bumps on CTV Edmonton, Wednesday July 8th at noon!
I had a chance to ask Liza a few questions of my own about pregnancy and beauty....


Erin: Among other things, you’ll be sharing some product information with the Moms-To-Be of Alberta, information on a beauty product called “Bio-Oil”! (I’ve actually been using it throughout my pregnancy and I love it)…..for women who haven’t heard of “Bio-Oil”, can you tell us about it?

Liza: Sure! That’s so great that you’re already using it! Bio-Oil helps prevent those dreaded pregnancy stretch marks, particularly when used right from the first trimester. It’s the best selling scar and stretch mark product in 13 countries and is recommended by doctors and pharmacists around the world. I recommend it to all my models to keep their belly beautiful before, during and after their pregnancy. It contains a combination of calendula, lavender, rosemary, chamomile oils, vitamin A and E, and the breakthrough ingredient PurCellin Oil™. This unique formula is totally non greasy and absorbs rapidly. I love it because it’s a simple, affordable all-in-one skin solution everyone can use.

Erin: Would you recommend women continue using Bio-Oil AFTER the baby is born?

Liza: Definitely! It keeps your skin hydrated and moisturized. Keeping your skin well moisturized is key to maintaining your skin’s elasticity. Also, if you don’t use Bio-Oil during your pregnancy, you may get stretch marks which are a huge issue for pregnant women. If skin is not cared for properly, especially in the first trimester, stretch marks are a near guarantee. Few people realize that stretch marks are actually scars, a result of the skin stretching quickly and tearing. Bio-Oil helps first to prevent and to reduce the appearance of these scars.

Erin: Can you share with us, a few of the secrets famous Moms use during their pregnancies?

Liza: Hollywood stars are heavily influencing today’s pregnancy beauty and fashion trends and whether you’re a star, a model or the yummy mummy next door, these secrets can help add a little glamour to your pregnancy.

1. Silky Skin: Moisturize! Exfoliate your body with gentle soap and a coarse cloth in the shower; apply Bio-Oil head-to-toe on your skin; focus on the belly area morning and night – for beautiful silky, stretch-mark resistant, summer-ready skin!

2. Fashion that embraces your pregnancy curves: Top trends include the empire waist maxi dress; bare shoulders; bikinis and unfussy stretchy belly-hugging styles. Fuller bustline means new bras are a must. Stick to solid colours for a sleek look. Add visual interest with bold accessories that make a statement. With chunky necklaces and bracelets; gladiator sandals; comfy wedge heels; bold sunglasses and wide rim hats you’ll have it made in the shade!

3. Fresh, clean make up: Your skin emits a natural glow so don’t cover it up. Powder can make you look older. Tinted moisturizer with SPF; a little bronzer and a soft neutral lip gloss enhances the glow. Add glamour to this radiant look with a smudge of dark liner across the upper lash line. Use an eyelash curler; for best results heat it under the blow-dryer for 5 seconds; finish with a rich mascara and a few artificial lashes to the upper outer corners for a pretty, polished look. For swelling in the eye zone, apply spoons chilled in the fridge for a few minutes before makeup application.

4. Loose, pretty hair: During pregnancy your hair gets thicker and more luxurious. When the weather is warm try a fuss-free up-do. Tie back hair in a loose pony-tail; twist the pony-tail into a loose bun fastened with bobby pins; hair-spray; and put on a delicate headband in a solid dark colour. Très chic!

Erin: Liza if people want to learn more about you, can you please pass along your website? Thanks!

Liza: You can reach me at www.expectingmodels.com and find out more about Bio-Oil at www.bio-oil.com.



You can also catch Liza on her hit TV show Runway Moms on TLC this fall!!

Some great tips from Liza. I wish I would have been able to speak to her earlier in my pregnancy! I'll be off on maternity leave as of July 10.....learning how to be a new Mom all over again with baby #3! I know many of our Energy listeners are pregnant too.....wishing you all healthy deliveries.

Erin