Practice what you preach!

I have always been one to preach about skin care and the importance of washing one's face with a good face soap. I now know why. I have been out of my normal face wash for over a week now. I've just been washing with whatever I could find in the shower. BAD BAD BAD! I have had two zits in one week! This is unacceptable. Making mental note to self... GO GET FACE WASH NOW!!!!!

A Discovery Moment

Here is today's Great Discovery: www.ZenniOptical.com. I'm loving the selection of frames available to me at Zenni Optical. Zenni's low prices can be attributed to the fact that there is no middle man. They sell only their own frames direct to the customer. I don't have to pay every Joe Schmo's salary down the pike. Works for me. I've been in the market for some new frames for quite a while and so I think I'm going to have to see just exactly what Zenni has for me. You know me...any reason to shop!

Coming back

Yes, I know. I've been in a bit of a New Year's slump here at Embracing...

I'm working on some new ideas and new projects and I hope to do some great things with this blog. I took a bit of a beating from Google so it's a lot of work to get things back on track. I'm getting there though. Slowly but surely. Besides...good things are worth waiting for.

Choices make the world go 'round

I am a self-proclaimed Search Engine addict. No matter what it is I'm looking for on the web, I will instinctively go through one of several search engines to find it. I don't use telephone books anymore. I don't look things up in a dictionary nor do I have print catalogs on hand anymore. I search for it all online. EarthFrisk.org will give me results from Google, Yahoo, MSN as well as others. It also blocks a good majority of spam that you receive in other search engine searches. There are available toolbars to use with Firefox and IE. There is even an option where bloggers can have a custom toolbar created with their personal logo on it where there readers can search from the blog itself. I like options. I like being able to choose and have a wide variety of options. EarthFrisk.org gives me plenty of options and for me, that's what it's all about.

At last

I'm so glad that Christmas is finally over. I feel like I can get back to some sense of normalcy now in my life. I now need to concentrate on losing the pounds that I am quite sure I've gained over the last 4 or 5 days. One can only eat so much spinach dip and Toll Hause cookies without gaining that dreaded weight. I'll drop it though. It'll only take me a week to get back into a healthy eating routine and I'll then be good to go. Now if I can just muster up the drive to take down some of these Christmas decorations, all will be right with my world.

Stress Relief

This holiday season has placed its usual amount of stress upon me. I try my best to keep myself relaxed and such but it never seems to work. With the pressures of trying to get the house into shape and trying to get presents bought, menus planned, etc... it all begins to take a toll and it normally goes right to my lower back. This is where Massage Chairs enter the picture. They are a true God-send. There is a chair that I would love to have. It's the HT 7450 Zero Gravity Massage Chair. It calibrates the body frame of the individual sitting in it and adjusts according to that individual’s unique physique so that each massage that you get is 100% dedicated to that individuals needs. There are also Accupoint programs which can be used for particular types of massage. There is also a heat massage as well as a foot massage. Truly, if I had this chair, I'd be in my own heaven. Life as I know it would be just about perfect. I'm not so sure it can completely replace the boyfriend, but I'm certainly willing to give it a shot!

Bras and panties and corsets, Oh My!

While shopping a few weeks ago in Orlando at a new shopping center, I was pleased to find a brand new Lane Bryant store. What excited me even more was the brand new Cacique lingerie boutique right next door (adjoining) to Lane Bryant. As you know, Cacique is the brand of bras and lingerie that is carried by Lane Bryant. Imagine my delight in seeing an entire store dedicated to plus sized bras, panties and lingerie! I was in absolute heaven. Apparently this is going to be the new trend with Lane Bryant and they'll be opening more of these Cacique boutiques. I'm all for that. I've always been a firm believer in a voluptuous woman having the exact same opportunities to buy all of the dainties and beautiful lingerie just the same as a woman who is a size 2. "Vicky" may not carry anything for me and that's alright...it's their loss as I spend a fortune on bras and panties and lingerie. However, the Cacique Boutique will definitely get their lion's share of my lingerie allowance!

A must have...

I have to say that one of my favorite accessories has always been sunglasses. I have no qualms about spending obscene amounts of money on a pair of killer shades. They're an extension of my face. They're also a necessity. They protect our eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays. When we are constantly squinting, we're laying the foundation for wrinkles. Opticsplanet.com offers a wide variety of sunglasses including many bearing top designer names such as Dolce & Gabanna, Ralph, Anne Klein and many more. I found a pair of DKNY glasses that I really fell in love with and the price was more than comparable to that of department stores. Opticsplanet also carry a huge selection of binoculars, telescopes and more. If you're searching for a unique gift for a special someone then you're bound to find it there. Check out their gift guide for a full range of choices and selections.

Sometimes it is about me

Tonight has been an evening in which I've pampered myself and took a night off of looking after everyone else' needs. It's been wonderful. I've had my favorite wine and candles lit in my bedroom and watching MY favorite televisions shows. No Disney channel, no NickJr. It's been all about me and frankly, that doesn't happen very often. If I've learned anything over the past two years, its that I am just as important as every other individual of this household and every once in a while, I need to put my needs ahead of everyone else and their needs and/or demands. Now, if you'll excuse me, there is another glass of wine calling my name and with urgency!

Well...

Have you got your Christmas shopping done yet? Have you started yet? Have you at least got a game plan? I'm pretty proud of myself. I actually had my shopping for my niece and nephews done a week ago. I didn't forget to check for a discount code either. I talk a lot about the importance of using coupons and half of the time, I end up forgetting. Not this year. Money is too tight and I've got to stick to a budget and a tight one at that. Besides, every dollar I save on gifts, is one more dollar added to the shoe budget!

Changes

It's my hope that I can really begin to build this site up. If you stumble across this blog and would like to be added to the blog roll (relates sites only please) then please leave a comment and I'll be happy to oblige. I'm also trying to find some new designs/templates so there may be a few changes coming down the pike. Even blogs should be conscious of their style and fashions!

It's all about the coupons

I've started my Christmas shopping and surprisingly enough, I've remembered to use sites such as CouponChief.com to save myself some money. I've managed to save quite a bit with my coupon shopping. I got some great deals at eBags as well as substantial savings at Lane Bryant. I've never tried to shop with online coupons before this year but honestly, I am now completely sold on the idea. It's basically free money just waiting for you to grab it. Whether it's a certain percentage off of your total purchase or a coupon for free shipping...it all leaves a little extra money in my wallet and for me, that's what it's all about!

It's that time of year...

The weather is turning colder (well, everywhere except Florida) and that means that you need to pick up the pace on the moisturizing routine. The cold weather is very drying to the skin and so it's important to remember to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. During the winter months, I often keep a bottle of lotion in several places throughout the house. Whenever I think of it or notice that my legs are a bit dry, I simply grab a bottle of lotion and give myself a good rubbing in. Be certain to purchase a good face moisturizer as well. I never put the same thing on my face that I use on the rest of my body. I don't know that there would be any harm in this, but I'm just picky this way. Oil of Olay has a wonderful line of face moisturizers at a price that won't break you.

Back to the routine

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. My Thanksgiving was a bit stressful due to some family (not immediate family) conflicts but when all was said and done, it was a good holiday. We cooked, we ate and we collapsed...much like families everywhere. I'm officially done eating the leftovers. Three nights is way more than what I normally prefer as far as any type of leftovers are concerned. I would prefer to never eat leftovers but alas, that's in a perfect world. I now need to get back to my normal eating routine which consists of healthy eating during the day and NO sweets whatsoever. I'll have no problem getting back to task as I'm not generally a sweets kind of person anyway. Do you find it difficult to get back on the dietary task after a holiday such as Thanksgiving or Christmas?

A recommendation from me to you

Unfortunately, I've always had sensitive teeth and gums. I think this is a hereditary attribute that I could have done without inheriting. Often times, food items that are extremely cold or overly sweet will literally set me on edge.

I was blessed to receive a sample of Biotene Sensitive Toothpaste in the mail and I have to say that I like what this product has to offer. It doesn't just mask the pain from sensitive teeth and gums. With continued use, it actually begins to eliminate the pain. I'm all for pain elimination. I know that a lot of toothpastes out there that are geared towards sensitive teeth taste disgusting. Biotene sensitive toothpaste doesn't leave that gritty, chalky taste in your mouth. It's minty without being overpowering and taking your breath away. I wish that a product such as this had existed years ago when I first discovered that I had sensitive teeth. It might have saved me a lot of pain and suffering down through the years. Thankfully I now have some and will be inclined to purchase it in the future. If you have a problem with overly sensitive teeth and gums, then I would highly recommend that you try Biotene Sensitive Toothpaste. You've got absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Remember...

With all of the stress that the holidays bring, don't forget to pamper yourself before, during and after. With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I know that I often get completely thrown for a stress loop with all of the cooking that I have to do as well as family coming over and making sure the house is clean and so forth. I make sure that I take a little time for myself during all of that chaos. A hot bubble bath the night before Thanksgiving helps me to achieve a state of relaxation enabling me to get a good night's sleep. On Thanksgiving morning, I take time early in the day to have a cup of coffee and watch a bit of the Macy's parade on television. It sounds trivial, but its that small amount of time that allows me to go on with everything I have to do that day.

Once the meal is done, the turkey is reduced to a carcass and everyone has gone their own way, I again have myself a nice hot bubble bath complete with aromatherapy oils and candles. It's my way of winding down after a day filled with mass quantities of food, family and noise. Be wise and take the time for you. I promise you, that you won't regret it and you'll thank yourself in the end.

Find what you're after

Dating, to me, has never been easy. I've gone all of the different routes in approaching the daunting task of finding Mr. Right. Fortunately, I've found my Mr. Right so I no longer have to worry about the whole dating scene. However, I know that so many women (and men) are still looking. Dating sites are always the most common methods that people choose when they begin their search. It's convenient. It's a safe way to get to know someone before choosing to meet them face to face. I remember when there were just a select few dating sites available on the internet. Your choices of places to join were very limited and scarce. Times are changing though. Now there seems to be a dating site geared towards people of all walks of life. There are interracial dating sites, tattoo lovers dating sites, retiree dating sites and so much more. People like Goth singles can find that dark love they're after and plus-sized women can find the man who likes the woman with a curvalicious body.

The limitations have finally been lifted where dating is concerned and now, your only limits are the ones that you put on yourself. Get out there and start seeking out exactly what it is you're after. You have no excuse as the world is literally just a keystroke away!

The Queen

Of all of the beautiful, voluptuous women out there that I admire, I truly believe that Dana Owens aka Queen Latifah, has to be at the top of the list. Here is a woman who is not only talented in her music but is an accomplished actress as well. What I admire most about her is the fact that she's never compromised herself or who she is. She doesn't make excuses for being a plus sized woman. She doesn't try to portray herself as anything that the beautiful woman that God created. She's a big girl and she's proud of that fact. She truly is an inspiration and it is because of women like her that Hollywood and the movie industry in general as become more accepting of people, no matter what their size. I wish that every woman over a size 12 could take a note or two from Queen Latifah. Accept who you are. Do not change yourself or attempt to conform just because society says that you should be something different. Be proud of yourself and recognize your own beauty, inside and out!

Finding the solution

It doesn't matter how much I try to organize, I still have so much stuff. I know I'm not the only one with this problem. I clean out my closet and with one trip to the shops, it's again in a state of clutter. I've tried to combine my bedroom along with my home office and it's simply not working. I'm going to have to look into something like garden buildings and utilize that has a home office. They're wonderful structures that you can add to your property and use in a plethura of ways. They are stunning with the wood and the glass and I can absolutely see myself spending my days surrounded by such beauty. I really do need to come up with a solution because combining an office and a living space just isn't ideal. Maybe I can look into getting two garden buildings and use one as just a beautiful get-away from everyone and everything inside the house. Now there's an idea!

It all goes!

Tomorrow is the day.  Tomorrow I am going to start going through my bedroom and organizing and getting rid of things.  I'm going to toss out those things that I haven't made use of in more than six months.  I'm going to get rid of any clothes that I haven't worn or any shoes I haven't worn.  I'm going to get rid of those extra bottles of lotion I've never even cracked the cap on in the past six months.  I'm going to organize my movies and see what I've got.  I'm going to go through photos that I have and get them all organized into one or two boxes instead of scattered about in five different boxes of things.  I don't really own a lot but it seems like I've just got so much crap that I'm not using.  I'm going to downsize myself to the bare minimum.  Spring Cleaning in November.  Sounds like a plan to me!

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It Happens

How many times have you been out window shopping and seen the PERFECT outfit and it's been a few days before payday?  That seems to happen to me more often than I'd like.  I'm not trusting that the item I want will still be there when I return.  I've been known to get Payday loans before for the sole purpose of shopping. I simply paid the money back a few days later when my paycheck was deposited. It afforded me the opportunity to catch some great bargains and not miss out on those terrific sales. I wouldn't recommend doing this on a routine basis but I certainly see no harm in it once in a while. Just remember to be responsible and only spend what you know your budget will allow. Don't let your love of shopping put you or keep you in the financial dog house!