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Year in Review 2013: Switch it Up!
Happy 2013 everyone!
It is time for my favorite post of the year! This year has gone by extremely fast and has been a total whirl wind. It has been a year of moving, pushing, shoving and tweaking. I am projecting 2013 for a year of switcheroos. It is time to have some fun and switch up everything you have been use to and stir up a bit of fun. Here is my 2012 recap. Hold on tight, it’s a wild ride.
JAN:
The year started right with Ally visiting me en route to Toronto from Australia. My former room mate and great friend. It was nice to catch up with in NYC and hang out! My hair is getting so long it annoys me. I want to grow my hair but got use to having it short, such a dilemma. I eased up on coloring it and it was getting really healthy! We spent Chinese New Year in Toronto with my nephews and nieces and cousins. It was babies galore and Tai’s first Chinese New Year!
FEB:
Fashion Week was intense this season because of my client Pure Ice was doing nails backstage for four shows. It was fun and crazy. Social media is in full swing and Style Caster x Ford did an amazing State of Style conference full of interesting speakers in fashion in Tribeca. Some notable guests were DKNYPRGirl, Rebecca Minkoff, Melissa Shoes and more. I went to this event with my awesome intern Fatema!MARCH:
I moved to Brooklyn! Tai and I found a beautiful duplex in Clinton Hill Bed Stuy and we made the plunge! We moved in together and the 6 story walk up with a balcony, roof access, guest room, 2 bathrooms, laundry and garage was enough for us to swoon. It’s in the Pratt neighborhood and living together is just cozy and fun. We are not just playing house, we are really building a home together! Our friend Dave adopted a puppy and Jacob adores her. Her name is Tamu.
APRIL:
I went to Frankfurt to do a beauty workshop with the international marketing team of Wella. Proctor and Gamble found me, a hair stylist from Hong Kong and beauty journalist from London to participate in this pow wow. It was so much fun! I haven’t been to Germany since 11th Grade so this was a fun time and the beginning of multiple beauty workshops with P&G. I also went back to Toronto this month for the PF shoe sale and Easter!MAY:
My mom comes to NYC to visit me! We had a great time and we went to the museums, she saw my new apartment and spent some time with the boyfriend as well. It was the 10th Anniversary for the agency I work with and we all got dressed up and had fun in NYC! The Make Up Show in NYC was at this time too and it was great stocking up on Liptars and meeting colorful makeup artists! Tai and I went to an Egyptian Coptic wedding this month upstate.JUNE
I cut my hair this month. I celebrated my birthday in style with my mom and also friends on the roof top of my Brooklyn apartment! It was really a beautiful day and summer in NYC is just perfect. I went to the Ford conference in Detroit this month and test drove cars, learned about trends and reconnected with friends. June is awesome. Jacob had his birthday too and he turned 7. I also went to Geneva for 3 days for another P&G workshop! So many amazing opportunities open up to you when you are open.
JULY
AUG
I went to Edmonton to visit my little nephew this month. He is growing like a weed and likes YouTube videos, playing on the iPad, dogs and the color pink. He is my soul-mate it’s undeniable!
SEPT
This was the busiest month of all. New York Fashion Week, Roslyn’s wedding (I was a bridesmaid!), Tai’s 33rd birthday, zip-lining trip to Maryland. We didn’t even have a minute to realize it was getting cold because we were so busy running around!OCT
Went to Toronto for Canadian Thanksgiving and PF Shoe Sale. The rental car company gave us a faulty car and it was quite and adventure trying to get there and back. When we got back, Jacob entered the Fort Greene Halloween costume contest! We loved his woolly mammoth costume, it’s so Ice Age!
NOV
The legendary Chocolate Festival happened in NY and I was not impressed at all. Maybe it was the sugar high hyper kids running around that ruined it for me. Also, I did my third P&G beauty trend workshop this month in Soho and it was awesome! Got to pow wow with more creatives and trend experts for a 2 day session and November slipped by and I didn’t even notice.
DEC
June came to visit me from LA and we spent Christmas together! I met a few more dog-friends in the neighborhood and can’t wait to try the new restaurants that opened in our Brooklyn neighborhood! I went to the Hello Kitty Hello Art exhibit and got busy with holiday festivities. Going to Toronto and coming back to New York in the new year.
I hope you are be open, go with the flow and switch it up! 2013 is going to be a mix bag.
Wanna see what I did in:
2012 recap ——-> Switch it Up 2013
2011 recap —> Love for Self 2012
2010 recap —–> Expand Your Network 2011
2009 recap ——> Get Passionate 2010
2008 —–> Get Tribal 2009
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Everyday Bracelets We Love!
I think of myself pretty much a minimalist and like the simple things in life. I live in a small condo (550 square feet), drive a mini cooper, wear jeans daily, and very little jewelry. So when I received the package of 3 GoodWood braclets from Karmaloop I absolutley loved them. You can wear these with everything! Classic wooden bead bracelets for…..get this…..$20.00 for a pack of 3! Plus GoodWork jewelry is made in the USA. Below are a few options they have.
The GW Bracelet 3-Pack in Blue, Natural, & Dark Wood $20.00
The GW Bracelet 3-Pack in Natural, Red, & Brown $20.00
I have been wearing the bracelets to yoga, parties, pretty much everyday. Check out the rest of gotta have GoodWood collection of jewelry at http://karmaloop.com/ .
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Donna Shepard Company….Making the Ordinary Spectacular!
Your logo and message is the “rock” of your promotional advertising. Donna Shepard Company creates custom, unique promotional products and transfers your logo / message into a rock solid impression that promotes your brand identity.
Donna Shepard Company works closely with customers to find winning solutions. DSC is committed to understanding your goals and objectives at each promotional level. There is no order too small or too large that they can not deliver. Plus they provide solutions for your objectives that are cost effective.
Donna Shepard began in the business 15 years ago by creating unique and customizable headwear with extra bells and whistles. The customizable experience enabled customers the flexibility to create a distinctive message for their brand or logo. DSC have expanded their operations from headwear to all promotional products. Their focus is to create custom, unique promotional products that promotes your brand identity.
Below are only a few 0f the many brands Donna Shepard Company works with. Please go to
http://www.donnashepardcompany.com/ for the list and other ideas. Online store coming soon!
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Pecans……Just Not Another Nut!
Ways to Incorporate Pecans into a Healthy Lifestyle
Pecans are easy to add to your eating plan; simply grab a handful! Pecans are healthy and delicious, and just a one-ounce serving (15- 20 pecan halves) packs more than 19 vitamins and minerals, fiber and protein to keep you going. They’re a perfect snack for both children and adults. Often associated with indulgences and occasional treats, pecans can also be eaten in healthier forms and cooked or baked in a wide variety of foods to add flavor and nutrition. Delicious recipes can be found or created using pecans for breakfast, salads, entrees and side dishes.
Warm Pasta Salad with Pecans and Spinach
Check out these recipes at http://ilovepecans.org/
Romain, Pecan and Pear Salad
Heart-Healthy Pecans
Nearly 60 percent of the fats in pecans are monounsaturated and another 30 percent are polyunsaturated, leaving very little saturated fat in pecans. The unsaturated fat in pecans is heart-healthy fat meeting the new Dietary Guidelines that recommend Americans keep intake between 20 and 35 percent of calories, with most fats coming from heart-healthy sources like fish, nuts and vegetable oils. In addition, pecans contain no trans fat.
Nutrient-Dense Pecans
Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals – including vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, several B vitamins and zinc. One ounce of pecans provides 10 percent of the recommended Daily Value for fiber. Pecans are also a natural, high-quality source of protein that contain very few carbohydrates and no cholesterol. Pecans are also naturally sodium-free, making them an excellent choice for those on a salt- or sodium-restricted diet.
For much more information on Pecans go to http://ilovepecans.org/
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The Perfect John Frieda Hair Brush for You
As long as I can remember my friends and hairdressers have always cooed over my hair. I have to say it is my best asset. Only thing is I have ALWAYS been confused about what hairbrush to use to keep my luscious locks straight and frizz free.
So I did some investigating and came across www.johnfrieda.com. I couldn’t believe my eyes….there was a endless supply of information about hair products, advice, and tools so I ordered some brushes off the fab site. A few days later received the tools to complete the research process……
John Frieda® sleek FINISH Paddle Brush
$12.99
John Frieda® sleek FINISH Cushion Brush
$12.99
- Deep-shine silicone strips create shine, smooth flyaway hair and help reduce frizz.
- Silicone lasts for the life of the product.
- Tourmaline – 100% crushed gemstones release natural IONS for intense shine.
- IONS help flatten hair’s cuticle layer, leaving hair looking shiny and reducing frizz.
- Use with the John Frieda® Full Volume Dryer to increase benefits.
- Vents allow airflow from dryer to reach hair for faster drying and styling.
John Frieda® sleek FINISH Vent Brush
$12.99
- Deep-shine silicone strips create shine, smooth flyaway hair and help reduce frizz.
- Silicone lasts for the life of the product.
- Tourmaline – 100% crushed gemstones release natural IONS for intense shine.
- IONS help flatten hair’s cuticle layer, leaving hair looking shiny and reducing frizz.
- Use with the John Frieda® Full Volume Dryer to increase benefits.
- Vents allow airflow from dryer to reach hair for faster drying and styling.
After trying them out there were many pros to each but my fave ended up being the Sleek Paddle Brush. I can’t put it down it’s like a sensational head massage for a one time purchase of $12.99. My hair is smooth and frizz free! So next time you are curious about what’s the latest and greatest in the hair industry check out www.johnfrieda.com and all your questions will be answered!
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@MinxNailsDotCom Makes National Flag Nails At London Olympics
I’ve got to admit, the Queen at the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympics was pretty epic. Especially with Daniel Craig playing James Bond and of course Mr. Bean’s musical spectacle. But beyond all the sporty athleticism of the world, let’s talk about Olympic beauty!
Of course Minx Nails is jumping on the gun to create a load of amazing nail designs. To celebrate Minx at the Olympic Village, Minx co-founders Janice Jordan and Dawn Lynch-Goodwin have launched The Tasting Room, an online venue where nail professionals and nail lovers can purchase exclusive Minx designs that are not available anywhere else. Talk about an exclusive!
Check out Rebecca Adlington wearing Minx UK flag nails for the 400 m final!
There’s way more girls getting minxed as the games progress. Check out the photos on the Facebook group page.
The Tasting Room showcases exclusive collaborations created by the Minx co-founders, Dawn Lynch-Goodwin and Janice Jordan, who decided to go for the GOLD with the first collection inspired by all things Olympic! Of course I’m rooting for North America. Who are you reppin’?
Tune in for more London Olympics fun!
Xoxo, @missamandachen
