Friday, October 30, 2009

Tsundere

Dedicated to the women of Venusity:

Morose, aloof,
Love is a spoof.
Struck in the face,
Heart has no place
No muse,
Diffused.
Exhausted, spent,
Cannot relent.


Control is mine,
Reality divine.
Fingertips spell,
Your own living hell.
Morbid and real,
Nobody feels.
Zombies for me,
Lemmings to sea.


Get on your moe-joe,
Don't ever show
Wistful dreams,
Silent screams.
The queen is here,
Gather near.
Commands take flight,
Dark turns light.


Fingers tighten
Will they enlighten
Or take the last breath,
Bring you to death.
Love brings pain,
Gentle fingers drain.
Deadly yet soft,
Trapped in her loft.


(c) Stacey "Mamasaid" D 2009 All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Walmart Caskets - Halloween Hoax or Real Deal?


Walmart is a place shoppers go for groceries, clothing, electronics, sporting goods, appliances and even eyeglasses in select locations. Known as a store selling just about everything, could Walmart caskets be a reality?

Rumor said Walmart caskets were a Halloween hoax. Others thought Walmart caskets were a Halloween decoration for those who wanted to play Dracula for the kiddies. But are Walmart caskets an actual item available along with the diapers, feminine products and socks?

Not exactly. Most people can't transport caskets on their own. Walmart caskets are offered online along with urns. Whichever your preferences, Wally's World will ship them to your home or funeral home in 48 hours. Guess what? There are no returns...unless, of course, your final resting place is damaged during shipping.

Are the prices low like other stuff at Walmart? You have a selection of 14 Walmart caskets under the funeral tab at their website. Prices start at $999 and go up to a little over $3,000. Caskets cost about 100 bucks to ship via FedEx to your doorstep. Imagine what your neighbors would think when that huge package arrives? Do you think they would ask your elderly neighbor to accept it if you weren't home?

I never imagined there would someday be Walmart caskets...though I suppose we all should have known.  As for a beautiful resting place...well, that's another subject.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Win "The Joan Crawford Murders" By Peter Joseph Swanson


Venusity is all about celebrating the inner beauty that shines through you.  Part of Venusity is absolute fabulousity, the perfect term to describe both Joan Crawford and Peter Joseph Swanson. 

Part of Swanson's Tinseltown Trilogy, "The Joan Crawford Murders" combine Old Hollywood glamour with mystery and chills.  What a perfect combination for Halloween!  Here's a summary about the book from Amazon.com:

In the second novel of the Tinseltown trilogy, Joan Crawford returns to MGM in 1953. Her comeback to her alma mater is to make the garish musical Torch Song. Joan suspects that it's hokum, and that she's getting too old for such parts, but she is desperate to make it work. That includes living at the studio in her dressing room during production. All the while, a psycho killer Joan Crawford drag queen stalks Hollywood to eliminate other Joan Crawford drag queens, and Joan is so strung out on vodka and super strength diet pills that she isn't sure if she has taken up murder herself. Her gay best friend is poised ready to help her party. A powerful gangster is only interested in saving her reputation until death, and her loyal hairdresser has a son who has his own sneaky Joan Crawford secrets. The final epic showdown between Joan Crawford and Joan Crawford is beyond any movie ending ever filmed.

Who can resist this?  At the risk of not winning my own copy, I'm sharing an exciting contest to win "The Joan Crawford Murders".  To find out about this fabulous contest offered by two Gather greats, click here

Good luck - not!  I want one!  No really, good luck.  (It is also autographed by the author! Woot!)

"Get Healthy" Giveaway For You


Are you looking to cut calories before the holidays? Do you want to look and feel your best for all those holiday gatherings with friends, family and business associates? YoPlus Light is a perfect as a daily meal or snack to keep you on track.

Thanks to MyBlogSpark, I am offering a fantastic healthy prize package from YoPlus Light. Here's what MyBlogSpark has to say about YoPlus Light:

When juggling a hectic schedule of everyday life, it may be difficult to find the time for foods that will help keep you feeling on track. But, that doesn’t have to be the case anymore with the help of YoPlus Light yogurt, a quick, healthy snack that also helps regulate your digestive system without compromising calorie intake or taste!

With only 70 calories, YoPlus Light contains a special blend of probiotic cultures, 3 grams of natural dietary fiber and the same great taste you expect from Yoplait. Even better, YoPlus Light is now available in three new delicious flavors – Key Lime Pie, Honey Vanilla and Strawberry Banana – and is already available in supermarkets nationwide.

The exciting “Get Healthy” giveaway offered here at Venusity includes a stylish sports bag, sports towel, ear buds and two free coupons* for any flavor of the new YoPlus Light yogurt.

*Please note: These free coupons are not valid in Louisiana, Nevada and North Dakota.

Additionally, you can now download a $1.00 off coupon for YoPlus Light here: href="http://bricks.coupons.com/bstart.asp?o=57800&ci=1&c=GM&p=4XeBjIE"

My personal favorite is honey vanilla, rich and yum! My son prefers crisp Key Lime while my daughter enjoys sweet strawberry banana. There's nothing to buy, do or agree to. Simply send an email to getintowin@gmail.com with "Get Healthy" in the subject line. A winner will be chosen on November 6. I will inform you by email and request your mailing address so MyBlogSpark can send the prize directly to you.

Good luck!

Monday, October 26, 2009

A Novel Like This Arrives "Once In A Blue Moon"


When One2One asked me to review “Once In A Blue Moon” by Eileen Goudge, I was warned. They let me know, “Your work, life, laundry and grocery shopping can wait, because you won't be able to put this one down, we promise.” I could not put the book down. In fact, I stayed up past 3 in the morning to gobble up the ending!
The formal description of “Once In A Blue Moon” offered by One2One was:
Sisters Lindsay and Kerrie Ann have known hardship from an early age. Without guidance from their neglectful mother, their only aid came from an unlikely source, a retired exotic dancer by the name of Miss Honi Love. When the girls’ mother was sent to prison, Miss Honi tried unsuccessfully to save them from being separated and sent into foster care.

Thirty years later, Lindsay is still trying to reconnect with her sister. The owner of a bookstore in the sleepy California seaside town of Blue Moon Bay, she was lucky enough to have been adopted by a loving couple. Unbeknownst to her, Kerrie Ann has suffered a very different life. Bounced from one foster home to the next, she ran away as a teenager before becoming a drug-addicted single mother. Now, newly sober, Kerrie Ann is fighting to regain custody of the little girl who was taken from her.

Neither sister’s expectations are met when they’re finally reunited. But as the two sisters engage in the fiercest battles of their lives, they are at last drawn together despite their differences, restoring belief in the unshakable bond of family.
I had no idea I would become addicted to reading about these characters. Much like chocolate, I had to savor every bit. You can see, smell, taste, hear and feel the descriptions Goudge paints with her pen. Her characters come alive off the page, grabbing you and making you a part of their world. The women are strong, vulnerable, unique, recognizable and completely real.
“Once In A Blue Moon” also has plenty of romance along the way. Will Lindsay wind up with pragmatic Grant or irresistible Randall? Will Kerrie Ann get back with Bella's wayward dad Jeremiah or be sweet on Ollie, the pastry chef at her Lindsay's book store and cafe? Honi Love adds a touch of humor and reality with her unusual method of surrogate mothering.
As Kerrie Ann fights to regain custody of her daughter Bella, Lindsay is confronted with saving the home she inherited from her adoptive parents. Hotel mogul Lloyd Heywood wants her peaceful oceanfront acreage for a golf course and resort and won't take no for an answer.
I could not put “Once In A Blue Moon” down until I knew whether Lindsay kept her home, Kerri Ann regained custody of Bella and who would hook up or not. A compelling book such as this only comes along “Once In A Blue Moon”.
Eileen Goudge is a New York Times bestselling author married to entertainment reporter Sandy Kenyon and living in New York City. Novels written by this bestselling author include “The Diary”, “Domestic Affairs”, “Garden Of Lies” and “Thorns Of Truth.” Over five million copies of her books are in print worldwide.
Visit Eileen Goudge's website to find out more about “Once In A Blue Moon” and her other work.

Friday, October 23, 2009

It's A Hairy Situation


As the summer melts into fall, we all realize our hair is sun bleached and damaged.  Whether your hair is blonde, red, brown, black or gray, exposure to the sun alters its color and appearance.  As fall marches forward, we want our hair to look soft and consistent again.

Today I read a Gather post by Diane D entitled, "My Friend Did My Hair".  Diane suffered a minor hair calamity when she used an ash tone to smooth out her summer fade.  Her hair turned up greenish so she recruited a talented friend to help her fix it.  The results were stellar and she looks gorgeous!

Meanwhile, I just colored my hair the same shade her friend used to correct her color.  We both used medium blonde and I marveled that it comes out darker than it looks on the package.  Diane requested a pic so I decided to oblige.

I've been coloring my own hair successfully for decades.  I can't even remember my real hair color anymore!  I think it's a dark blonde with lots of icky gray at this point.

My hair is like an accessory to me.  I've had every shade under the sun because to me hair is fun!  Some are flattering, some I never want to see again.  My favorite is blonde because frankly, I've really had a lot of good times as a golden-haired girl.  Besides, it is closest to my natural color.

I decided to share a few tips along with some brand suggestions:

Highlighting adds lighter color blocks to your current hair color.  You can make them thin or bold.  Frosting is when you put on a cap, pull hairs through and lighten them.

Favorites:  L'oreal Colour Experte is premium.  You get the base hair color plus a highlighting kit in one package.  The two colors are perfectly matched for a natural look.  The kit usually costs between $15 and $20, which is a real deal compared to the cost of professional hair coloring.

Affordable alternative: Garnier has a highlighting kit that works well with their Nutrisse hair colors.  With a good sale, you can get both for under ten bucks with awesome results.

Lowlighting is the opposite - darker streaks through a lighter color.  Your teens are probably doing this.  L'oreal makes lowlighting kits but it isn't my thing.

Bleaching lightens your hair and can also dry it out when done improperly.  One of the easiest ways I found to lighten my hair is Revlon Colorsilk.  For about $5 (less if on sale), their ultimate blondes really get your hair light without spending big bucks at a salon.

If you don't have time to color your hair, there are plenty of products made just for you.  Clairol Pro 10 is fantastic and only takes 10 minutes.  The kit comes with a comb through dispenser, gloves and after color conditioner.  With an array of rich shades to choose from, it's easy to see why this option costs about $13.

For about half the price, L'oreal Excellence just came out with their own 10 minute hair color.  It works just as well as Clairol for less money.  There are less shades to choose from but still enough to find what you want.

For those on a totally tight budget, you can't miss with Revlon Colorsilk.  Last week Rite Aid ran a sale on it for $2.50 each.  The product comes with gloves and an after color conditioner for a complete salon experience at home.  You don't need big bucks to be beautiful!

Finally, ash shades neutralize reddish tones but may come up grayish or greenish on bleached hair.
Here's to coloring your world beautiful on a budget!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

What Is Your Definition of Beauty?


I was recently reading about a photo exhibit called Posing Beauty at Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. The exhibit is based on the book of the same name by curator Deborah Willis. The thought-provoking exhibit questions the definition of African beauty and makes you consider how gender, aesthetics and class are represented in art.

Deborah Willis based the book Posing Beauty on 10 years of photos and research from archives, galleries, friends, family and photographers. For the exhibit, Williams gathered a vast spectrum of images representing beauty for over a century. She expresses who beauty is defined, marketed and exploited.

This made me consider the definition of beauty. What does it really mean? Of course we can always turn to our trusty Webster dictionary for a generic definition, so why not consider it:

beauty -

1. the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit: loveliness
2. a beautiful person or thing; especially : a beautiful woman
3. a particularly graceful, ornamental, or excellent quality
4. a brilliant, extreme, or egregious example or instance

Wow, that was rather eye-opening. We can even consider our mistakes “a beauty”. Our qualities should bring pleasure to the senses and exalt the mind and spirit. Certainly beauty seems to go skin deep when you consider its literal definition.

What do famous women say about beauty? How do women who have been judged by their beauty all their lives feel about this word? I decided to find out:

I'm not ugly, but my beauty is a total creation.

Tyra Banks, Model/talk show host/author

Tyra Banks, host of America's Next Top Model, was a Victoria's Secret model for years. Tyra dares to be fashion and figure forward in her approach to beauty. Viewing beauty as a total creation gives us the ability to work on all the aspects of our inner and outer glow.

It was God who made me so beautiful. If I weren't, then I'd be a teacher.

Linda Evangelista, Supermodel

Alright, it's this kind of thinking we have to erase. Beautiful women can be smart and vice versa. Hiding behind God to make such a shallow and inaccurate statement is a cloud on inner beauty.

The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller, Author/educator who was blind and deaf (1880-1968)

The ability to use other senses to know beauty was an asset to Helen Keller. While she could not see or hear, her heart could feel true beauty right away. If we closed our eyes and ears for a moment to shut out the din of the world, we might be able to sense real beauty ourselves.

Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.

Sophia Loren, Actress

Why does that women attract all the attention even though she's not the most “beautiful” one in the room? It's that inner glow that shines through her eyes, skin, hair, smile and overall essence.

Do you dare to challenge your own perceptions of the fundamentals of beauty? Will you let the media and the perceptions of others define your opinion of yourself and others? As singer Christina Aguilera wisely crooned, “We are beautiful, no matter what they say...we are beautiful in every single way.”

Monday, October 19, 2009

What Is Your Self-Perception?

What is your self-perception? My recent exploration into the world of beauty lead me right to inner well-being. While the media may define beauty narrowly, do you have a broader definition? Does that definition apply to you or are you overly critical of yourself?

Curious about my own self-perception, I decided to take a test to find out where I stand right now:


My Self Perception
 
Investment in Appearance
50
Investment in Body Integrity
42
 
You are not overly invested in your appearance, but you do like to look good. You are not an overly emotional person, but you do somewhat care about how people see you. If something occurs that makes you feel unattractive it has the potential to make you feel a bit stressed. While your health is important to you, it is not the most important factor in your life. You do not like to get sick, but you have a good attitude towards illness and can cope with sickness ok.

Free Poll

earrings jewelry


I was pleased to see I'm not overly emotional about how others see me. For years I was too concerned about the opinions of others. It was great I could handle illness, especially since I have chronic physical conditions.

I was concerned that health was not the most important factor in my life. My quest for knowledge about beauty and health is timely to help me properly priortize personal well-being. How did you do on the self-perception test?

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Weighing In On Our Womanly Bodies


Are women still expected to be unrealistically thin to be beautiful? On the other hand, do we make naturally slender women feel guilty for their fat-free physiques? Despite recognition women come in all sizes and shapes, weight wars wage on.

Recently curvaceous Kim Kardashian stuck up for Jessica Simpson after an NFL commercial mocking Simpson's weight. The NFL Fox Sunday cartoon featured Dallas Cowboys characters chuckling about Simpson's shape. Burger King and Fox sponsored the cartoon on October 11 the apologized for it on Wednesday.

The skit shows the Dallas head coach asking Simpson's ex-boyfriend quarterback Tony Romo, “Is Jessica around, we sure could use a defensive tackle.” Jason Witten, Romo pal, adds, “Unlike Tony, at least Jessica comes up big when it counts.”

Kim Kardashian commented to PopEater, “I'm glad they apologized. Fox shouldn't be making fun of Jessica Simpson who has such an amazing body. She's clearly not overweight and laughing about that gives young girls the wrong message.” Kardashian is familiar with sports media scrutiny as the girlfriend of New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush.

While Kim Kardashian defends the rights of full-figured women, Karl Lagerfield defends slim models. After losing 92 pounds in 13 months himself, Lagerfield penned, “The Karl Lagerfield Diet” all about it. Karl spoke to Focus, a German magazine, about best-selling German magazine Brigitte deciding to use “ordinary, realistic” women rather than professional models.

Lagerfield feels Brigitte's plan is absurd, stating women who complain about skinny models, “These are fat mummies sitting with their bags of crisps in front of the television, saying that thin models are ugly.” He goes on to say the fashion industry is supporting “dream and illusions, and no one wants to see round women.”

Lagerfield also spoke to Guardian to dispel myths that most models have eating disorders, saying, “It is
just as much a cliché as saying that all models take drugs and get drunk at sex orgies. Ninety percent of them are quite normal, properly proportioned girls with less fat and more muscles, who also eat pizzas and burgers.”

The editor of Brigitte, Andreas Lebert, disagrees. He told the Guardian on October 5, the magazine was done fattening up thin models through Photoshop and would work with real women only as of January 2. Lebert said, “Today's models weigh around 23% less than normal women. The whole model industry is anorexic. We will show women who have their own identity, the 18-year-old A-level student, the company chairwomen, the musician, the footballer.”

Women come in all shapes and sizes. As a female consumer, I've been young, thin, heavy, pregnant and older and want to see a little of everything. The runways should accurately reflect the streets. An array of different, beautiful women make anything more alluring.

Just as models are skinny today, in decades gone by it was popular to be curvy. Beauty should never be defined by a single type of woman with so many diverse, delightful feminine faces and bodies. We all want someone to relate to, not a fantasy. As Queen Latifah reminded us, optimum health should be the focus rather than meeting media standards.

As more female consumer veer away from traditional marketing techniques, it seems like a good time for the fashion industry to get real. Let's revere women thin, fat, old, young and every color of the rainbow for their personal, unique brand of beauty. We're sure to see a healthy boost of self-esteem among women.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Are You Petite?



Do you stand tall at 5'4" or under? Are you tired of draggy jeans and skirts to your knees? More than half the women in the United States are under 5'4" so stand up and be counted!

At I Am Petite you will find a wealth of info to help you look and feel your best. From the latest fashion finds to petite celebrity news to tips for looking great, I Am Petite is the ultimate resources for petite fashionistas.

I Am Petite also features special deals and discounts at major online retailers such as Macy's, Banana Republic, Talbots, J. Crew and more. Celebrate your one-of-a-kind beauty with fabulous fashion finds from I Am Petite.

Are You In Your Right Mind?

Here's a fun one to figure out if you are a right brain thinker or a left brain thinker.  Are you in your right mind?  I am!  Check it out to see if you're motivated by practicality or creativity, it only takes a couple of minutes:







Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz
The higher of these two numbers below indicates which side of your brain has dominance in your life. Realising your right brain/left brain tendancy will help you interact with and to understand others.
Left Brain Dominance: 12(12)
Right Brain Dominance: 14(14)
Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz




Can You Imagine Your Face On A Handbag?


Can you imagine your face appearing on a customized handbag?  Picture your children's beautiful faces looking at you from your daily tote bag.  Is it possible to even measure the joy grandma would feel to receive a coin purse with her grandchildren's picture?  How about making sure your significant other remembers you all day with your pic on his mouse pad?  Personalized gifts are the best but who has the time?  It's time you discovered Artscow.com for the perfect gift every time.

At Artscow.com it only takes five minutes to create and order your own unique designs.  Just download your favorite photo onto a mouse pad, magnet, clock, puzzle, tote bag, purse and more.  Place your order and receive afforadable, personalized gifts within a month.

Now is the perfect time to order personalized gifts for the holidays.  Forget about combat shopping at the malls or endlessly perusing the Web for deals.  Simply take advantage of the online coupons and savings listed at Artscow.com under "Special Sales" to get great deals on holiday gifts.  Be creative and slip gift cards into personlized coin purses or pencil cases for the kids.

It is free to register at Artscow.com and you can play with various designs without ordering anything.  See how photos look on various gifts then decide on your favorites and order.  It's that easy to get the perfect, affordable holiday gift at Artscow.com.

When you join in October, take advantage of 1200 free print credits and 3 8" x 8" photo books when you register through this link.  Who knew the perfect gift could be so easy?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Designer Discounts Everyday - Invitation For Free Membership To The Club!


Are you tired of going to stores ending in "mart" for your clothing and accessories? Do you long to have a moment of designer bliss without losing the current shirt off your back? Accept my invitation to join member-only designer discount club Rue La La for free.

Do you know the feeling of victory when you spot that designer discount item at an outlet outing? Have you ever scored a designer deal at an estate sale or yard sale? Get that rush online when you accept my gracious invitation to join Rue La La for free.

Your exclusive money-saving Rue La La membership doesn't cost a dime. There's no minimum purchase required to remain a prestigous member of this exclusive designer discount club. Simply stop by to check out the latest, greatest finds. Score a designer handbag, evening dress, suit, jeans and more at Rue La La whenever you're in the mood.

From Vera Bradley to Juicy Couture, you'll find all your favorites for less. Beauty starts with being smart. Save money on looking good when you join Rue La La right now.

Monday, October 12, 2009

What Beauty Items Do YOU Like?


I recently discovered Likaholix, a website where you share your likes and dislikes.  It is a great way to voice your opinion and find out what other people think about beauty products, fashion, music and more.  I am a beauty tastemaker for Likaholix offering updates about an array of beauty items.

Come visit me there to find out the latest, greatest beauty finds.  Join to share your own likes, dislikes and experiences at Likaholix.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Gathering For Beauty

Besides the Venusity blog, I run a group called "Beauty and Makeup" at Gather.  This social networking website takes socialization to a whole new level.  Besides linking with great people and reading valuable content, you earn points for cash and gift cards.  Here is a link to join Gather so you can check out "Beauty and Makeup":



While you are there, you must read a fantastic article penned by Ed Williams entitled, "Thank God For Full-Figured Women".  His humor and honesty are sure to make you smile and feel better about yourself - just the way you are!  While you are there, make sure to visit me at Beauty and Makeup.  Here's to beautiful Venusity!

Water Is The Essence of Beauty


Water is the basic element of our existence.  Approximately 70 percent of the planet is water.  Ironically, around 70 percent of our total body weight consists of water.  How can we expect to be healthy and beautiful if we don't drink enough water?

The bottom line is we all need to drink six to eight glasses of water daily.  Water flushes the toxins out of your system naturally to help you maintain a better weight.  Drinking water actually helps prevent water retention.  Your hair, skin and body organs are properly hydrated to do their best job when you drink enough water.

The Mayo Clinic discusses the importance of water and how much we should be drinking daily.  The ultimate recipe for inner beauty that shines through your skin is drinking plenty of water everyday!

Welcome To Venusity!


Can anyone else truly fill your shoes?  Have you discovered the Venus within?  Wecome to Venusity, a place to celebrate and enhance your own unique beauty.

The media has defined beauty for decades.  Modern women are empowered to define beauty their own way. A truly beautiful women shines from the inside out.  A wise woman knows how to enhance and direct that shine to uplift herself and those around her.

We will explore ways to beautify ourselves inside and out.  Welcome to Venusity, where we focus on bringing our inner beauty out.