*My Heart Speaks*

Blue jeans white t's. I am walking around barefoot on the beach looking up to the sun. The beauty around me is amazing. I thank God for my life and the beauty he gave me to enjoy all around the world. Always new things to see around every corner. My heart is filled with joy. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring. I have no idea who I might meet.  Life is full of surprises and it's amazing. 

I get up see the blue water sparkle as the sunshine hits it. Never knew that the world could hold so much beauty. It's so unreal that I get to reach out and touch it. I am where I want to be and nothing can stop me from smiling. I feel the warm breeze in my dark black hair. I just think that life could not get much more beautiful than this. 

The mystery of what could be is what drives me to work hard. Each day I am closer to something than I was before. People smile at me when I walk by, new friends, new life, new experiences. It's simply amazing. 

My Crazy Idea

The product that I am sharing with you today is a beer based shampoo and conditioner called “Hair Brew”. ​Even Readers Digest agrees beer is a great way to have healthy hair, “You may be so pleased by what you see, you may want to keep a six-pack in the bathroom”. Hair Brew is better than keeping a six-pack in your bathroom however, because you actually have a product that is made to go in your hair and leave you without the icky booze smell. There are no poor ingredients such as sulfates in this product, which can damage hair and fade color; in fact everything used in it comes straight from the earth making it completely organic.
​What consumers will enjoy about Hair Brew is the uniqueness of it and how they are giving back to the earth by using it. This brand uses recycled beer bottles to hold the mixture of ingredients, which include beer, natural oils, natural butters, and essential oils. “Beer contains protein which can form a strengthening film on your hair (self.com).” Consumers will see a difference in their health of their hair after using this product.
​When sitting at your favorite hair dressers station, they may have educated you about how cold water helps to close the cuticles in your hair while hot water tends to open them up. They may furthermore educate you that opening up the cuticles are not healthy for your hair and can strip away natural healthy oils that your scalp provides to keep your hair from being dry and damaged. But as Self continues to educate us, “Beer has acidic pH which makes hair shiny by tightening the cuticles.”
​So sit back, relax, and twist a cap off your favorite brewski and throw the bottle in the recycle bin. Who knows that same bottle could end up being your Hair Brew placed in your shower next to your razor.

MEN NEED STYLE

            It’s very clear that in today’s society, men have no clue about how to dress well.  But, who can blame them when the style in America is mainly a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.  Don’t even get me started on women because its almost as if they are morphing into men with their ultra relaxed no effort look, but that’s besides the point.  Men don’t understand style and need help in today’s society to understand why it’s important to have and how to develop it.

            Today many college boys show up in sweats to give class presentations and never seem to learn how to tie a necktie.  I don’t think college boys know the importance of style and actually need to be educated on the facts of being well dressed.  So here it is your first college credit for Men’s Fashion 101, hopefully boys will read this because in the long run college credit will given to those who dress well because it gives off the vibe that you actually care. 

            Boys, updating your wardrobe will help you in developing ultimate manliness and if you follow the rules of being well dress you will be peeling the girls off of you.  But it’s not just about the ladies that you will get with developing your personal style it’s the positive feedback from people in the professional world and in public that will make you want to keep your look up to date.  Fortunately men don’t need to spend a fortune on style like women do in the fashion world.  They just need staple pieces that are right for their particular body types and they need to stick with it.  For men it’s easy because pant styles pretty much are the same and so is the never changing suit styles.  Men could literally wear the same pants until they are damaged as long as they have their look together and know what they are doing its smooth sailing.

            Dressing well is worthwhile because it contributes to your frame of mind.  “When you dress sharp, you think sharp.  When you feel put together, you feel more alert, more confident, and more ready to tackle the day’s tasks (The Art of Manliness, 5 Easy Ways for a College Student to Upgrade his Style, Antonio)”.  When you show up to class with the “I just rolled out of bed” look, your professor is never going to take you seriously because your whole look says that you don’t care.  If you take the little bit of time to put yourself together before you step foot in the classroom you will not only have shown respect for your professor, but in return you will receive more respect from your professor and your peers.

            Now lets get back to the ladies for a moment.  Many men should comprehend that college is a good place to meet a nice lady who perhaps could be the future wife but in order to meet a nice lady you have to dress like a gentleman.  When a man is well dressed and smells good, it sends a message that the man cares about his appearance and in the female world that is a huge turn on. 

            College is a place where boys are transforming into men.  Part of this transformation should include developing you very own manly style.  How you dress on the outside reinforces how you may be feeling on the inside.  If you dress like a classy man it will reflect confidence and class to everyone around you.  Its funny how seriously appearance is taken in this society because really having some style and flair could transform your whole life for the better.  This could be a new phase of your life and this change could be just what you really needed to gain some success. 

            So next time you reach for the hoody ask yourself this question, “how will wearing this affect my image?”  A sweatshirt is something you wear when you are hanging with family or sitting in a cold corner studying when you wear this out into the public it reflects that you are either tired or lazy.  Here’s my advice fold that sweater up and put it away, then drive to the nearest mall where you can find a nice store such as a Macy’s and go into the sweater section.  Pick out the best sweater that fits your personality and your body type.  Next time when you enter the classroom with that sweater on and a nice pair of jeans you will feel like a million dollars, I promise!

            Those jeans you have been wearing that are Eminem style with your boxers hanging out is not a good look.  In fact, the “my pants hang low” look originated in the jail cell.  I don’t think that’s the image you want to give off.  Thank goodness I am writing to you because I know how to fix this situation!  Jeans are important and my suggestion is levis, even though they are a bit pricey, they will be worth it in the long run because those jeans will make you look amazing if you buy the pair that is best for your body type.  Tall lean guys need something either skinny or slim fitting, short guys should go for a bit of a wider leg, and the in the middle guys are lucky because they could pull off both looks successfully.  Look at yourself in the mirror and take a mental note about your body type.  Knowing yourself and what fits your body type will get you in and out of the store in no time.  Yes, boys, I know you hate shopping and you want to spend as little time in each store as humanly possible but personal style takes time, knowledge, and effort.  Once you get the staple pieces you should be pretty much set for the year.  If you keep your body in the same shape its in when you step foot in the mall that one time, you will never need to step foot into the stores again thanks to the Internet.  You can online shop in private and no dudes will know. 

So, we’ve talked about ditching the hoodie and getting a fresh, new pair of well fitting jeans.  Next up is the t-shirt.  T-shirts are great, but not the t-shirt you pulled out of the bottom of the hamper that has been worn to the gym numerous times and stretched out to an unrecognizable shape.   And while we’re at it this also goes for the t-shirt you wore in junior high which fit you when you were 6 inches shorter and 30 lbs lighter.  Not a good look.  My advice is simple.  Go to J Crew and buy yourself a couple of nice fitting t-shirts in solid colors.  You will look casual, yet put together with a solid color nice fitting t-shirt.  And finally on the subject of  t-shirts.  Please throw away anything with writing on them.  No one cares if you went to Harry’s Pub or the Hard Rock Café.  Just lose the t-shirts with writing and stay with solid colors.   

Now lets talk about shoes.   Investing in a great pair of shoes and cool pair of sneakers will be the best two things you’ll ever buy.   It has been said shoes make the man and its definitely one of the first things women look at after they see your face.  Those dirty high tops you’ve been playing basketball in for 10 years---get rid of them.  My advice is to buy a simple pair of converse low tops in a dark solid color and you will look great wherever you go.  As far as dress shoes the best bet is to go with black and always, always keep them shined.   Scuffed shoes sends a signal you are not a stylish man in general.  Polish your shoes boys!  And finally a word on the ubiquitous flip flops.  Flip flops are great for the beach, but this need to wear them everywhere you go, including in the winter months, needs to stop.  To begin, whether you believe it or not, the world does not want to see your bare feet.  You may think they do, but trust me, they do not.  Especially feet, which are dirty and nasty looking, which most are.   You will do the world a favor and you will be taken much more seriously if you take the simple act of covering your feet when going out in public.   If you just lose the flip flops and replace them with a cool pair of sneakers you will outclass almost the entire student body of most colleges around the world and all of us girls across the county will be grateful we don’t have to see your feet until the time is right—if you get my drift.  

Finally, here’s a quick note about hygiene.  You can do almost everything right when it comes to fashion and blow it all with your personal hygiene.   Taking a shower daily would be the very first step towards re-inventing the new you.  Next, after your shower take a few minutes and stand in front of the mirror naked and take a good long look at what needs to be plucked, clipped, swabbed, popped, cut, covered, and brushed.  Just 5 minutes of personal grooming will set you apart from the crowd and give you oodles of confidence. 

In conclusion, all of the fashion tips and grooming tips won’t make a bit of difference unless you first make a personal decision that it is important to you.  Without this sense of importance you will easily slip into your old habits.  Mark Twain famously said, “Clothes make the man.   Naked people have little or no influence on society.”  Mark Twain is right.   No one will ever take you seriously until you first take yourself seriously and taking just a few minutes to dress well and groom yourself will tell the world you are a man to be reckoned with.   Begin now.  Don’t wait.  Each day you wait is another day you may fail to impress the woman of your dreams as she walks past you and sees just another college boy in the haze of hoodies, sweats, and dirt tennis shoes.   Show her something different.  Show her you care about your appearance and she will make sure she walks your away again.  Trust me!

Modeling Portfolio :)

Luxurious Locks ;)

Hello girls!  I know its been a while since I’ve posted a blog, but my blog for this week should make up for all the Wednesdays I have missed!  

Have you paid attention to the health of your hair lately?  Is the dry cold weather leaving it frizzy and unmanageable?  Well I have a couple hair secrets that I am going to share with all of you that will leave your hair shiny, tangle free, and beautiful! 

• Say No to Sulfate -- when you’re in the shower, it’s all about the product you’re using and how you use it in your hair.  Make sure you are using a SULFATE FREE shampoo and conditioner.  Sulfate is what leaves hair frizzy and dried out after a shower.  
• Re-think Your Routine -- while you are in the shower, I recommend shampooing hair first, then applying your conditioner and letting it sit in your hair, so that the conditioner can moisturize your hair while you are completing the rest of your shower routine. Not to mention the humidity and steam that the hot water provides deepens the effects of the conditioner – almost like a conditioning treatment you’d receive at a salon!  I usually shave my legs so that I end up leaving the conditioner in for at least three minutes.  
• Chill Out -- to keep my strands shiny and conditioned, I rinse the conditioner out in cold water. Cool water locks in conditioner and doesn’t strip away your hair’s natural oils. Additionally, while warm water makes the hair lay flat, the icy cold water energizes the hair follicle making the hair more full and shiny!  
• Dig Deep -- if your hair is long or you are trying to grow your hair out and are skipping your usual three-month hair trim, it is very important that you are deep conditioning at least once every month along with taking your B vitamins!  I always tell my friends to set a pamper day aside to deep condition.  The strength of your strands depends on how often you wash your hair and how often you condition it.  
• Less is More -- the less washing you do the happier your hair will be! I know in society these days dirty is not the way to go so next time you think about hitting showers I suggest investing in a shower cap. You do not need to wash your hair every day!  It’s horrible for your hair to keep stripping out the natural oils.  Invest in Batiste (the stuff I talked about in my first blog) and skip a couple washes.  

I hope you girls found this blog helpful!  The kinder you are to your hair the healthier and shinier it will be!  

BEAUTIFUL from the inside out!

I Love Lucy is my very favorite way to start this blog today!  The video is my favorite episode and it gets right into what I am going to talk with you about today – vitamins!  I am going to tell you about the best vitamins to take daily to feel your absolute best.

It’s important then that you listen to what I say to you right here, right now!  Who ever is reading this blog packed with vitamin knowledge and info you must keep in mind that B vitamins help with just about everything, so make sure you are taking your B vitamins daily to boost your overall health! The daily vitamins you should be taking are: B3 (niancin), B5 (pantothen acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (Biotin), B9 (folic acid), and B12. 

Do you dislike the Kardashians but envy their long shiny beautiful hair?  Well you can have long shiny beautiful hair too – if you take your vitamins! Yes, as I told you before girls, the B vitamins are the main vitamins to take for this reason! 

Vitamin E ~  It works as an antioxidant to increase oxygen in the bloodstream and improves circulation which, in turn, stimulates the growth of your hair! 

Vitamin A ~ This vitamin assists in sebum production on the scalp, it regulates and enhances the synthesis of retinoic acid inside hair follicles and enhances your hair growth! 

How’s your energy levels these days?  Do you find yourself as Lucy says “pooped out at parties”?  Well then your body needs these vitamins for an extra boost to help you get the most out of your days! 

Iron ~ Take with vitamin B12 to get energy and help with the digestion process.  Iron and essential mineral needed for hemoglobin in your blood.  Those who are iron deficient find themselves weak and always tired.

Magnesium ~ It’s needed for the production of ATP, which is the main energy producing molecule in your body.  It will help you rise bright-eyed in the morning and help you maintain a healthy deep sleep at night!  I am definitely adding this vitamin to my diet!

Getting ready for those upcoming finals can really put a lot of stress on the brain! You are probably not getting the daily vitamins you need to boost your memory and help you absorb important information to pass those tests. These vitamins will not only help you pass your classes but also may help you remember where you last put your keys. Hopefully you didn’t lock them in your car!

Vitamins C, E, and Beta Carotene ~ They are all antioxidants that protect the brain tissue by breaking down the free radicals, which are known to be toxic forms of the oxygen molecule naturally found in your blood stream.  Calm that brain tissue down before you hit your books loves!

Omega 3 Fatty Acids ~ These are known as “good fats” that our bodies need daily get rid of the bad fats that may be usually stored.  We need good fats to help us stay positive and keep our brain from getting overloaded with information and sleepy.

Are you hitting the gym but not seeming to get any positive results?  Girls you should all blame your thyroid because it may be inactive! Naughty thyroid!  To get things running again and to see results you should probably take these vitamins before you hit your local gym.

Calcium ~ New research shows that Calcium prevents fat storage and raises metabolism!  You should try to consume 1000 to 1200mg per day.  Coral and plant base calciums are best!

Choline ~ The body needs Choline to metabolize fat so this is one of the more important vitamins!  

Iodine ~ It stimulates the thyroid and promotes a healthier faster metabolism!  Make sure you are taking Vitamin A with Iodine to help the thyroid absorb it! 

Chromium ~ Processes carbohydrates and helps reduce those hunger pains! A three-month study showed that 122 overweight people on average lost six pounds by taking 400mcg daily!

I hope you enjoyed these vitamin facts!  I enjoyed learning more about them to educate all of my lovely readers!  I am now a wealth of information on vitamins, so, if you have any questions, ask away! 

OhSoNatural!

http://ecologybeauty.com/

So what’s my agenda for this blog today?  Well, I am going to show you that I have changed some major things in my life to be healthier! So here it is – I used to be a M.A.C. cosmetics girl until I learned that there is a healthier, but still glamorous, alternative.  Over the years of being a M.A.C cosmetics girl, I have noticed that my skin was usually broken out and I had tons of clogged pores.  It wasn’t until I stepped foot into an amazing store in downtown Birmingham, Ecology, that I learned that I never have to break out from makeup again!  

Most women, including me, have no idea how many harmful chemicals are in the products we put on our faces and bodies each day! It’s okay girls, I am one of you! This is why I made the switch!  What I am about to tell you in this blog is going to blow your mind!  It will make you rethink your daily beauty products.

First and foremost, I am going to educate all of you just like Marla Shapiro and Carra Stoller, the owners of Ecology, did for me!  Staying hydrated, eating well, and working out are good ways to start living a healthier lifestyle but, for women (and men too), there is one more easy extra step – make your body look and feel as good on the outside as it does on the inside! 

The government cannot control what is going into skin care products and that should be enough reason to thoroughly read labels.  If you’d like to see how harmful your own cosmetics are, visit this site: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/.  The average woman uses up to 20 different skin care products per day and in many beauty and skin care products, there are petrochemicals. These harmful substances are not only bad to breathe in, but just as horrible to put on your skin!  Further more, one dangerous chemical in particular, Triclosan, promotes the growth of dangerous super bugs.  I now know why they say to replace your mascara every three months... 

If this wasn’t enough to scare you, I have even more to share!  Nitrosamines, which are commonly found in cosmetics, can cause brain and kidney cancer.  Cosmetics, nail polish, fragrances, and shampoo can also cause pregnant women to have a higher level of phthalates, which can cause the baby to have a disruptive behavior later in life or cause birth defects.  The even more shocking part is that only 11 percent of beauty products have been tested for these harmful chemicals! 

So what can you do? How can you make the switch?  First thing you need to say to yourself is, “I am going organic.”  I feel like society makes organic look barely there or just plain and natural.  Walk into Ecology, and you will see a whole new side to beauty and you’ll have access to products like you have never seen before.  After Marla and Carra educated me, I bought six amazing products that I now use daily.

To make me feel better about each product I purchased, Marla and Carra said, “There is not one product in this store that we haven’t tried ourselves!  We had to really make sure each product was safe.”  Here is what these lovely ladies recommended to me:

Pangea Organics

Right on the box it states: “Pangea’s number one goal is to bring your skin into balance.”  Before I bought these products, I was a Proactiv user.  What happened with my skin while using Proactiv is that it would clear up fast, but then my skin would get used to the ingredients and chemicals in the product, and my skin would break out within a month of using the product.  

Pangea isn’t an acne product; it is a happy, healthy skin care product!  I bought the facial cleanser, facial toner and the facial cream and I use them every day. The result? My skin hasn’t been oily or dry or badly broken out ever since!   

Facial Cleanser

The cleanser is gentle and will remove oil, dirt, and makeup while it nurtures the skin with vital plant-based nutrients!  My favorite part about this product is that it doesn’t dry your skin out after you cleanse it.  It just leaves my skin smooth and clean!

Facial Toner

Toners are known to bring skin to balance and refresh your skin. Pangea toner is specially formulated to remove all traces of dirt and oil, refine pores, remove impurities and awaken your senses. This toner does it all without doing too much!  After cleansing and before moisturizing this will help reduce the number of breakouts.  This is one toner you can truly trust!  

Facial Cream

This cream is specially formulated for oily and blemish prone skin.  It provides sebum to balance and regulate the skins natural oils.  The essential fatty acids and antioxidants help restore damaged skin and speed up the healing process.  Here’s a tip, put this on before you put foundation on to keep skin balanced and to shield your skin from bacteria and makeup that will clog your pores.

Who says green can’t look glamorous?  Mineral makeup has gone down a different route in Ecology in downtown Birmingham.  You can now buy “M.A.C like” products that won’t harm your skin and will look amazing!  

Alima 

Alima is a cosmetic line that is made for us glamorous girls who want to go green! It’s all mineral makeup that will not clog your pores or irritate your skin.  Mineral makeup doesn’t always have to look plain and natural thanks to Alima!  I bought Lilac and Milan eye shadow and it shimmers and creates the perfect smokey eye!  So far I love this makeup and I think by this summer I will have switched from M.A.C to Alima!  

I want to look great and feel beautiful in my skin! So girls, I made the switch! Will you? 

If you read this and want to make a trip to Ecology, Britt’s Bitts reads are offered a discount on Ecology’s products!  All you have to do is walk in and talk with either Marla or Carra and tell them you are a Britt’s Bitts reader!