Full Luxurious Hair

I have always been a little unlucky with my hair.
When I was a child, I had natural brunette hair with natural highlights that lightened every summer from the sun and endless hours in the local outdoor pool or at the beach.
When I started swimming competitively, my lovely hair was immediately doomed to die a painful death.
Chlorine is probably one of the worst things you can leash on your body. It completely dries up skin, leaving itchy, irritable mess behind, and as I found out the hard way, it can damage hair to the point where you shed hair in your sleep. When I first discovered clumps of hair on my pillows in the morning (I was often up at 5am to go to swim practice) I would notice this about my lovely hair and just cry. I was terrified of going bald and not knowing what to do, I didn't think I could survive the forseeable future torment my schoolmates would have unleashed on me.
My parents bought me every possibly shampoo/conditioner/creme that would not damage hair from chlorine, but unfortunately, there really wasn't any shampoo or conditioner that could protect my hair from all things.
Eventually, I started to swim less and less - school work, boys, friends, family and other other activites got in the way. I thought for sure once I slowed down on swim practices, my hair would come back. Unfortunately, that was not the case... my poor hair never officially grew back to what it was. My hair also never recovered from the constant torture it was under. It just became a dried up brunette colour, not very pretty. 
Luckily, my mom was more than happy to allow me to spruce up my hair with highlights, and other colours to make my hair less damaged looking.
I've always loved the look of really long thick hair. It really was a cute look. 
A couple months ago a friend of mine was telling me about hair extensions she got put in from a salon in town. It was the type of extensions that you knot up and glue in, looks painful and expensive.
I have to admit the extensions did look really good on her and I started researching other ways to get hair extensions without putting more damage to my hair.
and then...

www.foxylocksextension.com
Clip-in hair extensions!!
You simply straighten your hair like you normally would, then you divide your hair in sections, and clip-in hair extensions in the divided areas.
Looks very real and it makes my hair look full and luxurious!
SOLD :)

Valentines Day Red Velvet Cupcakes with Creme Cheese Icing Recipe

I enjoy to cook yummy meals or delicious goodies for my family and friends.

It's nice to see everyone you love or respect eat something you've made from scratch and hoping from the start it is something they will enjoy :)

I also like Valentines Day, single or taken, I like the cuteness about it.

Valentines Day can be celebrated by everyone, there is always love for people in your life.

Love for your parents, grandparents, immediate and extended family, siblings, and friends. Of course it's always nice to have a significant other in your life, but its not completely mandatory to have a great Valentines Day.

I made these cupcakes very spur of the moment just because I wanted to do something nice for my family, friends and I brought it into work for my work friends to enjoy :)

Here is the Recipe!

Valentines Day Red Velvet Cupcakes with Creme Cheese Icing!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2  cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup baking cocoa (powdered)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 sticks butter at room temperature
• 5 large eggs

• 1 cup buttermilk*
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon red food coloring

* If you don't have buttermild handy -Place one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar in an empty one cup measuring cup.  Fill with milk to 1 cup.  Let stand for 5-8 minutes then use in any cake recipe that calls for buttermilk.

Directions:

1. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl.  Sift dry ingredients three times.

2. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time, making sure to beat well after each egg. 

3. Add 1/4 of dry ingredients to creamed mixture then approximately 1/4 of buttermilk alternating until mixed well. 
Mix in vanilla and food coloring. * Make sure you put the food colouring in AFTER the cocoa is evenly mixed in.

4. Fill lined cupcake pans 1/2 full of red velvet batter.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
5. Cool cupcakes in pans for 5 to 10 minutes then remove from pans.  Cool completely on wire racks before frosting.

Creme Cheese Icing!

- 1/2 cup of butter (1 stick), room temperature
- 8 oz of Philly cream cheese (1 package), room temperature
- 2 - 3 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

The Frosting

1 Cream the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

2 Add the vanilla extract and mix.

3 Add the powdered sugar, continually taste to get to desired sweetness. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

*I also added a few drops of red food colouring to the icing, it came out a cute pinkish colour. I also just added sprinkles after I added the icing.

January Favourites.

So I know it's February 2010!
But I wanted to show a few adorable things I bought online the past few weeks.


My Europe trip is in about 4 months, I really shouldn't be spending my hard earned money on little gifts for myself, but I couldn't help myself.


I saw this ring from Kandee Johnson (http://www.kandeethemakeupartist.blogspot.com/) and later found out that the artist has an online boutique on etsy.com - http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morado
Her rings are just the cutest things ever. So I bought me and my sister (for her bday) a rose ring!!

I got this one in a similar colour, more pinkish-red colour. but still very, very cute!
I don't mind supporting independent sellers like this, they work hard and their jewelery is just beautiful sometimes.
(I might post a picture when I receive the rings!!) stay tuned.

Here is the second item I purchased. This is from another independent seller who makes jewelery from recycled metal and junk, she is the perfect example of taking things that most people see a junk and making it into something beautiful. 
She is on vacation now, but keep an eye on her shop and she should be back soon :)
(http://www.etsy.com/shop/dustDesignCo)

 

Yes, this is Rihanna, She apparently bought her BAD 3-finger ring at the same site I did, I have no idea though ;)
I am getting a ring like this except it will say Tia on it instead of Bad.
I am very excited for it!! 
You can find all sorts of cute and unique stuff like this at this website (http://www.jewelrybynet.com/Rihanna_Large_3_Finger_Bad_Knuckle_Name_Ring_p/rihannabad-ss01.htm)


I will take pictures of my fabulous new jewelery the minute I get it!!


Thanks,
Tia <3

Movie thoughts: John Q

John Q.

The message: a parent would do anything for their child.

When this father found out his son was very sick, and he was unable to afford the medicine to save his son, and then when his son needed a heart transplant, but could not afford one because he didn't have the right insurance policy and health benefits.

Unheard... Desperate... Scared

John Q takes measures into his own hands.

He takes a hospital hostage and demands his needs are met.

Pure.Fantastic.Moving.

A true must see.

My thoughts - White Collar Season One.

White Collar.

I have recently discovered this new show (i think it debuted oct 2009?)

I was actually pleasantly surprised.

The show has a unique concept. It is about a criminal who specializes in stealing or making very good fake artwork, or other things of the sort and is put away by this FBI agent who tracked him for 4 years. Finally gets him behind bars. Only to discover that the criminal (who is dangerously good-looking) breaks out of prison from a mysterious good-bye message from his wife with only 3 months left of his 4 year sentence.

The FBI agent catches him again at his newly empty apartment because his wife left him and decided the best way to catch other criminals like him, is to hire him.

So with his very clever way of thinking and ability to catch criminals, he is on the FBI's good side.

But are his intentions just to help the FBI stay on his good side? he says he is no longer looking for his wife, but is he really? look for White Collar on your tv listings :)

Today is a new day.

Today is a new day.

Today I woke up and I was no longer gripped by feelings of failure and sadness.

I woke up and finally realized that the recent events that have been taking over my life are just stepping blocks that the universe has in store for me. What that means, I do not know yet. But I`m sure this is just a learning curve for me. Its a test to see if I`m truthful and faithful. I am most definitely have those qualities.

Now with the recent events going on in Haiti and those who are actually hurt, in pain, dead or even worse dying. It embarasses me that I've been so solely focused on myself. I donated money today to Haiti. I also plan on going to Red Cross at some point this week to donate blood for those who need it over there.

If my blood can help, its the least I can do.

I would love the opportunity to go there and help out in the World Relief groups, but unfortunately I have commitments here.

It's nice to not feel so useless and just battered down. For days I was like a walking zombie. My friends and family were beginning to get very concerned because I'm usually upbeat, cheery, just happy in general. So when I'm feeling particularly down or quiet, it really shows and people get concerned quite easily.

It's also a little hard to just have a quiet day, most people get freaked out when I am quiet or have nothing to say. They immediately think I am angry or upset or sad... when in fact, that is not true. I am just feeling in a quiet or mellow mood.

Thats just a fact I am going to have to work on. Most people probably do understand that I'm having an off day, but they still insist I am upset or angry. It's just a little frustrating.

I'm human, people!! Let me go through the emotions most people go through ;)

This picture is beautiful!! I chose it because thats how I was feeling this morning.

Not angry, not unbelievable sad, I even managed to crack a small smile. Something I have not done in a while. It was nice. My brain was numb. I believe it was from all the constant over-thinking and over-analyzing everything. I was in a beautiful spot where there was no sorrow or anger or humiliation.

I was almost in bliss.

For all about 5 minutes than feelings of doubt began creeping in. (frisky little buggers, aren't they?)

So I encourage everyone who is feeling the way I have been feeling to just be at ease. Don't let tomorrows worries be todays. Today is a new day. Start your day in bliss, sheer tranquility bliss, and let yourself go with the flow. If you have school or work, do your every day morning routine, but maybe do something different so it doesn't suggest the same routine you always do. Maybe splurge and buy yourself a coffee and donut if you usually make your own breakfast. It's a fun way to start a new day with something new. If you are low on funds, maybe do your hair differently or make-up. Something people will most likely comment on and be happy for you about. Or maybe try putting a new outfit together.

Then this evening, call some friends and maybe get out of the house.

(I did that last night and saw Avatar, UNBELIEVABLE. I loooved it!)

It worked wonders.

Sending everyone pure tranquility.

Don't let doubt get in the way :)

Avatar.

Outstanding movie.

IMAX 3D highly recommended.

Enough Said.