Empowered Traditionalist

Impromptu blog post on Eyeliner:

I would suggest using an eyelid primer, such as a neutral shadow, or powder foundation before applying any eyeliner. Once your base is in place you have 3 main types of liner to choose from: the pencil, liquid liner, or a compact liner using an angled brush. Of the above the compact liner and brush (see below) is my favorite as it is proffers a more accurate and long-lasting application. Another favorite technique is to take a dark shadow, and with a damp brush create my liner from the wet shadow.

For Pencil:
sharpen your pencil to a precise point (and keep it sharp unless you’re going for a smudged smokey eye). Starting f
For added staying power, do one light line, then brush on another layer of your primer/base and finish with another line. The primer will seal in the eyeliner and keep it from smudging.

For liquid or compact:

Here are 5 Top rated Eyeliners under $10:
Covergirl
Revlon Colorstay
Maybelline New York Lineworks Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
L’Oreal Paris Pencil Perfect Self-Advancing Eyeliner- Available at your local drugstore
Almay Liquid liner,

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For some of you, this won’t ring any bells. For others of you, it will be a resounding siren, ringing lots of bells.
You are familiar with the man ache, the restless longing to belong to someone, to feel cherished by one man who can warm you with his stability and protection. You have wrestled many a time with your own fears, and ended up drowning it out by watching Jane Auston repeats.

I wish I could say I was strong, and confident in the Lord 100% of the time, but that definitely isn’t true.
This feeling is familiar to me as well.

But we really aren’t longing for a man at all. We’re longing for home.
Not the home where you sleep at night, but the place that you were made for. No amount of chic cafe visits, no parties, no level of financial independence, cool friends, positive self-talk or even the “dream guy” will satisfy this ache.

If chick flicks and chocolate isn’t the answer- is there another option?

As Connally Gilliam writes, in her book Revelations of a Single Woman

There is another alternative, It is not an easy alternative, but it’s straightforward enough. It is to simply let the ache work on use, shape us, and thereby do its job. When we let the ache become a part of our story and not something to be conquered through striving or numbed by our narcotic of choice, it can serve us well. It can propel us forward, paradoxically, in life-giving-even joy-giving-ways. It can remind us that we are made for something more-that this life is not all it was intended to be- and it’s good to want more. It can remind us that our longing for intimacy, connection, and home is real; it’s a party of our DNA, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It can prompt us to look at our lives honestly and face current realities head-on. But most of all, if we can “walk with the ache, even when it hurts,” as my friend Caroline likes to say, something amazing can occur.

. It is in the asking, in midst of the fearful place, where we have a chance to believe and discover that some kind of home is out there, and it can be found by anyone, starting now…
So for now, I recognize my homesickness as something through which God is going to walk with me, in ways I think will surprise me for the good. And when the ache is too much-when I just have to plop down on the floor and burst out crying-I’ll again get his help to keep walking, realizing that homesickness is simply a reminder. My longings are in line with my design; I’m created for the secure joys of coming home…
Jesus has gone on ahead to get the house ready for you, me and a slew of other unknown-to-me people to come home. Maybe it’s a strange concept to some folks, but something about this party grows increasingly amazing to me the more I travel. In the last book of the Bible, this homecoming is compared to a wedding and reception of celestial proportions. It’s the marriage of Jesus and his people.

It’s time to see our longing for what they truly are, redirect them to our heavenly home. Even if we never get married on this earth, we will someday. There will be a wedding.
_____________
Many thanks to my cousin Heidi who graciously typed up several pages from the book as an encouragement to me a few days back.

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1. Home Bang trim.  My hair stylist showed me this simple trick to add a few more weeks to my bangs. Divide your fringe into three sections, grab the first one, pull it straight up and twist. Snip into the ends with the point of the scissors, cutting diagonally so each strand varies a little in length. Drop the section to see where it falls, then twist and cut more if necessary. Pull up the next section, matching it to the length of the first and so on. It works great!

2. Get rid of shine. Caught yourself in the mirror with skin like an oil slick? Don’t panic. Toilet paper or a toilet seat cover makes an excellent blotter! Simply tear off a corner and press on to your skin to soak up shine.

3. Eye soother. If you have puffy eyes try placing a thin slice of potato on the eyes for 10 minutes. Or a chilled teaspoon can help, too.

4. Face saver. Revive a tired complexion by going hot and cold. Soak your face cloth in warm water with a few drops of Dr. Hauschka Lemon Bath, which softens hard water and revitalizes you and your skin. Apply the compress to your face for a few seconds — repeat and do your usual cleansing regime. Complete with a cool splash — this contrast in temperature strengthens the skin. The warmth stimulates the delivery of oxygen to the surface, while the cool helps eliminate toxins and closes pores.

5. Two-minute face-lift. An egg white and lemon juice mask has an instant tightening effect on skin, so it’s ideal to do an hour before you go out to a party.

6. Vaseline 1Put a coat of vaseline on your eyelashes before you go to bed. Lots of people swear by this – and say it will make your lashes grow longer and thicker over time.

7. Vaseline 2 Mix Vaseline with your lipstick to create a cream blusher for your cheeks (also creates cream eyeshadows)

8.Vaseline 3 Put Vaseline on your lips, leave it a few minutes, then scrub your lips with a toothbrush to exfoliate and leave them SO smooth

9. For instance hydration, rub eye cream on your lips- it will absorb into the lips while a lip balm will sit on the lips.

10.Sweet Hair- Give your hairbrush one spray of your favorite perfume, then brush your hair. It will leave a subtle scent trailing from your hair.

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Want a sneak peek on the latest modest fashion shoot?

Check out our latest C-T.com photo shoot- HERE

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-From author Donald Whitney

Many of us struggle to make conversation or activities fun and profitable Christmas day. Particularly when we are visiting with family or friends we haven’t seen in ages and have little in common.
Here are 10 questions that will be sure to kindle a conversation. It’s ok to be yourself and share about your faith, regardless if your family are believers or not.

1. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you since last Christmas?
2. What was your best Christmas ever? Why?
3. What’s the most meaningful Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
4. What was the most appreciated Christmas gift you’ve ever given?
5. What was your favorite Christmas tradition as a child?
6. What is your favorite Christmas tradition now?
7. What do you do to try to keep Christ in Christmas?
8. Why do you think people started celebrating the birth of Jesus?
9. Do you think the birth of Jesus deserves such a nearly worldwide celebration?
10. Why do you think Jesus came to earth?

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My sister, sent me this fun idea to keep Christ in Christmas day celebrations.

One idea we’ve used in our home with extended family who are not believers is a Christmas Scavenger Hunt. I make a list of clues and teams of two or three have to not only answer the question, but find the item in the house somewhere. Some examples of questions: What has wings, but doesn’t build a nest? (Angel) What is crooked and sweet and only available at Christmas? (Candy Cane) What guided three men to a little town? (Star). Everyone gathers with their answers (the first team to finish gets a small prize) and then we tell the meaning behind the symbol and why it is significant to the birth of Christ. Everyone usually enjoys the friendly competition and they also hear about the true meaning of Christmas in a friendly way.

Do you have any fun Christmas traditions that you would like to share?

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With 2009 right around the corner, everyone is betting on up and coming trends.

I’ve compiled a brief list- let’s see if my predictions come true!

1. Oversize 80s earings. Flash-back big time, but throw them on with your basic jeans and a t-shirt and you have an instant kick of glamor.

2. Oversize glasses. Not something I particularly like, but it’s already been evident on the streets of LA and in several of the top retailers.

 3. Cropped trousers. Again, not my favorite- but somehow they are everywhere.

 4. Hip-length vests. A 70s variation of the boyish vests. Very relaxed and versatile.

5. Wrist bags. It’s a clutch with chain/strap to slip around your wrist.

6. Monochrome outfits. Everything of the same color, layered, all at once.

7. Leather. Leather cords and pendants, to shoes, clutches and bomber jackets, leather seems to be in the spotlight for 2009.

I can’t see myself enjoying many of these trends…I prefer the timeless/vintage look.

Modest Fashion? More like Ugly fashion

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continued from part 2
Third wave: Women can be predators
For a time, all was quiet on the feminist front; at least, relatively. But as the children of second wave feminists literally became of age (1990s) they decided- “nope, we’re not going to let men objectify us- we’re going to objectify ourselves!” (Thus proving the adage, “what you do in moderation your children will take to excess.”) Porn-positive feminism was popularized, and we ended up with Girls Gone Wild, where young women do unmentionable things for the benefit of the TV camera. Women studies classes across the nation proclaimed, you have the right to be sexual beings- however and whenever you feel like it. Women should be able to be as free as men are with regard to sexuality. We should experiment. Be a predator!

I do not exaggerate.

This is what is known as the raunch culture. Immodesty, aggressive, gun-toting, butt-kicking, trash-talking tomb-raiders, Sex and the City, Bratz dolls- these are all examples of feminist images today.

We are inundated in feminist philosophy.

So What do we do?

…Feminism: The Hope coming soon.

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I had a humorous conversation with a friend who confessed she strongly disliked denim skirts.While I personally don’t rave about them, denim skirts can be chic too.

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Merry Christmas Ladies!

I am writing an article for upcoming publication entitled “The Secret to being a Lady in a feminist world”.

What are some ways you have experienced, practical and spiritual, that help you to be feminine, or ladylike?

(e.g Wearing a skirt, accepting help, )

Have you experienced a negative or positive reaction to your efforts?

List any thoughts below, and I will include some of your thoughts in the article.

Thanks!

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