Olive Oil and Lavender Magic

Good Afternoon! This Friday I thought I wanted to share with you another home beauty tip. If you live in a place with extreme weather as I do, you better believe that your body will show the affects. Winters here bring along really dry skin. Cracked up hands and pins and needle like sensation all over your skin is not uncommon at all. Others may suffer from dry frizzy hair or a very dry itchy scalp. Don't get me wrong, winters are also beautiful and magical. Especially with Christmas coming along. 

Although I could go on about how you need to prepare for winter nutrition-wise I will focus on the hair. I was starting to have really itchy dandruffy scalp. It was dry and oily all at the same time. Yes, it's gross.  And any amount of washing the hair did not take care of it. Well I've been studying nutrition and along with it the wonders of herbs and essential oils. (LOVE this stuff). Anyway, I came upon a concoction that I decided was worth a try because I knew the health benefits of each ingredient individually.

 Please would you allow me to introduce to you a bottle of oil that has carried me through thick and thin! It's health benefits are endless! Olive oil! It's a fat that is actually good for you! So I use it in all my cooking. Anyway my other really close friend is the essential oil of lavender. Again I will not bore you with details but it is an amazing muscle relaxant and it's aromas are tranquilizing to the nerves. It's an anti inflammatory as well.

So I used these 3 wonder ingredients to treat my hair and scalp. I mixed about 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 15 drops of lavender oil. I mixed in 2 tablespoons of honey so it makes the mixture a little bit more of a paste. But not too much that it's sticky. Honey is a great healing ingredient as well. 

I rubbed this mixture into my scalp, making sure it was well absorbed. I left it on for about 20 minutes. Putting on a shower cap helps to keep the moisture in the hair. Then I washed my hair with normal shampoo and conditioner. You will need to do this very thoroughly. I didn't wash my hair quite enough so although my hair dried they still looked very oily. You want shiny but not oily. So after my second washing my hair was wonderful. And I mean instant result of soft silky hair. Not to mention the hint of lavender aroma still lingering in the hair. Not too strong though, so guys don't worry!

But here is what really amazed me. Whether this is what it's supposed to do or not, here are the facts: I have gone longer without washing my hair than normal and it's still clean and non-oily. And the other thing is that the instructions told me to do this about 2-3 times a week but it's been about a week and there's still no oily itchy dandruffy skin. Whereas otherwise it was there constantly even if I washed my hair. 

So there you go! I'm kind of hooked on this treatment now, although I know there's many other good home remedies that would be good for the scalp. So if your suffering from this condition I hope this remedy will help you out!

Happy Friday and Happy Christmas shopping!

Beauty Part II - Embracing Your Beauty

I am blessed with gorgeous people in my life! This is another one of my niece, Jocelyn. The photos are taken by the talented young woman, Mikaela! I love these two and their sense of style and unique energy they bring to their school, and family. I love highlighting aspiring artistic people! Thanks Mikaela for your talent. And Jocelyn thanks for sharing your raw beauty. Her grunge style is refreshing.

Here is one more of those million articles you read on “Girls you are beautiful as you are. “ As redundant as I sometimes feel this topic is and it almost goes in one ear and out the other for some of us girls, I have still written another post on it.  I still run into this so many times – girls not embracing their beauty – that I can’t stay quiet for some reason. I feel like it’s my personal duty to help us embrace our feminine beauty and power. You can read my post “Beauty made practical – Part I here: http://claricer.blogspot.ca/2014/02/beauty-part-i-beauty-made-practical.html.

It’s easy for us to compare to other people. Especially us women. It seems to be that’s how we measure our standards. I find it so easy to do that. I notice all the beautiful women, and I wonder what I could do to measure up or better yet, beat that. But I always run into problems when I do that. Somehow those clothes never look the same way on me. My hair never quite have that perfect curl. I’m never quite dark enough.

Here’s the deal: you can never really change the way you look. If you have an athletic build and are 5 foot 4. You will never look like the 6 foot girl with a narrow frame. Your shape is your shape. Your hair texture will be your hair texture. Your face shape is your face shape. If you’re a woman your beautiful no matter what your shape or height is. A woman is created to be beautiful. You can’t not be beautiful. There is a reason why you are made the way you are. You offer something with your unique beauty that no one else in this world ever can.

So in my mind, instead of wasting your time trying to become something else and stressing out in your mind of how you just don’t measure up, you could take in your body as it is, and let it display it’s beauty in the full powerful potential that it has. For some of us it just seems to take being intentional and looking for that beauty. But I dare you to look until you find it. Because it’s there.

So how do you practically embrace your beauty?

-As I mentioned before, you need to get in your mind that you are beauty. You cannot let anyone or anything tell you that there is only a certain size and color that is beautiful. If that’s the case God made only a handful beautiful and whole lot of ugly people.

I sometimes think “How can I be a model for my blog?” I am fully aware that I am not 6 feet and I’m not a size 0 by a long shot. I’m not a certain shade of brown and not all of me is nicely toned. I don’t have an hourglass figure. I could exactly tell you which parts of me “should” be different. I am aware that there is a multitude of other girls that would be much more eligible to be models for the standards nowadays. But I don’t mind. I feel like I have come a long ways to where I know my beauty. I have looked, and I have found it. I see it. I want to show that beauty is much more than the certain size that walks down Victoria Secret fashion runways.

-Try seeing yourself the way your loved ones see you. They usually love what they see. They know exactly how you smile when you get excited. They know your cute little thing you do with your eyebrows when your really focused on something. They know that you give really good hugs. They have seen your body in action as you run and do the things you love to do.

Your beauty comes from who you are and gets displayed on the outside. So much of your beauty comes from every little detail about who you are at the core. I really think a huge percent of your beauty comes from the inner self being  translated on the outside. And how you see and treat yourself is often how others will see you too. And your letting them know how you want to be treated.

-As you observe yourself in the mirror, compliment yourself. Force yourself to tell yourself out loud in great detail how wonderful your each separate feature is. This can be really hard. But pick a feature that’s easy first. The one you already like about yourself. Tell the girl in the mirror what’s so beautiful about her eyes. Then go on to features you really don’t like about yourself. This can take more time. But pretend the person in the mirror is a celebrity and everyone wants to be like her. So that means every part of you is desirable. Tell the girl in the mirror how the part of you that you don’t like, is awesome.  And don’t lie. Find something that is actually awesome about that part of your body.

-When people compliment you, receive it gracefully. Believe them. And compliment others.

-As you find your own beauty, you start to be confident in it. Dress for your body. Don’t dress the way a certain someone does. Dress for you. If your bigger, don’t think you should dress the same as someone who is really petite. Don’t think, since you used to wear size 2 pants that you must forever fit into those. It’s ok to go bigger. PLEASE dress for what looks good for your body. You don’t have to show us your overhang by wearing your tight little shirts. I talked a bit about how you can love your hair a couple of posts back. http://claricer.blogspot.ca/2014/09/i-dont-care-hair.html

In conclusion, I would love to see more girls and women rise up in all their feminine beauty and confidence. It isn’t fair to you that all you see advertised and adored are one type flawless bodies. I would love to see the nerdy girls on magazine covers, the bookworms to be attractive, the outdoor girl and the athletic girl to be highly esteemed. I would love to see girls embrace their body size and lift up their faces and let themselves be loved. Let the big girls, the small girls, the tall girls, the petite and the athletic, the dark and the fair rise to the top and be leaders in their own way. These are girls who don’t let themselves be objectified, but who show the world what a true attractive woman is!

Blazer and Distressed Jeans - Finding Your Balance

It's all about the balance. Today the outfit is a tailored blazer with distressed jeans. I like to pair a classy piece with something theoretically not so pretty. The distressed jeans bring balance to an otherwise very dressy blazer. I'm keeping it neutral with simple nude heels, but balanced it out with some edgy authentic '50's earrings and kept the makeup simple. Right now the double twist is my favorite way to add some interest to my hair.

I find that it should be everyone's goal to be balanced. It might just be me, but when I meet someone who is overly hyped all the time is a turnoff. Or vice versa. 

It's important to have a balanced diet. Some fat is very important to stay healthy, but we all know that too much of it can be dangerous to your health.

Some stress is healthy, but living a high stress life all the time will break you eventually.

Everyone needs people in their life (and for some of you it will be an intentional choice to put them in your life), but you also need your own time where you can think and meditate on your life (which can also be a very intentional choice you need to make).

There's a time to show compassion and give of your heart or time to someone, but then there's a time to protect yourself and set a boundary where others don't cross.

There's a time to mourn but there's also a time where you must dance!

Your body needs rest and it also needs exercise.

When you look at creation and truths about God, there is always a balance. With almost any command in the Bible, you will also find the exact opposite command. What about mercy and justice. Honour your mother and father, but also if you don't hate your mother and father your not truly my disciples.

Balance is something that fascinates me and I realize I just kind of threw out sentences here, but I guess I'm inviting you to think about it with me. I think there's more power behind it than we realize.

I think in order to live a satisfying and healthy life, we must find our balance.

Jeans: Bluenotes

Blazer: Urban Planet

Heels: Payless Shoe Source

Photo Credit: Clara Loewen

www.steorraimages.com

Aztec Sweaters and Staying True to Yourself.

The Aztec pattern originates from Mexico representing a history of many different tribes. This pattern originally showed an appreciation for the extensive kinds of birds and fish and animals. In spring/summer 2009 catwalk show this pattern was exposed for the first time. And ever since then this bold pattern has caught our eyes and become more and more popular among women. You most often see this pattern on big cozy sweaters. And ladies, it will once again be popular this fall. Get your aztec sweater before they get sold out. 

This outfit right here is right now my go to, my love, my comfort in ways of clothing. All the way from my adorable lia sophia earrings down to my scruffy old boots. And that big sweater with it's bold print not only makes me feel cozy but it allows me to express myself with who I am right now. I'm in somewhat need of comfort, yet I can be myself. Unique. And brave.

I like to experiment with clothes. You can get a great look without going to the most high end stores. You can keep your closet interesting without buying a new outfit every week. I am learning to be more focused and not have to buy everything I see. There's a time to give clothes away that you anyway never use. But there's always a few gems that you gotta keep. Someday you'll use them. I'm wearing sweats here that I use as leggings. They're old and the comfiest things ever. My shirt is one of those shirts that I'm not sure if it's in style anymore. But I kept that shirt and I'm using it here because #1 it's becoming one of my favorite colors again. #2 It's a nice plain shirt for layers to go on. (that's why I can use it because it's going to be covered mostly anyway.)

And those boots... worn and torn. I can't tell how many times I almost threw them away, but something held me back. I am starting to realize that these boots are becoming a classic. The more worn they become the more they have a look that they're originally intended. There's a reason they're called "combat boots"! So the scruffier the better. This rule doesn't work for all shoes though!

One last thought of the day. Staying true to yourself is probably one of the most important things you can do to stay happy with yourself and with others. Don't let anyone become your god. Know who you are and live it. This can become really difficult especially in relationships where you really care about the person. The last thing you want is them to reject you. But when you change or become quiet to be accepted, you will become confused, unhappy and insecure. People will not get you, and you will lose respect. On the other hand, when you stay true to who you are, you have clarity and peace of mind and control of your emotions. And best of all you will experience people loving you for you. You will realize you will be admired for your standards. And you will feel good because you set healthy boundaries for yourself to protect your well-being. These boundaries keep the right people in and the wrong people out.

Photography by Clara Loewen

www.steorraimages.com

Braids and Top Knots

I had a fun little spontaneous shoot with this wonderful woman. She is another special person in my life. She may seem to be behind the scenes, but she is a fiesty one when it comes to her opinion and her style. She is my niece and she is a designer and in my opinion a gorgeous model. You will be seeing more of her. And I'm hoping her designs will be coming out soon!

Braids and knots in the hair make any girl feel pretty and classy. Throw on vintage little dresses and bring out the champagne!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Army Green and White

I feel that summer got away from me. But I was really wanting to show some summer looks. So forgive me for being out of season. Here is me catching the tail end. White was great for this summer. But white pants are an edgy addition to your wardrobe in general. It's a classy piece. And it makes everything else pop. Since the white is so pure and summery I pieced it with a dull color. Here I've used army green just cuz army green and white have been my loves this season.  For the fall all you would need to add is a black leather jacket and some silver jewelry. I added my champagne sandals for a casual look. And obviously gotta roll up the bottom of your pant and show those ankles.

White Pants: American Eagle

Shirt: American Eagle

Photo Credit: Jo Reimer

  

I Don't Care Hair

Today I want to talk about hair. Hair is the glory of a woman. Your hair says so much about what kind of person you are. In the same way that you dress how you feel, you often do your hair the way you feel. 

There's sophisticated hair pulled up in a clean bun. 

There's wild and fun open crazy hair. 

There's flirty curly hair.

 There's rich silky straight hair.

 There's creative braided hair. 

And then of course, my favourite, I don't care hair. This is either my hair tied up into whatever it wants to do up there or leave them messy and  open and untouched. 

Hair can be a feisty thing. I remember the days when my hair were the cause of tears or just a very bad day. It's interesting how good we feel about our hair is how good we feel about ourselves as a person. That would make sense though if hair says so much about who you are.

Where I used to fight and hate my hair, I have learned to love and embrace my hair. Where I used to force my hair to become something they didn't want to do at all, I have learned to understand my hair and work with what they want to do. In the end that is what's natural and beautiful and it makes for a much happier and confident me! It's because I'm being myself. 

So what do I mean with "understanding your hair"? What do your hair naturally want to do? Are you frustrated that they're always so extremely straight and have no fullness? Are you annoyed at your odd kinky hair? Are they too thick? Too thin? Well, turns out you want someone else's hair and someone else would like your hair. So let's just get that out of the way - I am not jealous of anyone else's hair. Perfect. That's step # 1. 

Step # 2. Work with your hair instead of against it. If you have a certain hairstyle in mind and you will not give up till you get the perfect look, well, I don't know about you, but I normally end up being very frustrated and there goes my day. Say you are trying a quick nice up do and you don't have a lot of time, but it ends up looking a little messy and lopsided. What normally happens is that you can try again and probably again and then yet again. But it just gets worse as time goes on. Worse with your hair and your attitude because your running out of time and in your mind you are looking less and less beautiful when all you wanted was to make a little bit of an effort to look a little extra beautiful.

Here's what I have learned to do - try it, and if it doesn't work for you then just scrap whatever I have to say - but first take a deep breath. Take a step back from the mirror and take a look at your hair. Don't get mad at them but try to understand them. Today they are wanting to be cute and a little messy. Think of a different look that matches what you are seeing. All you might need to do is tuck in a few more hairs and your done. Or just pull out a few more and add a bow and there is your cute messy, slightly on the side bun. No sweat, no tears and your on time looking good and yourself because that's what your hair want to do.

It has become my own little inside joke at how often on the days that I basically threw my hair together into whatever (with no sense of pride in what I'd done) that that is when I get complimented and people ask me "how did you do your hair!" That's what is funny because I can't tell them how I did it. I just felt horrible about my hair so I just did whatever they wanted to do and there it is and I don't know how I did it. But it has become my signature way to do my hair. My secret is out! And I love my hair. I feel like me and my hair have a really good relationship now. As I'm ok with doing what they want to do, my hair seem to gladly do what I want to do as well.

Now I'm not saying you shouldn't care about how you look. And I'm not saying to not do your hair appropriate for the occasion. But sometimes you almost need to get that attitude of "I don't care" so that you can stay at peace with your hair and with your self which looks a lot better on you than forced hair and a forced smile.

Step # 3 ties the last two steps together. Don't try to make the type of hair you have into a different type. You just can't. 

If you have genetically thick curly hair you can't expect when you straighten your hair to have silky straight asian hair. Find out what works for your hair. You can get ideas from how other people do their hair but never expect to get their perfect results. Your hair will always do their own thing. And that is what's beautiful and unique and makes you YOU! So embrace it and work that hair!

Hint: Maybe next time when you do your hair you need to relax a little and try something new. Sometimes you got to try a few times to understand what your hair want. But don't be uptight, and be ok to do something your not used to. All it might take is some mousse, a different shampoo, a different hairstyle... and TADA! Suddenly you will be in love with your hair! That's how it's supposed to be.

P.S. I hope to follow up with posts of different things I've done with my hair and tips I've learned in beauty school. And again this is coming from someone who loves to express who I am with my hair, yet has no patience to do anything "perfect". So hope you will enjoy.

I would love to hear your comments on your frustrations and successes of hair! Can you identify?

Crazy!