Category: Uncategorized

Brush it ON!

If you’re new to the world of makeup brushes, it can be overwhelming to figure out which brushes to use for different makeup applications. But fear not! This guide will help you navigate through the basics and get you started on your makeup brush journey. Here are some essential brushes every beginner should have in their collection:

  1. Foundation Brush: A foundation brush is typically flat and has densely packed bristles. It is used to apply liquid or cream foundation evenly on your face, giving you a smooth and flawless base.
  2. Concealer Brush: A concealer brush has a small, tapered shape that helps you precisely apply concealer to hide blemishes, dark circles, or any other imperfections on your skin.
  3. Powder Brush: A powder brush is large, fluffy, and soft, making it perfect for applying loose or pressed powder all over your face. It helps set your makeup, control shine, and give you a matte finish.
  4. Blush Brush: A blush brush is usually medium-sized with soft bristles. It is designed to evenly apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, giving you a natural flush of color.
  5. Eyeshadow Brush: There are different types of eyeshadow brushes, but a basic flat eyeshadow brush is a good starting point. It helps you apply and pack on eyeshadow to your eyelids, creating a smooth and even color application.
  6. Blending Brush: A blending brush has fluffy and rounded bristles that help you blend different eyeshadow colors seamlessly. It’s essential for creating a well-blended, gradient eye look.
  7. Eyeliner Brush: An eyeliner brush has thin and angled bristles that allow for precise application of gel or powder eyeliner along your lash line. It helps you achieve a clean and defined line.
  8. Lip Brush: A lip brush has a fine and tapered tip, making it easier to apply lipstick or lip gloss with precision. It helps you define your lip shape and avoid smudging.

Tips for Using Makeup Brushes:

  • Clean your brushes regularly to prevent product buildup and bacteria growth. Use a mild brush cleanser or a gentle shampoo and warm water. Rinse thoroughly and let them air dry.
  • When applying makeup, use light and gentle strokes with your brushes. Avoid pressing too hard as it can create a streaky or uneven application.
  • Invest in quality brushes made with synthetic or natural fibers. Synthetic brushes are great for liquid and cream products, while natural brushes work well with powders.
  • Consider investing in a brush set that includes a variety of brushes for different makeup applications. This way, you’ll have all the essentials in one place.

Remember, practice makes perfect! Experiment with different brushes and techniques to find what works best for you. With time and patience, you’ll become a pro at using makeup brushes. Happy brushing!

Pivot

During the Pandemic my husband and I were both unemployed. He had taken a package from work, my prior company closed, and we were both trying to figure out what we wanted to do with the “rest of our lives”.

Pivot

We were too young and energetic to retire. Although we had a fun summer with our “pod” of close friends…..as we approached Fall, we knew we needed and wanted something to fill our time and to be purposeful. It was definitely time to pivot.

It was late July and I was considering so many things and it just wasn’t clicking with me… I wanted to find something to do that would fulfill me and I didn’t think it was in my DNA to do another direct sales business. I told myself (and the universe) I would only “sell” something again IF it was consumable, filled a need, solved a problem, didn’t have inventory and wouldn’t require in-person meetings and could ship to someone’s door.

A blessing

Just about the time I said that to myself, a girlfriend called to tell me about this NEW company that was launching with a new hair care line. I thought my hair was fine.. but I’m always willing to try new products.

Long story short, I ordered them and they were the BEST hair products I’ve ever tried! I was hooked and after 2 weeks of using the products to make sure I was not allergic, I ripped the band aid off and started telling the world.

What I didn’t know is how damaged my hair was and how many people have hair issues! I started talking to women with thinning hair, hair loss, dry hair, frizzy hair, damaged hair. These hair products are THE BEST I have ever tried and I have tried a lot!

Here’s my before/after one use pic!

One use!!! And my hair felt nourished and shiny and soft and even had richer color! CRAZY right?

If you are reading this and want to know more about the products and the company, I’d invite you to contact me at [email protected] or click on my website to learn more. www.theda.theoremmethod.com

I didn’t know I needed it and it has completely healed my hair, hairline and more! TRUST me when I tell you they are LIGHTS out Good! I can’t sell anything I don’t believe in 100,000% and I know this is a winner!

Join me or watch my hair journey!

Holiday Traditions

What holiday traditions do you remember? What are the traditions you’ll pass down from generation to generation….

We have a tradition of purchasing ornaments everywhere we go. We have also made some by hand in our early marriage years when we couldn’t afford to go anywhere or do anything.

Ornaments celebrate our memories, memories of moments in time where we were on family trips or celebrated family accomplishments or hobbies.

We have ornaments that represent dance, soccer, tennis, golf and we have beach vacation ornaments or amazing ornaments from trips abroad. We also have ornaments that we made because we had no money to purchase them., they are meaningful and special in their own way and we remember making them with family members.

They don’ take up a lot of room and they are cheaper and easier than buying art or vases or (insert large souvenir) and they are so easy to pack and they provide that same joy of remembrance when you unpack it each year and hang it on your tree. You remember the moment, the experience that you had in that moment or on that trip.

They are not expensive and yet, they represent the journey of your life experiences…. VALUE that! YOU are you… and you have your own traditions, trips, experiences and more that can be expressed through ornaments….

I realize that not everyone celebrates Christmas with a traditional Christmas Tree but this tradition means a lot to me…. what means a lot to you?

I can’t help myself

Embracing Change

So here’s the deal…. Covid screwed up everything…. I know you know….. but it’s different for everyone! In my case, the company I was representing closed in April and I had to figure out what to do with the rest of my life! It’s time to embrace change!

I’m 53.. so it was just time to re-invent myself….. I’ve done it many times…. From Broadway actress to Interior Designer to Direct Sales leader…. I’m not afraid of change and I’m happy to embrace it. I admit, however, that I was feeling a little lost not having a purpose but I was embracing the freedom of summer.

Actually…. let’s go there, CHANGE is something we can all count on… Why are people so opposed to change? The more we embrace change the more adaptable we are. Isn’t that what we want ultimately? Adaptability to different situations should be a positive trait, right?

Anyway, I was minding my own business.. enjoying summer and the freedom of NOT doing anything for a few months and a girlfriend I worked with 20 years ago messaged me….A new start up?

Okay, okay… I wasn’t going to sell ANYTHING EVER again…. Sales is hard. You can’t take NO personally. Some people want to tear you down because they don’t want to be “sold” on anything… they want to find it themselves or they are jealous because you are taking a risk that they aren’t willing to take and they low-key want you to fail simply because they are not willing to take the risk themselves. Mind you, this is not everyone. People who are confident in their own skin will be happy for you or are just happy being a consumer and that’s okay. At this age and stage, I am very aware of who those people are.

The Theorem Methodwww.theda.theoremmethod.com

I’m not afraid to tell you I am a product junkie… I love trying things and I love figuring out what I love and don’t love about stuff….. If I love it I can sell it….it’s not about anything other than that. I have to believe in it… and I have to believe to the bottom of my gut that what I am selling is good and benefits others..

Fast forward… Covid taught me that what I am selling needs to be consumable, responsible, needs to solve a problem and needs to be something that can ship to your door. Am I right?

So I stumbled upon a start up…. RISKY, I get it.. but truly, a phenomenal product at a reasonable price and it works! Sign me up!

So here I am finding myself promoting another brand that I feel is GREAT!!! I believe in it… it’s good! Actually it’s GREAT!

Can it help solve the worlds problems… no… but it can help us with hair issues? We may not be dressing up, we may not be doing much socially, but we do have pride in our hair… our confidence may even depend on it.. we wan’t to be a healthy version of ourselves when we do actually get out of this crazy Covid nightmare.

I’m excited for my next chapter. I’m excited that I’m taking a risk on myself because I truly believe that what I am doing now is helping others… and that, my friend, is what it’s all about! If I can help someone feel happier or more confident with their hair or if I can help someone start a business from home and make additional income that can truly help them with their finances or if I can help someone feel connected to a community in this Covid isolation then I am EXCITED!!! Thanks for listening!

Living and working from home

A realization of the new normal- a transition to a work at home family

My husband and I take daily walks, our only time to just chat about life and planning for our future. It hit me that this living and working from home is our “new normal”. I’m not sure why I hadn’t given much time to REALLY think about it but it’s sinking in!

At the beginning of the pandemic it felt like a snow storm. You know, the kind where you are stuck in the house for a while and you cook, eat and watch movies. The shelves of the grocery store were always bare but this time, the snow storm lasted 3-4 months. Stores ran out of toilet paper, cleaning supplies, flour, sugar and yeast.

Fast forward to summer, we have been enjoying being outside and since we live in NJ we know we will be inside living and working from home soon enough. It is hitting me, we need a plan! We went to the gazebo by our pool, which we now lovingly have deemed our “restaurant” when we want a change of scenery and we discussed our plan!

My Domain

The house has traditionally been my domain. I’ve worked at home for 20 years and it’s been great! I’m disciplined, organized and I’m used to having my space and time to do what I need and want to do all day. I stay busy all day long toggling between work and home duties and I like it.

We are empty nesters but we currently have 4 adults living and working from home. Quarantine was a slight adjustment to those plans. I’m not complaining at all! I love having family with me and I love having built-in social! Especially during the height of the pandemic it was great to have family in the house for company and conversation!

I can’t imagine being alone or even being alone with your spouse for that long without social interaction with friends. I’m a social person and I get my energy from others. This isolation stuff stinks! I don’t like it.

So, back to the house being “my office”. I love my family and we all get along super well but sometimes I need my space! Everyone is in “my office”, which has typically been the whole house, all day long. My sweet husband is now asking me about dinner every day and none of us have privacy.

Dinner conversations

Dinner is almost the only thing that varies every day so I guess it’s fun to talk about, but Cooking has always been my thing, I’m efficient at it. I know what ingredients we have and many times I make a decision at 5pm as to what I feel like making. Now I have to think about it all day long and discuss it. My husband is just trying to be helpful and I am so very appreciative but I don’t like to discuss it all day long. I’ve talked with him and coached him to ask “How can I help you with dinner?” as opposed to “What should we do for dinner?”

It’s a slight word change that helps me feel like I’m being supported on the plans I have made for dinner.

Work Space Allocation

Since everyone is working from home, I’ve decided that we need to set some ground rules for Fall. I believe we will all be more productive and focused if we do.

Everyone needs an office/ work space. My husband and I have separate offices in the house but many days he would “work” in the family room off my office so we could be close by. Oddly, I felt stifled like I just needed my space like I had for the past 20 years. It may sound strange but I would rather have him in his office and call or text me if he needs something than to randomly chat all day.

I’ve decided that the kitchen needs to be the “break room” and no one should work in it. It needs to be social just like a break room should be. Meals and conversations shared. NO actual work!

The dining room should be either the “board room”, “cubicle space” even “school” if needed. Many people collaborating or working side by side on productive work that doesn’t involve meetings or zooms.

If you have the space, add a small desk or workspace to bedrooms so that people can work independently and privately. Conference calls, classes or networking zooms shouldn’t disturb others.

Communication is key

The bottom line is to communicate. Gather the family and discuss what is working and not working so we can come out of this quarantine on the better end of this! We need to communicate so that living and working from home will be seamless.

Plan out shopping, cooking and cleaning so that everyone has a role. I expect once the weather gets cold, we won’t be inside restaurants so there’s going to be a lot of home cooking again!

Time management, organization and setting some ground rules for space and chores in the house will allow us all to cope with this new-normal a little better! I hope this gives you some ideas on how to deal with this work from home family life that we are all getting used to. I’m not an expert but I’m good at communicating what I need and I hope you do the same!

Staycations and Happiness

With all the uncertainty in the world, we are not going on any vacations this summer. We love to travel but it’s just not possible this year. No one wants to get on a plane this summer for good reason.

New Jersey is blessed and cursed at the moment….. one of the most locked down states in the country but also one of the most delightful places in the summer. Did you know there are lovely mountains in NJ? I didn’t either…. before I moved here…. and it’s delightful out here in the Garden State!

Growing up in the South, I never knew how fabulous Jersey Corn and Tomatoes were…. or how delightful the Jersey Shore could be so at least we have a gorgeous summer to look forward to!

We have decided to make lemonade out of lemons and are doing things to make our outdoor living space even more enjoyable like many others around the country.

Now is a perfect time to refresh the pillows, umbrellas and flower pots or whatever you can to enjoy your outdoor space even more. Let’s face it, you’re going to see it a lot this summer. We took on a low voltage lighting project this past week that really added value to our deck! I say “we” lightly because I had input but my husband did all the work. Thank goodness he is handy because he just knows how to do things like this and is willing!

We added lighting to our deck steps so that we can confidently walk out from the house and see the step down. All of a sudden, we find ourselves in our 50’s and it’s not bright enough to see the step down. LOL…. we are indeed turning into our parents.

I’ve also pulled out an old decorative piece I hadn’t used in a while… this gorgeous planter that goes around my umbrella to create a 360 degree centerpiece! ! It really makes me happy to see it and makes my outdoor living space more inviting! Even if you don’t have this pretty planter, you can easily just put a few small flower pots out with some annuals to spruce it up! I am going to be home more than not this summer so I certainly have time to water it. That’s always been the challenge when we travel.

  • Mint and Basil (mostly mint)
  • Mojito ready

I wasn’t up to planting a full on garden this summer but I do love to plant a few herbs and tomatoes for a quick Capresse salad (tomatoes, buffalo mozzerella and some basil) or a nice little refreshing Mojito with some fresh mint and lime! This simple pleasure adds to our outdoor dining experience and gives me a little something to tend to! We simply potted these in pots on the deck so I can water everything easily! SO much joy out of these simple things!

Finally… since we want to entertain but we have to do it carefully and responsibly, we moved an outdoor table into our gazebo for covered outdoor dining! Honestly, it felt like a special event or a vacation… sitting outside and being protected from the drizzle that sometimes comes with summer storms. We enjoyed a poolside dining experience and once the rain stopped, we enjoyed the beautiful sunset!

Joy and happiness doesn’t have to come from traveling the world, or having things… sometimes just cherishing your home, and your friends and family and all the blessings that we have right at our fingertips, is all you need. The pandemic has unveiled a lot of emotions in people ranging from fear to annoyance, panic, anxiety, care, love and gratefulness…. and sometimes we can succumb to all of these emotions even in one day.

I want to choose to be happy and hopeful rather than being fearful and desperate. Don’t get me wrong, I’m being careful and am taking this pandemic seriously. I’m following guidelines and not being around a lot of people because I do want to protect the people I love… but I am choosing to be grateful everyday for what I have. People I love, friendships and health… I do feel blessed! I pray that everyone reading this can focus on the good in this situation… I know it’s not possible for all but I hope that focusing on the good brings you more good in your life! Remember… your thoughts, become your words, become your actions, become your habits which become your destiny…. so choose happy!! God bless!

Thai Night

  • Shrimp Pad Thai

After I shared my blog with my friends, someone immediately asked me for this recipe! I’m so excited to share it!

Pad Thai is one of my “cravings” I have and I love that I can make it myself now. It’s super easy and delicious!

You’ll need the following:

  • 8 oz rice noodles
  • 2 tbs lime juice
  • 2 tbs brown sugar
  • 1 tbs fish sauce
  • 1 tbs soy sauce
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tbs vegetable oil
  • 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1/2 small package of bean sprouts
  • 1/2 small package of snow peas
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 lb shrimp, thawed, peeled and deveined, tails off is nice too.
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 c peanuts chopped
  • Sweet chili Sauce

Cook rice noodles per instructions

In a small bowl whisk together lime juice, brown sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, and cayenne pepper. Set aside

In a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add bell pepper, snow peas, sprouts and cook until about tender (approx 4 min). Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant about 1 min more. Add the shrimp and season with salt and pepper. Cook until pink.

Push the shrimp and vegetables aside and pour in the egg and scramble until just set then mix with the shrimp mixture. Add cooked noodles and toss until combined. Pour in the lime juice mixture and toss until coated.

I found that this recipe is a little dry… so add sweet chili sauce to taste and to moisten. Depending on how spicy you like it, add Sriracha sauce to the entire pan or to individual servings. Top each plate with green onions and peanuts and even a wedge of lime! Enjoy!

Going Bananas

Who else is going bananas during this Covid-19 stay at home order? I am losing my sense of time and days and it feels a little crazy… I am sure you can relate.

I try to go to the grocery store as little as possible of course to reduce any chances of getting it… and I’m trying to make groceries last as long as possible… So here’s another tip I found to keep your bananas around if you can’t eat them fast enough. I mean, I don’t want anything to go to waste these days.

So my bananas were ripe.. and I didn’t want them to get “over ripe” so I cut them in discs and froze them on a flat tray, once they were frozen I just dumped them in a ziplock bag and put them back in the freezer. They can be a sweet frozen treat or can be used to make banana bread or smoothies when the mood arises.

This is a great way to keep your bananas from going to waste!!! You could even dip these in chocolate and re-freeze for a YUMMY treat!! Again, freeze flat and then once frozen, pile into a ziplock! You’ll have a healthy treat anytime you need it!

Let me know what you think or if you try it! I’d love to hear!

Save time – Save money

So when Covid-19 hit... and things were getting locked down, we were all scared to go to the grocery store and I wanted the fresh veggies I was used to. I wanted to stock up on things we would use and I didn’t want things going to waste. You know how you buy onions, peppers and even cauliflower or zucchini or potatoes and if you don’t use it fast enough, the onions get slimy, the potatoes grow buds, the veggies are not as firm and fresh…. eeek… sometimes they turn into watery messes if you leave them too long.

So I fixed that!!! I was so thrilled to have been doing this before the pandemic… but I was doing it on a smaller scale…

Buy a bag of onions and chop the whole thing!!! Buy potatoes and chop the whole thing ( julienned, cubed, sliced). Wash and chop those peppers (diced or in strips) and FREEZE them FLAT! Why flat? So they can break apart easily! OMG! Such a game changer in our house! Anyone can pull off a nutritious omelette with onions and peppers and even potatoes in it and it takes no time at all due to all the prep! Freeze left over ham, cubed, for quick ham and cheese anything or a pasta carbonara!

  • Quick onions and peppers for omelettes
  • Frozen diced peppers
  • Frozen diced onions
  • Onions for stir fry
  • Green and red peppers flat
  • Thin sliced peppers for pad thai/stir fry
  • Julienned potatoes for hash browns/egg scrambles

Making Pad Thai or Stir Fry and need those red peppers sliced thin? Got that covered! How about making homemade chili? Toss those frozen peppers and onions into your crock pot or saute pan and you’re good to go! I love how this method has saved me prep time in the moment!

Need a side dish in a hurry, just take those cubed potatoes out of the freezer, drizzle with oil and spices and pop in the oven! SOOOO simple! The trick I found with potatoes is that once they are cut, you’ll want to rinse them in water to get some of the starch off… otherwise they’ll turn brownish pink before they get frozen!

I hope this inspires you to save time during the week in your daily cooking and saves you money as nothing will go to waste! Cooking has been so much more enjoyable when most of the prep work of washing and chopping has been done!

Comment and let me know if you tried it and what you think!

Cooking Therapy –

We are still in lockdown here in New Jersey... although we can get take out or delivery, our family is having fun cooking from scratch and trying different recipes! Without the commute time, everyone pitched in and we had this meal in less than 1 hour! One night this week, my daughter got the idea to try to recreate one of her favorite meals from a restaurant in Blacksburg, VA

Cabo Fish Taco Soy Ginger Shrimp Tacos is what we tried to recreate! I am pleased to say it turned out AMAZING… and healthier since we didn’t beer batter fry the shrimp! Take a look at the process!

Soy Ginger Shrimp Tacos

I’d start with the Marinade…. just to get things moving….

1/3 C Soy Sauce

2 TBS honey

3 cloves garlic minced

1 tsp ginger minced

1 tsp sriracha sauce

2 tsp fresh parsley chopped

1 Lb of shrimp (We doubled the shrimp and marinade for 5 people… you can make what you want to eat but leftovers will also be amazing so okay to make more than you need!)

Homemade Flour Tortillas – (made and perfected by my son’s girlfriend)
3 cups of flour
1/3 c canola or sunflower oil
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp Salt
1 c warm water
Mix all ingredients and roll into one big ball. Separate into 12 balls ( we doubled it for 5 people and had some extra) and roll out with a rolling pin. Use a non-stick skillet and cook until bubbles appear and flip them. Keep them warm in a warm oven while you’re preparing the rest of the dish

Here’s how they’ll look when they bubble and when they are ready!

You’ll want to make your salsa before you assemble it all… you can do this ahead of time and save some prep time in the moment! Don’t skip this step… jar salsa just won’t do in this case!

Take a little time to prep the fixins…. either shredded cabbage or lettuce and some extra cilantro and your salsa!

Also helpful to take the tails off the shrimp prior to cooking! Heat a skillet and add all the shrimp and then the marinade! Once shrimp are cooked through, remove them and leave the remaining marinade in the skillet. Make a rue with about a cup of hot tap water and about a TBS of corn starch and mix thoroughly before adding to the marinade…. stir over medium heat until thickened. This can be drizzled over the tacos when assembling!
Optional side dish- prepare 2 cups of jasmine rice and then transfer to skillet with a jar of salsa and sprinkle cumin to taste to get your home made Spanish rice side!

VOILA! Bon Appetit!

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Please comment and tell me how yours turned out!