Remember those days when you were still a child, and would desperately count the days until Christmas and New years finally arrived? Time seemed to go by so slow back then. It seems the older you get, the quicker life goes by. Must be the everyday worries like, jobs, bills, kids, cooking and all those daily acitvities. Either way, the coming of a new year is definitely a celebration, and it’s very interesting to see how other places have their own ways of celebrating it.

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New years is celebrated all around the globe in different styles. Whether it’s by hanging out and partying the night away until the ball drops at Times Square, or spending time at home with the family to usher in the new year. Just as every culture has different traditions and ways of celebrating, some places have a different date for their new years day.  Below are a few ways different cultures ring in the New Year.

• In the US, New years is celebrated by spending time with your loved ones. Parades being hosted, firework shows, and of course a kiss under the mistletoe.
• In Mexican tradition, wearing red undergarments is believed to bring an overall improvement in lifestyle and strengthen love. And 12 grapes are eaten at midnight, while making one wish per grape.
• In Italy, a lentil stew is eaten at midnight to bring good fortune.
• Silence and secret wishes are done the last 12 seconds of the year in Russia.
• In Chile, wearing yellow underwear will get you engaged in the new year and wearing only new clothes will bring new changes.

*New Years traditions per Wikipedia.

Regardless of what date or how New Years is celebrated, i think the main ingredient which is part of all cultures is family. Welcoming a new year is best done surrounded by people you love. Whether it’s at a family dinner, going out with your girls, or doing a movie and take-out kind of date with your love. All that matters is celebrating another year together with those most important to you

I know this article missed  A LOT of ways New Years is celebrated, please comment below and share any special traditions and ways you celebrate New Years!

Have a safe and happy New Years!!!

Thank you all for reading and participating! Get your own maven box at www.Julep.com for only $5 with your coupon code BEAUTYCAREME at checkout!!

Have you become a Maven yet?!

I was given the opportunity by the lovely Jennifer from Julep Maven to check out the cute items received by Mavens all over. She was so generous she decided to share the love and host a Julep Maven box giveaway for one of you lucky ladies Read on to see what the Maven box has inside and what you can do to win your very own! Or redeem your coupon code BEAUTYCAREME at Julep.com to get your first Maven box for only $5 !!!

What is Julep.com all about?!

Julep is a program which starts off by you taking a quick style quiz to find products that suit your personal style. Whether you’re classic, boho, or a bombshell Julep has the right stuff for you. Julep Maven has nail polishes that range in colors as well as mani/pedi treatments. For $19.99 a month you receive a Maven box with cute surprises that suit your style. If you’d prefer to skip a month or aren’t pleased with a specific month’s Maven box contents, you are more than encouraged to skip that month or as many as you’d like. Nail polish junkies, this program is definitely for you!

What comes inside a Maven box?! 

My Julep Maven box arrived in record time! Literally three to four days. It came in a sexy little red box (perfect for the holiday!) with their logo an name inprinted on the box. The contents were wrapped in matching tissue paper, and individually packaged. My lovely little box included two nail polishes (each valued @ $17.00) in shades “Nicole” and “Whitney”. It also included a silver glitter pot to add some glitz to my polish, a glycolic hand scrub and samples of their age defying hand brightener and hand cream with SPF 30. As well as a very sweet welcoming letter. Pretty nice bundle for the price!

Let’s check out the products!

First let’s talk about “Nicole”. The color is a cheery red with shimmer to it, kind of reminds me of candied apples or candy cane red. Check out the picture below to see the shade. I added the glitter to the red for a nice holiday look. I took the pictures without applying top coat, since the polish itself had a nice glossy finish already. Though i do recommend you using top coat to seal the glitter in place, and prevent chipping.

“Whitney” is a nude shade of polish that i definitely adored. I love the look of natural lips and nails, but never find a polish that looks quite as i imagined. I must say i was deeply impressed by “Whitney”, and definitely see me ordering another tube once mine runs out. Check out the shade below! Those pictures were taken prior to applying top coat again so you can see the glossy finish, and it only took me one coat to get that finished look. This shade is described as a “mushroom greige, the perfect neutral” and i most definitely agree with it being a perfect neutral. “Whitney” was my favorite surprise inside my maven box

The glitter pot was easy to apply and came in a good portion. I simply sprinkled some over my freshly painted nails, but you can get fancy and use a brush to do a glitter-version of a french. Glitter always adds a fun and girly look to nails!

The hand scrub wasn’t too impressive, it came out more liquid-like than i’d expect a scrub to feel like. But it cleansed my hands alright. Followed it with the hand cream which had a soft, thick texture to it. I also tried the hand brightening cream which felt silky, and left my hands feeling ultra soft without a greasy feeling. The soft and silky-feel to my hands lasted quite a while, which is a definite plus.  Both the hand cream and age defying brightener had a nice scent to them.

Overall the Maven box program is a great idea at an affordable price. I especially recommend it if you love having your nails done, and trying out new polishes quite often. The price for a Maven box full of beauty surprises is only $19.99 a month and you can skip a month if you’d like. Check out their website www.julep.com to see their products, or take a style quiz and become a Maven!

Finally, how do i win my own Maven box?!

As mentioned earlier i was given the awesome opportunity to not just play with and review their products, but also give one of my lucky readers a chance to win their own!!!

Guidelines to winning your very own Maven box:

1. Insert your email below (Beautycareme will NEVER spam you or sell your email)

2. For an extra entry and higher chance of winning Like Beautycareme on Facebook, or follow on Twitter. ( if you already like Beautycareme or are following, share this page for your extra entry.) Please comment below to let me know you did this step!

*This contest is open to US and Canada residents only.

A winner will be randomly selected and announced on January  13th, 2012. This new years give your nails a new look with your very own Maven box!

And if you just can’t wait for this giveaway to end, get your very own Maven box for only $5 by redeeming your discount code BEAUTYCAREME at the checkout!!! That is an insane deal don’t miss out

You want to ensure you are purchasing a piece you can add to your wardrobe, that will be worth your cash and last you longer than a year. Though there’s nothing wrong with buying a cheaper coat, you will definitely notice the quality once the texture feels different or the stitching comes undone within a few months. You can afford quality coats at a fraction of their worth if you keep your eye on sales. Especially around warmer seasons, when nobody is looking to purchase a heavy trench or peacoat. But how much is too much?

Here are 5 insanely pricey coats. Which could pretty much buy you a whole new wardrobe or be a very generous downpayment on a new car. Not to mention what they are made of…

1. Dappled jaguar mink officer coat – look at that little cute mink below. Would you really want to kill dozens of those little fellas just to wear them? Seriously, this coat is priced at $21995.00 and i don’t see in any way how it could look flattering on any woman out there. (Not even Cruella Deville) Reasons why i hate this coat #1 it looks like a hot mess, no shape, and you pretty much look like a cow. #2 That much money could go into much much more. #3 The starting material looks much more cuter than the final project. Save the minks, drop that coat.

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2. Zebra print ponyskin trench coat- animal print is in, but this is a little too much. Zebra print out of ponyskin?… If i had $7200.00 to drop on a coat, i’d much rather opt for buying the pony rather than wearing it on my back. Yuck

3. Azzedine Alaia double-breasted coat- this little coat is priced at $16529.00 and made of sheep skin. Sure most clothes use a sheep’s wool, which grows back on the animal. But sheepskin…

4. Altuzzara maple coat- this piece of coyote fur is valued at $21375.00. As i previously mentioned, killing animals to wear a coat is definitely not something i admire… Thoughts anyone?

5. Missoni pale rose python maxi coat- a little over the top wouldn’t you say? Especially when you stop to think you’re wearing a python…

If you like fur opt for faux and let animals keep theirs!

faux fur

 So you be the judge, are these pricey pieces of fashion really worth it, or are the people making them just plain crazy? Share your thoughts below!

It was an hour long event of Vic’s Secret Angels including: Miranda Kerr, Adriana Lima and Candice Swanepoel strutting their stuff on the catwalk and flaunting the new line of bras and panties. As always the line exudes sexy, fun and flirty. The angels walked down the catwalk with musical appearances by Kanye West, Jay-Z, Maroon 5, and Nicki Minaj who donned a neon-bright outfit which perfectly matched the PINK line!

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Miranda Kerr modeled a 2.5 million dollar bra! Can you believe that?! 2.5 million on such a small piece of fabric. The Fantasy bra was encrusted with white and yellow diamonds and thousands of stones. The show had a few themes including superheroes (which perfectly matched Kanye’s performance of “Stronger”), aquatic angels, passion, I put a spell on you, and ballet. The show closed with Nicky Minaj’s performance and the angels showing off the PINK line.

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This show brought you behind the scenes as the models were beautified with makeup, and dressed for each change required. It also welcomed a new angel and showed her casting as well as overly-joyed thoughts on becoming an angel and walking the catwalk. Said to be “the sexiest night” on television, this years Victoria’s Secret fashion show definitely showcased some sexy pieces and accessories.

In case you missed it, check out the show below!
 

What are you thankful for?

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Betsey is a popular fashionista due to her eccentric styles and love for funky prints. The first Betsey Johnson purse i boutght was by far my favorite of her line. It was a fuschia shade hobo with black lace print embroidered throughout the silky texture. I  loved  that purse so much, i had to retire it after a short year since i wore it out. Betsey’s fashion screams fun, just by looking at her purses you can see her personality through her work. I mean she does do a cartwheel at the end of each of her fashion shows!

Colors, fun prints, skulls and roses…

Just to name a few of the traits she adds to her purses. Check out a few favotites below…

Bow-tiful lace clutch

Heartbeat hobo

Rockin Betsey

Royal lace tote

Cheetah-licious wristlet

Tattoo charm hobo

Dress me up shopper

Double the love satchel

Acid rose top zip

Bright frame

Check out more purses from the Betsey Johnson collection below!

betsey johnson purses

Do you like or own Betsey Johnson purses?! Which is your favorite?!

Barbie is now available with tattoos, and many parents are very unhappy about this. The Tokidoki Barbie doll includes leopard print leggings, pink hair, her little cactus-buddy Bastardino, glitter heels and chest and arm tattoos. Though it specifically says for adult collectors, most agree Barbie is and has always been targeted to young girls. Check out the tattooed chick who’s causing controversies below…

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People are responding with this new addition to the Barbie family as a bad image to portray to young girls, and very irresponsible on Mattel’s part. So she is a bit edgy for a Barbie, but honestly speaking when has Barbie ever been a great role model for kids??? She’s a little plastic doll with an unrealistic body image, which that in itself might give girls the wrong idea. But add some tattoos and eyebrows are raised. In my opinion the tattoos shouldn’t be the issue, perhaps the heels and skin-tight leggings, and most definitely the extra slimmer look. Check out a video below on what Mattel has to say on tatted Barbie and various reactions. A great quote from the video = “If you don’t like it, don’t buy it!”

video found @ blogchron.com

Rather than being worried about a toy portraying a bad image to kids, parents should be more worried about being there for their kids so they can have an influence on their  lives. Because Barbie most definitely should not be gifted to a kid as some sort of role model…

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As the image above shows, a woman considered to be a “plus size” model pretty much needs to have her whole body and face redone to attain a Barbie-like physique. Her freakishly skinny neck and face are definitely not proportioned to the rest of her body, and people are freaking out over a couple pieces of art on her arms…

So what do you think… Is tattooed Barbie such a horrible influence on kids, or should people just deal with the fact some little girls actually have mommies with pink hair and tats?!

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This trend is pretty vintage, yet won’t ever grow old. Since the color makes a bold statement when dealing with makeup, it’s a good idea to go light on the rest of your face. Meaning opting for more natural-looking eyes and cheeks. A few ladies prefer not to mess with red lipstick due to the fact it can be pretty tricky to pull off wearing it. A nice way to wear it is with just a bit of eyeliner and mascara and peachy/ bronzed cheeks. Just enough makeup to draw attention to the main focus, your lips.

A few brands of makeup promise all-day lasting red lips, personally one of my favorite red lipsticks is Revlon’s Fire & Ice. It applies very smooth, and the color is true to the swatch at the store. I don’t like using the store testers, so I’m pretty happy with my purchase when a product looks as good on my lips as it did on the actual swatch. Here are a few red lipsticks to look through.

red lipstick

Whether you’re dressed down or getting all fancy, red lips are a nice option either way. As i mentioned, red lipstick makes lips look more full and another great thing, they make teeth look whiter. It is possible to pull off smokey eyes and red lips at once, but it’s recommended for a night look. Personally, when wearing red lips not much makeup is required as the color is bold enough on its own.

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When applying red lipstick, be sure to use a lip liner to seal your pucker and avoid any bleeding of the color from occuring. Also, first apply chapstick for a smooth application. Since there are many shades of red, it’s a smart idea to to try a shade you feel more comfortable with. Whether it’s darker red, like a burgundy or a classic firetruck red. Winged eyeliner, with lots of mascara is a nice choice for a vintage feel when paired with red lips. Be sure to fill in your brows for a dramatic, yet natural feel. Use a bronze blush for a high-cheekbone look, and a peachy blush on the apples of your cheeks for a dewy complexion. Red lipstick is a fun way to play with makeup, but the most important feauture when wearing this daring shade is confidence

Do you like wearing red lipstick?! What is your favorite brand and shade?!

Here is a great recipe, which can be altered depending on your favorite vegetables and seasonings.

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of lentils
• 1/2 -1 tomato
• Basil
• 1/2 bell pepper
• 1 carrot
• 1/2 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 potato
• Spinach
• salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Rinse lentils and soak them for an hour. In the meantime wash and cut all the veggies you wish to add.

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2.  After the lentils are done soaking, rinse them with cool water. Place them back in your cooking pot and              add hot water covering the lentils with about an extra inch of water. Cook over medium heat in a                            covered pot.

3.  Check in them in about 20-30 minutes and add some salt and pepper. Cover them and allow them to                 continue cooking.

4.  In another 10 minutes, add all the veggies and any other spices you’d like. Add more water, if you’d like              them less watery don’t add as much water. This will make them less of a soup but just as good. Stir                   and cover. Check back on them a few times, until lentils and veggies are soft. Taste them to ensure the             seasoning is to your liking.

5. Once fully cooked serve and enjoy! To keep lentils fresh longer,  place in a few plastic containers and                 freeze.

What are your favorite veggies and ingredients when making lentils?!

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Though your getting the job depends on your answers and overall experience, you will also be judged on your hygiene and choice in apparel. You don’t necessarily have to wear a very professional suit to a job at the mall or as a vet’s assistant, but it is a good idea to wear a crisp clean shirt and outfit to match the atmosphere.

It might seem silly to some, but confidence and aspects of your personality come and reflect from your choice in fashion. Below are three different, yet interview appropriate outfits, to look for inspiration in. You already have a lot going through your mind prior to that big day, so take some of the heat off  with these looks that will make you put together but not over the top.

Wear this to a business setting interview…

Blazers by Elizabeth and James
Flats by Report

Try this for a casual office environment…

Shortsleeve Tops by Burberry
Flats by Fendi

Wear this to a very laid-back job setting…

Skinny Denim by Rag and Bone
Flats by Lovely People

Please avoid any of the following…

Mini Skirts by Bailey 44
Pumps by Sam Edelman

Whichever outfit you decide to go for, be sure you are comfortable in it so you can give the best representation of yourself. Remember, interviews are usually short. Relax, and be confident in your abilities to get the job you’re looking for.

What do you wear to interviews? Got any tips you’d like to add?!