HandiBac Anti-bacterial Moisturizing Hand-lotion I Love You!

I have a love hate relationship with Bath and Body Works. 

What is a love– hate relationship - It's an interpersonal relationship involving simultaneous or alternating emotions of love and hate. 

Now to explain, Bath and Body Works is known for having cute and sweet smelling  products that fit perfectly into a purse. My teenage daughter magically disappears into this store EVERY TIME we are in the mall. The fun and friendly scents accompanied with the tentative staff get the both of us every time. While my daughter runs from tester to tester... I head to the back of the store to find what new, little, budget-friendly treats are on display. Whether it’s hand soap, lip balm, lotion or fuzzy socks... I tend to always find a little something there. 

One day, (last year) I stumbled upon Bath and Body Work’s HandiBac Anti-bacterial Moisturizing Hand-lotion. This hand lotion is absolutely perfect especially due to the new season (the official welcoming of colds, flus and other viruses). Let's be honest, hand washing should be something everyone does BUT sometimes you are not near water or soap.  I find that this happens quite often and when this happens everyone runs to the nearest container of hand sanitizer! Often times the antibacterial hand sanitizer gels and constant hand washing can cause your hands to be more dry than usual. 

Hence my excitement when I realized the HandiBac Anti-bacterial was was also a Moisturizing Hand-lotion. As I applied the White Citrus - HandiBac Anti-bacterial Moisturizing Hand-lotion onto my hands, I  was greeted with a clean and fresh scent. I rubbed the anti-bacterial lotion all over my hands AND my hands felt moisturized! YES!! Germ free & moisturized!! My hands were not left dried out at all! Needless to say, I bought every scent they had. I thought these would be great for the holiday season.

Germ fighting, hand moisturizing lotion in my purse is like a loaded weapon of goodness (I know you're thinking the word weapon and goodness don't mix BUT in this case it does!).  This light and smooth hand-lotion has a special place in my heart. I adore double duty compact products. 

Here is where the dismay arrives... Quite naturally I realized I need to purchase more germ free lotions to give away as gifts! SO I hopped online to purchase more... the Bath and Body Work's website said the following:

THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE (psycho music theme is playing right now) NOW HERE COMES THE HATE!! 

NO!!!! Bath and Body Works!!!! WHY?!! I really hate the phrase NO LONGER AVAILABLE, especially when it's a product I love!! 

I took it a step further and asked the staff at Bath and Body Works if this product would return and no one had an answer. (violin is playing). With a deep breath I went back online, did a general search and found this lotion is only being sold on Ebay and amazon.com. In the meantime I'll hold on to my HandiBac Anti-bacterial Moisturizing Hand-lotion as if it were a precious piece of gold. 

Tea Time Tuesday - Peppermint Tea (Pinky Finger Up)

While I’ve learned to appreciate most herbal teas, I must admit, I absolutely live and die for the AMAZING!!! Peppermint Tea (also known as Mint Tea). If you're looking to soothe your insides, Peppermint Tea is the answer. This tea is great for digestive issues such as, Irritable Bowel Syndrome or just basic stomach aches and pains. If you suffer from nausea, headaches, menstrual cramps or muscles spasms. Peppermint Tea is a sweet way to ease your soul.  The soothing effects of this mint infused tea plus the refreshing taste, makes for a great kitchen #musthave item. Relax your mind, tame the beast within, and show your digestive tract a little TLC... by having a cup of Peppermint Tea. #PinkyFingerUp

 

HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE STORE BRAND TEAS:
Twinings Pure Peppermint Tea
Stash Herbal Tea, Peppermint
Celestial Seasonings Herb Tea, Peppermint


Easy Fresh Mint Tea Recipe:
Homemade Mint Infusion Tea
Ingredients: (makes 2 cups)2 cups of water1½ tbsp fresh mint leaves
Squeeze of lemon juice (optional)OR 2 cups water1 tbsp dried mint
Squeeze of lemon juice (optional)tbsp = tablespoon
Directions:
Fresh: Chop the leaves and boil the water
Add them to 2 cups and pour on some just boiled waterLet steep (sit) for 5-10 minutes before serving. If you like your drinks a little citrusy add the lemon.
Dried: Add the dried mint to a teapot and boil the waterPour in the boiled water.
Let steep for a few minutes before straining and servingAdd the lemon if you like - See more at: http://www.bespokespices.com/mint-tea-recipe.html#sthash.uuAIs67G.dpuf

picture credit: http://www.goodmorningsms.co/2013_05_01_archive.html
recipe credit www.bespokespices.com

Love and Marriage BUT He's Cheating On YOU...

I must admit, I watched bits and pieces of Basketball Wives (Please don't judge me LOL). I was hesitant to watch last night's episode of Basketball Wives due to the unnecessary fussing and fighting. The last couple of seasons of this show were just over the top for me. I honestly do not enjoy watching women tear each other down every chance they get. Needless to say, I did tune in for a little while (like many others) and in that short frame of  time I realized... the views on love and marriage seem sort of distorted. 

 

When is it ever acceptable to marry a man who happens to sleep around with other women from time to time?

 

WHY get married?

 

If you are dealing with that sort of guy... this simply means he is not ready to commit to you (I can hear the round of applause now). Now don't get me wrong, I do realize Basketball Wives is a TV show and the drama makes for "good entertainment" (or so they say). The realization that many women in our everyday livese actually find themselves in this similar situation.

Marrying a man who is not faithful to you has to be one of the craziest things a person could do... unless it's an "open marriage" (I personally don't get that situation also BUT that's another blog post. #IJS)
 I find it heartbreaking to know women will accept "knowing" about the other woman before anyone else knows. I understand things happen BUT if you know your guy is cheating on you BEFORE you walk down the aisle and say "I do", THEN WHY GET MARRIED!? Situations like the one I just described, reminds me of "self torture". No one wants a broken-heart. REMEMBER to always protect your heart ladies, you only get one. 

AND not to bring another reality show into this, BUT during an episode of R&B Divas LA, Diva - Chante Moore had the other Divas re-commit to themselves. Each lady walked down the aisle, dressed in their gowns and recited their vows to themselves in front of each other. This was a very emotional moment for these women. I instantly thought of myself. What would I say? What do I vow to myself? You should do the same.

What do you vow to yourself?

 

As for me I vowed to do the following:

I vow to forgive myself for my short comings. 

I vow to accept my random craziness. 

I vow to embrace my big smile. 

I vow to unconditionally love myself. 

It is my hope and prayer that if anyone is in a relationship, it's a healthy relationship. A relationship that brings you true joy. If you're not in a relationship, learn to be your own best friend (a phrase my mother uses quite often). Treat yourself right. Be good to yourself. Vow to love yourself because you are worthy. 

NOW TIME FOR THE BOUQUET TOSS (smile)

images courtesy of TVOne

Did Beyonce copy Ciara?

Does Beyonce seems to be rocking everyone's hair style these days or what? 

This picture courtesy of wblk.com says exactly what I thought when I saw Beyonce's pixie hair cut pics... I thought to myself is 
Beyonce is rocking a blonde Rih Rih hair-do!?!

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the change Bey is going for. GO HEAD BEY! Do yo thang! No shade thrown here. 
(yes spelled and said just that way)

After a couple of days of the pixie cut, I suddenly saw BEY rocking a blond bob. Of course I screamed out loud... BEY!!! BEY ARE YOU REALLY ROCKING A CIARA HAIR-DO!! 

I wonder which celebrity hair style will be next?

 

I would love to see Bey ROCK a curly hair-do.

Often times it seems that she is forced to wear her hair blond and straight. 

Kurtis Blow!! 21 years old again!! Happy Birthday!!

Happy birthday Kurtis Blow!!

Break it up… break it up… BREAK IT UP…

#FLASHBACKFRIDAY

START YOUR FRIDAY OFF RIGHT!! (PRESS PLAY)

George Duke Rest In Peace

I love jazz!! It saddened my heart to hear of Grammy-winning artist George Duke’s passing. George was only 67 when he passed away from chronic lymphocytic leukemia. One of George’s biggest credits in music was the work he did on the late Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall” album, as well as his collaborations with Miles Davis, Michael Jackson, Frank Zappa, Al Jarreau, and even George Clinton. He was a great composer, producer and one my favorite musician. His smile, music, his life…This SF Bay Area native will be truly missed.

As you listen to one of my absolute favorite songs by him. Close your eyes and allow yourself to be swept away by the melodic tunes of the late great George Duke.

Sometimes love… Has no rhyme, and no reason. 

George Duke - Sweet Baby 

HEALTHY SMILES AND J. COLE (SMILE WITH ME)

MY SMILE!! Many of you may or may not know that this BUT the Choqolate Chiq doesn't have a perfect smile. However, I smile anyway (I have a BIG SMILE). In the past I would often cover up my smile. As I mature and get older, I tend not to care so much about covering my smile. One morning I woke up and heard J. Cole's latest song, Crooked Smile. This song had me rocking and smiling!! I LOVED IT for so many reasons!!

Smiling is good for the mind, body, heart and soul! It's really not about a crooked smile or perfect smile BUT it's all about a genuine, true, authentic SMILE!  

It is a known fact that there are many types of smiles. I tend to say we have the fake smile (I am guilty of this one in pictures) and we have the genuine smile (I am good for this one too LOL). The healthy smile is actually the true smile better known as the Duchenne smile.

French neurologist Dr. Guillaume Duchenne, investigated/studied the difference between True Smile and the False Smile.

How to recognize a genuine smile:
The genuine smile causes the Zygomatic muscles of the cheek to raise the corners of the mouth and the Orbicularis Oculi muscles of the eye (raising the cheeks and forming crow's feet around the eye). ALL of these signs indicate that the smile is genuine and that the person smiling is truly happy.           

Why do you want a genuine smile?
The true and genuine SMILE stimulates happy places in your body which cause "good" chemicals to be released, thus relieving you of stress and depression!! (I am sure when you think about it... you will agree)

I recently read an article on smiling and this description actually sums up why smiling is healthy! "On a biochemical level, smiling releases endorphins and serotonin. Endorphins are natural painkillers. The more endorphins your brain releases, the more your body can fight off symptoms of illness."

Isn't that wonderful (smile)!!

"Similarly, serotonin is a brain chemical that acts as a natural anti-depressant. Reshaping our mouth from a frown to a smile literally sparks serotonins dramatically shifting our sense of well-being from negative to positive."

PRESS PLAY AND SMILE WITH ME !!

(make sure it's a real smile)

Check out the link below for more information on smiling.
To purchase this song go onto Google Play

Thank you Underground Health Reporter for sharing & Celeste Yarnall, PhD
Read more: http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/duchenne-smile-benefits#ixzz2Xd0kzgSL
Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-health-benefits-of-smiling.html#ixzz2Xd02zrJT