What I'm into: Eyebrow Threading Technique

Hello beauty lovers:

As someone with very sensitive skin, I am not a big fan of waxing usually, so I have adapted my eyebrows to incorporate the threading routine.

This practice has been around for centuries all over southern Asia as well as Eastern Africa. By using, strong cotton thread women (and some men I'm sure) have been maintaining smooth hairless skin....so the secret is out I guess...

Follow along with this step-by-step guide to perfecting the threading technique and creating a near-perfect brow shape! It really does frame your face and also can give the appearance of a more open and lifted eye!

Check yourself out first and observe what brow look will flatter your face and eye shape....for me personally I have very round features so a fuller eyebrow looks best, the thinner and smaller your features are, the thinner and smaller you are permitted to make your brow shape (but watch out, since you don't want non-existent brows! we have all met those people lol) Some ladies like to use a white eye pencil to outline their new desired shape and/or just the spots where the would like to remove the hair.

Ok back to threading.....so you want to start with a looped piece of thread about 12 inches/30 cm long (about the length of a ruler) or your forearm.

Next you will twist the centre of the loop and create a "bow-tie" shape to place along the skin area, with your fingers facing inward, you will feel in control to slide the string upwards against the hair and towards the nose. The hair gets trapped in the twisted string and it almost lifts them up and out of the pores. Imagine a lawn mower cutting blades of grass!

This continuous motion will feel like 10 plucks at once!!! But we had a saying in our household that "it hurts to be beautiful" but if it's just a touch-up then the pain is a lot less:)

Photo Credit: Glamour.com

Ultimately, threading is all about angles....so naturally you will stop and start again at different points to create your ideal shape!

Also be mindful of a few key things:
*You may see some redness post-threading but not to worry it is very normal and will fade within a hour or less

*You can use your trusty tweezers to take care of those stubborn stray hairs that my be too tricky to thread out (probably closer the the inter arc of you brow; between the areas of #1 & 2 in the first image)

*To keep your brows looking neat and sharp, maintain this routine every other week

*Also don't be afraid of filling in your brows with a matching eyebrow pencil or eye shadow that goes with your natural brow colour to give a finished and smooth look! We call do that ;)

**Bonus Tip: in case you have long or slightly curly brows like me....comb the hairs upwards and trim the edges of the arc (areas #2 & 3) with some fine bladed scissors....hopefully the security detail at the airport did not confiscate them like they did your girl #truestory #youknowwhatmynextpurchaseis

xoxo

Lady J 

Ways to Make a Positive Change Last

Photo Credit: Google Images 

Hi everyone:

I have kicked off the new year with looking for articles that will allow me to further my motivation and grow my inner beauty in the projects that I am currently working on!

Let me be honest with you....procrastination has been a major barrier in my life (omg! not Lady J?!), well believe it! Recently, I have adopted a "15 minute" strategy, where I will work on a project for only 15 minutes to get started...then assess if I need to take a break or continue working. Surprisingly, 8/10 times focus sets in and I will continue working till I get it all done, realizing "wow that really wasn't that bad" or "I should have done that earlier".

So, that is one tip from me to you, but click on the Mind Body Green article to access 12 more ways to make a positive change last!

xxxooo

Lady J 

What I'm Into...Cactus Plants

By no means do I have a "green-thumb", however the bloom of this Christmas Cactus plant at the office is taking my breath away. I LOVE its hot-pink hue!

Learn more about this wonderful flora!

xo

Lady J 

Beauty of the Soul

Hi all,

Have you missed me? Meditate on this thought!

Photo Credit: Stylist Canada

Ciao,

Lady J 

What are your thoughts on Social Media???

Hi all,

Below is a really interesting 17 minute video discussing Social Media today as a great user-generated platform for alternative media and/or a way of disconnecting from reality.

Enjoy!

I'm really curious to read what you think, so feel free to leave a comment and we can start up a discussion of our own!

xxxxo
Lady J 

We need Graffiti!!! 2013 SCYAP Show

Hi all,

I hope the middle of your week is going well! I wanted to mention a really cool organization here in the city called "Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming"or SCYAP for short!!!

Over my busy weekend, I was able to go to their graffiti show and meet some really interesting people, who are passionate about being creative! I actually heard about this event, through someone who sat at my table during the Luncheon En Vogue (the weird things that happen to me....). Enjoy the highlights of the event:

Various artists' paintings:

I love the self-portraits of the staff hanging on the wall:

Along with an art gallery viewing there were musical performances! I really liked the Northern Lights! Below are a few members (right to left) Gabrielle, Rory and another guy...but I didn't catch his name:( Their sound is a mix of all different music styles like jazz, folk, pop-rock etc....they play in venues all over Saskatoon, check them out if you have a chance! 

Met some really cool people from North Battleford, SK while listening to great music and watching graffiti artists and of course snacking on fruit hehehehe:

Before and After!

Even a random chess game broke out in between music sets:

Can you see the wedding photo-shoot going on while we're in the alley??? lol

Also SCYAP does drop-in art classes for all ages on Tuesdays/Thursdays 5:30-9pm and also Saturdays from 1-6pm, where you can use their art supplies to create your masterpieces....you might even bump into Lady J there!

xo
Lady J 

Featured in "Bridges" Saskatoon's Local Newspaper!

Today has been an excellent day!

Honestly, I haven't been able say a bold statement like that in some time...it's always the day starts out well and then...(you know the rest) and/or it was a good day, then you are dropped a bomb that changes everything!

Well today, I was featured in a weekly Saskatoon paper under their #SaskatchewanFashion section which made me beam all day long:)

Click the link to view the full article:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/bridges/Josephine+Mensah+Looking+stylish+budget/8923900/story.html

Also thanks to the staff at the Star Phoenix for making it happen!!!

25 Things You Don’t Have To Justify To Anyone

Hello there,

Hope your week is going well! I found this lovely article that I wanted to share with you about "25 Things You Don’t Have To Justify To Anyone"....go forth with whatever you destiny holds and embrace the lessons of your past!

Live freely!

Photo Credit: Google Images 

xoxoxo

Lady J

P.S. My favourites are # 9 and #12, share yours in the comments section!

Style Watch: Printed Bottoms

Hi everyone!

Throughout the Summer I have noticed so many amazing ladies and gents rocking printed pants and shoes!

I used to be scared of wearing prints on the bottom since I have a "pear-shaped" body, but now I can't resist the cute selection of pieces in stores this season!

         Photo Credit: Images via Google Images 

Style Tip: I would say, if you are heavier on the bottom just be mindful about the size of the print and not to mention the volume of your garment! For example: opt for a slightly looser skirt and/or straight leg rather than a voluminizing wide-leg trouser to balance out your smaller upper frame...but most importantly don't forget to be confident in what you choose to wear and WORK IT!!!

Loving this trend, it's such a refreshing pop of colour! What is your favourite printed piece in your wardrobe or is this trend not for you???

xoxoxo

Lady J 

A Wild Night!

Hello my pretties!

Over the weekend I was able to host a few friends over at my place for a dinner party with an animal print theme!!! Nothing like your best buddies coming over to make you clean your home and actually use a pot!

Below is a the inspiration picture:

                                                           Photo Credit: Google Images

And the rest are the creative visions of the party:

I thought of using real flowers, but then the maintenance is another thing the hostess has to look after, and we all know there are enough details to worry about already, so I went with the fakes.

The "table-runner" was actually two scarves I bought and artfully taped down on top of a white table cloth to get the same pop(!) as the inspiration photo...also I had a tough time finding an animal print table cloth and didn't think about the fabric store till the day of...

Also I was lucky to have such great candle and candle-holders as well as the plastic martini glasses already at home (thank goodness for the dollar store!!!)

Our buffet table with yummy items including coconut shrimp, vegetable noodles, samosas, seasoned potatoes...

With the "place mats" I actually bought a yard's length of mesh mat material and cut it to use for the dinner.

xoxoxox

Lady J