The Matte Look

I must say, I've always been a big fan of matte finishes, from photography to make-up. And it seems it's all making a comeback again now. I've seen quite a bit of press for matte nail polish recently, so if you've still got your old bottles, you may want to bring them out again (check to make sure they're ok to still use though). The nice thing about matte finishes in strategic places in your wardrobe is that they really highlight the sparkly stuff - so if you're into high gloss lip gloss, or any bling, it's definitely something to consider! One really cool thing about this new matte nail polish is the colors - navy and black and grape, just to name a few. And apparently they look best on short clean nails. Find out more at www.opi.com - you will love what you see!

YES

Recognize that your "YES" has value. This is one of the best lines I've heard someone say.

I'm not one to jump on the bandwagon when I hear something I like just because it sounds good. It really has to resonate with me before I truly speak about it with others. I'm a type A personality. Love to learn. Love to experience. Love life. Want to do it all. I often give boundlessly to the people around me. I'm not very good at saying no - because I'm the eternal optimist, rather I say how? Always willing to help - sometimes at my expense. I'm a huge believer that if we all just focus on doing good things for each other, the world will be a remarkable place. So that's my I strive to do. Perhaps I'm the quintessential woman with goals, or a foolish one.

It wasn't until I was telling someone about my day recently, that I realized how tired I felt! And then I heard this line and it really hit me. So true I thought. It puts value in what I offer and that value is meaningful to someone - and meaningful to me. I have to recognize that first. Then others will also see my "YES" the same way. What do you think?

Diamonds

From myths about diamonds warding off evil, curing illness, and casting spells to its magical draw of beauty and mystique, diamonds are one of the most interesting gemstones man has ever encountered.

The early history of diamonds always speaks about India - even the largest diamonds today come from India (the Koh-I-Noor and the Hope Diamond). Diamonds were valued for their ability to refract light, their strength to mark hard metals, and their beauty (not to mention the myths too). Soon spurred by the value of diamonds and the limited supply, the east enjoyed a very prosperous trade economy. Diamonds were given as gifts to royalty, used for trade, and considered a source of wealth. India was the only place diamonds were available until about the late 1860's at which point a new source was discovered in South Africa - unfortunately these diamonds have been referred to as blood diamonds. There have also been other sources unearthed around the world, but not in great quantity.

This much coveted stone has received much press from its initial discovery. Diamonds continue to captivate audiences everywhere!