Indirect Flirting: For The Shy or Reserved Woman

Well, let's get to it. TAKE NOTE: THIS INFORMATION WILL NOT APPLY TO EVERYONE. This is for women who are old school and like for guys to approach them, but without having to put on a dog and pony show to get attention and risk sending out the wrong message. A man will always notice an attractive lady with little to no effort on her part. Therefore, subtlety is key.

Cross Your Legs
It's a classic move, but it works. If you have a nice pair of legs, show them off. If you have on sexy heels or sandals, show those off, too. You will be surprised to know how many men actually pay attention to what women wear on their feet. Also, if you are feeling playful, you can dangle your sandals a bit...completely up to you.

Wear make-up
There are no sexier body parts than the lips and eyes so make sure they don't go unnoticed. Use a little eyeliner and lip gloss for emphasis and cast your most magnetic gaze in his direction, but....

Do Not Make Eye Contact
As a matter of fact, completely ignore him. It's old news but- men like a challenge. So by doing this, he will become more determined to get you to notice him and will conclude that the only way to do so, is by approaching you. Simple. Even my husband pays more attention to me when I ignore him.

Smile
However, don't over do it. Smile pleasantly but not at him. Smile at anything....a text message you received, a book you are reading, an accompanying friend....whatever; because a pleasant smile is associated with a pleasant person.

QUICK DON'TS
1. Never stick your chest out to emphasize the girls, instead promote self-assurance by displaying good posture.
2. Don't add extra oomph to your walk or sway in your hips, rather just place one foot in front of the other and your natural oomph will show on its own.
3. Never play with your pencil or utensil on your tongue. Need I say why?


Now go get him!

My Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe

2 dozen white or brown mushrooms
2 tbsp. butter or oil
1/2 small onion, minced
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1-3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup chicken broth
salt, pepper, and your favorite seasonings
optional ingredients: white wine, basil or oregano, 3/4 cup chicken ground or minced salami

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Remove and chop mushroom stems and set the cups aside.
3. Heat butter or oil over medium heat.
4. Add mushrooms, onions, garlic, and meat if desired, and cook until onions are tender.
5. Stir in bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and broth.
6. Remove from heat and let cool to touch.
7. Stuff mushroom caps with mixture. Arrange on greased, non-stick, or foil-lined baking sheet.
8. Bake for approx. 25 minutes (but don't let the mushrooms shrink too much.) 
9. Place a thin slice of mozzarella cheese on each one, let it melt, and Voila!

ENJOY!

Items I Didn't Need In My Hospital Delivery Bag

Assembled the crib? Check. Purchased an infant car seat? Check. Packed the hospital bag? Uh...

First time mommy? Congratulations! I know you have a lot on your mind and so many things to do to prepare for the arrival of your little one. However, before you start throwing everything but the kitchen sink into that hospital delivery bag, slow down and let me tell you what things I should have reconsidered.

I remember the familiar saying, "it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it." Needless to say, wanting to be a well-prepared first time mom, I packed so many things I didn't need or use. There are numerous checklists online advising on what to pack in your bag. Still, there could be some items you may want to rethink on your list. Here are some things I could've left behind:

1. Birth Plan- Nothing went according to plan and it didn't bother me one bit because I just wanted it to be over. I desperately wanted my munchkin here and I wanted to go home- that was all. Simple.

2. Nursing Pads- My milk didn't come for days and the colostrum was not enough to leak onto my clothes...so no worries there. When it finally did arrive, I was already home- and boy oh boy, I was changing pads every hour it seemed.

3. Makeup- I didn't really care how I looked because I felt unpleasant, to put it nicely. So, to all those moms who looked great and were still glowing postpartum...I can't stand you.

4. Pacifier- Initially, I wasn't going to use a pacifier, but my nipples needed a break from all the suckling. The reason the pacifier could have stayed home was because my baby preferred the hospital pacifier, and from what I hear, most babies do. He wailed every time it slipped out of his mouth.

5. Diapers- I had quite the "little pooper" but the birthing center provided more than enough, and thank goodness because one can never have too many disposable diapers.

6. Reading Material- I was too tired to read and too busy thinking about all the wonderful new adventures that lie ahead. Scary and exciting!

Congrats to my sis for just giving birth to twin boys!

cc by 2.0 image courtesy of Enokson on Flickr

Things We Love...Then Hate About Our Mate

Ever find that the things we love about our mate in the beginning of the relationship are the very same things we hate about them after being together for a while? Below are some examples.

cc by 2.0 image courtesy of Vic on Flickr

He's sooo great...not really

1. I love listening to him talk. He's so insightful.
"Will you just shut up for a moment? You're always talking during my favorite part."

2. I like that he loves and respects his mother and has a good relationship with her.
"I just said the same thing she said....oh, but you listen to her because you're a momma's boy."

3. He has such good confidence. I love a man with self-esteem.
"You're so vain and arrogant. How was I ever attracted to you?"

4. I'm so happy that he likes my cooking. 
"How come you only tell me that you love me when I'm in the kitchen?"

5. He's passionate with his opinions. It's refreshing.
"You're so judgmental, it sickens me."

6. He's very social and pleasant with people.
"Must you flirt with everyone you encounter?"

She's sooo great...maybe not

1. I like a woman who takes care of herself and keeps up her appearance.
"You've been ALMOST ready to leave for 30 minutes now."

2. I like the fact that she doesn't order a salad every time we go out.
"Why do you keep sticking your fingers in my food? I asked you twice if you wanted some of your own."

3. She's very intelligent.
"Must you correct everything I say?"

4. She's always attentive to my needs.
"May I have just a little breathing room? Gosh, why are you always glued to me? "

5. She's so neat and keeps everything very clean.
"Why are you always moving my stuff?"

6. I love a woman that's a good listener.
"I didn't call you a b!@#$. I said you were ACTING like a b!@#$. There's a difference. See, you don't listen."

What's Lurking In Your Pantry?

      cc by 2.0 image courtesy of Jorge Elias on Flickr       

 

Nowadays, when a person has an ailment, one has to go to the doctor, get a prescription, head to the pharmacy and possible pay a fortune for medication even if the insurance covers a portion. Ludicrous! Recently, my child's medication was $58 and this was after I paid a hefty sum for the 5 minute doctor visit in order to get a simple prescription. Whenever I travel to Eastern Europe, I go to the apteka, or pharmacy, and explain my condition to the pharmacist and they give me antibiotics, creams, or whatever I need for common illnesses for 10-20 bucks depending, and that's it.

Food IS Medicine

Some ailments call for modern meds but most times we can be proactive about our health just by taking a peek in the pantry. We have so many things in our very own kitchens to help us stay well and to keep us from having to give all our money to the pharmaceutical companies. Some things I keep well stocked in my kitchen include:

garlic                lemons            salt                                    yogurt
onions              honey              apple cider vinegar             baking soda

These things help with everything from heartburn to hair conditioner to hemorrhoids....from sore throat to skin exfoliator to scalp clarifier .....from immunity booster to upset stomach to acne....from yeast infection to good digestion...need I go on?

What home remedies do you have in your pantry?



*Do Your Research Before Trying Any Home Remedy 

Here's What Not To Do When You're Lonely

DO NOT CALL YOUR EX!

We tend to do stupid things when we are lonely. Most of us have been there before. You know what I'm talking about-- deciding if it's a good idea to call that dreaded ex just to have someone to talk with or to fill in your time for the moment. Make no mistake, some will think that a simple phone call from you means that you must still be in love. Ha! Little do they know that being lonely doesn't equate to being stupid. Don't let them weasel their way back into your life. Once the door is closed, don't open a window. In a few months, you may be kicking your own behind. You could be begging to get away or just to turn back the hands of time...back to a time when there was peace in your house and in your mind. To be fair, some people do change, but you could find that this person did not turn over a new leaf at all and giving them the time of day was a big mistake. Remember why you cut him/her off in the first place. Was it the cheating? the lying? the disrespect? the neglect? the immaturity? Whatever it was, leave it behind.

Here are some things to help you get through those lonely days:
1. Read a book- Get completely lost in someone else's fictional drama for a while. It works.
2. Clean the house- Tidying up the space around you will sometimes clear your head.
3. Exercise- Focus on getting sexy for the next person...or just yourself.
4. Play that Taylor Swift song- "We-ee are never ever ever...." you know the one.

cc by 2.0 image courtesy of Flavia on Flickr

Good luck!

Product Review: Q-Redew Handheld Hair Steamer

Description from the Q-Redew website: The Q-Redew handheld hair steamer uses warm steam as mist to enhance your hair's natural volume and texture. The Q-Redew hydrates, reshapes and restyles dry hair in minutes.

Price $69.95

image from qredew.com

1. Did it enhance your hair as promised? It depends on your definition of "enhance." It gave my hair a significant amount of hydration. It was soft and manageable enough to style easily. Running the heated prongs through my hair opened my cuticles to let in the moisture while stretching my hair at the same time.
(Note: I had to seal the cuticles right after.)

2. Why not just use a spray bottle filled with water to mist your hair? One word, shrinkage. For many curlies and coilies, water on the hair results in massive shrinkage and some would prefer to deal with this only on wash day, not to mention waiting for it to dry afterwards.

3. What didn't you like about the Q-Redew? The water reservoir is rather small. Depending on how much steam you prefer, you may have to refill it once or twice during a session.

4. Would you recommend this product? I've had this product for well over a month now and I've used it a few times. I like the fact that it helps to reset my hair without having to drench it. I don't see myself using this product all the time, but I do like the idea of re-purposing it as a facial steamer. It is perfect to use just before washing or exfoliating your face.

More questions? Just post them below.

3.5 out of 5 stars


*I purchased this product with my own money. Opinions expressed are my own, truthful & honest.

Easy Breaded Chicken

Attention kitchen newbies! Cook your special someone a tasty, healthy meal that they will love
and ask for again....and it will only take you less than 45 min! I gave this recipe to my friend to cook for his wife (he was trying to prove to her that he had skills in the kitchen, in which he had none). She liked it and was rather surprised. Needless to say, this recipe is perfect for someone just starting to learn their way around the kitchen.

Easy Breaded Chicken

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
Ranch Dressing (or egg)
Bread Crumbs
Seasoning Salt

1.Rinse the chicken and pat dry. Then cut your chicken into strips or halve them so that they are thinner.

2. Dip each piece of chicken in the dressing, then roll it in the bread crumbs making sure to coat it all over.

3. Place your chicken on a non-stick baking sheet or a foil-lined pan. Sprinkle with seasoning salt or your favorite seasonings.

4. Bake on 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, depending on your oven.

Serve with anything you like. I keep it simple- salad or steamed veggies. ENJOY!

How Do YOU Define Success?

John considers himself to be a very successful person. Every morning he puts on one of his handmade Brioni suits, hops into his Alfa Romeo, and drives to work, where he makes seven figures. After a few hours of work, he goes for a little wine tasting, making sure to swish and swirl the vino around in a seductive manner so that the ladies nearby can have heart palpitations as they eye such a smooth, wealthy man that they believe to be way out of their leagues . Later on in the evening, John parks his car at his 8000 sq. ft. home, goes inside, throws a hot pocket into the microwave, sits down in front of the TV to watch The Biggest Loser, falls asleep on the couch, then wakes up and starts all over again.

What makes a person successful? Is it the type of car they drive? Is it the house in which they live? Is it how much money they make? We live in a capitalistic society; therefore, money is the biggest motivator for most people. One may feel that he/she is not successful until they are able to purchase most things that their heart desires. Afterall, who doesn't like money, right?

Are you successful? I think the proper question is: are you happy? If you are happy, then I would say that you are successful. Happiness comes from many things. Maybe it's being able to come home to a wonderful family that does it for you. Perhaps it's your hobby or being able to do what you love that keeps you smiling. You see, money shouldn't validate your existence. I know people who would trade all of their riches for better health....a spouse....a child, the list goes on.

I know that the definition of success is different for each individual. However, I don't think it should be measured by how much money you have in the bank.

What do you all think?

cc by 2.5 image courtesy of AMagill on Flickr