IAmMoody

Events | Promotion | Fashion

Blog

Date Night Gone Right—While Breaking All the Faux Paws Dating Rules!

by

I did it people! I went ahead and broke my own rules, to some extent, with regards to online dating, over this past week! I have written a few prior posts regarding dating hints and tips, and rules of the thumb that should always be followed. I am pleased to inform you that I completely adhered to my “Three Easy Online Dating Tips I’ve Learned” article; which you can click the link that I have provided above to see what that post comprised.

In that article I exemplified several ways to be successful with online dating, such as the following: Use Recent Photos on Your Profile, Write a Concise & Clear Bio About Yourself & Don’t Get Discouraged by Those Who Don’t Respond. But…the story ever so thickens because I wrote another article following that which was entitled, “Four Dating Don’ts You Should Never Do!” (Click the link to see this article on online dating.) But yet, somehow, even by breaking a rule or two, it was just a magnificent date, my friends!

So manning up to the rules I broke, here we go! I stated as rule number one to, “Never talk about your ex. I cannot emphasize this enough. This is such a bad thing to do. One, you are on a date to meet them and learn more about them, not rehash negative and bad experiences you have had with love. That is a major turn-off and a big time no-no!” But the gal I met was lovely, smart, sassy and successful—and she started off the whole ex conversation. I tried to veer away from it by changing the subject, but we ended up sharing a laugh or two, finding some very special common ground, and really getting to learn more about each other. In hindsight, you should try to veer away from this, but then again, I did it and it worked this time around!

Mind you, it usually has disastrous results, however!

Rules number three and four in that article were easily followed, and worked like a charm. Those rules being, “Three” Chivalry is not dead. Guys, I know that it is not the 50s anymore, but have some class. Open the doors, get the drinks, and be attentive and focused on the girl. Always offer to pay the full bill, even if they argue otherwise. Girls have it easier than we men when on dates, that’s for sure. But playing your cards right is always smart. Four: Open your ears, not your mouth, and mind your manners. Most commonly I hear the women I know fret over men never listening to them. So this one is a no-brainer: Listen up. Then talk. Also, be mindful of your manners and the way that you present yourself; don’t talk with a mouth full of food or ask your date if they want to go heads-to-toe with a burping contest!”

So while I did break a rule here and there—and rules are generally made to be broken once in a while—I have to admit that it was the best damned date I have ever had! We are meeting up again this weekend to hang out and have some fun, too!

In summation: Go for it!

Just make sure you try and adhere to some of the rules of dating and online dating, because in my experience, it has always served me well,

I just got super lucky this time around!

Studded Leather Belts Are Still My All-Time Favorites!

by

I have already talked about the awesomeness of interchangeable belt buckles—a post that you can find if you are interested that was entitled, “Self Expression & Fashion Easily Attained with Interchangeable Belt Buckles.” Just click the link if you wish to read that article, as it is very interesting, at least in my own opinion; if you are all about belt buckles these days that is. However, there is one topic that I have not delved into regarding belts and their awesome fashion prowess: The couture, suaveness and edginess of the always presentable and very fashionable studded leather belt!

I love to wear leather cuffs, some rings and bracelets, a nice necklace, and always a grand old pair of Doc Marten Boots – which are my favorite of all shoes in the world! (I really go all out on my affinity for these awesome boots in this cool article I wrote about them that you can find by click this Here; which was entitled, “The Ever-Standing Awesomeness of Doc Marten Boots!”) But, I have yet to delve into studded leather belts!

So here we go with the top three reasons why I adore wearing studded leather belts—and nearly on a daily basis, too!

  1. You can easily find studded leather belts online and for very cheap; think of stores like Hot Topic if you are looking for easy finds on affordable studded leather belts. You can also just search for them online, provided you know your size, and easily uncover just a grand plethora of great studded leather belts for really awesome values!
  2. The studded leather belt goes with nearly everything and anything. For Pete’s Sake (whoever the hell gold ol’ Pete is), my mother, who is in her 40s, loves wearing studded leather belts, and she dresses all preppy and adds this edge with a nice studded leather belt.
  3. Lastly: they look freaking cool! As if that was not the superlative of this diatribe anyways. Certainly, there are great belts for all occasions. But if you really want some flare and you truly want to accessorize, then you should look into getting your hands on a studded leather belt, such as the one pictured to the upper left above!

Four Easy Ways That I’m ‘Going Green’

by

It seems that nearly everywhere that I look these days there is another news story about how the environment is growing warmer each day, as global warming shows its true face. In spite of all that, and paramount to it, are recent expert reports that have been released that have proven—beyond a doubt—that the world is indeed heating up; and like an oven. According to some recent news articles that I read online, this current decade that we are living in has been the hottest decade ever to be recorded, in history!

So indeed, things are getting hot down here on good ol’ Mother Earth, and that means that we all need to do our part by ‘going green’ and changing up our habits a tad bit. Even small, teeny-tiny things can really make a huge impact, when you think about it. For example, say every person in the entire world was to do just one simple thing to go green each day. Can you imagine the trickle down effect that it would have on our precious earth? I think it would unfathomably awesome!

I have been trying my best to do my part, and here are four ways that I have procured—simple little things—that allow me to know that I am going green as well, and pitching in like we all should be doing!

  1. Turning up my air conditioning two degrees during the day. I love keeping it at 78 degrees, but those two extra degrees really make a vast difference. Not only that, but you can bet that I love the HUGE savings on my monthly utility bills!
  2. Making sure to recycle as much and as often as possible. I think that this one is a no-brainer. But it still had to be said.
  3. Looking for earth-friendly products when shopping at the grocery store. You would be surprised how many great products use recycled materials for packaging. And, packaging creates some of the highest amounts of waste, too!
  4. Assuring I am not using skincare or hair care products that have bad chemicals in them that damage the environment. You would be surprised at how many do. But look for the classic green logo (like the one you see pictured to the upper left) in order to assure you are getting the eco-friendly products you desire.

These are but just four, and there are ever so many more that I am picking up and adding to my daily routine with each passing day! You all should be doing this as well!

Get on the ‘green’ bandwagon already folks!

The Right way to Do Your Nails

by

Finishing touches are often the things that make or break an outfit. These little touches, such as having one’s nails finished or having polished shoes are often the signs that people look for when deciding if a person is as put together as they are attempting to appear or not. This is because an outfit can be put on and left as is and still look good. The small details have to be kept up. Nails in particular require upkeep. Applying the nail color correctly can help to decrease the amount of work needed to keep the nails looking good though.

Shaping

When doing your nails, first you should consider shaping your nails. There are 2 shapes that most people use when shaping their nails. There is the pointed nail, which is a soft point or rounded edge and there is the square nail shape. The rounded edge nail is great for those people who do not do a lot of typing and have non-physically demanding jobs. The square shaped nail is great for typing and more athletic or active workers. Do not cut the nails into the shape you want, but instead file them into the shape using a nail file.

Cuticles

Cuticles are the thin skin that covers the nail closest to the moon and the rest of the skin. This skin works to protect the nail bed from infections and contaminants. However, this skin is also creates an uneven nail polish finish. In order to achieve the ideal look for your nails, gently press the cuticle back. Do not cut the cuticle back as this can cause the cuticle to bleed and open the finger up to infection. Cut only the skin that has lifted off the nail itself.

Polish

When picking the nail polish to use, there are a few things to consider. First and foremost is what the properties of the nail polish are. Use nail polishes that promise to strengthen the nail. Also pick up a top coat and a base coat. This will help to maintain the beauty of the nail polish and prevent the polish from chipping off. The base coat should also be one that strengthens the nail and helps it to grow properly.

Application

Before applying the nail polish, wash your hands thoroughly. This will help to remove any oils from your nails that will hinder the nail polish. Once your nails are completely dry, place a coat of base polish on your nails and allow this to dry completely. Then apply 3 coats of color, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next coat. Do not apply heavy coats of color, but rather thin coats as this will allow the polish to dry faster and will provide a more even covering on the nail. Once the color is dry, apply the top coat and allow this to dry completely. Apply a second coat of top coat if necessary.

Tips

Doing one’s nails is not rocket science, but it is not easy either. This is why there are so many nail parlors open. When you are going to do your own nails, make sure you give yourself plenty of time. Do not plan on doing anything for at least an hour. Be sure to have nail polish remover on hand and q-tips to wipe away any stray polish from the sides of your fingers. Try to apply the nail polish on a non-humid day as this will help to speed up the drying process. If possible, allow the nails to dry in the sun or under a warm light.

Rules for Leggings

by

Leggings are an interesting fashion statement that just doesn’t seem to go away. They are a great idea gone terribly wrong. The leggings were originally used as a thicker nylon to ensure proper coverage when wearing a short skirt. They have now become a replacement for pants! And it’s no longer just the preteens and teenagers wearing them, but women into their 40’s! Let’s go over the rules for wearing leggings, just so everyone is strait with them.

Age Appropriate Please

Leggings are not appropriate for women who are older than 30. They simply show too much and act as a second skin. For most people, this is not a flattering look. Even for those who have lean and long legs, the leggings are simply not as flattering as a good pair of structured jeans or khaki’s are. People under 30 can get away with it as being something that the young wear. Remember, wearing things that are not age appropriate will only cause you to look older than you actually are.

Not Appropriate Substitute for Pants

Leggings are like tights. They are made of a thicker nylon material that stretch over the legs and butt, hugging curves that they are meant to cover. This makes it possible to see every feature of the body. While this is not typically a problem when wearing the leggings with a skirt, when using them as pants, everything is exposed. It is possible to tell what kind of underwear you are wearing and if you are skipping underwear completely. Put something over the leggings, please.

Skirts not Shorts

When putting something over the leggings think about it first. Would you pair that piece with a pair of nylons? Most people do not wear nylons with shorts, even short shorts. So then why would a person pair short shorts with leggings. Short jean skirts are appropriate to wear over leggings, but not shorts. Especially not boxer shorts. Nothing works with boxer shorts, girls. Remember, no mini skirts over 30 either.

Mini Dresses

Mini dresses are very revealing and need additional pieces to them in order to keep them legal. Please, do wear leggings when stepping out in a mini dress. Just make sure that the leggings go well with the dress. There are so many different styles of leggings, it should be a cinch to find the right leggings for the mini dress. A pair of strappy heels will help to make the leggings and mini dress really pop.

Classy vs Trashy

Leggings can look classy if care is taken when picking them out. Pick leggings that are solid in color and made of a good material. Having a variety of leggings to match your outfits is a great idea. This includes pops of color and neutrals to allow the outfit to shine. If the leggings begin to get runs, ditch them. Do not continue to wear worn out leggings simply because they do not have massive holes in them. Instead, stick to the classy look to avoid looking trashy with the leggings.

Exercising to Fit into Skinny Jeans

by

When the skinny jean first came out, I was horrified. It was like the EMO lifestyle took over the mainstream. Now, a couple years after the first skinny jean showed up on the runway, they are still hot. Over those couple years, I have decided that they are not as bad as I first thought. Matter of fact, on the right person, they can be outright sexy and flattering. That is, if the right person with the right toned and sexy legs are wearing the skinny jeans.

Not everyone was born with skinny legs. Most people have to work at being skinny. That includes me. I have to consistently workout in order to fit into those skinny jeans and I’m going to share my workout routine with you so that more people can have those shapely legs that look so good in skinny jeans. After all, it is not enough to have skinny legs to look good in skinny jeans; you have to have lean, toned legs in order for the look to be pulled off correctly. Skinny legs alone simply make the jeans look like you have kid legs on an adult body instead of a woman’s legs and hips on a woman’s figure.

Squats

Never under estimate the power of the squat. Even squats with no weight can drastically reshape and strengthen your legs. In order to these fantastic exercises simply sit back as though you are going to sit in a chair and then stand back up. The further down you go, the better the workout. Try 3 sets of 10 squats with your legs together and then another round with your legs at shoulder distance apart. You will feel this burn quickly, making for it one of the most efficient exercises you can do. You will feel this all through your legs and butt.

Lunges

The lung is another exercise that is super effective even without any equipment. To do a lung, step out with one leg while keeping the back leg in place. Your body should remain strait up and down. Sink down into the front leg, bringing the back leg as close to the floor as possible. Walk the lung from wall to wall, alternating between your legs. This will work your quads, butt and abdominals. Just a few paces from wall to wall is enough to cause that tired feeling in your legs, shaping them into long, lean jean fitting legs.

Leg Raises

There are a lot of leg raises that a person can do. While sitting in the chair, lift the shins and feet so that they are even with the thighs. Do this in 3 sets of 12 reps. Other types of leg raises can be done while standing up. The back raises can be done with both hands on the wall, pressing the leg behind you and up. This will help strengthen your butt and hamstrings. Turning to your left side, raise your left leg in a strait and smooth manner. This will exercise your left hip and the outside of your thigh. Repeat this on the right side. The same can be done while laying down for a more intense workout.

Cardio

Cardio is a series of fast exercises that are done to burn a lot of calories fast. These exercises used to be the bread and butter of a woman’s exercise routine. It is now used as a supplement or part of an effective workout. When doing cardio for fat loss, it is important to remain in the lower heart rate level. Pushing the heart rate too high will cause the body to save the fat as an energy source and burn sugars instead. Use cardio either before or after an exercise routine. Changing the frequency of cardio and the time that it used can help to confuse the body and keep the exercise effective.