Who say's face painting/body art is just for kids? Read about my awesome face painting/body art session.

So awhile back ago a mutual friend informed me they knew someone who was starting her own business for face painting. How fun I thought! She asked if she could use my 2 younger daughters as models to put up pictures on her website. Again, how fun right? My girls love dressing up so this was a perfect fit.

A couple of weeks later we met at a local park along with a few other parents and their anxious little ones. Each of the girls was given a colorful tutu, matching fairy wings and a cute flower for her hair. I already knew this wasn't going to be your average face painting gig. We were greeted by Jasmine Starr McKay of  Starryfaceart. We spent the next hour getting the kids all gussied up and ready for photos (which came out great, but of course I'm a little biased)

This got me thinking...how fun would it be to have this done too? I know, I'm 33 y/o and should act like it; not like an 8 y/o girl. But, but why not? Just because I've added a few years to this awesome face and figure (that *might* be a slight exaggeration) why not add some color?! So I reached out to Jasmine and made an appointment for MEEE! I'm not sure what I was expecting really; I just thought it could be fun to 'be a kid again' and have a little fun!

Jasmine was GREAT! when I arrived I told her "Have add it! Do whatever you like!" Needless to say you give any artist (and what a fabulous artist she is) a blank canvas and their creative wheels start turning. She went for an avant garde look which honestly I didn't really know what that would translate to on my face. Luckily, it seemed translate well.

I know, pretty cool huh?! She did such a great job. I wasn't expecting this AT ALL!

I love how she brought it down the side of my neck and across my shoulder.

After this she wanted to show me what she refers to as "Girls night out" with a simple yet fun look.

 It was so much fun to get all "dressed up" in a not so traditional way =)

I think it's important for ALL women (not just moms) to go and have some creative fun! Who says a day at the spa is the only way to let loose and have a good time? How awesome would it be to reinvent the classic slumber party and have a "Girls night out party" with drinks and body paint? I can only IMAGINE the designs that would be painted. LOL

Jasmine has been creating amazing looks all over the Los Angeles and Orange County area for the last few years. She's been featured at the LA County Fair, charity and corporate events and of course countless birthday parties! 

Her prices are VERY reasonable AND she travels! Doesn't get much better then that!

Here are a few more photos from various events. For more you can visit her Facebook page or website.

 

Perfect for Halloween

Beautiful Unicorn

 This reminds me of CATS!

 Love the Tribal look!

To make an appointment or contact Jasmine you can find her on

Facebook www.facebook.com/jasminestarr#!/StarryFaceBodyArt

email liljaestarr@gmail.com 

by phone 626.222.9889

If I could tell my younger self something, this is what I would say.

"Stay in school and get your degree. The boy you think is perfect isn't and there will be so many others; so respect yourself enough to say no and move on. Trust your instinct even when you don't want to. Take care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. For the love of God make him wear a condom! USE more sunscreen and DON'T ever smoke! In a few years you're going to be a mom, a very young mom. Choose your actions carefully.

The next man will break your already fragile heart but don't worry, you'll come to realize he's only trying to spare you any additional pain because he cares enough about you to leave.

The man you decide to marry, because of the decisions you've made, will not be your husband for long. Stand up to him, be strong in your beliefs and above all put the needs of your children first.

Life is going to be tough for awhile, very tough. You'll go through periods of depression, debilitating anxiety and life threatening surgeries. Don't be worried; you'll get through all of it. You'll be scarred, both physically and emotionally but it will be okay. They will be reminders to you of how far you've come.

You will lose someone very dear to your heart. Someone who's taught you more about love and life then you could ever imagine. This too will be painful but you'll be okay.

Be kind to to others even when they're less then kind to you. How you treat them is a reflection of the kind of person you are so might as well make it a good one.

Above all, LOVE yourself! Love every part of your imperfect body. Love the parts that will sag, roll and jiggle; but also the parts that are adorable and still attractive. You are loved by so many and you will continue to succeed throughout your life. I know how stubborn you are and you always will be. Choose wisely my dear young self and trust in the Lord because you will be given a strength that nothing on this earth can match. Believe me, you will question him, a lot! Trust me when I say there is a greater reason; even if it's a reason that you never fully understand.

Lastly, Hang in there, know your limits and don't forget to live each day as if it were your last!"

Signed,

You at 33

"What makes you a great mom?"

Last week I asked this question on my FB page:

"I want each of you to tell me what makes *YOU* a great mom! If you're not a mom then tell me what your mom or caretaker did that was great!"

I loved the comments so much! Read below to see what all the fun, good listening, silly, unconditional loving, smart, caring and tough love mommies have to say from all around the world! ♥

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Chantel Gray What makes me a great mom is my ability to see what makes me a not so great mom and the desire to change it. Sunland, Ca. Mom of 5. age 34

Joni Oehlerking Lightner I am silly. Super silly. Loving. I care naught for the "normal" routine. Whatever works. I only have one & he is unbelievably easy, smart, funny, willing, and loving. He hugs everyone. He thinks. He Is funny. His hugs & kisses & his, "I love you, Mommy's," will (hopefully) last forever. He's 4. I'm 41. I am so grateful for him. He is seriously the best. Argyle, TX.

Arin Lynn what makes me a great mom is even though we dont have much i make sure we go on at least one adventure a week so my son grows up appreciateing quality time instead of material things. Lucerne Valley, CA age 25

Lisa Larson Myers I guess what makes me a great Mom is ... my kids say " I am the meanest Mom in the world" so I've done my job :) I'm from Council Bluffs,Iowa. age 49 & I have 4 kids (9-32) & 8 Grandkids who think I am the nicest Nana in the world :)

BreAnn Bowdish My ability to "pick my battles" with the youngsters and read creatively. :-) Phoenix AZ. Mom of 3, age 22.

DysFUNction Junction What makes me a great mom? My attitude. I cherish every single moment I have with my son. I try to show him love and teach him to laugh. I want him to know that life is more fun if you laugh

Justine Theresa Ladato age 34 daytona beach, fl mom of 3 beautiful boys! i think what makes me a great mom is that i do it all on my own and even though i may not have much i still make sure my kids never want for anything and i shower them with love and lots of hugs and kisses every single day :)

Brandie Driver I think what makes me a great mom is that I've suffered the loss of twins, and it helped me realize that I wanna spend as much time with my son as I possibly can before he goes into school, he's becoming an amazing, smart little guy and I'd like to think I had a very large part in that :) I'm 24 next week and my son is 2.5.

Jeanna Wright Pagel i paint toes and buy tutu's. lol. they are 5 and almost 3. I just turned 25 and i raise my girls north of houston texas.
 
Tiffany Hucek Ritchey The ability to look at my 2 1/2 year old son from across the room and know what he wants or needs since he was little....drink, food, blankie, potty....

Jolene Gaspard Wheelock I'm not a great mom but my kids might think so. I leave them alone until I need them or they need me. I have 4 boys in the house, 2 are not mine but could be (ages 10, 13,16,18). I'm 35 from South Louisiana. Of course, as teens, they handle themselves pretty well.

 Suni Allfie I think what makes me a good mom, is patience!!! I use to have a very short fuse, until I had my first child almost 8 years ago! I'm a mommy to 4, ( 6 mo, 23mo, 5 and 7) Auburn, Wa

Becke Barfield I'm 38, from south Louisiana, and I have three kids, 15, 8, and 4. What makes me a great mom? That I have my kids' backs no matter what they do. They're required to own up and pay their own consequences, but I'm right there holding their hand while they do it.

Cherie Albright I think what makes me a good mom is my ability to know I'm not perfect and that as long as I try I'm good enough. I think she has taught me more then I have taught her. I'm 21 and she is 3. We are from Salem, OR

Jackie Schultz ‎29yrs old from Long island NY. I have 3 girls ages 3yrs, 23months and 3months. I m just trying to make it out alive most of the days ;) LOL. But I try my best to LIVE*LAUGH*LOVE

 
Amber Boucher I am a great mom because I hung up my super mom cape nearly 10 years ago:). I am a 37-year-old mom to four awesome kids(3, 5, 7 & 9). I listen to them. I encourage them to be who they want to be (my boys get their toenails painted if they want and my daughter pretend shaves her face with daddy). They are little humans that like us, want acceptance, love and comfort. We dance in the rain. We sing like no ones watching. We just live and have fun. I let myself learn from them and try my hardest, to be a good role model for them (working on my profanity. Lol). I am from Ontario, Canada. Eh! :)

Meghan Spencer Age 44 mom to 4 a son with hemophillia, his twin sister is bipolar, the middle girl is a mom now and my three yo was a gift. What makes me a good or great mom is Iove them all. I will fight the battles that need to be fought to help them out. And I am one of the geekiest moms around. Have had more indepth and heartfelt conversations and bonding over rounds of firefight in Halo.

Megan Shurley Wright I am a mother, not their friend. I'm raising boys who have rules and chores and consequences. They may not always like it, but i'm fair and consistent and i think it is a good thing that they can count on that. I think that is what helped my 2 oldest get through my divorce from their father.
I have 3 boys, 11, 7, and 18 months outside if jacksonville florida.

Claire Buckley They come first (but they're not spolit); I'm their friend, their displinarian, their educator, their playmate, their cook and I love them with all of my heart and soul. I want better for them and I make it so ..... :)  I'm 39 from manchester uk and my girls are almost 8 and almost 2 x

Charlotte Hall I think what makes me a great mom is patience and choosing my battles. I also try to stay happy and do silly things with my kiddos but they are disciplined even at their age. I always get told what great kids they are and how well behaved they are. I am a mom of 3 (almost 4 yr old and 2 year old twins) and I'm 24 from Arizona. =)

Samantha Sullivan Cohn This question is actually really introspective. I am not only their mother but their friend when needed. I believe my children need both of both worlds, but THEY know where to draw the line between friend and mom. I have tried to teach them patience with others, always try to find the good in others, have discussed social issues with them and have allowed them to learn how to think-not tell them how to think. Some of these are really hard to do since i am heavily bi-polar and will be on meds for the rest of my life. I also believe in taking that deep breath and count to 10 before reacting to a behaviour that is inappropriate. I would choose my children over anything. Absolutely over myself. I believe I am doing a fairly decent job since my daughter is 18 and just finished her first year in college and my son just turned 14. I am 39 and am from Southern NJ. (NOT the Jersey Shore Area!!!!)

Shelly Pehlman-Reeter This is a hard question! I make sure that they are relatively clean(they are boys), stay healthy, I make them do chores, mind their manners, sign them up for any activity they want to partake in & then go to every practice and game :), I make sure they do their homework (& understand it!), kiss boo boos, read to them, kiss & hug them every night, and tell them I love them every day... But this is all part of just being a mom! Them being so smart, talented, and caring makes me FEEL like a great mom :)
I'm from Sherman, Illinois and 39 years old.

Lynn Kenyon I think bein a great mum is not thinkin u alwayz no best n we r alwayz on a learnin kerb because life has as a mum teaches us sumat new everyday I have 4 fab kidz n each one ov them r very different people n av been taught so much from them as they av from me xxxx

Elizabeth Hanson Stephens Gulfport ms 28 mom of 1 /9yr old I listen and love her no matter what she's awesome smart loving and has my sensitive caring heart.. She's rotten to the core but loved in every single way makes me smile everyday and she ALWAYS comes first

Heather Sanders I am from Texas, just east of Dallas. I am 34 with a 14 year old son with Duchenne Muscukar Dystrophy. I have raised my son by myself until this last year. He does not go without and is very respectful. I have learned to pick my battles because teenagers aren't easy. I always make sure to give him a hug, kiss, and tell him that I love him even though he doesn't want it sometimes. He knows I love him. I don't think I am a great mom, but God chose me to raise this inspirational young man for a reason. I always carry hope and have faith that there will be a cure for DMD. The one thing my son loves is to ride horses. I promised him that when he gets to where he can't sit on his horse by himself that I will find a way for him to still ride. I know I have one amazing kiddo!

More Than a Cupcake Mom of 4 boys, ages 22, 18, 6 and 3....I'm 40 from NC. My unconditional love for them makes me a great mom. However, being a mom is the hardest job I've ever had. Most rewarding....but hard. Esp. when the first one flew the nest:(

Sara Ribordy Mom of 6 kids. 2 girls 10 & 2, and 4 boys 9,7,6,4. I'm not a great mom but I am a good one. Im almost 28 will be on Tuesday we live in Lees Summit, MO. I have a ton of patience, I also make sure my kids are always respectful and use their manners, and we discipline our children for bad behavior. I do not really have to discipline my oldest 4 my youngest two on the other hand are still learning.

Rosie Frank Spencer McCoombe ‎48 years old from St. Louis, MO - I am the mom I wish I would have had!

Tracy Hills Edwards The ability to know what each of my 4 kids require/need, like dislike, etc. What makes them individuals and what keeps them happy. And not get it confused, unlike their names. LOL. One has down syndrome one a hyper activity disorder, 1 drama queen, and a terrible 2's toddler. 9, 7, 5, 2- Athens, Alabama

Barbara Rose I am the mom of 2 grown daughters age 38 and 46...between them they have given me 5 of the most awesome grandkids ages 18-24!! Also I have a 20 month old great-granddaughter...All of them are very productive successful, caring, loving adults so with that said, I guess I must be a great mom! I'm age 63 from Tampa fl -  And another thing I love it when my girls sometimes calls me mommy and tells me I'm the best:))

Let's Vent I have two girls, but I am raising them to be tough. I have also equipped them both with an amazing sense of humor. ♥ :)

Stellar Junk My Mom would almost never get in the water when we were swimming as kids. If she did, we couldn't splash her or get her hair wet. So I promised myself that when I became a Mom, I will ALWAYS get in the water. I won't worry about how cold it is, or getting my hair wet. So that's just one of the things I do - I splash and play. :)

"Shredding My Losses" Make the change! 1 year and 100lbs lighter!!

Guest blog by: Jennifer Seville. She's a full time mom and wife who within ONE YEAR lost 100lbs!! Read  all about her amazing journey in her book "Shredding My Losses" Make the change!

I was given the chance to read her book and I'm SO glad I did. She's truly an inspiration that even at 275lbs you can still achieve your weight loss goals.  

 

"When people hear I lost over 100 lbs, I get the inevitable question of HOW DID YOU DO IT?!  I know what they wanna hear, which pill, fad diet, dvd set, or surgery did I complete?  The conversation ends shortly after when I say all I did was eat healthy and exercise.  If you stick around long enough to hear my whole story, you will come to find out that I do have some interesting things to say…

I wasn’t always overweight.  I was super athletic; a gymnast for over  10 years.  I turned 19, met my soul mate, I got pregnant, and began doing what I was told to do, eating for two!  First mistake, because I totally abused that statement, and it showed with the 90 lbs I put on during that pregnancy.  The two years following that child we managed to get married, buy a house, and have another child.  Little to no “time” in between to go back to my athletic build. 

Two more years go by and I have my third and final child, and weighing in at a whopping 275 pounds! 275 pounds found me at a completely different person.  I went from athletic and attractive to depressed and overweight with a huge chip on my shoulder.  In my eyes, the world was out to get me.  Little did I know, I WAS OUT TO GET ME!  With every bite I took, and every pair of baggy pants and shirts I wore to hide the real problem.  I hid for a few years and told myself that my weight issues were all due to my pregnancies and it was normal.

 

It’s not normal to weight 275 pounds.  It’s not normal to hate yourself when you look in the mirror.  It’s not normal to wear sweatpants and sweatshirts every single day because jeans do not fit you.  I was far from acting normal.

 

My eldest daughter turned 5 in February of 2011 and it hit me.  I was a stay at home mom and she was going to be starting Kindergarten in the fall.  I wanted to be that active stay at home mom that goes to all the PTA meetings and attends field trips and has play dates with all the other stay at home moms.  Who would wanna hang out with some depressed overweight mom??

Something clicked, and my journey began.  My husband’s family all were members of the local YMCA and encouraged me to join and attend classes.  TOTALLY out of my comfort zone but I went, and fell in love.  That athletic person came out in me, little did I know it was just in hiding.  I was attending all diff. kinds of group fitness classes and desperately trying to watch what I was eating at home and the pounds were actually shedding off of me.  My dedication was showing when I dropped over 20 lbs in the first month.  Cutting soda and teas and all the sugary snacks I was known to eat I’m sure helped with that 20 pound weight loss.  I wanted more, and kept going…

I found a love for “running”  Let’s not call it running at first, let’s call it completely dying and probably looking like a fool but I did it so don’t laugh me kinda running!  I even completed a 5K race at 200 lbs in 34 minutes!  I was beginning to feel proud of myself again and feeling accomplished and goal driven in my new lifestyle.  9 months later, I had dropped over 100 pounds, 10 pant sizes, and 3 shirt sizes!!  I was a completely different person inside and out. 

 

I can’t stress to people how important health wise it is to be at a healthy weight but more importantly for your heart and soul.  I hate knowing that there are still people out there feeling the way I used to feel about themselves.  It is no way to live your life living it hating yourself and being depressed.  Hiding from society solves nothing!  Once I opened up and admitted to people I needed help, was when I started to get positive results in my life. 

 

I kept a journal during the whole process that I would write about my workouts and foods as well as my personal thoughts and frustrations along the way.  It was a handy tool to stay accountable and on track on a daily basis.  Once I hit the 100 lb mark and was re-evaluating my goals I decided to publish my personal journal into a book.  It’s called “Shredding My Losses” and its available on amazon.com as an e-book as well as paperback.  It has my private thoughts during this tremendously hard weight loss journey but also illustrates how extremely rewarding it can be at the end.  It’s been said to be a must read for anyone seeking for extra motivation or wanting to read about a “real person”.  I’m not a celebrity, I did not take the easy way out, I’m just an ordinary person who made a change for the better and really wants to help others get to feel what I feel.  Proud!

 

I started a facebook page called “Change One Thing” to pay it forward to others and open myself up to them about my journey and give them somewhere to open up to me about theirs.  I still journal/blog for people to read on my website at www.changeonething.info and will continue to try and help society with the horrible epidemic of obesity.

Just remember, you are not alone!  We are all in this together!"

Time to suit up ladies!! Bathing suit that is =/

I went to the beach this past weekend wearing jeans. Yes, I said jeans. I wasn't planning on going in the water since it would have been freezing cold but still, who wears jeans to the beach? This got me thinking that pretty soon I'll have to make the dreaded trip to several stores trying to find a suit that looks half way decent and doesn't make me look like I'm wearing a tube around my waist saying "Does this make me look fat?"

This of course made me think. *AM* I ready for "bathing suit season"? Uuumm that would be a big giant HELL NO! I hate the thought of having to find something to stuff myself into that actually holds my tummy in and my boobs up! This whole experience makes me want to puke O.o

I don't want to have to flaunt around my less than smooth thighs to a bunch of strangers at the beach or pool! Now, I'm sure not all eyes are on me but for whatever reason I think they are. I always promote being confident no matter what size you are. To love yourself and your body regardless of your size.  It's just, well, bathing suits take that confidence to a whole other level of HOLY FUCK I need to do something quick!! I'm not sure there is a Miracle Suit that can work the miracles I need. If I find one I will be sure to let you know.

At least one good thing is a lot of vintage suits are back in style. This makes me happy...very, very happy. You see the vintage suits cover a LOT more AND they actually compliment my curves. As I look through  pictures I wonder if these women ever worried so much about how they looked?

Should it really be that big of deal? My answer is YES! I stress "my answer" which doesn't mean I think everyone else has to feel the same way. For me, when it comes to showing that much skin in broad daylight I want to at least pretend like I tried to make something work! So where does this leave me now? Basically it leaves me realizing that if I care enough about my appearance in a bathing suit then I damn well better start do something about it now. Summer is only a couple months away and it's already heating up. I don't want to be tortured by the thought of standing in a dressing room with that hidious lighting wanting to run to the nearest Weight Watchers. The fact of the matter is I WILL have to buy a suit and I WILL have to wear it in public. Even though I don't think I'll ever be fully impressed with any suit I try on, I'm going to do my best to look for something that I at least feel comfortable in. I'll keep you all posted on my progress!



Mouth to mouth feeding your baby?? Acceptable or Natural?

Recently GMA aired a segment on  Alicia Silverstone mouth feeding her 10 month old son by Premastication or pre-chewing.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/alicia-silverstone-baby-feeding-mouth-mouth-video-spurs-16027885?tab=9482931&section=1206836&playlist=2898870

This controversial video has sparked a lot of heat to whether or not "pre-chewing" is an acceptable way of feeding your child.  Now, without passing judgment, or at least sounding like I am, here are my thoughts and opinions on this.

1) I've done a LOT of what I would consider to be "un natural" things while raising my kids for the past 14 years! I've licked my thumb and wiped foreign gooey substances from their face, I've had to use my OWN hands to wipe snot from their noses and even help them poop when necessary! They've thrown up, spit up and shit on me at times and yes I've even had the joy of TASTING their vomit! What can I say, it happens!

2) I'm not sure what purpose "Premastication" actually serves? Understandably, while breast feeding you're feeding your baby from your body. Giving your child all the natural antibodies and nutrition they need.  But coming from your own mouth just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me? Isn't that what formula and food processors are for?

3) The medical disadvantages include a wide range of diseases that can be transferred from mother to child while premasticating. Diseases from infected parents to their infants including HIV-AIDS from their saliva and open mouth ulcer, as well as possibly hepatitis B virus and Helicobacter pylori.

4) Then of course there's the controversy over "kiss feeding" your child! Personally, for me, this is not something I would have ever done and sure as hell would NEVER want their Dad to have participated in.  Using my tongue to push the food in my baby’s mouth seems to be crossing the line of what's acceptable when it comes to any part of me touching another part of my child. Or anyone else's for that matter!

I don't think this is just a matter of what is appropriate because we all have different versions of what we consider to be acceptable especially when it comes to raising children.  I mean, am I wrong for thinking this is an unnecessary breeding ground for bacteria and gems being passed from you to your child? Of course they're going to get germs from EVERYWHERE as they grow up but I for one prefer it doesn’t come from my own mouth!

Basically, when all is said and done this is NOT a form of feeding I would have done or will ever do! I'm all for breast, bottle, utensils and good 'ole food processors! 

Your wedding dress is nice in a hidious sort of way

We've all been through that awkward moment! You know, the one where you're DYING to see a picture of your friends final choice for her wedding dress. You're either leaning over a computer screen or opening an email waiting for the unveiling of this dress when BAM! There it is...the most hideous thing you've ever seen!

I mean what do you say? Definitely not YES to the Dress! Do you fake the expression that is so clearly obvious on your face or do you give them your opinion? I mean of course they must LOVE this dress if it's the one they've chosen...right?  So do you give them the honest truth? I say you smile, say something nice and keep your mouth shut about how you really feel.

Giving YOUR opinion of THEIR dress is probably not the best idea.  Even if she's asking for your feedback, trust me, she's already made up her mind.  Of course she wants you to love it just as much as she does! Whatever you do DON'T let it get out that you secretly hate the dress either.  This will only backfire because now she knows not only do you hate her dress but now you're a liar!

So next time you're in this situation suck it up, put on a fake smile and tell her how pretty she's going to look. It's her special day. Let her feel special no matter what she's wearing =)

Love was just enough

I love you as the bright as the snow shines after a winter’s storm...

From the moment I saw you my life changed forever

So small and innocent and full of wonder

You looked at me with your eyes wide open

For all you ever need and wanted was mine to honor

A gift from God so precious more priceless than a gem

I used to ask myself “How did I get so lucky, I don’t deserve this prize”

I’m just a kid myself how will we ever survive?

All we had was love and it was just enough to get us through

Days, months and even years would pass by

Before you’d say the little words that the truly made me cry

“I love you mommy” was all it took to turn my gray skies into blue

My love will never falter although at times it may seem

That my heart has changed and things aren’t the same

It’s only to protect you from things you haven’t seen

I pray for you every night that God will keep you safe

That you never lose that wonder you had the first time we met

For that one day you will know how much I love watching you grow

To see all what you will become

From now until forever and for all the years to come

  ~To My beautiful daughter Victoria~