HAPPY 2013

*butterfly

Diet Mistakes

1. Relying on Crash Diets

Determined to lose 10 pounds fast, you turn to a crash diet. Perhaps your plan calls for nothing but grapefruit or cabbage soup each day. You slash your daily calories to fewer than 1,000 -- and sure enough, the pounds melt away. But when you eat so few calories, you train your metabolism to slow down. Once the diet is over, you have a body that burns calories more slowly -- and you usually regain the weight.

2. Skipping Breakfast

Skipping breakfast seems like a simple way to cut calories, but the result can be insatiable hunger the rest of the day. This may lead to unplanned snacking at the office and eating a super-size portion at lunch, making calorie counts soars. But breakfasts that are high in protein and fiber can reduce hunger throughout the day. In fact, studies show people who eat breakfast every morning are more likely to maintain a healthy weight.

3. Losing Track of Your Snacks

Maybe you count calories meticulously at every meal, but what about all those nibbles in between? There's the bag of pretzels at your desk, the little slice of cake at an office party, the taste of your son's ice cream cone. All of this mindless munching adds up and could sabotage an otherwise well-planned diet. If you're serious about counting calories, you may want to use a notebook to keep track of each bite.

4. Not Snacking at All

While mindless snacking can pad your waistline, thoughtful snacking may do just the opposite. People who eat several small meals and snacks a day are more likely to control hunger and lose weight. Snacking helps keep your metabolism in high gear, especially if the snacks are protein-rich. Nuts are a good, high-protein choice, and research suggests people who snack on nuts tend to be slimmer than those who don't.

5. Loading Up on Low-Fat

Low-fat products can play an important role in your diet. Just remember that low-fat isn't the same as low-calorie and it's not a license to take second and third helpings. If you pile your plate with low-fat cake, you may end up eating more calories than if you had a smaller slice of regular cake. The best way to know how much fat, sugar, and calories you're getting is to check the nutritional label.

6. Sipping Too Many Calories

When counting calories, many of us tend to overlook what's in our drinks. This is a big mistake when you consider that some fancy coffees and alcoholic beverages have more than 500 calories. Even the calories in fruit juice and soda can add up quickly. What's worse is that liquid calories don't curb hunger. You're not going to eat any less after a high-calorie drink.

7. Drinking Too Little Water

This is one of the simplest diet blunders to fix. Water is essential for burning calories. If you let yourself get dehydrated, your metabolism drags -- and that means slower weight loss. Research suggests adults who drink eight or more glasses of water per day burn more calories than those who drink less. So try adding a glass of water to every meal and snack.

8. Ditching Dairy

Full-fat milk, cheese, and ice cream are taboo for many dieters, but ditching dairy foods may be counterproductive. Some research suggests the body burns more fat when it gets enough calcium and produces more fat when it's calcium-deprived. Calcium supplements do not appear to yield the same benefits, so dairy may have other compounds at work as well. Stick to nonfat or low-fat dairy options.

9. Taking the Drive-Through Bait

The drive-through is convenient after a hectic day, and you can always order the salad or other healthier option. But once you're there, can you resist that milkshake or other treat? And if you allow yourself the ease of fast food once, it could become a habit. According to one long-term study, people who ate fast food more than twice a week gained 10 more pounds than those who had it less than once a week.

10. Weighing Yourself Every Day

Weighing yourself daily is a recipe for frustration and doesn't yield useful information. It's more important to look for a long-term trend with weekly weigh-ins. If your goal is to lose 1 or 2 pounds a week, you'll be satisfied to see those full-pound drops when you step on the scale. The result is more motivating than the confusing swings that may accompany daily weigh-ins.

11. Setting Unrealistic Goals

Telling yourself you'll lose 20 pounds your first week is probably setting yourself up for failure. If you know you won't be able to do it, you may never start your diet in the first place. If you diet and lose 5 pounds in a week, instead of celebrating, you may feel discouraged that you didn't reach your goal. A realistic goal is vital to successful dieting. If you're not sure what your goal should be, talk to a dietitian.

12. Avoiding Exercise

When you don't exercise, you place the entire burden of weight loss on your diet. If you become more active, you can eat more of the things you like -- and still lose weight. The key is finding an exercise you enjoy. If the treadmill seems tedious, try swimming, ballet, biking, or table tennis, all of which burn more calories than walking. Spend time at different activities until you find one you want to do on most days.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-diet-mistakes

*Butterfly

HAPPY EASTER

The Killer Heels

Ok girls. Being fabulous doesn't necessarily require wearing killer heels. Yet, of course, most of us loves wearing awesome high heeled shoes. It is an evergreen style statement indeed. Let us know the pros and cons.

PROS:


Looking Tall

Wearing heels help us increase the height by 3-5 inches to the maximum. This is helpful for, of course for "smaller" women. Women also feels smarter, more attractive and in a proper shape by wearing heels.

Be in Style

Obviously, high heels give a stylish look to the overall physical appearance of women. Nothing can look sexier with a mini fitting skirt than high heeled boots! It also adds style to the way you walk. It's a darn good thing to be looked/glanced a few times.

Good Body Posture

Heels help bring out an attractive posture. It also adds to the confidence of the women while carrying her self. For the first timers or those who aren't use to wearing heels, practice at home, to help you avoid possible awkwardness or embarassment when you actually go out.

Good Looking Legs

Heels make legs look longer and shapelier. Those who like to wear short skirts can make their legs look more gorgeous with the help of stunning heels.

Complementary to Clothes

More often, heels compliment the attractiveness of the clothes. Conical heels go well with the corporate attire. Pencil heels make the minis look more striking. Wearing platform heels with trousers or wide bottom jeans will give a cool look.


CONS

Heels and pain are sides of the same coin. Though women look lovely in heels, they have to suffer form many of its side-effects. Here is the list of bad effects of wearing heels.

Foot & Back Pain

No pain, no gain. Most of the women suffer foot pain after walking with high heels. High heels make the entire pressure of body concentrated on the feet. It also can lead even hip and back pain. However proper way of walking may help get rid of such back pain.

Difficulty in Walking

Walking long distance with high heels proves to be painful. Many women find it so difficult to walk with heels. Difficulty in walking may also increase chances of losing balance and falling while walking.


Yellowing and misshapenness

Concentrated body weight on the foot heels may make them harder and develop yellow patches on it. It may also cause misshapenness of your feet. To avoid this you can massage your feet regularly with oil or cream and proper foot care.

Leg Sprain

Major cases of leg sprain in women are caused due to high heels. It may be caused if the person is not used to wearing high heels. Try walking slowly and with extra care while wearing high heels. Try to avoid high heels if you are not using your own vehicle.
---

If women could decide collectively what shoes to wear, all might agree to forgot high heels. But because any individual can gain more advantage by wearing them, such an agreement might be hard to maintain.
Models are not exempted from falling. The heck, whenever you fall from wearing high heels, stand on your feet with pride. and say ...
"Can you do that?" =)

See Models falling :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgNttdd7UIc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSA3ydf06yg&feature=related



* Butterfly

An F-Mom Chronicle

Being a mom is an endless job, but fulfilling. And joining our kid's journey is one of the responsibilities of being a mother.

As a stranger in a foreign land (here in Italy), oftentimes my friends or acquaintances asked me about how my little one got into the fashion world. I always say, it's just "LUCK". Not everyday people stop and say "My compliments, your daughter is so beautiful". Whenever i hear those words from strangers whom i just bumped on streets or bus, tram or subways, i can't help but be so proud. "Thanks so much", i always reply. Remarks as, "She looks like a model", or "She should be in the magazine"..etc. I just smile. I didn't wish for it, honestly. Never even think she would be in this fashion world. Then again, i agree with the "LUCK" thing.

"I think i saw her somewhere..." phrases like this now are not new to me. With a smile, i reply, "Yes, she did appear in some magazines...". All these things makes me a proud mom, though it's not a walk in the park.

Think again. Modelling sounds fun, but never easy.

Here are some you need to know if you pursue your kid into the fashion world.

(Note that i am talking from the european point of view)

1. TIME COMMITMENT

Pursuing a modelling career for your kid will take a lot of your time and energy as well. You have to get your child to casting calls. Sometimes 2 or 3 day notice, or sometimes last minute call. Then you have to travel, have your child absent from school and have yourself be absent from work, too. If you are ready for these things, then go for it. I am luckier, i only have a part-time job now, so i have much time for my child. During her big job for a catalogue we have to be outside the city for 2 days, so being in a hotel and travelling far took me a lot of energy. Be prepared.

2. RIGHT ATTITUDE & DISCIPLINE

There can be a lot of waiting around during castings. As a parent, you have to be extra patient. You have to be as much as possible punctual to the castings/auditions or appointments. Plan ahead. Think of the traffic and make sure you know exactly how to get to the place fastly. I for instance, checked the place right away thru google map and if i have enough time, i go to the location first, one day before the casting so i won't be lost.

Be patient too about your kid. My daughter's only 1 year old and 10 months when she met the fashion world. She doesn't have any idea at all (nor am i) of the how-to's, so expect the child to cry, starve and show impatience. They're kids! Find a way to make them feel it's like a fun game. Be ready to diverse the child. I always bring some coloring books or toys for my daughter, at least she won't be annoyed for the long wait.

3. FINDING AN AGENCY

This is the hardest part. There are hundreds of modelling agencies around. Be informed well. Ask someone trusted, like fotographers, make up artists, moms with child models, etc. Some good and big agencies will ask for the required registration fees, it's just policy. And some won't ask, better! But if an agency ask a payment of 300-500euro, TURN and RUN! It's not worth it. The normal rate for commission is 20%. The child is paid (usually in 3 months from the date of the job) minus the commission.

It may take a few attempts to find an agency that thinks your child has what it takes.

If an agency is interested in representing your child, read any contract carefully and be sure you understand the terms. Also make sure the agency is licensed and bonded.

Lucky enough i found the right one! Zendra is currently on an exclusive contract withhttp://www.piccolissimo.me/ for 10 years, but with a special clause in her contract that she can also accept works from her old agent http://www.petitmodel.it/.

4. PHOTOS

Agencies sometimes provide a fotoshoot to provide photos for the child's portfolio. Some may refer professional photographers or studios for a nice foto. Obviously the agency will use the foto to represent your child. Think again of the expenses. You can't just have a foto by paying cents. It will cost a lot, as part of the commitment to this endeavor.

Don't ask me how much a professional fotoshoot costs =). Kidding!

Here are three of the best photographers that models prefer. My fave is the first one!

http://www.2clickphoto.com/

http://zhannaromashka.com/

http://www.photoscaglia.com/

5. CLOTHES, SHOES & ACCESSORIES

Much as you would invest on fotos, you would of course invest more on clothes, shoes and accessories. Fotoshoots doesn't mean just posing. To look good, it means wearing fashionable wardrobes, so be ready to have your budget.

From this reason that i have been sweeping unique shops and branded stores for kids. I become a window-shoppa-holic! =) being informed with the dates of sale helps.

6. CASTING CALLS

Hopefully, your phone will ring and the agent will tell you, "there's a casting" for your child. There are different types of casting.

Request casting, means the client knows the specific look they want -- a 5-year-old girl, with blonde hair, for example -- and invites only kids who meet that criteria. These calls are usually well-organized with minimal waiting.

Open castings are a different story. They can be very crowded, since many different agencies send all of their clients who fit the call. There have been times when my daughter and i checked in and were the 500th or so. Think about that wait. I always let my daughter play with some kids her age. Since we've started castings, she became more sociable.

Some tips during castings: don't bring stroller as much as you could. if the room is crowded, it would take up a lot of space. Chances are, kids will bump into it, and some moms will have their "faces" at you. Second, don't bring the whole family. Your child is the only important person to be there. She might get conscious too when everybody's around. Plus, the castings always request for 1 person per child, as much as possible to avoid overcrowding. And lastly, don't hover your child as the photographer is working with him/her. The photographer wants to see that your child can be separated from you and pose independently.

7. DIRECT BOOKING

The best thing is when your child has been booked for a job directly from the photo presented by the agency, avoiding the casting call. fortunately, the very first job by my daughter for the magazine cover was a direct booking. The store owner contacted directly and i was so excited! Fotoshoot was scheduled right away when i said yes! I can't described how proud i am of my daughter. She has just turned 2 years old then.

8. HANDLING REJECTION

If your child doesn't get the project, do not get discouraged! Keep in mind the casting director may have wanted a certain look or that your child was the wrong size for the job. Being "optional" is an irky thing because it's like 50-50 chance your child will get the job or not. Oftentimes, it ended up to "no-job". My daughter had so many options before. So, from then on, if they called my daughter as "optional", i didn't hope anymore. But of course, LUCK is always a big factor.

It is imperative that older children understand that if they are not chosen, it does not mean they are not good enough or pretty enough. It simply means that the casting director wanted a girl with blonde hair or a boy with freckles. Make sure your child is emotionally able to handle rejection because that is part of the job.

So that's it. Some points to ponder when you get into the fashion scene. Our kids might have their own roads to conquer. One could have been a swimmer, singer, dancer, actor/actress, model, or any other side jobs, but the most important thing is, we, as parents, as mothers (who take more of this mom-duty) are always there to support them morally, spiritually, mentally, psychologically and of course, financially. As long as they enjoy what they are doing, let's join them!

Goodluck to us!

*Butterfly

Wardrobe Essentials of an F Girl

As much as we want to, and as hard as we wish, our budget cannot afford all the nice outfits, accessories and thingmajigs from all our favorite shops.  As a F girl, we want.....we need to.... be fabulous, yet we know we cannot abscond our lifetime savings to get that "IT" bag, because we are responsible women, mothers and daughters.  We know our priorities, right?  So, how do we remain Stylish yet remain sticking to our budget? What are the wardrobe essentials we can invest on, that we can use on and on...like a work horse?
Things that do not go out of style. Invest in these.  Do not hesitate to buy the pricey ones, afterall,  this will be the most used items in our wardrobe, it will be worth it.

1.  The Little Black Dress - need i say more?  elegance at it's simplest. 
2.  The White Polo Shirt - preferable slim fit, one that you can tucked-in
3.  The Sexy Blue Jeans that shapes your behind -- in bootleg, to make our legs look longer, and Hipster, so it doesn't look like Mommy's Jeans.
4.  The Skinny Black Jeans - in very black, black color
5.  A Beige Trench Coat - for those in cold places
6.  Long Slim Black Skirt reaching the ankles - for tall ladies, the electric pleats style are nice.
7.  Black Pencil Skirt
8.  Black leggings
9.  Plain black t-shirt
10. Plain White t-shirt
11. Sexy Black Short Shorts
12.  Classic black Winter Jacket / Trench 


Now, having all those above... let's treat it as the canvass, that we will playfully, drape, color, magnify using these accessories.

1.  A Classic Investment Bag (something we have splurged on.  Go for the big names. LV, Prada,Channel, Hermes..save up for it).  Every girl deserves a classic designer bag, once in her lifetime! Go for it!)

2.  Cheap Trendy Bags in the latest color (2012's color is Tangerine Tango)

3.  Scarves in nice, unique patterns

4.  Statement Cocktail Rings

5. Necklaces with Oomph

6. Belts - wide, thin, colored

7. Shoes - boots, flats, stilletoes, kitty .... play with it!

8. Sunglasses - bumblebee, aviators...

Except the classic designer bags, much of the accessories mentioned, can be bought cheaply.  It's not the cost but the style! I get my finds in the tianngges, bazaars and when I get a chance to travel, I scout in the unique shops.

Chances are, you will be the only person having it....... rather than say, buying from Forever 21 or H&M ..... where everyone has been there and know the prices of what you're wearing :))  Trust me, if you know.... they would know too!

Stay Stylish everyone!

xoxo,

ripemango

The 4-Letter Magic Word: SALE

We have to admit, shopping is fun. It doesn't matter if we buy or just look. Shopping is sometimes a stress releaser. And what more if it's SALE season!
But, before anything else, BE INFORM. First, know when the sales start. Logically, the earlier you are, the more options you have. As you enter the store, scan the room. Start at one end of the racks and gradually weave your way through them. At large sales (department stores or warehouses), taking the time to examine each individual piece of clothing would irk even the most patient shopper. You do not need to touch everything. If you like something, or think you may like something, GRAB IT!
You may not see it again.

Sale items are generally from previous seasons, make sure to purchase items that reflect the current trends but do not exclusively follow them. Just because a store has significant amount of apparel on sale, does not mean you have to purchase a new wardrobe. Try to find a few pieces you like. If you don't, you didn't fail. Maybe there was just a bad selection.

Lastly, consider your budget. Make sure you are ready for the shopping. You don't need to purchase anything on 80%, just to save. You might end up buying unneccessary things. Shopping is something that should not have control over us.

With patience (and practice as well),  and a little luck, anyone can be a master shopper during sale. However, we have to admit, LUCK plays a major role. But when you find something you love and it happens to be on sale, it just might be magical.

HAPPY SHOPPING!

*Butterfly