Pregnancy Workout - Get Your Cardio On!

You are pregnant, not dead. Get out and get your cardio on. It's great exercise for pregnant women.

As long as you don't exhaust yourself, you can do whatever you want. Of course, a growing belly hinders you from exercising like you used to. But don't let that stop you from doing at least something.

When your belly is too big to run anymore, jog. When you are too big to jog, walk. Being active is the best way to feel like your old self and have a healthy pregnancy.

Getting my stretch on before a sunny jog.

Looking forward to hitting my normal route - run, jog or walk.

 

Trust me. An active pregnancy workout feels much better than lounging on the couch.

 

Do you have any pregnancy workout(s) to share?

 

Pregnancy Fashion - A Shapeless Dress

Dressing a growing belly is like shooting a moving target -- belly grows exponentially each day, you never know what fits at the moment. Finding the right pregnancy fashion takes both patience and creativity.

My one shapeless dress certainly proves useful right now, because it has room to fill -- and fill it I did.

This is how I normally wear a shapeless dress -- with a belt to create a waist.

A red belt added contrast to basic black and white.

Now, I wear it as is. And it works just as well.

This is how the dress normally looks like.

Belly actually gave the dress a shape - round :O)

Very happy that I can still fit in something pretty.

I often thought of giving this shapeless dress away. So glad I kept it for another pregnancy.

Any other suggestions for pregnancy fashion? Choices are getting slim, so I am all ears.

Blogging Tips Weekly - Niche Market Blog vs. Niche Audience Blog

You are creating a blog. Should you follow everyone else's online marketing strategy and make it a niche market blog?

Two Types of Blogs, Not One

I once received an unsolicited advice on making Girlie Blog Seattle more of a niche market. Though it was a subtle and well-intentioned suggestion, it was still annoying to be told what to do. Especially when the person isn't an avid blogger herself, and doesn't know that there are two types of niches -- a niche market and a niche audience.

Though a niche market blog is more well-known and great for marketing on the internet, a niche audience blog has its own appeal. 

The decision of creating a blog for a niche market or a niche audience should be up to the actual blogger, and not up to anyone else.

Niche market blogs and niche audience blogs are like apples and oranges. You can't really compare the two.

 

Difference Between Niche Market and Niche Audience

Niche market blogs need no introduction. They are written for a certain niche, like wedding photography or iPhone app making. They are usually written by people who know the subject well, and are usually go-to places for others interested in the same niche.

Niche market blogs are also great for marketing on the internet, for products that fit the niche.

Niche audience blogs are less common. They are blogs that cater to a certain type of audience. Examples are mom blogs or lifestyle blogs. They don't focus on a particular subject, but rather a particular audience.

A lot of niche audience blogs also do well with marketing on the internet, because of the demographic they reach. 

So, Which One is Better?

Honestly, both types of blogs do well, as long as they are well-written and do not defect from focus.

The Lacquer Tracker, for example, is a wonderful niche market blog. It focuses on nail polish only, and doesn't have other types of posts.

A Cup of Jo, which many of you are familiar with, is a niche audience blog. It includes various categories, including motherhood, New York hot spots, hair tutorials, and other types of women's interest. It is written by a New York city mom, and attracts cool girls just like her, or those who want to be like her.

A Cup of Jo has over 33,000 followers, over 10 displayed sponsors, a page rank of 6, and no niche market at all.

Enjoying a late night cup of jo.

It's All Up to You

You are creating a blog. Will you make it niche market or niche audience?

I say it's all up to you. And if your initial choice of a niche audience blog doesn't work out, you can always splinter it into different niche market blogs. 

In your blogging "career," you will meet people who feel entitled to critique your technique and provide unwanted advice. At the end of the day, however, it's still your blog -- your product. So do what you feel comfortable with.

When it comes to your blog, do what makes you happy.

What type of blog do you prefer? Niche market or niche audience?

Best Self Tanner - LORAC SelfTANtalizer Review (Beauty Blog Post)

Want golden skin but don't feel like baking in the sun? Many girlie girls resort to self tanners. However, even the best tanning lotion on the market can leave your skin streaky or orange. 

I received LORAC SelfTantalizer from Funny Face Beauty a few months ago, and recently started using it. This self tanner gradually builds your tan with each use, giving you natural color.

I have used a lot of brands before, but LORAC SelfTantalizer is really one of the best self tanners out there. Read on to find out why.

LORAC SelfTANtalizer Review

 

Overall Quality

• This self tanner delivered a slight increase in color with each use. Result looked subtle, not harsh.
• Color did not rub off on clothes.

 

Formula

• Formula was runny. I didn't like that. But it was easy to even out, and dried in mere seconds.

Formula runs a bit, but it's not super messy.

At first, the formula will feel watery. But it blends well as you gently rub it out.

Color

• LORAC SelfTantalizer provided a beautiful coat of golden tan. It looked natural and healthy.

 

The streak in the middle, which is what I just applied, dried after a few seconds. Color is a natural tan.

 

Lasting Power

• Color did not fade over night. 
• A tan built up gradually, making color last longer.

 

Packaging

• Flip top was easy to use and store away.
• Gorgeous gold and brown colored bottle. It definitely resembles a luxurious self tanner.

Flip top made it easy to use and store.

Likes

• Beautiful color.
• Awesome lasting power.
• Delicious vanilla smell.
• Formula excludes paraben.
• Product also came with a mitten, making application so easy and smooth.

The mitten makes formula simple to apply.

Dislikes

• Runny formula was annoying.
• Price is high. A 5 oz. bottle retails for $34.

 

Overall Rating

4/5

Re-Purchase?

Yes.

Though LORAC SelfTantalizer cost a lot of money, the end result is worth it, and I certainly think it's one of the best self tanners in stores. 

Who wouldn't pay for a beautiful tan?

 

Do you use self tanners?

What is the best self tanner you have used?

Two Toned Eye Makeup How To With Clinique Eye Shadows

I received a gorgeous Clinique Makeup Palette (see picture below) as a part of a Clinique Gift Set. 

Isn't this palette exquisite?

With the makeup palette came a pair of Clinique eye shadow colors -- a deep purple and a light mauve. The two shades are from Clinique's "Come Heather Trio."

Dark purple and soft mauve made such a pretty combo.

A quick swatch of the two colors.

Many eye makeup are created by using at least three colors. But today, I am attempting an eye makeup how to with just these two Clinique eye shadow shades. The look I am creating is soft day time. 

Hope you like it.

 Two Toned Eye Makeup How To

(with Clinique Eye Shadows)

Step 1

Line eyes with an eye liner. 

Using: Almay I-intense eye liner in black.

 Step 2

Apply dark purple shade onto your lids. Stop at the crease.

 

Step 3

Using a blending brush, apply soft mauve color all over lid. Blend well with the dark purple.

Makeup tip: to look natural, blending is key.

Step 4

Add mascara, blush and lip gloss.

You are done.

See? Wasn't that simple?

Together, purple and mauve look soft and easy for day time.

Keeping the rest of the face neutral is a great way to play up your eyes.

 

Who knew that purple and mauve make such a wonderful eye makeup combo?

What colors do you use for day time?

Blogging Tips Weekly - Are Your Being Yourself?

Fellow beauty and fashion bloggers are GORGEOUS! I'm talking Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian gorgeous. Some of them can reel in hundreds of readers by posting a few self portraits. 

Think Kim K's gorgeous? You should see some beauty and fashion bloggers.

 

Beauty and Fashion Heavy Hitters

Eki of Ekiblog, for example, is a film makeup artist. She looks like an anime character. (Please read her latest post on Julep Nail Care. I am a big fan of her website.) And don't get me started on Annabelle of Vivaluxury and Linda of Moonon. They look like runway models and can wear no wrong. 

Additionally, working in the beauty and fashion industry, these bloggers have both the experience and equipment to get noticed.

Feeling Insecure

Blogging in the same realm as these heavy hitters can feel intimidating. Sometimes -- and I see other beauty and fashion bloggers do it -- I really want to copy their style.

But as you all know, what works for one blogger doesn't work for another. Just because Ms. Vivaluxury looks good in high fashion and leggy poses doesn't mean I'll emanate the same effect as a replicate. 

Plus, while these bloggers have cameras that cost a few grand, I have a 5-year-old Sony Cybershot and an iPhone -- the only equipment I can afford right now.

All bloggers are different, and there is no point in trying to be unanimously the same.

 

Find Your Best Assets

Like what multi millionaire Barbara Corcoran said in her book, "wear pigtails." 

No, it wasn't a beauty advice. What she meant was to be your (best) self -- find your most valued assets and play them up.

Real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran might not have been the sexiest blond, but she sure was the smartest.

 

Barbara Corcoran's Pigtail Story

When Barbara was 20, she worked at a diner with another waitress who looked like a playboy model. The other waitress always got better tips. Instead of stuffing her bra and piling on makeup to look like her co-worker, Barbara played up what worked for her. 

Barbara wasn't ever going to be a bombshell, but she was petite, witty and blond. So she put her goldie locks in pig tails and charmed customers with smart conversations. In no time, she also walked away with lots of tips.

Later she applied the same method in business, and grew a 1000-dollar loan into Manhattan's biggest mortgage company.

 

So, What Are Your Best Assets Anyway?

If you don't know what your best assets are, ask around. I'm sure your family and friends can give you plenty of insights.

A college friend told me that she liked how I am approachable. So I focus this blog on its approachable tone. That is why I always smile in fashion posts, and promote casual clothing. So what if I own a crappy camera, and don't do serious sexy poses? I am your average girl-next-door, the one you are likely to become friends with, and that's what I'll emphasize.

I'll never be high fashion, and I'll never be hot. But I will always be your friendly girl-next-door.

We Like You Just The Way You Are

Hey you -- It's okay to feel intimidated by fellow beauty and fashion bloggers. But please don't lose yourself by trying to be someone else. The best way to keep readers coming back is to offer them an authentic you. 

The next time you feel insecure, just remember -- we like you just the way you are.

 What are your best assets?

How do you play them up?

A Special Thanks to Fellow Beauty and Fashion Bloggers and $50 Starbucks Gift Card Winner

To Fellow Beauty and Fashion Bloggers,

We have been made fun of numerous times for building beauty and fashion blogs -- I know I have. We have endured nasty comment(s) and harassing messages. But we keep going because our passion for writing, blogging, and making positive connections cannot be defeated.

While haters are busy hating, we are developing communication, technical, design, organizational and entrepreneurial skills. 


Thank you! To all of you. Thank you for your wonderful blogs, your kind comments and support, and your courage to put yourselves out there.


Sincerely,

Girlie Blogger in Seattle :O)

 

Giveaway Winner

Remember this shiny, little gift card from Starbucks? It's the prize of my 1000 GFC followers giveaway. 

Now, I have 1015 followers, and growing :O)

The gift card now belongs to Aya of Diary of a Fashionista. Congrats on your win!

 

Thanks for Participating!

Thank you to all who participated! 

This was my personal giveaway, with my own money, and not some company sponsorship. I did it to appreciate all my readers, followers and supporters over the past four years on Beauty Fashion Blog - Girlie Blog Seattle.

Not only has blogging been a wonderful hobby and learning experience, it has given me an opportunity to connect with like-minded women who are strong, positive and intelligent.

Let's continue to grow our amazing community!

Clinique Lip Gloss (Long Last Glosswear) Review

Shiny and pearly -- don't you love how lip gloss looks?

I was lucky to have caught Clinique Skin Care's giveaway at Nordstrom, and received a Clinique lip gloss (Long Last Glosswear, to be exact) as a part of a Clinique skin care gift package. This particular lip gloss is in color "mystic," a soft, grape-y tint. I was excited to try it out and share my experience.

A few people told me that Clinique lip gloss are the best lip gloss in beauty. Let's see if they are correct or not?

Clinique long last glosswear lip gloss in "mystic."

 

Clinique Long Last Glosswear Lip Gloss Review

Lip Gloss Formula

• This Clinique lip gloss has a rich formula that felt thick on the lips -- a little too thick for my comfort.
• One single application gave enough coverage.
• Formula looked super shiny and consistent.

Nice and thick. The formula is lush and rich.

Color

• Beautiful soft purple color that matches most skin tones.
• The tint wasn't too heavy or too light. It looked perfect.

Lasting Power

• Again, formula was thick, so lip gloss was packed with lasting power.
• Compared to others I have tried, Clinique lip gloss stayed on longer as far as color goes.
• Its veil of shine, however, disappeared after a short time, as I like to lip my lips.

Overall Quality

• By its rich formula alone, I can tell that Clinique lip gloss is no ordinary gloss. It's super rich, super shiny, and contains consistent formula.
• The overall quality of this product is pretty high.

Packaging

• Twist top was easy to use. Packaging looked simple. No problem there.

A simple twist top applicator is always the best.

Likes

• Beautiful color. So glad it suited Asian skin.
• Long lasting power.
• Fragrance free and SPF 15 are always a plus.

Dislikes

• Although a thick formula is nice, it felt too gooey for me.

 

Overall Rating

4/5

Re-purchase?

No. But only because a regular tube cost about $15 at department stores. I honestly believe some drugstore brands can deliver the same quality, if not better.

A close up at the lip gloss.

With the rest of the face. I like how "Mystic" is a becoming color for yellow skin.

 The best lip gloss? I think not.

But Clinique Long Last Lip Gloss did well enough.

Have you tried it? Did you think it deserves the "best lip gloss" title?