AN AFFAIR WITH YOUR HAIR

Need a lift from the mid-winter low? A new do could get the job done! Remember the "Rachael" in the 90's? Reese Witherspoon's post divorce bangs? And last year's sexy "Rihanna" bob? A brilliant hair do could be your secret weapon to a killer look! And when you look good, you feel good too - yes! Even in this deadly sad weather!

If you've had the same hair cut for years, it's time to have an affair with a head of new hair! Messy pixie, romantic waves, or even streaks of face-contouring highlights...Whatever you prefer.

This kind of cheating is never guilty, only gorgeous.

Have an affair with your hair, and bring some fun into the boring winter air!

MOISTURIZE IN THE MILE HIGH

Especially during the holidays, flying across the U.S to see family is unavoidable for hubby and I. After a few years, traveling light has become our forte. However light we prefer to travel, one thing that ALWAYS makes into my one backpack is moisturizer or lotion.

Up in the mile high, a commercial airplane cabin usually lacks moisture. Due to prevention of air frame corrosion, air that travels into the cabin through the engine usually goes through device called an Air Conditioning Pack that cools the air and also takes out its moisture. The dry air then circulates the cabin at 50% rate to enable efficiency. Basically, you get pretty dehydrated when you fly.

Besides asking for water, apply moisturizer and save your skin! Also, dabbing on lotion to your hands and elbows can prevent dryness too.

Flying is still a great way to travel, especially if you live far from the people you love. But you don't have to sacrafice your skin. All you need is one small minute and moisturize. And when you step off your flight, you can impress the people you haven't seen in a long time with how wonderful you look, just like how they always remembered.

WHAT'S VICTORIA'S SECRET?

Victoria has a secret and I can't wait to find out. With their semi annual, nation wide sale coming soon, I better get started.

Did you know that Victoria's Secret was started by a guy? And a smart guy he was, but really shy when he was getting his significant female other lingerie. With hopes to minimize other men's discomfort of buying lingerie for their girlfriends or wives in department stores, he opened the first Victoria's Secret store, a much more personal shopping environment for intimates with helpful staff and special-made products.

With his genius concept of a personalized lingerie store (I know, it's a girlie girl's dream, oddly dreamed up by some dude), he popularized the brand by mail orders and sold his expanding business to the Limited only 5 years later.

Now, just about every woman in the United States has Victoria's Secret somewhere in their closet. The company is known for its genius engineering in female intimates, luxurious beauty products, and the most glamorous models and runway shows we have ever witnessed.

In fact, the newest Victoria's Secret fashion show was just on TV last night, and I nearly dropped my jaws seeing the goddess-like models strut on the run way.

Alright, I may never find out Victoria's Secret. In fact, Victoria probably doesn't have a secret. But it sure makes a great name for a lingerie store. I do think it's sweet that this guy, the inventor of the original Victoria's Secret store, turned his love and thoughtfulness for the girl he loved into the perfect business concept.

See? Do what you love and the money will come. For him, it all started with love. Perhaps that is the best secret of all.

THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING

Not sure when I started to wear my knee high boots? But once I started, I can't stop! Sexy, warm and statement-making, my boots are the perfect accessories for cold weather outfits. Or actually, ANY outfit! Whether paired with a lovely wool skirt for work, or worn over skinny denim, they never fail to make a fashionable statement!

For me, I especially like them in the rainy Seattle winter. Stepping over the wet ground with my boots is much better than staining and wetting expensive work pants.

Ever heard of the statement "If the shoe fits, wear them"? Well, the statement goes for boots too. And yes, these boots are made for walking. But they are also made to make you, my girlie girl friend, look sexy, fashionable and so amazing!

BROWN EYED GIRLS

On Halloween, I hosted a small pre-party and had some friends over. Of course, the girls bonded over make up and dress up. One of the guests, a work friend, I see everyday. But until I did her make up, I never realized how mesmerizing her big, brown eyes were. For me, a girlie girl who LOVES make overs and such, HAD to play up those beautiful eyes!

One way to perform the task of playing up brown eyes is choosing a contrasting shade. Because her skin color was also dark, an earth toned shadow would be too competitive of a color. So our options were a light shimmery lilac for the brow bone, and a dark shade of violet for the lids and just a tiny sliver on the crease.

Plus extending her lashes with a few rounds of the blackest mascara and POP her eyes became!

Although any color that's purple, violet, lilac or such appear intimidating and adventurous, they do contrast brown eyes the best. When done correctly, these colors are as pretty as they sound.

I hope my friend will someday do her own share of playing up her beautiful brown eyes, however lovely she may already be.

PUFFY EYES? POOF! THEY ARE GONE!

I love when my friends request subjects to (girlie) blog about. This time? "How to rid of puffiness under your eyes?"

First let's look at the cause. If puffiness is not the result of some allergic reaction, chances they come from fluid retention. A long term cure could be eating less salty foods and sleeping with your head propped up to prevent blood circulating around your eyes. An extra pillow maybe? And of course, get enough sleep. That is always the BEST remedy.

If you are already seeing puffiness under your eyes in the morning, anything cold is a sure cure!

If you have time, dip tea bags (green tea is most excellent) in hot water and put the bags in the freezer. Once chilled, smooth bags on each eye for a few minutes. Not only does the chill deflate your puff, the caffeine helps with wrinkles.

However, if you are stressed on time, I suggest you ALWAYS keep a couple of metal spoons in the freezer. Lay the convex part of the spoons over your eye sockets and let set for a couple of minutes. Frozen spoons work because they are still cold, but do not give you freezer burns like an ice cube does.

Another and probably the most famous method to try? You guess it! Cucumber slices! They are cold, they are soothing and they are natural.

I hope all the suggestions helped. Remember, there are plenty of quick fixes, but the best is a long term life style change. Drink plenty of water, eat less salt and get all the sleep you can!

WHEN IT COMES TO BELTS, GO BIG!

Long tops are everywhere, and they are not going anywhere soon. From flowing flower blouses to subtle-colored knits, they have invaded our closets with a bang of staying power. However, any Girlie Girl knows that no outfit is complete without the most complimentary accessories. And the best accessory for those fashionable long tops you have are belts, big ones!

Belts have come a long way from functional to fashionable. And these big, thick belts, paired with a long top, are not only eye catching but also accentuate the waist - a great combination of function and fashion in one single accessory.

At first they may be intimidating. It took me a while to try them on. But once I wore them I couldn't stop. And if you haven't yet, I highly recommend you take the chance to become just as attached to these fashionable big belts as I did.

THE GIRLIE BLOG RECOMMENDS: NEUTROGENA MICROMIST AIRBRUSH SUNLESS TAN

In your thirties, you start seeing sun damage on your skin. Dark spots, uneven skin tone and crow's feet are just among the many symptoms. They are also the reason why I significantly cut down trips to the tanning booth, and I suggest you do the same. But fear not for your amazing bronze! The latest sunless products are not only easy to use, they actually give you a real tan, as in no strange orange coloring and no unsightly streaking.

In my bathroom, there is always a bottle of Neutrogena Micro Mist Airbrush Sunless Tan. The micro mist sprays on evenly and in about two to four hours your skin settles into a beautiful bronze.

For just about ten dollars, this sunless tanning tool is sold just about anywhere. Now you can look good without the risk of skin problems. What a treat!