BareFootMommiesGiftGuide.com

Here’s a little free beauty advice: You are the most beautiful woman that has ever walked this earth. You are a veritable goddess who reigns over her domain with a luster and shine that other woman have only dreamed about. You are a princess. You are a queen. You are an empress. Your beauty warms your domain like the sun warms the land. Your beauty illuminates the sky far brighter than any star. Beauty tip experts will tell you the single most important aspect to your beauty is your own knowledge that you are beautiful.

Three completely free beauty tips. Look in the mirror and notice what a beautiful eye color you have. Stand in front of a full length mirror and admire three things about your figure. Take pictures of yourself with your digital camera or web cam, and create that portfolio of you – and a little more beauty advice here: admire that portfolio often, add to it whenever you can.

No you are not conceited. You are the reason you are beautiful… or you are the reason you are not beautiful.

The natural beauty tips we all need to start with our own self esteem and self-image. Beauty starts right at home – in your heart and soul. If you look in the mirror and see only your faults, or see nothing but faults, you will portray them, knowingly or unknowingly. Reverse that bad habit – start seeing all the things that are right with your own natural beauty.

Now onto some more beauty advice. Walk across a room in your heels and favorite skirt or dress: your shoulders are thrown back, your head is held high, your hair and skin are glowing. You feel good. You look good. Your smile radiates out to all that gaze upon you. (even if it is only the sofa and chair – shine for them). You are a Super Model. And you look it every step of the way.

Now that you feel like a million bucks – you look like a million bucks.

You are ready for some more free beauty tips. Make putting on your face creams, lotions, perfumes and make up a luxurious experience. Set your bathroom or bedroom up so that you feel pretty when you go in it. Make sure you have good lighting – not too harsh, not too different from the lighting that you are normally in. Have your favorite beverage. Experience the moment of beautifying yourself.

One final Beauty tip: Enjoy yourself when you are putting on all the things that you have found that work especially well for you. Smile at yourself as you do your creams and foundations. Remember, you are the empress of your own domain. You are the most Beautiful Woman. It all begins with your attitude.

The Beautiful Woman in the Mirror

Cassandra George Sturges M.A., M.A., Psy.D

She didn’t know I was looking. And I had never seen her before. I was bewildered by the suppleness of her moist skin and the contrast of the darkness of the areola surrounding the nipples of her full breasts in contrast to the rest of her body. Her tummy bulged with sexiness, I had never seen on any other woman before; and her hips and thighs were round, mature and graceful. I found myself mercifully staring in disbelief. Her eyes were engaging and innocent. And her lips invited me to stay. “Who is she?,” I wondered to myself as I studied her reflection in the mirror.

While on a business trip in another state, my soul reveled in its new surrounding. My hotel chamber was exquisitely decorated, room service was exceptional, and the only thing I had forgotten to bring with me — was my self. The self who instinctively knew where all of my body’s flaws were hidden and each morning she effortlessly reminded me of each one. Even though I was away from home, she was still there making sure that the children were cared for and the bills were paid. This is the self whom I had always depended on and she had never lied to me.

She never meant to hurt me. The purpose of her criticisms was to chisel me into the image of beauty approved of by society. “When you lose weight — you can buy this dress–you can have that man and I’ll even throw in the job you have been dying for,” she would sternly, but gently whisper in my ear. I believed her. She helped me find creative ways to put my dreams on hold and quiet my desires. I missed her voice of reason. I needed her advice, because the presence of the beautiful woman in the mirror looked like me, and she didn’t look like any other woman I have ever known. If indeed this woman in the mirror was me, then I had no idea of who I was.

Contrary to me, the woman in the mirror was sensuous, bold and confident. Unclad, unadorned and undisguised she was certain of her femininity. The mirror reflected but only her body; no make-up, no earrings, no shoes and no clothing; yet nothing was missing. With nothing she appeared complete, and I envied her. Whereas, my beauty was assembled by garments, accessories and perfumes and without these, I felt bare and unattractive. I was daunted, though aroused by her immodesty and the way she freely exposed herself in front of me. I wanted her to be me. I longed to hear the same music that propelled her to passionately sway as if she believed in herself. I desperately needed to feel what she was feeling and see what she was seeing.

“Who are you!,” I boldly insisted as tears streamed down my face. Her silence forced me to listen as I watched my trembling hand wipe the tears from my eyes. I beseeched her to answer my plea for acceptance. “Has anyone ever told you that you have beautiful hands, mystical eyes and a pleasing smile,” the reflection murmured to me. Spellbound and mesmerized by her beauty, I let her take my hand on a guided tour of my body. My fingers fumbled as they explored previously forbidden places. Places marred by cellulite, stretch marks and blemishes. Places I was reluctant to ever let anyone see or feel because I was so ashamed and embarrassed by its imperfections. I trusted the beautiful woman in the mirror and I let her take me there. I discovered that my body was radiant, soft and lovely. It was me as I had never seen me before. I held a mental picture of the beautiful woman in the mirror close to my heart.

Upon returning to town, I was eager to share my experience with the woman in the mirror with the self I had left at home. We were going to start a new, more exciting life together, I promised. I was going to tell her of our plans to buy new clothes and finally go to the mall for a makeover. Monday morning I would enroll in the ballet class we dreamed about. But, when I tried to tell her; she was always too busy, too weary and too tired to listen.

She couldn’t hear me because she longed to see her beauty reflected through the eyes of others. I was anxious to let her know that she is perfect just the way she is, if only she could see herself through her own eyes and not the clouded vision constructed by others. I wanted her to know that her true beauty would never be seen in the eyes of others, unless it was reflected from within her own soul. Sometimes when the world is quiet and her mind is free, I still invite her to glimpse the beautiful woman in the mirror.

Gift Guide for New Babies (and their parents)

Even people who don’t enjoy shopping often like buying baby gifts. Miniature-sized booties, mittens, and outfits are adorable! But, how practical are they? Here is one new mom’s perspective on practical do’s and don’ts for your next baby shower event.

If you’re buying clothes:
a) Pay attention to how they come off. There will inevitably be many, many diaper changes. The outfit is a lot more likely to get good mileage if the nervous new parents don’t have to go wriggle a fragile little head in and out of cute clothes ten times a day. Robes, gowns, kimonos, and front snap tees are great. Practical doesn’t have to mean boring – there are a lot of stylish options out there!
b) Be mindful of the weather. Don’t get summery clothes in the 0-3 month size if the baby is born in the dead of winter. Chances are, as cute as they may be, the baby will outgrow them long before he or she gets a chance to wear them. If it’s rainy, rain gear will be very much appreciated to protect the delicate newborn.
c) Size matters. Newborn clothes only fit for a short time unless the baby is particularly small or a preemie. So, don’t buy too many of the wee sizes. Baby showers often result in too many little clothes, and by the time the baby is six months old, the parents are rushing to buy new ones. A nice gift may be a range of sizes for the baby’s first year.

If you’re looking for non-clothing options:
a) A keepsake. The baby won’t be able to see what you got for quite some time, and chances are that by then, it will have been passed on to someone else. So, get something special for the baby that he or she can uncover years later, and maybe even pass on to their children some day. If the baby is someone close, give something from your own childhood with a hand-written note. A sterling silver item is also a great choice. Wishwrap has some fun options like a silver spoon, silver rattle, or silver teddy bank. A blanket or quilt, like Wishwrap’s Cuddly Baby Blanket, is another precious gift with great longevity – just make sure it’s machine washable! A cashmere baby blanket may be luxurious, but it’s totally impractical.
b) An offbeat theme gift. A swimsuit and water toys could be a great gift for a new baby. A little library that grows with the baby is another fun option. This might include books and CDs that the baby can enjoy as he or she gets older.
c) A “non-thing”. New parents are inundated with necessary “things” that come with a new baby. A car seat, crib, new clothes, diapers, toys, etc., etc. The list can be quite daunting. Give a gift that will ‘disappear’ after it’s used. Meals that can be frozen for last-minute use are a great help. If the baby will be in cloth diapers, a local diaper service is a great gift. Offer your time to watch the baby so that the parents can sneak out for a short film or even a nice long walk. Housecleaning with a chemical-free service or a massage for the new mom may be other great gifts that will ultimately benefit the baby and the parents!
d) Money. New babies are expensive. As they get older, they get more and more so. Cash is always a welcome gift. If you give cold, hard cash, make it thoughtful with a hand-written note that designates it for a specific purpose. Or, give a gift certificate to Wishwrap with a personalized wish from you. You can always get the baby a gift of stocks or bonds, or open a College Savings account for the baby. Many states have tax-free plans for education.

New babies are precious. Celebrate their arrival with a special gift that’s thoughtful and meaningful. Use the tips above, and be sure that your gift will be something that’s cherished by the parents too.