Merry Christmas: Holiday Giveaway Winner!!

Merry Christmas to all! I hope all of you are enjoying time spent with loved ones.

I wanted to take a quick moment and announce the lucky winner of the Gold Coast Necklace by PeaceImages. Thanks to all who submitted entries and who support my blog.  I wish I could give a necklace to you all.  I had to redraw a new winner since I didn't get a response from the initial winner. Here is a new screenshot of the results.

The winner is Jacqueline (#104) and she has claimed her prize!!!! Congrats!

Natural Skin Care Remedies: Oil Cleansing Method

The oil cleansing method is a great way to naturally cleanse your skin.  It really has worked for me for the last year especially during the winter months.  I have very minimal breakouts and my face no longer feels tight and dry. The oil cleansing method (OCM) is a blend of oils that rids your pores of the sebum produced by your skin that traps dirt, makeup, and dead skin causing acne, whiteheads, and other skin impurities.  This exposes a more radiant and natural glow.  Since I have oily/combination skin, my oil mixture consists of 60% castor oil, 20% grapeseed oil, and 20% jojoba oil.  Castor oil works to clean out pores and has anti-inflammatory effects.  Grapeseed oil is a light moisturizer that has an astringent effect on the skin and jojoba oil is a natural moisturizer that mimics the skin's natural sebum.  I add about 5 drops of tea tree oil for antiseptic properties.  There are many variations of OCM depending on your skin type.  I use the OCM once or twice a day.

Ingredients

My Facial Oil Cleanser

Here is how I use OCM:

• Pour about a quarter-size amount of oil to palm of hand and massage onto face for about a minute or two
• Take a washcloth and run under steamy hot water.  Wring washcloth for excess water and apply hot cloth to face until it cools.  
• Wipe excess dirt and makeup
• Repeat second and third step one or two more times
• Then rinse washcloth with cool water and apply to face to close pores.
• Apply a facial moisturizer such as a drop or two of grape seed or jojoba oil.  Sometimes I use Cetaphil lotion.

Oil mixes with oil; therefore the OCM works by drawing out oil, dirt, and make-up from your pores.   Many commercial products have to chemically combine ingredients in order to work as a facial cleanser.  A lot of times this can be drying to the face causing our skin to produce more sebum which can lead to more breakouts.  Let me know if you have tried OCM and how it worked or didn't work for you!

Delicate Shades: New Ankara Fabrics by Vlisco

Vlisco, the premier source of quality Ankara/Dutch Wax fabrics, launched its fourth 2011 collection last month, entitled "Delicate Shades".   These prints really do have a unique quality compared to previous collections.  I really wish Vlisco would come out with a line of ready-to-wear clothing.  These dresses are fabulous. Prints like these make me want to sign up for a sewing class ASAP! 

source

Love, Love, Love!!!



Check the video of  Vlisco's Delicate Shades Collection


Vlisco Delicate Shades 2011 from Orfixmedia on Vimeo.

Holiday Party Attire: A Royal (Blue) Affair

(Dress: Esley; Opera gloves: Ebay; Stockings: The Limited,  Booties: Zara, Necklace: OohBoutique, Purse: vintage Chanel)

I've been on a little hiatus since Thanksgiving.  I think all the turkey, candied yams, collards, dressing, mac and cheese, cornbread, potato salad, and sweets i ate just wore me out!  So Im back now...fully charged!!

Last night, I attended a holiday party for work and I had such a nice time.  I decided to wear royal blue as opposed to the usual red and green.  To give the outfit a little zest, I wore a shimmery gold/ivory linked chain necklace which really worked as a statement piece.  The opera gloves and up-do hairstyle gave a classic touch! 

An eye-catching necklace to make the outfit more interesting

These gloves are so comfy and timeless!

Stocking/booties gave the outfit a little edge to counteract the classy look

Thanksgiving: Be Grateful

"I had no shoes and complained, until I met a man who had no feet" -an Indian proverb

source

Each day I wake up with a spirit of gratitude because I know someone else woke up with tears of sorrow.   Be content in all you have....there is someone praying right now to be in your shoes.  Everything you possibly need, you already have!!  Just fill your heart with sincere gratitude and I can attest a grateful heart will open the doors for more blessings to flow.   Happy Thanksgiving!

Holiday Giveaway:Win a Gold Coast Necklace by PeaceImages

A few days ago, while doing some cyber window shopping on PeaceImages, I became inspired to do a Holiday giveaway.  I bought two Gold Coast Necklaces (seen below)...one for my sister (surprise sis!) and the other for one special reader.  (Fellas you should enter too...its one less gift you have to buy this Christmas).  Now some of you may not be familiar with Peace Images Jewelry....so check out her online store here.  These exquisite pieces speak for themselves and are definitely not for the meek at heart.  I purchased the Fandango earrings last month and they are definitely a statement piece!

How To Enter:
Its very simple....just complete the Rafflecopter form below!  You can submit as many entries as you like to increase your chances of winning.  All entries will be verified and any fabrications will be deleted.  The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Christmas day.  Best wishes to all!!

Valued at $40
See description here

Zara's Plaited Shopper: A Staple Handbag for the Winter

This evening while watching "Reed Between The Lines," I found my eyes hooked on the handbag Tracee Ellis Ross was wearing.  Once I saw this bag, I knew "we" had met before!  During one of my many cyber window shopping escapades, I spotted this bag and knew it was a winter must-have.  Check it out ladies at Zara. It comes in various colors. This bag is timeless and its definitely on my Christmas list! 

Nigerian Designers Revealed: Folake Folarin-Coker

Folake Folarin-Coker is the creative mind behind Tiffany Amber based in Lagos, Nigeria.   She has been stamping her footprints in the fashion world for the last 13 years.  I was checking out her S/S 2012 line from London Fashion Week and it is fabulous! Check out photos from the show here. Her designs are bold, yet very light and feminine.  I love the versatility in the fabrics.  She actually made velvet look appealing to me.  Check out her Autumn/Winter 2011 line below.

images from the fancy hub

Bon Appetit: Cajun Crab Cakes

Tonight I prepared crab cakes for dinner with a side of veggies and it was de-lish!!!  Very flavorful and if you like spicy foods, then you'll love this recipe.  I've made a few changes to the original recipe to give it a little more kick.  If you don't like your food too spicy, then scale back on the pepper or eliminate the Habanero pepper altogether.

Ingredients: 

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 green onion, chopped
• 1/2 of one Habanero pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 16 oz can of canned crabmeat, drained (no imitation)
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoon mayo
• 2 teaspoon horseradish mustard
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 8 oz buttery round crackers, crushed
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• a pinch or two of Old Bay Seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup of regular dry bread crumbs

Directions:

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Saute green onions and Habanero pepper together until soft.    Allow to cool, then pick out Habanero pepper and throw away.  

Combine crabmeat, sautéed green onions, egg, mayo, dry mustard, horseradish mustard, crushed crackers, garlic powder, Old Bay Seasoning, salt and pepper into a large bowl, then mix very well.   Form into 1/2 inch thick patties and coat the patties with bread crumbs

Heat 1/2 cup olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Cook cakes until golden brown on each side. Drain excess oil on paper towel.  Serve hot with a side of veggies and ....Bon Appetit!!  

Crab Cakes for days!!

Very meaty and full of flavor!!! Yummy....Now time for bed

GIVEAWAY CONTEST!!

Guess what today is???!!! ( I'll give you two seconds to guess.....1......2).......Okay, do you give up?!?! Well today marks my thirty day anniversary of blogging!! Whoohoo, yes!!!!! I made it a complete thirty days.  I thought this was going to be a one week venture, but it lasted a LOT longer than I thought. To commemorate this day,  I decided to have a contest. The prize is a $25 gift certificate for Carol's Daughter.  This will be mailed to the lucky winner on Tuesday November 15th.

The first one to email me the answers to the following questions...WINS!! Email me @ alongmodavenue@gmail.com.  ALL answers are found on my blog...good luck :)

1.) When did I first launch my blog? (easy question, I know!)
2.) Who is the couture designer that designed Halle Berry's gown for the 2002 Academy Awards?
3.)  Name one of the two water-based moisturizers I use primarily during the winter.
4.)  What is the name of the London-based shoe designer who created Finsk?
5.)  Who wrote the excerpt "Let It Go"?
6.)  Fill in the blank  ________+__________=Hair Growth! (two answers)
7.)  Who sung the duet "Til The End of Time" with Timothy Bloom?
8.)  Eric Roberson's video to the song "Still" was in honor of what disease that affects many women?

Check back later.  The winner will be announced on this post!

Thanks so much to all who have visited my blog and for all your positive feedback!

ADDENDUM: WE HAVE A WINNER!!!! A big CONGRATS to Chyami!  She is the winner of this contest for a Carol's Daughter gift card.  Thanks to all who entered.  Look out for more contests in the future!

Vintage Point: A Quick Protective Hairstyle

A lot of my up-dos are inspired by hairstyles from the 1940's.   Here is a quick pictorial of a vintage protective style that only takes minutes!