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Tag Archives: beauty

10 Questions with CityLine’s Beauty Expert Grace Tartaglia

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in 10 Questions With .

We at Urban Suburban Mommy had the pleasure of sitting down with regular Cityline beauty expert Grace Tartaglia. She is an inspiring woman who prides herself on helping women look their best. We thought that all you moms out there would benefit from her great advice and tips about looking your best!

1. What is your favorite go-to hair product?

My favorite hair product would be uniq one because it has 10 real benefits for your hair.  The product repairs dry damaged hair, offers shine fizz control, silkiness  and smoothness, hair color protection. The product also helps your style to last longer and adds body.

 

2. What is the thing you feel most women overlook or don’t prioritize when it comes to their beauty regime?

Woman overlook or forget about dehydration. You must deeply hydrate your hair from Roots to ends because your hair needs extra love.  Do this 2 to 4 times per month with a product that’s right for your hair type. This will help your hair to become stronger, healthier, shinier.  Women also overlook their faces. It’s so important to use a face scrub because it will gently exfoliate and brighten your skin tone leaving the skin feeling smooth, cleaned and renewed.

3. Us moms are always talking about being exhausted – and we look it. Is there anything you can recommend to make us look more refreshed than we feel?

Keep it simple and plan ahead: wash your face, use moisturizer for your skin type, use a BB cream or a tinted moisturizer and little blush, a tinted lip balm or lip gloss, mascara and do not forget your concealer. By using an effective concealer to cover dark circles, it will help you not look so worn out. Pay attention to your whole look, your hair your clothes.

4. Does an ‘easy’ style or a ‘wash and go’ always mean short? Is the pixie the go-to?

Easy style does not have to mean short – get a great haircut. Get your stylist to give you an easy to maintain style, something that can be pulled off your face quickly and easily, keep it at your shoulders or a chin length depending on your face shape.

5. As the greys come through, they have a crazy texture, how do you tame them?

You can tame crazy texture from grey hair by actually coloring it. The dye molecules fill in the missing pigments, and help to smooth out the cuticle.

6. There are so many color choices – is there an age that’s considered “too old” for wild colors?

There are so many color choices.  There is no color that I would say that is too old or wild for a person. It really depends on your personality, your career, and how you would like to present yourself to the world. Hair color can change how you look and feel about yourself.

7. We often hear “Long hair can make you look older.” At what age does this start being an issue – or is it untrue?

I really think that way of thinking is outdated.  Cutting your hair too short when your 40 and older, without considering your face shape and your hair texture, can actually make you look older for example.  If your hair is healthy and cut in the way that suits your face shape, I say yes to long hair.

8. What’s the next look that’s coming into style?

Hair trends for 2017 include ultra voluminous hair.  Braids are still on trend with a modern twist on traditional style.

9. When women are looking for a makeover, where do you start to figure out what the ‘new’ look should be?

I take a look at the skin, the hair and the eyes and see how they’re working together.  I then ask my client what length she would be comfortable with and I take it from there.   I then suggest hair colour, the best hair cut for your hair type as well as the best way to style your hair.  When we’re comfortable with all this, and we’re finished the hair makeover, I take my client through the process of doing your make up in five minutes.  My goal for any makeover is to teach my clients how to create their best self and look polished.

10. How do you get women to give up the pony tail?

 

I don’t!! Ponytails are a staple like a little black dress. What I do teach is how to try a ponytail in many different ways. From side parts to poof on top – put it over one side, curled – the possibilities are endless.

ABOUT GRACE TARTAGLIA

Grace Tartaglia is one of Canada’s leading foremost experts in beauty. With a regular presence in millions of homes through her longstanding guest expert position on City TV’s City Line.

Grace is known for her ability to create a women’s best self by allowing her natural beauty to shine through. Grace has been nominated for numerous prestigious awards within her profession.

Grace was given the honor to be the be the spokes person for the Princess Margaret hospital Nohairselfie campaign. They raised the largest amount ever for one haircut totaling $740,000. She is constantly updating her knowledge and education. She has a strong following of a number of notable celebrity clients and on air personalities as well as a very strong following of loyal clientele.

As a spokesperson for Revlon Professional Grace has traveled around Canada and the world both teaching and learning new color techniques, workshops and seminars.

Graces very busy schedule includes working on stages at hair shows, attending gala events, behind the scenes at fashion shows, judging hair styling competitions all while juggling her regular guest spot on a Cityline and running her highly sought after downtown Toronto Salon “Image Makeover”.

Grace is an expert at translating runway looks to wearable styles, while elevating a women’s self esteem in the process.

Tags: beauty, color, Grace Tartaglia, Grey Hair, Hair for moms, Ponytail, Revlon, Uniq .

5 must-have beauty products and tips for every mom from Brittany Gray

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in The Best You .

It was a  lot of fun to connect with fellow mom, Brittany Gray, founder of Fancy Face Inc and the bridal beauty expert for Kleinfeld Canada. Brittany has some amazing tricks and product suggestions so that you can look your best in a matter of minutes as the stunning woman that you are!
1. What make up tips do you recommend to hide dark circles under the eyes (every mom wants to know!)
There is a trend that is making waves right now, which is the “orange color correcting” trend. To execute this properly, use an orange-toned concealer on your under eye area to color correct the blue/purple tones that cause the dark circles. After applying a thin layer, reach for your favorite brightening concealer to put on top. This will cover up the orange toned color corrector and also reflect light so that you look bright eyed and bushy tailed. My two favorite products for this? NYX color correcting orange under eye concealer and YSL Touché Eclat. 
 
 
2. Any tips to minimize lines or wrinkles?
 
There is a product I’ve come to know and love to combat fine lines and wrinkles that happen with age and in the case of mommy hood, lack of sleep and hydration. One of my favorite go-to’s is the Kiehl’s Powerful Strength Line Reducing concentrate. This product diminishes the appearance of aging, improves the overall texture of the skin and noticeably decreases the appearance of marionette lines, crows feet, sub-orbital lines and wrinkles.
 
3. Can you recommend a simple beauty regime that moms on the go can do in 5-10 minutes?
 
I am all about fast, easy and effective beauty. I want to look the best I possibly can in the least amount of time (and without a lot of effort). One trick I swear by is the Dior One Minute Mask. I would love to have the time to pamper myself for a full hour every morning or night, but let’s face it… it ain’t happening. With this one minute mask, I am doing great things for my skin in a fraction of the time.
Another favorite product of mine is Crest One-Hour white strips. I love the ones that adhere to your teeth seamlessly so I can drink water, talk to clients on the phone, all the while giving myself the lift I need to feel fresh and glamorous. With all the coffee I drink now as a new mom, whitening my teeth is an absolute must.
Another trick is to take a few minutes to put together a makeup bag full of everyday staples. I recommend keeping your makeup bag relatively neutral in tone so that when you reach for it every morning, the products you’ve chosen work with every outfit, and you don’t need to do any guesswork. Choose your favorite mascara, a bb cream, a matte bronzer, a blush, a brow pencil/powder and a neutral lip liner and lipstick combo and you’re good to go!   
 
 
4. What is your favorite moisturizer?
 
I absolutely love Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream. It smells amazing and it is packed with nutrients!
5. What do you recommend for dry lips – regime or product?
 
Clarins recently launched a new product coined as a “Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil“. This product is extremely moisturizing and don’t feel too slippery, sticky or greasy. Picture a wonderfully hydrating and high-shine gloss. With three shades to choose from, these lip oils have “all the power of plant oils infused in a lip treatment to nourish and enhance their beauty.” 
 
About Brittany Gray
 
Brittany Gray is a beauty expert, entrepreneur and nationally recognized actress and television personality. She is the founder of Fancy Face Inc., one of North America’s top luxury mobile beauty companies, specializing in hair and makeup services for weddings, special events, entertainment industry functions, and celebrity glamour. For more information, please visit www.fancyface.ca 
 

3 Comments .
Tags: beauty, Beauty Tips, Brittany Gray, Crest, dark circles, Dior, Kiehl's, Kleinfeld, Mom makeover, wrinkles .

Win a Live Clean Prize Pack

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Sponsored Post .

As you may already know, we absolutely love Live Clean products.  You can check out some of our favorites here. As we near the end of our 30 days of wellness, we thought what better way than to end with an awesome contest!  Our friends at Live Clean have put together an amazing prize pack consisting of:

Vanilla Oatmeal Soothing Body Wash and Liquid Hand Soap

Vitamin Multi Boost Shampoo and Conditioner

 

Fresh Face Refreshing Facial Wipes, Foaming Daily Cleanser and Soothing Daily Moisturizer

Live Clean Baby Gentle Moisture Tearless Shampoo & Wash

+ Calming Bedtime Bubble Bath and Wash

 

 

Here is what you need to do to enter:

Like this post on our blog. Leave a comment in the blog post about how you and your family live well.  Like and comment on our social media for more chances to win.

Why Choose Live Clean?

Every day more of us are concerned about what we’re applying to our skin – and our children’s! – and what the products we use are doing to the environment. At Live Clean we strive to have as little environmental impact as we possibly can.  We use only plant and natural sourced or non-petrolatum ingredients that are renewable and sustainable. We don’t use anything that will deplete our natural resources.  We’ve formulated all our beauty and personal care products without the still commonly used chemical ingredients – like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Diethanolamine (DEA) and silicones. And our products are free of parabens and other harsh preservatives.

That’s not all: Live Clean is completely vegan/vegetarian, plant and natural based, with no animal products or animal by-products used in the formulations.  Live Clean is also cruelty-free; none of the products or their ingredients have been tested on animals. In its sensitivity to the environment, Live Clean is also free of phosphates, known contributors to water pollution.  And our packaging, of course, is eco-friendly.

Just as important to you, we know, our products have to work! Our eco-friendly formulations haven’t sacrificed product efficacy and pleasure of use.  We believe every Live Clean product is exceptional in every way.

 

Contest Rules and Regulations:

One Live Clean Prize Pack will be awarded to one winner.
Contest is open to residents of Canada only.
Contest opens January 30, 2017 at 12PM EST and closes February 6, 2017 at 12PM EST.
One winner will be selected by random draw on February 7, 2017.
Winners will be contacted via social media.
Prize has no cash value and must be accepted as awarded.
Urban Suburban Mommy is not liable for any loss or damages associated with this contest.
This contest may be ended or discontinued at the sole discretion of Urban Suburban Mommy.
All decisions are final.
All rights reserved.

Tags: baby, beauty, contest, Giveaway, live clean, Sponsored, Wellness, Win .

The best summer hair and beauty regime tips and products

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in The Best You .

Summer is here and there’s nothing more I love to do then head to the beach or lay around poolside – okay, now I’m getting carried away. There is no lying around poolside with my two year old son 😏😉
Erica Wearing – under a hat, taking her own good advice.

Erica Wearing – under a hat, taking her own good advice.

There are a few essential items I like to carry with me in my beach bag, the most important of which are sunblock, beach towels, water, snacks. There is also is a very important hair care product tucked away in there also – that is hair sunscreen. Most are easy to apply, just spritz it on throughout the day. This will help your hair from becoming brittle and dry, and also help colour from fading.

Here are a few to try that won’t leave your hair feeling greasy:

Wella Sun
Paul Mitchell Sun Shield Conditioning Spray
AVEDA Sun Care

Pureology Essential Repair

When soaking your self in the pool, the last thing you want to do is destroy the beautiful hair colour you just had freshened up for the summer. If your going to go under water these are the tips you need to follow or you will be left with a lovely green tint and can kiss that $$$ beautiful blonde hair goodbye!

  • Always pre rinse hair. This will act like a shield and helps slow the absorption of chlorine.
  • Use a leave in conditioner or spray in conditioner.
  • Oil based or silicone hair products. This will help protect your strands while leaving them hydrated
Davines Absolute Beautifying Potion
Moroccanoil Light Oil Treatment
EVO Day of Grace

EVO Happy Camper

Some great shampoos for chlorine removal and product build up are:

Malibu Swimmers Wellness
AVEDA Sun Care
Kevin.Murphy Repair-Me.Wash

And great hair treatments and masks for after sun and beach/pool hair care:

AVEDA Sun Care
Pureology Hydrate Hydra Whip
Davines Nourishing Hair Building Pack

Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask

Hydrate and protect your hair from the sun just as you would protect your skin. Wear a hat – that will definitely help colour from fading, and most importantly, wrinkles!

Have fun splashing around 😎🍸🌊

erica with clientErica H. Wearing has been a stylist for over 16 years and she absolutely loves what she does . “It’s a great feeling to help people feel and look their best when they leave my chair. I wouldn’t trade this for any other job in the world!”
Check out Erica at Ka!Boom Hair Salon 1129 West Pender Street, Vancouver B.C .
(604)681-6003

alissia marciano hairbyericaw

Tags: aveda, beauty, chlorine removal, color, colour, erica wearing, featurexx, hair, hair colour, hair mask, Hair treatment, moroccan oil, pureology, summer hair, sun, suncare, sunscreen, wrinkles .

The low-down on how to manage your babe’s hair

Posted on March 7, 2016 by ericahwearing Posted in The Best You .

Our resident hair and beauty expert, Erica H. Wearing provides insightful tips and advice about managing your babe’s hair.

1. What age can you start cutting a baby or child’s hair? Is there an age?

I shaved my sons head when he was 4 months old . He had an adorable mini mullet, but the reason I shaved? His hair was all patchy and full of bald spots . Shaving it helps hair grow in evenly.

It was hard to say goodbye to the baby hair, so I would say this isn’t for everyone.

erica baby hair2

2. Are there special products you should be using on baby or children’s hair? 

There is a great hair care line with all different types of great products called Hot Tot that is safe and effective for your little one’s hair.

3. Are there certain ingredients you should avoid in terms of hair care products for kids?

Always choose products with as little chemicals as possible, avoid any sulphates and anything containing parabens. Using a gentle tear free shampoo would be best .

4. At what age do children’s hair usually change – i.e. from straight to curly?

Hair can change colour and texture with age, usually due to hormones. My hair was straight when I was a kid but as I got older it got much curlier. So, for you moms out there that wish your little one had some curls, one day that could be true.

5. How often should you wash a little one’s hair? 

Baby/toddler hair should be washed only once or twice a week. Their little scalps and skin are sensitive, and their hair really doesn’t get dirty unless they are rolling around in the mud – like my little guy.

6. Any tricks to managing cradle cap?

A great tip for moms trying to get rid of cradle cap:

  • apply coconut oil on dry scalp
  • let sit for a few minutes
  • exfoliate in circular motions gently with baby hair brush
  • wet hair and shampoo

This tip  will help brush off loose skin and hydrate the scalp.

7. Should you use conditioner on a child’s hair?

I would use conditioner on children with curly or long, fine, tangly hair. This will help detangle the hair, which makes it much less painful brushing the hair out – and also will hydrate the strands. For all other hair types, the hair is so soft I don’t feel there really is a need for conditioner until they are older. If your child is in swimming lessons please use a shampoo /conditioner that is best to remove chlorine buildup that’s safe for younger children.

 

erica and son - childrens hair

Erica H. Wearing has been a stylist for over 16 years and she absolutely loves what she does . “It’s a great feeling to help people feel and look their best when they leave my chair. I wouldn’t trade this for any other job in the world!”
Check out Erica at Ka!Boom Hair Salon 1129 West Pender Street, Vancouver B.C .
(604)681-6003

alissia marciano hairbyericaw

Tags: baby's hair, beauty, children's hair, coconut oil, cradle cap, Erica H. Wearing, featuredxx, hair cut, Hot Tot, Ka!Boom Hair Salon, mini mullet, Style .

5 Secrets from a make-up artist to up your beauty routine

Posted on March 1, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in The Best You .

juliaWe caught up with this Julia, an elite makeup artist, hair stylist and esthetician. She’s proof that beauty is more than skin deep, and she was happy to share some trade secrets with us. Here are five beauty tricks that you know you want to know:

What’s your “Can’t live without” item in your beauty routine?yves rocher moisturizer

A great moisturizer is an essential start to a perfect beauty routine. It’s important to use a product suitable for your skin, but If you’re unsure of your skin type, I recommend booking a consultation with your local beauty consultant. (A beauty store, or a good cosmetics counter at a department store are generally great places to have your skin analyzed ). For my skin type (normal to sensitive), I like to use Yves Rocher Youth Energy Day Care. It makes my skin feel hydrated without feeling heavy and greasy.

What do you think about BBs? (That’s beauty balm, we love the lingo!)

aquasource bb creamEveryone needs a great BB cream. It’s a great way to achieve even skin without feeling like there’s something thick caked on it. I really like the silky texture of the Biotherm Aqua Source BB Cream.

One of the biggest issues for moms – especially those with little ones – is sleep deprivation. How can you combat the bags and dark circles?

the body shop concealer stickTo cover up a sleepless night, there’s nothing better for a mom than a really good concealer. I love the creamy texture and portability of The Body Shop stick concealer. Before putting on your BB cream, apply the concealer stick under your eyes and dab it down with a damp “Beauty Blender”. This will make for a smooth and blended application. Goodbye dark circles!

Mascara, yes or no?

dior extaseYes! This beauty secret is my favourite. Mascara is a great way to make a mom’s tired eyes look bright and awake. My must-have mascara at the moment is the Diorshow Extase, but a great comparable one for the mom on a budget is the cult favourite Voluminous Mascara by L’Oreal.

Any other must-haves in the beauty routine?

burts bees tinted lip balmMy last beauty tip is to get a really good tinted lip-balm. The balm provides naturally juicy, plump lips for the mom on the go. A great one to try is Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balms. They are amazingly moisturizing with just a hint of luscious colour.

Julia is a Makeup artist and Hair stylist located in Toronto. She loves her craft, and is highly passionate about beauty. She also believes it’s important to involve the inner soul to achieve true beauty. You can find her on Instagram @V.I.B.E.withlove, or check out her website at www.lilfrenchfry555.weebly.com

Tags: beauty, beauty balm, beauty routine, concealer, lip balm, makeover, mascara, moisturizer .

And the Oscar for Best Hair goes to…

Posted on March 1, 2016 by ericahwearing Posted in Fame & Fam, The Best You .
FEATURE rooney mara

rooney mara on the red carpet And the winner for best hair  goes to Rooney Mara. She looked absolutely stunning . I loved the trio of slicked sculpted buns that flowed down her neck paired with her stunning smokey eyes and a bold red lips 💋
A slick up do with punk rock makeup and Givenchy Haute Couture dress. She’s definitely won the Oscar in my eyes.

You may know Mara for her stellar performance in Carol, which was nominated for many awards, including Best Supporting Role for Mara. Two years ago she was nominated for Best Actress for playing Lisbeth in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. From slasher films like Urban Legends to Nightmare on Elm Street, Mara is a versatile actress with a formidable career – AND great hair!

rooney mara profile

You’ll also want to check out “Oscars Red Carpet Watch by Erica Wearing”

erica with clientErica H. Wearing has been a stylist for over 16 years and she absolutely loves what she does . “It’s a great feeling to help people feel and look their best when they leave my chair. I wouldn’t trade this for any other job in the world!”
Check out Erica at Ka!Boom Hair Salon 1129 West Pender Street, Vancouver B.C .
(604)681-6003

alissia marciano hairbyericaw

Tags: Academy Awards, actress, award, beauty, erica wearing, Givenchy, hair, oscar, oscars 2016, rooney mara, Style .

Oscars Red Carpet Watch by Erica Wearing

Posted on February 27, 2016 by ericahwearing Posted in Fame & Fam .

I can’t believe it’s that time of year again – The Oscars are this Sunday.  I always keep my eye out for celebrity trendsetters and classic beauties on the red carpet who win the best awards for hair in my opinion.

I’m loving the looks I have been seeing for the awards shows so far in 2016.  The simplicity of just a slicked polished top knot or a clean part with smooth long blunt hair or a fresh chopped bob with blunt bangs makes such a statement yet so classic and simple . I love how elegant this looks. I keep referring to simple  because these styles are not over done yet so beautiful .



I think my favorite is the slicked look.

What do you need to do it?  Some high gloss polish, a flat iron and a clean part are great tips to achieve these looks.

Also still on the red carpet, we are seeing the Hollywood classic wave with more of a beachy vibe too it.

All of these styles are simple, sexy and classic that we can wear everyday or pair with a glamorous dress.

Looking forward to seeing what the stars will be rocking this weekend for the Oscars!

And straight from the red carpet, we’ve got some really interesting stats from Wallethub.com:

  • 2%: Of Academy Awards voters are Black (vs. 13.2% of the population)
  • 25 Years Old: Jennifer Lawrence is the youngest person ever to earn four acting nominations
  • $3,500: Average cost of preparing a Hollywood actress for the red carpet
  • $220K: Value of the 2016 Oscar Swag Bag
  • 39 Years: Between Sylvester Stallone’s two Oscar nominations for his portrayal of Rocky Balboa
  • 45 Sec: The amount to which acceptance speeches will be cut down this year, thanks to individual shout outs scrolling on the bottom of the screen.

erica with clientErica H. Wearing has been a stylist for over 16 years and she absolutely loves what she does . “It’s a great feeling to help people feel and look their best when they leave my chair. I wouldn’t trade this for any other job in the world!”
Check out Erica at Ka!Boom Hair Salon 1129 West Pender Street, Vancouver B.C .
(604)681-6003

alissia marciano hairbyericaw

 

2 Comments .
Tags: Academy Awards, beachy waves, beauty, celebrity, featuredxx, glamour, hair, Oscars, Red Carpet, Red carpet look, sleek look, Style, Taylor Swift .

Pregnancy hair vs. post-baby hair with stylist Erica Wearing

Posted on January 21, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in The Best You .
FEATUREerica - pregnancy hair

We loved chatting with hair stylist Erica Wearing so much that we sat down with her again for a follow-up interview on the change a mama’s hair goes through before and after pregnancy.

dying hair pregnancy hair

 

 

1. Tell us how pregnancy hair is different from every day hair

Pregnancy hair is different from everyday hair because we produce extra estrogen which prolongs the growth stage resulting in very little shedding where normally we shed up to 100 hairs a day.

2.  Is it true that pregnant women shouldn’t dye their hair?

After doing numerous studies on the effects of hair dye and pregnancies the results are inconclusive. I would suggest waiting until the second trimester and go for highlights or ombre. Foils are great because the colour doesn’t have direct contact with your scalp.

3. What happens to hair post pregnancy?

When hormone levels drop back to normal in post pregnancy, the extra hairs drop too. Between 4 to 6 months is usually when moms start shedding hair. This is normal and not true hair loss. What it is, is a condition called excessive hair shedding which is caused by falling estrogen levels. The great news is that this is only temporary.

4. Are there any products you would recommend to strengthen post-baby hair? or help with hair loss?

Some products I would recommend are:

Moroccanoil-root boost pregnancy hair

Morroccanoil products

Moroccanoil-root boost – for full body and volume
Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse – instant volume and lift
Moroccanoil luminous hairspray- a workable hairspray that’s light weight but gives perfect hold and texture For best results on achieving the most volume all of these products work best  with heat (blow dryer)

I would also recommend taking a few inches off and adding layers to get thicker more voluminous hair. Try a fringe (bangs). This helps blend breakage in the front where normally hair shedding occurs.

Adding highlights or colour is a great way to get volume and texture in your hair and brighten up your look.

erica wearing - pregnancy hair

 

FEATURE erica with clientErica H. Wearing has been a stylist for over 16 years and she absolutely loves what she does . “It’s a great feeling to help people feel and look their best when they leave my chair. I wouldn’t trade this for any other job in the world!”
Check out Erica at Ka!Boom Hair Salon 1129 West Pender Street, Vancouver B.C .
(604)681-6003

alissia marciano hairbyericaw

Tags: beauty, featuredxx, hair, Hair Loss, makeover, Post-Partum, Pregnancy Hair .

2016 nurturing you – Getting yourself to shine, post-holiday

Posted on January 14, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in The Best You .

alissia painting salvation mountain

Salvation Mountain – being given the opportunity to add a stroke

The holiday season was hectic.  You’re feeling tired, over worked and in desperate need of a makeover. Instead of the usual beauty tip remedies we see come out every January 1st, I thought I’d share with you my secrets to getting glowing skin and a permanent grin from the inside out.

Being a mother means meeting the demands of many individuals, your children, your partner, you career and then – finally – you.

It can be challenging to find that balance where you feel personally fulfilled.  January 2016 marks the beginning of a new year.  I wanted to make a conscious decision to make intentions this year, rather than resolutions.  It’s important for me to live a life of excitement, passion, love and adventure. I want to lead by example for my boys. I want to expose them to a multitude of activities, environments, cultures, languages and the list goes on… Maybe forever 🙂

Boarding with the boys around Santa Monica

Boarding with the boys around Santa Monica

Set intentions that will nurture your mind, body and soul.  Start shinning from the inside out.  That is where the true beauty lies and pure happiness stems from.  Here are a few of my intentions for this year:

  1. Surf with my partner once a week
  2. Have an adventure day once a week- whether it’s going on a hike, checking out a new installation at an art gallery, snowboarding, skating or doing photography.
  3. Teach my boys a new skill in the outdoors
alissia surfing

Alissia Surfing

Experiencing something new or doing a physical activity with your partner or children results in expanding your mind and gets the endorphins flowing.  Is there anything better than that?

So remember mums, take action to create the life you want to live with your children and partner.  This is the year to put those intentions into action; by doing so, I promise that you’ll notice a positive mental and physical shift that will set the tone for years to come.  What are you waiting for? There is no better time than the present to shine from the inside out!

kids in desert

Sharing a special moment in the desert

If you loved this article you’ll also love: Fashion stylist to the stars Alissia Marciano gets down and dirty on being a styling mommy

AlissiaAlissia Marciano is an international fashion and wardrobe stylist, as well as, an on-air celebrity fashion host. Currently based in Los Angeles, she has worked and forged her talent around the world in such cities as Paris, New York, Vancouver, and Toronto. From guest appearances on Rachael Ray, to the countdown to the Oscars on the red carpet with E!, and co-hosting Look A Like and Sexy Girl,  Alissia is a prominent figure in the fashion industry and her success has earned her the reputation of a highly sought after international fashion and celebrity stylist. Beyond fashion and music, Alissia’s portfolio includes an extensive list of advertising clients including Diesel, ESPN, Nike, Acura, Orbit, and CAT. Her eclectic mix of femininity and rock n’ roll has graced the pages of such publications as L’Uomo Vogue, Neo 2 (Spain), Entertainment Weekly, New York Moves, Wonderland (Japan), The National (UAE) and Filler to name a few. In addition to her work in the industry, Alissia has two beautiful boys with whom she shares many wonderful adventures and creates lasting memories with, surfing and skateboarding being two of their favorite activities.

alissia marciano@alissiamarciano

 

 

 

 

Tags: Activities, Alissia Marciano, beauty, featuredxx, Hiking, Intentions, makeover, Outdoors, Surf .

10 Questions with a tattooed and pierced mama

Posted on January 11, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in 10 Questions With .

No little dolphin on the ankle, no simple single set of dangly earrings – there are a lot of mamas out there who have it pierced and inked – in all sorts of amazing places. It’s becoming more acceptable, but still not the norm, and while we all know someone with a sleeve or more than a few things pierced, that was probably not the demographic filling the room at your last PTA meeting. We caught up with Keona from Richmond, Virginia, mother of 5 and a very cool inked and pierced mama to ask the questions you know you want to know about those piercings and tattoos.

Our lovely mama has two visible dermals - those diamond-like shimmers on her chest – stretchers in her ears, a delicate stud of a lip piercing and a nose piercing. Scroll down to see more of what she has covering her shoulders, arms, back and legs.

Our lovely mama Keona has two visible dermals – those diamond-like shimmers on her chest – stretchers in her ears, a delicate stud of a lip piercing and a nose piercing. Scroll down to see more of what she has covering her shoulders, arms, back and legs.

1. What do you have pierced? Tattooed? 

My ears were pierced but are now stretched, I have the top part of my ears pierced twice on both sides, I have the center of my bottom lip pierced, my nipples pierced, I have my tongue pierced twice, I have my hood of my vagina pierced. I also had several dermals at one point. I have numerous tattoos all over my body – and more to come. 

2. Did any of them hurt?

All of them hurt but my hood piercing. That did not hurt.

3. Do you have tattoos for your kids?

Yes, butterflies with their names.

4. Do your children find them strange?

keona - butterfliesNo, not at all. They love to see what I’m going to get next!

5. You have your nipples pierced, did it affect breastfeeding?

It did because the jewelry got in the way, so I had to take them out. And even then I had milk come out of holes.

6. Would you encourage your kids to get tattoos and piercings too – if they wanted? And at what age?

keona - tatsI did with my oldest, She was 17 when she got her first tattoo. We went together and we got matching owls.

7. Does having lots of piercings and tattoos make the teachers/other parents uncomfortable or have trouble talking to you?

I find them to be very accepting.

8. What are the biggest misconceptions about mamas being pierced and tattooed?

keona - magicWe don’t care about our kids. We do not educate them, we keep them and our homes dirty.

9. Have you had to take any of the piercings out? 

Yes, I had a couple of dermals. I had to remove them for surgery.

10. Is it expensive?

Yes, some of my piercings are expensive and my all of my tattoos were. My back one $350, it took 8 hours total. My dermals cost $80 apiece.

keona - blowing in the wind

Tags: beauty, body, dermal, mommyhood, parenting, piercing, Style, tattoo .
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