Stephanie Linus Daily

Author: stephanielinusdaily

  • Remind Yourself Of These Everyday

    Life is a blessing worth appreciating every day. In a world full of chaos, anxiety and stress, it is rather easy to be negative and burdened with our life. However, on this 14th day of March, I’d like us to stay positive and reflect on 14 things worth reminding ourselves about everyday.

    There’s always a way out, you just have to find it
    What other people think is irrelevant
    Your life is your design
    The important people in your life deserve both respect and attention
    Count your blessings, not your troubles
    Whatever makes you cry today can make you laugh tomorrow
    Positivity is a choice you can make
    If you carry the bricks of your past with you, you will build the same house
    Success is a lifestyle, not a result
    Not getting what you want, sometimes, is the best thing that could happen
    True love is rare, don’t take it for granted
    Good things in life end too soon when they aren’t appreciated
    Nothing wastes more energy than worrying
    When things least seem like they are going to change, that is usually when they do

     It’s a great day. Make the best of it!

  • Ladies, How Would You Like This? A Marriage Proposal & Wedding On The Same Day!

    I know most single ladies dream of an amazing marriage proposal and an even more amazing wedding. But having both of them on the same day! Well, I don’t know about that. However, I must say it takes a really romantic man to plan his proposal and wedding without the knowledge of his bride-to-be and pull it off well.

    Ryan Leak secretly planned his girlfriend Amanda Roman’s dream wedding for over a year before he proposed. Amanda had been putting up photos of her “Dream Wedding” on her Pinterest board and he used those photos as inspiration for the wedding planning.
    Amanda Leak

    Over a hundred of their family and friends were already there secretly waiting right there at the hotel where he proposed to her and she had no idea!

    You might ask why he did all that. Well, Amanda had casually told a friend she fantasized about getting engaged and married on the same day. Then boyfriend Ryan overheard the conversation and made her dream come true by secretly planning their wedding.

    Now, isn’t that so romantic! I heard their wedding took place since 2013 but I just got to read about it and it’s still just too cute.

    Watch it below:

  • Important Facts You Need To Know About Gel Manicures

    Gel nails- a type of artificial nails – are taking over. It’s creating so much buzz in the beauty world because along with a more natural appearance, gel nails typically last for about 10-12 days.

    They’re quick, and the shiny, glossy color would last for a long time. If frequent trips to the nail salon aren’t your thing, you can always purchase gel nail polish.

    However if you’re considering applying them the professional way, here are some important things you have to know. I found these on AllWomensTalk and thought it would be good to share here:

    1. Longer Wearing
    Many women choose a gel manicure because they last longer than other types. That means you won’t have to have a redo or a new nail polish job as often. If you work with your hands or wash them a lot, a gel manicure makes more sense. That way, you can show off a fabulous manicure even when life gets crazy.

    2. Cuticle Dryness
    While a longer wearing manicure might sound heavenly, the extended wear of the gels do pose risks to your cuticles. Because they hang out there on your natural nail for so long, they can cause dryness in your cuticle. Fortunately, you can counteract this by taking good care of your gels. Experts suggest rubbing a good quality cuticle oil in every single day. It might sound like a lot of work, but it’s so worth it.

    3. UV Light
    I cringe to think of all the time I spend with my hands in a nail machine to dry the polish fast. When a gel manicure is set, your fingers are exposed to UV rays that can lead to skin cancer. The more often you’re exposed, the higher your risk. If you have a family or personal history of skin cancer, it’s probably a good idea to avoid sticking your hands into one of the dryers. Better safe than sorry, right?

    4. Chemical Exposure
    This is a double risk. As you have your gel manicure done, you breathe in the chemicals in the materials used to create the look. There’s a reason why so many nail techs wear a mask! At the same time, the extended wear of the gels allow some chemicals to soak into your nails, which can cause dryness, brittle nails and other problems.

    5. Underlying Health Issues
    There’s no question that gel manicures look fantastic. However, if you always have gels on your nails, it can be hard to detect possible issues. That includes melanomas growing under your nails, fungal infections and other issues. Experts suggest taking occasional breaks from wearing gels so you can monitor the health of your nails and the skin underneath them.

    6. Irritation
    Because your fingernails are attached to your fingers, it’s pretty hard to avoid contact with the materials used to create a gel manicure. Some of those things can cause skin irritation. Make sure you wash up as soon as possible after your manicure to remove anything that might cause a reaction.

    7. Removal
    I can remember how terrible my nails always looked after having my acrylics removed. Gels can cause similar problems. Experts say the best way to remove gels is to soak the nail in acetone until it can be lifted from your natural nail. Popping or cutting the nails off will sometimes take a couple layers of your real nail with it. That can lead to brittleness and breaking.

    So, SL Fabz. Do you get gel manicures? What other tips do you have to share with everyone? Would you be considering getting a gel manicure?

  • Today Is Friday The 13th. Is it really a bad luck day?

    I don’t usually take note of such negative superstitious beliefs, but three people have asked me this question today already!

    Friday the 13th, also known as Black Friday, is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. It occurs when the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday.

    In fact, fear of this day is taken so seriously, it has a special name. The phobia, known as Friggatriskaidekaphobia comes from Frigga, the name of the Norse goddess for whom Friday is named, and Triskaidekaphobia, fear of the number thirteen.

    Today is actually the second Friday the 13th of the year. The first was in February and there will be another one in November.

    Many regard it as a bad luck day. The origin of this belief isn’t perfectly clear, but both Friday and, separately, the number 13 have long been considered unlucky. Sometime around the late 19th century, people started putting the two together to form the unluckiest day of all.

    While many will laugh off the superstitious day, others will remain in bed paralyzed by fear and avoid daily tasks, conducting business or traveling. I believe more in the power of faith and that my day will be however I wish it to be. Obviously, my wishes are always good ones 🙂

    How about you? How has your day been so far? Do you believe that today is a ‘bad luck’ day? Or do you have any recollection of bad luck on any past Friday 13th?

  • 10 Things Men Notice First About Women

    Have you ever wondered why it seems easy for some ladies to capture the attention of men more then others? Many times as ladies, we think its just our looks that gives a good first impression on the opposite sex. Wrong!

    Ladies, its time to educate ourselves a bit. Here are 10 things a guy notices first when he sees a lady:

    1. Your Smile: A lady’s smile is often the very first part of a woman a guy will see. A lady with a scowl on her face is not often attractive to most men while a smiling woman is considered to be much more approachable. Your smile is one of the most expressive feature you possess.

    2. Your Hair: You’d be surprised how much men pay attention to this. And surprisingly, most women get it wrong about the kind of hair that men are attracted to. I know a man who tells me a woman who plaits her hair or has it in braids is the only kind of woman he gets attracted to. For others, it might be different.

    3. Your Eyes: A woman’s eyes tell a lot about her. Any confident guy would want to hold your gaze for a while. A lot of information can be shared through eye contact. Remember, ‘eyes are the window to the soul‘.

    4. Your Body Language: Do you walk tall and confident? Are you slouched? Do you have an upright posture? Yes, guys do notice all these and it tells them whether to approach you or not.

    5. Your Sense Of Humour: A guy would be very keen about you if he notices he can make you laugh. But he will even be more interested if you can make him laugh.

    6. Your Body: Believe me ladies, this is actually one of the first things they notice! Most men have basic specs of body types they like. Big, small, curvy, straight…. When you stand in full view of a guy, believe me, this is one important thing he is checking out.

    7. Your Friends: It is very likely that you’d share some traits with the kind of friends you keep. Guys know this, and so will judge you by these traits your friends possess. As the saying goes ‘Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are‘. If you have loud, rude friends, a guy might just assume this is the kind of person you are at first impression, even if you are not.

    8. Your Smell: Oh yes ladies, don’t ever forget this! Your smell introduces you, and lingers after you are gone. The question is what kind of impression do you want to give with your smell? Good or bad.

    9. Your Style: Do you have a great body but dressed in shabby clothes? Are you wearing the right kind of clothes and shoes for your body type? Are your clothes stylish or just plain? A guy notices these things at first glance.

    10. Your Attitude: One of the most important non-physical things a guy notices about you is your attitude. No matter how beautiful or attractive a lady looks, a mean attitude can send a guy running faster than you think. I know sometimes you might be having a bad day, but try to be nice to people you are meeting for the first time. You never know who he might really be.

    SL Fabz, do you have anything to add to this list?

    Ladies, what would you say is your strongest point? What do guys notice first about you?

    Guys, what are some of the first things you notice in a lady?

  • Kindness: The Ripple Effect

    Once you begin to acknowledge random acts of kindness – both the ones you have received and the ones you have given – you can no longer believe that what you do does not matter. –Dawna Markova

    I can’t remember anytime I was ever kind to someone and I didn’t get a good reward for it. Sometimes, people repay kindness with wickedness, I know that. But the reward doesn’t really come from them so don’t be discouraged.

    Kindness is a win-win-win scenario which produces beneficial effects in the giver, the recipient and the observer. People naturally feel good when they give, help or serve others and the recipient of such kind acts are usually very happy to receive such kindness.

    It really isn’t difficult to be kind. Anybody can do it.

    The act of kindness can be expressed in countless ways. A warm hello said to a stranger, giving money to those in need, allowing cars in front of yours in traffic, giving your seat on a bus to an older person…

    According to Dr David Hamilton, these are the 5 side effects of kindess:

    1) Kindness Makes us Happier
    When we do something kind for someone else, we feel good.

    2) Kindness Gives us Healthier Hearts
    Acts of kindness are often accompanied by emotional warmth.

    3) Kindness Slows Ageing
    Ageing on a biochemical level is a combination of many things, but two culprits that speed the process are Free Radicals and Inflammation, both of which result from making unhealthy lifestyle choices. One study that used the Tibetan Buddhist’s ‘Loving Kindness Compassion’ meditation found that kindness and compassion did, in fact, reduce inflammation in the body, mostly likely due to its effects on the vagus nerve.

    4) Kindness Makes for Better Relationships
    This is because kindness reduces the emotional distance between two people and so we feel more ‘bonded’. We are wired for kindness.

    5) Kindness is Contagious
    When we’re kind we inspire others to be kind and studies show that it actually creates a ripple effect that spreads outwards to our friends’ friends’ friends – to 3-degrees of separation.

    But one of the most rewarding things about being kind is seeing how it causes a ripple effect on others and encourages them to be kind too. I’ve seen in my life how the ripple effect leads to changes both externally and internally and its a path I’d like to encourage you to tread on.

    Be kind to someone today, and in that way, we can make the world a better place.

  • Don’t Waste Your Time

    Don’t waste your time trying to get people to love you. Spend your time with those who already do.
    Don’t waste your time on people who see you as you were instead of as you are. If they can’t let go of the past, let go of them.
    Don’t waste your time with explanations, people only hear what they want to hear.
    Don’t waste your time on someone who isn’t willing to waste their time on you.
    Your time is precious, don’t waste it on someone who doesn’t realise that you are too.
    There are two things you shouldn’t waste your time on: things that don’t matter and people that think you don’t matter.
    Don’t waste your time on things that only hurt you, and remember to forget those who forgot you.
    Don’t waste words on people who deserve your silence.
    Don’t waste your time on revenge, those that hurt you will eventually face their own Karma.
    Be a good person, but don’t waste time to prove it.

  • What Is…?

    Hi SL Fabz,

    I hope these interesting riddles will bring some fun to your day. I had a good time guessing the answers until I eventually did. I’d like to know if you can too.

    1. What is the easiest way to double money?

    2. What starts with an ‘e’ but only has a single letter in it?

    3. What can you break without touching it?

    Have a fab day!

  • Talk To Steph: The grass wasn’t greener on the other side

    I’m a young mother of one and pregnant for the second. I was employed in a Paint Company as the Customer Care Representative before I was lured out of the company by one of my customers who was so impressed with the services I rendered with promises of a better career. They brought me into the company when I was 6 months pregnant. Suddenly the wife of the MD said I tricked my way into the company and sacked me. I left where I’m entitled to so many benefits only to be disgraced by this new company. Is pregnancy a crime in the corporate world? How do I handle this betrayal for its tearing me apart?

    I got this touching mail from a reader who wants to remain anonymous. Let’s call her Mrs J.

    Mrs J, I am deeply sorry about what you had to go through. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

    This goes a long way to show that there are lots of factors to be considered before making important decisions like resigning from a job and resuming a new appointment. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

    Has anyone been in a similar situation before? Do share your experiences and jump in with some advice for Mrs J.

     

    *Remember, if you have a challenge in your relationship that you need advice for, please send an email to info@stephaniedaily.com with the subject ‘Talk To Steph’

  • Feeling Beautiful Without Makeup

    I read this story written by a lady called Maya Rupert on how she saw herself in a gorgeous new light after she bought foundation to “correct” her skin tone. It was published on Oprah and I just had to share it here. Believe me, this will change the way you feel about makeup:

    I was 27 years old when a clerk at a cosmetics counter told me I was looking at the wrong shade of foundation. Instead of the color I had worn for the last several years, which matched my skin tone, she encouraged me to get one that was actually two shades lighter. Registering skepticism, she explained that I should try to go as light as I could get away with because with my complexion, she said, “you wouldn’t want to get any darker.”

    There was no question in her voice. She didn’t say it as if she were stating a preference, but rather a fact, the same way she would have advised me on how best to apply blush or find a base that wouldn’t dry out my skin. I was humiliated by her assumption that it was an unspoken understanding between us: that obviously, if given the choice, I would change this thing about the way I looked.

    As a black woman with dark skin, it wasn’t the first time I had been told—subtly and often not so subtly—that my complexion was a deficit I had to overcome to be beautiful. But the fact that the saleswoman, who was white, said it not out of malice, but seemingly with genuine concern, made me feel worse. I didn’t think she was criticizing me; she was trying to help me. And I was terrified that she—an expert—knew something I didn’t. I bought the foundation.

    At home, I dipped the sponge in the compact and covered my face with the powder. I couldn’t bring myself to look in the mirror as I applied it.

    When I finally did look, I was horrified: I had to admit that I looked prettier than I’d ever remembered. I had to admit that my dark skin was unattractive, and that being lighter really did mean being more attractive.

    I wept. Then I went to wash my face. But the makeup wouldn’t come off. I scrubbed hard; still nothing. That’s when I looked at the compact and realized I hadn’t pulled off the protective paper. In fact, I hadn’t been wearing any makeup at all.

    After seven years and countless applications of the right shade of makeup, that moment has stayed with me. Whenever I question whether my complexion is beautiful (which is more often than I should, but less often than I might), I think back to that moment when I saw my face—my bare face—and thought it was so beautiful, it made me cry.

    Light skin, dark skin… every one is indeed beautiful. Yes, makeup does often enhance beauty but if you don’t begin to see yourself as beautiful inwardly, no one can convince you that you are even with layers of makeup on.

    She hadn’t even applied any makeup on but just the ‘thought’ of being lighter than she was made her feel more beautiful. And the fact is that there was nothing on her face!

    Ladies, bask in your natural beauty and let it radiate.

     

    *Picture used is not that of the writer.