Stephanie Linus Daily

Category: Lifestyle

  • 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?

  • 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.

  • 5 Surprising Flat Belly Foods

    Belly fat! Carrying unwanted weight around your midsection is often uncomfortable and embarrassing. The good news is that with a healthier diet, exercises and some lifestyle changes, this can be reduced and hopefully eliminated.

    Start eating your way to a trimmer waistline with these top 5 foods for a flat stomach.

    1. Whole Grains
    Whole grains including quinoa, popcorn, oats and wheat can help flatten your tummy. This is mainly because they are so high in dietary fiber which regulates blood sugar and staves off hunger. Eating whole grains also helps to lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and insulin in the body, both of which encourage fat to be stored around the belly.

    2. Eggs
    Eggs for breakfast generally help you to keep from overeating for the rest of the day. This is because they are packed with protein to keep you feeling full and Vitamin B-12 which helps your body break down fat more efficiently.

    3. Bananas
    Banana is rich in potassium, a natural diuretic that helps de-bloats the belly. Banana also relieves/prevent constipation which could result in a belly bloat.

    4. Cucumbers
    Cucumbers are loaded with water and naturally low in calories to help with hydration and weight management. One whole cucumber has just 45 calories. If you are feeling bloated, cucumbers can help with that too.

    5. Yoghurt
    Not only is yogurt low in fat and calories, so good as a weight loss food, but many yogurts also contain active cultures (probiotics) which promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut and help with digestion, excess gas and bloating. You could also try combining natural yogurt, berries and flax seeds in a morning smoothie or bowl of cereal, getting you off to a great tummy-trimming start before you even leave the house.

    SL Fabz, what else would you recommend for a flatter tummy?

  • Career Talk: Should your employer monitor you on Social Media?

    Hi SL Fabz,

    It’s a beautiful Monday and I’m sure most of us are already back to work, sitting at our desks and making things happen!

    The use of Social Media has grown tremendously over the past few years. This growth continues to rise by the minute.

    But also on the rise is the number of companies monitoring their employees’ accounts on social media. Sometimes, it even serves as a determiner in a job selection process as many employers look closely at a job candidate’s online presence before making a decision.

    This means that almost every information you share on social media now, except on sites that enable you have a private profile (like Instagram), is available for your employer to see. The question now is, do you want your employer to see everything you’ve posted on social media?

    According to a survey by CareerBuiler, 39% of employers dig into candidates on social sites, while 43% said they had found something that made them deep-six a candidate—such as posting inappropriate photos or information, or bad-mouthing a former boss.

    Bad-mouthing a former boss! Now, that is something you wont want a prospective employer to see. But since most of our updates on social media are available for anyone in any part of the world to see, you can’t really blame your employer, can you?

    So, let’s discuss. Do you think its right for employers to monitor their employees’ social media accounts? As an employer, would you do this? As an employee, would you mind?

    Have you ever been in any awkward situation where someone at work saw a post on social media you didn’t want him/her to see?

    I’d love to read your thoughts!

  • 10 Special Women’s Day Messages To Send To That Lovely Woman

    Have you wished that woman around you a Happy International Women’s Day today?

    If you’re thinking why should I? It’s because every woman needs to feel loved and special for the roles they play as mothers, wives, sisters, grandmothers, sister in-laws, mother in-laws and more in the society. Women’s Day may not be as widely celebrated as Christmas Day, but it is still a day we should show love and appreciation.

    Just in case you’re wondering how you can do that, a simple text message, chat, email or note would do. And I’m here to help you out with some ideas.

    1. Women have strengths that amazes man.. She can handle trouble & carry heavy burdens.. She holds happiness, love & opinions.. And she will always smile when she feels like screaming. Happy Women’s Day.

    2. Across the miles comes this wish from me to say you are Special! Happy Women’s Day.

    3. You can do almost anything your mind to.. You can swim the deepest ocean and climb the highest peak.. Be a doctor or fly a plane.. You can face adversity and still walk tall. You are strong, beautiful, compassionate and much more than words could ever say! Today is yours and so is every other day.. Happy Women’s Day.

    4. Through the years, I have shared so much with you, both bitter and sweet. You have been such a comfort to me, helping me in every way, and all I wanna say today is: Sis, I treasure you close to my heart. Happy Women’s Day!

    5. We may not be able to see each other or listen to each other often. But thoughts of you fill my heart with fond memories of the times we have spent together. Thinking of you! Happy Womens Day sweetheart.

    6. You are the passion, You are the mystery, You are the magic! Happy Women’s Day to the most Special woman of my life.

    7. Some people can make happiness bloom just by saying just by being what they are. You’re one of them. Happy Women’s Day!

    8. On this special day, celebrate life. Take a break from your busy schedule. Let your hair down, have fun and do what your heart says. Cause today is your day. Have a great Women’s Day!

    9. A beautiful woman, a great friend and a wonderful mother. You are all this to me and much more.. I feel so lucky and proud to have a mom like you. Happy Women’s Day to Mother!

    10. For all the times you’ve brought a smile and made my days seem brighter. For sharing ups and downs with me and making my burdens lighter. For doing the caring things that make a special friend. Your friendship is a joy. I wish it never ends! Happy Women’s Day!

     Which one is your favourite? Which message best describes that special woman in your life?

  • 5 Reasons Why Every Lady Should Wear Heels

    Heels are an important part of the fashionable woman’s wardrobe.

    For different reasons, not every lady can wear heels. I know that. There was a point in my life I had to stop wearing heels for a while after an accident, so this is not to say everyone MUST wear heels. But we can’t deny that a great pair of heels does a lot to a woman’s confidence and gait in positive ways.

    Here are 5 reasons why I think its absolutely important for a lady to wear a pair of heels, at least once in a while:

    1. They Draw Attention To Your Feet
    If you want to make a good first impression on anyone – man or woman – wear a pair of heels. A woman wearing heels definitely draws attention. Men love a woman in heels, and a great pair of heels can also draw compliments from other women. Stylish looking heels are an excellent way for a woman to add a focal point to an outfit.

    2. They Boost Your Confidence
    Walking in a pair of heels gives you a certain gait that is more confident than walking in flats. It adds some extra flair to your outfit and gives you a certain height that makes for a more assertive appearance. A good pair of heels makes a lady feel better about how she looks and this generally adds to her confidence.

    3. They Accentuate Your Legs
    A good pair of comfortable heels can make a lady’s legs look amazing. Not only do wearing high heels give the look of long and sexy legs, but they can also tone a woman’s leg muscles.

    4. They Add Extra Height
    I know what you’re thinking. I’m tall already and don’t need the height. Yeah, right! You’d be surprised that tall ladies can benefit from heels. Especially someone like me who has a very tall hubby *wink*.

    There are some dresses that just don’t go well with flats. The heels are needed to boost one’s height for that complete and confident look, and believe me, this is the number one reason why women around the world wear high heels. Women may want to add height in a number of different situations. They may want to match their height to a taller date. If a petite woman want to feel taller and more confident, all she has to do is throw on a pair of heels.

    5. They Make You Look Trimmer
    High heels, just like outfits such as skinny pants, make one look thinner in part because they force a woman to stand taller. This gives the appearance of a trim figure which is really what most women want.

    So ladies, would you be wearing a pair of heels today? What is the primary reason why you wear heels?

  • How To Network Like A Boss

    Whether you are a career person or an entrepreneur running your own business, you’d definitely need something from someone at some point in time. This can be made easier when you have a good network. Networking can easily be defined as any opportunity you have to meet people pursuing similar interests to your own. Networking is not just a good thing, it is essential to building a successful career.

    Most professionals don’t do enough networking and their worst business networking mistake is that they don’t build a professional network until they really need one – and that’s a bit late.

    Don’t wait till its too late. Build up your network today while keeping these in mind:

    1. Ask yourself what your goals are in participating in networking meetings so that you will pick groups that will help you get what you are looking for.

    2. Start with people you know, then expand to their acquaintances and finally strangers after the process becomes second nature.

    3. When approaching someone, be as open as you can with your body language. Make an effort to listen and ask questions without interrupting them. Focus fully on the speaker and make an effort to move the conversation along.

    4. Aim for a diverse group of people from whom you can learn. Other business people and professionals have much to teach and share when an individual is open to learning and change ideas.

    5. People won’t remember who you are or what you do if you don’t give them a way to do so. This is why business cards, postcards and even emails exist. Yes, emails. A quick, professional email stating how great it was to meet someone is more than enough to make a lasting impression.

    6. Call those you meet who may benefit from what you do and vice versa. Express that you enjoyed meeting them, and ask if you could get together and share ideas.

    The weekend is always a good time for meeting new people so when you step out for that social event soon, don’t just party for fun. Build up your professional network too!

    Have a lovely Friday.

    SL Fabz, share with me. How has good networking helped your career or business? Have you ever met someone outside your work place who you later did business with or who helped your career in any way?

  • Age Is Just A Number! 7 Ladies Share Their Experiences On Dating & Marrying Older Men

    Permit me to start this post today by thanking you all for your daily comments. This blog would be nothing without your comments and contributions which truly brighten up my day, everyday!

    But most interestingly SL Fabz, its not only about me, but how you inspire other readers with your comments. Believe me, I learn a lot from your comments and I’m sure other readers do too.

    The last time I put up a Talk To Steph post where a 23 year-old lady asked if it was OK to marry a 36 year-old man, many of you ladies gave some great advice and also shared your experiences with dating and marrying older men. (CLICK HERE if you missed it). Today, I’d like to share those comments:

    Emma
    I really don’t see anything wrong with that. My husband is 20 yrs older than me and today, I’m happy because that was the best step I’ve ever taken in my life. But remember to pray about it.

    Ebere
    Age is just a number!!! I had the same problem you are having now then because my hubby is almost 11yrs older than me and we are happily married for 4yrs now. In my previous relationship, the guy was just 4yrs older than me but we were always quarreling & even fought severally. So I had to quit him before I met my hubby who is loving and caring who does everything for me. From my experience, I’ve realized age is just a number if you like d person in question. So since you like every thing about him, then age should not be the hindrance because that man will handle any challenge in that marriage maturely, since you are not matured enough to handle some situations considering your age. Good luck.

    Maureen
    I am 30 and my husband to be is 42. We are happy and love one another. That’s the key. At first I was really bothered about his age but not until we started planning our wedding that I felt nothing was wrong with it.

    Kendra
    My husband is 11 years older than I am and guess what? We dated for 6 whole years so you can imagine how old I was at the time. Presently, I’m 23. We get along very well. He’ll pamper you to pieces and love you to the moon and back. Trust me. #wink

    Cyndy
    My husband is 14yrs older than I am. Pretty sure you got the message!

    Karinate
    I am 22 and dating a guy of 36 and I love him ssoooo very much. Follow your heart, there is nothing wrong with the age.

    Aisha
    My boyfriend is 17yrd older than me…I’m not the least bothered about it. Sweety please say yes to him and ask for some more time to know him better. Goodluck.

    What do you think? Is age really just a number?

    What if the reverse was the case and the lady was older than the man, would you still say age is just a number? Let’s discuss!

  • Tempted To Pop That Pimple? Read This First!

    You wake up in the morning and see one ugly bump on your face. It may be a whitehead, inflamed pustule (pus-filled) or just a modest blackhead. Either way, you search for the simplest, fastest way to get rid of it and the first tool you reach out for is your hands. You either want to pop it, squeeze it, squish it, prick it, scratch it, scrape it….

    However, before you do that, take note of this:

    The reason you’re not supposed to pop pimples is that anytime you deliberately break skin, you risk creating a scar or getting an infection. Popping pimples also in the long term damages skin.

    According to some dermatologists, you should only pop a Whitehead and not a Blackhead. Whitehead pimples have usually been around for a few days, and they have a white tip where pus has collected underneath the skin. These pimples are easy to pop, and when treated with care they can be safely removed without causing an infection or scarring.

    However doing it right is difficult for most people that is why it is generally advised to avoid it. As tempting as it may be to pop that pimple, you may regret it later if it scars. If you squeeze a whitehead wrongly:

    • you inflame it and the tissue around it
    • it bleeds and scabs over, making it harder to cover up
    • it ends up lasting a week instead of a few days
    • you might even damage the skin, leaving you with a scar

    Still, there are many people who just can’t resist attacking a pimple. It can be an irresistible impulse, much like scratching a mosquito bite or picking a scab. So, if you insist on attending to it right away, here’s what you can do instead. I found this on TheBeautyDepartment

    • Run hot water that is pretty hot but not so hot that you can’t touch it with your finger. Place a corner of a clean washcloth under the hot water to soak it.
    • Wring it out so it’s no longer dripping.
    • Immediately hold the corner with your finger directly on top of the blemish. This is bringing all of the fluid to the surface (where the phrase “bringing it to a head” comes from).
    • Watch TV or chill for a few minutes until the cloth is no longer warm. While holding your finger still directly on top of it, gently slide your finger 1 millimeter in any direction. The whitehead should slide right off with the cloth.
    • If not, no worries, you just need to repeat steps 1-4 again until it’s ready and it works.

    Whatever you do, make sure you never use your nails to pop a piimple. Also, don’t pop the pimple if you don’t think it’s ready to pop. If it’s something little and you try and mess with it, it’ll make it look worse.

    A final caution: There are types of pimples you should never try to pop, no matter how great the urge — cysts and nodules, which are firm, painful pimples that form deep in your skin. The treatment for these pimples is more complex than that for regular acne, and they should be treated by a doctor only.

    Stay beautiful!

     

    What are your thoughts on these tips? How do you resist the urge to pop a pimple anytime you feel like? Do you know of any other ‘proper’ way to pop a pimple? Let’s share!

  • Monday Look: Move From Simple To Glam

    Hey SL Fabz,

    I hope you had a fab weekend.

    It’s a fresh new week in a fresh new month and time to step out to achieve your dreams. Mondays are usually associated with work, appointment, meetings… and the dress code for most people is formal. But formal doesn’t have to be boring, does it? There are several ways you can accessorize a plain outfit to make it pop.

    I’m gonna take inspiration from one of my recent looks for this.

    1. Statement Neck Piece: Place a bit of gold, silver or some costume jewelry on a plain outfit and see the dramatic outcome.

    monday look 1

    2. Belt: The right kind of belt can make any dress pop. Belts are also great in showing your great figure or hiding a large waist line.

    monday look 2

    3. Watches & Bracelets: Don’t forget the hands! On Mondays, we might be in such a hurry to get dressed and meet that appointment, but don’t forget that a little bling on your hands will make a good impression when you reach out for a handshake.

    monday look 4

    4. Shoes: They might be at the bottom of your outfit, but they play such a huge role in your entire look. The right kind of shoes can literally turn heads. Wearing appropriate shoes also affects the way you walk so although you might opt for heels, make sure its something comfortable that you can walk in or wear for a long time.

    monday look 3

    Here’s how I put my look together. What do you think? What else can you use to accessorize your outfit for that special Monday look? And please tell me, what colour of bag would go well with this outfit?

    Stephanie

    Photo Credit: Herteljewelers.com, Glamradar.com, Nusophisticate.com, Infinitifotoblog.com