Thirty-One Gifts and Planned Parenthood

There has been some discussion lately as to whether or not Thirty-One Gifts supports Planned Parenthood.
To be clear, Thirty-One in no way gives donations to support and/or fund PP. Thirty-One does, however, give to these charitable organizations:

• Dress for Success Worldwide
• Blume
• GOGO Gives: Get One Give One Gives
• Safe Horizon
• Domestic Violence Intervention Services
• YWCA of Central Ohio
• Girl Scouts
• Salvation Army
• Project Woman
• Interfaith Hospitality Network
• The Women's Fund of Central Ohio
• ROX ­ Ruling Our Experiences

Some of these organizations do give to Planned Parenthood, but that doesn't directly include Thirty-One Gifts. 

I did a search for companies that directly supported PP and I was quite shocked! If we, as a Christian community, decided to boycott ALL the companies associated with Planned Parenthood, I think we'd be quite limited as to what we bought. 

Just to give you an idea of companies that do indeed send support funds to Planned Parenthood, below is just the tip of the iceberg:

Pernod Ricard (alcoholic beverages, including Absolute, Ballantine's, Beefeater, Bancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Chivas Regal, G.H. Mumm, The Glenlivet, Graffigna, Havana Club, Jacob's Creek, Jameson, Kahlúa, Malibu, Maretll, Mumm, Perrier-Jouët, Ricard, Royal Salute).
TD Bank Group(financial services).
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts(lodging, including Baymont Inn & Suites, Days Inn, Dream Hotels, Hawthorne, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Microtel Inns & Suites, Night, Planet Hollywood, Ramada, Super 8, Travelodge, TRYP Hotels, and Wingate).
NACCO Industries (appliance manufacturing, including eclectrics, Hamilton Beach, Proctor Silex, Traditions, TrueAir, plus Kitchen Collection and Le Gourmet Chef stores).
Whole Foods Market
JPMorgan Chase (including Chase Bank, & Bank One).
Bank of America, Lost Arrow(Patagonia)
Danone (Dannon products).
Wells Fargo, Bob Evans (restaurants).
Chevron (includingCaltex, Texaco, Xpress Lube).
eBay (includingPayPal).
Arthur Murray (dance studios).
Bikram's Yoga, Midas (auto care).
Nike
Marriott Hotels & Resorts (lodging, including Courtyard, Fairfield,Renaissance, Ritz-Carlton). 
Johnson & Johnson
Staples (office/school supplies).
Darden Restaurants (eateries, including Bahama Breeze, The Capital Grille, LongHorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden,Red Lobster, Seasons 52).


I am very pro-life, which means I'm very opposed to abortion, but I've also come to the conclusion that we all have to pick our battles. What will we fight for that will make the most difference in the lives of those around us? In the end, God will have the final judgement. He will reward those who have furthered His Kingdom and He will punish those who haven't done so. 
For me, I will choose not to support Planned Parenthood directly. However, to even begin to boycott ALL the companies that are affiliated with PP, would take up too much of my energy and time and quite frankly, I'd rather spend that extra time loving on my family and showing the love of the Father to those who are lost. 


Until next time....

How to Keep Your Hands Healthy

Our hands broadcast a lot about you - from your marital status to whether you're a Ballet Slippsers or Vamp kind of girl. They can also, at a glance, indicate your real age (or one that's older than our years, due to a hardworking, sun loving lifestyle).
By age 30, skin-cell production decreases by 10%, making your skin less efficient at repairing itself. The tops of the hands, where the skin is thin, can show signs of age first (unlike the thicker-skinned, often-under-cover palms.
Taking care of your most useful appendages requires commitment and a few well-honed tricks!

• Keep lotion everywhere. Place a hand-cream pump at every sink in your house and stash travel-size tubes in your desk drawer and purse so you’ll never forget to moisturize.
• Pamper your cuticles. After showering, use a wet washcloth to push cuticles gently back so they frame the nails. Avoid trimming, which can leave the area open to infection.
• File nails, then cut conservatively. Clipping the whole nail in one fell swoop can be too aggressive, causing it to tear and peel. Instead, use an extra-fine emery board and file to a rounded shape. “Mirror the curve at the base of your nail to get the best natural look,” says Sirot. An additional benefit: Rounded nails are less likely to break than squarer shapes. If you do need to cut, do so in several small snips across the nail.
• Wear gloves while cleaning and washing dishes. Chemicals and hot water can strip away the protective lipid barrier from your skin, making it susceptible to irritation and dryness.
• Raise your hands above your heart for one minute. Dubbed “draining” by hand models, this trick reduces the amount of blood flow to the hands, making them appear less blotchy. “And when your hands need to look their best, minimize your salt, caffeine, and sugar intake to help make veins less prominent,” says Sirot.
• Treat with at-home ingredients. For softer, more hydrated skin, mix raw oatmeal and honey together and apply to hands; let sit for five minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Read Your Lips

Pinks:

The woman who treasures a pink lip shade possesses a beauty that never goes out of style. Classy and feminine, she’s the measure of a true lady. But don’t be surprised to discover a fun, flirty side winking beneath the pink.

Metals:

A metallic lip luster is the perfect shade for a girl on the cutting edge of fashion. She knows how to add that extra something to make an outfit go from simple to amazing. And when it comes to the next new thing, you can bet she's already there!

Berries:

You'll find shades of berries on the lips of a woman living life to the fullest. She's energetic, enthusiastic and walks into a room with confidence. It's no wonder she's drawn to a lip shade as lively as the life she's leading.

Neutrals:

Don't be fooled by demure lips in neutrals. When it comes to expressing her style, this woman knows how to make a bold statement. Spend an after noon with her and you'll learn to expect the delightfully unexpected.

Chocolates:

Generous and giving, the woman with a loving heart can't resist a lipstick in a warm chocolate shade. She exudes a genuine affection and will make you feel fabulous. And of course, she's sweet as candy.

Tawnies:

For the sophisticated woman, tawnies are the lip shade of choice. Gifted with impeccable taste, she appreciates fine things in life from beautiful art to artisan coffee. When it comes to perfecting her pucker, only a shade of tawnie will do.

Reds:

She's confident and sophisticated. She's glamorous, trendy and classic all at the same time. She's true to the end, and her beauty spans a lifetime. What more can be said of the woman in red!

Need help finding the right shade for you? Visit the Mary Kay website and call me to place an order for you!

4 Skin Care Mistakes You DON'T Want to Make!

1. Forgetting about your neck:

Most people think of the face when you mention anti-aging products, but neglecting your neck is a sure-fire way to show your age before you're ready. The fragile skin on your neck and décolletage has different needs from the skin of your face, and if not protected and nourished appropriately can lose hydration and look flabby. 

2. Not Eating Correctly:

In addition to topical creams and serums, the optimum anti-aging skin care regimen includes nourishing the skin from within. Many dermatologists recommend a diet high in Vitmims A, E, and C as well as Fish Oils and other antioxidants. Unfortunately most of us do not eat exactly right 100% of the time. Try a daily multi-vitamin supplement that provides super balanced internal nutrition if your diet isn't perfect.

3. Skimping on the Sunscreen:

You've heard it many times before: no single product can do more to prevent the signs of aging than sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. The truth is most of us do not apply enough as often as we should. Experts recommend applying about 1 ounce of sunscreen —enough to fill a shot glass— 15 to 30 minutes before heading out. Reapply sunscreen  every 2 hours and after sweating or swimming. An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure when it comes  to sunscreens. If you are outside even briefly use a broad-spectrum, moisturizing sunscreen.


4. Ignoring Your Hands:

Next to your face, your hands are probably the most visible parts of your body and will show the earliest signs of aging. They're always in contact with the elements, household chemicals and extreme temperatures causing sun damage, dryness, chapped skin and age spots. Despite this our hands are often left off the list when it comes to anti-aging skin care needs. To soften and protect your hands try use a well balanced moisturizer.

Are You Successful ?

How God Measures Success

What is success? Most people define success in terms of  achieving  goals, acquiring wealth, and having prestige, favor, status, and  power.  "Successful" people enjoy the "good life" - being financially  secure,  emotionally secure, being surrounded by admirers, and enjoying the  fruits of their labor. Their example is emulated and their  accomplishments are noticed. Most people's definitions of success only  deal with the "here and now" of this life. Even in many churches today  the definition of success is in terms of numbers, size, dollars and prestige.    

                  

But success is measured and defined differently by God. God's measure of success involves our obedience and faithfulness to Him, regardless of opposition and personal cost. His measure of success is whether or not we are being loyal to Him in our personal relationship with Him and in our life, and whether we are accomplishing His goals & purposes for our life. Some examples in the Bible:

Jeremiah was an absolute failure when judged by people's definition of success. For 40 years he served as God's spokesman, but when he spoke no one listened and responded. He was rejected by his neighbors, his family, the priests and prophets, friends, his audiences, and the kings. He was poor and underwent severe deprivation to deliver God's messages. He was thrown into prison and into a cistern. But in God's eyes he was a success. He faithfully and courageously proclaimed God's word and His messages, and he was obedient to his calling.

  Jesus was also a failure, if you measure his life here on earth by people's  measure of success. He had little in material possessions, and did not  even own a home. He was rejected by most people, and was even hated  by some. The religious leaders of the time despised him. Even his friends  and those closest to him deserted him. He was accused and found guilty  of things he did not do. He was beaten, spit on, cursed, mocked, and he  suffered terribly and died the most horrible kind of death known to man at  that time, death on the cross. Measure him by the way most of us  measure success, and he was a failure. But in God's eyes, the redemption and salvation of all of mankind was accomplished through His son Jesus. By God's grace and great love for you and I, He sent Jesus to pay for our sins, and now the gift of a restored personal relationship with God and eternal life can be ours - all because of Jesus Christ.

10 Everyday Beauty Tips

Simple, easy, inexpensive. What more could you ask for?

1. Vibrant visage: Smooth on a tinted moisturizer. It acts like foundation, giving you a polished look, and protects your skin from the sun at the same time. Look for one with SPF 15 or higher. And don’t forget to thoroughly clean your face at the end of the day.

2. Bright eyes: Feeling tired? Brush on two coats of curl-enhancing mascara. Long, curled lashes open up eyes and help you look awake in seconds.

3. Chic cheeks: A light wash of color will make you look fresh-faced all day. Use your fingers to swirl creamy blush directly on the apples of your cheeks. Or try a bronzing blush for a sun-kissed look.

4. Glossy lips: Keep a tube of tinted lip gloss in your purse. It's a no-fuss alternative to lipstick and looks good even when it fades.  

5. Luscious locks: For sleek hair, use a smoothing cream to get rid of frizz. Look for a product that goes on both wet and dry hair, so you can use it after the shower and for daytime touch-ups. With curly locks, scrunch a curl-enhancing mousse into wet hair for defined curls that don't need to be blow-dried.
 
6. Modern mane: Upgrade your ponytail to a braided bun. Loosely braid hair and twist it into a low chignon at the nape of the neck. Secure with bobby pins.

7. Decorated do: Ditch the scrunchies and try a wide headband or a scarf to decorate your do instead.

8. Spa shower: Use a moisture-rich body wash. Also look for products with aloe and vitamin E, which will hydrate your skin. Or opt for an invigorating scent — for example, citrus — to boost your energy.

9. Healthy hands: No time for a manicure? Help prevent chapped hands and ragged cuticles with a nongreasy hand lotion. Carry a travel-size bottle in your purse and apply throughout the day.

10. All-day fresh: Feel fresh and confident all day with an antiperspirant that keeps you cool and dry. Try an anti-perspirant that goes on clear. It goes on smooth and alleviates white marks on your good clothes.

You don't need to spend the money on spa treatments when the local Mary Kay consultant, or the local drugstore, has everything you need! :)

Fruit of the Spirit - Part 5. Patience

KINDNESS
1. Good will; benevolence; that temper or disposition which delights in contributing to the happiness of others, which is exercised cheerfully in gratifying their wishes, supplying their wants or alleviating their distresses; benignity of nature. Kindness ever accompanies love.
2. Act of good will; beneficence; any act of benevolence which promotes the happiness or welfare of others. Charity, hospitality, attentions to the wants of others, &c., are deemed acts of kindness, or kindnesses. Acts.28.

Some people have mastered the art of kindness. I remember traveling to my Grandmother's house in Chicago and upon arrival, she took us kids to the kitchen where she promptly made us strawberry milk; a delight that wasn't enjoyed at home! She showered us with delicious meals and sent us home with loads of food for the long road ahead.  It was not only to her family that she shows this kindness. She was acknowledged everywhere as a wonderful hostess and woman of God.

When thinking of kindness, I also recall the story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible. In the parable told by Jesus in Luke 10,  a Jewish traveler is severely beaten by bandits. A priest and temple assistant both passed by the man and did nothing. Finally, a Samaritan man came to him, bandaged the wounds and arranged for rest and recovery at a local inn. Jesus tells us that the Samaritan man was a neighbor to the Jewish man and to be the ones to show others mercy.

There is great significance in the story of the Good Samaritan. We are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. In the time Jesus told his story, religious leaders were so wrapped up in "The Law" that they had set aside their compassion for others. Jesus reminded us that compassion and mercy are valuable traits. Samaritans at the time were not liked, and often mistreated, by Jews. The Good Samaritan showed a great deal of kindness for the Jew by being willing to put revenge or contempt aside to help a hurting man.

Kindness is a fruit we can build on, and a fruit that takes a lot of work. We can easily get caught up in the hassles and demands of everyday life, that we forget how to be kind to one another. We are born selfish. Even in our earliest days, we begged to be served and provided for. We love kindness when it is bestowed upon us, but how quickly do we return that favor or pay it forward?

Hebrews 7:7 - "And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed."