New Year's Look & Tutorial

Who will you be this New Year's Eve?

[Aside from yourself, of course.]

Go to my Facebook page HERE, like it and be sure to tag yourself. I'd love to know!

[Keep scrolling down to see the video!]

... And here is my first tutorial ever!!!

I had extreme fun filming my first ever hair and makeup tutorial for you all!  As all videos that I try to make to perfection over break, I ended up getting 4 hours of sleep because of it.  I find that loosing sleep is worth it because Christmas vacation allows me to spend time improving my skills in activities I don't have time to do during the school year! Like the graphics above and the video!  This way, during the school year, I am already passed that "struggle like a mothah" with the basics stage. Then, in turn, I can improve on my "nicky-picky" details during the school year with stealth, like a NINJA!  I think this is one of my talents, because these came out pretty darn good!

I really hope you liked my video!  It's so much fun making, and I am very excited about my new Youtube channel SUBSCRIBE HERE.  I think this will give me an outlet to express myself the way I wish I could everyday.  Since I'm quite different from most people I am surrounded by.  I'm thinking of having a mix between makeup and style tutorials as well as funny topics like "finding a husband," and others alike.   This will allow you to share in more of my goofy/unexpected side! >.<  There will be many things you girls out there will be able to relate to! *thumbs up*

By the way, happy feast day of the holy family of Jesus!  What a wonderful day celebrating the love and importance of family.  It's true that trying to keep a strong family is very important.  As we say in our family, "A family that stays together, prays together!"  It's so true.  For any of you who know about spiritual warfare, having a strong family and God as head of it will help you get through those times. 

Don't forget to enter my International Giveaway! It goes until January 4th!

Muchos besitos chiquititos,
Christine

Kaleidoscope of Questions

Purple Ruffle Blazer | eShaki    Necklace | LACI Boutique     Dress | UO     Belt | Lola

Over the past few weeks the lack of confidence in high school girls has really come to my attention.  I use to think that these all teens did not have the same mind set.  I thought that perhaps, teens from the urban-city would see themselves differently than teens from the suburbs.  But as I spent time with teens from both groups I came to realize that no-matter where these girls were located, they are all comparing themselves to each other and looking in the mirror and expecting WHAT they want to see.  What they should really be focusing on is WHO THEY are.  How far has the weight of self-dignity shifted away from being personality based?  Excuse me, I don't mean to only refer to this group of girls as "they" because, as a young women in  American society, I know I am always comparing myself to others too.  This is what I tried to portray in these photos.  There is a fine line between fashion and art as there is in appreciating beauty and being envious of what you don't have and ungrateful for what you do have.

I find that it is not a bad thing to compare yourself to others, as long as you appreciate what your talents are. The most shocking thing about the lack of self-esteem in these teens is how much of it is based on physical appearance.  So many times people feel like they need validation from people, and based on what I have heard, this happens a lot!  Yet, with this age group, it should not be a surprise.  I have been very blessed to have parents that have supported me through all my ventures, and so I ask myself if this lack of confidence stems from a lack of parental support in the household.  I suppose there is research already completed on this subject, and if I am correct, it agrees with this recent realization I have found.

I knew that this existed, which is why I started a mini program in my city to reach out to girls on their inner and outer beauty.  What came to my surprise was seeing how this lack of confidence was omnipresent all throughout the country.  It makes me sad because I know the feeling of needing validation in your life.  My only questions are: 

When does the need for self validation transform into self pity?
When struggling through self-acceptance, is there an anxiety to the loss of self-pity, and pity from others?
Does this happen in all countries, or is this more of a first world problem?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!

Non-bloggers please comment as well!

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I also wanted to share with you this new site called eShaki!  They carry a lot of retro styles, especially 60s styles.  Being the huge swing dance junkie I am, I obviously found this site fun! This cute purple ruffle blazer I wore for this shoot was a wonderful gift from eShaki!  It has buttons on the sleeves which you can use to give space to roll up the sleeves like I have here.  :) I like that I was able to style it in an artsy-boho way, knowing that I can also use it for a business casual look, which is great for workshops and conferences I attend!  Something cool about this site is that their clothes are all available for custom sizing, so all ladies of all sizes fit.  I was impressed by the quality, because the fabric is fine polyester and the inside is  lined with precise stitching.  Being the quality police I am, I was very pleased!  Definitely give the site a gander, and don't forget, you get $25 off your first purchase! =D

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And don't forget to enter my INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY!

Reflective and Dolice,

Christine

A Snow-Kissed Christmas & Giveaway

Let's never forget who Christmas is really celebrating!

Midnight Mass in Minneapolis!

Merry Christmas to all!  This post is filled with wonderful inspiration photos I found on tumbler for you all.  I hope you liked my video because I ended up working on it over 20 hours.  This was due to an annoying glitch my computer decided to share with me. Aside from the frustration, it turned out great, and now you can share in my Christmas snow fun!   This morning I woke up to snow  and the helped my dad cook for our Christmas dinner with the fmaily.  Last night we had dinner at our cousins' house to celebrate Christmas Eve and exchange gifts!  I love spending time with my family.  I think this is the first Christmas that I really didn't care about the presents.  I realized that although gifts are fun and special to people, they can easily mask the importance of Christmas.  Honestly, I would rather just receive cash to pay for my car's petrol and spend time in church, singing and praying with our community.  I suppose that is yet another sign of my coming maturity... spiritually and as a daughter of God generally. My favorite part of Christmas is going to midnight mass (church service).  It seems to be the one time that so many people are attentive excited about Jesus and mass! The church is packed, and there is a glorious choir, hand bells, trumpets, violin, and many other instruments which add to the splendor of this night! Mass starts with all the lights off, then the lights turn on, the choir begins, and the priest and all the alter servers walk in.  It's so wonderful and dreamy.  What an amazing site it is when so many people come together to celebrate Jesus' birth, and how God could send his Son to us, to be born in a nasty stable, just so God could have us join him in heaven!   It makes me feel special, loved, and most of all, very blessed. 

 I hope you enjoyed my video! Be sure to enter my INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY, it's open until January 4th! =)

In Christ's Love,

Christine

All inspiration photos in this post were taken from tumblr. 

To Give a Smile on Christmas & Giveaway

[My spectacular team for the Operation Christmas Child party!]

See how Operation Christmas Child (OCC) gives children smiles and joy on Christmas!  Are you receiving a gift on Christmas ? Did you know some children will not, and some may not have without OCC.  I bet you knew that but hadn't thought of yourself in that situation. I thank God for organizations which He leads to give children love through gifts during Christmas. These children who receive these gifts may be in situations where they don't feel like anyone loves them... but when they receive a gift from a stranger, it shows them that they are loved, by God and even by strangers who they have never met!

What did I do? I joined a my college's Intervarsity Christian Fellowship club in their Operation Christmas Child party!  Imagine a hoard of college students splitting into groups then stampeding all to the same store to purchase lots of gifts to pack in shoe boxes to strangers across the world.  Except, these kids are not strangers because they are brothers and sisters in Christ! Well, that's what we did! See below!

The 3:00 mark in the video below warmed my heart. ^_^  Feel free to watch more, there are links at the end!

First, be lured in by our adventure!

Safra, whom you met last week!

Charm Bracelet | RMS

Fried Chicken... they were hungry I suppose.

 Ooooh! Look at the books they found!

These are our boxes of gifts! What a dynamic group I was in.  Oh look, of course I am in the center overly dramatic... haha... I'll blame it on my years of being on stage. Yes, that works. >.<

Second, watch another video about OCC !

Third, join Safra and me in a basic swing dance!

I just love this photo. Action shots are always the best photos, I think.

Fourth, Packing Party!

Meet the other Christine! We play patty cake like no other.

Fellow OCCers, diligently making a package to bring a smile and love!

Fifth, what I wore...

Tunic | Free People    Bracelet | RMS    Clutch | Target

Sixth, be sure to enter my International Giveaway!

Thank you for sharing in this adventure with me! :) I hope you can follow along with me!  God bless always and happy 4th week of Advent y'all. Be sure to leave me a comment below!

Affectionately,
Christine