Etsy Shop Celebration and Giveaway!

Hey, Beauties! If you love homemade pretties, take a quick peek at my ToaSamoa Etsy Shop. You can click the previous link or head over to the sidebar and navigate to my Etsy from there. I've just started it up but will constantly be adding new things to it. Inventory will always be changing too, so please add me to your favorites on Etsy.com and don't forget to let me know you stopped by!

Each person who leaves a comment here telling me the specific name of their favorite item in my (sparse-for-now) shop AND what other things they'd be interested in seeing will be entered into a giveaway! One comment for your fave item and one comment for what you'd like to see in my shop in the future. Bam! Possibly 2 giveaway entries per person!
I am looking forward to suggestions, as this is brand new for me, so thanks in advance, you beautiful people!

The prize:  Luscious handmade soaps and a selection of other chemical free beauty products from my favorite little soap shop in the Pacific: Scentual Samoa.

Giveaway ends Sunday Feb 13,2010 and winner will be chosen on Valentine's Day by random generator.

Hope Through It All

 I Peter 1:3-9.
Verse 5 encourages me to remember to have faith. Because God has already provided a way for me to be saved from all these troubles. I just have to endure the trial first. But even in the worst of it, I am kept by the power of God.
Nothing else is as amazing as that knowledge. To know that these worries and this emotional pain will eventually cease. That no matter the intensity, it is all temporary and in the end God will work it out for good.

Peter also says in verse 7 that as a believer, my faith is counted as much more precious than gold because it will not perish like every costly earthly thing.

Verse 8 describes my relationship with Christ. I haven't met Him, but I love Him.
I love my Savior with all my heart because He continues to be faithful even when I forget to nurture my walk with Him. However, when I continually seek Him out and strive to be more like Him, He blesses beyond compare. He promises throughout the Bible that He will never forsake me and I've found that to be true.

I cannot see Him, but I believe in Him and because of that I can be joyful even when life doesn't hold much reason for it.

So in slowly reading through these verses I am realizing that even when it doesn't seem like it, there is hope. I can't trust my emotions right now. I have to hold onto God's Word and the hope it gives. My Lord has promised to bring me through every trial with a joyous heart if I choose to look at it through faith. And when all trials are over I can be sure of complete happiness in eternity with Him.

Lord, I want to be used of You, even when life is bleak. Lately, my heart feels as if it has been broken over and over again, but when I stop wallowing in the pain, I can still look up and find You there. Thank You, Father, for always being good! And for Your continued faithfulness that teaches me to be constant to You. God is holy and mighty, my Rock and my Deliverer; and He is always worthy of praise.

A Woman After God's Own Heart

I'm going through a major trial. God has never been more real and I have never felt so broken. The only thing that keeps me from giving up and giving in to despair is God's grace. I hold to His Word and His promises because I feel like my life depends on it. I am choosing not to share the nature of this trial, but I needed a way to vent and this blog has always been the place I have been brutally honest about myself.

I'm going through a book that is part of the study "A Woman After God's Own Heart". I will be writing my thoughts as I complete each day's devotion.

I Peter 1:1-2
"1.Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
2.Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you and peace, be multiplied."

Because it was written during a time when the early church was being persecuted, that passage shows me that trials will always be a part of life. Also, it promises hope through the darkest times because of my salvation.

 I see through Peter's writing that I am chosen and cherished by God and can I tell you just how much that comforts me right now? Because of this situation, I struggle with thoughts of worthlessness, but when I take the time to soak in the Bible, I see that I am far from worthless in God's eyes.

The last sentence of verse 2 encourages my heart in the middle of the tears and heart ache and doubt.  
"Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."
Because I am a daughter of God I am promised grace and peace! Those are two of the things I desperately need right now. I'm so thankful that I can pray for grace and peace. And I'm confident that because God has promised, I will receive them every time.

Work it Out Wednesday: Bellydance

Another youtube gem I found and am using in my workouts. LOVE it! Doing the entire series really gets you sweating, too, which is always good.



Also, I am loving finding different ways to prepare raw veggies! I've been munching on this treat this week: Thai style cucumber carrot salad. Sweet, sour and a little spicy = delicious!

Here's the easy recipe I adjusted from what I found through a google search:

Thai Cucumber Carrot Salad

2 cucumbers, thinly sliced with a grater or peeler

3 carrots, thinly sliced with grater/peeler

2 tsp vinegar

2 Tbs fish sauce

1/2 tsp sugar

Red pepper flakes, to taste

-In small bowl, combine liquid ingredients. 

-Add sugar and dissolve.

-In large container, pour liquid mixture over carrots and cucumbers. Toss to combine.

-Add red pepper flakes according to preference. Toss and serve cold.

Have you made some healthy choices this week? Celebrate them and the fact that you made the decisions towards a healthier you. Every little bit counts.
Happy Wednesday, Beauties, go out and enjoy your beautiful life!

Work it Out Wednesday: Healthy Eating and Staying Active

It's scorching hot here today! Kind of hard to get outside and get moving, so our poor neighbors below us get the brunt of it. Yes, I'll be exercising inside again. Poor people.

I can still make good choices, despite being stuck inside for most of the day, right?
Although, after my healthy breakfast, I made the mistake of going shopping without packing a healthy snack and ended up at Sonic. Happy hour half price drinks, baby! Ah well, a lesson for next time, huh?

After that impromptu shopping trip with some friends, I came home with a table full of goodies from some local produce stands! Mmmm....
Aren't they beautiful?

Can you believe I spent half what they would've cost in a store?
Turnips, green onions, tomatoes and fresh spinach.

Cucumbers and squash flesh out the last batch of fresh tomatoes from last week.
I used to think Hubby (who grew up with a garden) was just making things up when he said homegrown tastes better, but now, I'm sold!

Since I can't have a garden of my very own, this is the next best thing.

We had company the other night and they brought flowers :). Growing, blooming things are the best!

This week, I'm focusing on hula (via my own CD). Here's a sampling of one of my favorite hula. It's so beautiful!
Have you made the choice to get moving this week? We can do this! Work it out :)

Spa Night: Oil for Facial Cleansing 7/29/2010

WARNING: A few people, including myself had less than stellar results with the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM). Click Here to read my two posts explaining why I eventually gave up OCM.

Using oil instead of soap to cleanse your face? This website is filled with extensive information on this ancient but now almost unheard of method for clear, beautiful skin! I found that reading what people who have actually used it are saying has been helpful too. The idea that something so simple could be so much better than all the technologically advanced cleansers we have now is definitely enough to pique my interest.

Here are some of the questions I initially had and the answers I've found:

How is the cleansing done?

~A quarter sized amount of natural oil is massaged vigorously onto face for at least 5 minutes. This motion loosens the hardened material in enlarged pores and with continued use will remove them completely. 

~Makeup doesn't even need to be removed before doing this, the oil will remove it, even mascara.

~Once the massage is over, gently wipe the oil off with a hot steamy washcloth, rinsing the towel and wiping until all oil is removed. This is important. Remove all of the oil, even if you didn't wear makeup. The oil on your face is now dirty and leaving it on your face might cause more problems.

 That's it. No need to rinse. Toner and a bit of clean oil as moisturizer and you're ready for bed.

~In the morning, use a clean washcloth to gently wash your face with water only. 

How often is this done in order to see results?

~Once a day before bedtime. 

Why oil?

~The whole premise is that commercial facial cleansers strip skin of it's natural oils. In response, skin overcompensates by producing too much oil which clogs and enlarges pores. 

~The oil used is pure and natural and extremely good for skin care. Castor oil, extra virgin olive oil, virgin coconut oil, etc.

~Oil gently cleanses the pores by loosening built up dirt and oil clogging the pores. Removing these blemishes without stripping moisture from the face is key! Facial skin is left invigorated (from the massage) and gently deep cleaned. 

Does it work?

Many people have seen significant improvement in their skin with the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) including: 

Disappearance of blemishes

Even skin tone

Unbelievably soft skin

Disappearance of blackheads/whiteheads

Reduced dark circles under eyes

Plumper, younger looking skin

What type of skin has it worked for?

Combination skin

Normal skin

Oily skin

Acne prone skin

Diagnosed rosacea

Sufferers of psoriasis

So what are your thoughts? Would you try it? 

Yesterday was my second day on OCM (using virgin coconut oil. Thanks to my awesome Mom!) and I'm excited to already see results. My pores are shrinking and unclogging, the whole kaboodle. I have combination skin. Very oily in the Tzone with very dry patches scattered everywhere else. As my skin is adjusting to not being dried out or overproducing oil, I'm happy to see my Tzone isn't so oily and there are definitely no more scaly dry patches! After two days! So, needless to say, I'm sticking with it and hoping for much better long term results.

UPDATE: Read my review on this amazing cleansing method here!

Work it Out Wednesday: Bellydance

I've decided to use Wednesday as my personal exercise motivation day. That's a mouthful! I wrote before about my weight loss journey but haven't expanded on that subject. No pun intended.

I become bored very easily and it seems that I need to switch up workouts to stay motivated. So, since I like to blog and choosing to get moving every day is part of my search for a beautiful and inspired life, I want to write about it here. Sort of a reminder to myself to keep going.

I LOVE cultural dancing and am trying to use that as a way to stay active. So this week, I'm learning how to bellydance the cheap way, via youtube videos. Take a peek at one of the videos I'm using this week:



I will most likely switch to a different workout or dance next week to keep my interest up, (there's a gorgeous hula I would love to learn! also on youtube) but that's the norm for me. I will alternate between workouts until I learn it completely and then find a new one that intrigues me. Easy, fun, good for my health and FREE.

Choosing to do things that enrich my family's life as well as my own has been a wonderful experience and I want to keep going! Now everything has a focus and I'm enjoying every project, craft, spa night recipe, and healthier choice we're making as a family.

Life has never been more fulfilling. Four years ago, if you told me sometime in the future I'd be in a strange new city without any family nearby, without a car and having to use every iota of brain power to save my family money, I never would have predicted that I'd be able to say that. But it is. And God continues to be good.

Find something that inspires you and use it to see the beauty that's already around you. There are so many things we already have that are worth having and cultivating. Skills, compassion, relationships, family. Life is beautiful, so live it!

Spa Night: Cucumber Mask & Calming Yoga 6/17/2010

Playing around with some new ingredients. I've found the best way to find new original recipes is to mix 'em, slap 'em on, and hope for the best! Here's my twist on an old favorite:

Cucumber Mask:

-1 Tbs kefir

-1 Tbs oatmeal. Get it as close to powder form as possible in a food processor, pestle, or roughly chopped for more exfoliation.

-1 whole cucumber

-2 tablespoons plain yogurt or sour cream

-1 teaspoon honey

Mix together the kefir and oats in a small bowl and set aside.

Peel cucumber and use a blender to liquefy.

Add honey and yogurt. Blend well.

Gently mix in kefir/oats to combine.

Apply to clean face and neck and relax with a book or soothing music for 15-20 minutes.

Rinse and finish up with toner and moisturizer.

Will post a review of this mask later! Yes, even if I break out in some weird reaction.

If you've been reading, I'm very stressed out lately. Sleep does not come to visit very often and when it does, it doesn't stay long. So I've been searching for ways to stay calm and encourage calm at bedtime in the hope of catching that chariot ride to dreamland. I pray. Read my devotions. Sing. Shine my sink. Take an evening walk with Baby Boy. And now I'm going to try some easy yoga. There are a few positions that supposedly are great for anxiety attacks, depression and insomnia. There are lots of videos out there, but I liked this one and how well she explained it all. So yes, I'll be trying this as part of my relaxation this Spa Night. We'll see if it works!


Also, I've scheduled an appointment at the local beauty college. Something I've sorely missed since the move. A haircut and facial for less than twenty bucks? Yes, please! The students do a wonderful job, too. I know there is one just outside the town where our new home is located, but without a car, I haven't had the chance to check it out. I will probably go once a month when we get permanent transportation because I love a good beauty bargain and I love being pampered! So, have you taken time for you this week? Make the time. Even if it's just for a long bubble bath. I promise, you won't regret it. Browse my collection of Spa Night Recipes and take a virtual trip to relaxation, using ingredients from your kitchen cabinets! Happy pampering....

Makeover Monday: The Real Deal 5/31/2010

So, it's Monday and in honor of the Makeover Monday theme (which I should get better at sticking to) I wanted to share my desire to makeover..... myself! I've decided to try getting healthy. I've been happily plus sized for some time but ever since about 6 months after Baby Boy was born, I've been steadily gaining more weight and yo yo exercising. I'm committing to take an active part in my health and you may have noticed little bits of that decision in my cooking vegetarian meals once a week or my daily walks with Baby Boy. I still like to enjoy my food (no carrot sticks, please) but I'm focusing on being active at least 30 minutes a day, choosing healthier food when I do eat, and also counting calories. So far, I'm 3 weeks into my new routine of working out every day and I'm feeling great! I usually end up working out for about an hour and a half to two hours a day because I'm finding that I love to walk. Because of the positive effects of exercise, I want to give myself a plan so I can be more focused. So, today I've started day one week one of the Couch to 5K program. I'm excited! I've never ever enjoyed running or walking for that matter. I love the accomplishment of a hike (like seeing the awesome view) but getting there was always like pulling teeth. Now that we walk to the store out of necessity, walking a mile is easy and I really enjoy it! In fact, I feel like I could go farther. Which brings me back to C25k training. I'm hoping to stick to it and am really pumped about completing today's training. It was tough! But it was a challenge, which is just what I was looking for. Anyway, I'm also doing strength training on my off days. C25K training is set up for Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays. So the other days I can take easy walks and work with light weights. I've already seen a 3 inch loss from my non scheduled walking and working out, so I hope to get some great results from this structured program. It's all a part of making my life more peaceful. I find my mind is much more at ease and my body feels better when I get my exercise in! I hope, if you've been considering making healthy changes, that you find a little encouragement in this. And maybe soon you'll be ready to get started on your own journey to a healthier and more peaceful you.

Friday Inspiration

So, I admit I'm addicted to DIY blogs. There are so many inspiring people writing about how they are making their spaces more functional/beautiful.So here are some posts I found inspiring this week:

Centsational Girl just finished a fabulous redo of her laundry room. The colors are beautiful, clean and spa like. I want to achieve this feel in the master bedroom.

Little Apartment on the Prairie is sewing her very first slip covers for her furniture. My furniture are thrift shop finds as well and are in sore need of  looking clean updating. I adore her and many times reading her posts parallel my own life, as we're in very similar situations. She is inspiring, and a reminder that no matter how tough life is, I want to search for beauty and make my life an inspirational place to be.

An older post of Nester's has got my wheels turning about our master bedroom. I've mentioned how I want it to have a resort spa feel. A place where we can go to relax and get away from the stress of it all. Reading her tips will help me get one step closer to making our hideaway a reality.

The CSI Project reaffirmed my belief in giving longer life to things you love by updating them! I believe I shall be hoarding Rub n' Buff from now on....

And as always, looking at photos of my beloved island inspired me to slow down and be thankful for what I have. A beautiful heritage, a loving husband and a wonderfully imaginative little boy. What else could a girl ask for?
One of the many beaches in American Samoa where I grew up

Wedding day with my love.... almost 4 years ago

My other love....our little man

Find what inspires you and never let go of it.

Project List

So, I've had this list of projects for a while, but have only now decided to post them here on the blog sidebar. I have a few completed and will post photos of those projects as the days go by. I'll be linking the items in the list to their respective posts as I get them done. I actually have one to post today. Yay! Here's to learning and bettering myself, my home and family throughout 2010!

Spa Night: Acne Spot Treatment 5/20/2010

I'm so ready for spa night! Hubby and I worked so hard on Tuesday, cleaning our apartment from top to bottom and doing the huge pile of laundry. It was a long day, but so worth it because our new home is finally organized! Yesterday, I only had to do every day cleaning to maintain the place the way I like it. I had so much free time it was ridiculous. All the extra time got me thinking about tonight's spa treatment as well as starting on designing a more peaceful space in which to do spa treatments. But more on that later.

I am in need of a homemade spa treatment because I am breaking out like crazy. Tea tree oil applied with a qtip has been great for me, but I want to learn to make use of different ingredients I always have in the kitchen. I'm really interested in finding a leave on night treatment. A quick search brought up a popular homemade acne spot treatment that I had never heard about: Cinnamon, nutmeg and honey. This is such great news to me because it makes use of ingredients I almost always have in my cabinets.
I'm naming my version:

 Holiday Spice Acne Spot Treatment

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Honey

-In a small container, mix well cinnamon and nutmeg
-Add and mix honey drop by drop, until a very thick paste is formed.
-Spot apply onto blemishes after cleansing and patting dry.
-Leave overnight and rinse off in the morning.



Here's a bonus recipe for you as well, which is rumored to heal blemishes quickly, leaving smooth skin with no scarring! We'll see if it works :)

Miracle Acne Spot Treatment

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Milk

-In a small container, add milk drop by drop to nutmeg, mixing to form a thick paste.
-Spot apply onto blemishes after cleansing and patting dry.
-Leave overnight and rinse off in the morning.

Neither of these treatments had specified measurements, but recommended only making enough for one or two uses. That way you would be sure to use fresh treatments to ensure great results. I've used honey in many homemade spa recipes, but after researching the benefits of the new ingredients, I've estimated the amounts needed.

Stay tuned for my Peaceful Space Design Inspiration post. Happy Pampering!

An Emotional Wreck

That's what I've been the last few days. A family member is going through a crisis and I thought I was being supportive, but when their crisis was over and it was time to grieve, they made a decision that made me angry. I didn't even know where the anger came from. It was just there. And overwhelming. It shocked both me and Hubby. It turns out that I was placing all the concern and frustration and helplessness that I wasn't able to express in my own crisis onto theirs. And once they decided to exclude family members from the 'closure' part of their grief, I was so angry I was seeing red. I see now that I was pinning my hope for closure in a past situation of mine on them and that was unfair. This is their tragedy, not mine. The fact is, I will never have that 'this is the end' moment regarding my own situation and I need to accept that. I thought I had. It turns out I had much more to say about an event that has been over for a year now than I knew. I didn't take it out on them, which I'm thankful for. They didn't need my wacko come-out-of-nowhere anger in the middle of all the other stress they were going through. I'm glad they have closure. I'm sad I never will. And that's just the way it is. I know this, too is for a reason. I'm trusting that I will grow and come out of this a better person.

Just a Little Bruised...

Yesterday Baby Boy and I were in a car accident. We lost our car and are so overwhelmingly thankful for the amazing firefighters who pulled us out of our flipped over car and made sure we were okay. It all happened so quickly and we had a real scare. One thing I'm newly appreciative of is our wonderful family and close friends. We're so blessed to have such beautiful souls in our lives who love us so much! I keep finding new bruises and am so amazed they are all I suffered. I definitely believe Someone was watching out for us. Thankfully, Baby Boy came away with barely a scratch. My brave little man who never cried, even when we found ourselves suddenly slammed by another car and losing all sense of direction as we rolled over in a fury of smoke and shattered glass. Seatbelts are such a simple thing, but I'm so glad we had them. I think our good old straps and buckles kept us from getting seriously injured. I see everything with new eyes. Things that seemed important are no longer top priority. I am reassured that the little things I've come to treasure are truly important. They are what matter. The people in our lives who we love and who love us: they matter. Others whom I've tried to please. Others who have judged me or my family and I've tried to judge back: none of that matters. I can't afford wasting time and life worrying about what they think or how I can repay their unkindness. I hadn't even realized I was doing that, but I was, in little ways. I hope to always have the clarity of thought I have right now. I love my family, my Lord and the life I'm blessed to be a part of. That's what is truly important.

Thoughts and Projects

So now I'm trying to do more things that I love. Things that make me feel at peace and give me a sense of accomplishment. I'd like to do more crafting and learn how to do a better job of saving money. Crafts help me unwind and refocus. I haven't crafted regularly for a long time. So here goes. Being newly out of a job, I'm having a hard time feeling like I contribute to the family as a whole. Sure, I take care of my son and try to take care of the house. I switch off cooking with my MIL, which helps considerably in the sanity department, but sadly, I've come to believe if I'm not financially contributing to my family, I'm not really making a difference. It's a mindset I constantly struggle with, so I want to make a conscious effort to be happy and allow myself to appreciate the beauty in life and to be inspired to make my little corner of life a happy, beautiful one. Will this fulfill me? Who knows. I'm willing to take this journey. It may be a slow one, but I hope to make it sincere.

I often feel stuck in the repetitive routine of a stay at home mom. I've only recently remembered that crafting helps to calm my restlessness. I've always wanted to decorate but thought it would cost too much to decorate for every occasion. Well, I decided to have a Valentine dinner for my little family so we could reinvent the day of love into a family love appreciation. And really, it would give me something to do. So here are my homemade Valentines Day decorations.
Not ecstatic about this wreath, but hey, creating it kept me happy for several evenings. It's all foam that I cut and decorated one way or another. Except for the huge foam wreath, that is. It was already in it's donut-like shape. The wonders of tissue paper and glue, huh?

Goodie bags doubling as placecards. I've edited the names :)

Heart garland and dangling heart pendants cut from patterned papers in various shades of pink.

Tissue paper pompoms made from this Martha Stewart tutorial.

What I love most about these projects is the joy and everyday purpose they've given me and the fact that I saved money by making them myself. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Little things

So yesterday I complimented a fellow shopper in the supermarket and felt like a complete idiot while doing it. I turned into the canned food aisle and there was a woman who was obviously having a rough day. So I took a deep breath and got it over with: That haircut looks so great on you. Which it did. Totally true. And it was like I had given her money, her reaction was surprise and then a very pleased smile as she thanked me and walked away a little happier than before. The idiotic feeling faded and I went back to my shopping feeling just great. It's nice to find out that such a small thing can still make a difference, to both the giver and recipient.
Today I want to start a habit of drinking more herbal tea and water throughout my day. Buh-bye soda and wine.

Inspiration loves company

Here are links to some fellow bloggers who are trying to appreciate every day things and better themselves in their own way. It's good to know I'm not alone!

Looking for Something...
Three Beautiful Things
Thankful Blog
All I Need Is A Moment

I hope to find more people who are on this track.

What is Beauty and Inspiration?

These things are so convoluted in my mind. I will purposefully choose to do things to better myself. It starts now. Well, it started yesterday. Not being one who learned how to keep a house, I struggle with housework and end up resenting the mess around me. Yesterday I decided to put away one thing every time I entered a room. By the end of the day, my pile of daily chores didn't seem so dismal and you could actually see the kitchen sink and my dining table! Maybe there's something to this whole choosing your path thing. I used to blame my past for my shortcomings. This is who I am. Deal with it. But then I read somewhere that if you believe your past made you who you are, right now you're shaping who you'll be in the future. It got me thinking about what I thought I couldn't change about me. I'm going to start shaping myself into the person I want to be. I'd like to be smarter, kinder, more resourceful and stronger. I have no idea where to start, so I hope that writing about it will help. Today I will compliment a total stranger. This is hard for me since I don't make friends easily and am usually a very cynical, private person. Not just shmoozing. I will give someone a genuine compliment without sarcasm. I'm terrified just thinking about it. I want to eventually choose huge things that will enrich my life. For now, I'll start small.