Dream Big ~ Exercising is Fun, don’t you Think??

couple at the beach Exercising is Fun, don’t you Think??

A retired couple decided that they should walk two miles a day to stay in shape.

They chose to walk a mile down the beach so they would have no choice but to walk back.

At the one-mile mark on their first venture, the man asked his wife, “Do you think you can make it back all right, or are you too tired?”

“Oh, no,” she said. “I’m not tired. I can make it fine.”

“Good,” he replied. “I’ll wait here. You go back, get the car and come get me.”

 

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“What does Encouragement mean to you?”

Johann W. Von Goethe once said,” Instruction does much, but encouragement is everything.”

Many times a kind word of encouragement, a smile or a simple touch can lift a heart out of sadness, grief, exhaustion or despair. An act of kindness encouraging others lets them know we care about them, and they are not alone. It also gives us the opportunity to show God’s love as we touch the lives of others. Encouragement gives me hope and determination to keep moving forward when life is tough, and I become weary of the struggles.

A while back I found myself in a place of discouragement. Wondering if the goals and dreams God had placed in my heart were achievable anymore. The way forward seemed so complicated and challenging, and I wasn’t sure I had the enough energy to finish. You know those moments when doubts sneak in and steal your confidence and joy, replacing it with worry and fear.

One morning as I was reading my Bible and praying I asked God to encourage my soul with his love, compassion and guidance. Asking Him to give me a new perspective and passion for the task He had given me. I had become tired. And His promises and love lessons come just in time. I received emails that afternoon of encouragement and confirmation that God is not finished with the dreams and goals He has placed in my heart. God is never late.

I know life can be tough, and the struggles of life can be harsh. But, with God’s encouragement we can remember His promises and rely on Him. The journey will be brighter for us and others as we stand together building each other up with encouragement and care

 

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What do encouraging words mean to you? How have you been encouraged lately?

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs to all.

Have a great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

I Know Just What You Need!

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I Know Just What You Need!

It was one of the worst days of my life; the washing machine broke down, the telephone kept ringing, my head ached, and the mail carrier brought a bill I had no money to pay.

Almost to the breaking point, I lifted my one-year-old into his high chair, I leaned my head against the tray and began to cry.

Without a word, my son took his pacifier out of his mouth and stuck it into mine

 

 

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What Am I Thankful For?

Am I thankful? When God does not answer prayers as I have hoped, and circumstances have left me broken and vulnerable, do I see the hand of God’s wisdom? When the people I love are hurting and going through unimaginable trials, can I still cry out to a God who says He loves me and believe Him? Where can I find a thankful heart?

I always thought as I aged that somehow I would know all the answers to life. However the more I matured I realized I have more questions than answers. Surely I have learned something along the way, or have I forgotten?

The awareness of having a personal relationship with God has given me a great peace in my life. Through the highs and lows, disappointments and joys, sickness and deaths, I have found God a trustworthy and loyal friend. Holding me up, calming my heart, and giving me the confidence to keep moving forward, even when I felt numb.

Some days I must confess that I would rather sit in a closet with a large bag on my head. But in those times He gently reminds me that He is the same today as He was yesterday. The same God, who calmed the storms on the Sea of Galilee and healed the sick so many years ago, lives today. He would die on a cross and then rise again to life a living God. He is the same God I rely on today who calms the storms of my life and gives me peace. He is everything I need.

Because I know the creator of life personally and trust Him, I can choose to be thankful even when I do not feel like it. I have a God, who holds my life and my loved ones in His hands. I think He is better at handling the details of my life, don’t you agree?

When I look back on the life that I have been given, my family, friends, and ministry, how can I not be thankful? I am blessed with God’s incredible protection, love, and forgiveness. Today, I choose you Lord, and desire to be thankful because of who you are, not my circumstances. I love you, Lord.©

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Happy Thanksgiving America, Have a great week!

Lovingly, Karan

What are you Thankful for today? I would love to hear from you.

“Those WHY questions.”

Do You Remember 1950?

These statements made me laugh; ahh those were the days:

1. Pin-up-young-woman-in-vintage-73665439 “I’ll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it’s going to be impossible to buy a weeks groceries for $20.00.”

2. “Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won’t be long when $5000 will only buy a used one.”

3. “If cigarettes keep going up in price, I’m going to quit. A quarter a pack is ridiculous.”

4. “Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?”

5. “If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store.”

6. “When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon. Guess we’d be better off leaving the car in the garage.”

7. “Kids today are impossible. Those ducktail hair cuts make it impossible to stay groomed. Next thing you know, boys will be wearing their hair as long as the girls,”

8. “I’m afraid to send my kids to the movies anymore. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying damn in “Gone With The Wind,” it seems every new movie has either Hell or damn in it.”

9. “I read the other day where some scientist thinks it’s possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas.”

10.”Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn’t surprise me if someday that they will be making more than the President.”

11. “I never thought I’d see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now.”

12.”I’m just afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business.”

13.”Thank goodness, I won’t live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to Congress.”

14.”The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.”

15.”There is no sense going away any more for a weekend. It costs nearly $15.00 a night to stay in a hotel.”

16. “No one can afford to be sick any more; $35.00 a day in the hospital is too rich for my blood.”

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“Those WHY questions.”

When I talk, hear, and see many of you, I am constantly aware that the world we live in is very demanding. With those extra demands in our homes, with our children, and the social and work obligations in our lives, we have a lot of stress. We need to find a way to de-stress and find strength and calm in the midst of the chaos.

I love that verse in the Bible that says, “For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” (Philippians 4:13, NLB)

It gives me great comfort to know that God’s telephone line is never busy. He will never put me on hold, and He does not have an answering service or voice mail. He takes all my calls quickly and personally.

There had been times in my life when he has not answered me right away, and sometimes he has even said no. I also recognize there will be times in my life when I will never know all the answers. Those are the WHY questions, the one’s I don’t understand. And there seems to be a lot of them these last few years.

Can I love him and trust him enough to accept the answers He gives me?

God does not always answer yes,
to every prayer I pray.
Sometimes He answers “No my Child,”
I have a better way.

Thank you for sharing your time with me today, dear friend. If you find and inspiration, love or laughter here, please share with the ones who might enjoy a giggle too.

Have a Great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

The Beauty Bag Downsize

The Beauty Bag

makeup bagIn my wardrobe, I use 2 different units of 13 pieces each.  Each unit has one dark neutral, a light neutral and a favorite color. I have taught how to build wardrobe for years and have found these units, not only save time shopping, but also save on the budget.

Unit #1 – Black and White color combination, and Red.

Unit #2 – Black and White color combination, and Fuchsia & Pinks

These units can be used all year. When I buy an item I look for these colors only.  No matter what I pull out of my closet, every piece will match in their unit.  Over the years I have added other accent colors, to make a new unit, but I have always stayed with the same two neutrals, black and white. 

Building these units makes it so easy to splurge on accessories which I love. It also save big on makeup.

I will show you what is in my cosmetic bag:

Unit #1.

  • 1 – Red Lipstick
  • 1 – Red Blush
  • 1 – Charcoal eyeliner pencil, and Charcoal eye shadow

 

Unit #2

  • 1 – Fuchsia Lipstick
  • 1 – Fuchsia Blush
  • 1 – Brown eyeliner pencil, and Brown eye shadow

These will cover all my wardrobe needs, so I am seldom tempted to look at other colors.

Many people ask about my favorite tips from 40 years in the cosmetic field with makeup artistry, photography makeup, modeling, theatrical and personal makeups.  Here are a few that I love and are not to expensive.

  1. M·A·C STUDIO FACE AND BODY FOUNDATION, this formula provides a long-lasting, water-resistant finish and light weight.
  2. Lancôme Effacernes, Long-wear, waterproof formula won’t crease or fade. I have cried through many weddings, graduations and funerals. This product is a keeper in my books!
  3. Eucerin Q10 anti-wrinkle sensitive skin cream, a dear friend turned me on to this cream. It inexpensive, and works like a charm. I use it both morning and night after cleaning my face.
  4. Olay Regenerist, Serum, this goes on after my cream and works well under your makeup.
  5. Lara Geller Spackle this is a beautiful primer, I call it my crack filler. LOL
  6. O. Bigelow Cinnamint supreme 2X lip moisturizer, non-greasy and does a light plumping.
  7. Maybelline Super stay 24 hour color lipstick, at my age this is feather proof which I notice I need more and more! Lol
  8. Coconut Oil, I use it on face at night under the Eucerin cream, on my fingernails and hands, and hair. This has helped the dryness.

 

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What are some of your favorite tips, let me know. I always am interested to see what others are doing. Let me know if this was helpful to you. Also if you have any questions regarding this blog let new know and I will try to answer you.  tons of love and Hugs

Lovingly Karan

Budget Saving Tips for the Fashionable

 

Budget Saving Tips for the Fashionable

       

 scarfe stylesI love accessories and I can spend much of my time in those departments.  I love how a simple scarf, pin, jewelry or shoes can change the whole look of an outfit with so little cost. Helping you can get great mileage out of your basic wardrobe.

Today I thought I would show you some tricks with scarves. There are so many beautiful colors, combinations and sizes which will add pizzazz to any outfit.  Also giving you many great alternatives for your wardrobe.

Be creative, try using scarves in different ways, be imaginable you may start a fad!

 

Use them for:

  • Blouses under your jackets
  • Belts for both casual and evening events
  • And even used them as jewelry, with pins, pearls and necklaces intertwined.
  • Hair and head designs
  • Don’t overlook large scarves, they make wonderfully elegant shawls for evening
  • Also remember the men in your life, masculine scarves in wool’s, plaids and plain colors look great but also add warmth on chilly days. 

 

I have added a PDF for you,  of different scarves and styles to try:  scarves 

Next week I will continue with other Budget wise tips to save money. If you enjoyed this blog and found it helpful let me know.

Thank you Julie for sharing this scarf video, of Wendy’s Lookbook from youtube.com  Hugs

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“Fashion is about something that comes from within YOU.”
Ralph Lauren

No matter what your style or fashion, It is such a wonderful comfort that when God see’s us He thinks we are perfect. Like the flowers of the fields He has personally clothed us with His design and purpose. In Matthew 6:28-29The Message (MSG) it  says,

 Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference?

Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

Thank you for spending your time with me, I love this time together. Also thank you for your prayers, I am doing better and feeling much stronger with more energy. I am honored by your friendship and compassion, Hugs

 Lovingly, Karan