New Year's Resolutions!

Whenever the New Year rolls around, we all like to think about the past year and reflect on the changes we want to make for the upcoming year.  And year after year, we find the same resolutions on our lists.  The key is to follow through!

Here are a few tips from Friends and Family Circle to help you make the most of 2011!



CREATE A PLAN: In order for your resolution to be resolved, you must have clear steps that can be put into action!  What are all the steps required to complete your goal?

BE REALISTIC: You've made your list. You're pumped! Then January rolls around and after the first few days, you forget about it. Don't make your goals unattainable - that's the surest way to fall short of achieving them!

TRACK YOUR PROGRESS: Small successes keep you motivated.  Keep track of them and reward yourself!  Beware: That doesn't mean indulge in a double-scoop hot fudge sundae when you're trying to cut dairy out of your diet!

THINK "YEAR ROUND": You set your resolutions in a day, but it will take many small steps to accomplish them. Slow and steady wins the race!

BE FLEXIBLE: Things change - and you need flexibility to complete even the smallest goals.  Sometimes the goals themselves change!  If your resolution isn't going the way you like, start over! You can make resolutions at any time of the year.  The most important thing is to stick to it and keep trying!

Friends and Family Circle wishes you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Holiday Traditions Around The World!

With Christmas right around the corner, Friends and Family Circle thought it'd be fun to take a look at a few holiday traditions around the world!

Although customs vary and secular observances now play a part in the celebration, Christmas has always been a religious holiday.  Therefore, it is celebrated predominantly in countries where Christianity is a significant religion.

Feliz Navidad! In Mexico, they start their festivities on December 16.  For the nine nights before Christmas, families attend parties, or "posadas" as they call it.  On Christmas Eve, the largest posada of all is held.  At midnight, people go to church, and that is followed by a large feast.  At times, gifts are exchanged at church, but children often wait until King's Day (January 6) to receive gifts!

Japan is not a predominantly Christian country, but Christmas has become a secular holiday that many Japanese people enjoy. Homes are decorated with evergreens, special meals are prepared, and Christmas songs sung. Some even get special visits from Hoteisho (Santa)!

The customs followed by the people of Africa are widely varied.   In Ethiopia, children get up early to be at 4:00 am church services. In Ghana, on Africa's west coast, most churches herald the coming of Christmas by decorating the church and homes beginning with the first week in Advent, four weeks before Christmas. In Cape Town, South Africa, most families get together at home or on the beach. How's that for Christmas weather?!

In Brazil, Christmas arrives at the beginning of summer. There is no snow, cold, or need to bundle up, but in spite of the heat, Santa Claus known here as "Papai Noel" wears the traditional red and white suit.  The celebration runs from December 25th to January 6th (Three Kings' Day), lasting 12 days!

Most of the activities in England center around church celebrations. Christmas caroling and Christmas plays and stories are favorites of the holiday season. Christmas trees are very popular, however instead of cutting them down, people dig them up along with some soil, and keep them in a large tub - pretty cool!

Christmas in Australia is usually very HOT!  It is not unusual for temperatures to reach near 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Christmas Day!  A traditional meal includes a turkey dinner, with ham, and pork. A flaming Christmas plum pudding or mince pies are added for dessert. Sounds delicious!

We hope you've enjoyed this mini-trip around the globe for the holidays.  Though celebrated in various ways, the holidays are a joyous occasion for EVERYONE all around the world!

Tracking The Trend: Winter Snow Boots

You’ve been hit by that first blast of snow, gusting winds, and freezing weather.  You can hardly feel your fingers and struggle to see ahead of you as you trudge through this white wonderland.  Don’t let your sense of style fall down a slippery slope – Friends and Family Circle is here to help!  There are certainly enough stylish snow boots around to keep your feet dry and warm!

There are some of us who wander through piles of snow in flimsy footwear only to go back home with soaked toes!  But you know better.  A smart fashionista dresses appropriately for the weather and looks great doing it!

High-heel snow boots. Yes, you heard right.  Nobody would ever look for snow boots with heels, you say? Oh yes, they would.



 

Now those may not be the style of boots you want to wear for those nasty winter days (or ever), but you can make walking through the snow look fashionable with a pair of wedge heel boots from La Canadienne.  Very stylish and guaranteed waterproof, you'll look chic going from a business meeting to an evening dinner.

If the ground is a little slushy, you want to go for a boot with great traction - not necessarily a heavy-duty snow boot.  UGG's Liberty boot is excellent!  It has sheepskin sock liners and gives you a rugged look!






When the weather gets really cold, icky and out of control, take no chances!  The Sorel Glacier will keep you warm, and features a built-in gator to lock out snow, keeping your feet dry through even the deepest drifts.







When it comes to winter boots, women have loads of options.  And no matter your heel preference or signature style,  there's plenty to choose from!

Tracking The Trend: Holiday Party Attire

The holiday season is in full swing! Holiday party invites are being printed. And Friends and Family Circle is here to make sure you don't turn down an opportunity to look fabulous with our style guide on looking your best this season!

Ladies, try carrying a small colored purse to daytime events or a sparkly clutch for evening parties.  These work  best with a one-colored outfit and a scarf to complete your look!  Want to make a dress in your closet go from basic to festive? A  piece of statement jewelry will do the trick! If you don't have a large piece, you can put together several necklaces - mix silver, gold, and pearls to make a UNIQUE necklace!

Want to make your outfit instantly look more expensive? Wear faux-fur! A tasteful, tailored vest cinched in at the waist with a belt adds elegance to an evening look.  This season, there's a resurgence of animal print! Let your inner tigress shine with animal print accessories.  Animal print pumps can dress up your little black dress.  Or update a simple skirt and top with a skinny, leopard-print belt!

Now on to the guys! Fellas, luckily, you don't need to get as "fancy" as the ladies for the holidays, but you don't want to be boring either! Have fun with fashion and color!  A one-button blazer with fitted jeans is simple, chic and sophisticated.  Go ahead and layer a v-neck or a rich colored dress shirt without the tie.

If you're in more conservative setting, try the new two-buttoned suit silhouette which will spotlight your festive shirt and tie.  And if the invite calls for formal attire, a fitted tuxedo is your best bet! Pair that with a French cuff shirt for a classy and elegant holiday look.

Be stylish and fashion forward this holiday season by incorporating some of these trends into your holiday party look! And before stepping out to the stores, take a look at your closet.  You might find what you need without having to reach into those pockets!

Tracking The Trend: Mineral Makeup + e.l.f. Cosmetics Offer!

Mineral makeup – what’s all the hype about?!  For the last few years, mineral cosmetics have been making waves in the film and fashion industries.  Although it has been around for about three decades, the beauty culture is now becoming more committed to better living!

Today’s deal comes from e.l.f. cosmetics! For $15 get $40 worth of e.l.f. mineral makeup! e.l.f. cosmetics has been featured in top fashion magazines including InStyle, Cosmopolitan and Allure so you know you’re getting great quality at an even better price!

So what makes mineral makeup so AMAZING?

It’s actually GOOD for your skin! Many women suffer from skin conditions like acne and rosacea.  Others have allergies or sensitive skin.  Mineral makeup powder is hypoallergenic and doesn’t contain dyes, preservatives, talc, fragrances or mineral oil which can clog pores and irritate skin.

Mineral makeup feels like no makeup at all!  Regular cosmetics are heavy and sometimes have you feeling like you have on a mask. With mineral makeup, you get a lighter texture so even when you are covering a large area with it, your skin is still able to breathe.

And since Friends and Family Circle is all about saving money, you’ll be happy to know that mineral makeup lasts much longer than regular makeup.  Due to the fact that the ingredients are inorganic, meaning that no preservatives need to be added, the makeup will have a long shelf life!  Just take care of it and always apply the makeup with clean brushes.

Get your flawless finish with e.l.f. mineral makeup, and let your natural beauty radiate through!

STYLE ALERT: Glasses are IN! Get stylish now for 66% less!

Forget contact lenses! Nowadays, even the celebrities are swapping contacts for fashionable frames!  From  Justin Timberlake to Katie Holmes, the famous style icons are making being four-eyed, FASHIONABLE!

So if you're lucky enough to need specs too and want to rock a few cool pairs to change your look depending on your mood, then today's deal is for you!  For $25 you'll receive $75 to put towards your prescription eyeglasses purchase.  At Coastal Contacts, you can customize your designer frame, style, shape and even material!  And with hundreds of your  favorite designers, including, Armani, COACH, Calvin Klein, Gucci and Ray Ban, for under $75, you can buy a few to go with any of your looks!  From sporty to business, classic or cutting-edge, Coastal Contacts has frames for every personality!  Shop smart, and save big at www.friendsandfamilycircle.com.