Category Archives: Christmas

SHARE YOUR SPARKLE: What’s Your Love Language?

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Holiday_magic

Happy Christmas Week Sista!

Are you in the holiday spirit? I sure am and after a whirlwind week of events, work and parties I took my own advice and recouped with lots of sleep and Wellness Formula over the weekend. If you didn’t catch my last blog on keeping your immune system strong, please make sure to check it out.

I’m just about finished with my holiday shopping and look forward to long holiday dinners with my VIP’s this week. Spending  quality time with the people I love is the best gift ever.

At this time of year, it’s easy to get consumed with buying just the right gifts when what people really want (and need) is the gift of YOU! I would much rather a friend or family member give me their time and attention than spending unnecessary money on something I don’t really need. But, that’s MY love language. Your love language might be receiving gifts. Mine is actually a combo of words of affirmation and quality time.  For me– gifts can never replace someone’s attention.  It lights me up when someone really takes the time to be present with me and ask me how I’m doing. It’s very important to me that I reciprocate as well. With all of life’s distractions and the phone being glued to our hand, this is a dying art. I encourage you to read The 5 Love Languages to understand yourself and your loved ones better.

My bestie and I decided against buying gifts for each other this year and instead we are planning to spend quality time together. We’re going to take our men to look at Christmas lights (whether they like it or not) then cook while drinking wine with holiday tunes playing. After so many lonely holidays in LA, this planned quality time is such a blessing.

I know this is a challenge with busy schedules and all the holiday activities, but that’s what makes quality time even more special when you carve it out. I decided to write a blog on this topic because it kept coming up in conversation last week.  The overall consensus was that as much as women love receiving gifts, what we love most are the things that money can’t buy. That’s the true beauty and magic of the holidays.

SHARE YOUR SPARKLE.

SHARE YOUR LOVE.

SHARE YOUR LIGHT.

BE PRESENT WITH YOUR LOVED ONES, KIDS, FRIENDS. It’s the best gift you could ever give them.

Share. Like. Comment.

Wishing you a beautifully blessed Christmas week!

Love, Tiff

 

 

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CHILDLIKE WONDER Vs. THE GRINCH

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photo-309Tiff Age 4

At lunch last week, my girlfriend and I were sharing holiday memories from when we were little girls. I mentioned how amazing my mom was at creating traditions not only at Christmas, but she also made a big deal out of Valentine’s Day and Easter. Mom’s work so hard and stress themselves out beyond belief to ensure their babies have a full of wonder holiday experience. Thanks mama! Oh… and can’t forget daddy. He toiled all night on Christmas eve to assemble things like swing sets, Barbie townhouses and electric pianos. Who else got that Barbie townhouse with the cool elevator? My mom bought us a new ornament every year and on Christmas eve we could open just one gift- new PJ’s. We would set out cookies and milk for Santa and mom always (and still does) had either pine or cranberry smelling candles burning. My heart is full right now remembering these childhood traditions. I had lots of challenges as a child, but Christmas was always blessed.

As I write this, the twinkle lights are glowing on the tree and I’m sipping hot cocoa with a splash of peppermint mocha creamer. I hung up all the beautiful Christmas cards we’ve received from friends and wrapped the last gift. I am officially in the holiday spirit and should be wearing an ugly sweater, but I just can’t bring myself to it. LOL. This time last year, I could barely fake being in the holiday spirit. I wasn’t quite a full on grinch, but almost. We had only been living in Dallas for a few weeks and adjusting to ice storms. Our cross-country move cost much more than we expected so the Christmas shopping budget was painfully tight. I didn’t even send out real Christmas cards. An e-card was the best I could do.

As I always say, life happens and we just have to show up and do the best we can with what we’ve got. The ebb and flow of life is inevitable and I’ve learned to surf it instead of fight it. We’ve all had crappy holidays, but even as an adult, it’s much more fun & fabulous to embrace the holiday with childlike wonder than to be a grinch. I was so at peace being back in my home state and that was the best gift ever. Finances may have been tight, but you cannot put a price tag on peace.

ARE YOU IN THE SPIRIT?

This time of year is difficult for many. Perhaps there is family drama or the loss of a family member creates sadness and a void in your heart. Like my holiday last year, maybe your finances are putting a damper on the festivities. I highly recommend doing fun simple things like creating a Christmas station on Pandora, burning holiday candles (I prefer the smell of vanilla over pine, cranberry or peppermint) and watch old Christmas movies. The original Miracle on 34th Street was on a few nights ago! Talk about getting in the spirit when you watch a good old black & white film. My mom, sister and I usually bake cookies together and I look forward to doing that with them next week.

Most importantly- if the holidays make you sad instead of spirited, I highly recommend helping someone else have a good holiday. Your sadness will lift and God will bless you richly. It doesn’t have to be a homeless shelter, although that is so needed, but maybe there’s a single mom at your child’s school who can barely pay the rent much less buy a Christmas tree. You could get her a cute small tree at places like Hobby Lobby or Target. All the holiday decorations are already on sale at both places! Last year, one of my besties gave us a beautiful little decorated tree and I can’t tell you how much life that brought to our new place for the holidays. When I couldn’t bring myself to decorate, a friend pulled through. My spirit was lifted.

Choose to be childlike.

Choose to count your blessings.

Love, Tiff

P.S. Don’t forget the SOS Stocking Stuffer Giveaway ends 12/24! 

Bright Eyed & Bushy Tailed for the HoliDAZE

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Because I work in front of the camera and have to look bright-eyed at a moments notice, I have found the following tips give me an instant well-rested look even after a night of little sleep, high sodium meals, sugary treats and one glass of wine too many!  On top of that, I have hereditary dark circles and puffy eyes.  The use of heaters and all the nasal issues we deal with during the winter can add to the puffy eye problem as well.  The combination of the following tips will give you the appearance of being bright eyed and bushy tailed and as if you slept a full 8 hours, I promise!

1. HYDRATE: Drink a large glass of water with juice from half a lemon. This aids in relieving a puffy face and cleanses the body of toxins. Also, helps keep your belly flatter for that sassy cocktail dress. (I actually down a big glass of lemon water first thing EVERY a.m.)

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2. NATURAL DIURETIC: Puffiness is due to a build up of fluid under the eye.  Eat a bowl a strawberries to flush out water retention.  They are loaded with calcium, potassium and arginine which have diuretic properties.

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3. TEA BAGS: Chill used tea bags in the fridge and apply to eyes for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. Cold spoons work as well, but aren’t as comfortable.

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4. UNDER EYE CREAM WITH CAFFEINE:  Look for eye creams and serums with caffeine which shrinks fluid buildup under the eye. I use Garnier anti-dark circle rollerball with tint on days my eyes are extra dark and puffy. The caffeine plus the rollerball help de-puff the under eye area super quick.

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5. EGG WHITE MASK: Using approximately 1 teaspoon of an egg white as a facial mask will tighten the skin and shrink swelling and pore size. Wakes up your skin and gives you an instant glow. Make sure to do this mask the day of an important event where lots of photos will be taken! Your skin will be glowing and smooth.
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6. HIGHLIGHTER IN CORNER OF EYES: Adding a brightening white, beige or peach eyeshadow to the inner corner of the eye adds a youthful look and widens the appearance of the eyes giving a more rested look.

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7. VISINE: A ‘must do’ to whitens the eyes.

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9. ADD CUCUMBERS TO EVERY MEAL. (Great to do year round, not just the holidays!) Cucumbers contain silica, an ingredient which boosts moisture and elasticity to the skin. It’s awesome for hydrating dry skin and hair during winter. I’ve been eating a Persian cucumber before bed the past few months and can see a big difference in my skin when I wake up. Thanks to my sister, esthetician and wellness ambassador Natalie Bolton for the tip!

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10. RAISE YOUR HEART RATE: Doing 50 jumping jacks or taking a brisk 15-20 minute walk instantly increases the circulation in the body which adds a flush to the cheeks helping you look and feel more awake.

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Plus, if you can get in a few 15 minute power naps here and there during the holidays it will help you get through all the activities! Make sure to drink a protein shake or protein-rich snack like tuna fish before heading to a cocktail party. Protein digests slower giving you a “full” feeling longer and will keep you from lapping around the snack table one too many times.

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I posted this on the Facebook Page and wanted to share it here with the blog sistas too…

You may not be able to buy the latest Louboutin’s or that designer dress, but…. when you live life with an OPEN HEART leaving others feeling better from having been in your presence, CONFIDENT in who you are, embracing your strengths as well as your quirks, refuse to play into comparison and are surrounded by fam & friends who always have your back– YOU my sista, are a WEALTHY WOMAN… even if you are rockin’ a $15 top from TJ Maxx. HOLLA! That’s what SOS is all about. Styling your Spirit as well as your wardrobe! Without a beautiful Spirit…it doesn’t matter what label you have on your back. ~TH

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Wishing you all a Festive & Fabulous holiday season!

Do you have a great tip for looking bright eyed?

Give the gift of SOS to your girlfriends! If you have a friend who could use a style, beauty or Spirit rescue– make sure to share this blog site with them! We have some exciting things coming up in 2014.

SHARE THE BEAUTY, STYLE & INSPIRATION!

  Love, Tiff

STRESS-FREE GIFT GIVING + VIDEO REPLAY {Plus Sunday Eve Affirmations}

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“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”  ― Mother Teresa

Who’s loving the festive season?  Who’s getting totally stressed out from it all?  With all the holiday parties to attend, one too many swipes of the credit card, scouring the stores for THE perfect gifts and the anxiety of spending time with that family member who just– to put it plain + simple— gets on your last nerve….. the sparkle, magic and beauty of the holidays can turn into a depressing, stressful and lackluster occasion.  Don’t let that happen sistas!

We’re wrapping up a big year and that alone is reason to celebrate.  In the remaining weeks of December, let’s sloooooow down.  Remember the reason for the season.  Has ‘gift giving’ turned into more of a commercialized expectation between you and your family and friends, rather than a genuine token of love and appreciation?  Has it become normal for you to start the New Year with maxed out credit cards?   Please take that pressure off yourself!  Some of the most meaningful gifts are the ones that cost very little, but had so much thought put into them.  Giving your time and attention to someone who gets very little of it throughout the year can be the best gift you could ever give them and it’s FREE! 

Trust me, I love shopping for the important people in my life!  It’s so fun to find that perfect, unique gift you just know will bring a big smile to their face and twinkle in their eye.   It’s a win-win.  The giver feels good and so does the receiver!   But, say you had a rough year financially….PLEASE communicate that with your family + friends.  It may bruise your pride and ego, but you’ll get over it.  That brief sting is better than the long-term pain of paying off the credit card interest throughout the coming year.   There are so many low cost options these days.  Get creative.   Also, many people feel if you buy them a gift then they’re obligated to reciprocate with a gift of an equal amount.  WHY?  This is just another way we suck the love, joy and beauty out of the season.  If you find that perfect gift for a friend, give it without expecting anything in return.  That is true giving.  

In the week ahead, I WILL…..

  1. Stick to my gift budget without running up my credit cards.
  2. Not feel guilty about declining a social invitation.
  3. Be present in the moment. This special holiday only happens once a year.
  4. Not allow that ‘certain’ family member to steal my joy.
  5. Slow down.
  6. Enjoy the cookies, candy and hot toddy in moderation.
  7. Respect others traditions, but will start a few of my own.
  8. Rock the red lip, red heel, red dress or all three.
  9. Give a deserving person my time and attention.
  10. Not neglect my workouts because it’s an instant stress buster.
  11. Give without expectation!

Need a few gift ideas for the fashionista or the foodie in your life?  Check out this video replay:

 

I would love to hear your thoughts and two-cents on the topic of gift giving.   Each and every comment is appreciated!   Do you have a great holiday stress-reliever?  Share it sista!

We have (2) more weeks of Stocking Stuffer Giveaways!  Don’t miss out.  Make sure to check in on the FACEBOOK PAGE during the week.  You must be a subscriber to this blog, part of the Facebook Community and make at least (1) comment during the giveaway week!  Winner will be announced on Friday.  BIG CONGRATS to last week’s winner, Colleen Campbell-Voigt!

Happy Hanakkuh to those of you celebrating!

Wishing you a week full of twinkly lights + sparkly sequin!

Love, Tiff

BELTS 101: New Webisode

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Hello Gorgeous!

We are having so much fun with the first week of stocking stuffer giveaways.  I admit it will be tough to part with some of these goodies, but I’m really excited to share all these fabulous finds with you girls!  Forgive me, it’s been a while since my last style webisode.  With my extended vacay to TX plus all the work with our other business and my cameraman/hubby not being available, it has been difficult to get something in the can.  I was thrilled to finally shoot this new video on one of my all-time-favorite accessories, THE BELT!  Check it out…..

Get ready to drool over the unique stocking stuffer goodies from the eclectic boutique LUSCIOUS SOUL:

Remember to check in on the SOS Facebook Page every week through Christmas for fun questions + convos!

Please share the SOS love with your friends.  Tweet, Like, Share, Comment if you found the belt info helpful.

I so appreciate it!

Love, Tiff

New Year, New You, New Products (+ Swag Bag Giveaway)

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Who is ready to kiss 2011 ba-bye?  ME!!!

I hope you all had a beautifully blessed Christmas and Santa was super sweet to you!  I really love this time of year because there is a bit of downtime to get organized, set goals for the new year and reflect on any changes I want to make…including changes in my beauty + health routine as well as my wardrobe.  I asked my Fellow Facebook Fashionistas to share any beauty or fashion resolutions they are making for 2012:

  • Dawn Lynn Takacs:  My beauty goal for 2012- This year centering the inner you that reflects the outer you. More “me” time for creative therapy, thought provoking reading, sharing time or just meditating with a fabulous candle. I will find (if only) 20 minutes a day to nurture myself spiritually.
  • Naomi Sampson Westgard: I am going to wear EVERYTHING in my closet at least once!!! Ok….for at least a few hours at a time. If I don’t wear it…it goes!
  • Ellen Stoneberg: To get the courage to wear false eyelashes to work on a daily basis. Something tasteful and not obvious but a little more lampchop (the puppet) like, you know flirty! I want to be more girly.
  • Syera Letiece:  To bring more color to my closet I love bright colors and how they look on my skin. I want to pop and stand out a little more with over doing it. But so that when people see me they know it’s me 🙂
  • Lachele Haines Stoeck:  I am resolving to eat healthier. Not to lose weight but to gain energy and feel stronger!
  • Muffy McKay: I am going to try to buy less and shop my closet more this year.
  • Kirsten Robison: Eat healthier, hair change (it is so time to do so), and try to loose the extra pounds I need to….want to be Hawaii body ready!….and the most important, read my bible more and let the light shine through….more smiles! 🙂

WATCH WEBISODE:

I love finding great drugstore beauty products!  In the latest webisode, I give you 10 of my favorite + latest finds for $10 or less.  For the New Year, I will be giving one winner an SOS Swag Bag filled with a few of the items I discuss in the video along with some extras (like some fabulous accessories or my fave nutrition products) to help give you a head start on looking + feeling your best in 2012! (value worth $100)

TO ENTER: You must be part of the Sanctuary Of Style Facebook community. Then follow 2 simple steps.
 https://www.facebook.com/sanctuaryofstyle

1. Share this video on your Facebook wall with SOS tagged. (To “tag” the  SOS page along with the video–you simply type the @ symbol and immediately type in Sanctuaryofstyle and the FB page will be tagged)
2. Post this comment on the SOS Facebook page: 

“I will walk tall in my power in 2012”

ENDS AT 12 MIDNIGHT PST ON JAN 7th.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY, JAN 8th.



YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED!  YOU ARE COMPLETE!  Just like Dorothy’s friends in The Wizard of Oz—the Scarecrow looking for brains, the Tin Man looking for a heart, the Lion looking for courage, when in fact — THEY HAD THESE THINGS ALL ALONG!

I appreciate each + every one of you for joining me on this path to us being our most beautiful, powerful + confident selves!  My prayer is that you all have more happiness, more abundance + more love in the New Year!

xoxo, Tiff

MAKE THE CAMERA YOUR BFF!

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Ho Ho Ho SOS Supermodels!

Do you have a love/hate relationship with the camera? 

Do you cringe when a friend tags you in a photo on Facebook?

Well, all of that is about to change!

During this time of year there are photo op’s every time you turn around whether it’s around the tree with family or toasting at a party with your girlfriends- so I wanted to share with you a few simple tips for taking YOUR BEST PHOTOS!   I started modeling at 14 and have had PLENTY of years of practice in front of the camera and learned what to tweak to help you look your most flattering + confident!  Luckily, these days with the digital cameras we can see it immediately and do as many retakes as we want!  Cracks me up when my friends and I take photos together,  we all want to check out how we look right away!  Screw how your friends look- we look at ourselves in the photo! You know what I’m talking about:-)

WATCH WEBISODE:

Now the camera can be your new BFF!

This is the S-Curve pose that Christie Brinkley made famous!  I love that she wasn’t a toothpick.  Remember, swivel the hips and bring the shoulders back around.  This is by far, the most transforming photoposing tip!

REMINDER FOR MY CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY:

I will be offering reasonable PRIVATE SKYPE CONSULTATION + COACHING SESSIONS next year so I am giving one SOS blog subscriber 30 minutes with me via skype!  To enter you must be a follower or subscriber of this blog and send me a personal email to asktiffanyhendra@gmail.com with a short + sweet note saying you would like to spend 30 minutes with me.

FUN IDEA:

I shared this on Facebook and it really made an impact on several gals!  “NEW YEAR…TIME FOR A NEW RED WALLET! As the new year approaches- take the time to cleanse + organize areas of your life that need it so you do not take “clutter” and blockage into 2012. One place to start- HOW DOES YOUR PURSE LOOK? Is it filled with old receipts, gum wrappers? Is is tattered? WHAT ABOUT YOUR WALLET? A great gift you can buy for yourself this season is a NEW RED WALLET: “A new wallet symbolizes being ready to accept new wealth + colors in the red family draw prosperity to you.”-Feng Shui expert, Carol Olmstead.  I just got this new Michael Kors- I’m ready for more prosperity in 2012! Go for it girls!

Had to share this awesome quote from my bestie LeeAnne Locken-  “You are not a size, you are not a weight, you are not a color, you are not an age, you are not a trophy, you are not a doll, you are a HUMAN and you are BEAUTIFUL!! Never let others define you…you define yourself”!  Isn’t that a great mantra to carry into the New Year!?

I love getting comments + feedback- so don’t hesitate to let me know what you want to see!

Wishing you all a fun, fabulous, festive week ahead + a Very Merry Christmas!  Hanukkah began today so if you are celebrating– I wish you a HAPPY HANUKKAH!

Remember it’s all about us being more fabulous together! 

Love, Tiff

GET FESTIVE FAST *Plus* EXCITING CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY

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Sparkle.

Bling.

Shine.

Dazzle….these are a few key words for this weeks topic!

Are you getting those last minute texts to meet your friends at a fun holiday cocktail party?  Thought so..and you may only have 5 minutes to add some glam + sparkle to the outfit you’ve had on all day at work, right?!   This weeks webisode, I show you some easy, but glamorous ways to get festive fast!  *PLUS* I am thrilled to announce my Christmas Giveaway.  Watch video at the bottom of page for details.  Exclusively for SOS blog subscribers+followers ONLY.

I LOVE HENRI BENDEL BAUBLES! www.henribendel.com

STATEMENT NECKLACES

EXCITING CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY:

 

I’m excited to offer skype consulting/coaching calls as a VIP Service in 2012.  Winner announced Christmas Eve, December 24th. To enter you must be a subscriber or follower of this blogsite and you must send me a private email to asktiffanyhendra@gmail.com with your info.

Wishing you all a beautiful + blessed holiday!

Remember it’s all about us being more fabulous together,

xoTiff