The third Milagros Spirit Icon in this series is the mouth (or lips/mouth.)  Our mouths are portals through which we express our feelings and thoughts and through which we receive sustenance.  A mouth Milagros represents words and language.  In Milagros tradition, representation of mouths and lips is rarer than other body parts.

Mouth Milagros are used to cure both tangible and anxiety-created problems.  Mouth Milagros are a symbol of the sacred trust you have with your own body.  When you eat, contemplate your meal and ensure that the food you eat is nutritious.  When you speak, listen to yourself.  Consider that what you say is a reminder to others of your thoughts and beliefs.  Never underestimate the effect your words may have.

At the appointed time, we move from coffee and doughnuts in the hall to silence and prayer in the chapel. My four delightful friends form the core of worshipers for daily Morning Prayer, a tradition as old as any other in the Anglican Church. This morning, I was checking my email in my office when they shooed me into the chapel, where my rector asked me to lead our morning's devotion.

"Lord, open our lips," I prayed.

"And our mouth shall proclaim your praise," came the response.

These words, so familiar from years of praying the Daily Office,* tasted fresh and alive with new meaning this morning. Notice the progression these two lines demonstrate. We cannot proclaim God's praise until God opens us up. God is the cause. Our proclamation is the effect. Indeed, God activates our praise. We do not call God to us when we come together in prayer; God calls us to prayer. God is not standing on the doorstep with hands in pockets waiting to be buzzed in. God is already inside prompting within us the desire to gather. Lord, open our lips. Only when God has done this will we be ready or able to proclaim God's praise.

These words at the beginning of Morning Prayer remind us that we do not have a boxed-up God or a God carved in a piece of wood. Our God does not exist for our convenience. Our God is not a mute receptacle for our cares and concerns. Our God lives a life of radiance and moves with graceful unpredictability through a world which tries its best to forget who deserves credit for creation. God's radiant life is complete within that life, but, in a wonderful incongruity, God also moves in and through our own little lives. This movement activates our prayer. This movement gives us the desire to praise God. Our mouth shall proclaim your praise because you, Lord, have deigned to open our lips.

In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis comes to a similar conclusion when discussing our connection with the life of the Trinity: "An ordinary Christian kneels down to say his prayers. He is trying to get into touch with God. But if he is a Christian he knows that what is prompting him to pray is also God: God, so to speak, inside him. But he also knows that all his real knowledge of God comes through Christ, the Man who was God -- that Christ is standing beside him, helping him pray, praying for him. You see what is happening. God is the thing to which he is praying -- the goal he is trying to reach. God is also the thing inside him which is pushing him on -- the motive power."

God both motivates our pray and receives it. When we pray, "Lord, open our lips," we acknowledge that we would not even be entertaining the notion to praise God if God were not prompting us toward such a notion. Thus, our prayer is our ultimate expression of God's sovereignty, which (from an anthropocentric perspective) is our inability to control God. When we view prayer as our response to God's movement, we are less likely to see God as the proverbial divine genie-in-a-bottle or ATM. We are more likely to come to God humbly, overwhelmed by the proposition that the Creator of all that is would desire our mouths to proclaim any sort of praise.

The four delightful ladies with whom I share Morning Prayer understand this gift of God's presence better than most. They are there every day, expressing their joy that our radiant God moves in their midst, activating their praise.

Footnotes

* "The Daily Office" is a technical term for the various daily times of prayer, which grew out of the monastic tradition of praying the hours. In the Episcopal Church, Morning and Evening Prayer are the predominant pieces of the Office, with Noonday prayers and Compline (nighttime prayers) a close second.

The yellow correcting powder is pretty decent for helping to conceal under eye circles. Like the green correcting powder you apply it before foundation. The light concealer is nice too, though I prefer my Maybelline Ever Fresh; it just conceals better (including those under eye circles, which for me still need some covering after the correcting powder & foundation some days.) so while I do like the mineral concealer, I think I'll stick with Maybelline long-term for that. Unless I change my mind by the time I finish my sample concealer of course. But I don't think I will.

Free sample included with my last order: Multi-use color "No Doubt". It's GORGEOUS - but not a good eye color for me nor good as  blush because of the deep, dark tones in it. But the good news is that it makes an AWESOME lip color!

Which brings me to my next point... using mineral pigments on your lips. I was going to make a video but I'm having some issues with that today so you will have to settle for text-only instructions.

Step 1: Make sure the color you want to use is safe for lips! Not all mineral pigments are ok to use on your lips, so if you don't already know you need to do some research and find out if the color you want to use is going to be ok. MAD Minerals clearly states on individual color pages if they are not safe for use on lips.

Step 2: Moisturize. This should be a standard step no matter what type of product you plan to put on your lips. Apply some good lip balm and let it soak in for a good 15-20 minutes. (Getting ready to go out or to work? Put the balm on before you shower or while you're doing other things like getting dressed and doing your hair etc.) Blot off your lips to get rid of the excess lip balm.

Step 3: Apply a base. What to use? Depends on the colors you're using, and what look you are going for. If you just want the pigment as your lip color, start off with clear lip gloss. If you want to mix colors/alter the color of another product etc. you can use a colored lip gloss. You could also use lipstick if you prefer. Whatever you decide to use, only apply a THIN layer.

Step 4: Apply pigment. Using your finger or a lip brush, dab on the pigment of your choice and blend well. It might take a little work to get the color blended well if you're using a darker shade. Again, apply a THIN layer.

Step 5: Finishing. Blot again after applying pigment. If you like the finish this leaves (somewhat matte) then you are done. If you want a glossy finish top it off with more clear gloss, or a colored gloss if you prefer.

Optional: If you want to build the color, continue applying thin layers of gloss and pigment, blotting after each pigment layer till you get the desired color.

More ways to use mineral pigments coming soon! ;-)

]]> http://ericgoeres.wordpress.com/?p=282 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:08:26 +0000 ericgoeres http://ericgoeres.fr.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/282/

     "A child stood gazing at a freshly opened box of chocolate candies--lips pressed together, concentrating fully upon the decision at hand.  The rule was "Only one, no more than one, but any one you want."  Should it be the biggest one, or would the small round one be the favorite peppermint cream?  Then again, the long one might last longer.  Which to choose?  And how to decide?

     Perhaps a child's decisions seem trivial to us adults.  Oh, we recognize that they are important to the child, but we have a broader perspective.  That is the question in making choices, isn't it?  To have an eternal perspective on life and its decisions is to know how to choose." Michael Green

Quote of the day:  Richard Foster

"Indeed, wisdom and discernment are among the natural results of a prayer-filled life."

Bible verse of the day:  Proverbs 2:6

"For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;"

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I receive Your Words today and treasure the things within You.  I pray to listen to Your Wisdom and apply it with a heart full of understanding.  I pray to walk in the way of goodness, and keep to the path that You have set before me.  I thank You for this day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

Monks of love come
Monks of love go
Each in their pursuit of that fluid
Eternal Love
Nirvana perhaps
That Love of the Immediate Now
Where soul meets soul meets soul meets soul meets soul
Until merged
Until One
So they think
Until asked

The lips of two kiss and there is passion...
Where is the passion when the kiss is of only one?

Idle words weigh heavy in God's balance. God, that hath given a law to the heart, hath also given a law to the lips: "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Mt 12:36). Words will come to be judged; either we are to give an account of them here, or hereafter; either to condemn ourselves for them, and seek pardon, or to be condemned hereafter before GOD. A loose and ungoverned tongue will be one evidence brought against men, as a sign of their unrenewed hearts, in the day of judgment.

PSALM 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (esv)

pdb

I'm admittedly a lip girl.  I love glosses and sticks and liners and tubes and pots and balms and jellies and treatments and scrubs and exfoliators and more.  I like shimmer and shine.  I like the mystique of matte.  I like clear and I like color. 

But lately... lately I'm falling for eyes.

And here are three reasons why...

1. Make Up For Ever Professional Metallic Eyeliner: Every cloud has its silver lining. 

2. Benefit Chubby Pencils: Offer a quite comprehensive Benefits package. (Sold separately.)

3. Laura Mercier Mineral Eye Powder in Saphire: It's never been sexier to be in the navy.

Photos: SCB

Are you dying to see me or is that lead in your lipstick?

An attractive beauty aid/product/service has come under fire, the exposure of millions of women to the accumulative effects of Lead (a c through the use of their lipstick.

"Lead on lips can lead to lead toxicity. A lipstick that gives a bright colour to your lips may contain significant amounts of lead. Don't be mislead by the glow, and use chemical-free lipsticks, if you can" -Dr Joshi at www.farawaysister.com

Something to consider next time you go shopping for Lipstick.... ...
Many women don't realize that when they're putting on their favorite lipstick each morning, it can be bringing them one step closer to lead poisoning. This guide will help you check to see if your lipstick contains lead.

Steps

1. Rub a small amount of lipstick across a part of open skin, preferably your hand.
2. Wipe a gold ring or any jewelry made of gold on it.
3. Wait for about a minute or two. If the color turns black, then immediately throw the lipstick away. The lipsticks that you want to test are old ones, they don't make lipstick with lead anymore, but many from years past can be very dangerous.
4. If there is no color change, then your lipstick is fine.

Tips

• The lipstick will not turn black immediately. If it doesn't change within a minute or so, then it is fine.
• Similar to other makeup, lipstick does have a shelf life, and should be discarded after 6 months.

Warnings

• "This claim appears to be drawn from an old alchemist's trick of testing the purity of gold by rubbing ore on a dark stone (often containing lead) and comparing the streak with another of known quality. However, the process does not work in reverse. Even if it did, there would not be a large enough concentration of lead in a strip of lipstick to produce a visible change. Real, reliable detection of lead in a product requires rigorous scientific testing, and cannot be achieved "on the cheap" using normal household products."

So Ladies – “PRECAUTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.”

Love and care your self, and look beautiful for ever.

LIPSTICK INFORMATION

This comes from someone
Who works in the breast cancer unit at

-Mt. Sinai Hospital , in Toronto ..
-From: Dr. Nahid Neman

i love you these three words
eight letters
eight seconds later
lets break up these three words
forever and ever

i don't understand
why i never look straight into your eyes
was it so hard to comprehend
your intentions beforehand

laughter added into the mixture
of unknown sadness untouched
solution never been sought
time was adding salt

i can't recall the taste of your lips
softness of your touch
was it so tender and blew passed me
then why my heart hurts so much

i never look back
i never fall back
though i wanted to
though i wished to
but to love you again
would hurt you again

why to love you was to part with you
why to forget you was to hate you
why i didn't cry to forgive myself
why our love ended undefined

dark skin= plum, violet, chocolate, and brick red

medium skin=all reds, brown, mauve, and spicy browns.

light skin=peach, beige, corals, brown-pink, and magenta.

fair skin=pastel pink, sheer purples, and crystal rose.

Pick the right color! Choose a shade based on your skin coloring. Lighter berries for light skin types and deeper berries for darker skin types. If your complexion is cool tone, you'll look better in mavue or plum shades. If your complexion is pink, you'll look better in blue tone pinks, blue tone reds, and purple shades, while girls with yellow tones are flattered by warmer reds that have a brown base. Warm skin types will also look excellent in classic orange shades, such as amber. Peach and Coral lipstick should be reserved for Light and Warm skin types. Purples and most Pink lipsticks should be reserved for Cool skin types that are Light or Fair. Deep cool complexions look most flattering in Violet hued berry shades. Deep complexions that are Warm look excellent in a Brick Red or Deep Rust shades.

You may be saying to yourself, this all sounds confusing, but it doesn't have to be! The key is too remember warm or cool. Reserve pinks, purples, and blues for cool skin. Reserve brown, brown-pinks, oranges , and warm reds (such as Scarlet) for warm complexions. Now that you know your correct colors, all you have too do is decide how intense of a shade you should wear, depending on how fair or how deep your complexion is.

Deep and Tan skin types can go for drama. The dark features allow a heavier look. Be glamoures, and have fun with it. Medium skin types fall right in the middle. You're lucky. You can wear a plethora of shades ad combinations. All though you do best with an "Earthy" look. Light skin types need too keep it fresh and natural. Go for warmer tones that brighten your features. It will make you appear soft and inviting. Fair skin types need a majestic look. Paint with a light hand in cosmic shades, such as pinks and purples. You pull off the delicate, ethereal look better than anyone else. Remember sheer touches of cool colors.

How to Wear Red Lipstick

Red is a classic
Red is divine on medium, tan, and deep skin colors. Wear a true red if your skin is light or fair, for extreme drama. Line inside of lips Red lipstick tends to bleed, so fill in lips with lip liner . Go light on the eyes, polish, and the blush. Try light or clear colors so not to over power the red lips. Your lips should stand out only.

Red and Berries are universal, they come in an assortment of Cool and Warm tones. For these try on samples before you buy, to find the right pick for you.
Cool skined blondes look excellent in petal pinks. Cool skinned brunettes look divoon in lavenders, and sheer purples. Warm skinned blondes look superb in peaches and corals. Warm skinned brunettes look a knock-out in a crimson red or sultry rose. Redheads are fascinating in orangy browns.

Fair skinned people shoud opt for a Rose shade when wearing a red lipstick. Unlike the other complexions, true reds will look ghastly on delicate complexions. You want a crystal rose or tea rose.

If you have any questions on beauty? IE: How to put on a make up applications, what colors would look good on your skin type/color.* Or whatever you want to ask, I'll answer it ! You may do so bye leaving a comment. Thanks.

These beautiful words of the Buddha echo the truism with which most of us are familiar: actions speak louder than words. Do you think that's true?

I often find myself defending principles that I hold dear, only to realize that if I don't show people exactly what I mean by my actions, then the words gushing forth from my mouth were worthless.

This quote reminds me of the difference between saying that you love someone and showing that person that he or she is loved. It's easy to let the words cross your lips, especially to insist that they true - yet it is far more difficult to show day in and day out that everything you do you do for that person because of your love. The fragrance must be there - not just pretty colors.

As an aside, this flower quote was particularly fitting since I went to the botanical gardens and the flower conservatory twice this week. Beautiful places.

What do you think of this Buddha quote? Can you share a time that you knew  your words were worthless if not supported by actions?

For more Zen Talk, click HERE. For great South Park quotes about love, click HERE.

here are two new things i've done for a pdf mag.  I submitted to about two other ones around 2 weeks ago but i'm too lazy to look for the subs.  if i get in i'll do a proper post.  i threw some big ol waterthingys on them cause i want a nigga try pretend my stuff is theirs.  brown one is called Burn Chocolate and bottom is called Bleed Trick, Bleed.

xoxo charrish

My hopes are broken
My soul is bruised
but you're loving me, why?

कब तक दीवार बनाते रहोगी तुम
दिलो-दुनिया के बीच, कुछ बोलो तो
कशमकश कोई तुझे मुझसे न होगी
यह निहाँ राज़ तुम, मुझपे खोलो तो

My hopes are broken
My soul is bruised
but you're loving me, why?

नहीं समझते हो अगर मेरी बात तो
आओ तुम मुझको बाँहों में थाम लो
मेरे ख़ुदा बन जाओ तुम मेरे लिए
अपने लबों से एक बार मेरा नाम लो

Matte Rich Dark Lips: Use minimal eye makeup and go for a deep rich color on the lips.  This look is a favorite in the fall and winter seasons, and was all over the Nordstrom catalogue that recently came to my mailbox.  To try this look, start with a great base color followed with MK's Red, Amber Suede, or Nutmeg or another rich color.  This weekend my husband is taking me out on a date and I'm taking my own challenge to try something new by sporting some bold lips.  Which, by the way, I NEVER do. I am definitely a natural lips type of girl with more glamour around the eyes.  I may write about my experiment if I get an interesting reaction from my husband.

.

_________________

_________________

_________________

Next time I'll use different lighting, cause this squinting does no justice

Fresh Face:  Focus on getting flawless skin, with a natural soft look, and a touch of color on the lips.  MK's Even Complexion Essence with the TimeWise Miracle Set is a great start to silky smooth skin. Apply your Mineral Powder Foundation, or Sheer Mineral Pressed Powder to even the skin tone with a soft coverage.  One of the secrets to this look is to use your bronzer to add contour to your face by applying it not for the summer sun kissed look, but using it to frame your face by applying along your hairline. Use soft eye colors in shades of white and cream. And finally accentuate your lips with a warm lip color. Simply elegant.