7 Ways To Simplify Your Beauty Routine This Summer

By Kaitlyn Fleur

The temperature is climbing to near triple digits and as oppressive as the heat may be, there is an upside. Thankfully, you can dramatically simplify your beauty routine giving you more time to focus on the more important areas of your life.  In only a few minutes, you can be the hot woman you know you are rather than just a hot, sticky mess.

1.   1. For the body:  After a shower is the best time to massage a moisturizing lotion all over your body for smooth healthy-looking skin.  If you are used to hot showers, you may want to cool the water at the end of your shower so that you are not too heated when you put on the lotion.  Don’t forget to rub the lotion on your cuticles, elbows, knees and the heels of your feet.  We recommend Jergen’s Ultra Healing Lotion for soft, luxurious skin.  If you will be outdoors, do not forget to apply sunscreen as well to protect your skin from harsh UV rays.

2.   2. For the face:  Use a gentle exfoliating cleanser at least every other day to bring out your radiant, glowing skin.  For best results, make sure the exfoliating beads are small, spherical beads which are non-abrasive and gentler to the skin.  We recommend Tata Hara’s Regenerating Cleanser.  Follow with eye cream and an SPF daily moisturizer or nighttime moisturizer.  

3.   3. For the face:  Forget the foundation and powder this summer and use CC (Color Correcting) cream, which is not only more lightweight than foundation, but offers more benefits for your skin.  It hydrates, preps, and corrects the skin as well as offer hydration, SPF and anti-aging benefits.  In just a few seconds, you could dab a pea-sized amount throughout the face and blend.  Use your ring finger to blend a little more CC cream under your eye, the sides of your nose and mouth, and any other areas that need a little more coverage.  We recommend Smashbox CC Cream. 

4.   4. For the eyes:  If you will be mainly outdoors, skip the eye makeup altogether and sport a pair of stylish sunglasses.  If you want to look glammed up, instead of powdered eye shadows, glide on Sephora’s Jumbo Liner across the base of each eyelid.  Not only are they simple to apply, but they are waterproof and come in a variety of cool colors from Peacock to Gray Glitter.  Finish your eyes by curling the lashes.  If you do not feel complete without mascara, go ahead and swipe on one coat of waterproof mascara to your upper lashes.  If you are concerned about melting makeup, lightly spritz Urban Decay Makeup Setting Spray and leave your worries aside. Read the full article at: http://www.whoismillennium.com/press_room/7_ways_to_simplify_your_beauty_routine_this_summer

The Vanishing Art of Written Communication

By Alfred Sunderland

 

As I sat down in front of my computer at work the other day, I saw something in my inbox that stung me. Three minutes prior, I had received an email from a coworker (who we'll call 'Donna') who works only five cubicles down from me.  Before reading the note, I was wondering in the back of my mind why Donna did not just stop by or pick up the phone.  As I opened the email, I leaned in closer and shook my head in disbelief.  This is what was written: 

ALFRED- WHAT’S THE STATUS OF THE FEATURE LAYOUT? YOU SAID IT'D READY THIS MORNING. JUST CHECKIGN. PLS LET ME KNOW ASAP. THX, D

Now mind you, I am not an obsessive-compulsive person by nature. Yet I doubt there is a single person who would consider this to be a professionally written communication.  The note was all in caps, contained spelling and grammatical errors, and the overall tone of the note was off-putting.  It was similar to an annoying text I received from my roommate a couple days ago asking if I could return his DVD to the video store.  I looked around the office and saw the blue-lit faces of employees as they stared at their computer screens or scrolled through their phones.  It is quite evident that the art of written communication is slowly vanishing from society-at-large.

It has been said that chivalry is dead.  Now, with the age of smart phones and social media, I believe the subtlety of written communication is also dying.  Sadly, not much care is put into writing any more as the pen and stationary have become nearly obsolete in today’s fast-paced society.  As soon as a thought arises, it is almost simultaneously typed out and sent.  Messages to friends and family have become standardized, short and devoid of any character or deeper meaning.  Instead of exploring all of the possible ways to express how you feel, you now have 5 - 10 abbreviations such as lol, lmao and smh that are universally understood and universally meaningless.  You also have emoticons that produce happy or sad little yellow faces next to your message or as a standalone in response to a message.  If you’re in a relationship, good luck trying to decipher the nuances and complexities of the other person based upon email or text messages.

I feel grateful for not growing up in the impersonal age of email and smart phones. When I was in junior high, I wrote poems to a girl for three months straight.  Every time she climbed aboard the school bus, I would hand her my small outpouring of love in a note and she would smile shyly at me.  In high school, I wrote pages and pages of love letters to my girlfriend.  I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything.  I believe that life is language.  What we are saying to each other through written communication is a direct reflection of the quality of our thoughts and lives. 

According to the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of Literacy, an astounding 32 million adults in the U.S. cannot read.  Twenty-one percent of American adults read below the fifth-grade level.  The current literacy statistics have not changed in the past ten years. Judging by the billions of acronym and error-laden messages circulated daily, these statistics seem quite realistic.  Even the well-educated legions of corporate employees seem to have fallen into the efficiency trap in written communication, as my earlier example illustrates.  The art of language is vanishing, but who has a vested staking in its defense?  Everyone.  People in all roles will reach a point where they must employ the full power of language with all of its subtlety and nuance to articulate a vision, defend a course of action, or persuade others to their cause.  If that capacity is gone, they will be unable to compete with those who’ve got it.  This includes businesspeople, scientists, politicians, artists, entrepreneurs, homemakers and everybody else. 

Even a rock artist.  According to Stryker from the Los Angeles rock group Millennium, ‘People underestimate the importance of good written communication.  A couple of months ago I received a terse, poorly worded email from an artist manager following up on the status of a production collaboration.  The email was signed with a ‘W’.  I immediately had this gut feeling that I did not want to do business with this person because of all of the implied signals of poor character neatly encapsulated in that email.  I soon cancelled the deal and explained that written communication that is thoughtless, rife with errors, and blunt to the point of being rude wasn’t going to cut it.  And please don’t sign a ‘W’ for your name like you’re the former president.  That was the last straw.  He lost a ten-thousand dollar deal.  I retained my dignity.’ Read the full article at: http://whoismillennium.com/press_room/the_vanishing_art_of_written_communication/

 

Millennium - Wide Thing (Official Music Video)

The Quest For The Ultimate Barbecue

By Matheu Cardoso

Memorial Day is a time to remember the brave men and women who died to protect our freedom and way of life.  And what better way to honor that sacrifice than by spending the holiday with family and friends, having a barbecue and enjoying a sumptuous feast.  Now, as you ponder the possible menu options that you will prepare for your guests, you may want to think about the last barbecue you attended.  Did you leave the barbecue feeling like you gained five pounds in just one sitting? Did your thoughts then turn to the next time you would visit the gym or how you might otherwise offset those extra calories?  Good eating from the grill does not necessarily translate to hot dogs and hamburgers with chips on the side.  That kind of eating will only create a house filled with guilty, overfed guests. 

Countries from all around the world have grilled meat as part of their cuisine.  Brazilians have churrascarias, Middle Eastern countries have kofta and the Far East has Korean and Japanese barbecue.  The difference between these countries and traditional American barbecue is that they complement the grilled meat with an astonishing array of healthy side dishes.  In fact, it would appear that the meat was one of the side dishes in a well-balanced cornicopeia of food.  To put this in perspective, there are two types of expressions that Brazilians use to describe how they feel just after a meal.  ‘Estou cheio’, which means ‘I’m stuffed’, has a negative connotation.  ‘Estou satisfeito’ means ‘I’m satisfied’ and reflects a positive feeling.  You want your guests to finish their meal feeling satisfied and not stuffed.

Because you have a three day weekend, it’s the perfect amount of time to get the groceries, marinate the meat and prepare the side dishes to please every guest and create a memorable Memorial’s Day.  Here is a sample menu that may give you some ideas on how to create your barbecue banquet.

Soy Honey Ginger Marinated Chicken

Notes:  Use chicken breast, thighs and legs.  Clean the chicken by removing the skin, rubbing salt and lemon on each piece and rinsing with cold water.  Pat dry with paper towel.  For the marinade, use low sodium soy sauce, honey, freshly grated ginger, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, salt and pepper.  Coat evenly and marinate overnight.  In the morning, stir the marinated chicken to recoat the top pieces.  Remove from refrigerator a few minutes prior to placing it on the grill.

Grilled Steak with Bordelaise Sauce

Notes:  Filet Mignon, New York Strip, T-Bone, Ribeye or Sirloin steak are all amazing coming straight off the grill.  Choose one or more cuts for your event.  Generously coat each side of the steak with salt and pepper.  It is best to make each steak ‘made to order’ since it is best served hot and cooked to individual preferences.  To up the ‘culinary ante’, prepare a Bordelaise sauce with red wine, shallots and fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary.  Heat and occasionally stir the sauce until it forms a demi-glace.  Remove from the heat and stir in some fresh parsley.  Sprinkle fresh thyme on the cooked steak and drizzle a spoonful of the rich Bordelaise on top. 

Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken

Notes:  Place spinach leaves, grape tomatoes, and thinly sliced red bell peppers and carrots in a large mixing bowl.  Add the grilled chicken cut in slices from above.  Just before guests arrive, mix in a small amount of dressing made with good virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar (so the salad is not left soggy after an hour).  Leave more dressing on the table for guests to help themselves.  For a sweeter twist, add chunks of just-ripened mango to the salad and add a little honey to the dressing.

Grilled Eggplant, Zucchini and Asparagus

Notes:  Choose vibrant colored vegetables at the store.  Cut eggplant and zucchini lengthwise.  Lightly brush the vegetables with olive oil mixed with salt and grill to desired doneness.  In addition to the eggplant, zucchini and asparagus, you could also pick up red ripe bell peppers and tomatoes.  When the tomatoes are soft and look like they are about to burst, take them off the grill and cut in half or quarters.  When the bell peppers are charred on all sides, place in a bowl for ten minutes.  Remove stem, seeds and outer skin and cut lengthwise.  Add a few minced garlic cloves, olive oil, salt and pepper for a delicious side.  Read the full article at: http://www.whoismillennium.com/press_room/the_quest_for_the_ultimate_barbecue/

Millennium: From A Slow ‘Walk’ To A Sprint

By Glen Rupert

 

Millennium, the pop rock group from Los Angeles, has certainly proved that their debut single ‘When We Walk in the Place’ can persevere. Whether it’s pop, rock or dance audiences, there is something in the vibe of their first single that is gaining traction, according to companies tracking national and international radio play worldwide.

It didn’t hurt that the group took the time to create two additional remixes of the radio version since the song’s release in January 2014.  The first remix of ‘When We Walk in the Place’, appropriately referred to as the ‘Swagging Remix’, is the EDM version complete with cutting edge sounds over a slick, sexy beat.  Swagging, though not yet officially listed in the Oxford Dictionary, is defined as pimp walking with  swagger.  However, a broader interpretation of swagging is the celebration of individuality, personal style and self-confidence, as evident in the ‘Swagging Remix’ music video.

The ‘Rock Remix’ that followed opened our eyes to a surprising fact – that the members of Millennium are all classically trained musicians. The rock remix video shows Millennium with their instruments rocking out to a stripped down, funky version of their debut single. Stryker is on bass guitar and vocals, Sapphire on keys and vocals, Gaku Murata on guitar and Brad Dawson on drums.  In an era of studio produced beats, this sort of live musicianship is nothing short of refreshing. The ‘Rock Remix’ will be hitting the airwaves this June.

From the original pop version, to the ‘Swagging Remix’ and finally the ‘Rock Remix’, Millennium displays the sort of range, musicianship and defiance to easy classification characteristic of some of the most enduring artists. Only time will tell whether these traits, coupled with excellent songwriting, and tight production will lift the group to eminence.  Check out Millennium’s song and vote for your personal favorite (Dance, EDM or Rock) by clicking on the links below and liking or commenting on the videos.

Official Music Video:                 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YfOxi56ShQ

The Swagging Remix Video:      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS1HRF_PL0Y

Rock Remix Video:                   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bBIHjWtSPk

Official Lyrical Video:                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGLgdbyeh9w

Rock Remix Lyrical Video:        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFT8T4VBuUs

See more at: http://www.whoismillennium.com/press_room/millennium_from_a_slow_walk_to_a_sprint/