My Work This Past Week: New Designs

During this past week I´ve been adding new designs to my stores.

This is the Blue Ocean necklace, which is a limited edition at this moment because this color from Swarovski crystals is really hard to find (they produce few units in this color).

This is the Cherry Bracelet. A design based on the beauty of the Italian crystals and the charms used.

The Black Panther ring is another of the designs added this week. I love the color of this crystal, which many people find very stylish.

And last, but not least, De Parma ring. Made with a Swarovski crystal baguette, is another new addition.

All these designs are available on my two online stores:

http://www.leelabijou.etsy.com/

http://www.leelabijou.artfire.com/

I also make custom designs, so if you like any of these in another color, just contact me.

On the other hand, I´m working on the February LeelaBijou´s Newsletter, that will include some very interesting promotions (discounts, special codes and much more only for subscribing!).

If you are interested in joining my mailing list, you can do it by subscribing in the box at the right column of my blog, or contact me and I´ll add you!

Thanks for reading!

Hair Care Tips

I recently found some very good and simple tips for the care of our hair and I would like to share them with you.

Most of them are very easy to follow.

Here they are:

>A healthy lifestyle will mean healthier hair for you. Excessive stress, smoking, not exercising and not eating nutritiously are not healthy for your hair.

>Get enough sleep.

>Avoid using hair styling products with alcohol which dries out hair.

>Avoid puting hair styling products directly on your scalp, if you put it on your scalp you'll clog the pores on your head.

>Before entering a pool, wet your hair so your hair will soak up the initial water instead of the

chlorinated water.

>When swimming where a cap to protect your hair from chlorinated water, if you choose not to wear a cap make sure you shampoo and condition your hair right after you are done swimming.

>Hot air can be damaging to your hair so when using a hair dryer use the cool setting.

>Brush your hair regularly before going to bed each night.

>Wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Use very little but enough to cover hair completely with lather. Use a conditioner to keep hair manageable.

>Avoid brushing wet hair. This will cause the hair to stretch and finally break. Finger-dry, or use a wide-toothed comb instead of a brush to gently remove the knots.

>Stimulate circulation by massaging your head with oil to which some vitamin E has been added. This will make hair soft and silky.

>Try not sleeping with your hair in a ponytail or done in a braid. This will stress the hair immensely and will eventually lead to damage.

I hope you´ll find these tips useful.

Thanks for reading!

For more hair care tips, you can go here:

hair-n-skin-care.com

haircareguide.com

webindia.com/haircaretips

Pictures found HERE and HERE.

Have You Ever Tried "Paella"?

The Paella is one of the most delicious dishes you will find on the Spanish gastronomy.

It´s very popular in Spain and there are a lot of ways to cook this recipe.

The Paella is a rice dish orignating in Valencia, in the eastern Spain. This is considered one of the national dishes by Spaniards.

There are three types very well known: Valencian Paella, Seafood Paella and Mixed Paella.

Here I show you the recipe of Valencian Paella:

Ingredients

2 cups olive oil
1 red bell pepper, cut in strips
3/4 chicken, cut into pieces
1/2 rabbit, cut into pieces
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 1/2 pounds green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 pounds broad beans, shelled
1/2 tomato, chopped
4 1/2 cups water, or fill up the paella pan to the height of the handles 2 times
2 cups snails, cleaned, fresh or frozen
1 1/4 pounds plus 1-ounce rice (3.5 ounces per person) (recommended: Bomba – short grain rice)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pinch saffron, for coloring
Sprigs rosemary, as garnish

Directions

Heat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the oil in a pan. Add the strips of pepper and fry until they start to soften. Remove and reserve for garnish. Fry the chicken and rabbit at medium heat until golden brown, adding more oil, as necessary. Add the paprika half way through to add color to meat. Push the meat out to the edges of the pan and add the beans and tomatoes in the center, mixing them well. Add 1/2 the water making sure to cover the pan until it is 1/2 full. Simmer for approximately 30 minutes until most of the water has evaporated. Add the snails and cook for 5 or 10 minutes.

Add the rice, distributing it evenly over the pan and fry for a few minutes, moving it around in the pan. Add the rest of the water and cook for about 20 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Add a pinch of saffron for colour. Once this is done the paella should not be stirred anymore.

For the last 1 to 2 minutes increase the heat to medium-high, until the bottom layer of rice starts to caramelize, creating what Valencians call the "socarrat". If the rice starts to burn remove the pan from the heat immediately.

Garnish the paella with the strips of red pepper and the sprigs of rosemary. Cover the pan and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

I hope you like the recipe and let me know if you try it!

Thanks for reading!

Gift Certificates On My Shop

Sometimes it´s really hard to choose the appropiate gift for someone.

Even if you have an idea, you don´t feel sure about your choices. Would that person like the color of this item? Is the size the right one? What does she/he wear more often?

I have experienced this situation many times and that´s why I decided to list four Gift Certificates on my shop at Etsy.

If you want to know more about these Gift Certificates and their policies, you can do it HERE on my shop policies and also on every listing.

Gift Certificates available at the moment:

20$

40$

60$

100$

Thanks for reading!

Make Up Tips: Making Lips Look Bigger

Digging through the net, I have found some helpful tips to create the illusion of bigger and full lips and I would like to share them with you.

Here they are:


1)Apply a light shade of foundation followed by powder on your lips to remove the color from your lips
2)Start with a lip liner in a color that closely matches your color of lipstick.
3)Make the outline just outside your natural lip line.
4)Now fill with lipstick and then blend.

(Tips seen HERE)

More Tips for Full Lips

*Always soften lips before applying any lip makeup. Allow to absorb for at least 10 minutes before applying makeup. This helps your lip liner glide on more easily and will help lipstick from bleeding outside the lines.

*Place lip liners in the freezer so they’re good and firm when you use them. If your liner crumbles or the points keep breaking off, your lines will go on too thick. Full lips should look natural and not take (too much) attention away from the rest of your face.

*Lip glosses make your lips look larger. Use clear colors or colored lip glosses to help create full lips. If you want more of a matte finish, apply a small amount of loose powder (or minerals) with a soft powder brush after you apply your lipstick and liner.

*Apply a light pearly lipstick (or gloss) in the middle of your bottom lip. The effect is fuller, plumper looking lips!

(Tips seen HERE)


And here is a very interesting video that shows how to proceed:

Thanks for reading!

My Copper Crystal Ring on a Treasury! "Copperlicious!"

One of my rings has been featured on this treasury on Etsy. I feel very honored!

Here you can visit the treasury: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=35332

The curator of this pretty treasury is SnapShot1230. Thank you so much for including me!

FREE SHIPPING! Only Today!

Today (21st January) is my Birthday and I wanted to celebrate it offering Free Shipping everywhere, during all this day.

I invite you to visit my stores:

http://www.leelabijou.etsy.com/

http://www.leelabijou.artfire.com/

Thanks for reading!

I made a Treasury dedicated to the Art of Photography

I was lucky yesterday and I could make a new treasury on Etsy, completely dedicated to the Art of Photography. You can visit it HERE.

And here is the screenshot:

And, on the other hand, I wanted to share with you the happiness I could experience last Monday when my Exquisite Green Crystal Ring made front page!

Here is the screenshot:

Thanks for reading!

BAFTA Nominations and A Funny Video: The Ninja Cat

The BAFTA nominations have been published today, here they are:

Best Film:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Frost/Nixon

Milk

The Reader

Slumdog Millionaire

Outstanding British Film:

Hunger

In Bruges

Mamma Mia!

Man On Wire

Slumdog Millionaire

Animated Film:

Persepolis

Wall-e

Waltz With Bashir

Director:

Clint Eastwood - Changeling

David Fincher - The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon

Stephen Daldry - The Reader

Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire

Leading Actor:

Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon

Dev Patel - Slumdog Millionaire

Sean Penn - Milk

Brad Pitt - The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Leading Actress:

Angelina Jolie - Changeling

Kristin Scott Thomas - I've Loved You So Long

Meryl Streep - Doubt

Kate Winslet - The Reader

Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road

Supporting Actor:

Robert Downey Jr. . Tropic Thunder

Brendan Gleeson . In Bruges

Philip Seymour Hoffman . Doubt

Heath Ledger . The Dark Knight

Brad Pitt . Burn After Reading

Supporting Actress:

Amy Adams . Doubt

Penélope Cruz . Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Freida Pinto . Slumdog Millionaire

Tilda Swinton . Burn After Reading

Marisa Tomei . The Wrestler

Original Screenplay:

Burn After Reading - Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Changeling - J. Michael Straczynski

I've Loved You So Long - Philippe Claudel

In Bruges - Martin McDonagh

Milk - Dustin Lance Black

Adapted Screenplay:

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - Eric Roth

Frost/Nixon - Peter Morgan

The Reader - David Hare

Revolutionary Road - Justin Haythe

Slumdog Millionaire - Simon Beaufoy.



More info here: http://www.awardsdaily.com/?p=5996


And, on the other hand, I wanted to share with you this very funny cat: The Ninja Cat. Enjoy it!



Thanks for reading!

Golden Globes 2009 Winners, Videos and Pictures.

Best Motion Picture - Drama
WINNER

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Other Nominees:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

Frost/Nixon (2008)

The Reader (2008)

Revolutionary Road (2008)
Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
WINNER

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Other Nominees:

Burn After Reading (2008)

Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

In Bruges (2008)

Mamma Mia! (2008)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
WINNER

Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler (2008)

Other Nominees:

Leonardo DiCaprio for Revolutionary Road (2008)

Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon (2008)

Sean Penn for Milk (2008)

Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
WINNER

Kate Winslet for Revolutionary Road (2008)
Other Nominees:

Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married (2008)

Angelina Jolie for Changeling (2008)

Meryl Streep for Doubt (2008)

Kristin Scott Thomas for Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (2008)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
WINNER

Colin Farrell for In Bruges (2008)
Other Nominees:

Javier Bardem for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

James Franco for Pineapple Express (2008)

Brendan Gleeson for In Bruges (2008)

Dustin Hoffman for Last Chance Harvey (2008)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
WINNER

Sally Hawkins for Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)
Other Nominees:

Rebecca Hall for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Frances McDormand for Burn After Reading (2008)

Meryl Streep for Mamma Mia! (2008)

Emma Thompson for Last Chance Harvey (2008)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
WINNER

Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight (2008)
Other Nominees:

Tom Cruise for Tropic Thunder (2008)

Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder (2008)

Ralph Fiennes for The Duchess (2008)

Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt (2008)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
WINNER

Kate Winslet for The Reader (2008)
Other Nominees:

Amy Adams for Doubt (2008)

Penélope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Viola Davis for Doubt (2008)

Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler (2008)
Best Director - Motion Picture
WINNER

Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Other Nominees:

Stephen Daldry for The Reader (2008)

David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon (2008)

Sam Mendes for Revolutionary Road (2008)
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
WINNER

Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Simon Beaufoy
Other Nominees:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Eric Roth, Robin Swicord

Doubt (2008): John Patrick Shanley

Frost/Nixon (2008): Peter Morgan

The Reader (2008): David Hare
Best Original Song - Motion Picture
WINNER

The Wrestler (2008)("The Wrestler")
Other Nominees:

Bolt (2008)("I Thought I Lost You")

Cadillac Records (2008)("Once in a Lifetime")

Gran Torino (2008)("Gran Torino")

WALL·E (2008)("Down to Earth")
Best Original Score - Motion Picture
WINNER

Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman
Other Nominees:

Changeling (2008): Clint Eastwood

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Alexandre Desplat

Defiance (2008): James Newton Howard

Frost/Nixon (2008): Hans Zimmer
Best Animated Film
WINNER

WALL·E (2008)
Other Nominees:

Bolt (2008)

Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Best Foreign Language Film
WINNER

Vals Im Bashir (2008)
Other Nominees:

Der Baader Meinhof Komplex (2008)

Maria Larssons eviga ögonblick (2008)

Gomorra (2008)

Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (2008)
Best Television Series - Drama
WINNER

"Mad Men" (2007)
Other Nominees:

"Dexter" (2006)

"House M.D." (2004)

"In Treatment" (2008)

"True Blood" (2007)
Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy
WINNER

"30 Rock" (2006)
Other Nominees:

"Californication" (2007)

"Entourage" (2004)

"The Office" (2005)

"Weeds" (2005)
Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
WINNER

"John Adams" (2008)
Other Nominees:

Bernard and Doris (2007)

"Cranford" (2007)

A Raisin in the Sun (2008) (TV)

Recount (2008) (TV)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
WINNER

Paul Giamatti for "John Adams" (2008)
Other Nominees:

Ralph Fiennes for Bernard and Doris (2007)

Kevin Spacey for Recount (2008) (TV)

Kiefer Sutherland for 24: Redemption (2008) (TV)

Tom Wilkinson for Recount (2008) (TV)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
WINNER

Laura Linney for "John Adams" (2008)
Other Nominees:

Judi Dench for "Cranford" (2007)

Catherine Keener for An American Crime (2007)

Shirley MacLaine for Coco Chanel (2008) (TV)

Susan Sarandon for Bernard and Doris (2007)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
WINNER

Alec Baldwin for "30 Rock" (2006)
Other Nominees:

Steve Carell for "The Office" (2005)

Kevin Connolly for "Entourage" (2004)

David Duchovny for "Californication" (2007)

Tony Shalhoub for "Monk" (2002)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
WINNER

Tina Fey for "30 Rock" (2006)
Other Nominees:

Christina Applegate for "Samantha Who?" (2007)

America Ferrera for "Ugly Betty" (2006)

Debra Messing for "The Starter Wife" (2008)

Mary-Louise Parker for "Weeds" (2005)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama
WINNER

Gabriel Byrne for "In Treatment" (2008)
Other Nominees:

Michael C. Hall for "Dexter" (2006)

Jon Hamm for "Mad Men" (2007)

Hugh Laurie for "House M.D." (2004)

Jonathan Rhys Meyers for "The Tudors" (2007)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
WINNER

Anna Paquin for "True Blood" (2007)
Other Nominees:

Sally Field for "Brothers & Sisters" (2006)

Mariska Hargitay for "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999)

January Jones for "Mad Men" (2007)

Kyra Sedgwick for "The Closer" (2005)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
WINNER

Tom Wilkinson for "John Adams" (2008)
Other Nominees:

Neil Patrick Harris for "How I Met Your Mother" (2005)

Denis Leary for Recount (2008) (TV)

Jeremy Piven for "Entourage" (2004)

Blair Underwood for "In Treatment" (2008)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
WINNER

Laura Dern for Recount (2008) (TV)
Other Nominees:

Eileen Atkins for "Cranford" (2007)

Melissa George for "In Treatment" (2008)

Rachel Griffiths for "Brothers & Sisters" (2006)

Dianne Wiest for "In Treatment" (2008)

Thanks for reading!

Sources:

http://www.imdb.com/features/rto/2009/

http://wireimage.com/ItemListings.aspx?igi=348228&nbc1=1

http://es.youtube.com/user/tvguide

What Technology Can Bring Us

If you like all technologic stuff, you shouldn´t miss this amazing video. I´m a bit geek and I find it very interesting. I hope you will enjoy too.



Update: I have found this video about the awesome and really cool Sony Rolly, check it out!




I want one!


Thanks for reading!

Giving A New Look To My Shops!

Recently, I´ve changed the banner from my Etsy shop and, also, from my Art Fire studio.

The new banner has been designed by a great graphic designer from Etsy, bnnet. HERE you can go to his shop. He is very professional and friendly and I love his work.

On the other hand, I´m working on some new projects for my shops and I will be uploading 1 new design everyday during these weeks.

Also, this month I´m having a special promo on my shops for the Valentine´s Day: free gift box included on every order!

Thanks for reading!