Jacqueline Kennedy throwing the bouquet at her first wedding. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

June starts the wedding season! Many are prepping to walk down the isle, to vow to love, honor and obey — their soul mates! I truly love romance! And in honor of “love and romance,” rooted in happily ever after — this feature is totally for my lovelies who are about to ring in the wedding bells, or my beauties who are getting ready to attend nuptials, of their loved ones or friends. I am currently doing tons of research, which includes traveling — so that I can send my wedding/honeymoon clients to their dream union! You might want to check back for these soon-to-be-posted features!

I know many of you use StumbleUpon…I love StumbleUpon, and invite you to check out the top wedding trends. The features portray summertime ceremonies, even what one can expect to see during one. According to the mobile/desktop exploration & discovery tool, the following are the top stumbled trends:

Vintage Engagement and Wedding Jewelry
Convertible Bridesmaid Dresses
Unusual Color Palettes — Rainbow Wedding
First Look Photos
Non-traditional Wedding Favors

Image courtesy of IntimateWeddings.com

You can also explore categories such as wedding and married life as well as follow popular lists like Tying the Knot!

Stay tuned to get prepped for that dream wedding — abroad! Yes, I know…Mind Body Soul’U'tions is pure awesomeness!!!

There are links contained within this feature that were hand selected and relevant and may result in you shopping and saving — in fact, these awesome partners even offer perks for shopping at amazing savings! 20% of your FAB purchase helps charity.

Health and wellness is taking over (woo hoo) and it’s proving pretty easy to shop for natural, organic and chemical beauty products and fair trade, cruelty-free brands! According to statistics, “botanical beauty which consists of “botanicals or plants and plant parts that are valued for their medicinal or therapeutic properties, flavor, and/or scent.” In fact, some religious & science based enthusiasts argue that human beings were made to only eat fruits and vegetables. But I know I sure don’t mind. I use the earth, often scouring for the next great botanical that can enhance my mind, body and soul — skin and hair.

The earliest humans, including during the time of Christ — lived for hundredths of years. Their beauty and lifestyle regimens were literally rooted in the earth! And today, we Americans are also starting to be very concerned about what exactly is in our beauty products. And naturally, as our skin and hair demands this lifestyle change!

A recent Fox News article declares the following two Goddess-faves in skin care products as the top trending in botanical beauty:

• philosophy — best known for their amazing skin care and botanical beauty products, fragrances, bath and body — all scientifically-proven and trust worthy ingredients, natural oil extracts and bottled blissdom!

• LUSH Cosmetics — this brand is a fave amongst many botanical beauty mavens. “I absolutely love their henna brick bars, shampoo soaps and bath bombs. LUSH is an amazing beauty stop-shop!: — Sapphire Kharyzma.

A personal have of mine is The Body Shop. But you can also get great trusted brands at amazing value with Beauty Deals on Groupon and LivingSocial (psssst, I usually save up to 70% off with LivingSocial Escapes packages!)!

Bliss is never forbidden! Go on, temptation awaits your desire…click here!

With this setting as my office…who could want anything more? #GoddessGetaways #travel Goddess #sweetTrinidad #I♥travel (Photo credit: StyleMpress)

It’s been a while since I’ve posted within these walls, and that of our sister site — Elite Socialistas! Things have been slowly falling into place and unfortunately it took my undivided attention. However, this is our 3rd year blogiversary — and I am still learning as we move forward. In my absence, I’ve taken a leap of faith and invested in Goddess Getaways — a travel and lifestyle boutique, where you can travel the world, while shopping through a few must-have essentials…the ultimate in travel and shopping.

As my lovelies, you all can lavish in the magic of Mexico, whine up and revel at carnival in the Caribbean, enjoy a true English breakfast in Europe, propose in Paris, or even venture to incredible India, the birthplace of yoga and Ayurveda practices…plus stop by amazing Asia and fall in love. Find happiness in Hawaii, follow the SPAtacular Ventures of an Elite Travelista as I share My Delaware, New York and Miami, and many more! Check out the chic exclusive  in beauty, fashion, spas, fitness, health, travel…you name it!!!

Many of the deals contained are by partnered brands, all personally selected as trusted brands — as my family and I use/shop these brands/vendors ourselves! Any commission received — 20% of all proceeds go to charity (Sapphire Kharyzma is a Global Team of 200 and Social Mom Blogger member).

I am also happy to report, that I am an official Travel & Cruise ambassador (agent). I absolutely love my job!! I get to travel the world for pennies (sometimes free) and get paid to do so!!!

As a YTB Network Business Partner, I am afforded many priceless perks, while living my dream. So get ready to travel with Elite Socialistas and our uniquely chic and exclusive group trips. Let Goddess Getaways book your next trip and/or group event, and earn cash back plus a FREE cabin/room.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at: info@goddessgetaways.org.

This post is brought to you by:

Goddess Getaways

Sapphire Kharyzma is an official YTB Travel Ambassador!

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• Let Goddess Getaways Awaken Your Mind+Body & Soul this Mother’s Day

Sapphire Kharyzma is a Travel Agent & Bliss Expert. The links contained within this feature are hand-selected partners — selectively chosen to give you the best experience, while saving you money! The content is 100% that of Sapphire Kharyzma and is not influenced by any of the featured partners!

One of the best gifts to give for Mother’s Day, would have to be the gift of spa! For the past 2 months, I’ve been a devoted Groupon Goddess — checking out a few of their spa services offered. Let’s just say that it’s official…I am a massage junkie. It has to be the ultimate stress reliever and zen motivator ever!

Yes…jewelry, clothes, flowers, fruit, etc…are all great gifts, but let’s stop and think about it for a moment!!! Being a mom is a very demanding job. It can also rob you of some much needed (and often coveted) and quite valuable “YOU” time — a proven aspect of health and wellness.

Spas can guarantee you something that will appeal to your preference, while igniting the pleasure of your satisfaction. I’ve done reflexology, deep tissue massage, acupuncture, Swedish massage, European facial, just to name a few, and I can’t wait to try the rest! In fact, my bucket list is all about travel and spas. One of my favorite “go-to’s” in spa(taculars) is Spa Finder (I also love Spa Week, LivingSocial & Groupon). You can find out tons of related services in everything spa-related, including reviews about spa/services — including great discounts to some of the “world’s best in spa.”

Here are some last-minute savings that I know mom will love!!! Last Minute Gifts for Mom! Save 12% on all SpaFinder Wellness orders over $50! Also, send Mom some love! Buy one SpaFinder Wellness Gift Card worth at least $100, get the second one 20% off! Use MOMBOGO.

Goddess Getaways — Your Ultimate Travel Blissdom Destination focusing on Travel Parties and events — Goddess Night Outs, Goddess Weekend Away, Bachelorette Packages, Weddings, Social Network Trips, Family Vacays & Reunions (any group getaways) and more…

To travel with Goddess (Sapphire Kharyzma) and the Elite Socialistas, feel free to sign up here or email: info@GoddessGetaways.org !

Beauty Tip — the collection works best with INGLOT’s Fast Drying Top Coat…and don’t forget to remove with the brand’s Nail Polish Remover!

Check out INGLOTUSA.com and their boutiques in NYC, LA, MIA, Newport Beach, NJ and Macy’s — for more info!

With ALL the information that exists out there — it can prove impossible to pin down what’s best for your hair! And over the years, we can even attest to hearing many myths — from our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, friends, and hair dressers. But today — I aim to help you to get to the very root of some of the most common hair myths — thanks to the beauty experts at BeautyPress – like Else Olsen MD and Valerie Callender MD. So it’s time to think twice about believing everything you “hair.”

“Frequent trims makes your hair grow faster”
We have heard this myth so many times from our hairdressers who are scissor happy. Think about it, if you are trying to grow out your hair, why would you cut your hair so often; you’re just cutting off any new growth. Truth is, hair grows about half-inch per month whether its cut or not. That doesn’t mean stop cutting your hair altogether, adding an occasional trim (when needed) will take care of any split ends and prevent them from traveling higher up the hair- so you wouldn’t have to cut more later on.

“If you pluck out one gray hair, more will sprout in its place”
We all have had that feeling when we see our first gray hair, tempted to pull it but are afraid of this common myth. It’s been proven that pulling out one gray hair will not cause many more to sprout out, but it can eventually damage that root which causes infections and scarring.

“You can mend split ends with the right products”
As much as this pains us to say (and believe) there is no magical product that will mend split ends. There are many products that will make them appear temporarily smoother, but the only way to get rid of split ends is to chop them off.

“You have to constantly switch up your products because your hair will get used to it”
We ourselves used to believe this myth. Truth is, hair cannot tell a difference between brands or build up a tolerance to any product. If you find that your shampoo/conditioner isn’t working its magic like usual try swamping once a week to a clarifying shampoo to remove any excess build-up.

“Natural shampoos are the only kind that are gentle enough for hair”
This is definitely not true. The hair industry has certainly excelled and companies have noted that consumers want gentle options too. There are many shampoos on today’s market that are sulfate free, contain natural oils, and are proven to be gentle enough not to weaken the hair.

“If your hair is falling out, you should be concerned”
This is 100% normal, up to 100 hair sheds a day because your hair is constantly going through a hair cycle. The hair that is shed will be replaced. If you find that you are losing more hair than normal, then visiting your dermatologist will be best to help you further.”

As an added bonus, I’ve taken the liberty to roundup some chic products that will keep your locks healthy, shiny and frizz-free:

Paul Brown — opened his very first hair salon in Honolulu in 1971, and have since grown into six salons and full-service spas throughout Hawaii. The international hair care line provides solutions for all hair types. Paul Brown Salons and Spas delivers 300 stylists, make-up artists and spa professionals.

“From day one, I’ve had a passion for helping my clients look and feel their best, and that’s a passion that hasn’t gone away,” said Brown. “In fact, it’s a core value that is shared among our talented team of stylists, make-up artists, and other staff, and it’s what bonds us together to provide the best service to our clients.”Check out http://www.paulbrownhawaii.com/

Click to view slideshow.

HairMax LaserComb — the first and only FDA approved hair innovation, safe enough for home-use. This medical device utilizes laser phototherapy to effectively stimulate hair growth — treating hair loss in women (and men). HairMax also offers a collection of sulfate-free healthy hair care products — all formulated to work synergistically with the LaserComb. Products include an Enhancing Shampoo, Revitalizing Conditioner, Invigorating Scalp Treatment, Hair & Scalp Fortifier and Essential Vitamins — all to compliment the LaserComb, by facilitating the absorption of the laser light energy.

Directions: Simply glide the HairMax LaserComb over your scalp slowly in a combing motion 3 times per week for 10-15 minutes. It is important to move very slowly (about ½ in. every 4 seconds). Cover the scalp 2x per session.

High Res Path Lights

HairMax Products

3 models to choose from starting from $295 USD, available at hairmax.com, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

Pureology — turn weak, limb strands into silky sexy tresses with Pureology Precious Oil Versatile Caring Oil — the brands first Green Seal certified 100% Biodegradable, silicone and paraben-free caring oil.

Pureology Precious Oil

Precious Oil can be used in multiple ways to achieve versatility:

On Fine Colour-Treated Hair
•    For Silky Conditioning: Before shampooing, apply 2 drops on dry hair. Do not rinse. Follow with the Pureology shampoo for your hair type, work into a lather and rinse.
On Medium to Coarse Colour-Treated Hair
•    For Exceptional Softness: After Shampooing, apply 1 to 3 drops to towel-dried hair. Layer with any Pureology rinse-out masque. Leave on 5-10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
•    For Anti-Frizz Smoothness: After blow-drying, rub 1-2 drops in your hands and run lightly over dry hair. Reapply as needed.
•    For Gentle Detangling: Apply 1 to 2 drops in palm and work through clean, damp hair. Beginning at the ends, use a wide-tooth comb and gently work out tangles.
•    For Curl Revitalizing: Apply a small amount in palm and run through curls.
All Types of Colour Treated Hair
•    For Radiant Shine: Blend or layer 2 drops with your favorite Pureology style and style as usual. Finish with any heat or styling tools.
•    For Overnight Treatment: Apply evenly through hair before going to bed. In the morning leave in or rinse out.
On All Skin Types
•    For Skin Softening: Apply on clean skin and massage in to moisturize.

“Pureology’s new Precious Oil fills the gap in the colour care market for a versatile hair oil that promises to maintain haircolour while providing exceptional softening, smoothing and shine benefits,” states Steven Henley, Senior Director of US Education for Pureology. “As we all know, water is the biggest enemy of hair colour. The natural state of hair is to be hydrophobic, which means it repels water. However as we colour our hair, our hair shaft weakens and becomes hydrophilic, thus attracting water and causing colour to leak from the hair. Precious Oil penetrates the hair to rebuild the lipid content, thus returning hair from it’s hydrophilic to hydrophobic state. It literally turns back the clock on hair damage!”

Visit http://www.pureology.com/ for more information.

I am WOMAN! Hear me roar! And better yet — see me soar! Today has some very significant meaning for me, as it is International Women’s Day! Why is this day of significance to me? Well, as a woman — I work twice as hard as most men in my field — without half the recognition!  And we women have to admit, that it’s been an uphill battle for ALL of us — in an effort to make equality — EQUAL!

I’ve been through some very serious trials over the past 2 1/2 years — and seem to be on overload when it comes to sacrifices. And in reality, I’m not looking for praise, hand out or even a pat on the back! In fact, I can do all of those things myself! But I’ve grown to love my natural born Goddess-ness, curves, talents, trials and triumphs included!

But this feature — is not to share my sob story…instead, it’s purpose is to celebrate my womanhood! All of our womanhood! To sit back, relax — and raise your champagne glasses — to your remarkable selves .

This International Woman’s Day, I am dedicated to highlighting the advancement in Woman Power — and my favorite achievement (for us females) is the signing of the Violence Agains Women Act — by President Barack Obama. And as a survivor of Domestic Violence — this is a huge step through the glass ceiling!

This is your day. This is the day of the advocates, the day of the survivors. This is your victory,” Obama said. “This victory shows that when the American people make their voices heard, Washington listens.”

And how about raising the minimum wage to $10.10 (for women). I will be following the progress of the National Women’s Law Center!

How about you lovelies — what will you being doing on this marvelous International Women’s Day?

Image courtesy of Glamour

Jennifer Lopez looks fiercely GORGEOUS — as she graces the cover of Glam Belleza Latina’s debut issue! With naturally stunning cat-like eyes, perfectly defined brows, flawless skin and to-die-for lips — the Latin-American bombshell doesn’t look a day over 20!

The magazine — is brought to you by Glamour — as a new title under it’s umbrella — targeting the next generation in beauty, Latina style! It celebrates Latina culture, rooted in passion for beauty — including fragrance and skincare — to jet-setting beauty tricks.

In this issue, Lopez opens up — in an exclusive interview — about life, love and the diverse beauty contained within the Hispanic community.

Check out the Mind+Body Soul’U'tions exclusive excerpt below:

JENNIFER LOPEZ, A to Z: It doesn’t get more glam than our Ms. Lopez. Her hair, eyes, lips, skin—the woman looks better every year. Fresh off her world tour, our favorite singer, actress, and mogul sits down for an exclusive interview with Glam Belleza Latina’s editor, Veronica Chambers.

Excerpt:

A is for Amazing skin. It’s what you notice first when she plops down on the couch next to you. At 43, Lopez seems to be aging backward: keeping all the wisdom of her age but glowing from within like an18-year-old. And no wonder, because she tells Glam Belleza Latina she feels like one. After her third divorce, the actress, singer, and face of L’Oréal Paris has been dating 25-year old dancer-choreographer Casper Smart; in fact, she just took her new beau on her seven-month, 78-city tour. “Trust me, it told me that we get along really well,” she says. “These are high-pressure situations, and he was in charge of the whole show. We grew through it. We were even better at the end.” So is that the secret of the J.Lo glow? Does love make you beautiful? “Absolutely,” says Lopez. “But I don’t think it’s the love of somebody else. It’s learning to love yourself, like Whitney Houston sang. That really is the greatest love of all.” She admits that it took her a long time. “We beat ourselves up so bad, [saying] ‘I messed up. I made the wrong choice,’ ” says Lopez. “ I started embracing that I do make mistakes. I’m a human being. I’m supposed to be flawed. I’m perfect in my imperfections.”

Quotes:

• On Latin beauty…

Latin beauty is the rainbow. We have black, we have white, we have caramel. We have blonds, we have blue eyes, we have brown eyes, we have the darkest of the dark skin. Latin beauty is for everybody.”

• On the importance of girlfriends in her life…

Oh my God, my girlfriends are everything to me. They celebrate with you, they cry with you, they hold you when you need to be held. They laugh with you. They’re mean with you! They’re just always there, and it’s just a priceless thing to have.”

• On what makes you more interesting…

People praise me for being physically pretty. You can think, That’s who I am. But who you really are is all the messy, complex stuff. That makes you more interesting.”

• On the value of being an individual…

I am confident. It doesn’t mean I don’t have my moments. But you have to remember the value of your individuality—that you have something special and different to offer that nobody else has.”

Glam Belleza Latina is available in NYC, LA & Miami as of today (March 5). Contributors included in the premiere issue include Natalie Morales, Narciso Rodriguez, Hilaria Thomas Baldwin, celeb makeup artist Leslie Lopez, Lynda Lopez and Artists-in-Residence Isabel and Ruben Toledo.
Check out Glam Belleza Latina online at glamlatina.com, on Twitter at @GlamLatinaMag, and on Facebook at facebook.com/glamlatina.

The procedure deploys hyaluronic fillers (HA) in combination with patient’s own nutrient rich plasma (a.k.a platelet rich plasma or PRP). Kim Kardashian had

Kim Kardashian at the Seventh Annual Hollywood Life Magazine Awards. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

her very own Vampire Facelift (of course) back in 2012 — and now, it’s the newest fad to hit the Hollywood scene. In fact, Dr. Paul Nassif — Beverly Hills plastic surgeon and star of the Housewives of Beverly Hills — is set to appear on Entertainment Tonight to discuss the new Vampire Facelift. Dr. Nassif told American Health and Beauty how the Vampire Facelift actually works, stating that “The Vampire Facelift is one of the most cutting-edge, yet minimally invasive anti-aging procedures available. PRP is a natural rejuvenator that aids in the healing process and stimulates collagen growth. I’ve been using PRP in conjunction with surgical procedures such as facelifts and rhinoplasty for more than a decade with fantastic results.”

The coveted Oscar Swag Bags were valued at over $45,000 — with all nominees, regardless of win — receiving one. Talk about ultimate swag! Check out Dr. Barnes’ Vampire Facelift video below…and see for yourself what Hollywood thinks is a beauty must-have!

It was even featured on the Dr. Oz show during the Revolutionary Ways to Look Younger Segment! Watch as brave soul and special guest, Tatiana Alvarez “aka DJ Tatiana” goes under the knife for this very special kind of face lift!