As women, we all know facial hair can be very unattractive.
Most women either tweeze, wax or thread unwanted hair and I’ve done all three.
Back in 2013, I started looking into laser hair removal for my lip and chin area because I was so tired of doing it all. After about 8 sessions, hair still grew back in certain areas.
After talking to an older lady at my gym, she started telling me about electrolysis and how she’s been doing it for years.
“Electrolysis is a way of removing individual hairs from the face or body. The art of electrolysis uses a fine sterile probe which is inserted into the hair follicle. Then, a small amount of electrical energy is applied, destroying the hair growth tissue. Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal process that works on all skin and hair types, including people with white, grey, red, and blonde hair in the area to be treated. Those people with darker skin and ethnic backgrounds are also treatable with electrolysis.”
After one 30 min session for $60, my facial hair is gone. The pain is minimal, but some spots were more sensitive than others.
I would totally recommend this for anyone who’s looking into permanent hair removal.
The place I go to is:
Lori Jay, CPE
215 Sunset Rd Willingboro NJ 08046 Ph: 609) 314-0344 Prices: 15min $40 30min $60 45min $80 *** Offers free consultations and a free 30 min session ***
It's beautiful online, but in person... No words can describe it! It was such an amazing experience..... Food for the soul!!!
Being in nature helps you to reconnect with yourself. Your mind is able to let go of all the daily chatter it goes through. Everything seems so much calmer and serene!
I’m always on a search for natural products that can enhance my skin. Recently, while shopping for my #1 skin care product…. COCONUT OIL*A MUST HAVE* at my local Indian store, I came across this soap –
“Contains a unique combination of Sandal oil and the time tested Ayurvedic formulation of Eladi oil. Works effectively on blemishes, dark spots and other pigmentation marks leaving you with a clear, blemish free skin. This unique combination of ingredients also helps keep your skin fresh and glowing”
I was sold at Ayurvedic… So I had to buy it!!!
“Ayurveda is an ancient natural healing system. The theory and practice originated in the Vedic traditions of India. Ayurveda means "knowledge of life," or "science of life," and its focus is on achieving continuous health through maintaining balance. It is a holistic system which integrates mind, body and spirit.”
Other products:
Medimix Ayurvedic Herbal Soap with 18 herbs
"Discover freedom from pimples, body odor and skin infections. With the goodness of the world largest selling Ayurvedic Soap, Dry Skin Soap, Acne Soap. A traditionally hand made soap, Ayurvedic Soap, Dry Skin Soap, Acne Soap with a time tested and unique formulation that combines the goodness of 18 herbs, Medimix is clinically proven to act effectively on many kinds of skin problems like Blemishes/Skin blemishes, Pimples, Dry Skin, Acne.”
Medimix Ayurvedic Herbal Soap with Glycerin and Lakshadi Oil
“Introducing the New Medimix Transparent Green bar with natural fresh fragrance and superior lather, for a soft, supple skin and dry skin. Medimix transparent contains a unique combination of purest and finest grade vegetable Glycerin and the time tested Ayurvedic formulation of Lakshadi oil. These effectively Moisturizes your dry skin making it soft and supple and helps reduce itches and cracks caused by dryness. It is also effective for people with dry skin and for dryness caused by winter and adverse seasons.”
Cellulite is a skin condition in which the layer of fat cells just beneath the skin presses against weakened connective tissue that covers the fat layer, resulting in a dimpled appearance on the skin's surface.
It can appear in skinny and/or fat women!!!
For me, fighting cellulite is an on-going process… When I fall off my diet, I immediately notice the difference in my body.j
It wasn’t until I started prepping for my 2nd competition that I noticed how much cellulite I had on the back of my legs and I didn’t like it one bit!
So me being me, started doing research online on how to get rid of it.
That’s when I found it… “Dry Brushing”
What is it?!
“Dry skin brushing is one of the best techniques to open up the pores of the skin, and to stimulate and detoxify the lymphatic system.
The skin is the largest organ in the body, and is responsible for one-fourth of the body's detoxification each day. It also makes it one of the most important elimination organs! For this reason the skin is also known as the "3rd" kidney, with the lungs being known as the 2nd kidney.
Our circulatory system has its own pump (our heart) to move blood through our bodies but our lymphatic system does not. It primarily relies on our movement to assist it. Typically, the more active we are physically the better condition our lymphatics will be.
Skin brushing helps move lymph fluid and gives us a jump-start on health. When the pores are not clogged with dead cells and the lymphatic system is cleansed, the body is able to carry out its important function of eliminating toxins and waste material.”
Benefits of dry skin brushing:
-stimulates the lymphatic system
-cleans toxins from the lymphatic system
-helps digestion
-stimulates circulation
-increases cell renewal
-strengthens the immune system
-tightens the skin
-removes dead skin layers and other debris collected in its pores
B/c I wanted results fast, I started out doing it twice a day, morning and night… I saw results in about 3 weeks... No Lie!!!!
In addition to doing the dry brushing, I started doing incline walking (on the highest level) and stiff leg dead lifts…This all aided in tightening up the back of my legs!
It’s going on 2 months now and I still do it faithfully.
I also started looking up other natural remedies to help remove toxins from the body, which will ultimately help remove cellulite…
I came across “Apple Cider Vinegar”
So now I’ve added 2 tblsp of apple cider vinegar in water, twice a day, to my regimen.
Below are other key things that can aid in reducing the appearance of cellulite in the body ….
Nutrition: Your diet plays a HUGE part in the way your skin looks and feels... cellulite accumulation is no exception
Activity: Cardiovascular and aerobic exercises promote blood flow & circulation
Water: Drinking water will help cleanse your body and reduce toxins... Fewer toxins mean smaller deposits of cellulite.
OCB ATLANTIC SUPER SHOW - MAY 4, 2013 - RICHMOND, VA
Being a Bikini competitor takes a lot of mental strength...Shoot, losing weight in general does!
There’s also the physical part, but I believe it’s a lot more mental. There are days that you have to fight yourself to workout, fight to eat healthy, fight hunger pains and cravings.
It is so easy to be distracted and want to give up. Without the right mind set or people around you, you can easily be thrown off your game.
My first show was in 2011. It took me almost 2 years to get back in the right mind set for another competition. I didn’t want to exercise anymore. I started eating unhealthy. I had to dig deep and really do some soul searching as to why I couldn’t get back on track. I know I wanted to do more shows, but my actions weren’t aligning with my thoughts.
It wasn’t until I took control and made up in my mind that this is what I wanted to do.
You have to block out ANY and ALL distractions and remain focused on the end result…. Whatever your goals are!
Finally, I am here and I plan on pushing myself to the end. No matter how tired I feel or how much pain I am in.
I will only focus on the end result….. Nothing else!!!
My Diet:(Currently 18.3% Body fat)
***I eat every 2-3 hours***
8am - 5 egg whites, 1 cup oats, 10 almonds (I don’t really like eggs whites so I eat 2oz of chicken)
11am- Protein shake : 1 scoop of whey protein (125-130 calories/ scoop)
1pm - 5 oz chicken, 4 oz sweet potato , 1tbsp of salsa
4pm - 2 rice cakes with 2 tbsp of peanut butter
7pm-5oz chicken 1 ½ cup of green veges ,1 tbsp of salsa
9pm- Protein shake: 1 scoop of whey
***1 cheat meal (Anything I want) 1 day/ week
Current Supplements
*CarbRepel- Makes you feel fuller longer, supports weight loss (This stuff is AMAZING, I’m never hungry anymore)
*FatRelease- Increases calorie burning and decreases fat absorption
Strength training varies… but currently doing 55min of cardio 5days a week!
Alot people don’t understand that to lose weight you have to eat, especially women.
They think that by cutting calories to a very low number “starving themselves” and doing extreme amounts of cardio will give them the body they always wanted. Nothing could be further from the truth.
To get a bikini body you have to eat (HEALTHY) small meals, frequently throughout the day and do a combination of weight training & cardio exercises… It took me a long time to realize this!
It also took me a long time to understand that diets DON’T work… You can’t diet to lose weight and go back to eating the same after losing all the weight…b/c you WILL gain all the weight back! (Speaking from experience)
You have to make a conscious decision that this will become a lifestyle... That eating healthier and exercising is part of your everyday routine! Once a person realizes this, everything else will fall into place.
You’ll start to understand that you won’t be eating to lose weight, you’ll be eating to be healthy….. Losing weight will just become an added benefit!
Below is the plan that I am currently doing as I prepare for my next Bikini show.
This is how a person should be eating to lose weight. Notice there are no fried foods, fast foods, simple sugars (soda, white rice, pastas, etc) or any kind of junk food.
I am allowed to eat those foods, but only in moderation … 1x a week!
Even though I am preparing for a competition, this is how someone should be eating regularly if they want the body of their dreams.
Be committed … Stay focus … It is possible!!
Training: 30 min cardio- 4 day/week, weight training 5 days/ wk
Day 1: Chest
Flat bench press with DB
Incline press with straight bar
Dumbbell Flies:
Day 2: Quads/Hamstrings
Squat: Shoulder width apart
Dead Lift
Lunge front: holding DB
Day 3: Shoulders:
Smith machine, overhead press
Side Lateral Raise w/DB
Bent over rear delts w/DB
Day 4: Arms:
Preacher Curls with bar
Sitting alternating DB curls
DB kickbacks
Day 5: Back
RG pulldowns
DB one-arm rows
Hyperextensions
~4 sets each exercise
~ No rest between each exercise
~ After each giant set take a 2 minute rest
~ Before workout warm-out with 2 sets of 15 with first exercise
~Keep rep range between 12-15 reps (close to failure)
Meal plan – 1500 Calories / 5 small meals daily
*1.5 cup Special k cereal
10 almonds
1cup 2% milk
*1 individual size Greek yogurt
*4oz ground turkey or chicken breast
2slices of bread (45 cal each)
1 small apple or banana
* 2 rice cakes
2 tbsp peanut butter
*5oz chicken
¾ cup brown rice
2 oz green beans
*1 choc pudding cup (Dessert)
I know it’s been a little while since my last post.
Took this year off from competing in shows so I could focus on some personal financial goals of mine…
My business- Bademous Enterprises, LLC
On Aug 27, 2012 I formed Bademous Enterprises, Limited Liability Company (LLC)
As of right now, I am still working my 9-5 and even though I don’t “dis-like” my job, I have realized a 9-5 isn’t for me.
I was born to be an entrepreneur!
This post is about starting your own business and building your business entity to stand on its own!
I have been doing a lot of research and reading a lot of books about how you can build business credit and now feel a little confident about how to set my business up the RIGHT way.
My future long-term goal is to be able to get “Unsecured Business Loans and/or Lines of Credit” with NO personal guarantee (PG).
The “secret” with building business credit is to “operate” everything in the business name.
When you operate your business under YOUR OWN SS# *aka* Sole Proprietorship, you are telling banks that you are willing to personally guarantee your business loans.
This means… if your businesses fail “YOU” fail, because everything is reported on your “Personal Credit Report”
When you get business credit cards in your social security number, it’s reported on your personal credit report.
When you get business loans, they ask for “YOUR” social security number.
This means the growth of your business; it’s based on “YOUR” personal credit history and report.
So, that ALSO means if you have bad credit…. Well, you get the picture!!
The goal is to build everything around the business name so it can have its own identity.
Just like your personal credit, you have to “strategically” build it up to meet the criteria of the business world.
You can’t just form an LLC or Corp then walk into a bank and ask for a loan.
This is pretty much where I am now….. Building my business identity!
My goal is to not have to be “personally liable” for anything.
Everywhere I’ve read states this process can take up to 6 months to 2 years. Banks supposedly wont’ lend to any business if it doesn’t have a financial statement of at least 2 years.
That’s why I’m setting up the business now, so when I need the money, it’ll be available to me.
I’ve also come across a lot of “Business Credit Builder” companies that seem to charge a hefty penny to help build your business credit for you.
I chose to do some more in depth research and found that you can pretty much do the same stuff by yourself… with a little more effort ,of course!
A really great site that I found A LOT of very valuable information for FREE was gboogie.net/
All of his youtube vids helped me!!!
1st thing 1st ….. Obviously, you need a business name
In short…. (You can Google the long process)
You go to IRS.gov to search your business name. After you have the name, it’s time to form a company. Your company should be a LLC, LP, LLP, S-Corp or C- Corp. Whatever you do, DON’T make it a sole proprietorship!
You pay the fees, get the business registered, obtain licenses for the business if you need them, then you have to obtain a Tax ID #- which is your EIN #.
Your EIN# is the business SS#... this is what you will use from now on for everything that has to do with your business.
All this can be done by you online, with an attorney or businesses that specialize in start-ups.
They were cheaper than an attorney and they were there to answer all my questions while setting up my entity. I could have done it online by myself, but I really wanted to understand the process.
Cost… $399: NCH Fee + $125: State fee = $524 … Which is considered my start-up fee, which is also considered a business write off J
After you set your business up, it’s time to make it look like an actual business….. It’s time to flood the market!!!
I then opened 2 business checking accounts… one at PNC and one at Wells Fargo in the EXACT business name… remember everything MUST match… the goal is to separate the business from yourself.
I then opened up a $500 CD got a secured business loan backed by the CD for that amount. I then took out a loan for that amount and repeated the process at the other bank.
Now I have loans in my business name. These secured loans will mostly be reported by Equifax Business.
The next thing I did was got a business land line through ATT. This will list your business in the 411 directory.
This can take up to 3-4 weeks, but I have found out that if you call back a few days after you place your order, ATT can give you the designated phone # before they come out to set your line up.
You MUST make sure everything matches… the business name, the business address (I use my personal residence address as my business address also)
When you go to fill out applications and apply for credit for your business, most places will ask for a business phone number. You don’t want to use your personal cell phone number
This is important because Lenders what to make sure you are operating as a “Real Business”The next thing I did was start listing my business with all the search engines. This will help expose your business to the world for lenders, consumers and other businesses to see.
After listing the business name, I started registering my company at every business site I could think of. Especially, the places I plan on doing business with in the future.
Such places are:
· Uline.com
· Grainger.com
· Rapid Forms.com
· Quill.com
· Seton.com
· Fed ex
· Reliable
· Home depot
· Office depot
· Staples
· Best Buy
· Wal-mart
· Target
· Ups
· Amazon
· Radio Shack
· Sams Club
You get the picture…. In addition to registering the business with these companies, I also requested a catalog to be mailed out.
This is all still part of the process of getting the company’s name out into the business world.
Now it’s time to get trade lines that report to Dun & Bradstreet.
1st let’s talk a little bit about the TOP 3 Business Credit bureaus ….
Dun and Bradstreet, Equifax business and Experian business Dun & Bradstreet is the largest business credit bureau in America. This also means they hold the most clout with the creditors. Dun & Bradstreet (also called DNB, DUNS) set the standard for business credit scoring. It is the one credit profile you, as a business owner, must protect. Having a solid DUNS profile is critical to the success of your business.
After getting the business TAX ID #, you will want to get a free DUNS #. You get this by going to the website www.dnb.com and applying for it. This number is used to identify your business.
The second is Business Equifax, which is also one of the three primary consumer credit reporting agencies. It provides business credit evaluations for over 22,000,000 small businesses and corporations.
The third one is Business Experian, which is similar to Equifax business.
After I did the background foot work for my business (listing the business everywhere) I started opening trade lines (NET 30 accounts) at different companies. Most companies that have net accounts will report to D&B.
Net 10, Net 15, Net 30 and Net 60 are forms of trade credit which specify that the net amount (the total outstanding on the invoice) is expected to be payment received in full 10, 15, 30 or 60 days after the goods are shipped by the seller.
Some companies are:
· Uline.com
· Grainger.net
· Nebs.com
· Seton.com
· Reliable.com They say it’s best to have at least 5 or 6 lines reporting to build credit faster.
The whole point of doing all this is to get a PAYDEX score of 80.
You are probably familiar with the FICO scoring system used in personal credit. Your FICO (Fair Isaacs) score ranges from 450 – 850. In business credit, a different scoring system is used called your PAYDEX score. Your PAYDEX score ranges from 0 – 100. An 80 PAYDEX score is equivalent to a 750 FICO score used in personal credit.
This is pretty much where I am so far with my business...
After the trade lines start reporting, my goal is to start applying for revolving credit lines such as: Home depot, Lowes, Amazon, Office depot, Pep Boys, Staples places like that. Most revolving accounts report to Experian Business.
The goal is to get companies reporting to all three credit bureaus.
Then ultimately start applying for lines of credits with the bigger banks. That’s why they say it’s a process that can take up to 6months – 2 years!
The niche for my company is real estate. I want to buy, sell and rent.
However, real estate is considered “High Risk” so most lenders are wary about offering finance to this type of business.
Bademous Enterprises, LLC is a privately owned, New Jersey based management company that provides business services.
These “business services” can include anything from a messaging service (bringing checks or cash to the bank), cleaning, repairing, answering phones, to showing rentals.
My goal is to build my management company up and use the “management company” to buy my real estate (Hint: with no personal guarantee)
So when I go into the banks, my business will look more favorable then going in as a “real estate investor”
A really good article to read about business classification is called
Earlier I stated that banks want to see a financial statement of about 2 years.
So my plan is to buy properties in my name, but use my company for everything else.
Which means Bademous Enterprises, LLC will be listed on leases; repair forms; rental payments will be made out to the company name and processed through the business checking accounts, anything that has to do with the “business side of Real Estate” will be done in the company name. This will show financial history and help build the business.
Knowledge is Power… I've said it before and I’ll keep saying it!!!
~You can make more money with your mind, then you can ever make with your hands~
We all have heard the saying…. As the Rich gets Richer: The Poor Gets Poorer
Well … I can sum up what I’ve learned in the last 5 years in 3 short sentences:
~The Rich buys Assets
~The Middle Class buys Liabilities that they think are assets
~The Poor only have expenses
My Story...
I graduated college (Temple University) in 2007. After graduating, I had about $75,000 in student loans (and you thought your $25,000 was a lot. HA!)
That was about 5 years ago…. As of now, after interest and deferring payments, let’s just say they are well in the six figures... Especially sense I’m doing my masters program.
See, doing my undergrad years, I did a lot of stupid things!
Like take out way more money that I needed. You know, that refund check! Yea, I lived for that refund check. I actually bought my first car with it one year. Crazy, right! Well, back then I didn’t know any better. I wasn’t thinking about paying anything back, nor did I care!
After graduating, I started reading a lot of books about paying down my debt and getting rid of student loans!
It wasn’t until I read: Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki that my mind on money began to CHANGE… like I literally had a paradigm shift!!!
To sum up the book:
Robert Kiyosaki tells a story about how he grew up with 2 dads.
His real dad (Poor One) and his best friend’s dad (Rich One)
He goes on to talk about how his poor dad told him to go to school, get a good paying job, buy a house and invest in mutual funds. While his rich dad said to work hard at buying income producing assets.
In the book he breaks down:
~ The importance of your personal financial statement and how to read one
~The difference between an asset and a liability
~The difference between how the middle-class thinks about money and how the rich think about money
~ How to invest for cash flow instead of capital gains
According to Kiyosaki, An asset is something that puts money into your pocket whether you work or not.
In the book he gives examples of why the financial statements look different for the rich, middle-class and the poor!
He states the poor work for a paycheck through their job. When they get paid, they use their (income) to buy expenses~ things that have no value. For example: clothes, shoes, T.V.’s etc
The middle class work for income also, but they use their income to buy liabilities~ they think are assets. Things that take money out their pocket. For example: a house with a mortgage, a car with a car note, family vacations etc
The rich however may also work for income, but use their income to buy assets ~things that put money in their pockets whether they work or not. For example: businesses, rental income, royalties etc
Fast forward to 2012 …
Some people may know the real estate market went bust in 2007. A lot of people started losing their homes to foreclosures and for-sale signs started popping up everywhere!!!
From 2007 – 2009 all I did was learn about real estate investing. I read book after book, went to investing seminars, church classes and even volunteered at an investing school- American Real Estate Investors Institute.
My goal during this time was to pay down all my “BAD DEBT” so I can focus on buying “GOOD DEBT"
In Jan 2010, I went back to school to work on getting my masters degree. Here’s the thing though, I only went back to get in- school deferment.
In May of 2010 I bought my first house- a 1 bedroom condo, with a den (that I use as a second room) for $65,000 (despite my large student loan amount). I only put $500 down out my pocket! I also realize now in 2012, that I paid like way to much b/c the real estate market hit rock bottom around the end of 2011. I could have gotten a really nice condo for around $45,000 - $50,000.
But I did get the Obama tax credit for $8,000. (A special program that Obama started for all 1st time home buyers) So I used that money to pay off my car and fix up my condo a little.
While in school I started getting refund checks again, BUT this time I started saving them. In about 1 ½ years I had stacked almost $20,000.
I have learned in real estate you have to THINK outside the BOX!!!
So, now in 2012 with the market still being pretty bad, I started looking again. I had a little bit of money, so I felt confident. Well, every place I went to, turned me down… Why?!
My debt to income ratio was way too high… too much student loans was all I kept hearing, even though my credit score was good. (I always made sure to keep good credit) Some people don’t care what their credit looks like, I do… I need my credit!
Another thing, I never really used credit cards. I had a total of 6, but the total balance was about $3000, which I paid off.
Tip: Never close your credit cards b/c it can hurt your credit score!
Every mortgage place I went to said no.... So now what, just turn around and walk away... Never!!
Thinking outside the box, I started looking at other ways to get in the game and came across SELLER FINANCING. Seller financing is where the seller of the property holds the mortgage (like the bank). You still go to closing and the seller still may require you to put money down.
I found two properties that were marketing seller financing. So I put an offer on one of them, offering 10% down. Well, the seller came back with a counter offer at 30%. Mind you, the price of the triplex house – (3units) was 129,999 and the seller wanted 30% down.
Needless to say, I walked away (heart-broken)… I mean really, who has that type of cash just lying around… I started to get frustrated b/c I felt like I was trying so hard and all the doors kept closing in my face!!
A couple months later I found a duplex (2 units) , in the decent neighborhood for $60,000 and the place had a renter already in it! I felt like I hit the lottery….
So immediately I go to look at it, HORRIBLE. I don’t even know how somebody was living in it, but there was a renter, paying $600/month.
I suspected the place needed about $15,000-$20,000 worth of work. I didn’t have that kind of cash, plus the money to buy the place, so I went to a hard money lender. (Supposedly hard money lenders are more lenient than conventional banks) But they also denied me… lol
At this point, I was getting pissed. These stupid student loans are messing my life up! But me being me, kept pressing on! That's when I found a partner/ family member. Someone I could trust. My partner got approved for a loan called 203k (where the government actually gives you money to fix up a house) You can use the loan on anything up to 4 units and that’s how we were able to acquire the property.
My long term goal now is to start paying off my students loans, while acquiring more rental properties!!!
I'm sharing my story b/c I want people to know that anything is possible!!!!
Set goals and work toward them!!
GOD put a purpose in us all… an idea... a dream… We were all meant to prosper!!
All you have to do is take action!!!!
Educate yourself..... then educate someone else!!!
“If your dreams don’t scare you, then their not big enough” ~ Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
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