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TOP TWELVE SHOTS OF THE YEAR 2014

January 11, 2015luxorlivingandstyle

I welcome the year 2015 with open arms, but here are my top 12 picks for Shots of The Year from the blog! Some are from products that sponsored me, and some of other people I got to shoot. It’s fun to look back over the past year and gather some top shots. 2014 went by so fast, and in looking back, I see why… I was busy! I look forward to challenging myself this next year!

1. GLASSES USA

I was so excited to learn about GLASSESUSA and get an opportunity to try out their online prescription glasses service! Too cool! Check them out for discount prescription glasses that you can order online.

2. BOUDOIR

It was something totally new to try, and I had a blast doing last year’s Valentine Boudoir Shoot. The girls were fun and beautiful. It’s not trashy… more fun and flirty than anything, but it was fun working out shots for the girls. Out of all photos, I love this one the best. The girl is a beautiful, edgy rebel, business woman and mom. I loved the way this turned out.

3. BLACK FEATHERED ANGEL

This is a girl I ran into one night while out with my husband. We became friends and I was dying to do some portfolio shots for the aspiring actress. On this shoot, we went to Galveston Beach, (although we joked about saying it was some exotic destination in the Carribbean) and we laughed so hard as we tried different shots. Imagine this tall, beautiful girl in full makeup and long black gown, on the edge of a jettie, as the waves crashed in. Imagine the onlookers. Too funny. The rest of the pictures can be seen here. This was a great day!

4. TEXAS GIRL

I’ve always loved the Guess advertising campaigns. This was a spin on the Texas girl look. This is one of my favorite shots from that day with her. See the rest here, on the American Girl blog post.

5. SENIOR PORTRAIT TEXAS STYLE

Senior portraits in Texas are getting to be very elaborate, so I wanted to try my hand at a few! I absolutely had a blast working on this shoot, and this one is my favorite from the Senior Glam Texas Style shoot!

6. YOUNIQUE

I did a review for Younique 3D Fiber Lashes. This was one of the shots from the post that came out. I mean, how do you really take a mascara photo anyway? My vanity area was new, and it’s where I spend every morning getting ready, playing with makeup and trying new things.

7. THE WOODLANDS, BIOTCH

One day after church, my husband and I stopped to snap photos for the Retro blog post. I got this great shot of a nearby bridge in The Woodlands, and loved the way it came out!

8. LA JOLLA

We took a trip to San Diego this year. We wanted to return, since we had been the previous year. I packed terribly. I ended up buying a cool hat there, while we were shopping, and thus created a La Jolla outfit post out of scraps! We stayed at La Valencia hotel, right on the Cove at La Jolla… and had an amazing time. I love this shot that Ken took because it’s real. It’s me. My clothes. My life. I love that he lets me be kooky and fun. Good times!

La Jolla Cove

9. PURE BEAUTY

Pure Beauty was seen daily as we photographed the Seals at La Jolla. I was able to get inches from them and snap some cute photos. This was one of my best memories of the year! I adore nature and animals.

10. HOLIDAY RIVER WALK

In December, we went to San Antonio to attend a church service by one of our favorite pastors, and stayed on the San Antonio River Walk. It was my birthday, and Christmas lights were still up. I took photos in order to create a Monet look and love the way they all turned out!

11. ANGEL

I was fortunate enough to make a new friend this year, when Angel Blanchard was referred to me by a friend, to recreate her hair salon web site, Angels Hair Designs. She is a color and cut specialist in the Houston Galleria area, and also does extensions as well. She did my hair recently as well. Angel also is a jewelry designer, and is wearing some of her custom candy pieces in this shot! She does cuts for men as well!

12. YOU TUBER

One of my functions is that I work in Cosmetics and Fragrances. I do makeup. If you know anyone who does makeup, then you know we love You Tube Videos! Everyone would love to try and make a video at least once, so I finally did a full You Tube presentation called GLAMMY GLAM in 19 MINUTES. This shot was of the finished product after the video tutorial was made. Making videos is so fun, but it’s more work than you think! Check out my Channel here.

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BLUEBERRY DESIRE

December 20, 2014luxorlivingandstyle

Blueberry Desire

This is my all time favorite holiday time dessert that I make every season! It first came into existence for my family, when once, about 25 years ago, my Aunt Kay brought it over for Christmas to my father’s house.

I am not sure what the original name was, or where it came from, but I’ve been honing the recipe ever since, so now it’s simply known as Blueberry Desire…as it should be named due to it’s rich, creamy and desirable taste!

I made enough to take to a friend’s house, keep one for my home, and I even used the topping mixture to make a store bought pumpkin pie, more interesting.

The ingredients you need are shown below. ( I love to do this for visual people so if you find yourself at the store seeking ingredients, you can just pull up the blog post on your phone to see that you got everything!)

You will need:

2 large boxes raspberry or strawberry Jello Gelatin

3 cans Blueberries in Syrup

2 cans crushed pineapple

2 Cups Imperial Sugar

4 Bars of Cream Cheese

1 small tub of Cool Whip

4 oz chopped pecans or Walnuts ( I used both)

Mix the two boxes of Jello Gelatin, only using HALF of the water it calls for! The reason for this, is that you will be using the juices from the berries and pineapple anyway, and we want a thick consistency. So, two cups of boiling water, mix until gelatin is dissolved.

Add all blueberry cans and pineapple cans, including juices! Let chill and harden in refrigerator. ( If I’m in a hurry, I let it sit in the freezer for an hour, then move it to the fridge to continue hardening.)

After letting the cream cheese bars sit out and soften while the blueberry pan is chilling, add in large bowl with one small size tub of whipped topping, and two cups of Imperial Sugar! Beat about 7 minutes with a mixer, or until desired consistency is met.

Spread across the top of your hardened, chilled blueberry mixture, then sprinkle your nuts across the top! Done!

Hear me when I tell you, this is a super creamy topping on pure blueberry heaven! I’ve never had anyone not love it!

-SDS

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HOW TO DECORATE A SMALL APARTMENT

December 2, 2014luxorlivingandstyle

Out of all the ways that I enjoy being creative, having a small Apartment Locator business in Texas is one of the most rewarding!

It gives me the opportunity to challenge myself, meet new people and help them find the most well suited place for them to call home.

Where a person chooses to live is very important. It will be the core of the business of running your life.

These are pictures of just a few of the small but cozy places I have sometimes shown to clients.

I’ve always loved decor and get inspired when we go on tour and see the model apartments. Everything is so perfectly neat and tidy it makes me want to run home and start throwing things out!

It’s common knowledge that over the years though, apartments are generally getting smaller and smaller. Although it presents issues, most of my clients see it as a welcomed evil to challenge them into maintaining a sleek and streamlined existence!

Small is acceptable to the very serious minded, it seems. Proximity to work, ease of functionality and maybe, just maybe a good view is important, depending on the client.

I love the decor ideas on color to enhance a nook and add dimension as well as some of the space saving tips I see.

Sparse and smaller framed furniture helps tremendously. Nice and slim but comfy furnishings are great but over sized sloppy sofas are out!

A lot of times I’ve ended up referring furnishing ideas , paint colors and stores to clients and the decorator in me just wants to go with them on moving day and make them put things where I feel they should go! I cut the cord, however and hope for the best.

I try my best to figure out what is more important to the client, such as big closets or a view, and go from there. I would have to have a nice view or it would crush my soul, but others might not mind. This is a shot of the balcony view from a mid rise community I love to take clients, and I just can’t believe it if they choose something different! I love it!

These are just a few of the places I show and see and they motivate and inspire me in the areas of decor, space saving and lifestyle!

If you want to see more great places, you can go to my Houston apartment Locator site … Luxor Leasing & Real Estate ! Or better yet…contact me if you want free help finding a great new Houston apartment!

-SDS

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KISS INSTAWAVE REVIEW

November 21, 2014luxorlivingandstyle

KISS INSTAWAVE

I was so excited to receive a free KISS InstaWave to review for the site! I will openly admit that I was a little worried that the barrel would tangle up my hair as it spins…but it absolutely did NOT!

I know you’ve seen the ads for InstaWave on TV. This is the one in which the barrel spins whenever you press the button. You can choose to curl inward, or outward. You really can get that salon look.

KISS InstaWave is a fully automatic tangle-free curler that instantly creates beautiful curls!

Easy for anyone to use, from any angle, with any hand!

Features a Curl Dial with left/right curl directions!

Automatically shuts off after 90 minutes! (This is such a bonus! Do you know how many times I’ve run home during a lunch break to unplug everything!?!?!)

2 heat settings with a low/high switch with maximum temperature of 420 so you can have tighter curls, or beachy waves!

You can get InstaWave at most Target or Ulta stores, but check out their video below!

Find out more on the Kiss InstaWave website at http://kissinstawave.com/

-SDS

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THE COVE AT LA JOLLA

November 11, 2014luxorlivingandstyle 1 Comment

La Jolla Cove

I realize that I am not the first person to ever get close to and take photos of seals. These, however…are my seals. This was my personal La Jolla experience, and I want to share.

The world was never meant to be about concrete jungles that destroy and overtake the natural majesty of God’s creation. Were were to live among and derive pleasure – as well as reasonable resource from the beauty and wonders he created.

How in the world, a moderately intelligent person could look around the earth…watch the ocean’s waves- packed full of marine life, crash in and roll out. Watch the many birds dive and feed from the oceans, or wiggly worms in the green grass. How could you watch seals laying cheek to cheek with their friends and family, with a baby tucked under their fin…and really not realize that there is a God who created it all? And truly, how on earth could a person see the smile and love of a dog, who lives for their “person,” and ever think a beautiful connection such as that, could be a fluke?

As I stood on the rocks, watching some of the sea lions sleep in La Jolla Cove…I noticed two sleeping cheek to cheek. And, as I wondered about the depths of their relationship (like…was he her “baby daddy” or just friends, relatives, etc…) the one on the right sleepily lifted its fin to feel around next to itself.He tapped and gently felt and looked comforted by the presence of the napping soul next to it… all as if to check and make sure he was still there.

Could beings who love, really be a totally accidental freak of nature? Everything works perfectly together to keep the world turning and nature can be so beautiful. Hummingbirds are a favorite of mine. Each one is a tiny work of art. Actually, one who thinks this massive machine is a Godless accident has to be absolutely crazy. Out of touch. Blind.

The little sea gulls that came to my balcony door every morning, in hopes of barking (yes, barking) for snacks of any kind… would eat Cheetos right from my hand. (Envision Cheetos dust all over their beaks.) As one might keep waiting for me to decide if he should have another Cheetos…he head would cock, and he would stare as if trying desperately to understand, “Who exactly is this weird Cheetos lady, on the balcony in her nightgown and pin curls…with a fat girl bag of these yummy orange things?” The point is, there was some level of intelligence there. We see it all the time in dogs and cats. How could intelligence not be by grand design? Actually, it would be impossible.

These are the thoughts running through my mind as we visited the La Jolla Cove last week. We were there last year, at the same time, but this time… we enjoyed nature even more.

La Jolla is a beautiful place to relax, think, recharge your soul and connect. So my seal and ocean photos are not prize winning…but I tried to capture the hearts of the precious little animals, and majesty the ocean side area commands as the sun continues to rise and set in perfect tandem with all below it.

I’m pretty easy going, but one demand I make on my husband (who is a harder worker bee than I) is that I will grind and work hard…but give a girl a break every once in a while. I don’t care what is going on financially, job wise or whatever…I need some kind of vacation from the grind. Getting to relax and just breathe was incredibly uplifting.

These photos were taken by a person who is a firm believer in Father God, his son Christ and the beautiful Grand Design of this country and our world. Feeding little creatures, and getting up close and personal was a tremendous experience.

-SDS

Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.” God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good. ,God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”…

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