Thanks=Giving

I'm so excited for the holiday season, it's my favorite part of the year. Even if my husband is not able to spend thanksgiving with us because of his deployment, I'm still thankful for every blessing God allows in our lives.'Tis the season to be jolly fa la la la la la la la la

It's a time of sharing with family and friends and eating delicious yummy foods but never the least a great opportunity to give. Giving doesn't mean you have to go buy something for someone, as long as it comes from the heart. It may be pretty much anything, from a homemade cooked meal to a cup of coffee or tea with some fresh baked cookies. It's time to share some of those talents if you know what I mean!

I would like to give something to you all, and this is why I'm doing my very first GIVEAWAY! If you know me or have been following my slowly progressing blog then you know the passion I have for photography. Here is where you get to give as well. The idea is for you to nominate an extraordinary family/person you know. If your family gets selected and wins, you will give away the gift of great memories to cherish for years to come. If you know of a family or person that has experience a rough time and was able to overcome it this is your chance to nominate them. If they managed to stay positive while making time to help others selflessly please nominate them.

What they'll get?

1 hour Photo Session for up to 6 people (in the same family) with 10 digital pictures on a CD. 
Just in time for the Holidays =)

Our family pic from last year. Nothing wrong with wearing your comfy pajamas =)

Christmas card credits: 2012 font Pea Ellie Bellie  from kevin & amanda

Retro taupe solid paper from Florabella Collection

Merry Chrismas snow overlay and candy cane overlay from mom and camera

How to enter: **This Giveaway is now closed**

1- You can't nominate yourself. You may nominate more than one family/person.

2- Your nominee has to live in the Yokosuka area. **Note: Atsugi, and Negishi areas can participate. I'm just asking that the winners are able to travel to Yokosuka for the pictures**

3- Email me to seelifeandlight@gmail.com telling me why this family deserves to win.

4- All entries must be entered by Friday, November 22, 2013 (11:59pm Tokyo Standard Time)

**3 Winners will be announced on my See: Life and Light Facebook page on Sunday, November 24**

It is not mandatory that you subscribe to my blog or that you like my Facebook page but if you like what you see I won't mind if you show me some love ;)

Now go ahead and spread the word. I'm looking forward to reading your stories.

Until next time. With love,

Tamara

"Memorial Day" Makeover Edition.

Hey everyone,

Let me start by wishing you a happy Memorial Day weekend. today's post is very special to me as it marks a new phase in my life.
Since I was a little girl I have loved to do hair and makeup on others. Making others feel beautiful has always touch my heart in a very special way. I remember how my aunt will have me color her hair and I would do hair do's and makeup on my cousins. I'm not a hairstylist but I do love how they can transform even the most unmanageable hair into perfection. I have always loved the pictures in magazines because everyone always have perfect hair, makeup, nails, wardrobe, accessories, lighting and a perfect location. When I started to take pictures I wanted for my pictures to look just like those in magazines. The more I read about photography the more I understand how photographers and makeup artist are each others best friend, and that's how I decided to become a makeup artist. 

I would love to work doing photo shoots involving makeovers. I dream of collaborating with photographers, hairstylist, makeup artist, and wardrobe stylist to help deserved women get their dream photo shoot. Wouldn't that be fantastic?! I might need the help of Oprah Winfrey or Ellen Degeneres to make that happen LOL. Meanwhile I have decided to start doing it on my own. Yeah, you read that correctly.  As I move from place to place I get to meet amazing inspiring women. I decided to start using the talents God has given me. The spark started when I read a quote that said "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." That's when it hit me I'm here to help others. I'm here to help women see the life and light inside of them, so it may shine from the inside out. 

I met a wonderful and beautiful woman not so long a go. She wanted to do a photo shoot and wanted me to do her makeup. Once I heard her story I knew instantly that I wanted to do it, and I asked if I could feature her here on my blog. I want to share a little bit of her story with all of you and we both hope her story inspires you in many ways.

Meet Justine Insonia
Age: 36
Height: 5"6
Birth place: Denver CO 
Occupation: Administrative Assistant/Personal Trainer
Weight before: 180 pounds 



Where you always overweight? 
No, I was extremely skinny in high school and all the way up to the age of 26. I started gaining weight in 2006 by drinking beer and eating chicken wings, pizza, burgers, pasta and list goes on...

Can you describe yourself before the weight loss? 
I wasn't ever happy the way I looked, when I went shopping for clothes the things I wanted would never look right on me. I was confident to a point but I would always hide my feelings about how sad I was about my weight.

What motivated you to lose weight? 
I was tired of gaining weight everyday and I knew it was a choice I would have to make. If I would not have made the decision back in January 2011 to stop living unhealthy I would be over 200 pounds by now for sure. I knew I wanted to be fit and healthy because you can't get any younger but you sure can decide how you want to get older!

What would this photo shoot mean to you? 
It is a turning point in my life, this photo shoot will always remind me of how hard I worked to get to the level of fitness I am at today, and to never let myself slide! I want to show to all those people who are just starting out on their path to a healthier self and fit life, that it is possible and every step you take towards your goal counts!! Don't stop fighting for you dreams and goals!!!

Justine at 128 pounds now…

Do you feel comfortable in your own skin now? 
Absolutely, I would have never ever put on a half shirt for a photo shoot and now I feel so good about my body. I'm proud to show people what I have accomplish and all the work I have done to get here.

Did you had any struggles? 
I've had many, many struggles. I started weight loss plans many times and they worked out for maybe 2 months and then I was right back to where I began. It was the eating habits that had to change and that is the hardest part.

Did you see results immediately? 
Absolutely not, it took me at least 1 month to begin to see any changes and they were small, I never got on the scale because it will mess with your head so stay off. As soon as I stopped the treadmill, elliptical, and picked up the weights I saw results faster than ever before. You will not get bulky, you get cut and sexy!!!

Did your family support you in your weight loss journey? 
Oh, yes! My husband has been so wonderful, he is an amazing Chef and when I decided to eat healthier he started cooking healthier for the family. Everyone encouraged me everyday on my journey to a healthy fit lifestyle!

Can you describe yourself after the weight loss? 
I am more social and happy to go places! I feel amazing, I rarely get sick or have headaches (which was an issue before). I love how having a healthier lifestyle has impacted other aspects of my unhealthy behavior, like drinking alcohol. I rarely drink now because I know it will interfere with my workout and the way I feel the next day. I think clearer, I have more energy and I love waking up everyday!

What keeps you motivated? 
The way I feel now, looking at pictures of myself before and knowing how unhappy I was behind that smile. What motivated me the most was the comments from people that tell me I inspire them and have helped them to know that it is possible, it is right there you just have to go get it!

Who was your biggest weight loss inspiration & why? 
I don't have 1 particular person but I will have to say watching the Biggest Loser.

What is your favorite type of exercise?
CROSSFIT it has pushed me beyond my limits and has shown me there is always more to achieve!

Do you have an exercise routine? 
I do Crossfit at 5am almost everyday of the week unless my body tells me otherwise after Crossfit I will do my weight training routine.

Monday: Chest & Biceps & 30 min Sprints.
Tuesday: Legs.
Wednesday: Back & Triceps & 30 min Sprints.
Thursday: Glutes.
Friday: Shoulders & Traps & 30 min Sprints.
Saturday: Functional Workout meaning tabata or interval training.
Sunday: Rest Day.

Have you forbidden yourself any type of food? 
Sugar that is the worst thing to set you back.

What is your favorite & least favorite healthy food?
At this point I would honestly have to say I do not have a least favorite healthy food, and my favorite healthy food is Kale Chips!!!

Do you have a trigger food? 
Mexican Food enchiladas smothered in cheese!!!

A type of food that is impossible for you to say no to or stop eating? 
My husbands fruit tarts!!!

What was the most recent compliment/comment about your body? 
Someone told me I look very fit and I like that word "FIT" not skinny but they noticed I am strong and healthy!

What part of your body do you like the most, & why? 
I will have to say my face because I see the true happiness radiate from my smile and my arms because I am starting to get some GUNS =)

What are your future plans? 
My family and I are currently living in Japan and we are two months away from moving back to the U.S. I'm going to college to become a nutritionist, and plan on being a full time personal trainer.

Do you have tips for others? 
YES, it does not matter how much you work out, if you do not change your eating habits you will not get your full potential to the surface! When I first started losing weight a friend and I were talking and I said "if I can only get to a size 7/8 I will be happy". My friend said "yeah, I don't think I can see you any smaller", but now I am a size 2/4, anything is possible. Think about it, is that candy or french fry going to make you happy? Maybe for a moment but after you eat it do you feel bad? Believe me once you start changing your eating habits you will not crave that food anymore, there are a lot of addictive things in the food that are not healthy for you and that is what keeps you coming back. Once you eliminate that from your body you will start craving the good and clean food! Make up your mind just make that decision to live healthy and happy not for anyone else just for YOU!

Doesn't she look like the Mexican actress Maria Felix? Check some pictures of her here and let me know if you think so too.

She also served 4 years in the U.S Navy and her husband is also an active duty member. Thank you both for your sacrifice and service.

Did you like this post? If you did, please share it with others. Someone out there might be needing to read this. 

Until next time.

With <3

Tamara

Hokokuji Temple

More pics from a little trip we took to a beautiful temple.

We went to this place about 4 weeks ago. Sometimes I take so many pictures I don't have enough time to go over them as quick as I would like to. I had some down time today and decided to share this pictures with you.

 Some pictures look better in B/W at least to my taste they do.

 Love how the sun is peeking through in this picture.

My love and I <3

 Amazing isn't it?!

 We enjoyed some green tea of course.

That's all folks!  

With <3

Tamara

Living in Japan...

Hello!

This March my family and I celebrated our first year living in Japan. All of these has been an adventure and for sure a wonderful experience. Some of the barriers I have encounter are: 

1. Language (english is hard enough for me) 
2. Food (not a sushi fan)
3. Overcrowded everywhere.

 Although it is very difficult to communicate while we are out and about I have to say the Japanese people are really understanding and they try their best to help you in any way they can. Gestures have worked some magic and of course my handy dandy apps (itranslate, and itranslate voice) have really saved my life in many occasions. 

I don't like sushi, never have and not sure if I ever will. Raw fish is not on top of my list of favorite flavors. Ramen and Tempura on the other hand OMG! can't get enough of it.  Last but not least the overcrowds…Well, it is a very small country. Yes, I was born in a very small country but that doesn't  mean I have to like overcrowds. I actually suffer from anxiety attacks when I'm surrounded by big crowds, but that's a story for my therapist…LOL

Enough of that. This is my favorite season and my favorite flower. Can you guess what it is? If you guessed Cherry Blossoms you are correct! 
Flowers have started to bloom and I will be out and about trying to get some more beautiful pics to share with you all. The following pictures are from last 2012 spring season. They were taken from the first outing when we first arrived here.

 Isn't it beautiful?! 

 The colors!!

 I didn't like how this picture looked on the back of my LCD camera until I actually looked at it on my computer screen. Pretty cool don't you think?

 I love all the details and colors from this one.

 A closer look to one of the many Buda statues.

 Meet the love of my life! I'm sure you'll see more of him in future posts =)

I hope you enjoyed. Of course any feedback is always welcome!

With <3

Tamara

Welcome Spring!

Yes, spring is finally here! I can't wait to start adding some bright colors back into my world. Spring and fall are my favorite seasons.

On another note, my husband bought me a new speedlite and today I put it to the test. I decided to show you a few pics of some items I will be needing and using this spring season.

I have not found a mascara or a pair of false lashes I can call my "favorite" so I keep buying and trying different brands. I don't wear false lashes on a daily basis but I love how they make your eyes pop out in pictures and special ocassions. I'm excited about the Double Up from Ardell they just look so intense. 

How cute are these pink ballerina flats from Steve Madden? 

My sweet friend gave me this cute camera charm necklace. Isn't it adorable? I will be wearing it everyday.

I don't need more iPhone cases but at $3 I just couldn't resist.

I have learned to do my own nails. Seriously, I don't have the $$ to go to the nail salon every two weeks.

Perfect colors for spring. From right to left:

Pink Blink, Blue Away, Satellite, Meteor, and Mint Sorbet. Mmm, Mint Sorbet, now I want ice cream…YUM!

After taking pics of all these items I ended up wanting to create a makeup look with some of these beautiful colors. The color inspiration came up from the two colors from the nail polishes in Pink Blink, and Blue Away (See picture above). Notice the bunny ears? Well, that just added the extra spring touch ;)


What do you think? I'm always eager to hear from you.

With <3

Tamara