Book review: "Amazing Hairstyles: From Easy to Elegant"

A fellow blogger, Becky Porter, at Babes in Hairland recently released a book all about hair. "Amazing Hairstyles: From Easy to Elegant" is a great addition for families with girls or for people who like to do hair. (Ahem...Christmas is coming!)

Image courtesy of Cedar Fort Publishing and Media

As a mom of three girls who never willingly let me do their hair, I feel like an amateur. But, with Becky's step-by-step instruction--including pictures--I was able to try out several of these styles. It looked like I totally knew what I was doing! I was pleasantly surprised.

Whether you are an expert or an amateur, you can do these styles. Becky demonstrates the basics of braids, twists and buns--which are also stand alone styles. Then, we can combine those techniques to create a more elaborate hairstyles.

French braids, fishbone braids, waterfall twists, hair chains and messy buns are just a few of the basics. Some of the more elegant styles include dutch braid and curls updo, cascading curls, double waterfall twist and 4-strand braid updo.

These are really adorable, and doable, styles!

These hairdos are appropriate for all ages. Some are great for everyday styles, while others would be perfect for prom, weddings or when professionalism is required.

I also found her description of hair products and styling tools extremely helpful (because I am pretty clueless when we get much beyond a brush and curling iron!).

You can find her book online and in several stores--on amazon.com, Deseret Book and other places.

Book Review: "Family Talk" teaches families to communicate and grow closer together

Christy Monson

One of the challenges of raising families today is cultivating a home of love, respect and good communication.

Author Christy Monson has written a guide for families to help achieve the family atmosphere they desire. "Family Talk" is full of useful suggestions on how to hold family councils and the benefits of them. She gives many examples from real people on how family councils have worked in their families to illustrate the points she makes. This gives readers an understanding of how family councils can work in their own homes.

Monson shares:

• What family councils are.
• How to structure these family meetings.
• How to solve problems as a family.
• Learning how to respect each other.
• How to use family councils as a teaching tool.

There are many benefits of family councils, including:

• Learning respect.
• Learning cooperation and how to work together.
• Children gain self-confidence.
• Sort through family problems together.
• A more organized family.
• Discussions about sharing the workload of a family.
• Planning family vacations or other activities together. 
• Setting family goals.
• Working to overcome struggles.

Holding family councils enables families to grow closer together and to resolve any issues that may occur. This allows each family member to express his/herself. Other family members can share insights to problems and offer solutions. Families can make decisions together.

Monson also gives suggestions on how to work around special circumstances, such as blended families, children with special needs or single-parent homes.

The wonderful thing about family councils is that there is no wrong way to do it! You can begin today to hold weekly or bi-weekly meetings and structure it however it works best for your family. Monson encourages families to start their meetings with saying nice things about each other to bring a positive atmosphere.

Families will learn to work together, trust each other, rely on each other and love each other more fully. I think this is something that all families hope for.

For more from the author, visit:
Christy Monson Books or visit her Facebook page.

For more family oriented materials from Familius, visit www.familius.com.

© Wendy 2014

Don't give up on life

It seems that all too often we hear of or personally know someone who tries to or does commit suicide. It leaves family and friends wondering what they could have done differently to make a difference in the life of their friend or family member.

Depression, loss of hope and the feeling that you are alone are some possible reasons that a person thinks suicide is the best way to deal with life's problems. Also, the feeling that everyone would be better off without you is another strong emotion that people experience to lead them to consider suicide. I personally have felt this, when I was younger and also more recently. I now understand where these thoughts and feelings came from. But, by getting some professional help and the help of my husband and others close to me, I have been able to climb out of depression and other negatives in my life and now know how to better deal with those thoughts when they come.

This video is very poignant and touched me so much that I thought it was important to share with others.

If you are suffering from depression or thoughts of suicide, please reach out to someone you trust. Seek professional help. Pray for strength to overcome. God loves you and will help you find the way out of despair and give you hope. Do not choose to end your life. There are people who love you and need you in their lives.

If you are concerned about someone in your life that you think may be at risk of suicide or who suffers from depression, reach out to them. Let them know they can confide in you. Pray for them. Pray to know how best to help them. Extend your love to them and just be there when they need to talk.

Life is full of hope and beauty, but for those who suffer from these debilitating negative thoughts and emotions, they are blinded to all that is good and awaiting them in this life. We are surrounded by good. Look for it. Seek it. Dwell on it.

Do not give up on life. Do not allow the negatives to overtake you and drag you down. You are not alone. You have people rooting for you both on earth and in the heavens. The future is bright and you are of great worth. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you beyond comprehension. Find whatever glimmer of hope you have, and grow it into a flood of light.


Another inspirational Sunday post:
Dreaming About Someday

© Wendy 2014