For being a world class actress and Academy Award winner, it’s no surprise that a lot of fashionistas out there are emulating Sandra Bullock’s style. So how do we break down the code and start appearing like a million bucks? Sandra Bullock, known for her laid back style with a touch of elegance, has perfected the art of looking calm and collected even under the pressure of the media and the glaring light of the paparazzi.

So what are a few tips to achieve her look? For one, stylists’ advice on knowing what looks good on you. Instead of trying every new trend that comes out to the market, find the one that give you the best silhouette and colors that highlight your complexion. Remember that dressing up need not be a pain in the butt just as long as you know what flatters your figure. It doesn’t need to be uncomfortable to achieve the look that you desire. Instead, focus on pieces that are more forgiving and play around with your body shape. A drop-waist dress can still be elegant, but the looser silhouette is more forgiving. For a casual stroll at the park or a day at the beach, she takes the X factor from a sexy top or dress by covering it up with a cozy cardigan. If you’re wearing a heavy bejeweled jacket or top, make this the focal point by pairing it with a cool jean and barely any accessory. Also, if you’re up for a tougher look once in awhile, try tucking your jeans into knee-high boots and pairing it with a black leather jacket. Finish the look with a soft, sexy hair and delicate jewelry to balance off the look. Sandra prides on a style that is sexy but not over the top. Sandra Bullock is all about wearing warm, friendly colors. Wearing a sunny color even in the evening makes you stand out in a sweet, playful way. Leave the fiery red dress to the dangerous femme fatales.

Hats are definitely a must-have, especially if you’re having a bad hair day. It’s one of the quickest ways to go from casual to cute. To add a bohemian touch, use a soft beret. Next, choose an accessory that emphasizes the shape of your face and the sexiness of your eyes like dangling earrings. Keep it light by staying away from sparkly jewelry instead try wearing gold pieces that can be paired off with any outfit. It’s all about wearing jewelry to draw attention to your face and accentuate your outfit but please do not let the accessories overpower you. As for the hairstyle, Sandra likes to go au naturel with free-flowing locks. As quoted, “I spent today having fun, not stuck in some salon chair.” Despite the many hairstyles she has worn, her hair never looks damaged or out of control. Never underestimate the key to manageable styles is to properly care for the hair regardless of the final look.

Not trying to sound cliche but more than the clothes, jewelry and shoes, attitude is still the best fashion accessory. Armed with a genuine smile, Sandra has managed to capture the hearts of millions of fans. What’s great about Sandra is that even with her immense stardom, she keeps it real by staying grounded and taking time to mingle with her fans.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

This is your chance to win some great hair care products, courtesy of The Tonic Shop,  a haircare company that’s all about sun, surf, and style. ONE lucky reader will get to win all the three products below worth $40.

Threesome: The girlfriend approved 3-in-1
Threesome is an innovative all-in-one hair care solution for the active waterman looking to get rid of a little extra baggage (and salt): a high performance shampoo, conditioner and body wash in one convenient bottle. Indulge with a powerful cleansing formula that utilizes a blend of proteins and nourishing botanicals enriched with vitamin B5 to help eliminate salty hair and skin that results from those long sessions. Infused with natural peppermint and tea tree oils to create a multi-sensory experience and stimulating tingle, Threesome replenishes moisture to tired hair and skin worn by the elements. Except for the sandals and smile on your face, no one will know you just got out of the water. From beach break to board meeting, make it a Threesome.

■3-in-1 shampoo, conditioner and stimulating body wash
■Good to you and the environment: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, not tested on animals, contains no animal products or by-products, environmentally friendly and completely non-toxic.
■Detangles, protects and leaves your hair and skin sinfully clean
■Lather into wet hair, rinse, and repeat (if you can handle it)
■$12.00/ 8 oz bottle

Luster: For the knotty girls!
Luster is a leave-in conditioning mist with powerful UV-inhibitors and natural botanical oils designed to protect hair from the damaging effects of sun, salt, wind and chlorine. Use before or after your outdoor exploits to avoid embarrassing stares, awkward silences and multiple trips to the bathroom mirror. Our unique cream-to-mist technology doubles as a luxurious moisturizer that re-hydrates dull skin with aloe vera and grapeseed oil, leaving a subtle scent of remote tropical island. Think French West Indies meets the Caribbean with a delicious blend of vanilla, banana and a hint of sparkling orange extract. Luster is the answer to split ends, breakage and dry, tangled hair. From knotty to nice, give a new meaning to surfer hair and luster your locks!

■Leave-in conditioning mist and luxurious body moisturizer made with aloe vera, grapeseed oil and wheat protein, for added volume and protection.
■Good to you and the environment: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, not tested on animals, contains no animal products or by-products, environmentally friendly and completely non-toxic.
■Spray on wet or dry hair, comb through, use generously for sleek, shiny hair. Enviable!
■$14.00/ 8 oz bottle

The Chronic: Highest quality for all the homies
The Chronic shampoo and conditioning system is a potent formulation of superior plant-infused ingredients created to cleanse and fortify weather beaten hair. The lightweight formulas gently cleanse and restore balance while improving the overall condition of your hair with intense shine and added volume. Infused with a calming blend of flower and plant aromas. It’s The Chronic, yo!

■Daily shampoo and conditioner regimen specifically formulated for normal and color treated hair.
■Good to you and the environment: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, not tested on animals, contains no animal products or by-products, environmentally friendly and completely non-toxic.
■Leaves hair silky and smooth.
■Shampoo: massage into wet hair, lather and rinse. Conditioner: apply to clean, damp hair; comb through and rinse thoroughly. See you in the green room!
■The Chronic Shampoo: $14.00/ 8 oz bottle

 To enter for a chance to win, here’s what you need to do:

• One mandatory entry – Tell me why you you need the above products.
• Three additional entries – Tweet this giveaway using “You can win these great hair care products at My Lil Venture” with a link back to this post. Please leave your twitter thread. You can do this daily until the contest ends.
• Giveaway is open to US shipping address only.
• Giveaway closes on 18th April 2010. Please check back here for the contest result or subscribe to my blog’s feed as I will not be emailing winner.

Disclosure : Giveaway courtesy of www.tonicshop.com

Choosing a piece of cardio exercise equipment for your home gym does require a little time and research. You want to be sure that the equipment you choose will give you a good workout and is safe for you to use at home. Your budget is another consideration when you are purchasing this equipment.

When choosing your cardio exercise equipment, take into consideration your current level of fitness. Those with joint problems may consider equipment that has a lower impact on the joints while still providing a heart rate raising workout. It is important that you are able to perform the exercise well. If the equipment is too difficult, you will be less likely to do your cardio exercises every day.

Look for a well made sturdy piece of cardio exercise equipment. Cardio equipment that requires you to support your body with the equipment must be well put together to avoid the possibility of injury. Check to be sure that the equipment is made of strong durable materials that will support your weight. It is also a good idea to check on the manufacturers recommendations regarding weight and the proper use of the equipment.

You should also look for a piece of cardio equipment that fits well in your home. If you are limited in space, look for cardio exercise equipment that folds up when it is not being used. Many pieces of equipment will fold up and can be stored away when it is not being used. This allows you to put your equipment in your bedroom or other room.

Plan the amount of money that you can afford to spend on your cardio exercise equipment. Do a little research on the prices and types of equipment on the market to get a good idea of what you will spend.

There are many celebrities who embody beauty, style and sex appeal, but one that rises above the rest is Eva Longoria. The Desperate Housewife star seems to have it all, style, grace and sophisticated beauty. If you are looking for a role model, Eva Longoria certainly fits the bill. To get a look like Ms. Longoria, pay attention to the styles she chooses and the way they enhance her appearance.

According to inside sources, Eva Longoria enjoys a healthy and well balanced diet. She typically enjoys healthy fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and snacks, but occasionally indulges in her favourite snacks. This approach to diet helps to decrease overeating. When you deny yourself the foods you love for too long, the result can be overeating and weight gain. Eva Longoria plans on eating pizza and snack foods once in a while to satisfy those cravings and avoid overeating.

Ms. Longoria is also an avid exerciser. An hour long routine three days a week helps to keep her body in top shape. This workout routine is not as difficult as you might think. With a healthy diet, the fitness routine keeps you from gaining weight.

To dress like the celebrity, consider slimming jeans and hoodies. These are favourites of Eva Longoria when she is not attending special Hollywood events. When attending formal events, she dresses in simple styles that don’t overwhelm her natural beauty. Strong bold colours set off her dark hair and eyes.

Makeup is kept simple but strong enough to set off her dark eyes and classic features. She tends to wear light lip colour and dark black eye liner.
Eva Longoria owes much of her attractive appearance to her healthy lifestyle. Of course, you can enjoy great looks too if you follow a good exercise routine, healthy diet and skin care regimen.

Constipation can cause a significant amount of pain and discomfort. Learning what causes your condition and the steps to prevent it from happening in the future are the best approaches to constipation treatment.

Medications are often the cause of constipation. Discuss the side effects of any medicines that you are taking with your doctor to determine if your constipation is a side effect. The doctor may be able to change your medicine to one that does not cause the condition.

Diet is also a major cause of constipation. Many people do not eat enough fibre in their diet. Fibre helps move food through the digestive system efficiently and when you do not eat enough, the result can be a sluggish system. Eat foods that are rich in fibre such as fruits and vegetables. Choose whole grain foods instead of processed foods to ease constipation and get your system moving again. A healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables may be all that you need to prevent constipation.

Lack of fluid intake is another reason for constipation. Make sure that you are drinking plenty of water during the day to ensure that your body does not become dehydrated and constipated. Eight glasses of water a day is the recommended amount, but you may require more water if you exercise during the day as well.

Exercise helps the body function properly and can ease constipation. Make sure that you are getting thirty minutes of aerobic activity every day to help your body function at its best. Exercise brings many benefits to your body. You will increase your strength and endurance, burn fat and calories and help your body function in the best way. These can all help you prevent constipation.

If constipation still causes problems after changing your diet, medications and getting plenty of exercise, discuss the problem with your doctor. Medication may be available to help you ease your discomfort and pain from constipation. Herbal remedies may also be able to help prevent and treat constipation. Herbal teas are a natural treatment for the condition that you can use in your home.

The number one tip every bride needs to follow to have a smooth wedding.

Are you ready for it? Here it is… Write EVERYTHING down. And I mean everything. If you speak with someone over the phone or in person, write down what you like about the person or company and also write down the price quotes you get. If you speak to someone in person, write the price and description down on a piece of paper and have the retailer sign it. If possible, have the retailer print out a price quote for you. When having to decide who to hire, it is much easier if you have all the info and prices for the prospects all in one place for you to access whenever you need it. Getting a quote can help as a lot of weddings tend to go over budget. If you get a quote in writing, detailing exactly what you will be paying for, this can be very helpful not only when deciding who to choose, but also in the unfortunate case of trouble on the big day.

Not every wedding goes off without a hitch (pardon the pun). More often than not, when there’s some hiccups,  it’s someone you hire’s fault. Let’s say the caterer didn’t have enough food for the amount of people they said they would, yet you have already paid him in full. This does happen occasionally and you wouldn’t want to pay them the full price right? Well if you have a quote in writing, you can take them to small claims court and get your money back. However, it’s easier to place a call to the Better Business Bureau, even just a threat of a call will usually get your money back right there if you have a signed quote. As a famous TV judge once said, “If it isn’t in writing, it didn’t happen“.

Another way writing everything down will help you is it can ensure that you don’t forget something. For the months you are planning a wedding, you may often get ideas but  not remember it later. You always want to have your wedding binder handy, and keep a checklist. A checklist might be the most crucial thing to a wedding planner. As there are so many different services and items needed for a wedding, it’s very easy to overlook one until it is too late. Most smart phones today have a notepad feature you can use for checklists and notes. However, it’s recommended to write everything down anyways, as phones can break and carrying it around helps you to remember to write in it.

One thing is certain, you will get an information overload, and risk forgetting something if you don’t write everything down. If you keep a check list with you for the months you plan the wedding, everything you need you will have thought of in that time and have written down. When the time comes, after going through your check list, ensuring everything is in order, you can be assured this will be the special day you want it to be!

5. Wedding Planners, do you really need one? Unless you’re having a wedding that is going on television, you most likely do not need a wedding planner. Most weddings are planned over months and months, and a mother or the bride will have the final say anyways, so why not start there? They will know what they want, and if you get a checklist going early, you have plenty of time to get everything arranged.

4. A wedding singer or DJ, do you really want one? More and more weddings these days are not hiring live bands. The next option for most people is a DJ. However, this person is going to play music you ask him to, so why not just ask your brother or a friend to play the songs you want? Most churches and halls already have a sound system, all you need are your mix CDs.

3. Do you need a Limo? I know what most of you are saying right now… YES I NEED A LIMO! Well ok, do you need one all night? Most people rent a limo for the night, not thinking that they only really need it from the church to the reception, and/or from the reception to the airport or hotel. If you’re going home after your reception, you sure don’t need to pay the driver to sit outside in the parking lot all night waiting!

2. What about a wedding video? It is happening quite frequently these days….many wedding photographers want to bring their buddy, a videographer along too. They might give you a package deal, but the video is actually the expensive one. This is due to editing, sure it probably takes the guy half a day, but he’s going to charge you hundreds or even thousands to do it. A lot of the time, if you get a friend or sibling to go around and talk to the people while you get ready, you get a lot better video than if a stranger was walking around asking your family questions. However, unless you have a professional photographer in the family, if you want quality photos to hang on the wall for 40 years, you should get a pro. Don’t buy prints from them, make sure you only pay them to take the pictures, and give you the digital copies on a DVD or memory stick. This way, you can print them out MUCH cheaper somewhere else, and also only print the ones you like.

1. Number one tip… Exploit your friends! If you know a killer cook, or better yet a couple of good cooks, have them each make 2 dishes of what they usually bring to parties. Another good idea is a potluck reception. This gives people a way to actually contribute to a loved one’s wedding. Of course do not make it mandatory to bring anything, but personally thank those who do. Pay your niece to go down to a flower shop to make arrangements, or have your aunt bring flowers from her garden. As weddings become less and less grand occasions, let your family and friends help make yours as grand as you can!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Every once in a while, I love to reward my readers by running giveaways here. This time, we have a couple of awesome beauty products to giveaway to one lucky reader. Check out what they are:

1. Gone In Sixty Seconds By AminoGenesis

 Gone In 60 Seconds is a powerful formula that activates on contact to visibly erase fine lines and deep wrinkles – in just seconds! It’s a scientific blend of oxygenating peptides, micro-collagen and firming proteins tightens, firms and reduces puffiness all day long….similar to having a temporary face-lift in a bottle!

FEATURES:

• InstaFirm Protein: An exclusive protein technology that instantly starts to firm skin and plump up wrinkles, creating younger looking skin – within seconds
• OxyPeptide: Naturally derived peptide that is clinically proven to increases skin respiration and oxygenation by as much as 754%
• GABA: Naturally produced in the body to relax muscles, eliminating the need or desire for painful injections
• Micro-Collagen: Delivers a boost of collagen to the help firm the skin
• Patented Delivery System: Advanced patented technology time releases key ingredients all day long

AminoGenesis products are cruelty free (no animal testing) and do not contain animal by-products.

Usage: Massage a small concentrated amount around the eyes, smile lines, neck area. Allow a few minutes to firm and tone the skin.

2. Chocolat Special By NuNAAT

NuNAAT’s Chocolat Special line is designed to restore chemically treated hair’s natural velvety shine and splendor as the unique formula contains Cocoa Butter and Brazil Nut oils to revitalize and restore moisture. The alluring chocolate fragrance is also a special treat for those looking for a little extra self-indulgence.

• Chocolat Creamy Shampoo – Gently cleanses while moisturizing and protecting the hair shaft from further damage caused by sunlight and chemical treatments. Price $6.49
• Chocolat Shake Conditioner – Pamper your hair as Cocoa Butter and Brazil nut ingredients work together to penetrate and strengthen the hair shaft, bring back shine, silkiness, malleability and softness. This tempting conditioner is ideal for hair that has been damaged by the sun or chemical treatments and its inspiring chocolate aroma arouses the senses offering the perfect sensual experience. Price $6.49
• Chocolat Cream Mask – For a deep penetrating action with lasting results, the Chocolat Cream Mask is the ultimate conditioning experience providing a deep and restorative conditioning to hair damaged by the harsh elements or chemical treatments. For best results, use weekly by massaging a generous portion into your hair and leavings on for 20 minutes before rising. Price $6.99
• Chocolat Anti-Frizz Therma Active – Formulate to reduce frizz, the Chocolat Special Anti-Frizz is activated upon styling with a blow dryer or straightening iron. Simply apply evenly on wet hair before styling to activate. Price $7.49

3. Eye Return Gel From PHYTO-C Skin Care

This nourishing and hydrating eye gel is superb for softening the delicate areas surrounding the eyes. With zinc sulfate and citrus bioflavonoid as a few of the active ingredients, this eye treatment boosts collagen production and reduces the appearance of lines. Eye Return Gel prevents the premature signs of aging around the eyes and provides ultimate antioxidant protection. Price: $48.00 , 15 ml

 New to the skin care market, PHYTO-C Skin Care introduces a powerful line of products containing one of the most clinically effective antioxidants – Liquid Vitamin C, or L-Ascorbic Acid.

The Benefits of L-Ascorbic Acid

Antioxidants work by neutralizing oxygen free radicals, which damage and destroy the skin. L-Ascorbic Acid can effectively neutralize free radicals caused by UV rays or other external factors. Its anti-inflammatory properties allow it to help repair skin cells and tissue damaged by free radicals.

When the skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, measurements show that two-thirds of L-Ascorbic Acid in the skin is destroyed. Scientists believe that L-Ascorbic Acid’s role as an antioxidant is essential in protecting the skin from oxidative damage produced by ultraviolet light exposure. It is believed that free radicals can damage collagen, elastic, proteoglycan and cell membranes.

In combination with Hyaluronic acid, L-Ascorbic Acid activates enzymes that stabilize and maintain collagen structure. L-Ascorbic Acid is the only antioxidant that has been proven to increase collagen production; which improves tissue strength and the skin’s appearance.

One lucky reader will have a chance to win ALL  of the above products. To enter for a chance to win, here’s what you need to do:

• One mandatory entry – Tell me why you deserve to win the above products.
• Three additional entries – Tweet this giveaway using “My Lil Venture wants you to win these awesome beauty products” with a link back to this post.  Please leave your twitter thread. You can do this daily until the contest ends.
• Giveaway is open to US and Canada shipping address only.
• Giveaway closes on 3rd March 2010. Please check back here for the contest result or subscribe to my blog’s feed as I will not be emailing winner.

Disclosure : Prizes for giveaway courtesy of www.aminogenesis.com, www.nunaat.com and www.phyto-ceutical.com.