Happy 18th Birthday, Mel!

Today we celebrate the 18th birthday of our very own fashionista, Melissa (below)!

We wish her the best in life and all that she does! May her years to come be joyous and full of wonderful experiences. While we're sure that college life will be a handful, know that Namelia-J will be there with you all throughout!

Thanks, Mel, for being the persistent advertiser+idealist+overall supporter of our humble little lifeblog. We really couldn't have done it without you! :D

- Namelia-J

New Namelia-J Badge!

Upgrade your love for Namelia-J with this brand spanking new badge!



Copy the code at the sidebar of the blog and flaunt us off! :)

Traits Men Find Attractive in a Woman

Depending on a man' personality, there are a lot of things that he may find attractive in a woman. However, the below traits are what a majority of men have agreed to be deeply attractive:

1. Smile of a woman:
This is one of the most important traits that most men look for and get attracted to in a woman. The right smile releases all those love hormones in a man and his mind pretty much gets set on that. Most men only visualize a woman's smile when they think about them. The smile of a woman is like a magnet which can draw the man's attention and keep it there.

2. Feminine and delicate Nature:
Men like feminine women. Feminity is all about being delicate, soft, kind hearted and caring. Men are attracted towards feminine girls as they are looking for someone who can care for them. Yes, men do seem hard from outside, but from inside they are like small children and need caring. And they love to be cared about.

I must make it clear that when I meant feminine I did not mean weak or overly shy. There is a difference here that you got to understand. Men like women who are feminine, confident and those who carry themselves with grace.

3. A woman's voice:
Men get attracted and often turned on with the right voice which strikes a cord in them. A highly feminine and soft voice is what most men find attractive. Voice plays a major role as communication is the most important aspect of any relationship. And a good voice is required for a romantic communication. Women who speak too low barely making themselves audible are certainly a turn-off to most men


4. Sense of humor:
Sense of humor is something that most men look for in a woman. Men generally get attracted to women with a good sense of humor – a woman who can understand and laugh with them. Of course, a sense of humor in this case does not necessarily mean the ability to crack jokes; but the ability to understand and laugh at one.

5. Un-materialistic attitude:
Men get attracted to women who are un-materialistic and down to earth. Women who are high maintenance are a major turn-off to any man. Therefore, too much make up, jewelry and gadgets are known to be a big no-no. When it comes to beauty, most men like it au natural.

6.Strong personality:
A strong personality is another trait which men find attractive in woman. Of course this does not mean a woman who is overly stubborn, but instead, it means someone who is not weak minded and can make her own sound decisions.

7. The eyes:
Next to the smile, this is another facial feature that men get attracted to. Some men simply fall in love with the woman's eyes. The eyes can speak a thousand words and this is very much true with it comes to attracting the opposite sex.

8.The Woman's Hair:
Most men get attracted by moderately long straight hair as that looks more feminine. The hair color is also important but different men have different tastes here.

9. Physical Structure:
Often times as women tend to assume, the above factors are much more important to men than the physical structure. This is true when men are looking for women to pursue a long relationship with. Physical appearance of a woman is certainly an attractive feature but it is nothing compared to the above factors.

As far as physical features are concerned, men get attracted to a woman's skin tone, lips, height and body weight. Men certainly prefer women who are shorter than them and those having a body mass equal or lower to them.

Contrary to popular assumptions men are not bothered much about the size of the breasts or back when it comes to looking for a life mate. These factors – though eye-catching at first – are pretty much unimportant in the long run.

10. Comfortable and Confident:
Last but not the least, men get attracted towards women who make them feel comfortable and confident. Women who laugh at their jokes, women who support them, and the one with whom he feels relaxed and open with – that’s the key to what most men deem, “the one.”

DIY: For Him & For Her

For Him
DUCK TAPE WALLET

MATERIALS
Cutting board
Duct Tape (any color)
Ruler
Exacto knife

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Using a dollar bill as a measuring tool, cut two strips of duct tape slightly larger than your bill.
2. Join the two strips along the long edge, overlapping them by 1/2 inch.
3. Flip the the first strips over and tape the back side, making sure to overlap the outer edges by 1/2 inch.
4. Flip it over again and trim the corners at a 45 degree angle.
5. Fold the 1/2 inch overlap over to make sealed edges.
6. Make a second sheet, this time slightly smaller than the first (but still larger than your dollar bill). Seal the top edge, but use the bottom and side overlaps to seal this sheet to your first (this makes a pocket & your basic wallet structure)
7. To add ID or credit card pockets, you'll make a sheet (just like we did above) that is the same length as your wallet, but about half as tall (you will probably only need one strip of duct tape for each side of the pocket)




For Her
JUICE POUCH COIN PURSE

MATERIALS
Empty drink pouch
Scissors
Velcro
Finishing | hem tape
needle, thread &/or sewing machine
tape

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Carefully cut the sides, top, & bottom of the drink pouch, so that the front and back are now two separate pieces. If you like, with the scissors, go ahead and round the edges of the top and bottom (see picture above)
2. Rinse with water, making sure the pouch pieces are clean, and pat or air dry.
3. Fold each of your pouch pieces into thirds. One will be the front of your purse, the other will be the back, with the velcroed flap.
4. For the front of your purse: keeping the top third folded back, unfold the bottom third, so you now have two-thirds of the pouch showing.
5. With your sewing machine, stitch the top (folded) edge
6. Sandwich the two pieces together, right sides out, and stitch around the edges using a zig-zag pattern. (you may need to tape the pieces together to make sure they don't slip while you're sewing. If you like, fold the finishing tape around the edges before you begin stitching, to give it a more finished look
7. Attach the velcro on the underside of the flap, and on the front of the purse.

Dealing With Insecurities

1. Recognize your insecurities.
What does that voice in the back of your mind say? What makes you ashamed of yourself? This could be anything from acne, to regrets, or friends at school. Whatever is making you feel unworthy, ashamed, or inferior, identify it, give it a name, and write it down.

2. Talk about it with friends and loved ones.
Wear it on your sleeve. Each day you should chip away at it; wear it down. There's no quick fix. Get to the root of the problem; focus on it and understand that you need to resolve each issue before you can move on.

3. Remember that no one is perfect.
Even the most confident people have insecurities. At some point in any of our lives, we may feel we lack something. That is reality. Learn that life is full of bumps down the road.

4. Identify your successes.
Everyone is good at something, so discover the things at which you excel, then focus on your talents. Give yourself permission to take pride in them. Give yourself credit for your successes. Inferiority is a state of mind in which you've declared yourself a victim. Do not allow yourself to be victimized. Express yourself, whether it's through art, music, writing, etc. Find something you enjoy. Everyone is born with talents and strengths. You can develop and excel in yours. If it's difficult to name two or three things you have some ability in or just plain love to do, think about things others do that you would like to do too and take some lessons or join an enthusiasts club. When you're following your passion, not only will it have a therapeutic effect, but you'll feel unique and accomplished, all of which can help build your self confidence. Plus, adding a variety of interests to your life will not only make you more confident, but it will increase your chances of meeting compatible friends!

5. Be thankful for what you have.
A lot of the times, at the root of insecurity and lack of confidence is a feeling of not having enough of something, whether it's emotional validation, good luck, money, etc. By acknowledging and appreciating what you do have, you can combat the feeling of being incomplete and unsatisfied. Finding that inner peace will do wonders for your confidence.


6. Be Positive, even if you don't feel positive.
Avoid self-pity, or the pity and sympathy of others. Never allow others to make you feel inferior--they can only do so if you let them. If you continue to loathe and belittle yourself, others are going to do and believe likewise. Instead, speak positively about yourself, about your future, and about your progress. Do not be afraid to project your strengths and qualities to others. By doing so, you reinforce those ideas in your mind and encourage your growth in a positive direction.

7. Accept compliments gracefully.
Don't roll your eyes and say, "Yeah, right," or shrug it off. Take it to heart and respond positively ("Thank you" and a smile works well).


8. Look in the mirror and smile.
Studies surrounding what's called the "facial feedback theory" suggest that the expressions on your face can actually encourage your brain to register certain emotions. So by looking in the mirror and smiling every day, you might feel happier with yourself and more confident in the long run.

9. Fake it.
Along the same lines of smiling to make yourself feel happy, acting confident might actually make you believe it. Pretend you're a completely confident version of you; go through the motions and see how you feel


10. Stick to your principles.
It might be tough, but if you don't have something you can believe in, you don't have anything. If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything. No matter what's happened in your life, you can always lay claim to the fact that from this day forward, you've followed your principles to the best of your ability.

11. Help others.
When you know you're kind to the people around you, and are making a positive difference in other people's lives (even if it's just being kinder to the person who serves you coffee in the morning), you'll know that you are a positive force in the world--which will boost your self confidence. Go volunteer twice a month at an elementary school. Bake something for your neighbor for no reason. Confidence that you have earned is the most long-lasting.


12. Stop worrying.
What worries you today will be forgotten by you and people around you tomorrow. Can you remember what you were so worried about the same day the same time last week? If not, then you should not worry right now. You will not worry about it even one week from now.

13. Be yourself.
You cannot be the shadow of any man, either distant or near. You are an individual person, you must live by yourself. Always remember, never forget who you are. Don't ever be something you're not.

Which Trendsetter Are You?

Look at the pictures below and see which of these Hollywood trendsetters appeal to your inner diva. Along with these images, we have also compiled a decently accurate account of the type of personality you tend to show off whenever you’re at the peak of your happiness.


Scream it loud, scream it proud! You’re Katy Perry!
Katy Perry is the fresh Hollywood starlet who seems to have appeared out of virtually nowhere. Her style exudes retro funk; and she’s not afraid to play with sexy numbers and mix matched colors. Just like her music, this hot, new artist is fun and unique. If Katy Perry is your choice trendsetter, the odds are, you LOVE the spotlight. Life is short, so, hey, why not make good use of it?



Its natural beauty all the way for you! You’re Miley Cyrus!
Just like Miley, you’re all about hanging loose and taking it easy. Its not the look that matters most to you, it’s the feeling. If you’re not comfortable with the way you dress, then, most likely, you aren’t going to be wearing that same outfit twice. If your choice trendsetter is Miley Cyrus, its possible that you’d pick a good day lazing around at home instead of a hectic day out with your friends.


The best thing about being a girl is dressing like one – you’re Taylor Swift!
Demure and oozing with feminity, you’re a lot like the beautiful Taylor Swift! Your style is sweet, sensual, and all but chaotic. While others might take the lyrics of a loud rock song to heart, you always see the optimistic side in life. In justification of her music, Taylor (and you!) is a class A romantic – what others may consider, “normal”, you are able to see as beautiful and special in its own way.


Break the barriers of silence and drench yourself in music! You’re Demi Lovato!
Aside from her acting with the Jo Bros, Demi Lovato is looked at for her great taste in style. Like her sultry, rockin’ vocals, Demi twists a take at your average outfit with loads of accessories – belts, hats, tights, bangles; you name it! Bold, but never over the top, she is nonetheless sweet when you sit her down and have a long chat with her. Jump in celebration and belt out those tunes – you’re just like her!

DIY: Hair Tips & Tricks

Celebrities are always under the scrutinizing lens of the paparazzi — even when they're on a boat off the coast of Sardinia. Some of my best tricks come from giving myself fashion advice on what to do when I'm far from the salon. A few of these may sound insane (and will feel even more so when you're standing in front of the mirror), but I swear they work. You'll probably find out that when you use the right tools and techniques, you can be a pretty decent stylist yourself.


Do the Wave.
Rumpled, tousled waves are incredibly sexy, easy, and appropriate for a formal or casual event. Think of Gisele's hair, but messier. I've been doing it a lot on myself and my sister, so I know that it works on just about any hair texture. If your hair is wavy or curly, scrunch in two handfuls of Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Sculpting Foam (I don't know whether it's available in Malaysia, I got 'em from my aunt in New York) while it's still damp and let it air-dry. Then coat your palms with Bumble and Bumble Styling Wax and run your hands through your hair. If your hair is straight, you can blow it dry with a large paddle brush and wrap random one-inch sections around a large-barrel curling iron. Once all the hair is curled, mist it with a light finishing spray and scrunch with your hands to loosen the curls. If you don't have any of Paul Mitchell products, L'Oreal, Redken, Schawrzkopf, and Keratase works just the same.



Cut the Slack!
This is a trick for trimming shaggy, face-framing bangs, which is what most of my sister has. Instead of scissors, which can slip and cut hair unevenly, use a new, disposable single-blade razor (double and triple blades can split the hair). When hair is completely dry, brush bangs forward, and gather them in the middle of your face (between your eyes). Pull it taut with your index and middle fingers. Slide your fingers all the way to the ends of the hair, then gently run the razor above your fingers. When you're finished, make sure the length is even by pulling a piece of hair from either side toward the center of the face; they should be equidistant from the bridge of the nose.




Soften Up.
Every time I see a head of fried hay-hair in the mirror, I have the same recipe: Mix two tablespoons each of a rinse-out conditioner, a leave-in conditioner, a deep conditioner, and a hair mask in a bowl. Wet two large towels, wring them out, and put one in the microwave for a minute. Comb the mixture through clean, damp hair, and wrap it all up in the hot towel. Heat the second towel and alternate, repeating two or three more times. Do this once a week—it makes hair much softer. If you want, honey or olive oil works too. Just don't leave them too long in your hair, if you don't want your hair to become extra oily. Don't forget: Comb your hair regularly. Don't be afraid of falling hairs. It's natural for a girl's hair to fall more than sixty strands of hair. But if big clumps of hairballs, whoa, I'll have the remedy to post later.


Here are some of the greatest hair products ever made:
PAUL MITCHELL, REDKEN 5TH AVENUE NYC, ANZA HEALING HAIRCARE, MURAD, MIZANI, LOGICS, KMS CALIFORNIA, TIGI, FAROUK, FRAMESI, ALTERNA, PLATINUM EFFECT, GOLDWELL, MATRIX, SCRUPLES, CHI, PUREOLOGY, SEBASTIAN PROFESSIONAL, INTAGLIA, REDKEN, L'OREAL PARIS, KERATASE.

Celebrity Gossip: Chris Brown Attacked Rihanna‏

We all know about the big drama where Chris Brown has allegedly attacked his girlfriend, Rihanna, following Clive Davis' pre-Grammys party. Rihanna has allegedly told the police that Chris choked her while threatening to kill her, causing her to lose consciousness. When she came to, Chris had already fled the scene. Police have reported that Rihanna has horrific evidence of bite marks on her hands and fingers, and as well as contusions on both sides of her face. Chris Brown later turned himself in to the police but was later released on $50K bail.

In light of recent events, Rihanna has postponed her sold out concert here in Malaysia. A new date is said to be announced two weeks from now so hold on to your tickets, everyone! Rihanna's 21st birthday bash which was to be held in NYC was canceled by her record label. Chris Brown has withdrawn from scheduled appearances at the NBA All-Star Events. The popular "Got Milk?" spots has dropped Chris Brown from their celeb roster. Wrigley's Doublemint Gum has halted its endorsement deal with the singer.

There are speculation that Chris could be sentenced up to nine years in jail or may not serve any time at all. Whether he serves time or not, his reputation will be tarnished (already is, actually).

To be honest, we at Namelia-J were shocked to hear this piece of news. I for one, love both of the singers' work and really thought that they made a cute couple. But beating up a woman? A huge no-no in our books. But we do not know for sure about what really happened so we can't jump to conclusions. Let's just wait and see. Stay tuned.

6 Men You Shouldn't Date

Stepping out of your childhood and into the world of teenage life comes with both gifts and catastrophes. One of these catastrophes come in the form that I'm sure most of us are well aware of -- GUYS.

Guys, like girls, come in all shapes, colours, sizes, and styles. With so many to choose from; we are often left dizzy and unsure. Questions like, "Could this be the right guy?" start popping up into your mind; but as soon as said question is raised, out comes Lover Boy's kind, easing words.

And, just like that, you're hooked.

But we at Namelia-J aren't going to let you become bait to the wrong type of men. In our opinion, the best is only what you deserve, so we took the liberty getting opinions as well as information from an ACTUAL guy -- all for your benefit!

In a relationship public service announcement, Jake tells us whom to avoid (himself included!):


1. Rebound Guy
Knowing how bummed I’ve been since my ex Claudia left for Europe, my buddy tried to set me up with his “hot coworker.” Very kind of him, but I declined. With my heart stuck in international customs, there’s no way I could make a connection. Not that I wasn’t tempted. We men secretly hope we’ll never have to deal with our feelings and instead can “fix” our sadness with a new woman. Problem is, we’re always comparing her to the ex—how she is in bed, how her butt looks in jeans. Real mature stuff that you’d be wise to avoid by dating us after we’ve healed.

2. Disappearing Guy
Some seemingly normal guys have a bad habit of vanishing. Excuses like “work’s really busy” may be true, but there’s often something else going on. My old roommate tried to woo his new girlfriend while still dating his old one. I also know someone who told a woman he was single in New York, although he was married in Ohio. Both guys checked out for days at a time.

When you’re just starting to date, it’s not like you’re tracking a person’s every movement. Still, the giveaway is erratic contact—is he in touch every day and then suddenly MIA? Does he often cancel plans? Or does he suddenly want to meet up in an hour, after not calling all week? Beware.

3. Slick Guy
With his sporty car, high-tech cell phone and Swedish designer toothbrush, my college roommate managed to hide his insecurity behind hip stuff. He never let women get close for fear they’d find him out. So women wound up feeling rejected when he was the one who sucked.

My advice: If his life looks like a magazine spread, steer clear. Say what you will about the guy who has a painting of poker-playing dogs or a mountain of laundry, but I promise you this: He’s real.

4. Rude Guy
I’m amazed at what men get away with. A partial list of nasty moves I’ve witnessed: checking out the waitress, fiddling with a BlackBerry during dinner, asking the cute bartender for her number when his date is in the bathroom. If a man lets the door slam shut instead of opening it for you, make that all the closure you need.

5. Grabby Guy
Hands on thighs, stroking things that didn’t ask to be stroked, sexual innuendos when you barely know each other—he may try to explain these things with an “Oh, I’m so attracted to you I can’t help it” line. But no matter how smokin’ hot you are, he can help it. And if you’re not getting the respect you want early on, he probably won’t surprise you with it later.

6. Last Year’s Guy
Long nights and a fear of being single forever can make going back to an ex seem mighty attractive. I’ve been guilty of it twice, both during lonely times in the dead of winter. Recycling romance seemed far easier than the unknown, and it was...for the two months before we rediscovered exactly why we broke up in the first place. What’s the lesson here? Move forward, not back. And know that it’s better to be out there looking than stuck on a couch with some guy you’re just going to wind up dumping anyway. He might be happy, but you deserve more.

BUDGET BUYS, Feb '09

TOTAL SPENT = RM88.40

That's about the price of one Laura Mercier Glace (RM89)

High Waist Shorts + Pearls

This 2009 has much to offer. Starting with high waist shorts and vintage pearl necklaces. The possibilities are endless when it comes to mixing and matching, but we definitely love the funky slacker look this set offers you.



Sick of being the wall flower all the time? Then add some color into your wardrobe. Give this choice a go, while still sticking to the trend!