NEW YEAR, NEW YOU Giveaway

2012 is on the horizon and here we're thinking about what the year will bring. How will we change? How will we improve? What are the resolutions we'll stick to and what will always stay the same? When I think about balance and how to survive a growing company with grace, I think about finding what keeps me centered and peaceful. For me, it's family and friends that do this. Their love, warmth and support through my endeavors gives me the grounded roots not only be true to myself, but to also change and improve at the same time.

What about you? What keeps you "you" and what about you are you ready to make better? Tell us in the comments section and include your email address and we'll select one winner to receive a bottle of our 100% Argan Oil. The winner will be announced on Facebook on January 3, 2012.

(This offer is open to U.S. and Canadian Residents only).

JOSIE'S TIPS Argan Illuminizer

Sometimes you just need that extra oomph to make you feel illuminated and bright, without the razzle dazzle of glitter or crazy color. Argan Illuminizer is subtle with a shimmery finish that adds warmth and luster to the complexion taking you from golden in the day to the Midas touch for night.

-To accent your makeup, use a small dab or Argan Illuminizer on your brow bone, cheek bones and in the center of your lips.

-Instead of eye shadow, swipe Argan Illuminizer over the tops of your eyelids with your finger, blending ever so slightly.

-Draw attention to your décolletage by swiping a drop or two across your clavicle and right below your neck.

-Mix some in your Argan Daily Moisturizer with SPF 40+ for a hint of shine around your face.

-For an all-over glow, mix with 100% Pure Argan Oil and rub into arms, legs and face. 

WHAT WE'RE EATING New Year's Eve 2011

If you're taking on the task of throwing a New Year's Eve fete this year, we gathered up some inspiration for you in shades of green. We thought, why not start 2012 off a little bit healthy after this past month of eating sweets and stuffing cookies in our (*ahem), your faces? Plus, these recipes work well into spring as they are verdant and fresh. Happy eating and cheers to you!

The Kitchn: Trio of Cheese Balls

Kitchenist: Shaved Asparagus Tartine

Deliciously Organic: Sauteed baby Artichokes with Lemon

101 Cookbooks: Hummus en Fuego

Bon Appetit: Mini Zucchini and Goat Cheese Tarts

Martha Stewart: Lemon Drop Champagne Punch

JOSIE'S PICKS Sparkling New Year

Here's to a New Year's Eve that is a golden affair filled with good things both handmade and special! 

Natasha Newton Original Watercolor Painting

Nostalgie Europe Vintage European Tea Saucer

Scalloped Glitter Garland

Etco Paper Mache Gold and Black Bowl

SD Marie Jewelry Golden Hoops with Triangles

Up in the Air Somewhere Limited Edition Gold Zig Zag Tray

Happy Holidays 2011!

From the entire team here at Josie Maran, we wish you a wonderful holiday and thank you for being a part of our lives and community!

GET THE LOOK Jil Sander Fall 2011

This striking look is even more vibrant and colorful than last week's Get the Look. . .and perfect for the bold girl's holiday festivities! Sure, it takes a little sass to wear both a bright red and a zing of aquamarine, but as opposites, these two colors go together well and will complement your LBD (that's little black dress, if you didn't know). But remember, keep your face the focal point by refraining from large earrings (small ones work) and perhaps adding a vintage bracelet if you wish.

1. Turn your face into a clean palette with our Argan Bear Naked Wipes followed by a touch of our Argan Tinted Moisturizer, finishing with our Argan Pressed Powder in Natural.

2. Using a small eyeshadow brush, line the top of your eyelids carefully with our Argan Eye Shadow in Bali. 

3. Carefully line and fill in your lips with our Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain in Flamenco, followed by a coat of Jive.

4. Finish with a soft coat of Argan Mascara in Brown. 

WORKOUT WEDNESDAYS Deskercise

We know we're not alone when we say that we've been so busy here at JMC! And this means, a lot of time spent at our desks with our heads forward, necks stiff and our backs in need of a good stretch. While most of us (hint, hint) get our blood moving on Workout Wednesdays, the rest of the days we remain staring at the computer screen in sure need of standing up. Or better yet, a couple of quick exercise moves that can be done around the office.

So we looked far and wide for great tips and here's the ones we think we can handle:

• Try doing jumping jacks for a minute every hour.
• Not a jumping jacks fan? Run in place instead for a minute every hour.
• Still sitting? Tap your feet quickly whenever you feel sluggish. The quick spurt of movement will keep you alert (and bug your office mate).
• Once you're done with feet taps, try doing leg lifts (both straight up and out) holding for 15 seconds on each side at least two times each leg an hour.
• Stretch your arms over your head and lean side to side slowly focusing on keeping your torso strong and the stretch.
• Strengthen your arms (and keep the aching down) by doing arm circles while still sitting.
• Try some ab rotations by holding your arms together (think I Dream of Jeannie) rotating your torso side to side. Do this for 30 seconds a couple times a day.

ECO STYLE Stewart + Brown

What makes Stewart + Brown so great, besides that they're are based out of our city of Los Angeles and have been at the front of the sustainable fashion movement for a decade, is that as trained artists, they marry their love for the craft of wearable goods with art effortlessly. (Just look at these images from their Holiday 2011 lookbook!)

Beyond this, their clothing is created from GMO and pesticide-free fibers, crafted using reusable textiles and they give back for every purchase you make. Coupled with the fact that the clothes are truly wearable and you can count us as big fans.

A DAY IN THE LIFE Tree Trimming

Rumi Joon and I just wanted to share a little holiday spirit with you after our weekend in Pennsylvania. When we're out there for QVC, we stay at the home of friends. Because we're out there so often, this has become our second home and so, we all gathered around the tree as one big "family" to decorate the tree! Well, Rumi was Chief Elf in charge of this project, but we all tried to help her.

Hoping you had a wonderful weekend with your little elves (or big elves)!

JOSIE'S TIPS Argan Beautiful Eyes in Beautiful Smoke

Our Argan Beautiful Eyes in Beautiful Smoke is a set of colors that complements any shade of eye in a subtle yet dramatic way. Think colors to build on that can give you a shiny highlight for day or give you a smoky, rich, bold eye for a night like New Year's Eve. We pulled the dazzling evening sky and the silver and edgy look from Chanel's Fall 2011 show as inspiration for using this one-palette wonder. Cheers to a little sparkle:

-For a simple shimmer, use your fingers or a soft brush to blend the Base/Highlighter (soft white)  over your lid and in inner corners.

-For a stronger look, build on your all over shimmer (either using Base/Highlighter or Crease color) by adding the Liner and using the Lid color to blend out from the corner of your eye.

-For a truly smoky eye, start with Base/Highlighter and blend on top lid. Then take Crease and using a soft eye brush, blend in the inner corner of the top lid to about the middle of the eyelid. Use Corner Crease and blend along the top line, and into the outer corner of your eyelid to create a silver smoke look.

-Tip: These colors complement our Argan Mascara in Jet Black.