Examples of Amazing Young Women

Hi Friends!
  Here are a few videos I found about some amazing young women in our times!  They truly are examples of the "Flame" and hold up the Light of Christ.  Click, enjoy, and comment!
-Flame

-This video is about a girl's search to know the validity that God is there and that she had a testimony of the truth.
-This video is about a trial a girl and her family went through, and the faith that she had.
-This video is about a girl who, despite her ailment, chose to serve others and help those less fortunate than her.
-This video is about a girl who has blessed others through her talent, and shown her gratitude through sharing her gifts.

Music Ideas

Hi guys!
  This is a great website to get free, uplifting music downloads.  Try it out!
:) Flame

https://www.lds.org/youth/music?lang=eng

Have you done any good??

Hi ladies!

   This post is going to be based off of doing "good continually" and serving others. It will include some ideas, videos, and other things.  :)

Videos:
-This video is by Alex Boye and Carmen Rasmusen Herbert.  It's their music video "Have I Done Any Good in the World Today."  It's really good.  :)
-This video is about a girl with cerebral palsy and the people whose "hands became His hands" and their hearts "became His heart."
-This video is about a sweet lady from Delaware who served those with disabilities, including her own child.
-This video is about an amazing woman who serves so many people!  She is so awesome.  :)

Now that you've seen some ways to serve and some "motivational" videos, here are a few other examples of how you can "do good."  See http://learnthis.ca/2010/02/100-ways-to-serve-others/ for more ideas.

Some Examples of How YOU Can Serve:

1. Smile: It's so simple, but it can make a huge difference in someone's life.  There's this kid at my work who always smiles when I walk by, and it just makes me happy and feel better (since my work can be exhausting.)
2. Get the door for somebody: This isn't just for boys (though many girls appreciate it.)  See a person in a wheelchair, a mother with a stroller, or an older person approaching a door?  Help open it for them. 
3. Write an article, a song, a post, etc:  Write something motivational and share it!  What's the purpose of writing beautiful words if they can't touch someone besides you?
4. Bake goodies for somebody: I love doing this!  People always appreciate it so much, and it is fun and easy.  (And plus, you usually get to eat the leftovers.) :)
5. Encourage/compliment others: It's so easy.  "Good job on your science project!"  "Come on -  I know you can get your left side splits!"  "Your hair is so cute today!"
6. Say thank you..
7. Help clean up a yard of a neighbor who may not have time to, or is moving.
8. Pay tithing or donate to a good cause.
9. Follow inspiration: You never know when your influence is needed!
10. Volunteer at a local hospital, museum, or elderly home.

There are so many ways to help, so just remember to always be open to those opportunities.

Disguise

Here's the next song.  It's called Disguise.  It's about not putting on a disguise or changing who you are for the world.
-J

Disguise

V1. I have dreamt a thousand times

That I was what they wanted me to be

But the dream isn't mine

It's what they want to see

Chorus:

I'm not going to change

Just to please their eyes

(oh-oh-oh)

My life isn't going to rearrange

Just cuz they want a disguise

V2. I can't do what they ask

I am not going to change to make them smile

I'm not going to wear a mask

Try to change me isn't worth the while

Chorus.

V3. (sing twice)

I'm beautiful, beautiful without beautification

Fit perfectly without alteration

Gorgeous, gorgeous, inside and out

Oh, I'm going to scream and shout!

Chorus.

Chorus Again.

My Soul

Here's another one of my songs.  It's called "My Soul."  It's about not letting the world govern who you are.

-J

My Soul

V1: They can't tear me down,
Pull me down with their chains

Drive me out of town,

Or drown me in the pain.

And they can't make me small,

Tell me who I am,

Limit me to nothing at all,

Cuz I can...

Chorus: Fly higher than any airplane

Work just as hard, despite the time I came

(yes I can)

Be beautiful despite what they say

Forsake the world and go my own way

Scream on a mountain til I'm whole

Cuz they don't rule my soul.

V2: Call me a freak

Just cuz I'm not like you

Criticize the words I speak

Or analyze everything I do.

But they can't say

What I'm meant to be

I go the right way

And be the one and only me.

(Chorus)

V3: And they can try

To make me change

Tell me I am shy

But I know my range.

And I am beautiful

Despite what they say

And I am wonderful

In my own way.

(Chorus)

(Repeat Chorus)

Top to Bottom

Hey Ladies!
   Some of you know that I compose.  For one of my Personal Progress Projects, I've decided to write  divinely inspired (hopefully!) songs.  I'll be posting the lyrics to them on the blog.  Hope you enjoy!  Comment, questions, etc.  This one is about the beauty in you!
-J

Top to Bottom
V1. Today you told me you're not good enough
That your arms are weak and you don't feel so tough.
But I have news for you
You are as strong as you make up your mind to

Chorus:
I hope you know
When you walk by I go wo...
I hope you see
That you are top to bottom beauty
And you were made the way you are for a reason
Because beauty doesn't come and go with the season

V2. You fight and fight to change who you are
Counting all your lucky stars
But you're missing the point here
The letters on the wall are clear.

Chorus

V3. Don't listen to what they say to you
Their diet, tips, and lists of things to do
They're missing the beauty
That's inside already

You're gorgeous
You're beautiful

Chorus

Golden Goals

Hi Girls,

  So, I started this strange goal thing last night at like...I don't know....10:00.  It was way grand!

  1. Choose something that you want, that you can get for yourself.  A new laptop, a new dress, whatever!  So, for example, I could choose this:
 
    So, basically, it has to be something you want to work for and will work for.

    So, first you make a little paper - doesn't have to be a poster board or anything - with five things on it:
-A picture of the object (or just what it is)
-The price (if it has one)
-Golden Coin Value (I'll explain in a second).  You'll want to make it a fairly big number, but reasonable.
-The goal ending date
-Why you want it

2. Make Golden Coin "Mini-Goals".  These are little everyday things you can do to make "Golden Coins."  You divide them up into categories, and can have just a few or TONS!  For example:
    Personal Progress Coins
     -Finish Faith Project - 5 Golden Coins
     -Do Good Works Experience #3 - 1 Golden Coin

    Health Coins
      -Exercise for 30 Minutes - 2 Golden Coins
      -Eat no sugar for a week - 4 Golden Coins

    Church Coins
      -Go to Mutual - 1 Golden Coin
      -Missionary Moment - 3 Golden Coins

    Just small everyday things.  It could apply to school, work, whatever.

3.  Make a Coin Log.  You need to keep track of how many coins you earn daily.  This should be a fun competitive thing.  You want to make sure your coins are worth something, but that you won't be able to gain enough coins for your goal in one day.  So, make it like 300 golden coins' worth!

This is way fun.  I am super excited to get mine started and accomplish my goals!

-J

Summer Fingernails Ideas!

Hey girlies!

I was doing my nails last night, and I thought "Wow", this would look great on my blog!
So, here are some pics, I'll give a tutorial as we run through.

So these are the nailpolish colors that I used:

The Green Nail Polish Brand is PURE ICE. I love this brand, it's good quality, and it applies smooth.
COST-CHEAP!-$1.97 @ Walmart

The neon pink Nail Polish Brand is-HEAVEN and it is also a good brand, but I like PURE ICE better. The neon pink goes on smooth, but does not stay on as long--apply a few coats!
COST-NOT sooo CHEAP, but okay-$2.87 @ Harmons


RESULTS!

This is how one nail turned out, I dild an alternating pattern.

PATTERN:
One nail lime green, next nail neon pink, lime green, neon pink, limegreen, etc.
ALTERNATING:
On the Green nails, I did NEON PINK polka dots.
On the Neon Pink nails, I did LIME GREEN polka dots.

It turned out sooo cute, I think!  This is an example of a green nail!

TO DO THIS:

Step one: Pick out two nail polish colors! *I personally like bright, summery ones.
Step two: apply the base colors in an alternating pattern (like if you did yellow and blue it would go: yellow, blue, yellow, blue, yellow, etc.) If you have trouble doing your "badhand" then have a friend or family member help you out!
Step three: APPLY THE POLKA DOTS! Now, this is a TON easier if you just buy a NailArt pen, which you can get @ $7.00 @ WalMart. I didn't have one--so I used--you'll never believe it. A PICK. LIKE YOU RUN THROUGH YOUR HAIR. I just dipped a bristle of it into the nailpolish, and did the dots. Presto!
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BUY A NailArt PEN:
You can use toothpicks, they work pretty well too!

Hope you guys loved this post! More coming soon from me, this is only my 2nd post on the blog!

--Carr.

Secret Sister...Galore Plus More

:) I love Secret Sister.  I just got my secret sister assignment and I am so super psyched! Super excited!  So, here are some more ideas for that special secret sister at Girls' Camp!
-Much Love: Flame

1  Bath and Body Works has some awesome $2 travel sized lotions, body washes, etc.  And you can maybe even find it in your Secret Sister's favorite.  Super affordable and fabulous!  You could relate it to how we are all rough and calloused, but through Christ our rough edges can be smoothed.


2. Another awesome Bath and Body Works: LipLicious is a lip gloss and comes in multiple smells/flavors!  I think they are awesome and would be fantastic for any gift.  Depending on the flavor, they can start off at $3.00.  You could apply it to how our "lips" must only utter good things.


3. They also offer cute little candles that start at $2.00.  You could apply it to the "Flame" or to the Light of Christ.


4. Hairbows.  They can come pretty cheap and you can find them at any superstore like Target (as shown below).  If it flower-shaped, you could apply it to faith and how it blossoms.



5.  EOS Lipbalm Spheres are pretty awesome.  I've seen them all over and you can also find them at Target.  They are also like $3.00


6. Any cute toe supplies:

Personal Progress Ideas...plus!

Yeah,
  I'm (finally) getting more Personal Progress Ideas on here.  Most of these can work for multiple values.  Enjoy!
**Flame

-Mentor another girl.  If you know how to sew, cook, crochet, scrapbook - just about anything - you can mentor another girl.  Spend at least ten hours preparing lessons, actually teaching, and supervising her in her efforts to learn.

-Learn a special skill yourself. Tie-dying, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, etc.  And then you can even use it to serve somebody else.  Let's say you learn how to tie-dye: You can then tie-dye blankets, shirts, and other objects for kids in the hospital.  They can always use more color and love!

-Use your already developed skills to serve others.  If you know how to quilt, you can make quilts for the hospital.  If you are a poet, you can make a jumbo-font-sized book of original poetry for the old folks' home.  Use your talents to make others feel good!

-There's also a Good Works value experience that has you serve for 3 or so hours.  (It's number six.)  One good way to accomplish that experience is to volunteer to work at a wedding.  This is HUGE in my area.  Let's say Sister Cook's daughter Jenny is getting married. You can volunteer to greet guests, take gifts, and serve food.  It's way fun and a super easy way to get those hours in.

-Volunteer locally.  I know some hospitals take volunteers, along with old folks' homes, elementaries, and museums.  I volunteer at the Tree House Museum in Ogden, Utah and have been using my hours to get my Good Works' Project.

Let us know if you like this type of post!  Please comment to share your ideas!

Speaking of Cookies....

So,

Since in my last post "NEW!" (which you should read) I talked about my awesome cookies and sharing them, I've decided to give you some awesome cookie recipes.  Enjoy....

Much Love,
Flame


1. Almond Butter Cookies: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/almond-butter-cookies-3/detail.aspx

              
Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour, or regular whole wheat flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup smooth, unsalted almond butter
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 36 raw whole almonds

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray two baking sheets with cooking spray. In a large bowl whisk together the flours, salt and baking soda. In another large bowl beat together the butter, almond butter and sugars until fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg and beat until well combined. Gradually stir in the flour mixture, blending well.
2. Shape the dough into 3/4 inch balls, and place on the baking sheets. Place an almond in center of each cookie and press down lightly. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. 

2. Amariette Cookies


   Ingredients

• 7 egg whites
• 2 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 pounds ground almonds
• 2 tablespoons almond extract
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar for decoration

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Beat egg whites and sugar until fluffy. Add the ground almond and almond extract, mixing well. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, roll in sugar and put a piece of almond or candied cherry on top.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees F) until firm. Bottom should be light brown.                           

Cute Little Quotes to Make Your Day

I realized I haven't done a strict quote post for a while.  Sorry, trying to get a good balance of it all!  Let me know if you have a quote to put on here or if you have any ideas!  Today, I decided to post some blinkies. 
-Flame

      

Sister Appreciation: I can be your hero

I love this video!

This summarizes how every girl wants to be treated.  It is hilarious! My mom absolutely loved it and made my brother watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENrtSdWejNQ

Scripture Totes

I personally love my scripture tote.  It carries around all the little hand-outs from Young Womens.  It holds my falling-apart-well-loved scriptures.  And of course, it has mints for Fast Sunday so I don't kill all the girls in presidency meeting with my demon no-food-fast-Sunday breath.  Here are some cute ideas and references.  Just a few of them...as to not overdo it.
-Flame

I love the flowers and polka-dots.  Very adorable.
http://itsagirlthing1.blogspot.com/2009/09/scripture-toteanyone.html



I like the buttons on this one.
http://lvcraftygirls.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-scripture-totes.html


http://adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com/2012/01/ruffle-scripture-bags.html
I like the ruffles!

Girls' Camp Gear

Hi Ladies,

Girls' Camp....

I know mine is coming up in like two weeks, and I'm super snazzy excited!  If you've already gone, please comment and tell us your experiences or email us. 

So, one of the best things about girls' camp is preparing for it!  I know last year, I was packed two weeks before it even started.  But, ya gotta know what to pack and how to pack it.  So, here are some ideas.

1. Go light.  Exclude anything you don't need.   You really don't need to curl your hair, shower, or lather yourself in perfumes over this masculine-feminine experience.  It's camp for Pete's sake!  So, don't be afraid to wear the same pants multiple times.  Don't be afraid to have unruly hair for a moment.  It's part of the experience...and it really helps lighten your bag.

2. Know how to pack it. I honestly prefer a duffle or camping bag to a suitcase.  Camping is dirty, camping is rough.  It's easier to carry a duffle down a mountain, than to wheel a suitcase down.  Duffles/camping bags usually have lots of pockets and great easy access.  Lots of camps have you bring a backpack on the side for the hike.  And that works great.  I usually like to attach my sleeping bag or mat to my main bag by a caribeener clip, just to free my hands a little.  Here are a few pictures of some ideas. 


3. Wear the appropriate clothing.  Shirts should be modest and practical. They should allow you to move freely, and should be light so you don't sweat to death.  Lots of camps provide hoodies - which are great.  They've got lots of pockets. :)  Many campsites require pants.  I personally feel jeans are very heavy and not quite so handy.  I prefer cargo pants - they are light with lots of pockets. Shoes shouldn't be your best school shoes and should be good for hiking, climbing, walking, playing, and so forth.  Water shoes work great for swimming, kayaking, and tubing.   Here are some ideas, I found these at CampMor.



4. Get a good camp journal. I personally prefer "My Girls' Camp Journal: Keep your favorite Girls' Camp memories forever" from Aspen Books to any other book.  I love it!  It makes sure you get every detail of girls' camp, apply it to values, and gives you plently of writing space.

-Flame

Secret Sister Ideas

Hello Friends!
   I hope all of you know what Secret Sister is...but if you do not:
  
   This is how you do a secret sister.
   Step One: Have all the girls who are going to girls' camp in your ward (or branch) fill out a form of questions.  For example:  What is your favorite scent?  What is your favorite quote?  What is your lucky number?  What are your hobbies?  You know - personal (not TOO personal) questions.  They put their name on the top.
    Step Two: Put all the papers facing down on the floor.  One at a time, each girl quietly selects a paper.  They let the leaders know who their person is, but not any of the other girls.
   Step Three: Most girls' camps are 3 full days long & a half day.  So, for each full day, you buy a present.  (so like three.)  These presents should be fairly cheap (like dollar store), and, in American dollars, should sum up to less than $10.
     Step Four: Each day, you secretly (without letting your girl know) place her gift in her tent.  I like to have other people sneak them in, so she doesn't suspect me.  Attach notes, cute things, etc.  They should be personalized to her or the theme.  On the last day of "Secret Sister," you gather together and tell everyone who your sister was.  Then you give her last present. 
    It is so fun to get to know your "sisters" and I love it!  So, here are some ideas for what you can give your sister.

:) XO, Flame


1.  Go with the theme. 
   -Last year our theme was "Be Beautiful to Him" in my stake.  So, I based my present around the theme.  I gave her little beauty items, and then attached a note explaining how it applied to her and gospel principles.   So for "Be Beautiful to Him", you could give:

Rose Petal Soap.  I think I related it to how we need to be pure, like a rose.  Like the Mia Maid Symbol


I don't have a picture of homemade soap.  But I did give her some soap.

I think the mask said "Beauty Sleep" or something like that.  I believe I related it to the theme.  Just don't remember how.
    -This year my theme is "I will Stand."  So, I'm going to base my gifts off of feet & legs (standing.)  Tada. 
Like a pedicure paddle in her favorite color.  Symbolizing how we can become pure and spotless through the Atonement.
 Nailpolish in value colors.  If you do just one, you can have it symbolize a certain value.  Talk about how that value applies to the theme, them, or to the gospel.

Princess Socks.  Choose their favorite princess.  Socks can relate to either the princess's values or to how we must walk with Christ.

2. Relate to their likes, them, etc.:
   -Let's say that on the form, it asked for their favorite animal.  Say your girl is Jackilyn and she loves dogs.
Stuffed animal dog.  You could relate it to how a dog obeys his master, and we must follow God's commandments.

   -And let's say she loves the scent of coconut.
Coconut scented bath salts. Delicious.  "We are the salt of the Earth" - heh?!!

    -And she really loves them 'Ranchers.


  Jolly Ranchers.  The gospel brings us happiness...Jackilyn + Gospel= Happy Jackilyn.

Craft ideas: Feather Pens

Hello,
Here are some more ideas.  All these ideas can work for Secret Sister, Mutual, Fundraisers, Girls Camp, and so forth.  :) Have fun.
XO,
Flame


1. Feather Pens: These are way cute to go with journals, gifts, stuff like that.  I personally think these would be way cute for Secret Sister or for new girls coming into your class - like a gift from the presidency.  I know my ward gives gifts to new girls and these would be way cute!

Materials:

• regular pen with no handle or fancy bits to it (it needs to be a basic pen so you can wrap the ribbon around it)
• ribbon in a favorite color or pattern (about 2 feet... though the wider the ribbon the less you'll need)
• feathers
  • to get a really poofy pen, we used an old feather boa and just snipped off a couple of inch long pieces of it. You can find these at craft stores, costume stores and sometimes even the dollar store. They're also fairly common at garage sales (old halloween costumes). A brand new one from the craft store costs about $8 and will give enough pieces for about 15 pens.
  • you can also use a few plain feathers... just keep adding them until you're happy with the look (about 5 or 6 feathers is nice)
    
• hot glue gun
• scissors
• a friend (an adult could do it solo)
  

Instructions:

• This project is best done with a friend -- one does the glue and the other does the wrapping.
  
• put a dab of hot glue at the end of the pen and attach your ribbon at an angle
  
• wrap the ribbon around the pen once
  
• Put another dab of hot glue on the pen and wrap again
  
• continue dabbing and wrapping until the pen is covered in ribbon
  
• Snip off the ribbon
  
• Put a bit of extra glue and use a popsicle stick or the back of another pen to secure the ribbon really well.
  
• put a dab of glue at the end of the pen and attach a feather or a feather boa piece.
  
• flip the pen over and attach another feather boa pin (or another feather).
  
• if using feathers, continue to rotate the pen and glue feathers on until the end is covered on fluffy (4 to 6 feathers) 

Ideas from: http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/birthday

I Like To Sleep...

As I promised....
Much slumber.

Why do prophets and apostles consistently counsel us to get "enough sleep"?  Well, here are a few "physical" and "spiritual" reasons.

The Physical Reasons
Though scientists are not exactly certain why we need sleep, they do have several theories. 
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20120228-why-do-we-need-to-sleep says:

One theory that has emerged in recent years is that sleep helps us to process and consolidate new memories. Our memory system is a psychological wonder, and several studies have suggested that sleep provides some behind-the-scenes maintenance.
One school of thought is that sleep aids our memories by refreshing and reorganising them without interfering with our waking thoughts. Evidence comes from several studies using methods that record the brain directly. For instance, when rats were trained to find their way around a maze, their brains produced the same activity patterns during sleep as when they had carried out the task – suggesting that the brain was reconstructing the experience.
From this we also gain an important insight into the fascinating phenomenon of dreams. These crazy adventures our minds have while we are sleeping may be a product of our memories randomly activating so as to keep them fresh, and of the mind seeking connections between all the things we have recently experienced. This could also explain why hallucinations accompany sleep deprivation. Without the opportunity to reorganise our memories during sleep, dreams intrude into our waking lives, causing difficulty in distinguishing our inner lives from reality.

So, not only does sleep help give our body a chance to have a break, repair, and rest...it also can help with storing memories and sorting through them.  Sleep is a vital part of our lives, just like eating, drinking, and breathing.  Our body cannot fully function, nor our brain properly think or command, without a little bit of nighty-night.

The Spiritual Reasons
Elder Richard G Scott, in this previous April 2012 conference, said, "Revelation can also be given in a dream when there is an almost imperceptible transition from sleep to wakefulness... Exercise, reasonable amounts of sleep, and good eating habits increase our capacity to receive and understand revelation. We will live for our appointed life span." 
How many times in the scriptures have we heard about dreams, visions, and so forth. For example, in the book of Genesis, we learn of Joseph and the Pharaoh.  Pharaoh dreamed about the cattle and the corn.  Later on Joseph was able to decipher the dream and help save Egypt during famine.  (see Genesis 41.) 
Obviously, sleep is important.  I think sleep can be a great tool for God to use in order to give us special warnings, visions, and promptings. 
President Monson has said:
The Apostle Paul declared, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? … The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Corinthians 3:16–17). Nutritious meals, regular exercise, and appropriate sleep are necessary for a strong body, just as consistent scripture study and prayer strengthen the mind and spirit.
Modern-day LDS temples even take "naps."  They are closed for cleaning, renovation, and so forth.  Maybe sleep is like that for the body.  We are better fortified when we wake up, we are fresh and ready for a new day, and we are preparing ourselves to receive revelation.

Funnies

Exercise Ideas....

To go along with our whole "healthy life" section, inspired by L Tom Perry....

An Exercise Idea....

Hey, no moaning and groaning.  I know for some of us, we'd rather read than move.  I've felt that way before.  And I promise you, there are other ways to get fit besides the typical baseball, basketball, etc.

Here are a few ideas....


1. Ballroom:
   I do ballroom and it is so fun!  I've danced several different dancing styles over my past 6 years of dance experience, and I swear to cantaloupe, this is the most beautiful dancing style I've ever seen.  It is so beautiful and graceful...social and sweet.  It doesn't need to be a romantic experience.  I know that's what I thought at first.  O great, it looks like a passionate romantic dance.  It may look like something that would really shake up your hormones, but I actually don't think of it that way.  It is very beautiful and fun and doesn't need to make you feel tingly inside.  You can go competitive, private, performance, or just for fun.  But I HIGHLY recommend it!

   

Ballroom....
-You can burn anywhere from 200 to 300+ calories per hour. 
-Ballroom helps develop flexibility, strength, endurance, grace, posture, and friendships!


2. Yoga
   Yoga is as relaxing as a bath, but you burn WAY more calories.  It is a way to calm yourself after a long day, prepare yourself for activities, or just enjoy some serenity.  I would love to be able to bend this way!
      

Yoga....
-You can burn anywhere from 190-600 or so calories per hour.  (based off of 150 weight)
-Yoga helps build both mental, emotional, and physical stability, strength, flexibility, and endurance.


3. Pilates
   Pilates are somewhat like yoga, and often have many of the same moves.  But, pilates works more with abdominal work and core strength,along with alignment.  "Pilates is a body conditioning routine that helps build flexibility and long, lean muscles, strength and endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips, and back. It puts emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment, breathing to relieve stress and allow adequate oxygen flow to muscles, developing a strong core or center (tones abdominals while strengthening the back), and improving coordination and balance." - wikipedia