April Birchbox Goodies

If you missed my other posts about Birchbox, you really should  consider checking them out. For a mere $10 a month, I have a little box (a Birchbox!) shipped to me that contains an assortment of amazing samples of new products. If you like the samples, you can buy the full size products via their website, which also offers various discounts, sales and incentives. Here's what this month's box contained:

Atelier Cologne in "Orange Sanguine"- This is a really nice fragrance with a slight orange undertone. Its a little heavier/spicier (it has sandalwood too) than my usual scent, but I still like it. And as I've said before, perfume samples are the best for traveling!

Marula "The Leakey Collection" Omega Rich Pure Marula Oil- Made from the marula fruit, this oil is suppose to be chock-full of antioxidants to help fight aging.You can use it on your face, hands, etc. I used it on my face and was a little hestitant at using an oil, but it wasn't heavy at all and really left my skin smooth.

Weleda Pomegranate Firming Night Cream- Combining Turkish pomegranate (different from regular pomegranate? Not sure...), jojoba and macadamia nut oils, this is the latest in anti-aging creams. It smells nice, really almost fragrance free. I'll have to get back to you on the firming properties....

Zoya Nail Polish- Very pretty shade of beige from Zoya. Their polishes are non-toxic and are supposed to last 50 percent longer than traditional polishes. It said it goes on 'opaque' but on my nails it was beige-not an opaque beige, just beige. Again, I'll get back to you on whether or not it really lasts longer than other polishes!

Yes To Blueberries Brightening Facial Towelettes-I tried one of these this morning, and it was actually quite refreshing! Smells good and contains apple, blueberry and lemon peel extracts. Another great item to take along when traveling, which I'll be doing this weekend so they will be coming with me!

Birchbox website also contains tutorials and articles, both in video and written form. If you sign up for a monthly Birchbox delivery, expect to be put on a waiting list for a couple weeks before you are "approved". Which is kinda weird to me, and in my opinion is probably just a marketing ploy. But that's okay because once you start getting your box of fun, you will love it!!!

Target Finds

Do you ever go into Target for one thing, and come out with a cart-full of stuff? Happens to me allll the time. I just can't resist the bargains and cute stuff I find there! Last weekend I went to buy a bag of dog food. Thats it. One bag of dog food was all I needed. In addition to that one bag of dog food, here is what I ended up with...

Covergirl eyeshadow in Shimmering Sands. This is a great kit for a neutral, everyday look. It works on just about any skin tone, costs less than $4, and has excellent pigment for a drugstore shadow.

I also found this awesome eyebrow kit from NYC. Comes with a wax and a neutral brown eyebrow shadow. Its easy to use, simply brush on the wax with the teeny tiny slanted brush that is included, then lightly fill in with shadow. I needed this because as I've gotten older, my brows have faded off and I need to define them more. It also comes with a teeny tiny, super-cute pair of tweezers, which are not shown because I had just used them and forgot to put them back in the case! Cost about $5.

These sandals were $17. They are to replace the pair I got at Target last year, which are black with sparkly straps and are starting to fall apart because I wore them so much. They didn't have the same kind, but I thought these were fun, and they are very comfy!

And these little cuties were on the clearance rack, $14! I just bought a new dress last week and didn't really have any shoes that worked with it (I know, hard to believe considering my shoe fetish.) They are also comfortable, despite being a little high. I like a wedge heel because you can get away with it being higher and not feel like you are teetering around on too high of heels!

This was also on sale, $2.69. Figured I would give it a try as  I really don't like the ammonia-antiseptic smell of most cleaners. This is the Lemon Verbana scent, and it is REALLY nice. Plus it cleans well (always a bonus in a cleaner, haha.)

Lastly, a bike lock of all things. I really want to start riding my bike to work this summer and needed a lock for it. I absolutely love my bike, it is a Specialized Ariel brand that  I got a couple summers ago:

It wasn't terribly expensive for a nicer bike (about $500), and it is what is called a hybrid- perfect for paved bike trails, which I ride 90 percent of the time, but also can go off-road a bit. I'm off-road about zero percent of the time, but I like having that option!!


Happy shopping and watch out for the mesmerizing deals at Target! It sucks you in!

Spring nails!

I got this fun new nail color from my girlfriend for my bday. It's from the new Wet-n-Wild Megalast collection. This color is called "I Need a Refresh-Mint" and its minty and very springy!!

The picture makes it look blue, but its really more of an aqua or minty green color

Super cute! I like Wet-n-Wild's Megalast because it's durable and they have tons of fun colors. And the price is right, just $1.99 at Target!

Even if you aren't quite ready to break out the sandals and dump the jackets (I am, but I'm a nut) a fresh coat of polish in a pretty pastel is a great way to bring spring to your look!

Anti-aging tips and tricks

Like sands through the hourglass....we are all getting older every day. And thats a good thing, when you think about the alternative! I tend to see age as just a number, I seldom think of how old I am and whether or not I should be acting/looking a certain way because I need to "act my age". I'm still pretty trendy in clothes, makeup, music, etc. I think I'm probably in better physical condition than I was in my 20s (probably because I can no longer function on a few hours of sleep and eating crap!) and I don't sweat the fact that I'm no longer 30. But no matter how young you feel, there is no escape from the aging process.

You can, however, slow things down a bit. I've compiled a list of a few tips, tricks and ideas to help you stay at the top of your game and look and feel great!


Hydrate 

We all know it is good to drink lots of water, but staying hydrated is such an important part of looking good and overall health. Drinking water helps replenish skin tissues and increase elasticity, as well as preventing nasty medical issues such as muscle cramps, irregular blood pressure and kidney problems. If you get to the point where you feel really thirsty, you are already dehydrated! I recommend at least 64oz a day, or two liter jugs of water.
 
Eat Green  Leafy Veggies 

Eat your greens! I heard that so many times as a kid. I was never a fan of cooked vegetables, until I learned to cook them properly! Fresh green beans, sauteed with a little olive oil and garlic over fairly high heat, are the perfect dish! Green leafy vegetables are a great choice. They are full of iron, potassium, magnesium and vitamins-one of which is vitamin K, one of the most important vitamins you can get (and one many of our diets lack). Green leafy veggies also protect our eyes from age-related degeneration and cataracts, as well as helping to regulate the turnover and production of skin cells for smoother skin.

Exercise

Again, this seems like a no-brainer and is something we hear or read about all the time. We know its important, yet many people avoid it like the plague! Exercise is, of course, good for your body. Regular, weight-bearing exercise helps prevent a myriad of health issues, from osteoporosis to heart disease. It also keeps you strong-both physically and mentally. What many people don't realize is that exercise is also great for your skin, and helps slow down aging. Regular exercise contributes to prevention of skin sagging and wrinkles. By getting your heart rate up, you are increasing blood circulation in your body, which in turn provides increased oxygen to skin cells. 

 Wash Your Face! 

Another tip from mom that many of us ignored when we were younger. I do not care how tired you are, how long your day was or how little you feel like it-wash your face before you go to bed.  It takes about 30 seconds to quickly wash up before bedtime, and removing the day's makeup, grime and bacteria promotes healthy skin and prevents break-outs. Plus, the skin tends to rebuild itself over the course of our sleep and we want clean skin to promote that rejuvenation.

 Moisturize 

This is important at any age, especially if you have dry skin, but SO important as you get older. Always use a light day moisturizer, and at night, a heavier moisturizer-preferably one targeted towards anti-aging. I like the Roc Deep Wrinkle Night Cream because it has a fairly high level of retinol. Retinol has been proven to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, even skin tone and reduce dark spots. I use this every night, no matter what!


No Tanning

I know, we need vitamin D. But please don't get it here. You can step outside in the sunlight for 15 minutes a day to get your vitamin D fix, and take supplements. But please, stay away from tanning beds. In addition to aging your skin immensely (I know this first-hand), it increases your risk of melanoma by 2.5 times. Your tanning salon may tell you that their beds are safe because they only use UVA rays, rather than UVB rays. But recent research has shown that UVA rays are perhaps even deadlier than UVB rays. Just don't do it ladies. Please. And don't let your teen daughters do it either!


Sleep on Your Back

It's funny to think that something as simple as changing the way you sleep can help prevent wrinkles. But its true! According to the American Academy of Dermatology, certain repeated sleep positions will cause permanent "etching" into the surface of the skin. Sleeping on your back helps prevent that. Many of us find that position uncomfortable, but if you can at least train your body to start out sleeping on your back, you will take years off the aging process! Invest in a silk or satin pillowcase as well, also purported to help reduce night wrinkling. And of course get ENOUGH sleep!! 7 hours is the absolute minimum!

Procedures?

Everyone seems to have an opinion on getting injections to fill in lines-from saying its the most awesome thing on the planet to saying its the most ridiculous thing they've ever heard of. Regardless of your personal opinion, these procedures are here to stay. And when you think about it, we are pretty lucky to live in a time when there are options besides surgery when it comes to aging. There are many choices out there, from Botox, which "freezes" the muscles and keeps you from forming lines, as well as relaxing lines in the face, to Juvederm, which is a filler and often used on lines around the mouth. Only you can decide if this is a route you'd like to take, and my biggest recommendation is to find a really good medical professional to do this. I see a lot of "Botox parties" and such, and I would never want someone I do not trust messing with my face! Go to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, someone who is schooled and skilled in these kind of procedures. This is your face, your skin, and while the procedures are expensive, they are still cheaper than surgery and you should NOT cut corners and try to save money by going to a "party" for skin procedures.

We can't avoid aging, and we shouldn't. Some of the most beautiful women I've ever seen are in their 40s, 50s, 60s. Honestly, I think women in this age group are often more beautiful than girls in their 20s. There is a glow that comes from reaching that point where you are okay with who you are, and are comfortable with yourself. A grace and calmness that only comes with life experience. We can look beautiful, we can stave off the aging process, but always be proud of who you are. Because at any age, you are perfect!

Breakin' up is hard to do.....

It looks like spring has finally arrived! Up here in the Far North, we refer to this time of year as "Break-up", probably having to do with the old-timers watching the ice break and melt on the lakes and rivers. Break-up is actually one of my favorite times of year, despite the mess. It is a harbinger of a new beginning, a new season, and a (not so) fond farewell to the snow.

If you've lived through a break-up season or two, you know that one important item to own is a good pair of spring boots! When I was a kid, we got the basic black or brown rubber boot from Pay-n-Save (anyone remember Pay-n-Save?). Today, there are so many other choices out there, its hard for a girl to decide which fashionable boot she'd like to wear.

Two boots that are VERY popular here are Boggs and XtraTufs:

They are both durable and warm, and are good for not only getting through the mud and wet of the spring season, but great for keeping feet warm and dry all year long. Honestly though, neither is a big favorite of mine. I see Xtratufs as just big ol' rubber boots-more for a fishing boat than anything else. Lots of women wear them-out to dinner, with dresses, etc. I'm sorry, but no. Doesn't work for me. The Boggs are pretty cute, and if I needed a heavier boot, I would probably get some. I have tried some on and my biggest complaint is these suckers are HARD to get on my feet!!! 

My spring boots look similar to these:

Easy on and relatively inexpensive. They go up high enough to keep splashing water out, have a nice tread for walking through muck, and wipe clean.

If you're looking for something a bit fancier, Coach has these:

Not sure if I'd want to pay that much extra just for the Coach brand, the boots seem pretty much the same as the ones I bought for $30.

If you want something REALLY funky, check these out:

Yep, cowboy rain boots! So you can look fashionable while mucking out the barn! These would actually look cute with a skirt or jeans, I like them!

I'm a big Tokidoki fan, and I think these are both fun:

Hello Kitty and Tokidoki Rain boots! Very cute!


And if you are more of a "kicks" girl, here are some tennis shoes with a twist:

Today's rain boots can fit any style, with fun and fashionable looks that are still practical.

These sure aren't the rainboots of our childhoods.....

Goodbye ugly old boots! We are done with you!

The Gift of Girlfriends

My phone rang the other day. It was one of my girlfriends. I hadn't talked to her in a little while, but rather than a "hello" I got "I'm out shopping and there are a pair of those shoes you wanted in your size on sale. Do you want me to get them for you?" I had to laugh, to think there is someone in my life who knows me so well that she not only knows which shoes I am coveting, she knows the size and doesn't waste time with pleasantries when there are shoes to be bought! 

I have always been very lucky to have a great core group of girlfriends. I met most of them during my years as an airline employee, with a few childhood and high school buddies that I have managed to hold onto. We've been through a lot over the 20+ years of adventures, and we've all had our squabbles and moments. But when it comes down to it, we have been there for each other through thick and thin. Through marriages, divorces, children, teenager problems, husband problems, financial issues, health issues-there isn't much that one or more of us hasn't dealt with at some point.

Back in our single days, it was all about travel:

We took yearly trips to New Orleans, explored Thailand, Mexico, Central America, London, Hong Kong, so many places! Traveling together, in close quarters and on a tight budget, makes or breaks a friendship sometimes. I think my years of traveling with my girlfriends taught me how to be a good traveler-working with a variety of personalities, sharing a bed, sitting in airports for hours (we all flew standby)-you learn to deal with the mishaps of travel and have fun with it!

Over time, there were husbands and children added to our group. The dynamic changed as we couldn't travel together quite as much, and we went from borrowing each others clothes to trading off babysitting. We talked about how to deal with issues such as teething, nursing, the terrible two's, juggling work and family. I remember having a few bad days, when one of my friends would call and brighten my day. Or call and invite me to lunch, or just listen to me and commiserate.

We still fit in our girls trips....

Now they involve a bit more food and drink!

And shopping....of course!

The great thing about having a close group of friends is you can just be yourself around them. They aren't afraid to tell you if that hat you want to buy isn't really "you", or to tell you that your feet look horrible and you need a pedicure (my girlfriend Angie did just that to me, ha!). They step up when you need a helping hand, cheer you on in your endeavors and offer you a glass of wine when things aren't so great.

I can call one of my friends and even if I haven't talked to them recently, we can pick up right where we left off. We all know intimate details of each others lives, from the mundane to the racy. From funny personality quirks, like my one girlfriend's indecisiveness and how she insists on going back and forth between 2-3 stores when we are shopping, trying to decide on that "one" perfect coat, to deeper issues, like my girlfriend who dealt with some fairly serious health concerns with her son. We have all our inside jokes, and comments that mean nothing to anyone else (You want long nail?) will elicit hysterical laughter between us.

When the kids are grown and have their own lives, your girlfriends will still be there. If you end up single at the end of the day-your girlfriends are there. I know that I can count on my girlfriends, and that I will be there for them as well.

UCLA recently did a study on friendships between women. The study says "Friendships between women are special. They shape who we are and who we are yet to be. They sooth our tumultuous inner world, fill the emotional gaps in our marriages, and help us remember who we really are."

That study doesn't tell me anything I don't already know. 

Best foot forward!

We all have that pair (or two) of shoes that we love, but sometimes our feet don't love them so much when we wear them for too long. I have a few pairs of shoes that I refer to as "two hour shoes", meaning  I cannot be on my feet for more than two hours when I wear them!

I found an amazing product that really helps alleviate rubbing, chafing and blisters on the tootsies-

Band Aid Friction Block stick provides a barrier between your feet and shoes, giving you relief when you are out somewhere and realize that you accidentally donned a pair of two hour shoes for a five hour event!

Goes on easy, smells good, and is small enough to keep in your purse.

Only $5 at Target, the stick lasts a very long time and doesn't harm your shoes in the least.

So dance the night away Cinderella, and don't worry about those uncomfortable glass slippers anymore!

Healthy (-er) Snack food, or Adventures at the Natural Food Store...

Since I've been trying to get back in some semblance of shape, as well as improving my diet in general, I decided to take a trip over to our local natural foods store the other day. We are not lucky enough to have a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods where I live (darn it!) but we do have a local store called the Natural Pantry, as well as New Sagaya, both great places to shop for fresh, organic food items and stuff you can't always find at the grocery store. I stopped in at Natural Pantry, looking for some smoothie supplies and maybe some healthy-ish snacks to munch on.

Natural Pantry is kind of a cool, funky place with a vibe I've never been able to put my finger on. Part hipster, part earth mother, it always has that musty "health food store" smell to it. I spent a lot of time in health food stores as a kid. My dad was a huge health "nut" (as they called them in the 70s). He was really ahead of his time, making his own yogurt, forcing us kids to eat things like wheat germ, natural peanut butter and organic honey. While I really would have preferred to go to McDonald's as a child, I appreciate that he gave us all a great start, with health habits that have continued through our adult lives.

Anyway....here are some of the things I found....

Seasnax roasted seaweed snacks in spicy chipotle. I am always looking for something crunchy to give me that "chip crunch" I crave. And the whole container was only 15 calories. The label says they are "strangely addictive". I can't deny it, even though the chipotle was a little too spicy for me (and I like spicy food), even though they have a bit of a seaweed smell (not unpleasant, just different if you aren't expecting it), I keep eating them. Such yummy crunchiness! And the good news is, sea vegetables are one of the best source of minerals you can get!

I also found these items for my chip fix....

Doctor Cracker chips, another organic, natural product. I got the pumpkin seed cheddar flavor-not bad, with a nice crunch. A little bland though, but good if you pile some cheese or yummy dip on them (okay there goes the health factor!)

I also LOVE this brand of chips...Food Should Taste Good. They have a wide variety of chips, from tortilla chips to blue corn to sweet potato. I haven't found one yet that I don't like! These are a new variety and they are yummy! Now, if you're trying to lose a few lbs like me, you can't eat the whole bag-they are still pretty high in calories. But I appreciate that I am getting in some veggies while I munch, and they are all-natural and a good source of fiber.

 If you like the spicy, up-your-nose taste of wasabi, you'll love these...

Feng Shui hot wasabi green peas. Crunchy, slightly sweet with that kick of wasabi (a pretty big kick!) these are another good way to get some greens in your life. And at 120 calories for a 1/3 cup serving, a good snack for those working on their waistline.

I do love my sweets, and that is one of the more difficult things for me to cut back on. Here are a couple delicious treats I picked up...

Gin Gins are an interesting little candy. They are made from real ginger and are supposed to be good for settling your stomach, especially when you are traveling or on the go (hence the term, "The Traveler's Candy"). I think they are yummy anytime, if you like the taste of ginger, you'll be hooked.

Sunspire coconut and dark chocolate candy bar is all natural with no artifical flavors. It has just as many calories as my favorite Mounds candy bar, but has a denser, richer taste, which means I only ate about a third of it rather than downing the whole thing! I felt fully satisfied and didn't need to keep snacking later.

While keeping to fresh fruits and vegetables and whole foods is optimum  when trying to get in shape or eat healthier, I think it is important to not completely deprive yourself either! If I can find a healthier alternative to the junky snacks I sometimes like, I feel it will make me more successful in my health and fitness endeavors overall.

So next time you are wandering the chip or candy aisle, venture off into different territory and see what the natural food store might offer! You never know what kind of goodies you might find!

Need Body?

The Body Shop has always been a favorite of mine. Their products are excellent quality, they have great sales and  I like their policies on Fair Trade and providing cruelty-free products.

I stopped in the other day to pick up some facial cleanser. I like a creamy cleanser, nothing that foams or dries. I've used a few different Body Shop facial cleansers, this is my latest favorite:

Their Natrulift line is meant to help reduce and soften fine lines, with pomegranate seed oil and Brazil nut oil. I like the cleanser because it leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth, and smells great. Of course, they happened to be having a sale (Buy one get one 50 percent off, buy two get one free, buy three get 2 free...ah marketing ploys, how I love you and fall for you every time!) so I bought the day moisturizer to go with it. I really like it, it is actually fairly thick for a day cream-a good thing for my dry skin.

In order to further take advantage of their sale, I got this:

The Vitamin C line is another good one, great smelling products that work well. This line is purported to give extra "radiance" to your skin, utilizing vitamin C to encourage collagen production and protect against environmental damage. I bought the microdermabrasion exfoliator, which I've used before and really like. It leaves my skin with a nice glow, but isn't harsh at all. I keep it in the shower for convenience, using it once or twice a week during my normal regime.

As I was heading towards the check-out, I stumbled upon this little gem:

What a perfect combo! I love a good body scrub and I love the smell of ginger! I highly recommend using a body scrub at least a couple times a week in the shower to remove dead skin and exfoliate. And for those who like to use self-tanners or spray tans, exfoliating is an important part of creating an even tan. I sometimes make my own sugar scrub, but at the deep bargain discount of $4.00, I couldn't walk away from this! I tried it the very next morning and all  I can say is YUM.

In addition to regular sales, specials and deep discounts, the Body Shop has a loyalty program called "Love Your Body". For $10, you sign up and get a discount card that offers special savings and discounts, a birthday gift worth $10 off your purchase, and regular discounts once you accumulate a certain amount of points. You can even get free renewal on your card once you purchase a certain amount, so the $10 price tag is a pretty good deal.

Give your body some love- natural, cruelty-free, great smelling love, at The Body Shop!

Hoppity Easter!

I hope everyone had a fun Easter! Ours was low-key, I took my two kiddos out to brunch, just the three of us, and then we went and saw the movie "The Hunger Games" (I'd been wanting to see it but I really hate crowds so I waited a couple weeks for the hype to fade...and I enjoyed it a lot!)

My kids and I were talking about their Easter baskets and how they are on their last legs and maybe it's time to retire them. I made them several years ago and I think the poor ol' baskets might be ready to go. But before I put them away, I thought I'd share them here. Even though Easter is over, this is a fun craft project that you might want to keep on your agenda for next year!

Here they are! I made a blue "boy" one and a pink "girl" one. They are really easy. You just take a round ice cream carton, like the Dreyer's ones-

Of course, wash them out well. Then I bought some white "furry" fabric from the fabric store, along with pink and blue felt, big puff balls for the face and tail, tiny black balls for the nose, and some "googly" eyes (as I call them).

I used some stiff cardboard to cut out the face and ears (not too heavy though, a good posterboard will work). Using a hot glue gun (regular glue works too, but I love my glue gun!) cut the white fabric to fit and glue it around the ice cream container and onto the bunny faces. Attach your eyes, cheeks and nose to the faces, and whatever color felt you choose goes on the ears. Once that dries a bit, glue the face onto the ice cream container-again let everything dry. I made little handles for the baskets using some decorative wire and more felt, but that is optional and those were probably the first part of the baskets to "go" as they wore out.

 I cut out little feet and put more "bunny fur" on them, gluing them to the base of my basket. My kids really loved seeing these baskets every year, they were fun and easy to make and became a special part of our Easter tradition.

Hm, maybe I'm NOT ready to retire them yet.....one more year!

Making a run for it!

I've been trying to lose a few pounds, several actually! Over the course of a long, snowy winter, along with taking a medication right now that causes bloating (I call them "fat pills", haha) the weight kind of crept up on me and I am determined to get RID of it. I know my main issue is exercise-now that I work fulltime in addition to my part-time restaurant gig and my freelance writing business, sometimes it really is hard to carve out that hour or so to work out. I try to do it no matter what, but its not always easy. And as a mom, I always suffer from "mom guilt" when I'm away from home even one more hour than  I have to be.

I decided I was going to go run today when I got off work. I've been running for about 14 years now, and it is not only a stress reliever for me, it is a great way to lose weight and feel good! I'm an outside runner, treadmills make me feel like a hamster in a cage, so this winter's extra snow made me "run away" from running (I know-groan!). I'm not a fast runner-if I do a 10 minute mile I'm doing awesome-but I have managed to compete in lots of races over the years, to include half marathons around the country, our local "heart run" 5k and our annual "Women's Run" , a 5 miler to benefit breast cancer awareness. This is me running:

Ha!

I don't care. I don't care that I will never be the fastest runner out there, or that  I like to take "walk breaks" on the steep hills. I love getting outside, enjoying the feeling of the pavement or trail pounding under my feet, letting my lungs fill with air, feeling the strength in my legs and the power of my stride. That's the great thing about running-at the end of the day, the only race is the one you have with yourself, in your own mind. Runners will tell you that it is a very mental sport-however far you think you can run, you can usually run twice that distance! I've participated in half marathons (13 miles) with only 6-7 mile training runs under my belt beforehand. And every time, I've managed to complete those races, all with minimal suffering.

I think that running is a lot like life. We are sometimes our own biggest naysayer, our worst enemy. Yet when it comes time to run that race, we can always do much more than we think we can. We are stronger than we can imagine, and every day people prove it.

Get out there and do it. "Run" your own life, its the only one you get. Make the most of it, and remember you can always run just a few miles farther than you think.