A Sephora Must-Have

One thing that I think is important to consider using when your skin starts aging a bit is a good foundation primer. I know, I know, one more thing to add to your regime-does it ever end? Nope, not really!

Anyway, I received this sample of Sephora's Ultra-Smoothing Primer awhile ago but hadn't used it. I finally decided to give it a try, and I have to say I am hooked!

A foundation primer is a great way to smooth out those fine lines that foundation or powder can settle into. It gives your skin a beautiful, clean palette to work from when applying makeup. The first time I used it, it felt a little weird. It isn't creamy like a lotion or foundation. Instead, it is a gel-like substance that goes on and dries almost instantly on your skin. It seemed tight initially, but once I applied my foundation, I was amazed at how even and smooth my skin looked!

I recommend Sephora's brand, not just because I have a mail-order love affair going with them, but because this is an excellent product.

Speaking of amazing smooth skin, I finally tried my Dinair Airbrush Makeup Kit. I wasn't happy with the pictures though, so my review will have to wait another day or two....stay tuned!

Time machine!

I was feeling a little nostalgic today, so I thought I'd give myself (and everyone else at my expense, but thats okay!) a laugh and dig through some old pics to showcase my "fashion" sense of long ago....

Let's start with 1982 or so. I really love how the frosty pink lipstick plays against the color-coordinated outfit. And the white plastic belt, along with the "popped" collar! If you look behind me, you can see the Sears family photo....priceless!

1985ish here. Like my RayBans? Everyone had to have a pair!

Moving on into the early 90s. The mullet is finally growing out. Still color coordinated with my denim mini skirt and lighter denim top. And look at those button covers, omg!!!

This is at a friends wedding. See my awesome padded shoulders. No more mullet, thank God. And as you can see, "bumped" hair was incredibly popular during that time....

Every girl needed a fanny pack. And white keds.....

Oh sweet Jesus. In addition to the denim hat with the flower, note the padded shoulders and crocheted type vest. Vests, oh they were HOT!

My small town modeling stint. I still love that hat! Love hats, period! My hair is shorter here, and button covers were still in style!

I think its always fun to look at old pics and reminisce, I had a lot of fun back in the day, and while I always didn't make the best decisions (fashion and otherwise!) I do think life is all about learning. And I've taken away some great lessons from those days, growing and learning, always striving to become a better person. And a better dresser.........!!

L'Oreal Youth Code

I've been using this for about a month now....

It is supposed to help diminish age spots. You know, those brownish discolorations that start invading your skin as you get older?? I'm lucky because I am quite freckled (who knew that my freckles, which I hated as a child, would become my saving grace as an adult!) so the spots don't show quite as much. I did start noticing some on my cheeks, however, some from aging, some probably from sun damage in my wayward youth.

I apply this morning and night, under my regular moisturizer. I like it first of all because it absorbs quickly and feels really nice on my skin. And most importantly, it works! I noticed a fading of the brown spots on my cheekbones in just a couple weeks. After four weeks of use, they are hardly noticable.

So if you are starting to get those funny little patches, I recommend trying Youth Code. It will help fade those spots and give you a nice glow!

This month's Birchbox!

My Birchbox arrived yesterday and I wanted to show you all the goodies it contained!

This month's samples included:

Algenist Firming and Lifting Cream-Use twice a day to fight aging. It smells good (I hate weird smelly lotions!) and goes on smooth, absorbing quickly into the skin.

Dior Diorshow Extase mascara-Most of my readers know by now that I'm a mascara junkie, so this was an exciting little treat! It also has a fat brush for fuller coverage.

Dior Miss Dior Perfume sample-This one was a little flowery for me, but I tossed it in my "travel supplies" kit and will take it with me when I'm on a vacation somewhere. Sample perfumes are perfect for traveling, especially for me since I almost never check luggage.

Kerastase Shampoo and Kerastase Masque-Kerastase is one of my favorite shampoos, another great item to put in my travel kit. And the deep conditioning moisture masque is something my perpetually dry hair can definitely use...

Notecard-They included a cute little postcard style notecard, which I will use when I send out a hello to far and distant friends!

If you haven't signed up for Birchbox, you should check out their website. For $10 a month, you get a different box of goodies and samples each month. Its always fun to get stuff in the mail! And you can order the full sizes of the products you like on their site, as well as enjoying articles and video tutorials.

It is $10 well-spent, in my opinion!!

The Lush Life

I recently made a quick trip to Seattle, and got to stop in at one of my favorite bath stores, Lush. Lush carries an extensive array of anything and everything you could need for your bod, from amazing bath bombs to yummy lotions. Here's what I got:

Whoosh Shower Jelly is a fun shower gel. It smells great, of course, and is kind of like putting jell-o on your loofa! But it works wonders on your skin, leaving it smooth and fresh.

It bounces! The sales person also recommended putting it in the freezer before using, for an even more refreshing feeling. Haven't tried that yet...

I also got this-

Nope, not a soap. This is actually a body butter type product. You soften it in your hands and rub it on your legs, arms, etc to give a nice bronzing glow! Smells wonderful and gives a hint of color without any orange tones. I like this because I generally avoid tanning or sun, so anything that gives me some color is appreciated!!

Later this week I will hopefully be able to test out my new airbrush makeup kit that I won from Dinair. I'm excited to try it, it retails for well over $200 and is supposed to create a professional, "red carpet ready" look!! I'll be posting about it!!

Outfit of the Day

I am in the first week of my new job. Eventually, I'll be wearing a uniform every day, but until the uniforms arrive, its business casual attire. Here's what I wore yesterday....

The skirt is from Macy's, purchased a couple years ago as part of an ensemble. The shirt that goes with it has long been retired, but I still really like the skirt. It think its a flattering cut and it goes with a lot of different tops. The sweater is a recent purchase from a local store, Lulu E. Bebe. I like Lulu because they offer fashionable, fun and unique clothing items-and most importantly, their prices are usually very affordable (that sweater was around $30 I think.) The beige tank top underneath is from Old Navy, which as I always say, is a great place to shop for basic wardrobe items. I cannot for the life of me remember where I purchased the necklace, and the boots are eons old, picked up on the sale rack at JcPenneys I think.

Starting a new job is always a little daunting. I'm very excited to be embarking on a new career path, and don't plan on leaving this job any time soon (getting too old for this!) Change and new things are always a challenge for us it seems, we get so entrenched in our daily routine, it throws everything off when we have to do something new. But I think its important to embrace change as much as we can-because it is what keeps our minds fresh, keeps us learning, keeps us on our toes!

Give your brain a jump-start and change things up in your life a bit. If you've been afraid to make changes, things you know you should do but just can't seem to get over that fear of falling-just do it. Change is what life is all about, and thats not a bad thing!

Go Big or Go Home!

I picked up a new mascara the other day and was a little surprised when I opened it to find this:

New from NYC cosmetics, Big Bold Mascara packs a punch when it comes to lengthening, defining and volumizing-and a big fattie of a brush to boot!

I'm always on the lookout for a mascara that really makes my lashes pop, and NYC mascaras are both affordable and good quality. I've tried several of them, and I'm usually happy with the results. This mascara was no exception, coating my lashes perfectly in the first application. I admit, I was a little nonplussed at the brush, and don't know that the "plump" brush style is much more than a marketing tool to make you think you are getting bigger lashes, but it does seem to work just fine.

So if you are looking for an affordable ($5.00) mascara that works, I recommend the NYC brand, and if you want to go big, try their Big Bold mascara!

Our Weekend Away....

I've been a little MIA from my blog, but have a good excuse! I decided to escape daily life for the weekend with one of my very favorite people, my son! We took off for San Diego, enjoying some time on Mission Beach and a day at Seaworld...

I've always loved travel and I like to think I've instilled that same love of seeing new places in my kids-mainly because I almost always take them with me!

We enjoyed pooltime, and Shamu was awesome!

Traveling with kids can be fairly easy, if you are prepared (and patient!) My son was about 5 weeks old the first time he went on a plane, and he's always been a pretty good traveler. However, I always tried to plan in advance for any possible issues. Here's a few things I always, always did with my kids when they were small.

1. Make them a goodie bag. I used to make a goodie bag for each of my kids to take on the plane. I would give it to them after takeoff, and it contained things like crayons and little coloring books, small toys, snacks and gum.

2. Tire them out. We usually flew the evening flights when they were smaller, mainly because they would sleep. Of course, I never got much sleep so I had to deal with my own grogginess-but at least I wasn't dealing with them being tired and cranky on top of ME being tired and cranky!

3. Bring a binky and a bottle (if you do those) for babies/toddlers and gum for older kids. Ascent and descent of the plane can cause air pressure changes in the cabin that can REALLY hurt tender ears. Giving them something to suck on helps a lot. Be prepared to nurse during takeoff and landing if you don't use bottles or pacifiers.

4. Bring EXTRA-as in extra diapers, food/drinks, and an entire extra change of clothing! Because good lord if your baby has a "blowout" or gets a little air sick, you will REALLY wish you'd brought it. Also make sure to throw in an extra t-shirt and/or sweater for older kids. You never know when they might either get sick or spill something too. And if you check luggage (I seldom do) its good to have some extra clothes just in case your luggage gets misplaced. On the other hand, less can also be more. Don't skimp on bringing diapers and such, but you also do NOT necessarily need to bring the giant stroller, playpen, bouncy chair, etc. I always managed with an umbrella stroller, which you can fold up and fit in the overhead if necessary. And I never brought more accessories than I absolutely needed!!

5. Remember that if you are bringing an infant on board, you are not guaranteed an extra seat unless you buy it! Be prepared to have your baby on your lap, and plan accordingly- you may have to check your carseat (you can do this at the gate, along with your stroller) If you are concerned about it, it might be worth it to spend the money and buy them a seat.

6. Most importantly, have fun and try not to stress! Kids can be great little travelers, and I think that they can really get a lot out of seeing the world from an early age.

My son and I probably won't be taking any trips that are just the two of us again for awhile, I'm starting a new job and won't be able to travel for at least a few months. But we are always planning our next adventure, and I'd like to think that our travels throughout the years have given him an excellent perspective on the world and people around him.

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!