Wanderlust

I remember when I was about 9 years old, the neighborhood we lived in was right under the airport's flight pattern. Every day, I watched sleek jet planes fly overhead. I always wondered where those planes were going, who was on them, and hoped someday I could be going somewhere too.

Maybe those jet planes are what spawned my desire to travel and see the world. Or maybe its genetic-my family members are all travelers. Both of my brothers have traveled extensively. One even made Colombia, South America his permanent home. The other takes at least 1-2 big trips a year (he and his wife leave for New Zealand next week) and several small ones. My dad just got back from Italy and Greece. My mom, who doesn't travel quite as much as she used to, drove her motorhome out and around the country last year. My grandparents were, perhaps, the most adventurous travelers of all. Legend has it, my grandfather, who was both a private pilot and an ironworker by trade, felt he would be most likely to get a job in one of two places-Alaska or Australia. He and my grandmother flipped a coin to decide where they would go. So chances are, my wanderlust has a decidedly genetic component!

I just got back from Hawaii...

Which isn't, I suppose, all THAT exotic. Those of us who live up here in the North often venture off to the islands to warm up our bones a bit.

I was lucky enough to make a career in the airline industry for many years, and was afforded the opportunity to see places such as London, Ireland, France, Italy, Denmark, Japan and Thailand. A weekend trip to Mexico was not unheard of back in those days, with me and my other single girlfriends jaunting off at a moment's notice. I also was able to see much of the U.S., from one coast to the other and all the heartland in between.

My travels slowed for awhile, with children in school and not so much time and even less money (even airline employees, with their flight perks, have to pay for hotel rooms, food and rental cars!) but I'm finding myself back in the swing of things and planning trips right and left. Part of it is finding a job I love that affords me not only a decent income, but more importantly a LOT of paid  time off. For me, that far outweighs any monetary compensation. Our next adventure will be Philidelphia and New York in December, which will fulfill my dream of visiting New York City during the holidays and seeing that big tree at Rockefeller center! So exciting. Other trips are in the works, like a jaunt somewhere in February (somewhere warm but we haven't decided yet) and I'm hoping to chaparone my son's school trip to Puerto Rico in May. I'm proud to say both my kids have done their share of traveling too, and my son seems to have inherited the wanderlust my side of the family was born to.

Many people I know wonder whats so great about travel. They find it stressful, scary, and not very fun. They aren't intrigued by exotic food, and don't see anything exciting about being lost in a city where no one speaks their language. For me, the immersion into another world gives me a bigger thrill than I can articulate. To see, really see, how other people live. All of it-even the not so pretty parts. To see some of the wonders of the world, from Michaelangelo's David to the Eiffel Tower. To watch people, people so like us and yet not like us, going through their everyday lives, working and loving and raising families-I think that gives a perspective that makes for a more well-rounded person. I don't have prejudice because I know that we are ALL human, no matter where we live or what we do, no matter our religion, sexual identity or political leanings. At the end of the day, its just people.

Even if you aren't excited at the thought of seeing exotic lands, I urge you to step just a little outside your comfort zone. Take that trip. Cross off that bucket list. See it. See it all.

Outfit of the day!

I went shopping the other day at Nordstrom. I was on a misson for winter boots, and this time I was determined to get some good, warm (fashionable!) boots. I have a pair of sorrels that are very cute, but they are also kind of bulky and well, they just don't go with all my outfits!

I thought I'd splurge and get some Uggs, just the traditional "short" style. Nothing too crazy. Then I saw these.....

They're Uggs alright, super pretty and warm! And they were a lot more money than I'd planned to spend. But once I tried them on, I was lost and the regular Uggs just weren't going to work anymore! I justified it by telling myself I don't buy high-dollar items often, really almost never! I shop a lot at Target, Old Navy, JcPenney, etc. (as anyone who reads my blog knows!)

Here are the boots with my outfit yesterday!

True to my word, the jeans were on sale at Nordstrom for about $60 and I bought them at least five years ago. The top was about $20, purchased at some random little shop in Seattle, and the sweater is from good ol' Fred Meyer on sale for 40 percent off which made it about $23!

I like the sweater because its warm, loose and really goes with anything:

Oooh and take a look at my phone cover!!! I got it at the ABC Store in Hawaii believe it or not!! I love it!

I tried to get a closer pic of the sweater so you can see the detailing of the buttons, super cute-

Eh, can't see them that well. Just take my word for it, they're cute!

Speaking of Hawaii, next week I'll talk about my latest vacation and why I can't shake the travel bug I seem to have been born with!

In the meantime, break out your sweaters and cutest boots, it looks like winter is breathing down our necks up here in the north!

Latest Birchbox!

I just got back from vacation (more on that later) and I am attempting to rectify my recent lame lack of blogging! Lets start with an overview of September's Birch Box goodies!

This month featured the following items:

Benefit Foaming clean facial wash and refined finish facial polish. I haven't tried these yet, not sure about the "foaming" aspect of the wash. Nice size samples though and Benefit usually has good products. If I like them, I will blog about them separately!

Color Club nail polish in a funky dark gray shade. I LOVE it. This is a custom color that was designed specifically for Birchbox.

Dr. Jart Another BB cream. Eh.

Kate Spade sample of Twirl perfume. A personal fave of mine right now and I happen to have a big ol' bottle of it on hand! Remember, perfume samples are excellent to take along when you travel! Easy and portable and you don't have to worry about getting a big bottle of perfume through security or risk it breaking in your luggage (oh my!)

twistband hair tie. Okay this is cute, but really? Its just an elastic-y ribbon with a knot tied in it. Its a fun sample but I dont think I'd buy it.

Band Aid Cynthia Rowley dress up band aids. These are super fun!! If you have to wear a band aid, it should be one as stylish as these!

Thats it for this month's Birchbox. Remember, if you want to get monthly treats from Birchbox too, go to their website and sign up. Its $10 a month and you get awesome samples (some closer to full size) making it well-worth the $. Birchbox also has tons of great tutorials on their websites and regular discounts and specials.

Taking Chances

I am not an adrenaline junkie. I don't find the idea of jumping off a cliff or out of a plane exhilarating. I don't like the rush that comes with being scared. Some people love it, get off on it in some way-that is so NOT me. Rather than finding it exciting, adrenaline makes me nauseous and light-headed with fear. Definitely not my thing.

This is more my thing....

Which is why you will usually find me on the beach rather than surfing, riding the teacups rather than plummeting in the Tower of Terror, and watching 50 First Dates over Nightmare on Elm Street.

Being uninterested in those kind of thrills doesn't mean, however, that I don't take risks. There are all kinds of risk-takers. There are all kinds of chances in life. I know people who have stayed in the same job for 30 years, even though they hated it, because seeing what else the world might have to offer was just too scary. I've known people who stay in 30 year relationships, no matter how terrible, for the same reason. People who are so afraid of change, they stagnate their lives rather than live them.

I am afraid of heights. I am afraid of deep water. I am afraid of sharks, open closet doors and roller coasters that go upside down. I am not afraid of change, chances and risking my heart. Change is sometimes the scariest thing of all, but I have managed to embrace it over the years and make it something exciting rather than something to fear. I've changed jobs, lost love, moved, traveled, explored, cried, felt defeated and yet always managed to drag myself back up and look forward to whatever tomorrow might bring. Because the scariest thing to me is the words "I wish I'd..." at the end of it all. I want to be able to say "Yes, I did it. I did the things I wanted to do. I lived."

Watching people who love extreme sports, crazy stunts and launching themselves off things is amazing to me- I wonder where they get the courage. Yet I've had those same people tell me I'm brave or crazy (or maybe both) in some of the chances I've taken in my life.

I will never be willing to jump off a real cliff-even if I'm being chased by a pack of crazed lemmings! But I am willing to jump off the cliffs of our every day lives. The cliffs that we jump off when we start something new, step out of our emotional comfort zone, or trust someone to love us. Its probably the closest I will ever come to an adrenaline rush, the rush of having someone tell you they will love you forever, and believing it.

Maybe its not skydiving. But I'll take it.

Nu Shooz!!!

Okay, so anyone who recognizes the spelling of my title as being the same as a popular 80's "one hit wonder" band....well you are officially as old as me!!!

Anyway...I indulged in some new running shoes today!

These are Asics, my favorite brand. The style is Gel Nimbus 14, which are almost the same as the Gel Nimbus 13s I've been wearing all summer. These are a little more structured, a little more support. Perfect for fall trail running and managing winter snow and ice.

I really wanted pink running shoes. But I tried these on and they were so comfy, and I found myself really liking the bright blue and neon green! Fun colors to brighten up what looks like another longggg winter.

I've been running for about 14 years now, in varying degrees of seriousness. Okay, I've never been "serious". My goal when I compete in a race is to finish-and hopefully not finish last. Thats pretty much it! But thats okay, and thats what I love about running. The only real race is with yourself. Its great for weight control, its great for your heart ( I recently had to go get a stress test/treadmill test and the doctor said he was fairly sure I'm not going to die from a heart attack!) and most importantly, great for your soul.

I'm an outside runner. I will run on a treadmill if that is my only option, but I hate it. I'd rather be outside. Even if its 10 degrees and I'm slipping around and falling in snow berms, there is nothing like breathing in the great outdoors while running. I'm a much better person when I run, calmer, easier to be around, less stressed. I feel better about my body, feel better in my head. Studies have shown that regular, consistant exercise can have the same effect on us as antidepressents. I believe it.

Go get some new pretty shoes and maybe try out a run on your nearby bike path or trail. You'll feel good, look cute in your new shoes, and who knows-you might find a lifelong passion in covering ground, sweating and feeling accomplished when its all said and done.

New shoes also make you run MUCH faster, did you know that? Try it and you'll see!!

Whats your Groupon??

I'm not afraid to say it, I'm a bit of a Groupon junkie. And maybe just a teeny bit of a LivingSocial junkie too, although I don't partake of their deals quite as often as I do Groupon.

My favorite Groupons are the beauty deals (duh!). Some of the deals I've gotten in the past include mani-pedi combos, facials, massages, haircuts, etc.

I love facials, but don't always love the 100+ dollar price tag. So Groupon has been my savior when it comes to facials.

I've been able to get some great facials for well under $100. In fact, I'm scheduled for a facial/massage combo next week-and I only paid $60 for it!!! Nice!!

I was looking through all the Groupons I've used, and in addition to tons of beauty deals, I've grabbed a few great restaurant Groupons, as well as kid activity discounts on things like horseback riding, indoor water park tickets and local shows.

I've only had two bad Groupon experiences. One was a Groupon I purchased for a cut and color at a salon. I've been "between" stylists for over a year now (my stylist retired after a horrible injury while playing hockey-yep, us winter girls are hard core!) and thought it would be a great opportunity to try a new salon. I made my appointment a day before an event I was attending (because I'm brave like that). Unfortunately, the salon owner/stylist called me the day before and cancelled on me. First I was told she had birthday plans that day. Then I was told she was having surgery. Funny how the story kept changing, and I probably wouldn't have been so upset if they hadn't tried to shine me on. I find people trying to lie to me hugely insulting. Luckily, Groupon is AWEsome about crediting your account if you have a problem with any of the services you purchase. So I got a credit to my account, vowed to never go to THAT salon again, and happily used my credit for a Groupon elsewhere.

My other bad experience was with a facial. The girl I scheduled with was so nice, and I felt like she was doing an excellent job. She was doing so well, in fact, that I decided to ask her if she'd wax my brows too. She did and they looked awesome. Until later that night....

 My eyes would not stop hurting, and I thought initially it just must be normal pain from the wax. Then in the morning when I woke up, my eyes were horribly swollen and raw. The skin around my eyebrows had come off with the wax! I don't really know if it was the wax she used, if I had a bad reaction to the products she used on me, or what. And she seemed very nice and knowledgable. I didn't get an email address for her or I probably would have sent her a copy of this picture. Needless to say, I'd be hesitant to return.

Overall though, my Groupon experiences have been excellent! I love getting good deals, but even better, I love the chance to explore different places, new shops and giving my dollars to local businesses.

Oh and speaking of giving your dollars-don't be a crappy Groupon tipper! Remember that Groupon users are supposed to tip on the full price of the service. So if you get a $100 haircut for $50, you tip a minimum of 15 percent on $100! Right? Right!

More and more merchants are using Groupon as a way to grow their business, and it can be a very savvy way for both business owners and consumers to branch out. Businesses can get a whole new client base, and those clients can enjoy a new salon service or find that perfect esthetician!

Get your Groupon. Groups of you, grouping. Oh I could go on and on....

 

 

Latest and Greatest from Sephora

I decided I needed a little Sephora love the other day, so I hopped online and did some shopping! Here's what I got....

For a grand total of just under $60, I received my favorite Clinique Moisture Surge tinted moisturizer, Smashbox eyeshadow quad in "Hazel", Jose Maran cleansing oil and moisturizer, Algenist firming lotion (used 100 of my Sephora points for this), and the usual three free samples that Sephora always includes--Benefits Hello Flawless Brightening makeup, Lacoste cologne and Bumble and Bumble conditioner.
I love this eyeshadow quad~

It was also on sale, I think for $10. A great deal! Smashbox always has great colors, good pigment and goes on evenly.

My only thumbs down was the Jose Maran cleanser and lotion. This is one of the new-ish fads, oil cleanser from Argan oil. I have very dry skin so I thought it would be good. Not so good. It was super super oily, felt weird on my skin and didnt rinse clean. Oh and it got in my eyes and did not remove my eye makeup well. I like a cleanser that is all in one with cleansing and removing eye makeup. I don't have the time or inclination to remove makeup separately. I do like the moisturizer, its a little heavy but for my dry skin it works. If you have any kind of combination skin, I would not recommend it.

Sephora always offers free shipping over $50, three free samples with every order, and you accumulate points that you can save for bigger items or use to try new stuff! They have really good sales and weekly specials too! I've always had the best customer service from them as well, which is huge to me. Go check them out!

Sad days.....

It's been awhile since I've blogged. I just haven't felt up to it, and honestly time constraints have been hellish at my house lately.

Part of the reason I haven't felt up to it is our family had to say goodbye to a very special part of our household. Our little dog, Bella, had to be put down. She was struggling with a heart condition and kidney failure, and at almost 14 years old, I couldn't bear to watch her go through the pain anymore.

Bella was a Brussels Griffon, a feisty little breed with a big dog attitude. She was a Christmas gift from my mom to my daughter, but ended up as more of a family dog. We all loved her dearly.

Bella and my Australian Cattle Dog, Trace, were best friends. We used to call them the Dynamic Duo. Where ever one went, the other followed. They were inseparable. Even at the end when she was grouchy and didn't want any of the other dogs near her, she and Trace would always sleep together on the dog beds. Bella was very brave when Trace was around, she would go after any big dog she saw-as long as she could run and hide behind Trace when they came at her!! He was her friend and protector, and even though they fought like human siblings sometimes, I can see how much he misses her.

Its hard to imagine how much space a little six pound dog can take up in a person's home and heart. Its hard to imagine life without her, and even though I still have three dogs, my house feels empty. Letting them go when its time is the most difficult part of pet ownership, and I strongly believe it is one of our biggest responsibilities. We hold onto them, perhaps for longer than we should, because WE can't bear to let them go. But we have to be able to see and hear what they are trying to tell us when they are tired, and they are ready.

I held Bella in my arms at the vet. I told her she had been a very good girl, that we loved her and we were so grateful to her for being a part of our lives. I told her it was okay to go, that she would be able to run again now, free of all the pain and suffering she'd gone through these last months. I know some people don't believe dogs go to heaven, but I have to believe it. Their little souls are so pure, so clean and light, how can they not?

I made a video of our Bella, just my way of saying goodbye and remembering her.....

The song, "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol, is a favorite of my sons, and he has always said he was pretty sure it was about a dog. So I thought it would be a fitting background song. We will miss our Bella bug, and we won't ever forget her. She was a wonderful addition to our family. Rest in Peace.

Always in our hearts. We love you.

Latest Birchbox

This month's Birchbox was a good one, with some unique goodies and full size treats!

I was happy to see Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner-full size and featuring a pen style applicator that makes it easy to get that cat-eye look. I am not so talented with the liquid eyeliner, but I'm excited to give this one a shot!

Harvey Prince "Hello" perfume sample-This has a blend of meyer lemon, white grapefruit and pink plumeria. I thought for sure I'd love it, since my fragrance choices usually have citrus or vanilla tones, but the plumeria was a bit overpowering.

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint-A nice little sample of tinted moisturizer. I have used various tinted moisturizers over the years, topped with a light touch of mineral powder. It works well, giving a finished look without the cakiness of too much heavy foundation and/or powders.

Color Club Blue-Ming polish-New nail polish is always fun, and I was quick to  try this one out:

I added a little "bling" to it (which promptly fell off while I was at work, oh well....). Turqoise and blue shades are super popular right now, and add pop to any outfit!

Earbuds-A pair of neon earbuds for your favorite playlist. I'll hang onto them, although I prefer the fancier ones that wrap around my ear, otherwise they just fall out when I run.

The other "extra" in the sample pack was listed as Tea Forte Mint tea on the card, but instead I got a sample Lara bar in Bananas Foster. It was yummy!

If you haven't checked out Birchbox yet, be sure to do so. For $10 a month, you get a box of goodies every month, which is a really good way to check out new products. Their website also offers tutorials, specials and other deals.

Fun Finds!

Last weekend I decided to check out Nordstrom's Anniversary sale. I had a gift card saved from my birthday and I hadn't been shopping for myself in awhile. I found some great deals, including this absolutely adorable jacket:

It was on sale for $50 in the Brass Plum. I was a little hesitant, because initially it looked to me like someone had re-purposed an old rug to make a coat. But I gave it a chance and tried it on (sometimes, you really HAVE to try stuff on, it looks so different on a person rather than a hanger!)

Anyway, I loved it and I think it will be a perfect fall coat. I also found this sweater in the Brass Plum:

I had to take a closer photo so you could see the cool detailing. The buttons are really cute and it hangs very nicely. I think it was under $30 if I remember correctly....

I went downstairs to the "grownup ladies" section, a place I really don't shop often (it can be pretty spendy) but I was pleasantly surprised at the bargains there. I found a pair of charcoal slacks by Halogen for $50, regularly over $100. They are lined and cut well, perfect for work or any business-casual event. I didn't take a pic of those but I also found this pretty top!

The tank top underneath was mine already, The color is so pretty and its super soft. I hope it holds up when I wash it, maybe worth a trip to the dry cleaner....

Since I was already downtown, I went over to JcPenney's to see what they had. Since they have re-vamped their pricing (pretty much lowered prices all across the board, with monthly sales on the first and third Friday of the month) there are some great bargains there. I didn't get a pic of the fushia top I bought for $23, but my boyfriend loved it when I wore it to dinner the other night! I also found these necklace/earring sets, on sale for $5 each!!

I'm a huge fan of costume jewelry, I enjoy pieces that are unique and whimsical. I love real jewelry too of course, but I don't like to limit myself to one or two pieces-and thats about what I can afford when it comes to real jewelry!

I probably won't be able to go shopping for myself again for awhile, too busy with the day job and I'm getting ready to take my son school clothes shopping too! Maybe I will blog about fashion finds for back-to-school, and shopping with a 13 year old....

Product Hoarding...its a Problem

So my boyfriend and I have "officially" moved in together, after more than two years. He's been "almost" living here for awhile, but we finally decided to really make the move. Combining two households is never easy, and even worse is....sharing ONE bathroom. And not a very big bathroom. We don't even have double sinks!!!

Anyway, the poor guy doesn't even have a drawer to call his own yet. In the interest of making him feel like he's more than just an errant visitor, and sharing space together, I started looking at cleaning out the product accumulation in the bathroom. I didn't think I had much.....

 Then I started looking around....

Really, its just the average stuff any girl needs. Hair products, tools and cute clips and such....along with nail polishes, hygiene and medical supplies!

I really wanted to give him a drawer to call his own....

I'm just not sure what I can bear to part with!!! I get so many samples and fun products, and I really do like to try ALL of them! I don't like to throw things out, because you never know when you might need that trial size sample of Clinique makeup remover! Or a bright pink lipstick, a freebie in a gift with purchase, for some special event (nevermind that I don't wear pink lipstick, ever!)

I guess this weekend will be spent slowly going through all my beauty supplies and samples, trying to discard those items that are outdated, unusable, or just plain yucky.

Its not easy, letting go of some possible treasures. But considering the treasure I have in my wonderful guy, its so worth it. Besides, he already thinks I'm beautiful! Who needs beauty products (okay lets not get carried away!!!)

This weekend, I'll be hitting up the Nordstrom anniversary sale. I'll be sure to post about what kind of fun things I found. I guess I need think about tackling the hoarding problem that is my overstuffed, walk-in closet next.....sigh.

My favorite mineral makeup

A few years ago, I discovered a mineral makeup powder that I fell in love with. While I've tried a few others here and there, this is the one I keep coming back to. Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup is hands down the best of all the mineral makeups I've tried.

I order mine through Nordstrom. Our local store does not carry Jane Iredale, but they do offer it online. As you can see here, I am overdue to get more!

I like the "Suntan" shade, which goes well with my fair skin but is neither too light (my skin is fair, not translucent!) nor too dark.

Their items are kind of expensive, but last a very long time. I can get a good six months of use out of one compact. You can also order compact refills, which fit right into your compact case and are less expensive (and kinder to the environment) that getting a whole new compact every time.

Jane Iredale products all contain sun protection and don't use any talc fillers. I've ordered several different products over the years, from their concealer/primer (another great product!) to their hydration sprays (these are an awesome finish to the mineral makeup, I can't go without them!)

If you are looking for a long-lasting, excellent mineral makeup, I highly recommend the Jane Iredale line. You can order directly from the company website, or via Nordstrom and other fine retailers.

Enjoy!

Fashionable 4th???

4th of July is pretty low-key holiday around our house. Yesterday was spent grilling and hanging out, watching our neighbors set off illegal fireworks (always amazes me that people do that, so dangerous!) and just enjoying a midweek day off.

Since I like to look at what people are wearing, I decided to investigate images of 4th of July "fashion". Here are the best ones....

The shoes make me think of the Wizard of Oz (in blue) and the shorts, well those look like something right out of the backwoods of Kentucky (no offense to Kentuckians!) Seriously ladies, I hope none of you would be caught dead.....The dress, well I think its a fun costume-as long as people understand its meant to be a costume, NOT something you wear any old time.

And more....

This is a little girls dress and for a little girl on the 4th-super cute! Again, this is a costume-not an outfit you want to subject your child to on a regular basis!!!

Lastly....

These just scare me. Who wears their nails like this any more? And how can you do anything productive with these claws???

Next week, I'll be checking out Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale. I got a special "early invite" as an account holder with their rewards program, and it just so happens I have a gift card that I've been hanging onto since my birthday! (I squirrel gift cards away and give myself little pick-me-ups with them all year long!!!)

I'll post about Nordstrom and what I found! Hope everyone had a fun and fashionable 4th!!!

My favorite workouts!

Today I thought I'd post about something that I have a huge love-hate relationship with. Regular exercise. I know my body needs it, both physically and mentally. I get incredbly edgy when I don't workout at least 5 days a week, and as I get older, my body needs more and more in the way of regular exercise to remain in the slightest bit of shape!

However, I also really like to do a lot of...nothing. I like to lounge in bed late in the mornings, dozing and watching television. I like to lay on the couch, or sit on my back deck, with a good book. My mind often fights any notion of working out, and I can always think of a hundred excuses as to why I just CAN'T exercise today.

Yet, I still do it. And since I know this is a battle that most of us face every day, I thought that sharing some of my favorite ways to exercise might be an inspiration-not just for you, but for me as well!

RUNNING
I've been running since before my son was born, about 14 years now. When I started, it was more like a snails jog. I'm not really much faster now, but my endurance has definitely improved! Running is great because its not a costly endeavor-buy some good shoes and a decent sports bra, and you're set. I also like that I can simply step out my front door-no getting in my car and driving to where I need to be. I can put my ipod on (in public places, no running on dark trails with music in my ears!) and just go.

Those who have thought about running but are intimated by it should read the book "No Need for Speed" by John Bingham. Its a great intro to running and the author really embraces running for fun rather than turning it into a big competition.

And in regards to the competitive part of running, I think that signing up for a 5k is a great way to motivate oneself to run. There are always a wide range of both runners and walkers at ALL races. Many people run simply because they enjoy it, for fitness and for health. Your only real competition when it comes to running is your own head and your own goals.

An interesting thing about running is that it is mostly mental. I have been very surprised by my body and what it can do. Friends who are runners used to tell me "If you can run six miles, you can run 12." and surprisingly, its true. We can always run further than we think we can.

YOGA
Its kind of funny that I have developed an affinity for yoga. My brother is a yoga instructor, an amazing one, and for SO many years he tried to get me to participate. I would, here and there, but just couldn't get into it. It just never seemed like enough of a workout for me, and it felt slow.

Then one day I decided to try a hot yoga class. 90 minutes spent in a very hot, dim room sweating my ass off with other sweaty people! I came out of that class feeling both drained and rejuvenated, almost reborn (as hokey as that sounds).

Since then, I've been going to yoga at least a couple times a week, for almost a year now. I am so much more flexible than I used to be (I am tight as a piano wire for the most part) and my body just feels better.

My favorite classes are the hot flow classes, which use vinyasa yoga and move at a pretty quick pace. I seldom go to the 90 minute classes now, prefering the 60 minute stints as they are a little more manageable for me mentally (90 minutes is a LONG time!). I love the flow classes, and I love the sculpt classes, which involve using light weights with your movements.

BIKING
A few years ago, I invested in a decent bicycle. Its not a top of the line, crazy-expensive bike, but at $500 was not a cheapie from Walmart either! That bike has become one of my favorite modes of transport AND exercise. Its a Specialized brand, Ariel model. It is mainly for bike paths, but can be used in moderate trail riding (like hard packed dirt on flat ground-not ruts or lots of gravel.)

For me, it is perfect. I'm more of an urban girl so my bike riding tends to be around town on the bike paths and sidewalks. When my son was a baby, I had a different bike (still a nice one but not as fancy as the one I have now) and I got a bike trailer, or Burley as they are commonly called, and he and I would go out almost every day.



Biking is low-impact and can combine going somewhere with working out, which makes it less of a chore and more of just a fun thing to do.

THE GYM

Okay this comes last because honestly, its NOT really my favorite thing to do. BUT...I do like the results. It is really important to do weight bearing exercise and to go beyond cardio. When I manage to add weights to my repertoire (I try for twice a week, but with all the other workouts I like to do, sometimes once a week is all I can fit in) I can tell a difference really quickly. My big farm girl arms (DNA from my grandma....) get toned and less fatty, my stomach gets flatter and my legs leaner.

Its hard for me to be in the gym for more than 45 minutes, I just want to get my workout done and get OUT of there, but it serves its purpose. Plus my membership is very affordable, just $19 a month via Planet Fitness.

No matter what kind of exercise you choose, the best thing you can do for yourself is make time to do SOMEthing every day. EVERY DAY!!! Not three times a week. Not when you feel like it. You do it, and you get it done. If I can drag my sorry self out of bed to an 8am yoga class, hating every minute of dragging myself there, you can do it too. And having kids and/or a job is no excuse. When my son was a baby, I had a jogging stroller that I used all the time, as well as my bike trailer. Now that he's older, I try to find stuff we can do together. Today it was a nice 45 minute bike ride and then some soccer drills in the back yard (where I re-discovered that I suck at soccer. My sweet boy tried hard not to laugh at me....) I get up in the morning before work and go run, bike, whatever I need to do to get myself moving. It really is a necessary part of life.

Once the workout is over, you will be so happy. This much I can promise! And not only will your waistline thank you, your heart and other organs will be grateful, as will your mental health. Regular exercise, every day, is the best all-around thing you can do for yourself. So do it!!!

Time...and so it goes

My son and I went horseback riding on Friday. It was a beautiful day, and we had a great time. I'd purchased a Groupon for a trail ride as part of his birthday gift, and figured we better use it!!
Here are a few pics of our day!

I was thinking last night about how time seems to go by so fast, the older you get and the busier life is. How its important, in this crazy world, to remember the things that ARE important. Because someday, all of us will be at the end of this journey. I have tried, in my children's lives, to create memories for them that they can reflect on and hold onto. And I hope they will look back at those memories and understand that even though I am not a perfect parent, my love for them IS perfect, every day and every minute of my life. If they can know that, and end up happy, strong, self-sufficent and productive, I've done okay. I hope.

Family is a beautiful gift, albeit a flawed one. Because when you're dealing with human beings-complex, mercurial, unusual creatures that we are, its bound to get messy. We all have different perceptions on life and how it should be, on situations, on how we were treated and how we treated others. But at the end of the day, I just want my family to know that they are all THE important thing in my life. Despite my flaws, my own issues, my mistakes, my love is always crystal clear in my heart.

Hold onto those you love, and those who love you. Because you never know when the day will come that its your last day, or theirs. Hug your mom, call your cousin, take your kids on an adventure! Life is such a beautiful thing, and giving your family the gift of your time and love is one thing you will never look back on with regret.

Anyway, I'll stop with the rambling and close with a favorite quote:

"This is my one and only life. And its a great and terrible and short and endless thing. And none of us come out of it alive."

Go live. And go love.

Birchbox for June....

The theme for June's Birchbox was "JetSet" with goodies for summer and goodies for travel! Here's what I got....



1. Beauty Blender- A makeup brush and sponge cleanser. Soy based and guaranteed to keep your brushes clean. I usually just soak mine in a sink of warm water every few months, so I doubt I'll be buying the full size of this, but I'll still try out the sample.

2. Comodynes Self Tanning Intensive-I used this yesterday and it works pretty well, although I prefer either a spray (Banana Boat spray tan is my favorite) or a lotion (Jergens is a good one) for my tanning needs. I think this is a great travel item though and tossed the other sample of it into my travel kit for beach vacations this winter...

3. Number 4 Super Comb Prep and Protect-This is a spray-on, leave-in conditioning treatment for hair. I tried it and I think I might be ordering some of this. I always struggle with dryness and frizz (yes because I treat my hair like crap, I know) and this really made a difference!!! I wasn't sure about the smell initially-its different. But not bad different. Just "what is this smell?" different. I liked it after a couple uses.

4. The Balm Cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen. This doubles as both a lip and cheek stain. I'm not much into stains and it was pink, which isn't a good color for my lips....cute little tube though and I bet other girls would LOVE it. It does stay on well, through wine and food!

5. tili bag-Okay how fun is this?! A cute little plastic baggie that meets TSA requirements for getting your liquids through security when you travel. Its really a frivolous thing, since a regular plastic bag works JUST fine. But its SO cute!!!! I'll be using it for sure, and probably ordering more.

6. John Varvatos cologne for men-In honor of Father's Day they tossed in a sample for the guys in your life. I gave it to my guy, but he's out of town so I haven't been able to see how it smells on him. Cologne usually smells quite delicious on his lovely skin though, so I anticipate liking it!

That's it for June's Birchbox. Remember if you haven't signed up, go to their website and check it out. Its a really fun and inexpensive way to try new items. Plus they have tutorials and lots of great sales!

Finally! Review of Dinair Airbrush Kit!

So I've been making vague promises about reviewing the Dinair Airbrush makeup Kit I was lucky enough to win via Denise Richard's website! I finally took the time to get myself in gear and create a review of this very cool product, and I apologize for taking so long. I tried to prepare a review once before but the pictures I took just didn't turn out. And since this is a product I probably wouldn't use for every day, I had to wait until I could give myself both enough time to try the kit properly, but to take pictures that might actually show you how it works!

The kit I received was the starter kit, which consists of these items:

Your "spray gun" with attached motor, a various assortment of foundation tones so you can create your  own unique colors, eye colors and cleaner. It also comes with an instructional DVD and tons of tutorials. I started, after reviewing the tutorials, with a loaded "gun"

My first try was a little messy, as you can see the foundation on my hand. That was operator error and has nothing to do with the sprayer. The technique is you put a few drops of foundation in the top loader of the sprayer. The applicator is attached via a rubber nozzle to the motor, which plugs into any outlet and has a easy on-off switch. Right behind the top loader, you can see a small grey button. That is what you use to control your spray. You also want to make sure you are holding the sprayer at least 4 inches from your face (that seemed to be the perfect distance for me anyway.)

Here's my blotchy "before" face....

I carefully sprayed, using as smooth and even of a sweep as I possibly could. Now this was my second try at using the kit, so I knew not to use too much (my mistake last time) and to apply slow, careful layers. Here is the result....

As you can see, it definitely smooths out skin tone and dimishes those fine lines and spots. I like the polished look this kit gives! It is really the perfect addition for anyone wanting to look super fabulous for a special event or party. My only complaint is this stuff is kind of like shelac! It goes on and STAYS on. Which again, might be attributed to operator-error. I think I'm still a little heavy-handed in my application and need to practice more.

The Dinair Kit retails for about $200, which makes me even happier I won it! I don't know if I'd spend that much for something I will use only for special occasions. But I think for a makeup artist (or someone who wants to be one) its an excellent investment, or if you just love the idea of looking photo-fabulous on a regular basis!!!

I'm very happy to have been able to add the Dinar Airbrush kit to my collection, and I will certainly be using it again. I might even try it on some of my girlfriends if I can talk them into it and they don't start running away when they see me coming with my "gun"!!!

For the Guys.....

In honor of Father's Day, I thought I'd post about men's personal care products! Here are a few things I think are pretty awesome and fun items for your dad, brother, husband, boyfriend or even for YOU!

Neutrogena for Men shave cream is a great choice for shaving.I think Neutrogena always puts out a consistant product, and their men's line is no exception. Especially for sensitive skin, and we all know how sensitive our guys can be!!

Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer is a favorite of my boyfriends. I like it too, it has a nice clean scent and isn't sticky. Containing blue algae extract and sea parsley, this is a manly lotion that us girls can use too!

If you have a tattoed guy, this lotion is the perfect choice for new tattoos or just to keep the colors bright on the ones they have. H2Ocean Ocean Care Tattoo Cream is non-sticky and scent-free, with added moisturizers like jojoba oil and rose hip seed oil.

For a solid and reliable skin care line for men, you can't go wrong with Clinique. Their men's line is tried and true, excellent on all skin types and has a wide range of products for all your man's needs.

And for those who like a little scent on their guy....

This is still a favorite of mine. Eternity for Men by Calvin Klein. Always a great smelling cologne,

and one that stands the test of time (hence the name Eterniity? LOL)                                                  

I hope everyone had a great Father's Day, and you were able to honor your dads, husbands,              significant others, family and friends in a special way. I think a good dad makes for the backbone in many a strong woman, and I hope everyone got the chance to give their dad a big hug (and a cheesy card!)