January 26, 2012

Food for Thought

My husband and I own and work at Bola Pizza so I have been spending many of my Saturdays at the downtown Austin farmers’ market. Admittedly, it can be hard to get up early on a Saturday when I’ve already woken up before I want to the five previous days. However, it has been a boon for the way that I eat. I am able to buy fresh, just picked fruits and veggies. Free range, humanely raised eggs, local bison, goat milk, a fantastic assortment of local cheeses and some other must haves I’m surely missing.

In my early 30’s, I made an effort to eat healthier and pay more attention to where my food comes from. I shoot for no GMO and as little pesticides as possible if not organic. I can’t always afford organic and many of the farmers at the market use organic practices, but aren’t certified. Now, most of my produce, all of my milk and most of my cheese come from the market. Of course this is all great for my inside, but I didn’t realize how it would impact outside. My hair has gotten thicker. Not kidding. What used to be a just over a dime-sized ponytail is now a bit over a nickel. My stylist has commented on it the past couple of times I’ve gotten my hair cut and she’s been taking care of me for seven years.

January 22, 2012

suki spa facial lift ultimate firming cream

Sigh. suki, I thought we broke up after that eye moisturizer incident. That and I haven’t been very impressed with your other products like mascara and clay mask. I see now that you’ve been quietly working away to make me eat my words. Well played. You win.

Christine at W3LL People talked me into trying this daytime cream. This is not a cream in the traditional sense. It comes in a pump and has a fairly light consistency. I’ve been using it three months now and I am so impressed. It seems a little heavy when I put it on, so I need to pat it in more than the Arcona Youth Serum it has replaced. The extra time is well worth it. After a few minutes, my skin is velvety and not at all shiny. Though it feels heavier going on, it has completely balanced oil production in my skin. I don’t get oily during the day anymore–it’s the exact opposite of the slickness I thought might happen.

My skin texture and clarity have improved. I had a couple little sun spots around my nose that have disappeared. I haven’t noticed any extra plumpness, but I’m not sure I’ve lost any yet to notice. My skin is less red when my allergies are bad. I have had at least five people tell me I look radiant. This does not normally happen.

I thought I would use Youth Serum for the rest of my life, but this product outperforms it. Though it hurts my budget. My bank account cries a little every time I buy it. (I just bought a new one and will be more conservative with it. I was so excited when I first started using it I was putting it on day and night. I can’t believe I went through the whole bottle in a bit more than three months)

Where I got it: W3LL People, 215 S Lamar, Austin 78704.  What it cost:$150 (!!!)

December 29, 2011

Rae Lush Silk Mascara

Yippee! I have a new best in the mascara world. The Lush Silk Mascara from Rae Cosmetics is my new favorite. I do still end up with a little under my eyes at the outer corners by the end of the day, but I call it my natural smoky look. If I don’t feel like looking a little smoldering, I use a tissue with just a light swipe and it’s gone.

The color is a nice, rich black. The brush is great. It’s full with bristles that are long enough to reach all of your lashes. When you first open it, it’s a little goopy, from excess product sticking to the tip of the brush, but this is an easy fix. To make it last as long as possible, I lightly brush powder under my eyes and on my lashes. Go very light with the powder or it will settle into the creases under your eyes and make you look older. I apply the mascara as close to the base of my lashes as I can get without coming into contact with my lids. Getting the mascara too close to the natural oils in your skin will make it break down faster and run. I use a little jojoba oil to take it off at night.

Where I got it: Rae Cosmetics, 1206 W 38th Street #3102, Austin, TX.  What it cost: $17

December 28, 2011

Staycation All I Ever Wanted

Today was the end of our stay at the W Austin hotel in the 2nd Street District. It was a very relaxing stay. The staff at the W are friendly along with being top notch. The beds are divine.

Yesterday, was my day of pampering. I spent three whole hours in the AWAY Spa. They had a fantastic package deal I took advantage of: 45 minute massage, 45 minute facial with a pedicure finale for $200. Yes, $200 for three services in one of the most beautiful spas I’ve seen. The walls are gray, the lighting soft, the music current, but unobtrusive. Nice large steam showers. If you book spa services, you also have access to the pool area, though it being winter, I just took a tour.

Brandon was my massage therapist. Thanks to him my lower back is healing. Holiday traveling and lack of back support really took their toll on me. Brandon managed to focus on my back while still having some time for the rest of me. I am simply amazed how good I feel. I am very grateful to him. Please note, I paid a small upcharge for a deep tissue massage instead of the Swedish offered in the package.

Stephanie was my esthetician. She has a warm, soothing voice. She alternately massaged lovely smelling cleansers, masks and moisturizers from the GM Collin skin care line into my skin while explaining what they were for and no sales pitch. This line uses plant and marine extracts to heal, repair and moisturize skin. My skin was smooth, plump and glowing when she was done. No redness or blotchiness to worry about covering up. The only drawback is GM Collin uses parabens as preservatives and I’m not making that part of my daily routine again.

Jan handled my pedicure and she steered me toward a great color from the new Essie collection, School of Hard Rocks. It’s got a turquoise undertone you can’t see in the photo. Very unique. Pedicures tend to be my least favorite service. I’ve had too many enthusiastic pumicers, and I tend to avoid getting them in favor of doing it myself. Jan was sweet and gentle with my feet. My toes are the most fashion forward part of me as I sit here writing this post.

I will definitely be going back.  What it cost total: $230, plus tips.

November 30, 2011

Mineral Fusion Lengthening Mascara

The search for the best natural, paraben free mascara continues. I tried this brand because I love the Mineral Rescue deep conditioner. I was hoping one love would lead to another. Alas, it did not. The color and texture of this mascara is great! It’s not too wet or too dry. The brush is really nice and grabbed all of my lashes. 30 minutes later, I had flakes below my eyes. I didn’t even leave the house. I tried it again and again with the same result. It flakes way too fast for me.

Where I got it: Central Market.  What it cost: About $15.

November 27, 2011

Wash Not Want Not

Some old advice I’ve been hearing for years is not to wash your face in the morning.  In fact, in my twenties I had a girlfriend that sweared by this and she never broke out.  I was such an oil slick, I couldn’t imagine how it could work.  I’m on my third month of not washing my face in the morning–well mostly.  Occasionally, I will wake up a bit too oily and do a very, very light wash.  The soap touches my face for mere seconds just to take off a little.  This is usually after a very exercise intensive day.

Here are my results: The first week was the hardest as I believe my skin was rebalancing.  I got extra shiny around midday.  No big, just blot a little.  By week two, I had settled into a rhythm and the pores on my nose seemed smaller.  (Yeah, I don’t get it either.  Maybe because they’re not pumping out as much oil?)  From then on, I’ve noticed less “combination skin” where I’ll have a little dry patch or redness.  I have not broken out at all which seems miraculous to me.  And, I’m saving on product use.

November 21, 2011

Dreams not skin 1

Last night I barely slept.  I ran through all of my dreams.  Grass fields, tall weedy fields, cornfields, boxwoods, hedges always running.

I kept going.  I realized I had just run to the end of a maze. It was shoulder high so I could see beyond the path I was on, but there was no path out.  It was then I realized I wasn’t the only one there.  I could see other people, all shoulder height in their own maze.  Like me staring at the green wall in from of them.  Close enough to see each other, too far to shout any real communication, not interested in turning around.

Malaise?  Ennui?  Ambivalence.  What was the real difference between being trapped at a shoulder height green wall and have to relive everything we just ran through.  That is the first level of Hell.

May 17, 2010

The Washcloth

I’m going to tell you something your granny knows. All a girl really needs is a washcloth.

Ok, so we can spend all this money on peels and scrubs and microdermabrasion products. What are they doing? Lifting dead cells off your face. What works, but doesn’t cost an arm and leg? A hint: all you need are 7 – 10, and they’re cheap!

Take your washcloth every morning, or every other. Wet it, apply your favorite face cleanser. Gently (no scrubbing!) move the washcloth over your face in tiny circles. It will feel good with light pressure. If you turn red, you’re pressing too hard. Not only do you get gentle exfoliation, but a nice face massage in the process. Rinse. Feel refreshed.

To save on laundry, I fold mine into four sections and only wet that section. Use the next clean section the following day.

April 22, 2010

Sleep Deprived

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We all need more sleep. I know I need WAY more sleep. At this point, I think I could sleep in for a week and still take naps in the afternoon. I’m sure plenty of you feel the same way. Stress is an ugly thing.

Instead of downing an entire bottle of wine by myself, I try to have healthy sleep habits: going to sleep at the same time every night, having my bedroom dark and quiet, thinking about all the things I’m grateful for, etc. There are still times I can’t settle down.

Previously, I would just freak out. I’ve tried melatonin, Tylenol PM, Ambien, too many to name. But, they all make me feel weird the next morning or I have the scariest, most unsettling dreams I feel like I haven’t slept anyway. Who needs their sleep remedy to cause tiredness? Isn’t that irony?

So far, Bach’s Rescue Sleep works pretty well. It is a little like alcohol like when you drink too much, you wake up when it wears off. So, be prepared to have to give yourself another dose. I use only one spray because two makes it much more likely for me to wake up in the middle of the night.

Where I got it: Central Market.  What it cost: About $12.

April 20, 2010

Lovely Hands

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The picture isn’t that great, so what’s above is Aura Cacia Organic Sweet Almond Oil.

We’ve all heard what gives away age the most is our hands and neck. The neck is pretty easy to take care of. You treat it like your face and always use sunscreen. Hands are little more difficult. I put sunblock on them when I’m out on the weekends, but they do get a bit neglected. I tried for maybe a couple of days to use the same treatments on the backs as my face, but let’s be real. We wash our hands too much, or brush our teeth or life happens. I can’t seem to let the expensive stuff sink in.

I am trying Sweet Almond Oil because it’s high in antioxidants and moisturizing properties. I put it on right before I go to sleep. I have noticed a little less dryness. The biggest change is my cuticles are awesome! I can’t tell yet if it’s psychosomatic, but I’m pretty sure my nails are looking nicer, too.

Where I got it: Whole Foods, 6th & Lamar.  What it cost: About $17.

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