create the life you love

summer favorites

A few favorites of mine this summer ...

essie 'waltz' nail polish

I use it on both my toes and fingers and bring my own to the nail salon for my manicures & pedicures. Other favorites include: marshmallow (very close to waltz) and ballet slippers.

 

jergens natural glow revitalizing daily moisturizer

I have been using this all spring and summer and it has become my favorite self tanner. Moisturizes well and has a very natural looking color. Very little 'smell' that most self tanners have - if any at all.

 

Dr. Scholl's exfoliating stone file

I use this in the shower every day and it makes a huge difference with my heels

 

 

aquaphor healing ointment

I use this at night on my lips, cuticles and sometimes my elbows & heels. Great for burns too. I currently have a nice one on the inside of my forearm from the iron. Ugh - I do this all the time, in the same place.

 

laura mercier eye basics

 

Many days I use this alone, with out any eye shadow. It adds just the right amount of color.

 

 

kerastase hair products

I know I have mentioned these a few times, but I can not say enough good things about them! I have a completely new head of hair after using these products for 3 months now. They are a bit pricey, but I found this site, luxury parlor where the prices are lower and free shipping for orders over $99. My friend and I place our orders together to receive free shipping :)

 

dentek brush picks

And, I must mention these brush picks! With these braces, I use them constantly. Not in public ;)

b r a c e s

How cute are these 'preppy' braces?! No... this is not my mouth. I stick with clear bands, but if I was about 35 years younger, I would go for it! The photo belongs to photovirgina on flickr.

I did have an orthodontist appointment today and I am half way through. It's been 4 months and I should have my braces off by Thanksgiving :)

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday ... and 4th of July!

Yesterday, I was at the salon for color, treatments, cut and style. My stylist asked to take a few photos of my hair. She is amazed (as am I) at how it has improved in the 5 weeks since my first visit - much healthier, thicker (looks like I have so much more hair), soft, smooth and shinny. Love the color too. I have been using the products she suggested, Karastase and added a few more yesterday. The products really are making a huge difference with the health and condition to my hair.

OK ... not really anything to do with PINK, but I DO have on a pink top and to be truthful, I forgot about Pink Saturday - I have red, white & blue on my mind ;)

 

 

ETA: I found a few pink photos to post ;) ...

 

{ a card for sweet Elise }

 

{ stationery set gift }

 

To view more of Pink Saturday, please visit Beverly's blog.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend ... Happy 4th!

My New "Do"

Ok ... so I know you all are just dying to see my new hair style ;). Some of you have asked, so I attempted to take a photo to post here. I completely forgot to get a picture after I came home from my 5 1/2 hours at the salon. It was almost 6pm on Friday by the time I was finished with my 'transformation'! I had a number of treatments done, including a de-mineralization and a 'customized luxury Kerastase ritual', which was heaven. Hot towels placed around my neck while a treatment was rubbed into my hair and scalp with a wonderful head, neck and shoulder massage. This was fabulous and I will definitely have this done on my returning visits. Then the hair color - a darker base color (low lights) and hi-lights. A color sealer and toner applied too. My stylist felt that my current color just blended into my skin tones and that I needed more depth and contrast to my hair color. I also had my eyebrows groomed and tinted as well as my eyelashes tinted. Then, the big cut - I now have a sassy little bob!

 

Terrible photos since the lighting was bad and I was in a hurry - on my way to tennis. And, again - I just hate how I look without smiling - ugh, the dang braces

 

 

 

New Hairstylist

 

   

Yesterday, I went to a new hair stylist for a consultation. I know a few women and one good friend that have started going to this stylist and the difference in their hair and overall appearance is amazing ... and they look much younger.  So, I though I would see what she could do for me.  I am all about looking younger ;). I had no idea my hair was in such bad condition, but was told that yes, indeed it was - told in detail for about 10 minutes all the bad things about my hair (over processed, damaged, dry, broken, wrong color for my complexion, wrong cut for my face shape, and my eyebrows have major issues too!). I have very fine, thin hair, which unfortunately has become even thinner as I have grown older. I also lost a bit when I went through my weight loss. I was 'prescribed' hair products by Kerastase that with regular use will help repair and add volume to my hair. The products alone cost more than I normally spend for my highlights, cut & styling with my former gal! I scheduled an appointment for next week (the soonest I could get in) and am scheduled to be there in the salon for over 4 hours! I am expecting to come out looking fabulous (!!) ... well see ;) 

Oh ... and today, I have my bottom braces put on. Now, with both upper & lower braces, I am a total brace-face ;)

Thanks for all the kind words about Griff. I can't believe my 'baby' is going into middle school! We are very fortunate that he will be continuing on at his same school, that we love. Hopefully, he will be there through high school.