Friday, August 21, 2009

Good Skin


I have been blessed with good skin almost my whole life. I have my parents to thank for that. Birth control also works wonders too for some reason! My only "real" skin problem is having dry skin that sometimes makes me itch so bad I leave red claw marks but this is on my back and I am going to focus on my face for this post. I only had a few break-outs when I was in high school and that was normally due to the infamous hairspray on the bangs, although mine were never the half up and half down variety.
I think smoking, lack of sunscreen and not washing your face at night are the biggest culprits to bad skin. I have never been a regular smoker, I gave up tanning beds in high school, I try to at least wipe the make-up off my face every night, and use good skin products - not expensive, just good.
So for all of you who have never asked my opinion, here are my rules and regimen for good young skin.



1. ALWAYS use sunscreen on your face. My daily lotion has SPF 15. Always have some in your car or purse, just in case.
2. NEVER go to the tanning bed. Get a spray tan instead.
3. If you go out in the sun, use a high level sunscreen. For me, I burn even with 30 on. Apply and re-apply regularly.
4. Don't smoke. It ages you.
5. Use a good regenerating moisturizer and/or serum at night.
6. Use a brand and product that makes your skin feel good.

Since I have been in high school I have been using Oil of Olay. I have strayed a few times but always end up back with them. Yes, there are other brands good or better, it has just been a brand that works for me AND my budget. I would love it if were not tested on animals but when I went the Kiehl's and Origins route, my skin wouldn't stop breaking out.

Now that I am 30, almost 31, this is what I do everyday.
AM -
1. Wash face with Olay Regenerist Pore Refining Cleanser
2. A few times a week I use Kiehl's Exfoliating Wash with Pineapple & Papaya
3. After washing, I use Clinique Toner to get leftover dirt and it feels fresher afterwards
4. A few times a week I use Olay Serum
5. Clinique All About Eyes - very important for my dark circles!!
6. Olay Total Effects Lotion with SPF 15 on face and neck

PM -
1. Wash off make-up with Ponds cleansing cloths
2. Use Clinique Toner to get the leftover dirt
3. Most nights I use, Olay Serum but not every night
4. Clinique All About Eyes - very important for my dark circles!!
5. Olay Regenerist Night Cream on face and neck

Wow, after writing it out, I never realized how many steps it took to care for my face! I'm curious, what are your go-to skin products and tried and true skin care regimen.

Note - I HATED my smile back in high school so this was the picture I chose for the yearbook but I think my Mom has the nicest of the pictures.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Baby Pondering


As I am now less than a month away from my 31st birthday and of course, being a female, I start or maybe continue to ponder the possibility of having kids. I have never been one to feel my biological clock tick tocking away as I have always felt that if it is meant to happen, it will happen. More important to me was always finding the right partner to start a family with. If that didn't happen, then I could always adopt a child or maybe I would start selling my imaginary horses and replacing them with real ones instead. To me, there were always options. It never was, "Whoa as me, I am getting older and don't have kids." I have 3 awesome nephews, although too far away, our new puppy definitely makes you think about the responsibilities of having kids, my parents have never once put pressure on me to have kids, and I am happy and healthy so why worry....now.

Celebrities seem to have babies at any age and give the impression that anyone can too. But celebrities also divorce 5 times, live paparazzi infused days and don't seem to have some of the everyday challenges us normal people have, even though they are just people living under extraordinary circumstances. So, why are they our role models. There are a ton of more complications possible for older mothers and that is a lot to think about. However, it is the miracle of life and all too often it is treated like something that needs to be poked, prodded, judged, tampered with, tested, and analyzed by everyone. To each their own.....as long as it isn't over the dinner table and discussing every minute of what fluids are doing when you are trying to get pregnant!!!!

My life is full of wonderful things and I am the first to admit that my mind often wanders towards the things I do not have yet versus the things that I do. I have wonderful friends who would make amazing parents facing major obstacles just trying to get pregnant. Then I hear of other people who are popping out babies without a worry so they can get a larger welfare check. It's hard to understand why things happen the way that they do but you just have to believe that there is a plan for all of us but we can't just wait for that plan to fall into place, you still have to work at it and take responsibility. I am fully taking responsibility for where I am now in life, where I hope to be in 5 years and how it all ends up because no matter how many kids I may have, or horses :), or BOTH, I'll be happy for what I do have.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Races, Zones and Cameras!

I have never applied to be on a reality show or any show. The last and only time i was ever on television, it was in 6th grade on a local TV station in Maine for making a gingerbread train. To be honest, the second a camera is put in my face, I clam up. I am horribly un-photogenic and sound like a blubbering idiot in my opinion, mainly because I am so nervous. If you give me something to do and I don't really feel the cameras, then I am ok.

First off, I need to make a video with my uncle to send in with our application. Luckily, I have 2 creative directors in my Dad and Aunt that will come up with cool ideas so it isn't just a boring video of us talking about ourselves. I wouldn't say that is my strong suit, nor my uncles. What even attracts casting people anyhow? He's a driven businessman, finished his 1st Ironman at 60, has an amazing family, is a cancer survivor and just overall warm person. Me....well I have a good sense of direction, level headed, like to travel, and might be fun to watch on TV....or really annoying?

So, maybe you will see me on the next Amazing Race, maybe you won't but I will be straying outside my comfort zone just to apply. This is something that I think is really important and every time I have wandered outside this mental zone, it has been one of my most memorable experiences. Of course, thankfully, they all haven't been broadcasted to the world!!!

First blog post

So I have decided to start a blog, not because I feel like what I say is so important but because I think I have stories that others might be able to relate to, questions that others might be able to help answer, venting that needs to be released, amazing recipes to share, and lessons learned about new puppies. It might event just be about a new favorite mascara! Enjoy at your leisure!