Monday, April 27, 2015:

Post Race Day Perk!! And Some Monday Motivation!!


So I ran my 13.1 miles.  The course was flat and fast so despite a fear of underpreparedness, I was still happy with my time!  Now it's time to pamper my tired toes!! Hashtag: everything hurts!!

One goal accomished- now it's time to get back on track with the others!!

I just read this great post from Barbara Barna Abel- one of my valuable media mentors.  I want to be a dreamer AND a doer- James Marshall's insights into the success of "The American Dream Project", as shared by BBA, inspire me to take "just the next step" in reaching my own personal goals!!




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Thursday, April 23, 2015:

Gearing Up For Race Day!!

This Sunday I will be running a half marathon that I feel completely unprepared for.  I hate to say that because I think really what I am doing is managing my own expectations and making proactive excuses for a bad performance.

It is what it is and I will do my best and own my level of preparedness.  I just hope I finish!!

So here is to some good tapering over the next few days and a good race day!!

And at the very least, it is 13.1 miles of peace and quiet!
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Tuesday, April 21, 2015:

New Skincare Goal

Wear more make up.  That's my goal.  I acknowledge that just the other day I was sharing the TODAY Show data that suggested a few makeup free days are better for your skin.  This data makes me feel better about the fact that sometimes I just don't have the energy!

But on the days when I can pull it all together (nothing over the top- tinted moisturizer/sunscreen, bronzer, blush, mascara), I feel like I have some element of control in my otherwise chaotic life!!



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Friday, April 17, 2015:

Great "Skinsights" from PCA Skin Care

Last night I needed to refuel my "skintelligence".  I plugged in a few google search terms, stumbled upon some very interesting (albeit outdated) articles, like this one and began to peel through the inter web for more skin savvy science.

I want to dig deeper to find more scientific intel about skincare and healthful aging- in other words, I want to know more than the "what to use" on my skin and more about the "why to use it".


I navigated myself to an Allure microsite (maybe?) for PCA Skincare- Skin Better.

Of course the title had me immediately, but I was discouraged when I saw the commerce element and thought that this site was a promotional bust....UNTIL I saw the Skin 101 blog roll.

The content is top notch!  Really great intel from doctors and industry experts.  There are actionable tips that you can do everyday along with information on the more in-depth skincare practices that you can do in a doctor's office.  I was really impressed.

The format is fantastic too.  As I scrolled down I could focus on the skincare areas that were relevant to my own personal challenges- For example, insights on retinol- Yes, please!  Great Skin Brightening Ingredients- Not yet.

Last night was my first experience with this site and I am curious to see how quickly content is updated/generated- looks like it was last updated about 4 weeks ago.  I'll keep an eye on it in the hopes that more breaking beauty news will be shared!

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Tuesday, April 14, 2015:

Motivation Monday (except it's Tuesday....)


So in between the crazy chaos that is parenthood, I have some pretty lofty career ambitions- ones that seem way too impressive to wrap my head around, but ones that I am dedicated to nonetheless.  I am really hoping for some Quirky movement- how amazing and fun would THAT be.  And a very close second (if not tied for first) ambition is to be a beauty brand ambassador for QVC.  I am currently on the Beauty Guest Host roster, but I am desperately hoping to be paired with the ideal brand- a good match!

When I get so busy with my current situation- children's schedules, chores, and activities (one that I embrace with humility and gratitude), I sometimes get a little cagey and dig around the inter webs for opportunities that might help support my larger goals.

I've had castings and content-shares with National Geographic (Brian Games), October Films (Confidential Pilot), Mom.me, along with a few smaller publications.

But every now and again I reach a crossroads.  Sometimes it seems that there just isn't any traction.  Or worse, there was so much momentum and all was exciting and great and hopeful...but then radio silence.  Not necessarily in terms of bookings, more in terms of audition opportunities.  I find nothing more thrilling than discovering a casting, submitting my materials, and spending the next few days full of incredible optimism.  Honestly, the only thing better than the audition/application process would be the booking process!!

So when I am feeling discouraged and a little ping of self-doubt starts to creep in, I sometimes have to take a minute to find out if I have the motivation....what is the best move for me, my family.  Should I "walk away or try harder".  Luckily, as I've mentioned before, I am terminally ambitious.  So the answer is ALWAYS.  ALWAYS....


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Monday, April 13, 2015:

Doctor's Vitamin Dose

I went to a primary care physician for the first time in nearly FOUR YEARS!!

As the cliche goes, I've been so preoccupied with maintaining the health and routines of everyone around me that I really failed at prioritizing my own health.

I generally have a healthy lifestyle but I really wanted a baseline.  The good news, all is well and good!

We discussed vitamins and supplements but beyond a daily vitamin and an occasional B12, I haven't really experimented with much (ok, and Vit E for my skin).

The doctor provided me with this spiffy note which was super helpful.  And since I had the sitter for another hour, I high tailed it over to my local Shop Rite and loaded up.  

I wanted to share it here in the event that it is helpful!

Note: I'm not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.  Make sure you get the go ahead from your doc before trying this vitamin cocktail.  


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Tuesday, April 7, 2015:

I Love Mud :)

Somewhere between the morning sleep-ins at the amazing Calistoga Ranch and daily wine tastings (more on that later), my husband and I managed to sneak in a little morning mud bath and massage action at Golden Haven Spa in Calistoga, CA.

I was a mud bath novice and really didn't know much about the therapeutic and aesthetic benefits- I just thought it would be a fun thing to try while touring the natural geothermal area and enjoying its wine!



On a wine-free morning we popped in to downtown Calistoga, grabbed a quick breakfast at the Village Bakery and off to the spa we went!

The initial experience was a bit untraditional- we arrived at a small motel and the spa waiting area also served as the motel's reception area.  So super casual for a "spa" but I sort of loved the unpretentiousness and chill napa vibe as we were escorted to our private mud room.

Upon entering, my first reaction was to cringe at the obvious sulfur stink emanating off of the mud- it was combined with a lemon lavender spray that evolved into a natural earthy smell so while not your traditional aromatherapeutic experience, I appreciated my authentic earthy and organic ambiance.

We had our own private spa attendant who instructed us to remove our clothing and valuables which we left in little green mesh bags.  She explained that the bottom of the mud baths were extremely hot (they really are!) and that we needed to enter "behind first".  I'll give you a minute to embrace THAT visual.

So mud baths are big.  I'm small.  This was interesting and could have resulted in a face plant had my reach of faith not go according to plan.  

So let's talk about the buoyancy of mud.  You float.  Honestly, without wiggling and intentional submersion, you float.  WHO KNEW?!

So now let's talk about mud baths.  They are hot.  Like SUPER hot.  So wiggle cautiously!  After breaking the surface and settling in, I found that tiny movements would agitate small hot pockets.  A high five to my husband who prefers his showers just above freezing- a true act of love to endure a mud bath at 100+ degrees.

After we had securely suctioned ourselves into the mud baths, our spa attendant returned to really pile on the mud, apply a clay face mask, and offer a cold compress for our foreheads before she sprayed another refreshing lemon lavender mist.  We settled in to soak for another fifteen minutes of peaty heat!

A bit about the health and beauty benefits of mud baths:
  • The heat of mud baths encourage relaxation of muscles and joints
  • The combination of volcanic ash, clay, peat, and hot spring mineral water detoxifies the skin
  • The suspension of the body in the mud further deepens relaxation
  • The sulfur, chloride, fluoride, and volcanic ash are believed to help with your complexion
  • And for my fellow germaphobes- they don't really drain and clean the mud baths after each session- this was sort of hard for me to get around but my passion and dedication to research in the skincare arena helped me get over it- someones gotta make the sacrifice, right?!?  Ok, so according to the spa attendant, the peat has a natural antimicrobial property and along with the high temperature heat of the mineral water that is used to flush the mud, they've never had any issues with state inspections.  Let's just go with that and throw science to the wind!
So that's fun!

After our mud bath session, we exited the baths (carefully) and went on to rinse off in the natural mineral water from the springs.  One tip for the novices- mud. mud EVERYWHERE.  

So after rinsing we then were invited into a personal mineral bath jacuzzi which further encouraged muscle relaxation.  And finally we rested in a cool wrapping room.  Between the mud and the jacuzzi, you get pretty hot!!  The cool wrap room helps you to cool down and rest.

We paired our morning mud bath with a full body massage- which was heavenly!  And highly encouraged for deep tissue work as our muscles were already well relaxed and warmed up from our muddy morning!

Ok, so what do you think- would you partake in this muddy goodness for the sake of beauty?!
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Saturday, April 4, 2015:

Golden Haven Mud Baths!

More on this later.  I ❤️ mud.

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