Falling Back in Love with My Mascara

This is really just a letter of gratitude to Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes for making me fall back in love with my mascara!!  I have struggled for so long to find the right eye makeup remover- something that is easy to use and doesn't require the energy of a power sander to remove my eye makeup- including my waterproof mascara!

Honestly, before these wipes, there were days when I would just forgo the mascara because the evening makeup removal routine seemed too overwhelming for this under slept mom.  But now, I literally enjoy putting on my mascara because I know it will be a breeze to come off.  This might not seem like a big deal to most, but when my mornings BARELY allow sunscreen, blush, mascara and lip gloss, it's nice to know I can wear it confidently, knowing that, come bedtime, I can remove it with a quick wipe!

So seriously, Neutrogena, thank you!

Because Sometimes You Need an Impulse Facial...

I had spent the morning at the pool with the boys- slathered in layers of sunscreen and my post-pool shower just didn't cut it when it came to rinsing away the grime.

I've been meaning to try a local Blue Mercury and I was thrilled that a) they could squeeze me in and b) my sitter was free.  What are the chances??

I opted for the Hydrating Facial (cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, treatment mask, oxygen blast- huh?, moisturizer ion and protection).

It was glorious.   And it has inspired me to indulge in a facial as often as possible!!

On my way out I picked up this luxurious exfoliation from Delphin.  It is sublime and I can't wait to add it into my regimen!

It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time

So...maybe I was having a tough day with the kids or maybe I thought I was edgier than I really am, but I fell hard for the name Karmama's a Bitch.  But as with all whirl wind love affairs, the flames go out just as quickly as they ignited!

Stay turned over the next few days as I try to think of a name that's more inline with me (bubbly and enthusiastic not dark and cheeky!).

I hope you'll come and visit me at the new URL...I'll post it soon!!

Showering twice a week??

Just sitting here on a rainy day surrendering to the fact that today will likely be a TV day since our regularly scheduled outdoor activities are on hold with this weather...

And I caught KLG saying that she showers twice a week!  

My initial reaction:  ew

My second reaction: huh, maybe that's a good skin secret???

My third reaction: relief- she may only shower twice a week but she takes a bath every night.

I do like a nice and relaxing bath but I think I'd swap my frequencies- shower every night and bathe twice a week.  But regardless I'm not washing my hair everyday ;). We all know how I feel about that!!

So I Tried Spinning...Again

I'm a reasonably fit person.  I run regularly and lift my fair share of free weights and toddlers.  So imagine my surprise when I totally got my rear end handed to me in a 45min spin class of hell.

A friend of mine recently started teaching at a local gym and I figured I'd show my support by joining her 9:30am class.  It was hard.  Like, can't move my legs, the resistance is a joke, am I reading my meter wrong because "65 at six" just...seems...impossible!


From a cardio perspective, it was no problem.  But from a general strength perspective, I honestly just could not compete at the levels my instructor/friend was encouraging.

The weaker me would surrender and just stick to running BUT it really exposed a physical weakness that I need to improve upon for overall strength- mental and physical.

So here is to committing to a weekly spin class.  Even if it's my own personal form of torture.

Fresh Soy Conditioning Eye Makeup Remover

I had such high hopes for Fresh's Soy Conditioning Eye Makeup Remover- mostly because I just ADORE this brand!  But I had some issues with it....

First and foremost, it stung my eyes like CRAZY!  I'm always getting a little bit of remover between the lids and normally it's just an uncomfortable filmy sensation of an oil coating my lens.  But this one actually really stung.  It's more of a cream lotion and I love the idea of a conditioning element for my lashes (and likely some moisturization properties in general for my eye area).  But the sting turned me off.

Willing to surrender to the pain (ugh, the things we do for beauty), I continued to use as directed (dampen a cotton ball, apply remover, and gently sweep over eye area).  Sadly, despite the bold print on the bottle, I found that it struggled to remove my waterproof mascara.

The pros- this smelled delicious and the consistency was really luxurious and creamy (per above, I liked the idea of a conditioning/moisturizing remover).  While it didn't remove my waterproof mascara, as promised, I do imagine it would do a decent job on regular mascara.  And since I almost always struggle to get the waterproof products off, I'm willing to give this product another go.

Recommended: Yes, but with some caveats.

So many goodies to try!

A much needed night out on the town (ALONE!) has resulted in some really yummy goodies to try!  A few splurges, like SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex and Fresh's brown Sugar Body Polish (seriously need to bring in the big guns for summer exfoliation!).  Can't wait to chat about these!!

When in a Funk...Paint Your Nails Blue!

So folks, I'm officially in a low energy, can't get motivated funk!  It's hard for me to rally with the kids beyond cranking on the sprinkler in the backyard (which they have now made into a cozy coupe car wash- yay imagination!).  Still waiting to hear back on a few projects but starting to lose hope.  And struggling to get into my summer routine which makes everyday chores tough to manage. Oh!  And we are now in week 13 of a home renovation (did I mention that I JUST got my washer and dryer installed after 12 weeks.  TWELVE!).

As the French say, "Le sigh".

So I needed a pick me up.  I'm a hardcore pale pink nails for life kind of gal, so I was shocked when my hands went for the turquoise blue!  But here you have it folks- when in a funk, don't get blue, paint your nails blue.