Email Turned Blog Post

I spend a lot of time emailing friends ideas about skincare products.  And it only recently occurred to me that it might be a good idea to share some of this e-intel with some of you guys as well!  Here's an email I sent to my good friend who feels like she should have started a skincare routine much earlier (the good news is that it's never too late!).  She wanted some ideas on products and wanted me to cut to the chase and to share the good stuff!

Addling links for easy product research!!


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Products:

Retinol:  

Skinmedica Retinol Complex (.25) two times a week and I like it.  

Exfoliate:

Kate Somervilles Exfolikate- really really good.  Pricey but I think it's on the low end of the price scale when you look at products that really pack a punch.  Strong too.  Start off massaging on your skin for about 30 seconds and then leave on for 30 seconds.  You can build up/gauge your tolerance as you go!

Serums:

I just started using No 7 prevent and protect serum- verdict is still out...not loving it.  The texture is too "soft".  I prefer a more liquid consistency and, truthfully, something that smells more stringent.  I reco the K. Somerville Quench Serum.  Look for hyaluronic acid.

Creams:

Obagi is my favorite- but very pricey.  I love the Regenica and the Hydrate.

Cleansers:

I just finished up a bottle of SkinCeuticals gentle cleanser.  It's fine but not sure if it's any better than the Aveeno cream cleanser I just bought.

I went on a Target shopping spree last week and bought a lot of Aveeno products (day creams, night creams, etc).  I REALLY want to be impressed by them, but still not too sure.  I'll let you know at bridge if you are better off going with the good stuff.

And for more retinol intel

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Ok, I know what you all are thinking....  Yes, I play Bridge :)

Reinforcing My Resolutions

Shortly after posting my resolutions list, I stumbled across this empowering piece showcasing Alexis Jones's new book, "I Am That Girl".  

As I grapple with my independence and individuality now that I am a parent, I found that these tips served as the perfect exclamation points for some of my new motherhood (and personal) goals- specifically #2, #3, and #6.

2. Be first. Skipping something you love (The gym? A massage? Girls’ night?) to keep open to plans with your significant other isn’t helping either of you. “When being selfless becomes so automatic that your instinct is to think of others first and you second, you’ve lost grasp of who you are and what you need,” Jones says. You are the priority.

THIS- this could not be anymore spot on for me (and I presume many moms).  Yes, my children's needs come first as they are only one and three.  And my husband is also a priority.  But sometimes I prioritize their "wants" and push my "needs" off to the back burner.  I promise to do better at this as I am learning everyday that tending to my personal interests make me a far better mom.

3. Be hard-core. That job application you still haven’t finished? Do it. “Idleness prevents us from reaching our potential,” Jones explains. Keep your work ethic in check and stop making excuses.

This could not be more relevant for my Quirky aspirations.  There were so many days when I told myself to "just do it" (wish Nike hadn't made that so cliche).  But then life got in the way.  Kids became my priority.  My idea was always on my mind, but always out of focus.  Until one day I just.did.it. I submitted my idea, with a video, and shared it with, what seems like, the universe.  That took extreme courage and a momentary lapse in insecurity to hit "upload".  But I did it and, with extreme doses of positive thinking, I hope that my idea makes it to design this spring!

6. Be resilient. A break-up? Work troubles? “It is precisely when everything as we know it is turned upside down that we have the opportunity to evolve,” Jones counsels. “Life is about moving through those obstacles with grace— and sometimes that involves clenched fists, a tear-streaked face, and some four-letter words.” Buy some (natural) waterproof mascara and keep on keeping on.

Be resilient.  If I actually had the courage to get a tattoo, this would certainly be on the short list- as would the word "grace".  Parenthood is hard and I tend to internalize a lot everything.   I want to stop doing that.  I want to roll with the punches of parenthood as energetically and optimistically as possible.  I do complain more than I'd like, but I'd like to be better at maintaining perspective and appreciation.

Which tips resonate with you??

Here's another link to the article.  Enjoy! 

 8 Tricks for Becoming A More Confident, Inspiring Woman 

Today's Inspiration!

My Resolution List

We can't start off the new year of posts without first dedicating some time to my personal resolutions, right?!  So here they are... my goals and hopes for 2015!

Goals

• Worry less- I have one of those minds that worries when I can't think of something to worry about because I MUST be forgetting something.  I need to stop this.  Now.    
• Limit my "people pleasing" habits- I say "yes"... a lot.  I am a social person and always try to be friendly and affable.  But sometimes I find that it's easy to take advantage of my good nature.  While I don't want to be rude or mean, I do want to work on asserting myself.
• Stop Filling the Silence-  I spend my days with a one and a three year old which means my conversations are generally centered around appropriate behavior, reinforcing appropriate behavior, disciplining over inappropriate behavior, reminding my kids what is appropriate behavior, and why it's not appropriate to hit your baby brother.  When I am not with my kids, I expect my conversations with friends to essentially be one very long run on sentence with contributions made by all parties present discussing any other possible topic other than appropriate behavior.  However, sometimes I am in the company of people who prefer more compartmentalized conversations- ones that have periods of (awkward) silences.  These interactions are painful for me.  I often try to fill the space with anything to spark up a conversation and I honestly don't know how to act in silence.  But this year, I want to master the art of silence (somewhere my husband just sighed, "Finally").
• Host/Entertain more- We've been in our home for two years.  For the last 18 months of those two years, I haven't been up for hosting big get togethers outside of casual playdates- mostly because it's hard to organize something with little kids underfoot.  My husband reminded me that hosting something doesn't mean it needs to be a big, formal event.  Wine, cheese, maybe some apps- everyone's happy.  
• Shop more- Maybe it's because I've been in some form of maternity gear for the last four years or maybe it's because my "business casual" can be defined as yoga pants and sweatshirts, but for whatever reason, my wardrobe needs a major overhaul.  We don't go out much or have tons of social activities that aren't casual, family friendly events, but I've noticed that when we do have a fun event on the calendar, I am rummaging through clothing I purchased half a decade ago!  Recently I went to Lord & Taylor (during an AMAZING sale), and put together an outfit that made me feel more put together than I've felt in months YEARS!  I'm not sure if "retail therapy" is really good for you (mostly because over spending gives me hives).  But after taking the time to go shopping, alone, and only for MYSELF, I felt an independence I hadn't felt since I had kids.  I need to make a note to do that more (somewhere my husband just asked, "wait, what...?".
• Exercise 3x a week- I really have no excuses and I know that my attitude is so much better when I can burn off the crazy that is motherhood.
• Update demo reel (ideally with updated/professional content)

Hopes

1. Quirky progress- This.  Please this.  I am not so sure why I think about Quirky as often as I do.  I think it has something to do with achieving both my deep desire for personal fulfillment outside of parenthood and putting into motion/finding success in an idea that many people glossed over.  

The "odd" years have always been good to me.  I married my husband in 2009.  I had my first son in 2011 and my youngest son was born in 2013.  The even years allow me to "marinate" in my blessings and to be grateful for all that I have.   I hope that 2015 can be a combination of both!

Cheers!