Been awhile...

I have to admit that when it comes to the blog, I have been mentally M.I.A. lately.  In two weeks, I am getting married, leaving town for almost three weeks, and then upon return, having our reception two weeks later.  Planning the trip and the reception have been exhausting and anxiety enducing at times.  Getting on here to keep up with everyone as well as post, got pushed aside.  Which is too bad because as I read everyone posts, I feel like I have been missing out on a lot!  Traci, I loved your post on AGING.  So sweet and you are such an amazing mother!  Jen, I got a peel last month with the intent to post about but didn't so will do that now. 

Vitalize Peel
I went into the dermatologist on Wednesday for the peel.  They suggested this day because it is supposed to take approximately 2 days for your face to start peeling.  Doing it on Wednesday, will contain the peeling to the weekend and minimize your contact with the public.  From my experience, this is more for the public's protection than yours.  Unfortunately, I started peeling on Thursday with my heaviest peeling day on Friday.  I looked like a freak of nature and on top of that it kind of hurt.  It was raw skin where the old skin had peeled off.  By Friday, I was convinced they had done something wrong and I was going to be scarred for life.  I was never getting a peel again.  EVER!  I spent most of the day researching my symptoms online looking for other horror stories.  Then I woke up Saturday morning and I looked slightly less scary and I was in slightly less pain.  THEN I woke up Sunday and I was magically all healed up.  I had pretty much finished peeling.  My skin was not bright red and raw any longer.  I had this beautiful, new, ridiculously soft skin.  I loved it.  I still do.  It is so much softer to touch.  It didn't get rid of my sunspots as I had hoped it would but the effects are noticable and I will probably get another one in the fall.  The lady that performed the peel suggested I get them once a quarter/season but I am going to skip the summer peel.  In the future, I will schedule them for Thursday.

$$$$
Talk of money always makes me anxious.  I have always had issues with IT.  I think it was last week, an article came out listing Austin as the highest "spending" city in the US.  Austin's annual spending is 77% higher than the national average.  B and I joked that "our" spending (really HIS) is probably triple that.  Even though I laughed at the joke, it is not really that funny.  It scares me actually.  Over the years, I have cut down on my spending significantly.  My god, I could consume!  I would shop every week.  I would eat out mutliple meals every week.  I made a lot of money when I lived in NY and I had a lot of money to burn.  But that changed when I had Campbell, and traded in the money for flexibility.  My problem was that I didn't change my lifestyle with my pay decrease.  I had a good amount of money saved up that is now gone.  And with that, my lifestyle was forced to change.  I get sick to my stomach sometimes thinking about how much money I wasted away.  But all I can do is learn from the experience and hope to never repeat it.  Yet... I am marrying a spender.  B LOVES to shop.  He is the king of the deal.  I need to plaster the Suze Orman quote upon his credit cards.  I honestly don't know what my goal is this month if any.  Again, I get anxious just thinking about it all.  I have told B a couple of times that we need to open up a joint account to pay our bills out of and he hasn't met me with much of a response yet. Hopefully we will get that done in the next few months.  Other than that, I just don't know.  I need to think about it more.

Being Me

I thoroughly enjoyed this month's theme more than I thought I would. I didn't do much different, except try a few samples of various skin care products. For now I'm sticking to my Burt's Bees in the day time and Retin A at night and absolutely SPF 30 every day. I really appreciated hearing everyone's opinions on aging. I just assumed that everyone was as concerned about it as me, but apparently not all thirty-somethings worry about wrinkle prevention like I do. I do know that as I age, I will continue to look for better and more quality skin care and I will have to hydrate my skin more. I ironically wear less makeup now that I have a child and will leave the house without it most of the time and still feel confident, so I must be doing something right. Being 36 does has it's advantages. I think aging, not just physically, but spiritually allows me to know myself more and feel more confident and that it refreshing for me. I am not as concerned about judgement as I used to be even just a few years ago. If this path continues for me then I think by my 40's I may be doing alright and aging then will probably mean something different to me than beauty anyway. It will probably be more about physical health and longevity than crow's feet or smile lines. My goal is to grow old gracefully and naturally. If I ever forget, I'll just pick up a cover of US and see what Heidi Montag is up to.

Miss Congeniality

So, I haven’t posted this month because I couldn’t decide what to write or how I felt about aging. It has really been something I think about every night and when I read all of our posts.

Aging is something that I’ve never grasped. I had to “grow up” at a very young age because of life circumstances and unfortunately, I looked like a grown up at a very young age. I am now dealing with a daughter who looks 18 at age 12. Thankfully, I kept her mental age at 12 as well but I am now responsible for impressing my ideology about aging upon her.

Though I do secretly adore when she tells me how young I am and how pretty I am compared to the other parents of her friends and when strangers remark that we could be sisters, it also starts up my reflections on the long road it took to get where we are now and the fact that I have a very little one to raise in her very big (and admirable) footsteps. You can see in my photo just how incredible she is.

I wash my face, I brush my teeth, I eat pretty well. I have no health problems and I am not overweight. I drink too much caffeine and wine, I have 13 year old stretch marks and I unsuccessfully tried to dye my hair red and it’s now a lovely shade of white zinfandel. I try to exercise, but I suck at it. I stay up too late and I get up too early.

But, I have two children who I can’t wait to wake up every morning just to hear them say “Hi, Momma” and I love spending time with my baby boy and hearing all of the wonderful details about my daughter's day at Middle School. And, finally, after all these years I have a husband who adores me and tells me so. So, I’ll keep washing my face, and doing what I do because the only part of aging that matters to me is keeping the smile on my face.

My Routine

Jessica asked last week what our skincare routines included. 
Here it is:

I have been using Retinol .5 for a year or so now and love the effects it has had on my dark spots.  They have lightened considerably but not as quickly as I would like!  When I went to the derm consult she recommended to stay on the current course I am on. I also use Kinerase but use different products than Shelly.

For eyes: Under Eye Rescue.  I have noticed a pretty big difference in my puffiness and dark circles.  Even though I always feel tired, I don't seem to always look it. 
Also side note: I read recently that when applying eye cream, place directly under the eye but when applying above the eye just put it on your bone directy above your eyelid and it will seep down naturally. The skin there is so sensitive, putting it on directly is too much for it.

For face: Brightening Serum and also the Cream. Along with the face wash as well. They have the Cream with an SPF which I will buy next as soon as this container is finished.

All the products contain N6-furfuryladenine which is a powerful natural antioxidant that helps protect DNA and proteins from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. It is still pretty new to products so the jury is still out on whether it works topically but I am definitely noticing a difference in my skin since I started using it a little over a month ago.

Two random applications that I don't consistently perform are:  In the winter, if my skin is feeling particularly dry or it is cold, I slather on Aquaphor before bed.  In the summer, if I feel like I have been in the sun too much, I slather on pure Vitamin E oil before going to bed.  Both applications leave my skin ridiculously soft when I wake up, but they are so heavy that I don't do this regularly. 

Next up...
My Vitalize Peel.  I am kind of nervous but every review I have read has been very positive.  I am just really nervous about layers of my face peeling off.  I am going to go ahead and hopefully book my appt for next week.  I want to have plenty of recovery time before Cassie's wedding!!  And my own...
(If I am brave enough, I will post Before-During-After pictures!)

spf 100

I'm heading to the beach next week so I just purchased some spf 100. I've been keeping it in my handbag and wearing it on my hands everyday since. I think for me, the sun, and previous sun damage is a major factor in my personal "aging". I used to be a major sun seeker, I grew up on a lake so I was out there everyday in the summer from sunup to sundown wearing bikinis and baby oil on my skin. Yesterday I went to the derma for a cancer check and she said "I can tell you are a real outdoor girl!" Not what I want to hear. I rarely go in the sun now, I wear tons of sunscreen and a hat. But time will march on...

I'm curious about everyone else's skin routine. What are you you using every day and night on your skin? What kind of extra treatments do you get if any?

I recently had a Rhonda Allison peel. I loved it! My skin looked great afterward, and didn't peel that much. The problem is you are supposed to keep getting them every 3 months until your skin looks how you really want it to, and they are pretty expensive (about $150 each). Other than that my derm told me to use dry touch spf on my face, no moisturizer needed because I'm so oily naturally, and a daily vitamin A (she prescribes differin or retin A).

One thing I'm in the market for is eye cream so if anyone has a recommendation please share!

I have some other sub - topics on this issue but I will save for another post.

Old Age, From Youth's Narrow Prism--NY Times

When we think of aging, we're probably all trying to delay the inevidible and find our fountain, but this article from the NY Times last week gives a positive and less appreciated perspective on aging: becoming at peace with loss of loved ones and even one's own death, new-found wisdom, new boyfriends/girlfriends and of course, BINGO!

(final paragraph excerpt) In the end, there is a cost to our myopic view of aging. We imagine the pains of late-life ailments but not the joys of new pursuits; we recoil at the losses and loneliness and fail to embrace the wisdom and meaning that only age can bring. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow captured the sentiment well:

For age is opportunity no less

Than youth itself, though in another dress,

And as the evening twilight fades away

The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.

Read the full article here or click link above:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/health/02case.html?scp=9&sq=aging&st=cse

Green Beauty Goddess in Training

Aging. Getting older freaks me out - I miss my fun, carefree 20’s. I like to think that I don’t really look 35 and that I could still pass for 25. Who knows if this is true or not but it gets me through the day. Since I am only 35 I am NOT going to think about botox or any kind of procedures (I’ll leave that for my 40’s) I wish I had done more in my 20’s for my skin…but I guess it’s never too late to start.

Aging really isn’t something to fear or try and stop and Age doesn't only have to be associated with beauty. It is also about becoming more responsible with everything, most importantly the environment. This month I think I’m going to focus on getting into a skin care regimen, getting better sleep, continue my “not drinking during the week” and really think about my makeup and beauty products and their environmental impact. And I also want to look into some organic home concoctions!

I found this little quiz: Are your products killing the Planet. It posed questions that we should all really think about, especially ingredients in our products. My quiz result is below and my thoughts are in red.

http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/quizzes/q_carbon_footprint

I am a Green Beauty Goddess in Training
You've dipped your toes into some organic, cruelty-free products and are careful about recycling empty shampoo bottles -- congrats! But there's still a lot more you can do to look great while helping the environment. Here are a few suggestions:
� After using your blow-dryer or curling iron, don't just switch it off; unplug it. Appliances like these use energy whenever they're plugged in so you'll save resources (and money) by putting them away. (Think how much neater the bathroom counter will look.) I actually do unplug it after I finish drying my hair because with naturally curly hair, there isn’t much that I do to my hair. I pretty much Blow and Go!

� Buy a cute reusable tote bag and take it shopping with you. Many brands make them in designs that rival any disposable bag. I have 3 cute reusable totes that I bought at Target and I forget them everytime I go to the store or grocery. I will vow this month to start using them again – and get Russ to use them as well. We HAVE to get away from those plastic baggies.

� Seek out brands that use less packaging. Aveda, for example, sells its compacts separately from makeup so you can refill without buying a new compact every time.

� Try out organic beauty products. Certified organic products don't use pesticides when grown, have fewer untested chemicals as ingredients and are less toxic to throw away (meaning less planet-harming chemicals running into groundwater). Plenty of brands like Origins and Physicians Formula carry certified organic lines with products that work just as well as their non-organic counterparts. I usually stay away from pricey brands of make-up…but since I don’t really use a lot of it I think that this month I will look into investing in these organic brands. They are probably better for your skin anyway.

� To conserve water, try turning off the faucet while you shave or installing a low-flow showerhead. Or take baths. (They're more luxurious and use less water.) I am going to try this month to stop shaving while in the shower. I will try and conserve more water.

� Try to cut back on the amount of disposable products you use. For a way to really cut down on waste, try the Razor Saver, $12. This gadget promises to sharpen dull, disposable razors, so you can use one blade 130 times -- much better than using twice and tossing.

The "Consult"

Today was the day of my free consult with the Dermatology practice near my house.  It turns out my vision of a consult is different than their vision.  I was hoping that they would take a look at my skin and say "OK... here is what we recommend for you and this is how much it will cost."  That was not how it unfolded.  The woman who stated her name but not her position within the practice basically went through the services that they provide.  Thank you but I was able to find all that information online.  So I tried the more direct approach and said "I have sunspots right here.  What would you recommend to treat them?"   Her response:  'Well, Fraxel would take care of them if that is in your budget.'   "How much?"  $3200 for six treatments.  Sooooo, not in my budget but I asked her to show me results of Fraxel anyway.  Amazing results but goes so beyond my skin needs that I couldn't even believe she had recommended this to me.  I told her as much albeit very sweetly.  She then recommended a peel for roughly $150.  I asked her about the cost of a Photofacial, which was recommended to me in the past to combat sunspots.  I had done some research on the procedure and I like what it offers.  They use a burst of light (IPL) that targets the damaged tissue and stimulates new collagen.   Fine lines and wrinkles are improved, along with fading of sun spots, and a reduction in pore size. Exactly what I need and I basically had to recommend it for myself.  Anyway, their price is $1650 for 4 treatments.  My damage is minimal and I don't believe I need 4 treatments.  The salon I go to offers 1 session for $225.  As someone who has been getting her tattoos removed for 7 years now, I am well aware that lasers are not created equally and I am sure the same goes for the "IPL" systems.  For the amount they are charging, I am going to guess their system is superior to the salon/spa I frequent.  But I think I am going to try the spa first if I do anything at all.  I have been using Retinol for about a year now and have noticed a marked improvement in my skin andd a reduction in my spots.  I know that my results would not be as immediete as a doctor's procedure but I think that is ok for where I am now.  Finally, my consult was not a complete waste of time because in her services rundown she told me about Dysport.  Dysport is similar to Botox in that they are both derived from botulinum toxin, however the protein in Dysport is smaller so it works quicker and the effects last longer.  Another plus: it is about 4 times LESS expensive than Botox.  I have never tried Botox before and I am a little scared of the process of injecting a poison into my body but I am not adverse to it either.  I think I am going to research it all a bit more and decide what I am going to do in that department.  So that is it for now.  I am going to start researching the Hydrafacial next which is supposed to be taking over the need for microderms.  That might be my next step.  I will keep you posted!!

The Good and the Bad...

The love wrap up, how did I do? Pretty damn good. My fiancé and I took the time to really discuss our marriage and what we want. I actually sent him my marriage post. I was shy about it but I thought it would be worth sharing, and it was. It really gave us the means to open up about our expectations, our hopes and also the work required on both parts to keep a loving and positive relationship. We did the Love Language, via Ashley, which was very eye opening (we are both #1 for Affirmation, but then he is Gifts, I am Quality time, which explains a lot.) We also took time during dinner to go over our Marriage book, full of fun questions like, how will you raise your children? (together) who handles money? (a big one but we reached a compromise) religion and politics(split red and blue down the middle). I know that we will never agree on everything but I feel pretty great about where we are heading and the foundation we have built.

Now on to Aging…hmmm…this is a hard one for me. I hate to admit it, but I might be the baby on this blog and as still under 30 (for a few more years at least) I am not really feeling the effects of aging. Sure, I get hangovers sometimes, but never too awful that I don’t want to drink. I can’t stay out until 3 am and then go to work at 8, but I don’t want to anyways. I have always had bags under my eyes, nothing new there. So I guess instead of focusing on the physical for aging, I thought I could focus on the mental and spiritual. You know, how can I be more mature, more professional, take myself more seriously. But really, that is boring and I am not sure I want to be more mature, professional or serious. So I guess I will be looking for inspiration this month and hopefully my next post will be more productive, as this one is not, sorry.

I'm Too Young To Be This Old!

How many times have you thought to yourself, "I'm way to young to be this old"?

I feel this way daily and I think that is because I have a mental block on the subject of aging. As a 34 year old women, I sometimes think that at this age I should be a little more mature-or hardened to the world. I still feel pretty fearless, hopeful and passionate about my future and I still have this crazy idea that I am going to have all my dreams come true...just a little bit later in life than I originally planned. I don't really feel any different mentally, than I did at 24, but when I look through pictures, I certainly see some signs physically . What I have noticed is that I can't wear short-shorts anymore ( I used to rock a pair), I need to wear one-piece bathing suits and I certainly need to keep investing in good underwear-especially bras.

There are just a couple things that bother me about aging. My mother was diagnosed in her mid-30's with a degenerative muscle disease. We know that it can be hereditary, but I think that my siblings and I are all praying that we will beat the odds. My mom is finishing up her second round of Chemo and steroids now and we hope that this disease will go back into remission and stay there. But, seeing her go through this ordeal again-20 years older certainly made me realize how much weaker our bodies get and how much harder it is to battle illness as we get "up there in age". That being said, I might be a hyper-sensitive to the little aches and pains that occur naturally, like arthritis. Gawd, I HATE it, it is by far my biggest complaint about aging. I sand a piece of furniture for about an hour and then have to endure 5 days of elbow pain. My second biggest complaint about aging is that I can't drink anymore. If I have 3 glasses of wine, I am miserable the next day. It's awful! I used to be able to DRINK, but not anymore.....where is the fun in that???

So, as we journey through this month's subject I want to make it my goal to absorb as much advice and wisdom from the rest of you ladies as possible. I am going to do some research on natural ways to help my arthritis and I will try my best to build back up my tolerance for the booze...just kidding. So here's to a great month and a wealth of knowledge from one another. Cheers!

Happy Birthday to Me (late 30's here I come)!

Today is my birthday FO' REAL! I'm 36 years old today. The number is not a big deal to me, but the physical changes aren't as easy. I have a healthy body and I'm feeling pretty good...not too rickety just yet, although I'm not in the best shape and improvements could be made at a gym (note to self--join a gym).

When I was younger, I could sleep all night and sleep into the morning. This all changed since the time I had my son and developed restless leg syndrome, but I'm trying it almost au natural these days. I used Ambien for about 15 months for insomnia and RLS, but it was affecting my mood negatively and creating more anxiety during the day so I quit it last summer. Now I take Melatonin and some over the counter sleep aid at night and it helps, but it's not a great sleep. Last year I was prescribed anti-anxiety meds (probably a result of the Ambien at night) and I used them for about six months, but I weaned from those last month although I believe they did help and they are the right choice for some people. I'm not even sure why I stopped taking them, but I just felt like I wanted a "cleaner body" so to speak. I'm still moody sometimes, but I try my best to deal with it. My husband suffers most I'm sure. I think all of this just comes from getting older and the hormones in our bodies shifting. We just have to find the right way to shift right along with it.

I got my first gray hair at 27 years old. Thanks Mom. I had already been coloring my hair since high school to suit my fancy and the season, but now it's a necessity and what started as just gray in my crown has quite speedily crept up to the front. They taunt me every day! I don't consider myself vain just because I don't want a head full of gray hair, but we can't all go Emmylou and look as good as her.

The hardest part of aging for me is the sagging facial skin and wrinkles that are all hitting their stride now. I feel like becoming a mother really set it all in motion although I probably would have begun the process anyway since I was 33 at the time. The dark circles and puffiness under my eyes, the "11" in my brow and the "parenthesis" around my mouth....if I could afford to, I'd probably go ahead with Botox injections on a yearly basis, but I'm a stay-at-home mom and I have a hard time justifying the need to spend my family's money on my vanities. For the record, I have no moral aversion to non-surgical procedures such as Botox. My husband on the other hand would not support it. My husband says I'm beautiful and that should be enough, right? Hmpff. I have a feeling none of this will get easier as more birthdays pass by.

This month I intend to focus on finding ways to enjoy (and maintain) what I have been given. I may look for a good book on aging or simply invest in some quality skin care regimen. I am sure I will be inspired by your thoughts and experiences as well. We as women are all in this together.

So, happy 36th birthday to me and many many more beautiful years ahead!

xoxo

Shelly

MARCH: AGING

I would like to begin this month, by giving my parents a big ol' "THANK YOU" for passing on to me their amazing genes.  I descend from a long line of active Long-Lifers.  None of them acted their age nor looked it.  At 35, I think I look pretty damn good.  BUT... I am starting to notice the signs of aging that have thankfully been delayed because of my good genes.  I touched on these issues during our DETOX month.  I am just starting to feel and look... older.  I am a little more tired in the morning than I used to be, my muscles ache if I am been sitting for too long, the circles under my eyes are more pronounced and my skin is starting to lose it's youthful glow! 

I know that the key to feeling young physically is exercise.  So beginning today I am moving it up on my list of priorities.  Luckily I have a wedding and honeymoon to motivate me if "feeling young" isn't working.  Yesterday, I also started drinking Aloe Vera gel again.  I drank it consistently during my detox month and I noticed a significant improvement in the suppleness of my skin.  I don't know why I stopped drinking it but I have noticed the effect it has had on my skin so it is back into my morning ritual.  Also, Wednesday, I have an appointment with Westlake Dermatology for a free consult.  I recently met someone who I would have sworn was in her early 30's.  I later found out she was 45 so I asked her the secret and she owed it all to Westlake Dermatology.  I am not certain that I am going to get anything done (ie peels or microderm) but I am really interested to hear what they suggest.  The one skin issue I have that I have tried multiple products to get rid of are my sun spots.  They have definetly faded due to the use of Retinol but I still notice them so I want to find out some other options to eliminate the evil spots.  I have been a product junkie since I was in my mid-20s.  Due to this and my good genes, I feel like my skin is in much better shape than it should be, and I am thankful for this.  But you can't hold off the aging process forever, so it is now the time to find the right balance of life changes and products to at least slow the process down.