Thursday, January 5, 2012

Winter Skin Help

Hey ya'll! I'm finally ready to get back to posting about beauty products and other superficial things :) Plus I am still laid up on the couch sick. It seems my flu has turned into bronchitis. So looks like I'll be taking it easy for a few more days.

I have discovered some pretty amazing products this winter to help combat dry, icky skin. Here are the one's I can't live without. For now anyway!



1. Philosophy hope in a jar for dry skin
Love this thick, creamy moisturizer. It has been my saving grace for night time hydration lately. I just bought my second jar. Check it out at Sephora.com!

2. Clairsonic Mia 2
I got this for Christmas and I love it! My face feels so clean and smooth after I use this. I feel like I am finally getting all of my makeup off at night and that the products I'm using are sinking in better.  via Sephora

3. SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Mask
My facialist recently gave me a large sample of this mask and it is amazing. It uses B vitamins and Hyaluronic acid to deliver an extra boost of moisture to dry, dull skin. I usually use this one night a week. via SkinCeuticals

4. SkinCeuticals  Hydrating B5 Gel
This gel serum is loaded with vitamin B5 and Hyaluronic acid. (like the mask from #3). I use this serum day and night under moisturizer. It really helps plump this skin and hold in essential moisture. via SkinCeuticals

5. L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Golden Balm Eye Cream
Okay, this eye balm says it's for "mature skin", which my 24 year old skin is not. But it has been my favorite new product by far! What I love about it is how thick it is. My eye area is really affected by dry, winter air. This honestly is the best eye cream I have ever used. It keeps me extremely hydrated and doesn't irritate my eye. Plus you can pick it up at the drugstore for around $17.00. I think this is a steal since it rivals much more expensive creams I have tried. I will definitely be buying this again.

6. Cetaphil 
The old standby. I know I keep beating this product into your heads, but that's because I truly love it. It helps to break down makeup and it doesn't irritate your skin. If you aren't using this yet, then go buy it now. It's under ten dollars so what do you have to lose?

There you have it! My winter skin savers! If you have any product recommendations, let me know!
Have a good Thursday!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Eating Well While Sick

Since I am currently on day 8 of being sick, I have really been trying to stick with immune boosting foods. Today I went with a spinach salad loaded with berries, nuts, and a little goat cheese. I always avoid dressing on salads because of the calorie count. I washed this down with half of a Bolthouse Farms C-Boost Smoothie and lots of water!

Here's to feeling better soon!!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Back to Blogging....

Hi all, sorry for my extended absence from the blog world. Sometimes life throws you curve balls and interrupts the plans you have. So lets start from the beginning shall we?

Nov. 19, 2011- Arkansas v. Miss. State game

No clue why this is sideways!
 Great day. Arkansas won and we watched my little cousin, Garrett, play more in the game than he had all season. We left that night feeling on top of the world.

Nov. 20, 2011- The day our world was turned upside down. At 12:53 pm I received a call from my Dad that I never in a million years expected to get. My cousin Garrett had been found unresponsive in his dorm room by one of his roommates in Fayettville. After many attempts to revive him, we lost our Razorback. Disbelief, confusion, denial... those were just a few of the immediate emotions felt. How could a healthy 19 year old football player just die?? We eventually got our answer in the coming days. He had an underlying heart condition. No one had known. The next few days went by in a blur for the entire family.

Garrett with my two younger cousins at Razorback football camp

Love that smile!

Obviously, Thanksgiving was hard. Watching the Arkansas v. LSU game was hard. Saying goodbye was extremely hard. Throughout the whole thing I have been so amazed at how strong my family is. My aunt and uncle are the most amazing people I have ever met. 

December 2011- started planning for the holidays. Put up the Christmas tree, bought gifts, and learned to cherish time with loved ones more than I ever have.


December 23, 2011- We had Christmas at my Mom's house. I didn't take any pictures sadly.


December 24, 2011- Christmas with my Dad's side of the family. Once again, another hard one. But my family just continues to amaze me with their strength and hope. Something our pastor said at church that night struck a chord. "Let go of the heartache and hold on to the hope."

The hubs and I at my Dad's house Christmas eve.
We released balloons that night as a family for Garrett. Also one of his teammates/best friend and his family joined us. That really made everyone happy. Especially my Memo.

December 25, 2011- We had Christmas at Gabe's parents house. My in-laws did a wonderful job making me feel like a member of their family on our first married Christmas. At first I thought it would be extremely hard not to see any of my family on Christmas, but I made it through.

Once again, no clue why this is sideways. Too bad, because it's actually a good picture of us!
Honestly I'm relieved the holiday's are over. On December 30th we celebrated my Hubby's 25th bday in Memphis. No pictures because I was laid up in bed the whole time with the flu. Which brings me to today. On day 7 of being sick and I'm just hanging out on the couch. That's why I thought now was a good time to start blogging again. It's a new year. Time to hit the refresh button and look forward to what is hopefully a better year. I am honestly full of hope for 2012. Not just for me, but for my family and friends.

Yes it will! :)
Happy New Year to all of you!