Nobody likes a tease

Right?! Today the temperature reached 72 degrees in Charlotte. I cruised in the Honda with my windows down, sunroof open and breathed in the fresh January air. And it was SOOO good. It's so nice to be able to breathe fresh air through my nose without a Breathe Right strip (which will pretty much be part of my routine come Springtime). However, all good things must come to an end ...and its looking like the rest of the week is going to be 40s/50s and wet. Blech. It was a gorgeous weekend, but really Mother Nature, NOBODY likes a tease. 

In honor of the short lived burst of warm air I went ahead and purchased my first Spring accessory... 

 I'm pretty sure this is the best seller of all gradual self tanning lotions. It is certainly my favorite. I have yet to find a gradual self tanner that doesn't stink, but this one isn't THAT bad. It moisturizes well, is not greasy and really does give you a believable color. Unfortunately I have yet to see any part of my body that it has successfully "firmed". Oh well- maybe the magic is in this bottle :-)

I encourage everybody to use more of this lotion and less "fake n bakes" this year. I had a pre-cancerous area removed last year from my abdomen...which has probably had way less sun exposure than my arms/face/legs. It sucked and was actually the very first time I'd ever had stitches. In light of that situation though I found a fabulous new dermatology office (University Dermatology in North Charlotte). 

Final thoughts: Wear sunscreen. And don't be a tease :-P
 

The Weather is Here...

....I wish you were beautiful...

Sorry, I couldn't resist but to post some good old Jimmy Buffet lyrics. I pulled out my cd box set Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads today in honor of the gorgeous weather (65 degrees in January!!!) and also to start preparing for his concert in April. Soooo excited to see one of my favorites with 4 of my favorite ladies!

Speaking of concerts, I am also going to see New Kids on the Block in July. My sister and I are going to make it a "girls getaway" to Greensboro. NKOTB were definitely a favorite of hers, and I loved them because she did. (Little sisters always copy what cool big sister does). Looking forward to the summer!!!

I'm in a fabulous mood today, mostly thanks to my massage therapist, Deana at Modern Salon & Spa. She is AMAZING. I feel like a new woman after seeing her today :-) 

Continuing on with my favorites, I'll go ahead and get on my soap box about Modern Salon & Spa. I LOVE this place. I have had skin treatments, massages, facials, haircuts and styling done at the Phillips Place and Birkdale locations since I have been back in NC. They use Aveda products which are all plant based and leave your sinuses open and your hair/skin smelling soo good. Amy cuts/styles my hair at the Birkdale location and she is awesome. She always listens to me and is almost always available when I need her. I'll list some of my favorite services at Modern as well as some of my favorite Aveda products below. 

http://www.modernsalonandspa.com/ExploreOurServices/Spa/BodyTreatments.aspx 

The Rosemary Mint Body Awakening Wrap us pure bliss. Partly because they rub you down in the Rosemary Mint Lotion which is one of my absolutely faves. I LOVE rosemary (for cooking, planting, fragrance) and the mint in this lotion awakens every sense you have. 

I have also tried the Salt Glow which is perfect for "Summer Prep". Because I have ridiculously dry skin I always have to mega-exfoliate prior to any real or fake tanning. This treatment does JUST that. I like to follow the Salt Glow with a trip to the Mystic Tan Booth...don't just me because I don't want skin cancer!

I've also done the Elemental Nature Facial. I'm not a huge fan of facials, because I hate the way my skin looks gross afterwards (yes, I know its because the impurities are removed but I still think its nasty). However, if I had to do it again I would get this facial because they cater to whatever you want. 

I always encourage people to go to Modern for any beauty service they need because they have given me 110% every time. Yes its a smidge pricey, but worth every penny. I can't wait to go back to try the Coffee Scrub...after the holidays my dimply thighs REALLY need it..haha!

Well, I gotta go start fixing supper for my hubby who has been "in the woods" all day. I never thought I'd marry a hunter...but hey, at least I had a whole Saturday to myself!

Tomorrow I promise I won't be so wordy and post a couple pics!

A Few of My Favorite Things

I am woman that is all about "word of mouth". If I want to know about a restaurant, hotel or product I almost always ask around at work or friends/family about it first. Sure, the internet is full of reviews and opinions, but I don't really care about the opinions and reviews of people I don't know. I mean, they might be a royally bitter person that can never see the good things about anything. So call me exclusive, but I am not an internet reviewer. With that said, I decided I wanted to blog a little about the things I have found out to be fabulous, can't-live-without, and things that I could've done without. Today's reviews...Beauty Products. Here goes...

Beauty Products, The Good and The Bad

Maybelline  Volum Express "The Falsies" Mascara

http://www.maybelline.com/Product/Eye/Mascara/falsies-volume-express.htm

I am by no means a "make up" pro. In fact, I will go days only wearing facial moisturizer, pressed powder and chapstick. However, recently I discovered this mascara and it has transformed my outlook on make up. This stuff makes my eyes really pop, and I've been asked TWICE if my lashes are real while wearing it. It doesn't clump or smudge, even after 15 hours running around at work. I love it so much that I wear it EVERY day now, even on my days off :-) Way to go Maybelline for making such a awesome product!!

Garnier Anti-Dark-Circle Roller

http://www.garnierusa.com/_en/_us/our_products/product.aspx?tpcode=OUR_PRODUCTS^PRD_SKINCARE^SKIN_RENEW^SKIN_RENEW_DISCOVER^SKIN_RENEW_RTN3&prdcode=P19021 

One word. Horrible. I am a chronic sufferer of dark circles and "allergy eyes" so I'm always looking for a good product to reduce the darkness and perk things up. Before a holiday party this past December I ran to CVS and picked one of these up. It was not only expensive (maybe like $9 if I remember correctly) but it totally didn't work. The concealer in it is the oddest color ever. I don't think it would cover dark circles on any skin tone. AND- it didn't "tingle" or make my eyes look fresh or awakened. Then, to top things off, the top cover of it is so freakin' cheap it leaked all over my other make up when I put it away. Gross. Boo Garnier, for your horrible product. 

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Hair Serum

http://www.paulmitchell.com/Products/PaulMitchell/Smoothing/Pages/SuperSkinnySerum.aspx

My favorite hair product! I am generally pretty weary of "serums" because I don't want my hair to look greased up right after I wash it. However, this serum is so light and smells soo good, I can slather my hair up right before I blow dry and it looks perfect. My hair comes out resembling a close cousin of Jennifer Aniston. I love her, and her hair and any product that can make my long scraggly mane look anything close to her lovely locks. Smooth, shiny and wonderfully healthy looking!

Tresemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo

http://www.tresemme.com/Products/Fresh-Start/Fresh-Start-Dry-Shampoo/

Another huge screw up when I bought this stuff. For anyone who doesn't understand "dry shampoo" it is a must have product. You basically spray it on your hair, fluff your hair up with your fingers, brush it out and your hair looks fresh, like you just washed it. I started using dry shampoo when I discovered that I was ruining my hair by washing and blow drying every single day. It's perfect for new moms, or people who are in a hurry in the morning and don't have time to wash and dry. I use it a lot before work when I am exhausted. Anyway, I am a fan of Tresemme products and have always had good luck with their shampoos and conditioners. So naturally when they came out with a dry shampoo I wanted to try it. Absolutely NOT good. It had a gross strong smell, was ridiculously sticky and did NOTHING but make my hair feel stiff, sticky and thick after I used it. Do not buy this product. It is not worth the trouble of using, then actually having to wash and blow dry to get it out. Yuck. 

 But, since I think everyone should use dry shampoo here is my favorite....

 Psssssst Dry Shampoo

http://www.drugstore.com/qxp308567/psssssst/instant_spray_shampoo.htm?brand=8364 

I mean, how fun is it to giggle and say that you "Pssssst-ed" this morning? The girls at work and I ALWAYS joke about this, and it's thanks to my bff Linny that I discovered this product and live by it now. Like I explained above, it is a dry shampoo that freshens your hair, gets rid of the grease and gives your head a nice clean fresh smell. Some of you may think it's totally gross to not wash your hair and spray something on it to freshen it up, but TRY IT...I promise you will be amazed. Psssst is featured as an "Allure" Magazine favorite and if you try it you'll see why. It can be hard to find, but I've found it at Walgreen's and Walmart only. It is in the shampoo section near the lice products....don't be alarmed its not used to treat lice :-) 

I love this stuff so much I gave a lot of my female relatives a can of it for Christmas. Trust me...you want to try it! 

I am getting a little fatigued so I will wrap up my beauty product reviews for today. Stay tuned for new reviews coming right up!