Updates and looking ahead...

Worst. Blogger. Ever.

August 5th. That was my last post?!?!? I really need to get my act together. My dad's always talking about how all I need is a balcony where I can pontificate properly. This blog is my virtual balcony. Ha!

So autumn came and went. So did the holidays. It felt like the Christmas season flew by ultra fast this year probably because Thanksgiving was so late. And now it's mid-January and my dining room table is still decorated for Christmas. I'll get there!

I finished my 90-day cycle of Chalean Extreme in September and since then I've been alternating between the Push and Lean circuits every week or every other week. Never in a million years would I have expected my body to respond better to weight lifting than cardio. But it did. I still do cardio twice a week and run occasionally (ran 5 miles on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) but my body loves weights. I've had my Bowflex SelectTech's for around 6 months now and use them almost daily. Love. P90X3 is out and Chalene's supposedly announcing a new program this summer. I plan on completing both programs this year. Ambitious!

My beauty stash is INSANE. I've cut down on purchasing products because:1. I need to save $.2. Chances are I already have something similar in my hoard.My weakness is Limited Edition collections/products. I really need to put together a list of 2013 favorites. Really. I'm gonna shoot from the hip and list what's currently on my mind:
Music: Country and Deadmau5. The old country stuff is ok but I love a lot of the songs currently charting on iTunes. I bought my mom this Garth Brooks boxed set for Christmas and need to "borrow" it soon so I can upload it on my iMac. Deadmau5 can do no wrong. My dream is to see him perform live. Amazeballs. Country music and EDM. Strange combo huh?
Makeup: Stila Kitten eyeshadow, Milani Luminoso blush, Ben Nye Banana Powder, Wet n Wild Balm Stain in Nudist Colony and MAC Pro Longwear Concealer (I have shades NC20/NC25). I'm on board for anything that makes my skin look like it's glowing. Side note: the pump on the MAC concealer dispenses way too much product. Totally wasteful and annoying. I haven't figured out a way around this issue yet. 
Fragrance: Viva La Juicy and Viva La Juicy La Fleur by Juicy Couture. 
Food: Tofurkey Italian Sausage and peppers. My favorite weeknight dinner. I roast a bunch of peppers on weekends so I can microwave dinner during the week. Dinner's ready in less than 5 minutes. Easy peasy. 
TV: Pretty Little Liars, Dexter (the series finale was the only episode in the series that I found disappointing...le sigh), Dracula (Jonathan Rhys Meyers can sink his teeth into me whenever he pleases) and Friday Night Lights (Texas Forever!).

Big changes are coming in 2014. I'm getting my place ready to put on the market!!! Once I have a buyer my plan is to start looking for a new job in Philly and buy a house in the 'burbs outside Philly. I'm over NYC and my apartment. I've been here 5 years and cannot wait for a change of scenery. My supercool co-worker told me tonight that "it's time to get the hell outta Dodge." Amen.

Fitness update, Argan oil and Maracuja oil.

Happy Monday! The weather here in NYC has cooled down quite a bit over the past few weeks and I'm loving every minute of it. To celebrate an early autumn savor what's left of summer I scheduled a few days off from work so this is my last five day work week till the second week of September. Freaking sweet indeed. I started my fourth week of ChaLEAN Extreme today. My oh my how time flies! I'm due to "graduate" to the Push Phase next week but since these just arrived late last week I'm going to wait a week or two before starting the Push Phase. There are two "rest" days built into the program but instead of resting I like to switch things up with P90X2 Balance + Power, Jillian Michaels' No More Trouble Zones or Extreme Shed & Shred or another round of ChaLEAN's Burn Intervals. There's a lot of debate out there regarding the benefit of "rest" days but I really don't feel like I need the break. I feel great. Physically and mentally. The fact that I've been eating really clean lately helps. Big time. I try and follow the 80/20 diet though an 85/15 or 90/10 ratio is what I strive for. Here's some fitness and nutritional motivation:

I received this deluxe size sample of Josie Maran's Argan Oil Light last week w/my Sephora order.

The bottle may look small (.16 fl. oz.) but a little oil goes a long way. As an added bonus you can refill the bottle as it's the perfect size for travel. I LOVE this stuff. It made my skin feel super soft and hydrated. I'm interested to see how much heavier Josie's Argan Oil is. As luck would have it Tarte's Friends & Family sale is on so I took advantage of the 30% discount and ordered the Pure Maracuja Oil and the Maracuja C-brighter Eye Treatment. Score! My plan is to use the Argan oil for a month and then switch to the Maracuja oil. That should give each product enough time to work its magic! Have you tried both oils? Do you prefer one over the other and if so, why?

Throwback Thursday & My Current Makeup Routine.

I can't believe August is already here! Autumn's right around the corner though you'd think it was in full swing walking through the stores these days. I'm ok with that. Really. I actually love it because Autumn's my favorite season. A post/posts to follow on that topic in the future but moving right along to tonight's post I wanted to show you guys one of my favorite pair of earrings from the past along with the products I've been reaching for pretty much every day when doing my makeup.

Remember these earrings? I do! Received my pair sometime in the early '90's when I was in (gasp!) high school. I remember these were sold in silver (white gold?) or yellow gold and you also had a choice of the hoop shape and stone colors. Mine are yellow gold, oval shaped and each hoop has a clear/pink/lavender crystal. Since I'm pretty careful handling/storing my jewelry these hoops have really stood the test of time considering how much I still wear them. I would looove to find a pair with a big round hoop and clear crystals...

If the day of the week ends in "day" it's pretty much a given that I'm running late for work. Good thing I only work Monday-Friday because the weekend really gives me time to play with my makeup and experiment w/new looks. I like to keep things simple on weekdays so I separate these products from the general population to save time. No guessing means no searching and digging.
Primer: Revlon Photoready gives me a nice smooth canvas for my foundation. I posted a pic on Twitter of the Benefit Stay Flawless primer I recently purchased but I had to put it on the back burner after I "discovered" the Photoready while sorting thru my makeup over the weekend.
Foundation: As you can see I'm STILL using the Giorgio Armani foundation (review here) which has around 2 or 3 uses left. Hallelujah.
Concealer: To cover blemishes and dark spots I use Maybelline's Super Stay 24 hr. Concealer in Medium Beige. The formula's great and even though the shade is a bit too dark for my NC25 skin it's not visible once you blend it out.
Powder: Almay's Nearly Naked Loose Powder in Light/Medium is the perfect shade for me. The price is right too!
Blush: Milani Baked Powder Blush in Luminoso or MAC's Extra Dimension Blush in Bareness. Luminoso is a gorgeous shimmery peachy coral and Bareness is a lovely nude with a sheen that just makes your skin glow. My Ecotools brush blends everything out like a dream.
Highlighter: My new Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminzer in Rose Gold Shimmer gives my skin some added glow.
Eyeshadow: MAC's Painterly Paint Pot (reviewed here) preps my lids for a swipe of Stila Kitten (frosty champagne) or Urban Decay Sin (frosty beige) or Urban Decay YDK (frosty bronze) or NYX Flamingo (plummy gold).
Brows: MAC's Beguile Brow Set fills in and sets in one shot. None of MAC's current shades match my brows perfectly so I settled and picked this one up though I won't be repurchasing it. The BEST shade for me was Mink (part of the Emmanuel Ungaro collection a few years ago) and I used up 2 tubes of it. I think I may actually have another backup tube in my stash. Fingers crossed!
Lips: I absolutely LOVE Revlon's lip butters. The shades, the formula, the price (especially when they're on BOGO)...a couple of swipes of Cotton Candy or Peach Parfait and Voila! Out the door I go!

T.F.I.(almost)F.!!!

Foundation junkie.

Over the next few days I'll finally finish up my Giorgio Armani Designer Shaping Cream foundation. A big deal for me considering how long I've had this jar. Years. Literally. I bought it waaay back in the day, used it for awhile, "cheated" on it w/other foundations and buried it in my makeup stash where I forgot about until I recently rediscovered it and decided it was time to finish it up once and for all. These days foundation is one of the few makeup items I'm faithful to until the product is used up. As you can see I have quite a collection of newbies. No slim pickens here which makes it difficult for me to refrain for opening and using them all at once! Luxurious double-silk blend cream foundation. Modeling silk fibers firm and contour skin while sculpting oils replenish and smooth skin with elegant, weightless coverage. Luminous micro-silk particles illuminate the face for an even complexion with a radiant finish. While I don't have any specific complaints about the Designer Shaping Cream I can say that for me it doesn't really do anything special to justify the $65 price tag. The formula, shade (I'm #6.5) and wear are on par with brands you can purchase at the drugstore for A LOT less moolah.

Here's my stash. I think I'm leaning toward the Tarte Amazonian Clay or Revlon Photoready since I've had both for a few months now. I have 2 identical bottles of Photoready (I wear shade 008 - Golden Beige) thanks to some type of BOGO sale which is fine with me because I've gone through at least 2 bottles of this foundation already. For poreless, airbrushed skin in any light. Love love love it. I'm not a huge fan of true matte foundations since I find that they can look kind of flat and bleh on me. I prefer formulas that leave a dewy finish and Photoready does just that. I've never tried the Amazonian Clay foundation but after reading rave review after rave review (after rave review) I decided to try it out even though it does have a matte finish. A long-wearing, skin-perfecting full coverage foundation with UVA/UVB SPF 15 infused with Amazonian clay for better, longer, truer wear. I picked it up in the shade Medium. After I finish these I'll move on to the other products pictured which consist of:

Giorgio Armani Maestro in shade 6.5. A total game changer with a formula that is easy to apply with unified distribution, and covers imperfections. An ultra-fine-oil-pigment suspension that perfects the complexion, instantly igniting skin's natural luminosity. A water a powder-free base. I cannot wait to try this. 

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme in shade 320 - Warm Golden. Finally, truly decadent makeup offers ultimate performance. The mousse-like texture feels like silk on your skin. And, the time release formula balances skin for a flawless look. All day flexible wear without flaking, caking or feeling heavy. Another one with rave reviews across the blogosphere and on YouTube.

Revlon New Complexion One-Step Compact in shade 02 - Tender Peach. For completely undetectable coverage. The 2-in-1 cream to powder formula gives you perfectly smooth, even-toned skin that breathes. Impulse buy. I think...

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel in shade 53 - Light Beige. I remember when Sephora sold this brand back in the day. I ordered my bottle from Amazon's UK site but Asos' US site sells it as well. Its fresh and instant blending gel texture blends and glides onto the skin for an even, natural finish with no mask effect. Imperfections are erased, signs of fatigue are smoothed and the skin's radiance is boosted for up to 16 hours. Made from an instant anti-fatigue vitamin-rich fruit therapy formula with litchi, goji berries and pomegranates. Sold!
L'oreal Paris Magic Nude Liquid Powder in shade 320 - Natural Beige. Our 1st revolutionary liquid-powder formula that glides on and transforms to a fresh, powder-like finish. It's so light, like you're wearing no makeup at all! I've already used this once (in my defense there's no seal on the bottle so curiosity got the best of me!) and I like it. Coverage is sheer but buildable.

Giorgio Armani Hydra Glow in shade 5.5. This was a holy grail foundation for me until it was discontinued a few years ago. The bottle's pretty much empty but for some reason I can't bring myself to get rid of it. Luminous Silk has a cult following and sooner or later (much, much later considering how many products I already have!) I'll try it.

L'oreal Paris True Match Lumi in shade W4 - Natural Beige. Combines 3 powerful ingredients that work to improve your complexion the more you wear them. 40% pure water for all-day hydration. Antioxidants and Vitamins C and E for improved clarity and skin tone. And Liquid Light Technology for an instant, luminous glow. I tried the regular True Match foundation months ago and hated the way it looked like it was sitting on top of my skin rather than absorbing into my skin. I hope I like Lumi's formula better. As a side note (L'oreal Paris I'm talking to you!) I've noticed the gorgeous rose gold pump our friends up north in Canada and over the pond in the UK (and maybe elsewhere) are blessed with. Here in the US we get a boring silver pump. For the record rose gold is widely popular throughout the US and has been for a few years now. It's here to stay. Just sayin'. 

Laura Geller Balance-N-Brighten in Medium. A unique Baked powder that can be used on its own or combined with your favorite base for a flawless finish. This newly formulated foundation is mineral oil and paraben free. It is also loaded with the age-fighting, anti-oxidant protection of Centella Asiatica and White Tea. Designed with swirls of soft tan and cream, its luxuriously smooth and silky texture helps offset ruddiness, brightens sallow tones, and balances most complexions. Another impulse buy. Ugh! :)

Bare Minerals in 2G - Golden Medium. Our award-winning mineral foundation gives you all the flawless coverage you want with a no-makeup look and feel that lasts up to eight hours. The creamy minerals diminish the appearance of imperfections without drying out skin. Our groundbreaking formula is clinically proven to promote clearer, healthier-looking skin. Formulated without parabens, binders, fillers, or synthetic chemicals. Although it's cooled down considerably in NYC over the past week (thank heavens!) this one is better suited for autumn/winter because summer heat and moist skin + application of anything powdery = a cakey mess. No bueno. 

Have you guys tried any of these? Thoughts?

Throwback Thursday starring "vintage" Bath & Body Works!

First things first friends - Happy Friday eve! I thought Throwback Thursday posts might be a fun way to look back on the past. When I came up with the idea earlier this week I knew exactly where I was going with it...which brings me to tonight's post - Bath & Body Works summer scents, vintage style!

From the Temptations line, circa 2007: Iced Tea Twist Body Lotion and Iced Tea Twist 3-in-1. Nothing says summer like a tall glass of sweet, lemony iced tea. I've been using the lotion every night because it smells ah-mazing! It's also really moisturizing. I use the 3-in-1 as a body wash only since I don't really do bubble baths or feel like this would make a good shampoo. The Temptations line was discontinued a long time ago but if you're feeling nostalgic B&BW currently sells this candle which smells just like Iced Tea Twist.

Also from the Temptations line, circa ?: Frozen Daiquiri Body Lotion. There's nothing like a fresh cocktail of sweet, seductive strawberries. Go ahead, drench yourself from head to toe. Have another. Oh, all right - just one more. Indulge. Delight. Here's to you! Frozen strawberry goodness on this thirsty Thursday! Love love love. I think this scent was released a few years in a row as part of the Summer Temptations collection. I also think I have the matching body splash floating around somewhere in my bedroom. Hmm...

Cool Watermelon and Maui Waui body splashes, circa 1999-ish. Fruity, tropical, sweet and perfect for summer. I don't know about you but I think I prefer the body splashes over the fine fragrance mists. They always seem to wear longer on my skin.

Another win for the Temptations line, circa 2007: Simply Divine Cherry Pie Body Lotion and Simply Divine Cherry Pie 3-in-1. A warm cherry fragrance mixed with notes of pie crust and whipped cream. For me the warmth of the cherry makes this a great scent for fall too. Simply divine indeed!

T.G.I.(almost)F.!!!

Recent hit and miss.

It goes without saying that most of what I mention here on the blog I'd recommend. It's really easy for me to go on and on (and on and on!) about products I love. But like every other beauty addict I do come across products that just don't work for me. Here's one of each but since I live by the "waste not, want not" rule unless the product is truly sh!teous I begrudgingly use it up. 

TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Protective Spray. The BEST. Hands down. Super fine mist. Super cheap and you can find it everywhere. Totally (totally!!!) weightless and leaves no film on your hair. I LOVE this spray. It smells great too. I use it on wet hair w/my blow dryer and on dry hair w/my flat iron. Love love love. 

Chi Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray. I tried this because I hate the pump on the TRESemme spray. Its clumsy and if you don't depress it the right way the nozzle leaks. Kind of annoying so I (temporarily) ditched my beloved TRESemme over beef with a nozzle. Rather than just switching up the nozzle. Really. Because nothing sets you up for flat iron failure faster than a wet heat protection spray. Chi's super fine mist is great. Big points for this Chi but it all went downhill from there. After a few spritzes of this my hair was left with a heavy film on it that just looked dull and felt gross. After several maybe 2 uses I poured the rest of the bottle down the sink and decided to try the Moroccanoil Heat Styling Protection Spray . Because I hadn't learned my lesson the first time around. The jury's still out on this one because while it does feel like it leaves a film on my hair I'm nursing my hair back to health due to the summer heat and my pre-filtered shower water days. I'm going to give this spray some more love before giving it a definitive yay or nay. For now I'm back to regularly using the TRESemme spray and using the Moroccanoil spray on occasion.

Back to Pretty Little Liars! I'm typing this post during the commercial breaks.

Fitness update and how I eat healthy.

Happy (?) Monday! So today I began week 2 of ChaLEAN Extreme. I'm in the Burn phase now and dripping with sweat during these workouts (thanks to my hot apartment and summertime) so the Push and Lean phases are gonna be T-O-U-G-H. The weights I'm currently using are probably a little lighter than they should be and here's why...

I ordered these from Walmart.com but when I opened the box one of the 7.5 lb. plates was damaged and cement was leaking out of it so instead of using 15 lbs. in each hand I'm using 12.5 lbs. Walmart's customer service is great and they already sent me a replacement set but fate stepped in and THESE went on sale over the weekend (they're still on sale - I think today's the last day of the sale). They're the Bowflex SelectTech 552's and Chalene uses 'em. When I noticed them last week for the first time I was like "what are those and where can I get them?", went online, saw the price and nearly fell out of my chair. I told myself my weights, though kinda flimsy, will do just fine and filed the SelectTech's away in my memory. Until this weekend when Bowflex advertised the sale on their Facebook page and reduced the price from ridiculously expensive to "Self? Are you ever gonna be able to get these any cheaper than this? I think not." So I ordered them. I'm sure my UPS guy will be thrilled. Really.

Moving along to eating healthy. This is a 24/7 job for me. I wasn't born with a fast metabolism and I love food so moderation, moderation, moderation. My Dad has a lightening fast metabolism and I frequently subject him to my incessant whining about the unfairness of it all. Here are todays eats which is pretty typical since I try and limit my cheat eats to weekends only. Posting = accountability.

Breakfast: 1 cup of Greek vanilla yogurt w/fresh blueberries and half a glass of grapefruit juice.
Mid-morning snack: Coffee and a Nature Valley protein bar.
Lunch: Multrigrain English muffin w/a veggie burger, fresh baby carrots and sliced cucumber.
Afternoon snack: Small peach.
Dinner: Tofurkey Chick'N and Apple "sausage" w/peppers & onions and zucchini that I roasted in the oven.
Plenty of watered down Crystal Light throughout the day. Love the flavor but hate the sweetness so I cut it by using more water or less mix.

Unless I'm eating a salad for dinner I cook my dinner veggies in advance over the weekend so that when I get home from work during the week all I have to do is heat up my plate in the microwave. Super quick and easy. Totally speaking my language now...

Fitness and eating healthy takes effort. Work, personal issues, holidays, etc. can get in the way so if and when they do pick yourself up and get back on track. Your body will thank you. And so will your mind and soul.

PSA: Selena Gomez' new album Stars Dance is out tomorrow! I really couldn't tell you what Selena sang prior to "Come & Get It" but iTunes has been streaming the new album all weekend and I've been listening to it nonstop. I already pre-ordered my copy and you can check it out here. Today's the last day the stream will be available.

PS: I'm getting good at including links in my posts. You've been warned.