Phloretin CF has made the most improvement in my skin tone of any product I’ve tried. What I love most about SkinCeutical products is that they're designed to not only slow the aging process but also to improve skin damage after it has occurred.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
A Non-Natural Product Worth the Splurge
I primarily use (and recommend) natural and/or organic products, but since it isn’t practical 100% of the time I try to follow the 80/20 rule – although my actual ratio is probably closer to 95/5. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF is one of the products that falls into my 20% (or 5%) and I’m confident that it’s worth it.
Phloretin CF has made the most improvement in my skin tone of any product I’ve tried. What I love most about SkinCeutical products is that they're designed to not only slow the aging process but also to improve skin damage after it has occurred.
This product is great for combination complexions and your skin feels amazing as soon as it’s applied. Four to five drops in the morning is all you need and it lasts all day. Use Phloretin CF just after showering and before applying moisturizers or makeup.
Phloretin CF has made the most improvement in my skin tone of any product I’ve tried. What I love most about SkinCeutical products is that they're designed to not only slow the aging process but also to improve skin damage after it has occurred.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Places We Love: WFLP
As my husband and I headed to his alma mater a couple of years ago to watch a college basketball game he turned to me and said "we're headed to the promised land” (there was no religious connotation – he was trying to be humorous). I knew he was a little crazy about college basketball, but I wondered how anyone could feel so strongly about such a random place. Since I wasn’t a fan, I felt pretty disconnected. After experiencing the energy in the stadium and witnessing his excitement, I began to understand where he was coming from. Still, I wanted to experience those emotions for a place that was special to me.
This year I found that place. I’m genuinely excited every time I walk in and smell the aroma of fresh organic produce mixed with the earthy scent of coffee and natural sundries. That place is the new Whole Foods in Lincoln Park (or WFLP). I know … Whole Foods? Get out much? However, this is not your average Whole Foods. It’s a monster, three story Whole Foods – closer to the size of an Ikea than a grocery store.
The Lincoln Park Whole Foods popped up earlier this year in a formerly industrial no-man’s land, directly across from a strip-club (whose business may have declined since WF placed its checkout lines directly across from its front door). It’s the third largest Whole Foods in the world behind the Kensington, London and Austin flagship locations. In addition to aisles and aisles of fresh food and an amazing premium body-care section there is a beer garden, wine bar, taqueria, pizzeria, sandwich shop, diner, gelateria, cookie bar, coffee shop, barbeque stand, Asian noodle/sushi bar and bakery.
I'm pretty sure I know what my husband was talking about now.
This year I found that place. I’m genuinely excited every time I walk in and smell the aroma of fresh organic produce mixed with the earthy scent of coffee and natural sundries. That place is the new Whole Foods in Lincoln Park (or WFLP). I know … Whole Foods? Get out much? However, this is not your average Whole Foods. It’s a monster, three story Whole Foods – closer to the size of an Ikea than a grocery store.
The Lincoln Park Whole Foods popped up earlier this year in a formerly industrial no-man’s land, directly across from a strip-club (whose business may have declined since WF placed its checkout lines directly across from its front door). It’s the third largest Whole Foods in the world behind the Kensington, London and Austin flagship locations. In addition to aisles and aisles of fresh food and an amazing premium body-care section there is a beer garden, wine bar, taqueria, pizzeria, sandwich shop, diner, gelateria, cookie bar, coffee shop, barbeque stand, Asian noodle/sushi bar and bakery.
I'm pretty sure I know what my husband was talking about now.
Chicago's Newest Landmark
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Things We Love: Leggings
I have to admit, there are times when I don’t feel like wearing a dress. Even if those times are relatively rare, when I do wear something else I often choose leggings. Leggings are one of the rare articles of clothing that are super comfortable and stylish. You can easily pair them with a tank, chunky sweater or casual Tee – it all looks great. A personal favorite: pair leggings with knee-high boots (heeled or flat) in the winter.
Leggings offer one of the best ratios of fashion-forwardness to minimal effort in women's clothing. Not to mention, how often is a super-stylish staple so inexpensive? Black leggings are a must-have, but if you’re wearing them frequently, gray and brown are good options. Or, if you're cute enough to pull it off, go all out...
Leggings offer one of the best ratios of fashion-forwardness to minimal effort in women's clothing. Not to mention, how often is a super-stylish staple so inexpensive? Black leggings are a must-have, but if you’re wearing them frequently, gray and brown are good options. Or, if you're cute enough to pull it off, go all out...
Effortlessly Chic
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Overdressing (or Just Dressing for Some)
I don’t need to tell anyone who knows me where I fall within the spectrum of underdressed to overdressed. For instance, I didn’t own a pair of jeans until after I finished college. Before visiting my husband’s family at their home in New Mexico for the first time I purchased a “low key” wardrobe in an attempt to blend in. My husband and I still laugh about the morning he picked me up at the airport and barely recognized me in my faux-shearling jacket and uncomfortable jeans (still wearing high-heeled boots, of course … you can’t give up everything). Simply put, it was not “me.” It was one of the few times in my adult life that I tried to conform to what I thought someone else might like. Fortunately, his wonderful family accepted the overdressed me and it didn’t take long (later the same day) for me to return to my preferred style.
An overdresser from an early age
The fact is, it shouldn’t matter if you’re overdressed or underdressed as long as you are dressing for the person that matters most … YOU!! It’s important to find and stay true to your personal style and be comfortable no matter what the scenario.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thumbs Up to the Cold Shoulder
One of my absolute favorite dress styles (and a soon-to-be Monika Roy staple) is the one-shoulder dress.
If you’re not quite in the mood for the strapless look and you’re ready to move beyond cap sleeves, a one-shoulder design is the answer. The one-shoulder look is confident and sexy. It’s also a great option for cooler weather since it’s slightly less revealing than a strapless dress and still makes a bold statement.
When wearing a one shoulder dress it’s best to reduce jewelry to earrings (chandeliers work great with this look), a bracelet or nothing at all. Necklaces obstruct the fundamental form of the look. Wearing your hair pulled-back looks great with a one-shoulder and emphasizes your neck and shoulders.
If you’re not quite in the mood for the strapless look and you’re ready to move beyond cap sleeves, a one-shoulder design is the answer. The one-shoulder look is confident and sexy. It’s also a great option for cooler weather since it’s slightly less revealing than a strapless dress and still makes a bold statement.
When wearing a one shoulder dress it’s best to reduce jewelry to earrings (chandeliers work great with this look), a bracelet or nothing at all. Necklaces obstruct the fundamental form of the look. Wearing your hair pulled-back looks great with a one-shoulder and emphasizes your neck and shoulders.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Being Fit: Always in Fashion
It’s easier to feel great about what you’re wearing when you’re confident about the shape you’re in. With all of the exercise options available, it’s difficult to choose an optimal routine and stick to it. The question is, should you try a little of everything or choose one approach and be consistent?
There’s obviously not an approach that works for everyone. One of my favorites is Pilates, which is an excellent way to strengthen and tone your core - an area that’s challenging for most of us to impact. It also improves posture, back strength, flexibility and overall muscle tone. There are various types of Pilates, including reformer classes (using a machine), Piloga (mix of Pilates and yoga on a ball) and the standard Mat Pilates class.
Yoga is another great way to stretch and tone your muscles. Yoga focuses on making a connection between your body and mind and can help clear your head and recharge your spirit. There are also a number of varieties of yoga. My personal favorite is Bikram, which is performed in a 105 degree room. It sounds crazy, but all of the sweating cleanses your body and leaves you feeling refreshed – at least once you cool down.
The best thing about Pilates and Yoga is that they are life-long fitness routines. Unlike higher impact exercises, that may damage your body in the long run, they improve your body over time.
What’s your favorite routine?
There’s obviously not an approach that works for everyone. One of my favorites is Pilates, which is an excellent way to strengthen and tone your core - an area that’s challenging for most of us to impact. It also improves posture, back strength, flexibility and overall muscle tone. There are various types of Pilates, including reformer classes (using a machine), Piloga (mix of Pilates and yoga on a ball) and the standard Mat Pilates class.
Yoga is another great way to stretch and tone your muscles. Yoga focuses on making a connection between your body and mind and can help clear your head and recharge your spirit. There are also a number of varieties of yoga. My personal favorite is Bikram, which is performed in a 105 degree room. It sounds crazy, but all of the sweating cleanses your body and leaves you feeling refreshed – at least once you cool down.
The best thing about Pilates and Yoga is that they are life-long fitness routines. Unlike higher impact exercises, that may damage your body in the long run, they improve your body over time.
What’s your favorite routine?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Time to Lash Out?
In the past few years it seems like more women are focusing their attention (and money) on their eyelashes. There are now a multitude of options to quickly add dramatic length to your lashes. Eyelash extensions are a fun and easy way to finish your look.
The simplest method is going to the nearest drug store and purchasing a widely available brand, like Andrea. You simply add a little eyelash adhesive and apply with your finger or tweezers. The next step up is an eyelash strip, which adds slightly more drama and is great for formal occasions where you’d like to stand out. Strips are trickier to apply, so I’d recommend stopping by a makeup counter, like Mac, where they have a great assortment of strips and can either apply them or show you how to do it yourself. The trick with the strip is that it usually needs to be cut down to fit your eye. My personal favorite is Mac's Half Lash.
Eyelash extensions are the most time consuming option, but last several months and typically look very natural. And then there’s the newest option on the market, an eye drop called Latisse which has been proven to grow eyelashes. Time will tell if this becomes a popular alternative. For now, I'm sticking to individual lashes or strips so I can remove them at night and rest my eyes. And there are the rare occasions where you don’t want to stand out, right? Maybe not.
The simplest method is going to the nearest drug store and purchasing a widely available brand, like Andrea. You simply add a little eyelash adhesive and apply with your finger or tweezers. The next step up is an eyelash strip, which adds slightly more drama and is great for formal occasions where you’d like to stand out. Strips are trickier to apply, so I’d recommend stopping by a makeup counter, like Mac, where they have a great assortment of strips and can either apply them or show you how to do it yourself. The trick with the strip is that it usually needs to be cut down to fit your eye. My personal favorite is Mac's Half Lash.
Eyelash extensions are the most time consuming option, but last several months and typically look very natural. And then there’s the newest option on the market, an eye drop called Latisse which has been proven to grow eyelashes. Time will tell if this becomes a popular alternative. For now, I'm sticking to individual lashes or strips so I can remove them at night and rest my eyes. And there are the rare occasions where you don’t want to stand out, right? Maybe not.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
A Pioneering Fashion Company
When my parents would get ready to go out for an evening my dad would get ready as quickly as possible and then watch TV while my mom primped until it was time to leave. Like many dads, mine didn't give much consideration to his wardrobe and wore pretty much whatever my mom selected for him (which worked out well for him).
For many men today (including dads) that scenario has changed. Men now generally spend a lot more time and money on their look ... searching for a balance of style and comfort. Bonobos is a perfect example of the positive trends in men's fashion: their clothes are stylish, designed for the physiques of real guys, and affordable. Your significant other no longer needs to save his one pair of nice trousers for special occasions. He can look stylish every day in a variety of styles from this great new clothing company.
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