The Litmus Test ~ Drivers License Renewal Time!

   In one of the early seasons of Courtney Cox's TV show Cougar Town, her character Jules needs to renew her driver's license. She has managed for decades to outsmart the DMV and keep her picture (of younger self) from being changed. Well, her time was up & panic ensued for the remaining 24 minutes of the sitcom.

    So what is it about that driver's license photo that sends some of us to panic. Seriously, we look at it once it's handed to us & then never look again. We know there are quite a few better pictures taken of ourselves in the 4 years prior & since that fateful day, so why do we use that picture as a litmus test to how we are aging? I had mine renewed this month & it got me to thinking. That photo represents a four year marker; so here it is in front of me, then & now. Our reactions to our appearance range from mostly ugh to not as bad as I thought. So I propose a united effort for the new photo to stay the same as the old. The Dickens you say! That would mean aging would have to stop! We know that is impossible... or is it?

    So here are my top ten suggestions to cram for your next Litmus test (all things you've heard before from this blogger and well, everywhere): Hydrate all day long (water, tea, coffee), Exercise (150 minutes a week minimum), MOISTURIZE! (day & night - effective moisturizes don't have to break the bank), Eat right balancing healthy carbs, fats & proteins (choose proper portions with lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts & seeds), Laugh (it is the best medicine!), Sleep (try for 7 hours a night - naps are wonderful too!), Floss & Brush, Pursue a long desired hobby or bucket list item (keeps the spirit young), & Socialize often (with those amazing friends). Now number 10 is different. Studies now show that we actually stop aging for those minutes when we are using meditation, deep relaxation, prayer, yoga, deep breathing, etc. to calm our minds and bodies on a regular basis. Stress - bad, Meditation - good!

   So for your next DMV picture taking opportunity, first live a happy, healthy, joy filled life for the years prior (& then make an effort with the hair & makeup!) Then dare to compare! BTW - this blogger was totally happy with hers because I looked the same, and I think a bit wiser!

Cinderella ~ A Role Model for the Ages

Cinderella [sin-duh-rel-uh]  1. A heroine of a fairy tale who is maltreated by a malevolent stepmother but achieves happiness and marries a prince through the benevolent intervention of a fairy godmother.

So let’s try again: 2. Role model for the ages.

   A single line in Glamour mag this month reminds us: Cinderella never asked for a prince. She asked for a night off and a dress! This reminder changes everything we consciously remember about the story! We know Cinderella suffered great loss. We know she was mistreated but never complained; she felt gratitude. We also know Cinderella had some dreams of a better day, but she always stayed in the present and worked hard. She didn’t lay blame or get down for very long. Her heart made wishes when she fell into an exhausted sleep each night. And what Cinderella did get that fateful night was a fantastic dress & a less than perfect pair of shoes. After a bit of bippity, boppity boo, she took a risk on a pumpkin coach and some mice. Her risk taking allowed her a front row seat to destiny dusting its fairy dust. She stayed true to herself and had a magical evening. Always a rule follower, her shoes almost didn’t get her home on time. (who among us can really run in heels?!) So yes, Cinderella is a role model for me. She lived her life as best she could, dreamed her dreams, took risks and thus allowed the fairy dusts of serendipity and destiny to waft her way! Have no regrets. (if Cinderella had gone back for that shoe, her story would have a had a different ending!)

Cinderella 3. Beautiful, graceful, brave, hopeful, grateful, kind & strong.

   So remember it’s all about all those qualities then begin wishing, dreaming & asking for what you want. And she lived happily ever after! Thank you Cinderella for the reminder!

ULTA Beauty Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month

   October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month with many organizations raising awareness and stores raising money. ULTA Beauty is one such store & since this blogger reviews & recommends products that can be purchased there, I thought this would be a great month to use that $3.50 off coupon & shop ULTA. They carry many lines with special products whose purchase carries a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). This Blogger's Mom is a survivor along with some great friends who have all kicked cancer's butt! So here are just some of the companies with BCA products: Philosophy, Donna Karan, EOS, Nicole OPI, Smashbox, CK One Color & Ahava.

    ULTA also has pretty & inspirational BCA charm bracelets for a $5 donation. There is also for a $10 donation, a rose gold clutch or a silver plated 'Love' box with 50% of the donations supporting the BCRF.

   The ULTA Salon cut-a-thon event is one day only, this Sunday October 12th from 11am-6pm on a first come basis. Donate a minimum of$10 and receive your choice of a FREE Shampoo & haircut, Free Microzone facial treatment or a Free pink hair extension. Donate a minimum of $5 and receive a FREE Pink Redken Color Rebel hair streak. 100% of the donations go to the BCRF!!!

    And last but not least, Donate With A Kiss is another was to support the BCRF. Donate $1 and a paper kiss will be displayed in the store window. You can even donate $1 to win a $598 Beauty Bag full of beauty products.

Get out to ULTA & support this great cause!

New Products Review ~ L'Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Golden Serum & L'Oreal Visible Lift Blur Foundation

    I enjoy doing these products reviews so much mainly because the cost of these products can really add up! I don't want a drawer full of unused products & neither do you. So I do my due diligence before purchasing & in this case L'Oreal made it easy. They put samples in magazines ~ Helloooo, genius! I've only been using these two products for a week ~ that's how excited I am to share!

   The first product is L'Oreal's Age Perfect Cell Renewal Golden Serum. If you haven't used a serum before now is the time. Research is finding it to be the most beneficial step in youthful skincare (behind sunscreen of course).The serum goes on your face before your moisturizer (or before a moisturizing foundation if you choose). This one is amazing in every category: price, ease of use, overall texture & fragrance and finally how does it make my skin feel & look. It boasts ingredients for cell regeneration properties (LHA), powerful antioxidants (Natecium DHC), illuminators (Golden-micro-reflectors. I give this product a ten & my skin feels like a ten! It claims to smooth, soften, firm, plump & renew. You can purchase this on sale for around $19.99 & with added coupons, store & manufacturer, the price can be much less. There are other products in this line that I will try soon. The day cream with SPF would go on top of the serum. The night cream goes right on top and as you sleep. Prepare to heal...

   The second product is L'Oreal's Visible Lift Blur Foundation with opti-blur technology. Again, at the right regular price point of $15.00, you can even do better with sales & coupons. The size is generous too at 1.3 fl oz. When I tell you this foundation glides on effortlessly I mean effortlessly! It has light to medium coverage but is buildable if you have areas that need attention. It claims to instantly blur lines, spots & uneven texture, leaving your face soft & smooth. I have been using their tube of Miracle Blur for years & still feel the need to put the additional on my forehead over the foundation on certain days**, but all else rings true to this tester. My face looks as fresh at the end of the day as the beginning. It contains sunscreen and has a lightweight feel.  If you have rosacea, I think this would be an excellent choice. Don't forget you can return a foundation to your store with your receipt if you don't like the color match - yes, even if you used it. I like to take the almost empty bottle of my latest shade match & go from there to find a close match.

** If I don't drink enough water, yes plain old H2O, I see it in my skin immediately, so HYDRATE for smoother slin & it's FREE!! Let's age perfectly together...