My Skin Care Journey, Part 1

{Blogged while skimming Labor Day sales and HOW IS It ALREADY LABOR DAY?!} I am so excited to share this post, because I believe it will resonate with everyone, especially mamas. Today, I am going to talk to you about skin, and more specifically, YOUR skin. Beautiful, clear, blemish-free skin is something we all aspire to have. We know that to achieve this requires at least some work on our part- as much hydration as possible, the least amount of sunscreen-less exposure as possible, healthy eating, and plenty of sleep. It also needs the right skin care products and the right skin treatments. For me (and I have written about this before), the past two years since I started this law firm have passed in a blur. To say my 24 hour days are stretched to capacity is an understatement. I simply don’t have the time for skin care treatments- or so I thought. Last Friday, I finally did something for myself- I put the to-do list away, the out-of-office on, I carved out 90 minutes or so in the late afternoon and I went to Dr. Anzaldo’s office. When I walked in the door, I was immediately welcomed into an inviting Gray-Malin-photo covered oasis. The decor is fabulous, but the people are even better. This is not a place where you are hustled in and out as fast as possible. This is a place where you are listened to and heard. Like all of us, I have been to a ton of spas and doctor’s offices and I can honestly say that this place feels different. Dr. Anzaldo’s office is different. On my first visit, I felt like the people there were family, and wanted to help me achieve my skin care goals.

For me, I have always shied away from make-up (except for lipgloss and mascara) and instead, focused on good skin care. I try to use quality serums and treatments pretty much religiously. Even so, my face has those little patches of sun damage that even good skin care and sunscreen can’t reverse. Fortunately, Dr. Anzaldo’s office has the cure— an IPL laser (or Intense Pulsed Light). This is a light therapy procedure designed to reduce the look of sun damage and restore your skin’s lost radiance. IPL has been proven to provide a dramatic improvement in the appearance by lightening freckles, fading age spots, reducing areas of sun damage, and redness. Plus, it retextures your skin...WOW! I have never had one of these before (truthfully, I’ve only ever had facials) and I was a little (ok, a little more than a little) apprehensive but guess what? Its a breeze. The laser is performed in a 3 part process with each process utilizing a different laser attachment and getting progressively warmer. None of it actually hurts (and in full disclosure, I only left the numbing cream on for maybe 15 minutes because I cant stand to just sit still, but I bet if I left it on for the full 30 minutes I wouldn’t have felt a thing!)

I am seven days out and you cant even tell I’ve had it. The whole process from start to finish was around an hour and 45 minutes but that included a little numbing cream to start and a little shot of Dysport to end. I will do two more treatments spaced 30 days apart and voila- that’s it! I will come back and repeat it every 6 months or as needed.

I also left with new products from Skin Better, which I will review in my next post. All in all, my take away from my initial treatment was this:

• I don’t make the time that I should for myself and this was the perfect way to jump start my self-care;

• Investing in our skin is such a wise thing to do and this IPL Laser is amazing;

• Finding a place like Dr. Anzaldo’s office— a place that focuses on women’s well being, from the outside in— has been the biggest blessing.

I cant wait to take this journey with you! Thank you for following along! Sweetly, Michelle

PS- These photos are courtesy of @bleudogfotography

PSS- Give @dranzaldo a peek on Instagram. I promise you won’t regret it.

This is one of the cute treatment rooms!

See the cute art work and yes, indeed. You. Look. Good.

These are the Befores! Stay tuned for the Afters!

Let me give you some sage advice— listen to your aesthetician, especially if she is manning a laser. Leave the numbing cream on for the ENTIRE recommended time!!

Me, the numbing cream and some cute flamingos!

Dr. Anzaldo’s office is so thorough; carefully documenting each skin condition and concern, answering every question patiently and thoughtfully before we started. Also, these photos are courtesy of the wonderful Shawna Henrie @bleudogfotography

This was after one pass of the laser- you can see some red spots kind of jumping out but it really wasn’t bad at all.

Beautiful skin in progress…

Okay, this is me in the elevator, immediately after all 3 lasers, no makeup, no filter, and only aloe-vera on my face because it feels like a slight sunburn. I was pink but only slightly and within a few hours, the hotness on my face went away!!

Irresitible Me

{Blogged after a bath and a root beer} As any new mother will tell you, along with the body changes and life changes and hormone changes they come with a new baby, there are so many emotional changes you experience that the simple things really do make a world of difference. Like this Irresistible Me Diamond styling iron. The little things like taking a shower and actually styling your hair can lift your spirits considerably. I got this iron in a fabulous red color, something I've never really done before. I always choose silver or black but this red is fun. I love so many things about this product. It heats up very quickly and it's ceramic and so lightweight. It also has an automatic shut off, which takes away that backing out of the driveway fear of "Wait, did I unplug it?" It doesn't matter! The plate is smooth and moves through your hair without pulling or damage. I have pretty straight hair to start with, but it has a tendency to be dry and frizzy on the ends. This flat iron completely eliminated that. It comes with instructions for suggested temperatures depending upon hair type. Since I have fine hair, I set the iron to low and ran this iron over my hair only one time most areas and it was great.   I will do a follow up post and show some before and after pictures for you!  If you are in the market for high quality styling products, go check out www.irresistibleme.com. Sweetly, Michelle

Beauty and Brains {Book}

So, if you know me, you know I am a reader. I love to read. Its like my favorite thing to do to relax. Take a bath, get in the jammies and read.  I usually have 3 or 4 books going at once, too.  I also buy kind of a lot of beauty items- I am constantly acquiring new nail polish, lip gloss, eye cream, etc.  I was thinking that when I write to you all about my most recent product purchase, every once in a while, I will throw something in here for our brains. Maybe a book review, maybe a good website for current events. We are tip-toeing into 2016 and that's an election year. We need to do our best to weed through the mountains of stuff and learn about the real issues (I do anyway).  I am both disgusted with and fascinated by politics. Plus, I am always looking for that one good place to get a quick dose of current events (because none of us has the time to leisurely flip through  a few newspapers while sipping our lattes from a china cup and saucer- yeah right!) Maybe we will figure it out together.   So here goes!

BEAUTY {Lush Cosmetics}

Beauty: Lush Cosmetic's Vanilla Dee-Lite Lotion and Vanilla Puff Powder. I had never used this before but a store opened in the mall close by me and I was drawn to it. The ingredients are all natural, handmade, not tested on animals (that is really important to me) and there are about fifty different scents!  Plus, they have these bath ball things and you throw them into your bath and they fizz and turn colors and scent the water- soo fun! Its a great store to browse through. So far, the lotion smells great and isn't too heavy and the powder has a little subtle sheen! Go check them out at www.lush.com or at Fashion Island or the Shops at Mission Viejo! Brains:   The Nightingale by  Kristine Hannah.   I just finished reading it and I loved it. I am sort of a World War buff and this story is set in France during the Nazi occupation and it tells the story of two sisters and what they went through during those terrible times. I've read a lot about the various battles in World War II and the atrocities that occurred but not too much about what happened to the citizens of occupied countries. It was brutal for them, because the people who were left behind were typically vulnerable and somewhat helpless--older people, women and children-- with the men being away, fighting.  They were deprived of everything we take for granted-- food, water, blankets and their dignity.   As terrible as the backdrop is, this story is about courage and compassion and selflessness and the lengths people will go to for those that that they love.   It is about love in all different forms and with all different complexities, from that shared by the sisters, to that shared by best friends, by the love of a mother for her child and for the love of one's country.  It was great.  These kind of books stay with you long after you turn the last page and I love that.  If you try it, let me know what you think. Or if you have a favorite book. Or, if you are thinking of buying a book and aren't sure- I've probably read it! :)  Happy day, loves. Michelle

All That I Am....

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my mother. - Abraham Lincoln

I just love quotes. And this one up there is one of the best. Is there any more important job in the world than being a mom? It is one that begins when you have your child and never ends, no matter the age of your child. I will always be my mom's little girl (and apparently require reminding to bring a sweater when it's cold and to wear sunscreen when it's warm!) My mom is my closest friend and cheerleader and has been my entire life. I tell her everything everything EVERYTHING and we talk like, 9 times a day.  I never went through a rebellious phase or a "I hate my parents phase". I am praying that my daughter and I will share this same kind of relationship.  It's a blessing and one that I am so grateful to have.  I am a person that treasures my family- I have a big extended family and truly, they are my world.  I've kind of learned the hard way that it's all that really matters in this life- health and people you love and who love you. Its everything.  Not the shoes or the clothes- but people. People that matter. There is no place I would rather be than with my family.  And Mother's Day is no exception!

It's pretty easy to shop for my mom for Mothers Day because I basically just think about what I might like.  I put together a couple of suggestions so that you can create a special day for your mama too. Here goes:

1. Pamper her:  if your Mom had an hour to spare just for herself, what would she love to do?  Take an exercise class, maybe have a facial or massage, grab a quiet moment to read? Whatever it is,  try to make this happen. Maybe plan out a little excursion for her (bonus: maybe you can go too!) or get her a gift certificate. With my mom at least, she tends to just squirrel away those gift cards and never use them (me? Those puppies are put to use immediately!) I usually plan a day for my mom and just make her relax!

Christmas with my girl!

2. Buy her something splurgey that she might not buy for herself: My mom would never go out and spend $300 on an amazing Dyptique candle like this (do not pass judgment on those of us who do!) or buy fancy perfume or skin care. Mother's Day is a perfect time for you to buy that little something for your mom that she might not splurge on for herself. This would be a great time to get her started on that skincare routine (see my post about Arcona) or maybe a new color palette for spring or summer (like this or this).  (Side note:  My best friend and I do this for each other on holidays.  We will pick out something that we would not otherwise splurge on-- like shampoo that costs $100 or whatever anti-aging product we are currently obsessing over-- and just buy it for each other. Genius! Try it! ) (side side note- These suggestions are meant to be a splurge. You need to be sure of the scent of candle she will love or what Bond fragrance she prefers before you drop major cashola on it. A gift certificate or a trip with you to Nordies to choose one might be a fun little excursion too)

Addison's 5th birthday, February 2015- where does the time go?

3. Can you ever go wrong with a monogram, I ask you?: This is the perfect holiday to get mom that necklace (here) or bag (here) or maybe cashmere robe (here) or whatever other initial bearing gift your mom will love!  Even cute stationary is a great idea (like here).  I always get her something personalized if I can.

My greatest achievement by far.

 4. A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

I think a beautiful framed picture of you and your mom together makes a lovely gift. Especially since who even prints pictures anymore? No one. Save mama the effort and take the opportunity to have another picture of you in her house!

My beautiful mama--the greatest mother and grandmother EVER-- and Adds.

I have a habit of octopus- like squeezing the people I love! What's wrong with warm hugs, right?

At the end of the day, if all you can manage is a heartfelt card or phone call-guess what? It will be enough.  It will be perfect in fact. Take it from this mom right here- anything you do is amazing in the eyes of your mother. Hope your day with your mama and /or your own child is just wonderful! Xo Michelle

Four generations of strong, smart, loving women.  I am truly blessed to have my mother and my grandmother as such big presences and support in my life. I love them hugely.