Perspective

Yesterday morning I was sitting in physical therapy, icing my knees and feeling pretty damn sorry for myself.  Thanks to IT band bursitis, a right meniscus tear and a little thing called Patella Femoral Syndrome in both knees, I haven't been able to truly workout in about a month.  My knees constantly ache, and I have been in discomfort and slight pain more often than not this summer. 

So I'm sitting there, hurting after finishing all my PT exercises for the day, and I started watching a middle-aged couple in the room with me, who are sitting at a table with a occupational therapist.  The woman, who was the wife of the patient, had a nervous, apprehensive look on her face.  She seemed tense and uncomfortable and worried...a look I've seen too many times before.  The look of watching someone you love go through a horrible illness, and trying to be strong for them and cope with all you're taking in.

A pillar in the room was blocking my view of the therapist and the man, but I could hear her speak to him.  "Take this pen," she said.  "Today, I want to work on writing your name."  She then started to explain to the couple about Parkinson's Disease, and losing the basics that you and I take for granted.  Like the ability to write your own name.

I thought about this in the car ride home.  I thought about this while eating lunch.  I thought about this when checking my email, taking a shower, and cleaning up my house.  I thought about this all day long.  Here I was feeling sorry for myself because my knees were sore, and this man sitting a few feet away from me could no longer write his own name.

In the past few weeks, I've had a lot of time to think.  A bit too much time.  I've been thinking of the things that have not been going right lately, and things that have been hard and sad.  But I've also been thinking a lot about the kind of person I want to keep striving to be.  Someone that is kind and caring and loving and strong.  And someone that shows great gratitude towards life.  I know I have much to learn and much to work on to become that better version of myself, and so I am grateful that I have days like this.  Days that wake me up to my selfish moments and help me realize just how much I have to be thankful for.  I am blessed and fortunate, and I am thankful for the lessons I learn to keep me in check and keep me moving forward.

Just some deep thoughts I'll be taking into the weekend with me.  I hope you enjoy yours!

About That Spending Freeze...

Diane von Furstenberg New Jeanne 2 Silk Wrap Dress

I know what you're thinking, and no, I did not break the spending freeze already.  Geez, give me just a bit of credit here kids!  Instead, I have decided to give myself a goal to work toward...if I stick to it for two months, I will allow myself to buy this AH-MAZING Diane von Furstenberg dress.  And I even have the perfect event to wear it at--my man bff Jeb's wedding in November.  Oh my, I am in love.  Seriously, there is honestly nothing I am craving more this season than this one beautiful item, and it will be mine.  It will.  In two months.  Lord, give me strength!

Spending Freeze

From someecards.com

So, thanks to the threat of a government shutdown in October (and with that, my paychecks) and my inability to save money the way that I truly should, I have decided to buckle down, get my finances in order, and put myself on a mandatory two month spending freeze.  I realize two months seems a bit drastic, but you know what they say, right?  How it takes 30 days to form a habit?  Well when it comes to me and shopping, I feel that I need to double that for it to really sink in.

With all the upcoming sales, the fabulous fall clothes now out, and my ever shrinking waistline (yay, me!), this is really tough for me.  Alas, it needs to be done, so here I go...until October 18th (I wrote this post a few days earlier than it's publish date), my new mantra is as follows:

1)  I will only spend money on the necessities:  food, bills, gym, medical/physical therapy, and my car.
2)  I will eat out no more than two times per week--this includes buying lunches at work rather than bringing my own.
3)  I will allow myself only $25 per week on extracurricular activities--a movie, new book, special event, mani/pedi or night out.
4)  If I don't spend my all of my $25 for the week, it can roll over into the next week (will reinforce saving up for something special).
5)  If I absolutely have to spend money on anything other than this, it will only be out of emergency, replacing something basic that I need (like toiletries) or doctors orders.

I need to learn to live on less, and I especially need to break the habit of my retail therapy crutch.  And it's gotten bad--instead of doing healthy things like working out, writing or talking it out when I'm feeling blue, I shop.  But I need to remember this:  No matter how good buying those new shoes may make me feel, it makes my checking account sad.  No more sad allowed in this house!  And now that I've aired my dirty laundry, it feels great that you all can now also help hold me accountable for this.  So no temptations either friends! 

So, that is the test...think I can do it?  I gave up spending for Lent this year, and ended up losing 10 pounds in the process, so hopefully that will be an added bonus this time too!  There are a lot of great online resources that can help you form a budget, keep track of spending, and give great advice on managing your finances. The two I use most frequently are Mint and LearnVest, but if you know of any that you prefer, let me know!

Let the spending freeze begin!

Currently Craving: Game Day Dresses!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...college football kickoff week!  For a Southern girl, football is king, and there is not much more exciting than the start of a new college football season.  For me, it's the promise of a fresh start and new beginnings, and always a fun Fall full of tailgating, friends, watch parties, thrilling wins and (hopefully not) a bit of heartbreak too.

Sadly, I do not think I will be making it back to Arkansas this year for any football games.  But rest assured, I will be watching and Calling the Hogs from here in DC, all decked out in my Razorback Red.

Since football season starts off in the brutal August heat and (in a good year) ends in the cold winter month of January, a Southern girl's game day wardrobe usually sees both summer, fall and winter fashion.  It's like the first day of school...have to look your best for the first game of the season!  If I was planning on going back home for the Razorback game this Saturday, I would most likely be picking up one of these two dresses for these first few game days.  You want to be a bit casual yet stylish while tailgating and in the stadium, and since it's typically a very long day, comfort is key. 

1) Hive & Honey Double Layer Hi-Low Maxi Dress from Piperlime and 2) Rebecca Taylor Striped Dress from Shopbop

For any of you Arkansans in the DC area, our official Arkansas Razorback watch party location has been changed this year to Hawk n' Dove Bar and Grill (329 Pennsylvania Ave SE, approx. 2 blocks from Eastern Market metro).  Come join us starting this Saturday as the Hogs kick off the season vs. Louisiana-Lafayette at 4:00 PM EST.

Weekend Wrap-Up

Ladies night with my favorite mommas!

Finally back in DC!  My pap is doing better, and we moved him at the end of last week to a rehabilitation hospital to continue his treatment and get him stronger.  Jazzmin is still working every day to get stronger, and hopes to also move to rehab soon.  Thank you so much for your support and prayers for my family...it means the world to me!

This weekend was a bit low key.  A few weeks ago, I discovered that I have among other knee injuries a torn meniscus, and I've been in some pretty bad pain lately, so I took off Friday night to relax and ice, ice, ice that knee!  Saturday morning, I woke up and headed to see my friend Carey, the very best hair stylist in DC, at Salon L'Eau in Georgetown for a cut and color.  Isn't it amazing what a trip to the salon can do for a girl's morale?  Wonders!  I then went on a hunt for the most awesome leather skirt I've ever bought.  Four phone calls, two stores, and three hours later, I am now the owner of this amazingness:

Sorry ladies, it is completely sold out online, so good luck finding it!
 
Saturday night, I had a girls' night out with two of my favorite mommas, Jennifer and Erin.  Dinner on the patio at Cashion's Eat Place was delicious and then since it was such a beautiful night, we took a short walk down to Connecticut Avenue for a few too many more drinks.  It was very much needed after such a long, not so great week.  Lots of bubbly = a pretty lazy Sunday...just cuddled up on the couch and finished a book.  I was so bad at taking photos this weekend...must work on remembering to do so!  Hope you all had a great weekend!

Weekend Wrap-Up--Family Prayers Edition

 

Well, my weekend didn't exactly go as planned.  Right now, I am in West Virginia...my grandfather had a bad fall down a flight of stairs and is in the hospital, so I'm here to help out and be with him and my Mema.  I would appreciate any prayers you can offer up for him right now.

Speaking of prayers, I also have a major one for my 17-year-old cousin, Jazzmin Peluchette.  For the past five weeks, she has been in the hospital in Miami after contracting a rare auto-immune disorder called Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO).  Among other things, it has labored her breathing, caused blindness in one eye, and she is paralyzed from the waist down.  There is no cure for this disease, and it is so rare that Jazz is the youngest person ever diagnosed with it.  They don't know what caused it, but the treatments she is receiving are helping--in the past month, her paralysis has gone from chest down to waist down, she can now breath on her own, and has regained sight in one eye.  She has a long road ahead of her, but is doing amazing...her strength and determination are incredibly inspiring!  Earlier this week, a local Miami news channel did a story on her, and it is so wonderful to see her progress in just a few short weeks.



There also is a fundraising page that has been set up to help pay for treatment.  If you or anyone you know would like to help out, please follow this link:  Jazzmin Peluchette Treatment Fund

I guess the curse of having an enormous family (mom is one of 10 kids) is that we seem to suffer through more than our fair share of heartaches.  My family has certainly seen tough times over the last decade or so, one person and then another and then another.  But the amazing thing about a big family is that there is that many more people to support you and pray for you and love you, and my family certainly does just that.

I may be on a short hiatus for a few days while I am in WV...not sure how many days I'll be gone, but I would really appreciate your prayers for my Pap and for Jazz while I am gone.  It means the world to me!

Sunburst

Martha Stewart Living Metal Antique Gold Frame Mirror

If you know me at all, then you know that I am a bargain hunter.  People are often surprised to find out how low-budget my condo actually is.  My furniture is either IKEA, Target, West Elm or TJ Maxx/Homegoods...nothing fancy, but I have found that basic, modern pieces look good when they blend easy into the background of a home, making my art, curtains, books, vignettes, and a few statement pieces that I have be the real stars of my home.

Art and mirrors can be pricey, but recently I found a steal for my bedroom--my fabulous sunburst mirror from Home Depot!  Of course, it's from the fabulous Martha Stewart collection, and the best part--it's only $35!  I had been searching for the perfect one for years now, but all that I had found and liked have been hundreds of dollars (way out of my budget).

The key is to watch for what you are looking for and look everywhere.  Almost daily, I look at blogs and design magazines to get inspiration, then search flash sale sites (such as One Kings Lane, Joss and Main, and Gilt), etsy.com, antique and vintage stores, brand name box stores and even eBay to find similar products, or those I can hack to make my own, at lower prices.  Sometimes I get lucky, and other times not, but I feel I hit the jackpot with this mirror.  It is the perfect fit for over my bed, and definitely completes my bedroom.  Totally worth the 30 minute drive to pick it up, don't you think?

Hello, Snakeskin!

Blair Ritchey iPhone Cases

Well, that didn't take long...I found a replacement!  Thank the Lord for Blair Ritchey, who makes some amazing snakeskin and gator skin iPhone cases for the iPhone 4/4s and iPhone 5!  I bought the black & white snakeskin one...what do you think?  I'm kind of in love already.  I know I just ordered you yesterday, but hurry up and get here already!

If you don't know Blair Ritchey's products yet, you should get to--stat!  My sister, Marissa, got me one of her fuchsia Lambskin Tassel Keychains for my birthday last year, which I can always find while hidden in my purse.  For years now I have been obsessed with her Lulu Foldover clutch in leopard, which is sadly now unavailable.  Oh well...at least I have my iPhone case coming home to momma!

Rocker Chic DIY

Lately I've been in a bit of a wardrobe funk, especially with my casual, run-errands-around-town clothes I typically wear on days off and during the weekend.  My typical gym clothes as casual clothes should not be my everyday wear, but I want something comfortable, functional yet fun too for whatever it is I need to do away from work.  So when I saw these awesome men's graphic t-shirts from Target, I knew I had a new DIY project to tackle:  DIY off-the-shoulder t-shirts.

I picked a men's shirt for two reasons: 1) I like my t-shirts to be a bit longer and 2) they have a bit more room in the arms.  Honestly, they also tend to be less cheesy than the women's options out there...sad but true.  Make sure not to buy a men's t-shirt that is too large for you.  I wear a men's size Medium in these t-shirts, but make sure to try it on prior to cutting into it.  I personally want the t-shirt to fit comfortably and to skim the body, but not be too snug, to fit properly.

I did two today...the Guns 'N Roses shirt above, and the Grateful Dead shirt below that I used as the tutorial.  Disclosure:  I love the Grateful Dead, thought I was a hippie in junior high/high school, and even saw them in concert a few months before Jerry Garcia died in 1995.  And that bohemian girl still lives in me a bit today.  So here we go:

Step 1:  Measure your collarbone area.  You want to measure from the outside of your neck, across your chest to just below the opposite shoulder.  The measurement doesn't have to be exact, and I typically round down to the nearest even number.  My number is around 16 inches.

Step 2:  Fold your t-shirt in half, like so: 

Divide the measurement you just took in half (mine is now around 8 inches), and measure that out from below the collar to the shoulder area.  Mark just before both points with a pen (don't worry, you'll cut that part off).

Step 3:  With a sharp pair of scissors, make a small cut through the mark at the shoulder seam.

Step 4:  Put your scissors through the FRONT part of the shirt only and cut to the opposite point.  I tend to cut a bit rounded, but it doesn't not have to be exact.

Step 5:  Go back to the shoulder slit, and cut in the middle of the seam from that point all the way through the collar.

Step 6:  Fold the flap over to the other side, and repeat the cutting steps, with the folded part as the template.  Finish the front cutout by repeating the cut on the shoulder seam until the front piece is all the way off.

Step 7:  Now to the back of the shirt--simply cut from shoulder slit to shoulder slit, along the main shoulder seam of t-shirt.  This is important--if you cut the back in as large of a section as the front, the hole will be way too large and the shirt will completely fall off of you.

This is what the top will look like after the cuts are finished.  Don't worry about jagged edges or looking uneven...once stretched and on it will look so much better!

Step 8:  Next, I like to cut both sleeves and the bottom of the t-shirt, just above the stitched seams.  I tend to like my t-shirts long, but if you have a shorter torso, or want to dare to bare a midriff t-shirt, cut away much higher ladies!

Step 9:  Finally, gently tug on all the cut parts to stretch the shirt out a bit.  This gives the new seams a nice roll to them, and evens them out a bit.

And you're done!

I think this is a fun new way to wear old t-shirts, or to rock out your wardrobe just a bit more.  So comfy, but in my opinion way more stylish than wearing a guy's regular t-shirt.  Try it and let me know what you think!

So Long, My Leopard...

It finally happened.  After a year of drops, slips and almost breaks, my iPhone case has finally cracked under my abuse.  So long leopard-print Kate Spade.  I'll admit, I'm not much of a Kate Spade girl, at all actually, but I just love the leopard print on it.

So now, the hunt is on for a new case.  Problem is, there's not much out there anymore for an iPhone 4s.  Do I just bite the bullet and get an ugly Otterbox?  Do I buy another of my beloved Kate Spade leopard?  Or do I keep up the hunt until I find the perfect "me" case?  After all, you can tell a lot about a person based on the case they choose.  Practical or princess?  Bohemian or traditional?  Decisions, decisions...

If only I can just upgrade to the iPhone 5, my life would be so much easier.  I would 100% buy this new case by Mara Hoffman, but sadly, the federal government has no budget for such extravagances these days.  Thanks for nothing sequestration.

Mara Hoffman Pow Wow Black Snap Case iPhone 5

Or maybe this one instead...kind of obsessed with this Gigi New York Mint Embossed Python Leather case.  Why don't they make this in a 4s case?!?!  And bonus--this one is now on sale for only $15!!!

Gigi New York Mint Embossed Python Leather iPhone 5 Case

But after all my searching today, I still haven't found one I love.  First world problems, I know...

Pajama Day

 

I love this, but sadly, it is me more nights than I care to admit.  It is something I am working on...staying social even when all I want to do is come home after a long day at work and crash.  This week, however, I am taking the week off to unwind, relax, and rejuvenate.  So I will stay in my pajamas as long as I want, and take my time to do whatever my heart desires this week.  Everyone needs these days every once in a while.  Hmm, what to do today...maybe pool and a good book?

Weekend Wrap-up

What a great weekend!  My old roommate, Helen, and her husband Chris came in town to visit, and we had three days of non-stop fun!  I'm exhausted today, but so happy to have had them come play!  I love visitors but rarely get them, so when I do, I go a little crazy planning so many fun things to do and great places to eat.

First stop was to Baltimore for the Jay Z and Justin Timberlake concert.  After a four hour drive from DC to Baltimore (and a mildly episode of road rage and an erratic pity-party) we made it to the concert an hour late.  Luckily, they still played for almost two more hours, so we got to hear some of our favorite songs.  The rain didn't stop us from getting down to "Sexy Back".

Traffic jam getting off the exit...drove 0.5 miles in 1 1/2 hours.  Insanity.

Justin Timberlake and Jay Z at Ravens Stadium

The next day, Helen and I did a little shopping and walking in Georgetown. 

Only in Washington, DC...

Helen is about four months pregnant, so we had to pop in to a few baby boutiques.  How adorable are these little onesies that we had to go ahead and buy for the baby?!?!

Since I had visitors, I had to take a paleo break...and boy did I break it!  For lunch, we had iced coffee and split a Red Velvet Cakecup, and a chocolate ice cream and peanut butter cookie sandwich from Baked & Wired...my favorite dessert shop in DC!

Then we took a stroll around the Georgetown canal and the waterfront before heading to dinner at Zaytinya (one of my all-time favorites).  Perfect day for a walk around the neighborhood!

Georgetown canal

The next day we had brunch with friends at Belga Cafe, a delicious Belgium restaurant on 8th Street SE.  Next we headed to the National Gallery of Art to see a few exhibits that were about to close...the Edvard Munch exhibit (which closes today) and Ballet Russes exhibit, which was very interesting.  It closes October 6th, and I highly recommend going to see it before then.  Then we were off to an early dinner at BlackSalt, for the best crab cake sandwiches in DC.  So worth the price.

Finally, we finished our weekend with an evening at Nats Park.

Cold beer and baseball

We had great seats, and although we were down 4-0 in the first half of the game, the Nationals came back to beat the Phillies 8-5!

Great seats at Nats Park!

And best of all, we watched history be made...Jayson Werth hit a home run for his 1,000th career run!  It was an awesome moment for a Nationals fan!

Congrats on your 1,000th hit Jayson Werth! What a hit!

Needless to say, after a great weekend and making a 4:30 AM airport run, I am exhausted!  Such a fun weekend, and sad to see my friends go back home.  Now, who wants to come visit next?  As you can see, I make one helluva fun-filled hostess!

Summer Reading

Now that it is finally August recess, I get a break from my crazy and hectic work schedule, and get to relax a bit.  Next week, I'll be taking the week off and hopefully be spending many hours by the pool.  You have no idea how excited I am to just lay in the sun and catch up on some reading.

I recently just finished "Lean In" by Sheryl Sandberg and "Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald" by Therese Anne Fowler for my book club.  Both were excellent and I highly recommend them.  We haven't yet decided what yet to read for book club, but I do have a few other books that I need to dive into.  "A Dance with Dragons" by George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones, book 5--yes, I am part nerd) is among the top of my list, but this epic novel may be too much to take on right now.  I thought about picking up "This Town" by Mark Leibovich, but want to put aside politics for the month.  I've heard that "Serena" by Ron Rash is great, and is also coming out in theaters this fall with Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, so I'd love to read it before I see it.  I've also thought about catching up on "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" by Joan Didion or finally finishing the second Girl with the Dragon Tattoo book, "The Girl Who Played with Fire" by Stieg Larsson.  That was one of those books which I started, put down, and now it's been so long that I need to start it all over.  But I have time for that--it's August!

What books have you recently read and recommend?  I always enjoy talking books and hearing great book recommendations, so feel free to contact me if you ever have a great one I need to pick up!

A Healthier Lifestyle

Baked Cod with Olives and Capers

Almost seven years ago, my father passed away after a long battle with prostate cancer.  During those years of his sickness and a few years after his death, I struggled to deal with my emotions...so I didn't leave my bed, and when I did, I partied and I ate.  A lot.  In about a course of five years, I managed to gain about 40 pounds and was constantly sick.  I was physically and mentally rundown and very unhealthy.  It was a few months after my 30th birthday when I finally decided that enough was enough, and I slowly but surely started to make changes.

But it hasn't been until the past year when I have really stepped up my health and fitness regimen and it has finally started to pay off.  I hired a personal trainer and wake up at 4:30 AM to hit the gym with him.  (p.s., Tony is a badass, but more on him later).  I have cut back my partying ways to where I rarely drink now--maybe about twice a month, if that.  I've found that I'm still fun and can have a great night out, even without a drink constantly in my hand.  Who knew?  I have started to really watch closely what I eat, which includes trying to stick to a Paleo diet.  Not only has this all helped me feel better, but the weight is finally coming off!  I'm down around 25 pounds from my highest, but still have 15 pounds to go to reach my goal.  Even though the road is still slow and sometimes incredibly frustrating, I know I will eventually get there! 

Paleo is pretty simple--I basically only eat meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and healthy fats.  No breads, dairy, or sugar allowed.  The first 30 days I was 100% loyal to this plan, as a way to detox myself.  Now, I follow the plan about 80% of the time, which is recommended for living the Paleo lifestyle after the initial 30 day period.  Occasionally, I will have a piece of pizza, or some sweets, or snack on my favorite Cheez-Its.  However, I find now that when I do eat these foods, I don't always feel so hot afterwards, so it's not worth the comfort it once brought to me.

Anyway, Sunday night I made a simple and delicious Paleo dinner that I thought I would share.  Baked Cod with Olives and Capers (thanks Martha Stewart), with roasted asparagus and brussels sprouts.  I usually cook bigger portions so I can eat whatever I cook for a few meals, and this recipe is perfect for two or for leftovers.  Delicious and easy--perfect for a busy girl like me who's trying to stay healthy!

What are some of your favorite Paleo recipes?

In Bloom

I have good friends coming in town to visit this weekend, so I've been working all week to get my house in order and welcoming for them.  My favorite added touch--fresh flowers!  What girl doesn't love them?  I am definitely not an expert at flower arrangements, but have been working on it lately, and I think this is my best one yet.  I love the shades of pink and white, and the different textures and heights of the snapdragons, hydrangeas and spray roses.  So pretty if I do say so myself!

Timepiece

Michael Kors Black Runway Chronograph

Over the past few years, I've developed an allergy to metal.  Strange, I know, and sad too because this has put a serious damper on my love for accessorizing.  My love for all things shiny and gold has been greatly affected...if it's not platinum or gold, I can only have metal on my skin for a few hours before I break out into red, itchy hives.  Nice, huh?  Not even gold-plated or sterling silver works for me--it must be the real deal.  An awesome problem to have if you can afford the good stuff, but as you know, I'm still working on the high cotton way of life.

Nixon The Time Teller Acetate

Usually, I can get away with wearing my bangles for a night out since I only have them on for a few hours, but my watch is a different story.  Lucky for my mom, she gets my almost new Michael Kors gold bracelet watch.  The plus side is, I get to search for a new fun, non-metal one to wear.  Since my go-to colors are typically black and gold, I'm pretty sure I've narrowed it down to one of these two watches.  I love the Michael Kors one on top, but I've had a bad experience with the enamel rubbing off of my last one, so may opt for the Nixon watch below it.  I've thought about a black leather band, but haven't found any that I really love.  There are some black rubber bands on the market too, but don't think that's exactly my style.

With one do you like better?  Does anyone have experience with either watch/brand? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Weekend Wrap-up

Robert Randolph & the Family Band at 9:30 Club

Have you figured out yet that I love live music?  Friday night I went to see one of my favorite live shows, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, at the 9:30 Club.  As always, he did not disappoint!  In fact, he didn't want to stop playing...after his second encore, the 9:30 managers had to make him get off the stage because they had a late night DJ coming in.  Boo!  But he was awesome, and thanks to my friend Chris, we got prime spots in the VIP booth to dance the night away.  Huge score!

I also hit up Paolo's this weekend, one of my very favorite spots in Georgetown.  My new favorite is their Seafood Salad...delicious, light and filling!  Probably should have eaten a bit more bread that night though, because one too many glasses of wine led me to George later on that night, which always ends in trouble!

I wore my new favorite Razorback Red dress that night...what do you think?  It's from Banana Republic and unfortunately no longer available, which is a shame because I love it so much I wanted to scoop it up in a few more colors.  It is super comfortable and the cut is perfect for me...exactly what buxom girls should look for in a dress.  It has a defined, natural waist line, room enough at the top for the girls, and the skirt floats nicely over the hips without making them look too wide.  And bonus, I don't have to wear my Spanx with it!

If you're from the South, then you know that football season is just around the corner, and this is the perfect game day dress!  Yes, in the South, we wear dresses to football games!  And a girl from Arkansas can never have too many Razorback Red ones hanging in her closet!  Sadly, I won't be making it home for any games this year, but be certain I'll be wearing this to a watch party or three this fall!

African Black Soap

Shea Moisture's African Black Soap Body Wash

Like so many 30-somethings, I struggle with the annoying problem of adult acne.  Not only have I had to worry about fine lines and hyperpigmentation as I've gotten older, but also crazy hormones that wreck havoc on my skin.  I use medication and have a very strict skin care regimen: Yes to Cucumbers Face Wipes, Clean and Clear Continuous Control Acne Wash, Clarisonic Mia w/Sensitive Skin brush, Kate Somerville ExfoliKate (once a week), Kate Somerville Clarifying Treatment Toner, Murad Essential-C Day Moisture, and prescription Clindamycin gel.  At night, I wash, put on my prescription Tazorac and then use RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream and moisturize with extra virgin organic coconut oil.  I have tried so many products and finally fine tuned my routine with these great products which really work for me, but even so, my face has lately still looked a bit dull with sporadic breakouts.

I have heard so many good things about African Black Soap from bloggers and beauty editors throughout the years (Capitol Hill Style's Belle has touted it many times), so when I saw Shea Moisture's African Black Soap Body Wash in Target last week, I decided to give it a try.  Quite simply, I am in love with this product.  Never have I had almost an overnight improvement in my skin until I tried this product.  It is cleaner, calmer and smoother than it has been in years, and I've only been using it for a week!  I've been using it as my nighttime cleanser, and to thoroughly test it, I've even refrained from most of my other topic medications this week...so you know this is the real deal!  I like it so much, I may have to test out the rest of the products in Shea Moisture's line.  What is your go-to skin care product?

Moto Mama

Bernardo Asymmetrical Leather Moto Jacket

How amazing is this jacket?!?!?!  I'm kind of obsessed, and thanks to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, it's now currently taking up residence in my closet!  These fabulous mid-80s temperatures this week + my fall shopping splurge has really made me looking forward to the fall!  I have been dying for a black leather jacket for a few years now, but have had such a hard time finding one that fits both my waist and the girls.  The asymmetry on the jacket really does the trick, and I can wear it full-zipped, half-zipped, or totally open, and it still looks great!  I plan to wear this with flowy maxi dresses or skinny jeans and long tunics...either way, I plan on wearing it a lot!

I also went ahead and picked up these faux leather leggings from Not Your Mother's Jeans.

NYMJ Faux Leather & Ponte Leggings

Now I know based on previous purchases that you must go one size down in NYMJ, so I ordered these in a size 8, but I think I still need to go down one size further.  The size 8s bunch up in the knees and around the ankles, and I like my leggings a little bit tighter than that.  That aside, I'm kind of in love with them.  They are thick, and the faux leather both looks and feels really nice.  Since they are so high-waisted with an elastic band (and of course, because they are leggings), I will only wear these with long sweaters, boyfriend shirts and tunics.  My rule for leggings is, if you can see your ass or your potential camel toe (ha!), then girlfriend get a longer shirt on!

As anxious as I am to try out my new garb, I'm not wishing fall here just yet.  One more day until August recess is officially here!  Bring on the relaxation for a change!