American Cool

Last week, I went to the National Portrait Gallery to see its newest exhibit, "American Cool".  It featured individuals in American culture since the 1940s that have helped define "cool" in our country.  Most featured were familiar to me, a few not, but I definitely all had that quintessential cool factor that we all seem to admire.  A few of my favorites: Jimi Hendrix, Bill Murray, Chrissie Hynde, Frank Sinatra--we just a few of artists, athletes, actors, authors, musicians and social activists that made there mark in shaping our culture.

I really enjoyed this exhibit, and encourage you all to take it in.  It is at the Portrait Gallery until September 7th, so plenty of time to see it! 

Weekend Wrap-Up

This weekend was incredibly low-key...apparently just what I needed.  My hives decided they didn't want to go away, so I went to my doctor and was put on some prescriptions strength steroids and anti-histamines to knock these things out.  My doc also agreed that this was stress-induced, so we had a long talk about managing my stress.  Done, and working on it.

These drugs though are like a magic sleeping potion--the first day on them I was so loopy after about 30 minutes of taking them that I had to go to sleep...and woke up seven hours later.  And then slept a full night too.  That was pretty much the theme for the weekend, which I suppose was fitting considering that Monday starts back-to-school week in the Senate, and it looks like it will be a very busy fall.

So, on top of sleeping my way through the past few days, I did manage to do a few things.  I finally used my Groupon for Age Smart by Mirka, the best facialist in DC.  Seriously, this woman works miracles.  I accidentally found her through another Groupon when she was working at a salon in Georgetown, and have since followed her to her own practice in Bethesda.  If you go see her, tell her I sent you!

Of course, I watched my Hogs play too.  It was a little closer than most of us Razorbacks would have liked, but Arkansas is now 2-0.  Woo Pig!

The rest of the weekend was just checking off my to-do list--oil change, alterations, dry cleaners, laundry, some cleaning, grocery store--yawn, I know.  So, not a particularly exciting weekend, but I did manage to get a lot done, heal up, and stick to the cleanse.  Anyone do anything fun this past weekend?

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!

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!

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?