May Favorite Things

Hello Honey Darling Dears!

It is finally feeling like Spring here so I have been spending much of my time outdoors.

Yard Work:

I am hesitant to say that I enjoy the process of yard work, but I do enjoy the end result.  It is a really satisfying feeling.  I might even try power washing this weekend.  It's getting crazy over here! 

When done with yard work, enjoy!

Outdoor Activities:

I am really enjoying swimming, biking and running outdoors (coincides with triathlon training, no?).  A big shout out to my friend Heather at Mouse Fitness for going on bike rides with me.  Heather has been so patient with me and helping me calm the F down when I almost fall (which is at least 2 x per ride).  Heather is an amazing person, fitness friend, personal trainer, and running coach.  She is amazing!  Please consider her for your future fitness needs.

Outdoor Conerts:

Thursday nights in Reston: http://lakeanneplaza.com/calendar/
 
Friday nights in Herndon: www.herndonrocks.com

Saturday nights in Reston: http://www.restontowncenter.com/cgi-bin/calendar/Calcium40.pl?Op=ShowIt&CalendarName=EVENTS

Free Music!

 
Grilling Season:

 It is so nice to be able to hang out with friends in a super chill way.  I love hanging out at someone's house and grilling.  It is a great time to hang out and involve your friends that have kids. 


Sorry for no photos at the moment, will update soon with pictures!

Hugs and Loves!

M

Las Vegas

Hello Honey Darling Dears!

This past weekend, my amazing group of friends and I went to Las Vegas for a much needed vacation.  I haven't been on a friendcation since...ummm maybe I really don't even remember.

We left on Thursday AM and arrived around 2pm Vegas time.  We got to our hotel and of course got lost trying to find our room.  That Caesar's Palace is no joke.  With the help of a security guard we found our room.  We all changed and hit the streets.  One thing I'm so happy about is that I brought sneakers because it felt like we walked for hours everyday.  It was my first time in Vegas so I loved walking around and seeing all hotels and the glorious decorations inside.  I was a big fan of the Bellagio.

Living Art

Flowers

Flamingos

Fountain Show at Bellagio

We also went to Serendipity and got Frozen Hot Chocolate.  I have heard of this place (they have one in DC) but had never been.  I have heard so much hype about it and I was starting to worry that I was hyping it up too much myself....well let me tell you, I was NOT disappointed.  This was a heavenly delight.  So rich and just plain yummy. 

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Night 1: Twin Peaks for dinner, Gillies

Dinner at Twin Peaks

This is what we wore to the redneck bar

On our way to Gillies, our cab driver seemed horrified that we were going there.  He told us we were too classy for a place like that.  We told him no, that is actually our kind of place.  He was very confused by us and concerned for us.

 

Night 2: Britney Concert, various bars and Margaritaville

being old at Senior Frogs (do you like what I did there?)

looky looky

My mom hates this photo

Britney Concert

limo time

Margaritaville closes at 2am, srsly!

Night 3: Gordon Ramsay's Steak and Pure nightclub

We all ordered a meat trolly for our homes

at Pure

Jenny and I

Overall, lots of glitter and sparkles.  This group of friends is amazing and it was such a chill vacation. and we might have to make this an annual trip.

Hugs and Loves!

M

April Favorite Things

Hello Honey Darling Dears!




NYX Wonder Pencil




I picked this up on a whim.  You can use this for all sorts of stuff.  You can use it as a concealer, line around your lips to keep lipstick in place, eye liner, spot treatment etc.  I am really enjoying this product and I imagine that it would be great to traveling so that you don't have to bring so many products.



Blush: Revlon






I am so over the bronzing/nude/monochromatic color look.  Add some color to your face!  Blush and lipstick and give you such a nice color pop and look so much more natural then doing various sades of nude/tan/bronze.

I found this Revlon multicolored blush at my local CVS.  I like that it has a mix of colors rather than a solid color.  I don't want bright cheeks when the rest of my skin is so very pale.  I would say this color is good for light to very light skin tones.  This color probably would not be good for people with dark complexion as it is very subtle. 



Bracelet


I found this pretty bracelet at Wegmans of all places.   It is just a simple stretchy band bracelet and it looks like it will go with so many things.  Not bad for $11.99!


And of course who could forget April 25?




Hugs and Loves!

M

Nike Women's Half Marathon

Packet pickup

Nike

The best part of packet pickup was the Paul Mitchell school doing hair braids.  I got a boho braid by Michael and it was lovely. 


Race Day
Today was the Nike Women's Half Marathon.  My day began at 4:30am (yikes).  The dogs of course were confused as to why we were awake so early.  Went on our morning walk and gave them breakfast.  I then got dressed, ate, hydrated and headed to the metro. 

Me before the race

I got to the race with about 20 minutes to spare.  A lesson learned from the Rock N Roll Half, got me into the port-a-potty line before the race.  That was a good call. 

The Race
I had a nice race.  I had some left foot pain starting around mile 7, so I stopped and did some stretching and foot rotations.  I had some hip issues starting around mile 10, but by then I was far enough into the race that I knew I would be ok.  I ran the first 6ish miles and then switched to a walk/run to finish the race.

The course was mostly flat which was really nice.  There were plenty of water stops so I was never thirsty while on the course.  I ran with a water belt and didn't even need to use my own water, so I drank mine after the race.  There was also gummy stuff, mini Luna bars and candy on the course.  There were TONS of volunteers and they all seemed genuinely happy to be there.  There were numerous high school and collage marching bands along the course which was really uplifting.

Clock Time: 3:11:43
Garmin Time: 3:09

Also for the record, my Garmin says that I did 13.9 miles.  I know there is usually some discrepancy on the Garmin but almost an entire miles seems a bit off to me. 

Recovery

Post race snacks

Ice bath

I managed to last 11 minutes in the ice bath today.  A new record! 



Bling Bling!
Instead of the usual race medal, this race give out Tiffany's necklaces.  I am of course, wearing it already!

Got my bling

Bling

Clean Skin

Some of you have asked about my daily skin care routine.  As the season changes so does my daily routine.  For the Spring here is what I am doing.


Daily Routine
Morning:

Beyond Basics Nourish and Diminish



After this I dry my face and use a serum and daily face lotion.  Simple and easy right!

Evening:

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil


I clearly love this as this bottle is almost gone.  I put a few pumps in my hand add a bit of water and then spend a good minute or two massaging it on my face.  Take your time in the evening to really get all the daily gunk off your face!



2X a week:

Clarisonic


This is hands down one of the best purchases I have ever made for my skin.  You can use any face cleanser with it and it just amps up the effectiveness and really gets your skin glowing. 

Amour Pacific Treatment Enzyme Peel



This product is magical.  I got this as a sample and I knew I would have to have the full size.  This is a powder that you put into the palm of your hand, add a tiny bit of water and then lather up.  This will leave your skin so soft and smooth.  This product will last a very long time.

Treating Problem Areas:

Like everyone I get some problem areas, mainly my chin/jawline area and my nose.  Once a week I like to do a mask on these areas only.





After the mask, I use either my clarisonic or I do a microderm.  I am especially fond of the Mary Kay microderm set.

Mary Kay Microderm


The trick with microderm is that you need to spend time using it.  Do not press hard on your face, rather go over areas a few times gently.

Clinque Clarifying Lotion


Use this in moderation!  I do NOT put this all over my face, just areas that need a little extra help.

DermaDoctor Ain't Misbehavin


This I use for spot treatment to shrink and dry out zits. 

Be sure to use a good night cream and eye cream and have a glorious sleep. 

And that's all I got folks!


Hugs and Loves,

M

March Favorite Things

Hello Honey Darling Dears!


This month is all about some of my favorite eye makeup.

Mascara:

Origins Underwear for Lashes $17 + Fringe Benefits Mascara in Black $17



I have been using this for about 15 years.  It is hands down the BEST for length, volume and growth.  I get compliments all the time on how long, full and healthy my lashes are.  This is the reason! 

I do one eye at a time, start with the Underwear for Lashes.  This puts on a base layer for the mascara to stick to.  Then I put on the mascara.  Do not rush!  Take your time to really get in there and get all your lashes.  I do top and bottom of each lash.

Eye Shadow Pallet:

Urban Decay Naked 2 $54





This is the best quality eye shadows.  They can all be used together or on their own.  It is a mix of matte (not shiny) and soft shine.  I use this everyday, so even thought the cost is a bit up there, if you can control your urges to buy other stuff once you have this, it is a great value. 



Sparkle Shadow:

Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish in Dusty Rose $32





This is crazy cool!  It can be worn alone or over other eye makeup to create a beautiful foil finish.  The directions from Sephora:
Suggested Usage:
-Add two drops of eye primer to mixing tray.
-Add a small dab of Magnificent Metals to mixing tray.
-Swirl primer and shadow together.
-Use the tip of your finger to gently press mixture onto center of lid.
-For a bold, high-metallic finish, build intensity with additional layers.

I just put a dab of the eye primer directly onto my brush (a little goes a long way here) and then put the brush into the shadow and apply to my eye.  You do what works for you.

Concealer:
Soap and Glory Trick and Treatment



I am so thankful the day I found this on sale at Sephora.  This not only treats your under eye area, it has a high pigment "trick" that reflects light so your circles look like they are gone.  I use this everyday.

Here are all of these items used together:






Please excuse the curlers in my hair



Not at all makeup related, but I am really obsessed with Sperrys. 



These are just a few of the Sperrys I own.  I love and adore them all.




Hugs and Loves,

M

Saturday SAG

This morning was wonderful!

I got up at 6am and drove out to Marshall, VA to SAG for Team Z.  SAGing is when a driver roams the bike course checking in with riders, making sure everyone stays on course and being available to get a rider off course and back to the starting point if need be.  I enjoy SAGing mainly because I get to drive around and see all the beautiful scenery. 

Here are some photos from todays SAGing adventure:

    









I missed getting a picture of the most adorable donkey, but I will get a photo of him next time! 



Happy weekend to all!

Hugs and Loves,

M