Today I got a facial and have been trying to keep up with one every two to three months.  Cindie is really friendly, professional, and makes the experience relaxing and pleasant.  I’ve noticed a huge difference in my skin since keeping up with these facials, combined with my Boscia mask treatments.  I’ve also had a massage and some waxing done at Lillie Ann’s and loved that too (as much as anyone can love waxing– ouch.)
The facility is kind of off the beaten path over by Harpo Studios at 1260 W. Washington.  It’s small and it’s no Mario Tricocci.  You won’t be lounging around in your robe in the “quiet room” is what I mean by that.  However, there’s free parking, the place is immaculate and tastefully decorated/ seems brand new and seems reasonably priced.  Every person I’ve encountered has been nice and made my visit a truly relaxing, pleasant experience.  I keep going back.  I really can’t think of a better way to spend part of my afternoon off.  I also owe a big thank you to my thoughtful husband who bought me two facials for Christmas!  I think I’m going to schedule the next one for April so I can enjoy an hour to myself after the baby’s born.  You’re watching the kids right hun?! 

Enter the internet.  I googled and came up with Heel-Tastic.

It was really reasonably priced and had great reviews so I ordered two!  I started using it every night– slathered it on my heels, put on some socks, and went to sleep.  Seriously, after only a few days I noticed a difference.  Now (about two months later) I have NO visible cracks on my heels.  The texture is infinitely smoother.  I don’t snag my feel while putting on tights anymore.  Yeah people, that’s how cracked they were.  Now I’m down to using it every other day and I don’t always put the socks on after the heel tastic.
I started raving about it so much David had to try it for himself on his elbows.  I warned him he may get quoted on Personal Faves and he gave approval.  David said his elbows could have previously only been described as “dinosaur skin.”  He was shocked and amazed by the difference too.  My hands have become pretty cracked lately with the cold weather and the constant hand-washing (I work in a germ fest otherwise known as an elementary school.)  I put some heel tastic on my fingers before going to bed one night and again– drastic improvement.

The only downer of this product is that it smells very “natural.”  It’s made with lots of waxes and many natural ingredients but this scent is part natural and part geriatric.  I don’t care.  Like I said, I use it at night!  The effects and positives far outweigh the strange-ish smell.  It would make a great stocking stuffer.  Be proud to bare your heels again!

You know how your mommy friends tell you too much stuff when you’re pregnant with your first child and it freaks you out?  I am one of those people now.  Sorry friends.  This happened to me once a few weeks before Graham was born when one of my childhood friends sent me a message on Facebook saying that motherhood brought with it cracked and bleeding nipples but also a lot of joy.  Um, too much information childhood friend.  Sheesh.  I do have to thank her, I suppose, because that made me determined not to suffer such excruciating pain (I’m wincing right now even thinking of that.)  I immediately put the handy dandy internet to use and found this Mambino cream.

http://www.satarababy.com/product/mambino-calendula-nursing-balm-2oz

I don’t know if it’s because I started using it before nursing but I seriously have never suffered a cracked or dry nipple many nursing moms complain of.  This is just good stuff.  Organic is good because you don’t have to wipe it off prior to nursing.  The jar says put it on after every feeding but who has time for that??

My husband was dubious about a post devoted to nipple cream but this stuff really helps.  Breastfeeding did not come easy to me at first and I called several friends in tears those first few days.  Every mother has a choice but when I chose to breastfeed it was so nice to have the support of people who knew exactly what I was going through.  So if this nipple cream helps a nursing mom out there then in some small way I have offered support in an area where I once needed it.  I have to say that as proud as I am I nursed Graham 11 months… I don’t miss it one bit.  It’s a hell of a lot easier to give him an organic cereal bar when he’s cranky now.    Also have to give a special shout out to my friend Alison on her new baby girl!  Glad you liked the Elemis Oil and are stretch-mark free.

My expectations were high for Erase Paste!  True Benefit style- cute little jar, cute little box.  Put it under my eyes and WOAH!  Instantly brighter, skin tone looking very even.  Unfortunately, by the end of the day it was caked up into my crinkles [word David came up with for me, how kind, to describe a crease/ wrinkle.]  I was like, “Geeze, people!!”  I guess no one at work is really my friend or they would have told me I had make up creases all over.   I considered taking back my Erase Paste until….

Powderflage!  Yes, comes packaged in a cute little camouflage box.  It’s a light, shimmery highlighting powder that you can apply on it’s own or to set your concealer.  When I brushed a little of that stuff on top of the Erase Paste…  HEAVEN.  The girl at the shop was even kind enough to point out that I can use Powderflage to diminish some of the lines around my mouth.  Thank you girl.  Did not realize those lines were significant until you kindly pointed them out to me.  You can bet your ass I’m highlighting them away now.  

I was going to do a before and after picture but I got a little scared.  You would be scared by the before.  Let’s just post some cute pics courtesy of Benefit.  http://www.benefitcosmetics.com

P.S. tried the Stay Don’t Stray (their new product) and sorry Benefit, but was VERY disappointed.  Just FYI b/c the sales clerks will have you try that first thing!!

Warning: your husband, partner, whatever, will drool over the cover.  Tracy Anderson is HOT.  David said to me, “Why do you think she has to look so sexy on a DVD that’s being sold to women?”  Duh: I want to look like that.  If I look HALF that good post-pregnancy the DVD was well-worth the money.

Getting back to the point: It’s a great workout.  If you think you’re going to hate her for being so pretty and tiny, she admits right away that she gained 60 pounds with her son and then you can relate to her again.  She swears that her methods are designed to bring the skin back to the abdominal muscles.  I started doing the DVD four weeks after Graham’s birth and I noticed a difference after just two work-outs.  Seriously.  My stomach looked better and I felt less like my uterus was going to fall out when I was running.  [sorry for you non-mommies who just vomited a little in your mouths]

The down-side: it’s kind of long (45 minutes) but she spends about the first 30 on abs and the last 15 on the gluteus and arms so you can skip those if you want.  The other down-side: she doesn’t cue very much.  You have to pay close attention at first but once you’ve done it a few times you know what’s coming next.  Still, it’s totally a MUST HAVE.  Some of the moves are ones I’ve never seen and I’ve been a fitness enthusiast my whole life.  So I’m sure these exercises are “magical” in bringing the skin back to the abs… just like Tracy promises!

The Tracy Anderson Method Presents Post Pregnancy Workout DVD

P.S. I tried the Dance Cardio DVD for all of 5 minutes and promptly posted on Facebook that it was up for sale!  She tries to teach you dance routines and then does them at lightening speed without saying a word.  I guess I was supposed to have it memorized by then.  Uh… since becoming a mommy I can’t even remember how to speak English properly let alone remember dance routines.  I’d skip it unless you have a dance background.

That is… until Pureology.  The whole line just gives fab hair.  My favorites though are the hydrating shampoo and conditioner.  I have no soft water (BOO!) and I have to find products that can make up for that.  Pureology comes really close.

I will never forget the first time I used the hydrating shampoo, conditioner, curled my hair loosely, and then used the hair spray.  We went out that night and all of my friends were like astounded.  I was getting compliments on my hair left and right.  It might have been the best my hair looked ever.   I like to use the “take hold” hair spray in sections of hair before I curl it.  Then my style really lasts although a little goes a LONG way.

Go buy some pureology and you’ll see what I mean!  If you have a favorite product you find in the line… let me know.  I always want fab hair.   Their stuff is not cheap by any means but not the most expensive I’ve seen out there either.  The last salon I went to tried to sell me some Kerastase conditioner for fricking $58.  I was like… um, no.  Fab hair is always worth a few extra bucks right but $58 is beyond my limit.  You can buy some pureology conditioner and go spend the rest that you would’ve spent on another brand on something else fun!

http://www.pureology.com/

Anyway!  This toothpaste helps combat the cavities one could get from having a sweet tooth and tastes great to boot.  It’s one of those “Whitening Expressions” lines from Crest.  My mom’s a hygienist and always recommends Crest for a good source of flouride.  Right mom?  Who am I kidding, she doesn’t know how to leave a comment on the site!    The vanilla mint is sweet and refreshing at the same time.  Love it.  Went to Target the other day to get a refill and it was on clearance.  Scared me that it might be canceled so I figured I’d better write about it now just in case.  If it is indeed going to be canceled I will go buy every box at Target right now.  Maybe you friends across the country could pick me up some at your local Target as well.  Or, just get yourself a tube!  Enjoy and happy brushing.

so good

I’m not dissing people who use liquid foundation.  I used it for YEARS.  I have struggled with mild acne and just always thought I needed a ton of coverage.  One day I ran out of my liquid foundation was too busy to go get some more (that is what having an infant does to a person) and just stopped using it.  I found that I didn’t so much miss it.  I needed something though and so I hit up the Benefit boutique on Southport in Chicago with my best friend and baby in tow.

After explaining the situation to my consultant, she immediately told me I was going to love some kind-a gorgeous and I she was right.  It comes with a sponge applicator or you can use a foundation brush if you prefer.  It goes on SO LIGHT and settles as a powder (so they say, I still use my MAC powder on top but I tend to have oily skin.)  It truly evens out my skin, hides blemishes, does everything you want without the cake-like texture of liquid foundation.  It is truly a new personal fave.

http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/product/B000HAZLZ2/sr=1-1/qid=1243459207/ref=sr_1_1/179-4132291-4051753?ie=UTF8&bcBrand=core

The pedicure chairs in this place are GREAT.  Just hit the auto button, sit back and enjoy.  They’re a little on the intense side but I like it because it’s like you’re really getting a massage.  The nail tech also gives you great massages during the manicure.  I think it’s like $45 for a mani/pedi which, considering it’s downtown Chicago and you get quality massages in a nice atmosphere…. total deal.

Plus, I just can’t say enough nice things about the employees.  I’ve been going to this salon a little over a year and went throughout my pregnancy.  They always took such good care of me.  I think I got extra long massages when I was pregnant because they are so nice.  Now when I go in they ask about the baby.  They always help me put on my coat or get my car keys out of my purse.  They are just so sweet!

They have other services like chair massage and waxing but I haven’t tried anything other than the nails so if you do, post a comment and let me know what you think!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/pinky-nail-studio-on-madison-chicago-2

p.s. I miss this personal fave!  The maternity leave budget just hasn’t allowed for many trips there lately.  Maybe my hubby should treat me to a mani/ pedi soon?  hint hint. 

So this Personal Fave will protect your hands from the elements and leaves them soft, totally not greasy, and very very smelly-good.  I have to give credit where credit is due; my good friend Izabela introduced me to this hand cream.  I have used it ever since she gave it to me as a birthday gift a few years back.  Then I gave some to my mom for Christmas and recently my mom gave some as a thank you to her interior decorator.  I just gave some to Kristen as part of her birthday gift (which is today!!  Happy Birthday KB!)  Seriously, it’s that good that you will want to pass it on.

Who doesn’t love the scent of lavender?  And it’s totally not overpowering.  I have a very sensitive nose and don’t like fragrances that are too strong so take my word for it this is a lovely scent.  The texture is just perfect… like I said, your hands are not the least bit greasy or gross after using it.  Plus, you can get a convenient little travel size to test it out and carry around in your purse.  I am one of those people, I’ll admit it, who is sometimes putting on the last bits of my makeup at red lights.  So the travel size hand cream is perfect for me!  I can put it on just before I get wherever I’m going.  Especially now that I have little Graham going with me everywhere… we never make it places on time and it’s great to have travel size of anything.  So that’s my spiel!  Enjoy!!