Beauty Product Review: BB Cream

I have heard so much about this stuff but I hadn't gotten around to trying it.... until now. I have to admit, it kinda blew me away how powerful this stuff is. It is very concentrated but applies smoothly and evenly. I did my research (as usual) before committing to buy and I ended up purchasing one imported from Korea called Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream. I learned today, from my friend, that it happens to be the same one she uses and she says it is the best one she has tried. So *yay* - points for me for choosing a good product right off the bat! 

So, on to how the product works.... I applied some in the a.m. right after washing my face. My makeup routine usually consists of applying some kind of a base primer first and then everything else. I don't usually use foundation- however, I do use some concealer around my nose and under my eyes- but I blend in enough that I don't feel the need to use foundation. When I applied the bb cream I was a little surprised about how concentrated it was as I was smoothing it over my face. That stuff appears really light when it goes on.... I was having second thoughts since I did not want to go running around looking like I applied foundation that was 2 or 3 shades lighter. I wore it anyway just to test it out.... I applied blush, defined my brows and did my eye makeup then went off to work. So as I was telling my friend about the product I was testing out (and she mentioned she uses the same one) she said that it might appear light on my skin at first, but after about 30 minutes it is absorbed and it doesn't look as bright. And she was right, I looked in a mirror and my face just looked matte.... and clear. 

No unsightly discoloration or redness showing. I took a photo of what my face looked like and surprisingly- no need for a filter, haha. No but seriously, I look like I applied primer, foundation and micro-powder... my face never looks this 'done up' so early in the morning on a work day. And all it took was one cream. The most amazing thing about bb creams is that it is also doubles as sunscreen. In fact, check this out:

Benefits:

• Looks more natural than foundation + powder
• Provides amazing coverage but doesn't feel heavy
• It offers UV protection (I oftentimes forget to apply sunscreen)
• It is also an anti-wrinkle cream (say what?! SOLD!)

I can't think of any cons at the moment but if I come across anything I will be sure to update this post asap.

I have had it on for about 4 1/2 hours now and my face looks clear and not shiny. You can't see the dark circles under my eyes and I look alert at 7:00 a.m.

So yeah, it works and I am hooked. 

-Mel

Current Obsession: DAVIDsTEA

I have a major sweet tooth and have become crazy addicted to sugar this past year. I had it under control for the longest time and was on a pretty good health kick prior to (and during) my pregnancy but a few months after my son was born I started to neglect my eating habits. I really want to go back to being healthier and making better choices for myself so I am replacing sweets with- you'll never guess: TEA. I was reading one of my new favorite blogs called A Beautiful Mess and after I read a post on DAVIDsTEA I instantly became obsessed. I needed to try it and see if I could somehow replace my daily treats with something that was healthier for me.

So after reading through the blog post and going through several pages of types of teas on DAVIDsTEA's website, I ordered the Organic Creme Brulee to try. Fast forward two weeks later (okay, maybe not that long but the wait seemed eternal) and I got my tea in the mail along with three generous samples of other teas to try. 

I decided to wait until this morning to try some and I have to say, I was not disappointed. It's very smooth and smells just as sweet as it tastes. It is the perfect 'dessert' tea and would be great in the evening in place of...well, actual dessert. I might even add a splash of milk next time to bring out more of the yumminess. I am officially a fan and cannot wait to order more flavors and start a collection of tea.... so I can have hot beverages on hand for all of my guests, kinda like Sheldon on Big Bang Theory. 

Quite possibly, yes.

Links Worth Sharing

• For those traveling with little ones this holiday, check out this survival guide on The Bump.
• A free personalized video message from Santa for kids. 
• Why it's important to keep date nights with your spouse.
• Delayed Parenthood- an interesting topic that my friends and I have been discussing lately. Covered here and here. 

Worth Sharing: Notes from the Universe

I thought I'd share something with you that always makes me feel a little bit happier in the mornings. I love waking up to inspiring messages from Notes From the Universe, they are a great way to start the day.
I first read about these daily emails from one of my favorite sites, High Existence and without thinking twice, I subscribed. I love reading inspirational quotes and books and this is such a nice little reminder that I am responsible for the way I perceive things in my life.

PS. They are free and I really mean it when I say that I love reading them :)

If you want to subscribe go to  http://www.tut.com

Re-Emerging My Pre-Baby Self

Its been 17 months post-baby and I'm still trying to get it together and shed pounds and go back to my pre-baby self. Unlike celebrities that can afford personal chefs, personal trainers and round-the-clock babysitters, for 'normal' moms it can take a little longer to bounce back to our days before baby. I'm not complaining though! I only blame myself in the weight department- with my compacted schedule I tend to eat out more than making healthier lunch and dinner meal choices.

I have been working on a makeover (for myself!) one step at a time. It has taken longer than I anticipated because of lack of time and money constraints but I am not getting discouraged because this is a work in progress. It doesn't matter how long it takes me as long as I get there. So far, I've been doing okay but there have been some setbacks here and there.

I am making it a goal to update/change/lose the following things in order to get one step closer to my new and improved self.

1. Hair Makeover

I'm growing out my hair and in the process of waiting for it to grow I have what looks like a thick medium-length bob- and I HATE it! I dyed my hair lighter a few months ago in hopes of trying something fresh but now my roots have grown in and I need to find a more manageable style to work with. I read somewhere that you should wait to let it grow the length you want AND THEN cut it but that person probably doesn't have my thick hair. I need to get frequent trims to take the weight off otherwise it gets really puffy. I will be visiting LUSH while I do some Christmas shopping in a week and will try out Rehab to see if it will work well with my hair.

2. Exercise My Mind & Body

I was doing pretty well with a workout routine but as you know, life happens and things get in the way of a planned schedule. I have been going to the gym with the husband on a regular basis but he recently started working overnights and so I too am getting used to this new schedule. He really motivates me to be consistent and it's nice to workout together... but I think I will need to start doing Insanity workouts by myself again if I can manage to put Dean to sleep before 9pm. I'm usually exhausted by that time but I really have gained quite a few pounds that I now need to shed. I have been feeling sluggish and my sweet tooth has gone wild.

As for exercising my mind... I really love mediation. Love it, but this too I seem to have trouble finding time for. It all comes down to being more consistent and finding a system that works for me. I will try to do this right before I go to bed. I downloaded some awesome guided meditation clips on my phone that are from meditainment.com. My gosh, I have tried other CDs but these take the cake. The speaker's voice is so soothing and the descriptions of the visualizations are amazing. I know I sound like a real nerd right now but seriously, don't knock it til you try it. They have a free trial download on their website that you should definitely check out if you are into that sort of thing. 

3. Maintain A Healthier Diet

Besides working out, I really, really, really need to pay attention what I put into my body. I need to pack my lunch for work everyday instead of eating out and I need to start cooking at home more. It starts today with dinner- I am going grocery shopping later and will be cooking at home instead of ordering out.

4. Update My Beauty Routine

My skin hasn't looked all the great for a while now. It could use some improvement and I know a lot of this has to do with my diet. However, I also think I need to revamp my beauty routine- especially the cleaning part (type of wash, moisturizing, spf, etc). I also want to invest in the Clarisonic since I have heard so many amazing things about it. I want to try it for myself and see what all the hype is about. In addition to this, I have been meaning to try out a BB cream for my face but haven't gotten around to it yet. I decided I am going to try the OG stuff and order it straight from Korea (as this is where it became popular and has probably been perfected after years of usage). I read somewhere in cyberspace that the US versions are just watered down tinted moisturizers with spf. The original stuff offers more coverage and might actually be the Jesus cream that Sonia mentions in one of her video blogs, haha. (BTW, I LOVE her blog and beauty YouTube videos, you should check it out if you haven't already!) She is a fellow mommy and she and her son are too cute. 

5. Update My Wardrobe

Okay, so this one is a bit embarrassing. I'm still working on this and there has been a setback with buying new clothing because pounds keep creeping up on me. I am quite shocked to say that I am still wearing much of my maternity wear (AHH! I know, don't judge). When I stocked up on maternity clothing, I bought tanks and dresses and other clothing that could easily transition into post-pregnancy but I never intended to wear it THIS long. Most of the clothing I bought consisted of leggings and tunics that are comfortable and easy to wear. The only problem is that I became lazy and haven't purchased much since. I need to pay more attention to rebuilding my wardrobe because all of the stuff I had pre-baby I either don't like anymore (too trendy, not in season) or was donated. I got rid of a lot of stuff in hopes of rebuilding my wardrobe but this has taken me longer than expected.

So there you have it, my personal goals for the next few months. There are other personal goals I am also working on but these are the ones that are easier to measure. I will do my best to give updates about my progress to hopefully inspire someone else to improve any goals in their life.

Links Worth Sharing

• Halloween Happenings for Los Angeles Kids
• 5 Ways to Teach Your Child About Money
• H&M's All For Children's Charity Collection is SO CUTE!
• Custom Plush Toys Designed by Kids- (Simply Amazing)

15 Things To Do With Kids in Los Angeles this Fall

I love the fall. Despite only actually having two seasons in Los Angeles, there are so many fall related activities that you and your kids/nieces/nephews will enjoy. Here is a list of some fun things to do now that the weather has cooled down.

1. Visit a pumpkin patch. 
There's something about picking your own pumpkin that makes carving them all the more fun. There are plenty of pumpkin patches in LA but my favorite so far is at the Halloween Harvest Festival at Pierce College.

2. Host a pumpkin carving party. 
Have guests bring their own pumpkins while you provide the tools, templates, stickers, etc to decorate them with. Pinterest has plenty of free templates to choose from.

3. Visit an apple orchard. 
When I was younger, my parents would drive us to Wisconsin in the fall and we would have the best time picking apples. I want to be able to do this with my son when he gets a little older and there just so happens to be a place near Los Angeles where we can do that!  Here are a few more places to go apple-picking.

Source: Etsy

4. Cozy up by a fire. 
Whether a bonfire at the beach or a fireplace at home or a restaurant, enjoy the warmth of a nice cozy fire with friends/family. Why wait until Thanksgiving to spend time together?

5. Make S'mores. 
While you are cozying up by a fire, why not enjoy a yummy treat too?

6. Hayrides/Haunted Houses. 
 With tons of fun fall activities around L.A take the time to enjoy some of the cool events offered throughout the season.

 7. Visit a farmer's market.

My favorite one just so happens to be the original Farmer's Market next to The Grove and I hear that Dylan's Candy Bar opened nearby!

8. Go on a hike.
 Grab a jacket, bring a stroller and take your kids along for a nice hike. The weather is great- it is neither scorching or raining.

9. Make some hot cocoa.  
Or any hot beverage. Hot beverages and fall weather are synonymous.

10. Watch a movie at El Capitan Theater. 
Frankenweenie is playing until October 25th and then The Nightmare Before Christmas in 4D plays for a whole week right after. Start a family tradition and kick off the beginning of the holidays with a family movie night.

11. Go to a football game.
Football is the most popular sport of the fall season so why not catch a game or two this year?

12. Pitch a tent in the back yard and gaze at the stars.
Just because. I've been wanting to do this for a while- fun right? :)

What are your favorite things to do in the fall? 

Links Worth Sharing

• 50 Things to Do With Kids in Los Angeles this Fall
•  9 Signs Your Kid is Too Big to Ride in a Stroller 
• 10 Organizing Tricks for Kid Closets
• DIY Halloween Costumes for Kids

Links Worth Sharing

• Martha Stewarts Grandaughters First Birthday Party Photos
• Fall Pictures to Take of Your Kids
• 10 Minute Workout Routine for Busy Moms
• Books That Introduce Kids to Artists

Favorite "me time" Indulgences

Let's face it, being parent can be tough sometimes. There are days when I'm left exhausted without any energy and I need to recharge my batteries before I can tack on more stuff. I work full time around the clock- 8 hours in an office and the remaining time at home. I feel like in order to do my best and continue to give back to my family I need to take a little time-out every now and then. I can't keep giving if I'm running on empty. I realize that it is not always easy for everyone to find time for themselves but I can't stress how important it is to be able to step away for a few minutes and refuel. I always end up feeling happier and I am a much easier person to be around when I am in a good mood. Keeping mom happy makes everyone else happy too.

Here are a few of my favorite things to do when I have some time to myself:

1. Take a long bath

Fortunately, on weekends I can ask my mom or the hubby to watch Dean for an hour or two while I draw a bath. I like to splurge every now and then on nice bath salts or bath bombs from LUSH and have a nice DIY aromatherapy spa in my own bathroom. During that time I take a few minutes to clear my head and take in every second of quiet time. I sometimes buy face masks or random treatments to pamper myself too (hey, I do a lot of work!) On the rare occasion that I have extra money to spend on going to a real spa, I opt for a massage.

2. Read

When the baby is napping or has already gone to bed for the evening I like to spend some time reading or catching up with magazines. I enjoy the quiet time and actually makes me feel like I have accomplished a little more that day. 

3. Rediscovering an old hobby

Before having a baby, I spent most of my free time creating stuff and doing arts and crafts. Nowadays, whenever Dean is spending time with his grandparents or aunts I sometimes enjoy putting photo albums together, making quick accessories or deconstructing clothing. I feel like it's important to keep doing things that I love- there is no reason not to.

4. Manicures

I tend to mostly do this at home now but with pinterest and all these other ideas and tutorials available online it is actually fun trying out new colors or designs I can recreate myself. It's fun to be able to change a manicure as often as I want.

5. Enjoying a nice cup of coffee

I'm not talking about just preparing something in the coffee pot- I'm talking about actually heating up milk and using whip cream and fun garnishes or sprinkles to make a gourmet cup of joe at home. Sometimes I pair it with banana + nutella toast or a yummy pastry. I try not to overindulge but every now and then it's nice to be able to relax and really enjoy a good cup of coffee on a Saturday morning.

6. Setting up fresh flowers around the house

I'm a strong believer in making your surroundings aesthetically pleasing. Just like a pile of clutter can make me stress out every time I look at it, pretty things make me happy and relaxed. And fresh flowers are a plus because they release oxygen and help liven the place up. I also like to have nice candles or picture frames and set up vignettes around my home.

7.  Blogging or reading gossip sites

Okay, so this is more of a guilty pleasure. I know it's important to spend time away from technology since I work in front of a computer a lot on some days but I can't help it. At times when I'm home I love reading fashion blogs, going on Pinterest and checking out what my favorite online shops have in stock. I usually reserve for when Dean is sleeping or spending time playing with daddy.

8. Movie Night

The husband and I enjoy our date nights and more often than not end up going to the theatre to watch movies but when there is a film he hasn't been that interested in watching with me I take the time to watch it by all myself. Fun- at least for me.

9. Spending time with Friends

Okay, so this one isn't strictly alone time. But it sure is one of my favorite ways to unwind. Talking about stuff, laughing and just being around friends always makes me feel better.

So there you have it, a few of the things I enjoy during my new spare time. Although I know it's hard for some parents to find time to indulge in some alone time, just remember- it will benefit your sanity. "Me time" can mean anything like taking a class, getting your hair done, going out for lunch or dinner with a friend.. setting aside some time to do something for yourself. Your family will thank you for it.

Remember:

Flying Henry

I came across these whimsical photographs by NYC photographer Rachel Hulin and I had to share. I thought they were absolutely amazing! Check out her website for more photos.

Links Worth Sharing

• Tips For Your Baby's First Haircut
• Coping With Overwhelming Stress
• Eco-Friendly Modular Dollhouses
• Raising Happy Kids

For Mom: NARS, The Mutliple

I'm not one to share secrets but I decided to share something with y'all today because I figure all mommies could use a time-saving beauty tip for those rushed mornings.

I usually only have a few minutes to get dressed before I head to work in the morning- sans makeup. On most days I'd rather sleep in an extra few minutes instead of using that time to apply my makeup... only thing is that I end up having to apply it once I arrive to work.

 On days when I don't feel like putting on my usual stuff (mascara, eyeliner, blush, gloss) I have a go-to item that I love. I first heard about this from my sis-in-law who is an avid makeup junkie and for a while seemed like she was buying off the entire inventory from Sephora. I loved how her face illuminated even when she didn't have much makeup on. Turns out her secret was an all-purpose highlighter stick from Nars. This multi-stick can be used for the eyes, cheeks and lips... I.Love.It. You can apply it with your fingers and it blends smoothly and isn't cakey or greasy. It's sheer and adds a hint of a pearly glow and illuminates my face. I love that it's subtle but makes my face look refreshed and more awake. It comes in a few different shades but Copacabana is my favorite.

So there you have it, a little time saver for those hectic mornings.

Also, here are a few other similar items that you may be interested in:

• Tarte Smooth Operator™ Amazonian clay illuminating serum
• Benefit also has alot of great Highlighters
• Stila All Over Shimmer Duo

Links Worth Sharing

• 20 Things Nobody Told Me About Little Boys
• A Play on Words
• 5 Things to Look for When Buying Kids Sunscreen
• LOL- 25 Mommy Confessions
• Dad’s Amazing Graduation Gift to Daughter Took 13 Years to Make 

Favorite Bluum Box yet!

Yesterday right before we headed to Disneyland, we got our Bluum box in the mail. I opened it and was in love with the items this month! I grabbed 2 items straight from the box to use righy away (Super Goop sunscreen wipes & Ella's Kitchen food pack)- so convenient :) I am definitely stocking up on most of the goodies from this months box.

Links Worth Sharing

• 6 Mother's Day Indulgences You Deserve
• 7 Ways to Make Your Little One's Birthday Extra Special
• 10 Celebrity Moms Celebrating First Mother's Day
• Mother's Day Quotes

Kid Clothing and Toy Storage

It's amazing how much space baby stuff takes up. Our bedroom is overflowing with diapers, toys, baby blankets, diaper bags and baby clothes. I'm on the search for a nice way to keep everything organized. If possible a "one-stop-shop" station where I can keep Dean's things in one area of the room without it looking cluttered. So far I really like these storage ideas:

I really like the look of this but I'm not sure if I can pull off this as a design element in our room:

Or maybe have an ottoman with a hinge to store toys and can double as seating?

And of course, there's the good old wicker basket:

I'm still looking for fresh ideas that will work for a small space but I think that long ottoman might work best for us. How have you figured out how to store kids items?

Links Worth Sharing

• Rachel Zoe's baby is Stylin'
• Kind of loved hearing this about Beyonce
• Childhood Keepsake Ideas from Martha Stewart
• Cute new blog alert: Prudent Baby

Organic Baby Food

I made Dean's baby food using the baby bullet about a week ago, but I haven't had the time to make a fresh batch since. I need to find a way to get the consistency right because I feel like it comes out too thick. I'm thinking of taking an afternoon or weekend day to experiment with fruit/veggie combinations until I get it right. In the meantime, I have been buying him different baby food products to try. I have found some really good brands of organic baby food that don't have preservatives, parabens, artificial colors, pesticides...etc that he seems to really like. I'm very surprised (and excited) about the growing number of these products becoming available in stores.

Since Dean just started solids last month I have bought a few different brands. His pediatrician suggested he stick to one kind of fruit/veggie for a few days to make sure he doesn't have any kind of reaction/allergy and so I have given him a different brand each week. I am looking around to see if there is one he likes better than the rest. The products he's tried so far include Earth's Best, Baby Gourmet, Happy Baby and Ella's Kitchen and Plum Organics.

He seems to be a fan of them all but seems to finish the sweet potatoes from Earth's Best and the mango puree from Happy Baby the most. Aside from being organic and tasting yummy, what I love about most of these is the cap that you can twist off. You can attach a food dispensing spoon (they sell these wherever these pouches are sold) that you can twist on and off for feeding time. Also, if Dean doesn't finish his food in one sitting, I can always put the rest in the fridge and save it for later. I love that these products are natural, have no added sugars and taste great (I know this because, yes, I have tried them). The packaging is BPA free and very convenient for traveling; I can just throw it in his diaper bag and go- love that!

Food Dispensing Spoon from Boon.

And, last but definitely not least, Earth's Best. Their food is USDA Organic and also taste great. I feel like these are more readily available in grocery stores in comparison to the others. I found them at Fresh & Easy when I made a quick run for groceries about a month ago. I love that I know exactly what ingredients are put into all of these products and know that he is getting exactly what is listed on that front label.

February Bluum Box: Sweethearts

I'm glad I am finally getting the chance to blog about Bluum box! I received this month's box 3 days ago- themed Sweethearts for February (every month is a different theme).

As I mentioned before, Bluum is a box delivered to your door monthly that has 4-5 full-sized samples of baby products (and products for mom) to try. I'm surprised to find that the boxes have included samples of many goodies on my list to try out for baby. My favorite items so far include CJ's Butter (smells AMAZING), Baby Gourmet baby food, StriVectin-SD Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Mark and Wrinkles and Dapple Dish Liquid.

This month's box included the following:

1. Camilia Teething Relief

2. Nurturme Crisp Apples

3. Seventh Generation Baby Wipes

4. Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy

5. Good Baby Barrier and Diaper Cream

6. Choice Organic Tea (Wild Forest Black flavored)

Although Dean has long started teething (he has two of his bottom teeth already) this may come in handy when the rest start to emerge. According to Camilia's website, this product is safe and natural and doesn't contain benzocaine, sugar or preservatives. I was kind of hesitant to try Orajel because of the safety recall due to potential health problems.

I first heard about Nurturme from an email blast a few months ago, I was curious to try it out but had completely forgotten about it because Dean was still strictly breastfeeding at the time. I will give updates on this product soon.

Seventh Generation is such a great brand- they don't whiten their products with chlorine and don't contain alcohol or dyes/fragrances/synthetics. I included this on my baby registry months ago so needless to say I am a fan of this brand.

Mederma is well-known for their stretch mark cream and although I was fortunate not to have gotten stretch marks, I do have a small mark right above my belly button. I will be testing out this product to see if I see any significant changes.

Good Baby Barrier is another diaper cream... I have to admit I have tried quite a few and there are a couple I am very fond of. One of my favorites is Boudreaux's Butt Paste because it goes on easy and treats irritated skin. My other favorite includes California Baby... but I might have to post an entire other entry on all California Baby products (I LOVE everything).

I tried the Choice Organic Tea, and it was great. All teas are gluten free and are USDA Organic.

Yay Bluum.

Baby Sleep Positions

Seriously though, how does one tiny person take up so much room? LOL

 

Source:  http://www.howtobeadad.com/

For Mom: Zoya Nail Polish

2 weeks ago, Refinery 29 posted a link to free nail polishes from Zoya (all I paid was shipping) and I finally got my box in the mail today. I received two full-sized bottles of colors I chose from their website (it was very hard to choose from the long list of colors they have). I finally decided on a gold shimmery color called Goldie and a beige color called Clover.


Aside from the fact that they were free I also liked that the polishes are vegan friendly and formaldehyde/toluene free (as well as DBP and camphor free). The package included a pamphlet with all the colors they carry (300+ you guys! talk about choices) and a few color plates with samples of other colors. They are like little trays with acrylics that have nail polish colors on them that you can hold against your own nail and test out colors before you buy them. I guess you can request these on their website before buying (you can buy individual colors called 'spoons').


I think I'm kind of hooked- they have really great colors and you can even look at some before commiting to buying a whole bottle.

The Honest Company sample trial is here!

I signed up for my free trial box from The Honest Company on Wednesday...and received it at super lightning speed (the next day) talk about customer service! There were 5 trial size samples in the box, including laundry detergent, hand soap, face and body wash (that smells HEAVENLY!), hand and face lotion and a healing balm. I tried the hand and face lotion when I gave Dean a massage yesterday and so far I really like it. I've tried a couple of all-natural lotions and some left a weird olive oil scent (even though they were unscented) but this one didn't. It also didn't have a greasy feel to it so that was a definite plus.

I'm going to order the full-sized samples of the laundry detergent and hand and body wash and will try out the dish soap and hand sunscreen. Yay for all-natural baby products :)