Tuesday, September 25, 2012

the BEAUTY detox solution.

i am a crazy, health-obsessed,
vegetarian, morning coffee only,
green tea {all day},
supplement taking,
admitted sweet lover.



kinda-girl.







i LOVE good food!
and have an admitted daily craving
for dark chocolate and baked goods.

having said all of that,
i read everything i can get my hands on
about preventative nutrition and holistic healing.



i just purchased the book The Beauty Detox Solution 
by celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder  from amazon
and can't wait to implement all of the ideas and recipes. 
the book focuses on a holistic approach that focuses 
on increasing energy, balance and healing of the body at the cellular level. 
the lifestyle concentrates on eating a largely plant-based diet 
that promotes healthy, glowing skin. 
the author believes that a heathy digestive system is essential to beauty. 
in order to rejuvenate cells and fight aging you need 
to cleanse your digestive tract 
by eating probiotic-rich foods daily.



Kimberly as also been featured on Dr. Oz, he, along with Dr. Weil,
are my go-to doctors for medical and nutrition advice,
so i made sure that at least one of them liked
what she had to say before i purchased her book.

i have already added the smoothies {below} to my daily routine,
the rest of the things I already eat pretty often,
but thought i'd share them with you.


here are a few daily beauty recommendations:



take a daily probiotic
eat cabbage {a great source of vitamin C for brightening}
eat a 1/4 of raw sunflower seeds daily {vitamin E, delays aging}
enjoy avocado {moisturizes}
drink a glowing green smoothie
drink lemon water every day for beauty {vitamin C hydrates}
have Rooibos tea {caffeine free}
add organic cucumber {high in silica for hair and nails} to salads
and red pepper {vitamin A}
and celery {diuretic} you can add almond butter if you'd like
snack on almonds
add kale to soups, smoothies and salads 
add cinnamon to baked goods
eat ginger
use almond milk in place of regular milk
drink green tea
make this smoothie for beautiful hair
and this wrinkle-fighting smoothie for beautiful skin
here are some of the best
Beta Carotene
Vitmin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin K 
B Complex Vitamin
you can check here for your personal vitamin recommendations
from Dr. Weil.

i'm looking forward to learning more about
the beauty detox solution
and will update you with any new and exciting info.

on my list To Read:  Dr. Hyman's The Blood Sugar Solution.
{although, i'm scared about what i might learn about sugar}.

what things do you implement in your daily habits
for good health and beauty?

anyone read these books?
i'd love to hear your thoughts.

all images from pinterest.


Saturday, September 22, 2012

DIY eyebrow tutorial.

love this quick tutorial on beautiful 
Proenza Schouler eyebrows.



{'done' brows: my favorite, makes a difference, beauty tip}

for the record i also use a finely 
sharpened brow pencil
as mentioned in my previous post.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

instagram. la. la. land.


i've said it before, but i'll say it again.

i love L.A.

my family is there. my heart is there. 


baby sadie.


my son and his new cousin {3 weeks old}.


my nephew, dylan {it was his first birthday}.





kids putting the cozy coupe together.
  

my son in silverlake.


instagram.
@tenthings

Monday, September 17, 2012

kiss and makeup.

i love makeup. i love images of beautifully made up lips and eyes....
but, i look best with very little makeup, 
so here's my ten favorite products for a natural looking 'made up' face. 
i go through this routine most days, 
some days i go sans make-up {never without sunscreen} 
and sometimes, i boost the intensity of my eye make up, 
but basically, here are my favorite everyday products.

  • ROC Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer Day / Sunscreen,  i use ROC Day SPF 30 every day, or if i'll be inside, mostly, i use Jergens Natural Glow FACE SPF 20, but without a doubt, i use sunscreen everyday {on my face and my neck}. 
  • ROC Instant Facial Smoother, this product primes and illuminates. i love the look of primer.
  • Loreal Magic Lumi, this is also a primer {shake well before use} i like to use this illuminating primer on my brow bone, on the lower center pout of my lip and above in the bow {this highlights the fullness of your lips} and down the center of my neck {if i'm wearing a low neck top {which is 90% of the time, i also put illuminator on my collar bones}. i love the way it catches the light, very feminine. very sexy. use this with a light hand, you aren't wanting to look shiny or sparkly, the idea is for the light to catch drawing the eye to the areas you want to bring attention to.
  • Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Foundation, if someone asked if i wore foundation, i would say no, as i have never liked the look {on myself] of a covered up, made up face, so i don't do that, but i like the consistency of this creme and it works perfect for around the nose, under the eyes and around the mouth. if i have any red marks, i use it to cover those up as well. it doesn't suit me to completely cover my skin. i always put this on after moisturizing so it doesn't crease or look dry {tip: if your skin is dry after applying foundation, you can always rub a little more moisturizer between your palms and dab it on your face with open palms}.
  • Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Eye Concealer, this is perfect for lightly dabbing around the eyes. {this is a step two for me, if i have a date, an appointment, a photo shoot, i'll add this extra step}.
  • Clinique Gel Blush, {my color: new clover} the trick for this gel is to use it to achieve that flushed, glowing look. i already have a lot of color in my face, so i use this sparingly, but i use it all over and i love the result. i dab, then rub it on each cheek, then right below the hairline in the middle of my forehead and down both sides of my neck. 
  • Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil, {my color:  black brown} i do my brows every single day, even for yoga, and even before i go to bed {i like to look my prettiest, always}. i just love the look so much and it only takes a few seconds to achieve it. i use very light handed, very soft brush strokes to fill in my brows. {step two is to add brown powder; Bare Minerals: Dark Blonde is my color, with a slanted brush to go over pencil, following the proper placement for filling in brows and then add Maybelline Great Lash clear mascara; brushing up}. i always go over with a Q-Tip so the brows never look over done, just filled in. if you do nothing else in your daily routine, fill in your brows. it will dramatic change your look.
  • Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner, {my color: black} this step i reserve for a date, a night out, a special occasion, etc., again, i like to line the eye, then use a Q-Tip to smudge it softly, no hard lines, then i use eyeshadow {either a dark brown or aubergine to set it, both Bare Minerals}, followed by a paler all over shadow, my favorite is Bare Minerals in Summer}.  
  • Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara and Maybelline Lash Discovery, i love Lots of Lashes mascara, and use it every day. i've tried others, but this is my go-to favorite. for a step two, i take Lash Discovery and put some extra attention into the tips of my lashes. this mascara truly discovers lashes you didn't know you had}.
  • Neutrogena MoistureShine Gloss and MoistureShine Lip Smoother Cooling Hydragel, i love lip gloss, these two are in all my bags, my color: plum and glow, these are my every day. i also love Bare Minerals lip glosses Buxom, for a date night. 

Thursday, September 13, 2012

my ten favorite styling tips.

my daughter told me recently that i am the most feminine person she knows, 
this struck me as funny, because i usually wear jeans, boots and a t-shirt, 
but then i thought about the routine she has witnessed for years, 
here are a few things i believe in when it comes to styling, 
and yes, being feminine is
at the top of my list,
it's just hidden underneath my clothes.



  • forward bend when putting on your bra, it makes your breasts look full and it stretches the backs of your legs.
  • always spend your money on the best shoes, belts and bags you can afford, sunglasses, too, if possible, then no matter what you're wearing, you'll have 'great style' and these pieces will last for years. {note: keep your good items in good shape, your local shoe cobbler can fix zippers, heels, soles and straps, if need be}.
  • always mix it up, distressed denim looks polished, not grungy if you add  that belt, bag and shoes. if you're wearing something feminine, add a bit of edge.
  • only buy it if you love it, i always ask my daughter this in the dressing room "do you love it?". ask yourself, and only buy it if you do.
  • always check your backside before you leave the house and anytime you pass a mirror, look for tags that are visible {remove or tuck in}, loose hairs, loose threads, twisted bra straps, underwear peeking out, etc. {note: i like to remove all tags on any sheer or lightweight items before wearing}.
  • always wear clean  pretty underwear, the lacey-er the better, it makes you feel feminine, sexy and confident.
  • accessorize, find your jewelry style; if it's bohemian, pile it on, if it's minimalist, keep it simple, but wear jewelry.  add a scarf, sunglasses, a belt, a nice quality, French plastic hair accessory, if needed, not a hair tie {those are perfect for yoga or running, but change it up when you go out, i love the tortoise hair accessories from jcrew}.

  • avoid trends, stick to classics, this is not to say that you shouldn't wear leopard or colored denim, just don't look for a magazine to define 'your look', develop your own style and then add a few 'in trend' pieces to your look. BTW; classics for me are a motorcycle jacket, different styles of boots, studded belts, feminine cardigans, low-rise jeans in different washes {the high-waisted jeans, though cute, never worked for me}, leopard, cashmere sweaters and band tees. 




  • spend time on yourself, once a week, for me it's every sunday night, give yourself a pedicure. it's like wearing pretty lingerie or holding a great quality handbag, even if no one can see my feet, knowing that they are 'perfectly' manicured makes me feel dressed. 
  • love who you are, my mantra, be who you are and love yourself for who you are. if casual, minimal effort is your thing, embrace it. when you love who you are, nothing else matters when it comes to style.




snapshots of style inspiration here
on my love who you are pinboard.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

my ten must haves for beach-y california hair.



i'm a low maintenance type of girl, 

no styling, to speak of, 
but my hair has to be super-super soft 
and it has to smell good.
my hair is naturally wavy,
with lots of body, so i don't fight it
with straightening or curling,
but i think these same tips would apply to
other types of hair as well. note: it's best to use 
products when your hair is damp not soaking wet 
as it's a bit more porous 
when damp and will absorb the product better.

  • Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Color Care Shampoo, smells amazing.
  • Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Color Care Conditioner, smells amazing, makes hair soft.
  • Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Heat Defense Leave-in Conditioner, smells amazing, makes hair soft. i use right when i take the towel off my hair, on very damp hair.
  • Organix Pomegranate Green Tea Anti-Frizz Serum, makes hair soft and shiny. i usually go pony tail down , then any leftover on my hands goes from about an inch from the top and runs thru the hair again. you don't want much oil at the part, ever. 
  • Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Light, i rotate this with the pomegranate oil.
  • John Frieda Sheer Blonde Lustrous Touch Strengthening Conditioner, use once or twice a week or whenever hair feels thirsty.
  • No hair dryer ever, i like to let my hair dry naturally. always.
  • No brush, i don't own one.
  • A wide tooth comb, i use before the shower to release any tangles, then sometimes when my hair is wet, but usually never when it's dry.
  • Redken Curl Boucle Ringlet 07, apply small amount and softly scrunch hair. or twist, if you're patient. twist is the new scrunch. scrunching is quicker. i'm a simple girl, so i usually scrunch. 

you might also like


and 
stay tuned for upcoming posts; 
my ten must have supplements and nutrients
and my top ten favorite styling tips
and more.

photo by jay reilly. 



Sunday, September 9, 2012

my ten must haves for a luminous face.




  • Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser {sensitive skin}, only product i can use that doesn't sting my eyes when i wash my eye makeup off.
  • St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub, i use on my face and neck in the shower a couple times a week, especially after yoga or a sweaty workout.
  • ROC Daily Resurfacing Disks, i use regularly, perfect to use after working out {i rotate between this and the St. Ives, you don't want to over exfoliate}.
  • ROC Retinal Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30, use daily to block harmful rays.
  • ROC Retinol Correxion MAX Wrinkle Resurfacing System 1, this is part one of a two part system, i use this every night.
  • ROC Retinol Correxion MAX Wrinkle Resurfacing System Resurfacing Serum 2, this feels amazing going on and my skin instantly looks amazing. Love! Love! Love!
  • ROC Complete Lift Contouring Eye Roller, refreshing on the eyes, can sting a bit, i use every other night, so i don't get irritated, dry lids.
  • Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion Treatment with Derma-Crystals 1st Step, Olay Regenerist Peel Activator Serum with Lactic Acid 2nd Step, i've had both microdermabrasion and peels by a facialist with great results, but there's down time and lots of irritation and discomfort, this is a great way to get an at-home result. i use this three times a week, at night, to keep my skin renewed. it warms as you use it. i love it! 
  • Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 55 or 70 with Helioplex, I use this for beach days. it's lightweight, but sort of 'whitish' on your skin, so rub in well to avoid the dreaded ghost look.
  • Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E Body Gloss, this has subtle illuminators and softens, looks pretty on the collarbone area. i like to put this on in the daytime and at night.
note: 
none of these companies paid me 
to try or speak about their products. 
i just really love these 
and as i am particularly concerned 
with taking great care of my skin, 
so i thought i'd share some of my favorites. 
i use all of these on my face and neck regularly. 
best of all, all of them can be found at Target, 
Walmart or your local drug store. 
they're inexpensive and they work.

i love the routine of taking care of my skin,
always have, but now even more so 
that i'm getting older.
i have been a beach girl my whole life,
{let's just say that i get lots of vitamin D},
so it's especially important to me that 
i protect and nurture my skin.

let me know if you have any questions, 
i'm not an expert just an enthusiast.

and 
stay tuned for upcoming posts; 
My Ten Must Haves for 
Easy, Breezy, Beautiful California Girl Hair 
and My Top Ten Favorite Styling Tips
and more.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

honesty is the best policy.


i was soooo excited to do this cleanse. 
i talked about it, researched it, bought all the food, 
spent hours prepping it and got my husband on board.

but, 

honestly, i think there are several reasons, but just to be fair, i'll tell you why i quit at 1:00 pm on the second day. i didn't count on the terrible headache that started at around 11:00 am on the first day, 
kept me awake for two hours that night and continued into the next morning. 
i think this was due to giving up coffee {cold turkey} and not drinking my usual 4-6 cups 
of green tea during the day. 
no caffeine = bad headache. 
also, i couldn't eat very much of the quinoa with prunes. 
i like quinoa {in a salad}  and i like prunes, 
but together, i couldn't stomach it, so i didn't eat much but a few tablespoons.  
i also did a tough yoga class on wednesday{sans coffee} 
and was more sore and fatigued than normal. 
i checked in with my husband who was doing and feeling fine 
{he ate all his quinoa}, 
but he encouraged me to stop and eat something 
as i was feeling weak in the legs, 
nauseous and very headache-y. 
funny thing was, when i decided to quit the fast, nothing sounded good. 
i settled on a oatmeal raisin cookie from Panera, 
when i got home i had two pieces of whole grain toast and crunchy peanut
butter {my regular breakfast food} and now, 
i'm trying to drink some water and think ahead about what's for dinner.
{BTW my husband had lunch at Chipotle}.

my sweet daughter cleared out the refrigerator 
and told me she didn't want me to feel like a failure.
{i had told her i didn't want to quit even though i felt 
lousy}.

i don't feel like a failure. the cleanse / detox
did some good, i'm sure, in the one day. 
maybe a cleanse isn't for me.
but, i'm happy {sort of} that i tried it
and most of all, i wanted to tell it the way it was.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

dr. oz 48 hour cleanse.

well, actually, we are doing it, 
i talked my husband into doing it with me.

after reading about the many benefits 
of this detox cleanse in 
Oprah and on Dr. Oz's site, 
i am excited to do it. 

we are starting tomorrow.
i prepped everything today,
so we could just grab tomorrow
and thursday without thinking.



we decided on wednesday and thursday, 
as we always eat out somewhere special on friday
{it's a standing date night}, 
so we'd have this to look forward to 
after following this purifying diet 
to get rid of our toxins
for two days
{sounds romantic, huh?}. 


many of these ingredients 
we already eat, but
going without 
coffee, 
sweets, 
bread and cheese
{and for him without meat}
for two days is going to be really tough.
but, i'm up for the challenge.

all the recipes are here
for the ingredients you'll need.

i'll be drinking Yogi Detox Tea
every night. i love all their teas.
how can you not love a tea 
that has a fortune on the tea bag?


i plan to read 
over and over again
to keep us on track.

i'll keep you updated on how it's going and any results
on facebook, twitter and here after the cleanse.

if you've already done it, i'd love to hear your thoughts.


Monday, September 3, 2012

stairway to heaven.






ladder necklaces.  


we got married right near here.

 

a seal at la jolla cove.


beautiful la jolla.



girard gourmet cookies.

{all images / Kerri Jones}



Sunday, September 2, 2012

handcuffs. an eye to ward off evil. a skull.




frida. now available in heather grey


a heart. captured. handcuff charm necklace.
{coming soon}




a heart. captured. lariat handcuff charm necklace.
{coming soon}


eye tassle. necklace.


gypsy. necklace.