A Bit of Birthday Swag

So it is that time of year when I get to pick up a few things without guilt, or retribution.
And I typically spend these precious birthday dollars on beauty products from Sephora...
can you blame me??
As a bit of a back story....
this year has already brought some firsts...
a trip to the dermatologist with a subsequent removal of a chunk of skin from my arm (benign skin tumor, no big deal),
but the little old lady who was the appointment before me left with no less than 7 bandages on her face,
from things she had removed. 
I DO NOT want that to be my future.....so I will be taking Sun Protection very seriously from now on. 
I have such a bad track record with sunscreen breaking out my face that I often skip it altogether. 
But deep in the heart of Texas (and anywhere for that matter),
it is kind of important to protect your face, at the very least!
My No Foundation Foundation has SPF 30, but I wanted something a little higher,
and the Josie Maran Daily Argan Moisturizer SPF 40 looked just about perfect. 

I have had a good track record with her products, and I think the Argan Oil is just what my skin needs.
I also picked up this Infinity Cream, which is supposed to be a magic do-it-all product....eyes, lips, skin, cuticles, etc. 

And I love that it is in a tube, since you know I always manage to drop a glass bottle of expensive product EVERY TIME.
And just to keep it all in the family, I am also trying out her Argan Blend Concealer. 

I purchased the color Sand-Light, which I may not have done, had I not been in the store to see it for myself. 
I am typically closer to a Medium skin tone, but this lightest shade is great for fairer skin, or those with a yellow undertone,
which I have. 
The medium shade would be better if you had more of a pink undertone in your skin, in my opinion. 
I feel like it is the best of two of my favorite products, Benefits Boi-ing and Erase Paste.
The smaller pan is a salmon colored corrector used to cover anything red or blue colored
(under-eyes and blemishes, like Erase Paste)
and the larger pan is a nice creamy concealer (like Boi-ing).
They can easily be layered over top of each other to get a natural finish. We will see.....
Once I have used these products, I will give you a full review,
to let you know what I think about them!


Besides the Sephora goodies, I did go out in search of something nice to wear to meet Justin's Commander next week. 
The party is at a Golf Course, so it will be on the nicer side of a BBQ. 
At the GAP, I landed on this sweater. 
It was the right length, right color, and the right price.

THIS Sweater (which I have to say is MUCH brighter and a bit lighter in person)
it is Very Flattering even though it is not so fitted....so I will pair it with skinny dark jeans, boots and interesting jewelry.
And, it was $22.

I also looked around for Justin, but found something extra for me: THIS T-Shirt
Does this age me??  What? Class of 99'....ahem.
It was in the Mens department, but I got it in a small, and it is SO SOFT and broken-in. It was $4.99.
I am thinking of sleeping in it, working out in it, wearing the heck out of it.

My Mama sent me a cute Elephant charm necklace, similar to this one, but mine is on a long chain,
and a bit less textured than this one.  Super cute to wear alone, or layer with other necklaces. 
I have already received compliments about it...love conversation starters.

See you soon with a video about how I like my new products...easier to tell you in person (kinda)...

Oh, and as far as goals for my next year of life....
I am just focusing on love.

Loving myself.
Loving my husband.
Loving my children.
Loving my friends.
Loving my life and everyone who is in it.

That's it.  Keeping it simple, but profound.

I read (in one day) a fascinating book called Proof of Heaven.
I will let you search it on your own, but the main thing I am taking away from this amazing story is that love is what matters.
And I think I have known that all along, as I have experienced life and on my own spiritual journey.

love.

And like I have said before, each day I can love.
Feels good to know you can do something that is so important.

So that is my big a lofty goal for myself this year...and I think I will knock it out of the park!
See you soon.
xo

aging

Aging....
it is such a love-hate thing.
On one hand, I love that I am not nursing 24/7
I am not leaking through my t-shirts
I am not that uncertain new Mom.

On the other hand, I miss those quiet snuggles, watching my baby breathe
I miss picking out their cute little outfits
I miss not having wrinkles or saggy areas.

But you can't have one without the other.
I will take my aging skin and self for the knowledge I gained from those precious baby years.
I will take these new stolen moments, where I spy on them through my bedroom window, and watch them as they chit chat....
I will breathe, and know that these moments are fleeting, and they will be the ones I will miss in a few years.

I will be 31 in less that 2 weeks....so expect a few posts about reflection, and deep thoughts...
and a few about frivolous things for good measure.
I always manage some Sephora purchases around this time of year!

I think aging is breathtakingly beautiful and painful.
It's just about taking it ALL...
the good
the bad
the ugly
and the unexpected.
I have so many wonderful examples around me of how to do just that...
and I am all ears.

See you soon....
with some shopping bags! (hopefully)

real.

ok.
So....let's talk about blood pressure.
Most people probably know what normal blood pressure is, 120/80, right?!

And we only get our bp checked when we go to the doctor...
which is not a regular thing for most of us.
In my case, I had not been to the doctor for a checkup in over 3 years.
I just did not feel the need.

Justin bugged me and pestered me in to going for a checkup before the holidays, just to see where everything was at,
and what do you know...my bp was high.
It was also high at the following 2 appointments, which prompted a five day bp check.
I had to go to CVS and check my blood pressure for 5 days in a row, and then met with the doctor to talk about it.
They counseled me to stop eating salty foods (which I don't),
stop frying food (which I don't),
stop eating frozen meals (which I don't)....etc.

Basically we agreed that I would take one month to try and sort this out on my own,
since I don't fit the mold for someone typically presenting with high bp (and I am a Personal Trainer/Health Coach for goodness sakes!)....
follow my own conscious, and do as much as I humanly can to bring my numbers down.
I increased my low intensity cardio,
I started drinking smoothies with kale and almond milk,
I tried to de-stress my life....
I did not use any salt on ANYTHING....and after 30 days of this, my numbers were still pre-hypertensive.

So yesterday, I started a baby dose of medication to help lower my blood pressure, and that feels weird.
Me, on medication....weird.
I have to cut these itty bitty pills in half (makes me feel like a Granny)...
and it seems silly, but I am taking this seriously.

Why?

Because I don't want to have a stroke.
Because I don't want to get an aneurysm.
Because I don't want anything to sneak up on me...if I can help it.
Because I want to live a long and healthy life.

I am sharing this with you all, because I know you are healthy and fabulous, and amazing...but do you know your numbers?(bp, choloesterol, etc.)
Heart Disease is the NUMBER 1 KILLER OF WOMEN.
#1

WATCH THIS....if you love me you will do it.



Ok, so moving forward....go the the Doctor.
I am not kidding.
At the very least, pop in to a CVS and check your blood pressure.

Don't be scared.

Get checked out, know your numbers.

Exercise.

EAT RIGHT.

Go to THIS PLACE for more information.
Love yourself enough to get educated....we aren't 20 anymore, so buckle up and embrace getting older.
It may mean more kale, and less Ben and Jerrys....but I want to be around to see my kids get old....
How about you?

XO, Ariel