Tag Archive | middle aged

Costa Rica Dreaming

Sep5

Happy Labor Day!  My husband and I are going to Costa Rica and Panama for ten days in a few weeks.  We are beyond excited, as this will be our first vacation alone in years.

We first traveled to Costa Rica in 2013.  We visited the Arenal region and the northwestern Pacific coast.  Costa Rica is so beautiful, and the people are fabulous.

I’ve been trying like crazy to get back in shape, but it’s very slow going. I started working with a personal trainer a few weeks go.  She is awesome, as she comes to my home.  She has created two personalized workouts for me, and I am totally digging it.

I’ve trimmed down a bit, but having some health issues, I haven’t been able to work out as much as I would like too. That being said, I went shopping today for some new frocks.

I found this Jennifer Lopez dress at Kohl’s on clearance. Regular price was $70,  I paid $14 bucks!  It’s so fun and colorful!  It has a blue slip underneath, and rhinestones around the neck.  It comes to me knees and is very caftan like. I know I probably look like I should be on  cruise ship with the 70 and over crowd. But who cares!  I just had to have this dress!

My husband says I look like a hippie.  Works for me.  Now hopefully I’ll be able to squeeze into my shorts from last summer, wish me luck.  I need a tropical drink with a little umbrella in it!

Panama hotel on the water

This is our hotel in Panama! 

P.S.  If anyone can recommend some fun stuff to do on the Southeastern coast of Costa Rica, please let me know.  Thanks!

Cover Your Gray-Fill-In Powder

Sep3

I was looking for a quick gray cover up as my husband and I were headed for a festival.  I have blonde hair with a decent amount of silver.  I picked this up on a recent trip to Ulta.  I have a similar product by Joan Rivers called Great Hair Day. I had a 20% off coupon that expired today.  This product was $11.99, and I paid $9.59. I purchased light brown/blonde.

The description says this instantly fills in thinning areas, and it does. It contains Procapil which targets the main causes of alopecia: poor scalp micro-circulation, follicle ageing and follicle atrophy caused by dihydrotestosterone.

This is a brush on powder that looks like eye shadow, and includes a brush. You dab it on your gray roots. It works fairly well. It’s great for any areas that are thinning. It does make your hair feel a bit dry, and it stays on well.

The photo is taken outdoors so you can see how well it covers.

I have a funky hairline, and this helps to fill it in.  I would definitely purchase it again.

Cover your gray fill-in powder

 

Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast

Sep3

First off let me say I was super excited to try this new product.  I love their Perfect Hair Day Dry shampoo.  I picked the Full Dry Volume Blast up today at Ulta.  The salesperson had to get it from the back, as it’s not coming out until tomorrow.  I was so anxious to try it, I didn’t get the free gift that comes with it.

It’s suppose to give you instant, lasting volume and texture. All it gave me was a rat’s nest.

What a ginormous disappointment. I have naturally curly hair that I usually straighten.  As I’ve been going through menopause, my hair has really changed. My hair is very fine, and dry to begin with.  I need volume like crazy, but this product blows.  While it did add some volume, it made my hair feel like straw. I couldn’t even get my fingers through my hair. I feel like I have a bale of hay on my head.  I went outside and it basically fell and frizzed out. I’m washing it out tomorrow.

It’s $29 for 7.5 ounces.  Maybe it might work on a different type of hair, but it didn’t do a darn thing for me.

Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense Review

Jul5

Happy day after the July 4th!  I’m off work today just hanging out.  I visited my friend Marv earlier, now I’m just chillaxing on the couch.  Having had the past five days off I visited Ulta twice. (Obsessed much? Yes).

Gravity is not being kind to my eyelids, as I watch them disappear before my eyes, literally.  I’ve been looking into some possible procedures, but after doing extensive research, I’ve decided against it.  I did a Botox eyelift four years ago, I liked the results, but it only lasted three months and cost $600.

I’ve never been big on liquid eyeliner on my lids, as I wear glasses and I could never get the darn line straight. I was looking through my vast eye make up collection, and came across a freebie Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense.  I tried it and really liked it.  I went to my local Ulta and got Intense Clove.  I must say it really enhances my eye color, and makes my lids not quite so hooded looking. The color lasts all day, and doesn’t smudge. I just did a quickie eye make up job today, as I was only going to do volunteer work.

I got a post card in the mail from Ulta saying I could get a full size Clinique  Clarifying toner with any purchase.  A $14 value. Dang, winner winner, chicken dinner!  I was looking for a clarifying cleanser and the salesperson said to use this instead. The salesperson was super helpful with my color selection.

Here are a few photos.  Please keep in mind I’m 57, and know I will never have the eyelids of my youth without medical intervention. And I’m okay with that.

The Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense at Ulta is $16.50.  I got Intense Clove.  I used points since I’m a Ulta rewards member and only paid $7.50.  Clinique Quickliner at Ulta

 

 

 

 

 

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July 4th Mani & Pedi

Jul3

Happy 4th of July to all of my American friends.  My manicure is kind of kooky as I have purple glitter over turquoise polish with red on my tips.  The red turned out purple, so I left it.  My pedicure is

Not your usual July 4th colors!

the typical 4th of July colors.

I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend with family and friends.

 

Tarte Review

Jun25

Hello!  I had a fun day off yesterday,  visiting my local Ulta for a haircut and style.  My awesome stylist Taleah asked me if I wanted a Tarte make over after my hair appointment.  I’m like heck yeah!  We were going out with friends later, and I had not done my make up yet.

I’ve used a few products from the Tarte line, but never any make up.  The Tarte make up artist Shannon, did an awesome job, and I ended up buying two items.

Tarte Make over Freebies 6-24-16

Freebies!

Tarte Make over Lip Sculptor VIP 6-24-16

VIP Lip Sculptor

Tarte Make over Swatch Lip color 6-24-16

Lip Color swatches

Tarte Make over Tarteist Contour Palette 6-24-16

Contour Palette

Tarte Make over Tarteist Contour Palette 6-24-16.jpg-1

Haircut 6-24-16

Great coverage make up!

Shannon used all of the colors from the contour palette, taking me through each step.  I’ve been a make up artist in the past, and she really knew her products.  My eyelids have practically vanished due to gravity, so I was glad to be able to see my eyes better. It’s $45 at Tarte Contour Palette

The Lip Sculptor in VIP is awesome!  Super creamy lipstick with a matching gloss that wasn’t sticky at all.   It’s $24 at VIP Lip Sculptor

Not only did I get these two great products, but I got two freebies as well.  A deluxe sample of the Maracuja Oil and Maracuja C-brighter eye treatment. I’ve used both products before and they are great.

The best part, not only did I get some amazing products, but as a Ulta rewards member I got 20% off my purchase.  It’s a once a year promotion where you can get 20% off your entire purchase including premium brands.

Ulta knocks it out of the park again!

 

 

 

Ulta Salon Review

Jun25

I’ve been shopping at Ulta since they first came to town. I only recently started going to the salon. Taleah at the Waukesha, WI

Haircut 6-24-16 Before front

Before-frizzy mess

Haircut 6-24-16 After Front

After-smooth and pretty

Haircut 6-24-16 Taleah info

Awesome stylist!

Haircut 6-24-16 Before back

OMG! Before

Haircut 6-24-16 After

Wow! After

location is an amazing stylist. I have course, naturally curly hair, and she makes my hair look amazing. If you become a rewards member you will get coupons, freebies coupons, etc. sent directly to your email. I have gotten some amazing freebies lately just for being a rewards member. If you see Taleah, just mention that Stacy sent you and you will get $10 off your salon service! The phone number is 262-574-0387. Taleah works convenient hours Tues-Friday 10-6, and 12-8. This young woman is only 24, but she has some amazing talent. http://www.ulta.com/

Way to go Ulta and Taleah! Keep up the great work!

Thrift Store Haul & Tips

Jun22

Here are a few things from a recent trip to my favorite Goodwill store.  I didn’t pay more than $3 for any one item.  I scored some NYDJ (Not Your Daughter’s Jeans) NYDJ on Amazon jeans for $3.50, this style sells for over $100!

I’ve gained a few pounds lately, so I was looking for some shorts.  I couldn’t find any so I bought four pairs of jeans to cut off.  The NYDJ brand fits perfectly.  My friend swears by them, but I would never pay over $100 for a pair of jeans, I don’t care how good they might make my butt look.  I just want my butt to look smaller.

A few of the items are for winter, but who cares! I’ll be more than set once the cold weather rolls around.  It is truly amazing what you can find.  My wardrobe just keeps getting better, and I’m keeping more money in my pocket.

Here are some tips for successful shopping at a thrift store:

  1. Give yourself plenty of time to shop. I’ve found men’s clothing mixed in with the women’s. Also you need to look in a size up or down from what you normally wear. It’s common to find other sizes mixed in with yours.
  2. Look at labels first. I could never afford to wear designer clothes before, now I can. I also find deals on items from our local department stores, as well as nationwide stores such as Kohl’s.
  3. Sign up for store rewards cards. I get advance notices of sales and coupons as well.
  4. Shopping on half price tag day. Usually on Sunday and Monday a particular color of price tag will be 50% off.  Sunday is probably the best time to shop because most people donate on Saturday.
  5. If you have lost weight or are losing weight, it’s the best place to go to reward yourself. When you have lost some weight and your old clothes are getting too baggy, shop Goodwill. Who wants to spend a lot of money on clothes, only to have them not fit in a month or so.
  6. Go outside your comfort zone. Before I discovered Goodwill, the colors of my wardrobe were indicative of my exciting occupation. I didn’t own anything pink, purple or coral.  Now I have all the colors of the rainbow in my closet.
  7. Go often. You will be amazed at the amount of brand new with the tag items you will find.
  8. Last but not least. Find out when your local department is having a Goodwill sale. When you donate items to the store they will give you a coupon good for that store. A week after the sale is over, go to your local Goodwill.  You will be amazed at the selection.  January 1st is great also; as many people (including myself) wait until the last minute to donate for the previous year.
  9. And the most important thing, donate regularly to your local thrift store. They help many people in the community, and it’s a great tax write off.

Menopause: We need to talk

Mar20

Christie BrinkleyWe’ve been seeing each other for seven years now.  I think it’s time for you to go, I mean really, get the hell out of my life.  I could have easily dealt with having a period for the rest of my life.  It only would be for a few days a month anyway.  All of the changes you have put me through, just drop freaking dead!

The changes you have made to my body are unforgiveable.  I use to have the wonderful ten inch waist to hip ratio. That is where your hips are ten inches larger than your waist.  I use to have an hour glass figure.  Now it’s more like an apple.

I exercise five days a week, for almost an hour each time.  Do you think it makes much of a difference?  Um no.  I use to have some muscle tone, now I have the dreaded old person wrinkly skin. Thank god, I live in a cold climate and I can be covered up most of the time.

Forget about doing hormone replacement, too dangerous given my family history.  I don’t have hot flashes anymore, but sleeping without taking meds, ain’t happening.  The meds I take to sleep will probably make me lose my mind. Great!

People say, but you don’t have to worry about getting pregnant now.  I didn’t worry before, because I was on birth control for years.  I only went off of it because my doctor made me.

The good thing about puberty is you know when it’s over.  So far I haven’t gotten an end date for this menopause crap.   Nobody likes to talk about it.  You men don’t know how easy you have it.  You might have to deal with a little erectile dysfunction or baldness.  Hell, you just take a little pill and shave your head. Oh, then get yourself a much younger woman.

As I sit here looking at a 62 year old Christie Brinkley on the cover of the magazine telling me about her “young-forever diet”, I pretty much want to puke.  She looks amazing at 62, but she was also a former super model.  She has amazing hair, which she admits to using hair extensions.  Yeah, I tried hair extensions, unfortunately you could tell.  Lucky for me I have a great collection of baseball caps.

The good thing about menopause?? I don’t have a flipping clue, but if you know please clue me in.

 

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water

Jan8

I have to say Garnier is really stepping up their game in skin care.  I’ve used various Garnier products over the years, and have always been satisfied.

I am totally loving this new cleansing water.  I had tried Simple Micellar Water in the past, and was not impressed.  I’m pretty lazy when it comes to washing (or worshing if you are from the Midwest) my face.  My mom the local Avon lady did teach me at a young age to always wash my face before bed.

Now I wash my face as soon as I get home from work. I’m pretty frightening looking without make-up, and am sure I’ve scared a few of my neighbors when the dogs take off, and I have to go chasing after them. All no make-uppy,  frizzy hair everywhere.  Generally quite a sight to see, but I digress.  I want the easiest way to take my make up off.  I was using wet towelettes for awhile, but them seem to dry out too fast.

This cleansing water not only cleans all make up off, but takes off eye make-up as well.  It left my skin feeling very clean, with no residue.  Winner winner, chicken dinner!

I bought it at now wait for it- you guessed it Ulta! Here’s the link  http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod13531031# I paid a whopping $6.46 for 13.5 ounces.  The regular price is $8.99, but it was on sale, and I had a coupon.

It’s really gentle on your skin, containing no oil, alcohol or fragrance. One cotton square was all it took to remove both my eye make-up and foundation.  They also have a formula for water proof eye make.  I highly recommend this if you want to clean your face in no time.Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water 1-8-16