April 2015 - My Healthy, Happier Life

Like many women, I love beauty products. I love trying the newest trends and products, to see whether they live up to their hype. Regardless how much I love beauty, it has taken me years to find my unique style and the products that work best with my skin tone and complexion. After years of experimenting, these are the products I rely on each day to go from “just rolled out of bed” to office ready.

As you can see from the array of products, I fully embrace the splurge/save mentality. Certain products, such as moisturizer and foundation, I find are worth investing more whereas I tend to save on dry shampoo, lip balm, and mascara.

BASE

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation – I start my morning routine with this oil-free, lightweight moisturizer. My skin feels hydrated and looks vibrant within minutes of applying. I love that this moisturizer absorbs quickly and serves as a perfect base for my makeup.

Olay Total Effects Dark Circle Minimizing Brush - Next I apply a few swipes of this cream under my eyes to minimize fine lines, bags or circles. Even though I sleep eight hours most nights, I appreciate the camouflage this provides.

HAIR

Morrocan Oil Hair Treatment – Next, while blow drying my hair or styling it, I put a small amount of this nutrient filled oil on the ends of my hair. It helps smooth my hair and provide just a bit of shine. A little bit goes a long way so even the small bottle will last weeks.

Batiste Dry Shampoo – I discovered this dry shampoo the first weekend I stayed with Charlie. She swore by it even though it isn’t brown, which I always thought was a requirement for us brunettes. The fresh scent and light formula can take my “just a bit oily at the roots” hair to fresh and full of body in just a few sprays. I spray a bit along my roots and then come through on days when I don’t have time to hop in the shower.

FACE

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Ochre – Once my hair is done, I focus once again on my face. My mom and I are both loyal fans of this tinted moisturizer. It gives me a refreshing glow while providing sun protection and moisturizing benefits.

Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder Rich Vanilla – Since my skin tends to get a bit oily, especially in my t-zone, I lightly apply this powder that helps set my moisturizer and keep everything in place. I do find that I need two different shades, one for winter, and another, darker one for summer as my complexion changes so much during the year.

Laura Mercier Pink Bronze Duo – After using NARS Orgasm combo for years, I was introduced to this last Spring as a lighter option. Using a large makeup brush, I apply a mix of both colors to my cheeks each morning for a little extra pop of color.

EYES

Eyeko Skinny Eyeliner – Since trying liquid liner three years ago, I’ve never looked back. I love that it gives my look just a little more polish while helping my eyes pop. The narrow, pen applicator allows even clumsy hands to apply a perfect line.

Smashbox Limitless 15 Hour Wear Cream Shadow – After applying my eyeliner, I add a few swipes of this nude shadow. While many would probably wear it as a base, I like the hint of color it adds to my eyelids while diminishing any veins or darkness.

Dior Show Maximizer Lash Primer – Unfortunately, I have short, stubby eyelashes. There is no denying it. Over the years, I’ve tried everything from nightly growth serum to artificial lashes in hopes of making them appear longer and fuller. Who knew that a small tube of primer could give me better results any of my previous experiments? I received this from Sephora two months ago and have been a believer ever since! After using it, co-workers and friends thought I’d invested in false eyelashes! If “Mrs.. Stubby Lashes” is getting this question, it’s clear that this primer works!

Cover Girl Full Lash Bloom Mascara – Another drugstore favorite is Cover Girl mascara. I’ve worn their mascara since they introduced lash blast a few years ago. Their latest formula provides both length and fullness, something that has paired perfectly with my eyelash needs. Made with natural beeswax, I like that this mascara doesn’t clump or leave my lashes feeling soft and brittle.

LIPS

Clinique Pop Lip Color + Primer – A new item in my makeup bag, I stocked up on this new Clinique lipstick when I was home in March. I couldn’t decide on one color, instead splurging on three. The neutral, Bare Pop, has become my everyday lip color as it’s a warm nude with just a hint of shimmer – perfect for my complexion. Even though it is lightweight, the formula is super hydrating and lasts longer than most nude lipsticks.

Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment – I wear this when I don’t feel like dealing with lipstick. The tinted lip balm is perfect for any day of the week and provides moisture and just a hint of color.

DOLCE&GABBANA Lipgloss Intense Color Lipgloss in Secret – When I want more color, this gloss is my favorite option. It is easy to apply, has a vibrant shine and the vibrant coral adds some fun to my otherwise neutral face.

DOLCE&GABBANA Light Blue Fragrance Pen – After working in the beauty and fragrance industry for six years, fragrance is something I can’t leave home without applying. While I rotate between four or five fragrances, Light Blue is my perennial favorite during the warmer months. A light, crisp, citrusy fragrance it isn’t overpowering and lasts longer than most of my fragrances.

To see other items I’ve included in my beauty routine previously, check out these two posts:

Disclosure: This post contains ShopStyle links affiliate links, but as you can tell from the post, that doesn’t have any influence the products I featured! Also, Cover Girl and Dolce&Gabbana are brands owned by my employer, Procter & Gamble.

Follow:

A month later, Bo and I are still dreaming of our time in Barcelona. We fell head over heels for the city, due in part to the incredible food and bar scene. It’s been a long time since we’ve experienced four nights of meals where every, single dish leaves us wishing there were more. Once you decide to go to Barcelona, spend the next evening mapping out your restaurant and bar plan. Many of the spots are closed at least one night a week, and others fill up more than a month in advance. Similar to New York City, the array of restaurants and bars can be overwhelming but if you leverage Yelp and posts such as this, everything will work out just fine!

Restaurants

espai Kru – If you’re a seafood person, the Espai Kru tasting menu is an absolute must. As you know, we grew up right on the coast of Georgia, so we are harsh critics of seafood. This was one of the best meals we’ve had in ages.

Barraca – This was written up in the most recent 36 hours in Barcelona as a great place to get paella. While neither of us were crazy about paella, in general, the vibe was nice, and the views of the beach and ocean are great. In addition, we enjoyed a few delicious appetizers, and the quality of their paella seemed better than any that we saw at other restaurants. Our seafood paella was packed with seafood!

Dos Palillos - This is another can’t miss spot even if you just sit at the bar and enjoy a couple of tapas and a glass of cava. The chef / proprietor here is an El Bulli alum and received a Michelin star soon after opening this small Japanese influenced small plates restaurant. Little bites like flash-fried avocado were amazingly creative and knocked us out of our seats. Evidently its hard to get a reservation in the back for the tasting menu, but the bar upfront and terrace area are first-come, first-served. We so it was great for a relaxing snack at like 7PM before a late dinner.

Tapeo – In between the morning and afternoon portion of our walking tour, we had one hour to grab lunch. Luckily we found this little tapas gem on Yelp. Eight tapas later and a pitcher of white wine sangria, we left highly impressed. It’s a perfect spot for a casual dinner or lunch if you are walking around the El Born neighborhood.

Pepito – We needed to find a place that was open for dinner on Easter and our concierge made us reservations here. The entire dinner and experience exceeded our expectations. Think perfectly executed Spanish food in an intimate setting. In fact, it reminded us a lot of Gramercy Tavern in New York City. In another city, this might be a standout but in Barcelona, the food scene is so good that this one kind of fades into the background. Again, the execution was perfect, service was great, but it doesn’t have the pizzazz that other restaurants in the city have.

Tickets – Mark on your calendar one month out and log-on to the Tickets website to try to get reservations or call your concierge. This is supposed to be something special. They were closed for Easter when we were in Barcelona but in her 48 Hours in Barcelona recap, my friend Casey said that dinner at Tickets is “the top restaurant experience of my life.”

Drinks

La Vinoteca Torres – Our hotel concierge suggested this wine bar as they not only serve wine but they also sell it at a discount! Bodegas Torres is a family winery that has now expanded and has properties in Spain, the US and Chile. We spent two hours creating our own wine flight and tasting experience. The staff helped teach us about the wine and then guide us towards a dozen or so bottles which we brought back to Geneva! One of the added benefits is that they sell their wine at a discount versus menu prices.

Ultramarinos Hendrick’s Bar – Barcelona started the whole infused gin and tonic craze and Ultramarinos is one of the best. They probably have 20 different flavor combinations and the staff is very nice. My favorite drink of the evening was their lime, mint and pineapple gin and tonic. All the fruit an herb ingredients are freshly muddled in front of you at the bar! How’s that for fresh?

Follow:

Hey gang! This morning all I could think about was getting my hands on a giant, Starbucks venti coffee. In fact, this is becoming a bit of a Monday habit.

I resisted buying coffee at Starbucks for the first 22 months in Geneva due to the ridiculous price but, once again, this Monday morning that huge cup of coffee was exactly what I craved. As the week progresses, I should need this coffee less and less as our race week schedule includes lots of extra sleep, relaxing yoga, foam rolling and healthy eating. The extra rest combined with our pre-race excitement means the energy level will be higher than usual in our household!

Thanks to a strong few weeks of training, Bo and I are both looking forward to Sunday’s Geneva Half Marathon. Our plan for the day is to run together and really enjoy the experience. We’ve never run a half marathon together so it’s a fun thing to share. In addition, this is only his second time running a race in Europe, so I can’t wit to experience it with him. The weather isn’t looking lovely but the good news is that it’s no worse than the long run conditions we’ve endured the past four weeks.

Monday: An easy four mile run with friends is a great way to kick off the week. We chatted about our weekends and plans for the week while taking in a gorgeous Geneva sunrise. Well played, Geneva, well played.

Tuesday: I took advantage of London’s boutique fitness scene by squeezing in two different classes. I started the morning sweating through 1Rebel’s Reshape class, which included strength & sprints, then finished the day with 60 minute open level yoga class at TriYoga.

Wednesday: Geneva’s weather last week was complete opposite from this week which meant convincing myself to run after work was EASY! It was even to convince friends to join in the fun. Mary and I ran four miles at a relaxed, 9:52 pace, during which we spotted the most adorable site along the lake.

Thursday: That gorgeous weather helped me convince Sandra to join me for her first speed session. A “new” runner who easily throws down 8:30 miles, she helped keep me motivated through the pick-up workout. After a two mile warm-up we did 1 minute hard followed by 1 minute recovery, three times. Then we headed to the toughest portion, 2 minutes hard followed by 2 minute recovery, five times. Holding a sub 8 minute pace for me is not easy, and in fact leaves me red in the face an feeling as if my lungs are going to explode. But, each of the pick-ups were under 7:50 and 4 were under 7:30. I can’t imagine how some runners hold it for 13.1 and 26.2 miles. We finished the workout with a cool-down jog and lots of stretching.

Friday: After our yoga teacher didn’t show for class, I headed home and spent 60 minutes doing multiple JasYoga videos including comprehensive hip & hamstring reset and quad reset.

Saturday: The best way to get excited for an upcoming race is a perfect, final long run. This 10 mile run was exactly what we both needed. We followed Jess’ pace plan perfectly and finished feeling strong. (9:25, 9:21, 9:32, 8:57, 8:55, 9:33, 9:07, 8:57, 8:58, 8:48) We carried a bottle of water and took split a pack of Margarita ShotBlocks at mile 5, which seemed to be the perfect amount of fuel. Also, please note that we saw more horses than we saw runners during our 10 mile run.

Sunday: We treated ourselves to deep tissue massages and then spent the rest of the day at home relaxing with the New York Times, Wild and a few FaceTime sessions with friends and family. I finally left the couch around 5pm for some foam rolling and 2 more JasYoga videos – quick hamstring reset and quad reset.

Total Miles: 26 miles Total Workouts: 7

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
« Mar				May »
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30

My Daily Beauty Routine

Follow:

Where to Eat & Drink in Barcelona

Follow:

Geneva Half Marathon Training – Week 3

Follow:

Google AdSense Responsive Ad