Believe the hype

I was skeptical.  I had seen the commercials and celebrity endorsements but it seemed too good to be true. It wasn't until a good friend of mine told me to believe the hype...Proactiv works.

She didn't have "bad" skin.  In fact I thought she had pretty good skin, not many break outs,  and her skin tone was fairly even; I didn't think she really needed much improvement.  But when she told me instead of wearing full coverage foundation (like I have always known her to do) that she was only wearing concealer and powder, I knew I had to give it a try.

EarlyAugust is when I got the Proactiv 30 day starter pack: the cleanser, toner, and repairing treatment.  With my pack came a little refining mask.  Like I said I was skeptical.

Pinky swear, I saw a difference within 1-2 weeks.  That is lightening fast when you are talking about skin.  My rosacea has calmed down.  I have not had any break outs.  My skin tone is more even than it has ever been.  And my skin is softer than ever!

My initial questions were answered immediately.

Isn't this line really harsh? No.  Not at all.  The cleanser has teeny tiny micro scrubbers.  We're talking the smallest exfoliators I have ever used.  I think the small granules make this cleanser much less irritating compared to other exfoliating cleansers.

What about drying out your skin?  No, this line does not do that either.  The cleanser and toner is much gentler than I expected.  Honestly I was expecting the toner to sting after washing my face (because I know it happens to us all), but it didn't at all.

I do have a few caveats to add.

I do use make-up remover before washing my face.  I hate to admit this, but I wasn't using make up remover and I think that was part of the problem.  I really needed to get all of my make up off in order for any cleanser to really do it's job well.

I only use Proactiv once a day partnered with a non-exfoliating cleanser.

So this is my routine (and this is probably over-share but I'm going to do it anyways.)

Mornings:  I use Clinique's Liquid Facial soap in the mornings, followed by Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.  I've been using a combination of these two products for years and I didn't want to completely surprise my face with too many changes, so I'm keeping them in my routine.

Evenings:  I remove my make up and then use a little bit of Clinique's face wash to get rid of the oily residue the make up remover leaves on my face.  Then I use the Proactiv cleanser.  I probably don't need that pre-cleanser cleanser, but it works for me.

So after washing, I use the Proactiv toner to clean up anything the make up remover and cleanser left behind.  This is when I feel really clean.  My skin is not tight or overly dry at this point, as you might expect.  I feel like my skin looks really good too, clean and happy.  

Then after washing and toning, I use the repairing treatment.  I think of it as a protecting layer between my skin and the rest of the world.

Another plus of Practive - $20 for a 30 day supply.   Since I'm only using it once a day, It's early October and I am still a couple weeks away from needed to re-purchase anything.

I don't need nearly as much make up as I used to.  Instead of wearing a solid layer of full coverage foundation, I now only use a sheer layer of liquid foundation for work days.  On the weekends or after work, I only use powder.  It's a truly wonderful feeling not to stress about my face anymore.

I was skeptical, but believe me, it works.  And if you have questions, let me know.  I am happy to answer!

Fall Wish List

I am reassessing my Fall/Winter wardrobe.  My style has changed since last year and I'm over my American Eagle sweaters.  I'm taking the one-in and one-out approach to purchases.  If I want something new, I have to give away something old.  Unfortunately space is not on my side right now.

This is my Fall/Winter wish list.  I'm looking for...

Black, probably straight leg pants that can be hemmed for flats.  I want to wear them to work and to date night w/ Hubby.  These pants are from Banana, $90, and I like that the leg is straight which I think might work best for a shorter hem.

Some corduroy pants might be nice too.  The ones below are from Jcrew, the skinny vintage matchstick cords, $80.

Update my sweaters.  I am not even sure where to start with this one...suggestions?  

I want to embrace the pleated skirt trend right now.  I feel like a pleated skirt paired with a simple top and blazer would be good for work, but could also be spun around for a sweet date night outfit too.  This beautiful blush one is from Ruche, $43.

Refresh my hosiery.  Last year I wanted polka dot tights, but I think I may have to go with these.  The "dots" are actually little hearts!  I love it!  They're from Asos and only $13.  I think so.  

I am always on the hunt for outfit-making-tops.  Always.

Blue Horizon $28

Bering Sea Floral

Mad Men 

What's on your Fall wish list?  

Key Lime Pie

This summer, for the first time, I made key lime pie.  It's one of my dad's favorite pies.  After reading some recipes I settled on this one by Emeril from the Food Network.  It's a good, easy to follow recipe that makes a scrumptious pie.  It is so tasty!  I ended up making this pie four or five times this summer.  

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick butter) melted
• 2 (14-ounce) cans condensed milk - I like Eagle Brand
• 1 cup key lime or regular lime juice - 8-10 limes 
• 2 whole eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon lime zest

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter with your hands. Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie pan, and bake until brown, about 20 minutes.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature before filling.

Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.

In a separate bowl, combine the condensed milk, lime juice, and eggs. Whisk until well blended and place the filling in the cooled pie shell. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes (depending on your oven) and allow to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.  (Side note: sometimes I baked my pies for 30 minutes.  I baked them until they were no longer jiggly in the middle.  There was a little movement but it didn't jiggle like jello.  Another test is inserting a knife and if it comes out clean, the pie is done.)

Once chilled, combine the sour cream and powdered sugar and spread over the top of the pie using a spatula. Sprinkle the lime zest as a garnish on top of the whipped cream sour cream and serve chilled.

So the original recipe calls for a sour cream topping...personally I didn't like it.  Call me crazy or a Yankee, but I wanted a sweet topping.  I substituted good ole' whipped cream for the sour cream, and it was delicious.  

This is a recipe I am locking away in my arsenal.  It's a good pie recipe that yields happy tummies.     

BBQ Recipe

Husband & Peaches's Recipe for a good BBQ

-Grilled meat because people like to eat

-Roasted veggies, because roasted anything is good

-Good friends & good conversation

-A game of as$hole to keep things interesting

-Of course libations go hand in hand with food and games.

-Don't forget the sweets!

When you mix all these things together I guarantee you will have a memorable evening.

Farewell summer BBQs, it's been fun, but we're ready for Fall get togethers full of chili and stews, spiked cider and football.

So proud

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.”  ~Dr. Seuss

My younger brother graduated this Spring.  He is all grown up.  He is making decisions.  He is living his life.  

As his big sister, I will always remember little Bubba standing in the kitchen and devouring whole cookies in three bites.  Laying under the dining room table reading with me.  Using our imaginations and playing with empty boxes for hours.  

This is another one of those memorable moments.  Graduating.  I am so proud.  

Public performance

Back in July, Husband and I went to Charlottesville to escape northern VA and to watch one of our guy friends pole dance in public.  When we heard he was going to pole dance in public (!) we could not miss it.  We made sure to bring the camera.

This is our friend Drama Drew, the one with his own personal training business, our big, sometimes goofy friend.  You do not look at him and think "yeah that guy probably pole dances."  I have to say he impressed me!  He worked that pole.

Up side down

Swinging around 

Legs up

Not too shabby for such a big guy, right?  Rest assured, he did not wake up one morning and just decide to pole dance.  His girlfriend (the girl in the pink shirt) is an "exotic dance instructor."  And I feel like I should mention she does teach other kinds of dance too...but she is good with the pole.  

When the performances were over, we met a nearby bar for dinner and drinks.  While we were eating and drinking, Drew mentioned going to the beach in August.  My ears perked up.  Then I heard, "yeah my pops invited you & Peaches to come with us."  Say what?!  Apparently Drew's dad invited Husband and I to Drew's annual family vacation at the beach.  What a sweet gesture!  To be invited on someone else's family vacation was just so touching.  

We were heading to the beach in early August.  And I was so. excited.        

Catch Up

I am such a bad blogger.  But I do have LOTS to catch you up on...

a trip to the beach 

updates on new purchases!  (Fun!) 

a trip to the west coast 

a trip to another country!?  

a birthday 

food eaten 

down time 

family time

realizations about my future 

Life has just been really busy.  But I wouldn't have it any other way.  

I miss you all terribly.  

Love & Hugs.