Category: Life

How I Deal with Keratosis Pilaris

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Hellerrr.

Today, let us delve in to the oh-so-fun world of KP!

But first! A disclaimer.

I am not a dermatologist or scientist. I am simply a girl with KP. What works for me may or may not work for you and by no means am I an expert. Ok? PROCEED.

Keratosis Pilaris or chicken skin as I sometimes call it, is defined by Google as, “a condition that develops when the skin produces too much of a protein called keratin, which can block hair follicles and cause bumps to develop”.

Tons of people have KP and the severity ranges. The areas that typically get affected are the thighs, arms and cheeks. Unfortunately, it is hereditary and I have my Dad to thank for mine. THANKS GARE.

So, you get it.

I’ve tried LOTS of treatments for KP and I am here today to report my findings…what worked, what didn’t and all that I have learned.

HANDLING

Handle your KP as you would a newborn baby or quilted Chanel purse. Be super gentle. Contrary to what one might think, exfoliation and scrubbing only irritate the area and can make the bumps worse. Also – DO NOT use super-hot water on KP, exfoliating loofahs or body scrubs. Believe me, it only makes the bumps uglier! Even when I take a bath, I keep my lower thighs out of the water…also because I’m TEN FEET TALL.

 

TREATMENTS/CREAMS

Lots of common lotions contain ingredients like glycerin, mineral oil and alcohol and while these things are not bad for your skin, they certainly are not good for KP. Steer clear of using lotions with a scent, as hard as that is, and instead go for a more medicinal option. A dermatologist can look at your KP and based on the size and severity of the affected areas, recommend a lotion that is best for you.

What I like to do is use a menagerie of lotions when I get out of the shower. I’ll use a KP lotion on the affected areas and then use smelly or firming lotions other places.

The same rules apply to body wash, powders or just about anything else that touches those areas.

If you’re more of a visual learner, I’ve made this handy graphic for you!

Here are some of the treatments/creams I have used:

Prescription Urea Lotion

Urea is basically a tissue softener, which can help soften the build-up of keratin around the hair follicle. My issue with this cream was that it felt so chalky and gross. I couldn’t stand to have it on my body.

Derma Doctor KP Duty Lotion

4 ounces of this stuff is $38 which is the main draw-back. It has a glycolic acid base but contains a bunch of other good ingredients (like urea). I did notice a difference with this lotion but you have to make sure and use it every day or even twice a day. I would keep purchasing it to have on hand but it’s almost $40 and I need other things like 348975 liquid lipsticks.

Gold Bond Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Therapy Cream

This formula does contain urea as well as salicylic  acid but the concentration must not be high enough because I didn’t really notice a difference with this.

CURRENT TREATMENT

I recently saw a new dermatologist for a skin cancer screening (which every one of you needs to go do!) and also asked about my KP. He took a look and based on the size and severity of the affected areas, he has recommended  salycilic acid and gave me this lotion to try out. Salycilic acid is a beta-hydroxy often used as an acne treatment. According to an article I read on Allure.com,  “Salicylic acid is considered a keratolytic medication, which means that it’s perfect for supreme exfoliation. ‘Keratolytic medications cause softening and sloughing of the top layer of skin cells,'”. TOTALLY PERFECT for KP too!

He also mentioned that I could use a body wash with salycilic acid, but that using the lotion on it’s own might make a big improvement.

I’ll keep y’all updated and let you know how my KP is doing because I know you’re all dying to know.

Do you have KP? What do you use (if anything!) on it?

Subscription Box Haul

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How does everyone feel about the whole beauty subscription box game lately?

I remember when BirchBox first came out, it seemed too good to be true! A bunch of HIGH-END beauty stuff for a measly $10 per month?! But then the box came in the mail, month after month with unwearable colors, packets containing .0003 ounces of product or brands I’d never heard of.

I did Ipsy for a hot minute and while the surprise each month was fun – the products became increasingly disappointing. I have to admit that much of that had to do with the fact that I was buying more of what I really wanted and building up a really nice collection, so the random sample of sparkly purple nail polish just became blase.

I also recently dipped my toe into the FabFitFun pool and if you read this post, you know how well that turned out for me.

And while I think they are a great option for a beauty newbie or someone looking to expand their collection or try new things, they are just not for me. SO. I am a beauty subscription box skeptic and really not into spending my hard-earned dollars on chance products I may or may not love. So when my pal Holly offered to send me a box of things she personally did not want or need from her subscription boxes of  course I was totally delighted!

Sidenote: If my grandmother taught me one thing, it was a ride or die appreciation for grab bags. You know the ones. They used to sell them at the drugstore by her house and the thrill of not knowing what was inside was just titillating (that’s right).

So here are the contents of the grab bag from sweet Holly.

First of all, I was SO excited she included this lipstick set from Realher because she got the “natural pinks” where I was given the “deep reds”. These are really pretty colors and something I will definitely wear on the regular.

Contents include (from top to bottom) liquid lipstick, lip gloss and a lip pencil. Also sidenote: I am totally feelin’ the names on the packaging especially after binge-watching The Handmaid’s Tale.

I should also note that this liquid lipstick is like freaking PAINT. I swatched these early Sunday morning and after sweating, swimming and washing my hands 82743 times this was the swatch at the end of the day:

Other products she sent included:

This peppermint + chammomile massage oil from WILL  which I used on David’s calves after basketball one day and it was glorious.

A mineral peel face mask from O.R.G which I am excited to try out.

This Eau Thermale Avène Sunscreen for face in SPF 50. I absolutely love this brand (it’s french so DUH) and have tried a couple other skincare items from them. I am delighted to own this product to protect my face from developing more sunspots!

The Flawless Skin Fluid from Doctor D. Schwab.

This Skin Laundry Restoring Night Serum which I have heard great things about!

The Juice Beauty Smoothing Eye Concentrate. I LOVE Juice Beauty so I am very excited about this product.

These samples from Rodan + Fields which I already LOVE!

A Korean facial sponge.

Keratin gloves and socks from Bodipure which I will be definitely using in conjunction with a face mask!

These loose pigments from Your Minerals.

Here is the white shade (winter):

A Manna Kadar Lipstain in Lucky which is gorgeous.

Lipgloss in Flower Child from Passport to Beauty

A scarf from Michael Stars (LOVE THESE COLORS!)

Fingerless grey knitted gloves (not sure of the brand) which I also love.

And lastly, some perfume samples from Tocca which all smell amazing.

So obviously a GIANT thank you to Holly for sending me all of these goodies! I will putting them to the test and reporting back of course. Have any of you tried these products? What did you think?

P.S Holly’s daughter included this lovely piece of art for me as well…heart = melted.

Shows I’m Obsessed With

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Man I love TV.

I realize how shallow that makes me sound, but at  least I’m honest. The level of giddiness I achieve when thinking about curling up on the couch on a Sunday night with Ballers, GOT and a big glass of pinot gris  rivals that of  nabbing a Barefoot Dreams cardi at Nordstrom Rack for less than $20.

I also like to hike be outside, socialize with friends, read a book, but come on – JON SNOW, OFFRED, freakin’ Spencer Strasmore? Hard to beat.

Here’s what I am currently obsessed with on the ol’ boob tube.

Game of Thrones Season 7

Cersei must reallllly like her Maria Von Trapp mop-top because girlfriend has kept it going since her high sparrow “SHAME!” days. Apparently her brother doesn’t mind though, since they’re still bumping uglies on the reg. ALSO, anyone else noticed her totally putting off crazy Lady Gaga vibes? Her latest outfits have been very Gaga-esque and I aint mad about it.

ALSO.

These two fiiiiiinally hooked up and there was an IN-DEPTH conversation at our house about what Grey Worm was packing south of the border. Missandei of course is perfection and I love how he said that she was his only weakness. Omg they are too perf.

The Handmaid’s Tale

Prepare yourself if you know nothing about  this show, or the book it is based on. Because it is ALL KINDS OF CRAZY. I looooooove shows and books like this. They’re always my favorite. I love a good struggle and this actress just absolutely kills it. I mean, it’s up for like 834634 emmys and I can totally see why.

Also..

My beloved Rory Gilmore stars in the show too and she’s a lesbian and just SO not Rory Gilmore and the whole time I just want to give her a hug. Where is Lorelai when you need her!?

Prison Break

This show is an older one, but they just released a new season this year. David and I have gone through all but the final season and it is GOOD. I am halfway in love with Michael Scofield, the main character (above). Mostly because he is so calm and calculated and cool.

Ballers

This is a total man show. Major Entourage vibes and I was obsessed with that show as well. David loves The Rock (it’s actually kindof sweet how much) so we always tune in on Sundays for this show on HBO. The sex scenes with The Rock are very awkward though, like you don’t wanna look at the screen. But they don’t show his dangle or anything so that’s good.

Silicon Valley

Not gonna lie, seasons 1 and 2 were BY FAR the best of this show, but I am still loyal. Dinesh and Gilfoyle’s relationship is easily my favorite thing to watch on the show as well as the comical genius of Zack Woods who plays Jared. I mean, he is Office alum so of course you know he’s going to be good. Also, T.J Miller is of course hilar but I hear he’s off the show now. I love this show SO freaking much.

What shows are YOU obsessed with?

Besties, Barges and Dutch Babies

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Hey little cherry slurpees!

Here’s what’s happening in my neck’a the woods.

I went to a barge launching affair at the Zidell ship yards with David’s family. It was kindofabigdeal, as this is the last barge ever made and launched in Portland. Apparently barges are still a thing? I feel like it could be a topic in a Seinfeld episode…”Are barges still a thing?”

We came. We applauded. We wore barge hats. Totally barged it up. Barge style.

For Father’s Day, David, E and I went home to Kennewick to spend a little QT with Gare of course! And of course, we always look forward to seeing sweet baby Tate.

On Friday night my Dad had a gig at a winery so of course we went and got our dose of culture for the night.

The next day was filled with Mickey, Barbies and of course the splash pad by my parents house!

Look at his little skinny baby legs in that swim nappie. I LITERALLY DIE. I just clench my teeth together so hard when I see him.

Sunday morning was of course Father’s Day!

Here’s Gare performing a perfect Danielson point

We took him out to breakfast where I had my very first dutch baby!

Seriously SO good. I love these things. I might name my first-born after one.

This last weekend was also pretty great as my three best friends in all the world came to visit.

David likes his paparazzi shots.

We had a great time and actually made it out of the house once or twice! (it was 991242 degrees). WHY can’t these girls just live in my town? Or in my pocket? I love them so.

New Makeup Looks!

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Hey gumballs!

Check out this amazing makeup look I threw on the other day:

The gems were a bit tricky but I am just THAT good ;).

But for realsies, I have been playin’ around at the ol’ makeup tabe as of late, probably due to it’s AMAZING new location right in front of our bedroom window (thanks D!). I’ve got all my products organized neatly now and I am just tickled that I can now see all m’sh*t right in front of me. It’s the best you guys – the absolute best.

(let me know if anyone would like a vanity tour!)

Anywee, let’s show you some “looks” as it were…

This one wasn’t crazy unique or anything but I loved the shadows and the smudgy lower lash line.

Some lashes really would’ve set this look off, now that I’m dissecting it. Basically I buffed some dark blues into my crease and then packed the eyelid with the Stila Magnificent Metals in Smoldering Satin. I also used the Marc Jacobs lip liner in Nude(ist) along with my Soap and Glory Pillow Plump in Nude in Town to make my lips as full as they can possibly get without surgery.

David took me on a Mystery Dinner Date that had a flapper theme, so naturally I obliged. I looked at a bunch of pictures of makeup from that era and noticed that by and large, everything was really turned-down and pouty. I obvs added a beauty mark for dramatic effect as well as a slight Geisha-lip.

And lastly, I bring you my humble cut crease. I don’t do a cut crease very often but when I do, I really go for it man. I also added a beauty mark because OF COURSE I DID. Also note: this is fifth day hair. There is in fact, 7 lbs. of dry shampoo in there.

Leave a comment below if you want a break-down of what I used or a tutorial on any of these looks as I would be happy to accommodate!

How I Wrecked My Skin

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Hello little sweeties!

Today I bring you some words of wisdom, courtesy of Brian, Nick, AJ, Kevin and Howie D.

Lookin’ back on the things I’ve done
I was tryin’ to be someone
I played my part, kept you in the dark
Now let me show you the shape of my heart

In my case, the “shape of my heart” is in the form of small, brown dots that grace m’mug. Otherwise known as age spots. sun spots or grossest of all, LIVER spots, I have noticed these little b*tches poppin’ up since I hit 30. How did they get there?

The motherf*ckin’ sun, y’all.

TRUE LIFE: The sun wrecked my skin.

All of you know that I am not a stranger to the tanning bed. At one time, my skin tone resembled that of Beyonce’s left butt cheek and I was darn proud of it.

just. don’t judge too hard.

So many gals my age can relate to this I think. The tanning bed was one of my favorite places on earth. Warm. Cozy. Perfect for a power nap. And best of all, I came out feeling prettier. As messed up as THAT sounds.

Not only did I tan in the beds, but I tanned outside. I embraced the sweet little freckles that would sprinkle themselves across my nose each summer. I slathered on the Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil, the Australian Gold, the Maui Babe Browning lotion. YOU KNOW the lineup.

I didn’t think anything of this behavior until my mom had her second melanoma removed. Her doctor basically told me that we are all putting ourselves at major risk of skin cancer by tanning all the time. It was that easy for me. I just stopped.

I cancelled my tanning membership, stopped tanning outside, wore sunscreen and hats. I was maybe 25, but unfortunately the damage was already done. Because today, years later, I am suffering the consequences.

Here are my sun spots with a tiny bit of foundation, blush, bronzer etc..

NOT CUTE guys.

And don’t get me wrong, I know they’re not unsightly or anything but they are big and they do bother me. So what are my options?

Well, skincare is just not going to work. Any topical treatment that promises to get rid of dark spots is just LYING. No chemical can remove this puppies, or at least, none that I’ve heard of. From the research I’ve done, it’s gotta be a laser.

IPL Photo-facials to be exact. They are offered at lots of Medi-Spas and are actually becoming quite popular in removing age spots, acne scars and other imperfections.

I am reallllly thinking about scheduling one of these to help diminish the appearance of my sun spots, but I know it isn’t a permanent solution. You have to get one or two a year in order to keep up the results or else the pigment just comes back.

But ANYWAY – just stay outta the sun will ya? Your face will thank you later 🙂

What do YOU think? Anyone our there ever have an IPL facial?

Trip to North Carolina

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Hey y’all.

I don’t know why I’ve already started this post out with a southern accent because truth be told, I didn’t encounter too many while we were in NC. We did however, encounter lots of other wonderful southern delights such as – Dunkin Donuts errrrwhere, the Piggly Wiggly, FIREFLIES and Family Dollar. We joked the whole time we were there that the “holy trinity” in each town was – a Dunkin, Hardee’s and a Family Dollar . JUST MY STYLE.

We took a red-eye over which is never an issue for this old lady, who can manage to sleep (mouth agape always) anywhere, anytime.

Saturday morning after picking up our rental car, we drove to our hotel in Garner and settled into a booth at The Waffle House while we waited for our room to be ready. That night, we attended a beautiful wedding for David’s friend Ben and his lovely bride, Camille.

Before the ceremony, we walked around the gardens and took tons of pics.

Look at my iPhone 7 DO WORK

The ceremony was lovely and the reception was beautiful as well. We had chicken, mashed potatoes, collard greens and corn with a delicious sauce. And rolls. I obviously like m’rolls.

Of course E made pals with all the little girls, including the flower girl who was SO cute.

And of course David took this serious glamour shot of me while we were waiting for our dranks. My arm looks about 7 miles long.

Processed with Rookie Cam

The next day we got up early, had continental breakfast at the hotel (LOVE when hotels have that!) and drove the 2 hours over to David’s brothers house.

We had a blast playing their pool. running through the sprinklers and really just getting to see E and her cousin play together.

Our Airbnb was about 40 minutes from their house on a golf course and after dinner that night we came home and totally crashed. The next morning though, we made a very cool discovery out by the pond…TURTLES!

Being Oregonians, seeing like 30 turtles waddle out to say hi to us was pretty damn cool. We stayed out there for like 30 minutes just watching them.

I pretty much DIED over the screened-in porch and have now decided that I need one of these in my future home.

Later that day, we all went to the beach!

The beach had ACTUAL shells, unlike the coast over here, where all you find is the odd broken sand dollar and the water was semi-warm.

That night, we had a super yummy dinner with the fam and flew back home the next day. Until next time, NC!