Spring Cleaning your Make-Up

This is the time of year where we all start to clean our homes a little bit more.  Perhaps some of us forget about one important thing or things that should be cleaned and purged as well. For those of us that do wear it, make up and all the products and tools that come with it.

The first thing is to take it out of the bag or case that houses all the cosmetic items. Thourogh clean and disinfect it. While that dries I move on to it's contents. I wipe down cosmetic holders ie mascara tubes, eye shadow pallots, blush, etc. At this point, I toss whats old, cracked or expired. Yes, your make up can expire.

Makeup.com by L'Oreal has a great little chart to use when you are cleaning your make up bags out(See image right). If you use your cosmetics past the recommended date of use, you risk bacteria growth and skin or eye infections. And if you have ever had pink eye, trust me, this is a great guideline to follow.

Makeup.com guideline

I would add that some cosmetic items have their own date written on its packaging so you should use that as a guideline for expiration. Here is what that looks like below.

This gives you an idea when you should dispose. When in doubt, get rid of it. Especially if it smells bad or color looks different. This will help avoid unnecessary skin breakouts or worse. 

Last thing to clean are the brushes. Brushes can harbor so much bacteria. I clean my brushes weekly but I know not every one is doing this. So I pray you at least clean your brushes every month to 6 months depending on how often you use them and what part of face they are used on. In my opinion, eye and lip brushes should be cleaned weekly. Facial brushes can be washed every six months but I would say at least monthly. Especially if you already have skin break outs.

So how do I wash my brushes. I use a combination of vinegar, water and two drops of dawn soap. When I don't have vinegar or dawn on hand, I use hair shampoo. Works just as good. Make sure you dry them on a clean towel or hand them with bristles facing down. Let them dry overnight and place them back in a dust free area or container. 

The benefit to purging your cosmetics isn't just healthier skin but you get to go out and buy some new cosmetics. That's my favorite part!

Hope this helps. Happy cleaning and happy shopping. 

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy, Be Beautiful!

Happy Veterans Day 2016

This Veteran's Day, amongst the madness in our country, I stand proudly next to my husband,  a United States Marine Corps Veteran, still serving. An  immigrant to this country who joined because he felt an obligation to give back. A college graduate, an outstanding father, a loving son, law enforcement officer and a citizen of service to this great country that he loves so much.  

There isn't a day that goes by where I question my choices in life because they brought me to him.   As an American, he has taught me the value in not taking this country for granted.  Next to loving God, I know I can love this country with great pride because I know he stands behind it. 

My prayers are for all that are fighting right now to not get lost in the drama of thoughtless outspokenness in politics. Remember we all want the same thing more or less. For our country to remain better then most, for the people of this nation to have a say in how this country operates and that equality should not be determined by cashflow, race or gender. Lets not tear each other apart and insight hate, but let us come together. Take the time to thank the selfless men and women in uniform who do what most are unwilling so that democracy can live. Show appreciation to the Gold Star families who sacrificed a family member so that we can all go on living the way we do. Be grateful for what you have. 

To my husband,

You came to this country in search of a better life. You fought in defense of our great nation and still wear the uniform because you believe it is worth standing up for. I have so much respect for you as a person, as a man, my partner and father of our three beautiful children. There isn't a day that goes by where I am not proud and grateful for all that we have. 

If all we have is the roof over our head and the smiles of our childrens faces, we are better then most. Thank you for your service. I love you very much. Semper Fi.

With great pride,

-Elizabeth

Be Blessed, Be happy and Be Healthy!

Microbeads no more!

When you cleanse your skin, you often use an exfoliant of some kind to help slough off dead skin cells. I use to love microbead exfoliants because they are softer on the skin then most scrubs. Especially scrubs that use nut shells or apricot seeds which can be so harsh on the skin. Here are some facts on why microbeads often used in skincare or toothpaste should be banned and has already been banned in some states. See attached link http://beatthemicrobead.org/en/science


Though they are gentler on skin, they pack quite the environmental punch. So try some of these listed alternatives instead.

1. BIORÉ ACNE CLEARING SCRUB

2. PHILOSOPHY THE MICRODELIVERY PEEL

3. MURAD AGE REFORM AHA/BHA EXFOLIATING CLEANSER

4. RENÉE ROULEAU MINT BUFFING BEADS

5. JAN MARINI CLEAN ZYME FACE CLEANSER

6. PERRICONE MD BLUE PLASMA

Or do it yourself with a simple DIY facial/body scrub that is super gentle on skin and easy on budget. 

1 tbsp Baking soda
1 tbsp Honey

Use immediately
Gently scrub skin in a gentle circular upward motion
Allow to sit on skin for 2 minutes 
Gently wash away with warm water
Follow with cool water or skin toner
Serum then Moisturize

There are also gentle washable exfoliating scrub pads that you can use to gently rub away dead skin cells on face and body. You can also buy disposable single use pads that come with or without cleanser, like Buf-Pufs. I like the washable scrub pads because they work great, are easy on the pocket and bonus good for environment. Win, win!

Hope you found this informative and that you make the investment for yourself and the environment. 

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Happy Birthday My Little Ones

Day 2 at hospital

First day home together

First photo shoot

Three years ago today, I gave birth to two very beautiful but early babies. They were born 5 weeks early and weighed in 4.4 lbs and 5. 4 lbs. They were so small, I can still recall how scared I was to bring them home, especially my boy. Seeing them in NICU with all those wires and feeding tubes, I prayed I would be able to bring them home sooner then later. When I was able to bring them home within the week, I was elated. Eight months of doing my best to keep them in but they were finally here and leaving healthy. Prayers answered.

Since that day, we have watched them as they have discovered the world around them, developing what I hope is a life long friendship with their older brother and building a twin bond that is as strong as both their personalities. They fight as much as they do hug and kiss one another. 

Now they are three years old and each showing their own very distinct personalities. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't laugh with the kids. We absolutely love them and though they were a surprise, with many sleepless nights, we also know they are a blessing.  I would change nothing. 

Happy Birthday my babies!  

Mama, Daddy and Nono love you both so much. Thanks for bringing double the love into our lives and filling our hearts exponentially. 

Happy 4th of July

So while everyone gets ready for one of the biggest barbecue days of the year, don't forget one of the most important things. No it's not the ice or the propane, it's SUNSCREEN!

Be sure to apply your sunscreen of SPF30 or higher atlas 20 minutes before you plan on venturing out in the sun and reapply as directed. I suggest every two hours max. Be sure to protect the kids with sunscreen and hats to protect their young skin and scalps. Often we forget to sunscreen our ear and the back of our necks, so be sure to do that as well.

You want to make sure that the sunscreen you are using has a minimum SPF of 30 and that it is UVA/UVB/UVC protective (Broad Spectrum) and water resistant.

TEACHING MOMENT:

UVA - The wrinkle damaging rays
UVB - The sunburning, skin cancer causing rays
UVC - Most dangerous of rays but does not reach earth atmosphere. More man made, i.e. welding or in tanning beds.
NOTE: AVOID tanning beds. It's like sitting on the sun and giving an open invitation to cancer. "Hi Cancer. Come on in!"

Here is what we use in our house to protect our skin.

Babyganics Sunscreen Spray

Babyganics Sunscreen spray with SPF50

It's very light weight and is non-aerosol, which is great for the kids and the environment.  We use it all the time and my kids have yet to ever burn even while being in the pool or sprinkler. It contains no PABA , Phthalates, paragons, nano-particles and is fragrance free. You can find it at your local Target, Walmart, Babies R Us or most local chain pharmacies. It comes in about a 6 oz bottle for approximately $9.

Personally, I like that it's non-aerosol. So many times I see moms spraying their kids with this, some directly in the face. I understand that it saves you a lot of time and fussing but your kids are inadvertently breathing this is. NOT good. So I prefer the fuss of rubbing it in over long term possible, we only pray not, problems.

J.R.Watkins Sunscreen

 J.R. Watkins SPF-30 Sunscreen

The adults in the house use this when we want a little color but still be protected.  You still need a little Vitamin D right? I love natural products and J.R.Watkins is known for this. 

Their sunscreen protects against all 3 dangerous sun rays, UVA,UVB and UVC. It goes on easy though you may find it initially greasy it absorbs quickly and is a great first layer to your make up. It contains all-natural titanium dioxide, PABA free, plant based Shea butter with environmental bonus of eco-friendly packaging. It's 95% natural. I'm okay with that. Also, it is fragrance free so you don't have to walk around smelling like a coconut or something else. 

These are my top two because I have used them for over 4 years nor I or my children have ever been sunburn while using them.

You don't have to use these suggested picks but PLEASE be sure to wear sunscreen. The sun still gets in, it just slows down the process of the sun attacking your skin. Reapply often. Wear sun protective clothing and hydrate, it's hot out there.  Most important protect the kids.

Have fun but be sun smart. Happy 4th of July!

And as always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

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Remembering Our Fallen on Memorial Day

Today I wanted to comment about what Memorial Day means to me.

Captain John J. McKenna IV USMC 
KIA Fallujah, Iraq, August 16,2006

Several years back, in 2006, I attended the funeral of a fallen U.S. Marine, Captain John J. McKenna, IV. This military funeral was the first one I had ever been to and it definitely stands out in my memory. Not just because of all the people that came to pay their respects to this man that gave his life for a bigger cause. Nor for the beauty of such a somber and sobering ceremony but because I will never forget his mother.

Captain McKenna was her only son. The moment when they handed her his flag and they lowered him into the ground, her wailing cries tore at my heart. Even today as I write this, I still feel her chilling pain, as if it were just happening.

So to me, Memorial day isn't so happy. It's not a day about barbecues or discount sales in stores. Today's a day to be thankful for the men and women like Captain McKenna, who gave their lives so that we can maintain the lives we live. My husband lives with the loss of his friend every day with only a small picture of John in our home to keep him with us. That mother lives with the loss of her son every day.

So I ask that today you take a moment to think about those lives lost. To be grateful for the sacrifices that they and their families made so that you can sit out to enjoy the warm sun, barbecue in their memory and pray for those still out there defending freedom.

To learn more about Captain John J. McKenna, IV see these links below:
Military Room
Military Times
The Daily Beast
Together We Served
Legacy.com

Today, Be Grateful!

And as always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful! 

Thanks so much.

Happy Mother's Day

When I was an infant, I relied on my mother. As a small child, I loved my mother. When I became a teenager, I hated my mother. As I grew up in my 20s, I questioned my mother. As I became a mother, I seeked out my mother. And now that I am a mother, I appreciate my mother more then ever. With all her imperfections, bountifully flawed, I choose to only recall the good. She, despite the bad, has helped me become the person, the woman I am today.

Her actions as a mom, both positive and negative, taught me resilience and strength. Power of faith and of ones own resolve. I was not the perfect child, I rebelled in ways that people would be surprised to know. Nevertheless, I came out the other side, stronger, wiser, full of empathy and love. These lessons I bring into my parenting.

Now with three kids of my own, I try to do better. There are days as a mom I feel defeated and question my "mom skills". I wonder if I am doing any of it right.  I've learned that only a good mom would ask herself that because it means we care about our kids, that they matter. When I find myself saying "oh, that mom makes it look so easy." I recall a Ms. Sallie, when i told her, "I just don't want to mess them up." and she simply replied "Oh honey, you are going to one way or another. We can't be perfect." Motherhood comes with no book all though there are a million that will tell us one way or another how to be with our kids. In the end, we all write our own books. So I just do the best I can.

I'm taking the time to know my kids as individuals and am allowing them to teach me as I teach them. I am doing my best to raise them with love and compassion. They teach me to practise patience and understanding. Most importantly they remind me the importance of breathing! When the madness of scheduling for a family of five can seem endless or the kids all screaming for me at once puts me at the edge, I breathe. The crazy passes and then I can tend to the next task or child.

A short note of thanks to my second mother, my sister. She was always there to pick up the pieces where my mom perhaps slipped. She protected me from others and myself. She tried her best to keep me safe. Even in the worst of times as sisters, she always was there for me. She has always been the warm jacket on a blustery winters day. Thanks M for not letting me go out in the snow in high waters.

So Happy Mother's Day, to all mothers out there, new and experienced. For the dads, who have the job of mom as well. Keep it up, your doing great! We have the best salary-less job in the world. We get paid with hugs, kisses and with the bright smiles of our children. For me, that is payment enough.

Enjoy your Mother's Day!

And as always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Please take a moment to comment, like, share or Google+ my post. Thanks so much.