What I did over the weekend...

Gus & I took Riley to our local arboretum last weekend. They have great paved (and unpaved) trails for walking & biking - and pets are welcome! It's really pretty, too. They also have several ball fields, tennis courts, a huge playground, & some picnic shelters. But we just go there to walk.  :-)

Happy Birthday, Gus!

Today is Gus's 45th birthday, so that's my cue to say something nice about him. He says he only likes reading my blog when I talk about him or when I post something funny. Everyone's a critic right?

Gus is the best man I know. He loves his family & he works hard to make sure we have everything we need. I know that there is nothing that he wouldn't do for us. Without a doubt, he always puts us first. He's my best friend & my hero. He has a great sense of humor & well, he's pretty hot.

To be fair, he also leaves his shoes all over the house (I can see a pair from here) - and he leaves dishes in the sink instead of putting them in the dishwasher that is a foot away. He can also fall asleep in the middle of a conversation - usually just as I'm getting to the good part. But he does squeegee the shower after using it about 90% of the time, so I'm cutting him some slack.

Happy Birthday, honey - I love you!!!

Gel manicure

Gel manicures came onto the scene a couple of years ago, but I'm just now (carefully) getting on the band wagon. I'm not talking about gel overlays (like acrylic nails) - I'm talking about gel "polish". I think OPI was first on the market with Axxium (that link isn't the OPI website, but it explains the Axxium system), and now CND has Shellac.

According to my nail tech, Shellac is "easier" on your nails than Axxium, because it is newer technology. I know nothing about the details, but everything I've read on the internet seems to reinforce her information.They call it a "hybrid" - it goes on like a polish & wears like a gel. Plus it's supposed to be easier to remove than the OPI.

If you aren't familiar with gel manicures, it's basically a manicure where the polish is a special polish that is "activated" by 30 seconds of UV light. My nail tech does 4 coats - base coat, 2 coats of color, and a top coat - each followed by 30 seconds under the UV light.

This stuff is amazing!! There are a ton of colors from which to choose - I chose a pale neutral pink with just a hint of shimmer which looks very natural. It's very shiny and it really does stay that way. They tell you that it lasts 2 weeks, but it may last a bit longer. I was busy at the 2 week point, tried to get an appointment at 3 weeks, but my tech was on vacation for a week. So I went 4 weeks before reapplication. Other than the new growth at the base of the nail, they pretty much looked the same as when they were first done. My tech was amazed, so I assume that is not the norm.

(I forgot to take a picture before the old gel was removed, but the nails really looked the same as they did at Day 21. This picture is of the new gel.)

So it lasts at least 2 weeks, stays shiny, doesn't chip, and it's completely dry at the end of the manicure. Yes - you can reach in your purse for your keys & your nails will be just fine! The cost at my salon is $32. I've checked other local salons & that seems to be about the average price.

I admit, I'm a little concerned about the UV light. Only the tips of the fingers are under the light - and one doesn't normally worry about fingernails when out in the sun. But there is that little bit of skin that is exposed. I thought about sunscreen, but since you have to soak the nails to remove the old "gel", I assume that would soak off the sunscreen as well. I'm wondering if one could apply sunscreen after the nails are prepped, but before the product is applied that makes sure the nailbed is clean & dry? I don't know if that would affect how the "gel" adheres or not. I would be interested in any information or advice concerning the UV aspect of the manicure. I'm hoping they find a way to do this without the UV light, because it really is a great manicure.

Kardashian Glamour Tan

I purchased this product from Ulta several months ago, and then I forgot that I had it! LOL! I found it a couple of weeks ago & decided to give it a try.

Kardashian Glamour Tan is a clear self-tanning gel. I typically don't do well with this type of product - the color & fading are poor for me. But I decided to try it because it would be nice to have something like this for travel or for times when I don't want to mess with a colorguide.

Description from Ulta.com:

This moisturizing formula is packed with protective antioxidants and vitamins C, D and E. It's the only self-tanner containing imudulin, a key ingredient that is designed to stimulate vitamin D synthesis, which can aid in lessening the look of lines and wrinkles. Glamour Tan's unique clear formula is non-streaking and non-staining. It instantly absorbs in your skin and within 24 hours of application, you'll notice an even, golden, fabulous tan.

Ingredients:
Water, Methylpropanediol, Dihydroxyacetone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloydimethyl taurate copolymer, Lactic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Tocopheryl Succinate (Vitamin E), Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Urea, Trehalose, Polyquaternium -51, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) Glutamylamidoethyl imidazole Fragrance.

Consistency & appearance: This product is a clear, thin, runny gel that can be kind of messy because it tends to run out of the container too quickly. I think a pump bottle would be much better. The label says that the product contains fragrance, but it must be very minimal because I didn't detect any scent.

About my skin type & tanning: I am a Type I/II (I almost always burn, but I can get a very slight tan with a lot of patience.) I'm Casper-the-Friendly-Ghost white, with dark blonde hair and blue/green/gray eyes. My skin is pretty sensitive, so I have to be careful with certain ingredients - especially fragrance. When sunless tanning, my skin is atypical of a Type I/II in that I need at least 7.5-8% DHA to get decent color. Anything less than that usually gives me translucent color that tends to look orangish. I don't do well with drugstore products, and I prefer airbrush tanning solutions (ABS) to any other type of sunless tanner. Products with a dark CG can cause fading issues for me, so I usually counteract that by showering after 4-6 hours. This allows me to absorb the DHA without any staining from the CG.

Skin prep: I showered using Ulta's 3-in-1 Shower Smoothie (in Cocolada) and lightweight nylon exfoliating gloves (there are different types - these are very lightweight & minimally abrasive). After showering, I used Ulta's Shower Smoothie Hand & Body Cream (in Cocolada - and this is more like a thick lotion than a cream - it absorbs completely without any greasiness) to prep the areas that I know tend to "grab" the color - elbows, knees, ankles.

Application: First application was to a 3-4" circular area on my stomach (which typically takes color very well). After 24 hrs. - no color. None. Zip. Nada. So I applied again to the same spot. After another 24 hrs., I could just barely see a color change, but it was negligible. I was pretty discouraged since I spent $20 for the product.

A week or so later, I decided to give the product a try for my hands & feet. I did my usual routine for hands & feet - lotion to the areas that tend to grab color, then the sunless tanning product after the lotion was absorbed. I carefully scrubbed my palms after applying to my feet, then tanned my hands. (I used about a quarter-sized amount for each foot and a nickel-sized amount for both hands.) I used a damp washcloth to wipe my palms & cuticles, as well as any areas that I know tend to grab color. After a couple of hours, I applied lotion all over my hands & feet, and wiped my palms & the areas that tend to grab color with a dry paper towel.

This time the final color wasn't bad. It was light, but I would rather have my hands & feet a little lighter anyway. I can always add bronzer if needed, but I like a light base color. Color doesn't usually last long on my hands & feet - and I'm okay with that as long as what's left can be removed fairly easily when I'm ready to start over. The Kardashian Glamour Tan color seems to last about 3-4 days, which is a day or two longer than usual. I do find that I have to scrub a bit more to remove the remaining "splotches" before re-tanning, but I am able to remove the color so that the new tan is even.

(this is an old picture just to show you how pale I am without any sunless tanner)

This product is available from ulta.com - a 6 oz tube is $19.99.

Repurchase? I haven't decided yet. I will probably have a better idea once I've used the entire tube.

(I know I had some other comments, but somehow part of the post went missing once I posted it on the blog. If I remember, I'll make updates!)

Five favorite "diet" foods...

Since revamping the way I eat, I've had to change my "splurges" to things that are a bit healthier, and lower in fat & sugar. These are a few of my favorites, so I thought I'd share.

Ocean Spray Diet Sparkling Pomegranate Blueberry Juice Beverage

This comes in an 8.4 oz. can and is delicious! It only has 10 calories, 0g fat, 50mg sodium, 3g carbs, & 10% Vitamin C. I believe you can buy them by the individual can as well as in 4-packs.

Kellogg's Special K Fruit Crisps 

These come in a variety of flavors, but I love the blueberry. They're like miniature frosted blueberry poptarts, but better. 100 calories, 2g fat, 20g carbs, 1g protein.

DiGiorno 200 Calorie Portions Pizza
(2 svgs per box)

My favorite is the pepperoni! You can make these in the microwave, but I prefer them in the oven. I sprinkle the top with a little fat-free cheese & bake for 14 minutes. Perfect for lunch!! 200 calories, 9g fat, 21g carbs, 10g protein.

Laughing Cow Cheese

Again, several varieties, but I love the light creamy swiss. My favorite way to eat it is with oyster crackers, LOL! I wedge has 35 calories, 1.5g fat, 1g carbs, 2g protein.

Jello Sugar-Free Pudding Cups

Honestly, I can't tell the difference between this & the regular pudding. I love the vanilla & the chocolate/vanilla swirl. 60 calories, 1g fat, 12g carbs, 2g protein.

Mean old people...

What makes old people think that they can be rude, mean, & generally unpleasant when they're in the grocery store??

I was raised to respect my elders. I'll hold doors, give them my seat, help with packages - generally whatever I can do that would be helpful and not insulting. I have the utmost respect for my elders. But man, some of them just do not deserve it.

There must have been 50 people over the age of 75 at the grocery store today. Only one of them was pleasant. The rest? Several blocked the aisles. One came to a complete & sudden stop right in front of me so that I almost plowed her over - then looked at me like I was at fault. (Maybe I was - is rear-ending someone with a cart like rear-ending them with a car?) One glared at me because I dared to stop & grab something off a shelf. Another came racing (yeah, I know - most move at a snail's pace, but this one was a regular Dale Earnhardt) around the corner & almost plowed into me. I stopped, and said, "I'm sorry. Excuse me." - even though it wasn't my fault - but she just gave me a hateful look & jerked her cart around to pass me. Then I had to wait 5 minutes in the cereal aisle because two old biddies older ladies were chatting right in front of the cereal I needed, and they couldn't hear me saying "excuse me".

Seriously? What is it about the grocery store that makes senior citizens act like Cujo? Are they hungry? Geesh - there's a Starbucks as you walk in - grab a frappuccino or something. Did they miss a nap? Go home & come back later! Are they in pain? Here's some ibuprofen & the keys to the motorized cart. Do they need help? Just ask!!

If my kids had ever behaved like these seniors, I would've given them one warning and then given them a time-out. And they wouldn't get to go to the store next time. I never allowed them to act like that in public.

Is this kind of behavior something I need to fear as I grow older? Will I one day wake up, go to the grocery store, and suddenly have the urge to block aisles, cut people off, and glare at anyone who makes eye contact with me? Okay, sometimes I do the glaring thing now, but will I start doing the other stuff? I can only hope that my kids will take me out of the store & give me a time out if I go over to the dark side.

AYU Vino Bronzing Mist 8%

AYU has been in the sunless tanning business for many years, but they have a couple of new products available this year. One of those is the Vino Bronzing Mist (available in 8%, 10%, & 12%), which is the product I'm reviewing today.

This product was made to be applied with an airbrush or HVLP machine - but those of you who are familiar with sunless.com are aware that there are ways to apply this type of product without any fancy equipment or a partner. For this test, I used a microfiber car pad for application and put the solution in a 2 oz. spray bottle.

From the label:
Look good and feel better with unique Vino Bronzing mist to create the just-off-the-beach look, and feel better by knowing that it is made with locally grown Muscadine grape skin extract, Muscadine grape juice, & Grape seed oil. Developed for luxurious sunless tanning that achieves the most natural-looking tan even on the most fair skin. Quick drying, no stickiness and no developing odor and, most of all, receive all the benefits from our Grape escape treatment with Muscadine grapes which are naturally rich in antioxidants, vitamins, & polyphenols.

Key ingredients:
Muscadine Grape Skin Extract
Muscadine Grape Juice
Grape Seed Oil
Hyaluronic Acid
Eco-certified DHA
Panthenol (B5)
Green Tea
Red Wine Powder
Vitamin E

SD-Alcohol free, paraben free, formaldehyde free, phthalate free, vegan

_____

How many sunless tanning products have I tried that claim to be quick drying, non-sticky, and fragrance-free/no developing odor? So, so many. How many of those actually live up to those claims? I can count them on one hand and have fingers left over. But for me, this one lives up to all of it's claims. It dries completely within just a couple of minutes - with no residual stickiness. Not even in the bends of your elbows or knees!! Not even in 90 degree weather with a lot of humidity. No fragrance and no developing odor (athough the developing odor is usually related to individual body chemistry, so your results may vary)!! And you know how sometimes your skin will have that tight feeling the day after tanning? Not with this product! My skin felt soooo soft & smooth. Love it!

Consistency & appearance: This product has a slightly thickened consistency. It reminds me of the consistency of heavy whipping cream. It has a very dark colorguide (CG) that is espresso/purple - very neutral. According to Vibha at AYU, there is actually very little FD&C dye in the product - the dark tint comes from the dark color of the grape extract. It's very easy to apply - and dries extremely quickly, especially when you consider that this is a thicker product.

About my skin type & tanning: I am a Type I/II (I almost always burn, but I can get a very slight tan with a lot of patience.) I'm Casper-the-Friendly-Ghost white, with dark blonde hair and blue/green/gray eyes. My skin is pretty sensitive, so I have to be careful with certain ingredients - especially fragrance. When sunless tanning, my skin is atypical of a Type I/II in that I need at least 7.5-8% DHA to get decent color. Anything less than that usually gives me translucent color that tends to look orangish. I don't do well with drugstore products, and I prefer airbrush tanning solutions (ABS) to any other type of sunless tanner. Products with a dark CG can cause fading issues for me, so I usually counteract that by showering after 4-6 hours. This allows me to absorb the DHA without any staining from the CG.

(This is an old picture of my natural skin color vs. one coat of SUN UD. Yes, there is a bit of glare in the photo, but I assure you, my natural color really is that white-blue.)

Skin prep: I showered using Ulta's 3-in-1 Shower Smoothie (in Cocolada) and lightweight nylon exfoliating gloves (there are different types - these are very lightweight & minimally abrasive). After showering, I used Ulta's Shower Smoothie Hand & Body Cream (in Cocolada - and this is more like a thick lotion than a cream - it absorbs completely without any greasiness) to prep the areas that I know tend to "grab" the color - elbows, knees, ankles.

Application: After the lotion was absorbed, I began applying the AYU solution to one area at a time. I dampened the microfiber pad with a bit of water, then sprayed the solution onto the pad. I started with my left lower leg - skimming the pad over the surface of the skin - being careful not to apply too much pressure. I covered all areas evenly, but did not rub or blend too much. I continued with my left upper leg, then my right leg, arms, stomach, & chest. Gus helped me with my back. By the time I was finished with this, my legs were dry, so I started all over again, applying a second coat. For my feet, I put a pea-sized dollop of the Ulta lotion in my palm, added 5-6 sprays of the tanning solution - rubbed my hands together carefully to mix - applied to my left foot & repeated for the right foot. I carefully scrubbed my palms with soap & water to remove any traces of the tanner.

Next, I wiped my elbows, knees, & ankles with a damp washcloth to remove some of the tanning solution (since I know these areas tend to develop darker than the rest of my body). For my hands, I put a pea-sized dollop of the Ulta lotion in my palm, added 6-7 sprays of the tanning solution, and rubbed my hands together carefully to mix - then applied as if I was putting lotion all over my hands. When finished, I wiped my palms, nails & cuticles with a damp washcloth.

After an hour or two, I applied more lotion to my elbows, knees, ankles, feet, & hands - then wiped my palms with a dry paper towel.

After 4-6 hours, I showered off all of the tanning solution, then applied Ulta lotion all over.

My final color (after 24 hours) was nice, but I was able to see some staining from the dark CG. After a couple of days, I looked like I had lizard skin - but I didn't. This is what happens to me when I use a product with a dark CG. Because I have mature skin, it's not completely smooth. The CG tends to get down into those little "crevices" in the skin (that are not otherwise noticeable) - then when the surface skin starts to fade, the color stays dark in those "crevices", and it makes it look "scaly". This is not an issue related to just this product, but to every product with a dark CG used on my skin.

 

(Please note the differences in the color. This is what the differences in lighting, cameras, & monitors produce. So you may not even be perceiving the color as it actually looked in real life. In reality, the color wasn't quite as dark as the first pictures, nor was it as light as the last picture. Keep this in mind when viewing tans online or in photos.)

I was determined to find a way to make this product work for me - because I like the color a lot and love the way it makes my skin feel. So I decided to try tweaking the application routine. (This is important!!! If a product doesn't work for you, it's not necessarily the product's fault - you may just need to tweak your application method!) This time, I prepped & applied the same way as before, but after 2 hours, I applied the Ulta lotion all over - essentially "diluting" the CG on my skin, without removing the product. (Note: if you do this, you will need to carefully scrub your palms to avoid staining. They will look purple/brown!)  I also used Kardashian Glamour Tan on my hands & feet instead of the VBM. (I'll do a review on that soon.) Then after 4 hours, I showered everything off and applied more lotion.

After 18 hours, the color was really nice - a little lighter than usual, but really nice. And there was no visible staining from the colorguide. Even a couple of days later, it looked good. I lightly exfoliated & reapplied on Day 3 - with the same great results.

 
Notes:

• I purchased this product myself & was not asked to do a review by AYU.
• I received no compensation for reviewing this product.
• This product was an 8% solution, and I usually use a 10% solution - so I expected my color to be a bit lighter than usual. I do have some 10% here that I will be trying soon.
• I also intend to try this product using the MaxiMist HVLP to apply. When I do, I will add an update & pictures.
  

Product info:
4 oz. (available in 8%, 10%, 12%) - $6.50

8 oz.
8% - $20.92
10% - $21.86
12% -$24.00

Other sizes also available: 32 oz., 1/2 gallon, 1 gallon

Repurchase? Yes!

DVDs & Another Summer Movie

Gus & I went to see Captain American: The First Avenger last weekend. As you know, I'm a huge Marvel Comics geek, so of course, I loved it (and so did Gus). IMO, Tommy Lee Jones should've been given a larger role - he almost steals the show. He has some great lines & his delivery is impeccable. It was a perfect role for him. I also loved Stanley Tucci (whose role was also too small). And whew, *stops to fan self* did Chris Evans look hot as Captain America/Steve Rogers. A hundred times more hot than as Human Torch/Johnny Storm. It's a great, fun movie - and don't forget to stay until after the credits to catch the extra scene that Marvel always gives us. One word - Avengers.  :-)  4.5 out of 5 stars.

Then there are a couple of DVDs that we watched -

I Am Number Four - Alex Pettyfer, Dianna Agron, Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer
It's definitely geared towards teenagers, but I think if you watch it with that in mind, it's not a bad movie. It's like Twilight & The Terminator had a movie baby. Seriously, the last scene is sooooo Terminator (the first one), LOL. 3 out of 5 stars - but don't expect anything really intellectual or unusual. And yes, they left it open for sequels.

Gnomeo & Juliet - James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Jason Statham, Ozzy Osbourne
Okay, okay - I know it's a movie about gnomes - but I thought it was hilarious. Yes, it's silly, but it's also funny - and I like movies that make me laugh. And I'm easily amused, LOL. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Some Polyvore fun

Just having some fun on Polyvore.com!! It's like Colorforms and paper dolls, but 100 times better, LOL! I love, love, love this Vivienne Westwood top - but not at $137. Has anyone seen anything similar for a more reasonable price?

Monday's Meal - Healthy Pasta Salad

Don't you love pasta salad in the summer? For some reason, I was never a fan of cold pasta - but the past couple of years, I've really grown to like it a lot. Problem is, most pasta salads don't really fit the dietary guidelines the dietitian & lipid specialist have set for me.

Fortunately, I found a recipe in the Women's Health Today publication that comes in the mail. I'm not sure where it comes from, but I think that either my gynecologist's office or the hospital where I have my mammograms done sends it to all of their patients. There is a website, too, if you're interested: www.womenshealthexperience.com.

Cold Fusilli Pasta w/ Summer Vegetables

8 oz. whole wheat fusilli

2 c. cherry tomatoes, rinsed & halved

1 lg. green bell pepper, sliced

1/2 c. red onion, thinly sliced

1 med. zucchini, shredded finely

1 15 oz. can low-sodium chickpeas, drained & rinsed

1 TBSP. fresh basil, cut into thin strips (or 1 tsp. dried)

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

1 TBSP. extra-virgin olive oil

2 TBSP. balsamic vinegar

1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, shredded

Directions: Cook pasta according to package directions, then rinse to cool. Place vegetables and beans in a large serving bowl. Season with basil, salt, and pepper. Add pasta. Combine oil & vinegar, then pour over contents of bowl. Mix until well coated. Divide into four equal portions. Top each with 2 TBSP. shredded Parmesan cheese. Serves 4.

Per serving: 418 calories, 11g fat, 3g saturated fat, 10mg cholesterol, 455mg sodium, 63g carbs, 13g fiber. 21g protein.

(Recipe courtesy of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.)

My notes: Of course, I made some changes. :-)

I thought I had whole grain fusilli, but apparently I used it - so I substituted whole grain penne. I don't care for onion or raw zucchini, so I left those out & added a red bell pepper instead. I also used grape tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes (not a huge difference, LOL).

I thought it was pretty good. Was it as good as the pasta salad my neighbor makes? Well, no. But this one isn't loaded with mayonnaise & cheese either, so it's a lot healthier. 

The serving size listed is HUGE. According to my dietitian, a serving of pasta (for me) is a half cup. The serving size according to this recipe is about 2 cups. So by just eating 1/2 cup, I cut the calories, etc. down to: 105 calories, 3g fat, 0.7g saturated fat, 2.5mg cholesterol, 114mg sodium, 16g carbs, 3g fiber, 5g protein.