Weekly Therapy: Kickoffs and Tryouts and Health and Training

January 8, 2016 - Mel

the week:
Well, we made it through the first week of 2016 — and there’s a LOT going on! It finally snowed in Pittsburgh for real, which makes me so happy.

snow Pittsburgh 2016 new year — SNOW! This is the park in my neighborhood and it always looks so lovely in every season — but especially in winter.

I am positively excited and exhausted from my first full week back at roller derby — practices for both my home team AND two nights of tryouts for the travel teams. I was also immediately reminded how expensive this sport is when doing a needs assessment of equipment and such (especially considering that I needed to change my number and needed new scrimmage tanks, armbands, etc.). I got a call-back from the first round, so I have another round next week!

Also, THE BACHELOR STARTED THIS WEEK! The boyfriend and I watched it later in the week, and it’s always a fun source of entertainment and dating roles banter between us.

weekend:
It’s Pittsburgh Marathon Training Kick-off time! Can you believe it’s already here?! I feel like I was just training for the half. My “official” full training starts after Gasparilla, which is at an almost-halfway point of my training cycle. I also renewed my annual membership with Steel City Road Runners, which I hope to use a lot more this season. There is a lot of FUN running madness that happens in conjunction with this kick-off, so maybe I’ll see some of you there. 😀

ALSO, if playing roller derby was ever something you considered, Saturday is the LAST pre-tryout boot camp for joining Steel City Roller Derby in 2016. You need to attend a boot camp in order to try out, so this is a great opportunity to come out and see what we’re looking for and talk to some vets about your skill level, training, gameplay, etc. etc. And it’s especially helpful in meeting some of your Fresh Meat teammates who you will be progressing alongside on this new fun adventure. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

For your resolutions/health: Pittsburgh area Sam’s Clubs will be hosting free health screenings, open to the public, from 11-4pm this Saturday, Jan. 9. These health screenings are free, confidential and available to the public at all Sam’s Club locations with a pharmacy. Additional details on each one will be made available at SamsClub.com. Two of the free tests being offered – blood pressure and blood glucose – are two key markers of overall health. Participants will get an idea of where they stand healthwise, and what they can to do for a healthier 2016.

seven things, seven days:
1. Have you heard of/used Sweat Cosmetics? I learned of this brand over the weekend when watching the GRID league championships. And as someone who wears makeup during workouts (don’t judge!), I need to test these products out!
2. In doing additional research on “workout makeup,” I found FITGLOW BEAUTY. BONUS: they’re a natural beauty brand.
3. Somehow, with all of my current beauty choices, I have taken to shopping Ulta over Sephora. I’m definitely not a VIB anymore!
4. Every day at lunch, I’m eating at least two sticks of PLAIN veggie. Gotta start somewhere, right?
5. For a few years (not last year), I would do a dry January; the boyfriend and I are doing this again — though this year, we didn’t start on January 1 (but the 4th). Basically, it’s a sober 30 days reset. This year is already kind of wonky, so like most things… we’re adapting a bit. The importance of doing this, however, remains. {link via Huffington Post}
6. Oh, hey, fellow Browns fan: The psychological reasons why Fans stand behind perennial losers {via NYT}
7. Here’s your weekly dose of science — appropriately, for keeping your resolutions {via Greatist}

Crest Whitestrips for your 30-something yellowing teeth!

December 5, 2012 - Mel

I joined this unknown online community a couple months ago, and only recently started receiving products to review and share. Called Influenster, it’s a place for “culture junkies to come together and share their unique opinions of products and experiences.” Active members get exclusive access to deals, promotions, and products from brand. And since I’m already a person of influence online and off, I wanted to share this community and its brands with you (if you want an invite, leave me a comment!).

My first Box included a product that I already use on a semi-regular basis: Crest 3D White Strips.

And I can openly admit here that my teeth whitening regimen has recently gone the way of non-existence… because if you’re not whitening you’re yellowing! I even had a package of the 5-minutes-a-day white strips UNOPENED in my bathroom’s beauty closet. As a 30-something — and lover of daily coffee and happy hours filled with red wine, which I have no plans to give up either — I experience tooth discoloration. And by all means, I don’t want to appear OLDER. So, I was happy to get back into the habit of daily whitening with this product.

Well, I lasted about three days before I had SIGNIFICANT teeth sensitivity (it usually ceases in a day or two); however, I was already seeing results. After THREE DAYS. Regardless, I lessened the treatments to twice a week because the sensitivity proved to be too much. Hey, I have a few extra days worth in the treatment calendar now!

From Crest: “sensitivity from tooth whitening is common and varies from person to person, and can be expected when using peroxide-based tooth whiteners like Crest® Whitestrips. We wanted to make sure you were aware that tooth sensitivity is a temporary side effect of any whitening treatment, does not cause any permanent damage to your teeth, and should go away soon, if it hasn’t already. If you notice continued tooth whitening sensitivity, consult with your dental professional.”

Based on the Whitestrips I’ve used in the past, I love the upgrade to the Advanced Seal — these strips stick to your teeth very well. And while I didn’t take before pictures, trust me, this is a product that works.

Disclosure: I received a free product from Influenster, for personal use, under no bias for compensation or review. Thoughts and opinions contained within are my own and only from personal experience. See my disclosure page for more information.

Off, Spot!

November 27, 2012 - Mel

Age spots. Sun spots. Livers spots. OFF, SPOT!

Spot removers and skin brighteners: yet more treatments in the arsenal of beauty products aimed at our age bracket. The promise? Younger, brighter skin that’s free from discoloration, age spots and uneven tone. These anti-aging creams promise to reduce, fade and prevent freckling and splotching of discolored 30-something skin caused by sun damage, acne scarring and those lovely (lovely!) hormones. If only a magic serum were that easy.

My skin has become a MESS over the last couple years of my mid-30s: blotchy areas, loose skin around the eyes (including my first few wrinkles), enlarged pores, the eyebrow “parenthesis,” dark circles, adult acne, and age spots. While aging is an ultimate concern in the physical sense, I didn’t realize how hard this stage would be mentally. And financially.

Besides regularly visiting an aesthetician for facials, I’m currently enduring a months-long wait for a dermatology appointment (completely separate from my wait for my skin cancer screening) to see what else can be done — how I can FIX and PREVENT more of this from happening. Meanwhile, I’m trying out a sample of this Murad Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Serum to see if I can be part of the 33% (of users to see a difference in 1 week; a couple weeks in, I’m having limited success in reducing redness scars, not yet on brown pigment spots).

Have you found a spot remover that works? Tell us about it in the comments — or on our Facebook page!

Sephora Score: history of a beauty junkie

November 14, 2012 - Mel

I set out to replace my Clarisonic brush head… and ended up WITH ALL THIS.

{The Lasting Impression It Kit (sephora gift) / samples from Clinique, Kate Somerville & Bliss / Clarisonic Replacement Brush Head Twin-Pack (Deep Pore) / Fresh Sugar Soiree Mini Lip Collection / NARS Essentials Set (beauty insider perk)}

Isn’t that how it always goes? I JUST NEED THIS ONE THING. But Sephora wants to give you 20 Things. Samples rule; I’m not mad. And I’m not the only one, I’m sure, who LOVES the extra goodies — being a Beauty Insider has definite rewards. That Lasting Impression Kit has, like, 15 different deluxe-sized products. Although, I’m probably all set on primers now. I’ve never tried a NARS product, but friends rave about the lip pencils. I saved up my Beauty Points to finally snag a decent 500 points gift. Time to build that account back up again! *smirk*

Sephora and Target are the same type of bank account killer: you go in for necessities, yet can never leave without dropping at least $100. True story.

Also, I have to mention these Fresh Sugar lip tints: OBSESSED.

ob·ses·sion/əbˈseSHən/
Noun: 1. The state of being obsessed with someone or something.
2. An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.

Yes, it’s exactly like that. I’m pretty sure there’s no cure. Naturally, I only wanted one color (Berry), but since I love the product so much, I splurged on the collection. These lip treatments have replaced my chapstick habit, for serious.

My last Birchbox…

June 23, 2012 - Mel

You know that instinct when something is just not “clicking.” That’s been the relationship between me and Birchbox for, well, longer than I care to admit. Yet, I continued on, hoping that “things” would change. Those “things” mind you, were the possibility of receiving ACTUAL makeup.

birchbox box

The monthly beauty subscription boxes were fun at first, but the excitement quickly faded. And all I was left with was yet another face moisturizer and smaller-than-a-sample size of hair treatment. Meh.

Last month, I said goodbye to Birchbox… of course, they were still a little attached to me and my credit card — charging me for my monthly subscription and sending me the box anyway. To BB’s credit, the amount was refunded, but not until after canceling again, submitting a cancellation survey, emailing their customer service… and then tweeting about it. Again, meh.

PS: This is one of several issues that I’ve had with their site. A prior problem was showing double items in my cart & I couldn’t remove the extra for days. And another wouldn’t let me use my points (again, eventually corrected itself).

Without further ado, the contents of the final box — JET SET box:
Faux lashes – winks by Georgie » LOVE faux lashes. SUCK at faux lashes. I can’t hate getting another pair to practice once again, however.
Shampoo – Hair Rules » yet another hair sample. BORING.
Packaged face cleanser wipes – La Fresh » I’ll use these. Straight to the skate bag!
Stainiac – theBalm cosmetics » haven’t used yet, but added it to all the other lip things that I hope to use one day. I just love my sugar fresh too much to use anything else right now.
BONUS: a printed plastic travel pouch from tili. I’ll use this, for sure.

For what it’s worth, I would definitely recommend the sample subscription service — it’s fun and a surprise at only $10 a month. I’m just underwhelmed by the promise of AWESOME THINGS and frequently disappointed in return.

Alas, for now I bid adieu, Birchbox!

Eminence:14-day trial

May 20, 2011April 19, 2018 - Mel

My sister offered up some samples of her Eminence skin care products — enough for a 14-day trial of their handmade organic cleanser, moisturizers, masque, scrub and…something else (another masque, I think). The products are all organic, which I’m hoping translates into “good for sensitive skin.” And that whole “hormonally unbalanced” problem I seem to have with… well, everything these days.

After recently — and randomly — being diagnosed with eczema, my product purchases are heavily scrutinized. Can you believe I even had patchy dryness on my freakin’ eyelids?! I still haven’t pin-pointed what is causing an allergic reaction on my hands either. Soap? Lotion? Self-tanner? Birth control pills? My gummy vitamins?

So far, I love how the Eminence products are concentrated and that only a tiny amount is needed (then add your own water). I’ve been fairly satisfied with using Murad over the last few years, but I keep getting a “Proactiv” vibe with them, with every mailed catalog. Plus, the products I NEED to supplement my skin care program (from the Resurgence line) — while awesome — are pricy.

Here is what I’m currently trying out for two weeks:

Mineral Cleansing Concentrate – good for acne AND sensitive skin
Eight Greens Whip Moisturizer – for “age-defying” on hormonally-imbalanced skin (although I will admit, hearing “whip” makes me fear breakouts)
Seven Herb Treatment (masque) – to help clear my “combination” skin problems (read: adult acne *groan*). It’s applied every other day for 2 weeks for only 10 minutes (I am already in love with this stuff after one use)
Eight Greens Phyto Masque – currently on hold, until I use the above treatment for a couple weeks, but it’s supposed to be an amazing anti-aging treatment.
Strawberry-Rhubarb Dermafoliant – did you know that rhubarb is a natural astringent and disinfectant? (it’s also delicious in ice cream; the fruit, not this product, of course)
Wild Plum Eye Cream – for dark eye circles and “signs of fatigue.” I only hope this product works as amazingly EVERY day, as it does on my first couple days of use.

I’ll let you know my thoughts about the products after my two weeks are complete.