Beach Blowout

What is about the beach that is so relaxing? Is it the waves crashing? Or the sand between your toes? Or is it the knowledge that you are on vacation and supposed to rest? Whatever it is, I want to bottle it and carry it around with me always. We just returned from our final beach trip of the summer and I am bummed. Don't get me wrong, it was an incredible trip. I'm just bummed that it's over!

We arrived at David's Aunt Debbie's house on a Thursday evening and headed back nine days later. Talk about a week and a half of bliss. In that time we hit the beach many times, I got my very first facial (and a follow-up!), hit the outlets a couple times (and scored some stellar deals!), ate at multiple different restaurants specializing in yum, introduced the princess to the sand and saltwater, and visited with family. Needless to say, bidding this vacation goodbye was difficult. Here are a few pictures giving you a glimpse of our bliss:

So peaceful.

Working on those Crossfit handstand push-ups.

Game night!

First trip to the beach for the cousins.

My fabulous find of the day-$40 Michael Kohrs wedges!

Catch of the day.

Following a yummy seafood supper.

Bliss.

Can I go back??

Emergency Products

Every girl has her emergency go-to products. The ones she couldn't possibly live without and would have to replace if she went on a far off trip and happened to forget one or two (been there, done that, stopped at Target). Here are a few of my must-haves!

I've searched high and low for the perfect mascara, and I think I've finally found it! It lengthens and adds volume without adding a lot of weight. Not to mention, there is no clumping! The fact that David's aunt is a Mary Kay rep is an added bonus:-)

Every Southern belle knows that pearls are the perfect complement to any outfit. I can put mine on with a fancy party dress or to wear with my ball cap running errands. Regardless of what I wear them with they add a classy component to everything I wear!

I've been using this stuff since high school, and there is no hope of getting me to switch! Everyone wants to perfect light moisturizer with SPF, and it's here. I feel my skin absolutely glow whenever I put it on. It evens out my skin tone and makes my face baby soft. Couldn't be happier!

Lip balm is something else I've searched high and low for in my lifetime, so when The Momma introduced me to Burt's Bees I knew there was no going back. It protects and soothes my chapped lips without a lot of weight.

Another great product The Momma introduced me to! Aren't mommas just the best?? This is a great face wash for all skin-types, especially my combination skin. It removes my makeup and cleanses my skin without a lot of lather. Not to mention, my skin doesn't dry out! Score!

What are some of your go-to products??

30 Before 30: Nail Polish

Y'all, I'm going to be honest with you here, this is a ridiculous post. What I am about to consider an accomplishment is also pretty laughable. I get that. But on the same front, it's also fairly impressive that I was able to successfully complete this task. What is that task, you may ask. Well, the fact that I kept nail polish on my nails for over a month without picking it off! WAHOO!! I warned you it was kind of ridiculous;-)

I've also admired people who are able to keep their nails tidy. It's not something I have ever been able to check off my to-do list. Until now that is! Before the wedding, David's sweet grandma, Grammie, took me to her salon for the full treatment. We're talking mani, pedi, fake nails-the whole nine yards. I honestly loved them. It was such a fun feeling! Even if I was wearing workout clothes, I still felt like a princess. Unfortunately, I was never able to master taking my contacts out with the fake nails. In fact, I punctured my eye so badly the night before our wedding I was convinced all the pictures would show a bloodshot eye. Mercifully that was not the case, but when we returned from the honeymoon I had them removed.

Fast forward to a few months ago. I told myself I was going to make a concerted effort to keep my nails tidy. No chipped nails, no hang nails, nothin'. I am happy to report that I was able to do so! I repainted them about once a week so they didn't look too ragamuffin, but other than that nothing changed!

"The Thrill of Brazil"!

Is this a real accomplishment? Nah, not really. But I must say I do enjoy my nails a lot more these days:-)

Breakout Blahs

What girl doesn't get the occasional pimple? That annoying little bugger always seems to pop up at the least opportune time. Prom night, wedding day, that big interview, etc. We all have those stories. I've always had really bad acne. I tried every home remedy and every store-bought face wash before the doctor prescribed the heavy duty acne medicine, Acutane. For those of you that don't know about Acutane, let me give you some insight. . .you can't be on it without regular blood and pregnancy tests. The warning on it is pages long and it has even made some people suicidal. Yea, big stuff. It had some nasty side effects (super dry skin, crazy mood swings, and more totally un-fun stuff) but it did it's job and my acne went away.

Fast forward to this past October when my kidneys revolted. One of the first moves of my doctors was to take me off my birth control for fear that it was contributing to the issues. You may have even seen the commercials warning patients to talk to their doctors about it. One of the good things about the birth control was that it helped with the acne issue, so when I went off of it the zits made their way back. Add to that the addition of the steroids (known for giving people acne!) and you have the perfect storm for acne.

Which brings me to today. I can't count the number of zits I currently have on both hands. To be honest it's pretty embarrassing to have as many zits as my middle school students! It has gotten that bad. My usual regiment of Cetaphil face wash each night and Aveeno moisturizer in the morning just isn't cuttin' it any more.  How do y'all keep the zits away? What "must-have" items should I try? What am I missing here?? I'm open to anything and everything!