What Works For Me: Birthday Beauty Haul

Ryan and I have known each other over half our lives, so, at this point, it's kind of hard to plan surprises.  For birthdays, we've taken to buying our own presents, which is actually really fun and ensures that we both get exactly what we each want.  My birthday is this month, and I had a few beauty items (what else?) that I wanted to try.  Check out my loot from Sephora!

I know, I'm such a beauty junkie.  But before you judge me too harshly, check out what I actually purchased.

(My actual purchase.)

And what I got for free.

(Free samples!)

Sephora's Beauty Insider program offers rewards based on previous purchases, plus a birthday gift, so I always stock up in July to maximize my money.  This time around, I scored two perfume samples, a cologne sample for Ryan, deluxe samples of mascaras by Laura Mercier and Kat Von D, and my free birthday gift, two deluxe samples of lip treatments by Fresh.  That's enough perfume, mascara, and lip balm to keep me supplied for months, and they are also great to stash in your makeup bag for both daily outings and longer trips.

Sephora also offers great samples at Christmas, so I often purchase gifts there for my sisters and friends, then distribute the little extras among them, too.

To celebrate my birthday, I actually bought Korres Wild Rose Regimen Kit, since I've been dying to try their bestselling Wild Rose Moisturizing and Brightening Cream.  Beauty kits are typically a better value than the actual size product when trying something for the first time, and you also get to sample other brand products, too.  There's less commitment this way, and if something doesn't work out, you haven't invested in the full size product.

I also purchased a second Caviar Eye Stick by Laura Mercier, and I am in love with its creamy, sparkly texture.  I already own the Khaki stick and thought about purchasing Turquoise (which is not sold at Sephora) but decided to play it safe with Amethyst, which is always appropriate for my brown eyes.

Since I didn't take the plunge with turquoise eyes, I splurged on Ciaté Paint Pots Nail Polish in Superficial, a dark teal-turquoise.  I'm still pretty conservative when it comes to makeup, but I think it's fun to try new colors, especially on my toes.   Ciaté is new to Sephora, and I'm excited to try one of its bold colors.

And finally, to top it all off, I reordered some jeweled nail stickers made for Sephora by OPI.  I first purchased these last year on a whim, and they are so much fun.  I only use the stickers on my toes, so they last for months, and at $5, you can't beat the price for a little bit of body jewelry.

All total, I spent less that $100 on my actual order and received much more than that in products and samples.  I'm completely set for summer and fall now, and won't need to order anything until Christmas.  I highly recommend taking advantage of free membership programs like Sephora's Beauty Insider, because they truly help you stretch your beauty budget, and it's so much fun to try new products for free.

What Works For Me: Household Chores

I'll admit to being a neat freak, and people often comment that my house is very tidy, even with two little boys underfoot.  It's weird, I realize, but I actually enjoy cleaning as a stress-reliever, the way some people play tennis, and I feel happier and more relaxed when my surroundings are in order.  I've always been that way, and I've just come to accept it as one of my quirks.  So I thought I'd share my process for keeping things neat, just in case you might like to try it.

When I was working outside the home, before I had children, I would typically spend one whole day (either a day off work or a part of the weekend) cleaning all the rooms in our house.  I didn't really enjoy this, since it meant hours of work when I should have been relaxing, and I certainly didn't look forward to it.  But I cleaned everything because it needed to be cleaned, and because that's just the way I operate.  Procrastination is not in my nature (I guess that goes along with being a neat freak), so I just sucked up my frustration and pressed on.

But everything went out the window once I had a new baby who required all of my time and energy, and with his arrival, I realized that I needed a more efficient system.  Now, I focus on one main chore each day, with little jobs scattered here and there.  Here's what works for me:

• Monday: I change and wash all the bed linens, and dust the rooms while I am working.

• Tuesday: I clean the kitchen counters, sink, table and chairs (which need it with two children eating all the time).

• Wednesday: I clean the guest bathroom, which is the one used most by Ryan and the boys during the day.

•  Thursday: I dust and vacuum the floors.

• Friday: I clean our master bathroom and wash the towels. 

• Saturday or Sunday: I wash Ryan's clothes and any other laundry, depending on our schedule.

These are my main weekly chores, and I also have a few other small tricks that help me maximize my time every day.

I run the dishwasher several times a week, always starting it when I go to bed, and then I unload it in the morning while the boys eat breakfast.  It's so much easier to do it first thing and have an empty dishwasher that can be reloaded right away.  I also wash any dishes that need to be reused again (like the boys' cups), and I sweep and clean around the table as needed after each meal, too.

I share a hamper with James and Rhys, so I wash our things once or twice a week, either first thing in the morning or in the evening, after the boys take their baths.  Then, I fold the clothes while I watch television or listen to music at night, so it's not a boring task and goes much faster.  If nobody is watching, I'll turn up the radio and dance or do lunges as I work to get a bit of a workout in. 

I usually try to complete each chore early, and after breakfast is a happy time at our house, since the boys have full stomachs and are content to play for a while.  If we have an activity planned, I will save my daily chore for during naptime, but I try not to spend more than a few minutes "working" while they are sleeping, since it's my quiet time, too.  I also involve the boys if possible, and James developed an enormous affinity for vacuums after watching me work.  Even the most mundane task is fascinating to a child, and James and Rhys can happily dust shelves or clean mirrors while I tackle a quick chore.

Also, if something doesn't get done, it's not a big deal, and there's plenty of time to get to it another day.  Today, for example, I had a doctor's appointment while our sitter watched James and Rhys, and then we ate lunch, played outside, and took a nap.  I never swept the floors, and they might not get done tomorrow, either.  But everything else is pretty much in order, so it doesn't bother me.

This is just a routine that works well for me, and please take it with a grain of salt.  I'm terrible at meal planning and don't like to cook, so that's an area of my life that could definitely use improvement.  But I do like a clean house, and it makes me happy to maintain it.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to sing and dance fold some laundry.
 

What Works For Me: Solvere Acne Clearing Products

I've always had oily skin, but it didn't truly become acne-prone until I was trying to conceive my first baby.  And since I've been either breastfeeding or pregnant since 2008, I've had to be extremely careful with the types of acne products I can safely use.  Prescription-strength azelaic acid works fairly well and is safe while pregnant and breastfeeding, but it doesn't completely eliminate my hormonal breakouts.  Since my dermatologist told me to come back when I'm not nursing and she'll prescribe something stronger, I've been on the search for a cleanser that will help prevent breakouts while not irritating my sensitive skin.

I've tried my fair share of acne cleansers over the years, from mail-order clubs to department store brands, and everything in between.  Dermatologists recommend using only a mild cleanser or bar, but I've found that I need something stronger to stay acne-free.  I can't remember how I ran across it, but Solvere Acne Clearing Cleanser has solved most of the issues I had with other cleansers.  It contains 2% salicylic acid, the amount considered most helpful when treating acne, and since I just put it on and rinse right away, there's no residue settling into my skin, so it's safe while breastfeeding.  (Large amounts of salicylic acid, in the topical form like a peel or taken orally, are not recommended during pregnancy.)

Solvere's cleanser is extremely thick, almost the consistency of shampoo, so a little goes a long way.  I also find that, because of the acid, I only need to use it at night, and then I just wash my face with a much gentler cleanser like Cetaphil in the morning.  I'm also a fan of Solvere's Fortified Moisturizer, which is rich and creamy without blocking pores.  Both products help to prevent breakouts and I'm really thrilled with their performance.  Plus, they are comparable in price to drugstore brands and come in large quantities, so they are very easy on your wallet.

It took me a long time to find the right products for my skin and my current state of motherhood, but these really work for me, and I hope they might help you, too.