skincare

It’s A…. BOY!

So much for my theory on having two girls in tutus! We had our ultrasound and appointment on Monday and got the big news that baby number two is a BOY! Of course we are so happy and excited! It was a bit of a shock to me, only because for so long I envisioned another little lady joining us. I am getting used to the idea of a little gentleman though. I am hoping with the warmer weather coming soon (fingers crossed!) that some cute boy outfits start presenting themselves in stores. Right now it’s a little lacking. It is probably better that way though, one can get carried away shopping for newborn baby clothes! I started going through Hallie’s clothes to sell consignment or give to goodwill. What an emotional process! I have definitely shed some tears over her tiny onesies and adorable outfits. It is hard to believe my little girl was once so small! Where does the time go?! I blame a lot of the tears on pregnancy hormones too. Hubby has allowed me to keep TWO storage bins worth of my favourite baby girl clothes – I think he just felt so bad when he saw me on the living room floor over tiny pink Minimocs. So I have kept all my faves for baby number three…… yes I just said that! But for now, eye on the prize. Little man is joining us in four months! How quickly did that time pass?! We have had some real sunny days lately so all I can seem to think about is summertime, baby boy’s due date and how much fun we are going to have as a family this summer. With Hallie, I spent so much time planning her room and making sure we were getting everything we need. This baby doesn’t even have a room yet I am not too worried. I know there are a couple things I want to upgrade or get for this time round with a newborn. I just know that even if I don’t have everything or his ‘space’ (no room of his own so he get s space in my room hah) isn’t ready, we will be fine. We will be overwhelmed and it will be crazy for a little while but really, we will all be fine. We will all be loved. There happens to be a lot of love in this house!

Just for fun, I thought it would be fun to share some highlights and lowlights of this current stage in my pregnancy. I am a little over five months pregnant so well into the second trimester.

Cravings: Granny Smith Apples, Strawberries (actually any berry will do), Pepsi – all the time! So bad for you I know. Eggs with avocado and fresh ground pepper. WINE. Not that I indulge. But as soon as it’s sunny, I am salivating over thoughts of a chardonnay. As soon as it’s nighttime and I am sitting down to dinner, OR completely overwhelmed by the day with my cray cray toddler, I can’t help but envision a large glass of red wine. Overall I am really quite hungry all the time with this baby. Now that all of the morning sickness has passed!

Feeling: Good! Again, now that the grossness of the 1st trimester has subsided, I am feeling quite good. Some daily exercise and stretching has proven to be a key factor in feeling good but so far that has been pretty easy to achieve chasing Hallie around. Oh and lots of water! I have been drinking a TON of water and I believe that is playing a huge part.

Daily Challenges: Sleep. Pregnancy insomnia seems to settle in every few days. Which is the worst when you are exhausted. I seem to wake up at three in the morning and think about EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN! It’s not necessarily worry or stress but that hamster sure is running on his treadmill at the worst possible moments. How I long to sleep. All the time. I guess I will when the kids are like 18 years old.

Skin/Hair/Nails/Etc. : All women that I know have had exceptional luck during their pregnancies with hair growth. I am not in that circle of the lucky ones. My hair does not grow. In fact since my first baby, my hair seems to have thinned drastically at the sides. Hellion postpartum hair loss, lovely to meet you. You can piss off anytime! Nails seem to be doing okay. Skin is doing AMAZING! Though I do not thank pregnancy for that – I thank my daily regimen from Rodan + Fields with the weekly microdermabrasion facial for that. Oh and my eye cream! The results have been amazing so far and I have only been using the products since Christmas. LOVE! Thank goodness I sell it and get a good discount. So overall, looking like a glowing pregnant woman I suppose. Chubby middle and all! The downfall is this time round, I really have to make an effort to dress nice and not wear leggings EVERYDAY. With Hallie, I was managing a store, Anthropologie, and looking stylish was mandatory on a daily basis. Now I am working as a mom and there is no one here to raise an eye brow if I am still in my pjs at noon. I do try to dress up for most of the week. Not saying the ‘mom bun’ doesn’t present itself almost daily! Can’t win em’ all.

Looking Forward To: More baby kicks! He has really started moving in there and each time I feel kicks I get a huge smile on my face. I am also SO EXCITED for sunshine and warmer weather. I have some very cute dresses that will show off this bump perfectly but I am gonna need that warmer weather to wear them. Not to mention a bit of a tan!

Next week I am excited to share some Friday Favourites that will be entirely tailored to baby boys so be sure to check back. Have a wonderful weekend with your loved ones and don’t forget to count those blessings. XO

IT’S A BOY!
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We are early but we broke out the Easter Decor!
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Skincare To Combat Mean Ol’ Man Winter

With the arrival of Winter weather also brings on dreaded skin issues that you have not had to deal with since last year. Chapped lips and dehydrated, lacklustre skin is just the beginning. Eyes can look even more tired than usual! It is so important this time of year to stay up to date with skincare regimes, making sure to take care of your skin daily. I have always held a special interest in skincare products. My mom used to run the hair salon in Sears and often made friends with all of the ladies at the beauty counters. She was always bringing me home different samples to try out. I believe that was the start of the obsession. Since going over a few bumps in the skin-road while pregnant, and then my skin changing again after having my daughter, I continue to try out new products and see what works well for me. The only problem here is I end up with ten favourites and it’s impossible to narrow it down to a strictly regimented routine with the same products. Lucky for you though that means personal experiences with many different products that I can share here with you all. Below I have rounded up a few favourites, specifically for this time of year. When the winds are harsh and snow is all around, it is important to protect your face. It’s the only one you’ve got so you better take care of it right?

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1.) Biotherm Aquasource  – This hydration gel is the most soothing thing I have ever put on my face. I have used it on a daily basis and it is not only soothing and refreshing, you feel it hydrate your face long after you apply it.

2.) Bronze Goddess By Estee Lauder – This shimmering body oil spray is perfect for Winter and especially great for all of those holiday parties you will be attending. It is not as harsh as a self-tanner. The last thing you want is to look orange in the middle of Winter. This body oil is subtle and creates a light golden dusting that will make people wonder if it’s a natural glow. The smell is also to die for and will take you back to warm Summer days with one sniff.

3.) Bliss a-‘bright’ face Facial Kit – I have only recently discovered (and fallen deep in love with!) Bliss products. They are light-weight, feel great on your skin, and are reasonably priced – bonus! This time of year is the best as well because all sorts of packages and kits are put together for holiday gifting – much like this one! This is a brightening kit which will bring that dull and dehydrated skin that Winter sucked the life out of, back to life. I will be keeping this permanently stocked in my bathroom cupboard, it’s must-have now.

4.) Shiseido Creamy Cleansing Emulsion – If I could emulsify multiple times a day I would, I swear. I love the feeling of it on my skin. I particularly love this one by Shiseido. As it’s for all skin types it is super gentle. I love many of Shiseido products, especially their Protective Lip Conditioner.

5.) Lancôme Advanced Genifique  – I tried this product in the later stages of pregnancy and after my daughter was born. It FELT incredible on my skin. Unfortunately, the early stages of motherhood (AKA severe sleep deprivation and raging hormones) made it pretty much impossible to have beautiful, young looking skin. I would go back to this product in a heartbeat to try for results again though. It was just bad timing in my case. Trust me, nothing could have saved those tired looking eyes! Still a fave, nonetheless…

6.) WATER!!! – I cannot stress this enough. If you are going to invest anything at all into your skincare routine, let it be H2O! I myself don’t drink early enough water and am trying every day to up my intake. Even if you think you have had enough, have some more! Your skin will thank you, now and later.

7.) NUXE Reve de Miel Three Piece Gift Set –  This lip repair kit is so appropriate for this time of year! I am always getting chapped lips! People forget that your lips are skin. Much thinner than the skin on your face but still skin. I am often forgetting to put on proper protection in the way of lip balm or gloss. I think my problem is I have too many, dispersed throughout my millions of purses, and never on hand when I need it. Well because of that scatter brained trait of mine, I now have poor, damaged lips! I love this kit put out by NUXE. It is a simple treatment with effective results. Being a holiday kit they have thrown in a fabulous hand and nail treatment as well. It’s a treat for the lips and the hands!

What are you must-have products for this chilly time of year? I would love to hear your favourites! Until then, bundle up, take care of your skin (and lips!) and go pour yourself another glass of water.

(All the above chosen products can be purchased at Hudson’s Bay)