Sugar Free Sheila.com / SFS.com: Motivation & Beauty Tips Page

Winter 2007

Last updated
December 29th,
2011 (New Pic)

If ever there is any topic I'm e-mailed about most, it is this one.

Here are a few FAQ's:

Where do you get your motivation and how do you stay so motivated? See below.
Do you ever slip or gain weight? Never - not after what I've been through to get here! After years of tireless calorie and fat
gram-counting with the daily cardio I have done since the 5th grade while inexplicably never losing an ounce (which is why I actually
envied yo-yo dieters, because at least they lost the weight to begin with!), and after finally, FINALLY finding my ace in the hole of
staying permanently slim, energetic, and incredibly content with my physique, I'm sure you can understand my utter unwillingness to
backslide. Forget it! These 36-23½-35½ measurements I've worked diligently for are here to stay.
How do you stay away from foods you know you're not supposed to eat? Easy: I just do.
Again, it's a choice. Plus, it doesn't hurt that I have regular "Fun Days" every 3 weeks to keep me in order! For maintenance, this
absolutely works for me.

The fact is, motivation for me is innate. While I've always had it, it only increased as I committed to Atkins. If I want something, it's
mine ... and trust me, it's not because it is given to me or comes easily. I simply give everything I do in life 100%, and there are no
excuses. Excuses are ultimately sabotaging, self-inflicted roadblocks, and I don't let them get in my way of personal achievements.
Why should you?

My "secret" may be a bit of a letdown - but the fact is, motivation comes entirely from within. You have to decide which it is you
want more, and you must be ready to make that permanent commitment.

BUT IT'S STILL A CONSTANT EFFORT FOR ME!
I will say this, however: nighttime after dinner is by far the hardest time for me, because at times I want to nosh on things like nuts! Even
though I have nothing whatsoever against nighttime snacking (good thing, since I partake in it often! A shake, bunless burger, shirataki
noodles, Greek yogurt, or chicken breast are just a few examples of extremely low-carb snack options) and allow healthful foods like nuts on
a daily basis, I'll want to snack on more than what I know is my personal daily carb limit of 90-110 grams. I literally have to talk myself out of
the higher-carb nut temptations - and thankfully, lower-carb nuts like walnuts, pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds often
come to my rescue! I call pumpkin seeds my "Slow-Mo Nuts," because a 16-carb bag will last me for an entire movie!
The above said, I have to say that keeping slim is so easy (i.e., with Atkins, I do not restrict calories, fat, or portions), and yet at the same time
it is most certainly a daily endeavor for me - and this interesting little contradiction is so very important to reveal here on my website, because
my visitors need to know that while I've successfully lost weight and maintain it with a vengeance, this has not changed my urges for
overdoing the carbs at night!
Also, when it comes to low-carb baked goods, I reserve eating low-carb chocolate and/or my favorite low-carb treats - in reasonable amounts,
of course - for weekends when I bake my desserts. Knowing this is ahead, it keeps me on track on all other days of the week.
There is no "spiraling out of control" when it comes to maintenance and the way I eat; that is a path I make a conscious choice not to go.
Done. It's not magic; that's all it takes!

Regarding motivation: there is more to it than simply "having" it, because believe it or not, there is more to feeling and looking your best than
merely getting to a lower number on the scale. Boy, that only scratches the surface in terms of achieving your absolute potential. What I am
trying to say here is that if you find yourself not having motivation, drive, and feel utterly uninspired, then honey, this simply means that it is up
to you to GENERATE it! Cultivate it! So essential is it to enhance and illuminate every facet of your own unique beauty in the meantime -
and that is where objectives such as excellent Skincare, Makeup, Hair, a doctor-approved Fitness Regime, Teeth, Nails and more come in.
Self-improvement in all areas will heighten your confidence, magnify your self-esteem - and ultimately makes backsliding and plateauing
catalyzed by cheating and binging (which is essentially self-disrespect, in my opinion) out of the question!

My philosophy on beauty is this: be high-maintenance so you can afford to be low-maintenance. Be meticulous about fitness and beauty
routine, and you will find your appearance - particularly hair and makeup-primping time - to be beyond minimalistic. Nothing better than a
wash & wear beauty!

There are so many areas to address for looking your best, and to get your wheels turning, I will address just a few of them on this page.
Enjoy!


	August 29th, 2007 - New Jersey Exhausted at the airport ... and *not* ready for my closeup A cloche is essentially the only type of hat I like - and I've had this one for years.

Do you tan using either the sun or tanning beds? Stop immediately - it isn't that sunbeds are just as bad
as tanning in the real sun. They're worse! UVA (aging) & UVB (burning) rays damage the DNA in the skin
surface cells and contribute to skin cancer - and UVA rays damage even more deeply, damaging the layer
under the skin surface, where damage to precious collagen and elastin can occur, leading ultimately to
loss of elasticity of the skin. (Read: facial sagging.)

As you can tell from all other parts of this website, I don't mince words, so I'll lay it on the line here: Ever
notice the often leathery, frighteningly wrinkled faces of the 20-something workers behind the counters of
many tanning salons? Consider UVA rays responsible for this - and to add insult to injury, UVA rays
notoriously contribute to melanoma. Think you're not getting damage as long as you don't burn? Any
tanning of the skin, by its very virtue, is skin damage - no matter what the high school students behind the
counter at tanning salons try to tell you.

But aren't I tan in some of my photos? Well, I'm naturally quite fair, but just love how I feel when I have
some color, so I get bronzed the UV-free way in the summertime. Mystic Tan is a great spray tan, which I
have been doing since the late '90's - and it's come a long way in both the process and the color result
since its inception!

My tips for Mystic Tan?
Exfoliate thoroughly (and also shave for even better results) the entire body from head to toe not merely
the day of your Mystic, but 2-3 days in a row beforehand. This will lessen chances of unevenness, and
will enhance your tanning results, giving you a beautifully seamless color. Right before stepping in the
booth, saturate hands/heels of palms & feet with lotion, rubbing in completely so it will not function as a
barrier cream. Use barrier cream you don't rub in on palms & fingernails only, and make sure the heels
of your palms are not "globbed" with it as to avoid an obvious line of demarcation. Add a bit of lotion to the
elbows, Achilles tendons, & knees as well, rubbing in completely, before stepping in the booth. When I
do Mystic, I never get anything darker than the lightest Level 1, and ask for "no bronzer" since I'm just
going home anyway! Tip: Don't let yourself get wet for at least 8 hours; wash only hands with soap and
water, and moisturize feet with ordinary lotion about 2 hours after your spray-on tan. This keeps your
hands and feet from getting too dark. I like my feet to match my face!

You'll wake up the next morning with a gorgeous tan - but with no repercussions from UVA damage. The
best of both worlds!

SELF-TANNERS I RECOMMEND
I have a spray-on tan every 2 weeks in the summer months. To keep myself tan in between these
sessions, my favorite body self-tanner is Coppertone Endless Summer Foam - with no tint/color indicator,
as well as L'Oreal Sublime Glow, Moisturizing MicroFine Mist for back & stomach. Why do I do it this way?
Given that I'm far from an expert when it comes to application at home, doing a spray-on tan first provides
a fail-safe, even "base." Gradual tanners aren't for me, & I've tried starting from scratch by applying self-
tanners - even those meant for light complexions - on my fair skin. It isn't pretty. I could never get it right,
so I don't try to! Starting off with a spray-on makes the entire process stress-free & fool-proof.
Note: I use latex gloves for body application, and reapply every 3-4 nights. Once the color begins looking
a bit imperfect, I either let it fade on its own, or sit in a bath for 30 minutes 2 nights in a row to lift the tan,
then loofah all over to start the process all over again. For the face: Lotions/gels are my preference for
the chest, neck, and face, and I adore the clear L'Oréal Sublime Bronze Gel.

SMOKING, DRINKING
S moking and drinking are personal choices - but know that they can wreak havoc on your skin. As if
yellowed teeth and bad breath weren't enough, smoking damages skin cells by depriving them of oxygen
(read: WRINKLES). With excessive drinking comes the semipermanent flush on the face, puffiness in
the skin, bloodshot eyes, and more. So ... are you ready for your close-up?
On a more personal note: people who do not know me too well might wonder to themselves if I choose
not to drink because of religious reasons, permanent pregnancy, maybe I have an early morning, or
because I'm "recovering." The boring truth is that I've simply always lacked a taste for alcohol - and for the
reasons cited above, certainly lack the inclination to push an acquired taste for it.

SUNSCREEN
If you make the choice not to tan, congratulations! But that's only half the battle since it isn't necessary for
one to lay out by the pool or at the beach for the skin to endure sun damage - and this is where incidental
sun exposure comes into play. Frankly, your skin cares not where you are, so never leave your house
without sunscreen! In fact, you can experience sun damage by sunlight creeping in through the blinds of
your windows. A good rule of thumb: if there's enough sun inside to read without a lamp, there's enough
sun to damage.

On that note, keep in mind that you need BROAD-SPECTRUM protection. A high SPF (I use one all over
the body, every single day by Vichy, La Roche-Posay Anthélios, Avène, Bioderma, or Ombrelle - the
latter a Canadian L'Oréal brand) is one of two components to look for when considering a particular
brand - the other being, most importantly, the proper active ingredients. Simply looking for a high SPF on
a sunscreen is not sufficient, as this only refers to UVB (or burn) protection; however, keep in mind that
you do not have to go high-end in order to get a high-quality sunscreen. I never do! I get all of my
sunscreens from pharmacies (drugstores). Again, an excellent sunscreen is all about its Sun
Protection Factor (SPF), and especially its active ingredients. So, which active ingredients to look for?

Below are the 3 American FDA-approved active ingredients ensuring the most effective protection:

Titanium Dioxide (Physical protection - UVA & UVB filter)
Zinc Oxide (Physical protection - UVA filter)
Avobenzone ... also called butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane or "Parsol 1789" (Chemical protection -
UVA filter)
Helioplex (Not as UVA-protective as Mexoryl, Helioplex is the U.S.'s answer to Mexoryl. You can find this
ingredient in Neutrogena sunscreens.)

Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid & Drometrizole Trisiloxane ("MEXORYL SX" & "MEXORYL
XL," respectively) - a chemical UVA filter, not yet FDA-approved. These are just two of the active
ingredients found in the sunscreens I use every single day, and I will NOT expose my skin to sunlight
without it - which means I must order them directly from a pharmacy in Europe. The sunscreens I use
contain Mexoryl SX, Mexoryl LX (or Tinosorb, depending on brand), titanium dioxide, Parsol 1789, and
sometimes zinc oxide as well - all in one bottle. To top it all off, the levels of these active ingredients are
each dramatically more potent than U.S. sunscreens. I highly recommend them.
Tinosorb - Another not-yet-FDA-approved chemical active ingredient. This is in Avène sunscreens!

Make sure the active ingredient in a sunscreen you purchase is listed first & foremost in the Active
Ingredients list - not last. If you're going to spend the money, you may as well get your money's worth!

Sunscreens I recommend:
La Roche Posay Anthelios - Not yet available in the U.S. [Note: I have no intentions of buying/using the
new La Roche-Posay Anthélios SX SPF 15 , which made its U.S. debut in the fall of 2006, as the
ingredients are nowhere near as potent as the original European Anthélios. It is a step in the right
direction; however, this sunscreen has got a long way to go. [I sent L'Oréal/La Roche-Posay this letter in
November 2006. No response.] I use (European-only) La Roche Posay Anthélios SPF 40 or 50+ all over
the face and body. It amazingly contains both physical - titanium dioxide - and chemical - Avobenzone /
MEXORYL XL / MEXORYL SX - sun protection. Unfortunately, this is unheard of for a U.S. sunscreen ... for
now.
La Roche-Posay Anthélios W Gel SPF 40 - Not yet U.S.-available. I wear this one on gym days since it's
not as matte for regular day wear as the La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 40 spray I wear otherwise. No
white cast with either of these Anthélios sunscreens, though the Anthélios W Gel SPF 40 is quite shiny.
For daily wear, Avène Emulsion and BioDerma Photoderm Max Fluide SPF 50 are also great and
comparable in protection. I wish the FDA would hurry up and approve both Mexoryl SX and XL as well as
Tinosorb already, as this would save so many of us a bundle with ordering them from overseas on the
Internet! Until then, the only use I have for an American sunscreen is on my back & legs (I use a 3%
Avobenzone Neutrogena SPF 70 spray, which also contains Helioplex.)

A Word About Application:
1.) Shake for 20 seconds before applying. Annoying, but necessary!
2.) A sunscreen's protection takes at least 20-30 minutes to take effect. Please take that into account, and time your
applications accordingly - in other words, not as you are running out the door.
3.) How much to apply? A quarter or teaspoon-sized dollop for just the face alone is required. For example, if you're
applying just an eighth of a teaspoon of an SPF 45 sunscreen, even one with 2-3% of chemical active ingredient
Avobenzone/Parsol 1789, you're actually getting about an SPF of 10 - at the most. Apply another quarter-
sized/teaspoon amount to the neck. As for the body: a shotglass-sized amount (at least!) is required to cover
everywhere else.
4.) "Waterproof"? "Water-resistant"? No such thing. The second you get out of the water, reapply!
4.) How often to apply even if you stay dry? Every 2 hours, as this is the extent of protection for even the most
amazing-ingredient, highest-SPF sunscreen. Since I personally don't want to bother with reapplication, I simply limit my
daily sun exposure to well under 2 hours a day. Plus, I have Llumar UVShield in my car.

MY NIGHTTIME SKINCARE REGIME FOR THE NON-SUMMER MONTHS
I'm sure you all know to wash every stitch of makeup off your face before going to bed. I use an olive oil-
based cleanser in the morning, and Olay Foaming Face Wash, which washes off even eye makeup. My
routine outlined below is an anti-aging one, and is quite easy and affordable:

After cleansing, I apply Gly Derm glycolic acid cream to the face, neck, chest, arms/hands a couple of
times per week - I always apply all of my actives all over the face and upper body. (Why should the face
alone get all the benefits?) The only moisturizers I use are either inexpensive non-synthetic Vitamin E oil
(antioxidant d-Alpha Tocopheryl), or AEA-certified, fully-refined Emu Oil. (I don't recommend any particular
brands, so long as the oils meet the aforementioned specifications.) As for Retin-A Micro, I alternate this
every 2-3 nights - again, only in the non-summer months, since I like to self-tan then! Unfortunately,
glycolic acids do not mix with self-tanners unless you are going for the Vitiligo look. I tried that once years
ago; fortunately, it was during the weekend!

The important thing is that I do only what my skin can tolerate - and everyone is different. If I feel that
actives are beginning to be "too much" (always use your judgment!), I pull back for a day or two and use
only sunscreen and the above oils at night.

I do not use eye creams; my daily La Roche-Posay Anthélios SPF or Bioderm Photoderm SPF,
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (a Vitamin C serum applied every third morning), Retin-A, glycolic acid, &
Vitamin E / emu oil are all applied to this area and are therefore all the eye products I need. Another chief
reason I decline to use an eye cream is because a few hours after applying even the richest ones, the
skin around the eye area feels as though I applied nothing. Come to think of it, this is always the case for
face creams, too - yep, even the $130/ounce ones. So, this is where my oils come in; 8 hours later when I
wake up the next morning, they're still doing their work. Let's just say I'm even further encouraged to
sleep on my back so as to not ruin my pillow!

Note about prescription retinoids: Tretinoin (Retin-A / Renova) is fabulous for stimulating collagen
production in the underlying layer of the skin (dermis). Sunlight inactivates retinoids, so make sure to
apply these at night. Visit your dermatologist to find the right percentage of Tretinoin is right for you.
Note about potent glycolic acids: Using these alternately with prescription retinoids further enhances
benefits by encouraging cell turnover and thoroughly exfoliating and smoothing the top layer of the skin
(epidermis). It's like having the Marines and Navy working for you at once! No prescription needed, but a
low-pH formula is necessary to heed truly visible results.
Note about SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic: I cannot rave enough about this Vitamin C serum. Not only does it
provide an instant glow almost comparable to a light tan (again, I apply it all over!), it offers 8 times the
protection your sunscreen provides alone. Not only that, since it cannot be washed or rubbed off after
application, one does not need to reapply daily. Lovely!

One very interesting thing I have heard from more than one dermatologist: "I can always tell which side a
patient sleeps on the second they walk in the door." Yikes. Imagine making a grimace for 8 hours every
night the way you do when you sleep scrunched on one side of your face. So, sleep on your back, ladies!
**For those of you who ask: I do not have facials/treatments. While I do have an aesthetician, this is only
for sports massage and waxing. Since I am into advanced skin care, I'm no-nonsense and head straight
for my derm if I have any concerns.**

SUPPLEMENTS
For the skin, in addition to the other vitamins I take daily (detailed in my FAQ), I also include 2,000mg of
Vitamin C, as well as 25,000 I.U. of Vitamin A (Beta Carotene), and 1,000 I.U. Vitamin E. I feel it's best to
take care of your skin externally and internally with antioxidants! (With Vitamin E, avoid the synthetic dl-
Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate form, and instead look for its more-absorbent natural form, d-Alpha
Tocopheryl.) Heliocare is also a great product, recommended by many dermatologists.

AVOID PAYING RETAIL WHEN POSSIBLE
Any links provided here are to demonstrate a visual - I am not a customer. Aside from prescription
retinoids, I get all of my pricey anti-aging actives items from reputable websites. As for my sunscreens?
To avoid the notorious Internet price-gouging for them, I order direct from an overseas chemist I visited
while overseas. To find rock-bottom prices for skin care products or anything, check Froogle.com.

AVOID BEING RIPPED OFF ONLINE
In addition to owning a current copy of the brand's official price list, while in Europe, I notice that a La
Roche-Posay sunscreen never retails for more than €18, TOPS. Americans, please arm yourself with
this information while choosing an online seller. Many sellers ask for an astounding $40-$60 for an
$18.50 bottle of Anthélios sunscreen, using their own overseas shipping expenses as a bogus excuse
for their price-gouging. As someone who has shipped heavy items to and from Europe and knows what
standard foreign shipping actually costs, I find this practice shameful. La Roche-Posay is high-quality
indeed, but it is in fact a drugstore sunscreen - so please, expect it to be priced as such.

Kindly Note: I do not recommend any sellers or vendors for any of my personal product purchases. Also,
if a specific brand isn't cited alongside a product I use (e.g., Vitamin E oil), this means there are a
plethora of other brands I've found that are just as good. A sunscreen, glycolic acid, retinoid, and Vitamin
C serum have got to be extraordinary to get a mention here, as I'm an ingredient and value girl!

* Also, if you are interested, I have a few reviews available on MakeupAlley, one of my favorite websites.
Just search for "SugarFreeSheila"!

July 2005 - Boston Market in Dallas, Texas


	June 18th, 2005 Sailing out of Kirkwall, Scotland (but this green dress is from Hong Kong) A bit worn out after a long day of sightseeing!

While I was always into my skin, hair, and makeup before I lost the weight, I never really became truly
interested in style and accessories until I met my goal weight. Until then, I was more of a Gap girl:
plain shirts, jeans, boots. Really, I was just glad something fit me - and if it was reasonably priced,
SOLD. Well, I'm considerably more choosy now!

There is just something about buying clothes in beautiful colors and fabrics that work for you that make
you feel beautiful; for me, it serves as major motivation to stay on track. After all, if you've spent time
and money on those flatteringly snug jeans you plan on wearing tomorrow, the absolute last thing you'll
want to do is spoil all of your diligent work by deviating from your low-carb plan the night before! Eat for
tomorrow - an offbeat credo, but it does help.

I may or may not personally be into the following, and may discuss here & there my own fashion
preferences. Going more for style rather than all-out trendy, here are my recommendations to save you
the precious time spent flipping through magazines. It's all right here! Some things remain on the
runways from seasons past. You may have noticed that the flashy "bling-bling" trend has long fallen by
the wayside, making way for less ornate flash, and more sophistication and understated elegance.

2010 Note: I haven't updated the "What's hot in 20xx?" portion below in years. To tell the truth, as
someone who is much more into style than fashion, it was a chore. I'll release a new book that
includes interesting, timeless tips - trust me, those are the ones you want.

Tops : Sleeveless shifts remain. Lots of sheer for tops lately, Victorian. Ladylike styles. Cropped jackets and structured vests. 3/4
sleeves - my personal favorite and GREAT for showing off your favorite bracelet or watch. White and lace are lovely and so feminine.
Victorian-inspired blouses. Ruffles. Over-sized tunics cinched with a gorgeous belt. "Gauzy" tops. Femininity reigns supreme!

Belts. Skinny belts remain a good choice, as are the wide, 2-3" ones. Patent leather belts. Cinch the waist you work so hard at
keeping tiny with a belt! They look sharp paired with a plain long dress or minidress, or over a fitted blazer. Experiment!

Handbags. Hobos. Structured bags. Crescent shapes. Still seeing metallics.   Note: It seems about 90% of the handbags I ever
see people carry are Coach - you know, the canvas ones with the LOUD 360º logos. Please explore bags without logos!   I recently
came across this site , and while I do not share her childhood experience with logos, she articulates my lifelong aversion to them to a T.
My own two personal exceptions to this rule? Fendi and especially Louis Vuitton - a leather classic that has been around for 155 years.

Pants:   Skinny jeans are still in, tapered rather than flared - these are practically a necessity for tucking into high boots. Straight-cut
jeans is the only cut of denim I personally wear, and hit the middle of my (always high!) heel. They make the legs look miles longer!
A slightly higher waist for pants is a welcome break, as is the wide-leg jean. I stick with a lower waist, and the wide leg look is a fun
shift; I just make sure to keep the top a rather thin, close-fitting fabric. My aim is to work with my proportions rather than against them.

Skirts/Dresses: The pencil skirt!! Knee-length dresses: silk, sheath, belted, empire. '50's-inspired dresses and full skirts, silk, lacy,
ruffles, jewel tones. Full circle skirts are still in.

Shoes. Bright colors and metallics. Patent leather! Stacked heeled and round-toe. Peep-toe heels. Flats; ballet flats are still around &
spruce up a casual outfit.

Earrings. Bejeweled, rich styles. Diamond studs never go out of style; these are a staple for me, as I tend to wear very little
accessories.

Necklaces:   Now necklaces, I'm into.   Long, layered necklaces have gone by the wayside. Chunky necklaces in jewel tones or
earth tones. Knot necklaces. Department stores have an excellent selection of fun fashion jewelry, so there is no use in spending a
bundle.

Gold! It's a nice little break from platinum & goes especially beautifully with warmer, darker skin tones. Bangles are a great idea.
Fancy-looking layered gold necklaces paired with an otherwise ultra-casual outfit looks hip and current.

Sunglasses: Big shades are still around. I just love them!

Quick tips regarding hot pieces to avoid looking like the dreaded fashion victim, regardless of the
season or fashion: Of course, only buy what suits YOU - not simply because it's "hot." Use the
information provided here to create your own personal, unique look. Have FUN with it!

- Wear one trendy item/piece at a time - if at all.
- You're an individual and so should be your own personal style.   Take inspiration from what is out there
& form your own style; but for heaven's sake, never mimic someone else.   A stranger should never be
able to look at you & correctly guess your favorite singer/actress. On that note, if there is a ubiquitous
"It" bag by a specific designer that everyone has/wants ... isn't that reason enough not to get it?
- Ostentatiousness is the antithesis of elegance. Tiny insignias are one thing - but it's best to do without
the loud logos splashed at 360º. You have nothing to prove - so wear your labels on the inside. For
me, there are 2 rare exceptions to this, outlined above.
- If you feel wearing something would embarrass you in 5-10 years if you were caught in a photograph,
skip it.
- Look ahead of the times - not behind! In other words, never go by what you see the masses wearing
at the mall. Classics, so long as they are current, are always a go - which marks the distinction
between transient, copycat fashion & a timeless style that is all your own.
- Conversely, when it comes to deciding what's acceptable to wear and what isn't, YOU make the call.
For example, take the scrunchie. I saw the same 2003 "Sex & the City" episode everyone else did about
the scrunchie - and though I haven't seen these little elasticized fabric rings worn out in public since I
was in junior high, the aftermath of women everywhere emphatically parroting this anti-scrunchie
sentiment abruptly after the episode aired practically had me wishing I liked them so I could run out and
buy one to wear myself. The moral: when the chips are down, don't hang on anyone's word but your
own with respect to what you wear. Besides, one cannot lead from the crowd!

General Clothing, Shopping, & Tips For Fit:
Fit is everything. Everything. It can make an inexpensive outfit look incredible, and a pricey outfit look
dimestore. It may be wise to invest in a good seamstress to take things in and up if it is necessary. I
have to go to mine constantly for alterations.
With longer skirts, the most flattering length is right above or below (rather than right at) the knee.

If you are in a boutique & notice that the tops on the mannequins are severely pinned in the back, run.
This is the sign of a very poor cut and fit. Vanity sizing is to blame for this - and it is only getting worse.
Don't think it's a real problem? Consider the late Marilyn Monroe, whom women today are constantly
trying to tout as overweight or "plus-sized." Not bronzed and excessively buffed like many of today's
actresses? Certainly. But she was by no means a "big girl" & appeared to be in great shape to me.
(Here is a link to outtakes of a 1962 shelved film shot just 3 months before her death. Beware: it's
campy!) The fact is, according to her dressmaker & studio's claim for her widely-published
measurements (35-22-35 & 37-23-36, respectively), the 5'5", 120-pound actress would have easily fit
into a today's Gap size 0. My own waist and hips are 23½ and 35½ inches respectively, and even I can
fit into most size 0's. Did you know that a 24-inch waist used to be a size 6 in the early '90's? Va nity
sizing is getting that out of control. Frankly, the size zero is overhyped - & I'm tickled pink to demystify it.

Quick tip for saving lots of dough:
If I spot something high-end at a boutique, I take note of the brand, style name/model number, and
purchase online later on - in new condition, of course.
Most importantly of all:
Never, ever pay full retail for high-dollar items. It's the 11th Commandment.

February 2006 - Frisco, TX
Having my Tall House Blend with
1 ounce heavy cream, 1 packet of
Splenda, dash of ground cinnamon
at Starbucks. If it's warm that
day, I ask for a Venti cup of ice
and a straw & transfer it over.

August 2006
Ft. Walton Beach, Florida

March 24th, 2008
At Target looking for a new
blender. I only use Oster!

My personal fitness regime is outlined in my FAQ, but I will list it here for convenience sake, and in
greater detail. For the record, I have never had a trainer. No desire or need for one.

2010 Update: Desperate for a change, I quit the gym in 2008, replacing the weight machine regime
outlined below with home workouts. While I still devote the same amount of time & days per week
to my physique as I ever did, now it's done at home via DVDs & Fit TV programming with 3-5 lb
dumbbells for upper-body, & go heavier for lunges/squats/deadlifts, etc. Home workouts save an
inordinate amount of time, gas, & even sunscreen for me. A few great workouts? Jackie Warner &
Jillian Michaels' "No More Trouble Zones." I've still never seen an episode of "The Biggest Loser,"
but came across this one on Fit TV On Demand & gave it a shot. She is wonderful. I also love The
Firm's Get Chisel'd. Jari Love's Extremely Ripped is the toughest I've done so far.
Money & Time-Saving Tip: Check your DVR's Fit TV "On Demand" programming before running out to
purchase new workout DVD's. Moral of the story? You don't need a gym for fitness!

If I'm traveling and using gym facilities, I use my old gym regime below:

3 mornings a week, a 10-minute abdominal DVD. I alternate with Basic Ab Workout For
Dummies, & the ab segment of the "Slim & 6 Pack" video with Debbie Siebers or another DVD.
2-3 mornings a week, I head to the gym, where I do 40 minutes of full-body resistance training
using light weights & high reps. With that & 20 minutes of cardio, I am in & out of the gym in
exactly 60 minutes. I work out solo & my rest periods are short, so I cram in what is outlined here
in a snap.
3-4 mornings a week, 20-25 minutes treadmill-walking, 4.1-4.4 mph. (I never use an incline, &
walking has always been my only form of cardio.) Sometimes I do cardio on my resistance
training days; sometimes not - depends on how busy my day is!

Resistance training I do in the gym: 3 sets of 15. There is always improvement to be made, so I like to
add/change a new machine or two on a regular basis. But below are the basics of what I do:

Leg press, Anywhere from 180-200 pounds, depending on the machine.
Hip Abductor, 175 pounds
Hip Adductor: 65 pounds
Tricep Extension, 20 pounds
L ateral Raises for lateral deltoids, 10 pounds
Lever C hest Press - 10 pounds
Lever Seated Row for posterior deltoids & lats - 10 pounds (keeps bra bulge - i.e., back boobs - at bay!)
L ever Seated Leg Curl for hamstrings, 55 pounds; ditto for L ever Leg Extension for Quadriceps.
L ever Kneeling Hip Extension for the glutes, 90 pounds

I also wholly recommend Callanetic s, which I don't currently practice, but have been a fan of for
years. To this day, I'll use the 3-minute abdominal component as my ab work when I travel. For
more information & reviews, click here.

I must be cautious of how I train, as I'm petite and the epitome of a Mesomorph. The truth is,
since every woman is built differently and may or may not be predisposed to building larger
muscle mass that what she prefers. Just as importantly, women have different goals, so you must
cater your resistance training to your own specific body type - and unfortunately, sometimes this
takes some trial & error. Should you choose to use a trainer (I have never used one), it is
crucial that he or she keeps this in mind. This is why I keep resistance training very light in
areas I know I must, with repetitions high, as I personally build muscle very easily. Here is more
information on the 3 different somatotypes. It's very interesting! See if you can spot your own ...

The Bar Method Body - Designer Sculpting is another great DVD. Among my favorite moves
are the exercises targeting the front and back of the arms and shoulders, the moves crafted to lift
and carve out the "seat," as well as the stretching for the all-important Flexibility component of
Fitness. I cannot recommend this DVD enough; something about doing this 30-minute workout
makes me just want to strut, I have so much body confidence.

** Looking to try something a bit different from the cardio and resistance training you've been
doing? I've never been much into Yoga, as I feel it is a bit too static for even my tastes.
However, back in early '04, I gave Bikram Yoga a go for the first time and just fell in love with
it. Done in a studio heated to 110º+F, it is 90 minutes of glorious stretching, toning, and just good
old fashioned character-building via 26 challenging-but-doable hatha postures - or asanas. Taking
a Bikram Yoga class is something I wish I could do because I am so fond of it, but there aren't any
studios in my area - so, I'm holding out. For more information and for Bikram-certified studio
locations in your city (a class merely dubbed "Hot Yoga" is not the same as Bikram), click here.

Want to be MOTIVATED to go to the gym?
Wear something sharp! I get all of my workout pants from Old Navy; they're comfortable and the
colors are great. I pair these with fitted ribbed tanks I get from Old Navy and Gap outlets in lots
of different colors, or the vintage cotton tees from Target's Juniors department, and I've been
wearing the cute Nike Shox sneakers since they came out in 2001 - they have a great mini-liftl!
(I love the Nike Shox trainers; they're incredibly comfortable, cute, and very "bouncy"!) For me,
it's important to wear attractive colors (to the gym or anywhere!) and that suit and complement
my skin tone: whites & pastels if I'm self-tanning in the summer; jewel tones for the other 9
months of the year. I generally steer clear of black, grey, and brown tops or anything thick-fabric
or baggy regardless of the season or occasion - they just do nothing for me. If you have trouble
finding your perfect color sneaker, consider using their NikeiD program where you can design
them yourself. (Here is my latest little creation!) Because I am petite and want to lengthen the
look of the leg as much as possible, I match the shade of my sneakers to the color of my athletic
pants - and make sure that the length of the pant extends to the heel of the shoe, and that the cut
of the pant is straight as opposed to flared. The lift of the Shox doesn't hurt either!

** My heartiest recommendation regarding maintaining motivation for hitting the gym and not
slacking off, is to keep what you wear cute, simple, and body-conscious. Then the last thing
you'll want to do is binge the night before if you've got to work it out and show it off the next
morning - and conversely, knowing you always have something sharp, flattering, and functional to
wear to the gym is guaranteed to keep you continuously pumped to go!

Another suggestion for combating boredom? Your favorite music! I travel frequently, and
since Walkman reception at gyms can be rather unpredictable, and since I have no patience for
music I don't like (or commercials for that matter), and I never got into the whole trendy iPod
thing, I always take my XM Pioneer Inno and listen to only what I love throughout my entire
workout. It makes my gym experience a total breeze - and most importantly, the music is never
the same two days in a row. I have had XM Satellite Radio in my car since early '04, and will
never go back to regular FM radio! Interested in downloading my favorite tunes? Click here!

April 29th, 2005
The perfect example of an ill-fitting,
inexpensive dress with potential. It's
an XS, but rather long and baggy on
my frame.
After having it taken way in & up, it
was a really nice improvement.
Update: I took one photo of the
alteration results. The photo didn't
really turn out, & I decided at the
time not to include it here for
obvious reasons. But here's a
peek anyway!

July 27th, 2005 - Oklahoma City
I shop anywhere & everywhere - every
place, high or low, is a possibility for
finding something cool & different.

June 19th, 2005
On a tender in Edinburgh
(Queensferry), Scotland

June 16th, 2005 - Greenock (Glasgow), Scotland
At my favorite store in the U.K.: Boots! In the bigger
cities, it's like Ulta & Sephora combined. On my cruise, I
bought a TON of the superior sunscreen not available in
the U.S. & shipped it all home on the last port of call.

Easter Sunday 2005

August 2006
Ft. Walton, Florida

May 24th, 2005
Dallas

March 2006, Allen Outlets

Summer 2004

April 2005
Oklahoma City
Having a "Fun
Day" at a friend's!

August 30th, 2007 - NYC
I'm in Queens!!

April 11th, 2007
Shopping in Dallas
Throw-on-and-off dresses
are a necessity for me when
shopping - especially when
trying on pants, shorts, and
skirts is concerned.

March 19th, 2007
On the way to Montego Bay
and having a bit of a Marilyn
moment. Got to watch that
top-floor wind!

Outback Steakhouse,
October 2004
I squeeze lime in my diet
colas - it makes them taste
like regular.

June 20th, 2005
Sailing out of Edinburgh
I picked up this top in Glasgow

August 2005
Oklahoma City

April 2007
For my niece's Flat Stanley
Project. Flat Jordie's first
day at the spa!

March 21st, 2007
On a cruise, heading
for Montego Bay

August 12th, 2007
At the Dallas post office, picking up SFS.com mail! It
was over 100ºF (38ºC) outside.
P.S: Tank top-style bras work wonders if a button-down
in your size pulls a bit at the bust - and unfortunately, I
didn't know this particular dress did until after the fact!

January 11th, 2007 - At Antares in downtown Dallas
A rarity to find sweaters that don't make me itchy!

June 15th, 2005
On a British Isles cruise, sailing out of Belfast

June 22nd, 2005
Outside Blackeyed Pea, Dallas
I picked up this dress in
Holyhead, Wales

August 29th, 2007 - New Jersey
Exhausted at the airport ... and not ready
for my closeup
A cloche is essentially the only type of
hat I like - and I've had this one for years.

August 2006
At NorthPark Mall, after
seeing Little Miss
Sunshine. As usual, I'm
not prepared for the photo!

June 2005
Sailing out of Kirkwall,
Scotland (this green dress
is from Hong Kong)
A bit worn out after a long
day of sightseeing!

In addition to being a fanatic about wearing sunscreen, I also have the Llumar UV Shield, which provides
99.9% both UVA & UVB protection, on all windows of my car. This is a great idea for moms, students, or
anyone who spends time in the sun driving! Also an excellent investment to have installed on the windows
of your home.
Note: Some states have mandates on how much area certain windows of a car may be tinted (e.g., in
Texas, only the top 6" permitted for the front windshield). However, a dermatologist can very easily overrule
this with a note so that your windows may have 100% coverage. It's a nuisance, but worth it.

Skincare and makeup are topics so closely related, it's almost difficult to separate them. Therefore, please
consider this category a quasi-continuation of the above.

If you find yourself having common adult skin issues such as acne, Rosacea, brown spots, keratosis pilaris,
eczema, scarring, etc., please make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist. It's just a wise
idea to see one who knows your skin issues at least once a year - just to make sure everything is in order.

EYES
Now eye makeup, I love and wear regularly, as it is the facial feature I tend to play up most. I often am
e-mailed about what eye makeup I wear in my photos. It is typically brown mascara (lashes curled first, of
course), lip gloss, and sunblock for me when I wear makeup; but if I am feeling fancy, I'll also throw on some
of the other cosmetics listed below - and they almost never deviate from the following: (I stick with what
works!)

1.) After applying SPF 50+ all over, I first curl my lashes with Shu Uemura eyelash curler - available at
Sephora for $16.50, or brand-new-in-box on eBay for around the same price.
2.) L'Oréal V oluminous Mascara is an old standby. This mascara is just amazing! Also, if you want to
wake up looking great and know that you won't have time for mascara, Revlon's ColorStay Overtime Lash
Tint lasts 3 whole days - even through face-washings. Just curl lashes & go!

If I wear blush that day, I finish off the above with Maybelline's Dream Mousse Blush on the apples of my
cheeks. I do not use bronzers or do any contouring because I've never considered facial angularity or
hollowed-out cheeks to be an asset, much less something to fake. Mine are large, full, and prominent; I play
this up - never down!

If it is a very special occasion or if I'm going out at night, I will probably wear foundation. My main go-to
foundation? Christian Dior Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation. (Throw on a surgical cap before applying!)

Favorite Lip Glosses (I'm very much into lip glosses!)
Prescriptives Moonbeam Reflective Glosses
Avon Fruity Lip Juice With Sparkles - my favorite shades are Vanilla Frosting & Strawberry Delight!
Sally Hansen Diamond Lip Treatment - I have all the colors. Shimmery, nice vanilla frosting-type of smell,
very emollient, and great coverage.

LASHES
A few years ago, a friend of mine in Tokyo sent me a gift I'd been hearing some major raves about: a
lash-growth/thickening serum by Japanese brand Nouvellemoi called Lucia Eyebrow Essence. (The
company does not ship to the U.S.) I wanted to wait a solid month and found that it works nicely - see the
two white-background photos below. (See the two tiny thumbnailed photos at left.) Another product that
gets raves is Ardell Brow & Lash Accelerator. I've been using this one before bed lately & it seems to work.
I've never worn false lashes in my life, but I'd love to try lash tinting sometime!

For Online Purchases
Keeping in mind that eBay is a place for buy items at a bargain, please know that the Nouvellemoi Eyebrow
Essence, with the box, retails for just under $30. As you can tell, I have a strong distaste for any vendor who
attempts to take advantage of a product's unavailability by marking it way up - when selling something for its
retail value on a discount site would be bad enough. So, please note this or any item's true MSRP when
selecting your seller on eBay. Likewise, when placing any order online, make sure to price you are quoted
for shipping does not exceed what is postmarked when your item arrives - another thing I am a stickler for.

November 2005
Left photo taken with me
wearing sunscreen & that's it.
Right photo taken after curling
lashes, applying L'Oréal
Voluminous Mascara, a
peachy eyeshadow, and Avon
Fruity Lip Juice With Sparkles.
No foundation, concealer, or
powder.

November 2005

August 2005
With Sassy, my now-9½
year-old "dog-ter" & best
friend in the whole world

November 28th, 2007 - NYC
Outside Wigs & Plus. I picked up
some of the neatest stuff in there -
a braided blonde elastic and a
blonde temporary touch-up wand.
Honey, it's been 6 weeks, & that's
why I'm wearing the hat!

August 16th, 2006
Ft. Walton Beach, Florida

July 2005
I had just had my regular
9-ounce filet at Outback,
my favorite steakhouse.

November 2007
Funchal, Madeira
At Pingo Doce supermarket. I'm
looking for travel essentials like bath
gel and local heavy cream. Their
store brand of the latter proved to
be pretty excellent! I brought a
bunch home and will even be
reordering it, I liked it so much.

August 2006
Destin, Florida
Camille's Sidewalk Café at the
Silver Sands Outlets
Such a lovely European flair - and
great music. A very balmy day!

I do not consider myself much of a mane maven; however, I do take really good care of my own in
addition to having roughly 4 inches trimmed every 3 months. Below are some tips that work for me:

- Essentially, do as little to it as you possibly can. The less you stress out hair (think hair dryers, excessive
drying use of hair mousse/gel/spray, hair coloring chemicals, perming/body-waving, too-often washings,
constantly tugging at it, curling, straightening, etc.), the better. If you must color your hair, try to space
appointments as far as you can (which saves money and precious time anyway!) and it is best to avoid
bleach at all costs. My own hair is naturally a dark sandy blonde, so I have highlights every 2 months to
get it the baby blonde shade it is now. No bleach, no ammonia. Aveda is just the greatest; if you would
like to try them out, visit their site to find a salon in your area.

- Washing hair every second or third day. This is where hair powders like Brush & Ready Instant
Volumizer For the Hair as well as Psssssst (been using this $5 product since junior high - there's a lot you
can do with it!) come in handy, as they give day-or-two-old hair lots of luscious volume between
washings. Excessive washing can fade color and dry hair out - especially in the winter and if hot and/or
hard water is used.

- AVOID SULFATES. Think using a high-end shampoo cited "for color-treated hair" is the best product
for your hair? Check the ingredients of your shampoo; chances are, a sulfuric acid of some sort is among
not only the ingredients, but typically the first one or two! Harsh sodium laureth sulfate shampoos are
notorious contributors for drying out hair & fading color - particularly if you must shampoo every day. Just
a few sulfate-free product lines? Aveda, Pureology, Mastey, Enjoy, Pravana, Alchemy/Ylang
Ylang, Earth Science Pure Essentials. You will find high-quality, sulfate-free shampoo options at
your drugstore and health food store.

One thing I have been doing lately is using weekly protein packs on my hair - you know, the ones you can
pick up at the beauty supply store for just a couple of dollars. I shampoo, apply a protein treatment
throughout my hair, and leave it on while I shave. I always have a really amazing hair day when I use
these, and highly recommend them.

June 18th, 2005
On a tender in
Kirkwall, Scotland

March 21st, 2007
On a submarine in
Montego Bay, Jamaica

Christmas Eve 2005
At the Dallas Galleria
I cannot tell you how
much I love Christmas.

November 1st, 2005
At the supermarket gearin'
up for my next Fun Day!

January 2005
Edmond, Oklahoma
At Akin's Health Food
Store, stocking up on
vitamins & other goodies!

May 28th, 2006 - Dallas
After dinner at S altgrass
Steakhouse - and you know I got
the Caesar & rare 10-ounce filet
with no seasoning!

October 30th, 2006
Los Angeles
At my niece's Fall Festival

June 2005 - Plano, Texas
Willow Bend
I was going for "impromptu" to
keep things interesting ... but
alas, it just ended up looking like
a photo I was trying to make
look impromptu.

July 2006
Right after a Salmon
Caesar at la Madeleine in
University Park in Dallas.

Fourth of July 2005,
Oklahoma City
In a red/white/blue halter
I'd snagged at Old Navy
Just ate at a Bahamian
restaurant!

April 2006; Chinatown, NYC
I went to see my doctor for a
check-up that morning (who is
in Manhattan), so I'm
barefaced & sporty!
Of course, I can't be without
my "Tall House Blend" with
heavy cream, transferred over
to a Venti cup of ice!

February 2006 Kohl's in Dallas
The key to style happiness & loving
your closet: Learn to love leaving
empty-handed. Be choosy!

June 25th, 2005 Dallas
I picked up this little
sequined skirt on Grafton
Street in Dublin

March 2007
Quintana Roo, Mexico

June 2006 - Plano, Texas
At a friend's wedding - a little
"dewy" after a night of dancing!

July 2006 - Whole Foods,
Dallas
Shopping for some peanut
butter! I only purchase
Natural/Organic brands
because I love the oil at the
top. As you can see, I am a
label hound.

December 2007
Christmas shopping at
Grapevine Mills with my
niece, stopping at the
Island Carousel. Not too
bad for a Smartphone pic!

My tips for this category are quick, brief, and to the point - because I feel that nails should be the most
no-nonsense aspect of a woman's physical appearance. It is so easy to make them look good, because
the upkeep takes such little effort.

Yes, I'm talking about natural nails. Not high-maintenance, pricey silk or gel wraps, and not acrylics,
which I no longer do. In fact, since high school, I had acrylics on my nails. As the years passed, they
began to exasperate me more and more, because after only a few days of having them done, the tips
would invariably begin to lift, leaving me with the inability to simply run my fingers through my hair
without being careful of them "catching." Plus, I discovered - and finally accepted - that acrylics only
really looked fresh on me for the first 72 hours after having them done. Well, since I have a very big
problem with the nuisance of time-consuming, inconvenient nail appointments any more often than
every two weeks, this lifting either meant living with it until my next appointment, or begrudgingly
making yet another premature trip to the salon for a fill-in, where I had to sit for another hour.

After my last appointment in February 2005, I decided that I had had it.

The slight "ridging" on the natural nail after acrylic tip removal is to be expected and should take 2+
months to grow out, certainly, but my, had I forgotten the next-to-zero maintenance of natural nails -
not to mention the lack of expense and especially the newfound convenience.

So, what do I recommend for the everyday, natural look?

First of all, I have found that the best universal look for nails is to file nails to mirror the shape of
the cuticle. The length is up to you; however, I've personally always preferred short, round nails -
not square & definitely not oval. Ultra-long nails, blue/purple/green/yellow/orange-polished nails,
French manicures or pedicures, or nails bearing designs or art, are looks that are not for me.

Secondly, if you are considering getting rid of acrylic nails and wish to nurse them back to health over
the next few months, I highly recommend Jessica Restoration Post Acrylic Treatment. As it does its
job, it adds a lovely shine to the nails in the meantime. My favorite topcoat, due to its mega-shiny,
vinyl finish and conveniently quick dry time, is Rimmel's 60 Seconds Nail Polish in Clear. I love
Rimmel because it reminds me of my Boots trips in the UK - good memories. :)

I also love using the Sally Hansen 2-In-1 Nail White Pencil. It works so well - and with the above clear,
shiny treatment, it looks just like the American Manicures I used to get with acrylics. I wish I had
started this years ago!

Also great is Sally Hansen's brush-on Cuticle Oil, and does a lovely job of smoothing cuticles -
essentially the hallmark of the hands and nails looking finished and, well ... polished! OPI Embrace &
any of the shimmer-free, white-based Sally Hansen work for my manicures - which I do myself at
home, by the way. I also love a bright hue that pops. The color depends on the mood, and I have
been loving OPI Big Apple Red for years. Just have fun & experiment!

Money-Saving Tip: To try out new colors, the tiny off-brand shades at the drugstore are a great idea.

Not only is teeth-whitening a billion dollar market, it is expected to grow by 24% annually - and it is estimated that 7 out of 10
Americans whiten their teeth. In fact, teeth whitening tops the list of most-requested procedures performed at the dentist office.

With the exception of the long-discontinued Natural White's Rapid White system, I am not particularly interested in (or impressed
by, for that matter) the results I've seen with the over-the-counter/drugstore tooth-whitening methods out there - you know, the
kind you're obligated to do weekly ... or worse, daily? So I stick with advanced strengths for ultra-white results - only do them
every so often at that. Nite White is among the brands of teeth-whitening products commonly offered at dentist's offices, and
the process of making an appointment, fitting for the custom trays, and purchasing the product itself has been known to cost a
bundle - not to mention being pretty time-consuming.

But if you know me ... you know that I do everything necessary but nothing that isn't - and I never pay full price.

Thankfully, on eBay, you can find dentists who provide custom-fittings by mail (it sounded crazy to me at first, too!) as well as
refills for a mere fraction of the price. At the time I began using Nite White back in '03, the system and syringes cost $90.
Now, I see the entire custom experience and syringes going for very little. It's worth a search! (You may need to sign in to see
the product list.)

Since 2003, I have used 22% Nite White for one hour, just once every few months to maintain my pearly whites. I only have to
purchase refills about twice a year, from a reputable eBay seller for around $20 - shipping included.

It's so easy to feel gorgeous for cheap ... you just have to know what's good & where to go to get it.

April 9th, 2008
Gazeebo Burger in Frisco, TX
This is my favorite local burger
place, where I always get my
standard "Bunless 1/3 Avocado
Burger with double cheddar and
double avocado, no salt, and a
Side Green Salad with no
croutons."
For those who ask: yes, I
always eat all my food!

April 9th, 2008
"Poltergeist shorts" - I'll keep
these for the beach!
Camera phone shot in a dressing
room of terry shorts that looked
considerably more dignified on the
hanger. The consummate
example of "Just because you
can doesn't mean you should"!

June 8th, 2008
Autos in the Park Car
Show at Cooper Clinic

Christmas Eve 2011
Waiting for my Caesar
sans croutons at La
Madeleine.

August 18th, 2008
Out of state having my
highlights! She's worth the trip.

October 10th, 2008 - St. Martin
Taking a little break from Rhino
Riding at a beach. (Yes, it was
nude - and no, I didn't go there!!)

December 1st, 2008 - Senegal
After scoring what is probably the most
beautiful necklace I've ever owned. If I
look as though I'm in gym clothes, it's
because I am. The airline lost all my
luggage, & I was almost a month
without it for the entire trip. Sure
makes you appreciate the little things.

January 11th, 2009
"Time to hit the dreadmill,
Mommy!"

A Word About Rosacea
It's an indisputable fact that there are people who genuinely have this condition. But it
is also a fact that Rosacea diagnoses jumped dramatically subsequent to the
commercials advertising the treatment for it debuted in 2001. Did people have Rosacea
prior to 2001? Sure! But it was hard to ignore that with the advent of all of this
advertising, a very large percentage of the dermatologist-visiting individuals I came
across were suddenly being diagnosed with Rosacea, too. It got to the point where I
would think to myself, "Goodness, does everybody with a dermatologist have Rosacea
or what?"

Another notable tidbit: I start up my whole Retin-A/glycolic acid regime in the fall after
taking summers off to do the aforementioned sunless tanning thing. I went to a new
dermatologist as a means of obtaining a new prescription for tretinoin, as I was just
finishing up the tiny bit left in my last tube of it. A known reaction to starting such a
regime is that the skin is a trifle pink for the first week or two as it acclimates. Well,
due to this transient flush to my complexion, which was exacerbated by the avobenzone
sunscreen I'd just applied to my face that morning, I got the knee-jerk, "Well, you have
Rosacea, so ..." diagnosis from this new derm right off the bat - and, frankly, I was
expecting it. My regular dermatologist is in Manhattan, one I've been seeing for many
years, and she just smiled politely upon hearing this anecdote. If I truly had Rosacea,
my long-term derm would have filled me in years ago.

There's an expression I've always loved: "When a doctor has a new hammer,
everyone's a nail." If your new diagnosis is ad-rampant or suddenly very common,
please get a second opinion.

February 23rd,
2009
Just had the TXLC Signature
Smoked Sirloin (rare, no
salt, w/ loaded broccoli).
Nothing like a steak lunch
for a ten spot!

June 5th, 2009

August 28th, 2009
City girl out in the
country at a restaurant
called Trail Dust - right
after my 30-oz
porterhouse ("The
Stud") & veggies arrived.
People were wearing
cowboy hats and
dancing to a live band in
there - very fun place!

October 26th, 2009
Addison, Texas
After eating at my favorite
restaurant (Houston's - Dallas
residents see my Yelp review).

Christmas 2009
This is how even XS button-downs
look on me before having them taken
in - but you know what, I take the
day off & eat whatever on Christmas
Day, so it was a blessing in disguise,.
Happy Christmas!

January 2010 - Athens
At the Acropolis, in front of
an amphitheater. The views
were really so breathtaking,
and I feel so privileged to
have visited here.

At Bergdorf's Bar III in NYC
I had the Lobster & Crabmeat Salad,
with the brandy chive sauce on the side.

May 2007
Dallas

July 2005 - Plano, Texas
It's easy to eat low-carb
anywhere. Here at Boston
Market, I had the "Quarter
White, Double Green Beans or
Double Mixed Veggies," and Diet
Coke with lots of lemon wedges.

February 10th, 2010

March 2010
Window-shopping for a
new digital camera -
purchased it elsewhere.
They try to make me pay
full retail, but I say noooo,
noooo, no.

August 9th, 2010
At The Londoner, about to dig into
my Avocado Salad with added
grilled chicken, Ranch on the side.

November 2010
Wrapping up one of my Fun Days.
Sassy only thinks she's entitled!

December 2010
Costa Maya, Mexico
Time to snorkel!

March 27th, 2011
It had been a while since my last photo;
so still shiny from just-applied SPF, I
grabbed my phone & took a quick shot.
Never said I wasn't silly.
Too bad you can't see the pretty scarf I
threw on afterward!
P.S: That's a $10 blow dryer. All I need.

April 23rd, 2011
In the middle of an Atkins Highlight - and
unfortunately had to run & answer the
door for EARLY-arriving A.M. workmen.
Isn't that the worst? Well, at least I already
had on my SPF & makeup.
P.S: Don't worry - that's a strapless dress I
have on there. lol

June 14th, 2011
In my guest bath
This pic was actually for my
Facebook, to showcase a
new slate blue top I had
mentioned picking up a
couple of days previously.
I saw it & just knew it would
pair well with white jeans.