Earthquakes + KT Tape

Growing up on the East Coast we had alot of thunderstorms, blizzards, tropical storms and a few hurricanes – but NO EARTHQUAKES.

A few weeks ago was one of the strongest quakes in Southern CA in years!  I live over 2 hours and 144 miles from where the epicenter of the quakes were and boy did we feel them!  I was actually sitting in the car while my husband ran into CVS (where I purchase my KT Tape).

At first I looked out the back window thinking someone just backed into my Jeep, Nope.  Then I looked again thinking my husband was being funny and rocking my car (as he has done in the past).. nope.  Then I thought… was that an earthquake?  As I was opening my “QUAKES” app (when you live in California, you use an earthquake app) that’s when it hit!  The car started rocking and shaking.. the car in front of me was crazy moving up and down AND side to side.  I felt like I was on a ride at an amusement park.  YIKES!!!

Moral of the story.. no matter where you live, there is something – at least it isn’t tornados!!!!!  And you can live in fear of the unknown or just LIVE in the moment EVERY DAY!

Any one who has been an athlete, played any sport,  as a hobby or has worked out regularly knows the PAIN of “over doing it”.  It happens (especially went I get EXCITED at my progress).  When I returned to dancing 2 years ago, I had a bunch of old injuries I NEVER treated in my 20s – so if I push or do something incorrectly.. out they pop.  Pain and time out = tears, frustration and a BIG bummer.  REST?!? What is that?

Before my first dance competition EVER, I tweeted my old leg/ankle injury (perfect timing right?!?)  After ALOT of ice, rest, weeks off with NO LESSONS – I got some PT.  My instructor (above photo) was an old athlete dealing with some injuries of his own.  He first introduced me to KT TAPE and thank GOODNESS he did. (You can see the tape on my left calf in the photo above)  So how does it work? It still blows my mind.

So fast forward to a year later.   Can see a theme.. a month before this performance I pulled my calf again.  (You can see my same calf taped above)  Note to self: Slow it down before a BIG event!  I have such great support every time I wear this tape, it’s crazy!  It  actually works better than braces & foot wraps for me.  They have great “HOW TO” videos for applying tape to each different injury area.

So how does this apply to beauty?  Well, see how you can barely tell I have tape on my leg?  It is a great color and blends pretty week with tan skin.  So even for performances you can’t obviously notice the tape (it also comes in hot pink & purple, so fun for practice).

Beauty tip:

Hair must be shaved (guy or gal) wherever you are applying tape for less pain (think waxing) and better adhesion.  The PRO tap lasts much longer and lasts through showering or swimming.  Regular tape is 1-2 day.. Pro up to 4-5 days.  My therapists recommend giving the skin a break for a few days before reapplying.

Skin should be clean and free of moisture or creams.  I apply self tanner/topical tanning carefully AFTER applying the tape.

Most importantly just enjoying each and every moment of every day is one of the BIGGEST anti-aging secrets around.

So here’s to NO FEAR, less natural disasters and a ton of healthy doses of JOY daily!

I’ll be back next time with my thoughts on CANNABIS + COFFEE..  Thanks for stopping by.

Michelle xo

Dancing Beauty

I’m over 40 (45 now) and I returned to dancing 2 years ago!  I NEVER thought my body could move like it did 25 years ago when I was a pro dancer.  SURPRISE.. muscle memory is an amazing gift!

I started back in the ballroom after a 15 year break (that’s another story).  I tried to remember all my syllabus steps from American style ballroom aka “social” dancing.  AMAZED that this time around I would start competing – strictly for the exercise + JOY of it all.

A few partners, instructors & coaches later THIS HAPPENED!

Click link below for FULL video

“KNOWN” Dance Video

After 6 months of changing coaches and starting International Rumba from scratch, this was just my second time dancing with my AMAZING coach Nikolai Voronovich.

I am on a dancing journey now..  with the goal of competing in International style with Nikolai within the next year!

I invite you follow my journey, share my struggles, injuries and joys.  PLUS, I always have a bag FULL of BEAUTY musts.  I am always ready to help any and all dancers at events with their BEAUTY NEEDS & LASH applications (there will always be behind the scene moments).  I share my story, journey, life lessons & beauty tips/picks with you..

I hope to INSPIRE you, make you LAUGH & ENCOURAGE you to try something on your BUCKET LIST!

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Lesson:  Finding a good “coach” in any sport takes some time.  Once you find someone with the same passion, higher technical skills and a good connection – YOU WILL KNOW IT!  I dance for the pure sport, enjoyment & exercise now.  I want to see how good I can get BUT have fun in the process.

I KNEW I found the right coach & partner when he saw the potential in  me and was able to bring it out!  PLUS the fact that I can laugh WITH him at all my frustrations, mistakes and struggles along the way! (I had NO IDEA who he was before I started dancing with him.. I only figured it out when we began attending events & everyone was stopping him for photos!) So grateful to have found such a pro & well respected coach. (Crazy list of titles right?!?!?)

Beauty Tip:  My BEST pick for performance “body” makeup or summer leg makeup is Sally Hansen airbrush leg makeup.  Once it dries it is water & sweat proof.. I actually usually have it on long after event (even AFTER a shower for 2-3 days).  I apply it with my hands, directly on my legs before I get dressed and it sets very quickly.  5 stars!

Thanks for reading and stopping by.. I will be back next week talking about my love of KT TAPE.

Michelle xo

Make Sure You Tell Them

People circle into our lives for a reason and a season. Life goes by so quickly.. my Grama always told me this & I never believed her (until I hit my forties).

In this age of technology & distractions we sometimes miss out on the present. (Put your phone down and pay attention to that person in front of you).

People come into our lives for many reasons. Sometimes they stay for a lifetime, sometimes just a season and sometimes they dance in and out. When someone walks into your life and makes an impact – TELL THEM! Don’t wait.

I had a dream the other night… One of my favorite humans left my life & walked away, into their next adventure without truly knowing how I felt about them. I woke up and all day was haunted by the feeling of lost & sadness. I was scared this was my reality. Yes, it was just a dream, but had I told them ENOUGH how important they were in my life and how deeply I cared for them?

Whoever just came to your mind, STOP and call them. Send them a video message. Ask them to lunch. Take them to coffee, send them a handwritten letter, FaceTime them or just hug them and don’t let go. Don’t wait another day!

We are here to make a difference in each other’s lives. Don’t let anything go UNSAID. Tell those closest to you how much you care for them and love them. Tell them how your life would not be the same without them in it! And most importantly, enjoy every precious day & moment you have with them.

You will thank me for the reminder.

I’m perfectly imperfect, & that’s OK

My thighs are thick but my waist is thin. My butt doesn’t end but my legs are long. My chest is small but my belly is flat. My hips are wide but my neck is long. My thighs have cellulite but my legs are strong. My teeth are crooked but my smile is contagious.

What makes you feel pretty? What do you struggle with?

I grew up a dancer and then became a professional dancer. I didn’t have an eating disorder, I just never made time to eat. I always had a great toned athletic body but in a “showgirl” way.  I wasn’t petite and everyone reminded me of it. (I loved when Kathy Ireland & Cindy Crawford were in style – Kate Moss killed it for me).   I had body dismorphia (still do).  Hours of staring into walls of mirrors made me dissect every inch of me.  I’m 46 and I’m strong, I’m fit, I’m healthy, I’m happy and I’m blessed.  I look at these photos and still only see my wide hip bones and tap dancer thighs.

Do you know it has been 16 years since I wore a bikini because of my body image.  What happened to the days of summer when we just ran into the house, changed into our suits and jumped into the pool with friends and family.  No other thoughts.. just “YAY, pool time!”  Every time I get invited to a gathering and the BYOS is suggested I cringe? WHY? It’s time to stop the STINKIN’ THINKIN’!  I am fearfully & wonderfully made.. and perfectly IMPERFECT.

So what are you beating yourself up about?  I still struggle daily, but now that I am active and back dancing, I feel pretty again.  I AM CLAIMING IT EACH DAY.  My imperfections are actually what make me uniquely me and beauty-full.  That goes for YOU too!  Let’s embrace our struggle and cut ourselves a break.  I point out client’s unique beauty to them daily.. why not do it for myself?  THIS IS ME! (and yes I even have a tattoo!)

Join me over on Instagram (story) (@michellebouse) for my 6 day Soul-care/Self-care Challenge, so I can celebrate YOU and remind you how wonderfully made you are!

Why I mentor kids

A dear friend asked my recently, “Why did you get started volunteering/mentoring kids?” I thought for a second.. that answer needs conversation over a cup of coffee..

My initial answer is LOVE. My heart is my greatest asset & greatest weakness. Part of the reason I’m on this earth is to love others & share unconditional love. I’ve been blessed to understand the true meaning of love, its purpose and experience many shades of love. We NEED love to survive.

I grew up an only child. I was loved. I was shown great love and taught about the importance of loving others. When I hit my 30s, it hit me hard!  I finally understood one of my purposes on this earth.. loving others (hard) especially kids in need.

I love kids, I have always loved kids and always found myself teaching kids. When my husband and I decided not to have kids of our own, I told him I wanted to volunteer. My decision not to be a mom helped me realize I wanted to be involved in possibly helping 1 or more kids that could use some extra love.

In 2009, I started volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank. I started a broadway dance class, tap classes & a performance/competition dance team. They won multiple awards & trips all across the country to perform. I can only hope I left them with love in their hearts & memories they will remember for a lifetime.

In 2016, I heard about a program called Kids Hope at my church. It’s one child, one mentor, one hour, one day a week. I was thinking about trying a one-on-one relationship in the future, but I knew I had to do this when I started crying watching the promo video.

For the past 3 years, I have had the privilege of mentoring 2 young boys that have taught me as much as I’ve taught them. Sharing my heart with kids in need have created some of the most fulfilling moments of my life. When they lean in and whisper in my ear, “I love you Miss Michelle..” or randomly grab my hand to hold.. (you know little boys – this is HUGE) it’s just makes my heart explode!

I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I am willing to stand in the gap for anyone that needs me. When any kid, teen or adult (who am I kidding), sees me and comes running for a hug, sends me a text from college, wants to sit down for advice, giggles or laughs uncontrollably because of what I did or said.. that’s why I mentor.  I have to.. my heart NEEDS to share LOVE!  (It’s why I’m here).

Michelle xo

Are YOU a LAZY SPF applier? (I am)

Confession:  I often forget to apply sunscreen.. eeeekkkkk!

I just walked my dog and remembered, I didn’t apply ANYTHING to my face today.  I think I just burned the back of my neck (smacking my head right now)!  It is my day off but NO EXCUSE!   I work on skin ALL day, I ask everyone if they are using SFP daily, I am starting to see spots on my face more & more from my teenage burns.. WHAT IS MY PROBLEM?  SUN is the quickest way to speed AGING up.. I KNOW THIS.. I preach this.. I believe this!

Let’s keep it simple.  I need to heed my own advice:

1.  Apply your moisturizer to clean skin in the morning.  Allow the product to absorb into your skin, this way your skin is less likely to want to absorb all the sunscreen into your pores, ultimately clogging them.

2. ApplySPF to your face (which I skip) and ALSO to your neck and chest (which I do).  Your neck and chest are the tell tale signs of your age.  They are always forgotten, but always exposed.  Apply to BOTH.

3. (Ladies) As a final step after you have finished doing your make-up, apply a mineral make-up with a fluffy round brush all over your face, neck & chest.  Mineral make-up contains ZINC & Titanium Dioxide which are both natural sunscreens (just like Baby sunscreens).   Applying “powdered” SPF (mineral powders) is a great re-application product throughout your day.  They lay on top of the skin and don’t have a tendency to clog pores from absorption (like some over the counter sunscreens can do).

4.  If you are outside all day, you should re-apply.  It doesn’t last all day long (even 100 SPF) especially after swimming, sweating or working.

That seems easy enough.. why can’t I remember to do it?

Baz Luhrmann said it BEST: “Always Wear Sunscreen!”

While you are spreading sunshine throughout your day, also remember to apply sunscreen. (I need to copy and paste that to my bathroom mirror ASAP).  It’s the easiest way to slow the “beauty” aging process.

Need another reason?  My aunt died because of skin cancer.. read her story here.

2 Oscar makeup picks & tricks

Guilty pleasure? Completely forgot? Purposely avoided?  Did you watch the Oscars this year?  Are you wondering how everyone looked so fresh & glowing (especially when they start getting ready early afternoon & arrive by 3pm PST) all night?

These 2 picks are magical tools for their makeup lasting & the glow looking fresh – All Night/Day Long! 😉

(watch video here)

Not only does it look great on the red carpet, it’s the perfect duo to spruce up your makeup bag for SPRING! (insert happy song here) shop here

So who has questions for SPRING makeup picks?  Here’s to bringing the daily glow from the inside to the outside.  Remember, YOU are Beauty- FULL!

~Michelle xo

A Giggle-fest Inspired by Aromas

Who would think aromatherapy could make you loopy?  Well it can, and it did.. during my first series of Aromatherapy & Herbal workshops last month and not only did everyone leave inspired, educated & relaxed.. we were all giddy & goofy.

I use a variety of essential oils (I’m not brand specific) and I wanted to inspire the guests to start the year off right with intention and wellness. We started by writing down our word of the year and circling it in words of how we wanted to feel (or the opposite of what we didn’t like about last year).  Then I helped each guest choose 3 oils that have an infinity for those intentions.

I also added a hidden oil for the guest according to what I thought would supercharge the synergy of the blend. (this is always my favorite part)

We drank herbal tea, talked about incorporating herbs into recipes & diet and specifically one great “go to” for eliminating stress throughout our days. (More on “why” you should carry Rescue Remedy daily).

As we began to make our roller blends I use my aromatherapy education, certification, favorite reference books and 80% of my intuition. (My blending methods are unique, I’ll share more on that later). All of a sudden we are smelling oils, creating blends and people start dropping things, spilling things, knocking things over (I’m a totally non-A type personality.. hello artist.. so no worries) and we all just start laughing. We laughed off and on for the last 20 mins.

“Laughter is the BEST medicine!”

As everyone was leaving with goodie bags & blends in hand they were so much lighter than when they arrived and I swear I could heard their laughter as the walked to their cars.

Do you use aromatherapy regularly? The last Saturday of each month I will be holding workshops to help you navigate your aromatic journey, share my education for using oils safely & some of my favorite oils, herbs & teas.

Seating is always limited.. you can purchase a ticket for my next workshop here:

Or if you are not local you can purchase your own custom “Soul” Blend here and we will create one together and I will ship it directly to you ($25 + free shipping).

Let me know your funniest experience with aromatherapy.. Just because it’s good for you doesn’t mean it can’t be FUN!

It’s A New Year.. What Makes YOU Fierce?

It’s a new year and one of my favorite words is FIERCE!  It ignites my passion.. my desire to be strong.. my wish to be fearless.. my ambition to persevere and my goals of being unforgettable!

A year ago in February, my Grama passed away.  We were very close & I loved her with all my heart.  She was one of my most special people: my cheerleader, my mom, my voice of reason, my greatest sounding board and LOVED to watch me dance!  While I was back East for her funeral I stumbled upon a ballroom dance studio I had NO IDEA existed a few blocks from my home in LA.  I contacted them while in NJ (I swear Grama sent me to them) and the rest is history.. I fell back in love with dancing because of the owners Katie & Erick (below) and the wonderful instructors (the events & other students are just a bonus).

I started dancing at 10 yrs old.  I taught, performed & competed all throughout school.  I turned professional at the age of 19 and continued my career until 26.  I taught ballroom at a Fred Astaire studio from 22-24 yrs old.  I lived my dream of being a dancer and performing professionally all over the country.  But I hadn’t ballroom danced in about 15 years (even just for fun).

Dancing has ALWAYS been my heart, my love, my joy, my passion.

When I retired I couldn’t figure out how to enjoy it for fun.. so I gave it up.

Last February I walked into the studio (shaking & heart pounding – thinking WHAT AM I DOING? I can’t do this anymore!) I was greeted by one of the sweetest guys I have ever had the pleasure of meeting (or dancing with) and I haven’t stopped smiling yet!   In a year I have lost 25 pounds.. bought a dozen glittering gowns.. danced & sung more songs then I can remember, laughed uncontrollably (while dancing), felt like a princess (more than once) and entered my first EVER competition in December.

I am FIERCE!  I am having the time of my life.. inspiring others to dare to try something new.. sharing my joy, reminding others talent SHOULD be shared and hoping to become awesome in TANGO (my worst dance, in my mind) by this years end.  I am  not giving up!  I have over done it and injured myself multiple times last year.  But I’ve kept going. I can’t remember as much as I would like to or as quickly as I used to, BUT I AM FIERCE.  I feel good.  I’m graceful.  I’m happy.  I’m taking chances.  I’m NOT giving up!

What is it that you would LOVE to try this year?  What lights a spark in your heart? What do you do and no matter how hard you try, you can’t stop smiling (this is a problem for my TANGO).  Do that!  Try that!  If it scares you a little, it means there is a WONDERFUL treasure awaiting you on the other side.. it’s wrapped in a gorgeous package with a tag on it with YOUR name.. “YOU ARE FIERCE“.. It’s just waiting to be opened.. discovered.. shared.. and ONLY YOU can unwrap it!

Remember, DON’T let anyone or anything STOP you.. especially when you soul is whispering to you.. listen to it!  It’s usually IMPORTANT.

Please share your adventures & journey with me!  I can’t wait to hear what makes YOU FIERCE!(because you are)

Love = Self Care

What have you done this month for YOU?  With the overwhelming theme of Valentine’s Day, I always focus on one thing each year:  Self Care.

We are ALL superstars, multi-tasking our days, evenings & weekends.  There is too much distraction with all media, especially social media.. so any time left over can QUICKLY evaporate.  Do you make time for yourself?  It doesn’t have to be an ENTIRE day.  What about an “un-plugged” walk during the day or at lunchtime?  A bath in the evening.. 10-30 mins of READING a book?  Lathering or coating yourself in something that indulges your senses?  A light aromatic spritz on your pillow before sleep.. a piece of dark chocolate and your favorite cup of _________?  Drawing, journaling, praying, singing, exercising, creating or calling a friend.. A nap? A day off? Binge watching a movie/tv series.. the ideas go on and on.  The question is.. DO YOU take time to do any of it?

Listen carefully.. YOU NEED TO!  It’s vital to your health & beauty. 

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I put together a printable for FEBRUARY but you can use it any month.. what do you like/love about yourself?  WRITE IT DOWN  How do you REST? Do you have ME time daily & how? Regular RAKs? WRITE THEM DOWN

I loved this journaling prompt sheet from Life of Lovely:

When you are super awesome you are giving and serving others in multiple ways, it is VITAL to find ways to “re-fill” yourself back up or you will find yourself sick, tired or both and feeling less than you.  These are things that fill me back up..  a easy DIYs.

 

Tell me how you “re-fill” below and please share this with a friend.. This is a year long “to do” and I’ll be back checking in on how you are doing.. with love, Michelle xo