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!

———————————————————————————————————————————–

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

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!

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

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. 

---

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

A Tiarra, A Girl & Iron Maiden

I had the privilege last weekend of being a judge at a teen pageant. Now I know you hear pageant & you think oh NO! beauty pageant = fake girls.  Not this pageant.. Scoring is based on poise, confidence, guts & authenticity. 

Three of my girlfriends were on the same panel with me and we called ourselves “Team Sunshine!”  We were committed to lifting up these young girls and helping them have a great experience.  

We were all so honored to interview some truly amazing young girls.  Some were scared, struggling with self-confidence, depression and anxiety disorders.  Others had overcome anorexia, being bullied and family tragedies. But the amazing part was they all opened their hearts to us. 

At lunch, we all paused, looked at each other and said what tremendous courage & beauty ALL these girls had! We felt so honored to be a part of something magical, that we could sense was beginning to happen. These girls won just by having the guts to show up! 

These brave young women made us laugh, some made us sing, some educated us and some choked us up.. then we met Charleigh.  She was one girls that we met that left an imprint on our heart.  She boldly shined her light and embraced who she truly is. Was she scared?  Yes.  Did she admit it? Yup.

She greeted us during her interview and told us she loves 80s metal rock and she is obsessed with Iron Maiden (flashing us the rock on sign)!  She had a style all her own and she owned it and emphasized it with a nervous giggle.

The day of the actual pageant she stayed true to herself.  She was honest, she was vulnerable and she was truly genuine to who she was.   She owned it.  She shined across the stage.  We all struggle with our brand, our style, our personality – some days I don’t know WHAT I AM DOING and I am 44 years old!  

Out of over 100 girls she placed in the top 20. She didn’t look like a typical pageant girl but she rocked! She is beautiful.  She is a role model.  She is brave.  She embraces her uniqueness and she deserved to tell her story.

So grab your invisible tiara, sing along to your favorite songs and attack every day!  Realize that what you add to the world each day CAN NOT be duplicated by anyone else!  No ONE is YOU!

Do you know a young girl that you could be a positive influence on and remind daily, weekly or monthly how unique and beautiful she truly is? DO IT! Let’s start changing the dialogue.. and give these young women the confidence to tell their stories. ❤

But I’m wearing granny panties!

We’ve all had a day, especially that time of the month (you know what I’m talking about) OR you run out of the house so quickly, you don’t have time in the morning –  you just grab and go!  Before you know it (and your morning coffee starts kicking in) your day gets started and you realize you are wearing granny panties!

(compliments of RageOn!)

Not normally a big deal if nobody is seeing them throughout the day, BUT then you realize you have a fitting, you need a dress, you find yourself trying on bathing suit, running in for a waxing appointment, taking a yoga class after work and oh my GOSH!  EEeek! I’m wearing granny panties today! Well that is what happened to me this morning..

I went in for a massage.  It was “that time of the month” and my therapist usually has me wear shorts so he can stretch me during the massage. He greeted me and told me, “we are switching it up today,” then told me to disrobe as normal.  PANIC  hit me!  I looked at him, my eyes got really BIG and I said, “I can’t! I’m wearing granny panties today.”

So I went on a mission to find fashionable and comfortable granny panties because let’s face it, some days you have to wear them! It’s a necessity.  If you don’t there could be other types of embarrassing moments throughout the day (you know what I mean). But in doing my research, I found out NOW they are HIP (phew!):

The TODAY Show’s CLIP

So I set out to find some fashionable granny panties here’s what I found.

1. This esty shop BIGBESTSALE is adorable
2. Navy shorts from VANITY FAIR
3. Bright colors from FRUIT OF THE LOOM
4. Gorgeous lace from BARE NECESSITIES
5. No argument here from these sexy finds at GARMENTORY

So when you’re husband, friend or partner makes fun of your granny panties, tell them you are HAPPY & HIP (and to just SHUT IT!)  The JOYS of being a woman..

Please share with me your granny pantie finds.. @michellebouse on social media.

The sun killed my Aunt

It’s been 10 years since the sun killed my aunt. Mary Katherine Grant was a successful 68-year-old career woman who was a respected top healthcare management consultant, traveled the world regularly, enjoyed golfing and loved spending time in the sun.

The latter is what took her life.

SKIN CANCER, is a silent killer & it took my aunt. My aunt was one of the estimated 10,710 people in 2006 who passed away as a result of skin cancer.

 We’ve heard it all before: Don’t talk to strangers, be careful when alone at night, smoking isn’t good for you… but never “the sun can kill you!” Our family, like thousands of other families, learned the hard way; it can. And now, with all the talk about the disappearing ozone layer and environmental/global warming, there is a desperate need for much more awareness of the dangers of the sun and skin cancer.

I wish my aunt had realized the dangers of the sun, before skin cancer cut her life short.

When we think of the effects of the sun’s rays on our skin, we usually think about the exposed areas of our bodies and our face. Those dreaded signs of aging we begin to see in our 30s, as well as the pain of a good sunburn, immediately come to mind. But the effects of the sun on the scalp are rarely considered, if at all.  This easily overlooked area of skin, hidden by a full head of hair, is where it started for my aunt..

After her hairdresser told her of a small, irregularly-shaped mole hidden by her hair, my aunt visited her dermatologist for a checkup. The news was grim: cancerous melanoma. After more visits to her dermatologist, and then many more skin experts, my aunt was diagnosed with STAGE 4 skin cancer – the final stage immediately before the terminal phase, Stage 5. There was little all those specialists could do. She had no previous symptoms. No pain. No weakness. My aunt felt great, looked even better and traveled the country weekly. But, she was rapidly dying.

After multiple surgeries over three years, various expensive medications and treatments, the cancer spread deeper into her skin and into the dermis. The specialists tried to stay ahead of the aggressive cancer by removing the cancerous areas, including a four inch by four inch plate of her scull, but by then the cancer had spread throughout her body. It attacked her lymph glands, her bone, her brain. She suffered a stroke that rendered her left side unusable. On a Wednesday afternoon, after packing up her office, my aunt took herself to the hospital complaining of a headache. She slipped into a coma. Three days later, my aunt died from a silent killer – that started from a small, almost unnoticed mole. She died from skin cancer.

My aunt was one of the estimated 10,710 people in 2006 who passed away as a result of skin cancer.

Once she was diagnosed, there was nothing I could do to help my aunt, but I can help my clients, others, and myself by bringing this subject to the forefront. As a professional esthetician, I make it my business to look and make suggestions to my clients. As well as suggesting regular, yearly body scans with a qualified dermatologist.  I can help in the prevention of skin cancer, one person at a time.

Don’t wait until your hairdresser finds a mole. Visit a qualified dermatologist today. They will check you for irregular skin conditions, and instruct you how to do the same at home. It could save your life. Make an appointment to see a dermatologist and have your entire body checked regularly. Learn the ABCD’s of melanoma and spread the word:

(A-Asymmetry, B-Border, C-Color, D-Diameter).

Awareness, education and early detection are our best defense. And most importantly, ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN! (daily & year round)

For more information and to make a donation, please check out the skin cancer foundation at: www.skincancer.org  (feel free to share this with someone you love)