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)

8 Reasons to use toner NOW

I didn’t use toner for years. Another product? Another step? No way.. I already have/do too many. I don’t need that (with laughter filling my head).  Sound familiar?

Then I did an experiment. I took a clean cotton pad after using my best cleanser, applied some hydrosol and I wiped. Hmmmm how can that be?  Then I applied all my skincare products and went to grab some much needed beauty sleep.

The next morning, knowing my face was as clean as a whistle I took a cotton pad, applied some more hydrosol and wiped.. YIKES!

How was it possible with a clean face and doing nothing but sleep, I still have sweat & dirt on my face. That was the day I started using toner.

Here’s a picture from this morning.. Guess my mascara wasn’t all off last night. Thank you toner.. I have to say I love you!

WHY Toner..

1. Tightens, refreshes & firms skin

2. Keep pores clean (minimized) & helps prevent breakouts

3. Help pulls moisturizer deeper into skin when applied AFTER toner

4. Combat & repair anti-aging and sun damage

5. Gently exfoliates, soothes & disinfects

6. Is it’s own skin treatment –  adds ingredients like vitamins & antioxidants 

7. Takes off excess dirt, sweat, mascara, misc. makeup & oil (is your 2nd cleanse)

8. It will be your secret weapon (proof is in the pad, see photo above)

WHAT Toner..

Oily skin: Love most of these, astringent & alcohol-free 

Dry skin: Love adding hydrasols & these are great options

Normal skin:  These are good for normal skin – neroli is my favorite

Did I change your mind? Or do you already use toner? Please share with me in the comments below.

Super-charge ur moisturizer w/ this ingredient

Hellllllllo Hyaluronic Acid. 

I tell everyone this is like ‘little fingers’ that come off your skin, grab the moisturizer and pull it deep into the lower dermal layers.  It has also been referred to as “miracle/fountain of youth” ingredient.. but let’s not get crazy.

Here’s the scientific explanation and some drugstore picks.  I just recommend finding a serum with hyaluronic acid in it (I love Epicuren’s Moist Surge) and apply it to a clean face before moisturizer or mix with your moisturizer for application.  Any dry skin will see improvement and I love hydrating for anti-aging!

The other great hydration secret is to apply moisturizer to WET skin.  We all know the best time to moisturize our body is just after a shower.  Skin is still damp and the lotion locks in the moisture.

So mist your face,

grab ur hyaluronic acid serum,

apply to your face (and neck).

Then follow with your favorite moisturizer.  This will super-charge your product & your skin will glow with gratitude!

Why I LOVE My Clarisonic

I may be late in getting around to trying all the new trends.. But the importance is finding the ones worth the wait.

(I just watched all 5 TWILIGHT movies in 2days.. It only took me 5 yrs. to figure out the buzz on that one – WOW! I know, don’t judge me.. I’m busy). 🙂

Confession: I absolutely LOVE my Clarisonic.

Clarisonic Rocks

Why? It’s sonic technology and its good for your skin. Ok but why? The sonic brush vibrates at such a high rate it has the ability to brush off dead, flaky skin.. and push out impurities from the pores, which results in super clean skin.

Have you ever washed your face with a cleanser, then taken a cotton ball/pad with toner on it and wiped it across your face? You can see the residue that remains on the cotton ball, AFTER you just washed your face – gross!

My face has never felt this clean after an at home wash.. Even after a hydrosol.  After each use my skin looks brighter, smoother and I swear it looks tighter. (Don’t burst my bubble, I sticking with tighter).  The movement of the brush is exercising the skin and helping to stimulate collagen & elastin along increaseing the blood circulation.  I even like the Clarisonic gel & exfoliator products (and I’m an die-hard EPICUREN girl!)

I love my PRO model for all the timer settings (it tells you when to move to another section of your face with a beep! BRILLIANT) and the body brush head & sensitive brushes it comes with.  Don’t forget to do your chin, jawline and neck as well, these are the most forgotten areas of the face for cleansing & treating (and show our age the most).  I use a second timed pass for my lips, chin, neck & jawline.  Did I mention I LOVE the timer?!

The only thing I will be changing is the brush head.. Maybe sensitive is the way to go – but I’m still deciding. I love options.

It’s gonna make a great Mother’s Day gift! (Shhhh, don’t tell my mom.) 😉