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We went on a “Dream” cruise.
Josie and I went on a mother-daughter cruise with friends and I wanted to share the highlights with you! We all know Disney Cruises are expensive and I have always wondered if it is worth the price. So I did my own investigation and I have determined you get what you pay for. I would take a Disney Cruise for all of my future cruises. The attention to detail, the absolute cleanliness, the attention of the cabin stewards and all other staff, all come together to create the ideal experience. Starting from Miami, we went to Nassau and then to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Nassau was everything I expected, but then Castaway Cay was so much more. The amazing Disney experience was carried over from the ship to the island. With snorkeling, a water slide, great food, rentals of all kinds, crystal clear water, and gift shops, it was more than we could do in one day! I would try to find a cruise with 2 days at Castaway Cay next time!
I want to talk about fun things today.
Who Else Fell In Love With Bridgerton?
Anyone who watched Bridgerton knows it really became a sort of sensation. It was a feast for the eyes in so many ways. The characters were beautiful, the surroundings were beautiful, and the costumes were stunning and interesting. If you haven’t watched it, I would say it really may be worth your time just to see if you enjoy it. I really think that with so much heaviness in our world, it is so nice to have some entertainment and fun!
No surprise there is a phenomenon in our culture emerging since this series that is now being referred to as the “Bridgerton Effect”. Internet searches for things like silk dresses, velvet dresses, empire dresses, capes, corsets, even wisteria and afternoon tea sets have all increase exponentially! Now the influence is seen with our incoming Fall trends.
The word is to watch for things with the Bridgerton look this Fall, things that call back to the regency style. Comfy and luxe fabrics like velvet, silk, etc. as well as empire and sweetheart necklines are all nods to the regency style. Puffed sleeves, lace, light embroidery detail (I’ve seen some on shoes) and maybe even some smocked cuffs should be fun. I can’t wait to show you the subtle interpretations of this fun concept that I can spot in our modern lineups this Fall!
I Found My Favorite Swimsuit Ever!
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No, this was not the year of the bikini for me. But I found something even better! This was the year of the comfortable, beautiful, wearable, swim-able, lounge-able swimsuit! Well, actually this was the second year for me, I bought my second one this year. I’ve always needed a bathing suit that would allow me to be that Gucci-looking, swimming-medal winning, timeless trendsetting, beach comber that I always knew I could be. Enter Summersalt. The prices were higher than I usually pay, but my first one is on its second year, and it’s not finished yet. The off-the-shoulder design is sleek and classy. More importantly, it stays put. Off the shoulder is a timeless touch. It has held up well despite being washed many times, but of note, it has never been in the dryer. This is a no-no!
This year I also bought the coverup that I have also included in this post and they have made a great pair. I have washed the cover up 4 times, also have never placed in it the dryer. It looks new every time. It is light and breathable fabric that blocks the sun but let’s air flow through. All in all, I like the pieces and wanted to pass it on! Especially since the more skin you cover, the more sun safe you really are! ❤️
Follow my link below to go directly to the Summersalt swimsuit and coverup!
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inbox my Instagram with your makeup-less selfie for Seint color
take your selfie without makeup, at eye level, facing a window for natural light.
Click on the photo to go to my instagram, pauleyoverforty. Send your selfie to my inbox. I will get back to you with your color matched shades and a link to order the famous Seint makeup!
The Joy and Art of the Double Cleanse
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Have you heard of double cleansing? It is an interesting notion, and I have adopted it into my skin care routine. There are some very good reasons to double cleanse and the process is pretty simple. So let's look at the most basic version of the rundown.
Basically, the double cleanse method is great for anyone who has sensitive skin, dry skin, oily skin, or uses makeup or sunscreens on a daily basis. So, basically everyone should double cleanse, since we all need to be wearing sunscreen on our face every day.
The method is this: First, cleanse with a gentle oil-based cleanser. One could argue that a pure oil could be used here, however modern formulations usually contain an emulsifier that makes the process overall better. I am using the Elemis cleansing balm at this time. Another popular choice here is the Clinique Take the Day Off balm. After removing the balm (I usually use a very warm cloth), proceed with the second part, which is to use your gentle, water-based cleanser. Now your skin is well prepared for your evening skin care routine.
By doing both steps, you have removed the barriers to allowing your serums and moisturizers to penetrate into your skin and do their glorious work. One last note, this is best done in the evening to remove makeup, dirt, pollution, sunscreen, and excess oil from the day and is not necessary to do in the morning. It has been working quite well for me and I'd love to hear how it does for you.
smells like a spa
click on image for shopping link :-)
gentle, balanced cleansing lotion
This is one of my favorites! I love to find items that are not so expensive. Then when you can find them at the nearby drugstore it makes life even easier! What’s easier than that? Ordering online and having is sent to your doorstep, of course! Click on image for shopping link :-)
My Story of Cosmetic Filler
Alrighty, no need to tell all the background here. The bottom line is that I got cosmetic filler! My nasolabial folds have bothered me for a long time and so has my thin upper lip (a little). Finally the opportunity came and I jumped at it. Above are my before (left) and after (right) pictures. I do apologize that the lighting is not uniform in the pictures.
Here's everything I did at this appointment. First, I got botox in my forehead as usual every 4 months. Then, I got 4 units of Botox in my upper lip. This is called a Botox lip flip. It relaxes the muscles that work that part of you upper lip which results in seeing more fullness rather than having the lip "cinched" by the muscle. Keep in mind, the results of the Botox take 10-14 days to reach their full results. The Botox in the upper picture has not had time to take its full effect yet.
And now the filler. I used Juvéderm. There are different types of Juvéderm. Some are better for lips, others for cheeks, etc. I got one syringe since this was my first time. It was used primarily in my nasolabial folds and my doctor saved a small amount and used in my upper lip.
I'm going to briefly describe the simple process. The botox is used in small injections in the different areas where it is needed to paralyze the muscles for the desired effect. It is actually quite painless. For the filler, my doctor placed a topical lidocaine formulation on all of the areas that would receive an injection. Then after those areas were completely numb, the doctor proceeded to inject the filler. It was very quick. I was told to gently apply ice and avoid exercise for 24 hours.
So there it is! Although this was my first experience with filler and it was a small but noticeable amount. I was very pleased with the result. Of course I think a little more might be better next time, if I get to try it again..