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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Real Moms Talk About Real Body Issues

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Mom makeover. 

Tummy tuck. 

Liposuction. 

The list goes on of all the things I know I’ve considered in efforts to have a body I could be proud of.  Heck I’ve asked for them for anniversary gifts. However, as a mom of a little girl, it’s hard to say in one hand “fix it” and another hand, “be proud of it.”  

And especially in Big D, home of more plastic surgery than any other place except LA, I thought this was a pretty big conversation.  

So what do you think of these stats from RealSelf? Especially after this blogger was asked her for a photo with a shirt on as part of her feature in Shape magazine after her weight loss left her less midsection less than airbrushed. 

So it’s time to weigh in…(well not really, but I want to hear your thoughts!) 

Put Some Color in Your Life with the COLOR FUN FEST 5K, April 19 in McKinney

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I hate to run. 

A lot. 

But it sure does help to burn calories.


However, I still need something to get me excited enough to move my hiney. Thankfully, runs are getting creative so people like me that don’t like to run still want to get involved and enjoy the fun.
In the words of Julia Roberts: Well then color me happy!
The COLOR FUN FEST 5K comes to North Dallas/McKinney on April 19, 2014. Both a day and night  5k color run featuring finish-line festivals, the goal of the Color Run is to combine fun and fitness while helping local charities!
COLOR FUN FEST 5K is an EPIC color fun run that heightens positive emotions by combining a5k fun run with the energy of electronic dance music, all while coloring the crowd with thousands of pounds of vibrant colored powder. The event is family-friendly, and features a post-run celebration with DJ entertainment.

The charities the run benefits Free Arts for Abused Children, a nonprofit organization that gives children that have suffered adversity a chance to express themselves through art. Another nonprofit that benefits from this event is a new startup charity called Flight for Cystic Fibrosis that gives children with CF a chance to feel alive by experiencing the incredible feeling of skydiving through wind tunnels and jumps. The mission of this program is to show these kids how to overcome fears and feel hope, bonding families and encouraging healthy living, which is vitally necessary for a person with Cystic Fibrosis.

And this run is one the whole family can get involved in including kids/parents, couples, groups of friends, fitness gurus, dance enthusiasts, runners, joggers, walkers, bloggers, couch potatoes, the young, the old, and basically everyone and anyone that likes to have fun!

Would you like to have some color fun?
Win a pair of registrations for the Color Run ($35 per registration/ $70 total)

Color Run Fest 5K North Dallas/McKinney
April 19, 2014
First wave of runners at 9 – 11 am, second wave at 9 – 11 pm
Myers Park and Event Center
7117 County Road 166
McKinney, TX 75071


Mother-Daughter Day at Daired’s Spa & Salon

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Disclaimer

This week’s Try-it Tuesday isn’t anything fitness this time, but I can promise the stylist that the fingers that had to do my hair got a real workout.

When you Google “Texas Big Hair,” it’s my headshot that comes up…we’ll maybe not on the front page, but believe me I have a big ole head of crazy hair. It’s coarse, curly and long – and when I blowdry it, I resemble something off a Tina Turner video. Needless to say, after 30 something years, finding someone to cut my hair isn’t always easy. 

Then I had my beautiful baby girl. While she looks a lot like her mama (God, bless her), she has her own big crazy hair to handle, although it’s actually very little like mine. She has the brown curls, but the similarities stop there. She has soft, fine hair with a daddy-gave-me-this hairline I have yet to figure out how to style. So most the time her hair is a little bit of a crazy mess and it’s definitely needed some trimming or something or someone to give me a little guidance on what to do with it. 

So with an upcoming appearance on TV and limited time to fit just one more thing in, I called Daireds Salon and Spa Pangea in Arlington. I was actually very surprised they actually accepted kids into a salon like Daireds…especially when you look at their services lists for salon, spa, cafe and boutique. But they gladly scheduled us both.

Sweet goodness, we’ll see how it goes. 

In my past life, I was privy to get the opportunity to enjoy some of the best spas in Vegas. And while Dallas is full of day spas, very few of them even begin to equal up the experience you get in LV. However, entering Daireds you definitely get a “posh spa” feeling – without the snob appeal. It’s interiors are beautiful, colorful and keep your eye wondering while you wait for your turn to hit the chair. I love the fountains both indoors and out. 

I had been prepared to have Taylor’s cut and then mine so I could assist with a two-year’s hair cut. Much to my surprise we had separate stylists and my little girl immediately aged 10 years as she was brought to the chair, put on a smock and began her first big-girl hair cut. Her stylist was awesome and dealt with all the stress from both mom and baby girl perfectly. Taylor actually wanted to go with her instead of mam. Unfortunately, I was getting my hair done, so the pictures aren’t so great, but you can see her sitting just like a little princess. I could already tell this would be the first of many experiences with us two gals. 

My stylist, George, had asked what I wanted to do with my hair, so of course, I responded with what any normal girl would say, “Make me look like Eva Mendes so Ryan Gosling will fall in love with me.” While he couldn’t take off the weight around my mid-section, he did take off the weight on my hair and gave it some life. I had bounce and style. And while I don’t look like Eva Mendes, I do resemble one of her commercials with all the hair-flipping I’ve been doing lately. So I guess that counts.
While I wouldn’t never want to call Daired’s a family salon and spa, there are definitely opportunities when you can bring in your kiddo for a hair cut or a special day and expect both of you to enjoy it. I had planned to keep her under control so I had reinforcements like goldfish crackers, juice and toys to keep her happy – at least until I snagged her a fresh chocolate chip cookie from the in-house cafe!

Now don’t think I’m about to start having baby girl for massages or facials any time soon, but it was nice to think that if the occasion presented itself, I have a place to bring her. Until then, mama will continue to check out the services like massages, nails or facials, until its her time to drive herself on over and make her own appointments (which could be anytime with this girl.)

Daired’s Salon & Spa Pangea
2400 West Interstate 20
Arlington, Texas 76017
(817) 465-9797 or metro (817) 467-9991
Website

The Cost of Being a Mom

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Happy Mother’s Day!
Hopefully you’re enjoying Mother’s Day with brunch, relaxation and a little mommy love. However, but as moms we know that being a mom is normally not a glamourous or rewarding job, but it’s someone’s got to do it. (And when you see your babies’ faces, then you know exactly why you do it!

Want-It Wednesday: Wake Up Your Wardrobe with Stella & Dot Bracelet & Earrings {Giveaway}

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Want-it Wednesdays:

Do you need to wake up your wardrobe? You’re in luck! 


I’m giveaway this Secret Garden bracelet and earring set from Stella & Dot! All you have to do is enter the giveaway, which begins today until Saturday, April 6 at 11:59 PM. 


To enter: just or visit my Facebook page TODAY. 

Also, remember I’m hosting a “Wake Up Your Wardrobe” Spring Trunk Show! And right now Spend $50 and get 50% off your purchase AND we’re also giving away another necklace to one lucky person who makes a purchase. Best of all, this month when you buy something from my trunk show, a portion of the proceeds will go to Autism Awareness Month!

So what are you waiting for? 



Virgins Saints & Angels New Line Brings Out the Princess (or Witch) In You

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Every little girl dreams of being a princess. Except this one. 

While, I’m pretty sure there was a time I wanted to wear a tiara and be Snow White (although this quiz says I’m a Cinderella), my dreams were really to be the witch – cackle, magical powers and all. Thankfully, high school drama musicals allowed me that opportunity to live out my fantasy as well as every Halloween where I love to donn my hat while I take my children trick-or-treating. (Isn’t that convenient?)

However, the celebrity-loved line, Virgins Saints & Angels now makes it possible for me to fulfill my fairytale fantasy and look good doing it any day of the year with their new line inspired by ABCs “Once Upon a Time.” (If you haven’t watched this one; make sure you catch up first on Netflix to get the rundown on this fairytale-come-to-life Sunday show the whole family can enjoy. It’s kinda complicated the first go-around, but be prepared to be hooked.)  
Not only does my inner witch love these pieces, but that small sliver of me that still loves Madonna in her “Like a Virgin” days, adores it. How could you not? Take a look at some of my favorite pieces I coveted during the preview event on Feb. 7 at Swag. 
Not me, but totally wanted everything around her neck! 

I’ll do the laundry with a smile if I can do it with that tiara! 

Virgins Saints & Angels makes it fashionable to wear dragons, daggers and spiders year-round.

you say Valentine’s Day, my pretty!?! 

You too can get your little paws on this line. And if you have a little time on Friday, Feb. 8 from 1-4 p.m, you can also meet the lady who made fairytales come to life with the Virgins Saints & Angels’ Cheryl Finnegan at Swag. The global trunk show runs until Sunday, Feb. 10 or you can always order a piece online at Swag!


A Little Box of Skin Miracles?

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Me Mondays:

Like most women, when it comes to your skin, you don’t take care of it until it’s already too late. Then of course, you feel like you are barraged with tons of expensive products and complicated routines to try to hold on to your 16-year-old skin. Last week I shared 5 practical tips for taking care of your skin that don’t have to cost a lot. However, this week it was time I felt it was time to admit to something.

A few weeks ago I couldn’t sleep, so I turned on the TV to see what was on. Of course, all I could find was every kind of infomercial possible. While I was looking through the channel guide I somehow got sucked into one of them.  After about 10 minutes of watching it through the little window, I finally succumbed to watch: 


As you can see, there wasn’t anything terribly exciting or compelling about the video, but I still found myself ready to call and order. Perhaps it was because I already like Philosophy’s products, perhaps it was because it was a really good deal for what would retail as twice as much if I purchased them separately at Sephora, or perhaps it was because it was 4 am in the morning and I was convinced I could take 10 years off my skin. Maybe it’s because they said they would give me back my money if it didn’t like it.


With this big of a promise as well as the results that could happen in less than 12 weeks, I’ve been pretty happy with the results. While not dramatic enough to warrant a BEFORE and AFTER photo as good as the ones they show on the site, I can tell you this: The steps are easy to do both morning and night.
The cleanser is already an award-winning favorite from tons of places. It smells great and makes my face feel soft, but not greasy. While it says it can be used to clean eye makeup, I still use my drugstore kind to assist in the cleanup, but it does the job. I wish that it was either in a pump or an upright bottle so I can squeeze it easily to moderate the amount.

I’m really picky about my moisturizers so I love that this one isn’t heavy or feels thick on my skin although I prefer a gel or serum to a cream. I also like that it has a nice scent, but isn’t too overbearing, just clean.
The best part though is what they refer to as the TREAT – the anti-aging retinoid pads. This “miracle worker” features Philosophy’s own high-performance retinoid called HPR to deliver all of the skin benefits of a retinoid, with less potential for irritation. Bottom line: it reduces skin discoloration, restores a healthy-looking glow, and improves the look of wrinkles and pores. With my pores, my dull skin and all my discoloration, I was all about this HPR that you mix yourself. When it comes in the cute little box, you actually pour the potion over what looks like a container of “Stridex pads.” Each night you just wipe it over your face. No irritation and this nice layer of moisture.
Are you ready to buy your own box of miracles? You can buy it online too — and you get two free gifts too (my favorite part!)

[Putting on my best TV voice]: With your purchase you also get the All-Over Brightener and Dark Spot Corrector as well as a Sunscreen. I’m using the Brightener religiously and hope, while they really can’t get rid of freckles, all the special gifts that pregnancy did to my face can be remedied. If this stuff works the way others have claimed it has, then I’m buying this in bulk. 

So far so good at one week. I haven’t had breakouts, reactions and it seems like things are looking a lot brighter. Hopefully, soon I’ll see some miraculous work!
Looking for other ways to take care of your skin? Check these posts out, too:

Do you have a skin product you think I should try? Let me know! 

Save Those Leftovers: Make Your Skin Merry & Bright with Pumpkin and Yams

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Me Mondays:

Remember when Samantha Jones, the outspoken and sexual socialite from “Sex in the City” rubs yams all over her face in efforts to keep from “ricocheting back into menopause?” While Suzanne Sommers might try to tell you something different, yams can’t keep the clock from moving forward, but it can help your skin look like it has.

So bring on the yams I did with a holiday facial treatment from Highland Park’s Facelogic called the Merry and Bright. The space, located perfectly off the Tollway and Lovers Lane, keeps your skin in tip-top shape with affordable treatments and membership programs for facials, massages, waxing, spray tanning and more. The Merry and Bright is a limited-edition facial includes a yam and pumpkin peel designed to make your skin look its best as you celebrate the holidays with parties and get-togethers. Too bad they haven’t come up with a treatment yet called the Merry and Light (but they do have a weight management program that I also can’t wait to share in a few weeks!)

This facial/peel treatment gently takes away the aging layers of dead skin cells leaving the skin soft, refreshed and looking bright. The yam & pumpkin peel from Eminence Organics produces a dramatic yet natural skin lightening effect, which is great when you aren’t as good as you should be like me about exfoliating your skin. The peel uses nurturing stone crops and a natural hydroquinone alternative to lighten up the skin without photo-sensitivity as well as other fruits and natural products to help you put your face forward! 

Key Ingredients of Yam & Pumpkin Peel from Eminence Organics:
  • Yam Pulp Purée: high in beta-carotene and vitamins to fight the signs of aging
  • Pumpkin Pulp Purée: rich in enzymes, beta-carotene, amino acids, and antioxidants to fight the signs of aging
  • Pineapple: purifies skin by removing dirt and proteins
  • Papaya: contains vitamins and fruit enzymes to improve the appearance of skin
  • Glycolic Acid: soothing and smoothing agent
  • Lactic Acid: sloughs off dead skin cells to improve texture of skin
  • Willowbark Extract: natural beta-hydroxy to minimize the appearance of pores
  • Phyto-Hyaluronic Acid (Phytocollagen): deeply hydrating; natural substance that smoothes and plumps skin to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Green Tea Extract: high in antioxidants, polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamins for youthful looking skin
The Merry & Bright treatment options for $75: 60 minute facial with a 5% peel or 20 minute facial with a 20% peel (for more dramatic results). While I didn’t take a before and after photo, I can tell you my skin did look smoother, healthier and brighter, which made my day just merry!

And even better, now until the end of the year, when you purchase this treatment you’ll be doing something good for others, too. The Merry & Bright facial will not only help brighten the face and mood for the holidays but literally brighten the overall lives of those in Zambia living in the dark. For every Merry & Bright facial purchased in November & December a solar-powered LED light is given to a family in Zambia who are in the dark after the sun sets. These lights provide a means to study, eat and enjoy their families well after the sun sets on them (visit http://empoweredbylight.org for more information about this program.) Facelogic is hoping to provide at least 100 lights to Zambia by the New Year. 


Call Facelogic Highland Park at 214-696-3223 today to book your appointment and to get your skin looking merry and bright. 

DISCLAIMER:

I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

Birthday Fun in Dallas with Spa at the Village, DISH Drag Brunch, Hotel Zaza Sunday School & Napa Valley

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Me Mondays:

 “Me Mondays” are supposed to be a one-day dedicated to focusing on making things better for ALL moms. However, today the title is most apropos because today IS my birthday, so I’m sharing how this mama spent the weekend celebrating her 22st birthday (hahaha, give or take 10 years or so.) I have to admit it was the best one yet! It was all about conquering some bucket list items!

 Starting off the fun festivities, after a hard-hitting session of Jay’s Bootcamp and one of my favorites Friday’s spin class with Melissa, I spent a glorious afternoon at The Spa at the Village in Colleyville. Thank goodness for a perfectly timed Groupon  because for less than $100, I was able to get the Pumpkin & Spice Fall Spa Package (which is valued at $430!) The whole experience was heavenly — with a delicious massage, a pumpkin facial and even a an inch loss body wrap (always a nice way to start off a birthday is with a few inches off your body!) I opted to get a few add-ons as well which were well worth it since my dark circles have seemed to disappear – or at least minimize for the time-being! The staff was amazing and I know I’ll be back since they offer specials to their members and I can’t remember the last time I felt that relaxed. 


After Friday afternoon, I was more than happy to call it done with my festivities, but that was just the beginning. My amazing husband had me open a FedEx box addressed to him, but when I opened it, I found a beautiful handbag. I have to admit, I’ve been waiting for a long time to get this purse, so I couldn’t have been more surprised. It is beautiful! While this one wasn’t a bucket list item, it was on top of my “All I Want For Christmas…” list. Santa just showed up a little early this year!

 Again, just the beginning of the birthday fun, I spent a few hours with some friends on Saturday enjoying a few of Fort Worth’s most beautiful homes and best chefs with The Kitchen Tour, a fundraising event for A Wish with Wings. It may have been chilly, but some of the tasty soups we enjoyed made it worth it (that and the bloody mary that kept me warm on the inside!) I love looking a beautiful homes and certainly enjoying award-winning food from local restaurants, so this was ideal for a pre-birthday event!

 Sunday was the icing on the cake. My mom and two of girlfriends got gussied up and attended Brunch at DISH. Referred from Dallas’ Queen of the Scene, Cynthia Smoot, Once a month the Oak Lawn rest throws a party with brunch, bottomless mimosas and drag queens. It’s hard to imagine a drag show at 10:30 AM in the morning, but it and the three-course brunch was a perfect way to spend the morning. Another bucket list item complete. However, bottomless mimosas ensured the party wasn’t over yet. 



 Of course, what would Sunday be without Sunday School? But this is not the Sunday School you are used to. Hotel Zaza puts on a heck of a party and this time Halloween was the occasion. While I wish I could tell you how great the food and drink was, especially since the pancakes are supposed to be phenomenal, but it was more like a night club than a breakfast spot. Sunday School Brunch includes food and fun like no other…just be ready to need a little recoop time after all the fun is over! This event is a MUST for anyone in Dallas. (Just be happy I don’t have photos to share with you!)


While I could definitely say that I had the best Birthday ever, I still have one more bucket list I get to complete for this birthday…a trip to Napa Valley! I can’t wait to share this bucket list item with you upon my return! I can hardly wait, but after this weekend’s fun, I’m glad that I have some days to recharge and rehydrate!

So if today is your birthday, I hope it is as wonderful as mine has been — thanks to some amazing friends and family members. And if you have a birthday coming up soon, I have one piece of advise: “Celebrate your day like it’s the last one you got!” 

Lose a Dress Size with Just a Wink

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Me Mondays

 My family recently celebrated my daughter’s first birthday…while it was a day of joy for my daughter; I’ll admit I was sad that after a year, I was still carrying my baby weight (and then some.) While I wish that this post was the miracle way I dropped 20 lbs., at least I can share that I figured out how to drop a dress size… at least for a couple of hours.

Actually after two kids, things on my body don’t look or feel the way they used to (to say the least.) And while I’m working to get things back in order with diet and exercise, there are certainly some areas that need all the help that I can get. During my first pregnancy, I didn’t know anything about belly bands or post-pregnancy garments and how they can help get the body put back into place. However, several weeks later, I realized that I needed a little more (or a lot more) help than what the band could do. I needed something that didn’t just put my baby weight in place, but helped me in all the other places, too.

So I began the search for something that could do more for me and didn’t end up either in my purse at the end of the night or rolled up underneath my bra creating one more extra roll.  I purchased cheap ones, expensive brands, belly bands, full-thigh girdles and even a tank top in hopes to find the ideal solution for making me look like Jennifer Lopez without all the workouts and salmon. While each of them may solve one problem area, I was trading one body issue for another (lovely).

Photo courtesy of Wink Shapewear
When I was offered the chance to try a new brand, I was anxious to see how I would be mushed up, sucked up, and all the other things that happen when you put on a girdle – or shapewear as they now call it. However, anything could be better than the way things were looking nowadays.

My Wink Belly & Hip Shaper is perfect for post partum weight issues as well as those like myself that are holding on to the baby way after the fact. Unlike other bands (I’ve tried several), it is longer than the average band, and extends well beyond hip level. It is secured on the bottom and the top with a customary elastic band so it will not ride up when you sit down (I’ve tried four different ones and this one is the only one that doesn’t roll.) This length provides compression at the waist as well as the hips, thereby compressing and shrinking belly and hips up to two sizes. Best of all, with size panels of hook and eye closure on the side, it allows for adjustment and tightening as your size goes down and the fabric allows your skin to breathe, so you aren’t sweating underneath that dress you’ve been working to get into for weeks.

Photo courtesy of Wink Shapewear
Need a little more help in some other places? Don’t worry – they have those too. From postpartum compression, booty lifting and even active wear, Wink has several CUTE options that still make you feel attractive – without feeling like a mummy. 

And with a name like Wink – this woman-owned business promises it won’t tell (or show) that you’ve had a little help to look that good.

DISCLAIMER:
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

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