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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

5 Must-Have Beauty Finds for Fall

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Disclaimer:
I received the best bag of beauty goodies from Nordstrom at their fall Trend Show for this review. Although I loved all the products, there were a few standouts I had to share. 

One of my favorite “holidays,” Nordstrom Trend Show, took over Galleria Dallas to reveal to hundreds of beauty-minded women the newest and coolest products coming to the market for fall. If you’ve never been to Trend Show, I’d highly advise you sign up for “beauty church” to enjoy a full morning of all things beauty with products, samples and services. 

It’s a great time to update your makeup bag and enjoy a fun day of all things beauty. There are lots of things to recommend, but these are at 5 musts for all women!  

1. Age Arrest from Kate Somerville
According to the folks at Kate Somerville, Age Arrest “is the first anti-aging treatment with Telo-5™ Technology to prolong the life of telomeres for a youthful glow.” While I don’t know what telemeres is, the formula is proven to effectively reduce the appearance of wrinkles, increase firmness and elasticity, improve skin discoloration and hydrates the skin – making it feel soft and rich. And the container is pretty awesome too – with one pump, the innovative dispenser measures the exact amount you need. ” 


Every girl appreciates a product that multi-tasks and this bronzer/blush duo can also play on the lips if you are just looking for a slight bit of color. The colors are perfectly paired to give you the perfect glow throughout the year.

3. Chantecaille Supreme Cils Mascara
I’ve had all kinds of brushes over the years that promised to do all kinds of stuff, but this snowflake design from Chantecaille’s Supreme Cils Mascara lifts, coats and separates – clump free. And it’s water resistant so those lovely lids can stay in place all day long. 

I was sitting at a restaurant and noticed this gal, working her tail off had the best makeup – even while she was sweating and running around. I asked her what she wore and she immediately said Dior’s “air” line was the answer to her dreams! And this ultrafine mist is part of the reason that makeup can stay all day giving a velvety matte, shine-free finish so the way that you put make up on is the way it stays – all day!



5. Perricone MD Nutritive Cleanser
Taking off your makeup is even more important than the make up you put on! Perricone MD has long been recognized as an industry leader for anti-aging, Nutritive Cleanser is designed to make skin, soft, smooth and radiant, while delivering anti-aging benefits plus lifting and contouring benefits. 



Look Good While You Do Good on 4th Annual Génifique Day

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Talking with one of my friends the other day, we discussed the need to “hide” or “sneak away” when we went to have a beauty treatment. For some reason (besides the cost), we both felt guilty for getting a little “maintenance” AKA beauty treatments. Perhaps it is the fact that we are not working, taking care of kids or doing one of the 101 other things that are on our list of things-to-do, either way, getting beautified comes with guilt. 

Photo courtesy of Mickey Williams


That’s why I love that now I can feel good about doing good while I get to look good on the 4th Annual Génifique Day. On Friday, Oct. 11 Lancôme and Celebrity Makeup Artist Mickey Williams invite you to get a makeover while you give back to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 
  • Beauty expert Mickey Williams will be providing a complimentary, professional makeup application session and personal product recommendation consultation from Mickey herself at Dillard’s at North Park Center.
  • Then capture your beautiful look in one of Lancôme photo booths following your celebrity status makeover.
Williams has been lending her expertise for more than 20 years to A-list clients like athlete Bethany Hamilton, Matt Damon, Barack Obama, and Demi Lovato. Williams has also been a featured contributor in more than 100 top publications, and appeared a beauty and style expert for The Today Show, ET!, Extra, and Good Morning America.


Partnering with Williams for this fun event is the revolutionary makeup leader, Lancome. Their Génifique formula is designed to reactivate the 10 key signs of youth, restoring skin’s vibrant smoothness, luminosity, and radiance in just seven days.

4th Annual Génifique Day
Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013
Noon to 5 p.m.
Dillards at North Park Center
8687 North Central Expressway, Dallas TX 75225

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

Shoe Shopping for Back-to-School at Famous Footwear

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Mama Mondays: 
Disclaimer: I was provided a gift card from Famous Footwear as well as the opportunity to shop for as many shoes as possible as part of a local Famous Footwear event hosted by Dallas Moms Blog. All the comments here are my own. 

It’s no secret that I have issues with shoes. Really. 

While I enjoy looking at them, I don’t like to wear them. When you have a wide foot it makes it hard to put on cute shoes and be comfortable. That’s why I’m the queen of sandals and always in need of a new pair of shoes – at least ones that aren’t summer specific. And since it was also right before back-to-school, I wasn’t the only Reos could use another pair of kicks. 

That meant shopping. And shoe shopping is the worst… 

However, just in time, I was invited to a little special “mama time” with some friends to do a little private shoe shopping at Famous Footwear. Thank goodness. I needed some female opinions so I could make some purchases in a reasonable amount of time that weren’t just comfortable, but functional and hopefully, cute too!

Oh, how I found all kinds of choices – just which ones should I buy? 

Considering my current athletic shoes were about two years old (and just a little note, that’s way too long to not replace your running shoes), I really could use a pair, especially since the ones this season are fun, bright and very colorful. There were also some adorable Sperry boat-style shoes that were SO cute. I’ve always liked Sperry’s for the whole family, especially since they give moms like me an alternative to flip flops – ideal during the winter time! Black and white damask with red laces, sequins and even leopard print, I eyed several pairs I would want to add to my wardrobe. And of course, I would have to peak at some gladiator sandals, my always go-to. The ones I found were so hot and had a little Bohemian vibe. Adorable. 

What to buy. What to buy? What to buy! 

Thankfully, for a limited time, I didn’t have to purchase just one pair, but could get a second pair half off! (Gotta love some BOGO 1/2 off!) Then add my special discount for being a Famous Footwear Rewards member, I had discounts coming out my ears! Now that +  shoe shopping was something to be excited about. 
It was time I leaped over to the kids’ aisle. While my little girl is a little young for these Converse, I couldn’t help but stop to take a look at them. With all kinds of colors and fun tongues that even included emoticons on the reverse side, these shoes screamed “I would have to have you IF I had a teen!” 

Finally reaching the little girls’ shoes, I set eyes on a pair of tennis shoes that Miss T. had to have. They were pink, glittery, blingy, and had studs all over them! And they lit up too! And considering little girl had a birthday the next day, I just had to snatch these up and surprise her for her big day! Aren’t these Skechers CUTE!?!


Starting to really find my stride after my first must-have, I spotted this sign:
Discovering this great little kernel of knowledge was perfectly timed since I had eyed me a pair of these Naturalizer Peep Toes (both stylish and comfortable!) Unfortunately, my size was missing! What to do, what to do? I just brought the shoes to the register and they took my address. For $0, they would send these gotta-have heels to my doorstep. (Now that’s service!)
And that wasn’t all either! A little love from Lady Luck made me a winner of an opportunity to get as many pairs of shoes as I wanted in :30 seconds with a little shop-to-you-drop. That meant I was able to pull a pair of Sperry’s for both me and my hubs, plus, of course, those cute shoes for my two-year-old! (And I may have also found a pair of sandals that would get a little play for the remaining weeks of the summer!)

So perhaps, maybe, I don’t mind shoe shopping. Especially if I can get it all in one place and at a price I can afford. Thanks to Famous Footwear, I was able to find that and more. 

Now I understand why their tagline is “Victory is Yours.” 

There’s a mama challenge I was excited to win. 


Get Ahead of the Class for Back-to-School with $15 Giftcard from Just Between Friends Fort Worth!

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To-do Thursdays: 

Disclaimer: I was provided a gift card in exchange for writing this post. But my stories, my photos and my love of saving is all my own. 

I. cannot. believe. I. have. a. kindergardener. 

 (Give me a minute, a need to take a breather.) 

 That means it’s the start of 12 more years for him of back-to-school preparations – supplies, clothes, backpacks and getting back to a routine (that’s a lot to digest and even more to have to spend.) And of course, I’ve got a 2 year old little girl to go right behind him very soon!

Can you figure out which of these Ralph Lauren Polo items were consignment sale finds?
(All of them but the two on the left!) 


Thankfully, my mama taught me the value of a dollar, so since day one, I’ve been a huge fan of consignment sales to keep my kiddos dressed nice on our budget. I’ve even been told my daughter has the cutest clothes and most the time they are outfits I have purchased from a seasonal consignment sale. With just $100 I can get my kids suited up for a whole season plus a little more. And considering we like brand names, it’s a great way to stock up without paying full price! 

 While there are all kinds of consigment sales in Dallas-Fort Worth, the one that started it all was Just Between Friends and the one in Fort Worth is huge. They’ve things you wouldn’t even think you need, but the price is so good you buy it anyway. The upcoming JBF Fort Worth sale is August 31 – September 7, but goodness knows I need a reminder…

 Lucky for both of us, my friend/optimizer/tightwad Jill over at Real Life Notes has answered both our prayers with a handy calendar to keep us in line on DFW consigment sales this fall. (Isn’t she organized?)

 Since JBF is all about saving you money, they are making this year even sweeter by offering you a chance to win a $15 giftcard! That means you probably are getting $50-$60 worth of clothes for free just by entering.) 

So let’s get back-to-school this year with money already in our pocket! 

Flip Flops That Make Your Feet Fit

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Disclaimer: I received these products for purposes of this review. All comments expressed here are my own. 

It’s no secret I’d prefer to be barefoot to wearing shoes any day of the week. However, since it’s kinda gross to walk around like that most the time, I’m always on the lookout for shoes that are good to my feet and hopefully are fashionable to wear as well. 

So when one of my favorite pairs of summer sandals bit the big one the other day, I was almost in a panic. Then like a little FedEx fairy, a box arrived at my doorstep with new flip flops that claimed with every little step my butt, hips and thighs are doing reversed incline stretches while toning my muscles. So basically, I walk and and the worst parts of my body get a little more toned? So like any woman would, I tore the box open and put these babies on my feet immediately.
 


Developed by famed fitness icon Tony Little (you know the guy with the blonde ponytail exercising on the Gazelle trainer), his new footwear line appropriately named “Cheeks” is constructed with an inclined sole that imitates uphill walking. The shoes work by placing the body at a three-degree angle; most of the weight rests on the heels, thus promoting improved posture. 

I was able to wear these sandals every day, all day for going to work out, walking around Schlitterbahn, the grocery store – well everything. And because of the design, I could easily wear them with many outfits.  While I didn’t take my measuments before I began weating the shoes, I can tell you I could feel a little strain on my legs after I wore them for hours – just like I had been running up a hill. Success. 
 
 
And they have all kinds of styles too – from black, pink with some bling and even some interchangeable straps so you can coordinate your look by flipping it over! 
 
Starting at $24.95 this line is definitely worth a walk around the block. 
Available for purchase on HSN.com and TonyLittle.com. 
 
Anytime Dr. Oz makes a recommendation, we all come running and buying. And these sandals from Wellrox were high on his list for improving balance, better posture or just a more comfortable stride. So of course, I was quick to give these “bear claws” a try. 

By separating and providing individual thongs for each toe, Wellrox has developed “GRABS” technology, a revolutionary sandal that reduces the risk of slippage and enables a more surefooted gait. The GRABS™ technology offers added grip, relief, alignment, balance and support, so when spreading your toes, you’re redistributing your weight more evenly and begin using your proper foot muscles to walk as intended. This concept is well known throughout Yoga and wellness circles (yogitoes.)


These sandals bring much needed relief to your aching feet and leg muscles. You can wear them every day, or whenever you need recovery – before or after a workout or a Yoga session, or after a day of wearing constrictive shoes. You can even wear them for a pedicure. (At least they are much better than those throw-away shoes they give you at the pedi place!) 

You can buy these summer sandals at Macys.com and local Macy retailers. For more information, visit wellrox.com.

So now you have options to work out your feet and then give them a massage by just putting your shoes on!

Happy Walking!


Get $424 worth of beauty services for $99 at Facelogic Spa

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Me Mondays:

Fresh from my inbox – what a deal! For only $99, Facelogic Highland Park is offering the deal-of-the-year to get the following services for all one price:

  • Express Make Up Application
  • Express Signature Facial with Microdermabrasion
  • Airbrush Tan 
  • Brow Wax
  • Brow and Lash Tint
  • Image Skincare Vitamin C or Peel
  • 30 minute massage
  • Da Vinci Bleach Whitening
  • 10% off any regular period retail 


I love Facelogic…can you tell? Here are some great experiences I have had – and these are just the ones I wrote about! (The massages there are so incredible!)

Can Cookies Make You Lose Weight? The Magic Cookie Can
Save Those Leftovers: Make Your Skin Merry & Bright with Pumpkin and Yams


Call Facelogic Highland Park at 214-696-3223 to get your Beauty Pass before it’s gone! 

You’re Invited to Learn the Hottest Looks for Texas’ Hottest Season with Summer Style Soiree TONIGHT

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To-Do Thursdays:

While North Texans just changed out our winter wear for our tank tops and flip flops, it’ll be just as soon that those mercuries will reach the 100s. (Try to hold back the excitement.)
However there’s no excuse why you can’t look hot while you are hot – that’s where Jenny Davis, Indulge Magazine’s Fashion & Beauty Editor comes in. (Consider her your own Rachel Zoe.)
Tonight treat yourself to an evening of all things summer chic with a special preview of the season’s hottest fashions from Grand Prairie Premium Outlets®, including Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store (one of only two in Texas) and beauty trends from Daireds Salon & Spa Pangéa — all hand-selected by the fabulous fashion & beauty editor for Indulge Magazine,Jenny Davis. Enjoy a complimentary mini-service, VIP goodie bags, decadent treats, giveaways and much more.



I’ll see you there – if I can find something to wear…
Daireds Salon & Spa Pangéa Host Summer Style Soirée
Thursday, May 16, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Grand Prairie Premium Outlets®
2950 W. Interstate 20, Grand Prairie (Exit at Great Southwest Parkway)
Free (To secure your complimentary mini-service, please RSVP to guestservice@daireds.com. Spaces are limited. Choose from a mini manicure, chair massage or a makeup application.)
ABOUT DAIREDS SALON & SPA PANGÉA
Daireds Salon & Spa Pangéa is a luxury salon, spa and med spa located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The Daireds staff consists of the top trained beauty experts in hair, skin and nails — including several Vidal Sassoon trained stylists. Daireds has been featured in various local and national media outlets, and has an impressive celeb clientele list, including: Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Chris Bosh and his family, famous home-run hitter Jim Thome, baseball legend Nolan Ryan, as well as several Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys players. For more information, please visit www.daireds.com or www.facebook.com/daireds
ABOUT GRAND PRAIRIE PREMIUM OUTLETS®
Grand Prairie Premium Outlets®, which opened in August 2012, brings upscale outlet shopping to the area. With 110 stores, this shopper’s paradise offers an impressive collection of designer labels and leading brands at savings of 25% to 65% every day. One of its largest stores is Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store, which offers a range of apparel and accessories, including: women’s ready-to-wear, men’s, children’s, women’s shoes, fashion accessories, jewelry, handbags and intimate apparel. For more information, please visit http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=106.

Mama’s Prom Dress

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Want it Wednesdays: 

A few weeks ago I went Prom dress shopping with my neice. It was lots of fun, but I realized about half-way through zipping up her 304th dress choice, I never actually went prom dress shopping. While I was lucky to have a gifted and talented mother to create the prom dress of my dreams at the time (something that’s necessary when you have as boobs as big as mine at the time), I missed out a a rite of passage. 

Here’s the one my neice chose. So cute, but not for me.

Then I realized since I was married on the beach in Mexico, I didn’t go wedding dress shopping, but rather found several beach dresses online (it’s hard to find a white beach dress in December in store) then jetted off with much thought about my wedding dress. So that meant I didn’t have that “this is the dress” moment either. 

The whole moment-I-missed-a-moment made me kinda sad. 

So I decided to go prom dress shopping, but in the way that suits me now, that wasn’t  available back in the day when I was young – on the internet. 

Here are a few of my favorites. 




What do you think? 

Is there ever a moment now as a mom you would go back and redo if you could? 


Love Her Locks with Lucky Little Lolly {Giveaway}

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Want-it Wednesdays:

It’s no secret I love that I had a little girl and that I love to dress her up! Unfortunately, she doesn’t love bows right now, but when she finally let’s me get my hands on her ringlets, she will have a serious inventory to select from! The one I’m most excited about it the one from the amazing hands of Lucky Little Lolly. 

Photo credit: http://www.renmorrisonphotography.com
Made by local Dallas part-time stay-at-home mom, part-time law office manager/associate lawyer and full-time creative, Ashley Thomann didn’t search out to create a hair accessory business. Like many moms, after she had her little girl, she began crafting bows to style her daughter’s hair. When she received countless comments on her clips and bows, she realized she was on to something. Thus, Lucky Little Lolly was born. 

Photo credit: http://www.renmorrisonphotography.com

But a bow doesn’t begin to describe the accessories Ashley has created. Honestly, each one is a little piece of art (just check out the LLL shop on Etsy) using luxurious fabrics and materials to create flowers, fascinators and now even adult couture accessories. And she continues to share her creative genius with moms like myself who might need a lesson (or two) on how to create a boutique bow, she’s loaded up a tutorial on her blog!  

But her kindness doesn’t end there! 


One lucky reader is going to win a $20 gift card to Lucky Little Lolly. (And unfortunately, it can’t be me, but I let you donate it to me if you want to!) 


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