Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Things I Swear By

You can imagine, with a preschooler and a newborn (and functioning as a single parent until we get back to Brazil - passport/visa issues = ugh), I don't get much of a chance to enjoy the so-called "finer" things in life. Not that I don't consider these challenging days memorable and precious, I certainly do.
I think any Mom, new or not, or any busy woman for that matter, learns to appreciate life's small luxuries. Over the past two months, these have provided me something resembling Calgon moments...
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I had seen the ads for the Moroccan Oil products, but didn't pay them much heed, until my colorist suggested them at my last appointment. Their claim to fame being the proprietary Argan oil used in the products to make your hair soft, silky, and manageable - without making it greasy. Read more of the PR here. I don't know about all that jazz, but I DO know it cuts my dry time in half, as my stylist promised it would, makes my hair feel amazing, oh, and the scent is freakin' DEE-VINE. Worth the salon price - trust.

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Next up: my Clarisonic face scrubber doo-dad. I used the sonic toothbrush when it came out, and figured if this thing cleaned my face like the toothbrush did my teeth, I'd be impressed. Well, impressed I am. Noticeably smoother skin. Noticeably smaller pores. Nice little mini-facial experience when I use it in the shower. I use the travel-friendly Mia, and am thinking about pairing it up with the oh-so-touted Wonderbar I keep hearing about.

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The Reebok Easytone flip flop. These dear friends suffered under the weight of my pregnancy, and still have a bounce in their step. I don't know what they're doing in the tone department of my quads and buttocks, but they're certainly not making them flabbier. Yes, I do have a white trash tan on my feet because I absolutely LIVE in them. I don't care - they rock my world.

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Breastfeeding. OK, I KNOW this won't apply to many of you. I'm no La Leche sista, but I am very pro-BF. If you can do it, and want to do it, you should. It is Mother Nature's best weight loss plan, and of course, the ultimate (free, btw) Superfood. For me, it provides a moment of respite and quiet (well, at least when Avery isn't crawling all over us!) If you could package the feel-good hormones that come from nursing, you'd have the ultimate anti-depressant. It's helping me keep my sanity, fo sho!

20 comments:

Anna @ IHOD said...

I am so happy to hear about the Morrocan Oil-I have been dying to try it!

spark! (Ada-Marie) said...

Alison, I must try the Morrocan Oil products. I am in the market for some new shampoo/condish. Congratulations on the BF'ing. I agree, it's such a mood lifter and so good for bebe!

Unknown said...

great recommendations!! i am in love with my clarisonic. i've referred so many people to get them. life changing.

And i love your breast feeding comments. That's so needed in today's mommies.

Jen of MadeByGirl said...

VERY right about Morrocan Oil..I;ve used it for a few years now...LOVE it! :)

www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com

Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

I NEED to try morrocan Oil!!!

Celeste said...

I definitely will be looking into the Moroccan Oil. Nothing can straighten my hair in the summer for long, but at least this might cut down my blowdryer time!

Anonymous said...

I love Moroccan Oil! It smells amazing and my hair feels better than ever...

Meadows08 said...

LOVE my Morrocan Oil...it smells so incredible!

I swear my Easy-tones work! I have the flip-flops and the trainers for the gym. Every little bit helps!

I am a former breast feeder...nature's own convenient baby food!

Averill said...

Oooh I love beauty product tips -- I'll have to check these products out!

Blondie's Journal said...

I flipped when I saw your post! My daughter brought some of the Morrocan Hair Spray home from the salon and the scent of it is good enough to be perfume! I love it. Now I have to try the shampoo. I'll be on the look out for those sandals, too.

Great to hear that you are breast feeding. I did with both of my girls and everything you said is so true. I really believe it is a mood lifter!

Hope everything is going well. You sound so happy! :-)

xoxo
Jane

Trish said...

Thanks for sharing....I think it would be great if one birthday all my friends just gave me baskets of their favorite things a la Oprah!

Okay, must try Morrocan Oil! Anything to cut drying time down. Doesn't it stink to blow dry in summer - you end up totally soaking wet even with central air!

As for BFing - I totally remember the high, even though my twins are six now!

anita said...

i've been meaning to try morrocan oil for a long time. is it really that good?
i love the picture of you nursing. you look so serene.

JMW said...

I may have to try that hair product - thanks for recommendation! Hope you and the kiddos are doing well.

R. J. and Heather said...

I just ordered my moroccan oil products today. Woo-hoo! Hope you can enjoy the finer things soon enough.

Clarisonic said...

Thanks so much for your mention of Clarisonic on your beautiful blog! If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@clarisonic.com or even on Facebook (facebook.com/Clarisonic) and Twitter (@Clarisonic) as getting to a phone may be a bit harder for you!

Thanks again and keep up the wonderful work- your photos and writing are absolutely stunning!

The Glam Lamb said...

i use just the oil that you use after you wash it while its still wet and I LOvE IT!! i will have to now try the shampoo and conditioner.

www.theglamlamb.blogspot.com

Lindsey E. said...

So many goodies...need to get on all of them!

Michelle said...

Great list. I love the BF not, when I do have kids, I am already looking forward to BF!

my favorite and my best said...

love this alison..
first off...i too love the moroccan hair oil wonder shit. haven't used the shampoo or conditioner. just the oil. but i am def going to give it a go when my pureology (LOVE) is gone.

i breast fed fiona for 3 years.
i loved every minute of it. didn't want to stop. but she was ready. so i did. i get veeeeery nostalgic about it...it is a heavenly experience. the closest i have been to god in my whole life.

Jess said...

could not agree more my dear! BF is the best!