Operation Vanity Insanity

I suppose I am choosing the wrong words to describe this challenge, but it is all about me. I have been so tired with traveling, insomnia, anemia (I just found out that I am dancing between moderate and severe), & any other things that develop that I have been getting increasingly sloppy. Whether it be with things I love like making videos for this blog or doing things for myself, I have become a slacker. I mean I am still presentable, but I was thinking to myself... when is the last time I used a body scrub, or shaved (not just quick trims here and there), or sometimes I have even been skipping lotion after the shower. That is so not cool because I can go from classy to ashy like that *snap*.

I know we have all been there, but the sooner we wake ourselves out of a rut, the less damage and catch up we have to deal with later. It is Tuesday and my first real off day in a while, whether it be work or personal, so this day is about relaxing (did do a 4 mile run today along with some light strength training).

Starting tomorrow and going thru till my birthday Nov 2nd, I am implementing the following:

1. If I have chipped polish on the mani or pedi it will be rectified ASAP! I just got a mani in Milan and have 1 chip on 1 nail. Same with the chip on my right big toe. It is all coming off and getting redone tomorrow. I anticipate that I will probably be doing a mani pedi once a week and add 1 polish change to the nails per week (of course, toes need polish refreshing less often).

2. I will get in a MINIMUM of 20 miles per week along with at least 2 days MINIMUM of strength training.

3. My diet is simple.... 70% good for you food, 30% treats. I do realize that 30% is a lot for most people but this is where I can comfortably maintain my eating for life. So if my intake for the day is 1500 calories, then 450 of them can be any treat that I want. 70% is the minimum that I am willing to accept for healthy eating. If I have better days then good on me!

4. I will do a full body scrub once a week MINIMUM. Any more than that is just a bonus to great smooth skin. I will not skip moisturizing after my shower anymore. Its getting cooler and a little drier so I am thinking of using raw unrefined shea butter (this is the kind i use for everything) until it runs out. I may then try out baby oil gel.

5. I will Nair at least once a week all parts that need it and then spot shave at a MINIMUM of every other day.

6. I will deep condition my hair at least once a week. I have gotten so lazy about my hair it's pathetic. I only deep conditioned my hair once in the last 6 weeks or so. That's horrible. So from now on MINIMUM of once a week.

7. I have a closet of fabulous clothes but none of them are casual chic. If I go out to the club or a hot date I would be fierce. My everyday wear is more of the flats or comfortable platform heels, jeans, and a henley tee. Sorta like Gap without flair. I want more. I believe there is a way to be casual chic without being exceedingly plain. Even though I like that hot little black dress, my life is ordinary most of the time and my challenge has been finding cute ordinary clothes. I can't lie, Milan was a bit of an inspiration. You would see beautiful women and say "I have those same clothes" "Why do I look so frumpy?" "Oh wait, maybe it's because I was lazy and chose these too long jeans that drag the ground, some flats, and a non-descript black tee...boring!"

I am lazy about getting my pants hemmed even though I am shorter than the average inseam length. I am lazy about wearing my accessories even though I have tons. Basically I need to step it up a notch.

***And that is basically the gist of my challenge to myself for the next 2 or so weeks. I have penciled it all in my planner as appointments with myself. You are all welcome to join me or share your thoughts about the challenge or grooming tips.

This stems from the fact that I made a promise to myself 2 years ago that when I turned 30 I would have fabulous hair, be in fabulous shape, be eating right, and really look polished and put together.

The hair can be there, it just needs a little work. I do think I need to learn how to do more styles besides braidouts, buns and flatirons though. I think I am in good shape even though sometimes I get lazy. My diet is always a source of contention, although if I compare over the past 10 years, it is definately gotten better as the years progress. The polished look... I have the potential to look polished if I want to "dress up" but my "dressing down" still needs a lot of work. I want to look cute going to the grocery store too.

any thoughts or suggestions?

Midyear checkup: Lets revisit my 2009 beauty goals

updates in bold print

• workout at least 150 minutes a week (including at least 2 wt training sessions) for the most part i do this or more than this. there have been a few weeks where it has slacked off though
  
• get my skincare really under control starting to get there
  
• eat healthier, i think i will start more with introducing more veggies etc than eliminating stuff i like then go from there work in progress but i am still aware of this and have made some better choices but still not over the sugar
  
• get the right makeup tools, i am still overblending because my blending brush (224) is TOO big the 219 and the 226 have been my friend. i am learning how to do this finally
  
• use more variety. i have been doing good with my eyeshadows but not my lipglosses yes, i try to use more lipsticks and lipglosses, like a new one every day or at least every week
  
• if the clothes dont fit well or i don't love em, i aint buying em i had a few lapses, or more than a few, but i am revisiting and my last few pieces over the last 2 months have been loves, hopefully i keep it up
  
• a few more basics so i look cute when i am just throwing stuff on. or better yet... ACTUALLY PUTTING SOME THOUGHT INTO WHAT I THROW ON big fat fail, its not too late though
  
• get a simple vitamin regimen started (i take flintstones but i may want to add one to two more thing) yep, i take a multi vitamin, probiotics and digestive enzymes, and flaxseed oil, melatonin for sleep
  
• deep condition my hair at least once a week (i have gotten lazy the longer it gets) big fat fail, its not too late though. this past month i have been doing it though

how are you ladies doing with any resolutions or goals you have set for 2009?

its about halfway over so its not too late!

Best Of.....

almost all of us bloggers are doing it (at least reflecting on 2008 on most beauty and financial blogs I frequent) so here are my picks

Hair

• Best Shampoo/Conditioner- Aveda Smooth Infusion Line
• Best deep conditioner- Bioinfusion Olive Oil deep conditioner
• Best moisturizer- Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-in
• Dry Scalp remedy- 100% Pure Shea Butter
  

Face

• the Clinique #4 three step system has done wonders for my face
• Exfoliant- Clinique 7 day rinse off scrub
• Fade Cream- Clinique even better skintone corrector
• Chemical Exfoliant- Clinique turnaround concentrate
• Mask- Clinique 15min turnaround mask
• Dry Patch remover- 100% pure shea butter
• Acne remedy- Lab Series Acne treatment gel
  

Body

• Body Wash- Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom
• Scrubs- tie between Clinique sparkle skin and Giovanni Hot Chocolate Scrub
• Lotion/Moisturizer- 100% pure shea butter or vaseline (yes I am ashy)
• Hair remover- Good Ole Nair
  

Makeup

• Foundation- Revlon Colorstay in Caramel
• Powder- MAC MSF in Dark
• Lips- MAC Chestnut lip pencil, MAC 3N lipglass
• Eyeshadow- MAC Spiced Chocolate Quad
• Eyeliner- Revlon Colorstay liquid liner
• Mascara- Givenchy Phenom.....
• Eyeshadow base- Too Faced Shadow Insurance
• Brows- MAC Spiked brow pencil, Revlon Tweezers
  
• Concealer- YSL Touche Eclat
• Primer- MAC prep and prime face spf 50
• Nails (in this order)- Pure Acetone, Essie Crystal File, Sally Hansen Cuticle remover(the blue one), OPI Hollywood Blonde, Revlon Colorstay sealant, Poshe quick dry topcoat
• Brushes- if you want to spend about $20-30 per brush MAC, If you want to spend about $10 per brush Sonia Kashuk is awesome, and if you want to spend about $5 per brush Essence of Beauty (I love all 3 of these brands, mac offers more variety if you want to get more advanced though)
  

And now... What are your beauty resolutions for 2009? Here are mine

• workout at least 150 minutes a week (including at least 2 wt training sessions)
• get my skincare really under control
• eat healthier, i think i will start more with introducing more veggies etc than eliminating stuff i like then go from there
• get the right makeup tools, i am still overblending because my blending brush (224) is TOO big
• use more variety. i have been doing good with my eyeshadows but not my lipglosses
• if the clothes dont fit well or i don't love em, i aint buying em
• a few more basics so i look cute when i am just throwing stuff on. or better yet... ACTUALLY PUTTING SOME THOUGHT INTO WHAT I THROW ON
• get a simple vitamin regimen started (i take flintstones but i may want to add one to two more thing)
• deep condition my hair at least once a week (i have gotten lazy the longer it gets)