All Hail the Queen

I've had my share of high end and low end masks and nothing quite does it for my skin like the Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask, especially when my skin goes haywire on me. A staple in my beauty arsenal since junior high, this mask never gets old for me.

With the changing of the seasons, my skin gets out of whack and I experience some interesting breakouts, but the ingredients in this mask dry up any breakouts, keeps my skin free of blackheads and helps shrink the large pores on my nose.

Simply apply Mint Julep Masque to your face and neck. Within minutes it firms and hardens, as its suction action draws out waste matter from the pores. Minutes later, rinse the masque away with warm water and a washcloth. Your skin will feel clean and refreshed!

Even for people who are fortunately free of skin problems, Mint Julep Masque is a refreshing facial treatment that relaxes tired muscles and eases tension lines on the face and neck.

Sometimes I add a little tea tree oil of Jojoba oil for added benefits.

At $4.99 or less for a huge 12 oz. jar the Mint Julep Mask is a great emergency mask at a great price. Available at Sally's Beauty Supply.

Taking Care of Yourself is Always Bella

Recently, after putting it off for about a year, I stopped into my doctor's office for a full physical. I hadn't had a real full physical since high school cheerleading, just my annual PAP Test.

I figured with my 30th birthday looming and my plans to start a family in the near future, it was probably a good idea to make sure everything was working properly.

well, I am glad I went because I found out that I have a low thyroid function, known as hypothyroidism. symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

Increased sensitivity to cold
Constipation
Pale, dry skin
A puffy face
Hoarse voice
An elevated blood cholesterol level
Unexplained weight gain
Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
Muscle weakness
Heavier than normal menstrual periods
Depression

I had been dealing with a few of these symptoms for about a year now and wondering what gives. I am so glad that I got that physical. Now with a combination of medication and things I have learned in The Thyroid Solution by Dr. Ridha Arem, I am now on my way to improving my condition.

Too often we as women, with all the roles we play; as wives, girlfriends, mothers, and all around superwomen; forget to take the time out to take care of ourselves. But if we don't take care of ourselves, who will?

The next time your planning your week, your month, or your year, take some time to put "ME" on your schedule and get a physical...you might learn something that could save your health and possibly your life.

Ciao!

The Little Things That Make Life Bella

Here's to the little things that make life bella. For me, it's waking up in the morning and falling asleep at night next to the man I have loved for over a decade, it's burying myself in a good book, it's opening a package from Sephora and trying out all my new beauty goodies, it's phone marathons with my girlfriends Lacresia, Shemika, and Canella, it's the laughter of my neices, the deep love I share with my mother and sisters, it's working up a good swaet at the gym and knowing I am doing my body a world of good...it's loving and being loved in return.

Take a little time to celebrate the little things in your life that make it BELLA!

Ciao!

Living La Bella Vita

One day I woke up, tired of going through life without really "showing up," it was at that point that I decided that I would live my life beautiful, explore new things, revisit old loves, basically make every day count. That's where this blog comes in.

This blog is my personal manifesto to living a beautiful life. It has nothing to do with my social status or how much money I make or even what I have or don't have. It is all about life, love and the pursuit of happiness and all the ups and downs in between.

It is my ode to living life to its fullest and navigating my beautiful life with style and flair. It is aimed at all women currently living la bella vita or wanting to live la bella vita.

My entries will focus on beauty, fashion, style, travel, lifestyle, arts, home and entertainment and all things that make life Bella. I will also post "Adventures in Married Land". Personal tales of the beautiful life journey I am on with my husband.

Living a beautiful life doesn't mean living a perfect life, but realizing the amazing things in your everyday life that make it, well...beautiful. Join me on this journey!

Ciao!