Happy Birthday to....ME!

 

 

Today marks the day I turn....wait for it.....29! As I enter into the last year of my 20's I feel grateful, hopeful, and excited for my future endeavors. This year has been a learning experience for me in many ways, and I can see growth in myself daily. So, without getting too sappy, here's the list of items I'd like to see wrapped in a pretty pink bow this year (hint,hint)! Cheers to eating cake for breakfast, drinking champagne, & dancing on the tables!

 

xo,

Annabelle

 
 

 

Kate Spade Coffee Cup: $20.00

katespade.com

 

 

Bobbi Brown "Old Hollywood" Eye Pallette: $75.00

Nordstrom.com

 

 

Lilly Lashes in "Istanbul": $8.99

lillylashes.com

 

 

Nars 'Guy Bourdin - Crime of Passion' Eye, Cheek & Lip Palette (Limited Edition): $59.00

nordstrom.com

 

 

Yves Saint Laurent 'Rouge Pur Couture - Vernis a Levres' Glossy Stain in "Fuchsia Dore: $34.00

nordstrom.com

 

Photo compliments of Nordstrom.com, and katespade.com

 

Skinny Eats features "sofreshNsogreen"

It’s Wrinkle-Free Wednesday, and I am featuring the first amazing dish from the lovely and talented Miss Lauren Kron from sofreshnsogreen.com . Lauren is a Seattle-based, vegan blogger with lots of crafty and delicious ideas. Her first featured plate includes very in-season sweet potatoes, avocados, and black beans. Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene, which converts to Vitamin A in your body. This process helps the skin to shed old cells, and to produce new ones. Avocados, known as mother nature’s moisturizer, are full of Vitamin E. Vitamin E aids in replenishing the skin’s natural barrier, while also giving you a healthy glow. So munch on, Skinnies! This power house will pack-a-punch to your taste buds! Not to mention, you’ll scream “Skinny” from the inside out, and that’s just down-right sexy. 

So without further ado, meet Lauren! 

xo, 

Annabelle

recipe: http://sofreshnsogreen.com/2013/05/17/sweet-potato-and-black-bean-tacos/

Hello beauties!

I am the vegan, gluten-free blogger of sofreshNsogreen, a site dedicated to providing you sexy veg-heads with delicious recipes along with tips n' tricks to help you look and feel your very best.

After years of experiencing various health and digestive issues I decided to cut the crap out of my diet (gluten, dairy, meat and processed foods) and focus on a whole, plant-based diet rich in vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients. I immediately began to feel and look better, with my body returning back to it's natural, healthy state. I developed a fierce passion for veganism and cooking seasonal, organic and seriously tasty eats .

This passion led me to create sofreshNsofreen as a way to share my story, ideas and inspiration on how to live life healthily, happily and deliciously (no dieting or deprivation allowed).

So please read on, veg out and have some fun with it!

-Lauren

sofreshnsogreen.com

Skinny Eats!- Take 1.

I’m so excited to introduce a new feature that we will be adding to the blog- Skinny Eats! As important as topical ingredients are for your skin, just as important are the foods that you put into your body. I’ll be teaming up with a phenomenal blogger < intro coming soon> that will be crafting all types of recipes to benefit you and your bangin’ bod- did I mention she’s also a vegan? To start of this segment, and my day I enjoyed a delicious breakfast of greek yogurt, fresh blueberries, and chia seeds. Although this concoction was not vegan, it was delicious! Greek yogurt is packed with protein (almost double the amount of regular yogurt), and helps to keep the skin firm which in turn prevents wrinkles. I added a side of blueberries to provide some antioxidant protection which help with premature aging. Lastly, I sprinkled this little delight of a dish with chia seeds. Chia seeds have a long list of benefits, one of which is it’s omega-3 fatty acid content. Omega-3 acids help to strengthen your skin cell membranes’ barriers, which will allow water to enter, while keeping the toxins out. Quick, nutritious, and delicious! Happy Hump Day.

xo, 

Annabelle

Chemical Peels for Skin Health

If you’ve never had a chemical peel, the first thought of one can seem very scary, and even overwhelming. The truth is, like most products, not all are created equal. After working for and with PCA Skin for many years, I have complete faith and trust in this amazing line. PCA Skin’s philosophy on peels is that “healthy skin is beautiful skin” and that is starting at the cellular level. These modified jessner and tca peels provide minimal flaking and peeling (if any) that deliver fantastic results. The most wonderful thing about these peels is that there are treatments for virtually any skin type, and condition- including hyperpigmentation, aging, acne, and even rosacea. One of my favorite myths about receiving a chemical peel is that you’re going to end up looking like Samantha from our favorite show “Sex and The City”. Although hilarious, this image is not at all accurate for all types of chemical peels. The skin has many layers, and depending how deep into the skin you go the more aggressive and “raw” your skin will become. PCA Skin chemical peels are all going to effect just the top, superficial layer of the skin (the epidermis), which again, will leave your skin with minimal flaking and peeling. I highly recommend peels to individuals with aggravating skin conditions, and healthy skin alike. Our skin naturally exfoliates its cells, but needs assistance with this- especially as we age and are presented with challenging skin conditions.

Please contact me directly to schedule a peel as I am happy to provide you with one of these customizable, safe, and amazing treatments that will leave you glowing- and just in time for the holidays! Peel parties are also available for groups of friends/family. Questions, and inquires can also be sent to me directly at TheSkinny1122@gmail.com . 

xo, Annabelle

Retin-All You Need

Retinols, retin-as, retinoids- what does it all mean? When it comes to your skin, and keeping it as healthy, glowing, and ageless as possible- one of these vitamin a derivatives is crucial. Our skin cells naturally turn over to allow new skin cells to rise to the surface giving us a youthful appearance. As we age, this process slows down, and our skin needs a little bit of help with this. On average, your skin cells turn over at the same rate as your age. For example, when we are 8, our skin cells turn over about every 8 days, when we are 30, the average is about every 30 days, and continues to increase (lovely!). Mechanical and chemical exfoliants (vitamin A products, and scrubs) will aid the skin in doing this safely, while giving them the boost that they need. Applying a Vitamin-A product at least 2-3 times weekly can also greatly improve the skin’s elasticity, hyperpigmentation, collagen levels, in addition to treating blackheads and acne. Something to note about retinols is that they are to be used at night only. Exposing skin to sunlight/UV rays while wearing this ingredient can cause damage by subjecting it to free radicals and in turn causing additional hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancer. Vitamin-A derivitives are also known to be irritating and cause redness, flaking, and itching. This is a side effect that is only experienced by some, and can be worked through after a tolerance is built. My advice would be to start using this product 2-3 times per week, and eventually work your way up to using it every night (some people are never able to use a Vitamin-A product every night because it is too stimulating). My retinol of choice is made by PCA Skin and is called the Intensive Age Refining Pure Retinol .5% (Featured in Vogue Magazine, and Redbook’s 2012 MVP winner). Its gentle, yet effective ingredients are both hydrating and soothing, while diminishing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. For more information on this amazing product visit pcaskin.com , or contact me directly @ TheSkinny1122@gmail.com . 

xo,

A

Photo Credit: Pinterest, and pcaskin.com