Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Sunscreen Defined.

Sunscreen (also known as sunblock) is a lotion, spray or other topical product that absorbs or reflects the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and protects the skin. Medical organizations such as the American Cancer Society recommend the use of sunscreen,[1] despite many epidemiological studies indicating an increased melanoma risk for the sunscreen user.
Sunscreens contain one or more UV filters of which there are three main types[10] :

Organic chemical compounds that absorbs ultraviolet light (such as oxybenzone)
Inorganic particulates that reflects, scatters, and absorbs UV light (such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide), or a combination of both.[clarify]
Organic particulates that mostly absorb light like organic chemical compounds, but contain multiple chromophores, may reflect and scatter a fraction of light like inorganic particulates, and behaves differently in formulations than organic chemical compounds.[clarify] An example is Tinosorb M.

I AM KICKING MYSELF BECAUSE I DIDN'T USE SUNSCREEN THE WHOLE WEEKEND. NOW I'M PAYING FOR IT.

Come summer we all want to be tan, but it's essentially not good for you. The sun damages the skin causing wrinkles and age spots. If you have the change like I did last year you should check out your skin in a skin booth. It has a black light and some to explain everything you see. I usually use a SPF location from Mary Kay daily, which is a good first step. I was told Summer or Winter you should always have sun screen on. So I'm off this week to find a mini bottle of sunscreen for my purse. I hate being sun burnt. Not only does it not feel good it's not good for you.

Monday, May 19, 2008

The weekend!

I have to start out by saying I had a great weekend! Even though I didn't feel the best, it couldn't of been better.

I had to miss my daughters swim class due scheduling a garage sale. My husband and daughter had a great time like usual. We usually go as a family. My daughter has learned to kick her feet, splash her hands, slide into the pool, and that wearing a life jacket is not comfortable, but safe!

At the garage sale my mom and I made about $250. We got rid of a lot of things we didn't need, which my husband was very excited about. I have to also point out. My mother the deal finder she is. Purchased 3 steal bar stools for $2.50, yes that is right. She works at a department store and always finds good deals. Well she bought them like most other things because they were cheap. She was able to sell 2 of them for $20/each and the last one for $10. Talk about making some $$.

The freeze over the weekend went well. My husband, daughter and I did splurged Sunday and went out to eat. We did use Fun money though. Which was a great time. My daughter loves to eat out and people watch. (Takes after her Mom.)

What made my weekend so good you ask?
I am a person who stresses easily, a neat freak, can't sit, and always has to be doing something or in most cases 3 things at once. I get this from my Father (I'm convinced.) So.... this weekend I tried to not worry about having everything in it's place, having dishes cleaned, toys picked up, clothing washed.... you get my point. I tried to simply relax. Part of the reason was because I was sick and didn't have much energy, but I thought to myself...., " It will not be the end of the world if I don't have these things done." Since working full time weekends is the only time I have to clean, do laundry and be with my family. Yes, I can spend time with them during the week, but not more then a few hours at a time. I really concentrated on Family this weekend. My daughter and I had a party on Saturday night. We had some much fun! Teddy, doggie, Teddy2, and a bunch of little people showed up. We dance for almost an hour to the Backyardigans and dressing up in many dresses. We were decked out in the coolest bracelets (plastic hearts and flowers), lays, snakes around out necks... If you weren't there you really missed out. I'll have to post a picture of my daughter at the party.

So my advice... take time for yourself, your family and if you don't clean-up right away, do laundry, etc. It's not the end of the World.

Life still goes on!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Stimulus Check

So the majority of us will be or have already received our Stimulus Checks.

I'm sure you have heard and are banking on receiving a certain amount. Here is a little bit of info on it.
The Internal Revenue Service announced that it will begin sending more than 130 million economic stimulus payments starting May 2. The initial round of weekly payments will be completed by early July.

My family is supposedly receiving $1500, $600 for me, $600 for my husband, and another $300 for my daughter. Do not count on this amount until you receive it. I have heard from many people who thought they would receive a set amount and it actually was lower. This is supposedly due to your 2008 takes. I'm not totally sure how it all works, but here is a link if you want more information. IRS

So I'm curious what you are going to do with your Stimulus check? Are you going to spend it? Save it? Get gift cards at a store like Sears who's offering a percentage more if you put all your stimulus towards their store?

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Lunch Time!

Before I got my new position I have to say that I ate out for lunch about 3-5 times a week. Yes! Usually most of the week.
Since starting my new job I have joined several fitness classes and have really been watching what I am eating.
*One reason is because I'm in a wedding this summer and I want to be fit.
*Another reason is because I want to be in good shape before I have another baby that way it will be easier to lose the baby weight.
*The over all reason is to live a healthy life style.

Since starting my new job I have eaten mostly salads w/ minimal dressing, wraps and some sandwiches. I have to say that I do feel better. Sometime eating chinese or greesy fried food just weighs you down. Sometimes you get so full you don't feel like doing anything, but napping. I usually bring my own lunchs. On occation I'll pick something up for our cafe, which is AWESOME! I have to say that I have saved a lot of money. Previously I have spent around $30 or more a week eating out. Just think how much can add up to over a year, not to mentioned it's healthier then eating out. The hardest thing is to disapline yourself, at least that is what I find.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Weekend Freeze

So we got through a week and weekend of the Freeze and I have to say it wasn't bad. Although I did have a hard time not wanting to go bumming and shopping. This is my downfall. I like to get out of the house on the weekend with my husband and daughter and look for decor items for our house. This weekend we spent time with my Granada and visiting friends from out of town. Instead of ordering food we grilled out, which saved on $$. I did end up going out Saturday night with my friend. We'll call her J. We were not planning on going out, but did and had a blast. It was an expensive and an even more expensive cab right home. It cost $22 to get home! Even though it was pricey it was must better then us driving. We got some free drinks, so we saved money there too. All in all we did not go over budget this weekend we were actually under.
Now we have more money to put in our Money Market for out Kitchen remodel.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Freeze

What is a Freeze? (My husband and my definition anyway)

It's a spending Freeze. You do not spend unnecessary money on items you do not need. You only spend what is in your budget. Be it bills, a wedding, Birthday gift or anything else for that month. You budget for those items and only those items that are necessary.

We have realized that we tend to purchase items we do not need. I probably am the majority here. We are in the process of De-cluttering and being more conscious of what we spend. There are also many things we want like remodeling our kitchen, new appliances, a fence in the back yard, lets just say many Large $$ projects. So hopefully by doing a monthly freeze every once in awhile we will save enough money to complete these projects sooner than later.

I first learned of the Freezies (what those who freeze call themselves) from www.thenest.com. These girls post how their weekend spending was the following week. Things to do to spend less on weekend activities, it's really quit impressive. Not only does it help you save money.

It will get you back to spending more time with the people you care about most, Family and Friends.

One week into the Freeze has not been too bad. It's something that you have to remind youself of though. I would spend money without thinking before.

Example:
Get gas, pickup some snacks something to drink, gum or whatever.
Now just fill up my vehical with gas and get out!

Kicking my Butt!

So I have finally decided that I need to go out and do something for myself. Since having my daughter getting personal time for myself was getting groceries. Don't get me wrong anyone who knows me well knows that I love to go grocery shopping. I usually take my iPod with me and zone out listening to tunes.

So this week I have signed up for 3 fitness classes. Yes, 3! I am taking two Total Body Fitness classes after work and one Restorative Yoga class during one of my lunch breaks. I have to say the Monday night Total Body Fitness class kicked my butt. I was so sore that night that it woke me up in my sleep. I can honestly say I'm still sore today. I guess that is a good thing though... the work out WORKED!

I think this is something most women put off. Doing something alone. We tend to take care of our husbands and children and forget about what we need for ourselves. It's been over a year since I have said I need a hobby. I need to go out and do something myself. Now a year later I'm acting on it.

Try taking a class, exercising, or just going out for coffee and read a book. Everyone Male or Female needs to partake in something they enjoy!!

Friday, May 2, 2008

Organic Wear 100% Natural Makeup


A few weeks ago I need to purchase some new make up products. I don't tend to wear much makeup, but a little. I like the natural look. I have been loyal to Clinique for years. There bonus buy always gets me.
I was reading one of my magazines and noticed an add for Organic Wear. There were some great reviews for their products online so I decided to give it a try. I purchased a Bronse powder and blush. I have to say that I love the make up. It looks natural and is light. The thing that was hard to get use to at first was the smell. I can't describe it. It wasn't bad, just different then what I was normally using.
I highly recommend Organic Wear makeup and will continue to use it. It's also nice that they have a mirror at the bottom of the container that also contains a little brush. The price is higher then most makeup. I think it was around $8-9 for each the Bronse and powder.

Click here for more Organic Wear Products