This is fun. I have to say, I also bought the Clinique Even Better Foundation because the ads said it would fade spots (ugh, I have such sun spots) and I found it too drying for my skin -- and I don't really have dry skin -- and sorry to say, didn't fade any spots for me.

I discovered Dior Show mascara. Love it. Am about to get more. One of my New Year's resolutions is to wear mascara every day! I am lazy about makeup but mascara really makes a difference. Finally at age 46 I'm realizing that a little more effort is needed... sigh.

Another thing I've discovered in my old age is that it's worth paying a little more for good undies! I discovered Victoria's Secret panties with the "no seam" design and love them. Nothing exotic -- just plain old solid color undies! But they make me happy. :)

Chobani yogurt. OMG, I'm addicted to this stuff. Especially the pineapple. It's adding to my grocery bill because DH and I both love it, but it's such a treat compared to regular ol' yogurt.

St. John's Wort. Makes me just a little less cranky.

Massages! I had a horrific experience with TMJ early in 2010 and found a massage therapist who "cured" me (well, the dentist helped a bit with a mouth guard too). She taught me that the TMJ came from my tense shoulders/neck and now, when I feel that tightness creep in, I make an appointment with her before it gets too bad. I used to think of massage as a luxury, but now I think of it as maintenance!

Sueb- I am with you on the Chobani, pineapple is my favorite too. DH will run to the store if we are out of it.

Flat Boots! I've been wearing heels for years, and I don't think I can ever go back.

Swiffer Wet Jet: I have 3 kids, it makes clean up so much easier.

Lavendar scented epsom salt: I work on my feet, long shifts, feels good to just sit at the end of my tub and soak my feet with a magazine, even if it's only for like 5 minutes.

Swimming: The best exercise ever!! I never formally learned how to swim, and I took group lessons starting last March. Being in the water is so relaxing, and I've found muscles in my arms I never knew existed. I even completed and ocean swim triathlon last summer, in rough surf!

I joined a chorus in September and just love it. I have wanted to sing for a long time and DH has been pushing me....he is the musician in the family and he has always told people I have a better ear than his. My new neighbor across the street is a long-time member and she invited me to come see at the beginning of the season. The rest is history.

I am also getting regular haircuts. I used to just wait until it looked bad to call the salon and then I'd have to wait a couple more weeks to get an appointment with my guy. This year, I decided I needed my hair to look good all the time because I am in business for myself and can't risk looking wonky with a new client.

I recently bought Origins Vitazing tinted moisturizer. I am on the fence still, but it is interesting stuff. It comes out of the tube white and changes color hen you rub it in. The color feels a bit too tan for winter and I am afraid it will be too moisturizing once I am a bit tanner. We'll see.

I started using Cover Girl Last Blast at my daughter's behest. I liked the first couple tubes, but I am over it. Ready to go back to my old old stand-by L'oreal Lashout.

I found out about Japanese wash cloths on makeupalley.com. They are made of a scrubby nylon type material, and are long enough to grab both ends and scrub your back. They dry out a lot faster than poufs, and are more exfoliating.

Here is a link that might be useful: Salux washcloth on Amazon

Ideefixe recommended Armani foundation and it's the best I've ever tried.

Brazillian blowout. I can't believe myself. Straight, shiny hair after a lifetime of the opposite. I love getting up in the morning to hair that still looks pretty good. The sleek appearance changes Which is great, cuz I'm still curly on the inside.

Still using Perricone. It's really the best for the lazy person. Day, night, it's all cosmeceutical. This year I added wrinkle serum.

Went through a spate of shellac nails last summer. Those were good. (They are a soak off fake nail that don't require destruction of your natural nail and are thinner.)

Knee length dresses with stretch bodices over leggings.

"The sleek appearance changes the first impression I give.."

And I have dark hair that is going gray mostly at the temples. They kept putting dark masks all over my whole head to cover the gray, and it was getting awfully witchy. The new BB stylist (at Macy's of all places) gave me highlights that mimic the gray and spread it around my crown so I finally have the salt and pepper look. I just love the effect and I don't know why it took so many different stylists before somebody got it.

I feel like I finally now have a method to fade gradually like you're supposed to do as you age. To be an old lady with a black head and constantly emerging gray temples was not my goal.

re: Armani foundation, which one ? there are quite a few !!

Face fabric second skin nude makeup spf 12.

Oh, and his eyeliner pencil. I hadn't been able to use any because I could find one soft enough to not make those zig zags on my poor fragile old lids. The liner goes on smoothly and can be controlled to go on very thin and very subtle. I love eyeliner now. Again, it's a good lazy woman makeup because it comes off much more easily than mascara and if you don't remove it it doesn't punish you by flaking into your poor, dry eyes.

The lipstick is nice too. I keep meaning to get a lip brush. This lipstick looks much better when applied with a brush like paint, rather than rubbed on from the tube.

BTW, does today's lip stain dry out your lips? I tried one in the old days and couldn't stand it.

I'd love to try the Brazilian Blow out, but at about $250 the price is a bit too steep for me. I would especially like to have one before we go to Mexico in a couple of months. I can't do anything with my hair in the humidity there.

I have a funny story about "Brazilians". One of my best friends at work goes to the same hairdresser I do. She told me that she had just been to the salon and our stylist was talking about the Brazilian she had just done on her cousin. I know that our stylist also does waxing, so that's what was in my mind. My friend then told me that she showed her before and after pictures, and how amazing she looked! It took me a few minutes of shocked silence before I realized that she was talking about hair straightening, and not waxing "down there".

Too funny Terriks.

I had the Brazilian done in July and my hair is still smooth. To be fair, my hair isn't course and I use the products and I don't wash my hair more than a couple of times a week.

If you do go for it, do it soon because you will be very flat at first and that's a little strange when you're not used to it; the only time I'd experienced that kind of flatness was when my hair was wet or very dirty. You'd want to be fluffed back up a little for your trip.
It's just so amazing to get up in the morning and not be all bent out of shape.

Hmm, I may need to ask my stylist about it again. I know that she has tried a couple of different products - the first one was very toxic smelling, and I've read that there are some Brazilian Blow out products that have been taken off the market because they contain formaldehyde. Apparently she has one that she likes now. I would be happy just to have my bangs done. They aren't short, but when the humidity hits they shrink up and look riduculous.

1) wearing scrubs to work every day. Reducing everyday wardrobe. Reverting to the "uniform" of Catholic School, in a sense. If I have to worry less about the amount of wardrobe, I can have a better one.

2) having a pair of pristine "absolutely never worn outside" shoes at three of my workplaces (working on this one).

3) "turtleneck" sleepcaps (like a balaclava or open ski mask), and "comfort" sleepcaps from Wittmann Textiles. These are originally for people who have had chemotherapy and for wear under military helmets, but I like to have my head covered when I sleep, and a regular cap or pulling the covers over is sometimes way too much. These are really thin cotton.

4) wearing foam earplugs in noisy places like the subway and other public transportation areas where people are screaming into their cellphones, the gym with loud music, or where there is industrial or occupational noise. You can still hear people talk to you, and be aware of surroundings but it is a buffer. I have hyperacuity so it has improved my mood.

thanks for the info, Jamies; I'll look for it when I'm at the mall.

Good balsamic vinegar--I started making my own vinaigrette salad dressing awhile ago, but recently opened up a bottle of very expensive BV that a friend gave me long ago. I cannot believe the difference it makes to use that instead of my previous grocery store bargain brands!

Agave nectar - went to a lecture on cancer prevention last year and the doctor mentioned this as the best sweetener. It has a much lower glycemic index. The doc also talked about how sugar facilitates inflammation, which can impact cellular function and mutation. I switched and the nectar has eliminated the 'sugar high then crash I used to feel in the mornings. I use it in my coffee and oatmeal. Good stuff.

Runninginplace, I love a great balsamic vinegar! Actually, Costco's brand is very good. Agave nectar is my sweetener of choice as well. I make the best balsamic vinegar reduction sauce with Agave nectar and fresh rosemary.

I have discovered that getting my hair professionally colored is worth the money.
A packet of 'sweet-n-low' mixed into hair color prevents an allergic reaction.

"I make the best balsamic vinegar reduction sauce with Agave nectar and fresh rosemary."

Apologies for a slight hijacking but could you share that recipe golddust??? Sounds yummy.

Ann

It's easy, trailrunner. There isn't a recipe. I just put some balsamic vinegar in a saucepan, add a sprig of fresh rosemary and cook just below boiling, until the vinegar thickens (it takes awhile as it steams verses boils). About half way through, I add small amounts of agave to taste. I reduce the vinegar by about 2/3. It becomes a thick, rich syrup that is yummy over beef, potatoes, etc.

Oh! Take out the spring of Rosemary before serving. The little ones eat it with their fingers, like catsup!

The better quality the vinegar, the less sweetener you need.

Continuing with our (mostly) Paleo eating plan. We started this about 2 years ago, and the changes in our health, weight, mood, energy, etc. have been rather dramatic. I'll never go back to the standard American diet again.

Pal, I'm jealous about the scubs. My new job requires "professional business" attire. My quest for 2011 is to find comfortable, easy care, business attire and shoes. This is harder than it sounds. Especially the shoes. Why don't they make comfortable, supportive shoes for women in a wide width that don't look too casual or too matronly? The clothing must be machine washable, but I don't like to iron. Nothing can look like a t-shirt or polo shirt, either in fabric or style. If anyone knows of a good source for wrinkle free dressy women's slacks, I'd be forever grateful. I strongly dislike polyester, so this rules out about half of what's out there.