It was time to refresh my skin again, so last week I went for my SECOND Secret Pro treatment with Jill at Gotham Plastic Surgery.
In case you missed the blog post on my first Secret Pro Treatment…. Secret Pro is a novel fractional radiofrequency (RF) micro-needling system designed to stimulate and remodel collagen and help address the common signs of aging. It’s ideally suited for use on patients who wish to regenerate and refresh the appearance of their skin.
Secret Pro is a procedure that improves signs of fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, skin tone and texture, scars and acne scars, skin discoloration, and stretch marks, all with minimal downtime! You can achieve optimal results after one full treatment. It also can treat puffiness and bags under the eyes and reduce the appearance of “crepey” skin.
By adjusting the microneedles during the treatment, the radio frequency of Secret Pro can deliver energy at various depths, so that treatments can be tailored to address each patient’s concerns.
Secret Pro is safe for all skin types and has minimal downtime. Prior to the treatment, the aesthetician will do a consultation of your skin and come up with an individualized plan. When you arrive at your appointment and before starting the Secret Pro procedure, numbing cream is placed on the area to be treated so there is little discomfort during the process. For both of my Secret Pro treatments, I experienced very little redness which subsided within a couple of hours.
Jill, from Gotham Plastic Surgery, is very patient and sensitive to all her patient’s needs and concerns. She would love to meet your for a consultation for Secret Pro micro-needling. You’re going to love this treatment and what it can do for the appearance of your skin. Just after one treatment, you will see a noticeable difference in reducing wrinkles and acne scars and it will regenerate your skin to look and feel like new. You can call to make an appointment for your own customized plan with Jill at 646.791.3066.
THE RESULTS..one week after the second treatment!!!! Thank you so much to Gotham Plastic Surgery for your expertise and fabulous results!!!!!
And of course, feel free to EMAIL me directly with any questions about my treatments.
Intermittent fasting has had a lot of attention recently, and of course, while it is a way to help you lose weight, it is important to note a number of other benefits associated with intermittent fasting, in mind, body, and soul. Let’s show you exactly how it can benefit your life in a number of ways.
You Can Lose Visceral Fat
Of the many medical weight loss methods out there, people are usually doing intermittent fasting to lose weight. Intermittent fasting is a way for you to eat fewer meals, but intermittent fasting also works to enhance your hormone functions to improve weight loss. Because lower insulin levels increase the breakdown of body fat, using it for energy, which will increase your metabolic rate.
It Changes Functions in Your Body
One of the most exciting things about intermittent fasting is the various changes that can happen to your body. During the fasting process, your blood levels of insulin will drop, which starts the fat-burning process. But also, a process known as autophagy starts. This is the process of your cells repairing themselves. When the body starts to remove waste materials from cells, this is like your body undergoing a Spring clean. It also can improve your human growth hormone. This means that you can burn fat, but also gain muscle! Additionally, there are changes in a number of molecules and genes that relate to protection against disease and longevity.https://ca9738df5936602cc32c11109a9d01b7.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
It Can Benefit Your Brain
One of the less talked about aspects of intermittent fasting is how it can improve your brain. Fasting increases BDNF (Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor), a hormone that has been linked with depression and brain problems when present in low amounts. As intermittent fasting has a number of benefits relating to reducing insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress, these are all things that can benefit the brain. Additionally, studies in rats and mice have shown that intermittent fasting could increase the growth of new nerve cells, resulting in a number of benefits for the brain. This means that there could be potential for intermittent fasting to delay the onset or, at the very least, reduce the severity of cognitive decline, and even Alzheimer’s disease. However, the results are purely speculative because the studies have only been conducted on animals.
It Can Improve Your Mindsethttps://ca9738df5936602cc32c11109a9d01b7.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Of all the health benefits associated with intermittent fasting, one of the more beneficial aspects that can help us all in our daily lives is how it affects our mindset. When people are incorporating a different type of fast, for example, a 16:8, where you fast for 16 hours, this leaves only an 8-hour window to eat your meals, which means that you are likely going to eat food with meals, resulting in less thinking about food. This forces us to eat healthily with those meals, and actually live a better life. Additionally, the very act of starvation requires a lot of discipline, and this is also something that can benefit the quality of your life, and improve gratitude.
Last week, I did a poll asking my readers, what they were looking for and I would do a post with some links. There were a bunch of great answers but I tried to stick to some summer items. One of the biggest requests was for a cute straw bag that could be used day into night. Please keep your requests coming, send me an EMAIL with something you are looking for or something on your wish list!!
- This is the best summer dress I found that covers all the bases, price, style and occassion. This dress is only $30, it is on trend, maxi dresses are so popular right now, and it can be worn as easily to work or out to dinner or even to a wedding.
- I have been asked for a designer bag that would work for multiple seasons. I love this color and saw it with a summer dress and also with a black turtleneck sweater and jeans. Its price point is high but it is a style that you will be carrying for years.
- Lots of requests for summer tablesettings, esp outdoor. I found these rattan chargers that are beautiful. You can use a solid melamine plate or even a cute paper one and your table will be all set.
- As far as new accessories go, bangles are always in style especially in multiples. These bangles are a jewlery staple that are seasonless.
- In my opinion this is the BEST looking storage basket.
- If you love the color of the Gucci bag but are looking for a lower price point, this wicker bag is adorable. I love the chain handle.
- This is the BEST self tanning lotion. It works in just 2 hours and gives a healthy glow!
- I am going to do a whole college post but this is the BEST storage box. It fits under beds and at the bottom of closets.
- I get asked a lot about the 2 set outfits that are also so popular. This one really caught my eye. I love the color, collar and the buttons. Its very retro looking!
- The next 5 bags are in response to readers askiing for a summer bag to go from day to night! This pearl disco ball is the best one overall. Its not that big but I can fit my Iphone. I have had this for a couple years now and I get a compliment everytime I use it.
- This pom pom fringe bag is perfection. I love the handles and the combo of the light pink and ratan is beautiful!! I might add this to my cart!!!
- If the pom poms are too much for you, here is a really cute style with just the fringe and soem stud detailing and its a great combo of the two bags already shown!
- Here is another pom pom style but I love the tonal color.
- If you are looking for something other than a natural color, this one is so chic.
- This is one of the most random items in my collages ever, but a reader from Dallas sent me this recommendation…if you take 2 of these odorless garlic pills once a day…the mosquitoes will stay away!!
Jewelry can be more than an accessory. Many of your most valuable pieces are not valuable because of what they would sell for but for what they represent. For many people, jewelry can serve as a reminder of an important memory, relationship, or a family heirloom that has been passed down to you and carries a great deal of sentimental value. No matter the reason your jewelry is something you want to take care of and protect from avoidable damage or wear. Proper care (including how to respond to repair needs such as what to do when a stone falls out) and cleaning techniques will help your jewelry last longer
Day-To-Day Tips
To help your jewelry last longer by avoiding common errors. You should never wear jewelry when performing certain activities that could expose your jewelry to potential damage. This includes exercise, sporting activities, and involved housekeeping or home maintenance projects. Exercise and sporting activities can cause physical damage and home projects could expose your jewelry to corrosive chemicals. You should also avoid wearing your jewelry in swimming pools as chlorine can damage your jewelry’s gemstones and metals.
Storing Your Jewelry
Proper care and storage can help your jewelry last longer, avoid scratching and scuffing, and retain its beauty. When you’re not wearing your jewelry it should always be properly stored in a fabric-lined box (such as a jewelry box) or wrapped in soft tissue to avoid friction. You should also wipe your jewelry off when you remove it before storing it as this removes sweat and the natural oils your skin produces. Finally, you should always put on your jewelry last as this helps you avoid exposing your jewelry to personal care products such as cosmetics or haircare products.
Cleaning Your Jewelry
When you clean your jewelry you want to avoid damaging the metal or stones. When polishing or cleaning your jewelry you should always use a soft non-abrasive cleaning cloth designed to be used on jewelry and other delicate items. Not all cleaning cloths are the same and some are not designed to be used on delicate items and can scratch your jewelry. Depending on the type of metal used in your jewelry certain chemicals can be harmful. Cleaning chemicals to avoid include salts, acetone, ammonia, turpentine, and chlorine in addition always read the ingredients of any cleaner you’re planning to use as many home cleaning products are also abrasive to jewelry. Full immersion in a liquid, such as water, should also be avoided as it can loosen gemstones and damage certain types of jewelry.
If You’ve Lost a Stone
Over time your jewelry can become damaged or simply wear down causing gemstones to loosen and fall out. Sadly, you likely won’t notice a stone has fallen out until you take your jewelry off. If you’ve had a busy day retracing your steps may be ultimately unproductive. Luckily, stones can be replaced by professionals and match the original stone in terms of look, cut, and fit. Plus if you were fortunate enough to find the lost stone it can be reset. If you have jewelry many insurance companies offer jewelry coverage as a separate option to add to your existing policy and some companies specialize in just jewelry insurance.
Final Thoughts
Your jewelry can be an important part of your daily life and something you wear every day. Like many of your most important possessions, your jewelry requires regular upkeep and care. By taking care of your jewelry you help it last longer and age better. In addition, a professional can help by providing regular cleanings that keep your jewelry looking its best and that use methods that are both safe and effective.
RECIPE COURTESY OF GIADA DE LAURENTIIS
Let’s savor the last weeks of summer. One of the best summertime drinks, that has become so popular, is the Aperol Spritz. It’s a refreshing bubbly cocktail that is served in the Northern part of Italy and tastes like summertime. One of the best parts is the color is that of a beautiful Italian Riveria sunset. Bon Weekend!!
1 1/2 ounces Aperol
3 ounces prosecco
3/4 ounce sparkling water or club soda
1 orange slice, for garnish, optional
Fill a white wine glass halfway with ice. Add the Aperol, prosecco, and sparkling water, and stir twice with a spoon. Serve with an orange slice if desired.
I met Anita Devlin of We Heave Ho years ago through family and friends but I really really became enamored with her when she started her amazing organizing business, “We Heave Ho”. With each job, I was mesmerized by the before and afters. Anita is so helpful, understanding, and passes no judgment at all. And I love her motto, “decluttering brings clarity”!! Every single family that she works with is just so incredibly thankful and asks for more and more (and yes I have seen this first hand).
So, here’s where I come in…I probably get 2 or 3 requests per week for the name of an organizing company. Whether be a moving job, or a garage cleanout or even a packing request for a college dorm set up. I reached out to Anita and we decided to work together to bring my readers along with us on one of her jobs.
I knew that I really wanted to be part of a Laundry Room Makeover…basically, we went to one of her client’s houses and the laundry room was such a good size but the homeowners just were lost in the space. Anita met with the wife and got to know a little about the family, their needs and she measured and sized up the space and then hit Bed Bath and Beyond and Home Goods the day before we started the job. I wish I went with her but that is for another post!!!
Anita, her interns and I arrived at the home ready to go. She was armed with her organizing baskets, labels, hangers, bins..you name it she had it AND she even brought flowers and coffee cake for the family.
I broke up the day into 3 parts.
THE BEFORE:
THE DURING
AND FINALLY……THE FINISHED PRODUCT (4 hours later)
So whether you have a small job or a larger one Anita is ready for you. I would start by following her Instagram @weheaveho. She has the best swipe ups to buy all the wonderful orgazing products she uses., Trust me, you will love Anita as much as I do!
One last before and after….Anita you are WONDERFUL!!!!
