Ricki Jill

Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts

Happy New Year, My Lovelies! How is your Christmas Season so far? Today is the Seventh Day of Christmas and New Year's Eve. I changed our decor from Christmas to New Year's in our dining room: I went for more of a white, silver, and green scheme. I'll show more photos at the end of this post, but first, I'd like to talk a little bit about 2022.

This is the first time in my life I'm actually HAPPY about the end of the year. December 27, 2021 I started chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. It continued into June of 2022. Then I had surgery followed by radiation treatment. Now I'm in PT, but I'm not complaining about it. I have been extremely blessed to have the best cancer team at Grandview Medical Center's Cancer Center.

Y'all have also blessed me with your prayers, cards, texts. emails, and calls. Jeanie, your prayer books have meant so much to me! Thank you all!

In June, our church family was attacked by a madman. He shot and killed three people at a dinner in our parish hall. They were kind to him and had invited him to eat with them at their table. It has been a hard year for my church family. I am blessed to be a part of St. Stephens, and I want to thank them for their prayers, flowers, cards, and support during treatment.

My year was basically composed of two things: reading and skincare. I didn't do much else, but I was able to take my art classes most weeks via ZOOM until I could go back to class in person. I stopped painting because I didn't want to expose myself to the solvents and heavy metals in oil paints. Instead I've been drawing!

This is my favorite drawing of the year. It's drawn with Prismacolor Colored Pencils on Strathmore Colored Pencil Paper. It's mainly hydrangea petals floating in milk.

Twenty twenty-two was definitely the year for skincare. I tried so many different things, mostly via samples and my breast cancer concierge, who was fantastic! I want to share with you the products that worked well for me. I'm not claiming they will work well for you, but they might. My skin changed drastically during treatment, so I needed all the help I could get!

This is a photo of me two months before treatment:

I had hair! And eyebrows and eyelashes!

My natural hair color is the darker auburn on the left.

This is what I looked like during treatment and this afternoon:

In the during treatment photo I'd already lost all my hair, my eyelashes, and most of my eyebrows.

Now, my hair is strange because it's a cool tone rather than warm, it isn't as straight, and I have less gray. But my eyelashes are longer and thicker than before cancer so that's one good thing.

Here are my recommendations for skincare:

Best facial cleanser

From top to bottom, left to right:

The Fresh Floral Recovery Calming Mask is one of the best masks I've ever tried, and it's gentle enough for everyday.

The Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Whipped Day Cream with SPF 30 makes your skin glow, making foundation unnecessary. That's all I have on my skin in today's photo, above.

The Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid Peptide Cream is one of the cleanest, most effective moisturizers on the market. I wear it around the house when I'm not going anywhere and at night.

The Ordinary's Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the best and most affordable eye serum on the market. It is so good that some days I can leave off under eye concealer.

The Fresh Tea Elixir is very pricey, but it is an extremely good serum. I had to wait and purchase it when it went on sale. I tried a sample of it and wanted it.

The Chantecaille Sheer Glow Rose Face Tint is very similar to the Cetaphil Healthy Radiance, but it has a more rosy color than the Cetaphil, and it doesn't have any sunscreen in it. I like to wear it at night when I want to look pretty. It is also very pricey, but since I didn't go to my stylist for almost a year, I indulged myself.

These are my favorite lip treatments from Fresh. The first one is a treatment, and I like to wear it to sleep. The middle one is a treatment that smells like mint. I really like it! The third one is a tinted lip balm in the Rosé color. I wear it like lipstick. I'm wearing it in my during treatment photo.

Both my daughters prefer Laneige lip treatments and masks. I like them, too.

Hands down the Dove Sensitive Skin Shower Wash is the best for dry and sensitive skin. I also like the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream best because it soaks in and doesn't feel greasy.

I like to share products that work well; I hope I'm not boring you with this! :D

Below is a breakdown of my year of reading:

20,103

pages read

books read

Ricki Treleaven

Average book length in 2022

300

pages

2022 READING
CHALLENGE

You read 67 out of 36 books.

186%

Congratulations! You're really good at reading, and probably a lot of other things, too!

I'm a slow reader, and this is the most I've ever read. Plus, I read the entire Bible, the OT and NT simultaneously. I finished today, and I used an app for my reading plan.

Here are my favorite books of 2022:

It was a great year for books!

You can read my review for Other Birds HERE.

It's literary, set in the South, with a wee bit of magical realism.

Midnight in Everwood is a young adult novel. It's a retelling of The Nutcracker, and it is a very creative story. You can read my review HERE.

Sadly, I didn't review Thank You for Listening, but I might take care of that in a week or so. It's a romance, but it's much more literary than most romances. It's a great story with one of the best heroines I've ever read in any book.

I didn't review many books this year because I just wasn't up to it.

I know I won't read as many books in 2023. I want to be very selective and only read about two or three books per month.

I'm so happy about ringing in the New Year tonight.

Here are the photos of our table:

Happy New Year!

Thank you for reading my blog.

I hope that your 2023 is healthy and happy!

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

2022: In the Books! plus Our New Year's Eve Tablescape

Saturday, December 31, 2022

Happy Wednesday, My Lovelies! Today I'm sharing a very easy craft that will make your hands feel so soft: Lemon Sugar Scrub!

Our hands have been through a lot lately. They do so much for us and those we serve. Don't they deserve some love and attention? I think they do! The beauty of this craft is that you probably have everything you need already at home.

Okay so maybe you don't have any pretty lemon craft paper, but you can certainly purchase or order a sheet!

Here are the instructions for making a lovely smelling lemon sugar scrub:

It smells so good! The texture worked out perfectly for me with the juice of only half a lemon, but the lemon I used was large. So I suggest using a larger lemon.

I've always enjoyed sea salt and sugar scrubs. It's nice to know how to make it. This scrub should last around two months if you place it in a container that's airtight. The recipe only makes a small amount (the jar I used is a four ounce size), so I think I will use it up before that time. The amount I made completely fills the small jar. It was the perfect amount! You can double the recipe if you like, of course, and make one for yourself and one for a friend!

Please let me know if you make it. I love how soft it makes my hands feel!

This is another craft I learned about via our tiny local library. We love our library and librarians: They are the best!!!

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

Lemon Sugar Scrub

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Happy Wednesday, My Lovelies!

Today I want to share with you a few of my favorite products for combatting winter dryness.

Our skin and hair put up with a LOT during winter. Heating systems dry out our hair and skin, and blowdryers compound the damage we do to our hair because we tend to use more heat on our hair in winter than in summer. It's so important to protect our skin because it's the largest organ in our bodies! Plus it's our first line of defense against illnesses.

These are my personal favorite products, and my daughters have introduced me to a few of them. Many come in travel sizes so you can try them without spending tons of money.

HAIR:

I've tried many moisturizing conditioner, but either they really aren't that moisturizing, or they make my baby fine hair too limp. R+Co's Atlantis Moisturizing Conditioner ($29.00 for 8 ounces) is the best I've ever tried. Leave it in your hair for 10 minutes for extra conditioning, plus it smells heavenly with bergamot, wild fig, and cyclamen. (Available in travel size)

Some days I need even more moisture, so I use Aveda's Dry Remedy Daily Moisturizing Oil ($31.00 for 1 ounce). Just three or four drops for longer hair is all that's needed. It also helps with flyaways. I can either use it on wet hair before styling or dry hair when needed. It's also a multi-purpose product because it's great on dry elbows, knees and cuticles.

BODY:

Lush's Scrubee ($7.95 for 3.1 ounces) is one of my favorites. Introduced in 2017 for their Mother's Day line, Lush has kept it because it's so popular. You can see it in the lower left corner, above. The Scrubee is made with shea butter and honey to moisturize and almonds and coconut shells to exfoliate. Some folks shy away from exfoliating during winter, but this is a mistake! The way you use it in the shower: Rub the bar over wet skin and massage the rich butters and exfoliants into skin. Rinse, and pat dry with a towel. Easy peasy!

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream (not shown; $10.99 for 16 ounces) Is one of the best body moisturizers on the market. I love it for my heels, especially. (Available in travel size)

HANDS:

L'Occitane Gommage Mains One-Minute Hand Scrub (now made with shea butter and sold in a tube, $24.00 for 2.5 ounces) is quick and works wonders for dry hands. I also like all of their hand creams, especially their Shea Butter Hand Cream (not shown, $29.00 for 5.2 ounces, available in travel size).

Aveda's Hand Relief Moisturizing Cream ($24.00 for 4.2 ounces) is my very favorite hand cream. It only takes a little, and it's is very emollient. My mom bought me one for Christmas! (Available in travel size)

LIPS:

Lush Lip Scrubs (10.95 for 0.8 ounces) should seriously be illegal. It's my guilty pleasure of the moment, and the flavors include: chocolate, honey, cherry bubblegum, and "mint julips." I have the chocolate, of course! They also make the lip balms to match, and with instructions like this: "Take a pea-sized amount and scrub your lips soft, then lick off the excess," need I say more?

Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatment ($24.00 for 4.3 grams) is the smoothest lip balm ever. It's proven to keep lips moist for at least 6 hours, and it has an SPF 15 protection.

FACE:

Clinique's Moisture Surge Overnight Mask ($35.00 for 3.4 ounces) helps prevent moisture loss while you sleep because everyone loses moisture overnight. I've always loved moisture surge, so when Clinique came out with the overnight mask, I had to try it. I love that it literally stays put on my face and doesn't get into my eyes overnight like many serums tend to do. In the morning, your skin will look rested and moisturized. (Available in travel size)

What are your go-to products to combat winter dryness? Please let me know in the comments section below!

Until next time...

Blessings!

Ricki Jill

Help for Winter Skin and Hair

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

I read an interesting article recently at NPR about millennials and their obsession with self care. It explains what has influenced this trend, social media being the biggest culprit. Also acknowledged is the booming industry related to self care. Our daughters enjoy a couple of monthly subscription boxes, one is for beauty and the other is for "expanding one's mind." Although many Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers (like yours truly) roll our collective eyes at millennial snowflakes with their safe spaces and coloring books, they might just have this whole self-care thing right.

Millennials like activities: They enjoy learning and improving themselves. They tend to be less materialistic because they are too busy "doing." It should be interesting to see what happens to all these MacMansions we just had to have because these millennials won't buy them when we want to retire and downsize. They're about the experience, making it look "pinworthy" and posting it on Instagram. Who has time to maintain a huge house when one has totally different priorities?

Both of our daughters not only practice self-care they also spend a whole lot of time talking about it and researching it. I think they are on to something with this whole self-care thing. It allows for self-reflection and encourages them to take some time for themselves. I think it's healthy just as long as social media doesn't influence them to the point that they see themselves as "less than." That's the only downside I can see.

I decided to do a little research of my own and practice a little self-care. I researched mostly skincare products (because that's what I like) I thought could help me feel better. Here's what I found:

My daughters and I are obsessed with Korean skincare.

I have used the Clinique Three Step Skincare Regimen since I was 13. I love the Moisture Surge, too.

I need the nail therapy because my hands are constantly in chemicals.

The Citybee body butter smells like the beach. The Fekkai spray is a hair fragrance mist. If my hair must smell like something, why not roses?

These are my favorites: Aveda's Dry Remedy for hair and Beautifying Oil. The new product by Clinique is a seven day regimen of Vitamin C for the face.

Another Korean mask, but this one for the eyes, far right.

I'm a fan of all things Tonymoly.

Literally I'm stopping and smelling the roses....IN MY HAIR! ;)

None of these products was very expensive (except for one) and I do admit that it feels nice to soak in the tub with a mask on my face.

I'm saving my very favorite self-care products to share with you on Sunday. They are deserving of a separate post. Come back Sunday and check them out!

So what do you think of the Millennials and their obsession with self-care? They might be the most emotionally intelligent generation in, like, *ever*

Until next time...

Blessings!

Ricki Jill

Millennials Might Be On to Something.....

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Printcess Mineral Eyeshadows

clockwise from bottom: Dragonscale, Wizard, and Witch

Happy Pretty Wednesday, My Lovelies! Autumn is upon us, and it's time to update our vanities! ;P

I found some wonderful products I wanted to share with you….I love them all, and they're *perfect* for autumn.

At the top of the post, I chose these wonderful autumnal shades from Printcess. Both my daughters and I love this line! They are heavily pigmented and blend well with each other. Cruelty-free and vegan friendly, none of the shadows have bothered my sensitive skin (a huge plus). I love the literary references in the names of the eyeshadows. Of course I do! So do my daughters. Shanley Belle chose Direwolf, and Shelley prefers Slippers and Mirror, Mirror.

The heady combination of water lily, evening lotus, and midnight jasmine is lovely without being too overbearing

Autumn means bonfires and outdoor fire pits, so put away your light summertime fragrance for a slightly stronger fragrance that will withstand woodsmoke. Moon Shadow by Library of Flowers is my fragrance pick for autumn. The fragrance might remind you of a warm summer evening, but it's a bit too strong of a fragrance for summer. A little goes a long way!

The Korres Greek line of skincare is fast becoming a favorite of mine. The pomegranate facial moisturizer is fantastic, and it has never broken-out my sensitive skin. It has a low SPF of 6, but at least it does offer some sun protection.

I love the smell of the Bésame Brightening French Vanilla Face Powder. It helps control redness and is gluten free. Gluten is common in many facial powders, so this is definitely an added benefit for me.

As the days shorten, I like to burn candles, and one of my very favorites is Aveda's Shampure candle. It's my favorite scent in Aveda's line, and all of their candles have an added benefit. Did you know that as the wax melts you can dip your fingers in it and use it as a hand moisturizer? I only burn soy candles in our home due to folks with asthma, and all of the Aveda candles are made from soy.

Well, there you have it! My five favorite beauty items for fall.

So tell me: what are your autumn beauty secrets! You must share!

Until next time…

Blessings!

Ricki Jill

Autumn Beauty

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Good morning, my lovelies! We moved Shanley Belle into a darling little cottage one block off campus over the weekend….in the rain…. Not the best time for moving! We have had tons of rain lately, and some spots in our area received over seven inches of rain overnight! Due to the flash flooding, most schools in our area are on a two hour delay schedule. What a way to start the week!!! :/

In honor of all the rain we've been having, I've been listening to Prince's Purple Rain. I remember the album was played constantly in my sorority house…..I think Suzanne Stringer is the one who played it all the time!

There is a long introduction to the song, and the eighties styles are hilarious!

Prince & The Revolution - Purple Rain (Live)

Purple Rain lyrics
I never meant to cause you any sorrow. I never meant to cause you any pain. I only wanted to one time see you laughing. I only wanted to see you laughing in the purple rain.
Purple rain, purple rain. Purple rain, purple rain. Purple rain, purple rain.
I only wanted to see you bathing in the purple rain. I never wanted to be your weekend lover. I only wanted to be some kind of friend. Baby I could never steal you from another. It's such a shame our friendship had to end.
Purple rain, purple rain. Purple rain, purple rain. Purple rain, purple rain.
I only wanted to see you underneath the purple rain. Honey I know, I know, I know times are changing. It's time we all reach out for something new, That means you too.
You say you want a leader, But you can't seem to make up your mind. I think you better close it, And let me guide you to the purple rain.
Purple rain, purple rain. Purple rain, purple rain.
If you know what I'm singing about up here. C'mon raise your hand.
Purple rain, purple rain. I only want to see you, only want to see you.

Now let's switch gears from Purple Rain to the Reign of Purple!
I am really trying to appreciate Pantone's color of the year: Radiant Orchid. But I'm finding it very difficult….
Believe it or not, I like it in cosmetics best of all. Sephora has a nice line of Radiant Orchid make-up: