One of the first questions most women ask themselves when they wake up first thing in the morning as they look at their bare complexions in the mirror is, “how do I get rid of these wrinkles/fine lines/dark circles/acne/age spots??” We all have skin care concerns, whether it be stubborn acne (I’ve struggled with my own hormone-induced acne for years), lines, aging, or all of the above. And while eating right, sleeping, and staying well-hydrated as well as genetics plays a role in keeping skin looking good, there are a few other things we can do to help our skin along.

Not too long ago I got the chance to interview Marcia Kilgore, the founder and former owner of the Bliss® Spa empire. This groundbreaker in the skin care industry is credited with giving Oprah (yes, the Oprah!), “the best facial” she ever had, and she’s also treated the likes of Madonna, Demi Moore, and Calvin Klein. Not too bad, huh? She was also credited with helping to ignite the skin care and spa boom, becoming one of the most sought-after skincare experts in the industry. Having sold the Bliss Spa chain, she went on to develop Soap & Glory™, a skin care and cosmetics company that took the U.K. by storm and is now on its way to do the same in the U.S.

I got the chance to try out a few of Soap & Glory’s products and also ask Marcia herself a few questions. And believe me, with the tongue-in-cheek product names (like Sexy Mother Pucker ™ and Clean on Me™), sassy packaging, and the results I saw, I’ll definitely be purchasing more!

Read on for some insights and some great products to tackle some common skin care issues:

Skinny Jeans Mom: For busy moms, skin care can easily become neglected, the results of which begin to show. What are the most important things to do each day to make sure skin looks its best?

MK: Scrub, almost daily. A gentle scrub for the face and a more robust one for the entire body. Scrubbing stimulates circulation and oxygen flow, making the skin look healthier. I use Soap & Glory’s “Flake Away Body Scrub” almost daily, and “Our Greatest Scrub of All” facial scrub three times a week to unclog pores.

Serums come in many shapes and sizes, but often, they are lightweight, quick-sinking, more potent versions of their anti-aging moisturizer sisters…..So, in times of desperation (or realization) you add a great serum to your normal everyday anti-aging skincare exercises, to up the ante.

SJM: How do you get rid of under-eye circles?

MK: a) Drink, and dive. Your judgment isn’t the only thing affected by an overabundance of alcohol. In fact, over-indulging almost immediately shows up in the sense-points of your kidneys and your liver (represented by the undereye area and the between-the-brow area, respectively). The puffiness and dark circles under your eyes, and frown lines between your brows, according to Chinese Face Reading, are your organs screaming ‘we surrender’.

b) Put Lipton teabags on your eyes on a bad morning. Tea is a diuretic, so it helps move excess fluid out to reduce puff.

SJM: What about acne? Once a nuisance of adolescent days gone by, adult acne can become a plague. Any suggestions?

MK:
a) …Pores are clogged from the inside, when the oils that are released from the sebaceous glands do not, with enough speed, dissolve out on to the surface of the skin, and become mixed with dead cells, and form blackheads. It is more important to use a great cleanser and an exfoliator (or something with alpha hydroxy acids) than to avoid wearing makeup. Soap and Glory’s “Face, Soap, and Clarity” is a great product for problem skin.

*SJM side note: Truly it is! I’ve never felt my skin cleaner than when I used this product!

b) Chocolate DOES NOT cause acne. It’s just that at the same time your acne-causing hormones are raging, you crave chocolate. So just go ahead. Do it!

SJM: (Phew! says this self-proclaimed chocolate lover!)

SJM: What about cellulite?

MK: Massaging, dry brushing, and anything that stimulates lymphatic circulation to help push out puffiness can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. NOTE: You have to be dedicated. You have to repeat a routine at least daily (when it comes to drybrushing or lymph drainage), and no amount of inner thigh massage will erase a chocolate cake.

SJM: And wrinkles?

MK: Keep your face out of the sun, or in 10 years you’ll be wearing it as your neck. (Sun protection is critical!)

Image credit: Jennifer Kuhse Photography.

Look for Soap & Glory™ products on the shelves at your local Sephora or at sephora.com.

All images of Soap & Glory products and interview content used with consent given by Soap & Glory and/or Bliss Spa Company representation. Product names owned by Soap&Glory and/or Bliss. Opinions expressed in the interview belong solely to the aformentioned respondent(s).

This story, originally written for OC Family’s February issue (out now, pick it up or check out the digital issue out here!) was too good not to post for the IE readers. Enjoy!

Recently, I was given the opportunity to visit Kelly’s Spa at the Mission Inn and experience their “Kelly’s Fountain of Youth Signature Body Treatment”. I’ve lived in the I.E. the majority of my life, and one of the major landmarks found here that I’ve seen and been to before is the Mission Inn. However, I’d never been to Kelly’s Spa, and so was eager to try it out. Spa treatment? Sign me up!

The treatment and visit to the spa were nothing short of incredible. From the moment you walk in you feel like you’ve been swept away, into Old-World Tuscany, with all of the distinctive architecture and décor. Instantly upon arrival I was greeted warmly by the staff (with a glass of sparkling Champagne, no less), and was given a short tour of the lush facilities, including private women’s lockers and shower area, Eucalyptus sauna, and lounge areas.

Ligia, who would be taking care of me for the day, escorted me back to a private villa which lies adjacent to the hotel’s outdoor pool area. The villa itself is beautiful, spacious, luxurious, and private, featuring a massage/treatment room complete with a fireplace, a private bathroom, shower, and large hot tub that was filled to the brim with bubbles, and the perimeter of which was surrounded by rose petals, chocolate, and more champagne. I literally held in my breath; all of this for me? I could hardly wait!

I was left alone to relax in the tub for an “Antioxidant Hydrotherapy Grape Bubble Bath”, then rinsed off and came to the massage table to enjoy a “Chardonnay Grape Seed Full-Body Polish”. After the body polish I rinsed off in the shower, and returned again to enjoy the best 50-minute Swedish massage I have ever had. I was completely relaxed as the massage included the use of essential oils and was given by experienced hands. The treatment finished off with a 20-minute “Temple Tension” release, and a paraffin treatment for my hands and feet. I stayed a bit longer afterward in the lounge areas, reading magazines, eating to my heart’s content, and finally, reluctantly, went home. In all, the treatment itself lasted two hours and my visit a bit longer.

I’ve been to spas before and have had various different treatments, but Kelly’s Spa has definitely topped my list of spas to go to. The Fountain of Youth Signature Body Treatment is decadent, indulgent, delicious, and beyond relaxing. I truly felt pampered, and as a busy mom, the level of relaxation I experienced while there was much needed.

If you’re looking for a great spa experience, or just want to really get away and treat yourself, check out the Fountain of Youth Signature Body Treatment at Kelly’s Spa, or various of their other treatments. I fully enjoyed the entire experience, and am dying to go back. The cost of the Fountain of Youth Signature Body Treatment itself is $195, which is no small fee, however it is well worth every last cent for the occasional splurge. I highly recommend it, loved every minute, and can’t wait to get the chance to go back!

kellysspa.com

*Disclaimer: although the opportunity to experience the treatment aforementioned was provided by the Mission Inn, all opinions expressed in the above post are strictly my own. Images in the above post used with permission granted by The Mission Inn.*

Looking to check out a great new movie brought to you by Disney? Bring your family to watch and be entranced by The Secret World Of Arrietty, premiering on Friday, February 17th, based on Mary Norton’s beloved children’s book series The Borrowers.

Check out a sneak peek here:

This beautifully animated feature is the story of Arrietty, a spirited little 14-year-old girl (voiced by Bridgit Mendler), who secretly lives with her parents (voiced by Amy Poehler and Will Arnett) in the home of a human homeowner and her housekeeper (voice talent of Carol Burnett). Being little people, Arrietty and her parents remain hidden from view and live secretly beneath the floor boards, only occasionally venturing beyond to “borrow” scraps and things like sugar cubes from their human neighbors.

Their secret and livelihood are threatened, however, when 12-year-old Shawn (David Henrie) comes to stay at the suburban garden home and finds Arrietty one night. Soon, an unlikely yet heartwarming friendship forms between the two, which not only threatens Arrietty’s family but also their very existence in their own home.

Featuring the talents of renowned Japanese film maker Hayao Miyazaki, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall (who’ve produced films like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, E.T., Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones among others), and many other talents in cinema, this story of friendship is sure to provide entertainment for the entire family.

Catch a few more sneak peeks here! :

Catch The Secret World of Arrietty in theatres Friday, February 17th!

*All images, video, audio, and content pertaining to the motion picture above are the sole property of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (WDSMP) and are being used with permission as an authorized user. Use of the above images and/or video or any content above is strictly prohibited. *

Your skin, especially the skin on your face, is often the first thing people see, and so keeping it healthy and looking its best makes you look and feel more radiant. We know that things like getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and wearing sunscreen religiously all help to prevent damage, but what about the damage that’s already there? Dark spots, old acne marks, and other imperfections? Makeup can definitely help, but how do we get down underneath the cover-up and attack some of those flaws in skin tone many of us have?

I recently got the chance to try Dermablend’s new “SkinPerfector Pigment Correcting Primer”. It’s touted as a “double action treatment primer that helps correct skin pigment imperfections,” like those left behind by acne scars, sun damage, and aging. The product itself contains Ceramide White with LHA (learn more about ceramides and their role in maintaining skin integrity here), which works on treating skin discolorations, retains moisture in the skin, provides a gentle microexfoliation of dead pigmented cells, and actually reduces the appearance of excess melanin. Being a primer, it also sets the stage for and preps the skin for a more flawless makeup application.

With this product I loved how lightweight it was; wearing makeup over something light is essential, as I have combination/oily skin, and so anything heavy under makeup traps oil easily. It also has a light scent, suitable for daytime use. Usually, to be able to truly see the results of a new cream or serum you have to wait about 4-8 weeks, which with this product I did. I began noticing a difference after several weeks of daily use, as I noticed that some of the skin discolorations left behind by past acne marks appeared much lighter, and my skin began to feel smoother and more taut. I saw an overall moderate improvement in the appearance of my skin and more even skin tone.

I would have liked this product to have some SPF (you’d have to apply a light facial moisturizer with SPF along with this product and then makeup), and wearing several layers underneath your makeup can be a challenge if your skin traps oil even more easily than mine; the Primer also did not change what my existing acne looked like, although that was not the aim of this product.

I would absolutely purchase this product again, as I definitely noticed a change in the overall tone of my skin, and it did reduce skin discolorations. It’s also non-comedogenic, acnegenic, and is dermatologist and sensitive skin tested. All great benefits of this product!

You can find this product at Macy’s, Ulta, and Dillard’s; retails at $45.00. Also visit dermablend.com.

Happy priming!

Skinny Jeans Mom
Twitter:@skinnyjeansmom

*Got a product you’d like for me to check out or review? Email me by clicking the link above near my bio pic!*

All opinions expressed in this post regarding above referenced product are solely those of Skinny Jeans Mom, and are not in any way influenced by the product manufacturer or its representatives.

Healthy eating and moderation. They’re two things we all know are key to lifelong weight management. Ever since making becoming fitter and healthier as one of my goals for 2012, I’ve really had to re-learn what this meant. I thought I had things down, as I could easily maintain a routine of eating healthy, well-balanced meals come Monday through Friday, when my work and eating routines were, well, routine, and consistent. But oh, those weekends…! Not only that, but my relationship with food hasn’t always been great; I’ve gone from extreme dieting to finding solace in a scone, and overindulging in all-out caloric binges when I really felt stressed. I figured, since I NEVER allowed myself to have what I really wanted, when I really felt stressed, I deserved to have everything I always deprived myself of.

Of course, I was left with struggling to find that sacred middle ground, where food was not my comfort, nor my enemy, and where balance wasn’t completely out of whack.

I’m learning now to let go of food as a stress reliever by replacing it with other things that relieve stress or boredom (listening to music, exercise, reading a book or magazine, etc), and also one of the biggest things I’ve learned about how to overcome this battle with food was to actually accept it. By that I mean, making it okay for me to have whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.

That might sound contradictory to health and weight management, but think of it this way: if I told you you could never, ever, EVER have your favorite ice cream/dessert/(insert comfort food here) again, you’d be able to withstand the urge maybe for a bit, but sooner or later, you’d find yourself going out of your way to get it. Rather than cut out foods I love (ice cream, wine, and oh, chocolate!), I’ve made it okay for me to have these things so long as A. I eat a healthy diet 80% of the time and B. I don’t go too overboard when I do indulge.

And oddly enough, this idea of moderation and nothing being off-limits works for me. I know that I can have that ice cream or dig into those enchiladas when I want to, or that I can enjoy that glass of wine without guilt, and so the allure of those “forbidden foods” and their temptation goes away.

Since I also know I need to make my diet mostly healthy, I also look for ways to make better healthy meals, and (big shocker), the more healthy I eat, the better I feel and the more I crave healthier foods.
Learning to find healthy foods that you like is key of course, because no one wants to eat foods they can’t stomach (are you listening, broccoli?). Instead of forcing down the greens because you heard somewhere that they’re good for X, Y, and Z, find foods that are actually enjoyable, and you’re more likely to stick to actually eating them.

Here are some of my current faves:

I have a mild obsession with Greek Yogurt; if you’ve never tried it, it’s thicker and has a tangier taste than regular, but also has much more protein and thus its satiety factor increases. My go-to brands are usually Yo Greek (featured above), Oikos’, Non-fat versions or Trader Joes’ brand, and usually I go for the flavored ones because plain Greek Yogurt can be pretty intense! I love mixing in some walnuts or almonds with the Vanilla non-fat flavored version, but since nuts can quickly get out of hand calorie-wise, I’m currently sticking to Emerald’s 100 Calorie packs of nuts. Mixing the two together makes for a great snack! Other snack faves? Cucumbers or carrots with non-fat cottage cheese, an apple with Laura Scudder’s all natural peanut butter, pita chips and hummus, half a bagel with a few banana slices and 1 teaspoon of peanut butter.

I love breakfast, and getting a good breakfast in the morning is essential for energy and to get that metabolism going for the day. Typically now I make a breakfast wrap with 2 eggs or four egg-whites, some non-fat cottage cheese or Soyrizo (soy chorizo), one flour tortilla, and some salsa. Yum! When running shorter on time I’ll have some cereal with Almond Milk or a whole-wheat bagel with peanut butter. And of course, a heaping cup of coffee, which I refuse to go without (sorry, there’s just no compromising on some things).

Ceviche, featured above, which is a pretty light traditional Hispanic dish.

For a quick and easy meal on-the-go, Healthy Choice has new 100% Natural No Preservative Frozen Entrees. My pick? Pumpkin Squash Ravioli. Although I don’t like frozen meals for everyday and usually have to add a fruit or yogurt to meet my calorie needs if I have one for lunch, they’re a great choice when you’re short on time.

Oh yes, and my current favorite dinner? Grilled salmon with grilled asparagus and baked sweet potatoes or this hearty beef stew featured above.

Balance is key. I’m not perfect 100% of the time and don’t really try to be. Aim to eat healthy, as often as you can, with plenty of fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, unprocessed foods and lean proteins majority of the time. That way, when the occasional can’t-resist Chocolate Lava Cake from Fleming’s (featured above), Coffee Lover’s Only ice cream via Coldstone comes calling, you can answer without hesitation or guilt.

All photos featured above property of Skinny Jeans Mom.

Image credit here.

Common Weight Loss Mistakes to Avoid

*Disclaimer: the following post is not meant to be taken as medical advice; please always consult with a physician prior to beginning any diet and/or exercise program and follow their recommendations. *

Last week I wrote my 2012 Resolutions post; I wrote about how this year, 2012, would be my year, the year where I’d finally stick to achieving my goals and reach for some dreams I’ve always had for myself but haven’t yet seen through.

I’m starting out by getting fit and healthy, once and for all.

I actually started to make some changes to my fitness and eating habits the day after Christmas, and have since lost about 6 pounds. I won’t reveal exactly how much I weigh because I don’t think that should be the focus; my resolution was to get healthier and tone up, not to lose X amount of weight or try to look like Brooke Burke (although I wouldn’t complain on that one if I did). I want to get healthy because eating better really gives me more energy and makes me feel better; and working out is something that I’ve fallen in love with over the last year. It’s my stress-reliever, and that 30 minutes to an hour or more I spend a day working out is my personal time for myself, something all moms know is very precious!

What I’m learning so far is not just what’s important to do for health and weight loss, but also what’s important NOT to do. There are a few things that can sabotage your fitness efforts, things which many of us do. Here, a few common mistakes that can hinder your fitness efforts, and what you can do to change them:

Crash Dieting
As I wrote in a related post last year (see that post here), I hate dieting. Why? For many reasons, actually. Dieting= deprivation, it makes me cranky, hungry, and craving what I want all the more. The very word implies something temporary, and I’m now learning that to make weight loss or maintenance successful, you have to make changes that are lifelong, not short term. This means the changes you make need to be something that you can truly live with. Thus, going on temporary no-carb-juice fast-find your blood-type-atkins-magic-pill binge is just that; a temporary fix, something that most people can’t maintain more than a few weeks, much less over the course of a lifetime. Crash diets don’t work because it’s not something you can live with.
Instead, make small changes, like I have; switch out white starches for whole grains, trade in regular yogurt for Greek for an extra boost of protein, and switch out dairy milk for almond or soy milk.

Cutting Out Food Groups
The moment I’m told I can’t have something I crave it and want it more and more; for instance, I’ve tried going vegetarian and vegan (lasted 2 days) and cutting out carbs (lasted 2 hours). If you’re avoiding an entire food group or meat for health or moral reasons, that’s completely understandable. But for me personally, I work much better when I include a variety of foods, and when I know it’s okay to have the occasional glass of wine or some ice cream.

Skipping Meals

You know how there’s those people who say they get so caught up or busy with something that they end up forgetting to eat a meal? Yeah, I’m not one of them. I’m a clock watcher at home and work, and by 1159 a.m. I’m ready to dive in. I never miss meals, and good thing I don’t ; studies show that people who meal skip meals cause their metabolisms to slow and the body to reserve, and not burn, fat. I’ve always been a three meals-a-day kind of girl, and I always keep snacks like greek yogurt or fruit and almonds on hand in case I get hungry in between meal times, so I don’t over do it later on.

Not Exercising
One of the best things that came from last year was that I feel in love with working out; I love how strong and powerful I feel after a good workout, and I’ve seen my body change quite a bit. We all know that people who are more active burn more calories, and burning more calories=greater success at weight loss. It’s a given, and you don’t have to put in 2 hour sessions at the gym to see results; being active whenever you can, even for just 10 minutes, is better than not doing anything at all.

Stress
As a busy working mom, I know what stress can be, and what kind of toll it can take; being under a lot of stress causes people to feel run-down and tired, and much less likely to be active and eat right. Studies have also shown that people under stress tend to retain more fat because their bodies store fat and go into survival mode. Learn to control stress in a healthy way, to avoid any emotional eating .

By following these guidelines and making a few other changes, I’ve managed to drop 6 pounds in 3 weeks; nothing drastic, but I’m doing it in a healthy way and I don’t feel deprived at all. Keep checking back for more tips, workouts, and other things I discover on my journey towards a healthier me.

Here’s to 2012 and making some positive changes that last a lifetime!

Image credit here.

Every year around this time we break out our list of resolutions, with high hopes that this year, this year, will be the year. You can’t help but just look at the beginning of a new year as the chance to start over with a clean slate, a chance to begin again and get some things done right. Whether it be to quit smoking, get a new job, reunite with family, or lose that ever-elusive last 20 pounds, most of us go into the new year with a renewed sense of hope, and an overwhelmingly enthusiastic vigor for making some changes.

I’m definitely not an exception. Although I am happy to say that in 2011 I did in fact scratch some things of my 2011 list of resolutions(I work out regularly now and I was blessed with the opportunity to blog and write for Inland Empire Family), in retrospect I didn’t actually accomplish as much as I wanted. And that was because I know that I didn’t push myself hard enough.

I know I’m capable of reaching all the goals I have in mind for myself. And I know that a lot of people out there who make out goals for themselves are more than capable of reaching their goals too. It’s a matter not of whether we can do something; it’s about whether we’re willing to push ourselves, whether we have the confidence to know that we can, in fact, achieve what we want.

And because I know I can do more, that’s my biggest resolution of all this year: to have more faith in myself and to push myself to be what I know I can be. A better mom, wife, and person overall. Lord willing, I’ll achieve the goals I have in mind for this year, and even after.

Stress Less, Love More

When looking back on things in the past year, month, week, or even day that have caused you stress, do you ever think, wow, I worried about that for nothing! Learning to let go of unnecessary stressors and anxieties and adopting a more laid-back attitude is on my list. I’ve wasted too much time in the past worrying about situations and people who don’t matter, and that takes energy away from putting it into the situations and people who do matter. I’m ultimately not in the driver’s seat, God is, and so I put my faith there and have decided to just trust and enjoy the ride.

Love the Skin I’m In

One of the goals that’s appeared on my list year after year is to lose weight; not a big shocker there, but as I’ve gotten older, that goal has changed, going from “lose weight” to “get healthy” to now being, “be comfortable in my own skin”. I’ve struggled, just like many other women, with body image issues since adolescence and my relationship with food hasn’t always been healthy. I was always eating for the wrong reasons, either depriving myself of it by going on ridiculously restrictive diet plans, or deciding I was sick of dieting and going out on binges.

I’m actually not overweight and I am fairly active, but there came a point where I knew I was eating for all the wrong reasons and I actually began to feel uncomfortable in my own skin. I want to get healthy and fit because it really makes me feel better, emotionally and physically. That matters to me more than any number on a scale ever could.

Run a 5 and 10K for a cause

I’ve always wanted to run a race, especially for a cause, and now I have enough confidence in my athletic abilities to actually attempt it. Plus, this ties in nicely with Goal #2.

Continue blogging and writing

I love writing, anytime, anyplace, for any reason; it flows from me naturally. I hope to continue and expand on this throughout the year.

Take more pictures of my child and family

I admit, I haven’t been the best at documenting what goes on in our lives and don’t have more than 3 professional picture sessions of my child done. Will be working on creating and documenting those memories!

Learn to be a better cook

Enough said; my skills are lacking and I plan on sharpening them this year.

There are some other goals I have for this year that are more personal that I won’t share on this blog, but this makes for a pretty comprehensive list above. It’s time to gain some confidence, really push hard, and know that I can and will achieve these goals.

Are you ready to make changes? To scratch some things off your 2012 list? And become the person you wish year after year you’d be?

Think about what you want, what you really want to do, and what your possible obstacles are to reaching your goals……….

And push them out of the way.

Here, some of my favorite Holiday looks:

All That Glitters

Stripe dress, $40
Bright dress, $160
Dorothy Perkins sparkly sequin dress, $79
Dorothy Perkins oversized top, $45
Wet Seal sequin racerback tank, $20
Wet Seal dolman sleeve top, $25
Dorothy Perkins sequin skirt, $69
Sequin pumps, $42
Sequin shoes, $50
Olsenboye sequin handbag, $27
Oasis clutch hand bag, $27
Oasis envelope clutch bag, $20
Oasis envelope clutch bag, $20

Gold sequin shrug, buckle.com, $38. Image here.

Express sequin dress, express.com. Image here.

Sequins are huge for winter, as is glitter and anything that sparkles. Rock the look subtly by wearing sequined accessories or carrying a sequined clutch, or go for it and wear a sequined dress.

The Little RED Dress

Dorothy Perkins red dress, $59
Oasis red pencil dress, $90
Dollydagger red dress, £139
Emily and Fin travel dress, $110
Oasis wrap dress, $95
Red evening dress, $136
Dorothy Perkins red pencil dress, $69

Every girl has to have an LBD in her closet. That’s a given, pretty much something girls learn right after they learn their ABC’s. But a red version draws attention immediately, and gives you an extra boost of confidence. Wear a beautiful red dress with some equally red heels or gold, for an elegant holiday twist. Shy girls need not apply, as it takes some confidence to pull off the crimson look.

Office Party

Dorothy Perkins black dress, $57
One shoulder evening dress, £40
Miss Selfridge draped dress, £32
Oasis navy cocktail dress, $51
Dorothy Perkins black evening dress, $57
Dorothy Perkins cap sleeve dress, $55
Dorothy Perkins pleated dress, $57
Dorothy Perkins a line dress, $55
Dorothy Perkins sleeveless dress, $55

Need a dress for that office party that’s still work appropriate (to a certain extent)? Look for feminine, fitted dresses that conform to your body yet allow for modesty so you can  be comfortable enough to mingle with co-workers and of course, your higher-ups.

Jewel Toned

Dorothy Perkins body conscious dress, $59
Dorothy Perkins embellished dress, $79
Dorothy Perkins cowlneck dress, $79
Oasis tight satin dress, $60
Sleeveless top, $56
Royal Azel Dress, $83
Steve Madden wrap shoes, $90
Mrkt high heel shoes, $80
Clutch hand bag, £35
Dorothy Perkins leaf jewelry, $15
Sparkle jewelry, $24

Royal purple, deep blues, magentas……deep, beautiful shades of color that keep the elegance of winter while remaining festive. The deeper the shade, the better. These shades look great on most skin and hair colors, and make you really stand out against the crowd in the room.

I hope these have inspired some great looks for you; keep checking back here on my blog for upcoming posts on The Top Gifts for everyone on your list, and New Year’s Eve Events in the IE!

*Collages created via polyvore.com; images property of polyvore.com, however, collages created using images property of Skinny Jeans Mom*

Sequined bottoms with tights and ankle booties

Oasis satin top, £35
Scoop neck top, $170
Dorothy Perkins cropped jacket, £30
Sequin shorts, $98
Alice In The Eve sequin skirt, $70
French Connection nylon shorts, $198
Falke hosiery, $39
BB Dakota sequin shorts, $69
Jessica simpson boots, $120
ASOS chunky heels, $82

Tights and Sequined bottoms are a great look for any party or event, and a looser fitting, solid color top allows the sequined piece to really be front and center.

Red and Gold

MICHAEL Michael Kors red knit dress, $65
One shoulder evening dress, $134
Shellys of London red party dress, $100
Strapless prom dress, $100
Red dress, $50
Cotton dress, £32
Prada gold platform heels, $752
Bebe stiletto heels, $120
Stiletto heels, $50
Wedding clutch, $60
Dune gold glitter clutch, £48

I adore this color combo. Simple yet makes a dramatic statement. Love!
Tights and Sequined bottoms are a great look for any party or event, and a looser fitting, solid color top allows the sequined piece to really be front and center.

Be sure to check out the December Issue of IE and OC Family (IE Family online version here) for tons of great holiday info on what to do, eat, see and wear.

Links to stores mentioned in December Mom Time Column:

Downtown Riverside, MP Couture and more: riversidedowntown.org

Jennifer Kuhse Photography, IE/OC Family, Newborn, Maternity Photographer. jenniferkuhsephotography.com.

Destination Maternity in Rancho Cucamonga: destinationmaternity.com.

Pila’s Pantry: pilaspantry.com.

White Apron Catering: whiteaproncatering.org.

The Shoppes at Chino Hills: shoppesatchinohills.com.

Lake Elsinore and Cabazon Outlets: lakeelsinoreoutlet.com (scroll to choose Cabazon outlet in drop down).

Have a wonderful week!

With that said, I’m counting my blessings. And just as importantly, I’m taking what I’ve learned from this year to make myself a better person. I was compelled to stop and give thanks not only because that’s what this day is about, but also……

Because as I look at my amazing son, sleeping in his bed, arms around his stuffed animal and sleeping peacefully, knowing his mom and dad live and breathe for him, I know I am beyond blessed to have him. He IS the reason I do everything I do.

Because as I sit and type away at this post and look at my half-sleeping husband on the couch, I know there is no one who loves me more, no one who would support me through thick and thin like him, and no one else who was meant to be my partner in life other than him.

Because I think of my parents, of all the loving and incredible sacrifices they’ve made for my siblings and I, what amazing people they are, and how I vow to repay them in abundance someday for all they have done for me.

Because as I think of my sister, my husband’s family, and all my loved ones…..I know that as long as I have them I will never need anything else.

Because I know that the sacrifice that my brother-in-law and all the military out there give every day allows us to live and breathe freely each moment without fear, and fills me with a gratitude I cannot begin to express.

Because I know that the fact that I have food to eat, a paying job, clothing to wear, and a warm place to sleep in aren’t things to be taken for granted. Ever.

Because I know that because of my faith in God, I can and will be a better person.

Because I now know how incredibly wonderful having good health is, and how I need to take better care of it.

Because I know that this year I’ve grown and fallen short at the same time. I know what I want to be, and I know what I need to do to get there, and know that I need to let fear go once and for all, look above, and just. do. it.

What are you thankful for? Really, truly, sincerely, stop. And think. Of what you’re thankful for.

And give thanks for it.

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