Tech Time::: Fitbit One -- Part 2

The Fitbit One is one of the newest gadgets in my stash, and one that I have been exploring for about two months now.  Last week I gave a brief overview, and an unboxing of this item. Today I am going to go a little bit into the setup of the Fitbit one, and what it does, syncing and how to the Dashboard works. 

Weekend Update::: On a Beach!

Photo by Andrew Hara, from www.rsvlts.com

Ok, not yet.  But I will be in the not too distant future! 

So, I might have a few less posts than normal popping up, and (hopefully) a few more tweets and Instagrams than normal (as you've likely noticed, I kinda fail so hard at social media...) while I am away! This is more of an "advanced warning" that I am taking a short break from all forms of work for a couple of weeks, partly for my trip and partly to just veg.   This vacation has been a very long time coming after a way-too-long span of work-work-working solid for nearly 8 years...so I have several scheduled posts, but I scheduled less than I normally post, yknow, because it's vacation and stuff. I will pick them back up when I get back as usual!

Test Driven::: Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics

When rumblings were popping up around the internets, first from Elizabeth Dehn herself, about "new products", naturally my interest was piqued.  I love my Vitamin C Serum from this line, very dearly in fact, and was hoping to see what they would come out with next, perhaps in a facial spray (a product Elizabeth used to have in a former line in a former life) or sunscreen moisturizer to rival the Josie Maran I also love dearly.

Wednesday Wow::: Dean & Mike's Gorgeous Southern Wedding!

Source of all photos: Their amazing photographer Edyta Szyszlo's website

I am a fan of Dean's blog "My Little Apartment", and since her wedding last Fall, being the wedding voyeur that I am, I have waited ever patiently for photos of what I expected to a pretty amazing event...and of course, it was absolutely worth the wait.  And apparently Martha Stewart agrees! 

Tech Time::: Fitbit One -- Part 1

Photo: Fitbit.com

I have been using my Fitbit One for nearly two months, and it's kind of a nifty little gizmo. Now, I cannot honestly say it's done much to motivate me to get off my duff at all, because if I can find a way to avoid removing my butt from my desk chair, I will find it.  But at least I can see my consistent inactivity spread across my screen as a constant reminder I need to walk around more during the work day.

I initially started out wanting this gadget because my 3rd in a line of pedometers bit the dust. I seem to go through them quickly. Two of them were from WeightWatchers and those seemed to be the quickest to die. So I went to the SportsAuthority, got myself a "real" one, and within a year, that also died.  So after trying a few apps that didn't quite do the trick, I started looking for a new idea.   

Must Have::: Josie Maran Daily Moisturizer SPF 40+

Photo: Me, of my bottle

The Josie Maran Argan Oil Daily Moisturizer SPF 40+ is a newer product in my repertoire (as in under a year), but one that became a very fast favorite of mine.

I have incredibly sensitive skin, exacerbated by prescription retinoids, and I am also allergic to nearly everything. Long-time readers will note the lack of any lip product reviews--that's why, almost every single lip product contains one of the many ingredients I am allergic to, so even though I have one or two I can tolerate, I rarely wear much in that department.  Call me ahead of the nude-lip trend, if you will! 

Fashion Fix::: Ankle Jeans

Photo: Sea of Shoes

I am not one to do capris or cropped pants, I almost always go for full length boot or straight leg jeans.  But this photo above really changed my feeling on ankle-length/cuffed jeans, and now I am kind of loving it.  

Trend Worth Trying::: Worker Bee

Photos: DSW.com, Barneys.com, Me wearing my Frye boots, don't you love that tucked in pant leg?

I love a good engineer style boot. They can work dressed slightly up, and equally well dressed down, and can take an overly buttoned up look down a notch, which is my own personal look du jour for work, especially since I am in a creative industry and don't choose to, or have to, dress up.

What's in My Bag?

Photo: Me, of my bag and wallet and keys

My favorite threads on a forum I frequent are the "what's in your bag" and "what's in your wallet" (why, yes I did just say that in a Viking voice), and any time I see something to that effect in a magazine, on another blog, or on a topical website, it's like a moth to a flame and I immediately tune in. 

Considering there's an entire site devoted to this topic, it's clear that I am not the only voyeur wondering what is inside someone's fantastic bag, so I thought I would share what I tote around on a given day. 

Tech Time::: My Fitness Pal

Now that I have been doing Medifast for a couple of months, I have had time to explore a few different apps to keep track of my weight and food intake.  I tried the Medifast and Take Shape for Life apps, both of which are put out by Medifast, but didn't really love either, nor did I feel either was particularly well made or well supported.  They would frequently crash, and not stay updated appropriately.  Medifast support is non-existent in dealing with those issues or any issues related to their site or program, so I abandoned both and went back to the paper trackers, which I had a hard time keeping up with on weekends and evenings, since I'd often forget them at work.

What I really wanted was a more flexible app that would combine the logging I remembered from Spark People and Weight Watchers, with what Medifast and Take Shape for Life offered, but maybe with more ability to connect to outside services besides just their own.  

Must Try::: Smoky Stuffed Peppers

Photo: Edible Perspective Blog's version of this recipe, which is not MF Plan Friendly but sounds equally insane!

Another new recipe has come onto my radar, through the ever resourceful Pinterest.  

I love bell peppers, though they don't always love me, and I have been trying to find a way to incorporate them into meals in a different way than my usual "grilled with fajita seasoning" manner. I have a feeling my husband will be thrilled with the change, if I can figure out how to hide the mushrooms. 

Breaking News::: I left Nordstrom with some self-esteem intact.

I had a pretty good day, thankfully!  And that's saying something after last night... 

Weekend Update::: Nordstrom Pre-Sale, plus The Urge!

I'll start off the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale chatter by stating that I fell asleep at the wheel this year not having my appointment pre-booked well in advance.  I actually go tomorrow, and that's weird for me, since I normally get there the first or second night of preselect. Thankfully, I gave my card a serious workout on Wednesday morning doing my online pre-select for in-store pickup. 

Hopefully I'll remember to Instagram a few shots along the way. 

Top Secret::: Eye Opening

Photo of me, by me

Besides just using Latisse semi-regularly, I have a couple tricks that I employ every day to get the crazy-long, luscious Kardashian-worthy lashes I lust after. Yes, I really did just say that, and yes, I did actually laugh out loud calling anything on my body luscious.  Still am, actually.

My biggest secret, again besides Latisse, would be the lining technique I have been using for years, coupled with the layering of multiple mascaras onto my curled lashes.

Wednesday Wow::: The Damsel at Home

Photo: Jessie Webster for Glitter Guide

I am a ridiculously huge fan of the Damsel in Dior blog, as well as the Damsel herself, known as Jacey Duprie.  In the last month or so, this smokin' hot blonde's amazing abode has been popping up in some pretty perfect features.  On May 30th, she and her husband opened their home to Apartment Therapy, and the timing of it's posting on that site was as if it was a 35th birthday gift just for me.  But this time, it's on Glitter Guide, and it was posted on July 3, like a gift to America.

Tech Time::: Mailbox App

Until recently, I was a stickler about using the stock Mail app on my iPhone because for me it worked fine, until Google shut off the best way to true push email in an attempt to make you use their horrific Gmail app. I have tried it, more than once even, and it's about the worst app I've ever used. And that's saying a lot, since I've tried some pretty crappy apps. Besides the fact that I shouldn't need to download a separate app for my mail to just work the way it should work.

Must Have::: DHC Cleansing Oil

Photos: Me

One of my daily drivers, and a big part of my "beauty arsenal" that I wouldn't be without, is DHC Cleansing Oil. If you've been a long time reader, you may recall that it's something I have reviewed in the past. 

Fashion Fix::: Tunics

Tunics have become less of a trend and more of a closet staple, and when I think of tunics I tend now to think immediately of a designer I love and totally respect, Tory Burch, who really made them, first, very luxe and fashion forward, and second, into a legit classic.   It seems now a few other brands are bringing their own great takes as well, and for all figure types and budgets.

Trend Worth Trying::: Nautical

Photo: Pinterest (not well sourced...)

I am really using the word trend very loosely in this particular post, since this form of "prep classic" is really just that, classic.  Everything about these pieces and this "trend", while still fit for summer, could really be seasonless with the right styling.

What I Am Loving Right Now:::

Photos: Shaved Duck Walnut & Brown Sugar Bacon: StLouEats; Lo& Sons.com, 

PharrellWilliams.com, Zagg.com, OVenture Etsy Page, Nordstrom.com, Me

Tech Time::: Dropbox

Last week in my post about password management apps, I mentioned an app/service called Dropbox...Get it. Seriously! Get it!  

Photos: Screenshots of my iPhone, taken and arranged by me

Moving through Life::: Happy 8th!

Photo: CaryKleinPhotography.com

Tomorrow is our 8th wedding anniversary. We look like kids in that photo!  It's hard to believe it's been 8 years already, and how much has happened in that span of time. Job and career path changes, mostly, but there were some health scares, some big losses in the family, a few new family members to celebrate, and then that time I almost lost him. Thankfully that's all behind us now, and it is amazing how much we have grown and how much our tastes have been refined.  

I love you, babe! Here's to at least 42 more!