Beauty Dry-Brushing: the Healthy Exfoliating Method

25 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by in Skincare

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Photo ℅ beautyhabit.com

I caved and bought a dry brushing body brush (that’s a mouthful)! Apart from it’s basic exfoliating, the benefits of dry brushing are vast. Beauty dry-brushes promote good circulation, healthier immune function and cellulite removal (I cannot vouch for the latter) as well. I bought the Urban Spa Cellulite Bamboo Brush from beautyhabit.com because after some research I thought it was the best dry brush  for my body. It can hang upside down on a hook, it has bristles on one side and massagers on the other for a two in one whammy.

So what is the best way to dry brush your skin? I start at my feet and slowly brush upwards in circular motions. I do the same thing with my upper limps starting with my palms and brushing in towards my chest.

It makes sense since it pushes circulation towards the heart, the hub of oxygen transport in the body. But, does it truly matter when blood flows in every direction? Of course, I do not want the bad stuff circulating longer, but the process is so quick it does not really matter. Either way, it does not hurt or take longer to brush upwards in circular motions, right?

As an autoimmune patient, I do agree dry-brushing strengthens the immunity. While it may not help me beat an infection, the mild massage stimulates the lymphatic system. My RA makes me less active so I need all the help I can get to keep my body moving, both inside and out. Sure, everything in the body moves at the same speed but as I get older these systems slow down which is not doing me or my condition any favors! Just like a massage helps the lymph nodes empty the “trash”, dry-brushing does the same thing.

I notice I am more alert and awake. I would not say my energy levels are higher but I do feel less foggy. Pain? The big things are still difficult: climbing stairs, lifting pets, cooking dog food, but “sensations” like prickling and tingling are gone.

That being said, the bristles on this specific tool are rough so I have to be careful not to go over the same spot more than twice. I only dry-brush every other day, otherwise, my skin cannot heal fast enough.

I think dry-brushing is a good idea. While it is a more expensive beauty item, I think it a great investment. It revitalizes, rejuvenates and exfoliates. But, if you have sensitive skin, I would steer clear. A massager is your best option. Find a model that does not drag on your skin so as not to irritate it!

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

The Chronicles of the Orencia Infusion: April

24 Thursday Apr 2014

Posted by in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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I may be taking a few days from my nail painting. My fingers and wrists are acting up. Just as well, I can catch up on my non-nail art related posts!

So, let us continue on my Orencia adventure…

 

April marks eight months on my IV infusion. This is the longest I have been on any biological medication since diagnosis. My symptoms are more even as the medication builds up in my system, I do not feel as awful towards the end of the month, and my flares are less severe.

However, and this makes me nervous…this past month, the immunosuppressant wore off two weeks early! I will not know for sure if this was the medication until next month’s infusion but I think it is since I should not have experienced such bad symptoms.

My knees were gone, my shoulders ached, I could not climb the stairs let alone get out bed. I increased the prednisone and still took double the amount of pain medications just to make it through work. My hand tremor returned. I was completely out of sorts.

Then I sat for my IV last Friday. Saturday, I felt wonderful! Like, I wanted to rock-climb and take a hike kind of wonderful! So…I guess I will see. There were other factors like working at the animal clinic more often and staying on my feet for more than eight hours a day, every day. Hopefully it was not all about the medication.

This month I received the IV in my left arm. Oh, the infamous left arm. Surprisingly, it was not painful and I barely felt the fluid entering my vein. My skin did not bruise or redden during or after and I had pretty good use of my left arm hours after the sit-down.

The only difference from last month was I zonked out afterwards. Last month, rested but did not take a nap. This month, I was out 30 minutes after I returned home and did not wake up for 3 hours.

I forgot to ask off from the gym so I had work in the evening. My pain levels were high, but my energy levels were pretty good.

 

All in all, I think this month was a success.

I am crossing my fingers that this medication will continue to work for me. I do not want to switch medicines AGAIN and have to feel awful for months. AGAIN.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Crumpet’s Nail Tarts April TPC #4: Pink, Yellow, Blue

23 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Nail Art

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Here is my fourth April TPC manicure. Due to a flare I did not paint my nails in almost three or four days and I missed it! Today, I decided to buckle down and work on my marbling.

Unfortunately, the polishes marbled very well on their own but horribly together so I fell back on my one color at a time technique.

I really like how it came out. I was a little overzealous with clean up on my middle finger. Sorry it looks kind of wonky, I also had a break on that nail.

Enjoy!

 

ImageI used 3 coats of Sinful Colors Chick Chick as my base.

I marbled with China Glaze Fuchsia and Urban Outfitters Blue Velvet.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

2014 Empties – #1 (Non-Beauty)

21 Monday Apr 2014

Posted by in Reviews

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Here are my non-beauty empties and are they random!

 

Yankee Candle’s Large Jar “WHITE CHRISTMAS” & “CHRISTMAS WREATH”

(retail: USD $27.99 for 22oz) –> found at Ulta, http://www.yankeecandle.com

These are my favorite scented candles! There is something very earthy about all their scents.

Yankee Candle claims the large candle burns up to “110-150 hours of fragrance” and while these candles are expensive I wait for the November/December “Buy 2, Get 2 Large Candles” promotion. 4 large candles last me an entire year and I burn them at least 4 or 5 hours every 1-2 days because of the furry monsters.

 

White Christmas

I purchased this specifically in December 2012. The descriptions says it smells like “quiet holiday beauty…blend of woodsy evergreens and cool, freshly fallen snow”. I burn this candle regularly during December, especially on snow days. It reminds me of the forest in the crisp morning when I step on fallen pine needles. This is my FAVORITE candle from Yankee Candle. I buy it every year and I already have a back-up.

They changed the picture on the White Christmas packaging a couple of years ago. I do not remember what it was before but I do remember liking it better. The photo of the church confuses me since it has nothing to do with the scent!

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Re-Purchase? Every year!

 

Christmas Wreath

I bought this in November 2013. It is not completely empty but it aerated to the point it no longer has fragrance. I used it a lot so I do not feel like it went to total waste. That being said, I should have had at least three more good uses out of it.

The description says “the fragrance [is] of freshly-cut boughs and branches of pine, balsam and hollyberry”. This candle smells exactly like pine trees. I love the scent. It reminds me of old Christmas memories.

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Re-purchase? Honestly? I am not sure yet. I ADORE this fragrance but it did aerate very quickly.

 

Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Truffle Bar

(USD $3.99? for 3.5oz) –> found at select Trader Joe’s

The chocolates at Trader Joe’s are SO amazing. They are beyond addictive. If you stay away from sweets do not buy this. You will buy it every time you are near a Trader Joe’s, even if you never planned to go in.

The chocolate is smooth and light. The truffle taste is prominent without changing the consistency. Has anyone else noticed that? Whenever there is added flavor the chocolate feels lighter and melts differently?

Re-purchase? Yes! I already have quite a few stock-piled just in case they stop selling it.

 

Britannia’s The Original Bourbon biscuits

(The ones I received were 26 rupees/pack or USD $0.43/pack)

I debated whether to add these or not but I figured my non-USA readers would be able to find them. These are some of the most popular cookies in India, so I assume they are more accessible in the UK. I have not found these cookies here in the US so my father sends them to me from India.

“Monica, you like those Bourbon cookies right?”

“Yeah!”

“You shouldn’t eat them, they have gluten.”

“Ok.”

…Then he sends me five packs.

It’s kind of embarrassing how much I love these. Within the first week, I went through 3 packs? Soo unhealthy, but I could not help it. I blame my snacking tendencies.

The cookie is crunchy and mildly chocolate-y. They are not super sweet, a tad salty even but the filling is smooth and really compliments the biscuits. Lovely!

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 Re-purchase? Yes!

 

 

Freud Museum London Psych Sofa Pen

(I don’t remember the price!!)

HAH. I found this at the bottom of my Empties bin. It’s empty so it counts!

I am a pen snob. I actually buy my own pens for work. And. I do not share. Weird, right? My dad is the same way. We love calligraphy pens and we love loose ink when possible.

This was a tourist purchase. When my friend and I went to London we visited the famous Freud museum. I bought a mug and this pen. It has clear fluid at the top and a little picture of Freud’s sofa that floats around. Surprisingly, I actually used pen very regularly and emptied it.

Even though the tip is thin, the ink flows nicely. I LOVE thin tipped pens but the ink will sometimes catch. It is very difficult to find these in the US so just like the Bourbon cookies, my dad sends me pens from India.

I will keep this pen but it obviously has more more function!

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Re-purchase? No.

 

That’s it for my non-beauty empties! I hope you found it interesting and gave you a little peak into my crazy mind!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Spring Renewal Nail Art Challenge Day 3: Spring Flowers

19 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by in Nail Art

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This is my manicure for the third day of the Spring Renewal challenge!

This floral stamp from my Bundle Monster collection is the one I use the most. I like how this stamps overall and I hope you enjoy!

I was surprised my Essie polish stamped better than the Konad special polish. I had to fill in multiple spots in the purple flowers.

 

ImageI used 2 coats of butter London Cotton Buds and 1 coat of Revlon Parfumerie Fresh Linen as my base. My flowers were shimmery so I stuck with it through and through.

I stamped with Bundle Monster plate BM 311 and Essie No Place like Chrome and Konad Special Polish Shimmery Purple.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Spring Renewal Nail Art Challenge Day 2: Pastels

19 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by in Nail Art

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Here is my manicure for the second day of the Spring Renewal Nail Art Challenge hosted by Jessica at Be Happy and Buy Polish. (Facebook group linked here)

I wanted to go with true pastels but I decided to incorporate my love of neon coral to make the lighter shades pop.

 

ImageI used 3 coats of Sephora by OPI Cover Me in Petals as my base.

I sugar spun horizontally with Milani Peacock and Urban Outfitters Westside. 

I sugar spun vertically with Rimmel London Reggae Splash which is no longer an un-tried!

 

I think the Rimmel London polish is more muted and orange than the Urban Outfitters but as a sugar-spun they look nearly identical. The Rimmel polish is also more sheer than the Urban Outfitters.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Flashback Friday: Big Sister

19 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by in Animal Sciences

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After the dog fight, we fed the dogs separately. Two humans stayed on standby and watched over feeding time, just in case.

…Two humans and a cat.

For three days after the attack, Sunsilk (two years older than Affie) sat by her food bowl and watched over her. Appeared when we put the bowl down, stayed while Affie ate and sat by the door when we walked her in the yard. 

We always knew Sunsilk and Affie were close as they both spend their time with me but we never knew they would “jump in front of a train for each other”.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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