Fun Day With the Family

Jacket: Halogen / Top: Trouve / Jeans: Paige (on sale) / Shoes: Converse / Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Avery Tote, also similar here (on sale) / Lip: Dior ‘Princess’ Lipstick

This week is spring break for my kids and so far the weather hasn’t been the best.  Yesterday John and I took the kids to the museum of science & industry in Chicago.  My kids were entertained for hours.  Then we went out to dinner at Cantina Laredo.  It was some of the best Mexican food I have ever had!  The queso and guacamole was insane!  Then we stopped into Sprinkles to get some cupcakes to take home.  Sofia and Caleb were so worn out from the day they fell asleep in the car on the way home.  We all had a great day!
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25 Anti-Aging Skincare Tips

  1. Always wear sunscreen when you are in the sun.  And avoid being in direct sunshine from 10:00am-2:00pm, where a hat or sit under an umbrella.
  2. Wash your face every night before bed, never sleep with makeup on.
  3. Use an eye cream every night starting at age 20.  And use your ring finger to gently apply it.
  4. Give yourself a facial massage.  This stimulates blood and oxygen circulation, which means more collagen production.  It also tightens and tones facial muscles, resulting in your skin looking lifted.
  5. Moisturize your face and body every day.  Applying lotion right after your shower will seal in moisture.
  6. Drink lots of water and limit caffeine.  Staying hydrated is so important for the body and skin.
  7. Don’t smoke.  And avoid second hand smoke as well.
  8. Limit alcohol intake.  Alcohol dehydrates the skin and causes wrinkles.  Water down your drinks with club soda or drink a glass of water in between each glass of wine.
  9. Use products with retinol or glycolic.  Both have anti-aging properties, including reducing and preventing wrinkles, scarring and more.
  10. Sleep a minimum of 7 hours every night.  The body needs adequate rest to restore and replenish.
  11. Take your vitamins and eat a healthy diet.  There is not a product or quick fix that can make up for an unhealthy diet.
  12. Exercise, you don’t have to do strenuous work outs; just get moving at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes.  Aim to get your heart rate up and work up a sweat.  Sweating flushes out toxins and increases blood flow.  Having a healthy body will also give you healthy skin.
  13. Exfoliate 1-3 times a week. This gets off the dead, dull skin cells to reveal new & fresh skin underneath.
  14. Use a daytime serum and/or night time serum.  Let the serum do the work for you all day or at night while you are sleeping.
  15. Never go braless, even around the house at least wear a shelf bra tank or day bra.  Don’t let gravity give you saggy boobs.
  16. Avoid drinking from straws.  Sucking on a straw causes wrinkles around the mouth.
  17. Exfoliate your body with coffee grounds.  The caffeine helps to stimulate blood flow, reduces cellulite and stretch marks.
  18. Apply a hand cream every night before bed.  Hands show age faster than anywhere else.
  19. Do not pick or pull your skin.  Picking and pulling causes scarring and wrinkles.
  20. Squinting into the sun causes crows feet, always wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
  21. Exfoliate and apply a lip treatment to your lips often.  Keeping your lips plump and hydrated keeps you looking younger.
  22. Don’t neglect your neck and décolleté.  Cleanse and moisturize the same as your face.  Look at your neck, typically you will see 1 distinct line for every 10 years of your life. (ex: if you are 30 years old you should have 3 lines on your neck)
  23. If you have wrinkles that really bother you, get botox.  There is only so much reversal you can get from a product.  If you are completely unhappy with wrinkles on your face go ahead and get botox.
  24. Prevention!  You are never to young to start a healthy skincare regimen, diet and lifestyle.  Make decisions today that your future self will be proud of.
  25. Laugh every day, it’s medicine for the soul.

rachel barkules

80’s Inspiration

Dress: Leith / Faux Leather Jacket: BlankNYC / Shoes: old, similar here, obsessed / Clutch: old, similar here, save / Fishnets: here / Earrings: House of Harlow / Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jasobs / Lip: OCC ‘Clear’ Lip PencilOCC Lip Tar ‘Divine’

As a child born in the 80’s I love bold prints and bright colors.  As soon as I saw this dress it was calling my name, I just love the fun colors.  If you are more curvy on bottom or have any hips/butt at all get this dress 1 size up than your normal size.  This faux leather jacket is the best one out there.  It’s under $100, it’s a great fit, lots of details and it’s so soft (feels like real leather).
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Colorful Midi Skirt

Skirt: re:named, also available here, love this & this splurge / Top: Leith / Shoes: Kate Spade (similar style under $90) / Clutch: old, so similar heresave / Earrings: Baublebar, also love this / Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs / Lip: Urban Decay ‘Obsessed’ Lipstick

I have been loving our warmer weather!  It’s rare for Chicago to have such warm weather in March.  I am taking full advantage and wearing all my spring clothes and enjoying the sunshine.  This skirt is so feminine and girly.  I love the pops of fun colors on the black background.  The key to wearing a midi skirt is to wear pumps, this will elongate the leg.  Avoid wearing a shoe that is strappy around the ankle, this will cut the leg off at the ankle and make your legs look shorter.
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