Goodbye Dry

As soon as summer turns to fall, my skin starts a two-season long protest. It becomes unruly - with dry patches and redness - and frankly, just all around bad behaviour.

Putting on makeup in the a.m. is a challenge - my SPF moisturizer isn't enough...it needs more. I can exfoliate nightly with my go-to product, but it doesn't matter. It simply won't cooperate.

Then something magical happened. I was lucky enough to receive a sample of Dermalogica's latest serum - AGE Smart Overnight Repair Serum.  The serum is designed to firm skin and restore its capacity to maintain moisture so you and your skin can sleep easy.  It's targeted for "mature skin" and even though I don't fit into that category, I had to try it.

The serum uses several ingredients to give you glowy, happy skin:

• Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 - accelerates the production of collagen and Hyaluronic Acid
• Argan Oil - inhibits the production of enzymes that breakdown collagen
• Brown Seaweed - fights free radicals
• Rose oils - help protect against broken capillaries and eczema

The formula also incorporates botanical oils like Jasmine, Rosemary, Ylang-Ylang and more which gives the serum a soothing, pleasant scent. 

Since I've been using it, my skin's temper tantrums have finally ceased.  Give it a try. Maybe your skin will get in line too. 

Dermalogica Overnight Repair Serum retails for $88 (15mL) and is available at select salons and spas across Canada and the US.

Nothing to Wear?

Image courtesy of  stylishthought.com

We've all been there. A closet full of clothes, but nothing to wear. Sick of everything. And even worse - when you go out shopping, you just seem to gravitate towards things you already own.  What happens when you just can't seem to embrace something new? What happens when it's out with the old in with the old (again)?

If this is happening to you. You are in a style rut.

Want some help to break free? Follow these tips.

Steal Her Style: Colour Blocking

Being a fictional character has its perks. You get to wear amazing clothes and don't ever have to pay for any of the outfits!

Serena van der Woodsen wears many drool-worthy items and - let's face it - so does most of the cast on Gossip Girl.  I admit, I watch it more for the fashion than for anything else.

But, what if you watch the show and completely fall in LOVE with something that's out of your price range? Well, thanks to Rent The Runway, you can rent it, wear it and then return it all for a fraction of the cost of the real thing.

The stunning Yigal Azoruel Optic Colorblock dress that Blake Lively's character wore this week retails for $1,095.00. But you can get it on Rent the Runway for just $150.

Definitely something worth gossiping about.
xoxo

Squash Calories Away

2011 US Open Squash Tournament

Turns out that squash isn't a just a great way to cut back on your carb intake. It also burns crazy amounts of calories - squash the sport, not the vegetable.

When playing squash, you’ll burn 1020 calories an hour (or 17 a minute, or 0.283 a second).  That makes it one of the healthiest sports in the world. Surprised? So was I! I knew interval training burned a ton of calories but I didn't realize squash was so high up there. 

Looking for some more activities to torch calories? Rock-climbing, swimming, rowing and cross-country skiing were also in the top five. 

Are you Colour-Phobic?

My wardrobe is so full of black you would think I was in love with it.  And because of my endless penchant for noir, one of my resolutions this year was to wear more colour. Turns out, it's not as hard as I thought.

Want your wardrobe to move out of the monochromatic zone? Read my latest article on Social Moms for tips on how to add more hues to your closet.

You can read it here.

Giving Thanks

"Your time is limited, don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't let noises of others' opinions drown your inner voice." - Steve Jobs

Yesterday, as I slogged my way through an extremely slow 5K run (it had been awhile) with my iPhone, I was struck again at the impact Steve Jobs had on my life. I started running because of Nike+ which was created through a collaboration with Apple and Nike. Suddenly, using Nike+ made my runs worthwhile. I could see how I did, keep track of my personal bests and watch how my runs got longer and faster while they were logged on nikeplus.com.

Then when Nike+GPS launched for iPhone, it added a new dimension to my run. I can have my friends cheer me on in real time when I opt in for "cheers" on Facebook during my actual run. I can set goals to run against myself (faster, longer, etc.) and get "atta girls" from athletes like Lance Armstrong when I'm struggling to speed up.

Nike+ has made me fitter, healthier and has given me a love for running that I never thought would have been possible - especially at the beginning when running around the block seemed impossible.  And now, I won't run without it. I always think "What's the point? It won't count. I can't track it without Nike+!"

That's just one small effect Steve Jobs had on my life. I am thankful for it and all the other ways he has changed our world.

Seeing as it is Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend, I've been thinking a lot about what I'm grateful for and how lucky I am to have so much in my life.  Friends, family, health, security, a great job...

As I look back on all the accomplishments in Steve's life, I keep thinking about how we all could learn from his way of living - think different, take risks, embrace change.  Just another thing to thank him for - inspiration.

For an extra dose of motivation to push yourself to the next level, here's his Stanford Commencement Speech from 2005:

Guest Post - Wear Your Hair

Image courtesy of beautysynergy.wordpress.com

When I first heard Tiffany Shiu exclaim how much she loves doing hair - even her long, thick hair - on a daily basis, I couldn't believe it. Tiffany isn't a hairstylist, she's an everyday girl just like you and me but she actually enjoys doing hair.  As a person who always forks out money on a blowout for any special event - or let's face it even a Monday - I knew I had to ask her to do a guest post to share her passion and maybe even some of her secrets.  Here it is! Introducing Tiffany Shiu, Hair Guru.  Read on...

Tiffany Shiu

When Mel asked me if I was interested in sharing some of my favorite hair styles/tips – I couldn’t resist! I have to admit… I love doing hair and I often change my hairstyle depending on what I'm wearing, how I'm feeling, or how early I have to wake up that day! My philosophy is that hair is the perfect accessory - it can make an outfit and in turn, make us feel confident about what we’re wearing.

Take Blake Lively for example. In addition to having great style, she always uses her hair to complement the “look” she wants.

MTV Movie Awards, she wears a sexy cobalt blue Michael Kors cutout dress. By slicking back her pin-straight hair in a ponytail, her hairstyle actually enhances the sophisticated look.

Blake Lively at the MTV Movie Awards

Alternatively, at Regis and Kelly, Blake rocks a short, flirtatious Tibi dress and pairs it with a relaxed wavy half up/half down style. She leaves a few strands by her face – keeping the look feminine, soft and effortless. Imagine swapping the hairstyles… the looks simply wouldn’t work as well.

Blake Lively at Regis & Kelly

Treating your hair like an accessory – just like your jewellery or shoes – is an easy way to add that special something to your overall look. Great locks can make your outfit look complete and once it’s done - trust me, it’s worth it!

Images courtesy of  justjared.com.