Archive for the ‘My Favorite Things’ Category

Here is another one that I put into “My Favorite Things” category and it’s marked down big on Amazon, priced at $35.99 (Retail $99.99)!  I took a quick shot in my bedroom so you can see what it looks like in a real setting.

I have this 1byone Elegant Aroma Diffuser in my bedroom. (Go here to get the Amazon price).  I turn it on every night before I go to bed and it puts me in the perfect zone for a good night sleep. I use it to get rid of the dry, stuffy air, plus the essential oils I use put me in the perfect “zen” state. The changing light colors and aroma are very soothing. The cool mist diffuser changes to 7 colors and will automatically shut off when the water runs low.

I personally love the color and modern design (shaped like a seashell), plus it has a large capacity tank that allows it to run up to 8 hours which is rare.  There are two mist settings and you can choose the color to match the decor or mood, or cycle through the lights.  I also love the fact that it turns itself off when the water is running low so the unit isn’t damaged.

It also adds some humidity in the air without any condensation.  It’s super easy to fill up and clean as you just detach the AC adapter.

Battling Hormonal Imbalance

Since August of 2015 my life and health have changed significantly!  Prior to that, I was experiencing hormonal imbalance.  Over the past 8 months, I’ve been going to HerKare and I can’t imagine my life without it now!  Please ladies, if you don’t feel quite right, read on as there are some simple solutions beyond anti-depressants.

HerKare figured out what I was lacking and has brought me back to feeling normal again.  (Oh, and the beautiful thing is most insurance companies cover the treatment! WAHOO!)

I shared with all of you about some hormonal imbalances I was experiencing (read this if you aren’t feeling “quite right”).  The “swings” started as a “small” issue and then bombarded into an obvious problem for me. Kind of like an “out of the body” experience.  I never wanted to blame my hormones for my reactions, but looking back, indeed it was.

Every other week, I sit down with Dania Khoncarly, PA-C, MPAS, BSN, RN for about 15 minutes.   She’s SO good at what she does and knows exactly if I’ve been following her protocol before I even say “hello”!   Dania knows if I haven’t been taking my special “cocktail” she built exclusively for my needs.  I take testosterone shots every two weeks, progesterone and thyroid meds daily, vitamin D and calcium.  And I recently started taking Lipotropic injections (this alone has improved my mood, helped my hair, skin and nails and allowed me to drop inches in my mid-section!)

What are Lipotropic Injections?

A Lipotropic injection contains a solution of lipotropic nutrients that are made up of one or more of the following fat burning compounds: choline, inositol, methionine, amino acids, vitamin b12 and other vitamins and minerals. Each of these properties are important because they each have a key role in utilizing fat, distributing energy, and removing toxins from the body.

• Improve memory and focus
• Boost energy
• Improve mood
• Promote healthy hair, skin & nails
• Aid in liver detoxification
• Burn body fat
• Decrease fluid retention
• Facilitate weight loss

Seriously, Dania is a staple in my life now as she cares about my health and wants me to experience to the fullest!  I am so thankful for this woman and for HerKare!

Did you know that doctors can determine exactly your symptoms and what is probably going on just by your blood results? During my visit to the Southlake clinic, Dania and Dr. Raymond Westbrook, D.O. could describe my symptoms to a tee without me having to tell them much. I didn’t feel so “evil” and out of control knowing it’s such a common problem.

My results? I had a low thyroid, low Vitamin D (very common), low testosterone and progesterone.  I go in every 10 days for a testosterone shot and take prescription medicine for the other deficiencies.  Now I’m sleeping better, feeling happier and have the energy I thought I would never get back.   My moodiness has decreased and my patience level is back to where it was before. I’m BACK and my family is more than thankful, especially my daughter, Ava.

Ladies, I’m telling you if you have any of the symptoms below, regardless of age you need to at least get it checked out.  Your choice of treatment is your own, but for me, I couldn’t afford not to get treated as I can’t slow my pace down…just not yet.

Weight gain
Depression
Fatigue
Acne
Hot Flashes
Insomnia
Low Libido
Night sweats
Irritability
Loss of concentration
Loss of muscle mass
Mood Swings

A deficiency in any of these can result in lower energy, fatigue, moodiness, weight gain… heck you name it.

But you don’t have to be OLD to have these imbalances either. Other causes include post pregnancy, genetic deficiency, birth control and obesity.

I feel so comfortable when I visit HerKare. If you haven’t heard of it, my guess is, you will soon from others besides me. To put it simply, HerKare diagnoses and treats hormonal imbalances in women.

HerKare has been able to drastically improve women’s lives, making them feel good again, happy, able to lose weight. In my opinion, this option is much better than popping an anti-depressant pill to try to get along.

The office is so clean and the staff is SUPER friendly. They put you right at ease and make sure you know you aren’t alone. They are also very open about how they can help. In some situations, there are contraindications where they can’t treat a woman.

No woman is alike and so every treatment is individualized.  I would like to consider it “special” as each and every one of us are unique and special.

Things to consider with hormone replacement therapy.

What are the benefits of hormone replacement therapy?

• Improved energy levels
• Improved mood
• Reduction or elimination of night sweats and hot flashes
• Improved memory and concentration
• Improved sex drive
• Prevention of vaginal thinning & dryness
• Improved fat loss and muscle tone
• Decreased skin wrinkles
• Protection from osteoporosis
• Reduced risks of heart disease

Are there risks involved.  Yes, there are and HerKare is very open and candid about them. Official FDA information regarding potential risks and side effects of each of the individual hormone replacement drugs utilized at HerKare is available here: Click Here

Of course, as any medical therapy, there are potential risks and side effects that must be carefully evaluated during the course of therapy. That is one of the reasons that the HerKare model fosters a professional relationship between physicians and patients, focusing on regular interaction and monitoring. With regular evaluation, the treatments professionals at HerKare can closely monitor the course of therapy and adjust as necessary to reach for clinically optimal outcomes.

In my opinion, it’s worth every second to find out what is going on with your body. HerKare provides just that. The treatment is up to you. But as women we deserve a fighting chance!

HerKare currently has 6 locations, three of which are in the DFW area. It’s a unique clinic of medical professionals focusing on the treatment of hormonal imbalance in women and accept insurance!

Sometimes you just come across something so cool that you feel like you just have to share!

Kirby Hicks is a North Dallas teacher, but he’s also an amazing artist.

Liquid Metal Artwork was born from his passion for welding and creating beautiful things with metal. In his 30 years of welding experience, he learned that welders must use their artistic brain to do their best work. Liquid Metal Artwork represents his journey.

He donated this BEAUTIFUL piece for a fundraiser for my son’s baseball team. I loved it so much that I bought an item from him!

I feel in love with the piece pictured above and it’s now displayed in my bedroom. I was so appreciative of his donation to the team, but now I’m even more appreciative to have one of his pieces in my home.  Prices vary depending on project, but I think his work makes for an amazing GIFT!  Go here to see even more of his pieces!

Look at the work he’s done for weddings with these butterflies! He does wall art, yard art, furniture, sport art, sculptures…really anything you really want!

He can make something custom for you and is super easy to work with. So if you’re looking for something super unique and made “just for you”, give him a call or send him an email! Kirby is a blast to work with too!

Please fill out the form to contact him or call or text to 469 853-1778.

Kirby Hicks

LiquidMetal ArtWork

Argyle TX 76226

I’m soooo jealous of those of you in Tyler, Texas!  You have a Gordmans, lucky dogs! 🙂 When I lived in Kansas City, I would shop Gordman’s for all those super “hidden” gems in apparel and for the home. Make sure to stop in or shop online at Gordmans where you’ll save 60 percent off department store prices.

I’ve been doing a serious overhaul on my house… you’d think I was nesting.  Repainting, selling old furniture, redecorating.   I think it’s my way of ushering in spring.  And as someone who likes to pinch pennies but get some really COOL things, Gordman’s has been one of my go-to places.

Gordmans is keeping it trendy by offering “country chic” and “coastal cool” categories. And did you notice the prices???? Yep, totally affordable to give any room a new look!

Country Chic: Classic and comfortable, modern farmhouse décor keeps any room looking simple and organic. A mix of reclaimed wood, metal and whitewashes, farmhouse décor creates a cozy and rustic vibe. Grab more of this signature design style for less at Gordmans.

Make A Splash: Gordmans’ coastal collection of décor features aquatic-inspired wall art, boating motifs and plenty of navy blue. Whether you’re decking out a lake house or just adding some ocean views to the bathroom, Gordmans beach décor will have you dreaming of warmer days ahead. Additionally, refresh the home with Gordmans’ go-anywhere storage solutions to aid in spring cleaning, including soft bin storage, trendy wire baskets and a wide variety of food storage sets.

I fell in love with their Modern Farmhouse items! I found these adorable lanterns at 1/2 the price I would have shopped anywhere else!  I love the look and feel that it brings to my fireplace and when we are entertaining outdoors!

If you don’t have a Gordmans near you, don’t miss out on all the awesome finds at super good prices!  You can shop on Gordmans.com.

Happy Saving!

I am ALWAYS on the computer in the wee hours of the morning and late at night.  I found the perfect light that literally travels everywhere my laptop goes in the house.  This light, portable desk lamp goes into “My Favorite Things” category!  

It’s the  1byone Infinity Glow Eye-Friendly LED Desk Lamp.  It’s priced at $50.99 right now, retail $109.

It has 3 light modes and 6 dimmable levels. On the front, there is a little touchpad, which lets you choose from 3 different light colours – warm, cool or neutral white. A 6-level dimmer lets you adjust the level of brightness. L.E.D.’s are the hot trend in the marketplace because they produce a lot of eye-pleasing light.

This is a good price for a high-quality portable LED light.  Not to mention, it looks pretty cool too! The lamp uses anodised aluminum in its construction and the base part is made of quality rubber, which is very flexible, so you can use the lamp anywhere!  I use it in the office and in my bedroom to read my books before bed.  I also took it on a recent business trip which was super convenient.

The lamp is wireless and it has a built-in rechargeable 2000mAh battery and lasts anywhere from 3-30 hours of use depending on the light mode and dimmer setting. You can turn the lamp on by gently tapping the power on/off switch.

Description:

Extremely Durable – The LED panel will last over 50,000 hrs (no splash screen, not dazzling).

Comes with 28 LEDs and a built-in 2000 mAh high quality Li-Polymer battery, which supports up to 3 – 30 hours runtime in 3 hrs continuous charging (charging cable included).
3 Light Modes – Warm White, Cool White, Neutral White. with 6-Level Dimmer freely adjust the strength of brightness. Preserves your eyes at night by selecting a comfortable working or reading atmosphere.
Adjustable & Anti-Fall Design – The lamp can be bend to either the right or left by up to 180¡ã (please see the picture). And 1 Meter fall protection ensures the lamp can sustain small drops and bumps. Automatic memory: Retain the last light mode you set.
Practical & Portable – Wide application and easy to carry to work outdoors, you can use it with your smart phone, pad, computer, while reading or writing, on the sofa, bed, table, desk, etc, practical to carry and move around. Fits in any environment and eye-friendly.

For the past few months, I’ve been learning all I can about the secrets to looking younger that doesn’t cost an arm & a leg or require surgery. I have been visiting with our expert, Dr. Lori Stetler from The Dallas Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics. In my opinion, she’s one of the best in town! Through all of this, I’m learning the graceful agers aren’t aging better, they’re just aging smarter, so that is why I’m doing this series on the Secrets of Looking Younger.

Through the winter, Dr. Stetler put me on a plan to lighten and brighten my skin.  We did some procedures that were non-invasive, quick, inexpensive and produced great results! Here are the before and after shots.

You’ll notice a BIG improvement in pigmentation and texture! My skin feels brighter, not so dull.  I had a bunch of dark spots all over from sun damage and those have almost all disappeared!  WAHOOOO!!!  I had a lot of discoloration around my mouth and you can see what a difference these treatments made. My skin is so much clear and I’m not afraid of leaving the house without any make up now! For me that speaks volumes!

My hubby has also noticed how much smoother my skin feels and that says A LOT for him to notice.  LOL!

Here are the procedures I took part in:

NOTE: Click on the links to find special deals if you would like to try any of these procedures with Dr. Stetler’s team!

“Glow” Chemical Peel 

HydraFacial treatment (my favorite)

Clear+Brillant  (another favorite)

Botox 

Here are some great lessons I’ve learned during this series:

Lesson #1:  If you’re wanting to do any type of treatments, get back to your original skin color.

Lesson #2:  Dr. Stetler advised to get “hooked” on sunscreens.  The higher the number the better.  She said SPF 30 is great IF you re-apply but many of us often don’t nor do we put it on well enough.  Her opinion, go higher on sunscreen for added protection.  For me, she suggested sunscreens with helioplex, for example Neutrogena, Aveeno an LaRoche Posey. For more information on sunscreen, you can read my post on How to Choose the Best Sunscreen here.

Lesson #3:  Become one with an umbrella and hat when your out in the sun.

Lesson #4:  Don’t just protect your face, protect your body as sun will damage and age other parts including your legs, hands, etc.

Lesson #5: Botox is a REALLY quick way to bring back youth and fix trouble spots. This FDA-approved product helps to soften facial expression lines around the forehead, eyes, and mouth without surgical intervention or unnecessary downtime.

Lesson #6:  There is really no quick-fix to undo damage to your skin.  It takes time and patience and choosing the right plan for you.  That’s why it’s important to choose the right doctor.

Lesson #7: It doesn’t take a ton of money to get your skin back in shape.  But if you make the investment, take care of it afterward.  Don’t just go out and be a sun goddess again!

Lesson #8:  DRINK WATER and lots of it, at least half your body weight in ounces daily. Your skin will thank you!

Lori Stetler, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist in Dallas whose career path began with an undergraduate education from Baylor University in Texas. She was a summa cum laude graduate and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She received her medical degree from UT Southwestern Medical School where she was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. She completed an internship in internal medicine and a dermatology residency at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. She served as chief resident her senior year. She became board-certified in dermatology in 1993. Following her residency, Dr. Stetler began her private practice in dermatology in Dallas at Medical City. She moved her practice to its current location in Preston Center in 2001.

Training and Achievements

Dr. Stetler specializes in cosmetic dermatology, laser surgery, dermatologic surgery and general medical dermatology. Dr. Stetler is a Clinical Professor in the department of dermatology at UT Southwestern. She currently trains dermatology residents, fellows and medical students in cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. Dr. Stetler is a national speaker and trainer for several pharmaceutical companies in the proper use and injection techniques of neurotoxins and injectable fillers.

Dr. Stetler is active in a number of local and national organizations including the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. She has served as president of the Dallas/Fort Worth Dermatological Society. Dr. Stetler has been named one of the “Best Doctors in Dallas” by D Magazine annually since 2001.

This one goes in “my favorites” category!  These Eco Vessels ROCK.

If you’re looking for a high-end water bottle for Christmas, take advantage of this 20% off code from Eco-Vessel.  These rarely go on sale! Use promo code HOLIDAY2015.

Prices range from $14-$50 +.  These are great for kids, moms, athletes, tea lovers, beer lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Choices include:

BIGFOOT Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Tea, Fruit, Ice Infuser – 45 oz

BOSS Insulated Stainless Steel Beer Growler Bottle with Tea and Fruit Infuser – 64 oz

Boulder Insulated Water Bottle with Tea, Fruit, Ice Strainer – 20 oz & 24 oz

Double Barrel Insulated Beer / Coffee Mug – 16 oz – Matte Colors

Double Barrel Insulated Coffee / Beer Mug – 16 oz – COPPER Moscow Mule + Much More!

I got The Boss for my son Nick for Christmas and I know he’s going to LOVE IT.  As many of you know he’s a baseball player and an outdoor enthusiast and he is ALWAYS drinking water.  We’ve been through dozens of water bottles because he’s hard on them. I have no doubt The Boss will withstand anything Nick can bring its way.  The also have super cool and smaller bottles for everyone in the family.

The Boss keeps drinks cool for up to 36 hours and warm up to 8 hours.  You can scour the reviews on the internet and the Eco Vessel wins every time in the length of keeping things cool.  It’s great if you have an outdoor enthusiast in the house.  It’s also great for those who are always in the gym.

The Boss is Triple Insulated and the big boy for keeping a lot of water cold for 36 hours or tea hot for eight hours. Eco Vessel included a large stainless steel infuser for loose tea leaves, red or white wine, slices of oranges, limes, pineapple, or sangria.