My BBL journey - Day 1

BBL - have you heard of it?  Broad Band Light treatment.  Today I had my first treatment and took a few photos to monitor my progress over the next week.  For those new to BBL, here is a summary of what it does:

How does BBL work?

The light energy delivered by the BBL will gently heat the upper layers of your skin. The heat absorbed by the targeted areas will stimulate your skin cells to generate new collagen. This will help restore your skin to its natural beauty, blending its natural colors and making it smoother, vibrant and younger looking. In addition the photothermal energy will target and eliminate many of the fine vessels that cause redness and the unwanted melanin responsible for pigmented lesions.

Basically, this Florida girl now has to spend her hard earned money to repair bad decisions made during my 20's.  I tanned indoors, I tanned outdoors, I even did "cocktails" where I hit the tanning bed and followed up with a spray tan.  These days I am a spray-tan only girl but my face is yet to forgive me.     

The BBL treatment is meant to help cell turnover and rid of the dark spots on my face.  I am convinced that taking birth control pills has also contributed to the dark spots but that is just a guess.  My face doesn't normally look like these photos shown but the treatment immediately brought any discoloration to the surface.  

Fast forward to my treatment, it was about 25 minutes total and for the most part, comfortable.  A clear gel was applied to my face and the light was applied in little zaps using a hand-held tool resembling a price scanner.  I some some mild tingling for a couple hours afterwards but it quickly diminished as the night went on.  So, here you go.  A few make-up free (except leftover mascara and eyeliner) shots of the sun spots I am seeking to repair.  By week's end, I am hooping these spots have faded and are a thing of the past.  I will do at least one more treatment in another couple months.  I don't normally have cheeks this rosy, I am guessing it's some irritation from the heat treatment.  (These pictures were about three-hours after)

Luckily, I don't have wrinkles yet and the doctor asked me if I had botox in my forehead.  No botox for me yet but I can probably be talked into in fairly easily. :)  Finally, this big fivehead forehead of mine got a compliment.  I am sure I will be obsessed over these next few days checking the mirror but will report back on the progress.  Have you done anything like this yet?  Please tell!    

  

Finding the perfect summer flats

I finally have a good base tan and am wearing the heck out of shorts and summer dresses.  I have a couple pairs of go-to flats I wear from the lake to dinner and everything in between but they have so much use, I can stand to get a new pair.
I have put the braided Michael Kors (below) in an online cart twice but ended up not buying them. I just saw on ShopBop they finally went on sale but sizes are limited.  Decisions, decisions.
What are your summer faves?

Untitled #40 by eporter-217 featuring platform sandals

5 favorite fashion pins - Red, white & blue

I was on Pinterest looking for ways to coordinate pieces I already have and found some cute options. What are your favorite summer looks?

{ 1 } - I recently bought my first chambray top but haven't really found ways to wear it.  A knotted scarf with rolled-up sleeves give me a pretty option to wear this casual look.

{ 2 } - I have some modern straight ankle jeans that I love and a new pair of wedges I am ready to rock.  This look is the perfect mix of polished casual.  Love this.    

{ 3 } - I have a similar chunky chain and a lot of striped tops.  These bold pants would be a great way to update the look.  I haven't purchased any pants like this but I would love to.

{ 4 } - I have this skirt, top and scarf.  These flats are such a clever way to update this and give it a little kick.  I saw some similar flats at Banana Republic that may do the trick.

{ 5 } - USA! USA! USA!  It's World Cup time and this scarf is everything!  I love it.  4th of July is around the corner and this would be the all-american look.  So cute. 

In the kitchen: My new fave food (on almost everything)

I have been such a dare devil lately.  I bought my first pair of black jeans last month, had (and loved) my first mojitos and have a new favorite food.  Food topping, actually.  French Fried Onions.

Yes, the same fried onions used in green bean casserole.  First, let me say I do not like onions.  At all. Somehow these tasty treats have made their way into our pantry and have been on lots of dinner plates lately.  

I first added them when we had friends over for a cook-out.  I had my best dishes out with toppings and took a peek in the pantry for anything to fancy them up.  This did the trick.  Our guests loved adding them to their burgers.

My second experience was with mashed potatoes.  H-e-l-l-o.  Delish.

Most recently I took a hint from Chick-fil-A (they add roasted red pepper strips to salads) and sprinkled some in my side salad.  Just as good.  

If you are like me, these onions only made it in my cart November and December.  Trust me, when walking down the canned veggie isle, grab a container of these and sprinkle away.  Bon appetit!

Weekend Rewind - Lake + Pool Party

Ahhhhhhhhh....gotta love summer weekends.  I don't love the extreme heat here in Central Florida but I do love boating, tanning, relaxing and summer pool parties.  Sunday I pulled a double, hitting up the lake with my Dad in the morning and heading home in the afternoon for a pool party and cook-out with some friends.

I am also happy to report that I hit up Total Wine and got every ingredient possible for mojitos.  A nearly full shopping cart later, we had everything needed for my sis, Jessica to bartend.  This weekend we sipped coconut mojitos but several of our guests suggested strawberry and peach variations.  Simon did a great job working the grill and we had the best time.  Here are a few photo flashbacks.

and the most precious for last.......how cute is this adorable boy?  Our friends, Kassie and Brian are parents to this cutie pie, Dylan.  Too cute.

Adventures in Destin, Florida

Last week we had our annual Adams Homes manager retreat in Destin.  Aside from the seven hour drive (booooooo), it's a really great trip.  The ride up is actually not bad because everyone in the car is chatting and excited to get there.  The ride home, however is a looong trip back.
This year we stayed in a new place and I wanted to share a few snippets from the trip.

The trip started off with a little snafu, once we got to Destin I was in charge of getting liquor for the weekend and my credit card was declined.  My bank, Chase called me right away.  I was still in the store and they explained that it had been declined since I was out of town and had never made an alcohol purchase that big. Too funny.  It was only $300.00 but for Chase it was too much.  Once I explained I was there for a work trip and authorized the charge, my card was turned back on and we were back in business.

Once we were loaded up we headed to our condos.  This year we stayed at Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village and it was great!  There are some resident owned units there, mixed with vacation rentals.  The condos were top notch and I plan to return with my husband.  These condos are waterfront and the complex has a pool, hot tubs, restaurants and room service.  Love, love, love this place.

Check out the view of the condos from the water.  (We had a half-day boat trip)

There is always one daredevil in every group.  One of my colleagues tried the JetPack adventure.  It was about $200 for the package he chose and he had a blast.  He highly recommends it.  Five of us went out on the boat with him and it was so fun.

Meet the crew!  (Most of them anyways)  I am all the way in the back.  This was a lunch we enjoyed after morning meetings.  They are such a fun group. This trip was the perfect way to start summer.  

A few drink ideas for the non-drinker

I am back from my first summer getaway and brought back a few recipes to share.  I am not much of a drinker.  I am actually barely a drinker.  I was always playing soccer and never really tried enough drinks to find something I like.  What I don't like are the tastes of beer and liquor so my drinks are super fruity and sweet to mask the liquor taste.
If you have a friend like me, you are in luck....I have a few recipes to share.

Drink #1: Pineapple upside down cake -
I found this on Pinterest.  It's super simple with just three ingredients.  Equal parts either vanilla or cake flavored vodka and pineapple juice plus a splash of grenadine.  Serve it chilled.  This seriously tastes just like the name.

Drink #2:  Rumchata shot -
This was recommended by a friend at work.  When I looked online, this can be mixed with Bailey's, Fireball, Caramel Vodka, Goldschlager or Butterscotch Schnapps.  I don't know which of these mixtures I had but the RumChata was easy to drink when it was chilled (shot portion) but some of the guys thought it was too sweet.

Drink #3: Coconut Mojito -
Okay, I didn't make these but I did have a couple at a restaurant, Boshamps that we ate dinner at.  I don't know that this is the exact recipe and the bartender told me you really need some skills for a good Mojito but it's worth a shot.
Squeeze of half a lime 6 mint leaves, 1 oz. Ciroc Coconut Vodka, .5 oz. coconut rum, 1 oz. pineapple juice, .25 oz. cream of coconut, splash of soda, Sprig of mint and lime wedge for garnish.

What are your current faves for summer parties?