yesterday i got a facial.  i got a facial with a gift card that i have been holding onto for – wait for it – 5 years.  it was given to me when i was pregnant with liam, who will be 5 in a few weeks.  i guess i didn’t want to make time for a facial – – for 5 years.

i’ve been neglecting self care, for awhile.  mostly in the form of my body.  running on fumes.  literally and figuratively.  i thought i’d get in great shape with running.  i only gained weight and lost 3 toe nails.  i did however, also gain endurance and confidence in what my body is capable of.

i have been eating not so great, for the past *cough* few years.  i like healthy food, and i do eat it.  i just haven’t been able to stomach it, all the time, really.  in general, i’ve just have been feeling kind of mehhhh and when you feel mehhh, it’s hard to break the cycle of mehhhh.

last week, after being sick for 2 weeks (and feeling super mehhhh), i told my mom i wanted to go to  nordstrom’s, just to get out and to look at some products (i’m never against a little retail therapy).  i had a few gift cards that i had been hoarding for awhile (do you see a pattern here?), and figured now would  be a great time to put them to use.  lotions, potions and makeup have always been my favorite pick me up, (after feeding my soul) when i’m not feeling like my best self.

i wanted to start with some skincare.  specially some anti-aging night cream (what is your favorite brand or product?).  i love trying new brands and i certainly mix products from different lines (my fave face wash / my fave serum), but i ended up at the estee lauder counter.  i’ve used estee lauder skincare on and off over the years (their eye makeup remover is always on my counter), and my mom has used it, regularly, over the years and her skin looks fabulous (most people think that she’s my sister or that my kids are hers – ha).  so, i always pay attention to what products work for her.  i ended up with the revitalizing night cream and eye cream, and i’m really liking it.  it has a great feel, a light smell, and a good price point.   while at the counter, aerin lauder‘s line caught my eye.  ok, well the packaging caught my eye first.  i ended up trying the bronzer, concealer, a cream blush and this lipstick (i never wear lipstick, but i’m totally loving this one.  it’s super creamy and such a delicate color.  i don’t really like to feel “done”  up, but it just made me look a bit more lively and in turn feel a bit more lively.  the blush was not a color i would usually go for with my fair skin, but it actually looks just right along the cheek bones.

i’m a huge believer that beauty comes from the inside out, but neglecting the outside never does my insides any favors.

i’ve been working from the inside out,  getting up early and spending time feeding my soul.  reading, writing, praying, thinking and just sitting in the quiet before the noise and hurry of the day.  this has done wonders for me, actually – –  exercising my soul.  but, i feel like it’s time to start taking care of the outside too.

i’m making small steps.  for me, bible reading led to bronzer and bronzer to the body (inside to out).  i signed up for the balanced life’s 4×4 pilates program.  small step.   i’m super excited, and a little nervous about it.  i did yoga this morning in my bedroom.  small step.  and, i hope to start my daily 30 minute walks again.  step, step.

self care is certainly a process and looks differently at different times in our lives.  sometimes it calls for full focus on the inside and other times on the outside.  and, yet the best balance is to nurture your body, soul (mind) and spirit.

take care, lovelies.  wherever you feel most neglected or a little starved – – take care there, first.  then the next will follow.  i’m learning as i go, right along side you.

what about you?  are you consistent with self-care?  and what is self-care look like to you?  what types of things (even products) revitalize you?  i’d love to know.

here are the products i mentioned above.  if you feel like a little color and care might lift your mood these are your products (more of my fave products here):