Caffinated Cellulite

I am desperate!  Last night after midnight, I had a panic attack.  I realized that I am leaving for a beach vacation in less than a week and my cellulite is out of control.  Since I am not currently employed, my goal was to work out every day and lose 20 pounds.  Surprise.  That has not happened. 

My first thought was to run out to a 24-hour store and buy some cellulite cream.  On second thought, spending $20-$50 on a cream that barely works and will not show results in a week did not seam feasible to this newly money savvy chic.  So, I developed a brilliant plan at 1:15am to make my own.

The beauty magazines tout that caffeine is responsible for reducing the orange peel appearance of cellulite.  What has caffeine? Coffee!  I went and found the darkest k-cup that I could find in the pantry.  The darker...the more caffeine...right?  Then I cut open the k-cup.  A black cloud of ground coffee blew out the top.  Ok.  Step 1 complete.  I put it in a bowl.

Step 2. Now how do I get this on my legs? I need to mix it with something. At this late hour, sesame oil seemed like a logical choice because I used to slather it on to lighten the color of stretch marks.  I mixed the dark coffee grounds and the sesame oil together.  It smelled awful but I was a determined woman.  I rubbed this mixture on my legs while standing in the kitchen.  Not a fab idea. Coffee got all over the floor and the dogs were having a field day.  You would have thought they had been unleashed at Starbucks.

I grabbed the cling wrap and wrapped my legs so it would stop falling off.  The dogs were still going at the mess on the floor so I vacuumed it up.  Problem.  I should have worn underwear during this beauty treatment.  Coffee grounds went were no coffee should ever go: truly an uncomfortable experience.

However, I did successfully make it up the stairs to rinse the mess off in the shower.  I must admit that I really think it work a tad bit. I actaully may try it again.

When my husband returns home from his trip what do you think he will notice first? My reduced cellulite or the lingering odor of sesame oil and coffee?

Success of the Day:  Gaining motivation to make exercise a daily part of my life again

Pink Inspiration: My pink beach towel: It is ready for me regardless of my cellulite status.

Supporting Michigan

I can really use an upgrade on my spring handbag.  I have been carrying the same fall/winter bag for 3 years and do not want to continue using it into the spring/summer season.  The bright yellow Coach tote that I purchased last summer is just too heavy for my less than stellar back.  It truly needs to find a new home with a deserving Ebay shopper. 

I REALLY want the MICHAEL by Michael Kors Hamilton Large Tote! My pre-unemployment self would have ran to his store in my stilettos faster than most can sign their name on a credit card slip.  However, now I can NOT justify spending the amount of an unemployment check on a handbag. 

My friend introduced me to a line of handbags from local designer, Jenna Kator.  Her collection has some fantastic pieces.  I purchased "The Petoskey".

http://www.jennakatorhandbags.com/petoskey-details.html

I really like this purse.  It has the same color and similar style of the Michael Kors bag, but is much less expensive.  I also LOVE the fact that I am supporting another Michigan resident.  We all need to assist one another in this tough economy.  However, I must admit that through this positivity I was feeling gray.  I was having a pity party that I could not afford a famous designer bag because I equate handbags to social status. 

Then the most amazing event took place.  There is a lady at the career center that I admire very much.  She is a retired VP from a local prestigious hospital system.  She is a classy, professional, and well educated woman.  I aspire to be like her when I am at retirement age.  When I sat next to her in a class today, she showed me her Jenna Kator bag!  She had "The Cranbrook" purse.  It made me feel so good that someone I hold in such high esteem had a handbag by the same designer.  If it is good enough for her then it is good enough for me.  Now I LOVE my new bag!

Success of the Day:  Accepting the fact that status is much more than a single handbag

Pink Inspiration: The pink Hello Kitty band-aid stashed at the bottom of my purse that came in handy for my bruised ego

Moved Back Home

I have moved back home with my parents....  BUT just temporarily.  My mother had cosmetic surgery earlier in the week and requires around the clock care.  The dogs and I moved  in to help her with recovery.  It is the least I could do since she has done this twice for me in the past year.  I was really looking forward to a "vacation", a trip down memory lane.  However that is not what has been happening.  Things in my childhood home have changed:

• My old room has new paint, curtains, and a wall border
• 3 cats have replaced the giant German Shepard
• The fridge full of home cooked meals has been replaced with a can of Spam and left over soups

Foremost, this adventure is a departure from when my mother cared for four children and a husband in this home.  I am now the care taker.  I feed her and giver her medication every few hours. I also change her surgical tubes.  It is like feeding and diapering a new born, expect this one will be quiet when you tell it to "zip it". 

Although this may not sound like much fun, I am in very good spirits.  It feels really good to give back to someone that has helped you...because you WANT to, not because you HAVE to.  And it is GREAT to see her do something for herself after 32 years of unselfishly doing for her family. 

Plus there is still the endless supply of feta cheese!

Success of the Day:  Realizing the place I have with my husband is now my true home

Pink Inspiration: The old pink paint in my former bedroom that is visible through  a crack in the wall