My Week on Instagram (Kinda)! (1-26-13)

I've been struck down (try saying that without hearing Michael Jackson in your head) by the dreaded Sydney Norovirus this week, so my life has been pretty uneventful (and verging on downright miserable) for the past week or so. It started out nice enough; the hubby, the girls, and I all trekked down to my brother's house for a barbecue. We had a really good time with him and some friends and my parents, and The Lil Bits (aka Kenzie and Lo) got to meet and play with a little puppy for the first time. It was love at first site (which we had to quickly tamper down, 'cause I they are so not ready for a pet)...

All the girls were in love with the little baby puppy (and I have to admit, I was a bit smitten too). It was quite funny watching Kenzie interact with the little bitty thing-she's very...aggressive. But no puppies were harmed!

I was already not feeling well before we made the trip down to my brother's and unfortunately the evening culminated for me with a gnarly bout of vomiting (and that's all I'm going to say about that)...

It seemed as if food was the enemy for me this week and I really couldn't stomach much, nor muster up the strength to actually cook meals. Quaker Oats Real Medleys Oatmeal was a life saver for me and The Lil Bits, who don't quite understand that mommy is not feeling well. All you have to do is add hot water or pop in the microwave and you have a tasty, nutritious little meal...

I didn't wear a stitch of makeup all this week. It was really all I could do to bathe and wash my face. I've been trying out this new cleanser from a company called Ageless Derma. It's their Anti-Aging Glycolic Facial Gel Cleanser (MSRP $25 for 4 oz.), so I was really excited for the opportunity to try it out...

I've been using it nightly for about 3 weeks with my Clarisonic Mia, and I like it-it's a gel formula so it's light and it makes my skin feel soft and clean-but quite honestly, I don't see any added benefits from this than any other cleanser I've used. Maybe I should switch to twice a day, or just give it more time (I'll give it another week or two and then post a full review)...

Because of my delicate sensibilities during this time of illness, I couldn't rely on my usual fragrant shower gels, so I'm so happy that I won this beauty from Beauty Info Zone...

This Bonne Mere Gentle Body Wash from L'Occitane is divine! Its subtle milk and honey scent is just enough to delight the senses without overwhelming them. Plus the formula is so rich, creamy, and moisturizing it made the struggle of standing up in the shower bearable.

Now, I personally felt like contacting the Guinness Book of World Records people about this next bit, but I realize while it may be a feat and milestone for me, it's not exactly award worthy...

...It took me about 2 months, but I finally used the entire tube of a lip balm! This is a rare task for me, I either get bored with a lip balm, lose it, or it falls victim to one of The Lil Bits. But I actually finished using the Nivea A Kiss of Mint and Minerals lip balm from top to bottom, and loved every minute of it! It feels smooth and silky on the lips, isn't at all waxy or sticky, yet has remarkable staying power. There is no scent or taste, but it leaves a mild tingly sensation as you apply it to your lips. More importantly, it actually works-your lips feel softer, smoother, and moisturized even after the balm wears off.

There were times that I felt absolutely dreadful, and I hate to say it, but I had to rely on a few trusty TV shows and movies to keep the girls quiet, occupied, and entertained while I tried to collect myself. Inevitably, they would get caught up in their shows/movies, so I turned to books to keep me distracted from my misery. Peyton just started the second novel in The Time Traveling Fashionista series by Bianca Turetsky, The Time-Traveling Fashionista at the Palace of Marie Antoinette, so she recommended that I read the first one...

...maybe next time. I instead opted to read An Extradordinary Theory of Objects by Stephanie Lacava, and I LOVE IT! I will definitely be doing a "Be Chic Literate" post on it when I finish. If you decide to pick it up, I highly recommend reading it with a notebook and pen handy and perhaps a smart phone so that you can look up the many people, places, and things that inhabit the pages.

So that's about it for me this week. And even right now, I really want to write a good closing paragraph, but my brain has officially decided it's time to stop thinking and take a nap, so I'm still not 100%. Hopefully, I will be soon. Until then...