What's on the Needles/Camp Loopy

Happy Wednesday! Did you all have a great Memorial Day Weekend? I had a great time-I worked, knit, read and went shopping. First and foremost, I thanked and Active and Vets of our Military for all their sacrifices. Freedom isn't free after all.

But! This is about knitting! I've been plugging away at my Camp Loopy Project and it is going by so fast! I'm on the second of four lace repeats before I bind off! I know it doesn't look like much in the way of shawls (Afternoon Tea from Knitty) but it'll be adorable once it's all blocked out!

 

How do you feel about random adorable cat pictures? I've been making a point of sitting out on my Picnic quilt I made last year in the afternoons to enjoy the good weather. There was a lovely breeze and it wasn't too hot or cold. Thankfully, I have a semi-tolerant cat. He's my grumpy old man. 

I've recently finished the books "French Women Don't Get Fat" and "French Women for all Seasons" by Mireille Guiliano. I must say I love what SHE has to say. It's all about moderation and enjoyment. Really. She also has some AMAZING recipes. I borrowed those two books from my local library and will be buying them. I just saw that she has a cookbook recently published, so I will have to check that out as well. I like that she interjects common sense, personal stories and pleasure into the books. It not a diet book in the traditional sense, it's more...a way of life. Of enjoying life. Also, it was a fun read. 

~Alexis

Fashion Friday Challenge 2!

Happy Friday! ....Ok so there's only 40 minutes left of Friday which means I'm squeaking by barely in time for Fashion Friday Challenge 2! I was busy! Reading and working! (Molly Harper Books, you can't go wrong!)

So here is the outfit I want to make:


This is actually a realistic outfit price wise...except for the necklace-it's $420! Cardi is $24, The shirt is $10, The jeans are $28, and the flats are $15. Sooo $75ish? They are all basic pieces that I think are easily translatable and again, I own pretty much everything.  I'm cheating a little I know.

Mother's Day is on Sunday!! Are you doing anything special?

Love, Alexis

Product Review: Boscia

Good afternoon! It's a ridiculously gorgeous day out here, all week really. I think it's finally safe to say, Spring is here with summer on it's way! Yesterday, I even went out to run errand in nothing but a tank top and capris. No cardigan to be found....and anyone who knows me would be shocked because I positively live in cardigans.

I thought a product review on some things I am using on my face would be fun. My favorite brand is Boscia, a preservative free skincare system. Now, I am not being paid in any way shape or for for this product review, if I ever am, I'll do full disclosure. I just *really* love this product.


For my daily face wash I *love* the Purifying Cleansing Gel for my normal-oily skin. My face feels so refreshed and bright and CLEAN. Which it most certainly is not after a day of Southern California air.
It cleans out so much from my skin and with it being preservative free, I really like that I'm not putting any additional junk on my skin.


Next up is their Clear Complexion Tonic (I also enjoy the fact they call it "tonic" and not "toner". It's so, Victorian-chic?). You mist this on your face after cleansing it, with no need for cotton balls which is much better for the environment. The less that goes into our landfills the better.
I love how refreshing this product makes my face feel. All tingly and clean. It is chocked full of good stuff for your face. Listed on their website, the ingredients are,

"• Sasa Kurilensis Water, derived from bamboo, neutralizes blemish-causing bacteria and helps the skin’s natural ability to regulate sebum production.
• Willow Bark Extract, a natural Beta Hydroxy Acid (Salicylic Acid) derived from the Willow Tree, gently and effectively exfoliates to unclog and purify pores, and helps minimize dark spots from previous breakouts.
• Rosemary Leaf Extract, an effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, helps to firm skin and visibly reduce the appearance of pores.

This product also contains the following ingredients:
• Jojoba Leaf, a powerful antioxidant, combats free radical damage while it nourishes and protects skin to prevent premature aging, and Willowherb, a unique anti-irritant, helps to calm skin inflammation and reduce visible redness and irritation."


For which I must concur. Now, I don't at present use their moisturizer, the last one I tried didn't smell at all pleasant, and with a highly sensitive nose, I really don't like strong smells on my face. I use Oil of Olay for now, but I am thinking of giving Boscia another whirl in the future. The cleanser and tonic smell just fine, as do most, I just seem to have problems with moisturizers - Boscia or not.



The last product I wanted to share is my FAVORITE MASK EVER. It's their Luminizing Black Mask.

I recently tried it out and fell in love. I as, so far, lived up to the hype.  It smooths the skin, made my face less oily and my skin was a whole lost brighter for it. Oh, and it took out so much junk from my pores!! I use this once a week and it's ghastly how much it still pulls up! I think the reason for this is because it adheres to your skin like a barnacle on a ship. Lovely image no? Also, it really is black.
I will say this: they say not to put on eyes or lips and really, don't. It's a peel off mask and does it's job wonderfully, but you don't want to damage the delicate eye and lips areas. Remember? Barnacles? But god is it totally worth it. I've gotten more complements on my skin in the past month than I had in awhile.

I know they are all pricey, but your skin is so important and for me to find a product line that works so well with it makes the price worth it to me.  Of course, I am not a dermatologist, or any remote kind of Health care professional, or Beauty Guru or, really, anyone with any scientific knowledge of this product. I'm just sharing the things I use and love. I hold no responsibility for any shenanigans you may get up to.

Don't forget, tomorrow is Fashion Friday Challenge 2! I'm looking forward to it since I recently got in a piece of clothing I'd been wanting since, oh, last August. Tonight, however, is Book Club! Wine, good food, friends and books? I wouldn't be anywhere else.

....Except London or Paris.....but they feel the same way. ;) Have a great night and I'll see you tomorrow!
Alexis

Ann Taylor Loft!

Hello, hello! I hope everything is going swimmingly in your neck of the woods. Things here are improving daily, I am glad to say.

Monday evening I found out I was hired at Ann Taylor Loft! So exciting! Yesterday, I went in to fill out paperwork and do some initial training. Part of that was to try on clothing to see the various fits on the pants. Part of my job is to try on cute clothes and make outfits. HOW is this work? Soooooo today I went shopping! (I know). We are having a store meeting on Sunday and I'm told pictures will be taken so I wanted to make sure I had a great outfit (and backup) planned.

Plus, while a lot of my clothing IS from Ann Taylor/Loft, most if it isn't current and (yadda yadda) because (excuse to buy new clothes) also (super cute things in the store). Wouldn't you agree? So first, the dress I had to have: Ruched-Bodice-Maxi-Dress  The picture does NOT do it justice. I'll make up an outfit this weekend with it and post it when I can. It's very Grecian and ridiculously comfortable. It's also expensive for a jersey knit dress. It's $89.50 and while I love it to pieces, it's something I would have passed over because of the price. However, it *really* makes your body look great.

Up next is the Split Neck Henley Blouse. Which is all kinds of fabulous! Also, VERY sheer. It's 100% Polyester and is actually breathable. Surprise Surprise. It looks great pared with Capri's (which I bought), a knee length skirt (which I own), the Pin Tucked Maxi Skirt (with a belt for waist definition-I almost bought it but refrained because I was trying to be good), tucked into slacks for work wear, and jeans. For serious, that's a lot of outfits.


I also picked up a few camis, a scarf, pale pink jeans, a ring (to be featured on Friday!) and these earrings. Now, I adore these earrings but by George, they are seriously heavy. I'm not too big on wearing heavy earrings because I don't like the pull on my ears, so unfortunately, they will go back.

There were a ton of other cute things I passed by (the dresses) but, I did keep reminding myself that it's not like I won't be back soon! I'm still on the job hunt for a "day job" and I really applied at Loft mostly to have fun, and work with people my own age.

I'm looking forward to Friday! Not only will my first Fashion Friday Challenge go up, but I am also meeting up with my book-club before one of our members moves to another state. Friends, fashion, books and since it'll be at our local coffie house- Coffee! How could one NOT enjoy that?

Have a great day!

Fresh Beginnings

Hello and welcome to my small niche of the internet. My name is Alexis and this blog is all about learning how to grow up. I'm, in theory, an adult now that my 27th birthday is 3 days away. But, yeah-totally doesn't feel like it.

I'm planning on touching on everything I possibly can; fashion, home decorating, cooking, hobbies, debt payoff (and boy do we have it), work, home buying, de-cluttering, learning to love my life and all the other little bits and pieces.

So a bit about me. I'm 26 (for now-dun dun DUUUUUUUN!) and a college graduate with a BA in classics. I was quite annoying about the Latin aspect I am sure. I've been married since 2007 and about 6 months ago, my husband exited the Marine Corps. I can't tell you how happy I am NOT to me a Marine wife. Really. It sucks.

We both have office jobs though I'm still as a "temp" employee. The hubs has applied for law school and we'll find out in a few months which school(s) he gets into. We also have debt. And next to nothing in savings (yay law school applications!). I'm going to see about a widget for a count down and up for the side bar. It's about $16,000 in credit card debt but thanks to my parents financial planner, we have a plan for how to pay it down. And goals. I like goals. A lot. In fact, I'm a wee bit obsessed with goals, planning and lists. I make lists for list sometimes.

Our basic financial goal is this: If everything, as it is now, stays as status quo all of our debt can be paid off in 17-18 months with $7,000-$8,000 in savings. That, of course doesn't take into account the variables- If the hubs get's into law school, he'll have to quit his job. More than likely I will too because there are only 2 local ones he's applied for. We'd also then have to move, our rent would go up and so would our regular bills. But for now it's a good start.

For hobbies, I love to read, quilt, sew, knit, spin yarn, sing and dance English Country Dance (think Pride and Prejudice), anime and have tea parties.  I do plan on learning to paint, and am hoping to take a beginner course soon, maybe in the spring or early summer. I'm really interested in landscapes more so than people.

A major factor in my life is that I have tendonitis and that casts a shadow on everything.  So I can't knit, or spin yarn, I can't play computer games for very long and my arms always hurt. That whole working for 8 hours a day kind of does it. There are days when all I can do is ice my arm, take pain meds and sit in front of the tv. I don't even like watching tv that much other than HGTV and the Food Network. Oh and I ADORE "Once Upon a Time". That show is straight up the cat's pajamas. The bomb dot com. The bizness.

So I think that's it for now, if you have any suggestions for things you'd like to see, you can email me at "growingupchic(at)gmail dot com". Have a great evening!
~Alexis