The Intoxicating Summer of Jenni

I told Jake that this past summer was "The Summer of Jenni." I finally put the time and resources into putting myself back together. Some of those things were simple, like spending more time doing things that bring me joy. I also spent more time researching products to help me with my goals.

One of these products that I LOVE LOVE LOVE is Lash Boost from Rodan and Fields. After having 4 girls my eyelashes were no longer what they used to be (is it possible that they sucked my eyelashes out of me?). I've been trying all sorts of eyelash gimmicks over the years. I even looked into Latisse, but people with green eyes were most likely to get permanent eye discoloration. Nope. So I was excited when Lash Boost came out, I was an early adopter. I've been using and loving it for 8 months now. I catch myself staring at my eyelashes in my reflection all the time.

After 2 months I was skeptical if it would work. Jake told me "maybe you just have good eyelash care, so they're already as long as they're going to get" what a nice compliment! He knows what really matters to me! But after 3 months I noticed the results. It works by making your own eyelashes stronger and healthier. It's a bit pricey, but man on man do I love it! I have found that one tube lasts 4 months, but this current tube is going on 5 months! I've found that I need to use it every night still to maintain the results. My only real complaint is that you have to find a friend to buy it from (I'm kind of grumpy when it comes to MLM products, but that's just because I have a bad attitude). But luckily one of my friends, Heather Gooch, sells R&F!

I tried to find a good before and after to show you. I don't have a lot of photos of my face up close, but I found this gross awkward angle. That's how much I love Lash Boost. I'm willing to show you this nasty photo so you can see the benefits for yourself. The difference doesn't seem huge, but trust me, it is. I feel excited to put on mascara. My lower lashes used to compete with my upper lashes. (also, I realized that the before photo should be on the left, but it works better on the right here...)

When we were in Utah, my mom took Snort and all our kids to a McDonalds playland. There was an older gentleman there with his grandkids. I went to get a refill on my drink and when I was going back to the play place I passed the gentleman on his way out. He stopped me and said "I know it's not my place to say..." I figured he was going to complement my girls (I know it sounds conceited but seriously it happens to me all the time.) But to my surprise he said "...but you have the most intoxicating eyes." haha! I said "oh thanks" but it threw me way off guard! I have never had someone call my eyes "intoxicating" but I'm chalking it up to Last Boost. Since that event I've had several people comment on my eyes and/or eyelashes. My pediatrician even walked in the room one time during a check up and said "Your eyelashes are touching your eyebrows! What are you doing? Tell me immediately!" hahaha!

The next thing on my list was allergy shots. Jake and I both started them in August. He gets 1 shot a week and I get 3. The girls have gone a few times but most of the time Berlyn watches the girls while we go Saturday mornings. Couples that get allergy shots together stay together. It's so romantic. Scarlett took a few pictures while I was getting shots one week. I thought they were funny and some of them were kind of artistic! I like the picture of Skye feeding the dinosaur pretzels too.

I thought this comedian does a good job of making fun of allergies: "it's not in the list of acceptable products!" (also he pokes fun at Chipotle for you too, Laura).

One time I saw one of my friends from church at the allergist. She was having a reaction to the shot but forgot her purse full of medicine. I pulled out my purse and doctored her up! haha! Be prepared! My mom taught me well.

I found a groupon for laser hair removal. I've been going every 6 weeks. I haven't been through all my leg hair cycles yet, but I have noticed my armpits are growing less hair. YAY! The last time I went the lady told me she would try to do a level 18 - the highest setting - to see if we can blast the follicles with all we've got. After she finished my treatment (and it was seriously so painful a few times but nothing I couldn't breathe through, especially since it was so fast) but she said in over 5 years that she's owned that laser facility, there have been less than 10 people who have done their whole treatment on a level 18! It's a small group of very pale, dark haired, tough clients who can handle it. haha! The treatment is really fast, so sometimes I find a babysitter to sit in the car with my girls in the parking lot. Just watching movies. It's faster to pick them up and sit in the car then to bring them back to the house and get the girls acclimated. When I came back one time Skye was loving life, having a turn sitting in Scarlett's seat.

I went to the dermatologist to discuss options for my cherry face (rosacea). They recommended the pulsed-dye laser to reduce redness. It works by exploding the excess red capillaries under the skin. The extra capillaries contribute to the redness and heat on the face. Each procedure helps with 15-20% of the redness and results can be permanent with proper face care (including metrogel cream). The procedure left me with over 50 red bruises that lasted for 2 weeks. I called the office to check that everything was ok (he told me they should go away within a day). The nurse said that it was normal and he recommended these products.... It wasn't until I got off the phone that I realized all the products they suggested were brands of makeup to cover up the bruises. haha! I will do more treatments in the future, but I'll wait til I have 2 weeks where I don't have to be in public, scaring everyone with my chicken pox face.

Another problem that I have is called "nocturnal lagophthalmos" which basically means sleeping with your eyes open. I don't sleep with them wide, but little slits that occasionally really dry out my eyes and make them hurt all day. I found this cool eye mask on Amazon, it's helped a lot.

There are more cool things I've found during the Summer of Jenni, some I've already shared and some that will be on my favorite thing giveaway in January. :-)