Is a Fraxel skin resurfacing treatment right for you?

Is a Fraxel skin resurfacing treatment right for you?

Is a Fraxel skin resurfacing treatment right for you?
How I finally decided to take the plunge.

I have been wanting to take the sun damage off my neck and chest for a very long time. Have you noticed how we all seem to take great care of the skin on our face but our neck and chest gets neglected?
When I see beautiful skin on a décolletage I am always in awe.

Between the cost, the lack of knowledge and the downtime I kept getting stuck. Finally, everything lined up for me and I took the plunge.

These are the steps I took.

1. I waited for a sale at the Medspa
2. I scheduled it for the fall/winter months so I could stay out of the sun
3. I did my research Well that should be #1 but you know…..

Fraxel is a non-ablative laser that targets aging and sun damage with microscopic laser columns that penetrate deep into your skin. Since the laser treats only a fraction of tissue at a time it leaves the surrounding tissue intact which promotes rapid healing. The skin is resurfaced and new cell growth is stimulated from the inside out.

First, there was numbing which took about 45 minutes or so.

The laser part didn’t take long. We did three passes over my neck and chest. It wasn’t bad at all pain wise and it when by quickly.

After the procedure was over and the numbing cream wore off I draped myself in cold towels. I was very hot. About an hour later I was feeling fine but my skin felt “stiff”. You are sent home with plenty of product to keep the skin pliable. This is one of the few times when I actually am glad to follow rules!

Three days later the surface skin starts to get red and peel and it’s not pretty.

Don’t pick at it!

I was surprised at how little time it took for my skin to look and feel presentable again. About a week for me.

Five days later.

As time has gone by, now about three months, I am shocked at the improvement. Why did I wait so long!!   

My experience was great. Not as difficult as I expected and my results are more than I would have dreamt of!

Thank you to the highly skilled Kirsten Svennungsen -MSB, BA, RN at the
Laser Cosmetic Center in Kalispell Montana for such a good experience.
PS. She is a genius with a needle as well!

Before

After

My Picks From the Forty Five Ten Winter Sale

My Picks From the Forty Five Ten Winter Sale

While in Dallas last week, I was reacquainted with an amazing lifestyle store and women’s boutique Forty Five Ten. Conveniently located across the street from our fabulous hotel (read about the Joule Hotel here), Forty Five Ten is a 4 story boutique that offers fine dining on the terrace, men’s and women’s high fashion, a beautiful beauty counter with all the fixings, and curated pieces for your home. 

If you can’t make it to Dallas for the experience that is Forty Five Ten, then you are in luck because they are online as well and currently having a sale. Below are my picks from their end of season sale that is up to 75% off! Have fun!

Where to Sleep, Shop and Eat in Downtown Dallas

Where to Sleep, Shop and Eat in Downtown Dallas

Stay: The Joule

On a recent trip to Dallas, we stayed at The Joule Hotel in the downtown Arts District.  I can’t express our gratitude to all the people we came in contact with while we were there. From bellmen to housekeeping from restaurant staff to front desk everyone there has customer service as their priority.

The hotel in itself is a work of art. Housed in a Revitalized 1920s neo-gothic style bank building. Works of art are to be found everywhere including Andy Warhol, Richard Phillips, Tony Cragg, and many others.  A bonus in the Lobby, the installation of beautifully detailed motorcycles by Robert Haas.

Shop: Taschen Bookstore 

A Taschen library is housed in the complex. What a treat!  And you can even schedule tea time there.  Stroll around and shop the unique retail boutiques in the lobby as well.

You don’t have to go far for excellent food. It’s right inside the hotel. Try the pork chop at CBD. Awesome! And the bar scene is hopping at The Midnight Rambler downstairs.

Step outside for the best in fashion. Forty-Five Ten and the Neiman Marcus flagship store are right next door. Look around and be surprised but don’t poke the eye!  The hotel staff will tell you stories about how that came about.

 

Shop: Forty Five Ten 

We were reacquainted with an amazing lifestyle store and women’s boutique Forty Five Ten. Conveniently located across the street from our fabulous hotel. Forty Five Ten is a 4 story boutique that offers fine dining on the terrace, men’s and women’s high fashion, a beautiful beauty counter with all the fixings, and curated pieces for your home. 

Bathroom Selfies with mi familia

Lunch at Forty Five Ten was a TEN 

Eat: Circo 

If after a day at the state of the art spa you do feel like leaving the premises, the hotel car will take you anywhere within a five-mile radius. Our choice was dinner at Circo, where the most fabulous Italian food is handcrafted. We were greeted by the manager Casey Bunch and the beautiful Lauren Santagati from the White Rock Hospitality Group. Again, the service was impeccable.  My Bolognese was so fantastic I didn’t even need a sprinkle of Parmesan on it!  There is a first time for everything.

At The Joule Hotel Dallas, we were fortunate enough to stay in two different suites. 

The two-story loft suite is 789 square feet and contains a downstairs living area with a full bath and a soaking tub and a superb bedroom bathroom combination overlooking the living area.

The Deluxe Suite was incredible with great views and a large living area. The incredible deluxe bathroom and beautiful bedroom. Were beautifully appointed with every detail thought out.  They range from 750 to 1,000 square feet. Enough space for girls to have fun! 

View from the top! Of the loft suite that is! 

I  can’t adequately express how wonderful our experience was.  A Boutique Hotel (with everything that symbolizes) does not come close to describing our experience.  In the end, it’s people who make the difference, and we are thankful for the joy, service, and attention the staff show to everyone daily.

Thank Mr. Headington for your vision.  The Joule Hotel Dallas is just that.

A Jewel.

My “Aging Gracefully” Essay on The Fine Line Magazine

My “Aging Gracefully” Essay on The Fine Line Magazine

Aging Gracefully: Owning My Power

The Fine Line Magazine asked women in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s to write short personal essays answering the question, What does aging gracefully mean to you? Each one is a window into the mental and physical lives of women as they grow older. This essay is by 66-year-old blogger Sonia Lovett, who wants to help other women stay in touch with their power as they age. Watch for more submissions all this month and submit your own essay to [email protected].

The Great American Grandma Search

The Great American Grandma Search

NOT JUST ANY GRANDMA 

GE is seeking a big-hearted, age defying, lives-life-to-the fullist and brings-out-the-best-in-everyone kind of Grandma. A Grandma who can make us laugh and hasn’t touched a cookbook in decades. A Grandma who believes in tradition but is anything but traditional. Our type of grandma understands that culture is passed on through shared moments and traditions, and won’t take “no” for an answer when asking you if you’re hungry. 

Our Great America grandma will be hired part-time for a 10-15 hour per month gig, sharing the secrets of great recipes… of food, fun and family.

  • $50,000 salary 
  • Will receive 5 brand new, top of the line GE Appliances kitchen products

SOUND LIKE YOU OR A GRANDMA YOU KNOW?

Send us a video showing why YOU are the Great American Grandma! No resume needed. We want to learn more about you. Include your grandkids (or not) . Friends and family can also submit applications on grandma‘s behalf. Send us an interview of your squeezable, lovable, witty, cantankerous, fashionable, camera-loving, foodie, edgy matriarch.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS 

  • Duration: Engagement as a contracted employee for a 10–15 hours a month assignment from March 15, 2019 – March 15, 2020. Additional opportunities possible.
  • Compensation: $50,000 salary, +5 brand new, top-of-the-line GE appliances kitchen products.

Additional employment opportunities for similar roles with shorter time periods may also be available at alternative composition levels.