Dear D'Arcy

Girls Trip New Beauty & Hair Products

August 27, 2021

Girls Trip New Beauty & Hair Products

Happy Friday, Pretty ladies,

Today, I was sharing a little from our girl’s trip Last week… the Beauty, Hair, and one of our loungewear sponsors.

We had the pleasure of working with several brands on this trip. Let me tell you. It was pure joy to try and test out some of these Beauty and Hair Products/brands that I hadn’t worked with and a couple that is tried and true.

I love to try, share, and test products out. Sharing hits and even misses with you is something I love to do. I know product reviews are something you love as well, and I am happy to help!🥰

Revision Skincare is a leader in skincare and is new to me. Often sold at spa and medical offices. They sent each of us girls a beautiful assortment. Here’s what they sent and what we tried out…..

Nectifirm-For firming the appearance of the neck and Decolletage. [ I am loving what this is doing for my neck]

C Correcting Complex 30% -exclusive antioxidant blend with THD Ascorbate 30%, Vitamin E, Microbiome Technology [ C is one of the 5 most important products to use in your skin regimen]

Papaya Enzyme Cleanser– Energizing facial cleanser for naturally vibrant skin. [ I use this at night to remove all my makeup residue, make my face feels and looks fresh (almost glowing).]

D-E-J Night Face Cream– All in one age-defying night treatment with Retinol. [Retinol is another must-have in the top 5 most important products to use in your skin regimen]

Intellishade Original– Anti-aging tinted moisturizer with sunscreen. [ I love a good tinted moisturizer with sunscreen for summer] your skin looks fresh yet light with just enough coverage for a Summer glow.

Youthfull Lip Replenisher– The definitive solution for youthful [ I use this at night and wake up with soft, plump lips] No drying or cracking here!

Shop the products:

What is CO2Lift Face?

Presented by Lumisque Skincare, CO2Lift is a medical-grade brand of cosmeceuticals that harness carbon dioxide’s natural powers and benefits to tighten, lift, and rejuvenate the skin. CO2Lift Face offers a superior take-home facial skin rejuvenation experience.

Would CO2Lift Face Work for Me?

CO2Lift Face works for people of all ages, genders, and skin types. It is an innovative, take-home facial skin rejuvenation kit that can safely and effectively correct a wide range of skin imperfections associated with sun damage and aging, including:

Fine lines
Wrinkles
Textural imbalances
Dull tone
Dark circles around the eyes
Dehydration
Sunspots
Enlarged pores
And much more!

CO2Lift Face is designed with your safety and comfort in mind, so whether you are using CO2Lift Face in conjunction with another cosmetic treatment such as laser therapy or solely on its own, this revitalizing formula can help you resurface youthful skin.

Us, girls, at 1 am doing a mask…Yes, we look melty!

I have been a huge fan of C02 Facemask for years. I did the recommended 1 a week for 4 weeks and now maintain 1 a month and have been doing it for years! Game changer for your skin! I have even shared that I have done the C02 mask for your V. Seriously made a big difference. It is one of my BEST sellers Shops HERE.

Use Code DARCYVANDENBERG for 10% off

Soma: Cool Nights Pj Set– Why you’ll love it: Classic pajamas are reinvented in our exclusive Cool Nights® pajama set, made from fabric that’s designed to keep you cool and comfortable for a great night’s sleep. Comfortable style with Soma Intimates.

[ I adore how soft these pj’s are. I love the Summer because they really do keep you cool.] They come in Tall length as well. I am wearing a Med/ Tall, and they are True to size. This style is HERE ( if sold out, they restock). Shop the Look below:

Aveda, Provided to us by Paris Parker Salon– I don’t know about you but, I love Aveda products. A couple of these products were new to me, and let me tell you, I am a fan! Here is what they sent:

Heat Relief- 97% naturally derived*, protects hair from heat during restyling. Instantly conditions dry hair to add softness and shine. Infuses hair with calming shampure™ aroma.

Shampowder-Conquer second-day hairstyles. Absorb excess oil, impurities, and sweat with powerful plant powders. Instantly add volume and texture to refresh style.

Air Control– A light hold, hair spray with flexible, lasting hold for all hair types.

Shop the post:

My Chit Chat Chic Girlfriends share their take on our Beauty, Hair, and loungewear on their blogs. So make sure to go check out!

Cindy= LuLuloves7

Lisa’s= Coast2coast

Michelle= Poised Petite

Cammi=Cammie’s Happy Place

Thank you for stopping by. It means so much to me that you took the time to read my post and follow along. Have a beautiful weekend.

MY 5 Favorite Things for August! Using, Wearing, Eating.

August 10, 2021

MY 5 Favorite Things for August! Using, Wearing, Eating.

Sharing my TOP 5 Favorite Things each month seems to be a favorite of yours. Therefore, I love to share them with you. This can be anything from food, product, activity, and maybe something I am wearing to death. In today’s case, it’s all of the above. I hope you enjoy what I am loving this August!

Revive Smoothies= Delicious & healthy smoothies already created for you to enjoy. I’ll you have to do add your favorite milk and blend. (I use coconut milk) I am loving my magic bullet, so handy and blend and drink in the same container. This has really helped me stay on my health journey. Shop HERE Use Code rsf55darcyvandenberg for 55% off your first box

2. Charlotte Tillbury eyebrow kit! I love how easy it is to create brows that look good and are not hard to create. I don’t want to spend much time on my brows, and I am not great at drawing them. This kit makes you look like a pro. I adore this set.

Shop the post below:

MY 5 Favorite Things for August! Using, Wearing, Eating.

3. A Large Fresh Green Salad, with Farm Fresh locally grown tomatoes. Nothing better than locally grown tomatoes. Cucumbers, green onion, Chicken ( I use roasted chicken store), Blue cheese crumbles with Pepper and Italian dressing. ( If I have an Avocado, I add that too)

4. Jumping for joy over this jumpsuit! Talk about easy to wear, easy to style, and perfect for travel! I have been living in it lately. Hands down one of my Favorite Things! It has a lot of fabric, so size down, Ties at the neck, and has a lower back. I am in size small. For fall, you could style with a blazer or leather jacket. Going on a Tropical Vacation? This would be darling over a swimsuit.

Shop the post:

5. The view on my morning walk. Isn’t it beautiful? I have been making my walks a priority, and I love the view along the way. Want to see more? Follow me on Instagram HERE and watch my stories. I often share parts of my walks with you.

Today, the Chic Chat Chic Girls are sharing Fashion or Favorites over on their blogs! I know you’ll love what they share over one of their blogs, and it would mean so much to me if you go check them out.

Cindy= LuLuloves7

Michelle= Poised Petite

Cammi=Cammie’s Happy Place

Thank you for taking the time to stop by. I hope you enjoyed the quick read. Tell me below one of your favorite things right now!

You might also enjoy:

7 Fall Transition Looks from Evereve

Drug Store Make-Up Finds for Midlife

7 Fall Transition Looks From Evereve!

August 8, 2021

7 Fall Transition Looks From Evereve!

Fall Transition Looks with incorporating in some on-trend pieces for Fall 2021.

Let’s talk Evereve for a minute. Evereve is a contemporary woman’s fashion boutique geared towards moms and Midlifers who want to look Chic, feel good, and love good quality clothing. I personally love the brands they carry and how they fit. Talking about fit, Evereve has a personal stylist on hand to help you choose the right pieces for your body if that is something you want help with. They’re there to make you look your best while helping to make your shopping experience easy. I never leave the shop empty-handed.

Fall Transition= It’s that time of year when we start thinking Fall. The kids are heading back to school, which means school shopping and shorter days are approaching. Finally, we get a few cooler mornings & evenings, and Summer is coming to an end. I will share some fun ways to take some of your Summer pieces and transition them into a Fall look while incorporating some Fall 2021 on-trend pieces from EverEve.

Here are a few of this year’s trends. What’s even better is they are so easy to mix & match! I incorporated:

Camo (yes, it’s still strong as well as Stars)
Cargo Pants= Jogger Style and Skinny
Cropped Cardigans with big buttons (hip bone length)
Chunky Kicks
Mules
Chunky chain details
Blazers
Shacket (a shirt / Jacket) This year, it’s more fitted, not as bulky
Braided detail (shown on booties) (There are several more Fall Trends, and all share those soon in a post)

The Look above is a great casual chic look that’s easy to achieve using your Summer Camis and Denim Jacket. Worn with these darlings Camo Joggers and chunky New Balance Kicks. (I love the nubby details) STYLING TIP: Pulling the joggers up a bit makes it look weather appropriate and Chic! I can easily wear a graphic tee versus a camis.

Shop the look below:

In this look, I am wearing the same pieces as above, swapping out the denim jacket for this year’s on-trend cardigan. Note: The cardigan is hip length and has large buttons (you’ll be seeing this a lot). Adding the chunky chain mules instead of Kicks. This gives a less casual look to the joggers.

Shop the look:

Another way to wear camo and cargo but in the skinny leg, very leg flattering if that’s one of your body features you like to focus on. (I do as my trouble area is my middle) paired with the mules again, but you could wear the Kicks if you wanted to. I liked the mules with the blazer, although blazers and tennis shoes are trending as well. Note: The Blazer is more fitted and has cute sleeve detail and collar.

Shop the look:

(The tee is in stock in stores but unfortunately wasn’t linkable. )

Cargo loving again! This pair is a Satin finish skinny cargo, again leg flattering and very affordable. Wearing the same graphic tee, pulling out the denim jacket and the tennis shoes. Gives a totally new look, but your using your pieces multiple time. A great way to get versatility out of your clothing. Perfect pieces of packing for a trip! Shop the Look below:

Taking that Summer Tee shirt dress into Fall with Braided Booties and Shacket. The shacket has been trending for about 3 years and really came on strong last year! It was Oversized (a Jacket skirt combo) and normally bulkier. I love how this year, the trending Shacket is shorter and more fitted, a thicker flannel if you will. Shop the Look:

Days when it’s still warm enough for shorts, but you want a little cozy, Add a fun Cropped cardigan worn over a cami or tee, even wear it alone and buttoned up. (cardigans worn alone is trending) Paired with braided detail booties. It’s a fun Fall transition look. Shop the look:

Summer cropped jeans, give them a Fall update with Chunky Chain mules and a Printed leopard cardigan. So easy to wear and light enough layers, you won’t get too hot. Shop the Look:

What pieces Came home with me! Yup, I told you I never leave empty-handed! Actually, I own a version of almost all of these pieces. Like I said there easy to style, very versatile, and can be worn in many seasons. So why did I choose these 4 pieces to come home with me?

Shacket due to the new flattering styling, and I adored the color, not to mention I have a version of the dress. Joggers, I purchased the shorts and adored them all Summer, so I knew these Joggers would be a favorite. Free People gets me every time, and this chunky cropped cardigan was a piece I knew I would style on repeat. Finally, kicks…well, I am a sucker for shoes, and the details on these got me! Shop the look:

Sharing this beautiful Maxi dress I purchased at the beginning of Summer and finally wore! On MAJOR SALE HERE

Over on Instagram this week: 5 fab ladies who are all sharing Evereve style. Each day will be focusing on a different lady, and she’ll be sharing in her feed and her stories—a great way to see different ways to style and get outfit inspiration.

2 of those ladies are fellow bloggers Kelley and Dawn. You’re going to adore them as I do! So we decided to do a blog share as well. So please take a moment and go check out their Evereve share over on their blogs! You’ll love their style and their personalities. I linked them below.

Kelley= 50 shades of Style by Kelley

Dawn= Party until Dawn Style

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed today’s style post. Make sure to tune into Instagram this week and watch stories. I know you’ll love it and learn a lot. My day is Thursday, and I have created a video and live chat try-on.

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Drug store Makeup Finds

Fall Favorites

Drug Store Makeup finds, Perfect for Midlife!

July 30, 2021

Drug store makeup finds, perfect for midlife skin.

Drug store finds you’ll love for your skin over 40! With the help of my Makeup artist sister, Tiana Holiday. I tested out the top picks she recommends to her clients over 40, Who may want cheaper drug store makeup options. Her criteria were, it doesn’t settle into wrinkles, is long-wearing, and gives you a great bang for your buck.

I went shopping and happily tested out options she said would work on my skin and compare to some of the products I use. Wait till you read what I found out below.

Here is the list of Drug store make up finds I tried and tested out:

Loreal- Infallible pro-glow 201 (replaces foundation)

2. Maybelline- City Bronzer (replace Mac or your favorite bronzer)

3. Milani-Cheek Kiss (Replace dry blush)

4. Loreal- Powder True Match N4 (To replace Mac)

5. Elf-Monochromatic Multi-stick in Glistening Perch (

6. Loreal Voluminous- Carbon Black (To Replace- Lancome)

7. Maybelline- line express eyeliner in Brown (REPLACE – MAC Teddy)

8. Wet & wild Kohl crayon -brown (she didn’t recommend this one) I just thought I’d try…

9. Nyx micro brow pencil Taupe

10. Loreal Brow Stylist blond

11. Milani- Lip Stains

12. Maybelline -Eye shadow pallet, expert wear

Shop the photo Below:

The Benefits: Loreal Infallible:
- Wears up to 24 hours
- Hydrates skin with a natural glow
- Instantly conceals imperfections
- Lightweight formula feels luxe on the skin
- Protects skin with SPF 15
- The Basics:
  - Finish: dewy
  - Coverage: medium
  - Best for: normal to dry skin
I loved this product and how it made my skin look! This is a product I will use from now on. ( I only use it in the Fall and Winter) It’s perfect for older skin. Doesn’t sink into wrinkles or look dry and cakey. Perfect for aging skin. Your skin actually glows.
Maybelline City Bronzer-This product was also a winner in my book! It gives a great Sun-kissed look without settling into lines.
City Bronzer Makeup is Maybelline’s 1st bronzing and contouring powder that delivers a sun-kissed makeup look and sculpted makeup look. Benefits:
- Formulated with whipped cocoa butter
- Get all over bronzing, subtle contouring, or natural makeup look
- This bronzer and contour powder is ideal for creating multiple makeup looks
3. Milan Cheek Kiss_ The cream looks so pretty on your skin verses the dry look of powder. Again a cream is better on older skin as it helps to keep you from looking dry. Keeper
Features

Ultra-blendable and buildable, lightweight creamy liquid formula

Multi-use, easy-to-apply blush lets you control the flush factor

Available in shades to flatter all skin tones

Vegan

Cruelty-Free

Benefits:

Infused with skin-loving ingredients like Pomegranate, Rose Extract and Watermelon
5. Elf-Monochromatic Multi-stick in Glistening Perch = Gives a beautiful glow (see my cheecks) Again, it’s a cream.

6. Loreal Voluminous- Carbon Black (To Replace- Lancome) Benefits, I used this in my high school years and always loved. Loreal is owned by Lancome. Seriously, the mascara is hard to tell the differnce between the two.

Bold, volume building mascara for up to 5x fuller and thicker lashes

Separates and builds every lash

Clump-free and smudge-resistant mascara

Contains Panthenol and Ceramide-R and helps protect and condition lashes

7. Maybelline line express eyeliner- in Brown (REPLACE – MAC Teddy)

Easy to blend formula is perfectly paired with a smudging tool for any eye look, from subtle to dramatic, Creamy, smooth color impact for a variety of eyeliner looks. Does what it say’s and its a great product. I still perfer Spending the money on the Mac eyeliner, as I feel it last longer and stays put. MAC Teddy eyeliner.

8. Wet & wild Kohl crayon -brown (she didn’t recommend this one) I just thought I’d try… This one is not great, it runs and doesnt last all day.

9. Nyx micro brow pencil Taupe

A micro mechanical brow pencil that shapes, defines and fills in sparse brows for a natural look. This is great if you dont have alot to fill in. It does stay on. I do perfer my Charlott Tillbury worth every penny and last months. Shop Here

10. Loreal Brow Stylist blond

A dual pencil with a brow pencil and a brush. I purchased the color blond and I needed to go a little darker, as my brows are so blond, I need to darken them up. ( I actually have my eyebrows dyed) and use a pencil to give shape and fill them in a little. This would have worked had I gotten the right color.

11. Milani- Lip Stains

Smudge resistant satin matte finish, soft suede-like feel, Delivers long-lasting hydration. These Lip stains are just as good as City Beauty $38 and ShadeM $18 Milani is a great deal at $7.99! I love these Lip stains, All 3 are not drying or make your lips flake. They truly are all long lasting and come in beautiful colors. Seriously, you cannot go wrong with these stains. (All have a great selection of colors and several different shades from each brand.)

12. Maybelline -Eye shadow pallet, expert wear

This eyeshadow makeup quad boasts extraordinary color thanks to ultra-blendable jet-milled pigments. Delivers a silky finish that lasts up to 12 hours and really is so easy to use. If you struggle with appling eyeshadow, and never know what to put where, this eyeshadow is “color by numbers” for Woman. I love how easy it is to use, I really love its 4 colors only and they are the colors I would use out of some of my big pallets and have all of these extra colors I am never going to use. The shadows really do last all day.
I joined my Chic Chat Chic Girls in sharing our Beauty or Makeup routines today on our blogs. So make sure to hop on over to their pages and see their take on Beauty and Makeup for Midlife.

Cindy= LuLuloves7

Lisa’s= Coast2coast

Michelle= Poised Petite

Cammi=Cammie’s Happy Place

Thank you for stopping by, I truly appreciate your support, and Hopefully, I helped you somehow. I also appreciate you supporting my small business if you choose to shop any of the links I provide, as I do make a small commission at no cost to you. May you have a happy day and a wonderful weekend.

You may also enjoy:

Midlife & Hormones

Tula Beauty products

Hair Products

No Cook Dinner, Perfect for Summer! Charcuterie Board

July 26, 2021

No-Cook Dinner, Perfect for Summer! Charcuterie Board

“Kitchens are made for bringing families together.” Sunday dinner has always been an important part of our family’s weekly routine. When we lived in California, it was the day that ALL the family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, everyone was welcome, came over to enjoy a meal. A fun time to catch up on the week, spend time together chatting over a good meal: a special time and a special day. When we moved to Utah, our crowd was smaller, but the idea was the same, and over the years, our crowd has grown. Friends that have become family added girlfriends, and occasionally out-of-state family.

The importance of Sunday dinner and sharing recipes has become popular on my Instagram stories that I started sharing “In the Kitchen with D’Arcy” on my Sunday posts. Find HERE. I realized my blog following wanted more recipe content as well. With that being said, Sunday’s blog post will be dedicated to Recipes and sharing an occasional Family meal at our favorite restaurants, and showing our support for supporting local businesses.

Today, over on Instagram, I shared A great, No-cook Dinner…A Charcuterie Board perfect for a large crowd, a great Sunday dinner, with something for everyone. We love to enjoy on the deck🥖🧀🫕🍓🍎 and take in the beauty of Summer. A charcuterie board makes for great conversation, talking about cheeses and crackers, the combinations you like, and the fun of creating combos you’ll enjoy.

Below: I have included a list of everything I have used here, and I also shared some of the yummy combos we love.

What you’ll need to create our Charcuterie board, No-cook Dinner:

-Everything crackers & cracked pepper Triscuit

-Strawberry & Jalapeño crisps

-Wheat thins

-Organic Garlic Naan crackers

-Caramelized onion cheddar cheese

-Beacon Fell Cheese (traditional Lancashire cheese)

-Unexpected cheddar cheese

-Old Amsterdam cheese

-Asiago cheese with Rosemary and olive oil

-Peppered Salami

-The marinated olive duo

-Velvet Bees Honey butter

-Cornichons

-Cucumber

~Mini peppers

—Honey crisp apple

~Strawberries

butter
-baguette
Hummus
-cream cheese
Olive oil

-Dill goat cheese

Tip: I love collecting Items for creating all types of Charcuterie Boards, this helps to create all types and size boards, perfect for any occasion or meal. Here are a few of my must-have items:

SHOP THE POST

Tip: When creating your Charcuterie board, place items next to items that pair well with each other for easy pairing. It helps your guest know flavors that pair well together. See some of our favorites below.

Charcuterie Board combos we loved: going clockwise from the cucumber.

Cucumber and hummus
Strawberry Jalapeno cracker, cheddar cheese, and Honey butter
Strawberry Jalapeno cracker, cream cheese, and Strawberry
Baguette, Beacon Fell cheese, olive oil, and salt
Honey crisp Apple and Cheddar Cheese
Salt & Pepper Triscuit, Old Amsterdam cheese, peppered Salami, and olive
(center) Naan Cracker, Hummus, and pepper

There are several other fabulous combinations. These are just some of our favorites. The Rosemary cheese is fab on the baguette, the goat cheese on the everything crackers.

Tip: When cutting celery stock for a Charcuterie or another meal, cut the end off in one chunk. Save and use as a garnish(it looks like a flower and oh so easy to create. I like to tuck into my veggie trays and use them as decoration on my Charcuterie Board.

* Trader Joe’s was where I purchased most of the Charcuterie Board Items.

Thank you for stopping by. I really appreciate your support. Hoping I inspired you to create an easy and no-cook dinner, Charcuterie Board.

Midlife, Hormones, and How I deal with it!

July 15, 2021

Midlife, Hormones, and How I deal with it!

Please note I am not a Doctor. This is my personal plan and Journey. See your physician before adding any supplements to your diet.

This is 49, Looking and feeling good over 40! Shop my look HERE

Bioidentical Hormones

Testosterone 2 Troches
Progesterone- Rx 150 mg.

Supplements: My Dr. Subscribed These are medical grade Supplements

Dim once a day to helps with conversion to Estrogen.(CDGEstroDIM)
Vitamin D
Vitamin B12 injection 1 week
Multivitamin/energy
Vitamin C (integrative)
Nu Adapt (stress Reduction ) helps with cortisol level

Supplements I take on my Own:

-Goli Apple Cider Vinegar

-Biotin

-Celltrient protect cellular support

-Vitamin E (if I am going to be in a lot of suns)

-Magnesium (which you need to absorb the Vitamin D)

-Collagen daily in my coffee (I love this one)

Shop my Supplements below:

The Joys of Midlife! I started noticing a change about 42. Not ever having a weight gain issue, I was slowly gaining about 5 LBS a year. ( no matter what I did, I couldn’t lose it) My energy wasn’t what it used to be, I wasn’t sleeping as well as I used too and my skin was so dry. ( I did not have hot flashes, and I still had a regular period)

I would ask my OBGYN to check my thyroid and hormones. (Which she said was fine) That I was experiencing the joys of aging. At 44, I wouldn’t say I liked that answer, I had gained 15-17 LBS that I couldn’t lose, and I knew my body… something was up.

I researched and heard about Bioidentical Hormone therapy replacement Doctors. They do a more extensive blood panel and really look at all of the hormone levels. More info HERE

Tip: When looking for Hormone Replacement Therapy, Doctors make sure they are Bio-Identical specialists and, most importantly, they do the Saliva test and the blood work. The saliva test also checks your cortisol level. ( how and when your body handles stress) More HERE High Cortisol can lead to Stubborn Belly Fat! Cortisol can help control blood sugar levels, regulate metabolism, help reduce inflammation, and assist with memory formulation. It has a controlling effect on salt and water balance and helps control blood pressure.

The following simple tips may help to moderate cortisol levels:

Lowering stress. People trying to lower their cortisol levels should aim to reduce stress. …
Eating a good diet. …
Sleeping well. …
Trying relaxation techniques. …
Taking up a hobby. …
Learning to unwind. …
Laughing and having fun. …
Exercising.

Turning a long story short… As a result, I took the replacement therapy My Doctor prescribed for me at that time. Therefore within 3 months, my skin looked amazing, my energy was back, I was sleeping normally, and BEST of all, 12lbs came off without trying. 🎉

I did Whole30 that November and lost 16 more pounds and keep it off as a result.

Fast forward to covid… Hormone replacement scripts ran out, no bloodwork, and my Doctor moved. Lots of Family Cooking and a 49th Birthday… Therefore All the weight is back, and so are the Symptoms above.

As a result, I researched new Doctors and found Dr. Kat At Renewal. Her practice is in Salt Lake City, and I love her. Dr. Kat is who Prescribed the above plan. I’ve been retaking Hormone replacement for the last 20 days or so. Remember, Hormones take 30-90 days to start seeing results. I will give you an update in the future.

Follow my daily Journey on Instagram stories as I share my diet, How the hormones are working, and what I do for exercise. Instagram HERE

Some of my Favorite items for fitness HERE

For a Quick Update: on Diet and exercise

In addition to Hormones, I started Whole30 4 days ago, and I have been walking 5-8 miles a day for 7 weeks. However, I’ll keep you posted on my journey on Instagram and do an updated blog post in the future. In conclusion, I hope I helped shed some light on Midlife, Hormones, and How I deal with them!

Join my Chic Chat Chic Girlfriends below on How they deal with Midlife.

Cindy= LuLuloves7

Lisa’s= Coast2coast

Michelle= Poised Petite

Cammi=Cammie’s Happy Place

Skin pH: Is Yours Out of Balance?

July 14, 2021

It’s time to dig up your good old chemistry textbooks because your knowledge of pH levels is one of the keys to healthier skin. This scientific measurement, a scale that tells how acidic something is, will help you understand the problems of your body—and this includes persistent skin problems! So let’s dig a little deeper and discuss pH levels so that you can soothe and restore your skin.

What is Normal for the Skin?

In an ideal world, your skin is acidic with a pH level that falls between 4.1 to 5.8. It may be terrifying to think that your skin likes to be acidic, but don’t worry too much. Just be aware that it definitely needs to be on the lower end of the pH scale to be as healthy and natural as possible. Once your skin is at a pH level that makes it happy, it can properly seal in moisture and serve as a barrier against free radicals, pollution, and environmental irritants.

However, your skin may drastically slide to a higher pH level (or even lower than normal) because of numerous factors. These include the hygiene products that you use. Do you know those soaps, detergents, or leave-on products that smell strong to your nose and irritates your skin? They may cause your skin’s natural state to go haywire, bringing forth several conditions as a reaction to the change.

How pH Levels Affect Your Skin

And bring numerous problems to the surface of your skin. For example, you may experience eczema, dryness, itchiness, oiliness, and even acne as your natural barriers get compromised. In fact, people are more likely to develop fine lines and wrinkles if their skin rises to a higher pH level. So before you aggressively apply products to your skin, you need to be aware that it will fight back by showing various skin conditions.

How to Restore Your Skin’s Ideal pH Levels

To keep your skin happy and healthy, you must maintain the right acidic pH level. However, this doesn’t mean that you only need to use skincare products with acids…and it’s also not an invitation to rub the juices of citrus fruits on your skin.

Being aggressive with products is not the key to a good skincare routine. Your skin definitely needs a lot of TLC so that it can properly carry out its normal functions. Therefore, you need to use gentle products for your sensitive skincare regimen to keep it calm, resilient, and healthy. Start your routine with a calming gel cleanser that can remove dirt and impurities without affecting your skin’s natural barrier. It would be best if you also used a moisturizing cream to soothe and hydrate your skin, keeping it supple and healthy.

If you need an extra boost, acid-based serums at the right concentrations can help you get to that happy, acidic spot. For instance, serums with lactic acid can gently exfoliate your skin, while mandelic acid serums can get even out your skin tone. Just remember to use these products carefully since they can have high acidic concentrations that will make your skin react when it gets too much!

Your skin’s appearance is only a reflection of the processes and conditions that it is going through. So keep your pH level balanced, and you will definitely be rewarded with calm and clear skin. For more beauty tips, check our skincare articles here.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you learned another way to help keep your skin in top shape.

Weekend Getaway to Park City, Utah

July 8, 2021

Weekend Getaway to Park City, Utah

: Yotel Pad

: Another Sitting Area

: The Lobby

: The Stunning View

: Hotel Bathrooms

: Hotel Room living room

: Hotel Bedroom

: Workspace rooms

: A spot in the Lobby

: Outdoor Patio

: The View out of our Room

: Gaming Room & Conference Room

NEED A Fresh Start to The Week?

Start to feel new again and prepare for a new week ahead. Take a little break and treat yourself to a couple of nights at Yotel Pad Park City, A new Hotel that opened in December. This resort has it all relaxing modern rooms with amazing views, lounging decks all over the property to enjoy the great mountain air, a fully equipped game room with Free ski ball, Pac man, pool, and every board game. Relax by the pool and spa while taking in beautiful ski slope views and walk to restaurants and plenty of hiking and biking trails.

Need to get a little work done? Yotel Pad Park City has mini Office rooms and a full conference room for your working needs. In addition, a coffee station and a fully stocked refreshment area, including local beers, for a small fee.

The location is centrally located to everything, from the Historic Main street with shopping and dining. In addition, to all of the Hiking and biking Park City offers in the Summer, and Ski in and out for Winter and a quick drive to Kimball Junction for more shopping, dining, movies, and walking paths.

Yotel Pad is extremely family-friendly with bunk beds in the rooms, the free game room I mentioned above, separate areas located around the hotel designed for workspace if one of the parents needs to get work done. A very friendly staff that goes out of their way to make you feel special.

My husband and I enjoyed our relaxing stay and cannot wait until My Girl’s trip in August. View more = Yotel Pad on my Instagram HERE and Instagram Stories Highlights HERE

Hotel Specials this summer:

It’s Electric – https://www.yotel.com/en/hotels/yotelpad-park-city/offers/its-electric.
Blue Tee Golf – https://www.yotel.com/en/hotels/yotelpad-park-city/offers/golf-getaway
Splash & Tan – https://www.yotel.com/en/hotels/yotelpad-park-city/offers/splash-tan

Hearth & Hill Restaurant

: Cheers

: My honey enjoying ALL the food!

: Heart & Hill

: Menu

: Shrimp

: Garlic Parm Fries

: Truffle Mac & Cheese with Bacon

: The Refuel salad with Chicken

: Halibut

: Heart & Hill entry

: Date weekend

Talk about an amazing dining experience in the heart of Kimball Junction Heart & Hill was a foodie’s dream. We had the pleasure of being treated by The Park City Chamber @Visit Park City on Instagram to this amazing Meal. Everything from the appetizers to the main course was delicious. Heart and Hill use top-quality ingredients, the chef has a very creative flair, and my hubby said his Halibut tasted as if it was caught that day in Alaska and prepared to perfection.

The atmosphere was Mountain modern, fresh and casual with a friendly wait staff. With a menu that has a great variety and offers many dishes for the vegetarian and other health restrictions. Serving craft cocktails and a full bar to quench your thirst, you won’t be disappointed. Highly recommend reservations.

Kicking off your Weekend getaway Should be a Massage at Alpen + Hyde Massage & Spa.

A great massage is an hour Vacation….Or in some cases, a 90 minute one.

Massages revive your body and help you prepare for the new week ahead. We had the pleasure of a 90 min Hot stone massage at Alpen + Hyde in Park City for our Little 3 day Summer getaway 🌿 Let me tell you, and it was our delight! Liz was my therapist, seriously the Best massage I’ve ever had. Her technique was amazing. While using the hot stones, she also incorporates cold stones to help relax the muscles. (I never had a cold used as well, amazing!) Ben had equally rave reviews about his therapist Olivia.

-The space is delightfully charming and relaxing,
With lemon water upon arrival and fruit and sparkling water served after massage.

-For those of you that don’t want to leave your home or hotel… they’ll come to you with a Mobile massage. Perfect for that stay in pampered & relaxing vacation.

– Need to recover Fast from that hike, bike ride, or run? A massage should do the trick✔️

-Heading to @visitparkcity, make sure to book a massage, At you won’t be disappointed ✔️🌿❤️ Alpen + Hyde

We had a great weekend getaway, and I highly recommend taking little mini weekend getaways with your spouse. It’s so good for your marriage and your soul. Park City has many things to offer, and I could go on and on. Instead, I will do a blog post-round-up featuring my favorite shops, dining, and activities as I was considering what you, my following said about liking blog posts with not too much reading and not all photos. With that being said, I hope you enjoyed this post. Make sure to put Park City on your travel list.

You might also enjoy:

How to pack light for a trip

The Ultimate Summer Bucket List

Oktoberfest at Snowbird, Utah

*This post was a collaboration with Yotel Pad and Visit Park City

4th Of July BBQ Side Dish Recipes

July 2, 2021

Bbq side dishes to celebrate the 4th Of July. Actually, you could use any of these sides for any Dinner side dish, and the Pasta could be a meal in itself. So whether you’re having a bbq or want yummy side dishes, I’ve got you covered, with 4 of my family’s favorites.

Dutch Potato Salad

5 lbs mixed sm potatoes

4 hard-boiled eggs chopped

1 onion white chopped

1 cup green onions chopped

15 oz Mayo

1/2 cup mustard

1 Tablespoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

It feeds a large crowd

Boil potatoes. When done, drain and mash but chunky, and mix in all the ingredients. Refrigerate until serving.

Caprice Tortellini pasta salad

Caprice Tortellini pasta salad served as a side with grilled chicken.

Caprice Tortellini salad

12oz bag Barilla tortellini

10.5 oz mixed medley tomatoes (small) cut each tomato into fours

1/2 of one large onion chopped

2 -1/4oz package Organic fresh basil chopped

1/2 of 1 Costco fresh Mozzarella cubed

1 tablespoon garlic minced

1/4 to 1/3 cup olive oil

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional garlic salt

Top with balsamic glaze (I use Trader Joe’s)

Boil water, add pasta, cook as directed, Strain. Mix in all the ingredients above and serve warm or cold.

Baked Beans

6 16.5 oz baked beans ( I use Bush)

1/2 pound cooked bacon chopped

1 sm onion chopped

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 large tablespoon Mustard

1 tablespoon kitchen bouquet browning seasoning

2 tsp garlic salt

2 tablespoons chopped onion season

Use a large crockpot, add beans and stir in all the ingredients above. Let simmer, and stir occasionally. Serve when warm. ( I make it in the morning and keep the crockpot on low)

Best Corn Salad (Fresh and tastes like Summer) Photo of this Salad HERE

5 Ears of corn Shucked (or a bag of frozen sweet corn)

1/2 cup small-diced red onion (1 small onion)

3 Tablespoons Cider Vinegar

3 Tablespoons Good olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup Julienned basil leaves

Corn corn, let cool, Place corn in a bowl make sure it’s separated, then add in all of the above ingredients, mixing as you add. Refrigerate until serving. I could eat as a meal so yummy!

I thought you might like to see or shop some of my favorite decorating pieces and serving pieces for the 4th of July. So here is My Amazon July 4th Shopping Board HERE and a few of my favorite things. View below:

I hope you have an amazing 4th of July with family and friends. We, of course, are having a BBQ, and you better believe I am making the side dishes above as my family looks forward to a big celebration BBQ. Happy 4th of July!

You might also enjoy:

4th of July Berry Sparkler cocktail

Greek salad (a great meal or Side)

4th of July Decor, outfits, and recipes

4th of July Charcuterie Board

This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I only promote brands that I truly love and believe in! Thank you for the support!

Recipe for Caprice Tortellini Pasta with Pesto Chicken

July 2, 2021

Recipe for Caprice Tortellini Pasta with Pesto Chicken:

Caprice Tortellini pasta salad served as a side with grilled chicken

Caprice Tortellini salad

12oz bag Barilla tortellini

10.5 oz mixed medley tomatoes cut into fours

1/2 of one large onion chopped

2 -1/4oz package

Organic basil chopped

1/2 of 1 Costco fresh Mozzarella cubed

1 tablespoon garlic

1/4 to 1/3 cup olive oil

Wet

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional garlic salt

Top with balsamic glaze

(I use Trader Joe’s)

I shared a full how-to video Here

Cook pasta follow directions on the box. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients above in a large bowl. When pasta is done, add pasta and stir. Serve warm or cold. You Could easily make the pasta the day before. Serve as a side dish or as a main course. I love to serve with my Pesto grilled chicken below.

Grilled Pesto Chicken:

🍽

-Chicken breast

-fresh Pesto ( homemade or Jar

– extra garlic

Marinate chicken in the pesto & garlic and grill.

Slice and serve with Pasta.

Caprice Tortellini pasta salad

“A strong family has well-worn seats at the dinner table. “

Sunday’s family dinner “ In the Kitchen with D’Arcy” is A popular Sunday series over my Instagram. I started sharing more recipes here on the blog as you; My following has been really enjoying. Thankful you like and create my recipes; I am adding more of my family’s favorite meals here on the blog for you to enjoy. It makes me happy you are trying them out and sharing some of my family’s favorite meals with your family.

I have always loved being in the kitchen and entertaining. As a small child, I would cook full meals and set the table pretty for my family. This continued as I grew and had a family of my own. I love good food, great ingredients, and not slaving in the kitchen for too long, but creating a meal, my family would love.

Need a fast and yummy dinner? I hope you’ll try my Caprice a tortellini with Pesto Chicken! It’s a crowd-pleaser and perfect for Hot Summer Night. You can serve cold or warm, so it’s perfect for a potluck as well. It is a great meal to create under 30-minutes.🍽

Thank you for stopping by, and I appreciate your support. Have a great week.

You might also enjoy:

No-Cook Dinner

Easy Homemade Pico De Gallo and Guacamole

Build your own Pizza Bar

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