Kelsy's Favorite Health & Beauty Products!

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I    never thought I'd want to write blogs but then I    started reading other people's and I've figured out that it's like having a lot of magazine articles right at your disposal! You can find great tips, hacks, funny stories and deep, meaningful life stories - it's really a beautiful way for people to connect and build community. I'm kind of addicted now!

So - I realize I'm no beauty expert but I    do have a list of daily products that help make me feel good (and pretty, and not bloated, and....). You'll see, just read on and I'm sure I'll be oversharing by the end but sharing is caring, right?! Anything to avoid looking like a hot mess is what motivates me ...there are enough things that can go wrong in the day that I    want to be able to have my toolbox of health & beauty products I    trust to ensure I     can make some things go right!

  • ExfoliKATE by Kate Somerville

    For that fresh, just “washed my face” look - I use it every morning.

  • MEDERMA

    It’s meant for scar treatment but it also happens to work on wrinkles! I use it on my upper lip where my straw-drinking habit has caused lines and it’s really helped diminish them!

  • NYX Shine Killer

    Anyone with an oily T zone or nose area will LOVE this - it is soooo good!

  • Papaya & Pineapple Enzymes

    I carry these always but especially when traveling. They are chewable, fruit-flavored natural tablets that take away tummy troubles in no time. These are good for kids and adults, alike. I find that my tummy always bothers me and my digestive system doesn’t work as well when I’m out of my routine and traveling somewhere (i.e. bloating, constipation, etc) - these little gems are magic and I like to describe them as a healthy version of TUMS.

  • TINKLE Razors

    Meant for eyebrows mostly but these are so awesome for those little facial hairs that creep up along your jawline (and the ones on your kneecaps that your shaver always misses!)

  • AQUAPHOR

    I use this as a lip balm and also to condition my nail cuticles. Feels so good and obviously works really well on kids’ boo-boos, too!

  • MAYBELLINE Clear Mascara

    Might be my very favorite! I use this for my brows (it’s basically hair gel in a mascara wand) and to tame the fly aways around my hairline EVERY SINGLE DAY. Cheap & easy!

  • RODAN & FIELDS Lash Boost

    This is one of those products that’s worth the extra cost - I have been using this for several years now and I see noticeable hair growth on my lashes but I also apply it to my eyebrows. Works wonders for those thin little hairs that are hanging on by a thread.

  • Beauty Blender

    This squishy little ball is so helpful when I’m applying concealer and tinted moisturizer - no streaks!

  • AVEDA Stress Fix

    If I could gift every stressed mama out there one of these little bottles, I would. The smell is yummy but not overwhelming and the mix of essential oils literally takes away my neck or head pain in minutes.

  • MARIO BADESCU Facial Spray

    I’m always a little on the warm side (as I’ve gotten older - hello, thyroid!) and being able to spritz a pretty rose or cucumber aloe scent onto my face with no heavy perfumes or dyes is just what I need to feel refreshed..

 

Not pictured but just as important in my day to day:

I    keep this little treasure in the fridge and each morning while my coffee brews, I    dab it under my tired, puffy eyes (yes, they pretty much are tired and puffy every morning - I'm a mom?!). The cool cucumber cream feels so nice and is a great morning wake up!

WAY TOO MUCH INFO but here goes:

These little absorbent pads have been like a friend who never lets me down. After having 3 kiddos. I can now pee a little when I    laugh, sneeze or jump up too fast. It's a gift, really. Ha. So - these little liners are in my undies EVERY DAY. I    will likely be buried with a Carefree thong liner when I   die but at least I'll be dry. You can buy the regular undies size or go crazy and buy the thong one for those sexy days (or every day because you haven't wanted panty lines since you were 16, so...).

THINNING HAIR?? Here is a product that works!:

  • VIVISCAL extra strength hair nutrient tablets

I    started taking these daily after my BFF told me about them. She had just been diagnosed with breast cancer and wanted to avoid losing all of her hair. Her oncologist even approved of Viviscal while she was taking chemo. IT WORKS - her hair thinned but was not noticeable to most people and once I    saw that, I     decided to try it and see if it would help me after I    was diagnosed with hypo-thydroidism (it can cause you to lose hair - eyebrows, lashes, scalp). It worked for me and I've since shared it with many friends (men, too). I've seen a really noticable difference in our male friend who had thinning hair on top! Give it a try and let me know what you think! Amazon has the best deal on it but you can also find it at med spas and Ulta, etc. 


Super savings side note: join Ebates and you'll get $$ back on many of these items. I    heard about Ebates from our gal, Jordan Page of Fun Cheap or Free - she's our frugal friend with great finds! I'd love to hear what you might go pick up and try! Several gals have already reached out after seeing my Insta Live and are enjoying the Shine Killer, the Viviscal and the enzymes! What are you loving?

XO Kelsy 

5 healthy & quick breakfast ideas for school mornings

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One of the nicest things about sending the kids back to school is getting everyone into a routine again. The hardest part for many families, though, is trying to manage all the basics - like a solid breakfast! To make life easier, we have put together 5 easy grab-n-go breakfast ideas to send your kiddos back to school with full tummies, ready to focus!

As a mom of 3, I’m loving being able to heat up Umpqua Oats oatmeal for my teens before they drive themselves to school. They’re always in a hurry so I just pick a flavor (the banana walnut is a fave right now), add blueberries or a dash of shredded coconut on it and send them out the door.

Our 10 year-old tends to move about as fast as a snail on school mornings and rarely finishes his breakfast, so I always pack a This Bar Saves Lives and a Go-Go squeeze (apple!) for a mid-morning snack. I’m personally addicted to these bars, too so we always have them around. I really love that for each bar they sell, they donate one to a child in need. 
 

Your Umpqua oats can work double duty if you throw them in a batch of blueberry oatmeal muffins on Sunday and send the kids out the door with a muffin each morning! 

These Oatmeal energy bites are another fan-fave around here (For the grownups, too!). They take about 20 minutes and can stay in the fridge all week. (Can you tell we LOVE oatmeal around here?!)

Jordan Page, of Fun, Cheap or Free, (and last years Start Loving You Keynote speaker) swears by these freezer smoothie bags - she dubs the "make ahead breakfast-of-champions". 


How cool is it that Umpqua Oats happened to be started by a couple of Oregon moms with the same idea in mind - to get their kids a yummy, healthy and quick breakfast?! Thank you to Founders, Sheri Price and Mandy Holborow, for thinking outside of the box (cereal box, that is!).

 

#momcrushing on Jordan Page, Fun Cheap or Free Queen

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So let's be honest here; MOTHERHOOD is hard! And then we come across these women online who always seem to have it together and look like a gorgeous mermaid to boot! Ha yes, that's Jordan Page and her besties in that photo right there and she'll be the first to tell you that "nope, I don't have it all together all the time but what I do have, I OWN!" She owns her imperfections (varicose veins!), her huge amount of kids (5 and one on the way!), her marriage that she and her husband work hard to keep on FIRE, her faith, her business (funcheaporfree.com) and yes, all the other things that mamas worry about. What I  love about her is that with all of that, she keeps it real, whether she's sharing a struggle, a budgeting success story or a great idea with us. You own it, girl!

Hear Jordan in her own words HERE as she shares her story of how she decided to just own who she is, Cheetos and all! Filmed at our San Diego Start Loving You #momference 2018! 

XO Kelsy

Celebrating National Best Friend's Day


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She's the salt to your pepper, the ketchup to your mustard, the gin to your tonic - she's your best friend and together you make a great combo!

In honor of National Best Friends' Day, take time to find fun, new ways to stay connected with your friends during the busy upcoming summer! Friendship Expert and Author Shasta Nelson shared with those of us at our San Diego momference that "friendships don't just happen; it's up to us to make them happen!" She reminded us that building and maintaining friendships is not an easy task but is well worth it, especially when you need a friend to lean on or vent to! And don't forget - the kids are home for the whole summer! You might need some extra adult time!

Here is a great download that Shasta and our title sponsor, STARTplanner, created together just for this special day! Hope you enjoy - we'd love to see what your'e up to so tag #startplanner and #startlovingyou when you take some of these adventures with your friends! 

XO Your friend, Kelsy 

Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them but you know they’re always there.

 

 

Start Loving You San Diego Recap

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I'm beyond grateful that on May 17th, so many ladies embarked on a moms' getaway to Start Loving You in San Diego!

Women came from all over the country and Canada (15 states, to be exact - the same amount of states as our first conference in Portland 2017 - how cool is that?!) to be celebrated, inspired and motivated. Many local SoCal moms were also there and honestly, several of them were instrumental in sharing our event and showing us love and support before we even showed up to their hometown! That's what it's all about - women helping women! It's been phenomenal to connect with the ladies who took part in our event, whether it was as a guest, speaker or a sponsor. That's my favorite part - connecting with others but also watching the relationships made at our events that will continue to grow! 

While life is whizzing by and kids are growing like weeds, moms tend to take the backseat to self-care and self-love. In San Diego, our speakers were able to share stories of how they've grown as women and moms and perservered, failed, given up, started over, stayed strong, etc - all while keeping their family at the top of their list. It really reminded me, and lots of our guests, that moms don't have to quit our daydreams just because we have the title of MOM.

We kicked off Thursday evening at The Marriott Marquis at the Marina with a Welcome Reception under the palm trees! All the gorgeous styling for our event was provided by Soiree by Ria; Photography by the talented Alex Paige Clark.

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Friday morning was a rush of excitement as we welcomed everyone to breakfast (courtesy of Umpqua Oats and SD Toyota Dealers "start your engines" coffee bar!) and continued to hand out our premium swag bags at registration! Our guests went crazy over our sponsors and their products inside the bags!

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Our emcee, Meredith Masony of That's Inappropriate, was back for her 2nd time to host our event and lead the way in laughs! The morning started off with Keynote Jordan Page of FunCheaporFree, urging us to "own it" - own who you are and embrace it! Heroic mom, Angel Fiorini, and Sportscaster/Blogger Kristen Hewitt both shared their personal stories of inspiration (cue the Kleenex!). Author/Entrepreneur Kristy Dickerson and LadyBossMama Founder Laura Kyttanen took the stage with some serious motivation to hustle and "unfreeze" where you're stuck at in life!

We toasted with surprise mimosas to welcome Cat & Nat and enjoyed some down to earth chit chat with these BFFs who've come a long way from posting funny #momtruths in their minivan!

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But first, let me take a selfie!

Lunch time was the perfect break to shop our Sponsor Marketplace and meet some of our presenters, including authors Kristy and Shasta.

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Our Title Sponsor

A huge THANK YOU to STARTplanner - we are so grateful! 

We started the afternoon session with our GIVEBACK to the local community. Tamara Keefe & Misty Miller of Live Love Works were instrumental in bringing this heartfelt project together and each guest was able to package several "blessing bags" for needy families through Operation Hope - always one of our favorite parts of the day!
 


We were wowed by Chatbooks Co-founder Vanessa Quigley and her 4 sisters (Rikki, Leah, Shelley and Kara) - they left us laughing & crying! Lifestyle Blogger Rachel Pitzel then shared her story of being a mompreneur through the different stages of social media and her own personal journey. Then it was the perfect time to go on a quick adventure outside in the warm San Diego sun to enjoy a Pixsweet Icepop on the boardwalk! Our afternoon was capped off by the beautiful Shasta Nelson, author and friendship expert, who left us all knowing that it is OKAY and actually healthy to go have fun with your girlfriends, even when you're a busy mama and that we are entitled to take that time for ourselves. We couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect keynote presenter to end our 2nd annual conference! 


Speaking of dreaming, the whole weekend was pretty dreamy!

No cooking or cleaning, no laundry, dirty diapers, chores, deadlines or being a chauffeur - instead we got to trade our normal routine in for some well-deserved me time. Walks in the fresh sea air, dinner out (and how could I forget to mention our amazing VIP dinner at Seasons 52 on Friday night?!), sleeping in, hunting for sand dollars on the beach, shopping at the marina (for the kids, of course!) and quality girl-time with my friends, new and old. I already can't wait to go next year!

Stay connected to find out where we're headed in 2019! Announcement coming this summer!

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