Losing my hair

I am a stress head, there are no two ways about it. I carry all my thoughts, fears and worries, and don't vocalise them. Unfortunately, although I have an amazing partner, family and friends, I still carry a lot with me.

So, well over a year ago, while on the oral contraceptive pill, Levlen ED, I noticed unusual amounts of hair falling out when I washed it, when I dried it and just generally.

I read that Levlen is a high testosterone Pill, and could have been causing the hair loss. So, armed with that information I went to my GP and was prescribed Diane.

Since taking it, and stopping the use of artificial sweeteners, I noticed the decrease in hair loss, but it was still falling out. To make matters worse, hair hasn't been growing back. So I currently look like Fergie, with patches of thin hair everywhere.

I have started a diet to help lower my weight, and hopefully bring my hormones into check.

On top of this, I made an appointment with David Salinger of Trichology Centre to see what there was left to do, as I didn't want to be a bald bride in a year's time. All I had to lose was an hour of my day and $130. So the appointment was today, and I have been given L-Tyrosine to take, to help the hair grow. Maybe grow back? Fingers crossed and if I remember, I'll update my blog with the progress!

The Cost of My Face

Taken from posts that Monnie & Neena did, I thought I would complete the cost of my face. I'm not huge on wearing makeup, as I find it makes my face feel dirty. To be honest, I'm quite happy with my Clinique 3 Step of Wash-Tone-Moisturise! On the occasions I do get up early or am getting ready to go out, this is what I wear.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion $74
Smashbox Photo Finish Oil-Free Primer $32.50*
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium $47
Urban Decay Naked Palette $55
Nars Blush in Orgasm $33*
Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner in Java $28.95
Rimmel Volume Flash The Max Mascara in Ultra Black $16.51
Napoleon Perdis Lip Lacquer in Pink Patina $23

And lastly my daily staple, Maybelline Baby Lips (not pictured) in Anti-Oxidant Berry $4.21

*bought cheaper online

Total = $314.71

Oops, I didn't realise I had spent so much on makeup! To be honest, I had been lusting after the MAC, Nars and UD products for a long time and after having a bit of a mental breakdown one week, treated myself one expensive weekend. One this is for sure, the quality is definitely better than what I was using previously. The Skinfinish Mineralize powder foundation is so gentle on my skin, and doesn't make my skin flare up like my previous L'Oreal mineral foundation did. I find the Nars blush can be a bit much for day wear, due to the glitter in it. But all in all, I am really happy with my "face"!

On a last note, I find that the Dermalogica Gentle Eye Makeup Remover is the best thing to use on all my face to remove makeup. I also incorporate the use of my Clarisonic Mia (post found here) for that extra clean feeling.

Living through renovations

In April, fiancé and I bought a unit together. You could tell it hadn't been lived in as a primary residence. The walls were blue, the shower wasn't clean and the kitchen was brown. Fake wood panelling which smelt like mice. So I got the idea, let's get a new kitchen, it won't be that hard, right? Oh how naive I was! The decision was the easiest part!

First, finding a kitchen company. Then tradies. Picking a design. Someone to put it together. Not using a kitchen for 2 weeks. Trying not to kill each other!

One of the biggest factors was how much would we spend? What if we sold within the next 5 years? Or if it was rented out? Why put in a $30,000 dream kitchen when you can have something for now?

I'm glad we did it though. From yucky brown, to white, grey and stainless steel. It was gross while we had no kitchen. Just that feeling of being without a family member (what can I say, I love a kitchen!!), bare walls with holes. And yes, I found a mouse nest!

Now the last couple of steps include a couple of cupboards, painting, bulkheads and tiling...

Remind me why I wanted a new kitchen again?

Planning a Big Fat Greek Wedding, Part 1

Stage 1? Panic! Stage 2 - take a deep breath, write a gazillion lists and stay calm. Just less than 18 months to go!! At the moment, I'm looking at wedding stefana as we will be married in the Greek Orthodox church.

Stefana are a crucial part of an Orthodox wedding, as follows:

In a traditional Greek wedding ceremony the bride and groom are crowned with Stefana. Stefana being dual crowns; each crown being linked together with a single length of ribbon symbolising the joining of two souls and the creation of a new household. It is a symbol of combining two people as one. As a married couple they become the king and queen of their household. These crowns represent the signs of wisdom, justice, intregity, glory, honour when the king and queen are crowned. After the wedding the wedding crowns or Stafana are kept in a safe place representing the couple's commitment. Stefana or wedding crowns are intended to be kept for life forming eternal memories for the bride and groom

To me, they represent the most beautiful part of a wedding ceremony, linking man and woman into husband and wife, like a beautiful bond.

When M & I get married, we will not purchase our Stefana, as this will be done by our Koumbara (wedding sponsor). I am a control freak, and usually can't stand the thought of someone buying something for me if

Back in my parents day, Stefana looked very 1980's. My grandparents would have used something basic, white and beautiful. My great grandparents (although I have never seen a picture) would have worn Stefana that would have been very basic, functional and plain. But this does not take away from the symbolism.

Here are what they look like, and what I like, but this is for "research purposes".










My precious!!




Beautiful!
 



Old school as!


Basic, but gorgeous!

I should make this a series! Weddings are an interesting thing to plan while renovating...

My Mia arrived!

My Clarisonic Mia 2 arrived today while I was at work. I ordered last Sunday, a day before a public holiday (Saturday in the US). It arrived today! It came to my desk via a colleague, I was so stoked to see it!

It's smaller and prettier than I expected. I was bummed to see "International Charger" means American only...

On the plus side, free samples! A Clarisonic face wash sample and some moisturiser from the company that sells the Mia 2.

Here are the pics of me opening it (or packing it up, if the photos are shown in reverse!). Will edit with a review when I get a travel adapter tomorrow.

 
EDIT: I have used it, with the remaining battery life (I was never one for instruction manuals!). My skin feels amazing! I got a bit of reddening, but that's expected with my sensitive skin and all. I used the Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, and while not applying liberally enough, I think it was a good amount for my skin.

Using it was super easy. It gives a buzz every 10 seconds, which is good as the manual tells you to focus for 20 seconds on your forehead, 20 on your chin and 10 seconds on each cheek. My skin looked and felt clearer straight after using it. Then I realised I'd forgotten my nose. My nose with the huge pores and black heads - gross! So I thought I'd use the second setting. WOW! While it didn't remove all the blackheads, it did such a good job! I finished off by patting my skin semi-dry, using my Clarifying Moisture Lotion 2 and finishing with Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion. It glided onto my skin sooo smoothly, it was almost like silk.

Colour me converted!