Parenting Toddlers

You may think this is Medusa - nope, it’s me in the morning before I have coffee.

I’m sitting here in my pajamas. I haven’t showered yet. I have baby spit-up on my shoulder, and becasuse I’m wearing my fiance’s old sweatshirt, I have old mortar stains on it (he was a mason tender). And I’ve already told you about my mom hair. So I look hot. I just turned twenty-nine, and some days, I feel like I’m eighty. This is why I clicked on this article, entitled “19 Easy Ways to Look Ten Years Younger.” Hey, why not. I would NOT want to be 19 again, but looking around twenty would be fine. So here are some of the tips that I liked. You can click here for the whole article.

Drink 64 ounces of water. I hate water. I really do. I will only drink it if it comes out of a bottle - which is bad, so I use a reusuable bottle. I will not drink it from a cup or glass, unless it comes from a restaurant. I don’t know how I come up with these rules, I just do. Lately, though, I’ve been drinking a lot of it, and you know, it really does make me feel better. Apparently, it helps you look better too. According to the article, it makes your skin look “radiant.” Always good.

Use sunscreen. I always make sure to cover Peanut with sunscreen - she has perfect skin. I’d hate to be the one to ruin it for her. For myself, though, I never do. I’ll admit it, I like to look tan. It’s because we live in an area of the US which is cold seventy-five percent of the time. When it’s sunny, we all go crazy. But sunscreen, even in the winter, will help prevent wrinkles, sunspots, and the number one form of cancer - skin cancer. Millions of people have this - and yet, I still do not use sunscreen. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Update your jeans. I liked this tip. After the Little Guy was born I wore jogging pants for two months. I still can’t fit into my jeans - I’m working on it! Anyway, I had to go and buy some that fit because they just make me feel a little more attractive. Jeans are young and fun, so update your style. But do not follow the tweeny and teeny trends. There’s no need for a thirty year old to have ripped jeans (I don’t know if I agree with that. My absolute favorite jeans have holes. That’s because I wore them to death, not because I bought them like that). Anyway, keep up with current cuts and washes. It’s all about the color, that’s for sure.

Invest in a hot handbag. My mom has a fifty pound purse. She carries everything you’d ever think of needing, plus extra for others. Need a tissue, she’s got it. Bored? Need a book. Got it. Thirsty? You get the idea. But she recently updated her “old lady” purse and got a fun, bright one that’s still big enough to tote around all her eartly possessions. Having a fun purse is a great way to look as young and fun as you sometimes feel. I’d go with the more sophisticated textures, like a leather or pleather, and fun, deep, rich colors.

Dress for your age. If you’re petite - I hate you - don’t shop in the junior section. I actually haven’t seen anything but Hannah Montana in the junior section anyway, so just steer clear. Also, don’t use makeup or lotion with glitter. Now, I always wanted to do that. I think it looks like pixie dust and is very cute. But I missed my chance. I’m too old. Now the glitter will get caught in my wrinkles (or “fine lines”) and accentuate them. I’m disapppointed, but I missed glitter lotion.

This one wasn’t on the list, but it has to do with hair. I’m obsessed with it lately and I want to get mine cut. Be careful, don’t get an old lady hair cut. I wear mine short, which I think suits my face, but I don’t want to look like Sofia Patrillo. It’s curly, so that’s possible. Anyway, get a young hair cut, but not too young - just like the jeans. I’m going to go online and see what I can find. And sometimes, if you have long hair, cutting it a little shorter or adding some layers will give it a younger look and feel. And I read the other day that adding ligther highlights (like Marg Helgenberger) will highlight your face and give it a younger look. Just a thought.

Another one not on the list: exercise. It really cures all. I’ve been going to the gym, and I’ve noticed that my complexion is more rosy. And my fiance says I’ve been in a much better mood than I have in a while, which I think helps you look better.

Having kids means that we don’t often have time to do ourselves up, but these are some pretty simple and quick steps to take to keep us looking our young ages!