Coming Attractions

I've neglected this blog for almost a year, and I've decided that it needs a face lift. Sometime over the next week I'll be giving Changing Ways an updated, cleaner, look. The content won't change but the layout, font, background, etc. will be improved.

This is a blog about changing so it's time we did a little of that around here.  It's going to be great!

La Belle Vie

I know I haven't written here in ages, probably more than a year ago.  I enjoyed writing this blog as it was very different than my previous two blogs both in design and in content.  I've been wanting to get back into blogging for sometime but Changing Ways just didn't quite feel right anymore.  After some thought and a little planning, I've decided to create a beauty blog.  You can find my new blog, La Belle Vie, here.

I'm going to keep Changing Ways around as I feel that it still has worth and I plan to visit occasionally and leave a post or two.  So until the next post here, pop by at La Belle Vie and drop me a line or just enjoy the blog.  It only has one post so far as it was just created Sunday night.  It will be expanding soon though so keep an eye out for all kinds of good things.  See you over there. 

New Undertakings

Seeing as this blog is about changing lifestyles, it's about time I mixed mine up a little.   I've been growing increasingly unhappy in the legal profession since I enlisted in the daily grind. It's finally reaching a point though where it's almost intolerable and so, it is time for a much needed change.

I've been giving a lot of thought to what I'd actually enjoy doing and I keep coming back to two answers - teaching or editing. Technically, I can teach with my B.A. in English  but truthfully, no one will hire you if you don't have some type of education degree. I don't have such a thing but I do have enough student loans to constitute a small mortgage. As such, another degree, i.e. a master's in education is out. And so I've settled, happily, on editing. Therein lies the rub.

How in the world do I get my foot in the door in a new profession?  Granted, I am qualified and I do have menial experience having edited countless papers for friends and coworkers, and I review and edit every document or correspondence produced by my attorney, which is a considerable amount.  Unfortunately, absolutely none of it is considered viable experience. As much of a set back as that is though, I'm not going to give up on this. I majored in English because it was the only thing I thought I could tolerate for four years. If it's the only thing I could tolerate for four years, then it's probably the only thing I can tolerate, let alone enjoy, for the span of a career. So, my mind is made up and I will jam my foot into any corner of the profession I can wiggle my little toes into.

In addition to editing, I've also decided that it's well past time that I put on my big girl panties and submit some work for hopeful publishing.  I'm quite certain that I've found an online journal that I want to submit to and I already have a piece in mind to send in. I just don't know if I can handle a rejection. My writing is the most vulnerable part of me and the idea of sending it to a trained critic is terrifying. They say though that to live courageously and boldly, one must know vulnerability. I'll keep you updated on my endeavor to actually become a published writer/poet.

Alright, well enough about writing and shooting for bigger things.  Sorry I've been away so long, I'll try to be more attentive.  Oh, and one more quick update, my boyfriend and I are finally taking a proper vacation in May...to Paris!  We are both very overdue for a vacation, and I am way overdue for a (mis)adventure.  Here's to new careers, different places, and changing ways.  Don't be afraid to mix it up a bit. As for me, I'm trying to practice what I preach.  Happy hump day!

Quick Update

I just realized that it's been well over a year since I've posted anything here so here's a quick update on the important bits from the past year.

I'm still living in downtown and while I love being in the heart of the city I think I'd rather live in South Tampa. It's a little less crowded, I wouldn't have to always be inconvenienced by every convention that comes to the convention center or the Forum, there's grass not just concrete, and it's five minutes from downtown but a little less crowded. The lease is up on March so we'll see what happens then.

I lost my job at the foreclosure firm in February, which was more a blessing than a headache, and now, thanks to two amazing women at Hood Legal, I have a great job at an incredible firm in downtown. I've been there since April and I hope to be there for years.

I bought a 2012 Fiat 500 in January, right before I lost my job, and I absolutely adore it!  Sadly though, while picking my best friend up at the airport at midnight for the fourth of July weekend, a seventeen year old drove an SUV into the driver's side.  It's in the shop though and I'll get my baby back on the 23rd. I have an SUV until then and that's proving to be an experience!

The last big update is that I'm running my first marathon in December. I'm really excited but a little scared, too. I have a friend who is walking the half-marathon while I run the whole so it's nice for us to have someone to commiserate with on rough training days.  I haven't decided what the worst part about training for a marathon during a Florida summer is - the heat or hurricane season. Both are proving to be trying. Beth and I are carrying on though and that's the best we can do.

Well, that's it for now. I'll make much more of an effort to post more often. Until next time,  keep changing ways.

Moving Up!

I moved to downtown Tampa last weekend...and I LOVE it!!  There is so much to do here it is unbelievable.  Unfortunately both last weekend and probably this weekend are to be filled with running errands in order to get everything we need for our new place so I haven't gotten to explore too much.  City living definitely has its pros and cons.  Pros are:  covered parking (not getting soaked in Florida storms), sidewalks everywhere so lots of space to walk my dog, waterfront just outside my door (with boats), and I'm within walking distance of the best Tampa has to offer.  Cons are:  squeezing into tiny parking garage spaces everyday, lots of live music, having to take my dog downstairs in an elevator to go out, and loud people coming home at closing time from the bars downtown on the weekends (if you can't beat them, join 'em).  On the whole though I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Bogart loves it here with all the sidewalks and new smells.  He's finally beginning to notice the other dogs so that's becoming fun.  He gets so excited to go out here but it's great!  The gym is a little small but it will suffice nonetheless.  The hard wood and real tile floors are to die for (where have you been all my life?) and I have not heard a neighbor in the week I've been here (we used to live below a tap dancing elephant)!  There's a courtyard, pool, or fountain tucked into every corner and the whole location begs for drinks outside on a mid summer night.  I've died and gone to heaven.  Oh, and I haven't gotten lost...yet.  We're just beginning to discover this city that we've lived in for four years and it's great to be, not only out of Clearwater (thank God!), but back in our city.  Here's to Tampa, may it be better than I remember.

Life

This blog is meant to be mostly about fashion, makeup, hair, etc., but it's also about changing and a lot of that is happening for me right now.  The good news is that Bogart is improving greatly every day.  He hardly limps anymore and he has the vet's permission to return to normal activity in two weeks!  She was quite impressed with his progress when she saw him two weeks post-op.  She shortened a three month recovery to two months.

While Bogart is getting better our lives are getting busier.  We move this Friday (finally!) from Clearwater to downtown Tampa and we cannot wait!  The new apartment is in an awesome location with lots of sidewalks to walk Bogart, a parking garage for the cars (which is nice with the pollen turning my red car green), and within walking distance of so many bars, pubs, parks, theaters, museums, the river, and the best of Tampa in general.

We've been in Clearwater for two years and while the beach is close, the spring breakers, snowbirds, and Phillies fans are getting to be a bit much.  It's been like someone took Philadelphia and put it in Ontario for the past week.  The congestion is out of this world and the city spent hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars to put up an electronic sign on the Courtney Campbell Causeway as you enter the mainland that, after months, has finally been turned on today to project, "Expect Delays.  Spring break congestion."  I sat in traffic for 45 minutes coming from Tampa, tell me something I don't know.  Clearwater is a nice suburb but it is not for me.  Hopefully the heart of a city is.

As previously mentioned, I'll do my best to post some things over the next week or two but don't expect too much as Ill be moving all weekend and it might take me a few days to find my laptop after the move.  Things here are good and getting more exciting everyday.  I'm ready for my new apartment!!  

Nightly Facial Routine

As previously stated, basic facial care is critical - you can't paint a masterpiece on a dirty canvas.  I've already written a post about doing a morning facial routine, but as the experts will tell you, it is just as important to have a nightly routine as well.  Again the most important part of the nightly routine is to wash your face.  There are, however, other aspects of it as well.  Begin by removing any makeup, washing your face, then apply any other creams or masks that you might wish to, and finally finish by applying a good moisturizer (no SPF).

The most important of the aforementioned steps is makeup removal.  It is crucial to remove as much makeup as possible prior to washing your face to ensure that your pores are cleaned instead of clogged when you wash your face.  There are dozens of different face wipes and makeup removers.  I like to keep it simple because, from my experience, the more natural and simple you keep this step the better the results.  The first thing that you will need is a quality eye makeup remover.  Yes, they make makeup remover specifically for your eyes and I highly recommend investing in a good one; they're pretty cheap.  I've tired a few different ones but my favorite is by far, Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover.  Target makes a great version that is pretty much the exact same product but cheaper.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

*Be sure to shake well before applying.

For a makeup remover to use for the rest of the face I like to use baby oil.  You read that right, baby oil.  I used to use wipes but they always smelled like rubbing alcohol and they burned my face and did a bad job of removing the makeup, plus they were pretty pricey.  So I started looking for an alternative and I was pretty floored when I saw several recommendations for baby oil.  I'll admit, it was very odd the first time I used it to rub oil on my face and I expected clogged pores and a serious breakout to follow, but, after at least six months of use I haven't had an issue.  My face actually feels better afterwards than if I use a wipe.  Just be sure to wash your face thoroughly immediately after using it to remove your makeup. I swear it works, it's super cheap, and it's unscented.  As always, Target sells their Up&Up brand which is what I use and love.  Another great thing, one big bottle lasts months!

 Baby oil - the miracle makeup remover!

Now the question is how to go about applying oil to one's face.  Target (I live across the street from one) makes awesome cotton rounds (a cotton ball would suffice).  I prefer the cotton rounds because they don't leave behind the fuzz like cotton balls do.  I just apply the eye makeup remover first to two cotton rounds, one for each eye.  I set them on each eye, much like cucumbers at a spa though not as appealing I'm sure, and I let them stay on my lids for about fifteen seconds to penetrate and break up the makeup before I remove them.  I wipe away all of my eyeshadow with the same rounds and as much of my eyeliner as I can.  Next I dip a clean Q-Tip into the eye makeup remover and start working on the mascara by rubbing the Q-Tip over the lashes near the waterline.  About four Q-Tips later the last of the eye makeup is gone.  I then apply baby oil to two fresh cotton rounds and wipe them over my face.  I use two in order to ensure that I get everything.  Finally it's time to wash!

A cotton round like the ones at Target.  They get the job done!


As always, there is a large selection of facial washes to use.  It is perfectly fine to use your morning face wash for your evening routine as well.  I've always used the same face wash for both until recently when I started using a prescription strength Retin-A cream that would leave my face dry and peeling at night.  I needed a little extra moisture so I switched from using my morning Cetaphil face wash to their Antibacterial Cleansing Bar.  Sometimes I use it in conjunction with the face wash that I use in the morning by using that one first and then following up with the bar.  It just depends on my mood and how dirty I feel like my face is.  The bar will get all the oil off your face and will moisturize wonderfully on its own.  I also personally love the smell - so fresh and clean!  I'm acne prone in certain areas and both of the face washes mentioned have yielded great results so they both come highly recommended.

Cetaphil Antibacterial Cleansing Bar

Once your makeup has been removed and your face washed you will need to apply any creams or masks that you'd like to use.  Personally, I put on a prescription strength Retin-A cream (derivative of Vitamin A) that I have to help exfoliate my skin to keep the acne in check (it works!).  I also have a cream that I use for under eye circles that, unfortunately, are inherited.  I put on the Retin-A cream, let it dry, and then apply the puffiness cream.  Once that has dried I apply the final step, a moisturizer.  You don't want to use the same type of moisturizer that you use in the morning.  Your morning moisturizer should have an SPF in it, your night one should not.  I also like to use a slightly more intense moisturizer at night just because I have dry skin and want something that will get me through the night so I don't wake up with tight skin.  I recently started using Cetpahil Restoraderm Skin Restoring Moisturizing Lotion.  It works okay but I'm planning on switching to CeraVe PM which is what my dermatologist has recommended.  I've used samples and it makes your skin so smooth and it's a wonderful consistency for easy application.  I have already switched my morning moisturizer to CeraVe AM which has an SPF of 30 in it.  I highly recommend both.

Cetaphil Restoraderm Restoring Skin Moisturizing Lotion

CeraVe PM

CeraVe AM - The morning moisturizer that I now use.

After you apply your moisturizer you're ready to go.  The biggest thing to maintaining clear skin is to be sure and wash your face immediately following any physical activity whether it's going to the gym, the beach, working outside, etc.  Hopefully between this post and the one on the morning facial routine you've gotten a good foundation for skin maintenance.  Now, on to bigger things!