We’ve all had those moments, when we feel ready for better. Often the beginning of the year is that moment for many of us. But what about when, let’s say, it’s March and the enthusiasm of early January feels like forever ago? When we don’t feel like pushing through? Excited to share with you this glimpse into a strong amazing woman who pushed through to achieve a big time personal goal! Meet our friend and wedding planner extraordinaire, Kristina Foerster!
What made you start this journey?
It was a normal day, I had been working out regularly but not getting the results I wanted. I had just gotten married and life had settled. Everyone was telling me I was fine–and I wasn’t fat– but I thought I could be better. Even though I was working out, I wasn’t being as consistent. My gym had a challenge and I decided to do it!
What made this time different from the other times you wanted to make a change?
I’d say 3 main things were different this time. I was…
Committed
Seeking advice and
Looking at the scale differently.
It wasn’t just about the pounds anymore. This changed my perspective about what I should eat. Also this was something I was doing for ME. My hubby and family were happy with me as I was and loved me, which is great, but they don’t live in my skin, I DO. Confidence in your own skin is what gets you through the day. I needed to make a change for ME.
OK TODAY IS THE DAY…
My gym had a challenge. Weight loss wasn’t the goal, but being committed to the routine even though the process isn’t fast. So many days I felt like I was regressing. People want that one or two week fix. Really what makes the change is the momentum you build up to it. I didn’t want to yo yo, I wanted to keep it off.
The first three months had the most moments of doubt and usually in the evening after my shower being so aware of my body. I wanted my body to change as fast as I imagine it would in my mind. You think, I’m working out 5 or 6 days a week why am I not there yet? It’s hard to judge your own progress when you see ur body everyday. I had to tell myself to stop judging so harshly and push those thoughts out of my mind and focus on staying committed to the routine rather than examining my body.
It’s hard when you compare yourself to others. If I looked at the person next to me on the treadmill and compared myself that would discourage me. So wherever you are today, that’s your starting point. There’s no point looking to the left or the right. All you can do is look in the mirror and say this is what I’ve got and I’m gonna work with it. You have to love who you are first when you start. You can still love yourself for who you are but push towards better.
While Kristina was dedicated to weight lifting and high intensity interval training, she says that food made the most difference.
Here’s a peek into a typical day for her…
Wake up drink: ice water with apple cider vinegar–it wakes up my organs!
I make breakfast and eat it within 30 mins of waking up–1 egg, 2 whites, and turkey links Shake snack later that I made the night before
Coffee– I love it! The biggest change is I drink it black, no sugar or cream, it’s not dessert anymore!
Lunch salmon over a cup of greens
4 oz plain yogurt 15 almonds for another snack
Workout, either weights or interval training 3 days of each
Dinner with hubby is usually some chicken with a cup of veggies.
“The answer is consistency and commitment. True lifestyle change. Nothing long lasting comes easy.” If you want to chat more with Kristina about her journey or about your upcoming wedding day–we mentioned she’s an amazing wedding planner, yes?!–visit her site here.
And what better way to celebrate smashing your goals than to have a photoshoot (with a little hair and makeup of course!)! Love these pics by Dee and Kris Photography! Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Kristina!
Beauty, Beauty Spotlight, Body, Hair, Health, industry professional, Makeup, Musings, Photoshoot, weddings
March 6, 2018
Allow me to introduce you Jenn: world traveler, professional horticulturist, and the genius behind Garden Apothecary.
Awhile back Jenn sent me the loveliest package of treats. P&P artist Maya was with me when it arrived and we both were over the moon about how everything looked and smelled! What is so great about Garden Apothecary is that all of the amazing products are organic and hand-made in Half Moon Bay, CA.
That evening I rolled on the flower essence oil…smelled so lovely!
The French Green Clay Mud Mask made my skin feel squeaky clean. It comes in powder form, so you just add water. What? You don’t make this face when you do a mud mask?! The hubby said I looked ridiculous…perhaps, but my face was baby-butt smooth after so who cares!
The product I was most enchanted with was the Bath Tea…the bottle looks so good on my counter (I’m such a sucker for packaging!). When I drew myself a bath the aroma of rose was intoxicating!
Jenn is so inspiring! Whether its seeing her craft her beautiful products, taking a peek into her garden, or hearing about her far off adventures…you won’t wanna miss a beat on her blog or Instagram (@gardenapothecary)!
Garden Apothecary has a treat for P&P readers: From now through August you can get $4 off the 4oz. Lavender Face and Body mist (normally $12.50) by using the code “polishandpout” at checkout! And shipping is free on orders $60 or more! Happy shopping everyone!
Cheers to Gardens, Baths, and Organic Goods,
July 30, 2013
Happy Makeup Monday everyone! I thought today would be the perfect day to blog a quick trick of mine that I use all the time! It’s fast and easy and can be done a few different ways…it’s the easiest way to exfoliate: sugar! So if you’re not sure which exfoliating products to buy, stuck away from home without your face and body scrubs, or like the more natural approach, then this is for you!
All you need is…sugar! Well, and a little water too. Mix a few pinches of sugar with a small splash of water and create a paste…then scrub onto your face, body, or lips for silky smooth perfection! Sugar is great for exfoliating. Not only is it obviously granular and works fantastic as a manual scrub, but it’s natural properties give you some added benefits! Naturally occurring glycol help with cell turn over…and sugar is also balancing to the skin! Hooray! So easy right?
A few variations:
–add a pinch to a pump of your cleanser for a gentle scrub while you clean your face!
–scrape a little lip balm and mix with sugar for a creamy lip scrub!
–brew some green tea and mix with sugar for even more amazing skin benefits while you scrub!
The video below is an oldie but a goodie! Watch it for more info on the benefits for your skin and a bonus easy step for a DIY face toner!
Cheers to Mondays, Makeup, and Skincare!
March 11, 2013
Stocking are probably my favorite part of presents at Christmas! Sure, big pricey presents are nice too, but all those little things that you like or need, your favorite treats…all in one giant sock…I mean, what’s not to love?! And I don’t know about you, but when I’m the one filling a stocking I like it to be as full as possible, and to have the most fun and legitimately enjoyable things inside!
Christmas socks, chocolate, magazines, maybe a small gift card…Hmm what else? Skip the weird cheap gift baskets in the holiday aisle and grab some of these instead!
1. WetnWild Eyeshadow Trios $2: Biggest shock ever that these shadows are amazing! They come in singles and larger palettes too…so affordable.
2. ELF Shine Eraser oil blotting sheets $1: It is far better to touch use this way, rather than packing on powder on top of the oil and bacteria on your face throughout the day
3. WetnWild Megalast Lipstick $2: Great pigment, long lasting wear, totally amazing!
4. Sephora Facial Cleansing brush $6: Consider this the poor man’s Clarisonic. Gets my face so much more clean than when I just use my hands and is great for exfoliating too!!
5. NYC Smooth Skin Bronzer in Sunny $2.75: Currently my favorite bronzer! Buildable colour, matte, and none of that annoying red that’s in most bronzers
6. ELF powder brush $1: Of all of the brushes that I use on my clients, the one that people compliment the most for how amazing it feels is not my $45 brush, not my $29 brush…it’s this one! Go figure.
7. Ardell Fashion Lashes $3-$5: flirty fun for New Years Eve perhaps?
8. Kate Moss for Rimmel Lipsticks $4: No1 is the perfect Holiday Red! Love these and cannot get enough!
9. Sally Hansen InstaDry nailpolish $3: great colors, wears fantastic, and dries in about a minute
10. ELF Zit Zapper $1: tea tree oil and salicylic acid to give blemishes the ol’ one two punch!
Aaaaand a few more special extras if you want to turn this stocking into an amazing gift instead…
1. Rimmel Gel eyeliner $7: waterproof, black, and a brush built into the lid…I used this on my Fall brides and loved it!
2. Philosophy Shower Gels $5: Love these travel size gels they do at Christmas time…they ACTUALLY smell like what they say they do! If you buy 3 they’re only $5 each! Hot buttered rum anyone?
3. Naked Basics Pallete by Urban Decay $27: The latest and greatest in the Naked family…already in love with these 5 matte shades and one satin finish highlight…neutral perfection!
4. MAC Viva Glam V lipstick $14.50: This lipstick looks great on EVERYONE. I mean everyone!! It’s the perfect neutral everyday colour, it looks like “lip” but with a little extra pop.
5. Designer Makeup bags $7-$25: Ross ALWAYS has fantastic makeup bags, many from my favorite designers and are a fraction of their usual cost. Have you priced makeup bags lately? Even no-name bags at Target cost a pretty penny…why not get one from Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, or Calvin Klein for cheaper instead? Plus, a makeup bag is cuter to stuff than a stocking anyway!
Happy shopping and Merry Christmas everyone!
Cheers to Stockings, Makeup, and Christmas,
December 21, 2012
Meet my new friend Kali. Kali at the ripe old age of 21 is an accomplished makeup and hair artist. I met her last month at the Adesign Brush Party, she was demo’ing body art techniques using those awesome brushes. I was completely wowed by her abilities and asked her to share her story and some products she loves. Her strengths and interests (math, anyone?!) intrigue me…take notes people, this girl is going places…
“So lets see, where do I begin…Well for starters my name is Kali Lorenzo. Born and raised in San Jose, CA. I was always a creative kid and somehow I ended up putting it to use through makeup. I loved painting and math. So those 2 skills served me well when it came to hair and makeup. I’m a licensed cosmetologist. Believe it or not theres alot of math in hair! I’ve been professionally doing makeup for about 5 yrs, hair 2yrs.”
“As far as body painting goes, I’ve only been doing that for a year. My first time doing such thing was for a Hair show competition, which I won first place for ;). The theme was “time warp” doing anything from the b.c. to present involving hair/makeup. I did futuristic of course. I converted my model into a robot from head to toe. Never did I have previous training for this, but it was how my mind worked. I had this vision in my head so I would quickly draw it before it left my brain. Sketch it out & then bring it to life on a human body as my canvas. Sometimes I dont even know how my brain works…but it does…in a crazy way. I love doing what I do, and I feel more than blessed to be one of the few that gets to do what they love as a career.”
“My interest in makeup began shortly after my 15th birthday, my friend had a photography project and asked me to be in it. I knew how to do makeup, but not like those girls at MAC. That day I did a look that changed my life forever, it was simple but gave me the idea that “Hey, maybe this can take me somewhere”. So I started reading books, watching youtube videos, and eventually having clients. I posted all my stuff on myspace (back then lol) then facebook, and then eventually started attending shows and networking…”
“May I add I was only about 18or 19? I was determined, and I still am.”
“I know what I want and I do not stop until I get it. I feel like I’m still at a young age where I have plenty of years to achieve my goals, but of course I give myself a deadline. I need to push myself harder every year to achieve that 25yr deadline. So I have 4 yrs to go :).”
3 must haves (or else I’d die!!):
1) Ben Nye Setting Spray, I dont care what anyone says best setting spray ever!
2) Urban Decay Supercurl Lash, I kid you not best curling mascara I’ve used by far.
3) MUFE’s Flash Palette, need I say more??! Everything in 1!
Wow! I don’t know about you, but Kali’s amazing talent and determination (at such a young age too!) is incredibly inspiring! Follow her work on Facebook…and find out there how to book her services!
Cheers to Math, Art, and Determination,
Beauty, Beauty Spotlight, Body, Costume, Hair, industry professional, Makeup, Musings, Personal, Photoshoot, Pro event, Product review, Products, Shopping, Trend, Tutorial
September 17, 2012
Today I want you to hear from Jess…no I’m not speaking in the third person…my friend Jess Burden is an amazing makeup artist with over 10 years of experience under her belt! She is a member of Laura Mercier’s Northern California Artistry Team, with additional experience in film, theater, and commercial work.
I think a peek into her makeup bag and her beauty routine might do us some good…
You can only pick one beauty product to use for the rest of your life…what is it?: “One beauty product for the rest of my life? I think I’m cheating with this answer…but…bath products. My current obsessions are:
Lush Bath Bombs, fizzy and delicious. For Strange Women Bath Salts, in Lichen. They smell amazing, and are great for soothing sensitive skin. And Laura Mercier Honey Bath, in a Almond Coconut. Very hydrating, and smells like a beach vacation!” (This is one my [Polish and Pout’s] FAVORITE scents of all time! It really is like vacation!)
Jess says, “It takes me 30 minutes to get ready, but I prefer to take at least an hour. Making time, to take time for yourself, is essential to feeling beautiful.“
Her beauty mantra: ” Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it” ~Confucius~
Five Things in her makeup bag:
- Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer “I love the light weight feel, and the finish is beautiful.”
- Laura Mercier’s Primer “I wear this even when I don’t wear makeup.”
- Wet ‘n’ Wild lipliner in Chestnut “It’s only .99 cents….best contouring pencil ever for nude/ peach/ or deep red lips!”
- For Strange Women Lip embellishments “100% natural, from the ingredients, to the packaging. Great texture, with unique flavors, and completely biodegradable packaging!”
- Shiseido Eyelash Curler “Perfect for all eye shapes, and they sell replacement pads.”
Jess’ thoughts on makeup routines and how to get your best look possible: “Having a beauty routine, is the quickest way to end up bored, and in a rut. Beauty habits, typically end up bad ones. If you are going to do any kind of grooming, makeup application, or just generally put your best face forward, consider calling it a beauty ritual. A ceremonious occasion, that you perform for yourself, to honor your beauty. Look at it as time you take for yourself. Spend time on your skin, and treat it gently. Get up a little earlier. sit down, somewhere with good lighting, to do your makeup. In the bathroom,rushed, standing under florescent lighting, does not feel pretty.“
Final thoughts from Jess, “ A woman’s confidence in her natural beauty, and how she relates that to her makeup application, will ultimately help, or hinder her. As women, we can become so caught up, in what we see, as flawed aspects of ourselves, physically. Unfortunately, this cause us to use cosmetics as a “mask”, which we hide ourselves behind. Looking into a mirror, and seeing what is truly beautiful about one’s self, is key to utilizing cosmetics to flawlessly enhance, not hide, ourselves. “
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Cheers to Confidence, Confucius, and Cosmetics,
Beauty, Beauty Spotlight, Body, industry professional, Makeup, Musings, Product review, Products, Skincare
January 24, 2012
Don’t you just love it when a package arrives in the mail? Especially when you’re not sure what’s inside, like a gift for your birthday perhaps!
I read about Birchbox last year and was so intrigued by the concept but wavered back and forth for months on whether I should sign up. Well, for Christmas my mind was made up for me…my husband surprised me with a subscription to Birchbox!
What is Birchbox you ask? Well it’s a monthly subscription ($10 a month) and every month you receive a beautifully wrapped box in the mail with 4-5 deluxe samples/travel size items of various beauty oriented products to try! They send everything from big name luxury brands to smaller organic companies…and every month is different! Saturday my first box arrived…let’s take a peek inside!
I love how everything is wrapped up do nicely! Opening it is quite the experience!
The VMV Hypoallergenics Re-Everything Eye Serum alone made this months box worth the $10! This puppy is about half the size of other standard eye treatments on the market! I couldn’t believe how generous this “sample” was! It’ll definitely be enough for me to see how I like the product!
I love Zoya and this mini nail polish is too cute! And the Jouer mini lipgloss looks like it’s in a fun color!
My box also had a Birchbox magnet, a Larabar in cherry pie, and a sample of the original Juicy Couture fragrance.
So if you’re a beauty product junkie like me, don’t have the time to go to a makeup counter all the time to see what’s new, or you just prefer to try things at home first before you purchase them…then Birchbox is for you! I love too how they have brands I might not naturally seek out and send me things I might have passed over when browsing. And let’s be real, the samples aren’t always this large or fabulous at the makeup counter and sometimes it’s too embarrassing or annoying to ask for them anyways…but these definitely aren’t your average “samples” AND they show up on your door! Beauty ruts are a thing of the past now!
Cheers to Beauty Products, Samples, and to Birchbox,
January 16, 2012
So now that we’ve kicked those bad beauty habits last week we can move on to adding in some other good habits right?
Beauty encompasses many things: it’s not just the makeup you wear or how your hair is styled…things like lifestyle, attitude, personality, and a kind heart are other things that make up someone’s beauty. Heidi is definitely someone I think about who is not only beautiful, but leads a beautiful life…I thought we all could benefit from taking a peek into her routine and grabbing some tips from her!
Profession: So, technically, I am mostly a “stay at home mom” to my three little boys.That is what I spend MOST of my time doing. My “other job” is a Fitness Trainer/Instructor.
How long have you been doing this: The mom gig is fairly recent….been at it now for 4 and a half years. 🙂 I have been working in fitness, either as a personal trainer, group exercise director, or instructor for 18 years. I actually had to do the math on that!!! It has been a LONG time. I feel old.
Education: I majored in Nutritional Science at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. I decided to study Nutrition after having so many personal training clients that really just needed help with their diets, not their exercise. The food is the harder issue for most people.
It takes me______about two___ minutes to get ready in the morning
My beauty mantra/philosophy/words to live by: Less is more
Best change someone can make to better their health: This is a hard one, because I would have to know what they are doing before I could suggest the best change for them…..BUT a general improvement is to get at LEAST 30 minutes of good, heart pumping exercise a minimum of 5 days a week. If you are already doing that, make a very simple goal of eating 5 servings of fruits/vegetables a day (french fries don’t count). It sounds simple, but many people DO NOT do it. 🙁
3 things you’ll always find in my makeup bag:
Any other health advice? Find a well-rounded exercise routine that you ENJOY. If you don’t like it, you won’t do it. There are SO, SO many ways to exercise, it is silly to force yourself to do something you hate. If you like it, you will do it. If you do it, you will get results. Putting forth effort to exercise is easy. It is putting forth sustained, consistent effort that is hard. So finding something that is fun makes it way easier. 🙂
Want to work out with Heidi? She works at TruFitness! It is in Roseville, CA: www.Trufitness.com
Cheers to Fitness, to a Less-is-More Attitude, and to Leading a Beautiful Life,
January 10, 2012
