A dear friend of mine was recently diagnosed with a serious illness and her life dramatically came to a standstill. Before her diagnosis, her life was very full of checklists, kids, and work. A non-stop life that she loved but it was very stressful, all gas pedal no brakes. After the diagnosis, everything grinded to a halt for her healing to begin. We all have a story like this to tell, either it is ours or that of someone we love.

Why do many of us allow ourselves to get completely run down, exhausted, and sick before we nurture our precious bodies? Yes, Yes, Yes, taking time off can be stressful. The planning, coordinating the kids/pets/house/office just to leave for the weekend. However, vacation from daily life is a necessary tool in maintaining a healthy body. Nurturing yourself to maintain an optimal and healthy YOU instead of waiting until your body is screaming “STOP!” by manifesting an illness is essential. 

What in the WORLD does this look like???!!!!

Consider finding a cabin/hotel/house within your budget for 2-3 days. Unplug all internet/phone/tv as these disturb your nervous and immune system – just be in the quiet. Consider the location such as on a lake, stream, or even in a cabin in the woods. Allow your body to spread out mentally/emotionally/physically. Go to bed with the sun, and rise with the sun. Maybe do some light yoga, meditation, and napping is a must. Just rest, rest, rest. Notice during this time how your breathing changes, priorities shift, and time slows down.  Allowing your body to settle down in this way will reset the connection with yourself and create a healthier baseline within your body. 

As a nutritionist, nurturing the body is one piece of the puzzle for true wellness. Consider trying to live with an attitude of loving kindness toward yourself each day (see below), then when you need a few days off as stated above, it will be to enhance what you are already doing daily, and not because you are completely exhausted from life. 
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A few ideas for daily nurturing;

1. Go to sleep 1 hour earlier than normal.
2. “Bird TV”: listen to nature in the morning with your favorite cup of tea.
3. Read your favorite book instead of surfing the web or watching TV.
4. A hot bath with Epsom salts, your favorite candle.

I hope these tips are inspiring as you must put yourself first. As we say in the south, “If mama ain’t happy, ain't nobody happy!”

Here’s to nurturing and napping for health!
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Paige Kelly has worked in the healthcare field for over two decades. She graduated from the University of New Orleans and later returned for postbaccalaureate work in Biology. Paige ended up graduating with honors from New York Chiropractic College, receiving a Masters of Science in Applied Clinical Nutrition.

Her nutrition and therapeutic massage experience comes from working in chiropractic offices, physical therapy clinics. As well as owning a wellness office in Louisiana called “All About Health” which included colon irrigation and therapeutic massage. Paige began her own journey toward health long ago when she was presented with several of the chronic lifestyle diseases many of us face today. Paige brings a unique understanding and compassion to her clients based on many years of trial and error with her own experiences which have been heightened by research and higher education. 

Paige Kelly is very passionate about sharing nutritional information and the tools to use in order to make changes in your health. Nutrition is an integral part of everyone’s health and healing. 
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“I feel privileged to share my knowledge with you and grateful for your trust in me. I hope in writing these monthly blog posts I am able to help you begin your new journey toward optimal health.” - Paige Kelly 

Be kind to yourself,


Paige Kelly  MSACN, CNS
paige@FunctionalNutritionVt.com
802-644-8440
Follow me on Facebook  

Hi All! I’m excited to say that today I will be writing a review for the first company, Bioderma, that has sent me a few of their products to try out! I feel like I’m an official blogger now! If you have been following me over the last year of my blogging journey I have included Bioderma in past skincare posts, including "Daily Face Wash Regimen". I also incorporated Bioderma throughout my holiday giveaway. So, even before now I am a true fan of the Bioderma line. I’m very excited to be able to review a few of their products that I have yet to try and share my thoughts on each one.

Before I get into it, let me tell you how I plan to review all the products I mention in my blog. 

First, I will use the product for at least 30 days or more to see how each one works overtime. Using any product only once or twice will not give you an honest review, period. I have noticed some beauty gurus have been doing this more recently, and I find those reviews to be uninformed and pointless. I will do my due diligence by taking notes on the results throughout the process. 

Also, I will never promote a product that I do not use myself. That is a guarantee. Anything that I have talked about on my blog I use personally and that will never change. 

In this post I'll use a Star System, 5 Stars being Excellent, 1 Star Terrible. You get it!

Bioderma has been in production since the 1970s. They have a fascinating approach to skincare. Click here if you are interested in reading more about their company philosophy. Their products range from face, body, hair, and scalp and cover an array of issues. Some of their products can be used for infants and children as well. 

So, let’s get into it!
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Bioderma’s Hydrabio Serum is for extremely dehydrated skin. This product was a lifesaver at the time I started using it! It just so happened that at the beginning of May, I underwent an unexpected surgery, which I will write about in a future post. I don’t know about you, but when I am under stress it shows directly through my skin. Therefore, my face became incredibly red and my skin began to peel. I think between stress and probably the effects of anesthesia and recovery, my skin was reacting to all of this. Honestly, my skin hadn’t been that damaged since I went through menopause. 

So I started using the Hydrabio Serum, in the evening before going to bed. In just a few days the redness was gone and my skin began to heal. Needless to say, I was amazed because I had never had a product work so quickly before, and I’ve used a considerable range of products over the years. I began by using the serum every morning and night. Within a week my skin was back to normal! I didn’t have any adverse reactions and that’s saying something since my skin is very sensitive to new products. This serum was my favorite item that I received from Bioderma. Going forward the Hydrabio Serum will be a staple in my skincare routine!

Here is how to use it:  

For an intense, immediate and lasting moisturizing effect, Hydrabio Serum can be used once or twice a day, morning and night, seven days a week. Apply Hydrabio Serum to clean, dry skin. This is a concentrated serum so a little goes a long way. I used two pumps for my face and one pump for my neck that I massage into my skin for about 30 seconds.  It is a light gel so it can be easily used under makeup. Leaving you without a greasy, heavy feel on your skin. Its moisturizing effects are both immediate and long-lasting. It softens your skin and brings back radiance. Wait until you see your skin in the morning!

When trying any new skincare item, try to use only that product alone so you can see if you have a reaction. If all goes well, you can use this serum in conjunction with your other skincare items or pair it with other Bioderma Hydrabio products.

I also find that all of Bioderma’s products are affordably priced, especially for a high-end skincare line. I have been using this product every day now and I still have a good amount of product left. 

PRICE: $26.90 1.33 OZ.

Skin Types:  Very Dehydrated, Sensitive Skin
Skin Concerns: Lack of Radiance
What else you need to know: Product Highlights - *Paraben-free  *Non-comedogenic  *Hypoallergenic  *Lightly scented, allergen-free formula
​

The Hydrabio Gel-Cream is a light, moisturizing product that I found worked amazingly well. It hydrates, soothes and restores moisture to the skin. It also contains Vitamin E that helps to protect against stress. Another important ingredient is Salicylic acid, which smoothes the skin’s texture. I found in using this that my skin, which again was probably at it’s worse, seemed to heal and recapture moisture. After my skin returned to normal I used this product as my moisturizer under my makeup. 

Here is how to use it:

The Hydrabio Gel-Cream can be used once or twice a day, morning and evening, 7 days a week. It’s active ingredients reduce the risks of reaction and increases your skin’s tolerance. Start with clean skin, I applied two pumps to my face and one pump to my neck. When applying in the evening you can combine this with the Hydrabio Serum, which is what I did. 


PRICE: $24.90 1.33 OZ.

Skin Types: Dehydrated, Sensitive Skin
Skin Concerns: Lack of Radiance 
What else you need to know: *Paraben-Free. *Non-conedogenis  *Excellent tolerance  *Hypoallergenic. *Lightly scented, allergen-free formula  *Excellent makeup base
​

I have been using Bioderma’s H2O micellar water to remove my makeup for years. At least five years to be exact! The product that I used was from their Sensibio line, which is for sensitive skin. The Hydrabio H2O water worked just as well and did all the things that I loved about the Sensibio H2O. The major difference I did notice was that it helped to hydrate my skin and keep it hydrated throughout the day. 

I have never used a makeup remover on my eyes that did not sting and leave my eyes blood-shot. The skin around your eyes is probably the most sensitive. Most makeup removers can leave that area dry to the point of a burning sensation. That never happens with this product! 

When I wear eye makeup I tend to go with a more dramatic look. Why not right? Go big or go home! I wear eyeliner, dark mascara (with at least two coats) and eye shadow. Removing all that makeup at night takes a bit of an effort to get my eyes completely clean. With Bioderma’s H2O micellar water it cleans heavy makeup usually with one cotton pad. I not only use this product but I gift it to friends at Christmas and even did a giveaway with it on my blog. 

Here is how to use it:

Hydrabio H2O water can be used once or twice a day, seven days a week. 

If you have noticed I have said this for each product so far, but that is the great thing about Bioderma. The product itself isn’t over-saturated with alcohol or fragrances allowing you to use it often without causing skin sensitivity. 

The first step is to soak a cotton pad (not a cotton ball but cotton pad!) well enough with the solution. It will gently clean your skin and/or remove your makeup from your face, eyes, and neck. The product does not need to be rinsed off but if I am using it to take off my makeup, I do a rinse. I then use a gentle gel cleanser to clean anything left behind. In the morning you can use this as your cleanser, no need to rinse and continue with your usual routine.

The Shiseido Facial Cotton pads are the only ones I use to remove makeup or any buildup from the day. Since they are especially soft and thicker it makes taking off your makeup much easier. 


PRICE: 3.33 OZ. $5.90 (Great for travel!)
               8.33 OZ. $9.90
               16.7 OZ. $14.90 (Most economical)

Skin types: Dehydrated, Sensitive Skin
What else you need to know: *Parben-free. *Non-Comedogenic *Hypoallergenic. *Lightly scented, allergen-free formula
​

​Now we’re moving into another line of Bioderma’s products, Atoderm Cleansing Oil. This line is specifically made for very dry to atopic sensitive skin. Atopic skin is itchy, inflamed, swollen skin, such as eczema. Unfortunately, babies can have this issue. My daughter has dealt with eczema her whole life, mostly on her arms. It can be very painful and flare up at any time leaving scars if untreated.  

The good thing about Bioderma's Atoderm Cleansing Oil is that it can be used on babies, children, and adults, both on the face or body. It is made to soothe and protect the dry skin. It’s active ingredients increase the threshold tolerance of the skin and helps toward healthier and more resistant skin. 

Both my daughter and I used this product over a month. Since I do not have atopic skin issues and my daughter does I thought it would be a good test to see the difference in results for both skin types. 

The reason I gave it 3.5 Stars is that she did not see a decrease in the redness or itchiness that comes with her skin type. This is unfortunate since those are the main symptoms that this product should target in reducing. What she did see, as did I was the noticeable difference in our skin texture right out of the shower. Literally, your skin feels baby soft. Bioderma calls it a “sense of comfort”. It’s the hydration level that we liked and it will last all day. So even though it did not help with my daughter's symptoms, her skin did feel more soothed directly after use. For me, my skin had never felt so soft before, which is why I still highly recommend it. 

Here is how to use it:

Use in the shower or bathing 7 days a week. The product is suitable for the entire family (even infants) and can be used all over the body and face.

PRICE: 3.33 OZ. $5.90 (Again, great for travel)
                               $10.90 6.67 OZ.
                               $19.90 33.4 OZ. (This is a lot of product for the price!)


Skin Types: Very dry to atopic sensitive skin
Skin Concerns: Atopic sensitive skin
What else you need to know: *Paraben-free. *Soap-free  *Does not irritate the eyes. *Without conservative agent. *Hypoallergenic. *Non-Comedogenic. *Excellent cutaneous (affecting the skin) and ocular (eyes) tolerance *Without coloring agent
​

Atoderm Hands and Nails Cream is for dry and damaged hands and nails, as implied. Now, should I get super excited about hand cream? The answer is, Yes! Over the years your hands tend to show your age the most. Keeping your hands hydrated at all times will help keep them looking young. This also applies for younger women who for instance work in restaurants. Constantly washing your hands will dry them out no matter how young you are. 

The reason I loved this product is very simple. It was not greasy! So yes, it did help with dry hands immediately. Since I wear jewelry every day a greasy hand moisturizer just will not due. This was the real reason I found this product to be a winner. In the summer, my hands tend to swell, especially if I have a ring on. I’ve been keeping this in my bag and when my hands start to feel tight and dry I’m able to apply it and not worry about my ring being clumped with cream. 

And yes, it does work. I also love the scent. This is a product that is safe for children and adults so there’s another plus.

Here is how to use it:

Apply on clean, dry hands, massaging into skin delicately. Repeat as often as needed throughout the day. 

PRICE: 1.67 OZ. $9.90

Skin Types: Very dry to atopic sensitive skin
Skin Concerns: Dryness
What else you need to know: *Paraben-free  *Fragranced Formula. *Hypoallergenic *Non-Sticky
​

I know you’re probably thinking, she given out a lot of 5 stars in this review! But believe me, if I didn’t like it I'd say so. Bioderma's products are just extremely well formulated and do their job!

This is a great lip balm and works very well. Honestly, I would have never thought to try a lip balm from Bioderma. Not that I thought it wouldn't be a good balm, but I didn’t know they even made a lip balm. The Atoderm Lip Stick uses vaseline and shea butter along with Vitamin E. 

I have a few favorite lip balms that I have used for years including Bite’s lip mask and Pat McGrath’s lip balm. I would put Bioderma’s Atoderm Lip Stick right up there with both of those products. What's even better is the price! This is also safe for children to use much like most of their other products.

It does exactly what it’s supposed to do. I know that seems like that would be intuitive and not something to brag about, but unfortunately, it is. Think about it. Have you ever used a lip balm or chapstick that you find yourself constantly reapplying?  It almost seems like some make your lips feel more chapped than before you used it. 

Here is how to use it:

Apply directly on the lips as often as needed. I applied this before I put on makeup, so my lipstick was on top of it, which leaves your lips looking lush and hydrated throughout the day. This is great especially since matte lipstick can leave your lips looking EXTREMELY dry and cracked!  Also, it did not change the color of my lipstick. I loved using it before bed. I’ve been using it for over a month now and I still have product left.

PRICE: $4.90 0.14 OZ.

Skin Types: Very dry to atopic skin
Skin Concerns: Dryness
What else you need to know: *Paraben-free  *Hypoallergenic. *Lightly scented, allergen-free formula


In Conclusion:
​​
​Bioderma as a whole produces high-quality products that are both dependable and affordable. I have never experienced a bad reaction from any of Bioderma product. I can’t even say that for some of the luxury skincare brands out there. Since Bioderma is geared toward sensitive skin and formulated to be light and gentle it works for all skin types. 

If you have heard of Bioderma before, most of you might not realize the array of products they offer. Hopefully, this review opened your eyes to a whole new line you can add to your skincare routine.

Hello Ladies ~ so today is National Lipstick Day!!! 💋💄💄💄💋

I decided, at the last minute, to do a blog post specifically dedicated to this "national holiday" since I have a bit of a lipstick obsession. 
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If you have been following me you already know that I enjoy playing around with makeup and I wear a full face nearly everyday. I know some women don't like wearing too much makeup, but that's why lipstick is so great! You could be an all natrual gal but if you have a fancy night out a nude pink gives you that something extra. Or if you're like me you try on practically every color out there! I'm not scared of a deep red or even glitter finished lipsticks. The more options the better. 

In this post I share some of my favorite lipsticks (not in order) and I say some because I can't even begin to cover all of them! I truely am addicted to lipsticks I have multiple drawers just full of them. I hope you enjoy the post and I would love to hear what some of your favorites are:)

*** Disclaimer - My photos do not properly reprsent the exact lipstick colors, so I encourage to follow the links provided 

TOM FORD 
Extreme Lip Spark
Color - 09 Powertrip - purple shimmer
Metallic finish
$55

​Yves Saint Laurent
ROUGE VOLUPTÉ SHINE OIL-IN-STICK
​50 - Fuschsia Stiletto 
​$38

MAC
RETRO MATTE LIPSTICK
Color - Ruby Woo
VERY MATTE
VIVID BLUE-RED
​$18.50

Charlotte Tilbury
K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick
Color - Bitch Perfect, peach-toned nude
Satin finish
​$34

​TOM FORD
Fucking Fabulous Lip Color
Limited Edition 
​$60

Charlotte Tilbury
K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick
Color - Penelope Pink, nude with pink undertones
Satin finish
​$34
​

PAT MCGRATH LABS
MatteTrance Lipstick
Color - Polaroid Pink,  midtone blue pink
Matte finish​
​$40
​

NARS 
Color - Orgasm,  peachy pink w/ golden shimmer
Satin finish
​$28

PAT MCGRATH LABS
BlitzTrance Lipstick
Color - Flesh, glitter bronzed rose neutral with golden sparkle
Glitter finish
​$40

PAT MCGRATH LABS
MatteTrance Lipstick 
Color - Elson, blue red 
​$40

Hi ladies! Today is officially the one year anniversary of the Mrs. Stafford Blog 🎉🎊
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I can’t believe it’s already been a year! It took me a very long time to gain the courage to start this blog and the positive response from everyone has by far exceeded even my highest expectations. It has been amazing to build a community of women who are so positive and supportive of each other.
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Through this blog I wanted it to be a safe place for women my age to talk about some topics that are considered faux pas. I started this blog with the focal point being on menopause, but the conversation has evolved so much and opened a floodgate of so many other great topics. I’m grateful to all the women who have been able to share their own stories and keep the conversation going!


Throughout the whole month of July, I will be celebrating by reposting some of my favorite blog posts I've done this year on my social media. Of course, I had to dedicate an actual blog post including my top 10 favorites 🤗 
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Since I started this blog I have received many compliments and questions on my skincare routine. Women have asked, “what is my secret” and honestly it’s a combination of multiple things. I use many different products, and tend to switch up my routine often. Staying out of the sun, and wearing sunscreen is a huge one. Finally, I have not been shy about the fact that I get Botox and filler. I even made a video of myself getting Botox injected which you can find on my Youtube channel. I have written some blog posts about the beauty products I use and routines based on the season or specific skin problems. 

Glowing with Mrs. Stafford is my take on an advice column based around skincare. Each person has unique skin and their own issues they would like answered. Glowing with Mrs. Stafford is my idea of how to share my knowledge on this topic. 

Basically, this is a place where all of you can ask questions about you’re personal skin issues. Ask me about certain beauty products you might want to try, or even about treatments such as lasers or Botox since I’ve done it all! All and any questions are welcome (concerning these topics). 

​Ask your questions below for a chance to be featured in next month’s Glowing with Mrs. Stafford column. I will answer one question in detail and make sure to do all my research  to  give the most informed answer I can provide! I will also be asking experts and trying the products myself for a period of time.

We’re also running a giveaway to celebrate our monthly Glowing with Mrs. Stafford Advice column. I will pick one beauty product and one winner at the end of each month. All of the products will be bought with my own money, and products I have personally used and loved.
​

You will be able to enter the giveaway either on Facebook or Instagram. All you have to do is 
1. Follow me 
2. Like the post 
3. And tag a friend

​We are doing it both on Instagram and Facebook because I realize not everyone is on Instagram or vice versa. This month the giveaway is the GLAMGLOW Good in Bed Passionfruit Softening Night Cream.

I have been using this night treatment for months now and I LOVE it! It is made to help combat dryness, dullness, and uneven skin texture. It includes one of my favorite ingredients, Hyaluronic Acid, which plumps, hydrates and nourishes your complexion. The acids gently (keyword) exfoliate and softens the skin. Apply a thin layer after cleansing at night. This products works on my skin which is extremely sensitive. I can use this product at least 2-3 times a week. I wake up with soft, glowing skin. All this while you sleep! 

*Note: When I’m recommending any skincare item I will always test the product for at least 30 days, most times longer. I feel you need to see how the product works over time, the benefits and results, which in most cases does not happen with just one use.

Price Point - $54 (you can purchase this product on Sephora and of course on GlamGlow’s website).

At the beginning of the year, I got the idea for Glowing with Mrs. Stafford. It took at least six months of planning and organizing to try and make this idea work. So, this is a test run and hopefully, all of you will enjoy it! If you have any suggestions on how to make this forum better please don’t hesitate to give your constructive criticism below.

For me, the first two years of going through menopause were, simply put, miserable. I’m sure most women would agree with me here. I was extremely depressed and uncomfortable in my own skin. I ended up gaining about 25 lbs and it took a lot for me to start actively dealing with menopause in a healthy way. I've talked openly about menopause in my "Can We Talk Series", but this post is specifically about how to lose weight during this time in your life. 

You always hear the warnings about how terrible menopause can be, but it’s not until you actually experience it that you understand. At some points I was like, “Why did no one tell me about this?” Throughout this time, the most difficult part was finding the support and answers that I so badly needed, which weren’t easily available. 

Menopause affects and changes essentially every woman’s weight. However, when you look around for information, it’s impossible to find. I often heard comments such as:

​First, your body is going through extreme hormonal changes, so weight gain during this time is a real thing! You can have healthy eating habits before you experience menopause, but during and after, your body can react differently to certain foods you’ve always eaten. I don’t know why there isn’t more information out there on this subject, but let’s try to fix that here. 

Together with my good friends and experts in their field, Paige Kelly BA, MSACN (functional nutritionist) and Charlotte Brynn (my physical trainer) we will give you 10 tips on how to lose weight during menopause! The information here is based on my personal experiences, as well as credible advice from professionals. Hopefully you can find the answers that you’re looking for here, and get back to feeling like yourself again. Please, please, please: Whatever questions you have after reading this, leave them for us in the comments below and we’ll get right back to you!

Hi All! We are already 5 months into 2019, that’s crazy right?! I thought a fun post would be to write about my new favorite products that have popped up on the market this year. I’ll give you my opinion of why I think they are so great and how well they actually work. I started using all the products I’ll be writing about at the beginning of January so that I would have at least three months to see results and give you my thoughts. It's important to me that I use a product for an extended period of time to see what type of results I get before sharing them with you. These are all products that I purchased myself and that I use personally. 

There seems to be something new and exciting coming out every day in the beauty world, which is awesome, but can also be overwhelming! So below are a few things that I thought were exceptional and that I'm keeping in my regimen going forward.
​

​OK, so my first product is LUMIFY Eye Drops. Right now you're probably saying WHY????? Typically, people don’t think about eye drops as essential. Well, let me tell you, I've always had a problem with redness in my eyes. Whether it be reading on the computer, being out in the sun or just a bit tired, I always have red eyes. Especially, during this time of year, allergy season, my eyes used to always be a red watery mess. It's a pretty common condition and I've used Visine for years. Visine works to take away the redness but I noticed shortly after using the drops, my eyes would be red again. 

This is what is so different about LUMIFY Eye Drops. First of all, it works within 1 minute to take out redness and works for up to 8 hours. It works differently than other redness relievers by selectively targeting the redness and alleviating some of the potential side effects common to redness relievers, rebound redness (the redness come back worse)  and loss of effectiveness of the product over time. 

The other thing that sets LUMIFY apart is that it has been approved by the FDA. It is the only over the counter products that contain brimonidine tartrate, a safe and powerful redness reducer. Also, a plus is that it is made by Bausch + Lomb, a leader in eye health.

When we went on vacation in St. John back in March LUMIFY was a lifesaver! Between all the traveling and sunshine, LUMIFY helped to instantly brighten my eyes and kept the redness away. It's that one product that I never knew I needed but will now never be without. 

You can purchase LUMIFY in drugstores and also on Amazon (of course!!).
​

I have two new overnight masks that not only do I love but I've purchased for my daughters and they love also.

The Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask from Glow Recipe is the answer for dry, stressed skin. I began using this in January, so during those very cold months in Vermont plus being indoors with the heat drying out my skin, this was what kept my skin looking healthy and fresh. With a combination of Avocado to hydrate, Honey to sooth the skin along with PHA which gently exfoliates the skin while you sleep, this was my go to this winter.

​On vacation in St. John I kept this in the refrigerator and put it on every night. After a full day in the very bright sun of the Island, this is what kept my skin from drying out. A small amount on the skin before bed was all that's needed. You can also use this as a wash off mask too but I really love it as a sleeping mask. Your skin really does look so beautiful when you wake up in the morning, you’ll see a difference right away. One thing, you do need to mix this up with the spatula that is included before using.
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The Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream is another overnight mask that is rich and deeply hydrates and brightens the skin. This mask will help with dryness, dullness and uneven skin tone. What you wake up to is brighter, hydrated more radiant skin. This is another mask that my daughters love as much as I do. We all have our own skin types and it works well for us all. I love an overnight mask because everything is working while you're sleeping. Starting with beautiful skin in the morning makes whatever you do, whether it be a full face of makeup or just a bit of sunscreen, look all the better.

Youth To The People is a new brand for me and I'm interested to try some of their other products. They base the line on what you put on your skin should be as whole and clean as what you put in your body. Sounds good, right!
​

One of my favorite brands in skin care is SUNDAY RILEY. If you follow my blog you know that I love this brand. Their products are in my daily routine and I'm always excited when a new product hits the market.  At the beginning of January, SUNDAY RILEY offered an Early Access Kit that I purchased which had two brand new products, A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum and  C.E.O Glow Face Oil, along with a reformulated version of their very popular Good Genes now with Glycolic Acid. Here is my review on all three products.

​It was announced that in the UK they were no longer going to be offering the Good Genes with Lactic Acid so they reformulated and launched with Good Genes with Glycolic Acid. Here in the US, we have both available. 

The Glycolic Acid treatment deeply exfoliates and repairs the look of dull, congested, damaged skin. This product is formulated for dehydrated, oily, sensitive skin. One of the excellent benefits of all of Sunday Riley's products is that they work fast. When I came home from vacation, even though I wore sunscreen and big hats in the sun, my skin did have way too much sun than I'm normally used to. My pores were clogged along with my skin being dull. To try and get my skin back to normal this was one of the first products I used. Not kidding, when I woke up in the morning I could tell the difference. My skin felt smoother and that glow was back.  I'll use both versions of Good Genes and would not be without this product, it works and really does give you instant, noticeable results.
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The Sunday Riley - A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum is an amazing product but if you are new to retinoids slow is the way to go! Start off easy maybe two days on, two days off to see how your skin handles the product. Also, only use in your nighttime routine. That goes for any retinoid product. You do not want your skin exposed to the sun when you have a retinoid on your skin. 

I used this product for two months before we went on vacation. For my very sensitive skin, I found it to be very easy on my skin. What this product does and does very well is to fight the signs of aging, without the side effects that stop many people from using a retinoid. So no flaking, redness or irritation compared to high-strength retinol products. You will see a fresher, smoother improved complexion. I use this on my skin and follow up with Good Genes.
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Then last but not least is the new C.E.O Glow Vitamin C and Turmeric Face Oil from Sunday Riley. This product didn't hit the market until mid-March but since it was included in the Early Access Kit I've been able to test it out since January. 

I use a number of the C.E.O products, such as the Repair Moisturizer and the Rapid Flash Brightening Serum so I was excited to try the oil. I love the oil, it absorbs into the skin quickly. Products that have Vitamin C are my favorite for giving that glow that everyone loves. Golden Turmeric helps to calm the skin. You can use this day or night. What I love about a product like this is that it gives your complexion that healthy glow, so if you go without makeup, your skin still looks great. 
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Well, that's it for some of my new favorite products this year. I’ve already started using a few new ones that just came out, so in a few months I'll follow up and give you ladies an updated list! Hope you enjoy and let me know what some of your favorite new products are in the comments!!

Hi Everyone! Since the warmer weather has finally arrived I decided to show you guys some of the newest pieces I've added to my closet. I think these three outfits really give off that Spring feeling! It's that time of year to start wearing some bright pops of color and showing a little more skin. So pack up those bulky sweaters and trade in your winter boots for wedges and dresses.

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There's no one who makes classics like J.Crew. If this outfit doesn't scream Spring then I don't know what does. J.Crew clothing is made with exceptional quality. As you can see it's all about the details. I know some people don't like the matchy-matchy look, but I'm kind of in love with this look. I think I can rock it and rock it well. It's all about confidence ladies and what you feel good in! 

This outfit is true summer vibes! The simplicity of the white on white really makes the shirt, which is the focus piece of the outfit, pop. The shirt is from Free People and they are all about that boho chic look. Adding a few elegant touches of high-end jewelry and accessories really brings a classy element to the look as a whole.  
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J.Crew does it again! I'm in love with this blue tweed dress with the matching jacket. When I put this outfit on I feel like Jackie O. It just gives that classic look that you don't see that much of anymore. 

J.Crew a-line dress in multicolor cobalt tweed with fluted hem - $144.99

​J.Crew lady jacket in multicolor cobalt tweed with braided trim​ - $169.99

​Channel Classic Handbag 

J.Crew Enchantress Sunglasses - $79

I hope this post gave you some spring inspiration to add to your closet. Let me know what you think in the comments:) 

Spring Cleaning for our Body 101

Around this time of year, everyone wants to do a little spring cleaning in our homes. One big thing most people enjoy cleaning out are closets, thanks to the very organized Marie Kondo. After a long winter, it feels good to get things nice and tidy. As the saying goes, “out with the old and in with the new”. 

But how about doing the same to ourselves? This means supporting the shift of our bodies from a long winter into a glorious spring by using foods medicinally.  In my practice, I hear, “I want to detox” almost everyday.  What most people don't know is that your body is actually detoxing 24/7. Feeding your body with fresh vegetables each day will provide the tools it needs to spring clean itself from the inside out.  Let’s take a look at our digestive organs with a few corresponding “veggie buddies”:
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To help clean out your Liver eat cruciferous veggies*, garlic, and any bitter vegetables such as Arugula or Radishes.

For your Gallbladder try Beets, Swiss Chard, plus bitter foods including Arugula, Radishes, and Watercress.

For your Kidney eat Celery or Parsley. 

For your Stomach try eating Cabbage (red, green, napa).

For your Intestines, a few options are cooked/cooled Potatoes, fermented foods, and cruciferous veggies.

Cruciferous vegetables which brooms of the Colon include: Broccoli, Kale, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Turnip, Bok Choy, Collard Greens, Mustard Greens, Swiss Chard, and Watercress. 
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The addition of one or more of these on a daily basis will fill your belly due to high fiber content and support healthy elimination to help sweep toxins out of your system.  If you find some of these difficult to digest, try steaming or roasting...delicious!

Choose to eat for optimal health, your body will thank you!
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​Paige Kelly has worked in the healthcare field for over two decades. She graduated from the University of New Orleans and later returned for postbaccalaureate work in Biology. Paige ended up graduating with honors from New York Chiropractic College, receiving a Masters of Science in Applied Clinical Nutrition.

Her nutrition and therapeutic massage experience comes from working in chiropractic offices, physical therapy clinics. As well as owning a wellness office in Louisiana called “All About Health” which included colon irrigation and therapeutic massage. Paige began her own journey toward health long ago when she was presented with several of the chronic lifestyle diseases many of us face today. Paige brings a unique understanding and compassion to her clients based on many years of trial and error with her own experiences which have been heightened by research and higher education. 

Paige Kelly is very passionate about sharing nutritional information and the tools to use in order to make changes in your health. Nutrition is an integral part of everyone’s health and healing. 
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“I feel privileged to share my knowledge with you and grateful for your trust in me. I hope in writing these monthly blog posts I am able to help you begin your new journey toward optimal health.” - Paige Kelly 

Be kind to yourself,


Paige Kelly  MSACN, CNS
paige@FunctionalNutritionVt.com
802-644-8440
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When Mr. Stafford and I head out for a warm weather vacation, the one thing that always comes with us is a few good books. We’re old school in that we don’t like to read our books on a device. We prefer a tangible hardcover book where you can see how many pages you have devoured in just a few hours. Also, it just feels better to hold a real book, sorry Kindle.

When we’re on vacation its one of the few times where we can sit and get lost in a good book. I find it hard to read at times when we’re home. There is always some kind of interruption. If I try to do some reading before going to bed I’ll read two pages and then I’m asleep!

So each year I’ll do the research and try to pick at least five books that my husband and I can pass back and forth with each other. Luckily, we have the same taste in reading. In past years we’ve read some incredible books on vacation, such as “Boys In The Boat”, “Big Little Lies”, and "All The Light We Cannot See” to name a few. We will even include some books that we have already read just because we love to read them over and over again. For me that book would be “Wuthering Heights” and for Vince, he loves reading “The Right Stuff”.

So for this year’s choices, I thought we would do a review of the books we have just recently read. This is the first time I’ve ever written a book review. So bear with me on this, it’s definitely my opinion. Vince and I really do have such similar taste that we even agreed on ranking them! So here we go!
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One of my most favorite feelings is when I start a new book and I'm immediately hooked on the first page.  Oh my God, I love that feeling!! That’s how it was with when I started reading “An American Marriage”. First, it is so beautifully written, Vince and I, both found it really hard to put down. 

The book is told from the perspective of the three main characters, the wife, Celestial, the husband, Roy, and their friend, Andre. Celestial and Roy are a newly married African American couple living the American Dream in Atlanta. He is an upwardly mobile executive and she is an artist right at the beginning of what looks to be an amazing career. Their perfect life is suddenly destroyed by circumstances beyond their control. While on a visit to Roy’s parents in Louisiana, he is wrongly accused of a crime and sentenced to 12 years in jail. This is not a story about prison specifically. It is more a story of how they as a couple, deal with this devastating situation. While Roy is in prison we see their relationship only through the letters they send to each other, and how those letters change over the years. 

The characters in this story are real. So real that they are all the things that make someone human. No one is perfect in this story. At different points, I found myself so angry at each character and then just in tears for them at other times. 

I must say the parents of Roy and Celestial were probably my favorite characters.  What they brought to the story was the love parents have for their children and the sacrifices they were more than willing to make to ensure a better life for them. At one point I had to put the book down and grab a box of tissues and pull myself together.  So did Vince. Don’t tell him I told you. 

The book is an honest look at race and class in America, but also at the heart of it a book about love, marriage, and family. Vince and I both agree this is one of our favorite books of all time.
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​To start off I just saw that this book is being made into a limited series on Hulu starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. I’m deceased!!! You know if Reese is involved then it's going to be good!

The book takes place in Shaker Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, where everything is planned out perfectly. The colors of the homes, the charming roads, and the successful, all-American families. Think of Stepford, the fictional town in the book "The Stepford Wives" (the 1970’s version). The major difference here is that women are not weak, pretty robots! 

By far the leader of this community is Elena Richardson, perfect mother, and wife of four children and a successful lawyer husband. She is also a journalist for the local paper.  She lives by the rules, and you better believe, she wants everyone else to do the same. 

Then Mia Warren enters into this community, who is a bohemian artist with a teenage daughter Pearl. The Richardson’s have a rental property and Mia and Pearl become their tenants.

The Richardson’s have four children, as I've said which includes, 2 boys, and 2 girls. The girls are completely different from each other, the oldest, a senior in high school is smart, popular, beautiful and excels at whatever she does. Her sister Izzy is the exact opposite. Combat boots and flannel shirts are her go to and she constantly is at odds with her Mother and any authority figure at school. Izzy was definitely my favorite, a real hoot but also the soul of this book. 

The younger son meets Pearl and is crazy about her. He finally brings her to his home where she meets his siblings (she kind of goes crazy for the older brother, who of course is the jock in the family) and Elena, his mother. 

When she sees their home and how beautiful and warm it is, she begins to resent her own mother (Mia) and their lifestyle. Since she was little they only stayed in an area for a short period of time until they left everything behind, took off in the VW Bug and started all over again somewhere else. She sees Elena as the type of mother that she wishes she had. Dinner on the table every night, constant attention to the kids and that feeling of home that she never has had. 

The Richardson children begin to wish that Mia was their mother when she comes to work as a housekeeper and cook a few days each week. She is not held down by rules, is more forgiving and not judgemental. She is a free spirit who is open and more than willing to help Izzy fight back against the status quo at school. She is also there to give comfort and understanding to Izzy’s older sister, Lexi when she knows that her own mother would not be there for her. 

When friends of the Richardson’s adopt a Chinese baby that was left abandoned by the mother, a custody battle occurs that pits Elena and Mia on opposite sides. This leads to the heart of the story and how both of these women will fight for what they believe in and try to keep secrets that they’ve been holding on to for a very long time. 

We both loved this book, the characters being so thoughtfully written. Just when you think you have them all figured out they change, they are multi-dimensional and that’s what makes this a compelling read.
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OK, let me just get this off my mind and then I can go on and tell you how much we enjoyed this book. Here’s the deal, why does every thriller with some twists and turns have to be compared with "Gone Girl". Honestly, I loved that book, but please can they stop comparing every thriller to "Gone Girl"! Thanks, I’m done now. 

To start, let me just say that if you enjoy a good Alfred Hitchcock film you’ll love this book. The central character is Anna Fox, a child psychologist who lives alone and is severely afflicted with Agoraphobia. She is a recluse in her home who cannot venture outside because of her fear of open spaces. She no longer lives with her husband and daughter but talks with them daily. 

Her days are made up of drinking too much red wine, always mixed with her medications, and dreaming about happier times. She watches old black and white movies, the Hitchcock flicks being her favorites. Caring for her constant companion, her cat Punch. She plays chess online and also gives counseling advice to an online community. She also loves spying on her neighbors. 

When a new couple with a teenage son moves in across the way, she becomes fascinated with them. One evening while watching them with the zoom lens of her camera she sees something horrible take place. Or did she?

I’m not going to get into any fine details of the book. This would give too much away. But because of how she lives her life, drinking heavily and abusing her medications and the mental issues she deals with we are left to wonder if she is hallucinating or if the things she claims are real. 

We both thought this book was a great read.  We got caught up in the twists and turns that the book took you on and right up to the end still did not have anything figured out. It keeps you interested and dying to find out what made Anna the person she is. What happened in her life? It’s much more complex than an old B&W movie. 
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Disclaimer: I did not read this book but Vince did. I’ll tell you why when I get to our last book on the list. So let me tell you how Vince explained this to me.

First, he said it was a fast read and that it was good for something to pass the time. His major complaint was that it was incredibly predictable right from the beginning. There is no climax because everything was so obvious. 

Once again it was compared to "Gone Girl" and "The Girl on the Train" (help me!!!). 

The fifteen-year-old daughter of the central character goes missing after she leaves their home for a quick trip to the library, just blocks away. The book then takes you forward in time to 10 years later. The story then focuses on the aftermath of this loss and how the mother is dealing with her daughter missing for so long, along with her marriage breaking up. This is where Vince said things got really predictable along with being farfetched. 

So I’m going to leave it at that. I think it’s sometimes so hard to get into an average book when you just get done reading some incredible books that you become so invested in.
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So let me start by saying that this book was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2018. I’m not going to lie, it was certainly one of the reasons I bought it, as well as the reviews that said it was insanely funny. All sounds great, right?

So to start off, Vince read this as his first book, while I was reading "An American Marriage". When I finished my book he was still working on this and was only about a quarter of the way through. He told me he just could not get into it. So he started reading the book I just finished and I started on "Less".

I had such high hopes. I was like, "bring on the laughs, let’s see what all the hype is about, this is going to be a great read!" 

Three days later and I’m still on page 30, pushing myself to keep reading, it has to get better. Well, it didn’t. After a few more days I put it down and started on something else, determined to go back and finish before the end of our vacation.

So here’s the story. Arthur Less is a struggling (failed) novelist getting ready to turn fifty. His boyfriend of the past 9 years has left him and is engaged to someone else. To avoid the wedding he accepts a number of lesser-known literary events that he has been invited to around the world. 

So what happens?!? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Less goes to NYC, nothing happens. Less goes to Paris, nothing happens. Less goes to Morocco, yeah you guessed it. Nothing. Happens. A writer travels the world and nothing happens. 

The character of Arthur Less is so unappealing with really nothing interesting about him. He feels sorry for himself each and every page. He is constantly obsessed with turning fifty (like really? 50??) and just feeling bad for himself because of his poor love life. Which, by the way, he did nothing to make better. 

It was very hard to feel anything for the main character. There was just nothing that pulled me in to want to root for him. 

So after I finished my second book, I went back to Less. To give it another try. I had to. I mean I have to be wrong, it won the Pulitzer for God’s sake. But "Less" was still less than what I hoped for (pun intended). The book itself makes a really bad pun for its last sentence, like really Pulitzer committee??

So no, I never finished the book completely. It did stop me from being able to keep up with Vince and read the previous book. I did read ahead just to see what the heck happened to Less. I could not believe how predictable the ending was. 

By the way, I never once laughed out loud like the reviews promised I would. I was so looking forward to that.

Well, here you go! My first book review! Let me know your thoughts in the comments!  If you have any really good books that are a must read for this summer please let me know! I'm always looking for the next book to get caught up in. Hope you enjoy.