Rodan + Fields Sampling

Happy Hump Day everyone! What a dreary, gloomy day here in New York City. Yuck! I hope you're all staying warm and dry today! This week, my lovely friend, Alice, generously offered me some skincare products from Rodan + Fields to review. From what I can tell, most of the current Rodan and Fields reviews are pretty fantastic. Here are the following samples I received:

Rodan + Fields ENHANCEMENTS Micro-Dermabrasion Paste - use this to first and in the morning! Gently massage the paste onto dry skin in the a.m to enhance cell turnover and improve skin tone and texture. For gentler exfoliation, add water. You can use this up to 3x per week as tolerated. I loved it! My face felt clean and refreshed, and not too exfoliated like some other exfoliants I've tried in the past. I could feel the dead skin cells being gently removed and the tone of my skin was amazing afterward! A wonderful glow to it, really!

REDEFINE Night Renewing Serum - After cleansing and toning in the evening, apply the serum (blue ample) over the entire face (avoid eye area) to visibly improve skin texture and firmness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. This serum worked well on my face but left it a tad dry, but my skin always becomes drier during the Fall/Winter seasons so I just finished with a moisturizer to balance it off. I enjoy using serums at night because while you're getting your beauty sleep, these little guys are hard at work! I also don't have many wrinkles (not yet at least) so it was hard to notice any change in that. Overall, a great serum product to use while you catch up on resting!

REDEFINE Lip Renewing Serum - Apply this serum (gray ample) to smooth lip texture, reduce the appearance of lip wrinkles and increase moisturization. Okay, ladies. I'm truly obsessed. The following morning, my lips felt like a rose petal. Silky, satiny, and 100% soft! I always get very dry, chapped lips during this season, and this serum was the perfect 'potion' to remedy my puckeroos! A definite recommendation, for sure!

REDFINE Acute Care Skincare for Expression Lines - This should be used in conjunction with your nighttime skincare routine. Don't use it on active acne or areas of sensitivity, redness or irritation. I got a defined wrinkle right in between my eyebrows from all the squinting I've done burning the midnight oil with my writing and other projects. I saw a subtle change after using one application, but not enough to say that it'll make any wrinkle disappear overnight! This takes time (up to 10 applications) to notice a difference. But I would strongly recommend this product for women who are battling with some wrinkles!

Interested in trying any of these products and more from Rodan + Fields? Please contact my friend, Alice! Here's the deal, just email her for a consultation and mention my blog, and you'll get the sign up fee of $19.95 waived! Pretty groovy, right? Did I mention discounts, free shipping and then some? Score!

Alice Kim

Rodan + Fields Independent Consultant

email: alicekimRandF@gmail.com

I thoroughly enjoyed these samples! My complexion feels revived, more luminous and youthful-looking than ever before! Thank you so much, Alice! And isn't my girlfriend just the cutest? I was just telling her today how adorable she looks with those pigtails! I could never pull it off! Don't forget to contact her for your own personal face goodies! And please refer my blog for your free sign up today!

Stay cozy my friends! ♥

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

Shopping Day

TGIF! Most Friday's, I'll be running around doing errands but I also try to make time to pamper MaQ. He LOVES going anywhere with me, especially to 'his' stores. He has two favorite places: Whiskers & Petco. Today we went to the Petco in Union Square, and as you can see, this fella is raring to go!

I pick up his usual treats, for continuous training, for passing time (as well as an instinctive habit) and to help reduce the buildup of tartar and plaque! Here is a list of certain particular items he (yes, he does choose) and I will normally get on a weekly basis. 

• Halloween PLAY DEAD Bone Dog Toy: OMG, we just are so excited for Halloween! We are really into the Halloween spirit this year and can't wait to show you all our annual themed costume this year! I found this to be pretty adorable, and MaQ does have a 'play dead' command! He loves plush toys and since they're not too expensive, I do have a tendency to purchase these type of toys.

Isn't it so cute? Looks like someone needs a trim! I only will clip his nails when he's tired. Otherwise, he fidgets and I become anxious in fear of hurting him. If he's more on the exhausted side, he could care less that I'm giving him a 'mani'. Ha ha ha!

Here is MaQ posing his best 'play dead' look. He looks like he's half-smiling! This was one of the earlier tricks I taught him, all I have to say is, 'bang bang!' And he'll stay in that pose until I tell him it's okay to move! Such a good boy. ♥

• Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Dog Training Treats in Savory Salmon Recipe: These are great for any dog, regardless of the breed or their size. These tiny, delicious treats are great for training. While we train, I give countless amount of treats, therefore I always use these because they're so small but oh so good. He's obsessed with these! And to be successful during training, one of the key elements should be a reinforcing treat that they really love. With this salmon recipe, I poke fun at him since he literally goes gaga over them such a grizzly bear does over a King Alaskan salmon! LOL! They're a bit pricey for the amount, but they're all about natural, healthy ingredients so I'm all for spending a little more to give MaQ the best quality.

• American Prime Cuts Ham Bone Dog Chew: This, besides bully sticks, are his favorite chews to pass time. If I'm writing, and want to go at it for more than just a few hours, I'll give him one of these to chew on and he'll go at it for hours. It's a little stinky, but I don't mind. These are perfect for larger dogs, because they are enormous! It's literally the size of a small dog!

• Large Greenies Dental Dog Treats: When people ask me how MaQ gets his gorgeous pearly whites, I always tell them it's the Greenies. They are really tasty (he loves them so much he once got into a tiff about it with one of his dog pals!) and are an excellent source of dental hygiene. Don't get me wrong, I do try to brush his teeth as much as I can but there are only 24 hours in the day to do so many things! Which is why I've been adding these in to his weekly treats, because not only does he enjoy them so much, it's why he's got some of the healtiest, whitest canine teeth! Hee-hee!

What are some of your dog's favorite treats and toys? We'd love to hear more about what your pooches go for! In the meantime, we hope you have a nice weekend!

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

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MaQ's Raw Diet

Since MaQ turned 1, I've been giving him a primal eating plan. I put in a combination of protein, calcium, fiber, carbs, glucosamine, vitamin C, and olive oil all to provide longevity, optimal health, and even some beauty treatment! Yes, you read that right! Let me explain further.

Here is a list of what's in MaQ's daily meals. I serve this twice a day, for breakfast and dinner, the raw meat being the staple part of his meals. From left to right; clockwise (above):

• Kokuho Rose Sushi Rice: This superior Japanese style rice is the only rice I ever use (been eating this since I was little) and is hands down the best quality rice I've ever eaten. I use this as a substitute for commercial kibble. Most kibbles and canned food use feed grade rice, which is basically the scraps of rice that are leftover when actual rice is made for human consumption! Which means the likelihood of toxins being absorbed during a multiple processing stage is very high. So, of course, I naturally transitioned to this. As a puppy, Maq was on Royal Canin kibble because as a baby, there are certain nutrients that are vital to their immune system and since they are not full grown, the breeders where we got MaQ strongly recommended he be on this diet up until he's 1 - 1.5 years of age. Doggy's thrive off carbs, and in my opinion, rice is terrific for our beloved pets. So long as the rice is of premium quality.
• NuJoint Plus®: I give these glucosamine pills to MaQ daily. 4 pills to be exact due to his larger size. Another suggestion from our fantastic breeders, the pills help prevent all sorts of common problems that are prone in the German shepherd breed. Hip & elbow dysplasia, arthiritis, osteoporosis, and joint inflammation are just a few that can occur with GSDs. These pills are a natural anti-inflammatory hip and joint therapy supplement and are treats to MaQ. He's loved them since he was a baby and never go low on these! 
• Cento EVOO: First of all, it tastes great. Trust me when I say this, your dog will love you for it! The monounsaturated fats in olive oil actually encourage weight loss by breaking down the fatty cells, getting rid of a couple of pounds. It is also contains high levels of antioxidants, proving to arm your dog's immune system. It is also a brain food and has been shown to boost energy. And like I mentioned earlier, olive oil gives your pooch the ultimate beauty treatment! Just like how we put oils in our hair to repair with moisture, you can do the same with you pet! 
• Raw Meat: This can be basically anything! His everyday meat is usually beef, but when I want to switch it up, I'll go with salmon, chicken, ground turkey or sometimes lamb. With beef, I usually go with stew meat since it's easier to cut and prepare. There have been hundreds of articles written about the raw diet, each side debating different views. One, it's actually healthy and provides your dog a longer, healthier life, and two, it's just bad because there's too much bacteria, germs, etc. for the dog and they get sick. It does take a couple of weeks for a dog to adjust to a different diet, but once they do, not only do I think they're enjoying their food much more, but the benefits are far better than any commercial kibble! Think about the wolves, you don't see them running around looking for dried up bullshit. I know, they're not domesticated animals but they are the wild ancestors of dogs and have been living long enough in their habitat to survive and thrive. So if their ancestors can do it, dogs can as well. But, I'm not one to dispute what you feed your dog. This is up to you.

• Green Beans: One word. Fiber! And MaQ really enjoys these little veggies. And I always cook the green beans to give a softer texture because ewe, raw green beans don't taste very good! They are also heavy with antioxidants, ranging from vitamin K to manganese, and also can be an anti-inflammatory benefit. Green beans bring cardiovascular benefits as well! From the omega-3 fatty acid in the beans, it's a heart-protective nutrient.
• Friendship Cottage Cheese: I give this to MaQ very often for calcium intake. I like, from time to time, to switch it up with plain Greek yogurt, since he really likes both. I actually really love green beans with cottage cheese. Together it's delicious! I'll even have a small portion of it for breakfast!

Here's MaQ's complete meal! Dang, doesn't it look delicious? I love spoiling my pup. Why? Because I love him. It's such a pleasure to hear from strangers complement how beautiful he is. Aesthetics always come first, then once they look into his soulful eyes they are immediately enamored with my boy. When someone says, "I can see he is very well taken care of." Or, "what a gorgeous German shepherd!" Because for me, I take pride in giving MaQ the best of everything. Why? Because he does the same for me with his undying love and devotion. And if the roles were reversed, I know he'd feed me just as well!

I've got a cardinal rule when it comes to feeding MaQ. And this applies with pretty much everything else. He's not allowed to eat until I tell him it's okay to. This goes for getting out of a car, going through a door, waiting to cross the street or be invited up on the couch, even throwing a ball I'll make him stay in his position for a couple of minutes before releasing him to fetch it. Without any impulse control, MaQ would be a wild wreck! Sometimes before he eats we'll play the 'color' game to mentally challenge him. For example, I'll say some colors out loud like, 'red', or 'blue' before actually saying the word, 'okay'. He drools incessantly while waiting and I'm sure his food is that much more rewarding, plus let's be real. You ever had to wait to eat? Did it taste better than what you imagined? It's that anticipation! :)

Bon Appétit! (Yes, my dog knows what this means.) Can't blame him for having a French papa! ;)

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

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MaQ Bath

I don't wash MaQ often because being a German Shepherd, it's not very good for their skin and coats. During the summer, I'll always hose him down when we're out running around not only to keep him cool, but that fresh water cleans him right up after one of our workouts! But now that the season's have changed, I do tend to give him more baths inside. Given that my husband and I live in NYC, most of us aren't blessed with a backyard, where I could be giving him a wash and rinse there. So instead, MaQ has a little rub-a-dub-dub in the tub!

I swear by the dog shampoo line from Kiehl's. Call me a snob but I only dare to put the best products on my baby pooch. His skin is sensitive enough so I'm really selective in his shampoo. I love their Spray-N-Play Cleansing Spray, (kind of like dry shampoo) that I regularly use in between his monthly baths. It's got a lovely chamomile flower extract, always leaving MaQ fresh and as I always say, "smelling like sugar cookies." :) 

Their Cuddly-Coat Grooming Shampoo is top of the line. I've been using this shampoo since he outgrew his puppy soap. And his coat is nothing but shiny, silky and smooth. The 3 S's in my book for any shampoo! They also have a conditioning rinse but I have yet to try this one.

Like any experience with MaQ, I want it to be a positive one. And since he's not exactly a fan of taking baths (he loves any water that's not clean!), I reinforce with lots of treats and some of his favorite toys. He is absolutely bananas for his Chuck-It Balls. And he loves this new rubber crocodile I got him specifically for bath time. I know, I know. But look at this boy's balancing skills!

You got to admit, he is such a trooper with everything. I know so many dogs that would look absolutely miserable while getting washed but MaQ's demeanor is all about the good vibes. He enjoys nothing more than the happiness life brings to him every day.

♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ Splish-splash I was taking a bath!♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

Okay, okay. Can I get out of the tub now?! Awe!

How many of you have a dog who uses YOU as their personal towel to dry off on?! Ha ha ha! If it's raining, MaQ shamelessly dries his face in between my legs. He's been doing that since he was a puppy! And especially after a bath, it's almost like a "here, this is what you deserve after washing me with that foul crap momma!" LOL! Doesn't he look so silly with the black towel?

And there ya have it! Oh so fresh! And oh so clean! Outkast would be proud. ;)

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

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October Beauty Favorites

TGIF! October is officially here and there are a few beauty products that are my must-haves at the moment. And one of them, you will laugh at, but it's something I love to have from time to time! Don't judge me, I fully embrace myself just the way I am!

From left to right, clockwise.

1. Formula X For Sephora Nail Polish in Ignite
2. Fresh Sugar Cherry Tinted Lip Treatment - Sunscreen SPF 15
3. Cartier Pasha Édition Noire Travel Rollerball Cologne
4. Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Lashes Mascara
5. L'Oreal Glam Bronze GG Cream

I actually wore this Formula X nail polish the day I married my husband. We married in the Fall almost two years ago, and ever since, I have been constantly stocking on this particular deep red for the Autumn/Winter seasons here in New York. A definite must-have! They give my nails a modern, classic look and the rich hue complements my skin complexion very well, even when my summer tan is starting to taper off. ;)

Okay, let me just say, I cannot get enough of Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatment! This season is the first time I'm trying an actual color from this line, and I went with 'Cherry' to go with my red nails. It provides 6 hours of moisture, leaving you with only soft, supple lips. Most women I know can rock full red lips, but I look like a blow fish if I go the scenic bright rouge route! I am loving it's subtle tint!

Normally I'd talk about my current perfume, but my current aromatic obsession is this new cologne by Cartier I got for my hubby. It's style is authentic and elegant (just like my man) with hints of mint, rose wood, coriander, mandarin, thyme and lavender. It's a very masculine perfume, and you cannot deny the expressions of virility and pure sophistication in it's scent. Perfect sexy vibes for Fall. I'd recommend it for any man who enjoys the finer and more beautiful things in life. And... (here's the laughable part), I like to spritz it on one of my hubby's shirts and wear it around the house sometimes, especially on rainy days like today! ❤︎❤︎❤︎

I've been using Lancôme's mascara for years. I sometimes use one from Kiehl's, but for everyday usage, this doll lash effect mascara gives a wide-eye look but also with perfect volumized, extended, luscious lashes. (Without looking like some cartoon character!) And the comb is really good in those hard-to-reach corners.

And now, last but not least, my favorite current bronze cream from L'Oreal. I love how weightless it feels and the coverage is very natural, giving my skin the perfect glow. It is a very sheer cream and has a very summery, floral scent to it. I love it! It doesn't give you much coverage, but I'd like to think of it as a lighter kind of contour for your face.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed some of my monthly beauty faves! Have a wonderful, super cozy weekend!

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

PS The beauty products laid out on that super snugly faux fur blanket is from one of my all-time favorite stores, West Elm. :)

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