"You're unmade by the light yet reborn"

Well I've caught a cold. I knew it had to come eventually. Ed had it about two-three weeks ago, the week after visiting home he was sick as a dog. And somehow it's been hidden in the house on some random doorknob or couch pillow or air particle and last night it got me. I've used this opportunity to slow down a bit and do all the house chores and reading I've been putting off because of wedding stuff. I have been rocking the wedding planning department and all the people helping me: Mom, Aunt Claire, Carolyne, the list goes on, they have been amazing this past week. Maybe it's because there are only two months left and everything is going into hyper drive, but the past three days I've woken up, had breakfast with Ed, then sat down at my computer/dining table that has now been requisitioned as my craft table, and not moved from that table until 1:30 to 2:30 while I lift weights at the gym. Then I return, shower, and immediately return to working at the table.

So even though I'm in no great shape to 'enjoy' the day, I'm catching up on a bunch of necessary things:

• Laundry. Laundry. Laundry. I'm beginning to think this is the first sign of things beginning to slip. I'm notorious for starting a load and forgetting it until Ed checks and sees all the clothes he needs that morning at 6am, still completely wet. I know, I can be awesome sometimes. 
• My neglected reading list (my GoodReads challenge says I'm only 4 books ahead of schedule - this is terrible considering the week leading up to the wedding and half of September I may not be reading at all!) Currently trying to work through The Angel's Game by Carlos Zafon Ruiz, but it's giving me trouble in terms of getting into it. I still have to read Feast of Crows (I know, I hear you giving me grief Mac), and I pulled a couple 'smart' books to read this time from the library - The Hidden Reality and The Optimism Bias. Finally finished Dianne Keaton's Then Again and it was fabulous and touching.
• Cutting up the rest of the bunting. (Aside - I'm not ready to talk about the disaster that was battling the sewing machine. I need to find a mentor in that department.) 
• Reviews of beauty products! So as of now I've only tried a couple...

For teeth: Arm & Hammer Whitening Booster ($3.67 at Amazon)

We're still in the throws of testing this product but so far, the results are pretty good. It's subtle, and in my hysteria to find some form of perfection I may end up trying other products, but for now I'm really happy with it. We love regular Arm & Hammer toothpaste so adding this on just makes it feel like it's twice as effective. I have noticed a difference within a week, but hopefully with further use I'll see something much more pronounced. Another plus, I was worried that my current problems with my teeth* would be exacerbated by the whitening but I've not had a single issue with sensitivity.

*Remember when I said I might need 3 root canals? Well it's looking highly probable. At least it's keeping me from eating as much/as fast! A+ wedding diet technique.

For skin: St. Ives Fresh Invigorating Scrub ($3.21 at Amazon)

I am in LOVE with this product. I had no idea... Don't ask why, I just assumed growing up that St. Ives was a fancy-pants product that I could not afford or was for grown-ups. I'm a huge sucker for advertising and product design even though I'm well aware it means nothing in terms of product quality, and this product's design just did not interest me as a teenager. I went in for my makeup test trial for the wedding while visiting home and the makeup artist, Allie, who was the sweetest, advised me to start a routine with a scrub. She said of all the products, a basic St. Ives scrub will do the trick every time. And boy was she right. It smells delicious. My skin feels amazing after using this. I have way fewer problems with dry spots and get a much more even application to my makeup and even moisturizer. I've tried scrubs before, most recently through Birchbox (which is one of my most favorite things in life*) I tried a sample of Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant.

This was alright... not tough enough for me, but if you have sensitive skin, I can see this being the answer to your prayers. It comes in a powder form you have to create a paste with before applying. I liked that it was so 'clean' in terms of it's ingredients... but it ended up just being a little too delicate of a scrub, too many of the grains dissolving into the paste instead of staying in tact to buff the skin. Also, the price is ridiculous. Maybe I would feel differently if I truly fell in love with the product... but 50 bucks compared to 4 bucks? I think I know I'll recommend time and time again.

*Side note about Birchbox - For those of us obsessed with products of all kinds, including those unattainably expensive kinds, this is the perfect answer (they make one for women and men now!). I've tried so many things now I never would have before and found a bunch of really fun things. It really runs the gamut, serums, lip gloss, sunscreen, vitamin additives, hair accessories, perfumes, nail polish, stick on nails & eye liners, the list goes on. You earn points for reviewing products, recommending friends, and purchasing products. These points add up to discounts. You also get free shipping on products from each month's current box of products. It's a fantastic program and I highly recommend it. And don't hesitate to mention me if you sign up ;)

Next time I'll write about trying to sing again and the uncomfortable feeling of recognizing how far from grace my voice has fallen.