New hair doo

Hello People,
I hope you all are well.  I am feeling a bit off since the chemo on Friday.  But I am feeling okay other wise I feel alright.  My family is taking special care of me. 

When I have my second treatment I will lose my hair.  In prep for that my hubby and I went wig shopping at All about you boutique.  It was a good to go while I still have hair.  Then they could see my hair and try to match it.  Do you want to see what I have ordered?  Of course you do.  Here goes:







It is a bit more tapered around the face than how I wear it now.  It will look good though.  It will be in store next Saturday and ready for me to have it adjusted.  Around the house, I'll probably wear scarves and hats.  It can be weird having no hair.  But just think of all the time I will save getting ready in the morning.  That is one positive.

When the wig comes in I will do a little wig fashion show. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Leslie

You are beautiful-Impossibly beautiful.

Hello people,
No matter who you are what sex you are, we all have days that we just feel ugly.  Whether it is caused by a series of unfortunate events, of you are feeling blah, You may just feel yucky.  Call it a bad hair day, or a down day.  It is all the same.  But I am here to tell you that you are beautiful, simply irresistible.  What ever is causing the bad hair day of blah-ness, this too shall pass.  So, try and be gentle with yourself, like you would be to a dear friend.  This will help you to take care of you and get through the day.  I have found a fun video to help you through even the worst beauty crisis.  It is Impossibly beautiful by Julie Feeny.  Enjoy!



Please take a moment to subscribe to www.missditz-thebeautifullife.com

Leslie

Metastatic breast cancer treatment

in a nutshell- the HER2 test was negative.  This is a good thing.  It means that my cancer will not grow as rapidly.  I still have what is called metastatic breast cancer stage iv.  This has involved my bones in my right arm, my pelvis, my lungs, and the lymph nodes in my right chest wall. 
On Thursday I will attend a class to give the surviving chemo info.
On Friday I will begin chemo with some strong drugs.  One is named taxol and the other is named avastin.  The avastin has some nasty side affects the will require me taking a strong dose of steroids the night before. This will help to prevent some of the side affects and reaction to the polyoxyethylated castor oil, which is an additive in the taxol. 
I'll have one 4 hour treatment every friday.  On one friday I will have taxol and avastin, the next just avastin, and the the next both drugs again. 
the side affects of both these drugs are:
taxol-Neurological tingling or numbness of the hands and feet and some blurred vision and headaches, vomiting was noted on both drugs, hair loss, fatigue, mouth sores, brittle nails, muscle aches and bone pain.
avastin-kidney problems, hair loss, high blood pressure, nervous system disturbances such as headache, blurred vision and confusion.

I won't get all of these side affects but I will for sure loss my hair and have pain and fatigue. 
I won't get into how many years I do or don't have.  Only God knows.  There is an average stated on most literature, but my doctor and my family are moving forward just knowing that I will live with this for the rest of my life.  That we will be together and we are warriors. 
My mood right now is sad, and very resigned to the information that I will be taking this for a yr.  If I don't do well on it they will change my treatment.  As a family we are trying to be positive and go through this time while living our lives as normally as possible.  Basically we will continue our lives as we accept cancer into it as a new normal. 

Please keep Mo, Eric and Anna in your prayers.  Also be praying for my mom, Rose. 

I love you all very much and deeply appreciate your thoughts, prayers, notes of encouragement and emails. 

Thank you,
Leslie

Beauty lessons my momma taught me.

People, on this beautiful mothers day 2011, I want to honor all the beauty tips that my mom has given me through my life. 

Walk- walk every day.  My mother walks every single day at least a mile if not two.  She is healthy and happy at the ripe young age of 80, so that walking must work.

Sun screen- Mom is the one who taught me how important it is to wear sun screen.  If not for her, I would never have used a moisturizer with spf anything in it.  Boy has it helped.  Not a spot on my face to be found that can be attributed to sun damage.

Moisturize-  I never understood why she put cream on her face when I was a child.  As I became a teen I followed her example, morning and night.  Now I am 45 and people can't believe that is my age.  Moisturize!  It will keep your skin healthy and young looking.

Drink water- mom is a nurse and she used to say we should drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.  I really try to do that living here in Texas.  A person can dehydrated so easily here.  So, I drink at least 6 glasses of water a day.  It helps to have a bottle of water to take with you on busy days.  This is one time I encourage drinking.

Fruit- Eat fruit every day.  Especially fruits high in antioxidants.  Such as blueberries and strawberries.  They leaving you feeling full, and they are great for your skin, hair and nail health.  Breakfast is a great time to remember to eat fruit.  It starts your day with a healthy and fun to eat meal.

Quick side note on fruit- recipe for healthy breakfast shake given to me by my mom.

A cup full of berries
A cup of soymilk, chocolate or vanilla
A small handful of walnuts

Add a little bit of ice and blend all together in a blender.

This is a protein shake.  The walnuts give it a rich flavor and add protein and omega 3 fatty acid.  You may need to buy extra large straws to drink this as it blends up thick.  Or you can eat it with a spoon. 

Sleep- get at least 8 hours of rest a night.  If you are unrested your body will start to show it.  Dark circles, fatigue, dull hair, and skin.  Make your bedroom peaceful and pleasant to sleep in.  Don't allow distractions to keep you from sleeping well.  If your computer or tv are there and they keep you awake, move them!

Most important!!!!

Family- spend time with your family.  This is where you will be able to laugh at yourself and at them.  Laughter is healthy medicine.  Plus you will feel great that you are keeping and building bonds with the people who know you best.  People who have close family ties do not suffer from depression as much as people who are isolated from family do. 

This is the most important lesson that mom taught me.  But it isn't beauty related.  Here goes:

A car is for getting you from point a to point b.  It doesn't have to be fancy or special, it just needs to work.  ( this is what she told me when my boyfriend,  (now hubby) and I got stuck in a ditch four wheeling my subaru in the middle of the night.  Love you mom, now I tell it to my kids. 

Thanks for stopping by missditz-thebeautifullife.com

Leslie

AMAZING mother's day sale at Lime Crime Cosmetics Company.

Hey there my people,
I must share this exciting news and great opportunity with you. Over at Lime Crime Cosmetics they are having a sale on all magic dusts and primer. It is a 30% discount on these items when you use the code MOTHERSDAY. Thirty Percent! What terrific savings. The products are priced well with out the discount, but with the discount it is a no brainer. Go for it. If you have considered trying any of their products, this is a great time to do it. I personally recommend the dragon scales magic dust. Wearing this color just makes me happy. It is a shimmery copper color that has luminescent sparkles of a multitude of colors blended into it. The overall effect is very stunning. Treat yourself or your favorite mom with this sale.


http://www.limecrimemakeup.com
Happy shopping.

Leslie

Updates on London, health and Mother's day

Hello my favorite people!  Apologies for not posting in a week.  Getting back into a routine after London has been a task.  It wonderful being there.  Best trip ever, so far!  But as you know, "there's no place like home".  It is great to be back.  As a first step to getting back into a routine, I would like to ask you to post video or written messages for mothers day using this blog.  I am sharing a quick message with my mom in the following video.  Feel free to share yours as well.  Thank you for stopping by missditz-thebeautifullife.com.

Have a terrific mother's day,

Leslie

Parting from London is such sweet sorrow

Tonight is our last night in London.  We have had such a lovely time while we have been visiting here.  The day of the wedding (yesterday) I was able to make it through the ceremony,  and then I became violently ill.  I spent the rest of the day in bed.  While unconscious my darling went to film what he could.  Unfortunately he wasn't able to film or photo the newly weds coming or going from the palace.  My sincerest apologies for not having detailed news of the day here to share with you.  I had truly hoped to.  Life threw me a curve ball, and it just didn't work out that way.

We are both looking forward to returning to our home and our own bed and regular routines.  I will post more for you there.

Leslie

Tomorrow is the Royal wedding!

Hello people I wanted to share a map image with you of the Royal parade route and where our hotel falls on the map.  On the map where it say "Goring Hotel" that is where Kate and her family will be staying the night and leaving from to go the the wedding.  Where our hotel is the street that crosses through the words Buckingham Palace.  Our street crosses through it from top to bottom and then hooks around towards where it says Parliament square. The street is called Buckingham Palace road.  Kate and her family may be passing by our hotel on the way to the ceremony, or they could be taking the road by Victoria station.  Although the hotel assures us she and her family will be coming down this road.  We are a short 5 minute walk to where the semi-circle at the back end of Buckingham Palace is.  That is the end of the parade route and the side of the Palace where William and Kate will be coming out for their first Royal greeting.  Mo and I intend to make our way there after watching the ceremony on the tv here in the hotel.  After we view the first public kiss as Husband and wife, we will attending a Royal wedding meal at the hotel.  The first meal that is served after a Royal wedding is called breakfast no matter what time of the day it is served.  Though our meal will be at 8 in the evening it is still called the Royal breakfast.  The meal is sampled on Royal weddings past.  There will be a poached salmon, Sole in mushroom compote, and duck.  Of course for dessert there is traditional Royal wedding cake and Campaign.  Being a vegetarian, I will probably stick with the salmon.  But it will be a total blast non the less.  The excitement is electric here in the heart of London.  We will do our best to photo and video as much as we possibly can.

Thank you for stopping by missditz-thebeautifullife.com  Please take a moment to become a follower by subscribing. 

Leslie

Barry M cosmetic swatches

I finally managed to get to a full sized Superdrug and get some Barry M products. A couple of dazzle dusts, liquid liner, lip gloss, and nail lacquer. I have swatched those you in this video. The dazzle dust seems more finally milled than other pigments. The color is very intense. I chose two colors that are light and in the video they seem more shimmery than bright. The lip gloss really went on well and lasted a long time without retouich. It also left a bit of lipstain so the color really had a strong payoff. I can't wait to try the nail polish. The colors I chose are so bright and cheery. They are definitely Spring colors. They make me happy just looking at them. Enjoy!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

London is Amazing

There is no way to put all the photos that have been taken on this blog alone.  We took a double decker bus tour and there are photos of everything from the tower of London, Parliament, and the Abby.  I even took a few of boots and of the sign of super drug.  I did manage to make it in to both stores.  Although they were not full sized stores.  They were inside of Victoria station where you catch the train and the tube.  I couldn't find the one cosmetic I was looking for Barry M. They are only sold in the larger super drug.  I'm hoping to stop into one during the next few days. 


During our bus tour we got off to take a boat tour, and then a walk to the the Abby.  On our way to hope back onto the double decker bus we ran into Peirs Morgan on the side walk.  He was filming a promotion to an evening show.  So, we snapped a photo, but didn't have the courage to ask for an autograph. It was awesome running into him.  More for us than him.

So, here are photos of the things I mentioned.

Tower Of London

parliament

The Abby

Piers Morgan

We are now in Loughton for two days.  I will post more about that tomorrow.

Leslie

Royal wedding week

We have arrived here in London. There is no doubt that a Royal wedding is about to occur. As we are staying in the Rubens at the palace, all you need to do is walk out the front door to see the parade baracades blocking the sidewalk access to the streets. Just a block away there are some rather large temporary buildings to house the reporters along the parade route. The stores all have memorabilia. Tea cups, photos, t-shirts, all with the photo taken at the time of engagement. Royal wedding fever is definitely in the air.

Here is a link to the hotel we are in:
http://www.rubenshotel.com/offers-and-gifts?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=rubens+at+the+palace&utm_content=null&utm_campaign=Palace&rw.cm=google,ppc,rubens+at+the+palace

The neighborhood is beautiful toward the palace end of the street.  The side away from the palace begins to get a bit more city with shops, pubs, and tourist type places.  There have been many double decker bus sightings.

And I am certain that this is the phone booth that Dr. Who uses, but Mo thinks it is an elevator.  (referred to as a lift here in London)

You can see that Mo is on his way UP the elevator.  Ha ha.

The area around the Palace has the beautiful stable called the Mew.  There are fountains with statuary all around.  Columns with the names of all the areas that England has colonies, and the Royal guard out front of the palace of course.  Today we will be taking a tour on the big brown bus, and there will be far more to share after today.  We haven't even hit the beauty shops and shopping yet.

Parade route down Buckingham Palace Rd

The guard

main Palace gate

Buckingham Palace (Royal residence)

Temporary building for reporters

Well, people, that is all I have for today.   I will write more as we go about our adventure.

Leslie

I'm crossing the pond

Wow people, I have such exciting news!  My husband is going away to London on business.  Since I am ill, his company didn't want me left behind so I get to go with him.  That is so cool right?  But that's now all.  While we are there a well known couple will be tying the knot!  Yes, that is right, we will be there while the royal shindig happens!  I'm pretty thrilled about it.  We get to stay at the Rubens at the Palace.  Which is right near Buckingham Palace, the Abby and the route the procession will be taking.  How blessed am I.  I don't want this to come across as a brag.  This is unlike anything that has ever happened to me.  It is so wonderful to get to do this.  Sharing with You all about it is going to be one of the most fun things too.  So, of course I had to tell you.  I will post as much and as often as possible while there.  Pictures, quick videos, and any tutorials on new things that I learn.  While there, I'll check out Boots, super drug and track down some Barry M products.  We will try to find Space.NK also.  There are many cosmetics shops in and around London.  I'm sure while my darling is at work I will explore as many as I can.

One of my favorite and the best London makeup artists is Richy Nickle of WSITN.  What style is to Nickle.  He has a video on youtube that shows the plethora of shops to check out.  It will be difficult to see as many as he shows.  I'll do my best to hit the most well known of them though.  Here is his video:




The trip, the shopping, the wedding. This is the trip of a lifetime. Sharing the details with you will be so great. Thanks for sharing in missditz-thebeautifullife.com. Take a moment to subscribe or share a comments.

Leslie

Buffalo exchange, and smashbox smoky eye kit

Hello People,
I hope all of you are well, and enjoying the lovely Spring weather that is starting to show around the world. I'd like to wish you all a happy Easter. The following is a video about the Buffalo exchange and the smoky eye kit offered to beauty insiders from Sephora. Take a moment to enjoy the information in the video. Thank you for stopping by. Take a second to subscribe or leave a comment. Also, If you wear retrofuturist lipstick, take a snap shot and send it to me to have posted on this site.

Leslie

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Cirque du Soliel totem

Hello my people,
Once again I find myself writing about Cirque Du Soliel. Their new show totem is one you must see. I wish it would come to Dallas soon. My mom saw it in Denver, and said she has never seen anything like it. She couldn't take her eyes off the show, and she left completely entertained.

Totem

As you know, in addition to the talent and the acrobats, It is the unbelievable behind the scenes stuff that I love. The stage makeup, hats, masks, costumes, and beautiful wigs. I have a few photos from their site to share with you. I also have the link to their site if you would like to drop by and order tickets for a show coming to your town.
 http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/totem/default.aspx

Unicycler

The website tell the story of Totem as a trip or journey through the evolution of man and other species.  All done through acrobatics and dance, as well as other amazing tricks and feats of amazing skill.

Masks

Hats

Don't you just find the makeup and all the props amazing?  If you have the chance to go see this show, you should go.  If I get a chance to go, I will go and tell you all about it.

Thanks for stopping by missditz-thebeautifullife.com

Leslie

You can do anything!

It is the end of a long week.  We all have bad days.  Maybe you have had a few more than usual lately.  Sometimes people make us feel ineffective.  We become afraid to try new things, or even go back to doing things we used to be good at but haven't done in a while.  Maybe you had a dream that you would try certain things and you haven't gotten around to it yet.  Well, I just watched this amazing video that will make you feel like you can conquer the world.  One of my favorite verses is "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13.  Not to make you uncomfortable with bible verse.  That is just part of who I am.  To state it more simply, You can do anything if you just believe. 

Enjoy this video by the worlds wisest child.





I hope you enjoyed that. Now go out and do something new, or something you haven't done in a while. Then post to my blog and let me know how it went.

Leslie

I'm walking on sunshine-right into my retrofuturist

Hello my people,

In this crazy world with all sorts chaos swirling around us, I figure that everyone  needs a little consistency.  Routine is so important when things have gone crazy.  I used to watch Ally McBeal.  Her therapist told her that she needed to pick a theme song for her life, to help her through her hard time.  I have had a couple of theme songs that are uplifting to help me through bad days.  One is "Super good Feeling" By Bleach, and the other is "Walking on Sunshine" By Katrina and the waves".  If your wondering, it helps.  Having a theme song helps you shift your brain from soaking in sorrow to focusing on the best laid plans for your life.  Everything gets loud, you tap your feet, your body might even start moving.  Then before you know it you are singing, at the top of your lungs.  Even if your voice is awful, you start to feel good.


The other thing that I use to create consistency and improve my mood is makeup.  I've shared before that getting dressed and putting on makeup can help me to feel better.  If there isn't a grand amount of energy available to do even simple makeup anyone can muster the strength to put on a swipe of lipstick.  My favorite lipstick of all time is Lime Crime Retrofuturist.  Even with all the cancer tests, bad news, and surgeries happening right now, putting on a swipe of retrofuturist improves my appearance immediately.  Improving the way I look makes my outlook greater.  Imagine what would happen if I listened to one of my theme songs and wore my favorite lipstick!!  Things could get really crazy and I could knock the world off it's axis with all my foot tapping and smiling.

It sounds simplistic.  Sometimes the things that work the best really are the most simple.  In the above photo I am wearing my favorite Betsy Johnson baby-doll, covered by a Victoria secret wrap.  Smile by Lime Crime, and the lamb on my shoulder is a hot water bottle that has ice chips in it to reduce the swelling on my port site.  That is my look of the day.

As you go through your day, I pray you're walking on sunshine, and wearing your favorite things.

Thank you for stopping by missditz-thebeautifullife.

Leslie

Tomorrow I will be sleeping beauty

Well My people,
Tomorrow I go in and have a port to deliver chemo surgically placed, and I will have a core biopsy of my chest wall done at the same time. It will happen from 6 am till 3 when I am done recovering. Then the hospital will let me go home. I just wanted to let you all know that I will not be posting tomorrow. Most likely be unconscious most of the day. Maybe I can get them to place cucumbers on my eyes while I am sleeping and do a mudd mask. LOL! Then I could consider it a spa day. Thank you all for keeping me in your thoughts.

Leslie

Flo Mo Gangstas-a video made yrs ago by some local high school kids in my town

Leslie