My summer skin care routine

my summer skin care routine

Pictured from left: eye cream / neck cream / day cream / night cream / acne treatment / chapstick (flavor not online, also love cherry)

Skin care is so important all year long; but in the summer months, it becomes even more important. My kids are always outside; whether we are swimming, walking, playing sports, etc., summer is spent in the sun. This means using products with spf protection, and products which keep skin moisturized, are extremely important.

In order to keep my skin at its best, I live by ReVive skincare. They have the best neck cream, and face cream on the market; in my opinion. I have been using the neck cream for over ten years, and my neck looks fabulous! It also has spf protection, which is key here in California. Sun damage can make one’s neck look droopy over time; not to mention increase one’s risk of skin cancer.

ReVive’s face cream has also been a favorite of mine for over ten years. The night cream is something new for me. I just started using it less than two years ago. You can see my full review here. It is so good at repairing my skin overnight. It seems like it takes years off my skin every time I use it. Love love love it!

I have tried so many eye creams over the years. My all-time favorite is by Dolce & Gabbana. It firms up my skin, leaving it silky smooth, younger looking, and fully moisturized. Did I mention it minimizes lines too! Love that!

So you might be looking at my Chapstick and wondering, how does it fit in? Well, I have used Chapstick since I was five years old. It is the only lip balm I will use, and I love it! My favorite flavors are cherry, and strawberry. Sometimes I buy special edition flavors such as orange cream, raspberry, or pomegranate punch. I wish those special flavors were in the permanent collection! The orange cream is to-die-for!

I always joke that I have a combination of wrinkles and pimples on my face. Ugh, it is so true! I have combination skin, so it wrinkles, and gets pimples. It can be really frustrating. I had clear skin in high school, then as an adult, I started to get acne. I wish I had it in high school instead of my adult life, like the rest of the world! I swear I am the only GenX-er still getting breakouts. Ugh, so frustrating. My go-to acne weapon is the on-the-spot treatment pictured above. I love love love it!

What are some of your favorite summer skin care products?


Week three swim workout

hot to start swimming for fitness

It is time for your third swim workout! If you are reading this and wondering what I am talking about, please refer to my first post about swimming for fitness online here.

At this point, you should already be swimming at least two days per week. Now that you are ready to move on to more yardage (or more meters), it is time to definitely switch up your weekly workout routine, and incorporate three days of swimming per week. Here is a sample weekly workout you can use as a guide starting this week:

Weekly workout routine: week three

Monday: Swim

Tuesday:  High intensity aerobic workout such as spin, cardio-kickboxing, or step

Wednesday: rest or take a leisurely walk around your neighborhood for half an hour (just stretch)

Thursday: Swim

Friday: Weight training, medium cardio workout such as walking on the treadmill or cardio dance.

Saturday: swim

Sunday: rest or take a leisurely walk around your neighborhood for half an hour (just stretch)

Week three swim workout (1000 yards or meters)

Warm-up: Two 50’s freestyle (2 laps short course)

4 laps alternating strokes in IM order (Butterfly, backstroke, breastroke, freestyle) rest 15 seconds between each lap

4 50’s freestyle, lap one easy pace, lap two swim medium pace, rest 20 seconds between

Kickboard: flutter kick (freestyle kick) 2 100’s (4 laps each) non-stop (rest 20 seconds between 100’s)

1 50 freestyle medium pace (rest 20 seconds)

1 50 freestyle as fast as you can go! (rest 30 seconds)

2 50’s freestyle medium pace (rest 20 seconds)

4 laps alternating strokes in IM order (Butterfly, backstroke, breastroke, freestyle) rest 15 seconds between each lap

2 50’s freestyle easy pace, rest 30 seconds between each lap

  • Stretch for ten minutes, both arms and legs.
  • Check back next week for another workout!

Bhane denim dress by the Bay

bhane denim dress lady bag and denim dress bhane denim dress for summerlady bag espadrilles denim dress bhane denim dress saint laurent wedge espadrilles

Pictured: Earrings: Kendra Scott / Sunglasses: Chanel / Lipstick: c/o Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Rosa / Necklaces: Kendra Scott, ModCloth / Dress: c/o Bhane / Handbag: Mansur Gavriel / Bracelets: JCrew (old, also love these bangles under $30!) / Ring: 2 Bandits / Nail Polish: Chanel Mariniere / Shoes: Saint Laurent

In early spring, Bhane gathered several bloggers, and digital influencers, from around the San Francisco Bay Area to participate in a shoot for their summer 2016 campaign. The campaign took place in San Francisco, and mirrored a similar shoot conducted in India. Both photo sessions featured pieces from Bhane’s summer 2016 collection.

I wore this Bhane denim dress for the shoot, which I absolutely adore! It is a simple, classic, chambray sheath. It can be worn alone for the warm summer months, or layered in the spring, or fall season. I love how simple it is! It is perfect for featuring chunky necklaces, layered necklaces, or even a funky belt! Mental note: must find funky belt!

Bhane’s summer collection is truly inspired. It features pieces made from lightweight fabrics in soft hues, which work perfectly with denim, cotton twills, and other summer fabrics. All of the tops, bottoms, and dresses can be layered, or mixed and matched. Love!

For the photo-shoot, I wore two necklaces layered by Bhane. They were so beautiful! I am sad they did not come home with me. The circle pendant was fabulous! It was really fun meeting the designer, and learning all about Bhane! I had been unfamiliar with the brand before the photo-shoot, so the whole experience was amazing. I love learning about fashionable, wearable new brands!

In the photos taken by Bhane, I wore flat, black creepers for a street-style look. I have found at home, I love wearing the dress with wedges. I love how these espadrille wedges add some summery spice to the Bhane denim dress. I also love how my Mansur Gavriel handbag looks with this dress. It would also pair well with a summer tote!

You can see Bhane’s entire summer 2016 collection, and learn more about the brand,  online at Bhane.com.

Outfit details:


mansur gavriel lady bag in black