I'M MOVING!

Hey everyone! After thinking long and hard, I'm going to merge my two blogs.

This one was created for the "light" stuff like fashion, beauty and giveaways and has been up and running for a short amount of time.  My other blog has been for the "deep" parts of my life only and has been running for years.  I've got more traffic and subscribers there, too.

It's a new year, and I'm trying something new.  A merge of the two!

Now you'll have it ALL in one spot.  The personal, the fluff, the incentives for YOU awesome followers  to join me on my journey and so much more!

So GO!

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, because I have a TON of goodies in store for  you for this new year!

|||   TheShapeshiftingPoet   |||

Thanks so much for reading and supporting! Happy 2015!

Deena Marie

xo

6 reasons to visit Trolley Square before Christmas!

Here you go! My 6 reasons why you should shop Trolley Square this holiday season!
Oh, and my grand total for everything? Around $200.  No, really.


#1 This sweater from Spark

#2 This bag, also from Spark

#3 This pink planner from Tabula Rasa  

#4 Cologne for my husband from Tabula Rasa 

#5 This beanie from American Apparel  

#6 Sushi kit & chopsticks from William Sonoma 

Bonus: my friend Alexis who works at Tabula Rasa.  Ask for him! 

Which Trolley store is your favorite?

Thanks for reading! 

Deena Marie 

Trolley Holiday!

When was the last time you went to Trolley Square? It had been awhile for me, and I was so glad to be invited to a blogger event last week that reminded me all over again how cozy and charming it is.  Really, there's nowhere else like it in town and I was reminded that it has it's own appeal, so different from the newer shopping centers that have popped up in town.

It reminds me of being little and shopping at the holidays with my mom.  It's changed over the years, but still some old favorites (Desert Edge, Cabin Fever, Tabula Rasa) remain.

We started with dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory.  I had chicken alfredo, followed by their super tasty spumoni ice cream.

During dinner I chatted with some of my favorite fabulous ladies in the local social media / tv scene.

 

Chelsea Nelson Knezic of Heartbeat Nosh 

Brooke Graham Hackett and Brittany Graham Haslam of KUTV2 and Twin Tested 

Kori Laurel of Korilaurel 

And so many more! You should have seen this table of beautiful, well dressed, smart and self made women.  These events are incredible to be in the midst of that energy alone! 

And when dinner was over, my husband came to meet me and it was time to shop! We went to just about every store before we were able to decide what was coming home with us that night.  

Here's a sneak peek of what we ended up with: 

Some just for me, some just for him, and some for the both of us.  I have so much more to tell you about each item, the customer service, and who has what at Trolley Square.  

But you'll just have to wait a couple of days for the next post! 

One last thing, Trolley Square is decorated so beautifully for the holidays.  My love didn't even hesitate when I asked him to hop in a Christmas selfie!

More places we should find each other:

Instagram
Facebook
Fan Page
Twitter 
My personal blog 


Thanks for reading!

Deena Marie

|| That's a wrap! ||

Yesterday I completed my last treatment in my series of chemical peels at The Body's Edge.

If you've followed my previous posts then you know that manager and master esthetician Krista Quintana has been getting me ready for my wedding day.  Twenty-four days to go!

She taught me a lot about my skin, products, and what was needed in order to achieve the glow and fresh look I was hoping for.  She'd tell me when we could go a bit stronger with the peels, and when we needed to stop.  She was always sensitive to what I was doing each week, and how much down time I'd have or not have.  Yesterday my skin was a bit sensitive and while it didn't feel differently to me, she would tell me how it was looking as we went, and when we were done, based on what she saw.  

Each time I went in it was a cozy and relaxing experience.  I learned I'm pretty tough.  Despite a [very slight] sting that went away quickly, I was never in any kind of pain.

While she said I might peel a little more on this last treatment, my peeling with the other two were never anything that interfered with daily life.  A little flaking, but nothing that kept me from wanting to be in public.

In the end, taking away a very positive experience, knowledge, and the following products:

AHA Accelerator Glymed Plus to help with cell turnover.  PCA Skin face wash.  Three PCA Skin lotions, ReBalance, Silkcoat Balm, Soothing Balm [obsessed with the last one].

I can't tell you how many complements I've been getting on my skin these days! This was not always the case over the course of my life.  I've worked so hard on it, so this is all very exciting to me!

I have had quite a few friends text or write wanting to know more, with questions not only about my personal treatments, but what other treatments are offered as well.

Signature facial [60 minutes] $55
Express facial [30 minutes] $40

Chemical peel $65
3 Treatment Series $165

DermaPen Microneedling $159
3 Package Series $399

Tinting
Eyelashes $15
Eyebrows $12

Spray Tan
Individual session $25
3 Package series $60

M'lis Body Wrap
Single $75
3 Pack $200

Laser Treatments 
Laser Lipolysis Treatment $99 Per Treatment
Sauna Add-On (30 Minutes) $30 Per Session

There's so much more to learn on joining Club Edge for deals on treatments, payments, and more.

I'm really going to miss going in and getting pampered on a regular basis.  I'm definitely going to make the time post-wedding to keep up with facials, future peels, learning about products [my favorite], and general maintenance!

You can find Krista and The Body's Edge in Sandy, Utah and on the following social media sites.

Tell her I sent you!

Website
Facebook
Instagram
Krista's Instagram

Thanks for reading,

Deena Marie

|| Peelin' it! ||

We are forty-five days away from the wedding, you guys.  It's crunch time.  There are to do lists all over my house right now.  I had no idea how much went into planning a wedding.  There have been times where I've been so overwhelmed with the details and the to-do's that I'm ready to go to the courthouse instead.  Or call in a wedding planner.  Or cry.  Just kidding.  But kind of.

When things are falling into place and sailing is smooth, I have to  pinch myself that we really are planning a beautiful day for us, for the people we love, and for the people who love us.  And no matter what, at the end of the day, I get to marry the man of my dreams!

In wanting to look and feel my best, I'm going all out on in my skincare prep before the day is here.

In my last post I told you about starting my journey with The Body's Edge.  Monday of last week I went in for my first chemical peel with manager and master aesthetician, Krista Quintana.  She is so knowledgable.  While she works on me I ask her all sorts of tips and tricks and what I should be using in my regular routine.  I always leave knowing things I didn't' know before.

I was a little nervous for a chemical peel.  I'd never had one before and I pictured lasers and burning and leaving completely red, looking like I'd had dermabrasion.  That could not have been farther from the truth.

Krista suggested a series of three peels for me, telling me it was going to help with fine lines, discoloration, and leave me with the glow I've been wanting.  Sign me up.

I don't have a lot of down time to recover, and she is sensitive to that, tailoring the peels as we go to what I'll be doing in the upcoming weeks.  She started light for this one, to see how my skin would react.

When I laid down on the table, she explained what she was putting on my face as we went, and kept checking in to make sure I was comfortable.  I never experienced any burning, pain, only some light tingling.  I was never uncomfortable.  Each application was gentle and lightly swabbed on with a cloth as I laid back and we chatted.  Again, so much easier than I expected.

It didn't take long.  When I left, I went home with a new product she recommended, AHA Accelerator from Glymed Plus.  This will continue to help with cell turnover and keep my skin looking refreshed.  This is new to my routine, along with the Advanced Pigment Corrector from SkinCeuticals I started a little over a month ago for pigmentation issues.

I'm feeling more armed and ready all the time.  I will get the skin I want in the end!

I didn't peel right away.  It took until wednesday before I started to flake.  I peeled for the next three days a bit, and then it started to diminish, and eventually stop.  I'd say it went on for about a week, but it was never to the point where I wasn't comfortable in public, or couldn't go about my daily life.  I sent her a text to let her know and she said it was good I was flaking.  It meant the peel was working.

I'm curious and excited to see where we end up and the end of the three.  Next week is appointment number two.  We are going a bit deeper, but in the end it'll be worth it to shed the dead skin and reveal the glow underneath.

Thank you, Krista! See you next week!

Have you paid a visit to The Body's Edge in Sandy, Utah? GO!

Website
Facebook 
Instagram The Body's Edge
Instagram Krista Quintana 

Thanks for reading!

Deena Marie

|| Road to the wedding || Skincare prep!

In three months from tomorrow I get to marry the love of my life! I feel so grateful every day that I get to experience this kind of love.  I also consider myself lucky with how easy our wedding planning is going (knock on wood.)  Similar tastes mean we've got the same favorites, so things are falling right into place! More on that in a future blog.

There is a lot to do, however.  Besides the planning of the day itself, I want to look and feel my best in the days leading up to the wedding!

I couldn't be more excited to be working with The Body's Edge in Sandy, UT over the next few months to get my skin in it's best possible condition!

Last Saturday I went in for the first time for a facial.  Manager and master aesthetician Krista Quintana greeted me at the door.  Krista is an absolute doll.  One of those people that I liked instantly when I first mether , which was last year.  She has a glow and energy about her that makes you comfortable, and right away you want to be friends.  I adore her!

She had booked aesthetician Jessica Brown to do my facial.  Jessica was sweet, professional, and took great care of me.

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I'd only ever had a facial once before.  It's been something I've been wanting to start up, as regularly as I could, but I kept putting it on the back burner.  My appointment last week reminded me my skin needs to take priority.

Jessica started by looking at my skin to see what areas might need special attention, and discussing with me what my current regime is.  It's nothing fancy.  For my sensitive, dry skin, it's dove soap for me at night and in the morning followed by lots of Aveeno ultra-calming moisturizer.  Krista and Jessica recommended using retinol and a hydrator as well.  I said I'd love to try them both.  The thing I'm most excited about is to learn from them over the next little while.

Jessica was amazing.  The experience was truly luxurious.  A chance to relax, reset, rest, while knowing I was still doing something beneficial for my skin.  I didn't want it to end, and my skin was glowing after.  I can't wait for the next one.

This is just phase one, however.  Next month we'll start a series of light chemical peels, and as my big day approaches, body wraps.  I've never done either, so I'm curious and excited to see what the steps are, the science behind them, and the before and after.

You'll want to be sure to follow my journey, as I'll be posting it all!

If reading this blog inspires you to jump start your skin care routine, or you are curious about what The Body's Edge has to offer, here are a few options for where to find them!

Email: info@bodysedge.com
www.bodysedge.com
Facebook
Instagram  


Thanks for reading!


Deena Marie
instagram
facebook

Got Beauty! BTS - Pops Box & review!

The Got Beauty gals and I have been following each other for quite sometime, and we've had a collaboration on our to do list.  Last month, we finally got the chance when they asked me to model for the new Pops Box! BTS glimpse. 

The team was hilarious, professional, and super talented.  It truly was one of my favorite shoots.  It's a blast when everyone knows just what they want, want they are doing, and are able to move quickly and effortlessly.  That was the case with our collaboration.

Of course it's a plus when you love the hair and makeup looks you are shooting, and I honestly did. I keep trying to recreate that hair!

I felt comfortable, beautiful, and I had fun.  I can only imagine that if you take a trip to Got Beauty in Sugarhouse for a service (hair, nails, skin, waxing, airbrush tanning, bridal party, etc.) you'll feel pampered and gorgeous.

I couldn't be happier with the way the Pop Box cover and how-to pamphlet inside turned out.  Take a look below!

*more after the pics*

Not only did they include an interview with me on their GB blog, they sent me home with a bag full of goodies, and a Pops Box!  There are too many items to mention individually, but I wanted to list my favorites, and tell you my thoughts on the Pops Box.

Favorites:  Batiste dry shampoo in cherry.  I hadn't used dry shampoo before and I've been curious.  My hair is pretty dry naturally, so I don't need to wash it often.  I like the idea of a shampoo any time, any place since I'm not a big hair washer, but do work out and sweat regularly.  Bumble & Bumble spray chalk in blush, a new line of products for skin I wasn't familiar with previously called Dermalogica, including skin perfect primer, spot concealer, masque, cleansing solution & smoothing cream.  A mini hair straightener for travel or bangs, and of course with my upcoming wedding, a pair of pink knee-hi's that say bride! 

Everything can be found at the shop.  

The Pops Box:  Inside is a vibrant orange lipstick called tequila sunrise, gold lip gloss to add over the top or to wear alone, light peach blush/eye shadow, samples, a coupon, and the how-to book.  

I thought it was lucky for me that the colors happened to be similar to what I always choose to wear anyway.  Warm tones look best on me, and of course I figured that's why I was modeling for this specific color palette.  What surprised me, however, was on the Got Beauty Facebook page were pictures of women of various skin tones from blonde to african american and guess what? The colors looked good across the board! The subtle peach is perfect for spring and I've been using it both as eyeshadow and blush daily.  Nights out on the weekends I've also been using the tequila sunrise lipstick, which happens to be my favorite item in the box.  The shade is bright and bold, and I'm a fan of a bold lip color.  It also meets the two requirements I look for in a lipstick.  The color lasts, and it doesn't dry out my lips! 

I love when I can strongly recommend, and to a large audience.  The cost is $19! Get it here. Or take a trip to the sugarhouse shop! 

Thanks, Got Beauty! Can't wait to work with you all again!

GB Website 

GB Facebook 

GB Instagram 

Thanks for reading, 

Deena Marie