My Update Skin Care Regime

I've updated my skin care regime since posting about it in November of 2009 so I thought I would give you a break down of my morning and evening routines.

MORNING
Cleanse - Cetaphil Cleanser
Tone - Clean and Clear Deep Cleansing Astringent (only in problem areas when breakouts happen)
Eye Cream - Boscia Intensive Eye Treatment
Serum - None right now. I'm not sure it makes a big difference. Do you?
Cream - Olay Total Effects Advanced Anti-Aging Skincare UV Moisturizer plus SPF 15
Spot Treatment - First Aid Blemish Eraser

EVENING
Cleanse - Fresh Soy Cleanser and I use the Clarisonic. Probably going to get a new one after I run out of this. Any suggestions?
Tone - Clean and Clear Deep Cleansing Astringent (only in problem areas when breakouts happen)
Eye Cream - Boscia Intensive Eye Treatment
Treatment- Korres Quercetin & Oak Antiaging & Antiwrinkle Oil-Control Treatment - I like how my skin looks in the morning after using this but I might try Korres Face Serum next.
Cream - Korres Quercetin & Oak Antiwrinkle Night Cream
Mask - Boscia Luminizing Black Mask
Spot Treatment - Epiduo (prescription from my dermatologist)

What are your favorites from your skin care routine?

When purchasing skin care products I always try and do it online through drugstore.com and Sephora via Ebates. For those of you not familiar with Ebates it is by far the easiest way to earn FREE money by shopping online. All you have to do is go to Ebates, log in, search for the store you plan on shopping at, click the link and voila you are taken there and all you have to do is shop! Each store has a corresponding percentage of cash back. And the money just adds up. Every quarter Ebates will send you a check and all you have to do is cash it. If you haven't already signed up, I definitely recommend that you do. You get $5 just for signing up! Click here to start getting free money! In addition to cash back from Ebates, drugstore.com gives you 5% back from your purchase in drugstore.com dollars.

How drugstore.com dollars™ works:
You earn drugstore.com dollars on all the eligible purchases you make during a calendar quarter (every three months). Then, you have one month to spend your dollars. Your dollars will be applied to the first eligible order you place during that month using your registered drugstore.com account.

For example, if you purchase $200 in eligible products between October 1 and December 31, you’ll earn $10 in credit to spend on your first order in January.

A Fabulous Etsy Seller

I love talking about Etsy sellers that I love and hopefully giving them new business. Classic Designs by Theresa Mink is an incredible boutique that sells very classic jewelry. I know own two of her pieces and one on the way. The first piece is a very dainty cross (see above). It was on my wish list for Christmas and was giving to my by Hubby's aunt and uncle. It comes in both gold and silver. The second piece, also on my Christmas wish list, was given to my by my FIL and it's the Silver Reign necklace. It's a super cute, long necklace with silver discs. I will wear this necklace a lot this spring/summer!
I just purchased this necklace and can't wait for it to get here! It's very simple and I will probably pair it with Favorite Thing #94. Make sure you check out her boutique!

Homemade Skinny Vanilla Lattes

If you'd ask Hubby he would say I'm addicted to Starbuck's Skinny Vanilla Lattes. I absolutely LOVE them and I'm very excited because now I can make them at home. For Christmas Hubby got me the Keurig Milk Frother. As soon as my espresso K-Cups come in, I'm going to try my hand at being a barista and make some lattes. I'll let you know how it goes.

My 2011 Resolutions/Goals

I posted my goals last year and it was probably the best thing I could have done. It kept me accountable for everything and I think I did a much better job of sticking to them. Here are my 2011 resolutions.

1.Get to my goal weight and stay there - I lost weight last year and then put weight back on (thankfully not all of it). This year I want to get to my goal weight of 115 and stay there. Last time I got on a scale I weighed in at 123 (thank you holiday meals) and I determined to lose these last 8 pounds! I will post frequent updates on my weight loss and hope that this is a goal I meet by summer time!

2. Incorporate yoga into my workouts - The people that I know that do yoga regular just love what it does for their body. My sister-in-law is a yoga instructor and she has a great body...even after having two kids. I've decided that this is the year I'm going to start to do it regularly...maybe I can even convince Hubby to do it with me. I welcome any DVD or DVR recommendations. My goal is for yoga to help strengthen my core and increase flexibility.

3. Watch less TV - Most nights when Hubby and I get home from work we tend to just veg in front of the TV for the rest of the night. We've both decided that we need to spend less time in front of the TV and more time doing quality things like taking a walk (when it starts to get warm/light out), reading a book and knitting (for me not Hubby).

4. Reach 300 followers - My blog is still going to be one of my focuses and I'm so happy to have over 200 followers. I'd love to reach 300 followers by the end of the year. This is definitely a "stretch" goal but I will try my best to reach it.

5. Find a good photo editing software and really learn how to use it - I feel like this is pretty self explanatory. Right now I use Picassa but want to find a good one (willing to pay) that will help make my photos even more memorable. Any suggestions?

5. Try New Restaurants - Hubby and I are always eating at the same restaurants so in 2011 I want us to branch out and try new ones. If you live in the DC area I would love your restaurant recommendations!

So there are a few of my resolutions for the year. I will try and do monthly updates like I did last year. What are some of your resolutions?

Favorite Thing #209 - Tiffany 1837 Bangle

Favorite Thing #209 was also a very sweet Christmas present from Hubby this year. I just absolutely LOVE the Tiffany 1837 Bangle. It's very classy and goes with almost any outfit. Sometimes I wear it on its own or I pair it with my Venetian Link Bracelet (thanks Teha!). Thanks Hubby for another gorgeous piece of jewelry that I will treasure forever.

A New Giveaway Added

Check out a great giveaway from my friend Erin - lots of fun beauty products. Also, make sure you add her blog, Everything According Erin to your reader!!!

And I hit 205 followers! Very excited. Will Shelley and Jenna please email (christinasfavoritethings@gmail.com) me their address and I will send you a special surprise.

Did I keep to my 2010 resolutions?

Here's a recap of how I kept, didn't keep or really tried to keep my 2010 resolutions.

1.Be Healthier - I'm very proud to say yes I have! Hubby and I incorporate lots more vegetables into our diet (thanks to Favorite Thing #195), I usually drink at least 48oz of water a day and we eat whole grains now instead of white breads and pastas. I'm still not at my ideal weight but I still weigh less than I did last year at this time!

2.Be consistent with running - It's hard to say whether or not I accomplished this goal. I stopped keeping track of my running because it was so hard with traveling and figuring out what I did on this treadmill or outside. I am happy to say I had my best 5k time this year and know I ran more this past year than I have before.

3.Focus on my blog - I think I could have done a better job with my blog. There were definitely weeks where I wouldn't have any posts. I got better towards the end of the year and will keep trying in 2011. I'm so happy that I reached 200 followers! Thank you to everyone that reads my blog each week, it means the world to me.

4.Cook at home more - We had our good weeks and bad weeks with this one...the bad weeks happened more towards the end of the year when we were traveling a ton. I'm proud of us for trying new recipes and taking turns with the cooking. We will definitely continue this in 2011.

Stay tuned for my 2011 resolutions!

More surprise giveaway winners...

I want to apologize to Emily K and Caroline P because I believe you were one of the followers around between 197 and 205 so please send me your address so I can send your surprise! And congrats to ifky12 and Emily W. You both will also receive a surprise. Just send me your address! If you have emailed me (christinasfavoritethings@gmail.com) and haven't gotten a response from me within 24hrs leave me a comment on my blog so I can figure out what happened. Thanks everyone!

Favorite Thing #208 - Essie's Ballet Slippers Nail Polish

Favorite Thing #208 is Essie's Ballet Slippers nail polish. This is one of my new go-to, classic colors. It's a soft baby pink that looks amazing on your nails or toes. What I love about this color is that it can chip and easily be touched up and no one would know the difference. This color needs to be a staple in your nail polish collection!

Lots of Updates Coming Your Way

Hubby and I had a wonderful holiday celebrated with family and friends. I apologize that I've been so MIA but we haven't had any time at home. I've got lots of updates to share with you on new favorite things, recent purchases, resolutions, giveaway and more. I'm so excited that I've hit 200 followers!!! Will the following followers email me their mailing address at christinasfavoritethings@gmail.com so I can send them a special surprise. :)

#200 - Monica
#199 - mmk8007
#198 - Payettep
#197 - Laurie

And don't forget followers #201-205 also get a special surprise!

My first update is congrats to my brother and his fiance. They got engaged on Christmas Eve! So happy for them.