TO TOP IT ALL OFF

I say, choose joy.

-Heidi Joy xx

Brains, Beauty & Spunk

Newsroom, Newsroom, Newsroom…why?  It’s everything you wish the media could be (but most likely never will be).  The show is intelligent, entertaining, sexy, with just the right amount of suspense.  Aaron Sorkin is brilliant.  Jeff Daniels, call me. ;-)   Go watch it…NOW and then we can compare notes.

On a daily basis, I’m working with kids so, my makeup routine is basic: lip-gloss, BB Cream, a touch of mascara, and Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel.  When I received an email from Leah inviting me to be her model for a NovaLash contest, I felt a little apprehensive just imagining when I walked into work looking like I was ready for a stage performance of some sort, what my coworkers might say.  

Lash extensions…ok, I know what you might be thinking; they’re for high-maintenance girls.   Extensions just sound well…excessive.  I decided to abandon my hesitation because the girly girl inside me was thrilled at the chance to have a gorgeous doe-eyed look (plus, the opportunity to share the experience here).

I met with Leah Saturday morning at Vintage Spa in Rowley, MA and she informed me that we’d be doing a dramatic set.  Leah is, herself, absolutely gorgeous and makes you feel relaxed from the start; it was like one part spa experience, one part getting together for a girl date.  Leah started by bringing me into the treatment room and had me lay down on the comfy massage bed.

First, Leah applied under eye stickers which, helped stick down my bottom lashes so they were out of the way.  Then I closed my eyes and let the transformation commence.  

Since Leah was filming a video for NovaLash, while applying my lash extensions, I was able to get some step-by-step application tips.  She used a heated lash curler, tweezers, adhesive, AirNova (a machine that puffs out air to dry the adhesive), a water mist to set the lashes and while all this went on, I couldn’t get over how relaxing the experience was and at points felt like I might be able to sneak a nap in.

The eyelash extension process took approximately two hours, as she glued each lash with precision to an existing natural lash.  It sounds like a long time but Leah is one person, and applied approximately 200 lashes on each eye…craziness!  A fill typically takes an hour. 

The end result is mind-blowing!  I no longer look like an over-tired girl (working with kids is beyond exhausting).  My lashes are now thick, long and stunning!  Leah also added lashes along the bottom; I’m obsessed with the overall look.  The best part is, I’ve been going without makeup this week and I get complimented daily on how amazing my “eye makeup” looks (to tell or not tell them my secret, is the question). My favorite part of having lash extensions is that I look rested with absolutely NO makeup.   AMAZING!

The cost of an initial treatment is $350 for a regular set or $450 for a max lash full set (like mine) but after that, fills are just $80-100 every 3 weeks or so.  $350 can be hard to justify into your budget but when you think of all the time and money saved on your daily makeup routine and how fabulous they look, it’s MORE than worth it.

I will warn you, lash extensions are highly addictive.  The results are striking and the photos say it all.  I’m wearing NO makeup in the first three shots.

Tip: Use a product such as RapidLash serum between fills to keep natural lashes strong and long.

*Before*

  

*After*

Contact Leah for more information through Lashes by Leah and go vote for her to win NovaLash's Lash Artist of the Year!

Watch the Über funny and talented Broadway revival cast of “Anything Goes” getting down to “What Makes You Beautiful” directed by Raymond J. Lee…you may even spot Joel Grey and Sutton Foster.

Mad Lash Love,
-Heidi Joy xx

TO TOP IT ALL OFF

Hope your weekend was full of goodness!

-Heidi Joy xx

A Few of My Favorite Things...

So much to be thankful for and smile about it this week, including:

My peach praline pie & wine  "dinner" date with Sarah • Watching my students perform their show (absolutely adorable) • Finding this recipe for Banh Mi with Lemongrass Pork and making a delicious vegan version • Emails from Leah asking me to be her lash model...do ya even have to ask me?! •  This Kate Spade Bag • Falling asleep to Golden Girls reruns • Being paid to be outside at Elm Bank in Wellesley alllll week = LUCKY! • The Newsroom on HBO...if you're not watching it, you need to be. Amazing. • Matty sharing funny emails with me from his Dad • Polar's pina colada flavored seltzer water • Singing "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" all week with my students •

Brains, Beauty & Spunk

There are few solutions so sensational that you want to share them with the world but thanks to Pinterest, I finally went to town on a pile of clothes sitting in my laundry room with pesky stains that I vowed I’d eventually get out; the stains cannot defeat me or banish otherwise perfectly good clothing to cleaning rags.  Let me introduce you to the most amazing stain remover ever via OneGoodThing by Jillee.   So far, it has worked on clothing of all colors and removed nasty yellow pit stains, rust, lipstick and red color bleeding stains.  Prepare to get your favorite clothes back!

User Tips:  I apply the stain remover using an old, clean toothbrush.  For best results, I let it sit for at least an hour or overnight before washing.  I used Joy brand dish detergent rather than Dawn because that’s what I have (don’t seem shocked, given the name) and it does the trick too. 

What’s one of the best things (there are many, really) about having friends in the modeling/acting industry?  They’re always on the beauty product up and up.  My BFF, Nicole and I will get so excited about a new product that we’ll take pictures, send texts and make phone calls to tell each other about our finds (read: product junkies).  Our latest obsession: BB Cream.  It’s tinted and magically matches and evens out skin tone, giving you a light base that brightens, conceals imperfections and dark circles without having to use foundation AT ALL!  It also contains SPF, anti-aging properties and makes your skin look and feel silky smooth and moisturized.   I’m currently using the Garnier BB Cream purchased from Duane Reade in Manhattan (I haven’t been able to find it at any of the Boston area drugstore chains yet) but I’m also going to try SKIN79 Super Plus BB Cream, given the amazing reviews.  

Sometimes you need to be reminded to do you boo-boo.  Chase your dreams and don’t be afraid to let your light shine, no matter how bright it is.  Absolutely adore this boy…Jeffrey Sewell for President 2012!   

Parades & Strawberry Lemonade, 
-Heidi Joy xx

TO TOP IT ALL OFF

Peace, Love & Sunshine Dust,
-Heidi Joy xo

Photo Credit: the.cutting.room.floor

FUNHOUSE: Journalist by day, stripper by night & Female celebs with beards

What’s the worst food for your heart?  The answer might shock you.

GASP! Newspaper journalist by day, stripper by night. Do you think this should be ground for termination?

Living in different spaces is definitely a strange concept to me but these His & Hers cottages in Lake Worth, FL are adorable! Hey, maybe it’s a spouse sanity secret haha ;-)  Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter also have separate homes.

Minimalist poster art of Classic Disney Films. Very kool.

Ikea's private neighborhood in London. From furniture to urban planning.

An “Italian Wedding” shot by David Burton for Elle Italia…major style drool! 

Both, weird and absolutely hilarious! Female Celebs with beards.

Wait...we’re still “Occupying”? Apparently...

The Boston Food Truck Festival is coming in June! YUM!

Have a fantastic and fun-filled weekend!

-Heidi Joy xo