Not just a "makeup diet"

My last post was about how my skin was looking like crap, and how I intended to wear only paraben-free makeup. I attributed the chemicals in regular makeup for the dry patches on my face. Not to mention tired looking skin. I didn't even imagine there was a bigger underlying condition. I knew I had psoriasis, but I didn't fathom th impact it was about to have in my life. Psoriasis is genetic, although it can skip generations. There are many types of psoriases, including psoriasis arthritis. You can experience one or more at any time. Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease. There is no cure for it, but there is treatment. The skin cells develop at a faster rate than normal, hence red, silvery dry patches. Basically, your body starts attacking itself. Stress, colds, flu, and certain foods can cause a flareup. Or it just flareups whenever it perceives a toxin. It is not contagious! I had the worst flareup in my life. My skin hurt all over. The dry patches on my body were uncontrollable. There was no relief, and I made it worse by scratching. My skin was so irritated and sensitive.Soon, my joints started hurting, I could barely move, or do everyday chores. I hurt inside and out. I can't wear certain clothes brecause they hurt my skin. I was sleeping in pain, and waking up in pain. I would cry and ask God to just let me die. The worst was that my daughter saw me in pain, and even had to help me with simplest chores. The dry patches on my face became worse and turned red. I had to completely change my skincare, and makeup routine. And even with makeup on, I just didn't look or feel like me! I had to turn down job offeers, and interviews. I saw only a few people, and even then I wanted to hide with embaressment because of the spots that were noticeable. So, instead of a makeup diet, I had to change my eating habits. I plan on writing another post about the dietary changes I made. I am slowly healing. Sometimes, certain foods start a flareup, but I'm getting it under control. What most people don't know is that psoriasis isn't just something that shows up on your skin, it can change the quality of your life. I don't want to be ashamed to have it. And I never want it to rule my life!

My makeup diet!

I've been thinking that I've been wearing too much makeup lately! lol, okay I don't wear makeup like the pcture above. Nor do I BITE people! Can you tell what I was for Halloween? I love playing with makeup. But it always happens that after a while my skin starts looking like crap underneath it all. I don't know if it's because traditional makeup is full of crap itself. We all know traditional makeup is full of parabens, and other chemicals we can't pronounce. Anyhoo, I'm on a mineral makeup diet, which means that instead of "fat-free" it has to be at least "paraben free". I am on a mission! :)

The Margarita Skirt

So, this is the wrap skirt I made that I lovingly named The Margarita Skirt. I have all kinds of plans for it when spring/summer arrives yet again. Maybe I'll wear it on a stroll at Navy Pier, or with a white cotton tank on a field trip to the zoo, or on a hot date with black heels! But I will definetely be lounging around in it, sipping margaritas on a warm summer day...or night, without a care in the world :)

The apple of my eye!

Yes I made her wear this bow! I knew it was made for her as soon as I saw it! And it's pink, my favorite color, lol. Okay, maybe I wanted to wear it! Oooooo it's so cute! She felt so silly wearing it, that's why she's cracking up in this picture. She called it a "doggie bow". haha!

Happiness is Beautiful!

I couldn't think of a better way to write my first post than by sharing this picture my muchachita took with her Nikon camera. It reminds me to look for all the beauty in this world, even in the smallest things like this feather! She saw something special and captured it. Are we capturing those moments in our own lives? I try to! I am not always good at being an optimist, lol. I have more downs than ups, like most people on earth. But I believe you have to find the beauty in your life. It can be a hobby, your career, your children, etc. And it can be small things like your favorite color, your favorite perfume, dinner with friends, your faith in God or the Universe, your desire to help people or just simply to be happy. Whatever makes you feel happy and brightens up your days, don't let anyone take that away from you. I have seen how suspicious people are of "happy" people, lol. It's sad that happiness is almost reserved for special occasions, and innapropriate at other times. I have been judged by MANY for being a little goofy, a little too happy, or different, and not in a good way in their eyes. It makes you want to close yourself off, and live in your own shell. I am very aware that some may think I am an airhead or naive.When I was younger, I may not have been able to be the person I wanted to be. Hurtful and judgemental people can stifle you. But I am wiser now! I am a mommy now! And I don't want anyone to stifle my child. And you teach by example. If I am true to myself, then she'll have a better chance of being true to herself, and make better choices than I did. Being happy isn't about not being sad sometimes or trying to be perfect. It's about loving yourself, and loving the world, and the space you inhabit. So, my blog is my little piece of heaven. It is a beauty blog about beauty products, and makeup but it's also about alot of other kinds of beauty!  Gosh I love this pic my muchachita took! It's beautiful just like her little soul! It gets me all warm inside :)