So yesterday I blinked and all of a sudden it was Holiday madness. Wha’ happened? I know I may even be late to this party because I’m pretty sure I saw some tinsel in the drugstore isles around 4th of July time.
Every once in a while, we all sit down at Verseo for a potluck type lunch and catch up on our family gossip. During our last one I realized how much fun it is to work for a company that is a family versus a machine. Of course the Filipino marinated steaks with the sweet sticky rice that is sometimes brought in kinda makes it “fun” too (there’s a party in my tummy so yummy, so yummy).
We were discussing our plans for Holiday Offers and promotions and we collectively decided that this year we would let people enjoy their families (and potlucks) as much as possible. You know, get off of email and get back to basics for a bit. So we decided not to start our Holiday Offer emails and promotions until Thanksgiving.
Don’t get us wrong, we hope you’ll be delighted by the offers we have planned but for now, we want you to rest and enjoy the time with your families. Our way of giving thanks! Now go bake some cookies and take a walk with your kids. Yes, the days are getting shorter, but lives shouldn’t be .
Verseo just announced their launch of GrayBan Shampoo. Now it’s even easier to get your natural hair color back without harsh colors or dyes.
Now us ladies, well we may already color our hair, not really to cover gray but because someone somewhere convinced us that highlights and things of this nature are a good idea. I’m starting to regret it given the amount of upkeep this takes. Letting it get back to it’s natural color is very appealing to me. GrayBan helps do just this by bolstering a pigment-like protein much the way melanin works to boost color in your hair and skin.
But many men could really benefit from a gradual darkening of their natural hair color who would never DREAM of coloring or dying their hair.
So I started daydreaming of who would be perfect for Grayban Shampoo and thought about that quirky Mexican alcohol commercial actor. I can’t remember what alcohol it is he pushes but it’s a good ad campaign (my memory is just made of Teflon, not his fault…). When I first saw the Most Interesting Man in the World I was hoping they were not serious or risk being serious cheese-factor. But then I realized it’s basically a spoof and I think it’s great.
So would “The Most Interesting Man In The World” be even MORE interesting if he started using GrayBan? I can’t tell, he’s pretty darn handsome as the salt-n-peppa’ type. But if it starts turning towards the salty-side, I’m thinking having GrayBan Shampoo as a backup, not a bad idea…
My kids started school today. The oldest in 4th grade, the youngest Kindergarten. Other than getting them more “primped’ than I would normally bother (and having my giant tourist camera glued to my face), the day is basically like any other day. Except…. except that it’s not.
I remember being school-aged and taking on each first day of school like a complete restart. WAY more than New Year’s Day, the first day of school was truly “the first day”. The first day to make new friends. The first day to be someone you might want to be that year. The first day to explore that new look. The first day to give yourself new goals. Almost like being able to press life’s “Restart” button.
After college, years weren’t so entwined with school schedules and sure, New Year’s Day could bring on that refresh feeling, but nothing compared to an actual first day of school. Now, as a mom of school-aged kids, my years have gone back to their new calendar years. I don’t even buy calendars in January anymore. My calendars all start in September. It’s when I can fill in schedules and make most of our plans for the year.
I figure, if they get a “restart”, I get a restart too. So this is when I make my own personal schedule. I schedule in my haircuts, figure out my new workout routine, organize how I’ll do meal plans, even try new beauty products. Maybe that’s why I love Fall so much. Restarts are just, well, awesome.
This Fall we have a couple of new products that got their own “restarts”. So if you’re in the midst of making your Fall Restart health and beauty plans, here’s a couple you may want to consider: GrayBan Shampoo. GrayBan Spray has been a long time best-seller so this is a no-brainer. You gradually get back your hair’s natural hair color by promoting a melanin-like protein to be substituted back into the hair follicle. So a shampoo that does the same thing just makes sense. No harsh dyes or crazy colors. Just you the way you were originally designed.
Ibu-Relief12 – OK, so no it’s not a beauty product but the beautiful thing here is that you get anti-inflammatory relief in a soothing cream. I recently was offered Vicodin for a torn muscle. I hate that stuff. Just makes you wacky while you still feel the pain. I turned it down and tried this instead. Did the trick. Soothed my pain exactly where I needed it and I didn’t have to worry about some of the nasty intestinal side-effects of taking in too much ibuprofen internally. Don’t get me wrong, I may be addicted to ibuprofen in general, especially for headaches but I know that stuff can really be caustic to your organs. What a relief to find this alternative. Definitely a “restart” product in my medicine cabinet.
So bring on Fall! I’m ready and very willing. I’ve even started a Fall Restart Pinterest Board to give you ideas for everything from stylish looks, makeup finds, to Halloween decorating! Be sure to follow me on Pinterest to keep updated with my latest finds. (And if you don’t know what Pinterest is, click here to find out more, you’ll love it, promise…).
Do you have any Fall Restart routines or Fall Blog posts? Would love to hear them!
Ahhh, Sunday and we don’t have to get on a plane or fight LA traffic. Another good reason to love #HomeHer11.
But what do I love most about HomeHer? You know how you go to a party and you don’t know very many people so you get yourself a drink and make your way to the back of the room to get a feel for it? HomeHer is the back of the room intro to BlogHer.
HomeHer is a great way to get your feet wet. Sure, some of us would love to go and will go to BlogHer. Some just want the chance to parlay their everyday lives with witty snarky people. It’s harmless fun and along the way, you meet some awesome people with whom you hope to keep in touch. So thank you @BackPackingDad for funneling your creative snarky genius into what I’m guessing will continue. Way not the same without you, but had a life of its own.
140 Character #HomeHer11 RECAP:
PurpleChicken.LaundrySwag.MYLAHMINATE.HairDids.NoHelp.RedDress.Platipodes.Jam.SprinkleCorn.WOTY.
BitchSister.Potter-stache.JustLife.
#HomeHer11 Twitter List
Intense manual labor so apologize if anyone was missed. Best part of list, contains actual people…
#HomeHer11 Blog Follow
I hate typing list. Instead, I just took some great pics from a few HomeHer awesome blogs and started a HomeHer Pinterest board on our Verseo account. (Never heard of Pinterest? Click here). Just click on the images and it will take you to some blogs you might want to follow.
Want to read more about HomeHer? Go here, here, and here.
GRANDE FINALE:
Verseo Celebrity HomeHer11 Picture Montage Video
VERSEO #HOMEHER11 PICTURE CONTEST WINNERS
Hilarious entries, thanks everyone. See all pics at MaryBeauty Verseo Flickr Stream. Below are the list of winners and their prizes. I’ll contact you via Twitter to get your address info.
I’m lucky I work for a great company that let me have my weekend fun. Hopefully you’ll take a moment to take a peek at some of the Verseo products. If you’re interested in reviewing any on your blogs or want to do a giveaway, awesome. Just DM me on Twitter: @marybeauty.
Also please take a moment to visit this great cause to give cancer patients unused gift cards from @eticklethomas: Cancer Card Xchange
And because it’s just NEVER gets old, in case you miss this ridiculously hilarious video from @sixyearitch & @theaumsmama
TOOTOOTOOO! @marybeauty here to announce officially that the HomeHer11 un-conference has started. Invite only. So if you’re NOT GOING TO BLOGHER, you’re invited. If you’re new, please take this moment to look around the cabin and find the nearest exit.
To make it easy for everyone, use hash tag #HomeHer11 on Twitter and you’ll find lots of fun followers. I have a whole column on TweetDeck so I can follow the meyhem.
If you want a little picture thingy for your blog, see my side bar for the code.
There’s even HomeHer FaceBook and a TWUB to follow some of the variations of Non-BlogHer hash tags.
Lots of people are doing Twitter List HomeHer folks are hella fun. Awesome. I’ll post one myself when all is done.
I’ll be happy to RT Twitter parties or any of your needs. Just let me know on Twitter.
Also, post your own HomeHer awesomeness on your blogs. Share it with me and I’ll try to figure out how to do a blog list roll thingy, or maybe not.
Why am I, as a Verseo rep bothering to report and why is Verseo letting me do this?
1) I work from home alone and have not taught the poodle to talk back. He’s close though.
2) I asked if I could do a contest and they said “Uh, what? Who are you again? Yeah, sure whatever..”
3) Have you ever heard of Verseo? Now you have, my job is done.
This year we have a Court:
If you’re feeling the need for a title, all positions except these are open. Just let me know: Queen = @annieology (Must bow upon room entry) Dance Party Queen = @MedlinnieI (You’ll need a designated driver) Princess of Quite-a-Lot = @jencrutch (She may be the next President) Most Loyal Legion = @SchoolmarmDE (Nominated her myself since she was still sporting HomeHer 10 logo) Goddess = @sashalyn (Cuz she’s winning all the time) Kitten = @MagandMoo (You know you’re jealous) Fertility Goddess = @justthe10 (Just TRY to beat her record…) Poodle = @MamaPoodle (Good at making Kitten jealous) Mama Mariachi = @MayhemMatriarch (She can usually be found serenading Beluga Whales. Also has the 411 on all things non-BlogHer) Lady LightBody, Duchess of Laughter = @laosinger (aka Stealth cuz she’s also @laurieanhealing and @ReachThemOnline) Funniest Vlogers On Planet = @theaumsmama and @sixyearitch (Their GETTING READY FOR HOMEHER FASHION TIPS session is required viewing. But get your Depends on first. We have it posted here below but you have to promise to go their Blog sites and comment The Aums and The Six Year Itch.)
Session Leaders: REVEALING YOUR INNER BITCH = @sashalyn (Useful for unruly attendees) HOW TO CREATE AVATARS THAT ROCK = @jillsmo (It’s all about branding yourself) HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 4YR OLD’S MAKEOVER = @gfunkified (Free primping makeover from celebrity 4 yr old’s at this session, register early) COPING WITH LAUNDRY SEPARATION ANXIETY = @purplecrazies (Bring your laundry and she’ll do it for you) KICKIN’ CANCER NINJA STYLE = Co-chairs who totally rock @whymommy & @coffeejitters (HomeHer attendees (remember that’s 7 billion minus 3,500) got your backs something fierce) THE FINER ART OF USING THE SWIFFER WETJET = @alison1L (Please bring BabyBjorn as you will be asked to carry an infant around) MEAL PLANNING FOR SLACKERS = Co-hosted (cuz they’re slacker after all) by @eticklethomas & @kategoodyear (Popular session – dessert served first) THE FINER ART OF USING THE SWIFFER WETJET = @alison1L (Please bring BabyBjorn as you will be asked to carry an infant around)
This year we also have requests. Just because: @MuffinTopMommy needs to get to 2K Twitter followers. Her book clubs rule too. @CrunchyMom needs 1K followers. So wholesome and crunchy she’ll even store Maine blueberries in her tub.
Everyone wants to know how the heck Klout determines influence. Maybe we can find out.
Who else?
Finally, Verseo HomeHer Picture Contest
This is the part where I keep my job. Have you ever had to do a contest where you get thousands of RT of some crappy thing and then have to mindlessly pick a winner? Yeah, me neither. Probably why my Klout score is so low. So I wanted to spend my time doing a contest where I actually have fun.
Please enter our Verseo Picture contest. Post pictures of your crazy-self at HomeHer. It can be your accommodations, the attendees getting rowdy, the fake sessions you attend, be creative. There will be lots of winners and real prizes (see below). Enter the contest on Verseo FaceBook Fan page. At the end, I get to have fun making a video montage of the party shots. Don’t be scared, we don’t sell your data. Yeah, you get put on Verseo Promo email list, goes out once a week. If you don’t like it, unsubscribe and the end. Heck, if you are truly that scared, just post your picture on your blog or Twitter and DM me on Twitter that you would like to have it considered in the contest. This will be one long video if there are only 3 pictures rotating over and over so don’t be shy. Post as often as you want too. And oh, I’ll make you watch it too. Over and over and over….
First. I’m 40 so I can write this without sounding idiotically too young to know what I’m talking about. Second, though these are ideas, the best hairstyle for you regardless of age is what YOU feel fabulous in. Not what some blogger tells you what to look like. You’re 40. You don’t need advice. You give it.
That said, there are still some of us out there that may not have revamped our look since our days of Duran Duran. So you ladies with the puffed out bangs, time for a “you’re-dating-yourself” check. And I don’t mean a nice dinner. Do yourself a favor and just take a peek at these suggestions then give yourself a once over in that gigantic-gold-encrusted-mirrored-sliding closet door of yours (I know, I have one too.). Who knows, you may just unleash that crazy cougar (and I HATE HATE HATE that term…) in you.
Check out the following tips and hairstyles of some of these fabulous ladies (who incidentally are all over 50…). The goal is to appropriately convey your class, wisdom and inner hotness!
Thinning hair normally wears better short. Short hair will take away the emphasis on the body of the hair and focus more on the style and face.
Soft bangs help frame the face and go a long way in taking the focus away from a high forehead or wrinkles.
A side part helps set off any harsh angular features and is almost always a better choice.
Dying your hair with highlights rather than an overall dark color helps keep contrast in check. Hair that is obviously dyed is very aging.
If opting for a longer hairstyle, wearing it up with some hanging wisps help draw the focus upwards without looking overly matronly
Layers that are swept away from the jaw and neckline instead of towards it also add to the allusion of lift
OK, so today it was finalized that I was indeed NOT going to BlogHer11. I’m not bitter. I’M NOT PREGNANT AT AGE 40 AND HORMONAL EITHER!!! I’m not exactly a real blogger anyway right? More like a product rep with a little A.D.D. blogging on the side. But I really, really, really wanted to go to represent Verseo and meet some of the awesome people I’ve met through Twitter, reading blogs and more. So it’s HomeHer for me again this year.
Oh, what’s that? You don’t know what HomeHer is? It’s only the most fantabulous stay-at-home-party attended by only the most bitter fabulous people around. Giving credit where credit is due, HomeHer was started last year by funny dad-blogger @BackPackingDad. He’s selling out and going to BlogHer11. No, I didn’t get his permission to hijack his hilarity but I’m older and wiser and he needs to respect his elders (O Captain My Captain sir…). Besides, #NotGoingToBlogHer is alive and well already…(though hash tag’s a wee bit big for RT no?). Check out this TWUB to see both #HomeHer11 and #NotGoingToBlogHer tweets.
So as I continue to see the Twitterverse all a jitter with BlogHer giddiness, it’s time to take this HomeHer11 thing to the next level kids. We have a voice. It’s hoarse from yelling at our kids but it’s there. So here’s a plan. First, HomeHer11 is invite only….Much like Google+….So if you’re NOT going to BlogHer11, you’re invited. Pass it on.
Verseo is throwing a real life contest to kick this off (who says we don’t have SWAG). I need you to get your fanciest of bunny slippers and bathroom robes and and send away your best HomeHer11 pics. Creativity counts. We may just have my kids pick the winner (note, last year clever lady changed her Twitter Icon to Dora so that she’d win… and she did). When you enter, you could win one of the fabulous Verseo products found below (remember, this is real people). Can’t promise what you’ll get but you’ll get something from list below. Chances are insanely large that you’ll get one of the products. All depends how many enter, and it’s usually very few. PLUS you’ll make the HomeHer11 Celebrity Video Montage. Check out our “100 Warm Feet Campaign” video honoring military spouses. Like that but not as touching.
No we won’t sell your data or anything like that. That’s so year 2000. It’s just good ol’ word-o-mouth fun.
Oh, and @annieology already called Dibs on Queen of #HomeHer11, sorry.
STARTS AUG 1! Just letting you know nice and early so you get the creative juices flowing:
(Note, I know we’re excited but attending a fake conference for TWO WEEKS is um, too much. TOTAL BURN-OUT! So this contest has a respectable start date of August 1, 2011. You won’t see the Contest Entry Form until them but feel free to peruse our FaceBook Fan page anyway or start getting your ideas ready…)
Below are links to the prizes included in this contest.
We strongly encourage you to post away your spectacularliness on your own blogs so others can shake their heads in shock and awe. If you do, send me the link in a comment on this post so I can start a blog roll list thingy.
Contest will run until we have enough footage for a video montage that will feature the fabulous HomeHer11 celebrities and my prize stock is dwindled. So do me a favor and please Re-Tweet or get the word out. I promised my boss this would be a good idea, he’s skeptical…. (Oh, and Like our FaceBook page, Follow Me on Twitter, and buy our products please…then I won’t get fired).
P.S. Oh, and number one rule here, HomeHer11 is not the bitch-sister of BlogHer11 either. No being mean or catty towards BlogHer or its attendees. This is all in good fun. We think BlogHer is doing awesome things and in no way is this a slight towards BlogHer or their attendees.
HomeHer11 ToolKit
1) Use #HomeHer11 hashtag when tweeting your fabulous HomeHer experiences
(Example from last year: “@CrunchyMom – Quesadillas from the Easy Bake oven for lunch…service is slow…#HomeHer10″)
2) Add the HomeHer11 Twibbon to your Twitter profile pic and let the world know you are IN.
3) Use the HomeHer11 button on your blog (thank you @marcymassura for original image)
4) Follow HomeHer11 TWUB if TweetDeck or whatever isn’t working for ya (thank you @theslynch)
SQUEEE! Look what came in the mail today! No, not BlogHer badge and drink tickets...
And whoever created last year’s HomeHer FaceBook and Twitter accounts, hope you can keep it fresh for us!
Oh, and if you want to follow some really funny people, BackPacking Daddy was kind enough to amass a HomeHer10 Twitter list last year (Part 1, and Part 2).
Gotta go. My fancy wife-beater is on the dingy side and needs a wash. Want to look my best for this shin-dig WOOT!
If you had been hiding under actual life like I had been, then you too may not know what Pinterest is. I recently found it and well, I’m hooked. So no worries my friends, I’m here to make sure you spend the remainder of your possible free time “Pinning” away the hours while laundry remains to be folded and calls need returning. Pinterest is basically a smorgasbord of eye-candy. Think of it as perusing hundreds of magazines and getting to rip out the pages of all the ones you wanted to go back and read or look at later. AND THEN, getting to see all the thousands of pages your friends or anyone you think has the same basic taste as you ripped out. Pure awesomeness.
Need ideas for baby rooms? Done. The perfect party hors d’oeuvres? Hundreds. Ideas for that bridal shower your throwing? You’ll be the hit (provided they’re not following you on Pinterest and now know exactly what you have planned, bummer). Basically you set up an account. Don’t be afraid. I don’t know how they’re making their money either but it’s Silicon Valley. They’ll get a plan EVENTUALLY. Look at Zillow. For now, I doubt they’re wanting your email to squander it away by getting you on a mailing list. That’s so 2000..
Anyway, after setting up an account, you can put a Pin It tag in your web browser tool bar. Then as you browse the Web, look at Blogs etc. if you find that perfect (place name here), then you click on your Pin It browser link, it will pull up the images on that page, then you pin the picture you were looking at. It will place it in your Pinterest account where you can create Boards (like folders) so you can get organized. Later if you want to refer to the web page where the image came from, just click on it from your Pinterest board, and it will bring you back to the Web page where you pinned from. I don’t know about you, I’m a visual person and Book Marks just didn’t do it for me. I couldn’t remember diddly squat. But a picture? Yup, a thousand words…
What’s especially fun is just browsing through Pinterest itself. I don’t know why, but for now almost 99% of of the content is incredibly creative, visually appealing, and way cool. I’m waiting to see if the site draws critical mass to start seeing less inspiring visuals. EVERYONE can’t possibly be this cool and creative can they?
If you’re reading this, then presumably now you’ve heard of Verseo and will check out some of our great health and beauty products. But we want to find out more about you! So don’t be shy, follow my boards on Pinterest if they catch your fancy, or go ahead and tell me it’s way off base. Either way we want to hear from you. And by all means, if you get a Pinterest account, let me know so I can follow you and waste even MORE time! I’m always interested in what is happening out there and that gets hard from behind a computer screen. Or maybe we’ll be inspired by a hot trending topic and will look into sourcing the right product to meet your needs.
Happy Pinning and may the force be with you (to stop you from being addicted)…
I’m not sure at what age I started loving weddings.
I think it has to do with the sad fact that sometimes as you get older, have your family, need more sleep, hanging out and having fun takes a deep decline. So like many thirty-somethings and above, weddings become our “hang-out”. I love everything about weddings from the color choices, the dresses, the food, the musics, the intense emotion, you name it!
And I also want to look my best. Weddings to me are like summer’s New Year’s resolutions. I prepare my dress, start working out, maybe do a little tanning, get my haircut, and strive to look fantastic. I’m not sure why since really everyone is rightfully focused on the happy couple. But it still makes me feel good so I don’t deny myself that pleasure. Verseo sells a few products that I’ll definitely be using to get myself ready for weddings this season (3 so far!).
Below are some of my favorites:
* First there is the Hollywood Detox Body Wrap – This wrap is meant to help release toxins from your body as you spread the detoxifying clay on your body then wrap the area. Just like those used in spas, the wrap also helps lose inches from the areas you’ve wrapped allowing you to look extra fabulous.
* Next there is the Enhance Breast Forms – Sometimes you need a little lift to get that outfit just right. Verseo’s Enhance Breast Forms are unique in that they have a silicone look and feel that you slip into your bra to increase you cup size up to two sizes. They are comfortable and very natural. Love these!
* Finally on my personal favorite list is the Eight Hour Line Eraser – This little serum is perfect for a day/night event where you want to look your best. The serum brushes on over fine wrinkles. Unlike other anti-aging serums, this one actually fills in the lined areas and seals them for up to eight hours. Instantly take years off! Amazing.
Raise your hand if you think George Clooney is pretty sweet on the eyes {hand raised}? To color or age gracefully. That is the question.
Here’s my take. When I’m ready to age gracefully, I will do so with abandon. I will be one graceful gray-haired lady oozing with class and composure. But for now and at my age, aging isn’t that graceful. Frankly, you have to be a “George Clooney” for you to be BETTER looking with the salt-n-pepper hair (and don’t you agree he has aged, very, very well?) So what’s my solution? GrayBan by Verseo.
I don’t love to color my hair. Yes, I’ve done it and sometimes the color is just perfect and I feel fabulous. But most of the time I leave feeling like I had just flushed $100+ dollars down the drain and now I’m stuck continuously flushing so my “roots” don’t look crazy.
I’m not the do-it-yourself type when it comes to coloring my hair. I have visions of stained vanities and purple looking frocks that keep me from really going on a limb. So when I heard about Verseo’s GrayBan I was intrigued.
I’ve talked about this before in a previous post but it’s worth re-mentioning. As we age, melanin, the protein responsible for “color” in our bodies stars to wear down. Think of it as your body’s crayon. You start getting to that nubby edge, and well say hello to gray hair. GrayBan works with your body to help bolster the production of melanin. So no, GrayBan isn’t just a spray with color in it. It’s a clear spray that you apply to your hair. After a few treatments, your body bolster production of melanin and your hair will renew that beautiful hair color you were born with. Say wha? Yes, this means GrayBan works with any hair color. Your restoring YOUR hair color, not dying it. How lovely is that! Now because it is helping to produce melanin, you want to be careful about not spraying your skin etc. because your skin, which also contains melanin, will also go into overdrive and no, you won’t get a lovely looking tan from it. And as appealing as it may seem, do not spray your cat with it to see what will happen. I don’t know what will happen but that’s just mean.
Now for the even more exciting news. GrayBan has just been reformulated so that you will start to see results in as little as THREE DAYS! What used to take a few weeks now can take THREE DAYS! Don’t believe me? Well won’t hurt to try. Verseo offers a money back guarantee on all of their products. If you are not satisfied with the results, just return unused portion and you’ll be refunded cost of product less shipping. FAR cheaper than the continuous cycle of hair-damaging coloring you’ve been used to I’d say.
So yesterday I blinked and all of a sudden it was Holiday madness. Wha’ happened? I know I may even be late to this party because I’m pretty sure I saw some tinsel in the drugstore isles around 4th of July time. 
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