Shop With Zoe!

Newsflash! I love to shop. I also like really expensive things - however, you guys know that unless it's Louis Vuitton or an accessory like a Hermes H belt, I never pay full price for anything - let all the other people do it and reap the benefits by shopping consignment shops! One of my favorites is Zoe's on 626 East Kentucky in Denver on the West side of Wash Park!

 I met them back in the day when they were looking for a location and looking at the space next to my antique store. That would have been trouble! :) Harper and Zoe work the shop and they buy awesome things and offer them at great prices. Here is a list of designers they buy and sell,  I have bought fantastic shoes, a great Missoni top, and jeans here. I have also sold them a lot of my things as well - generally always for a store credit.

 One time I was eyeing a cute Kate Spade bag and then it said sold.

I didn't think about it again until at convention in New Orleans, my beautiful friend Catherine showed up with it!! Glad she snagged it!

 So every year they have a "10 Dollar Bag Sale" where you literally pay 10 bucks for a bag and can fill it to the brim!! It's seriously UH-MAZING.

Women come through and buy 10 bags. I would! Unfortunately, I got there on day two which I will never make that mistake again. Even though almost everything was gone, I still got tons of great things. Here is a sampling of the tags I removed from all the clothes I picked out. Check out my savings!

  For my $20 bucks, I got 6 pairs of designer jeans, several other awesome pieces with tags still attached, a great $135.00 Ann Taylor dress, $75.00 J Crew shorts, a $85.00 Ralph Lauren top for my Mom...and I don't even know what else. I just grabbed whatever looked awesome. Almost everything had it's original tags. Check out my bags! My Gucci tote photo bombed my picture but I was in a hurry.

If you haven't been here, check them out. They are closed today and tomorrow getting ready for their fall preview which is on this Saturday the 1st. Check them out! Here is their website.

XO,
Rachel

Life Stuff. Life Is About Love.

When I was 14, I used to think I would grow up to be a teacher. When my Mom came home from church one day, she said they were desperate for teachers for the Sunday school class on Sundays at my church where I went to grade school. My Mom was excited - she thought it would be a great way for me to get experience teaching and see if that's what I really wanted to do. I agreed but was reluctant they would take me on as I hadn't even started high school. I remember being so nervous when I went to Religious Education office for my interview. Mrs. Lucero greeted me with a warm smile and hug and we had a great conversation. We talked about anything and everything. I remember her saying that All Souls Church had never hired someone as young as I but she had faith I could lead and teach the kids. She thought I had a strong spirit and maturity about me - something I didn't see in myself at the time but was flattered nonetheless.

That first year teaching was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I have ever done. The feeling of commitment, accomplishment, and pride I got from giving of my time was indescribable. Over the years, I graduated to teaching 4th, 5th and 6th grade. We did countless lessons, plays, field trips, service projects. 

I really threw myself into my work and it became a part of who I was. It just became something I did. 

I remember three years ago, Mrs. Lucero asked me to come into the office before classes were going to start. She asked if I would teach Confirmation class - the dreaded 8th grade. It's the hardest class to teach with the largest time commitment. They didn't have anyone teach more than a year or two that would want to come back. It was quite a tough job and undertaking as I understood it. She said they needed me. The kids needed someone that was young and had some fire left in them. I always felt that if she had the faith that I could do it, and do it well, then there must be a reason. It must mean I could - and I did.

I remember when Mrs. Lucero came into my classroom after I was done teaching one Tuesday night. We were alone and chatting about class and upcoming plans and then she shared with me that she was diagnosed with liver cancer and that she was going to start treatment. This was doubly hard for me because around the same time, my mother had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and was undergoing chemo therapy treatments as well. I hugged Mrs. Lucero. She was strong and calmed me right away, telling me that she was going to be just fine and what I could do for her was continue my great work with my class. Her concern was for the kids but she felt ok going to treatment because she knew they were in good hands.

The last year I taught Confirmation, I did it for Mrs. Lucero. Due to her treatments and health, she wasn't there for a lot of my last year but she was still with me in my mind with every class. 

The last time I saw Mrs. Lucero was in May when my kids graduated. I was beaming with excitement. My kids graduated and as their teacher, I felt like a proud Mom. I baked them from scratch and we worked really hard. 

Mrs. Lucero was in the back of the cafeteria and I rushed up to her - so excited to see her. She started crying when I embraced her. She told me how thankful she was for me and as much as she did that, I kept telling her how thankful I was for her. She hired me as a wide eyed freshmen in high school 13 years ago and here I was - graduating my 3rd Confirmation class. I thanked her for having faith in me and always pushing me to move forward and never give up. After Mrs. Lucero left All Souls when she got too sick, things changed for me. It was still a great program but with new the changes, new people, and no Mrs. Lucero, I decided to put my teaching career on hold but I walked away a better person.

Mrs. Lucero never gave up. She always kept her faith, her positivity, and her easy way about understanding life. Often times she would write that she didn't understand why she had to go through certain things in life as she did but she never doubted why God put her through it. She always knew He had a plan for her. When Mrs. Lucero passed away, she took a piece of me with her. I've spent half my life with her, there is a void and more than anything, Mrs. Lucero was my friend and I loved her. 

Her friendship was a gift not only for me but the countless lives she touched and I will always miss her.

Mr. Lucero was Mrs. Lucero's biggest fan. He volunteered with her and even though she is gone, he still teaches at All Souls - a men's group on Sunday mornings. He always picked her up and dropped her off at Church everyday and they were married since high school - over 30 years. She was the first girl he ever dated.

It's been 10 months since her funeral. Yesterday, Mr. Lucero walked into my store. I haven't seen him since Mrs. Lucero's funeral in October though he's been in my thoughts constantly. We talked about life and what's been going on. I could tell that every word he said was gripping with emotion and even talking about his bride since high school was hard. He explained that their house is filled with things and he doesn't know what is worth money and what isn't. He doesn't know what he should donate back to the church or what to sell or how to sell it. He doesn't know what's old, new, silver, or antique or reproduction. He's finally in a place where he can start to go through her things but doesn't know where to start. The medical bills are overwhelming and this is something he needs to do.

He said he doesn't know anyone to do this that he can trust and asked if I could and that he would be glad to pay me whatever my appraisal fee is. 

Normally an assignment like this would pay my mortgage for the month but of course I told him that I'd be honored to help him - free of charge. He deserves my time. This is someone who has given back so much and he is a kind and gentle soul.  

I'm thankful for so many things. I'm thankful I can practice some Grace. I'm thankful that I have the gift I do in my industry to help him. My job is what he needs right now and I can provide him comfort in the best way I know how. I'm thankful he came to me. It's a delicate situation and the best thing he needs is someone who is close to the situation to help him through this hard part. He needs someone who understands what her things mean. Monetary worth and sentimental worth are totally different things when something was important to someone you loved. He needs someone that gets the gravity of her premature parting. 

Tuesday I will go to the house. That saying that life works in mysterious ways is so true. Who knew things would fall together like this. 

My most fulfilling experiences are ones I do just to do - not for attention or Facebook. I thought about keeping this one to myself but felt compelled to write. I love sharing life stuff. The stuff that sticks with us the rest of our lives - the fabric that binds us together as a humanity. Our experiences shape who we are and who we want to become. We are always evolving. It reminds me what life is about: life is about love. It's about who you love but more importantly, it's about how you love.

XO,

Rachel 

Dior Airflash Spray Foundation Review

So when I see something on TV or in the mall that I think, "That looks cool, I might try that sometime!" I put it onto this little note on my phone to remind me later. One that has been on there for about a month was Dior's Airflash Spray on foundation after I saw a thing on the Today show about how AMAZING it is. They said it looked like you were airbrushed like from a magazine after putting it on and it was so easy and convenient. They said it will change your life. Those are strong words when talking about foundation so it sparked my interest.

It's a little pricy at $62.00 but most designer or high end foundations are around this price so that didn't phase me too much but it's in a little bottle so I am thinking that it's going ti run out quickly. I was told it would last about 3 months. I had read so many positive reviews, I thought, "eh, what the hell" and bought a bottle at Nordstrom after talking to an associate about it and trying it. I also had in the back of my mind that spray on foundation has the potential to be total DISASTER.

I couldn't wait to try it fresh in the morning. I had tried it at the counter but since I already had makeup on, I couldn't get a real idea. So the next morning, I sprayed it in a "Z motion" as I was instructed about 10 inches from my face. When I pulled the bottle down and looked in the mirror, I was - airbrushed - kind of reminiscent of spray paint. I looked like a version of Johnny Depp in his new creepy movie.

It was also on my lips and in my eyebrows. I am not sure how to get around that because you are supposed to spray it directly on your face and how would you cover your eyebrows? Even if you could, what a hassle! I took my kabuki brush and blended it and then applied my face powder.

It works totally fine but not worth the expense in my opinion. It was a fun idea because I don't like getting foundation on my hands but you have to use your hands to blend anyway and oddly, it doesn't have an SPF which is super important. I have have given it a solid month and tried applying it from every angle and every amount from light to a lot and I have never thought once, "oh this product is amazing".  The SPF thing is also huge for me. A a recent work trip, my Mom used it and halfway through the day I remember looking at her and I asked he if she has used it because she looked like she had too much makeup on.

I say, skip it.

Some of my favorite foundations that are expensive but worth it are:

1) Chanel Pro Lumiere but I think it's discontinued! Sad days. I bought my last one on eBay.

2) Smashbox High Definition Healthy Foundation

A great cheaper drugstore foundation that I have bought MANY times is L'Oreal's True Match! It's about $10.00 a bottle and a great product!

Remember, always take off your makeup at night, no matter how tired you are!

XO,
Rachel

Has Someone Ever Done Something And You Thought, "This Blows My Mind!"? (I love this!)

Pearly Whites!

I am obsessed with a lot of things but one of the biggest ones is teeth. It's kind of annoying for me to be obsessed with teeth because I analyze everyone's. Like if you have ever talked to me in person, I have completely analyzed your teeth. My close friends and family, I could probably draw theirs because I have everything about them memorized.

My teeth have always been pretty good and definitely never stained or yellow. I am one of those patients that come in for the teeth whitening and probably the last person that needs it. The Dentist even said that the people that come in and get the treatments are the ones that need it the least!

I know I am borderline uncomfortably obsessed but I don't care because I can't help it. I have been this way my whole life. Bad/yellow teeth on a guy are a major thing for me. It's just something I can't deal with or live with. I would die alone in my condo if the last guy on Earth had creepy teeth.

The whole point of my blog is this amazing photo I took of myself while processing.

Today, I got mine bleached. I go to Aloha Dental and this is the "Zoom" bleach. It lightens then 1-3 shades. I am tempted to do the hard core bleach which lightens them 10 shades but mine would probably glow in the dark if I did.

I almost had to spit out this face thing when I took this picture. Seriously the dentist came in to see what I was laughing at and if I was OK and I showed her my phone.

I use everything from Crest strips, whitening toothpaste, all the stuff.

If you or someone you are close enough with to tell them they have yellow teeth, for God sake tell them to take care of it. It's so flipping important!! If yours aren't that bad - two great products for at-home teeth whitening are hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. While this may sound a bit odd, since hydrogen peroxide is usually used to clean out cuts and scrapes, it does work. Next time you’re out shopping, look at the ingredients in a few high priced teeth whiteners and toothpastes. A lot of the time these products include hydrogen peroxide and/or baking soda.

However, if you have YELLOW or GRAY or the oh so creepy inconsistent colors that I see on children and young people - or European looking teeth from whatever you've smoked or drank over the years, get those suckers BLEACHED at your dentist. If you can't afford fancy bleaching, cut back on other things and afford it. I am not going to skirt or be easy around this one. It's a worthwhile investment.


XO,
Rachel

High Five For Friday!

Hey Friends! It's been a bit since I did a HFFF post and I got a hankerin' to do one!

This past week has been a busy one for me but I have a lot to be thankful for!

1) Last Saturday was my Summer Festival on Antique Row. I worked my butt off organizing the event with television spots, magazine ads, huffing my butt up and down the block getting the other dealers on board. The event happens every year and now that I am Director of Marketing for Antique Row, it has to be AB FAB so I am thankful with the turnout. Here are a couple pics from my event!After it was over, I went into that depression that brides get after their wedding. WHAT do I do with my life now that I don't have a huge event to plan?!! (I think I will be OK! :)

2) At the event, my fab friend Jamie came and WON one of the best giveaways! A $100.00 gift card to the Antique Exchange! It was awesome!

3) My cousin Sara and I had THE most amazing Pho at my favorite place on Tuesday - I can't even pronounce it but it's on Federal and Alameda.

4) Sara and I went on thrift store crawl and I picked up the cutest silk Ellen Tracy to for $2.50

5) This weekend I start my first promos running around as the cute beer girl for MillerCoors. Pretty excited about that - I will dedicate a whole blog to my experience! Wish me luck!

Have a wonderful weekend Lovelies!

XO,
Rachel

Life's Little Lessons 2012 (So Far)

Hey Friends! So every year, I start off the year with a list of lessons that I learned the year before. My list is getting kind of long - and very interesting for 2012 so I thought I would stare what I have so far. What are some of your favorite small or big lessons? 

• Perhaps selling an engagement ring to a guy isn't the best way to meet said guy.

• To piggy back on that, albeit amazingly fun, its not generally a great idea to get engaged on a third date at the big game.

• Do, however, go to Vegas on the second date.

• Sometimes in life, you gotta just have that "what the hell" experience because you might not have it again. Live your life for you and worry about the details later.

• One detail that is a non negotiable - when your boyfriend tells you that tonight you're going to "take the Pain Train to Pound Town" run like hell girl. I'll come pick you up!

• Putting every single detail of your life on Facebook gets a fantastical response but WILL bite you in the butt. If you do it, prepare to reap the consequences.

• Thrift stores in Pasadena Texas are some of the best in the world.

• The Ritz Carlton in Vail is nice but I'd rather be with my cousin in a tent.

• Follow your instincts. Don't do something that feels wrong - no matter how deep you've already gotten. Stop and take a second - and turn around. Those who matter won't mind.

• I was born for a career in television.

• It's great to have a ton of friends that want to ride with you in the limo but cherish the friends that will still go on the bus with you when the limo breaks down.

• More soda, less vodka!

• Hitting the gym and cleaning up my diet did wonders for my body and mind.

• Essie makes the best nail polish!

• Everything is ok in moderation - except married men.

• Write thank you notes - even for a small gesture. They often times mean the most.

• If you are reading this and you're a virgin, save it girl. It's not worth it and the right man will wait.

• Do the extra work that comes along, even if you have to sacrifice - especially if it will build your skill set for the future.

• When dating, be upfront and honest about how you are feeling. People appreciate and deserve that.

• I still love throwing down in New Orleans. What a blast!

• Hold yourself accountable for your actions but learn to forgive yourself with the same commitment. The ladder is hardest for me.

• Animals are one of God's greatest gifts. Treat them with dignity if you hunt and always greet your pets when you come in the room.

• Get several opinions before making a decision you are unsure about.

• Witnessing your best friend getting engaged is one of the greatest thrills! Plus getting to be a MOH for the 2nd time. Congratulations Andy and Vicky!

• Blogging is a fantastic outlet for expression.

• I love my Facebook family. They make my life a lot more fun.

• I've learned to be kinder than necessary - especially at work with strangers. You never know what they are battling.

• Moroccan Oil is crucial for my hair. I freaking love it.

• I'll never delete the numbers in my phone of people I love that passed away. 

• Blackberry girl for life! Don't judge me!

• Doritos Locos Tacos are sex. Try them!

• Hot Tools makes an amazing curling iron.

• I'm happy for my friends victories.

• I decided to put what I "should have" on the shelf and be happy with what I do have. I've never felt so free!

Here is to a great rest of 2012!

XO,
Rachel