Improving on the OCM

Posted on November 2, 2012 by The Giddy Tigress

Now if you have not tried the Oil Cleansing Method or easier pronounced as the OCM, you’re definitely missing out.  That’s just my point of view though.

I blogged about how the OCM made my skin feel cleaner, more refreshed and helped unclogged my stubborn blackheads.  However, since I started on the OCM months ago, I am pleased to say that I have improved on it on several counts.

Firstly, I have added some essential oil to my cleansing oil mixture.  I used lavender essential oil, but you know, if you’re trying to combat serious acne, I would say tea tree oil would work a charm.  The lavender leaves a calming fragrance when I use it and helps to somewhat mask the smell of the canola and castor oil.  Just 1-2 drops would do the trick.

Also, I recently changed my OCM a wee bit, but it yielded great results.  Before, I had only used the hot water from my shower when I did the OCM, but I found that my skin was still getting congested and I had periodic acne appearing.  I am not sure if it is my hormones but I knew I had to do something.  So I figured it might be that the water was not at the right temperature.

Now, I heat up a pot of water before my shower and bring it into the bathroom with me.  It only takes less than 5 minutes because you don’t need boiling hot water, just hot enough to create steam without scalding your face.  I adjust the temperature to suit myself by adding cold water from the tap, if necessary.  I then use the washcloth to cleanse my face after the application of the cleansing oil.

This method might involve extra steps in heating up the water and washing the pot thereafter, but believe you me, the difference is really…WOW!!  My skin certainly feels smoother than before, and acne spots clear up on their own almost overnight.  Even the pores appear to have diminished!

So if you haven’t tried this before, go ahead and give it a go…like me, you might just like it!  And for the sake of vanity, we women would do most anything, yeah? 🙂

Posted in The Fairer Sex, Thoughts & Scribblings | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Having Popcorn at Home

Posted on November 2, 2012 by The Giddy Tigress


We were out at Gurney Plaza on the cinema floor just last week, and as soon as we walked past the concession stands, the aroma of freshly popped caramel popcorn hit our senses. My kids exclaimed, “Yummy, I can smell POPCORN!” It’s free smells even though we were not getting any that day.

For me, watching a movie is synonymous with stuffing myself full of popcorn…errr…figuratively speaking, of course. Seriously though, what is a movie without popcorn? My kids love it and let’s face it, it’s one of the reasons why the younger ones can sit still for two hours in the cinema…or at least until the popcorn runs out!

A movie is not complete without popcorn, and perhaps that is why when we watch our DVDs at home, the tummy cries out for it. In fact, I think every household should have a spot dedicated to something like vending machines popcorn, where we they can go and get popcorn whenever they want to, without ever leaving the house. To make it more authentic, and to prevent misuse and “popcorn overdose”, you could charge a nominal fee for the popcorn and then the money would be put into a household fund to be used for home furnishing purposes, as an example.

I thought this idea was just a figment of my imagination, but I recently found out that popcorn vending machines such as these can be found here. There are different sizes of machines to cater to every space imaginable, and you can also buy all the supplies needed for making popcorn. Shop now if you want that extra ooomph in your home or to jazz it up for a party or celebration! I bet it would be a tremendous hit with everyone!

Hmmm…I wonder if they have my all-time favorite caramel flavored popcorn?

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Eight Years Ago

Posted on October 30, 2012 by The Giddy Tigress


Scrap Credits
Shades of Grey kit by XCenedra Designs
Not Too Shabby Alpha by Shabby Princess
Boxed Words by Chantal Taake

Eight years ago, I walked down that aisle

Eight years ago, face to face with that smile…

My love, my confidante, my soul mate and friend

My heart is yours, from thence till the end.

 

Posted in Close to Heart & Home, Relax & Celebrate, Thoughts & Scribblings | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Transformation

Posted on October 25, 2012 by The Giddy Tigress

Scrap Credits
Not Too Shabby – Penelope kit by Shabby Princess
Not Too Shabby – Memory Lane element by Shabby Princess
Not Too Shabby Alpha by Shabby Princess
Acrylic Alpha by A Work in Progress
Basic Chipboard Alpha by Design by Dani

Now that I am in my second trimester, it definitely feels way better than what it felt during the first few weeks.  At least I eat better now and I am less tired.  Also, the nausea has gone (hopefully for good) and I can cook again (hubby is more than happy to know that).

However, I do feel “transformed” as most pregnant women would feel.  I’d thought it would feel the same but I feel somehow different, though I can’t put my finger on it. (Pssst…the photo above was taken close to 3 weeks ago)

  • Baby bump has grown (but of course!), and my innie belly button is slowly but surely beginning to become an outie.
  • Boob size increase (good)… but butt size increase (not so good)
  • Blemishes and intermittent pimples on face, due to hormonal changes.
  • Itchy skin, especially around belly area.  Using my favorite stretch oil to minimize this.
  • Slightly healthier and fuller hair felt.  Hopefully this is a permanent feature.
  • Still waiting for that “pregnant glow” to set in.

I do feel healthier this pregnancy around though, must be the workouts I have been keeping up at the gym.  I’ve lowered my weights and I tend to get tired more easily, but I’m listening to my body all the time, taking a rest when I need to, and fueling my body with plenty of fluids.

I tried RPM (spinning) again last week and was horrified to discover that I can no longer cycle properly anymore, because every time my legs move up, it touches my expanding belly.  Might it be a seating position on the bike we can adjust?  Well, thankfully today I tried again with readjusting the seat position (I needed a higher handle position!), and it was great.

Looking forward to the coming months!

Posted in Parenting & Motherhood, Thoughts & Scribblings | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Second Trimester, Here I Come!

Posted on October 20, 2012 by The Giddy Tigress

Two weeks ago, I had my second OB-GYN checkup.  At that time, I must have been in my 11th or 12th week of pregnancy.  I had been eagerly awaiting this checkup because it would mean getting nearer and nearer to the end of the horrific 1st trimester, and also I was excitedly waiting to get a glimpse of the little bub.

We again brought both Ethan and Hannah along, and we were all rewarded with ultrasound images of the little one lying down and being active all at the same time.  We even saw the baby punching and kicking!  🙂

Gaining about 0.5-1kilo since the past visit, the entire amount of it in the past week only, I told the doc that the nausea “seemed” to be getting better.  My appetite was slowly coming back and at least now I could drink some milo with milk, without puking.

Anyhow, I might have spoken a little too soon, because that very same night, I had a bout of throwing up again.  SIGH.

Well, nothing serious anyway since that incident, and it certainly does appear that my appetite has improved.  I’m able to take more whole grain buns and fruits.  Also, I have begun to cook a little at a time, although raw meat still gives me the shivers.  All in good time, I guess.

My energy levels have increased a little too, and although I am still doing Body Pump sessions about twice a week, I’m slowly gonna cut down on the weights.  I’m gonna attempt RPM (spinning) next week at a low intensity level.

Oh yeah, so we finally broke the news to our parents and siblings, and they are thrilled!  I’ve also told a few of my friends and of course my gym instructors (just so I don’t get PUSHED too much..hehe).  My bump is still not showing a LOT yet, but I’ve stored my regular jeans away for the time being.  I’ve dug out my maternity clothes and undergarments and have given them the customary wash, though I can’t exactly fit into them YET.

Oh..and I should be starting to put on my anti-stretch marks oil soon too.

~This post was drafted  September 8th 2012~

Posted in Close to Heart & Home, Parenting & Motherhood, The Fairer Sex | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments