Unconventional and "my why"

Business starter kits and my reason for getting involved with selling R+F.... 

Today was the cut-off day for my ability to purchase a starter kit with R+F.  They let you sign up for just a really small fee but then HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend you purchase a kit to help you get started with your new business. Well, I didn't have the cash to make the big purchase. I wanted to - oh how I wanted to. Since I've been using the R+F products I've been jonesing for more, I want them ALL, and they would have been at an AMAZING discount, as in I really couldn't afford NOT to buy it.  But I couldn't do it. I don't have it, I can't borrow it and it wasn't possible, so I didn't. So here's to starting the way they DON'T recommend. Here's to selling without a load of samples to show. Here's to proving to top salesperson so and so that I will do this the unconventional way and still succeed.

This leads me to "my why".  R+F suggests you write down why you are in this business. Why it's important to you to be a part of this.  I think this is a great idea.  My why has changed a 100x in the past month since I started. But today, I came up with another part that I'm hoping I'll be able to make a difference with.  With R+F they have a "spotlight on success" newsletter they send out a few times a year. I was reading it today and there is a lady on there that contributes 50% of every Rodan + Fields paycheck to a micro-loan foundation to help women begin their own entrepreneurial businesses. Awesome idea!! How many people don't ever give their ideas or dreams a chance because of lack of finances.  This isn't exactly going to be part of my why, but it's the inspiration behind a part of my why. So why? Why am I doing this?  First and foremost I'm doing this because I would LOVE great skin. I would love to look young and vibrant for many many many more years to come. I also would LOVE to be able to make some extra cash.  To take a vacation when we wanted to, to bring our daycare on our vacation, to buy a certain something, to have a huge nest egg, to comfortably send my kids to the schools we want from now through college, and lastly my latest addition to be able to take a % of my earnings and use it to help someone.  Someone, anyone, everyone :).  I have said so many times I wish I could do more for others, help pay for something, cover a lunch, coffee, dinner, random gift without thinking 2x how it's affecting my personal bottom line.

So like I've said before, this blog isn't to convince you of anything other than an honest look at how my new adventure is working out for me, but I felt like if I made "my why" a little more public, it would help keep me driven to prove I can make this work without breaking the bank to do so.

Where have you been?

To my few faithful followers out there, I'm still here!! I've just come across a couple road blacks for the time being.  First and foremost - my camera is taking CRAPPY pictures.  How in the world am I going to show if this stuff really works as amazingly as I say it does, if I can't give you good pictures to confirm it.  So I've hired a professional... well, I didn't hire her and she technically isn't a professional, but very very close!!  As soon as I get some photos from her I'll be posting again.  We took some 2 weeks ago and again yesterday, in a parking lot, at a restuarant, next to a lady eating her lunch in her car. Hahaha, that wasn't embarrassing AT ALL. Oh and I haven't seen any pictures yet, but my photographer says she can tell a difference. She even asked if I was wearing make-up. Ha... Boo-ya! This is how much I'm dedicated to this project.  Also, the forehead girl from the first pictures on here is starting her Reverse skincare regimen next week, and I'm waiting on some good before pictures from her too.  Also.... just got some sunless tanner to try! I've heard again it's fantastic. As in only applying 2 days in a row for a great real looking tan, and then not needing to use it again for about 5 days. It also doesn't smell horrible. I've tried my share of sunless tanners and most don't sound comparable.  I'm going to have someone else test that for us initially too.  I don't think it would be fair to have an natural subtle tan in my "after" pictures.  Of course everyone looks better with a tan. And lastly, going to try some micro-dermabrasion on the back of my upper arms.  Gross I know, but those dang little red bumps always show their ugly face this time of year, all winter long. I wonder if photog will take pics of my arms for me too :) hahaha.

So hold tight... I'm still using and still loving and you'll see what I mean in the next week or so.

PS - oh and isn't this picture kind of funny... those that know me from my "construction" days... hahahahaha... where's my stop/slow sign right?

Week 0 vs Week 1

So I've been using the REVERSE Regimen for 1 week.  But since it's a pretty strong system, it's advised to only use it in the morning every other day for the first week.  To date I have only used it 4 times. Last Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Today (Monday).  Tomorrow I'll start using it every morning. Ooh fun ... we'll see if I can actually keep this up every day for a whole week!  But anyway... I took some pictures today to see if there was any difference so far.  At first, when looking in the mirror, I didn't think so at all. In fact I felt like some of my age/brown spots were even darker than when I started.  But here are just 2 pictures and you can tell me. Ha - who am I kidding, no one comments on here. But anwyay... you'll at least be able to see for yourself.  I'm a little disappointed in my pictures again. I know I said that last time.  But I feel like they aren't bright/clear enough. I could stand outside, but if I keep this up there is no way I'm going to go outside in the blistering cold weather that is right around the corner just to take a pic.

Before I used ANYTHING on my face a week ago.

After 4x of using R+F in one week.

See what I mean?  I feel like I actually see a difference now, so it's making me question my photography skills, not the fact that this stuff might actually be working. Hmmmmmm .... well we'll try again in a week and see!

Simplify

I was visiting with one of my closest friends today and we were trying to figure out how to get rid of the extra STUFF that seems to accumulate everywhere in our homes.  We know the motto "everything has it's place", but what do you do with the things that you don't know where it's place is? So before leaving her house today on a organizing note - we promised we'd each get rid of 5 things from our closet to help kick start the process.  I went home and did just that. I actually filled a couple bags of clothes to take to Goodwill and then felt really good about my small progress. So I kept going. Today was also one of the days I needed to do my REVERSE regimen, so I was in the bathroom doing so and looked in MY bathroom drawer.  It was a hot, hot mess.  I started thinking that this skincare line could really help me minimize the amount of things I accumulate in my bathroom as well. The friend I mentioned earlier and I have a horrible need/desire to get free samples when out shopping. Even if I know I'll never buy the real thing ~ I take a sample just in case. What if it's amazing, what if it's the best thing ever for my face? What if, what if?

How do I find anything in here anyway? 

I actually took a couple of these containers and emptied them down the sink so Jaidyn could have her own "make-up"

Ahhhh pure bliss!!

So today I cleaned out my drawer and all the little sample packets that were in it.  I then took a picture to remember them by, and threw them away.  You would not believe how difficult that was at first. Those items were FREE! How could I throw away free stuff? But I have to hope in the R+F product I'm using now. I am putting all my faith in those little bottles to not disappoint me.  And just think ... if this stuff works like they say it will. I will then be able to throw away the foundation/make-up I have taking up room in my make-up bag! I think that will be even better!

The Regimen

 Ok. Here goes.  If you've read anything so far you'll know I am NOT a big "time for me" kind of girl. Most days I'd rather take a nap than a shower.  But my little brochure here is very detailed and gives a great easy to follow outline.  Now can I really take 5 minutes a day for me?

 

    

So according to this I have to start slow.  Only once a day, every other day for the first week.  I did it for the first time last night and was SO impressed with how soft my skin felt afterwards.  But then again - when is the last time I used an exfoliating face wash, toner and cream.  I honestly can't even tell you.  It went well. It's not really going to be that time consuming.  I washed my face with the wash.  It says a quarter size. I used a nickle size and had plenty. I am NOT about to waste this stuff or use more if I don't have too. Then I patted dry my face and used the toner.  I dipped my cotton in that a couple of times. I also included my neck on everything I did.  It then said to let the toner dry so I brushed my teeth while waiting for that.  Lastly was the lightening treatment. This was a pretty thick cream/lotion.  It had a smell to it.  But not a bad one.  It sort of reminded me of the proactiv days a little. That recommended a generous dime size and I probably used a generous pea size.  I'm not trying to be skimpy, I just don't have the world's largest face. Thought maybe I could always add more if I needed.  So there I did it and I'm actually itching to do it again!  But as I was told by a friend today.  I need to be patient and run the course. I am pretty sure R+F knew what they were talking about when they created this product and wrote the regimen! Who am I to argue?  Plus if I go like gang busters on the first few days it will probably make my skin freak out and then this whole thing would be pointless.  So here's to 5 minutes of me time!

The pics

Ok here goes ... the best of the worst, or the worst of the best? I can't get over how hot I am in these pictures! Just for the sake of this project though I made sure to take them after my boot class last night so I looked extra good!  Disclaimer too ~ as I look at these I feel as if the pictures don't completely do my skin justice. Maybe it's just my personal perception. But I think it looks worse in person. I may have to hire a professional to really help me grasp the full picture.

Nice lines between and below the eyes and around my mouth

No that isn't bronzer on my cheeks... just lots of sun spots/age spots/baby spots

   Again - no bronzer - spots. Also a dark red area on my chin.  This actually STARTED when I started using my Philosophy Miracle product. 

Oh me oh my.. can we say gobble gobble ... look it's a baby turkey neck!

The biggest thing to notice here is my lack of strong jaw line. of course the wrinkles too. 

After the REVERSE regimen for the sports and freckles - starts the wrinkles and FIRMING up! 

The Honest Truth vs Honestly

So it's only been a week and I am changing the name of my blog already. The Honest Truth sounds so stuffy and serious.  This is a blog for pete's sake. So now I'm calling it Honestly. Ha because it sounds more fun.  As in - Honestly? Really? Seriously? But really does it matter what it's called? I just realized a day ago that I forgot to even put titles on my posts. Like i said ... I am VERY new to this.  Honestly :). 

Freckles

So quick cute kid moment.  I have a 3 year old daughter, Jaidyn. She is wise beyond her years. Tonight before she was heading to bed she saw the R=F box on the dining table and asked me what it was.  I told her it was momma's skincare for her wrinkles. Jaidyn then told me she had wrinkles too. I said no way - she was way too young, her skin was perfect. She sat then up on the chairs at the table, stretched out her legs and proceeded to point out on her legs all her FRECKLES! See mom, I do have "wrinkles/freckles". I told her we'd start tomorrow.

R Day!

The BIG DAY! My R Day - my REVERSE DAY!!! My highly anticipated package has FINALLY arrived. It's 9:45pm though and I still haven't opened it. I haven't opened it because I still haven't taken my before pictures. 2 reasons for that. I don't know if I'm going to be able to take them myself and I don't want my hubby to take them for me.  I know he sees me like this every day, but I don't really want him behind the camera taking them.  Weird? Probably. Reason two, I don't want to take pictures of my face anymore. Hahaha. Sure it sounded like a good idea initially.  I'm wondering why I did this. Funny.... this is exactly what happens when I'm about to do something out of my "normal/comfortable" element.  I am thinking "why in the world would I post my naked, bare face online for everyone to see".  But really, let's be honest, everyone already can see my face. It's ME who doesn't want to look at ME.. Ha. Isn't that the worst? Unless you have the highest confidence in yourself.  Seeing flawed pictures of myself is nothing short of depressing. I am usually a pretty big picture freak too - of others. However, when it's of me there are usually a BUNCH of takes to make sure it looks good, not too many chins, great smile - not too big or fake. I know some of you are completely agreeing with me because you're the ones I take these pictures with!!  And if you're not agreeing then that's fine too. You just keep on being pretty.  So anyway... I'll start tomorrow.  But here she is!

Half Truths

Ok. So far I am full of half promises.  I said I would post pics of my face "tomorrow" and haven't yet.  I also said my skincare was coming yesterday, and it didn't yet.  Ugh.  Wow, I am just full of honesty and truthfulness.  Well, truth be told, I did take pictures of my face. But they were with my phone/camera in the evening.  When I first looked at them I couldn't believe how gorgeous I was and also how crazy I was to be posting these raw close up pics.  But then I remembered this is what people see every day anyway.  Lucky you guys :). But anyway, back to the pictures.  When I went to post them online they didn't do my skin justice.  I can't post ok pictures and then rant and rave about how awesome this stuff is.  So I need to take some better ones.  I have a semi fancy camera to do so.  Now who do I want to take them of me? I'll find someone soon.  Before Monday.  Because that is when my skincare is ACTUALLY scheduled to arrive.  What I got yesterday was just this ...

 I was actually really really disappointed when I opened up my fedex box.  But once I re-tracked my orders. I realized I was only focusing on the Business Plan tracking.  Not my product tracking.  That is now scheduled to arrive Monday. Note to the people in charge of making up the rules for R+F.  As a courtesy to your new consultants SEND OUT THEIR STUFF RIGHT AWAY.  If I owned the company I'd even do overnight.  Because wouldn't you want your peeps to get the product as soon as humanly possible? Time kills all deals... the longer I wait to receive my product, the more annoyed I get that I don't already have it.  Anyway...  We'll see you cats Monday.