Any other younger siblings out there? I know I am! I am one of four children in my family. I’m number two in the order. I am almost 2 years younger than my older sister (Rina), 9 years older than my younger sister (Shelly), and 12 years older than my brother (Jay). Naturally given the age difference with my younger siblings, I have always had a different kind of relationship with my older sister.
Sonia’s Ring Purse is lined here | Rina’s Zac Posen Bag is linked here |
Sonia’s Strappy Sage Block Heels are linked here | Rina Favorite Summer Block Heel is here
Our Matching Tops are $12.99 and lined here (size down) | Wear With A Bralette like the one here
Growing up, we fought like cats and dogs. Both being girls, there was a lot of competition. Sadly, being the younger one, I usually lost each fistfight and each debate. After all, isn’t it the job of an older sibling to be bossy and convince the parents that they should get the new clothes so that the younger sibling can wear the old ones?
But like all things, getting older comes with getting wiser. It didn’t take us long to realize that we actually were more similar that we were different. Well into our college careers, we would often talk of starting a business together. Our original business idea was to start a daycare called “Sisters,” but life took us in different directions. My older sister got married and moved to Georgia and I got married and stayed put in Chicago. Trying to start a daycare business from two different places seemed nearly impossible, especially after having kids of our own.
It wasn’t until about two years ago that my sister started Chicks And Salsa that we realized we had an opportunity to bring our strengths together and create a platform to and empower women. Chicks And,Salsa has been our reminder of how well we work together, what our differences are, and what unites us together despite our distance from each other.
When we got together in college it was so basic. You’d send a mass text with someone’s apartment location and everyone would pool together money for the bare essentials. Those essentials usually consisted of readymade mac & cheese as well as cheap beer! Let’s face it, most of us were living on a dime and it was more than acceptable to eat off paper plates and survive off $5 Dominos pizza! I knew one day I would become an ‘adult’ and eventually graduate from disposable plates to proper table ware.
In a perfect world we’d continue to live that same carefree life, but as with most things, we get older and our taste develops based on our life experiences. I got married at the ripe age of 24 to my childhood sweetheart. I remember being excited at the prospect of hosting “dinner parties” with other couple friends after marriage….that’s what people do after they get married, right?
We headed to Bed Bath & Beyond armed and ready to scan items for our registry that we planned to use while hosting these “dinner parties.” At the time what we picked seemed amazing, but folks, It’s been 11 years and we are still using those same dishes . Just like furniture and clothing, serving ware needs updating too….who knew!?
The Dishes
We’ve recently been hosting more often and every time I pull out my dishes I cringe! I asked around and got some suggestions on places to go without breaking the bank. I picked up some cloth napkins, napkin holders, and fun silver wear from Pier 1 and some gorgeous placemats and beautiful Ito plates from Crate & Barrel. It’s definitely not perfect, but its a start, and a fun way to feel good having people over! Is it bad that I might be addicted to wanting to have the perfect tablescape? With limited storage space in my house I’m only keeping what I absolutely need. Happy hosting!
Your Chick,
Sonia
Oh an don’t forget to light a candle one hour before your guests arrive, my GO TO candle is Natalie by Natalie Frangrances – I know its a bit pricey but for the aroma it gives off, its totally worth it, I promise!
For as long as I can remember I have had neck pain. Not the debilitating kind, but the kind that has always been there that I’ve learned to live with. It wasn’t until recently that I realized that most people can roll their neck without pain. I must have had some trauma to my neck when I was younger and as a result, I have carried chronic pain with me my entire life. Similarly, I have lower back pain. My dad used always tell me that walking in heels could result in lower back pain. Of course being young and dumb comes with some consequences. I now suffer of stiffness in my lower back that possibly could be a result of all those years in heels.
I had heard of chiropractic work, but didn’t know anybody personally who had ever been. When I found out about Accident Treatment Centers, I learned they had a South Loop location that would be convenient for me to finally take the plunge! In my first meeting with Dr. Luke we discussed pain points and what brought me in the door in the first place. Our meeting was followed by some X-rays to see where the damage had occurred. After discussing where the improvements needed to be made we ironed out a schedule that would start my journey into chiropractic work.
The Schedule
I was scheduled to complete 12 sessions at three times a week for a month. On the first rotation, I was walked through what to do and why I was doing it. From then on every time I came in, I was equipped to do the exercises on my own. Each appointment lasted between 30-40 min depending on how busy it was. Upon waking into the office I was to grab my sheet which detailed how many sessions I had scheduled and what steps I was to take; along with a timer.
Step 1: The first rotation had me taking a roller to my neck on either side for one minute each. Then I was to foam roll from my shoulder blades to lower back for one minute.
Step 2: I needed to take a small ball and roll it on either side of my spine on my upper back for one minute each.
Step 3: Toward the end of the rotation I had to take a foam block and place it between my shoulder blades and move my neck forward and back 24 times like a “clucking chicken.”
Step 4: I would head to the power plates and hold my neck for 30 seconds on either side followed by a 30 second stretch on my shoulders.
Once that rotation was complete I would wait for my “adjustment” which entailed of a back and neck crack. This was my favorite! At the end I would head over to “traction” where my head was hung back for 10 minute to readjust the spinal curve.
The Takeaway
My Favorite Products:
After completing 12 sessions in the same rotation, I now feel a little bit of relief. I imagine that if I had continued to do sessions for longer I would have felt even better. I can safely say that instead of chronic bad days I now only have some bad days. Am I a believer in chiropractic work? Absolutely. I think for people who suffer of debilitating pain, who don’t want to use surgery as their first choice this is a wonderful route to consider when finding relief for chronic pain.
I don’t recall ever being as tired as I am most days after work, school pick ups and drop offs, homework, extracurricular activities, going to the gym, and managing my household. Taking care of me and making time for myself comes only after all of that is done an settled. I like to call the hour of 8:30pm to 9:30pm the “golden hour”.
During this time, I am truly off duty. I am not worried about tomorrow, I am not worried about what is not done from today, but I take this time to just appreciate the end of yet another day with my family. I use the golden hour for leisurely multitasking: TV time and skin care. While watching Green Arrow on Netflix (OMG – I love Stephen Amell!), I apply a half a dozen or so products to my face nightly. If I keep these at my bedside I am 100% more likely to use them regularly. Here is the step-by-step night time regimen I use.
Makeup Remover Wipes
I know I could just wash my face, but I have never been in the routine of doing this. I usually brush my teeth and hop into bed. But more than ever I need my skin to breathe at night. I keep face wipes at arms length to guarantee that I don’t skip giving my face a chance to breathe at night. Although I do not have sensitive skin or any true allergy to common ingredients, I love these make up removing wipes because they are inexpensive, or do not leave a soapy or filmy feeling on my skin after I have used them. Even baby wipes work well and are cost effective. I have tried a bunch of different make up remover wipes but have yet to determine if one actually works better than the other, so I usually grab whatever is economical. Night time skin cleaning is paramount for brighter skin.
Lash Boost by Rodan and Fields
My sisters and I swear by this amazing product by Rodan and Fields. As former Latisee users, we loved that we were able to get Lash Boost without a prescription. The product works similarly and have therefore has similar results- fuller appearing, more dramatic and appealing eye lashes. As a wearer of ‘falsies’ I love the ‘pop’ that your eyes get from having enhanced lashes. For the days I am not wearing my go to wispies, Lash Boost has my back. This is an expensive product, but fellow chicks get an exclusive discount or gift with purchase if you contact Dr. Erica Bennett at drericabennett@gmail.com. Trust me, this works. You’re so close to gorgeous natural lashes.
Under Eye Serum
I have cycled through several of these, most recently I used Advanced Night Repair from Estee Lauder which I had received as a gift. This product is intended to help with fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles. The serum has great reviews, and in my personal experience it seemed to hydrate well which helped with fine lines, but when it came to covering up my dark circles, I am not so sure. Once I finished up that little bottle I switched to a product from Rodan and Fields called the Bright Eye Complex and with a water base it promises hydration for the bags under your eyes. After using this for 10 days, you can see the before and after below, this product is a keeper and can be purchased a la carte from their list of products.
Castor Oil
Like many other children of the 80’s and 90’s I totally trashed my eyebrows trying to keep up with the thin eyebrow trends. The beauty gurus that I follow have given me hope to regain what is lost of my eyebrows with Castor oil. Castor oil has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties and is high in Vitamin E, minerals, proteins, and Omega 6 and 9 beneficial fatty acids. Its unusually high ricinoleic acid ratio which is what makes it beneficial to skin and hair. I am going to try this on my eyebrows as part of my nightly routine, I will keep you all updated on Instastories.
Lip Therapy
With winter almost behind us, I could not have survived without all the lip balms that I have scattered all over the house and in all my purses. My lips chap easily and require frequent hydration. Currently by my bedside is an argan oil-based balm that is unscented, organic, and simply divine. In my opinion, truly any balm is a good balm if you ask me. Just layering some hydration before bed can fix all types of cracked lips.
Hopefully you are already using some of these in your daily skin care routine. If you are not, consider this post a life hack to place beauty items by your bedside. Ladies, it is NEVER too late to take care of your skin. This is also a great way to use products that are cluttering up your counters — place them on your end table (NOT in the drawers). Believe me, seeing them will make you use them. What fun products do you use as part of your daily skincare routine?
Your Chick,
Rina
**Complimentary Rodan and Fields products were received in exchange for this honest review. Thank you to Dr. Erica Bennett for her generosity and engagement. **
