My Skin Care Routine

Over the last year I've been working with the dermatologist I work for on a personalized skin care regimen that it best for me. As we started putting together a plan I gave her my top three concerns: 1. adult acne, 2. sensitive skin, 3. aging (I turned 36 this month). Through trial and error we came up with a routine that works for me!

AM

//1// Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser

//2// Aczone 7.5% gel. Aczone is a prescription topical acne medication that works well on inflammation.

//3// Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion

//4// Beauty Pie Ultralight Daily SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen. Sunscreen is a must every day even if I'm not going to working inside all day. This product is a great primer for makeup too!

//6// Vanicream Lip Protectant/Sunscreen SPF 30

//7// Spironolactone 50mg-100mg. Spironolactone is a prescription medication on the market that can be used for many different things, including as a non-antibiotic oral acne medication. I usually stick with 50mg daily unless I'm having a noticeable flare. With flares I'll take 100mg for 1-2 weeks or until it's under control. 

PM

//1// Panoxyl 4% Wash. Panoxyl is formulated with 4% benzoyl peroxide to kill acne-causing bacteria, but is still gentle enough that it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. It can also be used on the chest and back for acne breakouts. If you use this one make sure you use an older towel and pillow case. Benzoyl peroxide will bleach fabrics!

//2// SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum. This product can be used twice daily, but I only use it once daily due to my sensitive skin. It helps correct the appearance of hyperpigmentation and prevents the appearance of new spots while visibly balancing the appearance of your skin tone (great for melasma and sun damage).

//3// Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion or Cream. If I feel my skin is extra thirsty I'll switch from the lotion to the heavier cream. I always use the cream to moisturize my body other than my face.

//4// Altreno 0.5% lotion. This is a prescription Retin-A product that not only helps with acne, but also fine lines, wrinkles, and brown spots and rough spots caused by sun damage.

//5// Beauty Pie Super Moisture Lip Balm

The key to any skin care routine is that it has to be personal. What works for one person may not work for another. For me, it was getting my acne under control and being kind to my skin by using gentle products (such as the Vanicream line). What does your skin care routine look like?

The Wedding of Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi wed in a small, private ceremony at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor, England on Friday, July 17.

Who is Princess Beatrice?

Princess Beatrice (her full title is Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary of York) is the oldest daughter and first child of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson (the Duke and Duchess of York). She is the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth and currently 9th in line to the throne. Beatrice will turn 32 in August. She is said to be heavily involved with multiple charities.

Who is Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi?

Edoardo, know was 'Edo,' is the 36-year-old son of Nikki William-Ellis and Alexander Mapelli Mozzi, an Italian count and former Olympian. Edo is the founder and CEO of the real estate firm Bando where he continues to work, and co-founder of the charitable organization Cricket Builds Hope (CBH). He is father to 4-year-old Christopher Woolf Mapelli Mozzi or 'Wolfie' whose mother is Edo's ex-fiance, American Dara Huang.

Their Love Story

Edo and Bea have known each other most of their lives through their families. The groom's mother and stepfather, Christopher Shale,  have been close friends of Bea's parents and former Prime Minister David Cameron. It was first reported in November 2018 that Beatrice and Edo were a couple (they actually started dating in Septemer of that year). The pair have carried on a very private relationship and have rarely spoken publicly about it. The couple starting appearing in public together in early 2019, starting in March at a gala at the National Portrait Gallery in London, in April at the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, and in May at the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor. Over the summer of 2019, Edo was spotted at a charity event hosted by Prince Andrew with Beatrice, and in July at Lenny Kravitz's photo exhibition in Prim Rose Hill. During the year they were also seen out and about with Beatrice's sister Eugenie and her husband Jack and out in NYC holding hands. They also attended various charity and society events as a couple throughout 2019.

 

The Engagement 

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi officially announced their engagement on September 26, 2019 via Buckingham Palace's social media accounts. The engagement came after one year of dating. Edo proposed to Beatrice earlier that month in his home country of Italian while on holiday.

Edo asked for the princess's hand in marriage with an art deco inspired, yet modern ring featuring a 3.5 carat diamond flanked by tapered diamond baguettes set on a platinum band. He designed the ring for his bride-to-be with the help of jewelry designer Shaun Leane.

The engagement announcement featured the official engagement photos (taken by Princess Eugenie) and a statement that read:

"We are extremely happy to be able to share the news of our recent engagement. We are both so excited to be embarking on this life adventure together and can't wait to be married. We share so many similar interests and values and we know this will stand us in great stead for the years ahead, full of love and happiness."

A Royal Christmas

In December 2019, Edo spent Christmas at Sandrigham with Princess Beatrice and the extended Royal Family, only the second fiance to be invited to do so (Meghan Markle was the first in 2017).

The Wedding

Shortly after the engagement was announced, the Palace confirmed that the wedding would take place in 2020, would be privately funded, and would not be televised. Thereafter, the couple happily announced they would marry on May 29, 2020 at the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace, London, England.

Plans soon became uncertain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Buckingham Palace first released a statement saying, "Princess Beatrice and Mr. Mapelli Mozzi are very much looking forward to getting married, but are equally aware of the need to avoid undertaking any unnecessary risks in the current circumstances. In line with Government advice for the UK and beyond, the couple are reviewing their arrangements for 29th May..." In mid-April Edo and Beatrice announced through the Palace that their wedding would be postponed. Princess Beatrice waited out quarantine with Edo and her future mother-in-law.

The Big Day

On July 17, 2020 Buckingham Palace announced the news of Beatrice's wedding in a statement that read:

"The private wedding ceremony of Princess Beatrice and Mr. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi took place at 11 a.m. on Friday 17th July at The Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor. The small ceremony was attended by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and close family. The Wedding took place in accordance with all relevant Government Guidelines."

Although the wedding was a surprise to the world, it was said to have been expertly planned and executed around the Queen's summer schedule after plans for the May 29 wedding were scrapped. However, it did come together in a short amount time.

The wedding ceremony was attended by only 20 guests, including the bride's sister and brother-in-law Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. Beatrice's cousins Princes Harry and William and their families did not attend. The ceremony took place at the the Royal Chapel of All Saints located on the property and within walking distance of the York home, Royal Lodge.

The ceremony was officiated by The Reverend Canon Paul Wright, Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal and The Reverend Canon Martin Poll, Domestic Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen. The bride was walked down the aisle by her father Prince Andrew, and the bride and groom's mothers shared the couple's two favorite poems, Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare, and I Carry You in My Heart by E.E. Cumming, that later of which Beatrice's new husband posted to his Instagram. The ceremony also include music selections, playing of the national anthem, prayers, and a reading of  1 Corinthians 13: 1-13. The groom's son Wolfie played a large role as pageboy and best man.

The bride chose to wear a vintage gown rather than a new design. Beatrice's dress was borrowed from her grandmother, the Queen. The gown, designed by Norman Hartnell, is made of Peau DeSoie taffeta and trimmed with ivory Duchess Satin. It features diamonte adornments and a checkered, geometric bodice. The Queen's dress makers Angela Kelly and Stewart Parvin made the necessary adjustments, including adding organza sleeves, for Beatrice. The Queen wore this dress throughout the 1960s for several engagements including the opening of Parliament and the London premiere of Lawrence of Arabia.

Princess Beatrice's headpiece was also borrowed from her grandmother. She was loaned the Queen Mary Fringe tiara, the same tiara the Queen wore on her wedding day when she married Prince Philip in 1947. The tiara dates back to 1840. Originally a necklace given to Queen Victoria for her wedding to Prince Albert, it was re-fashioned into a tiara for Queen Mary (Bea's great great grandmother). Beatrice chose to accent the tiara with a classic veil. The modern princess recycled a pair of years-old, velvet Valentino heels for her special day. Reports say they are the shoes she wore to William and Kate's wedding in 2011.

The groom presented his bride with a  Vicotrian and Art Deco inspired platinum band featuring a high curve (to fit around the engagement ring) with approximately 0.5 carats of diamonds. The platinum is a break in the tradition of royal brides. Since the Queen Mother's wedding in 1923, the royal family has been using Welsh gold for their wedding bands. This includes recent royal brides Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, and Princess Eugenie.

The wedding flowers were designed around a 'Secret Garden' theme. Bea's bouquet and church florals featured trailing jasmine, pink and cream sweet peas, royal porcelain ivory spray roses, pink o'hare garden roses, pink wax flowers, and baby pink astilbe. The floral decorations and bouquet were designed and assembled by Patrice Van Helden, co-owner of RVH Floral Design. The bouquet also featured myrtle sprigs and was placed at the tomb of the Unknown Solider at Westminster Abbey after the ceremony, both long-standing royal traditions. Benjamin Wheeler served as the weeding photographer.

It Didn't End There...

The newlyweds held a small, intimate reception with additional guests, totaling 30, on the grounds of Royal Lodge. Toasts were made by the groom, the bride's father, and the groom's half brother, Alby Shale. Glamping pods/tents were set up on the grounds for guests as the party went well into the evening with dancing and streamed music.

What's In a Name?

Edoardo was not given a royal title upon marrying the Princess (neither was his brother-in-law Jack when he married Eugenie in 2018); however, Beatrice will retain her royal title. She can go by Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York or Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. As Edoardo descends from Italian aristocracy, he will one day inherit the Count title from his father and Princess Beatrice will become an Italian Contessa or Nobile Donna.

Summer Scoops: Blueberry Lemon Mini Cheesecakes

Welcome to my Summer Scoops series my favorite summer sweets! Today is all about a cold cheesecake with refreshing lemon and blueberry and a crunchy cookie bottom!

What You'll Need

12 lemon creme Oreos

2 8oz blocks of cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup of powdered sugar

2 tablespoons of lemon juice

1 teaspoon of lemon zest

1 teaspoon or pure vanilla extract

pinch of kosher salt

1 1/2 cups of heavy cream

1/4 cup of blueberry preserves

What You'll Need to Do

Line a 12-cup cupcake pan with cupcake liners.

Place one Oreo into the bottom of each cup.

Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth.

Then beat in powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, and salt.

Add heavy cream and beat until fluffy, stiff peaks form.

Spoon cream cheese over Oreos in the pan.

Dollop a small amount of blueberry preserves into the enter of each cheesecake using a small spoon.

Use a toothpick (or small skewer) to swirl.

Refrigerate until firm - at least four hours.

Lick the spoon.

ENJOY!

Be sure to check out recipes Homemade Lemon Italian Ice, No Churn Strawberry Ice Cream, and Watermelon Mojito Popsicles!  

Family Time Revisited

At the end of June Nick and I headed back to my home state of Pennsylvania to spend some quality time with my family. It had been a full year since I had seen them last so I was super excited to be able to spend an entire week with them. I'm obsessed with my family, so beware of the photo dump.

My older niece Emma has her First Communion on Saturday morning and we arrived on Saturday afternoon just in time to make it to her cookout celebration! My cousin Steph(anie) (affectionately called 'Snef' or 'Snefnie') came up for the weekend!

my sister, my brother, and me... can you guess who is the oldest?

We stayed at my brother, Brett's, house all week. Since he and wife Amber worked Tuesday to Thursday Nick and I got some awesome one on one time with my nieces Emma and Ella! 

Nick, aka Uncle Noodle, jumped on the trampoline with the girls that night. Just called him 'funcle'!

Ella, my youngest niece, is currently learning her letters and how to read and write. She wrote on names on the trampoline in chalk!

Roasted Peeps and enjoyed the fire with the adults...

my sister-in-law and me

Picture of the girls before bed!

  

The next day we went shopping and to get Emma's second holes pierced at outdoor promenade shops.

She did amazing! Didn't even flinch!

The girls were so excited to see a husky while we were shopping. They are currently obsessed with with huskies! We had one growing up. They have a 'Husky Fund' where they put their money so can they afford one on their own. SO CUTE.

We got friendship bracelets! 

After shopping we stopped and checked in on my dad at his currently job site. It's his first commercial project and was really excited to show it to us. He's working on a building that the church he goes to purchased and it's super close to being done! 

There is a mini golf course outside of the building so we played around on that for a bit. Can't beat a free game of mini golf!

Snef and Ella having some girl time.

My sister-in-law Amber, Steph, my sister Courtney, and I did a beer tasting. Surprise, I hated them all because I hate beer, but I did enjoy drinking with Carlos. 

See one of my sister's assessments below...

The next morning we spent some quality time with my nieces playing board games!

As my brother and Nick headed off, we had a girls day in the pool and ate some really, really yummy food that I can't find in Michigan.

Steph headed back to DC in the late afternoon. We figured out we hadn't seen each other in NINE YEARS! I definitely won't let another 9 years go by.

So many sillies. Who knew bubble wrap and a gigantic stuffed tiger named Silver Mist could be so much fun?

 The next morning Ella, Emma, Uncle Noodle, and I headed down to Lancaster to meet up with my BFF Sara Jane and her son Isaac for fun at the Turkey Hill Ice Cream Experience.

The Turkey Hill Experience features interactive exhibits allowing you to learn about dairy culture, the story of Turkey Hill Dairy, and how the company's ice cream and ice tea flavors are selected and created. 

The kids made their very own ice cream commercials, and then we got to make our own ice cream! I could not believe the flavors the kids picked, but they did a great job  mixing them up and enjoying their ice cream!

The next day we had a slow start, which was much needed, and then took the girls to the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

These kids are crazy for animals!

This is my favorite shot from the entire vacation...

Not pictured: That evening we went over to Sara and her husband Geoff's place and they had an incredible birthday dinner for me. I ate some amazing cherry wine slushy, steak, potatoes, and zucchini, and they spoiled me with gifts and a chocolate peanut butter cake! YUM.

Our last big adventure for the week was a trip to Crystal Cave. We were lucky enough to have Courtney, Sara Jane, and Isaac come with us for a cave tour, panning for gems, and ice cream!

  

  

That evening Courtney, Amber, Emma, Ella and I went to the drive in movies!We visited Shankweiler's Drive-In Theater which is American's oldest drive-in! It's so cool to have that little piece of history right down the road. Since there are no new movies out they were playing Zootopia. Cute movie and perfect for the kids. 

Friday was my birthday and it was super low-key just hanging out with my family at my brother's house. We celebrated with a Fudgy the Whale, a cookout, and a fireworks show put on by my brother!

Unfortunately, we had to head back to Michigan the following day, but I did stop and see Laura, my favorite college roommates, and her family. She had bought a new house and had TWO more children since I had seen her last. It had been way to long! She let us get in on her Fourth of July picnic, and after that it was back to Michigan and real life!