Atlanta Dermatology

 

My skin and I have had a love-hate relationship. I didn't struggle with breakouts during high school like many. My skin issues came off and on during college. Call it stress...call it eating poorly...whatever it may be....it was not good. I went to several dermatologists back home in Alabama and took it all: Differin, Retin-A, Duac gel...they would work great for any given amount of time, but then I think my skin got used to the medications and I'd have issues again. 

As of late, my skin was doing great! No real complaints, except for the occasional issues all women experience. My current prescriptions had run out and it was time to see the dermatologist again. I decided to try one ITP (inside the perimeter) that was close by my work and home. I checked my insurance and saw that Dermatology Associates of Atlanta fell under my policy -- great news! They were also located at Perimeter Medical area -- more great news! I made an appointment. 

Having no clue that Dr. Kraus mixed his own compounds, I was a little hesitant when the nurse informed me of that before he came in to see me. He checked my skin, asked me lots of questions, looked over what I have taken in the past, how I reacted to it, etc. He then sent his own "concoction" formula down to the pharmacy on-site to be mixed. 

A simple wash & moisturizer 2x per day is all it was. He told me to put everything else I had put on my face aside while using this. I did just that.

I went back for a follow-up appointment last week & found out my moisturizer has 14 different medications (the wash having 4 in 1 bottle) in it all mixed into one. Crazy! Instead of putting several creams on your face or having one wash for the morning and one wash at night, he combines anything and everything into ONE application. Then, based on how skin is reacting to it, makes tweaks here and there.

I am in love with my skin right now. It has never been this clear. Ever. There are days I don't wear a pinch of makeup to work! To work, y'all! Just a little mascara is all.

Needless to say, I am a huge fan of Dr. Kraus at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta. I have had so many blog/twitter friends in Atlanta make appointments with him, too!

I call him, "The Miracle Skin Doctor"...

900 Giveaway

A big thank you to my followers who have stuck with me for three years -- through some thick & thin! I appreciate your friendship, loyalty, comments, questions and encouragement! For the 900 followers tipping point, I am giving away a Starbucks giftcard! Last time I chose Starbucks, we had a crazy turnout of comments -- just for a little ol' gift card! Just means we all love coffee.

Please leave a comment if you would like to be entered for the Giftcard drawing letting me know your favorite drink. I will draw a winner at random on Tuesday evening!

Buble Christmas

Enough said. Already playing in my car even though it is October!

OOTD + Canoe

 

Just a little Outfit of the Day post... also sporting my Pink support while we are still in October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month!) I had a good day, although I am worn out! Had a great dinner at Canoe. It was my first time there & it was marvelous. I actually tried Rabbit! 

Virginia & Atlanta... As of Late

It's been such a busy week. I was in Virginia last weekend and am just now unpacking from my trip.... 8 days later. I am currently blogging at 1:20 am and have to be up in 4.5 hours. Ya, I don't get much sleep these days. My schedule is packed to the brim! 

I was so glad to go to Liberty's Alumni weekend! 40 years ago, our school was founded. We now have over 12,000 residential students and 70,000 students who study through Liberty University Online. I was honored to be asked to speak to Liberty's PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) on topics such as job searching, internships, networking and so on. It was so fun getting to meet students who are in the shoes I once wore there. I am thankful for the opportunity to encourage them. I was also asked to interview for a video module of a Communication Writing course, and had the opportunity to discuss writing for mass audiences through blogging and social media! 

It was a whirlwind of a weekend, and sadly, I did not get to hug every neck that I wanted. I flew up Friday and flew home Sunday. Way too quick of a trip. I will be back up again in March for one of my sweet friend, Ellie's wedding. 

I wanted to upload some recent photos from the last two weeks! My pictures are always pixeled ... I know. I lost my camera and am hoping to get another one at some point! So, until then, continue to bear with me! 

This is my sister -- you all know her! But, the other girl is my cousin, Caroline! Her brother was at Liberty this weekend for a football visit & they drove up with him for the day and totally surprised me!

This is my awful headband that I wear when I haven't done my hair.... my family hates it! 

Friday!

Running Shoes

Last summer, I was running about 4 to 5 miles a few days a week. I felt great and loved running. Having something like running to keep me distracted during all that messy, sticky time was liberating and I loved it. Well, then I moved down to Atlanta and my routine got altered. I kept doing cardio, obviously, but my weekly running routine went down the drain. I always feel at my most in-shape when I am running. Something about it...

Last week I decided to hop on the treadmill and put in 4 miles. It felt great, but my foot didn't feel so great the following day. Truth be told, my shoes were so worn they had holes in them. They were the wrong size... a Kids 5. They are Nike, but they were cheap... hence the kids size. I fit in them so I bought them. 

It was time for a new pair of shoes. My boss is an avid runner. She knows anything I need to know about it... being that I am such a beginner, I have been asking her lots of questions. (ask me about weight lifting is another story, but running not so much). It really is a science.... it really can get you in amazing shape. If you do it right.... consistently.... but most importantly, protecting your main piece of equipment... your feet. 

I headed to West Stride -- a specialty running store in Atlanta where they had me run on a treadmill and videotape my foot impact wearing different shoes. Based on that, they were able to make some solid suggestions on the amount of support I needed in my shoe. Of course I had to get a cute color! I am so picky! I tried on Brooks, Newtons (crazy colors!), and Mizuno, but landed on Asics. 

I'm excited to get back to running again! No major half marathon goals or anything like that... I don't care about my time... I care about distance...I care about developing a solid weekly running routine and not just a random run here and there. 

Here's to my first run in my shoes tomorrow! 

This week on Blackberry

 Well, technically, this was 3 weeks ago playing pool after work. I am actually fairly decent at this game & shocked myself. It's all luck, no skill.

 Grabbed lunch with a co-worker this week, who happens to have graduated from Liberty-- but we never knew each other until now!

 New earrings 

Weekend Eats

I ate a lot this weekend. I would describe the weekend as so-so, but boy I sure did eat some good food. Well, really its bad food, but tasted oh so good. I really watch what I eat and am pretty hard-core about it, but this weekend I just didn't care. Call it emotional eating at its best. I spent some good time with Lauren -- you would think with being roomates that we would see each other a lot. We do 'see' each other coming in the door at night, but we go to bed early most nights and don't get to catch up. This weekend was a fun time with us to chat, cry, eat, encourage & diss boys. Which we are very good at doing. We took a few pictures off my phone (since my camera has gone to hell in a handbasket), but they just aren't very good. We both were like... "meh".... no post.

 

 The only restaurant I didn't go to with Lauren was Cheesecake Factory Friday night. 

I spent that with a nice gentleman. I will say that I had grilled shrimp and no cheesecake. Decently healthy.

Saturday night we went to one of our neighborhood favorites: Verde. We had three football games going at once -- Alabama, GA & Arkansas. 

Sunday, we took a drive down Peachtree for some pizza at Felini's! So so good! You eat outside & people-watch. The pizza is amazing.

Happy Friday!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Fall TV

Here is my line-up for Fall TV! What other shows am I missing out on?

More Fall

October Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Honor it by supporting local & national fundraisers (like Susan G. Komen for the Cure. In light of the pink theme, I have also included some pink loves!

 Courtesy of makingitlovely.com