Hey loves! Happy Friday!
I’m super excited about today’s post because it’s a topic I know a lot of you are probably curious about (like I was), but may not want to admit: DRY SHAMPOO! What’s the deal with dry shampoo? How does it work? Does it work?? What are the best brands? Where can I buy them? We’ve got your answers right here!
A little background: I workout almost everyday around 2 in the afternoon, slam in the middle of my 8-6 workday. Let me rephrase that- I workout and shower around 2… How in the world do I pull it off? Well, to be honest, I take a quick shower and don’t have time for much else. Sometimes I reapply my makeup, but seriously, y’all, I never, ever know what to do with my hair!!! It gets sweaty, then greasy, and I usually end up pulling it back because there’s nothing else I can do! There’s certainly not enough time to actually wash and dry it (heck, there’s never enough time for that)!
Like most of you, I guessed that dry shampoo was an option, but (and I’m embarrassed to say this cause my own mother is a hair dresser!) I didn’t know a thing about how to use it, where to buy it, etc… So, naturally, I turned to the twins and asked all those questions mentioned above, and naturally, they knew *just* the product to recommend and even put on a little demo for me! And then, of course I took pictures and doctored it up in Photoshop like any sensible blogger would! 
So here it is!
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“Life comes with many challenges.
The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take on and take control of.”
-Angelina Jolie (from her New York Times Op-Ed)
It was a coincidence that Marjorie’s story went live the same day Angelina Jolie revealed she had a preventative double mastectomy, but I’m glad the two coincided and I’m very glad this topic is now garnering national attention. It raises important questions about woman’s health– questions that you and me, in our strive to live long, healthy lives may encounter. One of those questions, which is, in fact being debated by the Supreme Court right now, is whether a company can patent a gene sequence. Stay with me.
Today’s talking point isn’t about whether a double mastectomy is a good idea. If you read Marjorie’s story (which I hope you did!) then you know she had a double mastectomy because she had cancer; whereas Angelina discovered a high risk of cancer. Personally, I don’t think there’s much to say about whether a double mastectomy is good or bad– it’s effective. Period.
The deeper issue here is the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on the case of Assn for Molecular Pathology vs. Myriad Genetics. At the moment, Myriad Genetics has a patent on the two ‘faulty’ cancer genes: BRCA1 and BRCA2, which Angelina says she paid $3,000 to detect. The Court is to decide whether this patent is legal.
From the LA Times:
Myriad argues that the isolated sequence is a patentable invention because it doesn’t exist in that exact form within the body. Its opponents counter that Myriad merely discovered something that nature formed, and such things aren’t patentable.
What do you think? Should a gene sequence be patentable?
Also from the LA Times:
Myriad’s patents give it an unusual degree of control over researching and testing for BRCA defects. Only Myriad can legally isolate the BRCA1 and 2 sequences. In the United States, that means only Myriad’s lab can conduct a full sequencing test to check a patient for the innumerable possible mutations of those genes.
Why this matters: Some, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) believe that if Myriad owns the gene sequence, they also own testing rights and have the final say on what (if any) further research may be conducted on these known-to-be cancerous genes. And essentially, if other companies want to offer testing of these genes, say, at a lower rate, they can’t do it without Myriad’s consent.
The bottomline: a patent gives Myriad sole ownership of the gene sequence.
Angelina’s letter didn’t mention any of this, but the purpose of her letter, which she wrote, “I hope it helps you to know you have options” does skim the surface of this issue.
Do we have options?
Even if this gene sequence is owned by a big corporation?
It’s important to note that Angelina did acknowledge, ” The cost of testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2, at more than $3,000 in the United States, remains an obstacle for many women.”
Do you have an opinion about the upcoming case?
Do you think if Myriad gets to keep their patent they will make the test accessible to everyone?
Note: I realize these are serious topics, but they’re just the sort of thing I want discussed on Fit for a Bride. I think all of us agree that health is about so much more than weight loss.
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Image credit: ACLU
{This is our weekly check-in post with Real Housewife Blogger, Sarah in Australia! Sarah weighs in Wednesday, then checks in with us Thursday. Since she started blogging her journey (end of January), she’s down 8 lbs!}
From Sarah:
Another Thursday Check-in! This one is actually a good one because I have been going very well and finally kick-started myself and have managed to lose some weight! Yee Haa!!
Last week I was away again, but it was only to Melbourne so it wasn’t too bad. I think the relief of finally not having to travel again for a while was better than anything else. One benefit, of course, of traveling is that I get to catch up with friends that I otherwise wouldn’t get to see. Such as the friends that just added one little furry friend to their home!
Exercise this week was also pretty good, Wednesday’s session could have been slightly better but I only had an hour between when I got to the hotel and when I had to leave for dinner so it was better than nothing!
- Monday – Oztag (800 calories)
- Tuesday – Run (532 calories)
- Wednesday – General cardio (219 calories)
- Thursday – Run (460 calories)
- Friday – None
- Saturday – None
- Sunday – Oztag (791 calories)
This is the view at the end of my Thursday afternoon run, I love Melbourne in Autumn!
Now of course for the stats! I havent been including these recently because I have been staying at the same weight, which I sometimes need reminding is still a good effort! I am super happy to be back down to my lowest, though, so look out next week!!
Weight Loss This Week: 1.5 lbs!
Total Weight Loss (since Jan. 7th): 8 lbs!
To catch up with Sarah, check out her intro or search Real Housewife-Sarah on the right sidebar under “Categories.”
You can also follow Sarah’s journey over on her healthy living blog, Eating the Olives!
It’s Wedding Wednesday and I’m excited to share another real wedding with you!!
To be totally honest, I secretly live vicariously through these photos cause, really, is fair we only get to plan one wedding? I think not! Personally, I’d love to do it all over again. For one, we had a daytime wedding so there wasn’t much point in exploring uplighting, but whenever I see candle lit weddings with gorgeous uplighting (like this one), I get a little jealous!Not to mention, these riverside portraits are to die for: what a phenomenal image to have to remember such a remarkable day– wedding gown blowing in the wind, and your in the arms of your new husband– sounds like a dream, right? Well, Clare and Luke lived out that dream, marrying in Perth, Australia on a beautifully sunny day. As you can see, they had an outdoor ceremony that included a lovely butterfly release and the reception at Waters Edge Estate– it looks truly magical. And my favorite part? You can totally see the love and excitement between these two!! Second favorite? Those bright blue bridesmaids gowns! LOVE!
Thank you for this submission, Evermore Photography. I’m excited to have this great-looking couple on my blog!
Congrats Clare & Luke!
Thank you Evermore Photography for this submission!
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“When life kicks you, let it kick you forward.”
-Kay Yow
First of all, tell me about your hubby! How long have the two of you been together?
My husband, Sean is the best man I know. He’s kind, caring, compassionate, and values the same things I do, including friends and family. What initially drew me to him, and what still draws me to him is that he’s so strong, driven, and determined. He always knows what he’s doing and has both feet on the ground. If he wants to do something, he’ll do it. He’s also incredibly supportive of me. He started promoting Pink and Pearls from my very first entry, and has been behind everything I do, from my career in journalism to Tour de Pink, to my speaking engagements. He truly is my world. We started dating in fall 2008. We got engaged in February 2011, and married in March 2012.
When did he propose? How did he propose?
He proposed Feb. 2, 2011, which is Groundhog Day! President Obama was scheduled to speak at Penn State the following day, which he was going to attend, so he asked to borrow my camera for the event. When he brought me my camera case it seemed really light. I opened it up and instead of a camera was a black box! He got down on one knee (me wearing pajamas and sitting on the couch) and proposed!
Did you know what kind of wedding you wanted or did you jump onto Pinterest for ideas?
I knew certain things, like my colors and flowers: pink and black, and pink roses (with pearls incorporated) to be the décor. I knew I wanted elegant and classy, a black-tie affair. Sean and I both have huge families and tons of friends so we knew the wedding was going to be big. (264 people!) Both of us wanted a big, big wedding, and that’s what we got! Ironically, I didn’t use Pinterest to plan my wedding! I kind of used what I knew I wanted and expanded from there. I knew I wanted a vintage feel – lots of lace and delicate things. We used a vintage hat box to keep vanity items in the women’s bathroom, and I had my bridesmaids pick their own chiffon black dresses; I just wanted an elegant, glamorous evening.
At what point during the engagement did you conduct a self-breast exam? What prompted you to do it?
I had been doing self exams pretty regularly since high school. I won’t say I did them every month like you’re supposed to; I just kind of did them when I remembered, usually in the shower. Not because I ever thought I would find anything. It was just kind of engrained in my head to always do them. So I did.
I’m ashamed to say that I do not know how to administer a self exam– do I just literally feel around?
Honestly, before I was diagnosed with breast cancer I didn’t know either. I DID just kind of feel around, and actually the lump I found was so small I nearly missed it. I later learned from my doctors that you kind of go around in a circle using your index and middle fingers like a “pulsating” move if that makes any sense. Sorry to get too personal!
I assume you felt a lump, what was your initial reaction?
I think I knew right away something was very, very wrong. The lump felt so different than anything else; it felt completely out of place compared to the normal lumps and bumps you have in your breasts. I cried that day because I was scared and I knew something was wrong. I told Sean and right away we called my doctor.
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