{Sweet Summertime}

Hello, lovies! It has been a semi-busy week getting back into work mode after a nice, long weekend at the beach...it just doesn't feel like summer until you spend time in the sun & sand! Of course, none of us remembered to take pictures to capture the delish homemade meals, adult concoctions or fun on the shore, but it was quite a relaxing weekend. A few of us even tried paddle boarding; a lot of fun but quite difficult when going against the tide & wind!

A little exercise while getting your tan on...

...I think I'll wait for this kind of water next time!

How cute!

Of course, being in the sun for several days (despite a lot of sunscreen) often leaves my skin dry and, recently, with a few darker skin spots. I blogged here about my experience with tanning and the effects from unprotected sun exposure. Recently, one of those effects is darker spots that seem to surface during the prime summer months. Some sources say cocoa butter or lemon juice help lighten the skin, but I am debating whether or not to try out this recommended product:

Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

If you have any other suggestions, let me know! It is hard to stay out of the sun, as there is so much to do outdoors! I am pretty much always in let's-go-on-vacation mode due to the fact I am permanently infected with the travel bug, but it has become increasingly difficult to plan for a getaway with a summer filled with all kinds of events! That's okay though, because the longer I wait to book a trip, the more vacation days I accrue...which means more time to do this:

Wine touring in Napa Valley, CA

Waterfall jumping in the Dominican Republic

Visiting Machu Picchu in Peru

Walking the Great Wall of China

Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef

So many fun possibilities to look forward to!

Images via Google

{Skin Deep}

I am guilty of having abused the tanning bed in high school and in my early college years. It all stems back to the desire to 'look good' for prom, graduation, a trip to the beach and so on. The 'unlimited month of tanning' specials seemed worth it...but now that I have had one minor surgery I can tell you a different story. There is no doubt that tanning is addicting: the nice warm bed or stand-up booth, the gradually darker skin tone, the smell of oils on your body...until your doctor tells you you're at high risk for skin cancer.

Research Your Area For A Spray Tan Artist!

I realize there are few sunless tanning products available that work without turning you into an oompa loompa but at the same time, take a step back and realize that if you're an avid tanner, you may already be a Snooki look-alike. The test to whether you tan too much is easy: just look at your Facebook pictures. If you are multiple shades darker than those next to you (in both the summer and winter months) and you are a natural whitey, chances are high this is actually not an attractive thing. Your body is (and always will be) more beautiful undamaged; I only wish I had learned this lesson a lot earlier.

Sun Laboratories

I will always love a good natural tan (and I'm sure my days of possible sunburn aren't over yet) but I never want to be caught by the sun again without a good sunscreen on. After almost two years of banning myself from the tanning bed, I can honestly say that the time & money I spent wasn't worth it. The tan always fades but the damage never will.

Treasure Your Skin Before It's Too Late!

No matter how light or dark your skin is, sun damage causes your skin to lose its elasticity, wrinkle, change color, and, in the worst scenario, threaten your life. Save your potentially natural tanning days (you'll still get a tan with spf 50 on!) for when you are snorkeling in the Bahamas or surfing in Hawaii, because we all know a fake baker when we see one...and it isn't a good thing.

All Images via Google