The Age of Adaline (And Hello Young Harrison Ford)

The Age of Adaline

(And has Harrison Ford Found the Fountain of Youth Too?)

Recently the trailer for the upcoming film “The Age of Adaline” premiered on the big screen.  The film follows the story of Adaline, a young woman (portrayed  Blake Lively) who becomes immortal through a mysterious accident in 1935 (from the trailer, this presumably involves cold water and lighting. Who knew?).  She is permanently stuck at age 29, and as a result she must constantly change identities throughout the years.

While jokes have been made about how the story’s premise- “Oh poor Blake Lively, to be cursed with eternal youth and beauty!”- I honestly think there is a lot in Age of Adaline to draw an audience.

Though we may scoff at it, immortality has always held appeal for us mere mortals who constantly battle the limitations of time.  Perhaps most of all, we fear the idea that we may not have time to find love or happiness, or that we may waste time by not fully enjoying those we love.  The Age of Adaline takes that concern and reflects it in an unusual light.  

Though the main character is immortal, the primary story seems to be concerned with her internal conflict: how to live forever without a love that can last? While immortality is not a unique topic of story-telling, it is one to which we are repeatedly drawn. In the past several years alone this theme has played a role in  (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Tuck Everlasting, and the character of "Wolverine" in the X-Men films). However, Age of Adaline seems unique in its focus on a female protagonist who is simply trying to find the things that many of us want in life, keeping the heart of the story closer to home. 

If that doesn’t spark your interest, this also looks like a beautiful film.  The many decades covered in Age of Adaline offers an exciting view into many different eras of the past century.  I’m also coveting Lively’s wardrobe and hairstyles from the modern scenes.  It looks like the wardrobe people sent her to an Anthrology and let her walk out with the whole store.

And speaking of beautiful, Blake Lively isn’t the only person looking eternally young in this film. Watch the trailer and you will doubtless notice the actor who plays a younger version of Harrison Ford’s character. This young man, Anthony Ingruber, will have you flashing back to visions of Hans Solo in A New Hope. Relatively unknown to film audiences, Ingruber has a greater following in the realms of voice acting and Youtube. His speciality? Impressions. This includes impressions of yes, Ford, but also Jack Nicholson, Michael Fassbender, and even Sean Connery.   So though we don't get to hear him speak in the trailer for Age of Adaline, it is safe to presume that Ingruber will convince and fascinate us as a young Ford in the film. Check out his Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/anthonyingruber

Whether it is because of the compelling theme of immortality, the love story, or the curiosity to see Harrison Ford’s dopppelganger, audiences have many reasons to go see The Age of Adaline  once the film hits theatres.  According to IMDb, it will be released on April 24, 2015.

Trailer:

A Review of Enfuselle Skincare & 10 Makeup-Free Selfies

I've met a lot of people who really care about what they put into their bodies, but I've met fewer who seem to really stop and consider the nutritional importance of what we put ON our bodies. Our skin is, after all, the largest organ, and we absorb all kinds of things-good and bad- through it!

Lately, there seems to be an increased awareness about healthy skin and hair products, hence the rise of DIY all-natural skin and hair products ala Pinterest. Believe me, I've tried many of them. There have been several moments in my life when I found myself coated from the shoulders up in various concoctions of olive oil, coconut oil, honey, and cocoa-powder. Man did I smell delicious.

It's fun to play with recipes on occasion, but if you all are like me, it's just not practical to smother yourself in oil for twenty minutes a day. Also, kind of greasy as a daily treatment. I've also tried other all-natural cleansers and products. I love Burt's Bees, for instance and I also like Simple. However, as a Shaklee girl, I really wanted to try what the company had to offer in terms of skincare, because with Shaklee the difference is not only the natural ingredients, it's also the scientific research behind the products.

So, I ordered some basics in Shaklee's skincare line (Enfuselle) and have been using them for about five weeks now. See below the  LOVELY pictures of my morning face-care ritual. I have on zero makeup in all the pictures.

Below read about the pictured cleansing process, including a description of each item I use and the review for each product (in the order in which they are pictured-from top to bottom, left to right)

Step 1: Coconut oil

Not Shaklee, but this stuff is amazing. I use it for all kind of things. In this case, as a dirt and oil remover.       

The process: Take just about a dime size amount and rub it all over your face (upward motions only!) Then remove with some warm-water soaked cotton balls. 

Results: This not only gets the makeup off, it also adds a little extra moisture. 

Step 2: Enfuselle Hydrating Cleansing Lotion

 Description from Shaklee.com:

   " The creamy emulsion of this rich cleanser lays the foundation for your beauty regimen, dissolving     dirt, pollutants, and makeup without disturbing your skin's natural oils. Its hypoallergenic, soap-free, pH-balanced formula contains extra skin-softening vitamin E and other rich emollients. And triple-patented Vital Repair® Complex to neutralize free radicals and protect against prematurely older-looking skin. The result is smooth, balanced, glowing skin with a brighter tone. (Paraban free & Hypoallergenic)"

The process: Take about a nickel-sized amount and add a tiny bit off warm water. This cleanser gets very nice and lathery.  Rub in (again, upward) circles on your face. It's very creamy and soft.  It's not scented but it does have a soothing, cool aroma. Rinse off with water or a warm washcloth.

Results:  My skin feels soft and refreshed after (not "glowing"yet, but good). 

Cost:$20.10 retail price, $17.10 for members.

Step 3: Enfuselle Hydrating Toner

Description from Shaklee.com:

Our Hydrating Toner's alcohol-free formula evaporates quickly without drying skin. Witch hazel and chamomile extracts protect natural oils, clarify, and leave skin soft and smooth.

The process: soak a cotton ball in this stuff and smooth all over your face, concentrating in areas you feel need particular attention. I love to focus on my under-eye area. 

Results: Instantly less puffy under eyes and a pleasant (and definite) tingle! I love this one; it's totally different than any other toner I've tried. It's not a make-up remover toner...it's a skin rejuvenation toner. Love it.

Cost: $15.70 retail, $13.35 member price. 

Step 4: Enfuselle C &E Repair PM

Description from Shaklee.com

This patented skin-activated formula contains high levels of bio-pure vitamins C (10%) and E (5%) to instantly soften the skin and reverse the visible signs of aging while you sleep. With continued use, skin appears transformed as it recaptures youthful firmness and luminosity. Exclusive non-irritating formula and paraben free.

Clinically proven: 223% decrease in appearance of skin wrinkles in two weeks. 120% increase in skin resilience and firmness in two weeks. 209% decrease in skin's visible fine lines in eight weeks. 32% increase in retained skin moisture in eight weeks. A definitive evening of skin tone in 12 weeks.

The process: Take a TINY dot (as pictured), and smooth over your skin. It's very spreadable. I focus on any problem areas- anywhere I struggle with acne or foresee lines occurring. A little goes a LONG way. They recommend applying this before bed so it has time to absorb on your bare skin.

Results: At first I was hesitant to order this because it is expensive (but definitely better with a member discount). I'm so glad I DID order it though, because this stuff lasts forever and is by far my favorite skincare product, and I have heard others say so as well. It's like MAGIC. It creates the glow. 

Cost: $56.05 retail, $47.65 member price. 

The final picture in the series was taken in full-on light immediately after Step 4 with no makeup or filters.  I'm really grateful for these skincare products and excited about the results I am seeing!

If you are interested in learning more about Enfuselle, Shaklee, or member discounts, please let me know and I would be happy to talk to you!

*PLEASE NOTE* I'm not using all of the Enfuselle Skincare items; there are many more not featured in this post. I'm only reviewing the items that I personally use. I'm planning to try others in the future.