Happy Wednesday friends!  It’s been almost 2 weeks since I wrote a blog post, but the last time I blogged was to announce the newest Randa Carrabba Label collection.  I’ll be honest, it took so much work to bring everything to life, I just needed a little break from blogging so I could focus on my family, fashion clients and fitness members first!

So now that I’m back and much more rested, I figured it would be best just to give an overall life update since the newest RC Label launch!  In case you missed the blog post where I showcased my newest favorite designs, I would love for you to give it a read!  Linking it HERE.

What’s left from last year’s first ever Randa Carrabba the Label Collection is now marked on SALE for the first time ever.  There are limited quantities and very few size options left, but I’m linking the SALE collection HERE (some are up to 50% off).  It was my first ever collection to design, and I still absolutely adore every piece!  You can read the blog post from last year’s first ever launch of my first ever collection HERE.

I still have video content from BTS of this year’s collection content creation for the RC Label.  Is that something y’all want me to share with all of you?  Please let me know in the comments below!

Wearing the Carousel Chic Skirt by my own RC Label in Hot Pink (also comes in black and nude).  Top is vintage Southern Jewlz from the Vegas days!

If you’re an active follower of mine, you’ll know I’ve been dealing with hormonal acne more than ever this Summer, especially the past month or two.  I wanted to give everyone an update.

I am still visiting Heather at Aggieland Aesthetics every 4-6 weeks like normal, however I wasn’t able to micro needle the past 2 visits.  Y’all know I love micro needling and can read all about the benefits (FAQ) here!  So instead, Heather did a custom corrective facial for me during my last 2 appointments.  This is a custom improvement facial based upon everyone’s individual current needs that Heather assesses in person.  I also always use the serums that Heather recommends for me, usually a rotation of Rhonda Allison Brand with an emphasis on Growth Factor and C Stem Cell! They are usually very relaxing, unless we are having to use a specific agent that might have a little tingle/burn or something that might make me itch or peel after.  I am not a licensed aesthetician, so I am not going to break down each individual thing Heather does during every corrective facial I get.  She is the professional, I trust her, and I usually just let her work her magic while I relax rather than drilling her with questions or taking notes.  Since improvement corrective facials are individualized, it probably wouldn’t benefit for me to share every step of that process anyway, but rather just say that she is always awesome at helping me get back on track.  I do know the most recent corrective facial I had from her was only 2 days before my first ever CO2 laser at Artisan’s Rejuvenation Med Spa, and the focus was to strengthen the barrier of my skin to prepare for the upcoming laser.

As far as skincare, I have used Obagi for over 4 years now which is totally worth the money. I purchase mine from Dr. Angeletta Brown’s Officer here in College Station at The Med off Rock Prairie. KiKi is who consults me and switches up my skincare needs a few times a year. I use Obagi wash, toner, and then KiKi usually mixes up a rotation of their Melamim and Melamix with an occasional use of Retinae! If you go see KiKi, please let her know I sent her! When you see how beautiful her skin is at almost 60 years old without wearing makeup, you will be amazed. Everyone that I’ve mentioned that I work with is super professional and thorough!

It has now been 2.5 weeks since my first ever CO2 laser at Artisan’s.  The first one I did was actually very light because I was supposed to have it done a week before, but my face was too broken out at the time.  I told them I felt like Pretty Woman – in a joking way of course.  Instead of “you can’t shop here”, it was the fact that my face was too broken out to be treated.  This is because the CO2 laser is pretty invasive and recovery can be anywhere from 3/4 day to 2 weeks.  Since we did a light CO2 laser, I was only red faced for 2-3 days after.  I healed and looked better much quicker than I expected.  Usually you can wear makeup as soon as 4-5 days after being treated, and I was able to do so easily in that time frame.  We will follow up in the middle of November to do a more invasive/stronger CO2 laser since I healed so well from the light one.  The photos shown are 6 days after my first ever CO2 laser.  It did not hurt, however I could not be in the sun for 48 hours after wards and had to keep my face covered in ointment for a few days.  I obviously am going to do it again, so yes I truly recommend this treatment.  It’s for resurfacing of the skin so it helps with fine lines & wrinkles, collagen production, tone, texture and previous sun damage.  If you have scars or pigment lesions, this would also be a great procedure to do.  It basically feels like a heat laser, but they had a very cool air tool blowing on my face, so I felt it even less than micro needle.  With numbing and treatment time, it took about an hour.

Here are 2 photos to show how bright red and cystic-like my hormonal acne breakouts were.  They hurt and I felt like I was a teenager struggling with pimples again!

Dr. Procurull is who did my treatment, and he also prescribed me to Spiraonolactone to help with my hormonal acne breakouts.  So far my skin is on the mend and doing much better!  I haven’t been at a place where my breakouts have made me super insecure or even worried me about going in public without makeup on in years, however I started feeling that by the end of Summer.  I still showed up and was transparent on instagram to show that I have struggle with my complexion.  It’s easy to think based on social media that life can be so much more perfect for others than ourselves, and that is truly not the case.

Barbie Love turned 1 year old on September 1.  Life was a little hectic with the additional RC Collection launch on top of normal work life, so we ended up not celebrating until a week later.  Grant made her a dog friendly birthday cake and I dressed her up.  It was the first time Barbie was treated to something besides her dog food or ice (she doesn’t get people food or treats to keep peace in the house with Bucky), so she was OBSESSED with her cake.  It was right around National Dog Day, and she also got a pup cup from Freddy’s.  She finished hers in one bite and a few licks while Bucky took a full 3 minutes to savor every flavor haha.

Here is the dog friendly birthday cake recipe that Grant followed because a few of you were asking:

1 egg, 1/4 cup peanut butter (which the doggies LOVE!), 1/4 cup cooking oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/3 cup honey (optional), 1 cup shredded carrots, 1 cup whole wheat or white flour, 1 tsp baking soda.  Add all ingredients and blend together.  Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  Shout out to Grant because he did a great job baking while I was working!

Bucky and Barbie Love recently got matching Louis Vuitton collars from my friends at Vintage Boho Bags.  Grant keeps calling them “Boujee Bulldogs” now LOL.  I tried to get a good photo with both of them, but this was the reality.  Bucky wouldn’t even smile for an individual cause he’s pissed about having to match Barbie lol.  Anyways, the collars are linked HERE and you can use code “Randa10” to save on any purchase with Vintage Boho Bags.

They have vintage and authentic designer items that have been revamped and given new life as well as custom creations!

I’m competing along on the September Challenge with all the other PowHer.fit members who entered.  I believe in leading by example (actions) rather than just my words of encouragement.  Everyone is competing for a grand prize of 3 options that values up to $500 in value!  Here are some raw and recent gym update photos of my own journey.

My glutes, hamstrings and inner thighs is where I’ve really been progressing and seeing more results!  I’ve been lifting for almost 2 full years at 5 days a week, and for a year before that I was lifting 2-3 times a week.  I don’t plan on backing off from 5 days a week anytime soon!  To try your very own PowHer.fit workout for FREE (home or gym), you can do that HERE.

In case you don’t follow the PowHer.fit instagram account (more transformations are posted there!), here are some recent member success that were sent to me.  I never showcase anyone’s identity unless they ask me to.  Progress photos are not requires, however strongly encouraged to document real results along the way.  Sometimes the scale tells LIES.  I’ve actually gained 12 pounds since January 2018, and you can read all about that HERE.  (A previous blog post about not worrying about the scale or water weight!)

I still have not gotten the full blog together from our Paris trip.  My goal is now to have that done sometime before 2020 LOL.

I’m still helping to consult the new owner of Southern Jewlz (Stormy) and helping her grow the brand by doing weekly try-on video sessions on my instagram stories (follow me!) of the new arrivals before they launch.  This is my favorite most recent new arrival.  There are still 4 left in stock and you can order HERE.  My discount code for all online SJ orders is “Randa10”.  My purse is by Vintage Boho Bags (Randa10) and my statement bling heart earrings are linked HERE.  Now that I’m Barbie Love’s mom, I am obsessed with all things that are hearts!

My newest favorite custom Vintage Boho Bags is now available for purchase on their site (Discount code: Randa10).  I just ordered a 2nd strap to be shorter for when I wear it over my shoulder instead of just cross body!

Probably the most exciting update is the fact that I’ve been adding Monthly (Full Day) Meal Guidance to the PowHer.fit member forum including breakfast, lunch, dinner and 3 snack options (recipes, ingredients & instructions included for meals) and all the members have been LOVING IT!  If you’re a paid member, check it out HERE.  If you’ve been wanting to become a member and would love for the additional nutrition overview help I’ve added for the community, you can sign up HERE.

On September Week 2 Day 3 you’ll find the Bow Tie Pasta that we prepared for dinner last night.  I’ll go ahead and share that one recipe publicly on this blog, but just know that PowHer.fit members get full day recipes like this to set them up for their own personal fitness goal success!

Bowtie Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:

16 oz box bowtie pasta (wheat or veggie pasta encouraged, I buy Kroger brand)

40 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast

16 oz raw broccoli, chopped

12 oz cherry tomatoes, half sliced

1/2 cup pesto

1 tbsp cilantro

1 fresh lime

(The recipe doesn’t call for mushrooms, but I added 1 cup of mushrooms because I was low on my veggie intake yesterday leading up to dinner!  Honestly you could add in any extra veggies you wanted!)

Directions:

1. Grill chicken on the grill or sear on the stove top.
2. Cook bowtie pasta according to box directions. (Remember to have water boiling FIRST!  Adding in a little olive oil to the water helps to keep the pasta separated.)
3. Cook broccoli in boiling water or with veggie steamer. (Be sure to cook or sautè any other veggies you may be adding in, but the tomatoes can either be cooked or raw to preference.)
4. In large bowl mix chicken, drained pasta, broccoli, sliced tomatoes, pesto and cilantro.  Squeeze fresh lime juice on top.  Add salt (pink Himalayan for me), pepper, and any other additional seasonings to taste preference.

As for my favorite protein brownies (believe me, it took almost 2 years for me to come up with a really good recipe that I like), those are listed on the food recipe PowHer.fit member forum (linked HERE).  They are not too chocolatey and still super moist!   They do call for the chocolate collagen peptides from Ancient Nutrition, which I recently gave away to a lucky instagram follower yesterday!  You can save on any Ancient Nutrition online purchase with code Randa20.  I have used their collagen supplements for a year and a half now.  Keeps my skin glowing, serves as an additional source of protein, helps with my hair, nails and joints as well.  I even give the unflavored ones to the bulldogs!

The PowHer.fit community and company continues to grow, and I am so grateful!  We have 2 new programs launching within the app (located at www.PowHer.fit) in about a week and a half.  One is a Post Partum program and the other is a special Booty/Abs focused program.  Each of these new programs will be 6 weeks programs, where all the others we currently offer are 12 weeks programs.  Our current programs are Strength 1.0 (both home and gym), Bikini Body Conditioning (both home and gym) and PowHer 1.0 (both home and gym) – we suggest following the programs in that specific order for optimum results.  You can read more about each program on the PowHer.fit blog!

There is also another fabulous opportunity I’m working on for my PowHer.fit community that will launch in October.  Be on the lookout because it’s something I’m super excited to finish creating and soon share!  Does anyone have any guesses?  If so, leave them in the comments below!

Grant and I are loving that it’s Aggie Football season.  We are hopeful for a great year and looking forward to hosting friends for the Auburn game this weekend.  Here we were at last weekend’s game!

To round out this blog, here are some quotes that have really spoken to me lately.  I hope you enjoy one (of hopefully all) as much as I do!  Thank you so much for continuing to follow along with the lifestyle I share online!

xo,