Kitty Deschanel | Food, Wine, and Travel Adventures Across the USA

This article has been updated! My new chemical peel post, which includes pricing, Jessner peel before and after photos, product recommendations, and a helpful timeline for scheduling your treatments, is at the bottom. My original Jessner peel post (one of the most popular on my site of all time) is at the beginning. Original Chemical Peel Article Considering a chemical peel? I recently underwent my first Jessner peel and thought I'd share my results, post a Jessner peel review, and answer some frequently asked chemical peel questions. (I'm guessing that "Does a chemical peel hurt?" is a biggie!) I'd been planning to order an over-the-counter peel when we were in Iceland , but my computer led me a different direction. I decided to do this on a whim after Groupon greeted me one morning with a great $40 chemical peel deal. Now, I can read your mind. You just gasped in horror and thought  You trusted your face to a  discount  chemical peel?!  You're won...

 Austin Hudson-LaPore: July 8, 1992-June 19, 2013 Yesterday was a long, difficult day. Austin was found in Lake Michigan by a fisherman. We really tried. I hope Austin's family knows that we did everything we could think of. I hope they know that he meant so much to so many people. It's unimaginable what they must be going through and I just feel so, so sorry that this happened. I'm posting all of this on my blog because I want other people to know how special Austin was. I want other people to care. Austin's family searched desperately for him in Chicago. His friends back home contacted every media outlet imaginable to raise awareness. The Today Show interviewed his parents, then bumped his story. Even here in Albuquerque, where Austin grew up and graduated from the Albuquerque Academy (one of our top schools), our local paper and news stations didn't care. My boss called the editor at the Albuquerque Journal to plead for them to feature Austin's s...

Missing University of Chicago Student: Austin Hudson-LaPore (PLEASE share this and help get the word out!) He's a brilliant and kind kid from Albuquerque, NM. There's no way he was involved in drugs or anything else. Everyone here at home is just devastated. We've contacted everyone we can think of, from our local politicians to the authorities in Illinois. The media has been mostly ignoring his story, but if we can generate enough interest, they will have to pay attention! Sharing Austin's story does make a difference . Here is part of a conversation between me and Austin's dad: Give our best to Dan and Rachelle and have them do their best to spread the word on Austin's disappearance via Facebook or any email lists they might have. The publicity is getting lots of resources mobilized for us. Just recently, a canine tracker joined the search at no charge. The media exposure is also resulting in more involvement from the Chicago police. ww...

Today, I'm sharing a link to findaustinhudson.com . Austin Hudson-LaPore is an Albuquerque, NM native and graduate of Albuquerque Academy. He recently disappeared from Chicago, IL. For my employer, he is a family friend . Please take a moment to share his links via your own blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and any other way available. Help get the word out. Thank you!

I use boxed cake mix to whip up Cake Mix Cookie Bars, Cake Mix Pudding , Cake Mix Pancakes - just about everything except a Cake Mix Cake! There's no bad time for a chocolate chip cookie. A hearty bowl of oatmeal, mug of coffee, and a side of chocolate chip cookies? What a great way to start the day. Unfortunately, chocolate chip cookies are time consuming and kind of a pain to make, especially when you just want to eat the cookies right this instant. So, you try to save time and effort by baking a batch of cookie bars, but they often end up tasting more like cake or brownies. Cookie bars don't really taste like cookies, do they? Until now! Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookies Cake Mix Cookie Bars Quick and easy! 1 15.25 oz Box Cake Mix (I usually use Yellow, White, or Pillsbury Funfetti cake mix - a relief after you saw that neon photo above, right?) 1 Egg 1/3 C Vegetable Oil, Olive Oil, or Coconut Oil 1/3 C Milk (I've made these with everything from skim t...

On Saturday, my mom, aunt Jackie, and I spent the day in Santa Fe. We shopped, enjoyed a top-notch happy hour at Zia Diner, and strolled around the plaza. The highlight of our day, however, had to be the car I parked near (but not too near!) when we dropped my aunt off at the Buffalo Thunder Resort. The car is resting on top of the concrete barrier. How does someone do this?? They took the time to put up the sun shade! My mom took this photo of me. I was going for a look of amusement, but didn't quite nail it. I blame my braces for giving me a toothless, old lady smile. And, yes, that is a coffee and a Diet Coke. I needed some caffeine for my long drive back to Albuquerque. They're both complimentary at the casino, so why choose?

First up, I'm super excited to share a link to The Spohrs Are Multiplying . Welcome to the world, baby James! Please visit the Spohr's blog to congratulate them on their new addition if you have a chance. Second, this post is being written from Albuquerque, NM. There's still no vacation or move to Omaha in our future. Third, it's time to LINK UP! Have a great weekend, everyone!

I haven't quite gotten Omaha out of my system and have been researching what it would be like to move there. How long do midlife crises usually last? Do you cut that time in half for a mid-midlife crisis ? The Omaha tourism websites only increase my desire for at least a visit, if not a life-changing move. At visitomaha.com , there's an entire section devoted to shopping. They have a store called Chocolate Peacock. Whatever could that be? My rational guess is that it's a typical, everyday candy shop. Then again, who's to say Nebraskans aren't serving the birds as a delicacy, fondue-style? Certainly not me, as Sexy Nerd hasn't agreed to vacation there yet. Omaha does make a big deal about their zoo. Just saying. I really should move to Omaha. Their tourism department needs me! Did you click on the link above? They're trying to convey how friendly and lovable the folks in Omaha are. They want me to believe that a day spent shopping in their various whimsic...

Three day weekend, baby! My boss has been at a dental convention since the 15th, so it's a bit longer than 3 days for me. The plan was to get lots of writing done during my time off. I'm pleased to report that my novel is just about finished. Did you catch that in the last part? It's difficult to convey sarcasm through a blog post. Have a fun weekend, everyone!

Sexy Nerd and I have been toying with the idea of moving to Omaha, NE. It isn't actually going to happen, but it's still fun to research a new city and place to live. I found a House Hunters clip online featuring a trendy part of Omaha (even less likely to happen, the condo featured was almost a million dollars!) Still, I shared the link with Sexy Nerd via his Facebook page, daydreaming about our hip, imaginary life "in the big city". Hey, when you live on the outskirts of Albuquerque, Omaha looks pretty impressive. They have so much water and greenery! Anyhoo, here is the response to my urban-living fantasy, posted by Sexy Nerd's mom: "No, no I was thinking farm...barnyard full of chickens, ducks, goats...and a garden to spend hours tilling and weeding... freezers full of the fruits of your labors...at least 3 kids running around climbing trees... just saying." Her comment made me smile, but I couldn't think of a reply. Granted, ...