One of the most important things you can do for your skin besides washing it dailyand applying sunscreen is allowing your pores to breathe! At least once a week I don’t wear any makeup to improve the health of my skin. I usually make that day Sunday since I’m at home and relaxing. The picture to the left was me last Sunday. I’ll admit, my hair had maintained it’s curl from the day before, but I’m wearing absolutely no makeup and I know it shows!
Besides going makeup-free once a week I do two other things for my skin. First, I wash it with body scrub when I’m in the shower, and second, I take my makeup off before I go to bed. You would be amazed at the amount of people who don’t do those things!
The body scrub I really like is St. Ive’s Apricot body scrub. It works really well and comes with a lot for the price. You can find it at Target in the beauty area. When I’m taking my makeup off I use Neutrogena makeup-remover towelettes. It gets everything off. One thing you might also consider that works well for getting that stubborn mascara off is cold cream. It works like a dream and your eyelashes will be light and beautiful again!
I’ve tried so many products that say they’ll do this or that and they never works the way they’re supposed to. These are the few I’ve tried that really do work. I’ve never had bad skin until I got to college and started stressing out more causing an increase in oil production released through my pores. When that started, I knew I had to take better care of my skin! I dare you to go makeup-less for at least one day a week! It only takes 30 seconds for your skin to absorb anything that goes on your face. After a week of wearing makeup, your skin deserves a break!
I love Sundays because normally I have a guest post on the blog! Today is no exception! Emily from Erratic Goddess is showing us how to make 3 great face masks!
The skin care is the most important thing when it comes to beauty. And taking care of our face is beyond important; our face is like the mirror of our spirit.
I don’t think it’s fair to go out everyday using heavy makeup, foundations, eyeliners, shadows, creams and nothing more, our face needs care, a lot of care! That’s why today I’m going to show you 3 effective, homemade masks that are going to help you with your face.
The first one is a mask to remove the blackheads from the nose. In this mask we’re going to use just baking soda and lemon juice. It is important for me to clear one fact here, when we use lemon as an ingredient for anything that is going to be used in our skin (face, arms, hands) it is better if we use it at night, because the sun and the lemon has this weird reaction together and it can make little stains in our skin.
Mask #1
Ingredients:
2 tbsp of baking soda
The juice of a Lemon
Mix the baking soda and the lemon until you get a sticky paste, apply it on your face and massage in circles for 1 minute. Leave it for another minute and then remove it with cold water.
The second mask is to eliminate pimples. They are annoying and makeup is not enough to cover them and it makes them worse. Before using this mask on your skin, make sure you’re not allergic to cinnamon. Take a little bit of the mask, put it on your nose or cheeks and leave it for a minute if it doesn’t hurt or causes itching or redness, you’re good to go.
Mask #2
Ingredients:
2 tbsp of cinnamon (powder)
2 tbsp of honey
The juice of a lemon
Mix all the ingredients and apply to your face everywhere except in your eyes; let it rest for 4 or 5 minutes and then wash it out with cold water. It’s going to leave your face fresh and soft.
Mask #3
Ingredients:
2 tbsp of oats
2 tbsp of brown sugar
1 crushed tablet (aspirin or tylenol)
3 tbsp of honey or chamomile tea
Mix everything until you get a strong paste, apply to your face and let it rest for 5 minutes, remove the excess and with the part that has stuck to your face, massage your forehead, nose, lips and chins for 2 minutes and then remove it with cold water.
These 3 masks, if you do them together the same night are a great combination, but the pimple mask is good just to make it twice a month, the same goes to the blackhead mask. However, the exfoliating mask is perfect for every night or 3 timers per week or as you like.
I hope you enjoy this post and do some of the masks! Make yourself feel like you’re in a spa. It would be fun to have a sleepover party with your best friends and make them all. Take some pictures and share it.
Thanks, Emily! If you like what you read head over to her blog and let her know!
Have you ever walked into someone’s home and thought you were in the midst of another Martha Stewart? Yeah, story of my life. These types have it all together and are never frazzled (they also wear dresses or some cute outfit everyday). I know these ladies all too well and I admit to being envious. It leads me to think, what can I do differently?
Life Made Simple
The first thing these people tend to have is a very intense schedule. Their scheduling books (because its never just on their iPhones) are packedwith every day’s activities. Personally, I have no desire to keep a schedule. My life isn’t nearly cool or important enough to keep one. But for those of us who are fairly busy, buy one!
Along with their schedule they seem to have lists made up of everythingthey need to buy for that week. I notice on Instagram the popular bloggers take photos of their lists or what they buy every week. One thing they tend to buy weekly is flowers for their home. I truly believe that some sort of living thing in the home lifts the spirits. My favorite flower is a Peony. However, I cannot afford this weekly and I somewhat doubt they all can either. Find a flower that’s a little less expensive and you can still have that energy flowing in your home.
People who have their lives together also tend to make meals ahead of time. They designate one day a week just for cooking (usually a Sunday) and they prepare all their meals for the whole week. This particularly applies to those who don’t have families. I found some great containers for keeping food in for the week. Sistema!
Another glamorous element of these individuals is their morning ritual. Now, before I go any further I hatemornings. They are of the devil, especially if you have school or work to go to in a few short hours. However, you really can get a lotdone. Workout, take a shower, get ready for the day, do a few chores, enjoy some coffee on the terrace. It all makes the day a little better.
They spend the weekends enjoying life. This is why the chores are important to do during the weekdays. Go do something fun. Hang out with friends, BBQ, lay on the beach, find a quaint area to sit around and relax. Just do something that makes your life worth living. If you live for work, you’ll also die by it.
Have you ever noticed that these Martha Stewarts are also well connected? Its because they participate in so many different things! Find a cause you would like to work for and a group that focuses on it. Donate some time with them and make some friends. I am a Child Ambassador for World Vision Internationaland I’ve met a lot of neat people through that.
Finally, put value in yourself and your life. Realize that you are worth every effort you put into life. Build confidence in who you are and be around people who are positive and won’t put you down. There’s nothing worse than someone who’s toxic!
Summer is coming and it has crept up on us yet again. As I look in the mirror I can see a few improvement areas, particularly around my thighs (a trouble spot). However, I know better than anyone else that getting your bum off the couch and getting to the gym is one of the hardest things you will do in an average day. Some people live for the gym and I’m forever jealous of them!
What can we do to motivate ourselves to hit the gym? I think I’ve come up with a few ideas. Read on.
1. Get a gym bag
Seriously, who doesn’t love getting a new bag of some sort? I’ve been browsing Dick’s Sporting Goods and they seem to have quite the assortment of awesome gym bags to choose from.
2. Put together a great gym outfit
Girls (and guys) should try and look presentable at the gym. I enjoy looking cute though. Go find some athletic shorts in your favorite color and a new tank. While you’re at it, indulge yourself in a new pair of running shoes. They don’t have to cost hundreds but fresh kicks can do a world of good!
3. Make a routine
You won’t want to go to the gym if you have no idea what you’ll do when you get there. Find a routine that you are comfortable with but will also challenge you. The Tone It Up girls run a Youtube channel with hundreds of workouts to choose from. Go take a peak!
4. Make a playlist
For a really good workout you need a really good playlist of songs that motivate you. A few songs on my playlist are “Angel” by Akon, “Cool Kids” by Echosmith, “I Love It” by Icona Pop, “I Made It” by Kevin Rudolf, “Runaway” by Mat Kearney, and “I’m Alive” by Shinedown.
5. Hydrate
Water is an important part of any workout routine. If you’re like me, you find water rather boring. Rethink this with adding fruit to your water! I love strawberries and limes in mine. At a spa I went to in Disney World, they added lemon and cucumber to their water. It was a refreshing drink that truly made water exciting!
6. Find a workout partner
Having someone that will meet you at the gym will motivate you for two reasons: 1. You won’t want to be rude and cancel on them and 2. You will challenge yourself to keep up with your partner and meet your own goals.
7. Find a fitness app
I like to record my progress, calorie intake, weight, and water consumption on my phone so I can remember and have it handy. Find an app that you like to record the same things. I use My Net Diary to keep track of these things but there are many others!
What do you do to motivate yourself to go to the gym? Any tips? Comment, like, and share!
We all enjoy a day off to relax and revive ourselves. I am not exception to this rule, especially since I just finished all my finals and I had my wisdom teeth pulled. By the way, my cheeks seem to be bruising more and more by the hour. If anyone has any tips to reduce swelling and such please comment below! Anyway, since all this is going on I need a day to just sit back and enjoy a day of nothingness. I’m a go-go-go kind of person and just sitting down is hard for me. Here’s what I do to relax and enjoy a cozy day in!
1. Comfy Clothes
Do I even have to explain this one? No one wants to spend a day lounging around in jeans and a polo shirt. You need something soft and loose to really relax and feel at home. I love wearing my university sweatpants and this cute new Aeropostale hoodie I found for $7 at the mall. Its super soft and just enough ventilation so I don’t get over heated.
2. Tea Please!
I’m trying to learn to enjoy tea more but I’m still a coffee addict. I do love Tazo Passionfruit Tea from Starbucks though. I’m trying to find a recipe for it so I can cave some money and make it at home. The nearest Starbucks is 15 minutes away so there are no such things as quick Starbucks runs around here. I’ll be stocking up on teas and coffees (possibly buying a cute mug or two) and settling in.
3. A Book
We rely on media to entertain us but books have been doing so for much longer. I’m not a fan of fiction books unless its a really great one. However, I do love books about history, crazy conspiracies (they’re fun to think about), fashion, home decor, lifestyle, and old magazines. Find a genre that interests you and dig in. Reading makes you a well-rounded individual and is good for your mind.
4. Candles
Ahhh candles. Is there anything more calming than the smell of a burning candle? I think not. Having a few around adds a nice touch to a relaxing day. My favorites ones to burn are Vanilla Cupcake from Yankee Candle and Mahogany Teakwoood from Bath and Body Works. They smell divine together! Plus Mahogany Teakwood smells like the Abercrombie cologne my boyfriend wears. Yum!
5. Pinterest
I know I’m lame for saying this, but cuddled under a blanket I could pin for hours! I love pinning to my one blog called “The Feeling of Home” because its all about coziness! Me and my bestie Lindsey used to room together for an internship we both did at Disney World and during our days off we would begin by the pool and end in our beds pinning to our heart’s content.
6. Music
Whether you want to listen to something upbeat or low key it can soothe your soul! I love listening to the ‘Sound of Sunshine’ by Michael Franti & Spearhead for a great upbeat sound. For something a little more chill I love some Jack Johnson!
7. Nail Polish
I love doing my nails when I have time to do them well! Grab your nail file and clippers and get to work on prepping your fingers and toes for a gorgeous update! Something I love to do is choose a basic nail color (I usually go for a light pink) and painting all my fingers with a few coats then let them dry. After, I paint each tip with a sparkle polish kind of like you would a French manicure. However, on both of my ring fingers I paint the entire nail with the sparkle polish. Its so cute!
8. The Entire Season of a TV Show
Is there anything better than finishing a season of something on Netflix? I do that at least a few times a year. My latest show is ‘Lie to Me‘ even though it only has 3 seasons (which is beyond me because it was such a cool show). However, in the past I’ve gotten into ‘My Fair Wedding with David Tutera‘ and ‘White Collar‘ (Matt Bomer is too cute).
9. Fruit
A cozy day in is also a great day for a little detox. Fruit is such a wonderful thing and is loaded with anti-oxidants and other good stuff. I love to cut up pineapple, kiwi, and strawberries and put them all in the same bowl then sprinkle a small amount of sugar on them (sometimes salt if they’re already too sweet) and then dig in! So yummy and refreshing. Add some Light Cool Whip for a dessert feel!
10. Soft Pillow
I stack pillows on my bed like its nobodies business! At one point I had 7 on my queen sized bed. Surround yourself with pillows and leave room for a nap. There are so many benefits to napping I don’t know why employers aren’t on board with it. For now, on your day off take a nap and enjoy every minute of. For an even better nap, open your window a bit and let the breeze come in!
What are your must haves for a cozy day in? Let me know by commenting below! Thanks!
One of the most important things you can do for your skin besides washing it daily and applying sunscreen is allowing your pores to breathe! At least once a week I don’t wear any makeup to improve the health of my skin. I usually make that day Sunday since I’m at home and relaxing. The picture to the left was me last Sunday. I’ll admit, my hair had maintained it’s curl from the day before, but I’m wearing absolutely no makeup and I know it shows!
WITTY 'N' PRETTY 