Skin Care Fridge

October 19, 2019

I recently made a purchase that exposed my "too much" gene as Jenna Marbles would call it.  I bought a tiny retro fridge specifically to hold my skin care products.  Yup-- I'm that bitch now.  You may ask "What is the purpose of a skin care fridge?"  Well... there isn't really a purpose or point.  Products don't necessarily have to be kept cold, but damn to they feel good on the skin if they are!  Certain products may gain a little extra shelf life if kept refrigerated such as products with retinol or benzoyl peroxide.  So, why not keep them cold!?

I do not currently have any products in my routine that are perishable, but I have in the past.  Lush USA has an amazing mask called "Mask of Magnaminty" and it is perishable and must be kept in the fridge.  I used to use this all the time, but got tired of having to go to the kitchen to grab my skin care.  It got to the point where I would forget that it was there and it would go bad before I could use it all.  I stopped buying it because I was wasting my money!  Well-- now I can add it back into my routine!

Besides the perishable products there really is no need to keep your skin care products chilled.  The only other benefit would be that the chilled products do help to calm irritation and swelling.  I just like how it feels, so I decided I needed a boujee mini fridge.  I like to keep my moisturizers, under eye patches, toner, essence and exfoliating pads in there.  When I do my skin care routine (you can find my skin care routine HERE) in the mornings it wakes me right up and helps to eliminate the puffiness in my face after sleeping.  It is really one of my new favorite things!
  
What is currently in my skin care fridge?

  1. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs & Rosewater
  2. Pixi by Petra Glow Tonic To Go Pads
  3. Origins Ginzing Energizing Gel Moisturizer
  4. Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
  5. Soap & Glory Daily Youth Moisture Lotion
  6. Activated Charcoal Under Eye Mask with Hydrogel by BLAQ
  7. May Coop "Raw Sauce"
  8. Boscia Deep Hydrating Japanese Tsubaki Sleeping Mask
  9. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
I am obsessed with this tiny little pink fridge!  There are a lot of other kinds, but I loved the retro look of this Frigidaire option.  You can find this particular fridge HERE!  Is this something that you would be interested in trying?  Is it too much?  Do you care? Let me know!

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for myself to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.



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How To Fix Broken Powder Makeup!

September 30, 2019


Have you ever dropped a pressed powder, highlighter, eye shadow, etc. and it shattered into a million small pieces?  Did your soul leave your body for just a moment when that happened?  Mine usually does because I can just see the dollar signs floating up to the heavens along with my beautiful makeup.  Well-- don't fret, my pet.  This isn't the end of your makeup's life!  You can fix it yourself and it doesn't cost you anything extra and you get to be a scientist for a few minutes!

For my birthday this year I got a BEAUTIFUL, limited edition Becca Cosmetics highlighter that I had been eyeing up in Ulta called "Lilac Geode."  It is the most gorgeous cool lilac pink with gold pearl.  It is so stinkin' pretty!!
Photo cred: Beauddiction
Anyway-- I was loving it and using it daily for about two weeks when tragedy struck my world and I dropped the compact on my tiled bathroom floor.  I watched the beautiful powder crumble into a million tiny pieces.  I was so sad, but remembered that I could repair it myself using isopropyl alcohol.  I had seen a couple of videos and blog posts about it, but had never done it myself.

I held on to the highlighter for months and finally decided to do a little science experiment this past weekend.  Want to know how you can save your precious powders?  Here are the steps:

Items you will need:
  1. Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
  2. Paper Towels
  3. Small tool for smoothing (I used the round end of nail clippers and q-tips)
  4. Small, flat, round object for pressing
Step 1: Break up the remaining pieces of your powder to smaller pieces-- even parts that may not have broken.  I didn't break mine up as small as I could have, but as long as they aren't huge pieces you should be fine.
Step 2: Add the alcohol in small increments.  The higher the concentration, the better.  I only had 50% on hand, but you can buy higher at the drug store.  Once the alcohol has been added the product should resemble wet sand when it is at peak consistency.  Mix it together and smooth it as close to the edges of the pan as possible.  Use your tools to your advantage.  I used the smooth end of my nail clippers, but you could use your finger, the back of a spoon-- anything with a smooth surface.  If you do use your fingers just dip them in the alcohol first so that the product doesn't stick to your fingers.  I dipped my q-tips into the alcohol before using them too to ensure it didn't stick.
Step 3: Find a small object with a flat, round surface that fits the size of the pan you are re-pressing.  Fold a paper towel into a square so that when pressed it will soak up the extra alcohol.  Don't press too hard because the wet power will just come up the sides-- that is not what we want!  Press gently to make sure that the wet powder is firmly pressed in the pan and smooth.  If you want to go a step farther (like I did) you can then use the alcohol q-tip to smooth out the paper towel marks.
Step 4: Allow the powder to dry anywhere from 24-48 hours before trying to use.  The larger the pan the longer it takes to dry.  I let mine dry for 48 hours. Once its dry use a q-tip to clean around the edge of the pan and clean the mirror and it will be just like new.  Only thing missing is the fancy pattern that was originally stamped into the product, but who cares!?  Not me-- I got my beautiful highlighter back!

Now that I am sure that this works you best believe that I will be doing this any time a product breaks.  We pay too much money for these items and I'll be damned if I let a little shatter stand between me and my glow!

Has this ever happened to you?  Did you throw it away, keep using it broken or fix it?  Let me know in the comments below!


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Confession: I Shave My Face

April 3, 2019

Ladies-- we all want that perfect, smooth skin and will usually try anything to get it.  What if I told you that I have found something that has helped my skin become more smooth?  What if I told you that was that I shave my face?  Don't be alarmed!  I am not taking a Schick to the face-- I'm not that crazy!  It is basically the at-home version of dermaplaning.  What is dermaplaning, you ask?  Well, according to an article from Refinery29:

"Dermaplaning is a physical form of exfoliation similar in theory to microdermabrasion," says Dr. Jonquille Chantrey, a cosmetic surgeon and skin expert.  "It requires the use of a sterile, surgical scalpel (not as scary as it sounds) to gently shave the skin's surface, removing the top layer or dead skin along with fine vellus hair."

Basically the stuff we call "peach fuzz."  So why the fuss?

"Dermaplaning cleverly triggers the cell regeneration process,"  continues Dr. Chantrey.  "It helps to improve the appearance of things like acne scarring and hyperpigmentation and the effects of the procedure are instant in leaving your skin with a smooth appearance and a radiant glow.  Along with the removal of fine hairs, it results in healthier skin that feels silkier."

Agreed, Refinery29, a scalpel does sound scary.   Wanna know what else sounds scary?  Paying the average of $75-150 for a dermaplaning service!  So, after doing some YouTube research (my favorite) I learned that a lot of women were using small, eyebrow razors to shave their faces!  After watching a TON of my favorite beauty vloggers (Jaclyn Hill & Michelle Money) videos I decided to give it a try.  I ordered some of the razors on Amazon and got to work! 

Here are a few things that I have found while shaving my face:

  1. The hair does not grow back faster, thicker and darker.
    Shaving the hair does not alter your follicles nor does it change the rate of growth.   This is a myth and you don't need to be worried!  What I would suggest, and practice myself, is using a warm washcloth to open the pores and hair follicles to prep them for shaving.  I also like to cleanse my skin before I start shaving in order to make sure that I am working with a clean canvas.  I use a light face oil or serum right before to work like a gentle "shaving cream."  This helps me with avoiding possible ingrown hairs.
  2. It is really great for your skin!
    Not only are you removing the peach fuzz, but you are exfoliating dead skin!  The gentle razor helps to get rid of the pesky small hairs as well as a layer of dead skin on your face.  After you are done you can do your regular skin care routine and you will start to see (almost immediately) a more clear and smooth appearance to your face.
  3. Makeup application will be beautiful!
    You won't believe how much better your makeup will apply and look!  It applies so much smoother and easier.  Shockingly, the peach fuzz and dead skin really make a difference in the way your foundation lays on your skin (kidding).  It is easier to blend with a smooth surface and it just looks better overall.  Also, removing the dead skin and texture that comes with it makes your highlight look sooooo good!  I'm telling you guys-- its amazing!
So, what do I use?  I like the cheap eyebrow razors that you can find in any drugstore or online.  You can buy them on Amazon too!  The brand I like to use is Tinkle and you can find an inexpensive set of 12 HERE!  If you are just trying it out you don't have to buy 12.  I would recommend starting with the 3 pack which you can find HERE!

Do you already shave your face?  Please tell me in the comments below!  If you don't, is it something you would be interested in trying?  Tell me all about it!  Let's chat!
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Trending: Blue Light Glasses

March 22, 2019


According to my screen time report on my iPhone I spend approximately 5-6 hours A DAY on my phone.  A DAY!?  That is crazy!  I am at work for 9 hours a day and there are only 24 hours in a day, so it seems I may have a problem!  When I'm not looking at my phone I'm likely on my computer at work or watching TV at home.  I usually spend most of the time on my phone when I'm in bed.  This is a ton of screen time and a lot of exposure to active blue light.

According to Science Daily and their study of lighting color affects on mice they also determined that "the results also add to [their] understanding of the effects of light emitting devices on humans, where recent studies have shown that the blue light from these devices delays sleep."  Not only does my nighttime phone scrolling effect my eyes, but my daytime computer use does too.  I found that I was starting to get daily headaches and my vision would be blurry.  I felt like I needed to do something!

A friend of mine (shoutout to Kelly!) had a pair of blue-light blocking glasses and told me about what they did.  I was curious, so I googled them and since then ads have been popping up all over my social media.  I finally decided to pull the trigger and found a pair by TIJN on Amazon for $16.99 that were cute.
TIJN Blue Light Blocking Glasses in Leopard

I have been wearing them before bed and at work and have noticed a big difference.  I have been sleeping a lot more soundly and have stayed asleep better.  I've also noticed that I haven't had as many headaches while at work and my vision is much clearer.  With the amount of screen time that I expose myself to daily I think that these can be a great addition to my routine.

Along with the addition of these adorable glasses I need to work on my screen time addiction!  It's embarrassing that I spend that much time on my phone!  Most of the time there isn't even anything interesting going on!  I'm just scrolling to scroll!  Really the issue is bigger than just the effects of blue light as I need to get better at being more present in my regular life and not my phone life.  But, for the time that I am on my phone, working on my computer or watching TV I now have something  to help combat the harmful effects of that pesky blue light!

Do you own a pair of these glasses?  Would you be interested in owning a pair?  I love these and they come in a ton of colors!  Click my Amazon affiliate link above and try them out!  Let me know what you think.
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February Monthly Favorites

March 4, 2019

It's that time again!  Can you believe February is almost over?  I feel like January dragged on for two years and February went by in the blink of an eye!  I did my January monthly favorites and it went over well, so I figured I would start a tradition!

So, come along with me through a few of my favorite things!

Beauty:
I recently decided to venture out of my comfort zone and tried a new nail shape.  I know-- I'm getting wild!  I decided to try an almond shaped nail and ended up loving it!  I had wanted to try this shape becuase I felt like it would compliment my hands.  My fingers are the only skinny things on my body, so I felt like the slightly tapered tip would help to create a nice length and compliment my hands.  Weird-- I know, but these are things I think about!

Fashion:
I have been interested in the "paper bag" pant trend and wasn't sure if I could pull it off.  I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a trendy piece of clothing, so I went to Target with a mission.  What I found isn't a traditional "paper bag" pant, but it was close and I decided to try them out!  They are lightweight, tapered ankle and are incredibly comfortable.

Music:
I have been obsessed (understatement) with the new Ariana Grande album "Thank U, Next."  I can't stop listening to it!  Besides her released singles I am a big fan of "Imagine," "Needy," and "NASA."  This album is very different from her normal style and I am really liking it.



Food:
So, I know that I mentioned in my last post that I was doing the Freestyle program with WW and I have had a hard time finding substitutes for some of my favorite foods.  On weekend mornings I like to have a bigger breakfast and bacon is usually a part of that.  I love bacon!  Regular bacon was running around 5 points for 2-3 slices and that is just too high for my point count!  I found that center cut bacon runs a little lower on points at 1 point per slice!  I can have two scrambled eggs with "Everything but the bagel" seasoning, three slices of bacon, a slice of toast and a cup of coffee for 6 points!  That is totally worth it for me!  One of my favorite breakfasts for lazy weekend mornings.

Television:
I'm sure most of you have already seen the series "You" either on its original network of Lifetime or on its new network and home, Netflix.  I had heard about it a lot before watching and was a little hesitant as I don't usually like things like psychological thrillers.  I had also heard that it would make me want to stop dating lol... it didn't help!  I have loved Penn Badgley since my GG days.  Lonely Boy was who I crushed on, but this Joe character is horrible!  If you haven't seen it yet you should.  It is really good and I am excited about season 2!

Have you discovered anything this past month that you have fallen in love with?  Comment below and let me know what some of your favorite things have been for February, 2019!
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#30DayButtLiftChallenge Part 2

February 18, 2019


Well guys... the 30 days has come and gone.  The challenge is complete!  I wasn't able to do the full 30 days because I ended up injuring my back while doing the bridges.  Embarrassing!  I tried to finish it out as best as I could, but lower back pain does not go well with squats or leg lifts!  The fact that I posted that I was doing the challenge in the first place is the only reason I continued to try with modifications.  You all were great motivation to keep going!

I found that I would forget in the mornings, and even during the day, so I would end up piling everything in the evenings around bed time.  I wasn't noticing any soreness until around day 19 when it started increasing a little more and the reps were going higher each day.  I also learned that I had the wrong squat form and was putting too much weight in my toes which was causing me to overcompensate in my back and causing the lower back pain to flare up even more.  This was a great learning experience for me!


Before:
1/13/19
This photo was a huge wake-up moment for me.  I really didn't want to post this (still kind of don't) and was embarrassed of what I had seen, but didn't want to hide it either.  I wasn't hiding it really-- I wear leggings all the time.   This is what people see, so it wasn't like this was a big secret!  Everyone always presents the "best" of themselves on social media and I am a perpetrator of only posting pictures that I think look good and maybe not always posting the most "realistic" portrayals of myself.  Who wants to show of the not great parts of themselves? Not me!  But I need to break that habit.  It isn't easy, but something that I need to do.


After:
2/17/19

Since my before photo I have been working out (with small breaks due to my back) and have lost 7lbs!  I have also been following the new WW Freestyle Program which has helped with the weight loss as well.  I didn't take measurements, but have noticed a slight difference.  I think that now that I know the proper form for squats and have learned a few other exercises that will help to target the specific areas I want to work on I will start to see more results.  Fitness is a journey and I am learning to be patient with that time.

I know there were a few other folks that were doing the 30 day challenge with me.  How did it go for you?  Please share in the comments below!  What kind of challenge should we do next?  Let's get this going!
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Budget Beauty: TJ Maxx High End Product Haul

February 11, 2019

Ya'll... I have a new found appreciation for the beauty section at Marshall's and TJ Maxx.  They have so many different high end products for super low prices!  I stopped at my local store recently and found some really great, high-end products!

Let's see the goodies that I got!

L’Ange Ondule Ceramic 32MM Curling Wand $119
I paid $16 on clearance!  I have heard so much about the L'Ange hair tools and I have wanted to try them, but never wanted to pay that price!  When I saw this is the clearance section I immediately took a quick video to send to my friend Alison and tossed it in my cart.  Wasn't going to pass this one up!


L’Ange Aplatir Ceramic Flat Iron $109
I paid $16 on clearance!  I rounded the corner after finding the curling wand and saw this flat iron on another clearance shelf and picked it up too!  Good flat irons are hard to come by and for $16 I couldn't pass it up!

BUXOM Big & Sexy Bold Matte Gel Lipstick in “White Russian” $22
I paid $4.99!  White Russian is an iconic shade from Buxom and I already own the gloss.  When I saw this matte version of the lipstick I was really excited and for that price who wouldn't be?!

Here is a look I created using the liquid shadow.  Also used Jaclyn Hill Morphe products.
Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in “Into The Blue” $24
I paid $7.99!  I have gotten a few of these Glitter & Glow liquid shadows from TJ Maxx before and I love them.  A little goes a long way and I have never wanted to pay full price for the larger versions because I was afraid they would dry out or expire before I was able to use them all.  The fact that these were so expensive is why I keep picking them up.  And this color was too cool to say no-- the duo chrome is beautiful!

DryBar Detox Dry Conditioner $23
I paid $9.99!  My ride or die dry shampoo is the DryBar Detox Dry Shampoo.  I am obsessed and have gone through too many cans to count.  I have only tried the Dry Conditioner once when I friend that was visiting had it.  It was an interesting concept and when I saw it for more than 50% off I had to pick it up!  Will report back if I love it!

Urban Decay Perversion Angled Eye Brush $16
I paid $9.99!  Good brushes are hard to come by especially for reasonable prices!  Granted-- this wasn't a huge discount, but still cheaper than I would have paid at an Urban Decay counter, so I am happy!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio in “Peachy Love” $30
I paid $10.99!  I love a good peach blush and the ABH formulas are to die for!  I love these colors and I am really looking forward to using them as the weather warms up.  And for more than 50% off I will really love using them!

I was quite please with my little haul and myself for finding the great deals that I did.  *Pats self on back*  I got $350.00 worth of products for $80!  I saved over 75% on these items and they were all brand new and in perfect condition.  I may never shop regular retail again! That's a lie and we all know it-- but it's nice to say lol  Have you found any incredible deals like these?  Please share any finds you have made at TJ Maxx, Marshall's or any other store!   I love hearing stories of bargain shopping!

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Kristin Ess Amethyst Temporary Tint Review

February 4, 2019

So, I was in Target and got suckered into trying something new.  I use the Kristin Ess "The One Purple Shampoo" and love it, but I haven't tried any of her other products.  I have seen their temporary rose gold hair tint each time I've visited and, as much as I would love to try it, I never grabbed it.  Well, this weekend I saw that she added a new product and I fell for it.  The range now includes an Amethyst Temporary Tint and I was intrigued.  I already use the purple shampoo to get an ashier tone to my blonde, so what would adding a little lavender do?  I wanted to see!  Markiesha-- don't look! You did an amazing job with my Mushroom Brunette and I don't want you to see that I used an at home product!

On the website the product is advertised as:
Amethyst Temporary Tint

AMETHYSTTEMPORARY TINT

I’m always looking for ways to play with pastel tones in the hair. This is the first ever in-shower watercolor that creates a temporary tone on wet hair, and rinses out in 2-4 washes, depending on the porosity of your hair. The intensity is up to you — apply to wet hair for a pastel tone that washes out quicker, or apply to dry hair for a more intense tone that lasts longer. The color is most visible on pre-lightened/highlighted or blonde hair.

CRUELTY FREE | COLOR + KERATIN SAFE.  

$12.00
I decided that Saturday would be the night to try this out since I was going out with some of my favorite ladies.  I didn't want to go too bold with the color starting off, so I followed the instructions for a more "pastel" result.  I shampooed my hair using their purple shampoo like I normally would in the hopes of getting the best ash blonde tone that I could prior to using the tint.  After that I used a dry washcloth to get a lot of the moisture out of my hair.  I combed through my hair to make sure that tangles were out before spraying the tint on my hair.  The bottle instructs you to spray 4-6" inches away from the hair, so I did just that.  I sprayed and saturated my hair and let it stand for 2 mins.  After rinsing the tint out I conditioned using John Frieda Sheer Blonde Color Renew Tone Restoring Conditioner.  When I got out of the shower I towel dried my hair, used a heat protectant and dried my hair as usual.

The results were subtle, but I am ok with that!  I knew I didn't want a drastic change, so I am happy that I went the lighter route this time.  I love the tone and would happily try this again and follow the instructions for a darker lavender result.

After this experience I am very tempted to try the Rose Gold tint.  Have you ever tried a temporary hair tint?  I would love to hear stories of your experience!  Comment below and tell me all about it!

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January Monthly Favorites

January 29, 2019

Can you believe we are already one month in to 2019?  I can't-- It feels longer.  I saw a meme on IG today that said "It feels like January 74th" and all I can say is FACTS!

I am a YouTube junkie (Hello, my name is Carlye and I have a problem) and I have always loved watching monthly favorite videos.  I like seeing what people choose as their favorite things each month and have even gotten some of my own favorite things from these videos!  I am not going to make a video, but thought it could be fun to make a list here each month that showcases some of my favorite things and hope that maybe they can spark an interest for you and maybe they will become some of your favorite things too!

One of the main criteria of a good favorites video is to cover all bases-- I like covering a wide variety of categories!  So, I decided that I would pick one thing as my favorite in each category:

Home:
I have been verrrry into candles over the last few months and of course hit up the BBW candle day sale for some seasonal favorites. They usually have different sales throughout the year that you can catch and during one of those sales I saw a gorgeous candle stuffed in the back of a shelf.  The outside was beautiful, but I wasn't sure if I was going to like the scent.  Y'all-- Pistachio Ice Cream smells so damn good!  It throws a strong scent, but that is fine with me!  It is incredible.  The notes are roasted pistachio, almond extract and vanilla extract.  I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this candle, but just take my word for it.  You need this in your life!

Food:
I had never shopped at a Trader Joe's before I moved to Baltimore and I didn't know what I was missing!  Everything is so delicious, but I discovered their Mediterranean Style Orzo Pasta Salad and it is so good!  It is a cold pasta salad and when paired with some grilled chicken is lunch time perfection!  It's got spinach, sun dried tomatoes, feta and a yummy dressing.  It has become one of my favorite things to pack for lunch.
Photo Cred: Become Betty Blog
Makeup:
I got a few eyeshadow palettes for Christmas and they are all gorgeous!  I got the Jeffree Star Cosmetics "Blood Sugar" palette as a little gift to myself this year and recreated one of my favorite looks by Jaclyn Hill.  I have never worn bright colored shadows like these and was very impressed by the pigmentation and quality of the shadows.  I've never bought anything from JSC, but this has convinced me that I may need more in my life!
Hair:
I've mentioned previously on my blog that I recently dyed my hair!  I bought a color correcting shampoo when I was leaving the salon that day and liked it, but noticed that my hair wasn't getting AS blonde as I would like it to be when I was washing.  I found a new brand at Target that had a color correcting product called Kristin Ess "The One" Purple Shampoo.  I knew that purple shampoos were supposed to help reduce brassiness and I had read a lot of reviews about this new line of hair care products and wanted to try it out.  I have loved this product from the day I started using it!  Purple shampoos can be a bit drying, so make sure to only use this once or twice a week.  Did I mention that it is sulfate free?  
Kristin Ess range at Target
Television:
I know that most people have probably cut regular cable out of their lives and are mainly Hulu and Netflix users.  I haven't cut that chord just yet, but I have discovered some gems on both platforms that have become favorites.  My most recent discovery (Thank you, Chelsea) is the new Netflix original series "Sex Education."  This show is funny, thought provoking, sweet, raw and just plain amazing.  The premise of the show:

"Socially awkward high school student Otis may not have much experience in the lovemaking department, but he gets good guidance on the topic in his personal sex ed course -- living with mom Jean, who is a sex therapist. Being surrounded by manuals, videos and tediously open conversations about sex, Otis has become a reluctant expert on the subject. When his classmates learn about his home life, Otis decides to use his insider knowledge to improve his status at school, so he teams with whip-smart bad girl Maeve to set up an underground sex therapy clinic to deal with their classmates' problems. But through his analysis of teenage sexuality, Otis realizes that he may need some therapy of his own."

I watched all 8 episodes during a four-day off stretch and cannot wait until season 2 (fingers crossed it gets renewed).  Do yourself a favor and watch this show!  It may be a bit awkward if someone walks in and sees the show out of context, but it does make for a hilarious story!


Keepsake:
Every year my friends and I do a Secret Santa gift exchange and this year my roommate, Kate, had me!  She got me a limited edition magnum of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing (#1 condiment/dip) and cross-stitched a Golden Girls sampler.  When I tell you that I am obsessed with these gifts-- girl!  They were so perfect!  I have already cracked open the magnum of Ranch and the sampler is prominently displayed on a shelf in my room.  I love them-- thank you, Kate!


I know that this isn't everything that I loved from the month of January, but I think its a good mix!  Is there anything that you discovered this month that you have become obsessed with and have to share with the world?  Please share below so I can join your obsession!
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KonMari Organization Series: Clothing

January 21, 2019

I, like everyone else, have now seen the new Netflix series "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo."  This isn't a new phenomena as her books have been best sellers and trending for the last few years, but it is new to me.  After watching a few episodes on a snowy Sunday afternoon I decided I need to start this process myself.  I know-- how original!  Well, I had a day off last week and decided that was going to be the day that I start.

What is the KonMari method, you ask?  Well, what Marie says makes it unique is that she organizes by category and not by location.  So, you don't set forth doing one room at a time, but go in a specific order of categories.  The five categories are:
  1. Clothing
  2. Books
  3. Paper
  4. Komono
    1. Kitchen
    2. Bathroom
    3. Garage
    4. Miscellaneous
  5. Sentimental Items
Since the people on the show seem to get a month to do the entire process I decided that I should too.  Rome wasn't conquered in a day folks-- it took time!  So, since the first step is clothing, I decided that in order to keep in line with the KonMari method I would tackle my clothes.

Before: Clothes everywhere!
Before: Shoe shelves a mess

The way that Marie says to complete the organization is to take all of your clothes out and place them somewhere all together.  Everyone on the show seems to put everything on their bed, so I did too!  She says "only when you are actually confronted with exactly how much you have, you start to realize what you need to do."  I decided to take some before pictures, excluding my dresser, and was mortified at the sight!  I couldn't even put away all of my clean laundry because there was no more room.  I just had laundry baskets and piles of clean folded clothes that hadn't been put away plus a dirty clothes hamper full of dirty clothes.  Too much!  Well, my fear became a reality when I piled everything on my bed.  I couldn't even reach the top to put more on-- I had to toss it on top!  I was doing this alone and was so embarrassed at the amount of clothing that I had accumulated over the years and the fact that I hadn't even worn most of it in years.
During: It was as tall as I am!

I went through piece-by-piece and did exactly what Marie says to do... Does it spark joy?  Yes?  Keep.  No?  Thank it and get rid of it.  After doing this for HOURS I ended up with 9 bags of clothing to give away!  NINE!  I cannot explain how much lighter I feel.  It's crazy that I had accumulated that much clothing and had moved it between homes as many times as I did!  The clothing treated me well and it was time to pass it on to someone else that could use it.  It is a pretty great feeling!  After friends and family looked through the clothing I decided to donate the rest to a women's shelter and Goodwill.

Now comes the hard part-- folding.  I hate folding clothes and putting them away.  I suppose I hated it more before because I had so many and putting them away was a pain!  Marie recommends a specific way to fold all clothing and it actually makes a lot of sense.  It saves so much room and looks incredibly neat and tidy (the point I guess).  I signed up for a newsletter from a organization blog called For the Love of Tidy and her folding guide is incredibly helpful!
For the Love of Tidy
All tshirts & tank tops folded neatly.  I have so much more room!

It was a very cleansing exercise and I feel so much lighter after getting it done.  I have decided to make this a bit of a series here on Lashes & Leggings and am going to try to organize my personal space in the apartment using Marie's KonMari method.  So, this will be followed by four more posts for the remaining categories of organization.
After: Organized and so much more space
After: All shoes have a  place and easily accessible

Are you interested in trying the KonMari method of organization?  Have you already used it for your home?  Please share in the comments below!

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#30DayButtLiftChallenge Part 1

January 14, 2019

Remember how one of my resolutions was to stop with the negative self-talk?  Well I'm embracing a part of my body that I actually like, but feel like I've neglected-- my booty.  I have been blessed with a booty and I have come to appreciate the curves as I've gotten older.  I think part is genetics (Thanks, Mom) and part is from  dancing for as long as I did.
Booty sighting at the 2017 BMAs with Kate

Over the last few years I have noticed that the old girl ain't what she used to be.  I have decided to challenge myself to the #30DayButtLift created by Cassey from Blogilates.  She has mapped out a 30 day challenge that will gradually take me from 5 reps to 22 in a month's time!  I have tried to start things like this before and never finished them, so here we are again.  I'm using you guys as my accountability coaches!

I am planning on keeping up with my weekly progress and will post a challenge completion post after my 30 days are up.  I want to include some "before" and "after" photos in that post, so I am going to have to muster up the nerve to take those.  Nothing humbles you more than a "before" photo! My goal is to post them, but I am going to need some encouragement along the way-- vulnerability isn't easy for me.

Cassey's challenge is below:
Blogilates #30DayButtLiftChallenge
Is anyone else interested in building their booty up with me?  Lets do it!  Comment below any other fitness challenges you have done or if you have a different booty challenge in mind!  Today is day #1-- Happy squatting, ladies!

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What's in my Gym Bag?

January 7, 2019

With the start of the new year we all want to stick to our goals.  Last year I joined a gym and was really good at going at least three times a week.  Well... I had a back injury and got out of the habit.  I am going to make it back to the gym and have my bag packed!

Before I started going to the gym I looked up a ton of blog posts and watched a bunch of different YouTube videos about what was in people's gym bags.  That may sound weird, but I wasn't an avid gym-goer and I wanted to know what other women thought were "necessary" items.  After I finished my research I went out and got everything I felt would be helpful for a successful trip to the gym.  I already had a few items, but added to them to complete my perfect gym bag.


1. Bag: The bag I have is from Fabletics and is no longer sold, but they have a ton of different options on their site.  Fabletics is an online subscription service that sells women's sportswear, footwear and accessories.  I love their outfits and have gotten a lot of great pieces and accessories from their monthly releases.  As a VIP member I am able to take advantage of monthly curated options in my online store with reduced pricing.  If you are interested in joining you can click the link:  Join the Fabletic Fun!

2. Blender Bottle: I am new to this world and am slowly learning which protein powders and which pre-workouts that I like (I really like the FitMiss Delight Vanilla Chai Protein Powder) and the blender bottle makes it so easy to take along with you!  I sometimes use iced coffee as my base and put the vanilla chai protein powder in as a morning boost!  I carry a few packets of the FitMiss Strawberry Margarita pre-workout in case I need an extra boost of energy and focus for my workout.

3. Headphones:  I like to listen to music or watch Netflix/YouTube while I'm on the treadmill/elliptical and I need a secure pair of headphones.  I'm not a huge fan of the bulkier pairs, but I know a lot of people like the larger, noise cancelling options to help them focus.  I am interested in getting a wireless pair for the New Year, so I am always open to suggestions!

4. Sneakers:  These are the Nike Women's Air Max Thea and when I was on the hunt for an olive green sneaker these caught my eye.  I became obsessed with the olive and faux leather signature Nike swoosh that I knew I had to get them. I like this pair not only for their looks, but also because they give me just enough support in my arches and still leave room to breathe.  I have a few other pairs, but these have been my recent go-to.

5. Extra pair of socks:  I usually get to the gym already in my socks and sneakers, but just in case I'm coming from somewhere else I pack extra.  I hate the standard black or white socks and usually opt for a brighter pair.  I also hate having to find matching pairs, so I found an incredible pack of socks that doesn't have a specific "mate" and I am never searching!  Great find!

6. Hair elastic: Again, I am usually going to be dressed and prepared for the gym including having my hair up in a pony, but there are always tragedies like broken hair ties! In case mine breaks or I need another one I always make sure I have some extras on hand.

7. Toiletries:  I used to hate the idea of waking up and going to the gym before work, but I have come around.  One thing that I let myself realize was that I could get ready for work at the gym when I was done!  When I'm done with my AM workout I like to take a shower and prefer to use my own products instead of the weird body wash/shampoo combo that the gym offers.  So, I fill empty travel sized bottles with my favorite shampoo & conditioner and bring a travel sized bottle of my favorite body wash (Rose Jam by LUSH USA).

8. Face/Body Wipes: For days that I am not going to work or somewhere specific after my workout I carry some wipes to quickly cleanse my face and body.  They smell like coconut and I love them!  They are nice to have for a quick refresh post-gym sesh! I got these from TJ Maxx for $3.99 and there are over 80 wipes per pack!  I would totally recommend looking through a Marshalls or TJ Maxx for great deals like this!

9.  Makeup:  On days that I do go to work I bring my makeup bag.  I have paired down my routine to include just the necessary products for a quick and simple daytime look.  I don't need too much for a regular day at work, so this bright travel bag by Tarte cosmetics was perfect!  I can fit everything and the tassels & pom-pom are adorable!

10.  Moisturizers:  For days that I am running errands post-gym I like to use a nice moisturizer after I've washed my face.  I am a huge fan of the Glamglow Glam Starter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer in Nude Glow.  It smells amazing, moisturizes and leaves this incredible glow on the skin that is perfect for a post-workout face!  When I am feeling a little less flashy I use the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice moisturizer.  It is light like a serum, but packs a big moisture punch.  Plus-- I get to smell like watermelon all day!

Along with the mentioned items above I bring a towel for my hair and a wrap for my body.  I have found that these items make my daily workout and morning routine that much easier.  If I am going to work I also pack my outfit for that day and my gym has a great dressing room area that leaves me no excuse to not do a morning workout! Is there anything that you have in your gym bag that I don't?  Let me know in the comments below and I may add them to mine!
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