15 Ways to Self-Love

Self love is one of those things that can be misunderstood. Just like we take care of our skin and our bodies we also need to take extra care of our souls. Loving yourself is so absolutely important and people spend so much time bringing themselves down. Everyday I try to be a better me. Now, obviously we all have moments of self doubt and reflection. Usually, during these moments we tend to focus on the bad happening around us instead of the good. Even something as simple as making your bed can start your day off positive. It definitely works for me.

Lately I feel like I have been in a “funk”. Not very creative, not taking care of my body, and just plain lazy. I do usually have a few tricks to get myself going again and stop being lazy. This month was one of those where I felt nothing was working. What did I do? I sat down and meditated. I relaxed to the fullest. I didn’t stress about work, bills, or anything for that matter for about 15 minutes. I let myself be. I thought about all the things I love doing and things that really make me happy. I hope my tips work for you and take you out of that “funk”.

1. Take Rest Days

I feel like we live in a society that teaches us that we always have to be moving and evolving. Don’t get me wrong, that is great, but sometimes we need to slow down. Take a few days off, your job will still be there when you come back. It is absolutely NECESSARY to stop worrying about everyone else and just focus on you. When you go back you will be refreshed and ready to tackle what is in front of you.

2. Skincare 

Take care of your skin!! When your skin feels great, everything feels better around you. Find a skincare routine that works for YOU and stick to it. Even when you get home late and feel like crashing, take the extra two minutes to take off your makeup and hydrate. Your skin will thank you in the morning. Trust me, this makes my mood feel so much better, I wear less makeup, and its one less thing to worry about.

3. Dry Brush

Girl, if you haven’t tried dry brushing you need to go to your local drugstore and pick one up right now. Again, if your skin feels good, you will feel good. I feel like this one goes hand in hand with skincare. Not only does it make my skin feel amazing and exfoliated,  it makes my digestion better, my body wake up, and just overall gives me better health. I will be sharing my dry brush routine soon so please stay tuned if you want to hear more about that.

4. Drink Lemon Water

Wake up, go into the kitchen, and pour yourself a glass of ice cold water. Cut up some lemon slices and throw them in there. This is such a vital step in my morning routine. It helps you feel refreshed and start your day off on a healthy note. It make you feel better from the inside out. C’mon it only takes about 5 minutes, you definitely can make the time.

5. Meditate. 

Wake up early, listen to the quiet, and close your eyes. Think about nothing. That’s right, don’t grab your phone, don’t think about work or anything that is stressing you out. Focus on the silence of the early morning. It sounds dumb, I know. Realistically I didn’t even think this would help me, until I started doing it. It gives me a sense of calm and a moment with myself to just relax. I try to do this every day, ESPECIALLY if I know that I’m gonna have a busy day.

6. Make your bed. 

This is one of those “adult” things that everyone is “supposed” to do but we never have time. Truthfully, I wish my life included working from home and I didn’t have to be at work at a certain time but that’s just not the case right now. Recently, however I decided to start making the bed. Why? It makes me feel like I already checked something off my to do list for the day and helps me feel organized. I do have anxiety and it usually sparks up when I feel like my life is unorganized. This for me is a form of self love and helps me to not stress out so much.

7. Go exercise. 

No, I don’t have time for this everyday if we’re being honest but I do try to plan at least some form of exercise into my day. This could be a full workout at the gym or just simply taking a walk around the block. It helps me clear my mind and release endorphins which helps my anxiety a lot. I also feel in control of my life because I know that I can make changes to my body and feel more empowered. I have never heard someone leave the gym and say ” I regret going today”.

8. Deep Breaths 

If you’re in a stress moment and you need a quick fix to release some anxiety deep breaths are the way to go. It instantly calms me down and helps me focus on the task at hand. If you’re one of those people who gets very overwhelmed easily this is a great tip for you.

9. Turn on some candles. 

There is nothing better at the end of the day than hoping out of the shower and turning on some aromatherapy candles. My favorite smells before bed are eucalyptus, lavender, and anything clean smelling. Usually my night time routine will always includes some kind of candle or my new Salt Lamp. I am absolutely in love with this lamp. I feel the good vibes it gives out and it send a calming feeling throughout the room. Definitely a must have for me.

10. Wash your sheets.

Not only is it very unhygienic to keep the same sheets on for more than two weeks but fresh sheets are the best feeling. If I am being completely honest the best feeling in the world is getting into bed with freshly shaved legs, clean sheets, and my boyfriend. It makes me feel like I have my life together in that moment. So if you’re feeling stressed, wash your sheets, shave your legs, and hop into bed.

11. Organize Organize Organize. 

I am so big on this when it comes to my anxiety. If I am feeling uncomfortable, stressed or just not myself I will make a list. It could be what I have to do that day, organize my finances, or just my grocery list. It is so important to organize your mind and your life and trust me you will instantly feel better. A big one for me is the finances. I am currently trying to buy my first house and overspending is so easy for me that saving becomes a challenge. If I know exactly what my budget is for that week I can plan accordingly and reduce my spending so I can save more.

12. Clean out your bedroom. 

Some might classify me as a hoarder, but personally I just like saving memories. When it becomes too much stuff I need to cleanse and get rid of a lot because my anxiety will go through the roof. So about once every two to three months I will reorganize my bedroom. Typically I do this on a day off and I don’t plan anything else for the whole day. My bedroom is like my sanctuary so I like keeping it as clean and clutter free as possible. If my room is clean its almost as if my mind is decluttered.

13. Make a gratitude list.

Some times sitting down and writing all the things you’re thankful for really help you de-stress and realize what is truly important. It makes you take a step back from our everyday struggles and just think about what you really want and what makes you happy. I have quite a few of these gratitude lists lying around now and it great to look back on and re focus every once in a while.

14. Laugh with a friend. 

Taking time out of our lives to just hang out with our friends becomes more complicated the older we get. You know those friends that you don’t always need to see to know that no matter what they are there for you? Call them, make plans with them, or just send them a text that you’re thinking about them. It will make you feel better, and it’ll put a smile on their face. Even when you don’t feel like you have the time, make it and trust me you’ll be a lot happier that you did.

15. Treat Yourself. 

Finally, the last number on this list has arrived. This something I hold very close to my heart which is the belief that no matter how much money you make, if you don’t treat yourself occasionally then it’s all for nothing. There is no point in spending all those extra hours at work and putting so much effort into that presentation unless you’re gonna enjoy it and reward yourself. Now, I’m not saying to go and spend $1000 on a shopping spree if your bills are a week late. If you have that little bit of extra, even if it’s just $20 bucks, spend it on yourself. Go get a manicure or go buy that blouse you’ve had your eye on, just something to make you feel special.

If you have made it all the way down this list then, thank you. I really hope you put these small tips into your daily lives and remember to focus on YOU! Thanks for reading and stay tuned for my next post!

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Daycation: Miami

Miami is the party capital of Florida and last weekend we explored it just a little bit more. I’ve never been big on birthdays but this weekend I wanted to celebrate a little extra for my birthday. Instead of completely going away for the weekend, which can get expensive, we decided to get a day pass to a resort in Miami Beach. I had never done this before but let me tell you it was amazing!

What is a day pass?

Pretty much you can do exactly what you would if you rented a room, but you’re only there until a certain time. You have access to the pool, hot tub, spa, etc. You can rent the cabanas, go in the pool, visit the bar, and at the end of the day you get to go home. The best is that you can get a day pass at a hotel you other wise wouldn’t be able to afford. I’m talking luxury hotels and beaches. It definitely a win in my book.

The Confidante

We stayed in Miami Beach for the day because we wanted something local. Personally I had never heard of the hotel but man is it beautiful. The service was amazing, the drinks were great, and the pool was awesome. It definitely isn’t a “party hotel” but if you wanna lay back and relax this is the place for you. It’snot huge, but definitely big enough. Anther thing I loved about it was the beach access. They offered complimentary towels, beach chairs, and umbrellas. They had a private beach access so it felt more exclusive and luxurious. Another plus for me was definitely the Adult Pool and Family Pool separation. There was no splashing, kids running around, etc. on the adult side and it made for a more relaxed experience. I love kids but when you’re trying to relax it helps a lot!DSC_1114

Food

DSC_1119The food was amazing! It was a little pricey and we did have to pay for that it wasn’t included of course. I had the shrimp tacos  (pictured here) and my boyfriend had a hot dog. One thing that is definitely a must have is the waffle fries! In my opinion, they’re better than Chick-Fil-A (which says a lot lol). We didn’t have to wait too long for our food which was great. Overall, even with the price, the food was pretty good and it looked appealing which is a major plus!

Drinks

The first drink we had was a Painkiller (on the right) and boy was it strong. A painkiller consists of 95d111c1-bb47-4665-a7ba-886afeff18f1dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cinnamon. It wasn’t bad if you like strong drinks, but if not stay clear of this one. They garnished it with a whole cinnamon stick which added a lot of cinnamon which I love! It almost made up for the intense alcohol taste.

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The next drink we both had was your standard Pina Colada . It was really good! Not too strong but I could still taste the alcohol. It was pretty refreshing for a day at the pool. That was pretty much all I drank for the rest of the day but I was loving them!

Our experience at the bar was lovely. The bartender was so nice and all the waitresses were helpful and kept coming by to check up on us!

If you’re looking for a hotel in Miami Beach, I definitely recommend this place. Whether it be for a day pass or a whole weekend they will definitely accommodate all your needs! Next time I definitely want to check out that spa! I heard such great things about it from the employees and also from other guests staying on the property. We had a great time and will definitely be coming back!

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June Goals

Happy June everyone! So I know we all set goals for the new year, and then they basically get put off and never happen. That’s okay! Personally what works for me is to go month by month and see what I need to change or make better. June is definitely my favorite month of the year. June is my birthday month which of course makes it extra special but I also absolutely LOVE summer time. Emotionally, this is the happiest time of the year for me. Everything feels more easy going, fun, and all around less stressful. This is the month where I try to make the most improvements to my emotional health. Whether it be something stressing me out the last couple of months, or just not feeling like myself. Summer always makes me feel just a little bit better.

This month I want to show you guys my “June Goals” or “June Intentions”. I picked this up about two months ago from a blogger named Lee From America. You guys should really check her out (after you finish this post of course LOL). I feel like this really helps me visualize my month, my goals, and where I am right now. Reflecting on this at least once a month has really calmed my anxiety and given me a more positive outlook. I hope you guys enjoy! (If you try this out for yourself let me know in the comments!)

1. More Matcha, Less Coffee. 

This is definitely important as I am trying to focus more on my health journey lately. I66684a70-6c19-43ce-9ea8-99e317c8ee25 personally feel almost addicted to coffee. Like I NEED it to start my day. Green tea is so much more beneficial and way less calories. I already talked about my favorite matcha recipe so if you wanna check that out just click this link (My Matcha Latte Recipe).

2. Let things go.

The past couple months have been very stressful for me and this month I want to focus on being positive. I want to let go of negative energy and bring happy well minded people around me. I will always be an over thinker. It’s just in my nature, but not every thing is important to stress over.

3. Make more meals at home. 

I’ve literally been trying to do this forever. My boyfriend and I literally eat out EVERY DAY. Honestly, most of the time I just feel lazy and too tired but I want to push myself a little extra this month. I want to make easy, quick, but healthy meals.

4. Wake up earlier.

Recently I have started waking up before my alarm clock and on those days I feel 100x more productive. It puts an amazing start to my day and I need to start doing more of it. I can get work done, laundry, pretty much anything. I’ll even have plenty of time to make my matcha (; .

Summertime Skincare Routine

I absolutely love talking about my skincare routine. Why? My skincare routine is my favorite part of the day. It is my favorite way to relax after a long day and just pamper myself. Now obviously, life happens and I cant do this LONG routine everyday but for the most part I try to get in at least two steps!

Lets talk about some of the products I use before we get into the steps.

My two absolutely necessary products are toner and moisturizer. Toner helps me feel that my skin is the absolute cleanest it can be and helps even out the redness on my face. My skin is so absolutely DRY that without moisturizer its a desert. I switch out my moisturizers all the time, but I can guarantee there will always be some sort of hydrating on my face. If I am being lazy or just got home really late I will take off my makeup and only use these two products until the next morning.

Here are my current favorites:

The first step begins in the shower. I feel like washing my face while I am in the shower neutrogena hydroboost facewashas  opposed to the sink just saves me the hassle of water getting everywhere. I try to switch my face wash every two to three weeks so my face doesn’t get used to the product and stop working. I am completely in LOVE with using the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser.

Next, about twice times a week a I use a more intense exfoliate. Using a physical exfoliate keeps my skin smooth and removes all of the dead skin cells. I truly feel that this step has changed my skin texture completely. Recently my favorite has been the Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub.

Derma-E-Microdermabrasion-ScrubAnother exfoliate I love using is the Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel. I use this about once a week as a face mask and I swear itenzyme peel makes my face so soft. I am OBSSESED with it. A little bit goes a LONG way so this product last forever which is amazing.

 

As soon as I get out of the however I always pat my face dry. Then, if I am not using a face mask that get, I use my toner on a cotton pad all over my face. Let’s be honest, I use a face mask almost every night LOL. Explain which face masks I use would take forever, so if you want to see a whole post on that please let me know in the comments.

After my toner I use my Elf Hydrating Water Essence. This step is great because it has a lot of hydration but still feels very light on the skin. That’s why I use it morning and night. Especially in the summer, it’s important toelf water essence me to use lighter products.  Personally I use it on a cotton pad and just spread it all over my face. I know some people use it with their fingers but I feel extra clean for some reason with a cotton pad.

SERUMS SERUMS SERUMS. I love this part of my skincare routine. It’s so much fun, light, and adds “glowyness” to my skin. It’s that little extra boost that my skin loves. I am constantly testing out new serums and seeing what works

hey honey serum

well for me. In the summer I don’t really focus too much on makeup but that means skincare has to be spectacular. I am all about that healthy natural glow. I don’t have any set in stone favorites other than the Hey Honey Good Morning Serum. Not only does this look great alone but under makeup its beautiful.

Finally, we get to the moisturizer. Then, I get to bed and sleep. Sleep is so important in skincare. I try to get at least 7 hours a night so I can wake up completely rested and with hydrated skin.

Thanks so much for reading and see you next time!

 

 

 

Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe

Hi guys! I thought I’d share with you a new recipe I tried out this week. Now trust me I definitely don’t go home and spend hours in the kitchen every night but occasionally I like to make something quick and easy for dinner. This is the kind of recipe for a mom or someone who just wants to whip something up and put it on the table. It’s not a boring dinner and it’s packed full of flavor.

I also show you my cheat cheat for buttery mashed potatoes. Trust me 100% easy and quick.

Ingredients

  • 4 Chicken Breasts (I buy the Purdue Brand)f7be7977-722c-4ce2-a489-a2b19f58bcff
  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning
  • Sea Salt
  • 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
  • 2 Lemons
  • Coconut Oil

Yup that’s it! Just 6 ingredients for the chicken. I also use a little cheat and buy the mashed potatoes already made, you pop it in the microwave, and boom you’re done. I add half a spoon of butter on top, sprinkle a little parsley, and use an ice cream scoop to get the perfect “restaurant style” shape.

Steps

  1. Slice up two lemons into about 8 slices.
  2. In a bowl, mix the all purpose flour, lemon pepper seasoning, and sea salt. Begin37861d23-ff3e-4a66-986b-886c686ca40c rolling the chicken breasts in the mix and set them to the side.
  3. In a pan, put a scoop of coconut oil and turn the stove on to medium.
  4. Place your chicken breasts in the pan.
  5. Place lemon slices all over your chicken for added flavor.
  6. Cover the pan and let it cook for about 10 minutes.
  7. When done, sprinkle with parsley, serve and enjoy!

Boxy Charm June 2018

Hi guys! My makeup addiction just continues to grow. I finally caved and began a boxy charm subscription. Now, I have been debating this for months. I didn’t know if it was really worth it. A while back I subscribed to Ipsy which definitely wasn’t worth it. That was a waste of money, and most of the products I never even used. I have heard literally every blogger, youtuber, instagrammer talk about this subscription. Everyone comes to the same conclusion about how great this is. I mean how am I paying $21 a month and receiving over $100 worth of make up?! I don’t know how they do it but its AMAZING.

This months box was Caribbean themed which is perfect for summer! Most of the products are well known and there is only two that I am not familiar with but I love that about boxy charm. It gives you the opportunity to try new brands and products. Also, I know that there is an Ofra lipstick in the box but it really just isn’t my color so I ended up giving it away to a friend. I wont be featuring it, but Ofra is an amazing brand and I do have other lipsticks from them that I love.

DSC_1073(This is everything in my box.)

“Reina del Caribe” Alamar Palette $28

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These colors are AMAZING. They’re extremely pigmented and each color is unique. If you head on over to my Instagram I swatched the whole palette.

 

 

Luxie Brush Set $42

These bDSC_1086rushes are extremely soft and I am so excited to try these out! Each brush has purpose so there is the Precison Foundation Face Brush, Tapered Highlighting Brush, and the Duo Fiber Powder Brush. 

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Brazilian Bum Bum Creme by Sol de Janerio $10

I have heard everybody talk about this and I am so excited to finally try it out. The smell alone is absolutely amazing. It makes me feel like I’m on a tropical beach somewhere.

Battington Silk Lashes $28

7461900a-9f69-4f29-9e4c-7d3a3b0c6d0eI personally don’t wear lashes too often but when I do I like a thick band like this one. Typically if you’re not that great with applying lashes, like myself, a thick band will help you out. Over all these lashes are pretty and hopefully work very well!

 

 

 

 

Jonteblu Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil $5

I prefer a retractable eyeliner but this one is amazing. Instead of a usual black eyeliner,bc2acc10-85cd-49ec-94e6-f5ae5b2d24cf its dark brown which to me honestly means I can use it as a brow pencil if I need to. I need makeup to be very versatile because usually I am on the go or in a rush. Or sometimes I just don’t feel like packing a lot of makeup if I am going somewhere lol. All in all this eyeliner is great and definitely affordable which is good.