Author: Julie

Sunscreen 101

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Hello, my loves!

The warmer weather is creeping up on us quickly and when the sun is out we need protection. Even though the sun is out we need to wear sun block no matter what time of year it is.

I thought I’d do a quick informational blog post on the reasons we need sunscreen and how to use it properly.

First of all, there are two types of sunscreen on the market. First there is a mineral sunscreen, which lays on top of your face to cause a physical barrier from the sun. One benefit of mineral sunscreen is it works immediately after applied.

Then, there is chemical sunscreen, which provides deep skin protection by releasing sun’s heat from your body. It takes up to twenty minutes to start working so you need to be aware of that.

Overall, it is up to you to choose which type of sunscreen is better for your skin.

It is recommended to at least use thirty spf or more on a daily basis.

Remember to apply enough sunscreen before starting your day. It is important you truly cover every inch of your face and skin that is being revealed.

Also, try not to forget to reapply every two hours to keep constant protection.

Sunscreen can help prevent wrinkles or aging spots, so if you’re looking to keep glowing and healthy skin it is necessary to wear on a daily basis.

The sunscreen I am using now is from Trader Joe’s and is an spf 30 for body and face. I’ve noticed it has not broken me out or made my skin shiny after applied. I also use a Coppertone body spray for my body with spf 50.

Also, be aware of expired sunscreens, they will do little for you if applied.

I hope you enjoyed my post. I know it was brief but it is just meant to be an overview of sunscreen and the ways you can use it. Enjoy the weather and stay protected!

Much love,

Julie

Favorite Drug Store Nude Lipsticks

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Hello, my loves!

I hope you are all having a warm and sunny day. So, I haven’t posted much beauty content on this blog but I think that needs to change. I love beauty products and skincare and everything about hygiene. My first beauty post is going to be on my favorite drugstore lipsticks in nude shades. All of these products are available at Target, Ulta, even Walgreens.

My first favorite drugstore nude lipstick is Nyx soft matte lip cream in the shade Cannes. This is a whipped type of lipstick that has a doe foot applicator. The reason I like this product is it dries down matte but not in a drying sort of way. It does not feel like you have anything on your lips. The color is a pinky nude which is perfect for daily wear. $6.40

The next nude lipstick I absolutely adore is the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in the shade Rose Velvet. If you ever wanted my lips but better in a creamy lipstick then you need to grab yourself this lipstick. It is moisturizing but still wears as full as a matte. It dries down well and even. I like to use this one as a creamy cheek stain. $4.99

Now I have my third lipstick which is the Maybelline Super Stay Ink Crayon in the shade Lead The Way. This has been one of my favorites for a long time and I’ve only ever used one crayon so far. This is a great value for the drugstore price. The lip crayon is not as thin as a lipliner but not as big as a typical lipstick. It is a perfect lipstick to fill in your lips. The color is a dusty pink/nude. This is a semi-matte finish and I love it! $7.99

Last lipstick I chose was the Wet N Wild Liquid Catsuit in the shade Give Me Mocha. I’ve bought about four tubes of this lipstick. It is my absolute favorite of all time. It is a 90s shade with the perfect mocha and nude pink. This applies evenly to the lips and will stay there all day unless you’re eating pure grease. This is almost a your lips but better but not completely. You know it is there but it is also a little close to my natural lip color. For the price, it can’t get any better! $4.99

I hope you enjoyed my post and please let me know if you have any of these lipsticks and if they work for you or if you have any other ones you would like to share with everyone!

Much love,

Julie

What To Do On Your Own

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Hello, my loves!

Today I’m going to be talking about things you can do on your own, without any interaction with others. These things will bring yourself connected back to your natural self.

Read.

You can open a book and take a look inside and it is often like falling into another world. Make sure you get a book you’re genuinely interested in. It could be a fiction book or a self-help book. Try reading ten to twenty pages a day and see how far you can get in a short period of time.

Make tea.

Making tea can often be a ritual for some people. Heating the kettle, picking out a tea bag or loose leaf tea. Then of course we have to put the tea in the hot water and watch the magic happen. You could listen to music or read while you’re waiting or you can simply enjoy a few quiet minutes alone.

Declutter/Clean.

This may not be fun or exciting to some but to others we literally crave cleanliness. I personally like a clean space more than a cluttered one. Go through your clothes, create outfits, go on pinterest and find inspiration for what you already have. Clean your dusty room or kitchen. We all have spaces we can work on. This is a fun time to put on a tv show or listen to music.

Go for a walk/ garden.

When you have too much going on, it is time to go out into nature and go for a walk. Even if you live in a city you can take a walk around the block. There is so much to see and so much healing that can be done while outside. You could even work on a little garden inside our outside. Do what you enjoy, but try to do this at least a few times a week to reap the benefits.

Get creative.

There is nothing more enjoyable then being creative in my opinion. We all have such beautiful minds just waiting for our thoughts and ideas to come to life. I have been water coloring for a few weeks and it is like a magic relaxation activity. You could knit, dance, do yoga, anything that makes you feel like you’re doing something that benefits you.

Thank you for sticking around and reading my blog, it means a lot to me. I hope you are enjoying spring time and the change of weather it brings.

Much love,
Julie

Bio Oil Review

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Hello, my loves!

I hope you have been having warmer weather wherever you are! It is certainly still cold in Wisconsin. Today I am reviewing a product I have loved for years: bio oil. Let’s get the review started!

Okay, hello. The product is bio oil and it retails at stores for various prices. 9 USD for 2 oz, 16 USD for 4.2 oz, and 22 USD for 6.7 oz of product. You can find this product at most drugstores or stores like Target.

I absolutely love this product. It is made to reduce stretchmarks, uneven skin tone, or scars. I’ve been using this product for two weeks now and I can tell a difference in my skin. The texture is better and so are the acne scars I have on my face and chest.

Bio oil is packed with vitamins and soothing oils! Vitamin A Oil promotes the formation of new collagen and assists in skin renewal, increasing skin elasticity. Vitamin E Oil, Chamomile Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Lavender Oil are anti-inflammatory and promote healthy skin.

All you have to do is apply to dry, clean skin and let it absorb. The product has a very subtle fragrance and goes away almost immediately after application. Bio oil is moisturizing but not greasy. I suggest putting this oil on before bed and letting it soak in overnight.

This oil combined with Palmers stretch mark lotion is a perfect combination to combat stretch marks . Both are at a very fair price point for the job that they do.

I hope this review allowed you to see the benefits of Bio Oil, and if needed you can purchase one for yourself!

Love,

Julie

Apple Cider Vinegar And Its Health Benefits

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Hello, my loves!

Today I’m going to be talking about one of my favorite things! Apple cider vinegar! I know it isn’t everyone’s favorite thing but I thought I’d share the benefits of adding apple cider vinegar to your daily routine.

How I drink mine:

I simply add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to water and add a small amount of fruit juice of your choice. Add ice and you’re all set.

Reduces cravings.

If you’re trying to stay on a healthy lifestyle, it can be hard. Sometimes we just want to eat the entire kitchen and more. Well, apple cider vinegar can help with that. It can help reduce cravings or appetite. I’m not saying you need to control your hunger but if you are seeking out sweets, try to drink on some apple cider vinegar instead.

Regulates blood sugar.

Whether you have diabetes or not, you can drink apple cider vinegar to regulate your blood sugar. If you are struggling with sugar intake, try an apple cider vinegar beverage and see the results. I recommend talking to your doctor however before you try this tip.

Lowers cholesterol.

Apple cider vinegar can help reduce bad cholesterol. Take apple cider vinegar over the course of a month and you will likely see results in your cholesterol. Remember, this is not a beverage that works on its own – you have to put in the work as well but it will definitely work hand in hand with diet and exercise.

Weight Loss.

Try and use apple cider vinegar to lose weight. As I said, it can help with many things but can also help you lose weight. It’s not an instant weight loss miracle but i f you add it into your daily routine and add diet and exercise you may lose a few extra pounds.

I hope this helped show you how many things apple cider vinegar can do for you and your health. Apple cider vinegar can also be used in skin care, hair care, and many other marvelous things but I thought I’d just share some of the basic health aid it can be.

I hope you are all having a good week!

Love,

Julie

Ways To Reinvent Yourself

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Hello, my loves!

I hope you have been enjoying the new yea so far. Today I’m going to talk about something we all feel we need to do once in a while which is reinvent ourselves. Perhaps it isn’t a full change but there are areas of our lives that need looking into so we can better ourselves. I hope you know you are perfect the way you are but changing some of our routines may help in the long run.

Try changing your wardrobe.

When looking at your life you can easily tell how you appear to the outside world by how you are dressed. Sometimes you feel like your wardrobe is a reflection of you and other times you just grab clothes because they’re convenient for you. Try managing your wardrobe. It’s time to put on clothes that resemble how you feel. If you like neutrals, bright colors, or patterns wear those clothes with pride. Maybe a few accessories will change your whole closet. Be inventive, try something new.

Start a routine.

A good routine will always be good for you. When you manage to create a time to get your most important duties done, it just feels good. Try doing yoga every morning or even just make sure you’re eating meals on a regular basis. Drink lemon water in the morning for detox. Set out all your clothes the night before so you can workout in the morning without a hassle. Dance in the morning and drink tea. It’s the subtle changes that make the most impact on how you feel.

Bullet journal or keep a planner.

Use a planner or bullet journal to not only be creative but stay organized. When you have goals on your mind you can easily get lost without writing it down or breaking it down. Using these tools to create a space to design your new life is wonderful. This is something you can add to your new routine so you don’t feel overwhelmed. You can use stickers or doodle or draw in your notebooks. This is a wonderful outlet to start a new hobby.

Create.

This goes similarly with the keeping a bullet journal. I think creative projects are one of the most inspiring hobbies. You can create anything you want. Sometimes you can paint, other times write poetry, or go outside for a long walk while creating new ideas in your head. You have the world at your hands and it is waiting for you to get out there and show the world your talents. Make sure that your passion projects are what you want to do and not what others expect from you. You can do this!

Let go of expectations.

I know some people may think you need to lose weight or become some famous make up artist but the truth is the small steps without expectations are the best things you can do for yourself. We all struggle to get motivation sometimes but it just takes one task a day to see results. When you’re not expecting to be a Victoria secret model overnight when you start to workout then you will succeed. Nobody wants this change more than you. Put your best foot forward but don’t worry if you stumble a little bit. There is no one who hasn’t had challenges put in their way while trying to achieve something.

Overall, your lifestyle changes will make you surprised how much you can do when you put your mind to it. I wish the best for you all in anything you do.

Much love,

Julie

Essential Oils: The Beginning

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Hello, my loves

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. Today I’m going to be talking about something I have a great passion for and that is essential oils. I’m going to go over the bare minimum with you so you have a general idea what they are about and what you can do with them once you have some in your possession.


Essential oils are more than just smelling good. They have a property that effects your brain in positive ways. Depending on which oil you choose, it will affect you in different ways. Some of the basic essential oils you can get are orange, lemon, lavender, frankincense, or even peppermint.


There are a few things you need to look at when you’re using essential oils. First of all, are they 100% therapeutic grade? This means they are actually 100% of the plant material used and no synthetic fillers. You also want to check if they need a carrier oil. Some essential oils can be used on their own and some need a carrier oil or a base oil (sweet almond oil, sesame oil, etc) that they are added to so you can apply them on your skin.


Get a diffuser. You really are going to want to use these essential oils with a diffuser. A diffuser runs oils and water through a steaming process which then lets the smell of your oils penetrate a room. It is perfect for anyone beginning with essential oils to purchase a diffuser. They come in all shapes and sizes and you should select one depending on the size of your room.


Once you’ve determined those things, you can start using your oils. There are various properties of essential oils. I personally started with the basics. I like lemon because it is a vibrant citrus smell which makes everything feel sunny. Lemon can brighten up a cloudy day and it smells great in a diffuser. Lemon oil also takes the sticky off stickers and is a great oil to add to a cleaning solution.


Lavender oil is great for rest and relaxation. It promotes calming and restful sleep. It also is great for skin and hair. Cedarwood is wonderful for grounding and promoting a meditative state. There are many, many, oils you can use for various things, do your research!


All I know is that essential oils have helped me so much in the past when it comes to provoking certain moods or energies that I want to embody. You cannot expect them to cure depression or make your life miraculously better but they can help in a small way if you’re struggling.

I hope this helped even a little bit. Perhaps you can tell me your favorite essential oil in the comments!

Love, 

Julie

My Daily Diet To Lose Weight – Very Basic

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Hello, my loves!

I’ve posted about my weightloss before on my blog. Today I thought I’d go into detail about my daily diet.

Breakfast: Vanilla Greek Yogurt with a handful of granola.

Snack: Lara Bar – Any flavor

Lunch: Spinach salad with sweet and spicy tuna packet. Chipotle dressing (a serving size)

Snack: One or two peppers.

Dinner: Varies. Sometimes I will have another salad other days I will have chicken with a sweet potato. It all depends what my family chooses to eat.

Dessert: Apples with peanut butter. (so tasty!)

This is how I maintain my weight loss and lose weight. I drink a LOT of water during the day as well. Sometimes I’ll have a swig of orange juice with water mixed in. I also go on two long walks a day plus 20 minutes on the treadmill.

I’m not saying this is enough calories for everyone but for me it works. Sometimes I add in a smoothie here or there or an extra lara bar if I’m really hungry.

I hope you all have an amazing week!

love, Julie

December 2020 Goals

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Hello, my loves!

I hope your holidays have been going well. Today I thought I’d go over my December goals. We all have a lot going on during the holiday season and we all want to start goals for the New Year but why delay? Start now!

1. Drink only water for beverages besides Zevia once in a while.

2. Walk daily, preferably 3 times a day.

3. Stick to my routine. Wake up at 8 AM every day.

4. Work on blog daily. Work on Social Media presence.

5. Call friends or family members who I haven’t recently.

6. Enjoy the holidays without stress.

These are a few things I can definitely accomplish. I’d love to know what is on your goal list! Share below!

How To Accomplish Your Goals

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Hello, my loves!

It’s getting closer and closer to the end of the year which is a time a lot of us make goals for the new year. There’s still some time left in this year though, and still time to make goals and accomplishments. I’m going to be sharing some tips and tricks on how to stay organized as well as set goals and make your dreams come true.

  1. Keep a physical plan. I know it is all about digital planning these days but the act of writing out goals is so important. You can brain storm easily and plan your days in a planner. Pick a planner that you enjoy looking at, so you can keep it active. Write down every day what you want to accomplish that day and keep to it.
  2. Make a daily to-do list.  Sometimes we make long, drawn out to-do lists but they usually never get done. Try a list of five items, and star three most important to-dos. This will allow you to see what a priority is and what isn’t. If you even get one done it will make you feel good about the rest of
  3. Stay organized and find a work space. You should try to tidy up your space every evening so that you don’t have to worry about cleaning in the morning and you can get started on your goals. Find an area in your home to focus on work. This space will put all distractions in the background and you can work happily in a quiet area.
  4. Ask yourself why. Goals and to-dos don’t get done unless you are motivated. Find a source of motivation to get your work done. Why are you working towards this goal? Why are you putting in the work? If you have very little reason to get work done, you won’t do it. So ask yourself some questions. Get a journal. Find your passion and work for it.
  5. Do the work. In the end, it doesn’t matter how many goals and aspirations you have if you don’t work on them. Set a time every day to work on your priorities. Keep a budget list. Find similarly minded people online or in person. Enjoy your work. If you don’t enjoy yourself, you won’t be motivated to work on your projects. Find something fun to do on your breaks like walk your dog, dance, or make a special warm and cozy drink!

Okay, my loves!  I will be back on Wednesday with another blog post. In the meantime, leave a comment if you have any other ideas for keeping motivated.

Love,

Julie