Tag: lifestyle

A Cozy Harry Potter Weekend

blog October 28, 2018

Hi, my loves!

Image result for harry potter mary grandpre artwork

I hope you are all enjoying the weekend. I have been relaxing at home enjoying the cooler weather and getting cozy. With this weekend I’ve spent it re-watching (for the hundredth time…) the Harry Potter series. Today I’m going to share a few ways you can make your weekends or week a little more magical!

Get Sorted

Of course we all want to go to Hogwarts. So, why not find out your school house on Pottermore?

Pottermore is a website dedicated to the world of Harry Potter and can fill you in on some of the unknowns of the Harry Potter series. There is a Sorting Hat quiz you can take to decide which house you belong in. I got Hufflepuff!

You can follow the link here: Pottermore

Drink Butterbeer!

If you have read the books or watched the movies, you know that the most comforting beverage in the wizarding world is butterbeer, which is a delicious wizard drink, served warm and foaming in tankards or chilled in bottles. The drink is butterscotch based and you can make it at home and pretend you’re at the Three Broomsticks!

1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup butterscotch topping

2 tablespoons whipped butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups vanilla cream soda

Old-fashioned butterscotch candy sticks, for garnish

Combine condensed milk, butterscotch topping, and butter in a glass heatproof measuring cup. Heat in microwave for 1 minute. Remove and stir until butter has melted and incorporated into mixture. Meanwhile heat cream soda in another heatproof measuring cup for 1 minute 30 seconds.

Divide butterscotch mixture between two 10- to 12-ounce mugs. Fill mugs with heated cream soda and stir thoroughly. Serve garnished with an old-fashioned butterscotch candy stick.

When In Doubt..Go To The Library

Hermione is known for her wit and wisdom and she always is in the library. Try to go to your local library or pick out a book from your own library that intrigues you and spend some time reading. You can even read the Harry Potter series if you feel so inclined! This is one of the coziest activities you can do in my opinion and it expands your mind and perspective so much. Just remember no restricted section without permission!

It’s Not Much But It’s Home

We all want clean and tidy homes but just because your house is clean doesn’t mean it can’t be cozy! Try to find some home decor which makes you smile and feel Burrow-ish. It doesn’t have to be expensive, it can literally be a decorative pillow or a blanket to throw over a chair or adding candles or fairy lights to a room. Spend some time thinking about what makes you feel at home and add some of that into your space! Mrs. Weasley always made her house welcoming even if everything didn’t always fit into place.

Write A Letter And Use The (Owl) Post

Everyone tends to be on an e-mail, texting, etc, trend and we often forget how special it is to receive a hand written letter. Make time in your week to send a letter to someone you are thinking of but haven’t seen in a while, even if you talk to them every day. You could hand make a card and even write it with a quill or use calligraphy! Be creative and make it a point to do this more regularly. Send it off and you and your loved one will both enjoy the time you took.

Have a magical weekend, and a wonderful week~

Alani Nutrition Balance Supplement Review

skincare, Uncategorized October 25, 2018

Hello, my loves!

I have been through a major transformation lately. I have been spending time really focusing on what is important to me and what isn’t. This has resulted me being in a stellar mood because I am not choosing to hide behind a mask anymore. Anyways, why do I bring this up? One of the contributing factors of my steady and happy mood has been a nutritional supplement I have been taking for about three weeks. The supplement is called Balance by Alani Nutrition and it has been a hero in my daily life.

The backstory:

I have had chronic acne since I was ten or eleven years old and I have been on acne products my whole life. I took accutane around twelve years old and it cured my acne for many years. However, as an adult I suffer from mental illness which changed the chemistry of not only my brain but also my body. My acne has come back with much force due to this. Plus, I had a hunch my hormones have been out of whack for my whole life because I become extremely moody during my moon cycle and the days leading up and even after it.

The Results:

I originally had no idea what Alani Nutrition was but my sister who also suffers with acne found the company and sent me a bottle to try because she said the reviews were so fantastic. I did not question her and when I received the bottle I immediately started taking it. Within a week my skin had almost no blemishes and my mood had improved. I did not question that it was the Balance supplement that had cleared my skin but I wanted to test it further so I continued to take it since I had no adverse reactions. Two weeks later, I have noticed such an improvement in my skin that I could literally cry. Even my scars which have never made any improvement in my whole life have become lightened. I had a moon cycle during this time and it did not effect me as greatly as it would have if I had not been on this supplement.

Balance by Alani Nutrition retails for $49.99 for a 30 day supply. You take four pills a day with food in the morning and you do not have to worry about taking it at any other time during the day which is extremely convenient as many times with other supplements you have to take multiple servings a day.

Here is a bit of the science behind it:

Myo-Inositol– Promotes female fertility and restores insulin sensitivity. L-Glutathione– Brightens complexion and reduces wrinkles by aiding in hydration. DIM– Estrogen metabolism prevents drastic increases or decreases in estrogen. Prevents conversion of testosterone in to estrogen. ALA– Combined with Myo-Inositol has been shown to increase insulin-sensitivity in women who are overweight/have PCOS. Chromium– Has been shown to improve blood sugar control and decrease weight gain/fat deposition in the mid section. Folate– Has a positive action in cardiovascular, neural and psycho-emotional health. Some may take this product to become fertile. Folate helps to support fetal development.

If you are even slightly curious about this product, I recommend you read some reviews on their website which you can find: here .

I hope this review will help anyone who is suffering from hormonal acne or mood or anxiety problems. It obviously helps in other areas too, and I can definitely tell I have more energy and am just feeling like myself again. If you’ve tried this supplement let me know because I’d love to hear if it worked for you!

Until Next,

Julie

Wet&Wild Liquid Catsuit Lipsticks Review

makeup September 11, 2018

Hi, my loves!

Today I thought I’d do a review on a product I’ve been using for a while now, almost every day. This is the Wet and Wild Liquid Catsuit Lipstick.

There are two particular colors I am drawn to. The first one, being “Give Me Mocha“, which is a more neutral, almost 90s mocha/brick color. This color mimics quite closely the natural lip color I already have so it’s perfect for every day wear. The next color, is a more vibrant color, which is “Berry Recognize“, a very bold pink-berry shade.

I really like this liquid lipstick, like a lot. At first, I thought the applicator was slightly difficult to use but over time I’ve gotten used to it. It applies evenly and distributes the color wonderfully. You literally need only one coat of this lipstick unless you really want to build up the pigmentation. The lipstick is a little drying, but I like it because it means it actually does dry down to a true matte lipstick. You can eat oil-based foods with this lipstick and you don’t need to touch up.

This product is cruelty-free and vegan! It also retails for around $5 USD. I have seen these at both Walgreens and Target for those who are wondering! There’s a decent shade range, and there are always new colors coming out for the holidays. Also, they do carry a metallic range of this formula and they are so beautiful to apply alone or on top of another lipstick.

If you are looking to expand your cruelty-free makeup collection, Wet and Wild has always been a favorite of mine. I also recommend their contour palette, highlighters, and their lip pencils.

If you have any shades you like from this range, please let me know in the comments because I am always keen to pick new ones up! I hope you are all having a lovely week so far!

Love,

Julie

Self-Care For Low Times & The Fall

blog, spirituality September 3, 2018

Hi, my loves!

Autumn_Header

So, I’ve had a slightly low weekend and I thought I’d shed some light on what I do when I get into a dark place.

The best thing to do in my opinion is to ask yourself why you are feeling down. I know for me, it was because I had a really busy week and then this weekend I didn’t do much. Also, I’m an Empath and I have a friend going through a hard time so it affects me greatly. The swiftly changing weather is also becoming more and more apparent and I am not adjusting the best.

Getting out a journal and writing for even a few pages is so therapeutic. It helps release the thoughts into a new space and can star the process of healing. You could also write poetry, short stories, or anything really that is creatively expressing emotions.

You can go outside if the weather permits. During this time of year it becomes less and less appealing to go outside because the weather is getting colder and less sunny. However, I still try to get outside when I can and just simply taking a walk or breathing in the fresh air is a wonderful self-care option.

Clean your space or decorate a part of your space. Now the fall is coming, you can prepare and self-care by cleaning your space and decorating for the season. This always helps me because each season is like a new chapter in your life that you have a chance to rebuild. Buy a set of fairy lights or fall decor from your local craft store. You can even choose to make it an art project. You could also burn Palo Santo to clear the atmosphere of negative energy!

Use crystals to set a positive intention! I like to use crystals for self-care because they are so wonderful to set positive intentions with. Find a crystal that you find drawn to and program it to help you with something you are struggling with or want to embrace more of in your life.

Make your morning routine a ritual. Making sure your morning starts off well is important because it will lead to a more positive and productive day. Make your favorite tea, turn on some music, play with your pet, give yourself a facial massage with essential oils, etc. As long as it is making you feel happy and alive, especially during the low times, it is a good sign!

Say thank you and mean it. You could make a list of things you are grateful for or say them out loud, and then truly feel the power of being thankful for what you have. You could do this at night as you look at the stars or the moon, or during the day when you see the beautiful leaves changing colors. Or anywhere! Just sit with it for a moment and you will feel divinity all around you.

Dance, move, do yoga, or meditate while you walk. Honestly, movement is the perfect remedy for low days because it encourages your mind to produce happy emotions instead of low, sad ones. It doesn’t matter if you’re running a marathon or cleaning the house, you can incorporate movement into you routine and you will feel the benefits almost immediately.

Make a healthy meal. Honestly, I feel nutrition gets neglected a lot when we are feeling sad because we either want to eat everything in sight or not eat at all or maybe just not the healthier foods. When we choose to take time to prepare a meal we show ourselves we love ourselves. Find an easy recipe on Pinterest or simply combine the ingredients you have at home into a delicious lunch. It’ll make you feel better, trust me. With the fall season coming, if all else fails, make apples with nut butter. Or brew a nice earthy tea.

I could go on and on with suggestions, but these are my main ones for right now. I may make a part 2 to this because self-care is so important in our lives. I hope you all had an amazing weekend and I will catch up with you all later!

Until Next,

Julie

My Favorite Body Butters For Soft Summer Skin

skincare July 11, 2018

Hello, my loves!

In the theme of summer, I thought I would share my favorite body butters for summer. I like to keep moisturized all year round but in summer I am more particular about the way my skin looks because we wear less clothing during the warm weather. Nobody likes to have dehydrated skin, and these work perfect to combat that.

The first one I am enjoying is the Body Shop Body Butter in Almond Milk & Honey. I have always loved the Body Shop Body Butters and this is no exception. This is a rich, dense formula which will keep you feeling silky smooth for up to 48 hours as it claims on the tub. The fragrance is a calming yet sweet almond-honey smell that I truly think everyone would enjoy. This body butter does not take too long to absorb into the skin but you can immediately tell a difference after it s applied.

The next are made by the same company and are the same product but are in a different scent. They are the Philosophy Glazed Body Souffle in Honey and Cream and The Ice Cream Man. These have to be hands down the best smelling body butters I have used in my entire life. I’ve never smelled anything so sweet and bakery scented that I can actually put on my body! The formula is wonderful as well and is thick and quick absorbing and leaves a wonderful glow on the skin. I believe that Philosophy rotates their scents that are available so these may not be available still but definitely look for them online because they have a huge variety.

The last one I thought I’d mention is more in particular for stretch marks. I bought the Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter to try to help combat some stretch marks I have recently noticed on my stomach from a repeated cycle of weight loss and weight gain. I decided to try this and I can definitely say it is working. I like it because it isn’t horribly thick or overly scented. Since it is for expecting mothers there is actually no added fragrance, and all you can tell is the smell of the cocoa and Shea butters. For the summer, this is the perfect body butter to use on stretch marks or any other areas you may want to keep moisturized. You can definitely use this one in combination with the others too.

There are many other wonderful body butters on the market that I enjoy as well, but these are just the ones for summer that I have been using and think you would enjoy too! Just remember, taking care of our skin is a form of self-care and we should all take a little time to take care of ourselves. I hope your week is going well and you are staying cool, and I will be posting again on Sunday!

Love,

Julie

Reorganizing Your Disorganized Life: A Guide

organization July 9, 2018

Hello, my loves!

Image result for free stock planner

I thought I’d talk about something I think that happens to all of us: disorganization. I honestly feel like I am one of the most organized people I know but at the same time, when in a state of depression or anxious worrying I can become an organizational disaster. I thought I’d do a simple guide to re-balancing your life when times like this happen.

Clean your space. This is a very simple step which can definitely lead to a better state of mind. When we have papers all over our desks, or clothes piling up on the closet floor, it can be a trigger for us to want to throw up our arms and push it aside. However, the best thing we can possible do is tackle it straight on and make room for more important things in our head. When we are surrounded by clutter we often focus on it more than the tasks we have at hand and it can truly become a problem.
Write things down. Making a list, or simply opening a journal and writing can help organize your thoughts and express your feelings. There is a lot of energy we invest on thinking about things and it can be exhausting, so try to get rid of any negative thoughts or even details you just don’t need to be ruminating about.
Start a new planning system. I personally enjoy planning on paper. However, sometimes if that isn’t working you may want to try a digital option or vice versa. I really like bullet journaling, but it doesn’t seem to get done when time is not available. However, I noticed using a standard day planner is the best option for me. Even buying a new planner can work for motivation, and I think right now is the best time of year for this because planner companies often release a mid-year planner. Try whatever you need to, and refocus! You know yourself best, so follow what you feel you need atthis time.
Reward yourself and have fun. Life is difficult and there is no point in denying it isn’t going to get easier. There are many obligations we have and there are many things we have to do that we don’t want to but that doesn’t mean you can’t reward yourself and have fun too. When we spend too much time working and we ignore the desire for adventure or an escape, it can get to us. Try scheduling social times at least twice a week or more depending on your schedule. Make the weekends a no work time! You deserve to have that ice cream sundae, and you definitely should treat yourself to a face mask after a long day. Don’t let life get too stale or you will soon find yourself unmotivated.
Establish a routine. I have noticed that when I am in a routine, I can easily make decisions and establish daily goals. However, when things are chaotic it is so much m ore difficult to get through the day. Even if it is a morning routine, or an evening routine, there should be some sense of knowing what you can expect at certain times and plan your work accordingly. Try to wake up around the same time, go to sleep around the same as well. It doesn’t matter if your routines are elaborate but try to make them positive, so you can look forward to grounding yourself at these times.

I hope these simple tips helped with anyone who is also struggling with staying organized or perhaps just needs to feel a little more balanced in your life. We all go through moments in life where it is difficult to stay focused, and it’s okay! Just remember that you are a wonderful, thoughtful, beautiful person who doesn’t need to be “on” all the time. Good vibes only!

Until Next Time,

Julie

June Goals

blog June 1, 2018

Hello, my loves!

june_056

Happy June! Today is going to be a post about my goals for June. I honestly have been trying to get my thoughts organized lately and I do well with setting intentions and goals for the days, weeks, and months ahead. I know my blog has been a little sporadic lately and I am vowing to change that. We all go through events in life that sometimes do not allow much room for what we want to be working on and that is what was going on this past month. A lot of chaos was happening and I was unable to structure that chaos, but right now I’m trying as hard as I can to rise above any negativity in my life and start with a positive and overall progressive month.

My goals for the upcoming month are:

Post 2 times per week on blog&Instagram
Yoga&stretching daily
Drink only water for a beverage
Laugh more
Invest in myself, not in things
Sleep before midnight
More self-care time
Journal daily

My list could go on and on for literally pages and pages but I do not want to focus on everything at once and then be disappointed when I fail to accomplish them. I feel like what I’d like to change the most is how I feel about myself. I often feel disappointed because I may not be at a certain place in my life and I am comparing my life to other people but in the end, it doesn’t matter, as long as I am happy.

I hope this encourages you to set intentions or goals for yourself this upcoming month as it is truly a helpful practice.

Until Next,

Julie