Tag: lifestyle

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

My Current Desk Essentials

blog, organization May 2, 2018

Hello, my darlings!

I have been working a lot from home lately and I have become custom to having certain items near me when I work. I typically use the desk I have in my bedroom for work but lately, I’ve been using my kitchen space to do most of my work. I like to have a large area to stretch and feel like I am able to visualize my work. I actually reorganize my office space a lot and I may even work on doing that again soon, but for now, I just wanted to share what I like to use on a daily basis to get work done and stay motivated.

Pens. We all use them, we all love them! I love having a variety of pens, specifically colored ones so I can use them to color various tasks or use them to underline important figures. Highlighters and sharpies are also a key utensil for me for my work, seeing as I do some illustration work and like to do the rough drafts with sharpies a lot of the time.

Notepads. I literally use notepads, notebooks, anything, all the time. I write down endless amounts of lists so I need endless amounts of notebooks. I have fun with them because they are all so cute and decorated so lovely.

Inspirational books. There’s a time of day when you don’t want to keep working and you just want to goof off, so there should be some sort of motivational quote, or a book, or an inspirational board you can look at and gain inspiration from. If you don’t have something like this, I highly recommend it!

Sketchbook. I personally use sketchbooks for doodles or for ideas for designs or simply just using them to take a break from work for a little while and write poetry. It’s just nice to have a large sketchbook in my opinion.

Healthy Snacks. I really like Larabars lately, and they are vegan so I’m loving that even more. You could really have any snack though, sometimes I like hummus and veggies or apples and peanut butter. Seeing as your desk is at home, the possibilities are endless!

Hand Creams. Who can’t get enough hand cream? I love having hand cream by my side just to soften them and the smell of the basil and fig one is divine! The Nivea one is great for winter.

Chapstick. Chapstick is also always a great item to have on your desk because chapped lips can happen at any time and you want soft lips!

Coffee, Tea, Water. I really like to have a beverage by my side at all times. I personally like iced beverages so I make an iced coffee, tea, or iced water and I’m set! I do drink a lot of water during the day and you should try to as well, it definitely helps with afternoon energy dives.

The other things I like to have on my desk are my agenda, little trinkets, a calendar, post-it notes, and other things that just make me motivated to do more work.

What are the essentials for your desk? I’d love to know! Leave me a comment! I seriously am obsessed with paper products and anything that has to do with organization so I’m always looking for ideas!

Hope you are all having a lovely day,

Julie

The Importance of Following Your Dreams

blog, spirituality April 29, 2018

Hello again, my beautiful friends!

“I haven’t slept in two weeks, which is good because times are hard for dreamers.”

For today’s entry, I am going to be talking about the value of dreams. This is more of a “spark your thoughts” type of post. This is part of a collection of posts I will be posting in the future on dreams and goal-oriented living.

I have been a dreamer my whole life and it has gotten me through the worst of times. Having hope and inspiration and setting goals is one of the most rewarding things you can do in your lifetime. I think we often think childhood dreams fade as we reach adulthood but I’d say that isn’t true because my childhood dreams have been with me since I can remember. My goals and ambitions have changed but I still have my dream of having my voice heard and being a successful writer. We all have goals we want to meet and dreams we want to see come to life and sometimes on the worst days it seems like our dreams should just be overlooked and forgotten about but, no, that is when they should be thought about the most! What is your dream(s)?

Now, think about how this dream has inspired you to make decisions in your life. Are you honoring it or letting it turn into an irrelevant idea? Your dreams and ambitions are driven by who you are as a person and what experiences you have gone through, they are not random and should not be taken lightly. We all owe ourselves to live by what we want, not what others tell us is acceptable or what society deems necessary for us.

The most important thing to remember is that with hard work and determination all dreams/goals can become reality. It seems to me that people feel that because they have a job currently, or perhaps they are simply unhappy, that they are trapped in that state for the rest of time. There are twenty-four hours in a day and there is time, even if only an hour every day, you can dedicate to making your dreams come true. As long as you are sincerely passionate about Now, for everyone it is going to be different – sometimes dreams are job oriented, some are thought oriented, some are physical, some are emotional. No dream or goal is too small or too large! The only thing stopping you now is thinking something is stopping you.

“You are stronger than you think and braver than you believe” once said a wise, Christopher Robin. These are the words we need to remember. There is always going to be something we could do that is easy, or not requiring much of us, but is it as rewarding as doing what you want to do even if it takes longer and more work? I do not want you to ever think the easy way out is always the best one.

This post is really just to spark some thought, and hopefully, inspire you to be more aware that your dreams and ambitions ARE very important and shouldn’t be discarded merely because it seems too much of a far-out hope. Any age, any gender, anyone – can succeed, it may take time but you don’t want to rush something you hope will last forever.

I will be getting into more detail about steps you can implement to get closer to your goals and dreams.

Until next time, my dreamers…

Julie