Gift Guide For Gals

It snowed last night so now it feels appropriate to talk about Christmas gift guides.  I'll kick off the week with ideas for gals (we're the easiest to shop for, right?!) and then I'll post a gift guide for guys and kids this week too!

As I was putting together this gift guide the people that went through my mind were friends, sisters, teachers.  I opted for reasonably-priced gifts because a great gift doesn't have to cost a lot of money!! Plus, I'd put all of these things on my Christmas list (wink, wink sisters... husband - if he read my blog...kids - if they could read...)

All of the items are linked below!!

Jewelry Box. My favorite interior design rule is hide your clutter inside pretty things. I think this cute, functional jewelry box could do the trick!

Pajamas. These look so comfy.

Makeup Bag. I found this bag from Southern Farm Co. and fell in love with it.  Pack a lip gloss or nail polish in there and you've got the perfect teacher or bff gift!  Plus the saying cracks me up because it's so true.

Personalized Bracelets. These are from my Etsy shop - 'Apple Avenue Artifacts.' They are an easy, personalized gift for moms, teachers, sisters, friends... you name it! And, you don't have to go with names, you can pick any word you want.

FARM Tee. Graphic tees are totally in style now.  Think of your farm-girl (or non farm-girl) friends!

Daily Devotional. I need to start (and commit) to a daily devotional.  I think there is some power behind it and this one has been recommended a few times.

Earrings. Nickle and Suede earrings are my FAVORITE! They are light-weight leather earrings that make you feel glam and go with anything! They have a few different styles and each month they have a new earring of the month for a discounted price.

Solid Perfume + Lip Conditioner.  Give this pair a try.  Perfume can be a personal, yet fun gift and no one is going to turn down a tinted lip balm.  There are four perfume scents to pick from and two lip conditioners.  They are ideal for any gals in your life that are travelers.

Needles, Blades & Bristles: How they can improve your complexion

You know what Iowa needs? A really good skincare clinic, and I'm not talking a medical dermatologist.  Nope, I'm referring to a cosmetic skincare clinic.  But since I haven't found one (and if I did, I'm not sure I could afford it) I've had to take my skincare into my own hands.  And you guessed it - my skincare includes needles, blades and bristles! More specifically; shaving my face, dermarolling, and washing my face with a brush.

It wasn't long ago that my skin was dry, kinda scaly, a little red, and wrinkles were showing up (but let's be real about wrinkles; I'm in my mid-30's - there's no stopping them, only slowing them down).  After two people (@radioamy, and Sherry, from Young House Love) sparked my curiosity in a couple of these tools, I did my research and gave them a try and believe-it-or-not these tools worked!   The best part is, none of these things are expensive and they don't require an appointment.

Here's some insight into how these three tools can improve your complexion.

SHAVING YOUR FACE. Sounds totally weird but it's similar to derma-planing.  Shaving your face removes the dead skin that can make your complexion seem dull.  It also removes the "peach fuzz" that can sometimes make your makeup look funky. All-in-all, it helps your skin glow and improves your makeup application.  I use these razor blades every other week.

DERMA-ROLLING also known as microneedling. This seems scarier than shaving your face considering your rolling needles across your face BUT I promise it's not.  What's actually happening is your making little punctures in your skin that are stimulating collagen production and collagen is what gives your face the soft, supple look.  In addition to stimulating collagen production it also helps to reduce acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, may reduce sun damage and pigmentation, tighten saggy skin and fades stretch marks (calling all moms!!). I use this derma roller 3 nights a week.

FACIAL CLEANSING BRUSH. Washing my face with a facial cleansing brush is one of my favorite ways to give my face a deep clean.  Using a cleansing brush a couple of nights each week helps to clean out your pores which helps to reduce the appearance of pores.  No need to spend your money on an electric one, a manual brush like this one will totally do the trick!

Here are the overall benefits I've found after doing these three things regularly:

• My overall complexion has improved - I know this because I get compliments from time to time.
• Makeup application is much easier and foundation looks so much better.
• I wear less makeup - some days are just bronzer, brows, and mascara.
• I have more confidence.

I leave you with a few final skincare tips...

1. ALWAYS wear a daytime lotion with an SPF.  If it doesn't have an SPF leave it at the store unless your foundation has an SPF.

2. Save money on cleansers, spend money on serums and lotions

3. Invest in a good nighttime lotion, serum, or mask.

4. It's going to take 4-6 weeks, on average, to see results

Give these things a try and report back!

How I Use Essential Oils for Self Care

It's official - my husband things I'm nuts. 

I jumped on the Essential Oils wagon and guess what?! I'm a fan!  My sister initially introduced essential oils to me by gifting me a diffuser and On Guard Essential Oil to keep away the crud with a new baby in the house.  It just so happened that I started to really enjoy diffusing oils so I bought a second diffuser through my friend Morgan who is an advocate for doTERRA Essential Oils.  Now I'm using them more topically and internally than I am diffusing them.  Here's how...

IN MY WATER

Every morning I start off with this combo: Lemon + Grapfruit + Peppermint to detox, control cravings and support metabolism. They call this the "weight loss trio."  I like the added flavor in my water so after I have one 15oz water bottle with this combo I stick to either lemon on grapefruit.  The grapefruit definitely helps to control my sugar cravings - I was recently able to resist the monster cookies I made (what is wrong with me?!) and cut way back on popping candy in my mouth from our secret stash (don't judge, you know you have one too!) 

Two things to keep in mind if you add oils to your water; 1. Make sure they are labeled for internal use.  If they have a nutrition label on them you're good-to-go!  2. Use a glass or metal water bottle.  Here is a link to my Sip by Swell water bottle. 

LASH GROWTH

I have an obsession with wanting thick, long lashes. I've tried a growth serum which worked ok but I had to remember to put it on before bed and even tried lash extensions that I had removed a week later because they were so uncomfortable.  I came across this idea from My Well Oiled Life on Instagram - add a drop of each to a new bottle of mascara and apply it like you do every day, no extra step.  I can tell a difference in my lashes - they seem a little thicker and don't seem to break off or go missing.  I should also mention that Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara from L'Oreal is Ahhh-Mazing!  Pair these things together and Ta-da - Lashes for days!

HAIR HEALTH

Speaking of hair... I made this leave-in spray for my hair.  My hair tends to get dried out and appear dull and I'm on the path of growing it out.  This spray promotes healthy hair, growth and thickness.  I spray it on my scalp morning and night and then brush through my hair.  My hair has started to look a little shinier and not so dry.  You can find this recipe from My Well Oiled Life also.

FACE SERUM

A friend who I haven't seen in awhile was watching my instagram stories and sent me a message complimenting me on my clear skin.  (Winning!)  I've added this to my daily skin care routine.  It's 15 drops of each oil + a splash of witch hazel and filled with jojoba oil.  I paint my face with it at night after washing and then work it in with my fingers.  Then I top with my Origins Night A Mins moisturizer.  It's definitely helped to reduce redness, tighten my pores and (hopefully) work on my fine lines. 

AFTER SUN SPRAY

This one is a recent addition to my lineup.  My husband and I have started kayaking again and after 2-3 hours on the river, no matter the SPF (I wear SPF50, call me grandma) we still get a little red and our skin feels dried out.  This cooling spray has been awesome! It has for sure cooled down our skin and evens helps it feel moisturized.  You can find this recipe from essentially_joilful on instagram.  

Just so you know, I'm not selling essential oils because I'm terrible at direct sales like this. However I am a fan of doTERRA Essential Oils. If you're interested in trying these look up my friend Morgan on Instagram.  They are fun to play around with and have a quite a few benefits if you're willing to actually use them.  Not to mention, if you live in the middle of nowhere like I do and don't feel like going to the store to buy a "remedy" all of the time, with a small stash of oils you can usually find something that works. 

Here are links to the spray bottles and rollers I use.

Spray Bottles

Rollers

My Favorite Tinted Lip Balms

I really want to like lipstick, like REALLY want to like it, but I don't.  I can never find the right color, sometimes it feels tacky, and I feel like a goof putting it on needless to say re-applying it. Let's just say I'm not one to excuse myself to the bathroom after a meal just to come back to the table with a fresh coat of lipstick.  I feel awkward.  But I do really want to like lipstick.

But lip balm - that's where it's at! I love it and have no hesitation re-applying it anywhere and everywhere!  Here are my three favorites and a snapshot of how they look on me. They are Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in 'Red Dalia', Covergirl Oh Sugar! in 'Jelly', and Sugar fresh in 'Petal'. Keep in mind that lip colors, while the same color in the tube, look a little different on everyone because our natural lip colors are all a little different.

BURT'S BEES - RED DALIA
I love this one because first of all it looks like a chapstick (win!) and feels like chapstick (also win!). The color is deep and muted and doesn't come with a whole lot of shine. You can buy it here.

COVERGIRL Oh Sugar! - Jelly

I discovered the Oh Sugar tinted lip balms on a whim a year or two ago and became a huge fan.  It's like lipstick but feels like lip balm.  It makes my lips feel soft and offers a great pop of color.  Besides this color, I also like 01 Cupcake for a sheer gloss.  The downfall is that it looks like a tube of lipstick so I'm not a public re-applier (is that a word?! and I think I just figured out what I don't love lipstick??) This line of tinted lip balms must not have been too popular because they are hard to find.  Looks like Amazon has this color available or check Walgreens! 

(PS, you can get 6% cash back at Walgreens if you sign up for Ebates.)

SUGAR FRESH - PETAL

This one is my favorite of the lineup, also the most expensive (probably why it's my favorite).  This tinted lip balm adds the most natural looking tint to my lips and feels like silk plus it's got sunscreen in it - SPF 15. I've been on the hunt for a rosy pink and this is color was it!  You can buy it here.

If you can't tell, I stay pretty close to the same neutral-looking color pallet.  While these colors work well for me, keep in mind that lipsticks and lip balms look different on nearly everyone because of the natural color of our lips.  Use these colors as a starting point and then work your way up or down the color lineup until you find one you like!

Super Simple Mom Makeup

If you look good you feel good and if you feel good you do good.

I've heard this a lot lately (thanks Queer Eye - totally obsessed with this show on Netflix!) and there is for sure truth to that statement for me.  I'm a person that needs to pull myself together, even a little bit, each day.  I am happier, more productive and have more energy.  It's that little bit of self-care I need on a daily basis.

Since I am now a mom to three boys I've had to speed up my routine because I never know what my two big boys might get into. (Everything starts innocently enough...)  My husband has even noticed that my routine has gotten a little faster!

I recorded a quick "mom-makeup" tutorial for you but I couldn't get it uploaded to blogger, so you'll have to view it on my Facebook page. 

This super simple makeup routine will likely become my daily, back-to-work makeup routine too since it's just six products that I use.  They are all liked below.

Super Simple Mom Makeup Routine Products
1. Tinted Moisturizer
2. NARS matte concealer
3. ELF brow pencil (I use Taupe)
4. Younique Epic Mascara
5. Covergirl Cheekers Blush (I use pretty peach)
6. Sugar Tinted Lip Balm (I use Petal)

Check out my skincare routine in this post.

March Favorites

How are we in the last week of March?!  This brings good news and bad news. Bad news... I'm halfway maternity leave.  Good news... warmer weather and sunshine is on its way!!  Woohoo!

Here is my March edition of favorite things I've discovered throughout the month.  They are so good that they are worth sharing!  I've linked all of the items to make them easy for you to shop.

1. Strawberry Guava Diet Coke
2. Rose Water Soothing Facial Mist
3. NARS Soft Matte Concealer
4. Sugar Tinted Lip Balm

Here's why I love these things...

The Strawberry Guava Diet Coke was a random find because I felt weird at the tiny grocery store in our hometown buying an itty bitty bottle of thyme seasoning and a pint of whipping cream with my debit card because I know they have to pay a transaction fee so I grabbed this diet coke.  It was SO GOOD that I bought more at Walmart the next day.

I found the Rose Water Soothing Facial Mist on a whim one day too.  It's good.  It smells good, feels good and adds just enough moisture and shine to freshen up my makeup throughout the day.  I keep it in the bathroom and spray it on nearly every time I pass it.  I also brought it to the hospital with me when I had Gabe... it was nice to feel fresh when you sit in a hospital room for a day or two.

Last week I was going through our bathroom cupboard and came across a sample of the NARS soft matte concealer and thought "what the hell, let's give it a try today" and I fell in love with it.  It feels soft and silky, not greasy, hardly creases and stays put all day long.  So naturally, I bought some. 

And, while I was waiting for the gal in the store to help me pick out the right shade of concealer I found the Sugar Tinted Lip Balm.  I'm definitely more of a lip balm kind of gal. (I really want to love lipstick but don't.) I bought mine in the color Petal. It's the perfect combination of color and moisture. I'll likely have more colors over time or at least another tube of Petal so I can keep one at home and one in my truck/purse.

Report back with what you try - I'm curious if you'll like these things as much as I do!

PS... If you want to give the concealor or tinted lip balm a try sign up for ebates here.  You can get 4% cash back at Ulta or Sephora, depending on where you like to shop.  I use it all the time. (you'll get a few emails here and there that usually got to junk mail but you ALWAYS get your cash back.)

February Favorites + Giveaway

I'm just barely sneaking in this month's favorites into this month.  Yikes!

But, since we had a baby (yep the baby is here - I'll introduce you next week) I've been busy cuddling and chillin'.  It feels awesome!

Ok - prior to my blogging hiatus I started this series of my monthly favorite things and thought I'd bring it back because if you're like me you can easily find yourself getting into cool finds and recommendations.  I'm also giving away one of my favorite things this month so read to the end to find out how to enter!

Every item is linked - check it out!

Jade Roller. I love this discovery, apparently it's the in thing and after using it daily for the past month I can see why - It totally wakes up your face in the morning!  The cool feeling of the roller relieve puffiness, increases blood flow to your face and can help reduce wrinkles over time.  Click here to snag the one I bought.

Tazo Wild Sweet Orange Tea. My sister introduced me to this tea while she was here at the end of January and I've been addicted ever since.  I'm not a coffee drink but still like hot drinks on a cold day.  I run hot water thru my Keurig, let this steep for 5 minutes and add a few drops of vanilla flavored Sweet Drops and you've got yourself a great morning or afternoon pick-me-up.

Zella Low Profile Socks.  I originally bought these per a recommendation from Honey We're Home blog and was skeptical about how they would work. Now I'm a proud owner of one pair for ever day of the week.  These low profile socks don't show with your sneakers (or most any shoes) and actually stay on all day.  They are a little spendy at $21 for 3 pairs but they are worth the splurge.  Buy them here.

Hershey's Dark Chocolate. I have a sweet tooth that came from my dad and I've needed a way to curb it without scarfing down all of the cookies my oldest son, Colton, and I make on the regular.  These chocolates have been just what I needed as a healthier option.

G I V E A W A Y

I've got to say - THANK YOU - for sticking with me and reading my blog again so in honor of that I am going to give away the Jade Roller in the picture below because I know you will love it as much as I do.  

Here's how to enter (one entry for each):

1. Leave a comment below telling me one of your most recent favorite finds

2. Follow me on Instagram
3. Like my Facebook page + share this post

Plus, find two more entry chances on Instagram!

Cheers!

My Basic Skin Care Routine

If I knew then when I know now...

I seem to say this to myself nearly every day now that I'm in my mid-30's.  Because seriously, there are a lot of things I'd do differently - eat healthier, improve exercise routines, invest financially, move to an awesome "young person" city prior to getting married, wear sunscreen, the list goes on...

One of the things on my list is for sure taking care of my complexion.  I wish I had done a better job but then I think, besides wearing sunscreen, was taking care of our complexion really a thing? Perhaps.  I just didn't pay attention.

I've been asked quite often over the past few months about my skin care routine and I take it as a huge compliment.  It's something I've had to work at - a good complexion just wasn't coming naturally to me.  I'm fortunate that I've never had an acne-prone complexion or trouble with excessive redness but having kids really did take a toll on my skin.   After having my second child my skin needed some work.  I even went to a dermatologist to figure out how to get rid of dark spots!

I tried a few skin care regimes including drug store products like the Olay line and Rodan and Fields.  If these work for you - AWESOME!!  Unfortunately they didn't work for me.  I see so many woman with awesome R + F results online and in social media but I didn't see them and couldn't justify the expense for the lack of results I was seeing.

So, I started to do some of my own research and ta-da! I'm seeing the results I was hoping for!  The good news is that you can put together your own skin care routine that wont break the bank.  But, it does take time - think at least 3-6 months of committing to a routine.   

All of the products I use and/or mention are linked at the end of this post.  Also, please excuse the fact that you aren't seeing my face in this post - I've been sick for 10-days and no one wants to see that! :)

To start, think about all of the things that bug you about your complexion.  For me it was: dark spots, visible pores, lines/wrinkles, dry skin.  That's where I started my research and developed my own skin care routine.  Here it is.

M O R N I N G  R O U T I N E

One || I wash my face in the shower.  I like cleansers with exfoliators in them since one of my concerns is my pores.  Select a face wash that targets what you'd like it to do or for your skin type.  If you feel like you have dry skin, and washed your face the night before, you can likely skip this step.  It may lead to drying your face out even more.

Two || I apply the line of Advanced Clinicals serums - Retinol, Collagen, and Vitamin C.  (I let them absorb into my face while I brush my teeth.)

Here is what each of these serums do:
Retinol: Helps fight fine lines and wrinkles.  Not an instant fix but does minimize and prevent their appearance over time - think 6 months-ish.

Collagen: Helps to plump our skin.  As we age, we lose some of the collagen and elasticity in our skin, this helps to rebuild it.

Vitamin C: This helps to brighten your skin as well as reduce and prevent dark spots.

Three || I apply my moisturizer.  For a daytime moisturizer you definitely want something with SPF (even in the winter) and something that keeps your face from drying out.  This Restore & Renew Moisturizer from No. 7 works well for me. It also helps to even out skin tone.

Four || Apply eye cream.  I like this one from Origins.  It has some caffeine in it that helps to wake up, brighten and de-puff my eyes in the morning. 

E V E N I N G  R O U T I N E

My evening skincare routine is quite a bit easier than my morning routine because lets be real, I just want to go to bed at night!  But... DO NOT skip your evening skin care.  I am a true believer that this is where the magic happens!

One || Remove make up. I like this micellar cleansing water from Garnier.  I apply some to a cotton pad and remove all of my make up - foundation and eye make up.  This is the crap that clogs pores.

Two || I was my face.  I'm not too picky on what I use for a face wash.  Neutrogena Naturals actually has a really good makeup removing facial cleanser.  I got this one from Origins for free as a rewards member.  I really like it but will likely go back to the Neutrogena Naturals cleanser when this one is gone.

Notice this little brush?! It's like a magic wand and I swear by it! It's a facial cleansing brush.  I use this brush 2-3 times/week to get my face really clean.  Apply your face wash to the brush, dampen your face and scrub.  It has closed up my pores, evened out my skin tone and helped to brighten my complexion.  I've found that the the best time to do this is while my kids are in the bath tub.  #multi-tasking

Here is how I finish up my evening routine.

Three || Apply witch hazel as a toner.  It's a skin cleanser/astringent that works really well to give you face that final feel of clean and sucks the last bit of gunk out of your pores.  I apply some to the a cotton pad and wipe it all over my face.  Try it - you'll be shocked that even after washing your face, there is still makeup residue left behind.

Four || I apply my night cream.  Go for a night cream with LOTS of vitamins in it.  You know it's a good one if it contains Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B and Alpha Hydroxy Acids for skin cell turnover.  I like the Origins Night a Mins.  A little spendy but night creams are a good place to splurge. Neutrogena Naturals has a more cost effective option that contains most of the same vitamins.

Five || For fun and because who doesn't want long, thick lashes, I apply this Lavish Lash Serum.

W H E R E  T O  S P E N D vs. W H E R E  T O  S A V E

Spend: Moisturizers and serums.  These are the vitamins, sunscreen etc... that are going to impact your skin.

Save: Face wash and toners.  You need something that will clean your face.  Toners can be as simple as witch hazel and are totally optional.  As for a facial cleansing brush, you don't need a fancy electronic one to do the job, a hand-held one will do the trick. 

So there you go... my skincare routine.  It may seem like a lot of steps but skin care is worth it and doesn't have to be expensive.  Make up your own routine using a little research that way it's guaranteed to fit your budget and you get want you need.  As I've gotten my skin care in line my make up application - especially foundation - has really improved.  Another perk to look forward to!

I am also trying out a Jade Roller and Derma-rolling once a week.  Want me to let you know how that's going??!!  (yes, I'm a weirdo about skincare)

Product List and Links:
Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Scrub
Advanced Clinicals Skin Care Set
No. 7 Restore & Renew Day Cream
Origins Ginzing Under Eye Cream
Micellar Water
Origins Face Wash 
Neutrogena Naturals Face Wash + Makeup Remover
Facial Cleansing Brush
Witch Hazel
Origins Night A Mins
Neutrogena Naturals Nourishing Night Cream
Lavish Lash Serum
PCA Skin Pigment Gel (for removing dark spots)