MAY 2021 INSTAGRAM RECAP

 Happy Memorial Day, friends! Did you have any big plans for this weekend? So far it's been a pretty normal weekend for me- just catching up on some work + relaxing! I normally have Sundays + Tuesdays off so having today off is a nice little three-day weekend. I also booked an appointment for red light therapy this weekend. I went to my first session yesterday so I'm excited to see how that goes! 

I thought I'd go ahead and put up my May Instagram Recap today. I'm not mad that May is over- it was definitely a month of highs and lows for me. For some reason that made it feel like an abnormally long so I'm excited to see it go. If you're new here-- you can find me on IG @TheKristenDiary! 

*EASY YOGURT BOWL RECIPE POST HERE* 

OUTFIT DETAILS

Aerie Tee | Quay Sunglasses | Forever 21 Earrings (similar) | Kendra Scott Necklace

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

*MAY HEALTH + BEAUTY HAUL POST HERE* 

OUTFIT DETAILS

Aerie Tee | Topshop Jeans (similar) | Rainbows | Gucci Sunglasses (similar) |

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

*MAY WEEKLY TO-DO LIST POST HERE*

OUTFIT DETAILS

Billabong Top (similar) | AE Shorts (similar) | Rainbows | Quay Sunglasses | Target Earrings (similar) | LuluDK Necklace (similar)

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

OUTFIT DETAILS

Target Tee | Free People Shorts | Tory Burch Shoes | Prive Revaux Sunglasses  | Target Earrings (similar) | Kendra Scott Necklace | LuluDK Necklace (similar)

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

This month's recap was much shorter than the past few! I haven't been posting quite as much so I need to get back to it... what do you want to see more of? Also if you want to keep up with posts as they go live + see my stories, you can find me on IG @TheKristenDiary! Hope you enjoy the holiday + shorter week ahead!

I love sharing all things beauty + fashion with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

DERMSTORE SUMMER SALE EVENT WISH-LIST

Happy Memorial Day weekend! Every year we are all flooded with an endless number of online sales happening over the holiday. Anyone else serial delete all of the emails?? One of the few that I actually love to browse and shop from is Dermstore's Summer Sale Event. They are one of the coolest online beauty stores with a great assortment of speciality skincare and cosmetic brands. I like that they carry a mix of well-known brands in addition to these speciality lines that aren't as commonly found or available from a lot of other retailers. Most of their brands are mid-to-high end so anytime I always like to take advantage of a sale. 

Right now they are offering 20% off of most brands + offer free shipping on all orders. You can also sign up for their rewards program to earn points + receive 15% off of your first purchase. 

If you've been following some of my recent posts, you might have picked up that I'm currently working to perfect my skin and hair routines! I'm also still looking to buy cleaner, less toxic products when I can! I scoured the site + these are the items currently on my wish-list! 

DERMSTORE SUMMER SALE EVENT WISH-LIST

1. Joanna Vargas Vitamin C Face Wash - In my search for a new cleanser, I came across this Joanna Vargas Vitamin C Face Wash. Nothing like sleek packaging + a "Vitamin C" title to grab your attention! It is formulated to cleanse, brighten the skin and fight free radicals. All of these things and the amazing customer reviews sound great. The price per ounce is a bit pricey which makes the sale the perfect time to try it out! 

2. Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35 - Colorescience makes my favorite daily sunscreen so I'm interested in trying their under eye treatment. It targets signs of aging, dark circles + puffiness, dryness and sun damage with added SPF 35. I bet the metal tip applicator feels amazing too! 

3. beautyblender Joy - It's always time for a new beautyblender! One of the best beauty sponges for applying foundation. I love this bright yellow one, so fun and happy for summer!

4. DevaCurl DevaTowel - Normally I feel like all hair towels are a gimmick? This one seems very interesting and unique-- it's designed to help style curly hair with faster drying time and less frizz. Ya'll know I struggle with dry scalp issues and I recently heard that going to bed with wet hair can worsen the problem. Any guesses on who currently does that??? LOL... I also have naturally wavy/curly hair which is prone to some frizziness + flyaways. I'm not sure that I would use this as a styling tool, however I'm curious about the potential scalp and hair benefits.

5. boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil - Love love love this boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil. It is one of the best makeup removers-- it's amazing at breaking everything down and it's clean/less toxic that a lot of others. I need a refill so going to grab while on sale! 

6. ILIA Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint - I had to really rein it in with the ILIA products-- at one time I had the entire product line going in my cart. They sell clean products + have great reviews all across the board. I don't currently need a ton of new makeup items, however this Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint looks fun for summer! I added the color "Glaze" to my cart-- love the wand applicator + that it has some shimmer. 

7. Living Proof Scalp Care Dry Scalp Treatment - I'm up to try any of the scalp products at this point! I haven't used a whole lot from Living Proof but I like that their Scalp Care Dry Scalp Treatment is a leave-in product. I've been testing out a new shampoo + conditioner so I like the idea of using this after washing my hair. 

8. ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 - This looks so great for the summer! It's the ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint- a 3-in-1 concept that reminds me a lot of a tinted moisturizer but in a serum formulation. It combines skincare ingredients and SPF 40 to blur imperfections with a light coverage. Most days I like something light and natural so if it works, this sounds like a great product. Have you tried? It gets amazing reviews too! 

That's a wrap! I hope you all have the best weekend-- do you have any big plans? I have Monday off which I'm so excited for! Also let me know which sales you are planning on shopping! I heard it through the grapevine that Agent Nateur is also having a sale so between that and Dermstore, I might be all tapped out! Lol 😜

I love sharing my picks with you all. Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

DAY DATE WITH THE BOYFRIEND

My boyfriend surprised me with a little impromptu day date yesterday! He's been working almost every single day of the last several months so we've only been able to spend a few hours together here and there. I always have Tuesdays off from work so it worked out that he was also able to take the afternoon off! I didn't end up shooting any outfit content for my normal Wednesday style post so here's a little recap of our day instead. 

Alright ya'll, we are pretty low key-- the most adventurous things we usually do is eat. Anyone else?? For lunch we decided to take a little road trip to Drake's, one of our favorite restaurants. It's a little bit of a drive for us but they have several locations across different states here in the South. They have the best burgers, drinks and sushi! We also love the atmosphere- it's super relaxed and has a great vibe. 

We started off by splitting a Surf + Turf roll for an appetizer. I'm not a huge sushi person-- fish is pretty much a no-go for me. I try to make an effort to try them whenever he orders any and I do like some of the shrimp/crab ones or anything with tempura. The Surf + Turf passed the vibe check for me: cream cheese, crab + asparagus with filet and avocado on top. It also had a sriracha sauce that added a little bit of spice + extra flavor. For someone who isn't a big sushi person, I would eat it again! My boyfriend's a lot more adventurous than I am-- I think he liked it too but I got the impression it wasn't his favorite. 😜

For entree, I ordered my usual Triple Double Mini Burgers with fries. I've tried lots of other items but these are my favorite- two double patty sliders with lots of cheese!! I always add garlic parmesan mayo to them too (total game changer) and get a side of ranch for the fries! JJ got the burger of the month but normally he gets the BBQ Burger or a Patty Melt! As if I wasn't already stuffed enough, they also gave us a free cookie dessert which was delish! 

The rest of the afternoon consisted of walking around + doing some shopping to burn off our lunch! I didn't find too much, just a few snacks from Target. Ya'll I've been OBSESSED with these dark chocolate almonds so I picked up the himalayan salt ones to try. After that, we went grocery shopping and watched the next Fast & Furious movie. If you missed it, we've been watching all of them on the weekends. We watched Fast & Furious 6 tonight and then had a late dinner. JJ grilled steak + asparagus and we shared a twice baked potato and gorgonzola + pear salad. I wasn't joking that my days usually just revolve around food! 🤣 JJ also put new wiper blades on my car for me, does that count as exciting? It was for me! Lol! 

Anywhoooo, that's a wrap for our midweek day date! It was nice having a fun, relaxing day with my boo and some yummy food. What's your favorite thing to do on date night/date day? We usually like to watch movies or shows (and eat of course!) so send me your ideas!

HOW TO DEAL WITH BEING UNMOTIVATED + UNINSPIRED

We all go through times in life where we're feeling uninspired or lacking motivation. It's perfectly normal to not always feel normal -- NO ONE has their shit together 100% of the time. Between the day-to-day stresses of life, falling into a rut or feeling blah at times seems inevitable. Whether it's work-related or personal, here are some tips that I use to deal + find to be really helpful.

+ GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK

Being hard on yourself for this only makes things worst. Acknowledging that you're going through a temporary setback + knowing it won't last forever gives you the permission to process and (eventually) move on. When I'm feeling burned out, stressed or overwhelmed with something, I like to take a step back and distance myself from it. This not only helps provide clarity on what is causing you to feel uninspired, it gives you time to re-charge and learn new ways to avoid or handle it in the future. 

+ DO SOMETHING THAT EXCITES YOU 

Whether it's watching a guilty pleasure or ordering from your favorite restaurant, do something just for you. When I'm feeling off, I give myself permission to indulge and treat myself a little. There isn't much that a tv marathon, delicious food and a bubble bath can't help cure! Obviously you don't want to go overboard with this one, however enjoying something you might not normally brings a lot of excitement and can help to pull you out of a rut. 

+ LOOK FOR INSPO

If I'm lacking motivation or ideas, sometimes it's as simple as finding inspiration through others or the internet. I look to the people I follow on social media to uplift and inspire me, watch YouTube videos and browse articles/blog posts online. Seeing someone else's perspective or content is often motivating and feels like a breathe of fresh air.

+ TRY SOMETHING NEW 

It's easy to become a creature of habit and conform to our daily routines. While I love having structure and to-do lists to stay on track and be productive, life can become mundane and often lead us into feeling uninspired and unmotivated. The saying goes "You can't keep doing the same thing over and over again, but expect different results." 

Let's revise that by mixing things up once in awhile! Whether it's on a work project or a date night, think outside the box and give something new a try. This is something I often have a hard time with and need to challenge myself to do more of. I am definitely guilty of wanting to stay in my comfort zone, however when you branch out + it works, it brings new excitement and energy to life! 

+ READ A BOOK 

This one may not be everyone's cup of tea, however I find reading really helps to re-inspire and pull me out of my moods. If I'm feeling unmotivated or stuck when it comes to work or life, I find self-help and personal growth books to be insightful and encouraging. If it's more personal, I'll go for something on the fun + fictional side. Books have always been a great escape from the stresses of everyday life for me. 

What do you do to help deal? Comment below, we can all use more tips! 

I love sharing new content + style with you all. Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

2021 FINANCIAL GOAL PROGRESS + UPDATE!

Back in January, I put up a post titled Money Moves I'm Making in 2021. This outlined the top financial goals + priorities I set for myself at the beginning of the year. I decided that I wanted to really hone-in and focus on improving my finances in 2021. I've always been financially responsible and "good with money," however I want to go beyond the basics and just saving money. I've been challenging myself to really be intentional with my spending and to create a purpose + plan for my dollars. Like with anything in life, our finances are an area that I think we can always continue to grow, adapt and improve upon!

It's hard to believe that we're almost halfway through the year now! I thought I'd share a little recap of how things have been going so far with my goals + finances. I'm excited to document this to reflect and look back on my progress, however I also hope this will help inspire you to take action with your own money and financial goals. I am by no means an expert or offering financial advice- just sharing what I'm doing as I figure it all out :) 

To quickly recap, the top goals listed in my Money Moves post were: Max out ROTH IRA Contributions, Increase my Emergency Fund, Follow a Budget, Start Non-Retirement Investments + Open a High-Yield Savings Account. You can read more on those in this post!

2021 FINANCIAL GOAL PROGRESS

To keep things simple, I'm going to separate which goals I've accomplished (financial "hits") of 2021 and the areas that I think I need to expand or improve upon (aka "misses").

"FINANCIAL HITS" // ACCOMPLISHMENTS (SO FAR)

• 2020 ROTH IRA contributions
• Monthly emergency fund savings
• Opened an individual brokerage account
• Opened a high-yield savings account 
• Tracking my spending daily + creating monthly budgets
• Switched to a cash back credit card 

So far, I feel like I've been making great progress towards my yearly goals. I feel the most accomplished for maxing out my 2020 ROTH IRA contributions!! Right now I have low expenses so I'm able to take advantage of this. I'm trying to ride the wave + max it out for as long as I'm able to! Being prepared for the future is important to me so I do my best to prioritize + plan for this. 

Be sure to check out my post on Why You Need to Open a ROTH IRA Now. 

I also took care of a lot of the "administrative" things on my list. For months I've been telling myself I need to start investing outside of retirement, open a high-yield savings account, etc. I finally decided to take the first step by getting all of these set up. I also finally opened a cash back credit card for everyday spending. I've been thinking about doing this for about a year now! It's easy for me to keep pushing these things off as "I need to's" or "I want to's." They were all super easy to do + took me less than five minutes. If you keep putting off something super simple, just do it now! 

"FINANCIAL MISSES" // AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT 

• 2021 ROTH IRA contributions 
• Funding + investing individual brokerage account
• Finding a place/purpose for every dollar 
• Exploring cryptocurrencies 

These are the areas I want to tackle + improve upon. Of course, starting my 2021 ROTH IRA contributions is first on the list! I tend to be pretty sporadic on when I make contributions so I'm going to try to start doing them on a more consistent, monthly basis. 

Coming up with a place for every dollar is something that I also need to challenge myself on. I'm really good at saving, however I don't save everything with a purpose in mind. I have certain things like my ROTH and my emergency fund that I plan for, however anything else that is leftover usually just gets left sitting or lost in the shuffle. I probably need to establish some sinking funds or start investing the rest! 

I keep seeing a ton of information out there on cryptocurrencies. I'm intrigued by them, however they are also very unknown and volatile at times. I don't know too much about them so I can definitely do some research here. 

That's a quick overview of how some of my financial goals are coming along for the year! I hope you all enjoy these types of posts- I love talking about the topic of money & finance. I get a lot of inspiration and insight from others so I'm just hoping to pass some of that along to you :) As always, feel free to share your thoughts + catch up with my on IG (@TheKristenDiary).

Also read: 

Why You Need to Open a ROTH IRA Now

How I Save Money Shopping

Money Moves I'm Making in 2021

BEACHY BUTTON-UP #OOTD

Top: Billabong [old- similar here, here & here] | Shorts: AE [old, similar here + here] | Sunnies: Quay | Sandals: Rainbow | Initial Necklace: LuluDK [old- similar here] | Earrings: Target [old - similar here]

It feels so good to put up another #OOTD! I haven't really "gotten ready" with hair or makeup in what feels like forever. I shared on IG that the past few weeks have been something else-- I've definitely been feelin' the ebbs and flows. Sometimes you just have to ride the ride and get through them, ya know? I'm finally feeling more like myself this week so I gave the leggings a break + went for this relaxed, beachy outfit today.

I love the look of button-ups with denim. Depending on what pieces you use, it can swing business casual or relaxed and beachy like today's look. Too bad I shot these from a parking lot and not somewhere tropical, LOL! Are you planning to go anywhere for vacation for this summer? Right now I have no plans to but would love it! 

Let's jump into outfit deets. My top is several years old now-- I found it in my closet with the tags still on it so I figured I may as well start wearing it now? I use to be so bad about buying things and never wearing them. Luckily I still think it's cute! This one is made of a lightweight, textured cotton and has tails in the front that you knot. The striping with those details makes it the perfect relaxed top for the summer. I think it would also be really cute unbuttoned with a swimsuit underneath! Since it's no longer available, I found a bunch of similar styles with the same vibe that I love. I'll link them here, here, here + here for you. 

My shorts are also super old from AE... really striking out here with the current fashion! Any pair of denim ones would work-- the more distressed, the better. Even though the button-up is very casual, I think the distressing still helps balance it out and adds some extra texture. AE denim shorts are still some of my faves-- love this pair and this pair.

You already know I couldn't make this a beachy look without my trusty Rainbows! Forever my favorite, most-worn pair of sandals. Super comfy, durable and versatile. I have this skinny strap style but they come in wide strap too. 

Hope you have a great rest of your week, only a few more days until the weekend! :)

I love sharing my style with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

AGENT NATEUR HOLI(TRINITY) THOUGHTS + IMPRESSIONS

A few months back, I decided to splurge on the Agent Nateur HOLI(TRINITY) Travel Set. If you're unfamiliar with Agent Nateur, it's a luxurious skincare and wellness brand that focuses on creating effective formulas made of non-toxic, natural ingredients. I discovered both the line and founder of Agent Nateur, Jena Covello on Instagram last year. Jena has incredible knowledge and insight when it comes to holistic health and wellness. She also has a very captivating presence-- I admire her glamorous, intelligent and authentic personality!

Seeking out clean, non-toxic alternatives is something that I have been working to incorporate into my life. Within the past several years, I've noticed some minor skin issues arise on my face and scalp that I can never seem to get rid of! While I can't confirm they've been caused from toxic products, I made the decision that it can't hurt to transition to as many clean, natural products as possible. This is where Agent Nateur comes in! I became obsessed with the idea of trying out their products. Not only are they clean and non-toxic, the customer reviews are outstanding. I finally bit the bullet and purchased the Holi(Trinity) Travel Set to try-- here's what I think so far! 

AGENT NATUER HOLI(TRINITY) 

The Holi(Trinity) Collection includes three of Agent Nateur's best selling products: Holi(Water) Pearl and Rose Hyaluronic Essence, the Holi(C) The C Duo Calcium & Vitamin C and Holi(Oil) Refining Ageless Face Serum. The three products have been created to use together in order to achieve a radiant complexion. Here's how each product works:

Holi(Water) Pearl and Rose Hyaluronic Essence

"Restore your skin’s brilliance with holi (water). This lush serum uses organic plant extracts, precious minerals, and natural acid to improve the skin’s elasticity, tighten pores, and gently remove expired cells to reveal a hydrated, dewy glow." 

Holi(C) The C Duo Calcium & Vitamin C

"holi (c) is calcium and vitamin C in their most stable, potent state. Our unique dry powder formula won’t oxidize, ensuring that you receive all of its regenerative benefits. Blend with our holi (water) to improve the texture of acne-prone skin, restore firmness, and reveal an ageless radiance."

Holi(Oil) Refining Ageless Face Serum

"Revive your complexion with holi (oil). This youth-illuminating serum contains natural ingredients rich in essential nutrients, antioxidants, and hydrating oils that reduce the appearance of aging, leaving skin supple, lifted, and luminous."

THOUGHTS + IMPRESSIONS

Rather than giving an official review, I wanted to share some general thoughts + "first impressions" on these products. I'll be honest with you guys-- the products are VERY pricey. So much so that I haven't wanted to use them every single day and run out! Because I purchased the travel size, I knew that if I used them every single day and loved them, they would run out quickly and I'd want to purchase them in the full-size. This is the first time I've ever purchased skincare in this price range so it's new + definitely a splurge to me! 😉

I follow the application steps listed on the box: first spray and apply Holi(Water), mix more Holi(Water) + Holi(C) and apply, then finish with Holi(oil). I believe you can use them day + night, however I've mostly used during the daytime. 

Holi(Water) - The first thing I notice after applying the Holi(Water) Pearl and Rose Hyaluronic Essence is a slight tightening of my skin. The effect is instant, giving a more firmed and toned complexion. I absolutely love this! It doesn't feel irritating or aggravating at all, it's similar in feeling to when you wash your skin with cold water + your pores close up. Odd to describe but amazing-- it's a very unique product!

Holi(C) - Because I mix the Holi(C) Calcium and Vitamin Duo with the Holi(Water), I still feel the same tightening effect after applying the two together. The Holi(C) is a powdered formula which is also very unique- most Vitamin C products are already in a serum or liquid form. You have to mix this one with the Holi(Water) or some form of liquid to activate the ingredients. It mixes up very easily + absorbs into the skin well. After applying these two products, I can notice a subtle radiance to my skin! It doesn't look greasy, just a subtle shine. 

Holi(Oil) - Applying the Holi(Oil) Refining Ageless Face Serum overtop the other products gives a healthy glow and leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and supple. The first few times I tried this, it left my skin feeling greasy and it seemed to take forever to absorb. I kept hearing Jena share that it doesn't leave your skin with a greasy residue so I assumed I was using too much. Now I just apply 4-5 drops to my whole face and it absorbs a lot faster and doesn't look greasy or shiny. Once it completely absorbs, my skin feels baby soft and very hydrated.

Here are some un-filtered photos I took after using for the first time. 

     

My consensus is- so far, I love! I've really enjoyed using the products and I think it does make my skin more radiant and refined. I haven't used it long enough consistently to see whether it affects any lines or how the long-term effects are, however I'm very happy with the Holi (Trinity) together. Each product also has a very unique, floral scent that is nice. It isn't overpowering or bothersome to me-- some fragrance can be too intense but this one is subtle once applied. 

The packaging + brand also feels very luxe and high-quality. Each product (even the travel sized ones in my set) are in glass bottles which I appreciate. The process of applying the products is nice too-- it makes me feel a little special and a little fancy! 

While expensive, I do think the quality + ingredients are definitely worth the price of each product. The results show and the peace of mind that the ingredients are safe and non-toxic is important. With anything in life-- whether it be beauty, food, etc., the healthier or "good for you" the product is, the more it usually costs. I'm still trying to hype myself up to splurge on the full-sizes, though ;) My problem is I also want to try everything else! 

Have you tried out anything from Agent Nateur? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

I love sharing reviews with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

EASY YOGURT BOWL RECIPE | HEALTHY + DELICIOUS

Yogurt parfaits + bowls are one of the easiest options to make for a healthy breakfast or snack. For me, one of the biggest roadblocks to eating healthier is time and convenience. It's so much easier to run through the drive-thru or heat up a frozen pizza when you're in a hurry. I also happen to LOVE doing both of those things-- when I'm busy or feeling tired, nothing hits quite like a spicy chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-a. That being said, I can easily find myself falling into periods where those are the only things I'm eating. My solution for this is looking for easy ways I can incorporate healthier options and make better decisions!

Yogurt bowls have become an easy breakfast for me that's healthy and delicious. They're super simple to make- you really don't even need a recipe! I'll share how I've been making mine, however you can customize them anyway you want. They only take about five minutes to whip up which is less time than it takes to get through the drive-thru these days! 

HOW TO MAKE EASY YOGURT BOWLS

The ingredients are listed below but assembling is SUPER easy. 

I start by putting vanilla greek yogurt into a bowl first. I like to use greek yogurt because it has more protein, live active cultures (good gut bacteria) and less sugar than regular yogurt. I really like this one from Oikos! 

Next, I just start layering everything on top! Sometimes I will mix chia seeds directly into my yogurt, sometimes I will sprinkle them over everything. 

I then add my fruit, followed by my granola. I recently tried the Good & Gather Honey Almond Granola and it's my new fave! It's so good, I've been snacking on it too. Last, I drizzle some honey on top for extra sweetness. Because greek yogurt isn't super sweet, this really takes it to the next level and is a must-do for me.   

**I always clean my fruit with this Veggie Wash. It's a great, non-toxic way to clean your fruit and get rid of any dirt, etc. Highly recommend!** 

That's it and voilà! Super simple, yummy and good for you. What fruit and toppings would you put in yours? I love the strawberries + blueberries but want to do a banana + peanut butter next! Or maybe something with chocolate chips... mmm. If you make one, I want to see! Feel free to share a photo on here or tag me on Instagram @TheKristenDiary :) 

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF QUIZ!

We are switching things up today! I've been having what I'll call "content block" recently. I haven't been as inspired or motivated with a lot of my blog post ideas so I'm going a little outside of the box today. I'm constantly sharing things about myself and what I enjoy on here, however the best thing is getting to know and chat with you! 

A recent trend on Instagram that I really like are the "this or that" story polls. No matter what is asked or who's asking, I always find myself voting on them. Do you do them too?? Sometimes I get five slides in  before I realize I'm actually voting on whether JT and Biebs is better. LOL! I think those ones are silly but I do love the ones on fashion trends, etc. 

Anywho- I hate how other than through comments, blogs aren't as engaging as IG/social media in general. I was trying to think of ways to change that and ended up creating a fun little quiz for this post! I came up with ten basic questions that are super random and I *hope* fun! Nothing too crazy but I'd love for you to answer-- it's also anonymous so I won't know what you picked unless you want to come tell me on IG (@TheKristenDiary)!

Let me know your thoughts on this-- should we do more quizzes/polls? Growing up, that was one of my favorite things in all of the teeniest bopper magazines, lol. Nothing like J-Mag telling you who your celebrity crush is! Hope you are having a great week! 

WEEKLY TO-DO LIST | MAY 10 - 16

I can't believe that it's already been three months since posting my first "Weekly To-Do List" here on the blog. In that post, I shared a round-up of the top five goals (outside of work) that I wanted to accomplish that week! I'm big on making lists-- I love writing down everything I want or need to do and crossing them off once they're done. I like to make bullet points in the notes app on my phone! It helps keep me organized and prioritize the things that are very important or that may not be part of my normal routine. With a busy week ahead, I wrote out the top tasks I want to get done this week. Some are important and time sensitive, others are very simple! 

MY WEEKLY TO-DO LIST 

• BUY A BIRTHDAY GIFT - My sister has a birthday this week! I've already started buying for her birthday, however I still need to find her a main present and put everything together. 

• LAUNDRY + CHANGE SHEETS - Three months later and I still hate changing my sheets, lol. The washing part isn't actually too bad, it's the folding or putting them on the bed for me! My mom still tells me all the time that "you're suppose to change them every week" so I'm penciling it in! Maybe one day it will become second nature for me! I also need to catch up on washing some clothes too.

• TARGET ORDER PICKUP - I probably didn't have to include this but I figured it's an exciting one, hehe!! Target enticed me to place a pickup order online today with a $15 off $50 coupon! If you're a Target shopper-- those are few and far between! You really just can't say no. 🤓 I ended up ordering a few new beauty items, a cat toy and some snackies/groceries. I bought Gold Fish pretzels which I've never tried! 

• PLAN + SHOOT BLOG POSTS - I'm still putting up new blog posts on here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday! I always aim to put up one outfit post a week so shooting some blog photos for that is on the agenda for Tuesday. 

• UPDATE BUDGET + FINANCES - I'm a little bit behind on updating my spending + budget in my Budget by Paycheck Workbook. Hoping to get caught up on those this week and take care of a few more financial things as well. 

• WASH MY HAIR - I feel silly including this because obviously I was my hair every week! For years I've only washed it about once a week (normally the less you do the better), however I've been dealing with a lot of dry + itchy scalp issues. Washing more frequently can help so I'm going to give two or three times a week a shot. Washing/styling my hair "from scratch" is pretty time consuming so I think this one will be a little tricky for me. 

• ROTH IRA CONTRIBUTION - This is the final week to make any last minute contributions to a ROTH IRA/Traditional IRA for the 2020 year. I tend to spread my contributions out so I have one last little bit to add in this week! For more info on this, check out this post on Why You Need to Open a ROTH IRA Now.

Excited for what I hope will be a productive and calm week! I miss chatting with you all so I'm going to try to pop on IG more this week-- you can find me @TheKristenDiary. Also share what is on your to-do list for the week! I'd love to know what you are up to :) 

WHAT I WANT: MAY BEAUTY

I've been in the shopping mood this week! If you missed Wednesday's post, it was this mini Healthy & Beauty Haul. That one is a little more health/wellness so I still have my eye on a few more products! PS-- I said this last week but #TGIF!!! I've been in such a mood this week (hello, PMS). I've definitely had a lot less patience with everyone and I've been super snacky too. I think my sister knew I needed a little pick me up because she gave me a mini bundt cake today from Nothing Bundt Cakes. LOL, the struggle. Have you tried them before? Ours recently opened so I've only had the Confetti + a bite of my boyfriend's Pecan Praline! So yummy 😋

WHAT I WANT: MAY BEAUTY

1. L'oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation (Normal/Dry Skin) - This looks like it could be a great summer foundation! I'm always down to try something new and I need to explore more drugstore options. The L'oreal Prow-Glow is made to be long-wearing, give a glowy finish and has SPF 15. All of these sound great for hot weather! If your skin tends to be more oily, they also have a Pro-Matte Foundation from the same line. 

2. Pixi by Petra Correction Concentrate - I also love using an under eye brightener whenever I wear makeup. They are great to cover + correct dark circles and shadows around the eye area. My holy-grail has always been the MAC Radiant Rose but I've been wanting to try this one out! The Pixi Correction Concentrate looks like the perfect salmony peach shade and is a lot more affordable than the one from MAC.

3. Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo - Alright, I'm still trying to figure out the deal with my hair. I've been trying some products to help with the dryness but it seems to be never-ending. I've also noticed a lot more flyaways and frizziness! I'm going to try washing it more frequently (right now I do about once a week). I thought incorporating a clarifying shampoo to help get rid of any buildup could help so I found this Aveeno Shampoo. It has apple cider vinegar andcolloidal oat to balance, soothe and add shine. 

4. Wet Brush Detangler Hair Brush - I figure I may as well get a new hairbrush too, right?? The Wet Brush is my absolute favorite- it's the only brush I've used for the last several years! You can use it on wet or dry hair which is both easy and a no-brainer to me. I haven't replaced mine in a LONG TIME... ya'll Google says to get a new one EVERY SIX MONTHS. That might be a little aggressive but I figure it's probably time. If not, it'll turn into six years with the rate I'm going at! Jokes aside, you need one of these ASAP. 

5. scunci Basics Extra Large Jaw Clip - Anyone else struggle with hair ties not keeping your hair up/in a bun? Ya'll I LOVE my hair but she really is trying me right now. I find myself re-doing/fixing my hair a million times a day because it starts to fall out of my ponytail holders. I borrowed one of my sister's clips and it seemed to hold well so I'm gonna snag this scunci Extra Large Jaw Clip! It looks large enough to hold my hair so for $5 we'll give it a shot! 

6. Beekeepers B.Immune Propolis Throat Spray - I have been dying to order and try this! I have to credit Laura Beverlin because I found this from her! It's the Beekeepers B.Immune Throat Spray to help build immune support, soothe a scratchy throat and kill germs. It has Bee Propolis which has a lot of great health benefits from fighting bacteria, cancer and more. I also like that it's a natural product and you just spritz a few sprays in your throat daily. I found it here so I'm adding it to my next online order. 

7. e.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer - The e.l.f. Camo Concealer is the last thing on my list! I need a new concealer and this one has been said to rival the Tarte Shape Tape! That one is a holy-grail but it's around $30 and this e.l.f. one is under $6! Have you tried it? 

That's the list for today! I'm sure there will be another one soon, LOL. A girl's gotta shop, right? Hope you all have the best weekend. I can't wait to watch the next Fast & The Furious on Saturday, we should be watching #4! Also excited to spend time with my mom on Mother's Day. Talk to you next week! :) 

I love sharing what I want with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

STOCKING UP ON ESSENTIALS! MAY HEALTH + BEAUTY HAUL

Do you ever get excited to buy/restock everyday necessities like tooth paste or deodorant?? I use to hate spending money on them but honestly I love it now. I feel so accomplished using something up and it just feels like you're taking care of biz, ya know?? Adulthood is a willllldddddd ride. Real talk though-- should we be alarmed by this? Do we think this is normal? Are we OK? LOL... 😬

Target had a promo going on this week so I decided to stock up on a few things. Every once in awhile you can find coupons or sales on a lot of household essentials! I usually try to take advantage of these + pick up things I'm out of or know I'll need later. Today's haul is mix of repurchases and some new things I'm excited to try! 

St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter Plant-Based Natural Body Wash Soap 

This one is a newbie for me! I don't have a go-to body wash so I picked the St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter one to try. I'm still doing my best to purchase products with better ingredients and the St. Ives looks cleaner than a lot of other drugstore options. It is natural, plant-based and paraben free. All sound like a plus, no? Smells yummy too!

hello Antiplaque and Whitening Fluoride Free Toothpaste

Alright this is my first time purchasing what I will call "a healthier toothpaste." My ride or die is this Colgate Optic White. I have no complaints (works great!) but have always thought about trying a fluoride free alternative. I'll be honest-- the whole idea makes me a little nervous/skeptical? I feel like it's in the same grouping with natural deodorants. You hear mixed reviews on how effective they actually are but I'm curious enough to give it a shot! I researched a few and decided to try the hello Antiplaque and Whitening Fluoride Free Toothpaste. It has great ratings (4.7 out of 5 on Target!) and is clean (no parabens, phthalates or sulfates). I always like a whitening option too so that sealed the deal. I'll let you know what I think! 

Steripod Clip-on Toothbrush Cover 

Do you have one of these Steripod Toothbrush Covers? They are an all-time favorite of mine! You just clip it right over your toothbrush head! It helps keep it fresh + protects from dirt, germs, etc. Just think about keeping your toothbrush uncovered in the same room that you use the toilet.... no brainer for me, haha! They're also super affordable. You can buy a single one here or grab the two-pack for another $1. It's a better value to buy the two-pack so that's what I do!

Orabrush by DenTek Tongue Cleaner 

We're really going all out with the dental hygiene today, lol. I recently read an article about how helpful tongue scrapers are on removing germs so I grabbed this one from DenTek. I've always just brushed my tongue but since I use a Sonicare, I thought it might be good to have a separate cleaner. If you use a regular toothbrush-- a lot of the rubber ones have a scraper on the backside! Hoping it won't make me gag!

Nature Made Vitamin C 250mg Gummies 

I saved the best for last! I'm obsessed with these Vitamin C Gummies-- they are SO good, haha. They're an easy way to get some extra Vitamin C in everyday + taste like candy. I'm sure there are some healthier versions out there but they keep me motivated enough to take everyday. Win in my book! I'll link them here. 

Do you like little random hauls like this? Not sure if you all enjoy this kind of stuff too or if it's just me? Let me know! :) 

I love sharing beauty hauls with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

APRIL 2021 INSTAGRAM RECAP

Oh emm gee, it's officially May! It never ceases to amaze me how time flies. Let's kick this week off with a little April Instagram Recap! If you're not following me on IG, you can find me @TheKristenDiary. I post almost daily on my feed and story... come chat with me :) April's posts were a mix of fashion, food + beauty!

OUTFIT DETAILS

Aerie Tee | Free People Shorts | Birkenstocks | Quay Sunglasses | Forever 21 Earrings (similar) | Kendra Scott Necklace

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

TATCHA DEWY SKIN UNBOXING! SKIN CREAM, SERUM + LIP BALM

*FULL UNBOXING POST HERE*

SLIP SILK PILLOWCASE, MASK + SCRUNCHIES FIRST IMPRESSIONS 

*FULL FIRST IMPRESSIONS POST HERE*

OUTFIT DETAILS

Forever 21 Bodysuit (similar) | Free People Dress (new version here) | Converse | Gucci Sunglasses (similar) | Target Earrings (similar) | LuluDK Necklace (similar) 

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

REVIEWING YASSO GREEK YOGURT BARS

*FULL YASSO REVIEW POST HERE*

OUTFIT DETAILS

Target Tee | Free People Shorts | Rainbows | Prive Revaux Sunglasses |Target Earrings (similar) | Kendra Scott Necklace | LuluDK Necklace (similar)

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

WHY YOU NEED TO OPEN A ROTH IRA NOW

*FULL BLOG POST HERE*

FLAWLESS FOUNDATION ROUTINE

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

SPRING & SUMMER SHOE STAPLES!

*FULL POST ON THESE HERE*

OUTFIT DETAILS

Aerie Tee | Topshop Jeans (new version here) | Rainbows | Gucci Sunglasses | Nordstrom Earrings | Kendra Scott Necklace | LuluDK Necklace (similar)

*FULL POST ON THIS LOOK HERE*

10 THROWBACK MOVIES TO WATCH ON NETFLIX AND DISNEY+ 

*FULL BLOG POST ON THIS HERE*

Hope you all enjoyed seeing a little recap of April's posts! If you want to keep up with posts as they go live + see my stories, you can find me on IG @TheKristenDiary! Let's all have a great week :) 

I love sharing all things beauty + fashion with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)