END OF THE WEEK THOUGHTS | 10.29

It's officially Halloweekend so I thought I'd end the week (and month !!) with some random thoughts for today's post. My weekend as of now is looking very low key. Are we surprised....? Lol. Anyone else at the point where all you want to do is stay home, snack and relax? Literally what my life away from work consists of. We also never get many trick or treaters so I plan on eating my weight in Halloween candy. Can't let it go to waste! Maybe JJ and I will also switch up watching The Sopranos for something more Halloweenish? We've made it to season three but I'm also trying to cram in a few spooky flicks this week. I use to love Disturbia so I've been wanting to re-watch it to see if it's as good as I remember. I may or may not have just been obsessed with Shia when I was thirteen? TBH I may or may not still be now!

On a real note, November is quickly approaching so I'm starting to strategize my Christmas shopping. I normally start in November but wait until the last minute for the majority of it. In a perfect world I'd love to just knock it all out early this year so I don't have to worry about getting it all done. So far I've purchased 3-4 gifts but I still have a lot more to go. I'm hoping to start rolling out some gift guides on the blog next week which will maybe help inspire me and you! I feel like the older you get, the harder it is to shop for everyone. It gets to the point where no one really needs or wants much. Maybe I should make a gift guide just on that? Honestly I love getting necessities/things I hate buying so maybe a roundup of those sort of things would be helpful?

I also can't wait for Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping. I feel like it's mostly geared towards electronics, toys + appliances at the big box stores, however it's nice when a lot of brands offer a store/site-wide discount. I've had my eye on a few things for the past several weeks but I've been trying to hold off a little longer. Right now I'm still looking for some good Fall + Winter basics (jeans, thermal tops, flannels, etc.) and I've been wanting to try out Jones Road Beauty. I looked up last year's sale and they did 20% off of everything. Keeping my fingers crossed they do something similar again this year! 

If you follow me on IG (@TheKristenDiary), you'll already know this but I started reading Greenlights this week. I was feeling myself start to peter into a mood so I thought a little McConaughey wisdom would help. Highly recommend listening to his speeches + interviews. He's on a lot of podcasts and the man just gets it. I'm only the intro in but I love it so far. Something he wrote is "I believe the truth is only offensive when we're lying." I often find myself on both sides of the coin on this one. It's easy to find offense in both the opinions of others but also to often waffle in our own convictions. I think that goes both ways so it can also be the reverse. In a way, his comment felt like erasing the chalk to me and simplifying it down to "it is what it is," whatever  that may be. Interesting food for thought.

BALANCING ACT

Lately I've been struggling on my days off. I'm in a constant state of wanting to do everything and to stop + take a chill pill. It reminded me of some of the conversations I've heard on constant busyness, work-life balance, etc. In the past, I think we were all taught that being in a constant flow of doing and go-go-go is the normal. If you're not running at 120% 24/7, you're not doing it right. I've always been a perfectionist and driven by nature, however I've also learned that can come at a price. 

My problem comes from finding a balance between both. I recently heard someone say that there really isn't such a thing as "work-life balance." Essentially that you can never have them equal or keep them in balance. Sometimes, you'll need to give more attention to work or your career, others to your personal life. In a lot of ways, I suppose this is true in the literal sense. I've always looked at it more as having designated times for both respectively, but I think that's because that is where I struggle. It's too easy for me to blur the lines-- when I'm "off from work," a lot of the time I'm still doing something work related. At one point, I felt like the only productive or fulfilling things I was doing were work related. Don't get me wrong- I love it. I have always been career oriented and I'm a big believer in working hard, but I also found myself neglecting some of the fun things I wanted to do. 

When I would come home, I'd be left feeling drained and unmotivated to do anything else. That would spill over into my days off and when I finally took a break by not doing anything work related, I would feel guilty and bad about not being productive. 

That's sort of where I'm at again now. I've definitely made some progress this year when it comes to balancing work, however I still find myself always wanting to do a million different things. If it isn't work related, it's laundry, blogging, reading, etc. Maybe that's just part of adulthood? I can never seem to get everything done. The same cycle starts over with feeling overwhelmed and wanting to just stop. The stopping then leads to feeling guilty about not being productive or getting things done. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. I'm constantly see-sawing back and forth with this same dilemma which means I'm *hopefully* learning some valuable life lessons. 

One of those that I have accepted (but still keep doing) is putting too many things on my to-do list. If you also struggle with this-- you can only do so many things at once. For whatever reason, my brain still tries to keep adding things on but all this ultimately does is leave you less productive and stressed out. Today I had the day off and like always, wanted to have my cake and eat it too. I always think I can slide in a little bit of this here, a little bit of that. When the time comes, I either don't know where to begin OR I actually need to take the time to just relax and detox. I caught myself starting to feel guilty and like I had wasted the day. I then decided to look at what I had accomplished instead of what I hadn't. For me, that included: treating myself to breakfast, running a few errands, changing my sheets + bedding, getting ready, laundry, tiding up + working on this post. In the midst of all that, I also spent some time taking it easy and had dinner with my family + JJ. Focusing on what I had done made me realize the day actually wasn't a waste and in a way, I did have my cake and eat it too. While I might not have gotten every little thing done, I still did a few "productive" things on my list as well as relaxed and enjoyed myself in the nothing. 

My personality constantly wants to do everything NOW and all at once, however I'm also learning the to-do list will still be there tomorrow. Of course that doesn't mean to push off critical or deadline tasks, however it's OKAY if cleaning out the junk drawer has to wait a day. 

-SHOP THE LOOK-

I love real talking 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? :)

10 MOVIES TO WATCH ON HALLOWEEN

Watching Halloween movies is a non-negotiable part of spooky season. Growing up, my mom would let us watch some of the OG classic scary movies which my twelve year old self lived for. Only the ones rated R though! 😉 Now, my tastes are a little bit more refined. While I still like the occasional scary movie (mostly just the classics), I lean more towards suspense and fantasy over gore. You also can't beat a good, lighthearted Halloween comedy. With only a week left in October, here's to cramming in as many mini marathons as possible. Keep reading for a round-up of my favorite flicks + what I'm planning on watching this spooky season! 

1. Halloweentown - We'll start with the family friendly fun. Halloweentown was IT growing up. Who wouldn't want to find out they're a witch and fly off on a magical bus back to Halloweentown? As a kid I was obsessed with Marnie and how Halloweentown looked on the screen. I'll admit watching it now feels a little cheesy but it's still a classic. Super cute + nostalgic!

2. Hocus Pocus - Hocus Pocus is another one. I feel like almost everyone has seen a few of these so it feels silly to describe them in detail? Last year one of our local theaters showed it so I had the chance to watch it for the first time at the box office. Anytime they show one of my favorites or an oldie, I try to go see them. I love the idea of being able to "see it for the first time in theaters" or getting to relive the experience. 

3. Ghostbusters - The original Ghostbusters is the way to go, however I'm intrigued by the new Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Anyone know why it's not out until mid-November? Definitely should have been released in time for Halloween IMO!

4. The Harry Potter Series - I can go for any Harry Potter at any time, however for some reason they're even better over a holiday? Halloween is the perfect time for some witch craft + wizardry. You've got a little feel good fantasy, some suspense and + let's not forget the troll and pumpkin juice. They just feel like Fall and it works, okay? Watch them all! 

5. The Haunted Mansion - Alright I haven't seen this one in a LONG time but I remember loving it when I was younger. It always gave me haunted Beauty and the Beast vibes for some reason. Have you seen it? Maybe I will rewatch it this week! 

6. Halloween - The original Halloween was one of the first "scary" movies that I ever watched. By today's standards, it isn't super scary but if I'm in the mood for a slasher, this has always been my go-to and favorite. The music score, Jamie Lee Curtis + the cinematography John Carpenter created for the film are all incredible. I never knew this until college, however Halloween paved the way for many other slasher films that followed. When it was released in the late '70s, the film style wasn't common which made it a huge success. I've enjoyed watching several of the sequels, however the original will always be the best! 

7. Scream - I also remember Scream being on tv a ton growing up. This one has the classic stalker serial-killer vibes like a lot of slashers, however definitely has some comedic/parody vibes. I like the original best! 

8. A Nightmare on Elm Street - 1, 2.... Freddy's coming for you.

9. Disturbia - When I tell ya'll the crush I had on Shia when Disturbia came out... man had a major glow-up from his Even Stevens days! Actually a great thriller too. If you're a movie buff, it's actually like a modern day Rear Window where Shia's character watches everything going on around him through the windows of his home. Similar to Jimmy Stewart's character with a suspenseful plot.

10. The Shining - If you've never watched The Shining, Halloween is the perfect occasion to do so. A horror film that's incredible, eerie and unsettling. 

As a little extra bonus, here are some new picks on my watch list for this year. I haven't seen any of these before so LMK your thoughts if you have!

WHAT I'M WATCHING

+ The Rocky Horror Picture Show

+ The Craft

+ The Witches of Eastwick

+ Death Becomes Her

+ Practical Magic 

JUPITER HAIR CARE UNBOXING

Scalp issues are the worst. I've been struggling for the past several years with a dry, itchy scalp and enough is enough! Definitely a little TMI and gross but it is what it is. I've made it my mission to *hopefully* find products that will help knock this sh*t out. After doing a little bit of research in the name of Google, I think I have some version of scalp psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. While I'm no doctor, it looks like the treatment options for both can be similar which is a plus for me! Right now I'm being stubborn and avoiding the dermatologist. Ideally, I would much rather find a solution on my own that isn't super medicated or toxic so we're going the trial + error route first!

One day I came across an ad for the hair care brand Jupiter which has an entire product line made specifically for scalp and dandruff issues. I was immediately intrigued that everything is formulated with clean, safe ingredients and by their simple and sleek packaging. I had never heard of the brand before so I obviously had to order some new things to test out. They carry six different scalp products on their website: a shampoo, conditioner, serum, elixir, mask + scalp brush. You can also find them here on Amazon. I decided to start with the basics so I grabbed the Balancing Shampoo + Nourishing Conditioner and then added in the Restoring Serum for an extra leave-in treatment. 

Balancing Shampoo - 1% Zinc Pyrithione, Coconut Oil + Algae Extract 

Nourishing Conditioner - Probiotics, Vitamin E + Colloidal Oatmeal 

Restoring Serum - 0.125% Zinc Pyrithione, Green Tea + Aloe Vera 

The shampoo and serum both have Zinc Pyrithione, an anti-fungal agent that targets dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. From what I've researched, it's considered safe and effective in doses up to 1% for rinse off hair products and 0.1% for leave on products. I was also excited to see Vitamin E as an active ingredient in the conditioner. I've heard it's a great supplement to take alongside selenium for psoriasis and I've have considered adding it to my supplement routine. I'm always intrigued when vitamins + supplements you would normally take orally or digest through food are also used in products applied topically. 

Like the bottles, the packaging of everything was also very clean + minimal which I love. They included a free travel pouch with my order and a little how-to with helpful tips and info. Also a little FYI-- when I purchased, there was a shipping delay due to the shampoo being out of stock. I think they sell out quickly so keep that in mind when ordering or use Amazon if you want it a little faster. When ordering I also wondered about the scent-- I like it, very subtle but with a minty hint. I'm looking forward to trying and hopefully seeing positive results. Will keep you posted on how things go! 

I love sharing new finds 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? :)

BACK WITH A NEW #OOTD! | THE BEST $12 BAND TEE

Can you tell my photography skills are rusty??? It has been way too long since I've snapped an #OOTD so I am out of practice. It's usually either the lighting or my poses that are off... sometimes both? Lol. We're going with progress over perfection here because I found the best new $12 band tee + I actually put on makeup for once! PS- I also actually like the band on this one too 😜

Band Tee {I find these run small so wearing a size Large for a loose, oversized fit!} | Spanx Leggings {wearing a small} | Combat Booties {old, similar here + here} | Necklace {old, love this one} | Earrings {old, similar here} | Fitbit | Quay Sunnies

I love sharing my must buys 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? :)

TASTE TESTING LESSER EVIL'S PUMPKIN SPICE POPCORN

When I discovered a limited edition Pumpkin Spice flavored popcorn from Lesser Evil at Fresh Market last week, I couldn’t not try it. I’m a new fan of their regular Pink Himalayan popcorn which is seriously SO good and made with clean, organic ingredients. It's one of my new favorites and a major win when it comes to a snack that’s healthy and actually tastes good. I’ve been having a lot of fun with these pumpkin taste testings on the blog this season so keep reading if you want to know the 411 on pumpkin spice popcorn!

First off, love the packaging. They zhuzhed up the everyday bag with a brightly colored orange + pumpkin printed design. Very festive and cute! Also on the topic of orange, I was surprised to see some in the bag! Upon opening, the popcorn looks identical to the regular but with an added cinnamony-spice-like dusting on top and some orange coated pieces thrown in. 

The taste is also spot on to how it looks- exactly like the regular Pink Himalayan (savory, pink Himalayan salt + coconut oil) with a hint of cinnamony spice on top. I checked the ingredients and they use pumpkin pie spice (no actual pumpkin), so it’s very subtle and doesn't have a typical pumpkiny flavor. Pumpkin pie spice is a blend of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg + allspice so that makes a lot of sense! The orange pieces had a slightly sweeter, candy coated taste. 

I was definitely expecting something a little bit more on the sweet pumpkin side, however I can't really fault them when the flavor is called "Pumpkin Spice." That's exactly what it is-- popcorn with a dusting of pumpkin pie spice flavor. Since I’m not a fan of strong, super spicy pumpkin foods, I like that the spice is subtle. Because I was also expecting it to be more candied/sugary, I wouldn’t mind a little extra sweetness + pumpkin flavor! I think a slightly sweeter, more kettle corn vibe with a pumpkin glaze or drizzle on top would be amazing and bring out a little more pumpkin flavor! I'm happy planning on devouring my bag... maybe with some candy corn thrown in! I also still appreciate that it's cleaner + has better ingredients.

What are your thoughts... would you try it out?

Also read: Taste Testing Ben & Jerry's Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream // Taste Testing Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bread + Muffin Mix

UNBOXING THE 2021 BUDGET BY PAYCHECK WORKBOOK

One of the things that inspired me to start taking more initiative when it comes to my money + finances was finding The Budget Mom and purchasing her Budget by Paycheck Workbook! Miko has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to money and I love that the design and setup of her workbooks is user friendly. If you aren't familiar, the workbooks help track and organize your financial goals, expenses, income, spending + more. I started the year with last year's book which I have loved for tracking my spending and overall financial position. Since I decided to purchase another one this year, I thought we'd do a little unboxing!

This year's workbook came in two sizes- a full size version and mini monthly workbooks. I went for the full size because I love looking over the larger spread + having more room to write. I also loved the "Peony" theme so that's the one I went with! It has a gorgeous floral cover with the signature TBM graphics + blueish green accent tones. You can view the other styles and purchase a workbook in the TBM shop here. 

Let's talk about the layout! The workbook has a ton of pages but the bulk of it is organized with monthly tabs. Each one has a full calendar and separate trackers for your income, expenses, debt and net worth, meal prepping + a breakdown of your entire financial picture for the month. I like that it covers all of these aspects but is separated-- it could easily be overwhelming but is very well organized. It also gives me a feeling of starting fresh every month but still allows me to compare + flip back and forth. Outside of the monthly tabs, there are also worksheets for yearly financial goals + spending, bill/subscription trackers, savings trackers, a how-to guide with instructions and more. I wanted to share a little glimpse inside of mine but you can also go on the https://budgetbypaycheck.com website and flip through every page of the book with their 3D preview feature. You can do that for all of the options too!

One of the best parts about an unboxing is the packaging, I love when companies think of little extra details! The workbooks arrive in a fun, printed shipping box with matching tissue + a little flyer card. That detail also extends to the actual workbooks too-- the quality is top notch for everything from the cover to the paper and it comes with stickers! 

Hopefully this was interesting if you were curious about the BBP Workbook or are wanting to start managing your finances all in one place. I like the pen + paper aspect of the workbook, however you can also purchase a digital version of it too. Be sure to visit TheBudgetMom.com or click here for more info :) 

Also read: 

Why You Need to Open a ROTH IRA Now

How I Save Money Shopping

Money Moves I'm Making in 2021

OCTOBER MINI HEALTHY SNACKS HAUL

I'm back with more snacks! And taco seasoning, lol. Snacks are a big thing for me-- I've always lived off of Cheez-its and oreos which makes it a little more difficult to transition to healthier alternatives. The sad truth is nothing hits quite like a toxic crunchy Cheeto but we can hope! 🤪 I'm always looking for yummy alternatives at the grocery store and to weed out the hits + misses. PS-- I still buy Cheetos too! It's all about balance + moderation but still striving for improvement. Rome wasn't built in a day! 

THE GOODS

+ Lesser Evil Popcorn - One of my newest finds is the Lesser Evil Popcorn. This brand uses clean, organic ingredients that are simple and the results are DELISH! I grabbed both the Himalayan Pink Salt and the Himalayan Gold. Both are made with coconut oil + Himalayan salt, the only difference is the Himalayan Gold has butter-flavored coconut oil. So far I've only tried the pink salt but I love! You definitely get the coconut flavor + smell but it still tastes savory and has a soft texture. 

+ Quinn Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels - These seem to end up in every food haul I do now, haha. I discovered the Quinn Peanut Butter Filled pretzels a few months ago and I've been buying them ever since. They have cleaner ingredients and are gluten-free which makes the texture slightly more crunchy compared to a normal pretzel, however they're delicious! If you love peanut butter and sweet + salty, buy them!! I always go through them fast so I stock up on several bags! 

+ Siete Sea Salt Tortilla Chips - I love trying new Siete items (some of my faves are the Churro Chips + the cookies) so I'm excited for these tortilla chips. I've tried the lime flavor which has a strong zing so I thought I'd try the sea salt out this time. 

+ Siete Taco Seasoning - Not a snack but another Siete product I've been on the hunt for! I love making tacos so I thought I'd give their seasoning a try. I went for the mild but it also comes in spicy too!

+ Simple Mills Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies - I found these Simple Mills Chocolate Chip cookies on sale so I thought I'd give them a whirl. Some things made with alternative flours (these are almond) I like and some I don't so we'll see how it goes. Has anyone tried any of their baking mixes or breakfast bars? Those also look good. 

+ Tate's Bake Shop Cookies - Healthier-ish cookies, lol! These are actually so delicious and while a cookie is a cookie, I consider better ingredients to be a healthier win. I've always liked the chocolate chip so I grabbed a few bags of those, the white chocolate macadamia and the butter crunch. They are a thin + crispy texture and the flavor is great. 

What's your go-to healthy snack? I want to try it out!

I love sharing snack 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? :)

MUST-BUY LEGGINGS

I pretty much live in leggings 24/7/365,  however I think we can all agree they're a fall + winter must have. I'm forever grateful to the '60s for blessing us with them, LOL! The fit + versatility they offer makes them a wardrobe staple, however IMO not all styles are created equal. After trying countless pairs and brands over the years, I've finally found my four favorite go-to pairs. 

Full outfit details here: First look {wearing this pair, size small} | Second look {wearing this pair, size small} | Third look {wearing this pair, size small} | Fourth look {wearing this pair, size small} 

A few things I look for in leggings are quality (great fabric + durability), fit, color (black needs to actually be black) and if possible, an affordable price point. I want to be able to keep + wear them for years, not be see-through, etc. Here are the ones I like best:

+ SPANX Look at Me Now Leggings - If you're looking for that perfect legging that will go with virtually anything, this pair from Spanx is a great option. They have this amazingly comfortable fabric that feels incredible on, is figure flattering + slimming and has a great size range. For me, this pair is basic enough to be worn casual, sporty or dressed up. They don't look "too fancy" or too much like athleisure-- they're just a great pair of leggings. They come in several patterns/colors as well as different lengths. I have both the regular and the cropped, however I prefer the cropped as it's more like a 7/8" length that hits just above the ankle. They are on the splurge side but worth it IMO-- they hold up, wash well and a pair should last you for years.

+ SPANX Faux Leather Leggings - Another Spanx gem is their faux leather leggings. These are a notch above a basic legging, however they're also extremely comfortable and figure flattering. I like how they look both dressed up or casual with a graphic tee + sneaks. Again, a little on the pricier side but amazing quality and machine washable!

+ Old Navy PowerSoft 7/8 Leggings - Out of every pair, these are the ones I wear the most throughout the year. They're an athletic style fabric + cut so they're perfect for day to day use. I do a lot of physical work at my job so I love that they're lightweight, flexible and have side pockets to keep my phone and car key. They also fit well, have the 7/8 length and the quality for the price is honestly incredible. When I first tried them I was skeptical, ya'll... normally I find super affordable leggings to be poor quality but I'm obsessed with these. Normally they're priced at $39, however Old Navy always runs promos so you can usually find them for $20-25. Definitely wait and snag them on sale! 

+ Zella Live-in Leggings - I need to purchase new ones of these, all of my old pairs have finally worn out after years and years of wear! I'd classify these as another versatile pair that can be worn lots of ways-- I'd lean a little towards more casual/athleisure, however I think you can also get away with wearing them a little bit dressier with oversized sweaters, etc. I've always liked this pair because they're a stretchy, thick material that isn't see-through and the fit is great. Very comfy + high-waisted which makes them flattering on. They're also a thicker material compared to the Spanx, so I tend to wear these more during the cooler months. The price is more mid-range now (around $60) but you can sometimes snag them on sale for $30-40. 

If you're on the hunt for some new leggings, hopefully you'll try + love these too. I'm always looking for the best of the best, especially when it comes to the basics. If you have any pairs that you love, let me know so I can try! 

I love sharing my must buys 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? :)

SPOOKY HALLOWEEN DECOR FINDS

Black + White Pumpkins | Skull | Boo Doormat | Skeleton Hand Hourglass | Skull Glasses | Metal Skeleton Keys

I LIVE for Halloween! Besides Christmas, it's my favorite time of the year + holiday to decorate for. Over the past few years, I've been more into spooky vibes when it comes to decor-- skeletons, black velvet + metallics. My ultimate dream is to one day have the space to go all out and host an epic Halloween party. Think Halloween Haven vibes from Grandin Road with all of the cocktails + snacks. Until then, here's a roundup of my favorite spooky decor finds for this year. Let me know which one is your favorite! 

Do you celebrate Halloween? 

I love sharing decor finds 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? :)

WHY YOU SHOULD DECLUTTER

I spent my entire day off today picking up around the house. That consisted of laundry, deep cleaning, organizing, putting things away, getting rid of things and exhausting the hell out of mysefl! TBH I'm still wondering why I put myself through it all but after I dove in I was committed! I tend to keep things on the messy side so it was much needed. Despite being tired AF, I feel a lot more calmer and at peace with my space feeling organized and less cluttered. I was then inspired by all the adulting to make today's post which I hope you'll enjoy! Keep reading to learn WHY YOU SHOULD DECLUTTER!

+ PEACE OF MIND
I've always heard more intelligent people tend to be messy + unorganized so I'll proudly identify with this side of myself any day of the week, however I'll be real with you guys that I actually HATE IT. Whether at home or my desk, for me it's an endless cycle of pushing it off to do other things. This leads to it becoming too overwhelming where I don't know what to tackle first + therefore I push it off yet again. No matter how smart you may be, mentally I think a cluttered space actually clutters your mind. It distracts you + if you're like me, serves as a constant reminder that you are disorganized! I refer to this as "living in constant chaos." Decluttering today and reorganizing made all the difference- especially in my bedroom. I didn't do anything crazy, just put a few things away, vacuumed + tackled my pile of laundry. It looks so much better + I feel way more calm (and productive!).

+ DE-STRESS
Awhile back I heard that cleaning + doing chores can actually help lower anxiety and be calming. I thought about this and it actually makes a ton of sense. I don't know about you but most of the time when I'm cleaning or doing laundry, I'm only focused on that. I guess there's something immersive about figuring out where to put all your sh*t? LOL. If you're feeling stressed or need to let off some steam, try decluttering your space!

+ FIND HIDDEN GEMS
Whenever I'm organizing or putting things away, I tend to find things I'd forgotten that I have. For most of us, the 80/20 rule applies which essentially means you only use or wear 20% of your stuff 80% of the time. I think finding something you forgot about is great for a few reasons- you can either purge it or make a point to start getting some use out of it. Sometimes you come across misplaced or lost things too! Today, I was cleaning out what I thought was a bag of trash I had previously cleaned out of my purse. It was mostly just old receipts, however there was a worn looking gift card mixed in there too. I usually throw them back in my purse after I use them (now you know where the clutter comes from!!) so I assumed it was zeroed out, however I checked it to make sure and it was brand new! I never thought I'd be one of those "I found $20 in an old jacket pocket!" type of people but here I am, haha. Moral of the story, declutter + always check gift card balances!

+ GET MONEY
One perk of decluttering + actually getting rid of things is being able to resell them. Every so often I will go through and look for items in my closet that are worth selling that I'm ready to part with. Usually this is nicer brands or accessories (handbags, shoes, etc.). Not only is it nice to make a few extra bucks, it helps clear up more space and remove something that no longer serves you. I also love donating the things I don't want to sell that are in great condition!

+ GO SHOPPING
While I don't personally follow any rules for when it comes to buying + removing items (for every X you buy, get rid of X concept), decluttering the old is a great way to make room for new. If you sell some things, it's also fun to treat yourself with the $$$!

What are your decluttering tips? 

HOW TO HAVE AN AMAZING MONDAY

Growing up, I can remember having those Sunday night feelings of dread about going back to school on Monday. For most of us, that feeling is probably still all too familiar now when it comes to starting the work week over. I know I'm guilty of this at times-- Mondays tend to be hectic and have me playing catch up all day + trying to get back into the swing of things. For some reason I tend to feel more tired too, probably from staying up later + not sleeping in as much as I use to. Anyone else in the same boat? I LOVE to sleep in but now I wake up earlier or at my normal week time. Despite all of these things, I love the idea of being a "Monday person" and it's something I strive to do! Here are some tips + things I find helpful to make Mondays amazing (or at least bearable!).

+ SET THE TONE

Something that really helps me is creating a to-do list and my intentions for the week. Work and the normal day to day tends to stay the same, however I like to go over any goals or extra tasks. Things like work projects, errands, events, etc. that I want to accomplish or have coming up during the week. Not only does it mentally prepare you for Monday (and the rest of the week) by being aware of what's on your schedule, you're also more likely to be productive + get things done. Going into the week with a lot on your plate is usually stressful and overwhelming but planning it all out helps to reduce that + make things feel more manageable. That also gives you the opportunity to have a more optimistic outlook. If you set the tone for a
positive + productive week, you're much more likely to have one! 

+ PREP THE NIGHT BEFORE 

Preparing for the start of the week on Sunday night can be a huge time saver + make the day go smoother. This can include things like picking out your outfit, meal prepping, making + packing lunches or loading up the car. Most of these things only take a few minutes to do, however can avoid a lot of extra stress the morning of if you're pinched for time or running late. 

+ SOMETHING TO LOOK FOWARD TO

If you dread or have anxiety from Mondays, try creating something fun to look forward to either during or at the end of the day. This could be treating yourself to lunch out, picking up takeout for dinner or having a relaxing movie night at home. It doesn't have to cost you anything or be super expensive, just something you look forward to that will keep you excited about the day.

+ SUNDAY CHORES 

I think we'd all agree that relaxing over the weekend is a lot more fun than doing chores, however having clean clothes to wear + a tidy space can start the week off right. I try to spend a little bit of time on Sundays doing some laundry, changing my sheets or picking things up. Everything feels more organized and creates less stress going into the week. I also sleep better on fresh sheets! 

+ EARLY BEDTIME 

On the topic of sleep, feeling extra rested can make a big difference in your mood and outlook throughout the day. I need to be better at doing this more often, however I try making a point to wind down + go to bed a little bit earlier on Sunday nights.  

What's your favorite day of the week?

HEALTH + WELLNESS UPDATES

What's your number one priority or goal when it comes to your health + wellness? For me it's to look, feel and be my best. I know that sounds super generic (and a little cliché) but honestly isn't that what we all want? When you look good, you feel good + vice versa. I use to have that "when you're young you think you're invincible" mentality which essentially meant having little regard for my health beyond vanity or appearance concerns. Of course I've always cared about my well being and taken care of myself, but I was definitely lacking in awareness and execution in some areas. A lot of that has changed in 2021 and it's definitely been a year of growth and change for me! I've taken a new interest + perspective on health and ways to implement new healthy habits in my life. 

I should also add that it hasn't been easy-- lifestyle changes and growth are challenging. Old habits die hard + it's easy to get discouraged or too overwhelmed. I've talked a lot about that on the blog this year and I've made a lot of progress with it. Something that has made all the difference for me is starting with one thing at a time + sticking with it. I'm still in the baby stages of what I'll call my "health journey," but I’ve added a lot of small positive habits that I feel good about. Here are some updates! 

+ VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS 

I started a new vitamin and supplements routine this week. If you’re curious on what I’m taking, check out this post. I’m only five days in so I don’t have a much to report other than the MSM powder I started taking about three weeks ago. It’s for joint health and I have notified such a difference! I’ve honestly started to wonder if it’s just a placebo effect because I feel so much better? 🤣 

+ DAILY STEPS

We’re still keeping it moving with the daily steps. I’ve been walking 10,000+ steps everyday for 54 days now! It has become a part of my daily routine now- read this post for more info on why it's important + my tips on how you can also walk 10K a day. 

+ TRACKING MY SLEEP

Sleep is probably the biggest area in my life needing improvement. I’m a night owl so I stay up way too late and my sleep suffers. I know the importance of rest but it's an endless cycle I can't seem to break. It's something I need to work on so I’m starting small this week by wearing my Fitbit to bed. It monitors your heart rate to give data on how long you sleep, how long you’re in each sleep stage, etc. Right now my sleep scores on the app have been ranging between 60-70 so I need some help! 

+ PODCASTS 

We can’t forget about mental health which to me includes having a positive outlook + mindset. I love listening to motivational speeches so I thought adding some podcasts to my daily routine would be a great habit to build. I'm interested in anything motivational, business or wellness but would love to know your recs! 

What's your number one health goal? 

I love sharing life updates 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? :)