Monday, February 27, 2023

MY FIRST SOLO TRIP TO CHARLESTON, SC

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It's officially been almost three weeks now since I returned from my trip to Charleston, SC. This was a special (albeit scary) trip for me because it was my first time going on a vacation by myself. I've taken solo day trips and use to travel back and forth between school and home in college, however I've never spent an extended period of time alone in an unfamiliar city. I had visited Charleston once before back in high school on a school trip and remember enjoying the city. I've always wanted to go back again so when I had a few extra days off from work, I decided to take advantage and hit the road! 

This was definitely spontaneous-- I made the decision to go late Saturday afternoon and hit the road about two hours later. Keeping it real- one thing I didn't expect was the high level of anxiety and nervousness I felt for most of the trip. I had a weird mix of excitement and uncertainty almost the entire time and even when deciding whether or not to go in the first place. I ultimately think that's what made me bite the bullet and just go. I started feeling like if I didn't go, I was basically holding myself back. I also think I needed to go alone to push me outside of my comfort zone and through some of that anxiety.

I'm not sure if the anxiety stemmed from being alone, unfamiliar with the city, because it was a last minute or a combination of everything? I definitely still had a great time and I'm so glad I went. It actually feels really good to do something uncomfortable. It also turned out to be a great first vacay for me with lots of firsts and good memories. There's still so much I didn't get to do (and so many places to eat at!!) which gives me an excuse to go back again one day. I wanted to keep things pretty chill and manageable on this trip but I still crossed off most of the things on my list. If you're planning a trip to Charleston or wanting to start solo traveling, hopefully this post will give you a little inspo and/or courage if you need it like I did ;) 

Here's a rundown of everything I squeezed in during my two and a half days:

WHERE I STAYED

+Planter's Inn, North Market Street (Downtown)

There are so many amazing hotel options in and around Charleston that I initially had a hard time deciding where to stay. I didn't end up booking my room until after arriving in Charleston-- at this point I think I'm the cause of my own anxiety?? Lol. I spontaneously ended up going with the Planter's Inn which is located in the Ansonborough neighbor of Downtown Charleston. I knew I wanted to stay downtown so that I could easily walk and access a lot of the sightseeing, shopping and restaurants. I also didn't want to rely on having to drive too much, especially in a more congested region like downtown.

Somewhere nice, clean and safe is obviously a given. I chose Planter's because it's location was closer and convenient to a lot of the areas I wanted to visit-- King Street, City Market, etc. I really enjoyed my stay and room in their Piazza wing. I was in the newer building that overlooked the Piazza which was nice and quiet. It also had a separate entrance and direct street access through the hotel courtyard which made going to and from my room really convenient. 

The room itself was spacious with tall ceilings, a great bathroom and simple, traditional decor. While not my typical style, I think it was the perfect vibe for Charleston and fit the historic charm of the city. 

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WHAT I ATE

Pretty much everywhere I ate on this trip was more relaxed and low-key. Normally I would be a little bit more adventurous but que the anxiety, lol. I also didn't have much of an appetite for most of the trip, I think from being sick the week before and maybe a little from being anxious? I SWEAR I had a good time, ya'll! Back to food-- one thing I did challenge myself to do was eat at all new and different places I can't find at home. I love to try things that I can't eat at home, it's part of the reason to travel for me! 

+Brown Dog Deli, Broad Street (Downtown)

My first stop was at Brown Dog Deli for lunch. I ate at the Broad Street location so that I could do some sightseeing around the French Quarter + Rainbow Row area. It has a cool, funky vibe with great sandwiches. I ordered the Apple Butter Jeans sandwich and tortellini pasta salad. 

+Hyman's Seafood, Meeting Street (Downtown)

For dinner, Hyman's Seafood was just a short walk from my hotel. I'm pretty sure I ate here the first time I visited Charleston so I wanted to go back for their Shrimp & Grit's. Because I wasn't as hungry, I opted for the appetizer version which I ate with their hushpuppies! 

+Callie's Hot Little Biscuit, Meeting Street (Downtown)

For years I have seen the frozen Callie's Hot Little Biscuits inside of Fresh Market! I have never tried them before but when I found out they have actual restaurants in Charleston, I had to go for breakfast. Their location inside of City Market on Meeting Street was also right across from my hotel. They offer a selection of both breakfast sandwiches and mini 2" biscuits. I ended up choosing three of the mini ones in Black Pepper Bacon, Shortcake and Cinnamon. The Cinnamon one was by far the best and definitely worth trying. Sweet and delicious! 

+Coconut Joes, Ocean Boulevard (Isle of Palms Beach) 

On Day 2, I ventured to Isle of Palms to spend the afternoon at the beach! For lunch, I went to Coconut Joe's which is right on the ocean with a direct view. A fun, cool beachy grill. The menu is everything you'd expect at the beach and included coconut shrimp, tacos, burgers + more. One of my only regrets from the trip is that I didn't order the coconut shrimp or a Piña Colada here! Because I'd had shrimp the night before, I opted for a burger but I wish I would have ordered the shrimp too. All of the cocktails coming out looked amazing too! 

+Mario's Italian Ristorante, King Street (Downtown) 

On my last night I decided to order a takeout pizza from Mario's Italian Ristorante. I kept it classic with the Margarita which was yummy-- very light and fresh. 

+Peninsula Grill/Benne's, North Market Street (Part of Planter's Inn, Downtown)

The restaurant inside of my hotel, Peninsula Grill, is known for their infamous 12-layer coconut cake. They offer it both inside of Peninsula Grill as well as next door in their more casual, cafe restaurant called Benne's. I didn't end up eating at Peninsula Grill or Benne's but I couldn't not try the cake. I picked up a piece for takeout on my last night there that I enjoyed in my room. If you like coconut cake, you will enjoy. It was yummy (and huge!) and definitely a fun novelty to try. Does it live up to the hype and the $15 price tag? From a takeout perspective, I would say no. If you were dining in the restaurant, I would likely add some extra points for presentation + ambiance. 

+Lost Dog Cafe, W Huron Avenue (Folly Beach)

On my last morning, I wanted to see the beach one more time so I ventured over to Folly Beach. I had never had breakfast on the beach before so I picked up a sesame bagel at Lost Dog Cafe and watched the waves. They serve both breakfast & lunch and the menu options all looked really good-- if I had chosen to dine in, I would have ordered either the french toast or pancakes. Another fun, beachy joint! 

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WHERE I SHOPPED

+King Street (Downtown)

Most of the shopping I did was on King Street. I didn't end up buying too much-- just a few things at Sephora. If you're curious what I bought, I'll link my Sephora haul here.  

King Street has a plethora of stores and pretty much anything you could want-- from affordable to designer options. I'm on the hunt for the perfect pair of jeans so I checked out both Anthropologie and Hampden boutique. Hampden is a really cool local boutique with a neat mix of designer clothing + brands. I didn't find the perfect pair for me but they had a great mix of Agolde, Mother + more. I also spotted Golden Goose sneakers, VEJA and tons of other high-end designers like Proenzer Schouler. Definitely a fun store to check out if you love fashion! 

+Target/Nordstrom Rack (Mount Pleasant) 

I didn't venture too much into Mount Pleasant but I did stop at a cute little shopping center called Seaside Farms right outside of IOP. I had left my phone charger at the hotel so thankfully there was a Target there that I ran into and picked one up at. There were also a lot of other shops + restaurants in the same area which looked really fun if you're going to IOP or staying at the beach.

I also spotted a Nordstrom Rack on my way back which I was curious to stop in. I don't think I've ever actually been to one-- just regular Nordstrom's. This one was okay-- nothing special to me. It's much closer in feel to a TJ Maxx than an actual Nordstrom which I guess is the point! 

+City Market (Downtown)

I also strolled through City Market and browsed around on my way to Callie's for breakfast. It's full of vendors selling gifts, souvenirs, food + more. 

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SIGHTSEEING + ACTIVITIES

+Rainbow Row

+Pineapple Fountain 

+Waterfront Park Pier

There is so much history and amazing architecture in downtown Charleston, particularly in the French Quarter and Historic districts. I had so much fun going back to see Rainbow Row in person, as well as the Waterfront Park Pier and Pineapple Fountain. I'm pretty sure when I visited before we did a bus tour around town--- I remember seeing Rainbow Row driving by but I had to re-visit on foot. Despite it being gloomy out, I still enjoyed seeing all of the history and charm that the city has to offer. 

The pier was also really nice-- they do boat tours for dolphin sightings here which is really neat. I think we also did one of these back when I visited in high school. If I went back and the weather was nicer, I would definitely love to go on one of these again!

+Isle of Palms Beach 

+Folly Beach 

Definitely the highlight of my trip was getting to go to the beach. When I was younger, I never really cared much about the beach itself when we would go on trips. Now that I'm older, I love the ocean and the sand. On Day 2 of my trip, it was sunny out so I drove over to Isle of Palms. It only took about 20-25 minutes to get there from downtown and I loved the whole afternoon. Because it's the off season, it was very calm and relaxing. They also had free parking! Win win. 

It was so nice and definitely made me feel at ease + relaxed. I spent a few hours walking around, relaxing and reading in the sand before I headed to Coconut Joe's for lunch. 

Because I loved going to IOP and seeing the ocean, I decided I had to go back one more time before leaving. I got up early the last day of my trip and decided to check out Folly Beach which is in the opposite direction of IOP from downtown. It was also only about a 20-25 minute drive and easy to get to. They had some free parking areas too but because I was pressed for time, I ended up paying to park right in front of the beach. I enjoyed my bagel and tried to get my last minute earthing in with the sand + waves! The beach is always a must-do and good for the soul. 

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That's a wrap! On my drive back home, I was ready to be back in my own bed but was so glad I ended up going-- not only just for the fun of a vacation but because I actually got a little bit more comfortable with the uncomfortable. Totally a cliche for a reason, right?? Like everything in life, you gain new perspective with experience. Everyone always tells you that but you never fully get it until you actually get it, ya know? 

If you're going to Charleston soon or thinking about it, definitely go! It's such an amazing city full of history and culture, lots of shopping + activities and so many great restaurants. If you go, let me know everything you do while you're there. I would love to see pictures! And who knows-- maybe I'll be back sooner than I expect with more travel adventures!

Friday, February 24, 2023

NEW BOOK RELEASES I HAVE MY EYE ON



I took a look at the preorder list of new books coming out soon and there are SO many good ones. One thing that did surprise me was how many of them were cookbooks! I love baking + cooking so I might do a separate post just on those? I sadly don't cook as much as I would like to (another one of my "one days") and I haven't bought a cookbook in years but I definitely want a few of these.

Right now I'm willing spring to come our way (and stay) so I'm all into the beach read vibes. So so so excited about Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson. I mean how can you not love the sound of that?? Also totally judging this one by it's cover because it just looks ahhhmazing. The premise is also really good too-- very captivating and fun. Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune sounds like the perfect spring break book. All those good spring + summer vibes with the romance we love. I also started Every Summer After by her a few months back and so far, so cute-- I need to finish it soon too!

Ya'll know I always have to throw in a little bit of the personal growth genre too. The Shift by Tinx just looks and sounds like a fun and inspiring read. Every once in awhile I come across her Tik-Toks and she always brings the high energy. Also on the inspirational side and giving Eat Pray Love vibes is My Own Magic: A Reappearing Act by Anna Kloots. This one is a memoir about the author and her feeling lost and trapped in life. Like Elizabeth Gilbert, she too goes through a divorce and decides to begin traveling the world. My Own Magic shares her journey through traveling and rediscovering herself. 

It just feels like one of those books that will be transformative, I think because of it's relatability. I too   face those feelings of being lost, uncertain and trapped in the day to day at times. I'm hopeful it's just apart of being young and that as time continues, we all just start to figure it out. The synopsis also stated she's traveled to 83 different countries which would be incredible-- talk about the dream, right? 

WHAT'S NEW + COMING SOON

You can read the synopsis + shop each book by clicking on the title below: 

+ Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson 

+ The Shift: Change Your Perspective, Not Yourself by Tinx 

+ Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune 

+ My Own Magic: A Reappearing Act by Anna Kloots 

Are you reading anything good right now?

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? :)

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

WHAT'S IN MY AMAZON CART




Okay it's about time for another Amazon order! My bedroom phone charger is on the fritz now which is really convenient considering I JUST bought a new one for the car... lol. It's always everything at once, huh? I still swear by the OG Apple cable though... always my go-to! I like the 2M size for at home & the 1M for the car. I'm also almost out of my Bioderma which is honestly a holy grail at this point. Ever since I started using it and those weird red bumps on my face went away, I refuse to live without it! It's great for removing makeup + cleansing the skin.

I'm still searching for the perfect deodorant... has anyone tried the Salt & Stone brand? I think their sensitive version looks like it could be a good clean one. I also heard rave reviews about this electric shaver. I've never used one so it makes me a litttttttleeee nervous but I'm intrigued. All else are random finds I'm interested in trying out!

Have you found any good Amazon finds lately?

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? :)

Monday, February 20, 2023

WEEKLY TO-DO LIST | 2.20.23

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Can you believe we're on our last full week of February?? I’m pretty sure I said this in a recent post but this entire month has felt like a blur & been all over the place for me. Going on a mini vacation and being sick completely threw off my routine over the last few weeks and I’ve been off track with a lot of my daily habits & goals.

With spring up ahead, I’m feeling inspired to make new progress and keep moving forward. It’s been tough trying to get back into the swing of things so I’m hoping this is the week we get there!

Making a to-do list always helps me outline what I want/need to do & gets me in the mindset to be productive. I usually include anything that I want, need or have to do. Here are some of my top goals & to-dos this week:

+ GET BACK ON THE HEALTHY TRAIN - It's long overdue for me to get back on the healthy train. Keeping it real- I've been struggling since the start of the New Year. I had good intentions of jumping back into eating cleaner but between my birthday, being sick, being gone & Valentine's Day- it's been a fail. My main goals are to cut back on the sugar/sweets, eat leaner + cleaner and have more meals at home.

+ GROCERY SHOP - To try and get back on the healthy train, going grocery shopping is on the agenda for tomorrow. I made breakfast at home today but gave myself permission to eat out for lunch since I didn't have anything healthy at home and I'm off tomorrow (aka, I will eat out). I need to pick up a few ingredients for breakfast + figure out something I can make for lunch W-F. PS-- I tried the Beach Club salad at Tropical Smoothie today. Really yum + a great healthier option for when you're eating out. 

+ WORKOUT - I have one class left on my Orangetheory cycle for this month which is also on tomorrow's agenda. I always try to go on Tuesday mornings since I have the day off from work.

+ CLEAN & PURGE - Something I need need need to do is declutter & organize. I have so much crap laying around right now that I need to just deal with. My ideal goal is to clean out and make space to properly organize things and dare I say even leave room for something new?? Lol, I am always a work-in-progress on this one. 

+ LAUNDRY - Never ends! 

+ SELL SH*T - Despite having way too much, I’m also in a buying mood and want new clothes. That Spring fever is coming my way, lol. Instead of just buying new, I’m challenging myself to sell some of the clothing/things I no longer want & then allow myself to buy new with that money. 

+ GO TO THE MOVIES - You can't forget to pencil in the fun stuff too! I've been meaning to go on a little movie date lately... hopefully tomorrow is the day. PS-- if you have an AMC, Tuesday is the best day to go. They do $5 tickets all day and it usually isn't too too crowded!

+ FINISH BOOK - I’m almost finished with The Chase by Elle Kennedy which has been a fun & easy romance read. The plan is to wrap it up this week and start something new. Because I’ve been feeling more inspired, I think I want to switch to something in the personal growth genre. Maybe The 5AM Club since I purchased it a few months back... have you read it? 

I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things but those are my main objectives!

What's on your to-do list this week?

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? :)

Friday, February 17, 2023

GETTING OVER POST VACATION BLUES

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Folly Beach - Charleston, SC

Returning home from a vacation is always a bittersweet moment. On one hand, the "you need a vacation from vacation" sentiment always rings true. Unless you're a seasoned traveler, it's never stress free. From planning to booking to the actual vacationing, there are a lot of moving parts. Add in the unfamiliarity of a new location and by the last day, you can't wait to be back home. It's a relief sliding back into your own bed-- that is, until you have to return back to work. Then the post-vacay depression sets in. 

I've definitely been feeling it since returning back home from my trip to Charleston a few weeks ago. Because it was my first solo vacation, I felt an anxious, nervous energy for most of the trip but I ended up having so much fun. I'm also glad that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone. I think that the next time I travel alone, I'll feel a lot more confident and at ease. I was happy to return back home to my normal day-to-day, however I'm now also missing those beach days and the luxury of a free schedule. I think we end up feeling this way because our normal everyday routines can become mundane and boring. As someone who has spent the last seven years in the same routine with very little time off, you don't realize how necessary it is to switch things up until you do. 

My trip shifted my perspective and reminded me how important it is to live more, enjoy life and experience new things. I've spent the last few weeks thinking about this and ways that I can keep doing more of this in my life. Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of being able to vacation or travel often (one day!), however I've found little ways in my everyday life to replicate some of the same feelings + excitement that being on vacation brings. 

+ SWITCH UP YOUR ROUTINE - We are all creatures of habit and in general, operate better having a set routine or schedule. That being said, I think it's important to still throw in some variety and deviate every once in awhile. For me, something as simple as going to a different restaurant or ordering something new can make a huge difference. I tend to always stick with the same things and while I'm a tried-and-true gal, sometimes it gets old. If you're feeling stuck in a rut or uninspired, try adding in some variety. This is also great if you're having the post vacation blues. Vacations are usually full of all new everything so by adding this into your everyday life, it's almost like being on a mini vacation and it adds some fun to the mundane. 

+ START A NEW PROJECT OR HOBBY - Something that also helps me is finding a new interest outside of work. Whether that's starting a new book, tv show or maybe taking up a new hobby, I always feel re-inspired. I also know what it's like to become so wrapped up in your job that you neglect personal interests. I've been guilty of being so tired from work that I don't have the energy or motivation to do the fun things. Sometimes this is inevitable and you just have to rest, however it's important to prioritize time for the things that bring you joy. I also think the newness element is crucial for adding that same "vacation" like feeling. It feels like you're experience something new and exciting because you are! 

+ FIND SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO - One of my favorite pieces of advice comes from Matthew McConaughey which is to give yourself something to look forward to. When I hear this, my mind immediately wants to jump to the big moments-- more vacations, making a large purchase, etc. While those things can fit into the criteria, so can the little things. I'll even go so far as to say the little things probably outweigh the big ones. I've always had a little bit of an all or nothing mentality so I tend to think along the lines of "one day." One day when I go here, one day when I accomplish this-- the extremes. The problem with one day is that it's the may-never-come day. It also only puts excitement on potential and not reality. The future, not the present. Instead of only looking forward to the possibilities or the big things in the future, I'm challenging myself to find and create things in the more distant future to look forward to. Things that are also obtainable. I can still look forward to those bigger ones, I'm just not waiting solely on them. 

+ CREATE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE - A continuation of finding something to look forward to for when you can create and plan out your next adventure. Planning out another trip in the future definitely helps soften those post-vacay blues. I separated this one because for me, planning out a vacation is not something I'm able to do on the regular. It's usually in my "one day," category due to my work schedule. If you are able to travel and vacation often, I would definitely go ahead and book your next trip! That is the epitome of having something to look forward to in my book. One of my goals is to try and do this on a smaller, more doable scale. More road trips to nearby cities, etc.

If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?


Wednesday, February 15, 2023

TOP 5 MOST POPULAR BLOG POSTS | FEBRUARY 2023

If there's ever a time when I'm *not* surprised by how fast the months go by, it's in February. Obviously the month is shorter than the rest but January went on for what felt live five years. I also think me getting sick and being out of town has thrown everything off for me. The last few weeks have definitely been a blur. TBH I'm here for it though and excited to see spring and more warm weather. My trip to the beach has me wishing for longer days now and summertime. 

I'm also a little surprised by this month's most popular posts. It was no surprise to see the Oura Ring Unboxing again (lol, ya'll really love that one!), but several are some oldie but goodies I wasn't expecting. Here's what you have been reading the most on TKD this month: 

1. OURA RING UNBOXING - Definitely everyone's favorite blog post at this point-- the Oura Ring Unboxing. I love that this one has been so popular because my Oura ring is one of my favorite purchases of 2022. I wear it religiously and love being able to track my sleep + other health features. 

Read here: Oura Ring Unboxing

2. TOWER 28 BEAUTY HAUL - The Tower 28 Beauty Haul post has also been another popular one. Their makeup reminds me of summer with glowy vibes, fun names + amazing packaging. 

Read here: Tower 28 Beauty Haul 

3. WALKING 10,000 STEPS EVERY DAY FOR 3 WEEKS - This one I was surprised to see in the line-up! I've been walking at least 10,000 steps a day for around a year and a half now. It's become an ingrained part of my day which I love + am proud of accomplishing. When I first started, I wrote this post about my experience from the first three weeks. I was surprised to see this in this month's top 5 because while it's been somewhat popular on the blog, I don't recall it ever being the most popular lists from the last year. I'm glad to see it gaining some traction and hope that's because you're also interested in adding more walking into your day! There are so many benefits to walking 10,000+ steps a day for your health. I go over some of those + also some tips I had for getting started. You can read everything here.

Read here: Walking 10,000 Steps Every Day for 3 Weeks

4. GALENTINE'S DAY GIFT IDEAS - Love day is over now but you can always treat yourself + your girlfriends! This Galentine's Day Gift Guide was so much fun to make + I'm always a sucker for Valentine's themed items. 

Read here: Galentine's Day Gift Ideas

5. 5 MOTIVATIONAL BOOKS I WANT TO READ - Every so often I like to share what current books I want to read or am reading. I usually theme them based on genre or season (you can read my most recent one for Valentine's Day here). My definition of "motivational" is usually a mix of self-help, business or personal growth books. I also think this post may be the first one of these I ever posted... there are some great books in this one

Read here: 5 Motivational Books I Want to Read

What do you have planned for the rest of February?

Check out the Top 5 Most Popular Blog Posts from January here.

Monday, February 13, 2023

WHAT I WANT | FEBRUARY



-SHOP THE POST-


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? :)

Friday, February 10, 2023

VALENTINE'S DAY INSPO


Marc Jacobs Daisy Love Eau So Sweet Perfume // David Yurman Diamond Heart Pendant // Sugarfina Valentine Candy Box // Heart PJs // Static Press-On Nails // Le Creuset Heart Mug // Hanky Panky Panties // Venus et Fleur Rose // Laneige Berries' n' Choco Lip Mask Set 

-SHOP THE POST- 


What are your V-DAY plans?? 

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? :)

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

SEPHORA HAUL

No vacation is complete without a lil' shopping! If you missed Monday's post, I took a spontaneous trip to Charleston, SC this past weekend. Charleston is a great place to visit with an amazing history, coastal beaches, lots of sight-seeing and lots of shopping. One of the best and most popular places to go is King Street, a 100-block street full of retail shops and restaurants. It has a mix of moderate and higher end boutiques and stores. I had to visit Sephora while I was there + picked up a few new goodies! Mine was previously inside of JC Penney's which always offered a much smaller selection than the main stores. 

I've been on the hunt for a new shampoo + conditioner to try. All of the ones I've tried lately haven't really wowed me or made much of a difference in my hair. I've also been feeling like my hair has been more on the frizzy side lately so I decided to try out the dae Monsoon collection. This line is designed to hydrate, tame frizz and smooth. All the things I need!! It has great reviews and is "clean," so I picked up both the shampoo + conditioner. I've also heard great things about the K18 Leave-in Mask. It's hella pricey though so I grabbed this mini size to try. 

I didn't do too much makeup this time around but I have been dying to get my hands on the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm. It's constantly sold out online so I was really excited that they had several in store! I chose "Vanilla." I've also been wanting to venture into the feather brows trend which this Charlotte Tilbury Tinted Brow Gel looked like it would be good for. 

THE GOODS:

+ DAE MONSOON MOISTURE MILK HYDRATING SHAMPOO 

+ DAE MONSOON MOISTURE MILK HYDRATING CONDITIONER 

+ K18 LEAVE-IN MOLECULAR REPAIR HAIR MASK 

+ SUMMER FRIDAYS VANILLA LIP BUTTER BALM 

+ CHARLOTTE TILBURY LEGENDARY BROWS TINTED EYEBROW GEL 

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What products have you been loving lately?

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Monday, February 6, 2023

WEEKLY TO-DO LIST | 2.6.23



Happy Monday, friends! This week looks a little different as I’m writing to you from coastal Charleston, South Carolina! I had a full six days off from work which hasn’t happened in YEARS. Because that’s not the norm, I had no idea what to do with my time! I knew I wanted to fully enjoy it so I booked an impromptu trip to Charleston Saturday afternoon and left that evening!

After spending last weekend sick on my birthday, it’s nice to have a little time away to relax. I‘ve still been a little congested but feel 150% better than I did last weekend.

Because this week has an unusual itinerary (and I have limited blogging capabilities without my laptop 😉), I thought I’d just share my weekly to-do list/schedule with you. I don’t have too many things I want/have to do this week so it should be pretty low-key. Here’s what’s going on in my world:

WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

MONDAY: LAST FULL DAY IN CHARLESTON

TUESDAY: TRAVEL DAY

WEDNESDAY: REST & RECHARGE

THURSDAY - SATURDAY: BACK TO WORK

SUNDAY: REST & RECHARGE

TO-DOS:

+ Spend time with JJ

+ Un-pack once home

+ Clean // do laundry

+ Upload blog posts Wednesday // Friday

+ Read more of book (currently on: The Chase by Elle Kennedy)

How is your week looking right now?

Friday, February 3, 2023

BIRTHDAY WEEK THOUGHTS: TURNING 29

Birthday cookies from my sissy 👭

My birthday week is officially coming to a close. To say I started twenty-nine off with a bang would definitely be an understatement. Not gonna lie-- in many ways I'm glad it's over. Lol. Ya'll know the birthdays are bittersweet for me-- I still hate the aging part but who doesn't love being celebrated? Lucky me also picked up a super fun, fever-clad bug over the weekend that rained all over the birthday parade. On one hand, it definitely gave me a little bit more appreciation for my birthday this year. I would have much rather spent my time out with family instead of dying at home in my bed. Isn't it a shame that the one time you get to stay in bed all day is ruined by feeling like crap? Definitely a missed line opportunity for Alanis in "Ironic!” 

Now that I'm on the mend and almost back to feeling normal, I've been reflecting on the week and what it means adding another year under my belt. I know it's only been a few days but I always like to reflect... I think we grow up with this idea of gaining wisdom as you get older. I'm starting to realize that instead, the older I become the less I feel I know or am sure about. Maybe there's a certain age that marks a turning point on that. If so, I hope it's older than 29? Or maybe the real wisdom is the part where you realize you don't know. When you're young, you just assume you'll figure it all out when you really have no f*cking clue. Life is so fun! 

I'm at an interesting crossroads where I'm urging for change and growth. I can feel it up ahead, like I'm reaching for it but it's outside of my grasp. I can see it way way in the distance. I also feel a little trepidation. It's like a game of hot hands. There's an excitement as you sit there waiting, hands jittering. It's mixed with that fearful anticipation of getting smacked and losing. But it's also fun? You know you need to keep walking but your feet aren't sure which path to take. Very philosophical stuff here, you guys.  

On a real note, it must be a growing pain or a quarter-life crisis. I think my goal for 29 is to just keep pushing forward towards the growth and change, even when it feels uncomfortable or scary. Everyone tells you to do that-- "get comfortable in the uncomfortable," but it doesn't make it any less easy. 

As always, I'll let you know when I get to the other side! 

What are you up to this weekend? 

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

BEAUTY ON MY MIND | WHAT I WANT



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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? :)