WEEKLY CRUMBL | 3.31.23

Ya'll it's been too long since our last Weekly Crumbl review here on TKD. I've honestly been a little underwhelmed with most of the weeks this year which makes it easy to skip. There have been a few flavors here and there I've wanted to try but ya'll know I'm an all-or-nothing kinda gal. We go 4-for-4 or zero! All of this week's flavors were up my alley so let's dig in! The line-up this week is: Snickerdoodle Cupcake, S'mores, Macadamia Nut & Peanut Butter Creme featuring Nutter Butter. 

I'm pretty sure I've already tried both the S'mores & the Nutter Butter... I think the S'mores was okay for me the first time & I remember liking the PB. I'll have to go back through the old reviews to confirm but we'll see if this time is a different experience!

+ SNICKERDOODLE CUPCAKE - I really liked the cinnamon sugar flavor of the cookie, especially the outer edge. The inside of this one was too gooey for me. I haven't figured out if that's how they are suppose to be or if my Crumbl just underbakes them... I liked this, it wasn't a love. I also didn't really get a cupcake vibe out of it, just a typical cookie. 

+ S'MORES - Ya'll, this one was a bit of a let down for me. I always have high hopes for S'mores but it just didn't rock my socks. I want to love it but I think it lacks something for me... maybe graham cracker flavor? I love a classic S'mores but to me the cookie is just basic with the chocolate and marshmallow. I think it has too much of that classic Crumbl cookie base. I know people love this one, it's just not my personal fave. 

+ MACADAMIA NUT - I LOVE a good White Chocolate Macadamia Nut. Out of the four, this one came in at number two for me. It was okay-- nothing spectacular and when it comes to macadamia nut cookies, definitely not the best I've had. 

+ PEANUT BUTTER CREME - The best of the bunch!! There's a 98% chance that anytime Crumbl has a peanut butter cookie, I'll be happy with it. This one was definitely my favorite out of the four because to me the flavor was the most defined. It was clearly peanut butter, however I do think it was a little on the subtle side. I definitely think they could have added more peanut butter into the cookie itself and I also would have liked some bigger pieces of Nutter Butter! Still yummy. 

All in all, it was an okay week. I always say this but usually when I have higher hopes, I end up being let down?? Lol, maybe that means I need to start trying the weeks I feel meh about. Usually the wild cards end up being the best! Despite that, I love getting to try them all and it's always a fun experience. Even if I don't always love them, I love taste testing and sharing my thoughts! 

Cheers to the freakin' weekend!

MOON JUICE HAUL

My body's been asking for a little extra TLC lately so I've been trying to prioritize all things health + wellness. I ended up placing a Moon Juice order last week for some of the supplements I shared in my recent Health + Wellness Wants post. If you're also into vitamins + supplements like me, here's a little haul of what I picked up. I'm excited about this order because everything I bought is suppose to help improve sleep and/or stress. Those are always two of the biggest obstacles I feel like I battle when it comes to my overall health. I'm a habitual night owl so I really have to challenge myself to get the proper amount of sleep. Even on the nights I do go to bed "on time," a lot of the times I'm restless and don't sleep well. 

One thing that's really helped is my Oura ring. I've had it for about a year now and I love all of the insight it gives me on my sleeping patterns. It's a wearable ring that monitors your sleep, activity, heart rate, etc. Each day it gives you a score from 0-100 on how you slept the night before, your readiness for the day + more. My scores usually fall in the 60-70 range which is in the fair to good range. My goal is to one day be consistently in the 90s! If you're curious about the ring itself, my Oura Ring Unboxing post has lots more info. 

This is my first time ever ordering or trying anything from Moon Juice. I've seen a few influencers share their products before and I like that the brand is a little more holistic and uses clean ingredients. 

Because I haven't been sleeping well, I decided to pick up both the Dream Dust and Magnesi-Om adaptogens. Adaptogens are plant-based substances like herbs, roots and mushrooms. Both of these are blends to help relaxation and better sleep. Magnesi-Om has a blend of different magnesiums as well as L-Theanine. Dream Dust targets deep rest and is made up of several different herbs, including ashwagandha, chamomile and more. 

I've also heard great things about their SuperYou supplement which is intended to help manage stress and boost energy + mood. I wouldn't say I'm constantly stressed out, however I definitely have my days as I'm sure you do. Somedays I also feel more drained and unfocused, especially in the mornings. I definitely think it can't hurt + I feel good about it being a natural product. 

+ Dream Dust: "Adaptogens for sleep. Deep, tranquil rest.

Dream Dust® is a tranquil blend of adaptogens and herbs that target stress for relief of tension to promote deep, tranquil rest.* Informed by Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, this Moon Dust® combines Ashwagandha, Jujube, Polygala, Chamomile, and Schisandra."

+ Magnesi-Om: "Meditation you can sip. Relaxation, brain health & sleep.

Every cell in the body needs Magnesium to function and over 50% of us are deficient. Magnesi-Om® contains 3 bioavailable forms of Magnesium plus L-Theanine to help restore cellular balance for relaxation, sleep, brain health, and regularity.* Chelated Magnesium Gluconate and Acetyl Taurinate support muscle relaxation and cognitive function, while Magnesium Citrate supports regular bowel movements.* L-Theanine promotes alpha‑wave activity in the brain, shown to encourage a focused calm.* Our natural magnesium powder supplement instantly dissolves in water, tastes like berries, and is sweetened with monk fruit."

+ SuperYou: "Daily stress management. Energy, mood & focus. 

SuperYou® is your daily defense to help reduce the effects of stress to improve energy, mood, and focus.* Our clinical strength formula helps reduce cortisol by 24% for proactive and reactive stress support.* Four potent adaptogens traditionally used in Ayurveda and TCM help alleviate the emotional, mental, hormonal, and physical manifestations of stress.*

When the stress response activates, Ashwagandha comes in to help regulate cortisol and reduce irritability.* As stress continues, energy gets depleted. Rhodiola in SuperYou® is traditionally used to reduce fatigue and increase alertness.* Prolonged periods of stress can impact hormones and skin. Shatavari is traditionally used for healthy hormonal balance, while Amla helps protect skin from oxidative stress.*"

I can't wait to start using these! I'm a big fan of supplements and I'm crossing my fingers that I'll see some improvement with sleep. I've always been leering of taking sleep aids but natural herbs + clean ingredients make me feel much more comfortable. I'll definitely update you if they are life-changing!

**Links to everything in my Amazon Storefront here**

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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? :)

WEEKLY TO-DO LIST | 3.27.23

It feels like a good week for an updated "weekly to-do" list. Ya'll know I love making lists and I 100% think they make you more productive. The key for me is keeping them manageable by not putting too many things on the list. I also like to focus on the things that I either want or need to do, but that aren't necessarily daily habits. For me, this is things like going to workout or doing laundry. They are constantly popping up on my weekly schedule, however sometimes it takes a little extra resolve for me to get them done. I also make sure to add in fun things like going to the movies, shopping, etc. It's nice (and essential) to prioritize fun too. Sometimes it's easy to skip out on when life gets busy if you aren't intentional about making plans. 

ON THE AGENDA:

+ ORANGETHEORY WORKOUT - OTF is starting to become a regular part of my Tuesdays, however I still have to push myself to go. Right now I'm just going once a week which for me is the easiest on an off day. Usually I prefer Tuesdays over the weekend so I push myself to get it out of the way first thing. Eventually I plan to add in more classes each week but for now I'm building up my once a week habit. 

+ INFRARED SAUNA - I've also added in weekly sauna sessions too. I've always wanted to try out a sauna so I finally went for the first time a few weeks ago. It's great for preventing a lot of diseases in the body as well as for your immune system, sleep health, pain relief, relaxation + more. I've been doing 25 minute sessions after my workouts on Tuesday which has been so nice. It feels great and has been really relaxing but I'll keep you posted on my thoughts after going for a little while longer! 

+ NEW COMPUTER SETUP - My sweet parents surprised me with a new computer this week! My laptop has been on it's last leg of storage full for about a solid two years now. I knew I would need to upgrade eventually but I figured I would just keep using mine until it died, lol. They surprised me with a new one last weekend so of course setting it up on is on my to-do for this week! THX Mom & Dad! 

+ BIRTHDAY SHOP - It's JJ's birthday week which means lots of fun, cake + pressies for him. In true KP fashion, I still have a few things left to pick up for his present, lol. Guys are so hard to buy for which usually leaves me scrambling last minute. When in doubt, buy them the things they don't know they need! Haha! 

+ CELEBRATE JJ'S BIRTHDAY - Obviously we'll be having our own little party for his actual bday too. I'm not sure what he'll want to do this year-- some years we've gone out for dinner, others we've just picked up takeout and watched a movie. What do you usually do on birthdays? 

+ SHEETS & LAUNDRY - My least favorite part of the list, always. Lol. I actually enjoy the process of putting the laundry in the wash, I just hate the rest of it. IYKYK! 

+ TAXES - The tax deadline is coming up, ya'll. I thankfully don't have to file my own, however this week I need to get everything together for my accountant. Here's your reminder if you haven't done yours yet because time is ticking. PS-- it's also a great time to make some last minute contributions to your ROTH/Traditional IRA if you plan to but haven't yet for 2022! Click here for why you need to open a ROTH IRA.

That's the gist of it! Think I can get it all done?

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

ULTA 21 DAYS OF BEAUTY | WEEK 3 SALE PICKS

Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara // Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base // L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil // Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeshadow // Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ The Essence // tarte Shape Tape Concealer // Moon Juice Plump Jelly Hyaluronic Serum // PMD Personal Microderm Classic // Dermalogica Glycolic Cleanser

The final week of Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty starts this Monday, March 27th. I've been sharing a weekly recap with my favorite picks of the sale each week. It's a great time to stock up or try out new high-end makeup, skincare and fragrance products at 50% off of their regular retail price. They always have a great selection of brands + products! 

My favorite picks for this last week are mostly skincare based with just a few makeup products. One makeup item I was excited to see included again is this Lancôme mascara-- they make some of THE best IMO and I really love this one! You can also never go wrong with tarte's Shape Tape Concealer. 

The sale's also a great opportunity to try out some spendier items if you've had them on your list- the best IMO being speciality beauty tools. This week the PMD Personal Microderm Classic is included which is an at-home microdermabrasion tool. I haven't personally used one have heard they're great for removing dead skin cells, combating signs of aging, boosting collagen + more. If you're big into skincare, the Perricone MD Plasma Essence is also a great buy. It's normally super $$$ so the sale definitely helps soften the blow! 

+ Lancome Lash Idol Mascara (Saturday, April 1st; $15 sale price, regular $30)

+ Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base (Friday, March 31st; $29 sale price, regular $58)

+ L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil (Tuesday, March 28th; $14.50 sale price, regular $29)

+ Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeshadow (Wednesday, March 29th; $10.50 sale price, regular $21)

+ Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ The Essence (Tuesday, March 28th; $89.50 sale price, regular $179)

+ tarte Shape Tape Concealer (Saturday, April 1st; $15.50 sale price; regular $31)

+ Moon Juice Plump Jelly Hyaluronic Serum (Friday, March 31st; $29 sale price, regular $58) 

+ PMD Personal Microderm Classic (Wednesday, March 29th; $79.50 sale price, regular $159) 

+ Dermalogica Glycolic Cleanser (Wednesday, March 29th; $18.50 sale price, regular $37) 

Are you shopping the sale this year?

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? :)

HEALTH + WELLNESS WANTS

Moon Juice SuperYou Supplement // In the Flo by Alisa Vitti // Casper Pillow // Down Mattress Topper // Moon Juice Dream Dust Supplement // Dumbbells // NodPod Sleep Mask // Pill Box // Moon Juice Magnesi-Om Supplement 

Alright I'm going into a “season of wellness” right now. Obviously you should always prioritize your health & well-being but I definitely think the body asks us to pay a little more attention at times. I have a few things I'm working on + a running health & wellness wish list.

First and foremost are all the sleep things. I haven’t been sleeping great for the last few weeks (even more so than usual 😩) so I'm looking for reinforcements!

Sleep is tricky because there are so many factors from lifestyle, environment, etc., that can affect it on a daily basis. I’ve been waking up with soreness in my neck + I just feeling uncomfy at times. The reality is I probably need a new mattress (love that for me) but I think a new pillow + topper is a good start. I have a down comforter and LOVE it so I'm thinking about trying this down mattress topper too... have you tried anything like it before? Would love to hear feedback.

I also think some different supplements might help. I’ve usually leery about sleep vitamins/melatonin/etc., however both the Dream Dust & Magnesium-Om blends from Moon Juice look interesting + get great reviews. I’ve been using this magnesium for awhile now which my mom swears by, however I haven’t noticed a huge difference in my actual sleep. I'm sure it depends on the person. I can always benefit from lowering overall stress too (also impacts sleep) so the Super You supplement looks like a must try too.

The Nodpod is also suppose to help with sleep. It's essentially a weighted blanket for your eyes which is pretty neat. It's suppose to help you relax + calm anxiety. 

Has anyone read any good period books? I haven't read anything beyond The Care and Keeping of You when I was like eight? LOL, I know ya'll know. On a real note- I'm interested in better understanding the female cycle, the four phases + how it relates to your daily life. In the Flo seems to focus a lot on that + how certain phases are better when it comes to exercise, etc. 

-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? :)

WHAT I'VE BEEN WATCHING LATELY | MARCH

I haven't done an updated "What I've Been Watching Lately" since January and I've actually been on a little bit of a movie kick. My Tuesday afternoon movie dates have become a part of my routine again during the last month or so. If you have an AMC theatre, Tuesdays are the best days to go. Right now they still have "Discount Tuesdays" where all tickets are $5-6. Let's cross our fingers they keep it around for awhile because there are so many good movies coming out soon! 

One of my favorite parts of the whole experience is getting to watch the commercials, lol. When I was a kid, we would go almost every weekend and I hated the commercials! Now I live for them + seeing what all is coming out. I think it's because I don't watch much TV nowadays and so I feel like I never see trailers for what's coming out. I'll keep you posted on what I go see! Until then, here's what I've been watching lately.

WHAT I'VE BEEN WATCHING:

+ New Girl - I was looking for a lighthearted + comedic show to watch on Netflix and decided on New Girl. I've heard several people rave about it and I totally get why. It's funny, silly + heartwarming all at the same time. The show follows Zooey Deschanel's character Jess, who is on the hunt for a new apartment after breaking up with her boyfriend. She ends up moving into a loft with a group of guys. The show follows all of their lives collectively and is hilarious. The only downside is now it's leaving Netflix in a little over two weeks which is bad news for me! 

+ 80 for Brady - If you're a fan of Jane Fonda and Book Club, you'll enjoy this one! It follows four best friends who are obsessed with Tom Brady to the 2017 Super Bowl. As a Falcons fan, this one is sort of crossing enemy lines for me... lol. IYKYK. Conflict of interest aside, it was a fun and lighthearted watch. Definitely cheesy but cute! 

+ Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania - Okay... I'll be honest that I enjoyed watching the new Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, but I wasn't obsessed. I remember loving the first Ant Man and I may or may not have watched the sequel. I think I went in to this one having higher expectations so while it was good, I wasn't blown away. I think I was expecting more of a comedic element that I remember the first one having? I still enjoyed and if you're a fan of Marvel/superheroes, you'll enjoy watching. 

+ Champions - I always enjoy Woody Harrelson so I was excited for Champions. It was really cute! Harrleson's character is a former minor-league basketball coach who ends up in a bit of trouble. To avoid jail time, he agrees to coach a Special Olympics team at a local rec center. Coaching players with various intellectual disabilities proves to be a challenge and new experience for him. Once they all get into the groove together, it leads to a rewarding experience and journey for all- Harrelson included.

What have you been watching lately? 

ULTA 21 DAYS OF BEAUTY 2023 | WEEK 2 SALE PICKS

FAB KP Smoothing Body Lotion // MAC Fix+ Spray // MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation // Jaclyn Cosmetics Bronzer // Foreo Bear Mini // NUDESCREEN SPF // Stila Highlighter // Benefit Brow Pencil // Buxom Lippie

Cheers to the freakin' weekend! We're back with another cold front here in TN which means the only answer is to online shop, right?? Right now Ulta is hosting their 21 Days of Beauty Sale event which is a three-week long event full of amazing beauty deals. The sale works with new, one-day-only deals each day of high-end beauty, skincare + fragrance products 50% off of their regular price. It's always a great sale and the perfect time to stock up on favorites or new things to try. Last week, I shared my picks from Week 1 in this post. Here are my top picks for Week 2 which starts on Monday, March 20th. 

PS-- don't forget to stack up the savings and earn cash back too. I always use Rakuten & Ulta is offering 10% cash back this weekend for St. Paddy's day! A little luck of the Irish for ya ;) If you don't have an account, my referral code gives you and I both a $30 bonus when you sign up + make your first purchase of $30 or more. You can shop at pretty much anywhere you can think of! I like to use it when I shop at Target, Sephora, Bloomingdales, Walmart, etc. I'll link my referral here if you're interested in signing up. It's 100% free + not a scam (lol-- I have to say that because sometimes things be sounding scammy). 

+ First Aid Beauty KP Smoothing Body Lotion (Tuesday, March 21st; $14 sale price, regular $28)

+ MAC Fix Plus Prep + Prime Spray (Sunday, March 26th; $15.50 sale price, regular $31)

+ MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation (Sunday, March 26th; $19.50 sale price, regular $39)

+ Jaclyn Cosmetics Sun Bathe Pressed Bronzer (Wednesday, March 22nd; $16 sale price, regular $32)

+ Foreo Bear Mini (Wednesday, March 22nd; $109.50 sale price, regular $219)

+ NUDESCREEN Daily Mineral Veil SPF 30 (Monday, March 20th; $18 sale price; regular $36)

+ Stila Heaven's Hue Highlighter (Monday, March 20th; $17 sale price, regular $34) 

+ Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil (Saturday, March 25th; $12.50 sale price, regular $25) 

+ 50% Buxom Bonus (Lip Glosses???)

Are you shopping the sale this year?

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? :)

TOP 5 MOST POPULAR BLOG POSTS | MARCH 2023

1. OURA RING UNBOXING - If you're interested in improving your sleep, I highly recommend an Oura Ring. I've had mine for close to a year now + I love it so much! In my unboxing post, I share the full details on what I ordered, my experience, photos + more. 

Read here: Oura Ring Unboxing

2. WALKING 10,000+ STEPS A DAY - One of the best habits I think anyone can add into their daily life is walking more + staying active. It's something that's obtainable for most of us + has so many great benefits for your health. I've been walking at least 10,000 steps or more every day for almost two years now. I should probably do an updated post but this one is a great guide on how I got started + some tips that I think are useful for implementing this in your life. 

Read here: Walking 10,000+ Steps a Day

3. 5 MOTIVATIONAL BOOKS I WANT TO READ - I always love reading personal growth/self-help books. There are SO many great options out there. I do think the ones in this particular blog post are some of the more popular/top-rated ones in this space + good ones to pick up! 

Read here: 5 Motivational Books I Want to Read

4. LUXURY MAKEUP HAUL - Who doesn't love a little luxe beauty?? TBH I'm always down to try any new beauty products but I love a little luxury lady. This luxury beauty haul is an oldie from when I first started blogging but has still remained one of the most popular ones ever read on TKD. 

Read here: Luxury Makeup Haul

5. SPRING DENIM OVERALL DRESS - Who doesn't love some spring denim?! I'm always a big fan of denim shorts + also think the overall and dress vibe is still cute. This outfit post is centered around a cute Free People overall dress of mine... it's a a fun spin on the classic overalls + I like the shorter length for when it's warm out! Full outfit deets are linked in the post. 

Read here: Spring Denim Overall Dress

How has your March been going?

PINK FOR SPRING

Sunglasses // Mini Dress // Satin Cami // Pink Striped Button-up // Marc Jacobs Tote Bag // Fuchsia Blazer // Marc Jacobs Snapshot Crossbody // Bouclé Blazer // Sandals 

Pink is always a good idea + I've been loving all of the new pieces that are out for spring and summer. I've always been a neutral gal through and through but when the weather warms up, I love bright pops of color. I love how you can elevate an outfit with a bag, shoe or blazer. Accessories are a great way to incorporate color or something trendy. They always make a statement and can easily enhance the every day basics you already own. I also really love the mix of shades out right now from pastels to bright fuchsia. So fun! 

-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? :)

ULTA 21 DAYS OF BEAUTY 2023 | WEEK 1 SALE PICKS

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner // Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation // MAC Paint Pot // erborian BB Cream // Iconic London Sculpting Palette // NUDESTIX NUDIES Bronze Stick // ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream // Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist // Anastasia Brow Wiz

It's time for the annual 21 Days of Beauty Sale at Ulta! If you're a beauty lover, it doesn't get much better than this. Every year Ulta does a three week long sale full of beauty products 50% off of the regular price. We're talking the good stuff, too. Most items are high-end brands that rarely go on sale and when they do, it's never 50% off. It's a great time to try new things + stock up on some go-tos. Every year they include a few of the same staples like the MAC Paint Pots, Stila Liners + the best Brow Wiz pencil that are always good basics to have.

The sale starts on Sunday, March 12th and runs until April 1st. Each day has certain products on sale for that day only so you have to strategize + grab them before they sell out. Because there are a ton of products in the sale, I'll break down my top picks for each week in a separate post to keep things more organize. These are my favorites for week 1 starting on Monday!

+ Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner (Wednesday, March 15th; $12 sale price, regular $24)

+ Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation (Sunday, March 19th; $24 sale price, regular $48)

+ MAC Paint Pot (Sunday, March 12th; $12.50 sale price, regular $25)

+ erborian BB Cream (Wednesday, March 15th; $22.50 sale price, regular $45) 

+ Iconic London Sculpting Palette (Thursday, March 16th; $24.50 sale price, regular $49)

+ NUDESTIX NUDIES Bronze Stick (Tuesday, March 14th; $17.50 sale price, regular $35)

+ ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (Monday, March 13th; $46.50 sale price, regular $93)

+ Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist (Friday, March 17th; 50% off all Dermalogica) 

+ Anastasia Brow Wiz (Sunday, March 19th; $12.50 sale price, regular $25) 

Are you shopping the sale this year?

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? :)

SKINCARE ROUTINE + UPDATES

It’s been awhile since we've chatted about skincare + I feel like I’m entering into a new life phase. I just turned 29 which is making the 30-is-up-next alarm louder than ever. People always comment that I look much younger for my age which I LOVE and will never complain about, however I've noticed a few fine lines have started popping up on my face over these last few years.

I hate to say this but it’s a mental struggle for me when it comes to embracing aging and wanting to maintain a youthful appearance. The vanity trait in me hates the wrinkles, in particular those pesky 11 and forehead lines. I’ve contemplated starting preventative botox but I also have my reservations on it. Before I jump into that, I’ve decided to first prioritize my skincare and what I can do at home. If all else fails, botox isn't going anywhere!

Reading this article from The Vanilla Plum gave me a little hope! Everyone says nothing compares to cosmetic procedures and that you can’t really reverse aging without them, however she shares some great options that I'm interested in exploring. 

Before I resort to botox, here’s what I’m starting:

+ CONSISTENT SKINCARE ROUTINES 

I struggle with staying consistent on the skincare, ya'll. I'm the problem, it's me. Because I definitely haven't been doing my skincare religiously, I’m challenging myself to start doing that now. We've been going strong for about a week now which I'm calling a win. 

In the morning I keep things simple and just use the holi(trinity) from Agent Nateur which I love. It’s a 3-step process with their holi(water) Toner, holi(c) Vitamin C and holi(oil) Face Oil. Vitamin C has amazing anti-aging benefits so I’m making sure I apply the vitamin C everyday. Sometimes I also add in a moisturizer too if my skin is feeling more dry. 

At nighttime, I always cleanse my skin with Bioderma. It’s great for removing makeup, dirt + refreshing the skin. I love using the Shiseido cotton pads for this. Most nights I let my skin breathe but occasionally I’ll also moisturize with the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream or holi(oil). 

Whenever I wear makeup, I always double cleanse. The holi(cleanse) from Agent is another great product for removing makeup— it’s an oil based cleanser that really breaks everything down. I also love the Lactic Acid Cleanser. It leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean and it also tightens and brightens the skin. 

+ ADDING IN RETINOL 

I’ve always been a little scared of using retinol but my time has come. I have very sensitive skin and historically it's known to be harsh and drying. The benefits are amazing for anti-aging, though and it helps exfoliate, boost collagen production in the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I've also heard prescription retinol like Tretinoin works the best, however I did a little research and decided to try this one from Skinmedica. They offer several different strengths depending on your experience/skin. I went for one that's more of an “introductory” product that isn’t suppose to irritate the skin.

They recommend starting out using the product twice a week and then building up to every other day.

+ WEARING SPF DAILY 

Sunscreen is another no-brainer area that ya girl has been slacking on. I'm ashamed to admit I've been skipping out on this-- I use to be so adamant about wearing SPF everyday. I definitely need to get back into the habit of it, especially now that I've started the retinol. My favorite product is still the Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Sun Protection tinted sunscreen. It’s a mineral based formula that’s tinted and it blends like a dream. Highly recommend! 

+ MICRONEEDLING

The last new thing I'm adding into my routine is micro-needling. I have a GloPro which is an at-home microneedling device with a red light. I've used a handful of times, however also not enough to really see results. I'm not sure how it compares to profession microneedling, however it has a lot of great benefits to improve skin texture, minimize lines/wrinkles, shrink pores, etc. I've also heard it works well when combined with retinol to help boost collagen production. 

I'll keep you posted with how everything goes! Tell me all of your skincare secrets!! 

-SHOP THE POST-

What are your skincare must-haves?

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? :)

MARCH READING LIST

I finally finished reading my first book of the year, The Chase by Elle Kennedy. Ya'll it's honestly sad at this point. I use to read book after book when I was younger... now I struggle to read a few books each year. I'm still actively working on it and will claw my way back there one day. I tend to start a lot of books that I don't end up finishing... I can't pinpoint if it's a schedule/priority issue, my attention span, lack of interest or all of the above. 

The Chase was a fun + easy romance read that was perfect for February. Cute if you like some romance and the enemies-to-lover vibe. Also on the topic of romance + VDAY, By a Thread by Lucy Score is back on the list. I had to pull it from last month because I naturally didn't reading anything else besides The Chase. It's a recurring theme month-by-month but I still keep making knew TBRs with high hopes. 

First though is Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey for something a little inspiration. We are one chapter down in this bad boy! I absolutely love listening to McConaughey-- he just gets it. He has such an interesting and unique personality and take on life. If you're ever feeling stuck or just needing a little inspiration, search some of his interviews + speeches on YT. Definitely a stand up guy that I respect the hell out of! I actually started Green Lights I think it was last year? Sadly this was one of the ones I just put down and never picked back up. After hearing him speak both about his life and the book, I know I'll love it. 

Last on the list is a new book I shared in this new book releases post called Pineapple Street. Everything about this book screams spring + summer and it just was an immediate add to cart for me. It releases on the 7th + it sounds AND looks cute. Double win because we love some good cover art! Can't wait to have it in my collection. 

MARCH READING LIST:

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

+ Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey 

+ By a Thread by Lucy Score 

+ Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson 

*SHOP ALL IN MY AMAZON STOREFRONT HERE*

What are you reading this month?

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? :)

WHAT I WANT | MARCH

Hunza G Swimsuit // Meira Evil Eye Charm Necklace // VOLO Hero Hair Towel // Iconic London Lip Oil // Billabong Graphic Tee // Soleil Toujours Glow Sunscreen // Sunday Forever Coconuts Perfume // AGOLDE Denim Shorts // Isabel Marant Slides

-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? :)

MY AMAZON STOREFRONT

Last week I finally jumped on the bandwagon + made an Amazon storefront. We all know Amazon is great- nothing new there. I love that you can find the most random things that often aren't in stores or may be online only. I link a lot of my favorite books, beauty, etc., on the blog so I get why everyone has a storefront to keep everything all-in-one place. Work smarter, not harder! Let me know what you think + if you like this? I've started adding things to it + will keep updating as time goes on. Right now I've added my favorite vitamins + supplements, beauty products, snacks, tech items, books, shoes + what's currently on my wish list. You can browse everything here. 

PS-- if you have your own storefront, I'd love to see! I'm always looking for new finds + must-haves!

*SHOP MY AMAZON STOREFRONT HERE*

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? :)