WELLNESS WANTS | 11.22.24

Vitamin B12 Supplement // Women's Multivitamin // Tinted SPF Face Shield // Red Light Mask // Silk Sleep Mask // Glycolic Acid // Hypochlorous Acid Face Spray // Castor Oil for Hair, Skin + Nails // 

**SHOP MY ENTIRE WISH LIST HERE** 

I love sharing my picks + 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? :)

RECENT AMAZON PURCHASES

My Garden of Life Tree Tea Oil // Ankle Weights // External Hard drive // Magnesium // Resveratrol // My Garden of Life Oil of Oregano  

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? :)

OURA RING UNBOXING

As promised, today we’re unboxing my new Oura Ring! After spending months going back and forth and researching whether to purchase one, I thought I’d contribute to the Oura conversation here online with an unboxing + hopefully some helpful info. If you’ve been curious about the ring or new ways to prioritize your health and sleep, here’s the 411 on my buying experience.

ORDERING PROCESS

If you’re in the US, you can now order the ring directly on Amazon here. It's also available for purchase through Oura or on Goop. 

There are four color options for Generation 3: Heritage Silver, Heritage Gold, Stealth & Black. The Silver and Black options retail for $299, the Gold and Stealth for $399. 

When I ordered, Amazon wasn't an option so I purchased directly from Oura. I opted for the Heritage Gold. If you purchase through Oura and know another Oura user, you can also save $50 off when ordering on Oura.com + they do offer an occasional promotion here and there. I was able to find a $50 off code from the Oura Ring Community Facebook Group (thank you all!!) which helped cover the $15 shipping charge and my sales tax. 

The actual ordering process is the same as anywhere else, however there are two sizing options at checkout. You can select your ring size upfront or choose for them to send you a free sizing kit first. Unless you’ve already owned an Oura ring or tried someone else's kit, I would definitely go with the sizing kit. You can try them out and then they'll ship you your chosen size once you decide. 

**2024 UPDATE: If I were to buy another ring, I would now order it here on Amazon. Right now it's on major sale + you can also get faster shipping and easy returns!** 

SIZING INFO

As far as actual sizing goes, the Oura ring varies a little bit from a regular ring. The design has sensors on the inside which makes the look + feel slightly different. The ring sizers replicate this and are made from a harder plastic. 

After receiving my sizing kit, I was able to narrow down my options to two sizes. I was contemplating on going for a tighter, more snug size or one that was slightly loose. Oura recommends you wear the ring on your non-dominant index finger for the best accurate reading and to avoid scratches, however middle and ring fingers are okay too. 

I consulted the Oura Ring Community group on Facebook for tips + found these suggestions helpful: 

- If you're between two sizes, size down. 

- The ring shouldn't be able to slide or come off too easily and many suggested you shouldn't be able to remove it without using soap + water.  

- Choose a size that you can wear on multiple fingers for different periods of swelling, shrinking, etc. 

- Wear the sizer ring for at least 24 hours + while sleeping to gauge the fit. 

- The actual ring is much more comfortable to wear + comes off easier than the sizers 

I was a little bit concerned with the two sizes because the smaller one was very difficult for me to take off, however the larger could easily slide and move. I contemplated for a few days but ended up going for the smaller size as suggested which I'm very happy with. I found all of the tips and advice they offered to be spot on and super helpful. My ring is snug but comfortable. I've actually found it can still twist a little on it's own, however I have to really work to get it off or use soap/water. 

Even though it's harder to take off, it doesn't feel too tight or constricting. The actual ring is super light and not very noticeable. I can also wear it comfortably both on my middle or index finger. A few users in the group shared that the actual ring was slightly larger than the comparable sizer. I haven't noticed too much of a difference in mine other than the ring turning a bit on it's own. I don't recall the sizer moving but this could also be from my fingers fluctuating in size. I think if I'd gone with the larger size, it would have ended up being too loose for my liking. Smaller seems to be a safer bet for both accurate readings + making sure you don't lose your ring. 

UNBOXING THE RING

The ring arrived in a white Oura box with instructions, the charging dock + charging cord. 

SETTING UP THE RING

The instructions indicate to charge the ring first and then connect it to the Oura app on your phone. 

You have to pair your ring to the app + your account before you're able to access any information on the app. This was super easy and quick to do. I was able to pair my ring while it was charging in less than five minutes. I also had two do a firmware + app update while setting up which only took a few minutes each. 

One thing I did notice was that the initial charging took a little bit longer than expected. The booklet says that the ring will fully charge in anywhere from 20-80 minutes, however it took a little over two hours for mine to fully charge. I also noticed the ring stayed at 99% charge for awhile before finally reaching 100%. 

Also maybe some helpful advice that I didn't know until I Googled-- the light on the dock will be blue while pairing, flashes white while charging + then turns green when fully charged. 

Since, I've found the charging to be super quick and hassle free. It's wireless charging so you just pop it onto the dock. I've also heard it's best to keep the charge within a range of 20%-80% to preserve the battery life.

SHIPPING

The processing and shipping for both my sizing kit + ring was super quick. I first ordered the ring late Wednesday night and the sizing kit shipped out the next morning. It arrived on the following Tuesday. After ordering the ring, I believe it too shipped the next day and arrived within three days. 

There was a notice on the site about a potential two week delay due to demand, however I didn't experience this. Mine was super quick! I've heard some mixed reviews on turn around time + service so I was happy to have a great experience. 

What do you think about the Oura ring? Would you wear one?

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? :)

5 SELF-CARE ACTIVITIES THAT WON'T COST YOU ANYTHING

It seems like the older you get, the more stress and day-to-day worries there are. I know I’ve been guilty of worrying about the future, whether I’m doing enough, dwelling on setbacks and negative experiences, etc. It can become too much sometimes so finding time to do things and care for your self is essential. When we take care of ourselves, we feel better and are more equipped to handle these everyday stressors. The great thing is there are some easy, effective ways to do this that are free and easy. 

+ TAKE A BATH

For all of you shower snobs, bubble baths are life changing. Everyone always give baths a bad rap but they are my number one way to unwind at the end of the day. There is something therapeutic about soaking in hot bubbles and having some time to just relax. With my favorite bath time essentials, it’s heaven!

+ WORK DETOX

Something I've made an effort on this year is trying leave work at the office. For years, I've always found myself bringing work home and catching up on things late at night or on my off days. While I still do this on occasion, I've challenged myself to shut it off once I leave work. This helps me to utilize my time away and have more of a work-life balance. Not only does this lower stress, I feel better mentally and emotionally. 

+ VEG OUT 

Nowadays, I find myself rarely watching tv or movies. Lately my boyfriend and I have been watching movies on Saturday nights, however any other time of the week there always seems to be something more important to do.  That being said, there isn’t much I love doing more than vegging out with a favorite movie and snacks. It gives you time to escape the day-to-day and detox. While it doesn’t always feel time productive, that’s the point! Check out 10 Throwback Movie to Watch on Netflix and Disney+.

+ GOODBYE, SOCIALS

Some days, social media becomes exhausting. Whether you're posting content or consuming, IMO it eventually begins to feel a little repetitive. Negativity is also never too far away and even just seeing/reading that can affect my mood. We all love it, however it's good to spend some time off of it as well. I'm guilty of checking my Instagram feed constantly (partially out of habit, partially out of boredom) so at night time, I usually get to a point where I try to stay off and do something else to relax. 

+ QUIET TIME

I work and interact with a lot of people daily so having some alone time is a must for me. Whether it’s on my lunch break or right before going to bed, I take time to just be with myself. 

What is your favorite self-care practice? LMK! 

STOCKING UP ON ESSENTIALS! MAY HEALTH + BEAUTY HAUL

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

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

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

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

hello Antiplaque and Whitening Fluoride Free Toothpaste

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

Steripod Clip-on Toothbrush Cover 

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

Orabrush by DenTek Tongue Cleaner 

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

Nature Made Vitamin C 250mg Gummies 

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

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

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