AM + PM Skincare Routine

AM + PM Skincare Routine

10.27.2015

It's been a little while since I wrote an updated post on my skincare routine and I thought some of you might be curious. It's taken some time to get the whole thing down (I have a compulsive problem with constantly trying new things) but I think I'm in a good spot right now.

A little background on my skin...I have combination skin that leans towards oily but lately has been dry. I definitely need to be stringent with my routine because at 27 I'm still suffering from acne. I attempted to go on Accutane but it was going to cost $800/month and that just seemed obscene. Instead, I've worked out a pretty good system incorporating some over the counter but yet extremely effective products.

MORNING

Cleanse // Lately I've been using this Acure creme cleanser because it's formulated for dry skin (my skin is the most dry in the morning) plus it feels creamy and gentle. In the morning, I'm less concerned with "clean" skin. I  just want to refresh my face. If I'm showering, I'll use this Acure brightening scrub which I really like and I'm on my second bottle which is really saying something for me. On a really lazy day (let's be honest, most days...) I'll just give my face a swipe with these Acure face wipes. Sensing a trend here...I'm loving Acure products for several reasons: natural, affordable, easy to find (Target!), effective, pretty packaging!

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monday musings | 120

monday musings | 120

10.26.2015

>> We've been traveling a lot of work lately which has been made exponentially more difficult with the dog. Luckily, we take her to a great place for camp during the day but if someone can't pick her up by 5:30 then we have to make other arrangements. It's been stressful and exhausting but it's probably a good preview for years to come. I also got some great advice from a friend who said "you can make anything easier by throwing a little money at the problem". Which is exactly what we did and it was so worth it.

>> I'm in serious clean out mode around clothes, makeup, etc. I sold a whole bunch of gently used makeup on Glambot and made a decent amount of money considering I would have just thrown it away. I've sent in two bags to thredUP but I'm still waiting to hear what the payout will be. I'm on a serious mission to own less but higher quality. Anyone know where to get HIGH quality long-sleeve t-shirts that won't shrink?

>> I've been loving the gym that we joined shortly after moving here. It's right next to C's office which makes it super easy since we share a car. I've been particularly enjoying the Barre classes and after chatting with the Group Ex director, I decided I'd pursue becoming an instructor! Last weekend, I completed my Barre Certification and will start instructing classes at the gym soon!

>> I just got on Snapchat and I don't really get it. I like the idea of having 24 hour "stories" but how do I remember to download them after each 24 hour period?? Please someone help me!

>> You may have guessed this already but the half marathon did not happen. Instead, I ran the 5k with my mother-in-law and had a blast. It was her first ever race and she ran the whole thing! I'm so proud of her and really enjoyed getting to share that experience. C, on the other hand, killed the half and now has his sights set on 26.2!

>> C and I picked up new iPhone's this weekend and when I got home, I was testing out the new features and some things weren't working. That's when I realized they had set me up with an iPhone 6 not 6 s. They happily made the exchange in the store but without the phone in stock, they had to give me my old phone back in the meantime. #firstworldproblems

>> Haven is almost 5 months old now and she's such a great puppy. She's really doing well with her training and usually sleeps until about 6:30/7am. We hadn't been letting her on the couch until all of a sudden she figured out how to get up and it was so cute, I couldn't push her off. So Haven 1, Couch 0.

>> I normally don't talk much about work around here but I did want to mention that I accepted a role on Teach For America's national team which I'm thrilled about. I will continue working from home which is awesome and I'm really excited about staying with the organization.

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{review} flyjoy bars

{review} flyjoy bars

10.06.2015

As I was stuffing one of these bars into my face, I realized I better hurry up and write about them (or at least photograph them) before they were gone! 

I love a good bar. I'm a big snacker and I must ALWAYS have a bar on me at all times. I'm pretty picking though about what types of bars I like. Nowadays, everything has so much sugar or other nasty stuff in it that it's just not an enjoyable snack after you read the ingredients. I was really into KIND bars at one point but I feel like the quality of their product has gone down - they are usually ROCK HARD when I try to eat them...what's up with that?!

Enter FLYJOY bars. These bars are made with ingredients I can pronounce like quinoa, chia, flax, cashews, almonds etc. They have a balanced amount protein and fiber while keep the sugar count in check. But on top of everything else, they are delicious. The very first one I tried was Cashew Cookie dough and it legitimately tasted like the best raw cookie dough you scoop from the bowl when you're baking. I LOVE that they aren't coated in chocolate because, like I said, there is always a bar living at the bottom of my bag and I hate pulling out a mushy, melted bar when I'm starving. 

If you are a perpetual bar hoarder, add FLYJOY bars to your stash. I find myself reaching for them over most other snack options when I'm on the go.

I was generously provided with these bars (thanks Madison!) to try for the first time. I was not otherwise compensated for this post and opinions are all my own. I was not encouraged to write a positive review.

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