tips and advice

Packing List for our Summer Vacation

Monday, June 6, 2016

Since Dustin and I will be traveling out of the country this summer on vacation, I’ve already started thinking about what I will be packing–thinking being the key word 🙂 I’ve married someone who is completely opposite of me. When I’m type A, he’s type B and vice versa. When it comes to packing, he’s super type A and creates multiple lists while he packs.

So far, I’ve just thought of a few things. The nice people at HomeAway took the very few things I have thought of and put them on a list for me! They also offer some really great tips on how to make the most of your next beach vacation!

BOOKS

This book was given to me by one of my coworkers and I’ve been saving it for our trip. I can’t wait to start it because I know it’s pretty suspenseful.

Room is a book club book that I’ve got to read this summer. I’ll also be taking it along, too, so I can also watch the movie this summer! Even if I don’t have much time to read on the ship, I’ll have plenty of time to read driving to and from our port.

BATHING SUITS

victoria's secret one piece bathing suit river life

I bought this suit from Victoria’s Secret this summer. It’s not sold online but I linked one (40% off too!!) on their website that’s really similar. I’m so sad that this is their last year to sell swimwear–what will we all do next year when it comes summer?!

I just ordered this one from J. Crew and I can’t wait for it to come in. I love the simplicity of it–and also the fact that J. Crew is having a 30% off sale right now!

SUNDRESSES FOR DINNER

I know I’ve showed y’all this before, but I’ve decided I’m wearing this Lilly dress for formal night with my wedding shoes (gold MK wedges).

That’s about as far as I’ve thought about dinner dresses and I’ve got to decide on four more! Thank goodness I have some time to think about it.

The last two items are REALLY important:

Sunscreen

Chargers for our Electronics

For those of you who have been on a cruise before, what else should I add to my packing list?

New Make Up Review: Primer and Bronzer

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

This post contains affiliate links which means that I may make money if you click or purchase. Thank you so much for supporting my little blog!

Who loves buying new make up–raise your hand?? Me! Me! Me!

I had to take a little break from make up buying after I reached VIB status at Sephora in a month. I know. But then I ran out of a few things and needed to restock before our vacation this summer, and I wanted to share my purchases with y’all!

Make up for me has been an evolution. I remember dying to wear make up in junior high and feeling so cool when my mom let me have lip gloss and clear mascara in sixth grade. Then seventh grade through ninth grade I wore it all–foundation, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara. I quit wearing foundation in tenth and eleventh grade and just wore eye make up. I know that sounds strange, but I had great skin and didn’t need foundation.

Fast forward a few years, and after watching Jacyln Hill make up videos one night with one of my best friends, I was hooked on make up.

laura mercier primer make up forever step 1 primer

My skin has gotten oiler since I’ve gotten older so my need for a good primer is a must.

I was using Laura Mercier and it was okay, but I occasionally needed to blot my face once a day. And that’s something that gets on my nerves. When I was in Sephora a few days ago, I told them my issue and they recommended the Make Up Forever primer.

I already use this Make Up Forever foundation and am so obsessed with it. I seriously could write an entire post on how it’s the best foundation I’ve ever used.

make up forever step 1 base mattifying primer

This is what the MUF primer looks like out of the tube. Let me be honest, it’s like putting a layer of plastic over your skin. It felt so weird the first day I used it and I just knew I was going to hate it and return it. And that day ended and my skin looked way better than it normally did after a long day. And so I used it a second day and there’s a picture at the bottom of this post of my skin for you to decide how it looks! (I contemplated a before picture, but my skin thinks I’m still a teenager.)

When I went to Sephora I also went to find a new bronzer. I had been using a left over Bare Minerals bronzer and wasn’t thrilled with it.

tarte park ave princess bronzer waterproof

I strolled around the make up section and told myself I would not spend over $40 on bronzer. Then I found this Tarte bronzer!

The packaging is really cute and the best part? It’s WATERPROOF! I love how natural it looks, and it lasted through the sweltering Alabama heat for an entire day.

So you can decide for yourself–I took this picture after wearing this make up all day long and even sweating during one part of the day. I think my new primer and bronzer worked pretty good!

Linking up with Jenn and Kristy

5 Tips for a Healthy, but Busy Lifestyle

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

It’s already May 4th, summer is getting closer, and we’re all looking to get in better shape. I’ll be honest, being a full-time grad student and working full-time kicked my tail. Exercise went on the back burner for me. But even though I wasn’t able to have any sort of exercise, I tried implementing other ways to keep the pounds at bay. Now that I’m fresh out of grad school, my exercise routine is back into place, I’m already used to eating better, so I’m hoping to lose the weight quickly!

I want to share with you 5 tips on how I was able to implement a healthy lifestyle when I didn’t have time to exercise.

1. I start my day with a Spark.

I was hesitant when my sister began selling Advocare. But she gave me a few free samples of Spark, and I gave it a shot. I love this vitamin energy drink because it keeps me full, too. Plus, one scoop is only 15 calories!! I get up, drink my Spark, and then I’ll eat breakfast a few hours later.

2. I try to eat some sort of protein at every meal.

For breakfast, I enjoy eating an Ezekiel whole grain English muffin with one tablespoon of natural peanut butter. For lunch, I like a salad with spinach leaves and 3 ounces of fajita chicken. Dinner is different each night.

3. I eat high protein snacks.

My favorite snack is a little container of 100 calorie strawberry Chobani Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup of Kind Protein granola. This is about a 200 calorie snack.

I also like eating reduced fat cottage cheese and Think Think Peanut Butter Bites–or Kind bars even though they don’t have a ton of protein.

4. I only drink water.

For some of you, this might be tough, but for me this is the easiest thing ever. I love water!! Very rarely do I drink anything but water, but when I do, I splurge on things like lemonade, orange juice, or a coffee drink. If you don’t like water, try fruit infused water! I love lemon, lime, and blueberry water.

5. I eat lower calorie sweets.

I’m a sweets girl. I love it, and I’ve got to eat something sweet every single day. I need to break myself of that habit! Right now, I love the Yasso bars. They are Greek yogurt popsicles (I find them at Kroger) and I like the chocolate chip cookie dough bars. They are 100 calories each!

Now, am I perfect all the time? No. But each day is a new beginning and a new start to a healthier you!

Linking up with Erica and Jenn