September Goals

WELCOME back everyone <3 Back to school, back to study the days away, and back to the very beginning of FALL. A season that I have grown to absolutely love. I'm back at it. I hope you are too.

With that being said, this month (even though it's almost half way over) I've been setting some goals. With the main purpose of helping me keep my life balanced and this year IM GOING TO NEED IT.

So, here they are everyone:

• Wear one of my lipsticks everyday- PROJECT pan is real on this one. I love lipstick. I HAVE MANY MANY and it's time I start using them. 

•  Take one night every single week for myself. NO matter what is going on. This is so tough for me. I'm naturally a person who can work themselves into the ground but I'm really trying to not to that this year. Set boundaries for yourself it's INSANELY important. 

• Write one blog post a week (not restricting myself to any particular topic but whatever inspires me). 

How to shop the summer sales WITHOUT overspending

I know, this feat seems almost next to impossible. With holidays around every corner this summer (starting with memorial day of course...) as with everything our society uses them as an excuse to send out LOUD and PERSISTENT emails of all their "Once in a lifetime" sales. At least that is how they want us to feel.

I do actually buy things during these sales. I don't pretend that I'm above the tempting emails, in fact I just purchased a few new makeup items from a brand that I've been dying to try (100% spent more than I should have and 100% bought more than I should have).

Here's the thing, I'm not perfect. Neither are you, and that is absolutely okay. We can strive for perfection, we can wish we spent absolutely no money (which if you are interested in that you should check out the many videos on YouTube discussing "Low Buys/No Buys." I did it for a month and I've got to say I've learned some tricks! I plan on doing another one towards the end of my summer months but for now my life is what it is and I'm just trying to be alright with it.

So back to the tips on how to shop summer sales WITHOUT overspending (I'll keep it short and sweet):

• Assess your wardrobe/makeup
• Make a list of 5 things you feel are missing -> AS you shop the sales STICK to this list no matter what
• I do this all year round to make sure my purchases are guided, conscious, and cohesive with the wardrobe I aspire to have. 
• Stick to purchasing classic staple wardrobe pieces (you will for a fact get your moneys worth.... I promise)
• ADVICE: "Staple" pieces will vary from person to person. What makes you feel comfortable, yet fashionable, and put together with ease? THOSE are your staples. 

• LOOK at all the things you already have and cherish them -> practice gratitude

• DELETE the marketing emails. -> Every morning I wake up, head to my Google mail and delete all my spam or promotion emails (yes, it is a bit depressing BUT the deals can't get you if you can't see them) 

• Plan/Book a date to do something you've always wanted to do
• NOTHING like setting a goal for travel, a tattoo etc. (honestly whatever you want it to be) to get you to save. Keep your eyes on the prize. 

• RETURN the stuff you bought in a sale.....but are not in love with......
• I'm a huge supporter of returning the things you will not wear. GET YOUR money back. DO not just keep something because it is cheap. That is not a good enough reason. Keep it because it makes you feel like a super star and you are in love. It's really that simple. 

HERE are some of the pieces I've decided to keep from the sale I shopped (this year I'm sticking to one sale... the ZARA sale. I've gotta say I'm in love with each and every piece I'm keeping):

          

Nudestix Review

ALRIGHT everyone, I've been on a bit of hiatus on here but I'm back after three weeks of being on the go and traveling! I'm really excited to talk to you about some Nudestix products that I purchased a while ago and have been testing out for a good chunk of the summer.

First of all, the buzz about Nudestix has been ongoing for over a year now. I'm really late to the game but here's the thing.....I've never really trusted cream products. I've always had a tough time with application and lasting power. I don't have time to blend and blend when a cream product doesn't go over foundation well (nor do I have time to reapply that foundation...) catch on to something here? This girl is short on time. Like we all are.

I heard about Nudestix when I listen to Estee Lalonde's podcast called On the Line--of course, driving to clinic this summer every day, I had a lot of time to kill and podcasts are LIFE SAVING-- and learned about the company started with a mom and two daughters in their basement! It was an inspiring story and their branding spoke to me. Their company focuses on all cream based makeup crayons. Keeping your makeup routine brush free (if you so choose), radiant, and enhancing that natural beauty that you've already got! Additionally, all their products are vegan and cruelty free <3

I honestly couldn't ask anything more from a makeup company. While I do love sitting down and attempting glam looks every now and again. To be honest in my day to day 1) I don't have the TIME 2) I don't need to be caking on the makeup (I work in the medical field...most ppl aren't showing up to see patients in a full glam look).

Yes, I went through all of that to let you know that I bought many of their products....ha. I can absolutely say without any doubt that I'm in love with their products, their message, and everything was worth the money. So here is a round up of what I got:

Facial Products

Left to Right: Sunkissed, Hey Honey, In the
Nude 

 Nudies Blush- Matte- In the Nude ($32)

Nudies Bronze- Matte Sunkissed ($32)

   Nudies All Over Face Color Glow- Hey, Honey ($32)

These products have been AMAZING. I don't mean that lightly. In the Nude is an beautiful natural nude color. Pop it on your checks and blend for about 30 seconds and you are good to go (and you don't have worry about it moving your foundation). I even pop some on my lips, I LOVE the matching lip/cheek look. Sunkissed is meant to make your skin look like you just came out of the sun with that refreshed vacation look, and it absolutely does that successfully <3. It's a bit more red toned than something like Clinique's bronzing stick (which I already own, so I'm happy I went out on a limb for this one!). Hey, Honey is the BEST cream highlight I've ever used. Multipurpose and stunningly natural, I use it on the high points of my cheekbones, inner corners of the eyes, on the tip of the nose, and cupid's bow. There really isn't anywhere you couldn't put it......It's non-glittery, stays put. I really couldn't ask for anything more! I've used each and every one of these products every day since I've purchased them <3. Below are some beautiful swatches <3 Same order Left to Right (as above): Sunkissed, Hey, Honey, and In the Nude. 

                                                   

Eye Products 

Perfect Nude Eye Kit ($49) 

Left to Right: Taupe, Twilight, Lilith

Taupe

Lilith 

Twilight 

Not to sound too redundant here but these products are also beautiful and I've used them everyday. I haven't tried doing a full eye look just using my fingers but I've done a full eye look using one fluffy eye brush. It was magical. A little bit of taupe all over the lid, twilight right in the center of the lid, with a little bit of Lilith in the inner corner. Oh and don't forget to smudge Taupe right along the lower lash line.  I'm a neutral eye kind of girl and these here pull at my heart strings <3.  Here are some swatches:

Bottom to Top: Taupe, Lilith, Twilight 

SO, here is my ultimate recommendation. TRY THEIR products. The only tiny downside is the packaging. Each individual product (as well as each eye crayon) comes in their own tin. At first, I thought it would be nice to have something to throw in my purse to protect the products (I HAVE gotten products crazy messy at the bottom of school bags/purses) but honestly it was a bit much. I ended up getting rid of most of my tins except for one for the eye crayons. It's such a waste. The one tin does come in handy though, it has a mirror on the lid (so you don't need to bring a compact for touch ups--on days where you have the time...if that ever happens)

These honestly made my life EASIER. I'm not upset about it. For me personally, these cream products are the ONLY reason I want this heat to continue. I definitely recommend you give them a try! <3 

Let's talk about fear

So, when I started this week and thought about my monthly quest to write one post a week I wasn't imagining this kind of expose detailing why I do the things I do and why my life is the way it is, BUT here I am. I think it's important to recognize, respect, and see through on the things we feel bubbling up to the surface.  Which is why today, I'm talking about fear. The role it has played in my past and how it impacts my current everyday life.

I had a Skype call this week with one of my best friends and the topic of fear came up--She has this amazing ability to ask thought provoking and original questions, it's honestly her super power--. SO shout out to you and thank you for being an inspiration.

We started talking about my first independent vacations that I just booked last week. I'm not traveling too far by any means, just hoping over to San Diego for a few days after attending a conference in Denver for school. I've had the travel bug for the last year, no one I knew was available to go, so it's an itch I'll have to scratch on my own! I was talking about how I'm honestly afraid to travel alone. Even so, I did pick strategically (you know....a place within the US) before I set my sights on traveling abroad on my own someday. Sure, I mean moving to an area for graduate school where I don't know has had me practice doing things on my own like going to get a chai latte, or going to a movie, but an extended trip is something outside my comfort zone.

It's always been incredibly important for me to overcome fear, anytime I feel an ounce of fear I've trained myself to try again, to force myself through it, and come out on the other side having learned something. I have flash backs to my painfully shy self, my earliest memories at family functions (my family is incredibly large, loud, and outgoing) were of me sitting by the chip bowls--which is how I got my first AIM screen name Chipgirl55, an idea inspired by my grandfather--in order to eat and eat my way through family functions without having to say a word. It lived by "Need a moment, eat a Twix," before I had ever seen it on TV.

I spent years at home and school, just not talking. Every year, in every class I had just one friend.  Socially, I was incredibly anxious. I feared rejection and once I started talking that I wouldn't find my place. In 5th grade, something changed. I remember making the conscious decision to start talking (to literally everyone...). From that moment on, I vowed that I would never let fear get in the way of my life. The more I've lived by that, the more I've trained myself to not hesitate and run towards my fears--as cheesy as it sounds.

SO, that's how I live my life. If I feel fear, I'm drawn to whatever causes it. I'm action driven and I love it. I love that I've turned something that could have been a weakness and limited me into a strength.

But here, here is the question my friend posed (granted, I don't exactly remember the question but I remember the gist):

How do you now when you've pushed through fear and something you've thought you wanted versus force or change yourself into something your not? 

Here's what I said, I honestly wouldn't know until I've pushed through it and can gauge if it resonated with me. I reassured her saying noting that so far I've never had a feeling of regret. I can say there are certain small things that I've realized I just don't like. If that's how I feel afterwards, then sure I'd respect it. Maybe it's the rush of overcoming something, I'm not sure.

I can say that while I do believe we come into the world with innate personality characteristics, and my anxiety and fear is a part of me, even when I push myself, but I also know that who we are is also a conscious choice. The person we are is a choice, whether we want to push our limits, or stay comfortable. That is up to you. For me, my life is more fulfilling when I push the boundaries of my capabilities (those being mental or physical). So, ask yourself what fulfills you? If being comfortable and within your boundaries does that for you. Then follow your truth. Just know that while we are who we are, and a certain extent of that is intrinsic we also make choices every single day that impact the who we are in the world and what role we play.

June Goals

So, as always we'll start with a review of last months goals. So, I guess for the purpose of this post May's goals. Can I just say WHERE did the month of May go? With finishing up school, traveling home a few times, and just being busy busy busy I really wasn't perfect, and definitely did not even come close to achieving my monthly goals. Honestly, I was so busy that I even forgot that I set some of the goals that I did!

• I DID NOT write a blog post every week. My goal post was published and zip..nada..nothing else. 
• Practice piano everyday- Okay, now this one I feel pretty good about. I'm not the type to exactly fill out a calendar to perfection every day that I practice but I'm slowly and surely becoming more comfortable playing and singing along to songs on the piano
• I now know an whole two songs on piano--that includes playing and singing at the same time-- even though it seems minimal it feels amazing. I can't wait to learn more. 
• Workout 5x a week- Not counting the week I took off after my half marathon (a much deserved a needed break) I can say that my workout schedule has been consistent and I'm feeling stronger than I ever have! 
• Increasing non-exercise aerobic activity-AND yet another one that I feel really good about. When I have the time now on weekends/weekdays I walk to the gym (~15min walk) and walk to the grocery store. I've felt amazing doing this, increasing my vitamin D, walking in the beautiful outdoors and taking some time for myself. 

3 out of 4 really isn't too bad. I'm not bothered by the goal I just wasn't able to find time to work on this month. Remember it's okay to set goals, and not reach them. What's most important is the fact that you set out to reach goals in the first place. 

GOALS: JUNE 2019

• Write a Blog Post every week - HELLO! Here is again people. You can reset a goal. 
• Limit TV on weeknights: One episode of a TV show per night 
• Ridiculous, I know that I watch so much TV that even watching one show a night is limiting myself. 
• I didn't say an hour specifically--which was my first thought-- to make sure I allot time to watch the Bachelorette (You have to make sure your goals are realistic and make you happy!)
• Complete/finish Headspace's Self-Esteem Meditation Course
• I want to focus on this as much as possible this month. I've always battled with confidence and self esteem (at-least for the later portion of my life-about early college on) 
• I want to walk into interviews recognizing internally that I have a lot to offer and acting like it! 
• Hopefully this will get me on my way 

That's all this time guys. Short and sweet. Since three goals were successful last month I'm thinking that just may be my magic number, the number of goals I'm really able to focus in on and excel at. What do you want to work on this month?

May Goals

So, it's been a hot minute since I wrote out my monthly goals on here. For the month of March I set a long list of goals for myself, and for the month of April school picked up, my birthday happened so I allowed myself to have a month off of goal setting. I feel completely okay and please with that.

• Sometime you NEED time off. Accept it, embrace it and know you are still moving forward. 
• Time off can make you more productive when you have goals. 

Now it's May, schools out (THANK GOD) I have clinic this summer and one summer course but it is honestly nothing I can't handle. I'm back to setting and hitting my goals better than I ever have before. I began this month completing the Pittsburgh Half Marathon. Something I've spent the last three months training for and looking forward too. This fall I'm planning to run the Hartford full Marathon and until I train for that run I will be focusing on weight training and short intense bursts of cardio. 

Here are my goals for this month: 

• Write one blog post a week! (Fingers crossed I can maintain this...this time) 
• Practice piano once everyday (whatever extent that may entail) 
• Workout five times a week 
• Increase non-exercise aerobic activity--walking to and from the gym and other places when possible

That's it guys! That's what I'm hoping to accomplish this month all different habits and goals that I've been working on for the first half so now, all I have to do is finish strong. Make goals, don't be afraid to achieve them, don't let your attitude and you mindset get in the way. We've got this! 

I completed a 10 day smoothie plan!! Here's what happened....

The idea of a smoothie plan was really daunting in the beginning. Agreeing to ten days of little to no solid foods was scary but I was at a point of my school semester where I was burning out, going through some emotional lows, and personal changes in my life and part of me almost welcomed the goal. Ten days, no meal prep needed, making every smoothie with my NutriBullet (Which I absolutely love and HIGHLY recommend every single adult/college student gets).  It's great for smoothies on the go and comes with travel cups that really came in handy when I had to prep my smoothies early for the day.

• So why did I do it? 
• Digestively, I wasn't feeling my best and I really wanted a reset 
• I was absolutely okay with not meal prepping for two weeks 
• I had gotten into some habits relying on processed foods that I wanted to kick 
• Just because...I wanted too

• What plan did I follow?
• Jason Vales SUPER Blend Me program (you can get the app for about $1...its that easy) 
• Consists of:
• 3 smoothies a day 
• 2 hunger SOS as needed (pieces or fruit/ protein bar) 
• I opted to stick to the fruit option....protein bars would have been too tempting for me

• What was it like during my cleanse? 
• NOT bad honestly...
• I didn't feel that hungry 
• Socially things were tricky-> really I didn't mind being around food but when you are with ppl you care about food is just usually a part of that
• I was in digestive BLISS - the best I've ever felt
• Emotionally I felt pretty happy and inspired
• Physically - my long distance run of the week suffered (I made it 6 of 10 miles successfully but felt extremely dizzy)
• This is something I expected might happen.....Jason talks about it in his videos. So it was absolutely okay. 

• What happened after?
• I successfully changed my eating habits! I no longer have the issues I did with processed snack foods 
• I feel better digestively overall

HOT on my mind- Spring/Summer Fashion

With the sneak peaks into Spring/Summer weather that have been sprinkled across my weeks lately one big thing on my mind has been what pieces I want to add for my Spring/Summer wardrobe. Now I still need to break out and dust off some of my lighter clothes, shorts, tank tops, and sandals BUT I feel like I can't wait for the season to come in order to get those few pieces on my mind. I've waited before and when the season comes items are sold out or out of stock in my size so this time I'm ready to pick them first right as they come out. With some brands right now its been a bit tricky (*cough cough & Other Stories) there are two dresses that I'm dying to get my hands one that sold out almost instantly. I have a reminder on my phone almost everyday to take a look at the website and scoop them up. Here's the thing about having a more minimal wardrobe.....you want to find the PERFECT pieces. I'm trying to settle less for pieces that are "just cute" and wait for that perfection, this is it, the one I've been waiting for moment... for every piece. Here is it below though a list of the things I'm dying to get my hands on in the next few months:

• Girly Spring Midi/Mini Dresses - one's that can be dressed up and dressed down
• Pistachio (IDK Why I don't have anything in this color yet...it's absolutely stunning)
• White ( Again, another essential that I've yet to add to my wardrobe)
• Specifically these two from & Other Stories....I will absolutely wait patiently for them to come back in stock <3 *UPDATE I was able to snag the white one a few weeks ago (Unfortunately I missed out on the restock for the green--but again I don't mind waiting!) 

                                     

• H&M has some nice options as well! I may opt to buy some casual midi dresses from them in the next few weeks 

• Light Wash Jeans/ Ripped or non-ripped  
• Okay, so I have one pair of these from about six to seven years ago that I definitely need to get rid of! Let's hope I can find the perfect pair. 

• White Jeans 
• I really REALLY want to try a monochrome white on white look <3 
• If you haven't seen posts on Instagram/Pinterest.... You should search them right now 
• Finding the right pair for me has been a struggle! 
• White button down 
• Perfect for casual and formal wear that can be worn with jeans or with a nice pair of trousers <3 

• Summer Blazer (White/Beige-honestly, the color is to be determined)
• THIS is the year I will master the casual blazer
• Nothing makes me feel more confident (not to mention comfortable)
• YOU can wear a t-shirt underneath and still look like an absolute boss 

• Kitten Heels/Sandals for clinic 

Jewelry- Why I've decided to invest in beautiful pieces for myself

Here's the thing, for a good chunk of my life, our society drilled into my brain that my significant others would buy me nice jewelry that I could wear every day...blah blah blah... I don't think it was anyone in my life in particular, just society and every romantic comedy on the market (I really am a through and through romantic at heart). While I still think high quality gorgeous jewelry is still an amazing gift to receive over the last two years I've been on a mission (yes, another one :P).  I'm slowly building my own high quality small daily jewelry collection. Not a large collection by any means but investing in a handful of pieces I wear on a consistent and regular basis.  I don't want to depend on or wait for someone else. Now, with every break up I don't have to stop wearing them because they are to me from me. Symbols of my independence!



As I've shared time and time again. I'm in graduate school and don't have tons of funds, as of yet, to put towards jewelry (I never really bought too many accessories prior to this so there wasn't even a spot in my budget). Regardless of that sad fact, every year moving forward I invest in one high quality piece of jewelry. I have two pieces in total (I know not to many) but they are absolutely stunning and I can't imagine myself without them.  Both pieces are from Missoma (if you have yet to find them on instagram or haven't rummaged through their site...they have some stunning pieces... go now!) maybe next year I'll dabble with a new brand, who knows? For now Missoma is my obsession. Here they are, my beautiful pieces <3 I highly recommend you give it a try, get yourself some power pieces. They can add just the right amount accessorizing for a basic every day outfit (like the white tee and skinny  I wear them every single day and they remind me what I can accomplish on my own.

Lucy Williams Roman Arc Coin Necklace                               Engravable Round Signet Ring 

                                                      An everyday outfit *Literally heading on my way to class

February Goal in Review

Okay,  yes I know I'm already almost a third of the way through March writing this but it takes time to review goals, reflect, and consider what goals you want to set moving forward. For those of you who might have missed that post here were the goals I set out to achieve:

February Goals: 

• Successfully complete the first 5 weeks of Half marathon training
• Drink Celery Juice first thing every morning (This has had some crazy amazing benefits for me some of which include improved nail strength, improved skin, and better digestion)
• Meditate every night before bed for 10 mins (Right now I've been using the HeadSpace app and have been loving every minute of it) 
• Complete the Blogilates #100AbChallenge 
• Be consistent with my skincare and apply sunscreen everyday 

If someone asked me how I felt about these goals looking back at them now I'd say overall I feel pretty good, and pretty accomplished. It's tough to stay focused enough to reach goals like these especially considering my life is already so busy. 

My half marathon training is going super well. Now that doesn't mean that I'm regimented and complete all my runs as scheduled 100% of the time. I still really like to listen to my body and feel out whether a long distance run is meant to happen on that particular day. If no, I have no problem moving it a day. Celery Juice every morning was also pretty successful, I did it for just over 3/4 of the month with one trip up the last week. I got seriously sick and couldn't stomach it on a daily basis for about 4 straight days. Honestly, while the effects of celery juice were noticeable for me (major nail growth --which never happens for me) I really didn't notice the digestive benefit which is what really drew me to give it a try. I don't think I'll be doing it again moving forward, juicing one whole stock of celery a day is just way too impractical for my budget, lifestyle etc. I will though be researching what nutrients and minerals celery juice contains and potentially be supplementing for those after discussing it with my naturopath! Meditation, another one that I was really successful with. I will be continuing this on a regular basis, it helps me focus more, take control of the negative thoughts that pop up-- being human that happens sometimes and that's okay! The Ab Challenge, here is where I completely failed. I did about 10 days of it and then flat out stopped, not motivated to do more. You know what I realized? I just really do not like training abs. My skincare was consistent as usual, I'm not sure why I felt the need to make this a goal, but at least I was successful! 

Here is what I'm going to do moving forward: 

• Give myself 3 goals per month- 
• While last month I was pretty successful, I want to focus on a few goals I think this will make me more successful. 
• DONT set goals doing things I hate 
• NO more ab goals -> that's for sure 

Advise for you: 

• Make your goals as specific and measurable as possible 
• Limit the number of goals you set-> I discuss this a bit above
• Imperfection/"failure" is OKAY
•  I know, I know, why set goals if you are okay with "failure"? It's about the journey. Even if you "fail"-which I don't think there is such a thing- there is always something to learn from it, I would have never realized I hated to train abs, now I do! That's okay 
• Be okay with modifying goals if you need too mid-month (*GASP*--yes, I'm serious)
• This is supposed to be motivating and positive for you. It's okay

So many of us are intimidated with goal setting because we feel like that means we have to be perfect. Which really needs to change, don't allow the pressure to be perfect stop you from setting a goal and even attempting to achieve it. Also, there's the other group that assumes if you set a goal it means you are going to fail. JUST DON'T THINK ABOUT IT THAT MUCH. Set goals, strive for more, and see where you get. I bet you wont be disappointed <3. 

My February Low Buy

So let's talk about money, who doesn't love to talk about that? Me..nothing in my life has been more anxiety inducing, stress creating, and flat out emotionally draining (but my guess is this is the case for the majority of us). Digging a little deeper into my reasoning, I have a really hard time using budget tracking apps and used to avoid just looking at my bank account for weeks at a time. About a year ago, I decided I needed to be more aware of my spending and downloaded the budget tracker app Mint. I remember feeling so motivated that day, connected it to all of my bank accounts and two credit cards and away I went. About a week in, I started receiving emails of my spending. My habits didn't change. Then I got emails the next week and the next until I panicked, deleted it, and never looked back. That is until now.

I didn't actually want to see or know what I was spending. You see, I knew I was spending well beyond my means on a regular basis. Not that I'm reckless, just human, Youtube obsessed, with a love of makeup and fashion. Trapped in a world and cycle that somehow convinces you to believe that every month you need new things even if you haven't really used the things you already have.

Now, let's flash forward a bit to two weeks ago. I was having somewhat of a blue day, do you know the kind of day I'm talking about? The type of day where you feel a bit emotionally off, you aren't sure why and unsure of how to fix it. I retreated to what I know and love, shopping online. I ordered a few sweaters from a brand I've had my eye on for years & Other Stories.

I remember consoling myself and telling myself that the purchase made me feel better, that somehow having those sweaters made me feel more complete. Here's how that story ended, a week later I got the sweaters I ordered, excited to feel complete and be satisfied I opened each one, tried them on, but I didn't quite feel the way I had expected. They didn't add any more joy to my life than I already had, I contemplated sending them all back (to be honest I still haven't finalized what I'm keeping and what I'm not). I had a huge break through moment.


Buying material things doesn't inherently bring you joy. Only you can bring you joy. 

In that moment something sparked, I knew I had to do something to break that cycle of buying buying, and buying. I want to appreciate and learn to love and get the most use out of everything I have right now. It is enough, I have enough. So, in comes my February Low Buy!

What is a "low buy" you ask? Well, it can be whatever you define it to be. I decided I wanted a challenge and be quite strict with myself. For the next month, I have a budget of $50 to spend on non-essential items (be it anything from something for my room, clothes, makeup, etc).  I also decided to attempt and control my grocery spending week to week and get a but more thrifty with the things I have in my pantry and kitchen so for this I'm limiting myself to $150 for the month. Now, I know this seems limiting and semi-torturous but I've got a habit to kick and I'm motivated to see how I feel the end of this month! I still allow myself to go out to eat with my friends every now and again and don't track that too religiously (because it really doesn't happen all that often). Well see how this goes and who knows maybe I'll extend it into March if I love what it's doing for me. I'm only on day five of my no buy and it hasn't been easy but here are some tips if you want to give it a try:

• Look at your bank account and make a budget that works for you and your life
• Follow/watch YouTubers that inspire you to look at your closet in a new and exciting way
• THIS has seriously gotten me through the past few days. I highly recommend this. Also, keep the haul watching to a minimum. It feels like torture. 
• Start a list, when you want to buy something write it down 
• Im only on day 5 of my "low buy" and here is how shockingly long mine is

• Marie Kondo your closet/makeup/all your belongings (assess what belongings truly bring you joy)
• IF you seriously haven't seen Marie Kondo's show on Netflix absolutely get started! She is inspiring, calming, and a wonderful resource to teach you how to organize and minimize. 
• Plan activities/start hobbies/hangout with your friends and fill your time with things that truly inspire you and make you happy. 
• In the beginning this may involve avoiding the mall...or any shopping scenarios. 

As always, I'll keep you posted about how this goes. 

February Goals 2019

January is coming to a close and it's time to define the goals I am setting for the month of February! I'm so excited yet kind of intimidated to start, considering the start of my new year wasn't necessarily as positive as I would have liked. I'm here to prove that even though January has past you can still set goals and you can always change habits, the time of year isn't the only factor that influences that. I have a few parameters for my goals to increase my likelihood for success: 30 day duration, they have to be measurable and specific, and a limit of 5 goals per month. In the past, I've learned that one can endure just about anything for about 30 days. I love short term goals, to test one knew habits, and keep life exciting and fresh. If you've never attempted a 30 day goal, give it a try. After all it is only a month!

February Goals: 

• Successfully complete the first 5 weeks of Half marathon training
• Drink Celery Juice first thing every morning (This has had some crazy amazing benefits for me some of which include improved nail strength, improved skin, and better digestion)
• Meditate every night before bed for 10 mins (Right now I've been using the HeadSpace app and have been loving every minute of it) 
• Complete the Blogilates #100AbChallenge 
• Be consistent with my skincare and apply sunscreen everyday 

So there we have it. These are my goals for the next thirty days (well 28 days to be more specific). I will get back in touch at the end of the month to reflect on them and tell you how I think it went. 

Côte Non-toxic Nail Polish

Something I'm starting to dabble in this year is learning more and investing more in non-toxic, all natural beauty and skin care. Since I've started listening to more podcasts (on my drives to and from school) I've been more interested in understanding what goes in the products I put on my face, body, nail etc. Listening to one of my favorite beauty podcasts behind the beauty created and hosted by Serein Wu an episode was devoted to interviewing one of the founders of Côte.  An all natural nail polish and beauty company founded in Los Angles, California. Within the episode they describe what happens when toxic nail polish is put on the nails and emphasize the importance of seeking out more all natural options. Basically, in short the toxins in nail polish enter directly into your blood stream via nail cuticles. 

I've made my mission to start living my life more intentionally. I'm passionate about choosing cleaner options for myself. Atleast, the best I can with the information that's available to me. During my cleaning last week I decided to get rid of a big portion of my nail polish collection. I had way too many bottles of polish that I just wasn't using, they weren't making me happy anymore. I would say I downsized from a good fifty bottles to ten. I've kept a few of my favorite colors and polishes until I kind find dupes for those. 


Côte is a brand that I truly connected with. The podcast is definitely a reason I decided to give it a chance. You have the opportunity to learn about the background of a company, their inspiration, their values, and their future goals. I love being able to support a company run and created by women and products that are manufactured here in the US. Their products in general are fairly expensive at a price point of $18 per bottle. I'm looking for quality over quantity. I'm okay at this stage of my life having a handful of polishes I reach for and absolutely love. 

There are other brands that offer nontoxic options at a bit lower price points such as Essie and Zoya. It's really important to do your research before purchasing and understand that not all non-toxic options are the same. They have a range some called "3-Free, 5-Free, 7-Free etc." The number before "free" means that it is free of that number of common chemicals in toxins found in mainstream nail polish. Zoya is a 5-Free brand while Côte is a 7-Free brand.  The list of chemicals in mainstream nail polishes is incredibly long but here are the top three most harmful: Dibutyl phthalate-which has been linked to reproductive health/complications, Toluene-- which has been linked to negative affects on central nervous system, and Formaldehyde--which has been linked to allergic reactions and asthma. If you'd like to know more here is a link from a Huffing post article, How toxic is your nail polish really? 

From Côte, I purchased their Nude 6-Piece Travelers Set which comes with 6 travel sized nail polishes priced at $42. 

Nude 6-Piece Travelers Set (Left to Right): no.13 (always radiant rose gold), no.41(cool cappuccino cream), no.49 (adobe clay), no.12 (pearlized camel colored lacquer), and no.4 (balanced beige sheer)

I also purchased a base coat/nail treatment called Growth with Garlic (because I'm always looking for ways to get my nails strong and long) priced at $18. 

Growth with Garlic Nail Treatment

*For the record I used this nail treatment as a base and top coat (because why not)! 

I'm really excited about this brand. I love love their packaging, and the colors. The only thing is I wish their polishes had names. They do have identifying numbers, and if you click on them on the website they offer a color description and have beautiful photos. The first polish I chose to go for no. 49 which is described as "adobe clay". The polish applied smoothly with two coats and I've worn it for 2-3 days with minimal chipping, and overall feel very satiated. So if your interest has been peaked I encourage you to give some non-toxic brands a go! You don't have to do what I did and get rid of almost all your nail polish and start changing your habits, just start incorporating nail polish from brands you know have non-toxic values and goals in the future and maybe just maybe you'll find a polish you love.

no.49 (adobe clay) swatch