Hi friends. 2021 was a weird one, wasn't it? It's obviously not a surprise that I have been MIA if you pay attention to things like that. I wasn't just absent here, I took what I like to call a "social media quarantine" for most of the year. Which, I'll get into later at the end just in case you're only here for the beauty and product-related content.
0 Comments
Hey guys. It's been a while since I've posted anything, anywhere. I took some time away, for my own health and also because there was a major health emergency that came up in our family. I also took the time to learn as much as I could to better the blog and all content that I'm putting out. However, I missed you and I missed blogging. So I'm back, with a lot to talk about for the next little while.
Greetings all! I thought I would break up the "shopping your stash" posts and bring you this one today about what I've been doing during quarantine. Maybe it will give you some ideas of what you could do, or something you've forgotten about that you used to love.
Hey guys....I know the blog posts have been sporadic lately. I'm still very sick and I know you're probably tired of hearing it but I'm tired of it to. I used to do blog posts to take my mind off being sick, that's how this blog started, this time was different. I am very very sick. Anyway, I thoroughly miss testing makeup and trying new skincare. However, I've been too tired to even think of what products I "need" to use, or "test", or what routine I'm going to put together for the night. Needless to say I've not done a million steps in my PM skincare like normal. Which gave me the idea to actually do a blog post on what I've reached for without even having to think about it. Some of the products are kinda new anyway. So let's talk about it.
Hey guys! Guess what? This page has hit 1 million views!!! I'm so excited you have no idea. It's perfect timing because Algenist has reached out and wanted to do a giveaway for you guys of their new #Alive products. Which is the Alive Prebiotic Balancing Mask and Moisturizer SPF 15.
I find myself, constantly singing that song from Blink 182 "What's my age again? What's my age again?....." and it's not because I'm a massive fan of Blink 182, it's because I get utterly confused by advertisements I see. Not just that...from conversations with "beauty professionals" or "industry professionals" that leave me thinking "was that a good conversation or was I insulted?" Let me explain:
Hey guys... I don't know if you've been involved yet in the " #skincaresunday" movement amongst all of the bloggers it seems like lol, but it's my favorite thing to do so far. I think Sunday's, at least for me, have always been kinda like my "me time" or my "detox day". It's the day I'm by far the most relaxed, and it's just a lovely time. Of course there are those days, that just suck. You come home....maybe you met a rude person, maybe you fell over a lawn mower and busted your face on the cement basement floor like myself. Yes, you read that right....also, for those wondering, no major injuries lol. Anyway, I'm here to tell you how I chill out and what I do to de-stress and take care of myself.
I don't talk about my health much on here or on my social medias. I don't ignore it or not answer questions about it. I just don't go into much detail about it. To put it plainly, my health isn't the best. It's not anything absolutely horrific it's just something that I'm always going to deal with, I'm always going to be sick on some scale. I'm always going to be prone to get sick, I'm going to be in the hospital and ER quite a bit probably. I'm also going to be prone to get other illnesses due to the ones I already have. I specifically made this blog as an escape from that side of my life and I intend to keep it that way.
Now I tell you that, to tell you this. I've accepted it. I prepare for it. I'm currently in physical therapy for muscle triggers and some lower back issues. I will be in the ER from time to time. I will have surgeries every few years unless technology changes that for me. It's just what is. So I thought I'd discuss what I always have in my Scout Plus 1 Bag so that I'm ready for any over night stays anywhere, including not just the hospital. So no, this isn't going to be a boring list of meds and depressing stuff. It's going to be a very narrowed down list of items that are ALWAYS in my travel bag. Starting with the bag itself. It's a Plus 1 from Scout. Its a huge tote bag with a second smaller zip bag inside that I can take separately with me for whatever I need or if I'm not needing it just yet you can fold up the bigger bad to fit inside the smaller one to save space. That is ideal for vacations. Scout did send me this package if you're curious but I do use it nearly everyday. It's the exact size I needed. It's cute. It's tough where it's not going to rip and get banged up but equally it's not going to take up a ton of space like some very structured/stiff bags can be. Obviously these are going to be perfect for a beach bag. It's a great park bag if you're doing a day trip with the family or friends and spending the day doing picnics and games, etc. It's also ideal for teachers or nurses. My husband is a nurse and he has a backpack that he takes to work every time full of extra scrubs, extra food, extra shoes. So what I'm trying to say is the possibilities are endless and I think it's smart to at least have one of these in your car or home (or both) in case you ever need to use it spur of the moment. The design I have is called is a Plus 1 in "Pillow Talk " print. It's pink and white stripes. It's super cute. It doesn't get hard to carry or hurt my shoulders or back when I carry it which is really really important for my physical therapy right now. f you do get this dirty you can clean it with a damn washcloth, with or without soap, and let air dry. Here's a comment from the company: "There's nothing quite like the Plus 1. The two-in-one travel bag is designed with the unexpected in mind - you never know when you'll need more space. The quilted tote folds into a removable pouch that becomes a snap-in pocket." Dimensions: 22.5"W x 14.5"H x 7"D Material: poly twill What's in it? In the big tote I have a drawstring laundry bag that has a separate set of shoes and socks. I wear tennis shoes to physical therapy. Sometimes if I'm going somewhere else I wear flats especially my Tory Burch ones. Or I'll wear LL. Bean boots if it's bad weather. I don't want to do leg raises in those heavy boots. I'm already using weights on my ankles lol. I keep a spare set of clothes but mainly comfy clothes or "workout apparel". It's more comfortable, easier to move in so that's pretty understandable. The reason I have the shoes in the laundry bag is pretty obvious, also I like having laundry bags in my tote because if I do have to change clothes I can easily put them in the laundry bag. I keep my chargers in the bag for my phone and laptop. Obviously my laptop is in there if I'm staying overnight anywhere. Not necessarily for physical therapy. My dad on the other hand has his tablet and phone in his hospital bag lol. I keep a set of headphones in my bag so I can listen to podcasts or music. I obviously have my hygiene products in there at all times in travel sizes except my toothbrush which has it's own case. I keep a fresh body spray in there along with deodorant, hair ties, bobby pins etc. I keep my notebook in there and a pencil and usually toss my Happy Planner in there if I'm staying overnight somewhere because I'm constantly answering emails and scheduling stuff. I have an electric razor in there, which I think is one of the more strange things I have. lol I have a small Bible or book of prayers in my bag as well. In the smaller bag I have the most basic skincare and needful things that I don't want spilling out or leaking. It encases some travel size face wipes, a proper cleanser, a microfiber cloth, an antioxidant serum or cream, a face oil that's in a solid form, balm, or roller ball, some eye patches that go on underneath your eyes for a few minutes, a heavy lip balm, tinted bb cream, an SPF and a facial mist that is in a Ziploc bag so that it wont leak. I also keep a hair clip in there to pull my hair back to wash my face. I have a dry shampoo in travel size always in there which I never use unless I'm staying somewhere over night or getting out of physical therapy and having to go somewhere else. Last but not least I have my glasses and case in there because I typically only wear my glasses at night or when I'm looking at my computer. Depending on what I'm using it for I will usually have crackers, protein bars, or little gummy snacks and a un-opened drink. If me and my husband are going to be driving 2 hrs to another town to have a day trip I pack quite a bit of snacks because he always forgets to eat and needs something as we're driving. That's not incredibly necessary if I'm going to the hospital or physical therapy but necessary for things that are more fun. Finally I have any medicine that I need to have with me which includes plain old vitamins and Tylenol. Nothing super interesting but definitely necessary. Some good tips I have for you are: Have a smaller case that can be zipped or drawstring bag for jewelry or a jewelry roll. You can get them for hardly anything and trust me it's very necessary for your watch, wedding bands or earrings. Keep a drawstring laundry bag in there for dirty clothes or used towels or wet socks and shoes. Keep extra socks and shoes in there, trust me. Try to round up or get promo's that are free travel size products especially shampoo, toothpaste, hair brush, body wash basically anything for your hygiene. There are dedicated sections that sale travel size products as well of deodorant and so on. Most of mine is from promo offers with Sephora orders, gift with purchases somewhere, came in subscription boxes, etc. It's not necessarily that interesting when you see it but trust me it comes in very handy when you need it. I have a separate toothbrush for my travel bag that is different from the one that I use at my home that way it's always in there with my other hygiene products and it never has to get taken out of the bag except when it's in use, meaning that I never forget those things. Try to keep a back up charger, port, and a fully charged mobile charger (like an external battery) in there. Most of us have smart phones which connects us not just to our loved ones for phone calls, but it also has GPS on your phone as well so you can see where your going at any time whether you're out exploring on vacation or just needing directions quickly. My external battery is always in my purse or wallet. So that's that. I hope you liked this, it's a bit different, it's a bit more personal, I know that. I just felt like there are always things like this that are overlooked or excluded. I know a lot of people do "what's in my bag" meaning your handbag but not necessarily tips for travel or overnight stays or how they pack for hospitals if you happen to be like me and are in there quite a bit and not to give birth, because I know there are a ton of those videos or posts too. You can get your Scout bag here: www.scoutbags.com **This post was Powered by Brandbacker** OK. WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THE GLITTER OVERLOAD PEOPLE!? Listen, I know that we've shared plenty of articles and discussed this a few times already but apparently the brands aren't getting the message. QUIT PUTTING GLITTER IN PRODUCTS!!!! I'm down for loose glitter pigments for the eye, I'm ok with glitter eye shadows or oversprays of glitter in my eyeshadow. BUT I DO NOT WANT GLITTER ALL OVER MY FACE AND THEN IN MY SKINCARE AS WELL. ITS A "NO" ON BOTH CATEGORIES.
,I know we keep it beauty related on here but I just wanted to hop on here and give you a link in case you wanted to donate or help with Hurricane Harvey Relief. There are multiple outlets that are doing good but I personally was really touched by this one specifically. I am a fan of the Supernatural show, but I'm a bigger fan of the charities that have come about because of them.
I have friends in Texas, actually one of my very best friends, Rhea, lives in Texas. As an American though, I am moved by what I've seen from the kindness to the bravery, Texas and fellow Americans have showed and done in the face of tragedy. It only makes me even more proud that this is my country. So I'm going to leave the link below if you want to donate and help the Hurricane Harvey Relief effort. Many love and prayers being sent your way Texas! Stronger Than The Storms |
ErinI'm from Tennessee. I'm a makeup and skincare lover. I have always enjoyed creating looks but I love to help people with product knowledge and application even more. I've been able to start blogging and do these things I love because God has seen fit to bless me with the opportunity. Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me! Categories
All
Archives
January 2022
|