Question to the Readers: Which Blush Should I Get Next?

I've been trying out different blushes and I have come up with a list of 5 to try. I'm only buying one at a time. Here are the blushes and the reason why they are on this list. 

TARTE Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush: 
COLOR: Seduce - rosy nude

I love how the color is a soft yet warm neutral.  I have tried a different color before from the collection and it was so easy to use and I was very happy with the product.

CLINIQUECheek Pop

COLOR: Plum Pop


The flower design is so cute but I think the color is a little deep. I still want to try it though. 

BAREMINERALS
bareMinerals READY™ Blush
The Aphrodisiac - peachy coral


I have loved everything I have tried from Bareminerals before, so I'm happy to give their blush a try. 

ANTONYM
Certified Organic Baked Blush
COLOR: Peach


It's great that this blush organic, but I'm not 100% in love with the color.  I will try it in order to make my opinion.  I'll get it later after I get all of the other blushes on this list. 

NATASHA DENONAMini Blush & Glow

I love the minis!!! But I have enough highlighters right now. I'm loving my SMASHBOX Step-By-Step Contour Kit because the highlighter isn't glittery. It's great formula for the cupid's bow and in the inner eye. 

Milani Rose Powder Blush
Color: Blossomtime Rose

This blush is talked about often on Youtube.  I can't wait to try it. It also is super inexpensive. This will be the next product I will buy.  Also it is "Paraben-free, phthalate-free, Sulfate-free" which is a product quality that I'm looking for.  Target here I come!  :) 

Let me know which blush is on your list of must tries!! 

Keeping Skin Hydrated in the Winter

As I wash my face, I start my skincare routine.   For either day or night, my products can change as I try new items. I love trying new brands and new creations of hard work. However,  I am always trying to find a great moisturizer.  If my skin is dry overnight, it won't repair itself. During the day, skin can feel chalky when dry and makeup won't look its best. Primer can only help so much.

For people looking for a quick fix, I don't have it.  Skin needs lots of care.

Here are my 5 best tips to keep your skin full and hydrated during the dry winter months:

1) Drink lots of water

If you aren't hydrated your skin won't be.  I love my Hydro Flask. A humidifier is also amazing!!!

2) Exfoliate

It might seem counterproductive because exfoliating feels like you are drying out already dry skin. However, underneath that layer is healthy skin waiting to be shown off.  Once you exfoliate, make sure to use a moisturizer afterwards.  I like using lighter masks - for example Rosy Cheeks from Lush.

3) Use essences and serums together

These two powerful products work amazing as a pair. The essence should be patted on before the serum. The essence will help the serum reach lower into the skins layers, because the serum is hydrated from the essence.

I like and use Fresh's Black Tea Kombucha Antioxidant Essence.

4)  Workout! Always clean your face afterwards

 I like the The Original MakeUp Eraser® Makeup Remover Cloth.  The cloth washes your face and takes off your makeup. Yes, you have to reapply but you should add another layer of moisture anyway.  Also, you will be eco-friendly because the cloth is reusable.

5) My instant ( 5-20 minutes)  trick: Sheet masks!

I love sheet masks. Tatcha has my favorite - the Luminous Dewy Skin Sheet Mask. Sheet masks just pack in the moisture and the weight of the sheet mask keeps all the benefits right on the skin.

What are your favorite moisturizers during the winter?

New Year, New Post, New Space

So off to a great start 2019. I started off the new year with a cold.  :(

Thankfully I now have my office/ woman den/ my bedroom.  I could sleep alone and hopefully not get my fiancé sick.  (no guilt) I love having my own little sanctuary. I have a room that is just mine. (I just might need a little more closet space.) 

Having your own space is so important for everyone. Even if it's just one corner of a room or one closet.  That space that you can call your own isn't selfish, it's self healing.  When we were in our 1 bedroom apartment, I had one wall that was mine.  On that side of the room, I put my shoes under the window and I had my bedside table to organize my life for the next day. 

Space needs to be just the right amount. If you don't have enough space, you feel suffocated. If you have too much space, then you will fill it with junk you don't need. Having the right amount takes work and organization- but when you achieve it, the space feels peaceful.

My office is getting to that point.  However, each item has to work together well. I'm looking for a bigger desk that fits the new space.  The old desk was perfect for the small apartment, but I could use a bigger desk for the next chapter in my life.   As my life changes, that room will stay the same dimensions; but the inside will change.   I look forward to seeing how it transforms.

Thank you for checking out my blog!

Beauty, Makeup, and Skincare - I love it

I'm only one out of many- so why should I post about makeup? I feel like it's worth it to the makeup community. However, there are so many YouTubers and bloggers, why even give my opinion?  Every perspective is a new view on the item or category. If I can find something and it helps someone out,  my review was worth it. My discoveries makes me happy and therefore I enjoy writing or instagramming about these "new" products. 

When a new package from Sephora comes in the mail, it feels like Christmas.  The best new boxes contain small sample sizes as well as my order.  The 100 point rewards are my favorite. They are just the right size.

I hate when I have to try a new product that only comes  in a larger size and it doesn't work for me. So either I have to return it or get rid of it.  In that case, it's fun to trade samples sizes with my friends. It makes me feel better because I don't have to throw out perfectly good product. Also, I feel guilty when I have to return a full sized product if it doesn't work for my skin. Despite the guilt, I will return it if the item didn't work for me. I don't return too many products now because of all the research I do before I buy and most times I get a sample size before buying.  If I don't want to rebuy I finish the product completely and then write why it didn't like it.

Each time I order something new, I have researched the product and I hope I have found a gem. Currently, I'm trying a lot of face masks. Each one is different and has it's own properties. I can review each one and it makes me feel that I'm getting good information out to people that care. (Also my skin feels a lot smoother.) I can't wait until my next review.

Why Donate Items If You are Moving to a Bigger Place?

I was asked this question and it made me pause and think. Was he right, could I stop sorting?  Getting rid of items gives me anxiety because "What if I need this item in the future"? "What if I get rid of something I didn't want to by mistake?"  I could save a lot of time and energy if I just put everything in a bin for a future day. I can normally overcome this anxiety within a few minutes of handing the item over, but it was a good question to ask.

Most minimalism stories I read are people downsizing and selling/donating their things because their space won't hold all their stuff. But what if you are moving to a bigger place that can easily house it all? Why should I organize, sort and donate my used items that I do not want anymore? Even if it's just a few minutes each week. 

Despite trying to get rid of unneeded items, I have not donated my "just in case" items as much. This relief has saved me a ton of anxiety.  I can hold on to my what if items if I see them as something I probably will use someday. However, I do want to talk about my buying thought process, which has completely changed since I moved into a small apartment.  When buying something it doesn't matter how much storage space you have. You either need something or you don't.

I want to only buy things that I have a reason for having in my life.  Do I need another skirt - yes or no? The answer depends on my life, not my storage.  The storage affects if I can keep it. If I didn't have the storage something would need to leave my apartment. For example, the "one in, one out" rule.  If I needed the skirt for an event and it didn't fit my closet, a different clothing item in the closet would have to go to make room for the upcoming skirt.

I want to get rid of things when they don't work for my life anymore. For example, last weekend I donated a blue summer dress because it ripped (It was great in the summer).  I donated it rather than trashed it because it's still useful to someone else.  I know if I donate a 100% cotton dress to Goodwill they can recycle the textile. (Btw if you say I could wear the dress with a hole in it. I agree I could but I would choose not to.) I have plenty of other clothes. It will be more useful as a textile than it would be sitting in the back of my closet.  So I make the effort and small anxiety of somehow fixing it someday and drive the dress to Goodwill.

Today I donated 2 pairs of shoes.


If you had more space what would you buy?

Moving: Declutter

I might be moving in about 6 months. You know what that means. It means stress and packing. My decluttering needs to be done by November. It's my first time moving from my own place, not my parents place or a dorm. Everything has to packed and moved in one trip.

Even though, I have been decluttering my stuff for ... it seems like forever; I now have a deadline. So this give me another reason to get rid of it.  The more space we need the higher the rent/price of our future place. (We don't know if we are renting or buying)  How much space do we need? (not want) 

Also, I shouldn't be buying anything in the future, I don't need and love - because each new thing comes with more than just one price tag. I will have to pay to move it. It took me a long time to move and unpack everything into my current place because there wasn't anywhere to move it all.  At one point I thought everything in my apartment was I wanted. Turns out I was wrong.

I had to slowly figure out what I needed. I'm still working on it. However, I'm more comfortable getting rid of all the what ifs.  Last week I was finally able to say goodbye to a dress that never fit right, but was so pretty. I wanted to wear it so badly that I kept trying to make it work. I would put it on but then try a different outfit.  The dress never fit the way I thought it should. (I'm very petite) So I would put the dress back in the closet.  I hold on to so many thing because it might work one day.  That day rarely comes.

I might move a lot around this weekend to see how far I have to go.  Sometimes I move items in my closet around to see if I haven't noticed something.  Even if I just store it away, it is no longer in sight I can see the space it created. Space doesn't have to be moved. It's all around us.

6 months to go. I donated 2 items today.

1 Shirt
1 Skirt

Minimalism:Books Part 2

Last year I wrote Minimalism: Books and wanted to follow up on my progress. 

This year I have gotten rid of a lot of stuff, but it still doesn't feel like I have completed my journey. It's slow and tedious. It is incredibly worth it. Last time I went through my bookshelf I used the "spark joy" method. However, I still had too many for the space I have but since they all felt needed I kept them. So recently I have gone back to my bookshelf.  I gave myself permission to dive deeper and see why each "sparked joy". Did they still have the same meaning to my life today? 

Here is a trick I realized as I was going through them:  read the book again 

I found two nonfiction books already that I easily got rid of.  The information is outdated.  The information couldn't be referenced anymore.  The book used to give me joy, but in reality learning about the subject was what gave me joy. 

This process also gave me a reason to reread all my books. If I keep them I should like them enough to reread them. If not, someone else could.  Or if I like the book, but don't love the book, it's not worth keeping either. Other people can also read this enjoyable book. I'm trying to get to the point where I want to keep for the long term any books I need for reference - not the memory.  If I want it back all I have to do is order it. 


Do you ever go back to an clothing item and think what was I thinking?

Hiking: Having the Right Gear is More Than Half the Battle

I went hiking today. 

Yes, I took a Saturday to wake up, (get coffee), drive to a national park and hike for 4 miles.  Not my hardest hike, but still long enough and tough enough that I needed hiking boots/ shoes.  Now if you think that clothes and gear don't mater, even if you are walking/ hiking 4 miles - it does.  Being comfortable when hiking makes you want to come back and do it again rather than complain while on the trail.  

For example, if I had sneakers, would I have been ok? Yes, but hiking shoes are great so I don't slip on the trail. However, when I was hiking for 12 hours in Norway I wish I had hiking boots rather than hiking shoes.  Knowing what gear you need is important.  The longer the trip, the more research you should do.  What is the different between shoes and boots? The ankle support and the size/ weight ot the show.  For a 2 hour hike I like the shoes because they are lighter. For a steep 12 hour hike the extra support would have been much better.  If you are only getting one pair, between getting Hiking Shoes vs Hiking Boots, get good hiking boots with a sturdy ankle support.  I would choose something like Salomon X Ultra 2 Mid GTX Hiking Boots - Women's. ( I have not tried these but they are the same brand that makes my hiking shoes that I do like).  However, buy what makes the most sense for you. 

For today's hike: sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and bug spray were amazing useful. I thought I didn't need the hat but the gnats convinced me that hats should be available on any nature trip.  Also, despite only being in the 80's (since the sun was on us) a great water-bottle was sooooo important.  I love my Hydro Flask in 21 oz.  I have the S'well water bottle in 9 oz as well (perfect for my purse) and I like both.  

Here is the full list of gear I need to have with me on a hike: 

• water-bottle (large) 
• sunglasses
• hat
• bug spray
• hiking boots 
• hiking pants
• lightweight t-shirt 
• backpack (size: depends how long you are going) 
• small snack 
• hiking socks
• cell phone for pictures! :) 

Have fun 

Traveling Decisions

I love traveling. J Going away from home reminds me how little stuff I truly need.  As I fly away, everything I have gets farther and farther away. It is sitting at home doing nothing during the trip. I brought one suitcase. Despite feeling I could have used more clothes, I did not need more. I got through the week just fine. In addition, there was a laundry service if I needed it and a gift shop for the items I forget (which happened).  

One choice I made for this trip was the number of bathing suits I should bring. I think if I was to pack again I would bring three bathing suits for my 4 nights/ 5 days beach vacation vs the two I brought with me.  Having one extra swim suit would make my trip easier because I won't need to worry about drying the swimsuit as fast. However, on the other side of the pro con list, two swim suits means I don’t have to carry and remember a third one.  

The questions are: do I need 3? Not really. I wanted three swim suits to make the trip a little more comfortable. Do I want to spend the limited space I have to bring one more: Yes please.  The final question is: do I have the space for another one? If I have a backpack, probably not. If I have a large suitcase, yes I can fit three swimsuits.

Shoes are little bigger, and the cost analysis has more pros for leaving shoes at home. Shoes takes more suitcase room. I brought a pair of boat shoes but ended up not using them.  I used flip flops instead.* I misjudged the vacations activities.  As this trip unfolded, I wish I didn’t bring the extra shoes. I could have used that space for that 3^rd swimsuit or another dress. Each item needs to be carefully considered.  I get better at packing each time I travel, but each decision is a hard choice to make.

*note: I would bring my boat shoes if more time was spent on a boat, or if I knew the boat had closed-toed shoes as a requirement.

What makes me bring or buy more is the feeling that I might not have it if I need it. That feeling is a habit that takes time to break. The more time you spend with smaller amounts of items the safer you will feel with less. At home, I have the space to hold the larger quantity of items; traveling I don’t. Traveling makes you challenge those assumptions of need.

“What if” is a hard anxiety to ignore. However, when you are traveling the space taken by each item makes it easier to give up if the item isn’t worth the hassle. Each purchase needs to be considered, held on its own merits - but in the end, there is only so much room. Only the best survives the decision process. 

What item do you absolutely have to have on your travel adventure? Mine is my iPhone/ camera. 

What I Have Learned About Jamaica

What I Have Learned About Jamaica:

1.  Don't change money. I used the US Dollars everywhere.  I learned this because I did change US money over right after customs and I regretted it now.  I thought we would have to tip the driver in local currency. That wasn't necessary.

2. Bring at least 3 swim suits,  it takes more than 24 hours to fully dry.

3. It rains in the afternoon.  We are getting a lot of reading done.

4.  Tree Frogs are extremely loud.  There's not much you can do about this. It is very hard to sleep where we are.

5. Sandals has laundry service, so I could have had my clothes washed. I always bring too much stuff and yet always forget something.


What is your #1 travel advice?