Things I'm Lovin' - Personal Style

Over the next three weeks I'll be writing a series "Things I'm Lovin'" covering three areas: personal style, food, and home. These are items I use almost every day. The last thing I want to do is give you 

more

 things to buy right after Christmas, however my guess is that 1-2 items from each list will interest you.

Now for the first list! When I'm in the house with a toddler, I prefer to dress in a way that I can be ready to go out and about anytime of the day. I have used or worn these items almost everyday so far in 2017. And I love that a couple of these items allow me to transition seamlessly from a yoga/spin class to a brunch with girlfriends or Paul (an ideal weekend morning, however for me, leaving the house is typically a trip to Trader Joe's with Roswelle in tow!). 

Promoting activity, versatility, and self-love...these items literally keep me going.

Links and explanations of products are listed below:

1. 

Convertible Cozy Fleece Pullover ($132)

: I received a similar convertible cape for Christmas from Paul's mother (from Lulu, but no longer available) and it is something I wear almost everyday. I'm basically wearing a chic blanket. Long enough to pair with leggings or yoga pants, this versatile piece can be dressed up or down. It's my favorite item of clothing at the moment!

2. 

Love Your Melon Pom Beanie ($45)

: I couldn't write it better myself, so I took this beanie's story directly from the website: "

On a mission to improve the lives of children battling cancer since October 22nd, 2012, Love Your Melon began with the simple idea of putting a hat on every child battling cancer in America. 

After achieving the original goal of donating 45,000 hats— one for every child battling cancer in America — Love Your Melon set a new goal of donating one million dollars to pediatric cancer research and providing immediate support to children and their families. 

Fifty percent (50%) of profit from the sale of all Love Your Melon products is given to Love Your Melon’s 

nonprofit partners

 in the fight against pediatric cancer." 

3. 

S'well bottle ($45)

: In an effort to declutter my life, I'm now using one bottle for water. The S'well bottle is mostly used for water (hot or cold) but has also worked as my fruit smoothie bottle! I love the clean, fresh look of the white (thank you, Emily, for gifting me this!)

4. 

Sakroots Charging Wristlet ($38)

: Sure, I carry way more than a wristlet during the day (picture: human camel) but with all the things I have to remember, it is nice to have only one thing to grab for myself which carries my keys, phone, cards, and will even charge my phone. I live in a state of "less than 20% battery charged" most days so this little gadget is handy for me. And it's cute to boot!

5. 

ghd Classic Curl Iron ($160):

 I feel my best when I take just 15 minutes in the morning to get ready for the day, that includes adding a few curls to my hair. Definitely an investment compared to my old Conair curling iron, but this iron heats up in less than 20 seconds and the curls last ALL DAY, if not 2 days, due to it's special heat technology. Recently, my hair hadn't been holding any curl, so this new iron is a game-changer for me.

6. 

Gold Stacking Rings ($14)

: Simple, inexpensive, and shows I gave myself a little extra thought in the morning. It's all in the details, sometimes. 

7. 

S.W. Basics Lip Cream ($12)

: In the middle of winter, nothing takes a beating more than my lips and skin. I drink plenty of water but it isn't enough to combat the below freezing temps and dry air in Boston. I received this lip balm in a 

Petit Vour

 box last January and I'm still using it!

8. 

Tieks ballet flats ($175):

 These flats LAST. I can tear through some flats but my pair of Tieks have lasted me 4 seasons of city-living with little wear or tear. Staying with the theme of decluttering my life, these are my chosen flats for everyday life.  Yes, they are very expensive, but arguably worth the money.  

9. 

Origins Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay ($26)

: My girlfriend told me she liked the results of the Origins Rose Clay mask, so I gave it a try and it's now my favorite. It evens out my skin tone and the act of putting on a mask at night makes me feel like I'm giving myself some love, which probably has the most to do with the good results. I use the mask maximizer spray and drink-up mask (pictured above) on a regular basis as well.

10. 

Honest Organic Body Oil ($10)

: I used this body oil over the weekend at my girlfriend's and immediately ordered it when I got home. I'm not a fan of lotion, mostly because of typical ingredients, but a bottle of organic oils fits the bill. Feels great going on, preferably after a shower, and lasts all day. I highly suggest!!

My Personal Care Routine

If you were to look in my bathroom today, these are the products you would find. And before we get any further, Beauty Counter products are in my future. To all you Beauty Counter lovers out there, I hear you and I'm listening! Instead of doing a huge overhaul of my personal care products, I plan to introduce changes one by one.

For those of you ready to make a step in the right direction and looking for some cleaner, safer products to use in your everyday routine, I've listed out the products I've been using and currently like.

And I should also say....the best beauty secret out there is water, water, water. Drink water!! It will only enhance the health of your hair, skin, and nails and the effects of the products mentioned below.

1. Kai Shampoo & Contioner: My mom and I bought this product from a small shop side-walk sale and we've both been hooked ever since. The shampoo & conditioner combo gives a squeaky clean feel with little residue left. My hair feels lighter, manageable and allows me to only wash my hair once a week.**

2. Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Bar Soap: I use the bar for my face and the body wash (not pictured) for the rest. I'm so confident in this product that I'm willing to say I will never use anything else (especially on my face). The first ingredient is water and the second is organic coconut oil which leaves my skin clean without being stripped of it's natural oils.*

3. Fresh Rose Mask: I mentioned this product in a Favorite Things post a few weeks ago. It had to be included in this post as well as it is a step in my nightly routine. Right after I wash my face, I spread a very thin layer of the rose mask over my face before applying my night-time moisturizer.**

4. Origins Plantscriptions Night Cream: I've been using Origin products on my face for a couple years now. Proven to be one of the cleaner (in terms of unnecessary chemicals) products out there while still being affordable. I use the daytime cream (not pictured) in the morning which has SPF25.**

5. Jasons Deodorant: I feel like I should give full disclosure here...because those of you that know me really well, know that I don't wear deodorant (gasp!!). For the rest of you...ta-da!...I don't wear it. I stopped wearing it when I was nursing Roswelle and decided to let my body adjust and rarely need it anymore. However, on the rare occasions I go out dancing or to a function that I might be particularly nervous about...I throw on the most basic unscented deodorant I can find. This Jason's line seems to do the trick!** ....(I think this W Magazine article is worth a read)

6. Origins Charcoal Detoxifying Mask: This is my secret weapon when my skin needs a little pick me up and I want to look fresh-faced in the morning. I leave on for 10-15 minutes and make sure to add extra moisturizer after.**

7. Sephora Face Masks: One method of extra moisturizer (as mentioned in #6) is a Sephora Face Mask. A great gift for any girlfriend or stocking stuffer, these masks really work. I'm prone to breakouts and have yet to have a reactions to these mask, no matter which one I select. I keep these on hand when I need to look refreshed for special date nights, after a long trip, holiday parties, or when I need to give myself some extra care.

8. Philips Sonicare Toothbrush: I'm the worst at getting to the dentist on a regular basis (unlike Paul who never misses an appt). But this Sonicare toothbrush got me an A+ from my dental hygienist even though it had been 2 years since my last cleaning (yikes!).

9. Shea Butter Lotion: We don't love using lotion in our household, Paul has a theory that it only makes your skin dryer. But in the depths of winter when no amount of water intake keeps my skin hydrated enough, we turn to raw organic shea butter. It feels like putty in my fingers, but once I start to lather on my legs, it coats evenly and absorbs well. And it doesn't stain everything like coconut oil!!*

10. Clarisonic Mia 2: A long-time friend to my skin, I've been using the clarisonic for years. I change the brush every 3 months and only use 2x a week during the winter, as opposed to nightly in the summer when my skin can handle it.

11. Tom's Simply White Toothpaste: I've been a Crest Whitening toothpaste user since high school, but a couple years ago made the switch to Tom's because less is best in our products!*

*I purchase these products from my favorite grocery store, Trader Joe's!
**I order these products on Amazon, usually at a discounted price and with free shipping.

Simple September Make-up

While we transition into Fall, I'm excited for knitted sweaters and new thick heeled boots, but I'm planning to extend my simple summer make-up routine for as long as possible. In the warmer months, I wear as little as possible, no foundation, no eyeshadow, and a rare occurrence of eye-liner. With a sun-kissed tan and beach-y hair, you just don't need much, even well into September. I'll never give up mascara though, it can make me feel as awake as a cup of coffee. Do any of y'all agree?

Below I have listed out what I wear every day (also pictured above). 

in order of how I apply...

1) Cover FX Concealer: A beauty consultant at Sephora got me hooked to this product. Cover FX is free of the inflammatory 5: mineral oil, fragrance, gluten, parabens and talc. Made for the most sensitive skin types; it provides a healthy, safe, amazing coverage.

2) Dior Finish Fluid Foundation Brush: I bought this at a make-up party last Fall with Dior's Airflash foundation (which I use in the winter). I love the angled edge and it has never shed on my face.

3) Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara: There has been a cult following for this mascara for some time now, and I only joined in last Fall. Full coverage, lash extension, lasts all day, and washes off easily. I don't know that I will ever switch.

4) Tarte Cheek Stain: I prefer the dewy (supple) look when it comes to make-up which is why I changed to cheek stain a few years ago. I was a fan of Josie Maran's cheek gel for years but when Sephora stopped carrying it, I started using Tarte's stain and I have been more than happy with the results.

5) Too Faced Soleil Matte Bronzer: I went to Sephora looking for a bronzer without shimmer as I have a theory that the shimmer/sparkle causes my skin to break out. With a fresh coconut scent and just the right amount of color, I left a happy customer! Also, he told me to dab on my bronzer, instead of swiping on which messes up all the work you just did with your concealer, foundation, cheek stain etc! I use a random Essence of Beauty brush to apply which I bought from CVS. I know there are better brushes out there for over-all coverage, but for now this one is working.

6) Maybelline Eyelash Curler: I've tried other brands, but I always come back to the tried and true Maybelline version.