With the start of a new year it is common for most people to make resolutions or goals to accomplish for the year. I know that New Year’s resolutions aren’t for everyone. For the majority of New Years I have set goals to fulfill for the next year. I’ve learned some tips and tricks from setting New Year’s goals for the entirety of my adult life. I thought I would share them as most of you will be re-evaluating your 2020 and determining what changes you would like to make for 2021! 2021 can only go up from here, right? (Right???)
Set Short AND Long-term Goals and Break Each One Down. It’s tempting to only create long-term goals, because those are usually the most exciting. Buy a house, lose 30 pounds, or take a beach vacation are all goals that sound so exciting and are motivating, but they each need smaller goals in order to be attained. These are less glamorous, but are very important to reaching your goals. For example, to lose 30 pounds is a long-term goal. What short-term goals and habits do you need to implement in order to reach your long-term goal of losing 30 pounds? Add these smaller steps once a month or week and you will be able to reach your goal by the end of the year. Long-term goal: Lose 30 Pounds. Short-term goals: Workout 5x a week, start eating at home more, drink 100 ounces of water a day, or walk more often. The short term goals will help in reaching your long-term goal and will make goal setting less daunting and overwhelming. You got this!
Set More Attainable Goals (and ones that are just out of reach). I don’t know about you, but when I make a to-do list and can cross off items from my list it gives me a great sense of accomplishment. If all you have are lofty goals to reach, there will be fewer items to cross off your list. To me, that is defeating. Looking at a list that I haven’t crossed anything off of is intimidating! It makes me feel like I have made no improvements. When I set attainable goals that are still getting me to my somewhat-out-of-reach goals and can cross those off… I really feel like I am making progress– because I am! Maybe you’re not as visual as I am, but crossing items off just feels freaking good.
Write Your Goals Down This doesn’t necessarily mean putting pen to paper. I always put my goals for the year in my notes app on my phone. This makes them extremely accessible to me whenever I want to review them. If you enjoy physically writing them down… do that! Seeing them written (or typed) out really helps to visualize yourself attaining them!
Re-visit Your Goals Often If you take away ANYTHING from this post that is helpful, I hope that it is this!!! Don’t just plan and write out your intentions… re-visit them! And often. Anyone can put pen to paper and make a list of goals they want to achieve. But visiting them more frequently means the more they will be in the forefront of your mind. The more often you are thinking of them, the more likely you are to achieve them!
Set a Time Limit on Your Goals I am not saying that if you don’t reach your goal by the time limit to just forget about the goal. Absolutely not. If you set a time limit of a month or by the end of the year and you still haven’t accomplished the goal, it may be time to re-evaluate and see if there are other means to achieve your goal. If your goal is to lose 10 pounds by the end of the year and it is June and you haven’t lost a pound, it may be time to find new strategies or find resources that you aren’t using right now.
I hope that these 5 tips help you set your goals… and achieve them! I am a firm believer in making resolutions in the new year. If that isn’t your journey– that’s okay! I know I am not the only one who uses a new year to reflect.
Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Do you already utilize any of these tips?
Happy New Year to you and your families!
This is where you could find me, Kevin, and Judy ringing in the New Year!
Hi everyone! Another blog within a week… who am I?! I know I am not the only person who did a little more internet shopping and Amazon package stalking since shelter in place orders began in March. Although most orders have been lifted now, I know the packages are still being delivered 🙂 These are the products that I am SO happy with and will more than likely be purchasing again (maybe not the couch any time soon… that’s a once every 5 years type of purchase! HA!). If you are like me, if I hear of a great product from someone… I immediately start researching to see if it’s a wise product to spend my money on. I have linked every single product, so if you are intrigued, you can check it out for yourself! ***Some of the links are affiliate links (the Amazon links) and I will make a small commission off of them if you decide to purchase from those links.*** If you purchase any of these items and you love them as much as I do… let me know! Or if you have made a purchase since March that you just can’t get enough of… I’d love to hear about those also! This list is in no particular order!
Ashley Furniture Sectional I know I said that none of these items are ranked, but this one is so obviously number one. Even though it took forever and a lot of miscommunication from Nebraska Furniture Mart, we eventually got our Ashley Furniture sectional and we could not be happier with our purchase!
Handheld Vacuum Never thought I would be someone who bought a vacuum specifically for our couch… but here we are! I found this one from Amazon and it’s small enough that it stores super easily.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette When it comes to make-up I am usually a drugstore girl through and through. I definitely would never spend more than $40 on any one make-up item, but I have been eyeing this highlighting palette for almost two years and I figured my wedding day would be the occasion to purchase this from Hourglass. It is the perfect every day “inner glow” highlight and I plan to use the HECK out of it… especially because of the price! Ahh!
Diamond Dazzle Stick Ooooohh! This may very well be my best purchase of quarantine. If you wear jewelry on a regular basis, you know how amazing it is to get your ring back from the jeweler and it is soo sparkly. This little stick does the exact same thing. I highly recommend having this handy if you are newly engaged for engagement pictures and your wedding day. Highly, highly recommend.
Stars Above Lounge Pants Go to Target, buy these, and thank me later. They are the best lounge pants hands down!!! Don’t wear them in public, though, they are a little sheer. Ha!
Thred Up Clothes Okay, so I think I am going to do a separate review of Thred Up and everything I received, but I am so SO impressed with this online thrift store and the variety they had. It’s exciting to be able to try different styles of clothes and have fun with being creative without breaking the bank. Also, purchasing clothes from this website is much better for our planet than buying from fast fashion stores such as Shein (although I do love a good Shein haul).
Facial Steamer I had seen many “infuencers” and bloggers using this all over instagram and definitely thought they were unnecessary (and they honestly kind of are), but I absolutely love adding this into my skin care routine at least once a week!
Shoe Slot Organizers Ahhh. What has my quarantine life consisted of if not organizing every nook and cranny of my apartment. I saw these on Tik Tok and I HAD to have them. I can more easily access and see the shoes in my closet now 🙂
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation Once again, I am a drugstore make-up girl at heart and have NEVER purchased a foundation that cost more than $15 before. If you follow beauty YouTubers or beauty bloggers you have for sure seen at least one of them talk about this foundation… and let me tell you, it is for a reason. Again, I bought this for my wedding day, and it did not disappoint. It has the most beautiful finish and literally does not budge. I highly recommend this for important events and, heck, every day life too because it just makes my skin look so. dang. good.
PINK Ultimate Biker Shorts If anyone follows me on Instagram, you have definitely seen me talk about my love for the biker short trend… and these are THE best. Hands down. If you have also fallen in love with this trend, you need these in your closet.
Bath & Body Works Serenity Aromatherapy Lotion I have been sleeping on Bath & Body Works. I never understood the hype, but I do now. I bought this lotion and went back the next day and bought three more lotions and also two body washes in the same scent. Haha! You’ll understand when you smell it, and the lotion bottle looks adorable on my sink.
Hairitage Magic Dust Texturizing Powder I saw Casey Holmes talking about this new affordable hair line at Walmart and well I love her and her hair is #goals… so I went and bought the three items she talked about from Hairitage: dry shampoo, flexible hairspray, and the texturizing powder. I could pass on the other two, but the texturizing powder is amazing and I don’t have any other product like it so it’s staying in my hair routine.
Invisibobble Scrunchie Less breakage, it’s freakin cute, and I get to act like I am 16 instead of 26.
Alani Nu Confetti Cake Protein Powder I have been following Katy (the brand owner) on Instagram for a few years now and her and her family are adorable. I have loved every product I have tried from her brand (Energy drink & Balance supplement) and this one is no different. It’s delicious.
ThirdLove Bra Again, another company I may have to do a whole separate review of, but this is the comfiest bra I have ever worn and I actually measured in their half sizes and I have never had a bra fit me so perfect. Highly recommend, but I do want to try a couple more styles.
As my first quarter of a century has come and gone, I figured it was the most opportune time to have others reflect on their own.
I am certain that most people have heard of the terrible twos, right? When a toddler is struggling with testing their new found independence and they don’t quite have the verbiage to express what they need… often resulting in temper tantrums. The “terrible twenties” are kind of like that. You’re exploring how you fit in the world and it can be completely frustrating because there’s forks in the road everywhere. Initially, I wanted to create a post that could act as a road map for twenty-somethings who are struggling to feel like they have a grip on anything. All of us started on the relatively same path- going through elementary school, high school, college or work- and now we are all drifting into our own lanes and comparison is everywhere. Some of my friends have three kids while some aren’t planning to have any. Some live in my hometown while others have moved across the globe. I am here to tell you that every scenario is perfectly where you need to be. Growing pains are inevitable, but I thought it may be helpful for some of us twenty-something women out there to hear from other women who made it out the other side of 25. All of these women I have looked up to, have shaped me into who I am, are people I want to emulate, or I know have a story to share. Here’s 25 women’s responses to the question “If you could go back and give your 25 year-old self one piece of advice… what would it be?”
“If I could tell my 25 year old self anything I think it would be to trust yourself above everyone and everything else. If something doesn’t feel right for you, then it isn’t. Honor yourself by listening to your own voice first and last.” Heather Nielsen
“At 25, I wish I wouldn’t have been so hard on myself for many reasons, but especially for life not going exactly as I planned. At 25, I thought I would be married, a homeowner, and I definitely thought my incredible father would still be with us, but life doesn’t ever seem to go as planned; I know that now. It’s important to realize that many of the things that happen to us, we have zero control over, and it’s okay.” Barbara Alvarez
“Looking back I don’t think I could or would change anything. If I didn’t take the path I took I wouldn’t be where I am today, which is a good place in my life to be. At the time I would wish it was easier, but have learned that life often throws up road blocks. Keep the end goal in mind– patience and lots of hard work eventually pays off.” Grandma
“What I would tell my 25 year old self? Good question. The first thing that came to mind was- don’t settle. Don’t settle covers many areas… don’t settle for a job or career you don’t want or like. Don’t settle for a man or woman just because there is no one else. Don’t settle for anything less than your hopes and dreams. There is a lot of time in your life to NOT SETTLE.” Kim Keefe
“I came up with a bunch of advice I wish I had known when I was young, but these are a couple that are high on my list. Start saving for your retirement now. Don’t take your parents for granted. Talk to them and ask them questions about their youth.” Aunt Jill
“Something I wish I believed when I was 25 was to embrace and accept every opportunity! These moments and opportunities only come around once in a lifetime; it’s important to live in the moment, take on the opportunities, and enjoy these adventures with the people closest around you. You’ll never get to rewind these days and embrace those opportunities you chose to dismiss but you’ll always have another day to strive to be the person you want to become.” Bree Bjorklund
“I have been thinking about your question on what I wish I knew at 25. I wish I had known that 50 would come so much faster than 25 did. You don’t really think at 25 that you will be 50 in a blink of an eye. Life really starts moving at 25. By then you have somewhat of a career, boyfriend or maybe even husband. Then children come into the picture and you start raising a family, buy a house and a mini van. Next thing you look and your kids are graduating high school and leaving for college themselves. You ask yourself where did the time go. I wouldn’t trade any of that time from 25 to 50. But just know at 25 take some time to smell that rose, save that extra penny, go on vacations, spend time with the people you love and don’t stress the next 25. We can’t predict our journey at 25, but we can try to make it the best that we can.” Wendy Shahrikian
“It’s okay to say no. You don’t have to feel guilty or feel like you must please everyone by saying yes. Teach yourself that saying no sometimes means you are saying yes to other priorities in your life.” Mariah McMullen
“Can I express TIME is big. And learn to make yourself a priority, too or you will never do it or it won’t last long in your scheduling. And move your body every day. Take a half hour and just do it. If you start young you will start a habit for life. Your metabolism just slows down as you age so fire it up now so you will feel better and have energy for life.” Christy West
“I think I wish I would have known that you don’t need to be in a big hurry to “mature” your life… ie marriage, babies, super successful. I think you should use that time to truly discover yourself, know that you can be independent and self-sufficient. Take chances and travel you can always come home!” Aunt Annette
“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. When you’re starting out in your first career with your first apartment/ house and possibly even your first child, there will be times when you are financially uncomfortable. There will be bills you haven’t had before, and life will throw curve balls and all of a sudden you’re sitting at a car dealership buying a car for the first time or you’ll be standing in a Walgreens aisle contemplating whether to cheap out on wipes or diapers that month. Accept it. Create a budget and see it through. If it means you are penny pinching just to save $50 at the end of each month, that’s perfectly fine. It won’t feel “comfortable” but hard work pays off. Don’t be too good to cut coupons, shop only the sales, skip eating out, find a second hand store, or opt to workout at home instead of paying for a gym. These times won’t last forever, but they will determine a lot about your future. Also, if you can communicate and tackle the uncomfortable with your significant other, that means more than flowers and chocolate.” Alexa Chiefari
“What I would tell my 25 year old self knowing what I know now… this is some sage advice so pay attention. Firstly, live in the moment. Don’t allow the stresses of your everyday life weigh you down. Second, be honest with yourself and those around you even if the truth hurts… the world is full of liars and deceivers don’t be one of them. Third, be happy with being alone. Take yourself to a movie or out to dinner it’s important to get to know yourself before settling down. Lastly and most important, pay your bills… that shit will follow you if you don’t.” Elizabeth Nickerson
“What I know now that I wish I knew at 25… a few wishes first. Wish I had the patience I have now. Wish I spent more one on one time with each child. Wish I went back to college. Wish I had saved for retirement. Wish Daddy & Mommy had taken more alone time. I could go on and on… and I guess that’s my point! There are so many things I wish I knew then or done differently, BUT all the living I’ve done between 25 and 77 has made me who I am today, and mostly I love the me I have become! Not always, but mostly… If there is one thing though, it would be, pay attention to life! Within your family and within your community! GET INVOLVED AND STAY INVOLVED IN BOTH! This was a difficult question for me but I thought on it for a week, and this to me is the most valuable advice I would give to 25 year old me! Having learned that if we want a better life or world for our children we have to make the changes at home first, then expand getting your whole family involved!” Granny
“Yes I wish I knew a lot when I was 25 that I know 29 years later. I would have gone back to college and finished. I wish I put others before me. I wish my looks didn’t mean everything. I’d like to have married and waited for the right person. I wish I wasn’t so obsessed with my weight. I wish I knew how to love myself.” Aunt Patti
“I would say worry less about the house being clean and everything being done– and what I thought was important. Just enjoy the moments. Time does go fast!!” Molly Noble
“There is a whole world out there that you don’t know about. You can drastically change your life at any moment. Travel, learn, grow.” Amber Bottensek
“Not to care SO MUCH about what others thought of me. Looking back I really limited myself from being true to the real me because I was so scared of what others would think. It was after becoming a mom that I finally felt comfortable with myself. I’m not sure if it was the hormone change or just constantly being in mom-mode that distracted me from thinking about others thoughts. Whatever it was I’m grateful. I’ve finally realized that you’re not going to be someone’s cup of tea and that’s ok.” Brittany Schweitzer
“I’d probably tell myself… Relax! There’s still plenty of time! I think most people think that they should have it all figured out by 25 and have their shit together. I feel like 25 was just the start of getting it all “right” ya know?! There isn’t a certain timeline you have to follow. Things will come and happen when they’re supposed to. I’m 31 and I’m just figuring out who I am, what I love, what I’m passionate about… and it’s completely different from when I was 25.” Jaimie Baker
“Be patient with yourself and allow yourself to make mistakes, but make sure you learn from them and find the value in the lesson. Truly learn to love and accept yourself for who you are and don’t focus so much on what people think. Lastly, learn to set healthy boundaries.” Lynette Erickson
“Just start. Time flies, so start today. Start reading or writing the novel, start contributing to the 401k. Start learning to play the piano or cook the perfect lasagna. Just start, because you will blink and realize a lifetime has passed. Oh, and floss, like every day. Do not neglect your gums.” Jackie Powers
“Quit waiting for someone to give you permission, validation, or an invitation to use your gifts, create your best life and shine.” Megan Valentine
“I had lost my dad by then… was married… and then the rest of my family moved away. All I can say is spend time with the people you love and care about. SAVE MONEY. Be good to yourself. Just be the best you.” Mom
“Iguess I would have to go with FAMILY! I say this, because thank god I followed through with it… but knowing this is going out to others… I think it’s the Best Advice I could offer. I would tell my 25 year old self to take all those things my deep Sicilian Family instilled in me… Loyalty, Commitment, Unconditional Love, Trust, Forgiveness, Values, Morals… And instill them into Any… Any Relationship you have because FAMILY… isn’t just about Blood! “Trust in those that trust in you!” “Look out for those who look out for you!” These are statements that were made over and over again on my grandparents back porch years and years ago… and something I am super grateful I listened to. No matter who you are… how much money you do or don’t make… what kind of family you come from… there will Always at some point in everyone’s life… be a moment when you need someone or a LOT of someone’s! I Promise, I was convinced for a lot of years I could conquer the world all on my own… and then BAMMMM…. I get hit in the face with something so devastating I’d lay in bed at night wondering what the hell am I going to do…. then… out of no where… all those people, the people I’ve loved, supported, helped, mentored or just spent time with… they just start showing up… some I’ve seen on a regular basis, some I haven’t seen or talked to in years… but here they all are… Showing Up! It’s hard work, super exhausting at times… lots of Great Times and definitely mixed in with some bad… but through it all… I’ve always made sure that every person in my life that has stayed is because I Trusted Them and They Trusted Me… and no matter what… I Always had Their Back because I knew they would Always Have Mine!!! It makes no difference what God they worship (or don’t) who they love or what color their skin is… you bring people into “Your Family” because no matter how off the deep end you may go at times… they are always there to throw the rope and reel you back in… because you have or would do the same for them! I would also slap myself upside the head and tell me to quit spending money on everyone else… Save IT! Cause there is life after your 40’s and if you work hard… you deserve to have some time to enjoy it without the worry of money! When you’re a kid… you spend money on crazy stuff… cause you’re a kid and it’s the coolest!!! I promise… when you get into your 40’s and beyond… that’s when the “cool stuff” really starts happening!!!” Terri Agate
“I think the biggest thing I’d say is to remember to take care of yourself. It’s too easy to put work, boyfriends/ husbands, and kids ahead of yourself. But having some time for you is so important. I wish I’d started doing it sooner.” Ariel Atkins
“I would say at 25 I had a lack of confidence in myself and worried too much about what people thought of me. If I could give myself advice it would be to stand tall and be the strong person you know you are!” Sherri Rader
As long as you are trying your best, everything will eventually fall into place. Or they won’t. Ha. There are so many uncontrollable variables in your 20’s that you just can’t plan everything. I went through a lot of growing pains throughout my teens into my early twenties, but honestly nothing compares to the pains of your mid twenties. (I hear your thirties are kick ass, though, so that’s something to look forward to.) The number one thing you can control is your attitude and doing your best every day. Wake up, do what needs to be done in order to get you where you want to be, take care of yourself, and enjoy yourself. It all goes way too fast! Be gentle with yourself… nobody is getting it all right 100% of the time.
Don’t play the comparison game with everyone’s curated version. I love social media: you get to keep in contact with family and friends that you don’t get to see as often as you would like and it’s a constant stream of entertainment lol. HOWEVER, it is hard to keep yourself feeling positive about your life and your struggles when Sally from high school shares all about her promotion and engagement. You are living your behind the scenes while watching everyone else’s highlights… and it is frustrating! Stay in your lane and know that you are more than likely not the only twenty-something driving the struggle bus.
Not everything is worth your energy. This comes with age for sure. I used to NEVER be able to say no to anything, but now if it’s something I don’t want to do.. I don’t do it. It’s that simple. Not everything & everyone are worth your energy. You learn what is most important to you and make time for those people and things.
Take care of yourself. This is important. I spent a couple years in my early twenties drinking everything, eating whatever I wanted, not taking my vitamins… basically treating my body like a trash can not a temple. Now I am trying to reverse the bad habits I created in my early twenties. My advice: just always take care of yourself. Not only should you be taking care of yourself physically, but also mentally. Know when to take a personal day and do what your body is telling you it needs. For me, that’s a day filled with bubble baths, beer, face masks, and shopping. HA. Find out what is going to get your mind right & know when it’s needed.
YOU GOT THIS. I know it feels like the sky is going to fall on your head at any moment. Seriously- I KNOW. But, many have come before us and many will come after and they survived… for the most part. Be your own cheerleader and take one day at a time! You can and will succeed 🙂
Just remember we are all trying to do our best! Adulting doesn’t come with a handbook- and like I’ve said before- someone should create one! (Maybe that’ll be an upcoming project- HA. I don’t know if my advice for adulting should be publicized.) I need to tell myself all of these things more than once a day so I figured someone else could benefit from these reminders.
I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot lately and felt obliged to share my thoughts with all of you. I’m sure you have often heard the saying, “comparison is the thief of joy,” which is completely true; however, it can steal so much more from you than joy. I know we are all guilty of comparing ourselves to our neighbor, co-worker, friend, family member, high school acquaintance, etc. Comparison is everywhere. I am not here to tell you that it is going to go away, who am I to judge? The moment you start celebrating others’ victories instead of using them as a measurement for your own life events, you can concentrate on making yourself the best version of you. Look, it took me 6 years to graduate undergrad.. SIX YEARS. People who entered college after me were graduating before me and it was tough to not notice how everyone else was progressing around me.This way of thinking just takes away from my accomplishment. As much of an “expectation” graduating a four-year school is still only 37% people are doing it. I just recently started working out again after two years of not having a consistent gym routine. Getting back to the gym was TOUGH. So many people who knew exactly what they were doing and had a consistent routine that they were diligently following and I felt so lost. Instagram fitness models don’t help the equation either. Wow, that’s a lot of bodies to being comparing myself to… on the DAILY which is completely unfair to my own accomplishments I have made while on my own fitness journey. This year I started my first big girl job and was feeling pretty at ease with how it was going. One of my co-workers, only a few months older than me, has been with the company longer than me and got a much deserved promotion, but I can’t help but think about how if I had gotten on my path earlier maybe I would have been in that position. Then I remember that I have worked really really hard to be where I am and I have only been in this position for less than a year!
Honestly, the amount of times I compare myself to others in a day is absurd and it hurts my heart because we’ve all been taught along the way that by X age we need to have this and by X age we need to be there… IT’S A LIE. We all need to be kinder to ourselves because the way we talk to ourselves is the way we will allow others to think of us. You set the tone and if the tone inside your head is constantly telling you you aren’t good enough, you will not amount to your potential.
I’ve been learning to start every day immediately thinking of the traits that make me who I am. The things I don’t like, I am learning to allow myself a little grace. I think we all need to remind ourselves that we are all just trying the best we can. As long as we are doing that and only comparing ourselves to who we were yesterday- we are on the right path. I’m sure someone else needed to hear this as much as I needed to write it.
Be gentle with yourself. You are doing your best. No comparison needed. XO
My summer make-up routine and my winter make-up routine are vastly different. While I use a lot of the same products throughout the year- during the summer I just use less. My skin is usually so much clearer in the summer which is wild considering my face gets much more oily. But, hey, I’ll take it. Some of these products you can find at your local drugstore and others you will have to find at Ulta or Sephora. I labeled the products A-F in the order I apply them 🙂
A. RIMMEL STAY MATTE POWDER- $3.97 at Walmart Typically I begin by applying the Matte Powder in “natural” all over my face with a big fluffy brush. Like I said, I tend to get more oily in the summer- I’m sure a lot of you can relate!- and this definitely makes you MATTE. I also toss this in my purse for a little touching up throughout the day. The Midwest humidity is no joke this time of year.
B. TARTE AMAZONIAN CLAY 12-HOUR BLUSH- $29 at Ulta Next, I apply this Tarte blush with an angled blush brush just at the high points of my cheeks. (Not the apples, because I have a rounder face & I feel that application can make my face look even rounder). My shade is in Risqué which is a peachy nude color. I think the peachy color is perfect for summertime! This isn’t a very big blush compact so this will also easily fit into my purse.
C. BECCA SHIMMERING SKIN PERFECTOR- $38 at Ulta Okay, this is definitely one of the more pricey items in my summer make-up bag, but oh so worth it. I have this Becca Cosmetics highlighter in the shade Champagne Pop which is a light gold with pinky peachy undertones. And honestly, the best color for summer/ fall/ winter/ spring… it doesn’t matter whether I am super tan or pretty fair, it looks super flattering! I apply this specifically with a Morphe M510 brush, but your favorite highlighting brush will do!
D. ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS DIPBROW GEL- $18 at Ulta This was a game-changer for those days when you want to have brows, but not a complete penciled in look. My brow hairs are so much lighter than my actual hair that you can hardly see them, so I appreciate when I have brows on to frame my face better. I have the shade “Medium Brown” for my darker hair that I have now, but if I ever go lighter again I will probably use the shade “Taupe.” I usually just brush the spoolie through my brows a couple times to add the color and then immediately run a clean spoolie through to help disperse the gel. It takes 30 seconds to do my eyebrows versus 5 minutes when I am completely penciling them! Much better for summertime!
E. NYX EYE AND EYEBROW PENCIL- $4.50 Ulta Typically I will only run this along the bottom lash line, but some days will add a bit to the top line as well. I like using the shade “Dark Brown” instead of black in the summer because it gives it a lighter look and not so heavy.
F. L’OREAL LASH PARADISE MASCARA- $7.99 Target Honestly, I never use high-end mascaras because there are so many great drugstore mascaras out there, but especially this one! I use the shade blackest black NOT WATERPROOF. I hate waterproof mascara, the formula is completely different & it’s not often I am trying to wear my mascara in the pool, ya know? Not worth it. This mascara gives your lashes lift, thickness, and length… which is the three exact things I am looking for in a mascara!
That’s all folks! I don’t like to go too heavy in the summer time & all of these products fit nicely into a clutch for the on-the-go-vibes of the summer 🙂 Hopefully this helps when you find yourself strolling the aisles of Ulta or Target unsure of what is essential for summertime!
Okay, this definitely wasn’t a post I thought I would be putting on my blog. I assumed everyone who would be taking the time to visit my blog would be friends, family, and people who knew me, however; I am excited that that’s not the case. Every day I have people who are viewing my blog from all over the world- China, the UK, Russia, Costa Rica, etc. For those of you who already know me, this may not be very exciting & even for those of you who don’t know me… this might not be exciting. HA! But, for whatever reason, I feel obligated to introduce myself to those of you who don’t know me and somehow (thankfully) stumbled upon this blog 🙂
I was a D-1 Collegiate Cheerleader. Some of my best life experiences happened because of being an NIU cheerleader. I remember the day I randomly decided “Hey I am going to cheer in college!” and putting that plan to action. I worked out 6 days a week prior to tryouts (including days with a family friend who was a wrestling coach & kicked my ass). I was on ESPN a few times, got to take multiple trips to Florida, compete in NCA Nationals, meet sooo many amazing people, cheer on Ford Field (home of the Detroit Lions), and be involved with the University & community. If I hadn’t had that experience I am certain I would not be the same person.
I can not give blood without fainting, vomiting, or becoming dizzy. Seriously. I honestly wish I could because I have the universal blood type, but I. just. can’t. I had a seriously terrible experience when I was 15 where I completely passed out and vomited and have not been okay to give blood ever since. I always warn the nurses beforehand and everyone thinks I am over exaggerating… I am not & they learn that quickly when my face become sheet white. Sorry!
Beer is my favorite alcoholic beverage. I know, I know girls will typically ask for a vodka soda, wine, margarita or really anything else as long as it is not beer. Not me. And I do not discriminate- I love me some craft beer, but I will never turn away my trusty Bud Light.
I am constantly twirling my hair. Alright, if you have ever seen me in person, you already knew this- even if it was only a 5 minute interaction. I don’t know how or when or why this started- I just know I’ve been doing it as long as I can remember. I know it’s unprofessional & frankly not very “adult”, but I don’t care. It is a habit that happens so involuntarily that I often don’t even recognize I’m doing it until someone makes a comment about it. Since I am a catering manager and around food A LOT, I usually wear my hair up so I am not even tempted. It just is what it is… I am trying, ok?
I once burned a hole in my throat from a pill. When I was 19 I was taking prescribed medication for acne. One night I took my medication as I always do and laid down to go to sleep, well the next morning I woke up to feeling like something was stuck in my throat. I kept making this comment to everyone all day and of course, everyone thought I was being dramatic. A few days later, I had woken up and thrown up blood. Mmmk… that is definitely not normal. I went to my doctor and he suggested I get an endoscopy to check out what was going on. What had happened was my pill had a soft coating that became sticky when it was wet. Well when I had laid down so quickly after taking my pill the pill literally got stuck in my throat!! It was so painful for a week- I could not eat anything because everything hurt- even with this coating medication they gave me. It was absolutely rough. Now I definitely stay upright for a bit while taking medication 🙂
I sleep with one pillow between my legs and one between my arms. (And of course one under my head). I have always, always, always slept like this. Ask my brother Brady, he remembers thinking I was such a weirdo, but now he does it. So am I really that weird? It’s seriously so hard for me to fall asleep if I don’t at least have an extra pillow for in between my legs. High maintenance? Maybe.
I am super self motivated. When I decide that I have a goal- I make a plan and figure out what I need in order to attain the goal. Period.
I’ve only gotten stitches once and have only broken one bone. I am extremely clumsy so the fact that I have only ever had stitches once & have broken one bone is amazing. Prime example of my clumsiness, I tripped over a bucket and that’s how I got my first and only set of stitches. The broken bone happened my sophomore year of high school at cheerleading practice. We were practicing our competition routine and I was flying (for one of the first times). When we were dismounting I stepped on my base’s foot and ended up breaking my own. What? Who does that?? Me. Clumsy me.
I have been changing my hair color on a regular basis since I was in the 6th grade. I got it from my mama. Her hair changed allll the time when I was younger and that’s obviously where I thought that changing your hair color with the seasons was normal. HA! I’ve had icy blonde hair, black, brown, ombre, and even auburn/red once in 8th grade. It’s hair- you can always change it and it’s fun to try new looks.
I cry when I am pissed, upset, frustrated, happy… crying is just my reaction to every emotion. Seriously. This is one of my characteristics I could do without. In moments when I want to be taken seriously & I am fuming with anger, I am crying. I hate it, but it’s just who I am and I have been dealing with that attribute of mine… begrudgingly. LOL
I feel like one of the most frequent Facebook posts I see is “What are your favorite podcasts!?” Podcasts have been growing in popularity to fit right in with our busy, fast paced lives. There is a podcast for virtually every subject and the formatting makes it easy for us to gain knowledge in a short time. Instead of watching an hour long documentary, you could listen to a podcast that delivers the same amount of information in half the time. Most of my podcast listening is for leisure and to have something to listen to while driving to work every day. I also enjoy them for longer drives when we go back to Illinois and when I am doing something mundane at work like setting up for an event or counting inventory. I think the podcast world is still relatively new for a lot of people so I have listed the podcasts that when I started listening to them, I could not stop. These are some favorites that deserve a listen.
Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard This podcast is my all-time favorite and one that I recommend to EVERYONE!! I’ve loved Dax Shepard ever since I was in 4th grade watching Without A Paddle for the first time. (I have now seen that movie at least 30 times.) He has such a compelling life story that he shares with guests varying from Will Ferrell to Johnny Knoxville to Norah Jones while also learning all about what has paved the way for their success. Often he will have a guest on that I did not know much about to begin with, but end up ending the episode wanting to learn even more about them! He approaches interviewing people in a way that makes them feel so comfortable that you can feel it through your speakers. Often stories are shared on this podcast that guests have never told anywhere else. If you think about it, is pretty remarkable considering most guests he has on are seasoned pros when it comes to interviews. His co-host, Monica Padman, started as his wife, Kristen Bell’s, right hand woman and is now his go to when it comes to his Podcast that is produced in his attic. I enjoy their banter back and forth and they tend to balance each other out. The final segment, the fact check, is my favorite. This is where Monica goes through all of Dax’s blanket statements and “expert” advice and backs them up or proves Dax wrong with her extensive research. I just really love this podcast and it makes our long car rides home go by so fast. Favorite Episodes- Katie Couric, Mae Whitman, Dax’s Mom, Ted Danson, Sophia Bush, Jay Leno
Crime Junkie Okay. I just started listening to this one a couple weeks ago and have finished all 84 episodes in that time. (I am a little ashamed to admit that, but I promise once you listen to one episode you will completely understand). Honestly, I’ve never been super obsessed with crime shows- of course I have binged SVU and Criminal Minds, but who hasn’t?! I never would have thought that this would have been a binge-worthy podcast for myself, but I was so so wrong. Ashley Flowers and Brit are the hosts of this podcast and they do such an amazing job. The stories they tell flow easily and Ashley’s voice is so calming- a murder podcast somehow became part of my relaxation time. LOL. They really try hard to tell the stories of people who have gone missing, have been murdered, or kidnapped that have not gotten the media attention they deserve. So often they have links and stories of where and how you can help locate missing people. Being two females, they give a lot of key information about how to stay safe out there. One of their catch-phrases is “Be Rude. Be Weird. Stay Alive.” I love that they put little reminders out there for women to remember that it is more important to be safe than to be nice. Now that I know I enjoy this genre of podcasts, I have tried to find another podcast to get my true crime fix in before the next CJ episode airs every Monday… but I have had no such luck! These women do such an incredible job producing this episode and it is absolutely worth a listen. Favorite Episodes- 76: MURDERED: Jerry Michael Williams, 71: MISSING: Amy Lynn Bradley, 53: MURDERED: The Camm Family, 47: MURDERED: The Powell Family, 8: MISSING: Bryce Laspisa
Meditation Station by Stin Hansen This is also another newer podcast that I just started utilizing. I have never been one to meditate or practice yoga. But, this past couple years have been so stressful for me and the stress was beginning to to take a toll on me physically. I began changing small daily habits and took up the idea of meditation before sleeping so I could sleep more soundly and wake less throughout the night. That is when I stumbled across Meditation Station. The speaker’s voice is very soothing which is obviously pretty vital for a meditation podcast. My whole body is completely relaxed just 5 minutes in. I have found that I need to be in complete silence, with only the pocast playing, and completely alone. If Kevin barges into the bedroom ready to start his bedtime routine and I have not yet finished my meditation, my relation is completely lost. So find yourself a quiet space where you can be alone for 10-30 minutes. If you have a stressful life (k, who doesn’t?), I definietely reccommend giving this podcast a try! Favorite Episodes- End a Panic Attack, Faster Better Sleep, ZZZZZZ…
Guys We F****d Alright, I really debated putting this podcast into my top, only because it is quite vulgar as you can gather from the title, but the two girls who produce this podcast are AMAZING. Corrinne Fisher and Krystyna Hutchinson are comediennes who reside in New York City. They are feminists who believe that women, do in fact, run the world. They take something that is supposed to be shameful for women- sexuality- and turn it into empowerment. The premise of their podcast started on interviewing the different men that they had slept with (LOL) and has turned into a format for them to interview some interesting people that I would not have otherwise heard of. A typical episode begins with a newsletter that relates to women empowerment, feminism, and equality, followed by answering an email from a listener, and finally ending with an interview. Both of their personalities are so different, but at their core they have the same ideals- which also seem to align (most of the time) with my own ideals. Their differing personalities really play off of each other and it’s great for the listeners because you get (often times) two completely different approaches to the same problem. This podcast is for all the women out there who don’t need a man to own their power. Favorite Episodes: Are You Afraid To Be With Someone Who’s Not Broken, How Do You Clean Your Asshole In The Best Way?, You Might Be More Gay Than You Anticipated?
About nine months ago, my boyfriend of four years and our rescue cat made the move from Illinois to Omaha, Nebraska. I know that moving to a new state can be overwhelming and daunting, but these tips and realities definitely helped me stay (mostly) sane!
The outside of our new apartment in Omaha, NE on the day I moved in!
There will be a wrench thrown into your plans. I can almost guarantee everything will not go entirely as planned. Be prepared to make small changes along the way- be flexible! Before we moved to Nebraska from Illinois, I had already seen the apartment we were going to move into, put down our deposit, discussed move-in dates, and 5 days before I was supposed to move in… The rental property rejected us because of our lease we still had in Illinois. I was so bummed because I LOVED this place and had already discussed the other lease we still had in Illinois with them, but for whatever reason after weeks of discussing, they decided to reject us FIVE DAYS before our big move. Talk about stress. I ended up fidning a place the very next day without ever seeing it (also stressful!), but we ended up loving where we are. It certainly seemed like the end of the world at the time, but if you just continue rolling with the punches, everything will eventually work itself out.
Do as much research as possible- about everything!!! This one is an absolute MUST. If you are relocating for a new job, research what the average salary is in the area for someone with your experience and in your career field. Research different neighborhoods and what attractions are near you. There is only so much research you can do from your computer or phone, but it was important to us to be in a safe neighborhood with nearby bars and restaurants so we made sure the area we would be moving to would have these wants. If the weather is going to be completely different than where you are from, that is important information for you to know before packing up all of your belongings. We stayed in the Midwest so it hasn’t been too different, however; for the four weeks before we moved I added Omaha, Nebraska as one of my locations in my Weather Channel app. This app also tells you how humid it is, the pollen in the area, and the air quality. The pollen tracker was super helpful, because I was moving in the midst of my allergy season. Basically, research everything that affects your daily life. Commutes, air quality, neighborhoods, attractions, bars and restaurants, outdoor activities, demographic of the area, average wages , etc. Research about Omaha, Nebraska consumed my life for a month- and it definitely paid off!
Know what you are willing to compromise on and what are necessities. Unless your budget is limitless, you are more than likely not going to get every. single. thing. on your wish list. Because of this, it’s a great idea to determine what your musts are! We were coming from a completely outdated 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment with no dishwasher, laundry completely off-site, no central A/C, base boards for heat, no private outdoor area, no fireplace, no bathtub… so we were ready for some upgrades to say the least! HA! We really wanted to have laundry in the unit itself, but we ended up having to compromise and have it be a communal laundry room on the floor below us. We knew going in that that may be something we would have to adjust our expectations for. Honestly, it has not been that big of a deal- it’s an upgrade from having to walk across the complex (especially in the winter). Just be prepared for what is really needed for your day-to-day.
Try not to overwhelm yourself. Moving (especially to a new state) makes it quite easy to get overwhelmed. Don’t let it! Stay organized and prepared and the move will end up being a much easier transition. Learn your immediate surroundings first and then try to adventure out. Don’t feel like you need to learn the entire city in a month. If you tackle small decorating and organizing projects daily, the house will eventually become exactly how you want it without getting yourself too overwhelmed. I think it took us about half a year to get the apartment feeling like home and how we wanted it.
Get involved. When we moved out here I started volunteering at Girls Inc. of Omaha and have loved every minute of it. This gave me the opportunity to meet some really great people and see a side of the city that I probably wouldn’t normally have ventured to. Being involved in your community really makes a new place feel more like home. You don’t necessarily have to volunteer your time somewhere- you can join a new gym with classes, attend local events, subscribe to local Facebook groups, attend church, join a sports team (we joined an indoor adult volleyball league!), and shop locally.
