Growing changes some of your priorities

In the last several years, I've been more aware of the products I purchase. I have my limits (my budget) but I'm generally ok with spending a couple more bucks for a better product. When I started shopping for my own cosmetics, I bought what was cheap, and or what was well advertised. To be fair, I didn't google constantly ( I'm not sure google was a thing yet).

In the last 5 years or so, I kind of learned, in the consumer world, my money is my voice. So I questioned myself, what do I want to say with my money? Life is not a destination, but a journey, so this definition could mean different things at different times.

As far as cosmetics go, I have found myself backing cruelty free. Natural products have been my highest priority in the last few years or so, and most of the time natural is cruelty free. But lately my higher priority has become cruelty free. Some of my favorite makeup is not natural, but hasn't been tested on animals (at least here in North America).

I'm not saying I'm 100%  against animal testing. It's something I'd rather not think of, but in my head, I can't justify a bunny with chemical burns so that I have the latest and greatest anti-aging cream. I don't feel my vanity is worth any creature potentially suffering.

Thanks for reading, I'll get off my soapbox now

My quest continues

     When I started to write this blog, I was using it as an outlet for myself. I was a public figure, and did use my forums as a way of sharing my blog, but it was MY blog. It really had nothing to do with the fact that I was sort of in the public eye (when you're a radio announcer, public eye may be the wrong choice of words).

     I'm no longer in the public eye, and my positive spin disappeared for a bit, along with my spare time. I'm happy to report, I'm fighting to bring my positive spirit back, and in many ways, it really is. However I've realized, I have another level I need to achieve.

     I'm for the most part in a far more positive state of mind, but there is still something that needs to be improved upon, that's me. The physical person, ME. I'm quite possibly in the worst physical shape of my life, and it's not helping me mentally.

     SO this is my declaration, I'm on the road to becoming more fit, and staying that way. I want to be healthier and give my best, and if my best is sub par, is it worth giving? So this is giving me some accountability, because it's officially out there.

     I have a plan in place with guidance and motivation, I'll share more in the near future

Fall Soup Recipe

Well it's been a while since I blogged, I for the most part had little to nothing I thought was worth writing. I recently started journaling, and it's super personal and therapeutic for me. I've been looking into Journal prompts and that's really where the therapeutic aspect comes into play, and I can dive into that further perhaps in another post. While I was searching for a prompt that might interest me this evening, I came across BLOG prompts, specific to October. I kind of liked some of these ideas, and thought to myself challenge accepted. While I have no intention of doing all of these, there are some I like the idea of.

So that's my introduction to that, what I'm sharing today is from a prompt that said share a "Fall soup recipe". This is perfect, because in the beginning of October, we start our "Souper Sundays" in my house. I make a big pot of soup and we eat, a lot of soup over the next couple days. Any guesses what kind of soup I made yesterday? I decided to share a slightly different version of what my cousins and I affectionately refer to as "Nanny soup".

Growing up, there was a super simple soup my Nanny made for us regularly, so not even necessarily JUST in the Fall. It's a recipe I've tweaked slightly, but it's still a soup, I just throw everything in the pot and make, and where the description is so not helpful for describing what kind of soup it is, it's a beef vegetable soup.

Ingredients:
1lb beef, any cut really works
Large Onion
1 Can of vegetable soup
Carrots
Parsnip
Corn
2 boxes of beef broth

Brown up the beef in large pot, and add the onion, fry for a few min
At this point you add the rest of the ingredients to the pot and bring to a boil. Once the carrots and parsnips are soft, you're set.

Nanny would use onion soup mix in place of the beef broth, and would also add a can of tomato soup, and we'd go gaga for it. She also told us that parsnips are what gives it it's flavor. So this is the big "secret" Nanny soup. I've made it already this year, and will likely make it again. Enjoy

Smiling at the Mirror

     I smiled at the mirror today. I took a pic of Hubs and I. I didn't try and avoid seeing myself in the mirror, or put away my phone. I was happy with what I saw, and wanted to capture it. Seems like a weird thing to say, but 2 months ago, that's what I was doing.


    In the last 2 months, hubs and I have made some changes. We're going to the gym, regularly, and eating better. I'm taking more time to just love my dog, and treating the TV as more like background noise. I pick up my computer rarely, and am more aware of things I can do to improve my day to day life.

   The last while, I haven't been giving myself the care that I needed. And this was something bugging me. Same could be said for my husband. So we decided to do something about it. The healthy improvements we've made, in my opinion anyway, have not just been healthier physically, but mentally and emotionally.

    We visited with my family over the weekend, and we hadn't do that in a while, that made me feel better.

   So I'm doing better, and wanted to share this. I smiled at the mirror, and took the picture, not necessarily because I can SEE improvement, but because I can feel it.

How Fall has Made Me More Self Aware Of Wasting

     Something people may or may not know about me is I'm a planner, I LOVE planning. And making lists, I love putting a pin to a fresh piece of paper and mapping out a plan. The downside to this is sometimes I can fail to live in the now, because I'm planning for tomorrow. Last year this time, I was in full blown fall mode. Perhaps it's because we had such a long Winter, but I've been finding myself REALLY trying to enjoy the summer this year. But when days like today roll around, overcast, and needing to chuck on a hoodie, well this is when my mind wanders to Fall, or even my FAVORITE time of year, that I won't mention, because some people may get mad at me.  Really people may get mad at me for talking about  Fall, but whatever.


     One major thing I've been doing (because I'm addicted top Pinterest), is pinning outfit inspirations for the season. What is interesting about how I'm doing it this year VS other years, is I'm being realistic. I'm SO guilty of seeing clothes that I think are cute, or pretty and buying them, only to have them hang in my closet...why? They're not my style. People close to me, very well may be shocked to learn, I own about 6-7 dresses and skirts...yup, because I thought they were pretty, and bought them, but feel weird wearing them unless it's for something special. Nope, my look can be broken down to a formula. Step 1, Jeans...these are the foundation of my wardrobe, If I'm not wearing jeans, mark it on the calendar, because it is a rare occurrence. A top to go with the jeans. If they're skinny, generally longer, or the rarer occurrence flowy. Bootcut usually brings about a basic T-shirt or tank. And Finally an over piece. If I'm actually wearing it or not, I've got one with me. It could be a shirt (generally plaid), a cardigan, or my trusty ole hoodies. Then it's accessories and shoes, which is generally, what's easy and looks decent... this is my look. I have accepted and FINALLY understand this.


     SO why am I taking the time to tell people about this? Because there is NO way I'm the only one who does this. wastes money, and closet space buying the pretty stuff for it to just sit there. I guess I'm posting this because I've become more self aware this way, and I think it was for the good. Perhaps this post might help some one else be aware too.

thanks for reading

Quite Possibly my Favorite Facial Product for the Summer

     I'm pretty sure that I've said in previous posts, when it comes to skin care, I try and listen to my skin. I find I've sort of gotten the hang of things when it comes to my skin, and it's helped me A LOT.

    I have shared my skin care routine in previous posts, and I'd love to tell you, I stick to it religiously. Not the case. To keep ANY consistency, I actually have reminders on my phone, that my husband actually hates with a passion, because my phone is usually closer to him, and I don't hear it, and it drives him INSANE, but...that's what I do, and I'm quite unapologetic to him about the alarms might I add.

    My skin is actually relatively clear right now, I'm quite pleased..just a couple mall blemishes on my forehead...as some one with bangs who doesn't wash their hair everyday, I actually think this is fantastic. We're at a time of year I kind of need to keep an eye on my skin though. While the greatest contributing factor to blocked pores is actually dead skin cells (so basically dust) lets factor in, we're sweating and stuff more this time of year. Sweating is good for the skin, but can also contribute to blocking those pores.

    Last week I was noticing a cluster of small pimples on my nose... which is odd for me. So I knew I needed to get deep in the pores. In previous posts I've mentioned, Now European Clay powder. This has become a bestie for me in the last month or so. When I saw this little cluster, I used the mask. I've read some descriptions recommend using oil, essential oils, apple cider vinegar, honey etc. I'm boring I guess because I just go with water. I'm not sure I'd recommend it for those with dry skin, and here's why. I can actually feel as it dries my skin tightening, and it getting deep down in my face.  

     My cluster has since disappeared. I wanted to give this product a special post. I' did purchase it for the first time in the Winter, at the Feel Good Store (I know you're shocked right) and I liked it then, but I've come to LOVE this product for the benefits I'm seeing now that it's gotten warmer, and upped my usage to minimum twice a week. After I get it off with warm water and a cloth I follow it up with my Apple cider vinegar/water toner, and use Grape seed oil to moisturize.

Thanks for reading

Very Basic Drugstore Makeup kit

     Ever since I did my blog post the other day about  my Holy Grail Makeup products, I've had another makeup themed post that I've been itching to do. I think I put on the post twice that while my makeup bag included typically higher end products...because apparently that's where my head is at with my makeup choices,, there are some really good drugstore products out there. So I decided to do a post where I would put together a very basic makeup kit that would be strictly drugstore products. could potentially be considered a starter pack even. I'll exclude tools, primers, contouring etc, this will be as basic, and kind of a natural every day look. So let's get started.

     I honestly haven't used a drugstore liquid foundation in a very long time. I've used powder or BB cream. But if you were just starting to use makeup, I would think you'd want to go lighter weight, so I'll stick with BB. I'm also going with liquid, simply because it's my formulation of choice.

    The BB I would pick would be the Maybelline Dream Fresh. It was the first bb cream I ever uesd and as far as drugstore BB's go, still my favorite. I tried the garnier, because once upon a time, it was supposed to be the best, and I hated it. The Maybelline retails for about $9.

     One of the biggest mistakes new makeup users make (myself included) is piling on foundation because it needs to cover imperfections... while a full coverage foundation COULD do the job, concealing, is a job for a concealer. AND there are a tone out there, and some do very different jobs. But I chose one that can cover most of your issues, and it's one of my favorite drugstore products of all time, Covergirl Smoother. It gives you coverage, you can heat it up with your fingers and it blends nicely. It's a fantastic product and costs $6 roughly

      After using these products, you'd want to use a setting powder, or odds are they'll just slide around on your skin. This is a product I've used for years and I keep in my makeup bag, not to mention it lasts forever. Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Face Powder. It's about $20.

     As far as blush goes, Physicians Formula wins me again. This is my favorite blush I've ever used, and Physicians Formula is a line that has some pretty good ingredients, so this bodes well for me as well. This one retails for roughly $15.50.

     Every fiber of my body wants me to get into eye shadow, liner, and eyebrow pencils, but because I'm going super basic, as far as eyes go, I'll only introduce you to  mascara, because all 3 of these products require using the proper method to not be obvious that you're wearing them, and if you're just going for a super natural (not supernatural) look, mascara is really all your eyes need for a little bit more polished look. I actually bought this about 2 months ago, because I was doing makeup for a friend's wedding and wanted it as an alternative choice for her makeup. What's more is the shelf life of mascara is 3-6 months.. so the fact that this product is only $7, and btw is often at checkouts with impulse buy products is amazing, and potentially one of the best impulse buys you'd ever make. I'm talking about L'oreal Voluminous. If ever I ran out of my mascara I use and didn't have any on hand... I'd buy this stuff. PS if you're like me and your eyelashes do not hold a curl, the waterproof formula may be your very best friend.

     I have yet to find a red lipstick that I like on myself. Not sure if it's because I tried wearing it when I was a kid and my my grandmother told me I looked like I ate a man, or if it's because I tend to prefer a slightly bolder eye look, and bold lips with bold eyes are...well...too bold. I tend to be more of a fan of natural looking lip colours, as such I love, and have on my person right now, Burt's Bees tinted lip balm. goes on more like chapstick but gives you a pop of colour, and retails for about $7 

    So that's a Starter/Drugstore/Everyday makeup kit, that equals out to roughly $65...which is actually blowing me away right now. I will stress, these are the products I like, makeup isn't one size fits all, these are just some products I've used, and like, there may be better ones out there, and it's even possible the formulation has changed on a few of them and they're not what they used to be, but were I on a shoestring budget and starting from scratch. These are the products I would buy. Thanks so much for reading.