July Favorites

It's hard to believe that summer is almost over (officially, because of course the hot temps will probably last well into September and October) but I can't say that I'm all that disappointed.  After all, fall is my favorite.  I've already attacked the back to school section at Target like a ninja - sorry to everyone who has to buy school supplies for actual school - which is probably my favorite thing about this time of year.  I've got one more summer thing planned for August, a trip to Cincinnati for a pro tennis tournament, and I'm also hoping to get in a trip to Holiday World to cap off the season.  But for now, I'm all but ready to tie the metaphorical bow around summer and be done with it.  Here's a look at my favorites for the month of July! 

Benefit They're Real! Mascara 

After a stint with drugstore mascaras for a while, I treated myself to They're Real because it's my all time favorite.  There's a reason this stuff is a top seller - it delivers volume, length and separation in one tube, even if the wand is a little intimidating.  And I don't know if they changed the formula, but it seems like this particular package has been easier to remove than before.  Honestly, that just makes me love it even more.

Urban Decay Primer Potion

This was another repurchase after trying out a few different brands.  We truly are creatures of habit because this eyeshadow primer is one I have loved since I first got into makeup.  Urban Decay changed up the packaging and is back to having a doe foot applicator, but this time in a squeezable tube.  It's perfect because once you can't get any product out with the applicator, you can still squeeze out that last little bit.  I've been rocking full eyeshadow looks daily and my makeup looks just as good when I get home as it did when I left in the morning thanks to this stuff.

Beauty Blender Cleanser Solid

If you want your makeup tools to last, you have to take care of them.  I'm sure we are all a little guilty of neglecting our brushes, but nothing is more important than a foundation sponge to clean and maintain.  I love my Beauty Blender and don't want to have to repurchase one every couple months because I'm too lazy to clean it, so that's why I love the solid cleanser.  It works a lot better than other methods I've tried, like baby shampoo, and is super easy to incorporate into my regular routine.

Dove Go Fresh Body Wash

Sometimes you don't need fancy-schmancy body wash because one from the drugstore will work just as well.  I grabbed this two-pack since I finally ran out of my never-ending stock pile that I acquired the last couple of Christmases.  It's great for those mornings when I hit the snooze one too many times, because it really does leave your skin moisturized enough to forgo lotion if necessary.  Anything that will cut down on my morning routine is going to be a lasting favorite in my book.

The Comforter Bubble Bar

I don't think I can truly express my excitement over the fact that I finally have a tub in my apartment again.  Never again will I move somewhere that just has a shower, if only because I can't take bubble baths.  Heck, even if I didn't have a tub I would probably by the Comforter just to be an air freshener and make my bathroom smell delicious.

Kacey Musgraves - Pageant Material

I love love love Kacey Musgraves and her new album Pageant Material has not disappointed me.  She's got just the right amount of sass and lyrics so clever you can't help but smile.  Her music is nothing like any other country artist out there that I've heard, and that's why I am so drawn to it.  If you want fun and cheeky, listen to Biscuits, and if you want to let out all the feels, try Fine.  Basically, you can't go wrong with this album.

Favorite Outfit Post: Lipstick Love

Shop my favorites!

Five Things

In case you didn't realize, I've amped up my posting schedule this week, aka every day, and I'm pretty darn proud of myself for sticking with it!  With some encouragement from my blogging PIC Chelcey, I decided to make some changes around here in the form of more content that will be coming your way each week.  The change of seasons always inspires me to try new things, and now that warm weather seems to be sticking around I want to share more style, beauty and life inspiration with you.  I can't guarantee that there won't be a day or two skipped in between, but I'm going to try my best to keep the creativity flowing.  As much as I may dread having to write a blog post some days, I truly do find myself being happiest when I'm pouring my heart and soul into this little corner of the web.

Today I wanted to let you in on what's been happening in my life, and you know, just write.  This is a blog after all!  As much as I love sharing tips and tricks and beauty and style posts, sometimes it feels good to just sit down in front of the computer and let the thoughts flow from my brain (except for those days when I got nothing ... awkward). 

1. Vacation all I ever wanted ... In less than a month my happy little self will be sitting on the beach, drink in hand with one of those little umbrellas, soaking in the sound of ocean and maybe a little sun (I'm the poster-child for fair skin that just won't tan, so beach umbrellas are my bff).  I've already got vacation-brain so it will be a miracle if I survive the next couple of weeks and manage not to forget anything.  I'm also planning a little getaway in June to Chicago with my momma for her birthday.  I've actually never been if you can believe it, so please fill me in on all the best spots that we should check out while we are there!

2. If the pants fit ... The other day when getting dressed for work, I decided to reach far back into the depths of my closet where those "I'll fit into this eventually" clothes live, and lo and behold the pants actually fit!  I was pretty happy about it, because I haven't worn them in a very long time.  I can really see a difference physically and feel a difference inside in my body since I started meal prepping (and have been keeping it up).  Now, just imagine what a steady exercise routine will do.  It's a work in progress.

3. And down the stretch they come ... It's officially Derby season around here, aka my most favorite time of the year, and I am so excited about it.  There's a certain buzz that fills the city for Derby and you best believe I will be soaking it all in, meaning lots of good food, drinks and time with friends and family.

4. Treat yo-self ... I finally bit the bullet and bought a new camera!  I honestly haven't purchased a camera probably since early college and while there's technically nothing wrong with my little Canon point and shoot, it was time for an upgrade.  Enter the Nikon 1 J4.  I'm no photography pro, so this little guy is perfect because it gives the quality and options of a DSLR with the convenience of a point and shoot.  First order of business and will be documenting my trips.

5. I'm moving - I couldn't come up with a clever enough way to introduce this one, so I figured I'd just come right out and say it.  Yes, you read that right.  And yes, I just moved a year ago.  But I'm excited for this new adventure, having roommates for the first time, and all of the fun that comes along with a fresh start and blank space. 

Happy Thursday y'all!

xoxo,

Amanda

Jump Start Your Day + Get Out the Door Quicker

Ever since I moved to my new apartment last summer, which is a mere 5 minute drive to my office, I had this idea in my head that I would get into work earlier since I cut down on my commute time.  Let me tell you, I was very wrong.  Instead of getting up at the same time and starting my day a bit earlier, I pushed my alarm time back to get more sleep.  Habits like these are incredibly difficult to break, but I've been bound and determined to make the changes in my daily routine so that I can get a jump start on my day.  Whether you need to get out the door 5 minutes earlier or 50 minutes earlier each day, incorporating these changes will help you achieve just that!

Save Five Minutes By:

Deciding what to wear the night before.  It's no fun to be scurrying around in the morning wondering what the heck you're going to throw on before ultimately settling with the first thing you picked out.

Multitasking while you're brewing coffee.  If you have a Keurig, you know you have a few minutes while it heats up and brews the coffee, so don't just stand there watching it!  I like to use that time to dampen my beauty blender and get ready to apply my makeup.

Save Ten Minutes By:

Applying a simpler makeup look.  Sure, that eyeshadow tutorial using seven different colors is gorgeous, but you'll look just as put together with a sweep of color over the lid and in the crease. 

Packing your lunch the night before / meal prep.  This change has been a huge life saver for me!  It's so nice to not have to worry about what I'm having for lunch and just be able to grab and go from the fridge on my way out the door.

Save Fifteen Minutes By:

Eating breakfast at the office.  Not only do I prep lunches, but I also pre-make yogurt and fruit parfaits in mason jars, which are just as easy to grab and go and eat at my desk while I prepare for the work day.

Save Thirty Minutes By:

Showering at night.  If you could only make one change, this would be the one to go for.  However, it's been the most difficult habit for me to break.  I tend to stay up late to the point of being exhausted and ready to pass out in bed, so by changing things up and unwinding from the day with a shower, I am not only able to slice that chunk of time out of my morning routine but also feel more mentally rested and prepared for the day to come.

Save __ Minutes By:

Getting up when your alarm goes off.  This is obvious, but you are your own worst enemy when it comes to alarm clocks and the snooze button.  And depending on your crutch and how long you like to lay in bed, this could save varying amounts of time for different people.  As long as you have the right mindset, one that says you're ready to tackle the day, you'll be good to go.

What are some of your tips for getting out the door quicker in the morning?

xoxo,

Amanda

Staying Active + Healthy with a 9-5

I never realized just how big an impact your day-to-day work routine can have on your body until I transitioned from a college job in customer service where I was on my feet all day to an office job post graduation where I sit at a desk all day.  I affectionately (or not so much) call this the corporate 15.  It wasn't until I started having trouble fitting into certain clothes that I knew I had to make a lifestyle change.  I couldn't rely on my job for exercise anymore (literally running back and forth taking care of customers before), so I would have to stay active and healthy by other means.  This is still a work in progress for me, but I wanted to share what has helped me so far.  I can tell a difference in how I feel not only on the outside, but on the inside as well. 

1. Make extra trips to the copier.  This might sound silly, but anything you can do to get up and moving is better than nothing.  In our office, the copier is a decent walk from my desk so I will make more frequent trips to pick up my printings rather than letting it accumulate for one big trip.  If your office is much smaller and walking to the copier is only a few steps, take a stroll around the office or around the outside of your building instead.  The key here is to break the sedentary cycle and not be sitting still for extended periods of time.

2. Mindset is everything when it comes to the gym.  I don't know about you, but when it's time to shut down and head home, I change into comfy clothes as soon as I walk in the door.  At that point, I'm mentally checked out and ready for a lazy evening.  I'm much more motivated to go work out at the gym, or outside weather permitting, if I bring a change of clothes with me and go straight from the office.  The accomplishment you feel afterwords is one of the best feelings too, and you don't have to feel guilty for watching a little TV then.  If you're a morning person, then by all means hit the gym on your way into the office!  I just like my sleep too much :)

3. Meal prep and pack healthy lunches.  This is one of the biggest changes I have made in my routine so far.  For me, Sunday is my meal prep day when I take care of most of my cooking for the week.  This not only frees up time during the rest of the week but also ensures that you have a delicious and healthy meal ready to go, which cuts back on the temptation to swing by a certain restaurant for a burrito bowl (wonder what that could be, hmmm).  Plus, you save money for other things, like shopping, wink wink.  If you do go out for lunch though, and are lucky enough to have places very close by, walk instead of drive.

4. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.  Another change I've made in my eating habits is to eat smaller portions more frequently.  This will help prevent those mid-afternoon hunger pains that make concentrating on work nearly impossible because all you can think about is food!  I like to have my breakfast around 8:30, usually Greek yogurt, fruit and granola, salad for lunch around 12:30, an afternoon snack, usually fruit, around 4:30, and then dinner at about 7:30.  This keeps me feeling consistently full without being stuffed and uncomfortable from a huge meal.

5. Get plenty of sleep.   This is one of the hardest habits to break, especially if you are just transitioning a 9-5 job from one where your schedule was all over the place.  If I don't get enough rest the night before, I definitely feel it at work.  It makes me sluggish and impairs my concentration, and sometimes I even feel sick from it.  I had started noticing that on some mornings, I would constantly wake up at a certain time before my alarm was set to go off.  Being stubborn, I would go back to sleep for those extra 20 minutes and then feel awful when trying to wake up again.  Using a sleep calculator like this will help you determine what time to go to sleep based on when you need to be up so that you get full REM cycles and wake up fully refreshed for the day.   

What are some of your tips for staying active and healthy with a 9-5?

xoxo,

Amanda