Springtime is upon us, and it feels so good! I love the things we get to experience during spring in Tennessee. Canoeing and hiking are just a couple of the amazing things we get to take part in. Allergies aside, spring is a beautiful season that sings of new life and a fresh start. Here of some of my favorite ways to ensure you get the most out of this spring!
1. Get Outside! Being outside to experience the perfect in-between temperatures and feel the sunshine on your skin is the first and most obvious way to enjoy the feeling of spring. Going for a hike at a state park or finding a local greenway can be the perfect way to spend a day-off. Invite some friends to come along, pack a lunch and explore all that your city or state has to offer. 2. Clean up Spring cleaning is an amazing way to feel that fresh energy of spring in your home. Open up the windows. Dust your drapes and blinds and you'll see just how dingy things can get through the wintertime. I also recommend getting a HEPA certified air filter to help minimize allergens and dust in your home. Cleaning under beds, organizing closets, and taking bags of gently used goods you no longer need to goodwill are all great ways of making you home feel fresh from the inside out. 3. Get in the garden Feeling fresh from the outside in is just as important this spring as feeling fresh from the inside out. Visit your local plant nursery and pick up some perennials to plant in the front of your home. If you have any interest in planting a garden then there is no time like the present to get your seeds started! You can find seed kits on amazon, or at a hardware store near you. If planting a 20x30 garden seems overwhelming to you just start with one or two plants that you can keep in pots on your front porch. Tomatoes are a great starter plant because they grow well in a planter, and they are relatively easy to grow. Spring is a great time to refresh our homes, but do not forget one of the most important parts of spring is decluttering your mind. Take time for yourself this spring to slow down, and reflect on things that are beautiful and true. Journal your thoughts, and be sure to make time for your mental health as you work to bring more beauty to your life.
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Of all the things people ask me about on a regular basis, my cliche coffee/tea pictures on my instagram story are, like, the number one thing. It seems that as much as post them they still get these "WHAT DRINK IS THIS?!?!?!" responses. So, here's the rundown on my apparently very alarming Starbucks orders.
Probably my most basic daily order is my cold brew with coconut milk. I'm lactose intolerant, so anytime I can find a coffee that actually tastes good with dairy alternatives I geek out about it. If you love coffee, and you want to feel like you're drinking it iced out of a coconut in the Bahamas then trust me on this one. I get this unsweetened, but if you want to get crazy and add a pump of vanilla, be my guest. Life hack: if your coffee shop is out of cold brew ask for iced coffee with a shot of espresso. Up next is virtually the best drink for summer of all time. Order a strawberry açaí refresher with coconut milk instead of water. It's called a "pink drink". It's delicious, has some caffeine (green coffee extract), and is dairy free! The pink drink is quite possibly my favorite drink of the summer. You can also try this with the other refreshers as well! Last, but certainly not least is the green tea latte! One of my favorite drinks of all time because of the health benefits, and it's versatility. In the summer I order it iced with soy milk and no classic syrup. I love this drink because you can dress it up, or dress it down. In the winter I love ordering it hot with one pump of vanilla, and some cinnamon. In the summer I get it with no extras, and the soy milk helps to cut the earthy taste of it a little bit. It's great with coconut or regular milk as well (I wouldn't try it with almond first honestly, unless you're just super into almond milk.) Matcha is so good for you. It has antioxidants, gives you a caffeine boost without a crash, and can even help your metabolism! Disclaimer: These are just things I like! Really though, search "health benefits of matcha" and you'll be amazed. I drink it almost every day in some shape or form. Experiment with your coffee orders this summer! Sometimes it's the only small indulgence we allow ourselves in a day, so make the most of it! This past weekend spent in Maine was amazing! I loved getting to spend time with my family, and seeing the ocean. The only things that I disliked were the huge red bumps that started forming on my face as soon as I stepped foot in the Nashville airport. It seems like no matter what I do, I can't escape the inevitable breakout every time I go on vacation. Maine seems to be the harshest on my skin. The cold air, the wind, the food I eat while I'm there (whoopie pies, bread, cheese, etc.), and the sleeping schedule that was erratic at best, and nonexistent at worst. My skin is strange anyway, but the hectic situation of this past weekend just sent it over the edge. Here's some things that I didn't do this weekend, that usually help keep my skin from having an absolute meltdown (when, you know, I actually do them).
1. THINK AHEAD! I should have allowed myself more time to pack a cosmetic bag that accounted for the weather, and what I was doing during my trip. For example, I knew I would be snowboarding Saturday so I should've made sure I had my daily moisturizer with SPF on hand to reapply throughout the day. I also knew I would have to share a bathroom, and that I would have very limited time in the mornings to get ready. Therefore, I should've made sure I could wash my face every morning (and night if necessary) without using the sink in the bathroom. I love micellar water for this! Just make sure you don't pack it in your carry on, that's an expensive mistake you won't make more than once. 2. Make use of your forced down-time on the plane! Planes are basically giant flying Petri dishes. There are so many things out to get your skin on those things. We're so fortunate to have a mode of transportation that allows us to fly through the air and see our loved ones across the country in just a few hours. However, while your gazing dreamily out your window at the clouds, your skin is probably begging you for some moisture. Bring some cleansing wipes and a hydrating sheet mask (hand sanitizer too while you're at it), and wear that thing with pride. The people sitting next to you will probably be a little freaked out, but they'll regret making fun of you when you step of the runway looking like you just stepped off the runway. 3. Simplify your routine. Like, a lot. If you're like me you most likely spend at least twenty minutes a night meticulously applying serums, moisturizers, and masks. Okay, maybe that's slightly overboard, but if you had my skin you would understand. Make sure when you travel you're packing only the essentials. I would even suggest going and picking up a separate set of products if you travel enough to make it worth it. Really, all you need when you travel is a cleanser that can be used day and night, a serum or toner, and a moisturizer. Don't forget the sunscreen though! Especially if you're traveling somewhere tropical. 4. Try not to literally eat your weight in sugar, and bad carbs... I'm going to be so honest with you right now and admit that I failed at this one. Big time. This is easier to avoid when you go to the beach or somewhere generally more health conscious because there's access to a lot of fresh food, and produce. Wherever you're going don't leap off the wagon with reckless abandon just yet. Think of your skin as an organ (it's your largest one!), and remember that it needs good nutrition just like your other organs. Enjoy every bite of that chocolate molten lava cake, treat yourself; but don't forget to drink enough water & balance all your meals as much as possible. So there you have it, everything I did wrong last weekend. Thankfully I've been able to bounce back a little since being home, but it would've been easier to just do it right in the first place! Today I'm going to share one of the most frustrating things I've learned in school. The things that I thought were harmless, or was even told were helping my hair, could have been damaging it all along. It was like I swiped right on some seemingly good hair-loving ingredients, and the first date with the product was, at best, underwhelming; and, at worst, just plain destructive (yes, I just used a tinder analogy, sue me). Below is a comprehensive list of the good stuff, and the bad stuff when it comes to deciphering that long list of gibberish on the back of the bottle.
First of all, things to avoid: 1. Isopropyl Alcohol This particular alcohol (there are several different kinds) is extremely drying, and can roughen the cuticle of your hair, making it frizzy. 2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Sulfates are chemical detergents used to create lather in cosmetics. They can cause extreme scalp irritation and dryness. Fun fact: dioxane, a known carcinogen, can be found in many sulfates. 3. Propylene Glycol While making you hair appear shiny or healthier on the surface, this ingredient can actually be harming your hair structure on a cellular level. 4. Polysorbates This ingredient can disrupt the skin's pH balance, and wreaks havoc on its natural oil barrier. 5. Triclosan Triclosan is a skin irritant, and can cause endocrine disruption. Note: obviously none of these ingredients, especially in the low concentrations that are in most products, are going to harm your hair immediately; but over time they may start to cause irritation or other problems. They all serve a purpose, but be sure they’re not in the first few ingredients on the list. Now for the good things: 1. Coconut Oil It's been proven that coconut oil can help hair from the inside out by helping prevent protein loss during things like brushing, and blow-drying! 2. Hydrolyzed Keratin It works restore the natural protective layer of the hair, and can help restore elasticity. 3. Butters (Shae, Mango, Muru Muru) Great for moisturizing hair, defining curls, and even protecting your hair from the elements. Find a butter that works for your hair type, and use it in the way that works best for you! 4. Natural Oils Not all natural oils work for all hair types! Just like butters, find one that suits your specific needs. For example, almond oil won't leave a greasy residue for my girls with fine hair, while avocado oil is extremely rich for my curly girls who need that extra moisture. 5. Aloe Vera Aloe is great for soothing itchy, dry scalps. It also provides vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. Next time you go shopping for hair products be picky about your ingredients. Once you start researching you may be surprised by what's in the products you use every day! Hi there, welcome to the definitive beauty blog! The idea behind definitive beauty stems from a passion to see women living their best lives, and understanding that beautiful is not something you have to become, it's something you already are! Together we'll explore the vast world that is hair, makeup, and DIYs. I'll be taking you along when I travel, updating you on my favorite products, and sharing tips and tricks to help you live your best, most beautiful life. We'll also discuss homemaking, and career goals.
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CategoriesArchivesAuthorMy name is Brianna, and I'm a lover of all things beautiful. This blog is all about finding beauty in the mundane, as well as the extraordinary! |