I want to thank you all for your kind words & well wishes – I am so grateful for your understanding during what was a very challenging week for me. I am finally starting to feel better and am looking forward to getting back to my regular work schedule next week (including new outfit posts)! Because so many of you provided suggestions for content, I decided to combine them all into one post for today – hopefully there is something here for everyone! I may even consider making this a regular series, so if you have more ideas, please share in the comments below or send me an email.
SKINCARE ROUTINE
I’ve mentioned it on the blog before, but several of you have been asking more lately about the skincare products I use. A few months ago, I tried switching to some organic facial products and my skin didn’t respond well. So, I’m back to my old favorites for now, but would really like to find all-natural products that work just as well as these. I have very sensitive skin & many of the anti-aging creams I’ve tried in the past were too rich for me & caused breakouts, so I try to keep my routine very simple. I also noticed an improvement in my skin when I removed sugar & dairy from my diet (more on that below).
I have been using this since my dermatologist recommended it to help calm down my irritable postpartum skin after my son was born (he’s now 7). It seems old-school to be washing my face with bar soap, but my skin has reacted poorly every time I’ve tried another type of cleanser.
2) Clarisonic Mia
I’m going on 4 years of using this tool and I honestly don’t know how I ever lived without it. I use it every morning when I wash my face – it really facilitates a deep clean that leaves my skin looking healthy & helps it to better absorb my moisturizer.
I’m going on 4 years of using this tool and I honestly don’t know how I ever lived without it. I use it every morning when I wash my face – it really facilitates a deep clean that leaves my skin looking healthy & helps it to better absorb my moisturizer.
3) CeraVe AM/PM
This was another dermatologist-recommended product that I swear by. Though I’ve tried a few other moisturizers in the past year, nothing hydrates my skin like this one. I love that the AM version has SPF30 & that the PM version has hyaluronic acid & ceramides.
This was another dermatologist-recommended product that I swear by. Though I’ve tried a few other moisturizers in the past year, nothing hydrates my skin like this one. I love that the AM version has SPF30 & that the PM version has hyaluronic acid & ceramides.
4) Kate Somerville ExfoliKate
I received a small bottle of this as a free sample with a Sephora order a few months back and I was instantly hooked. Many exfoliating scrubs I’ve tried were too abrasive for my sensitive skin, but this one didn’t aggravate it and left it feeling soft & smooth. I use this twice a week & I’ve noticed a huge difference in the overall texture & brightness of my skin.
I received a small bottle of this as a free sample with a Sephora order a few months back and I was instantly hooked. Many exfoliating scrubs I’ve tried were too abrasive for my sensitive skin, but this one didn’t aggravate it and left it feeling soft & smooth. I use this twice a week & I’ve noticed a huge difference in the overall texture & brightness of my skin.
FAVORITE MEALS
Changing my diet at the beginning of last year was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Clean eating has completely eliminated my joint pain, digestive issues & it’s even improved my hair, skin & nails. I find that I have more energy throughout the day & I’m sleeping better at night. Though it makes traveling & eating out a challenge, it is well worth the sacrifice to have my health back on track. Here are some of my favorite meals that I make on a regular basis (you can also check out my Pinterest board here for more healthy recipe ideas):
1) Salmon Cakes
I am always working to get lots of Omega 3’s into my diet because it helps reduce inflammation in the body and it’s so great for your skin. I tried about four different recipes for salmon cakes before finding this one, which is the best of the bunch. I make these almost weekly using this sockeye salmon.
Though not a meal all on their own, I make these whenever we have tacos as a family. I have this tortilla press, which helps get them really thin, and I love having leftovers to make breakfast burritos or wraps for lunches. Sometimes I will double the batch and freeze half (with parchment paper in between) to pull out later as needed.
This recipe is my husband’s favorite meal because it tastes like takeout, only it’s so much better for you! I typically serve mine over cauliflower rice but my family eats theirs with white rice. The process is a bit time-consuming but completely worth the effort.
One of the best kitchen tools I purchased this year was my spiralizer. A whole new world of cooking was opened up to me once I realized I could eat zucchini noodles. This is so quick & easy and a great alternative for lunch instead of my usual tossed salad. A second place honorable mention goes to this Thai-inspired zoodle recipe (also a household favorite).
COLORFUL LOOKS
Many of you mentioned on Facebook that you’d like to see some outfits that will help you incorporate spring colors into your looks, even though you’re stuck still wearing winter layers. This is the time of year when I start packing away my tartan plaid & fair isle pieces and try to wear more brights. If you haven’t already, this is the perfect time to pull out your white jeans and work them back into your wardrobe – I like pairing mine with softer hues like light grays and pastels.
Give Me Gingham
20 Under $20
Weekly Top Finds
Utility Stripes