What I’m Loving Now

I just love writing these posts each month – even though they are sometimes a really random mix of things that are totally unrelated to beauty & fashion, it’s a great chance for me to share “real life” moments with you & give unbiased feedback on the products I’m buying & using regularly.  I hope you enjoy these as much as I do – here’s a glimpse at what I’m loving this month:

THE HAPPYFEED APP

I’ve been keeping a gratitude journal for the last couple years, but I’ve been having a hard time staying consistent with it lately.  With this app, you can set reminders to jot down moments you’re grateful for (3 per day) & you can even add photos along with your text – mine are everything from pictures of my puppy to a new recipe that was a success to flowers blooming in my yard to much bigger things like my kids’ school awards, signing a new campaign contract, etc.  I also love that you can look back through past memories on your calendar, which is the perfect pick-me-up if you’re feeling down.  It’s been a great way for me to stay positive and stay focused on the good in my life – highly recommend giving it a shot if you aren’t already utilizing something similar!

LIVING PROOF WHIPPED GLAZE

Ever since I started having balayage highlights put into my hair, I’ve been on a constant mission to keep them looking good.  The purple shampoo I was previously using started to have a drying effect on my hair, so I wanted to find an alternative product that would achieve the same results without stripping the moisture from my strands.  I just discovered this mousse & have been using it about every 2-3 washes to keep my highlights bright & to cancel out any brassiness.  It works like leave-in toner/conditioner & makes such a big difference (there’s one for brunettes & darker hair and one for blondes).  I apply it immediately after towel drying my hair, from roots to end & then I use this wide-tooth comb to ensure it’s evenly distributed.  If you want to test it out before buying the larger bottle, you can purchase the mini size here or here.

FISKARS WEED PULLER

We’ve been spending a lot of time beautifying our yard this year – from digging up dead bushes, putting in new flowers & shrubs to finally getting planter boxes for our front porch.  It’s meant a lot of hard work on the weekends, but we are starting to enjoy the fruits of our labor!  One of my least favorite tasks when it comes to yard work is weeding.  My joints can’t handle all the hunching over and kneeling that it takes, so usually my husband takes care of it.  But, when I came across this handy tool, I knew it would help me get back in the game.  Not only does it make the arduous task of weeding a total breeze, but it saves your back & knees from being sore the next day because you can operate it while standing upright the entire time.  It’s so satisfying (& slightly addicting) and it’s super easy to use – even my son can do it (if you click through the link, there’s a video you can watch to see how it works).

MASCARA WAND RECYCLING

I’m always looking for ways that I can be more environmentally-conscious and I recently learned about an easy way to recycle old mascara wands that benefits a great cause!  When you’re done with a tube of mascara, instead of throwing it away, simply wash the wand with Dawn soap to remove all mascara residue, let it dry & place in a sealable bag (I wait until I have 5 or more to send at a time).  Then, drop them in the mail to a Wildlife Refuge Center – they can use them to clean away oil, larvae, mites, mud & other contaminants from wildlife.  I’ve been sending mine to: Appalachian Wild, P.O. Box 1211, Skyland, NC 28776 (you can also call your nearest local center to see if they accept donations).  Such a simple way to help & all it takes is the cost of postage!

AQUABLISS SHOWER FILTER

File this under things I should have purchased a long time ago. A couple of years back, a hair stylist friend of mine suggested that I get a filter for my shower and I remember thinking, “how much difference could that really make?”. I brushed it off and never thought of it again…until my functional medicine doctor brought it up to me during a recent visit.  So, I decided to finally give it a try – I did an obscene amount of research before pulling the trigger on this one.  My two biggest concerns were that it would be too difficult to install & that it would cut down on our water pressure (which is already not the greatest).  But, we’ve been so happy with it and I cannot believe the change I’ve noticed in my hair & skin since we put it in.  If you have sensitive skin, are in an area with hard water or chlorine in your water, I suggest giving this a try – it’s a total game-changer!

BEAUTY BLENDER CASE

As I was packing & purchasing items for my India trip, I came across this handy case on Amazon & immediately added it to my cart.  It comes with a beauty blender sponge (if you don’t already own one) & is made from shatterproof silicone so it’s super-durable.  This keeps your sponge protected from getting stained from other products in your bag + the holes provide proper ventilation so it can dry completely.  This is so perfect if you travel a lot for work or have summer vacations planned – you can also just throw it in your purse if you need to do your makeup on the go.  For only $12.99, it’s a must-have!

SUMMER ACTIVEWEAR

I’m guilty of wearing pretty much all black & gray when I work out (especially in the cold weather months), but when I was at the gym the other day, I saw this girl in the cutest pastel matching set and, right then, I decided I needed to revamp my activewear for the new season.  There are so many bright colors & fun prints available right now – I did a little digging & came up with some great affordable options so you can buy several or mix & match with what you already own.  Here are my favorites:

ONE: Floral Crop Top + Gray Leggings
TWO: High Neck Crop Top + High-Waist Leggings
THREE: Twist Front Tee + Floral Leggings
FOUR: Graphic Swing Tank + Eyelet Crop Leggings
FIVE: Floral Print Tank + Mauve Leggings
SIX: Side Knot Tank Top + Floral Print Leggings
SEVEN: Tie-Back T-Shirt + Camo Print Leggings
EIGHT: Colorblock Sports Bra + Compression Leggings