Some days you feel a little more disheveled than others - and today, well this week really, has been one of those weeks. I think being pregnant, working full time, keeping up with my blog and my life in general can sometimes get crazy.
I am going to tell you something that might shock half of
you and the other half might be able to totally relate. And that is that up
until about a year or two ago I have had maybe one facial in my entire life.
Like I said some can totally
relate and others, well you might be in shock. I had never really felt it was
necessary to get facials on a regular basis or to even go at all really.
When I
started going to get facials I remember the esthetician telling me that you
were supposed to go on a regular basis, she told me to think about it like
going to the gym. You have to keep up with it. I was still confused. How and
why would people spend $100 + on a facial every 4 weeks?! And then something
happened. I started to see the benefits of going and guess what? Yep – I was
hooked. I just loved the relaxing aspect of it and then of course loved the way
my skin was glowing each time I left. I felt renewed and started to really
enjoy taking care of my skin. To most people my skin might look the exact same as
it has always looked but only you truly know your own skin and I can absolutely
tell the difference. Especially as we start to age. And yes, I am in my 30’s
– sounds so weird to say that still!
Now that I am pregnant I have become so much more aware of
how toxic so many of my makeup and skincare/beauty products really are. It is actually
insane once you start looking into it. During my research I have actually come
across an ah-mazing website that allows you to search different beauty products
for a score of their toxicity based on different chemicals and products used.
You can check it out here: www.ewg.org/skindeep
. I mean, some products I just can’t let go regardless but I think it is always
best to be educated and as knowledgeable as possible about what we are putting
our skin as it eventually makes its way to our blood stream.
This is why when I was contacted by Sara Elizabeth Skincare to come in for a customized botanical facial I was more than thrilled.
I have always been a huge fan of using products that feature ingredients as
close to their natural state as possible, i.e. I am no stranger to an avocado
mask, or using tea tree oil as spot treatment. So when I went to Sara Elizabeth
I fell in love with the way she seemed to be almost an artist or a scientist
who knows how to utilize ingredients found in nature to the best of their
abilities. My favorite part of the facial was when she massaged raw Manuka honey
into my skin. Yep, you read that right – honey. Not just any honey though. This
is Manuka honey, a honey that produced in New Zealand by bees who pollinate the
Manuka bush. This particular type of honey is said to have a higher # of
enzymes than your typical honey which make it work like an antibacterial
(draxe.com). Sara Elizabeth shared with me how it is similar to tea tree oil in
that I could use it as a spot treatment or just use it as a mask whenever I am
feeling dry as it is also an amazing humectant (moisturizer). Not to mention,
you can eat the stuff and that comes with a whole slew of its own benefits as well!
Some of my top favorite beauty products right now:
Billion Dollar Brows – Brows on Point WaterproofMicro Brow Pencil – Obsessing over this lately! It goes on so smoothly and
creates such a natural look for the brows. For someone like me who has very
sparse brows but I want to fill them in to look as natural as possible this
type of brow pencil works wonders. I rotate between this and the Anastasia Brow
Wiz however I love that this one is waterproof and a little bit less costly. I
have been using this and applying their powder over it to really fill them in
when I am going out. PS - take 25% off all brow products at Billion Dollar Brows with code 'BROWOW25' at checkout
Raw Manuka Honey – Wedderspoon Raw Manuka Honey KFactor 16 – This one doubles as a beauty
essential and a kitchen essential. You really can’t go wrong with this one. I
have been using in at-home face masks, spot treatments, and adding to my
oatmeal every morning. My Dr. said it was safe to use during pregnancy although
it is considered “raw”, however I do suggest speaking with your Dr. first prior
to consuming anything “raw” if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Side note –
this does have a different taste than
traditional honey but once you get used to it you will probably become
obsessed!
My current at-home mask for glowing skin:
1 teaspoon Mashed Avocado
1 tablespoon Raw Manuka Honey
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1 teaspoon Organic Whole Milk Yogurt
1/4 cup of uncooked oatmeal *variation from Wedderspoon.com
Sara
Elizabeth Cucumber & Mango Butter Calming Cream – I have been using this as
my go-to moisturizer since my facial with Sara Elizabeth last week. I am slightly
obsessed with all of her products already but this one has quickly become a
favorite. I use it to moisturize in the morning and evenings being sure to
slather it on my neck as well. This one does not leave you feeling greasy like I
have found with some other moisturizers. Just leaves your skin feeling supple
and soft! I love that is has so many natural ingredients such as mango butter,
olive oil, and sunflower seed oil!
Some of us (eh hem!) have been slightlyseriously obsessing over the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. There is ONE more day to shop early access. This means you still have an opportunity to snag up your favorite pieces before everyone gets access this Friday - and items sell out fast! I used to think this sale was just Nordstrom marking down all of their old items to make way for new season, but I was wrong. They actually are marking down NEW fall items guys - what a way to jump start your fall wardrobe. Also, if you don't have a Nordstrom card and can't shop early access I recommend just going through and bookmarking all of your top picks so that on Friday morning you can be sure to get your favs before they sell out!
For myself I am going to have to focus mainly on shoes, bags, & accessories since my baby bump is going to just be getting bigger this fall but I am sooo jealous because some of my favorite jeans are included in the sale!
Who else is loving the off-the-shoulder look this summer? It
is almost everywhere I look and right when I think I am over it, well, I’m not
quite done yet. Especially at this stage of my pregnancy. These are THE perfect
shirts for us momma’s to be. I mean, they look chic and show a little shoulder while
keeping things comfortable. This one has been on serious rotation in my
closet,I mean – serious. Maybe that
means I just need to buy more! Ha – that always seems to be my solution, more
shopping.
In my opinion, nothing takes your outfit to the next level than a great pair of shoes. Right now I am obsessing over wedges for summer, and a lot of these are on SALE – perfect timing for me and you! I realized the other day that I really do not have a lot of “summer” shoes. I have always felt weird about spending a lot of money on sandals when I can buy some studded black boots or heels. But, when it comes down to it, I want to look just as stylish in the summer as I do in the fall & winter. And what better way than with a pair of great wedges?! I love pairing wedges with skinny jeans and a chic top – or even a pair of fun flares! Shop my favorites below!
Somehow it's already Wednesday guys! Hump day...already. I love short weeks. Hope you all had an awesome 4th. We spent ours at the beach - can't keep me away for too long. It was the 50th anniversary of the Ocean Beach pier being built so I felt like that made it just a tad bit more special. I can't believe summer is about halfway over. How does that even happen? I thought it just started. Eh, anyhow. On another note, I am absolutely in LOVE with this linen top from Aussie brand Eva's Sunday.
