In Pursuit of Favorite Beauty Items

While I do enjoy trying new beauty items, what I really LOVE is finding new favorites that quickly become staples in my beauty routine.  I wanted to share some of my favorites with you: both a few luxury beauty items and several budget-friendly beauty items as well.

Favorite Drugstore/Supermarket Beauty Finds

Method Moisturizing Boday Wash in Olive Leaf

I first saw Method products at Target right after we had been married.  I love the idea of more natural products and when I found the Olive Leaf scent, I fell in love.  It's got a clean scent with olive leaf, fresh herbs, and a tiny hint of citrus (which I normally steer clear of, but enjoy in this product).  Bonus: it also comes in a Moisturizing Hand Wash so you can continue to smell this nourishing scent all day!

Aveeno Stress Relief Moisturizing Lotion

As I write this, I realize just how long I've been using this lotion- probably close to 15 years!  While I will still occasionally try new lotions, I always seem to return to this one.  Its scent includes lavender, chamomile, and ylang-ylang.  I use it all over and it leaves my skin super soft!

Acure Moroccan Argan Oil

After reading French Women Don't Get Fat, I had always wanted to try Argan Oil, which Mireille Guiliano raves about having incredibly anti-aging properties.  However, it wasn't until I started using essential oils (and needed a base oil for the ones I was using on my face) that I finally purchased some to try.  I use it in the morning with a drop of Melaleuca (Tea-Tree Oil) and a drop of Frankincense.  I like the purifying properties of the melaleuca and love how the Frankincense helps to brighten my skin tone!

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser

This is a relatively new find as a product I had used in the past was discontinued.  I love the grapefruit scent and use it in the shower after runs and at night before bed.  

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

For years I used Mary Kay's Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, but after finding this one that can be purchased almost anywhere (and is half the price), I converted.  It does not irritate my eyes (which are pretty sensitive) and works great to remove my heavy black eyeliner and mascara.  Bonus: Kroger has its own version of this that I like to stock up on- it's about half the price and just as effective!

Favorite Luxury Finds

Aveda Madder Root Shampoo and Conditioner AND Aveda Color Conserve Daily Color Protect

I went a subtle shade of red about a year ago and my hairstylist recommended these products to help prolong the life of my color.  They work so well that nearly every time I wash and dry my hair, people ask if I've just had my hair done!  Since I love my high-quality salon but cannot afford to go as often as I would like, these products are a great investment for me as they help me stretch out the time between my salon visits.  

L'Occitane En Provence Ultra Rich Body Lotion

I mean, who doesn't like L'Occitane?  I love its Shea Butter scent and especially love how it moisturizes without leaving literally any type of residue once it's dry.  I literally feel as though my skin is more radiant when I've used it.  Since it is a bit more expensive than my trusted Aveeno, it's been a little while since I have splurged on it.  I did receive some as a birthday gift and have been savoring it since :)

Lancôme Absolue Night Premium Bx

I received a sample of this from my mother-in-law and immediately understood why people tend to invest in luxury night creams.  Within days of use, my skin seemed brighter and more youthful.  I love the scent and just as I can still remember the scent of my mother's night cream when I was a child, I hope my children will one day think of this scent on my face as I kiss them goodnight and say their prayers.      

FTC: This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links may be affiliate.

In Pursuit of Household Simplifying Tips

I'm a firm believer in living each day to fullest and in this season of my life, most of that living is done at home with my children.  Days are full and busy, so whenever an opportunity comes along to simplify a process (especially those used daily), I jump at the chance to do so.  The first two tips come from being able to examine a situation, step back, and determine what I could do to change the situation.  The third is simply a household product that I cannot live without... and seeing as it has so many uses, it, too, has helped to simplify a process.

1. Dealing with Junk Mail

One awful habit I have had since I was little is accumulating piles.  Piles of notes, piles of pictures, piles of mail.  In one of her "Happier" books, Gretchen Rubin tells about her process for combatting one of those piles: mail.  Many books talk about systems to help with the clutter junk mail and bills can create, but behold the one that works for us:  On most days, I wait until the end of the day to get our mail.  I try to not retrieve it while in a hurry so that I can move on to my next step: I open the mail before I even get inside.  That's right.  I stand by our recycle bin and immediately trash any junk mail, flyers, unsolicited magazines or unwanted catalogs.  For the few remaining bills that still arrive via USPS, I open those and throw the envelops away.  I enter my house with only items that will be kept and those are immediately placed in their proper locations: Bills in the Bills folder, my magazines and catalogs in the living room, greeting cards on the island, and Chris' magazines on his nightstand.   This simple practice has helped to alleviate at least one of my habit piles at home :)

2. Home Alarm System Wireless Key-Fob

As we have been on the move more, a moment that I realized was incredibly stressful nearly every day was the [seemingly] simple task of entering and leaving the house.  Since we live in a split-level house with a finished garage, we lack a true entry area.  We are left with using the front door or the downstair's piano studio entrance.  Needless to say, attempting to get two children (and all of our accoutrements) out one of these doors in the 60 beeping seconds before the alarm set itself off caused a muck of unnecessary stress.  Getting everyone inside to turn the alarm off proves just as difficult.  My anxiety started to pick up every time we left the house and every time we arrived back at home.  I decided to examine what was causing stress with the situation (the warning "BEEP-BEEP-BEEP" was a big factor) and how I could alleviate the situation.  We decided to invest (a whopping $22) on a keyless entry, and it has been worth every penny and more.  I am now able to set the alarm and deactivate it without ever hearing the beep.  Leaving the house and arriving back at home has become much more enjoyable as we no longer live in the fear of setting off the alarm.

3. Lemon Essential Oil: The Windex of Our House

No joke, y'all... this stuff is incredible.  Before I purchased it, I heard of its power to freshen a load of forgotten laundry already washed.  I tried it by running a rinse cycle with a few drops, and it worked!  Since then, I've used it for so many things around the house- mostly removing sticky things and stains.  The sticker residue left on the glass of picture frames?  It removes it.  Tar left on my car that the teenage boy at the carwash couldn't remove?  Came right off with the oil!  Below, witness two stain removing uses of this amazing oil: permanent marker on my hardwood floors and ink from nutrient facts that transferred to my countertops from a box of (cough-cough) donuts...  I will say to use your own discretion when using the oil as a stain remover- I was a bit worried that I'd take the paint off of my car or perhaps the stain off my hardwoods.  Neither happened, but I would assume that for an over-zealous cleaner, it is a possibility.

FTC: This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links may be affiliate.