On vacation in Thailand. Currently living in paradise with the best of friends!
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Clear Skin Regimen
Growing up I was always the one with the terrible skin. I’m not that girl that gets one or two zits and acts like the world is ending (and if you’re one of those girls, go eat some dirt). Anyway, since seventh grade I had red, blotchy, cystic acne, pimples, and huge pores! To me, it wasn’t such a big deal in middle school because everyone else was going through it, but then high school came around, college, then graduating college… you get it. The thing about having acne… IT SUCKS! I tried everything to clear my skin and nothing has worked until the past 8 months! I tried Proactive, Clean & Clear, Clearasil, Neutrogena, Biore, Stridex, Tetracycline, Tri-Cyclen, Differen, Benzaclin topical, Retin-A Micro topical, Duac topical, Minocin, Benzac, Witch Hazel, Zapzyt, Noxema, Cetaphil, Clinque, chemical peels, laser treatment, and many more. I also tried Accutane, which is a super high dose of vitamin A. When I was taking it I was always in pain, dealing with super dry skin, having a daily bloody nose, and my was hair falling out. It was awful.
So what has changed in the past year to leave me with the clearest skin I have ever had? Just a few changes!
1. Invested in a Clarisonic Mia 2. Directly from http://www.clarisonic.com, “Cleansing is the essential first step in a healthy skin care ritual. The patented Clarisonic Sonic Cleansing Brush uses a sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to deeply cleanse the skin far more effectively, yet more gently, than traditional superficial cleansing or simple rotating brushes. The result is noticeably smoother, more radiant skin.” I am obsessed and could no longer imagine my life without it!
2. What do I use with my Clarisonic? A soapless cleanser! Yes, soapless… as in no soap! Two brands I stick to are Basis (can be purchased at Wegmans) and Purpose (can be purchased at almost any drugstore and Walmart). The soapless cleanser idea was suggested by a dermatologist a few years back. It is not harsh on my sensitive skin and doesn’t overly dry it either.
3. I drink at least one gallon of water a day. It’s that simple. Hydrate your skin, people!
4. Diatomaceous Earth. I take two tablespoons every morning! What the heck is that anyway, right? I’d rather make that another post for another day, but for now check out http://diatomaceous.org/
5. I take off my makeup every night! No matter how tired (or drunk) I am, I always grab a makeup removing cloth!
I really really hope this helps someone out there who is dealing with acne! I understand how emotionally draining it can be, but keep your chin up! Took me ten years, but my skin is finally pretty much acne free 🙂
These are a Few of My Favorite Things
Guys and Disney Movies. But when put together, it’s just a gut wrenching good laugh! Enjoy this video I found on Cosmopolitan.com 🙂
A New Me with the Help of Katy
The start of 2015 had a plethora of changes, ups, and downs; All within the first week. At the time I was heartbroken and didn’t know how I would be able to live a positive life (yes this is about a boy), but after almost 2 months has passed I am happier than ever. For the past four years he has been a great supporter in my life, a best friend, but at the same time he was also very toxic. The day came and he told me I was no longer going to be apart of his life. It was also the same day I signed up for Katy Hearn’s Winter 2015 Fitness Challenge. Unless you are a girl between the ages of 15 and 28 who uses a lot of social media, you probably don’t know who Katy Hearn is.
^Katy Hearn^ is a 23 year old personal trainer, fitness model, and all around amazing woman. She believes in a simple way to get/stay healthy and achieve ones fitness goals; thru a well balanced diet and training in the gym. Yes, training, as in lifting weights. Lifting weights will not make girls bulky and huge if it’s done without any hormones and medication. She targets different muscle areas everyday and adds in cardio every once and awhile. When I acquired my fitness plan and meal guideline I also received the following and support from all the other amazing women partaking in the Winter Challenge. We all started at different levels/ with different goals in mind, but we all have one thing in common, we all want each other to succeed. Having a bad day? In one post on our fitness accounts you will receive over fifty comments and messages of positivity. We are all here to remind each other what Katy has told us:
Yes, my diet is a lot more balanced than it has been in the past. Yes, I have lost weight and my body fat percentage has decreased. Most importantly, my daily happiness has increased. The physical changes are so rewarding and give you that cliche, “I can do this” feeling. You learn to rely on yourself and become more independent. In the words of Elle Woods from Legally Blonde…
Thank you Katy for providing us with this opportunity to improve ourselves in every aspect of our lives 🙂
Follow Katy on Instagram @Katyhearnfit
St. Pattys Day Nails!
As a gal who doesn’t typically wear green, I always paint my nails green for St. Patricks Day so no one thinks twice about pinching me! Anyway I wanted to share some nail art ideas and step-by-steps of a few of them. I’m actually very anti shamrock, pots of gold, ect. I’m not five or an elementary school teacher, I do not need little leprechauns on my person let alone my nails! Well here you go.. I hope you enjoy! All nails and the nail wheel are mine that I painted yesterday 🙂
Ceci Johnson- A True Inspiration!
I just had the honor to attend a lecture and Q&A by Ceci Johnson at my school, FIT!
Ceci Johnson is the founder of Ceci New York. She is an expert in luxury invitation designs, branding, and visual styling. Ceci started her company ten years ago and since then she is the “go-to” girl among an international high-profile clientele, including royalty, A-list celebrities, the president, and leading luxury brands. Like myself, Ceci has been fashion obsessed and dedicated to a lifetime pursuit of glamorous individual style her whole life. She is a wife, daughter, and new mother who still has time to follow her dreams and look completely gorgeous, fabulous and most importantly- happy!
What led to me add Ceci on my personal list of amazing and inspirational woman was not just the fact that she created a business and company I dream of working for, but she was also friendly, sincere, and so down to earth. Her work ethic and passion combined is what drove her to be so successful and I applaud her for that! I’m sure that everyone else in the audience could agree that tonight you could feel Ceci’s passion as she told stories about her business. When asked questions about how she became so successful, she was very honest explaining that she wouldn’t be so successful if this wasn’t what she loved to do. She never short changes herself and always stands up for what she believes in. She sets very high stands and expects them to be met and that is another reason why she is so successful.
As a fashion major and event planning minor, I was SO into what she was saying from the moment she started speaking. I have to share a few words of advice Ceci shared tonight:
“Inspiration is all around you, but as a designer you must also define the target, whether its a client or a brand.”
“In a world of clunky binders and template invitations I saw a niche for a truly couture design. and I went for it!”
“Don’t give your work away for free. Nothing – and I mean nothing – says commitment like a deposit and signed contract.”
Something I am going to have to paraphrase, was her answer to the question, “What was the moment when you were like, ‘wow, I made it’?” She thought for a second and then explained that when she started out she wanted to get involved in a little event, and she did! When it was over she was surprised how easy it was, so she set her goals higher and higher. The fact that she keeps setting new goals allows for amazing confident boosting moments when she reaches them! How cool is that?!
Attending FIT was always a goal of mine, and I reached it. This is only the beginning, because I will never stop setting new goals!
After Ceci’s words of wisdom tonight I felt increasingly excited about my future and a lot less scared. I came to the realization that throughout my whole life I have had passion and love for being creative, not only in fashion. I put creativity into everything that I do. From baking giant cupcakes, to redecorating my house without my mother’s permission. I started my own small line of jewelery. I created bracelets, earrings, embellished hats, and hair accessories because I loved doing it. I guess I never really realized how awesome that was because I was just doing because it came natural to me. I will paint mine and my friend’s nails crazy prints and designs, because, again it’s something that makes me happy. I could go on and on explaining all the ways I have been creative my whole life, but it’s really more than that. Finding what you want to do, to be your career, is finding what truly makes you happy. It has to be a part of you. You could have your life up in jumbles and everything could be falling apart, but when you have your creativity, that’s forever; My creativity, and my passion for fashion, will never disappoint me or let me down.
Ceci Johnson, you and your kind words are seriously a blessing and I thank you SO SO much for sharing your story!
I HIGHLY recommended you check out her website http://www.cecinewyork.com and from that check out her twitter, instagram, and pinterest!
Emily Bracey 