First let me start by saying that I am not hating on vision boards. As an equal opportunity supporter of all things self-improvement – if you must board your visions, by alllll means. I just tend to take a more gradual, easier to swallow approach for reaching goals. Maybe it’s the Hufflepuff in me (omg I’m being such an elder millenial rn) but can’t we take it easy on ourselves?

Disclaimer: This is tongue and cheek and not actual, useful advice.

For starters, I do not say them out loud. Ohhhh no. Then they become real. Then they’re out there. For the world to criticize and hold you accountable to. Under-promise and over-deliver, now that’s the ticket!

Second, I find that for me anyway, making a change is a slow burn and must start with an internal dialog where I spend time questioning a deeply held belief or habit. I’ll slowly begin to research or ruminate on that belief when the mood strikes. Then overtime, the dialog stirs up enough…gall, hutzpah, balls (?) for me to actually take action.

Lastly, I like to downplay the result. Whether it’s a reached goal, end result, or big change, the internal satisfaction I feel from whatever I’m done is usually treat enough. Plus, if I ever slip back into my own ways or end up screwing something up, nobody is the wiser. Fiddle dee dee!

The last thing I’ll mention is that I feel FAR better once I list out all of the things I have already accomplished, rather then the other way around. So for today’s purposes, here are my recent accomplishments:

• I PROUDLY stopped using the cheap (albeit, delicious) coffee creamers and switched to the natural ones. I know it doesn’t erase the pounds of candy, Cheez-Its, and Frescas I drink…but it’s a start. Skittles followed. Then Batiste Dry Shampoo. I’m basically a homesteader at this rate.

• I have not let my grow out last longer than 4 months. This one is mostly for my mental health and for self-care purposes because I feel 10,000,000 times better when my hair looks nice.

• I have signed Clara up for activities. This probably seems so trivial to the average person, but for some reason makes me anxious (she won’t like it, something about it will be weird, etc.). We did dance class and are signed up for futsal this spring!

• After the holidays I did a TON of decluttering and got rid of things that I like but don’t need and cloud my mind. Felt amazing to purge a ton of shit that quite literally was weighing me down.

And since I consider you all close, personal friends – fiiiiine, I will let you in on a few things I am trying to work on this year. YOU’RE WELCOME.

• Get back into therapy. My previous therapist (who I loved) stopped taking insurance a couple of years ago and I haven’t been since. It’s time.
• Move my body. I am getting weak and would like to lift weights to improve my strength. The realistic version of this is not anything like the fitness influencers deadlifting in those butt-enhancing Gymshark leggings. My version looks something like doing 3 sets of 10 with 45 pounds on the leg press machine in my Nike warm-up pants from college volleyball circa ’05.
• Don’t stress about reselling. My little side hobby is so fun, but sometimes stresses me out. I’d like to have it stress me out less.
• Get an LED red-light face mask. This one’s easy. It’s really about ripping off the $400 bandaid. Which if it was for anyone else would be a non-issue, but since it’s for me is super hard. Does anyone have recommendations on these?? Promise to review here once I get one, and track my progress!

Ok that’s it for today. Happy February friends.

Well, shucks. ‘Tis November already and your girl’s been a little bit absent around these parts. It’s tough to keep all the plates spinning, especially when the plates are full of stressful work, broken Christmas ornaments, and a (now) 3-week school closure. But lucky for you I fall victim to guilt. Guilt of all kinds! Of course Mom-guilt, but there’s also Catholic-guilt, and most relevant here, bloggers-guilt! And no matter how chaotic life gets, I always feel drawn to the keyboard to jot down life’s peaks and perils, along with of course, Tree Hut body scrub recommendations (which is candy cane).

Of course I must talk about my current fall favorites before we officially transition to winter. I think I have until the 21st of December if we’re being technical – and, look at that – I am ahead of schedule!

Junk Theory Juniper Biome Cleanser

I’ve been using this cleanser from Junk Theory for the past couple of months and I love how it is gentle, yet very effective. Containing both algae and aloe (two powerhouse ingredients) this cleanser takes off all my makeup but doesn’t over-dry. Great stuff!

Elina Organics Pumpkin Spice Scrub

If you’re looking for a new scrub, look no further! Because what says fall better than pumpkin spice?! Elina organics uses only the best natural ingredients and this scrub is definitely proof of that. Smelling like pumpkin pie, this finely-milled scrub gently exfoliates away dead skin and leaves the skin feeling refreshed and glowy!

Veriphy Skincare Core Trio Set

First of all, some applause for the packaging. I love when a vegan/natural brand SHOWS UP with the packaging. First, the Power Trip Facial Serum, has lactic acid AND other vegan AHA’s that help exfoliate away dead kin and lighten dark spots (woop woop). It also contains arnica (my fave!) and calendula extract which we all know help with repair and renewal. Next, the Self-Absorbed Facial Moisturizer – is amazing. Chalked full of hyaluronic acid, this formula plumps the skin and is deeply hydrating. It’s all you really need a moisturizer to be. The 20/20 Eye Cream contains peptides that help increase hydration and elasticity and provide a strong anti-wrinkle effect. As I get older, I swear my under eyes suffer more than anywhere else and this formula is amazing. The Hit or Mist Facial Mist is made from glacial mineral water sourced in Canada, and I literally think about that every time I spritz this onto my face. It also contains detoxifying ginger and soothing white tea. I am obsessed!

MicrodermaMitt Makeup Remover

I LOVE this product! Perfect for the lazy girl (who still wants nice skin), this little mitt removes every stitch of makeup (even mascara) with only water. The microfiber fabric is super soft and gentle on skin and especially on the eyes.

L.A Colors Rad Rouge Blush in Valley Girl

Right now I am living for looking overly-blushed. I like to start with two large dots of the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Happy and then take this gorgeous, cool pink blush over the top. It makes me look and feel like a Barbie! Best of all, I got this for under $4 at Winco, but it is also available for around $7 on Amazon.

e.l.f Halo Glow Setting Powder

You guys. You know when you put on the e.l.f Halo Glow Liquid Filter and a nice, dewy foundation and your skin looks like shimmering angel wings? And then you put a powder over the top and it takes away allllllll the glowy loveliness you just worked so hard to achieve? Well, this powder DOESN’T DO THAT. It sets the face just enough to take away the intense shine, while still allowing the glow of the other products to show through.

eva nyc Freshen Up Invisible Dry Shampoo

Ok, so as soon as all the hubbub came out about dry shampoo basically being cancer spray, I tossed my Batiste into the garbage as a single tear rolled down my cheek. I use dry shampoo nearly every day, and I use alot. I also spray it a little bit like a mad woman and right in front of the mirror, where my toothbrush and mouth guard hang out. With those toxic ingredients, I figured hey – may as well keep them away from my scalp and probably my mouth. (This is all to say that I absolutely still use regular Dove deodorant and Bath and Body Works lotion, and consume hoards of Skittles on the reg) Baby steps!

This dry shampoo smells good and masks the oil the decently. It does build up pretty quickly, however, so after about 2 days of use I really need a shampoo.

Made by Dentists Teeth Whitening Pen – Pro Strength

Ding ding ding! I think we’ve found a winner for an effective teeth whitening pen that DOESN’T hurt my teeth! This clickable gel pen is super easy to use, and you only have to wait 30 seconds before closing your mouth. I have been using decently consistently for the past 3 weeks and have watched my teeth get several shades whiter. I highly recommend this product!

And that’s all for now. My annual holiday gift guide is upon us – I’ll see you back here for that!

“Three hundred lives of men I have walked this earth and now I have no time.”

Yeah no sh*t Gandalf. Countless nights in my younger, single years wondering if “he’d call”. Going to bed early because I was bored. Sauntering to-and-fro the aisles of Goodwill to kill time.

What I wouldn’t give for time like that again.

Alas, my husband and I find ourselves near middle age with a 12-year-old and a big 4-year-old who I sometimes force to play “baby” with me so I can snuggle her even a few moments before she catches on and wiggles away.

She no longer needs all the baby things society tells us she needs. Diaper days are gone. We’ve swapped Desitin for Delsym and her crib for a twin bed (that one hurt like a b). But we still need a few things!

Here are our favorites as of late.

Kyte Baby Twirl Dress in Strawberry

Sorry about the photoshoot but girlfriend was FEELIN this dress. This is our second twirl dress from Kyte and man-oh-man are they good. The stretchy bamboo fabric is absolute perfection and means it always fits perfectly. The skirt has juuuust the right amount of “twirl” and I love the length of the sleeve and slight dip in the back. In my eyes, this is the perfect dress for a child. It is easy, ridiculously comfortable, but also somehow works for a multitude of occasions. We’ve worn the blush pink version in a 3T no less than 50 times. These hold up amazingly well, pair great with leggings, are are simply a wardrobe staple!

Tiny Revival Pajama Set

This pajama set from Tiny Revival in the Savannah Vintage print is just to die. I cannot handle the sunflowers, pumpkins, and sweet little girls holding pumpkins I MEANNN. These have easily become Clara’s favorite pajamas as they are made of 94% Tencel/Modal which if you don’t know – is basically the Cadillac of fabrics. I adore the empire-waist detail of the top and slim fit of the bottoms, cute enough for a morning donut run paired with rainboots fo sho.

Storypod Interactive Audio System

The Storypod audio system has been a gamechanger for us (we got the starter set for age 4 in case you’re curious)! Educational, calming, and fun, the Storypod has been amazing for our family and beats the Toniebox for a number of reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, the Storypod characters are just cuter. They are plush, knit creatures and I actually appreciate the fact that most are not licensed characters. We get enough Disney, Paw Patrol, and Cocomelon as it is. It’s been great to take a break from the usual suspects and learn about new and fun characters. We really love listening to Craftie Fox, who provides 6 tracks and 83 minutes of content.

Second, the Storypod also comes with read-along audiobooks! Just like the audio characters, the books can be tapped on the Storypod and read aloud. The Storypod also plays a special noise when it is time to turn the page.

I cannot recommend this product enough!

Hatley Sherpa-Lined Raincoat

I KNOW it’s summer but I had to sing the praises of this raincoat. Clara got this from our Aunt Sandi for Christmas last year and it has become a staple. The quality is amazing and it actually keeps her dry. We have brought it on multiple vacations with heavy rain and it is perfect every time. I love that the inside is lined all-throughout with super-soft sherpa but the outside is totally waterproof and oh-so-fun.

OxiClean Max Force Gel Stick

Including this product is so cliché but I’M SORRY IT WORKS. If you don’t already know, I am also a reseller and this stuff works miracles. It has saved over 50% of Clara’s wardrobe, attacking grease, marker, food stains, you name it! I recently used it to remove a bunch of mystery black marks on a gorgeous pair of Vince wool wide-leg trousers and they came out with minimal scrubbing. You’ve gotta try it.

Toddler Wipe-Clean Activity Book

We got this big dry-erase toddler workbook at Costco and dear God it is teaching her how to write! I am definitely NOT on top of all the little learning activities for her (official preschool starts this fall!) and being able to sit down and do these little writing exercises together has been amazing. She is even holding the pen correctly! I wasn’t sure if we’d get good use out of this, but it has been something we pull out and do allll the time.

All for now! Stay tuned for a NYC trip recap, it’ll be a doozy.

Hear ye! Hear ye! Mothers Day is upon us!

A day where it’s finally about us, the moms. Maybe it’s a traditional breakfast in bed, or our favorite Starbucks in a Venti, a meal out, a day of shopping, A NAP. Growing up, we would bring my mom breakfast in bed and she’d be so sweet and act surprised and eat as we all watched. As I got older I realized my mom doesn’t even like breakfast, and was probably wincing in the next room as we made a mess in the kitchen that she’d end up cleaning. Knowing the mom is half the battle right? What would be most appreciated varies from mom to mom and sometimes its hard to make the right call.

I’ve compiled a short list of recommendations here and hope that no matter what, you celebrate the moms in your life.

Mantraband Birth Flower Necklace

This gold vermeil necklace is dainty yet powerful. In fact, all the beautiful jewelry from Mantraband comes with a positive, inspiring “mantra” meant to evoke mindfulness, presence, and affirmation in daily life. The December necklace is a narcissus, representing self-love and grace and I am obsessed with the amazing quality, gorgeous packaging, and feeling it gives me when I wear it!

Byredo Discovery Set

This set of perfume samples features all of Byredo’s best sellers. One bottle of this perfume will set you back nearly $300 big ones, so I consider $50 for the sampler a fair price. My favorite of the bunch is not surprisingly Gypsy Water, which features base notes of vanilla, Amber, and sandalwood and top notes of bergamot, juniper, lemon, and pepper.

Dignity Coconuts Beauty Bundle

Do you have a coconut-loving mama in your life? Look no further than Dignity Coconuts. This gift set is perfect for Mothers Day and offers a dry brush, a jar of their famous coconut oil, and a 3-pack of coconut oil based lip balms. The vanilla one is positively scrumptious and has become a staple in my life. I really love the versatility of coconut oil and appreciate the fact that I can use it on Clara and myself for a myriad of things. We’re constantly reaching for this!

Sanrio Loungewear

Target is currently killing it with the loungewear – I’ve seen Barbie, Hello Kitty, and other Sanrio characters there lately. These sweatpants are an absolute must for any elder millennial mom who likes a healthy dose of 80’s-90’s nostalgia. These feature power couple Hello Kitty and Pusheen!

VERB Ghost Oil

I know I sound like a broken record but man oh man I love this hair oil. As a fine-haired gal, I need one that won’t weigh me while still offering the benefits of a heavy oil. I love to use this one on damp hair before heat protectant and also on dry hair. I focus it at the ends and it always does the job and smells amazing.

Minnetonka Moccasins

Listen, I know it’s spring but every mom loves a nice pair of slippers and these ones are so damn comfy and they don’t break the bank. I found this pair brand new at my local thrift store and have been living in them ever since. The fur lining is to die for and the classic design means they won’t ever go out of style. Sometimes the OG gifts are the OG for a reason.

Recently I’ve received several compliments on my hair. “Natalie, your hair is so long!”, “Your hair looks so healthy!”, “What are you doing with your hair these days?” Ok maybe it’s only been like 3 people. Either way, it’s enough to inspire a blog post and incite hair euphoria because as many of you might know, it hasn’t always been like this. I’ve written about my hair countless times, most notably when it all fell out after I had a baby. The 80’s punk rock mullet was my reality. And having lived through that, I have a thing or two to say.

As a reminder, here is where I was just a few years ago.

Annnnd here I am today!

At Disney…

From family photos taken back in May 2022…

And before I get into this, of course, a disclaimer.

I have to give credit where credit is due. And for this, credit is undeniably due to the sudden surge in popularity of the 90’s blowout. Not sure about you, but I for one, am SO ready to hang up the curling wand in favor of a good ol’ 1.75″ classic Conair curling iron. I am tired of beachy waves, the perfectly imperfect tousled-ness, and wrapping 1-inch sections of hair around that GD wand, while burning my wrists and being ever-so-careful to leave out the bottom 2 inches to achieve the “Utah mom” look. Give me a classic, wide, bouncy curl! Give me layers! Give me BODY.

A few months ago while scrolling TikTok, I happened upon a new-to-me overnight curling method that promised to deliver the perfect 90’s blowout sans heat and guys – it actually works. I will link it here for your viewing pleasure. You’ll also need 2 insanely cheap Amazon products to achieve this (curling rods and a satin bonnet). You’ll also need 2-3 individual crew socks.

Here I am in all my closed-mouth-smile, bonneted glory:

Essentially, you wrap large sections of hair around the sock filled with curling rods. Then you place the bonnet over those sections and sleep on it. These were my results after the first time I tried it.

YAAAS Queen! Lovely, full, bouncy ass curls with NO heat damage. I feel like this style makes hair appear longer and healthier – smoke and mirrors baby! So with all of this being said, I attribute about 50% of the current lovely state of my hair to embracing this style and curling method.

What else have I been doing? I’m glad you asked!

1. Only washing my hair 2-3 times a week. We all know about this by now – washing your hair every day or even every other day is not good. Get dirty and reap the benefits.
2. Drinking 8 Greens (see below)
3. Using the lowest heat setting when I blow dry. No-brainer.

And then of course, your gonna need you some products. The following have been GAME CHANGERS for me. Life-altering, earth-shattering, ride-or-die necessities for long, luscious locks.

VOLO Hair Towel

The VOLO Hair Towel is an Allure Award Winner in 2021 and a serious must-have. I mentioned it a few months ago and I feel like this towel and the pillowcase mentioned below have made the most difference in terms of hair breakage and loss. This towel is ultra-absorbent, yet insanely soft. My hair is nearly halfway dry after only about 5-10 minutes in this towel. Worth every penny.

Mulberry Silk Pillowcase and Hairties

By now we should all know the benefits of sleeping on a silk pillowcase. Not only is it better for your hair, but it is also way better for your skin! Silk pillowcases do not absorb as much moisture as cotton or other materials, keeping expensive skincare products where they belong – on your face! They’re also better for temperature regulation, wrinkle prevention, and cause less breakage in hair. This one from Celestial Silk in vintage pink has been absolutely wonderful. It is a super high-quality pillowcase with a very strong, hidden zipper, has held up amazingly in the wash, and is ridiculously soft.

8 Greens

8 greens have quite literally been a lifesaver for me. My Aunt Sandi introduced these wonderful, fizzing, dietary supplement tablets to me years ago and I am hooked. They help out m’blood counts and deliver several benefits you’d get from actual greens. Perfect for a girl on a Gushers and Cheez-It diet.

VERB Ghost Oil

I have been using the Ghost Oil from Verb for a few months now and I do understand the hype. It lives up to the “weightless” claim, does not feel heavy in my thin hair, and makes my ends look and feel healthier. I use it on damp, towel-dried hair but have also used it on dry ends that are lookin’ a little sorry. One pump goes a long way so this 2 oz. bottle is going to last a good long while!

Kenra Blow-Dry Mist

I’ve always had a soft spot for Kenra – something about the smell. This blow dry, thermal protectant is no exception as it smells amazing but more importantly, protects my hair without weighing it down or making it feel greasy. It is SO imperative to find products that work well together and don’t weigh it down, especially when you have thinner hair. I find the combination of the Ghost Oil with the Kenra spray is a perfect duo.

That’s it from me and my hair! xoxo

Oh, dear lord.

It is March. MARCH. This might be the longest I’ve gone without writing it’s really been eating at me. About 4-5 days ago, I broke out all along my jawline. Like, it’s giving high-school. Things have been crazy at work and in my life but I honestly think I have pent up creative aggression. Hopefully after I hit publish, all my problems (and zits) will just go away!

So yes, things have been busy. I switched internal teams at work and learning the ropes at the ripe ol’ age of OLD LADY is no joke. A humbling experience it has been. And for someone who has had her more than fair share of humbling experiences, I’m just ready for simple and steady. I’ll get there one day.

To start things off easy, I’d like to begin with a nice and easy makeup haul. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the current trend is natural, glowy makeup. Cream blushes, bronzers, and highlighters are in. Soap brows. Siren eyes. WHITE EYELINER (thanks for that one, Alix Earle). As a geriatric millennial, I both want to keep up and pretend I don’t care.

Here is what I have ended up with, as of late.

Oh. And please spare me the judgment on my filthy vanity table. I let Clara play with all my stuff when I am getting ready and as you can imagine, it’s a bit of an art project.

True Match Lumi Glotion in Light Glow

A supposed dupe for the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter, the idea is to smear this stuff all over the mug as a sort of primer. You then top it with a foundation and let the glow subtlety shine through. I like this well enough for the following reasons –

1. You get a ton of it
2. Spring/summer is coming and hopefully I can wear this on it’s own
3. The shade is super pretty

Here is a photo of it just swiped on my skin, so you can see the color:

Garnier Clearly Brighter Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller

I have fallen madly in love with this product. Perfect as a base for heavier concealers, this lightweight product combines powerful ingredients formulated especially for the under eyes with a slight tint. It looks great on it’s own, or paired with a concealer. And best of all, the cooling metal roller-ball tip feels amazing.

Here it is on me, freshly applied:

And blended:

Flower Beauty Blush Bomb Color Drops in Bubbly

This cool, candy-pink gel-like formula really is the bomb! lol sorry. It is easy to blend, color payoff is excellent and a little goes a long way.

Here it is freshly applied (I have also been putting blush on my nose, lately. Per TikTok):

And blended:

Flower Beauty Spotlight Liquid Highlight in Opal

Alllll the brands are doing knock-offs of the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Wands. The component is exactly the same and so is the color range. This formula is not my absolute favorite due to how GD fast it dries. I would only recommend applying one side at a time before blending. It is pretty, but nothing revolutionary.

Here it is applied:

And blended:

Elf Brow Lift

This brow lift gel is really nice. I do wish it came with a spoolie because I still have not found one of the angled kinds this kind of product needs. However, I do like the consistency and natural look it affords m’brows.

And I must apologize that I didn’t get a picture with the white eyeliner on. I am still not completely sold on it and think it can look ridiculous when overdone. I also have concerns about the staying power, but that really goes for any product that goes into the water line or tight line.

All in all, I have been so pleased with this dewy, natural, makeup trend and all of these products. This look suits maturing skin, and looks good on nearly everyone.

Next time, I plan to share the MILLIONS of heatless curls I have been trying out. Anyone interested?