I’ve never been much of a Monday person but lately I have found myself really motivated to get stuff done on Mondays. Maybe it’s the relaxing weekends or knowing we are going into another lock down, whatever the reason is I like to be productive during the week. As someone who craves structure and doesn’t have much of that these days, I created a schedule that I like to stick to as much as I can. Over time my body has adjusted to these routines and I’m getting some of that structure back. In case you are interested, here are my everyday habits…
Wake up with alarm
Throw on bathrobe and head downstairs to make coffee and breakfast
Fill up giant water bottle which I refill all day
Take my vitamins
Head to my office where I’ll check emails and make my to do list for the day
Listen to podcasts like The New York Times The Daily while I get work done
Update my Google Calendar with reminders and tasks
Break for lunch and get dressed for the day before heading back to my desk
Daily walk at 3PM (most days) and I’ll listen to a fun news podcast like Pod Save America
Run errands in the afternoon
After my walk, I’ll catch up on tv or finish up some work
We usually make a dinner plan in the morning and take turns cooking at night
I’ll spend 20 minutes at night tidying up before I head upstairs for the night
On Sundays, I’ll talk a long bath and during the week, a long shower at night
I like to blow dry my hair, apply lotion or do a manicure if needed after my shower
When I get into bed at night, my body knows it’s time to unwind
My night time skincare products are on my nightstand so I remember to apply them
The goal is to read a chapter a night so I keep my book on my nightstand
The Calm App has changed my life and now I can’t sleep without it
Seems silly when it’s broken down but I love having this outline for my day. I have purpose in the morning and motivation to finish up my work so I can go on my walk. My daily to do list can be very long with urgent tasks and tasks to do eventually. I’ve been writing my to do list and then adding tasks and reminders so I can get alerts on my phone. It’s also an easy way to add to my grocery list or move things around. Creating a routine does not need to be precise, I prefer mine to guide me with goals and times allotted when I can get work done, get in some fitness, and when to take care of myself.
I’m sitting in bed wearing comfy pajamas watching Downton Abbey while I try out a new face mask. Sundays are turning into my favorite day because I take time for myself and do some self care. I’ll light a candle, take a bath and do a face mask before going to bed early. I usually just stick to my drugstore masks, however thanks to Dermalogica who sent me over a new one to try, I’ve been trying the hydro masque exfoliant.
Right away I fell in love with the mask because someone finally created a tube that gets more product on your skin than your hands. The button on top also deposits the right amount of product you need so there is no waste. It is something I appreciated because skincare products can be a bit pricey and I hate to waste product. The hydrating and exfoliating mask smooths and renews for luminous, healthy-looking skin. The mask has bamboo and lactic acid to gently exfoliate. Snow mushroom and hyaluronic acid to help keep your skin hydrated and prevent aging. Finally, the Jojoba Seed, Sunflower and Safflower are powerful antioxidants that help the skins moisture barrier to give you hydrated, youthful skin for days.
After a while, I forgot that I was wearing a mask because I had full movement in my face unlike other masks when my face is stiff. The texture of the mask was a lightweight cream which made it easy to apply and take off with warm water. After removing the mask and for days after, my face feels smooth and hydrated.
I hope you all had a great and productive week! After being glued to the tv for a week, I was happy to put the remote down! I’ve been going on a long walk every day to enjoy the last few days of this gorgeous weather. As I say this it is pouring outside but honestly my legs are grateful for this break! A few months ago I thuught it would be great to start working out with all of this extra time that I had. I was committed to an ab workout every day and noticed zero changes with my body. Now that I have been moving and walking, I’ve been noticing my body getting stronger and my body slimming down. These long walks have also been great for my mental health. I’ve been noticing some people decorate for Christmas which I love! In our house, we are keeping the Christmas decorations in the basement for now since we willbe celebrating Thanksgiving just the two of us at home so I want the fall decor up. Dooesn’t stop me from ordering a few things here and there though!
This weekend we plan on going to Target to pick up some Christmas items from the dollar bin. I went last week and bought a ton of large items forgetting that I had to walk a mile home! It was a necessary purchase but comical as I struggled to walk home. Speaking of long walks, we also plan on doing a Trader Joe’s run this weekend to stock up on the Christmas themed snacks. I was joking the other day that I fall for cute marketing all the time and have no self control. Jake had to remind me that it wasn’t a good thing! Since this year is very different, I want to over decorate and really enjoy this holiday season. Jake and I are excited to work from home on the couch while watching Christmas movies on Freeform and bake cookies.
Watched the new movie, Rebecca, on Netflix the other night thinking I could have it on in the background while i cleaned my bedroom but was so captivated by the story. I had no clue what it was about before I pressed play and loved everything about it – the costumes, location and story line. The movie is based on a 1938 novel so I’ve added the book to my want to read list on Goodreads.
Speaking of Netflix, I also started to watch The Queen’s Gambit and once again, I had to stop what I was doing and watch this show. I know nothing about chess and I’m able to understand the plot. Also love a strong female lead in a male dominated game. Fun fact, in middle school I signed up for the chess club because I had a crush on a boy who was in it and I got kicked out…. because I didn’t know how to play! I wonder now what would have happened if someone taught me instead of just saying I couldn’t join because I was a girl.
Last week, we watched a lot of Steve Kornacki’s coverage of the board when the election numbers were coming in. Rumor has it that there is a petition to get his tie that he wore all week into a Smithsonian!
First, we need to talk about the breaking news this week that Ulta stores will be making their way into Targets. From a business decision it’s a great idea for Target and for the consumer, this allows us to be able to shop so many more products. In the last year, I’ve been working with new brands that are affordable and are in Ulta stores. These brands are clean and vegan with a commitment to good skincare and ingredients. If it weren’t through these collaborations, I may have never heard of some brands so I’m excited that with Ulta being in Targets, these amazing products will be more accessible.
One of these brands is Botanics and I’ve been loving the Simply Calm Overnight Mask. I’ll use it a few times a week and I swear my face feels so soft when I wake up in the morning.
I also shared recently on the blog my review of Covergirl’s Clean Fresh line. I’ve been using the mascara a lot since doing my makeup these days since my eyes are all you can see!
For anyone dealing with mascne (raises hand) I suggest using this quick drying foam to prevent breakouts from Dermalogica. It was great in the summer to prevent breakouts from sweat and now I’ve been using this foam in the morning if I have errands to run in the afternoon.
Just ordered a few items by the Sassy by Savannah collection so I will share photos and a review once I get them in!
Currently, I have a few things in transit on their way to my house and I am so excited. For now, I’ll just share the items that I have picked up recently like really affordable masks from Target that are really comfortable for wearing all day.
Last week I went into Nordstrom Rack to find a present for my moms birthday and ended up buying a few things for myself instead. I’ve loved the Rachel Parcell line even before it went to Nordstrom but it was never in my budget. I was excited to see a few pieces from the line at my local Nordstrom Rack that were heavily discounted. For the first time I got to see how well the pieces were made and the quality really does make it worth every penny full price. I picked up a few dresses and a top from the Rachel Parcell line, a Free People scarf that I fell in love last year and a super soft long sleeve top for lounging that was very discounted. I did notice that the prices in store were a bit lower than the online prices but I think that is because there has been less foot traffic in the stores. Also want to mention that the Madewell cardigan I shared earlier this week on the blog was also an incredible Nordstrom rack find!
Added new candlesticks to my fireplace mantle and I love the way they look! Very affordable and look very expensive with the antique gold finish. They are so good that I sent them to my mom for her birthday. I featured them on the blog this week here.
Currently reading The American Heiress and it’s going to take me a while to read but it’s such a beautiful bok to get lost in.
I (we) made cinnamon rolls from scratch on Sunday and it was definitely a learning experience but worth all of the work because they were delicious! I found the recipe here.
After being lazy for a while when it came to making dinner, we are back in the kitchen and I’m happy to be using fresh ingredients again. This week, Jake made a lasagna and I made breaded chicken strips with roasted carrots and broccoli with rice as well as our usual go-tos. Making a list of dinners for the week has helped us eat healthier and
A recent Sunday ritual is an hour long bath with bath salts and bubbles. I’ll prop my laptop so I can watch an episode or movie while in the bath and it’s a great way to make myself to slow down. My skin has also never been softer!
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City premiered this week and Jake’s first thought was “There’s another one?!” while I’m blasting the AC and wearing winter pajamas to get ready for another franchise.
We have a big tree in front of our house that from the second floor bedroom windows all you could see for weeks was the leaves changing to a gorgeous maroon color. With the wind and rain this week, most of the leaves have fallen making our front sidewalk look like a sea of leaves. It was sad to see them go but three giant trash bags later we got the sidewalk swept up. I love keeping the front of our house neat and clean which is a challenge in the city, but very rewarding.
I’ve had my eyes on this Madewell cardiganfor a long time. You can imagine my excitement when I found a great dupe that Ishared recently on the blog. Recently, I did some shopping in the city trying to find a birthday present for my mom, For the record, I went home with my hands full of bags but with nothing for my mom to send her. I went to Nordstrom Rack and I forgot how many great finds are there for affordable prices. They carry a lot of higher-end pieces as well as J Crew and Madewell pieces that can be a bit pricey. Even though the last thing I need is another top or sweater right now, I had to look because the prices were too good not to at least go through the items. I couldn’t pass up on the popular stripe Madewell cardigan that I felt like everyone has the last few years. It was a lot less than I remember the sale price was and I knew I would wear it for years. I love the brown and navy blue for fall and the pop of pink is perfection!
It is definitely a comfortable cardigan and pairs well with a lot of outfits. For the record, my dupe feels just the same and is just as great. The Madewell cardigan is lightweight enough so it wasn’t heavy and I wasn’t sweating on an unusual warm weather day recently when I was running errands during the day. And on a cooler days when I go for a walk it keeps me nice and warm!
I was cleaning up at night before bed as I do most nights because I love waking up to a clean house. We have been in our house for a full year now and I’m still tweaking things here and there, especially around the holidays. After seeing new home decor items at Target released for fall, I decided I didn’t like how my first floor was decorated and wanted to change things up. For the record, it looks pretty as it is, I just need to rearrange things every few months because I’m crazy like that. I’m trying not to buy too much for our home because I may love it but we don’t have that much room for it all. I had to give in when I saw these candlesticks and the price was too good not to get them. I knew they would be perfect for my fireplace mantel throughout the year and could move them around with the seasons. The gold finish looks antique and are made really well for a low price. My mom has dozens of gold candlesticks varying in height and style that we love to decorate her home with. I’m excited to start building my collection with this set that can easily go with more candlesticks I buy in the future. Or more candle holders I buy from this amazing collection at Target right now! Right now I have my mantel decorated for fall and I’m excited to decorate it for Christmas in a few weeks. The candlesticks are the perfect elegant touch that this space needed in our dining room.
I feel like I should start off by announcing it is Monday, November 9th like Governor Cuomo in New York did each day during the pandemic briefings. With last week’s election anxiety, its never ending news coverage that had all of us glued to the television waiting on results I found myself in a slump. There’s plenty to do to keep me busy during the day and I found it difficult to do any detailed task once I moved to the couch in my bathroom in the morning. Scrolling on social media, on said couch in the same bathrobe I wore basically all week, I noticed a lot of people also in the same spot glued to the television waiting for results to come in. There was a lot going on last week that kept us busy so this week I want us all to take a deep breath and put the remote down as we get back to work!
Slumps happen and last week was a justified reason for being in sweatpants all week while we were watching the news waiting for results to come in. At first I started to feel really guilty sitting on the couch all day. I would switch from different news channels to get different perspectives and binge watched Downton Abbey on Amazon Prime when I needed something light to watch. Jake was working 12 hour days in the office that week so he was out the door before the sun came up and would be coming home late and often doing more work from home. Both of us were not hungry so we often skipped dinner or just snacked while we watched Steve Kornacki at the board breaking down the numbers. Jake was sweet and told me not to stress and just hang out on the couch all day because it’s something he wished he could do. I’m embarrassed to say that we had a sink full of dishes by the end of the week because neither one of us had the energy to do the mundane things. I let myself live in the slump knowing that I could start fresh the next week which helped me take the time to relax and be lazy which is what my body needed.
After nights of staying up late, Jake and I were both in bed on our phones on Saturday morning when the results came in. We got a text from a friend we were in a group chat with all week sharing election updates to turn on the tv because Pennsylvania was called. We went running to our media room to turn on the tv and felt a sense of relief that the election was decided. I got to call my parents to tell them the news and it was good timing because they were with my brother in Raleigh. I had a few errands to run in Center City so Jake and I had an excuse to go out and enjoy the warm weather. I loved he energy in the city and the warm weather was just what my body needed. It was my first long walk in a week and my body hated and loved it at the same time. I forgot how much my body needed a long walk everyday. I have an alarm set on my phone everyday at 3pm to take a walk and listen to a podcast. Sometimes I’ll run an errand and other days I’ll just walk 20 blocks and look at the pretty Philadelphia architecture. I am also setting my alarm a bit earlier this week so I can have a slow morning with hot coffee and a mug of hot water with lemon. It’s a great way to start drinking a lot of water throughout the day and has health benefits too. After a week of only wearing pajamas and some days changing into different pajamas throughout the day, I’m ready to get back into some real clothes this week! I like to put on makeup a few times a week just so I can feel a bit more normal
I woke up today and headed straight for my office to get organized for the week. I pulled out my planner and made a long to do list. I put some items that need to be done this week and some things that I want to do this week for me because they bring me joy. Scheduling time for a face mask on Wednesday night, catching up on shows on Thursday afternoon, reading for an hour before bed and catching up on laundry on Tuesday. Later today I’ll find a day that works best for Jake and I to plan an outing maybe to get coffee or brunch next weekend so we have something to look forward to.
Being in a slump can feel like the worst way to spend your time but it’s usually a sign that your body needs a break. I’m so quick to get mad at myself when I don’t have the energy to do things or be productive or when I skip a daily walk but it’s usually because my body needs rest. This week I am planning out things to do and ways to relax in the evening. I love taking a long shower at night and then getting into bed after I apply lotion and my night cream to read my book. It’s the nights that I keep the tv off and get into bed early that I have the best sleep and wake up the next morning refreshed.
Take care of yourself and find ways that allow your body to get rest. The colder months are coming which means less sunlight and colder days that can cause seasonal depression. I’m creating routines now so I can be ready for environmental changes.
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