Monday, March 31, 2014

Over the Weekend

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You're probably wondering how I managed to finish out the weekend without taking a single damn cat photo. My answer is that I don't know. I just don't know. This weekend, like most of them lately, was pretty standard. On Saturday, some friends and I checked out Trade Union, where our friend Michael was selling (check out his pieces, they're gorgeous). On Sunday, the cold weather and snow ruined our hiking plans, so, rather than being athletic, we went out for breakfast at the Dor-Stop in Dormont, which always includes a look around Moonstones. Besides baking cookies and skype-ing with a long-distance friend, that's it. Seriously unproductive, but I've accepted it.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

No Harm No Foul

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I'm watching Gravity right now and feeling super stressed out about it. I also will most likely not wear this outfit again, it was comfortable, sure, but looking back, just not my jam. No harm, no foul.

Wearing: Top: Zara // Skirt: Thrifted // Jacket: Estate Sale // Hat: Eastern Boarder // Ring: Urban Outfitters

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

My (Almost) All Natural Skincare Routine

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I (semi) recently shot a series detailing the products I use on a daily basis and my general routine. And then I realized that my routine changes constantly! Ha! It's taken me awhile, but I seem to have landed on a pretty solid combination of products and habits, so over the next couple of weeks, I'll be sharing my routine and what I use for hair, make-up, and skin care.

Today, I'm sharing my daily skin-care regimen and the products I use on my face and body. Up until last March, I typically used much harsher cleansers to deal with deep-seated blemishes on my face and exercise-related skin problems, I would usually then have to compensate somehow for the dry patches those products left behind. After cleaning up my diet (and by 'diet', I mean what I eat day to day) - eliminating most dairy, sugar, and processed foods and upping my water intake by a lot - most of my skin problems went away, which was super freaking awesome and made life so much easier. To me, forgoing certain foods (cheese and milk) is worth it just to not have to fight my skin on a daily basis. So, that's what I do for the inside of my body, and this is my routine for the outside:

A.M.
Wake up: I don't use cleanser on my face in the AM, usually just a few very reluctant splashes of freezing cold water to wash the sleep from my eyes and stimulate my skin, or sometimes I'll do the exact opposite and use a steaming hot washcloth to massage my face (I'm not sure how great this is for my skin, but I like it anyways).

Treat: I received a sample pack of Boscia products at Lucky FABB in November, and I've been using the Clear Complexion Gel in the mornings. Despite my skin clearing up significantly, I still have some blemishes from time to time. These products contain no preservatives or sulfates, and so far have been working really well, I'll be investing in them once the set runs out.

Moisturize: This winter has been so harsh, a friend at work turned me on to Egyptian Magic, and it has been a savior this season. I use a pea-size amount, first warming it on my hands and then massaging onto my face. Since it's a little greasy, I do this right when I wake up to allow it time to soak in while I make coffee and eat breakfast. Once it has soaked in a little, it provides a smooth base for my make-up. It is more of an oil than a cream though, so it may not be right for those will oil-prone skin. I love it though. In the summer, I use Alba Botanica Even Advanced with SPF.

P.M.
Remove makeup: Always. I've never understood how anyone can sleep with makeup on. It takes 30 seconds to remove it, and it's better for your skin. Seriously. This has been built into my routine forever since I shower at night (I work out in the evenings, so this just makes sense, but I also cannot understand why anyone would want to go to bed with dirty feet). I've been using a bit of coconut oil on a cotton ball for this lately, which seems to work better than anything else at removing Benefit 'They're Real' Mascara, which is some serious shit.

Cleanse: I've been using Boscia Clear Complexion Cleanser, from the same set I previously mentioned, and I love it. I saw a noticeable difference in my skin's texture after just a few uses, plus it's great at removing any excess makeup (and, magically, also amazingly good at removing Benefit mascara). After, I spray my face, neck, and back with the Clear Complexion Tonic. For body, I like African black soap, though I'm not tied to a brand (I want to try this one next). Because of my gym routine, I'm still prone to occasional breakouts on my chest and back, but black soap does a really great job of keeping me clear naturally with no harsh astringents or cleansers.

Moisturize: For body and for face (at night), I use coconut oil. It goes on smooth, smells amazing, lightens scars, heals etc. etc. to infinity (just Google "benefits of coconut oil" for millions of articles extolling its virtues). I scar really easily (I have some cat scratches that look like stab wounds), and since I've started using coconut oil, many of my darkest scars have lightened significantly. Just be sure to do a patch test on the back of your hand to make sure you're not allergic before using, and always purchase organic virgin coconut oil. Also, be aware that you will smell slightly like an Almond Joy bar at all times.

+this is what works for me, opinions expressed are my own. I do not claim to be an expert and recommend consulting a doctor or dermatologist if you're unsure about making any major changes to your routine. But yeah, coconut oil, check it out.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Insta Life

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Some favorite shots from the past few weeks. It seems counter intuitive, but all I've wanted to do lately is hibernate, with the equinox finally past I feel as though I should be doing the opposite. I need to unwind, to have time to relax. I want to welcome spring with open arms, to plant stuff and check projects off the mental list list I keep. I want to be mindful of the change in season, but time's been moving a little too fast for that.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Keeping Time

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The title of this post really has nothing to do with what I'm wearing, except maybe, the watch. But it was a better title than "Burger Date", which is where I wore this. Sometimes Friday nights call for burgers and too many fries, and killing time in big box stores before you're seated. Nice weather is very slowly approaching, and I'm excited for more nights like this one, where I actually want to leave the house, and maybe even forget my coat (I did).

I also cut my hair last week, but I don't have much to say about it. I chopped eight inches off a few months ago, and to my surprise, didn't feel emotional about it at all. It was just time. This time around I cut three more inches off, and I'm feeling about the same, I was feeling like I needed a change, a way to usher in the new season, and this was it. Sometimes it's just time to lighten the load. Which is saying something, because I've always been an emotional hair-cutter. Whenever I would go through a bad break-up, I'd end up with less and less hair, to the point of a chelsea in one instance (it's safe to say I was an emotional wreck in my late teens/early twenties - who isn't?). So it makes sense that up until recently my hair had been growing out for years. I think the symbolism of a drastic haircut is interesting, whether it's due to a break-up, life event, or simply wanting to start fresh in some way, a hair cut - to me at least - is a tangible record of the experience and a way to physically manifest and work through those feelings. Or, you know, a good excuse to cut back on the shampoo bill.

Oh hey, and yeah, HAPPY SPRING!
Wearing: Sweater: Madewell // Shirt: J.Crew // Belt: J.Crew // Jeans: Cheap Monday // Bag: thrifted Coach // Earrings c/o Seahag & Walrus // Watch c/o Fossil // Shoes: thrifted Bass

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Technicolor Dream

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There's a particular episode of Sex and the City - maybe season two or three? - where Carrie comes rushing into her apartment to answer the phone wearing the most incredible floor-length sweater coat. It has maybe ten seconds of air time, but I think it is, quite possibly, the most incredible thing worn throughout the entire show (which I know is saying something). So yeah, when I found this floor-length blanket coat at the thrift store this weekend, I was ecstatic. Chris was...skeptical, but nice enough to play along.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I watched a lot of SATC in college. The local library had all the seasons on VHS (up the the one that was currently on-air), and my roommates and I would watch it while working on various art homework. It's still one of my favorite things to put in while I'm working on something art-related, no attention is demanded, and I love how outdated and campy it is (yes, this implies I have it on DVD, and that implication would be true. Every season).

So, what better day to take this technicolor Carrie dream for a spin than a freezing, gloomy Sunday? Paired with all black and some pretty incredible heels, it cheered me up.

Wearing: Coat: Thrifted // Top c/o Lulu's // Jeans: J.Crew // Heels c/o ShopJuju's // Silver necklace: Estate Sale // Horn necklace: Free People // Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

Monday, March 17, 2014

Over the Weekend: Pottery and Cats

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Just a ridiculous amount of photos from this weekend. For Chris's birthday we took a pottery/whiskey workshop, so for the past two Saturdays we've found ourselves at the Union Project, elbow deep in clay. Which is exactly the kind of messy, open creativity that I've needed lately. Sunday, however, was the kind of cold, cloudy, gloomy day that called for homemade granola, late breakfasts, and persistent cat-cuddling. Zephyr, as you can see, was more than happy to oblige.

Friday, March 14, 2014

6 Tips for Staying on Track When It's Absolutely Miserable Outside

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I've already spoken to the fact that I basically made myself sick over the holidays from a combination of foods that were all really good, and all really terrible for me. I have no regrets (that's probably a lie, I definitely don't regret the lobster), but once the new year hit, I knew I had to get myself back on track and feeling better, stronger, faster. After two months of straight-up work and eating some serious feelings, I hadn't visited the gym in ages and I could easily tell I'd lost some strength. It was all a good kick in the ass to get moving again. I'm really proud of what I've accomplished over the past few months. Not only do I feel as though I've repaired my relationship with my body and stuck to a pretty solid gym routine, but in doing so I've somehow managed to avoid the crushing S.A.D. that has affected me in seasons past.

Today I thought I'd share a few tips for staying motivated during these last few days of winter. Because spring is almost here, and soon we'll be able to get outside and feel the sun on our faces, and that is going to be awesome. But spring's not here just yet...

Make it about the way you feel - This year, I stopped weighing myself and started treating my body with kindness, and I feel so much better. While I know the 'no scale' approach isn't for everyone, after realizing that my weight could actually fluctuate drastically week to week, I stopped seeing the point of checking. All it did was stress me out and make me panicky, which is dumb and not worth the brain space. Instead, I focus on how I feel physically and emotionally, and when I'm tempted to insult myself in the mirror, I repeat this to myself. Because it's true. No one likes an asshole, so this year I stopped being an asshole to my body. I work out to feel strong mentally and physically, and to clear the cobwebs from my head. And to sleep like a baby. Because sleep is awesome.

Set a schedule & take advantage of weekends - My workweek can get pretty crazy, and crazy exhausting, so I try to take advantage of weekends to either get outside and run (if the temperature is above 30), or get to the gym. This guarantees that I've knocked two days off my three to four day weekly workout schedule so all I have to do is get there once or twice during the week. It doesn't always happen, but it helps.

Add variety - If you have a gym membership, try a new class. If you don't, try a new DVD. I started taking advantage of the spin and yoga classes offered at my gym and ended up loving them both. They were the perfect addition to my usual cardio/weight/running routine. I'm only able to run once or twice a week without my knees blowing up like water balloons, so that variety helps to keep things interesting when I can't be outdoors.

Try an app or two - I just signed up for Runkeeper and love it. It tracks my mileage, maps my routes, and updates me on my progress. Definitely a keeper, and one I enjoy using. On the flipside, I tried MyFitnessPal and hated it. It felt like it was tailored more towards easily scannable processed foods and focused way too much on calories and cardio. I know a couple of people who have had success losing weight with it, but that wasn't my goal, and seeing my estimated calories mapped out like that started to bring up some old feelings of negativity. Also, because I make the majority of what I eat from scratch and don't measure my portions, it was pretty much useless. Deleted. But I'm glad I tried it.

Get changed at work - My motivational dead zone? Between my car and my apartment. It sucks getting out of a warm car and walking in ten degree weather into a warm apartment. An apartment with a cat who practically climbs into your arms and gives you the look that no one can resist. To avoid this emotional roller coaster, I change into my workout clothes at work, and just pick up Chris on my way to the gym. It's hard to talk yourself out of it when you're already dressed and it saves so much time.

Reward yourself - When I'm feeling particularly proud of myself, I'll sometimes purchase a new workout-specific item or something small I've wanted from the health and beauty aisle at the natural foods store (I'm a sucker for incense, ayurvedic candles, and...patchouli...now you know my secret). I like rewarding myself with something that will either make me feel great and be functional while at the gym, or something nice for my body. I never reward myself with food beyond a recovery snack though (usually a fresh date with almond butter between the gym and dinner), because while I don't weigh myself and still enjoy a treat now and then, I do stick to a pretty specific diet - one that has kept my skin clear and my gut feeling good - and rewarding myself with junk isn't worth it. Also, for workout clothes, I love TjMaxx (the majority of my fitness stuff is from there) and Aeropostale.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Ice Blue

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It's back to being frigidly cold, it was spitting snow and so windy when we took these pictures. But! It's now light enough outside after work to take pictures when I get home, so that's a nice feeling. These last few weeks of winter have found me completely unmotivated to get dressed in the morning. I'm feeling so over tights right now, the sheer thought of putting on the same tired old pair of black tights just feels...tragic. It would help if I just bought myself a new pair. But I refuse. It'll be warm again soon, right? Are you sick of hearing me harp about the weather yet?

Yesterday though, it was pouring sheets of rain that was expected to turn to snow (it did). And cold. Which meant I needed to be strategic with what I put on my body: these boots, because I left my rain boots at work (smart!). Hair in a "bun" (not really but ok), because rain. Layers and layers of shirts and jackets, because if you put enough clothes on your body, it constitutes an outfit, right? Sure.

Remarkably, I felt great. To be honest, I really haven't been feeling so fabulous lately. It could be my wait-till-the-last-minute-to-get-dressed-who-needs-makeup routine, or just the dregs of a dark season, but I needed a lift. This evening I'm going in for a haircut, which I know will make me feel better. I know I sound like a cliche, but sometimes a little hair and makeup really do make a big difference (and for the record, I'm obsessed with these Revlon matte balms).

Also, someone lost their Sega manual.

Wearing: Jacket: old Forever 21 // Flannel: Thrifted // Top c/o Lulu's (similar) // Belt: Thrifted (similar)// Jeans: Cheap Monday (find 'em here) // Boots: Frye via swap (similar)// Earrings: Vintage (similar)// Ring: Urban Outfitters // On my lips: Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Shameless mixed with .99 cent black drugstore lipstick from Halloween