Shower Thoughts

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift. 

Life is a crazy thing. You live each day going through the motions, getting things done that need to be done. Maybe you're in school and you wake up each day to spend it in a chair, not really knowing what life is really about outside of the classroom. Maybe you work and are looking forward to doing great things with all of the money you work so hard for. 

It is weird to think about life. What am I working for, what do I want to make out of my life, why am I here? After all, we only get one... as far as we know.

For me, this is something that I think about often. I have gone to school my whole life, waiting for that one day that I am finally done and get to do what I've always wanted to do. Except now that I am almost done I feel more confused than ever. I've been in the routine of waking up, going to school, doing homework, studying for tests, going to bed. And repeat. So now what? I don't think this is something that I will magically figure out one day. I think everything happens for a reason and I will end up doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing without even knowing it.

I definitely have goals that I want to achieve in life, but I wish it was easier to really live, to see the world, to experience all types of culture and life. 

Maybe I'm just too young to know what my sole purpose in life is. Maybe when I am older and more knowledgeable I will find my purpose, but for now I will keep searching and doing the things I love with the people I love. These are the things I think about in the shower, or when I'm trying to go to bed before a long day :) 

It is important to love, laugh and learn. Be kind to those around you, even when you don't want to. Add 'live life to the fullest' to your to do list everyday and maybe that will make the routine easier :)


What are some of your goals in life? What do you think your purpose is?

much love,
e

Valentine's Day Gift Guide for Him

Weirdly enough, it is almost Valentine's Day! If you're struggling to come up with ideas for gifts, here are a few ideas for the men in your life with some cheaper options thrown in.

1. Wallet: I bought my fiancé a Secrid Wallet for Graduation and he loved it! It is different and slim with a RFID protected card holder, which is perfect for any tech lover. Secrid Men Slim Wallet Genuine Leather Vintage RFID Safe Card Case for max 12 cards

2. Date: Taking your boyfriend on a date is always a fun and different thing to do. Do something you think he would prefer like TopGolf, indoor shooting range or just see a movie he's been wanting to see. If you don't want to do this on Valentine's day, giving him an IOU works too ;)  

3. Tickets: Whether it is a concert or a sporting event, you can usually always find some affordable tickets to something the man in your life will enjoy. 

4. DIY: These take time and a lot of thought, but if you're creative just spend some time on Pinterest and you'll find the perfect DIY gift. 

5. Body Spray/Cologne: I know all of the men in my life enjoy a nice cologne, but if you are looking to spend less, most cologne scents also come in a body spray form for more than half the price! Here are a few of my favorite: Nautica Voyage Body Spray, 4 Fluid Ounce | Armani Code By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 1.7 Ounces

6. Sports Gear: It seems like 95% of men are obsessed with sports. If your man is, I'm sure you know which team he lives for. If you're not on a budget you could get an authentic jersey, but if you are a t-shirt would be just as good. 

7. Video Game: Video games are always a good option, but can be pretty expensive when new. Go to your local used movie store and get a throw back game such as Super Mario Bros, Duck Hunt or Pokemon. New Super Mario Bros. Wii | Super Mario Bros./ Duck Hunt (with Zapper Light Gun) | Pokemon Sapphire Version for Nintendo Game Boy Advance

8. Roku/Amazon Fire: For those of us without a smart TV, these are amazing! If the man in your life loves netflix or hulu (who doesn't?) this is a great gift. Its pretty inexpensive and can also double as a great date! Fire TV Stick | https://www.roku.com/

What are you planning to get the men in your life for Valentine's Day?

much love,

e

Playlist on Repeat

Sometimes life is hard, but good music always makes things better, right? Here's some of my favorite songs right now:

1. Sledgehammer - Fifth Harmony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCJ3rmiZFr8

2. Talking Body - Tove Lo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzRyxGBGiAE

3. The Hearts Wants What It Wants - Selena Gomez https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij_0p_6qTss

4. Ghost - Ella Henderson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA8AfQaUnXM

5. Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJtDXIazrMo

6. Night Changes - One Direction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syFZfO_wfMQ

7. Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-EO5I60KA

8. Lost and Found - Katie Herzig

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LINKTcBOFgY

9. All Night Longer (Remix) - Sammy Adams, B.o.B

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g99kWJILLuo

10. Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPf0YbXqDm0

11. Heroes - Alesso

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7SouU3ECpU

12. Lips Are Movin - Meghan Trainor 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDc_5zpBj7s

13. Time Of Our Lives - Pitbull, Ne-Yo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTXJQ5ql5Fw

14. Shut Up and Dance - Walk the Moon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JCLY0Rlx6Q

15. Stuck On a Feeling - Prince Royce, Snoop Dogg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlbb3DeA3jU

16. Heartbeat Song - Kelly Clarkson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2K6uxIFO6w

What are you listening to? :)

much love,

e

My Top 5 Favorite Drugstore Products (at the moment)

I am one of those people who never tend to stick with the same drugstore products. As soon as I run out of something I try something new, but here are 5 things that I currently can't live without!

1. Maybelline The Rocket Mascara: If you're in the market for a new drugstore mascara, you should try this one. The brush is plastic which is off-putting to some, but it adds the perfect length and volume while also separating your lashes. I use the waterproof in the shade Very Black.

Maybelline New York Volume' Express The Rocket Waterproof Mascara, Very Black, 0.3 Fluid Ounce

2. Milani Baked Blush: I always love trying new things from Milani because they have the most interesting looking products. Their baked blush is so pigmented and blends like a dream. For those of us who are no where near professional at applying makeup, this was made for us. Its easy to apply and they have a variety of great shades. My favorites are Delizioso Pink and Luminoso!

MILANI Baked Blush - Delizioso Pink | Milani Baked Blush 05 Luminoso

3. Maybelline Super Stay Liquid Foundation: I have tried many drugstore foundations and this has definitely been one I always go back to. The consistency is perfect. They have a good variety of shades but I wear the lightest color and I am not the palest of people. It claims to be 24 hour wear, which who wears foundation for 24 hours? :) It has a medium - high coverage depending on how much you apply. I have pretty dry and acne prone skin and this doesn't cause me to breakout which is always a plus. I currently wear the shade Sand Beige.

Maybelline New York Super Stay 24Hr Makeup, Sand Beige, 1 Fluid Ounce

4. Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen: I tend to gravitate towards the felt tip liquid eyeliners because personally I think they are the easiest to apply. This one has been a great find and has lasted quite a while. I have never had a problem with it smudging or fading throughout the day and I think it is similar to the one by Flower Beauty. I currently use 01 Blackest Black.

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eyeliner Pen 001 Blackest Black

5. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brighting Eye Perfector: This product does what it says. It's a under eye brightening perfector that I have been really enjoying. I use the shade fair, which is the lightest, to really give me that under eye highlight and I love the applicator. It is a pretty expensive product at around $12 but I have repurchased it many times.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector, SPF 25, Light 10

I hope this was helpful for anyone looking to try some different drugstore products! Let me know what your favorite items from the drugstore are and if you have tried any that I mentioned!

much love,
e

New Year, New Me...

Hello! This is my first blog post, I hope you enjoy!

You're probably sick of hearing "new year, new me" or anything similar to that. Whether you've been saying it to yourself for years or your best friend just wont stop talking about it, it's something that we all know too well. With the new year brings new goals and ambitions that we usually only stick with for a few weeks, until life happens. This year I wanted to test out how well I could stick with some of my "goals" and try to turn them into a lifestyle. 

Of course, my first goal is exercise (who's isn't)? Since I have been trying to achieve this goal for many new years now, I decided to go about it an entirely different way. There are many things that can hold you back from exercising but excuses shouldn't be one of them. I chose to spend a little time really thinking of what keeps me from the gym, or just going outside. 

First thing - comfort. Basically every time I workout I feel uncomfortable. I am either trying to keep my pants up while running or holding my chest from bouncing. 

Second - self confidence. The thought of going to a gym when you aren't in the best shape is pretty terrifying. I would be mortified if someone was watching me workout/gasping for air. 

Lastly - lack of motivation/too many excuses. Honestly, I could come up with any excuse not to go to the gym or get up early to be outside. Being unmotivated can really hold you back in life, not only from working out. 

So now that I had a solid list of what is holding me back I had to fix these problems. I went online and searched for proper sports bras (for larger chested women) and decided I was going to put forth the money on good workout gear for the first time in my life. What did I have to lose? If I hated them I could just return it, it was worth a try. After much research and review reading I purchased a sports bra from Lynx Sportswear and hoped it was the answer to my prayers, especially since it was $60 and the most I've ever spent on a sports bra. Now that I own it and wear it constantly, I am obsessed. It gives me the most minimal bounce and really made me forget how much I use to have to pay attention to my chest while working out. 
I also bought some workout pants from Nordstrom which were $50, hoping to find something that wouldn't fall down as I ran. I ended up thinking they were not worth the money after I found some amazing capri's at Sam's. Yes, Sam's Club, the wholesale food store. They are made by Tangerine and I could not be more happy with them, especially since they were only $15! I ended up getting 3 pairs. 

Now that I had everything I needed to dress the part, I really just had to get out there and do my thing. I want to get in shape so staying away from the gym isn't going to get me there. I asked my sister and a few friends to join me, even though they don't need to lose any weight, and it turned out to be a lot of fun. So even if you aren't brave enough to go out by yourself, like me, you should take a friend, relative, or significant other. Now I have a routine of going with them Monday - Friday! 

Lack of motivation and making excuses sort of go with the last topic. Staying motivated by making a schedule with other people or just making a schedule for yourself will help you stay in a routine and really change your lifestyle. For Christmas I got a Fitbit Charge, which has really kept me aware of how many steps I am walking or sadly, how little. I also joined a yoga class that is held two days a week, which is something that holds me accountable since I paid for it. 
If you have never tried yoga I would highly recommend it! Especially if you are one to stay away from the gym at all costs. Movies and TV kind of make it seem like some extremely complicated art for only the most flexible of people, but taking a beginner yoga class is super relaxing and you also get a good sweat in. Its not too hard, but it's a nice way to ease into the gym and still challenge yourself a little. 

Fitbit Charge - Fitbit Charge Wireless Activity Wristband, Black, Large
Tangerine activewear -Tangerine Womens Active Fitted Capris Small Black
Lynx sports bra - http://www.lynxsportswear.com/product-p/60001.htm

These are some of the ways I am trying to improve my lifestyle. If you have anything you're doing that has changed your lifestyle, let me know! One thing to remember is that change will not happen over night, its a constant thing you need to work at. A few slip ups a long the way never hurt anybody :) 
Please leave questions and comments below and welcome to "Lifestyle Worth Living"

♡ much love,
e