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How to Stay Inspired

September 6, 2019 No Comments

Hey all, I’ve taken a short hiatus, frankly because I had a bad attitude and had one of those “just can’t” periods happening. I wanted to share some of the life stuff that happened and a few strategies I return to when trying to stay inspired.

A bit of background: I intended this blog to be a lifestyle blog for ambitious women like me, and honestly, some of that comes with some hard times as well. These days, maintaining work-life balance is SO important. I think when most people reference that phrase it’s because work is extremely demanding. In my case, it’s been quite the opposite. Work has been absolutely NOT demanding.

I transitioned to my current job about 15 months ago, as a stepping stone. This was it! I was finally taking a step forward in my career, after restarting at ground zero when we moved to Colorado a few years ago. It took me another 4 years to ascend to this awesome job. I was so thrilled to be working in a specialty field, being more autonomous in my work load, and truly being respected and valued for my input on this team… And then it all came to what I interpreted as a screeching hault 8 weeks later (due to some unforseen complications totally unrelated to any work that I had contributed to), and it has remained haulted ever since. Now, it will eventually resume, but the “when?” is still up in the air.

My day-to-day routine is mundane, to put it lightly. I have moments that I resent the job, because I haven’t been doing what I was hired to do – my specialty – in over a year. And recently, I’ve been struggling to stay inspired. Let me tell you something – it is TOUGH. Tough to get up out of bed and go to work to do ‘work’ you don’t actually enjoy doing or is completely unrelated to your job (i.e. being a secretary, or an errand girl, or performing data entry) –I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir here! But let me tell you, I get it.

My mom’s advice is: “Well, get a new job!” But unfortunately, it’s not that simple. There is insurance to take into account, and 401k, and it’s one of those situations that I get more vacation because of the years I’ve been an employee of this company. It’s just not that simple, and bailing isn’t always the right answer. So – through all of this, how does one stay inspired?

I recently read “Girl, Wash Your Face“, by Rachel Hollis, and had a total attitude change. I love her voice in this book, and that she too is a major support and inspiration for ambitious women. Do yourself a favor and read it, especially if you’re questioning any of your life choices.

Staying inspired involves a lot of self-motivation, and optimism, that for me, waxes and wanes often. I pursued as much as was possible professionally, during this time. In the medical field, there are additional levels of achievement that you can work on to better your knowledge and career. I’ve accumulated nearly all my continuing education for the next 5 years… and am working on an additional certification for the alphabet soup behind my professional name. I’m perfecting all my processes & equipment so that I can be prepared when my workload does increase again. But most of this was done in the first 8 weeks after “the hault”.

Mostly, I’ve tried to stay busy and better myself. This is the most difficult part, I’ve found. Some of this has been researching community-based education (I’ve always been interested in learning calligraphy!), expanding my knowledge of literature (audio books are incredible!), podcasts (almost every one out there!), and working on maintaining my positive, optimistic attitude about the future. Do something to keep you personally optimistic. I think ambition, or a drive for the future is one of the sexiest attributes one can have. When I met my husband, it was his ambition that I was attracted to, and I notice that I gravitate towards ambitious friends as well.

Staying positive in the face of adversity, or even on one of those days you “just can’t” is tough, but you can do it! And even on those bad days, allow yourself to feel bad, sad, angry, mad, to cry, Get it out! Whatever you need to do to emotionally release. Then come back to your reality and handle it. [Flash to “Put on some gangsta’ rap and handle it”]

What do you guys do to stay inspired? To stay motivated and on track when you have so much pulling you the opposite direction?

Fashion & Beauty, Fashion & Style

Spotted!

August 23, 2019 No Comments

Oh come on…. Spotted! The Leopard Trend.

You know I love a good pun! 😉 I don’t know about you but my feed has been overflowing with lots and lots of leopard print for the fall, so I wanted to share a few of my affordable faves with you all. Shop the post below by clicking on the item.

I had a discussion with a friend yesterday who told me that she had just bought her FIRST – yes you read that correctly, FIRST pair of leopard shoes – or leopard anything! I was floored, since most of the time I find myself removing a leopard item rather than adding one! haha.

Most of these items I’d pair with a neutral color palette, and could easily be worn to work! I treat leopard like a neutral, though since it can be a bolder print, I tend to tone down the rest of my outfit when I tone up the leopard. Check out my like to know it posts for a visual. But if you’re really adventurous, pair the leopard with a bright or bold statement color to really make a fashion statement!

Many of these pieces are under $30 and so affordable to add to your summer into fall transition wardrobe. I linked a few extra leopard trending items below if you’re looking for some summery items. What are you wearing that’s spotted?!

Food, Her Brew Review

Winc – a Subscription Box Review

August 18, 2019 No Comments

If we’ve met, you know I love a good subscription box. Why? Honestly, I think it’s for the element of surprise! In the sense that I will try things that I generally wouldn’t pick out. I’m adventurous if there’s an option! So here’s my take on Winc – a Subscription Box Review.

I started exploring this option when I got a coupon for a discount on your first month. I took a really quick 6-question quiz on their website about my tastes and preferences, and within minutes, they had my wine selection picked out!

wine subscription, winc affiliate, winc, subscription box review, wine lover, wino,

How it works: After taking the quiz, Winc asks you to select which types of wine you would prefer – You can basically do any combination of reds & whites, or go all one direction. I like to switch things up so I generally choose two of each color.

Shipping is Free, and it comes right to your doorstep! **Note, someone over 21 years of age is supposed to be around to sign for it. This was almost a deal-breaker for me, until I realized that you can schedule a pick up with FedEx! I chose the location that was most convenient for me, and voila! Wine had arrived!

As of yet, I’ve only tried one of my Winc wines, but was really happy with the selection they sent! I love a fuller-bodied, dry red wine; or a really dry, almost tart White. And what did I get? Two sauvignon blancs a cabernet sauvignon and a red blend. #Perfection.

What’s the catch?? Well, there really isn’t one! You can cancel at any time, and choose to skip a month for any reason (not in the budget, out of town, too much wine (ha!), expecting a bambino… you get the idea).

I love receiving deliveries, and if those deliveries contain wine, they’re even better! So, have I convinced you yet? Use this link to get $22 off your first box of Winc, and let me hear about your experience!! Also, earn 1100 Southwest Rapid Reward Points if you sign up today…. they all count towards earning you annual Companion Pass! Check out my post here for details.

Food, Lifestyle Nutrition, Recipes

Dry Beans

August 8, 2019 No Comments

I’ve been cooking a lot this week and thought I’d share with you guys both how & why I cook my dry beans from scratch every time, and how dinner doesn’t take any longer than opening a can!

Professionally, I’m all over the reasons that we should eat less processed food, cook at home more, increase fiber, and reduce our sodium intake. This probably isn’t news to you 😉 . I keep a supply of cooked beans, stocked, and ready to go at any given time. Here’s the why & how:

Let’s start with the WHY:

It’s SO easy, with a little advanced planning. 🙂
They’re lower in cost than the canned choices, even the low sodium options!
They easily freeze flat, and then are stackable in the freezer – hello!, space saving!

Have I convinced you yet? If not, here are a few nutrition-based reasons that you should consider adding more beans / legumes into your diet.

Everyone could use more fiber. Fiber has plenty of health benefits, but a couple of the most important are that it helps to keep you feeling full, and in turn prevents overeating; as well as helping you to reduce the “bad” (LDL) cholesterol that floats in your blood.
They’re a good source of plant-based protein!
Dry beans are significantly lower in sodium than canned choices – They virtually have none! Which is great for anyone looking to decrease the sodium in their diet, on a restriction, or just looking to lose a little extra bloat.

chickpeas, crockpot, salt free bean recipe, cooking 101 — After 4 hours of cooking, the beans are ready to freeze! (Read below).

Here’s the HOW – what you’ve been waiting for, right?

Rinse 1 pound of dry beans (your choice!), and be sure that there are no small stones, or foreign objects in the mix. Note: I’ve never had an issue with a 1 pound package from a grocery store, but if you buy in bulk it’s more important to check!
Place dry beans in the crockpot (here’s one like mine!) with 6 cups of water. The water should cover the top of the beans. Dont worry about exact amounts because you will pour this off in the end anyway.
Cook the beans in the crockpot on high heat for 4 hours. And Voila! You’re done! Well, cooking anyway.
Drain the cooked beans, and rinse. You could drain in a collander, or If I’m doing it the lazy way, I rinse them in the crock pot, and then simply drain using the lid tilted away from the edge of the pot.
Divide the beans evenly between 3 quart-sized freezer bags, and allow them to cool. (This amounts to slightly more than one 15 oz can, but makes little difference in a recipe – more fiber! Remember?)
Place them, laying flat, into the freezer. Once frozen, you can stand upright to take advantage of some space saving!

chickpeas, how to cook beans from scratch and freeze, diy cooking tips, garbanzo — Evenly portioned quart-sized bags of ready-to-eat chickpeas!

Cooking / Reheating:

Depending on how you’re using these beans in a recipe or as a topping, I simply pop the needed amount into the microwave for 1-2 minutes until thawed & warmed. I use the microwave method for my Southwest Stuffed Bell Peppers) If you’re using this within a recipe (like my Sweet Potato & Black Bean Burrito Bowls), I add it the same way I would add a can of prepared beans to a recipe. Just note that it may take a little longer for it to cook due to the fact that they started frozen.

If you’re planning ahead, I have occasionally thawed the quart sized bags overnight in the refrigerator and cooked using the beans the next day – which works out great, too!

My dinner using the chickpeas I made from the recipe! PS Buddha Bowls are my jam! Check out the anatomy of a Buddha Bowl here!

I keep black beans, navy beans, and chickpeas regularly stocked at my house! Which one will you try first? So, let me know how this works out for you and whether it made your cooking routine any easier! 🙂

Fashion & Beauty, Hair & Beauty

Favorite Beauty Finds

July 26, 2019 No Comments

Hi again friends!, Today I’m sharing some of my current favorite beauty finds with you i.e. the routine I use every day! I received a complimentary Smashbox Foundation to trial via @influenster, and that sparked the idea for this post! PS all items are linked via clicking the graphics below.

The Face: create a great canvas!

First let’s talk foundation – since that was the beginning of it all. Well wait – first apply the Smashbox primer which is just a stellar product. You only need about a pea sized amount for your entire face, and your products will stay on allllll day long.

Now we can talk foundation. The Smashbox Studio Skin Full Coverage claims to be waterproof, sweat-resistant, and full coverage. In addition to full coverage for 24 hours. I have trialed this foundation for a few days now and am nothing short of impressed! It definitely stayed on all day, and even looked good after my workout! This has a very defined matte finish – which I love – and you only need the tiniest amount for application of your whole face. I used a squeeze about the size of a tic tac! I do recommend application with a foundation brush vs a sponge. I trialed both, despite the product recommendation for applying with a stippling brush, and the coverage with the brush definitely looked nicer! I’m wearing color 2.12, a light neutral.

7am, just applied…so tired
…lipstick needed.
midnight, time for bed!…so tired again

After the foundation I follow with a concealer. I’ve been using tarte cosmetics shape tape concealer for about a month and am in LOVE! I don’t see that this product seeps into the tiny creases under my eyes, and it applies more like a salve with a beauty blender.

After the foundation & concealer I set it with a finishing powder. This one’s great, and very inexpensive. Check out my previous post on budget beauty buys for more details.

The Cheeks – Add a little color!

Along with the setting powder, I also included the e.l.f contour palette, in my previous post about budget buys. This palette only contains 4 colors which makes it so easy to use for amateur makeup artists like myself!

For cheeks, blush is a must for my routine – I think I look a little lifeless without it! I love the NARS product line, and trend toward more of an orange color myself.

The Eyes – the windows to the soul, or so they say!

I was introduced to several of these products through beauty subscription boxes …. surprise! I love the it cosmetics universal brown eyebrow pencil because they literally have a single color to choose from!! Takes all the work out of it! And the fact that it has a smoothing brush on the opposite side makes it easier to find your tools! 😉

I love ALL of the naked palettes for a super basic eye color, and shared this one specifically because it is 100% matte colors. I use this regularly, so much that I usually run out of my two favorite colors to blend.

Lastly, Eye Liner & Mascara – I’m a big supporter of liquid liner. This felt-tipped option seems to last forever and is so easy to use – it’s like a marker! I have it in both black & brown. And the Mascara, I often switch up, but I love this product because it makes your lashes so full & fluffy.

The Cleanser – I swear by this Aveeno Foaming Cleanser and the L’Oreal Eye Make up remover, and have for years. Though this foundation is “waterproof” it comes off so cleanly with the Aveeno Cleanser & I always seem to be removing my mascara with Q-tips to avoid rubbing my eyes. Great for cleanup!!

Have you tried any of these products before? Do you swear by any of these in your own beauty routine? Share your favorite beauty finds with me! 😉 I’m always looking for a great new product to incorporate.

Fashion & Style

Affordable Dresses for Wedding Season

July 21, 2019 No Comments

I realized I have a handful of weddings this summer so what a better opportunity than to shop! (I know, right?, from the girl whose closet is practically overflowing…) I wanted to share a few affordable dresses for Wedding Season! or really any semi-formal occasion of the summer 😉 And generally my definition of “affordable” is under $50!

Polka Dots – Super in for the season, and SO many colors & styles to choose from. Considering these recommendations are for wedding guest dresses you wouldn’t want to outshine the bride! So I linked a few subtle options.

Oversized / Prominent Buttons – Super in for the season! And I’m hoping these stay in style for a while, because I’ve invested in ….let’s say a few!

Jumpsuits – I love a good romper but struggle with jumpsuits due to the length of the inseam (I’m 5’10” just as a reminder) But these are certainly cute enough and fancy enough to jazz up for a summer wedding!

Midi Dresses – Not a maxi / Not a mini / Not even knee length… I didn’t think these would be my thing because I feel like below the knee dresses kind of cut off the leg line. That was until I wore one. Love, love, love!

Lilac – Ok so this may not be the color of the year, but I’m obsessing over it for one of the weddings I’m attending in a few weeks! I love these couple choices from Nordstrom & Macy’s. The AX option runs large, so I’d order a size down. The one I wore fits TTS.

The Little Black Dress – A twist on a classic LBD – Honestly, can you ever go wrong with an LBD? Love the extra detail that these selections offer!

In the market for accessories? Check out my favorite summer statement earrings or shop my Like to Know It profile.