Jul30

Feeling Blue? Get In The Christmas Spirit Early!

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Feeling Blue? Get In The Christmas Spirit Early!

Christmas will be here before we know it. It’s scary how quick this whole year has gone and everything that has happened. But with recent events it is understandable that many of our minds just naturally wander to Christmas and some of the brighter times we have in the future. Chase the Christmas spirit by getting organized early. You won’t believe how less stressful Christmas time can be when you don’t leave things to the last minute. With that in mind, here are some top tips to get ready for the festive season ahead:

Create lists:

Writing up a list can save you a lot of hassle and time. It’s a way of downloading all those ideas you have in your mind and having them safe somewhere for you to refer back to. List what you need to do, who you need to buy for, gift ideas, and budgets. Check things off as you go along and you’ll be holiday season ready in no time.

What about the Christmas budget?

The sooner you start thinking about Christmas might be the moment you start to panic about the financial side of things. Many people save up throughout the year, but others may find that that they need some extra help around the holiday season. This is when looking at ways to finance the Christmas period could be useful. Many then use the following months to start planning and paying things back off.

Plan a party:

Planning a Christmas party filled with gifts, games, good food, and beautiful decor could be just what you need to give yourself something to look forward to and keep you busy. You will have a guest list to prep, a menu made according to food sensitivities of your guests, games and a playlist to perfect, and of course you will need a venue to host at. The venue is something you will want to book well ahead of time before it gets filled for the holiday season. To get started, simply enter a search for “Christmas party venues Brisbane” (or your local area) to find an amazing location in your budget. It will make the decor aspect of your party much easier to visualize when you have your venue already selected.

Get those holiday cards written:

With all of the writing and sending off of Christmas cards in time for the actual day, it might be best to get them out of the way now. The same can be said for if you decide to throw a Christmas party or gathering. One of the biggest jobs is getting those party invitations sent out to your guests. Again, give yourself plenty of time to do this and consider having them printed to save on time.

Start bulk buying the food:

We know that Christmas is a time of eating and drinking with friends and family. While you can’t stock up on the fresh stuff, you can begin to buy in the food and drink that will last. This helps spread the cost of Christmas over a few weeks instead of feeling the pinch in one big food bill.

Buy gifts when you see them:

If you are out shopping and you are suddenly inspired for a gift idea, get it there and then. You will either forget it or regret it if you don’t purchase it. Buying gifts early can not only help spread the cost but it also gets you super organized. You may want to look at the gifts for the day and also any stocking fillers, things such as Christmas sweaters and shirts could be a good option to buy now and websites like UglyChristmasSweater.com have a great selection.

Start wrapping early:

Finally, when you buy a gift wrap it up and put it away. The last thing you want is a huge pile of gifts to wrap all at once. You will feel so much better knowing this job is done and you are prepared for the big day ahead.

Let’s hope these top tips will assist in getting you organized for the Christmas season and help improve your current 2020 blahs!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jul30

July 2020 Finishes

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July 2020 Finishes

Hello!! July was an insanely hot and busy month and I found that, other than my normal day and night skin care routine, I let any other pampering fall by the wayside. I know what you all are thinking: “That is so not like you, Sarah!” However, Lil Red does not do well in extreme heat (I literally get sick) and it is always extremely hot in my apartment. Not to mention, most of July was in the high eighties and mid nineties in my neck of the woods. Therefore, any movement away from being directly in front of my fan was deemed unnecessary.

I only finished one product that you all haven’t heard of already so we will briefly chat about that. Then, I will provide you with some links to previous beauty themed posts this past month in case you missed them. And, finally, make sure you tune in tomorrow for a new Face Mask Festivities to close out the month. Alright! Let’s get to it:

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Would I Use Again:

Why/Why Not?

SkinLab Moisturizer: As you all know, I love my SkinLab Lift & Firm moisturizer and it took me one month to finish one jar. You can read more about it in this post, since it pops up often enough lol. 🙂

Azure Lux Serum: During a recent Amazon haul, I needed to stock up on my skin care. Originally, I was going to stick with my usual and just order a bunch of the Azure Lux Rose Gold serums. I purchased a few but I also decided to give the 24K Gold serum a try, as well. Was it much different than its Rose Gold sister? Not really. But I love the Rose Gold sister so, obviously, I loved the 24K serum too!

My skin feels so bright and radiant whenever I use the Azure Lux serums and they are so nourishing, to boot. I definitely think my skin has become more glowy and fresh since using the Azure Lux products and it takes me one month to finish one bottle.

More To Enjoy:

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for a brand new Face Mask Festivities!

Which products did you use up this month? Which products have you been impressed with lately? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul29

Got Body Pain? Check Out These Weird Causes

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Got Body Pain? Check Out These Weird Causes

Fortunately, many of us go through most of our lives in a pain-free state. But sometimes, we get what can only be described as body pain – and it hurts like mad! Body pain, though, doesn’t seem to have any apparent identifiable cause. It tends to erupt out of the blue, making your day a misery.

So what’s behind it? Why does it happen? Here are some weird causes you’d never expect:

Lack Of Water:

Body pain can emerge for all kinds of reasons, including lack of proper hydration. Water is essential for practically all of the body’s vital processes. If you don’t have enough of it in your system, you’ll start experiencing symptoms, none of which are pleasant.

Researchers think that a lack of water causes pain by impairing functions. This state of deprivation then leads to exhaustion, which has knock-on effects on the muscles. Pain can be especially intense if you lack electrolytes in your system. Muscles can go into spasm – and if that happens, you soon know about it.

Insufficient Sleep:

Body pain can also result from a lack of sleep. When you don’t get enough shut-eye, your body automatically starts to release more alertness compounds to keep you active during the day. However, when it releases too much, it can leave you feeling panicked and fatigued.

Tissues need adequate rest to keep them supple and functioning adequately. So when you go without sleep for an extended period of time, it can prevent them from carrying out necessary repair work. Eventually, soreness accumulates, and you really start to feel it. If you can’t get enough sleep, try drinking chamomile before bed or listening to soft music. Relaxing the nervous system makes it much easier to get effective shut-eye.

Muscular Imbalance:

Every muscle group in the body has an agonist and an antagonist. The agonist moves a part of the body in one direction, and then the agonist brings it back to the center. However, many people wind up seeing their chiropractor when they have a severe imbalance between the two. When muscles are strong in one direction but not another, it can lead to excess strain on particular muscle groups, causing pain.

Resolving muscle balance is relatively easy. You just need to train in the right way. Focus on strengthening the opposite muscle to make it as strong and robust as the other. If muscular imbalance is something you are experiencing, a multifaceted approach to treatment is one of the best ways to help you improve. This can include entering a search for “Owasso Chiropractor” (or your local area) to schedule a consultation as well as working with a personal trainer to target your weaker muscles. The two paired together can create an easy to follow routine to decrease your pain and improve your quality of life.

Lyme’s Disease:

Lyme’s disease is a condition caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium. People acquire the infection from tick bites. It starts off slow, but if it goes untreated, it can cause extreme symptoms, including exhaustion and hot flashes. You can find out whether you have the condition by taking an antibody test.

Multiple Sclerosis:

Finally, many people in the early stages of MS experience high levels of body pain. Multiple sclerosis occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the myelin sheath around nerve cells, causing inflammation and pain. Eventually, the condition progresses to the point where the nervous system can’t transmit signals to the brain anymore. It can also lead to trouble walking.

If you are experiencing prolonged pain, schedule an appointment with your doctor ASAP.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul29

What Makes Your Dog Tilt Its Head At You?

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What Makes Your Dog Tilt Its Head At You?

Humans and dogs have been living together for millennia. And in that time, they’ve co-developed, with people adapting to dogs and vice versa. In that time, domesticated pooches have developed a string of behaviors that are entirely different from their wolf ancestors. One of these behaviors is head tilting. Dogs will stare at you with their heads cocked to one side or the other, instead of being level. It’s often very noticeable. But what makes them do this? Is it just random?

Researchers think that it’s more than just a weird tick. The science suggests that it might be related to a pooch’s emotional intelligence. Dogs, it turns out, are very good at picking up on the state of mind of their owners. They know, for instance, when you’re excited, sad, angry, or annoyed. Researchers think that their head movements might have something to do with their interpretation of your mood.

Because dogs are not people, they can’t empathize with the same emotions that we have. Dogs do not share many of the thoughts and feelings that we experience. They have their own setup. However, they appear to have rudimentary skills of empathy. They can listen and recognise you as something separate from themselves. And this fact might be at the root of why they tilt their head.

Tilting seems to be context-independent. Dogs will do it whether you’re praising them for being a good pup or scolding them for eating the furniture. It appears to be a sign that they’re paying attention to what you’re saying and taking note (in their own way).

The Canine Ear Hypothesis:

Researchers also suggest that tilting may occur because of differences in the construction of the canine ear compared to those of humans. Dogs have very sensitive ears and can hear a similar range of sounds to us. However, their directional hearing might not be as good as ours.

Humans have particularly good directional hearing because of the distance our ears are from each other. The left and right ears pick up sounds with a slight delay, allowing people to determine where a noise is coming from. Dog ears are closer together and also more buried in the skull, meaning that differentiation is not as high.

Tilting of the head, therefore, might be a way for them to better hear where commands are coming from, by changing the angle of the sound. Adjusting their pinnae could let them pinpoint the location of noises in their environment.

What This Means For Owners:

Dogs that tilt their heads may be more empathetic than those that don’t. It may be a sign that they’re listening for specific words or inflections. It may also make dog training easier. Dogs who listen more intently can carry out your commands better.

The way your dog tilts its head is also an indication of their character. Cocking it to one side and looking right at you is a sign of health and strength. Pointing their nose towards the floor, however, suggests deference and worry. What signs is your dog giving you?

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul29

New Hot Pink & Chartreuse Nails

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New Hot Pink & Chartreuse Nails

Hello! As an essential worker who is in close contact to a high risk population, I have been really limiting my time out in public. Honestly, it takes a lot to even leave the house sometimes. Back in the “normal” days, I always looked forward to my monthly nail appointments. But, now, I really really look forward to it because it is one of the two to three community outings I do per month.

I am so thankful to my favorite salon, Elysian Nails, for taking all of the necessary precautions that make me feel like I can relax while I’m there. Normally, when I’m out doing grocery shopping I want to leave ASAP because of all of the people! Even though we are in crazy times, everyone needs a treat and I feel like a million bucks whenever I leave the salon chair. Still a nervous wreck – but a million bucks, none of the less.

The nail tech I had this time around was not the most gentle, but I still really like how my claws turned out! Take a look:

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As someone with a ton of tattoos and piercings, like me, can tell you: Beauty is pain. However, I don’t think I have ever been nicked or said “ouch” as many times as this previous one. And, I really don’t mean to complain, but it was definitely not the most pleasant experience – especially since the salon is where I go to find myself, lol.

Despite all of the ouchies, I absolutely love the colors of my nails. Both of these shades are by my favorite nail care brand, Londontown. The pink hue is called Summer Fling and the chartreuse is appropriately named Electric Avenue. Summer time is when you can go all out with bright, poppy colors and I was inspired by my favorite warm weather treat – watermelon!

It’s amazing how something so little like a neon color can make me smile but I feel happy when I look at my nails. And, given the current state of everything going on right now, I’ll take any extra pep in my step that I can get. Thanks to Elysian Nails for always keeping my claws on point and to Londontown for introducing me to a Summer Fling on Electric Avenue! 😀

Have you ever had an unpleasant salon experience? What happened? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul28

Why Debt To Success Could Aid You And Your Career

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Why Debt To Success Could Aid You And Your Career

When we have debt of any type, it can greatly impact our lives, from the way in which we handle our career choices to our personal lives. These issues offer further problems that allow us to be set up to fail. When trying to pay off debt, you may have found the repayments are too much or your debts are not minimizing as quickly as you would have liked. There are options, however.

Debt to success systems have been implemented for a while and provide assistance that could be hugely beneficial to you. They are both transparent and affordable and open to discuss the scheme as well as how it could work for you. If debts are left unpaid, then they can easily spiral and, with added interest and other hidden costs of debts, you can be left with hefty bills for years on end, which is completely stressful for you.

Releasing yourself from the grasps of government chains can be the best way to aid you in moving forward, but with a simple automated system, you can be sure that you can create a positive move. With Debt to Success System, you can learn about the ways that you can start to repay in a neat and secure monthly payment program, which allows you to remove yourself from the throws of debt and move away from the societal schemes that create bigger stresses in our lives.

Why is removing debt so important?

Even if you feel as if you are managing your debts well, you are still tied into a system that is constantly hanging over your head. If your income drops, you are still having to pay that hefty sum of money. Debts can affect all areas of your life, including mortgages and insurance. By paying off your debt in a secure and affordable way, you may find that you have less stress and more disposable income in your life. They say that the average person should be debt free by the age of 58, unless you choose to extend your payments. However, if you are in your early thirties, you may feel that this is a long way off and can really affect the way that you view money. For business, time may be more limited in order to sink finances back into it.

You should also consider using a disciplined budget, which will assist with repayments. If you are struggling with budgeting, then there are plenty of online assistance tools to ensure that you can meet these requirements. You must be sure that you are prepared to rid yourself of debt in order to move forward in business. During the Covid-19 crisis, the amount of debt in the average household has heightened. With job losses and money loss, it is easier to slip into debt. By looking at a system that works such as DTS, you can move towards the business goals that you have really wanted to focus on.

Use the tips above to get your money write and continue moving forward in your life!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jul28

Quarantine Life: It Can Still Be Fun

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Quarantine Life: It Can Still Be Fun

Hi! When I first moved into my apartment, I LOVED that shit. Seriously, it was awesome. A young business owner going here, there, and everywhere and then returning to my cool little place once the day was over. The annoyances of every apartment like loud neighbors and crappy air conditioning didn’t seem so bad because, in all reality, I wasn’t there that much.

Fast forward a year and some change later and, now, my boyfriend and I are confined to our apartment on the daily. Our on the go life style of a blogger (me) and working musician (he) got severely cramped by the coronavirus and the minor annoyances at chez nous have turned into major headaches.

Despite our quarantine living quarters not being ideal (It’s like living in your own personal sweat lodge.), Johnny and I still manage to have fun in our tiny little sauna. So, I am here to remind you that it is still possible to enjoy yourself from the safety of your home. In fact, the fact that I know I am safe at home makes my time that much more enjoyable.

It has been a big change to go from constantly being out to sometimes being fearful to leave the house. Unfortunately, that is the current state of things right now and once I accepted that boredom came with being safe, I felt a lot better about being home. It took Johnny and I while to come up with the perfect combination of at home entertainment but now that we have hit our sweet spot, this whole quarantine thing ain’t so bad. (Our most effective combo is playing The Office after Law & Order SVU.)

Yes, we have consumed more media content than is probably recommended for a lifetime but we still experienced new things. For example, Johnny bought me my first LEGO set and since then we have been hooked on building together. Or who can forget Hanks For The Memories when he introduced me to Forrest Gump and I taught him a thing or two about Cast Away.

Lame? Yes. Super fun? Obviously, or I wouldn’t be blogging about it! Now is the time to watch all the TV you can, so get hooked on a series with some friends and gab to your heart’s content. Watch something totally random. Order a book you would never read on your Kindle. Try cooking a difficult but delicious looking recipe. Your activities are, admittedly, limited at home so you might as well try to keep them interesting!

The most important thing I try to remember as Johnny and I continue to hunker down is a positive attitude. Of course, I’m not thrilled by any of this. But, it’s the best thing we can do to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. I also keep in mind that I will never get the chance to sit through an entire season of America’s Next Top Model in one day totally guilt free again. That is a positive and it makes sinking into the couch and hearing Johnny’s disgruntled comments about my favorite show all the more sweeter. 🙂

How do you keep a positive attitude during the coronavirus pandemic? What has been your favorite hobby to pass the time? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul27

Taking Care Of My Mental Health In Quarantine

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Taking Care Of My Mental Health In Quarantine

Hello! Living in a quarantine style state can be very taxing on one’s mental health. It’s hard when you can’t see your friends as often and every day outings that you used to look forward to have become a thing of the past. As someone who has struggled with depression for over a decade, I know first hand that it can be very easy to fall into a slump when you’re confined to the four walls of your home day in and day out.

So, how do I keep a positive attitude despite hardly ever leaving my apartment? A healthy mixture of the following keeps me right on track:

Scheduled Pampering:

Once a week, typically over the weekend, I always enjoy using a new face mask. I like having a “treat” that I look forward to and experimenting with different face masks is a fun and cheap way to try something new. I ordered a pack of six different sheet face masks from Amazon and got twelve in total for ten bucks. I thought it was a steal and now I have something new to try for the next several weeks. Score!

Getting Enough Sleep:

I think one of the most important things that one can do, especially if they are currently not working, is to continue with their normal sleep schedule. It is very easy to fall into the trap of staying up late and sleeping in until the following afternoon and that is not good! Try and maintain your regular schedule throughout the day as much as possible. I always find that a sense of normality makes me feel better and a good night’s sleep tends to do the trick, too. 🙂

Exercise Your Mind:

There are so many fun apps and games that are designed to make you think. Believe you me, I enjoy a video game or movie marathon just as much as the next one. But, so much mindless entertainment can leave your brain feeling mushy. Spend an hour or two a day with a good book, a crossword puzzle, or even building with LEGO. I promise that it will be a welcome break from whatever show you’re currently binging and your brain will thank you!

Talking About It:

We are all dealing with the current state of things differently because we have never experienced anything like this before. Everyone is feeling nervous and scared and those feelings can continue to fester into something debilitating if you keep it all bottled up. Have a conversation with a trusted friend or family member and voice what is concerning you or giving you anxiety. You will probably find that they have a lot of similar fears and that is usually really comforting to me and, hopefully, for you too.

With the times that we are living in right now, it is easy to let your own self care fall by the wayside. So, use the tips above and get yourself back to baseline and, then, beyond!

How have you been taking care of your mental health? What make you feel better? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul26

Four Ways To Help Bring Calmness To Your Life

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Four Ways To Help Bring Calmness To Your Life

Bringing a sense of calmness into your life can be refreshing. With the hustle and bustle of life, things tend to get a little overwhelming and it’s good to find some perspective to keep grounded. Here are four ways to help bring a sense of tranquility into your day:

Reduce Your Stress Levels:

Stress is something that can really throw you off from keeping yourself calm, and not only is it something that affects you mentally, it can also have a lot of physical impacts too. It’s important to try and find ways to reduce your stress levels where you can and try to control what stress has been created in your life that you might be able influence. If you’re finding your job is getting too stressful, make the necessary arrangements to try and find solutions to making it more bearable. Whether it’s speaking to your boss or looking for a job that is less stressful in nature. There are both big and small ways that you can help to reduce your stress levels. Look at what’s stressing you out currently and pinpoint the areas where you might be able to improve it.

Find Positive Outlets:

Positive outlets are good for controlling stress and for bringing more calmness to your life. Everyone has various outlets that keep them satisfied and happy in life. Yours might be a lot different from the next person, but that’s fine as long as they bring comfort for you. So perhaps one of these outlets might be reading a book once a week or month? It could be taking fitness classes or picking up a hobby that you’ve always wanted to try. Find something that’s going to be good for you, and the more you have, the better you’ll feel.

Keep Yourself Distracted:

Keeping yourself distracted can certainly help when it comes to bringing more peace into your life. Avoid the things that are causing the issues and find those parts in your life that help to keep you distracted. It might be trying some products from kayahempco.com or throwing yourself into work if that’s something you enjoy doing. There will always be something that can help keep you from thinking about those negatives in your life, so concentrate on what will give you that opportunity to switch off.

Surround Yourself With The Right People:

Surrounding yourself with the right people is certainly important, and there can be a lot of joy that comes from being with those you love. Spending time with people who are going to bring you up, rather than put you done will be so much better for your state of mind and promoting a more carefree lifestyle. It’s not healthy to have people in your life who are going to bring you down.

Life isn’t always calm, but can be when we focus on the things that make us happiest!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul26

Writer’s Block? Have Some Quarantine Writing Prompts!

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Writer’s Block? Have Some Quarantine Writing Prompts!

Hello! Depending on where you live in this great big universe, you might have been or currently are living in a state of quarantine. As for me, I have been in a lock down lifestyle since March 19th in Akron, Ohio. Other than leaving the house to go to work as an “essential” employee, I probably go out two times a month for groceries and appointments.

Maintaining a blog in normal times is hard work. However, maintaining a blog in a time of quarantine is a whole different ball game. I, myself, have had a difficult time coming up with daily content and sometimes it feels impossible to come up with a blog post for the day.

Back in early 2020, I could find inspiration to write about anything from a quick trip to TJMaxx or an adventure outing with friends. Fast forward over half a year later and the most exciting thing I have to tell you guys is when I get a new LEGO set. Lol, so I understand better than anyone what it means to have writer’s block right now and there is no shame in it!

If you are coming up with question marks for your page, try writing about the following:

  1. Have you picked up any new hobbies or perfected an old skill in quarantine?
  2. What have you been binge watching lately?
  3. How many books have you finished? Which one was your favorite?
  4. How has your garden or potted plants been growing?
  5. What has been the most difficult part about being in quarantine?
  6. What has been the best part about being in quarantine?
  7. Have you cooked or baked anything new?
  8. How has your beauty routine changed since being in quarantine?
  9. How has your work or day to day life been affected by the coronavirus?
  10. What are you most looking forward to doing post quarantine?

We are all having a hard enough time right now so don’t let your blog be another thing that stresses you out. And, if you’re curious how to become a better editor, follow the link to perfect your post. Use the prompts above and tag me in it so I can read it, too! 🙂

Much love. -Sarah