24 Years of Life Advice

Two years ago I wrote down 22 things I've learned throughout life. Two years later and I think I've learned a little bit more, so in honor of my 24th birthday, I've decided to share a little more wisdom. I know I'm still young, but I hope you get a little out of it nonetheless.

1. A calendar with your bill due dates (or anything you don't want to forget) on it is a really good idea.
2. Sometimes you have to throw in the towel, be it an idea, a project, or a book you've been struggling to get through. It's okay to not finish everything you start. We're only human.
3. You can't grow if you're never challenged. Get out of your comfort zone and do something a little risky.
4. If you want something, sometimes all you have to do is ask.
5. If something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.
6. Don't let people dictate how you spend your money or enjoy yourself.
7. If it's not hurting anyone, you don't have to explain yourself.
8. If you can't follow, you can't lead. Be humble and stay grounded.
9. Some things are better left behind.
10. Take your own advice.
11. Don't pass up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for anything other than yourself.
12. Embrace changes that better yourself. Being stagnant isn't a good thing.
13. Balance is key.
14. We all do things we regret. Forgive yourself and move on as best you can.
15. Sentimentality doesn't make you weak.
16. Checking in with someone every couple of months can go a long way.
17. Grow with the people around you.
18. I highly recommend GAP insurance.
19. Don't cancel all of your plans.
20. Try a new restaurant once in a while.
21. Embrace your flaws.
22. Google synonyms.
23. Learn a random fact or two, People enjoy them.
24. Don't stop learning once school ends.

I know these 24 points don't all go together, but life doesn't fit perfectly into a box. Teach me something new so that I can add it to my list in a few years.

xxx

My Everyday Skincare Routine

The little things are really the most important things, if you ask me, especially when it comes to taking care of yourself. Yes, baths, facials, massages, they're all nice, but they all take a little bit of time, money, and effort. Have them when you can--make the time for them--but don't rely on them alone to take care of yourself. Instead, take that extra five minutes every morning to upgrade your skincare.

I didn't realize how important skincare is until a few years ago, but goodness, has discovering it made a world of a difference in my life. It just feels so nice to really take care of yourself in such a minuscule way. Like who would've thought that putting lotion on my face would make me feel so refreshed? (I know everyone who has known about skincare their whole life is screaming at me right now.) Anyway, here is my skincare routine that I implement every single day. I tend to stick to these products because they work best for me, but remember that everyone's skin is different. Some people need more products in their routine, some people need less, and some people need different products all together. Experiment until you find what's best for you!

THE MORNING

Honestly, both my morning and night skincare routines are lazy, but that's okay! I wash my face in the shower, switching between the Pacifica Quinoa Sensitive Super Gentle face wash (mostly because it smells like Fruity Pebbles to me) and the KORRES Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser, and then every two or three days, I use some type of exfoliant (of which I'm not brand specific).

Daily exfoliating does not agree with my skin, so I make sure to only do it every few days.

Once out of the shower, I blot my face dry and then lightly tap the KORRES Wild Rose Brightening Eye Treatment under my eyes with my ring or middle fingers. I have dark under eye circles, so I use whatever I can to brighten them up, and I've found that this product has worked wonders for how tired I look all of the time. Next, I use the Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum, and once that feels absorbed into my skin, I apply a generous amount of the KORRES Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizing and Brightening Cream all over my face and neck. For both face products, I make sure to lightly tap or rub them into my skin. It's important to try not to pull at your face!

Then voila! I am all done and left with my dry, suffocated skin feeling refreshed and ready for my makeup.

THE EVENING

I tend to be pretty lazy after work, but I barely ever slack on my skincare, especially because if I do, I always, always, always am left with a breakout the next morning (thanks, sensitive skin).

I start with the obvious: removing my makeup. I use the Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Oil on my dry face and gentry rub it all over until my makeup looks as melted off as it'll get. Then I splash my face with lukewarm water. Afterwards, I use either my Pacifica or Korres cleansers again for a second cleanse, splash my face again, and blot my face dry.

Now that all of my makeup is off and my face is clean from the day's grime, I alternate between applying my KORRES Wild Rose Vitamin C Active Brightening Oil, the KORRES Greek Yoghurt Advanced Nourishing Sleeping Facial, or both! Hey, my skin is dry and dull--I'll take all the help I can get.

And that's all I do! With both routines, I probably spend 10 minutes, tops, on my skincare, and none of this includes the obvious of applying lotion to my legs, arms, and hands, and chapstick on my lips (which I honestly only do both of at night 99 percent of the time).

I hope this inspires you to either begin or keep up with a skincare routine of your own! Start out with cheaper products and work your way up if you don't find something that works for you (I know all of mine are expensive, but if you can't tell, I'm quite loyal to KORRES and Caudalie).

xxx


BUY THE PRODUCTS!

         

      

The Perfectly Cozy Hot Chocolate

My goal during the winter months is to find the absolute best hot chocolate in whichever city I am in during the winter months. I had a fantastic one in or around Huddersfield, England with my friend Butty, and I still think about it when the temperature starts to drop outside. I think the sad truth, though, is that the US is just not the place to get a done up hot chocolate, so I've started making them myself.

The process is easy. Heat a saucepan over low medium heat and add whatever chocolate you'd like. Have some fun with it: use a chocolate orange, half milk chocolate and half dark chocolate, salted chocolate--whatever flavor you'd like your hot chocolate to take, use a bar of chocolate that has it!

As the chocolate starts to melt, add your milk or milk alternative (I use almond milk). You can eyeball this, or if you're making a single serving, I find it easiest to pour my milk to the desired level in the mug I plan on using, and then pour it from there into my saucepan. Stir or whisk constantly.

It's important not to allow the milk to boil because curdled milk is heartbreaking.

Once all of your chocolate is melted and your mixture is to your desired temperature, you're ready to deck it out! Whipped cream is non-negotiable, if you ask me, but alas, this is your hot chocolate, so do what you please. For this one, I topped it off with whipped cream, crumbled a Crunchie on top for some honeycomb goodness, and placed a flake inside for some extra slow-melting goodness.

That's it! It only takes maybe 10 minutes tops and then you're all ready to sit down and watch your favorite Holiday movie.

Let me know what goodness you use to spice up your hot chocolate game this winter.

xxx

My Christmas Playlist

I have had the same Christmas playlist since 2013, give or take, and every year I still love it. It has some classic songs alongside newer ones (well, 2013 new, at least), and is long enough that I don't think it's easy to overplay within a month span. It does repeat a few songs since so many artists have covered Christmas classics, but if your playlist is on shuffle, who cares?

I hope you guys enjoy it at least a little!

xxx