January Favorites

Hello there everyone, long time no talk! I personally enjoy reviewing my monthly favorites. It shows me what I love, what I use, and what makes me happy! I love reflecting on a month or a week, and seeing what I did well, what I used, what I need to get rid of, etc. It also gives me the opportunity to share my finds with you. So let's get into it!

Skincare

• Estée Lauder S.O.S. Skincare Repair + Glow Essentials Set

• Okay SO. This has changed my life. I asked my future sister-in-law what she uses to keep her skin always looking so fresh, youthful, and hydrated and she told me about the Estée Laude Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II. This serum has so many skin benefits, but is hella expensive. As a CCLS, I’m constantly on a budget (gotta love having to have a Master of Science and not having a salary that reflects that). I didn’t want to try something that cost $50 and hate it, so when I saw this kit I thought it would be the perfect opportunity. I really love the products! My skin looks recharged and radiant, and my pores aren’t as clogged. I still have my R&F Soothe Moisturizer and their Acne Toner, but I plan to mix these two regimes to become my new skincare routine.

• Repair + Glow Essentials Set

Makeup:

• Beauty Bakarie Flour Translucent Powder

• I have been looking for a solid translucent powder for a while to set my concealer and occasionally bake my face. Y’all. This. Is. It. My skin looks smooth and soft, and it doesn’t crease or get cakey. This is my new staple powder. If you are tanner or darker toned than I am, you might want to adjust the color. Also, was at a pottery painting store in my hometown and not one but THREE people complimented my skin, saying it looked airbrushed. Say whaaattt.

• Translucent Powder

• Jaclyn Hill Palette

• This is an oldie but a goodie. I recently realized that I feel better at work when I personally think I look good. I don’t necessarily care if other people think my makeup looks good or over the top, but if I feel that I have enhanced my beauty then I am a better CCLS. All that to say, I’ve been doing my makeup more for work instead of just for blogging, weekends, and events. This has everything (and more) that you need. I typically use the following for my day to day eye look: I mix Silk Creme and M.F.E.O. into my crease, then a little lower I mix Creamsicle, Butter, Pooter, and Pukey. For my lid, I change it up depending on what I’m feeling (sometimes I mix Faint, Sissy, and Little Lady, or Queen and Obsessed). Lastly, I use a mix of Enlightenment and Beam in my inner corner and my brow bone. PS: I also saw she has another new palette coming out and I may need it haha.

• Morphe x Jaclyn Hill (Original)

Body:

• St. Moriz

• I’m desperately in need of spring/summer! So much so that I started self-tanning again. This is by far my favorite self-tanner. It does go on green, yes, green, so beware. It only takes 1-3 hours to see tanning results. It is very easy and always comes out amazing! I do wash my hands/feet 40 minutes after application so they don’t turn orange, I learned this when I worked at a tanning salon and constantly got spray tans. Also to note, prior to placing the tan I use a body lotion on my elbows, knees, feet, and hands about 5 minutes before I put the tanner on. This is a total dupe for St Tropez at a fraction of the price. Also linking the applicator mitt I use!

• Self-Tanner

• Tanning Mitt

Fashion:

• *I will be doing a separate post with my Amazon + Pink Lily Boutique Haul sometime this week, so nothing specific this month!*

Child Life:

• Sensory Stress Balls

• These have been so helpful for the influx of older school-agers/teenagers I’ve had come into the clinic lately. Sometimes older kids still need a distraction, but a less obvious one. I think teaching deep breathing in combination with using a sensory stress ball is so beneficial. Having kids squeeze the stress ball as the blow out a deep breath helps their body relax and keep their mind focused on a task, which in turn leads to increased relaxation and compliance that will enable more success with procedures performed by the other staff members.

• Linked Here!

• MedKin Doll (w/ Port Adapter)

• I’ve had quite a few kids of all ages come in with diagnosis leading to a port placement. Prior to my role in the clinic, I had never used a MedKin teaching doll and let me tell you… I WAS MISSING OUT! This is amazing for medical play and education/preparation. If you are a CCLS you need this doll with some of the adapters!

• Linked Here!

Fitness:

• OrangeTheory Classes

• From my last post, you know that OTF is my workout of choice because it has been so successful for me. I love that you don’t have to worry about making your own workout and not having support from a trainer. Being able to go into a class any given day/time that is coach run and never repeats, is such a weight off my shoulder (haha, punny). I also appreciate the fact that there is science behind the workout and 5 heart rate zones. Being able to see your heart rate, splat points, and calories burnt on a huge screen keeps you accountable. I’ve been going to Midtown in Charlotte for 2 months now and love the people, coaches, and classes. I do miss my Forest Acres fam in Columbia though.

Food:

• Low Carb Chicken Tenders

• I have been focusing on my diet a lot lately and making lifestyle changes. As stated in my last post, my body thrives best on a low carb diet. But I am unwilling to sacrifice the food I enjoy because life is short. Therefore, I’ve been making slight changes to improve my health. These air fryer low carb chicken tenders are amazing and you have to try them!

• https://www.wholekitchensink.com/air-fryer-chicken-tenders/

Home:

• Air Fryer

• This is so nice and definitely worth the price. I love fried food, but given that they’re typically high in calories and have wheat/gluten I have to make adjustments. This has helped me so much, where I’m still following my macros but it is something I enjoy.

• https://www.walmart.com/ip/PowerXL-Vortex-Air-Fryer-Plus-5-Quart/828030978

• Hand-Held Frother

• I just replaced my broken one with this one and I LOVE IT! It is sooo powerful. I’ve been making a lot of honey lattes lately and can’t wait to try some other things soon!

• This is the exact one I have!

Netflix/Hulu:

• Hart of Dixie

• I binged this again (for the 3rd time). No shame. I LOVE a good medical drama/comedy (like Grey's Anatomy will be my all-time favorite forever). With this winter weather and how exhausted I have been with this OTF transformation challenge, I needed an escape for myself to just zone out. Hart of Dixie is a feel-good show that let me do that.

• Parks and Rec

• Another one of my all-time favorites. When I finished HOD, I went back to my classic show to put on in the background. I love having this on as I clean or cook, or work on my blog/Instagram because it helps me refocus and take a break. I also just love randomly hearing something from the show and busting out laughing.

• The Resident

• Again, another good medical drama. I just love the actors and the concept behind it. I have a lot of feelings about our healthcare system, some that match the show and some that don't. But it lets me check in with myself and see opposing views. Also, it is just a great thing to binge-watch!

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There ya have it! My January Favorites. Tell me about your favorites; did I miss a category you would have wanted me to mention, or did you have a different favorite? Let me know in the comments below!