May in Photos

May 30, 2017

This month’s photos feature our latest vacation! I am so excited to share these beautiful photos with you guys. This was the first time in over two years that I’ve taken a vacation simply because it wasn’t something I’d ever needed to consider in the past. When you’re in school, your breaks are handed to you. You are free of school and work and get to spend a month doing absolutely nothing while enjoying the summer or winter! After graduating, it didn’t even cross my mind that I might need a vacation but boy did I need one.

These past couple of years have definitely taught me a lesson in carving out time to practice self-care. I used to beat myself up about not doing enough and as an introvert, this just resulted in a cranky, burnt out me! Nowadays, I’ve learned to say yes to as many breaks as I need so that I can be the best that I can be during all the other times 😃 What were your favorite moments of May? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Oh and more on our cruise experience will be up on the blog soon!

High-Low Maxi

May 25, 2017

Maxi: Target / Shoes: Payless / Lips: Colour Pop / Earrings: cute little local shop!

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Even though Wisconsin is known for its brutally cold winters, I don't think there's another group of people that enjoys warm weather more than Wisconsinites. We're a bunch of puppies waiting at the door to get outside and as soon as the temperature reaches 60 degrees, we're running around the yard barking and sniffing everything! Enduring the bitter, long winters gives me such a strong appreciation for all of the beautiful changes that happen in spring and summer. Plus, it's always a good day when I no longer have to throw on 5+ layers and can survive in the wild in just a dress :) What is your favorite thing about the changing seasons? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

BIrchbox: May 2017

May 23, 2017

Second month back on with Birchbox and I’m starting to remember why I cancelled my subscription in the first place! Although I love them to pieces, My relationship with subscription boxes is kind of an up and down roller coaster! Anyhoo - here’s what I received in my May Birchbox!

Birchbox is a monthly beauty subscription ($10/month) that sends full-size and sample-size beauty, hair, make-up and skincare products.

Coola: SPF 30 Organic Makeup Setting Spray | Full-Size $36

Makeup setting spray is not a type of product I use regularly but something I’d like to try out so I loved receiving it in this month’s Birchbox! So far, I can’t tell how much of a difference this spray is making, but I love that has hyaluronic acid and SPF in it - you can never have enough hydration or sun protection in a product!

MAC Cosmetics: Strobe Cream | Full-Size $33

One thing I do enjoy about Birchbox is that you have the opportunity to select one of the product you receive. I chose to receive this strobe cream from MAC and while it wasn’t quite what I was hoping for (it was a little more subtle than I thought it would be) I enjoyed the experience of being able to choose one of the products I wanted to test out.

Ouai: Wave Spray | Full-Size $26

I don’t use hair products nearly as often as I’d like to so I’m trying my best to work all of the hair samples I receive into my routine! Although I don’t love the texture of this spray (too sticky for my taste) it did create a nice beach wave effect in my hair.

The Beauty Crop: Fabulous Flocking Lashes Mascara | Full-Size $22

Ahhh now I remember why I decided to drop my subscription boxes….mascara! I always set upmy profiles to state that I don’t want to receive and don’t really use mascara, yet I am always receiving mascara samples. Gah! This might be a nice mascara sample but since it’s a type of product I don’t use frequently, it’s going in the re-gifting pile.

Vita Liberta: Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion | Full-Size $30

This is another product that I wish I could opt out of in my subscription boxes! I have medium-toned skin so I tan very easily despite using mounds of sunscreen. With this skin type, I haven’t really found a use for self-tanning lotion! Are there any other medium skin toned girls out there who utilize self tanning lotion that can help me out? Do you use it even out your skin? I don’t know!

Final Verdict: Overall, I wasn’t thrilled with this month’s box. The only product I could truly see myself using on a daily basis is the makeup setting spray. I’ll still try to get as much use as possible out of the rest of the products but I’m not particularly excited about anything. Better luck next month? What did you receive in your May Birchbox? Let me know in the comments!