9 Things to NEVER Cheap Out On

If you don’t take any other advice this year let it be this. These are 9 items you simply cannot cheap out on. Yes there are cheaper versions of things and generic but sometimes you just can’t take that route and these are those things.

1. Mattress
2. Sheets
3. Bed Pillows

The first three are monumental! The best thing I ever did in my life was make my bed a sanctuary. The most important thing you need in order to be healthy and function well is SLEEP. You need to set yourself up to get the best sleep and the most rest you can. This starts with a great foundation, your mattress. Go to the store, test out the mattress, make sure you can get comfortable. Next sheets. Tread count is a thing and it makes a difference. Lastly pillows. The number one cause of restless sleep or waking up tired is bad pillows. Figure out how you sleep i.e. back, side, stomach, then determine if you need a soft or firm pillow, down, memory foam, or gel; these things are important. Keep this in mind there are so many options because it’s important!

4. Paper Products: toilet paper, facial tissue, paper towels

You might think this goes without saying but I’ve seen it! One ply toilet paper is not your friend. Try getting a cold and reaching for off brand tissue; your nose will be raw in minutes. Again this is about taking care of yourself so you can live your best life.

5. Makeup

6. Skincare

Let me preface this by saying you do not I repeat do not have to spend an arm and a leg on makeup and skincare to get beautiful results but you cannot achieve beautiful results with harsh ingredients and cheaply produced products. With skincare a lot of what you find in the drugstore or at Walmart has ingredients in it that are not good for your skin. It’s a matter of knowing what to look for. By now we’ve all seen the paraben free, no alcohol, cruelty free, non-comedogenic, etc. Just pay attention and do a little research you can find clean, healthy products that get the job done but they will cost a little more. Again it’s worth it. You’ll thank me when you don’t look like a hag in 5 years.

7. Jewelry

8. Shoes

9. Outerwear

Of course if you take care of your belongings they will last you but you also need to think about the quality of what you are buying. Spending a little more in the beginning will get you something that will last instead of something you need to replace two or three times over the years. Investment pieces in fashion are just that! Pieces that will last and prove their worth. With some pieces they may even end up worth more than you paid for them. Resale value is important especially if you are contemplating a designer or luxury piece.

What other items could you add to this list?

Live it. Love it. Style it.

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5 Lifestyle Rules That Have Changed my Life

Hello! Today I want to talk to you about 5 lifestyle rules that not only do I swear by but they have completely changed my life.

Let’s jump in:

1. Budgeting- as it relates to savings

What I do: I set my budget up by how much I’m going to put where. I know how much my bills are each month and I know exactly how much I’m going to save. That way I know what’s left over each month for me.

How this has helped: This has created discipline in my financial life. I have been able to work toward some lofty financial goals so far and it has reined in my spending. It has allowed me to see what I can live without and enjoy the things I do spend my money on more.

2. Applying a color scheme to my wardrobe

What I do: I took a look at my clothes and saw that I tend to gravitate more towards a certain color and I also looked at my most worn pieces. I picked three colors to concentrate on and decided to stick with mostly solids. I removed everything else from my closet.

How this helped: This has cut down on the time it takes for me to put together an outfit and it has helped me realize what my personal style is. This has taken the guess work out of what looks good together or is this going to be comfortable. I have a curated closet of items I like and know look good on me. I feel as though I am no longer a slave to trends and I’ve refined my style to exactly what I like and what’s me.

3. I eat the same thing for lunch everyday

What I do: I know you’re asking yourself why would you do this? Doesn’t that get boring? Let me clarify: I do this at work during the week and I do it with salad. Yes I’m eating a salad everyday but it’s not the same salad everyday. I switch up dressing, toppings, and protein i.e. meat.

How this helped: Salads are extremely versatile, easy to prepare, easy to transport, and inexpensive. So even though it seems like the same thing everyday it’s really not. Plus this takes the guess work out of what I’m having for lunch and keeps me from unhealthy alternatives like fast food.

4. Washing the dishes before bed

What I do: If there are dishes they must be washed before I go to bed that night. I try to clean as I cook so the dishes don’t pile up on me.

How this helped: In the morning especially on the weekdays my main focus is getting ready for work and out the door. It’s nice coming into the kitchen and not seeing a sink full of dishes. Also it eliminates the anxiety I carry with me all day knowing I have to come home and clean up after I’ve worked all day.

5. Treating myself everyday even if it’s small

What I do: I try not to keep sweets in the house because it’s unhealthy and I have no discipline in this area but what I do like to keep on hand are chocolate chips. I keep them in the freezer and that’s my night time sweet snack. It’s something that is completely for me and something I can look forward to at the end of the day. Or playing a song that I love on repeat during my commute to work and singing at the top of my lungs.

How it helped: In my opinion treating yourself should never be an occasional thing because you should enjoy life everyday and treats are apart of that. So many people and women especially don’t take time for themselves in any area of their life. It’s so focused on others (families, friends, co-workers, etc.). We often times are burdened with being the care givers and care takers but never stop to think who takes care of me? Take care of yourself! Treats come in all shapes and sizes. It can be something you indulge in each day like a sweet treat, listening to music you love, dancing around your house, taking a long bath each night, watching your favorite shows each week, enjoying your favorite meal each week, etc. Whatever it is make it special for you. This has slowed me down and allowed me to value myself in the context of self love. I do these things for me because I love me. Love is not something you can leave to others exclusively, at the end of the day I’m all I’ve got, so I’m going to love me, cherish, me, and treat me.

Live it. Love it. Style it.

I Did a Year of FabFitFun: Was it Worth It?

Hey hey! I received my summer box for FabFitFun and that gives me a whole year with this subscription and I’m gonna give you all the pros and cons.

My first box was fall. I started off with a discount code to bring the box to 30 bucks instead of the usual 50. That was a plus. The premise of this subscription box is that it’s a seasonal box with at least a $200 value that includes full size beauty, skincare, and fun lifestyle products. In each box you get 8 items (I have never received less than 8 items).

I have found that with each box I usually fall in love with about 4 or 5 items and then the other 3 or 4 I give to my mom or hold on to for gifts. Everything is always great quality and from brands I know, brands I’ve wanted to get into, or brands I’ve never heard of but will get into. Everything is packed and shipped well. I’ve never received anything broken or damaged.

I pay 50 bucks each quarter but there is an annual option that saves a few dollars. You can skip a box whenever you want. Probably one of the best things about the subscription is you can customize a few pieces in each box. That’s fun! Being able to get a few pieces you really want and then the rest of the box is a surprise. The only con I will say is that if you are not a certain status member then the item you want may be sold out by the time customization opens for you. I have only had that happen once but the other items are so great that even second choice is pretty nice!

The products are great quality and the timing is awesome. You get a box quarterly so that gives you plenty of time to try and use up the products you receive so you won’t have products piling up on you. The boxes are so diverse too! Even if I’m not in love with every product I know someone who will be!

Overall I think it’s a great value and something fun to receive in the mail every 3 months. I will continue my subscription until I get tired of it or if I notice a drop in quality.

Fall Box:

Some favorites from fall box: Nassif MD detox pads and Juice Cleanse exfoliating cubes

Winter Box:

Favorites from winter box: Beauty Bakerie it’s all in the pudding palette and the switch sponge eyeshadow changer

Spring Box:

Favorites from spring box: Murad rapid collagen infusion, Gravity sleep mask, and Purlisse watermelon 5 minute peel

Summer Box:

Favorites from summer box: Coola mineral face sunscreen and Pottery Barn reed diffuser

Live it. Love it. Style it.

Summer Reading

I made a goal at the beginning of the year to read more this year. Specifically to read at least one book a month and I’ve kept to it so far. As a matter of fact I’m a little a head.

I’ve had a stack of books kind of piling up and I also raided my mom’s stash AND I’ve also checked out some really great suggestions from the innanets! In short I have read some amazing books so far this year and I wanted to share!

Small Doses and In Five Years are perfect for anybody that’s maybe in transition in life or questioning what you’re working towards. Anybody who’s a little bit of a control freak could benefit from the wise words and good stories.

Anybody looking for a different perspective on the racial issues of today might like The Hate U Give and Between the World and Me.

Two books you’ll just get wrapped up in completely are The Map that Leads to You and Genuine Fraud.

And lastly if you need a moment of escape just to be completely caught up in someone else’s life and issues read When Breath Becomes Air. Grab tissues because I was bawling by the end.

All of these books are amazing you cannot go wrong with any of them.

Live it. Love it. Read it.