The 10 BEST Natural Beauty Products You Need To Try Now…

We all should know by now that our skin is our biggest organ. I have tried so, so many products over the last few years to find you all the best items. Some are good..some are bad…some are great!! I’m here to tell you about the products I do not go without now. They are classics and hard to beat.

It’s hard to switch to a completely natural lifestyle. It’s taken me years to learn and I am still learning. And sometimes, it’s impossible to avoid chemicals it feels. BUT… we can try to avoid them. At least to even just bring peace of mind.

And one thing I love.. Beauty Products! I have never been a full on junkie. I usually bought a few quality things and loaded up on some cheaper goods for fun or variety. So when I realized I was having reactions to things I changed it up mostly! Now, I am a self-proclaimed minimalist and love natural products.

Here are some MAJOR first steps to take to change your skincare routine for something clean & green!

10 Best Beauty Items To Have Now

Major First Step: Your Deodorant

Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant, $4.99 Target

Deodorant can contain aluminum. Why is this bad? Aluminum levels are linked directly to breast cancer, Alzheimer’s & even liver toxicity. So exposure to is definitely playing a factor here. I do like Arm & Hammers Essentials but Schmidt’s is now found at Target for only $4.99…shop link now!! This one doesn’t leave you feeling sticky or stinky. It’s perfect.

Your Soap

everyone soap 3 in 1 $9.99 Target

Changing to a naturally derived soap will help maintain a natural ph balance. This means your skin will stop working overtime trying to correct what toxins are doing to it. Using harmful soaps can leave you dry or even oily in some cases if your body is trying to repair the damage. So don’t lather on too many chemicals here. Plus it can be bad for the water!! I love this soap because it smells great, we can all use it & it’s not expensive but cuts out a lot of the harmful ingredients still. Plus it’s huge!! Score.

Your Face Wash (Hands Down..The Best Stuff Right Here)

ACURE Brightening Facial Scrub $9.99 Amazon

Oh me..oh my… I am hooked..never looking back. I have been reading about Acure for awhile. And on Amazon Prime day I scored a bunch for half off. And there is a reason the aisles of your local Target are usually sold out of it. It works and is amazing!!!! Clean, green and wonderful!! Try Acure Brightening Facial Scrub asap!!

Your Lotion

WELEDA Skin Food $12 Amazon

This lotion is ranked highly among all who have come across it. Not only is this brand great at natural products, they have created the perfect formula. I use this for major dry skin, pedicures, sun burns..you name it. I don’t have to feel bad slathering this on. Amazon runs sales on it too! I scored my last bottle for only $5 there.

Your Toothpaste

WELEDA Calendula Toothpaste $12 for 2 Amazon

I know what you’re thinking…how could Toothpaste be bad? Well it is. While I usually reach for Tom’s brand myself, I have learned recently that may not even be enough. Your toothpaste may can contain Triclosan in the worst cases too. It is toxic and can be linked to disease. Take a look Here..even the FDA is admitting it now and removing it from products. It hasn’t been removed from Toothpaste yet though!!! Other countries already have it banned from products. Just make sure you have a Toothpaste that is nice and natural. Dr. Bronner’s also makes amazing Toothpaste we all love.

Your Face Mask: The Best!!

Indian Healing Clay $9.99 Amazon

Yes it works. Combine with a little water and Apple Cider Vinegar and you have your self a miracle mask. This will actually get rid of black heads, clear your skin and keep you looking fresh and bright. Just check out the other reviews..thousands of people swear by this. And the price is phenomenal for what it does and how much it will make! Get rid of of the rest and stick with the best.

Your Nail Polish

Pacifica 7 Free Nail Color $9 Ulta

Our beloved nail polish can contain formaldehyde among many other hormone disrupting factors. Even the nail technicians wear masks!! Julep, Butter and even Jamberry have toxin free options though. The colors actually last. I stocked up on a few lovely colors to alternate on for each season!

Your Shampoo & Conditioner

yesto Shampoo & Conditioner $7.99 each Amazon

Your hair will actually work overtime to correct the damage done to it as well. It’s why I love to choose mostly natural options. Ever had dry ends and oily roots? Well this could help that. There are many harsh chemicals even in shampoo. So if you want healthy, shiny locks switch to a naturally derived option to protect yourself and the tresses. Avoid parabens and sulfates. Some chemicals in soaps actually do not break down in water. So they are bad for water too. I love Acure, Burts Bees and many others too!

Your Lips

Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer & Tints $4.99 each Amazon

This one of my favorite products of all time. Gorgeous colors with stunning results. The cost is amazing for these little beauties. Parabens, petroleum & oxybenzone are just some of the issues with chapsticks and lipsticks. They can be linked to cancer…and who wants that sitting on their lips to be ingested for the rest of their life?

Your Foundation

Physicians Formula Foundations $10-14.99

Another big way to care about your skin is foundation. Tarte, Lush and Origins all have awesome foundations you can use but this one is a decent start for someone.

Continue reading The 10 BEST Natural Beauty Products You Need To Try Now…

10 Best Summer Style Pieces To Own

As I write, I can hear the birds chirping just outside my bedroom window…could it be that time of year again?! Could it finally, dare I say it, be warmer?!!

All I know is that I am beyond ready to get outside. I do not even mind Winter actually, but this one was brutal and will not end. Sickness and snow for days, weeks, months and years! OK, it felt like years anyway…

But those little birdies (and my latest shopping excursion) has me so ready to live it up in the sunlight. And here are my favorite finds for you baby…get out the sweet tea and lemonade because things are about to get hot up in here…

This post contains affliate links. Clicking each picture will directly link you to purchase, should you decide to.

1. The One Piece

A great print on a one piece is fun for sporty days of swimming and looks amazing with a pair of cut-off jeans. This one is gorgeous and my new favorite.

2. The Sundress

You must always have a comfortable dress on hand for any event. I love one that can go over a bikini or be great for a night of deck drinking with the besties. Shop this beauty here..

3. The Everyday Sandal

Choose one really great sandal that goes with jeans, shorts, dresses or just a cover up. I love a good, snazzy sandal but my neutral ones always get worn the most.

4. The Denim Shorts

Always have a good distressed demin on hand for Summer. It is the essential Summer staple. Any shoe, bag, top will look great with it.

5. The Cross Body Bag

Straw bags are everything! And so are crossbody bags. You want to have your hands free for a margarita and cotton candy dont you?! This is my absolute favorite right now.

6. The Tops

I adore a retro prints in the Summer. And casual bright tops are something you can throw on quickly and feel great in. Here are some of the best tops to rock over and over again..

7. The Romper

These are the best, as I am sure you know. Whether you are too sunburnt to function or just want a carefree outfit, these are the way to go, yo. So casual and cute. They look lovely for a date night too.

8. The Cover Up

Ah…I love to throw a cover up on and hop in the Jeep and head straight to our fave local ice cream spot. This one is so freakin cute..

9. The Bikini

A simple bikini that you can actually mix and match with others all Summer is always a good addition. This one is so simple yet beautiful.

10. The Hat

Cover up that beachy hair in a hurry, if you must, with this little beauty. Plus it is always nice to give your face a little break from the sun from time to time. This one is cute for any occasion.

My Home Tour..& Keeping Up On The Clutter

Hi guys! I wanted to share with you my humble abode today. It’s nice to take a peak inside and see where the magic happens! And I want to show you how we function and keep things more minimal these days.

We recently moved into a beautiful community. And honestly, we do love to rent. Like anything, it can have it’s downfalls. But we are in love with our little space right now. There is a big gym, cafe space, tanning, tennis, pools, local farms and gyms… and so much more that we get access to while living here. Which is so, so freaking nice when having three kids! Always something to do within a short bike ride.

It is in a community linked up gorgeous walking trails too. Oh and those trails lead us right up to our favorite farm that has weekly local markets, food trucks, beer tents, kids events and festivals all year long. Score! Now, it just needs to warm up so we can reap the benefits.

So yea…loving it. Of course, we will be looking for a real house to settle down in but right now we don’t even have to leave our little area to have fun all Summer long! This year we vowed to pay off debt too. We want to be debt free and care free before we settle into a home. So I enjoy the carefree nature of renting until we find that or create that.

And the good news is.. we are mostly debt free now! Which feels amazing. I never was one to completely rack up the bills but there was some things, like credit cards and such, that kept monthly bills higher than we’d like, so going a little more minimal without sacrificing things we loved was the plan. It does not take much or cost much to create a life you love. I enjoy only having things and pieces that bring me joy…the rest can just clutter my mind and make daily life feel more hectic than it needs to be.

I love being able to wipe up a clear counter when I am done cooking and not having to move a ton of things. I love having toys organized in bins, there will never be confusion on where it goes and makes it easy for the kids to clean up. Being minimal just keeps daily life smooth in my opinion. My home will always generally be clean because that is what I prefer. It will not be perfect, just tidy. I do not think that moms have to be perfect but I do know moms or anyone in general feel overwhelmed, so why not take the pressure off life and keep things simple? Buying less means less to clean and less to store. It saves money too. So if you are feeling like you are struggling at home..being minimal in all things does help that. There will always be things that need cleaned or laundry to do but keep the rest of life light!

Being in an apartment teaches you to really look at what you need and want. When we moved here, so much stuff had to be sold and donated because it simply would not fit. And I can’t even remember what some of it was! Just toys and clothes and things that were never being used anyway. I knew I wanted to be within walking distance to all our favorite things here though, so it was all worth it..plus no houses we looked at felt totally right. I am not a major impulse buyer when it comes to big things!

And if you are wondering how the kids feel about it, they love it too. They have played so much better now that they can actually see the toys they have kept and organized their favorite things. Playtime has been amazing…no clutter! Well smaller amounts of clutter I should say… but take a look inside and see how we keep that eclectic, homey feel even in our apartment! And how we organize. Obviously, I picked up before I took pictures too mommas…I promise having less toys is less stress!

The Living & Dining Space

I like to keep a central theme going through the apartment. The kids are always dragging pillows and blankets from one room to the next, so by keeping everything in our rental space generally neutral makes it all look nice no matter which room it is in and I just double up on my favorite pillows and things. I even did the bathrooms as the same simple design to keep things vibing. I wanted this place to feel like a home away from home since we are in limbo. You know that nice simple feeling when you are on vacation and staying at a nice hotel..that is the feel we were going for this Summer.

Only buy things that bring you joy…for instance I decorate with some of our favorite toys and books. I buy gorgeous pillows that I love to see in each room but they are comfortable, affordable and stylish even. It does not have to cost a fortune or be perfect to be cute and fun! Plus you do not want it to be so staged that you never have fun either.

The Bedrooms

I let the kids design and help pick out their room. They will be starting school and sports this year, so we wanted to really dive into their interests. My sons are very much into all sciences, so we created a space where their imagination can start flowing and we learn things daily in there! We love a little space for their school work. Which I homeschool their preschool activities, so school space was needed. We also switched over to a twin trundle bed for our sons too. they love the bigger bed and they just had to have the lightning bolt sheets with the fun blankets we found.

My daughter loves all things pink. Flamingos, cotton candy, anything furry…she wants to be a ballerina too. So she loves to fill her room with just cute things she adores.

When we moved we kept only their favorite things. My children play with balloons and crafts more than toys, so we donated so much big stuff. We organized the rest by bins and baskets. That way when they want to do puzzles I can go right to the closets and pick the bin for it. Same goes for Barbies, Hotwheels and so on…all labeled and organized. The kids can help clean up knowing what bin it belongs in too. It is not crazy level perfection, just enough to keep a day at home running smoothly as possible.

The Boys Room

Gigi’s Room

Her little wonderland…

Our Room

My “hotel” room I like to call it…I just love white ya’ll….

And do not forget that I will be whipping up some mean recipes in that little kitchen soon and sharing my tips on keeping toddler life less hectic! Again, its not going to be perfect…nothing ever will be. But WE CAN control some of the chaos if we do not like it. I will talk more on that very soon momma babes! Just create a space that vibes and flows for yourself or your family and that will feel amazing every day…

Shop my favorite similar styles here…

The 10 Best Books For Mindfulness & Grace

Guys!! I’ve missed writing so badly. I took a little break over the holidays to just relax. But I still couldn’t turn off the idea-train. Honestly, it was perfect though. I was able to reevaluate where I wanted to take things and decide what was for me and what wasn’t.

The other amazing thing I was able to do was focus on my devotionals and wonderful new books to get me in the right space for this season of my life. So I just had to share them with you all!!! These all are such amazing books to get the whole family involved and even friends.

I am going to be doing some online study groups for some of these, as well. So whether you are around me locally or only able join online, I want us all to be able to connect and focus on what we truly want out of this God Given life. I want a community where we are all the leaders and guiding each other.

It’s very important for people to have fun and connect. I have always loved family life and motherhood. But I got to a place where I had no clue where I wanted to go next. It was a little alarming. All of the sudden it was time to search for new homes, start thinking about my children starting school, the Big 3-0 came and went… My quiet life at home with the kids was suddenly changing and so was I. I wasn’t giving myself anytime I needed to process anything either. And that’s when the idea hit me of what I truly wanted to do..to connect and help any woman who needs that extra support or inspiration. And to get organized spiritually again!

That ultimately has always been my goal here but I wasn’t fully diving into it the way I wanted. Or I was having so many ideas of things I could do that I couldn’t even pick a lane to focus on! So first and foremost, I think it’s important to stay humble and put our Faith first. When we have that main focus, everything else will fall where it needs to.

So that leads me here..to the books I did over Christmas break and have just begun for this new year. Some really are life changing! And it’s all personal books I have picked out, I promise! Even though this post contains affliate links, they are still books I purchased myself and love..I think anyone looking to dive a little deeper into their Faith or connections will benefit greatly from any of these.

My Top 10 Picks For 2018

1. The Beautiful Word Devotional

Buy here for daily inspiration

This matches my Beautiful Word journaling Bible. It is colorful and simple for daily inspiration. It reminds me of Spring, which always reminds me of new beginnings. Love and use this daily.

2. The 52 Lists Series, Project & Happiness

Buy here & here..

I have actually completed these books before and even gave them as gifts. It a lovely way to reconnect with yourself once a week. You make a list each week based on the topics, which are about you and what you enjoy. I love the topics and feel centered afterwards.

3. Craving Connection

Buy it here and lets try this out together..

I have just started this book and love the basis so far. It is challenging you to get out of your comfort zone and break down the walls you can build around yourself, whether intentional or not. It teaches you to open up to other like-minded women. As a mother or just busy woman in general, it is so easy to get stuck in the rut of not making time for yourself and friends.

4. 100 Favorite Bible Verses

Find it here!

Another beautifully illustrated book to get me ready for Spring/Summer! It’s light hearted and a great devotional. I love the passages and pick this up in the morning or read over the simple messages during my afternoon coffee. Take this along to the parks with you this Spring and do some extra journaling!

5. Good Days Start With Gratitude Journal

Buy it here for only $6.99!

I loooooove this book. It gets straight to the point. This is a journal laid out for each day of the year so that you can write down three things that make you grateful. Each week there is an inspirational quote, then a section for each day that week below it. Once the week is over, it even has space to go over what the highlights were for the entire week. Fill this out each morning over coffee or at the end of a hard day. It will keep you humble and get rid of crankiness!!

6. Walking In Wisdom

Buy it here and get started on this 6 week study soon!

Oh the amazing book of Proverbs. I’ll tell you some wonderful advice that was told to me… if you don’t know where to start in the Bible, start with Proverbs. All the messages you need are right there! So this study breaks it down daily and let’s you jot down reflections and ways to apply the words to your life.

It honestly will improve your quality of life and guide you to make respectable decisions towards everything. We are all sinners, but it’s important we keep each other on the right path and this book helps connect and show the way. I want to do a study group for anyone who’d like to join me on this one.

7. Kingdom Family Devotional

Find here for over 50% off!

As a mother, this is my favorite. This devotional focuses on one main lesson for each week of the year. Then there are five devotions (for the 5 week days) based on the main goal and it gives you the weekend off. So we do our lessons before or after dinner and there are wonderful ways to get kids involved. Each Friday, we review what the main lesson and it actually sticks! This has been great for teaching my young ones manners and the appropriate qualities of life. Definitely recommend to growing families!

8. All in All Journaling Devotional

Get started here

The author, Sophie Hudson, does a fantastic job of inspiring and being totally relatable at the same time. I stumbled upon this book and as soon as I opened it..I knew I wanted to hear more from her. With 100 devotionals and space for journaling, it makes this a fun, interactive way to get involved spiritually.

9. Women Living Well

Join me for a study and get it here for only $6.90! Major sale!

This was a huuuge game changer for me. I was feeling frazzled and a little lost when I finally grabbed this book off my shelf to finish one night. I had a long doctor appointment that night and was able to dive into this book for hours. And it was exactly what God wanted me to read right then.

It covers what it is like to be a Proverbs 31 woman…To live serving your family and God. Some of it can be a hard pill to swallow but some of it really does change the way we view ourselves as a woman/mother/wife. It helped me be more grateful of my role as a busy woman.

10. Kingdom Marriage Devotional

Buy it here and join us!

Another great one by Tony Evans. This is something I have yet to fully begin, but it is great for establishing a connection that needs tended to or even just maintaining a connection as prevention. Perfect for any couple! It’s 90 days of inspiration for you to bond over.

Continue reading The 10 Best Books For Mindfulness & Grace

Physicians Formula Amazing Makeup Haul…

I have loved Physicians Formula for some time now. They offer Paraben Free products at a great cost, that is accessible to everyone. No fancy store required. So I can get behind that!

Using organic/natural makeup doesn’t always give you the full effects that you’re used to. But this haul had me very happy! These products are sold on their own too. The colors were all fantastic and went on so smoothly.

There was no build up. Everything was soft and I could tell my skin was able to breathe!

So let’s check out these latest Special Value Packs that you can find now at Target, Ulta and their own site! I added on their new Butter Bronzer and Blush too….😍

Physicians Formula Multi-Tasking Miracle Super BB All-In-One Beauty Balm Makeup Kit-$19.99

This kit came with these three options. The cream, concealer & powder. Coverage was very nice. More natural makeup will have a lighter texture, which is good for your skin. It means less gunk to clog pores! And while putting anything on your face isn’t ideal for pores, this is definitely a better option if prone to breakouts!

Physicians Formula In The Nude Custom Eye Enhancing Makeup Kit-$13.99

The prices for these packs are crazy!!! First off, the mascara was not clumpy at all. It was like cream and loved the brush too. It has two options for eyeliner and mascara, browns and blacks. Then it came with the eyeshadow too! The eyeliners I will buy over and over. And I love the colors in the eye shadow palette. I just blended some different colors and created a great smokey eye. Again, the colors with be soft. The goal here is to have color but for it to blend well and be light.

So overall you’ll get an amazing natural looking glow. Love it!

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer-$13.99

My new favorite bronzer. The smell alone is divine! Glides on like Butter. These ingredients are natural and rich. I feel like I am actually being beneficial to my skin when I apply this. No joke. After I washed my face the night I used all of this, I had the softest skin.

The color of this bronzer is amazing!

Physicians Formula Butter Blush-$13.99

Another lovely smelling product here 🙂

The color completely blends in for a natural looking glow, just as the name implies. The shine is gentle on this, so it really does just make your skin look like your naturally sun-kissed.

The finished look with all these products combined is 100% natural. But there are options to apply darker eye looks or lighter depending on the look you need. But the facial creams and powders are glorious. It all really does work and gives you a wonderful glow. I am so ready for Autumn, but I will miss my tan..no lies. So I will be using this to keep that effortless, bombshell look going strong through the colder seasons!!

Banana+Peach Booty Smoothie + Booty Blasting Workout

I have taken on smoothies this year. I have always included them, but now it’s a part of my daily repetition that I will never give up. I have been working on some great ones to share with you beautiful babes too!

And who wants to perk up for all this Summer fun?! I know I do..here is my favorite go to smoothie perfect for breakfast, a quick meal on the go or after workout nourishment..
Drink this to help get some yummy vitamins & help lose weight! Follow it up with some bootylicious reps below!

Banana + Peach Smoothie..•1 Banana

•1 Peach

•1 cup coconut yogurt

•1 scoop vanilla protein powder

•1 cup almond/coconut milk

•1 cup kale

•1/2 cup cauliflower

Blend and enjoy!!

Now do this routine to perk up that booty!

60 second jumping jacks

3x 15 jump squats

3x 15 dead lifts

3x 15 hamstring curls
Happy Summertime y’all!