Things I Love August

Well it's the last day of August... the last few hours, even... and I realized I haven't been here in a while. Then I realized that today was the last day I could do a "Things I Love" post for this month. So here I am!

I'm currently visiting family and friends in my hometown (well, my college town, which I consider my hometown, especially since all my family moved here after I graduated!) and I'm so enjoying my little visit! If I remember, I'll have to share a post about it.

The Old Louisiana State Capitol | I was able to go here for the first time a few weeks ago for a wedding. It was simply stunning! The sun poured through the stain glass window and made rainbows in the bride's veil. I have to admit, I totally zoned out on everything being said once I saw the rainbow veil! It was beautiful.

Black milk tea | Whilst in Baton Rouge for the wedding, I had some time to waste before the wedding and decided to try out Teatery. I've been on the hunt for black milk tea that tastes like what I had in Singapore, and this is the closest I've found. I loved it! I was a little disappointed that they didn't have the white boba, but I was thrilled with the taste of the tea. Can't wait to go back!

Camping | Maybe this should go on the like list, not the love list. Ha! I should really write a post about our first camping trip a few weeks ago. It was interesting to say the least. Interesting and HOT. We had so much fun though, and can't wait for cooler temps to do it again!

Vintage scarves and hankies | Hair scarves are all the rage right now, and I wear one to work every day. I have to wear a polo shirt (ugh), but I make it my own with a fun skirt, cute shoes, and hair scarf. I've recently found a few vintage ones while perusing antique shops! (I got 4 today!) I've also been loving vintage hankies. For some reason, I just really want to be someone who carries a pretty hanky. I've been grabbing up cheap ones and plan to wash them and start carrying them in my purse at all times. I just feel like they could come in so handy!

CATcus scratching post | When I saw this adorable scratching post, I knew we had to make one for Tigger! I've been wanting to get him one, but I didn't like the look of any of them. But this one is too cute! Casey and I had a Home Depot date to buy the supplies, then he made it! Tigger ignored it for a few days, but once he realized it was his and he could climb and scratch it, he loved it. He plays on it and also uses it as a lookout post to stare at the squirrels outside.

I feel like these posts bring out my exclamation points. I guess that's how you know I really love all this stuff!

My Natural Skincare Routine

One of my goals for 2019 was to update my skincare products, and I made the switch about a month ago! I wanted to share it here.

Updating my skincare routine was a goal because around last November, I realized my previous skincare just wasn't cutting it anymore. I was having more breakouts and my skin just didn't look great. The skincare products I wanted to try were really expensive (and I'm a cheapskate, ha!), and I wasn't sure where I could get natural products for a good price. Then A Beautiful Mess (ABM) shared this post about a natural skincare routine using products from Target! I was inspired and went to Target in search of their recommendations. I wasn't able to find everything they listed, but grabbed two new items to incorporate with some things I already had on hand. My skin is loving it! Even my mom commented that my skin is looking better.

1. Acure Rejuvenating Cleansing Cream | For some reason I can't find this on Target's website, but I found it on Amazon. Amazon's normal price is $9.99 but it's currently on sale for $7.28, which is a great price for a great cleanser. I picked this up because I couldn't find the Honest brand cleanser that ABM recommended. I have used several Acure products that I liked and decided to give this one a try. It's a gentle cleanser but foams up nicely, which I like.

The ABM post shared a tip which was news to me: "If your skin ever feels tight after a cleanse, that usually means it's too drying for your skin." I'm realizing this was probably part of my problem using castile soap! My face never feels tight using this Acure cleanser.

2. Sea Mist Refreshing Toner by Captain Blankenship | I'd never really understood the point of toner before, but apparently it is good for your pores. This toner was on sale so I figured I'd give it a shot. The normal price is $14.99. It's nice and refreshing, but I must admit I don't love the smell. However, because it's a new step to my routine, it feels like I'm pampering myself every time I spritz my face with this refreshing mist.

3a. Cliganic Organic Jojoba Oil | I started using jojoba oil around the time I realized my skincare routine wasn't working, so around last December. (However, I'll also admit that, since my skin started looking rough, I pretty much stopped my skincare routine altogether, so of course it wasn't working.) Anyhoo, I'm still using this! Jojoba oil is similar to the oil our skin produces, which makes it a great moisturizer. I use it on my face and neck in the morning because it absorbs quickly so I don't look oily. This bottle is $10.99 but a little goes a long way! I only use maybe four or five drops on my face and neck each morning.

3b. Almond Oil and Essential Oils | At night, I use almond oil on my face. I've used this in the morning as well--it just takes a little longer to absorb. I have a bottle of almond oil that I've mixed with lavender, cedarwood, and frankincense essential oils. Not only are these oils great for your skin, but they smell heavenly together! I do about a half ounce of almond oil, 5 drops of lavender, 3 drops of frankincense, and 2 drops of cedarwood.

I've been using Viva Naturals' almond oil (which is $12.62 for 16 ounces) since October. Again, a little goes a long way. I also use this in place of body lotion. I wanted to get an organic brand, so I just order this certified organic almond oil from Mary Taylor Naturals ($14.95 for 16 ounce). I'll probably transfer it to my old almond oil bottle because I love that it has a pump! UPDATE: I purchased the organic almond oil and it smells AWFUL, like cooking oil. I will not be purchasing it again.

Face Masks | I have the Revive Clay Mask by Skin Balm Apothecary, but I honestly forget to use it a lot! Hence why I'm not including it in my "official" skincare routine. I need to get better about using it perhaps once a week, and maybe try more face masks. It's also pretty pricey at $27, which also makes me want to try some other masks. However, I love that it's made of organic ingredients!

Other products I want to try

Acure Radically Rejuvenating SPF Day Cream | I've started walking to work more often so I should probably be using sunscreen! When I get this, I'll use it in the mornings in place of jojoba oil.

Skin Balm Apothecary's Purifying Collection | I've tried several products from this brand and have loved them! (The peppermint lip balm is my most favorite lip balm ever!) I'm just always thrown by the price so I haven't taken the plunge. My mom bought some of their skincare products and I'm going to see what she thinks. I may buy it a few pieces at a time as I run out of my current skincare products.

Leahlani Skincare | Why do I always want to try expensive products? ha! However, I've heard rave reviews over this company, particularly about the Champagne Serum and Mermaid Mask.