While volunteering at a local beauty event, I discovered a new local skincare brand.
And you guys, I’m OBSESSED.
Palmetto Derma products are all paraben and sulfate-free. And vegan!
Plus, 1% of their profits goes to Breast Cancer Awareness.
I’ve tired a number of skincare systems, but not really any cleansers.
With the Palmetto Derma lavender water and tea tree oil daily cleanser, my face is actually clean. Kiss those clogged pores goodbye!
As you know, I can never get enough of multitasking products, so this rose water and aloe toning facial spray is something I consider a major must have. And it even comes in a set with the cleanser! Natural. Organic. Plus cruelty free AND local?!
As much as I love makeup, I want to be comfortable enough in my own skin to not feel like I need it. And Palmetto Derma actually supports that in their mission.
#MyOneYearGoal is helping spread the word about the Visionary Journal, a goal management system designed to help you keep your important goals top of mind and transform your dreams into your reality. Imagine what you will accomplish by making your goals a priority and focusing on the tasks that will get you closer to completion. Create Your Vision. Change Your Life.
Thinking about the future makes me anxious. That’s not to say that I don’t have goals. Because I do. They’re just…
Vague.
There are times when I feel that I don’t have the life I want. And I have no one to blame but myself for that.
What could I accomplish in a year that would move my life significantly forward?
Good question…
Anything really.
See?
Vague.
Monique, my friend and boss babe blogger of Keep Chasing the Stars and creator of the Visionary Journal, taught me that by creating a clear vision, you form the foundation you need to change your life. You are writing out your action plan.
Last year, I shared a list of 30 things I wanted to do before turning 30. Some things were random little bucket list items, but a few of them were things I wanted to accomplish in order to improve my life.
Having a clear vision made it possible for me to actually achieve the things that I really wanted. In less than a year I learned Photoshop, which I now use for my Monthly Loves posts and I was a speaker at Alt Summit.
I want to know that my blog, although it started out as a hobby, is more than that. For me, I’ll know I’ve “made it” as a life and style blogger when I am featured as such. Perhaps in a magazine or in a commercial. Maybe even both!
Not the most clear, I know, but it’s a start.
I’m not the only one answering this question. So go read Monique’s blog post to find out her one year goal and to learn a little more about the Visionary Journal!
I believe that dreams without actions are just wishes. Wishes belong in fairy tales.
-Monique Malcolm
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of wishing.
What could you accomplish in a year that would move your life significantly forward?
One palette. Ten colors. Five days.
Guess who just successfully completed the Electric Challenge…
Here are the 5 electric looks I shared on Instagram!
Thinking of trying the #electricchallenge, but worried you won’t be able to come up with any ideas?
It is seriously SO much easier than what you’re probably thinking. Just do what I did and use Pinterest for inspiration, but don’t be afraid to get creative!
Disclaimer: This blog post contains a crap ton of affiliate links.
I don’t try to hide that I use affiliate networks and links on my blog. But I would have never thought I’d get to try another type of “subscription” box from an affiliate network.
The Bonus Box by Rakuten Affiliate Network is totally free and they only select 50 affiliates to receive it!
What is the Bonus Box?
A quarterly collection of samples from some of the Rakuten Affiliate Network advertisers.
This past weekend I did my first Periscope sesh and unboxed my Bonus Box. I don’t want to double dip by just telling you what the contents are, so this is also what I think of each of them.
Even though I don’t live in the green mountain state anymore, this is now the softest tee shirt I own. LookHUMAN has tons of other clever tees and tanks. Seriously, SO many…
The Ole Henriksen vitamin C complex is a product that I would seriously hoard samples of any chance I got. Part of why I even tried to get my hands on the Bonus Box was because of a sneak peek they shared on Instagram of the box. I knew exactly what it was and wanted it. Bad.
The other two products were a bonus. Nice to have, they work great, but I could live without them.
Even though I will never purchase Birchbox Man for the manfriend again. Ever. I still like getting samples to make him try. I really like the way that Lacoste L!ve smells. I can’t describe as anything other manly.
If oily bothers you then I don’t know that this Nourish Organic cream-to-oil skin solve is for you. But if you’re like me and hate having dry skin it’s worth it! I won’t be keeping this in my purse (for fear of accidentally not closing it properly and getting everything greasy), but I don’t really have to because it works that well. I recommend for use before bed, but that’s my personal preference.
While TATCHA Dewy Skin Mist feels very much like any other facial spray, it made my face look… Well, dewy. The spray looks milky, smells super fancy and spray lightly, but evenly.
I know if oil cleansers are still having a moment or not, but I’ve tried them and didn’t have the best experience. It was messy. With DHC that wasn’t the case at all!
Just a few drops got off the makeup that I forgot to clean off from the day before.
Rinse and you’re clean, not even the slightest bit of oily residue.
This is a total bias, but the Laura Geller GlamLASH mascara was my favorite item in this box! I love mascara in general and was excited to try it. The wand doesn’t look like it does very much but don’t let it fool you. Zero clumps!
This keychain is cute. I would love to live in NYC someday, but until then this will hang on my inspiration board.
Overall this was an amazing box. I won’t know what to do with myself if I’m not selected for the Q4 Bonus Box…
I noticed that my more productive days are the ones where I’ve been listening to music while I work. I going to guess that it’s not just me. Music, for many, is a huge part of life.
So, I wanted to share the 10 songs that I am currently loving and listening to all of the time.
They seriously make me feel all the feels. I don’t necessarily like all of the videos (I’m looking at you Ariana Grande), but I refuse to pay for Spotify…
Black Magic | Little Mix
Corny but cute.
Kind of like me.
What Do You Mean | Justin Beiber
I don’t care what anyone says, this song gives me life. Whenever I am listening to Pandora and it comes on, I know that Pandora really does get me.
Fight Song | Rachel Platten
This is my fight song. If I’m down or overwhelmed, I know that this will remind me not to give up and to keep on fighting the good fight. One match, you guys…
Should’ve Been Us | Tori Kelly
Love her voice. Plus, she’s coming to Connecticut for the Next Big Thing!
Here | Alessia Cara
As social as I can be, I am definitely and introvert. I know, shocker! But this song perfectly sums up my mood most of the time. And I just found out that she’ll be in CT with Tori Kelly.
Like I’m Gonna Lose You | Meghan Trainor ft. John Legend
The first time I heard it on the radio, I turned off the radio and hummed it until I got home, because I was driving and didn’t want to forget it.
Stiches | Shawn Mendes
I don’t relate to this, but I like it.
One Last Time | Ariana Grande
This entire album.
Seriously.
I bought it on iTunes.
The Night is Still Young | Nicki Minaj
A friendly reminder to have fun.
And because Moscato.
Love Myself | Hailee Steinfeld
A song with a message.
I didn’t know this until looking up this song for this post, but does her voice sound kind of familiar? She was the new girl in Pitch Perfect 2! Yes, the flashlight one! Don’t know what I’m talking about?
Flashlight | Jessie J
This song, except image that Hailee Steinfeld is singing it instead of Jessie J.
Since that was technically 11 songs, what’s one more?
Last month, myself and four other boss blogger babes teamed up for the first ever Styled by 5.
Each month the five of us will style the same piece of clothing and since we all look and think differently from each other (hair, religion, location, skin, size, height, style…all of the above), you’ll get five totally different looks. That means you’ll get to see what I style, on other body types so you can find something that is best for you!
And make sure to lookout for something styled by the five of us every month!
This top is one that I will be wearing over and over and over and over (you get the point) again.
That being said, I wasn’t exactly sure how I wanted to style it, but opted to pair it with leather shorts from Zara.
To keep it casual? Chucks.
Even though I’m not exactly thrilled that summer is “unofficially” over, this outfit is the perfect way for me to start (slowly) transitioning my look for the fall.
That and ice cream.
Ice cream helps.
And, because I know you’re all wondering, my adorbs necklace (which is adjustable) is from Conflicted Pixie.
If you buy one, tell them Bethany sent you. You won’t get anything, but how cool did that sound?
Don’t forget there’ll be another Styled by 5 next month!
And even though I like makeup, I’m not a makeup artist. While I do blog about beauty, I wouldn’t really consider myself to exactly be a beauty blogger. At least not the makeup tutorial type. I mean, I have done the occasional palette swatch…
Getting the chance to try Rocksbox was a complete and total dream come true!
I always find myself admiring different pieces of jewelry, but don’t invest in it as much as I would like to. Rocksbox allows you try it and then buy only what you truly love.
I liked by first Rockbox, but the Jenny Bird collar I got this time around was something that seriously challenged my willpower.
At $110, I can’t afford it right now, but it’s definitely being added to my Keep jewelry wishlist!
The Perry Street earrings were something I requested, but I ended up not wearing them. I like the way the looked, I just didn’t go anywhere I wanted to wear them to and wasn’t exactly sure what I would wear them with.
OK, so the Gorjana cuff was not my favorite item, but it was so simple and goes with everything. I wore it SO much that I’m looking to take the plunge and get a similar one from the Birchbox Shop.
Online sales with free shipping are the BEST!
You don’t have to get out of bed and you save money by not have to use gas.
e.l.f. Cosmetics’ prices make it easy to get a bit carried away, but I was able to get three great buys for under $12! I’m calling this a mini haul, because I’m proud that I was able to show some serious restraint.
After finding out via Pinterest that e.l.f. Cream Eyeliner makes for an excellent Dipbrow dupe, I wanted to try it. Partly because of my inexplicable brow obsession, but mostly because I’d never tried Dipbrow.
I am not an fan of ink liners. I want to be, but they either dry up way too soon for my liking or just don’t provide the bold look that I’m hoping for.
It was so great meeting up with other CT bloggers to support our local community.
We will definitely be doing more of this!
As for the Hot Air Balloon Festival itself?
Magical.
And after missing out on Independence Day fireworks, I was happy we stayed until the end. Plus, this was hands down, the best firework show I’ve ever experienced. SO close!
I overheard that this was the last one, but I really hope that was just a rumor.
Hey Connecticut influencers! Do you want to meet up at local events like this?
Natural. Organic. Plus cruelty free AND local?!
As much as I love makeup, I want to be comfortable enough in my own skin to not feel like I need it. And Palmetto Derma actually supports that in their mission.
