2018: The Year of Self Care

2018 is the year I've decided to put myself first. I have been surviving on minimum sleep and crappy fast food for years, and I'm starting to seriously consider what it's doing to my body. Since 2018 began, I've started eating a more plant based diet, trying to get at least 8 hours of sleep per night, and have tried to put aside a little 'me time' each week. I wanted to share with you some of my favorite ways to 'treat yo' self', even when you're pressed for time.

1. Take a Bath- while this may seem silly to a lot of people, I think throwing a bath bomb in the tub and letting my muscles relax for a while is the height of luxury. I work part time as a waitress and hostess, so I am always on my feet. My body is starting to feel like I'm 82 years old, not 22. So even if it's just for half an hour, my time spent in the tub helps me sleep, helps me ease tension in my muscles (especially my back muscles), and I can shut off my brain for a little while. I also recommend throwing on some music to add to the mood. I love listening to the 'Instrumental Pop Covers' playlist on Spotify.

2. Try a meditation app- I didn't think I'd love this, but guided meditation is actually really nice, and can put me in a great mood. There are a ton of apps that you can use, that give you different meditations based on what you're looking to focus on, i.e. stress, sleep, depression, anxiety, etc.. I also find that they really effective if you're using headphones, because everything else going on around you gets drowned out. It's too easy to get distracted by the dog walking around, or someone cooking in the kitchen, or the clock ticking, or whatever it is going on in your home. If you're in need of a good pair of headphones, definitely check out Reviews.com's list. It shows you all your best options, pricing, and features. I'm definitely going to be saving up for the BeatsX wireless headphones, I think they'd be great for the gym.

3. Get a Manicure- I feel more put together when my nails are done. I think when my nails aren't done I feel kind of messy and gross. Even just a plain nude color keeps things fresh and clean, plus the mini massage you get afterwards is miraculous. Here on Long Island, a regular manicure costs $7. $7 for an hour dedicated to yourself is not too shabby.

4. Read a Book- What a perfect way to escape. Reading is my favorite way to transport myself to another time, another place, another life. I recently read Outlander and oh my gosh it was incredible. It takes place in Scotland in the 1700's. It was romantic, it was funny, it took me completely out of Long Island and planted me in the middle of a giant castle filled with Scottish royalty. I HIGHLY recommend it. If you want to hear more book recommendations, definitely let me know in the comments below, because I'd love to write that!

5.  Take A Nap- I don't care how old you are, I don't care what job you have, I don't care how sophisticated you are- everyone benefits from a nap. Even a 30 minute power nap can restart your engine. There is no shame in letting your body recharge itself for 30 minutes, even an hour if you have the time. Listen to your body; if you're falling asleep at your desk, or you have the worst headache in America; or hey maybe today is the first day of your period- take a nap. Your body needs it. It's not just for little kids, I swear.

6. Exercise- Working out triggers endorphin's! Endorphin's make you HAPPY! Find a workout that you love, and stick to it, once a week, twice a week, whatever works for you. I personally adore Pure Barre. It's expensive, but occasionally I'll treat myself to a class and it makes me feel UNSTOPPABLE. I also love Zumba, I love taking my dog for a walk around the neighborhood, anything to get your body active and releasing those endorphin's is perfect.

Christmas List

I don't know about you guys, but I love getting inspiration from other peoples Christmas lists. I thought it would be fun to share some of the things I'm hoping for this year! 

1. Pure Barre Membership

I was really skeptical about Pure Barre, I've never loved working out, but holy moly, this class made me want to kick some ass. I fell in love with their whole program. It's super intense, fun, and works your entire body. 

2. Aerie Underwear

I know this is weird, but there is nothing I love more than new underwear. Aerie undies are so soft, comfy, and come in a ton of cute colors. You can't go wrong with 10 pairs for $30.

3. Amazing Grace Ballet Rose

Okay I have to admit, I was an asshole and bought this for myself in Ulta the other day. I couldn't help it. It smells so pretty and so clean. It's a very fresh scent, and I've already received so many compliments on it! 

4. Michael Kors Cindy Crossbody, Large, Oyster

I adore crossbody bags. They are so easy to travel with, and they can really dress up an outfit. I love this one because it's not too small, not too large, it could fit my wallet for sure, and a couple of necessities like chapstick, lady supplies, and my keys! 

5. Milk and Honey, Rupi Kaur

I have heard nothing but wonderful things about this book of poems. I would absolutely love to try something new. I'm really never a poetry buff but I need to know what all the fuss is about. 

6. Vans Sk8-Hi Sneakers, True White

I think these looks so cool, with jeans and a flannel, or with leggings and a cozy sweater, I love the Hi-Top design. 

7. BeatsX Wireless Earbuds

Now that I'm really trying to become a gym rat, I now understand the need for wireless headphones. Seriously that cord is a pain in the ass, and I think these white ones look so cute! 

8. Crest 3D White Strips

I know this is weird, but I would never buy these for myself. It would be so wonderful to find these under the tree this year! I'm a little bit obsessed with dental hygiene and white teeth, my teeth need some TLC. 

48 Hour Cure for Post Grad Blues

Shirt: Charlotte Russe Bralette: Aerie Jeans: Old Navy Shoes: Jack Rogers Bag: Anne Klein (Similar)  Lightening Bolt  Ring: Pura Vida

Breakfast Smoothie Bowl

In my quest to be basic on a budget, I felt it imperative that I find a way to make my own smoothie bowls. 
I spent a good part of my day yesterday watching Youtube tutorials, trying to figure out how to get the perfect consistency. Now, you might like yours a bit thinner than I do, but I went for a thick and creamy banana smoothie bowl with some fun goodies on top.

You will need:
1/2 Cup Almond Milk (or any milk you prefer, really doesn't make a difference!)
1 Oikos Banana Cream Greek Yogurt
1 Frozen Banana
1 Scoop of Vanilla Vega Protein Powder
1/4 Cup of Crushed Ice 

Toppings:
This is up to you! Fresh fruit, Coconut Flakes, Seeds, Nuts, Granola, Chocolate Chips, go crazy! 
I topped my bowl with Kind Banana Nut Clusters, Chia Seeds, and Strawberries


Now that you have all the ingredients together, all you have to do is throw it in a blender! Yea... it's that easy! I have a Magic Bullet (Thanks to my awesome brother) and I think it works perfectly for something like this, because it's so easy to measure out how much you're making! 
If, while you're blending, you find that it is too thick, feel free to add a splash more milk and continue to blend until you get the consistency you want!  

Now decorate it, pour yourself a delicious cup of coffee, and take a cute pic for Instagram! Tag me @MessyAndThriving and let me know how you made it your own! Get creative! 
   

Thriving on a Budget

We all want that incredible, classy, trendy style, but it is NOT CHEAP. It is so hard keeping up with today's trends when I only have about $30 in my wallet at any given time. Through my four years in college I feel as though I really mastered my bargain shopping and wanted to share some of these tips with you all! 

1. Retail Me Not: I really don't know why people aren't using this app 24/7. Basically it locates you, and shows you all the coupons that are available at the stores you're shopping in. Lets say I'm in Michaels, all I have to do is enter Michaels in the search bar and they show me every coupon and deal available! It's so cool and I've seriously saved so much money this way. Retail me not has coupons for in-store and online, and all their coupons are verified! 

2. Shoe Shopping: Okay, I know this one is going to sound crazy, BUT, look in the kids section. Now I'm not telling you to go buy light up TMNT Sneakers (unless of course you want light up TMNT sneakers) but you can get some great Nikes for $15-$20 cheaper than adult sneakers. Most of the time they are exactly the same shoe, just marketed differently. I just bought a pair of Nike Tanjun sneakers. They are a little boys size 5.5 (equivalent to a woman's 7.5). They are absolutely identical to the adult Tanjun. There isn't a single difference in the shoe, but there is a difference in price. I only paid $50 for them, while the adult sizes started at $65. No one will ever know that you're wearing youth sneakers, and you'll have an extra $15 in your pocket for Chipotle. 

3. Target Cartwheel: This app is life changing. As we all know- Target is a holy place. Well it's about to get even better. Cartwheel is an app and all you have to do is scan each item you pick up while shopping. The app will get you Cartwheel exclusive coupons for certain brands and products. While you're at checkout, you show the cashier your barcode and once they scan it, all the discounts are registered and you save some $$$! It's so easy. 

4. Subscriptions: Okay, I know getting a million promotional emails is annoying, but they can actually get you a lot of great deals. My tip is to set up a separate email account for all of your promo emails from different stores and websites. You only have to check it every few days to see what kinds of sales are going on. Plus, many stores offer coupons exclusive to those who subscribe to their emails! 

5. Rewards Programs: Tons of stores are hopping on this train. The one I find most useful? Ulta's Ultamate Rewards! I've been an Ultamate Rewards member for years and I have seriously saved a ton of money. You get a point for each dollar you spend, and once you reach 100 points you get $3 off your next purchase, then $6, then $12, all the way up to $100 off! Plus if you get your hair done at Ulta, (10/10 recommend Emily at the Ulta Salon in Patchogue) it is really easy to rack up points. Rewards members get a ton of exclusive offers like early access to new products, plus cute samples and freebies. Ulta is not the only store doing this! There are plenty of places that offer rewards programs like Sephora and American Eagle.

6. Holiday Sales: We all know about Black Friday, but what about Memorial Day sales? And Fourth of July? So many companies offer some great discounts during these holiday weekends where you can pick up a few things you've had your eye on. This Fourth of July I scoped out some good discounts at KJP.com and was able to buy my first rope bracelet! My best advice is to buy things you've had your eye on for a while during these special sales. I've wanted a KJP bracelet for a long time, and it felt so good to finally get one, plus save some money! J.Crew and Loft always have awesome holiday sales as well! 

The Test Lab: My Mane Care Hair Mask

Welcome back to the test lab friends! This week I decided I had used enough Sun-In in my hair to cause major dryness and breakage, so it was time to do some damage control. I headed to Ulta with my birthday reward in hand and stumbled upon this packet near the checkout counter. 

This My Mane Care Hydrating Mask is vegan, cruelty free, and filled with great ingredients! Nutrients in Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Broccoli, Avocado Oil, and Coconut Oil left my hair feeling really soft. It was extremely easy to use which is always a plus for me, and it smells amazing. I used about half the packet to coat my hair from root to tip, then clipped it up and killed time for half an hour. The formula wasn't drippy and didn't dry or get sticky in my hair. 

After letting it sit for half an hour, I followed with my usual shower routine. I could tell after washing and conditioning my hair that it definitely felt smooth and easy to comb through. I tried to let my hair air dry for as long as possible, hit it with a blow-dryer before bed. My hair was definitely uber shiny- and still is the next night! My hair is a little more oily than usual, but I'm not complaining, my hair needs the moisture! 

I look forward to seeing how my hair responds after using this mask again in the coming weeks. So far though, I highly recommend if you're looking for something that adds a lot of moisture and smells SO good. It is an oil mask, so I don't suggest it if you have trouble with a greasy scalp, but the company has a few different varieties so I definitely encourage you to check them out! 

*This post is not sponsored*

The Test Lab: Garnier Micellar Water

Hey Pals,

It's been a while since we entered the The Test Lab! I recently purchased the Garnier Micellar Water. Now that I've been using it for about a month- I wanted to give you my thoughts!

First of all- it's so easy to use. I usually pour some on to a cotton pad and apply it to my skin in circular motions starting with my eyes (because that's where the most gunk is!) The water really breaks down my mascara, and takes off the rest of my makeup easily. I'm usually done after wiping down with just two cotton rounds.

I really like this product because there really isn't much to it. There aren't a million chemicals, it's really light weight, and it's not harmful to my sensitive skin. It smells really clean, and it doesn't kill you if you accidentally get it into your eyes.

Here's the problem- it's winter. The air is freezing. My skin is already dry. This product- thought it claims to be hydrating, really dries out my skin. I had irritated dry patches after a week or so of using it. I had to really amp up my moisturizer routine after using this product which maybe isn't such a bad thing, but still I expected it to add to my moisturizing routine, not so drastically negate it.

Overall, I recommend this product. It's so easy to use, it is a great tool for those late nights when you feel like you just don't have it in you to take care of your skin, and it really is pretty natural. Just be careful if you have sensitive skin like I do, and make sure to moisturize daily!

First Week of Spring Semester Inspiration

Well hello pals.
The time is here. Spring semester is beginning! If you're like me, you're feeling excited, exhausted, stressed, and definitely behind on packing.
I'm here to tell you you're not alone! I'm sitting in my dorm right now, in my pajamas ready to head off to bed before starting my spring internship tomorrow. My winter break sailed by, I have so many things I didn't get to do, and my bank account is frighteningly low.
I am here to help you get through the first week struggle. Scroll down for some cute puppies, inspiring women, and quotes that will push you towards success.

 The first day sucks. Being away from family again takes its toll, but girl you got this! Keep your eye on the prize and look at this new semester as 4 months of opportunities. 

This cute little pup would be terribly upset if he knew you were feeling down in the dumps! Buck up and take on the day with a smile! (For the pups sake of course) 

So your first day wasn't so great? Don't stress! Tomorrow will come, full of new opportunities and new chances to do something incredible. 

This queen inspired little girls to be strong, and taught us all that being smart was something to be proud of! If Emma Watson could be a major movie star, an advocate for education and women's rights, AND graduate from Brown- you can get through today, I swear. 

Make today the day you start to fight for what you love, and do what brings you joy. 

Take time for yourself. Go for a drive, get yourself a delightful iced caramel latte with almond milk. Self care is so important. You don't have to be superwoman all the time! Take a nap, read a book,ease yourself back into the school routine. 

LEAVE F**K BOYS IN THE FALL SEMESTER. You have no time for them, this semester is the one where you find happiness in yourself.

Don't worry about other people. Seriously. Just do you. Make this semester about you and your own success! Don't compare yourself, don't stress about the competition, just be proud of yourself. Every day you do something remarkable, no matter how small. 

You got this. Breathe.
Happy Spring 2017. <3

My Favorite Boots for Fall

1. Dirty Laundry Reckless Rain Boot

$59.95, DSW 

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2. Buckle Cutout Booties

$34.95, Forever 21

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3. Matte Chelsea Rain Boots (Dark Burgundy)

$65, J.Crew

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4. Dasher Lillie Bootie (Khaki)

$110, Sperry 

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5. Squad (Grey)

$109.95, Steve Madden

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6. Franco Sarto Cleveland Riding Boot

$79.94, DSW

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7. Jessica Simpson Tilroy Sandal

$69.95, Macy's 

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8. AK Anne Klein Langstyn Bootie

$109.95, Lord & Taylor

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9. Alara Boot

$199.95, Steve Madden

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10. Becket Boot

$159.99, Ugg Australia

Celebrating Crisp Air in NYC

       Today was the day we've all been waiting for since mid August. The day when the heat breaks, the leaves begin to fall, and the air smells like pumpkins are on their way. The most wonderful time of the year. While it was about 70 degrees here in NYC, I decided to incorporate some classic fall pieces and lots of layering for when it got warmer throughout the day!

Below are the links to the items themselves or something similar!
Skirt: JCrew // Button Down: Target // Jacket: Old Navy // Sneakers: Vans // Watch: Michael Kors // Earrings: Francescas //

First Day of School OOTD

Well Hello friends and pals!
It's been quite a while hasn't it?
Well my senior year (*gags*) has just begun and I thought I'd share my Last First Day of School outfit with y'all! All the details will be at the bottom!
xxox

High-Waisted Shorts (Gap) Linen top (Marshalls) Espadrilles (Forever 21) Bracelets (Alex & Ani) Sunglasses (Target)