Tag: newyear

Stay On Track in 2022: 3 Tips

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Holy cow, friends!

Can you believe it’s already 2022? After all of the ups and downs that last year held, I am grateful that there were many lessons that I learned during it all. One of the things I learned is how important it is to stay on top of my schedule and keeping a happy flow with organization. As a full time student who works and has a decent amount on her plate, I learned last year that staying on top of my schedule and having everything I needed laid out is better for my mental health! When I have my month planned out and can see what I have to do during my day, I feel on top of it. I figured that now is a great time to put together a list of things that have helped me stay on track!

Step One: Utilize Google Calendar!

I think the majority of us have a Google account and a Gmail account! If you do, one of the fun tools that Google provides is the Google calendar. I use my calendar every day to see what I have going on and what’s coming up during my week. Another thing that I like about using Google calendar is that I can share my schedule with any organizations I am in that need it for planning, or I can share it with a family member.

I also love to color coordinate my events and tasks with the pastel color pallet and I’m obsessed! Look how cute it is!

The best part is that I have access to my calendar on my phone with the app and on my computer. I pretty much live off of my calendar!

Step Two: Try to Stick to Your Schedule!

One of the hardest parts of getting my schedule on track was actually sticking to it! I’m the champ of waking up to alarm and staring at it blurry-eyed, inching to hit snooze. But the thing I realized is that when I actually get out of bed and start my routine, I feel put together. If I wake up with enough time to put on a quick face of makeup, get my outfit together, and pack my lunch, I’m doing myself a service! I am a happier person when I am organized and it has helped me so much. Set your alarm, plan ahead, and try not to hit snooze! (But if you do, there’s zero judgement from me because I have some mornings where I do too because let’s face it, an extra 10 minutes of sleep and some dry shampoo are worth it!)

Step Three: The Final Piece

Step Three is the most important step by far! Take care of yourself!! Taking time for yourself to make a yummy meal, do a face mask, or drink a glass of wine while you watch Netflix is so good for your mental and spiritual health and no matter how much you schedule into your day, it’s important to make time for yourself! This year we are taking care of ourselves and making us a priority!

I hope these little tips help you get organized this year and find some peace! Stay groovy, friends!

How To Prep for a Good Night Sleep This Year

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Hi babes!

Holy moly, 2021 is just a week in and things are already absolutely insane. I did not expect things to kick off like they have and I’m sure that everyone in the United States (and the world) is feeling the stress and hurt we are currently facing. Hopefully starting in the end of January things will get better and we can all begin to treat each other with respect and have people who help lead up toward unison.

When I get stressed, my sleep gets all out of whack and I don’t feel like myself. A good sleep every night is necessary for me to feel my best and feel rested and I have had to work on protecting my sleep schedule. After going through many nights without sleep due to anxiety and stress, here is my list of things to do to get a good night sleep this year!

Stop Drinking Caffeine Around 6 Hours Before Bed!

Caffeine stays in your system for a long time so starting to ween off of it six hours before you go to sleep will help your body wind down and prepare for sleep. I tend to drink a coffee (or two) in the afternoon and it contributes to my health when I do that. My tip: drink more water! I know you hear it everywhere but water is good for you!

Try a Caffeine Free Tea

Sleepy Time tea is amazing and I love having it in my cabinet! My current evening tea is a berry and açaí blend that is caffeine free and tastes great hot or iced. I prefer sweeter teas because I tend to add sweeteners to tea but if it’s naturally sweet then I have it on its own.

When Stressed Out, Put on a Facemask

I literally just did a peel off mask because my skin is going through it and I had a long day. If that’s not a reason to use a face mask, I don’t know what is! I like to stock up when there are sales so keep your eyes peeled when Ulta is having sales! Their masks tend to be pretty affordable anyway, but sales are a great way to save a little coin! Brightening and hydrating masks are go-tos for when I need a pick me up for my face!

Light a Candle or Turn on an Oil Diffuser

Your bedroom should be a space for relaxation and sleep, plus a little fun! If your space is stressing you out, clean it up, get some new decor, and find a candle/oil that you love! When I moved into our new house, I had to create a new space that fit my emotional needs and my style profile. I bought new essential oils, candles, some wall accessories, all the things! We spend a lot of time in our bedrooms and it’s one of the most important spaces in our homes, so it deserves some love and attention! I like to shop at TJ Maxx and Hobby Lobby for decor options and they always have really good deals! For candles, Target has good 3 wick ones for under $5 and so does Walmart! My favorites are from Bath and Body Works but I’m cheap and don’t want to pay $25 per candle, so do what works for you!

Invest In a Sleep Eye Mask!

Let me tell you about wearing an eye mask! If you have thin eyelids, this is going to help you out! I have problems keeping my eyes closed when I try to go to sleep and even though I really love having twinkle lights in my room, they don’t always help when it comes to getting sleep. I purchased an eye mask at Tj Maxx for around $3 and I love it. It’s soft, helps keep out the light, and having a small amount of pressure honestly helps me sleep better. I don’t know if there’s science behind it or not but it works for me! There are a bunch of cute styles to pick from at shops, so there’s one for you! These are a few of my favorites online: A personalized mask on Etsy for under $10, a cute stripe mask from Ulta for under $3, and finally a simple satin mask from Etsy for under $5.

Try Some Calming Sounds

One of the new things I have been doing to calm down before going to bed is finding sleep sounds that help add a peaceful energy in my bedroom. I really like fireplace and storm/rain sounds, as they are soothing and remind me of comfort. I know a lot of people don’t like thunderstorm sounds so try the fireplace sounds! Nature sounds such as the ocean and waves are also super popular!

Find What Calms YOU

The most important thing to remember on your journey to finding better sleep is that what works for someone you know may not work for you and that’s OK! A lot of people would probably disagree with the fact that the Simpsons often help me fall asleep and then I turn off my TV in the middle of the night, and that’s okay! If you like sleeping with an extra light on, do that! As long as you are getting plenty of rest, do what is best for you! It takes some time to experiment and find what helps you.

I hope some of these lil tips help you find rest this year! Feel free to leave your own tips in the comments! I love reading through everything y’all say!

Until next time, babes!

Featured Image by Taylor Simpson on Unsplash

Self Care Tips for a New Year

glitzandglitterweb2 Comments

Hey babes!

With this crazy year being almost at a close, it’s spurred me (and a lot of others!) to look at the year we had and see where we could use some room for improvement next year. While you may think that setting resolutions for the upcoming year are cliche and redundant, I find a sense of joy in the possibilities of a new beginning! Better self care is one of my resolutions for 2021 and I’ve thrown together some tips that I’ve learned to have a better self care routine!

Keep Skin Care Masks on Hand!

Face masks are one of my favorite ways to keep my skin in decent shape. I picked up a handful of masks a month ago when Ulta had a sale and I’m glad I did! Since Covid started in the US, the mask-ne (acne caused by wearing face masks) has been real and my skin hates me! Keeping skin care masks in my cabinet has been a great way to have a quick spa night and give my skin some help it needs!

Buy Yourself a Nail Kit for Pedis!

Trying to stay home as much as possible and save money are side effects of Covid for sure, and that also means skipping nail appointments. I tend to wear press on nails from Kiss (find my favorites here) but I love getting pedicures! I picked up some supplies while I was at Ulta and my feet have been happy happy since I started using them regularly! To have an amazing pedicure I start with a foot mask then follow up with a file, scrub, and then finally a pair of socks and heel repair lotion. With winter taking a toll on my skin, the heel repair has definitely helped keep them presentable! After my feet are all moisturized, I paint my toes and call it a day!

Get Some Books To Grow Your Mind!

I can’t tell you how many books I have picked up to help me expand my mind, learn how to manifest my dreams, and help grow a healthy mind place for myself. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin is one of my current favorites that I am reading. It helps asks the question “What do I want from life?” and that’s something I ask myself almost every day. The Happiness Project is a fun read that I love to sit down with in coffee shops with. My second read of the moment is Mindfulness: How To Pay Attention The the Present by Wendy Hobson. It presents different ways to practice mindfulness, such as meditation. Mindfulness runs the reader through the ABCs of practicing mindfulness.

Find a Good Podcast or Playlist!

One thing that has helped me get through good times and bad is music. There’s a playlist for when I am happy, sad, or need a little boost of confidence. Spotify is my favorite music and podcast app, and it’s free to sign up! I have the Premium membership (ps college students: you can get a discount for Premium!) so I am constantly listening to music while I drive, cook, or take a shower. For podcasts, I love listening to educational shows! Stuff You Missed In History Class, Medical Murders, and TED are my favorite podcasts that I keep in rotation. TED has so many different episodes on topics that range from politics to lifestyle. If you are looking to learn a new language during quarantine, Duolingo has podcasts on Spotify, too!

Binge a New Show!

Sib, find a new show to watch or rewatch a favorite! I was gifted the Sex and the City series so I have been watching that since the holidays. A good chunk of us are still staying home so yes, it is perfectly fine to watch TV! If you are on Netflix, a few of my favorites are The Tudors, Orange Is the New Black, and Big Mouth. There’s a show for everyone and there are plenty of things for your kiddos! I’m trying to use screen time as an additional education source so I have been saving documentary titles as well!

I hope that 2021 brings blessings and joy for you (and me!)! We all could use a little spark in our lives and I wish that we can all start seeing each others smiling faces next year, without masks, but we can only hope. My email is always open if you want to drop a line or reach out!

Featured Image by Orlova Maria on Unsplash

This Year In Review

glitzandglitterweb4 Comments

Hi there, babes!

Can you believe this year is almost over? A new year is dawning and with that comes new opportunity, hope, and the excitement of change. This year, especially the past 7 months, have been so incredible for me. So many things, both good and bad, have happened and I have grown because of it. Here is a list of my 2017 in review…

I have lost things and I have gained things. I’ve lost friendships, weight, and patience, but I also gained some of those things as well. I’ve learned to love my body and remember how truly amazing it is. Women can grow life within them and nurture that same life with their body. We are strong and independent. My body houses my soul and spirit, the most beautiful things about me. I have met new people, called some of them friends. I have lost people and felt heavy confusion. I have learned my value. I reconnected with an amazing friend and I am so happy she is in my life again. I’ve set goals and know that I will work toward them.

I’ve been sad, doubted my existence, and wanted to quit it all, but at the end of the day, I continued on the path of life, hoping that the next day would be better. I went through a while with my eyes closed and blindly grasping for hope and serenity. Anxiety, stress, and their friends came back and I tried to defend myself against them, at some points claiming victory and other times retreating to then wage battle again.

Loving and losing, but realizing what I deserve and what I don’t deserve has been hard because I have had to ignore and walk away from things I didn’t want to have to. That’s where I learned my self-worth and the value of a good friend, one who will stay with me throughout my life and bring down the retirement home with. She has been a bright star in the night sky and I love her to pieces.

I took a huge leap of I don’t know what and started a blog. Glitz & Glitter became more than an idea and a dream, it became a reality and I have gone so many places because of it. Every single person who follows me, interacts with my work, and supports me has been a beacon along the way and has helped me continue on when I think I have hit a block in the road. We don’t stop the journey and turn back, we find a different route.

Has everything been easy? No, absolutely not. There have been a lot of tears shed, patience run thin, and stitches in the heart, but I made it. We have made it a year and we will make it through the next. I don’t know what 2018 holds but I pray for only goodness, peace, hope, and happiness for all of us.

This is my last post until the new year and I can’t wait to see you all back here in 2018.

Lots of love, blessings, and hugs from me to you….

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