First Day Back!

Well, Christmas vacation is done done done :( No more vacation time until my 2 weeks post-boards off before third year clerkships begin. Until then, there is a LOTTT of things I have to do, which I'm really not looking forward to. Like learn how to put IV's in....ahhh!!!! The ONE thing I was least looking forward to in medical school. Buttt, I shall conquer this as well since putting in central lines is all people in internal medicine do anyway.
I made the mistake of taking a sleeping pill last night so I could fall asleep a little more easily, and boyyy was it a bad idea. I totally slept through my four alarms this morning. As in, I didn't even hear any of them go off at all. So yeaaa, the pill may have been a little too strong for me. I managed to wake up at 8:30 somehow and I'm a little bummed about not waking up at 6am like I had initially planned to go for a light workout or a walk around my neighborhood. But hey, one step at a time! At least I managed to wake up somewhat on time after sleeping in until 11am everyday during break. I'm beginning my routine this morning having just finished breakfast and now sipping my morning coffee. I'm about to write down a to-do list in my planner and then start some schoolwork, followed by starting boards prep, ahhh!!!
I had my day completely planned out, but then one of my friends is leaving for PA school on Wednesday and one of the only days she's free is tonight. So looks like no zumba class for me, although I am going to try and snag a late afternoon workout. And hopefully I'm able to make it out to see her even with Winter Storm Ion on the front here :( supposed to go down to -5 degrees tonight..crazy!! Let the crazyness begin!

January Food Haul!...aka my grocery list.

Yay food! I plan my meals ahead of time, or try to anyway, so this is my grocery list for the month of January. Though I'd go ahead and share it on here in case I lose it or need inspiration in the future :)

Fruits/Veggies
Bananas
Berries or grapes
Baby carrots
Salad greens
Lettuce head

Diced onions

Diced green peppers

Zucchini

Meats/dairy
Low sodium deli ham
Turkey sausage
Diced ham (packaged)
Diced chicken (packaged)
Frozen turkey burger patties
Thin sliced chicken breasts
Eggs
2% milk

Light cheddar cheese slices

Light shredded cheddar cheese

Light shredded mozzerella cheese

Shredded parmesan cheese

Bolthouse vanilla chai tea
Half&half

Breads
Multigrain bread
English wheat muffins
Wheat tortilla wraps
Wheat buns
Pizza crust

Frozen Foods
Sukhi's Naanwich wraps
Frozen mixed vegetables

Pantry Goodies
Kashi honey almond flax cereal
Whole grain linguine
Whole grain penne
Brown rice
Organic frozen chicken strips
Organic soups
Light Progresso soups
Canned black beans
Chicken broth
Lightly salted tortilla chips
Rice cakes
Mini popcorn bags
Whole wheat crackers

Condiments/Randoms
Light cream cheese
Bolthouse light caesar dressing
Natural peanut butter
Minced garlic
Organic salsa
Hummus

Spring Crafts

Over the past few months, I've gotten into quite a crafty mood. I've been so inspired by all the DIY project posts on Pinterest and Youtube that I went out and bought supplies to do most of these projects...only to not have time at during the Christmas season to do them. Hence, this post! Hopefully I can finish some of these projects this spring since a lot of them are quite simple and should only take a few hours.

1. Spring Inspiration Binder

This is probably the easiest project of them all. I've cut out a lot of magazine pictures and articles from my spring magazines from the past few years and don't want them just sitting out loosely on my desk. So I thought it would be super cute to hole punch them and stick them in a binder and decorate the outside of it with some spring flowers or quotes. Easy access for when I need some inspiration or have some free time to peruse for new spring fashion or beauty or fitness ideas! 

2. Photo Album

Another super easy craft. I've bought a photo album, all I have to do is label the photos on the back with a brief description and then place them in order into the photo album. Super cute way to reminisce if I'm feeling low or alone...good reminder that I'm not alone and that I have caring and genuine friends all around me :) 

3. Sticky Felt Hearts 

I found these super cute glittery red and pink hearts at the Dollar Store the other day and thought they would be soooo adorable on my closet door. Right now I have some magazine cutouts on my closet door, but I think these would look a lot more decorative! Just gotta stick some double sided sticky tape on the back and stamp them along my closet door, and maybe even my room door :) 

4.  Motivation Wall

I thought this was SUCH a cute idea and a great way to inspire myself to workout or eat healthy when my motivation is running a little low (which happens quitteeee frequently). I have a lot of magazines I can clip inspiring photos from and I think I have a bulletin board, so this is a definite weekend project that I can get done in a few hours :) just gotta find some free wall space now!

5. Rhinestone Wrap Bracelets

Haven't made jewelry in a while and these are sooo pretty for the spring season! They look a little complicated to make, but it would still be fun to try and make these since the materials are so cheap.

6. Heart Shaped Photo Collage

Another super adorable craft that would look great on my wall and be a great inspiration for when I'm feeling sad or lonely. 

7. Couch Throw Pillows

And finally my last craft! I've been meaning to do this one for like literally 4 months now, it's bad. I wanted to make some throw pillows for my couch. I have the material and everything, I just need to get my butt into gear and make them. I wanted to make rhinestone snowflake pillows for the winter, but I may just convert them into a springtime project. I'm really really excited but the only issue is that it's going to take a lotttt of time which may be hard to find in these next few months :( 

Skin Routine!!

After struggling with adult acne for nearly a year now after having exceptionally clear skin through my entire teenage-hood, I  think I've finally got my skincare routine down. I've made some mistakes regarding skincare in the past, but I think I've gotten a set routine down that's been working for me for nearly a week now. I know it's too early to get excited, but I'm continuing to discover what my skin likes vs. doesn't like and think this is a keeper!

Morning

1. Wash face with Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser. This is a creamy face wash with menthol and a tiny bit of salicylic acid that penetrates pores nicely and gives a clean, tingly feeling to the skin. Super refreshing! 
2. Drench Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion (toner) on a cotton ball and rub all over skin. Repeat until cotton ball comes out clean. 
3. With a Q-tip apply some of the toner to any acne or bumps. Wait until dry and put on a spot treatment (Clean & Clear Peroxide Gel) on top. Let dry.
4. With clean hands, apply Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 all over the face. Apply Clinique All About Eyes Rich eyecream on the undereye area, lids, and temples. Let dry before applying any makeup.

Night

1. Remove all makeup with Aveeno Ultra Calming Makeup Removing Wipes. Wipe face with single cloth 2-3x until all makeup is off and wipe comes out clean. 
2. Wash face with Clinique Acne Solutions Foam Cleanser. This contains salicylic acid and is super gentle. 
3. Drench Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion (toner) on a cotton ball and rub all over skin. Repeat until cotton ball comes out clean. 
4. With a Q-tip apply some of the toner to any acne or bumps. Wait until dry and put on a spot treatment (Clean & Clear Peroxide Gel) on top. Let dry.
5. Apply Aveeno Smart Essentials Night Cream all over the face.
6. Apply Clinique All About Eyes Rich eyecream on the undereye area, lids, and temples.
7. Pull up hair in a loose bun.
8. Go to sleep and DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE!!! =]

Get Fit Gifts!

So I've been thinking recently about how I can get myself motivated to workout. I've come up with a few tips, but I gotta have one that inspires me the most -- something related to shopping! I've recently become a shopping addict (which I really am trying to break!) so I think something along the lines of rewarding myself with beauty/fashion gifts every time I reach a milestone would be a great way to look forward to workouts and getting fitter.
Now comes the important question -- what are these "milestones" I can reward myself for? In the past, I've tried to connect them to weight on the scale, but I don't really like weighing myself because it makes me more anxious. I get really freaked out at the number and a lot of the times, when I don't hit my goal I get really unmotivated and give up my diet plan completely. So instead, I think I'm going to reward myself at the end of each month. I'm gonna take a look at how I've done since the beginning of the month, and if I've really improved in some way, then I'll reward myself with a beauty-related goodie . I'm really hoping this plan works because I'm feeling super motivated and really want to look for ways to keep this motivation going. And something shopping-related would be absolutely fantastic! I've done the first four months kinda as a little "pilot". Really really excited!!

January -- BareMinerals Beauty Obsessed ($25)
February -- Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Blush in Something About Berry ($30)
March -- New spring makeup!! ($50)
April -- New spring wardrobe!! ($50)

Can't wait for Valentine's Day!

...and no it's not because I have a date or anything!
I'm actually really fascinated by Too Faced's new collection! Okay I'll admit the packaging is what really sucked me in, but from what I hear, the product inside is actually quite nice too and worth the $30 pricetag on it. Soooo I thought that as a present to myself for my 2nd least favorite day of the year, I would treat myself to one of the products from their new collection. I know I know V-day is just another regular day, but this product is just so damn gorgeous and perfect as a V-day present that I can't resist!

What is it, you ask?...

It's the Too Faced Sweethearts Blush in Something About Berry!


Photo credit = www.musingsofamuse.com

 Photo credit = www.makeupandbeautyblog.com

Photo credit = www.musingsofamuse.com

Okay okay I know I said no more buying makeup until March, but honestly...this isn't this the perfect Valentine's Day treat?! And let's be honest, I'm my own valentine this year and this will be my gift to myself :) And to add yet another reason to break my no-buy rule, v-day is right around when my impending boards stress is gonna be really really really high, so this should be a nice little treat. Shopping = stress busting! 

Plus, I've been on the hunt lately for a nice hot pink blush color for the summer, and this hits the nail right on the head! The color on the far right is a really nice berry/hot pink color that is gonna look stunning on medium skintones like mine. Plus, I've seen some cheek swatches of what the three colors look like blended together and ohmigosh, it's stunning! Exactly the bright summer color I've been on the hunt for! And the two lighter shades can also be blended together for a lighter, baby-doll shimmery pink blush.

Ahh I'm so excited! I love everything about this product so far...the packaging, the colors, the quality, the reviews, swatches, EVERYTHING. Can't wait to get this!

First Day of 2014!

It's about 12 hours into the new year and I'm already feeling much more positive than I did last year! Well it's only the first day and I'm sure that will change sometime, but I'm liking how I'm feeling so far :)