So many of us are always in search for a fun, niche hobby or activity to take part in that will brighten up our days and give us a sense of change. Today, I have just the activity for you that will not only brighten up your day, but also your home!

What is it?

It is none other than the art of Ikebana. Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement. Unlike most western concepts of flower arrangement, Ikebana focuses on creating harmony and beauty through the placement of the florals. In this practice, simplicity is key!

What Are the Key Principles?

-Line and Space: add in movement and don’t be afraid of space between florals

-Balance and Proportion: utilize asymmetry to highlight differences and textures to bring balance

-Seasonal Awareness: use whatever is in season to reflect nature and its current cycle

-Minimalism: use only a few, carefully chosen florals that give depth and meaning to the piece

How Do I Start?

1. Choose your ikebana vase: normally we would use a small, flat one with neutral or dark colors.
2. Prepare your flower frog (Kenzan): place it in the bottom of the vase.
3. Select your materials: choose three main elements such as a tall branch, a medium flower, and shorter flower or leaf.
4. Trim and arrange: trim the chosen elements at an angle in order to absorb water more easily. Start arranging your components slowly and by taking your time.
5. Focus on simplicity and space: avoid overcrowding and indulge in minimalism. It is okay to have open space available.
6. Fill it up: add your water until it reaches the tip of the flower frog needles.
7. You’re done!

What’s the Purpose?

This activity is incredibly calming and brings the attention back to oneself. Not only do you get into a meditative state by concentrating and expressing yourself through such a craft, you also get the end result of a beautiful piece that will continue to bring you tranquility each time you look at it. It’s a super enjoyable activity that can be taken very seriously and taken to new heights, or it can simply be a fun activity to do with friends when you’re bored. Even so, having an ikebana vase handy is great for when accidents occur and flowers snap, giving you a perfect occasion to utilize a variety of different sizes and textures as well as colors in florals.

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Formula

The formula on this pencil is truly like no other. It is so incredibly creamy, while also not breaking apart and crumbling at the touch of skin. It blends incredibly easily into the skin wherever you need, so it doesn’t leave the brows looking blocky. The pencil itself is very sturdy and definitely won’t melt in the heat, which is a plus. The product also claims to be 12 hour wear. Although I have not tested this for 12 hours, I have tested it for 10, and I can confirm it did not budge whatsoever. Additionally, it is waterproof so be prepared to use an oil balm or cleanser to remove it.

Final Thoughts

Weigh out your options and truly take into account all of the plus’s of this product that I talked about, and compare it to any other brow pencil out there. I am confident that with this pencil, you will fall in love and achieve the results of your dreams.

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We all know what its like in the mornings; rushing out the door and not having the chance to grab a snack or some breakfast even when we may really need it. That’s why I have perfected the most delicious overnight oats recipe to make for a quick and easy grab-and-go item you can enjoy anywhere!

Let’s jump right in to the recipe!

Recipe

Begin by blending your oats in a blender till it creates a powder. Combine the oat flour, cacao powder, and milk and stir. Optional: You can also add in a protein powder of your choice to make it even more satiating. Add into a jar and cover, letting it set for a minimum of 3 hours, but preferably overnight. In the morning, add on your choice of nut butter and let it sit while you place the chocolate and coconut oil into a bowl, microwaving in 30 second increments. Once melted, pour the chocolate on top and set the jar into the fridge or freezer until it sets, about 10 minutes. Take it out, crack, and enjoy!

Substitutions

Feel free to experiment as several substitutions can be made! More sweetness means adding some honey to your milk before combining. For those that don’t love chocolate, simple replace the cacao powder with vanilla paste and stop at the nut butter. The only thing I would not change is the blended oats, as it is integral to the recipe.

Try it out, and please, let me know how you enjoyed this quick, easy, and time-efficient breakfast that is more than delicious.

Lashes have the power to make or break the beauty of your eyes, which is why finding the right mascara is so important. Today, I’ll be sharing a mascara that does it all; from volume, to length, to curl, this product is going to transform your eyes.

Why is it so Special?

I have three main reasons for you:

Wand: The wand shape of this mascara is so perfect because it is fuller in the middle and wisps out in the ends, working to shape the eyes into a gorgeous bambi-like effect. If you’re looking for curl, this will definitely give you that.

Formula: The formula is not too wet like other mascaras, so even a fresh tube gives you beautiful results. More importantly, the formula is such that lengthens your natural lashes and gives them more volume. My biggest pet peeve in makeup is clumpy lashes, and I can confidently say that this mascara has never ever given me that.

Color: The black brown color specifically is what makes this mascara so special. It is such a natural looking brown color that it makes it look like your lashes are just that amazing themselves. The amount of compliments I get from people thinking my lashes naturally look the way they do just because of the color of this mascara has blown my mind.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a mascara to enhance your eyes and make them look like Disney princess eyes, all while also looking natural, this is the mascara for you. Trust me on this and try it out, you’ll thank me later.

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Our high-school years are meant to be some of the most fun times of our lives, soaking up all the last bits of freedom and fun before adulthood. During our senior year especially, we like to enjoy every moment we can with our friends. Today, I’ll be sharing a fun activity to do with your friends that will ensure you savor every bit of your best year with those you love.

What is it?

One of the most fun and sentimental activities you can possibly do with your friends during senior year is senior chests! Senior chests is a great way to spend quality time with those you love and do a fun activity while also having something to look forward to and keep as a dear memory.

What’s the Purpose?

The goal of this activity is to spend quality time with friends while exercising your creativity and decorating your box to your heart’s desire. This means that you can make it as sentimental or silly as you’d like. These boxes or chests can then serve to hold all of the memories you make during your senior year which can include pictures, cards, letters, awards, jerseys and tickets. The box itself will always remain a memory to cherish as well, as you can look back and see how wonderful the time you spent was.

The latest rave has been the delicious vanilla. Whether it be vanilla lattes, vanilla perfume, or vanilla skin, everybody is raving about how it draws people in. Today, I’ll be sharing a simple way to achieve that delicious vanilla scent on your skin.

What is it?

It’s actually quite simple and in my opinion, quite easily achievable. It’s the EOS Vanilla Cashmere Lotion!

What are the Benefits?

• Vegan: this product utilizes wild grown and sustainably sourced natural shea butter to give your skin that hydration you love. It is hypoallergenic, paraben and phthalate free, and not tested on animals.
• Intense Hydration: 7+ oils and butters are used to create a mix of the most hydrating lotion you can use.
• Long lasting: this product is lightweight and non-sticky, meaning it absorbs into the skin quickly and hydrates all day long.
• Captivating scent: this specific lotion is scented with vanilla cashmere, but there are several other great scents. Vanilla cashmere leaves you smelling like a heavenly latte or fresh baked cake.

Final Thoughts

I think this lotion makes for delicious skin and an even better base for layering scents. The edible vanilla scent combined with the hydration and affordability makes for an amazingly viable option.

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Finding a nutritious meal to break your fast every morning can be difficult, especially when you have work and are on a time crunch. That’s why today, I’m going to be sharing a quick, efficient, and nutritious breakfast you can make beforehand to enjoy every morning.

What is it?

The short answer: Chia Seed Pudding. Chia seed pudding is an extremely nutritious breakfast, jam-packed with fibers and healthy fats to fuel your day. The combination of chia seeds with your milk of choice also allows for delicious flavor and nutritional benefits.

What Are Some of These Benefits?

Chia seed fiber content supports digestive health by promoting regular bowel movements and maintaining gut health. Additionally, the combination of fiber, protein, and healthy fats helps to keep you feeling full longer, aiding in weight management. Chia seeds can also help stabilize blood sugar levels, making them beneficial for those managing diabetes. The antioxidants in chia seeds combat inflammation and protect against oxidative stress. Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to heart health by reducing inflammation and supporting cardiovascular function. Chia seed pudding is easy to make, highly versatile, and can be flavored or topped in numerous ways to fit into a balanced diet. Its hydrating properties, thanks to chia seeds’ ability to absorb water, also add to its overall health benefits.

To put together the pudding, simply warm up 1 cup of your choice of milk and add in your cocoa powder, stirring until it dissolves. Then, add your sweetener and mix well before adding in your chia seeds and stirring. I stir mine for 2 minutes, let it sit for a minute until the seeds separate into layers in the milk, then stir again until no layers form. I add in some sliced bananas for texture, then cover and store in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you will have a beautiful pudding all set and you can top it with fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey if you’d like. The beauty of chia seed pudding is that it is so versatile that you can customize it in so many ways. Have fun and experiment!

Finding the right brow gel is no easy task, especially for untamable brows. Some are too sticky, some leave too much residue, and others simply don’t have that powerful hold. Today, I’m going to be sharing an affordable, efficient product that gets it all done without breaking the bank.

What Does it Do?

This is a brow gel, so the number one goal is to keep your brows in place. NYX claims that this product has 16 hour hold, which I have yet to test. However, I can confirm this has held up perfectly on my extremely wild brows for a good 12 hours.

Elaborate

Hold: not only does this brow gel hold up for hours on end through sweat and humidity, it is also waterproof and transfer proof. This means that it is a go to option on days you know it’s going to rain or day’s you’re prepared to swim. With it being transfer proof, you also don’t have to worry about it rubbing off on others or clothing

Texture: the texture of this gel is like many others, in the sense that it is a thicker gel. However, this gel does not have the stickiness that many others do, which means it also does not flake off. NYX does have different shades in this gel, ranging from clear to a dark brown, but the texture stays consistent with each

Sustainability: NYX is proudly cruelty free, so this product is also cruelty free and not tested on animals. I find this to be incredibly important as we have to be aware of our environment and who we share it with, especially in today’s date. This brow gel specifically is also vegan, which I am aware is a bonus for many out there that may have allergies or be vegan.

Final Thoughts

This brow gel is affordable, easy to use, and great at doing what it is meant to. If you want a professional level product for a fraction of the cost, the NYX Brow Glue should be your go-to.

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Coffee lovers all around the world have started to realize the long list of negative side effects that seem to pile on with its consumption, but with its delicious taste and boost of energy, giving it up is harder than it seems. That’s why today, I have a healthier alternative that tastes delicious but still gives that energy boost + some additional clarity of the mind.

What is it?

Simple answer: Mushroom Coffee. I’m going to be sharing the mushroom coffee from my favorite brand, Four Sigmatic, because of the long list of pluses they offer. Four Sigmatic in particular uses a blend of mushrooms to create a coffee that boosts energy while also giving clarity to the mind.

About the Brand

Four Sigmatic is a small business run by a man named Tero. Tero got his inspiration for mushroom coffee from his grandparents in Finland that brewed mushrooms when they couldn’t get coffee. He and his team guarantee that they only use the best ingredients that are ethically sourced. The coffee beans themselves are also ethically sourced from a small family-run Honduran co-op. Four Sigmatic makes sure everyone can use their products, so their coffee blends are available pre-grinded, whole, and in pods for coffee machines!

If you’re looking for a healthier coffee alternative that still gives you the same benefits without the harmful side effects, I have no doubt mushroom coffee is the solution for you.

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Achieving clear, glossy, skin is no easy feat, but we have all heard by now the essential role which cleansers play in getting the best results. Today, I’m going to be sharing the two types of cleansers you should be using to get the skin of your dreams.

What is it?

Cleansers come in many different textures, formulas, and scents, but what’s most important about them is their base. The two main base types of cleansers are oil and water. As we all know, oil is nonpolar and water is polar, meaning the two do not mix well at all. Now you might be asking, “What’s the difference and which should I use?”, the answer is both!

How do I use Both?

I tend to use both types of cleansers for a double cleanse in the evening. I begin by using one and a half pumps of the CeraVe oil cleanser and warming that up in my hands until it foams, then applying to my face. I massage the cleanser in and then work in circles with some water to wash it off. I then use a pea sized amount of the Tatcha rice wash cleanser on my wet hands and warm it up until this too foams, then apply to my face. By using these both together in a two step cleanse, my makeup is removed completely and my skin feels squeaky clean, but I do notice that I am never left with my skin feeling stripped or dry. Simply follow up with your favorite moisturizer, and you are on the path to the skin of your dreams!

In Conclusion

In conclusion my friends, having a two step cleansing routine, especially in the evenings, will save you from having a buildup of junk on your face that clogs your pores and causes you to break out. If you give this routine a try or any of these products, please let me know how you like it and how it worked for you. Everyone’s skin is different, so please keep that in mind.

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