My Daily Acne Routine

My skincare routine has changed over the last few months. I've decided to take a natural approach with it, so no matter what it's likely to involve ingredients that I already have or ones that are natural and easier on my skin.

I've has acne ever since I hit those teenage years, and it went from okay to bad to decent. But it's never been consistently good. Even now I still have struggles with my skin. Oily skin and acne and their scars.

Unfortunately, acne isn't just an outward deal. The biggest part is what's going on inside. Hormonal, food intolerances, stress levels. I've got all of those. 

A few things to keep in mind:

• Parabens are bad. They increase the Estrogen in our bodies, (parabens mimic estrogen) and this can cause an imbalance in our hormones. Enter: acne, mood swings, irritability, and even more difficult health & mental problems.
• Diet. What you eat is going to affect your skin. If your skin is an acne nightmare, you have to consider what you're eating. Maybe you have intolerance's or allergies. I cut out gluten, wheat, dairy, and peanuts due to intolerances. Then more recently grains and legumes. I went from vegetarian of five years to a picky carnivore (I'm funny about certain meats.) As my body detoxed, my acne was all over the place and I even got this weird rash on my back. I still have some things to sort out, but my skin is definitely improving.
• Hormones/Genetics. I don't believe that just because you have a genetic disposition to something that it is set in stone that you'll have that issue. But we do have to pay attention to our genetics in order to fix our problems. Hormones also play a big part in our skin among other things. How does your skin look before your period? If you're like me, you break out.

Okay, so now down to what I actually use. Before I put my makeup on, I wash my face...with Honey and a little water so it'll go onto my face easier. Honey has anti-septic properties, which prevents the growth of bacteria in your pores. Honey is also anti-inflammatory, which helps reduce redness and swelling from acne. If you have dry skin the honey can help preserve moisture, and prevent dryness and peeling. I take a wash cloth with warm water to remove.

Then, I put on a mixture of jojoba oil and carrot seed oil, geranium oil and lavender oil. This mixture is mostly jojoba with added drops of these essential oils. I use this instead of moisturizer but it is moisturizing anyway, so it works out. And no, it does not leave you feeling oily at all. It absorbs quickly, replenishes the skin and smells really good.

Next it's makeup time. I wear Lauren Brooke's Cosmetiques. I've been trying and trying to make a concealer that covers really well, and doesn't feel oily, to no avail. Then I searched high and low to find a natural concealer that wasn't ridiculously priced for not much product as well as the right ingredients. This Creme Concealer is what I wear and love. They also have samples available. I also use a mineral foundation that I make and sell on Etsy. It's great for absorbing oil and it really settles the concealer well. You can check it out here. I also have samples.

I also wear other makeup, but my focus of this post is acne care.. During the day if I'm going to be home for a bit I put on a spot treatment of cinnamon, honey and nutmeg. Make sure to wash that off after about 20 minutes.

At night, I use jojoba oil to remove my eye makeup and I also use it on my face as well. I take a wash cloth and warm water to clean everything off.

Lastly, I use the jojoba, carrot seed oil, geranium oil and lavender oil to moisturize. Then it's time for bed!

This isn't my dog, but how cute!

What kinds of natural things do you do for your skin? Share in the comment section below! Have a lovely night, unless you're reading this and it's day, then have a lovely day!

Welcome Fall!

I haven't been able to get onto my blog and upload pictures due to some issues with my index files. It was extremely frustrating, but thankfully I had a cousin who knows computers well and he is helping me work on the issue.

I've been enjoying a local park with friends & family. It's been really beautiful, although some days cold. I really love fall. The leaves are starting to change, and I get to wear sweaters and scarves and boots. It makes me so happy.

Riley turned three on Monday, so I made her a little doggy cupcake (although humans could eat this too)

It included:

• Peanut Butter
• An egg
• Finely sliced apple chunks
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder

She loved it and would have ate the whole thing, but it was a bit too much for her.

I have a real post planned for tomorrow, so keep posted!!

21

I don't know about you, but I'm feelin' twenty- wait. I'm twenty one.

Sorry T-swift, maybe next year I'll sing this song.

I have a little confession...I've actually hated getting older each year, and I know that it sounds ridiculous because I'm only 21. But this year I'm actually kind of excited. And no it's not just because I can drink now.

I don't actually celebrate birthdays, but of course I recognize them. Even though I don't do anything special my aunt still insisted on getting me a gift.

I have a deep and affectionate love for Forever 21.

I feel like I'm appreciating what I have more, instead of focusing on what is still wrong. And don't get me wrong there's still moments or almost whole days where I pity party, but I've gotten so much better at controlling those thoughts and re-directing them in a more positive light. I'm becoming happier with myself and who I am. And I think that's really part of growing up. You live and learn so much. It's really incredible how much I've learned this past few years, and although things will never be easy, I know there's always going to be a brighter day coming...

So enjoy your Monday, and I'm going to go have a pina colada with my new bottle of Malibu. Go on and treat yourselves too!

P.S. I'm not a big drinker, but I do like to enjoy something good once in awhile, so if anyone has any yummy, fruity (girly) drinks...especially gluten free, comment below!

               

Riley

To introduce you, Riley is my dog. She's a two year old pure-bred Havanese. (Whenever someone asks and has no idea what breed that is I just say, they're related to Bichon Frise and Maltese.) 

I received my little blessing a year ago, on September 10th, 2012.

She's the most loving, adoring, crazy, and cute dog I've ever seen. I may be biased, but to make my case, I'm not a huge animal person and my mom and aunt really aren't animal people and we all have fallen in love with her. 

You might be wondering why a non animal lover would want a dog...I got her as an anxiety dog, but she's become like my child. My anxiety/panic was much worse, and she was always there. 

She's become quite attached and protective of me. If anyone hugs me, she starts barking and jumps on them. If I'm sitting in bed, she'll snuggle right into the crook of my lap. At night, she either sleeps on my bum or right by my side. 

The amazing thing about animals, in all honesty is that they can't speak. They can never say the wrong thing, or what we don't want to hear. When we're really low and upset, they can sense it. All they need to do is be there and sit on our lap, or cuddle up close. They can make a huge difference, with such a simple act. 

She loves car rides and cruisin' (head out the window, feel that air baby!)

She hates when people leave the house, barking incessantly, and pushing them with her little paws. She's been known to leave you little presents or "poop revenge." She loves mushed 'naners,' peanut butter, and sunflower seeds.

She LOVES the snow. 

Naps are her favorite. She's an excellent cuddle buddy.

She enjoys instigating playful fights with our other dog Gina.

She enjoys ripping up paper items into a million shreds.

A few months ago we had a huge scare with her health. She went out to pee, and was walking strangely with her hind legs. She started going crooked, and was starting to run into things. We took her to a vet (sadly they consider themselves that,) and they tested and treated her for lymrs intravenously overnight. The next morning there was no sign of improvement and I was given the option to go to a neurologist or to put her down. I couldn't process doing that. I couldn't imagine not having her in my life. I'd only had her for less than a year. It didn't seem fair.

So I took matters into my own hands, and brought her to the vet that I'd originally wanted to see. We picked her up and I held her limp body in my hands. Crying, and fearful for what might happen.

The next vet put her on a cocktail of medicine and again kept her overnight. She couldn't lift herself up, except for her head. I fed her baby food, and we talked to her and told her to be strong and that she needed to fight really hard to get better. When we left she pushed herself forward, because she wanted to come. It was heartbreaking.

The next morning the vet called. She was back to her old self. I cried tears of joy and relief. We picked her up and you couldnt even tell just the night before she was unable to move. She was running around, jumping, full of energy and life.

It turns out she had tick paralysis, something that a specific species of female ticks carry. She had three ticks on her, something the other vet missed completely. It was a lot of money and an emotional strain on us during that time, and I can't believe how quick the vet was to give up on her...

I didn't possibly think I could love her anymore, but every day with her is a good day. I look forward to many more good days ahead with her!

     

Sticks And Stones

You've probably heard the idiom "Sticks and stones may break my bones by words will never hurt me." If you're like me, you think this is a stupid statement, and probably know very well how much words can hurt. As much as sticks and stones? I don't know, throw them at someone and let me know the results. (Joking.)

Has someone ever insulted you? If you're human and you've interacted with other humans, the answer is most likely yes.

Sometimes it's via the internet with total strangers, but often it can be from close family or friends. It can be a huge shock, and a huge blow to your self-esteem. Likely these people know your most intimate secrets, or the things that are most sensitive to you. 

The reason I'm writing this is because I had this happen to me recently. My anxiety/panic disorder is a touchy subject for me, I feel this constant battle to defend myself to others who don't understand what this is like. I've been professionally diagnosed with numerous doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists. So no, this is not something I've made up or self-diagnosed. When someone says something negative to me, even in the slightest tone my brain can twist it and distort it into something way bigger than it might actually be. It's not something you can turn on and off like a light switch, and definitely not something that can be solve with  "positive thoughts." At least not in the short term. 

When people insult you amiss an argument or disagreement, we can assume they're doing so out of anger. Does it make it any easier to take, or acceptable on their part? Absolutely not. 

It can go deeper than that thought. They might have unresolved issues, either with you or themselves. Insecurities that they've held in can get pushed onto someone else, in order to make themselves feel better. They insult you so that they don't have to look at their own problems, or accept their own faults.

Immaturity is also a key factor. When someone attacks you on a really personal level, it shows a lack of knowledge or understanding. We can't make people understand things from our point of view, if they aren't willing to try. The angrier the person gets, the more likely they'll hit you with low blows. Any bit of information they know, they try to use against you.

How can you handle an argument online? Don't retaliate with equally harsh words. It doesn't make you a better person to attack them back, and think once the argument ends, you can walk away clean; knowing that you didn't sink to their level. What you say online is there forever, even in the heat of the moment, it's good to take caution.

It's always important to pick and choose your battles. Sometimes it's best to step away from the situation, but at the same time you have to be able to stand up for yourself and defend in what you believe. If you're talking to a brick wall, state your opinion and then step away. You can only repeat yourself so many times before sounding like a broken record.

I tend to over-analyze an argument and replay it in my head. I've gotten a lot better with this through therapy. But I always think about places where I can apologize, or where I may have gotten carried away in the heat of the moment. We should be able to admit our faults. Even if we feel we haven't done wrong. 

The most important thing is to not let it get to you. Easier said than done right? I find that I need to de-stress after someone upsets me. Stretching, yoga, prayer, or watching a funny video/show can be just what I need to feel calmer. Laughter really is the best medicine.

So now for comments and thoughts. Do you have any tips for surviving an argument? Any lessons learned through your own experiences? What do you do to calm down and keep the replay of the conversation out of your head? Leave your comments below!


Proverbs 9:8 - "Do not reprove a ridiculer, that he may not hate you. Give a
reproof to a wise person and he will love you."


Moral of the story? Haters gonna hate.

Fall On The Horizon

East Coast weather is pre-menstrual. I swear. Or maybe it's just New York. We can experience four seasons within one week.

Yesterday it was 92 and humid as heck. Just the other day it was 60s and cold! I'm impatiently waiting for fall, as I shop for cardigans and scarves and anything layerable. So I really need this summer weather to hit the road!

I'm an inexpensive shopper. I have trouble spending a lot on something that I know I can find for under 20$ Yes, I said twenty dollars.

Right now Old Navy.com is having a sale. Save 20% using the code ONTREAT (ends 9/18/13)

Here's a look I created using items on Sale from OLD NAVY:

Marled 3/4 Sleeve Sweater in Neutral Stripe - 18.00

Rockstar Super Skinny Jean - $12.97

Floral Gauze Scarf in Wine Country - $8.00

Total: $38.97

What I love about this outfit is that it's easy to customize. Leave the striped shirt and you can change out the pants and scarves to anything you want!

Here's another look I created from 10 Dollar Mall:

10DollarMall.com

Chiffon Studded Button Down in Olive - $9.00

Essential Skinny Pants in Black - $9.00

Funky Metallic Lined Flats in Beige/Gold - $9.99

Total: 27.99

Colorblock Peplum Top in Tan/Black - $9.99

Essential Skinny Pants in Black - $9.00

Total: 18.99

The versatility of these black pants is endless. You can pair it with so many tops and always look sleek and polished. They are definitely a fall staple. 

What's your fall staple? What trend are you looking forward to rocking this fall? Let me know in the comments below!

Beginning

Starting something new can always be a bit awkward. And since at the moment my audience is probably just me, it makes it quite challenging to figure out where to start.

I've introduced myself in the About section. So take a look there if you're curious.

Otherwise, I'll tell you about my health challenges. I was tested for food intolerance's back in 2011, and came up high for wheat, gluten, dairy and peanuts. Literally the food that I consumed every day and loved so much. I was also a vegetarian of five years, and all I had to show for it was a dangerously low cholesterol and fat count. Not to mention severe anxiety and depression that slowly developed into agoraphobia. And I'll throw in a constant battle with acne since I was thirteen. (I'm in the process of checking my hormones.)

So I went home, and at the strong recommendation of my doctor, ate chicken for dinner and gave up all the foods that were making me sick, cold turkey. It was actually easy for me honestly because I had gone through bad anxiety before and I knew I didn't want to do it again. (For a year I had anxiety, it went away for a year and then came back with vengeance... I can't explain it to myself either.) My lovely mom went into research overload and learned how to cook gluten free. I did my fair share of research on food, health and anxiety too. Trying everything under the sun.

Without going into too much detail, it was a year of hell. Feeling miserable day in and day out. Seeing a doctor, therapist, psychiatrist, kiniseologist, neurofeedback specialist, and more recently a nutritionist.

I am feeling more human nowadays, but I'm not back to my "normal self." I still have a ways to go, but there are things that have helped me and continue to be a staple in my daily routine.

1. Bible research/personal study
2. Techniques I've learned in therapy.
3. Changing my diet, eating more appropriately for my needs and overall healthier (good fats, good fats, good fats!) 

4. Getting outside for a walk with my pup Riley, yoga, and any kind of exercise I can do.

5. Trying to get out of the house, for a ride or somewhere in particular.
6. Hobbies. Staying busy while at home. Sewing, upcycling, crafting, gardening, house projects, organizing, cleaning, cooking, baking....Just about anything to keep busy. I even started an Etsy shop - Cheeky Owl Endeavors as a way to simplify and naturalize my makeup and skincare. I could name many things that I've done as a way to occupy my brain...

For a year and a half reading and listening to music was a huge challenge for me..sounds crazy right? I could read things on the Internet but picking up a book and "relaxing" to read? Forget about it. I couldn't last five minutes. I'm happy to say that I'm getting back to these things and it's amazing.

I'd love to meet anyone out there who can relate on some level, undergoing your own trials. I hope that I can help at least one person to continue fighting to solve their own personal issues. Comment below about what you do daily to help yourself feel better...