Daily Check-in: July 14th, 2024 🎀

small break from my normal challenge posts to ask a question and get some feedback!

I’m going to start posting some language learning stuff and hopefully some study type content as well now that finals are coming up and during the following break I want to dive back into my language studies to keep my brain full of knowledge.

Can anyone recommend some resources and advice/tips?

I’m looking for (Mexican) Spanish learning resources, Japanese learning resources, and advice and tips on motivation to keep going with the language learning, some productivity and discipline tips, and just any advice and motivation you guys have in general? Even if it’s not language related and just school and study related, I would be so happy to hear from all of you guys!

I look forward to posting some more normal everyday content along side the study school and language stuff along with my challenge updates! I feel like I haven’t been keeping up with the normal content I want to post so I’m really looking forward to doing more of that now!

anywho, thanks in advance for the resources, advice, and tips! I appreciate all of you, lovelies 🩷🤍

Quick Update - July 30, 2023 🎀

I will not be posting check-ins for today or yesterday, as I have had an emotionally charged, difficult weekend, and I just want to focus on the week ahead and get back on routine.

Thank you, guys, for understanding. I'll post my next check in tomorrow night, and I think I'll post my current morning routine sometime this week as well!!

Til next time 🩷

Depop Shop!

hey girlies 🩷

I am trying to save money to help continue pursuing my college/university education as well as move into another rental at the end of the year and keep up with my health insurance payments and even just being able to buy groceries sometimes. So, I’ve started uploading things to my depop shop! Currently I have a handful of pairs of shoes that I’ve never worn/worn lightly that I am selling, and I will be uploading some clothes as well, and maybe some other things that I decide I won’t need. My depop does have a nickname similar to my first name on it, but I’m really hoping to get some extra money from this. Please reblog to help a girl out!!!

my link is:

feel free to send me messsages about anything I have posted and keep in mind I will be uploading more things soon! Will open up to worldwide shipping if necessary!

thank you lovelies 🩷

Recommendations? 🎀

Hey lovelies <3

Let's help some girlies out by commenting or reblogging with your favorite self care products! Could be skincare, makeup, hair care, body care, etc! I'm always looking for some new products/tools to try so I thought this would be a good way to spread some helpful info!

Here's a few of my favorites:

🩷 Skincare:

I love face masks and eye masks! My current favorite face mask is the Red Bean Pore Refreshing Face Mask by Beauty of Joseon and my favorite eye masks are The Creme Shop Work Hard Rest Hard eye masks!

🩷 Body Care

body scrubs/body butters! I love using two similar scents together! For the summer, I use Tree Hurt Tropic Glow scrub and body butter and for winter I use Dove Exfoliating Scrub in Brown Sugar and the EOS Vanilla Cahsmete Lotion.

🩷 Hair Care

No specific product recommendations for this, but I love oiling my scalp twice a week! It makes my hair feel and look so beautiful! I currently use The Ordinary Moroccan Argan Oil and I use a scalp massager to gently massage the oil onto my scalp after applying it with warm fingers.

Hair Masks!!! I love the Shea Mositure Raw Shea Butter Hydration Mask so much, I use it with conditioner on my hair oiling days and my hair has never looked better.

🩷 Makeup

I love the Essence Tinted Brow Gel because even if I don't do much makeup, it makes me feel and look a little more put together.

Same goes for the Ulta Beauty Gel Eyeliner in Dark Brown, it makes me look and feel so much better some days, and it's not super bold like liquid liner so I don't feel the need to use Mascara.

Lip Oils!!! Milani Fruit Fetish and Elf Revive are my two favorites!! I have Milani In Cherry Lime and Elf in Jam Session. So moisturizing and a bit tinted so it makes me feel so good when I have it on. Even when I wear a bare face, I always use one of these to elevate my look!

🩷 Miscellaneous

Vitamin/Mineral supplements! I only take ones I know will work for me or ones I'm deficient in. I currently take Vitamin D3 and Aple Cider Vinegar supplements but I am looking into taking Magnesium Gylcinate and Ashwagandha soon as well!

Self care hobbies and routines! My gentle morning routine, journaling, yoga, a wind down night routine, and reading informative books has been so helpful for me!

I'm personally looking for hair growth tips and tools (like the efficiency of silk hair wraps or silk pillow cases, hair growth oils and supplements, etc), any and all skincare tips and tools (like ice face rollers, are gua sha effective, etc), and even body care products recommendations as well!!

I hope this post helps others out too, with everyone sharing their products recs, tips, advice, favorites, and so on!

Til next time lovelies 🩷

Current Weekly Workout Routine/Split 🎀

I’ve been doing a mixture of different kinds of YouTube workouts in my bedroom, but I have specific types of YouTube workouts that I do on specific days.

💕Here’s my current split 💕:

💗Monday - Abs/Pilates Abs

💗Tuesday - Lower Body/Lower Body Pilates

💗Wednesday - Cardio Dance/ HIIT

💗Thursday - Upper body + Core

💗Friday - Yoga or Pilates

💗Saturday - Pilates or Yoga

💗Sunday - Stretching

I always do some form of a warm up video before my workout and some form of cooldown afterward (except for yoga or stretching days). My goal is 30+ minutes of working out a day, not including my daily walks to work during the week. I pre plan my week of workouts every weekend so that way I can wake up in the morning and know what to expect. I also like to lay out my workout mat and clothes the night before. It helps eliminate the need to exert much willpower in the morning.

If you have any fitness YouTubers you like that do stuff like pilates, yoga, K-pop inspired workouts, or workouts for leaning out, losing weight, and toning up, please recommend them to me!

Some workout YouTubers I’m already familiar with are Chloe Ting, Lily Sabri, Pamela Reif, Yoga with Adrienne, Move with Nicole, Shirlyn Kim, April Han, Vivian Yuan, Madfit, Boho Beautiful Yoga, Hinafit, and Mish Choi. I’m open to any other recommendations!

Thank you!!

For the ask game #6; What are your career goals?

My previous career goals were to be a Registered Dietitian, running my own facility for outpatient eating disorder treatment. I am someone who struggled with two types of ED's and I want to help people who are going through them too.

Right now, my goals have switched a bit, so I don't exactly know what my future holds, but I am still planning on working with ED recovery in a nutrition based setting. I have to get my masters to be a dietitian, and I don't know if I'll have the resources to do so. We shall see what the future holds!

Where Have I Been?

hello lovelies. so, I started the challenege, did one day, and all of a sudden I feel off the face of the earth. I fell into a bit of a depression, and while I've managed to pull myself out, life has been busy busy busy! This is probably the 2nd busiest week of the year (the 1st will be in August, and you'll find out why). Here's an update on life:

I fly to Colorado on the 16th, so....under 5 days now. I haven't packed or anything yet, but I plan on doing that either tomorrow or Thursday. And I have to clean and prepack for when I return because....

I signed a new lease for a new place to live! I'll have roommates who I haven't met yet (I'm taking over someone lease, actually), but my lease starts August 18th. I return from Colorado on the 14th of August, so....I'm going to be very busy once I return.

I decided to call it quits on getting a 2nd job. It's going to mess up the schedule with my first job, and it would only make me 200$ more a month, which I'm not worried about missing our on since I'll still sell stuff on depop once I return from Colorado and I'm going full time at my current job.

I've gone out to lunch with my dad a few times as well, it's been really nice hanging out with him and spending time with my dad. I lucked out in the dad department and spending time with him is one of my favorite things!

I've been debating going to San Fransisco in October for an XG concert, but I don't know if I'll have the money or ability to anymore. (thank you new apartment and all those fees and expenses!)

my anxiety has been terrible. I haven't changed anything about what I do, but I did squish a lot of anxiety inducing things into the span of two weeks, which....my bad on that. Now I know, don't do that to myself.

I bought new makeup! The juvias place bronzer, charlotte tillbury setting spray, nyx eyebrow stuff, and blush, ughhh I love buying new makeup, I just wish it didn't cost money!

I've gotten better at doing my makeup! I've had people not even notice I'm wearing it because it looks natural despite being like, a full face! Thank you perfect color matches on my skin tint, foundation, and concealors!

I went to two movies with a friend. We saw the new Strangers: Chapter One and the Planet of the Apes movie. Both were definitely good, in my opinion.

I now have to plan with my boyfriend for when he needs to come down here and get his stuff and work out changing the utilities to our roommates name since I'm leaving. I don't feel like it should be my job to coordinate that, but oh well. I guess it's too hard for him and his best friend (my roommate) to call each other for once?? Ugh, men get on my nerves sometimes.

I need to ask my dad and a friend to help me move upon my return, which also means I won't be able to work that weekend, which kind of sucks.

I need to declutter my room and start throwing away things I don't want or need anymore this week to make it easier on myself when I return from Colorado but hahaha I procrastinate a lot.

I'm stressed about paying rent. I'll have to pay rent for here and rent/fees for the new place before august and then September's rent for the new place, and my new rent is about double what I pay now. so yayy, adulting and finances. I don't feel qualified to be an adult, but here I am, age 21, an adult.

That's about it for now! Lots of stress, lots of anxiety, lots of stuff happening super close together. But that's life, I guess. Forgive me for my absence from my blogs. I also stopped studying spanish for now, and my routines are non-existent. Colorado will change that, tho, for sure. I do plan on updating a little more frequently once things settle down when I'm in Colorado. but for now, it'll be kinda here and there with my posting.

thank you for all the patience and kindness, lovelies. til next time 🩷

Current Skincare Routine(s) 🎀

I have a morning skincare routine and two separate night routines depending on the day of the week and what skincare products I use. For example, on a night I use my AHA/BHA toner, I do NOT use my retinal eye cream. I'll also include some tips that work for me at the end!

My skin type leans more towards Oily-Combination!

🩷 Usual AM Routine -

If I washed my face and did skincare the night before, I simply splash my face with cold water and pat dry with a clean towel. If I did not do my skincare the night before, I wash my face with the Cerave Hydrating Face Wash. This is the only face wash my skin likes, but I'm still looking for alternatives for my night routine!

Once I dry my face, I use the IUNIK Centella Asiatica Calming Gel Cream moisturizer. My skin loves this moisturizer. It helps with my redness and makes my skin feel so nice.

After that's soaked into my skin a bit, I rub in a layer of the Beauty of Joseon Rice and Probiotics SPF 50 sunscreen. I put this on my face and neck!

I typically apply a 2nd layer after the first one drys for some extra protection if I know I'll be outside for a bit during the day.

Cocoa Butter Vaseline or Blistex on my lips for some nice, not chapped lips before I do makeup and/or apply lip gloss/lip stick.

My morning routine is super simple and quick because I usually just want to get it done and move on with my morning. I still enjoy it, tho, because it makes me feel accomplished early on in the day!

🩷 PM Routine: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat

I have an app that breaks down my skincare routine so I'm doing this off memory and what I remember from my typical routine for these days, but I do know these four days are different from the others for sure!

Occasionally, I will double cleanse and use my Hiemish All Clean Balm to remove sebum and oil impurities, but I'm not sure how I feel about this cleansing balm yet.

I wash my face with the Cerave Hydrating Face Wash using warm water and do a final rinse with cold water. Of course, I pat dry with a clean towel. I am looking for a water-based foam cleanser to follow the oil cleanse, so if you have any recommendations, please let me know!!

I then use two cotton balls to rub some Cosrx AHA/BHA Toner along my face to remove dead skin and then I spray some of the toner on my face, patting it in gently with my hands. I have to be careful with my eyes cause it will burn them if I get it in my eyes.

While the toner is still a bit damp on my face, I pump some Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence onto my cheeks, forehead, chin, and a little on my nose and pat it in gently.

I let the essence dry a little bit and then apply some Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid serum while it's still damp. I pat this in as well, as it's better for absorption than just rubbing it in. I used to use the ordinary brand one, but omg, the Good Molecules one is so much better, in my opinion!!

I need to buy a new one, but occasionally, I'll use a niacinimide serum on my forehead, nose, above my upper lip, and chin as those are my more oily areas. I used to use The Oridnary Niacinimide, but I want to try to Good Molecules niacinimide.

Next, I use my Cerave Eye Repair Cream (the blue one) under my eyes for extra hydration while the hyaluronic acid absorbs into my skin.

Depending on how I'm feeling, I'll use either the Cosrx All in One Snail Cream or the Etude Soon Jung 2x Barrier Moisturizer to lock in everything. I usually choose the Cosrx Cream as I prefer it, but it again depends on how I feel!

A little bit of vaseline to end the routine so I can wake up with soft lips!

I feel like this night routine is more complex then my other night routine but it always depends on the products I use.

🩷 PM Routine: Tues, Thurs, Sun

I do not oil cleanse and instead just wash my face with the Cerave Hydrating Face Wash, patting dry after rinsing with cold water.

I then use some of the I'm From Rice Toner, patting it into my face. I layer this one on twice, being careful with my eyes cause this one will burn them like crazy.

I follow up with the Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence, patting it into my skin.

Next is the Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid serum.

After the serum dries down, i apply a quarter to a half pump of the Beauty of Joseon Retinal Eye Cream underneath one eye and another quarter to a half pump to the other undereye areas, patting in gently while avoiding my actual eyes. If there's any leftover I gently pat into the surrounding areas. I'm not sure how my whole face will react to retinal so I'm careful with this one.

I then rub some Cosrx All in One Snail Cream over my face to lock in all the other skincare products and moisture.

A little bit of vaseline to the lips to ensure smooth, soft lips when I wake up!

I haven't noticed a difference with the retinal yet due to my inconsistent use but I do like how it feels the first few times after I use it, so I plan on continuing it.

Now, for some Tips:

Pat your face dry, never rub it with a towel. Rubbing it causes friction and pulling on the skin while patting is way more gentle on the face.

Initially wash with warm water but always final rinse with cold water. A while back I heard this helps with your pores, so I've just always done it and it makes my skin feel nice, especially in the morning!

Try to use either paper towels or a departed face towel (not your body towel) when drying your face. I myself use a separate towel for my face that I wash 2x a week and my skin doesn't typically break out.

Brush your teeth before applying skincare! This way, you don't disrupt the skincare surrounding your lips when brushing your teeth, flossing, or using mouthwash.

Always wash your hands before starting your skincare routine to minimize bacteria getting on your face.

Always try to patch test and figure out what works best for your skin, never just use what's viral or popular because not everyone has the same skin type. I feel lucky that my skin typically likes most products, but my skin is very picky with cleansers. I haven't found a cleanser besides the hydrating cerave one that my face likes. (The B.Lab Matcha Foaming Cleanser was so stripping my face turned red and peeled in certain places, a definite no go for me.)

Korean/Asian based skincare typically focuses more on hydrating the skin, while Western skincare tends to focus more on drying out the acne. I personally, as you have read, love Asian based skincare. Most of what I use is Korean skincare, and I'm still looking to expand my skincare collection because I love it so much!

Do your research! When I find a product that interests me, I watch pintetest and tiktok reviews, read the reviews on the actual shopping app, and read as much as I can on the Asian Beauty subreddit before making a purchase. I also like to read ingredient lists, application directions, and details on products, and I always Google what products can and can not mix together. it's helped me determine what to buy and what not to buy, and so far, my skin has loved it!!

Try to wash your pillowcases at least once a week and avoid touching your face with dirty or greasy hands. Also sanitize/disinfect your handheld devices/audio devices (cellphones, iPad or tablets, headphones, etc), eye glasses/sunglasses, and really just keep anything that touches your face as clean as possible. All of this helps to minimize how much bacteria and dirt make contact with your face.

Research different things that may help with improving skin. Ice rolling, gua sha, silk pillowcases, physical exfoliates, face masks, etc. Look into stuff that might help your skin or make a difference in your skins appearance and health.

This should've been higher up, my apologies, but drink your water!! Staying hydrated on the inside definitely shows on the outside, and being hydrated is an essential component to health overall!!

Wear your sunscreen!! Apply it in multiple layers to both your face AND NECK, as both are exposed to the sun for long periods of time and can suffer from prolonged exposure without proper sunscreen application. Along that line, don't be afraid to apply skincare to your neck!! I've seen photos of older individuals who took care of their face and not their neck and the difference between face and neck skin was astounding, so I personally like to rub excess hydrating serums and moisturizers into my neck as well.

Don't pop your acne! If you do get pimples, which I used to get all the time tho it's slowed down a lot, use a warm/hot washcloth or something similar to apply heat to the pimple. This will help it pop naturally, although popping your pimples may allow for the oil, dirt, and sebum to spread to other areas which may cause more acne. Popping acne with your hands may also cause scarring.

Love your skin!!! Skincare results take time, and there's going to be ups and downs while trying to find what products work for you, so try to love your skin throughout the process. Acne and other skin issues are caused by things sometimes out of our control, such as genetics, hormones, climate and weather, etc, so try not to be too hard on yourself!! Things will improve, and if they don't, after some time, seek out a reputable and trustworthy professional for an opinion and better direction on how to care for your skin!!

Wishing you all the best!! Does anyone have any experience with ice rolling or Gua sha being extremely effective? I haven't tried either, but I am looking into it as I feel like ice rolling, especially, might be beneficial, but I'm unsure. And can anyone recommend any Asian beauty water-based foam cleanser that I can use after an oil cleanse? I fear that my cerave isn't enough to fully remove all the cleansing balm residue from my face, which might end up being detrimental to my skin health.

Also, let me know your skin type and products or tools you recommend, as I am always open to including new things into my routine!! I love doing things for myself so expanding my skincare routine is definitely an interest of mine!

Til next time, lovelies 🩷

Day 5 - 90 Day Challenge 🎀

I forgot to update last night with what I accomplished and I almost got confused with the days but Im going to say yesterday was Day 5? That just makes the most sense to me right now!

What did I accomplish yesterday?

🏋‍♀️ Physical Health

Read 1 Chapter of Fast Like a Girl

Slept a lot

took my morning and night medications

tracked my food in my journal

🧠 Mental Health

AM + PM Guided Journal

❤️ Emotional Health

took a lot of rest

📚 Intellectual Health

completed a homework assignment

asked for and was given an extension on the 2nd assignment

completed 1 chapter of Spanish lessons on Busuu

🏘 Adulting Tasks

found my social security card

🥰 Self Love/Care

sleeepppp

I was so tired yesterday, I slept so much because of how tired I felt which is so unusual. and I noticed my sugar cravings were at an all time high too? so odd. today's been better so far, will update Day 6 tonight <3

til next time lovelies 🩷

Daily Check-in: August 26th, 2024 🎀

first Monday of classes and it was a good day! It was super content packed so I was really tired as of like 2pm, but I managed to finish an assignment, and do some textbook reading and note taking. Didn't do as much as I wanted but I'm glad I did something. I booked a Japanese trial lesson on Italki to motivate myself to start studying Japanese again too!

🩷 What I Accomplished:

completed acct II assignment + submitted it

took notes + read (most of) chapter 1 for acct II

booked an italki lesson for japanese

requested an appointment with a study abroad advisor regarding summer study opportunities

picked up my new headphones (my old ones broke)

helped a friend who got really overwhelmed in our chem lab

drank lots of coffee without getting anxious

cooked a yummy, healthy breakfast

made a grocery list

purchased italki credits for future lessons

made a small payment towards my rent

morning skincare

morning journaling

wore a super cute outfit

💔 What Could've Gone Better

my friend didn't feel well, so no gym in the morning

drank lots of caffiene

spent more money then intended

didn't study japanese like I wanted

was super tired throughout the day

no night skincare

forgot to night time journal

💗 Stuff For Tuesday (August 27th)

study abroad appointment with advisor

study japanese minimum of 15min

attend acct II class at 9am

complete chapter 1 reading and notes for acct II + start chapter 2 (hopefully)

morning workout ✅️

look at intro to business class stuff

make new grocery list

work an ~8 hour shift

morning + night journal

morning + simple night skincare

I'm hoping Tuesday is a good, productive day for me! I love having good days so much, I'm so happy to be back to a sort of routine!

til next time lovelies 🩷