Products I Love for an At-Home Pedicure

When I started working as a CNA (and consequently walking 15,000 steps a day) I promised myself that every two weeks I would go get a pedicure to relax and get some relief for my feet. Well, pay days came and went and I found I had more important things to spend my money on, so I decided it was time to buy some products that would allow me to have the pleasure of a pedicure in the comfort of my own home--without breaking the bank every two weeks. 

Seeing as how I'm a pedicure connoisseur, I knew what products needed to be purchased to give me the real experience. And with my amazing little sister (who I bribed by offering to do her toes first) I was set! Here are the products I got--and LOVED. 

We also used a fancy little Epsom salt packet from Target--it was called aches and pains and both of the scents we chose smelled amazing! I'm not sure if it actually relieved any pain, but it sure did make the pedicure more fun for both of us. 

After soaking our feet for a bit we used the Essie so sole good foot scrub--all the way up to our knees. This was my favorite part. I'm not joking. To have a scrub massaged into your feet and legs just makes everything right in the world. We followed the foot scrubs with Essie swept off my feet nourishing treatment oil and a pumice stone to remove dead skin--can I just say that my sister did a better job than any spa I've ever gone to? I actually walked away with softer heels after this. We used the apricot cuticle oil to help soften the edges of our nails and push back our cuticles. Did you know it's easier to just buff them away with a nail buffer? We tried and it hurt less and made the polish go on way smoother. We followed with a leg and foot massage with Bath & Body Works true blue Shea butter super rich foot cream which really is super rich. It was so thick! I think we each used half of the (mini) bottle on each other. I will definitely be going back to buy the full size. After the pampering part was over she painted my toe nails, then cleaned up around them and sprayed them with this magic nail polish drying spray! It smells like baby powder, which I don't mind but my sister was not too fond of it. But considering it means you don't have to wait for your nails to dry I think it's worth 5 seconds of smelling baby powder! 

And that's it! Let me know what products you love to use for your at-home manicures and pedicures--I'd love to add to my collection! 

XOXO, 

Lindsay

How To: The Curly Girl Method

I've been following the Curly Girl Method (let's just call it the CGM) for about two months now! When I first heard of it, I was skeptical, to say the least. There was no way that washing my hair with conditioner only would actually work. I just KNEW my hair would get greasy and hang funny around my face, and that I would end up with an itchy scalp and smelly hair. I mean really, no shampoo? How does that even work?

Let me just tell you, it worked. My hair has returned to the curl I had pre-straighten-my-hair-everyday-because-blondes-don't-have-curly-hair myth. It's not frizzy, and it's totally manageable. Yeah, I still have bad hair days. Just kidding--I don't. Here's an infographic I found online of different curl types:

When I started doing the CGM, I would say my curl was about a 2b. I had a few ringlets, but they were few and far between. Since doing the CGM my hair has returned to it's original curly, about at 3a/3b. That's amazing!

I encourage all curly girls to use the CGM. And here's how:

Start by washing your hair with a sulfate shampoo. For the LAST. TIME. EVER. After you wash your hair with a sulfate shampoo (which will strip your hair of any parabens left from previous conditioners), throw it out. Never again will you let a sulfate shampoo anywhere near your gorgeous head of curls.

Find a paraben free conditioner. I've used both the As I Am Coconut Co-Wash and Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut--and both work. I prefer the scent of the Coconut Co-Wash, though. It smells amazing!

I co-wash (conditioner wash) my hair every two to three days. The process of co-washing your hair can be involved, but you'll get the hang of it in no time! There are three steps to this method, and trust me, you'll go through a lot of conditioner.

Step 1: Massage the conditioner into your scalp only. Don't worry about your ends right now. Rub it in for about 5 minutes. This will help to loosen any dirt and grease chilling on your scalp, and it will increase blood flow to your scalp which will in turn help with hair growth! After 5 minutes, rinse the conditioner out with as cool of water as you can stand.

Step 2: Load your entire head of hair up with conditioner, from root to tip. Make sure your hair is really saturated with conditioner. At this point, using your fingers (NOT A COMB) gently detangle your hair. Never pull on any knots, just work at them to get the tangles out. And did I mention that you DON'T USE A COMB?? I usually let this sit for a few minutes while I soap up and shave. Then rinse everything out, again with as cool of water as you can stand.

Step 3: Run a bit of conditioner over the ends of your hair and let it sit for a few seconds. Now, I choose to rinse this out a little bit, but I know others either don't rinse it out at all of only slightly rinse it out. The choice is yours. My hair isn't that dry and I feel like it would be too greasy if I left it in, so I rinse it out.

Great! So now that you're all done, you'll want to squeeze the excess water out with a gentle scrunching motion. When you get out of the shower, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT use a normal towel on your hair. That will make you frizzy! I use an old t-shirt to soak out the water. If I have time, I will use the plopping method, otherwise I will just scrunch my hair with the t-shirt. I follow up with a Shea Moisture  curl cream to keep my frizz at bay and really define my curls. After my hair has dried a bit I'll scrunch it a bit more to get rid of any crunchy pieces and help make my hair look a little fuller!

Since I'm still a little knew at this, let me know in the comments below what your favorite products are for the Curly Girl Method!

XOXO,
Lindsay

5 Reasons I LOVE Type 1 Diabetes

Yeah, I said it. It's hard to believe, but I have been incredibly blessed in my life since my diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

One of my dear friend's son's was just diagnosed this past Sunday with Type 1 Diabetes. This is for her. This is for all of you newly diagnosed diabetics, the parents of them, and even for those who have become burnt out by the disease.

Let me tell you this: we can ALWAYS have hope. And that hope will give us peace, and joy, and bless us abundantly.

So, here are 5 reasons why I'm GLAD I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I encourage you to come up with your own list! It truly will help you.

1. It has continually strengthened my relationship with Christ. And I'm not talking about just when I was first diagnosed, although I do attribute that to the beginning of a true relationship with God. Throughout my journey with diabetes, I have been consistently reminded that God is there with me. Each day I'm reminded of His great love for me, whether it's relief that my blood sugar didn't spike after pizza with friends, or as big as His healing hands touching me for a moment, I know without a shadow of doubt that He is there with me.

2. I am a more responsible young adult. Than you'll ever be. No, I'm kidding. But seriously, without diabetes I don't think I would be the responsible young woman that I am. I know not to push my limit, and I can do so without feeling pressured by peers. Heck, I know what my limit is!! Yeah, diabetes caused me to grow up too fast, too soon, but looking back I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

3. Free stuff in the mail!!  I mean really, this is the best part, isn't it??? I love coming home to a package from JDRF (or I used to...sad face). I remember once some diabetes organization sent me a backpack--and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Luckily I still get free stuff from my doctor's office, so it's all good. Still a perk!

4. When I'm feeling weak, I can just look at myself and know that I am STRONG. We all have those days, where we just feel like the entire world is conspiring against us. You don't? Life is rough. We get down. But because I have diabetes, and I've made it fourteen years with this autoimmune disease without any complications I can stand in front of the mirror and say to myself, "Lindsay, you've got this."

5. I know I can accomplish any goal I set my mind to. I've managed to lower my A1c from 10.3 to 7.6 in three months. That's incredible. That takes determination. Drive. Motivation. And I did it. I. DID. IT (with the help of God).  Who's to say I can't do whatever else I decide I want to do?

So, fellow diabetic friends, diabetes is rough and there's absolutely no getting around that. But when you pause to reflect on your life, take note of all the amazing things diabetes has brought you! (Namely free backpacks in the mail).

I want to take a minute to share this with you--the GoFundMe page for my friend's son. Karissa is an amazing mom and a strong Christian woman and I know that she will do a great job caring for her son. Diabetes is expensive, insurance or not. A lot of things helpful for controlling diabetes aren't covered by insurance. If you feel compelled in your heart to help financially, it would be very appreciated. If you can't offer financial help, prayers for her family and her son are so so so appreciated.

XO, Lindsay

June Favorites!

I say this every month, and I'll say it again: but I absolutely cannot believe how fast the last month has flown by! Anyway, I want to share with you my favorites items from this month! Most of these I've been using for years, literally YEARS, and I absolutely swear by them! 

OPI Nail Strengthener

I'll be honest, I didn't use this through the whole month. I started using it about halfway through the month after I read this girl's blog, and wow! has it changed my nail game. My nails have been so brittle lately, but they've been growing like weeds since I've been using this stuff! 

Journaling 

I have a newfound love for journaling. Everyone always told me I should do it but I never took the time to actually sit down and write. But it is so relaxing to take a minute to do it! I'd encourage all of you to go get yourself a pretty little journal and take just five minutes a day to spell out what's on your mind. 

Back Massager

I'm not really even sure what this magical thing is called but it. is. magical. My back gets so many knots in it from pushing and pulling and transferring people all day that by the end of the week I can barely stand up straight. This little nugget has saved me. 

Sweet Pea B&BW Hand Sanitizer

Another lifesaver for my job. It's so much less drying than the hand sanitizer we have in the halls at work, and it smells way better too. And let's be honest-- there isn't always time to find a sink and scrub the nitty gritty off your hands before you move onto a new patient! 

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

This lotion is the only lotion that actually keeps my very very VERY dry skin hydrated. I've been using it for a few years now and there is no turning back for me! If you want a lotion that hydrates, without leaving you greasy, and soothes without burning, try Aveeno. 

xoxo

Lindsay

About Me

I'm Lindsay Raeann, a 21-year old from (sometimes) sunny Northern California. I grew up in the wee town of Petaluma and never left. I'm working towards my Bachelor's degree in Nursing, and hope to one day find myself working in a hospital. I have a huge passion for helping teen girls realize their true beauty and full potential--something my beautiful momma instilled in me from a very young age. Speaking of my momma, she's the inspiring woman who made me who I am today, and for that I owe her my life. 

I'm the proud Auntie of two sweet babes--Bailey and Joseph. We welcomed them into our family earlier than expected on 8/2/2014 and have loved every minute of their smiles, coos, and giggles. They're the light of my life and I cannot imagine two better parents for them than my brother and sis-in-law! 

I love Jesus more than life, and I have my sweet momma to thank for that. From the age of 2 I've been in church every Sunday, singing in the choir, and passing out cookies after church. I try to live my life in a way that inspires others to be the beautiful people God created them to be. I love curly hair and pink lipstick and a sunny day at the beach. I love loving others. I also love my mom's homemade pecan pie.