Ohhh hey! It’s been like a month or two since we have done a blog post! Life has just been so insanely busy for us both! Melissa and I are both Stay at home moms to entrepreneur husbands so that often translates to them working a ton! But we are back and are so excited to be here again! Thanks for always following along with us and giving us your love and support! We do appreciate it! I wanted to jump back into things and share my favorite things I’ve been loving this past month!

A Little Life Update

We recently moved in August, just down the street, but it still involved tons of purging, packing, organizing and unpacking! It’s been exhausting but also super fun! Our new house is super cute, has tons of natural light and we’ve been slowly starting to decorate it so stay tuned for more home decor posts!!

We also started homeschooling through a charter with my oldest daughter so it’s been fun, but also busy! We have soccer, Wild and Free nature groups and all kinds of fun field trips so it definitely keeps us busy!

And we went to Disneyland! It was so much fun! We enjoyed a week at our favorite place and it made our hearts so happy to see all of the Halloween decorations!

So that’s our little update! It’s been a busy but exciting season of life for us! A little break gave me some much needed time to get my creative juices flowing again!

My Favorite Things this Past Month

I wanted to share just a few of my favorite things I’ve been loving this past month! I always love when people share their faves because it gives me new ideas or products to try! So keep reading to see what I’ve been loving lately!

Books //

I try to make it an intention to read every day and sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn’t! This month I read two books and really loved them both!

The first book The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave was literally so good!! I even stayed up way past my bedtime two nights in a row to finish it! I don’t want to give too much away but it held my attention so well and was one of my fave books of the year!

The second book, Where the Grass Is Green and the Girls Are Pretty by Lauren Weisberger, bestselling author of Devil Wears Prada was a fun read! It’s about a college admission scandal, following your heart, and the reality of perfect lives! It was more of a fun read, but I really enjoyed it! I highly recommend both books!

Hair//

The next two things I’m loving are hair products! Since we live by the beach, we are constantly swimming in the oceans and pool! Our hair gets dry so we definitely have to keep it hydrated to prevent breakage!

I’ve been using the dae Monsoon Moisture Mask for the past few months and love it! It keeps my hair soft and silky! It also has clean ingredients, smells good and looks cute in my shower! I typically only wash my hair 2-3 times a week max so I just use a tiny bit of this every time and let it sit in my hair while I shave! My hair is definitely shinier and having less breakage!

My daughter’s have pretty wavy to curly hair, and my 5 year old has super long hair! It kept getting tangled and frizzy so I bought this leave in conditioner for curly hair by Verb and it works wonders! I just put a little in the hair after bath, brush through and let it air-dry! She gets perfect little waves with no frizz! It’s magic! I tried on my fine, straight hair and it was a little too heavy for me! So I highly recommend for wavy/straight hair!

Fitness//

With our move recently and a busy schedule it has been so hard to get consistent workouts in and I’ve been left feeling in a rut! I kept getting ads for Melissa Wood Health app so I decided to download and so the seven day free trial! I ending up loving it and now pay $9.99 a month for it!

The MWH Method is a series of slow controlled, low impact movements combining yoga and Pilates to sculpt long lean lines throughout the body. Her program offers pre and post natal workouts, beginner workouts and meditations and much more! I like that she has a schedule to follow so it keeps me on track and mixes it up! I’ve been following the schedule and then adding in an extra workout on days that I have time! It’s been so good and I feel refreshed after taking each class!

To add a little intensity to my workout when you for the challenge, I use these Bala bangles! I have them in 1lb and 2lb and love them! I also try to wear them while on walks! Such an added bonus!

Clothes//

I purchased a few things this month that I am loving! I’ve always been a big fan of one-shoulder looks and found this super cute top at revolve! It comes in quite a few colors and the material really surprised me! When I purchased I thought it was going to be a cotton t-shirt material, but it was actually a thicker polyester and spandex material! I like to wear it with my hair in a bun and some hoop earrings to give it that sexy peek of shoulder look!

I also love this ribbed workout sports bra and bottoms I got from Target recently! I’ve been wearing them non-stop and love the slate blue color! The ribbing is so cute and the high-waist super flattering! I paired it with this cute little open back shirt!

I’ve also been loving this billabong dress I got last month! You can wear it so many ways! I like to wear it with booties, a hat and a chunky cardigan! I’m wearing it with this little cardigan I picked up from Amazon and it’s such an easy and comfortable outfit! This outfit will definitely be a repeat and will probably be on my list of favorite things for a while! You can easily dress up or down!

And my last favorite clothing item this month was my Gap Cheeky High- Rise straight leg denim in black! I was actually going to order the Madewell Perfect Vintage denim in black because I love the fit, but I saw these on sale and figured I should give it a try! I’m so happy I did because I love them and got so many compliments on them! I wore them at Disneyland and they were so comfortable!! Highly-recommend! I would size down one size because they do stretch out as you wear them!

Randoms//

These PeapodMats Leakproof Mattress Pads! My oldest has been potty-trained for a few years now, but instill like to keep this mat over her mattress for extra protection! They are perfect for that potty-training time when you need some reassurance and accidents happen frequently!

I’ve also been loving line art recently!! I just purchased these prints from Etsy and they are so beautiful! These will go in my bathroom and were so inexpensive! You just buy the file, print at Office Depot/Staples and put in a frame! So easy and inexpensive!

Okay! If you made it this far, you are amazing!! Thank you! Hope you enjoyed reading and found some inspiration of books torneadnos things to try! These were just some of my favorite things this past month! Leave a comment below and let us know yours!

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Have an amazing week! You are loved, appreciated and beautiful!

Xoxoxo,

Kari

P.S. have you read our blog post about making your coffee be more sustainable?! You can find it here!

And just a disclaimer, we do make a small commission if you purchase through our links!  we are forever grateful for your support!

The post A Little Life Update and Some of My Favorite Things this Past Month appeared first on sunkissed & grateful.

I don’t know about you guys but one of my favorite parts of a skin-care routine is applying a mask. There’s just something so relaxing and indulgent about it! I love how it can instantly relax you, while also providing targeted relief for your skin. It’s a win-win in my book! Plus there are so many different types of face masks. You can focus on reducing pore size, improving texture or drawing out impurities! Whatever your skin challenge may be, there is a mask that can help!

Today, I wanted to share some of my favorite face masks to help reveal glowing skin, keeping skin feeling fresh and youthful all year long!

My Skin Breakdown

My skin is usually pretty low maintenance, but this past year it has definitely had more random breakouts and I feel like I’ve been struggling with texture and pore size recently.

I think wearing face masks (the COVID protection kind) has caused some irritation and breakouts in my lower jaw area so I’ve been really trying to focus on keeping that area cleansed and makeup free if I need to wear a mask for an extended period of time.

I also have pretty sensitive skin so I really try to use all-natural or clean beauty products that aren’t too harsh and won’t burn my skin! I once applied a super popular face mask and wore it for only 5 of the 20 recommended minutes and my skin was so red! It lasted two days and felt like I had gotten a really bad sunburn! Definitely don’t want to experience that again!

I feel like my skin is in desperate need of a good peel or a hydra facial since it’s been like 3 years since my last fácil treatment! But in this busy season of motherhood, it’s not always easy to sneak away for that! That’s why I love doing face masks! It’s my little at home spa-experience!

Mask # 1// Josh Rosebrook Active Enzyme Exfoliator Mask

Key Ingredients: Potent fruit enzymes that work to gently slough off dead skin cells, finely ground walnut shells to exfoliate and nutrient-dense plant oils and honey to restore moisture!

Directions: Gently apply in circular motions. Set 10 minutes to 1 hour, rinse with warm water and pat dry.

My Thoughts: The Josh Rosebrook Active Enzyme Exfoliator mask is a great detoxifying and exfoliating mask. I really love the way it makes my skin feel! It has some texture so when you rinse off you can definitely feel the exfoliation happening. I typically try and do this mask once a week when I feel my skin needs a little exfoliation and some brightening! My skin feels so good after wearing this mask, especially the next morning! After using this mask, I wake up with absolutely radiant and glowing skin, especially when I leave it on for the full 45 minutes! Because it does require a longer time, I typically use this on Sunday’s when I do a full self-care routine.

Mask #2 // Sahajan Brightening Mask

Key Ingredients: turmeric, hemp seed oil, and AHAs (the acids from orange, lemon and bilberry)

Directions: To a cleansed face, apply a thick amount of mask to the face and neck avoiding the area under the eyes. Leave on for 15 min. A slight tingling is normal. Your skin will absorb what it needs. Rinse off with warm water.

My Thoughts: I absolutely love the Sahajan Brightening mask! It’s actually one of my most used fave masks! I had actually never heard of this brand before but won a giveaway and received some of their products, including this mask, and noticed such amazing effects on my skin! I feel this mask really help increase the brightness of my skin, while also creating a smooth finish. I also love that you only need 15 minutes to reveal a refreshed glow! I am a true believer in this mask and will definitely purchase again!

Mask #3 // Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask

Key Ingredients: Natural BHA from White Willow Bark Extract, Pomegranate Enzymes and Pink Clay

Directions: Apply a thick layer over face and neck. Leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Use up to 3 times a week.

My Thoughts: This mask is definitely a splurge item as it is on the pricier side, but the ingredients and packaging are so clean, luxurious and good for the environment. The mask includes 3 sources of glow, 4 sources to refine pores, and 6 sources to smooth and soften skin texture. After using this mask, I definitely see an improvement in my akin’s texture and pore size, which are two main concerns for me! I love the scent of the mask, that it is gentle but works and that it’s made from organic and natural ingredients. So while it may be a bit pricey, it definitely delivers.

Mask #4 // ORGAID Vitamin C & Revitalizing Organic Sheet Mask

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C to brighten dark spots and patches, hyaluronic acid rejuvenates and plumps skin, and Orange peel and pomegranate to boost collagen.

Directions: On clean skin, apply the sheet masks 1-2x per week (20-30 mins) to give your skin an at-home spa treatment. Prior to using, pop your sheet mask in the fridge for a cooling effect! (Love doing this) And don’t forget to apply all that extra serum in the pouch to your neck and chest!

My Thoughts: This mask is a game changer! It’s $6 for one or you can purchase a pack! But honestly, I see such great results when I use this consistently. My melasma and dark spots have faded, my skin is glowing and even my furrow brow wrinkle has improved! Definitely will keep purchasing!!

Using these four face masks throughout the month has really helped my skin improve. I can definitely tell a difference in appearance of fine lines and pore size, as well as brightening!

I hope my review helped and that you can find a face mask that works best for you! Obviously everyone’s skin is different but I love reading reviews to get an honest opinion so I thought I’d share mine too! And don’t forget to wear your cute little headband to keep your hair mask-free and dry! I love these two options- polka dot bow headband and a three pack!

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For more skincare advice, be sure to read Melissa’s post about Dermaplaning!

Thank you for following along with us! We always appreciate your love and support!

Xoxoxo,

Kari

P.S. we do make a small commission if you purchase through our links. If you do, we greatly appreciate it and our so grateful!

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Dry Brushing 101

Dry brushing is a type of Ayurvedic medicine that has been around for centuries. It is said to have numerous health benefits, one of the most common being that it helps detox your body through lymphatic drainage. I actually first learned about it at a spa massage one time when the lady handed me a large wooden brush and said “Be sure to dry brush before we start your massage.” I was like dry brush? What is that? Haha but it is literally just what it sounds like, brushing your skin while dry.

It’s super simple: You take a body brush and use it to gently massage your body in an upward motion.

All you need is a wooden brush with natural semi-stiff bristles. I prefer using a bristle brush with a long handle to get those hard to reach areas, like your back, but you can also use a round brush with a handle to grip! You can literally get a dry brush from Target, Amazon or Whole Foods! They have them everywhere!

Benefits of Dry Brushing

There are many different benefits to dry brushing. Like I said before it originally was used primarily for lymphatic drainage. When you brush the skin without water, it helps stimulate the lymphatic drainage process, removing toxins and waste out of our systems.

Personally, I really love to dry brush to stimulate circulation and exfoliate. My skin feel so soft afterwards and it definitely has a glow. When you dry brush, you might notice your skin feels a little tingly and appears red. This is actually a result of increased circulation in our bodies, specifically where you have been dry brushing. Your body responds to the dry brushing by pushing more blood to those areas, thus improving circulation.

And of course, when you gently brush your body, you get the added benefit of removing all of the dead skin cells and build-up, leaving behind smoother skin with a glow! It also makes moisturizer go on smoother!

Additional benefits include:

• rejuvenates body and skin cells
• increases energy
• strengthens immune system by increasing the production of globulin
• promotes a sense of relaxation and calm
• helps to break down cellulite
• improves digestion
• boosts skin elasticity/ increasing collagen
• reduces ingrown hairs

Are you sold yet? I mean they had me on increasing energy and boosting collagen production! I’m all about aging gracefully so it’s definitely something I try to incorporate into my beauty routine at least 2-3 times a week!

How to Dry Brush

Dry brushing is super easy to do, but you still have to follow some steps to ensure you are getting the maximum benefits.

Here is what I typically do

1. Get Naked: I usually dry brush in the morning before I take a shower. So I take off all my clothes, grab my brush and start the process. It typically takes me 3-5 minutes depending how many strokes I do in each spot. I also do it in the morning because I notice it does give me a little bit more energy! I think the increased circulation helps kick start my day!
2. Make sure skin is completely dry.
3. Remember the golden rule of dry brushing: long, motions that go in the direction of your heart.
4. Keep a slightly firm pressure while you brush. You don’t want to brush too hard where you are getting little microcuts, but you do need to keep a gentle yet firm pressure.
5. Start at the top of your feet, brushing upwards toward your lower leg, then knee and thigh. When you brush the back of your thigh, continue the stroke over your booty and up to your lower back. I do this in one continuous motion.
6. For your stomach area, some people prefer to brush in a circular motion, but I like to continue with the long strokes! You can choose your preference here and do what feels best for you!
7. And for the arms, you follow the same direction. Brush the back of your hands, move towards the forearm, and then around to the upper arm. Don’t forget the upper inner arms because you have a lot of lymph nodes there and want to be sure you treat that area!
8. Now once you get to your chest and neck area, you will reverse the direction since you are above the heart. Also be extra gentle because this skin is pretty delicate. Start at the jawline and move down to your chest. Finish by going over your heart in a circular motion and you are complete! Voila!

It may seem complicated but it is really not. You just want to remember to keep a gentle, yet firm pressure and go towards the heart! If you want a visual, I found this cool graphic on Pinterest that will show you the directions!

For an added sensory experience, you can drop a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto the brush! I like peppermint, lavender and eucalyptus! It adds an extra tingle to the experience!

Post- Dry Brush: Hydrate!

After you complete your dry brushing, take a shower to rinse off all that dead skin! Your body will feel so invigorated and awake! A

Also, make sure you hydrate your body. Both inside and out! You want to drink a lot of water, as well as put on some lotion or a body oil. I prefer a body oil because they are non-greasy, my skin soaks them up and I find that the scent lasts longer for me! My favorite body oils are One Love Organics Botanical Body Oil, Osea Algae Body Oil or Young Living Cell-Lite Magic Massage Oil. You can also use the Honest Co. Body Oil for a more budget-friendly option!

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Let us know if you decide to try dry brushing! It’s been a game changer for me! I’m obsessed with the smooth, radiant skin it leaves behind!

Also, be sure you read Melissa’s latest post about her favorite home workouts and join in with us reading 20 books to celebrate Valentine’s Day!

Thanks for following along!

P.S. Just a disclaimer, if you click on the links above and purchase within 24 hours, we do make a small amount of commission! Just wanted to be totally transparent! xoxox

xoxox,

Kari

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