My Water Challenge

It's time folks! I'm hopping on board the water train.

I used to be so good about drinking water, but the past couple of years, I've failed. I can see it most in my skin and laugh lines around my eyes etc. Maybe it's all part of the aging progression (I am 2 years over the 30 hump - Ugh!) or maybe I laugh and smile a lot (I do!), but there's no denying that there's a significant decrease in the hydration of my skin / lips....and I use face lotion every day of my life.

Have y'all seen this article where a woman drank 3 liters of water a day for 4 weeks, and it took about 10 years off of her life? I read it a couple years ago, and still think about it. From clearer tone to plumper skin under her eyes and a decrease in dark circles, the change was remarkable... and I'm completely sold! 

Ok, let's set the exterior benefits aside for a second 😉 - 60% of our body is made up of water. We need water for all of our organs in our system to function properly. Water helps regulate our bodies temperature, it cushions and lubricates joints, organs, and protects our spinal cord, tissues and our brain, it helps rid our body of waste and it aids in digestion. With all that being said, it also, increases energy, boosts our immune system, flushes out toxins (which reduces the risk of kidney stones and UTI's - FYI!) and aids in weight loss. ALL amazing benefits to this "magic" liquid and reasons why it needs to be consumed more often.

Here's my problem, I load up on coffee all morning and forget to drink water, then in the evening....wine please! Both of my drinks of choice are dehydrants - whyyyy?!! So, I'm taking this challenge head on! For one month, I plan to drink at least 100 oz of water a day. 

My plan: 
I'll drink water first thing in the morning when I wake up (before coffee!) to help flush out toxins that have been in my system while sleeping, and 32 oz of water before each meal. I am not willing to cut out my glass of wine in the evening, so I've decided that when I have a glass of wine, I will drink 20 oz of water.

If you decide to take the challenge along with me, be sure to keep me posted on how you're doing, and also what changes you've noticed in your body!

xo,

Malina 

Loving Lately | Jewelry Styles

Earrings, bangles, necklaces and rings, these are a few of my favorite things...🙂

An outfit is never complete without beautiful accessories. Below are some pieces I've been oogling over lately. Some of them run high in price, but a lot of them are created by artists, which makes me more prone to spend money on them, as I want to support creatives and their beautiful work.
Oogle away followers!

1. Jubilee Tassels St Armonds Designs - $29.50
2. Antler Tip Classic Necklace in Mist Twig and Twine - $185.00
3. Tassel Drop Earrings with Knot by Sugar Fix at Target - $12.99
4. Greatest Ever Ivory Statement Earrings - $22.00
5. Bora Bora Seafoam Hearne Dry Goods Co - $90.00
6. Statement Chokers, African tribal necklace Havana Flamingo - $55.00
7. Cowrie Collar Necklace Twine and Twig
8. Buttercup (yellow) Hearne Dry Goods Co - $90.00
9. Air Layer Necklace Set Twine and Twig - $125.00
10. Dusty Rose Cotton, Double Fringe Love All Things Lovely, Macrame for the Modern Wild Child - $36.00
11. Rose Quartz Ring ByCilaJewelry - $24.00

Love All Things Lovely, Macrame for the Modern Wild Child is one of the more unique online shops I've discovered lately. She has SO many beautiful and affordable necklaces on Etsy! Her jewelry is sure to pop on any outfit - they are definitely statement pieces. Be sure and check her shop out!

Love,
Malina
xoxo

Applying Mascara

I love mascara! It's a beauty must-have for me, and I do not leave the house without swiping my eyelashes a few times. I believe the magic is in the shape of the brush wand, BUT I also believe the way you apply the mascara is key too.

The Wand Brush

A full / straight wand brush is where it's at! I've tried the curved, angled and small ones....none of them have worked on my lashes. 

Picture of brushes from Allure

Application

I know applying mascara sounds like common sense, but I do believe the application sets the tide! I never curl my eyelashes with an eyelash curler. If you apply the mascara like I discuss below, you shouldn't have to either. 

Steps

1. I dip the brush a few times in the bottle first. Once I'm ready to apply the mascara, I start at the top lashes, in the inner part of the lid - right where the root of your eyelash meets the lip. I hold the wand on the lip for a couple of seconds and move it left to right a few times.

2. I then comb/lift the brush up through the lashes very slowly.

3. Once the brush gets 3/4 of the way through the lashes I hold it there, move it left to right again, and then I very lightly blink. I repeat this several times until I'm happy with the thickness and length. 

NOTE: Depending on the occasion I sometimes swipe on the opposite side of the lashes as well. I will do this in between coats. This creates a fuller and darker lash effect. 

I never put mascara on my bottom lashes. The top lashes leave a touch of mascara on the bottom lashes, and that is enough for me. 

My Favorite Brand / Kind

I'm pretty picky when it comes to brands of mascara. I've tried so many of them! Believe it or not, Neutrogena makes an amazing mascara called Healthy Volume - it's made with olive and almond oil. I've been addicted to it for the past couple of years. I love my lashes very dark, so I always choose the color Carbon Black. 

Waterproof mascara is so difficult to take off, and can cause breakage to the lashes, so I always buy regular, which washes off really easily with just soap and water🙂. 

xo,

Malina