Update & One Year Anniversary.

I haven't blogged for about a month, so I figured I'd write a little to update everyone on what's going on in my life. We'll start with the bummer stuff. For those who didn't know, last year I was granted my dream job as a kindergarten teacher. It was a dream come true and I was the happiest I'd ever been in my entire life.

Some of my kiddos.

Sadly, at the end of the school year (last month), I was told I would not be able to come back next year due to budget cuts. It was really hard on me, but I'm okay now. But unfortunately, I am out of a job (kind of). I am actively looking for a job (preferably in Ventura County so I can move in with Adam). I've gone on two interviews so far, but have had no luck. In the mean time, I'm working a few hours a week as a nanny to one of the little girls who was in my class last year. I basically go over to her house every morning, feed her breakfast, pack her lunch, help her get dressed and do her hair, make sure she brushes her teeth and makes her bed, and drive her to camp (which is at the school I got fired from - kind of awkward). Her mom pays me very generously, but since I only work a few hours a week, it's still not enough to get by on my own, which is why I'm looking for more full-time work. If anyone knows of anything I can do, please let me know.

Now onto nicer things.

On the first of this month, my boyfriend Adam and I celebrated our one-year anniversary! We drove up to Monterey and stayed two nights at a charming downtown hotel. We had a few really nice lunches and dinners, went to the wharf and to Cannery Row, spent some time at the beach, and of course, spent a few hours at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which was amazing of course. Here are some photos from our trip:

On top of a really great vacation, Adam earned major boyfriend points with the thoughtful gifts he got for me. He got me a really cute pair of sunglasses and some bracelets from H&M as well as a copy of to Tao Te Ching, which is totally me. And when we got to Monterey, he took me to a TIFFANY'S(!) and got me this beautiful bracelet:

For him, I got a Game of Thrones board game, and two books. One of the books was personalized to include ourselves and some friends as characters! It's pretty cool.

I feel so lucky to have him in my life and I really hope we celebrate our anniversary every year for the rest of our lives. I've never loved anyone so much. :)

Recommended Facial Routine.

So, I've kind of been obsessing over my skin lately and trying all sorts of products to get it to where I want it to be. I've finally found a set of products that I'm really pleased with. (Keep in mind, my skin is on the drier side, rather than oily.) But if you have skin like mine, I highly recommend these products - and use them in this order!

1. First, make sure to pat your face down with water and use steam to open up your pores. This will make the dirt and oil easier to remove.

2. Cleanse your face with Neutrogena Power-Foam Wash. (This should be done every day, if not twice daily.)

 

3. Then exfoliate with Clean & Clear Exfoliating Scrub. (This only needs to be done two-three times a week. If it's done too often, it can damage the skin.) It gets of dry, flaky skin, which is great for those of us who have plenty of it! Oh, and it feels amazing and tingly, especially in the morning.

 

4. Next comes the mask. Masks can be done as often or as infrequently as you please, but I like to do them about twice a week. My very favorite that I have EVER tried is the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque. It's really inexpensive and works great. It feels so clean and smells so good. The best part is that you can feel it tightening your skin, and it's so easy to wash off.

5. As I've already mentioned, my skin is on the dry side so I always have to make sure to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! This should be done one-three times a DAY. I like to use Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer for my problem areas.

 

6. Last but not least: TONER, TONER, TONER! Toner is SO important and should be used EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU WASH YOUR FACE! Most facial products are designed to open up your pores in order to clean them out. Well, toner is designed to close your pores back up when you're done so dirt and oil can't find their way back into them when they're opened up. Any toner will work, but my toner of choice is Eau Roma Water by LUSH. You can just spritz it right on, and it feels amazing when you just feel kind of dirty.

Insane...

That is me. I am insane. Why? Because I actually feel like doing another wishlist, even though I just did one a few days ago. Today's will be from Forever21! (Every girl's favorite store!)

Formal dress.

Sunglasses.

Bracelet.

Flats.

Heels.

Wedges.

Sneakers.

Boots.

Sandals.

Casual dress.

Top.

And look at the back!

Skirt.

Shorts.

Pants.

Jacket.

Sweater.

Earrings.

Ring.

Bag.

Necklace.

Wishlist of the week. (Free People)

Each week I'll put up what I'm oogling over from a certain store. Each week's store will be different but I'll put up one thing from each of these categories:

• formal dress
• casual dress
• top
• skirt
• shorts
• pants
• jacket
• sweater
• earrings
• ring
• bag
• necklace
• sunglasses
• bracelet
• flats
• heels
• wedges
• sneakers
• boots
• sandals

Ok, I know... I'm neurotic. But I'm going to have fun with this. :)

This weeks store is... Free People! (BTW, I know I left off heels and wedges, but I didn't like any from the site. Sad face.)

Formal dress.

Pants.

Jacket.

Skirt.

Sweater.

Ring.

Earrings.

Bag.

Necklace.

Bracelet.

Sunglasses.

Flats.

Sneakers.

Boots.

Sandals.

Casual dress.

Shorts.

Top.

Yves St. Laurent

Everyone who knows me knows that I'm a little obsessed with high fashion. I studied a bit of fashion in college and I'm always keeping up with my favorite designers. Recently, in Vegas, I went to Yves St. Laurent and fell absolutely in LOVE with this pair of stilettos. They were black velvet platforms with crystals all up the heel. (I can't find a picture of them anywhere)! The saleswoman told me they were exclusive to Vegas and London. I've always been a fan of YSL cosmetics, but lately I've been so obsessed with YSL rings. A little look: