The only thing I want my skincare to accomplish is making sure my face looks somewhat alive during my Zoom classes—that's not too much to ask, right? Well, as the season transitions, my skin has actually been doing quite well considering how dry it usually gets. Maybe it's because I have more time to dedicate to self-care and more time to consider what I'm putting in my body that might be affecting what happens on my face.
It's always a constant experiment, but I think I have it down to a tee because there are only a few new additions to my skincare routine. I don't always want to achieve the "glowy" skincare look, but my face has favored the extra moisture and I'm just rolling with it!
Drunk Elephant
My absolute favorite new addition to my skincare has been Drunk Elephant's array of cleansers, which I have to say are not financially the best products to choose (I always refer back to the Cera Ve cleansers), but I got these mini trial sized products and cannot get enough of them. Before you go and look up how much the Drunk Elephant Polypeptide Cream really is, for someone who has extremely sensitive skin to the point where most moisturizers make it burn—this has done wonders. I will keep buying trial sizes until I end up convincing myself to get the full size container. It also came with the silkiest makeup remover, which is the Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter and it sounds as delicious as it is effective. You apply it onto your dry and dirty skin at night and everything just vanishes. No rubbing, no burning, and no grime.
First Aid Beauty
First Aid Beauty is F.A.B. in so many ways. First of all, I can always score on products at TJ Maxx, who doesn't love a good deal? And it is always my default when I'm looking for hydrating and exfoliating products because I know it won't harm or be abrasive to my skin. The Facial Radiance Polish is like no other St. Ives product you've used. There are no harsh beads, but just flecks of natural shea nut shell powder which is biodegradable and supports your skin barrier. The height of summer left my skin a bit loved by the sun, so I revert to the Ultra Repair Cream on days when scaly hands, arms, and even my face arrives this fall and winter. To have the ultimate eye lift and de-puff, I've still been using the 5 in 1 eye cream which apparently tackles five common signs of aging!
Other Hit Favorites
Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask —Origins' products have always been a classic go-to when it comes to finding a charcoal mask for anyone who is prone to breakouts, oily skin, and visible pores. You can always find Origins products at TJ Maxx, as well, so check there first! Any of their products are worth trying out, especially their masks and exfoliants.
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Face Serum —This was a bougie little trial size I received from Sephora. I'm not too keen on using serums, probably because I associate serums with aging, but I've found my skin to be much more perkier when I use this on my cheeks and neck.
Cera Ve Tinted Hydrating Sunscreen —Cera Ve was a new discovery thanks to Tik Tok, but I already knew their eye cream took the cake. When I found out they made a tinted sunscreen, I was all on board. It's one of the most affordable skincare and safest brands out there. The only downfall of this sunscreen is that they do not make any other shade, which is a missed opportunity. However, It was perfect for daily application during the summer and I'm trying to be more active using sunscreens all year round.
I've probably invested more in skincare than I have in makeup this year, which might not be such a bad thing. What products check out on your autumn vanity?
I have become indifferent to rainy days, mostly because nothing requires me to go out and about these days, but often times I enjoy listening to the rain out my window. There's no pining dread of having to leave the house anymore and do your hair just for it to get humid and frizzy. However, one reason I haven't been fond of rainy days is because my productivity level plummets and my motivation level digs itself a deep hole. Rainy days get a bad rap because we associate happiness with sunshine and warm weather—what's not to love?
On days when the storm hits, and in Chicago sometimes weeks, it's important to not treat rainy days as necessarily bad days. I know a lot of people who find joy from laying in bed all day, watching Netflix, and getting all snuggled up. As much as I wish that's what is was like on a Thursday morning, there's work to be done and things to check off the to-do list. At least in my mind, it's easy for us to hit the snooze button when there could be so many great things happening around us. As someone who loves to be engaged in new activities and adventures, there have been a lot of socially distanced events and things to do in the city on a not-so-sunny day.
Things to do during fall in Chicago...
My family was able to secure reservations at the Art Institute to visit the new Monet installation of over 60 of his iconic pieces. Art museums, and museums in general, are always my place of choice on a rainy day. It's always refreshing to become exposed to new mediums, new art, new work, and new ideas. I always fall in love with the intricate landscape paintings he's done, especially the Lilypads. Living in Chicago has allowed me the luxury to visit these exhibitions that not many people often get to see, and they had just recently opened the museum in September to the public, click here to learn more. 
Fall Feels...
Lately I've been feeling the fall vibes more than I usually do. Fall can sometimes make me feel more anxious than other months because of the impending doom of winter, but this year was different in that I was excited for my senior year to start. When I'm working on homework or even writing on the blog, I always have music playing—my fall vibes playlist, of course. There's something cathartic about selecting all of the sweater weather songs and artists who just fit the mood of rainy days, falling leaves, and cozy nights in. From Fleetwood to Vance Joy to Maggie Rogers, I've got you covered. Follow my fall feels playlist on Spotify, here!
I have got to stop thrifting when I'm bored, but I just can't help myself. The thrill of the thrift is SO REAL. I have found some pretty good items when I'm least expecting it. The top items I look for are picture frames, blue Ball mason jars, and books, books, and more books. I am not a book worm. I never was and I never will be. However, books are so much cheaper at thrift stores! Who knew. Books allow me to escape. Escape Tik Tok, the news, my own thoughts, and I can delve into a world unbeknownst to me. Thrillers are the best page turners and for awhile I struggled to lift the page past the cover. I am currently reading The Girl On The Train, by Paula Hawkins. It's a bit dated and I'm definitely late to this train, but so far it gives me chills before I go to bed.
This one is kind of a doozy, but updating your resume and getting your career sh*t together always helps, and a rainy day is perfect for tackling it. Either that, or building a portfolio or archiving your emails is always a productive way to spend a rainy morning. I know you don't want to do it, but let me tell yuh, your future self will thank you! Rainy days don't have to make you sad, and they don't have to be unproductive either, but I hope some of my suggestions inspire some new fun ideas for making the most of the seasonal blues. The weather's changing, but that doesn't mean your mentality should suffer because of it. What are some things you do on rainy days?
And just like that, we're in September...
Summer felt a lot like limbo and not being so sure as to what to do with my time. August, being my favorite month, of course, always blinks past while fall sneaks around the corner. I have to say, being in lockdown has had its benefits. One being, I'm not overly anxious going back to school. Partially because I know I'll be home for awhile until I can move back into the city, but also because I just cannot wait for cozy nights in and Harry Potter marathons with Cooper snuggled up after a long day of online learning. I will miss football season actually. Even though DePaul doesn't have a team, it's the spirit that brings out the true fall feelings, amirite?
It was really easy to just stay home when we were told to stay home, but me and so many others are itching to get out and take advantage of the summer time there is left. However, I feel like things are slightly shifting to a new "busy normal," with many schools already back in session and peaks of falling leaves and cooler evenings approaching. So, here is my monthly roundup:
01. Begin planning for my senior year. Now that moving is out of the question, I've been getting acquainted with my professors and their way-to-early syllabus postings that I cannot ignore because I'm Type A and need to prepare, as you know. This year will be different, but I'm going into it with an open mind, more excitement than anxiety, and ready to enjoy my last year of college. I've been so uptight and structured these past three years, so I am ready to manifest a go-with-the-flow mentality—as quarantine has taught me so well. I have two internships already under my belt, so I am ready to take on my next professional journey come winter or spring.
02. Taking my camera out more. I will be fully honest—I have failed at being more creative with my photography skills. For one thing, iPhones are great for photography, so whenever I think I need my camera, I opt for my phone instead because it's easy to use and is always on me. Being at home has been uninspiring to say the least, and I'm kicking myself for not bringing it to Oregon last week (yes, I had a fun getaway out there!). Maybe it's the limited number of lenses I own or lack of motivation to switch up my style. I mean, photography takes. time. I want to start doing more creative flat lays, possibly interior themed posts, and find a new style that I like shooting.
03. Start a running goal. I quit my yoga membership recently due to the pandemic and haven't been inspired to start it back up again. I feel at my most healthiest and motivated when I actually want to be doing yoga, but it has felt repetitive, so I got into running on the treadmill and around my neighborhood to switch things up a bit. I found out that a vibing playlist does wonders for people who get bored while they run like me. I get up early and make a goal to run at least a mile straight to boost my energy and usually my mood is set for the day. For a while, I felt like I was in an inactive funk, but I think my body just craved something else, and that's okay!
04. Thrifting, thrifting, thrifting! My sister Melissa and I have been super into thrifting this summer (socially distanced, of course) and there's something about the thrill of the hunt. Not only is it exciting, it's also sustainable! Usually, I'm not looking for anything in particular, but big blue mason jars have been at the top of my list. You can find me in the knick knack section going through all of the picture frames, that are far too overpriced regularly, or at the book section. Clothes can be tricky, but I just found a pair of Sorel boots, which I am actually selling on Poshmark, and you can check out here!
That's my month for you all! Pretty laid back before classes start. It's hard to look even a week ahead nowadays, does anyone else feel that way? How does your September look?
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