kapachino

Category: personal

  • updates to my natural beauty routine

    natural beauty products / kapachino

    Last year I wrote a long post about all the natural personal care products that I use. Recently I’ve made a few changes and wanted to share those with you. I still stand by all the products in my original post, and if a change is not mentioned, I still use them.

    Face

    The only change I’ve made to my facial care is that I’m now using handmade body butter as a moisturizer at night, and in the morning too if I feel extra dry (which is often, during the winter). I also started using a tinted moisturizer during the day, but I consider it more of a makeup item.

    Makeup

    My skin has been too dry recently to use powder foundation; all my little wrinkles were standing out clearly. I switched to Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer with spf, which has a light coverage but it gives me just what I need. On top of that I still use a little powdered sunscreen to take away the shine and set it in place.

    Right now I’m using bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara. I think it’s just as good as Tarte Lights Camera Lashes (what I’d been using before) and it’s cheaper.

    I also added a brow pencil, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, to the mix. I’m in love! My eyebrows have been thinning as I get older and this looks so natural but really defines my face.

    Miscellaneous

    I started using Everyone Lotion for my body (apart from face). It’s perfect.

    I carry around Honest Company lip balms. Still love Lanolin but these are easier. :)

    Two things I’d like to try:

    1. A physical facial exfoliator, like a Clarisonic Mia, or maybe this cheaper version by Olay. Anyone have either of these? I wonder why there is such a price difference?

    2. Lipstick! I’ve never worn it, but I think it might be fun for church and outings.

    Anyone use any of these products? Anything else I should check out?

  • taking time for yourself

    taking time for yourself / kapachino

    I have alone time on the brain this morning because I have a day off work, during which I planned to get lots done on my projects that I can’t do with the kids around, but Liam has perfectly timed his second round of pinkeye to coincide so instead I’m on motherhood duty again.

    Recently David and I both took a personality test and we had a date to discuss the results. It was fun! One of the aspects of personality it measured was introversion/extroversion. This has to do with what energizes you – alone time, or being with other people. Unsurprisingly, I scored high on the introversion scale. (Yet my personality type – ISFJ – is usually very social, which explains why I love to connect with others so much.)

    I’m very tempted to feel guilty by my need for alone time: if I love my husband and my kids, shouldn’t I want to spend the most time with them possible? Especially since I work and our time is already limited?

    But it was a mind-blowing discovery for me in recent years when I realized that, being an introvert, I really need time to myself to recharge. It’s an act of self-care. And I’m not going to be a very good version of myself for my family if I don’t get it.

    Unfortunately, that time is extremely hard to come by as a mom, as most of you probably know – whether you work or not. I think back to before I had kids and I wonder: what did I DO with myself? Why didn’t I get so much more done? Why didn’t I do all the things??

    Have you heard the saying that no one is going to GIVE you time to yourself, so you have to take it? That sounds kind of aggressive, but I think it’s mostly true (except sometimes my husband or my parents or in-laws intuitively know when I need a break and help me out).

    David is an extrovert, and in addition one of his top love languages is quality time. So it doesn’t naturally occur to him that I might want alone time, and that’s why communication is so important. I think he is finally starting to understand, although he still can’t relate and has had to learn not to take it personally. But he has been supportive all along, and every weekend he tries to give me a large chunk of time alone. During this time he usually takes the kids on an adventure – something fun or just running errands. (Don’t ask me about naptime; it’s a sore subject.)

    I don’t get alone time much at all during the week the way our schedule goes (mostly because I go to sleep at the same time as the kids – maybe one day that will change), so this break on the weekends is critical for my sanity. I notice that when I don’t get it – like when David is sick, or we have too many commitments scheduled – I start to get irritable and depressed.

    Liam basically a toddler now, but what about when you have a little baby? Do you think it’s possible to have restorative “me” time WITH your baby? I think yes, to a point. You can’t do every solo activity you might want to with the baby around, and you don’t get the mental break of freedom from caring for others, and you might not get a break from all the touching. But until the baby is mobile, I feel like I can go a lot longer without having complete alone time. (Now, if it’s just me and Liam, constant vigilance is required and it’s not relaxing at all.)

    What are your thoughts on alone time? How do you fit it in? What activities do you do when you do get time to yourself, and what about when you’re with your baby? I’d love to hear also from moms who are extroverts – do you still feel like you need breaks like this?

  • currently

    say i love you print

    print above by Maidae

    Currently:

    recovering from a(nother) stomach bug

    eating the BRAT diet

    revamping my natural makeup routine with some updated products

    listening to Mr. Penumbra’s 24-hour Bookstore on audiobook

    relieved that Meredith’s most recent phase of daily tantrums seems to be over with and she’s back to her sweet self

    loving the happy and playful phase that Liam is in

    relaxing during this week off of exercising

    planning my new fitness routine

    anticipating the weekend with no major plans

    thinking about making Valentine’s cards like this

    working on my vision board for one little word

    designing blog business cards

    posting a happy thing each day this month over on Instagram

    what are you up to?

  • thirty-three

    Today is my birthday! I am 33. I love the number 3 so I just know this is going to be a good year. And Meredith is excited because she thinks I’m the same age as her. ;)

    I wanted to do a fun post to commemorate the day. There isn’t anything special going on because I have to work and am going to Bible study tonight; and in fact, it was a terrible morning, the worst in recent memory and I already cried once (ah parenthood!), but I am trying to move past that. Last weekend we went out to eat at Cheesecake Factory with my family, my work had a birthday lunch for me yesterday with cake, and this weekend we’ll be having a birthday dinner with David’s family. So that is all really fun.

    Here are some things that were on my birthday wish list. I’m definitely not getting them all, but wanted to share regardless:

    birthday wish list

    1. There are some makeup products I’ve been wanting to try. Using a gift card I purchased this mascara (I needed a new bottle and wanted to see if this measures up to my favorite) and got a sample of this tinted moisturizer. So far I’m loving it and I have the full size on the way. I have also been noticing in the past year that my brows are kind of thinning so I’d like to try out some sort of brow…pencil? I don’t know what you call it because I have never ventured into this arena before. Anyway, this is the one I think I’m going to purchase at some point.

    2. I just really, really want to treat myself and wear amazing underwear. A set of these briefs is expensive but I’ve been saving up and I think I might take the plunge.

    3. Knitting classes and supplies. I already mentioned that my mom is getting me this. It’s even more special because it’s something we will do together.

    4. Earrings. I am a stud-wearing girl, but I seem to always be losing one earring so at the moment I only have a pair of gold ones that I love. I mostly wear silver though, so I really want some small studs like this.

    5. Spa services. Pedicure, massage. Always appreciated.

    6. A running jacket. This looks like a good one. Right now I’m borrowing one from a friend but I’d like to get myself fully geared up for year-round running. (I’d also like more tank tops and shorts for summer as well as a new sports bra.)

    I didn’t want David to really spend money on me because we are trying to be smart financially, but he did get me flowers and a super sweet card and a Starbucks gift card. He can’t help but treat me a little bit and I love him for it! What I asked for from him is for us both to take this Myers-Briggs personality type test, and then to discuss our results in depth while on a date (which is happening this weekend). I feel like we know each other pretty well, but I think this will be fascinating and informative, while also helping us communicate better and strengthen our marriage. I asked for this for my birthday so he would be sure to say yes! To me it sounds super fun, but I know he might not think so. ;)

    How do you like to celebrate your birthday? I used to try to celebrate all week (a la Gilmore Girls) but it’s gotten harder to do so as I get older and have more responsibilities. But I still do love birthdays. :)

  • february 2015 goals

    february 2015 goals / kapachino

    Happy February! I know this is lots of people’s least favorite month because it’s winter with no sign of spring, but thankfully it is my birthday month so I’ve always had a sweet spot for it. :) Here are my goals!

    Nagging task: replace dead light bulbs

    This is pretty straightforward, but it’s one of those things that I tend to put off and then when we finally get around to doing it, it makes such a huge difference. Anyway, we’ve got a bunch of dead bulbs right now.

    Purchase: iPhone tripod

    I wanted to make my purchase this month something fun, but also that is practical and has been on my wish list for a long time. Since my phone is my only camera right now, having a flexible tripod will be a huge help to me.

    Style & Beauty: find a tinted facial moisturizer

    My tried-and-true routine of regular facial moisturizer + powdered mineral foundation is not cutting it right now. My fine wrinkles seem to be multiplying lately, and the powder just enhances them in this weather. I think I need a light, cream foundation instead. I’ve heard good things about this one, so I’m going to try it!

    Leisure: take a knitting class

    This is my mom’s birthday gift to me and I’m so excited to learn! We are going to go to this adorable independent yarn shop for the class.

    Memory-keeping: complete Wednesday and Thursday in my Week in the Life album

    Getting ambitious and aiming for two days completed this month! After all, I want to have it finished before the next one starts! ;)

    Blogging: design business cards

    I just need to do this for Texas Style Council, which I am attending in March, and I don’t want to leave it till the last minute. It will be good to have it done for the future as well, though.

    So those are my goals for this month, and here’s how I did in January…

    Clean the car – yes!

    Purchase running gear – I bought a band to attach my phone to my hand while I run and that was the main thing I needed. I do need a jacket but this is more of an investment that I will save up for. And I’ll probably need another couple of shirts in the summertime.

    Make a list of needs for my cold-weather wardrobe – I did it, but it’s going to take me a long time to purchase all the items! It’s good to have a guide though.

    Read three books – I read five!

    Complete Monday in my Week in the Life album – I did Monday and Tuesday.

    Choose blog fonts – I think I’m settled on Gill Sans and Didot for my graphics.