five tips to help you unwind

over the years, i have realized i have a

difficult time prioritizing self-care. sure, i enjoy

painting my nails (and getting frequent manicures!),

and i find writing therapeutic. i am also a skincare junkie,

so i often apply a face mask before bed. these activities,

in addition to keeping active by going for walks or
visiting the gym, help minimize stress.

however, simply relaxing at home is

 not something i often do. between working,

babysitting, striving to keep active, and of course,

juggling a blog, i rarely have 'down time.'
there's always a family trying to squeeze in
a date night or a photo i simply must post to social media.

 i like to stay busy, but recently, i have made a goal for myself

to occasionally say 'no' to social engagements and 

work-related functions, and instead take that time for

myself; it hasn't been easy! 

i recently had the opportunity to attend a
glamorous, yet relaxing 'blogger pajama party,'
hosted by mattress firm and revolution pr.
i must admit, it was far more relaxing than the
slumber parties i recall from my middle school days --
pizza and french fries, nail painting and staying
up far too late watching the olsen twins --
those were the days.

this pajama party included complimentary facials
and/or hand massages by the estheticians at skoah,
braids galore by the talented stylists at gary manuel,
organic miniature donuts from mighty-o and a
presentation by a local dream interpreter. when preparing
to leave, i felt utterly relaxed and pampered! 

upon arriving, we were given cozy pajamas

to change into. i have a special place in my heart for

fuzzy and/or fleece pajama bottoms (particularly

pajamas with dachshunds). this sweatshirt, courtesy of

big feet pajama co, has quickly become a favorite!

much to our delight, our slumber party adventure was 

complete with tasty treats. we enjoyed miniature donuts and cupcakes 

(provided by trophy cupcakes). my sweet tooth was thrilled!

^^^ getting pampered spoiled ^^^

photos by vivian hsu photography

five tips to help you unwind:

1. before bed, pamper yourself

this is open to interpretation -- i enjoy washing my 

face with warm water, applying a face mask (if i start

the night-routine early enough!), and then applying a serum

and lotion to my face, and often, moroccan oil to my hair.

find a ritual or regimen that works best for you!

2. light a candle and/or drink a cup of tea

as you're winding down

i love valuspa candles, and my favorite 

tea as of late is celestial seasonings' 'sleepy time' herbal

tea. i drink a cup before brushing my teeth and

crawl into bed feeling warm and relaxed.

3. write down your thoughts in a journal

i know i am biased, as i find writing to be 

incredibly therapeutic. i often blog before bed 

(gotta finish that new content sometime, right?!). however,

writing down reflections or thoughts on your day

can be equally beneficial. not

a writer? i sometimes find it helpful to simply

(mentally) look back on my day.

4. stretch!

this may sound silly, but stretching your neck,

shoulders, arms and back can do wonders

for your body. taking a deep breath in, and then

exhaling deeply, can relieve stress that manifests

itself mentally and physically.

5. avoid screen time 30 minutes before bed

i am terrible at this! i constantly scroll through

blogs (and then instagram, pinterest, twitter 

and facebook) before finally saying, 'what am

i still doing awake?!' i am working to be better at putting

my phone away before crawling into bed and 

instead taking those last few minutes before sleep to

read and calm my mind (i set this goal a week ago,

so i will let you know how it goes!).

do you have any helpful relaxation tips?

i appreciate any advice! a very special thank you to 

revolution pr for inviting me to this unique and 

incredibly relaxing event!

xoxo.

day to night beauty routine with bartell drugs

happy friday, everyone!

this week has gone by at a snail's pace - 

perhaps it is because i am beyond ready for the holiday weekend?!

the toddlers are antsy, the teachers are exhausted, and there simply

isn't enough coffee in the world to keep me moving. 

that may be slightly exaggerated, but weekend, i'm ready for you! 

i recently shared a daytime beauty look, featuring makeup

from my local bartell drugs, on my blog here.

today, i want to show you how adding a few products, also from bartell drugs,

can quickly and easily transform your look from day to night!

when i'm getting ready for work or busy with errands, and don't necessarily

want a full face of makeup, i keep my routine simple:

elf mineral infused face primer, l'oreal true match lumi makeup, 

l'oreal studio secrets magic lumi highlighter, maybelline great lash mascara, 

neutrogena healthy skin blush, and maybelline eye studio brow define and fill duo.

these products are easy to apply, affordable, and all available at a bartell drugs

near you. if you're going out for the evening, you can begin by adding shadow, eyeliner

and lashes. however, because my skin gets particularly oily

 throughout the day, i prefer to wash my face and reapply my foundation (perhaps

this is wasteful, or a waste of time, but i typically dislike the way my foundation 

looks after wearing it for the duration of the work day). 

whatever your preference with the foundation (reapply or simply add to your current 

makeup look), it's now all about the subtle smoky eye for spring!

^^^ maybelline facestudio master contour, covergirl intensify me liquid liner,

la colors matte eyeshadow in 'purple cashmere', la colors matte lipstick in 'mad love', 

ardell glamour lash ^^^

'taking a look from day to night, or simple to smokey, can be as 

easy as adding a bold lip or dark shadow in the crease of your eyelid.

adding false lashes will give your eyes an extra pop! the standard is to not do 

both bold lips and bold eyes, but there's nothing wrong with being extra

glamorous - just don't use too much makeup. eyelashes frame your 

eyes, and brows frame your face; make sure both are on point.'

-makeup artist, elizabeth kathryn

begin creating your smokey eye by applying a lighter shadow (such as the nude

or pale lilac in this palette) to the base of your eye. apply the nude all the way

up to your brow. this will give your eyes a bit of natural/subtle color and can act as a base for 

the rest of your shadow. then, apply the darker color (such as a dark purple) in 

the crease of your eyelid. for this look, i also used the charcoal in the outside corner

of my eyes for a bit more color. this la colors palette is incredibly pigmented, so i 

didn't feel like i had to layer on the eyeshadow. using a small, eyeliner brush, 

i also lined my bottom lash line with the lilac shadow. it is ever-so-slight, but opens up my eyes.

once i've applied my shadow, i then use my liquid eyeliner. i prefer a liquid,

brush-tip pencil, as it goes on more smoothly than a traditional pencil and is easier

for me than other liners, such as pots and brushes, etc. 

i certainly have my days when it comes to applying eyeliner - 

and q-tips are your best friend for removing unwanted (or overly done) liner. 

i kept my eyeliner fairly light because, of course, i had to apply

my favorite ardell false lashes!

people often ask me, 'how do you apply your false eyelashes so well?'

lots and lots and lots of practice! i've worn false lashes for years, so i hardly

think twice when putting them on. a few tricks? 

1. when first starting out, play around with some of the 

more natural looking lashes. this will allow your eyes to adjust

 to the look and feel of falsies. 

2. cut them to fit the length and shape of your eye. i typically cut the 

inside corner (the shorter end) very slightly to better fit my eye.

3. use a dark adhesive that dries clear. if you accidentally use 

too much, it is less noticeable!

4. don't apply the tube of glue directly to the lashes. instead, 

place a small amount of glue on the top of your hand. then, 

apply the glue to the lashes with a q-tip. i can't tell you how many times i've had

 my glue explode and ruin a brand new pair of lashes 

(too many to count, sadly!!). i use this glue.

^^^ applying this lipstick in 'mad love' ^^^

after i've glued on my lashes (and let them set for 1-2 minutes), i apply 

one last coat of mascara. this will blend your natural lashes in with

the false pair you're wearing. 

last, don't forget your lips! i prep and prime my lips with chapstick, 

this lipstick primer, and finish by applying my color of choice.

today, i opted for a bright berry from the new la colors matte lipstick line.

in the tube, i wasn't sure if the color would be too much with the smokey eye.

however, i love the way this lip color tied my makeup together!

photos by elizabeth kathryn photography

and voila! you've changed your daytime look into a sultry, but subtle 

smokey eye that's perfect for spring! 

finish by setting your makeup with makeup setting spray. i use 

nyx matte finish makeup setting spray.

what are some of your favorite makeup looks for spring?

let me know in the comments below!

xoxo.

**this is a sponsored post. all opinions are my own. 

a special thank you to bartell drugs for sponsoring this post

and providing me with a gift certificate to purchase the makeup featured here.

i love supporting local brands and am incredibly grateful

for the opportunity to support my local bartell drugs!

the five minute face

photos by elizabeth kathryn photography

you pushed the 'snooze' button one too many times and barely have a moment

to make yourself a cup of coffee (let alone complete your normal 

beauty and makeup routine) before you need to be out the door for work.

sound familiar? this is me most every morning(s).

to save time, and justify how many times i push that 'snooze' button each morning,

i've compiled a few of my favorite drugstore makeup products, purchased

at my local bartell drugs, that can be applied on the go! 

^^^ elf tone adjusting face primer, l'oreal true match lumi healthy luminous makeup, 

l'oreal studio secrets magic lumi highlighter ^^^

first, prep your face by applying your daily toner and/or face moisturizer. 

i have combination skin, so i rely on toner, moisturizer, and primer before

applying my foundation. blend your foundation. then, apply concealer as needed. 

to brighten your face, apply highlighter on the tops of your cheek bones 

(just above where your blush will go). 

^^^ maybelline great lash mascara, neutrogena healthy skin blush, 

maybelline eye studio brow define and fill duo ^^^

thick, full-looking eyelashes are crucial, even for my everyday look. 

if i only have time for one makeup product, i will always choose mascara;

it helps me look and feel more awake, and i curl my lashes before applying.

for a fresh look, select a bright (but not neon) blush color. i love bright pinks

and coral shades for spring. apply blush on the apples of your cheeks and blend out 

towards the temples. 

next, think eyebrows! they're very important. i prefer

bold brows, but don't want them to look overdone (that marker-like look? 

no, thank you). this maybelline brow pencil is a quick and easy way to define and fill in 

the sparser areas of my eyebrows. simply line your brows with the wax 

pencil and blend with the filling powder. 

^^^ nyx matte finish makeup setting spray, neutrogena moisture smooth color stick ^^^

the finishing touch? apply color to your lips. this neutrogena lip crayon goes on smooth,

is buildable (apply liberally to achieve a more colorful lip), and is

hydrating. i am wearing 'sweet watermelon' - the color is soft and natural looking, 

but neutrogena has many color options, depending on your preference! 

to finish off this five minute

look, apply your matte finish makeup setting spray. 

the setting spray helps your makeup stay in place throughout the day, while

reducing face oils and shine that often appear several hours after application. 

five minutes later, and you're ready to start your day with a gorgeous, 

natural makeup look. 

a special thank you to my local bartell drugs for sponsoring this post!

i loved attending their recent spring #beautybybartell makeup event.

be sure to check back for a night look tutorial on my blog next week.

have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

xoxo. 

**this is a sponsored post. bartell drugs graciously

provided me with a gift certificate to purchase the products in this post.

all opinions are my own!

clarins and feed 10

^^^ one-step facial cleanser, moisture rich body lotion, multi-active jour, 

sun wrinkle control cream, total eye concentrate ^^^

happy sunday, everyone, and a very happy mother's day to all you moms!

i hope you're enjoying your weekend! it was near 80 degrees in seattle yesterday, 

so i spent the entire afternoon outside. today, i am headed to brunch 

with my mom and dad to celebrate mother's day. i am fortunate to only live about 

twenty minutes from my parents, so i see them often!

any excuse to enjoy delicious breakfast food (and relax on their couch)

makes for a great way to end the weekend. 

photos by elizabeth kathryn photography

today, i am excited to share a collaboration between clarins and feed!

i recently blogged about two of my favorite clarins skincare products here.  

feed was founded in 2007 by lauren blush lauren with the mission to

'create good products to help feed the world.'

source

to celebrate the launch of this year's national million meal mission, 

clarins and feed have partnered in the fight to end global hunger. together, they hope to 

provide 1,200,000 meals to children around the world. the campaign began april 22nd 

and ends today, may 8th. nine different retailers throughout the united states are offering this

adorable feed cosmetic bag, filled with clarins' goodies! 

each bag provides ten meals to children in need. fighting global hunger

and sampling some of my favorite clarins' products? yes, please!

i cannot wait to learn more about the success of this campaign! 

xoxo.

**this is a sponsored post. all opinions are my own!

let's talk skincare with clarins

if you know me well, you know i'm a bit of a skincare junkie. 

i wash my face morning and night, and i have a diligent skincare regimen:

cleanser, toner, moisturizer, eye cream, (spot creams when applicable) and a mask or 

exfoliating wash often thrown into the mix. i love going to bed with my skin feeling

soft, clean and well hydrated. it can be difficult to achieve that 'oh so clean' feeling, however -

i've tried countless washes, lotions and other products claiming to perfect your skin.

for the past three weeks, i've had the pleasure of using the newly formulated

clarins multi-active day and nighttime duo. these moisturizers target fine lines 

and boost skin's radiance. plant extracts, specifically myrothamnus and organic

 california poppy, help negate the effects daily stress has on the skin.

there's nothing worse than dull, dry skin! #amiright

^^^ clarins multi-active nuit and clarins multi-active jour -

the night cream is available for normal to combination skin,

or normal to dry skin (combination skin for this girl) ^^^

photos by elizabeth kathryn photography

i love the subtle, refreshing scent of both the day and night cream.

my skin feels soft, hydrated, and ready for spring - dramatic changes

in weather often cause my skin to dry out (and subsequently to break out!). 

however, it feels smooth, evenly toned, and refreshed. this was my first experience

with clarins, other than the occasional sample in an event goodie bag. 

although both the day and night cream are higher end, in terms of pricing,

i thoroughly enjoyed both products. i plan to purchase the night cream

soon, as my jar is just about empty! 

have you tried clarins before? which products are your favorite?

let me know in the comments below! 

xoxo.

**this is a sponsored post. i was graciously gifted the clarins

day and nighttime creams. all opinions are my own!

let's talk lipstick

up until a year or two ago, i rarely wore lipstick;

however, if you told that to my ever-growing collection, it would laugh at you (!!!). 

my lips are naturally rather dark, and i think i was afraid 

of drawing more attention to them. blush and eye shadow and long lashes?

yes, please! lipstick was seemingly intimidating. 

my opinion has changed, and now, i can't seem to get enough. 

i have several drugstore and department brands that i'm drawn to, 

and choosing a lipstick color is an important part of my makeup process!

^^^ bite beauty is one of my favorite lipstick brands, available at sephora! ^^^

above are three lipsticks i recently received as part of the influenster program.

by bite beauty, these are the amuse bouche lipsticks in gazpacho (left), beetroot (center)

and pepper (right). i'm wearing the color beetroot in these photos.

i love how easy these are to apply, as the colors are creamy and incredibly pigmented. 

i had to use a makeup remover wipe (or two) to remove the beetroot color at the end of the day.

it stayed on beautifully, despite eating and drinking! 

another plus? these lipsticks are ever-so-lightly scented and smell a bit fruity. 

photos by elizabeth kathryn photography

blouse: nordstrom, jeans: american eagle (similar here), flats: thrifted (via goodwill), 

bag: dooney & bourke (hand me down from my mom!), ring: gift, lipstick: c/o bite beauty amuse bouche lipstick in 'beetroot' (exact here)

i feel very 'hippie chic' in these jeans and love how soft and stretchy the denim is. 

american eagle jeans fit me better than most other brands, 

and for the price, i'll take it! this exact pair is no longer available (i found them

in the clearance section a few weeks back), but i linked a similar light wash, 

that is also a high waisted pant, above. i've been wearing these

vintage, pointed toe flats, from my local goodwill, on repeat with the warmer weather. 

whenever i'm out thrifting, i always check the shoe section!

how has your week been? mine is absolutely crawling by, 

but i think it's because the coming weekend is my birthday, 

and all i can think about is sleeping in and eating far too much cake, 

ice cream and cupcakes (!!!) #treatyoself

happy wednesday, everyone!

xoxo.