It’s been awhile. It’s been hectic. It’s been life-changing. And I’m still recovering from it all. Once upon a time, a pandemic hit the globe. My man and I hid in our house and took walks at appropriately safe distances from other pedestrians. We planned. We enjoyed the small break from having to “head into the office”. We were both still receiving paychecks and felt incredibly blessed. I had chosen this most fortunate time to go back to school, to get my Masters. In the process I had quit my previous job and easily found a new one that aligned
Author: Kristen Grace
Beauty junkie, food obsessed, and constant wanderer.
The Capitol – Then and Wednesday – Washington D.C.
It’s hard for me as an American to put into words the horror that was last Wednesday, watching what could only be domestic terrorists overrun the heart of my country’s government. I want to say that I’m shocked such a coup was attempted, but I’m not. Definitely shocked that the security detail was so pitiful given the obvious rage-building happening amongst Trump supporters on social media. I actually toured the Capitol on my trip to Washington D.C. a year and a half ago. I didn’t blog about it at the time partly because the pictures I took were pretty awful
Cosmetic Ingredient: Cyclopentasiloxane
Cyclopentasiloxane? Sounds like a mouthful! Does it go by any other name? Yes! It is also referred to as decamethylcyclopentisiloxane. I bet you thought it’d be something simpler, eh? Never fear, it is also abbreviated to the humble “D5” thankfully. Cycloblaaaaaah–What is it? Cyclopentasiloxane is yet another version of silicone you can find floating around in skincare and haircare products and is part of the broader cyclomethicone category. Its main purposes are as an emollient, lubricant and a solvent. But what’s the main point of it being in skincare? Unfortunately, cyclopentasiloxane doesn’t have much benefit when it comes to the
Self Portrait #7: The Refusal to Make Resolutions and a Happy Blogiversary to Me
Today marks the anniversary of the day that I officially wrote my first post and hit “publish”. It happened on New Years Day becauuuuuse, DUH! Resolution. And I’m beyond happy that resolution was one I followed through on. But the idea of a resolution never really suited me. At one point, I decided to change the word to goals (or better yet, as one meme suggests, to label goals as “side quests” is much more fun). Goals felt more defined, less slippery, more tangible. But after 2020? I don’t think I’m the only one to give a profound “#$%* goals!”
Self-Portrait #6: What Did You Accomplish While the World was Experiencing the Apocalypse?
I’m not going to lie–I honestly believe I had a successful 2020. Mostly because I made it *through* 2020 in one piece, but I did get some things done while quarantining drained my life energy away: I got married! Yes, after three years of being each others’ everything, we finally tied the knot on August 29th, 2020. I started my Masters program and ended my first semester with a 4.0 GPA. I started a new job, which has been exciting and nerve wracking all at once but it’s progress (and let’s face it, being able to start a new job
5 Favorite Things – July 2020 (Super Late Edition!)
I know, I know, it’s almost September and I’m only now telling you about my favorite July things. I didn’t want to skip it though because I got the BEST bridal gift from my parents. It was so sweet, it made me sappy and I just DO NOT do sappy. My mother wrote a poem to go with the gift. Think of it as a teaser for what was inside. Something Old Something New Something Borrowed Something Blue Dated 1986, a lucky penny for your shoe A ring of hearts just for you A Rolling Stones pin from you know
National Air and Space Museum – A Museum in Washington, D.C.
I can’t believe my trip to Washington D.C. was a year ago. It seems like decades ago, an era before pandemic and a global crisis. A time when going to a museum was a fun day out and not a potential source of COVID. Le sigh. However, I can’t wax too lyrical about the National Air and Space Museum. Not because it wasn’t cool but because… I’m a terrible travel blogger. My problem is I go to museums and take a lot of pictures of crap without actually going through and figuring out exactly *what* the crap is. And being
First Aid Beauty – Pure Skin Face Cleanser
Before purchasing this facial cleanser, I had been battling with another face wash that I had been testing. I didn’t like that cleanser at all. It was composed of almost everything I avoid in a facial cleanser. As a result, First Aid Beauty has been a dream come true! I love the emollient texture and the fact that my skin does not feel stripped or raw after using it. Furthermore, this cleanser actually does a pretty decent job of removing makeup. Mind you, I *do* use a makeup remover prior to using a facial cleanser, but this stuff is usually
Chicken Marbella
You know those recipes where you look at it and think, “That can’t possibly work?” Hello, Chicken Marbella from the blog Seasonal Cravings. It’s chicken marinated in a sauce made of… Wait for it…. Prunes, olives, balsamic vinegar, capers, and olive oil. Did you SEE that it says PRUNES?! It sounds so wrong, yes? Color me corrected on this one guys. It’s delicious. It’s this wonderful fruity sauce with complex Mediterranean undertones that plays along the tongue and kinda makes you wish you made more. The crazy thing? I know that the prunes were pivotal in making this so damn yummy.
Trash Talk, August 2020 (Empties)
Yes, what you are seeing is my attempt at a YouTube video. If I get one like, I will consider it a tremendous success! For those who aren’t into YouTube, let me share the products with you below: Elta MD – UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 – Tinted I’ve already shared my thoughts on this kick ass SPF here. It’s a 10 – Shampoo, Deep Conditioner, and Oil Treatment The shampoo and conditioner definitely did their thing, but of the three, the oil treatment is the one that I might go back for. I only had sample packets and