I am back in civilization at last! A week in the woods isn't something every single person would like doing but, I love it and I captured some pretty candid shots as to why camping is something I think everybody should do. Camping to me is very personal. I have been camping for about 12 years now and love every minute of it. My family and I go every summer to this place in northern Michigan. Sure, there are bugs, mosquitoes, birds, sand, dirt, raccoons, storms, etc. and did I mention that I camp in a tent? Ah yes, the beauty of nature my friends.
I'd like to call myself a very well experienced camper, however, I don't think the hair dryer, curling iron, Kuerig coffee maker, or electric skillet can make me an authentic camper. We just call it "Glamping".
First of all, I think a lot of people have their own definitions of camping. Whether you pitch a tent in your backyard and have a sleepover with friends or go into the mountains and you only have a flashlight and a sleeping bag with you. My version of camping isn't the only way to camp (I don't personally count trailer "camping" to be one of them due to the lack of actually being outside since you still have like a kitchen and a TV).
Many people think camping is cheap but, actually it's not. Camping with a dog and four other people means that we need a ton of stuff like sleeping bags (expensive), air mattresses (expensive), a lot of food (expensive), and the actual tents that have to fit everybody (expensive).
Camping would only be cheap if it was like you and one other person because you wouldn't need merely as much stuff as my family does. It's not like every year we buy new stuff; it took us a while to gather everything we actually needed over the years. If you are wanting to camp, make sure you understand what a financial investment it might be.
Where I camp, we have a beautiful bay area to swim, paddle board, kayak, and watch the sunsets. One of the reasons we always come back to this same place is just because of the amazing views.
While I was there, I actually managed to do some yoga on the beach. There were flyers in the little camp store and some instructor from the area was teaching in the morning on the sand. An experience I will never forget!
Another reason, besides the gorgeous views, that I camp is that I do make experiences that I will want to keep forever. We invite friends and other family members to join us camping; we go swimming, kayaking, play on the dunes, paddle board, or just enjoy the camp fire together.
The Benefits of Camping:
- You are connected with nature and get to enjoy what it has to offer
- Live off the grid (no more Snapchat folks)
- Discover new places and meet new people (or wild animals)
- The food tastes better anyway
- The smell of fresh pine and camp fire
- Quiet time
- Watching the sunrises, sunsets, and stargazing
- Spend time with pets
- Exercise
- Rekindle relationships with family and friends
Of course I brought my puppy along! My dog loves to camp and since we live in a big city, he never really gets to experience the "Great Outdoors". A lot of people bring their pet to camp and it's really not that hard. I think the hardest thing about bringing your pet is actually finding room for them in the car among all of your gear.
A lot of places have kayak and paddle board rentals which can be really nice because buying one is like $600! Fortunately, my camp site just added these amenities and people are able to rent one for like $15 an hour. You do not have to be a pro either! I have never paddle boarded before and I learned really quick (after falling a couple times).
If you are looking at places to camp, consider what types of amenities you would want! Maybe a beach store, bike rentals, kayak rentals, or just a bathhouse is your desire. Many places have websites that list what they have.
If you guys have any questions about camping and what I do, please ask! I had a wonderful week camping and got a ton of sun. If you have been camping, please share where you camp and your thoughts on it as well!
Xoxo, Nat
posted in
August is here! I can't believe that summer is making it's way and it's time for another beauty favorites. I am on vacation currently as some of you may know but, I didn't want to fully stop writing for this week. I had to share some current beauty faves (mostly eye, face, and nail products right now) that I have been using so much this past month.
Eyes
Too Faced Love Palette- I love this palette so much. It has so many great shades! The pigmentation and formula is great and there's really no chalkiness at all. The shades are metallic and shimmery but, they do have one or two matte shades. The first section of the palette has a really nice gold and bronze tone to it and I think it really compliments my eyes and skin really well. You can find a more detailed description and makeup look with it here.
Maybelline Master Prime Eye Shadow Base in Prime Plus Matte and Illuminate- These are great eye shadow bases and I just apply them with my ring finger. I really like the Illuminate shade and I love applying a gold shadow in my crease with it. They stay for pretty much all day, too! Some people said that these are clumpy but, mine go on so smooth.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Medium Brown- I totally raved about this pomade in my recent brows post I did earlier this month, here. I love taking an angled brush and defining my brows with it. It really completes any look and is super easy to use.
Maybelline The Falsies Mascara- Out of all the mascara I have tried from Maybelline, there isn't exactly one that I love more than the other! They're all so great. I love the flexible wand. It really helps to separate and give me fuller looking lashes.
Face
Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream- I love BB creams and Covergirl makes a really great one. During the summer, dewy and full coverage foundations aren't my thing. This one is really matte and leaves my skin looking oil-free and matte all day! Plus it gives me SPF for days out in the sum! Love it.
Rimmel Natural Bronzer in Sun Shine- I was looking for a great bronzer for this summer that wasn't too expensive and this one does the trick. It's not orangey and looks great with a sun tan. I have heard a lot about this bronzer over on YouTube and other beauty blogs; it's a classic!
Nails
Wet 'n' Wild Wondergel in Pretty Peas- I stressed my new love for this polish in a recent nails post and I have to add this great polish in here! It's an amazing polish and Wet 'n' Wild has really done great with all of their new makeup. The gel is lamp-less and stress-free! Plus, it's only $5. It's great! Mint nails look so good in the summer, too. I love the look of it.
What have been some of your favorites this past month?
Xoxo, Nat
Hello friends! I promised that I would get a post or two up while I am away on vacation so this might be a bit shorter than normal.
I have been in the nail painting mood lately and usually I'm too lazy to do my nails in the summertime. I've just been obsessing over the new colors that are out in the stores right now. They all look so summery and bright! I just needed to share my favorite colors this season because they're just so pretty.
Essie has been making a whole lot of new nail polishes recently and it seems like a never ending collection. I have so many Essie nail polishes so it was pretty hard picking out the two that I really love. The shade Aruba Blue is just a classic, metallic cobalt blue that really looks great for pedicures.
I also love bright, neon orange and coral shades on the nails. They compliment a tan so well. Essie's Geranium is a great orangey-red. Essie ceases to amaze me with their shades, however, I wish they weren't as expensive as they are ($8.99). I would have every single shade if they weren't that pricey!
I have been loving OPI's nail polishes recently and their selection of colors have really impressed me. I was always a big Essie fan and never made my way by the OPI kiosk at Target or the drugstore. One day though, I did stroll past a new OPI stand and was pleasantly surprised at the pretty colors they had. The shade Cajun Shrimp is another great orange shade. It's a bit toned down from the Essie one and could look great on nails or toes!
Metallic colors are so pretty and the shade A Rose By Dawn...Broke By Noon (great name) is the perfect rose shade for spring and summer. It looks so pretty on and has a pearly finish to it.
Wet 'n' Wild has really upped their game with all of their makeup lately. I liked Wet 'n' Wild in the past but, I love it even more now! Especially their new One Step Wonder Gels. It's a hassle-free, stress-free, affordable, and lamp-less gel manicure! What more could you want?
The shade Pretty Peas is like the perfect mint shade. EVER. I love the formula of these polishes and they last a really long time (like two weeks). No need for top coat; the best lazy girl's nail polish if you ask me. The brush is really nice and paddle like. I have to get more soon.
What's your go-to summer shade?
Xoxo, Nat
I am laying here comfortably in my bed reminiscing on all the fun that I have had so far this summer. It is unbelievably crazy that I will be a senior in high school in about three weeks. Time has sure flown by! It makes me sad that happy times come to an end and even though we are still pretty much in the midst of summer, school starts extremely early (ugh) for me here in Chicago.
I thought I could recount the amazing things that have happened or I have been doing lately. Sometimes I forget about the great moments I have shared with friends and family during summer. These last couple of weeks I have really tried to live in the moment and just be present because one day my young life will come to an end eventually (sorry to get all deep and stuff).
01. I always try to push myself to try new things and do more things. I mean, I have like three months to do what ever the heck I want (within my budget of course). A few months back I purchased Adele tickets and Ellie Goulding tickets. Probably two of the best concerts I have ever and will ever see in my entire life. I literally can't explain how amazing it was because you just. Had. To. Be. There. It was so good.
02. I think on everyone's summer vacation checklist is at least one or two visits to see Grandma and all the other relatives. I know people that have family that live like 20 minutes away, mine live like 7 hours away from my house so it is a pretty lengthy road trip. It's always nice to see my family; we go swimming, fishing, shopping, etc...we do practically everything together and I love the bond I have with all of my little cousins, too.
03. One thing that I have been a little bad about during this summer is hanging out with my school friends. I get so busy during the summer and it's so hard to meet up and hang sometimes. I have been reconnecting with older friends, though. I have been a little proud of myself for contacting them because they're the same, awesome people they were when we were so close way back when. Rekindling old relationships is good! It's nice to catch up with people; people who have really made a huge impact in your life. I am sorry to any of you (ahem friends who read my blog, God bless you) that feel like I haven't communicated to you during this summer. Work and trips can be overwhelming...
04. If you have been reading a lot of my posts lately then you might already know that I have been doing a ton of yoga. I mentioned that I was doing a yoga challenge at my studio; 40 classes in 90 days and you get a t-shirt and a $40 gift card to all their merch. Just to let you all know, I have only 5 classes to go! I am pretty proud of myself for staying motivated to keep on going to yoga and not decide to ditch and go eat pizza. I know a gift card and a t-shirt might not sound like much but, it's hell of a reward after pushing myself to become stronger and better. That, my friends, is something I will always take a t-shirt for.
05. One last big SHEBANG. My annual, family camping trip is coming up at the end of the week. I will be camping in a tent (have been since I was a baby) for about 10 days, more or less, next week. I love connecting with the outdoors and just enjoying what nature has to offer. I am an outdoor girl. What can I say, the city is my home but, the forest and the beach are my playground LOL! My family and I camp in northern Michigan and the views are incredible. I highly recommend visiting such a beautiful place. Here is the post of the trip I took last summer.
Since I will be on a hiatus for a week, there won't really be much going on my blog. However, I think I have decided to write up a couple posts so that you guys can have something to read while I am gone! Everybody needs a break once in a while but, I'll try my best. I also want to take more pictures during my trip so hopefully you guys can see them once I get back.
What have been some of you summer highlights so far?
Xoxo, Nat
posted in
Right now, I would say that I am pretty content with the way my skin is reacting and changing to the hot weather Chicago has been having. That being said, I have experimented and tried out a couple of products that I have been loving and are making a difference to my overall skincare.
I am the type of person to always have face masks, lotions, moisturizers, toners and cleansers on hand and ready to go. Especially during these really hot months, I think it's so important to vamp up your normal skincare routine. It's hot, muggy, and really sunny outside and you don't want clogged pores or burned skin at all! I would say that I have combo-oily skin and the summer is probably the worst time for my skin.
To start, the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Toner does a pretty great job cleaning out my pores and the extra oil that has produced after a long, hot day. You only need a cotton pad or a cotton ball and you're good to go! I have found that this really helps with preventing more acne as well as treating it.
I try to not use cleansing wipes, however, there are times when a girl may need some emergency wipes on hand for those long and tiring nights. The Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes are great to use to remove eye makeup, refresh your face, or even touch up and fix makeup mishaps. Something I don't use often but, have on hand for who knows what!
I love pore strips so much; they're so helpful when you're too lazy to do a mask and when your body craves a deep cleanse on your nose, chin, or forehead (the T-Zone to be specific). The Biore Face and Nose Deep Cleansing Strips do that job so well. They're so easy to use and it is so satisfying (and a little gross let me be honest) to pull off that strip and know that your face is cleaner than ever.
When I do feel in the mood to do a nice mask, I love using this Freeman Avocado & Oatmeal Clay Mask to really purify my skin and to help with excess oil on my trouble areas. I really like the formula of this mask and it really leaves your skin feeling smooth and clean.
While this mask is not as fresh as say, a Lush mask, it is a very great mask to use for a couple months and is very easy to travel with. Freeman also has different types of masks like this one depending on your skin type.
Some people forget how important it is to make sure you are treating your eyes right. And that means moisturizing your under eyes. I found that the CeraVe Eye Repair Cream was great to use at night and bring back moisture under my eyes so they never felt dry or puffy in the morning. If you want to prevent dry and puffy eyes, this is the cream for you.
Every morning, I have been using the Garnier Skinactive Micellar Cleansing Water and I really like it. I'm impressed by Garnier! To my surprise, this cleanser does great and removes all the dirt and oil that builds up during the day and over night. I know a lot of people like this across the blogger world and I am so glad I tried it out. It also does a wonderful job removing makeup. All you do is take a cotton pad and wipe away your troubles! No water necessary because it is water. So hassle-free!
If you are susceptible to sunburns, using lotion and a great lip balm can help soothe and repair your delicate skin. The Body Shop Mango Body Butter smells so delicious and is great to use for all-over moisturize. I love the Body Shop's range of butters and gels so much. Even when oil and sweat can be more prominent during the summer, it is still important to keep hydrating your parched skin.
I have been obsessed with EOS lip balms this year. I have one in like every nook and cranny. They smell great and are super moisturizing on the lips and they leave my lips super smooth.
What products are in your summer skincare routine?
Xoxo, Nat
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons