#MotivationalMonday

Happy Monday!

From what I hear, Monday is not a favorite day of the week for most people; it kicks off the start of yet another work week and reminds us that the weekend has once again left us. AND I GET IT! Mondays are seen as the uninvited visitor at your house.

I however, like to try the view it more from a "cup half full" standpoint; It is the start of another work week which means...WE'VE MADE IT THROUGH ANOTHER WEEK... Which gets us through a month...and through a year!

No, I know some people are side-eyeing me like "girl, save that noise" but hear me out:

Mondays is a chance to reset and conquer or attempt to conquer another week.

With that being said, I want to share a mantra that I recently found while scrolling on Pinterest via www.curvyyoga.com ...

It has easily become one of my favorites because I'm all for spreading positive energy around to any and everyone who may need it. 

What is one of your favorite quotes that help to exude positive energy?

Pick 6| Spring 2016

SUMMER SUM-MER SUM-MER TIME!
Long time see! We'll as we welcome humid eastcoast weather I want to share the items that I enjoyed this Spring with my...

Hair| Elasta QP Mango Butter Cream
A product that I abandoned for a while and decided to revisit  to help clear out my vanity area. I love the smell and I love the fact that it is overall a light product where minimal amount is needed. I prefer to use this product when my hair is a bit older (ie: not immediately after wash day as I'm not a fan of a really tight twist out). 

Fashion| Shades...Frames...Sunnies

I've always had a lov for glasses and I have really been wearing frames. I'm not faithful to aparticular brand, I simply enjoy whatever suits my fancy. Most are gifted by hubby but I've purchased from Target, Beauty Supply stores and even Dollar Tree (yes!)







Beauty| Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom lotion
In another attempt of reducing the arsenal, I've started digging into my lotion collection. Moisturized skin is a must, so since winter I have made it my business to do a nightly routine of moisturizing my feet, elbow and ankles before bed. I love the smell of this lotion and have noticed a true improvement in my problem spots (either attributed to the shea butter in the lotion OR to the fact that I'm really concentrating on these areas). 







Skin| me bath! Sugar Sherbet
[Don't judge] I purchased this item after watching a product review and let me say...I love it! Now, it is pricey in my opinion (running around $12.00) but it is worth it; this product emulsifies AND lathers...lathers! I'm really enjoying it and will more than like use this as a "luxury" buy in the future.




Accessories| Handmade crochet necklace
With a little one that is reaching for things and is in the "hand-to-mouth" phase, I limit the type of jewelry I wear. One of my favorite pieces is a crochet necklace that I made a while back; I can wash it regularly so if baby girl decides to put in her mouth...I don't feel as bad.

Random| Plantronics bluetooth headphones
Another plus item for mommies [in my opinion] is any bluetooth device. My eadphones work great for me when it is late at night and I want to watch Youtube, Hulu or Netflix from my phone while holding my little one; again, she is at the "hand-to-mouth" phase and grabs at EVERYTHING. No wires = no worries.



What were your Spring go-to items?

Easy DIY| Sensory Gel Mat

Hey hey!

Being a new mommy and being a mommy to a child that is still small, I have been listening very carefully to Button's pediatrician and physical therapist on what we can do to help with her development. 

One thing that I really want to take on is DIY projects that she can use because most of them are cost effective and... I LOVE TO CREATE!

Now that Button is improving in her motor skills, I wanted to go ahead and make her a sensory gel mat to help her out and to give her something to be interested in during tummy time.

What You Will Need: 

• Large or Jumbo freezer bags
• Hair Gel
• Pom Poms (or anything soft )
• Duct Tape
• Clean place to work

Luckily, I found all the items that needed/wanted at Dollar Tree (>>>click here<<< for my Dollar Tree Mini Haul)

Step 1| Pour

Take your freezer bag and fill it with hair gel. I was able to find Jumbo bags and clear hair gel but feel free to use whatever you are able to find. With the bag being larger, I purchased 2 bottles of gel.

Step 2| Add

Now that the gel has been poured, you can add your "entertainment". I chose to use soft pom poms however, you can use round buttons, foam figures...Again, whatever your able to find that is soft, flat and will NOT puncture the bag.

Step 3| Close

Now that all of your items are in the bag, ensure you have taken out as much air as possible and close it up. Something that assisted me in closing the bag was rolling the opening of the bag down one time after closing it and then applying my duct tape along the top to keep the bag folded down

Step 4| Complete

Now that the bag is closed, you can use more duct tape to create border around the bag. I doubled the layer of tape to enforce the bags edges. 

And now your little one has a new toy to play with. It was fun to make and keeps Button's attention while we trick her into a little tummy time. 

Have you ever made a sensory gel mat? If so, what items did you use and where did you find them?

Pick 6 - Spring

It has been such a long time since I last posted (actually since the last Pick 6 for Winter). Summer is here and it is time to share my...

So... Lets jump right in!!!



Hair: Entwine Couture Exotique Butter-Creme Hydrator - For whatever reason, I was sleeping on this product for a few months and I honestly do not know why. What made me revisit it?: a frustrating moment of running and hands through my DRY hair trying to figure out what I already owned that could help other than using shea butter to seal in moisture. I can apply the butter-creme hydrator to my hair WITHOUT spritzing with water and my hair feels soft and rejuvenated.

>>Click here to to see my review on this is other Entwine products<<

Fashion: Palazzo Pants - being comfortable is the name of the game and I am personally tired of wearing slacks to work. I am so glad and palazzo pants are still a trend and can be found almost everywhere. I am stocking up on them now and my stores of choice are Target (check out the Ava and Viv collection) and Cato...Which by the way, was something else I was sleeping on. Side Note: I hadn't stepped foot in Cato in well over 2 years and honestly forgot about it but a friend reintroduced me to the store and I am impressed.

Beauty: Eyebrow pencils - meh! I really don't have much to say about this except that... I have limited hair above the eye and therefore choose to enhance it by filling them in. My favorite brow pencils are by e.l.f. and NYX.

>>Click here to see my eyebrow demo<<

Skin: Dermasil - If you have read any of the past Pick 6, you may be aware that I have troubling skin (ie: sometimes dry, oily, hyper pigmented....blah, blah, blah). Now I am dealing with my eczema breaking out on my wrist and ring finger...My left ring finger to be exact. Dermasil combats the dryness of my eczema and keeps it from itching. I using the formula for extra dry skin.






Accessories: Crocs flat shoes - OK, so don't judge me and don't take me off you "Cool" list...If I was ever on it but. I am LOVING them. I hated Crocs when they 1st came out because they are hideous however, knowing that they have different styles have helped a lot of people (including myself) accept them. These things are so comfy. I will certainly be purchasing more to wear to work

Random *Wish List Item*: Fujifilm Instax mini 8 - I have seen this camera circulating on line and it is adorable. It takes me back to the old school Polaroid instant camera that my parents owned. I though it was so cool sitting there shaking my the picture anticipating the image. It may seem like overload because I have a digital camera and my phone but I don't care... I want one. They run about $70.00 and I am considering it (no time soon but I am interested).

What items were you loving on this Spring?

Pick 6 - Spring 2014

Hello and Happy Summer! Hope you have a awesome time in at the pool, beach, water park, and in the sun BUT... Before we dive into Summer I would like to share some items that I've been loving on this Spring: 

Accessories - Watches. I've found a love for chronometer wrist devices. Nothing over the top like a Michael Kors (although, I wouldn't mind having one). Majority of my watch collection comes from Charming Charlies. They have nice watches and the options range from gaudy (ie: blinged out), to more simple styles (which I prefer).  Not to mention they cost no more than $25.00







Random - Food...Guacamole. A simple snack/meal from the gods. So easy to make and very refreshing. All you'll need is avocados, limes, cilantro, red onion, tomato, salt and pepper, and BAM! You have a meal. And yes, I said meal because I will eat this with chips and be satisfied.

Fashion - Liz Claiborne ankle pant. Purchased during a random sale at JCPenny, these ankle jeans are a light color denim that can be dressed up or down. I have been wearing these bad boys out on the weekends. They are stretch denim so they are comfortable throughout the day.







Beauty - Something New I've been trying out is the  Neutrogena Wave Sonic Power. I have had it now for about about 4 months. This device has detachable and disposable cleansing pads which makes it easy for clean up. I have not used it as religiously as I should be I notice that when I do commit to it my skin looks brighter and feels cleaner. When I REMEMBER to use it, I do so while in the shower for about 3-4 minutes.

Hair - Good ole' H2O... Your body and your hair thrives off of this. Now that we are experiencing much warmer weather I want to ensure that I keep my hair hydrated. I use an old Bath and Body Works fragrance bottle that has been thoroughly cleaned out to spritz my hair with water at the end of the day before going to bed. This bottle gives me just enough water where I do not feel like I have drenched my hair. After hydrating I lock in the moisture with oil, twist or braid it up, slap on my bonnet, and go to bed.


Skin - If you are not already aware... I am a fan of Shea Moisture products
(hair and body). I have discovered their Superfruit Complex line. Right now I am using the Sugar Scrub, Bath, Body and Massage Oil, and the Body Lotion. This product has a long lasting fragrance that is  Ahhhhh-mazing. I use the Sugar Scrub once a week and every night after jumping out of the shower, I moisturize with the Body Oil. The Body Lotion deserves just has much rave as the other products. I have it in a travel container that stays on my desk at work. The smell is so calming that I sometimes just put some in my hands, cover my face, and inhale (ooooooh yeeeaaaah!). I am loving this line and just purchased the Body Wash so I'm eager to use it (as if I do not already know what it smells like). I have only been able to find this line at Ulta in Cary which at the moment is running a buy one get on 50% off sale on Shea Moisture products...So yeah... Get some.


What were some of your favorite items from this Spring? Please share!

-Creatively Coiled