5 Survival Tips for Winter 2020

I’ve done one of these posts a couple of years back and I really think the tips could help get anyone through the perils of winter! This year, winter came out of nowhere, well, not really but it had been pretty mild considering I live in Michigan and then BAM! Snow, wind, cold, cloudy days and looooonnnnngggg nights! I usually have an easy time until the end of January hits and then I’m struggling to get through winter lol.

1. Let’s start with recreation. It can be human nature to simply stay in the bed, stay on the couch and binge watch tv or read, eat and become immobile. In reality, we were meant to discover, explore and venture out. To encourage mental health, getting out of the house is very important! Isolation is not healthy! Not even for introverts! Go grab a coffee at the local coffee spot, visit the library or art gallery or hit a winter festival. Grab a bite to eat at a local inexpensive restaurant nearby your home. Take a cooking class, go to your local hardware store and complete a project for the home. There are a plethora of options to choose of things to do besides sitting in the house the entire season of winter and this is coming from someone who hates winter!

2. Besides just getting out of the house, getting completely away from your environment and going on a weekend vacation is enough to revitalize your mind and body for a couple of months! Maybe visit a quaint town in your state and unplug from social media and technology. Take in the sights and feed your senses without any interference!

3. Body care is so important during this harsh time of the year. It’s easy to slack on skin care in particular because the sun isn’t shining through the cloud but sunscreen is still needed. As is moisture! Continue to drink plenty of water to hydrate the skin. Likely, the winter has plenty of dry moments so water will feed the body moisture from the inside to prevent cracking from dryness. Beyond that, below I’ve linked a few things I love to use for body care during winter months. One is a lip product, body and hair products and facial care products. Check them out below!

A. Chapstick Total Hydration 100% Natural (Eucalyptus Mint)

B. Koils By Nature Nourishing Hair and Body Butter

C. DDF Ultra Lite Oil Free Moisturizing Dew (Spf 15)

D. Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2

E. Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight (Water to Foam Shampoo) [My new ABSOLUTE FAVORITE HAIR PRODUCT AND I WILL DO A DETAILED REVIEW SHORTLY! ;-)]

4. Let’s talk ducking and dodging colds, flu and other healthy efforts. One thing leads to another, right? Well, you NEED hand and body cream in the winter especially because hand washing is still important! How else can you avoid getting sick and stay in good health?! Starts with handwashing first! Since I already gave you a suggestion for dry cracked hands, I wanted to share what I like to keep on hand for immunity and health below!

A. Zarbee’s Naturals Elderberry Immune Support

5. Lastly, reorganize your life! This could include examining your personality, organizing closets and storage spaces, refreshing or learning new skills and/or working on your body and health more in depth. Have a person that you’ve been allowing in your life but they are dragging you down or isn’t supportive? Maybe it’s time to rethink your association. I’ve been doing a lot of rearranging myself, it takes work but it’s worth it! Decide to save money, go back to school, fix your credit or purge things while keeping only what you need! Taking the time to invest in yourself will take up a ton of your time and help you survive a possible tough couple of months in the cold!

Why I Needed a Blogging & Social Media Break…

I swear I never thought I’d get back to the point of being excited about blogging again. Quite frankly, blogging had become more of a chore and pretty much a bore…no “bars” intended lol.

If you’re a blogger of any kind, I think you can probably relate to how ruthless the blogging world can be. Since I hate drama and am content in my own little bubble, putting myself “out there” got me more than I bargained for. I expected more comraderary from fellow bloggers but ya’ll competition is real out here…even if you’re not competing. I won’t spend much more time on that negativity but to say with real things going on in life, I couldn’t fathom letting trivial bits of pettiness and mean girl personas to move me in any way. I had to focus on getting me back to my best self.

In the midst of blogging, I think I neglected myself more than I realized. Truth is, I neglected myself a ton! I spent a lot of time researching info, growing my Instagram and social media influence and that left little time to really take care of me. I’ve talked about some health issues I have before and not putting myself first was having a negative effect on those pre-existing issues. The oxymoron of it all is that all you saw was me writing about what I was wearing, my skin, my self care solutions. Sadly, I let…myself…go.

As if my own self sabatoge wasn’t enough, our family suffered a few losses last year. One loss this year. Yes I said a few and then one. Mentally, everyone who loses a loved one needs time to reflect and gather themselves to be emotionally fit to move forward. That’s just reality. When you have children, you need more time because children need consoling and nurturing. Ours (hubby’s and mine) are at the age where they are “aware” and have questions, legit ones, about the situation surrounding the death. After they are “okay”, us parents need to usher into self care.

I’m currently on that journey of self care. I suffered extreme hair loss, skin flare ups of all kinds including hives, acne and eczema, headaches, joint and muscle pain and more things that I’ll not have to mention because the above is enough. I had to get these things in order and fast! To resolve these issues calls for more than just some sort of salve or serum. Deep research, medical help and just re-acquainting myself with my body again was essential. Now while I am still in process, I am discovering other fruits that need pruning or plucking from my life. Not that they’re necessarily bad but they provide no enrichment or “nutrition” to me as a person or to my life.

Folks…rid yourself of people, habits, so called goals, mindsets, platforms, loves and hates that don’t help you to be a better person. We grow physically but mental health and growth is just as important…actually more important. Social media is social. It’s not essential in order for us to survive. If IG was shut down for good, if YouTube was outlawed, where would that leave you? I had to ask myself if I was too deeply enthralled with something that encourages faux realities. I actually became a part of it. I looked like I took better care of myself that I actually did. That’s the long and short of it. And look, we all neglect ourselves from time to time but I was extreme. I saw problems and put them off making excuses of not having time. Buy out time. (I got that straight from the Bible lol.) It will cost time from something else but its worth it.

Where am I now? Well I am still a blogger and I have some posts that will be coming out but I am pacing myself. I don’t have to post a new look every day or every three days. I’ve decided on once per week. Maybe a lookbook in between. I’m working on my social media plan but it can not overtake my life. Perspective is important and I’ve put things in perspective.

That being said, I am working on some things that I will share a little later. Hopefully, you guys will be as excited as I am about them!

Summer Survival (Enjoyment) + 2 Hacks That Help!

Yes! It’s officially (and has been for a month now) THAT time…summer is here!!! I can’t even front or pretend that I’m not super excited because I swear Michigan winters are lllllllooooonnnngggg!!!! I was over winter in January like, “yup, you were cute now move it along”…{insert eye roll}. Now knowing we all seem to love summer, what happens when something steals your summer thunder, cramps your style or rains on your parade? Let me hook you up with what generally helps me get through those “okay, yea I’m over summer” moments.

Humidity induced swelling. It’s nothing like trying on the little black dress only to have your excitement disrupted by the inability to properly fit into it. So what can help reduce the chances of those no-go weight moments? Stay hydrated with not just water but electrolytes. A lack there of can result in puffiness. For a more natural option, try good ol cucumber, parsley and honeydew melon.

Bug Bites. Ugh, I’m annoyed just adding this to the list. Mosquito bites in particular really take a bite out of summer fun. I know there are TONS of remedies out there for this problem but I’ve found one, in particular, a real problem solver. Tucks Hemorrhoid suppositories!!! Yup, it sounds disgusting but it’s the only thing that gives me relief! I use every time! It not only stops itching but reduced the size of the mosquito bites! Of course, use at your own will and discretion but I have had nothing but success with this product!

If you try these hacks please be sure to let me know!

Happy Summer!!!

Winter Blues/Simple Survival Tips

As much as I’m not a fan of winter, I am always looking for ways to enjoy it. I think that every girl should have some things to get her through this less than exciting season. I’ve listed a few things below that I think will spice up the rest of the winter until spring!

1. Nail polish

Seems simple right? Well simply put, the sheer pampering of applying nail polish is fun. Do a home pedi and use beautiful pinks, whites and/or nudes for a soft change from dark plums, reds and burgundies. Add rhinestones for more glamour. My favorite nail polish brand? Smith & Cult. These polishes are luxurious and coat the nail evenly and without streaking or multiple coats.

2. Spa Visits 

Surprised that I put an “s” on the end of “spa”? Lol, well these days going to the spa has become pretty inexpensive. There are day spas that offer treatments such as facials, 30 minute massages and beauty treatments. 

3. Stay-cation

By this time, most of us are planning vacations and just getting over break from the holidays (I don’t celebrate them but I enjoy the time off). So what do you do to get away from the winter blues? Take a weekend trip to your closest major city’s downtown and check into a hotel. Wake up late if you want, get room service, enjoy the sights, grab dinner, museum hop and check the night life!

4. Cooking Classes 

I pride myself on being a pretty darn good cook. That being said, I think the idea of going to a cooking class with friends would be a ball! Even if you know how to cook, that’s even better because you can have wine over the experience and create your own masterpiece to add to your roster! Plus, most times the meals to be cooked at the cooking class are simply chef created recipes.

5. Pole Dancing Class

Yep! I said it! I’m a married woman of almost 14 year years and it’s always fun to find new ways to spice up…well, you know lol. So I actually had the pleasure of attending my very first pole/exotic dancing class. It was a blast! The class can bolster your confidence as well as give some exhilarating feelings during this drab and dull season. 

6. Makeup Stash Overhaul 

Nothing makes us feel fresh like a new eyeshadow palette, blush or lashes. Why not get rid of old makeup that’s old and outdated and get some new makeup? Try some brands you never have, experiment with new shades or try lash extensions. Lash extensions are my personal fave. Getting them done is a spa treatment (wink)! 

7. Wine and Painting 

Painting with a twist and places like it have become increasingly popular these days. I personally love being able to get my artistic fun on with a little wine to boot! These can allow you to both add a little decor to a room, be creative and enjoy something different to do on a weeknight! 

8. A Good Book

Lastly, nothing is better than getting lost in a good book! When you finally look up from the pages of a collection of good stories, it could be spring! 

Life Hacks: Glam Girls on the Go #thestylecakelife 

I thought it would be fun to do a regular series on this blog called life hacks. The reality is, not everyone has someone to give them helpful tips and useful ideas to make everyday life just a little easier. To make sure that this series remains regular, I will make this a monthly post.

To kick this series off, I’m sharing a cute and stylish kit that will help with those girly emergencies. This product was actually a gift from my hubby. Truly a thoughtful gift because I love being prepared. If you don’t exactly buy this kit, hopefully it helps someone and gives them an idea of what to build for an emergency kit. Anyhoo, let’s discuss what’s in this one…

The set includes:

-1 mini sewing kit

-4 adhesive bandages

-4 earring backs

-30 clear bands

-30 lint sheets

-1 lip balm

-24 bobby pins

-3 makeup remover wipes

-2 elastic ponytail holders

All of these items are enclosed in a small makeup bag style pouch with a cute metallic gold polka dot print. The plus? Reuse this pouch with more items for an emergency kit or simply use it for sanitary napkins/tampons or even convert the use to a small makeup bag. Either way, you really can benefit from grabbing this little lifesaver on the go. I would even recommend adding a pantyliner to this kit. For those on the road travel or even air travel moments, for those concert nights, a sleep over, or just to store in the car and at the job. These kits retail for $6.99 at Target.

The Style Cake 💋.