Wednesday! Part of me wants to celebrate the halfway point of the workweek and the other part is still working on embracing what we deem as typical/everyday/mediocre, so as not to waste the majority of my life wishing for the weekend. It’s hard, is it not?
I made it to back-to-back workout classes on Monday and a ripped legs and glutes class last night which were all much needed after consuming endless amounts of cheese and rosé on vacation. Hoping to continue with the same momentum throughout the rest of the week/end knowing I feel so much better when I do!
A few things to get us talking this morning…
Self-help: If you’re in need of a kick in the pants, let me first start by saying you aren’t the only one. And secondly, Jen Sincero’s book You Are A Badass will do just that. It’s chock-full of sage advice and motivating one-liners, but most of all, the takeaways are attainable – things you (and I) can put into motion now to start living a better life.
I finished the book during our trip last week and I keep coming back to this excerpt which reads, “Watching someone else totally go for it can be incredibly upsetting to the person who’s spent a lifetime building a solid case for why they themselves can’t.” Those words sting a bit. I’m surrounded by so many inspiring human beings who are going after what they want in life (which look like a plethora of different things) and I’m motivated to follow suit in a few areas where I feel my life is lacking.
I don’t want to give the entire book away, so I’ll leave you with the reminder below (which also resonated with me in more ways than one) and if you end up picking up the book, I’d love to hear what you think!
Skin woes: I can’t remember exactly when my melasma first started rearing it’s ugly head, but I’ve noticed it more this spring than ever before. If you’re unfamiliar, melasma is a chronic skin disorder that results in discoloration of the skin due to hormones and sun exposure. It doesn’t hurt and I realize there are far worse things I could be dealing with. More than anything, it’s embarrassing. Once an avid sun worshiper, I won’t be found wearing anything less than SPF 50 – constantly reapplying for fear of worsening the brown, splotchy patches on my forehead. After several unsuccessful trips to the dermatologist, a prescription for a cream that could potentially burn my skin off (um, sure…sign me up?), a slew of home remedies and reading just about every article on the internet, I’m feeling a little defeated. I talked with Grace, my go-to guru for all things beauty, and she said she knows several women who have had success getting rid of melasma (that showed up during pregnancy) with IPL lasers. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to see if any of you have the condition or if you know of anyone who has had success with lasers?
Speaking of the face, you can get one of my favorite charcoal face masks for 20% off right now (along with everything else) over at Origins! Use code JUST4U.
Around here: You may have noticed a few things look different around here (or maybe you haven’t). Either way, allow me to give you a quick rundown, starting from the top! The category dropdown in the header is no longer. I hope by having the various topics covered on this blog front and center, you can better find what you’re looking for. You’ll notice on the sidebar I’ve included a list of “daily reads” which are a handful of the blogs I check every time they’ve got a new post. And at the very bottom of the site, you’ll notice the footer has been revamped. This was done to give the site a more refined look and to showcase what I’ve been busy posting on Instagram and Pinterest!
How has your week been so far? Do the summer months leave you longing to play hooky from your responsibilities as much as they do me?
Photo via The Stripe
I am SOOOO THERE WITH YOU ON THE SKIN ISSUE! Ugh, I have been seriously trying to hide this all week and am going to a doctor about it soon!
The Adored Life
I didn’t realize you have melasma! When did yours start showing up?
That book was great! I’ve already started reading it for the second time to let things sink in a bit more. It was so empowering!
I’m getting ready to start it again, too! (highlighter at the ready) I rarely read books twice, but I think you’re right, reading it again will really allow things to sink in. I think if I would have marked up excerpts the first time around, the whole thing would have been bright yellow on the inside!
I will definitely be looking for that book! I am ready to try some new things, maybe find a few new hobbies. Joe is getting older so I am ready to find myself again! And with my different schedule, I have some time to dedicate to these new pursuits.
Also, I have experience with the IPL lasers. It took care of my cystic acne a few years ago. It helped tremendously. If you have more specific questions, feel free to reach out. 🙂
I picked it up at Target (at the time it was 20% off) and it was under $10! Or if you’re a library gal they might have it (although, this is one I wanted to own so I could skim through it when I need a boost). That sounds awesome 🙂 You will have to let me know what you’re up to! Annnd Joe is absolutely adorable.
I’m so excited to hear someone else who had success with the lasers. Look for an email from me here soon!
Great post. I have that book on request at the library. I too struggle with that skin problem, more of a headache than anything else..and ya know what? I’m sure we are the only ones to even notice it. Let us know if you give the laser a go.
I love hearing that other people use the library like I do! Ours didn’t have a copy, but I ended up getting it for a steal at Target. You’re right, we’re always our own worst critic. If I go through with it, I’m hoping to do a before and after (if it works). I’ll keep you posted.
I’ve always had relatively good skin, but last summer my skin started to change in a bad way. I was getting a ton a zits and my complexion wasn’t the same anymore. I started using Rodan + Fields last September and I’m in love. My skin is back to what it was in high school!
That book sounds awesome! I’ll have to check it out for a summer read!
It’s crazy because my skin was terrible in early high school and then it got better in college and now I’m going through round two in my late 20s! Everyone told me I was off the hook since I had acne early on…they lied 😉 I’ve got a sample of their microdermabrasion that I’m anxious to try. It really is! If you end up reading it, let me know what you thought!
You are a beautiful bad ass who inspires me constantly! That quote about seeing people go for they want – that’s me watching you get it, girl!! So glad Miami was a fun time to unwind and get reinspired! 🙂
Thank you for this, Meg 🙂 Definitely needed to hear this today!
I have been wanting to read that book so badly, you’ve convinced me to go out and get it!
xx Chelsea
http://www.organizedmessblog.com
Woo! You’re going to love it, Chelsea. Let me know what you think after reading!
Oh, charcoal face masks? I definitely want to try that
It beats out all the others that I’ve tried! You’ll have to let me know what you think of it 🙂
I need to grab that book and I haven’t tried lasers but I have been using masks a few times a week and have noticed so much improvement with dark spots especially the Tata Harper Resurfacing one!
The book is a must read! I think I’m going to start it again here soon – just to make sure I didn’t miss anything the first time around 🙂 Yes, I love that one! My skin feels great after using it, but I think I need something a little more heavy duty for what I’ve got going on.