In this post I wanted to identify the areas of clutter in my life and set goals to aim to reduce the clutter. This is not an overnight project but something that will probably take several months. 

Makeup 

Lord knows I have too much of this. I have already told myself that I would not buy any makeup until 2016 - so far so good. I even cancelled my ipsy subscription this month (yes, I did have it for 3 months of this year but I was too lazy to cancel it). This will allow me to reduce the space that my makeup takes, and also really appreciate the items I have and love them. (I plan to catalog my collection in upcoming posts). 

These products take up A LOT of space. Even though I use it all and I know that I'll go through it, I do have too much at any given time (5 body butters, 3 body creams, 4 lotions, 5 deoderants, don't even get me started on skincare). My goal is to not buy any more until I have run out (which will probably be next year, let's be real). This will allow me more space in my home, essentially.

This will be the hardest area to hit. My item count is probably over 300 and that does not include socks, underwear, and jewelry. But I have a very hard time getting rid of something I spent money on unless I've gotten the full benefit out of it or it is damaged (which is why I still have clothes from highschool, and since they still fit, I don't see any reason to get rid of them). After sorting through my clothes mildy, I noticed that I had too many multiples of items; ie 3 hoodies, 8 cardigans, 12 shirts, 10 sweaters, etc. And I really don't need that many, but my little brain can justify every single thing. 

I would like to declutter significantly and only have the clothes I love. What I would love to do is build my own capsule wardrobe, but I feel like I'd have to actually shop to do that, so that's not something I want to jump into without thinking about it.

To help me decide on clothes I no longer want/need, I am going to do the reverse hanger trick: place all the hangers in the reverse direction from how you would normally hang your clothes. Return worn clothes in the correct direction and after a period of time determined by the person, consider giving aay the items with hangers that are still facing the other direction (ie the items that you have not reached for in x amount of time). I plan to do this until January 2016, so I can go through the summer and fall/winter seasons before getting rid of the clothes.

The areas that I am surprisingly good at not cluttering are the following: sheets (I only have 2 sets) and towels. Jeez.

No. At this very moment, I do not own a fragrance that has captured my heart, that I would call "my signature scent." I used to have one (Burberry Original) but then started buying so many (as one does) that I never developed a true love for any single fragrance I owned.

However, out of my sizeable collection of about 15 fragrances (I need to downsize!), I do reach for 3 more often than the rest, based on my mood for the day. So here are my 3 most worn perfumes:

If I'm wanting a clean, fresh scent, I wear Juicy Couture's Peace Love and Juicy Couture (right). Not one of their bestselling, kinda smells like grass actuallly. But that's probably why I like it. Refreshing, not overbearing, and doesn't really smell sweet. Just smells fresh. This is more of a day and Spring time scent, but I do wear it in the winter when I'm feeling a little stuffy. 

If I'm wanting a girly, sweet scent (and I'm in a good mood perhaps and want to smell yums) I wear Si by Gorgio Armani (left) . A new purchase for me (bought it for myself around Christmastime), I've gotten a lot of use out of it by the looks of it. It smells like adult candy (very similar to Miss Dior Cherie, the strawberry/popcorn one that was discontinued for God knows why). This is a good day/evening scent, and appropriate all year around. 

If I want a basic, everyday perfume (I feel like every girl has one of those, a perfume she just throws on, not necessary to smell extra special) then I'll splash on my Katy Perry's Meow (center). I do own the Purr too (the cute bottles got me, even if I didn't like the perfume I was still going to display it on my dresser). Meow is soft and sweet. It's got a gourmand, sugary vanilla scent and is appropriate for work as it is not overpowering at all.

There are several other fragrances in my collection that I love (Dior Dolce Vita, Gucci Flora, Victor and Rolf Flower bomb) and although I love them, they aren't the fragrances I reach for the most (they are special occasion scents). 

It's time for some empties peeps.

I haven't made an empties post in a very long time. Empties are my favorite type of video to watch on youtube and a hashtag that I check regularly on instagram (which I have an account by the way, follow me @withjenzy). Plug that shit Jen, plug that shit.

So, this January I finished up:

1. Herbal Essences Moroccan My Shine Nourishing Shampoo - smelled nice, basic shampoo. Not sure what else to say about this one.

2. Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power-Clear Scrub - gentle scrub, I could use it everyday. I don't think it did anything for my acne and but it was alright and left my skin feeling soft. I wouldn't run out and buy a new one though, it's really nothing special.

3. Ulta Brand Beauty Smoothie 3-in-1 shower gel in buttercream cupcake - the best thing about this was the smell. If you like really sweet, vanilla/bakery scents, this is a good one. It didn't feel ultra moisturizing though and the lather wasn't phenomenal. I recieved this in a sample bag from Ulta and I probably would not buy the full size as I have other shower gels that I would rather use/buy.

4. Victoria's Secret body wash in Pure Seduction - okay I have about 5 of the VS body washes. This is my favorite smelling one (and does anyone else think it smells identical to Love Spell?). However, I don't like the lather, I don't find it creamy enough and not really all that moisturizing. Although I have a few more to go through, I don't think I'll be buying any more after this batch. But it does smell delicious.

5. Figs and Rouge Mango Mandarin hand cream - recieved in an ipsy bag. It smells fresh and fruity, but was not moisturizing. I won't be buying this.

6. BBW Pocketbac - these are always awesome. The Fresh Picked Wildberries scent was nice too. Smelled more floral than fruity to me though. Would buy these again when I run out of my current stock.

7. BioMiracle Aloe Collagen sheet masks - I used up 3 of these in January when my skin was unusually dry and flakey. They are a great experience, smell good, relaxing, and they did leave my skin a lot more plump after I used them. We find these at TJ Maxx for a great price (5.99 for 6 usually).

8. Givenchy Ange ou Demon Le Secret perfume - we need to take a moment here to appreciate the fact that I have gone through a whole perfume. It is impossible for many people, not just me. It was a 1.7 oz that took me almost 2 years to go through. I did like the scent, its very light and fresh and something I was able to wear all year around. I probably won't buy it again though because there are so many great perfumes out there that I'd like to try (I just picked up Gorgio Armani's Si) and I don't have any emotional connection to this one.

So there you have it. Used up 10 items this month. I also went through a couple samples but they're not worth mentioning and I don't have a huge pile like itsKeerstin on Youtube does, so I'm not worried about it.

I do plan to do a beauty/makeup inventory in the coming days. It requires some organizing of all of my products to do a proper inventory, and I really don't like doing any sort of cleaning, so this could take a while.

xx Jen

2015 is here!! 

The last time I made a post was March 8, 2014. That's the first goal I have for 2015, to really dive into my blog more. I even bought a keyboard for my iPad and everything, in the hopes that it would motivate me to blog regularly. Well, I've had the keyboard (which is lovely, may i say, and really increases the functionality of my ipad) for a week now and here we are. Blogging. Woohoo.

My second goal for 2015 came about when I was in the Louis Vuitton boutique in San Antonio, Texas, on a weekend trip in January with my boyfriend. I was looking at the Speedy B 25 (I have the Speedy 30, but I really would like a bag with a strap). At 1370$, it's not a light purchase, at least for me. No special occasion and really no need for me to get a new bag. That was when I decided that if I could make it through a whole year without buying any makeup and using just what I have (which, by the way I have enough for 5 years I'm sure) I would treat myself to a new "fancy" bag. Maybe not the Speedy B 25 as I may not be into it a year from now, but I'll allow myself something. To keep track of this I will be posting monthly updates of the makeup I'm using and the products I'm finishing. I'm also banning myself from buying body and skincare (I need another body butter like I need a hole in the head). 

My last goal for the year is to live a little more minimally. Buy/keep only the things I truly love. Which is probably going to be harder than the first 2 goals combined. Because I love shopping. I love spending. I love deals. I love stuff. But I'm also really inspired by minimalists, not bare bones, mattress on the floor minimal, but less clutter (which is where the use up the makeup/skincare stuff comes in). I'm currently finding myself in an excessive state, I own too much and I can't love everything because there are too many things that attract my attention. 

We'll see how far I can take this. Because who knows, maybe I'll say eff it and buy myself a new bag and 500$ worth of Dior makeup tomorrow. I can be that way sometimes. Useless.

Happy March everyone, hope it's getting warmer and brighter wherever you are. In Texas, the weather's a bit on the fritz, cold at night and warm-ish if not warm during the day. Honestly, it feels like the weather is PMS-ing, with all of it's mood swings. Anyways, as I was getting ready for bed and settling under my covers, I looked over to my bedside table and realized there are some items on that table that would cause me great pain if they ever left that table. Thus spurred my creativity to create a blog post about my bedside arsenal to perhaps inspire you to try some of these things to help yourself sleep better, or just for curiosity's sake, to see what is on my bedside table!

When I'm getting ready for bed, there are a few creature comforts that I seek to help ensure a good night's rest. And the list is small, I don't ask for much in life...

Noise Blockers

My boyfriend requires some extra attention. I love you sweetie, but you snore. And when you're not snoring, you're breathing heaving really loudly. Now I'm a light sleeper to begin with, so I won't make it seem as though I'm sleeping next to an ogre. With that said, to ensure I don't rip off anyone's head during the night, I need to have some ear plugs. I'm no stranger to ear plugs (I had to start wearing them in college when my roommates were noisy and I was the grandma who was in her room with the lights off by 11) so I don't mind wearing them now.

Light Blockers

This is something that I've started to use in the recent months. I noticed that my sleep improved noticeably when I started wearing a sleep mask. If you have problems with sleeping (I'm a diagnosed insomniac) an eye mask might help you out in some way. For me, not only does it block the light, but since I associate it with peaceful sleep, I fall asleep easier and stay sleeping longer. Plus, at only 1$ from the dollar store, it's worth a try!

Skin Moisturizers

2 things I need. Lip balm and hand cream. I've talked about my Smith's Rosebud Salve at least twice before, but in case you didn't know, it's my favorite lip balm of all time. And I go to town with this at night, smearing it all over my lips and around my mouth. Hey I may look like a greaseball, but I don't care, my skin loves it. The only other ritual I have is applying a cream to my hands. I've already used up my favorite hand cream over the winter, so now I'm going through the rest of my hand cream collection (check out my Dry Hands Post further down ;)).

Hello Hydration

Last but not least, I must MUST have a bottle of water nearby. Even if I don't take a single sip, knowing that it's there is enough hydration. If I don't have any water near me, I tend to feel thirsty and will even get up out of my cozy bed to seek out water. My boyfriend jokes that I'm always asking for water when I get into bed but in the morning he'll see that it hasn't been drunk at all. It's a habit dear, don't f***ing mess with it! It's probably hereditary, because my dad is the exact same way. Thanks dad, my boyfriend thinks I'm a weirdo. 

See? Not many things do I need for proper sleep I have. 

All the best, stay warm and happy everyone. 

An ode to our hands. The body parts that we sometimes neglect when it comes to moisturizing but that we regret immediately when they're all cracked and bleeding. I think we've all been there (I myself am a repeat offender, sorry hands). And February seems to be the worst month for that! Not to mention I was battling some serious dry patches on my face, but that's not for here.

I love hand creams. The act of applying it, the smell, and the feel of it afterwards. I do not mind applying it all day either, although I obviously prefer one that I don't need to apply often. And I'm sure I'm not alone in this. So I thought it would be useful to show you guys what I've acquired and been using and give you my 2 cents on these dry hand remedies. So, in no particular order, let's begin.

Heavy Duty Hand Cream

I thought I'd get this one out of the way first because I've already mentioned it in an earlier post (Winter Must Haves) and my opinion on it has not changed. It's thick, hydrating, and healing. This cream has obviously gotten a lot of love, from the beat up packaging. Enough said.

Elisabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Intensive Hand Cream

Disappointing. This came in a set with the original 8 hour cream and I had high hopes for it as I'm quite sure it's not cheap if bought on its own. Be warned, it has the same fragrance as the 8 Hour Cream, so if that scent does not sit well with you, don't try this, because it does smell up a 6 ft radius and lingers like an old fart. And it didn't even work! In fact, I think it made my hands even drier. It tricks you into believing it's going to be a miracle worker because it does feel really soothing the moment you put it on. But the only thing that lasts is the stank. And what's up with the 1 oz size? Is this a cream for ants?

True Blue Shea Cashmere And Sick Hand Cream

This cream is from the True Blue Spa line at Bath and Body Works. To me this smells exactly like the L'Oreal Cleansing Conditioner. To the T. And honestly, that's the only thing that stands out about this cream. It's not bad, it's not great, it's just okay. I'll use it, because I like the scent, but I'll probably enjoy it more in the warmer months, because it doesn't really cut it for me in the winter (even though it's got a warm wintery scent). It also leaves a false sense of security because it's so greasy and silicon-y but the back of my hands still feel chapped.

Camille Beckman Glycerin Hand Cream

For a product that has glycerin in the name, this cream didn't feel very abundant in glycerin. Glycerin gives a slippery feel and a translucent look to lotion, neither of which is a characteristic of this cream. It smells good, but is too thin to do really do anything. If anyone is still interested after reading that, can find them in little boutiques and online. But really, don't bother.

Natura Siberica Hand Cream

My lovely boyfriend gifted this to me as a souvenir from his travels just before the holidays. It has a masculine scent which I rather like. This lotion feels good going on, and stays on your hands for a while, not the most healing if you have severely dry skin, but will keep it moisturized otherwise. All in all, it's a fair hand lotion, but I did expect it to be a bit more intensive coming from a country that cold and dry. Oh well...maybe its their "summer lotion".... for all I know that's what it says on the tube. 

Hope this was helpful to some. To recap this long post,

Most Loved: Heavy Duty Hand Cream

Most Unique: Natura Siberica Hand Cream 

Biggest Disappointment: Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Intensive Hand Lotion

All the best.