Alex and I just celebrated our second wedding anniversary and we take gift giving very seriously. We decided last year to stick to the “traditional” anniversary gift themes to keep us creative.When our cotton anniversary approached, we both knew the competition was on.
Let’s start with what I got Alex. Of course the best place to go is Etsy when you don’t have a creative DIY bone in your body. I knew Alex had a love for cross stitch (seriously how did I find this unicorn of a guy?!) so it seemed like a no-brainer to get a custom portrait of our family at this moment in time. There are a ton of shops to choose from, but I selected this onebecause the style really fit us and it came in a frame. The owner worked with me over a few weeks to make sure our cats came out just right and everything was perfect. It came from overseas so definitely give yourself a good two months lead time to make sure it arrives.
Alex knocked it out of the park with his gift. He found this shop to make us custom dolls. The details are insane on these adorable things. Poppy dress? Check. Bow tie? Check. I love how similar but different our gifts ended up being. What can you expect when you spend nearly every day together?! It got to the point that we had to tell a friend what we were getting the other person just to make sure we weren’t doing the same thing.
So if you’re in the market for a good cotton anniversary gift or just want to mix things up, definitely check out these shops on Etsy. They made our second anniversary really special.
The summer blew by in a blink with all the travel we got up to. We only went kayaking once! What a serious shame. I did find some time to shake my my makeup routine and a few products stood out as summer favorites I’m sure I’ll be using even as sweater weather hits.
When I made the shocking discovery that the bareMinerals Complexion Rescueshade I’ve been using for years is in fact TOO DARK FOR ME, my world changed. A bit over-the-top sure, but going down a shade or two made a huge difference. I went from shade five to two and now mix the two together since I have the slightest of tans. I’ve loved the coverage and dewy finish of this for years, but am so glad to finally have the perfect shade. I can only imagine what other foundations I’m not wearing the right color of…
I’m still in a real Glossiermoment with my two favorite products being their Boy Brow in Brownand their Cloud Paints. I’ve been wearing Dusk all summer long and have to actively try to wear other blushes just to mix things up. It’s a gorgeous coral-pink that gives a nice flush to the skin without being too overly blushy. It’s also the most buildable blush I’ve ever used. Boy Brow is a brow gel that I use as a brow filler. Lazy me loves swiping this on my brows and calling it good. Plus it darkens up my pretty light brows so you can actually SEE them.
Occasionally I force myself to step away from the Stila One Step Correct and try another primer. I’ve been giving the new bareMinerals Blemish Rescue Primer a go and although it’s not going to replace One Step Correct, it’s definitely a great alternative. It’s hydrating, smooth on the skin without feeling silicone-y, and leaves a nice base to put makeup on top of. If you’re in the market, check this one out.
With it being so hot here lately I’ve taken to actually using powder to keep the shiny away. I’m always a fan of dewy, but greasy and sweaty is just too far. The It Cosmetics Airbrush Perfecting Powder helps to set everything in place without looking cakey or too matte. It also helps to make sure nothing slides off my face during the day. It also has SPF 50 which is bananas. All good things, right?
I’ve also been using a setting spray like nobody’s business. Urban Decay’s All Nighteris my usual go to, but I’ve been using Chill and honestly can’t tell the difference between the two. They take some time to settle onto the skin, but my makeup lasts so much longer when I use a spray over when I don’t.
Dry lips are basically my MO all year round, but I wanted to mix things up from using my usual plain vaseline to something a bit more festive. I know…look out…Kayla is over here really shaking things up. Vaseline Rosy Lips has everything I love about vaseline, but with a bit of color thrown in. Wild child is my middle name.
Summer has been so hectic over here that I must admit I’m pretty excited to wave the humid weather goodbye and throw a cozy sweater on. Remind me of this when it’s the dead of winter, k?
I strongly believe that when you hit a certain age, you suddenly develop opinions on things you never had opinions on before. For me that age is 26. Here I am, basically the same human I was 365 days ago, but with some strong opinions. Here’s what they are.
I’m a cat person. Full stop. Sorry dogs, you’re cute and all, but it’s the cat life for me. Just look at that photo of Gallifrey a year ago. Adorbs. For a while I would appease people by saying we had only cats for convenience’s sake. I’d assure them that I was both a cat, and a dog person. A few years ago we almost purchased a corgi puppy. That Kayla didn’t know what she was thinking. This Kayla? Oh I’m sure. Cats all the way baby.
Do whatever you want as long as it doesn’t bother anyone else. Specifically enjoy whatever hobby you want. I recently started playing Dungeons and Dragons. Two years ago I would have hesitated and really thought about if I wanted that fact on the interwebs. Now? Screw it. It’s a whole lot of fun, gets me and Alex out of the house, and I’m not afraid who knows it. When we’re younger we’re always trying so hard to keep up with appearances. I’d play down the things I love (board games, houseplants, etc.) and play up the things I knew other people like. Just plain silly.
I’ve also firmly decided I’m a plant lady. It’s taken me quite a while to get to this place. Unfortunately a lot of dead succulents along the way, but here I am. There are twenty-five glorious green creatures in our house thus far and as long as Alex is cool with it, I’ll keep adding more.
When Alex met me six years ago I think it’s safe to say I was a materialistic, shop-o-holic mess. Now? It’s more about the moments than the things. If I suddenly had to uproot, downsize, and travel the country in a tiny house I wouldn’t hesitate to grab my cats, a few plants, our board games, and be on my merry way. Over the past few years I’ve abandoned my attachment to stuff and become more attached to the adventures instead.
I’m sure over time I’ll make even more adult decisions, maybe change a few along the way, and stop being phased by what everyone else is doing. Sure being an adult comes with joint pain for no apparent reason, but it also comes with self-assurance. And I can dig that.
I have very strong feelings about “planner peace.” Frankly I don’t think it exists, and this past month definitely proved that to me. Planning should adjust with your needs, your lifestyle, and what you have going on. So when I started to feel unhappy with my Erin Condren Life Planner hourly layout, I knew a switch was just around the corner.
About a year ago I really started to get into my groove with the monthly views. I found my style, how I like to set it up, and found myself leaving my planner open to that page more than the current weekly view. So when the new Deluxe Monthly Planner launched on the Erin Condren website, it felt like a sign.
I go into a lot of detail about why I made this switch in my latest video if you want to take a gander, but ultimately I’ve been SO happy with the switch. I still have to figure out exactly how to utilize all of the notes pages that come along with it.
Don’t be afraid to switch things up if it’s just not working for you. Honestly I was quite nervous to post this video. It’s hard to admit when the norm isn’t working for you, but I’m glad I did. Not all planners are going to be Instagram perfect, but they just have to be perfect for you.
I’ll be sure to keep posting about my journey as it unfolds!
There are some new loves (and an old favorite) in my makeup collection that just haven’t gotten their time in the sun with a blog post yet. So here we are! Let’s dive right in with the five products you need to buy (or at least swatch) this month.
Urban Decay’s Born to Run Palette* landed on my doorstep on my birthday so it felt like a nice little gift from UD to me. It’s quite possibly my favorite palette by them ever and I’ve given all the Naked palettes a go. It has that classic UD quality, but the color range has everything you could possibly need. There are a ton of neutral shades for everyday, but some great options if you’re feeling a bit adventurous. Plus the packaging is high-quality and gorgeous.
For all my fellow translucent pale people, contouring can be quite the struggle. I spent ages hunting around for a good, light contour option that wasn’t too orange. Although the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powdercosts a pretty penny, it’s one of the best makeup purchases I’ve ever made. Plus it’s lasted me six months or more so far without really making a dent in it. It’s the best for contouring if you aren’t too sure of what you’re doing, or need something on the cooler toned side of the spectrum. There’s also some darker shades as well.
Every year for my birthday I pick up two newMac Lipsticksto add to my collection and although I love the other shade I purchased, “Retro” had to be mentioned. It’s this gorgeous burgundy red shade that isn’t too much on the lips. And it truly makes me feel retro when I wear it. There’s just something about the tones in it that are so 1950s.
I’ve had a serious obsession with Glossier lately and you should too. They’re makeup is perfection if you’re wanting a no-makeup-makeup look. Everything is so natural and glowy that I have to stop myself from scooping up one of everything to try. My two current favorites are Boy Browand Cloud Paint in “Dusk” and both are staples in my every day routine. Boy Brow is the most natural looking brow product ever and does wonders at darkening my brows while filling them in. It never looks like I have anything in them, but they always look full and amazing. The cloud paints are a bit odd at first to get used to, but I just dab the product onto my cheeks and blend it out with a small fluffy brush. Perfect finish every time. Save 10% on your first purchase with my affiliate link!
So if you find yourself near a Sephora or an Ulta this month, definitely pop in for a swatch or two. These five have shaken up my makeup routine and I’m loving every glowy, colorful second of it!
