Goals for 2015

December 22, 2014December 22, 2014 / Kayla Hutchison / 2 Comments

As the year 2014 draws to a close, I will admit that I am not a “resolutions” type of person. I know that sounds cliche, but I like to set small goals for myself throughout the year instead of one big thing. So, I wanted to share a few of my goals for the year 2015, and I would love to hear some of yours if you have any.

1. Somehow plan a wonderful birthday party for both of my daughters…at the same time. Jeremy and I are not so great at planning conception and now we have one daughter born on June 20 and the other on June 28th. I’m already scared.

2. Continue to expand my blog and youtube channel. I know that sometimes bloggers will have one or the other, but I really enjoy having both. I love typing and taking pictures just as much as I do sitting in front of a camera and recording a video.

3. I would love to do collaborations and swaps with people in the year 2015. I have some nifty ideas, but I have never known how to go about asking “hey, wanna collab?” because I still view myself as a small time blogger.
With that being said, if you would like to collaborate with me for a makeup look or be my pen pal (I promise to include the finest toddler artistry and cute presents) then please let me know.

4. I need to try and get a grip on my postpartum depression and anxiety. It’s not something I talk about often, but I’ve struggled with depression since my teens, but for some reason I can’t get a grip on some things after having Piper. I’m not blaming her at all, there’s just something up and it may be time for me to finally admit that this isn’t something I can handle alone any longer.

5. And for the cliche goal, I would like to lose 10 more lbs. In my defense, I did have a baby 6 months ago. I’ve been holding on to those last few lbs for dear life though, and they need to move along. I’ve never been very thin nor “plus size” (hate that term, another day another rant) and I like it that way, honestly. I like being in the bland average range, despite how hard it is to find clothing that fits properly.

Those are a few of my goals for the year 2015, what are some of yours?

First Impression: Clear Proof Acne System

October 21, 2014October 27, 2014 / Kayla Hutchison / 1 Comment

Before I begin this post, I was sent these products by Influenster complimentary to try and test out. However, these opinions are my own and I will not spare my true opinion of this product over the next 30 days I am set to test it.

I was really excited when I learned I was one of the bloggers chosen to try this product out and review it. It came right in time, at 4 months postpartum my skin has been less than satisfactory, and with fall upon us my already dry skin is drying out even more. I love Mary Kay products. I am not a consultant, however I know a pretty awesome lady that does sell their products in case anyone was wondering.
Anyway, I am going to do a first impression (this post) for the very first time I try the product and then another after 15 days (halfway) and then a final post with all of my thoughts of the product overall after 30 days. Unless this sets off a bad reaction with my skin I will be doing all 3 posts, so if you are a first time visitor to my page and want to know more about the product outside of my first impression, feel free to subscribe.

I want to start off by saying that my skin problems right now are mostly hormonal. I just had my second daughter 4 months ago, and I have been losing weight and such, but my skin still hates me. Mostly around in my jaw line area. I’m also on birth control, which is also a factor. My skin type is very dry. Like…super dry. This time of the year is awful for me in terms of skin moisture. The fall air seems to suck every bit of happy moisture out of my face.

Alright, on to the routine and first impression.

This is what the box looks like. It came with 4 full sized products in the system, and I am pretty excited that this comes with both a toner and moisturizer to start out with. I’ve noticed that many acne systems either have one or the other in their systems, and sell the toner or moisturizer as a separate part of the system itself.

Also included was a card giving detail as to what to use first and what the products do. Nothing fancy in terms of how most acne treatments work. Wash, tone, spot treat, moisturize. I like simple and to the point. Because really, who has time for a one hour skin routine every night? I have 2 kids, so I know I don’t. I want something quick and effective.

First use (bed time)- I typically take most of my makeup off first with a Burt’s Bees sensitive skin makeup wipe. I used the gel cleanser in the package first and massaged it into my skin, focusing on my trouble areas. I noticed this product doesn’t have much of a smell, which I like. I tend to wash my skin with cold water because warm/hot water dries my skin out so I avoid it when I can.

I then put the toner on a clean cotton round and dabbed it on my face. The toner’s main ingredient is salicylic acid, which is pretty typical for many acne treatments. It can be drying, but it’s typically an effective way to clear acne up for me. Also no smell for this product either.

I put the gel spot treatment on a few spots on my chin and along the bad area on my jaw line.

I don’t moisturize before bed because it can break already broken skin out, so I will try that in the morning before I start my morning routine and report back.
Okay, so when I woke up this morning my skin felt fresh still, but a bit tight and a little dry. I expected it, so I put on some of the moisturizer before starting my routine. I did notice some of the spots that were trying to come up on my jaw line are already looking less red.
The moisturizer did feel light on my face. Maybe too light. I have extremely dry skin though. To truly test the product I did not put any other moisturizers on my face and did my regular makeup routine, but I did notice some dry patches around my nose and on my cheeks. So, I may personally need to use another face lotion on top of it, but it’s not a huge deal.
At the end of the day my skin does not feel irritated or anything, which makes me even more excited to potentially see results over the next 30 days.
Overall, I am impressed so far, but it’s hard to tell with many acne clearing systems how/if they are going to work with simply a first impression. Stay tuned for my next posts regarding this product 🙂

When You Clean and Find Treasures

September 29, 2014September 29, 2014 / Kayla Hutchison / Leave a comment

I can’t be the only one that procrastinates deep cleaning in drawers. Okay, I procrastinate on a lot of cleaning outside of my normal daily chore routine. When I do clean I sometimes find old things I had forgotten about or thought were lost, or things that I have yet to try out. I cleaned out a few drawers in my kitchen and room the other day and discovered a little bit of both! I was pretty excited, and I want to share some on this post.

The first couple of things I stumbled on were my Sonia Kashuk body butter and a layering necklace (set of 3 separate necklaces) that I purchased from Target last winter. I think I purchased them last winter. This was a pretty neat rediscovery for me since the layering necklace look has been trending for a bit, and these 3 seemed so perfect together for me. That and I recall getting this set on clearance for $3-4. I am not typically into floral scented lotions, but this one is very nice to me. It’s not musky or has too much of a perfume scent, it’s just a light floral scent that smells wonderful on my skin. It also feels incredible on the skin and makes it soft, which is essential for me in the Fall and Winter. My skin is naturally dry.

I ended up stumbling on even more things after that find! I have never used that paper mask, and I think I got it in an ipsy bag awhile back, but I’m not entirely sure. For some reason, paper masks intimidate me for whatever reason. Maybe it’s the fact that they’re supposed to just fit over your face? Also stumbled on a thing of Bath and Body Works lotion that was my favorite for a bit, but I misplaced it. It’s also possible my toddler placed it somewhere. Anyway, I bought this during a huge sale last summer and I’m happy I found it even though it might be a bit too much of a summer smell for me in the transition to fall. Yes, I’m that girl that even switches out lotions and perfumes to match the season. It is a very pretty scent though. It also has the the faintest floral scent mixed in with peaches, so it is neither too fruity nor too floral.

I purchased the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette last January and forgot that I had placed the deluxe samples of primer it came with in my kitchen “junk” drawer. I kind of figured they were just small samples, but I am really glad I stumbled on these again and took a closer look! The samples are pretty decently sized, and I have been using them for about 3 days now. Mostly the original formula, and it does indeed work. Not sure if I will purchase a full sized one of any of them (4 samples in all) since I am currently using my Too Faced Shadow Insurance, but maybe once I run out of that I will give the primer potions a spin.

Last thing I came across was a Nyx Matte lipstick in “Merlot.” I forgot how pretty and perfect this red shade is for fall. It’s a bit deeper than the “Perfect Red” from the same line, but not too dark to be considered vampy at all. I need to get to work on using up all of my Nyx lipsticks (which is a ton) so I am happy I came across this one now instead of later.

Has anyone else discovered some new or old goodies while cleaning lately? I would love to know! Finding things also makes me want to clean…almost.