Are you looking for new workout wear? New-to-me brand Etonic has definitely made my favorites list! Both items I selected are a hit. They fit well, they’re comfortable, & they’ve held up to several washings like new. Keep reading to check out all the details!…
Against All Grain Celebrations- a must-read?
Let me start with saying- this review is from the viewpoint of a low carb/keto gal. So many cookbooks just don’t work for me in general. However, often paleo recipes do! Or they can be adapted rather simply. Because- spoiler- I definitely eat excessive amounts of cheese. So what do I think? Keep reading to find out!…
Healthy Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich Recipe (no mayo!)
Are you an avocado lover like me? I want to eat it at every meal but my husband can’t stand it. I always have some hanging around but since they don’t last long…I find myself eating them up quicker! Lunch is also my me-time meal where I tend to eat foods my husband turns his nose up- including deviled eggs & avocado! Keep reading to add this simple recipe to your arsenal!…
American Heart Association Healthy Fats, Low-Cholesterol Cookbook Review
I feel like this is one of those cookbooks everyone has heard of. Probably. The American Heart Association has put out lots of cookbooks over the years- this is actually the 5th edition of the American Heart Association Healthy Fats, Low-Cholesterol Cookbook as well. When it comes to what’s inside…I’m torn! Keep reading to find out why!…
Quick Gym Essentials Guide- My Must-Haves!
Lately I have been all about bettering myself. Last year I did a great job distancing myself from negative people & that helped so much! This year I’ve been looking at overall wellness- both body & mind. Workouts helps in both of those areas!! Today I thought I’d go over some of my absolute must-haves when loading up my gym bag….
Getting Past Feeling Sick- & Killing Time!
I’ve been sick for what feels like months. What is it about colder weather that just shoots down my immune system! Working from home means I can take a lot of breaks which is super important but sick is sick. Miserable is miserable, right? Today I’m talking about some of my favorite activities when I’m just not feeling 100%- plus two of my favorite teas! Keep reading for my tips & sips!…
DIY Honey Coconut Milk Bath Recipe
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #honeyforholidays #CollectiveBias
It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year…but it can also be kind of stressful. I love visiting & having family visit but I also adhere to a strict “sanctuary” policy. Beth time is my time! & even guests seem to agree. I often put together a goodie basket of bathroom products to make visitors feel more at home & always include something to make bath time more luxurious. Today I’m sharing one of my absolute favorites for the colder months- my DIY recipe for Honey Coconut Milk Bath. Get ready to soak away your stress & get moisturized!…
My New Me-Time in the Morning + Prep for the Day
I’ve learned a lot about myself from this recent military move. For one thing- there is no prepping for a military move. You don’t know when you’re getting your money, your time, or your items. Or if a ton of them will be broken along the way…which yes, they were. I also couldn’t keep going at the same pace. I was burned out from the preparations I did make & the stress of it all. The house is still covered in boxes but taking a break has been so important. Today I’m sharing what I’ve been doing to start my days off on the right foot since getting here! & sharing a coupon!…
A Healthy Read with My New Roots by Sarah Britton
If you’re looking to fill your body & mind with real, beautiful food then hopefully you’ve checked out Sarah Britton’s new cookbook My New Roots. She is a holistic nutritionist, writer, and photographer behind the popular healthy foods blog MyNewRoots.org, winner of a 2014 Saveur “Best Food Blog” award. Sarah has been featured in O, the Oprah Magazine, Bon Appétit, and Whole Living and has spoken at TedTalks. Basically shes a #girlboss. If you love gorgeous, healthy food then you’ll want to keep reading!…
Nervous Twiddle Toys for Anxious People!
I’m the first to admit that nerves often get the better of me. I tend to be fidgeter & have always been on the lookout for new ways to cope with that. When I was much younger my family used to travel for most holidays & on one trip my mom bought me a worry stone. This was a weirdly life-changing moment for me. I carried this stone with me for years & it really helped me to have it in my hand to fiddle with when I was anxious. As I got older…I realized carrying around this special rock might not be a great idea- with so many memories attached to it I’d be devastated id I lost it. So I knew I needed to find something new! Here’s a list I’ve been working to compile for awhile of some awesome, travel-friendly fidget toys for adults & kids alike!…
Relaxing & Beautifying this Summer!
Today’s post is sponsored by Tommy Bahama, but my love for National Relaxation Day is all my own!
Affiliate links.
I get poked at a lot because I rarely take some “me” time. Honestly I just don’t think about it! Half of the stuff I do that is considered relaxing is normally for blogging so I don’t really turn my brain off much. Tommy Bahama asked me what my idea of relaxing is but because I’m far from home relaxing tends to mean improvising! We’re talking no beach, no family, & not many places to get out of the house to! Want to see how I relax at home on my own? Just keep reading!
Okay I actually meant just keep reading because that’s what I tend to do- READ! I like to combine my very substantial nerdy self with my obsessive beauty self & therein lies the me time. I have a ton of books on my Kindle (my favorite reader which can be purchased from Amazon) everything from pretty much any supernatural series to tons of cookbooks to numerous magazine subscriptions. I maximize my time with beauty treatments that make me sit still- like a face mask, hair mask, or some wet toes! Check out some of my favorite relaxing items below!
Marc Jacobs Dot ≡ LaVanilla Coconut ≡ Boscia Sleep Mask ≡ Josie Maran Oil ≡ Tocca Tahiti Candle
Kindle ≡ Bumble Surf Kit ≡ Zoya Bubby ≡ Zoya Tickled ≡ L’Occitane Body Cream ≡ Flip Flops
Tommy Bahama asked me to share my own thoughts on relaxation because they have an awesome sweepstakes going on right now! It’s the “Summer of Go” sweepstakes & has weekly prizes until August 18th. The Grand Prize that will be awarded on National Relaxation Day weekend (August 15th-18th). So what are you waiting for? You can enter at the Tommy Bahama Campaign Landing Page.
Weekly Prizes:
1 | Air transportation for 2 anywhere Alaska Airlines flies
2 | 3 night stay at select Fairmont Hotels and Resorts locations
3 | $500 Tommy Bahama Gift Card
4 | “Summer of Go” Travel Pack
5 | $50 Uber Credit
Grand Prize:
1 | Air Transportation for 4 anywhere Alaska Airlines flies
2 | 7 night stay for 4 at the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii
3 | $1000 Tommy Bahama Gift Card
4 | Dinner at the Tommy Bahama Restaurant on Mauna Lani
5 | $200 Uber Credit
6 | “Summer of Go” Travel Pack
So what do you need a break from? How do you chillax? How do you make “me” time more relaxing?
My Big 2014 New Year’s Resolutions Post! + 2013 Update!
So last year I wrote out my resolutions on Home in High Heels & I thought it would be fun to do that again! I love the whole “Fresh Start Feeling” you get the 1st of January every year. Can you start bettering yourself anytime? Of course! But sometimes I really appreciate the boost! I have tons & TONS of goals this year but many of them are related to blogging. I doubt that would interest you guys? I’m really active on my beauty blog which you can see here but overall I have a very long list! I figured life type resolutions would be a lot more interesting to read & hopefully it will hold me accountable as well! Keep reading to see my very long list & to see how I did on my 2013 resolutions!
So here is my post containing my 2013 New Year’s Resolutions for reference!
#1 clearly didn’t happen & I’m so sorry. Having a second blog sounded a lot easier than it actually was! I have big plans for this blog in the new year though including my love for fashion, accessories, DIY, cooking, reading, & tons of other topics. I really want this to be a lifestyle blog that shows me for me!
#2 was just okay. I’m actually coming back in February from IMATS LA 2014 to do our taxes & then we’re setting up a whole new plan. My job is so different & our money situation is also different so we need to start from square one allllll over again!
#3 was seriously lacking & is something I definitely will be working on this year! #4 is also something I’m working on this year as well! & #5 has been going great! Check out my DIY for our date night jar here! We’ve been going to more new places which has been so much more fun than the same ol same ol!
#6 I felt like was a huge success. It is something I constantly work on but I’ve been much more conscious of being thankful & overall positive for the past year! Yay!
Let’s dive into 2014 shall we?
#1 Get to saving & budgeting with the snowball method! The first step is saving up a $1000 emergency fund, baby steps! Just google the snowball budgeting method, I’m no expert & that’s where I learned all about it!
#2 Buy myself another new, ritzy camera! I’ve been using a video camera that was my husband’s before we even got married- it is like 7 years behind the times! I want a new camera with video capability (yes I do have my eye on a particular model!) to re-spark my passion for vlogging & such.
#3 De-clutter, donate, & purge more. I went through a huge change with my OCD this year & found myself in the healthiest place I’ve been in a long time. Getting rid of things I don’t need, will never use, or that someone else can use is going to be a huge part of this year. I’ve been doing so well that I want to keep the momentum going! I’m even doing the whole turning around the hangers 7 donating what is left thing. & going through all of our seasonal cra…stuff. I meant stuff.
#4 This kind of feeds into #3 but it is a big one- Use what I have! I need to use up soaps before buying more, use up salsa before opening a new jar, & just get my significant hoarding of everything under control. I also need to organize what I have like magazines I’ve been saving for crafting & stuff I have piling up to use someday.
#5 Read more. Goodreads has been excellent for planning this! I also love audio books so I’m getting a list together!
#6 Get back into my art. I love to draw & paint & just haven’t made time for that creative outlet in a long time. Painting my nails is awesome but I probably should break out the paints again.
#7 Scan ALL of my family photos. When my parents visited they brought boxes upon boxes of photos & documents that need to get scanned so they aren’t lost forever. There are SO many that it is quite daunting but I need to make a plan & stick to it- not an option!
#8 Try even more fun foods & recipes- hubby & I both enjoy them & it keeps us from falling into a rut!
#9 For health related matters, I just need to get back on track. Tracking my food, sticking to a regimen, & having goals all help. Some of my main goals are getting pushups done, working with my yoga ball, & running a mile comfortably! I have a heart condition & if I’m not consistent it is pretty much impossible to layoff then jump back in full force. Slow & steady.
#10 Keep loving my life. Be mindful of all the wonderful opportunities I have. Enjoy the people I surround myself with. & just keep being happy.
What are some of your resolutions for 2014? Any life goals to share?
How to Clean with OCD- How I’m Coping + My Tips
When it comes it our house…we have lots of stuff. Our kitchen is overflowing, my makeup rooms is bursting, & the closets…well let’s just not play that game.
We’ve got gadgets & gizmos aplenty. We’ve got decor & seasonal galore. You want craft supplies? I’ve got too many! Ha. Does anyone else relate to the Little Mermaid about hoarding? That scene always gives me a giggle.
Let’s talk about what’s been going on though. For those that don’t know, I am obsessive compulsive & have anxiety. I take a medication to live a much better life but I just recently started taking it again. During the break we acquired a whole lot of stuff. & now that I’m back on track it is time to tackle it. We’ve already started & I thought…just in case anyone else out there felt crazy like me…I’d share some tips that have helped me.
#1 “I never use this & someone else out there will love it.”
This is number one for a reason: I repeat this in my head over & over…& over. When I’m trying to decide on an item this is what I say. If I have to think that hard we probably don’t need it. If it is something truly sentimental (your wedding album, prom dress, your son’s first pair of shoes) then that is something you have to think about. But if you are saving 10 dresses from 15 years ago that you’ll never wear again, let someone else!
#2 Ask lots of questions, of yourself & others.
When was the last time he played with this? Where will this fit in with our lifestyle? Is there someone we know who would really appreciate this that we could gift it to? You really need to find a balance. For example, I had well over 100 pairs of sunglasses. Excessive? Yes. But I’ve had most of them for years. The average amount for most people is probably 1-10. the thought of that was enough to nearly make me cray-cray. I couldn’t go down that much! But I did narrow it down to 50. Little by little! Get rid of the things that don’t make your life better: clothes you kept because someone gifted them to you, cracked items you never bothered to fix, games with a bunch of missing pieces…make room for the new.
#3 Get nonjudgmental help.
The nonjudgmental part is REALLY important. Find someone who can understand at least somewhat about what upsets you. You don’t want to feel like they think you’re being dramatic or even making things worse. You might be surprised so talk to them before you start. Go over your triggers, what upsets you most, & what will help make the experience productive. One of my triggers is getting rid of things without me seeing it first. My husband is really considerate & vocal about it now.
#4 Give to a cause.
This helps me so much. I hate the idea of throwing out perfectly good things someone somewhere might get use out of. I just can’t bare the thought of tossing them in the trash never to be loved again. We don’t personally have a good setup for yard sales so donations really are the way to go. Books to the local library. Art supplies to local schools. Clothing to the Make A Wish Foundation drop offs. I can’t even explain the difference between donating & tossing. Right now people are getting great use out of our mismatched dishes, canned goods we’ll never eat, & clothes I never ended up wearing.
#5 Find your own pace.
Some people will speed through certain rooms while others will drag. The kitchen is really hard for me, I can always see myself using those items. Same with crafting supplies. What if I need a lavender zipper someday? Or a mini colander? Or every box of tea ever made? I’ll take longer on those things. Books were really easy for me ever since I started using audio books & my kindle. I used to save them because I would think “Someday I’ll want this for my kids” or “Someday I’ll read this again” but now the only books I tend to keep are a couple from my childhood & my cookbooks. Try to switch between the difficult & easy so you feel like you’re really accomplishing something.
Welp! That’s all for now! If you guys are interested I could talk about our spring cleaning a bit more. It has definitely been an adventure! For the first time in ages it feels good to purge our house of the unnecessary.
My 2013 Resolutions in Life, Love, & Work
A lot of posts have gone up about resolutions this year…& here are mine! My resolutions are a bit different because right now I am 100% focused on getting ready for IMATS 2013 & my trip home to my family & friends. I plan to put these into effect February 1st!
My 2013 Resolutions in Life, Love, & Work
1. Get Home in High Heels into my Schedule.
For those of you not familiar, I blog multiple times a day on Stephanie Louise- All Things Beautiful & I’m also a blogger/social media consultant for a hair website. I’ve been on a constant blogging schedule for some time now & while I’ve seen amazing success (I still consider myself a newbie!) I’m finding it hard to launch this blog. I have so much to share from DIY to cooking to pets but I am just having a hard time expressing myself. Time to make this blog a priority too!
2. Budgeting
I have GOT to learn to budget properly. I make excuses all the time & so does the hubby. When I return from IMATS 2013 (I’ll be in CA Jan 14th-30th) I’m going to start a big plan & overhaul our spending. We have already started some money saving tips but there is so much more to plan out! I’m going to have a makeup budget (my idea I swear) for the first time ever. It will be tough but it will be so worth it!
3. Make a Healthy Me a Priority
I actually like to eat healthy & exercising makes me feel good, so why don’t I make them a priority in my schedule? Because I just don’t. I need to learn to make time instead of working or playing. A healthy me is a happier me.
4. Switch Off
Sometimes I feel like a whole week goes by & I don’t even see my hubby. One night a week I want to have a “Switch Off” night where we turn off the tvs, put our phones away, & reconnect. I think this is so important & both of us are totally guilty.
5. Plan A Date
Ryan & I have an issue: neither of us care what we do. Dinner? Games? Restaurant? Whatever. I need to figure out a way to start planning out some fun for us so we don’t just sit around arguing about what we’re going to do. I have an idea for this but I’ll wait till Valentine’s Day! I’ll share it with you guys in February 🙂
6. Try to be More Positive
I’m a pretty negative person. I call it being a realist but honestly, I’m a worrier. I worry things will go wrong, am pretty pessimistic, & just prepared for the worst. I really want to work on changing the way I react to certain situations & having a more open mind. I think it will be freeing & hopefully lead me to a happier self overall.
There you have it! I hope you guys enjoyed them! I hope everyone has a positively stunning 2013 & cheers to new goals! I’d LOVE to hear what your plans for the new year are so please feel free to link them below!
