Why I Love Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is something you can buy and use for anything and everything. From health and beauty to cooking it's something you can keep in your kitchen cabinet and your bathroom vanity. I rounded up a few reasons why coconut oil is something you need to keep in your house! 

1. It's an excellent moisturizer. I struggle with Perioral Dermatitis and when I have a flare up, or extremely dry skin, coconut oil is the first thing I grab. I'll layer a good portion on my face before I go to bed for a few nights. After a few days not only is my face silky smooth but my PD is completely gone. It's also a great moisturizer for your hair. I'll massage some coconut oil in my damp or wet hair and then put my hair in a bun for thirty minutes. Then I'll wash it our with warm water and VOILA! Gorgeous soft silky smooth hair. 

2. It is great to cook with. I love sautéing veggies in coconut oil. Just put a tablespoon in a pan, let it dissolve into a liquid and saute away. I also love coating sweet potatoes in coconut oil and then wrapping them in tin foil and throwing them in the oven to bake. It's delicious! 

3. It's a cough suppressant. Now I am not 100% sure about this one but, it works for me. Whenever I have a cold and a cough that I can't get rid of, I'll drink some hot tea with a tablespoon of coconut oil and my cough dissipates. It's soothing and coats your throat to ease the pain from a dry cough. 

4. It whitens your teeth. Have you heard of oil pulling? Basically it's when you swish coconut oil around in your mouth for twenty minutes to get yourself some pearly whites. I've tried this a few times but, I ultimately couldn't stand the texture of the oil in my mouth. I have some friends that noticed a difference after sticking with it for a few weeks. There are tons of other health benefits from oil pulling that you can read here. 

5. It helps chub rub. I can't believe I'm putting this out there on the internet but hey, why not. I actually can't take the credit for this one. My best friend Carly and I were getting ready for a wedding when she started to apply coconut on her inner thighs. I said "What in the world are you doing?!" Since then any time I'm wearing a skirt or dress and want to prevent inner thigh chaffing, I'll lather some on my inner thighs and it lasts all night. Don't knock it till you try it! 

6. It removes stubborn waterproof makeup. You know how frustrating it is to remove waterproof makeup! Sometimes it seems like you're standing in front of the bathroom mirror for fifteen minutes rubbing your already blood shots eyes to remove that waterproof mascara. Coconut oil effortlessly washes it away. When I want to remove waterproof eye makeup, I rub a small mouth on my upper and lower lids in circular motion and wipe it away with a warm cloth. An added bonus is that it doesn't sting your eyes. 

7. It's the best massage oil. Coconut oil is great because it dissolves with the warmth of your hands. Coconut has such a relaxing and calming scent to it too. 

What are your favorite ways to use coconut oil? Share in the comments!

XO

Jenny 

Get To Know Me Survey

Hi there! Hope you had a nice and relaxing weekend. Currently I am sitting on the couch watching the football playoffs. GO PATRIOTS! 

One thing I love about reading blogs is getting to know the blogger. I realized I haven't shared much about myself besides the basics so I thought I would do a little survey so my readers could get to know me. Feel free to answer the questions about yourself in the comments! 

1. What's your middle name? Lynn

2. What's your favorite drink? I'm a big water drinker. But besides that, coffee, tea, and wine. Red or white, I'll drink anything! 

3. What's your favorite food? This is such a hard question. Sushi, pickles, lobster and gummy candy.

4. What's your favorite song at the moment? Shape Of You by Ed Sheehan is definitely a song I'm jamming out to in my car currently. And I've recently downloaded Adele's 25 album. (I know I'm a little late on this one). Remedy by Adele has been giving me all the feels lately. It's a favorite for sure.

5. Favorite color? Purple. And green cause I can't choose just one.

6. How many siblings do you have? One, an older brother who's exactly two and half years older.

7. What's your favorite clothing store? Of course I don't have just one (cause hello I am a very indecisive person). I love J-Crew, The Loft, Old Navy, Lululemon and Nordstrom.

8. PC or MAC? MAC

9. How tall are you? 5'9 

10. Favorite TV show? The Chicago series, Real Housewives, Vanderpump Rules, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, and Law & Order SVU.

11. Favorite restaurant? Bluefins Sushi & Sake Bar. Hands down my favorite restaurant on Cape Cod. I've been going there for years and it's never disappoint! 

12. What's your proudest accomplishment? Graduating nursing school and passing my nursing boards. 

13. What do you do to relax? Besides poor myself a hefty glass of wine? I find cleaning and organizing relaxing. I often organize and reorganize my closet when I'm feeling stressed. Sounds cliche but, a nice walk on the beach while listening to music and searching for sea glass is something I like to do to clear my mind. 

14. Do you collect anything? Sea glass! I have a little mason jar where I keep all the glass I collect. It's something I used to do all the time last year. I'd grab a coffee and go walk on the beach searching for glass. It's something I want to start doing more frequently again. 

- The face you make when you find the perfect piece of sea glass.

15. What three items would you take with you on a deserted island? My camera, Aquaphor and all the wine.

16. What is one thing you will never do again? Skydive. It was fun, thrilling and as amazing as I thought it would be, I just don't think I could jump out of a perfectly good plane again. 

17. Are you a clean or messy person? Clean 

18. List two pet peeves. When people don't use their manners. For example, when I open or hold a door for you, say thank you. I also cannot stand when people don't crinckle the cereal bag. Nothing worse when you go to have some cereal and it's stale, am I right?

19. Have you ever had a nickname? What is it? Jenny, Jen, Jenny from the block, J-Mart, Jennayyyy (like forest gump). 

20. Who is your hero? My mom. She is the most amazing person I know. She always thinks of others and puts them before herself while never asking for anything in return. She's a rockstar nurse, and caring wife and mother who always gives the best advice. I'm extremely lucky to have her as my mama! 

XO

Jenny 

Six Tips for Nurses to Survive the Night Shift

It's one o'clock in the afternoon. Five hours ago I just arrived home from doing three twelve hour night shifts in a row. I slept for four hours because it's my day off and I'm determined to not waste my day off. So, here I am sitting on the couch in an oversized pair of sweatpants and sweatshirt, hair up in a ginormous messy bun, mascara rubbed all over my eyes, sipping on a cup of coffee feeling half hungover and half like I had just gotten hit by an eighteen wheeler. Wondering how long this drunk/nauseous/sick/tired feeling is going to last before I start to feel like a normal human being again. This is the glorious feeling you experience if you have ever worked a twelve hour night shift as a nurse. 

I've been working 12 hour night shifts as a RN on a cardiac step down unit for close to two years now and I've developed some tips and tricks on how to survive them. Nursing requires the same duties and responsibilities 24/7 but working when the sun is down presents itself with some uniques challenges. It took some times to adjust to being awake during the hours everyone else is normally sound asleep but, it is do-able! Keep reading for some tips and tricks on how to survive the nightshift. 

1. COFFEE. I mean, I'm pretty sure this is a given and had to be number one. Maybe coffee isn't your thing but, you are going to need some form of caffeine during those long night hours. Tea, coffee, energy drinks, chai, soda, whatever your caffeine fix is you will definitely need to make sure you have an adequate supply for your shift.

2. Water. You have to stay hydrated. It's already a struggle to stay awake during night shift hours and it will be even harder if you aren't adequately hydrated. I keep a 32 ounce tumbler in my locker at work so I'm never without a water bottle. Trust me I've been there when I get to the end of my 12 hour shift and I've barely taken a sip of water. I'm aware of that now and I try and make a conscious effort of sipping on water throughout my shift. 

3. Citrus. I'm not sure what it is about citrus fruits but, whenever I eat them at work I feel more awake and refreshed after. An orange, granny smith apples, pineapple, anything sweet light and refreshing is something I like to keep in my lunchbox for those hours between 0300-0500. 

4. Five minute refresh. I like to do a quick little refresh anywhere between 0400-0700. I brush my teeth, splash my face with some water, brush my hair and apply some chapstick. It makes me feel a little more put together and ready to tackle the last hours of my shift. I keep a little clutch in my work bag with some toiletries like chapstick, face powder, deodorant, tooth brush, toothpaste, floss, chapstick, hairbrush etc. You get the idea. And lucky for day shift, I'll have some fresh breath when I give them report. 

5. Stand up. Sitting down and being in an idle position definitely makes me sleepy. When I find myself really struggling to stay awake I stand up. The majority of the time when I am sitting down it is because I need to chart and I can easily do that standing up at one of the computers. It's very hard to fall asleep standing up! 

6. Sleep. The most important of them all! Sleeping during the daylight hours when most people are awake can be challenging. Especially when your neighbor decides it's the perfect time to mow the lawn, or have a summer pool party. Blackout shades, night eye masks, and ear plugs are all things that can change how well you sleep during the day. Invest in them, I promise it makes all the difference. I also try to nap 1-2 hours before my shift to charge myself up. On nights when I don't get to take a nap before my shift, I definitely feel a little more groggy and tired and I may be reaching for that fourth cup of coffee.

I hope my night shift tips help you power through those dark hours of the night! Please share your tips & tricks for surviving the nightshift in the comments. I'd love to hear them! 

XO

Jenny 

Taste Cosmetics Custom Kit

If you haven't noticed already by this blog or my instagram, I am completely obsessed with Tarte Cosmetics. I haven't purchased a product that I have been disappointed in. Tarte is a brand that is eco-friendly, cruelty free, and they only use natural products. All of their products are made without parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate (one thing that really exacerbates my perioral dermatitis), oils, gluten, synthetic fragrances and more. Can it get any better than that?

About two months ago, I received an email from Tarte about a special they were doing. You could built you own full sized seven piece custom kit for $59. Is that not crazy? I immediately placed my order. Well, that night I received another email saying my order was being cancelled because there was an error in the processing. In that email they said I can reorder it and they included a coupon for $10 off. Talk about an awesome company, right? You betcha I placed my order again within five minutes. Check out what I purchased below!

1. Purple metallic makeup bag- This makeup bag is the perfect size. It fits all the items in the picture and has room for more. Purple happens to be my favorite color so it was the perfect choice. 
2. Bronze & Glow Contour Brush- I own a few Tarte brushes and I am so glad to add this one in my collection. The bristles are incredibly soft. I've used the smaller brush end to highlight my cheekbones with a highlighter and I have also used it to carve out a contour in the hollows of my cheeks. I've used the bigger brush to blend out bronzer and both ends do a perfect job. The smaller brush below the double need brush was a free gift included with my purchase. It's a flat shader brush and it's perfect for packing on color on your eyelid. 
3. Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation - This foundation is my holy grail product. It is my go to, the foundation I always reach for, the one foundation I can always count on, and the one product I probably could not live without. I have been using this powder for a few years now and I keep repurchasing it. I use the shade Fair Light Neutral. This product is full coverage, build able and weightless. I use this when I'm doing a full face look for going out on a hot date and I also even use it when I go to work. I dust a light layer over my face just to cover my discoloration and redness and it really does last a 12 hour shift. It doesn't aggravate my perioral dermatitis AT ALL.  
4. Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush-I chose the color Exposed. Its described as a "nude pink". Its the perfect every day color. And they aren't lying when they claim in lasts 12 hours because, it really does. Perfect for my 12 hour shifts at the hospital. 
   
5. Amazonian Butter Lipstick-Another product that lasts all day! I recently wore this for the first time two days ago and I was so impressed. It's creamy and moisturizing with a pretty shine. I chose the color "Plummy Rose" and I can't wait to purchase it in other colors. 
   
6. Lights, Camera, Flashes Statement Mascara - This is one product that I received in my kit that I haven't tried yet because I currently have a few mascaras already opened and in use. I have used Tartes Lights, Camera, Lashes 4 in 1 Mascara before and I am a huge fan of that. I am sure I will love this one! 
7. Lights, Camera, Lashes Precision Longer Liquid Eyeliner- Woah, talk about a mouth full. This is my second time purchasing this eyeliner. The tip of the applicator is small and easy to work with. The liner is a super dark black and it doesn't smudge and lasts all day. 
   
   
   
   I am so happy with all items in my custom kit. Talk about a deal right? All these products for $50! That is practically unheard of. I am so glad to have discovered this brand. Suffering with sensitive skin and perioral dermatitis is a struggle and never ending battle and it can really effect your self confidence. It can be so frustrating trying different products to see what works for your skin and what doesn't cause a breakout. There was a time where I thought I would never find makeup products that didn't aggravate my difficult skin. I never thought I would find a brand that made products that made me feel beautiful again. I am so glad I did! Thank you Tarte Cosmetics for providing just that! 
   
   
   If you haven't tried Tarte products yet and you're struggling with sensitive skin, or Perioral Dermatitis, or even if you have perfect skin, please try them. I promise they won't disappoint. 
   
   
   Question:

   What are your favorite makeup brands? Products? Share in the comments! 

   
   XO
   Jenny
   
   
   
   

Friday Favorites III

Happy 2017! It is so crazy to me that another year has flown by. It's true what they say... time flies when you're having fun! 2016 was a year full of fun, hard work, love, adventures and lessons learned. If I learned one thing in the last year it's that, everything gets better with time. Heres to another healthy, and happy new year!

Another Friday Favorites post! This list could be never ending because I have so many favorite things  from Christmas, and the holiday season. I'm currently writing this post wrapped up in my super soft UGG robe under a heated blanket with a cup of warm coffee watching the snow fall outside the window. It's a blizzard! Twelve to sixteen inches coming our way on Cape Cod... send help!

• Dunkin Donuts Vanilla Cupcake Coffee

Speaking of coffee, this is the coffee I am sipping on right now! It is so delicious and seriously taste just like a vanilla cupcake. I have never seen this flavor at an actual DD, I've only seen it at the grocery store. I am known to stock up when they go on sale. (Oh man, I sounded just like my mom there!) I bring this flavor to work and its definitely a favorite with my coworkers too! And trust me, it is the perfect 0300 pick me up when its paired with a delicious gooey sugar cookie.  

• Aquaphor 

I'm pretty sure I have confessed my love for Aquaphor before but, holy crap... this stuff is saving my life this winter season. During the cold, dry winter months, my lips become so dry and cracked and they start peeling. Attractive right? The ONLY and I mean only lip product that moisturizes and hydrates my lips is Aquaphor. I have one in each room of my house, two in my purse, one in my car,  basically one everywhere. This product is also perfect to put on your lips before you apply a matte lipstick. It keeps your lips moisturized and prevents your lips from cracking from a matte or drying lipstick. Go get yourself one! Or two... or five. 

• Soup Season 

I'll spare you a picture for this favorite because soup doesn't photograph very well. I am loving any and all soups this time of year! Last night I made a hot Italian sausage and kale soup, and if I do say so myself, it is pretty darn delicious. It's filled with vegetables, potatoes, spices and sausage and it's the perfect amount of spice. Something about soup simmering on the stove, the Sam Smith Pandora station playing in the background, with the snow falling outside is so cozy. I've been on the search for another soup recipe to make next so if you have any you love, please share in the comments. 

• T-shirt Quilt 

My favorite Christmas gift this year by far was this T-shirt quilt my parents gifted to me. They saved all my t-shirts from my high school, college, events, etc and had them made into a quilt. It was so unexpected and so incredibly thoughtful. Every shirt has a memory attached to it and means something special to me. Every time I look at it I notice another t-shirt or another detail. It's something that I have been using everyday since Christmas. I love it and I'm so happy I'll have it forever! 

• Memories of Gunner

Two days before Christmas, my family and I had to say goodbye to our sweet beagle Gunner. Gunner had been in our lives for twelve years providing our family with unconditional love, laughter, and memories we'll cherish forever. He is no longer suffering and is in a better place now and with that, I find comfort. To say I miss him would be an understatement. I find myself every day or so going through my phone and looking at old pictures of him and it makes me smile. He was such a gentle, kind and happy dog who loved his family, digging holes and hiding his bones, his vest, soaking up the sun and sniffing the air, and his Mommy who he followed everywhere. Rest In Peace my sweet baby Gunner.

 

What are your favorites and things you've been loving this week? Please share in the comments! 

XO

Jenny