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6 tips to stop biting your nails

July 3, 2017July 28, 2017 3

If there’s bad one habit I’ve carried with me for my whole life, it’s nail biting. It’s driven people mad, it’s made me really ashamed of my hands (and I was a piano player so that made me even ultra insecure), and I’ve even bled all over the piano because my nails were so short and I was playing so hard.

And yet.. I always acquired lots of nail polish. I’d paint my toe nails, but I always felt incomplete because I was too insecure to pain my finger nails.

Then in my senior year of high school I read an article (probably in like seventeen magazine) which mentioned that manicures were good for people trying to bite their nails because they’d go to bite them and be reminded of the work that went into taking care of them. IDK, but I started thinking beyond nails dipped in hot sauce and nasty flavored polishes to help me curb my nail biting habit.

I still struggle with nail biting, but here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way that have helped me slow down my nail biting habit.

ONE // MANICURES

I’m going to have to agree with 16-years-ago seventeen magazine. When I finally overcame the guilt of having chewed down nails and went to get a manicure, I was absolutely amazed. It wasn’t just about painting my nails, but it was about taking care of all areas of my nails (the beds, the skin around it, the hands) and even when my nails were short I was able to be excited about them being well… um… manicured.

Keep in mind that if your nails are so short that you’re bleeding or it’s painful to the touch, a manicure is not for you just yet.

TWO // FILE YOUR NAILS

Yo, keep a nail file with you AT ALL TIMES, especially if you’re starting to get some traction with avoiding the nail biting. All it takes is having your nail snag on something and feeling tempted to stick that nail in your mouth and rip it off. I cannot tell you how many times my efforts to grow my nails out have been thwarted by things like sweaters and pop cans.

Julep Polish in (top to bottom) 1. Queen Anne 2. Cassidy 3. Randi 4. Vivien 5. Jessica
(sign up for a subscription and get your first box free here)

THREE // NAIL POLISH

Keeping your nails painted is a great way to avoid nail biting, especially if you go with bold, bright colors. As you bring your fingers to your mouth, the color is almost a warning that what you’re about to do might have some consequences – you’ll suddenly be forced to connect the idea of chipped, broken, messed up nails with the desire to bite your nails. I’ve found that keeping my nails painted is a really great way to avoid biting them. In fact, sometimes if I notice my nails are getting exceptionally long I will literally go “I NEED TO PAINT MY NAILS RIGHT NOW” because the longer my nails are, the more tempted I am to tear them to shreds. Why that is, I’m not sure.

I’m like a nail polish hoarder, so on my 101 list I made the goal of getting rid of all but 5 nail polishes and using them until they’re empty. When I came to Nashville, I only brought a few of them and I’ve been considering keeping these 5. I used to have a Julep subscription, and then I realized that I would literally never go through all of the nail polish I got at the rate I was acquiring them (I kept forgetting to skip the month!) and so I cancelled my subscription. But the polishes dry really fast and they have a huge plethora of colors.

Lollia Handcreme (my FAVORITE – wish is my fave scent) / VS Pink Warm & Cozy Hand Sanitizer

FOUR // LOTION AND HAND SANITZER

IDK if you’ve licked a pile of lotion or hand sanitizer lately, but they are 1. foul and 2. really bad for you. It’s kind of like dipping your fingertips in hot sauce but it also has a benefit – keeping your hands moisturized helps prevent hangnails, keep your hands soft and often give you a fun little scent. I’ve also found that when my hands are moisturized, I have no real desire to bite my nails. Like fresh out of the shower? Nail biting isn’t as fun or rewarding.

The hand sanitizer, though. If I’m desperate to not bite my nails (think hangnail and I don’t have a nail file) I will put hand sanitizer on. It is the biggest nail biting aversion I have at my disposal.

PBJ Smoothie lip gloss / Root Pretty Pretty Balm in Ballet {10% off your first $25+ purchase if you shop with my link}

FIVE // LIP GLOSS, LIPSTICK + MINTS

Wearing colored lipstick or lip gloss helps because it creates a mess when you bite your nails. Seriously, I dare you to try and bite your nails without touching your lips. and then I dare you to put lipstick on and try to bite your nails without getting lipstick on your hands. There’s something about additional consequences beyond fingers hurting and short ugly nails that makes you stop and think twice.

I always try to keep mints on hand so I can pop them in my mouth as a deterrent. Nail biting is considered an oral compulsive habit, so giving your mouth something else to do (like mints or gum) helps, too.

Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies on Amazon

SIX // VITAMINS

I converted to these gummy biotin vitamins after seeing Caitlin switch from Olly over to these (her arguments are solid – cheaper and more servings) and regardless of if it actually helps me grow my hair and nails longer and stronger, I feel like it does and sometimes it’s mind over matter. When I take vitamins to help my nails grow, I feel like I have to help my body out by biting them less. Probably all in my head, like most things are 😉

My nails are definitely not long and beautiful, but if you’d seen where they were at when I was 15 and where they’re at now they look like they belong to a completely different person. I’m a big fan of taking whatever little tiny wins I can get, so these are all of the ways I have little victories over my nail biting habit.

Drop me a comment if you’ve got some tips and tricks I’ve never heard or if you have experience as a chronic nail biter!

ps painting my nails was totally on my list of goals for this month and that’s what sparked this blog post 🙂

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physical wellness

5 ways to drink more water

April 3, 2017November 23, 2017 2

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #StopSpills #OnTheGoWithContigo #CollectiveBias

When I was in high school, I was the Water Drinking Master. I would fill up a big pitcher of water and take it downstairs with me to drink when I watched TV. I had no problem in peeing clear (you know, the sign of being REALLY REALLY hydrated) and since I had yet to discover coffee, it was literally the only thing I consumed.

Fast forward 15 years and I struggle to consume enough water every day. In fact, when I complain about not feeling well due to a headache or stomachache or just feeling off, Justen asks me if I’ve had any water lately. The answer, 9 times out of 10, is a sheepish, “well.. no.”

There are two methods people have to determine how much water you should be drinking. The first is based on the individual: you take your weight and divide it by two. That’s how many ounces you should drink every day. The other one is just 64 ounces (8 x 8oz glasses).

Drinking water can be HARD! Especially now that I’m trying to get ready for my wedding (omg what!) I’m working on taking care of myself better, including drinking more water. Here are five ways to sneak more water into your day:

#1. Carry your water bottle everywhere.

Here’s an easy one: Have a water bottle with you at all times, so that you always have access to water. Every time you leave your house make sure you fill up your water bottle to take with you. It’s hard to drink more water if you’re never around it!

#2. Get a bigger water bottle

If the recommended amount of water is 64 oz a day, get a water bottle that requires you to fill up less. I love this Contigo AUTOSEAL® Chill Bottle because it’s 24 ounces! That means that you only have to fill it up three times and you’ve exceeded your daily goal! I love the function of this water bottle – it has a spill-proof lid with auto seal technology, so you press and release the water. While you carry your water bottle everywhere you don’t have to worry about spills or leaks. It even has spout cover to keep dirt and germs away.

I picked one up at Target (they’re only $19.99 for a limited time!) for me and my best friend Emily. We each chose Target exclusive colors; mine was Very Berry, hers was Matte Black with Iced Aqua. They were located on an endcap in the housewares aisle or you can pick yours up online here.

#3. Write a checklist in your planner

I love to check things off of lists, so every day I write little boxes in my planner so I can check things off as I do them, and there’s always a spot for water. Knowing that you have a goal and a way to track it definitely helps.

#4. Set an alarm

If you’re like me, sometimes you start your day off well and with great plans for the day and before you know it the day is gone. All too often I’ve chugged a LOT of water right before bed which has caused me to wake up in the middle of the night to pee – I’d rather stay hydrated throughout the day if it was up to me. To help remember, you can set an alarm to go off as often as you need to remember to take some chugs.

#5. Sip at red lights.

After you start taking your water bottle everywhere, don’t miss out your chance to sneak water in while you’re in the car! Get in the habit of taking a few sips while you’re at red lights.

Especially with winter melting to spring and leading into summer, it’s so important to stay hydrated! Check for the Contigo Autoseal Chill Water bottle at Target and check out Contigo on Instagram and Facebook to stay inspired to keep hydrated.

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physical wellness

four things every fitbit owner should know

December 29, 2016December 29, 2017 4

I’ve been in an on-and-off-again relationship with my FitBit for the past two… three? years. I cashed in my piggy bank to buy it, and often bounce between being OBSESSED with it and leaving it dying in my bathroom.

But let’s be real – nothing feels better than to feel the celebratory buzzing of my FitBit when I’ve crushed my daily step goals. and so my FitBit and I are more on than off, which has caused me to discover some REALLY COOL THINGS to take your FitBit relationship to the next level. Read on.

I know that a few of my friends received FitBits for Christmas, so I wanted to compile these tips and share them!

ONE // PRETTY COVERS

Y’all, if you’re like me… the cute colors and designs are cool and all until you’re wondering if anyone else notices your hot pink FitBit band doesn’t match your outfit. A huge portion of the reason my FitBit has stayed “OFF” is because the plastic little bracelets – regardless of how many colors I have – never really seem to fit with my style. They don’t FIT one BIT. See what I just did there?

THEN! Then Tory Burch debuted her FitBit covers and my best friend and I were like :O at both how beautiful AND how expensive they were.

but one day while perusing Amazon, I discovered the most beautiful of all time rose gold FitBit cover. For those of us who can’t hang with the bright colored plastic ones, these FitBit covers are AMAZING because they look like really pretty bracelets!

Here’s a picture of the FitBit cover in action. Does this look like a FitBit or a pretty bracelet?! Mine is for a FitBit Flex, but I’ve seen options for other versions – but since I’ve never used them, I can’t vouch for those. Just mine! 🙂

TWO // PEOPLE WILL PAY YOU TO USE YOUR FITBIT

You guys, I’m not even making this up. There’s a site called Achievemint that will give you points for your FitBit activity (which includes SLEEP, you guys!) which can be cashed out at $10 increments. If you use my link, you’ll get 250 points to start you off.

Did you know you could be earning Walgreens Balance rewards points as well? A few weeks ago I bought something from Walgreens.com that was $13.99 but I had $10 in Balance Rewards from using my FitBit, PLUS an online coupon code I found using Honey, and then I had it delivered to a store instead of my house so I didn’t pay shipping and I ended up spending…. $1.88. Y’all, connect your FitBit to your Walgreens Balance Rewards account! Like right now.

THREE // YOU CAN USE YOUR FITBIT TO HELP MEET SAVINGS GOALS

I could and probably should write an entire post about Qapital. It’s an app that helps you save money. You connect your bank account and add goals and rules to help fund them. For example, I have a “round up rule” activated for my Disneyland savings goal. Say I spent $4.37 at Starbucks. It would be rounded up to the next dollar ($5.00) and the difference ($.63) is put in my Qapital savings account. I’ve built up an account of over $50 simply by doing this.

One of the rules you can make is an IFTTT formula where hitting your FitBit goals initiates a transfer. So for every day I hit my FitBit step goals (and if you follow me on Twitter you’ll know because I also created a formula that pushes it through to Twitter!) $1 will be transferred into my Disneyland account.

Achivemint is someone else’s money and Qapital is using small amounts of your money to save. I’m so excited to have added the FitBit rule to my Disneyland account!

(side note: if you use my link to join Qapital, we’ll both get $5!)

FOUR // YOU CAN MAKE MONEY BETTING ON YOURSELF

Have you ever heard of DietBet? It’s a site where you bet on yourself to lose a certain amount of weight. The money gets pooled together with everyone else in your game, and if you lose the required amount of weight you get your bet money back AND you split the money of everyone who didn’t meet their goals. DietBet has started a similar new game called StepBet. It’s very similar except they look at your FitBit activity and then give you goals to make you work a little harder.

There’s also a similar app called Pact, where you agree to a certain exercise/food goal, and you pay a fee if you miss a day (starting at $5! – yikes!) and those collected fees are used to pay out people who have kept their pacts.

The great news about these is that they really light a fire under your butt because they COST YOU MONEY if you slack off. Suddenly that little blinking bracelet is a bigger deal, amiright?!

So there you have it – four things every FitBit owner needs to be aware of. Do you have a FitBit, and are there any things you’ve figured out that you want to share with the rest of us?! 🙂

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Five ways I’m getting healthier.

April 22, 2016November 23, 2017 4

The past half a year has been rough. I looked at my FitBit and between November and March, I gained nearly 20 lbs. AKA most of the weight I fought to take off last year. Winter + depression is rough. So instead of beating myself up and feeling sorry for myself, I’ve taken steps towards reclaiming my health.

Here are five ways I’m doing that.

ONE // THERMOS SMART LID

A month or so ago, Justen and I went to Target. I picked some things up in the $1/$3/$5 section and said “Nah, I don’t need this stuff… I don’t want to spend the money,” and then like 10 minutes later I was crouched down, holding a $60 water bottle and wondering if I should buy it or not.

Well. I bought it. and it is quite possibly one of the best investments I’ve ever made, because I have consumed more water in the past month then I probably have in the past year. My goal is 107 oz a day, and there’s an app that tells me how I’m doing. It’s amazing, and I am so glad I decided to make a slightly impulsive, silly purchase.

Thermos SmartLid Water Bottle on Target (use your Red Card and get 5% AND free shipping) and on Amazon (the teal one I have is on sale for $10 less right now!).

TWO // BIKINI SERIES

Last year Kristen wanted me to do the ToneItUp Bikini Series with her but I was all over the place.

This year she asked me again and I was like…. well actually yes please. So I’ve been gearing up by starting to do the workouts. They call them the ToneItUp Booty Call and you do it first thing in the morning, and they’re definitely not easy so I’m all like…

So yeah if you need me I’ll be the one limping everywhere, unable to hold anything heavier than my phone.

THREE // MEAL PREP

As you may have read recently, I’m currently doing Whole30. One of the best habits I develop during Whole30 is the art of the meal prep. When you have a limited diet and you get hungry and are unprepared, it is MISERABLE. I like to leave the house with a big lunch bag full of snack and food options. Even better when I have a cute co-meal prepper 🙂

FOUR // FITBIT GOALS

I’m trying really hard to meet my FitBit goals every day – 10,000 steps, 5 miles, 30 active minutes. I’ve read articles about how people have gained weight even though they use fitness trackers, but in general I just want to be more active throughout my day

FIVE // RECHARGE

If you noticed, a lot of my healthier choices have an element of technology. I created a little charging station on my desk so that I don’t lose my chargers, they’re all in once place, and when I’m sitting at my computer to blog or e-mail or (more likely) look at Pinterest, I can be charging everything at once.

Water bottle // FitBit replacement charger //

Phone dock // FitBit case // MacBook Keyboard cover // USB portOnce in Nashville, Layla needed to take a nap but didn’t want to. I told her “you know how your iPad will stop working if it doesn’t charge? You are like an iPad, you need to stop and charge your energy. That’s called a nap.” Humans are slightly like that. We need to stop and recharge. While I LOVE coffee, sometimes I think tea is a better recharge fuel because it calms you more than energizes you. I recently received a pack of these hilarious and delicious Collect Teables in the flavors Shakespearmint (mint tea- my favorite!) and Agatha ChrisTea (an earl grey tea blend). Sipping on a hot cup of tea while focusing on my goals and dreams helps me feel recharged, and since I usually do this right before I go to bed, I can make sure my electronics are recharging and I can recharge myself with a good sleep.