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My five favorite podcasts // Friday Five

March 22, 2019March 19, 2019 0

It’s been a year since I started listening to podcasts, and my podcast interests have changed a LOT. In the beginning, my favorite podcasts were just the 4 podcasts I listen to. Now that I’ve started and stopped a bunch of different podcasts, here’s a list of my five favorite podcasts (for right now, we’ll see how it stands in a year)!

ONE // THIS PODCAST WILL KILL YOU

Never in my life did I imagine that I’d love listening about infectious disease. The other day I told Justen “now I’m going to know about disease AND murder, so I’m going to be great at a party!” 🙂 It’s run by two epidemiologists (say that outloud, it’s REALLY SATISFYING). So far they’ve covered influenza, rabies, yellow fever, smallpox, polio… it is crazy to hear about the history of these infectious diseases and how they’ve affected our world. They are a delight to listen to and present the information in a way that is really easy to understand.

TWO // DR. DEATH and DIRTY JOHN

I’m listing these two together because they’re both finished (for the most part, Dr. Death has some updates). They’re stories of two really crappy human beings and the people they affected. Dr. Death is the story of a completely unqualified monster of a human being who operated on people with LITERALLY NO REASON to ever hold a scalpel. Dirty John is another monster of a human being who was a con artist who wreaked havoc on a family and the story came to a really surprising end.

THREE // MY FAVORITE MURDER

I just love true crime and I really love this podcast. Every week they have a smaller “minisode” where they share listener e-mails and stories, and then on Thursdays each of the hosts shares a true crime story. There’s a lot of f bombs and foul words, so just beware if that’s not your thing.

FOUR // THE INFLUENCER PODCAST

I wanted to include some sort of blogger/influencer podcast for any of y’all interested in that sort of thing. I had a hard time deciding. Not because they’re all great but because so many of them are so-so. People who can’t pronounce the word especially, who have terrible audio, respond “I love that,” to every single answer given to a question. I chose this one because while it’s popular, I’m not completely annoyed with the host… as of now.

If you listen to any blogging/influencer/social media podcasts, do me a favor and recommend some to me!

FIVE // BROS BEFORE ROSE

Of COURSE there’s going to be a Bachelor podcast. A Bachelor podcast is what started my love of podcasts, after all! I’m still trying to find my most favorite Bachelor recap podcast, but I REALLY like Bros before Rose. It’s two men and their wives recapping the Bachelor. I apparently have no pride and am totally fine giving more than just 2 hours of my week to the dumpster fire that is The Bachelor. If you’re like me in that, I’d recommend giving them a listen!

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#goals

March 2019 Goals

March 11, 2019 0

Last month I didn’t post my monthly goals… I also didn’t do well with them because I spent nearly half of the month out of town. In an attempt to be kinder to myself, I gave myself an extension on my February goals and they’re rolling over into March, since I’ll be home! I already accomplished 3 of my February goals, but with a little extra time and attention I’ll be able to knock them out this month.

Also my blog has become a combo of just goal posts and sponsored posts and I’m trying to get creative about getting out of that funk. Any suggestions would be welcomed 😉

MARCH GOALS

Journal 5xs
Try a new coffee shop
Send Lucy’s quarter
(Lucy let me borrow a quarter to cover my breakfast burrito, so it’s only fair to pay her back. She’s 7.)
Buy stamps
(to send the quarter!)
1 week of my cleaning schedule
Coffee with Beckie
Weekly pay days
Blog 5xs
Add 50 entries to my gratitude list
Make my own tea

FEBRUARY ROLLOVER GOALS

Journal 9xs
Read a book
Organize my closet
Organize my bathroom
Take pictures of 10 things that make me happy
Take 5 pictures of me & Justen
Add 9 days to our memory planner

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Ten movies to watch while you’re sick

February 21, 2019 0

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc., Abreva, Emergen-C, Lipton, Robitussin and Theraflu. All opinions are mine alone. #SickDayTips #CollectiveBias

Here we are, in the thick of winter. It’s cold, snowy, sneezy and coughy. We’ve been constantly surrounded by people getting sick, catching germs and spreading germs. Not only that, but Justen works at schools. With devices. That teenagers have touched, coughed on, breathed on… even puked on (no joke).

Human interaction is like walking through a field of landmines. Are they anywhere on the sick spectrum, and are they contagious? Yikes.

Truth be told, I don’t often get really sick (knock on wood) but when I do… oh, I am MISERABLE. All caps and everything.

One of the hardest things for me to do is rest. I actually get really bored really easily, so when I am told to drink water and sit and let my body get to work fighting off whatever’s going on, I get really stressed.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized there’s no glory in proving you can carry on as normal when your body is begging you to give it time. I’ve learned that if my body needs me to sit and scroll Pinterest for hours while watching a movie, I’m just going to give my body what it wants.

So I thought I’d share with you 10 movies to watch while you’re sick and how to push through it while you rest.

ONE // ENCHANTED
Let me scream this from the rooftops – animated Disney princess turned real human who deals with eye rollers and reality? Plus Patrick Dempsey as the true life prince charming… y’all, maybe just watch this one on repeat.

TWO // HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE
I’m always going to say start here. If you’re home sick, chances are you’ve got hours… and hours… of resting ahead of you. Why not start with a story line that goes on for hours and hours?

THREE // DUMPLIN’
A Netflix Original that is SO FUNNY.

FOUR // LEGALLY BLONDE
Elle Woods is great for any day, but especially when you’re not feeling great. Elle goes from great to down to determined to on top of the world. And there’s even a part two (and soon a part 3!)

FIVE // WHAT HAPPENED TO MONDAY
Another Netflix original, but if comedies aren’t your thing and you’re more interested in something suspenseful to pass the time, I cannot begin to emphasize how great this movie is. It’s suspenseful and action packed and I loved it.

SIX // MARY POPPINS
A spoonful of sugar…. 🙂

SEVEN // THE GREATEST SHOWMAN
Singing and dancing and making your dreams come true. All things you’ll get to once you’re feeling better, right?

EIGHT // JURASSIC PARK
Again with the theme of sequels upon sequels to watch while you’re resting!

NINE // HIDDEN FIGURES
Do it for the music alone.

TEN // TOY STORY
Finishing up with more sequels upon sequels to make you laugh and cry and feel so nostalgic.

While you’re resting, make sure you’re stocked up on essentials to help get you back in tip top shape! As we kept getting reports of people in our family getting sick, we stopped by Fred Meyer, part of the Kroger family of stores, to stock up in case either of us caught a bug!

Since the winter can leave lips susceptible to cold sores, we picked up Abreva® Pump Cold Sore and Fever Blister Treatment, which is proven to heal cold sores & shorten the duration of pain, itching, burning and tingling, when used at the first sign**.

We grabbed this Children’s Robitussin® Honey Cough & Chest Congestion DM even though we don’t have kids because I love honey and they were out of the adult kind! There are dosage amounts listed for adults on the label, so I knew I could use this to relieve chest congestion and mucus.

If you’ve ever had a day in bed, you know that a hot beverage can do WONDERS for you. Fred Meyer had two really great options, both were new to me! One is Theraflu Power Pods Daytime Severe Cold, which can be made in your KEURIG (or any single-serve coffee maker)! Powerful relief without a prescription. There’s also an option for Nighttime, if that’s what you need. (Remember, Theraflu Power Pods Daytime Severe Cold and Children’s Robitussin® Honey Cough & Chest Congestion should not be used at the same time).

My favorite cold and flu season go to is a cup of tea, so when I spotted Lipton Soothe Your Tummy tea, I knew it would become a staple. The Soothe Your Tummy tea has botanicals like ginger and peppermint that make each cup really delicious. Plus, you can save $1.00 off Lipton Tea Herbal Supplement Wellness starting Feb. 20th, so you’ll want to stock up to have Lipton on hand for anytime!

Like I said, I grabbed all of these at Fred Meyer, and I’d highly recommend picking them up so that you will be prepared for any days you need to rest and recharge.

What would you have on your list of 10 movies to watch when you’re sick??

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent disease.

**When used at the first sign, median healing time was 4.1 days; 25% healed in 2.5 days.

Use all products only as directed. Read label and follow directions. Abreva, Emergen-C, Robitussin – Use only as directed. Read label and follow directions.

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beauty + fashion empties

Empties vol. 19 // January 2019

February 11, 2019June 10, 2019 0

Oh man, it’s been a whirlwind few weeks! After working really hard to create a productive routine in our little studio apartment, we got a call one Wednesday asking us if we’d be interested in moving back into our spacious one bedroom apartment across the hall that weekend. We quickly packed up and carried everything down the hall and started making an empty room our home again… for the second time in two months.

Man, that’s emotionally exhausting! Especially because we’d just sold our couch(es). The couches took up almost ALL of the space in our apartment, so we suddenly had TONS OF SPACE to deal with. It’s almost all together and I’ll share a new little apartment tour.

But until then, I’m working really hard at getting everything organized and in its place ASAP so we feel at home and rest in our apartment. Sharing my little pile of empties from the past month!

Rosewater Argan facial cream

I’m actually REALLY CONFUSED about why I can’t find this listed in a previous empty post, because I’ve definitely used this up before. Kristen got me this face cream from Soap & Sunshine a few years ago (for my birthday, I think?) and I FELL IN LOVE. It’s so soft smelling, lightweight and moisturizing without being greasy. I love this stuff so much that I literally swiped EVERY LAST BIT out of the jar while I waited for my new one in the mail! (ps I did find a previous post where I wrote about this product, but it wasn’t an empties post!)

Benefit the Porefessional balm

This is my favorite pore-minimizing primer of all time! I’ve written about it before, here and here and here. 🙂 It’s great on its own or under makeup, matte and does a great job filling in pores.

Kiehl’s midnight recovery eye

Birchbox sample. It was okay, though I already have eye creams I love. It was nice to have a night time eye care routine, but probably unnecessary. Plus it’s pretty expensive, but Kiehl’s is a pretty fancy brand. I have no desire to buy this.

L’Oreal Voluminous Base Lash Primer

I first wrote about this over a year ago – I’d been looking for a lash primer and was so excited to find this one! I realized it’d been like… A YEAR since I’d replaced it, and in one of the greatest acts of adulting I’ve exercised lately, I went to Walgreens and bought a new one to throw away my old probably nasty one.

Michael Kors perfume…?

Yeah IDK. Small perfume samples are real hard for me. 😀

Garnier Whole Blend Honey Treasures Repairing Conditioner

I first discovered the Garnier Whole Blend line when I did a sponsored post for them a few years ago. I found this conditioner at Goodwill for dirt cheap (I have no shame and didn’t even take the GW sticker off, haha) and decided to try it because I LOVED the coconut line. This was really good – I liked that the conditioner was thick and lasted a long time!

Suave Professional Almond + Shea Butter Shampoo

Here’s the thing. I have this terrible habit of going places and forgetting things like shampoo, so last fall when I was in Nashville I grabbed this on clearance because I don’t want my mistakes to have a high price tag. It’s alright, nothing great, thank u, next.

Glamglow Supermud clearing treatment

This mask was pretty great! I bought it from Birchbox and really loved it. My face always feels really clean and tight(?) after using this. I think all masks are the same, so I won’t be replacing it.

Catch up on my past Empties here.

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physical sponsored wellness

Why HPV screening is important and how to test at home

January 24, 2019March 1, 2019 1

This post is sponsored by Nurx, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Lately I’ve been listening to a podcast about disease, and it’s got me hyper aware of the importance of preventative maintenance for a variety of health issues. January is National Cervical Health Month, so I’m really excited to share with you some information about HPV and how Nurx is making it easier and super affordable to take charge of your health.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly transmitted STI (sexually transmitted infection), with nearly 80 million Americans currently infected and 14 million newly infected each year. This next fact really blew my mind: a LOT of people are infected with HPV in their lives (80 percent of sexually active people!) but are unaware they have the virus. In a lot of these cases, the HPV will go away on its own but if it doesn’t, it can cause cancer in the nether regions, including cervical cancer (it causes 34,000 cervical cancer diagnoses each year).

Here’s why I love the HPV screening I’m about to share with you: nearly 25% of women without health insurance have not checked their risk for cervical cancer in the past 5 years. That number is 11% in the general population, so that means women in this country with less access to health care are TWICE AS LIKELY to have never had a screening. Nurx just introduced a Home HPV screening text. In the privacy of your own home, women can have the chance to make better decisions about their health.

Nurx’s Home HPV Screening test is affordable at $15 with insurance and $69 without insurance. The test kit, which is the same quality as a pap smear, checks for 14 strains of HPV that have a higher risk of leading to cervical cancer. The test is really simple, too.

After visiting Nurx.com or downloading the Nurx app, you’ll answer a few questions about your house and the test will be shipped to your door. In the test is an extra long q-tip, plastic tube and bag, sticker with a barcode, and prepaid return envelope.

All you have to do is insert, circle around (if you know what I mean!), drop the swab in the tube, put the tube in the bag, and mail it in the pre-paid envelope. A few days after the medical team receives your sample, you’ll get your results from the Nurx medical team. If the results come back negative, you have a low risk of cervical cancer and don’t need another test for 3 years. If your results are positive, it doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer. The Nurx medical team will work with you to figure out the next steps for you.

If you’re in the 30+ category with me (hello, welcome, want some tea?) guidelines advise to check the risk for cervical cancer with an HPV test every 5 years or a pap smear every 3 years. Nurx does offer a kit for you spring chickens aged 25-29 in case you want to check your risk for cervical cancer between pap smears.

This test is preventative screening, it’s not a treatment or replacement for doctors or health care, which is why I’m so glad that Nurx doesn’t just report back results and helps with the next steps.

Like I mentioned at the beginning, listening to that podcast about disease has made me so grateful to live in a time where there are so many preventative measures… and they come to the comfort of your own home, don’t judge your sweatpants with the holes, and allow you to take control of your health. What a time to be alive.

Visit the Nurx site to have an HPV screening test sent to you and celebrate National Cervical Health Month by making sure you know what’s going on.

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