Max Out Happy

16 Everyday Favorites

I haven’t done a good roundup in a while, so I thought I’d share an all around favorites post. Beauty, skin, lifestyle, you name it. Some of these I’ve shared before, but some are new, and some I’ve never mentioned. The pandemic has given my sparkle a bit of a “buff,” if you will – it has roughed me up a bit and made me feel dull at times. So I didn’t feel motivated to do any beauty posts or recommendations because I haven’t felt particularly great myself! Now that I’ve accepted that this is going to last a little while longer, I’m working on “polishing” the details so I can feel like I’m shining again. (It makes sense to me). Anyway, favorites – let’s dive in, shall we?

Beauty Favorites

You already know what I’m putting at the top of this list. My L’Oreal Lash Paradise! Been using it for a few years, never disappointed. I love the way it makes my lashes look!

Kristin Ess Style Assist Blow Dry Mist – Love this for heat protectant, smoothing, and shine!

Colleen Rothschild Smooth & Shine Hair Serum – this might be my absolute favorite hair product, period. It has been sold out FOREVER. In the meantime, I have been using the CR Protect & Perfect Styling Cream. It is really good and I would buy it again if it was my only option, but it’s a little heavier on my fine hair than the serum. (It says it will be restocked in 2022, so be on the lookout!)

Batiste Bare dry shampoo – Still a favorite. This is my daily dry shampoo when I’m not splurging on Living Proof’s dry shampoo. It can’t be beat!

Cuccio Naturale Milk & Honey cuticle oil – I love this stuff! I bought it in April 2020 when I first started doing my own dip manicures at home. I’ve not even begun to make a dent in it. The smell is SO good, and it keeps my cuticles healthy and soft. I bought these little pen dispensers to put oil in, and I keep one everywhere! Purse, car, school, by my bed, etc.

Billie Razor – Still loving my razor and the close shave. Most of all, loving the fact that they send me refill razors for a low cost and I don’t even have to think about it.

Skincare Favorites

CeraVe PM moisturizer – I have literally used this for years and years. Like, I can’t even remember when I started because it has been forever. I love the way this makes my skin feel. No irritation, great for overnight, a good consistency, and I know it’s taking good care of my skin. My dermatologist loves CeraVe products and so do I!

Sorella Apothecary All Night Elixir – Another line I am a huge fan of. Science + naturals. My friend Lindsey is an esthetician and she introduced me to this line! This is technically listed as a serum, but I use it in place of the CeraVe pm moisturizer every other night to extend its life. SA products are pricey, haha! Worth it, but still pricey.

Sorella Apothecary Avocado oil lip hydrator – Also from Sorella Apothecary. Lindsey got me this when I had Davis, along with some eye gel and a warming mask. She gives the best gifts! This is super luxurious feeling. I put it on after I brush and floss at night and wear it to bed!

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen – Before I got this, I was totally against it. Who pays this much for sunscreen?! I had money left over on my flex spending card, so I got 2 bottles of this to try, hoping it wouldn’t disappoint. Now I don’t think I can ever go back! I haven’t tested it during the heat of the Raleigh summers, but I love it for everyday use, and it makes a great primer for makeup as well. It goes on super smooth and light. No grease, no residue, no white cast (it’s clear!).

Foot file – I’ve mentioned this item before, but thought it was worth mentioning again since I’m still using and loving it! This came in my FabFitFun box about a year ago. It’s great because it doesn’t cut your skin at all – it’s not a grater. It’s effective but not dangerous! I really like it. It’s currently unavailable – but here is a similar option.

Exfoliating cotton ovals from Target – Love the size of these and the fact that I can use the exfoliating side on days that I’m not using my exfoliating wash. I just keep repurchasing! Great for swiping your toner after you cleanse.

Lifestyle Favorites

Apple Watch band – This was on my Amazon wish list, and my mom got it for me this Christmas. I’ve been wearing it every day since then. I did have to take out one link because it was pretty loose! It makes me feel like I have a “real” watch on when I’m teaching and going to events.

Reduce Water cup – My friend Tori got this for me for Christmas, and I am obsessed! I used my Cricut machine to make some vinyl decals for it. Highlights: It holds 40oz and fits in my car cup holder! Sold! It also keeps things hot and cold.

Elisabeth Ashlie hoop huggies – Whitney got me these tiny and fun huggies from EA a while back. I couldn’t find them on the site but found these glow huggies and these sola hoops that are similar. I literally reach for these almost every day. I’ve shopped with EA for myself and for gifts for years now! Always happy with my purchases.

Plackers Micro Mint flossers – I know it’s not super glamorous to be recommending flossers on a blog, but oh well. I love these things. They are strong, have a hint of mint, and my dental hygienist told me it was okay to use these in place of regular flossing. (Especially if you’ll use these more than you’ll actually floss.)

There you have it! These are tried and true. My solid lineup of everyday favorites. What are your top items you can’t live without?

Best Subscriptions I’ve Tried: Top Ten

I honestly love a good subscription box. Something to look forward to, something you can count on, new goodies…it just MAKES SENSE. They also make really great gifts! But, like with anything, subscriptions are not all created equal. Some are better than others, and some just aren’t worth the money. I’m here to break it down for you. Here are the top 10 best subscriptions I’ve tried!

Beauty

  1. Ipsy: Super affordable. $12 for 5 beauty products! I love that you get a pretty little bag with each box, because I use them for all kinds of storage needs in my purse, diaper bag, beach bag, and in my bathroom! I think this is one of the best subscriptions for trying new products.
  2. Birchbox: I got this as a gift several years ago and then signed up to keep receiving it for a long time. It’s another great way to try new products! This one is almost exactly like Ipsy, for $15 a month.
  3. Billie Razor: Y’all already know. I LOVE this thing and I will never look back. Best shave I’ve ever had, a handle that is amazing, refills sent to you, etc. I mentioned this one in my worth the hype post last week!
  4. FabFitFun: Another one that I think is worth the hype! This is such a fun box to receive, and I love that it always has full-sized products. You pay $50, and most boxes have over $200 worth of goodies inside. Beauty, hair, home, jewelry, accessories…there are all kinds of things in this box, but I usually customize it to get more beauty products. I reviewed previous FabFitFun boxes in this post (fall) and this post (spring)!

Fashion

  1. Stitch Fix: I got a couple pairs of pants for teaching from my Stitch Fix box years ago and I loved them so much. You can always customize your preferences, sizes, and styles easily. Clothes, shoes, bags and accessories, and jewelry options are available, and you get a surprise box of items you can purchase each month. I stopped getting the box because everything was too expensive for me to purchase, and I just couldn’t justify it anymore. Still, I really enjoyed my subscription while I had it!
  2. Fabletics: LOVE this subscription. All kinds of great finds, cute matching fitness outfits, sports bras, loungewear, you name it. The only downfall to this was that I felt like everything went out of stock so quickly as soon as all the new releases came out. I got so many great clothes from this subscription! I would love to do it again if our budget allowed it.

Other

  1. Cloth & Paper: For all my fellow nerds and office supply lovers out there. I got this for my birthday a couple years ago, and I absolutely loved it. Whenever it was time for it to arrive, I got so excited with anticipation! Everything was high quality and beautiful. Choose from a stationery box, a pen box, or both! Here is a previous review I did of my Cloth & Paper subscription.
  2. TheraBox: I got this self care box as a gift for my friend Savannah’s birthday last year while the pandemic was in full force and we were all stuck at home, sheltering in place. Such a great idea for a subscription or a gift! We all need to practice better self care, if you ask me.
  3. GlobeIn: My siblings and I got this one for our mom a while back, and she loved it! This box is filled with unique, handmade and ethically made artisan goods from around the world. I love the idea! Lots of good items for the home in this box.
  4. Chewy: We get our dog food delivered monthly, and we have also done heartworm or flea/tick meds in the past, as well as Bruno’s insulin and syringes. I love that we can order a huge box of food, and I don’t have to lug it into a cart or out to my car and into the house. Chewy has a great reminders setup, and you can postpone or change your orders really easily and without fuss.

What are the best subscriptions you’ve tried? Which ones do you swear by? I know lots of people who receive HelloFresh boxes, wine of the month club or Winc for wine, and I’ve seen a lot of influencers do the KiwiCo boxes for their kids. Of course there’s BarkBox for dogs, but I didn’t realize there’s also a CatLadyBox! Love to see it.

Amazon Finds

Y’all know I love a good Amazon finds roundup. Random items, clothes, house gadgets, and accessories that can be at my door in 2 days? Sign me up! We got our last paychecks on May 31 and we won’t get paid again until August 31, so I may be waiting to purchase any of these items…but a girl can dream! I follow a few accounts on Instagram that have great Amazon finds, but these are all my own!

Amazon finds + Amazon wish list roundup of unique items for home, organization, silicone dishware, desk accessories, and fashion.

Here’s the roundup:

  1. Baby Foot Original Foot Peel: This isn’t a new amazon find, but I’ve never tried it before. My friend Emily swears by it! I need to find a time where I can wear shoes that cover my feet for a couple weeks while they peel. Gross, but satisfying.
  2. Heel socks: I’m really into these heel socks for between foot peels or for regular nightly use. What a great idea so your feet don’t get as hot, and you can wash/reuse these! Just add your cream and slip on the heel socks.
  3. Silicone dishes for pool, beach, picnics, etc.: I went down a rabbit hole with this. The Silipint Silicone Pint Glass is perfect for whatever type of drink your heart desires. I also love that you can buy lids for it! The bowl and kid cups would be perfect for Davis, and they have wine glasses so yours aren’t at risk of being broken.
  4. Cute desk accessories: You guys know I’m trying to get a cloffice going in the playroom (turning our closet into a small office space). I love this daily flip calendar with motivational quotes, small white planters with fake succulents, this phone/tablet stand, and this table lamp. Usually I prefer white and bright, but I’m kind of leaning towards a moody vibe for this tiny space. I’m thinking I’ll do some peel and stick wallpaper, but that’s all TBD. We haven’t even started the project yet!
  5. Kitchen storage and organization: I’m slowly trying to make our house more functional and minimalistic, but it takes time – and, of course, money! I love this corner shelf bamboo organizer. It would be great for a coffee corner, storage by the sink, bar items, cooking items and utensils, cookbooks and decor…you name it! I think it would also be great in a bathroom. This food container lid organizer is a must. We have so many lids that are always out of control. We also have a bunch of cutting boards because we’re constantly cutting food up for Davis, so an organizer like this would be helpful. It would also be good for pot/pan lids! Finally, we have a bunch of water bottles, but we use them all the time. An organizer for all the water bottles would be great to free up some space in our cabinet!
  6. Simple acrylic organizer that has so many uses. This listing is for a set of 2 and comes in clear, white, or blush pink. It’s for purses/wallets, but I can think of some other great ways to use this stand. You could do a charging station for electronics/tablets, use it as a desk organizer, use it in the kitchen…lots of possibilities.
  7. Crocs for women: I can’t help myself. I am loving these wedge slides. It feels weird, but i’m into it. My sister has these slip on sandals, and they’re so comfortable. Great for water activities, walking around the neighborhood, or running errands!
  8. 2 sided grooming brush for pets: I am SO INTRIGUED. We have a furminator brush, but all three of our dogs have thick fur and an undercoat. The dog hair is really impossible to manage. I spent way too long looking at these pictures and reviews. I think it seems worth a try! Has anyone out there used it? I’ll report back if we end up getting it for our dogs.
  9. Apple Watch bands: I’ve worn the band my Apple Watch came with since I bought it 2 years ago, but I have really wanted to jazz up my options recently. I love this leather strap with tons of color options. It would be great for everyday use and makes it seem more like a “normal” watch. This resin band is another great option for daily wear; I’m loving the white nougat color option. If you like a stretchy band, this one has great reviews and it comes in a pack of 3 different colors!
  10. Diamond Dazzle Stik: Another product I’ve heard of, but have never purchased. This would be great to keep in your purse for quick cleanings or if you had photos you wanted your ring to look great for. I usually clean my rings with a toothbrush and toothpaste, but I think this would be really convenient! Also loving the idea of these empty cuticle oil pens that you can fill up yourself. Doing my own nails, I’ve realized how important cuticle care is, but I’m terrible at remembering to use my oil, especially since it’s just in one place. With this pack of 5, I could keep one downstairs, in my purse, in my car, at school, etc.

That’s it for today’s roundup! I’ve added a few of these to my Amazon wish list! What Amazon finds are you currently loving? Let me know!

The links in this post are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you click and buy directly from them. This comes at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own.

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