What's In My Pool Bag

Living my best life with our neighborhood pool being just across the street from our new house. It's glorious and easy to sneak over to every week. I've been keeping a beach bag packed in our front coat closet, just to be able to grab and go.

Here are my essentials!

What's In My Pool Bag

 L L Bean Boat and Tote (in Navy, Long Handles, Open Top)

I don't think I can possibly have enough LLBean Totes. They are great for travel, and the large size is just right for my pool bag. 

 Alba Botanicas Spray and Sun Bum Cream

Diligent might not even be the right word, but I am serious about my sunscreen. With a family history of skin cancer, and a few scares myself - I apply sunscreen multiple times at the pool. I like to start with the cream as a base layer and on my face, and then use the spray for  touch ups and hard to reach spots. Always SPF 50 for me. 

Sun Bum Lip Balm

I got this for free one time I bought the lotion, and it's so nice I keep one in my pool bag to protect my lips. It tastes really good!😂

Sunglasses and a Hat

Sometimes I like sunglasses at the pool, but more often that not I choose a baseball hat to shield my eyes.  

Frostbuddy Drink Koozie and La Croix

This stainless can cooler is so neat! It's a universal fit, so you can do slim cans and regular cans. More often than not, you'll find me with a coconut La Croix in mine. 

Portable Bluetooth Speaker 

Along with my Spotify membership, you can't find me at the pool without some music! I love this speaker, and I'm not kidding when I say we've had it for AGES. 

Towels

Obviously, you need towels at the pool, and I like these a lot!

Kindle Paperwhite

If I'm not listening to an audiobook, I'm definitely reading something on my Kindle. The Kindle is IDEAL for the pool. No glare and it's so light weight. Love mine, and would buy it over and over. 

Teleties 

I'm growing out my hair (for the 1,000th time) and I must must must have a good hair tie in my bag. The only ones that work for me are the Teleties. I couldn't even estimate how many regular hair ties I've busted in my life. 

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-Kristen

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What's In My Pool Bag

Thursday, April 28, 2022

What's In My Purse

There were a few weeks in 2020 when I didn't even need a purse, because we weren't going anywhere! 

I got a 'new' bag last fall, one that I had my eye on for a long time. And now that we are out and about a bit more, I realized how happy I am with this purchase. 

Fossil has always been a favorite brand of mine. This style of bag is perfect for me because of the crossbody strap, and all the pockets. Plus the mix of brown and black means it matches just about everything! 

What's In My Purse

Monday, February 1, 2021

What's In My Makeup Bag // Daily Makeup Routine

Growing up, I never really wore any makeup. My forte was black eyeliner and mascara in High School. (Although someone should have taught me how to cover my pimples-because I have some really unflattering photos from age 15-20.) It's probably only been in the last year or two that I've actually become interested in makeup at all. 

I hesitate to even call this a daily makeup routine, because I honestly don't wear a full face every day. I gravitate toward simple, ritualistic routines-so this whole look has been tweaked to be easy and foolproof. If I'm doing a full face, this is what I do. I actually don't own any other makeup, because if I'm not going to use it regularly I don't want the mental clutter. (I hope that doesn't sound too fussy, because I'm actually going for the complete opposite of fussy!) 

I'm so grateful for Youtube tutorials! If I'm going to give credit where credit is due, I have to say that Youtube is the source of all of my beauty knowledge! I so appreciate when people share what products work for them, and I get to see a demonstration of it in action. Bonus points if the person has similar coloring to me! That's why I thought I'd share what products I've settled on using-you might be like me and love to see what others are using! 

Foundation & Concealer 

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Foundation in Shade 320 (True Beige)

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Concealer

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

I'm not actually sure which is supposed to go on first, concealer or your foundation. I've heard people do it both ways! I typically put on concealer first, then my foundation, and then touch up any big blemishes with more concealer.

My foundation is rather dark, but it is the end of summer so it still matches my skin well. I will be picking up a slightly lighter shade in the next few weeks for winter. I highly recommend this foundation if you have oily/combo skin. Works great!

I also can't brag enough on the Real Techniques sponges! They are excellent for blending and I love the different faces of the sponge for different areas of your face. I use them for both the concealer and foundation.

Matte Powder & Highlighter

bareMinerals Invisible Light Translucent Powder Duo

Luxie Beauty 522 Tapered Highlighter Brush

The real rockstar of this duo is the matte powder. It works absolute wonders if you have oily/combo skin! Use it on your T-zone for a perfectly matte look. The highlighter is great too, but very subtle. Great for an everyday look, but if I want it to stand out more I opt for the highlighters in my Carli Bybel palette. (Which you will see below.)

 

Blush

NARS Blush in Orgasm

This is the most gorgeous blush, and it has a big following because it works on every skin tone! Love it. It's got a bit of shimmer, which makes it just glow on your cheeks. (Probably another reason I don't go too crazy on the highlighter.) I actually use a contour brush to apply it, which I think helps me keep from going too overboard. Big price tag on this, but it lasts for-ever. 

Eyebrows

L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Eye La Palette Eye Shadow, Nude

Aesthetica Pro Series Double Ended Brow Brush

e.l.f. Essential Defining Eye Brush

Because I have quite dark and thick eyebrows, I don't go too crazy on filling them in. I do use a spooly brush to groom them and then I fill them in lightly with this (don't laugh!) light, matte brown shade from my L'oreal eyeshadow palette. This is an excellent nude eyeshadow palette that I do use interchangeably with the Carli Bybel one. 

Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow Brush By Beau Gachis Cosmetics

BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette

Oh, this palette! Probably obvious by the photo, this thing is well loved. The colors are gorgeous, they have great pigment, and they stay on your face! I use them all, and it's fun to mix and match. I also love the L'Oreal palette, mentioned above, just as much. I use them equally and sometimes together. 

Eyeliner & Mascara

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner

Too Faced Better Than Sex Black Mascara

These are the real MVPs of my makeup bag! If nothing else, I make sure to put on eyeliner and mascara. The Kat Von D liner is amazing! It really does stay all day, especially if you are like me and do two layers. The tapered brush is also very helpful for wings. And I will never buy another mascara than the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara. It's legitimately the best out there. I have both the regular and waterproof and both work so well. (I did a side by side comparison of this mascara last year in this post!)

Lips

LipSense (which I bought through my friend Carrie, who no longer sells it.)

Ah, Lipsense. It's everywhere! I took the chance and bought some even though I was really skeptical. It's awesome guys. There is no better way to wear lipstick. I have three colors that I LOVE and change out as often as I'd like. (I'm wearing Aussie Rose in the photo below.) Dark Pink is my favorite, but it doesn't go with everything. And, Bombshell is so pretty and people comment on how I look everytime I wear it. (Not like, "Oh I like your lipstick.." but more like "You have a glow about you today!" Real compliments people!) 

I do my makeup in my bathroom, which recently got a little makeover itself. I use our medicine cabinet mirror, which I usually have to pull open to see closer to my face. I do have that little stand mirror on the counter, but it's a little heavy for a full face of makeup. It is great for eyebrow plucking however! 

I pull my hair back in either a loose ponytail or use a headband. I'd say it takes me 10 minutes tops for a full face of makeup, but I do like to take my time if I'm getting ready for a special event. There is something soothing or therapeutic about getting ready! (I absolutely do not feel the same way about doing my hair.) 

        

In hindsight, I should have done an after photo in natural lighting, but if you'd like to see that, I am wearing this entire look in this post. Also, in case you are curious, my makeup bag is from Kate Spade, which I got for a steal in the last surprise sale! Those surprise sales are amazing if you are saving up to buy a bag!

Leave a comment below if you love a simple and ritualistic make up routine! I'd love to know what's in your makeup bag and what your go-to products are. Do we share any favorites?! 

You might also like: What's In My Purse!

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What's In My Makeup Bag // Daily Makeup Routine

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

What's In My Bag - Come Look Inside!

I was cleaning out my purse, which needed to be done ages ago, and I looked over and everything was lined up so nicely! I snapped a quick picture, and thought I'd share what I put back in my bag. I actually didn't take that much out, but you know how gum wrappers and receipts wind up in there! 

These days I'm not carrying around my paper planner, and that has freed up a lot of real estate in my purse. I'm experimenting with going digital this year! If I don't like it, I plan to go right back to the Emily Ley planners. 

What I do carry around:

My Wallet

Blake bought me this wallet for our anniversary this year! It's the Kate Spade Neda Wallet in Off We Go. I don't even know what you'd call this color, but it may be my favorite color. This wallet is awesome. It's quite thin for being able to hold so much. There are plenty of slots for cards, as well as pockets for receipts and coupons.

Cosmetic Catch All

I loved my wallet so much I bought the Kate Spade Gia in Off We Go too. It's a great pouch for cosmetics, or anything really. I use it to hold my lip glosses and lotions. It's also plenty big if I need to bring touch-up makeup with me.

Gum

My gum chewing habit is sorta out of control. I'm paranoid about bad-breath. At our last Sam's trip I picked up a huge 20 pack of Orbit gum. I won't tell you how many I've already used up.

Lotion

My hands go through a lot. I hand wash dishes and I clean houses. There is nothing better than putting lotion on your hands when they feel parched. I threw this Eucerin lotion into our last Prime Pantry box and it's perfect for my purse. 

Ibuprofen and Headache Roller

I reach for my roller first. I made it out of coconut oil and peppermint essential oil and found these rollers on Amazon. (Label from Etsy!) When I feel a headache coming on I will roll it onto my wrists and behind my ears. It really works! I keep the Ibuprofen on hand just in case. I was grateful to have it the other day when my hips were especially sore after a workout. 

Pens

When I carried my paper planner, I actually had a whole bag full of colorful pens! I don't need every color of the rainbow anymore, but I still like to carry a few. My favorite pen is the Stabilo Point 88 pens.

Sunglasses

If I forget my sunglasses, my day is practically ruined. My eyes water a lot and sunglasses really help with that. Plus I hate squinting! 

I don't bother with expensive brands, because I know I will lose them or break them...or one of my pugs will get ahold of them. (Looking at you Winston!) Go for a pair like these sunglasses instead!

Eyeglasses

I don't wear these as much as I should. I only need glasses for distance, and in particular reading at a distance. (Think street signs.) The main reason is because they don't sit quite right on my head. I think one of my ears in lower than the other! I'd like to get a tortoise pair like these ones from Warby Parker.

Hair Ties

Notice the plural. I need 2 with me at all times. My hair is incredibly thick and I break a hair tie almost on a daily basis. If I'm desperate enough to need one and it breaks, I'm up the creek. It happens so often I carry double! 

Memory Cards

This is a work thing and a blogger thing! We take pictures of houses every day at work and we don't delete them until weeks later, because you never know! I can't tell you how many times the card was full and I had to go back in and carefully select pictures to erase. Carrying an extra card is very helpful! And of course a good blogger would carry her camera around at all times too...although I'm sure you noticed that my camera is not in my bag at the moment.

Phone Cord

Welcome to 2017! Definitely something you want with you, just in case. My phone requires a USB-C charger so not everyone has an extra one of those lying around. It's good to have when you need it!

Lip Balm

Because who likes chapped lips! I like Burt's Bees, like most people.

Car Sickness Essential Oils

I use Motioneaze, but you could probably make this yourself. I can get SO carsick, so I like to carry these drops with me. You just dab a few droplets behind your ears when you know you're going to get motion sick, or when you already feel bad. There are a few people I avoid riding with!

Phone

And, last but not least! My phone. I have a Google Pixel XL and I couldn't love it more. All my apps were Google before anyway, so it's perfect for what I need it for. Google Photos is life changing, by the way! I do have the XL, and it's quite heavy! I used to have a Samsung Note, so I'm used to big phones, but this one is heavier or something. I'd be lost without my PopSocket! (I have the Rose Gold one, it's so pretty!)

Leave a comment below if any of these items are in your bag too! I'd love to hear what you absolutely can't leave the house without. 

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What's In My Bag - Come Look Inside!

Monday, May 29, 2017