Who Else Wants a Free 7- Day Gratitude Journal Workbook?

What do you have to be thankful for right now?

When was the last time that you felt appreciated? Did you make someone else feel the same?

How often do you reflect on festive moments in your life? 

I asked those questions to myself this week and was able to realize what aspects I wanted change to achieve a higher level of happiness. How did I figure that out in three questions? I made a list of goals and tasks by keeping a gratitude journal. I created The Gratitude Journal to encourage myself to appreciate and value the things and people that fulfill me vs. being fixated on what’s not fulfilling or of value to my purpose in life. 

Three of my personal wellness goals for the year are to explore how to change my mindset, practice mindfulness, and to practice letting go of negative thinking. I started my groundwork in January when I wrote an article for Blk Girl Culture, breaking down the benefits of keeping a Gratitude Journal and some key reasons why people begin journaling:

Continue reading “Who Else Wants a Free 7- Day Gratitude Journal Workbook?” →

Kristen BuchananLeave a comment

No Stress Just Self- Care Everyday

Whenever I neglect to practice personal care, it has an effect on my anxiety and general mood. We all know that stress is not the easiest to manage and can often be easier said than done. How many of us have started one thing that we’ve gotten motivated to do for ourselves, but have not stayed committed to the journey? Felt defeated. Discouraged. How often is your mood affected by your health? It’s time to change your self-care habits! You can manage stress, you can become stress-free. I’ve found that with regular practice with these six self-care activities has helped to improve how often I tend to personal care, how much I enjoy practicing self-care during each of these acts, and keeps me motivated to do meet my goals.

It’s almost like I’ve discovered a hidden message all within my mind, body, and soul, and I’m finally finding the courage to crack the codes. Yes, I’ve mentioned before that I am a full-time working wife and mother of one. Of course my life is hectic! Most often, there’s too much on my plate (even though I’m passionate about EVERY thing on my plate). What am I doing? I’m sitting at a table trying to finish all of my food, but truth is, I’ve been overwhelmed and full a long time ago. Whenever I get like this (and I’m sure I’m not the only person that does this), I have to remember to get up and go relax. To lower my risks of burn out, anxiety, and depression, I try to engage in things that I enjoy to rekindle the balance in my life.

Continue reading “No Stress Just Self- Care Everyday” →

Kristen Buchanan3 Comments

Why I Started Blogging (And maybe You Should Too)

Blogging is something that I have always expressed my passion and excitement for (See: Introducing Life + Style With Kris). After successfully starting a college blog in 2008, I never discovered love as deep as the one I have for writing (for a career choice). So why did I stop? What made me start back ten years later?

Continue reading “Why I Started Blogging (And maybe You Should Too)” →

Kristen BuchananLeave a comment

8 Beginner Yoga Poses to Ease Anxiety and Depression

If you have been following me on social media, then you know that I have been practicing yoga. My practice method is 2-3 times a week, and sometimes I’ll post the transitions I’m practicing on IGTv (Check my Instagram for “Self-Care Sundays”). I’ve been enjoying getting to learn more about how it can help improve my physical and mental health. Regular discipline and practice have increased my ability to find inner peace and salvation. Oh, and did I mention that I’m not an expert at this? Although I am not as trained as some, I’ve still gained a bit of knowledge about the art of yoga. We all don’t have to be Yogis!

Being at home for five/six months has taken a lot of adjustment for all of us, and it steadily affects my mind and body. Yoga has allowed me to escape to find release. I’ve learned eight poses or transitions that have helped me to relieve tension, stress, and anxiety. These eight yoga poses are great for beginners like me and are steps in the direction towards allowing yoga to heal your body.

Pro Tip: Remember to breathe and follow the breath consistently when entering and holding a pose. It is key to deepening your stretch or finding where you need the most release.

Upward Salute (30 secs- 1 min)
This pose is a considerable starter or ending to your yoga practice. I’m amazed at how standing firm can begin to change my overall mood and energy. To enter this pose, stand tall and straight with your legs and feet close together. Send your arms out to the side, palms facing up. Slowly lift or raise the arms upward above the head where the palms will meet. Whenever I’m in this pose, I will feel a stretch throughout the spine and shoulders.

Bound Angle Pose (1- 5 mins)
My hips give me numerous fits when it comes to tension and tightness. The Bound Angle Pose is a go-to for me when it comes to opening up the hips, along with it being one of the painless poses to transition through. While remembering to follow the breath, sit with your legs out in front of you. Bend the knees and bring the heels inwards to meet each other.
Pro Tip: To deepen the stretch, lift from the pelvis to bring the spine to the heels of your feet.

Seated Forward Bend (30 secs- 1 min)
Next time you’re sitting and watching Netflix or your favorite movie, try out the Seated Forward Bend. You can use this to help calm the mind for a bit and take a load off! This pose can help soothe headaches and reduce fatigue while stretching out the spine, shoulders, and hamstrings. Just extend your legs forward and inhale to send the arms to grab the feet, holding the pose for 30 secs to a min.

Bridge Pose (30 secs- 1 min)
I love this pose for the broad array of benefits from it. Bridge pose can be whatever you need it to be. Allow your body to heal and find relief anywhere from the neck, lower back, legs, and see how to restore and rejuvenate your body within this transition. While laying flat, adjust to bend and keep your knees and feet parallel on the floor. While pressing into the floor, use the arms and feet to lift the tailbone upwards, towards the sky.

Extended Puppy Pose (30 secs- 1 min)
A great beginner pose that can help prepare you for follow up transitions, such as Downward Facing Dog. Allow Extended Puppy Pose to help lengthen your spine and stretch out both the spine and shoulders. During your breath cycles, attempt to deepen the stretch by taking full inhales through the nose and letting go by exhaling through the mouth. Simply come to all fours and extend the tailbone back to meet the thighs, then lift the tailbone upwards to the sky. Extend the arms as far as you can forward, attempting to keep the elbows in line with the forearms and gently release the forehead to the floor.

Camel Pose (5- 10 Breath Cycles)
Ustrasana Sanskrit or Camel is one of the more intricate poses that I’ve chosen for the list, but you’ll be happy to know that when you’ve completed this transition, you’ll be in a better mood and on your way to healing. To start, kneel on the floor or mat, keeping the legs and feet a hip’s distance apart. While pressing into the feet, lift through the pelvic to send the hips and tailbone forward. When you’re ready, send the arms back to meet the feet to grab and hold for a few deep breath cycles.

Big Toe Pose (1 min)
If you are a runner or someone who suffers from tight hamstrings, you should find this transition beneficial like I seem to have done. It is easy to get into, and it certainly is brilliant for lengthening and strengthening your hamstrings. It’s one of my favorites! Stand upright and keep the feet a couple of inches apart. Then, keep the legs straight, and bend forward through the hip flexors to meet the feet. Send the arms down to have the fingers grab the feet or “big toes” and hold the pose. Inhale deeply to lift the torso back up, and if you’d like, repeat this one a few times.

Extended Triangle Pose (30 secs- 1 min)
The Extended Triangle Pose is one of the supreme standing poses in yoga and is beneficial to increase strength and stability. Similar to the benefits of the Big Toe Pose, I find that this transition helps with tight hamstrings and shoulders. To enter the pose, stand upright (hip-width apart). Turn the left leg and foot inward and the right leg and foot outward. Next, extend arms out sideways and then shift or lift from the hips to send right arm down to meet the left foot. The left arm should be extended upward to the sky. Repeat the steps for the opposite side.

I hope that the transitions I’ve shared with you today will help you to calm the mind, increase flexibility, let go, and increase your happiness and healing. I know that they’ve certainly been a blessing to me. If you’re new to this, I would recommend investing in a yoga mat. You don’t have to necessarily have one, as you can use towels and rugs if you wish, but the yoga mat is honestly easier on the body. I got mine from Marshall’s, but here are a few that I’ve found on Amazon. Please share in the comment section any other transitions and poses that you may know of that are beneficial to easing anxiety and depression!

Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!

Retrospec Yoga Mat

Gaiam Yoga Mat

BalanceFrom Yoga Mat

Kristen Buchanan2 Comments

Our Trip To Gulf Shores, Alabama

Summer 2020 has been nothing like I envisioned it to be. An eventful, sunny season is ultimately my favorite time of year and honestly all that I’d hope it to be. Due to the ongoing and everlasting pandemic, COVID-19 has gotten in the way of many things. I miss vacations! I miss itineraries and sizable events/ activities. Will traveling ever go back to being what we knew it to be? I just want it to be over!

I am optimistic that we will be able to take trips like we used to, but in the meantime, I’d like to be creative and find a way to just… get away. If not only but for a short and sweet moment, wouldn’t that be nice? July is a significant month for me and represents a time of love, joy, and happiness. For starters, it is the birth month for myself (July 10th) & a host of other family and friends! CANCERS UNITE!

It’s also the month that my husband and I wed. July 2020 will always be significant, marking five years of marriage! Could you imagine being equally excited to celebrate an occasion such as this but weary about how to even approach the planning for it? To be truthful, we’d almost given up on planning anything. What was there to do? What was SAFE to do?

There may not be much to do, but there was one thing that we knew to do: we had to get away. Our research on VRBO led us to condo rentals that wouldn’t be too far from home in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We have vacationed there a couple of times before and have always managed to have a great time. We hadn’t heard in any surge of COVID-19 cases there, and the rental properties seemed to have accommodations, rules, and guidelines due to the current pandemic that we could comply with. I started to become intrigued by the possibilities of being able to escape my bedroom, office, and living room spaces.

Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!

Young’s Suncoast Condo Rentals
We found a beautiful one-bedroom condo within minutes from the Gulf Shores beach. Young’s Suncoast has several properties within the area (Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan). The One Club condo property offered us many amenities, a few that we could take advantage of such as a restaurant and bar that delivered, 24/7 Fitness Center, and private cabanas. Check out pictures from the Young’s Suncoast website for pictures of vacation rental properties. I decided to decorate our condo on arrival day with themed balloon colors and anniversary keepsakes. Everything turned out flawlessly and set the tone for a weekend full of love, happiness, and relaxation.

White, Gold, Teal Balloons
Gold Backdrop
Feathers

Beach Bums & Sandcastles
Public beaches are open if you’re in or near Alabama! It’s dead in the middle of Summer and thanks to COVID, my family and I haven’t had any family fun at the beach. We were able to find a spot on the beach, at a safe distance from everyone else, and hang out for the day. It was nice to watch the waves (which were high that day) and lay out in the sun. I walked the shore for a bit before building sandcastles with my husband and son.

Eat and Merry
Normally when I travel, I like to dine-in at restaurants that I’ve never experienced. I truly miss life pre-COVID. We worked around restaurant closures and limited menus the best that we could and honestly owe Door Dash a huge thank you! If you don’t have this food delivery service it is worth the app to download on your smartphone. Another Broken Egg is one of my favorite brunch restaurants and every time I visit Gulf Shores, it is a must-have. Usually, I’d recommend restaurants like GT’s On The Bay or Barefoot Island Grill. If you don’t have to venture out, let the food come to you. Here’s some Door Dash promo codes for July. Hurry, they’ll be expiring soon.

We Are Family
I envisioned a tropical vacation trip out of the country (it would’ve been my first time) for my fifth wedding anniversary. I’d previous thoughts about taking a cruise or a trip to the Bahamas. However, circumstances allowed us to create memories in other ways. Fun Fact: My husband and I didn’t get to have a real honeymoon after our wedding. The trip to Gulf Shores allowed my family and me to find innovative ways to bond. Usually, vacations are filled with activities, events, and itineraries. Quality time indoors while you’re away from home is typically minimal but, it deepened our communication with each other. For example, we played Zingo (a fun sight word game for toddlers) for a family fun night. Landon enjoyed identifying words on his (and everyone else’s) boards and getting a taste of winning at games.

What Summer travel plans did you have to change due to COVID-19? Will you still be taking any trips with the Summer almost coming to an end? Have you taken any trips yet this Summer? Leave a comment below.

Kristen Buchanan4 Comments

Everything You Need To Know About Veet’s 3-in-1 Wax Strips

Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!

On Instagram last week, I talked in my stories about wanting to try body waxing at home. I am still uncomfortable and apprehensive about going out. COVID-19 is like that guest that can’t seem to take a hint when they are on the verge of overstaying their welcome. Even though Mississippi (which is the state that I live in) has deemed it “safe” for residents to get back to some sort of normalcy, I will still be hosting Self Spa Nights at my home until further notice. I mean, I waxed my eyebrows in March, gave me and my husband pedicures in April, what’s a little body waxing? It should make for a fun activity!

My followers on Instagram agreed that I should try body waxing and recommended that I try Veet’s 3-in-1 Legs & Body Wax Strip Kit or Sensitive Precision Beauty Styler (which is an electric trimmer for facial hair). I decided to conduct a poll because I didn’t know which one I wanted to try out first. Both products seemed like a great fit for what I was trying to accomplish. The people voted and decided that the 3-in-1 Wax Kit was what they were so eager for me to try. A lot of you had positive feedback about what you liked about it and what it was able to do for you. “I can wax pretty much everything with this!”, “This stuff works!”, and “It smells so good. It does such a great job removing hair.” was all that I needed to hear. 

I purchased my wax kit from Amazon since I don’t plan on going inside stores to shop. You can easily get yours from Wal-Mart or Target while you’re out, but if you’re like me and shop online for the convenience, I got you. Grab yours here: https://amzn.to/3dIHMO5 

One kit includes:

  1. 40 count wax strips
  2. 4 Perfect Finish Wipes

I did not realize that I ordered a two-pack until it arrived at the house, so I have (80) wax strips total. I knew that since it’s been six weeks since the last shave that I needed to make sure I had enough. FYI: one box is enough. Take a look at the box contents below.

The use of these gel wax strips was simple and easy. I decided to wax my underarms and legs and you can watch as I review my experience in the video below. There are just four easy steps. Gently peel the double-sided wax strips apart using the grip tabs. Next, apply the strip to the skin, grip tab side facing downwards. Rub several times in the hair growth direction your hair grows.

Pro Tip: Always pull back the strip against the direction of hair growth, keeping the strip close to the skin as you pull. 

Hold your skin tightly stretched, grasp the tab, and pull the strip back on itself as quickly as you can! The faster you pull, the more hair you remove! After waxing, clean away any wax left on your skin with the Perfect Finish Wipe.

Very easy! I was so pleased and happy with the end result. My underarms and legs felt upon completion. I did have to clean up mid waxing because I waxed the same area more than once. It became TOO much gel TOO fast. LOL! The instructions for use do recommend to wax in a consistent pattern to make sure you don’t miss hairs. However, DO NOT wax over the same area more than once. My leg hairs did not show well in pics or on film due to lack of hair. Veet has made waxing at home super fun, quick, and easy. I was able to wax in under 25 mins! That was super convenient for me because my Landon (my son) was ready for me to spend some time with him. Saturdays at my home have been deemed “Party Saturdays” by him and I wasn’t following the rules. 

Let me know your experience with using Veet’s 3-in-1 Wax Strip Kit in the comments below. If you are looking to do more self-care things like this when you’re at home, give this a try. I have decided that I just might not ever return to a spa for waxing services ever again! Oh and if you’re not already, make sure you’re following me on Instagram and YouTube so that you can catch my posts and videos.

Kristen Buchanan8 Comments

Here’s what you don’t know about college that could save your life

Congratulations High school graduates of 2020! Hats off to all of you who will be graduating this month. You’ve made it through grades K-12 and the grand finale to your academic challenges would be to master your last semester in the middle of a global pandemic. You deserve to celebrate! I know that prepping for graduation has not been ideal this year. Most of your graduation ceremonies will take place on a live stream or in your parents’ garage and, unfortunately, a traditional ceremony can’t commence, given the circumstances. Don’t let this stop you from enjoying this milestone in your life! I know that sheltering in place is hard to work around, but we need to start preparing ourselves to make small adjustments when this is over. After all, there’s so much you’ve got to learn and experience now that your general studies are over. Embrace this moment in time, for when you get to college, it’s a whole new world!

A new fantastic point of view. No one to tell you no, or where to go. College is going to teach you things about yourself and you should be prepared for some of the experiences headed your way. College doesn’t come with a manual or an attachment PDF file on how to maintain during your tenure there. I’m sure that this post won’t be the only piece of advice that you’ll receive, either. Family is going to persuade or dissuade some of your decision makings. The beauty of all this unsolicited advice is to take heed but still “do you”. To truly enjoy this dazzling place that you’ve never known, sometimes you do have to let your heart decide.

Be Ready To Meet The New You
I know that self-discovery while in grades K-12 was an emotional and physical rollercoaster. Usually, high school can do a great job of making you believe that you’ve got everything figured out (including self). You should know that you are going to change quite often after your first college experience. This will give you opportunities where you can develop and transform into who you truly are or want to be. Imagine being shy and reserved throughout high school but begin shedding those outer layers, exposing your newfound appreciation for your overtly outgoing personality. Imagine being a procrastinator in grade school and developing into a person that’s OCD about organization and punctuality. College can bring some amazing qualities and attributes that you most likely did not know resides within you!

Go To Class… On-Time!
This should be common sense, but the one thing I know about the younger me is that I was not always present in class. Of course, if you’re enrolled in courses at a University or two-year college, why wouldn’t you be attending class? You’ll be surprised at the overwhelming plethora of things to do on campus. All of those activities can make going to class seem inferior to what you feel is more important at the time. Don’t listen! Go to class! It’s even more important if you’re going to be staying on campus. There’s not going to be anyone around to make sure that you’re up on time for class. Your roommate could but I wouldn’t rely on that too heavily. They’ve got their schedule to follow. Invest in a reliable and sturdy alarm clock (not just the one on your phone). Note: Select courses that don’t start super early! A 7 am or 8 am class is not good for anybody but early birds.

Join Programs & Be Social
One way to make friends with peers is to meet them. There are SO many people to meet in college! They’re from all over the world and they’re looking to create the same experiences as you. I met several colleagues through campus programs and activities being offered. Getting involved in something like a fraternity or sorority might be one of the things to interest you. Joining the student newspaper or Resident Assistant program might also be some things to look into. I guarantee you that there will be plenty of phenomenal activities to take part in and you should take advantage!

Live on Campus
If you’ve decided that you will attend your local college or enroll in online courses, I hope that I’m not too late to persuade you to try out the dorm life. Please consider staying on campus! I know, I know. You don’t like the idea of sharing a tiny space with someone you don’t know. You’re timid just thinking about the idea of showering in a common “private but public” space and prefer the privacy in your bathroom. I had those same sentiments but still gave on-campus housing a try. Honestly, staying in dorms for three years of my college life gave me one of my biggest unforgettable moments. It’s such a fun experience and gives you another opportunity to meet new people through roommates and other hall residents. Think of it as your first taste of living on your own by making it your new home. Decorate your room with basic dorm room essentials! Amazon is giving students the opportunity to sign up for Amazon Prime for just $6/mo. Just in time to stock up on things that you need before August gets here.

College Isn’t The Only Option
School may not be for everybody. If you haven’t committed to a school yet, what is holding you back? Do you have other plans for your life? You could. For those that are looking to join the workforce as soon as they’re able to cross the stage, take your time to research job opportunities. There are systems set in place like trade schools to help you learn your passion craft. You’ll have to keep in mind that you’re graduating high school right now. Some if not most jobs will require previous experience and/or advanced training. Then there’s another option. You could join a branch of the military. If you’re looking for someone to advocate that decision, I regret to inform you that I can not support the decision. However, I could and would respect it. I’ve seen a couple of my friends turn military life into something to aspire to have. My advice would be to weigh the pros and cons. It’s still an option that’s available and one for you to consider. The other option you could choose would be opting to attend a two-year college first. That’s certainly one that would be high on anyone’s list that may be graduating from high school! You should be finalizing your decisions on whatever you’re planning to do after high school soon.

Seize The Moment
The only thing that there’s left to do is to enjoy your new life! You’ve made it to college and that’s a major deal. Look at you and how far you’ve come! College is going to bring you memories that are going to last a lifetime. Get excited about those Homecoming nights & the captivating nightlife. It’ll feel as if you’re in a movie. Participate in tailgates and social gatherings as much as you can. You and your peers will rewrite college culture and make it your own! I’m certain that the libations and spirits will make for a great time. Enjoy this rollercoaster ride and worry about dating and children later. Spend this time chasing your dreams and enjoying even the bumps the road.

To those who have graduated, what advice would you give to the graduating class of 2020? What things have you learned throughout your time in college? What is something that you wish someone would have told you before you started at college?

Kristen BuchananLeave a comment

May Amazon Haul!

Happy Friday!

In light of every thing that has been going on in the world lately, I wanted to bring something fun to the blog today. While I have been sheltering in place, I have had so much free time. Idle time eventually led to scrolling through websites and apps on my phone. Next thing I knew, I have spent more money than I probably should have shopping on Amazon these last few weeks. Every single day for a solid three weeks to a month, I have found myself on Amazon or websites like them buying some essential and some non-essential things. Clothes, shoes, makeup, purses, beauty products. I’m not even kidding! I probably left something out it’s been so much. It doesn’t help that having things like Amazon Prime, that will ‘guarantee your item’s arrival within 48 hours if you purchase today’ taunting you, either. While I have made it a point to grab my hand soaps and sanitizers online, I’ve been also making it a one stop shop for a lot of other things I’ve been needing but lacking. So I’ve decided to share a few things that I’ve purchased from Amazon within the last month. Don’t worry! I wouldn’t share anything that I would think that you couldn’t benefit from. I know that you’ll be thrilled to be introduced to these products and probably can’t wait to put them in your cart. I hope you look forward to seeing posts like this once a month. I must admit, Amazon has impressed me with the quality of the items I’ve purchased. Let’s get started.

Disclaimer: Life + Style with Kris is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This is at no additional cost to you, just a tracking for referrals by Life + Style with Kris.

Onyx professional hard as hoof nail strengthening cream ($7.94)

https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=kristen0f1-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B005HGWGVS&asins=B005HGWGVS&linkId=16571923e90f46e3266fde504408c157&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff

I purchased this cream after months and months of putting it off. Story Time: A year ago (maybe even longer), I split one of my nails after getting SNS nails. How I split my nail, under the dip, is unknown. I must have banged it on something. I really thought that SNS is supposed to be a healthier alternative to acrylics. Well, my nail is STILL splitting down the middle. Right down the middle. This has completely prevented it from growing and thriving like the others. I researched and found that this product as well as silk wrap has raving reviews on Amazon. It helps to stop splits, cracks and chips while strengthening your nail. Brittle and fragile nails will be able to live again! I’ve been using the cream for about a week and a half and I’ve already noticed my split getting smaller and more narrow. I’m looking forward to having a complete set of healthy, real nails again.

Cerave moisturizing cream ($24.36)

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This product is so amazing, it’s sold out on Amazon right now. If you are following me on Facebook or Twitter, you might have seen me ask for product recommendations for treating eczema and dry scalp in the past. You’ll learn more about why I am mentioning “dry scalp” later. My son, Landon, is believed to have eczema (not dermatologist tested; mother self-diagnosed) and I have spent countless days battling with keeping his skin hydrated and moisturized. Only certain products have been able to work (Eucerin, Aveeno) and those products can be kind of costly for the ounces that you end up getting. I go through so many bottles; it’s ridiculous! We’ve been using CeraVe for three weeks and haven’t even put a dent in the jar. Although this product is kind of pricey too, the amount you get is completely worth it. The actual product I have is 19 oz in size, but is now nowhere to be found Amazon. I’ve shared a value pack that gives you the moisturizing cream + lotion.

Pre-k workbooks ($5.39- $10.99)

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https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=kristen0f1-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1641526270&asins=1641526270&linkId=d61dd717187f90d8109030d195fdb969&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff

In my blog, Social Distancing: Choosing to Self-Care & Keep the Faith, I told you guys how the pandemic has forced me to become a teacher, right? Miss Mama’s P-4 Academy is STILL going strong, with a few updates. Landon’s original preschool hasn’t been able to send work packets home to the students since March. So I have had to get creative with his “classwork”. My goal and focus is to keep him on track with the learning and education that he’s been receiving at Mary’s Little Lambs. My Sight Words, Learn to Read Activity, and My First Learn-to-Write Workbooks are keeping LJ on the right path. My Sight Words and Learn to Read Workbooks are great for kids (ages 4-6) and can make learning fun w/ over 100 high frequency words. Landon and I practice saying, tracing, and then writing the word. There are lots of fun activities to help your little ones w/ word recognition and learning to read. My First Learn-to-Write Workbook (ages 3 and up) is great practice for line tracing with numbers, letters, and shapes.

design essentials almond and avocado curl enhancing mousse ($14.97)

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Okay so I’ve been natural since 2014 and my natural hair journey has been a process (putting it mildly). I’ve tried transitioning, I’ve done the big chop. I’ve struggled with maintaining moisture for FOREVER. Whenever I twist my hair, I find myself always saying a little prayer. Dear Sweet Baby Jesus, please just let this twist-out be cute! The problem is never struggling with moisture while twisting, it’s whenever I take the twists down. My curls are always half-way popping! I read great reviews about this mousse locking in moisture and decided to try it. The verdict on how I feel about this one is still out. I’ve only used it once and it didn’t really do what I thought it would do. I mean, I wasn’t upset, I just thought maybe I didn’t use enough of it? My curls were really defined in the back, but I had to sponge the top of my hair for the desired look. I mean… my hair is longer at the top, so maybe I just need to try it again. I’ll keep you guys updated.

anti-dandruff shampoo for kids ($9.95)

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Along with eczema, Landon’s also got a bit of a dry scalp. Okay, it’s a lot of a dry scalp. He’s had it since being an infant and he’s still got it. I”m not sure if it’s considered cradle cap or just dandruff. It just won’t go away, no matter how many products I’ve tried. O-M-G! After two washes, I can say that I am seeing improvement to his scalp. It’s probably going to take several more attempts to get rid of it but I really do think that it’s helping. The lavender, tea tree, and jojoba oils are really cleansing his scalp and the smell is heavenly. The best tear-free natural treatment for kids I’ve found so far. TIP: it’s not just for kids! Adults can try some too!

Selfie ring light w/ Tripod ($59.99)

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Love, love, love this! I’ve been needing this essential tool to help with creating content. As a digital content creator, it is imperative to have quality digital media (see blog: How to Create a Beautiful Image Backdrop On a Budget)! You’ve got to be able to see me clearly, okay? LOL. This 8″ Selfie Ring Light is really amazing. It has three different adjustable light settings (white, neutral, and warm) and comes with a tri-pod that is also adjustable. It also comes with a remote shutter that connects via Bluetooth. I can now record my YouTube videos and take wonderful, beautiful photos thanks to this lovely product. Five-star rating! Get you one because you’ll love it!

callus remover for feet by majestic pure ($17.50)

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I stumbled upon this product after searching on Amazon for products to complete my Spouse Spa Date Night, weeks ago. I needed to get a pedicure BEFORE staying at home all these weeks, so my feet were already screaming for some attention. My husband and I can most likely vote this product as the MVP of Spouse Spa Date Night. It is smooth and soothing and after soaking your feet with this on, your feet will soon feel like your hands. All you need to go with this is a pumice stone, grit file or loofah and it’s going to be a majestic feeling. Thanks to this callus remover, I’m able to slide my feet back and forth on my king-sized sheets with ease. NOTE: I believe that this item is out of stock at the moment. Turn on your notifications so you’ll know when it becomes available.

Tree Hut Shea sugar scrub ($6.48)

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This sugar scrub is runner-up for the MVP award from the Spouse Spa Date Night. Tree Hut did their thing with this scrub! I’m huge on how products smell and it’s got an amazing scent. I purchased mine in the scent Tropical Mango but they have several others that I’m planning on trying after this. You get a whiff of goodness as soon as you open the jar! Sugar scrub can be gritty (sometimes a little too much) but I found this one to not be as overwhelming. I could just rub this into my skin for hours. It feels so good and also leaves your skin feeling silky smooth with a little hydration. Definitely buying me some more!

Nad’s facial wax strips ($4.99)

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If you’re following me on Instagram, then I know you’ve already seen me RAVE about Nad’s waxing strips. O-M-G! First, let me just say, that I originally went into this thinking that it wasn’t going to work. I doubted that the wax was not strong enough. Completely wrong! Got most, if not all, of my hair in one strip. Nad’s sends you 20 strips and 4 post wax calming oil wipes to help with irritation (redness, inflammation) after waxing. I’ve even turned a strip into a few mini strips and waxed my eyebrows with this product. The strips are intended for facial waxing, but don’t worry! They’ve got body waxing products as well. Check out their website.

Terez + Honor enhancing eyelash and brow serum ($19.99)

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My eyebrows and eyelashes have been troubled long before the pandemic, okay? LOL. I have been working on shaping my eyebrows and growing my lashes for a while now. One eyebrow lacks a tail and the other eyebrow has a higher arch than the other. Chile, a mess. That comes from just letting anyone touch your brows besides your regular ‘Brow Girl’. I used to not have this problem. Anyway, this product is here to save me from my problem and yours too, if you too can relate. I’ve noticed results since beginning to use this one almost instantly (it’s been about three weeks). I have seen brow hair growth and my lashes are getting longer, just waiting for them to get fuller. I can’t wait to see what they look like in a month. Make sure you’re following me on Instagram for updates on how well this works! This is truly a lifesaver. No more freaking out about how to fix my brows!

That’s going to complete my roundup of products from Amazon this month. I hope you all enjoyed this month’s roundup. There’s still a few products that I have ordered that I’m still waiting to review, so hopefully those will make it to next month’s haul. Guys, please don’t forget to mention me or tag me if you purchase any of these products! I want to hear your testimony, too. Leave me a comment if you’ve used or have any of these products already.

Kristen Buchanan2 Comments

Social Distancing: Choosing to Self- Care & Keep the Faith

How are you doing? What have you been doing? What do you make of all of this?

The world has been under stress while trying to remain calm in the midst of chaos. The arguably most infectious virus, COVID-19, continues to sweep the nation indoors! I have been following the frightening headlines since February to present day, and you know what? I’M TIRED! Two weeks ago marked the last time that I would have punched a time clock, the last time my son would see his friends and teacher, and the first time I was forced to distance myself and my family from the outer world due to safety concerns. Our regular routine as we once knew it is no more. I’ve had to get innovative to keep some sanity and normalcy, to keep from spiraling out into a depression. The thing about home is that this is our resting place, our “safety net”, where we come to take a break from the things we used to do everyday. Now our home is home to Miss Mama’s P-4 Academy, the Buchanan YouTube GYM, and our updated version of “The Office”– minus the paper sales. All of these headquarters reside right in our forever transforming living room.

Miss Mama’s P-4 Academy was created to keep Landon sharp on his writing, tracing, coloring, and reading. Every morning (Monday- Friday), Landon and I begin classwork after breakfast–around 8-9am. We first tackle the task of tracing and writing his name. Mary’s Little Lambs, the school Landon attends, put together a packet of schoolwork to keep kids busy and on track with the curriculum. The packet consists of writing, coloring, counting and matching skill sets.

Landon practicing writing his name, coloring, and matching opposites.
Landon practicing writing his name, coloring, and matching opposites.

After classwork is completed, Landon has the option of going outside to play in the front yard or taking a walk in the neighborhood. He almost always chooses going for the walk first and we decide to just go back outside later in the afternoon. The walk– which is fun for all parties involved– is usually no more than a block or two and we come back home. The rest of the afternoon is dedicated to free time, usually after a well needed and deserved nap.

TIP: flashcards have been our latest game to encourage spelling of words. We also have alphabet letter magnets on our refrigerator that we use to also encourage spelling.

I’ve made it to the peak time of my day, which usually involves Miss Mama taking off her name tag, and taking care of important business in “The Office”. Usually I get started around 2-3pm, and that time consists of working strictly from my laptop or phone. My main job doesn’t require or call for working from home, so this is a benefit to working on building my brand. I’ve been given more time to create more content, engage with and build my audience, and committing to a more consistent writing schedule. This will last until about 7pm, and then I start transitioning into retiring for the day.

Self-care time with Que Bella Beauty products!
Hydrating Pineapple Peel Off Mask/ Intensive Foot Sock Mask both left my skin feeling rejuvenated!

Self-care is important and I believe in it without a shadow of a doubt. It’s even more important to take care while I’m going to be inside for at least the next 30 days. Last week I gave myself a mini facial and a foot mask all while still managing to fit in family time! Every self-care activity I choose is different, of course. I may decide to meditate and/or workout. Yesterday, I did a 25- minute Hip Hop Workout right from my living room TV. Sometimes I choose to rest and simply “be still”. I also choose to avoid the internet for a few hours (and that can turn into days) to shut out all the noise. Internet traffic is HEAVY right now and actually, so are all streaming platforms. I’ve been watching more TV than usual due to all the extra time I’ve got on my hands for the next few weeks. Below you can see a list of all the movies and TV shows that I’ve been watching while being in the house. Make sure you’re following me on social media to see my thoughts and reviews!

NOTE: this list is subject to be updated at any time.

It may seem like I’ve got it all figured out but I’m just winging it. There’s really only three keys to making it through quarantining and social distancing, with the main one being following through. PLEASE! Stay at home and practice social distancing only in essential situations (going to work, going to grocery stores). Stay positive! This is an obstacle but just like any other, we can and we will make it through. Find the silver lining to what this has forced us to do, which is be still and take care. Creativity will lead the way if you allow it. In times of boredom, it’s amazing what your mind can create.

Comment below and tell me what you’ve been doing during this time. I’m looking for new ideas! I want to share these experiences with you all.

Kristen Buchanan6 Comments

35 Things I Want To Do Before Turning 35

Time waits for no one.

With everything that is happening in the world right now, I can’t help but sit and reflect. Life has a funny way of slowing you down. It’s been forcing me to really sit down and put some long thought into what I reaaallly need to be coming to terms with. What’s that? So glad that you asked. Life is short and if you let it, it can pass you by.

I know you know the sayings, just like I know the sayings. We’ve heard them quite a few times throughout our lives, but is it just a saying or is it really that real? While I have been choosing to isolate at home by way of social distancing, I’ve been thinking of all the things that I should be doing. That I have been putting off or simply making excuses as to reasons why they can’t be done. I’ve let myself get distracted from meeting my goals, guys!! I’m thirty-one years old and there’s still so much that I want to do. The younger me thought that I would’ve been “settled” and boyyyy was I wrong. 

Hold up! Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been enjoying life but I’ve realized that there are things that I have not had the chance to do yet; that I thought I would have by this stage in life. I haven’t and will not give up on them, as there are other things I want to experience again because it makes me happy. Who doesn’t want to experience something that made them once happy over and over? 

So, I’ve decided to come up with a list. A list of things that I would like to do before reaching the next “major milestone” in my life. I did the math. I’m thirty-one now. In four years, I will be thirty-five. Four years should be enough time to knock off a few goals, right? Did I come up with realistic ideas that can be achieved? How much can one achieve in four years? It’ll at least give me some things to look forward to doing. As long as I am manifesting my goals, I can keep being the driving force in actually accomplishing whatever it is I want! I’ve attached my list below and included a few that I’m working on already, to give myself a head start. Read the list and wish me luck! Maybe, just maybe, you’re inspired and want to make your own list. That’s awesome!  Leave me a comment below so that I can follow along with you! 

  1. Become a Successful Blogger
  2. Travel/ Vacation to Miami, Florida
  3. Buy/Build a House
  4. Travel/ Vacation Outside of the U.S.
  5. Renew my vows
  6. Relocate to a new state
  7. Take Online Courses/ Go to University
  8. Go on a Cruise
  9. Increase my net worth
  10. Upgrade my car
  11.  Lower my debt/ increase my credit score
  12. Partner with a major corporate brand
  13. Travel/ Vacation to Los Angeles, California
  14. Attend a concert/ Attend a festival
  15. Successfully own a business
  16. Become a member of a church
  17. Own a creative space
  18. Redecorate/ Interior decorate my home
  19. Learn a new skill
  20. Spend more time with family/ friends
  21. BE HAPPIER!
  22. Support a hobby/ extracurricular activity of my son’s
  23. Attend a Paint ‘N Sip Party
  24. BE HEALTHIER!
  25. Take my mother on a shopping spree
  26. Take myself on a shopping spree
  27. Go to therapy
  28. Create a meditation schedule
  29. Chase my dreams
  30. Gain 25 pounds
  31. Establish a tribe
  32. Read 10 different books
  33. Make/ create a new project
  34. Exercise two times a day
  35. Go to a ball/ gala

Kristen BuchananLeave a comment