Have you heard of the double boiler method? I hadn’t either until I posted an Instagram Story about preparing to remove my beloved dip powder nails in preparation for this quarantine…and my friend Adele came to the rescue with this tip.
In the past, I had removed acrylics and dip powder nails the ‘traditional’ way: cotton drenched with acetone and then wrapped with foil for what seemed like 4956867 hours. Like seriously an all day project.
Everyone had the same idea – it took 4 stores to find acetone and I grabbed the last one on the shelf at Walmart and then got to work. I was SHOCKED that the process only took 20 minutes. That’s it.
For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you might remember when I asked you on Stories what your favorite undies brands are as I decided that at 32, my Victoria’s Secret undies were just not cutting it anymore. You know, the barely covered look, discomfort (especially at the gym) etc.
So I set out to try a bunch of different brands and now I’m here, 3 months later to share the results. Before we get into it, know that each pair I am sharing are thongs. I don’t personally wear anything other than thongs because I don’t find other kinds of underwear comfortable.
I am also very much about prettiness. I love everything around me (and on me) to be pretty, if possible…and I aimed to do that when I purchased all of these undies. You want a little luxury when it comes to your underwear.
I chose 5 pairs of underwear to share with you, and they are all beautiful, comfortable, and wash well. Ok, let’s break it down:
There are two brands that just KILL IT when it comes to undies. I’m going to break down my favorites from each:
SOMA
♥ Allover Geo Lace Retro Thong: A super-soft crochet-inspired lace wide waistband looks and supports like a panty in the front, with the benefit of no-show coverage in the back.
The Geo Lace Thong is so comfortable and the high waist adds a tiny bit of extra support (don’t expect a lot of support here), but enough to make you feel ‘secure’ and covered while still looking sexy.
♥ Allover Lace Thong: Made from ultrasoft, stretch lace with a pretty floral motif. A fit so close and comfy, it’s virtually invisible under clothes.
There is no digging or scratchiness with this thong, like some other lace thongs I’ve worn. LOVE. This thong is also an improvement from Hanky Panky undies. I’ve had my fair share of Hanky Panky’s over the last 10+ years so you can really trust me on this. Not only are they higher quality, Soma’s are 6 for $36 vs. Hanky Panky’s $22 for ONE pair.
AERIE
♥ Ribbed High-Cut Thong: Made with a high cut to show off your legs.
These are SO comfy and just work in all the right places. These undies serve as ‘everyday’ undies and I also wear them to the gym. They’re super soft.
♥ No Show Thong: ZERO undie lines (even with leggings!) These are the most multi-purpose pair of undies I own but the #1 use for them for me is to wear them under a tight dress, thin pants, faux-leather leggings, and silky pants because they are literally no-show. I also like to wear these to the gym because they are so comfortable and there are no lines when I wear them with leggings. The WORST is when you’re wearing a thick lacy thong at the gym and it gets twisted. I know that I’ve been seen untwisting undies while on the treadmill. #GUILTY
♥ Lace Thong: This thong has a wide band, making it super comfy and non-restrictive. I love that the length of the crotch just fits well. Like long enough to cover everything up, so you’re not popping out everywhere or getting a wedgie.
So there you have it. The best thongs money can buy. Are there pairs you guys like? Please share in the comments!
I am all about rituals because they help motivate and move us as people. Sound cheesy? Maybe, but I believe that that rituals are an essential part of daily life, whatever they may be for you.
My luxurious night time routine is my absolute favorite ritual because it is the most indulgent ritual I practice, from having my fresh eucalyptus in the shower with the salt rock night lamp glowing, all the oils…and more.
Everything I do at night helps me to sleep well. And the better the sleep, the less stress.
So here are steps that HAVE TO HAPPEN during my night time routine:
WAIT. HAVE YOU HEARD? YOU NEED A WEIGHTED BLANKET.
They’re all the rage right now, and I’m not surprised at all that weighted blankets are totally a thing.
I’d heard that weighted blankets are amazing for several different reasons, which I will get into in a bit, but I didn’t really give purchasing one much thought until I went over to my parent’s house and tried the one draped over their couch. I laid across the chaise and draped the blanket over myself, and it was like a big, tight hug.
AKA so soothing.
Some people use a weighted blanket while they’re relaxing to calm anxiety or just to feel more calm overall, and some like to sleep with a weighted blanket. I knew I wanted one to sleep with. And so the research began. I did so much reading about materials, what kinds of weighted blankets are best, how much weight you should be looking at, just all the details.
Here’s the deal: if you want a weighted blanket to drape over yourself while you sleep, make sure it’s a cooling blanket. I got this one from YNM and I’ve been using it for 3 months…it’s pure bliss. It’s satin, so the material will not make you hot and sweaty making it perfect for summer (or winter nights). I use another, warmer comforter on top.
Weighted blankets are designed to provide gentle pressure that mimics the feeling of being held (known as Deep Touch Pressure). This type of pressure has been shown to increase serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in the regulation ofsleep that has a calming effect. {via}
And the blanket truly does allow me to get the best sleep ever. I have not woken up once in the middle of the night since using this blanket. It’s quite magical, really. Jeff saw how much I was loving mine, so he got his own and absolutely loves it. He’s not as sound of a sleeper as I am and it usually takes him awhile to fall asleep, but now with the blanket, the sleep issues are gone.
Let’s talk weight and size. Weighted blankets range in weight and size, but after all of the research that I did, I recommend getting a 60×80″ blanket, especially if you’re tall. And avoid buying a queen or king size weighted blanket, because the weight distribution can get confusing. The general wisdom for weight is to pick a blanket that’s 10 percent of your bodyweight. So if you weigh 150 pounds, you’d get a 15-pound blanket. If you are closer to 200 pounds, a 20-pound blanket is a good fit, and so on. Most adult weighted blankets are 10, 15, 20 or 25 pounds — kids blankets are lighter, starting around 5 pounds.
Let’s get into the specific benefits of using a weighted blanket:
♡ Eases Insomnia
♡ Reduces anxiety
♡ Fights stress
♡ Improves focus
♡ Eases restless leg syndrome
♡ Improves sleep quality
Like once you get one, you’re screwed. You’ll never go back to sleeping without one.
Currently laying under mine, about to finish Jessica Simpson’s book, Open Book.
A cluttered house causes a cluttered mind. Nope, I did not coin this phrase but it is SO TRUE. Right?
I’ve been going through all of my things, section by section, in my house to clear out the clutter and it feels so damn good. But on that note, one of the most challenging spaces to organize is the makeup area. Can you relate?
If you looked into my makeup drawer(s) a couple weeks ago, you’d see a million products and most of them were OLD or had been barely used. Unless I’m going to a wedding or a special event, the makeup I use day to day is pretty much the same.
I shared some of this organization and makeup clean-out on Instagram Stories – if you saw those stories, you might have seen that I had makeup products that were up to 19 years old. YIKES. For the record, I DID keep the one 19-year-old product…it’s a glitter from Stila that I bought with my allowance at Macy’s. NO, I will not put it on my face.
Here’s how I cleared out the makeup clutter:
Throw away what you don’t use: This is so painful but so necessary. I had a green eyeshadow hanging out in my drawer for 6 years because it’s a pretty color but I never wore it. Not once.
Pay attention to shelf life. Ok, this is a BIG one. And ohhh boy was I breaking all of the rules here. I’m happy to say that now most of my makeup falls in line with how long you should be keeping your items. Here’s a quick guide for you to use.
Go through your makeup tools, too. There were so many tools I wasn’t using, like old beauty blenders, duplicate lash curlers, pencil sharpeners, etc. I tossed the duplicates and the items I didn’t need.
My makeup drawers are now super organized and I only have what I really love and use. BTW, do you have a vanity, or do you do your makeup in the bathroom? I have a vanity in my bedroom and it feels just a little juvenile…
