How To

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How To: 7 Clever Ways To Respect Mother Nature

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How To: An instructional series to instruct our readers with routines, guides, and recipes.

Living an eco-friendly lifestyle, each of us make a difference no matter how small—

  1. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and cleanse your face.
  2. Reduce junk mail by downloading the app PaperKarma and unsubscribe in the app (not all companies are linked with the app but many are to start!)
  3. Keep extra reusable shopping totes in your car instead of getting paper or plastic bags every trip.
  4. Grow herbs like dill, cilantro, and mint at home—even fruit and veggies if you have space!
  5. Try composting in your yard—great for your garden too.
  6. Instead of ordering from Amazon almost daily—yes, we’ve done this too—save items to your cart and order at the end of the week
  7. Replace paper towels with dish clothes

       

@sandrashehab  @imaanhammam

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7 Beauty Habits To Adopt As Soon As You Get Engaged

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How To: An instructional series to instruct our readers with routines, guides, and recipes.

Engaged? 

Here are a few beauty habits you need to adopt as soon as you get engaged…not start on a month (or days) before your big day.

1. Quit it: biting your nails.

You need pretty hands as a bride. Everyone will be looking at your hands (show off that ring!) and they will be photographed, so they need to be in top shape.

Try Bite It— tastes terrible but really will stop you from biting your nails. Then make it a habit to get a weekly manicure. In the short term this will make your nails look better, but over time proper nail grooming will make nail beds look longer and will control problems such as hangnails and dry cuticles.

If your nails are brittle, take a daily multivitamin such as Centrum regularly. It will make your nails stronger.

2. A fitness routine.

Exercise is the best beauty treatment around, we all swear by it. As a bride, you’ll need to fit into that dress and look good in photos.

Also, getting blood circulating will give you a natural glow, and if you’re working out outside like running, you’ll get a little color without going sun-bed tanning.

3. Problem skin? Go see the derm.

Even if you have the worst acne ever, modern medicine can make it go away before you walk down the aisle. Your dermatologist’s got you. If you have decent skin but breakout due to stress (very likely before the big day!), a dermatologist can give you prescription creams for that as well.

You can also experiment with botox or fills, if you’re inclined to. But be sure to try it all long before the wedding, in case you don’t love the results(!!).

4. Get your eyebrows into shape.

Ask a recent bride for a good recommendation on this one. Eyebrows frame your entire face so go see a pro, not the backroom at the nail salon. If they’re too straight or too arched, they can look fake or drawn on, so work with someone who only does eyebrows(!!). 

5. Let’s talk about your hair.

The rule of thumb is not to do anything drastic right before your wedding, but a few months in advance is a good time to consider your options.

Find a stylist you can stick with and talk about your wedding look. A good stylist knows how to pace changes, or make sure things go to plan. Do you want to lighten your hair or chop it short?

6. See the dentist.

Like your hands, everyone will notice your smile. It will be a day full of smiles so go in for a proper dental cleaning as soon as you’re engaged and talk to your dentist about any necessary upkeep.

Take care of any fillings or root canals, because you don’t want to have to deal with dental work right before your wedding. This is also a good time to get your teeth whitened, or try aligners if you want to straighten your grin.

7. Facials.

Facials deeply cleanse the skin, boost circulation and hydrate it. For best results, facials should be done every four to six weeks.

Start getting regular facials done at least six months before your wedding. Do not have your last facial too close to the big day(!!)—two weeks before is ideal. Ask your esthetician about microdermabrasion as well, if you really want your skin to glow.

@haileybieber

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How To: Better Than Botox!

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How To: An instructional series to instruct our readers with routines, guides, and recipes.

Posting a homemade Skin Tightening Face Mask recipe that may even work better than botox! You must try this 3-ingredient miracle worker; practically botox at home. 

@molly_chiang

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How To: Creating Safe and Easy-To-Remember Passwords

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How To: An instructional series to instruct our readers with routines, guides, and recipes.

1. Think of a Sentence

Think of a saying or sentence that means something to you or your favorite song. Take the first letter from each word and even change some to symbols. 

“My favorite vacation was Mykonos, Greece in 2019” —  “MfvwMGi2*19”

2. Combine Two Words

Choose two words and mix them together. Even add in a few symbols and numbers. 

“Boss Babe” — “BBoasbse” or “BBo@$b$3”

3. Use the Name of the Site as a Base

Add IG at the beginning or the end of your usual passwords.

“IG_hello” or “hello_IG”

@violette_fr

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Dinner Dishes To Prepare This Christmas

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The holidays are coming up and if you haven’t prepared your menu yet, here are some recipes we are cooking up this week. All recipes linked. Happy cooking!


Baked Cranberry Chicken with Rosemary

You’ll love this baked garlic cranberry chicken! Loads of flavor from fresh minced garlic, rosemary, and citrus. Super easy to make, but a show-stopping dish!

Recipe here


Holiday Honeycrisp Salad

Full of flavor and texture, with fresh apple slices, crunchy toasted pecans, chewy dried cranberries, zippy blue cheese, and a tangy-sweet apple cider vinaigrette. It’s perfect as a Christmas salad, a Thanksgiving salad, for a dinner party, or as part of a regular weeknight dinner!

Recipe here


Garlic Lemon Butter Seared Scallops 

These Garlic Lemon Butter Seared Scallops are the best way to prepare scallops. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes you can cook like a head chef.

Recipe here


Italian Roasted Mushrooms and Veggies

The easiest way to roast mushrooms, cauliflower, tomatoes and garlic Italian style. Simple and delicious.

Recipe here


Festive Filled Brioche Centerpiece with Baked Camembert

Great British Bake Off’s Kimberley Wilson created this stunning celebration bread with individually filled buns and a melting cheese middle – a dish made for sharing!

Recipe here


Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo

A sophisticated and delicious, made with roasted red peppers and roasted garlic. Top your pasta with something truly special!

Recipe here


Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

This hearty, bean-free Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili is dairy-free using coconut milk but if yon’t need it to be dairy-free, swap out the coconut milk for whole milk or half-and-half if you’d like. Don’t have a slow cooker? Included is Instant Pot & Stovetop directions too.

Recipe here

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How To: What to Put Inside a Skincare Fridge

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How To: An instructional series to instruct our readers with routines, guides, and recipes.

Not only for the cooling effects, but a skincare fridge may also extend the life of your products.

@mandymadd

Sheet Masks

Refreshing, tightening, and brightening — not to mention hydrating.

 

Eye Cream

Helps with deputing and can wake up your tired eyes.

 

Day Creams

Will increase their effectiveness at reducing puffiness, firming, and temporarily reducing the appearance of pores when kept in the fridge.

 

Facial Tools

Helps reduce puffiness, brightens the complexion by boosting the circulation and blood flow beneath the skin — giving a visible glow.

 

Temperature Sensitive Products

Like Vitamin C, a skincare fridge promotes shelf life. 

Flawless by Finishing Touch Skincare Fridge

The compact mini fridge that keeps your beauty tools and skincare products cool. 

$59.99

Shop here


Sephora Skincare Fridge

The convenient mini-fridge extends your products’ life and performance.

$60

Shop here

@rebeccaniccolle
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How To: Smooth and Glowy Legs

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How To: An instructional series to instruct our readers with routines, guides, and recipes.

Tips for Shaving:

Exfoliate your legs before you shave with a body exfoliator or a natural recipe. Try a mixture of white sugar and any oil. 

Use a men’s razor for a closer shave. 

Use a hair conditioner or baby oil gel with cocoa vaseline oil gel instead of a  shaving cream.

After Shaving:

To reduce dry skin, look for products with petroleum or hyaluronic acid. After shaving, use a shave balm, like Men’s Nivea, and coconut oil to prevent razor bumps. 

Apply Aveno daily lotion every night on your legs and feet. 

@nastiacranberry

Nivea Men’s Shave Balm

Soothes and moisturizes skin after shaving. Use with coconut oil to prevent razor bumps. 

$6.99

Shop here


Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Helps improve the health of your dry skin. This daily body lotion replenishes moisture for softer and smoother skin and has been recommended by dermatologists, it is fragrance-free, non-greasy, non-comedogenic, and gentle enough for daily use.

$8.99

Shop here

4 mistakes you may be making while shaving:

1. The water is too hot. This can dry out your skin and cause irritation. Use cooler water instead.
2. Using a dull razor blade. You put yourself at risk of cutting yourself. Change your blade every 2-3 weeks.
3. Not rinsing the blade enough. The hairs that stick between the blades clog the razor.
4. Not storing your razor correctly. It should be in a dry spot. Wet blades will rust.

                

@reenasedit | @mandymadd

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How To: Homemade Face Masks I Swear By

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How To: An instructional series to instruct our readers with routines, guides, and recipes.

Wash your face with soap and luke warm water. When rinsing, rinse with luke warm water as well. I have been using these recipes for years now. Mix and lather one on right before a bath and let it sit while you enjoy a lovely bath.

Brown Sugar and Olive Oil

– exfoliates and moisturizes, leaving you with a soft and glowing face

2 tablespoons brown sugar and 2 tablespoons olive or coconut oil

Keep on for 7 minutes and rinse with warm water.

Honey

– calming, reducing inflammation and redness, and minimizes appearance of dark spots

2 tablespoons of honey, a splash of fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Massage onto face and keep for 20 minutes.

This Homemade Face Mask Tightens Your Skin Better Than Botox

 

1 egg white, 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil, 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice

Keep on for 15 minutes and rinse with water or chamomile tea.

 

From shemademygrace.com

 

Vinegar as Toner

– cleanse and tighten skin

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup water

Let dry and use twice a week.

@nastiacranberry

Egg

– freshen and moisturize

Dry skin – egg yolk | Oily skin – egg white with lemon or honey | Normal skin – entire egg

Keep on face for 30 minutes before rinsing.

Milk Mask

– freshen, rejuvenate and reduces blemishes

2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons nutmeg and 2 teaspoons milk

Keep on for 15 minutes and follow up with moisturizer.

Yogurt

– revitalizing (cleanse skin and tighten pores)

1 teaspoon plain yogurt, juice from 1/4 slice of an orange, some orange pulp, and 1 teaspoon aloe

Lather on face and let sit for 20 minutes.

                 

@bellamichlo | @matildadjerf

How To: A Hustler’s Approach To Meditating

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How To: An instructional series to instruct our readers with routines, guides, and recipes.

Sitting down for 10-15 minutes every morning and evening to meditate may not be your cup of tea. Many of us are hustling to maintaining the duties of school or work, handling the responsibilities of our home and kids, and find ourselves not finding time to meditate. Most will analyze the process of sitting down and doing nothing as counterproductive. Indeed, the traditional method of meditating is sitting down, closing the eyes, and focusing on breathing. Meditation is not time to let your mind think about your duties you have swirling around. One sits and focuses on the breaths coming in and out.

What Is Meditating Essentially?

It’s the focusing of the mind. Have a focal point, like your breathing, and when your mind wanders, you bring it back. This way, you grow your attention and mindfulness. When you pay attention to your focal point, you learn to return to and remain the present moment.

Benefits: lower stress level, improve your focus, connect with yourself.

@myvisualcurrency

Notice how your mind gets caught up in other tasks. Your mind may wander so quickly without you even consciously asking it to do so. We practice mindfulness so we can learn to choose where we emphasize our focus. If you notice you get distracted during this exercise, you are letting your thoughts govern you every day. You think about your past and your future, but do you think about the present?

     

@discodaydream | @nastiacranberry

How To: 7 Days To Self Care

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How To: An instructional series to instruct our readers with routines, guides, and recipes.

Why should you care about your bad habits? “We are what we repeatedly do.” — Aristotle. Bad habits jeopardize your mental health from a broad perspective. Specifically, it may stand in the way of you accomplishing your goals. You may be wasting your time and your energy, or even hurt your physical health.

A Bad Habit You Have:

Maybe it’s continuing a toxic relationship, biting your nails, emotional eating, staying up late, sleeping in, smoking, drugs, etc. These bad habits don’t go away because we don’t pay as much attention to them as we should, and we don’t put in the effort to fix them either. It takes a lot of effort to fix, but most of us are willing to change!

13 Better Habits For A Better Life

1.  plan out year, months, and weeks in advance
2.  recite positive daily affirmations in the mirror
3.  listen more than you speak
4.  journal to keep your thoughts in order
5.  have a morning and evening skin routine in place for accessibility
6.  don’t do work on your bed, use a desk or an office area to put you in a working mindset
7.  don’t worry about things you can’t control
8.  don’t worry about something that hasn’t happened yet, you’re just living through it twice
9.  buy a gym or yoga membership, you’ll be obliged to go to make your money worth while
10.  do one thing now you’ve been putting off
11.  spend an hour of learning – books, podcasts, online courses
12.  declutter your wardrobe and “toss-drawer” in the mudroom
13.  call your loved ones at least twice a week while you fold laundry or dust

Are you willing to change yourself? Yes, you are! That’s why you’re starting this 7-day process.

 

-Reena, Off White Mag

DAY 1

RECOGNIZE YOUR BAD HABIT

Don’t eliminate it, but replace it with something more beneficial to your body, your attitude, or whatever aspect of life you may be targeting. We replace a bad habit with a new one (a healthier one!) that provides a similar benefit. It’s challenging to change a pattern, and telling yourself to stop doing it is easier said than done.

Spend Day 1 to become aware of your bad habit, and your steps to replace it with something beneficial to you. Make a note of why this is considered a ‘bad habit’ to you, and why it’s harmful to your mind, body, or those around you. Write down your thoughts on why you are so motivated to start. Today as well, create a plan for when you are feeling uninspired.

> Find a substitute for your habit that will help you cope with your problems, whether it’s procrastination, stress, etc.
> Cut out anything that triggers you to go back to the habit. Avoid the things that cause it. If it’s eating junk food, throw it away, so you’re not tempted. Don’t shop on an empty stomach or on a day you’re not motivated.
> Surround yourself with people who inspire you to live like them- friends, YouTubers, influencers, etc.
> Join a friend for motivation. Dieting yourself on your own is very likely to slip up, but have a friend hold each other accountable.
> Have a visual of your life if you succeed and work towards it every day. Keep this in the front of your mind, place reminders all over your home of why you’re doing this, and take time to motivate yourself daily.

DAY 2

WRITE DOWN YOUR THOUGHTS OF MOTIVATION AS YOU’RE STILL FEELING MOTIVATED

These will help encourage you on the days when you’re feeling low. Also, jot down ideas or activities to keep yourself going when you make a mistake or feel like plunging back to the habit.

DAY 3

YOUR RUSH OF MOTIVATION MAY BE LEAVING NOW,

but fight through and find ways to encourage yourself. Remind yourself why this change is essential. Make an effort to spend time on an additional activity to energize yourself, or pass the time in place of the habit’s time. Most importantly, journal your thoughts and your feelings. Journaling brings clarity to a situation, and your emotions are real when you look at the words on the paper. You can thoroughly analyze them as well.

DAY 4

PLACE REMINDERS AROUND THE HOUSE TO REMIND YOU OF YOUR END GOAL

Place reminders around the house to remind you of your end goal
> fresh fruits on the kitchen countertop
> frame a photo of your dream vacation spot
> post stick-y notes on your mirror with reminders you’ll read every day

     

@chloelecareux

DAY 5

VISUALIZE YOURSELF LIVING WITHOUT THE BAD HABIT

Will it be a healthier body? Will you finish your work faster and have time for friends? Will it be money more in the bank to book a trip to Greece? Journal those ideas as well as your struggles if you are having any. Note the struggles your mind and body may be having due to the lack of this constant substance in life.

DAY 6

LOOK BACK AT THE OTHER DAYS,

and see how far you’ve come in the last few days. To most, it may be a long time! You may have been smoking daily. You may have been eating junk food daily instead of cooked meals. Analyze your thoughts on paper from today and the other days. Understand that change takes time. You’re almost seven days!

“Do it over and over again until it becomes part of who you are.”


Just as your bad habit became part of you, you are now replacing it with a new habit. It will be hard, because the new may not be as fulfilling but one must try. Your ‘old’ was harmful to your mind, body, soul, or those around you, but it was a habit.

Replacing a habit is difficult, and to some, it may be like ripping out a part of their life.

Soon, though, by doing this repeated effort of 7 days, you will put in place a new pattern in life. Soon, it will become a new part of who you are.

DAY 7

SOME OF US MAY HAVE SLIPPED UP THIS WEEK

but that does not mean you didn’t make it to Day 7. If you slipped up, you made a note of it in your journal and wrote down how you felt after doing so. We would feel guilty because our subconscious self feels that way when we have planted a seed that this habit is bad. That is the most important thing you may have discovered this week – you planted a seed of instilling guilt, and noticed the change on day 7.

Take note of the frequency of your mistakes. It would be best if you accepted that it takes time to change. To make this new, beneficial habit a habit, it will take you 63 days. Dr. Caroline Leaf explains that it takes 21 days to create a memory. You know you have to do this daily and fight this regularly. In the first 7 days, many of us will slip up, but don’t give up! That’s why we do 3 cycles of 7 days since it takes 21 days to break a pattern of thinking and create a new memory. We continue those 21 days twice more to be sure we won’t fall back into our bad habit.

Choose to see the reason why you’re doing this. Even I slipped up a few times in the first two weeks, but I made it through. In the end, after 63 days, I’m an improved being. You have to be responsible for your commitment, but if I can do it, so can you.

You can’t just brush off your bad habits. We are aware that getting out of a situation you’ve become used to takes time and effort. But always be encouraged and empowered to make the change that lasts. For the better you!

Tip To Keep You Going:

DON’T FORGET YOUR ROUTINES

Life still continues! Don’t forget to take good care of your body as well.
Self-care is not only pampering nights and relaxing activities. Self-care involves all aspects of mental health, like conquering bad habits and becoming a better you. Every day you are growing in yourself, but it is your responsibility to grow as a happy, healthier person instead of growing more in-depth into your struggles. As an aspect of you improves, you don’t become a new you. You’re merely bettering yourself.

We all have our struggles, and no one is perfect. We may never be. But improving your situation, your thinking, and your ways of living, makes for a happier day.

One thing that helped me carry on with self improvement was to keep up with the rest of my selfcare routines — skincare, baking weekly, workouts, journaling, and pampering nights.

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