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Amy Marie

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Fall Bucket List 2020

Connecticut Fall bucket list

Today I am sharing a Fall bucket list in hopes of sharing some Fall fun!

It’s (almost) Fall y’all! Although it is still summer I think we all can agree we need a little something to look forward to. Living in New England it is very rare for someone to not choose Fall as their favorite season. As 2020 continues to be one of the craziest years I think we all are kind of hoping for some normalcy. Although, it does not seem to be coming anytime soon… we can still enjoy the changing seasons while keeping ourselves and others safe!

I thought it would be fun to put together a list of Fall themed activities! These activities can be done at home or outside and socially distanced from others! Now tell me – what are your bucket list items for fall?

Located in Connecticut? Here are some of my favorite Fall spots!

Lyman Orchards

Beardsley’s Cider Mill and Orchard

Explore Litchfield

New England Hard Cider

Connecticut Fall Bucket list

How to Keep Your Deck Looking New!

*This is a sponsored post, please read my “disclosure” for more information*

A deck is a wonderful extension of your living space. It was one of the things Justin and I were most exited about when we bought our house. We loved the idea of having a space right off our house that we could entertain or spend time together on. I am currently writing this on my deck drinking a coffee and enjoying the soon approaching fall weather.

It’s not just enough to have a deck and enjoy it. Keeping a deck in good condition as we as safe for any visitors takes some work. A deck can be easily maintained as long as it is continuously maintained over time. Since Justin and I our new to this homeownership thing… we thought it might be a good idea to do some research and prepare for the annual maintenance we need to do with out deck. This post contains just a few things we have learned and plan to do to ensure our deck has a long lasting life.

Annual Inspections

We read everywhere that is was very important to inspect your deck each Spring to see if the Winter caused any damage. At that time its important to check for any loose boards, broken pieces, etc. Then to have those problem areas fixed. This is not just for the over maintenance of your deck, but for the safety of those using it. An annual inspection of your deck is an easy way to not let small problems build to bigger ones. Also – no need to call a professional until you have to! Most minor repairs can be done on your own!

Wash your deck

Pretty simple right? Justin and I were able to borrow a power washer and it made such a huge difference. Spending time each Spring cleaning your deck will help prevent any mold or moss growth. Also, depending on where you live it will help remove any winter residue. Be sure to select the correct cleanser depending on the material of your deck. Also be cautious when using a power washer… keeping it in one place for too long can cause damage. Keep it moving and go with the grain of the wood.

Replace damaged boards

There may be a time when parts of your deck are too far gone for minor repair and need to be replaced… other may need to replace the entire deck. This is depending on the age of the deck as well as wear and tear. Brazilian Wood Depot is your go to spot for natural wood imported directly from Brazil to their headquarters in Atlanta. This material is not only beautiful, but is naturally resistant to rot, decay, insects, fire, and mold. This real wood outdoor decking will transform any space and make it the go-to party spot!

Prevent Warping

Depending on where you live your take can be exposed to a variety of outdoor elements. Its important to keep an eye our for warped wood. Warped wood if not taken care of can continue to cause damage to the area around it as well as be dangerous to anyone walking on it. Ensure that your deck is properly sealed, care for sure the winter will help your deck last for many years to come!

There you have it! Just a few things Justin and I plan on doing to ensure the life of outdoor space lasts for years to come! We have using the outdoor space to entrain this past summer and I look forward to fall nights out there with family and friends.

During the global pandemic I have really appreciated the space we have outside and that we have been able to use it during these difficult times. It’s very difficult to be stuck inside and unable to enjoy the outdoor weather or be with friends. Justin and I are very fortunate to have a space to enjoy with our friends and family (even if it is 6 feet apart)!

Ideas for Updating your Basement!

Have I been talking about my new house too much? (Tips for moving and saving money here!)I’m sorry… I am just a little excited. Our new house has a basement and right now needs some TLC. Justin and I’s ideal basement would be multiple purposed with space for storage as well as entertainment space. Similar to when I did a wedding mood board I thought it might be fund to do something similar for our basement. In today’s post I put together some “wish list” items for our basement!

Home Office

If you are like me you may have recently had to start adapting to working from home. I really struggled with this at the end of March when I no longer had an office to go to. I was very lucky to have a space that I could utilize as an office and now in our new home have a designated room. For me, I need to separate work and home. Another way to utilize the space in your basement is to create a space for yourself to work. Now, this doesn’t have to be a “work” space – it could be hobby space… or craft space! It’s nice to have a designated spot to work on your art, or focus on any hobby!

Play Room

This may be a little bit down the road for Justin and I but…. we have both decided that our basement will at some point be taken over by children… which is fine with me! I love the idea of having a spot for the kids that is all theirs for them to play in… also not have toys all over my living room would be ideal too. There are so many cute playroom ideas on Pinterest.

Guest Bedroom

Another idea is to have a spot for your guest! I love the idea of creating a space for guest to wind down and relax when staying over. If you’ve been around here for a while you know I love thrifting and looking for deals. I love the idea of getting to thrift some fun and original pieces to put together for our guests.

Bar

Having a bar in your basement might not be for everyone… but I always remember my best friends parents had a bar in their basement and I thought it was the coolest thing! Having the basement in the bar in not a necessity, but Justin and I do currently have a nice little pub table down there that could use some company. Honestly, a mini-fridge might do. If there is anything I want more than a bar table it would be some vintage light up beer signs.

Pool Table

A pool table is alway a crowd favorite! Who misses going to a bar and getting to hang out, drink, and play pool with your friends? I sure do! Why not have that luxury in your home? Absolute Billiard Services is your go-to place to bring any table back to life? We all know I love a good thrifted find! Bring any table back to life with Atlanta pool table refelting.

There are just a few ways to add some life and fun into your basement! A basement update does not need to be a major renovation, it could be just a coat of paint and some new decor on the walls. As you know my favorite place to look fr decor is Goodwill or Facebook market place! It may take some time, but its worth shopping around to find items you like on a budget!

Now, tell me! What ideas do you have to update your basement or any room in your house! I’d love to hear them!

Stress-Free Moving Tips

stress-free moving tips

A few weeks ago I shared that Justin and I have recently moved. I would have to say… it was pretty stress-free! A few things factored in… for example we did not own a lot of things, we had a lot of time to pack… and quarantine, duh. So today I thought it would be fun to share some tips to help your upcoming move be as smooth as possible!

Get an early start!

If you want an easy way to stress yourself out… wait until the last minute to pack. Seriously. I would say on moving day Justin and I were 50/50 ready. Now if we were 100% ready… that would have been great! However, were not perfect… nobody’s perfect and that is ok! To say that it is possible to move 100% stress free is impossible. However, it can be more manageable by planning ahead and getting an early start. As soon as you know you have a set date to move or close on your new home… get started!

Justin and I did not know for sure we had the house until a few days before our closing. Apparently, this is a common thing. The scary thing is that ANYTHING can change between your new house being contingent and your final closing. So Justin and I were hesitant to pack because we didn’t want to get our hopes up. Justin and I eventually bit the bullet and just started packing… thankfully it all worked out!

Make a List.

This was my first time moving (besides back and forth between college), so I was kind of lost. I had a lot more things, items that we acquired from our wedding, items we were collecting for our new house… my head was spinning. I needed a plan and a list. So Justin and I sat down and prioritized the things we needed to do. Moving is not just packing… its address changes, paperwork, moving money around, contracts, etc. It is wild! Moving is one big rollercoaster until you finally sign the final contract and have your closing date set. So I feel that it is important to sit down and prioritize the things that need to be done.

LABEL EVERYTHING!

Unlabeled boxes became my unpacking nightmare, that could have been avoided. At the start of our packing journey Justin and I did really good job of carefully wrapping each piece and labeling each box. However, when it came down to the final 24hrs – it was just throw it in a bag and go!! I would say this piece is most important for a stress-free unpacking. Justin and I spent so much time just going through items to unpack and finding the right location for them… or just items that needed to go into storage. We could have saved so much time and energy by just taking the time to label.

Do a little each day.

Packing is overwhelming and should not be done in one day. It also should not be done on the same day of the move (opps…) Once you get your final closing date or have a planned move in day… start packing! Do a little each day, but the important thing is to just get started! Justin and I picked one room a day to focus on packing and then had a designated spot in the house to put already packed boxes. This helped with clutter and made it easier on moving day, especially when we had people come help us, we were able to point to the designated spot and say “all that goes!”

stress-free moving tips

Hire a moving company!

Want the ultimate stress-free moving experience? Hire a company!! Atlanta Peach Movers have over 30 years of experience offering local, long distance and international relocation services to commercial customers and government moving Atlanta. This is a full service moving company which takes away majority of the stress when it comes to moving! Sounds great, right???

So there ya have it! Want a stress-free move? Hopefully these few tips and tricks will be just what you are looking for!

Mental Health in the Midst of a Global Pandemic

mental health

In today’s post I share a little bit about my mental health journey over the past few months. I know for sure that it is safe to say, the past few months have not been easy for anyone. Here are some things I did to help cope over the past few months (and still continue to do).

Mid March my job completely changed. Our programs shut down, our group homes went into lockdown, and I did my best to provide services to my clients virtually. As I adapted to this change I found that some of my clients needed additional services. They needed help understanding and coping with the world that was crumbling around all of us. A little background, I work at a non-profit organization as a Behavior Specialist. I support individuals of all ability levels across various environments: residential, work, day, etc. I started hosting a weekly group “Coffee and Coping” where I did my best to help my clients mange these times… when behind the scenes I was struggling mange it myself!

It was difficult to put on happy face meeting after meeting as if I thought it was all going to be ok. When in reality getting out of bed was a struggle and engaging in activities I throughly enjoyed before, such as reading, became nonexistent. I became quite a hermit and looking back my lockdown feels much like a fever dream. I knew I had to start taking control of myself and here are just some of the things I did.

Set a morning routine.

No longer having a commute kind of rocked my world. I always had this rush of having to get out of the house, but now I just rolled out of bed and hopped onto a meeting. This became problematic. I was no longer making my bed, getting out of my PJs, or doing typical morning type stuff. Setting a routine really helped me start my day feeling accomplished and like I was on the right path for the rest of the day.

Limit use of social media.

I talked about this in yesterdays post, but I was spending way too much time on my phone at the beginning of the pandemic. Endless scrolling is good for no one. By trying new activities and focusing on activities that did not require my phone was very helpful. I started doing puzzles with my husband at the end of the work day and even taught myself how to do needlepoint. These were healthy distractions that also required me to use some brain power.

Set work boundaries.

In a span of 24 hours my work life became combined with my home life. Which was a lot to handle. First, how to be productive in space where my brain has labeled “relaxing”. Then, learning to spend time away from work and not feeling guilty. It was hard to step away for lunch at times or plan just a few moments away from starring at my screen. I did enjoy being able to balance home chores and work… I got really good at folding clothes while actively participating in a work call! The most important thing I did was designate a “work space” and I did my best to only work in that work space and when I was done, I was done. This helped separate my work and home life.

Connect with friends.

Zoom happy hours became the highlight of my week. I spent a few too many mornings hungover after staying up late drinking and chatting virtually with my friends. I made it a priority to check in on my friend and family. My aunt had the great idea of writing cards to everyone – which I loved! Talking with others and knowing we were all going through it together was helpful.

Get outside.

There were days when my yard time only consisted of taking the dogs out. I made sure to start incorporating time outside each day. Short walks, working outside, reading outside, just breathing fresh air! I found this to be really helpful… I think it is really important to get outside each day, no matter the job you have, global pandemic or not.

Meet with a professional.

Sometimes a bubble bath and some fresh air just doesn’t cut it when it comes to mental health. Seeking the help from a professional can be life changing. Group therapy is a great way to connect with others while being able to share experiences, ideas, and still receive the emotional support you need. Ray of Hope Counseling Services can provide that and more! By combing individual counseling and group therapy they are able to offer the support you need to overcome various life challenges. (Currently providing tele-support and online session as well as in-person, while adhering CDC guidelines)

The past few months have rocked us all… but were still here! Please taking your mental health seriously and know there is not shame in reaching out for help! What has helped you cope? Let me know in the comments!

mental health

Healthy Habits I Started During Quarantine

In today’s blog post I share my some of the struggles I faced during the past few months as well as the healthy habits I started. It was not an easy few months and I think that is something important for us to all recognize.

Depending on where you live you may be allowed more freedom to participate in activities outside of your home. Currently, where I live we have moved through a few phases. We are now allowed small outdoor events, indoor/outdoor dining, small gatherings, etc. But, we all can so easily flashback to a few months ago where our biweekly grocery trips and drive-by’s to see family were the only activities we were doing. So what did we do? Personally, for me… a slump of depression hit and I spent hours watching TV and scrolling on my phone. My weekly Iphone usage alert haunted me each week as the number grew larger.

I remember the beginning thinking “I am going to have so much time to *fill in the blank*”. As an avid reader I didn’t read one book, as someone who was exercising frequently prior to March I was lucky if I went for a walk around the block daily, and for someone who enjoys blogging and thought “Aha – now I have the time.” My instagram and blog were left empty. As I sit here writing this it is so easy for me to remember the things I didn’t do… rather than the things I did. So this post is to celebrate the few things I did.

So right now I demand you celebrate yourself… so maybe you didn’t write an entire album during the past few months *cough* Taylor Swift… maybe you just got out of bed each day… YAY FOR YOU!!! We need to celebrate ourselves more, rather than compare ourselves to others…

Now… what healthy habits did I start during quarantine…

A Skincare Routine

That’s right! Now, I clean my face both in the morning and at night. I have a whole blog post on my clean skincare routine, which I am proud to say I am still in the routine of doing. I have added a few extra items and special night skincare items… which is a blog post for another day!

Needlepoint

You might be wondering how is Needlepoint a healthy habit? Well, it actually has nothing to do with Needlepoint at all to do with my phone usage. After a few weeks of seeing my Iphone usage report on the rise, I decided I needed to do something to keep my hands busy (an incompatible behavior for my fellow ABA fans out there). Needlepoint was a great activity to start as it was something new that I needed to research and learn as well as something that kept me off my phone for hours. I truly have to thank Carly for all the helpful blog posts and IGTV’s about Needlepoint.

A blog post all about Needlepoint will be coming soon to AMB.

Cooking

As I am now a married lady it is my duty to provide warm meals for husband each night. HAH. In all seriousness, I had the luxury of working remotely while Justin had to go to work in one of the local hospitals. I felt the least I could do was to cook dinner each night, and I enjoyed it very much! Justin and I perviously did not cook much and ate out a bit more than we should. We not only got better at preparing meals, but we saved money too! I also could prepare all the vegan food I love and even did a mini series of Meatless Mondays over on Instagram …. I gotta bring that back!

Maybe you set big goals over the past few months, but need some help achieving them. Did you hope to lose weight or maybe are like me and gained the quarantine 15. Atlanta hypnosis for weight loss may be just the right place for you to get started. Sean Wheeler from Pure Hypnosis can help you eat healthier and start losing weight immediately. Pretty cool, right?

Now tell me! Did you write a book? Finish a big puzzle? Made your bed? Let me know your healthy habits in the comments!

Things in my Eco-Friendly Home that Just make Sense!

Want to make some eco-friendly item swaps in your home? In todays post I share some of my current favorite eco-friendly home items and some items on my “want to invest” list!

I want to start this post with a disclaimer… Justin and I by no means live in a complete sustainable / eco-friendly home. I am just a girl trying each day to make small changes within my environment to leave a little less of a footprint on our planet. Remember – change takes time! I learned this the hard way by thinking I had to toss everything I owned and start over… nope! Slowly swapping items out over time is the best way to go about it… and less overwhelming too!

Currently:

Swedish Dish Rags

These have been a staple in our kitchen! Swedish dish rags can be used for 6-8 months, dish washer friendly and can be used with cleaning chemicals or water! Just think – 4 of these bad boys can replace paper towels for 2 years! I love using mine to clean up spills around the kitchen, wash the tables/windows – you name it!

Compost

A new adventure for Justin and I… we started with a small pile in our yard where we would throw compostable food and yard scraps. We have now added a Compost Bin to our kitchen and we love it! The goal would be to invest in an outdoor bin when we eventually build a garden, but for now our pile in the backyard (hidden by trees) will do!

Dryer Balls

Dryer balls not only replace the need for dryer sheets, but also reduce the amount of time spent drying your items. They can last between 2-3 years, which is about a thought loads of laundry. They are unscented but lots of people add a few drops of their favorite essential oil. Justin and I have a few dryer balls, but are currently using up our last box of dryer sheets before committing fully to them.

Re-usable Bags

For me reusable bags goes beyond the ones I use for grocery shopping… I’m talking no more plastic food bags and produce bags too! I have to say this has been one of the more difficult transitions for both Justin and I. I think it comes down to whats easier for the both of us. Using a plastic lunch bag is way easier than our reusable ones that need to be cleaned. Also remembering to put our reusable shopping/produce bags in the car or having an extra set around for those spontaneous grocery stops. It really comes down to creating new habits and forcing your hand a bit. Once Justin and I ran out our of plastic lunch bags I stopped buying them… kind of forcing our hand at using the reusable ones we have.

Mason Jars & Glass Food Storage

I have become a mason jar collector. They are an easy way to store food and drinks. Don’t have a reusable water bottle? Use a mason jar. Don’t have a way to bring your left overs to work? Use a mason jar. Seriously – so many possibilities! You can also save other glass jars to reuse from yogurt to jam jars. Justin and I have also started to switch over our plastic Tupperware to glass. Why switch from plastic to glass? Well for one thing – no more left over pasta sauce stains on your Tupperware. But glass is longer lasting than plastic and can be recycled back into more glass unlike plastic.

Dish Washing Block

Another way Justin and I are trying to reduce our use of plastic is by not buying items that are in plastic. I recently found a Vegan Dish Washing Block and this has eliminated our need to dish soap in a plastic bottle. This item can last up to 6 months depending on how it is used! It also can be used with either a sponge or dish scrubber.

Things I want to invest in:

Reusable Paper Towels

I’ve seen these all over the place and would love a set! I do not think they are a necessary item as I think they could be replaced by a Swedish Dish Rag or a regular dish towel.

Rain Barrel

This item is definitely an investment, but if you are looking to water your garden or plants in/around your house a rain barrel is a great investment. It catches rain from your gutters, then you can use it around your house for various needs. Our current county has a deal on these, which Justin and I put our names on the 2021 list for a discounted barrel!

There you have it a list of our current items and want to invest items! I am exited to learn more about home sustainability and see what else we can change around our house! Now, tell me in the comments – what are your current eco-friendly home finds!

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4 Tips for Saving Money on Your First House!

My Clean Skincare Routine

4 Tips for Saving Money for your First House!

save money

Want to save money for your first house, but don’t know where to start? You clicked the right link! In this post you will find 4 tips for how my husband and I saved to buy our first house!

I think both Justin and I are in disbelief that in the midst of a global pandemic we were able to buy our first home! The idea of buying a house was so daunting to us. We had no idea how to even start saving for one of the biggest purchases we have ever made! Of course, we started small by creating a joint bank account where we both put money aside monthly. However, after we got married we wanted to kick it into high gear. We knew we had to be more serious about saving money. We started by sitting down and making a plan. Here are few things that worked for us!

Pinpoint where you spend the most money!

Start by keeping a log of all your purchases and reviewing them at the end of the month. I kept a piece of paper wrapped around my debit card and each time I pulled out my card to buy something I wrote it down. You can review this weekly or monthly. Pinpoint purchases during the month that might not have been so necessary. For Justin and I it was going out to eat, buying lunch, and buying coffee.

In March when most restaurants and coffee shops closed, we started to break the habit of eating out and formed a new habit of making our meals. This was a huge money saver for us! I used to have a bad Starbucks habit… and those $5 coffees add up! Remember no savings is too small! You may think “Oh, it is just $5… no big deal.”. Do the math! You will be amazed at how much money you could keep in your pocket by making your own coffee at home!

Make a budget!

Again, refer to your spend list! Something Justin and I found out about ourselves is that we weren’t really sticking to a budget… For example: If we went grocery shopping we would put together a rough list of items that we needed, but would also just throw anything else into the cart… which again can really add up! Of course it is ok to get fun snack items or splurge on a treat here and there, but we found that by not sticking to a grocery list we were spending a little too much on groceries for just the two of us.

I also made a thrift budget for myself! Back in February I wrote about my thrift list. This was another way to help keep me accountable and only buying the things I needed. I could spend hours shopping secondhand… and at times things can seem so cheap! But again… it adds up!! By setting a money limit for my weekly thrifting as well as creating a thrift list of items Justin and I needed, I was able to cut back on my spending.

Sell unwanted items!

Anyone else clean out their closets/garage/house during the pandemic lockdown? It was such a great opportunity to take time to purge unwanted items from our home. Selling these items is a great way to start putting money into your savings account. There are lots of different options when looking to sell your unwanted items. You can utilize an online platform or if looking to sell something more expensive and in person retailer might be better.

If you are looking for a place to start, I would recommend Chapes – JPL. Whether you are looking to sell old unwanted jewelry or are in need of a business loan in Atlanta, Chapes-JPL has your back. With over 40 years of experience and interest rates as low as 3% they may be just what you are looking for! Take any money from items you have sold and put it right into your savings account! You may be surprised at how much “money” is laying around your house.

save money

Get a side hustle!

There is no shame in the side hustle game!! If you have been a reader for a while you know I have worked with VIPKID for a little over 2 years and am Beautycounter consultant. Oh… and I blog… hello! A side hustle is a great way to help put some extra money into your savings account! There are so many different jobs that can be done from the comfort of your home!

So there you go… YOU CAN DO IT! I’m sure there are a lot more ways to save for a house (please share in the comments), but these are the 4 core things that Justin and I did! I hope this helps!

save money
save money to buy a house

Dear Fellow White People

All art images in this post belong to Danielle Coke, who can be supported here on her Website, Facebook, and Instagram.

black lives matter

Dear Fellow White People,

I have started this letter a few times, but each time questioned my ability to write it. I will never be able to understand fully what POC in our country feel or what they experience daily. But, I do understand that that is a privilege I was born into. A privilege that I up until recently did not fully recognize.

All these years I thought and truly believed I was a black ally… I grew up in a diverse neighbored, attended a diverse school, and had a diverse group of friends. But, never did I realize that our experiences may have been different. We grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same school, had the same group of friends…but did we feel the same way when we walked home alone, or went into a store? I do not know, because I never asked. It never crossed my mind to think to ask my friends with skin darker than mine what they were experiencing and how their childhood was completely different than mine.

And that is what this letter is about, it is my plea to my fellow white people to start comparing their experiences to the experiences of POC in our country. I have never actively witnessed racism in my life, but I know for sure I have missed the subtle racism that occurs daily. Have I seen a shop owner follow a POC in a store? Has a POC been spoken to differently than I in the same setting? Have I heard an inappropriate comment be made about a POC? And the most important question to ask myself: Did I say something when I witnessed this happened?

“It’s not enough to be quietly non-racist.” – Angela Davis

So my fellow white people what are you going to do next? I know what I am going to do, I am going to continue to utilize my voice and platform to make sure the voices of all who are unheard are heard. I pledge to no longer be silent about the issues in our country, I pledge to me more actively involved in supporting companies and businesses that are diverse/support a diverse work environment and I pledge to make sure you know that I hear you, I see you, and that you are not alone.

black lives matter

Things you can do right now:

  1. Keep the conversation going!
  2. Educate yourself.
  3. Get involved/ Use your voice!
  4. Support black creators, artists, and businesses.
  5. Donate.

Where to donate :

black lives matter
black lives matter

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My Clean Skincare Routine

My Work From Home Must Haves

My Clean Skincare Routine

clean skincare routine

In todays post I share my clean skincare routine as well as share with you where I started to make little changes to create a cleaner lifestyle for myself and my family.

Last year I started to make some changes in my life and adjust to a “cleaner” lifestyle. I wanted to change everything from my diet, how I shopped, to my skin care! Three very major parts of my life! It was overwhelming at first, but I started small. I first started by introducing my body to a more plant based lifestyle, then I started to only shop secondhand, and lastly I started to “clean” out my makeup bag.

I could have have done it all in one quick sweep, but I felt that it would be wasteful. As I finished up one beauty product I swapped it for a cleaner one, I started to eat vegan one day a week, and I started to really think about the things I needed. For example: If I identified that I needed something I would really think about it, I could easily go on Amazon and order it, or I could add it to my thrift list. (I chose the latter!)

But today we are not talking about all those other things, today we are just talking about my skincare and how Beautycounter comes into the mix. Well, Beautycounter’s mission is to get safe products into everyones hands. They believe that the future is clean beauty, and they plan to lead the way. They do this by creating products for the whole family (they have a baby + kid collection!!), education, and advocacy. (If you are interested in joining the clean beauty movement with me, I’d love to chat!!)

clean skincare routine

Step 1: Hydrating Cleaning Balm

This bad boy is basically a 3 in 1! It can be used to remove makeup, as a cleanser, and an overnight hydrating mask. I personally use it to remove my makeup and clean my skin. Its very hydrating, I loved the feeling of using this type of product versus a makeup remover that would leave my skin feeling dry and tight!

Step 2: Foaming Cleanser

I then use a foaming cleanser, again very smooth and hydrating! My skin responds best to gentle cleansers, and this one hits the spot!

Step 3: Toner

If you don’t use a toner – you must!! Think your face is clean after you wash it? You would be shocked to see whats left over on the cotton pad when you use a toner. Also, a toner is great for minimizing pores!

Step 4: Vitamin C Serum

Next is my sunshine in a bottle! This helps reduces dark spots as well as brighten skin. (Currently sold out – will update when it is back in stock!)

Step 5: Moisturize

Finally, I lock it all in with a 24 hour moisturizer. The Countermatch adaptive moisturizer, does just what it says – it adapts to your skin throughout the day!

Thats it! I hope this isn’t overwhelming, I can promise you it isn’t! Beautycounter makes it extremely easy to follow a skincare regimen by including the steps on their product boxes as well as when they should be used. Easy right? Great for beginners like me… who had not idea where to start!

clean skincare routine

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