Beach Bummin' It | Tips + Photo Diary

I don't know about you, but as soon as the temperature is above twenty two degrees Celsius and the sun is out I just want to spend every waking second at the beach! As a self proclaimed 'beach bum', I have become somewhat of a professional with having successful beach trips! Today I'm going to share with you a few tips for a perfect beach day!

Tip number one is obviously to check the weather prior to going out. Once you've determined it's a good day to be a beach bum, the next step is to pack a bag full of essentials. For me, the beach means no makeup; however, I always bring a chapstick with SPF in it. In my beach bag, I always pack sunglasses, a towel, my beach rug+pillow, a good book and a bottle of water. Birkenstocks are my footwear of choice when heading off to the beach.

I always like to wear a summer dress over my bikini when heading to the beach. This helps me to avoid those strange lines that shorts can leave on your tummy. Not to mention that awkward moment when you go to take your shorts off and your bikini bottoms start to come along off with them!

The next tip I have is just lounge! Catch some rays and soak in that vitamin D. I don't personally use sunscreen but I do make sure I eat plenty of sun blocking foods the day before I have beach plans. This includes tomatoes, carrots, dark chocolate, and tuna. If I see my skin beginning to get pink I throw on a light cotton beach cover up.

My gorgeous best friend, Logan, who came along with me to the beach was kind enough to be my golden hour model while I played around with my camera. How stunning is she!? There's nothing better than some sunset pictures on the beach.

Then she decided to try her hand at it. After a quick briefing in photography she snapped these shots of me!

This impromptu photoshoot leads me to my last beach bum tip: bring your bestie. There's nothing better than lounging in the sun with your best girlfriend and talking each other's ear off about everything and anything!

I hope you all are getting to the beach as much as possible this summer! Do you have any beach related tips? Do let me know!

Thanks for reading & check back again to see what KatieDidd, xo

How To Survive Allergy Season | Tips & Tricks

Welcome to spring!

Welcome to allergy season!

I definitely am affected by seasonal allergies a whole heck of a lot! As someone who doesn't like to take medication, I have come up with some tips and tricks to help me get through allergy season alive. 

1. Splurge on the Tissues

I totally understand not wanting to spend a fortune on some luxury tissues. However, a good quality 3-ply tissue maybe with some lotion in them is going to save the skin around your nose. 

2. Make Time for Tea

I'm sure there's some sort of health benefits that go along with this, but just having a warm beverage in your system can go a long way in making you feel a little more like yourself.

3. Keep Moving

It's so easy to crawl into your bed, bury yourself under the covers and stay there until the pollen settles itself down. Don't do that. I really recommend staying active and not avoiding the outdoors. I find that I can build up my tolerance almost as Spring progresses if I spend more time outdoors. I also make sure I'm still working out and doing yoga- work out those body aches and pains!

I hope these tips help anyone who struggles with seasonal allergies. Trust me, I know how crappy it is to deal with the allergies that come along with Spring. Take care of your body as if you had a cold- it helps! We can get through this together!

Do you have seasonal allergies? What helps you get through allergy season? Please do let me know in a comment!

Thanks for reading & check back to see what KatieDidd, xo

16. Ribbons & Bows: Wrapping Gifts! | Blogmas

Everything about gift giving at Christmas time gets me so darn excited!! From the planning to buying the gift to watching someone open it and everything in between- gift giving is a christmas favourite for me! Of course to give a gift, you have to wrap a gift... Now some people really dislike gift wrapping as it can be quite tedious and time consuming. However, I really enjoy it! I love the ribbons and bows and paper and boxes and all that jazz! So for todays blogmas post I thought I'd share my gift wrapping process and a few tips and tricks I've learned along the way!

I always begin by buying everything I'll need for everybody's gifts all at once. I hit up DollarTree (they've actually got amazing stuff) and picked up some cute gift boxes, wrapping paper, ribbon, gift tags, and bows. I used all the same wrapping paper just because in my family there's so many people that we all wrap our gifts in the same paper to avoid confusion in case any tags fall off. I also really happened to fall in love with this one particular paper this year so it worked out perfectly!

Once the gift is in the box, it's time for wrapping! A tip I learned to get the perfect piece of wrapping paper size wise is to place the box in the bottom corner, roll it over twice and up once. It's always seemed to work for me! For clean edges, make sure your scissors are sharp and don't use cutting motions- instead slide your scissors straight along the paper. Be sure to hold the paper taught!

Now I know I'm not the only person out there who struggles with the end bits. They're super tricky!! a little tip I learned from my mom is to fold down then tuck in. Once the sides are tucked in to get that triangle shape at the end, tape the middle where the two sides of the wrapping paper meet. This will help to avoid those bubbles that tend to appear upon folding the triangle up. I also recommend using the Scotch gift wrapping tape as it doesn't show at all on the paper!

And voila! I used a matte ribbon and a sparkly ribbon to add some contrast to the gift. I really like the way the white bow looks with the tag against the paper and ribbon colours! I have to say though that I much prefer the gold ribbon against this paper. It feels much more warm and Christmassy. I kept the ends of the ribbon on the gold one and curled them tight to the bow which I really quite like! Wrapped gifts just looks so cute! It's almost a shame we have to open them, don't you think?

I did a few just with the gift boxes because they're too cute not to show case- sorry family, I broke the rules ;) 

I'm really happy with how all the gifts turned out- they look so cute! Here's hoping they fare well in the flight home haha. Do you enjoy wrapping gifts? If you have any tips and tricks for gift wrapping do leave them in a comment!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Tips and Tricks for An Early Start | Morning Routine

Am I the only one who feels like 8am classes just should NOT exist? What purpose do they serve in my life and education when there are so many other hours in the day that aren't 8am.

But alas, 8am classes do exist and they probably always will, so we've got to suck it up and make the most of it! I've put together a list of 5 tips/tricks that help me to sleep a little longer while still getting out the door on time, all without cutting corners!

1. Pack your things the night before

It's a pain in the butt to have to run around looking for all the things you need for your class- it's so easy to get organized the night before an early morning. What I like to do is pack my agenda, folders, notebooks, pens, highlighters, and Macbook into my backpack before going to bed. This ensures that in the morning all I have to do is grab my bag and head out the door.

2. Pre-make your meals

Making and eating breakfast in the morning can take anywhere from 15-30 minutes! I like to hack this by making my breakfast the night before: 1/2 cup greek yogurt, 1/4 raw oats, 1 tsp raw cacao powder, and a pinch of cinnamon. I mix it all up in a tupperware container and take it along with me to class. If you're in a lecture hall then you're able to eat whenever you get hungry, there usually aren't rules against food in a lecture hall. If you're in a program like mine, you won't be allowed food in the class room because of the technology. In this case, odds are you professor will provide you with a break half way through (my class is 8am-11am and we usually get a break between 9am and 9:30am) when you can eat, drink, and use the washroom. I also pre-make my lunch the night before so I'm not stuck at school having to buy something over-priced and unhealthy from the cafeteria and it doesn't add any extra time to my morning routine. The easiest way for me to pre-make my lunch is by making enough of my dinner to take along the next day!

3. Lay out clothes in advance

Choosing an outfit in the morning can be an absolute chore! I always find trying to put an outfit together in a rush frazzles me and makes the task harder. I choose 2 outfits the night before; one fancy outfit and one more casual outfit. This gives me options! When I do this I lay out everything including bra, panties, shoes, etc.

4. Perfect a go-to look
The last thing you want to have to worry about in the morning is how to tackle the task that is hair and makeup. Having a quick makeup routine for busy days is a really helpful hack. Mine includes concealer, powder foundation, blush, highlight, mascara, and filling in my brows. Hair takes me the longest to figure out in the morning- it's definitely not my forte. Because of this, I have a few quick goto hair styles for day 1, day 2, and day 3 hair that I shared in this post!

5. Wake up tech-free
Yes, this does sound daunting and impossible, but I can honestly say that avoiding all social media in the morning really helps to speed everything along! I find that I can save myself about half an hour in the mornings just by not checking social media right away! If you think about it, spending just 5 minutes catching up on each major social media platform; FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest  and Snapchat, adds up to 25 minutes. Throw YouTube into the mix and you're looking at a good chunk of time! My best advice is to keep your phone on airplane mode so you're not tempted by notifications. Get through your whole morning routine and then check social media when you're all ready for the day!

My Morning Routine for an 8am Class
5:45am: wake up, stretch in bed
6:00am: get out of bed, get glass of water
6:05am: yoga sun-salutation
6:20am: bathroom/skincare routine
6:35am: go-to hair and makeup
6:45am: get dressed
6:50am: get lunch bag from fridge and pack into school bag
7:00am: head out the door and walk to bus stop
7:20am: catch bus to school, check social media on bus
7:45am: arrive at college and head to class

I hope these 5 tips will be useful to some of you who are stuck in the 8am club! If you have any hacks I could use for my morning routine do let me know! What does your early morning consist of?

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Random & Weird Beauty Tips | Top 5

Lately I've been loving doing top 5 posts (you can check out my others if you'd like: MCM & WCW). This time I decided to combine my top 5 with my love for beauty! Today I'm very excited to share with you my top 5 random and weird beauty tips!

By random and weird beauty tips I mean not your conventional "drink water" "wash your face" etc kinda tips. I mean the kinds of things people don't really talk about on a regular basis. So without further ado, here are my top 5 random and weird beauty tips.

1. Moisturize your underarms 

If you're like me and have really sensitive underarms then you'll know the magic that is a moisturizing deodorant- I love mine! However it seems that a moisturizing deodorant just doesn't cut it as the weather gets cooler. My underarms tend to get really sensitive and dry. It has now become part of my post-shower moisturizing routine to moisturize my underarms and I can feel a world of difference!

2. Wash behind your ears

I feel like everyone has heard their moms and their mom's mom say this but it's because it's so applicable. Every night when I apply my moisturizer I bring it down my neck and around behind my ears- it's just my routine now. Well, about a week ago I went to scratch an itch I had behind my ear and I was so disgusted to see that under my nail I had scratched off a buildup of moisturizer and conditioner. It's so easy to forget to wash behind your ears but it's an area that needs that little extra attention. 

3. Carry an emergency pouch
I'm sure most of us have a little case in our handbag that has some emergency essentials in like tampons, but I recommend having an emergency pouch that can handle virtually any emergency. Mine includes things like a pen, Tide-To-Go stick, kleenex, a few squares of toilet paper, Q-Tips, hand sanitizer, and a few other bits and bobs. You can never be over prepared I think!

4. Don't shave everyday
It may be tempting to have smooth, supple legs everyday- especially in the summer. If you can go 3 days in between shaves (and I mean that for all the parts you shave; you know what I mean) then your skin will definitely thank you for it! I have found that I get a better, closer shave with less ingrown hairs and sensitivity with waiting a few days in between shaves. It may not be ideal, but it's definitely worth it! And your body will get used to the natural hair grown cycle. 

5. Let your nails be naked
A little while back I was having problems with my nails peeling and being quite brittle and I really had no idea why- my diet was good, my hands were moisturized well, my nails were filed, buffed, and painted- but they just kept getting weaker. It wasn't until I had a no-makeup day that I realized that maybe my nails, like my skin, needed a break every now and then! For 3 days I left my nails bare and I already saw a difference just in that short period of time. It really does help!

I hope you enjoyed these weird and random beauty tips! If you have any to add DO let me know!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Make Me Up Monday | June 22, 2015

Skin Care Tips

I am a firm believer in really taking care of my skin. I would prefer to invest my time and money in my skin care as opposed to makeup products because in my mind I'd prefer to have a face that I don't feel the need to slap heavy makeup on everyday. The tips I have acquired are not my own. I am not a skin care professional by any means, I'm not even close. This list is a compilation from dermatologists, estheticians, and other women I have in my life who are very knowledgeable. I felt passing on the helpful information I have received would be a good idea as I know how lost I am when it comes to skin care and I also know that not everyone has the resources to seek professional opinions.

1. Drink Water: I thought I may as well start off with this one and get it out of the way. I know everyone says this, but it's because it really does work! 

2. Eat Good Foods: Your skin needs vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Eat whole grains, fresh fruit and veg, and avoid heavily processed foods or any foods high in unhealthy fats.

3. Date Your Products: This reason behind this tip is now that people are switching toward more natural ingredient based products, they do expire. Writing the date on each new product (skin care and makeup) can help to make sure you're not putting anything on your face that's out of date (this can also help you see how much time you're really getting out of your product).

4. Find The Right Products: Whether you get a professional skin care consultation or take a quiz online or watch a YouTube video that explains skin mapping, knowing your skin type is very important. I was using products for extremely dry skin because my face always felt tight, when I began breaking out I went to a professional who told me that my skin is actually combination-oily and that it felt tight because it was dehydrated. Knowing your skin and getting the right products is so important!

5. Moisturize: No matter what skin type you have always moisturize! From the driest of dry to the oiliest of skins, moisturizer is an absolute necessity. Having oily skin, I tend to go for gel moisturizers instead of lotions. A tip I was given to help combat my dehydration issue was to mix a little bit of warm water into my moisturizer before applying it to my face and then to massage my moisturizer all the way in. The reason to massage moisturizer in instead of lightly applying it to the skin is that a lot of moisturizers are water based and so will evaporate off the skin into the air which will draw out any moisture in your skin!

6. Keep Everything Clean: By this I mean everything! I wash my pillow case, my face cloths and towels, and my brushes weekly. Dirt and dust builds up on these items and then gets distributed onto the skin causing clogged pores. Also try not to touch your face without freshly washed hands as you don't want to add dirt and bacteria to your pores.

7. Pamper Yourself: Try to have a day every week or so that's completely makeup free where you can take the time to use a face mask or a pore strip or an oil treatment (or all three!).

8. Have a Routine: Creating a skin care routine that is good for you is so important to give your skin some homeostasis. Your skin will thrive off of a routine.

9. Trust professionals: This is the big tip that really makes a difference! I think of estheticians as the GP of beauty. You see your GP for everything and usually they know what to do, if they don't they send you to someone who can help you out. That's how I see estheticians; they know makeup, skin care, waxing, massaging etc. Most of the time estheticians will know exactly what you need skin care wise and if they don't they always know the name of a good dermatologist!

10. Love Your Skin: Honestly, odds are none of us will ever be 100% completely confident with our skin. There's so much that we are convinced we should be insecure about- pigmentation, acne, large pores, wrinkles etc. To that I say screw it. Your skin is like the bark of a tree, it tells the entire story of where you've been. Your smile lines, your freckles, your scars, EVERYTHING about your skin is UNIQUE and BEAUTIFUL. Don't cover it up, learn to love your skin.

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn