Make Me Up Monday | June 8, 2015

4 Days of Hair

I have recently been doing my best to get my hair to a place where it only needs to be washed twice a week. It has been a long (and greasy) process, but my hair does seem to be a lot healthier and stronger than it was when I was washing every day or two.

During this time I have found myself using the same hair styles over and over to prolong the time between washes and to minimize the amount of heat styling I'm using on my hair. I don't use any products in my hair anymore besides an argan oil when my hair is damp after washing. I have read many articles recently about how bad hair products really are for you and since I have stopped using them I have definitely noticed a difference! (give this article a read if you're interested). 

Without further ramblings, here are 4 days of fool proof hair styles that I resort to all the time to get the most out of my wash without damaging my hair in between.

Day 1

This is my hair day 1. After a good wash and condition in the shower I towel dry, use an argan oil, and then let my hair dry naturally the rest of the way. I then use a 19mm Conair curling wand to get nice big curls. I usually pin the front of my hair back at about my ear as the volume of the curls on day 1 can be a bit overwhelming around the face.

Day 2

As you can see here, by day 2, the curls have fallen into a really pretty loose wave look. The picture on the left is when I just woke up, au natural. The second photo, on the right, is after a little bit of touching up with my wand. 

Day 3

By day 3, my curls/loose waves are still in tact but I do begin to notice my hair looking a little bit greasy only around my hair line. To hide this I like to twist the hair back around my face and pin it back by my ears. 

Day 4

When I get to day 4, I tend to prefer to put my hair up as I begin to get greasy at my part. This is the first of three variations of day 4 hair. I like to pull my hair back into a very messy and loose low bun and secure it with a cute little scrunchee. 

The second option I tend to resort to on day 4 is a simple pony tail. Since my hair still holds the wave of the curls, I think the pony tail looks really soft and pretty.

My third hairstyle for day 4 hair is a half up-half down do. I like to use a little elastic with a bow because I think this hairstyle is really feminine so I go all out on the girly front ha ha. 

I find this pattern of hair styles really fool proof and simple for a four day hair plan. I think having go to hair styles for all degrees of clean to greasy is a great idea especially when you work random, part-time shifts like I do. I don't even have to think about what to do with my hair in the morning before an 8am shift because it has just become a habit now!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge | June 7, 2015

7: A Friend

There are not enough nice words in the English language to express my gratitude for Logan. She is one of my longest and best friends. She's that friend that I don't talk to everyday because we don't need to talk everyday. We can go for weeks without talking and then as soon as she's back home from school we're inseparable and it's as though we were never apart. We are so similar and yet different enough that we balance each other out well. She has been by my side through every problem I've faced; through good times and bad she has been the person I can count on to be there. I am blessed to have her in my life and so grateful for her. I am positive that we will be very close friends for years and years to come. Love you Log.

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Food Friday | June 5, 2015

Cravings

Pizza, brownies, cookies, chips, fries, a greasy burger... all things I'm thinking about right now. For me food cravings come in all forms; sweet things, salty things, savory things. To deal with my cravings I have come up with a little mental system I go through to determine what type of craving I'm having and what I should do to combat said craving.

I have narrowed down my cravings into three simple categories:

 1. Boredom/late night
2. Lacking vitamins
3. Just wanting junk food

Through much research as well as trial and error, I have come up with bullet proof ways to combat all three types of cravings!

1. Boredom/late night

These are definitely two separate things for some people, but for me they both are solved in the same way. If I feel a craving and I can chalk it down to boredom, I generally find something to do with my hands. Whether that's reading a book, doodling in my sketchpad, texting a friend, playing a game on my phone, or whatever it is I can find, occupying myself usually does the trick. If that doesn't work, I'll usually drink a big glass of water or milk. This tricks my mind almost into thinking that I have given in to what it wants. Drinking a glass of milk or water before bed always seems to control my night time cravings. Another little trick I have for at night is to brush my teeth. Even if I don't plan on going to bed right away, I find that if I brush my teeth my urge to eat dissipates immediately.

2. Lacking vitamins

If my craving isn't combated by the means in step one, I then go on to this handy-dandy chart. Whatever it is that I'm craving can usually be understood by a lack of vitamins. This chart is so helpful because without blood tests we can't tell if we are low in vitamins and minerals. This chart shows me what I'm lacking by what I'm craving. This has helped to combat my cravings upon many occasions.

3. Just wanting junk food

If my craving hasn't been combated in step one or step two, then I move on to step three and surrender myself to the craving. I tend to crave ice cream, salt and vinegar chips, and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. When I have these cravings I can almost always skip 1 and 2 because I know that these are my most loved junk foods. When I'm just in the mood for a junk food, I eat the junk food. I'm that person that if there is a bag of chips in front of me, I need to eat the entire bag before I feel satisfied -just one more, just one more. Instead of buying a regular sized bag of chips, I buy a snack pack bag (the $1.49 bags of lays at Mac's). This allows me to feel satisfied that I ate a whole bag of chips, but without eating enough for a family of four. When it comes to ice cream and cookies, they're another thing I just can't say no to. Instead of buying these high fat items at supermarkets I make my own. This way I know what goes into them and I can make them healthier. Also by knowing what goes into them, when I'm craving a cookie I can now control myself to just one a day (maybe two if I'm feeling cheeky) because I know 1. how much butter has gone into them - seeing a whole stick of butter being mixed into sugar kinda grosses me out, and 2. how much the ingredients cost me!!! When I get to step three, I don't deprive myself any longer, I indulge in my craving foods, but in very small portions. It's enough to curb the craving without expanding my waist line.

Not mentioned under any of these categories is a strategy I use for myself to help with abolishing cravings before they even start. I find I have less cravings for junk foods when my fridge is jam packed with colourful, fresh foods. I think the colourful, vibrant side of this photo duo looks so much more appealing than the side that is mainly brown. It also helps me to think about what the food is doing to my body. I try to visualize fatty foods just sitting on my love handles (because that's the part of my body I'm most self conscious about), and I try to visualize nice fresh veggies fueling my body and giving me the energy I need to go out and make the most of this wonderful life. 

If you have any other tips and tricks for curbing your cravings do let me know!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Random Thought Thursday | June 4, 2015

8km

Yesterday evening was absolutely gorgeous here in SSM, Ontario so my brother and I decided to take advantage of it. I rode my bike and he used his roller blades and we did 8km of the Hub Trail around our city. 

I absolutely love living in Northern Ontario; it's so gorgeous every where you turn!

I mentioned the Hub Trail before in this post. Basically it is a paved pathway that goes around the perimeter of my city. It's so beautiful and I can always count on running into at least one person I know whilst out and about on the trail.

Like seriously guys, this can't be beat! As much as I would absolutely love to live other places in my life, I think my heart does belong here and I'd definitely end up back here when and if I settle down, get married and have kids.

The hub trail in my city was named after a mayor we had a few years ago who passed of cancer. The city adored him - I think he served 3 terms in City Hall - so the Hub Trail is in memorial of Mayor John Roswell.

The trail is lined with benches in the down town area as it is a very scenic area and probably the most used section of the trail. Pictured is my brother (who's making a face because he hates getting photos taken). We decided to sit down for about 10 minutes and just take in the view. It's crazy to me, living in a border city, that I can look out across a river and see an entirely different country!

The skies were such a clear blue and the grass looked so green in the sunlight yesterday evening!

While we were down town we actually saw a docked coast guard ship that is all the way from Ottawa! It was absolutely ginormous! The crew on the ship saw us checking it out and gave us a little run down of the boat, but unfortunately it's against the law for them to invite us on. 

And to finish it all off, I just had to prove my theory that life is better through sepia coloured glasses.

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

What I'm Wearing Wednesday | June 3, 2015

#OOTD

First of all, please ignore the slippers and the 4th day hair. I'm trying to get my hair to just two washes a week but it's definitely been a long (and greasy) process ha ha ha. Today I'm going for a casual lunch date with my cousin and her 10 month old on a patio restaurant in the down town area of my city and then back to her BRAND NEW HOUSE! I'm so proud of her and her husband for purchasing their first home for them and their baby and doggy!

Anyways, on to the outfit... My jeans will be no surprise as they're my favourite ones from Forever 21. My shirt is a new one I picked up from Wal-Mart for $7. My sunglasses are from Winners. I am obsessed with this outfit, I think it's so cute and springy!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Chatty Tuesdays | June 2, 2015

A Day In My Life: June 1

8:00am - wake up

8:30am - drive brother to school

8:40am - prepare and eat breakfast

9:00am - Monday blog post

9:15am - watch Sunday's KUWTK

10:00am - bike ride

10:50am - shower, get dressed, makeup

11:30am - re-do dry erase calendar for June

12:00pm - prepare lunch for me and mom

12:20pm - eat lunch & chat with mom

1:00pm - clean guinea pig cage

1:45pm - paint nails

2:35pm - afternoon snack

2:40pm - read

3:00pm - pick up brother from school

3:15pm - get ready for work

4:00pm - leave for work

4:15pm - start shift

9:30pm - get home from work & catch up with the fam

9:50pm - get ready for bed

10:10pm - read

10:30pm - prayers and lights out!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Make Me Up Monday | June 1, 2015

This or That: Beauty Edition

Makeup

blush or bronzer

lipgloss or lipstick

eyeliner or mascara

foundation or concealer

neutral or colour eye shadow

pressed or loose shadow

brushes or sponges

Nails

OPI or China Glaze

long or short

acrylic or natural

brights or darks

flower or no flower

Body

perfume or body splash

lotion or body butter

body wash or soap

Lush or other bath company

Fashion

jeans or sweatpants

long sleeve or short sleeve

dresses or skirts

stripes or plaid

flip flops or sandals

scarves or hats

studs or dangly earrings

necklaces or bracelets

heels or flats

cowboy boots or riding boots

jacket or hoodie

Forever 21 or Charlotte Rousse

Abercrombie or Hollister

Saks 5th or Nordstrom

Hair

curly or straight

bun or ponytail

bobby pins or butterfly clips

hairspray or gel

long or short

light or dark

side sweep bangs or full bangs

up or down

Random

rain or shine

summer or winter

fall or spring

chocolate or vanilla

east coast or west coast

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn