When Dry Skin's Got You Down...

     Oh, skincare. The ever-present issue in my life. I've been oily, acne-ridden, sensitive, and everything in between. My skin has recently changed pretty drastically due to being on a dermatologist-prescribed Tretinoin cream(along with the use of natural cleansers/treatments), which aims to improve the look of roughness and uneven tone. I have a lot of deep scarring and hyper-pigmentation left over from my days of having cystic acne. And, while I've been loving my results in terms of no longer having active breakouts or redness, using this product in the Winter has DEMOLISHED my poor face. I have had patches of dry, textured skin on my cheeks and down my neck, as well as flaky areas that basically reject anything I put over top of it. I noticed it was getting out of hand when my make-up was "chipping" off before I had even finished applying it because it was soaking up product. So, I decided to intervene with a handful of products and practices to get my skin hydrated again. I know Winter can be rough on anyone's skin, even without having the added burden of being on a topical treatment, so I hope the items listed below will come in handy for anyone looking to put a little moisture back into their lives this season.

A good way to turn over dry skin, and get fresh cells to produce is to exfoliate. But, sometimes dry skin also means sensitive skin, so harsh exfoliates can end up causing more damage than positive results. To have the best of both worlds, I have been using the Batty's Bath Mild Jojoba Oil Scrub everyday, as a part of my evening routine. This scrub is gentle, fragrance-free, and cleanses the skin without leaving it stripped of moisture. After cleansing and exfoliating my skin, I've been reaching for the Mario Badescu Facial Spray. This stuff is like a spa in a bottle. The mild rose scent is so calming, and I really notice it toning down any redness or inflammation. I also love using this as a setting spray for make-up, or just to throw in my bag and use as a little refresher throughout the day. If my skin has reached a severe level of dryness, I like to incorporate a facial oil, like this one from Bio Oil. I either put a thin layer on patches of dryness, or just add a couple drops into my moisturizer. Bio Oil is a good multi-tasker because is fights dehydration while evening any discoloration.

A good moisturizer should be apart of everyone's daily routine, but especially so if you're struggling with dryness. If you're looking for a simple, but effective moisturizer for daily use I would go with the Facial Primer Moisturizer from Batty's Bath. It is fragrance-free, and absorbs quickly without feeling heavy. I buy mine apart of the Detox Kit that is available on the brand's site. However, since Batty's is based in Canada, shipping can get pricey, and I always run out of my moisturizer before any other product in my kit. Which is why I like to have a trusty back-up on stand-by. This is where my Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisturizer comes into play. This stuff is amazing. It's a thicker consistency, and but manages to feel light on the skin. I find that it's best as a night cream, but it also wears nicely during the day under make-up. It's targeted for anti-aging, so it packs major hydration to make the skin appear more supple and firm. I find myself reaching for it basically everyday. I also started incorporating the facial mask from the same range two or three times a week to really beef up my dry skin defense. 

Since applying make-up became pretty tasking over dehydrated, flaky skin, I sought out a few products that would help. Enter the Too Faced Hangover Primer. This primer is lightweight and creamy, as opposed to the rubbery, silicone-based primers you may be used to. I find that it locks in moisture and makes your foundation stay put all day long, while providing a fresh/subtle glow to the skin. I've also been reaching for the It Cosmetics CC+ Cream for the added SPF and skin-protecting/perfecting benefits. This wears like a full-coverage foundation, but feels like a tinted moisturizer with the added plus of color correction and hydrating serum all in one. It's basically a gift from the beauty gods themselves. I've also been loving this lip balm that I received in my Ipsy bag this past month from Lasting Smiles. It's organic and packed with healing peppermint oils that make your chapped lips look like new again. Part of the profits go toward cleft surgeries for children, as well, which will make you feel even better about using it.

Your skin can often be a direct reflection of what is happening inside of your body. So, if you're experiencing dryness, try really upping your water intake. I always notice a difference in my skin, as well as my overall well-being, when I'm getting adequate amounts of water. Herbal and green teas also have amazing skin-detoxing and healing benefits. I've been drinking this herbal infusion from Yogi in the evenings, mostly to unwind and relax from the day, but also as part of my skincare regimen.

     I certainly hope you find these products and tips to be helpful during these dry, blustering Winter months. What products are your must-haves this season?

Until next time,

-Heather

Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself

(Sweater-T.J. Maxx, Denim-Levis, Boots-Ralph Lauren, Parka-Burlington)

     Well, hello there! It has been absolute ages since my last post. There really isn't any specific reason for the lengthy silence, I just sort of fell off the Blogger grid for a bit. I wasn't feeling as inspired as I once did with Rags and Roses, so I just chose to walk away for a minute(aka 5 months). I realized recently that I haven't really been doing anything for myself. I pretty much just work, then I come home and talk about work, and then I go to bed so that I can wake up and work some more. GROSS. I started to see how unhealthy that is, especially since I'm not doing anything particularly rewarding in my "career"(full-time barista, part-time bridal stylist). So, here I am. Again. 

I feel as though more than a few changes have occurred since the last time that I was consistently updating this blog, so I thought it would be nice to pop in before trying to get back into the swing of things.  As some of you may remember, I had been dealing with serious acne last year. This played a huge role in why I stopped blogging for a bit. Remaining upbeat while posting images of my blemish-ridden skin was just exhausting, to be honest. My confidence was basically erased, and I think that reflected in my posts. I am proud to say that I have since found a routine that nearly eliminated my breakouts, and I can't wait to share that on here. I will admit that I used to cram out posts just to maintain regular content, rather than be absolutely sure that I was proud of what I was sharing. That is definitely something I plan to change. I always want to be true to myself and deliver posts that I can really stand behind on here. I hope that a clear change in quality will be evident this time around. 

     Okay, so that's all out of the way. Now, I thought I'd "reintroduce" myself, because I really do feel like a new person entirely, even from just a few months back. I'm Heather. I'm twenty-two years old, and I live in Mansfield, Ohio. I started this blog as a sort-of "creative outlet", if you will, after I moved back to my small hometown after attending school in Cleveland. It began with a focus on thrifted/bargain fashion, and that is definitely still something I am very passionate about. It evolved into more of a "lifestyle" blog along the way, mainly because I have no "focus" in pretty much every aspect of my life. So, yeah. I like going to shows, making lists, reading the same books over again, cancelling plans, and Netflix. I like other things, too. I plan on giving college another go in the Fall since the first time was more of a success in terms of learning experiences and self-discovery, and less successful in terms of, you know, graduating. Debt/dropping out of college is funny, see? Anyways, I hope to become better acquainted with those of you who may be reading this, too. I'd love to tell you that the posts that are yet to come won't be quite as weird/long-winded as this one, but that would be a lie. You'll see.

-Heather

Outfit: Bridges and Balloons

     I've been out of the "outfit" game for a while now. The truth is that my wardrobe is going to an odd transition. I've been in the mood for change in just about every aspect of my life, and it's definitely proving evident in the way I dress. The past couple of weeks have been spent wandering aimlessly around my apartment, doing everything I can to keep busy while I wait to start a new job. I am no good at having "down time". One thing that has really been helping me through this transition period is sewing; something I haven't done much of since college. Andy was kind enough to buy me a new sewing machine and few accessories for it so that I could really give it a go, and I've been working away making things for a farmer's market booth I'm sharing with a friend. I can feel myself getting better with every garment, and it feels really great to be crafting things again. I used to sew all of the time, making patches and pillows out of old clothing or thrifted fabric. It was something I really loved doing, even if it was just for me, and I'm happy to be back at it again. I guess I did away with it because it seemed pointless, unless I was fixing a torn seam or something. But, I'm finding that there is nothing wrong with having things and routines just for yourself; ones that calm you down and keep you motivated. I'll try to share some of the things I've made when I get a bit more practice in. Which is what I think I'll do now! 

With love,

Heather

Outfit Details:

Boyfriend tee- Old Navy

Skirt- Vintage

Tote and Necklace- Forever 21 (tote was thrifted)

Sandals- Aeropostle

Glasses- Flower Eye Wear

5-Ingredient Pesto Pasta Salad

I am a firm believer in recipes that can make anyone look like a pro. Recipes with easy instructions and simple ingredients, that look and taste like they required a degree from a prestigious culinary school to make. This pasta salad just happens to have all of those elements.

Ingredients:

Whole wheat penne pasta

Fresh arugula 

Fresh mozzarella (I used the mini, marinated mozzarella balls, and sliced them in half)

Jarred pesto sauce

Roasted red peppers (fresh or jarred), chopped

Cook your pasta until "al dente", drain, and rinse with cold water.Transfer pasta to a serving dish, and add all of the other ingredients. Mix together and serve. That's really all there is to this one, you guys!

You can add as much or as little of each ingredient to make it perfect for you. This meant a whole container of mozzarella cheese and a couple handfuls of arugula for me. I served this pasta with a pinch of pepper and shredded parmesan on top, and it was perfect. This pasta salad is great for just about any occasion; nights that you want a quick, no-fuss meal to Summer picnics. So, there you have it. Impressive food that is insanely simple. What recipes are you loving this season?

-Heather

(Recipes found here)

Vegetarian Fish Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw and Creamy Avocado Sauce (featuring Gardein!)

"That title doesn't read quite right, does it? Vegetarian fish tacos? Heather, what are you talking about?" I hope those are things you thought when you stumbled upon this post. I have been craving fish something fierce this Summer, which is odd because I haven't eaten meat in almost 8 years and I really wasn't crazy about it when I did. But, alas, here I am; ready to sacrifice all that time for a few bites of lemon-pepper salmon or a spicy tuna roll. OH MY. But, anyways, now I can enjoy "faux-fish" with Gardein. 

I discovered Gardein a few years into being meat-free, and was instantly hooked! A lot of meat substitutes can have a weird, goopy texture that is not appealing to anyone, but Gardein really gets it right. I'm a huge fan of their mandarin "chik'n" and their scallopini fillets. When I learned that they had a fish substitute, I knew I had to give it a shot. The fish is in breaded form, so I thought they would be perfect for fish tacos. And, I don't mean to brag, but I WAS RIGHT. Oh, man. These were good. Here's the scoop;

Cook the Gardein Fishless Fillets according to package directions. To prepare your slaw, thinly slice half of a red cabbage and half of a green cabbage. Chop 1/2 cup of cilantro and half of one red onion, and add them to the cabbage, along with the juice of one lime. Add salt and pepper to taste, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside in the fridge.  Next is the sauce! Cut open and remove the pit from a ripened avocado, and scoop the insides from both halves into your food processor. Add in a 1/2 cup of sour cream, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, the juice of one lime, and half of a diced jalapeno. I removed the seeds from my jalapeno for a mild flavor, but you can leave them in or add the entire pepper for more heat! Pulse the mixture until it is smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

I wrapped a few corn and flour tortillas in aluminum foil, and put them in the oven during the last two minutes of the fish-less fillets cooking to soften and warm them through. Then you just assemble, and eat! In addition to the slaw and sauce, I added crumbled queso fresco and cilantro. This was such a nice Summer meal; light and fresh. The fillets turned out a lot better than I was originally expecting. They were crunchy on the outside and tasted great. Different from the real thing, but certainly a nice alternative!

The world of vegetarian cooking is far beyond salads and tofu, and I think Gardein and other brands like it are making it more fun. I obviously don't eat these substitutes everyday since some of them are GMO or high in sodium, but they're great for adding variety and re-making classic dishes. It's cool to be able to enjoy dishes I'd otherwise miss out on by not being vegetarian-friendly. So, yeah! Moral of the story: tacos rule. 

-Heather

(Recipe adapted from here.)

Favorite Drugstore Makeup for Summer (with swatches!)

Summertime for me is all about simplicity. Sun-dresses, sea salt spray, and sandals; all of the fixings for an effortless look. It also means simplifying my make-up, with lighter products and bronze-y tones.

Here's a breakdown of my favorite Summer finds so far. And, even better yet, they are all from the drugstore!

NYX Studio Photogenic Foundation in 101 Nude $16

The first thing that caught my attention with this foundation was the fact that it is formulated without talc or parabens, as I know those are two things that my acne-prone skin does not approve of. The formula is very light, but can be built up to medium coverage. It almost wears like a tinted moisturizer, with it's dewy finish and silky texture. I went with the lightest shade in the line, and it suits my neutral, fair skin really well. I've been applying it with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, then adding concealer to any blemishes that require fuller coverage, followed by blending everything out with a dampened Beauty Blender. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Shadow in Creamy Beige $7

How and why its taken me this long to hop on the Color Tattoo bandwagon is beyond me. I have been hearing rave reviews of these little miracle pots forever, and finally bit the bullet a couple of months ago. These cream shadows are so versatile, as they can be used as a base for other shadows or on their own. I am loving the shade Creamy Beige because it is so effortless. You literally just dab some on your finger, and blend it onto the lid. I've been wearing it on its own a lot, but it also looks great with a gold eye shadow layered on top. If you try this shade out, go ahead and grab "Bad to the Bronze" while you're at it. You won't be sorry!

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in Hazel $3

This is the first eyebrow pencil I have ever owned, and it has not disappointed. I typically go for gels or pomades, but this pencil is so easy to use, and really helps create great shape. The shade Hazel is kind of a taupey brown, and the formula is very build-able, but easy to blend. This is probably the lightest brow shade I've used before, but I'm liking a more natural look for Summer.

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso $8 and Rimmel Natural Bronzer in Sun Light $5

Blushers and bronzers are my favorites, and I have been wearing these two almost everyday this Summer. I typically like a cream blush in the warmer months to mock a dewy glow, but this baked blush by Milani is out of this world. It is kind of a peachy pink tone, that has a shimmery finish without looking like you have glitter all over your face. The formula blends out so nicely and you can really build it to your desired look. I will definitely be picking up a few more shades from this collection! Bronzer is something I just recently started wearing more often because it really does bring some life to my pale, dull skin. I like this one from Rimmel because the shade is very natural looking, and it has a matte finish. I just sweep a bit of this onto the hollows of my cheeks, around the edges of my forehead and jawline, and on the sides of my nose for a bit of warmth and subtle 

(very subtle) contour.

NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee $5

Aside from these glosses having the best dessert-inspired names, the formula is great for Summer. They are ultra moisturizing, and go on smooth. I've been loving Creme Brulee for its neutral tone, that really just enhances my natural lip color by giving it a glossy finish. This shade can be built up or layered over your favorite lipstick for a deeper pink tone,

It was hard to narrow down my Summer faves to just these six, but they really are wonderful products, especially for the price. Drugstore beauty forever and always. I'd love to know what your most coveted Summer beauty items are, so be sure to leave comments below!

-Heather

Beauty: The Skin Detox (Featuring Batty's Bath)

My skin has been through a lot in the last few years. I had pretty terrible acne in my second half of high school and into college, but experienced relief for a while after that. However, this past year brought it back full force. I attempted to go back to the products I had been using when my skin cleared up, hoping they would work for me again, but they did not. My skin seemed to develop a sensitivity to the benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid which were once helpful. So, I searched for all-natural products to keep my redness and blemishes at bay. 

I ended up finding a few cleansers and masks that kept me relatively clear, but my face would feel dry and dull at times. I was fighting the acne, but I traded it for dull, tight skin instead. I began researching Accutane, thinking that the medication was the only thing I hadn't tried and my final resort. Reading about all of the side effects and precautions you have to take while on the medication scared the crap out of me, But I was at a point where I was basically willing to try anything.

However, the course of my skin took a different turn, I was catching up on a few posts from the bloggers that I follow one evening, and I saw an ad for Batty's Bath on The Dainty Squid's blog. The ad was for natural skincare, and my curiosity got the best of me. Clicking that link just to check it out turned into hours of reading reviews and watching shop owner, "Batty", talk about natural skincare. It all seemed too good to be true, but nobody who had tried/reviewed Batty's products had anything negative to say. They raved about the struggles of trying everything before finding her line, and how it changed their skin. I figured there was no harm in trying one last time to maintain healthy skin the natural way. 

I ordered The Detox Kit, which is what Batty suggests everyone begin with. The kit promises to act as a "re-set" button for the skin; removing built-up residue and bacteria from cleansers and make-up. I could tell this was something special from the very first use. The kit includes cold-pressed charcoal soap, a jojoba facial scrub, a moisturizer, and a clay mask, plus instructions on what products to use for your morning and evening routine. My face feels cleaner than it ever has before, without feeling dry or tight. It's as if I finally have some balance. I notice my complexion clearing more everyday, and that I can actually see my skin-tone rather than just redness.  You can see my results so far below; and please ignore my resting bitch face.

Week one

Week four

I plan on moving on to Batty's Acne-Prone kit once I finish my detox, as well as the mineral make-up they offer. Batty's Bath includes a full range of problem-specific products, so you can customize your own routine to match your skin's needs. This has been a long-time coming to find something so gentle and effective on my skin, and it feels so good to be using chemical-free products. To learn more about Batty's brand, head here!