Update // Review of Bella Organics

You know how life gets all chaotic and crazy and you don't know where one to-do list starts and the other one ends? Well, that has been my life for the better part of this past year. My senior year of college got ridiculously busy with deadlines, requirements, and working. I can now say that I made it through it though, and I am one happy Bachelors of Science recipient! At some point this summer I will be taking my state boards and starting a job as a full time registered nurse! Yay! I am literally so excited!

With all that being said, I would like to get back into blogging (on my own schedule that is!) I want to enjoy my time, friends, and family, and as I have always said in my blog posts, I will write when I find inspiration and free-time! That is one great thing about having a blog; you can write posts when you would like, and if someone out there in bloggyland finds interest in your writing, then great-I would love to entertain you with my posts! Now that all of that is out of the way, I want to share a brand with you that I have absolutely been loving for a few months!

Bella Organics 

 " Bella Organics was founded in 2012 in response to a growing concern for the severe lack of all-natural and organic skincare products available. Our mission statement is simple: We believe that we should take care of our bodies, and in turn, our bodies will take care of us. That’s why Bella Organics products will never contain water, emulsifiers, or any of the toxic or unnatural ingredients that are found today in most mass-market products". -The Bella Organics website

A few months back, the Bella Organics company reached out to me to see if I would be interested in trying out a few of their products, since I am trying to change over all of my skincare and makeup to more natural, less harsh/chemical filled products. After looking through their site, I decided the company was one that does align with my concerns in the ingredients in products, so I went ahead and said yes to their email. After having these products for months (literally), I think I have a good opinion on them!

The products I received were the Jasmine & Honey Hydrating Face Cream, the Iced Lemonade Deodorant Creme, the Shea Butter & Sunflower Hand Cream, and Coconut Lime Lip Balm.

The Coconut Lime Lipbalm was probably the product I enjoyed the least; not to say it was a bad product, but compared to the other items I was sent, it was a little lackluster. It did moisturize my lips, but it could be compared to any run of the mill chapstick (except its 100% organic!)

The Iced Lemonade Deodorant Creme was realllly interesting to try out-I found it to control excess sweat, mask any odor, and just be an all around enjoyable product. The scent of this stuff is amazing! I mean the name of the scent is so spot on...I just wanted to eat it! (Don't worry, I didn't!)

The Shea Butter & Sunflower Hand Cream was a nice product; I found it to moisturize my hands and cuticles pretty well, but it was a bit greasy. Since it still is a good product, I work around the greasiness by using it before bed, which means I wake up with soft hands!

The Jasmine & Honey Hydrating Face Cream is the total star here! I was blown away the first time I used this. As you can see in the picture, the product has a whipped-like texture (as does the deodorant and hand cream). When the product is taken out of the container, within seconds it sort of melts down(probably due to all the oils in it). After applying it to my face, it does feel a bit greasy, but I sometimes find that I am using way too much-you only need a small amount to cover your whole face. It does absorb into the skin (but if I am too impatient, I just blot off the excess). Once absorbed, my skin feels soooo soft and healthy...but this isn't even the best part! When I wake up after a night with this stuff on, my skin feels plump, soft and brighter all around. Until today, I had only used this at night before bed, because I thought it would be too moisturizing for daytime. In order to give a good review, I decided to use it as a daytime moisturizer. I am definitely happy about how it works during the day too; using this cream seems to help balance out all my extra face oils (your girl right here is usually an oil slick!) This product would be great for dry skinned and oily girls alike!

Overall, I am super impressed with this brand, and would order from them in the future. If you are interested in natural, non-toxic, organic skincare products, I definitely recommend looking into this brand!

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey

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**The Bella Organic products were sent to me free of charge; I was not paid nor guided to say anything about these products. All opinions shared are my own.

Life Lessons/What I've Learned

Well hello! I hope everyone has had a good start to their weekend! I was off work today so I got a little break between my 12.5 hour shifts-but I work tomorrow and Sunday! I really can't decide if I like working three straight 12.5 hour shifts and then having the rest of the week off or working a day here and there throughout the week...I might have to side more with getting it all out of the way and then being off for four days in a row :) I mean come on! It's a mini vacay, right? Today I was thinking of a random list of things I've learned in the past few weeks and months, and in general, the past year! It's not a really serious list of things buuuuuuut a girl wants to right about it so I'm going to!

(In no particular order)
1. Packing and cleaning should be started at least a week or two before you have to be out of your apartment. Not two days before.
2. Frozen yogurt is always a good idea. ALWAYS.
3. Cases are a must for your phone. You know, unless you like the look of a completely shattered screen that you have to deal with for a month until your update.
4. Said updates are the BEST. Glory hallelujah!
5. Find a group of people you can trust and be yourself around. Fun will follow.
6. Going to the doctor all the time is not enjoyable. It actually kind of ruins your day.
7. A certain someone could brighten your nearly ruined day.
8. Having a blog is HARD work. Unless you're being paid and for some reason have to blog regularly, don't push yourself to blog about stuff just because you feel you have to...generic or forced posts aren't fun!
9. Blogging because you want to is exciting and you get to make pointless lists (that people may or may not care to read).
10. Holding on to clothes from years ago because you think you may need them "one day" is not a smart move...especially when you're trying to move out of your apartment.

Now that I got all those important lessons off my chest, I leave you with a picture of my beloved Fro-Yo. Be still my heart.

 Taken from my instagram (@kelseylenayy). Follow here!

I hope everyone has an amazing weekend!

Thanks for reading!

XO, Kelsey 

The Crazy Weekend Shenanigans

Or lack thereof. Hey thereeeee! This past weekend wasn't anything special...but I kind of like it that way. I like big, exciting weekends sprinkled here and there-but a nice lazy/relaxed weekend is also a luxury around here! I "moved" back to my hometown this past Thursday, and plan to stay here until classes start up again in August. I still have my apartment in Cincinnati, but because I have two jobs lined up at home, I think it is best to just be here. That doesn't mean that I won't be driving back to my apartment every now and then to clean and hang out with friends there! If there is one thing I have learned since having my own apartment it is that no matter how independent you felt before you had your own place, you are going to feel a lot more independent once you settle in. Now that I am back at my moms house for the time being, I just feel weird. Anyone else with me? So bringing a few things to my hometown and unpacking was a majority of my weekend. On Saturday, I did a bit of picture takin'. Now, in no way do I think I am a pro, or even semi-pro...but if I have the time and a good camera to take some pictures for fun, why not? I did some pictures for my sister and her fiance, and even though it's nothing professional, I still got a text from my sister saying:

That made me smile. A lot. Here are a couple pictures from that day :)

Not yet edited.

Why I am glad we took a few hours to do pictures. This. Right here. No pressure, just having fun and being around each other! This was after my niece stepped in goose poop. Yep, goose poop. She wasn't even that mad! haha. Obviously it was better for all of us to laugh before we helped her clean it off ;) She also ditched her button up shirt...typical 7 year old!

So in love with this. Ilauna and her mommy. To me it just shows so much love! Ilauna and her mom were just talking and it started getting a little breezy, and she just reached up and did that...and then my heart just melted.

I have so many others, but here are just a few of my totally amateur shots! After I took the pictures, I edited for awhile, and eventually I went to bed to get some sleep for.... Sunday. Back to work time! I started back at the restaurant I have worked at for years, and I also decided to take a second job! I will be enrolled in an online class this summer as well, so I might just be little miss busy over here, but I know I will still be making time for this blog! I can't say my weekend was too eventful, but I definetely still had fun! As much as I talk about weather on here, I am sure you know I will be enjoying this warmer weather Ohio is getting! Make sure to link up with Sami so I can read about your weekend too!

Thanks for reading,
XO, Kelsey

P.S-Don't forget to follow along with Bloglovin'!

Blabbing and My Easter Weekend!

image via

With the current class I am in right now, it sort of seems ill-fitting to include that picture up there... maybe it will liven up my mood, since we are talking about death and dying with nursing. Not going to lie, it doesn't seem like anyone is paying attention (this is our final lecture of class, what?!) But, it is a sad and somber subject, although we have to know this process and what to do when a patient passes. Oh education. I wrote this post last night, but I decided to add this little addition to it before I hit publish! I had a nutrition exam yesterday, and I was holding out a small glimmer of hope that she would tell us it was a long planned April Fools joke, and that there is no exam. Good thing I studied, because it wasn't a joke haha. One very exciting part of my life is that in 3 weeks, I will be done with this year of college, and even closer to getting my Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, and being an RN. Cannot wait for that day!

I also recently picked up a few spring/summer clothing items from Kohls, and I may or may not be super stoked to wear them. I promise, they are CUTE! Also cute is all these clothes from Garage! I don't think a girl can have too many items on her want list ;) To be honest, I really should go through my closet and get rid of a lot of items; some of the stuff is from over 6 years ago...and I still wear a few of those items! I need to part with them, and maybe reward myself with these wedges. Adorable, summery, perfect.

This post is a lot of rambling going no where, but I think I like it. Since I just love to jump from one topic to another, I will give a recap of my Easter weekend, which I drove home for from college. I visited with my mom, and her side of the family, and did a little easter egg hunt with my niece and nephew on Saturday. On Sunday, I went to my dads, met up with his parents at the country club and had a brunch, then went to my stepmoms brothers house for an easter egg hunt. If I didn't already have enough food in me from brunch, I pushed it to a whole other level when we ate lunch at Applebees. It was a great weekend, and I am very thankful! Since I have about 15 blogs to catch up on, I should probably wrap this up, but before doing so, how about a small photo-dump?

 Feeling Spring-y with my denim jacket & shades // my adorable niece and nephew on Easter // Easter basket that my step-mom made up for me! // my little brother laying next to the 3 foot puzzle we put together :)

I hope everyone had a great weekend and Easter-and that you get through the week happily! Only 4 more days until the weekend (haha).
XO, Kelsey

Also linking up with Molly and Carly!
AND for Monday Morning Gossip!

Spring Showers Bring May Fl- Mayhem.

My plans to start wearing spring-y, cute, colorful clothes following my spring break were thwarted by a winter storm I shall nickname "pain-in-my-everything". Catchy title? Maybe not. But that is how I currently feel! Really, who wants any snow, let alone more than a few inches of snow when you are expecting sunshine and semi-warm air?!

Heading right for us-NO THANKS!

So anyways, I know a lot of people out there are still expecting snow at this time of the year, which is fine...but here in Ohio?! It's not that I am shocked that it's snowing, it's just that Ohio should be on bi-polar medicine because of it's weather extremes. A few weeks ago many people were wearing shorts, capris, and light jackets. It's so confusing! There hasn't been really any snow yet today, but they are calling for it all overnight, so I guess we will see...

 Moving on...I am back to my college apartment after visiting my family for Spring break. I didn't want to leave, but on the bright side, there is only about 4 weeks left before my summer vacation (not like I am counting down or anything). I worked a little during break, at the job I have had in my hometown for over 4 years, so it was nice to be a little productive during break. It's also great that my boss accommodates for his college students; he always tries to get us some hours to work whenever we are on break or are available. Besides working, I spent nearly all my time with family. If I haven't made it clear yet, I am SUCH a family girl. My idea of a good time when I go home to visit family is sitting around, talking, or just watching tv, and sipping on coffee or tea. It's the simple things.

Lately, I have been throwing around the idea of changing my blog name. I mentioned it on twitter (follow me if you don't already!), but never said anything else about it.  I love the name I currently have, and the meaning behind it, but since I haven't focused solely on "beauty related things" like I originally planned, I think it's time for a change. I have a few ideas, but I want to be sure of it before I go updating my blogger button, blog design, etc. What do you think? Time for a change or keep the current name? Opinions are welcome! I think for the rest of my night I am going to make a few pharmacology note cards to study for my final exam, and watch a little NCIS! Sounds like my weekend/break wasn't eventful, but hey, I really like the idea of doing weekend updates : ) Hope your weekend was great!

 Also linking up with Molly and Carly!
AND for Monday Morning Gossip!

XO, Kelsey

A Great Weekend-food, wedding dresses, and squid?

Hey everyone! I had such a good weekend visiting my hometown and family and figured I could share my excitement with you! First off, I went to the hair salon and got my hair fixed (fo' free) because a few weeks ago I had some caramel highlights added, but at my roots they turned a crazy bright blonde! So we toned that beast down. I really love it..it's subtle but noticeable enough for me!

 

Sorry for the terrible pictures haha

The super exciting part of my weekend was that I went dress shopping for my sisters wedding (I am the maid of honor)! She found a dress! I am so happy for her, and the dress is beautiful! She had one of those "when you know, you know" moments, and you could just tell how happy she was to have found it! The bridesmaids and myself also found our dresses, which are plum colored, one shoulder dresses (adorable!) 

what they put on every brides dressing room door :)

 After finding dresses, we went to eat at Buca di Beppo and I ate more than enough for a small family..yet I couldn't stop because it was delicious! I want to go back so bad right now! (show picture of food). I also tried calamari, which is crazy considering I don't eat any seafood at all, and I won't eat mushrooms. I guess squid is less disgusting to me than mushrooms? (What is wrong with me?! haha) To be honest it was actually good. I didn't eat the baby ones, which are whole and look like fried tarantulas (eeeewwww), but I did try the the ring shaped pieces. TMI for some people? Maybe. But coming from me, who hates seafood, I would do it again. Did I mention that the serving sizes are huge? The pasta I got was a small, which is meant to be shared between two people...Pretty sure it could of fed 4! 

 Take me back for thisssss.

 Huge brownie/ice cream/obesity in a glass dessert. We shared this, clearly!

We also went to the mall so that my sister could get a free engraved key chain with her future last name on it, from Things Remembered. She was so excited! It makes me want to have that special someone who thinks I am worth being with forever...[sappy sad thoughts for a few seconds] but whatever! I am so happy she chose me to be her MOH...and trusting that I could do it even though I am away at college! After all the fun stuff Friday and Saturday, on Sunday I drove to my dads to visit him, my little brother, and stepmomma. Then I had to drive back to college-wahhhh. End of my weekend :)

Thanks for reading!

xo, Kelsey