What I Read in August

Hey y'all!

I mentioned in my May favorites post that I've been a total bookworm lately! I personally love thrifting my books because it's so exciting to finally stumble upon one of the books on your "must-read list" for only a buck.

But in the month of August, I actually purchased a book to read along with my thrift finds. I love getting new suggestions so here are just a few of mine!


My Favorite Skincare Products for Acne-Prone Skin

Hey y'all!

I used to know nothing about skincare. Although I'd pick at my skin in the mirror, I never really took care of my skin in a way that would have helped heal it.

I've done a few posts on skincare routines

But the skincare world is always changing, so it's fun to try out new products!

I would describe my skin as acne-prone, sensitive and combination. I have some scarring and redness from previous acne. Now that I treat my skin as the precious gem that it is, I really only get one or two small breakouts at a time on my face. And they seem to go away within a few days! 

I thought I'd share with you some of my holy grail skincare products for acne-prone skin!

Feeling the Burnout

Hey y'all!

I've always been a creative type. Whether I was doodling in a notebook in first grade, or scrapbooking my life away at age 10, I would tell my mom that I was bored and "wanted to do some crafting".  I also started making YouTube videos when I was in 5th grade, and since then, the creative content has pretty much been nonstop. From creating a blog to trying a million different Instagram ideas, I've really dipped my toe in the pond of most platforms.

But one of the hardest things I frequently experience is lack of inspiration. I feel like I'm failing myself if I'm not posting a photo once a week or uploading a video every-so-often. I LOVE when I'm in the zone and just creating new content. So why do I feel so disappointed when the content I publish doesn't receive the engagement I expected?



My 2019 May Favorites

Hey y'all!

I've recently been binge-watching monthly favorite videos on YouTube. I miss the good ole days where you could expect at least 3 of these types of videos in your subscription box. Not only is it a great way to discover new products, but it might also remind you of your favorite lip gloss that you used to use.

I figured it was time to do a little throwback here on the blog too, and share my favorites from the month of May!

1. Mad Hippie Skin Care
So if you're new here, then you wouldn't know I have acne-prone skin. It's gotten a lot better as I've grown up, but I definitely still get breakouts, especially around that time of the month. But for the past few months, I've been using the Mad Hippie Skin Care line, and let me tell you that obsessed is an understatement. I linked to the full 6-pack set that I use, but feel free to mix and match!

My skin has never felt sooooo soft in my entire life. My skin is CLEAR! Even those tiny annoying little bumps that aren't pimples, but you can never seem to get rid of....they're gone! I will admit that I can get lazy after a long day of work and just use my makeup eraser (another monthly favorite) to do a quick clean. But I notice a huge difference in the morning of the ~glow factor~ of my skin if I use my night creams and serums. Invest in your skin care people!!!

2. Thrifting Books
In high school, I was not a "reader". Maybe it's because I hated being told what I had to read, so I refused to even open up the assigned reading books. Oops. But now, I read about 4-5 books a month. The key is to thrift your books!! I have a list of books I want to read on Amazon so that I can have an idea of the books I want to pick up if I see them at the thrift store. It saves me so much money, and I don't feel bad just reading them and re-donating! (If you don't like going to thrift stores, consider checking out thrifty book websites!)

This month I read: all three of the hunger games books, Eat Pray Love, and The Secret.

10 Easy Feng Shui Tips to Try in Your Home

Hey y'all!

I looooove home decor. But between you and me, I also think I'm bad at decorating. I find myself at thrift stores and TJ Maxx grabbing everything that's "cute" just because it's cheap. And that's such a bad habit to have!

Not only does my house become cluttered because I didn't buy things with the intention of having a space to put them, but sometimes my decor just looks like a pile of junk. I get overwhelmed and eventually end up donating most of my "great finds", only to start the cycle over again.

But recently, I've become more interested in the art of Feng Shui.



Instagram: The Thief of Joy

Hey y'all!

At one point or another, I'm sure we've all felt the negative effects of social media. We wake up in the morning feeling on top of the world, then you log into Instagram. Your sorority sister is engaged! Your cousin is having a baby! A model is exploring Costa Rica with a skimpy bikini, flat tummy, and not a single pimple in sight! Meanwhile, you're laying in bed, wondering why YOUR life can't be that amazing.



How to Date Yourself (Even If You Aren't Single)

Hey y'all!

So last week, I posted an Instagram saying that I'm my own woman crush Wednesday (yes, that's what #wcw stands for, mom). In the caption, I mentioned how important dating yourself was, and how I was going to touch on it in a blog post soon. Well, here it is!

Now I know what you're probably thinking when you read the title of this post..."What the heck does dating myself even mean?" It means exactly what you think it means. How would you go on a date with someone you loved? That's your answer.



Sit Down With Sarah | Vol. 8

Hey y'all!

How the heck is the last time I did a SDWS in OCTOBER?!? In my head, I always think I never go too long without writing one of these posts, but I guess time just flies when you're having fun! I feel like I have so much to fill you in on! I'm officially on the post-grad side of life and let me tell you, it's definitely a lot different than being a college student!

I've been trying to keep myself busy, and I've sat down a few separate occasions to type out a blog post, but didn't really feel inspired enough to write. Then I remembered one of my favorite posts ever to write is a good ole' Sit Down with Sarah!


Valentine's Day Gift Ideas You'll Adore

Hey y'all!

I loooooove Valentine's Day. Even though my boyfriend was extremely lame and asked me to be his girlfriend on vday, I still think it's such a fun and romantic day! This year Michael and I will be celebrating 5 years together, and I'm thrilled to have a day where it's all about US!

Obviously, it's not necessary to buy things for your SO for valentine's day. I think that if it wasn't our anniversary as well, then we'd probably opt to skip out on the ~gifts~. I put together a list of his and her gift ideas ranging from low-end to high-end! And if you're single, it's still great to #treatyoself.




30 Journal Prompts for 30 Days of Gratitude

Hey y'all!

We're getting real #deep in 2019, and I'm loving every second of it! And by deep, I mean emotionally deep, since ya know, we're only one month into the year. Writing about ways to connect with others and have a deeper understanding of yourself is just so easy and fun for me! In my last post, I mentioned how being grateful is one of the best ways to show the Universe that you are appreciative for everything that you have. It shows that you are seeing (and grateful for) everything that you are receiving, the big and the small.

The best way to do this, in my opinion, is writing it down. That's why I'm a big fan of journaling! Not only is it a great way to keep track of your previous thoughts and feelings, but it's great for letting out your emotions. Sometimes it can be hard to open up to an actual person, so writing things down on a piece of paper is a healthy alternative.



Stop Settling for Less Than You Deserve

Hey y'all!

After graduating in December, the most common thing I have been asked is "so what are your plans now?" And to that I typically answer with "I'm not sure, I'm looking, but I also have a feeling that the right job will come along and fall into my lap." Some people meet that with a smile and tell me how great and optimistic I am. Other people meet it with a grimace and say "Oh, well it's okay to just get a job and get some more experience".

And while that may be optimal for their life, it's not mine. It's so easy to fall into a routine, but I'm here to tell you that you need to stop settling for less than you deserve. I'm a big believer that the universe is always listening and watching. Sounds a little creepy, but we were totally down for it when Santa was involved. If you don't like the term ~the universe~, I'm also a big believer that God, the Universe, Source Energy, and all that higher power lingo is synonymous. For the sake of this post, I'm using the term universe. Get it? Got it? Good.


How to Create a Vision Board to Help You Live Your Dream Life

Hey y'all!

A new year means new goals!! I have BIG plans for my 2019, and I hope you do too! My mantra for 2018 was to grow and be happy. I really like to think that, although it was vague, I did a great job of exploring things that interested me as well as letting go of things that were not meant for me.

I spent this weekend planning out a vision board for this new year, and I thought it would be the perfect time to share with you exactly how a vision board can help you live your dream life!