Update: Oil cleansing method

Sigh, I'm getting new pimples on my cheeks :(

I'm tempted to stop the oil cleansing method, but I'm not sure whether it's the increased workouts (I've been working out daily vs. 2 weeks ago where I wasn't working out at all), OR the oil cleansing method.

AND, I've been using an old powder blush the past 3 days. I usually use Benefit's Posie tint, but it was a little too pink on my winter pale cheeks.  The old blush is probably from 4 years ago.....

As an "experiment" I'm going to stop using the new blush (old powder blush cannot be good for the pores), but continue working out and using the oil cleansing method.

Let's hope it works!!!!.... ugh.

New beauty regimen..

After seeing multiple people "pin" about the oil cleansing method I decided to try it out since my skin has been acting up lately. I don't have problems with acne, but I had weird dry patches and nothing was working!  Not even my eczema medicine!  I figured that unnatural chemicals CAN'T be good for my skin.

I used this website as my guide, but used a substitute of grapeseed oil mentioned by this blog.  I also purchased my oils from Amazon. I have fairly normal skin with some oily patches and dry patches, so I used the 80% grapeseed to 20% castor oil mix.
 
Here's the routine:
1. Put a quarter-sized drop of your oil mix into your palms. Rub in palms to warm the oil up.
2. Massage your face for ~3 minutes with the oil.  You can even use it to remove eye makeup!
3. Next is the steaming portion: I run a washcloth under hot water, wring it out, and keep it on my face until the washcloth feels "cool."
4. Wipe face gently with washcloth and then rinse it out.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you feel that the oil is pretty much gone.

It's the third day since I started, and I'm amazed that I don't need ANY moisturizer or have any new breakouts *knock on wood*, PLUS my dry patches are gone!  I have problems with blackheads and large pores on my nose, and they appear to be shrinking and clearing out more and more each day.

Although I've read some mixed reviews about the method, I hope I can be one of the positive reviews. Thankfully I haven't had the "oil slicks" that other women experience as the pores "empty out." We'll see how my skin is in 2 more weeks!

OH, and since it is recommended that you don't do this EVERY day... I used honey+baking soda as an exfoliant today.  It felt good!

It's been a long time...

Wow, I haven't touched this blog in a while.

Lots has happened since then.  No worries, I'm still getting married haha.  Just that lots of planning, school stuff, etc., has happened!

Darryl and I pretty much have the whole wedding planned.  We've booked all important vendors: photog, videographer, got the cake picked out, dress, florist, DJ, VENUE!, etc.  All that's left are the guys' clothing (tuxes, suits?), the favors, and the paper goods (menu, programs, invites, etc).

Now I'm starting my "diet."  I'm going to try writing down what I'm eating so I keep track of my calories.  I'm going to attempt to eat around 1500 per day!  I'm pretty sure that my normal calorie intake is like 2200 (which isn't BAD...... just not good for weight loss).

Maybe I'll try and keep track of it here too?  Keep me accountable!  Today I consumed around 1290 calories.  If I don't eat before I sleep, it should stay that way...

I went to two really nice weddings (one for friends and one for family) since the last time I made a post.  I'll post some pictures of the friends' wedding since I was actually in that one and got some professional photos back!

Bridesmaids

Bridal party!

 With the bride

 Candid!

With the handsome fiance

 ...and guess who caught the bouquet?

Hopefully one of my bridesmaids catches MY bouquet!!!!!  That'd be fun :)

Wedding plans

Once again, I'm posting blog stuff late at night, right before a big test....

Wedding plans have been going very well lately, but I realize that I still have a TON of stuff to do.  It's really all the little things that add up (guestbook table plans, favors, going to tastings, figuring out how to do my programs, finding the perfect invitation, etc).

Here are some things I'm thinking about tackling as DIYs (some are definite, some are maybes):

Wedding tree - Definite YES! Finally making use of my artistic ability.

 Fabric streamer backdrop for the ceremony (on the right) - Maybe, but those are my wedding colors so it is verrrrry tempting!

 Signs pointing guests in the right direction - Definitely doing signs, just not sure whether I will be the maker.

DIY painted mason jars to make them look aqua tinted - YES!

 Cake toppers - YES! Another use for all those years of art classes.

Table numbers - YES!  So easy - Ikea frames, pretty paper, house numbers (probably from Home Depot)

Wedding wine

* Whole Foods has a reputation for being pricey but they're actually great for large quantities of wine because they give you a case discount of 20%. AND, if the wine is on sale, the case discount normally still applies.