Favorite Finds: March 2021

I can’t believe we’ve reached the end of March! This month flew by with help from an extra hour of sunshine each day and more time spent outdoors. We also got to meet a new nephew of ours, had some fun during Lincoln’s spring break, plus I’ve been able to start running outside again since the weather’s been on the up and up. That reminds me, I desperately need to update my running playlist so feel free to spam me with your favorite workout tunes. Britney’s “Work B**ch” really got me chugging along the other day! If you follow Cody Rigsby you know what we do when Britney comes on…

Ahem, I hope this month brought some good news and times your way as well.

The end of the month also marks another edition of my monthly Favorite Finds. I hope you find something new to try and love!

Past Favorite Finds

• Favorite Finds February

Maybelline Sky High Mascara

I was on Prime’s waitlist to receive the social-media-famous Maybelline Sky High Mascara for a few weeks, but it finally arrived and I have thoughts. It’s a great lengthening and separating mascara, but not the best at plumping/thickening. So, I’ve been layering one coat of the Sky High with a coat of my usual Maybelline’s Collosal Volume Mascara and I’m pleased with the results.

NatureLife Labs Activated Charcoal

I’ve known since my Celiac Disease diagnosis that activated charcoal is one of the best things to take if you’re accidentely “glutened” but hadn’t purchased a bottle until earlier this month when I got super sick from take out – ugh. This NatureLife Labs Activated Charcoal helped SO much – I’m kicking myself for not ordering it sooner! I like this brand in particular because it’s made with 100% organic coconut shells and zero fillers.

The Daily Page Planner

I started re-using my The Daily Page Planner at the beginning of this month (I’d gotten out of the habit when the world went to hell in a hand basket last year,) to plan my work day and keep track of personal goals, and it’s been incredible for my productivity. This planner is not only dateless and evergreen, so if you skip a few days you’re not wasting paper, but each page helps you create a complete road map for your day – work, home, and wellness in one. My friend Dani from Thyme is Honey is the creator and it’s one of Etsy’s best selling products!

Why I love The Daily Page Planner: 

• Alongside your master to do list are spots to track meals, water intake, exercise, and a multi-functional reminder section for taking vitamins/supplements, switching the laundry, etc. You can really map out your entire day on one page.
• The planner complements Google Calendar + my digital to-do list. I keep a master list of all my projects and to-dos in Evernote then pull my top 3 priorities and to-dos from that list and write them down in the planner each morning. It’s so nice not going back and forth between Evernote, Google Calendar, etc. all day long. I plan out my day, then knock it out.
• Each planner is completely recyclable, free of plastic coatings, and one tree is planted for each planner purchase.
• Again, the planner is dateless so if you take a few days off you don’t waste paper and money.

As a side note, Dani is one of the most inspiring women I know, especially in the health, wellness, and living your best life spaces. I highly recommend you give her a follow on Instagram at @Thyme_is_Honey and @HeyYouDrinkWater for daily inspiration. You can also get 10% off her planner with code: IOWAGIRLEATS

Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops

A friend and I went out to dinner last winter (early 2020 before 2020 became 2020) and her face was gorgeously tan and glowing even though it was the dead of winter and she’d been nowhere sunny. Her secret? Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops. They create such a nice, natural glow – all you have to do is add a couple drops to your face lotion and rub it in. I recently got my bottle back out to start building a base tan for spring. I have naturally fair skin and use the “medium” drops.

June Shine Hard Kombucha

Am I the last person on the planet to hear about hard kombucha? No? Good! A friend recently shared this Hard Kombucha from June Shine and it’s not only certified gluten free, but low in sugar (no alternative nor artificial sweeteners either) organic, and contains all the goodness you get from kombucha like probiotics, antioxidants, and vitamins. HERE FOR THIS!

All the flavors I’ve tried have been light and crisp, but my favorite flavor so far is the Midnight Painkiller. ? I just ordered their Iced Tea Lemonade flavor which I cannot wait to crack open.

Herbal Essences White Grapefruit and Mosa Mint Shampoo + Conditioner

I don’t think I’ve used Herbal Essences since high school but the grapefruit + mint combo in this Herbal Essences White Grapefruit and Mosa Mint Shampoo + Conditioner caught my eye at the grocery store a few weeks ago. It was an immediate add to cart. ? Not only is the fragrance fresh and clean, but they really delivered on the volume promise. Two thumbs up!

Wonderful Sea Salt & Vinegar Pistachios

I spotted these new Sea Salt & Vinegar Wonderful Pistachios at Walgreens while picking up some meds and they are amaaazing!!! That puckery, salty flavor is spot on. Word on the street is they have a new BBQ flavor as well which I can’t wait to try. Their Chili Roasted flavor is one of my favorite salad toppers.

Vital Proteins Beauty Collagen

Vital Proteins Beauty Collagen is actually a repeat-ish purchase. I tried the Lemon Lavender flavor a couple years ago and it was AWFUL, though the Strawberry Lemon flavor I recently bought is fantastic. I like the Beauty Collagen, vs Vital Protein’s original collagen peptides, because my face as been SO dry all winter and the hyaluronic acid in the mix is supposed to help your skin retain moisture. I also appreciate the collagen and probiotics in the Beauty Collagen. My skin has definitely been more hydrated (the air has also been less dry so I’m sure that’s part of it,) my hair is growing like CRAZY, and it’s such an easy way to include probiotics into my routine (in addition to the June Shine ?). Love, love, love this product.

Laura Geller Baked Balance-n-Brighten

I call Laura Geller Baked Balance-n-Brighten Pressed Foundation my “blurring powder” because it softens everything on my face – spots, lines – everything. My skin is very sensitive to powders – it often becomes dry and itchy after using them – but I haven’t had any issues with this make up. I use the powder brush from this set to apply over my blush, to soften and blend, then finish with Beautycounter bronzer.

Fill me in on one of your favorite recent finds!