Thoughts for Monday 8.29.16

//1// Adulting

I'm really not good at keeping things organized and I have zero motivation to clean my house even though it's needed.

I feel like I spend the whole weekend cleaning and grocery shopping. Yes, I could be more motivated about it and give up some of my free time, but I just don't want to! I think I've finally decided to use part of my budget to get a cleaning service in to my home once or twice a month. I need someone to deep clean the bathrooms and do baseboards and windows. This week I'll be researching some local companies and getting price quotes.

//2// Transitioning to Fall

Fall is almost here and I'm ready, but not ready. I love Fall - the weather, the clothes, the warm drinks, and apple recipes, but Michigan has really hard winters. Knowing the winter is coming makes fall a little depressing. I've decided that I think I need to vacation more in the winter! I hope to implement this over the next few years.

//3// Weekend

On Friday night I decided to pull my wedding dress out of the closet. 

It still fits 8.5 years later! I thought it would be fun if we got a picture with Scout on the train. Then I immediately began to worry he was going to get it dirty... like I'm ever going to wear it again!

Here's what it looked like on the actual day...

Bar Rescue is my jam on the weekends.

Spike TV plays marathons every Sunday. Jon Taffer is so bad ass, and all of the drinks sound so yummy!

These guys are my life. I'm so blessed.

Have a great week.

Three Secrets to Incredible Skin

//1// Dry Brushing

Dry brushing is an exfoliating technique that can make your skin silky and smooth. It is said to increase blood circulation making you feel more energized. Other benefits of dry brushing includes the reduction of cellulite, helps fight ingrown hairs, promotes tighter skin, and opens clogged pores.

The process is fairly simple. Stand in the shower undressed with the water off. Use a natural bristle brush with a long handle (so you can reach everything!). Start at your feet and gently whisk the brush up your entire body in long, fluid motions. Skip spots with a rash, cut, or broken skin. Use light pressure and only do a few strokes per area. Shower as usual.

Within a week you will start to notice smoother and toner skin!

A Cute Angle's Product Pick: Liz Earle's Natural Bristle Body Brush

//2// Self Tanner

No product, cream, or gel will get read of cellulite and stretch marks. However, you can use self tanner to reduce the look of both. 

A lotion formula works best for over the lighter scars of stretch marks. Spray tanner is best for cellulite. Start with freshly exfoliated, dry skin. Apply tanner with your hands flat and your fingers together. Using your finger tips can cause streaks!

A Cute Angle's Product Pick: Beachfront Self-Tanning Body Lotion 

and Beachfront Self-Tanning Spray

//3// Avoid Irritation

You should not feel a burning sensation during or after shaving. This is an indicator that your razor blades are dull. It doesn't matter how many blades your razor has; it matters how sharp they are. Dull blades drag on skin causing irritation. Change the blade/razor head every 7-10 shaves. 

Use shaving cream instead of body wash. Body wash can leave residue in the blades which causes nicks when you shave. 

For you underarms, make sure they are fully dry before applying deodorant. Shaving causes micro-cuts in the skin that can become irritated by the aluminum chloride in deodorant. Bumps and itching are also a common side effect. Try a moisturizing formula deodorant.

A Cute Angle's Product Pick: Schick Hydro Silk Razor

Aveeno Positively Smooth Shave Gel

Dove Advanced Care Sensitive Antiperspirant

Vacation Recap: Cincy Tennis

Happy Monday! I decided to take last week off from blogging. I was just wrapped up in the Olympics and busy getting things ready for our vacation!

Nick and I headed out for Cincinnati on Wednesday after work. We had tickets to the pro tennis tournament Western and Southern Open. This was our second year going to the tournament. We loved it so much last year, we decided to go for three days instead of just one this year! I was hoping to see Andy Murray (like I did last year) play coming off of his SECOND Olympic Gold Medal.

Nick and I actually stay with friends who live in Kentucky, right over the Ohio border. It's great because we get to take Scout on vacation with us!

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday was filled with tons of tennis matches at the Linder Family Tennis Center in Mason, OH, We had sunny days with temps above 80 on Thursday and Friday. We saw countless matches and got to match some big names practice!

Stevie Johnson (USA), Rafael Nadal (ES), Simona Haelp (ROU)

Jamie Murray (GRB), Jo Wilfred Tsonga (FRA), Stan Wawrinka (SUI)

Marin Clinic (CRO), Martina Hingis (SUI)

Bernard Tomic (AUS), Kei Nishikori (JPN)

Milos Raonic (CAN)

Bryan Bros (USA)

Garbine Muguruzu (ESP), Dominic Thiem (AUS) Karolina Pliskova (CZE)

Semi Final Saturday was pretty soggy. There were some delays in play, but it was still super fun because our friends came with us and I got to see Andy Murray practice and play!

Waiting out the rain, keeping ourselves entertained...

I really enjoyed the Andy Murray vs. Milos Raonic semi final.

On Sunday we explored Fort Thomas, Kentucky and ate some amazing pizza at LaRosa's. Our friends took us to a donut/ice cream shop called Top This where I ate an amazing donut sundae!

We headed home on Monday which meant back to work on Tuesday, plus chores and grocery shopping! Bummer, but I am looking forward to being a part of Chaotic Goddess Swaps' Books and Bloggers Swap for the THIRD TIME! Can't wait!

I can't remember the last time we took vacation, so this one was much needed. Hopefully the next one will be sooner rather than later!