Master Bedroom Reno

We are finally to a point where things feel to be calming down at our house! I feel like it has been a whirlwind the past few months as this renovation happened and I am so excited to share it with you all.

If you have been following along for the past 3 months you have noticed a lot more content around that has to do with our home. We recently added on to our home, and had a blast doing it! Finally things are slowing down with work, and workers not being in our house 24/7 so I thought it was a good time to start sharing the renovation.

You will see before pictures, messy photos and then finally a vision come to life.

Here I will be showing you all our new master bedroom, we extended 6 foot to the side for the bathroom and walk-in closet and and 6 foot out to extend that bedroom.

The messy part was not fun at all. We dealt with not having a backyard for about a month, a lot of mud and dirty dog paws!

When things actually started to feel real. Seeing the framing was so surreal to actually start visualizing it all!

When the siding went up, we were able to begin on the interior and start building out the master bedroom, bathroom and closet.

Interior

THEN

NOW

Current View

This is our current view! We are using our guest bed currently while we wait for our new bed frame + chest to get delivered Sunday! I have had a vision for our master bedroom for a while now and I thought I would share it with you! Check out the bed frame we ended up getting, side tables and other pieces that I am eyeing!

DETAILS

Bed frame [HERE] + Chest [HERE]are from Nebraska Furniture mart! I love a good deal and let’s be honest I have a credit card there and we thought why not use that!

Walls- We ended up going with Sherwin Williams “Snowbound” for the trim and walls.

We will be adding black drawer pulls [HERE] to the chest to have matte black accents that match our bathroom (will post that Reno soon) I love when you can take a piece of furniture and make it your own by adding little things.

Natural rug goals [HERE]- I have my eye on this beautiful woven cream rug. I love the neutrals paired with textures. I want to add either real greenery and or faux fig tree [HERE] in a corner paired with a bamboo basket [HERE].

Full length mirror [HERE]- I finally get to splurge on a full length mirror for the perfect try on sessions – DUH. I have been eyeing this one.

Artwork- Okay I am loving this simple yet STUNNING portrait I mean come on, so beautiful!

Lamps- I am not sure if I want to do a colored lamp, black or gold? Adding different colors and textures is a big thing for me in 2020 to our home. See different combinations below.

Items that are available with links ^

xoxo

Less is more – skincare routine

Less is more- that is my biggest skin care moto lately. 

I went down a road where I was trying out several masks, cleaners, toners you name it and I truly NEVER knew why my skin was breaking out! HA! Until my aestitican told me “Mika, less is more.” I know it sounds so simple but it took someone telling me that to realize that I needed to ditch everything and start over. 

Last year (wow how weird is it to say that) I have really started invested in my skincare. I would rather spend money on my skin then clothes at this point. Giving you guys authentic reviews and advice on what is working for me is more important than posting a sale on clothes. Don’t get me wrong you wont stop seeing me post clothes and things like that but my goal is to share with you more skincare hacks, tips and advice from professionals. I always heard to start taking care of your skin in your 20’s and I may be a little late to the game being 27 but better late than never.

Let’s get to talking about my AM and PM skincare routine- you can head to my instagram [HERE] if you feel inclined to see the video on my stories 🙂 

AM Skincare Routine:

Obagi foaming gel cleanser– I use the Obagi Foam cleanser I find this to be very gentle, light and has a fresh smell ( for all skin types). I have tried many products over the counter and some other medical grade ones and this one has been my favorite!

Obagi Toner: Obagi toner I use in the Am to brighten my skin and help balance ph levels. 

Eye cream (optional in the AM)- I am a sucker for eye creams now! For about 8 weeks I have been religiously applying in the morning and at night. Now that my skin is getting used to this product I will probably continue to just apply it in my nighttime routine. The trick to eye cream is you want to let it set for 5-10 minutes so I usually brush my teeth in between eye cream and my final lotion. 

Elta MD SPF Lotion– I always have applied lotion to my face even before commiting to a routine but I realized it never had SPF in it. This is CRUCIAL even when it is a gloomy day our skin is being exposed. If I am not working or attending an event I have a goal to start wearing ball caps to help protect my face!

PM Skincare Routine 

Obagi foaming gel cleanser- I use this in the PM as well.

Toner: Obagi or rose water I tone off in my nighttime routine.

Eye cream: As mentioned above I have been using eye cream religiously the past 3 months and now will start just wearing at night. I use a half of pump for around my eyes and above my eyelids. *Pro tip- you can apply above your lip to help fine lines 😉 

Obagi Vitamin C Serum– I pat this and rub it in my skin after my eye cream and before my night cream. This brightens away hyperpigmentation and encourages the growth of collagen and elastin fibers. Hyaluronic acid binds moisture to your skin to prevent dryness.

**I either choose to do a vitamin c serum or peel pads * do not do them in the same routine at night, both are very strong so it is not recommended.

Peel pads: I love a good peel pad I love the dr. dennis gross ones. They have 3 levels which help slowly introduce your skin them and that is one thing I really enjoy about these. I personally use the level 2 ones and I do these about 2-3 times a week. They help with Dullness and uneven skin tone, Pores, Fine lines and wrinkles.

Currently I have been trying Rejuvenate by Skin Better Science: which is a   triple-acid (glycolic, lactic and salicylic) formulation, enhanced with patented retinoid, AlphaRet, exfoliates skin, leaving it smooth and bright. *these are in store only at Monarch where I go. At first they were intense, they stung a-little and tingled but I only used them a couple times a week and I am gradually using them for my skin to get use to them. I ALWAYS layer with a good night mask because they can tend to dry your skin out the first couple weeks.  You can find these at Monarch.

Night Cream: I am currently using the Elemis Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream, but exploring a couple medical grade night cream from my aesthetician Jessica. My skin has been very dry with winter and I have been layering. I love lathering a good thick moisturizer on at night.

Night Mask: I apply my Summer Friday’s jet lag mask probably 3 times a week. 

You can view and or shop all products here: * by all no means am I a professional. I would consult with a professional if you have any skin concerns or questions regarding your routine! You can call and order the eye cream and peel pads through Jessica at Monarch Skin Rejuvenation center and you can follow her on Instagram [HERE]

2020 Goal Setting

The word resolution to me just does not settle right. I feel like for so long growing up I would make “resolutions” and never fall through with them.

Goals are different for me especially now and as I have gotten older. I set myself up for success by practicing steps to hit my goal. This year I challenged Andrew and I to write down our goals physically on a sheet which I got from Lauren at the SkinnyConfiential.com you can find it [HERE]

We printed ours off, wrote them down and read them to one another to hold ourselves accountable!

I thought I would share my main goals with you all to hopefully inspire you! I of course have other goals that I am sure will pop up through out the year but until then!

Goal 1: Grow more spiritually- I have always been religious in some shape or form but as I have gotten older I have always struggled to pray, read my bible and go to church more. This year I hope to dive deeper into my bible and study it, attend church as often as possible and pray daily.

Goal 2: Live a healthier lifestyle- that encompasses all things, food, working out, healthy mindset! This one I know will be hard for me because your girl enjoys fast food 😉 can be lazy and be tough on myself! But I am up for the challenge. This is one Andrew committed to as well and I am excited to see where our journey takes our minds and bodies!

Goal 3: Be more consistent with my brand Layers And Lipstick- within this goal I am going to create a mood board to really dig deep into my creative side. I want to work more on more daily posts and work on creating meaningful content for my readers/ followers.

Goal 4: Train Luther Nash to stop barking after a certain amount- okay this might sounds CRAZY but Luther is amazing. The one thing I failed to do was train him to stop barking at the correct time… DOG MOM FAIL. I have watched several videos, had consultations with trainers in the past couple years but I am determined to do this one my own. Worst case I will hire someone but until then!!!

Goal 5: Read more- This kind of goes along with growing more spiritually but also as my mind develops I want to commit to reading everyday. I have my goal to read at night but I think mornings may be better for me. That leads me to my 6th goal.

Goal 6: Wake up earlier!! My goodness, I do not know why this is so hard for me but it is. I plan on waking up 15 minute earlier than usual the first couple weeks then 20 minutes, then 30 minutes and so on until I reach a time where it makes sense. I don’t know about you but I HATE running out of the door in a rush. I hate feeling guilty that I didn’t play with Luther or take him on a walk and to be honest I would have enough time to make me a latte instead of spending money on Starbs!

Goal 7: Save $$ I am the worst at saving, I will just be honest. My mom has always said you come to this earth with nothing and you leave with nothing… well I have been using that excuse for a while now and I am thinking I should start investing and saving 😉 JUDGE ME- I do SAVE but need to be more consistent at it is a big goal of mine. Every paycheck I plan on taking a percentage out and working on my finances more intentionally.

I am sure throughout the year some things may change and my goals will change and that is OKAY! I wanted to share these goals with you to encourage you to start fresh and to show ya what I will be up to!

15 Cute Christmas Party Outfits

Finding the perfect Holiday outfit can be tough, good think I got your back! Check out what I am wearing this weekend to Andrew’s work holiday party and I have shared 15 other dresses that would be perfect for your next holiday party!

I personally love an outfit that people can talk about! This dress I got for under $30 the quality is great for this one time occasion and it is not itchy! I am wearing a size 4 and it is currently on sale! You can shop it here!

I have shared some affordable dresses/ jumpers below of what I would wear to a holiday party! Some more simple than others!

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