It's Been Awhile

So I've taken a leave of absence, and a very long one at that, but I am back! Recently, I've started college and my own photography business, and have been dealing with a lot of struggles in my love life and friendships. With all of this going on, I've increased my exercise activity and my health regimen. I really want to be able to shift my focus onto improvement and positivity, rather than focusing on the negative. In doing this, I've been putting a lot more emphasis on my skincare routine. I wash my face every morning and evening, and apply Tea Tree oil to any bumps, cuts, lesions, or red spots, to help the healing, and of course-- the product I swear by: Lysine. I always try to use the same facial cleanser, so my skin isn't having to adjust to new formulas, but I recently received a sample of Olay Active Botanicals Refreshing Gel Cleanser from Influenster for testing purposes, and I am eager to see how my skin does with it. I will keep you updated as to the status of my skin's clarity, and since the product claims to give the skin a glowing quality, I will look for the glow.

Reviewing the #BlossomVoxBox

I've had a chance to try out all of the products that came in my #BlossomVoxBox, and I'm excited to share with you my review of each product. For links to more information and links for each product, check out my Welcome to Influenster post here.

First up, #AirbrushPerfectLegs

As seen in the image below, I applied a dime-sized amount of the product to my right leg using my clean, bare hands and rubbed it in just as I would lotion. The effect is quite evident, as my right leg looks tanner, and more evenly toned than my left leg. Also, as the image shows, I took a leap of faith and sat on my white bedspread-- criss-cross applesauce, straight-legged, kneeling, and squirming around while being cautious. The result? My white bedspread is still white, and no orange marks were left behind. After application, my hands were orangey, but after washing with soap and water, the leg makeup came off easily and left no stains. The same was true for my leg when I showered hours later. Unfortunately, I didn't really leave the house or leave the leg makeup on long-term, so I cannot speak to how long or well it lasts, but for the couple of hours I paraded around my house with my legs exposed, it looked just as fresh as when I applied it. The only downside to this product I've experienced thus far is that around the toes and knees, it was difficult to get an even, non-streaky look, just as if you were doing a self tanner or spray tan. My only hesitation in buying this product would be the worry that I would start to rely on it, and be disgusted by my naked legs, thus putting a dent in my self-image and my budget. However, if you're looking for a quick beauty/tan fix for special events, this product seems to do the job, and do it well. As for the color of the rest of your body though... just make sure you don't go too dark with the leg makeup and end up looking like half an oompa loompa. 

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs in "Light" on right leg

Welcome to Influenster!

Recently, (two-ish weeks ago) I joined an online social network called Influenster, whose purpose is essentially to promote new products through reviews written by normal, everyday people, and to share tips and information on products used in day-to-day lives. It may sound obnoxious, but it's a great way to find a central hub with genuine reviews on pretty much any product on the market. For example, you're trying to decide which makeup item will be more bang for your buck: you simply search the products you're interested in, and voila! Right at your fingertips are countless reviews from ordinary people like you and me. You can even ask direct questions on the review page if your curiosities haven't been satisfied by the written reviews and images.

When you join this community, you're gaining accessibility to the inside-scoop on every product imaginable, but you're also making yourself eligible to try some brand-new products for free. By asking questions, writing reviews, and linking your pre-existing social media accounts, you gain points, and these points can help earn you the privilege of being sent a VoxBox. VoxBoxes are a part of a campaign where you are sent a box of full-size, complimentary products-- with one catch: you review the products. That's all it takes. Today, I received my first VoxBox, the #BlossomVoxBox, stocked with all the essentials for Spring.

Inside the #BlossomVoxBox? 

• Beanitos: Chips made from super nutritious whole beans, without corn or wheat (meaning that yes, they are gluten-free), and baked to crispy perfection. One serving contains 6 grams of fiber and 4 grams of complete protein. I received one bag in the flavor "Original Black Bean with Sea Salt" and one in "Chipotle BBQ" #AllThatInaBagOfChips 
• Hair Food Root Cleansing Shampoo: Inspired by the benefits of nutrient-packed, vitalizing ingredients like starwberry and ginger, the shampoo deeply cleanses hair to remove buildup for lustrous, natural shine... similar to how a juice cleanse can detoxify your body.  Silicone free, paraben free, mineral oil free, and infused with strawberry ginger fragrance. #HairFood
• Bear Naked Granola:  This granola not only brings great tasting ingredients together, it also includes thoughtful combinations that are uncomplicated and delicious! Two new flavors: "Coconut Almond Curry" and "Sea Salt Caramel Apple" #LiveBearNaked
• Nasoya Pasta Zero Noodles: A traditional Japanese shirataki noodle, with only 15 calories and 4 grams of carbohydrates per serving. They easily absorb the flavors you cook with, and will save you so many calories while filling you up! Low cal, low carb, fortified with iron, gluten-free, and vegan. #NasoyaPastaZero
• NYC New York Color City Proof 24hr Eye Shadow: Want round the clock color that never fades or creases? This waterproof eye shadow delivers vibrant color for up to 24hour wear, in eleven trendy shades perfect for any look. Just twist, glide, and go! I received the color "Brooklyn Mocha" #NYCCityProof
•  Austalian Gold Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30: Get the color you crave and the protection you need, now fortified with native Australian Kakadu Plum- delivering Vitamin C and antioxidants for radiant looking skin. #LifetheGoldLife
• Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs: Get irresistible, perfect legs in an instant and gorgeous, healthy-looking skin! The lightweight formula hides imperfections and won't rub off on your clothes. #AirbrushPerfectLegs

I'm not sharing this information necessarily to only promote these products, but to also let you know about a great opportunity to become a part of a positive community, and be rewarded for sharing your honest opinion... something we don't see everyday. I'm so thrilled to have this opportunity to speak my opinion and influence others, and I can't wait to try out all of these new products! 

XOXO

Katelyn

You Can Eat Somewhere Else

I never thought I would be kicked-out because of my health issues. Left-out? Sure. But not kicked-out.

Today, I was invited to attend a dinner, pictures, and prom with a group of friends. Whenever there is food being provided or created by someone other than my family, I have to ask questions because of my insulin resistance and low-carb, gluten-free diet. Politely, I requested to be included in some of the decision-making for the meal, and I was promptly told a decision had already been made, (mind you, this all took place in a group message via iPhone). I was confused, as I had read all of the messages in the group discussing the plans and none of them were pertaining to food. So I inquired what that food was. Pasta. The holy-grail of gluten. So I responded by saying that my health and dietary needs restricted me from being able to eat pasta, (I was hinting at, and about to ask if there was going to be something I could eat, or something small made on the side that I could eat). And what response am I given? "Well then you can eat somewhere else." (Excuse me, what? I was invited to be a part of your group, and then you indirectly tell me that I'm not welcome?) "We can't change our plans because of one person." (I *never* asked anyone to change plans). So I told them "okay, fine", and sarcastically "thanks for being considerate", and left the group.

Hours later, after calming down, I rejoined the group to discover that one of the group members explained that my date was fine to stay in the group, but that I was "unwelcome unless [I] could be apart of the GROUP and not get [my] feelings hurt because [they] couldn't accommodate me."
It's one thing if I told them I wasn't feeling pasta, or didn't like pasta, but I can't eat pasta, and many of the members of the group know that I am struggling with health issues. I was appalled. How can you invite someone into a group, not include them in any of the preparations, then when they have a legitimate problem, shut them out and tell them they aren't welcome, and get angry at them? Gee, thanks, I think I'd rather eat with a trash bag.

Needless to say, I won't be attending prom with that group of my 'friends'. Sure, I could have asked from the start what other menu items they would be having, but the end result probably would have been the same. It's a shame that there are people out there who are insensitive to others' differences. If they'd had special dietary/health needs and I told them to go somewhere else, and that they weren't welcome, they would've blown up and gotten furious. It's like telling a vegetarian that they have to eat meat or leave: Inconsiderate, insensitive, and uneducated.

The situation left me feeling upset, offended, left-out, unwelcome, insecure and many other things. If they could walk a mile in my shoes........ And here I sit. Trying to figure out who my real friends are. And for what? Because they weren't willing to pause for a second and ask me what they could do to make it so that I could eat with them. Because of food. Because of something they invited me to and then kicked me out of. Because of my health. Thanks guys, thanks a lot. It just makes it that much more difficult to live with this dietary lifestyle. And to think people wonder why individuals give up on eating healthy so easily... it's because even though everyone 'encourages' it, no-one will actually act upon and cater to it.

I hope for your sake, that you never are removed from, left-out of, or kicked-out of something because of your daily struggles, but I'm sure it'll happen eventually. Be kind and gracious. One day you'll be rewarded for your peaceful actions. One day, the friends I eat with will want to follow in my footsteps and learn more about my lifestyle. Today wasn't that day, but hopefully, it will be soon.

XOXO
Katelyn

Here Goes Nothing

I've been thinking about this blog and working on putting it together for about a month now, but I couldn't ever think of what my first blog post would be about. I honestly hate writing about myself in a biography-esque way, and I feel that I can't tackle specific topics until I've written a general post first, so here it is.

Essentially, I created this blog as a way to cope. I've had an incredibly difficult year-- from my boyfriend cheating on me, to my dog dying, to my parents wanting to move into separate homes, to all of my health issues... the list goes on and on, and it's been hard for me to cope and deal with all of these circumstances. It's always been said that writing is a good outlet for stress and struggle, and I figured that there are many other individuals out there experiencing similar struggles that I am. Rather than writing in a diary where no one will see my thoughts, I decided to make myself vulnerable and publish these thoughts with the hopes that someone, somewhere, someday, will learn and benefit from what I write.

I don't know just yet how often I will post, or what exactly I will post about. I'm kind of figuring this thing out as I go. So that's that. This blog's purpose is to help me, and hopefully others, overcome the hardships in life and realize that we aren't defined by our problems.

XOXO
Katelyn