Search Results for: easy does it

Our Homebuying Moment Realized

by whoorl

This post is sponsored by Trulia, but the views expressed here are solely mine. To learn more click here.

Our house is finished. Well, okay, a house is NEVER truly finished, right? BUT we just completed the outdoor paint and landscaping, and it feels pretty good to sit back and take a breath. (To see the complete indoor renovation, click here.) I can’t believe we’ve been in our house for over a year now – in some ways, it seems time has flown by, yet I also feel like I’ve lived here forever.

I remember the first time we looked at this house. We saw it on Trulia, and figured what the heck, we’d make an appointment to check it out. The house was on the market for the first time in 40-something years, and frankly, it smelled like it.
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Even D, who does this for a living, shook his head and said it was too much work. We walked away, yet the house stayed on our minds constantly for the next few weeks. During dinner or while bathing the kids, we would make little comments…”if we opened up that kitchen wall,” or “did you see the original light fixtures in the hallway…”

Fast forward two months from those evening conversations (and a bit of a roller coaster ride), and we had ourselves a home. We got straight to work on the interiors, and now, I’m proud to say the exterior is finished as well.

exterior1

Happy happy joy joy.

Have you checked out Trulia? It’s a great website that makes it easy to find a home, a neighborhood and a real estate agent. Obviously, the home buying process is an emotional roller coaster. (What can I afford? Is it the right house? Is it a good neighborhood? What’s the best kind of mortgage? THE QUESTIONS.)  Trulia provides home buyers with information on neighborhoods, schools, crime, local amenities, agents, and financing so that they can answer those questions with confidence.

You can check out some more (oh-so-true) postcards and share your own crazy homebuying moments at Trulia’s website.

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Little Things That Go a Long Way (+$300 Target Sweepstakes)

by whoorl

This post is sponsored by P&G. Save on NEW Gain Flings and Tide Pods at Target. Text CLEAN to Target (827438) for mobile coupons*.

Have you ever had issues grounding yourself? No, I don’t mean being sent to your room while you sob and listen to Morrissey (LIFE IS SO UNFAIIIIRRRRRR), nor protecting yourself from actual electric shock. I mean pulling back your focus from a nonstop mind and back into your physical body. Sometimes, I can lose myself in my thoughts, which causes me to feel spaced out, dizzy, and pretty damn strange, really. Like a mini out-of-body experience. Anyone else out there feel this way on occasion?

Bueller? Bueller?

I remember the first time a friend recommended grounding myself by lying outside and feeling the Earth beneath me. I looked at her like she was smoking crack. First off, itchy. Secondly, bugs. Finally, what would the neighbors think? “Oh look, there’s Sarah lying in her front yard. She seems to be fondling the grass and dirt. I knew that chick was weird.”

So maybe I’m not the type to fondle grass, but I have discovered little things that I can do around my home that keep me in the present moment and off the mental hamster wheel, especially when I don’t have much time on my hands due to mom duty.

1. Checking in with your body. If you have 5 minutes to spare and are feeling overwhelmed, sit down, close your eyes and do a body scan. Notice how your body feels – your feet, your legs, your hips, so on and so forth. Divert yourself from mental chatter, and just notice any sensations you have in your body. Don’t judge the sensations. Just observe.

plants

2. Not down with rolling around in a grassy field? Bring nature inside. I love to have beautiful flowers and plants in the home to keep me grounded. Just their presence alone makes me happy, but they also bring my attention to the present moment while caring for them. (Yes, sometimes I touch the plants. Because they are SO DIFFERENT FROM GRASS.)

3. Breathe. Inhale and exhale slowly, counting from 1 to 5 each time. For many months, I thought the whole deep breathing concept was lame. Deep breaths can’t touch MY issues! Well, I’m here to report that as much as you think slow, rhythmic breathing won’t help, it actually does. It just takes more than a minute for your body and mind to get the signal that it’s time to chill out. Try it for at least 5 minutes and then tell me how you feel.

kids

4. Hold your kids. Look at their faces. Count their freckles. Scratch their backs. Look into their eyes and ask them to tell you something funny. Don’t try to sneak a chore when they are answering your question. (So guilty of this.) Be present. Like my dad always said, the best way to stay grounded is to focus on the love around you, outside of you. Forget the to-do list for a bit and take every bit of your little ones in.

An easy way to shorten the time spent doing chores? Gain Flings (available at Target!) are a trifecta of laundry scent, odor removal and extra cleaning power. Say goodbye to extra time spent on stain removal and hello to a lovely scent. See how that works? Now you can spend more time actively listening to your kids and fondling plants instead of slaving away in the laundry room. Up yours, chores. Ommmmmm.

What little things do you do that go a long way? Leave a comment here and you’ll be entered to win a $300 gift card from Target in the Little Bit Goes a Long Way Sweepstakes!



*Message and data rates may apply. 1 message per request. http://m.target.com/spot/sms/coupon-alrts-terms for Terms, Conditions, and Privacy Policy. By texting the key word to us, you agree to receive an autodialed text message from Target at the mobile number from which you sent your request. Consent to receive messages is not a condition of purchase.

Best Undereye Concealer: The Search is On

by whoorl

best undereye concealer

I have long sung the praises of Clinique Airbrush Concealer. I first noticed it on one of Lisa Eldridge’s videos, and immediately bought it. I figured it had to be the best, I mean, Miss Eldridge can do no wrong, right? I’ve used it for years, and I love it, I really do…it’s just that I was relatively well rested during those few years and now I’m…not. You guys, I look like a mess. (I CURSE YOU, INSOMNIA.)

While the Clinique concealer has been a loyal, trusty companion, it’s time to pull out the big guns for the time being. So, I’ve been doing some research (surprise, surprise) on some bestsellers and also put a call out on the Whoorl Facebook page last week. (We like to talk about makeup. Lots.)

Here’s what I’ve found so far.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, $33 – A front runner from the Facebook convo, but I noticed many negative reviews on Sephora. What gives? Here are some comments from my FB lady friends:

“In exhaustive research on dark circle concealing, most people recommend either Laura Mercier or Bobbi Brown’s concealer kit, which I really like and get at Sephora.”

“Two words. Bobbie Brown.”

“I love Bobbi Brown.”

“I have pretty dark circles so I use the corrector first and layer the creamy concealer on top. I set my whole face with her powder so just use that on my under eye area too. I say “set my whole face” like I wear makeup but most days lately I’m lucky if I get concealer on. Her BB cream if fantastic though too.”

“I also use Bobbi Brown, but not the kit. I use the corrector and then the concealer and then I set it withe Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder…”

NARS Concealer, $28 – I’m a NARS junkie, so I am hopeful this concealer could be great. I like that it’s a liquid – obviously easy to blend. Some comments:

“NARS has a stellar one.”

“I’m a huge fan of the NARS concealer. I am pretty hopeless when it comes to applying makeup and it’s so easy to use.”

“Nars’ newest concealer (Radiant Creamy Concealer) is pretty great.”

Benefit Boing, $20 or Erase Paste, $26 – I already have this in my arsenal, but haven’t been using it lately. Maybe I should bust it out again? I sure seemed to love it in 2010.

“I use a combo of Benefit products: Stay Don’t Stray and Boing. (I use) Fingers all the way.” (ME TOO. Have no time for concealer brushes!)

“I love Benefit’s “Erase Paste”, it can be a bit dry, but I put it on over my foundation and then blend it out and it works great. I’ve got light skin with olive tones but some wicked undereye circles and have found it to be the very best at covering. And a little goes a long way.”

“Another vote for benefit’s erase paste. i have fair skin and dark circles–works really well for me and i love the texture. very easy to blend with your finger, i never use the spatula provided, total PITA.”

Clinique Airbrush Concealer, $19.50 – Mah baby, but we need to take a break.

Amazing Concealer, $42 – I used this concealer back in the day when there were only a few shades. Goodness, this stuff is POTENT, but it really does the job. My only beef was that the color didn’t match well, however, now that they’ve introduced tons of new shades to the line, could this be the one for me?

Josie Maran Creamy Concealer Crayon, $20 – Now, no one mentioned this new product, but I have high hopes for this one. First off, I love Josie Maran, and secondly, a concealer pencil? COULD LIFE GET ANY EASIER?! Just draw right over those dark circles! (Please let this one be the one please let this one be the one.)

Laura Mercier Secret Camoflauge, $32 – I have a feeling this is too solid to blend well. Comments have been varied:

“I use the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage and love it. It is very easily blendable, doesn’t dry, and I like that I can adjust the colour to the season (and how much sun I’ve had). That said, I use mine more to cover my mild rosacea redness than dark undereye circles.”

“I used Secret Concealer for years, but it became too dry. I was constantly blending it with eye cream.”

“LOVE this concealer. love that you can blend the two colors to make it just right for either under eye or blemish concealing. I always use my finger too, because i feel like the warmth of my skin makes the concealer a better consistency.”

“I used to love secret concealer but I found it to cake and dry some.”

“I feel like LM secret camo is more for blemishes and kind of dry.”

“I will say I do NOT like Secret Camouflage, and do not find it easy to blend especially under the eyes. If you like Laura Mercier, they have an under eye concealer, called Under Eye Perfector.”

YSL Touche Eclat, $40 – I’ve wanted to try this for years, but always wondered if the formula was similar to Clinique since they are both in click applicators. Mixed reviews as an undereye concealer.

“I used to love secret concealer but I found it to cake and dry some. Now I’m loving this – I put on with brush and then wait a few min before I blend with my fingers. Best I have found and my dark circles are epic.”

“The YSL Touche Eclat is a fantastic highlighter, but is not actually a concealer, so sadly it won’t help any more than your Clinique airbrush (my personal favorite light-reflective concealer).”

MAC Select Cover Up, $18 – Love me some MAC, and these comments sound promising:

“M.A.C. Select Cover Up is the only thing that can hide my raccoon eyes. It’s heavier, and dries quickly so you have to work fast but I love it. And I only use my fingers.”

“I’ve tried many but I always come back to MAC Select Cover Up. It’s creamy, blendable and stays on stubbornly.”

Cle de Peau Concealer, $70 – One of my best friends swears by this, and she’s usually right on when it comes to skincare and makeup. Hey, I’ll pay the price tag for results! (Although, SEVENTY DOLLARS?)

“Cle de Peau…hands down the best! Yes, it is expensive BUT it lasts forever!!!”

“Yep, definitely Cle de Peau.”

“If you have an extra arm and leg to spend, you won’t be disappointed with Cle de Peau.”

Other notable mentions:

Kat Von D

Laura Mercier Secret Concealer – the pot version

T. LeClerc Correcting Fluid Pen

I’m headed to Sephora very soon with the hopes of finding my next companion. Will report back. In the meantime, have I missed any major contenders?

Cruising Down Pacific Coast Highway

by whoorl

This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. Get Your Good Going with Blue Diamond Almonds and pin for a chance to win a $500 gift card in their “Greetings from California” sweepstakes!

cruising pacific coast highway

all photos by my dapper husband. check out his instagram, yo!

Okay, so, Orange County is known for many things…Disneyland, the beaches, Balboa Island frozen bananas (“There’s always money in the banana stand!”), and the original Real Housewives, to name a few…but one of my very favorites is the almost-daily drive I make on Pacific Coast Highway from Newport Beach to Laguna Beach. As you can see from the above photos, it’s a mighty stretch of road, my friends. (Also, my husband took most of those shots while DRIVING HIS CAR. I am not proud to admit that, but man, he gets some good ones.) I’m telling you, the glorious Pacific and Catalina Island on the horizon will always make a day better.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel the need to get the heck out of my house with the kiddos, yet don’t really want to hang out in public. Or, you know, um, interact with people. Does that make sense? (It’s haaaaard to brush your hair and look presentable some/most days, folks.) So we’ve made a little adventure out of cruising down PCH while scanning for tall ships and belting out Bruno Mars.

Of course, inevitably, the kids want snacks, and I think you all probably know what my stance is on Food Stuffs being consumed in my car. Anal fixation in the hizzouse! You know, I used to be much more lenient until Wita introduced my backseat to a doughnut with sprinkles…I’m still cleaning that up.

Our favorite road snack? Almonds, baby. Easy to eat, easy for crumb-o-phobes, and pretty much delicious.

Wita is quite the fan of the Toasted Coconut flavor. And the Wasabi ones. (Those are sooooo good.) Okay, Honey Roasted is up there too. Here she is ready to embark on an adventure.

blue diamond almonds whoorl

Don’t let that look fool you. She’ll cut you if you try to snag one. Also, how much do you love the banged up knees? So good.

We’ve put back our fair share of almonds on these adventures, is all I’m sayin’.

What about you? What are some of your easy, go-to adventures? Are you an occasional anti-social adventurer as well?

This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. Get Your Good Going with Blue Diamond Almonds and pin for a chance to win a $500 gift card in their “Greetings from California” sweepstakes!

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Get Some Headspace

by whoorl

getsomeheadspace

I planned for this post to be a list of completely awesome ideas, objects, and websites that I’ve received over the past few years from you all. A readers’ recommendations best of the best, if you will, because, wowza, you all have offered up some amazing tips. Never fear, that list will still be published soon, but while compiling and writing the list, I found myself going on and on and on about a website that was very recently shared with me by a commenter (thanks, Janette!), Headspace.

Now, you know I try to keep things super light at Whoorl (sale at Madewell! Best pinkish nude lipgloss ever!), but the truth of the matter is that I’ve had a tough year in regards to my physical, and subsequently mental (funny how those two walk hand-in-hand) health. I’ve alluded to it a few times here, and while I won’t bore you with the details, let’s just keep it simple. 2013 has been a challenging year for me. Lots of searching for answers via doctors, physical therapists, behavioral therapists, acupuncturists, and naturopaths.

Because we all want answers, right? To be able to compartmentalize every feeling and thought and sensation and know that it’s fine. It’ll be fine! Everything is going to be alright because A, B, and C. I’m a girl who likes answers. I’ll research night and day just to feel like I have my arms confidently wrapped around a situation. However, the universe doesn’t see it that way, and as much as I’ve been fighting it and stressing out and not sleeping and hurting, I’ve recently experienced a shift in my core.

It’s time for me to quit searching outwardly for the answers and look inward.

Whoah there, Whoorl…can’t you just recommend your favorite curling iron today? Did you see those adorable Darby flats at J. Crew?

I know, I know. Quite a departure from my usual spiel, but something that I feel I need to share with you.

Being mindful, you guys. I’m working on it.

Listen, the first few times friends and acquaintances suggested I consider meditation, I physically couldn’t keep my eyes from rolling into the back of my head. Me? Meditate? This Type A, hamster-wheel-of-a-brain, work-at-home mom with a million things to do? Yeah. no thanks.

I gave it shot, though. I listened to several guided meditations and podcasts, and tried really hard to make it work, but I just didn’t feel connected at all. Either the voice was all wrong or the subject matter was too hippie dippie or the freaking wind chimes made me want to puke. It was just too much. I needed baby steps.

Enter Headspace.

You all, I can’t even express to you how grateful I am for this website. It’s meditation, but completely manageable. I want to write paragraph after paragraph about the Headspace concept in regards to meditation, but this video says it all. If you have 10 minutes, I highly recommend watching Headspace founder Andy Puddicombe’s TED talk about taking 10 minutes a day to be more mindful. (The guy knows of what he speaks…he is a former Buddhist monk. And, apparently, juggles.)

If 10 minutes is too much for you, check out this 1-minute video which I love as well.

I am just finishing the Take 10 program, and I swear I have so much more mental clarity and focus than I did a week and a half ago. It wasn’t easy – trust me, I am so NOT good at sitting alone with my thoughts. (It’s much easier to distract with a laptop screen or iPhone, right?) My first few meditations were wracked with shallow breaths and chest tightness, but as the days passed, the anxiety dissipated and calmness prevailed. I even find myself continuing to meditate after the 10-minute program has ended. I can’t wait to start Take 15 next on the Headspace app.

Also, Andy’s voice is just about the most perfect voice ever to guide you through meditation. No new age synthesizers, no wind chimes, none of it. Just his calming voice. (Also, I’m just going to say it. I think I have a crush. WHAT? I CAN’T HELP IT.)

Anyway, if you have considered mediating, but don’t know where to start, I highly recommend checking Headspace out. It’s 100 times better than that adorable silk blouse I plan on telling you about soon.

How To Use Feedly

by whoorl

how to use feedly

As many of you know, Google Reader is finito as of July 1, 2013. Sadness! You all know how much I adored the next button, right?

When presented with a conundrum like this, you can choose two different routes. Remain in complete denial until POOF, your RSS feeder has completely disappeared, taking with it all of those precious saved posts and general bloggy bits of goodness OR you can prepare yourself before you wreck yo self. I’m sure it’s no surprise that I, Sarah, Queen of the List-Making and Type A-ness, chose the latter.

So! I asked around and the two RSS readers I heard about the most were Feedly and Bloglovin. I ultimately chose to use Feedly as my RSS reader because I really love the simple, clean interface, and frankly, the term “bloglovin” bugs me. Priorities, people.

Now that I feel relatively confident with how Feedly works, I’m here to get you all set straight, if need be.

First, let me start off by saying that my first visit to Feedly wasn’t so great. After importing my feeds from Google Reader (to import your google reader feeds over to feedly, simply login to feedly using your google account), I do believe it looked a bit like this.

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