Quick Review | Rothy's vs Birdies

This is one of my most popular YouTube vids (at over 200 views lol!), so I thought I would share it on the blog if you missed it! It's a super quick video to give you the main details, so let me know if you have any other questions below. Though, I think most people are coming for the Rothy's $20 off referral code ;P If you own a pair of Rothy's you too have a $20 off code. So many people have heard about them- but haven't taken the plunge yet- so definitely pass on your code to friends & family!

Rothy's $20 off referral code | https://share.rothys.com/x/hHT42P

Birdies $20 off referral code | http://fbuy.me/v/kimdalve

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Create Your Own Morning Routine

After sharing a look into my morning routine, I thought I'd share 5 ideas/tips to create your own morning routine to feel your best and most productive! I love watching morning routine videos for inspiration, but it can be disheartening to feel like you can't accomplish it all-so my biggest tip is to DO YOU. Everyone's morning goals and responsibilities are different!

What's your favorite part about your morning routine?

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3 DIYS for Yoga | Bath Bombs, Lotion Bars, Yoga Mat Spray

My kind of recipe video! Beauty DIYs! These are perfect for after a yoga sesh, but also if you don't do yoga and just want to relax and unwind! I've shared the bath bomb recipe before, but the other two recipes were new ones for me-and I love how they turned out. In starting my YouTube channel, I knew I wanted to share beauty DIYs, so let me know what recipes I should test out next!

Recipe for 6 Half-Sphere Bath Bombs

1 cup Baking Soda

1/2 cup Citric Acid

1/2 cup Epsom Salt

3 tsp Vitamin E Oil

1 tsp Water
Essential Oils (I used Lavender & Eucalyptus)
Dried Lavender & Rose Petals (optional!)

Recipe for 2 Lotion Bars
4 tbsp Shea Butter
4 tbsp Cocoa Butter
2 tbsp Vitamin E Oil
Essential Oil (I used Vanilla & Sweet Orange)
Adzuki Beans (optional for massage!)

Recipe for Yoga Mat Spray
3/4 bottle of water
1/4 Witch Hazel
2 drops Tea Tree EO
1 drop Lavender EO

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FabFitFun Summer 2019 Unboxing

You know I love FabFitFun, so when this summer's box arrived, I had to share it! Plus, I am on a video making rampage (I promise to mix it up with a photo-filled blog post soon).

Summer Box

Sutra Professional Mini Travel Blow Dryer Soft Touch Marble

West Elm Indigo Tie-Dye Bowls

Coola Organic SPF 30 Makeup Setting Sunscreen Spray
Mystery Item- Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Cleansing Oil

Jennifer Zeuner Star Double Necklace

Whish Exfoliating Foot Mask

Generation Clay Ultra Violet Brightening Purple Clay Mask

Grace & Stella Rose Facial Spray

Invisibobble Original Duo Pack 

Add Ons

EIR NYC Post Session Salts

Curie White Tea Natural Deodorant

ESYM Lavender Roll On

Cuccio Somatology Yogahhh! Cooling + Cleansing Active Wipes

Ettika Ear Candy Set of 4 Earrings

What was your favorite item this season?

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Spring Cleaning | Grove Haul

Not only do I love a good beauty haul, but a box full of cleaning products is also a welcomed package. I've been ordering from Grove for over a year and a half now and am loving the product selection, free, fast shipping, and gifts with purchase. I decided to try it out for the cute 5-piece set free and got hooked! Here is my referral code if you want to try it out!

Here is what I got in this haul, if you needed some products to add to your next shipment or if you are new to Grove and wanted to see what was available!

Mrs. Meyer's - Room Freshener (Mint)

Grove Collaborative - Sleep Essential Oil Blend (Sleep)

Grove Collaborative - Glass Spray Bottle with Silicone Sleeve (Slate Gray)

Grove Collaborative - Cleaning Concentrates, 3 Pack (Lavender & Thyme)

Paw Sense - Pet Stain and Odor Remover (Lemongrass)

Mrs. Meyer's - Dishwasher Tabs (20 ct) (Lemon Verbena)

Seedling by Grove - Tree-Free Paper Towels (2 Rolls)

Other favorite Grove Products:

Grove Collaborative All-Purpose Microfiber Cloth, Set of 2

Grove Collaborative Replaceable Head Dish Brush

Grove Collaborative Wool Dryer Balls, Set of 3

Do you have any cleaning product favorites?

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GRWM Spring Make-Up

It's almost the unofficial start to summer! But I am in the peak of Spring vibes. I am definitely wanting all the florals and creamy pastels. If you are in the spring state of mind too, I just posted a getting ready with me for this make-up on my YouTube channel! Even if you are already focused on summer, I think this look would be perfect anytime of year!

Below are the products I used:

Tatcha The Pearl in Softlight

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Wet n Wild photofocus Water Drop Primer in Rose

Glossier Haloscope in Quartz

Julep Cushion Complexion in 110 Porcelain

Glossier Stretch Concealer in Light

Wet n Wild ultimatebrow Retractable Brow Pencil

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

tarte Flawless on the Fly (This was a limited edition holiday set, but similar colors are in their Tartelette Flirt palette and Dream Big palette!) 

Physician's Formula Eye Booster in Ultra Black

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Blackout

thrive causemetics brilliant eye brightener in Stella

Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara

tarte tarteist ProGlow using Sculpt (contour) & Lit (highlight)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio in Cocktail Party using Scorching & Babe

Bite Beauty French Press Lip Gloss in Dirty Chai

Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist

I mentioned FabFitFun A LOT this video! It's my favorite subscription box-I even order it for my mom! Here is my referral link if you want to get the summer box.

Do you switch up your make-up for the season?

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Sharing This Past Year...

Hi all! I am sharing five life events from the past 12 months-it's been a crazy year! I hope to get back to posting more in the future, of course about beauty routines & products!, but also about moving cities, graduate school tips, and kidney donation! If you are going through any of these events too, let's chat! Leave a comment or send me a DM :)

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FabFitFun Winter 2018

Happy Winter! Today I am sharing a weekend routine using products from my winter FabFitFun box.

H Halston Jewelry Portfolio

Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener in Stella

Bite Beauty  Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Meringue

Bearpaw Headband and Pop-Top Glove Duo

Mark & Graham Colorblock Throw

Sherrie Matthews Jade Roller

Ahava Hydration Cream Mask

Blaq Eye Masks

Way of Will Essential Oil Set: Sweet Orange Oil & Eucalyptus Oil

Also Mentioned:
Book of the Month  Severance by Ling Ma

What is your favorite item from this season's FabFitFun box?

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Tatcha The Pearl Tinted Eye Illuminating Treatment

Tatcha is one of the most gorgeous skincare brands I've come across. I've shared a couple of their holiday sets back in 2014 and 2015, as well as the dewy skin mist that everyone raves about! I've also been dying to try the Violet C Radiance Mask-which now comes in a set as a travel version. But today, I thought I would share a product I never really thought about purchasing and is now my secret skincare and make-up weapon.

For most of my life, my number one skin concern was acne. As I've gotten older under eye dark circles have stolen the first place spot. I assumed the answer was just add extra concealer-in a shade lighter-on top- despite that clearly not working by the creasing and cakiness.

The Pearl Tinted Eye Illuminating Treatment stumbled into my hands by way of Kirbie Johnson at the Popsugar Playground event. We sat in on her session about her favorite beauty products, and she shared this little purple Pokeball of a product. We were extra stoked it was included in a swag bag to try out!

It comes in three shades that roughly correspond to skintone but really it's the texture and the brightness that does wonders for the under eye. Hence, this is the medium shade, Softlight, and it works on my super fair skin.

Before

Here is my before face! No filter/editing/enhancing. Mostly natural light, but there was a light in the room to the left side of my face.

After

Only with The Pearl on! It's natural but oh so brightening. And the texture blends in your pores so well. You only need a teeny tiny bit for both eyes. As you blend it in with your finger, it kind of bursts into moisture.

All the make-up!

And here it is with a full face of make-up. Though, I totally skip the concealer step now! I also love that it's not only a make-up product but also a treatment.

What do you think? Have you tried this product? 

What are some of your Tatcha favs?

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FabFitFun Summer 2018

Hello Summer! Technically, not yet, but the weather sure is feeling like it! I'm ready for beach days and long nights with fun, food, & friends. This season's FabFitFun box is perfect for the occasion. It's also packed with beauty products, which as a beauty aficionado, is my cup of tea.

My beach towels were looking a bit scruffy, so I was stoked to pick out the Summer & Rose Beach Towel. I went with the minty palm print. It's a super soft microfiber material and HUGE! I can't wait to bring it to the beach. Or maybe just snuggle up with it as a blanket. This month's box also stocked me up on several large bottles of skincare. I am set with exfoliators-both a physical scrubby formula with Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator and a new chemical peel mask, Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel. I have tried the Vasanti product in previous sub boxes and love it! For my next pick, I chose Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel. I love using this after a yoga sesh. It has a peppery scent. A summer box wouldn't be complete with some SPF. I love Coola's formula and am excited to have fresh tube of  COOLA Face Sport SPF 50 White Tea Moisturizer for sun protection. For make-up, you couldn't go wrong with tarte! I received the tarte tarteist PRO glow highlight & contour palette. Really excited to play around with that, once I bring myself to take the first swipe. My marble, rose-gold obsession knows no bounds, so this Pier 1 Imports Marble Ring Dish is perfection. I have been using it for my make-up sponges. Finally, the wow-item of the box, FOREO LUNA fofo. I have been getting more into beauty gadgets lately, but with the cost point, it always seems like you have to really research before you make that investment. I have been seeing the Foreo devices around and am so happy to finally own one. The silicon bristles are gentle for cleansing the skin. It also has an app and sensors on the back to measure skin moisture-I'm not 100% sold on the accuracy of that, but it is fun to try out. 

I have really become sold on FabFitFun! I've recommended it to all my friends and got my mom a subscription for her birthday. I've only experienced great value and actually trendy products. If you want $10 off your first box, click my referral link here.

Do you subscribe to FabFitFun? What products did you get in this month's box?

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Nail Art | Daisy

The 90s are back! I've don't think I have the guts to do a full-on retro ensemble, but I have been dabbling with the occasional throwback. The choker, a denim jacket tied around the waist, daisy prints... I mean nail art + daisies are a classic 90s combination.

I went with a bold purple background of Zoya Serenity. A black background or even a nude would also look cute! For the flower, I used Wet n Wild French White Creme and Butter London Pimms and a couple of dotting tools. Depending on how big you draw your flower, you could do a couple on nail for an accent or do an all over pattern. Perfect for spring/summer!

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Rose All Day

I am all about rose-rose gold, rosy shadows, rose floral. Here are a few of my favourite rose-themed things.

If you haven't made the switch to natural deodorant yet, pick up Schmidt's Rose + Vanilla scent. If it doesn't convince you, I sincerely apologize-but I am willing to take that bet. It smells like a luxe perfume while keeping you fresh. This was the one that finally stuck for me, but even so, natural deo does take a little bit to get used to.  This Rose Water Facial Toner was a surprising find from Trader Joe's-next post idea TJ beauty finds. It is beautifully scented (duh, it's rose) and a great value. Feels much fancier than the price!

I am nearing the end of my beloved Glossier Coconut balm dotcom and knew I need to pick up another. I loved the coconut and am equally in love with the rose. I've used every last granule of sugar from this Herbivore Coco Rose Body Polish jar, and now, I need to upgrade to the big one. Rose + Coconut = Amazing. So scrubby and so hydrating.

Now that I've gone on and on about the scent of rose, let's move on to the colour. I'm a fan of the Urban Decay Naked 3 - classic for rose tones. But lately, I have been loving this small but packs a punch palette- Wet n Wild Rose in the Air. Five dollars. It's clearly a dupe for Anastasia Modern Renaissance and honestly, I had a moral dilemma about purchasing a dupe-creativity should be rewarded! Throwing down $50 for the real thing felt pretty steep until I knew I could pull the colours off, but I loved Subculture, so I am sure the full price is worth it. Depending on your budget check either out! The hot pink and burnt oranges are my favs and surprisingly wearable!

I also threw in a couple packets of this Pukka Tea Love blend for a full rose experience! Rose Hip Oil is another solid beauty staple, and of course, rose gold all the things. Maybe next, I should share my collection of rose gold clothing items. You would think it would be small....until I walk in wearing a rose gold leather jacket....
 

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Brandless Haul

The brand that claims to not be a brand-I am not buying that, but I am buying quite the assortment of $3 products. Three dollars. Organic, non-GMO, all that for 3 bucks. I piled my virtual shopping cart high and have been eating away to share my thoughts!

What first got me curious, was the mention of $3 dollar organic maple syrup. You really can't beat real maple syrup. When I am not pouring it on pancakes, I use it to sweeten matcha lattes. But at the grocery store pricing of ten dollars it felt like a luxury. Their coconut oil is another highly mentioned product-so I grabbed that too.

Along with all the snacks-hummus chips, barbeque, Brandless Oreos, crackers, dried mango, granola. It's amazing to have a fully stocked pantry! I also decided to try the body care items and threw in a body wash and hand soap. One item (or three) that I wasn't expecting to add were these spoons. But again, three dollars each for some sexy spoons.

I've already placed my next order-I need more instant oatmeal packets for work, some granola, maybe try a muffin mix-let me know what your favourite Brandless products are!

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FabFitFun Spring 2018

I have gone through quite the range of subscription boxes over the years. I love checking the mail, and you got to have something fun in the midst of wrong addresses, spam, and junk. I have always been curious about FabFitFun (my referral link for $10 off!). All the boxes I had seen seemed to have a high value and good variety of products. I also like that it's a quarterly box, so I don't feel inundated by stuff.

I first became a subscriber for the Winter 2017 box. I thought it was an excellent way to get a few gifts for friends while keeping a few goodies for myself. My mom loved the skincare and eyeshadow palette, my sister the necklace, and I got to keep the poncho and socks.

This month, I may just be keeping everything-wait, I did share the Lip Masks with friends which was fun. Sharing is caring :] I am loving the eye mask, earrings, and candle. I have been trying to get better about foam rolling and this massage roller is super easy to use. The moisturizer and nail polish base coat are perfect staples. I am looking forward to some spring weather- brunchin' with the clutch and earrings for a killer spring combo.

Overall, I am super pleased again with this box. The items feel very curated to me and epitomize the spring vibes of the seasonal box. I love that it's basically instant self care in a box, making it the perfect gift for friends or yourself-or a bit of both!

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Review | Herbivore Botanicals

I'm calling this a review, though it's very incomplete as there are many products from Herbivore I have yet to try. But before I spend a massive amount of money on the next batch of amazing smelling, powerful formulas, and streamlined packaging-I thought I'd share my first impressions of the brand.

The first product I tried was the infamous Coco Rose Body Polish. This scrub is amazing. It smells so delectable. The coconut oil, rose combo is just gorgeous. It's super scrubby and very hydrating. I need to repurchase a tub of this-which is crazy that the little one lasted so long! My next dive in the Herbivore pond, was the True Blue set. I couldn't believe the sizes for the price-and the amazing blue colour. I love facial oils and was excited to try Lapis Balancing Facial Oil with Blue Tansy Oil. The Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask and oil make my skin feel calmed and balanced. Gorgeous smelling, gorgeous on your skin, gorgeous packaging.

Next on my list are the mists-Rose Hibiscus, Jasmine Green Tea-, Moon Fruit, Pink Cloud, and a jade or quartz roller, perhaps?

Let me know what your favourite Herbivore products are!

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