#PamperMeSunday with Products

20130606-170822I ❤️ watching lifestyle bloggers on YouTube. They talk about everything from fashion to beauty, health, book recommendations, how they structure their days and so much more! I’d say I spend at least an hour each day watching videos (or reading blog posts online). I’m learning different ways to take better care of myself (mentally, physically, spiritually) and it keeps me from sitting in front of the idiot box all day even though nothing is really ever on. Establishing a regular self-care/pamper routine has been one of my learnings and I do it on Sundays since that’s the day I always have time to do a little extra. It also helps you relax before the work week starts!

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This post is about having a routine to pamper yourself. To be honest, I’ve never really done this before, nor have I had a staple set of staple products to assist in such an effort. Thanks to YouTube, that has changed!!! 👍🏽💃🏽

When it comes to the routine below, modify the products/steps to fit your budget and/or tastes. i.e. If you don’t do your own nails, skip that step. And before you waiver on the need to do all this / for the complexity… don’t you deserve pampering?? If not every week, then every other week or maybe once a month? I think yes! (Note: The times are just estimates – start whenever you want – and I DO multi-task where it makes sense to speed things up a bit. I also included pictures of my absolute favorite items! and a few emojis because… why not?

_658859507:55 PM Set the tone! Turn off the tv, light a Diptyque (Nordstrom) or Nest candle (Nordstrom) and turn on some relaxing music 🎤 (Spotify). The kind that will help you turn ⬇️ not turn ⬆️! This is a great time to listen to a new album or audiobook. PS: recycle the jar!

07:59 PM Pull your hair back with a headband (Target).

08:00 PM Prep face. Remove  EYE MAKEUP with Lancome’s Bi-Facial Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover (Nordstrom) and Shiseido Facial Cotton (Nordstrom). For remaining makeup, apply Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water (Target) to a fresh Shiseido cotton pad and wipe your face squeaky clean! This will remove ALL excess grime and grit. It’s important to get EVERYTHING OFF before we proceed so this step is extremely important!

08:05 PM Apply SK-II facial treatment mask (Nordstrom) and let it sit for 15 minutes.

08:07 PM Prep nails: Remove nail polish from hands and feet with Pure Body Polish Remover (Amazon), trim then buff (Target). Step-by-step guide here.

08:19 PM Rinse mask off face with lukewarm mater and pat dry with a fresh white hand towel or face cloth – not the one you used yesterday! 😱 (Nordstrom).

08:20 PM Shower (or take a bubble bath if you prefer)

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  • Wash hair with Art Naturals Organic Shampoo (Amazon). Divide into 4 sections, comb out and apply It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-in Conditioner to each section (Target).
  • Buff feet with Amopé Pedi Perfect Electronic Foot File (Amazon)
  • Push cuticles back (hands and feet).
  • Splash a little water on your face (it should not be scorching hot) 🚫🔥.
  • Gently massage one pump of Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash onto your face & neck (Nordstrom) then use a Clairsonic for a deeper clean (Nordstrom) and pat your face dry.
  • Clean your body with Fresh ‘Hesperides Grapefruit’ Bath & Shower Gel
    (Nordstrom) and shower gloves (Target). LOVE LOVE LOVE this combination!!! (the gloves provide a gentle exfoliation)
  • Apply *L’Occitane’s Almond Shower Oil to your body (HEAVENLY!) with an organic sea sponge (Nordstrom, Target) 😍😍
  • Exit the shower

screen-shot-2016-12-21-at-7-04-21-pmFace care starts immediately after exiting the shower while your hands are still CLEAN!

08:40 PM Tone your face and neck with Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-Extract Alcohol-Free Toner (Nordstrom)

08:41 Treat face and neck with SK-II facial treatment essence (Nordstrom)…. let this miracle water soak in for a couple of minutes.

08:43 PM Gently press (DO NOT RUB) La Mer Creme de La Mer Moisturizing Cream onto your face. You only need a dime size and 1 oz should last you 6-8 months (Nordstrom). 😍💯

08:45 PM Treat your upper and lower eyes with Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado (Nordstrom).

08:46 PM Protect your underarms with Kiehl’s Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Cream (Nordstrom).

08:47 PM Moisturize your skin with L’Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate. The smell is absolutely AMAZING and your hubby/significant other will LOVE you for it!😍😍 (Nordstrom)

08:52 PM Put on your most luxurious pajamas (Nordstrom).

09:00 PM Apply Soap & Glory Heel Genius to your feet (Amazon) and put on some fancy socks (Nordstrom).

09:05 pm Select and lay out your clothes for the next day! Including jewelry, other accessories, lipstick color, handbag and shoes!

09:15 PM Steep you favorite tea in a fabulous mug (Teavana, Target).

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09:20 pm Polish nails with Nails Inc base & top coat (Sephora) followed by Bobbi Brown Nail Polish (Belk) in this manner to allow maximum drying/setting time: foot 1, foot 2, hand 1, hand 2, then repeat TIP: Coordinate your nail polish with the outfit you picked out so you’ll feel extra special on Monday!

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09:45 PM Curl up with your favorite blanket (Nordstrom), tea and read a book! 📚 (Amazon).

10:45 PM Brush your teeth wit an Oral-B electronic toothbrush (Amazon) and Tom’s Toothpaste (Amazon).

10:50 PM Protect your lips with La Mer Lip Balm (Nordstrom) and hands with L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream (Nordstrom) or La Mer Hand Treatment (Nordstrom). I like them both!

11:00 PM Put on a fancy sleep mask and get some zzz’s! (Nordstrom) 😴💤 tip: get the matching pillowcase, too (Nordstrom)

lamerFinal thought: DO NOT rush the process!!! If you find yourself rushing through steps or wondering if you’re doing it right you are missing the point! It’s called #PamperMeSunday for a reason!! Enjoy feeling fabulous! 😘

*This product is not cheap! Use no more than a quarter-size for your upper body and another quarter-size for your lower half. Squeeze your sea sponge frequently to maximize the product.

Bri’s Favorite Things 2016

So, beautiful people… it’s time for Bri’s Favorite Things 2016! Looking over my list, I can truly say that ACCESSORIES definitely stole the year! If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you already know the deal:

  1. Shopping is easy when you buy the things you love for the people you love
  2. I only recommend things I’ve actually purchased for myself ❤️❤️❤️

There are more than twenty-five items this year!!! 😳 All super fabulous, of course. ☺️ If you’re a guy and need ideas for your gal, this list is for you! If you’re a girl shopping for your mom, sister, neice, cousin, BFF (or for yourself 😉), this list is also for you!

Enjoy!!!

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Louis Vuitton Large Ring Agenda CoverMichael Kors Jeweled Keaton Slip-On Sneaker,   J. Crew Tippi SweaterPandora Shimmering Rose EarringsLouis Vuitton Pochette Felicie, Philosophy Just Release Me Makeup RemoverThe New Jim CrowKenneth Cole Nap PillowCole Haan Tali Bow FlatGucci Soho Discho Handbag, Chanel No 5 Eau de Toilette Spray, Ralph Lauren Slipper Bootie, EllandEmm Vogue Sweatshirt, Louis Vuitton Key Pouch, Pandora Alluring Brilliant Ring, Louis Vuitton Cosmetic Pouch, Sticky Notes (Fancy, Marble), Banana Republic Moonless Night Long-Sleeve Cozy Top, Neutral T-Shirt, Nike Free RN Running ShoeNike Featherlight Baseball Cap50 for Your Future, Solange A Seat At The Table

See Also: Bri’s Favorite Things 201520142013

Chance the Rapper

fiWVBWhThere’s a new rapper in town. His name is Chance and he recently released his 3rd mix tape, Coloring Book. The album is critically acclaimed (NYTimes) and is breaking all sorts of records. Before you get your hopes up, you need Apple Music to stream the album. #sorry Chance the Rapper is label-less and refuses to sell his music. Yet, his album is the First Streaming-Exclusive Album to Chart on Billboard 200 (Billboard).

Here are a few noteworthy quotes from Chance:

  • On Record Labels and the Industry: “I don’t agree with the way labels are set up…that anybody should sign 360 deals or sign away their publishing or take most of the infrastructure that’s included in a formal deal. But I’ve learned to not be like f–k this company, f–k that company, even though a lot of those people tried to make it really hard for me to release my projects.”
  • On His Decision to Not Sell His Records and the Grammys: “I think a big part of it is we are at such a crucial time in terms of music. The charts are already changing, they’re including streaming…I don’t really care about that but at least they’re making that move and I think the Grammys started making the move…The wording is they can’t nominate a project unless it’s a commercial release.”

Screen-Shot-2016-05-23-at-23.58.221Chance bypassed the record labels. He skipped the middle man and went directly to a distributor, Apple Music. Finally some depth in music! Finally someone who is free to do music their way and stick it to the people. Quiet as it’s kept I’m sick of Beyonce and Drake and Rihanna and … I’m sure you can name a few others. I can do without all of their latest albums. They’ve had great runs (and thank you very much); but I’m over it. Time for some fresh blood!

Now, back to Chance. If you like Kanye’s Ultralight Beam (video here) you will love Coloring Book (Apple Music). It’s almost like a continuation of that gospel track. The best way to proceed is for you to take a listen. I picked 2 free options for you: one is a performance on Saturday Night Live (YouTube), the other is an interview with Beats1′ Zane Low (YouTube). Get to know Chance, he’ll be around for a very long time.

By the way: I just switched to Apple Music but not because of Chance. More on that later.

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BIEBERspiration

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Today’s post features Sunday morning inspiration from an unexpected place, Justin Bieber. Yes, THAT Justin Bieber – courtesy of GQ magazine. #transformation #begreat

Bieber speaks about God with the easy superfluity of someone who knows how to read the Bible between the lines, who is confident he has correctly assessed its true meaning. God’s love helps him to be a good person and to recognize the cosmic value of being a good person, but God’s love is also available to him even when he doesn’t act like a good person. Unlike employees, friends, and family members, God never disappoints—and is never disappointed in—Justin Bieber. In conversation, Bieber alludes often to the fallibility of those closest to him: “I’ve had people that burned me so many times”; “If we invest everything we have in a human, we’re gonna get broken.” God is probably the only person in the universe Bieber can really trust.

“I feel like that’s why I have a relationship with Him, because I need it. I suck by myself. Like, when I’m by myself and I feel like I have nothing to lean on? Terrible. Terrible person. If I was doing this on my own, I would constantly be doing things that are, I mean, I still am doing things that are stupid, but… It just gives me some sort of hope and something to grasp onto, and a feeling of security, and a feeling of being wanted, and a feeling of being desired, and I feel like we can only get so much of that from a human.”

Bieber tells me that dwelling on negativity is “exactly what the Devil wants. He wants us to not be happy. He wants us to, you know, not live the life that we can truly live.”

Check out Justin’s new album, Purpose, featuring hits like Sorry and Love Yourself  (iTunes, Google Play, Amazon). #onrepeat

K Michelle & Beats1Radio

I listened to Beast1 Radio (on my Mac) for the fist time today. Why? Because my ABSOLUTE FAV, K Michelle, premiered the single, #NotALittleBut, for #Album3. Because I follow her on Instagram and Twitter and have setup alerts on one or more of those mediums (a girl will not tell), I instantly got the notification to tune into Beats1Radio a mere 30 minutes before the premier was played. The artwork is amazing. I looked at it and literally said to myself WOW! You can listen to the song on YouTube here.

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I listened to the song, smiling the entire time and nodding my head in anticipation of K’s new single. And I was not disappointed. The song is fire, just as  expected. Make no mistake, K Michelle has a HUGE following. I went to her concert in Atlanta last year (wouldn’t miss it for the world) and 99% of the audience sang every single word of every single song (yours truly included). I loe K Michelle. I continued to listen to Beats1 Radio for the next 90 minutes and I actually really enjoyed it. Rev Run was up after K’s premier talking about the origins of hip hop, which was great. I WILL tune in again.

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So now, here’s the funny part. I’ve written about my preference for Spotify before; but, after tonight’s experience I started revisiting in my mind why I picked  Spotify over Apple Music in the first place. The only thing I really remember about Apple Music was liking that the background was white (Spotify’s is black). nothing else really stood out. I also thought about the Spotify features I use the most (playlists and top tracks in the US). So then I searched for “Spotify vs. Apple Music” (Bri’s Commandment #4) just to see what would come up. Here are some of the top headlines I found – I did NOT read any of these articles, just the titles:

  • Apple Music Is Now a Bigger App Than Spotify, Nielsen Finds Digital Music
  • Apple Music reportedly approaches half as many paid subscribers as Spotify The Verge
  • New and interesting music is harder to find than ever The Economist
  • Music Streaming Revenue Doubles, Google Play Passes Apple Billboard

(If you can’t tell, I’m referencing these articles so I can revisit them when I get ready to do another analysis, RE: Spotify Music vs. Spotify)

I haven’t made a move or a decision about my music streaming service based on the limited facts/notes listed above. The point I’m trying to highlight is that I am actually THINKING about why I chose Spotify over Apple Music, just because my absolute favorite artist debuted her new single on Beats1Radio, just be K Michelle pulled me there. If tonight would have never happened, I wouldn’t have given Apple Music two seconds of my brain power. I had been chalked that off. This profound because I never really thought an artist would have any influence over my decision about which music service I subscribe to.

Music is everything to me and I must have unrestricted access, hence I WILL pay. Maybe I’ll give Apple Music another try. Maybe I’ll stick with Spotify. #staytuned #2postsin1day #winning #loveblogging