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Dress | Shoes, Here too! (On sale!)

In February, I launched my #CobaltDoGoodChallenge series. We were on a roll in February and at the beginning of March too! And then Coronavirus happened. I wanted to keep the challenges going even though it might look a little different this month. Since it looks like we’ll be spending all of April at home, this month’s challenge is a challenge to do good for YOURSELF – a treat yourself moment! I can’t think of a better time to prioritize self care.

In February, I challenged you to swap out your ziplock bags and other plastic storage bags for reusable bags. I use Stasher bags – I like these because they’re microwave and dishwasher safe! I’ve also been trying out Bee’s Wrap too – this is a great alternative to saran/plastic wrap!

In March, I challenged you to not use any disposable coffee cups. We might have to redo this challenge once we’re back to normal times since we only had one week (if that) to actually be out and about and focused on reducing our single use waste, ya know? But on this note, I did want to share that one of my favorite reusable coffee mugs, BYTA, is currently offering 40% off with code SPRING40 – grab a mug for morning coffee strolls around your neighborhood (while keeping in mind social distancing).

I’ll be sharing a different challenge every month in 2020 so that we can all encourage one another to DO GOOD throughout the year!

April Challenge

This month, I challenge you to focus on doing good for yourself. Treat yourself, take care of yourself. Even if you don’t do any of the things listed below, give yourself a bit of grace and do what you need to do for you during this crazy ass time.

5 Ways to Practice Self Care at Home

Let’s jump in!

1. Treat Yourself to a Morning Skincare Routine

I’ve been making it a point to shower and apply my 4 to 5 favorite skincare products every morning before jumping into my day. My whole routine takes less than 30 minutes – shower included. I use my favorite cleanser in the shower – Beautycounter’s Pure Calm Cleansing Milk. When I get out, I apply my Maelove Glowmaker Vitamin C Serum, Eye Rescue Cream, and Antioxidant Soft Cream (my everyday moisturizer).

After my skincare products have had time to soak in (a few minutes), I apply Supergoop’s Matte Screen. It’s tinted and 100% mineral sunscreen. It goes on like a lightweight primer. I love the texture and it has SPF 40 in it!

April is the perfect time to take a few extra minutes to yourself in the morning. Hopefully, once we’re allowed to leave our houses again, you’ll have a great, easy morning skincare routine habit going that you can stick to!

2. Full Body Exfoliating Treatment Once a Week

I love exfoliating my skin, including my face and full body. But I don’t do it often enough. I’m choosing to prioritize exfoliating this month! I keep all of the items I’m mentioning in the shower to keep things simple.

For my face, I alternate between using Maelove’s Deep Exfoliator and Tata Harper’s Regenerating Cleanser. I use the MircodermaMitt Face Mitt (20% off) to help get all of the dead skin off!

For my body, my favorite exfoliator is the Sugar & Shea Body Scrub by Follain! I like to use the MircodermaMitt Body Mitt (20% off) to apply this scrub all over! For me, it feels amazing on my legs – like a spa massage!

3. 30 Minute Walk or Yoga (for free!)

I’ve been finding that multiple daily walks have been a saving grace during self-quarantining. And on weekend days, I try to take a really long walk (an hour is ideal, but at least 30 minutes).

Another way to take time for yourself (away from your phone, the computer, tv, and the news) is to practice yoga! My studio, Yoga Works, is offering free live streaming classes all throughout the day, every day! If you don’t own a yoga mat, layer a couple of beach towels on your floor. Works just the same!

Stepping away from screens has been a necessity for my mental health!

4. At Home Manicure & Pedicure

I actually mentioned in February’s Amazon Favorites post that I’ve been trying to up my at-home manicure game. My new-ish manicure tools have been coming in quite handy! While it might seem silly to give yourself a mani or pedi when you’re not leaving your house, if you’re anything like me, a fresh paint job makes you feel put together!

My go-to time for at-home manicures is when I’m going through emails or reading long documents for work. A time when I know I’ll be sitting for a while so that my nails have time to dry in between coats!

Pedicures are left for the weekends for me personally. The good thing about a pedicure is that it will likely last a while!

Here are the tools I use for my at-home manicures and pedicures:

• Cuticle Pusher // This little tool is awesome! I use it to push back my cuticles so that I can clip them and have an even nail bed to paint.
• Cuticle Clippers // I use the cuticle clippers to clip my cuticles and any hang nails. This tool takes a bit of practice, especially with my left hand. But I’m getting there!
• Nail Files & Buffers // I used to have an assortment of random nail files in my medicine cabinet that I’d collected from random gift sets and god only knows where else. I purchased this set of nail files AND nail buffers. I’m set for a while!
• Clean, Non-Toxic Nail Polish // Love this Zoya set of different shades of pink!

5. Take Time to Read a Book

While I always have a book I’m reading, I’m not the best at actually setting aside time to read. While I try to read every night before bed (usually only around 15 minutes or so), I’ve been trying to set aside more time on Saturday and Sunday morning to read whatever book I’m reading at the moment. Last weekend, it was actually really nice outside, so I opted to read out on our deck. It was the nicest way to start the day!

I just finished Maybe You Should Talk to Someone and started The Two Lives of Lydia Bird this week. I liked Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, and so far, Lydia Bird is great too! If you need other book recs, check out my Amazon Shop, Book Recommendations!

All in all, let’s just remind ourselves that we’re doing our best to just get through this month, regardless of whether or not you participate in April’s Do Good Challenge. Sending you all the positive vibes!