Recently I had the chance to learn about an insanely cool new addition to BWI that I am pretty obsessed with on all levels. Roam Fitness is the first in airport gym that is actually past the security line. Yup. You heard that right. My favorite thing about Roam is that it is really about creating a whole experience. When the founders of Roam were building the foundation of the gym they took into account everything that a customer would encounter during their journey of working out in an airport. They identified the pain points of travelers wishing to work out and created an all encompassing solution which leaves you really no excuse why you wouldn't want to workout at Roam! Their goal is to make the travel experience better overall. So here is my breakdown on why Roam is so freaking cool. The location. Roam is past security. This little detail makes a huge difference. Think about how early you arrive to the airport just to go through security (especially for international travel) and then once you are through you are bored out of your mind. But, if you wait to go through security, your luck will probably leave you with a two hour line and a missed flight. By Roam being located past security you don't have to worry about having to stand in line post workout and you can maximize your workout time. The equipment. The founders of Roam made sure to do ample research about what people really wanted in an airport gym. Since space is limited they had to make sure that what was being put in really was going to be utilized and the best of the best. They have state of the art cardio equipment ranging from treadmills, a rower, and spin bikes. They also have free weights, TRX equipment, and an area for yoga and stretching. There is something for everyone which I think is great. If I am up early catching a flight I might want to get in my usual cardio workout or if I have a delayed flight and am stressed out of my mind some yoga could be the answer. The amenities. Roam left no rock unturned when they were thinking about the customer experience. Every excuse that you could come up with to not workout, they have an answer for. The number one thing I thought of when I heard about the concept of an airport gym was, well what if I didn't pack workout stuff in my carry on? Roam thought of that too. That is why they actually have clothing and shoes that you can rent. They have a selection of Lululemon workout gear (yaaaaasssss!) and Brooks shoes that you can borrow and return, as well as a retail space where you can purchase your own to take home if you love them so much. If you do bring your own clothes and shoes, they have you covered there as well. They actually vacuum seal your workout gear before you take off so that your sweat isn't stinking up your carry on. This concept is absolute genius. Obviously you are going to want to take a shower before boarding your flight so they have shower facilities that you can reserve ahead of time for 15 minute increments. There is no college dorm waiting for the shower kind of thing going on and you can proactively plan this into your travel schedule. All shampoo, conditioner, and soap is provided and there is a styling bar with every complimentary product you could think of from hairspray to tampons. They really did think of everything. While you are working out you can lock your luggage away in state of the art lockers that even have charging ports for your electronics. To add to the convenience there are monitors located around the facility with flight updates and announcements so that you can track your departure time conveniently. The people. Roam made it a point to hire team members coming from hospitality backgrounds so that they can play a part in enhancing the customer experience. The airport experience can so often be unpersonalized, stressful, and sometimes people are just downright rude. When you go to Roam you are promised to be greeted by a friendly, helpful face that can assist you through your whole experience at Roam. I don't know about ya'll but for me just having a friendly person to connect with during a stressful experience can make a world of difference. I also like that having such trained and skilled team members really elevates the experience and makes the whole process feel pretty darn luxurious. The brand. You know I am ALL about a cohesive brand that really thinks of everything. Well if it isn't clear already, Roam has that going for them. They want to create that "me time" feel of traveling and really encourage people to utilize Roam as an escape from the stresses of travel and pamper themselves. From getting your body moving and feeling good, to pampering yourself with a relaxing shower (with great products!), to continuing the feel good vibes through your day by picking up some of the delicious healthy offerings that Roam sells to eat and drink. The other really cool thing about Roam is that you get to have a luxurious experience with a reasonable price tag. A day pass is $25, a month pass is $100, and a year pass is $350. With each pass you have access to the entire facility, all of the amenities, and the expertise of the on site staff. I pay $25 at the airport for a handful of magazines and some iTunes episodes of The Bachelor to keep me busy. That money could be a lot more well spent.....clearly......
I am so happy that I had the opportunity to get some behind the scenes insight into Roam Fitness and the journey of its creation. I love hearing stories of entrepreneurs who hustle hard and create things that benefit the greater good. Something that really stuck out to me that the CEO, Cynthia Sandall, mentioned was how much research went into creating Roam. The years of testing out facilities, deciding on equipment, making sure that customer pain points were addressed, and implementing little touches that make the brand so cohesive really set Roam apart as a company. I know so many Crohnically Blonde readers are local to the Baltimore area and travel out of BWI regularly so there is no excuse now why you shouldn't carve out some time in your travels to treat yourself to a luxurious workout experience. I know for me, health is a huge thing that I worry about while traveling. I have to keep up with my activity and nutrition so that my Crohn's doesn't wreak havoc on my vacation or work trip. I am honestly relieved that I know there is a place so close to home that really values making your health a priority physically and mentally even while traveling. I can't wait to frequent Roam every time I fly out of BWI and I am looking forward to seeing some of you there! Make sure to check out their website for more details on what Roam Fitness has to offer and give them a follow on Instagram to stay up to date with the latest and greatest happenings (@roam_fitness). **I will also be doing a giveaway on Instagram for a one day free pass for Roam Fitness @ BWI so make sure to follow me (@crohnicallyblonde) for a chance to win! ** xx
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Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you all had a relaxing, refreshing, and rejuvenating weekend! I have been curled up in my house, post Remicade, catching up on blogging and Real Housewives of New York. Today I had my big outing of the weekend and went to grab some Greek food for brunch with my mom, grandpa, and Matt. We tried a bunch of small plates (they have GREAT gluten free choices) but my favorite was the spinach frittata, seriously to die for. It's nice to get dressed and put some makeup on even when you aren't feeling so hot, it boosts my spirits a bit.
I sported my new Lulu's aviators which I ordered in my ER/pain medicine induced haze and I've ended up really loving them. Also, below is my live action shot of me yelling at Matt for something because I am a gem of a girlfriend. Just kidding, not yelling at him, love you boo.
Anyway, by time I got home I was totally exhausted and I knew writing the full post that I wanted to do was NOT happening. I got a little creative with this one and decided to just do a video of what I was going to do a post on. Genius! According to Gary V. video and audio content is the KEY right now so count me the F in. Honestly, when I am not feeling great it is way easier to articulate myself through spoken words than it is writing something witty and engaging (sorry yall!).
This week I wanted to show you all my favorite things that I am obsessing over lately! I feel like I used to do these in individual posts but I have been trying out so many cool new things that I feel like I needed to group some together. This segment has a mix of books, jewelry, beauty, sparkling water (yassss), and my favorite website for summer fashion. The best part is that everything I am recommending to you all is under $20 and you can get pretty much everything on Amazon. That is, minus Lulus.com because you can spend a boat load of money there. I am not responsible for that. I hope you guys enjoy! Please let me know if this is a style of delivering content that you guys and enjoy and I can do some more of these! Also, feel free to drop me a DM or let me know on my Instagram what products you are ABSOLUTELY LOVING RN. ​xx. One of the things I look forward to most about summer vacations is getting time to relax, be super freaking introverted, lay on the beach, and devour books like it is my job. With my full time job, blogging side hustle, and trying to get enough rest, reading often gets put on the back burner in my life even though I love it. Taking a bubble bath and diving into a novel or just laying in bed and falling asleep with a good book in hand are two of my most favorite weekend activities so I have been trying to make a conscious effort to schedule those moments into my life. Now that we live right across the street from our local library, Matt and I are there almost every week picking up new books and then coming home and just laying on the couch reading together. It seems nerdy but you have to try it. It is one of the best ways to be together with your partner but still be doing your own thing. Vacations are MY time for reading. Matt already knows to step back and let me knock out some novels. Whether we are in an airport or on the beach, reading is my jam. The minute vacation time hits, I am hitting the books. With Fourth of July weekend right around the corner, I wanted to share some of my must read books in hopes that you will have enough time to Amazon Prime them before you hit the road. I have a pretty all over the place taste in books and I pull recommendations from blogs, magazines, and friends so you can count on me to provide a solid sampler of the best of the best. 1. "Superficial" by Any Cohen- This book is a Bravo lover's fantasy. Getting to hear the inside scoop on the man behind "The Housewives" is something you can't beat. Andy Cohen shares his fair share of first world problems that I sadly felt myself relating to more than I should. I really enjoy his stories about Wacha and I am convinced him and Charleston are long, lost brothers. This book is full of humor and #lifegoals. I may have to dub this the perfect beach read.
2. "Bite Me"- by Ally Hilfiger- I went on a huge rant about this book on my latest podcast. Ally does a phenomenal job of articulating the struggles of Lyme Disease that actually any chronic illness sufferer can probably relate to. This is a definitely a must read for anyone who feels that they are lost or misunderstood with any physical or emotional condition. And also their supporters! It seems like it would be a bit heavy for a casual beach read but somehow Ally does a great job of making her story captivating, not too dark, and informational, all at one time. 3. "Down The Rabbit Hole"- by Holly Madison- I heard about this book from The Skinny Confidential and one of her book recommendation posts. I wasn't sold on the whole Playboy thing but when I saw this as a featured book at the library I figured I should just check it out. As soon as I started reading this I was totally hooked! Holly Madison goes SUPER deep into her experience at the Playboy Mansion and her whole mindset that kept her there for so long. As a viewer of "The Girls Next Door" back in the day, I had one idea of Holly that this book proved totally wrong. She is actually an ambitious and savvy businesswoman who has accomplished some great things in the industry. This book took me only two days to finish and by the end of it I felt like I watched a documentary on the inside scoop of the Playboy Mansion and the Playboy Bunnies which I definitely couldn't get enough of. 4. "Tribes" by Seth Godin- Personal development books are some of my absolute favorites for vacation. I am pretty intense about always wanting to be productive so mentally bettering myself is appealing, even on days off. This book takes a unique approach at motivating and coaching people as well as rallying people to support your cause or movement. I found this book super valuable for growing my success in my full time job and with my blog! It is a quick read so you won't spend too much of your vacation "working". Let me know what ya'll think about these summer picks and please let me know what YOU are reading on your summer vacation! All of these books can be found on Amazon in a variety of hardcover, paperback , and Audible formats. xx
Usually I don't do back to back posts of the same series but I couldn't wait to share my May Must Haves delivery from Spoonie Essentials Box. I get so genuinely excited when I receive my SEB package because the boxes are always filled with things that are so needed. It honestly makes you feel like someone just knew what you have been needing, boxed it up in adorable packaging, and got it hand delivered to your door. I know I am a little late on sharing this but you know how life likes to get in the way.
Check out my review and sign up for your own box here! When I originally was thinking through writing this post I was singing the tune of "oh my god I love summer, I love the heat, I love everything warm and summer". Now I am sitting here with fans blowing on me on an 87 degree day on day two without central AC. Yikes. And get this, they can't come out to repair it until Monday. It is like the universe had to knock me down a little from my "I love summer" high. Either way, I am fighting through the fact that I feel like I am in a hot yoga class 24/7 and I love my dogs more than I love myself so I give them prime fan blowing real estate. Despite my air conditioning mishap I am still going to bring ya'll a little update on some products that I am obsessing over right now. The amount of different beauty products I try on a regular basis borderline crazy but I consider it research. I am not only a sucker for things that deliver results but also for super cute packaging. I love some good, cohesive branding and product names and packaging that wows. When it comes to beauty products there are always the latest and greatest trends that brands follow but how many companies can make virtually the same product with almost the same formulation playing into the same trend that everyone else is playing into? Every company does this. Yes, there are brands that sell you on formula or price point but something that I think can really set a product apart for their competitors: packaging. In a world where everyone is documenting everything brands need to make their products beautiful and photogenic that way customers and influencers are more likely to snap a picture and share. There could be two products that are exactly the same but the one with more appealing packaging is the choice I will always go for. I think it is more than just about the fact that it "looks cute", I feel like it makes me feel like the brand put more care into the whole experience that their customer will have with this product. That makes me trust the brand more and in return I want to buy into the whole experience of what they are selling. Right now some of my favorite products (for both performance and packaging) are summer themed and I am loving it. Palms, pineapples, & flamingos are taking over my vanity set up and I am basking in the cuteness. These four items not only perfectly packaged but they also are must haves for my fresh, dewy summer look that I am currently really liking. I have been using brightening face wipes, a slight bit on foundation with highlighter mixed in, some swipes of mascara, and highlighter on my cheek bones and under my brows to top it off.
Like I said, I am a total sucker for packaging and TJ Maxx is my ultimate weakness. I always love picking up makeup wipes from TJ Maxx because they always have a great variety and you can get a package of about 60 wipes for under $5. The best part, other than getting the chance to try different brands, is that their selections always have cool packaging that varies in color and pattern. I love this because I can obsessively pick the packaging that best matches the aesthetic I am going for at the time. Just make sure when you are picking that you are reading the ingredients to make sure you are selecting a good product (and not getting suckered in by the cute packaging only) and make sure you are picking out a wipe that is fitting for your skin type. One of the highlighters and the mascara that I am really liking right now are from The Beauty Crop. Both of these items I ordered or received via Birchbox. The Lighting Crew highlighter is a very thin formula that sits lightly on your skin. If you mix it in with a BB cream or light foundation and blend with a beauty blender you get a perfect dewy look. I love that the formula is light enough to easily blend with foundation because a lot of other highlighters can be way too shimmery for all over use. A little of this stuff goes a long way so this tiny $18 tube will be blessing your makeup bag with its pineapple cuteness for quite a while. The Fabulous Flocking Lashes is another current favorite. It is a waterproof formula that doesn't leave your lashes feeling dry or crispy. I usually hate waterproof mascaras but this one is a winner thanks to the moisturizing nature of it. It provides a very natural look that makes this a perfect product to rock when you want to look super effortless. For the full size tube it is about $20. I am flamingo obsessed (my mom is too, must run in the family) so I freak every time I see something flamingo themed. Must. Buy. You can get both of these products here along with some other cute stuff. I got mine via Birchbox so I could use my reward points but if you want to buy them directly from The Beauty Crop website you can get 10% off of your first purchase (yay!). My last must have isn't a hero because of the packaging but really because of the freaking heavenly summery smell. I usually am not one to take notice of the scent of makeup because that is not usually one of my deciding factors for making a purchase (unless it is disgusting). This product changed my mind. I received this Marc Jacobs highlighter complimentary to test for Influenster. I immediately noticed the delicious coconut smell with the first tiny pump of product. I just can't get enough of it not. It isn't like that sunscreen coconut smell, its like a nice coconut candle smell. Once I got over how amazing the scent was I realized that the product performance was pretty awesome as well. This gel highlighter is great for creating a natural glow on your cheek bones, brow arch, and even a tad right above your lip. A little goes a long way with this highlighter as well so I will be, for sure, enjoying this all summer long. Currently they are out of stock but you can check it out here and bookmark that ish for when it comes back in stock. You can also get 15% off of your first purchase with Marc Jacobs Beauty. Let me know what other products you all are loving for summer and other themed products that are taking over your makeup collection! xx With a name like Crohnically Blonde it is only fitting that I at least am a LITTLE bit into haircare. Fun fact: I did go to hair school and I have my barbering license, what whattttt. But also fun fact, I hate doing hair now, especially my own. Weird right? Not so much. I went to hair school kind of on a limb (an expensive one), and I love the concepts behind everything I did I just hated the school that I went to; therefore, lost the love of it and went on to pursue makeup sales to fulfill my beauty junkie side until I hit the corporate world. I never really thought that doing hair would be my forever career, I just thought it would be a cool way to make some extra dollahs while in college. That was the case but I actually enjoyed the science behind the products more than I did the actual artistry. Also weird, right? Well it helped me sell haircare products and to this day, that knowledge helps me select what I want to use on my hair. Now I am no expert anymore but I am a self proclaimed guinea pig for many things hair related. Since quite a few years of experimenting with some less than flattering and often wild hair (thanks hair school), I finally went back to my roots (pun intended) and settled on blonde. Full disclosure: my roots are more of a mousey, dirty blonde but still..... Anyone who had bleached their hair or went through any extent of serious processing knows that it can be a rough time for your hair's health. Me, personally, I have so really freaking thin hair that is flat and gets greasy super easily and also breaks off by just looking at it the wrong way. I may shed more than my dogs. Not. Kidding. My entire life I have HATED my hair. Like really hated it. But now with the right stylist, the right products, and the right extensions (occasionally), I have finally started the journey to kind of loving my haircare routine. I received quite a few questions about how I maintain a cool toned blonde look. To be full disclosure, my hair girl, Lauren, absolutely kills it and hooks me up with the perfect cocktail of toner that is equal parts Stassi Schroeder and Pinterest success. So she should get all of the credit. The problem is, let's get real, going to the salon is expensive. I can honestly say I try and stretch my appointments as far out as I can to save money. I started getting my highlights painted in, instead of just regular highlights which really helps them grow out more naturally, but the problem I run into isn't my roots. The ombre trend has really helped us money saving girls out but the tone of my hair is the problem. I HATE when my hair gets brassy and recently it has been out of control on the brassy bus. I was using a moisturizing shampoo to help with my dry ends but totally neglecting the color maintenance at home. Let me just go on the record here and say: PURPLE SHAMPOO IS EVERYTHING.But you have to get the right one. I have been through so many and finally found my cocktail of two shampoo/conditioner combos that keep my hair up to my standards. The first one is Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo and Conditioner. You can get the shampoo and conditioner for around $30 for both at Ulta, but often times they have deals like "2 for $20" and stuff like that which is great. This shampoo and conditioner combo is actually great for every time you wash your hair because it doesn't have a huge color payoff. It definitely tones but doesn't cause an insanely noticeable difference. This is my go to, every wash kind of stuff. It is also decently moisturizing without leaving your hair greasy. Yay. When I get towards the latter end of my time I can go between salon appointments, it is time to bring out the heavy duty hitter. AKA Clairol Shimmer Lights. Okay, I know I sounds like a 75 year old woman but let me tell you, this stuff freaking works! The smell isn't fabulous but the color payoff is out of control. So much so that I can only use this combo maybe once per week. When I first got it, I was so obsessed with the cool toned results that I definitely overkilled and got a grayish lavender tone to my hair for a couple of days which is super cool but not for my corporate life. I highly recommend this combination to use once per week if you are looking to cut the brassiness in your blonde. The best part.... it is SO cheap. You can get each of these products on Amazon for under $12. SCORE. Next up on my hair necessities are hair extensions. I have been through some really, really bad extensions. Like soooo bad. But I finally have found some that I am liking. They took a bit to master styling just right but now I have them down pat and only have to ask Matt maybe three times if you can see my clips before we go out.... thin haired girls, you know the struggle. I have always had super fine hair and not a lot of it for my entire life. Between various periods of lacking nutrients due to medical reasons and a slew of medication side effects to follow, my hair just continues to suffer. I am a firm believer that if there is something small you can do to make you feel better about yourself and more confident then why not do it? Hence, my love of hair extensions. My huge hair extension tip is: GET THEM COLORED AND CUT TO MATCH YOUR HAIR BY YOUR STYLIST.My stylist, a hair extension enthusiast herself, did a killer job of taking my extensions and making them look like they grew out of my head. I made the mistake at first of wearing them super long when my hair was around collar bone length. She made them blend really well but they just still looked stingy at the ends because of the lack of hair. Things changed BIG TIME when she cut them only about two inches longer than my natural hair and we went for volume not length. The scraggly ends were gone and my hair actually looked nice and full for the first time that I can remember. She also carefully toned my extensions to match my hair exactly. Big warning here, do not try and tone them at home, especially if you are a blonde. Having super blonde extensions, they will just suck up the color so it is best to let a professional do their work. I like to purchase a more blonde extension than I actually need because it is easier to deposit color/toner as opposed to lifting color out of them. I like THESE, the Piccolina Ash Blonde 120g 18" from Bellami. Since I have thin hair, anything more than the 120g would be too much and anything longer than 18" would be unnecessary since I mainly use them for volume. These are only around $120 (you can get promo codes all over Instagram for various percentages off as well), which isn't bad compare to what I have seen other brands come out to. These bad boys have lasted me for OVER a year which is amazing. I only wash them once every few wears which I know may sound gross but I don't wear them for physically active events. I usually only wear them on weekends for events which only last a couple of hours, which has definitely help me extend the life of these.
The only downsides are that since my hair is so thin sometimes you can see the clips if they aren't styled perfectly. That is more of a me problem than an extensions problem. The other downside, they are too much upkeep to wear everyday. For more of a permanent look (thinking engagement, wedding, honeymoon situation, hint hint wink wink) I am thinking of getting some tape ins. Believe me there will be a WHOLE other Crohnically Blonde post about that. Anyway, I hope this post helps! I know I scour endless blogs trying to discover what the best of the best is when it comes to keeping blonde hair blonde and when it comes to making my hair not look so wimpy. My last tip is to realize that a lot of the hair you see today is fake so don't be hard on yourself. I tell myself this almost 24/7. For the longest time I would admire reality TV stars and wonder how the hell they all were blessed with such perfect hair. Now don't get me wrong, some of them are, Brittany Cartwright I'm looking at you. But a majority of them utilize the secrets (and the staff) that we all wish we had. That being said, DO NOT hold yourself to unrealistic standards. You are beautiful no matter what you hair looks like. So own it. And if taking these tips and putting them into action makes you feel a little better and more confident, then I say go for it. xx I wanted to start the CB Book Club for a few reasons..... 1. Because I personally love reading (one of my favorite under the weather & relaxing moment past times) 2. Because books get you thinking, talking, and sharing which, in turn, helps you connect with others about things you never knew you'd connect about 3. Because I have read a ton of really freaking amazing books that I want to give shoutouts to and recommend to others So here we go. Basically how we will do this is.... I will share a book that I have read/am reading. I will read it. Whoever reading this blog who wants to will read it. And then we can discuss via your comments or what I usually get are Instagram DM's or emails which are totally fine as well. All of the books are carefully selected, they aren't just random things that I read and decide to throw on the blog. Promise. So have full faith that I am steering you in the right direction as far as these recommendations. Time is limited so we can't just be reading any old boring AF book now can we..... It is all about the purpose. I really wanted to start with honestly one of the most influential books in my adult life. Most of the books I like to read are personal development related and the more they speak to the soul the better. This book gave me all the feels and made me personally reflect on how I treat my body and how I live my life. "The Goddess Revolution" dug up some serious emotions and actually urged me to revisit my story of the struggles I have had with body image and loving myself.
Before I explain how influential this book was to me I feel like I have to give a bit of a backstory as to why it made such an impact. Throughout high school I struggled with anorexia and eventually after years of battling with myself and striving for an unrealistic goal of perfection I made the best decision I have ever made. Right after I graduated high school I voluntarily went into a hospitalized program for anorexia. Throughout my time in treatment I discovered why I am the way I am and really figured out what drives me and what makes me truly happy. I met people who will continue to inspire me for the rest of my existence and I gained the courage to share my story and help others. I have been pretty shy about publicly sharing my story around my eating disorder but I was always open to sharing and being full disclosure in private when others were in need. It is kind of strange now to think about how open I am regarding my Crohn's Disease but how my struggle with anorexia has become an ugly, distant cousin that I hide away in the closet. After reading this book, I revisited my uncomfortable feelings regarding my ED and realized that I have lived these past seven years since treatment not speaking about what I went through openly. It is not because I am embarrassed, but because it is something that I will always struggle with so I don't want to call attention to it unless it is with someone who understands. When I got diagnosed with Crohn's, my body changed. My metabolism changed. My medications made me look and feel ways that I never had before. It was uncomfortable and as of today, it still is. "The Goddess Revolution" was a beautiful sign brought into my life that pulled me out of what could have been unhealthy again and helped me re-appreciate the beauty that is this body I live in. I was randomly scrolling through Instagram when I came across Mel Wells' Instagram where the beautiful bombshell shares her struggles with eating disorders and her holistic approach to creating a happy, balanced, and full life. I happened to stumble upon it right when her book, "The Goddess Revolution" was just released. I immediately ordered it on Amazon and as soon as it got to the house I marathoned through the first half. For some reason I just couldn't get any further at the time. I think it was because I wasn't ready. I spent months going through many new changes at home, at work, and in my health and recently just finished this amazing book during my trip to Maui. Now that I have worked through the whole thing I am so thankful I did. There are truth bombs on every page but for every moment where you think "oh shit that's definitely me" there is a story or a quote or a solution delivered by Mel that immediately makes you feel like you aren't alone. This book isn't like any other diet or lifestyle book. It doesn't tell you the secret to looking like one of those Instagram butt models or to never feel like eating that extra dessert. It teaches you how to love love love yourself, your body, your life. I don't know how else to explain this book besides the fact that it helps you to invoke true self love and respect for yourself. And that is something that I know we all deserve. I do have to say that I am happy that I have been though what I have been through with my ED treatment AND with my Crohn's. Both of these struggles have made me a better person and helped me connect with great communities. There is nothing to be ashamed of whether you struggle with a chronic illness or a mental illness. Your genes are your genes and you have to embrace what you've got and turn lemons into lemonade. The way I look at it, I've dealt with what I have dealt with so that when I have children I can help them live full and happy lives without negative feelings around food and with an understanding that if you feel like something isn't right it is better to share and resolve it than keep it in for years until you explode. I like to think that my self discovery and struggle will provide a better life for my family. Mel and her story gave me the courage to share my full story with you all. I hope that no matter if you've had an ED or not, whether you think you 100% love your body or not, or whether you think you are beyond emotional repair or not.... I hope you read this book and let Mel's beautiful message speak to you. Because you deserve to love yourself the way that this book preaches you should! Check out Mel's website to learn more about her approach to life and her retreats that she hosts for goddesses like us. Let me tell you it is a serious goal of mine to attend one of her retreats or at least an online coaching session for now! I recently passed this book along to a woman in my life who I love so much and who I hope takes this message and transforms herself with it. This woman is my mom, my hero, who I know deserves all the self love that will come her way after delving deep into her emotions through this book. I hope that you all pass it on to all of the amazing ladies in your life after you read it. Read up and let me know your thoughts via comment, email, or Instagram. I love hearing feedback and connecting people within our community. As always thanks for the support and I hope you all continue to appreciate me sharing with you. "The Goddess Revolution" can be find online through Mel's website or through my personal favorite.... Amazon. #nextdaydelivery xx Happy Hump Day Spoonies! I hope everyone is having a great week so far! I just got back from LA and Maui on Monday and I absolutely cannot wait to share all of the details with you guys! My first post, though, had to be about the amazing surprise that was awaiting me upon my arrival back in Maryland. If you guys are regular Crohnically Blonde readers, you probably saw my post about working with Spoonie Essentials Box (if you messed it, click here to get up to speed). I am so excited to have the opportunity to review their first box and let me tell you it was just that much sweeter that I came home to my box delivery after almost 24 hours straight of traveling. I figured what better way to showcase all of the goodies (and the serious usefulness of all of them for us Spoonies) than catch my jet lagged self chatting about it all on video. My brain was too tired to properly write sentences so why not blab about the awesomeness! Check out my review and if you like what you see head over to SpoonieEssentialsBox.com to pick your subscription and sign up! Also, follow them on Instagram @Spoonie_Essentials_Box for some more fun reviews and discount codes. As always, feel free to comment or email with any questions or comments. I always look forward to hearing from you all! When I was preparing for my vacation I had to dig through my piles of favorite makeup to decide what the tried and true items were that would make the journey with me. I figured it would be a great time for me to share my picks that are absolute must haves of the moment that I literally couldn't leave home without. I've tried a plethora of different products and over time I have realized what is worth the investment and what items you can go drugstore brand or store brand on. Recently I have really fallen in love with a lot of the Sephora brand products. It started with their foundations which I realized do well even with my sensitive skin and then I branched off from there, so that's why you are seeing so much of that! All products can actually be found at Sephora or Sephora.com besides the bag which was a hilarious Nordstrom Rack find via Matt. I can't make any promises about the smaller sizes being online or in store because I got them from special edition kits and such but the full sizes should be readily available. 1. Sephora Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation- At only $28 per bottle this stuff is a STEAL. It has a buildable coverage that looks insanely natural and lasts, not kidding, all day. Honestly, I had wanted to try this for a while because I love airbrush foundations but the price tags on some higher end brand formulas were not so appealing. I thought that a lower price tag meant lower quality but on this product I have not felt that to be the case. I heard Stassi raving about it on her podcast so I took the plunge and here we are. I'm obsessed. 2. Kat Von D Lock It Hydrating Primer- This is a newer find of mine that I really am loving. I wanted a primer that was smoothing but a lot of the "blur" ones I came across are too drying and my foundation didn't set right over them. This primer is the best of both worlds because it has a blur effect but is still hydrating. 3. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highligher in Moonstone- Under the brows, on the checks, on the eyelids. This stuff can go anywhere and I love it. Its a perfect highlighter because it isn't too shimmery and the finish is creamy not sticky. I use it mainly as a highlighter but also as a cream shadow if I am in a pinch or just want a natural glow. The Moonstone is my favorite because the gold tone makes me feel a little summery. 4. Sephora Bright Set Pressed Finishing Powder- This formula is both mattifying and brightening, meanwhile still delivery a blending effect to finish a look off. This is a triple threat that I cannot get enough of AND it is at a perfect price of $16. Spoiler Alert: The formula doesn't even upset my sensitive skin. Thank you Sephora! 5. Sephora Collection Bronzer Powder in Los Cabos- This is described as a "matte universal tan" and it is just that! I am obsessed with the color, finish, and staying power of this formula. For contouring purposes, layering over cream contour formulas, and an overall glow this bronzer is amazing. Dare I say.... this bronzer seems comparable to NARS Laguna..... Yup....I SAID IT. 6. Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara- Volumizing, lengthening, and packing a serious punch with pigment, this mascara is the bomb. The gentle formula doesn't irritate my eyes which is something that I often struggle with (hence why I love using Tarte mascara)! Not going to lie, this mascara is the closest I have gotten to "falsies" without actually applying fake lashes. Proof: Even Matt was fooled. He tried to pull my lashes mid Starbucks visit in the airport asking me why I was wearing fake lashes already (aka who was I trying to look good for hahah). When I screamed "owch those are freakin real!!!!) I think he got the point. You should too. 7. Sephora Collection Brow Thickener in Blonde- This is an easy way to add some amp to your brows in an effortless way. I also like the brow pencil from the Sephora Collection! 8. Ardency Inn Modster Liner- The finish is matte black which is very comparable to Perversion by Urban Decay. The staying power is also great and even lasted through 24 hours straight of traveling. I love layering this as my last step after false lashes because it gives such a sexy, thickening effect! 9. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Roller Ball- This perfume has been a long time favorite of mine. The crisp, fresh smell makes it perfect for any occasion which means it is a must have for your travel bag or purse. I also find that it blends well if I have some other fragrant product on either in my hair or on my body. Since it doesn't conflict, I don't have to worry.
10. A sassy bag- Enough said. I am SO excited to announce that I have just partnered with Spoonie Essentials Box to help them promote their newly launching product as well as reviewing their box on Crohnically Blonde! The way I like to explain the concept of the S.E.B. is it is like a Birchbox (something I am already obsessed with), just completely tailored for those suffering with chronic illness. HOW COOL IS THAT. They are officially launching in January 2017 and the online spoonie community is seriously buzzing about it. My explanation doesn't do it justice so here it is straight from the source: "The Spoonie Essentials Box is not just a beauty box, it's a box inspired by spoonies, just for spoonies! Each month us spoonies over at S.E.B carefully select products, goods, and services built around the culture of being an invisible-illness warrior & chronic disease ninja! Our selections are intended to support us spoonies on the bad days, compliment us on the good days, and enhance our always amazing infusion or hospital stay-cations! " I cannot even begin to explain to you guys how on brand this box is for what Crohnically Blonde is all about! It embodies all of the beauty, strength, and sass that chronic warriors have while at the same time providing that sweet little boost of positivity that you need to get through those less than ideal days.
Recently on their Instagram (@spoonie_essentials_box) they have revealed a few of their products/box items for January 2017 and I can't get enough. From adorable and inspirational keychains, to pill dispensing water bottles, to hospital stay totes, I feel like S.E.B. is presenting me with options I need but didn't even know I needed. I am extremely excited to have the privellage to review this box come January and be a part of this online community. On top of all of this excitement, get this.... until New Year's Eve at midnight you can get 10% off all monthly subscription boxes with the code WELCOME17. Let me know if you sign up and how excited you are! If you are waiting for a review before you pull the trigger, rest assured, one will be happening ASAP so stay tuned. Check out the Spoonie Essentials Box website, linked below. xx |
Blonde babe.
Millennial mom. Crohn's crusher. Mental health advocate. Sharing my raw and real journey through motherhood and navigating Crohn’s Disease. CrohnicallyBlonde is a place where I serve up my unfiltered commentary on chronic illness, mental health, pregnancy, and motherhood alongside lighter lifestyle content like beauty product reviews, travel tips, and book recommendations. My hope is that by authentically sharing my story I can help others going through similar situations not feel so alone and maybe even laugh along with me. categories
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