Skin Care Routine

 

Skin Care Routine stephanie-spring.comProducts: 1. Facial Cleanser    2. Clarisonic Mia 2    3. Lotion    4.Sun Tan Lotion    5. Make-up Remover

Skin care. This used to be such a sore subject for me and is now one of my favorites! I’m constantly looking for products that will help my skin. Okay, let’s be honest, I’m looking for products that will make my face flawless, perfect, movie-star-like, healthy. 😉

In all seriousness, over the last several years I’ve adopted the motto, “You only have one face. Take care of it.”

My skin has come a long way. I have always had extremely dry skin since birth and it never really recovered. It was always very sensitive. Just the touch of generic lotion would make my skin burn. It was bad. I remember in second grade, my doctor recommended that I apply lotion to my entire body, every day. I took it so seriously because I wanted my skin to be so much better than it was. To this day, I still continue to use the lotion she recommended and apply it daily. Throughout the years I have added products and altered my skin care routine time and time again. As of now, this is where my routine is at, and I love it! It’s not super time-consuming, or expensive, but it is consistent and if I have learned anything..that’s the key. 😉

 

What are some of your favorite skin care products?

For the Love

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Ladies. If you are single, engaged, married, or divorced this book is for you. If you have a grueling schedule, or are as free as a bird, this book is for you. If you are pregnant, have one child, or ten children, this book is for you. If you enjoy laughing, crying, or laughing so hard that you cry, this book is for you. If you are in the best place you have ever been or at the lowest of lows, this book is for you. If you are trying to do your very best as a sister, daughter, friend, wife, or mother, this book is for you. Last but not least, if you feel like you need some reassurance that you, ‘aren’t the only one,’ this book is for you. Jen Hatmaker is hilarious and oh so wise. Seriously. Her fashion concerns are on point and the chapter, ‘Surviving School,’ well…if I could shout, “Amen!” from the rooftops, I would. This book is refreshingly honest and brilliant. It is for any and every woman.

Buy it here.

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After talking about my love for Shauna Niequist’s books here, and then discovering Jen Hatmaker, I may have squealed when I saw this. These two amazing women are joining together and going on tour! I have heard such great things about the other women that are a part of the tour, and I could not be more excited! My ticket is ordered and my calendar is marked! Check out the dates, call up some of your closest friends, and make a girls weekend out of it! 🙂

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

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Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins stephanie-spring.comBanana Chocolate Chip Muffins stephanie-spring.comThe entire time Eric and I were dating, we lived two hours apart. The majority of the time, we would only see each other on the weekends and this easily became something I looked forward to wholeheartedly. Each time we drove to see each other, I got so excited every single time. It never failed. A short time after we started dating, I decided I wanted to bake muffins for him and the guys he lived with. (Very Suzy Homemaker of me, I know). One of my favorite muffins is banana chocolate chip. I mean…banana. chocolate. and muffin…all warmed up?! Please and thank you! I grew up in a household where chocolate chips were thrown into every baked good possible. My Mom’s love language is feeding people and I suppose chocolate chips were one of the ways she showed that love. Little did I know, Eric had never tried these before. I was dumbfounded, confused, and thought for sure that he was joking when I found this out.

He’s not picky but he’s definitely particular. After his first bite, I was reassured that he loved them when I saw his face. So whenever I put some music on and start mixing up the batter, I get nostalgic about how far our relationship has come. I love how just the simple thought of banana chocolate chip muffins can bring back a flood of memories and I hope this recipe creates the same for you!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins stephanie-spring.com

Ingredients: 

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3 bananas, mashed
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips

What to do: 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the oil, bananas, and eggs until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips. Line muffin pan with liners. Spoon into liners three quarters of the way full. Bake 30 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean. So delicious!

 

The Higher the Hair, the Closer to Jesus

my favorite hair products and tools stephanie-spring.com1. Shampoo and Conditioner  2. 12 Benefits  3. Hairdryer  4. Curling Iron  5. Straightener  6. Smooth Lock Heat Glide  7. Garnier Hairspray  8. Kenra Hairspray

Sometimes I think I should have been born in the South. My hair can be teased like it’s nobody’s business. One of the main reasons I want to move south is to unleash this volume and have it be totally acceptable. Either way, there are some products that are my go-to’s, my favorites, my ‘couldn’t-live-without’ products and tools.

  1. Shampoo and Conditioner–I like to keep about two to three shampoos and conditioners in the shower and switch it up throughout the week. However, I always keep L ‘Oreal EverPure Blonde Brass Banisher on hand at all times. It’s sulfate-free and keeps my highlights bright and blonde.
  2. 12 Benefits–I was recently introduced to this product and LOVE it! After washing my hair, I spray about 2 to 3 squirts onto my hair before combing. It helps with smoothing out my hair and knotting.
  3. Hairdryer–I love this hairdryer so much! It is fairly inexpensive and has so much power! It dries my hair in about half the time of what my former hairdryer did.
  4. Curling Iron–This is by far my most-used go-to product. I use the one inch barrel and absolutely love it! This curling iron takes less than a minute to heat up, has a temperature-control button, and produces great curls!
  5. Straightener–For the days I’m not curling my hair, I use this straightener. It heats up extremely fast, and you can control the temperature with this straightener as well. It’s so smooth and provides plenty of heat for straight locks.
  6. Redken Smooth Lock Heat Glide–This seriously takes those split ends and smooths them out to make them look healthy, shiny, and gorgeous! I use this before blow-drying my hair if it is feeling extremely dull. I squirt about two pumps into my hands, rub together, and start on my ends and work my way up. If my hair is recently cut or feeling healthy, I use one pump and gently add it to only the ends of my hair.
  7. Garnier Hairspray–This is my every day hairspray to hold any look in place for a short amount of time. I don’t like my hair to be glued to my head so I use the, ‘volumizing anti-humidity, extra strong 3.’ It’s inexpensive and great for every day looks.
  8. Kenra Hairspray–This hairspray gives a slightly tighter hold and smells like heaven. It holds your look in place all day long. You can’t go wrong with this hairspray!

 

I’m always looking for products that will make my hair healthier. What are some of your favorite hair products and tools? 

New Year, New You

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Green Smoothie Recipe at: stephanie-spring.com Green Smoothie Recipe at: stephanie-spring.com Green Smoothie Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comTo be honest, I’m not into New Year’s resolutions. Making a goal for the entire year is a little overwhelming to me since I’m not even sure what next month holds. Goals or no goals…I’m hoping I’m not the only one that probably ate a little more than normal over the holidays and could use a break from heavy foods.

This smoothie is packed with so many nutrients and makes you feel healthier with every sip! It’s such a simple recipe that I make it about three times a week. It jumpstarts your morning, gives you a kick in the afternoon or levels you out in the evening. New year, new you! Drink up, ladies! With this green smoothie, that is. 😉 Happy New year! xoGreen Smoothie Recipe at: stephanie-spring.comGreen Smoothie Recipe at: stephanie-spring.com

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup milk ( I use unsweetened almond milk)
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 2 ice cubes (I use 4 if the banana wasn’t frozen)
  • 1 large spoonful of peanut butter
  • 1 large handful of organic kale
  • 1 small handful of spinach
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • *Sometimes I add 2 tablespoons of ground flax seed or 1 tablespoon chia seed. They are both SO good for you and can’t be tasted in the smoothie. This is optional.*

What to do: 

Combine all ingredients into a blender (or the best invention ever…the Vitamix). Blend until it is completely smooth.

 

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