There’s nothing I value more in this life than sleep. I typically get home between 7:30p and 9:30p, depending on my post-work SoulCycle schedule. That doesn’t give me too much time to do a lot of things because I like to get to bed between 10 and 11. And that’s a pretty firm rule for me. There are a few things I like to do every night before I hit the sack. My bedtime routine is v. sacred to me, and I feel that I get the best sleep ever when I complete all of these steps…so I wanted to share them with you to help you get YOUR best sleep! Shower & Skincare Routine I, personally, shower at night. During my shower, I’ll wash my face with my favorite cleanser and if it’s an exfoliating day, I’ll do that as well. Immediately after showering, I’ll use my Jergen’s Wet Skin Moisturizer. Once I’m towel dried, I’ll continue my skincare routine ( which you can read more about here ). It’s the perfect beginning to winding down for the night. Cup of Tea Although I’m a morning coffee drinker, I’m a tea drinker at heart. Every night, my dad and I will have a cup of tea (old school, Red Rose, is our favorite) at night. It’s another favorite part of my bedtime routine! Light a Candle Candles are just the best. During the fall and winter, I love to light anything vanilla-y or a stress relief candle. Read Anything Whether it’s a magazine article or a book, JUST READ SOMETHING. At the beginning of the year, I was doing SO WELL with reading, but I’ve totally slacked off lately. But I’m slowly getting back into reading before bed! Reading helps my eyes get tired (in a good way), and helps my mind wind down after looking at a screen all day. Spritzes of Lavender My final step before bed is spraying lavender scent on my pillows. There’s something so calming about lavender and I immediately feel less stressed once I smell it…and lay my head on my pillow. The perfect way to start my best night’s sleep! photo by allie provost

Stop what you’re doing…and start taking care of yourself. Drink up I’ve been so much better about drinking water over the last few months. And now I actually ENJOY it. I love seeing how much water I drink throughout the day. I really notice that my skin looks better, and I’m less hungry! Drinking water does nothing but WONDERS for you. Send a loved one a text Shooting a random text to someone I love is one of the best ways to brighten my day…and the person I’m texting. Whether it’s my mom or dad, Matt, or a best friend…I just love telling everyone how much I love them. Seriously, when I love someone, I just wanna squeeze them till their heads pop off;) Open up a book My mom and I were recently talking and she told me that when I was younger, I once said to her, “Mommy, I just love reading because I feel like I’m in the places that are in the books.” (Or something like that.) That pretty much holds true today. When I start reading, I really try to get lost in the book. I read because I thoroughly enjoy it, and it helps me forget about real life and social media for a few minutes. Get an ice roller Honestly, best purchase of 2019. I try and use my ice roller every day while I’m relaxing or need to depuff. They’re also great when you have a headache…LIFESAVER. I’ll definitely include this in my next beauty round up, so stay tuned! Buy yourself something Whether it’s a fancy bag or a Starbucks iced coffee…just buy yourself something. YOU DESERVE IT. So what are you going to do to show yourself some love ASAP?! photo by allie provost

A look at the beauty and skincare products I’ve been loving this month! Not Your Mother’s Hair Products I used to swear by Drybar’s dry shampoo (I still do use it). Until I discovered NYM products. And now I am officially changed. I’m really into having a lot of grit in my hair now that it’s short. I was STOKED to discover the Texturizing Dry Shampoo because why wouldn’t you want some additional grit ALL while soaking up the oil from your 3 day hair?;) It also smells AMAZING. And then the Texturizing Dry Spray – I have like, ZERO words. It’s THAT good. It’s a 2-in-1 in terms of giving your hair some volume/grit along with a decent hold for your beach waves and curls. You honestly cannot beat the price of these products either. So these two products are MUST. HAVES. IN. MY. BOOK. HUM Skin Heroes I received the Skin Heroes in a press package and decided to really take them. I’ve been taking them for about 2 weeks and have definitely noticed a difference in my gut health and overall digestion. The one thing I haven’t really seen a difference in yet is my skin. I always get random and annoying chin break outs, and I thought this would help. Not much of an improvement there, but I’m going to keep taking them. I guess we’ll see! Supergoop Glow Stick I was at the pool with my sister a few weekends ago, and in her little bag of all pool things (it was a BIG BAG) was this product . It felt SO nice on my face while I was in the sun. Basically it’s a glow boosting oil stick for your face, chest, and shoulders. You can use it as a highlighter to brighten your every day look while protecting your face with SPF 50! What products are YOU loving this month?

A look at the beauty and skincare products I’ve been loving this month! anastasia brow definer I’m on such a brow kick. My brows are my main focus right now, honestly. I’m currently in the process of growing out the front part of my brows, so filling them in is 100% necessary. I left my brow pencil at home one day, and borrowed my friend’s from Anastasia . I LOVED how easy it was to apply it, and how well the color went with my brow color. So what did I do? Naturally went and picked up my own the next day . crabtree & evelyn I went to an event recently with Crabtree & Evelyn and was able to test out some of their products. If you haven’t heard of them, now is the time to try them out. My favorite product is probably their Renew & Nourish Hand Cream . It’s pretty thick, but doesn’t feel icky – just think less is more! I’m also into their body oil and face foam ! eyelash extensions I know there are A LOT of mixed reviews about eyelash extensions, but I gotta tell you – I AM HERE FOR THEM. I first got my eyelash extensions in 2015 for my sister’s bachelorette party. And honestly, I’ve had them ever since. So yeah, that means I still have eyelashes for those skeptics;) While they’re definitely a lot of maintenance, they’re completely worth it. I wake up and barely need to put anything on my face ( see my make up routine here ). It’s especially nice in the summer months to not have to worry about mascara running down your face because you’re sweating! Sometimes I can go an entire month without getting a new set, and other times I like to go every two weeks. If you’re in New York, I go to Secret Eyelash (cannot believe I’m LITERALLY telling you my secret place). It’s not the fanciest salon – I used to go to Lashes On 5th and it was MY FAVORITE, but you get what you pay for. In this case, it’s….wait for it…only $65 WITH TIP. You can thank me later. What are you loving this month?!

Taking care of your skin is one of the most important things you could do for yourself. And now there’s a great solution to figure out what works best for YOUR skin specifically. Skinsei is a new-to-me company that helps you find a unique routine to fit all of your biggest skincare concerns. I think in today’s world, we’re bombarded with products and brands. For me, I used to buy products just because someone else recommended them or they looked cool…even though I had NO idea what kind of skin type it was good for. What initially intrigued me about Skinsei was how much research goes into finding your routine after you take a simple diagnostic. These questions are going to ask everything from skin concerns (oily, dry, etc.) to lifestyle (sleep, drinking, etc.) to diet. After you take the quiz and optional selfie to further analyze your skin, Skinsei will give you an assessment of all the factors affecting your skin. Next, you’ll get a 3-5 step regimen that is PERSONAL to you! I received a 5-step routine and started testing it out immediately. I thought it was interesting that micellar water was included in my routine as opposed to a regular cleanser. For the longest time I was confused about what micellar water actually was. Micellar water is a great cleanser for removing a lot of gunk (for lack of a better word) off your face. Living in New York City can be horrific for your skin, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this product rids your skin of dirt and make up! So, what are my other thoughts on Skinsei? I LOVE IT! Obviously, with any routine, consistency is A MUST. Their products are really affordable, which makes me excited to continue using this routine. Bonus points that all products from Skinsei are pH balanced! I like that these products aren’t going to throw off my skin’s rhythm! I hope this post helps introduce you to a really great skincare brand that is SO personal! If you want to try out for yourself, you can use code DANA20 for 20% off your first purchase! Thank you to Skinsei for partnering on this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Smooth lips are something we all strive for, right? Maybe just me? Well anyway, over the last few weeks, I’ve been testing out a lot of lip balms for “research purposes”. And yes, I love using my blog for these types of purchases, because they’re obviously V. IMPORTANT. It’s our lips we’re talking about people!!! Not only are chapped lips annoying, but I’m also super prone to cold sores. If my lips are chapped for more than a couple of hours, I know I’m going to get a cold sore. Let’s keep going so we can see which lip balm is my favorite. ( Do I even have a favorite?! ) MY HONEST REVIEWS OF TRENDY LIP BALMS Summer Friday Lip Butter Balm I didn’t think I was going to love this lip balm if we’re being honest. When I originally went to Sephora to buy it, it was sold out at the location, so I knew it must be at least DECENT. I didn’t actually know too much about the balm, so when I did some online research, I was a little skeptical of it because it was pigmented – I was really just looking for something to make my lips nice ‘n smooth. The Vanilla wasn’t available, so I went with the next best option – Vanilla Beige. Definitely a glossy finish, but I do like that it doesn’t appear as a color on my lips. While I like this one (I do love the applicator though),I find myself grabbing other lip balms. Rating: 3/5 Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment I remember when Rhode Beauty first came out and everyone went nutty. I had heard good things about the peptide lip treatment , so I kept an eye on it to order when it was back in stock. The only flavor that was available at the time was the Watermelon Slice. When I tell you IT SMELLS AND TASTES EXACTLY like a watermelon, I mean it. At first, I thought it was a bit too sticky, but now I’m thinking it’s because my lips were just dry and icky. Now I find myself reaching for it – mainly because I keep this by my nightstand. It definitely has a high gloss finish, so keep that in mind. Rating: 4/5 Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm This is actuallywhat started my lip balm craze. Once I tried the Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm , I wanted to see what other brands had to offer. I had picked this up during a random trip to Sephora. I loved the packaging, and for whatever odd reason, I was into the larger swivel stick ( spoiler alert: look at the next lip balm ). This balm is definitely more of a traditional balm. No noticeable sheen on your lips, so that was a plus for me. And it DEFINITELY keeps your lips hydrated. I usually keep it on my entry table so I can throw it into whatever bag I’m using for the day. Rating: 4/5 Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Lip Balm I think I was watching Summer House and saw someone using the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter lip balm . I’m 99.9% sure I immediately ordered a 3-pack from Amazon . This brought me back to my younger days. I’ve always loved Palmer products – I’m not sure why. Maybe my mom kept the cocoa butter in our bathroom? But I for sure remember using their lip balm as well. Although they look like a straight up glue stick, the delicious smelling cocoa butter product feels like a velvety kiss on my lips. AND I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. I’m giving it a 4/5 because I do feel like I need to reapply constantly – but I think that’s because I just love the smell so much. Rating: 4/5 Laneige Lip Glowy Balm When I saw the Summer Friday balm was sold out, I looked for a brand alternative and spotted this one from Laneige. I’ve raved about some other products by Laneige before on the blog, and I’m pretty sure I was an OG user of the infamous lip sleeping mask . This lip balm was another one I heard great things about. But again, I was skeptical about the pigmented options. I picked what I thought would tint my lips the least — the peach flavor . (As I did more research, I realized I probably would have been okay with any of the options.) I keep this one in my bag for the office. I will say I don’t feel like it lasts very long, so I do need to keep it around in order to continue to apply. Rating: 3/5 Fenty Plush Puddin’ Wow. Just wow. That’s really all I can say. My friend, Ailsa , and I were talking about lip balms and she told me I NEEDED to pick up the Fenty Plush Puddin’ balm . It was sold out when I originally went to purchase it, but man am I happy I snagged this. So if you’re reading this and it’s still sold out – keep an eye on it ( Fenty’s website has re-stock notifications ). My first impression was “eh I don’t love the applicator”, but once I put it on, I was sold. I still don’t LOVE the small hole and the large tube, BUT it’s a small peeve because this stuff is good. Really good. I will say it is THICCCCCCCCCCCK. So a little goes a long way. A really long way. This is strictly my night time lip balm: I keep it on my nightstand, apply as needed before bed, and in the morning I STILL wake up with product on my lips. Rating: 5/5 PHEW, you still with me? Do any of my reviews shock you? Are there any products you’re excited to try?!

I think more often than not, being content is lumped in with being stagnant or a reason to be avoidant. For no reason in particular, I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. I think it’s because I’m feeling super at peace in my life. But because I’m so at peace with where I’m at, it makes me think, “am I now being complacent?” I guess I’ve realized that just because I say I’m content, doesn’t mean I’m without wanting to better myself or my life. I think being content ultimately means that you’re just ok with or without getting what you desire. I think society tells us we HAVE to fall into this trap of happiness…in all aspects of our life…at all times. I’m definitely realizing that happiness trap just sets you up for failure. Being content involves appreciating what you have and where you are in life, instead of wishing things were different. Once you get past the notion that if you’re content, you’re settling, you can start setting goals for yourself that are REALISTIC, and work smarter to reach them. And in the process, you’ll enjoy the process. I guess it’s a weird concept to think that when you’re content, it’s definitely possible to feel fulfilled yet struggle at the same time. So yeah, you see and celebrate the good in your life all while working through whatever bad hand life throws at you. Here are some ways I found contentment in my life. Take care of yourself Are we sick of hearing about how important it is to take care of yourself? There’s really no other place to start than yourself. Sometimes we stay focused on the future because we imagine ourselves healthier, slimmer, happier, etc., but the only way to achieve those things is to take action. Here are a few things that work for me: 5 minute desk yoga (I did this last week and it INSTANTLY helped shift my focus) Head to an actual yoga class (hot vinyasa is my favorite) Start a self-care routine and stick to it (if you’re stuck, try using the power hour method — 20 minutes mind, 20 minutes body, 20 minutes soul) Express gratitude often Often when we think about expressing gratitude, we think about people and things we’re grateful for. Friends, family, food, etc. — and yes, that really does help put things into perspective. Imagine life WITHOUT those people or things? No thank you. At the end of May (and as part of my morning self care routine), I started writing down something I’m grateful for in that very moment. There’s nothing like starting your day off with something you’re very thankful for. For me, it could be someone in my life or it could be just a friendly exchange I had with a local barista that morning. It’s also important to give gratitude TO YOURSELF. Think about your accomplishments, something you handled well, a strength you’re grateful for, what you’re excited about, etc. Remember…SELF LOVE IS SO IMPORTANT! Embrace curiosity I’ll be honest: I’m a VERY curious person, and that definitely comes off as nosey. I just like knowing things — but I usually shy away from asking questions because I don’t want to seem intrusive. I don’t think you should downplay the power of curiosity. Asking questions and learning new things can provide SO many answers. For example, I really wanted to try a new hot yoga studio and I was curious about one in particular. But I was nervous because I didn’t know anyone, the layout of the studio, etc. (but that’s the anxiety in me for sure). Instead of just forgetting about it and not going to a class, I sucked it up, signed up for the class, and now it’s my new go-to yoga studio! Be mindful It’s very hard to be mindful in a society that is always go, go, go. Most of us spend our days half aware of what we’re doing and thinking. We’re basically on autopilot and then all of a sudden will be like, “Where did the day go?” When I remind myself to be mindful of the present moment, it’s very clear that I’ll find contentment. Being mindful is all about appreciating where you’re at in that exact moment and/or situation. Practicing mindfulness for even just 5 minutes a day can make a difference in your life (and your stress levels).

I’m still trying to figure out why there’s such a stigma around going to therapy. I’ve been in therapy for almost three months now, and it’s definitely one of the best things I can do for myself. I think we all know that therapy has a negative stigma around it, but honestly, that’s the furthest thing from the truth. First off, I know how lucky I am to be able to realize that I have anxiety, and not letting it truly overcome my life. I started therapy because I didn’t want to ever get to a bad place, and I think I’ve become so self aware over the last few years. I know my anxious thoughts are quite literally JUST thoughts — so why wouldn’t I try working through them with someone who is trained to help people with anxiety? Therapy doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. Sure, people probably feel most inclined to find a therapist when they’re in crisis or during a specific stressful life event. But everyone is so different. We all have our triggers — some more severe than others. I came to realize it’s okay to start therapy just because you think you need a little extra help. It’s also okay to not fully understand why you need a little extra help. So, why did I start therapy? Well, there were actually a few reasons. because my ex said i needed it While that sounds really bad, it’s very true. Although I didn’t have the best relationship with my ex, I will say he is the reason how I started understanding my behavior. My anxious behavior. I started recognizing that my feelings and thoughts weren’t totally normal — they were all signs of anxiety. I would think about my behavior was when I was younger…and they all pointed towards anxiety as well. So yes, I really do think I’ve been living with anxiety my entire life. I just didn’t realize it. And when I did, that’s when I realized I needed some help. because i was experiencing a different type of anxiety I’ve always been a very anxious person in my relationships. While I’m very secure with myself, I was often not very secure in most of my relationships. This was due to a variety of factors. I attributed my behavior to being “the crazy girlfriend”, and just played into that sort of role. And I was that way until I met Rob. I was very much just kind of thrown into our relationship (and I mean that in the best way possible). I was very content with being single, and when I wanted to stay single…that’s when I met Rob. From the beginning, Rob has always been very aware and respectful of my anxiety. I’ve always felt very myself around him, so I had no problem opening up to him. I quickly began to realize that I was getting all of this anxiety from things that were not and should not be part of our relationship. I was anxious from things I’ve experienced in the past. I was anxious over screwing up a really great relationship. I was anxious over “the worst case scenario”. And that’s when I actively started looking for a therapist. because i wanted to work on myself When I started therapy, I realized I also wanted to understand myself better. I wanted to be able to cope with my anxiety on my own and in a healthy way… instead of how I always dealt with it in the past. I used to just let anxiety overcome me. Not in a way that was debilitating, but it certainly affected my mood, my days, and my relationships/friendships. I also wanted to prepare myself to manage all difficulties in my life that will inevitably happen in the future. I’ve learned a lot about myself, and right now I still think I’m in that period. I’m not quite ready to make any severe changes, and I know it won’t happen overnight. That’s why I’m not rushing it. I’m actually enjoying working through different areas of my life, my personality, etc. I’m kinda just going with the flow. Going through each session and kind of word vomiting whatever I’m thinking (or going through specific instances that came up throughout the week). when i found a therapist and why it took so long So there were a couple of months between the time of my break up to when I actually started therapy. It was mainly due to fear over going to therapy. Not because I was afraid of the idea of therapy. I was more nervous to have to deal with my fears and anxieties head on. I felt like I would always feel like this, so why would I constantly talk about it. I started searching for therapists in May, and it took me quite some time to find a practice. When I found one I thought I’d like, I reached out to them and started the insurance conversation. When I hit my deductible, my weekly sessions will be around ~$30. I’m very thankful that my insurance covered a decent portion of weekly sessions. I know getting access to healthcare and the cost of healthcare is usually the reason why people DON’T go to therapy. If you can, I recommend it. If you are struggling, I would exhaust ALL options. Putting yourself first (not just physically) is the most important. why i recommend therapy I’m very much enjoying seeing and FEELING the progress. I’ve realized that my anxiety will never go away, but I’ve already learned how to use different tactics and methods for different situations. I probably could stop going to therapy, but I really don’t want to. I enjoy talking to someone, feeling like they’re listening, and learning new things about myself. Oh and of course learning about different ways to deal and manage with anxiety. My biggest piece of advice is to remind yourself that getting help is probably the bravest and smartest thing to do. I promise that you’ll feel better after connecting with a therapist. I sure did. While it seems so scary at first, it’s SO important. Even on the days where I haven’t been anxious, I STILL go to my weekly session. It allows me to think about my problems and my anxieties while I’m in a good headspace.

Sometimes a headache hits you like a ton of bricks. Other times you feel it coming on for hours before it’s a full blown migraine. A few years ago, I would randomly suffer from migraines. It was over a few months, but I seemingly got them pretty often. They would knock me out of commission. Luckily, they’ve stopped (my last one was early Spring 2020 — knock on wood). But I still get those lingering tension headaches. WHICH ARE BEYOND ANNOYING. Here are 5 easy ways to beat a headache! 5 easy ways to beat a headache Blue light protection Seriously wearing blue light glasses has SAVED me. I think this is my number 1 cause of headaches. I stare at computer and phone screens ALL day long…like many of you. I don’t mind wearing glasses either because I’ve always wanted to wear them. I get them from literally everywhere: Amazon, Nordstrom, you name it…they probably come in blue light. Stay hydrated Ok this is probably the second reason why I get headaches. When I feel dehydrated, I think my symptoms are amplified x10000. And naturally, sometimes being dehydrated causes my headaches to begin with. Drinking lots of water throughout the day usually keeps my tension headaches at bay. All the aromas I know, sometimes people think that smells induce a headache, but there are two specific ones I’m talking about. Peppermint and lavender are great ways to ease the effects of a tension headache. I use the Equilibria dynamic roller duo . They are SO good. Use code “danamannarino” for 15% off your order! Heat and ice I’ve found that cold compresses help alleviate some of the pain. This typically goes right on my forehead and temples. And if my muscles are feeling tight due to tension, I also feel like heat packs help too — I put those directly on my neck and shoulders. Get some sleep I think we all know how important sleep is. I’ve really been trying to stay off my phone 30 min before I fall asleep — I try reading instead! I also sleep with my air conditioning on at around 70-72 degrees. There is nothing worse than poor quality sleep, and I think that really contributes to my tension headaches!

It’s safe to say things are a little, well, weird. I gotta be honest, I was the first person to not take this seriously when things seemed to actually be getting serious. But then I noticed how empty the subways were during rush hour. Then my job sent us home to work from home for 2 weeks. Then my favorite stores decided to close for two weeks. Then it was declared a national emergency. Then the shelves of stores were raided. Yeah, it got serious. Up until Sunday, I really just went along with my normal day to day things: I went to a laser appointment, I went to SoulCycle, we went grocery shopping and to Bed Bath and Beyond, I went to hang out with my cousin (so I had to take the train up there). But almost overnight, I realized just how important social distancing is at a time like this. limit your social engagements This is probably the most important thing for us to be doing right now. Yet, I’m noticing a lot of people still crowding restaurants and bars , and I couldn’t help but think of how many people are just incubating this virus. I’m really seeing that a lot of people just aren’t caring just because they feel fine. I always think about my parents, who are over 60, and my 97 year old grandma. I’m not about to be the reason why someone else gets this virus just because I’m healthy and could probably easily fight off the infection. help where you can Whether it’s donating to local food banks or charities that will provide students with meals while their schools are closed. I took one little different approach when I learned Broadway went dark. I was supposed to see SIX: The Musical on Friday, but since all shows have been canceled, I decided to donate my refunded ticket to The Actors Fund. When you think about just how many people are not working right now (actors, ushers, stagehands, dressers, bartenders, etc.), you can’t help but want to help them! Since I’m so in love with Broadway, it just made sense. There’s obviously more I’d like to do though! I’ve also been seeing some people offering to help their elderly neighbors or someone who could potentially get really affected by the virus. I love seeing the good come out in people during this time! check on yourself This is obviously a super weird time. We don’t really know what’s going on or for how long this is going to be our life. I know we always preach “self care”, but this is something we should take seriously. Yes, take care of your skin, but also to really take the time to check in on yourself. See how you’re feeling. Are you extra tired? Are you bored? Are you drinking enough water? Do you need to take a 10 minute walk outside? Little tweaks to what you’re doing while you’re home can help make this time a lot better. check on your friends Obviously this is super important. Hop on a FaceTime call if you can’t be around your friends during this time. Send a text to see what they’re up to. Suggest a book or TV show for them to watch. Just be there for each other! binge watch Yup. Probably the most acceptable time to do absolutely nothing and start binge watching. I just started watching Schitt’s Creek, and I’m so happy I have so many seasons to watch, HA! Find something new, and just BINGE. learn something Guys, I COOKED something. Yup, it’s true. I COOKED. Me and the guy wanted to make tacos, and I took it upon myself to actually cook the meat. GASP, I KNOW. And I didn’t hurt myself…or mess it up!!! (YAY ME). I actually didn’t mind cooking at all, so maybe it’s something I’ll take on;) I plan on doing some at home work outs and yoga while I’m working from home too! I also saw a lot of people were taking on needlepointing, baking, and reading. So just find something and DO IT! So if you’re not really taking this whole social distancing thing seriously. YOU SHOULD. We have the rest of our lives to go out and do social things…now is not the time to do them. Learn to be cooped up in your home and help flatten the curve! What are you doing during this time? Share below so we can all get some ideas! photos by allie provost