Baby, It’s Cold Outside

And it is. Like, 40 degrees as I type this.

OK, so maybe that isn’t really all that cold, but this past week has felt unseasonably chilly, with days in the 30s and nights dipping down into the 20s. I know that’s still nothing compared to the nightmare folks in Buffalo and other parts of the country are dealing with right now, but cold weather of any kind just leaves me longing for spring, even before winter officially begins.

Luckily, colder temps at least mean the holidays are on the way, which is something I do love and look forward to every year. Already, I’ve started listening to Christmas carols while preparing to host my first ever Friendsgiving, put up our tree and shop for gifts. Idina Menzel and Michael Buble’s cute take on a classic favorite has especially made me smile. 

Are you getting into the holiday spirit? Is it cold outside yet? 

So Long, Dry Skin: My Favorite Fall Moisturizer

Along with bringing falling leaves and inevitably cooler temps, autumn marks my skin’s annual transition from combination-oily to combination-dry. In the past, it was always a time I’d dread, (at least beauty-wise), especially since any moisturizer I’d try, any time of year, would ultimately irritate my skin and make me break out.

Luckily, that all changed this past summer after I won a Neutrogena giveaway hosted by (my fave!) beauty blogger Elle Sees. Along with other fun items like makeup-removing wipes, a color stick and mascara, my prize pack included a full-sized bottle of Oil-Free Moisture lotion for combination skin.

Though I was initially a bit skeptical following so many bad experiences with moisturizers, I started using it right away and am happy to say that it’s been working great ever since, even now, as the air (and my skin) get drier. Along with having noticeably smoother, brighter skin, I’ve also been breaking out far less. Hopefully, I’ll be able to stick with this formula all winter long, using more if needed as the days become ever more frigid.

   

How do you keep your skin from becoming too dry during the fall and winter months? Do you have a favorite moisturizer or other skin product you swear by? 

On the Move

Aside from getting the flu or being forced to eat raw onions, there are few things I hate more than moving. From the boxes and pack-it-up chaos to the actual, you know, moving part, it’s an organizational nut’s worst nightmare, especially when you skip the professionals and decide to do it yourself. Which, by the way, I swore we wouldn’t be doing this time.

Well, guess what? After getting moving company estimates we thought were much too high based on the distance, our furniture and more, my husband and I decided to bite the bullet and go the DIY route once again, transporting smaller items in our SUV ahead of time and, yes, renting a Penske truck for the bigger pieces.

A sneak peek inside our new home!

As we pulled into the lot two Saturdays ago, I tried to keep my spirits up and the impending dread in check. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all, right? RIGHT! One of Steve’s coworkers very graciously helped him with the heavy pieces, while I held doors, carried smaller items and cheered the guys on. A couple short hours later, we were done, making it our smoothest, fastest and easiest move ever.

Since then, we’ve made great progress setting up and arranging things inside the new house, thankful that nothing was damaged, lost or broken. Best of all, we can put the money we saved toward other new-home necessities and can also rest easy knowing that we won’t be moving again for a very long time!

What are some of your tips for ensuring a smooth move?