Friday Favorites by Carolina
Happy Friday, Ya’ll!
What better way to celebrate another week ending than to share with you my top 5 favorites right now?!? As a working mom who is always looking for ways to save time while not selling myself short, this list will make those of you who like me, count running late as cardio, feel seen.
1 | OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Dry Shampoo
I have always had oily hair at the roots and dry hair at the ends. Years of blow drying and styling have not helped. Before COVID, my routine was to shower every morning and blow dry/style my hair before work every morning while my husband got our daughter ready for school. Once COVID hit, I was forced to change my routine to showering when I got home from work instead of before. This meant that I had to wash my hair in the evening and hope I could make it look half decent after being slept on the next morning. It took me a bit to adjust, but this OGX Dry Shampoo was a life changer. Not only does it give my hair life after being slept on, it also absorbs the oil while giving it volume. Whether I straighten, curl, or simply put it in low bun, hair stress is non existent. For those of you who are unsure- trust me. I used to hate dry shampoo until I found the right one. Now it’s one of my favorites!
2) Olay Rinse- Off Body Conditioner
As luxurious as lotioning up after a bath or shower is, sometimes it is hard to justify when your child is crying or when there is dinner to be made. I have very dry skin and not using lotion after showering is just not feasible for me. When I was pregnant and too round to see my feet, putting lotion on my legs became an Olympic sport. I saw these body conditioners, decided to give them a try, and I am never going back. When you are done showering, put your hair up in a towel and don’t dry off. Simply rub the body conditioner into your skin while still wet, do a quick rinse, and you are ready to dry off. I do think it leaves your towel greasy, and that’s why I use a different towel for my hair and my body. This keeps my skin so supply, it’s to die for.
3) Jarrow Formulas’ Methyl B-12 Vitamin
My least favorite part of the day is getting out of bed. I have always struggled with getting up in the morning and this has not changed since becoming a mom (only now I don’t have the opportunity to sleep in and deal with the consequences of being late to work). I spoke to my doctor about an ongoing lack of energy, and we discovered that it was a combination of my anxiety and not getting enough nutrients. I tried a few different types, but Jarrow’s Formulas’ Methil B-12 Vitamins are my favorites. It dissolves in your mouth in minutes and I swear I can literally feel my brain working better instantly. It keeps me steady and energized all day long- and best of all, unlike energy drinks, there is no crash. I have noticed this has also helped me in maintaining my weight loss (over 30lb so far, woo hoo!!) since it does help your body better metabolize fat. I mean, how can I not love this product?
4) Grande Iced Coffee, No Classic, Add 1 pump of White Mocha, 3 pumps of Sugar Free Vanilla, Half and Half and Extra Ice
I guess you could say I am extra, but this is my drink of the moment. As a Starbucks addict, I have no shame in admitting I drink Starbucks coffee 7 days a week, at least once a day. I really should work for Starbucks, but who knows. I am not the same human without coffee, and word around the street is that the caffeinated Carolina is much more pleasant to be around, and I agree. As much of a tongue tier as it is, this drink is definitely one of my favorites. The one pump of white mocha richens it up without adding too much sugar, and the more ice the better in my opinion. If my straw goes in easily, that’s not enough ice. Best of all, this drink is under four bucks, sometimes a feat at Starbucks.
5) Hello Fresh- Bruschetta Chicken
My husband finally convinced me to try a meal kit program, and I only regret not doing it sooner. We cook 6 days out of the week, and with Kyle being a picky eater, we always end up eating the same 6 things every week. I was starting to get sick of our rotation. I am not a five star chef and would be lying to say cooking is one of my favorites (especially after a long day at work, yikes), so my skill level is not anything special. We did a trial for Hello Fresh, and I cannot handle how flavorful the meals are, while also being quick and easy to prepare. This kicks dinner up quite a notch and even our toddler has enjoyed the options. I am already looking forward to next week’s meals, but my favorite so far has been the Bruschetta Chicken. It is so nice having the ingredients and instructions right in front of you. It’s been a time and stress saver, plus a delicious treat.
