October Highs & Lows

I’m writing this post about a month late, but I wanted to make sure I captured everything I could about October while it’s still fresh on my mind.

 

Highs

• Cob and I went on a weekend getaway to Heber as one last hurrah before the baby came. We stayed at The Homestead Resort and had the best time. We debated a lot about whether we should take a getaway and I’m so glad we did because life with a newborn is crazy and I love remembering that weekend.

• We bought a stroller! After a tearful visit to Babies R Us, we finally ordered the Baby Jogger stroller + car seat system from Amazon and I love it sooooo much. I know it’s silly to love your stroller, but I honestly just love the color (all black) and the shape and the design. And you can fold it up with one hand! I’m obsessed.

• Maternity photos with Annie Vandermyde. I procrastinated taking photos until I was 38 weeks pregnant, so I looked a little chubbier than I would have liked, but I love how they turned out, and I’m so glad I have a record of my pregnancy.

• I finally got the nursery decorated! Despite all my efforts, it didn’t turn out anything like I planned. I wish I had a picture here to show you, but it is very happy and peaceful and sweet. I stuck to a navy/gray/white color palette, and I added some subtle bird influences, because I feel like this baby has the personality and spirit of a bird. The crib was a hand-me-down from my Aunt Doris, but it’s in great shape and it fits the style of the room perfectly. And best of all, it’s DONE!

Lows

• Pregnancy was ROUGH during the month of October. I was so tired and sore, I couldn’t even step over the edge of the tub to get into the shower without grabbing my own leg. I didn’t expect to have the baby early, but as the month drew to a close, I found myself hoping that I would go into labor or that my water would break. It didn’t. 

• Halloween was a bust. I hope that now that we have kids, I’ll be more excited/motivated to celebrate Halloween, but it was pretty lame this year. Cob and I watched Vertigo with my parents on the weekend, and on the actual day of Halloween, we found ourselves at the McDonald’s drive thru at 12:30AM. What a thrill. 

• Eyelash extensions. Ok, let me tell you a little story. My whole pregnancy, I’ve been having an internal debate about eyelash extensions. A lot of girls here in Utah get their eyelashes done before having a baby (so you look pretty and also it’s low maintenance for when you have a newborn), and I guess I’m just easily influenced, so I made an appointment to have mine done a few weeks before my due date. BIG MISTAKE. I looked like a drag queen. I looked like snuffaluffagus at the club. The eyelashes were so big and heavy, I could barely open my eyes. I felt ridiculous (you can see them in my maternity photos). I tried to make them work for about 2 weeks, but then I was done. So naturally, instead of paying to have them removed safely, I decided to take them out myself. Bad idea. I soaked my eyelashes in coconut oil and then I ripped them out. And when the fake eyelashes came out, so did my real eyelashes. By that point, I had learned my lesson and I just walked around with my bald eyeballs for the next week until my eyelashes started to grow back. If you’ve been wondering if you should invest in some semi-permanent fake eyelashes, please learn from my mistake. Be grateful for the beautiful eyelashes God gave you and save your money for a good mascara.

Looking back, October was a great month, but I’m ready to move on to bigger and better things! (Read: Baby and Christmas!!!)

♡♡♡
Rebecca

What Should I Do About Instagram?

This is the last picture I instagrammed.

I have a love/hate relationship with Instagram. I’m constantly telling myself that I should just stop using the platform altogether, but then something always brings me back. Boredom, most likely. I know using Instagram isn’t something that should bring me stress, but I feel like I could be using it differently and enjoy it a lot more.

What I Like About Instagram:

• I like seeing beautiful pictures. I know it’s not always an accurate portrayal of someone’s life, but I still like it. I’m a very visual person, and I enjoy seeing nice photographs of people’s homes/family/outfits. And let’s be honest, we all have that friend who posts dark, blurry photos, and I think that’s worse than a photograph that’s been carefully staged.
• I like getting tips, tricks, and ideas. I follow a lot of Instagrammers who share really valuable content, which is awesome! I think it’s great that I can get dinner ideas and at-home workout plans and outfit inspiration all at once.
• I like staying connected with friends and family members. If it wasn’t for social media, I wouldn’t have seen all the drama after my niece Lily chopped off her own hair. I think it’s great that I can stay close to people I care about (without a lot of effort).

What I Don't Like About Instagram:

• I don’t like how Instagram is all about STUFF. I feel like everyone on Instagram is always talking about their stuff; makeup and hair products and clothing, oh my! People even use hashtags like #FridayFavorites or #MondayMustHaves just so they can talk more about stuff (probably because they make money if you buy something they recommend). It drives me nuts!
• I don’t like how everyone on Instagram is a brand or an influencer. I know this is hypocritical because I also have an Instagram “brand,” but it bothers me that nobody can just be a person who shares pictures. You’ve gotta have a fancy brand and your own hashtag and a posting schedule.
• I don’t like how Instagram breeds perfectionism. And comparison. And jealousy. If you don’t have a fancy white kitchen with subway tile and granite countertops, don’t bother sharing a picture of what you ate for dinner. Instagram makes me feel like I’m the only one living in a ugly house wearing ugly sweatpants. Even though I KNOW I’m not!

So here’s my dilemma. I know that I shouldn’t care about any of that stuff and just quit Instagram once and for all, but I care! I like Instagram! I want to use it! And as silly as it sounds, I care about my Instagram aesthetic. I love seeing someone’s curated feeds and admiring their style. I want that. But I know that what I’m doing right now isn’t really good for me. I want to use Instagram in a way that works for me, but also satisfies my need to share nice pictures and have a cohesive theme. Right now I have two separate profiles, one for my personal stuff, and one for my design projects.

I wish my feed looked like this!

What do I do?

I think I’ll continue using Instagram for now, but try for less structure on my design account and more structure on my personal account. I’m also going to look for people who are using Instagram in a way that I want to use it and try to copy them. And I’m going to choose an aesthetic for my feed, because I’m annoying like that. Wish me luck!

♡♡♡
Rebecca

ALSO, if you’re not already following me, you can find me at www.instagram.com/rebecppeterson (personal) and www.instagram.com/rebeccapetersonstudio (design)

Rebecca's Guide to Drugstore Foundations

I’m OBSESSED with drugstore makeup reviews. It’s so fun to see what high-end products people can duplicate with drugstore products. I think there’s just something so satisfying about finding a really cheap product that looks just as awesome as something you’d get at the Nordstrom makeup counter.

Below are my favorite (and least favorite) drugstore foundations, along with some notes so you can see why I like and don’t like them.

A couple disclaimers:

1. I have really oily skin. I do use a moisturizer, but I honestly don’t need to because my skin is so dang slippery. So take that into account with these recommendations. 
2. I really prefer a full-coverage, long-lasting makeup look. I don’t love a super fleeky highlight/contour so I try to find a foundation that covers my under-eye circles and zits without too much trouble. 

 Best Drugstore Foundations:

Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation
If you’re looking for a full-coverage foundation that won’t make your skin look dry and cakey, I would HIGHLY recommend this foundation. It’s very smoothing, but I wouldn’t say it has a totally matte finish. It’s very natural looking and it truly lasts ALL DAY.

• Full coverage 
• Very buildable 
• Smooth finish 
• Lasts LITERALLY ALL DAY without slipping off

L’Oreal Lumi True Match Foundation
This foundation looks just like my skin, which is why I love it so much. It requires two coats to really be FULL coverage, but I’ve been having pretty good skin lately, so it’s been a perfect fit. It also has a pump, which is SUPER convenient. I have to set mine with a powder because it definitely has a “glowy” look, but I don’t mind that too much.

• Easy to find the right shade for your skin tone 
• Medium coverage 
• Dewy finish
• Lasts 8-10 hours without slipping off

Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Loose Powder Foundation 
This is a great foundation if you want medium coverage in minimum time. It also smells amazing! Don’t use it as a setting powder though, because it’s really pigmented. You need to use it alllll over your face.

• Medium coverage 
• Matte finish (no creasing!) 
• Lasts 6-8 hours without wearing off or getting oily

Coty Airspun Powder Foundation 
If you want to just powder your skin without putting on a heavy layer of makeup, I would definitely suggest trying this powder (available at Walmart for $6)!

• Light coverage 
• Very buildable 
• Smooth finish 
• Lasts 8-10 hours without wearing off or getting oily

Worst Drugstore Foundations: 

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Foundation 
This foundation is like mega-ultra-coverage, which is great, but it’s definitely a heavy foundation, and if it isn’t a perfect match, there’s not much you can do about it.

• Extra Full coverage 
• Looks super heavy 
• Talc-free (is that a thing?) 
• Lasts 12-14 hours without slipping off 

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers BB Cream 
Very “meh” product. If you want a BB cream that’s good for your skin, I think this is a good option, but it honestly just doesn’t do much.

• Sheer/Medium coverage 
• Not buildable 
• Lasts 6-8 hours

Cover Girl BB Cream 
This product is garbage. It literally turns orange the second you put it on and then it slips off your face. DO NOT BUY.

• NO COVERAGE NOT BUILDABLE 
• Oxidizes immediately

What do you think? Are there any must-have products I missed?

♡♡♡
Rebecca

You Don't Need a System to Get Things Done

If you’ve ever worked with me (personally or professionally), you’ve probably noticed that I love cleaning, organizing, and most of all, organizational systems. Lists, apps, bullet journals, kanban boards, Mari Kondo; I’m obsessed with anything and everything that I think will help me get my life together. A lot of people are drawn toward “systems” because they seem like a magic switch to achieving anything you want in life. ‘Download this program and buy these printables and all your problems will be solved!’ 

The truth is, there isn’t a magic system that will suddenly transform your big hot mess of a life into a perfectly structured, picture-perfect one. (If there was, it would be David Allen’s Getting Things Done, which is amazing and life-changing and the topic for another day.) Life is organic and chaotic and that’s ok.

BUT--

I get frustrated when people around me use “life” as an excuse for not fulfilling their responsibilities or not reaching their goals. It’s like, ‘who’s in charge here?’ If you’re one of those people who feel like organizational systems have failed you in the past, or if you’re like me and you’ve spent hundreds of dollars on planners and apps that you thought would magically transform your life (spoiler alert: they didn’t), then I have a simple solution for you:

Take 100% responsibility for your life.

I’ll say it again, because this idea is revolutionary nowadays. Take 100% responsibility for your life.

That’s it. There’s no special book, no app, no program you can use that will help you get your life together IF YOU DON’T TAKE 100% RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR LIFE. I mean, think about it! People who are successful, it’s not because they have some incredible system. They don’t have a life coach. Successful people are successful because they take responsibility for what happens to them. They make a conscious decision that they’re not going to ignore their opportunities or responsibilities. Successful people aren’t flakes.

So, if you’re feeling empowered by this idea of taking 100% responsibility for your life but you don’t know what to do, don’t worry! It’s easy! Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Write down what you need to do 

Step 2: Do it! 

You don’t need a leather notebook or a fancy pen to do this (Unless that’s your thing, in which case, go for it)! Just find a place to record what you need to do, and then do it. I like to use pen and paper, but if you want to set a reminder in your phone, great! If you do better with a sticky note on your computer, that works, too. HOW you implement this idea doesn’t matter, it just matters that you implement it! Adopt an attitude of responsibility for whatever task or assignment you’re dealing with at this time in your life.

Homework?
Housework?
Work work?

Be responsible. Write it down, make it happen. I recognize that this principle is harder to implement for bigger projects and long-term goals. But the attitude always applies. If you have something you want to accomplish with your life, don’t wait around for someone to do it for you. Write down what you want to do, and then do it! Break it down into smaller chunks if you need to. Put it on your mirror if that helps. But don’t let yourself get caught in the excuse that life is too busy for you to remember to buy the milk or call your grandma or start that exercise program.

Cute office supplies are not necessary to get things done, but I don't let that stop me!

I’ve ranted enough about this idea to last the rest of my life, but if this idea resonates with you, I really encourage you to check out:

www.secretowlsociety.org
(Awesome blog with tons of free printables all about taking 100% responsibility for your life) and
www.instagram.com/becauseisaidiwould
(An account where people can make promises and fulfill them, it's very inspiring!)

♡♡♡
Rebecca

October Bucket List

Apple cider. Pumpkin bread. Big sweaters. Twinkle lights. Corn mazes. Pumpkin patches. General Conference. Tomato soup.

 I love all the seasons, but there’s something special about fall. I love the way it gets dark early and I love the smell of dead leaves (is that weird?) on the sidewalk. Fall marks the beginning of the holiday season and this year I’m determined to enjoy every moment of it!

Here’s my October Bucket List: 

1. Visit a pumpkin patch 
2. Watch general conference (lds.org) 
3. Decorate the nursery 
4. Decorate the master bedroom 
5. Eat at Pizza Factory 
6. Buy a cozy cardigan 
7. Drive the Alpine Loop 
8. Roast s’mores 
9. Go window shopping at Gardner Village 
10. Take a weekend getaway with Cob 
11. Eat caramel apples 
12. Take maternity pictures 
13. Have a movie marathon 
14. Set out a jar of candy corn (!!!) 
15. Take a personal care day 
16. Make tortilla soup 
17. Design a fall printable 
18. Read a good story book 
19. Decorate a wreath 
20. Make a baby quilt 
21. Drink lots of chamomile tea 
22. Celebrate Caroline’s birthday

I can't wait to see how everybody celebrates fall!

♡♡♡
Rebecca