The Teacher Diva

What I Packed in my Hospital Bag for Labor and Delivery

It's been 2 weeks since we've been home with baby George and I'm constantly asking myself what life was before this little one. While it has been a big adjustment, I don't think we've ever been happier.   I know many of you have requested a "hospital bag" blog post and it's still a question that continues to pop up in my inbox. The reason I didn't share this before baby was because I wanted to wait and see what we actually used and what we could have left at home. You guys know I am a minimalist when it comes to packing and I wanted to keep it that way for the hospital. ...

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My Pregnancy Skincare Routine

Since finding out I was pregnant last October, I knew I needed to make some changes in my skincare routine. And while I love getting to test new things, I'm pretty loyal to my skincare products. But when I started talking with my doctor and researching on my own, I learned many of them were not considered "pregnancy safe" due to higher amounts of Vitamin A or Salicylic Acid. Thankfully my doctor and nurses were very kind and generous with their time and let me send them product labels of anything I was questioning. Since each pregnancy is different, I would recommend asking your doctor and nurses before trying anything new. ...

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How To Do a Hair Detox (and Why You Should)

We've all heard that a detox can be a great way to restart your body, but have you ever tried a hair detox? If you are someone who uses dry shampoo, colors your hair or wants to extend your blowout, this might be something worth exploring. ...

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The Sephora Spring Bonus Event is here!

The Sephora Spring Bonus Event is here! And if you are a self-proclaimed beauty junkie or simply wanting to update your beauty bag, now is the time to take advantage of these site-wide discounts. I listed below my tried and true products that can all be found on sale. Let me know if you pick any of these up during the beauty event! ...

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How Double Cleansing Changed My Skin

You guys know I swear by double cleansing. Ever since my dermatologist recommended it to me a couple of years ago, I've been loyal to this Japanese skincare regimen. I broke it down a few months ago in this blog post and have mentioned it a few times in our newsletter, but I wanted to share a more detailed update on HOW to double cleanse. ...

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The Ultimate Guide to a Nude Lip

It's no secret I love a nude lip. It's my go-to lip color for every day and something I feel the most comfortable in. However, finding the right shade can be a bit tricky. I'm a firm believer that if you have one you love, it can be the most versatile color in your makeup bag. Wear it alone or pair with a bolder color and you can easily create multiple looks. I'm often showing different swatches on neutral lipsticks on here or my Instagram Stories, but lately, I've been seeing more questions pop up asking about my holy grail nude lipsticks. You know, the ones that never leave my purse or I keep purchasing over and over again because they are in fact, just that good.  Below I've sourced my top recommendations and a little tip I picked up over the years to help give you that "perfect pout". I swear, every time I do this, people ask if I got my lips done. For the record, I haven't, but it makes me feel good to know my lips look full.  ...

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My Favorite Self Tanner (Review + Tutorial)

Patio weather is almost officially here and like many of you, I am welcoming it with open arms. And though I am eager for spring temps to officially make their way to Dallas (hello maxi dresses and skirts), it's been a minute since my legs have seen the sun. ...

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This $8 Shampoo and Conditioner Made My Hair So Soft — And it’s Sulfate-Free.

 As someone who has colored and heat-styled her hair regularly for the past 15 years, my hair care routine is something that I take into careful consideration. And while it might be enticing to shop at luxury beauty stores to find the latest and greatest, hey I can be guilty of it too, regularly incorporating these types of products into our routine isn't the healthiest strategy long-term for our bank accounts. And higher price tags don't always mean it's a better product. About a month ago, I started to try my luck at this $8 shampoo and conditioner by Hair Food. What originally caught my eye (besides the price tag) was that it is made from pure ingredients and free of parabens, mineral oils, silicones, sulfates and dyes. The proof of the power of these ingredients lies in the results. And my hair is all the better for it. ...

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How I Use The Tom Ford Soleil Glow Drops

It all started back in November when I saw my favorite Vogue beauty editors sampling the Tom Ford Soleil Glow Drops. I was mesmerized to see these drops give the most beautiful, natural glow.  I admit, I drink the Tom Ford Beauty kool-aid. I pay for their overpriced lipsticks and primers, but in my defense, I have yet to try something from Tom Ford Beauty that I don't love. I figured it might be the same for these drops. ...

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Heading on a Trip? You’ll Want to Check Out These Affordable Travel Organizers

If you are like me, you love all things organization. Maybe it's because I was a teacher for 6 years or I just love the idea of things all having a place — either way, I get excited to be organized. Now that doesn't mean I'm always organized per se, but I like to have the tools when needed. I posted this makeup case on Instagram last month and got an overwhelming response of organizers seeking more tips and tricks when it came to this area. Several of you (528 to be exact) also bought one of these for yourself and mentioned how you wanted more ideas for affordable travel organizers to store makeup, skincare and makeup brushes. ...

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