The Coldbuster (A.K.A. "Medicine Ball") from the Starbucks secret menu became all the rage a few years ago due to its reputation for curing the common cold. It became so popular that Starbucks officially added it to its menu last year. Now you can order the (now known as) Honey Citrus Mint Tea anytime! But there's one problem: you're going to get addicted. Take my word for it! I'm probably the drink's biggest fan, but getting hooked on any Starbucks drink is costly. I had to figure out how to make it at home. The official Honey Citrus Mint Tea is made at Starbucks with Teavana Jade Citrus Mint green tea, Teavana Peach Tranquility herbal tea, honey, steamed lemonade, and hot water. This concoction seemed easy enough until I realized that Teavana is fairly expensive, so I had to find an alternative. The truth is, pretty much anything will work as long as you have the peach and mint flavor combination. Peach tea is easy to come by, but "jade citrus mint green tea" isn't sold by every brand. For this, I've tried green tea, green tea infused with fresh spearmint, and mint herbal tea. They all worked just fine, but I really hit the jackpot when I realized that Target's in-house brand, Simply Balanced, makes a tea called "Zen Green". It's a combination of green tea, citrus, and spearmint, which makes the perfect replacement for the Teavana version! I've actually been buying Simply Balanced tea bags for awhile now because they're affordable, organic, and Fair Trade Certified!
Yup, it's that simple! If you end up trying out my copycat recipe, please tag me on Twitter (@_baileyib) or Instagram (@baileyiblack). I'd love to see what you think of it! Thanks for reading! :) Come back for more content soon.
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A few months ago, I received a free 27-piece beauty bag for purchasing $60+ worth of product on Ulta.com. The beauty bag was full of high-end skincare and beauty products (travel size items and samples), most of which I had never tried, so I had the bright idea of testing and reviewing the products and documenting my thoughts on them in a blog post. It took me several months to test every sample because I used just one at a time - I wanted to be able to attribute the results to the product I was testing while keeping all my other skincare consistent. I ended up testing all but two samples, and those last two were body products that I didn't feel like fit the theme of this post.
Now, finally, the reviews are complete! There is a great mix of moisturizers, cleansers, exfoliants, serums, and more in this post, so I think this will serve as an excellent guide for anyone who is on the hunt for new skincare products. There were some that I truly fell in love with, and some that really fell short (especially for having such high price tags). Hope you all enjoy! New Year's Day is all about fresh starts. It's the day to reset and recharge, make resolutions, set goals and intentions, and get into a new groove. Really, it's the perfect time to switch up your skincare routine.
In 2017, I was disappointingly inconsistent in the skincare department. I say "disappointingly" because I've been struggling with acne for more than 6 years. And I know that it's possible to clear up those pesky spots with a solid skincare routine (and a healthy diet, of course). Luckily for me, my family knows me well, and they loaded me up with new products for the new year. In today's post, I'm going to share those products with you all, along with a few products that I already use. I plan on writing a review once I've been using the products for a couple months, but for now, I want to show you all what I'm working with!
One common form of resentment that I see in people my age is of expectation. People do things for others and then resent them for not returning that kindness. If you try to (over time, of course) take on a more selfless role, you will be able to slowly let go of those feelings. That pure selflessness will be both freeing and rewarding. This principle leads me into my feelings about the second part of the verse, about being "firm as a high pillar and as pure as a deep pool free from mud." This encourages us to not let anything - praise, blame, insults, etc. - lead us into committing "unwise acts." I like this concept because it reminds me to remain selfless and loving, no matter what other people say. It helps me to stay on track in times of uncertainty and doubt. My thoughts for this week are definitely easier said than done (and perhaps a little obscure), but they are good principles to try to adopt, even if takes time. I have in no way perfected any of these practices - I'm just starting out - but I feel like sharing these words and meanings will help others begin, like I am. It all starts by having the will to try!
Loving yourself is not just bubble baths and face masks. It's giving yourself the ability to feel ready to take on every day with a clear mind and an energized body. Do yourself a favor, and make healthy choices that will benefit you, not only now, but for the rest of your life. |
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