Photo Diary: My Week In Review
Welcome back, dear readers! It's time for another installment of my weekly wrap-up, where I take a moment to reflect on the events, experiences, and discoveries that have shaped the past seven days.
I've realized that I have a habit of purchasing adorable skirts and dresses for the summer season, only to let them hang unworn in my closet. To break this cycle, I've set a fun challenge for myself this weekend: Over the next month or so, I'm going to wear a different skirt or dress every day. My goal is to give each piece a chance to shine and create a variety of fun, stylish outfits before the summer comes to a close!
I also tanned this weekend so I'd be dress-ready. I do not want my extra-pale skin to put anyone's eyes out!
I do not tan in the sun. I also have never (in my entire life) used a tanning bed. Tanning, whether by sunbathing or using tanning beds, exposes your skin to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause skin damage and increase your risk of developing skin cancer. UV radiation damages the DNA in skin cells, leading to sunburns, premature aging, wrinkles, and an increased risk of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Tanning beds can be even more harmful, as they emit concentrated amounts of UV rays that are up to 12 times stronger than the sun's UV radiation.
Trust me when I say, I speak from experience. I am forty-two years old. People usually guess my age as an early twenty-something. I have minimal wrinkles (if any). I have maintained firm, youthful skin by staying away from the sun and wearing sunscreen when I go swimming (or whenever I know I will be exposed to sunlight long enough to sunburn).
Anyway, I absolutely love this lotion. Not only does it smell amazing but it begins tanning instantly. I get darker with two applications of this lotion than people who go to the tanning bed regularly. The best thing is 1) It's crazy affordable at only $14 a tube. One tube will get you five-six applications of this lotion. 2) It tans quickly and is streak-free. I put this lotion on twice, two days in a row and my tan lasts the remainder of the week! You can put it on everyday for a rich, deep tan. However, twice works great for me!
I also went thrifting again this weekend. I found another cute doll that was in need of TLC. Her hair was in pretty bad shape but what can I say? I love a challenge! She's actually an off-brand American Girl doll. According to her brand, she's part of the Walmart My Life series.
I thought she was pretty adorable. She was dirty but nothing a little magic eraser didn't fix. Her hair was in terrible condition. I used a detangler brush and spray-in conditioner and a little bit of water. I was able to comb and smooth it out.
With a new outfit and hair-do, she was just like new! I gave her some pigtails before adding the cute hat. Overall, I spent $1 for the doll at Goodwill and $13 for the outfit! I just love her.
I found some more cute stuff while thrifting. My ball joint dolls are really going to enjoy this cute furniture and accessory haul!
I ate at my favorite Chinese buffet this weekend. In an effort to be more health-conscious in my eating, these days I only eat out once a week. So, this was my choice for the week! I especially love crab and wontons. Yum!
Self-Development Reads of the Week
This book is a self-improvement guide designed to help readers identify and achieve their goals. Through a five-step process, Hyatt encourages individuals to assess their current situation, create a clear action plan, prioritize what matters most, and remain focused on executing their strategies. The book aims to empower readers to transform their lives and make the coming year their most successful yet.
The book delves in-depth on matters such as addressing limiting beliefs and applying the SMARTER goals theory to personal life design. I also enjoyed the section about mastering one's motivation.
This book really is what it says it is: a no nonsense approach to fixing your life!
"You change your life by doing, not by thinking about doing." - Gary John Bishop
The author encourages readers to take personal responsibility for their lives and overcome self-imposed limitations. Bishop offers practical advice on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns, embracing one's agency, and taking bold action to create a life of purpose and fulfillment. Through a blend of candid storytelling and tough love, the book aims to empower readers to break free from self-sabotaging behaviors and step into their full potential.
"You must first accept that while there are things that have happened in your life that you had no say in, you are 100 percent responsible for what you do with your life in the aftermath of those events. Always, every time, no excuses." -Gary John Bishop
Honestly the very last section wraps the entire book up into two steps 1) Stop doing what you are currently doing. Identify what behaviors are holding you back and stop doing them and 2) Start taking actions that will propel you forward and understand that in order to keep you going forward you must keep taking many individual actions, over and over again.
In my personal growth journey, I've found that consistently focusing on the positive aspects of life has been a transformative practice. By making a conscious effort to seek out the good in every single day, I've discovered that there's an abundance of incredible experiences, blessings, and unexpected delights just waiting to be found.
Life is brimming with these wonderful moments, and embracing them can truly enrich our existence. I have really been keeping my eyes open to these amazing gifts lately. That is how I happened to catch this beautiful rainbow. This is the biggest rainbow I have ever seen! Rainbows have been significant cultural symbols throughout history, often representing hope, good fortune, or divine promises. I'll take that as a sign!
Here's to hoping for another week of blessings. Positive vibes, my friends. Love and light!