My Newest Obsession - Oils!

I know. Oils for autumn/winter skin...how novel! Except wait, mes amis, because these oils are French and therefore fancy as f*ck. Last weekend when I was in Paris I stopped in at City Pharma, the Mecca for Fashion People in search of hard-to-find skincare goodies that are typically tremendously overpriced everywhere else. City Pharma was brilliant (another post on that later, I promise) but the thing I am dying to tell you about are these amazing dry oils I bought! Behold...

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse 

This is referred to as a "multipurpose dry oil" that can be used for face, body, and hair. I've seen it at Space NK and Sephora, usually for upwards of 50 USD. In Paris? 17 Euros baby! I must have picked up a limited edition bottle because the one I got looks different to the stock images online. If I'd paid attention in high school French I I'm sure I could explain why. Instead, peep the cool bottle! I love this oil as a body moisturizer. The trick is to apply it when your skin is still wet from the shower (not damp, I mean wet!) and the oil locks in all the moisture possible. The science behind that seems somewhat dubious but for whatever reason it works for me. Bonus: the scent! Huile Prodigieuse is made up of 30 essential plant oils (per the company's website) and the best way I can describe it is to say it smells like summer. It smells like skin that has a tan, like sunscreen, and vaguely like the beach. Now that the weather seems to have taken a turn this is a much needed mood-boost on rainy Sundays like today.

Caudalie Divine Oil - pictured here with Caudalie Eau de Beauty Elixir

Another dry oil that can be used for a multitude of purposes! This one is more viscous and thick than the Nuxe one and provides even more intense moisture. I like putting the Caudalie Divine Oil on my feet before bed and waking up with soft, divinely-scented tootsies. It's also better for my hair for whatever reason, I think the added weight suits my thick hair perfectly. I typically use a few drops for my skin and then run my hands through my hair to distribute the leftovers. This prevents buildup (although dry oils are allegedly less prone to building up than more traditional oil-based hair products) but makes my hair shine like a mirror.

Have you tried dry oils yet? What is your favourite moisturizer now that the seasons are changing? Lube up and weigh in in the comments!

xo CaitlinK

I Went to Paris! Here's What I Bought (and Ate)

Bonjour, gentle readers! Despite appearances I actually haven't spent the last six weeks sleeping and not-blogging. I've been working like mad, doing shitloads of call, and not-blogging. But this weekend a gentle reprieve came in the form of my best friend, Nina, who surprised me with an impromptu trip to Paris!

C'est la vie

Bonjour, Paris!

If ever there was a time for French poodle shoes...

We left Saturday morning at the crack of dawn, as you can see by our sleepy airport faces

and arrived in Paris just in time for Fashion Week! Note: Fashion Week had little to no impact on our visit as we are not Fashion People. Here's a photo of Nina outside the Grand Palais during the Mugler show, pretending to be a Fashion Person.

Highlights:
1. Getting lost trying to get from the Champs Elysees to the Notre Dame. No taxi would pick us up (Fashion Week, you see) so we took the BatoBus - a boat service that cost us 10 euros and took us to all the major tourist sites with a convenient hop-on, hop-off deal. It was the perfect solution as we got to sit in the sunshine and soak up the culture without the icky inconvenience of having to actually visit/stand in line for tourist attractions.

Behold: the smiles of two girls who did not have to stand in line

2. Dinner at Entrecote - a chain restaurant with no menus, only steak-frites and endless skinny french fries. Dessert was a creme brulee which we followed up with a romantic walk along the Seine to burn off the calories! Entrecote is quite well-known and has multiple locations so I suggest trying it out if there's one nearby and be sure to thank me later. We went to the branch near Champs Elysees and queued about 30 minutes for it but the tender steak more than made up for the wait. They don't take reservations so if you're a large group I'd say arrive early to avoid disappointment.

3. Pont des Arts - the famous "lock bridge." Nina and I couldn't resist snapping a few pics and then hanging a lock to commemorate our trip!

4. City Pharma - believe the hype. This crowded, petite pharmacie in Saint-Germain-des-Pres was as exciting as all my favourite beauty bloggers led me to believe. It's commonly cited as the place makeup artists and models stock up on all the finest offerings that our Continental friends can offer and I can see why. In fact, stay tuned for an (extensive) update on that...

5. Pastries upon pastries upon pastries - we had brunch on Sunday at Angelina, a charming tearoom near the Jardin des Tuleries that is populated mainly by American tourists that rightfully deserves its reputation for the best brunch in town. At 39 EU pp for the Angelina brunch it doesn't come cheap but the price got us multiple croissants, chocolat chaud, eggs cooked your way, and a delightfully exotic fruit salad for dessert. Even the butter at this place tasted superior. I died and went to heaven. It was also full of Fashion People which was excellent for eavesdropping and spying. I planned to take dozens of photos of the food but got caught up by my incessantly grumbling stomach, so please forgive me.

6. No visit to the airport is complete without a cheeky stop at Duty Free... I treated myself to 2 mini bottles of perfume from Jo Malone which came in quite a bit cheaper than high street prices! I chose English Pear and Freesia (a scent that smells like a wedding to me, sorrynotsorry) and a replacement for my finished bottle of Orange Blossom.

Por quoi pas? 

7. Eventually our mini-break came to an end and it was time to say goodbye to the beautiful City of Lights that had been so good to us. Next time I plan to spend more time in the various jardins and get a feel for French history a bit more, possibly even venture into the countryside? But for a 36 hour mini break I think we did quite well.

Touristing

A bientot! 

xo CaitlinK

That Time I (Almost) Killed a Man with a Tube Up His Urethra

Every doctor remembers their first code. Maybe they remember sprinting there, shoving people out of the way. Or maybe they remember being pressed against the wall, watching everyone else who seemed so competent and in control while they felt useless. Some people say their first code was when they realized how little they actually know, while others say it was the first time they felt like a real doctor.

All I know is that my first arrest was the first time I ever had to say the sentence, "He peed everywhere and then stopped breathing."

Sunday night, 1 am: Day 1 of my week of nights. Trauma Ward calls, saying Mr M needs a Foley catheter because he hasn't passed urine since 5 pm. Grumble grumble, I wanted to sleep, but fine. Bladder scanner shows something in the neighborhood of 800 mLs. I try a 16 Fr, no dice. Try again with a 14 Fr. This time it drains, but the patient starts urinating with such force and gusto that the catheter actually flies out before I have a chance to anchor it. The patient probably voided all 800 mLs all over the bed, destroying my meticulously arranged sterile field. As I walked off to wash my hands and get ready to start again I realize that Mr M isn't speaking anymore, just making grunting sounds.

Me: "Mr M? MR M? CAN YOU HEAR ME? ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?"

Nothing. I felt for a pulse. Nothing.

Me: "CRAP. Okay call the arrest bleep, I'll start CPR." I started compressing his chest, feeling his actual ribs break under my inexperienced hands. The nurses ran around, taking the bed apart and putting him on O2.

Anesthetist arrives.

Anesthetist: "What happened?"
Me: "Umm I was catheterizing him and peed everywhere then he just stopped breathing."
Anesthetist: "What's his medical history?"
Me: "Broken hip. Right side. I think."
Anesthetist: "MEDICAL history!?"
Me: "Oh, ah. Hmm..."
Anesthetist: "Why the FUCK doesn't he have IV access?"
Me: "He does...in the left foot."
Anesthetist: "WHAT?! WHY ON EARTH?!"
Me: "...He has difficult access and that's where I put it..."

At this point I think the anesthetist was ready to murder me because he very rudely pointed out two allegedly excellent veins in the dorsum of the hand. He and the medical reg both tried to cannulate Mr M at that point (and both veins blew. Ahem).

Fortunately the anesthetist was as competent as he was furious at me. Mr M woke up, transferred to HDU. Diagnosis: vasovagal asystole 2/2 micturition. Wash hands, walk away.

Wednesday night, 2 am: I've now been on nights for a few days and am getting the hang of things. Nothing can touch me, for I am the Super Intern. Until I get a bleep from Trauma. Mr M is back, he is now post-op, and in urinary retention. Can I please come place a catheter?

Feeling a tad traumatized, I decided to ring the Medical Reg who was present during the arrest and who can advise on the safest measures.

Me: "Uh, hi. This is Caitlin, from the other night. Mr M needs a catheter again..."
MR: "You're taking the piss."
Me: "I wish I was. Any advice?"
MR: "Put him on O2 before you start, keep him talking, bring the crash trolley with you. Maybe pull the bed out from the wall as well."

In my head at this point I can hear a prosecutor demanding the maximum sentence for criminal negligence. I can hear my own lawyer demanding to know why I thought catheterizing for a second time was a wise move. I can hear my career falling down around my ears.

In the end I brought three nurses and another doctor with me, all to keep Mr M talking and to monitor his vitals the whole way. At one point he stopped talking (probably to breathe) and my stomach dropped. I glared at him and just said (quite sharply), "keep talking!" and proceeded. Urine flashback, catheter anchored, documented.

And thus ends the story of my first code. Here's hoping I can afford a good lawyer someday.

From artizans.com. Scarily accurate. 

xoCaitlinK

That Time I Took The Buzzfeed Clean Eating Challenge, Week 2

Week 2 came and went in a flash! Work was really busy so not every recipe was totally doable for me but I'm very pleased with how it went overall.

Some thoughts:
1. The lack of carbs doesn't seem like a big deal until you try to go for a long run. Then suddenly it feels like all your muscles are shouting, "feed me, pasta, bitch!" And then you cut your long run short.

2. Every recipe can actually be broken down into this formula: lean protein + greens + tomatoes/bell peppers/some other veggie. Once you get the basic formula you can actually play around a little more and make interesting dishes. I wasn't wild on the Tuna in Romaine Cups or the funky lettuce wrap things, but I loved the Roasted Chicken Breast with Quinoa and Kale.

3. I don't think I lost any weight on this challenge, but I do feel like I was making very healthy choices and it's made me more mindful about things like snacking. Now instead of reaching for biscuits or crisps with tea I'm more likely to pick up an apple or cup of berries. Mind-blowing? Not exactly. But I think the challenge got me into the habit of buying large volumes of produce every week which in turn makes you feel guilty when it goes off in the fridge.

4. I've been working nights and I feel like the recipes from the clean eating challenge are giving me enough energy to get through a 12 hour shift with no sleep! I managed to shake my coffee addiction purely because I know that if I have coffee I won't be able to nap once it gets quiet. So thanks, Buzzfeed and my backbreaking call schedule - I'm off coffee!! We'll see how long that lasts.

5. Guys, I really miss writing about beauty. Once nights are over I'm going Project Diva. All the spinach and antioxidants are making my skin look pretty great, now I just need some sleep and I'll be fit for public consumption again.

In summary - do I recommend the Buzzfeed clean eating challenge? Absolutely! It was a great way to hit the "reset" button on my eating habits, it introduced me to some new recipes that I'm excited to keep cooking, and it wasn't as restrictive or rigid as other cleanses so it was totally doable for a newbie like me.

More info on the Clean Eating Challenge here!

xoCaitlinK

That Time I Took the Buzzfeed Clean Eating Challenge

Remember earlier this year when Buzzfeed published the Buzzfeed Clean Eating Challenge? For some reason my favourite website for Spice Girls gifs was publishing healthy eating advice and it actually seemed doable and reasonable. Unfortunately at the time I was busy traveling and not staying still for very long, so I held off trying it until now because I wanted to take the time to do it right and do it consistently. Read on for the carbophiles guide to a 2 week detox.

Day 1 Monday: It's the first day at my new job and for some unknown reason I chose this week to go caffeine, alcohol, and carb-free. Kill me. Seriously kill me. My new flatmates think I'm a healthy eating nutjob because I've eaten so much kale.

Breakfast was the kale banana smoothie which I choked down but surprisingly kept me full until midday. At lunch I wolfed down the salad and snack portions at the same time because I am an idiot and didn't portion out the salad properly. It is disappointingly small and sad. Dinner was yet another salad. I desperately wish for warmer weather because salads on overcast rainy days make me want to kill myself.

Day 2 Tuesday: I'm starting to settle into the cleanse and realize I can trick myself into feeling like I'm eating carbs by adding quinoa to EVERYTHING. So far no hypoglycemic attacks but my boss bought me coffee today and I didn't want to be rude (and I actually really desperately wanted coffee) so I had a latte, oh well.

Day 3 Wednesday: As the week progresses and I become tired and worn out from work I'm super grateful to be following a meal plan and coming home knowing that all the food I need is already in the fridge. I also love the salad dressing recipes, they were simple for a total newbie like me and extremely flavourful even though they only have a few ingredients. The smoothie recipes so far are lame and I hate them. They make too much and the flavours are dull.

Day 4 Thursday: Ugh cauliflower steak for dinner last night and eggs for breakfast this morning is just a little too much blegh for me. Who the hell uses cauliflower when an actual steak would do?! This will kill me.

By Thursday afternoon I actually am totally fine and have recovered from the shock of eating cauliflower steak. But I am still offended by its existence.

Day 5 Friday: Hooray for the weekend! I no longer care about the no-alcohol part of the cleanse. A glass of wine is exactly what I need at the end of the week and it tastes even better because it is "forbidden."

Week 1 is more or less done! I feel great, I think the calorie amounts were perfect even though I saw some bloggers saying they couldn't survive on so little. The cleanse actually plans for you to eat six small meals a day which isn't really doable at work so I end up having my "snacks" as desserts after meals and that keeps me going well enough. Also I realized I'm not that into almond butter. Week 2 starts this weekend with all the prepping and getting ready and I'm excited! I hope that I'll pick up some healthy eating habits from the cleanse and definitely love that I know all these new salad recipes!

Speak soon,
xo CaitlinK

A Case of the Mondays

Hello at last! I've been off the radar in a major way because I've been packing (legitimate), moving (also legitimate), traveling (ehh...) and Tindering (oh boy) and all these pursuits have been taking me away from my little corner of the internet. I'm in a listicle mood because it's Monday and I worked a long-ass day today (no, not a long ass-day. Although it kind of felt like that too).

1. Packing! Dear God, is there anything less stressful than packing and moving? I moved officially yesterday and only brought with me a suitcase full of clothes, a duffel bag full of gym stuff, and a carryon suitcase full of makeup. I am officially a woman with four pairs of shoes but six shades of blush. Priorities are for idiots.

2. Moving - can this be a separate category? My new place is adorable but my bedroom is teeny tiny, hence the serious downsizing of my wardrobe. Most of my clothes are in storage and I brought with me only about thirty items of clothing. I'm not seriously considering a change to the minimalist lifestyle, a la Project 333, but it is weirdly comforting to know that everything I own, everything in my entire apartment, can be combined to form outfits and they've been pre-vetted so I know everything "works." That means nothing is missing a button or needing a hem fixed, nothing is a little too tight or a little too lose. Everything is shipshape and ready to go, which is a blessing because...

3. Work. I'm rostered for 60 hours per week plus call which isn't the worst schedule in the world but it's far from the best. I give myself another two weeks before I switch to all-scrubs all-the-time mode. The work itself is busy but manageable and thankfully busy days pass quickly. Today I met a little old lady with purple hair. Now I want purple hair too. Also we had this interaction:

Me: I've heard you're asking to see [consultant not involved with this patient's care]. Can you tell me why?
Purple Haired Glamazon: Do you have an iPhone? Google him.

I do. I realize it is the best looking man I've ever laid eyes on and I followed him down a corridor this morning just to see where he was going.

PHG: Ah, now, I wouldn't be kicking him out of bed for eating crisps!

I've seen my future, and it. is. awesome.

4. Tinder - How have I not tried this before now? I love making snap judgments, I love looking at pretty things online, it's like Tinder was made for me! Honestly the actual flirting and followup is a little bit more effort than I'm into, but the swiping left and right is positively addicting.

5. Running - I'm officially back in the game! I've been running for five weeks now with only minimal plantar fasciitis pain. I'm considering doing a half marathon next year and ideally a few more races in between now and then as well. I still want to do the Edinburgh Marathon very much but I'm a little nervous because it seems like I tend to injure myself when I go for distance. Fingers crossed for healthy feet and a healthy mind (equally crucial it seems).

And with this cartoon I leave you for a few days more. I used to have tidy lovely handwriting. Now expediency is the name of the game.

Not my cartoon. Because I can't write as tidy as that. 

Good night, and good luck!

xo CaitlinK

How I'm Upping My Skincare Game Now That I'm A Grown-up (or something)

Hello at last! It feels like it's been forever as I've been fighting off jet lag that seems to have hit me pretty hard this week. I'm back in Ireland for the long haul and over the last two days have slept something like thirty hours. It's bizarre but my friends are remarkably understanding and for that I have to thank them.

Traveling, stress, and caffeine are well-known enemies of the perfect complexion and over the last month or so I've been doing battle with all three. While I was home in Seattle last week I stopped in to H-Mart, an Asian megastore, to see what kinds of therapies our lovely Asian friends could recommend. While I was there I stocked up on all my favourite Asian foods, candies, and teas to bring back to Dublin and then popped into Amore, a sort of Korean version of Sephora. I've heard of their luxury line Amore Pacific (available at Sephora and here) but never actually played with any of their products before. The shop was an adorable little place with about a million different girly and colorful products just waiting for me to play with.

I've been wanting to play around with Asian skincare products for awhile, at least since my first order with Kollection K, but didn't know where to start and I wasn't willing to risk ordering something online that could potentially be irritating or just not the best choice for me. Luckily, a lovely skincare consultant in Amore (who, incidentally, had fabulous skin herself) had useful advice. She examined my skin using a strange bit of paper and some blue lights and then fed the results into a computer which spit out my skin analysis. It was bizarre and kind of gimmicky but surprisingly more accurate than the Dermalogica skin mapping analysis that I had last fall. As I suspected my skin is actually very dehydrated, causing it to overproduce sebum in the T-zone. This explains why my skin has always been the obnoxious combination of dry and oily at the same time and why I've had difficulties finding the right balance of products in the past.

The new regimen. Thanks, Laneige!

I left the shop with a few products from a company called Laneige (literally "the snow" in France). See more about the brand and please enjoy the poorly translated story. It very much reminds me of this scene from Zoolander

 and yet I'm still a sucker enough to buy into the marketing. The products from Laneige didn't come cheap (each product was around $30) but the packages are a good size and I expect I won't run out for at least 6 months, maybe even a year for the Yogurt Peeling Mask!

So far I've used the Water Sleeping Pack twice and the Gel Cream almost every day. I haven't had a chance to try the Yogurt Peeling Mask but when I do I'll be sure to report back. The Water Sleeping Pack is a very cool overnight mask that I use on nights when I skip my retinol product. It leaves a weird sticky feeling behind (it is quite a bit heavier than your standard night cream) but I always wake up the next morning with plump, moisturized skin. The Gel Cream is also fabulous and is quite like my old favourite, Chanel Hydramax Gel Creme, but at a fraction of the cost. The only downside is that it lacks SPF. Otherwise it keeps my skin feeling hydrated but never oily and makeup glides on like a dream.

Water Sleeping Pack - ultra fancy night cream, basically

Sidebar: I also left with approximately a zillion sheet masks. They were $1 each!

I look forward to scaring neighborhood children with these

Now that I've got my anti-aging and moisture game on lock I've been exploring a few new avenues for the last of my skin troubles. The most important thing with starting new products is to take them one at a time in case something causes breakouts or rashes. I tend to be a bit impulsive and in my life I don't think I've ever added one product at a time. I'm trying so hard to resist the urge to jumpstart my new skincare obsession NOW, so why don't I share my woes first?

Problem 1: Congestion. I have a few closed comedones on my forehead that bug me. The skin there isn't covered with red cystic acne but it's not exactly smooth. Hours spent on r/skincareaddiction lead me to believe I most likely need an AHA or BHA exfoliating product. I'm a little reluctant to dive in with a chemical exfoliant when I'm using a retinol, though. I've had no adverse effects from my current anti-aging product (La Roche Posay Redermic R) and I don't want to tempt fate by irritating the crap out of my skin. Thoughts? Recommendations? American ladies are partial to Stridex pads in the red box but we can't get those in this part of the world.

Problem 2: Makeup Removal. Ugh. I love Benefit's They're Real mascara (it is my one true ride-or-die eye makeup I think) but it is such a bitch to take off at night. It's not waterproof but seems to be highly resistant to all my efforts to gently remove it. Almost every night I'm convinced I'm pulling out several eyelashes at once plus likely damaging my delicate skin around the eyes. I tried coconut oil but kept getting that in my eyes. I'm tempted to try a micellar water. Bioderma is the makeup industry gold standard but difficult to access in Dublin. I saw several good options at Boots though, including this Garnier one which was on offer and a few by La Roche Posay, Avene, Vichy, and L'Oreal. The number of options is slightly overwhelming and they all seem pretty much the same. Probably by this time tomorrow I'll have purchased the Garnier one.

(Update: I did! It was 6 euros and they had 3 for 2 on skincare. I do what I want. Also I got Avene Cleanance K, an AHA/BHA product, and La Roche Posay's Physiologic Toner)

Can't wait to try these out. Updates to follow

How often do you update your skincare regimen? Do you gradually introduce products or go for it at once like me?

xo Caitlin

Shameless Materialism: Really F*cking Expensive Shampoo

Hello and welcome back to Shameless Materialism! This column is all about products I've finished up and re-purchased. It is an ode to the all-time best ever products that the beauty industry has produced and I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. 

Oh my God, you guys, I know I just wrote a Shameless Materialism post about Kerastase shampoo and gushed about how it's basically the best thing that's ever happened in my sad, dark life. And I know banging on about shampoo is lame and boring or whatever. But here's the thing: I'm in Seattle. And that means I'm in my childhood bathroom, where I re-discovered this intense and fabulous shampoo and I need to tell you everything about it. Ready? 

It's by Philip B and called the Russian Imperial Amber Shampoo (available here, here, and I think I saw it at Barney's once). It costs $140 for 12 oz. ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY DOLLARS for a product that literally gets washed down the drain (Pro tip: it's cheaper on Amazon. But there is a theoretical risk that it could be a fake. I dunno, make your choices and let me know what happens). Anyway, yeah it is easily the most decadent product I own and someday I will look back on my twenties and feel ashamed of my wanton spending. I really don't even know if I can tell you that this shampoo is worth the price, because "worth it" is a relative term depending on your own needs/wants/abilities/priorities whatever. I will tell you, though, that a 12 oz bottle lasts me well over a year because it is so goddamn expensive that I use it sparingly and treat it like it's made of gold. I've had strong words with my little brother, who shares my bathroom, about how he is never to touch it. I wouldn't hesitate to remove one of his hands for stealing my Philip B shampoo. 

The second ingredient in Russian Imperial Amber Shampoo is sodium laureth sulfate, a detergent agent that creates the satisfying lather, which some people find irritating or drying. In my experience the high SLS content actually leaves my hair satisfyingly squeaky-clean and is excellent for clearing product buildup. It's never drying and I actually don't ever follow it with conditioner because it's so moisturizing. My hair is left clean and voluminous (product buildup is the natural enemy of volume) and incredibly shiny. The shampoo is a little weird at first, it's a thick paste texture that has to be massaged and warmed in your hands before you can work it into your hair. If I'm honest though, the thing that draws me back year after year is the scent. According to Philip B's website: "the tantalizing botanical scent channels the opulence of the Romanov dynasty, when the healing and calming properties of Amber Oil were treasured by a privileged few." To me it smells decadent and rich. My hair literally looks and smells like a million (okay, a hundred) bucks. Unlike other hair products I've used this scent actually hangs around for nearly two days! Ka-ching! 

Today I was in a really weird mood. I went for my run and then was sitting reading a really strange book (Petals in the Wind by V.C. Andrews, if you're curious) but I just couldn't shake this weird, anxious, blues-y feeling. I blame the random cloudy weather we had in Seattle today. So naturally I solved my problems by taking a Xanax. Kidding, kind of. I couldn't find any Xanax in the house. Instead I took a really long bath and washed my hair with my ridiculously expensive shampoo. I couldn't work up the energy to shave my legs (sorry) or hunt down bubble bath or whatever, but the ritual was meditative and left me smelling like a frickin' Grand Duchess so I obviously felt a good bit better afterwards. Now my weird mood swing seems to have settled and I'd like to thank my Past Self for investing so wisely in my mental health. 

Yes, I can justify just about any purchase you need me to. I'm officially declaring Philip B Russian Imperial Amber Shampoo better than benzodiazepines. 

image source

What's the most decadent thing you've ever purchased? How did you justify it? Did you have to hide the receipts or dine on ramen after? 

Do svidanya i spokoynoy nochi, 
xo Caitlin

Back by (moderately) popular demand

Hello again! Long time no blog. The last three weeks have flown by in a blur of too many white wine spritzers, American Horror Story marathons, and occasional jaunts to faraway locales.

Behold the briefest of updates...

1. Running: huzzah! I've been battling plantar fasciitis since Christmastime and this week made my very gradual return to running. Before I was injured I was routinely running about 4-5 times per week, with the requisite Saturday long run to prepare for a marathon. Sadly I had to back out of the race but I'm hoping to try again next May! I'm using the Couch to 5K app to help get me back in it and I highly recommend it for beginning runners and the previously-injured. 
2. Turkey: remember my previous post about my quest to be the glammest bitch on the beach? Well I don't know if I pulled it off, but I do know I wore an overlarge sunhat and drank cocktails poolside for a week. So there's that. I'll do a full post next week (probably) because I need to relive the best holiday of my life.
3. Seattle: I'm home! I booked an impromptu trip to Seattle early this week to catch some sun, stare at the ocean, and bemoan my decision to stay in Ireland another year. Seattle is seriously the most beautiful place on earth, but let's not tell anyone because I want it to remain pristine and uncharted. 
4. American SHOPPING: You knew I was going to say this, right? I've been home two days and already been to Target, Sephora, and MAC. Unless my dad wants a Revlon Balm Stain for Father's Day I'm afraid he might be slightly disappointed this Sunday when he realizes none of my shopping has been for him. Stay tuned for an obnoxious post about all the shizz I spent my not-yet-earned money on. 
5. Employment: Sweet baby Jane I have a job! I'm starting work on July 3rd in a hospital in Ireland. To any of my Irish readers...don't get sick or injured in July. Please.

I'm so sorry to leave you with only a sad little update for now but I promise good posts will be forthcoming. Today it was only about 65 F outside so I had plenty of time to play around with my new purchases and get ideas for a post. 

In the meantime please enjoy two photos from my holiday in Turkey! My friends and I did a hot dog legs contest (whatever that is) so here is my submission: 

and naturally I am nothing without a good beach tote. I chose this one from Kate Spade which was rather appropriate for a holiday that was an excuse to get White Girl Wasted every single night. 

Till next time! I promise I'll write you a better post soon. Today's forecast is for rain (harrumph) so I'll probably churn out some questionable beauty writing. 

xo Caitlin

Shameless Materialism: Turn Your Bedroom Into A Sanctuary with Diptyque

Hello and welcome back to Shameless Materialism! This column is all about products I've finished up and re-purchased. It is an ode to the all-time best ever products that the beauty industry has produced and I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. 

Okay I know candles aren't technically a beauty product. But they lend fragrance to a room, which makes them a beauty product for your house. Also this is my blog and I will stretch the definition of any word I want. So let's talk candles! In high school I loved lady magazines, especially Vogue and Elle, and I was particularly addicted to profiles of rich fabulous women who shared their most-loved products. Back then I was naive and didn't realize that most of those women were actually spokesmodels for certain brands and therefore completely lying through their veneers. But anyway, every single glamorous woman was always on about her love of Diptyque candles. In high school I was something of a Baby Hippie (or I tried to be, anyway) and so mainly purchased candles from this woman named Starfeather who I'm convinced was/is a witch. All my candles were patchouli and ylang ylang and my parents complained but I think they should just be grateful I wasn't burning anything mind-altering if you know what I mean.

Alas, time marches on, boho becomes passe, and Baby Hippies become Wannabe It Girls. I'm fairly certain Starfeather closed her shop and I've never found a patchouli/ylang ylang candle that I loved in the intervening years. Nowadays I splurge far too frequently on Diptyque candles and spread them around my apartment like the fabulous magazine ladies. At $50 they aren't cheap but the fragrance payoff is intense and they last much longer than lower quality candles. In general when I take a Diptyque candle out of the box I'm hit by the fragrance immediately and I can actually just leave it to sit, unlit, for about two days and let it freshen my home that way.

Smells like cinnamon, luxury, and money

My scent of choice varies with the season and my moods. I love Canelle (cinnamon) lately for its almost spicy, masculine feelings. It doesn't smell at all like baked goods, surprisingly. It's a very sexy fragrance to me and I love mixing it with Oranger or Myrrhe in the winter to make my house smell like church at Christmastime.

In December the brand offers a range of Christmas scents. My favourite is Pin (pine, unsurprisingly, but I pronounce it Pie-ahn because it pisses off the snooty salesmen). It smells like my youth when I used to lie on the floor beneath the Christmas tree, counting the presents and inhaling the sharp woody smell. This is vital because nowadays my parents are the absolute worst at Christmas and always try to negotiate for a plastic tree. Apparently this is my fault because I never get home until about December 22nd, when all the good trees are gone, and no one was bothered enough to buy a tree until I started nagging them. Thank God for Diptyque candles and hefty glasses of red wine, I swear.

Now that the summer is here I'm all about the Gardenia and Tubereuse candles. Growing up I spent a lot of time in Hawaii and these candles remind me of the delicate Plumeria scents that I associate with island life. If Diptyque made candles that also smelled like coconut, hot sand, and saltwater I'm sure I could make my cheery little Irish apartment into a tropical paradise. But that might be a little too literal for me, so floral candles it is! I wish I could say that every time I visit the Diptyque concession at my local Brown Thomas I bring home a new scent...but that would be a complete lie. I return again and again to Gardenia, Tubereuse, and Canelle. I'm always eyeing Verveine and the other "Herbal" scents but what can I say? The heart wants what it wants.

Diptyque candles can be purchased at most department stores or online and do keep an eye out for seasonal offerings! At $50 for something you literally light on fire until it disappears it's definitely an indulgence, but I hope you agree that the soothing atmosphere and the Fancy Bitch Feeling (hereafter known as FBF) you get makes them well worth it. I haven't found my perfect bathtime candle yet, so watch this space.

How do you bring the spa atmosphere home? Should I revisit my youthful enthusiasm for patchouli? If they made candles marketed to men what would they smell like? Can we talk more about Starfeather and my Baby Hippie days? Share your thoughts!

xo Caitlin

Le Geek, C'est Chic

It's that time of year again. Students will know exactly what I mean - finals season! I've been spending a lot of quality time in the library with my nose in a book and my eyes watering from staring at my laptop screen for hours on end. Fortunately I have my beautiful classmates keeping my company and I'm psyched to share their beauty tips with you. Obviously these tips aren't just for library geeks, anyone working long hours or night shifts can probably pick up a new idea or two.

Your Face

As an out and proud Eye Rubber/Face Toucher/Lip Biter I've pretty much nailed my library beauty routine. I need something that takes five minutes in the morning, requires minimal touchups, and makes me look pulled-together enough that if I run into my ex on my way home I don't have to turn and run (again).

I start with BB cream to even things out a bit. I don't like a full foundation look for the library, in part because I want my skin to breathe and in part because I think library beauty should be effortless. No one wants to be that chick who spent longer getting ready than actually studying. So BB cream it is. I also leave my dark circles alone, they are badges of honour! I earned them and they make me look tough! But if you aren't as twisted as I am you might want to cover them up. I like YSL Touche Eclat because it cancels out the blue shades without looking cakey or orange.

I keep my eye makeup minimal. I know I'll be rubbing my eyes when I get tired so I like products with serious lasting power. I use Bobbi Brown's gel eyeliner with Benefit They're Real mascara. I also swipe a little bit of Benefit Eye Bright in my inner corners and waterlines to look more awake. I love the eyeliner and mascara here because they stay all day and don't flake into my eyes.

For cheeks and lips I like to go with a bright and colorful stain product. You can really use anything you like here, I alternate between Benefit's Benetint, Revlon Balm Stains, and NARS lip pencils depending on my mood. I find that having a colour on my lips keeps me from biting them when I'm concentrating. Also it makes me look a little more awake and healthy! That's super crucial for library vampires. The only product I toss into my purse is the lip product so I can reapply after lunch or coffee - see above re: potential scary run-ins.

In this photo I actually skipped the blush altogether because I felt like the lip colour was pretty bright on its own! I put a tiny bit of navy eyeliner at the corner of my eyes and lashings of mascara. The whole look takes no time at all but makes me look pulled-together and lasts all day. It's not exactly revolutionary to wear red lipstick, but around my friends a bright lip is definitely A Statement and I'm all about making statements without having to actually put in effort.

NARS Matte Velvet Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl, Benefit's They're Real Mascara. 

Your Hair

It's tempting to throw my hands up in defeat and put my hair into yet another ponytail. But a gym-ready ponytail with bright lipstick is defeatist. And that's not for us! Put on Eye of the Tiger and get your comb out, girl.

The goal here is something that will keep my hair off my face, look cute enough for humans to see, and will not give me a headache after 10 hours or so. Enter: magnificent braiding. It takes me less than five minutes to work a braid into my hair in some way and yet people give me credit for it like I'm some kind of genius. It's perfectly simple! I actually take my inspiration from vintage Lauren Conrad on The Hills - remember her pretty little side braids? In this photo I did two French braids right at the hairline, ending in tiny elastics at the nape of the neck. This basically creates the same effect as a headband would but is comfortable for hours on end and looks somewhat bohemian and deliberate. To give hair a little more grip I like to spray it with surf spray or hairspray before and after the braiding magic happens so it'll hold better. As the day goes on the braids will naturally loosen but I think this adds to the subtle IDGAF vibe and I like it.

I don't know how I look more tan in this photo than the other one. iPhone cameras are weird. 

Your Clothes

Again, the temptation is to put on sweatpants, a sports bra, and a T-shirt from your high school drama club. Resist! Unless that's your thing, in which case, why are you even here? (JOKES. Please stay) I am all about comfort and refuse to buy into the idea that comfort and cuteness are mutually exclusive. Now your outfit will vary depending on the weather and the ambient temperature of your actual study or workspace. Our school kindly keeps the library at approximately the same temperature as the surface of the sun while it is typically mid-40s F outside. That means layers layers layers. I like a pair of boyfriend jeans, comfy plimsolls, a loose top, and an optional cardigan. The whole look is effortless and just as comfortable as sweats but also transitions to dinner or the pub easily. Click through to see product info.

Library Time by callmecate. Alternative outfit: scrubs.

How do you stay cute when your instinct is to hibernate? Weigh in below. Also as I edited this post I realized that I rapidly switch between first person and second person in the narrative. If any English teachers are reading this (or, God forbid, my former English teachers) I apologize, sincerely. I haz all the dumbs from studying too much. In medicine 99% of my writing is abbreviated anyway.

xo Caitlin

Just to say...

Yesterday I went HAM at my insurance company. Stupid man on the phone doesn't want to process my claim and is being super condescending.

Deep breaths... deep breaths... My car can't stay damaged forever, right? 

xo Caitlin

Retinoids: A Case Study

I love talking dermatology more than almost any other subject. It combines my passion for Evidence Based Medicine with my...er...passion for beauty? There is no way to phrase that sentence without sounding like a geeky ditz. Anyway in my ongoing quest to learn about the products I put on my skin and in my body I've been turning a lot to resources like UpToDate and PubMed to get a feel for the safest and most effective options to make my skin look prettier without unwanted side effects (unnecessary expenditures count as a side effect, too). Up to now I've mostly played it safe with my skincare routine, sticking to gentle cleansers and moisturizers that don't irritate my skin but also don't make any promises. Now that I'm in my mid-twenties (*gasp*) I've seen the light! It's 2014, I should be using products that actually have active, hardworking ingredients. I love buying foundations and BB creams and playing with makeup, but I want my skin to be so amazing that I never ever hear the dreaded phrase "you look tired" ever again. I want to glow, like a cute little baby or something.

Gratuitous photo of a famous baby with great skin. I want skin like his but maybe more hair and teeth. 

Now, to abruptly change the topic. Last summer in Atlanta I worked with a large group of extremely attractive female doctors all in their late 20s to early 30s. Every single one of them was brilliant, compassionate, and excellent at their jobs obviously but at the end of my rotation my burning question was, "how do you all have such amazing skin?" The Georgia humidity was wreaking havoc on my face, I was in a constant battle of new blemishes and random dry patches that wouldn't resolve no matter what. The very sweet attending who was clearly wearing no makeup at all apart from mascara and lipgloss, informed that her dermatology colleagues prescribe everyone Retin-A long before any wrinkles appear.

The Science Bit

"Retinoids" is a generic term for any product derived from Vitamin A. It encompasses Retin-A (available by prescription only, also called tretinoin), retinol, retinoic acid, and retinyl palmitate. Those of you who suffered from severe acne as teenagers may remember taking Accutane (isotretinoin), an oral formulation also derived from Vitamin A. All Vitamin A-derived products work in a similar way to exfoliate skin (keratolysis) and stimulate collagen production (collagenesis). This means the skin will feel softer, hyperpigmentation will be reduced, and wrinkles will disappear. Retinoids have been used for decades in dermatology for conditions like severe acne, psoriasis, and keratosis pilaris. In fact, their use as antiaging products was only investigated in last 20 or so years when dermatologists noticed that their acne patients had very youthful skin.

When choosing a retinoid product everything boils down to potency. Tretinoin is available by prescription from your doctor and is about 10 times more potent than retinol, the over the counter equivalent that is present in many anti-aging serums. Tretinoin's potency means that its effects will be evident more quickly but this is associated with an increased risk of side effects. Some patients note that their skin becomes sensitive, dry, and flaky when they start using tretinoin. Depending on your tolerance for pain and the "severity" of your skin's "condition" (sarcastic quotes because normal aging isn't a pathological process in my mind) it may be worthwhile to discuss a prescription with your doctor.

Retinol is a lower potency because after application it has to be converted to retinoic acid by the body, so it's a less efficient delivery system of active ingredients. It's present in a lot of over the counter formulations up to a maximum concentration of 2%.

It is also important to note that high dose Vitamin A is a known teratogen. Please discuss it with your doctor first if you are planning to get pregnant. Also retinoids are delicate little molecules so are packaged in foil containers and if exposed to sunlight will be deactivated. Apply them at night time before your moisturizer. It's a common misconception that retinoids cause an increased risk of sunburn but they definitely don't. Every single woman (and man, but I guarantee there are no men reading here) should wear SPF on the daily. There's no point fighting the first signs of aging all night with your hard working retinoid and then causing more photo damage during the day.

Fun fact: high dose Vitamin A is also used as a treatment for certain lymphomas and is being investigated as a potential treatment for malignant melanoma as well. Is there anything this humble vitamin can't do?

Picking A Retinoid

I'm going to focus on the over the counter retinoids at this stage, since Retin A/tretinoin is only available by prescription. I personally opted to start with an over the counter retinoid since I'm young and my "problem areas" don't bother me too much. I'm saving the tretinoin/big guns for when I'm a bit older and need something more aggressive.

The number of anti-aging products on the market are truly mind-boggling and it can be difficult to sift through the marketing mumbo-jumbo to arrive at something resembling the truth. Lots of products use vaguely science-y words ("Nanotechnology! Proteoglycans!") accompanied by photographs of attractive people in lab coats. I'm sure in a few years one of these companies will emerge the triumphant winner but in the meantime I'm sticking with retinols because the data is there to back it. Plus I feel a little better knowing that the FDA has approved tretinoin as a pharmaceutical, rather than a cosmetic. My feelings about cosmetic labeling is a completely different rant though so I will spare you the details.
When hunting for an anti-aging product in my opinion simple is better. As products start offering more and more benefits such as moisturizing, antioxidants, and sunscreen the whole thing becomes a little more dicey. Complex serums that claim to multitask are more likely to contain irritating fragrances or frustratingly low concentrations of their active ingredients. Right now the maximum that any non-prescription retinoid can contain is 2% retinol, so I set out to find a product that was exactly that and nothing more.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, retinoids are expensive! I presume this is a conspiracy to keep us all either youthful and poor or haggard and wealthy. My feeling is that if your skin looks flawless you save money on foundations and concealers, so justification of the price is easily had.

The Contestants

My first Glossybox arrived, containing a sample of Vichy's newest anti-aging product called "LiftActiv Advanced Filler." The website doesn't list the concentration of retinol and mentions some proprietary product called "LR2412" which is also present in Lancome's Visionnaire serum but must be an industry secret because I can't find any information about what it is. At 37 EU for 30 mL, this Vichy serum is a little more expensive than I'd like. Also I don't like the idea of investing in a product that I don't know enough about, so when my sample runs out I might hold off on repurchasing. I've used it for a few nights now and I'm happy to report no side effects at all. I also had a few nasty little stress-induced blemishes on my chin and this cleared them right up within a few days.

Pros: available at your local Boots, contains retinol, non-irritating, cleared up blemishes
Cons: $$ what am I, an heiress?

In two weeks my darling little brother is coming to visit all the way from New Orleans! Obviously this means I'll be using him as a mule and demanding that he bring me some Sephora products because this trip isn't about family, it's about skincare. I'm having him bring me Dr Brandt Overnight Resurfacing Serum and Philosophy Help Me. Both contain 2% retinol and very little else. I'm also glad to see they are formulated without parabens and phthalates, though I haven't done enough research about those ingredients to really make my mind up about them. Still, safe rather than sorry, etc etc. I chose these 2 from Sephora because I was happy with the cost:benefit ratio and I've used products from each brand before with no problems.

Two Retinols enter...

...this metaphor doesn't work

Since retinoids can take several weeks, if not months, to have a visible effect I won't likely be able to do any kind of review of their efficacy for awhile. The scientist in me is tempted to do one side of my face with the Dr Brandt product and the other side with the Philosophy product, sort of a cosmoceutical Hunger Games where the arena is my face. I probably won't, though. As much as I love a controlled trial I'm kind of worried that the difference will be dramatic and the phrase "this is my good side" is going to take on a scary and literal new meaning.

The Before

So what's my starting point? I'm tempted to upload a photo wearing zero makeup in the name of science but that is quite frankly kind of scary and you never know what handsome millionaire might stumble across it and decide not to marry me. I took a "before" photo for posterity with my cell phone though, so stay tuned in a few months and we can track progress together. By then I'll have convinced the millionaire to marry me and I can expose my scary face to the Internet. At the moment I'm dealing with some hyperpigmentation around my mouth, some post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (fancy talk for acne-related dark spots) on my chin, and a bit of redness on my nostrils and cheeks. I don't have any wrinkles and my skin is in pretty good condition. I've been breaking out quite a bit, likely because of stress, and I'm glad the retinols will take care of that too. Ain't nobody got time for the ravages of time and the problems of puberty, right?

Stay tuned for updates on my retinol experience! Share your grown-up skincare secrets too, I'm all ears.

xo Caitlin

New Feature: Shameless Materialism

Hello and welcome to my new feature: Shameless Materialism! This column is all about products I've finished up and re-purchased. It is an ode to the all-time best ever products that the beauty industry has produced and I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. 

Kerastase Bain Satin 1 (for normal to dry hair)

Liquid gold

At about $20 USD for a small bottle this stuff doesn't come cheap but the difference it has made to my hair has been incredible. My hair is pretty thick and dead straight so it gets weighed down by product easily and can start looking lank and tired the day after I wash it. I also have a thrice-weekly spin class habit that leaves my hair disgusting at the roots but somehow tangled and dried out at the ends. This shampoo has been a total game-changer and I wish I had bought it sooner! For years I've used basic drugstore shampoos for colour-treated hair and they were completely fine but nothing really blew me away. Then back in February my friends and I started talking shampoo at brunch and it emerged that I was the only one at our table of five women who used drugstore shampoo. Everyone else either used Kerastase or Bumble & Bumble products. I only recently recovered from the burning humiliation.

Initially I scoffed, pitying them for buying into the hairdressers' pitch about drugstore products causing buildup and everyone should be using this really expensive shampoo that their salon happens to sell. But soon I ran out of my 1 L bottle of generic shampoo and found Kerastase on sale at a nearby salon. I decided to try it out, assuming that if I hated it I could always abandon it or return it or give it to a friend. Instead I'm on my second bottle and planning to marry it. I love it more than any boyfriend I've ever had, and will be true to it always.

Bain Satin is formulated for "normal to slightly dry hair" which I like because I'm all about achieving Middleton-level glossiness so I go for moisturizing formulas. The scent is a lovely, unisex perfume that smells sort of sexy and clean at the same time. After I wash my hair I find myself running my hands through it all day and enjoying the swishy feel that I assume comes from how squeaky clean my roots are. The lather is much richer than any other shampoo I've used before too, the whole experience just feels more expensive and luxurious than your ordinary hair cleaning ritual. It's never drying and I follow it up with the Lait Vital conditioner from the same line. My bathroom is a graveyard of half-empty bottles of hair products that I've given up on so the fact that I not only finished a bottle of shampoo but then repurchased it is pretty amazing.

As far as ingredients go I can't decipher anything in the label that makes it any more remarkable than your garden-variety shampoos. I assume the secret ingredient is unicorn tears. What more can I say at this point? Buy it. Your hair always looks better after a salon visit and I'm now convinced it isn't their superior blow dryer technique, it's the shampoo.

What is your favourite hair splurge? Do you buy salon-quality hair products too? Was I the only person keeping drugstore brands in business?

Stay tuned for more moments of Shameless Materialism!

xo Caitlin

Kusadasi Dreaming

In less than a month I'll be lying on a beach in Kusadasi, Turkey partying my cares away. Unfortunately in the meantime I have some pesky schoolwork and even peskier exams to get through. To make the time go faster I've been pinning my favourite summer looks and planning what stories I'll be inventing when my credit card bill arrives. The itinerary for the trip largely revolves around beach time with some bar hopping and sightseeing mixed in, so I need outfits that transition from the beach to the bar easily but leave enough room in my luggage for a few pashminas and harem pants. We're flying on some budget airline that I've never heard of, so I want to fit all my makeup and clothing into a small carryon as well. Shall we explore my packing/wish list?

Beach Lounging
Retro bathing suit styles are really "in" lately but I can't wear them at all. On me they look costume-y and weird, so I tend to stick to a more bohemian aesthetic. Since this trip is to Turkey I'm feeling inspired by images of Istanbul and the Bosphorus to guide me. That means kaftans and big hats with enormous sunglasses. I want to look like a 70s Elizabeth Taylor but with possibly more jewelry.

Here are a few of my favourites:

This Issa kaftan is appropriately called the "Ocean Print Goddess Kaftan." Unfortunately it is slightly out of my price range (694.99EU) but, hey, a girl can dream.

Anyway I'm using this kaftan as a jumping-off point. I love the vibrant colours and the relaxed vibe. I'd prefer a shorter kaftan anyway, I worked hard doing squats and spin class all winter and I want to show off my legs! 

Tunics and bikini by J Crew

Sunglasses: Ted Baker "Biotime" 

Headband: Deepa Gurnani (available at ASOS)

Bracelet: ASOS

Sandals: Stuart Weitzman at Zappos

The tunics will be perfect as beach coverups and then with a pair of denim cutoffs and those divine sandals. I'm in the market for a new salt spray, my current favorite one from Charlotte Ronson has been discontinued and I'm down to my last stockpiled bottle. Hopefully I'll find one in time for Turkey because the babely boho beach girl look is all about artfully tousled waves. I'm tempted by this Kevin Murphy Hair Resort Texturizer because it's a gel rather than a spray so I expect I'd get more even distribution through my hair. Feel free to weigh in on other favorite sea salt sprays!

Also features shimmer. Mermaid Hair?

Today was a particularly rainy gross day and only my upcoming vacations are keeping me going lately. Before Turkey I'll be headed to Tuscany on a five day cycling trip through wine country. Stay tuned for packing updates and wine recommendations. My good friend is a very experienced oenophile (okay, I've been looking for a reason to use that word, sue me) and has been emailing me nonstop with wine recommendations that I can't wait to share. 

Salt spray recommendations? Preferred beach activities? Recommendations for can't-miss Turkey experiences? Weigh in below. 

xo Caitlin

Keep On Hangin' On...

We've all been there. Work is piling up, deadlines are coming, errands to run, the bag of salad you purchased is starting to look dodgy and you don't even remember your last shower.

I like to think of myself as something of a pro at handling stress. I have no qualifications to back up my dubious title but there are plenty of others on the Internet with even less expertise than me, so I figure I might as well chime in. 

1. Get Help. If you think you aren't coping well and find yourself unable to deal then please don't suffer in silence! Talk it out. Call a friend, your grandmother, your dad, call your plumber if you have to. Just stop being a hero. If you are really struggling go to your doctor, if your anxiety is preventing you from being productive you might benefit from pharmacological or psychological intervention. 
2. Work Hard, Play Hard. Not just a motto for vanilla OkCupid profiles anymore, guys! When you need to work just put your head down and do it. Learn to recognize the need for a break. There's nothing worse than sitting down to work and 4 hours later finding yourself deep in a Wikipedia k-hole reading about the plight of Aboriginals in colonial Australia (not that that's ever happened to me...). If you need a break just acknowledge it and unplug completely. For me that means walking away from my computer, putting down my cell phone, and reading something by Jilly Cooper. If I don't disconnect completely my brain won't recharge and then I'm vulnerable to distraction again. Other options for disconnecting that are slightly less fun but pretty emotionally rewarding are doing laundry, tidying the kitchen, or throwing away all that nasty-ass food you bought when you vowed to be healthy last week which has now gone off because you keep eating cereal for dinner instead. It'll only take about 10 minutes but it's surprisingly more meditative and easier than actually learning to meditate. Note to self: must learn to meditate. 
   
3. Exercise Exercise Exercise. Ugh I know, how obnoxious am I? Look, we all hate exercising. People who claim to love it are lying to themselves and to each other. But the endorphin high afterward and the pure sensory pleasure of a well-deserved shower makes it totally worthwhile. It's hard to find the time to work out, especially when you're being pulled a million directions. Lately I am relying on a Pilates DVD (mine is by Gaiam and it's only okay so I won't link you to it, lest you find the instructor's voice grating and then question my taste forevermore). I also get a kick out of doing 15 minute HIIT sessions on my balcony. I pick three or four tough exercises (burpees, squat jumps, pushups... anything that sucks) and then do a 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off routine in a circuit. By the fifth circuit I'm completely spent and I always wake up the next day satisfyingly sore. The HIIT routine really saves me on days when I just can't drive forty minutes round trip to the gym plus work out for an hour. It also serves as a nice break from work while still feeling productive. 
4. Don't Be "That Guy." You know who I mean. The guy who works all day then collapses into bed at night for days and weeks and months on end, before eventually waking up at age 60 ready for his nervous breakdown. Put something between work and sleep. It can be exercise if that's your thing, or cooking, or home brewing, or reading. I am reluctant to use the word "hobby" because it conjures up images of crappy DIY Pinterest fails, but cultivating an interest outside of work will not only prolong your life but can give you something tangible to link you to the world. Working or studying nonstop can be very isolating so finding a hobby you can share with others (even if the "others" are just YouTube people) will keep you grounded and give you some perspective. 
5. Indulge. Whatever that means to you, now is the time to do it. In general I try to limit my intake of sweets to the weekends but today an almighty migraine was looming around 2 pm. My friend texted asking if I felt like running out for coffee at that exact moment and I gratefully accepted. I entered the cafe planning to order a sensible black Americano but felt the siren call of the pastry cabinet. The tempting array of muffins, cakes, and tarts called to me. "You want us, Caitlin. You need us. Get outside us." I gave in. I ordered the Maple Pecan Bar and savored every delicious bite. I certainly won't be making a habit of afternoon pastry time and I confess that I felt a brief twinge as I considered the number of burpees it would take to work it off. Within moments, though, I found myself not caring as my teeth sank into the chocolate-y, maple nectar of the Gods. Other indulgences include the nights I treat myself to an extra-long shower or spend five extra minutes in the morning to actually style my hair instead of sighing and putting it in a ponytail. Those brief moments of self-care rapidly become the best part of my week and I thank my sun and stars that I still feel alive and human. 
6. For God's Sake, Take A Shower. Showers take 10 minutes. Just do it. You're losing friends. 
7. Indulge (again!). You know what comes with stress? Rage. Road rage. Roommate rage. Frustration. Anger. Don't bottle it in, that will give you wrinkles. Instead just allow yourself to get mad. Try not to get mad verbally towards your loved ones, but by all means take twenty minutes to beat the shit out of a punching bag or a piece of hanging meat. It'll make you feel better and you may surprise yourself how much aggression you're holding onto. I love the high that comes after a good boxing training session; I leave the gym with excessive swagger and pray that someone, anyone, will attack me so I can practice my new moves on them. 

Rocky Balboa ain't got nothing on me

Perhaps just as important as a list of things to do is a list of things to avoid. Everyone has different ways of procrastinating and different websites that keep them distracted. If you use Chrome definitely install the extension called Stay Focused. It blocks all the fun websites during working hours that you set and prevents you from whiling away the hours looking at pictures of cats. I also avoid reading anything too navel-gazing or depressing when I'm stressed, I feel like the misery of others makes me emotionally labile and generally droopy.

I think I'll leave the list at 7 because 7 is the most magical number and I find myself growing tired. I started this post expecting to write a lot about the benefits of lavender essential oils etc. but found the words taking me in a completely different direction. I'm sorry for anyone who suffers from tension headaches who came here looking for a cure. Try playing Jimmy Buffett songs and wearing shorts in your house so you can pretend you're wasting away in Margaritaville, I guess.

What are your stress-busting tips? 

Catch you on the flip-flop,

xo Caitlin