11 Things with Andrea #6

I can’t believe how long it has been since I’ve written one of these update posts! I’ve noticed that due to Quarantine, I have a weird relationship with time. It’s moving very slowly, yet I still am very confused how it’s not April still. If you are new around here, these are random update posts that help me share bits and pieces of my life and what I’m up to. They seem to be a favorite around here so I hope you’ll enjoy.

1. I still haven’t gotten used to the fact that I am debt free, even though it has been almost 9 months. Some of that is probably due to the fact that I’m still being mindful with the pandemic of how I’m spending my money, and also that I am not a super spendy person. I look at my budget sometimes and I’m like “I can’t believe I used to have to give away this huge chunk of my income to student loans every month!” It’s pretty great to get to use ALL of my income on my savings goals.

2. I thought I had found planner peace when I discovered the Passion Planner. I do absolutely LOVE the layout and think it’s great for keeping track of my crazy inconsistent schedule. However, I felt like I was overwhelmed with keeping both my home/life tasks and my work tasks in the same space. I had been wanting to try a Happy Planner, so I purchased one and it’s changed my life. I LOVE the disc bound system. I bought the punch and ended up doing some surgery on my Passion Planner to add it into the Happy Planner. I plan on doing a dedicated post to this once I have used it for a little longer and know exactly what I’m doing with it.

3. Mikey and I have been watching the Sopranos for the past couple of months and omg. How was I sleeping on this show, especially being ITALIAN?! Mikey loves a good TV series and over the course of our dating history, has made sure that we watch some of his favorites. Now I understand why he bought me that Sopranos cookbook for my birthday a few years ago. You do get very hungry watching it. haha We’ve had many pasta and Soprano’s nights. We are in the last season and I am going to be so sad when it’s over.

4. I’ve recently started a new morning routine and I am obsessed with it. First, I start the coffee brewing and tidy up the living room. It’s usually a little disorganized from the night before and I love getting it super tidy and clean feeling for the day. Then, I light some incense and turn on some meditation music and plan my day while I’m drinking my coffee. Sometimes I read a little too, depending on what I have doing on that morning. There is something about the calm music and incense with my coffee that gets my day started off on such a positive note.

5. Hamilton, Hamilton, Hamilton. I probably don’t need to elaborate but Hamilton Mania has reached our household and we can’t get enough. We listen to it all the time, we sing bits of the songs to each other and I am not ashamed. We love it. If you haven’t watched it yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! It’s amazing.

6. I’m still obsessed with the Essie Expressie Nail Polish line. I have many colors now and they are the only thing I’ve used to paint my nails since quarantine began. My current favorite shade that I keep reapplying every time I am painting my nails, is the shade Saffr-on the Move. It dries super quickly and lasts SO long which is huge for me!

7. I feel like I can’t write one of these 11 Things posts without sharing a cookbook update! It’s coming along. I am still recipe testing which simply takes a long time! I am hoping to be done with the book this winter,, with hopefully a Spring launch so wish me luck!

8. In case you missed the update on Instagram, I am back to nannying part time. Pre-COVID, my plan was to be done nannying this past June and jump 100% into everything I do for Andrea Fontana Beauty. However, with COVID and virtual school, both of the families I used to nanny for (and adore) asked if I could help out for a little bit during this weird pandemic transition time. I love my boys so much, so it is good to be back, but it’s weird having an actual schedule to stick to for work after having nothing for so long.

9. I finally bought my Schwinn iC4 bike and started using the Peleton app with it and I’m obsessed. I am going to be doing a full blog post dedicated to the bike soon, because I love it and I think it’s a much better option than paying over $2,000 for the Peleton bike.

10. My mental health is tricky these days, which probably comes as no surprise. The COVID pandemic has been really hard for everyone in so many ways and I find that while I have mostly good days, sometimes the days are REALLY difficult. It’s ok to not be ok. 2020 has been a very weird and difficult year so know you are not alone if you have been struggling. I’m always here to chat if you need it.

11. I know that I probably sound like a broken record, but I can’t stress how important it is to support your local small businesses always, but especially during this weird time. Some of the things I’ve done is buy gift cards (I even gave one to my best friend and asked her to go shopping for me with it which was so fun!), started my holiday shopping, shared about them on social media, recommended them to friends, etc. Intentional shopping is key in supporting our communities during this difficult time. Shop less, but from more meaningful sources.

How have you been? How’s your mental health? What have you been up to? Leave me a comment down below and let me know!

Sending you love,

Andrea

11 Things With Andrea #4

Oh man. I can’t believe I haven’t done one of these update posts since July. It’s time friends. It’s time. Here are 11 Things that are currently going on with ME…Andrea!

1. I recently had to transition into running indoors because it’s too dark out when I need to run early in the morning and I’m just sick of getting scared of my own shadow…haha anyone else? I love running outside so much more than on a treadmill, but have just accepted that it’s time.

2. I LAUNCHED MY OWN TEE SHIRT LINE! Click here to go check it out and order your very own! There two designs, but many color options and I am just so grateful for all of you who have already ordered one! Remember, my goal with these shirts is to help us redefine the way we view the word beauty and I want you to help me with this project!

3. I have been thrifting a good amount of clothing in the last few months but have been slacking when it comes to accessories, so in the near future I am going to be doing some challenges trying to get out of my comfort zone and find some new stuff!

4. I recently switched up my WHOLE planning system and I’m really excited to share it with you guys once I use it a little longer and make sure I really do love it. If you have been following me for a while you might know that for the last couple of years I have bought MayDesigns books and created my own planners because I can never find what I’m looking for already printed. However, my search may be over! Updates soon!

5. Cookbook recipe testing is back in full swing as bridal season is starting to wind down a little? haha October is my last full month of weddings and I’m excited to have some more weekend time in the near future to devote to fine tuning things.

6. Speaking of bridal season, I am booking for all of the 2020 season and things are filling up quickly! If you or someone you know is getting married and still needs a makeup artist, PLEASE contact me asap!

7. I’m so happy it’s finally fall because I have thrifted some amazing fall layers recently and I’m excited to style them all for you guys! I love layering pieces and wearing oversized items, so fall is the perfect time to play with these trends! It’s also finally chilly enough some days for a blazer moment and you all know how much I love that!

8. I’m headed to Traverse City the first weekend of November with my best friend Margaret for her to show me around her hometown! I am so excited! We are heading to the grand opening event for Poppy Things and I’m so jazzed to meet Chelsey and check out her new space! This will be my first weekend off from weddings in like 3 months, so I couldn’t be more excited to have some run relaxation girl time. I also love visiting new places because I always leave feeling inspired.

9. I have become fully OBSESSED with Beth from B. Jones Style. While her style can be a little more bold than what I typically wear, I am always SO inspired to create and try new styles when I watch her videos and look at her Instagram! If you are curious about thrifting and want more inspiration, I highly recommend checking her out!

10. Fall makes me want to get cozy on the couch, read books and watch movies. What are your current recommendations for both? I’m not much of a TV show watcher but I am obviously excited ‘This is Us’ is back on! I just went to the library and picked up some good reads that I’m excited to get into. This also reminds me that I am due for a Books I’ve Recently Been Reading post, so expect that soon.

11. My Hydroflask has changed my life. There is nothing quite like waking up in the morning super thirsty, picking up a water bottle and hearing the sound of ice still frozen inside. I bring this thing with me EVERYWHERE and even got Mikey hooked on it. This is the one I have and I highly recommend it!

There you have it! 11 Things are done! What is up with you lately? Comment below and let me know!

Have a great day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

11 Things With Andrea

This is by no means my idea. I admit to have stolen this from one of my favorite blogs to read "The Middle Edit”. I absolutely love Allison and Shannon and if you don’t follow their blog and IG, you NEED to! They are what I’d consider a true lifestyle blog because they cover everything from health & fitness, to money, food, & more! Every month they share 11 things that are currently going on in their lives and I love this idea, because it allows you to learn a little bit more about them and read about certain topics that might not need a whole blog post devoted to them! So here I am stealing this idea from them because I LOVE it!

11 Things with Andrea:

1. I recently got back into running after a 6 week break due to a really bad tailbone injury. I was so scared to get back on the treadmill because I didn’t want to face all of the progress I’ve lost, but I’m happy to say I wasn’t as slow as I thought I’d be. It felt like a ripping off a huge Band-aid, but I’m so happy to have had that first run and be back on track. If there’s something in your life that you need to rip the band-aid off for, DO IT! It’s scary, but worth it.

2. I’ve been dealing with a lot of anxiety in my day to day life and I’m working on making some changes and getting back into my routine. I’ll keep you updated on how things go, but let me know if you want to see a post devoted to this.

3. I don’t normally read crime books but this month’s book club pick is in this genre and I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. I don’t think I’ll be reading too many in this category at once, because they still spook me a little bit, but it’s nice to be reminded to switch things up and get out of your comfort zone with even things like reading!

4. Today’s my dad’s birthday and I’m feeling really grateful to have such a source of support and inspiration in my life. He’s always one phone call away and never misses a moment to teach me something useful. My blog and business wouldn’t be anywhere near where they are today without him.

5. Bridal season is booking up! I am over halfway booked for the year, so if you or something you know needs a bridal makeup artist, make sure you contact me ASAP to get on my books!

6. I watched ‘You’ on Netflix, but never really gave an update as to what I thought about it. I think I’m in a small category of people that didn’t end up liking it. I think they went too far with it and I just felt icky when I’d finish an episode. I just ended up feeling like I could have been doing something more enjoyable with my time, so I don’t think I’ll end up watching the second season.

7. I’m getting a massage at the end of the month and I’m so excited for it. If you don’t know, I really struggle with relaxation and learning when to stop and take care of myself. I’m excited to incorporate this into my life every other month or so.

8. Did you know my name is actually pronounced, ON-DRAY-UH? Don’t fret if you’ve called me 'ANN-DREE-UH’, I really don’t care. Haha, I just find a lot of people don’t know how it’s pronounced so I figured I’d teach you.

9. I’m co-hosting an event in Jackson, MI on the evening of February 25th that I’m super excited about. I am in a monthly women’s mastermind group that I adore and this event is going to be a little taste into what we do and how to cultivate a community of entrepreneurs in your life that you can look to for support and guidance. If you or someone you know is a female entrepreneur in the Jackson or Lansing, MI areas, PLEASE visit this link to learn more and join us!

10. I’m thinking about learning to make my own sourdough bread, starter and all because it seems to be the only gluten I can tolerate. Any amazing bread makers out there reading this and know a great recipe or cookbook to reference? Let me know!

11. I know I kind of bashed the idea of goal setting for January but I decided I do have one change I want to make for 2019 (Thanks to Chelsea for asking this question in my IG stories post). I decided that this year I’m only going to say yes to things that ripple down positively into multiple areas of my life. If something can benefit more than just one category ( i.e. my business, my mental health, my physical health, my relationships, etc…) then it is worth my time. If something only strengthens one area but takes a lot of work, it’s not worth my time. This is all about my journey to finding a healthy work/life balance that works well for me.

What do you guys think about this kind of update? I like it so much and I hope you did to. Thanks again to Allison and Shannon for creating this fun way for me to brain dump the things I want to tell you, neatly in one post that makes more sense! Seriously check them out if you haven’t already!

Have a great day,

Andrea

My 'Party's Over' Detox Skin Tips

Welcome back! If you don't follow me on Instagram (...but like why aren't you?) then you wouldn't know that I spent 5 days last week in Chicago working a wedding and then frolicking with friends in the city. This meant more gluten than I normally eat, little sleep, wine instead of water, and all sorts of anti-clear skin habits. Am I paying for it? You betcha. Was it worth it? HELL YES! Because spending quality time with my best friends is priceless and I have the tricks to get my skin back to where I want it once the party's over. 

Today I'm sharing what I've been doing to get my skin back to where I want it & my body feeling normal again. These are my "Party's Over" Detox Skin Tips. Whether you're back from vacation or just celebrated your birthday week (...or month haha) I hope you find these tips helpful to getting back on track with your skin & body.

1. Get rid of all the guilt. Do not spend one second stressed about the fact that you had 2 donuts instead of 1. We've all been there. We've all done it. But that's the point. It's done and all you can do is accept that you cannot change it and get back on track now.

2. Cut out your trigger foods for a week. The first thing I had to do when I got back was get back to eating gluten-free every meal. I usually had one or two meals with gluten when I was in Chicago and since it affects my skin so much, I have cut them out for a week to boost my clear skin and feel better. Whatever your trigger food may be, skip it for a few days or a week and it'll help you to start feeling like yourself again.

3. Do an At Home Detox Facial: Chances are you were a little more lax with your skincare routine when on vacation so it's time to get your skin back into shape. This is especially important for me because my diet caused some serious texture issues and breakouts. I cannot recommend this enough. Here's how I do it.

1. Start by cleansing your face & toning. I'm currently using this Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Gel Cleanser, but if you don't have it try to go for one with a gentle chemical exfoliation to help get rid of any congestion. This cleanser was in my July Favorites; click here to read why I liked it. 
2. 1st Mask: Chemical exfoliation; I like the Herbivore Botanicals Blue Tansy Mask because it's great for blemishes. Leave on for 15-20 min until dry and wash off & tone again.
3. 2nd Mask: Detox and clarifying; I prefer the Aztec Healing Bentonite Clay because it boosts circulation and detoxifies so well! Click here to read my post on this mask. The clay comes as powder and I like to mix it with apple cider vinegar or water and add a few drops of tea tree oil until it forms a thin paste. I apply it and leave it on for 30-45 min depending on how long it takes to dry/how long I can handle it. It tingles! Rinse and tone again.
4. 3rd Mask: Hydrate & Nourish; I love the Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Anti-Oxidant Hydration Mask to hydrate and heal my skin after I've neglected it. It warms on contact and is such a comforting and nourishing experience. Leave this one on for about 15 minutes and have a cup of tea. Rinse off, tone, and apply your normal spot treatments & serums. 
5. Lastly it's time to re-hydrate your skin due to your preference of wine over water. I like to throw on my Laneige Water Sleeping Mask in place of my moisturizer so I can really benefit from all the hyaluronic acid and feel hydrated when I wake up.

4. Try reducing your caffeine intake. I know what you're probably thinking. Wait, I need MORE coffee to recover from a great time than less, but trust me. Your skin and your body will adapt better with less caffeine. Try sleeping more instead! Crazy I know...

Go ahead bookmark this post for easy access next time you have a girls night out, staycation, or simply need weekend recovery. If you're like me, you're not 21 anymore and can use the tips to getting back on track. Maybe you'll feel a little less stressed about skipping your routine when it's time to simply have fun!

Have a great week,

Andrea

How I make Almond Milk/Flour:

This post has been so highly requested and I'm happy to finally write it for you. After doing my elimination diet a few months ago and feeling what it felt like to be eating 100% unprocessed, I was hooked. I've always had the belief that life is about balance in many aspects. I would never want to deprive myself of the foods I love but also think there is an alternative to eating heavily processed treats. I have kind of always operated on the idea that if I can make it myself I'm allowed to eat it.

Almond milk isn't necessarily bad for you, but when you buy it in the stores it unfortunately has to have stabilizers and other ingredients that keep it fresh for you to enjoy at home. Making almond milk eliminates all of this processing and tastes SO MUCH BETTER. Plus, since going gluten free I like to have almond meal (aka flour) on hand and it's expensive! Making your own almond milk yields the milk, but also about 1 cup of almond pulp that you can easily turn into meal! This means it's a zero waste process and will save you money, especially if you use almond meal on a regular basis! Today I'm going to take you through how I make my almond milk and turn the pulp into meal!

First let's go over what you will need for this process:
- 1 cup of almonds (I buy mine in a big bag at Costco)
- 7 cups of water
- Vanilla or salt if wanted
- High speed blender or food processor (I use a ninja) --> Here's the one I have and LOVE (Side note: I took FOREVER to decide on a blender and this is the one I went with. I've had it for over a year and use it constantly. I can't recommend it enough if you're looking for a high quality blender but don't want to shell out the money for a Vitamix)
- Glass container to store milk up to 3 or 4 days --> I purchased this one from Amazon
- Nut Milk Bag --> I purchased this Nylon 2-pack from Amazon.

1. You'll need to soak the almonds for at least 4 hours (I usually just do it overnight) in order to soften them and make them easy to blend.

2. Empty the water that the almonds have been soaking in and add the cup of softened almonds, 7 cups of water and a splash of vanilla and sprinkle of salt to the blender. I have made it with no salt and vanilla and it was great too! Choice is up to you. If you're used to unsweetened original almond milk, leave it out!

3. Blend for 2 minutes on a high speed.

4. Pour your blended mixture through the nut bag into a bowl and squeeze all of the liquid out with your hands! I love the nylon ones I purchased from Amazon because they are super easy to hand wash and keep clean (I also use them to strain my kombucha!)

5. Store in your glass container for up to 4 days!

YES It's really that easy! Now for the almond meal:

1. Preheat your oven to 100 or 150 degrees.

2. Spread your almond pulp onto a baking sheet and break up all of the clumps with your fingers. The more liquid you squeeze out the easier this will be.

3. Bake for 1-1.5 hours until the almond meal is dry, checking on it every 15-20 min to make sure it's drying out evenly. 

4. If your blender hasn't ground it fine enough, you can put it back through the food processor, blender or even a coffee grinder to make it finer!

One of the cool things about making your own almond milk is that you can flavor it however you want! I cannot wait to add turmeric, cinnamon, and more to my almond milk in the fall to make yummy drinks (Thanks for the suggestion Detroit Wifestyles!) 

Have you ever made your own nut milk? What kinds of combinations do you do? Leave a comment below and let me know!

As always, have a beautiful day!

-Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

Frugal Valentine's Gift Guide

I wanted to do something a little different than a typical gift guide for Valentine's Day, so today I've compiled a list of 10 ideas for frugal gifts. You don't have to spend a lot of money on a gift in order for it to be special. I personally don't make a huge deal out of Valentine's Day, so these gifts are more my style.

1. Cook a favorite meal or dessert. I almost didn't mention this one because it's so obvious, but cooking is how I show my loved ones how much I love them, so it wouldn't be my gift guide if I didn't include it. Even if you're not a big cook, make an easy dessert. Cooking for someone is a really inexpensive and kind way to show someone you care. 

2. Make a handmade Valentine/find an antique one. I love handmade cards but especially valentines. As I get older, I've started to really treasure the cards that I receive from loved ones, so I think this is probably the most frugal gift you can give while still telling someone how much you care. In my house I have a garland of valentines that I found all at an antique store and if they weren't decor I would probably gift them because they are so freaking cute. I love the vintage look of them and think they would make a special gift, especially if you're lucky enough to find ones with messages from the 1930's like I was! 

3. Pick out books for each other. This one doubles as a date. I wish I could take credit for this idea but my boyfriend is the one who took me to do this on our first anniversary. We had 30 min to pick out a book for each other and explain why we chose it and then we bought them and gave them to each other. We agreed to not get any other gifts for each other besides the books which I loved. This is a great way to give more meaning to a gift for one another. 

4. Self care items. If your loved one has a busy job, is really active, or just doesn't do a good job taking care of themselves, it's always a good idea to get items that encourage them to relax. Epsom salts are great for active and tired muscles, sheet masks are great for skincare junkies, and bath bombs are great for those who don't always want to spend the money on bath products.

5. Good smelling things. Candles are always appreciated and if someone is into essential oils, picking out a favorite or new oil is always a great gift that doesn't have to be crazy expensive.

6. An indoor plant. I love some fresh greens in my house especially during the cold winter months, so Valentine's day is a great holiday to get someone a new plant instead of flowers that will inevitably die. I love succulents for people born without green thumbs (i.e. me). I love my aloe plant because it's grown huge and is really low maintenance. 

7. Print off favorite Instagram photos. In a world of Instagram and Social Media, we rarely print out pictures anymore! Find a few of your favorites together and print them off and find a creative way to display them. I can't tell you how appreciative I'd be to receive these because I never think to print out the pictures I love anymore!

8. Find a photo or memento that is meaningful and frame it. If you know that your loved one has a memento, old family member's photo, etc. that they really treasure, secretly steal it and frame it (Obviously make sure you don't do anything to harm the item in case they want to remove it later on...). I think this would be a great way to surprise someone you love.

9. Expensive healthy snacks. Since everyone and their grandma will give candy for Valentine's Day, mix it up and get someone those really expensive snacks that are good for you. Things like kombucha,  dried mangos, etc. that are great treats, but just too dang expensive to eat all the time. Like go to Whole Foods and get the organic healthier gummy bears... Not only will they be thankful to have the snacks that we wish we could always fill up our carts with every week, but they won't feel guilty about enjoying them because they are the healthier alternative. 

10. Subscriptions. There are a million and a half subscriptions you can get someone these days, but I think one like the Book of the Month club for example, would be a great gift. Some of them aren't that expensive, and the value is usually higher than what you pay for them. Buy a month or whatever your budget is, and introduce your loved one to something new! 

This Valentine's Day I encourage you to go for meaning before price tag. Your valentine will appreciate it that much more, and if they don't, they don't deserve to be your Valentine! If you don't have a valentine, do one of these things for yourself! Self love is more important than any of this. 

I hope you feel loved,

Andrea

Things that I'm Recently Loving

Hello again!

Today isn't about products. It's more about activities and ways I've been trying to turn negativity into positivity. I mentioned in my last post that 2018 got off to a bad start and last week was no different. Haha I'd love to say that my positive attitude really propelled me through my problems, but at times I wanted to curl up in a ball in my bed and not take on the day. 

However, I did learn some pretty great things last week about myself and I'd like to think that I've grown a little bit as a person. Hooray self reflection? How's that going for you so far? Great I hope.

When stressed, I like to take my frustrations and channel that energy into productivity. Maybe it's because it distracts me a little bit from other things going on, but I like to think of it as a positive thing to not allow myself to completely shut down and actually curl into that ball in my bed.

This productivity I speak of is where this post comes into play. I wanted to share some things that have kept me sane the last two weeks. I started some healthier habits and it's like the universe was telling me to take better care of myself because it knew I would need a little extra love to start this year off. So I want to share some things that have shifted my focus and brought attention to things that I love doing and have gotten out of the habit of enjoying. 

Yoga. I used to do so much yoga. Mostly at home practice, but frequently I would start my day with a little time on my mat devoted to myself. I love the YouTube channel by Adriene Mishler called Yoga With Adriene (YWA). She is easily my favorite for doing yoga at home. She does these 30 day challenges every so often, where she posts a video for 30 days straight and really guides you in many ways to grow your practice. I have done them before so when I saw that True (the current challenge) was starting January 2nd, I knew I had to sign up. I'm not going to lie. I have cried a few times while doing my daily yoga practice because she always seems to know what my body and mind need. I don't even know how much more stressed I would be if it wasn't for this challenge right now. I highly recommend checking her out. 

Reading. I have so many books on my bookshelves that haven't been devoured yet and this week I picked the biggest one up that I had and started reading. I haven't been able to put it down yet and it made me really thankful for the ability of books to take you to knew locations, cultures, and stories. I love how a good book can captivate you and distract you from things you need to be distracted from. You're probably curious what book it is now, and that's The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne and holy cow! Don't let the almost 600 pages scare you. It sucked me in from the first few pages and I haven't let it go yet. I can't speak for the whole book, so I will keep you updated once I have finished it. 

Reaching out to friends for help. I don't know about you, but sometimes I need to say things out loud to friends in order to get them out of my system so I can move forward. I just need the reassurance from the people who know me best that I am making the right decision. Again this is builds off what I said on Sunday but it's ok to ask for help. Invite a friend over for wine or tea and hash through some things that have been giving you anxiety. I did this multiple times last week with friends and my boyfriend and it's a huge lifesaver for me. 

Cooking. There's something comforting about creating a nice meal when I'm stressed that feels relaxing. While I didn't cook as much as normal last week because of how busy I was, I still find that when I pour myself into a creative outlet it brings me a sense of accomplishment to be able to create something, even if other areas of life aren't going as planned. Basically I'm giving myself confidence in areas that I can to help me feel like I can conquer the stressful things too.  So I guess this one is more so a recommendation to find a creative outlet for yourself so you can release that frustration and feel better.

Remind myself of my why. Sometimes I need a reminder as to what I'm working at in life when things don't go my way. Remembering your 'why' allows you to put things into perspective and refocus your attention so that you can move forward. I like to think about the things I'm passionate about and remind myself how worth it it'll be when I've accomplished my goals. 

What are your favorite ways to refocus and turn negativity into positivity? Please share in a comment below so we can continue this conversation and help each other!

Have a beautiful week,

Andrea Fontana

Fall Favorites

This is one of my favorite posts to write every year. I think it's because I love all things cozy and comforting and that's what this post is all about. I'm going to be sharing everything from products I'm loving to recipes and cookbooks I've been obsessed with. So grab your favorite warm fall drink, grab that soft blanket, cozy up and read on! Oh and be sure to share with me your favorites for this time of year. 

PRODUCTS:
I know this probably doesn't come as a surprise but I love a good pumpkin mask in the fall. So let's talk about how I have been incorporating them into my 'At Home Fall Facial'! My skin type is extremely oily in the summer, but as the cooler months approach, I start to normalize and even feel dry from time to time. I have two favorite pumpkin masks that I use to prep my skin for super hydrating masks (This also helps to brighten my skin and even my skin tone). If you read my last post on my BFF Glycolic Acid (click here if you missed it!), I shared the Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask ($14.99) , but I also like the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme ($58)  if I'm feeling a little flakier and dry on the surface. It has little beads that you scrub your face with for 1-2 min before letting the mask sit and the pumpkin enzymes go to work. Once I remove which ever one of those I've chosen that night, I like to add my serums, eye creams (yes I'm using two right now), and then which ever sleeping mask I'm loving at the moment for some super hydration while I sleep. Spoiler alert: I'll be sharing my favorite sleeping masks soon!

As far as my makeup goes in the fall, I start to gravitate towards warmer and darker tones. Think deep browns, bronzes and even oranges and burgundies to warm things up. Last year I bought the Makeup Geek Autumn Glow Eyeshadow Bundle ($49) and I'm still obsessed with it. It included 9 shadows of various warm shades that make the best fall looks. (Please note that this is an affiliate link where I can earn money if you make purchases. If this bothers you, feel free to visit Makeup Geek separately). While the Autumn Glow bundle is no longer available, the Autumn Glow Bundle II is or you can purchase shadows from the bundle individually. MAKEUP GEEK EYE SHADOWS are LIFE! Go get you some now. 

My lip colors for fall start to get bolder and darker as the days get cooler. I love the wine and burgundy shades in the fall, one of my favorites being the Lorac PRO Matte Lip Color in Merlot ($19). Another favorite is the MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Diva ($17.50).
Now I can't skip over the fact that I love browner lip shades as well in the fall. Think of that 90's lip color that has been super popular the past few years. A few of my favorites include MAC Lip Pencil in Spice ($17.50), Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liner in FIGGY ($21), Glo Minerals Suede Matte Crayon in Trademark ($18). 

BOOKS:
I have an amazing cookbook to share and also two non-cookbooks. The cookbook is the amazing Eat Beautiful by Wendy Rowe, a well known makeup artist who has written a beautiful book full of recipes for healthy skin. I love that this book combines my two passions, food and skincare. I also love how this book is structured. There are four sections for each of the seasons. Each section includes ingredients and what benefits they have for your skin and body, and then recipes that correlate with those seasonal ingredients. I highly recommend this one (it also looks beautiful on your bookshelf)! (Huge shout out to my best friend Emily who knows me better than I know myself sometimes and gave me this one for my birthday...talk about hitting the nail on the head!)

Next we have two books recommended by my dad. If you've met him, this comes as no shock but these two books are AMAZING! The Referral of a Lifetime by Tim Templeton, and The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann are two of the best books I've ever read. I've always believed in treasuring every relationship that I've created with my clients and these books validate this belief for me. If you are in a service or referral based industry, you NEED to read these now. 

RECIPES: 
For those of you who follow my Facebook Page Andrea Fontana Beauty, I shared a picture of the pumpkin bread I've made my whole life. The recipe comes from the good old fashioned Fanny Farmer Cookbook and luckily many people have shared it online, so here you go! It's the bomb and more often than not, I make them into muffins instead of loaves, so I can take my pumpkin bread with me easier. Enjoy and don't come back here and yell at me when you want to eat 5 muffins in a row (totally not speaking from experience....)

For some reason, sweet potato fries always make me think of fall. I'm realizing now as I'm typing this that it's probably because sweet potatoes are orange, but whatever! Here's how I make my super easy sweet potato fries. I preheat my oven to 450 degrees F. Then I peel my potatoes and cut them into long wedges. Next, cover a sheet pan with aluminum foil, toss them with olive oil and whatever seasonings you want. I like garlic powder, S&P,and basil or oregano. The most important thing I've found with these is that you don't over crowd your pan. Make sure the fries aren't touching and bake them in the center rack of the oven for 10 minutes at a time, checking and flipping when they are browned on top. It usually takes mine 20 on the first side and 10-15 on the second but every oven is different so check often! I LOVE dipping mine in mustard but ketchup is great too! Enjoy!

RANDOMS: 
I have two random favorites that I have to mention. I seem to drink way more tea when fall comes around and I'm currently obsessed with the Tazo Wild Sweet Orange tea. It has hints of orange, lemongrass, and licorice root and I drink it a few nights a week before bed (Yay caffeine free!) 

The other random is wearing olive green clothing. My absolute favorite fall coat for the last 4 years has been this one from Gap.  They usually do a similar one each year, but I can never get enough of it. I love the fit, the color, how broken in it feels. I highly recommend a jacket like this because I think the olive green can often act as a neutral, depending on what you're wearing. I love to pair it with a gray t shirt and denim jeans or black leggings. 

So that wraps up my fall favorites. Be sure to share with me the products and things you love for this time of year. I love when you guys share new things with me!

Have a beautiful and cozy fall,

Andrea

Current Favorites

Since product recommendations have always been a huge hit on my blog, I figured I would kick off Andrea Fontana Beauty with a post sharing what I've been loving recently. It's officially the time of year when things start to get a lot cozier! 

Epsom salt baths: If you've never taken an Epsom salt bath you need to try it. I take at least 2 a week (don't judge) because after massaging sometimes more than 12 people in a week, my body starts to ache. Epsom salts are made of magnesium sulfate, which naturally relieves the aches and pains in our bodies. Magnesium helps regulate enzyme activity, reduce inflammation, helps muscle and nerve function and loads more. Sulfates improve nutrient absorption in our bodies, flush toxins, and can also help ease the pain of migraines. Dump a cup or two of these in with your bath water and soak for about 20 minutes and you will feel much better. If you live a very active lifestyle, I highly recommend incorporating these into your routine. Plus, I buy Epsom salts with essential oils added and they make the best aromatic bath experience ever!  

Makeup Geek Cosmetics Blushes: You will not find better blushes for this price. For $10, yes I said $10, you get a blush that is so smooth, pigmented, and long wearing. I have them in the pan form and pop them in a Z-Palette and then I have all my favorite shades in one spot. They have a great shade range and are a must in my makeup kit for all jobs. Some of my favorite shades include Puppy Love, Heart Throb, Spellbound (all mattes), and Romance (slight sheen). I know this fall I will be reaching the most for Puppy Love though because of it's a berry toned BEAUTY!

NYX Microbrow Pencil: I have been using the shade Espresso for about a year now and I have probably gone through about 5 of these. I use other brow products here and there but I always come back to this one for two reasons. First, it's so budget friendly. I swear they are always BOGO 50% off at Ulta and are only $9.99 originally. So I always snag two at a time and don't have to buy as often. The second reason is that they are so easy to use and give me the exact brow I want without having to put too much time in. I'll do an update brow routine soon but know these are also a staple in my makeup kit and you should try them if you like simple and easy (which I know you do).

Glo Minerals Suede Matte Crayon in Crimson: The newest shade in one of my favorite lip products of all time! I love these lip pencils because they come with a sharpener in the lid and are an extremely long wearing and comfortable lip pencil. They deliver pigmented and smooth color and are perfect for keeping in your purse. I love deeper red shades for fall, so when I saw this new shade was launched, I immediately ordered it. If you've yet to try these pencils, come in to Remedi and I would be happy to help you test one out! 

KeVita Sparking Probiotic Drink and Masterbrew Kombucha: If you like carbonated drinks that are more bitter and tangy than sweet like La Croix, I highly suggest checking these out! Kombucha is a fermented tea drink that has active probiotic cultures to support digestive and immune health. My favorite flavors include mango coconut, Lavender melon (I know it sounds weird but try it), and the Masterbrew citrus flavor. I try to stick with the fruitier favors and everyone I've tried so far I like. They are low calorie and low sugar so if you're looking for a refreshing and healthy treat besides water, give these a try! I get mine at my local Whole Foods and they seem to go on sale a lot!

Sleeping masks: I have been so into sleeping masks for the past 6 months because you can simply apply them as your last step of your skincare routine and you don't have to wash them off. It's the lazy girl's secret to skincare. I will be doing a post within the next week on my favorite ones and how I have incorporated them into my weekly routine, so look for that soon! 

So there are a quick few of the things I've been loving recently. I could add more but I want to do specific posts on some of the things that need a little more explanation so look for these posts to come! If you have questions about any of the items mentioned please let me know! 

Have a wonderful day,  

Andrea 

Dre Does Hair Accessories

I don't know about you but I'm really picky when it comes to the hair ties and headbands I wear when I'm working out. I hate when my hair feels like it's falling out or loose, so I'm always searching for functional yet pretty ones. I am happy to report that I have found a few hair accessories that have lived up to my expectation and I'm here to share them all with you!

First up we have hair ties. I have to always have a hairtie on my writst because when I'm at the spa, I need to be able to tie my hair back at a moment's notice. However, I'm usually dressed up and I don't like the look of classic hairties. I got a coupon for the scunci Everyday & Active 3X Braided Elastics (around $2.99) so I decided to try them out. I am obsessed! They look like a cute braided bracelet on your wrist, but have amazing stretch and really grip the hair well. I only need one of these to keep my hair in place during even the most intense workout. I got my pack of 6 black braided elastics at Target but I've seen them at other grocery stores too! They also come in a multi color pack which I will probably pick up next!

Next, I found two headbands also from scunci that I really love. Both have rubber grips sewn into the undersides so they always stay put no matter how much I'm moving when I'm working out. The first is the No-Slip Grip Braided Headwrap (around $5.99) and I can't get enough of. It not only holds my hair back, but it adds a little bit of style too! 

Lastly is the No Slip Basic Headwrap (around $6.99). I like how this one keeps all of my hair completely out of my face because it's so wide, yet it doesn't budge when I'm moving. I have both of these headbands in black and bought them at my local Ulta. 

What are your favorite hair accessories? If you have any suggestions please leave a comment below so I can try them out!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

*This post is not sponsored by scunci and everything was purchased with my own money.

Dre Does Friday Favorites

It's been too long since I've shared some Friday Favorites so I thought I'd give you a taste of what I've been really enjoying lately.

First up we have a fall themed favorite that I discovered when looking for something else! I'm a huge fan of greek yogurt and it's the only dairy I consumer besides the occasional addition of cheese when I'm cooking. I heard that Chobani had Pumpkin Spice Yogurt and even though I didn't think I would like it I set out to find some. Luckily I came across the last one while grocery shopping last week and right next to it was an abundance of the Cinnamon Pear flavor. I grabbed a few and it turns out I ended up hating the pumpkin spice one and being OBSESSED with the Cinnamon Pear flavor. It's so delicious. While they are higher in sugar than I like (15g of sugar and 12g of protein), if you're looking for a healthier option to having dessert at night, I highly recommend trying the Cinnamon Pear flavor as an evening snack!

 Even though I'm already more than halfway through the 20's I really enjoyed reading this article from Emily, one of my favorite fashion and lifestyle blogger's from Cupcakes and Cashmere. It's filled with some great reminders so take a look when you have a second.

I have been obsessed with the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlight in Opal (the liquid version of the Shimmering Skin Perfector family). It came in a kit of four mini's from Becca that I purchased about 6 months ago. While I fell in love with two of the four really quickly, this one kind of got thrown into a drawer and for some reason I decided to pull it out last week and start using it. Not sure what compelled me to do so but thanks to whatever intuition I should thank for my now glowing skin! It has a nice, flat applicator that makes it really easy to dab one side on one cheek, flip it over and dab the other side on the other cheek! Then I use my beauty blender to blend the product well into my skin so I have no harsh edges (I should note that I always apply it after my under eye concealer as my last liquid product. I then set my under eye concealer with powder and finish my face with my other powder products). I love how dewy and healthy it makes my skin look. The nice thing about the full size version of this product is that it comes with a pump so you can mix it in with foundation or moisturizer to give you an all over dewy illumination. It will definitely be added to my beauty wishlist.

While I haven't mentioned it for awhile here on Dre Does I reach for my Aveda Beautifying Composition often especially as the weather starts to get chillier. Recently I've been noticing some random dry patches around my nose and eye area so I pulled out my trusted friend and have been adding a drop here and there to combat these random flaky spots. I love the aroma and the versitility of this product and will never be without it. Click here to see a post I did on it more than a year and a half ago showing 11 uses for this magical product!

Cycling or spinning (depending on what you call it...haha) used to be a huge part of my life. When I was a senior in high school my mom dragged me into a class with her and I was hooked! I am super competitive by nature and loved being able to push myself every class. I started going multiple times a week and it became a huge part of my workout routine. I slowly got out of it as college and life got busier and it had been years since I have done it. A few months ago though, the gym at my apartment complex got a spin bike and I couldn't have been more excited. I dusted off my spin shoes and have been spinning at least 4 times a week since! I forgot how much I truly love the workouts. You can find great spinning workout ideas on Pinterest if you need some inspiration. If you're not the biggest fan of running and you've never tried it I highly recommend giving it a shot! I think it's really important to find a class in your area to get started so that you can learn proper form and technique from professionals before you try it on your own.

Dre Does a Fresh Fall Start

There's something about the fall that I absolutely love in terms of productivity. I don't know if it's because the start of a new school year was ingrained in me for so many years, but I always feel like come September, you get a fresh start. 

I have recently made some changes in my life that have helped me feel like I'm more organized and getting more done, so I thought I would share what I have been doing in case you would like to take some ideas and incorporate them into your own daily life. 

1. Establish a morning routine. I have always loved starting my days with productive mornings but the older I've gotten the busier I am and the easier it is to hit that snooze button and skip things that I know I should be doing. A few months ago I decided to change up my mornings and start with a workout. I always feel more productive and energized throughout the day when I get my butt out of bed early and get to my gym. I leave myself enough time to get ready and plan my day when I'm done which sets me up for an accomplished day. I like working out in the morning because even if the rest of my day doesn't go as planned, I don't have to worry about fitting a workout in. I find that doing this every morning makes for a more productive week. So whatever you choose to do in the morning, try to establish a routine so that you get in the habit of starting your day successfully. 

2. Get a planner. This may not seem like a necessity once you enter into post-grad life, but I find that there's even more to keep track of in my life now that I am no longer in school. Having a planner helps me make sure I'm staying up to date in every aspect of my life which can get rid of a lot of unnecessary stress.

3. Adopt a new habit. This is a trick I learned from my dad. He took something he wanted to improve at and challenged himself to be disciplined enough to do it for a little bit every day. This is actually how his blog was born, but I think it's a great way to introduce something you want to get better at, or just get back to doing. I'm sure you have plenty of things you wish you had more time to do, so I challenge you to create a list and then tackle the one most important! You could even change it up every month. For me it's reading. I started reading just 15 minutes a day (sometimes longer if my schedule allows for it and I don't fall asleep first...haha). Whether it's right when I wake up or before I go to bed, I try to get my 15 minutes in every day.

4. Do it at night. I do this all the time. I have a million little things I want to get done at night and then I tell myself I'll do it in the morning because I just want to get to bed. But then morning comes along and you run out of time or completely forget to do it so it gets pushed off until night time again and then the  cycle continues. Just do those little things at night. Whether it's putting away my laundry that I've just folded or unloading the dishwasher, if you simply get these tasks done at night, you can start your day with a shorter To-Do list and a clearer head in the morning. 

When do you feel like you get a fresh start? At the beginning of the year in January or during the fall?

Please share your tips below for creating a fresh start!

Have a beautiful start to your week,

Dre