The Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash is quite frothy and feels great on the skin. There is also a refreshing mint scent. I use this face wash for my evening skincare only. In the morning, I don’t use a cleanser, just a toner before moisturizer. My skin is mostly normal, a little oily in t-zone, but I have been using for about two months with no major breakouts or sensitivity.
I use the Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay about 1-2 times a week after washing my face at night. I apply the mask and wait about 10 minutes for it to dry. Then I splash a little water to reactivate and exfoliate, the mask has jojoba beads to gently exfoliate. My skin always feels amazing afterward.
Origins Checks and Balances Cleanser and Retexturizing Rose Clay Mask
I would definitely recommend both of these products. Have you tried any “clean beauty” products recently? I think my next search will be for a toner. Have you tried any new products? Let me know!
Although Korea is currently a republic, there was a long lasting dynasty. Left behind from the reign of kings are four palaces, a shrine, and a secret garden.
Top Tips
1. Purchase the ticket booklet which includes admissions to all locations for just 10,000 KRW.
2. Double check the days palaces will be open. Most are open each day, but some days may vary.
3. Visit earlier in the day to avoid large crowds.
4. The shrine and secret garden have guided tours so check to make sure the time of your preferred language.
Changdeokgung Palace
Secret garden in Changdeokgung Palace was beautiful! The guided tour was about 90 minutes and very informative. In most cases the secret garden can only be toured with a guide, however there are two times a year when you can roam and explore the garden on your own. On these days certain rooms that are usually off limits are opened as long as you remove your shoes. This was definitely my favorite palace and I learned so much.
Royal Picnic Room in Secret Garden
If you visit, be sure to walk through the gate of longevity to be forever young 😉
I never thought I would be working from home or that there were many jobs in my field that would allow me to work remotely. This will be my fifth year working from home as a science SME. Over the years, I have learned the essentials for productivity while working from home.
The Essentials:
Standing desk
Hourly Planner
Notebooks/pens
Blue light blocking glasses
Comfortable clothes
Standing Desk
I started off with a normal desk, but always found myself getting up and moving around or using a bookshelf to work at standing height. Finally last winter, I got a standing desk from Costco and even got reimbursed from my company. I got the Tresanti Adjustable Height Desk in white, but I recently saw the black version at my local Costco. The desk has a glass top with metal frame, one drawer with three sections, four programmable height settings, three USB charger outlets, and LED touch control on the glass desktop. The desk was on sale during the Thanksgiving/Christmas season–about $150 off.
Hourly Planner
In order to keep myself on track each day, I like to use an hourly planner with a weekly view to see when I have meetings and conferences. I also like to block my work throughout the day to make sure I stay productive. I have been using the STARTplanner this year and enjoy it so far. Check out my previous posts here and here for detailed pictures and reviews.
STARTplanner: Weekly planning pages with 30 minute intervals
Notebooks and Pens
Although all of my work is digital, I still like to take notes in a notebook during meetings, or to jot down tasks or important information I may need later. I used to to use just a notepad or post-its but i ended up throwing them out or some of them would somehow go missing. By using a notebook, I am able to date everything and keep notes organized. Some of my favorite notebooks have been from TJ Maxx. Check out my post here on the notebooks I am currently using.
Faux leather spiral notebooks with thick pages that won’t bleed through! ($7)
Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Since I am staring at screens all day–computer, phone, etc–my eyes get tired but the late afternoon. I’ve found that wearing blue light blocking glasses throughout the day has helped to reduce eye strain by the end of the day. I got mine from the Target Optical Center. I got my usual prescription and added the blue light blocking option to the lenses.
Blue light blocking glasses from Target, A New Day
Comfortable Clothes
One of the first questions people ask me when they hear that I work from home is if I stay in your pajamas all day. Although this would be comfortable, I don’t think it really helps with productivity. Although I don’t get dressed in a business suit, I do change out of pajamas into my “work clothes,” which most days consists of leggings and a tee shirt tied at the side. I find that even though my colleagues may not see me that day, there are still instances when someone will see me, like running out for a juice or coffee and picking up deliveries. My favorite leggings are from Lululemon, either the Align Pant in the 7/8 length or 25 inseam, or the girls Strong Spirit Tights. I find these to be the most comfortable and breathable. My favorite tees are from LOFT, LOFT Outlet, and Kohl’s.
I used to think of TJ Maxx as a clothing store with random items for seasonal home decor and furniture. As the years went on, I felt like the style and quality of the clothing was not quite what I was looking for, so I stopped shopping there. Then after randomly popping in one day, I found so many great things, that I now pop in when I need various things.
The best discoveries recently have been handbags, specifically Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs, and stationary items. Here a couple of my most recent finds:
Faux leather spiral notebooks with thick pages that won’t bleed through! ($7)
Michael Kors pink top handle crossbody studded handbag with gold hardware ($49)
Michael Kors black tote with gold hardware ($69)
Kate Spade weekly planning pages with sticky notes ($10)
Kate Spade weekly planning note pad with sticky notes
I recommend popping into a TJ Maxx when you’re on the search for any of these items. I have also purchased Samsonite luggage, linens, the cutest coffee mugs, and reusable bottles.
What are some great things you’ve found? Let me know so i can be on the look out too!
Rese & Ry 