Can you believe January has come and gone!? I'm shocked. I know I sound like a broken record, saying this monthly, but the time is just flying by. I feel like I went to bed in 2006 and woke up in 2015. Another month means another list of things I love.



Favorite Scent: Bath & Body Works Wild Madagascar Vanilla

Favorite Tech Product: Kenu Airframe Plus

Favorite Song: Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars....every time this comes on I just have to get up and dance!

Favorite Clothing Item: Victoria's Secret Yoga Leggings...originally $64.99 purchased for $18.99 :)

Favorite Snack: Freeze Dried Apple Slices

Favorite Drink: Blue Print Cleanse Spicy Lemonade

Favorite Beauty Product: Voloom (review to come in February!)

Favorite TV Show: Parenthood....that series finale had me bawling. I already restarted the series on Netflix because the withdrawal was real.

Favorite Book: 29 Gifts by Cami Walker

Favorite Thing I Did: Eric Church concert

Maya Brenner Designs creates simple, classic, timeless jewelry pieces. The bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings are sold at Fred Segal, Henri Bendel, Anthropologie, and online. They have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Lucky, People, Martha Stewart Weddings, and more. They have also been seen around Hollywood on Katy Perry, Jessica Biel, Cameron Diaz, Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Richie, and Giuliana Rancic, just to name a few. Maya Brenner Designs have also been featured on television shows, including "Friends," "Grey's Anatomy," "The Bachelor," "The O.C.," and "Brothers and Sisters."

FTC DISCLOSURE: I RECEIVED THESE PRODUCTS COMPLIMENTARY FROM PET GIFT BOX FOR TESTING PURPOSES. ALL OPINIONS ARE HONEST AND MY OWN. I AM NOT BEING PAID TO DO THIS REVIEW

Dashing Dish is a website devoted to a healthy lifestyle. It features recipes, workouts, health coaching, and more. The author, Katie Ferrell, turns unhealthy meals healthy without compromising taste.

Katie is the best selling author of two books. Her newest book, Dashing Dish: 100 Simple & Delicious Recipes for Clean Eating hit shelves December 30, 2014 and is already #7 on the Best Seller List! In December Katie also released Devotions for a Healthier You. Feeding the Mind, Body, and Soul, to help women strengthen their relationship with Christ, while strengthening their bodies.

Katie faced disordered eating for the majority of her teenage life. Eventually the stress and anxiety this caused led her to want to change her ways. She turned to God to pray that he might help her. This lead her on a new path to finding a balanced lifestyle.

"I truly believe that when you seek God with ALL of your heart (about anything) and spend time with Him daily, that His desires will become your desires," Katie writes on her website.

Dashing Dish shares what God has taught her spiritually and physically about reaching a healthy balance and taking care of the body He gave us. Katie has created meal plans, fitness plans, and also can provide health coaching and bridal boot camp. She also has a monthly membership available for those who want access to extra recipes.

I did a four week package where Katie was my health. For only $80, she made me meal plans, workout plans, helped me set up goals, and provided me with a daily devotional. She was such a positive resource for me in kick starting my desire for a healthy lifestyle. Her emails, check ins, and constant support made all the difference in keeping me on track. She was even able to accommodate my gluten intolerance!

For those interested in getting the necessary help in forming healthy habits, connect with Katie here!

I have a new favorite healthy recipe! It is so easy to make and is delicious. This superfood soup promotes weight loss and is only 157 calories per serving.


Ingredients

• 2 c sliced carrots
• butternut squash cubed
• 1 c green beans
• 1/2 c fresh cilantro chopped
• 1 onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 cans black beans
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• sea salt to taste
• 2 c veggie broth

I have talked before about how helpful the Personal Microderm has been with getting my skin troubles under wraps. It has helped bring new, healthy skin to the surface, getting rid of acne scarring and troubled dark spots. It clears out clogged pores and promotes cell renewal.



However, I have found out about some other uses for the PMD! I read about some of these uses a couple months ago and have been trying them out. Now that I know that they work, I want to share them with all of you.

1.) Lip plumper....take the rotating disc off the PMD and run the suction across your lips for an immediate plumping.

2.) Get rid of cellulite....do the same across wherever you have cellulite.

3.) Use on bottom of feet to get rid of dead, dry skin.

If you are interested in purchasing a Personal Microderm, use the coupon code HEYKAYLI to get 25% off!

I have always had a passion for writing. Growing up I filled spiral notebooks with plot lines, character analysis', and short stories. I gifted poems to family members on holidays. I have a running list of novel ideas I would love to write, including a memoir, if I ever have the time and patience. (I'm really great at starting things....and really bad at finishing them.)

I started this blog with encouragement from my old college roommate, Elisa, because I had a lot to say regarding a stressful time in my life. I was graduating college and completely lost in who I was and who God wanted me to be. She told me I should write about it. Writing it out helped me channel my emotions positively, but also lead me to grow my passion for writing.

I started writing about things I loved -- makeup, fashion, fitness, crafts, cooking, and so much more. Writing about these things has been more for me than it has been for any of you. It gives me an excuse to do things I love. If it weren't for this blog I might not allow myself to spend $30 on crafting materials for a holiday wreath or decorative mason jar.

This blog has also become a part of who I am. The past year and a half have been emotionally and spiritually trying on me. However, being able to share my voice without being interrupted or shamed (for the most part) has helped me out a lot. So while it may seem everyone has a blog these days, it is important to understand the purpose behind the keyboard. Sometimes I get flack for not being a niche blogger, writing specifically about one particular topic, but I consider myself to be a lifestyle blogger. All I am doing is simply sharing my life with you. Thanks for coming along for the journey. :)

I recently tried Urban Remedy Cindy Crawford's Essentials three day meal plan. They sent me three days worth of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks that were delicious and nutritious. The meals are designed to boost energy, lower inflammation, and provide other health benefits. It is an organic, low-glycemic, plant-based diet. Everything comes packed on ice to remain fresh and is also packaged to be grabbed on the go.
For breakfast all three days, I enjoyed a mint cacao chip smoothie with protein. It was delicious and a healthy, morning version of a mint chip milkshake. It is a blend of almond milk, banana, spinach, pea protein, chlorophyll, cacao nibs, and mint.

There were also three different green juices for snacks throughout the day. I love green juice, so this was a nice addition for me. My favorite was the "Glow" juice, which is a blend of cucumber, celery, spinach, parsley, lemon, kale, and E3 Live.








A cold brew and Matcha Au Lait were included, which I tried, but I am not a coffee or green tea fan. The cold brew was great for coffee, but still not something I would drink on a daily basis.

Overall I liked the meal plan. Three days of it was great to get me on a jump start to eating better. However, this three day plan is extremely expensive, at $224.49. That is how much I spend on groceries in about three months, not three days! For those of you who are interested in checking out more about Urban Remedy or purchasing this meal plan, click here!

FTC DISCLOSURE: I RECEIVED THESE PRODUCTS COMPLIMENTARY FROM PET GIFT BOX FOR TESTING PURPOSES. ALL OPINIONS ARE HONEST AND MY OWN. I AM NOT BEING PAID TO DO THIS REVIEW

With Valentine's Day dates approaching and prom quick after that, it is time to start planning makeup application! For special occasions like these, it is fun to get makeup done instead of doing it yourself. However, salon appointments fill quickly and it is difficult to find a makeup artist you can trust.

I have found an amazing makeup artist in Southern California who is completely mobile. She can come to your home, event venue, and other locations at your convenience. Amanda McCarty is a great makeup artist who wants to make you look beautiful on your special day!



Amanda's Pricing

Makeup Application (includes lash application)                      $150
Each additional face (lashes included)                                      $50
Brow tailoring                                                                           $35
          plus tinting                                                                        $5
Lash tinting                                                                                $35
Lash/brow tint                                                                            $50

Amanda covers all over Southern California
Contact her today at (805) 796-0798 to book your appointment today.

Pet Gift Box is a subscription box for your cat or dog. Because it can be expensive to try new products out for your pet, Pet Gift Box is a great way to go. It is $17.99/month with no long term commitment.

Those interested can try their 1st box free (plus $4.99 for shipping) with the code NEWYEARS on their website.

Soften Her is an easy to use, hypoallergenic pad that softens stubble, exfoliates the skin, and protects against ingrown hairs.



I always get ingrown hairs on my knees, and this product has helped me immensely over the last few weeks of use.

It is compact, reusable, and disposable. For only $11.99, you can receive three pads that last two months each. That is six months of stubble free skin for only $12!

Plus, if you're tired of razor face after kissing your bearded boyfriend, check out Soft Goat, the male counterpart to Soften Her.

FTC Disclosure: I received these products complimentary from Soften Her for testing purposes.

In my quest to become better with my finances and better in my relationship with Christ, I started reading the book "Living Well, Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life" by Ruth Soukup. I thought this would be another "Here's how to make a budget. Now stick to it," book, but boy was I wrong!

Soukup admits that she is not perfect on her walk to financial freedom, but shares her journey and how to seek a good life without all the materialism.

"I filled our life with stuff, but it never filled the void. But God had a plan or every broken shopaholic like me. Sometimes grace is shaped like a coupon" (Soukup 14).

I have previously shared on here my struggle with shopping. For awhile I would spend money, hoping it would fill my emotional and spiritual void. Instead it left me feeling worse than before, but with less money in my bank account, adding even more stress into my chaotic life. As I have realized the danger this can bring into my life, I have been working hard to get past this. However, it felt good to know that I am not alone in this journey. Soukup encourages people to pray intentionally, asking the Lord to guide them past their venture for earthly treasures, and more towards Godly treasures.

"I now long for a different type or richness, a richness that comes only from fullness in Christ" (Soukup 32).

There are challenges sprinkled throughout the book, encouraging readers to define their good life, choose contentment, declutter their homes, and be giving of their hearts. The biggest challenge for me is to give myself grace. I often times feel defeated when I don't get everything done during the day, both at home and at work. I get disappointed in myself when my goals are not all met, my workout was not up to par, or I caved and had ice cream. I need to focus on giving myself grace and realizing that tomorrow is another 24 hours to get things right.

"Becoming like minded with Christ means adopting a servant's heart, both in our communities and in our families" (Soukup 232).

After deciding what your good life is, creating and attacking a plan to achieve it, we must share the good life with others, in our homes and in our communities. Volunteering our time, tithing our earnings, and praying intentionally for others, will guide others to achieve a life of self-control, self-reflection, and grace.

I encourage you to check out Ruth Soukup's blog and new book, to learn more about how you can live well while spending less.

Fab Fit Fun is a quarterly lifestyle subscription box. It features beauty, fashion, and fitness. The box costs $49.99 per quarter, but new users can use the coupon code "WINTER10" to get $10 off their first box.

The products in the winter 2014 box equalled a total of $383.59--a marvelous deal for spending $49.99!



The box included:

Lather AHA Hand Creme with Evening Primrose ($18)
This product provides great moisture and quick absorption. It is a good product to aid winter skin.

Passport to Beauty Tiebtan Gogi Berry Intense Anti-Aging Eye Serum with Retinol ($88)
I am not a fan of eye products, because of my overly sensitive eyes, and this has retinol, so I definitely will not be trying it. Maybe I'll give it away as a bonus to this month's Starbucks gift card giveaway.

Daniel Stone COCO White Tea Ginger Root Coconut Body Candle ($30)
This is made with coconut wax and has a beautiful, calming scent.

Half United Fighting Hunger Necklace ($34)
It is well made, and the proceeds for these necklaces go to fight children's hunger. However, I feel slightly uncomfortable walking around with a bullet shell dangling from my neck.

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive ($39)

Your Minerals Eye Shadows in Swedish Winter and Lavender Dream ($42)
I don't like using loose powders, so I might also include these as a bonus to this month's giveaway.

Salted 3 Month Subscription ($30)
This is three months of free online cooking lessons. I haven't tried it yet, but I am looking forward to it!

Fashion Project Gift Card ($30)
This company sells donated designer clothes and sends a profit of it to charity. I purchased a BCBG dress, originally $249 for $1.99! The proceeds went to UNICEF and the dress will be happily worn.

Zumba 60 min Max DVD ($30)
I haven't tried this yet, but I enjoy doing at home workouts like this.

Organic Valley Organic Balance Milk Protein Shake ($2.49)
I love, love, loved this! I want to have them every morning. I have been looking for them at stores, but haven't had any luck yet.

Special K Snack Bar in Salted Pretzel Chocolate ($0.50)
I had expectations for this bar, but it was mediocre at best.

Justin's Classic Almond Butter ($0.60)
This was super disgusting! I loved the peanut butter, but this was awful.

Overall I was disappointed with the box, but since I liked the fall box, I will wait and see what the spring box brings.

Happy Friday!
Here are my 3 favorite outfits I wore this week. Especially that last one ;)

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

For people trying to get healthy in the new year, lunch can be a big down fall. If a proper lunch is not planned, it is easy to spend a lunch break at the vending machine or in the fast food drive thru.

Below are three quick, healthy, cheap, easy lunches to pack and bring along to the office.

1.) Turkey and arugula sandwich on wheat bread, cucumber slices, pretzels, hummus, hard-boiled egg, almonds, strawberries, piece of dark chocolate (for those 3pm feels)

2.) Egg salad, cucumber slices, wheat thins, grapes, yogurt, raspberries

3.) Brown rice, black beans, roasted chicken, avocado, shredded Mexican cheese, tortilla strips

What are your favorite healthy lunch options?

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to read a book per month (at least!) My first read is "29 Gifts: How A Month of Giving Can Change Your Life" by Cami Walker. In it, Walker tells her story of being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 33 and how it changed her life forever. Not only does she share her hardships prior to her diagnosis, but she shares a prescription she received that most would not expect.

Cami's friend Mbali, an African medicine woman, prescribed her to give 29 gifts in 29 days. Cami follows the direction and has her world rocked. It provided her with a new outlook on life and brought her strength, courage, and a positive, mindful attitude. As her 29 day process went on, Cami realized the potential in sharing this idea with others and the effect it could have on the world. She went on to open an online community for others to share their accounts of giving 29 gifts in 29 days.

I loved this book and the impact giving had on Cami, both mentally and physically. I have a heart for giving and want to share this with you. I am kicking today off with the first giveaway of 2015.

With heavy hearts, ESPN announced early this morning that longtime anchor, Stuart Scott, died at the age of 49 after a long battle with cancer. Many are grieving amongst the nation as Scott has been a fixture in sport's fans homes for the past twenty years. However, Scott never let his cancer bring him down. At the 2014 ESPYS, he received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award, for his inspiration, energy, and honorable way of living.


R.I.P. Stuart Scott
July 19, 1965-January 4, 2015
As cool as the other side of the pillow

Happy 2015! I hope everyone had fun, safe moments with their friends and family last night. I rang mine in with a great group of people, sealed with a perfect kiss at midnight. I am looking forward to all of the hope a new year can bring.

Appropriately for the start of the new year, the tenth month of the Happiness Project calls me to focus on my health. Some of my challenges are:

• No soda.
• No fast food.
• Exercise five days a week.
• No alcohol.
• No more than 1500 grams of sodium per day.
• Try to eat around 1200 calories a day.
• Stretch everyday. (Something my back will thank me for!)
• Take my vitamins.
• Get 7+ hours of sleep per night. (I currently do this...not sure how I functioned on a couple hours of sleep per night in college.)
• Floss every day.
• Wear sunscreen every day.