Hello all & welcome to 2018!!

I do hope everyone enjoyed this holiday season & the New Year started off well for you all!

It is a NEW YEAR! Which means... New you, new ideas, new thoughts, and new accomplishments! I have a straightforward saying for myself and all of you for the entire year of 2018. & that is:

I decided to start my 2018 off with a vanity haul post! Every time the new year rolls around, I like to do some year-end 'out with the old, in with the new' cleaning! I go on a rampage, clean everywhere in the house, and go out and purchase a few new items to make my room feel tranquil, and well... New- (er) for the year I have ahead of me! This year I found a few things to add the perfect touch to my room all at Five Below!

Five Below is a super discounted retail store that offers a wide range of all the things you could think of, all at $1 to $5. Starting my purchases with the oh so clique pictures on clothes pin idea. Let's face it, I know I'm super late on this trend but whose to deny how cute the design is? Not me! Five below has a set for $2, that comes with a string, ten small sized black or white clothespins, and two suction cups to attach the line on to! I did not use the suction cups since I wanted my photos to hang on the wall, I instead hammered nails into my wall. I printed some wallet size photos at my local CVS, and there it was! All my memories, in wallet size form hanging above me while I sleep.

I also have two wall stickers! This one is a lotus, and on my other wall I have the face of Ganesh! These were purchased on Amazon a few years ago and cost about $25 a piece!

I also purchased a picture frame that holds four, four by six photos & one five by seven photo for $5! What a steal. I filled it up with memorable pictures of me & Navin during our 2017 trips! This hangs right over my vanity adding the perfect touch. I grabbed a few 'not needed' needed, items as well that consisted of a glittery makeup pouch that says Girl Boss on the front of it for $2, & a beautiful fuchsia pink, wooden desk stand that has the words, Dream Big labeled onto the glass, also for $2. This is my most favorite item I purchased because it reminds me to never give up on what my dreams may be. There is no limit as to where you can go in this life.

I decided to start a 'Dream Big' fund to add any loose change I may have that can be saved for my future!

My vanity consists of all my daily essentials, starting with a ton of lotions. My current favorites for my skin in this brutally cold weather is C. Booth 4 in 1 Vanilla Butter Body Lotion, purchased at Marshals! This lotion exfoliates, hydrates, nourishes & firms skin all while leaving a buttery vanilla scent to your skin. I also use Exotic Beauty Coconut Body Lotion, also purchased at marshals! This lotion combines hydrating coconut extract and Shea butter for an intense moisture boost, while also adding Vitamin E and Cocoa butter to soothe and condition skin. For a quick spritz on my body, I use Fresh Cream by Philosophy. I honestly use this only because it smells like a house after baking a ton of Christmas sweets, delicious!

Vitamins - My favorite part of the morning.

When it comes to taking my vitamins, I am sure I stay on track. Growing up I was always the first one to get sick, my immune system was fragile, and I didn't eat much. Vitamins, especially a multi-vitamin are essential to incorporate into your daily regimen. It is like having an insurance policy for your health. It is a daily guarantee that your body is receiving the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs. But! Remember, always consult with your doctor first before taking anything! These are products that work for me but may not work for others.

Starting with my Multi-Vitamin, I use Paradise - Earths Blend, One Daily Superfood Multivitamin. With minerals, greens, probiotics, herbs & Iron, this vegetable capsule multivitamin is packed with all the essential superfoods your body needs! BTW - I take vegetable capsules because if you're like me, you can't swallow a pill! The vegetable capsules are a lot easier to swallow and don't have much of a taste.
Biotin is next! Currently, on my vanity, I am using the Vitamin World Biotin in 10,000 mcg. Taking one capsule a day, Biotin helps support healthy hair, skin, and nails.
Probiotics! - Before I started taking a probiotic, I never knew what one was... So what exactly is a probiotic? They are microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed. Probiotics are good bacteria used to help maintain digestive health and boost the immune system. You can take them in a dietary supplement or get them from food sources, such as yogurt! I use Now Probiotic - 10 probiotic strains once a day. These are vegetable capsules as well & all of Now products are dairy, soy & Gluten free!

On top of the three main vitamins I use, I also take Now Optimal Digestive System Enzymes, after a few bites of every meal & I also take Now Dairy Digest Complete Enzymes, with everything I eat that contains dairy. I incorporate this into my regimen because I have a very sensitive stomach to all food. I cannot drink regular milk, or eat things containing dairy without having a stomach ache right after. These enzymes help my digestive system break down food and ease the pain I usually experience after eating.

Always consult with your doctor before trying any vitamins out!

If you're anything like me, you're forgetful... Which means, I always forget to take my vitamins. To make things easier for myself, I purchased those Sunday through Saturday Vitamin holders for $1 at Dollar Tree. I fill it up every Sunday, and leave it right at the edge of my Vanity, so that is the first thing I see when I wake up!

My current favorite candles are the DW Home Vanilla Bean scented candles. For $2.99 for a small, and $5.99 for a large at Marshals, I stock up every week! Miniature statues of Ganesh surround my candles. Some are from California, and one is from India. When lighting my candles, they remind me of peace and tranquility.

My current favorite perfume is Flower Bomb by Viktor & Rolf, Tory Burch Love Relentlessly and Prada Candy! Along with those, my goto scented hand lotions are Bath & Body Works - A Thousand Wishes and Valentino, Lait Exquis Pour Le Corps. Half of my vanity is filled with creams (I am such a hoarder..) Oh! & besides the normal Lady Speed Stick Powdered Fresh Deodorant, I have changed to an organic deodorant called The Healthy Deodorant by Natural Formula in the Pure scent Vanilla. I purchase this at Sephora, and it retails for $14.00. Although a bit pricier than the generic CVS kind, I like this because it does a great job of absorbing sweat, and does not leave white lines all over my clothes!! I know we ALL hate that.
Also! During a Black Friday sale, I got lucky with purchasing a stand-up Neon light Vanity mirror from Impressions Vanity! I got it for $27.99 (not including shipping.)