I had this idea for a blog post a while ago but now, in the midst of quarantine, I feel like it's more appropriate than ever. There is nothing to do but be inside and therefore, we are probably using more of our possessions than ever before.

Whether it's food, beauty, self-care, technology... we are using everything to pass the time. I figured it would be interesting to talk about the items that I've been using more that I'm in my house 24/7 and what I'm using as I work from home. I've always loved my stuff and I've talked about that a lot but being home during the day allows me to use my 'stuff' even more.

iPad Mini 5

Right before all of this started, I treated myself to a new iPad Mini. Mine was a few years old, didn't have enough memory, and was a little too slow for my liking. My new iPad is pretty much exactly the same and I love it so much. I use it for reading (I use the Kindle & Nook apps), social media, and even use it as a second screen if I need another browser window while working or blogging. It's my sidekick - my partner in crime. I hooked up my iMessage to it so some days I can leave my phone in another room and just have my iPad. I purchased this Apple Pencil dupe from Amazon and download a coloring book app called 'Pigment' and have been coloring to pass the time. Having a tablet really unleashes a world of possibilities.

Stress Gummies + Supplements

This one goes without saying but it's been a struggle and a battle the past few weeks. It's not just me, as someone with anxiety who is feeling the stress but everyone in the world. I would be nowhere without my favorite supplements that help take the edge off and allow me to think and process things more clearly. I use these interchangeably: Olly Stress Gummies, HUM Nutrition Big Chill, Sunday Scaries CBD Gummies.

Zella Leggings + Graphic Sweatshirts

It shouldn't be a surprise that I haven't worn anything but my Zella Live In High Waisted leggings for the past three weeks. I've been pairing that with any and all sweatshirts. These are the ones I've been wearing the most: Frozen (similar) Cinderella from Box Lunch, BP, and BBX Collection (use code BRIANA15 for 15% off!). There is a definite Disney theme happening to me right now but let's just go with it. I just want to be comfortable. I do my hair & my makeup to feel like a human and look decent on video meetings but comfort is key.

May Designs Priority Planner

The Priority Planner is one of, if not my all-time favorite layout that May Designs has ever released. I purchased it a few months ago and used it for exceptionally busy weekend days but mostly used it when I was working from home. Well now that I'm working from home every day, I found it to be extremely useful and a key part of my sanity. It helps me organize my day into sections, think about the tasks that really need to get done and really stay on top of everything. It's been a lifesaver!

Belle and Park Starbucks Cold Cup

As I mentioned before, I have been on a huge Disney kick. It makes me happy and provides a great distraction. With that being said, I purchased this cold cup from my favorite Etsy shop, Belle and Park last month and have not stopped using it. It adds a bit of magic to an otherwise scary time and it's just a nice, lightweight cup for water and/or iced coffee!

Honorable Mention: Foods I've been eating like they're going out of style this quarantine: Queso Blanco, Tortilla Chips, Mickey Ice Cream Bars and Eggo Waffles. Someone stop me.

What are the items you cannot stop using right now?
xoxo
B

For the past few years, I've been on a huge wellness kick and I owe that to the wellness surge in society. I want to know everything that is going to make me feel better, look better, and be better. Whether that's helping my anxiety, improving my skin, or just giving me a better overall feeling of health and wellness.

Because of this kick, I've experimented with a few different supplements to try to find the best one(s) that make me feel good. I'm not talking about vitamins, which I need to be better about taking, but pure beauty, wellness, and health supplements.

Now, I'm not a doctor so I'm only going off of what I've tried myself and what has worked for me. I'm also someone who isn't afraid of medicine. I take more Advils that necessary and load up on allergy medicine, anxiety pills, supplements, and ibuprofen when I probably shouldn't. I know that is NOT good and I will probably develop an ulcer but it's just who I have always been, mostly because I cannot handle pain.

That being said, that's why I'm very experimental with what supplements I use. I understand that it is not for everyone but this is just my story.

Ok, now that we have that out of the way, let's get into my favorite supplements.

Juna CBD Oil

Is CBD a supplement? I consider it one because it's helping me combat a wellness issue! I just did a huge post on CBD products and how I use them and I mentioned the Juna World Nude CBD Oil. This was sent to me in PR and I am just obsessed. It has virtually no taste and one drop does the trick. I also love the aesthetic of the bottle... but that's not really important, it's the inside that counts. If you're looking to try a CBD oil, I recommend this one. You can take a drop alone or mix it into tea/coffee. It puts my mind at ease and allows me to relax a little more, giving me more clarity. It also helps to get to sleep much easier.

Hum Nutrition Big Chill Stress Management 

I've talked about HUM Nutrition before and they are really the brand that kicked off my wellness supplement obsession. The Big Chill is my favorite anti-anxiety/stress supplement. I still use Nerve Tonic on the go but Big Chill is what I use when I'm feeling super on edge and Nerve Tonic just won't do the trick. I've used two bottles of this and it was out of stock EVERYWHERE for a while but I'm pretty sure it is back in stock at most retailers. One pill does the trick for me and once I take it, I feel calmer and less stressed. I definitely think this can be used for people who get stressed easily and not just if you are anxiety ridden. If you are having a hard day at work or home and need to just have a clearer mind to be able to think, Big Chill does that.

Hum Nutrition Beauty Zzz

This is the first supplement I ever tried. With my anxiety and before I started medication, I was having trouble sleeping. I didn't want to take melatonin because I was afraid of being groggy the next day... also, I just wanted to try something fancy and not straight up melatonin from the drugstore *I always have to be the slightest bit extra* $10 from Sephora? There's nothing better than this. Beauty Zzz puts me right to sleep in the best way possible; just a little drowsy and then I sink into a beautifully restful sleep and don't feel gross the next day. I hate Nyquil and any medicine that makes me sleepy because I wake up feeling like a truck hit me. When I know I need a good nights sleep or just feel super restless, these babies save the day.

Love Wellness Co Bye Bye Bloat

Love Wellness Co is another supplement brand that has made it big recently. It was started by Lo Bosworth of Laguna Beach & The Hills fame so obviously, I was intrigued (Lo was always my FAV). While I've been aware of the company for a while it wasn't until recently that I found a supplement that I was searching for. The weeks leading up to my period, I get insanely bloated... just like every other woman in the world. However, it was so incredibly uncomfortable, to the point that I felt uncomfortable in LEGGINGS and it nearly drives me to tears. Finally, I was on Revolve and saw the Bye, Bye Bloat pills and didn't even think twice about purchasing it. I've taken the pills a few times now (the first time I got really nauseous but I didn't eat before when it clearly says to have with food on the bottle). The day after taking these pills (I take them at night after a bloated day) I feel instantly better. I feel at least 5 pounds lighter and the gross feeling is completely gone. They have been a lifesaver these past few months.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

If you follow me on Instagram (@bribrilukes) you know that I bought these a few months ago and have not turned back. Vital Proteins Collagen has been something I've been eyeing for close to a year after hearing one of my favorite YouTubers, Allie Sevdalis, talk about them incessantly on her channel. I wasn't really feeling them... I was scared to mix them in with coffee/tea/etc and I didn't think I needed collagen. My hair grows like a weed and my nails are pretty strong but I was still curious. While running errands one day I ran into GNC and saw that they had a sampler pack of the collagen peptides and for $12, I couldn't just leave it in the store. After trying them for a week, I bought a full size on Sephora.com. I was blown away! These are NO TASTE, like not even a hint of a taste which is so important to me. Then, throughout the day, I just felt better. I wasn't as moody and felt a little more clear. I googled to see if collagen had an effect on mood because that was something I really noticed, and in fact, it does! I haven't noticed a huge difference in my hair but my nails have been stronger and don't break as easily, especially my toenails (gross). There is rarely a day I don't mix these into my coffee and I could not recommend enough. *I use the regular old peptides in the blue packaging but the coffee creamer ones are so delicious*.

What are your favorite wellness supplements? Suggestions are always welcome ;) 

What has been your experience with supplements? Are you on board? Let's talk in the comments!
xoxo
B

March was a very slow month and I'm very glad about that. There was a lot of snowstorms, a lot of rain, and not much very Spring.

However, today, the day before Easter Sunday the sun is shining and I wore a jean jacket for the 1st time this season and I was thrilled.

I hate Spring, I hate Summer and I hate everything from April-August but my goodness, nothing beats the first jean jacket day and especially when you see the Ice Cream Man out for the first time (I didn't get any ice cream but it still brought a smile to my face)



For as much as I don't care for this season, I still had a few favorites this month!



1. Real Books: I always have to have one random favorite and real, tangible books are it this month. I wanted to get back into reading because I just caught the bug but my Kindle app and Nook were not cutting it. I bought a few books from Amazon, and then signed up for Book of the Month and I've been reading multiple books all month long. I took a break from audiobooks to catch up on podcasts and Barstool Radio, and I've just really enjoyed the feeling of real pages in my hand.



2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette: I've only had two other ABH palettes in my collection and they have been used to pieces. I've been putting off getting the Modern Reinsassance palette for years and was going to pull the trigger until I saw the Soft Glam. I ordered it the moment it was available on the ABH website (that's how you know I'm excited for a product, I order it from the brand's website). I havne't been wearing a ton of eyeshadow lately but I'm addicted to this palette. It's so soft, buttery, and easy to blend. The colors are super wearable with a few bits of color to make it unique. If you haven't tried ABH shadows, I highly recommend them. They are some of my favorites on the market.



3. HUM Nutrition Big Chill: I talked about HUM in a post earlier this month but I just wanted to mention it again. I've always loved Beauty zZzz's but Big Chill has really been saving my ass this month. As I've previously mentioned, I've been suffering from panic attacks and sometimes my beloved Nerve Tonic hasn't been helping. Big Chill is there when Nerve Tonic fails, but aside from anxiety, Big Chill has been helping my stress levels. When I'm feeling overwhelmed by work and my side hustles, this helps. HUM is perfection in my book.

4. Laura Geller Nude Kisses Lip Hugging Lipgloss: These were just released last week but seeing as I work for the company, I've had them a little longer than that. I HATE lipglosses but my goodness, these have changed my world. There are 16 nude colors so something for everyone but mostly, I love the formula. They're super creamy and feel balmy on the lips without being sticky or tacking. They aren't long lasting as they are a gloss but they are the best gloss I've ever tried.

Below are a few other honorable mentions that I tried this month but not enough to include them wholly in the post:




What were your favorites this month?
xoxo
B

I have always been a nervous child. After 9/11, my parents got me a dog to take my mind off of what happened. I've always been a worrier, and constantly wondering 'what if'. I was never able to be calm, and I kind of just accepted that this was how it was going to be.

When I got to college, I realized that this was called anxiety. I was really struggling adjusting to life away from home, and I needed to somehow cope with it. I went to the counseling center and proceeded to go my entire four years there. It helped me so much, I was amazed at the change in myself and how talking about my problems, even when I didn't feel like I had something to talk about was helpful.

I didn't go to counseling to cure me, but just to help me cope and understand more about myself and why I was so anxious.

I realized, like most people, I'm a control freak. I like to be in control and I like knowing what is going to happen. I don't like confrontation, and I don't like being uncomfortable. When you combine all of these things, you get a lot of anxiety.



Anxiety and depression also runs in my family, on both sides, so I really didn't have a fighting change.

Senior year of college my anxiety got a little better, which is weird, because I was about to embark on the biggest change of my life. I guess because I was having so much fun, I had life figured out and was top dog at school -- I was too busy to be anxious.

Then, the switch was flipped. I graduated and all hell broke loose. I was trying to figure out my career, my friendships, relationships, and adjusting to life outside of New Rochelle, NY. It was very scary, and my anxiety kicked into full gear. I have never experienced anything like this and it was very scary. Anxiety attacks were more frequent, I couldn't get out of bed, and could barely function on a daily basis.

I had crippling anxiety, and had no idea why. I can't explain the feeling, and people who don't experience anxiety won't really understand.



My anxiety is all physical; I can't breathe, I get very hot and I get a pit in my chest & stomach. This translates into me not being able to think about anything else but the reason for my anxiety.

It's even worse when I don't know the reason for my anxiety. I hate that more than when there is a reason for it; when the anxiety pops up out of nowhere, and I can't identify the reason, that cripples me.

I got to a point in 2014 when my anxiety was so bad that I started seeing a therapist. This helped immensley and like I said before, talking to someone once a week helped my anxiety level out. However, I knew deep down inside that this wasn't something that I could cure on my own. This was around the time I started taking Nervetonic and the relief that I experienced was unpalapable. I knew that this anxiety was something that I needed medical help in treating.

How I Treat My Anxiety

I had to stop going to therapy after I got my fulltime job and shortly after, I went to my phsyican and she finally put me on medication, Lexapro, to be exact.

It was such a relief when my body reacted to the medicine and as I kept taking it, my reaction to any anxiety decreased, and my anxiety that would happen for no reason, stopped. I was able to think more clearly when there was a problem, and it just made my life better. I could cry thinking about it because it was so lifechanging for me that I didn't have to suffer anymore.

After my dad died, my doctor increased my medication and then about a year later, I was switched to Celexa because my body was too used to the Lexapro.

I have a feeling that I'm going to have to change it again soon because I've been having more anxiety and massive panic attacks.

My anxiety and depression counteract each other, because if anxiety wasn't enough, I have depression too. There are some days (like last Friday) when I was so low and I could barely function because I felt so unhappy. I didn't want to talk to anyone and just wanted to lay in bed. The high of anxiety, and the low of depression mix together and give the most horrible feeling in the world.

The reason for me telling you all of this is to share where my anxiety manifested from and to let you know that it IS ok to seek help in the form of medicine. If you feel like your anxiety is just too much to handle, something is probably imbalanced and medicine will help that. I wouldn't be able to function the way I do without my meds.

I also highly recommend seeking out therapy. I have been thinking about getting back there because like I said, recently I've been having panic attacks which is something I haven't dealt with in over 10 years.

Other Ways I Deal with Anxiety

Aside from medicine, I also still take Nervetonic & my new found love, Big Chill from HUM, when I feel a little low during the day.

Mediation has also helped me, mostly when I have anxiety at night before I go to sleep. I use the apps 'Relax Meditation' and 'Calm' and it really makes all the difference.

In addition to natural meds and apps, essential oils have been a huge help. When I'm feeling a little anxious, I diffuse Lavendar and Peppermint oils, but if I'm on the go I have my Babe Magnet oil from Evil Queen (she doesn't have the oils anymore but your local drugstore should have rollerball oils which I highly recommend!)

If your anxiety or depression is taking over your life, you don't need to live like that. You can go to therapy to understand it or have your physican prescribe you something because you deserve to live a fulfilling, anxiety free life.

xoxo
B

Today's post is brought to you in partnership with The Newsette & HUM Nutrition

I've previously written about my obsession with the Hum Nutrition Beauty zZzzs supplments and I thought I'd expand that with some deep diving into other aspects, and another products from the brand.

Let's first start out with what HUM is...



HUM Nutrition is an all-natural line of supplments; the mission of HUM is to make take your beauty routine inside out and giving you all natural, non GMO, organic & vegan supplments that focus on prevention, and long term care.

It's taking self-care and turning it on it's head. All about wellness, HUM gives you the supplments and vitamins in fun packaging, with fun names to make things a little more Instagram chic, which I can always appreciate.

One of my favorite parts about HUM is that you can take a little test on their website and it'll tell you what kind of supplments and vitamins you need. You can subscribe to their program through HUMNutrition.com or buy stand alone products at a variety of retailers like Nordstrom and Sephora.

Self care is a true buzz word nowadays and I love incorparting these supplments into that routine.

As I mentioned before, I already love Beauty zZzzs so I always end my day with a capsule, some Sleepytime Tea, some essential oils and my Mediation app.




My favorite thing in the world is to be relaxed and calm, and some days I'm so high strung that I can't calm down. Pairing my HUM supplment with all my other relaxing properities creates the most ideal space for me to fall asleep.

The Beauty zzZz supplment contains melatonin and B6, and helps promote a restful beauty sleep. Without sleep, your skin and body will suffer so any makeup you put on to mask that tiredness won't have the same effect.

I've taken other sleeping 'pills' and they always take forever to kick in, and then makes me very groggy the next morning. When I took Beauty zZzz for the first time, I was stunned at how fast I went to sleep and how I felt rested the next morning -- it didn't feel like I didn't get any sleep. It really works and since I've been taking this (almost 2 years), I don't feel the need to take any other sleep supplment.

On the flip side, I got to try out another HUM supplment. I've spoken freely about my struggle with anxiety, depression, and stress and lately, my stress level has been through the roof. Nothing has really been cutting it when it comes to helping me deal with stress, so 'Big Chill' came at the perfect time.

Big Chill says that it helps you cope with and remove the signs of stress. It slows down your reaction to stress and will help you focus better during times of high stress -- which is probably my #1 issue with stress. Whenever I'm really stressed and anxious, I can't focus on anything else so this is a great feature for me.

When I'm home and feeling anxious, there are a few things that I do to make myself feel better, and they pair beautifully with the Big Chill supplments.



If I'm stressed to the point of no return, I hide out in my room, turn the lights off and shut off the computer. I light a candle, diffuse some essential oils, and grab a book. I will watch some television because I always have the television on. I try to chug some water, maybe even have a calming tea but combining all of this with the Big Chill has really worked out for me... (I mean, Big Chill works fine on it's own too!) but I love pairing all my relaxing, destressing items together.

Like I said, self care is all the rage but truthfully I've been doing self care since before it was cool. I just love that there's a word for it now!

I'm anxious (in the best way) to try some more HUM products to add to my routine(s) because these two have worked out so well, and I'm all about wellness this year!

If you're curious about HUM, use the code NEWSETTE for 20% off your order at HUMNutrition.com!

PS: If you HAVEN'T signed up for The Newsette yet, I HIGHLY recommend you do so now!

xoxo
B