Coronavirus quarantine: 17 Things to do during social distancing

By now, I'm pretty sure we're all well aware of the health pandemic going around known as Coronavirus disease (Covid-19).  Stores are closed, bars and restaurants are closed or carry-out only, schools are out for the next 3+ weeks, events of 50+ people are canceled, no visitors are allowed at cities are on lock-down, cities are on lock-down, people are out of work and losing jobs, sports are canceled, there are travel bans, those living with anxiety are even more anxious, people are getting sick and dying, precautions are being taken all across the country and around the world.  Even after this health pandemic passes, many people who have been out of work will still be struggling to make ends meet.

You'll hear, "Only people of a certain age get Coronavirus," but I certainly don't want my grandpa, his wife, those with weakened immune systems, and anyone else's grandparents or parents to get this virus.  People of all ages are catching it and it's affecting entire lives.  Nurses and doctors included, which means less people in hospitals to take care of patients that come in for other reasons.  This is a scary time for so many and honestly just all-around sucks for countless reasons.  It's repeatedly said and posted on the internet:  Wash your hands, don't touch your face, and stay home.  Another important rule to me is to be kind...We're all in this together.

It can be hard to figure our what to during Coronavirus quarantine to keep your mind stimulated and refrain from boredom for the next few weeks or even months.  Here are some ideas I've come up with for myself and maybe they will work for you too!

1.  Pick up a new hobby or craft or get back into an old one.  We all have those things where "there just isn't time" to do them.  Do those things!

2.  Do something you've been putting off.  One of those "I'll get to it tomorrow" things where the "tomorrow" has been going on for months now.

3.  Listen to or make a mood-boosting playlist.  They say "Music is the medicine of the mind" and I'd have to agree with this.
I personally needed a new music rotation so here's a playlist I made the other day:  spring 2020
Another playlist I came across that is incredibly fitting right now is here:  COVID-19 Quarantine Party

4.  Listen to a podcast.  There are thousands of podcasts out there now!  A few of my favorites:  The Ladygang (a celebrity podcast by women for women), A Beautiful Mess (founders of the DIY blog - A Beautiful Mess), and The First Degree (true crime).

5.  Spring Clean.  It's that time of year anyways, so might as well get it done.  Clean out the closets and re-organize those spaces that drive you insane.  Transition your wardrobe from winter over to spring and summer.  Collect things and items you don't wear anymore to donate and resell or consign.

6.  Read a book.  That book that you've had sitting on your nightstand for months now?  Pick it up!

7.  Try a new recipe.  Snacks are great and all but we need real food, too.  Get in the kitchen and cook or bake something.  Get creative with what you have on hand if you need to!

8.  Play board or card games.  Learn a new card game if you want!  Farkle is a favorite game in our household, all you need is 6 dice and you can find the rules online!

9.  Download a new game on your phone.  A few games I'm currently addicted to are Design Home and Property Brothers.  Both are interior design and home makeover related!

10.  Walk your dog or play with your pets.

11.  Weekends might be rough without going out but play bartender and craft your own fancy cocktails!  Also, many restaurants are offering curbside pickup for food and drinks, so Friday or Saturday night would be a great opportunity to order pickup from a local restaurant/bar and have a date night at home!

12.  Get creative juices flowing and draw or color.

13.  FaceTime family and friends for social interaction.

14.  Practice self-care with an at-home spa day.  Do a face mask, hair mask, give yourself a manicure/pedicure, meditate.

15.  Get moving and work out.  Do yoga, run, or go for a hike.  There's so many videos on YouTube for at-home workouts.  My favorites are Yoga with Adriene, Boho Beautiful, and Tone it Up.

16.  Binge watch Netflix, Hulu, other streaming networks, or videos on YouTube.

17.  Support your favorite small businesses by shopping online or buying gift cards.

If you are able to get out or are shopping online, I personally urge you to support small businesses whenever possible.  They're unfortunately the ones taking the major hit during this uncertain times.
 Hopefully these ideas will help ease boredom and keep you entertained while your trapped at home!  What are some things you plan to do with your free time?

Remember:  Wash your hands, don't touch your face, and be kind.

♥ always

Allison

7 Date ideas that won't break the bank

When people suggest going on a "date", the first idea that comes to mind is the whole dinner and drinks scenario, which obviously can get expensive fast.  An appetizer, two meals, 4 glasses of wine, plus tip (not to mention if you have to hire a babysitter)...you get the point.  For this reason, dates may be far and few for many couples.  Here are 7 date ideas that won't break the bank!

1.  Weeknight movies.  Going to the movie theater can be expensive these days.  First you have the upwards of $12 a person per ticket, then you add on extras such as soda, popcorn, candy.  There's a few theaters around here that offer Tuesday and Wednesday specials where ticket prices are ONLY $5!!!  Some also do Early Bird Specials (if you want to go see a movie before 11 am) with discounted prices.  Look into your local theaters and see what they have to offer!

2.  Go to a museum or the zoo.  Okay, so this one may be a little partial to St. Louis, because our museums and zoo is free here...but for a day of adventure, the fun to be had probably outweighs the cost of admission.

3.  Pack a picnic.  Picnic-ing is one of my favorite things to do in spring and summer!  Pack up some snacks or search Pinterest for picnic-worthy food ideas, grab a bottle of Rose, a blanket and head to your favorite park for an afternoon in the sun (or shade).  Just don't forget the bottle opener and cups (rookie mistakes, I know).

4.  Brunch date at home.  Also, Pinterest is FULL of great brunch ideas...French Toast Casserole, Breakfast Pizza, Eggs Benedict, you know how the rabbit hole of Pinterest works.  This is a fun Saturday or Sunday morning or early afternoon date idea and best perk:  The mimosas are always bottomless!

5.  Enjoy live music without the concert ticket prices.  During the spring and summer months, we have a few parks that put on live music concert series for free!  You can take your own snacks, drinks and enjoy the music without paying an admission.  Also, there's so many breweries and bars that offer live music just about any night of the week, plus you're supporting local artists and businesses so it's a win-win for everyone!

6.  Grab coffee and browse the Farmers Market.  Pour your home-made coffee into your re-usable cup (saving money and sustainable!) and hit up the farmers market.  Just browse to see what there is to offer or treat yourselves to some fresh flowers or locally made jams.  The thing about supporting small and local businesses is that your feel good about where your money is going!

7.  Take a hike.  Find a park near-by that's known for hiking (or even just views, insta-worthy!) and go on an outdoorsy adventure!

What are some date ideas that you have?

♥ always

Allison

Trends to Thrift for 2020

You know what they say, what goes around comes around.  Fashion trends of past decades are making a huge impact for 2020 styles.  Shopping second-hand gives you the opportunity to stay fashionable on a budget, shop sustainable, create a wardrobe that is truly one-of-a-kind...and there's the thrill of a treasure hunt.  Some style are more common and easier to pick up at a resale of thrift store.  I've gathered some trends for 2020 to keep an eye out for while thrifting.

1.  Polka Dots

This whimsical 80's print can be a bold move but is fairly simple to style.  Add a little polka dot with a hair scarf or go extreme with a midi skirt.  Pair a polka dot top with your favorite jeans or mix up the prints and add some stripes or a touch of animal print.  Over the past few months, I've already picked up a few polka-dot print pieces for myself so I know they're pretty easy to come by!

Photo courtesy of WhoWhatWear

Photo courtesy of WhoWhatWear

Photo courtesy of Vici

Photo courtesy of Nicole Huisman

Photo courtesy of Sequins and Sales

2. Florals

As "groundbreaking" as it may be, florals are always a classic and feminine option (especially in spring).  For 2020, though, they're a little more different than seen in the past shown in vibrant colors and more abstract patterns.  Groovyyy!

Photo courtesy of Vogue - Fendi

Photo courtesy of Pattern Curator

Photo courtesy of Vogue - Marchesa

Photo courtesy of Pattern Curator

3.  Denim

Blue jean, baby.  Denim dresses, skirts, overalls, Canadian Tuxedos.  Flare denim isn't the only 70's trend that's come back.  Whether you're rocking the monochrome head-to-toe look or pairing a midi skirt with your favorite band tee, denim just creates an effortlessly cool look.  I've definitely spotted flares and longer denim skirts at Goodwill, so keep your eyes peeled!

Photo courtesy of WhoWhatWear

Photo courtesy of Madewell

Photo courtesy of Nasty Gal

Photo courtesy of Zara

4.  Cardigans

Now this isn't styled as a typical layered "granny cardigan" but worn as a shirt.  A cropped cardigan paired with jeans is an easy, sweet and casual outfit but a step "dressier" than the basic white tee and jean pairing.  Cardigans are super easy to find second-hand so there's no doubt in my mind that you'll be able to pick up a few this season!

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Photo courtesy of James Wade

Photo courtesy of Shopbop

Hot Colors in Fashion

1.  Flame Scarlet

This fiery red is a color to be on the lookout for!  Wear as a blouse or skirt and I personally think it would pair beautifully with the classic camel color that's been shown everywhere for a bit now!

Photo courtesy of Glowsly

2.  Faded Denim

I see TONS of blues while thrifting and am really a fan of this faded denim shade.  I think it would pair perfectly with dark wash blue jeans and love the last photo with the coat, proving that this lighter color isn't just for spring and summer.

Photo courtesy of Glowsly

Photo courtesy of Sieben Sonnen

3.  Coral Pink

An update on the millennial pink shade that's been trendy for a few years now, I'm a big fan of this coral pink.  It's such a pretty shade and I just picture picking up a silky blouse in this color at a thrift store.

Photo courtesy of Glowsly

What are your favorite trends that you see for 2020?  Any special items you're looking for while thrifting?  Good luck in your thrift shopping adventures and I'll catch you next time!

♥ always

Allison

cariPro Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush Review + GIVEAWAY

I received the cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush working with Smile Brilliant, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

When Smile Brilliant reached out to me, I was so excited to partner up with them again! This collaboration was to try out their newly released cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush. First of all, I had never in my life used an electronic toothbrush. Second of all, with my past experience with Smile Brilliant, I had a feeling that I wouldn't regret this product. 

The cariPRO package arrives with the cariPro Toothbrush, charging base, two electric toothbrush heads, and the instruction manual (which I found helpful because apparently, I didn't know how to brush my teeth with this new device). The brush itself has a very sleek, neutral, modern appearance and offers 5 brush modes to choose from: Clean, White, Massage, Gum Care, and Sensitive. 

The brush is set on a 2-minute timer and pulses in 30-second increments. The pause of the pulsing is an indication of when to move the brush to another quadrant of your mouth. 

It took me using the cariPRO a few times to get used to considering I've used manual toothbrushes all my life. At first, it tickled with the vibrating and I honestly wasn't sure if I was brushing correctly (ha). After re-skimming the manual and a few more uses, I got the hang of it. Testing out the different settings was fun, I believe my favorite is probably the Sensitive since the pulses aren't quite as intense. One day after using the toothbrush, I noticed mild sensitivity but am not sure if it was because of the setting or the brush reaching areas that a manual toothbrush doesn't get to. 

After a week of using the cariPRO toothbrush, I'm in love. My teeth feel much cleaner after brushing and even throughout the day than they did with a manual toothbrush. I enjoy the timer because I know I'm brushing the correct length of time and hitting every area, almost like the cariPRO is holding me accountable for good dental hygiene (unlike my old rushing the brushing method). The different modes are incredibly nice so that you can focus on different aspects each time you brush if you choose. Also, the battery is made to remain charged for 30 days, which is much longer than I expected! 

Enter my giveaway for a chance to win a cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush:

GIVEAWAY

To achieve a healthier smile for yourself with the cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush, purchase here: cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush and use code alwaysallison20 for 20% off!

♥ always

Allison

best electric toothbrush

Dreamy decor trends for 2019

As I've gotten older, I've realized staying in (especially throughout winter months) is more appealing than going out.  The key to wanting to stay in is creating a home you like, can relax at, and simply just enjoy.  Changing things out can make a "same old" space feel new and refreshed for the months ahead.

Every year, there are new trends in home decor and I love following the trends while also staying true to myself.  In 2019, you can expect to see bolder colors along with feminine tones, more natural touches, and decor that makes a statement.  If you're curious about finding new trends for your living space, I've rounded up my favorite trends for 2019 to help inspire throughout the rest of the year.

1.  Night Watch Green
This unexpectedly amazing deep green shade represents renewal while bringing a lush greenery and luxurious feel to a space.  Night Watch Green pairs flawlessly with pops of color and metallics.  Use it boldly for cabinets and wall paint or as an accent for chairs and decor.

2.  Boho Decor
Boho is definitely a style I've always been drawn to.  Mixing prints and textures make a room exciting and intriguing while natural elements and plants can give one all the heart eyes.

3.  Terrazzo
Marble, specifically grey/white, has been the big trend in decor, accessories, and everything in between for years now.  It's refreshing to see a new "rock (?)" style taking a seat at the decor table.  The mixture of different elements in Terrazzo makes it unique and interesting.

4.  Statement Ceilings
This is a trend that can really make the most out of a space and I am here for it.  If you've got the decor covered on ground level, why not take it up for the main event (literally)?

5.  Feminine Tones
A touch of pink, blush, rose gold, plum, or any other feminine tones never hurt anyone.  It can soften a room without making it overly feminine.  BUT, just take a look at that pink tiled bathroom!  I think I'm going to need that in my future home.

6.  Black + White Decor
Does black and white ever really go out of style?  It's a clean, classic color combination that you really can't go wrong with.

Which is your favorite trend of 2019?

♥ always

Allison

Photo Sources:  Decor Mag, Fresh Home, Pinterest, Bohemian Collective, Thoughtsfromalice.com, Flea Market Fab, magicdreamlife.com, Houzz, Domino, Cote Maison, Lucy and Company, Neuvo Estilo, Hattas, Etsy, Blissful Blog, Apartment Therapy, Instagram, Etsy