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After years of laying in the tanning bed as a teen and young adult, my skin has suffered tremendously. If I regret one thing in my younger years, it’s that. Now that I’m in my 30s, I’m dealing with sunspots and a splotchy complexion. None of those are fun things to have to deal with. A few months ago, I started trying different sunless tanners. I bought Tanologist face drops and sunless tanning water from Target. I’ve been loving the way it gives me that sunkissed look without the harmful UV rays. Tanologist has been a great way for me to get this sunkissed glow!

Tanologist is a self-tanning company that is dermatologically tested and approved. It was founded by beauty influencer Lottie Tomlinson.

Tanologist products are the best because they contain non irritating ingredients, therefore, they don’t cause breakouts and are suitable for sensitive skin.  All the products have no color guide meaning they won’t stain your sheet or clothes.

Some of the ingredients used in their products that give you the best experience are pink grapefruit for toning your skin, goji berry, which acts as an antioxidant, and Juniper for reducing blemishes.

Tanologist has 7 products for the face and body and these are self-tan mousse, self-tan water, gradual lotion, gradual treatment oil, Insta glow, Eraser and Primer, and self-tan drops.

A point to note however is:  These products are not to be used on irritated skin and should not come into contact with your eyes. Seek medical attention or stop using the product if your skin reacts to any of the products.

Self-tanning Water

I’ve been using the self-tanning water for a few months. I love that it’s clear and you don’t have to worry about it getting on your clothes. You can spray it on your face to give the perfect glow or spray it after applying makeup as a setting spray. You can also spray it on your entire body for that perfect bronze shiny look. It comes in three shades: Light glow, medium tan, and deep bronze.

Advantages of Self-Tanning Water 

The self-tanning water leaves your skin feeling fresh and looking great. Other advantages include:

• Applying is easy and messy-free.
• It does not cause a drying effect on the skin
• It lasts for about 6-7 days
• It’s used on both the face and the body
• Does not leave your skin with blocked pores
• It’s odorless

How to Apply

1. First and foremost, moisturize areas like knees, hands, elbows, and feet because they are usually very dry
2. Spray onto your skin from head to toe then blend with your hands or with a tanning mitt
3. For the face, spray then blend with a blending brush
4.  Wash off then wash your hands after the application process

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Self-Tan Drops

The other amazing product that I use daily is the self-tan drops. Different from the self-tanning water, this one gives you the liberty to mix into your make-up, skincare, or body care for a nice bronzed finish. The formula doesn’t stain your sheets or clothes nor will it clog your pores, but will leave your skin glowing. This product is suitable for both experienced tanners and newbies.

Unlike self-tanning water, self-tanning drops cannot be used on their own because they are very concentrated and are designed to be used with skincare or body care products. Add 2-12 drops to your moisturizer depending on the look you are going for. Our self-tan drops also come in three shades: light glow, medium tan, and deep bronze. Choose your desired shade and remember you can apply and reapply till you get your desired results.

Advantages of Self-Tan Drops

Self-tan drops are perfect if you are going for a personalized experience because you simply have to mix them into your moisturizer. Other advantages include:

• They are transparent meaning they won’t stain your sheets
• They are fragrance free
• With tan drops you don’t have to worry about breakouts.
• It can be used anytime, in the morning or at night
• The product does not clog your pores because it is non-comedogenic

How to Apply

1. First, ensure your skin is dry and clean
2. Add two drops to your moisturizer, oil or serum and apply on your face
3. For the body, add 4-6 drops to your body cream or oil per body part and apply in circular motion
4. For sun tanning: add 20 drops to 100ml of tanning oil and apply before and during sun exposure
5. If you want a deeper tan you can also try mixing with our gradual tan lotion
6. Wash your hands thoroughly after application

Gradual Tan

If you want a gradual tan experience, Tanologist has your back. With the gradual tan lotion and gradual treatment oil, you get your perfect desired results

Gradual Tan Lotion

This works like a daily moisturizer on your skin but adds a glow to your skin. This product ensures color builds up gradually without any patches. The color begins to build immediately after application but it takes 2 to 3 days before you can notice the difference in your skin. For a deeper tan, you can mix the lotion with your self-tan drops.

The lotion suits all skin shades and your glow will last for one week and fade evenly. It contains hydrating ingredients which help your skin look healthy and soft.  You don’t have to worry about messing and staining your sheets or clothes.

How to Apply

1. For best results, apply on alternative days as your moisturizer
2. Apply little portions on hands, knees and elbows
3. Apply again as needed for a deeper glow
4. Blend around the neck and hairline
5. Thoroughly wash your hands after use.

Gradual Treatment Oil

For overnight results, use the gradual treatment oil. You don’t have to mix it with your daily moisturizer. You can simply apply it directly on your face. Use this oil in the evening to recharge your skin while you sleep.

It will hydrate, brighten and rejuvenate your skin. You don’t have to worry about breakouts because this oil ensures that your skin stays smooth. It’s very helpful for beginners and those who want a lighter glow.

How to Apply

1. Take 6-10 drops, apply directly on your face and massage in circular motions
2. Color fully develops in 8 hours
3. For a deeper glow, apply again till you get the desired results
4. Thoroughly wash your hands after applying

Insta Glow

The insta-glow contains light-reflecting nanoparticles which leave the skin glowing. The formula can be used on both the face and the body. It dries down in seconds and when you apply it, you don’t have to worry about water and sweat because it is sweat and waterproof for 24 hours. You can use it like body makeup for hiding imperfections and give you an even tone.

Advantages of Insta Glow

The insta glow as the name suggest is an insta tan and has the following advantages:

• It gives you an instant deep color once you apply it.
• It leaves you with a brightened and softened skin.
• Your tan will last till 24 hours and you can remove it with warm soapy water.
• Its packaged in a tube which makes it easy to use and also messy free.
• It works for all skin tones
• Use can use it as a contour by applying to the areas where you want extra definition
• Mix with your foundation to get the desired darker colors

How to Apply

1. Squeeze the product on your skin or hand and using a mitt, rub it on the part of the body you want to tan
2. The change in color is instant
3. It dries in a short while and is water-resistant
4. Wash hands thoroughly after application
5. You can easily remove with warm soapy water

Tan Eraser and Primer

If you are looking for a perfect way to remove or reverse your tan, then Tanologist is the right place for you. The tan eraser and primer is a multi-use formula that acts as an eraser to remove all the remainders of self-tan and condition your skin. It also acts as a pre-tan primer that removes the dead skin and primes the skin for a fresh application

For maximum results apply three days after your initial tan application. It contains vegan glycolic acid which works to remove the tan quickly and effectively.

Advantages of Tan Eraser and Primer

The multi-purpose formula has the following advantages:

• It is gentle enough to use on the face no need to worry about breakouts
• It leaves the skin cleansed without stripping or dehydrating it
• It is easy to apply
• You can use it as a quick fixer for small mistakes. Try it by putting a small amount on cotton wool and correct a mistake.

How to Apply as an Eraser

1. Apply to the skin three days after the initial tan application
2. Leave for 5 minutes
3. Wash off in a shower
4. Rub your body gently till the tan comes off                                 

How to Apply as a Primer

1. Apply to the skin before a tan and leave it for 5 minutes
2. Wash off in the shower
3. Apply a Tanologist tan product of your choice

When using it as a primer, apply it to your skin pre tan and your skin will feel fresh and hydrated and ready for a tan.

Tanning Hacks for Maximum Glow Up

Here are the tanning hacks that will help you get the desired glow you are looking for:

1. Moisturize your hands, feet, elbows, and knees because these areas are usually dry
2. If you want to shave before tanning, shave your body 24hours before you tan because this allows the skin to settle before application.
3. Lay a towel down when spraying our self-tan water because this prevents staining on the soles of your feet
4. To maintain hydrated and glowing skin, use a gradual tanner every day or once a week. It acts as your daily moisturizer but with an added glow effect.

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My love for cold brew coffee runs deep. On a crisp fall morning last year, after taking the kids to school I went by Starbucks for a pick me up. I noticed the pumpkin cream cold brew on the menu. At that time, my go-to was a hot mocha coffee. On a whim, I decided I was going to try the pumpkin cream cold brew. The rest is history. I’ve been obsessing over cold brew ever since. As a stay at home mom, I obviously couldn’t afford a $6 cold brew from Starbucks daily. Then came my determination to bottle my own cold brew at home.

Things You Will Need To Make Cold Brew:

• Cold Brew Coffee Maker
• Ground Coffee

Cold Brew Coffee Maker

For a long time, I convinced myself that I didn’t need a cold brew maker. I bought the cold brews from Target. It just wasn’t the same. Amazon had quite a few cold brew maker options and I’d cart them but never would hit the check out button. Have you done that before? I’m bad about it. I finally hit the buy button. It had great reviews and so I was excited to put it to the test. Here’s my step by step guide to bottling cold brew coffee at home.

Bottling Cold Brew Coffee

Once, you have your brand of ground coffee you want to use. You take the filter out of the cold brew maker and set it on a flat surface. You will add the ground coffee to the filter until it is full. Place it into the glass carafe. Then you want to slowly add cold water on top of your ground coffee. The glass carafe has a max fill line. I keep adding water slowly till it reaches that fill line. You want to also make sure you’re getting all of the coffee grounds wet. Once it is full I then put the top on it and make sure it’s pushed all the way down so that there is a tight seal. Then I place it in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. The longer it sits in the refrigerator the richer the taste. I do a minimum of 24 hours. After 24 hours, I pull it out of the refrigerator and get out everything I need to make my pumpkin cream cold brew.

How to Make a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Things you’ll need:

• Cold Brew Coffee
• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Vanilla Syrup
• Pumpkin pie filling
• Milk
• Pumpkin Pie Spice

I pour my cold brew coffee into my mug. I add a few cubes of ice and a splash of vanilla syrup to my cold brew. I have a milk frothing pitcher and a handheld milk frother. I’m so glad I purchased both. The Zulay Kitchen Milk Frother makes a perfect consistency foam and the Zulay Kitchen Milk Pitcher makes for easy cleanup. I pour 1 cup of heavy whipping cream in the frothing pitcher. I add a couple of splashes of vanilla syrup. Then a spoonful of pumpkin pie filling and a splash of milk. Then I use my handheld frother to mix it all up into a foam. I pour that on top of my cold brew. Then take the pumpkin spice and sprinkle some on top of the foam. Enjoy! (I don’t use all of the foam. I save some for the next day. I keep mine in the pitcher and just place it in the refrigerator. That way I’m not having to make it daily.)

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On New Year’s Eve 2015, we were planning a small get together with friends that evening to ring in the New Year. I was busy cleaning the house and getting food ready. I had noticed when I woke up that morning that I had a slight headache and felt a little dizzy. I have horrible allergies all year round so I chalked it up to that. As the day went on, nausea started. When that happened, I stopped what I was doing and went straight upstairs. Since I was still breastfeeding and my periods were not regular, I always had a stash of pregnancy tests under the bathroom sink. I took the test and waited. Honestly, I was scared to know. My oldest son was only two and a half and my daughter had just turned one a month and a half prior. I slowly peeked at it and when I saw the words pregnant. I cried. What was I going to do with three kids under three? How was I going to handle it? I was still breastfeeding my daughter and I didn’t want to have to wean her. So many thoughts raced through my head. I immediately took the test to my husband who was playing with the kids in their playroom. I showed him the test and when he saw it, he smiled. I was in tears. He hugged me and just kept saying everything will be okay. He was so excited. Which made me feel worse because I wasn’t. Those feelings quickly went away. I started becoming so excited about adding another blessing to our crazy and wild family.

At 20 weeks, we found out we were having a boy! We already had a name picked out and I couldn’t stop buying the cutest baby clothes. I loved feeling him kick around in my belly. It’s one of my favorite things about being pregnant. My pregnancy remained uneventful. I went in for my weekly checkup on a Friday, a day shy of 38 weeks. I was surprised to find out I was already dilated to 3 and 100% effaced. My doctor joked that she was on call Sunday and maybe she’d see me then. I went back home and finished getting some things together in the hospital bag. We decided for supper we’d try something spicy since that’s what I ate before going into labor with my last two. Sure enough, after eating tacos, my contractions were getting stronger. They were so strong I was having trouble getting into a comfortable spot on the way back home.

When we got back home, my younger sister and her family came over and let the kids play. I was having a lot of contractions! They left around 8:30 pm. As they were leaving, my sister said, “I think I’ll be seeing you later.” We get the kids in bed and I stayed up to read some. Then my oldest came to tell me that he had to go potty. I lifted him up on the potty when I felt a pop and a small trickle. I froze. Did my water just break? Even after two previous pregnancies, I wasn’t sure. I got my oldest back in bed, woke up my husband, and called my sister. Since we had two small kids my husband and I decided he would stay home with them and my sister would drive me to the hospital. I didn’t want to disrupt their normal routine at all. She got to our house around midnight and we made the 40 minutes drive to Vanderbilt. My sister hit every pothole on the interstate. By the time we pulled into the emergency department and I went to get out of her car my water went from a slow trickle to a gush. We got up to the labor and delivery floor and got settled in. I held off on an epidural as long as I could and by 5:30 am I was ready for some relief. I was dilated to a six. But just like with my previous pregnancies, the epidural didn’t take. I was numb on one side and nothing on the other. The anesthesiologist was trying to get it working when all of a sudden I had the urge to push. I had horrible back labor and it felt like my back was breaking. After a few pushes at 6:22 am our sweet baby boy was born sunny side up.

I called my husband and let him know that our son was here. He was shocked that it had happened that fast. A few hours later, he and the kids came to the hospital to see their baby brother. One of my favorite memories is seeing my kid’s faces walk through the door to see their brother. We were all in love and still are. He makes us all laugh with his silliness. He loves being the center of attention. He will walk up to you and give you the biggest hug and the sweetest I love you! Happy Birthday, sweet boy!

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As far back as I can remember growing up in Tennessee, I’ve always loved Fall. I love everything about it. Seeing the leaves change from a bright green to orange, yellow, and brown, the temperatures cooling down, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, the cozy nights by the fire sipping pumpkin spice coffee, wrapped up in the fuzziest of blankets. A must fall activity is visiting the Great Smokey Mountains and seeing all the leaves changing in the mountains. It’s breathtaking. It all puts a smile on my face.

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I’ve always liked interior decorating but it wasn’t until we bought our first home in 2017 that I really got interested in decorating. Before then we had just rented and it just didn’t feel like mine. Fast forward to today, and decorating our home for all the seasons and holidays has become a hobby of mine. I love finding deals online or in-store that I can incorporate into our little farmhouse. I tend to go more towards neutral decor. When it gets closer to Halloween, I’ll incorporate more orange/black into the mix. I tend to always look online before going into stores and this year for obvious reasons I’ve been online shopping more. (Thanks, Corona!) I wanted to share what Fall decor I’m loving on Amazon!

If you decorate for Fall, when do you start? I normally start the first week of September. Even though, here in Tennessee, the temperature can still be in the 80s. But that doesn’t stop me. If you’re interested in viewing any of the pictures I have above, you can click on the picture or Click here! Stay tuned to see what Fall decor I use in my home!

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Before becoming a stay at home mom, I didn’t give much thought to cashback apps. I thought they were a waste of time. Looking back, that was crazy thinking. I’ve been a stay at home mom for 7 years and now these apps are my friends. Being a family of five on one income, I need all the cashback I can get. The gift cards that you can get just from scanning your receipts onto your phone has funded many of my trips to Target! (praise hands) That alone sold me. It’s not as time-consuming as I originally thought. So, let’s go through the top 5 cashback apps that I use.

Rakuten

I know I’m not the only one that has been doing more online shopping since this pandemic hit. Being quarantined at home with three kids, four dogs, a goat, and 2 chickens would make anyone have an online shopping addiction. (just kidding, kind of) This app can also be used for in-store purchases but I’ve used it mostly for online. For example, if I were shopping online at Target. Instead of going straight to Target.com, I go to the Rakuten app and then click on Target. It activates the 4% cashback and takes me straight to their website to shop as I normally would. Once, you’ve checked out you get 4% cashback from your purchases. Then you can take that amount you got back and transfer to a Paypal account and now you have the money back! Click here to make your own account on Rakuten!

Fetch app

This is by far my favorite cash back app! First, it’s so easy to use. Second, You shop like you normally would and then scan your receipt. It gives you points depending on what was bought at that store. As you accumulate points, you can use those points to cash out for gift cards to Target, Amazon, Walmart, Tjmaxx, Home Goods, and even restaurants. They just recently added restaurants that include dine-in, drive-thru, or delivery. You can also use this for online shopping. When you receive your receipt through your email it will calculate your points and add them to your total. A definite positive for all the Amazon shopping I’ve been doing. The Fetch app is a free download in the app store. You can use my code B2XCX to get 2,000 points after successfully scanning your first receipt. (any receipt from the last 14 days).

Ibotta

This app is a little different than the others. Before my weekly shopping trip, I go on this app click on the store I’ll be shopping at, and see what items cashback is offered on. If I see an item that I know I’ll be buying I click on the plus sign and it adds it onto my list. Then I go to the store, shop, and when I get home I scan my receipt and it gives me cash back on the items I had chosen. Once you get to $20 you can withdraw that amount to your Paypal account. The newest feature is grocery pick up and delivery from Instacart, Shipt, and others. This app is a free download in your app store. Use code WVMMXUH to sign up!

CoinOut

This is the easiest app to use. It’s a free download in the app store. You just scan your receipts and it randomly gives you money back. It could be one cent all the way up to 75 cents. It’s completely random. They also have a list of retailers that you can shop online through the app to earn cashback, similar to Rakuten. Once you get to $10 you can send that over to your Paypal account. Click here to set up an account!

ReceiptPal

This app is very similar to Fetch. The only difference is you get 100 points for every card you fill-up. So after you scan four receipts (one card) it will give you 100 points. Once your points reach 2,200 you can redeem those points for gift cards. You can download it free in the app store. Click here to sign up and grab some bonus points!

Why I think Cash Back apps are worth it

I absolutely think cashback apps are worth my time. My weekly routine with this is to save all of my receipts for the week and then on Fridays, I will sit down and scan them into all of my apps. I’ve tried doing it daily but I always end up letting them pile up anyways so I thought by setting aside one day of the week to do them as helped me be more consistent. I’ve cashed out my points for smaller gift card amounts before but I’ve found I like to let my points accumulate before cashing them in. There is a Fetch tutorial saved in my highlights on my Instagram page if you want to check it out.