how to shop healthy on a budget | #thebeautybalance

I’ve been diving right into this 31 Day Writing Challenge, where each blogger chooses a topic to write about for 31(ish) days. Because it’s right where God has me, I’ve chosen to share on Blending Beauty with Balance.
(#thebeautybalance, if you want to follow along…or better yet, join the conversation using the hashtag!)

It’ll be a fun and encouraging 31(ish) days where I’ll be sharing tips and tricks while digging deeper, finding purpose, and blending beauty with balance — all with a heart of intention. {all 31(ish) Days will be linked here

How to shop healthy on a budget

Over the last few years I have really made a concentrated effort to switch as many of our household and beauty products over to things that are safer and more natural, and when I discovered Vitacost, that switch became a much easier task.

{I don’t work for or am I sponsored by Vitacost…although…at this point, I certainly wouldn’t mind that gig!}

vitacost

Every month, (I’ve had to limit myself!) I excitedly curl up on the couch with my laptop and indulge in a little online shopping therapy session. I absolutely love taking my time to look up new and interesting products, read through all the ingredients, research ones I don’t know, as well as read up on all the reviews before making my decision.

I have a wish list about a mile long, and I love having the confidence that I am doing everything I can to make the best choices for both my family and me.

That said….I should confess that I strongly believe in the 80/20 rule when it comes to most things…so not every decision we make is the healthiest one. I believe it really is all about finding a healthy balance for you, and this rule just works perfectly for us. It still provides some amount of structure, but allows grace for the moments we need to let loose.

So while nearly all of our bath, shower and skin care products have been switched over, I still have quite a ways to go when it comes to makeup. One day, maybe, one day.

And because I think being aware of what we put into our bodies is so important, I want to take the time to share each month what I’ve found and ordered for my own family through Vitacost. My hope is that I can get you just as excited about making these little changes all while saving money in the process!

 

Always first shop Vitacost through Ebates, Extrabux, or Top Cash Back to earn extra cash back off every order! I check them all first to see which is offering more cash back.

* Vitacost (earn $10 when you sign up!)
* Ebates (earn $5 when you sign up with this link)
* Extrabux (earn $5 when you sign up with this link)
* TopCashBack (earn $10 when you sign up with this link)

Have you already made the switch? Or maybe you’re in the process just as we are? If so, let me know what you’ve been using and loving as well! So many of my favorite things have been recommended by you guys! xo

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be still | #thebeautybalance

I’ve been diving right into this 31 Day Writing Challenge, where each blogger chooses a topic to write about for 31(ish) days. Because it’s right where God has me, I’ve chosen to share on Blending Beauty with Balance.
(#thebeautybalance, if you want to follow along…or better yet, join the conversation using the hashtag!)

It’ll be a fun and encouraging 31(ish) days where I’ll be sharing tips and tricks while digging deeper, finding purpose, and blending beauty with balance — all with a heart of intention. {all 31(ish) Days will be linked here}

Sometimes I’ll find myself micro-blogging over on my Instagram. This was one of those sometimes…

photo-6

Busy.

We say it with such a sense of pride as though we should be honored for living this life filled with many tasks and events.

I’ve caught myself saying this word far too often, and recently I’ve noticed feeling more a sense of embarrassment than pride when it slips out.
When I give in.
When I load up.

When I don’t have time for the moments and tasks that truly matter.

And in all this I keep hearing the Lord whisper these two simple but life changing words, “Be Still.”

And so, right now, in the midst of to do’s, tasks, and events…I will be still and seek only after what He has for me this week, this day, this moment…

Romans 12:2 says,
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

We must be still for us to hear His will…

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It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

the stay at home, work from home, mom balance | #thebeautybalance

I’ve been diving right into this 31 Day Writing Challenge, where each blogger chooses a topic to write about for 31(ish) days. Because it’s right where God has me, I’ve chosen to share on Blending Beauty with Balance.
(#thebeautybalance, if you want to follow along…or better yet, join the conversation using the hashtag!)

It’ll be a fun and encouraging 31(ish) days where I’ll be sharing tips and tricks while digging deeper, finding purpose, and blending beauty with balance — all with a heart of intention. {all 31(ish) Days will be linked here}

 

So continuing this conversation of finding balance…

Not only have I been heavily in prayer over how to balance the beauty conversation both in my life and with my online community…but there is also this struggle of finding the balance God intends for me to have between my online work and being a stay at home mama.

And so I loved that my friend, Samantha Schuerman, asked me to play along and make a video discussing this very issue in the YouTube Mom Tag. In todays video, not only do I share a bit more in detail about the heart behind my YouTube channel, but I also discuss just how it all comes together and why I feel it’s important to put the effort into all that I do online.

There is a balance to be found.
A balance to be desired.
And while I may not have discovered it perfectly, I know that as I continue to give it all to the Lord each and every day, He will guide me through it all.

The balance, ultimately, always happens when we are focused on the One thing that matters.
And that is, and always will be, The Lord.

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YOU TUBE MOM TAG!
1. What is your You Tube channel name and what types of videos do you make?
2. When and why did you start your You Tube channel?
3. What’s the meaning behind your You Tube name?
4. When do you schedule time to film/edit/upload videos?
5. What does a typical day look like when you have to make a video(s)?
6. What do you do when you need to make a video and the kids aren’t cooperating?
7. How do you balance You Tube and motherhood?
8. How has You Tube helped you grow as a person?
9. How has You Tube affected your children and family life?
10. What does your significant other think about you making You Tube videos?
11. Does your family and friends know about your You Tube channel?
12. What types of videos/channels do you like to watch most?
13. Who are some of your favorite You Tubers?
14. How do you get inspired for a video topic?
15. What is your main goal in having this platform on You Tube?

While I LOVE beauty, health, and all things related, more than anything my heart and soul belongs to Jesus! This quote expresses exactly what I hope shines more than anything:

“Like Paul and every other believer, my life is no longer my own. The focus must not be on me, but on Christ. When someone hears from me publicly, I want it all to point to Him.”

{quote from John MacArthur}

xoxo, Summer

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It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

saldana fam cam | bangs or no bangs & other deep thoughts | #thebeautybalance

I’ve been diving right into this 31 Day Writing Challenge, where each blogger chooses a topic to write about for 31(ish) days. Because it’s right where God has me, I’ve chosen to share on Blending Beauty with Balance.
(#thebeautybalance, if you want to follow along…or better yet, join the conversation using the hashtag!)

It’ll be a fun and encouraging 31(ish) days where I’ll be sharing tips and tricks while digging deeper, finding purpose, and blending beauty with balance — all with a heart of intention. {all 31(ish) Days will be linked here}

 

 

Welcome to our Weekly Vlogs from our family!

I think these absolutely fit into the theme of #thebeautybalance, because if theres anything that centers me in my life (other than my faith), it’s my family.

In my weekly vlogs I include makeup I’m wearing, workouts I’m doing, what we eat, all the goodies that come in the mail, what I shop for, chit chats about what I’m going through, as well as snippits of our every day life.

And if there’s anything else you would love to see or have us add in, definitely let me know in the comments below!

Screen Shot 2014-10-04 at 11.09.53 PM

This weeks vlog I am back to questioning my bangs, there is lots of BFF time, Giraffie (my 3rd child) makes an appearance, I share my hearts struggle, and Jimmy shares some exciting news we just found out!

Lots of good stuff, some tough stuff, but in the end…God is sovereign and it is all for His glory, and so I persevere and continue to trust.

___

While I LOVE beauty, health, and all things related, more than anything my heart and soul belongs to Jesus! This quote expresses exactly what I hope shines more than anything:

“Like Paul and every other believer, my life is no longer my own. The focus must not be on me, but on Christ. When someone hears from me publicly, I want it all to point to Him.”

{quote from John MacArthur}

xoxo, Summer

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It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

best of beauty. health. life | september 2014 | #thebeautybalance

I’ve been diving right into this 31 Day Writing Challenge, where each blogger chooses a topic to write about for 31(ish) days. Because it’s right where God has me, I’ve chosen to share on Blending Beauty with Balance.
(#thebeautybalance, if you want to follow along…or better yet, join the conversation using the hashtag!)

It’ll be a fun and encouraging 31(ish) days where I’ll be sharing tips and tricks while digging deeper, finding purpose, and blending beauty with balance — all with a heart of intention. {all 31(ish) Days will be linked here}

 

Best of Beauty. Life. Health.

At the end of every month both here and on my YouTube channel, I switch from sharing my top 5 weekly beauty favorites, to instead sharing all the things throughout my month that I truly loved the most. They are the things that I found I’ve excitedly texted my bff’s and sisters about, which are — of course — the things I’d want to share with all of you if we were having our own girls night out (or in!).

Beauty chat is fun, but from my experience real girl time always involves a random mix of what we’ve discovered and gone through, which is exactly why I try to find that same balance here and on my channel.

Screen Shot 2014-10-02 at 3.50.42 PM

This month I am extra excited because my BFF, Becky, is joining in on the fun…which for me is my most favorite thing of all for the month! Her friendship in my life is an absolute gift straight from the hands of Jesus, and it honestly doesn’t matter what we’re doing or what we’re talking about, there is just a total comfort and acceptance and always always laughter.

A balanced beautiful friendship. {I think I could really get carried away with this whole “beauty balance” thing! ha!}

I hope you guys enjoy this months video, and more importantly I hope you feel that we are right there with you just hanging out for girl time, bonding and sharing…Because it’s always so much more fun when you’re not alone!*

*except for when you’ve been around kids all day long…then being alone doesn’t sound so bad… Again. All about balance, my friends.

Monthly Favorites:
NYX Butter Lipgloss
Tarte Palette
Andalou Naturals Rosewater Mask
Larabars
Kayla Itsines – Bikini Body Challenge
The Core (book)
Robert Lustig
Blacklist (tv show)

What did you guys love most this last month???

I would so love to hear or see what you guys loved most this last month as well, so I invite you to either share by leaving a comment here or on YouTube OR you could always post a picture on any of your social media platforms using the tag #thebeautybalance!

 

+ DISCLAIMER +
FTC: This is not a sponsored video. While some products have been sent to me, I will always share my honest opinion of everything that I try and review on my channel. I will never accept payment in exchange for a positive review. Some links above may be affiliate.
________________

While I LOVE beauty, health, and all things related, more than anything my heart and soul belongs to Jesus! This quote expresses exactly what I hope shines more than anything:

“Like Paul and every other believer, my life is no longer my own. The focus must not be on me, but on Christ. When someone hears from me publicly, I want it all to point to Him.”

{quote from John MacArthur}

xoxo, Summer

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It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

blending beauty with balance | #thebeautybalance

The beauty balance really all started with this:

“Consistency breeds Credibility.”

This is one of those quotes that sits with me often and settles into my mind while I attempt to blend some balance throughout my life.

There is so much I want to do and so many things I long to be, and yet when I strive to take them all on at once I lose my balance and fall short in nearly every area.

There is no consistency, no credibility, no balance…which ultimately leaves behind a bitter taste of feeling unconnected.

Consistency.
Credibility.
Connectedness.

And it is these three C’s tumbling around in my mind that have led me to this 31 day writing challenge hosted by The Nester (who you will love).

It’s where God has me.
And it’s what God is laying on my heart to be and to share.

And so I’m committing to be present here and purposeful in my writing and content, prayerfully choosing to share for 31(ish) days on Blending Beauty with Balance.

Brushes for makeup on pink background

As I shared the other day, it’s true that I love beauty, style, and fashion…I mean, I just experience such a giddy joy in finding a fabulous shade of lipstick. And yet, even though that may be a lot of the content both here and on my YouTube channel, what brings an even greater joy to my soul, is living that beauty, and knowing that the beauty we delight in is truly a reflection of our Creator.

It’ll be a fun and encouraging 31 days….sharing tips and tricks, while digging deeper, finding purpose, and blending beauty with balance — all with a heart of intention.

I hope you’ll come back each day and join along in #thebeautybalance conversation, and I’ll be sure to link each post back to this page, so that there will be a landing spot for all of the 31(ish) posts.

And of course…to make it even easier to follow along, I encourage you to subscribe to my blog so you’ll never miss an update!

Day 2: The monthly beauty box balance | Beauty Box 5
Day 3: Best of Life. Health. Beauty | Girl Chat
Day 4: Saldana Fam Cam: My inner struggles with comparison
Day 5: The work at home, stay at home, mom balance
Day 6: Be still
Day 7: How to shop healthy on a budget
Day 8: Adorned from the inside out
Day 9: Top 5 Weekly Beauty Faves
Day 10: Saldana Fam Cam: Sprouts Grocery Haul & The Best Smoothie Ever
Day 11: Bulu Health & Weight Loss Box
Day 12: The Comparison Cure
Day 13: How to straighten hair with minimum damage
Day 14: Yay or Nay? Reviews on the products I’ve used up!
Day 15: Saldana Fam Cam: Healthy Grocery Hauls & a New Family Member
Day 16: Summer’s Lovin’: Top 5 Beauty Favorites of the Week
Day 17: Saldana Fam Cam: Whole Foods Haul, Kayla Itsines & Funny Yoga
Day 18: The Greatest Beauty Truths We Can Ever Know
Day 19: Erin Condren Life Planner vs. Whitney English Day Designer
Day 20: We Are His Poem, We Are His Masterpiece: A Pastors Perspective
Day 21: Makeup Totally Worth Buying

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It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!