How to Stop Skincare Pilling/Balling

Have you ever had your skincare pill or ball up? Yep me too. Why does it do that? And how can I prevent it?

What is Product Pilling/balling

Product pilling or balling is when the product on your face balls or pills after its been applied. It can happen right after or hours after applying skincare, I have had it happen while applying my skincare. You go to rub your face and little balls come back on your hand. Lovely.

Why does it happen?  

Pilling happens because the product you are putting on your skin is not absorbing. Think about super thick moisturizers or products with silicone. You could be using too much product or putting your product on in the wrong order. Sometimes the product doesn't play well together. So if you are using an oil-based serum with and water-based moisturizer balling is sure to happen. Overworking your product can cause

pilling. The condition of your skin also could be the reason why your skincare is balling too.

What can be done to prevent it?

In my case, I was using too much product. Putting my stuff on a little too heavy. So I lighten up on my skincare and my problem was solved.

Change the order of your skincare.

Give each layer time to absorb and don't overwork it.

Change products, avoid product with silicone

Exfoliate your skin before using your skincare

4 Must Read Paranormal Romance Series From Self Publishing Authors

Elizabeth Hunter



Amazon Blurb
"A young student librarian is thrown into the immortal world when she takes a job from a mysterious Italian scholar, Giovanni Vecchio. Beatrice is drawn to the mystery--and her new employer--but can she survive a vampire world ruled by power, politics, and blood-lust? How far will they go to find a library missing for five hundred years?"

A Hidden Fire is the first book in the Elemental Mystery Series. In the beginning, it has a slow-burning plot but hang in there! All of the character and world burning set you up for an action pack series. To be honest the tension between the 2 main characters Giovanni and Beatrice is a refreshing change from other quick to romance books. What makes this book for me is the slow-burning tension between the 2 characters, amazing dialogue, and the unpredictability of this story. The flavor of paranormal is vampires.

Full Series in order

A Hidden Fire (Elemental Mysteries Book 1)
This Same Earth (Elemental Mysteries Book 2)

The Force of Wind (Elemental Mysteries Book 3)

A Fall of Water (Elemental Mysteries Book 4)

Elisabeth Naughton

Amazon Blurb
"THERON – Dark-haired, duty-bound and deceptively deadly. He’s the leader of the Eternal Guardians, an elite group of warriors that defend the mortal realm.

From the moment he walked into the club, Casey knew this guy was different. Men like that just didn’t exist in real life—silky shoulder-length hair, chest impossibly broad, and a predatory manner that just screamed dark and dangerous. He was looking for something. Her.
She was the one. She had the mark. Casey had to die so his kind could live, and it was Theron’s duty to bring her in. But even the leader of the Eternal Guardians wasn’t strong enough to resist the pull in her fathomless eyes, to tear himself away from the heat of her body.

As war with the immortal realm nears, someone will have to make the ultimate sacrifice."

If you like straight paranormal steam Marked is 100% for you. it has all the broken brooding hot guy that you have come to know and love. This is an action-packed read. Series moves on from character to character telling their stories and how their romance blossoms through blood and war.

Full Series in order
MARKED - Book 1
ENTWINED - Book 2
TEMPTED - Book 3
ENRAPTURED - Book 4
ENSLAVED - Book 5
BOUND - Book 6
TWISTED - Book 7
RAVAGED - Novella
AWAKENED - Book 8
UNCHAINED - Novella
HUNTED - Novella
WICKED - Book 9 

Amy Bartol

Amazon Blurb
"My name is Evie Claremont and this was to be the making of me–my freshman year of college. I’d been hoping that once I’d arrived on Crestwood’s campus, the nightmare that I’ve been having would go away. It hasn’t.
I may be an inexperienced seventeen-year-old, but I’m grounded…sane. I look for rational explanations to even the strangest circumstances. Since meeting sophomore Reed Wellington, however, nothing makes any sense. Whenever he’s near, I feel an attraction to him–a magnetic kind of force pulling me towards him. I know what you’re thinking…that sounds fairly awesome. Yeah, it would be…if he liked me, but Reed acts as if I’m the worst thing that has ever happened to Crestwood…or him. But get this, for some reason every time I turn around he’s there, barging into my life.
What is the secret that he’s keeping from me? I’m hoping that it’s anything but what I suspect: that he’s not exactly normal…and neither am I. So, maybe Crestwood won’t be the making of me, but it could be the breaking of me. I’ve been left to wonder if the dark future my dream is foretelling is…inescapable."

My guilty pleasure is YA angsty paranormal romance, and Inescapable fit the bill. To be honest sometimes the series kind of drags on but I because so invested in needing to know the ending the I read on. This is a good series to get into if you're looking for great fight scenes, funny supporting characters, and a little predictability. The flavor of paranormal is angels.

Full Series in order

Inescapable (The Premonition Series Book 1)
Intuition (The Premonition Series Book 2)
Indebted (The Premonition Series Book 3)

Incendiary (The Premonition Series Book 4)

Iniquity (The Premonition Series Book 5)

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Colee Firman

"Addison Sanders thinks her life is already as complicated as it can possibly get.
Akori - Ancient people with time-shifting abilities secretly living among the humans.
Sanders Family - Humans sworn to protect and serve the Akori.
What could be worse than getting stuck with a destiny like that? Tanner Sutherland is about to show her.
When a death in the Sanders Family leaves their power and secrets up for grabs,
centuries-old rumors begin surfacing. Far more sinister reasons for her
family's involvement with the Akori than Addy ever could've imagined come to
light. She learns the hard way that placing her trust in anyone could lead to
disaster.
Betrayed by old friends and leery of new ones--she's left to cut through the lies
and deception to get to the truth.
Find out why sometimes its better not knowing, and how much misery really does love
company in Dissever - Book One of the Unbinding Fate Series."

Another YA paranormal series, I am a sucker for them. This series is a little bit confusing at first, but it's filled with an interesting love triangle tons of angst and action. Because is it a completely new brand of paranormal there are no preset rules the author has to abide by. I love the unpredictability of this series.

Full Series in order
Dissever (Unbinding Fate Book 1)
Sanctify (Unbinding Fate Book 2)
Chasing Darkness (Unbinding Fate Book 3)

Twisted Memories (Unbinding Fate Book 4)

Hellfire (Unbinding Fate Book 5)

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Why I Hate the New Year New Me Trend!!!

Its January! The gyms are full, resolutions are flying, and liquor sales are down because of dry January. My Facebook and Instagram are flooding with pictures of my friends killing it on their New Year Resolutions. It's wonderful!! I Love it. I'm happy for them! Even if they don't stick to it I am so happy they are trying at least for a little bit.


But why does it have to be New Year New You? I can't stand that saying! It scratches my brain with rusty nails!!! Let me tell you, friends, I LOVE YOU period end stop! I don't want a new you! Some people when they say new year new me, they act differently I don't like it. Just because your going to the gym doesn't mean that you won't be a jerk if you're a jerk. Because you put on makeup doesn't mean you're not going to be shy!


Nobody should ever strive to be a new person in my opinion, unless you're not being yourself. But then your not a new person your being your true self. When I hear New year New me, there is always a marketing ploy trying to get you to buy stuff you don't need, gym membership, makeup, self-help books, cookbooks, etc.


How about this New Year you pledge to be yourself!! Spend 10 mins a day and think, and find out who you are. Spend time thinking, did I say that because that is what I think, or because that is what I thought I should say for approval!! If you're going to do anything new maybe, it's BE KIND to everyone even if they aren't kind to you. I'm not saying be a doormat, just don't be a jerk back, smile and walk away.


I think this saying is affecting me this year because I am in the first stages of raising a teenager. I want my children to be confident in their thoughts, and know who they are, and not be persuaded by a marketing ploy. Or I'm at a point where I am learning to love myself, so I would never want a new me, I want a truer me! Or I should stop being irritated and let the world rejoice in going on a diet, not drinking, finding a new makeup look, saving more money, and getting in shape.


Let me know how you feel? Am I whining? Or am I on to something?


So New Year True You! My friends!

New Year Resolutions!

With January apon us, it's time for resolutions! Now I don't normally make resolutions but this is I did! My resolutions are....


Take off my make up before bed and be in bed ready for bed @ 10 pm


My sleep health has been suffering lately. I haven't been at all paying attention to how much sleep I'm getting! Truth be told I got a stern lecture from my doctor!!


So how am I going to do this? The short answer I don't know I've been halfheartedly trying to do this for years! But I've come up with a plan that I think will work.


Step 1 At 9 pm weather I am ready to go to bed or not take off my make up and brush my teeth!

I've been trying this out for a couple of nights now and for the most part, I do it. I set an alarm on my phone and try to get this done close to the alarm time. I also help that I can snooze it too.

So why is this so hard for me to do. Few reasons......

By 9 pm my kids' bedtime routines should be done. That is a big should!!! Sometimes because of soccer or gymnastics, we don't get home until after 8 so that is a big should.

My husband is a long haul truck driver so I am single parenting more often than not. So I'm tried. By the time I do get the kids in bed. I have worked my day job, got my kids to their sports activities, helped with homework cooked dinner, and then whatever else had to happen that day. I'm about done! The only thing I want to do that day is to sit and not have any noise for a little bit!

I have ADHD hence the reason for the alarm. By the time my day had ended my brain is so scattered that I absolutely forget to wash my face and brush my teeth!

Step 2 Chill and Read a real book!

I used to always read on my phone but my doctor has subjected that I do not look at a screen for about an hour before bed. There are a ton of articles about screens messing with your sleep cycle so I figured if I am reading a real book, I will relax me enough to get ready for sleep. this means more trips to the library.

Step 3 Go to bed at 10 pm! Now, this might be hard because I tend to get sucked into books. So I am hoping I can stick to this rule. I think with real books instead of screen reading I will feel drowsy enough to want to sleep at 10 pm. Ii seems when I was younger and screen reading wasn't a thing I could put books down easier!

So that is my plan! If you have any tips to help me keep my resolution I would love them comment below. This is part of my health that I have been ignoring for so long. I'm pretty committed to finding a routine that works.

Winter Skin Care Tips

I am a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant so any links you click below go to my Mary Kay Website and I will get a commission if you purchase products!


During the cold winter months, the cold air greatly affects the skin making it dry itchy and flaky here are a few tips to keep your skin healthy all winter long.


Moisturize Daily
Very important you use a good gentle moisturizer daily on your skin! I use a different moisturizer for my face, eye area, feet, and body. Finding a good Moisturizer that works well with your skin is the first defense against dry skin. You may need to switch to a heavier creamer moisturizer if your skin gets super dry.

Products I love are

Face Creams
Mary Kay Naturally™ Moisturizing Stick   http://bit.ly/2T6KSEm

Mary Kay® Intense Moisturizing Cream   http://bit.ly/301Do6S

Lip Moisturizer
Satin Lips® Set   http://bit.ly/2QTEcXm

Hand and Feet Moisturizers
Mary Kay® Extra Emollient Night Cream   http://bit.ly/35CeQCL

White Tea & Citrus Satin Hands® Nourishing Shea Cream   http://bit.ly/2FuCbeU

Body
Satin Body® Silkening Shea Lotion   http://bit.ly/37LzCRN

Drink Water
As you are hydrating the outside you need to hydrate the inside. If you are dehydrated it doesn't matter how much moisturizer you are putting on your skin

Use Sunscreen
Even though the sun isn't shining it is still affecting your skin!

Humidify the air in your home
Have you ever checked the humidity on a super cold dry day? Chances are the humidity is super low and your skin is drying out because of it! I live in the northwest so it is not as much of the problem do to the rain. But because of family health issues, I do keep an eye on the humidity in the air and it can get pretty low!!

Avoid Hot Showers
Hot water strips the natural oils that keep your skin moisturized!
I am super guilty of this one. I really love love love a hot shower.

I hope this is a good reminder to keep your skin healthy this winter season!

Adventures of a Soccer Mom: 5 Tips on Keeping the House Clean During Soccer Season

We are signing up for a new adventure of premier soccer league. Premier soccer league is almost all year round but we get a little break in winter. Before I start let me give you a little back round so you see why this may be a problem in our household.


My husband travels a lot for work, so he is unreliable for help. I also work long hours 3 days a week. On days that I work and have a sports activity, I do not see my house until after 8pm that day. Yes keeping my house in order is a big struggle. The other 2 days a week that I don't work I volunteer at my children's school and PTA duties. I know, I know, I have the big problem with not saying no and I do this to myself.


Because I am super busy with children's activities my life is very hectic. I found myself overwhelmed and the house cleaning responsibilities not getting done. Since my son started playing soccer when he was 3, over the years I developed a soccer time house cleaning style.


1) Roomba!

I love, love, love my Roomba. I have 3 dogs and poop smearing has never been a problem. I kennel my dogs while it runs or have it run while I'm home. Problem solved.


2) On days with no sports, I do dishes and laundry.

That's it. If I get those 2 chores I'm a happy girl. I know some of my friends are the kind that has to have a clean sink every night. You, my friend, are my hero! you are an amazing person to me. I am not that person. I get home after 8pm get the kids ready for bed while trying to eat dinner then try to be in bed myself by 9. Dishes are not on my radar.


3) Set a Goal or Time Frame Weekly

Every week usually on Fridays, I know I have a wild life, I set aside 3 hours to clean the house. That's it, I get done what I can then after that I stop. If I don't set parameters for myself I obsessed get overwhelmed and get nothing done then.


4) Don't Worry About It!

Sometimes there are weeks where I get NOTHING DONE. There is an activity every stinking night, and there is no time. I am not the kind of girl that will stay up all night to get these things done. If I have a spare moment I will do what I can, but if not, I don't! The dishes will be in the sink tomorrow. They are not going anywhere. I will get them done when you have company coming over and you flash clean like an hour before they get there. I can't be the only person who does that.


5) Recruit help!!

Get help from kids, husband, grandparents maid service. Yesterday I asked my dad to load the dishwasher because I didn't have time. I'm also paying my neighbor kid to mow my lawn each week. He's saving for a car, I tell myself I'm doing a good deed so I do not get down on myself for poor time management. Select, Club Premier soccer or sport is a whole new beast, its a lot of time commitment. So do what you can and don't get down on yourself on what is not getting done.