How to stay motivated during quarantine

– Tips to staying motivated at home –

Staying motivated while in quaratine can be a tricky head game. It’s so easy to crawl back into bed or stay in bed all day. Since we’ve been indoors for quite some time now, I have gathered some tips/a routine to stay motivated while we’re all at home.

An article from healthline says, “it takes 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic.” In Connecticut (and most other states), the stay at home order has been in place for almost two months now. Since this order, I’ve really tried training myself to get into a routine and have that routine feel automatic. I believe a lot of the new habits that I have created are now automatic, like working out, self reflecting and going downstairs to get my morning coffee.

For once, it’s nice to have a daily routine that is consistent each day. I really love my daily routine at home so I don’t dread staying in.

I feel like I’ve always been a very motivated person, but getting myself to complete tasks is sometimes an uphill battle. Since quaranting, I’ve been committed to keeping myself busy. Here’s what I’ve done and you can adjust this as it pertains to you!

how to stay motivated during quarantine

My daily routine:

First, I wake up grateful and make a mental note that I am taking the time to thank the world for my life. It’s not cheesy, it actually helps me stay grounded and reflect. Afterwards, while still in bed, I go on Pinterest, Instagram and my email. On some days, I pick up the book I’m reading instead. It depends on the time I wake up.

Secondly, I get a cup of coffee. I’ve perfected my cup of jo. I love my  coffee black, but sometimes I use this creamer (remember to shake it so it’s thick). It’s frothy which is nice if you don’t typically froth your milk everyday (because who does that?).

Next, I’ll sit at my desk and quickly jot down things I’m grateful for and things I want in life. I’ve been obsessed with law of attraction lately so I try to implement that practice whenever I have the time to. I don’t sit down and write everyday, it’s when I think of it and have time to!

Once I finish my coffee and writing, I workout. I’ve been loving Chloe Ting’s videos and workout plans lately. I’ve been doing the ‘Flat Tummy Challenge.’ I honestly LOVE how I feel after I do her workouts, I have so much more energy.

After working out I refresh with lots of water and make breakfast! After this, I’ve been trying to go on daily walks with my roommates while I can. We live in a great neighborhood so I love just chatting and walking around, it’s good exercise too!

Until dinner I work on my computer. I’ve been working on my journalism portfolio website lately. This has been tedious and time consuming but I know it’s worth having. I’ve been using Pinterest a lot to grow my blog, so I put some time there as well. Basicailly, I’m saying that in this time, I do whatever HAS to be done or whatever I know makes me happy. This “work” makes me happy!

Then I make dinner and relax. Relaxing for me is TV, YouTube and listening to music. Your relaxing time may be different, so do whatever relaxes you!

And that’s it! That’s really my day to day and I love it. Being home in quarantine is making me a lot more mindful. Its made me prioritize my wellness, be more committed to getting sh*t done and overall I’m just happier! Sometimes, it just takes a shift in your mindset and a commitment to  change your bad habits.

Remember in these chaotic and unfamiliar times to cherish time at home because life WILL get busy again soon..

Read my last post, spring outfits 2020!

Skincare routine – our favorite skincare products

Sharing my skincare routine this week! My best friends are also including their skincare routines in this post. We all have slightly different skin types so I though it’d be fun for them to share their favorite products too.

skincare routine

You can shop my skincare here:

My daily morning skincare routine:

Cetaphil daily face wash

Lubriderm face lotion

Bondi Sands Liquid Gold on sponge to face (only do this 3-5 times a week)

Jade roller

Fresh sugar lip caramel hydrating balm

Clean and Clear acne spot treatment (depending if I’m wearing makeup or not)

skincare routine

My daily night time skincare routine:

Ice roller

Cetaphil daily face wash

Lubriderm face lotion mixed with two drops of Mon Amie Rose + Collagen face serum

Clean and Clear acne spot treatment

Benzoyl Peroxide prescription acne medication (if breaking out badly)

Carmex lip balm right before bed

**I have combination, sensitive, acne prone skin**

skincare routine

You can shop Cara’s skincare here:

Cara’s daily morning skincare routine:

Seaweed cleansing soap

Mario Badescu facial spray

Cetaphil face moistruizer

 

Cara’s daily night time skincare routine:

Under eye patches (4 days out of the week)

Jade roller

Estee Lauder Resilience Multi – Effect

Laniege lip sleeping mask

**Cara has combination skin**

skincare routine

You can shop Livi’s skincare here:

Livi’s morning and night skincare products differ day to day. The products above are what she switches between! She also uses clay masks a few times a week.

**Livi has combination, hormonal acne prone skin**

Comfy and cute loungewear – At home style

– Loungewear –

comfy, cute, loungewear

comfy, cute, loungewear

comfy, cute, loungewear

comfy, cute, loungewear

comfy, cute, loungewear

comfy, cute, loungewear

comfy, cute, loungewear

When you’re stuck at home, there is not much to do but to wear cute and comfy loungewear. You seriously just feel better when you’re put together.

One day, my roommate, Cara and I were chatting before bed and just got on the topic of cute and comfy loungwear while we’re in quarantine. It feels like tie dye blew up overnight and everyone suddenly “needed” it. I feel like every store started selling comfy and cute loungewear. It was a message from above (not exactly….) to buy loungwear. So here we are, with a loungewear post.

I’ve always been a t-shirt and shorts kinda girl around the house or as my go to look for pajamas. Not anymore. Now I’m like OK how can I look descent at home?! Even when school was in session, I’d rather wear jeans than leggings. Obviously, I’m not going to wear jeans around the house, so now I’m all for the comfy and cute look.

I feel like I’ve found the best loungewear. Not to toot my own horn, but trust me, you’re going to want this all. 

So first, there are loungewear sets. I’m all about the sets. You just feel so put together.

Here are my favorites:


Tie-dye sets are so popular right now. Tie-dye pieces are selling out so fast, everyone is trying to get their hands on a tie-dye set. I just feel like they’re so trendy right now but are going to die out. I may be 100% wrong, but I’ve been turning to the DYI bleach route of tie-dying. We took oversized black pullovers from Amazon and bleached them and they came out so good!

A local boutique by me in New Jersey has been blowing up online lately. If you’re local, you’ve heard of Hazel Boutique. They have oversized sweatshirts that are so perfect for being at home. They scream comfy, cute loungewear. I just purchased the two below.

comfy and cute loungewear comfy and cute loungewear

Earrings in beige loungewear set (gold)-

Shop my neon shoes post, here.

www.bianca-company.com for 40% off with the code Olivia02

www.luxecaramel.com for 30% off with the codre OLIVIASCHUELLER30

www.zaharaswim.com for 30% off with code OLIVIA30

Ski Trip – Winter escape to Warren, Vermont

This spring break I didn’t escape the winter weather, but in my eyes, nothing compares to a ski trip getaway to the mountains.

The running joke that Livi and I had all trip was that, “Cabo looks different.” Most college students spend their spring break by the beach, but I didn’t even think of it when I was in Vermont. It actually felt a little  like Cabo when I was skiing because I was wearing four too many layers, I was SWEATING. Vertmont was 50 degrees, that’s unheard of for Vermont in March!

ski trip getaway

Livi’s family has a house in Warren, VT at Sugarbush ski resort. It’s a little under 4 hours from Quinnipiac and made for a perfect weekend ski trip getaway.

I haven’t done a ski trip in years with my own family, so being able to go with Livi and part of her family was so nice. I always tell people my favorite memories growing up are the ones spent skiing for the week with my family.

The weekend gateaway ski trip

We got to the house around dinner time and snacked liked it was the LAST snack we would ever have. We bought all these chips and candy bags for Livi’s cousins and friends. By the time they got there, they were gone. It’s spring break after all…I had no need for a beach bod.

That night we caught up with Livi’s cousins and his friends and played some games.

The next day I had to decide whether or not I was going to ski or snowboard. I had skiied my whole life and a few years ago I switched over to snowboarding (which I just never really got down pat). I didn’t want to hold anyone up so I went back to my roots of skiing and somewhat picked it right back up (kinda sorta).

After skiing, we went to a bar with live music on the resort which was so fun. Anyone who knows me, knows my love for live music.

That night we played more games, and I swear I’ve never laughed harder in my life at “What do you Meme?”

Sunday we decided to just go into town, walk around and shop. Then we were headed home for Sunday dinner with Livi’s family.

It was my perfect spring break ski getaway, and a nice time to unwind and relax before COVID-19 mayhem began. Please stay home with your loved ones and enjoy the time together. Pray for all of those who are counting on it and try to think positively. We will be OK, one day at a time..

Italy blog posts can be found clicking here!

ski trip getaway

ski trip getaway

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Easy juice recipes – juices to get you fit for summer

My newest obsession is juicing. In this post I’m going to share easy juice recipes, the juicer I have and tips for juicing. I knew I’d love juicing (that may sound silly…), but now that I have a juicer, I’m even more obsessed with juicing then I thought I’d be.

So first off, what juicer do I have? I asked for this juicer for Christmas because it had really good ratings on Amazon. I definitely trust ratings too much, but the ratings were right! This juicer works so well and is super quick and easy to clean.

healthy juice recipes - fit for summer

I loved the idea of a juicer because you can get in all your veggies and fruits and really cleanse your body. After a workout, the first thing I want is fresh juice. It really makes you feel so good and light.

Everyone says juicing makes them just feel better. At first, I was like nope! I feel the same. But, after I was consistently drinking a large glass of juice for consecutive days in a row, I felt a huge difference. Mainly, my energy level and focus just felt different, in the best way. Whether it’s the juice or I’m just thinking it is, I’ll take it!

You can get the juicer here, it’s super affordable:

Now I’m to share my favorite easy juice recipes to date!

Apple Celery Juice: 

2 apples

1 lemon (peeled)

4 stocks of celery

THAT’S IT!

It seriously tastes so yummy. I also have added blackberries to it, which made it a little sweeter too! I want to try this recipe with ginger, just for the added benefits!

Carrot Orange Juice:

4 long carrots

1 peeled lemon

1 peeled orange

1 apple (doesn’t have to be peeled)

Miracle Juice:

5 long carrots

4 celery stocks

1/2 cucumber

1 lemon

1-inch ginger

Don’t be afriad to combine your own veggies, you’ll end up seeing what veggies go well together! Sometimes I just through together whatever I have around.

via GIPHY

And…of course, I’ve had celery juice for the said benefits. This article from the Today Show  goes over all things celery juice and what it can do for you. I usually try to combine veggies, but if I don’t have anything other then celery…celery juice it is!

Tips for juicing:

Sometimes it’s a little tedious to juice everyday and then clean it all up. It’s a great idea to pre-make juices, but fresh juice can’t really last longer then a few days. These jars, are glass and come with tight lids. On Amazon, they come with 12, 16oz glass jars. This is perfect if you’re pre making juice for the week or next couple of days!