It's a funny thing to think of how much life changes, even with 5 or 10 years time, especially when you're young. In that amount of time there can be innumerable and colossal differences in who you were and are, what you know, what you believe, and how you choose to live. 

With all things considered, it's always interesting to think where you are now and how you got there. The experiences you had that made you who you are today and the lessons you had to learn, maybe multiple times, maybe just one hard time. If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would you say? What do you wish you could have or would have known sooner? 

Today, we will be talking about things we wish we knew back in the good-ole days, where we thought we knew everything, but looking back we knew so little; if there could have been a wiser, older voice inside either of our heads, what it might have said. It's not to say we regret any lessons we had to learn because realistically, who we are today is a culmination of our pasts and the lessons (hard or not) and trials and beautiful experiences we got to live and go through. 

So, here's to that little voice and what it might have had to say. 

• for starters, if the cooked meat has been in the fridge for longer than six days, don't eat it, regardless of what you think it smells like. just don't.

• keep your expectations in check, be realistic, set yourself up for no disappointment and you'll be happier for it.

• live off of your own confidence and self-worth and you won't be offended by another's misguided criticism. who you are isn't defined by others' opinions.

• when you make healthy and right decisions for yourself, things will begin to fall into place as they should, things always have a way of working themselves out. they just do.

• you will have the love to last a lifetime, keep not settling. don't compromise who you are for someone else. someone will love you for you.

• ease up on the lower lash liner.

• and while you're at it, that mystical dry shampoo unicorn you've heard of and are curious about, just go grab yourself some, it's going to change e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.

• kind words cost nothing.

• people act, believe, and think differently and therefore, set different expectations for themselves. remember this, and you'll fare far better in getting along and understanding others.

• embrace that unbridled passion and love and give it to those you love unconditionally and endlessly.

• look for beauty with your heart, and ears, and mind. if with just your eyes, you'll lose sight of some beauty in the world.

• life is going to get a lot easier, when you learn to accept an apology you never got.

• always, always be kinder than you feel. 

• celebrate the little things.

• don't ever miss an opportunity to share with the person or people you love. life goes by so fast, and as cliché as it sounds, it can be gone in the blink of an eye. so don't ever. ever. take your time for granted with those you love, and soak up as much as you can, while you can.

• just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right. 

• nothing will feel as good as doing the work, wholeheartedly and genuinely. don't be afraid to go for it.

• let only people who are good tenants rent space in your mind.

• focus on your own shit.

• say yes to new adventures. regularly. 

• fall in love with as many things as possible and live in love. 

• unlimited sodas a day is not okay. it's not.

• learn to eat healthy and establish a good exercise routine early. time flies, and your metabolism will catch up with you, so do the work while it's easy so you can maintain rather than correct.

• you do not need a million friends to be happy. just the few that care. trust me, it's better that way.

• life is full of decisions. there is no wrong decision. if you don't like the one you just made, make another. 

• treat yourself every once and a while - you deserve it whether you think you do or not. 

• stop box-dying your hair, girl. you have no clue what you are doing. seek professional help immediately.

• make as much time as you can with your pets. their whole day revolves around seeing you when you come home from class/work. appreciate the unconditional love.

• people have a right to their own opinion, and you have just as much right to ignore it.

• if something is toxic, work to remove it. as huge as that may seem to tackle, your life will be so much more peaceful if you can eliminate toxic people and experiences

• keep things simple and honest.

• don't sit around and wait for an idea to get things started, get things started so you can have ideas.

• the universe is a gigantic place and you're small, act accordingly.

• do good work.

• do everything with so much love in your heart that you couldn't think of doing it any other way.

 
xoxo,  your pals who would have loved to know this stuff way-back-when.

Get your laughs ready because we have a silly little secret for you, are you ready for this? Props for anyone who just started singing this 90's gem. But yes, this secret, we are "scared" to be wrinkled. We figure we probably aren't alone in this and in fact, we are probably in the great majority. Yes, we realize that we are fairly young in the scheme of things to be overly concerned and while we understand this, we have also come to realize the importance of taking care of our skin now, to help it reap the benefits of younger-looking skin down the road. Let's be real, aging is inevitable, unless you are some kind of beauty enigma, like Cindy Crawford but then again, who is?

As mentioned, we see that there is a great importance on starting this process when you are younger, to not only correct but most significantly, to prevent fine lines and wrinkles long term. 

This is only our overview of the specific "anti-aging" products we purchase and use religiously, not an entire overview of an anti-aging lifestyle. We also would like to mention that this is not a sponsored post, we purchased all of these products with our own money and personally endorse.

We are not dermatologists or anti-aging experts by any means - these are simply our opinions based on our personal experiences.


Lauren

 

The thing about me is, I have to keep it simple. Turns out my minimalistic ways have maneuvered into more than just my clothing preferences. The easier my skincare routine is, the better, but really, the less steps, the more realistic chance it's going to happen every day. So I've narrowed it down to three simple steps, day and night, that I have easily been able to make apart of my skincare routine.

So here we are, rooster's crowing and it's time to get the heck up or after a hard day's work and my face is all squeaky clean, I begin some serious business of kickboxing fine lines. Anti-aging regimen, here we go! 

Firstly, I start with my moisturizer, which I love because not only is it incredibly hydrating, but it is also an anti-aging agent (+1 alliteration skills). I use the Peptide Renewal Cream by Mario Badescu Skincare and I love e.v.e.r.y. minute of it! This moisturizer works beautifully, as it is formulated for sensitive skin and is incredibly lightweight. Over time, the peptides in this concoction help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve the elasticity and firmness in your skin. Also, the hyaluronic acid in this formula helps your skin to retain moisture and that, in combination with it's other natural ingredients like Nori and Willow Bark Extracts, leaves my skin feeling incredibly smooth and honestly, radiant. I use this both night and day, it's just that damn good. If I leave the house with no makeup on, I'll make a point to rub a little of this on to help give me that dewy and bright glow. Not only is this Peptide Renewal Cream cost-effective for the volume and quality that you receive but I've seen it produce active and real results. I could seriously be a walking add for these guys but y'all get enough of those in Walking Dead commercial breaks (amirite?!). Side note, an awesome feature about their skincare line is that with each product, there is a box labeled Skin Types and it has letters designated to this box. For example the Peptide Renewal Cream has a "C, D, S" which is for Combination, Dry, and/or Sensitive skin types. This is really helpful for me, as I was looking for an anti-aging regimen that was very moisturizing for my normal-dry skin. 

Holy tangent! Second in my routine is my Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum. This stuff glides on like whipped butter, it is so smooth and hydrating, it makes my face feel brand-spanking new. I'm pretty sure this is one of the most hydrating products I've ever used and the fact that it is water-soluble makes it so lightweight and perfect for absorbing directly into your skin. The coolest aspect about this product is the science behind it, this serum fights signs of aging by using a combination of fruit stem cells and Vitamin C infused resveratrol-rich grapeseed to slow down the effects of aging. The resveratrol helps to fight free radicals, which are cancer-causing agents and can contribute to aging. The chemistry that goes into creating this formula is phenomenal, by using natural plant-based ingredients, in combination with powerful skincare elements, Juice Beauty has concocted a formula that not only helps to revitalize and firm the skin but also brings glow and hydration with it's fatty acid emollients. As much as I love my Peptide Renewal Cream, following it up with this is even better!

The third step in this process is my under eye cream, which is from the same Juice Beauty Stem Cellular line called Anti-Wrinkle Eye Treatment. While I haven't noticed a dramatic difference in the areas beneath my eyes, I didn't expect to, as this is not an area of concern for me. This step, at this point, is certainly centered around preventative care and keeping the skin around my eyes firm and moisturized, to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time. I will say that a little bit goes along way and the application is very easy. You squeeze a small amount out and use the applicator tip to lightly glide across the skin under your eye, to prevent pulling and potential further damage to that sensitive under eye skin. 

As I've been using these products now for over six months, I have not only noticed the day-to-day changes of soft and glowing skin but I've also seen a decrease in the fine lines, where I smile and of course, those silly furrowed brow lines and that's enough to make me a believer. Ultimately, for me, this is more about long term, preventative care. Putting love back into my skin and doing a better job to take care of it. Fun and distracting fact, if you didn't know, your skin is your largest organ system (courtesy of my anatomy course in college). Ultimately, this is about more than preventing the natural signs of aging, it's about taking special care of the body that takes care of me in so many innumerable ways. Because you see, aging, growth, wisdom, getting older (that includes wrinkles) aren't a bad thing at all, they're proof that you've made it this far and that you'll keep on keeping on and persist and fight the good fight and those bad ass things that come with age and that's a beautiful little thing, pals.

Mallory

I have tried numerous products - high-end, drug store - you name it, but always seem to have had a hard time finding my right fit when it comes to an anti-aging face routine. I do have somewhat sensitive skin, so I have struggled along the line to find a product that won't hurt my face. But about a year before my wedding, I took the plunge deep into my wallet to try out Philosophy's line. I was pretty skeptical, since I am really not the biggest fan of their body products, but it was worth a shot, right?! I literally have been in love with it ever since. I cannot go a day (or night) without it. I have noticed - genuinely - a glow to my skin; it is brighter, tighter, and overall looks healthier. And feels healthier. I literally cannot go a day without this routine or my skin feels awful (hence, the chipped labels - you can tell I take them everywhere I go!)

I will say, the only downside to these Philosophy products are the price. They are on the higher end, but in my opinion are worth every penny!

Day:

Ultimate Miracle Worker

This is a newer one of mine - I used to get the corresponding Miracle Worker Day, but one time when I went into Ulta to restock, they didn't have that one anymore, but they did have this Ultimate Miracle Worker, so I figured what the heck, I'll sub it out. And I love it. It has a slightly more sunscreen-y smell, but to be honest, it grew on me and now I associate the smell with waking up! I would say I have dry-combination skin (I am mostly dry, especially in changing seasons, but can get oily in my T zone) and this stuff gives me just the right amount of moisture for the day. I slap it on in the morning first-thing and by the time I have my teeth brushed and hair done, it has absorbed into my skin and I can go to town with my makeup as usual. It keeps me moisturized ALL DAY, people! And it gives me that nice, dewy glow that I love! And most importantly, it has SPF 30!

Night:

Time in a Bottle Age-Defying Serum

After washing my face, exfoliating, and any mask regimen I may do, I will apply one pump of this stuff to my face and let it air dry. Serums are great because they don't contain that "extra stuff" to make a moisturizer exactly that - sunscreen, lotion, etc. They use up all of the space to pack in even more antioxidants than your other moisturizers and lotions. The longer you use a serum, the greater anti-aging effects you will get from them (hence, I started when I was 25!)

Miracle Worker Overnight

I love this stuff, guys. The smell - oh my. So calming, and not overwhelming - I would say on the citrus side of the smell spectrum. And I am noticing that Philosophy doesn't sell this guy anymore - it has "upgraded" to Ultimate Miracle Worker Night - so I can't speak to that formula yet because I haven't tried it. But, I do love this. It is some serious hydration for overnight. At night, your skin is its most reparative, so it is important to use something that is intensely moisturizing. I love this cream because it not only does that, but also targets fine lines and wrinkles, it firms my skin and minimizes pores, and also gives me a radiance that I oh-so love!

Aphrodite Olive Oil Eye Cream

Ok guys - full disclosure, I am not loyal to an eye cream. I keep saying I want to jump on the Philosophy train in this area too, but when I first started with this regimen, I already had an eye cream I was using and liking, so I finished that off. Then, my mom gave me one to try, and currently this one came just in time in my Ipsy bag ... so I haven't exactly had great timing to try the Philosophy eye serum or cream. And quite frankly, I am not super educated in the area of eye creams, but I do know I need to use this regularly to keep my eye are hydrated and bright, and minimize wrinkles. Sorry I can't give more insight on this one, people!

Let us know if you would want to hear more about our morning/night routines! Or if you share a love for anti-aging products like we do!

xoxo, Lo and Mal

We have very similar taste in clothes. Very. We share, and hand-me-down to each other, although pants are a little tricky - we wear the same size, but Mallory is 5'11" and Lauren is 5'2" (AND a quarter, don't forget it!), so that can pose a bit of a challenge but that's never stopped us before.

With that being said, we think a lot about clothes, no, we are certainly not stylists - just two girls who love clothes. But we love to notice what others are wearing, research on the latest trends and compare items, look at things like price and fabric composition to determine what's the better call. Specifically we both love finding items to add to our collection of "pieces that feel like me". We both joke about leaving items in shopping carts on multiples sites for days, maybe even weeks on end, trying to determine an item's merit towards our limited closet space. Truthfully, we bond over the amount of work we've put into creating our own personal uniforms. What we like to think of as pieces that are quintessential to our look, that on any given day, make us feel like ourselves.

So, we have each rounded up a list of items that make up our own uniforms, there may be several of the same pieces in varying colors but these different colors, even in the same item, can make an outfit look totally different, these items give you varying mileage, they're essential items, that are universal and can help us each to feel like ourselves in our look.

Without further ado ...


Lo's 10:

Sweaters - chunky, sweatshirt style, you name it. Specifically in gray but honestly, give me all the neutrals: black, crème, navy, striped. And if they are cropped, even better!

T-Shirts white v-necks and gray t-shirts (no surprises here). Again, any neutral color, serves me well, I’m also partial to a good olive green and make it heathered, while you’re at it. Crop tops are a must, to go along with my high waisted shorts and pants. P.S. a good logo/graphic t-shirt make for good company in a t-shirt collection

Skinnies a few good pairs of basic skinny jeans, primarily, black and blue, will take me a long way (aka fewer loads of laundry aka lazy). As mentioned, I am high waisted kind of girl, so I always reach for those and definitely a few distressed pairs as well, because well, badassery factor.

Shorts I am a sucker for high waisted cutoffs, is all you need to know.

Skirts I prefer them in the mini or pencil variety and pull that waist right on up! Plus a good black maxi skirt, with a high slit and waist, pair that with a knotted t-shirt and it's one of my favorite go-to bohemian-inspired looks. I think of myself typically as a minimalist dresser, I like clean lines and I love to play around with the balance of masculinity and femininity with clothes, maybe by pairing a boxy t-shirt with a pencil skirt, etc.

Jackets a good leather or denim jacket can carry me through all the seasons. Although, there are other jackets I might grab depending on the look I’m going for and the weather, these two I consider must haves for looks I go to regularly.

Converses low or high tops, either will do. These puppies can dress down an outfit to perfection.

Booties if you ever want to see a really good eye roll, ask Cody what my bootie collection is numbering at. So many shades of brown, black, and tan. All the shades, please.

High heel Sandals and Wedges hand me a chunky high heel wedge or mule and I’m happy as a clam at high tide. And a nude pair of heels for skinny jean dreams.

Flats a good pair of d’orsay flats can Audrey Hepburn my outfit right on up and I’m a softie for a retro feel through and through.

Mal's 10:

Plaid the perfect piece for the spring and fall. You can throw it over a tank or a tee and get a bit of warmth when the nights are cooler, but you can easily tie it around your waist during the day (thank goodness this is back in style)!

Black Skinnies these may be my #1 in my arsenal. I can't live without at least one pair of black skinnies. They can be dressed up, down, way down, you name it

Boyfriend Tees ok, full disclosure, I may own approximately 100 boyfriend tees. They are the perfect casual top in my closet. You can just leave it baggy for a super casual look, tie up the front or side with a rubber band for a more polished finish, or even tuck one side in to hop on the trend train. When in doubt for me - black skinnies and a boyfriend tee

Booties I am embarrassed to admit my closet is full of booties, but I still feel like I need MORE MORE MORE. I love to pair these bad boys with skinnies, shorts, dresses - you name it. They are feminine enough to remind me that I can be a girl sometimes, but not wearing stilettos on a regular basis. Love.

Nude Heels these are a must for every girl out there. A nude heel can pair with literally anything, and any color. White, Black, Blue, Pink. When in doubt, if I am dressing up for anything I reach for a pair of nude heels to finish off my look

Black Dress this one seems super cliché, but I literally love a good black dress. It can be dressed up or down, depending on what you pair with it. Add a floral kimono and some nice sandals or heels and you are ready for a dinner out. Add a plaid shirt (on or around the waist) and some lace-ups or sandals, and you are ready to conquer your day of errands!

Good, Versitile Shirt this is something everyone has, but no one ever thinks about; and it sounds super vague if you think about it. Most of my wardrobe is filled with neutral, versatile tops that can be dressed up or down. I can wear them to work, or out to the bar, or on an airplane. And I am all about that. I think every girl should own at least one good, versatile shirt that can smoothly transition from work to play

Jacket obviously, depending on where you live will depend on the importance of this one; obviously you Floridians may not necessarily have such a need, but for a girl like me who is ALWAYS cold anyways, a good jacket is a must. I look for style and warmth, which unfortunately is hard to find for a reasonable price sometimes, but ultimately I see these as great investments for my wardrobe

Lace-Ups my. everything. I love my Converse and Vans in particular. They are just the perfect casual shoe to run some errands in, travel, go to a concert (and please, please excuse the fact I literally haven't washed my Converses in God knows how long)

Chunky Sweaters I am ride-or-die for some chunky sweaters people. If I could live in cold weather forever, I would be the happiest girl. Chunky sweaters, skinny jeans, and boots ALL DAY

You may not have noticed, color is not particularly important in both of our wardrobes. We are both very Plain Jane when it comes to attire - neutrals rock our world. Blacks, Whites, GRAYS, Tans, with the occasional earthy-tone thrown in there. But that's how we roll. We have tweaked our wardrobes to fit how we feel, and to express who we are. Some things that make up our wardrobes are things we are just simply ride-or-die for, and we would not be "ourselves" in the fashion sense without them. These guys have and will continue to get many miles put onto them, and we are forever grateful for that.

And to quote Sofia Coppola in our MOST favorite way, "You're considered superficial and silly if you are interested in fashion, but I think you can be substantial and still be interested in frivolity"

What are your wardrobe essentials?! We would love to hear from you what you are ride-or-die for in your closet!

Love,
your shameless fashion-loving pals

Ideally, when you find a friend, they're close to you. You can go shopping with them, binge-watch your favorite shows together, veg out on the couch with ice cream in hand and slippers on, and the like. But sometimes, the universe doesn't want to hand you convenience. Sometimes, you meet someone who is a soul-friend, but they don't live near you. Sometimes, they're a few towns over, sometimes, they're across the country, sometimes, around the world. But these people are worth fighting for - fighting for your friendship. But how, you ask? Don't worry, we've got you covered. We have compiled a list for you of the 10 ways we maintain our long-distance friendship, because let's be real, that has basically been the reality for the entirety of our friendship. So here you are - our take on what it takes to keep that friendship fire-a-burnin.

1. Sending all the pictures

We. Communicate. Through Pictures. (And emoticons, truthfully). I mean really - between Snapchat and screenshots of EVERYTHING and dog photos and quotes - we send pictures always. Like, always. It's a great way to feel like you are hanging out with each other, like normal friends do.

2. Start something personal together

Hello, Love Mala. Have you met our blog? It's the baby we're the most proud of, but don't tell the others (shh). Kidding, but really - this brain child came along literally like 4 months into our friendship, but between both of our weddings, and family emergencies it took us FOREVER to get up and running. But here we are. And it has been incredible. No matter what we blog about, whether it is joint or solo, beauty or travel, we always get to collaborate and it is wonderful. It has brought us SO much closer.

3. Make plans to see each other as regularly as possible

Ok, truth be told, neither of us are rolling in dough, but we do like to plan visits as often as we can get around to it. "Hey, I'm going to get my hair done this weekend, and I'm nervous. What do plane ticket prices look like right now?" Obviously, we totally wish we were roommates, or maybe neighbors with adjoining houses because we are 12 years old, but it makes getting together each time so much more exciting because you don't see each other all the time!

4. Video Chat

Always. All the time. Makeup. No-makeup. Pitch dark. Doesn't matter, we always FaceTime. Honestly, probably about once a week on average (sometimes more, sometimes less). Often, at incredibly inappropriate times, like in the grocery store, in the car, at the doctors office, or just to show the other what we are shopping for and ask for their opinion. Something about having that "face-to-face" time with each other makes us feel close.

5. Watch the same shows/movies (maybe even together)

Game of Thrones. The Walking Dead. The X-Files. We love to nerd out over these shows. It is fun to get on the phone or FaceTime, or even just texting, and reacting to the show in real time together. Discussing all the plot and character development, like it's the juiciest gossip to hit the market.

6. Stay up-to-date with each others daily lives

We will literally update each other with the most useless and random information as it happens, but thats because no matter how seemingly mundane the details might be to someone else, it's probably the most fascinating thing we've heard all day.

7. Dream about moving onto an island together with the honeys, all the animals and all the babies

What more can two girls want!? This dream, although quite specific, comes in many varieties; sometimes on a ranch in Colorado, sometimes tucked away in the woods of North Carolina, sometimes on an island in God knows where. But, it's always full of the very same things - furry friends (dogs, horses, fluffy cows, you name it, we've thought of it) and those sweet, sweet men of ours. Plus a few chubby babes of our own (calm down, peeps, not yet) who we've planned will grow up and fall in love because that's just how the dang universe works, obviously.

8. Texting, Snapchat, Facebook, Yahoo Live Text, Pinterest

Normalcy for us is having at least 5 notifications at any given time from one another, typically on at least 3 social media mediums at once. Why? We have no clue, but it seems fun (although overwhelming to those of us who get notification anxiety (*ahem, Mal. Took her a bit to get used to the chaos of this one) - but it is actually super fun. We will share fun videos on Facebook Messenger, share recipes, quotes, and furry baby animals via Pinterest and Instagram, new workout videos and blogs, Live Text when FaceTime is just over the boundary of being inappropriate for the current situation, and (thanks to the new Snapchat filters) send unnecessary amounts of face swaps and dog-eared photos to each other.

9. Plan adventures together - and follow through

This one ties back into number 3. Taking into consideration the financial aspect and lining up our crazy schedules, this one can be a bit tricky. But nothing some vigilant airplane ticket watching, budgeting, and strategic scheduling can't cure. This may happen far less often than we like, but making it a priority and working toward a mutual goal is a good place to start!

A video posted by L∆UREN KEY (@lasawyer) on Jul 3, 2014 at 5:08pm PDT

10. Snail mail. And presents just because.

It offers that tangible solace and makes the distance feel instantly less colossal. And there's just something terribly lovely about getting a hand-written note, especially in our modern world where gratification is instant (albeit, great). It's a special way to remind that person just how damn rad they are.



Keeping in touch - like, really staying close - does take mutual effort, and sincere desire for it to work, but as long as you can enjoy your time spent "together", you've already made it half way. And truthfully, the beautiful thing is, with real friends, near or far, you understand that they have lives that don't revolve around you, and vice versa. And you can go a long time or a short time without talking to each other, but once you pick up the phone, or get together, its like you just pick up where you left off. You do everything you can to maintain the contact, make the plans, dish out the details of your juicy (or not so juicy) life, but sometimes, life just gets in the way. But hey, technology has made things much easier for our generation, eh?! #BlessLTE for allowing us to literally pretend we live together via Snapchat, texting, and everything else we just mentioned. We mutually make efforts to do everything we talked about here regularly (and are mostly successful), because this sisterhood is so important to us and is so worth the efforts!


Much love from your pals, currently 750 miles apart.