They estimate about 4.8 - 12.7 million tonnes of plastic end up in the ocean every year. That plastic washes up on shores, gets tangled in wildlife and even ends up in our food because fish and other marine life often end up eating it.

These days, plastic is hard to avoid. It's in most packaging from groceries to the to-go cups from fast food restaurants. You can recycle a lot of plastic things, but recycling isn't as effective as avoiding plastic all together. Countries are banning single use plastic and many brands are looking for alternative products, so as an individual I've set out to try to do the same - reduce my plastic consumption.

I took a hard look at what I typically buy and wow, it's a lot harder than I thought. I encourage you to be intentional with plastic for one day. Keep track of what you use, buy, etc and see how much plastic you use over the course of 24 hours. Then try to go to the grocery store and try to buy your entire meal without any plastic whatsoever. You'll be shook, because even the darn veggies usually have plastic stickers on them!

There is a big movement right now to go "zero waste." The goal is for no trash to be sent to landfills, incinerators, or then ocean. The process is similar to the way natural resources are reused in nature. But it's a huge commitment. One I ultimately want to make, but I need an on ramp before I can go full beast mode on zero waste...So right now I'm starting with a few specific things. I'm going naked.

My first stop is Lush Cosmetics. My mom first introduced this company to me when they were only found overseas. They make all their products by hand with natural, organic ingredients, and best of all, they are completely cruelty free. Never tested on animals - in fact they go out of their way to protect them. (See their current orangutan campaign)

I first fell in love with Lush because of their bath bombs and soaps. I'm a huge fan of unwinding in the tub with a glass of wine, a book, and a mask on my face, so you could say I'm a frequent customer. Their bath bombs come unpackaged so you can smell each and every one with fresh ingredients that really do make a difference in the tub and on your skin.

Now they've expanded their line of unpackaged goods to even more bath time products. Shampoo bars and face wash! I usually go through 3-4 bottles of shampoo throughout the year. If everyone went through shampoo bottles at the same rate as me, there would be over 12 billion shampoo bottles being thrown away each year... yikes! I have found these shampoo bars to be life changing. They are really easy to use (just a few streaks across your hair) and the soapy suds make my hair smell and feel better than regular bottled shampoo. I'm picky about my shampoo/conditioner because I have such fine hair - but let me tell you, these things work!
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Face wash is also something I go through pretty regularly. Lush has also come out with small face wash bars that leave your skin looking radiant. Exfoliants, makeup removers, you name it. They make morning and night time routines feel like a day at the spa.
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So I've been able to transform my daily shower time routine - shampoo/conditioner bar, face wash bar, exfoliating (and moisturizing) soap - now it's time I turn my attention to my teeth. I'm pretty particular about my teeth because I am sometimes prone to cavities (donuts are a favorite food group...) and I like to keep my teeth as white as I can. So the prospect of switching to something other then Crest got me nervous. I looked into a couple of different options, but the best one that I have tried is Bite. An all-natural, plastic alternative for toothpaste, these little bits of toothpaste are great to bring with you while traveling. Raise your hand if you're always worried about your toothpaste exploding? No more, my friend! The charcoal mint flavor is pretty good; the hardest part is getting over the texture because it isn't a cream feeling like normal toothpaste. It's gritty, but it definitely gets the job done and gives you a clearer conscience.
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Oh, and don't forget your toothbrush! Super simple, but pick up a bamboo toothbrush next time you need a new one. Completely biodegradable and works just as well!
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Ok, so the last thing on my beauty routine list is face masks. I love a good Dr. Jart face mask, you know, the ones that make you look like a serial killer? But they aren't sustainable and are one-time use only... so instead I've been experimenting with my own concoctions.

The easiest (and quickest one) one is just oats and milk, stuff you probably have lying around the house. 1 tablespoon whole rolled oats, 2 tablespoons 2% milk... mix together...wash face with warm water...apply and let mixture sit for 20 minutes... and rinse. Voila! Smoother, softer skin without breaking the bank or extra plastic. I got this recipe from SiO Beauty - they have a lot more here, for those interested.

​So what do you think? Could you make the switch to go naked? It can be hard to let go of tried and true products, but there are lots of other great alternatives out there that don't rely on packaging to keep them fresh or make them work. Definitely worth experimenting if you're up for the adventure.

How do you use less plastic in your beauty routine? Any new products I should try? Share them below! Let's all go naked together!

Snow days are the best days. It's a gift from the snow fairies to you for that elaborate, yet determined snow dance you did the night before, hoping for beautiful white flakes to grace the ground and a restful day off to enjoy the view. What's not to love? Well apparently a lot... but haters gonna hate and as it says over to the right there "never let anyone dull your (snow) sparkle."

So what do you do with your day off? If you hate snow you're probably sitting inside laughing maliciously as you secretly watch the snowman across the street melt (won't be inviting you to my igloo castle), but if you're like me, you revel in it! Think the scene from Elf when Buddy talks about Santa - that's me. On my snow days I try to spend as much of it outside as I can, but my fingers and toes can only take so much, so eventually I have to take a break.

So in honor of the upcoming snow storm (and in remembrance of this past December's blizzard) I have a few snow rituals to share with you and ways you can get creative to get the most of  the Winter Wonderland, before sadly it will inevitably melt.

First things first, go outside!
One flake, two flake, three flake... gone. There's nothing worse than seeing snow and not getting to be a part of it. So as soon as you see flurries, stop. Go outside. Look up and enjoy the beauty as it snows down on you. I personally highly recommend dragging friends, family or co-workers to come with you because is best enjoyed in the company of others. 
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Hakuna Matata.
I like to think that if Timon and Pumba made it to the tundra, their mantra would still be the same, even in the snow. It means "sNOw worries... for the rest of your daayysss" Take that attitude with you outside and just let go - and play.

​Find a pup and play fetch.

​Make a snow angel.

Go sledding. Some places have public sledding areas (like this one in Quebec!) but if you aren't in a traditionally winter sport area, your backyard or neighborhood hill should do the trick. Don't have a sled? No problem! You'd be surprised at how easy using broken down cardboard is to slide down a sled path.

​Or go skiing. This should probably be done at a real slope, not in your neighborhood. But there are some creative ways to make a DIY terrain park if you're adventurous enough...I'm just not endorsing that, cause, you know, liability.
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​Build an igloo. Ok, so the one below might be tough, but you catch my drift.
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​Take a walk in the woods. If you have kids, pretend you're in Narnia!
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Try a snow dessert. The Food Network has some good snow recipes to try, but I'm partial to Maple Taffy. A Canadian classic, this sweet treat is pretty easy to make. Here's a recipe if you're interested in trying your culinary snow skills this snow day.

Warm up with a hot drink.
Once you've had your fun outside, my favorite thing to do is warm up with hot chocolate or chai tea (I'm not a coffee drinker, but that will work too - maybe even give you a second wave of energy to go back outside.) If you live in an urban area, see if your local coffee shop is open - I'm lucky and Whisk always has extended snow day hours!
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Or if you're in the mood for a liquid blanket, get creative and make ice cocktails! You can freeze water to make ice shot glasses and then mix up some of your favorite cocktails. Amazon has a few different ones, but this company is pretty good.
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Tuck in for the night.
Once it gets too late and the sun starts going down, the magic of a snow day doesn't have to end. It gets icy so for your safety, I'd recommend staying indoors. Here are some of my fav things to do when the world is seemingly quiet and tucked in under the snow blanket.

Bake something new (and preferably warm).
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Treat yo self to a spa day. Snuggle in a robe, make your own mask, draw a bath, and just relax. Especially if you have some bumps or bruises after a day of playing in the snow. I personally like adding some lavender bath salts or a bath bomb to make things feel extra special.
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Catch up on life planning. Use the end of the snow day to catch up on any odds and ends you have around the house - doing laundry, budgeting, catching up with friends or family, tying up loose ends at work.
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So in prep for this upcoming snow day (or at least what I hope will be a snow day!) I'm getting out my snow pants and making sure I have the materials to make one of these face masks... what are you planning to do with your snow day?

Leave a comment below with your plans!

​It's that time again; the first week of a new year. It's the time when everyone makes those cliché New Year's resolutions that we most likely fall short of, maybe never even start. But making resolutions, setting goals, or putting a plan together to achieve a milestone doesn't need to be laughed at or mocked. We do it everyday - "Today I'm going to kick ass in that presentation" ... "Only one glass of wine tonight, ok maybe two" ... "Make it to Friday and then, WEEKEND!" Striving towards something, however big or small, is a normal behavior for us, so why do we call making New Year's Resolutions a cliché? 

It's possible we mock resolutions at the New Year, not because we think it's too mainstream or silly, but because it's actually really hard to set a goal, make a plan, and then execute it. Setting goals for yourself can be daunting and sometimes self-reflection can open a can of worms you don't really want to tackle. And then the dreaded question creeps in "What if I set out to do something, and I fail?" Well so what if you fail? I can't tell you how many times I've said I'm going to work out more and I've made it 8 days and then called it quits, only to try again 4 weeks later and quit after 8 days again. But at least I tried...

In 2019, I've set some goals for myself, and yes, they are the usual suspects: work out, eat healthy, read more books. But I also have some more "purpose" driven goals I'm setting for myself. Goals where the outcome is less about achieving something for myself, and more about doing something for someone else, for the good of the world: goals with a greater purpose. If you're struggling with setting goals for yourself, whatever the reason may be, consider adding some of these "purpose" goals in 2019 - and the best part, just taking any action towards these goals makes a difference. You can't fail!

1. Pay It Forward
Ok, this goal should not end like the 2000 movie Pay It Forward with Kevin Spacey (if you haven't seen that, it's a tearjerker) - but the sentiment is still the same. This year, try to do more random acts of kindness for a stranger. Buy a coffee for the person behind you in line; ask someone to join your Lyft for free; join in song with the street performer and make their day! This year, pledge to be the start of a chain reaction, with a random act of kindness every once in a while.

2. Smile At Strangers
This goal is a two-for-one. If you haven't read my 3 Tips for Carrying Your Sunshine, check it out here. It talks about the personal benefits of smiling more and links to a great TedTalk I highly recommend. But aside from the extra mood-enhancing hormones for you, smiling in contagious! Don't believe me? Check out the science here. With our world seemingly spinning out of control, we could also use more happiness and smiles in the everyday. So in 2019, make it your goal to spread more happiness just through the simple act of a smile.
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3. Walk to Work
Walking to work isn't just for the exercise, it's to reduce your footprint! We all have seen the headlines about climate change and how our everyday lifestyle is dumping carbon into the atmosphere - transportation is a big driver of that (no pun intended, ha!) So as much as you can, reduce your time in the car. Whether that's walking to work (if you can), a nearby grocery store, dinner, the coffee shop, where ever! Little lifestyle changes like this in 2019 can make a big difference and you're also subtly upping your workout game, so it's for you and the environment!
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4. Volunteer Once a Month
This Christmas, my department at work chose to volunteer for our holiday outing. We went to Feed More, a local hunger-relief organization, to help sort food bank meals before they went out to those in need. Getting involved in your community this year is a great way to not only help others, but also meet new people. Sorting food was a bit of a monotonous task, but I did it alongside coworkers I didn't know very well. The conversation was great, we supported a great cause, and I walked away feeling like I made a difference in someone's day.

5. Read the News
Uh...wut? Read the news? 2018 had some pretty bad headlines, why would I recommend subjecting anyone to constant the media flogging? True, the media can be pretty dark with what's going on in the world, BUT it is important to be informed. While I would love to block out some of what's going on in politics, science, or even right in our communities, knowing what's going on helps me connect with others and make informed decisions. Charles F Kettering, an American inventor and engineer, once said "A problem well stated is a problem half solved" - so in 2019, let's figure out what the problem really is by truly listening to what everyone has to say. Then maybe we'll be closer to a solution. (But if the media does start getting you down, bookmark The Dodo. Everyone loves a cute animal video!)

6. Try Going Vegetarian (or eat less meat)
Putting two eco-friendly goals on the list because we have #12YearsToSaveTheWorld so no time like the present, right? Another huge way you can reduce your environmental impact is by eating less meat. The beef industry sucks up a lot of resources just to feed our cattle and it generates a lot of waste too. Going vegetarian (or vegan if you're bold enough to cut out cheese) can make a big difference. And an added bonus is you feel great with more energy and less bloated. Just make sure you look into other ways to get protein and other nutrients that meat provides us.
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7. Travel to a New Place
It doesn't have to be extravagant, but I truly believe that to travel is to understand the world. So in 2019, find a new place to explore. It can be in your hometown, a neighboring state, or a new country - it doesn't really matter. The point is to open your mind to new perspectives, cultures, and experiences. When we all make understanding one another a priority, we're able to communicate and work together towards greater goals. So tell your boss you'll be taking off a few days of work in the name of "bettering our world."

​8. Support Passions
This has two meanings. Support one another - your friend wants to open a bakery, support them! Help them think through their launch plan or be a taste tester (who wouldn't want to support this?!) Maybe your Mom wants to take a solo trip. Even if you're a little nervous for her, help her plan it so she has fun and is safe - and buy her the camera so you can follow along on her adventures! Whatever it is, we need to support and celebrate people's ideas. Far too often we find ways to criticize or poke holes in ideas. This year, let's say "yes, and..."

The second part of supporting passions comes in a monetary form. Everyone has that one thing they care about - for me it's the environment - so this year, put your money where your mouth is a pledge to give to an organization of your choice that seeks to make a difference about something you believe in.
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​9. Read Designing Your Life
So this last one is a little more for you, but stick with me. So many of us (particularly millennials - yes, I'm grouping us together here) are searching for purpose-driven work. We want to work not just because we have to, but because we love to. That's hard! That assumes we know what we want to do. I only recently discovered a true drive and passion within me, but I also sit around and think a lot about that stuff (#nerdmuch?) If you're searching for that perfect job or are looking for a purpose to build your 2019 goals around, I highly recommend checking out the book Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans. Two Stanford architecture professors apply design theory to all aspects of your life, but especially your career, to help you design a life of your own making.... so you can make a difference and set more purpose driven goals.

There are so many things we can do to better our world, both big and small - and it shouldn't be cliché to share them. What are your 2019 goals this year? Share in the comments below!

Do you work out with your significant? I used to think that working out with my boyfriend was a bad idea. They say girls don't sweat, they glisten, but I unfortunately must have missed that part of the female genetic make up because I always look like I just got out of the shower after a run. He doesn't need to see that! Plus, if I decide to end the treadmill 5 minutes early, I don't want to be judged by the person I'm trying to impress.

But now, we have a trip planned to Machu Picchu and we need to get in shape. The elevation of Cusco is 11,000ft (twice as high as Denver!) and we'll be spending a fair amount of time hiking so we need our lungs and legs to be ready for the intense ascents. 

So we have started working out together to prep for this trip. I stocked up on deodorant, bought a cute sports bra, and so far it's working out well! Actually, I'm more inclined to continue this health kick because he's doing it with me. No more cheating those last 5 minutes... he actually motivates me to push through it. As I feel myself getting stronger, I feel our relationship getting stronger too. You know what they say "Couples who work out together, stay (and get swoll) together."

​So you already know I love thriller books and this weekend I went all in on my fav sub-genre. I got about twenty people from work together and hosted a murder mystery party - I did not have to bribe any of them; I'm proud to say I work with some of the most fun people who also enjoy sleuthing and crime stopping. (Except for that one concerning person who asked "who are we murdering?" when I sent out the invitation. I made a mental note to never steal their lunch or prank them in the future.)

Unless you're Ted Bundy, most people don't think of murder as a particularly uplifting topic, but this party was a ton of fun! The theme was 1920's - think Great Gatsby meets the Chicago Mob - so we went all out with boas, feathers, cigars and fedoras. Everyone was assigned a character with clues across three rounds to figure out whodunnit? I was Wyleen Black, a conniving reporter who was blackmailing every person under the sun to keep up my lavish lifestyle. I spent the night gossiping about other people, all the while hoping I wouldn't end up as the victim since frankly even I would have been tempted to off me for the stuff I knew. I won't spoil it for those who might want to play in the future, but I will say that by the last round, no one guessed the murderer. 

All in all, it was a fun way to get to know people outside of work. We dressed up, we drank, and we all tried out fake "Godfather" accents that had people in stitches the whole night. Maybe not the traditional happy hour, but we were definitely happy for hours.

​If you want to host your own Murder Mystery Party, here are a few tips to keep in mind. (And let me know which one you choose because we all want to play again and are thinking about a Western theme next!)

​1. Order from My Mystery Party. Well thought out plot lines that keep you guessing the whole night, this company is the best of the best. With lots of themes to choose from I'm sure you'll find something that fits your needs. Have more than the required players? Buy an expansion pack. The guests will have no idea they are an optional player because everyone ends up as an essential part of the story.

2. Find a venue. While you can definitely host at home, it's fun to make a night of it! See if a restaurant is willing to give you a private room or semi-private space. You'll just need an area where you can get up and walk around to facilitate discussion. If you'd rather go more budget friendly, decorate your space at home and ask guests to bring a period dish (My Mystery Party even recommends menu items!)
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3. Share characters ahead of time. People love finding out their character, so get people excited by releasing the character list early. Gives people time to pick their outfit accordingly and start the sleuthing early. 

4. Have food (and liquid courage) available. The party lasts around 3 hours so I recommend having food and drinks available. While alcohol is by no means required, a drink or two definitely loosens people up - just make sure you don't share secret clues!
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5. You don't have to know everyone coming in. While it's definitely fun with friends, you don't have to know everyone. I invited teammates from work as a bonding opportunity and they brought their significants which added to the fun and an air of mystery!

6. Go all in. Dress up and get in character! It's a lot more fun when everyone is really into it. I was surprised how much people stayed in character, even during the breaks I thought I was still in the 1920's.

Have you ever hosted or attended a murder mystery party? Share your experience in the comments below!
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​I love to read, but I'm picky. If it takes me a while to get into a book, I struggle to stick with it and I judge books by their cover all the time. Plus with Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, my list of shows in my queue keeps getting longer, while my reading list is looking a little stagnant. That being said, in 2018 I am trying to read at least one book a month.

My favorite genre is mystery. When I was growing up I'd read the Happy Hollisters, The Box Car Children or Agatha Christie. I would think of every solution possible, trying to solve the crimes or mysteries before the end of the book. I loved it when I got it right, but I loved it even more when I got it wrong because it was the surprise at the end that kept me turning pages.

Now I've graduated to "Thrillers". The subset of mysteries that gets your heart and blood pumping about as much as a cardio workout (I realize I cannot use reading as a substitute for working out, though the indent in my couch cushions would state otherwise.) The past year I've added a few new books to shelf.

These are my recent fav thrillers that I just couldn't put down (in no particular order.) 

1. The Couple Next Door, Shari Lapena
2. The Wife Between Us, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
3. Girl on a Train, Paula Hawkins
4. The Murder House,  David Ellis and James Patterson
5. The Woman in Cabin 10, Ruth Ware
6. Gone Girl, Gillain Flynn
7. Behind Closed Doors, B. A. Paris

If you end up reading any of these, tell me what you think in the comments or I welcome any new recommendations!

​Last week was tough. Work was bumpy, the Hoos made history as the first #1 seed to lose in the first round of March Madness (ouch!) and I have no food in my fridge. Ok, that last one is completely solvable, but waking up over the weekend and eating ramen didn't end the week on a high note.

And yet, I would still put down last week as a good one. It was good because even though work had it's ups and downs, I learned how to have tough conversations with friends, Tony Bennett gave everyone the best life advice after that tough loss (to watch his interview, click here) and no food in the fridge meant I had a blank slate for Sunday night's dinner menu - I'll be making beef and broccoli and will probably pick up Ho Hos for dessert (no judgement.)

So I had varying levels of "hardship," but to get through it I used the following 3 tips to make light of everything.
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1. Balance
This is probably the most important one. They say too much of a good thing can be harmful or excessive. Too much TV and not enough time in the real world. Too much time on your phone and not enough time with friends. Or maybe too much time with friends and not enough time for yourself. Or my personal kryptonite, too many sweets and not enough veggies!

Having balance in your life is important because it gives you perspective. Focusing on only one thing can be detrimental when change inevitably comes about. You can overreact or be easily frustrated. Or the opposite, you get comfortable and miss out on opportunities. You end up resenting yourself for not thinking outside the box. Carrying your sunshine hinges on the idea that you have balance in your life to get through the good and the bad because you have multiple sources to draw energy and happiness from, whether that's people, places, experiences or facets of yourself. You need to strive for balance when things around you are unbalanced. 

2. Smile
This is the simplest way to live more positively because smiling actually chemically alters the parts in your brain that make you happy. There's a study that says the simple act of smiling decreases stress hormones, like cortisol, and increases mood-enhancing hormones, like dopamine. Yes, smiling is basically an all-natural, not-at-all-dangerous (well, unless you have braces) drug to make you happy. And on top of that, while you're feeling good on the inside, others perceive you as more attractive on the outside.  While I couldn't find any specific studies on the correlation of smiling and getting asked out or winning free stuff, I'll bet you'll find yourself offered more opportunities when you flash a smile than if you frown.

So try it! Next time you're having a bad day or even a so-so day, make eye contact, stand tall and flash your pearly whites to a stranger. See if it raises your mood. If anything, you'll probably get a smile back. And if you want to learn more about the power of a smile, to check out Ron Gutman's Ted Talk, click here.
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3. Let It Go
Does anyone else immediately start singing the song from Frozen when someone says this to you? "Let it gooooo!" So much easier said than done. And actually, while I do think it's important to forgive and not sweat the small stuff, we're all human and things get to us. And that's ok. It's what we do in the moment and immediately after that. They way I stay positive, even through truly awful moments, is to think about the alternative "could it be worse?" or "did I learn something?" While I sometimes have trouble doing this, asking these questions of myself and looking for the silver lining vs dwelling on the negative helps me carry my sunshine forward.
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So what helps you get through the good and the bad? These are just a few ways I live positively, but I want to hear from you! There's "no one size fits all" way to go through life, so share how you carry your sunshine in the comments below.