Like most, I've had my skin ups and downs. There have been times when I've been really proud of my skin! However there have also been plenty of times when my skin has been my biggest insecurity. I have pretty sensitive skin that is easily irritated by new products, a change in my environment and hormones. Last time I went to the dermatologist (about 4 months ago), my doctor explained to me a few ways people commonly contribute to their acne and skin irritations without realizing it. I had to share with you all because I find this information incredibly valuable, especially for anyone who can be a little let down by their skin.

I feel almost embarrassed to have been absent from my blog for so long, however I think anyone who has a presence online can understand the feeling of burnout. When I began my blog, I decided that it would be my own personal escape to discuss any little happening in my life that brought me joy. By no means is my blog a "must-read" of the internet or a popular traffic source, however as my audience began to grow, I felt more pressure to deliver. Pressure can be a good thing, as it promotes work ethic and quality, but it can also force you to produce content that doesn't feel quite as original. As soon as blogging felt like a chore, I knew I needed to step away. I'm hoping my brief break from blogging was the recharge I needed to get back to my roots and blog about what truly brings me happiness. Thank you for sticking with me, here's to a better blog ahead!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I am 100% the definition of a foodie. There are few things in the world that get me as or more excited than a delicious recipe. This summer, as mentioned in my "summer activities" post, one of my goals is to hone in on and improve my skills in the kitchen. What good is being a die-hard foodie if you aren't that great at preparing the delicacies yourself?! I've taken to my favorite board on pinterest and found the first three recipes I'm dying to try out! Here we go...