Carrie Bradshaw Lied

When to take a Break from your Phone

Recently I felt like every time I picked up my phone or opened an app, I was annoyed. It wasn’t making me feel happier or better… it was making me feel unmotivated and bleh.

I polled you guys on Instagram and over 90% of you said you were feeling the same way. I think there are a few flags to take note of when you see them coming. Signs that it might be time to put your phone down for the day.

You feel anxious when you’re not scrolling.

You’re checking Instagram without even thinking about it.

Every photo or video you see makes you feel annoyed, unmotivated or upset.

You’re making excuses to check it.

You’re disengaging with your own life to check on the lives of others.

I’m in a slightly unusual position because social media – engaging with it, posting photos and videos, setting aside at least an hour every day to attempt to answer a portion of the direct messages I receive – it’s all a part of my job. It can be a delicate dance to create appropriate and healthy boundaries while still fulfilling my responsibilities.

But it is so important. It is incredibly important to me that my child sees my eyes locked on his. That my partner knows I’m giving him my undivided attention. We put phones away during mealtimes, but it’s the scrolling. The endless scrolling that is distracting us from enjoying what’s beyond our phones!

So now when we notice some of these signs in ourselves, we’ll schedule a “scroll-free day.” It can be a little challenging to schedule a complete social media or technology-free day, but we will set some boundaries on weekends. Taking a break from your phone shouldn’t be stressful but refreshing.

Some of the boundaries we will set…

No scrolling. You can use your phone to look up something (recipe details, what time does ___ open or close, etc.), but use your phone with purpose. Not for endless scrolling!

Leave your phone behind. Go outside without your phone. Take a walk without it. Leave it behind where you can’t mindlessly grab it and you have to connect with what’s right in front of you.

Give it a try. I think you’ll find your scroll-free days might be some of your best.

And if you have some tips or tricks for taking social media breaks, I’d love to hear! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –

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Wednesday Wish List | Quarantine Vibes under $75

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 – 15% off with kathleenbarnes | 19 | 20 – 40% off

Today, I’m sharing some quarantine vibe picks under $75! How cute is this for the backyard? Love the idea of 50 grab-and-go lunch ideas, a headband for day four hair (anyone else?). A luxurious head wrap takes things to next level on pampering days.

I have a nonstick pan like this and it literally lives on the stove because we use it so frequently. And this long, flexible lighter feels so smart!

I’ve been staying on track with choosing at least three days a week to get fully dressed. Just loafers, jeans, a tee and blazer (loving this one). But putting on some makeup everyday and putting forth some effort really does positively impact my mood.

I recently bought this swimsuit and this swimsuit for summer. Hoping they work! I also bought two lamps similar to these for one of our guest bedrooms upstairs that I’m trying to finally put together. What have you had your eye on?

Thanks so much for reading and sharing! XO –

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Easiest Pesto Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Bread

I’ve shared a few quarantine meal ideas here and here, but at this point in the game… if it takes more than 30 minutes or can’t be done in a crockpot, I’m not interested.

This pasta dish is incredibly easy, full of flavor and has a two pot cleanup. Just my style.

Something I’ve started doing is cooking chicken breasts in a crockpot, shredding and keeping in the fridge. You can use it for anything throughout the week – quesadillas, pasta, sandwiches, etc.

Easy Crockpot Shredded Chicken

1 cup chicken broth (I was out so I actually used 1 cup water and 1TB olive oil)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

4 chicken breasts

Cook on high for 3 hours. Remove, shred and you’re done.

Pesto Pasta Ingredients:

1 lb. rigatoni or pasta of your choice

1/2 small onion

2 TB olive oil

1/4 cup pesto – you can always add more!

salt & pepper to taste

sprinkle of parmesan

Optional: chopped fresh basil, pine nuts

Optional: grilled or shredded chicken, grilled or sautéed shrimp

Directions:

Cook pasta al dente. In a nonstick skillet or pan, saute onions in olive oil at medium-low until translucent (a few minutes). Add pesto, let simmer while pasta cooks.

Once drained, combine pasta and onion + pesto combo. Mix in some parmesan cheese, s&p to taste and top with basil.

Garlic Bread Ingredients:

baguette, dinner roll, whatever you have!

garlic – I used 2 cloves for 1/2 loaf, you could use 4 for a full loaf

butter – I used 1.5 TB for 1/2 loaf, you could also use olive oil

fresh parsley – I used 2 TB for 1/2 loaf

sprinkle of salt

sprinkle of parmesan

Directions:

Mix butter, salt, chopped garlic and parsley together. Apply to bread and sprinkle with parmesan. Stick in the oven or toaster oven at 425 for around 5 minutes.

That’s it! I usually keep some spaghetti noodles and rigatoni in the pantry because when I’m in a pinch, this is a quick and easy dinner that can be on the table in 20-30 minutes. Another great part about a beginner’s herb garden – you can quickly elevate any meal with some of your fresh herbs. I almost always have a jar or container of pesto because we use it on pizza and pastas all the time – so easy!

If you have any quick quarantine meals, I’d love to hear! Thanks so much for reading and you can find more recipes in the “food + drink” category of CBL. XO –

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Friday’s Five | Elephant Ears

– snagging an elephant ear plant locally for $15 –

– a small rug for the front door that makes me so happy –

– roses blooming in the backyard –

– plans to join an Instagram Live wine tasting with Justin Wines tonight –

– rearranging bookshelves for the 84757x –

We meet again, my friends. This week has breezed by. I played the mom card a little more than the work card this week as Christian was busier with his work. While it was honestly pretty sweet, full of smiles and giggles (Hudson hands them out for free and I am so grateful)… it means I gotta kick it back in gear next week.

I also made these brownies a few days ago and warning: they are lethal! I realized I had never made homemade brownies before, so I wanted to try a batch. Shockingly easy, didn’t need to buy anything and they taste like a combination of fudge and brownie. Dangerous.

I went on two social distance walks with friends (a first for me) and had a social distance happy hour, as did Christian, and I can’t even begin to tell you what it did for my mood. Girl time, friend chat, seeing people’s kids and enjoying the weather outside – just what I needed. It’s honestly amazing the impact it has on my overall happiness.

Have you done anything this week that lifted your spirits? We are tuning into a virtual wine tasting tonight with Justin Wines, and I think it’s going to be really fun. Such a fun idea! You don’t have to twist my arm when it comes to wine, let’s be honest. If you are on your phone around 5PM PST, feel free to check it out!

Thanks so much for reading and hope you have a beautiful weekend with beautiful weather – XO –

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5 Tips for a Beginner’s Herb Garden

When we moved into this house I knew I wanted to plant an herb garden. I’ve never owned a home, much less had an actual yard or plant bed, so I knew I wanted to do some spring planting.

Some herbs do really well in pots and others don’t, but I’ve been so pleased at how much these have grown since I planted them about a month ago. I actually just planted the cilantro this week and you can see how small it is next to the others. It’s wild how quickly they can go with a few tips.

So far we have planted:

Parsley
Oregano
Cilantro
Rosemary
Sweet Basil
Thai Basil
Peppermint
Lemon Balm
Thyme

Tip 1 | Don’t over-water! Most herbs prefer moist, but well-drained soil with plenty of sun. Very wet soils will not produce healthy herbs.

Tip 2 | Keep them close. Choose a spot that is near enough that you won’t forget about them. I also think the easier in reach they are, the more likely you are to pull a sprig or leaf here and there for your tea or lemonade. I was simply walking by the mint the other day and noticed it was wilting. So I gave it about 6 ounces of water and within 20 minutes it was upright again.

Tip 3 | Start small. If you’re not sure if you’ll be able to keep them up, try starting with three popular and easy to use herbs like rosemary, basil and mint. See how they turn out and if after a few months they’re still doing well, expand your garden.

Tip 4 | Don’t over-fertilize. When reading up about starting an herb garden I read that fertilizing herbs too much can actually affect the flavor of the herbs.

Tip 5 | I originally planted the peppermint in the flower bed with the rest of the herbs and was quickly told on social media that mint can quickly take over your garden. I did leave the lemon balm in the bed with the rest but moved the mint to a pot to help contain it. I plan on keeping my eye on the lemon balm, but just a note about mint!

Do you have potted or planted herbs? My mom usually pots hers and they do well, but she keeps them by the patio door so they’re easy to keep an eye on.

I love to hear what people have planted or projects they’ve done while in quarantine. I think it’s going to be really special to one day look at a tree or plant and think, “wow, it has grown so much since that spring in 2020!” Having a few visual projects to remind you of this unusual time is going to be really special.

Would love to hear any tips you have if I missed anything! Bugs keep eating my sweet basil and I’ve tried a few home remedies but I think I’m going to have to do something more. Any advice is welcome!

What herb do you cook with most frequently? I’m considering add chives to the mix… thanks so much for sharing and reading! XO –

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Wednesday Wish List | Patio Dreamin’

1 – 10% off | 2 – 40% off | 3 – 40% off | 4 | 5 – 40% off | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 – 50% off | 11 – 20% off | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 – 25% off | 16 – 40% off | 17 | 18 – 13% off

I love hearing that so many of you are spending more time outside. Whether you’re revamping your patio or working in the yard or garden… I think we are all looking to freshen up our outdoor space. Nothing like the government ordering you to stay home to make you want to create an outdoor sanctuary for your family!

When we lived in California, everyone really counted their outdoor space as an extension of their home. I was so impressed with the efforts neighbors took into making their outdoor space as cozy as inside, and it’s something I knew I wanted to do in our home one day also.

I think comfort is really important when picking out any furniture, including outdoor pieces. We have a sofa and these egg chairs on our patio and even though the sofa is plenty comfortable, we’re always in the egg chairs. They are so cozy and can fit multiple people in one chair. If it’s not comfortable, you’ll be less tempted to spend extra time outside!

A rug for your feet, throw pillows and candles or lanterns are another great way to make a space feel warmer and more welcoming. We bought these Adirondack chairs and foot rests and put them across from the outdoor TV. We have eaten dinner al fresco so many times in those chairs!

Music is another way to keep you wanting to stay outside. We played this playlist on bluetooth speakers for hours while gardening a few weeks ago. And as silly as it sounds, a cute watering can can bring you a lot of happiness when you’re watering your plants each week. I’ve had mine for at least seven years and use it every single week!

Would love to hear what you’re working on for your patio or yard. I’m sharing a full gardening post tomorrow with some of my favorite little plants that have started taking off since quarantine started. Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –

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Let’s Talk About Light Fixtures

Light fixtures – I know, I know… it can be so hard to choose! While I’m by no means an expert and did run most of these choices by a local interior designer, I definitely learned a few things when choosing fixtures for our Georgia home.

When we moved in, three rooms had no light fixtures and the outdoor patio fans weren’t in great shape. I could only live so long with a single lightbulb in the ceiling of these rooms, so I found some clean and simple light fixtures and fans from Craftmade. In other rooms, we made some major chandelier statements!

I’m going to break down the fixtures room by room and why we chose what we did. Would love to hear any of your questions or tips in the comments!

Our Bedroom

Our bedroom didn’t originally have a ceiling fixture and it didn’t bother me at all. I think rooms with no ceiling fixture can look so clean and beautiful. But Christian has to have a ceiling fan when he sleeps. Between us… he’s a little bit of a sleep diva and it’s one of his requirements. We installed this ceiling fan from Craftmade and I love that it’s super quiet and blends into the ceiling.

The shape of the room required us to get smaller bedside tables. This meant I wanted sconces so we could have more counter space. I love how they turned out!

My Office

In my office I knew it was my opportunity to do something more feminine and fabulous. This Sullivan and Phenix chandelier is handmade, so beautiful and happens to be Hudson’s favorite because he will stare at it, completely mesmerized! Because it’s handmade, you can determine exactly what size you want, which is very cool.

There are some measurement guidelines when choosing lighting for a space, some based on room size and others based on table size underneath.

I added this ceiling medallion for a little extra fancy.

Kitchen and Breakfast Room

I wanted something clean and simple above the breakfast table. You see it from the front door and this room is open to the foyer, kitchen and den, so I wanted all of these light fixtures to vibe together.

We chose this clean pendant from Craftmade. Sometimes I wonder if I should have gone for this one!? But I feel like I’m always second guessing myself! I added an oversized lightbulb for some added interest.

These two pendants came with the house and I love the black, white and gold. They blend really nicely with the breakfast room and den which is great as we have a pretty open floor plan.

I always love a set above an island –

In the foyer, we had a single lightbulb when we moved in which gave no light with the tall ceilings, so I was on the hunt for something and fast!

This space was tricky because I wasn’t sure how big to go. I loved the clean lines of this Craftmade fixture, but was it big enough? Once the staircase frames were hung and the zebra rug was added… it felt right. The focus of the room isn’t the light fixture, it isn’t the rug or round table… it’s all of it. It all plays together rather than one particular thing stealing the show.

I love this one too –

Dining Room

Our dining room chandelier always feels so va-va-voom to me! I originally fell in love with this one, but after measuring the table and room, I worried it would be too small.

I am so glad we went with the larger size because it makes such a formal statement, and when we are eating in the room it feels really special.

Living Room

This might be the biggest light fixture in the house, but it doesn’t feel overpowering because of its simplicity. I love the contrast it brings to the space, and it feels so right for the ambiance of the room.

We originally had three fans on the patio without light. They functionally worked fine, but looked a little dated. Once the house and patio ceiling was painting, they didn’t vibe. We replaced all three fans with crisp and clean Craftmade fans with lights and it’s made such a big difference! Love this one too.

At night we have much more light, the fans together create such a nice breeze.

And that’s all she wrote. If you have learned anything about picking fixtures, I’d love to hear. I have been keeping my eye on something like this… but I think if I switched it up Christian might lecture me, so I’m staying put for now!

Thanks so much for reading – XO –

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Friday’s Five | Leopard Heels

– new leopard heels from Tuckernuck that I can’t get enough of –

– getting two small bolster pillows for this fabulous little bench –

– the most versatile little crossbody bag –

– spending a gorgeous afternoon outside transferring monkey grass from the backyard to the front yard –

– Hudson in his “Bailey bubble,” a Little English labrador outfit –

We meet again. I’ll be honest, writing these weekly wrap ups feels very deja vu when there’s so little changing from week to week, but I am trying to keep as much consistency in my work and life as I can. Cabin fever has absolutely hit over here, but we can always find some things to chat about, right?

I shared Wednesday that I finally painted the laundry room. I knew I wanted to paint it when we moved in, but we painted and touch-up painted so much that I gave myself a break. I called the paint store and they were mixing colors, taking payment over the phone and would deliver your paint curbside. So I painted the room Benjamin Moore White Dove, got my magic eraser after all of the cabinets and built-in desk and plan on buying a cork board and doing this DIY. It feels so fresh and clean in there now. I’m so proud! I also want to paint our bedroom, but it’s obviously a bigger space and I’m going to be honest… my back hurts. So I bought the paint for it, but I’m giving myself a breather.

Bailey’s 13th birthday is actually this Sunday. I can’t believe I have a teenager, ha! Although in big dog years she’s around 96 years old. God bless her. She has lived in Oxford, Mississippi + Jackson, Mississippi + Santa Ana, California + Orange, California + San Francisco, California and now Athens, Georgia. It’s not always easy moving and driving all over the country with an 80+ lb dog (perhaps a large dog wasn’t Christian’s wisest choice), but she sure has had a lot of adventures. Lakes, beaches, dog parks, vacations, cross country drives and now that she finally has the big backyard I’ve always wanted for her, she just wants to sleep! I usually bake her this doggie cake, but this year Christian is grilling her a steak. I think she’ll love it.

Do you do anything special for your senior pets? Once Lula passed away, it really made me look at Bailey differently. As much as I wish pets could live as long as humans, we don’t have forever. So I try to sneak her some extra treats!

A few big sales happening if you are interested…

Alice & Olivia | up to 75% off sitewide

Anthropologie | 50% off sale items

Banana Republic | 50% off everything

CB2 | up to 40% off planters, outdoor furniture and gifts

Crate & Barrel | up to 20% off outdoor rugs, outdoor furniture and bedding

Express | 40% off everything

Forever21 | 50% off flash sale

Free People | sale pieces up to 50% off

GAP | up to 75% off everything

J.Crew | up to 60% off wear-now styles and extra 40% off sale items

Loft | 40% off wear-now styles

Madewell | extra 50% off sale

Nordstrom | 40% off thousands of styles

Old Navy | up to 50% off everything

Pottery Barn | up to 40% off outdoor and quilts

Ray Ban | up to 30% off all eyewear

West Elm | up to 40% off spring cleanout, up to 30% off sofas and sectionals and up to 40% off bedding

Thank you so much for reading – hope you have a beautiful weekend. XO –

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3 Spring Dresses

dress, love this one and this one | heels | bag | earrings

Don’t get me wrong, I love a pair of sweatpants as much as the next person (literally wearing sweats as I type this), but every now and then girlfriend has to get dressed. It is a mood and self-esteem booster to put on an outfit, make sure my jeans will still zip (!!) and fix my hair and makeup. It reminds me that it is still spring and my outer appearance can greatly affect my inner attitude.

I wanted to share three spring outfits that give my mood a little boost –

dress | similar neck scarf | necklace one, necklace two | Hudson’s outfit | room details

I never thought I would be the mom in matching outfits with her kids… but alas, here we are. Honestly, it often happens by mistake. I think I just dress Hudson in things I like, and then I dress myself in things I like.

But how cute is his little blue set? I am tempted to buy it in ivory as well!

So technically this is a set and not a dress, but I had been holding onto it to wear in Florida. Seeing as that beach trip has been postponed, I decided to wear it last Sunday anyway. I think this top would also look so cute with high waisted jeans!

photos by Christian Barnes

Have you been shopping for any spring or summer pieces lately? I’ll be honest… I have hardly glanced at anything shopping-wise unless it’s home or cooking related. I shared April’s Top 10 items on Monday, and I loved seeing that you guys are also gravitating toward home and loungewear.

Let me know if you’re getting dressed occasionally or if it’s strictly loungewear… I want to know how to best serve you guys! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –

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Wednesday Wish List | All On Sale

1 – 30% off | 2 – extra 50% off sale price | 3 – already sold out, love this one | 4 – 60% off | 5 – 40% off | 6 – 30% off with code 5DAYS | 7 – 30% off | 8 – 30% off | 9 – 50% off | 110 – 40% off | 11 – 40% off | 12 – 40% off | 13 – 60% off | 14 – 25% off | 15 – 20% off | 16 – 20% off | 17 – 20% off | 18 – 20% off | 19 – 40% off | 20 – 20% off | 21 – 40% off

Oh snap, hunny! I feel like the sales have been major for months, but this week’s wish list is sale-only. Except for this inflatable pool I’m trying to convince Christian we might need. It’s one of those things that sounds like a really fun idea, but will we use it? The verdict’s out. If you have an inflatable pool, please share with the class if you use it!

Loving this beautiful planter. Thinking leopard will be my camouflage this summer. Absolutely loving these outdoor serving pieces and think this is about the coziest chair ever. If you’re in the market for a faux plant, I’m loving this one. This coin necklace is such a great layering piece, and after realizing I seem to only wear white and denim together… how can I say no to this cute summer shirt?

We have been really working in the garden and yard lately, transferring monkey grass and pruning. We plan on planting some jasmine and potted plants this week, and I caught a second wind and finally got around to painting the laundry room. It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do to a room. Total transformation in two days!

What are you guys up to? Still moving and grooving, adjusting to this (temporary) new normal? Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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CBL’s April Top 10 Items + Sales

I’ve seen a few blogs share their top 10 sellers that month, and I always love seeing the lineup. It’s usually all over the map, which is what makes it so interesting to see.

I wanted to share CBL’s April top 10 – a mix of home, beauty, fashion and accessories. And if you like these kinds of posts to be in a regular rotation, let me know!

1) Celine Look-Alike Sunglasses under $50 (the “Monroe”), also available here

2) Black and White Bunny Pillows

3) Tie Dye “Mama” Sweatshirt

4) CZ Emerald Band Ring

5) Lancome Mascara

6) Egg Patio Chair

7) Super soft Mom Jeans (also styled here)

8) Male Bust Statue

9) Raw Hem V-Neck Tee

10) Moss Balls

And if you are interested, there are a few sales worth mentioning:

Adidas | extra 20% off loungewear

Alice & Olivia | friends & family sale 30-75% off

Anthropologie | 25% off home gifts

Banana Republic | up to 60% off everything

CB2 | 30% off upholstered furniture, up to 30% off planters and outdoor furniture

Crate & Barrel | up to 40% off outdoor furniture, up to 30% off rugs and curtains

Express | extra 40% off sale items

Forever21 | 30% off your purchases of $75+ with code DOYOUBOO

GAP | up to 75% off everything

J.Crew | 30% off purchase with code 5DAYS

Levi’s | 30% off $100+ with code CHEER30

Loft | extra 50% off sale with code LOVE

Madewell | 40% off almost everything

Old Navy | extra 20% off with code SWEET

Pottery Barn | 20-25% off with code EARTHDAY

Ray Ban | up to 30% off all eyewear

Saks | get $50 off when you spend $200 with code HAPPYSF

Shopbop | up to 40% off everything

Urban Outfitters | 30% off tees, tanks, shorts

Thank you so much for reading – XO –

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Two Months of Using Facial Essence

I had never tried an essence until two months ago. I would cleanse my face and go straight to a serum, but I’ve been applying SK-II PITERA™ Essence since the beginning of March. And I have some thoughts.

At first try I thought, “is this just water?” How could something so thin really do that much for my skin? I did some further research and learned how Pitera Essence began. Scientists noticed that the older edlerly sake brewers in Japan had incredibly youthful skin on their hands, while wrinkles on their face.

Naturally, there was then a search for the ingredients that were causing these benefits. And that’s how Pitera Essence was born. The formula has been meticulously perfected and is very difficult to replicate, which is why it is such a coveted product. Fun fact – the formulation hasn’t changed in about 40 years and a bottle is sold in the world almost every two seconds.

And after using it for two months? I’ve had no blemishes, my skin is smooth and clear. I also feel less oily throughout the day (I’m a very oily t-zone person).

photos by Viva Lux Photography

The application process is as you would expect. After cleansing your face (or after using a toner if you use one), simply pour 2-3 shakes in your palms, press together and pat pat on your face. It feels like a lightweight facial vitamin mist on your skin and dries quickly. Then proceed with your usual skincare regimen. At night this usually means a serum and in the morning I’ll just use the essence and skip the serum.

Have you ever tried an essence? I’d love to hear your experience. If not, check out some of the reviews here. I read about 20 before finally thinking, ok – I have to try this for myself. And if you are interested in trying it out for yourself, just a note that Sephora is currently having their Spring Saving Event!

Thank you for reading and sharing – XO –

brought to you by SK-II

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Explore The Blog

Shop Around

When to take a Break from your Phone

Wednesday Wish List | Quarantine Vibes under $75

Easiest Pesto Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Bread

Friday’s Five | Elephant Ears

5 Tips for a Beginner’s Herb Garden

Wednesday Wish List | Patio Dreamin’

Let’s Talk About Light Fixtures

Friday’s Five | Leopard Heels

3 Spring Dresses

Wednesday Wish List | All On Sale

CBL’s April Top 10 Items + Sales

Two Months of Using Facial Essence