Author: Adventures in Polishland

What I Ate Last Week as a Vegan | Easy Meals to Last the Week

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

The past few weeks have been tough for me, as I’ve been dealing with an upper respiratory virus that really knocked me off my feet. Thankfully, I was on the mend last week, and I was able to do some meal prep. I wanted to keep it easy, so I made two recipes that I knew would last me for the majority of my meals. If you are looking to cut down on your cooking time, choosing simple recipes that yield a lot of food is always a great idea!

This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase through those links I will earn a small commission. Thank you!

What’s better when you’re sick than soup?! I made a batch of my favorite lentil soup, which I enjoyed for three dinners. This recipe is from The Spruce, and I love it because it is super easy to make and also quite healthy. I ended up leaving the bay leaves in the soup while it sat in the fridge, and that added so much flavor! I think I will leave them in more often. I also had avocado toast on the side.

The other meal I cooked this week was Thanksgiving Bowls. I absolutely love the traditional side dishes served at Thanksgiving, namely stuffing, mashes potatoes, and vegetables. One of my favorite things to do is make a few sides and throw them together in one bowl for a complete meal. This time around I made cornbread stuffing, mashed sweet potatoes, and sautéed spinach with cannellini beans. These bowls are so delicious, easy to whip together, and easily customizable. I also highly recommend the Country Crock Plant Butter for the stuffing and mashed potatoes! Because I’m making a full batch of each side, I got four meals from this recipe!

To fill in the gaps last week, I enjoyed the Progresso Lentil Soup, which is actually quite delicious and an easy-to-find vegan option. Plus, it was on sale for $1.00 at the grocery store. I also had some Nature’s Path Dark Chocolate Chip Waffles for breakfast. I think you can tell I just didn’t have my normal energy last week! I definitely relied on convenience foods a bit more than usual.

Overall, I hope this post helped you find some easy recipes that you can make if you need to cut down on your time in the kitchen. Maybe you’re dealing with getting over a sickness, or you are just having a bad week and need some simple options. Whatever the case, not every week will be filled with a lot of homemade recipes, and that’s okay.

What was your favorite meal last week?

Everything I Bought in January | #LivingWithLess

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A couple years ago I saw a post from my friend Jill over at @a.little.less.waste on Instagram that really inspired me. In her photo, Jill shares a list of all her purchases for the month of January, and she notes it is her goal to record all non-consumable purchases for the year. I absolutely loved this idea, and it’s been something I’ve thought about ever since. This year, I hope to record all of my non-consumable purchases as well, and I thought it would be fun to share them on the blog. In this post, I will share why I want to keep track of the things I buy, as well as everything I purchased in the month of January.

This post includes affiliate links. I will earn a small commission if you make a purchase using those links. Thank you!

As this is my first post in this series, I thought it would be helpful to let you know the three main reasons I have for recording my purchases. First, I would like to be more aware of how I am spending my money. While I do have a detailed budget, I have found that it can be extremely useful to keep track of exactly what I’m buying so that I can have a better idea of not only how much I am spending, but how much I should set aside for future purchases. For example, last year I made two purchases at Who Gives a Crap, and this year I’ve set aside money for those two orders in my Annual Expenses savings account.

Moreover, I also want to record my purchases so I can be aware of the physical items I am bringing into my space. I’ve talked many times about how much I love the KonMari method. Now that I am living with a lot less physical possessions, I would like to keep it that way. I truly have come to learn that tangible things do not equal happiness and fulfillment. That is especially true with shopping and instant gratification. I hope that by documenting what I buy, I can look back at the end of the year and see if I regret any of my purchases.

Finally, I also want to make sure I am buying things with the environment in mind. This means shopping secondhand whenever possible, being conscious of the materials I’m purchasing, and thinking about the life each item has before it gets deposited into a landfill. I also hope to increase my reusables over the course of this year!

My January Purchases

Stock images are courtesy of lordandtaylor.com

With all of that said, let’s jump into the things I did buy in January. In 2019, all of the clothing purchases I made, with the exception of shoes, were from the thrift store. I try really hard not to buy new clothes, but I struggle when it comes to my work wardrobe and with winter items. Thus, I did go to Lord & Taylor in January to purchase a few pieces.

I ended up with a warm sweater from Jessica Simpson, a beautiful blouse from Jones New York, and a pair of black pants from En Thread. I’ve already worn all three items a couple times, and I’m really happy with them. If you have to buy fast fashion pieces, I think it’s helpful to focus on items that you will wear often and that will stand the test of time. I choose to buy from Lord & Taylor because the brands this store carries are great quality. I have many pieces that have lasted me several years. I also hit up the clearance sales for extra savings. I spent a total of $72.29 on all three pieces.

The only other item I purchased in January was a bar of LUSH Aromaco Deodorant. While I was at the mall buying the clothes, I decided to hop on over to LUSH and stock up on deodorant since I am running low. This bar cost me $5.73, and it will last me a whole lot longer than a traditional stick deodorant in a plastic tube. If you’d like to read my full thoughts on this product, you can read my review. If I planned better for this purchase, I would have brought my deodorant container to the store so I didn’t need the paper wrapper. That being said, this is still a great, plastic free option!

Overall, I am happy with my purchases in January. While I would prefer to not shop fast fashion at all, I know that I’ve looked for black work pants for over a year at thrift stores without much luck. It comes down to reducing what I buy new, and I’ve definitely done that over the past few years. I am actually amazed with myself that I only purchased four non-consumable items last month. I’m sure there will be some months where I buy many more things. My goal here isn’t to have any sort of minimalist contest with myself or anyone else, but to be more conscious of what I buy. It will be interesting to see the journey!

January Reading Wrap Up | My Disappointing and Vampiric Start to 2020

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

January is typically a great reading month for me, but that was certainly not the case this year. Unfortunately, my reading is off to a bad start in 2020. I only completed two books last month, mainly due to me getting sick for the last week and a half of January. Nonetheless, I wanted to share what I did read with you so that I can chronicle my reading as part of the #MyYearofRereading Project. While I may not have read much, I absolutely adore the two books I was able to complete.

This post includes affiliate links. I will earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. Thank you!

The two books I read in the month of January are The Eternity Cure and The Forever Song, both by Julie Kagawa. These are the second and third books in the Blood of Eden trilogy. I first read this series back in 2014, and I was due for a reread. If you enjoy young adult dystopian novels, I highly recommend this series. Julie Kagawa puts a spin on the typical dystopian plot by adding vampires to the mix. Our protagonist is Allie, a poor teenager who grew up in the Fringe of a vampire city. One night, Allie is attacked by a group of Rabids. A vampire named Kanin happens to be nearby, and he gives her a choice: either die by the Rabids or become a vampire herself. Even though Allie has always hated vampires, she decides to become one herself. What follows is an epic adventure filled with everything from a sweet romance to bloody scenes right out of a horror movie.

I’m so glad I finally made the time to reread this series. I will say that I wasn’t in love with the writing style this second time around. It did feel a bit young to me, and a bit cheesy as well. That being said, I love the Blood of Eden trilogy because of the characters and the adventure aspect. Kagawa is able to cover so much ground in three books. It’s amazing to see how much each of the characters develop over time, and I especially love the evolution of my favorite villain, Jackal. His snarky comments and bad boy attitude are hilarious!

In the end, while I am disappointed I did not read more in January, I’m happy that I got to reread a favorite series of mine. I was able to read two books for the #MyYearofRereading Project to kickstart the year, and I haven’t added any new books to my collection. I hope that in February I can read a bit more, and try to catch up on my Goodreads goal.

What did you read in January? Share in the comments!

10 #ZeroWaste Products in my Health & Beauty Routine

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Today I thought it would be fun to share some of the ways I’ve gone plastic free and zero waste in my health and beauty routine. If you are trying to cut down on disposable products and make more sustainable choices, I think a great place to start is with your skincare and other personal care products. There are so many great reusable and packaging free products on the market now, and I’ve really enjoyed working them into my lifestyle. Here are the ten zero waste items I’ve incorporated in my health and beauty routine so far!

This blog post includes affiliate links. I will earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. Thank you!

Skincare Tools

Skincare Cleansing Device – FOREO LUNA for Combination Skin | $199.00

I first tried the FOREO LUNA back in 2015 when it was sent to me for review. While this is a luxury skincare item, I think it is absolutely worth the investment. Unlike competitor products that require you to purchase disposable brush heads or cleansing pads, the FOREO doesn’t need added attachments or replacements. Thus, not only is this a zero waste product, but is saves you a lot of money in the long run. Also, in the nearly five years I’ve had this cleansing device, I’ve only had to charge the batteries once! I honestly cannot say enough great things about this device, and I highly recommend saving up for it.

Reusable Cotton Rounds – Captain Hook Crochet | Set of 14 for $10.00

Another great switch is reusable cotton rounds in place of disposable ones that typically come in a plastic bag. I ended up making my own with 100% cotton yarn that is machine washable and dryable. I’ve used the same set of 14 for over a year now, and they’ve held up really well. I use these cotton pads for removing makeup, applying toner and essence lotion, removing face masks, and more. I also sell these on Etsy using the above link if you are interested in purchasing a set!

Skincare and Body Care Products

When it comes to packaging free and plastic free skincare and body care products, I’ve switched over to quite a few! In the above photo you’ll see that I now use a lot of “naked” products from LUSH, and I also purchase other items that come in recyclable paper packaging. Items I no longer buy in plastic include face cleanser, hand soap, hair conditioner, and shower gel. I also like to store my products in vintage glassware that I buy at antique stores, thrift stores, and yard sales!

I also use a bar soap as a makeup brush cleanser. I keep that soap in this candy dish next to the sink. Right now I’m using a Dr. Bronner’s All-One Hemp bar to wash my makeup brushes and beauty sponge, and a Kirk’s Castile bar for my hand soap.

I’ve also been using a packaging free deodorant for about two years now! I love the LUSH Aromaco. You can read more of my thoughts in this review. I’ve purchased this deodorant three times now, and it is a staple item in my health and beauty routine. I also store it in an upcycled body scrub container!

Personal Care Needs

Toilet Paper – Who Gives a Crap 100% Recycled 3-Ply | 24 Rolls for $30.00

One of my favorite plastic free switches is toilet paper! Almost all of the toilet paper sold at the grocery store comes in plastic packaging. I decided to give the brand Who Gives a Crap a try, and I absolutely love it. I use the 100% recycled toilet paper. It is high quality and still quite affordable. I love how I can order a huge box a couple times a year, and I don’t have to lug toilet paper home from the store. Plus, Who Gives a Crap also donates 50% of its profits to build toilets for those in need.

Toothbrush – Brush with Bamboo | 4 Brushes for $16.99

Last but not least is my toothbrush! I began using Brush with Bamboo last year. It definitely took me a few weeks to get used to a bamboo toothbrush, but now I am fully accustomed to it. I order these on Amazon, and while they are a bit more expensive than the brushes you can get at the drugstore, I am happy to pay the extra money for a more sustainable option. I also saw on Instagram that the brand has restyled its packaging to be even more environmentally friendly!

What are some #ZeroWaste switches you’ve made?

I would love to learn about your favorite plastic free products, and any recommendations you have for me. I am always trying to incorporate more sustainable items into my life, especially when it comes to my health and beauty routine. While so many skincare and body care items traditionally come in plastic, it’s nice knowing of the other options available. Let us continue to make these small switches in our lives so that together we can make a big impact!

Why I Stopped Planning | The Unofficial End of #PlanWithPolishland

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Almost five years ago, I discovered the online world of planners through the YouTuber Elle Fowler. Elle made videos about her Erin Condren LifePlanner, and I quickly fell in love with the idea of creating fun planner spreads that were not only functional, but that allowed me to use stickers, washi tape, and other crafting supplies to organize my life. After months of deliberation, I splurged on a LifePlanner of my very own, and I began documenting the entire planning process on this blog and my YouTube channel. With my planner in hand, I quickly dove into the planner community online. For a few years, I hauled stickers, decorated my planner, and interacted with other planner lovers. It was a lot of fun, but I slowly found that I wasn’t enjoying my planner any longer, thus making my YouTube videos obsolete. Today I want to share with you some of the reasons I stopped planning, and thank you for the support you showed me while I shared this hobby with you.

Why I Stopped Planning | The Unofficial End of #PlanWithPolishland

Please note that I do discuss money and the environment in this blog post. It is not my intention to pass judgment on others, and I only bring up these topics in reference to myself.

The quick answer to why I stopped planning is simply because I didn’t enjoy it anymore. When I first got my planner, I was in my most hectic season of life so far – studying for the bar exam! I needed a lot of structure, and since I was under a lot of stress, decorating a planner was a great way to plan out my day while also having a bit of “me time.” Yet once I took (and passed!) my exam, I began searching for jobs, spending more time at home, and not doing anything that really required extensive to-do lists. When I started working, I really didn’t need my planner. My days were fully structured and any spare time was dedicated to errands, chores, and relaxing. I just didn’t need my Erin Condren like I used to, and I felt no desire to return to it. I tried to figure out if other methods of planning would work for me. I spend a few months in a traveler’s notebook system, another few in a monthly planner, but in the end I decided to put the planner down and just go forth without one.

Moreover, my planning habit also died due to changes I made in my personal budget. In the few years I was using my Erin Condren, I spent hundreds of dollars on my planner and all of the supplies that came with it. Planning can be a very expensive hobby, and although I liked to tell myself I was keeping it affordable, I really wasn’t. Yes, I bought things on sale, used coupons, and even received a lot of stickers for free from brands, but I was still overspending. While it is absolutely possible to be a planner on a budget, it can be difficult to look around the community and see coveted “No White Space” weekly kits be priced at nearly $30.00 from the popular shops. As my love for planning fell by the wayside, and my desire to save money became a priority, I quickly realized how unsustainable this hobby was for me.

Similarly, I also began to have concerns about the environmental impact of my planning. Since I liked to decorate my planner, I went through a lot of sticker sheets that most likely could not be recycled. If I was putting all my stickers to use, I didn’t feel as guilty. But oftentimes I didn’t like all of the stickers included with a kit, and found myself with stacks of sticker scraps I didn’t want. While I did giveaways and shared these stickers with others, I still realized that planning can be a very wasteful hobby. In fact, almost every planner supply I’ve come across is in disposable plastic packaging. As I began to learn more about the environment, I couldn’t enjoy planning as much.

In the end, I’m truly grateful for the time I spent in the planner community. Not only was planning a great source of joy for me, but I was able to connect with so many people online through this hobby. I really appreciate those of you who watched my YouTube videos, followed my planner Instagram account, and shared my few #PlanWithPolishland blog posts. At this point in my life, I have no desire to return to planner decorating, but, of course, that may change, which is why I am calling this the “unofficial” end of #PlanWithPolishland. Thank you so much for following this planning journey of mine!

What I Ate Last Week as a Vegan | Easy Recipes and How I Modify Them

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

One goal I have for this blog, and my online content in general, is to share more about the food I make regularly as someone who eats a vegan diet. Now that I’ve been vegan for over three years, what I eat is normal to me. That being said, I know my diet can be quite different than the average American’s. I hope that by sharing an overview of what I eat, I can help to encourage others to try more plant-based foods. I started off 2020 with a pretty healthy week. It was my first full work week since before Christmas, and I attempted to slow down with the holiday treats. Here is a quick look at what I ate last week, the recipes I made, and how I modified them to fit my tastes.

What I Ate Last Week as a Vegan | Easy Recipes and How I Modify Them

Before I jump right into some of my meals from last week, I want to quickly point out that I am not a nutritionist or medical professional, and this blog post is not a guide to vegan nutrition. Instead, it’s an example of how a vegan person eats. You will not see every single meal, snack, dessert, or supplement I take in these blog posts. That being said, if you have any questions about vegan food, please leave me a comment and I will try to answer it! I am also using affiliate links to share some of my favorite food products with you, and will earn a small commission if you shop using those links. Thank you!

Breakfast

What I Ate Last Week | Breakfast

I typically keep my breakfasts quick and easy. Lately, I’ve been on a huge oatmeal kick. I use quick oats and mix about one cup with Silk Soy Milk Original (my favorite is the red carton). I cook it for two minutes in the microwave, and top with 100% Pure Maple Syrup and cinnamon. It might not look appealing, but it’s delicious and keeps me full until lunchtime!

Lunch

What I Ate Last Week | Southwestern Edamame Salad

I aim to make at least four lunches each week for Monday through Thursday that I can easily transport to work. One of my favorite options is this Southwestern Edamame Salad from the blog Yummy Healthy Easy. My mom actually discovered this recipe a few years ago and shared it with me. I modify it by using half a bag of frozen edamame instead of a full bag, and by leaving out both the black beans and scallions. The result is a refreshing and delicious salad. The recipe is about two lunches for me, with each one containing about 32g of protein. I love how easy and quick this salad is to make!

What I Ate Last Week | Mediterranean Lentil Salad

My other lunch option last week was the Mediterranean Lentil Salad from Yummy Mummy Kitchen. I’ve made this salad a few times, and it is a newer favorite of mine. I tend to use a regular cucumber instead of a Persian cucumber, a white onion instead of a red onion, and I leave out the feta cheese. This past week I even used Goya Canned Lentils, which saved me about 20 minutes of cooking time. What makes this salad so delicious is the homemade dressing, and I look forward to the next time I make it!

Dinner

What I Ate Last Week | Homemade Pizza

When it comes to dinners, I also try to make 1-2 recipes per week. One budget-friendly recipe that is extremely delicious is “homemade” pizza. I put homemade in quotations because I use a store-bought pizza crust and tomato sauce. I definitely want to try making my own dough to cut down on plastic packaging, but if you’re in a pinch this can be a great option. I top my pizza with Daiya Mozzarella Shreds, and with any veggies I have on hand. Last week, I added some baby spinach and Roma tomatoes. I can make one pizza for under $5.00, which is a huge discount from nearby pizza shops.

What I Ate Last Week | Minestrone Soup

My other dinner option last week was the 1-Pot Vegan Minestrone from Minimalist Baker. This soup is beyond delicious, hearty, and healthy. I use whole wheat pasta instead of the gluten free one listed in the recipe, but I otherwise follow the ingredients exactly. I get about four dinners out of one batch of this soup. I’ve also discovered that this soup is very freezer friendly, even though it contains pasta! I love having this soup in my recipe rotation, and have made a double batch before to have freezer meals on hand.

I hope you enjoyed this first installment in the What I Ate Last Week blog series! I hope to share my food with you 1-2 times per month. I am still trying to expand on the recipes I use regularly, so please share one of your favorites in the comments! If you would like to see what I eat on a more regular basis, please follow me on Instagram.

2020 Makeup Inventory | My Minimalist and Vegan Makeup Collection

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Since discovering the online makeup world in 2012, my makeup collection has grown and changed a great deal over the last few years. While it can be a lot of fun to have a large makeup collection, I personally find that a small, curated collection of the products I actually use is best for me. As someone who typically wears the same face of makeup every day, there is no reason for me to have a lot of options. Instead, I focus on owning products I will use up to completion. This helps me eliminate waste, it saves me a great deal of money, and it allows me to choose my makeup collection with great care. I wanted to start off 2020 by sharing with you my current makeup inventory in its entirety.

2020 Makeup Inventory | My Minimalist and Vegan Makeup Collection

All of the products I share with you today are cruelty free and vegan. I will also be using affiliate links to share these products with you. If you make a purchase after clicking on a link in this blog post, I will earn a small commission. Thank you!

Face Products

Face Products | Primer, Foundation, and Concealer

I currently own one face primer, one foundation, and two concealers. I am very happy with this category in my stash! I am currently using a facial moisturizer from Derma E that works really well under makeup, so there is no need for me to have more face primers at the moment. I also haven’t been wearing a full face of makeup lately, so I rarely reach for foundation. Instead, I use concealer to cover redness in my T-zone, and having two concealers makes sense for me.

Setting Powders | Vegan and Cruelty Free

I currently have three face powders in my collection. That being said, two of these are basically empty right now! I need to repress those two so I can use them up completely. I only need one setting powder in my collection, and this one from Pacifica is a favorite of mine.

Eye Products

Eye Makeup Collection | Brows, Shadow, and Mascara

My eye makeup collection is one category where I’ve greatly reduced the amount of products I own. I fill in my eyebrows every day, so I have my one tried-and-true brow powder and one open eyebrow gel. I do have one eyebrow gel in my backup drawer as well. Since I do not wear eyeshadow regularly, there is no need for me to have more than a few basic items. I am currently using a concealer as an eyeshadow base, and I have one primer in my backup drawer. For eyeshadow, I have one duo and one holographic liquid shadow for the few times a year I want something more. Lastly, I own one mascara that I replace every three to four months.

Cheek Products

Cheek Products | Blush, Highlighter, and Bronzer

I think cheek products are my favorite part of makeup! I love blush and highlighter, and I am happy with the amount of products I own in this category. I have one blush palette, which is more than enough. But, I also love the matte Tarte blush I got from a kit, and The Body Shop Shimmer Waves palette is great for blush, highlighter, or eyeshadow. I also use my contour palette from The Body Shop for eyeshadow as well. The only product I probably don’t need is the liquid highlighter from NYX – I don’t use it often.

Lip Products

Lip Products | Lip Liner, Lip Oil, and Lip Balm

Just like eye products, I used to own a lot of lip products. However, I learned in the past few years that I really do not like wearing lip products! I am always drinking water, and I don’t like it when lip products transfer or wear off throughout the day. I currently have three lip products in my collection, and I could probably declutter all of them! I have an invisible lip liner, a lip oil, and a tinted lip balm. If I don’t grab for these throughout the year, I will declutter them and not buy anymore lip products unless it is for a specific reason or occasion!

Setting Sprays

Setting Sprays

Last but not least, I have three setting sprays in my collection. I am currently using one from elf, and I got two of my holy grail sprays from The Body Shop for Christmas this year. I love setting spray, but I know some people feel like it doesn’t do anything. For me, it is a must!

Total Inventory

As 2020 begins, I currently own a total of 27 makeup products! Overall, I am really happy with my collection. There are only a few products in my stash that I do not use regularly (mainly the lip products), but everything else is part of my regular routine and rotation. I like having my go-to products that work for me, with a few fun options in my favorite categories – blush and highlighter. The last time I did a full makeup inventory was in 2018, and at that time I owned 55 makeup products. I am amazed that my collection has shrunk in half! It shows I truly don’t need a large quantity of products.

Please share with me in the comments if you prefer to have a small or large makeup collection. If you are looking to be more minimalistic and mindful with the things you own, I find your makeup is a great place to start. If you would like to see a full review of a product I mentioned today, please let me know in a comment as well!

My 2020 Reading Plans | The #MyYearofRereading Project

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As 2020 began today, I did not expect to find myself creating a list of reading resolutions or goals for this new year. Yet as I was resting on this holiday off from work, I spent some time looking at my bookshelves and realized I do, in fact, have some exciting reading plans as the year gets underway. I recently shared with you the #MyYearofRereading Project that I created in my last blog post. I will absolutely be continuing on with that project, but I also have a few other goals that I would like to share with you.

First and foremost is the Goodreads Reading Challenge that I participate in every year. This challenge is purely about quantity – how many books do you want to read this year? I decided to do some math and figure out a goal that is challenging yet still based on reality. Since I mainly read on my commute now, I created a formula based on how many hours of time I spend commuting a year, how many pages I read in an hour, and how long the average book I read is. The result was about 58 books, and I decided to round that up to 60 for a bit of a stretch goal. You can follow me on Goodreads here to see how I am getting along with this challenge throughout the year.

My next goal is to empty my physical TBR (To-Be-Read) bookshelf by the end of the year. Notice I did not say that I want to read my entire TBR shelf. That is because I may end up decluttering some books that I decide I no longer have the desire to read. I fine-tuned this shelf a lot during 2019, and I now have 31 books that I consider on my TBR. This does not include my Stephen King collection, my Rick Riordan collection, and my Puffin Classics, as these are all books I plan to read and own over the course of my lifetime. That being said, I believe I can empty out my entire TBR shelf in 2020 by either reading or decluttering all 31 of those books!

Speaking of Stephen King, I would like to continue on with my journey in reading his entire bibliography in publishing order. In 2019, I reread both Carrie and ‘Salem’s Lot, and I look forward to picking up The Shining sometime this year. Ideally, I will read at least two Stephen King books in 2020, but I would love to read more! His books are often quite long, and I am sometimes intimidated by the time commitment each book requires. I’ve heard that The Shining is a fast read despite its length, though, so I am excited to get to it soon.

Lastly, I hope that 2020 is the year I finally get my book buying in check. I did a great job in 2019, and this was 100% thanks to the #MyYearofRereading Project. Since I was focused on rereading books, I did not spend a lot of time acquiring new books. My main concern is not with spending money on books, but on buying books in large quantities. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve lost interest in books on my TBR shelf before making an effort to read them. Instead, I plan to use my library to read new-to-me books. If I love a book I read from the library, I can always purchase it for my bookshelves later!

I hope you enjoyed hearing some of my reading goals for 2020. Please share any of your reading resolutions for the new year with me in the comments. I love hearing from other readers! I hope you will also join me over on my bookish Instagram account, @PolishlandReads! I regularly update my story with my current reads, and I post mini-reviews and wrap-ups somewhat regularly. Here’s to a great reading year in 2020!

Why I Reread 50 Books in 2019 | The #MyYearofRereading Project

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As an avid reader and book collector who also happens to be a strong proponent of the KonMari method, my bookshelves are replete with books that sparked so much joy for me upon the first reading that I held onto them for future reference. Yet despite my good intentions over the years, rereading books did not happen very often. With so many new releases and an unending supply of backlist options, I maybe reread a favorite title a few times a year. Eventually, I came to the same conclusion that many readers do at some point: I will never be able to read all the books. I just can’t! Life is too short to consume every work that interests me. If I wanted to reread my favorite books, there was no better time than the present. Thus, the #MyYearofRereading Project was born as 2019 began, and I’m so happy to report that I successfully reread 50 books from my collection, and plan to continue this project into the new decade.

I began the #MyYearofRereading Project by creating some rules for myself. My main goal with this project is to reread the books I own in physical form on my bookshelves. The three guidelines I gave myself are as follows:

  1. If I read the book in 2018, I don’t need to reread it in 2019. However, I can if I choose to do so.
  2. If I don’t feel any desire to reread a book, I will declutter that book. Why was I holding onto it in the first place?
  3. I am not limited to rereading. If I want to read a new-to-me book during the year, I can do so. This will be especially useful when I am attempting to finish a series I’ve already started.

These three rules worked quite effectively for me. As it turns out, the only book from 2018 that I reread in 2019 was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. In terms of decluttering my bookshelves, I only let go of a handful of books. For instance, I finally came to terms with the fact that I am not going to continue on with the Game of Thrones series, and there were a few other titles I chucked when I realized if I truly wanted to read them again, I could just check them out from the library.

The #MyYearofRereading Project in Numbers

Let’s take a closer look at my reading in 2019. In total, I read 68 books, which is the most I’ve ever read in one year, at least in my adult life. Part of that has to do with a lengthened commute, but I do think rereading attributed to the quantity as well.

I am excited to report that over 75% of my reading in 2019 was rereading. Exactly 50 books were rereads from my physical bookshelf, but I also reread two Ebooks, which don’t officially count for the #MyYearofRereading Project since I do not own them in physical form.

One of my biggest takeaways from the #MyYearofRereading Project comes from my reading of new-to-me books. Of the 16 books that I read for the first time in 2019, only seven of them were from my own personal collection, otherwise called my “TBR” or To Be Read Pile. Funnily enough, six of the seven books I read from my TBR were part of a series in some way (either a direct sequel or a spin-off novel). This shows me that, when it comes to reading new-to-me books, I should be utilizing my library more. It seems I am more interested in reading books I don’t own than the ones sitting unread at home!

Since one of my rules mentioned finishing book series, I wanted to take a look at that category as well. Interestingly enough, I only completed two series that I had previously started. However, I ended up rereading three series from start to finish. One of my ongoing struggles as a reader is completing series, and I do find that I am most successful when I read the books back-to-back. Rereading can help me complete a series, but I am a bit more likely to return to a favorite series, than complete a new one. If you have any tips on completing book series, please share in the comments!

The #MyYearofRereading Project Results

As 2019 draws to a close, I am so happy that I gave myself the excuse to reread all year long. I know many readers who find rereading to be a waste of time. The argument is often that there is nothing more to gain from a story if it has already been consumed once. You will not be surprised to find that I wholeheartedly disagree. I learn something new every single time I reread a book, even if I’ve read it several times. For example, one of my most reread books is If I Were a Teenage Fairy by Francesca Lia Block. I first read this book as a child, and each time I pick it up I am amazed at how much I previously missed. This is due to maturity, and learning more about the world around me. But, it is also due to getting to know the characters more with each reading. Additionally, each reread provides me with the opportunity to look at the plot from a new angle. Thus, I find rereading to be quite valuable and enjoyable at the same time.

My Reading Plans for 2020

When I began the #MyYearofRereading Project, I intended for it to only last for 2019. I hoped the project would encourage me to reread on a more consistent basis, but I fully expected I would walk into 2020 with the goal of clearing out my TBR shelf, and only rereading once in a while. However, I loved this project so much that I plan on continuing the #MyYearofRereading Project for the foreseeable future! I do want to read more new-to-me books in 2020, but I will be continuing my journey in rereading. There are still dozens of books on my shelves that I have yet to reread, and I look forward to the day where my personal book collection contains only those books that I have read at least twice.

Follow the #MyYearofRereading Project on Instagram for reviews and reading updates: @PolishlandReads

LUSH Aromaco Deodorant Review | #PlasticFreeJuly

LUSH Aromaco Deodorant Review | #PlasticFreeJuly

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! Today I’m excited to bring you another review of a plastic free beauty product as part of #PlasticFreeJuly. If you would like to learn a bit more about this month-long project, please read THIS blog post. One of my favorite zero waste products is the Aromaco naked deodorant from LUSH. I tried this after having a horrible experience with another natural deodorant, and this is now a staple in my body care routine. Let me tell you a bit more about why I love Aromaco!

I first purchased this deodorant because it is an affordable vegan option that comes without a plastic tube. I was quite hesitant to try it, because Aromaco does contain baking soda, and I had a very bad reaction after using another deodorant with baking soda in the past. Luckily, I think it is far enough down on the ingredients list, because I have not had any irritation at all with this deodorant. In fact, I am very impressed with the formula! It goes onto the skin easily without being sticky, and it doesn’t leave a white-cast on your body or on your clothing. The scent is a bit herbal, but it’s not strong, which I prefer. My only criticism of this product, is that I wish it were a bit stronger. Aromaco is an effective deodorant, but at the end of a hot, sweaty day, my armpits don’t smell as peachy as I would like. Nonetheless, re-applying the product helps take care of any stink, and I find I have to stick my own nose into my armpit to truly smell anything.

Overall, I love the LUSH Aromaco deodorant! One block of it is about $6.95, and it lasts for several months. I’ve already repurchased a second block, and I think this is going to be my go-to deodorant for quite some time! I store mine in a repurposed body scrub jar, and I recommend using any upcycled air-tight container. Can you imagine how much plastic we would prevent from ending up an a landfill just by switching to plastic free deodorant?! I highly recommend giving this one a try!

Have you tried any packaging free deodorants? Share your experience in the comments!