Category: Lifestyle

Amy’s Rice Mac & Cheeze Review | Vegan & Gluten Free Mac and Cheese

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I am excited to share a review of the Amy’s Rice Mac & Cheeze with you. A few weeks back I had a craving for boxed macaroni and cheese. Yes, boxed mac and cheese specifically! I know there are some vegan varieties out there, but unfortunately my local grocery store doesn’t carry any. I luckily spotted the Amy’s Rice Mac & Cheeze in the freezer section, and internally squealed with joy! My mac and cheese craving was about to be conquered!

This box was a bit expensive at $3.69, especially when compared to what boxed mac and cheese normally costs, but it was worth it for a special treat! Amy’s Rice Mac & Cheeze is not only vegan, but it is gluten free and soy free as well, so it’s great if you have a lot of food allergies. This is, of course, a junk food, and it is very high in fat at a whopping 22 grams. Luckily, it has 8 grams of protein, which I think is pretty good for this small container. Once I got home I noticed that the product is made using Daiya cheese. I think Daiya has a very specific and acquired taste, so I was a bit nervous about how this would be. Luckily, I really enjoyed it!

Here is what the Mac & Cheeze looks like once it is cooked. I used the microwave, but it can also be made in a conventional oven. It may not look that appetizing, but it’s quite delicious and definitely satisfied my mac and cheese craving! I love how creamy the sauce is, and the pasta has a nice texture to it. I don’t think I’ve ever had rice pasta before, but it’s really tasty in this dish. I wouldn’t say this tastes exactly like non-vegan mac and cheese, but it is a close substitute for sure.

You can tell I am a big fan of this product because I repurchased it the next time I went to the grocery store! This time I added some sautéed broccoli and chickpeas to the pasta to add some more nutrients. It was absolutely delicious! I will definitely be experimenting with this more in the future. I bet there are a lot more combinations that would taste great and also make the meal a bit healthier.

All in all, I’m very happy with the Amy’s Rice Mac & Cheeze! If you need to satisfy a mac and cheese craving, this is a great way to go. I will be sure to buy this again in the future, but I’m also hoping my grocery store will get a boxed vegan mac and cheese, since that will be a more affordable option. I also plan to try to make my own mac and cheese at home, but sometimes I just love the boxed variety!

What is your favorite vegan mac and cheese? Let me know in the comments!

Oh, Hello Stationery Co. Makeup Bag Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I am excited to share with you a makeup bag from one of my favorite small businesses, Oh, Hello Stationery Co. I first stumbled upon this online store in the planner community, and have purchased the brand’s stickers for nearly two years now. Oh, Hello has since expanded its product line to include enamel pins, mugs, and more. One of the newest available products is makeup bags! I was sent one as a gift from the company, and couldn’t wait to show it off here on my blog. I think many of you will love these fabulous and affordable makeup bags!

The Oh, Hello makeup bags are made from neoprene material, similar to many laptop and tablet cases. Each bag features an original design from the brand on the front panel, and a solid black background. While there are 10 designs available for purchase on the Oh, Hello website HERE, if there is a pattern from the brand that you enjoy, you can email the shop for a custom order. I picked out the design called Sage Victorian, which is from a past sticker kit. In addition to choosing a design, you can also opt to customize the bag with your name or a short quote.

The first thing I noticed about the makeup bag is how big it is! The bag measures 9.5 x 5.75 inches, and I put a standard size Ipsy bag next to it in the photo above so you can see how it compares. I appreciate that the bag comes with a sturdy zipper as well, so I don’t need to worry about it opening in my suitcase during travel.

I wanted you to see the size of the makeup bag in action. I put together the makeup products that I would bring with me for a vacation, and they all easily fit into the bag with room to spare. When I travel with this bag, I will also put in my makeup brushes! I can’t believe how much easily fits into this bag. The one thing I don’t like about the bag, however, is also something I do like, and that is the lack of structure. I like to organize my items when packing, but with this makeup bag everything is just thrown in due to the stretchy fabric. That being said, this stretch allows you to pack products that are all different shapes and sizes, as the fabric adjusts to the shape of the items. Thus, while I would ideally like a bag with more structure or compartments, I also love that the bag easily fits everything I need and more.

All in all, I am beyond happy with my new makeup bag from Oh, Hello Stationery Co.! This will definitely be my new go-to bag for travel. The makeup bag retails for just $13.95 on Oh Hello’s website HERE. This is a great deal for any makeup bag, but especially one from a small business featuring a unique design you can’t get anywhere else. If you shop this weekend, May 19 – May 21, 2017, you can save 25% on your entire Oh, Hello purchase through the Planner Boss Collective Sale (full details HERE). If you miss the sale, you can still save 15% using my coupon code POLISH15 at checkout any time. I look forward to using this makeup bag and buying some as gifts for friends during the holidays!

Do you have a go-to makeup bag? Let me know in the comments!

The product in this post was a gift from the brand. This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Kashi Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I’m excited to review another vegan food product with all of you. I recently spotted some new Kashi bowls at my local grocery store, and decided to pick one up to have on hand. I don’t know about you, but I always keep what I call “emergency meals” stashed in my freezer. There are just some days where I’ll be too tired to cook, or maybe I’m in a rush and don’t have time to cook. That’s when freezer meals really come in handy! The Kashi Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl not only sounded delicious, but it looked quite hearty for a microwavable meal. Let me share my thoughts on this product with you!

I found the Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl for $3.29 regular price. While that is a bit pricy for a frozen meal, it’s much more affordable than ordering takeout! This particular meal is inspired by Central American cuisine, and contains polenta mixed with plantains, black beans, sweet potato, and kale in an ancho chili sauce. I really appreciate that Kashi mentions it is vegan right on the front of the box so I don’t have to pay close attention to the ingredients list. It’s also great that this small bowl contains 7g of fiber and 9g of protein! I think that’s pretty good for one of my “emergency meals.”

Here is what the meal looks like after it is cooked in the microwave. I admit it doesn’t look too appetizing, but that’s mainly because of the stirring it goes through while cooking. I’m actually quite impressed with how delicious the Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl tastes! It is a bit spicy, so keep that in mind if you don’t like spicy food. The plantains are definitely the main part of the meal. The taste and texture almost remind me of the fried chicken I used to get at Chinese food restaurants! Overall, I think the mix of flavors is delicious. You get spice from the sauce, but the plantains and sweet potatoes add a nice sweetness to the dish as well. I’m quite happy with how yummy this quick and easy meal option is!

All in all, I definitely think you should give the Kashi Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl a try! I’ve repurchased this meal a few times now, and it is great to have on hand. Make sure to keep an eye out for sales and coupons as well – I scored these for 2 for $5.00 a while back! I hope you found this review helpful if you’ve been curious about this Kashi meal. I think it tastes great for a frozen dinner, and I’m going to continue to try more options from Kashi in the future.

Have you tried a Kashi bowl? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Lärabar Peanut Butter Cookie Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I’m excited to bring you a review of another new-to-me vegan product. I recently traveled on a quick road trip, and wanted to pick up a snack to bring with me just in case I found myself in a situation where vegan food wasn’t readily available. I found the Lärabar Peanut Butter Cookie bars at my local grocery store, and decided to pick up a box since they sounded delicious, but also seemed like they could tide me over between meals if necessary. Luckily, I didn’t need to eat any bars during my trip as it was easy to find vegan options, but I’ve certainly enjoyed them at home.

I picked out the Peanut Butter Cookie variety of Lärabar not only because it sounded delicious, but because each bar contains 7g of protein. I think that is a good amount for one small bar, and knew it would be a nice item to have on hand should I need it during my road trip. I’ve never tried any Lärabar products before, so I was really amazed when I looked at the ingredients list on this product and saw only three things: dates, peanuts, and sea salt. Talk about simple ingredients! I also love that the packaging is very clear for those who are looking for a food product for a specific diet. This bar is gluten free, dairy free, soy free, vegan, and kosher.

Here is a look at the bar itself. It doesn’t look amazing, but it really tastes delicious! I love dates and peanut butter, so I’m honestly not surprised that I like the bar. The texture is quite like a cookie, too. The bar is quite filling, but it is definitely a snack and not a meal replacement. I think this is a great bar to keep in your purse or at your desk in case you need a quick pick-me-up throughout the day. While it’s not as amazing as eating an actual cookie, of course, this Lärabar is quite yummy, and I love the simple ingredients.

All in all, I am a big fan of the Peanut Butter Cookie bars from Lärabar. They are a bit on the expensive side, so I do not plan to buy them regularly. However, I do see myself getting these for future trips, or for those times where I want to make sure I have food on me when there might be slim pickings on vegan options. I also look forward to trying other products from Lärabar! Please let me know in the comments if you have any favorites from this brand.

 

Book Review | Beautiful Broken Girls by Kim Savage

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Beautiful Broken Girls by Kim Savage

Published by Farrar, Straus, & Giroux Inc. on February 23, 2017

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Contemporary

Format: eARC

Pages: 336

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads: ★★★★ 

Remember the places you touched me.

The parts of Mira Cillo that Ben touched are etched on his soul.

Palm. Hair. Chest. Cheek. Lips. Throat. Heart.

It was the last one that broke her. After her death, Mira sends Ben on a quest for notes she left in the seven places where they touched—notes that explain why she and her sister, Francesca, drowned themselves in the quarry. How Ben interprets those notes has everything to do with the way he was touched by a bad coach years before. But the truth behind the girls’ suicides is far more complicated, involving a dangerous infatuation, a deadly miracle, and a crushing lie.

REVIEW

Beautiful Broken Girls by Kim Savage is a young adult mystery novel surrounding the horrifying death of the Cillo sisters after they were found at the bottom of the quarry. No one knows why Mira and Francesca drowned – was it an accident or a suicide? Shortly after their bodies are discovered, Mira’s boyfriend Ben receives a letter from her in the mail. This letter is the first in a series of notes that Mira left in all of the places Ben touched her during their relationship. Ben must hunt down these letters to solve the mystery of the Cillos’s death. What follows is an extremely creepy and captivating novel that I absolutely loved.

I was instantly hooked by Savage’s writing style, and flew through this book in a few short days. The story is extremely fast-paced, and I really enjoyed the treasure hunt aspect of this story with Ben trying to find Mira’s letters as soon as possible. Savage does an excellent job at creating a mysterious and ominous vibe. Even the letters that Ben finds are written so cleverly! I could never predict where the story was going, and that added to my enjoyment of the book.

I will say that I know this story is not for everyone. If you like books with a solid conclusion, Beautiful Broken Girls is not for you. In fact, I read many negative reviews of this book, and nearly every one mentions the open ending. For me, this ending was absolutely perfect for the novel. Not only does it add to the mystery, but it allows the reader to think of all the possible outcomes. What really happened? What didn’t? These loose ends only made me think about this book more and appreciate the rereadability of the story.

Moreover, I do question why it was necessary for Ben to be a survivor of sexual abuse. While this does play into the plot a bit, the story would still hold up without this storyline. Plus, the details surrounding this event are quite iffy. Ben mentions more than once that he never remembers the sexual assault happening, and that his name was just on a list. Thus, while I appreciate the author’s attempt to show the lasting effects of this trauma and how the survivor is treated in society, this storyline felt a bit out of place in the book for me.

Similarly, even though I loved the open-ending, I do wish we got more information about a couple things. Namely, the youth pastor, Mr. Falso, who plays a very important role in Beautiful Broken Girls. He is talked about less and less as the book goes on, and readers never get to find out what he does with the information he collects. I would also love an epilogue with the printing of a certain article, but I will leave out the details so as to not mention spoilers.

My only other critique is that I did find a plot hole in the book. In one scene, Ben mentions that he hasn’t seen his friend since a fight broke out earlier in the book. However, this friend was in another scene after that fight. I did not consider this minor plot hole when rating this novel, as I read an advanced copy and do not know if it was fixed in later editing.

Otherwise, I think Beautiful Broken Girls is a great mystery story that deals with interesting topics I don’t read a lot about in young adult literature. I could relate to the Italian family heritage discussed in the book, and perhaps that is why I felt a strong bond with the characters. This book is unbelievably sad, and my heart especially goes out to Mr. Cillo. I can’t imagine what he is feeling as this book comes to a close.

In the end, I absolutely loved Beautiful Broken Girls, and I definitely recommend it if you are looking for a creepy mystery. Keep in mind that this book deals with serious topics, including sexual abuse, self harm, suicide, and more. However, this story provided me with a lot to think about, and the fast-pace kept me hooked from beginning to end. I am very interested to pick up Kim Savage’s other books, and hope to do so in the future!

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Affiliate links used. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Breyers Non-Dairy Oreo Cookies & Cream Review | Vegan Ice Cream!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Now that I’ve been vegan for eight months, I’ve started to get a bit more adventurous with food. I’m trying a lot more vegan products from the grocery store, and I’ve also tried more recipes this past year than I have in my entire life (seriously). I thought it would be fun to share my thoughts on the food I’m currently trying with all of you here on the blog! Whenever I have a food post, it will go live on a Friday. I’m sure I won’t post a Food Friday every week, but I will keep my food related posts to Fridays from now on so you’ll know when to expect them. I recently found the new Breyers vegan ice cream at my local grocery store and scooped it up right away (pun intended). Let me share my thoughts on the Breyers Non-Dairy Oreo Cookies & Cream!

Breyers recently released two vegan ice cream flavors, which are technically called Frozen Almond Milk Dessert – Vanilla Peanut Butter and Oreo Cookies & Cream. While I do love peanut butter, I had to try the cookies and cream flavor first. This ice cream is almond milk based, similar to what is offered by Ben & Jerry’s. I have tried a few of the vegan options from Ben & Jerry’s, but unfortunately that ice cream is very expensive and, while delicious, does not mimic traditional ice cream’s taste perfectly. I just had to see if Breyers could do better, especially since this 1.5 Quart container costs only $3.49 regular price!

Here is a quick photo of the helpful icon on the side of the carton that mentions this is suitable for vegans. I always appreciate when products either have a vegan label or clearly state that the product is vegan. I’ve actually spotted some non-dairy ice cream products at the grocery store that still contain other animal ingredients, so I’m really glad Breyers is appealing to vegans directly!

Without further ado, let’s talk about the ice cream! I am absolutely in love with it! Breyers has so closely mimicked the taste of cow’s milk ice cream that I bet if you gave this to a non-vegan he/she wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. This Oreo Cookies & Cream is very creamy and sweet, and I can really taste the Oreos whilst eating it. I have nothing negative to say about it at all! I’m in love with this delicious treat, and I’m going to need to force myself not to pick it up every time I go grocery shopping. Huge thanks to Breyers for doing such an amazing job with this vegan ice cream!

If you’re able to find the new Breyers vegan ice cream at your local grocery store, I definitely recommend giving it a try. I hope Breyers will continue to release even more flavors in this line of products. It’s always really exciting to me when a non-vegan company begins producing vegan items. It shows that vegans have a big impact on the market! Additionally, I hope you enjoyed my first Food Friday post. I’m excited to share more about what I’m eating here on the blog, but I will, of course, keep the beauty posts coming as well.

Have you tried vegan ice cream? Let me know in the comments!

5 Secrets to Successful Clearance Sale Shopping!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to share with you five of my best tips for scoring big at clearance sales. I was recently scouring the racks at the mall looking for some new pieces for my spring wardrobe, and I realized that some of the tricks I implement when shopping can be helpful to others. Not only do I always buy things on sale, but I also worked in retail clothing stores during high school and college, so I learned my way around the clearance racks from the inside! Let me share with you my top five secrets to successful clearance sale shopping!

 

All of the tips I’m sharing with you today are based on shopping for clothing on clearance. However, feel free to adapt them to whatever product you are hoping to buy!

SECRET 1: Look through ALL of the clothing racks no matter the size!

Clearance racks get very disorganized at clothing stores no matter how many times the associates organize them, and items get put back in the wrong place all the time. I’ve gotten in the habit of looking through the entire clearance section of every store so I don’t miss out on amazing pieces that are just stuffed into the wrong place. Plus, sizes range dramatically from brand to brand, and sometimes even within the same brand. Make sure you don’t limit yourself by just looking through one size rack!

SECRET 2: Use a coupon to save even more money! 

Many stores allow customers to use coupons on clearance items. I like to plan out my shopping trips, and try to search for coupons at home before I go to the store. That allows me to read through the fine print on the coupon and see if there are any exclusions. However, if I end up in a store unplanned, I simply whip out my iPhone while shopping and do a quick search for coupons online. You can easily show the cashier the coupon right on your phone without needing to print it. This saves paper, too!

SECRET 3: Only buy items you will actually wear! 

I know first hand how tempting it is to buy clothing just because it’s cheap. This is especially true if it’s from a name brand I really like. Always make sure the item you are buying is in good condition, and that you will actually wear it. If you can’t visualize yourself wearing the item regularly (or for a specific event if it is a fancy dress, for example), don’t buy it. It’s better to buy an $80 blouse that you wear every week than ten $10 blouses you don’t really like and end up living in your closet.

SECRET 4: Try items on in the store! 

I always try on clothes in the store, but this is even more important when you are buying clearance items, as some stores do not allow returns or exchanges on discounted merchandise. You do not want to be stuck with ill-fitting jeans even if you did spend just $20 on them! Of course, some items can look very different on your body than they do on the hanger, so it’s always helpful to see how it fits your shape, too.

SECRET 5: Look at each item of clothing! 

In addition to looking through the entire clearance section, I recommend looking at each individual item of clothing. This is going to be a time consuming process, but I always find more hidden gems when I go through the clearance racks carefully. At my first retail job, my manager taught me how to tidy the hangers by pushing all of the clothing down to the end of the rack, and then moving each item to the other side to neaten it. This is now the technique I use when shopping! You never know what is hidden between bulky sweaters, or falling off a hanger in the middle of a stuffed rack.

That wraps up my five secrets to successful clearance sale shopping! While these tips do require you to take your time looking through the clearance racks, I think it is worth it in the end. You won’t find a hidden gem every time you shop, but I know when I implement these tricks I usually find much more! I hope that you found my shopping secrets helpful, and that you can use them the next time you go shopping! Feel free to share your finds with me on social media using the hashtag #PolishlandSaves!

What are your shopping secrets?! Share with me in a comment!

Book Review | Roseblood by A.G. Howard

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Roseblood by A.G. Howard

Published by Amulet Books on January 10, 2017

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Format: eARC

Pages: 432

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads: ★★

This YA novel from New York Times bestselling author A. G. Howard marks the beginning of a new era for fans of the Splintered series. Rune Germaine moves to a boarding school outside of Paris, only to discover that at this opera-house-turned-music-conservatory, phantoms really do exist. RoseBlood is a Phantom of the Opera–inspired retelling in which Rune’s biggest talent—her voice—is also her biggest curse. Fans of Daughter of Smoke and Bone and the Splintered series will find themselves captivated by this pulse-pounding spin on a classic tale.

Rune, whose voice has been compared to that of an angel, has a mysterious affliction linked to her talent that leaves her sick and drained at the end of every performance. Convinced creative direction will cure her, her mother ships her off to a French boarding school for the arts, rumored to have a haunted past.

Shortly after arriving at RoseBlood conservatory, Rune starts to believe something otherworldly is indeed afoot. The mystery boy she’s seen frequenting the graveyard beside the opera house doesn’t have any classes at the school, and vanishes almost as quickly as he appears. When Rune begins to develop a secret friendship with the elusive Thorn, who dresses in clothing straight out of the 19th century, she realizes that in his presence she feels cured. Thorn may be falling for Rune, but the phantom haunting RoseBlood wants her for a very specific and dangerous purpose. As their love continues to grow, Thorn is faced with an impossible choice: lead Rune to her destruction, or save her and face the wrath of the phantom, the only father he’s ever known.

A. G. Howard brings the romantic storytelling that Splintered fans adore to France—and an entirely new world filled with lavish romance and intrigue—in a retelling inspired by a story that has captivated generations. Fans of both The Phantom of the Opera musical and novel, as well as YA retellings such as Marissa Meyer’s Cinder, will devour RoseBlood.

BOOK REVIEW

I was so excited to read Roseblood after hearing that it is a retelling of The Phantom of the Opera, and gratefully received an Ebook copy to review from the publisher. I loved the story concept behind Roseblood, in which a teenager named Rune attends an opera school in France where she meets a mysterious man who is helping her control her singing voice. Unfortunately, the book is executed all wrong for me, and I found it challenging to read to the end.

If you are going to read Roseblood, I definitely recommend being familiar with the original story. I saw both the stage and film adaptations of The Phantom of the Opera, but it has been years since I saw either, and I think I would catch on more to the little details in this novel if the story was fresh in my mind. I think watching the film before picking up Roseblood will help you understand more of what’s going on, and also increase your enjoyment of the book.

Moreover, my biggest issue with Roseblood is the book’s pacing. The story is very slow from start to finish, and it took me twice as long to read this than a normal young adult book typically does. Not only did it take a very long time for anything exciting to happen, but because there was such a long build-up, I kept putting the book down because there was nothing interesting to hold my attention.

Similarly, I found that the author missed many opportunities in the book. There were multiple times in the novel for a big and exciting reveal, but then the “Aha!” moment is answered quickly in passing. For example, readers know early on in Roseblood that Rune is some sort of paranormal creature. When we finally find out what kind of creature she is, it’s dropped into a sentence and never explained. These missed opportunities happen at other points in the story, making the moments where I expected big reveals very anticlimactic.

As I mentioned earlier, I absolutely loved the story idea behind Roseblood. However, the plot feels like it is reaching a bit to fit together. I appreciate all the research the author did to fit in a lot of historical details, but I felt like the building blocks holding the book in place were quite weak and could tumble at any moment. I’m disappointed that the plot felt so contrived.

Additionally, I was a bit put off by the romance. Although I really liked who Rune’s love interest is, and their history together, the love scenes felt too much like a cheesy romance novel. I fully recognize that this is a personal preference, and if you enjoy reading traditional romance books, you will probably adore the romance in Roseblood. When I couple the love scenes with the way the book ended, I feel a bit uncomfortable about the way things leave off, and disappointed that an awesome fantasy could end in such a way.

Finally, I want to talk a bit about Rune as a protagonist. She is a likable enough character, and I definitely empathize with her for all that she’s gone through in her life. Unfortunately, she has a huge character flaw in that she trusts people way too much. Rune will wholeheartedly trust whomever she is speaking with at that moment in time, but when the next person comes along with a contradictory opinion, she immediately changes her mind and trusts the new person. I wish Rune would use her own mind and intelligence more instead of blindly following others.

I also really did not like how Rune is so concerned with her love interest’s physical features. Although she does mention she would still love him if he were disfigured, Rune is beyond relieved when he has the perfect face and the amazing body that readers hear about far too often. When I contrast how much the book focuses on the beautiful person being good and the disfigured person being evil, I get a very bad taste in my mouth.

In the end, I am very disappointed with Roseblood, and would only recommend this to those who are Phantom super fans or those who really like romance novels. The slow pace, contrived plot, and lackluster protagonist just didn’t work for me.

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This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

100 Habits to Track in Your Planner | #PlanWithPolishland

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! I’m so excited to be sharing a new #PlanWithPolishland blog post with all of you. It’s been a while since I’ve written about my planning life, but you can catch new PlanTube videos on my YouTube channel HERE at least twice per week. Today I thought it would be helpful to share my ideas for habits to track in your planner. I discovered habit tracker stickers last year, and I’ve really enjoyed using them. I use a habit tracker for those tasks that I really want to be a part of my daily routine, but have a difficult time implementing. If you are new to tracking habits, or simply looking for planner inspiration, here are 100 habits to track in your planner!

This list includes the habits that I track on a regular basis, and other habits that I brainstormed with some help from family. I’ve separated the habits out into categories, which are alphabetized for your convenience. Please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list, and that many of the habits can fit in multiple categories. I worded many of the habits in the vernacular I used in my own planner, so if you have any questions about what a habit means, feel free to ask me in the comments!

I also want to note that I only track 2-3 habits per week in my planner. I treat my habit tracker stickers as reminders for the things I want to work on right now. For example, if I’m forgetting to take my vitamins, I track that this week. Next week, however, I’ll probably track something else. It’s all about focusing on the now for me, but I know many people track the same habits each week. Do what works for you!

If you are looking for habit tracker stickers, I recommend THESE from Oh, Hello Stationery, Co.

Adulting Tasks

  • Pay Bills
  • No Spend
  • Spending Log / Budget
  • 365 Day Penny Challenge
  • Read Newspaper / Watch News
  • Cook at Home
  • Plan Meals / Meal Prep
  • Make Coffee at Home
  • Didn’t Bite Nails
  • Sort and File Mail
  • Wake Up at “X” Time
  • Network
  • Set Out Clothes for Tomorrow
  • Hang Up Jacket
  • Get to Work Early
  • Check Sale Websites
  • Complete To Do List
  • Charge Cell Phone / Devices
  • Unplug Before Bed

Blogger Tasks

  • Answer Emails
  • Take / Edit Blog Photos
  • Post on Blog / YouTube
  • Reply to Comments
  • Comment on other Blogs / Videos
  • Post on Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest
  • Social Media Engagement
  • Update Old Blog Posts
  • Participate in Blogger Groups
  • Check Affiliate Programs
  • Search Review Websites
  • Plan Blog / Online Content

Etsy Shop Owner Tasks

  • Reply to Messages
  • Pack Orders
  • Ship Orders
  • Update Listings
  • Post to Social Media
  • Check Shop Statistics
  • Stock Inventory

Health & Beauty

  • Morning Skincare
  • Evening Skincare
  • Face Mask
  • Lotion at Bedtime
  • Floss Teeth / Oral Care Routine
  • Wash BeautyBlender
  • Paint Nails
  • Change / Wash Contacts
  • Take Vitamins / Prescriptions
  • Exercise
  • Walk Daily Steps
  • Drink 8+ Cups of Water
  • Eat 5+ Fruits & Vegetables
  • No Junk Food
  • Meat Free / Dairy Free / Sugar Free Day
  • Food Journal / Track Nutrients
  • 8 Hours of Sleep

Household Chores

  • Dishes
  • Wipe Counters
  • Change Kitchen Towel
  • Clear Kitchen Table
  • Bathroom Upkeep
  • Laundry
  • Make Bed
  • 15-minute Pick-Up
  • Declutter an Item
  • Take out Trash
  • Empty Car
  • Vacuum / Sweep Floors
  • Water Plants

Parenting

  • Pack Diaper Bag
  • Successful Nap Time
  • Bathtime
  • Check Backpack
  • Review Homework
  • Make School Lunch
  • Outing with Kids (i.e., park, shopping, playdate)

Personal Goals / “Me Time”

  • Read for Fun
  • Journal / Write
  • Q & A a Day Entry
  • Plan Tomorrow
  • Craft (i.e., crochet, cross stitch, scrapbook)
  • Practice Instrument
  • Duolingo (Foreign Language App)
  • Lumosity (Brain Games App)
  • Listen to Podcast
  • Crowdtap (Survey Website)
  • Meditate
  • Color
  • Call / Text a Loved One
  • Write Letters
  • Take Bath
  • Take Daily Photo
  • Positive Affirmations
  • Spend 15 Minutes Outside
  • Random Act of Kindness

Pets

  • Clean Litter Box
  • Walk Dog
  • Feed Pet / Give Water
  • Brush Pet
  • Brush Pet’s Teeth
  • Practice Tricks / Discipline

What habits do you track? Let me know in the comments!

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Book Review | Buffering by Hannah Hart

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Buffering by Hannah Hart

Published by Dey Street Books on October 18, 2016

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 272

Source: Library

Goodreads: ★★★1/2

The wildly popular YouTube personality and author of the New York Times bestseller My Drunk Kitchen is back!

This time, she’s stirring up memories and tales from her past. By combing through the journals that Hannah has kept for much of her life, this collection of narrative essays deliver a fuller picture of her life, her experiences, and the things she’s figured out about family, faith, love, sexuality, self-worth, friendship and fame. Revealing what makes Hannah tick, this sometimes cringe-worthy, poignant collection of stories is sure to deliver plenty of Hannah’s wit and wisdom, and hopefully encourage you to try your hand at practicing reckless optimism.

BOOK REVIEW

I’ve been a subscriber of YouTuber Hannah Hart for a few years now, and I decided to pick up her second book, Buffering, after hearing so many good things about it. Buffering is a memoir that features a set of personal essays chronicling Hannah’s life. I highly recommend reading this book if you watch Hannah’s videos regularly, or even just every once in a while. I never could have guessed Hannah’s story, and I’m so glad I got this peek into her life.

I really appreciated Hannah sharing her story in Buffering. I found this book extremely inspirational, as Hannah has gone through some truly horrific things in her life, but she has continued to move forward and persevere. Because Buffering is quite short in length, I will not go into much detail about the essays themselves. However, they cover topics such as family, mental health, sexuality, and more. I can tell Hannah was holding back a lot of detail from the reader, and I hope she will open up even further in the future.

Buffering is the fourth “YouTuber book” that I’ve read, and unfortunately it does contain some of the same writing flaws that I’ve discovered in those other YouTuber books. First, there are many instances of repetition in Buffering. People and places are introduced to the reader multiple times as if they had not yet been mentioned in the book. In addition, there are a few times when the memoir takes a turn and becomes a “how to” advice book instead. I think this is due to online creators being used to speaking directly to their audiences in video form, but it feels out of place in a memoir. I’ve also read several celebrity memoirs in the past, and neither of these scenarios seem to arise in them.

Moreover, I found that Hannah’s writing style was much stronger in the included journal entries than in the actual book. Perhaps this is due to the fact that Hannah is writing the book to her fans, and speaking to them as she would in a YouTube video. I wish we got more of the beautiful and poetic writing of Hannah’s journal entries. Hannah is a very intelligent person, and at times I felt like she wasn’t writing to her full potential.

Nonetheless, I’m glad I read Buffering, as it helped me learn more about Hannah. Not only do I respect and admire her even more than I already did, but this book provided me with more confidence in my own life. I know that it will help many other readers, too. Buffering is an emotional and hopeful read, and I think all of Hannah’s viewers should read it.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Affiliate links used. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.