Quaranthings

Admittedly, one of my favorite things about quarantine is is putting "quaran" in front of any word I want in order to make it quarantine conducive. This post for example, are things that are getting me through this quarantine - thus, quaranthings. My mom's birthday was on Friday which makes her a birthday quaranqueen. Quarantine in general, is a larger sign of these quarantimes. And so on and so forth.

So anyway, we are going on six weeks now since I have been banished from my beloved cubicle with a window view at my office, and sent to work from home. In that time states and the Nation as a whole have also locked down. These are the things getting me through these challenging quarantimes.

1.) Tiger King

Obviously. I actually only started watching this because EVERYONE was talking about it and I wanted to be able to participate and laugh along with the class. I made Nate watch it with me and we've been trading Tiger Kings memes back and forth ever since. If there is truly a light in these dark quarantimes, it's Tiger King. America thanks you, Netflix.

2.) Kelsea Ballerini's new album

I'm sure she did not do this on purpose but like, this is kind of the perfect quarantine album. Most of these quarantunes are a really nice mid tempo (with a few slow songs peppered in) that are perfect for like, doing the dishes, cleaning up around the house, writing in your bullet journal, and just generally winding down before you get ready for bed. Current favs: the other girl (with Halsey), love and hate, and needy

3.) The Morning Toast

I have followed Girl With No Job on Instagram for a while now because I think she's really funny, so I knew she had a morning show podcast with one of her sisters but I just never tuned in because it didn't peak my interest. But you know, now since we are living in quarantimes and we are looking for anything and everything to break up the monotony I randomly decided one morning to watch an episode.

It's "a morning show for millennials" that covers a handful of the top news stories in pop culture each day. I don't typically tune in to pop culture shows because it usually also has a political leaning and/or agenda - which is annoying and I'm not down for that. But I found that The Morning Toast for the most part, really and truly is purely pop culture. I love both Claudia and Jackie and their banter is so funny and entertaining. The Morning Toast is available as a podcast but they also do a live stream every morning on Youtube. It's now a morning routine for me to turn on The Morning Toast while I log onto work, check my email, and get my day started.

So for the next few items, one night I was by myself, feeling very ugly and down on the quarantine version of myself that hadn't left my house in seven days, and I googled something like, "self-care products for quarantine" and I found an article about all the cult favorite beauty products on Amazon. I threw caution to the wind and hit that "add to cart" button on a handful of items. These are those items.

4.) This face mask

I am way late to this trend but I am here to tell you this face mask is everything. I hesitated trying it months (years?) ago when it first came out and was super trendy because based on the reviews it was either a miracle worker or turned your face into a war zone. With sensitive skin, was I very afraid of the latter. I've used it three times now and so far I am loving it and it hasn't broken me out. You have the option to mix it with water or apple cider vinegar (ACV) and I went with the ACV. Does it smell like feet when you first put it on your face? Yes. Is the result worth it? Also yes.

5.) This facial spray 

This is also a trend I am late to, that I'm really regretting. It's a facial spray that you can use anywhere, anytime, and it's supposed to hydrate, calm, and refresh your skin all while giving you a dewey glow. Does it do all of those things? I think so? But more importantly this SMELLS like the most beautiful garden of flowers sent from above from the Lord himself, that you have ever smelled in real life and even perhaps in your dreams. It smells HEAVENLY and I spray it on my face three times a day for that very reason. I am gonna use this all summer long and now that I have experienced the Mario Badescu Facial Spray there is no going back. Bonus: a big 8 oz. bottle is only $12.

6.) This eyebrow and eyelash growth serum

Do I have any evidence yet of this actually working? No - it's only been three weeks. Do I care at this point? Also no because it makes me feel pretty and productive and like I am actually putting forth effort into my appearance and that I will emerge from this quarantine with full and lush brows and lashes. That's the hope. Also I can attest - this serum does not irritate my skin or eyes. I was worried based on some reviews of other serums that it would, but this one does not so I am pleased about that. 

7.) This self tanning lotion

Ok so this is not a new discovery but rather, a tried and true self tanning soldier that never lets me down. I don't usually break it out this early in the year however, but again - in these quarantimes when we haven't left our homes and we are feeling less than beautiful - a good tan can quickly remedy that. You don't have to do anything special with this one - just apply it as your everyday moisturizer and watch your beautiful faux tan flourish. You will emerge from The Q looking like the sun-kissed goddess we all should've been this spring. 

What things have been carrying you through these quarantimes?! Share with the class so we can all try them out! 😌