A few weeks ago, I got the motivation to finally work on our entrance way. I loved how the luxury vinyl tile turned our in our mini bathroom renovation HERE and decided I would do the same to our entrance. So I decided to track the process this time around on Instagram and answer any questions that people may had. I need to set the explain a few things first. So I DID put this over tile. It is not the preferred way to do things, but since this is not our forever home, I was looking for a quick fix. If I had more money I would have ripped out everything and done our whole home in a white oak flooring. Maybe in our next home (*fingers crossed). Second, I am not a professional. This is just what I did and it worked for me. 

Step one is to prep the area. I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned- swept, moped, and scrubbed. You bet I did it all. Step two involves leveling and filling in the grout lines so you have a nearly perfect flat surface. I first used a ready-to-use floor patch to fill in the grout lines. I used this one HERE. After it was dry, usually between a few hours and the end of the day, I basically went back to step one. sweep and sweep and sweep. The trick is to make sure there are not major spots where it leaves the floor unleveled. Which, I had two that I completely missed. Andrew and I can spot them, but it's not that noticeable. Next, I use a floor primer to level the area. The primer will also help to get the rest of the gritty bits from the grout filler that was more hard to sweep up.

Step three is a lot of repetition, but its the part where you can finally lay down the tile! This particular tile has the option to use grout. So if you like that look, use spacers. I said in my last blog post that this tile can be problematic, so I use a commercial grade adhesive to make sure it's extra secure. Last time, I found that the adhesive wasn't very sticky. Maybe it is for a sub floor or vinyl but I did not find that was the case for tile. Step four is grouting! I was covering approximately 55 share foot of flooring which needed about 1 tub an a half of the premixed vinyl grout in Saddle Gray that I purchased from Lowe's. 

- I use a box cutter with a razor blade. When I had small cuts, I could use scissors. The floor underneath could possibly be usable again, but had it been in my budget, I would have taken out everything. 

- Hypothetically, the vinyl tile could be removed but there would need to be an extra step of removing the commercial grade adhesive that I decided to use. However, if I wanted to change my flooring completely, I would have to break up the ceramic tile underneath where I laid the vinyl tile on top. That step would have to be done regardless, putting the vinyl did not change the fact that the ceramic would eventually have to go. 

- In short, $233. That is with supplies, tile, and grout. 

If it isn't obvious at this point that I love skincare, then I'm not sure I'm doing it right. For the past month I have had the privilege of trying Y'OUR Skincare exclusively to test out how they work. My skin wasn't the worst its has been like I previously blogged about on here. . I honestly just got a little lazy and on top of everything leveling out my hormones since being post partum. Overall, good skin- just really clogged pored. Plus, my skin texture wasn't as smooth as I wanted it nor was it where it had been when I worked really hard to eliminate what was causing my cystic acne. So no acne, but clogged pores. I can work with that. With Y'OUR, it's gets to know you personally by a short quiz to understand your skin care wants and problems. Which, I looove because I can get a whole routine without having to formulate one on my own. They basically give me all the steps to be successful. 

So down to the real stuff, is it worth it? I think so. Here's the breakdown: simple, delivered to your door, and it formulated just for you (need I say more!!). The one step I wish I had was exfoliation. I started to slip back into bad picking habits (oops).

Unfortunately, I don't have before photos but what I can say is yes my skin is better. Some of the clogged pores either need to be extracted by a professional or I will continue to add exfoliation separately. But what I loved about Y'OUR Skin is that my skin looked hydrated and clear by the end of my trial. Please don't take my word for it, try it yourself, See if it works for you and your skin journey!

xx

Luna

I've a few projects that I am excited to share with you about! But only one at a time, haha. Here is one of a few The Bead Shop Lab. I've always loved creating things- so while we have been social distancing and hunkering at home, I decided to keep my hands busy. 40% of profits go to helping those affected by COVID-19. If you'd like to help follow the link HERE and donate directly or you can get some beads and we will donate on your behalf. 

Prices: 

  Earlier this year, I set out to have my "word for the year." Something that was going to set the tone for my year. Last year, I spent mostly pregnant and just not feeling like myself. I was in bed most days and had no motivation for anything. My word that year was create. I decided to adopt the same word because I wasn't happy with how I ended the year. I didn't create a single thing (only Frankie, which I am very grateful for her little life). It quickly became clear that the Lord had a different word in mind for me— rest. It seemed like everywhere I looked, I could feel the Lord tell me that this year was about rest. Slowing down, and return to a garden-like state.
 Then COVID-19 hit. And if I didn't understand before, it was now clear that my word was rest.  I have this terribly, insistent need to have "arrived." I find the journey painfully slow. No surprise. However, lately its like the Lord has been speaking to me about this. A few months ago we went on a long family road trip that was over the course of 8 days. We stoped in several different places, went on hikes, and visited friends and family. It was lovely. I spent the first few days itching to get to where we needed to be next. I just wanted to get to a place so we could have our vacation. What I didn't realize was that the journey was just as important as the end destination.
  For the last few weeks, my temple heart took a few days to really sit still. To just be. I've had to fight the urge from saying, "Okay, I've rested, now what?" Because I knew if I uttered those words, then I really wasn't getting the point. If I have learned anything from walking with my God, it's that He is more interested in my journey than I have a need to feel like I've "arrived." He cares more about my process. 

There are somethings you don't know until you succumb to the stillness, when all the fluff of life is gone. Who are we when all that is stripped away? What friendships matter? What kind of parents are we when we let go of our activities and rigid schedules? What kind of people are we when we lose the facade? In this season, we've been given the gift of time. We are in need of learning to rest and reflect. This is a Divine pause—use it wisely! Take a walk, create art, have a meaningful conversation, eat a good meal— connect with the Creator! He's all around you, present for it all, in the little and the mundane. He stands witness to our lives and nothing is wasted in His presence. Actively practice Sabbath with Him. 

xx
Luna

It's no secret that they are my favorite store. You can probably tell by me shop my favs page.  For my birthday, all I asked for was "Madewell money" and my family did not disappoint. I love their timeless look and Parisian effortless vibe. Madewell is running a crazy good deal on their jeans right now! If you want to take advantage of their $75 jeans, I made a roundup of ones that I am coveting, currently have, or bought. But hurry because it ends tomorrow! Use code SWEETDEAL

xx

Luna