Coming into 2018 was a mixed bag of feelings. I was sad that 2017 was over because it was epic. The best year that I have had in my recent ‘adulthood,’ so moving forward was hard. I was, however, motivated to make 2018 even better. Past years always teach me so much. So much about my strengths and weaknesses, faults and challenges.
In 2017, I traveled to 42 cities through 15 countries and each opportunity brought on new ways to organizing my life so I can continue to push and meet my goals to achieve my dreams. One thing my mom told me at the beginning of 2017 {as we knew what the year ahead was going to be like} was to find ways to simplify my life and so I came up with a series of life hacks that I live by. Always. Start thinking about some of your life hacks too!
Google Home Mini
Little did I know that one day I would have full-fledged conversations with something labeled as a ‘smart speaker.’ A Google Home Mini allows me to use voice commands to do just about anything. My at-home intelligent personal assistant for when I’m cooking, hosting friends, trying to play music or even need to sort out my heating or other appliances.
My favorite uses are playing trivia with friends when they’re over {we make it into a drinking game}, turning on and off music, asking basic cooking/baking conversion questions, make amendments to my schedule and calendar.
You can get your Google Home system from AO.com!
What I Wore
night slip c/o COSABELLA
Emergency Purse Kit
I hate shoving everything big and small from one purse to the next. My biggest pet peeve is looking for a lip balm that obviously is sitting at the very, very bottom of your large tote. I decided early on in 2017 that I was going to put together a little kit of beauty things I don’t necessarily always need, but despair over when I forget it at home…
I put together a little vanity kit, the size of a cardholder, of some essentials. In mine, I usually keep a travel tampon {not pictured because I used it}, perfume {to freshen up}, blotting paper {because oily is not the same as highlight}, hand-face cream {winter is tough}, tinted lip balm and a wet towelette. What would you add to yours?
A Go-To Outfit
One thing every woman needs in her close is a wrap dress. A simple black wrap dress can go so far. It’s feminine, powerful, flirty, romantic and anything else you want it to be. I keep one in my closet and have a few variations on how to wear it making it the perfect staple for those ‘stumped sartorial’ days.
You can find more ways to wear wrap dresses here or shop this Baukjen one here! Also, Baukjen will be giving C&É readers 20% on their brand new Spring/Summer collection {including this wrap dress} with the code: CE20! You can shop the full collection here!
What I Wore
dress c/o BAUKJEN coat ANN TAYLOR sunnies H&M boots c/o NEXT
Low-Battery Mode
I was recently meeting up with Ngoni who immediately texted me to bring my external battery pack before I met up with her. As we sat there catching up, talking shop and gossiping—we charged up her battery. Afterwards, I told her how I keep my phone on low-battery mode to keep all the apps from functioning in the background. Doubles the life of my phone and keeps me from having to find power on hectic days.
To turn your iPhone on low battery mode: simply click ‘settings’ then scroll down to ‘battery’ and switch the ‘low power mode’ on. You will also find a list of apps that you use regularly that might be eating up your power more.
Have Ciroc on hand
Not sponsored, I promise! I was sent a bottle about a year ago, which I went through quite easily as I tend to host friends a lot. Living in Central London means friends pop in at any time and any day, so I like to have Ciroc on hand. It’s a “softer” vodka, quite easy to drink and can be mixed pretty easily. I always have juice on me and keep a couple of small cans of tonic and you can easily put together a vodka tonic with a touch of flavor. A really random on the list of life hacks, but necessary!
My favorite variations: rasp-cranberry juice, fresh lime, tonic. mango-passion fruit, fresh clementine, tonic. apple juice, ginger beer, cinnamon, tonic, stick.
So any life hacks you have to make your days just a touch easier?
