Merry Hill | Kim's Bridal Portraits | A Mebane, NC Wedding Photographer

My Haircare & Skincare Routine

I thought it would be fun to share my haircare and skincare routine with you and to give you tips on my favorite products! I'd love to hear your suggestions too!

Haircare:
Here's my typical haircare routine. I don't do all of this every day! I use different products depending on how I'm styling my hair. On days when you're not planning to style your hair, it's a good idea to deep condition your hair and/or to use a leave-in moisturizer to keep your hair healthy.

Shampoo and Condition
I try and switch my shampoo and conditioner up pretty frequently. THIS is one of my favorites and I'm planning on purchasing THIS one soon. I've also heard THIS one is great. It's also important to use a clarifying shampoo once every week or two like THIS one. I also use THIS deep conditioner once a week to keep my hair healthy and strong. After hearing rave reviews, I also recently purchased THIS leave-in conditioner and LOVE it (I use it about once a week).

Texturizing Spray
I recently purchased THIS texturizing spray and have been impressed! It gives your hair a little extra volume without making it stiff or sticky. This is unlike a lot of texturizing sprays in that it's best to use it while your hair is still wet. I also periodically use THIS spray on dry hair when I want a "beachy" look (it makes your hair smell amazing!). I've also heard THIS one is really good (but it's pricey).

Mousse
I periodically use mousse when I want a big hairstyle with lots of volume. I'm actually on the hunt for a new good mousse. I've used redken in the past but would like something different. I'd welcome any suggestions! Based off reviews, I'm considering THIS one or THIS one.

Dry Shampoo
I only wash my hair every other day and so I use dry shampoo several times a week! Dry shampoo can also give your hair great body. I use THIS dry shampoo and I think it's really good for the price! THIS is the best one I've used but haven't purchased it lately because of the price. It's really almost more of a texturizing spray than a dry shampoo and it gives your hair great volume. I've also been wanting to try THIS dry shampoo.

Tools
I use THIS brush to comb my hair when it's wet, and it's AMAZING! My hair tends to tangle and it is difficult to brush when wet, and this brush combs it without pulling all my hair out. I love it! My hairdryer recently broke and I purchased THIS one. I've been really impressed for the price! If you can afford a nicer one, I've heard THIS one is amazing. I have been using THIS curling iron in 1" and 1.5" for years and I think it's the best one out there at a lower price point! If you have more to spend, I've heard THIS one is amazing. I've also heard THIS straightener is great.

Hairspray
I have been using THIS hairspray for a few years and I love it! It's lightweight and it doesn't make your hair crunchy but it keeps your hairstyle in place. I've also heard amazing things about THIS spray and hope to purchase it soon. I also use THIS on my hair to tame the flyaways and smooth it out. I learned about it from my hairdresser and I love it! It also makes your hair smell amazing!

Skincare:
I have tried a lot of skincare products over the years! I've had trouble with my skin because I have combination, acne-prone skin. So, a lot of common acne products are too harsh for my skin. In the winter my skin tends to be more dry and in the summer it is oilier. One great resource to learn about good products skincare is Paula's Choice Beautypedia.

1. Wash
I use THIS Clarisonic to wash my face a few times a week. I've used it for years and it does a great job exfoliating! I use THIS cleanser. I discovered Paula's Choice about 6 months ago and I am pretty obsessed! It has cleared up my skin and has worked better than anything else I've ever tried (and I've tried a LOT of products). You can actually purchase a two week trial of it HERE if you're interested in seeing if it works for you. When I'm not using the Clarisonic, I use a Norwex cloth to wash my face.

2. Exfoliate
Exfoliating your skin is vital to having healthy skin! I use THIS exfoliant after washing my face twice a day. It is AMAZING! It is my favorite Paula's Choice product and it really does clear my skin so well without being harsh. In the shower, I use THIS exfoliating scrub to exfoliate the rest of my body.

3. Blemish Control
I use THIS solution on my blemishes each night after exfoliating. I also use THIS spray on my body (I've also used THIS one in the past and liked it). I have also been using THIS face mask for years.

4. Moisturize
Moisturizing your skin is also essential (whether you have oily or dry skin) and it is really important to use a moisturizer with SPF during the day. I'm still figuring out my morning morning moisturizer by am planning to buy THIS one soon. In the evening I use THIS eye cream (gotta start fighting those wrinkles early!!) and THIS night cream. In addition, I always add a few drops of THIS to my moisturizer. Jojoba oil is great for your skin. It feels counterintuitive to put oil on your skin, especially when you have oily skin, but I promise it's good! Jojoba oil acts as a cleanser and moisturizer and is great for acne prone (or any type) of skin.

5. Tan
I use THIS lotion daily to gradually build a tan. I also use THIS foam when I want an added tan.

One other haircare and skincare tip...DRINK WATER!!
I have to remind myself how important it is to drink water frequently. Nothing will make your hair and skin healthier and more beautiful than drinking tons of water! I've become addicted to La Croix because it makes me feel like I'm drinking soda. I also love my Swell bottle because it keeps my drink cold all day. See lots of cute water bottle options below!

Boulevard Baptist Church | Teresa & Matt's Wedding | An Anderson, SC Wedding Photographer

Matt and Teresa's wedding day was Christ-centered and full of emotion and joy! It was truly a beautiful day! Teresa wore her mom's veil and a gorgeous rose gold ring. Matt's reaction just as Teresa began to walked down the aisle was one of the sweetest I've ever witnessed. It was hard for me to fight back the tears! Throughout the whole day, it was very clear how much Matt and Teresa love Christ and love one another. 

Matt and Teresa, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day! I hope you enjoy these pictures as you're on your honeymoon. :)

The Vendors Who Made This Day Possible:

Venue: Boulevard Baptist Church
Photography: DiPrima Photography
Bridal gown: Dimitra Designs
Bridesmaid Dresses: David's Bridal
Tuxes: Men's Wearhouse
Florist: Renee Burroughs Design
DJ: Heath Fulmer
Second Shooter: LC Photography
Catering & Cake: Family & friends

My "Modern Farmhouse" Living Room & Bedroom Picks

Image is of the "Beanstalk Bungalow" home in Fixer Upper

Who is a "Fixer Upper" fan?! Like the rest of the world, I have become a HUGE fan of Fixer Upper and of Chip and Jo Jo. I absolutely LOVE their "modern farmhouse" style. In my opinion, it is the perfect blend of rustic farmhouse meets modern industrial. Alex and I are hoping, Lord willing, to purchase a house around December/January and so I've been thinking a lot about decorating. My dream would be to find an old home that's been mostly or fully remodeled (because as much as I'd like to imagine that I could DIY a lot of remodeling...that's just probably not going to happen). I've always loved the character that old homes have and vintage pieces that tell a story. I would love to have a home that is reflective of a bright and cozy "modern farmhouse" style. I love blending rustic elements with some industrial and mid-century pieces. I'm also really into the minimal, mid-century style that is going on right now! I wouldn't want my WHOLE house to be mid-century because that feels a little too modern for my taste, but I would love a few pieces here and there.

In addition to Fixer Upper, here's a few of my other design and style inspirations:
Miss Mustardseed
Young House Love
Plum Pretty Decor (Kayla's in my Tuesdays Together group and is wonderful!)
Farmhouse Four

Today I'm going to share some of my favorite picks for the living room and bedroom with you. I plan to share my picks for the living room and dining room with at a later date!

Here's some of my favorite pieces to achieve the "modern farmhouse" look (be sure to scroll all the way down to the end of the post to see even more picks!).

Living Room Picks:

TOP: 1) Couch 2) Painting 3) Bar Cart
MIDDLE: 1) Rug 2) TV Stand 3) Accent Chair
BOTTOM: 1) Hall Console 2) Coffee Table

Image is of the "Beanstalk Bungalow" home in Fixer Upper

My bedroom picks:

TOP: 1) Bed 2) Pots 3) Lamp
MIDDLE: 1) Bookcase 2) Comforter 3) Side Table
BOTTOM: 1) Chandelier 2) Dresser 3) Crate

More options (click on the picture to take you to product):

How would you describe your style? Who do you look to for design and style inspiration?

8 Registry Essentials

I have to admit, one of my favorite things about wedding planning was registering! I encourage you to think strategically about what you register for because this is the one of the few times in your life when you can choose your gifts. There are so many great places to register but I primarily chose to register at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and Pottery Barn. I registered for most of my cookware for BB&B and for my dish ware, linens, and decorative items at PB. Both Bed Bath and Beyond and Pottery Barn were great with returns and exchanges and I highly recommend both companies.

There's SO many things you can register for and so this list is not comprehensive. However, I've tried to list the things that I've used most in the two years since I've been married. I've noticed that, for the most part, I've gotten WAY more use out of the practical (a.k.a. "unexciting" things) I've registered for versus the decorative things I registered for (like pretty platters, etc.). I'm not saying you shouldn't register for any decorative items because I think those can be great for entertaining. But make sure you focus on registering for high quality practical items because you will end up using those almost every day!

1. Classic Dishes
After much consideration, I registered for a set of "Cambria" dishes at Pottery Barn. I chose to get a set of stone and a set of turquoise instead of registering for China (I knew I was going to inherit my grandma's china). I chose the Cambria dishes because I felt like they were classic and something I wouldn't grow tired of and because I could mix and match colors. I encourage you to purchase a classic set of dishes. Shop different options by clicking on the pictures below:

2. Pots, pans, and dutch oven
One of the most important things you should invest in is your pots and pans! You will be using these just about every day after all! After doing some research, I chose to register for these stainless steel pans instead of non-stick. I'm really glad that I did and I have loved my stainless steel pans! I did get one small 6" non-stick pan for cooking eggs and I got a free 12" non-stick pan with the purchase of my set of pans (you really still need to get at least one nonstick pan for things like eggs and pancakes). I chose stainless steel because they hold up better and are less likely to scratch, they can withstand very high heat, and they have the ability to brown/deglaze food (much harder to do with a nonstick pan). I figured if all the professional chefs choose to use stainless steel pans, they probably know what they're talking about! I will say that stainless steel can be a little higher maintenance and requires a little more cleanup, but I just keep a bottle of Bar Keepers Friend under my sink and it works like a charm! Also, be sure to always use oil in your pan and to slowly heat it up before adding in your ingredients.

I also recommend registering for one or two cast iron skillets. I feel like I use my cast iron grill pan every other day! I LOVE the taste of grilled food but we currently live in an apartment and are unable to grill and so I frequently use this pan to get a similar, grilled taste. Two things to keep in mind with cast iron: don't use soap to clean it (just scrape it off) and you need to continually "season" your pan by coating it with oil or it will rust. In addition, I also highly recommend registering for a dutch oven. I was nervous that I may not get much use out of mine, but I find that I use it very frequently (especially in the winter). I primarily use it for making sauces, soups, and stews. What I love about the dutch oven is that you can sauté right in the pot and then put your liquids in and therefore avoid having to use two pans. I also love that you can take your dutch oven from the stove top to the oven.

You also want to make sure you register for good quality bakeware. I have noticed a difference in lesser quality vs. higher quality pans in how my food bakes. I also highly recommend getting a Silpat. I got one for Christmas a love it! It's reusable, cooks your food very evenly, and takes the place of having to use grease to make your pan non-stick.
 

3. Good Knives

Good knives are another very important investment that you will use daily. I registered for this set and have been very happy with them! I like that they come with a sharpener. I have also heard that Wusthof knives are amazing and would love to buy a few in the future.

4. Comforter & linens

Registering is a great time to get a big item like a nice comforter and nice towels. You will also use your comforter and towels daily and so they're worth investing in good quality! I registered for a comforter very similar to this one in grey (PB no longer carries my exact comforter) and these towels in white and "porcelain blue" (I LOVE how thick these towels are).

5. Kitchenaid Mixer

A Kitchenaid mixer is the classic registry item everyone thinks of! I actually don't think it's technically "essential" to register for a Kitchenaid, but it's certainly a fun appliance to own! If you don't do much baking, it probably won't be worth it for you to get. In all honesty, I don't use my Kitchenaid a ton, but I do absolutely love it for baking. I love that I can throw everything in there and walk away and let it mix. I also use it for kneading doughs. There's several separate attachments you can purchase as well that will give you a lot more uses for your mixer. I've been eyeing the meat grinder attachment and hope to purchase it soon.

6. Beverage Essentials

For all of you coffee drinkers, be sure to register for a nice coffee maker and grinder! We have this coffee maker and have been very happy with it! I recommend registering for a programmable coffee maker because, I don't know about you, but making coffee is the last thing I want to do when I'm rushing out the door in the morning. I've also been very happy with this grinder. I also use my Bodum french press fairly regularly and have been eyeing this lovely copper one!

The other "beverage essential" I put on my registry was a Ninja. I LOOOOVE my Ninja! I use it almost every day for smoothies and drinks. The Ninja I have also doubles as a food processor. One of my favorite things about it is that it comes with single serving size cups and so making a smoothie is super quick and easy and doesn't require cleaning up a full blender. 

7. Vacuum Cleaner

I actually didn't end up getting the vacuum cleaner from my registry and almost immediately regretted it. I also quickly learned that those $40 vacuums really don't pick up much! A good quality vacuum may not be the most exciting thing, but it's certainly necessary! I have this vacuum and have been very happy with it. I love how lightweight, yet powerful it is and how easily it rotates and gets in tight corners. My mother-in-law also has the Shark steam mop and really loves it.

8. Kitchen Gadgets

Lastly, I'll close with a few of the kitchen gadgets I use most. Kitchen gadgets are not very expensive and are items you can more easily by yourself, but it's wise to register for a lot of $20-30 items in addition to your big ticket items. I actually found that most people wanted to purchase a $20-30 item off my registry and so I ended up with a lot of duplicates and exchanged those in order to get my bigger items. 

Hands down, the two gadgets I use most are my garlic peeler and garlic press. I use these with almost every meal and they save SO much time. I absolutely HATE peeling garlic and so the peeler is amazing because it takes the outer shell of the garlic off for you. I also really love this chopper (I have the pampered chef version but it's essential the same as the one I linked) because I'm really bad at chopping things finely and it saves a lot of time. I also like this citrus squeezer because I tend to cook and bake with a lot of lemons and limes, and this squeezer does a great job of catching the seeds and squeezing out as much juice as possible.

I hope you found this post helpful! What are some items you think are essential to put on a registry?