I packed 10 things—and they fixed everything 👝🙌

Hi beautiful, ☕️

We went on a road trip last weekend.

And for once…

It didn’t end in tears, tantrums, or spilled juice down my shirt. 😅

Something shifted.

And between what I packed, what I listened to, and one powerful night away.

I came back feeling clearer, calmer, and way more like myself.

This week’s I’m sharing:

• 🧴 The exact skincare + makeup I packed for maximum glow with minimum effort

• 🎧 5 life hacks from podcasts that changed how I think about habits, healing, and hormones

• 💛 What happened when I left my kids for one night and how it healed me.

More on that later.👇

Weekend beauty edit

This wasn’t a red carpet situation.

I didn’t pack my full skincare routine. I packed smart.

Just the few things that make me feel like myself.

If you’ve ever overpacked and used none of it (🙋‍♀️), this is what I actually used—and what’s staying in my beauty bag forever:

1. After a long day in the car, washing my face with a multi-action creamy cleanser and sealing in moisture with a barrier-saving moisturizer helped my skin stay calm, hydrated, and not angry at me 🧼
   Tip: I love using this sonic facial brush to get all that road trip grime! I ditched my Clarisonic for this!
   

2. Between dry AC air and zero sleep, a collagen barrier mist was like a mini wake-up call, and this dewy UV cream gave me a glow that made me feel pretty even with no makeup ☀️
   Tip: Keep both in your car cupholder—it’s the easiest habit stack.
   

3. While the kids munched snacks, I tapped on my fav creme + blush duo in shade ‘she goes to the gym’ (I get so many compliments on this blush!) and brightened my under eyes with my skin correct concealer in #1 warm that didn’t crease or cake 💋🌸
   Tip: Use fingers to blend—no tools, no mess, just instant “I slept” energy.
   

4. After they finally passed out, I layered on a brightening vitamin C serum (I’m on my 5th bottle!) and locked it in with a bouncy power peptide cream that left me glowy by morning (no wonder if has over 4K raving reviews!) 🌙 Tip: Bring a travel-sized jar—still feels like a ritual, not a chore.
   

5. Midday shine didn’t stand a chance thanks to this K-beauty matte SPF stick, and a swipe of my go to peptide lip oil balm (my mom’s favorite!) gave me that effortless, hydrated look that made me feel pulled together 💄
   Tip: Dab the lip oil on your cheeks for a glossy, fresh finish—chef’s kiss.

5 brain snacks from the drive

I used to scroll aimlessly during car rides or blast whatever playlist didn’t make me lose my mind. 📱 

But lately? Podcasts have become my car therapy. 🎧️ 

It’s the only time I get to think, reflect, or hear adults speak in full sentences.

Here are the 5 things that stuck with me—and honestly, I can’t stop thinking about them:

• Repair over perfection 👪️ 
  From Good Inside—the way to truly help our kids isn’t in getting it right, it’s in how we repair when we mess up. “I shouldn’t have yelled” lands deeper than pretending we didn’t.
  Tip: A short repair is more powerful than a long lecture.
  

• Stack habits to make them stick 📈
  Huberman reminded me that motivation fades, but habit stacking rewires the brain. I’ve been doing squats or glute bridges while brushing my teeth.
  Tip: Attach movement to a routine you already do—easy win.
  

• Protect your REM or pay the price 😴
  Matthew Walker said REM sleep is emotional processing time. No wonder I wake up chaotic when I scroll ‘til midnight.
  Tip: No screens 1 hour before bed—start with 10 minutes earlier and build.
  

• Let AI declutter your brain 🤖
  I've been using it for meal planning, travel packing, even grocery lists—it's like having a digital assistant without the attitude.
  Tip: Offload low-stakes decisions so your brain has room to breathe.
  

• Women need strength—not more cardio 💪
  Strength training isn’t just for muscles—it supports hormones, bones, and sanity. Two 20-minute lifts a week and I’m already standing taller (mentally too).
  Tip: Don’t overthink it. 15 minutes with dumbbells > no minutes.

One dinner. Four friends.

It was my best friend’s 40th.

We’ve known each other for over two decades.

We’ve seen each other through high school angst, breakups, weddings, births, breakdowns—and the everyday beautiful mess in between.

That night, I threw on my favorite dress.

Lipstick on. Phone silenced. 💄 

My daughter cried as I left.
I hugged her, kissed her head, and walked out the door.

Because I needed this.

There were four of us.

We sat at a small table for three hours.
We laughed so hard we wheezed.
We shared stories only we could tell.

It was light, deep, nostalgic, and healing all at once. ✨ 

We were the last table in the restaurant.

For a few hours, no one needed snacks or help opening a granola bar.
I wasn’t mom, I wasn’t the one carrying the mental load.

I was just me.

The before version.
The silly, soft, ambitious version.
The one who used to dance until 3AM

And being with the people who knew me before I even knew who I was…
It made me feel whole again.

If you haven’t seen your people in a while—make the plan.

Even if you’re tired.
Even if there’s laundry.
Even if your child clings to your leg.

Go.

You’ll come back more you than when you left.

See you next week 💛

More beauty guides you’ll LOVE…

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xo Jen

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