How to Take the BEST Bath Ever

Literally nothing screams self love like bubble baths, glasses of wine on the toilet, and the best smelling bubble bath soap you've ever smelled in your life. We've come up with a deluxe list of the best bath products, not-so brand specific, so you can take your soaking to the next level.

1. Pumice rocks! These aren't fab when your nail tech uses these during your pedicure because these aren't sanitary when used multiple times, especially on more than one person - good thing pumice rocks are cheap and you can get them at Walmart, Target, and most other big-box stores for your own personal use. Anyway, pumice rocks are so easy to use! Simply make sure you have clean, wet feet and then scrub away. The holes in the rocks fill with dead skin, so you can rinse it all away. Say goodbye to cheese graders and pedicure eggs. Your affordable, smooth solution is here! Sandal season, fret no more.

2. Okay, obviously, bubbles. No bath is complete without BUBBLES! Philosophy makes delicious bubble baths - some even make your skin glow with shimmer for days! Our favorites are these ones from Ulta Beauty. Shop them here.

3. Two words: body exfoliation. Over-exfoliation is not ideal for any part of the body as it can lead to redness, irritation, acne, and over production of oils and sebum in the skin. Yikes! Exfoliation a few times a week is best. Less exfoliation is more. Our favorite way to exfoliate is by using a yummy body scrub with good ingredients. Some key things to look for in a body scrub is sugar, honey, coconut oil, peppermint, jojoba oil, almond oil, lavender, eucalyptus, licorice root, coffee, and more! Use before or after you shave your legs to get the most silky smooth skin ever.

4. Bath tub pillows are a dream come true for shower snoozers. If you are anything short from a resort jacuzzi, a washable, waterproof, and germ-free bath pillow may be your new best friend. Shop the one pictured above here!

5. Hair masks are next on our list of the best bath tub products to have before you decide to dip in. What's a better way to multitask then to have a deluxe hair mask soakin' into your locks while you play with bubbles and jam out to your fave bathroom mix tape? There's hair masks for everyone. Repairing masks, hydrating masks, restoring masks, regenerating masks, high-gloss masks, cleansing masks... You name it! Shop fancy-shmancy hair masks right here at Sephora.

6. So, there's such a thing as DIY wood palette bath tub trays. Think of all the things you could have at your fingertips! Set your books, cups of tea, cell phone, nail polish, vase of flowers - you name it. The bath tub tray literally solves all of your problems. Here's a way to make it yourself from our trusty steed, Pinterest.

7. You know it, girl... BATH BOMBS! But wait, don't run to Lush Cosmetics just yet. We have a secret for you. What if you could get 18 of them for only a fraction of the price with even better ingredients? Don't shop big name brand, shop local and small instead. On Etsy, you can get so many different (and better) bath bombs. Here's our favorite: 18 skin-loving bath bombs for only $21.95!

No matter what, just don't forget that 2017 is the year of self-love. Whatever it takes for you to feel pampered and loved, do it!

How to Tell If You're Fit to Be a Barista

Yawn. *Alarm goes off at 3:30am.* Sure, baristas are charming. They wake up, look fabulous, memorize everything, and give us our caffeine. We love them. Most of us have probably considered becoming a barista to pay off the college debt or help with rent (seems a hell of a lot easier than being a stripper, right?) but in all reality, some people could never make the cut to slay gourmet beverages. Here's a list from a four-year going strong barista that could help you determine if you could have sizzlin' espresso skills.

1. You're great with getting three hours of sleep. When people ask me for a job recommendation, I immediately ask them to think about this: try to be asleep at 9:00pm (even with Netflix and Twitter), set your alarm and be up at upwards of 3:00-4:00am, manage to apply a full face of work-appropriate makeup or shower entirely, be prepared to smile your entire shift, be a therapist, and not mess up drinks. Don't brush it off until you try it. Most of you couldn't last.
   
2. You're not a fan of teamwork but could be a team player if you needed to. A lot of local baristas in those small cafes love working alone. There's only one of you making messes, nobody is in your way when you have a rush, and the tips are all yours, baby. Occasionally, in a busy season or work-rush times, you'll have a coworker or two - but they totally understand what it's like, and you can all flow with the espresso.
   
3. You're a total nitpicker when it comes to pronunciation. You don't have to be a grammar Nazi or an English teacher to know that it's espresso, not "expresso". You also giggle inside when your customer pronounces an americano as "americana", or a breve as a "breeve". 
   
4. You're a genuine believer in the power of caffeine. Even if you personally don't get along with the world's favorite hot bean water, you understand that caffeine is what gets people throughout their day. That dude who always delivers pizzas to you and your friends on Friday nights? He probably needs a latte or two to get through his shift. Let's face it, coffee makes the world go 'round. Baristas can't talk the talk if they don't walk the walk - your job is important! Be passionate or go home.
   
5. You're lacking attention span and love to be busy. Lastly, most baristas are thankful for their job because they keep us busy, keep us on our toes, and constantly sharpen our memory. If you're an over thinker and need to be distracted from reality, being a barista will take your mind off things for up to 8 hours a day. Seriously! Being a barista is fast-paced and filled with speedy drink-making, constant cleaning, never-ending stocking, and always coming home with coffee scented hair. What's better for someone looking to keep busy? Being a barista is one of the most rewarding jobs out there!
   

How to Get Out of Your Depression Groove

"No, mom. I'm not PMSing."
"No, dad. It's not about a boy."
"No, hun. It's not about you."

We all know that feeling when genuinely happy, mentally healthy people find out you're depressed. If only I had a dime for every time a friend or family member said, "just be happy, think positive!". Like no, it's definitely not that simple.

Depression runs deep in my family. Suicide and sickening depression go back generations and trickle into our genes when we're about 12 years old. From there on, it's a lifelong roller coaster. Thankfully, we've learned to be there for one another and practice healthy mental exercises to stay safe when we're in our deep, dark times. I want to share some tips and tricks to help you feel better, or even just ride out your groove for a few days, weeks, or even months.

Tip #1: Don't separate yourself from close family and friends. Sometimes, the very, very last thing you want to do is be social. Ugh. People. But really, find out who your bestest friends are who understand your condition and can accept that sometimes, the depressing demons haunt you. This way, they won't judge you and will know how to cope along with you. You don't necessarily even have to do anything or get out of the house. I love going to my mom's and curling up in bed with her to watch Spongebob Squarepants. If you feel like binging on ice cream and red wine, find a BFF who shares that same luxurious desire.

Tip #2: Even though it's hard, eat decent foods and go to the gym at least three times a week. This is probably the hardest thing to do when you're feeling depressed. I get it - no energy or initiative. But if you can realize that these things scientifically help your serotonin levels and release endorphin's, you'll remember that you're healing and helping your body from the inside out. Eat happy, yummy fruits rich in vitamins like: kale, banana, orange, lemon, cranberry, salmon, yogurt, chocolate, and whole wheat.

Tip #3: Make yourself look good - you'll feel good! Go to the hair salon and get a quick trim or ask your stylists to skip the trim and just do a quick wash and a deep moisturizer treatment. Get your nails done, too! You don't need to spend a fortune on a sparkly acrylic set, either. Get a simple manicure (around $30) or just get a regular coat of polish on your natural nails. Don't feel like spending money or leaving your house? Scrubbing my feet with a pumice rock or doing a deep, exfoliating scrub on my face always makes me feel fresh. Even showering and using a leave-in moisturizer makes me feel like I've accomplished something on my off-days.

Tip #4: Don't sleep too much! Oversleeping can cause a lot of issues. When you sleep in too much, it's harder to sleep at night and cause overthinking or haunting thoughts at the wee hours of the early morning. Oversleeping can also cause a groggy, lost feeling all day long and we already feel that way when we're in a moody funk. Sleeping in only adds fuel to those laggy feelings. Set your alarm exactly 6-8 hours from when you're ready to doze off, then start your day with a warm cup of coffee and some cuddles with yourself, a pet, or a stuffed animal. If you feel like it, add in a brisk walk. Then, start your day!

Tip #5: Get in touch with distant loved ones. Nothing gives me more hope and a warm, fuzzy feeling than calling my grandma with a small list of positive things I've accomplished that I can use for conversation material. You don't have to tell your aunt, uncle, or grandparents that you're depressed, or that you're calling for a reason. Just tell them that your job is treating you well, your dog did a hilarious thing that morning, or you really love the way your hair turned out when you curled it for the first time in forever. It can make you feel more connected and grounded to people that love you, no matter what you're battling inside.

Tip #6: It's so normal to ask for help. There have been a few times when it's too hard to do these things. You can't eat, sleep, or function as a normal human being. That's okay. I've gone to doctors and counselors and got the help I needed, when it was really needed. That's normal. That is why these people are here... To help us. Use it!

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE:
 1-800-273-8255