3 Essential #LubridermHacks to Keep Skin Hydrated During Winter!

#LubridermHacks

Sigh. Christmas is over and the dreadful winter months are among us. I don't know about the rest of you, but love the cold during Christmas time, but as soon as January rolls around, I want summer.  I   am tired of my skin being so dry during the cold months!There are many ways to keep your skin hydrated during the cold winter months. Here are some of the best ways to avoid that dry skin.

1) Apply Before Bed. 
Every night, before bed, I put on my lotion. I make sure to apply more lotion than I think is necessary. I usually use Lubriderm to keep my legs and arms hydrated the best.

2) Put Lotion on Hands and Feet with Gloves and Socks! 
I know some people don't like to wear socks to bed, but if you are worried about your feet or hands getting dry, I have put on some awesome Lubriderm lotion on my hands and feet and then wear socks/gloves to hydrate them throughout the night!

3) Apply Lotion on Hands Multiple Times a Day! 
Keep some lotion in your car, office, purse, etc. so that you are applying and re-applying multiple times a day!

I buy my favorite Lubriderm lotion at my local Walmart in the Skin Care section. You can find yours there, too.

1. Instant Redeemable Coupon (IRC) located on select Lubriderm product for $3.00 off through March (find packs at your local Walmart stores). Please note that the offer expires April 1, 2018.
2. $7.97 Walmart rollback pricing on 24 oz. Lubriderm products through February 7, 2018.

Final price will be $4.97 when the IRC and the Rollback pricing are combined (a savings of 41-44% depending on the product!).

What are some of your favorite ways to keep your skin hydrated? I love this video that Lubriderm has shared!


LOUNGING | Lubriderm from Tribal DDB Toronto on Vimeo.

NEW SHOP!

via Twitter

Hi!
Or, as my Chinese Immersion students would say, Ni Hao!
I have some exciting news!!!! I have officially opened my Greeting Cards Etsy Shop! I have been wanting to do this for some time and I have finally made the jump to just do it. I posted on Instagram last week about starting to sell these cards and I was absolutely blown away by the support that people gave me!

What is the shop? Now, I am not sure if this Etsy shop will succeed (oh, but I hope it does!), but I figure that I love to take nature photography and this is a great jump start into sharing one of my hobbies with others. I am, by no means, a professional. And I like to stick to photographing nature when I'm out hiking or thinking. I love to photograph people, but I definitely don't feel comfortable selling my work for that. This shop, though, is my nature photography that I have taken and transferred onto greeting cards. They are blank and are awesome gifts to give to friends and other little knick-knacks. I don't know about you, but I love writing in blank, quality cards.

How this shop came to be: My mom, dad, and husband have been bugging me for about a year to start this shop. They have all incessantly told me that I have such a good eye and that I should share my photography with friends and family. So, I'm doing it. And if it fails, it's okay. Because, guess what? I can just go back to making these cards as a hobby. Also, life is full of failures, but I may as well try.

How can I help? By purchasing some cards, of course! You can click on "Sierra's View Photography Cards" in the header at the top of this blog or on the picture to the right that says Etsy Shop.
But even more than that, you can
 1. Make my shop a "favorite".
2. Give me a 5 star rating on my Etsy shop.
3. Also, if you are interested in sharing on your social media sites (Instagram, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, etc.), I would love to give you some cards for free to try out! Just let me know.
4. And, lastly, just share! Share my posts on Facebook of me selling my cards!

I am starting to question if I am crazy or just feeling really motivated these days, but I have a whole lot of things going on in my life (if you have noticed that I haven't written in awhile-- this etsy shop, teaching full time, getting my master's, writing new core and advancing my teaching career, singing an intense and wonderful choir, church calling, exercise/health stuff, other social and family stuff..), and I will expand on this on another post here in a few days, but I want to do this and I am tired of waiting around for it to happen!

Here are some of the photos that I am making into cards!!

BOOKS IN OCTOBER/SEPTEMBER 2017

You can tell that the school year has started because I only read six books over the past two months  (ha!). In the summer months, I find that I read so much!  The stress that overtakes a teacher during the school  year is a real thing, friends. And sometimes, to be honest, the last thing I want to do is open a book and think. However, with that being said, weirdly, on other days, I find that's all I want to do. Unfortunately, those first few months of a Teacher's school year, it is the former, rather than the latter. 

Outliers: The Story of Success // Malcolm Gladwell 

Genre: Nonfiction/Self Help 
Rating: 4/5 stars (see more on GoodReads)

Summary: He asks the question: what makes high-achievers different? His answer is that we pay too much attention to what successful people are like, and too little attention to where they are from: that is, their culture, their family, their generation, and the idiosyncratic experiences of their upbringing. 

My thoughts:  A great novel. I only gave it 4 (not 5) because it wasn't "life changing" for me. With that being said, it was a phenomenal novel with very interesting thoughts about the benefits of being an "outlier". A great, interesting, easy self-help read

Favorite Quote from the book: “Those three things - autonomy, complexity, and a connection between effort and reward - are, most people will agree, the three qualities that work has to have if it is to be satisfying.” 

The Lies We Tell Ourselves // Robin Talley
Genre: Historical Fiction  
Rating: 3/5 stars (see more on GoodReads)

Summary: In 1959 Virginia, the lives of two girls on opposite sides of the battle for civil rights will be changed forever. Sarah Dunbar is one of the first black students to attend the previously all-white Jefferson High School. An honors student at her old school, she is put into remedial classes, spit on and tormented daily. Linda Hairston is the daughter of one of the town's most vocal opponents of school integration. She has been taught all her life that the races should be kept separate but equal.
Forced to work together on a school project, Sarah and Linda must confront harsh truths about race, power and how they really feel about one another.

My thoughts:  ** spoiler alert ** Ugh, I don't know where to start with this book. 
The first half was so enticing and interesting. I couldn't seem to put it down. It tore at my heart strings of what these young people had to go through in the process of integration in 1959. With that being said, the second half was kind of frustrating to me because I felt like the author was too focused on a political agenda (that didn't to do with race, which is what I thought the book was about?) I don't mind a political agenda if I pick up the book knowing that, but I assumed this was more historical fiction with issues on race rather than her coming out as a lesbian. Anywho, it was a good read, but the story went a totally different direction than I thought. Wasn't an amazingly well written novel, either

Favorite Quote from the book: “We punish ourselves so much in our own imaginations. We convince ourselves everything we do, everything we think, is wrong.For eighteen years I've believed what other people told me about what was right and what was wrong. From now on, I'm deciding.”

The Magnolia Story // Chip & Joanna Gaines 

Genre: Nonfiction/Biography 

Rating: 4/5 stars (see more on GoodReads)

Summary: The Magnolia Story is the first book from Chip and Joanna, offering their fans a detailed look at their life together. From the very first renovation project they ever tackled together, to the project that nearly cost them everything; from the childhood memories that shaped them, to the twists and turns that led them to the life they share on the farm today.

My thoughts:  I mean, who doesn't love Chip and Joanna? Not only am I obsessed with this show and it's my dream to have land and Jo decorate my classic/vintage/farmhouse style home, I thought this novel was good! It definitely wasn't life changing or the most amazing writing I've read, but it made for a quick, interesting, intriguing, fun read. 

Favorite Quote from the book: “Don’t quit, and don’t give up. The reward is just around the corner. And in times of doubt or times of joy, listen for that still, small voice. Know that God has been there from the beginning—and he will be there until . . . The End.” 

Kill the Boy Band // Goldy Moldavksy 

Genre: Fiction (Humor) 

Rating: 3/5 stars (see more on GoodReads)

Summary: We were not planning to kidnap one of them. Especially not the most useless one. But we had him—his room key, his cell phone, and his secrets. We were not planning on what happened next.We swear.

My thoughts:  Hilarious, funny, ridiculous, edgy, and keeps you interested. This novel is not the best written or must amazing book ever written, but it was entertaining and keeps you interested. A quick, easy read--a great audiobook. (Note: lots of F words, if that bothers you!).

Favorite Quote from the book: “Because the truth is, it isn't worth loving something if you aren't going to love it all the way.” 

The Gifts of Imperfection // Brene Brown 

Genre: Nonfiction/Self Help 

Rating: 5/5 stars (see more on GoodReads)

Summary: In her ten guideposts, Brown engages our minds, hearts, and spirits as she explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough, and to go to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also brave. 

My thoughts:  I just finished reading this for the third time (listened to it once and read it once) and every time this book teaches me more about the strength in my imperfections. Seriously such a fantastic self-help book; one that really "speaks" to me. This is, truly, one of my all time favorite books that I havee ever read. I am such a perfectionist and this helped me in so many different ways in my life. 

Favorite Quote from the book: (Oh man, how do I just choose one?!). “Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.” 

We Should All Be Feminists //  Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Genre: Nonfiction

Rating: 4/5 stars (see more on GoodReads)

Summary: With humor and levity, here Adichie offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the twenty-first century—one rooted in inclusion and awareness. She shines a light not only on blatant discrimination, but also the more insidious, institutional behaviors that marginalize women around the world, in order to help readers of all walks of life better understand the often masked realities of sexual politics. 

My thoughts:  Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. I love that it talks about feminism in a positive light--that feminism does not mean man-hating or angry, lonely, of masculine women. True feminism is rooting for women to succeed and to see them in positions of power. Great points about raising soft men and the expectations we place on boys and girls, men and women.

Favorite Quote from the book: (Can't just choose one! Ah!). “We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to girls, you can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful. Otherwise, you would threaten the man. Because I am female, I am expected to aspire to marriage. I am expected to make my life choices always keeping in mind that marriage is the most important. Now marriage can be a source of joy and love and mutual support but why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage and we don’t teach boys the same? We raise girls to see each other as competitors not for jobs or accomplishments, which I think can be a good thing, but for the attention of men. We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are.” 

July/August Reads 
May/June 2017 Reads
March/April 2017 Reads
January/February 2017 Reads

What were some of your most recent reads that you want to share with me?
Have you read any of these novels? 

It's Been Awhile...

All photos by Sierra's View Instagram 

I feel like writing on this blog comes in waves. I am on my game during the Summer--writing about all of my travels, fun times, and vacations. Once the school year hits, I am bombarded with a forever long to-do list and well, I don't have as much time as I do during the Summer months. Even more than that, this blog is not the place that it used to be for me. I find that I don't need it as much for self-expression that I used to crave or want. With that being said, this blog has always been incredibly special to me. It is my journal of important moments and memories. I would like to continue it for my special "views" in my life, it just won't be as often as before (obviously...since I haven't written in months). 

What We've Been Up To: A Random Word Vomit of Our Lives! 

• As you can tell from ALL of social media (for good reason), Fall in Utah is unreal. The colors this year have been so incredibly vibrant and absolutely beautiful. I want to be hiking in it, driving through it, and constantly taking photos of it!
• This winter I am going to start making cards, calendars, etc. out of my all of my nature pictures. I am excited to get this going! These are going to be great gifts, stocking stuffers, or other ideas. I will definitely keep you posted on this! People keep telling me that I need to do something with these photos that I take and I think I am starting to actually believe them!

• Tanner is finishing up his last semester in school! (HALLELUJAH!) in digital marketing. He doesn't want to walk in May, but I want to make him because this is a freaking miracle that we are at this point. Ha. 
• He is continuing to work at 180Fusion--a digital marketing firm. He really loves his job! 

• I started my sixth year teaching sixth grade. This year is my first year doing the English portion of the Chinese Immersion students. Honestly, I am so stressed! I have two classes and I only get them both for about two hours. Those two hours do not go as slow as I would like. I absolutely love my students, though. The program is not perfect (no classroom ever is), and it has been very stressful, but most of my students show up to school with a smile on their faces and are excited to learn. I love that most of them, truly, just want to learn. That is a teacher's dream, I tell ya! 

• This picture is from our quick trip to San Diego in September. T had a work trip and I thought that I would join him on a long weekend trip. Everything was paid for and it was totally worth it! It was a great weekend of basking in the sun, seeing family, and enjoying gorgeous views like these. 

• This summer I lost 15 pounds. This is a huge deal with PCOS. I worked my tail off to get there. I have kept most of it off and I want to continue to keep it off, but I am not kidding, something happens when the school year starts. My body just wants to hold on to all of the stress and weight that I let go of in the summer! Many people are curious about us wanting to start a family. Honestly, it's no one else's business, but, let's just say it's going to be a long road. That, with all of the health and weight issues that I deal with, is exhausting. It is frustrating and tiring and does not help my Depression. But I am learning to love myself and my body, despite it's imperfections that piss me off. I am tired of looking around and seeing women talk badly about their bodies. It is time for us to be happy with who we are, as people and women. Ha! 

This past weekend at the BYU Spectacular with Kristin Chenoweth! It was, honestly, spectacular! 

• I have found that it's hard to stay social during the school year. I want to make it a priority and reach out to friends and family (since I have so much family here now!), but crazy schedules make it difficult. I have learned that it's okay to say no. I tend to have bad FOMO and it can be hard for me to say no, but I am grateful that as I continue to learn, grow, and set boundaries to listen to my body, physically and emotionally, I am happier. 

Life is good. I tend to struggle whenever the cold weather starts to come, but I have worked hard to know how to get through it. I am getting the "itch" to move, though, and I think it has to do with the culture that I am surrounded here?? What helps you when you have the desire to move?! Haha. 

Healthy Back to School Breakfast and a Clean Kitchen!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ExperienceScrubDots #CollectiveBias 

It's Back to School Time! Ahhhhh!!!!! As a teacher, I am always a little weary to have school start (Don't get me wrong, there is a little bit of excitement!) One of my favorite things about starting the school year is I get back into the routine of things. In the morning, I like to have a morning routine to get my "head in the right place", if you will. Part of this morning routine includes making a healthy, protein-filled breakfast so that I can keep my energy up while at school. 

I am, also, a little bit of clean freak (A LOT OF A BIT), so I find it's important to me to have my kitchen clean and ready so that when I get home from a long day of work and exercise, I can really relax. Two of my favorite  kitchen cleaning items are the Scotch-Brite® Heavy Duty Scrub Dots Sponge and Scotch-Brite® Non-Scratch Scrub Dots Sponge. I tend to clean while I am cooking to make the cleaning go a little bit faster at the end. 

First, I want to share my favorite healthy recipe that I do during the school year: A delicious, yummy, super easy omelette! 

Step 1: Buy the following cleaning items to help clean during the process of the omelette. 

• Scotch-Brite® Heavy Duty Scrub Dots Sponge
• Scotch-Brite® Non-Scratch Scrub Dots Sponge
• Scotch-Brite® Non-Scratch Scrub Dots Dishwand
• Scotch-Brite® Heavy Duty Scrub Dots Dishwand

Step 2: Gather all of the ingredients

• bell peppers 
• grated cheese 
• kale/spinach mix 
• cherry tomatoes 
• eggs
• avocado 

Step 3: Crack eggs and mix in with a little bit of milk.

Step 4: Cut up the tomatoes and the bell peppers.

Step 5: Use the Scotch-Brite® Non-Scratch Scrub Dots Sponge to clean up the cutting board at this point to make cleaning easier. 

Step 6: Throw in some kale/spinach mix. 

Step 6: Mix altogether and add in Salt, pepper, and grated cheese. 

Step 7: Put on stove to cook.

Step 8: Flip it over. Add some tomatoes, avocados and cheese on top. Boom. The most delicious, easiest morning routine recipe.

Step 9: Cleaning time!!  Use your Scotch-Brite® Scrub Dots Sponge to clean off the dishes and the sink. You will see  a significant difference of before/after with these awesome kitchen cleaning supplies! 

Before

After 

My favorite, the Scotch-Brite® Heavy Duty Scrub Dots Sponge,  which I used while cleaning my kitchen made it so easy to clean. It made the cleaning of the sink fast and and rinses it nice and clean. 

Obviously I used the sponge in my sink, but the great part about it, is it can be used around the house. 
Items pictured below: 
Scotch-Brite® Heavy Duty Scrub Dots Sponge
Scotch-Brite® Non-Scratch Scrub Dots Sponge
Scotch-Brite® Non-Scratch Scrub Dots Dishwand
Scotch-Brite® Heavy Duty Scrub Dots Dishwand

You can find both the sponges and the dish wand "cleaning section" of your local Walmart. More specifically, it will be in the "sponges" section of the aisle. 

You can use this coupon to get your own sponges today! 

 $1.00 off any two Scrub Dots items

Coupons.com offer will be live 8/15-12/31

What are some of your favorite Scotch-Brite® cleaning items?