Coconut oil has quickly become one of my favorite products to use, not only for cooking and baking, but for health and beauty as well. What makes it so special? Keeping reading to find out!
Refined vs. Unrefined Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is mainly composed of lauric acid (a medium fatty-acid chain). There are numerous health benefits associated with lauric acid consumption which include antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer and immune-boosting effects!
Both refined and unrefined coconut oil contain the same amount of lauric acid. Unrefined coconut oil, however, is richer in phytonutrients (powerful antioxidants) than refined coconut oil. The phytonutrients in the oil are damaged by the bleaching and heating process used to produce refined coconut oil. Therefore, unrefined (or virgin) coconut oil consumption has more health benefits.
Makeup remover: Instead of shelling out cash for drugstore makeup removers, try using coconut oil. It dissolves even the most stubborn waterproof mascara (looking at you, They’re Real!) and is very gentle on sensitive eyes and skin. Massage a fingerful into skin before hopping into the shower. Allow to work its magic for a minute or two before rinsing off and washing your face normally.
Facial moisturizer: Many people are still wary of putting oils on their face (especially people who have struggled with acne). Coconut oil, however, is known for its antibacterial properties and can actually work to kill acne-causing bacteria. It’s a great, inexpensive daily facial moisturizer – just don’t forget to apply sunscreen as well!
Body lotion: Coconut oil also works well as a body moisturizer, absorbing quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. Use it daily to help heal wintery rough elbows, scaly knees, and cracked feet!
Mouthwash: My personal favorite way to use coconut oil is as a mouthwash (also known as oil pulling). Every morning on an empty stomach, allow a tablespoon of coconut oil to melt in your mouth and then gently swish and strain the oil through every crevice. The antiseptic properties of the oil dissolve bad-breath bacteria and microbes while whitening teeth and strengthening your jaw. It’s also thought that oil pulling clears the lymphatic system, sinuses, and aids in digestion. I’ve been oil pulling for a few weeks now and already notice my teeth look whiter and my breath is fresher!
Cuticle oil: No need to drop big bucks on fancy products when one multipurpose household item does the trick. Massage into cuticles before bed every night and your nails will grow healthier and stronger (and watch hangnails disappear).
Butter substitute: If you’re looking to cut down on your butter consumption, coconut oil makes a great healthy alternative. Swap out butter for coconut oil in any baking recipe and you won’t notice a thing (it’s a straight 1:1 substitution)! Coconut oil is one of the few oils that is a solid at room temperature (like butter), so it won’t alter the foundation of the recipe.
Leave-in hair treatment: Try a leave-in hair treatment with coconut oil. Warm some oil in a microwave and saturate dry hair from root to tip. Clip hair up and cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes or more. Rinse out and shampoo normally.
Olive oil substitute: Coconut oil is also great to use in place of olive oil when cooking. Refined coconut oil has a higher smoke point (450º) than extra virgin olive oil (375º), so it’s less likely to burn while cooking. You’re also less likely to set the smoke alarms off… no? Just me?
Sore throat remedy: Sore, scratchy throat? Melt a teaspoon into a hot cup of tea. The oil coats and soothes while the antiseptic properties fight infection and kill bacteria and microbes that may be causing your sickness.
Dry scalp treatment: As you’ve probably guessed, coconut oil works wonders on restoring lost moisture on the skin and hair. The same is true for the scalp. Use it as a dry scalp treatment, massaging into scalp once a week and leaving for 30 minutes. The scalp massage will also increase blood flow and promote hair growth.
This list is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many more ways to use this amazing product!
What’s your favorite way to use coconut oil? Let me know in the comments section below!
Forget everything you think you know about bra size. Pretty much everything the lingerie industry tells you is wrong (measure the circumference, add 4, subtract what…?). I’m going to let you in on Victoria’s biggest secret – they want you buy their stuff, so they will tell you that you’re a bra size (surprise!) that they carry in their store. Those big fat liars. This is post is going to be really long (sorry) but chock-full of important information! I wanted to include it all in one post for easy reference. A properly fitting bra is not a luxury – it’s a necessity.
Start by wearing a somewhat loosely-fitting cami with a built-in bra. This will give you the most accurate measurements. Wrap the fabric measuring tape around your ribcage directly underneath your bust. You must 1) make sure the measuring tape is parallel to the floor all the way around your back and 2) exhale (to get the most compressed measurement) and pull the tape as tightly as you comfortably can without it digging in or hurting. 90% of the breast support comes from your band (not the straps!), so you want it to be tight. Write this number down as it is your new band size. If the measurement was a fraction, round to the nearest inch.
Bend at the waist and let your bust hang (we’re letting gravity help you out on this one). Wrap the tape around your bust at the fullest part, again making sure that the tape is parallel to the floor all the way around the back. The tape should just touch you and not be pulled tight. Write this number down.
Take the first measurement (band size) and subtract from the second measurement. The difference you get is your cup size. 1 inch = 1 cup size.
0-1/2 inch = AA cup
1 inch = A cup
2 inches = B cup
3 inches = C cup
4 inches = D cup
5 inches = DD cup
6 inches = DDD/E cup
7 inches = F cup
And so on. Be aware that this new measurement may contradict everything you think you knew about breast size. You may have been wearing a 34C (thanks, VS) but this new measurement is telling you that you’re a 30F. How could you possibly be an F cup?! No, you did not become Pamela Anderson overnight – you haven’t been let in on a crucial piece of information. Band size and cup size are an inversely proportional ratio. For example, a woman who wears a 30F and a woman who wears a 38F do not have the same sized breasts. The volume of breast tissue that a 38F bra holds is much larger than the volume that a 30F bra holds. A 30F cup is a fraction of the size of a 38F cup. This is a difficult concept to explain, so maybe this diagram will help:
Notice that the cup volume remains the same across each band size.
Now, what are you supposed to look for in a properly-fitting bra? It can get confusing, so here are some examples of wrong versus right bra fits:
The center gore should lie completely flat tightly against your sternum. Your breasts should neither be flattened nor spilling over the cups.
The underwire shouldn’t dig into your sides but should fully encapsulate all of your breast tissue.
The band should lie parallel to the floor and not ride up. The straps should not dig in or slide off.
Once you’re in the changing room with your new bras, you should always use the “swoop-and-scoop” method to make sure they fit properly. Check out that link for some jaw-dropping before-and-after pictures of this method. Seriously. All that “armpit fat” and “back fat” that you think you have is actually migrated breast tissue. After using this method for a while, you may find your breasts slightly bigger due to the misplaced breast tissue migrating back to your breasts.
Keep in mind that the underwire of your new bra will extend much farther into the underarm than you’re most likely accustomed to. Don’t worry, this is actually the proper fit. Remember, all that “armpit fat” is really just breast tissue (and your bra should fully encompass the entire breast tissue). Each breast should individually be lifted and separated in its own cup with no line of cleavage! Shocking but true.
Also, remember that every woman’s breasts are shaped differently. Most likely you’ll either fall into the “full on top” or “full on bottom” category. To determine which breast shape you have, bend at the waist and let your bust hang freely. You’ll either notice that your breasts fill out from the bottom (“full on bottom”) or the top (“full on top”). “Full on bottom” breasts look best in full coverage bras, bras with elasticity along the upper edge of the cup, and push-up bras to mimic upper-breast fullness. If you have “full on bottom” breasts, stay away from demi or balconette bras, as the top of the cup will be loose and may look too big. “Full on top” breasts look great in a variety of different styles and it is much easier to find bras to fit this type of breast shape.
Even the best bras lose their elasticity after a year or so. When buying a bra, the band must feel tight on the first row of hooks. When the bra starts to lose elasticity, start using the second or third set of hooks to ensure that you still have a tight-fitting band. Always hand wash and air dry your bras to ensure their longevity and to retain their shape. Throwing your bra in the dryer degrades the elastic and warps the cups.
It is important to measure yourself about once a year to note any changes. If you’ve recently (in the last 6 months) lost weight, gained weight, had a baby, or are going through other hormonal changes, measure yourself again to ensure a proper fit.
Resources for bras:
Thirdlove: A SF-based lingerie company specializing in half-sizes to ensure a perfect fitting bra.
True & Co.: No more fitting room drama. Try on 5 bras in the comfort of your home for free! I just ordered mine and I’m giving you $15 to put towards your next purchase!
Curvy Kate: An online lingerie retailer that specializes in cute bras for busty women! Cup sizes range from DD to K and band sizes from 28-44.
Freya: Another great retailer for larger-chested women. Their bras are beautiful and well-made (and worth every penny!). Sizes range from 28D-K.
HerRoom: A really informative resource that goes in-depth into many of the things I mentioned in this post.
Can you believe it’s almost the end of March? 2014, you’re flying by! Last Saturday, Sawyer and I took a day trip over to Alcatraz Island. Neither of us had been before and were dying to go after getting into Alcatraz on Fox a couple of years ago (why was that show cancelled?! It was so good!). Here’s a few shots from our trip!
The views of SF were amazing but it was WINDY. Just looking at this picture gives me chapped lips.
As native Mainers, we’re no strangers to lighthouses. However, Alcatraz lighthouse was the first lighthouse built on the west coast!
They had most of the cells roped off, but a few you could go into and walk around. They even opened up solitary confinement and we went inside. So scary!
Alcatraz Island is now a sanctuary for many wild sea birds, like the Western Gull. There are no natural predators on the island, so the birds can hatch their young in safety.
Speaking of birds… Sawyer and I were walking back to the train on the mainland and happened upon the parrots of Telegraph Hill! For those of you unfamiliar with them, they’re a flock of wild parrots who live and roam free in inner-city San Francisco. I got to hand-feed them and it kinda made my whole day.
They were so gentle. Can I come feed you guys every day? I don’t even care if I become that crazy bird lady…
It’s kind of crazy how you can uproot yourself, move across the country, and start a new life and get into a routine so quickly. This past week I started a new job and I’ve already quickly fallen into the 9-5 pattern. Is it weird that I already see the same people riding the train every morning?
A couple weekends ago we went down to the beach, which is about a mile away from our apartment. We were walking in the ocean… in February! The waves were incredible and they made me want to take up surfing. Gotta work on my balance first.
Sawyer and I have been on a mission to find the best burrito in the Mission. The burritos we’ve had have been pretty good, but we’ve yet to find our favorite. We’re already planning on trying a new place with new friends tomorrow afternoon!
Channeled my inner Connie Nielsen for another job interview. Got the job AND got asked out on a date by a stranger while I was walking home (confidence boost!). I only accepted one offer. ;)
Came home from the interview and rolled around on the floor with Buddy. My entirely black outfit was entirely orange.
My first time at the Benefit Boutique on Sutter. Can I move in?!
Got to see these lovely little ladies and spent some time in Alamo Square on a pretty Saturday afternoon.
A coffee and chocolate croissant are the best remedy for gloomy SF days.
Our burrito search lead us to Taqueria El Castillito last weekend. I had the zapata burrito and he had the regular, and we shared an agua fresca. He liked his burrito more than I liked mine. Ready to try another place this weekend!
Trying out the new Revlon Colorburst matte balm. Review coming soon! #selfie
Is there anything more lovely than receiving a beautiful, handwritten card in the mail, sent with love by someone who cares about you? Yet thoughtful gestures like this quickly fall by the wayside when life gets busy. After all, getting to the post office is a hassle and email is faster, easier, and more efficient. Sitting down and handwriting a note to someone, however, conveys to them that they are worth your time. Try taking a few minutes this week and handwriting a thank you note to that friend who helped you move, to your coworker who covered your shift at the last minute, or to your parents for all their continued love and support.
Sometimes finding the right words to thank someone can be difficult, so here are some helpful hints:
Genuinely and sincerely thank them. Don’t exaggerate or lie about the grandeur of the gift or gesture, as it will come across forced.
Try to maintain the same tone on paper as you would in person. It’s okay to show some personality! There’s no need to sound formal if you’re close with them.
Write about whyyou appreciated their gesture. If it was a gift, let them know how you plan to use it. If it was their time, explain to them how valuable it was to you.
After writing about yourself, ask about their life in a personalized way. Don’t just ask, “How are you?”. Rather, ask, “How was your vacation to Greece?” or “How’s the new puppy settling in with the family?”.
Before ending the note, sincerely thank them again. This reinforces how truly grateful you are for their gift.
Us modern gals can bring back the forgotten etiquette of thank you notes! Now where did I put my feather quill and ink well….
XO, J
P.S. In case you didn’t notice, The Wink got a makeover! A special THANK YOU to my wonderful brother (computer whiz extraordinaire) and fantastic friend, Meghan, (graphic design genius) for making it happen!
The weather is EXTREMELY hard to dress for. The other day when I left in the morning for work, it was raining/misting/foggy/overcast, so I wore my Bean boots, a trench coat, and brought my umbrella and a pair of flats to wear while at work. Walking to work I got kinda sweaty… yet it was still chilly and everything on me was damp. When I left work at 4:30, the sun was out and it was bright and hot. I was forced to lug my Bean boots, large purse, and strip off my cloying trench coat because it was so warm. I literally have to carry an entire change of clothes with me everywhere I go!
My alter ego: Jan Sanfrancisco. Wore this to a job interview last week (foolishly) thinking the hat would keep my hair dry. I was wrong.
Craigslist is awesome. I spend most of my time these days trolling around on Craigslist. I’m searching for furniture, for jobs, for you-name-it. There’s tons of people selling tons of awesome stuff for really low prices. We’ve practically bought half our furniture from it for super cheap! A lot of the stuff is brand new or lightly used, with good brands like West Elm, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and CB2. I’m telling you, Craigslist is where it’s at in SF!
This is what moving in the city looks like at night. My handyman to the rescue!
My hair doesn’t know what to do with itself. As a naturally curly-haired girl, I’ve gotten pretty good at taming my hair over the years. However, with the aforementioned drizzly/misty/foggy weather, I am constantly looking like a huge frizzy mess. I haven’t found a hair product yet that can stop me from looking like Ms. Frizzle! If you SF gals have any suggestions, I’m in desperate need. It’s becoming a real problem.
I’ve had to resort to wearing my hair up most days. Help! Lipstick: M.A.C. Ruby Woo; Sweater: Madewell; Heart pin: Ban.do (gift from Meghan).
It’s impossible to wear cute shoes. Believe me, I’ve tried, and my feet are now in a sorry state. I will be wearing sneakers with socks from now until forever. I have at least 5 blisters that keep reopening because I’ve been stubbornly wearing non-practical shoes…
The city feels smaller than it is. It honestly feels like a close-knit neighborhood with a cool, hip vibe. In fact, the other day I ran into my co-worker on the sidewalk! The chances of this happening are next to none because I literally know 2 people in the city so far. I feel like it’s the kind of place where you’re on a first name basis with your barista and you sometimes hang out with them on the weekends.
I can’t wait to keep learning about my new city! Life is good and exciting.
