Hey Hey! Welcome back to another post!! Watch as I hang out and do some fun things in the city! Shoutout to my boo for surprising me! Thanks for watching!
Peace & Good Vibes
Harmonious Kourt
Vlogmas Week 3!
Hey Hey! Welcome back to another post!! Watch as I hang out and do some fun things in the city! Shoutout to my boo for surprising me! Thanks for watching!
I Got My Doctorate!!
Hey Hey! So week 2 of vlogmas is a little different because ya girl graduated!! My graduation was truly a magical moment for me that I have waited so long for! Check out this vlog to get a small glimpse of an extra special day! I also would like to give a huge shoutout to my close family and friends who have supported me through this entire journey! WE DID IT!!!
Peace & Good Vibes
Harmonious Kourt
Vlogmas Week 1!
Hey Hey! I am back and it’s with something I haven’t done in forever.....ISSA VLOG! Come along with me for the first week of Vlogmas and see what I have been up to! I am trying to be more intentional about blogging because my blog is my baby! Since starting my blog I have certainly changed and grown and I am looking forward to bringing y’all up to speed. Catch up on my previous posts and stay up to date by subscribing! I can’t wait to post more content for y’all! For now, enjoy this vlog!
Peace & Good Vibes
Harmonious Kourt
Wash And Go Favs!
Hey Hey! Just wanted to drop in and do a hair post! It’s summer and my favorite part is being able to literally wash and go with my hair! The heat allows you to save so much time because you can style your hair and literally go out the door. Because I have been enjoying this sense of ease when it comes to doing my hair, I decided to do a post sharing some of my favorite wash and go product combos! Check it out!
2. Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie. I use this by itself but for extra hold, it mixes well with Camille Rose Curl Maker
All the products I listed can be found at your local target or drugstore!
Pro Tip: When using any of my recommended combos be sure your hair is damp for the best results and air dry :)
If you try any of these combinations please leave a comment letting me know what you thought or reach out to me on social media! Thanks for reading!
Peace & Good Vibes
Harmonious Kourt
Favorite Fridays!!!
Hey Hey! Happy Spring to everyone! It’s been a while but that’s okay I’m back and i’m better and with my recent favs! I am going to try my best to bring back my "Favorite Fridays” posts. If you have been following my blog for a while then you may remember that this is something I used to do occasionally. These posts were used to share whatever my recent favorite products or purchases were. I love coming across a great product and I love sharing that on my blog even more! Also be on the look out for more posts from me! It’s been far too long! Keep reading to see what my favorite’s are this week!
My Current Favorites
1. Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub: So I stumbled across this product while shopping for the moisturizer from Cetaphil. I don’t have sensitive skin, as a matter of fact I have combination oily skin so exfoliating is my best friend when trying to get a good deep cleanse. On the packaging this product says “daily” and that’s what won me over! I could get the deep cleanse I wanted without having to use a product with harsh chemicals that tend to over-dry the skin. If you do have sensitive skin, I would recommend this if you’re looking for a gentle exfoliating product. They get 5 stars from me!
2. E.l.f Cosmetics Clarifying Booster Drops: I saw this product in Target and I honestly bought it because I thought it was a face oil. I’m used to my facial oils being on the pricy side so I saw this and that it was $10 and threw it in the cart. Too bad when I got home I realized it was more of a serum and not an oil at all. Even though it isn’t what I wanted, this is still a great product. Basically this is a booster that you add to whatever moisturizer you use on your face. You can definitely smell the tea tree oil which I’m totally fine with as this ingredient aids in even complexion and clear skin. Who would object?!
3. Dove Pear and Aloe Vera Scent Body Wash: This product may seem really basic to talk about however I LIVE for Dove. Their body washes are amazing and suited for any scent preference you may have. The pear aloe vera scented body wash has become my favorite. It has the perfect sweet yet soothing smell with added nutrient moisture to leave your skin radiant. It also does not leave that soapy film on your skin that some body washes do. Trust me, you need this!
4. Exfoliating Glove: If you want smooth radiant skin, grab one of these! As you can tell I exfoliate my entire body and these definitely make it super easy to do so. They’re mad affordable as you can find them in places from the dollar tree to target to ulta. The fact that they’re super affordable is great because you need to switch these out often.
5. Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La Defining Curl Custard: Lastly, this product was bought on a whim. I needed a styling product and target didn’t have what I initially went to buy so I had to grab something. I opened one of these in the store to assess its consistency because that always lets me know how something will work on my hair. It looked safe so I decided to give it a try. It was also only $7 which was a MAJOR bonus. It has a sweet smell that leaves your hair smelling like the tropics. I’ve been grabbing it consistently since it was purchased and I will definitely repurchase when my current tub runs out.
5. Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La Defining Curl Custard: Lastly, this product was bought on a whim. I needed a styling product and target didn’t have what I initially went to buy so I had to grab something. I opened one of these in the store to assess its consistency because that always lets me know how something will work on my hair. It looked safe so I decided to give it a try. It was also only $7 which was a MAJOR bonus. It has a sweet smell that leaves your hair smelling like the tropics. I’ve been grabbing it consistently since it was purchased and I will definitely repurchase when my current tub runs out.
I hope you enjoyed this post! Thanks for reading!
Peace & Good Vibes
Harmonious Kourt
Podcasts To Get You Through Your Work Week!
THERAPY FOR BLACK GIRLS
The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a Licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible version of ourselves.
SUPER SOUL CONVERSATIONS
Awaken, discover and connect to the deeper meaning of the world around you with SuperSoul. Hear Oprah’s personal selection of her interviews with thought-leaders, best-selling authors, spiritual luminaries, as well as health and wellness experts. All designed to light you up, guide you through life’s big questions and help bring you one step closer to your best self.
ELEVATION WITH STEVEN FURTICK
This is a weekly podcast of Elevation Church led by Pastor Steven Furtick. You are sure to get your weekly source of inspiration.
TED TALKS DAILY
Every weekday, this feed brings you their latest talks in audio format. Hear thought-provoking ideas on every subject imaginable -- from Artificial Intelligence to Zoology, and everything in between -- given by the world's leading thinkers and doers. This is a collection of talks, given at TED and TEDx conferences around the globe.
TEQUILA TLK!
On this podcast the guests discuss everyday things over shots of tequila. Guests are invited to discuss a range of topics over a good drink, with different guests of different magnitudes weekly. If you are looking for a good laugh, Tequila Tlk is the podcast for you. These guys like to keep things light and have fun!
Thanks For Reading!
Peace & Good Vibes
Harmonious Kourt
How Down Is Too Down? Let’s Talk About Depression
Let’s learn about some symptoms of depression. Symptoms can include:
1. Depressed mood
2. Sleep difficulties
3. Loss of interest or pleasure
4. Fatigue nearly every day
5. Significant weight change
6. Feelings of worthlessness
7. Decreased concentration
8. Suicidal ideation
*Symptoms must cause significant distress
*Symptoms must last for at least 2 weeks
Psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
-CBT works by changing self-defeating thoughts and behaviors.
-CBT has been found to be equally, if not more effective than medicine in many cases.
-CBT is the most researched form of psychotherapy for depression.
Medication (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
-SSRI’s increase the level of serotonin (a chemical related to depression) in the brain.-Studies suggest that SSRI’s are the most effective when used to treat severe depression.
-SSRIs don’t work overnight--it might take up to 6 weeks before they reach full effectiveness.
A combination of both psychotherapy and medication has been found to be the most effective treatment for depression.
In addition to the recommended treatments for depression there are also some holistic approaches to tackle your mood. I personally like to suggest these options to my patients in addition to psychotherapy and medication. I am a strong believer in the effectiveness of natural remedies and how they help address the root cause of depression. Here are a few of the many natural options:
1. Eat a Healthy and Well-Balanced Diet : Your food choices can have a significant impact on your mood and it is key to eat foods that support neurotransmitter function. Your natural brain chemicals are influenced by the foods you put in your body. Shoot for healing/anti-inflammatory foods such as omega 3 foods, fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, lean protein, and probiotics.
2. Supplement Natural Remedies: Fish Oil, probiotics, vitamin B-complex, and vitamin D3 are some of the supplements that assist with depression. I advise you research each individually to get more information on their relation to depression and consult with your physician.
3. Essential Oil Remedies: Lavender oil helps relieve stress and promotes good sleep hygiene. It also has a long history of medicinal use for mood disorder because of its’ calming properties. Grab an oil diffuser or drop a few drops in your shower or bath. Thank me later!
4. Lifestyle Changes: Exercise! Exercise! Exercise! This gives you a boost of energy and helps build confidence as well as promotes good sleep. These benefits from exercise alone will improve depressive symptoms and promote feelings of happiness and self-worth. Spending time outdoors also helps decrease depressive symptoms as an increase in your vitamin D levels is sure to put some pep in your step!
I hope this helped you all gain knowledge about depression as well as some means to managing these symptoms. Let me know if you like these types of posts! I am studying to be a psychologist and I am going to try and incorporate mental health more on my blog. Shoot me any suggestions and thanks for reading!
Peace & Good Vibes
Harmonious Kourt
Buy or Bye?: Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra Clarifying Face Oil Review
Hey Hey! Happy New Year! This month I will be making it a point to review several skincare products that I have tried over the last few years. I am certainly guilty of grabbing a sample from Sephora and getting my whole entire life! By doing that, I have been able to find some great products that are now a part of my everyday skincare routine. Down below I am reviewing one of my favorite skincare products that I have been using for the past two years. This has definitely been a staple in my skincare routine. Keep reading to see if it's a buy or bye for me!
What is the Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra Clarifying Face Oil?
A quick-absorbing, medicated dry oil.
What does it do?
The dry oil helps clear congested pores, treat and prevent acne, and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for clearer, smoother skin.
How can it be used?
-Can be used day or night.
-After cleansing skin, massage in U.F.O. as needed.
What are the key ingredients?
-Tea Tree and Chamomile Oil: include purifying properties and provide soothing support
-1.5% Salicylic Acid: clears clogged pores, corrects and prevents acne and blackheads
-Licorice Root and Hexylresorcinol: naturally brighten the appearance of dark spots and acne discoloration
________________________________________________________
Pros
-Sold at Sephora, Sephora inside JCP, Macys & Ulta
- Good for balanced, oily, combination, dry/dehydrated & sensitive skin
- Contains all natural ingredients
- It is a great moisturizing solution for anyone with
problematic blemishes, acne or blackheads
-Formulated without parabens, sulfates and phthalates
-non-greasy formula
-non-greasy formula
Cons
-Can be expensive to some as it sells between $40-$80
- For someone with sensitive skin I think the tea tree has the potential to be abrasive
-Like any clarifying product, can bring brewing pimples to the surface of skin
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Overall I really love this product. I currently use it everyday. When I purchased it I really wanted to try face oils but was always so skeptical because I already have oily skin. I was afraid it would clog my pores and cause some issues despite what I was reading about it. I am so glad I decided to go ahead and give it a go because face oil is probably the best part of my routine next to masks. Using this oil has assisted with actually preventing my skin from making so much oil. I love that because I am always moisturized and glowy. A little goes a long way so even the smaller bottle lasts for a while. I have been through about 3 bottles and just bought my 4th so you can tell this has become a holy grail product for me. Have you used any of the skincare products from Sunday Riley? If so, let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading!
Peace & Good Vibes
Harmonious Kourt
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