New App Alert – BrewPass

In my free time, which isi every scarce, I run a food blog on Instagram.

It started off as a fun hobby where I would just go to restaurants around the city that looked cool or that I heard great things about. I would take pictures of the food, post a review onto the blog (Instagram account) and talk about the ambiance and atmosphere.

I didn’t expect the account to get over 200 followers. I started off with just following my friends, some family, and other local food accounts.

The account eventually grew and isn’t far from 700 followers.

I have expanded it as well. I review food at restaurants, coffee shops, and trendy bars.

Again, I didn’t expect the account to do much or reach that many people but then I went to a book cafe in Wicker Park one day.

It’s called Volumes Book Cafe. You could grab one of their many books and get a cup of coffee, latte, shot of espresso, tea, and a snack while you read.

I posted a picture of the coffee I got and tagged the cafe. An app called BrewPass asked if they could post the photo on their Instagram and credit me. In return, I would receive a $25 credit on their app.

BrewPass allows you to go to independently owned coffee shops nearby, order your drink ahead of time, and skip the line to pick it up when you get there.

It’s much like the Starbucks mobile app, but for smaller coffee shops.

I’m typically an early riser and someone who can squeeze a lot into my schedule. I don’t normally have an issue with waking up early.

Ever since starting my internship, I’ve realized how I take sleep for granted and that working 9-5 could actually make you tired even if you’re just in an office. 

After 5 PM, I’m basically cashed out for the day and don’t have much energy to do anything else. The bad part about that is that I have two online classes that I am taking over the summer that I need to tend to. I can’t just leave those hanging, considering I need them to graduate and we paid too much for them.

Lately, I’ve been waking up at the ungodly hour of 5 AM to make breakfast and head to the gym before work. I never thought I would have the willpower to do that (I did in high school, but I was modeling so I was obsessed with staying as thin as I could).

Is it tiring? Yes. Do I want to get up at 5 AM? No. However, I feel so much better when I get up and finish my workout before work.

A good breakfast, espresso, water, and vitamins all take part in waking up early to sweat out an hour of cardio before work every morning.

Klaire Labs has vitamins and minerals, enzymes, fatty acids, prebiotics, and more at their company. They’ve been around since 1969 and work hard to create the purest products for your body and needs.

Testing out skin care products is always a process. To begin with, you have to know how your skin takes to certain ingredients in the product.

I’m someone with oily skin, so I try to avoid oil-based products. Remember the coconut oil craze for removing makeup? I tried it once, and woke up with so many tiny pimples and clogged pores. I didn’t realize it was because I have oily skin, and mixing oil with more oil will just make matters worse.

On the other hand, people with dry skin can’t use products that tend to try out skin because it’ll irritate them. Trying to find a happy medium could take long. 

Another risk we take is trying out new products at the wrong time. I’ve never had this issue, but I know some people who try out new products before an event or for something they would like to have clear skin, then the reaction gets to them. 

One thing I’ve learned after years (definitely, many years and dollars later) is to keep it natural and to a minimum. 

I’ve noticed whenever I used too many products on my face, my skin starts to act up. I’m not someone with problematic skin, so I always wondered why that happens. I’m also not a dermatologist, but I think too many processed products will get you in the end.

Another thing to take note of is your diet. I notice when I consume too much sugar, go out too often, or just eat poorly in general, it shows up on my skin. 

Weleda is a brand that has a very natural line of products. Ranging from skin care to oral care, you’ll find something you like at Weleda. 

Not only are they cruelty-free, but they’re also free of aluminum, phosphates, artificial preservatives, colors, and synthetic fragrances.