jojotastic

update about my ‘no shopping’ challenge

April 26, 2018April 25, 2018By JoannaPosted in fashion, personal essays

When I decided on my no shopping challenge back in January, I had no idea what to expect. Would I feel a crazy impulse to buy buy buy? Would I unlock some magical, zen approach to getting dressed? Would I get so tired of the same pair of jeans that I’d go nuts and buy 15 new ones? When I initially wrote the post, it seemed like a lot of you felt the same way I did about shopping, that you were totally spent and needed a shift in attitude toward the entire idea of buying. I wanted to check in with you guys to not only update you, but also to share some anecdotes about these past 4 months of going without buying clothing, accessories, or jewelry.

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One Room Challenge: backyard oasis, week 4

April 25, 2018April 25, 2018By JoannaPosted in my tiny bungalow

Wow, who would have thought that week 4 of One Room Challenge is when it would dawn on me how much work a backyard overhaul can be?? I got back from my travels late Thursday night and dove into yardwork the very next day and haven’t taken a day off since. We’ve been going HAM on the yard… so much digging, raking, hauling, stacking, and leveling. It’s been truly backbreaking, but I feel like it’s starting to really come together. Or at least, I have to keep reminding myself of that as I stain yet another fence board! Continue reading “One Room Challenge: backyard oasis, week 4” →

Elderflower & Black Tea Vodka Cocktail Recipe

April 24, 2018April 23, 2018By JoannaPosted in recipes

With our backyard makeover in full swing, admittedly I have not had much time to entertain or to prep any fancy meals for us. Most nights, I throw together something easy for dinner that is still healthy and then we conk out early because we’ve been moving pavers around the yard for hours and hours. Woof. But spring is finally here in Seattle and I am feeling more and more like celebrating — even if it’s just with a few cocktails while we take a break from yard work. This cocktail is composed of a really smooth blend of elderflower liqueur, black tea infused vodka, and vermouth for an easy-to-make and easy-to-sip drink perfect for spring. Plus, once you’ve made your batch of black tea vodka it’s easy to make more in the future!

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April skincare + beauty edit (Vapour Beauty, The Ordinary, & more!)

April 23, 2018April 21, 2018By JoannaPosted in beauty + cosmetics

This month’s skincare and beauty edit leans more toward the skincare side of things. Despite my intense travel schedule, I made sure to take good care of my skin — especially because I was wearing so much makeup at blogging events and my friend’s wedding. Let’s just dive right in! To start, my favorite change of the month has been switching to a new natural deodorant. I am now obsessed with Vapour Beauty and their palo santo & blood orange deodorant. It is beyond amazing. I don’t get funky a few hours after applying, I can work out with it on, and it smells amazing all day long. If you want to make the switch, I highly recommend it.

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the friday edit

April 20, 2018April 19, 2018By JoannaPosted in the friday edit

Happy Friday! It feels sooooooo good to be home. After almost a week in North Carolina and then 36 hours in San Francisco, I got back late last night. After a week of traveling for work, I am so stoked to be back in Seattle and reunited with Sean and our tiny zoo. We have a lot of work to do this weekend, don’t get me wrong. But it feels so awesome to wake up in my own bed and have different clothing options!

In case you missed it, here’s what we shared on the blog this week: Continue reading “the friday edit” →

5 ways to reduce waste in your bathroom

April 19, 2018April 18, 2018By JoannaPosted in home decor + interiors, small spaces

When I chose to live in a small space, part of my decision was inspired by my desire to reduce my impact on the environment. There are so many ways to reduce waste in your home, but my most recent area of focus has been the bathroom. From my skincare routine to storage, these 5 tips have minimized the amount of waste I generate, while also making decisions that are better for the environment.

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