Summer 2015 Bucket List

Note: Yes, I know I have been MIA. I have just been super busy and whenever I do have free time, I just haven't gotten around to writing a post. Then I feel guilty for not blogging and I avoid my blog even more. I know, makes zero sense. I just got back from Charleston and went straight to work for two days. Going to enjoy my weekend and take a few makeup classes at Sephora and hit the gym. 

(X) accomplished

1.       St. Louis Botanical Gardens Lantern Festival  (X)

I was on a double date last week and the boys surprised us with tickets to the festival. It was so much fun and I got some amazing pictures!!

2.      Food Truck Friday at Tower Grove Park

3.      Art Hill Film Series in Forest Park- Clueless or Sound of Music

4.      The Muny- My Fair Lady or Beauty and the Beast

5.      Get back to Charleston, SC  (X)

S and I went to Charleston with my family. I was able to see some old college friends and second family. I was also able to get royally sunburned on the beach the last day I was there.

6.      Hiking in Aspen, CO

7.      Swim more

8.      Try a few breakfast/ brunch spots in StL (ie the Mud House, Half & Half, etc)

9.      Take some beauty tutorial classes ( ie contouring) at Sephora

10.   Cards Game!!

11.    Try a new summer recipe each week whether main dish, appetizer, or dessert 

           I made this key lime pie (my first ever) two weeks ago for a shrimp boil at a friends house. It was awesome!! 

12.   Reread some old books 

I am sure this bucket list will grow but planning (hoping) on completing this list by the end of August! 

Travel Size

 Busy week for this blogger! I had a final exam early this morning. I had spent the last two days under books, notes, notecards.. My apartment looked a mess so the first thing, post-exam, was a deep clean. I also had to pack, take out the trash, run the dishwasher, etc. I am leaving Columbia for St. Louis tonight just so my schedule is easier tomorrow. I am flying to Boston, meeting the boyfriend in the airport (we land within 15 minutes of each other) and off we go on our next adventure and a wonderful weekend celebrating our friends, Kara and Striker. Before I began packing, I knew I needed a few items from Sephora and Target. I don’t like taking full size products when I travel because it takes up so much space in my luggage. Sephora’s check out area always has great travel or trial size items. I like to take products on trips that I know will not break me out or cause irritation so I try not to venture out too much with new products. Here are a few of my travel items I bought from Sephora and Target.

Benefit Porefessional Primer. I tried this a few years ago and liked it. I just need to use it around my nose where I have a few enlarged pores. It’s a really great filler without clogging.

I use the Maybelline Clear Lash Mascara on my brows during the weekdays. It’s not intense and I am able to control my brows and have them brushed up and staying in place. I love the Gimme Brow for events or when I want a bit more definition to my eyebrows.

Definitely need to bring my Dr. Dennis Gross Facial Peels. They are so important to my skin routine and so I packed three packets for the weekend.

I swore I wouldn’t buy the micro-mini beauty blenders. I have the original and I didn’t need the minis. Well I decided that since I was traveling that I didn’t want to bring my beauty blender. It was easier to get the smaller ones and have a new one on my trip.

So I have been using the Say Yes to Cucumbers face wipes for a few weeks, they were on sale and I have used them in the past along with Say Yes to Tomatoes face wipes, etc. Well, after using the wipes, my face would burn. I thought it was my dry skin. Last week, I took off my makeup with one of the wipes, and looked in the mirror ten minutes later. My skin was red, inflamed, puffy but only where I applied the wipe. It was awful! I am assuming I had an allergic reaction but they were immediately thrown away. I have had success with Garnier towelettes so I picked up a pack at Target. Say No to Cucumbers….

Double Breasted Jacket. I picked it up for a fun pinky red color. It is definitely more on the red side but I love it! I try to bring along the color I am wearing in case I need touch ups.

Playing Tourist in Vancouver

As many of you know, I traveled to Vancouver this past weekend for a five day conference. The conference: North American SETAC (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) gets together every year or every other depending. The conference was fabulous, my research was extremely well received, and it was nice to be on the leading edge of microplastic research. I met quite a few other scientists, made a few possible collaborations and post-doc opportunities, learned so much, and feel re energized and motivated. I will be breaking up my trip(s) with posts so without further ado- my touristy pictures of Vancouver.

View from the Conference Center

Vancouver hosted the Olympics a few years ago. They lit the torch on Remembrance Day and it was extinguished after the moment of silenc at 11 a.m. 

Stanley Park (#1 city park in the world)

trying to use Canadian currency- made me look like a typical American

View from my hotel room

Note the mountains in the background

Walking around Southern Vancouver... (overlooking the northern side)

Canada Place street-ran along the water way to Gas Town area

Northern Vancouver

Smaller stone building- Anglican Cathedral

my view from my room at night

Other half of the convention center/ visitors center

Just outside my convention center was the giant lego- whale

Stay tuned for more to come from my travels

Next stop..

    After my weekend on the east coast, a week back in Columbia MO and an exam this morning (hence why I have been M.I.A.), I am heading out to Vancouver, Canada this weekend. I am speaking at the North American SETAC conference (society of environmental toxicology and chemistry). This is a five day conference with over 1800 platform presentations. I am so excited to network and get around my fellow tox people. I have also never been to Vancouver so I am very excited to explore the city. Thursday night, I will be getting on my next flight to San Diego. I have the Marine Corps Ball with the Captain and a nice weekend in warmer weather.
      I love flying. I have such a great time on layovers and the thrill of traveling. I tend to always have a go-to outfit for traveling depending on the mode of transportation. With flying, I tend to wear flats or boots that are easy to come off during security and always bring a scarf or wrap jacket in case of chilly temps on the plane. And if it's not too cold, I can ball it up and rest my head against the window with it as a pillow. Most of my flights as of late have been 6 a.m. flights so I have been sleeping through the flights. So I have been trying to dress comfortable and warm with my Starbucks in hand. Here are a few outfit inspirations for flying..

Happy Travels, keep up with my trip on my instagram!! 

http://instagram.com/rachelleriegerix

Road Trip: {Packing for 10 days of travel}

I am always a last minute packer. Looks like I need it? Throw it in duffel or my suitcase and go. Lately I have been trying to pack more versatile pieces so that I can mix and match outfits. I also try and layout possible outfits to coincide with the itinerary- yes, this couple LOVES itineraries- there is no such thing as winging it. This is my summer trip, as much as I would love to take a week to sit on Kiawah Island with a Yuengling in hand, this summer won’t be the time. I will be back to my second home in November though, so I am not too upset. This trip, Steve and I are taking ten days, TEN WHOLE DAYS, to drive from St. Louis to Wilmington NC, to Pinehurst NC, to Williamsburg VA, to Quantico, to Ann Arbor MI, and then back to St. Louis. One GIANT loop.  We have a lunch with my other dads, Steve is meeting my grandparents, celebrating my great grandfathers 102^nd birthday with him,  history geeking out in Williamsburg, taking Steve to my favorite campus: William and Mary, seeing Quantico, and finishing with a wedding in Michigan.

When packing I try to make three separate sections: clothing, electronics-if needed, and toiletries.

I have a complete luggage set from Kenneth Cole but I have been eyeing this overnight bag from Marly Lilly for some time and it might go on my Christmas wish list or my 'whenever I can afford it' list. This would be perfect for the trip.

Marley Lilly $64.99 

1.  I always have a travel bag readily available that contains a new toothbrush/ toothpaste, Q-tips, travel sized shampoo, conditioner, and hairspray, and bobby pins. Then I pack my toiletries bag which will always contain my every day makeup, my Naked2 palette, make up remover wipes, clean makeup brushes etc. Another small bag will have hair straightener, brush, dry shampoo, dry oils for glossy hair, etc. I also will pack my vitamins, inhaler, a nailpolish for touch ups, face scrub, and my razor. 

2. I like to make a list of what I will need for the ten days, or however long I would be gone to stay organized and not over or under pack. I also tend to roll my clothes instead of folding and stacking in my suitcase. This helps to pack more and save space while also leaving clothes less wrinkly.

• Four pairs of shorts: khakis, white, black, and coral 
• Two pairs athletic shorts- grey, black
• Jeans, 2 white, one blue
• 3 Nice dresses for wedding/ going out
• 4 Casual dresses: black tshirt, two striped, floral
• One or two bikinis? 
• Coverup if needed
• One sweater
• Four tshirts 
• 4 Tank tops
• 6 tops
• A clutch, crossbody, pink handbag
• Toiletries
• Running shoes, nude pumps, black pumps, sandals, leopard flats, Keds 
• Whatever you are forgetting 

3. Electronics: l usually don't take my laptop but since this is a longer trip and I still will be checking my email for work, I need to pack my laptop and charger. For the car, I need to have my iPod, charger, headphones, cell phone wall and car charger. 

Since we are taking my car, I also need to make sure my car is cleaned, vacuumed and oil is changed. 

Despite last minute odds and ends like a cooler for Gatorade, water, and snack. We should be good to go! I am so excited for this next adventure and to see Steve's face at Monticello and Williamsburg. It's going to be fun! 

XOXO