By: cristina stief June 7, 2020July 2, 2020 Female BadasseryAnti-Racism, Black Lives Matter, FeaturedLeave a Comment

Anti-Racism: 9 Things White People Need To Know

To my fellow white peers, This moment is simultaneously ripe for change and a hotbed for hypocrisy⁠ It’s in all caps because the truth of the matter is that many of us will say something, but few of us will go on to do something about it. Our collective outrage is only the catalyst. It’s…

By: cristina stief April 30, 2020July 3, 2020 Female BadasseryFeaturedLeave a Comment

Finding My Why

My decision to put into words my thoughts and experiences via Oh yes she did begins and ends with a personal realisation, the decision to value my intellect, feelings, and words, and the willingness to share them with the world in more formalised and public way.

By: cristina stief February 11, 2020July 3, 2020 LifestyleBeauty, Beauty Pie, Featured, SkincareLeave a Comment

My Thoughts On Beauty Pie: An Honest Review

Before I jump into my Beauty Pie review, I will preface this by saying that I am VERY particular about my makeup, skincare and haircare and have never been one for subscription beauty boxes or off-brand samples.

In case you missed it... WE BOUGHT A FLAT!!!

By: cristina stief January 13, 2020July 2, 2020 LifestyleFeatured, Home Decor, Home Styling, Interiors, New Home OwnersLeave a Comment

We Bought a Flat! Say Hello to the Little Bow Home

In case you missed it… WE BOUGHT A FLAT!!! The past 6 months have been an absolutely whirlwind, so I thought I’d write this blog post just to catch you up on what the process was like, because it was a process, let me tell you.

If you read my recap of 2019 over the weekend, then you know the year had some serious ups and downs for me. BUT, December finished on a real high with the purchase of our new flat and I'm now feeling a lot like a whole new woman and I'm determined to keep that going.

By: cristina stief January 10, 2020July 1, 2020 Health & WellnessFeatured, Health & Wellbeing, Resolutions, self love, Self-CareLeave a Comment

How To Have The Best Year: Start 2020 Right.

If you read my recap of 2019 over the weekend, then you know the year had some serious ups and downs for me. BUT, December finished on a real high with the purchase of our new flat and I’m now feeling a lot like a whole new woman and I’m determined to keep that going.

About

I have a passion for health and fitness, a Master’s in International Political Economy, and a career in social media and digital marketing. I write about my life because I’m still trying to figure out who I am and how I got here.

Female Badassery

Life is to be lived boldly. Unapologetically. It’s time to live into your potential. Use your voice. Take a stand. Find your courage and trust that you are here in this moment for a reason.

Health & Wellness

Body image, fitness, depression, diet culture, eating disorders — even therapy. I’m not afraid to speak from experience on topics I have dealt with on and off my entire life.

Anti-Racism: 9 Things White People Need To Know

By: cristina stief June 7, 2020July 2, 2020

Female BadasseryAnti-Racism, Black Lives Matter, FeaturedLeave a Comment

If you have any questions about my Pure Sport CBD review or the benefits I have experienced, please let me know. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

My Experience with CBD: A Pure Sport CBD Review

By: cristina stief May 17, 2020July 3, 2020

Health & Wellness, Mental HealthCBD, Health & WellbeingLeave a Comment

It’s not an exaggeration to say that I have been curious about CBD for well over a year now. So, when Pure Sport CBD reached out offering me a chance to review a few of their products, I jumped at the chance.

Let's face it. When other responsibilities get in the way, it's the things we do for ourselves that we tend to sacrifice first. So this weekend, I wanted to share a few straightforward, relatively easy ways you can re-prioritise your own health and wellbeing and practice self-care.

6 Easy Ways To Self-Care This Weekend

By: cristina stief May 16, 2020July 2, 2020

Health & WellnessSelf-Care, Self-Care TipsLeave a Comment

Let’s face it. When other responsibilities get in the way, it’s the things we do for ourselves that we tend to sacrifice first. So this weekend, I wanted to share a few straightforward, relatively easy ways you can re-prioritise your own health and wellbeing and practice self-care.

My body feels like it’s straddling a fence. On one side there is diet culture. On the other... something unknown — an amorphous, imprecise ‘better way’. It terrifies me.

How Diet Culture Feels

By: cristina stief May 14, 2020July 3, 2020

Health & WellnessBody Image, Diet Culture, Self-WorthLeave a Comment

My body feels like it’s straddling a fence. On one side there is diet culture. On the other… something unknown — an amorphous, imprecise ‘better way’. It terrifies me. It terrifies me because it’s a land of acceptance and a burial ground for control.

It started with initial research. I watched influencer reviews and Youtube videos, spoke to skincare reps at SpaceNK, Kiehls, and The Ordinary. I made lists of products and brands to try including Caudalie, Algenist, Darphin, and Sunday Riley. Then, I spent A LOT of money because I was DESPERATE for results and affordable skincare for acne-prone skin just isn't a thing.

Affordable Skincare for Acne-Prone Skin

By: cristina stief May 4, 2020July 3, 2020

LifestyleBeauty, Beauty Pie, Skincare2 Comments

If you struggle with acne and find skincare way too expensive, read on. Today, I’m sharing my top 5 skincare products for acne-prone skin that are actually affordable!

Finding My Why

By: cristina stief April 30, 2020July 3, 2020

Female BadasseryFeaturedLeave a Comment

I won't pretend my mood has not dropped substantially since, which makes me think that my happiness may hinge more on the availability of sunshine than healthy for someone who lives in a notoriously grey, dreary country... LUCKILY, the internet is full of contrastingly cheery, sickly pastel, but super fun Easter themed stuff right now so no need to dwell on the lack of sun.

Weekend Recap And 9 Fun Easter things!

By: cristina stief April 12, 2020July 2, 2020

LifestyleAround the Web, Easter, Just for fun1 Comment

We were supposed to be in NOLA for a friend’s wedding this weekend but, like the rest of the world, fate had other plans.

Everyone's holiday plans may be on hold, but I'm still here holding out for our trip to Greece in June. Which means, I'm already thinking about what I'm going to wear and have put together an extensive list of vacation looks for Summer 2020.

Vacation Looks For Summer 2020

By: cristina stief April 7, 2020July 3, 2020

LifestyleFashion, Outfit Inspiration, Shopping List, Vacation Style, What To WearLeave a Comment

Everyone’s holiday plans may be on hold, but I’m still here holding out for our trip to Greece in June. Which means, I’m already thinking about what I’m going to wear and have put together an extensive list of vacation looks for Summer 2020.

Rory spent 10+ hours driving between Devon and London yesterday. He went home to check on our plant babies and pick up some essentials because we're going to be in Devon for at least another two weeks - maybe longer. Our cheese plants were looking really droopy so he brought them down here so we can care for them properly.

Weekend Recap and 9 Fun Things — From Devon! (Again)

By: cristina stief April 5, 2020July 2, 2020

LifestyleCovid19, Isolation, Just for funLeave a Comment

Rory spent 10+ hours driving between Devon and London yesterday. He went home to check on our plant babies and pick up some essentials because we’re going to be in Devon for at least another two weeks – maybe longer. Our cheese plants were looking really droopy so he brought them down here so we…

For me, the tension between authenticity and perfectionism has never been more clear. This blog post includes excerpts from a conversation with my therapist and my personal insights on the subject.

Authenticity, Perfectionism and Our Innate Intelligence

By: cristina stief April 3, 2020July 2, 2020

Health & WellnessMental Health, Perfectionism, Personal development, Self EsteemLeave a Comment

For me, the tension between authenticity and perfectionism has never been more clear. This blog post includes excerpts from a conversation with my therapist and my personal insights on the subject. If you self-identify as a perfectionist, struggle with self-esteem, read voraciously about personal development, strive to be happier, work hard to be better and…

Body Image And Weight Gain in a Relationship

By: cristina stief April 1, 2020July 2, 2020

Health & WellnessBody Dysmorphia, Body Image, Body Positivity, Eating Disorder, Recovery, self love1 Comment

Trigger warning: This post discusses eating disorders, body image and weight gain in a relationship. ‘Does my body look bigger to you?’ It was a question I already knew the answer to. I wondered silently whether he had noticed my body change gradually over the years or if it had snuck up on him as…

We finished our first week working from Devon and with the shelter in place rules still in effect, we're planning to be here awhile longer. I am in no hurry to leave. Between the sound of birds and wind chimes, the stillness of the surrounding woods and the crisp English countryside air, we have found the escape we need for the time being.

Weekend Recap and 9 Fun Things — From Devon!

By: cristina stief March 29, 2020July 2, 2020

LifestyleCoronavirus, Covid19, Just for fun, WFHLeave a Comment

We finished our first week working from Devon and with the shelter in place rules still in effect, we’re planning to be here awhile longer. I am in no hurry to leave. Between the sound of birds and wind chimes, the stillness of the surrounding woods and the crisp English countryside air, we have found…

Hi. It feels like it has been a long time since I was last here. Thinking. Writing. Deleting and re-writing. The last thing I shared was a Beauty Pie review, which makes me smile a little because makeup and skincare feel so ridiculously trivial at this moment and yet, they're one of the few things that have remained a constant for me over the past week as much of my life (and yours too, I would guess) has changed rather dramatically. It occurred to me that what we need right now is not self-inflicted guilt, judgement, and a promise to 'do better'. As we navigate Coronavirus, what we need to find for ourselves is self-compassion.

Finding Self-Compassion During Coronavirus

By: cristina stief March 21, 2020July 1, 2020

Health & Wellness, Mental HealthAnxiety, Depression, Emotional Health, Mental Health, Self Compassion, Self-Care1 Comment

Hi. It feels like it has been a long time since I was last here. Thinking. Writing. Deleting and re-writing. The last thing I shared was a Beauty Pie review, which makes me smile a little because makeup and skincare feel so ridiculously trivial at this moment and yet, they’re one of the few things…

My Thoughts On Beauty Pie: An Honest Review

By: cristina stief February 11, 2020July 3, 2020

LifestyleBeauty, Beauty Pie, Featured, SkincareLeave a Comment

Four weeks ago, we packed up this van (twice) and moved out to East London, into the home we bought together. If you had told me that I would own a home before the age of 30, I wouldn't have believed you.

We’re Home Owners!

By: cristina stief January 26, 2020July 1, 2020

Female Badasserydreams, Faith, New Home Owners2 Comments

Four weeks ago, we packed up this van (twice) and moved out to East London, into the home we bought together. If you had told me that I would own a home before the age of 30, I wouldn’t have believed you.