Funemployment | DIY: Coffee Exfoliant

One of the great things about funemployment is the new found free-time and ability to do those things you loved but never could fit in before. As of late, I have rediscovered the joy of loitering in a cafe like it's my day job. I have combined this joy with cover letter writing (the resume is now compelete :) and job searching (blech!) which, since I'm being productive, allows me to do this almost daily. 

Apart from the all-encompassing job hunt, I have been taking the opportunity to finally work on my portfolio site, new blog design (wink, wink!! SO excited) and making a batch of my favourite-ever body scrub.

I first stumbled upon a DIY coffee body scrub back in 2007 when after obsessively searching online and in-stores, could not find anything worth purchasing. At the time, I had recently put a birthday gift certificate to use and enjoyed my first, full body scrub and polish. While going through the treatment,  the aesthetician explained the benefits behind each product used and had explained that when caffeine, when applied to the surface of your skin, helps redistribute fat cells and decrease the formation of cellulite. The caffeine also acts as a vascular restrictor, shrinking blood vessels and helping to reduce varicose veins. Although I was half asleep in relaxation bliss, my mind took notes and I remembered: 

Caffeine = Cellulite/Varicose prevention

I googled as soon as I got home.

Since then, I have experimented with a few different recipes and measurements, finally discovering a balance that I love. All ingredients are items that you likely already have stocked in your kitchen, however I would caution that premium coffee is not meant for this - it is meant for drinking, enjoying and then remembering how good it was. I suppose you could use your premium (leftover) grounds once your coffee is drunk but if you're like me, and want something a little softer with better movement, this recipe is almost as easy.

• 1cup coffee grounds
• The coarser, the better. This is somewhat subjective. Coarser grounds will offer a more intense exfoliation, where as finer ones will be softer. I enjoy medium.
• The cheaper, the better. I lucked out because Jack is a coffee snob and turned his nose up at this can of coffee, leaving it for me to rub all over my skin ...like you do.

• 3Tablespoons Oil: The oils job is to act as a moisturizer. It will be added to the coffee to create movement and soften your grains. I'm not a big fan of a slushy exfoliant so I stick to a modest amount of oil (also more cost-effective). If you do like a looser scrub, you can add up to 2/3cup, but do so incrementally to play it safe.
• Massage Oil: The first time I made this exfoliant I used a no-scent massage oil. It was alright. I lost it in the move and then discovered that oils found in your kitchen are better! Not only are they more natural, they can offer more benefits to your skin than a massage oil can. 
• Coconut Oil: I now use coconut oil. I was drawn to it because I thought coffee and coconut would complement each other, but it's health benefits are pretty impressive too! 
• Grape seed Oil: I may try this oil next time. The health benefits are also incredibly impressive.
• Olive Oil: This is a heavier oil, so it is best saved for the winter and other times your skin is prone to dryness. It's health benefits are also worth noting.

• 1Tablespoon Sugar: The sugar helps to create movement between the coffee grounds, as well as acts as an exfoliant in itself and increases circulation. You can choose between brown, cane or white sugar. I chose white, however brown sugar offers a sweeter fragrance.

• Fragrance: Honestly, this is really unnecessary. I had some Vanilla Body Shop perfume oil leftover from back in the day (oh to be 19...) so I added a few drops to sweeten the coffee scent.
• Vanilla Extract: It will do the same thing, and may also thin the scrub a bit. I would keep it to half a teaspoon.
• Cinnamon: Will enhance the coffee scent and add a little kick.

USE:

I use my scrub once a week. Anymore, and it's overkill. 

I use a body wash prior to the scrub so my skin is a little more slippery

allowing for ease of application, and better movement. 

I rinse after exfoliation, but will not re-wash with soap or body wash. 

If I used more oil in the scrub I would consider doing this but as is, I'm good.

I ALWAYS save shaving my legs until after I scrub and rinse. 

I have never had a smoother shave than when after I exfoliate with this scrub.

Make sure to rinse the tub out when you're done. 

This scrub is MESSY. 

It'll be a coffee ground bonanza when you are done. 

Don't be lazy. 

You will thank yourself, your roommate will thank you, 

your significant other will thank you.

While you're at it, make yourself a lip scrub. 

1Tablespoon of sugar + 1/2teaspoon of oil and you're good to go.

You might as well enter my giveaway, since you're pampering yourself and all.

FUNemployment | First things first: Adaptation

Vacations and relaxation are great, and easy to enjoy when you can rely on structure and routine to return momentarily,

but how do you adapt when it becomes your new way of life?

Whether you've been laid off or left a position of your own desire, life as you knew it is over. A nine to five job eats up the majority or your weekday life, so with its sudden disappearance (good or bad) you have to consider what to do with your new-found free time.

If you've been laid off, you (likely) will have received a severance package offering a certain amount of financial stability, and therefore flexibility, while you figure out how to deal with the curve ball you've been thrown. I am the sort of person who enjoys staying busy and thrives in structure, so I made it my first goal to anchor myself and create a plan of action before all my big ideas ran rampant and became overwhelming. Whether or not you are a person who strives for structure, creating a new routine is a great way to ensure you stay on track and (if you're like me) make sure you don't waste your time fretting as to whether you've just wasted your day away.

STEPS TO CREATE A ROUTINE

1. Identify what's important to you. This is your time, your routine; so, if catching up on Pretty LIttle Liars and eating an above average amount of pastry is important to you - put it down.
2. Identify what's important to your next move. This isn't as fun, but is definitely just as necessary. These goals can include updating/refocusing your resume, identifying ideal companies or career paths, deciding whether you would like to relocate and research ing accordingly, and more.
3. Assign each item a rank based on what's most important to you. Remember, this can change week-to-week, day-to-day, so if yoga and coffee dates are top of your list the first week, go for it! You can always re-focus once you've had your fill.

Mine looked like this:

Once you have identified and ranked your goals, use them to create a guideline for your new routine. Since spending time outdoors is very important to me, I have outlined my routines based on whether the day is sunny and warm, or dull and raining. At this point my routine is a general to-do list of goals for each day leaving room for non-flexible appointments, workshops and lunches. If I notice a day begin to stack up, I will create a more specific schedule for it the night before to ensure I will still be able to accomplish those things I consider to be most important. Organizing my routines this way also allows me to combine activities so I can achieve a few goals at once. For example, the last few days I've worked on my accomplishment statements and blogged while outdoors enjoying the sunshine. 

Currently, I am still largely focused on the first bunch, although I can feel my priorities transitioning. In my first week of unemployment, I was only concerned with the first bunch of items because I was, naturally, excited for my newfound freedom. Into my second week I could feel a shift toward the second bunch but it was for the wrong reasons. I was still trying to enjoy, and take advantage of, my free time began to feel overwhelmed by all the things I "should" be doing. Instead of ignoring those feelings I factored in a bit more time for accomplishment statements and reached out for some help, allowing myself to sidestep the downward spiral of fretting that would have definitely ruined my week. Now that I am into my third week, my head is clearing I have begun to tackle the items from the second bunch that I consider a priority. Since I am listening to, and managing, myself I am able to spilt my time between doing those things I enjoy most, and working effective and efficiently through what's less fun. 

So there you have it, the steps and techniques I am using to begin my adaptation.

Have you ever encountered a similar situation? 

How did you handle adapting to your new reality?