No exam life insurance

 Do you have life insurance? I feel like that is something you hear about when you are younger, and then all of a sudden you are old enough to get it for yourself. It is one of those things on the to do list that sometimes goes undone. It is one of the more important things we should be thinking about. If you are lucky, you might get life insurance through your employer or even your bank. I am lucky that my employer offers life insurance. Signing up for life insurance often includes a medical exam. There are some options that do not require a medical exam. Fabric by Gerber Life is one of those options.  Unfortunately loss has surrounded me the past several years. Some people have life insurance and some do not. It is not a fun thing to think about, but it is one of those things that can really make a big difference in the lives of those we leave behind. Do you have any advice on life insurance? 

Home Gym featuring Under the Desk Elliptical

Ever since the pandemic, I have been building my home gym. It is so convenient to be able to hop out of bed and go to the room next door for my workout (especially since moving farther away from the gym. I have weights, a bike, some bands and other equipment, but I have really been looking for more cardio options. I don’t have a lot of space for more equipment, and that is where the Cubii comes in. This under the desk elliptical is awesome. It gives me more options without taking up much space. I love my bike, but I have been getting kind of bored with it. Although I don’t spend as much time at home (especially at my desk) as I did a couple of years ago, something that can fit under my desk or somewhere else small is a game changer. 

My gym room is pretty crowded and this easily fits. 

In addition to my bike, weights, bands, yoga mat and ball, I am really excited to add the Cubii to my home gym. I have been following the Nourish Move Love workout program which is great for strength and this will add in the extra cardio I have been looking for. 

*this is a paid partnership with responsival 

Recent Empties

It has been a while (yet again) since I have done an empties post. There is something so satisfying about using something until it is gone. I typically try to use a product all the way gone even if it is not my fave. Recently I have been having a hard time finishing a few things. These however are all empties. 

TULA face wash-really like. Would buy again

CHI wake+fake dry shampoo-LOVE. This smells so good and might be my new fave. 

Batiste bare dry shampoo-just ok

Klorane powder dry shampoo-this works really well. The powder is a mess but I liked it enough to make it worth it. 

L’Oréal tubing mascara-good option for tubing mascara

Victoria’s Secret perfume-my go to

Mary Kay mascara-love for my final coat

Just Ingredients serum-LOVE. Already bought again

Eye cream-from fabfitfun. Just fine. 

HD Flawless setting powder-not my fave. It was more affordable than my Laura Mercier go to. 

‘Tis the Season…for cheap life insurance and other things

Fall is in the air and even winter in some places. Fall means a lot of things like sweaters and warm blankets, warm drinks, and cuddles. It also means the season of open enrollment for most of us. 

The older I get the more time I spend thinking about health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, and all of those other adult things. We had our open enrollment meeting at the beginning of the month and the cost of all of these things starts to get stressful. I do have a small life insurance plan through my job, but is it enough? There is so much to think about and plan especially for the future. I have seen enough to know the importance of life insurance, but it is also tricky to make it work within a budget. Cheap life insurance is one of those things we really all need, but we don’t always take the time to find it. Fabric by Gerber Life is taking away the guess work for us. While research is important, it is also nice to have reliable information to go to. Sometimes half the battle is even deciding what type of insurance is best for you. The bottom line is this is something we all need to think about. No matter how old or young we are, how healthy or not, how much we think think we may or may not need it, the reality is that we do. 

Besides figuring out life insurance I need to figure out my other options through my work-retirement, insurance options, health savings, and all of the things. Now is the time to get all of these things figured out. 

Beauty Time Tuesday-Empties

It has been quite a while since I did an empties post. I have emptied a few things recently and they are similar products. 

Big Sexy Hair spray and play hairspray-one of my fave hairsprays

Not Your Mother’s beach babe dry shampoo-just ok. I buy this often, but it’s not a favorite. 

Aussie dry shampoo-probably wouldn’t buy again

Bath and Body Works sea salt spray-I like this for some added texture or when I wear my hair more beachy

Clinique eyelash primer-I can’t seem to find the perfect primer. This was pretty dry and ran out fast. 

Lancôme mascara-I love this mascara.

Mary Kay mascara-daily go to

Tarte lights camera lashes mascara—a favorite mascara

Luminary gel polish-i love this stuff

Magic Remover-I don’t know what this stuff is, but it really does work

Sephora eye primer-I have been looking for a new eye primer. This isn’t really it. It was fine, but not the holy grail

Soak and Unwind whipped soap-love love this brand and their products 

Dental Probiotics

Most of us have heard of probiotics. Hopefully most of us take probiotics on a regular basis or at the very least when we feel like our gut health needs a boost. I have been taking probiotics for years so I was really excited to learn about dental probiotics. I didn’t even know there is such a thing. Dental probiotics support our natural immune defenses, good breath, and gum health. They also help fight plaque build up. I am so particular about my teeth and oral health. I brush and floss every single day. I am nightmare level scared about my teeth so I will so anything I can to protect them. I was so excited when Smile Brilliant reached out about their newest product, dental probiotics. They are so simple to use. I brush and floss like I normally do each night and then take one of the tablets. The flavor is really good, and I feel good knowing I am taking good care of my teeth.

If you want to try the probiotics or anything else from smile brilliant, use code aubreyzaruba20 for 20% off. 

Love is Blind 2.8-end

I missed watching with the group last week. I didn’t get around to watching the episodes I missed until today right before we met to watch. I already knew that Nick and Danielle ended up getting married. I am ready to see what happens with the rest of the season. 

I am very interested in the editing this season. I knew before I started watching that Nick and Danielle got married and are still together. I have watched their social media and I have seen Danielle talking about the edit. They definitely gave her the crazy girl edit. It makes me sad that they edited the show to make things look different than they really are or how the people involved perceived them to be. 

I watched the episodes from last week when I was meal prepping and doing other things so I didn’t super focus on it. There are definitely some couples that I am worried about. 

The final episode starts with the cliffhanger from the previous episode. We left off with Nick and Danielle at the altar. It seemed like maybe they weren’t going to say yes and then they did. Why Nick chose a gray suit in that hot Chicago weather we will never know. 

Shake and Deepti have seemed doomed since they left the pods. Their wedding was beautiful. It was the perfect set up except for all the things Shake said about Deepti. Things were great in the pods, and once they were out of the pods, things were not so great. She said no and he could not believe it. I never really believed that he would say yes, but it seemed like he thought they would. She left and he made things so uncomfortable. 

Mallory and Sal are really cute. They both love each other and talk about how much they love each other. They say and do nice things for each other, but they don’t really seem to be in love. I really like think they could work, but it is not a surprise that Sal says he needs more time. I wish they had more time and weren’t forced to be at the altar. 

Natalie and Shayne are a mess. They seemed like a mess to me the whole time. Some of my friends here really liked them together and thought they would work out. I never thought they would. They said they love each other and they are each other’s best friends, but they also didn’t really seem like a great fit. 

Iyanna and Jarrett are the cutest. They have been pretty solid the whole time. They are both so happy and no one was surprised that they both said yes. 

The show ends and since we waited so long to watch the reunion is already here. From the start the reunion is just as or more dramatic than the whole season. The reunion is pretty uncomfortable. I want Nick and Vanessa to take more control. There are so many heated feelings and really Shake is at the heart of most of it. I love this show. It is really fun to watch. I am also kind of glad it’s over, and I am sure I will be excited when there is another season.  

Love is Blind 2.2-7

I started watching a while ago, and then took a big long pause. We finally got our schedule figured out, and now we are on our way with watching. We made a deal that we watch on schedule and if you miss, you watch on your own. I watched the last few episodes by myself, and now I back with the group for episodes 6 and 7.

After episode 1 I had no idea they would start meeting each other. I feel like we barely got to see their time in the pods. After we get to the end and find out who does and doesn’t stay together I think I am going to wish that we knew more.

The couple see each other and go to Mexico so quickly. Mexico is so crazy. There were so many times that I just wanted to hide because I was embarrassed for the things people said and did. Several of them are talking to the camera acting like there is no way that this can work. It will be interesting to see how it all works out. At this point it doesn’t really seem like any of the couples are going to be the success stories of last season. 

Now they are meeting the parents, families, and friends. So far most of the families are not really that supportive. It is very interesting that a few of them didn’t tell their families about this experiment. Most of the families were not even nice about it. Natalie and Jarrett’s dads were the nicest ones by far. They are willing to give give their kids a chance and seem supportive. The episode ended with a cliffhanger where Natalie’s parents are about to meet Shayne. We obviously had to watch at least that part. 

I can’t wait to see who stays together and who doesn’t and how it all works out. The editing is so interesting to me. I will have more thoughts once the season ends. 

Love is Blind..2.1

Season 1 of Love is Blind was everything we needed during quarantine (for those of us that waited to watch it until quarantine). I have been so excited for another season ever since. Season 2 came out in the middle of the bachelor season, and I can barely find the time to watch one show. Some of my friends decided to wait and watch when the bachelor was over. 

The bachelor is over so here we are. It is hard to figure out who is who the first little bit. We get to know several people and then they start to focus on a few different people. 

Danielle and Nick are the absolute cutest. They are both so open and honest with each other. Of all the people we have seen so far, they are the most believable. We see them fall in love, get engaged, and get ready to meet all in episode 1. 

Everything else we have seen so far seems pretty questionable-lots of red flags. I am scared to see what happens with the rest of everyone else. 

We made a deal that we would all watch episode 1 and then wait and watch the rest together. I watched with Sarah, Kelsey, and Ari, and we really had to stop ourselves from watching the next episode. It’s a good thing that it is Monday night and I need to get home. Otherwise, I would definitely keep watching. I want to know what happens. 

Blogging the Bach-26.the rest of the season

I got off to a good start blogging this season of the bachelor. I was watching with friends, watched a few episodes in the middle by myself (gave up on blogging), finished watching with friends and ended up working while watching. 

All season long we heard over and over how crazy the ending was. We also heard that there were no spoilers because no one knew how the season ended because it wasn’t over yet. 

There are so many things I could say, but are we all over it at this point? It feels like everyone talks about the end for a few days and then we all move on. True to the rumors, the season didn’t really end until the finale. 

The bottom line of the season is that really several people got a happy ending. Rachel and Gabby both get to be the bachelorette. Clayton and Suzie ended up together and seem really happy together. Never have we seen a season for the final 3 all end up in a happy situation. Getting there was a big mess, but in the end it all worked out. At the end of it all, I really just want happy endings for people. 

Beauty Time Tuesday-Empties

My pile of empties has gotten out of control. Most of these products are staple items that I have already replaced. 

Big sexy hair spray and play hairspray-tried and true fave

Batiste dry shampoo-I really like this and need to replace

Batiste dry shampoo foam-like the foam as opposed to aerosol spray

Big sexy hair dry shampoo-gives great gritty texture 

Laura mercier setting powder-fave setting powder but I wouldn’t buy tinted again 

Kristin Ess thickening spray-love

Skin Medica HA5-love. This is expensive but lasts a really long time. 

Bare minerals mascara-this sample wasn’t great. I have used this before and liked it 

L’Oréal tube mascara -great option for tube mascara. I like this more than waterproof. 

Lancôme mascara-great mascara 

Tarte maneater mascara-I usually love this but this tube dried up very fast 

Morphe eyelash primer-I wanted to love this but I did not

Exfoliating wash-just ok 

Orly base coat-fave for regular nail polish 

Blogging the Bach 26.6-7

Whenever I watch by myself at home, I don’t seem to get around to posting. It is much easier to focus and sit down and post when I watch with other people. I am happy to be back watching with friends. 

I was really hoping that once the Shanae drama was over that we would finally start to see more connections form. I have been waiting for Tedi to get a one on one. I don’t know if it was too late in the season or if Clayton just doesn’t know how to interact with the women or if he doesn’t know himself how he feels about everything. Whatever it is, the date was not what I thought it would be earlier on in the season. I definitely do not think. He picks Tedi. 

Once Shanae and her drama left, Mara had to take her place. The way she threw Sara completely under the bus was so weird. Sara fell apart and Clayton stepped away. He came back and gave her the rose. Clayton seems to have a really hard time thinking for himself. He listens to what other people say and runs with it. I am having a hard time believing he is going to end up with anyone. 

I got to Bonnie’s towards the end of Suzie’s date. They definitely have chemistry and I think they could be a good match. 

The group date starts out with a couples therapy session for each person on the date. It is weird-maybe one of the weirdest dates we have ever seen on this show. It is awkward especially for some of them. Most people accept the awkwardness and go with it. Genevieve doesn’t want to say anything. She is nervous and scared and doesn’t really say anything. They go talk and decide she should leave. 

Everyone has their turn. Sara is really confident going into her session. She tells everyone she loves therapy. After the sessions, the therapist thanks everyone for being vulnerable and then says someone was performative with their emotions. During the night after party, Rachel talks to Clayton about Sara. Clayton talks to Sara, and he calls her out on trying to fake cry. He tells her it is time to leave and walks her out. He comes back and tells the rest of the girls that he can’t give out the rose that night. 

His final one on one is with Serene. The day part is so short. I don’t even really know what happened and then it was the dinner. She says she is falling in love with him and I don’t know if I really believe her. I really like her, but I don’t really see it with Clayton for her. What do I know?!?

The rose ceremony was kind of awkward since only one person wouldn’t get a rose. It was pretty obvious it was going to be Teddie. I am sad for her and also excited to see her on the beach. 

Next week is hometowns. How are we already at hometown week???

Blogging the Bach 26.3-5

I don’t know what is going on with this season of the bachelor, but I am having a little bit of a hard time getting into it. I watched the first 2 episodes with friends, the next 2 episodes by myself and now I am back with Bonnie and Kendra. It is much easier to be into while watching it with other people. 

Episodes 3 and 4 are usually not that great. The drama really kicks up and kind of takes over the whole time. This season was no exception. I don’t even really know what happened besides the drama with Shanae and Elizabeth and mostly with Shanae. Women Tell All is going to be very interesting. 

Thankfully this episode starts out with a date rather than more extended drama with Shanae. Clayton and Sienna have a one on one-a fun one on one. We haven’t seen a lot of fun so far this season so it is nice to see some fun. The dinner part is more serious as usual. Hearing her talk about the loss in her family especially the loss of her cousin hits me so hard. 

We kind of forgot that we didn’t have a rose ceremony. The whole time was once again filled with the Shanae drama. She put on quite the show of apologizing and then reminded us in her interview that she was acting big time. She gets a rose and we know there will be more drama. 

The go to Canada and the one on one date with Gabbi is so cute and fun and goofy. She tells her story at the end and she gets a rose. 

We find out Shanae and Genevieve will have a two on one date and we can’t wait to see it. It would be really great if they both left because this drama is so annoying. Basically at this point I don’t really care what happens. I just want Shanae to be gone. 

The group date is fine. The girls are pretty funny and sometimes a little mean. We couldn’t decide who might get the group date rose but we definitely didn’t think it would be Rachel. The night ends, and it is time for the two on one. 

The two on one starts and then..TO BE CONTINUED…

Blogging the Bach 26.2

We are back for week 2 and more of Clayton. The girls are freaking out about moving into the mansion. Jesse Palmer comes in and makes sure to tell the girls that he is happily married. He gives them the date card and he’s out. 
The first group date is executing a child’s birthday party with Hillary Duff. Cassidy is very confident, but I am not as confident as she is. She doesn’t care what she has to do, and she does it. Clayton doesn’t seem that into it, but he also doesn’t say no either. The day date ends with another Cassidy make out sesh. Some other girls get some good attention during the night part, and it seems like maybe Cassidy isn’t going to get her way. Cassidy gets her way and we are worried about Clayton and his confidence and ability to be assertive. 
Susie gets the first one on one date. They do all the fancy bachelor things we haven’t seen in a while-helicopter..landing on a ship..with a hot tub. Clayton says he values someone who is humble and genuine. They have a good what you would expect for a first one on one date. It seems like Susie will be around for a while. 
The second group date is so good. A comedian who none of us know but probably all the rest of you know. They play never have I ever relationship edition and then play an obstacle course game that is hilarious. We loved it..except the milk chug. I almost got sick just watching it. Shanae proves that she is here for the competition and the drama. Sarah gets the group date rose. Clayton leaves and Elizabeth starts the drama all over again. 
The drama starts back up almost as soon as the cocktail party starts. Shanae and Elizabeth have another conversation. Shanae taunts Elizabeth about her ADHD and it is so awful. I can’t believe the stuff she says. You can’t say stuff like that. The drama doesn’t end there. Right before the end we find out Cassidy has a friends with benefits situation at home. TO BE CONTINUED…

Blogging the Bach 26.1

It has been a few seasons since I consistently posted about a bachelor show. I have watched them all, and as usual have plenty to say. I have gotten out of the habit probably for many reasons. I ended up watching the past few seasons more on my own, and for whatever reason that has made it more challenging to post. 

We’ve all known for months that Clayton is the next bachelor even though ABC didn’t want to make it official for some weird reason. Like most people I watched Michelle’s season trying to learn more about Clayton and trying to figure out why he is the next bachelor. We didn’t really learn much so I guess we will learn as we go.

We’re back at the mansion and that is exciting. We start the show with Clayton and his mom finding out he is the next bachelor. They both 

freak out. I can’t imagine my mom freaking out like that if I told her I was going on the bachelor. 

We see a few intro packages including Sally and hearing her story that she was supposed to get married that weekend. She goes through the whole casting process, makes it to LA, and then decides she needs to talk to Clayton before the night really starts. She comes and talks to Clayton for who knows why. He leaves and comes back with a rose (probably not a great idea). She doesn’t know what to do. Basically she is dumb if she accepts it and dumb if she doesn’t. Ultimately she says she can’t accept it and leaves. Who knows why she came in the first place. 

The limos start arriving and we can’t figure out how these girls are all so pretty. The rest of the girls come out and start talking to Clayton. Most of the girls are super excited, but after their conversation Claire claims she hates Clayton. She tells Clayton she doesn’t hate him, but he sends her home anyway. Teddi gets the first impression rose and no one is surprised. Then previews want to make us think they are showing us what is going to happen,b ut there is no way. Whatever happens it promises to be a dramatic season.