Quick and Easy

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Olay.

For three years, I lived the leisurely life of a law student. Wait, let me clarify that. The life of a law student is not exactly what you would describe as leisurely, at least in the way sunning on a beach is leisurely or drinking cocoa is a mountain cabin is leisurely. What I mean is that, as a law student, I could set my own routine, working my classes around my personal sleep schedule. Classes starting before 10 AM were mostly out of the question. I would avoid classes that met on Friday altogether. Basically, I would roll out of bed sometime after 9, Monday through Thursday, rush around in an effort to look decent, and slide into my seat two seconds before the lecture started.

How things have changed! Now that I have a real job, I can't show up at 10 AM. Although I have some daily flexibility, I can't set my schedule so that I don't work on Fridays. These days, I'm up at quarter to 7, bright and early, five days a week. After a morning jog, I have just enough time for a shower, a blow dry, a quick skin care routine, and a bowl of oatmeal (with berries, pecans, brown sugar and soy milk, thanks to my fabulous spouse!). And then, swoosh, I'm on my bike for the ride to work. About 12 seconds into the whole process, I am already behind. Seriously. Adjusting to a new morning routine is complicated. It sounds silly, but I have to figure out my groove--namely, how many times I can hit snooze before I absolutely have to get out of the bed, or else.

One of the ways I've sped up my morning routine, is to have a quick and easy skin care and make-up plan. I wash my face in the shower and, once dry, use the Olay Total Effects Cooling Hydration (prior to the arrival of this great new product I used Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion, also wonderful), and then it's a tiny bit of foundation, powder, bronzer, mascara, and eyeliner. A dab of lip shine and I'm done! I can pull off the whole makeup routine in seven minutes, three if I'm in a real hurry. The Olay Total Effects is fast-absorbing, which helps speed the process along. Since my make-up bag has just the essentials, I toss it in my purse before I head out the door so that I can do a quick touch-up before an important meeting or lunch date.

Need a fast-absorbing moisturizer to speed along your morning routine? New Olay Total Effects Cooling Hydration instantly cools and leaves skin with a moisturized fresh feeling that lasts from morning to night. This oil-free daily moisturizer provides 7 anti aging benefits in 1 lightweight formula--complete with vitamins, minerals and cooling mint extract for an invigorating burst of freshness. For more information visit Olay.

For a chance to win $100 from the wonderful (and beautiful) folks at BlogHer, leave a comment telling me what makes your morning routine great. Do you relax with a cup of coffee? Go for a morning jog? Then, visit the BlogHer.com Exclusive Offers page where you will find 14 other bloggers’ beauty stories and 14 more chances to win!

Rules:

• No duplicate comments.
• You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: (a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post, (b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post, (c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post, (d) Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.
• Sweepstakes ends 5 PM PST on December 27, 2010.
• This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected

Check out the official rules, too, if you like that kind of legal stuff.

Comments

[April]

I check my email in the morning but I do like to relax with a cup of hot chocolate at night in the winter. Nothing better than a great cup of hot chocolate.

[Mami2jcn]

My morning routine goes well if my daughter sleeps through the night!

[Mami2jcn]

tweet-http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/16922870043119617

[Maria]

That I just wash my face daily.

[Rachel]

I have to admit, I don't really love my mornings since I have to wake up at about 5:30. I do schedule time to sit on the couch while doing my makeup and check my email and favorite blogs. Can't start my day without it!

[Jessie C.]

A good night sleep and morning coffee make my morning routine great.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com

[Jessie C.]

tweet.http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/17117612378947584

[Marilyn Wons]

What makes my morning great is a morning jog!

[paige chandler]

My morning is great when I hear the birds chirp. It's the small things.

[Mellissa C]

I make a strawberry-banana smoothie in the morning. It seems to brighten up the start of my day!

[Kendra22007]

coffeeeee and remember to appreciate the small things!
Blessings
kendraco22 at yahoo dot com

[Benny Williams]

I like my morning routine. I usually go to the gym and ride a stationary. Then a healthy breakfast (or Starbucks!)

[Benny Williams]

I tweeted too:
http://twitter.com/#!/benny8484/status/17327318619922432

[brenda]

morning coffee...nothing like it

[Tiffany Lane]

I have everything laid out for the day for everyone.

[nickie]

Good nite sleep without a cring baby is always a great way to start my day...then some coffee hehe

nickieisis3atgmaildotcom

[Margaret Smith]

A couple of cups of tea while checking my emails before waking the family.
Thanks.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

[david boyington]

My morning routine is getting coffee and reading the newspaper.

[Roxanne Ellis Raymond]

I start my day out with a Wii Fit Plus workout, love it!

[Pat B]

Shower, then coffee while I dry my hair, check email and make fake food for fake people on Cafe World (I'm addicted)

[Kiara]

Exercising is what makes my mornings great!
austma7@aol.com

[Kathy Luman]

My morning routine is to go to bed. I work 3rd shift so I'm going to bed when most people are getting up.

[Kathy Luman]

tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/kathyluman/status/17363126328500226

[Susan C.]

It's silly, but getting my bag ready the night before really helps me out in the morning. If I don't do this, I'm always forgetting something and waste time looking for it (usually my lunch, or my wallet, or my keys - you get the idea.)

[dawns41]

Green Tea in the morning makes my morning great.
dawns_horizen@yahoo.com

[Tracie Trump]

I start my day with a glass of oj and reading morning devotinals! tracietrump@yahoo.com

[Susan Smith]

Getting a good night sleep and my children getting off to school on time and without mishapes starts my day off right.

[Susan Smith]

http://twitter.com/#!/susan1215/status/17377284742713344

[Alicia Webster]

I get up two hours before everyone else so that I can have some peace and quiet. I make some coffee, check my E-mail, and write some letters. Sometimes I'll read also. Heaven!

[Adrienne gordon]

My coffee and a relaxing ten minutes in my recliner help me get situated.

[Stev R]

I've been perking up with green tea lately!

[Kathy N Scott]

Mornings are my time to enter great contest like this one. I get to surf until the boys wake up.

[DebbyM]

I like to prepare everything the night before so I'm not rushed - and I don't forget things. Then I like to spend a bit of time with a cup of coffee reading my e-mails and blogs/news before I get dressed and head out the door...that way I don't feel like I'm heading out into the world "uninformed". lol.

Thanks for the giveaway.
Happy Holidays!

[SANDY]

ice cold diet cke

[Allie Purdin]

My morning routine is usually checking my e-mail, drinking a cup of coffee, and finishing up last minute homework. My classes start at about 10am, so I have a little time.

[Scott Martin]

My beauty routine is to wake up before everyone else and just spend a few minutes relaxing in a hot shower. The day goes by so much better after that. God Bless.
THANKS for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY!!!

Scott Martin
spmartin122@gmail.com

[cathy miller / rewcath]

Since my kids are grown and gone my morning routine is Heavenly, I fix myself either coffee or tea, grab the book i'm reading or log on the my email and I don't acknowledge anything until I've relaxed and read a chapter or checked out my email. I love it

[cathy miller / rewcath]

http://twitter.com/#!/rewcath/status/17392970625978368 tweeted

[robert reilly]

listening to my sirius really helps, especially howard.

[Soha Molina]

I start with an invigorating shower, without which I would be half asleep all day.

[Sunshyn V]

Checking out what my friends are up to via facebook while sipping my single cup of coffee makes my mornings great.
chainmail (at) iwon (dot) com

[Sunshyn V]

I tweeted this http://twitter.com/The_Sunshyn/status/17405202260824064

[Pat]

I get everything ready the night before so when I wake up it's easier to get dressed, have breakfast and be on my way on time.

[Kerry]

Anything that involves coffee makes my morning better:)

[Kerry]

tweeted: http://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/17412356942331905

[Stephanie V.]

actually hate mornings - my cup of tea is my savior -- if my 3 yr old actually lets me drink it
tvollowitz at aol dot com

[Nadine L]

I like to get up before everyone else, have a cup of Tea and watch some news , check my email. A relax me means a smoother running morning for everyone

[Nadine L]

I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/eyzofblu63/status/17422969739419648

[Edilia Lemus]

I drink coffee

[Kelly Ann T.]

I need my diet coke and to play with my pups before heading out.

[Ms. T]

No, routine for me not up in the morning..

[Melanie B]

My routine is pretty basic. I get some caffeine and sit on the computer for a few minutes checking email, etc and slowly wake up. Not a morning person!

[Melanie B]

http://twitter.com/#!/kaiasmommy/status/17470228027932672

[Nelly Barney]

tweeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/nellybarney/status/17471638828228608

nelly dot barney at yahoo dot com

[Nelly Barney]

nursing my baby in bed really makes my morning great! its a nice relaxing way to start the day!

nelly dot barney at yahoo dot com

[Tahnie]

My miracle daughter and sweet dachshund make my morning routine special!

[Tari L.]

I start my morning with a nice hot cup of tea.

[EMMA L HORTON]

I CANNOT FUNCTION WITHOUT THAT FIRST CUP OF COFFEE

[Lynda E.]

Packing lunches and picking out my clothes the night BEFORE, so I don't have to rush!

[Nicole M]

I have to have a cup of coffee, that to me starts my day. I usually don't get to have it until after I bring the oldest to preschool, but when I get back I drink my coffee while the little one plays. Then the day has begun.

[Deedles]

I have coffee and check e-mail in the mornings.

[Linda G]

I start off the day with a cup of hot tea and read my e-mails!
mintstatesportswear(at)juno(dot)com

[Meagan]

Tweeted! http://twitter.com/vivalameaganx3/status/17606978687733762

[Meagan]

I don't drink coffee very often, but I do love to run! It's definitely something that allows me to escape my stress!

[Heather S]

What makes my mornings great is just the quiet time alone. I love the calm in the morning so I can relax before my busy day.

[melissa poling]

tea and email are usually the first things I do!

[Heather S]

tweet
http://twitter.com/buzz8/status/17611737008185344

[Patrice]

What makes my morning routine great, is that I get to see my bunnies and give them their morning treat of some diced apple.

[Jonathan]

I take a long, hot, steam shower. Then I let the water hit my face for about a minute. That usually relieves any stress I have!

[Sharon Harmon]

sitting at my computer with a cup of coffee!

[Monique Rizzo]

I usually get up and start the coffee. Go get dressed and brush my hair. Come back and have coffee and cereal, than hit the road.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

[anna t.]

After morning church service (5:30 am) every day, I walk with my girlfriends and then coffee & breakfast.

[Jen]

My son makes my mornings great, he wakes up early as i usually do and we have breakfast together, it's a lot of fun to have a special time with him.

[Sarah Hirsch]

since the only part of my morning routine that needs punctuality is getting the kids off to school, once that is done, my favorite part is getting to leisurely enter the day (since I am not a morning person)

[Shanda J]

I relax in the morning by sitting down with a cup of coffee and something sweet while in front of my computer checking emails and social networking updates.
diamond42377{at}gmail{dot}com

[hminnesota]

taking a long shower makes my mornings great.

[hminnesota]

http://twitter.com/#!/hminnesota/status/17668023909351425
tweeted

[Samantha Bare]

I dance around while getting dressed and brushing my teeth to CMT music videos. They say dance like no one is watching, and I take that to heart! Starts my morning off by getting in touch with my fun and creative side.

[Hoa]

I always have a cup of coffee, a cup of milk, and a cup of tea every morning.

alittlepieceofheaven777(at)yahoo(dot)com

[Shae]

In the morning I sleep until as late as possible, then eat my breakfast at work, where hopefully by that time I'm finally completely awake.

[Tarah]

I roll out of bed, put in my contacts, brush my teeth, straighten my hair, get dressed, put on makeup, feed the cat, make my lunch and rush out the door.

[Bbentry]

I am SO not a morning person--I can't say anything makes my mornings great. Coffee, however, makes my mornings possible by restoring me to at least a minimal level of consciousness. ;-)

[DeeAnn S]

What make my morning great is getting that first cup of coffee down while the house is still quiet. It's all in the timing. Thanks.

[mickeyfan]

Looooooooooooooooooooooong showers. That is the only part of my morning that can be considered "best".

[mandy w.]

Hot tea please...with milk and sugar...hmmmm

[Min]

My morning routine is great because I'm retired and can get up when I want and do what I want (and it varies every day).

[Lori Hart]

My morning routine is always brightened up when my husband brings me a hot cup of coffee and sometimes even a treat :-)

[Kalani Kircher]

If I don't have a shower before the kids get up... My day just doesn't go right & coffee. NEED the coffee

[natasha tucker]

My morning routine is great because it starts with a nice shower then I have my hot cup of french vanilla cappuccino and an apple or banana. My favorite way to start the day!

[Susan E.]

Sipping a cup of coffee while checking my email.

dogsrock at insightbb dot com

[ohkeeka]

I like having a healthy breakfast--it's the part of the morning I look forward to most and it helps me feel full and awake until it's time for lunch!

[linda lansford]

what makes my morning routine great is a cup of coffee and a kiss

[Geoff K]

What I love about my morning routine is waking up before anyone else, making a big cup of coffee, and checking my email and reading the news online as I ease into the day!

[Geoff K]

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/guettel78/status/17780828234850305

[Sadie Carey]

Every morning I go in to wake up my twins. They are usually always up and playing already and they turn around and say Hi, I love you Mommy. That and my cup of coffee gets me going in the morning!!

[chris]

love my am 2 cups of joe

[Lora Reynolds]

I teach spinning in the mornings at 5:30am, so my routine begins when I get home from the gym at 6:45am. I make my coffee and take some time for myself before the kids wake up. The mornings I do not have to wake up that early I try to sleep in a little, that is 7:30am.

[Judith]

http://twitter.com/sodahoney/status/17790826348281857

[Judith]

http://sodahoney.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-do-bloggers-keep-lifes-stress-off_22.html

[Debbie Bellows]

i relax in the morning with my diet coke!

debbiebellows[at]gmail[dot]com