I hope you all had a good holiday weekend! Today I am going back into my series of 10 products I swear by. I wanted to share the health and fitness items I swear by because I know so many of us are constantly trying to up our health and fitness games.

10 Health and Fitness Items I Swear By

I am putting my ice roller on here because while it could technically fall into the category of beauty as well I use it to help relieve migraines too. Seriously the best money I have spent!

My Lululemon yoga mat is seriously the best yoga mat I have ever used. I use it for barre, yoga, and other workouts too. It’s ridiculously durable and soft.

I bought my acupressure mat about 4 years ago and has helped so much with stress and pain relief. I use it a few times a week and it looks and sounds weird but really helps a ton.

Bala bangles are hands down one of the best purchases I’ve made. I use them for barre and pilates but I also use them just for walking to give a little extra oomph.

I have to, of course, say my Peloton but beyond that just the Peloton app which is incredible.

My two favorite sports bras are the Energy Bra from Lululemon and the Athena crop from Outdoor Voices. I find that these are the best for my bust style. I have pretty small boobs and these work great.

My favorite workout shorts are the Tracker Shorts from Lululemon. They are a bit of an investment for shorts but I have a pair I have had for 8 years and I wear them probably 3-4 times a week and they are still in perfect condition.

The best workout shoes are for sure On Clouds! I wear them EVERY SINGLE DAY! I truly love them so much.

To keep my hair up during workouts I swear by slip silk hair ties. Again, a little pricey but worth every penny in my opinion.

My VERY favorite water bottle to use is my Stanley of course! It is absolutely worth the splurge.

I would love to know a health and fitness item you swear by! 

This post was written in 2020 and has been updated for 2022

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Sorry that I skipped weekend reading last week! It was a crazy week and my birthday weekend and something had to give. This weekend we have some fun pre Easter things with egg hunts, and hanging out with friends on Saturday. Other than that we have soccer and tennis and the usual weekend things! But I am looking forward to the beautiful weather!

Weekend Reading

What we’ve been up to: Last weekend was Andrew and my birthdays. Friday night I had a fun dinner/night out with my best girlfriends. Saturday we went on a little staycation for 24 hours. Sunday was my actual birthday but we did nothing exciting just hung out with the kids. This week has been kind of crazy with work and stuff for the kids school ramping up towards the end of the year. Liam also had Kindergarten roundup last week! It was so fun to watch him in his new school.

Articles I loved this week:

5 hacks to eat more veggies

Have you watched the new Netflix show, The Ultimatum? It’s WILD

Yes, you deserve a treat

12 books to read in April

A great read on friendship

61 best 90s movies

What to watch if you are done with Bridgerton

Questions to ask to get to know someone better

Most beautiful places in every state

A love letter to Britney’s Instagram

Most anticipated books of spring

Benefits of chia seeds

Things on my wish list:

I love the color of this Lululemon belt bag so happy!

I love the white Freedom Moses sandals for summer

Blog posts you might have missed:

8 Best time management tips

Mothers Day Gift Guide 2022

What to buy during the Sephora spring savings event

What are you up to this weekend?

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The most wonderful time of the year for beauty lovers is upon us: The Sephora Spring Savings Event! As of tomorrow, everyone can shop this event and it’s a great time to stock up on favorites, try new things, and get some amazing deals on some otherwise pricier items! As a huge lover of makeup, skincare, and beauty products in general I thought this would be a great opportunity to share with you guys what to buy during the Sephora spring savings even that’s actually worth it!

What To Buy During the Sephora Spring Savings Event

Here’s the info on when everyone can shop:

These are the products I recommend stocking up on NOW!

Makeup:

I love clean makeup and all of this is that! You can’t go wrong with any of it.

ILIA Brow Gel, Mascara, Concealer, primer, foundation, eyeliner, powder, and eye palette: I truly think that ILIA makes the best clean makeup! I pretty much wear something from ILIA every day!

Kosas Concealer, Mascara, and Bronzer: Another favorite makeup brand. The quality is amazing.

Saie tinted moisturizer: I love this for a glowy day-to-day look.

Westman Atelier highlighter and lip glosses: On the pricier side but really can’t be beaten for a highlighter. Their glossy is not sticky at all.

Lawless blush: Love this blush and feel like it gives the right amount of color.

Agave lip balm: My very favorite lip balm.

Hair:

These are the hair products I personally use. I think they are completely worth the money.

OUAI detox shampoo

Olaplex number 6 bond smoother, shampoo, and conditioner

Briogeo shampoo and conditioner

Skincare/Body:

Skincare is where I spend the majority of my beauty money and I think this sale is a great time to stock up on skincare. I think it’s a great time to try new things.

Necessaire body wash and lotion

Supergoop eye cream, face moisturizer, tinted moisturizer, sunscreen, and lip balm

Drunk Elephant Lala retro whipped moisturizer

Summer Fridays jet lag mask

Tata Harper resurfacing mask, regenerating cleanser, and restorative eye cream

First Aid Beauty ingrown hair pads

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta peel pads

Tatcha Lip Mask

Josie Marin body butter

Everything else:

The Dyson hairdryer is a great buy during this sale because you rarely find it on sale elsewhere. Nest candles make great gifts to stock up on and have on hand. I love this fragrance sampler because it’s a great way to try a bunch! Hair tools, tweezers, etc are always good to grab.

Dyson Hair dryer

Nest Candles:

Perfume:

Crown affair brush

Silk hair ties

Tweezers

GHD flat iron

I would love to know what you are shopping for at the Sephora Spring Savings Event?

The post What To Buy During the Sephora Spring Savings Event appeared first on It Starts With Coffee.

Mother’s Day is next month and this is a great time to start getting ideas for the moms in your life or if you are a mom getting some ideas for yourself! I have rounded up some things that I think would be great Mother’s Day gifts in a variety of price points for my Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2022.

Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2022

New Pajamas: Who doesn’t want a good pajama set! Some of my favorites are Lake Pajamas, Eberjey, and Petite Plume! I also LOVE these sets from Target and have 3! They are so soft and comfy.

Corkcicle Mugs/Stanley Tumblers: I never really understood the buzz about Stanley water bottles until I got one. They are truly so good! It’s oddly challenging to find big water bottles that easily fit into car cup holders and that to me is the big appeal of the Stanley! That and they are more or less indestructible. I also really love the corkcicle mugs for my coffee. They are pretty but also keep my coffee super hot (I do not do iced coffee). These both make great gifts for moms!

Skincare products: What mom doesn’t want to get some new skincare products?? I have a TON of recs here but this is my all-time holy grail face mask. Bonus it’s part of Sephora’s sale right now.

Time alone: I think this is pretty self-explanatory but moms definitely want some alone time. I love a good day off to go to the spa, read, or honestly just lay in bed and watch shows I want to watch (not Cocomelon).

Gift Cards to workout classes or spas: You can’t go wrong with a gift card to her favorite workout studio or spa! This obviously varies on personal preference but Barre, spin studios, pilates studios, etc are all great ideas.

A Peloton: I mean if we are talking big-ticket items a Peloton is a great gift! Truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Wish List item: What does SHE want! Just ask her. I guarantee you she has a wish list somewhere of something really fun she wants but doesn’t want to buy herself.

If you are a mom what is on your wishlist? What would you add to this Mother’s Day gift guide?

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Trying to balance two kids, their activities, my work, our home, commitments, volunteer work, etc can be daunting! I sometimes wonder how I don’t go insane honestly! But truthfully I am VERY good at time management. It’s something I have always prided myself on. If you are someone who is looking to be better with time management or you struggle with it I think my best time management tips will help!

8 Best Time Management Tips

Use A Calendar/To-Do List: This is really obvious but so many people don’t! I don’t rely on a paper calendar because I find them to not be reliable unless you check them nonstop! I use Google Calendar (my own and one I share with my husband) and I always have them come with alerts. I also have a to-do list app on my phone that I use to check things off during the day.

Schedule in even stuff you wouldn’t normally: I schedule reminders in my calendar for things like “post Instagram” “reply to blog comments” “put away laundry” that way I don’t forget. It keeps me on task! I also schedule in workouts, and even phone catch-up time with friends.

Use Timers: We have an Amazon Echo and we use the timers and reminders NONSTOP! I also time myself sometimes on smaller tasks. If I am going to spend time working on Instagram or Pinterest I set a timer for 30 minutes. I feel like I work faster and better.

Prioritize: Again, something people forget. I have a to-do list, but it’s in no particular order. From that list, I try to do the most time-consuming/hardest tasks first.  That way it isn’t 4 PM and you are just now getting around to the thing that may take 5 hours.

Say No When You Need To: I am THE WORST at over-committing. Something I am trying to get better about is saying no to things that do not bring me joy. It is a constant struggle.

Ask For Help: Again, a no-brainer but ask for help. Not always easy but always necessary. I hired a virtual assistant a few years ago because I could not do everything and do it well. She is seriously a godsend and I would be lost without her. Having help from Andrew with the kids is also important.

Get Up Early:  I am the most productive in the morning. I work out in the morning first thing and luckily Andrew gets the kids breakfast so I can. I also try to do a few things around the house before we take the kids to school (unload the dishwasher, collect laundry etc).

Cut Yourself Slack: There will be days your time management sucks and everything goes out the window. Maybe nothing got done. It’s OK. Cut yourself slack and try again tomorrow!

These are my best time management tips and just what works for me!

What is one time management tip you’d add?

This post was originally published in 2018 and has been updated for 2022

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I know I say this every month but wow March flew by! It was honestly a really good month other than a little bit of sickness in our house. I feel like I mostly did good with my goals this month other than a few things that were a little out of my control. But before I share my April 2022 goals let’s see how I did in March!

April 2022 Goals

In March I wanted to…

• Read 4 books: So this is going to sound crazy but I read 11 books this month. I have been on a huge reading kick and I have been reading at night way more than watching shows or doing anything else.
• Get Liam registered for Kinder (WHAT!?): Ugh yes I mean I am glad for him but also in disbelief.
• Figure out birthday plans for Andrew and me (our birthdays are one day apart): YES! WE are doing a little staycation and I can’t wait!
• Clean out my closet: Yep done and done! I got rid of SO MUCH! It felt so good!
• Get the kitchen fully organized: I am working with Sarah at Simplified Solutions on our kitchen organization project. There will be lots of Instagram stories and posts about it so be on the lookout!
• Work on Pinterest growth: I do think I am doing better here, slowly but surely.
• Have at least one date with Andrew: BIG fail! We did some at-home dates but weather and sick kids kind of put a wrench in date night plans.
• Secure 6 new brand partnerships: YES! I am so so so grateful and so excited for these upcoming partnerships.
• Do at least 100 Peloton workouts (I do 3-4 a day with different 10-20 minute classes): YES! I hit a lot of big Peloton milestones!

I April I want to…

• Read 7 books
• Post at least 8 times to my Instagram feed (why is this so hard for me?)
• Spend at least an hour outside everyday weather permitting
• Go on at least 4 family walks a week weather permitting
• Have 2 dates with Andrew (we have a busy month with lots planned so this should be easy)
• Do something with each of my kids 1 on 1
• Clean out my dresser drawers and organize them
• Finish purchasing what we need for our Disney trip in June and the kids camps

What is one of your April 2022 goals?

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I turn 38 this weekend and honestly that sounds insane to me. I started this blog when I was 25 and here I am nearing 40. As I embark on 38 I think back to myself at 28. Early in 28 was one of the hardest and worst times of my life and by the end of 28, Andrew and I had been dating for 4 months. A lot can happen in one year and certainly in 10 years. I wanted to share 10 things I would tell myself at 28 years old mostly for me but some of you may find this fun too!

10 Things I Would Tell Myself At 28 Years Old

This year will be tough but you’re tougher: The year I turned 28 was hands down one of the hardest years. My dad was diagnosed with cancer a few months before my birthday and that summer he almost died. He ended up recovering, by a miracle and a stem cell transplant. I got out of a relationship that was NEVER going to work and ended up meeting Andrew. Obviously, that turned out well since 10 years later we have been married almost 8 years.

The nice guys are DEFINITELY worth your time: I think a lot of women have to date the asshole before you marry the nice guy. Sure some marry the asshole and some get it right with the nice guy from the get-go but that wasn’t my experience. I dated A LOT of jerks. But, then I gave the nice guy a chance and he turned out to be the love of my life.

Take the trips: Andrew and I always say we wish we had traveled more those first few years before we had kids. TAKE THE TRIPS! Even the small ones.

Don’t worry about other people’s timelines: I wish when kids were little we constantly weren’t always trying to put them on a timeline that everyone else is on. It’s ok to do everything when you are ready. Marriage, kids, etc. It can all wait.

If it won’t matter in 5 years don’t waste more than 5 minutes being upset: I tend to dwell on things at least internally. If something won’t really matter in 5 years it’s pretty pointless to spend more than 5 minutes being upset.

Stand your ground and stand up for what you believe in: It’s Ok if it makes me mad or uncomfortable. Just keep standing up for what you believe in. Teach your kids to do the same.

No one has any idea what they are doing when it comes to parenting: It’s OK if you feel like you have no idea what you are doing with your kids, no one does. We are all pretty much winging it.

Spend as much time with your grandparents as you can: At 28 I still had 9 more years with them but I wish I had more. I did spend a lot of time with them but I wish I had spent even more.

Some people are in your life for a reason or a season, not for life: Not everyone who’s in your life at 28 will be when you are 38 and that’s OK. Everyone in your life is there for a reason and to teach you something. Even if it isn’t forever.

Enjoy the ride: It’s all going to be fine. The ups will be great, the downs will be tough but you with weather every storm and be totally fine. Enjoy it.

What would you tell yourself at 28 years old? 

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We got our Peloton in March of 2021 and it has been one of the best investments we have made. It has seriously been a game changer for both Andrew and I. I was worried at first it was all hype, that people didn’t truly love it as much as they led on but I was so wrong. I have waited a long time to share my Peloton review one year in because I really wanted to wait a full year but this is going to go over A LOT!

Peloton Review One Year In

Our experience:

Andrew and I are very different when it comes to the Peloton. I use it daily and do a wide variety of workouts: strength, barre, yoga, Pilates, runs, walks, biking, stretches, and boot camps. He pretty much only does biking and does it about 4-5 days a week. We both agree it has really helped with the difficulty that finding time to go to the gym was. For me, I can still get to the gym 1-2 times a week for my Pilates fusion class or to use the treadmill for an indoor run but with two busy kids, it was getting harder.

Favorite Classes:

I don’t know that I could list all of my favorite classes (I have taken over 1000)  but a few that I have done more than once are:

• The Hamilton Ride
• The Greatest Showman Ride
• Ally’s 20 and 30 and 60 minute Country rides
• Robin’s Interval Runs
• Any Callie or Rebecca core class
• Hannah and Ally’s Barre classes
• Cody’s XOXO Cody Rides
• Any of Adrian’s or Matty’s run especially the Hamilton run
• Alex’s club bangers rides

Favorite Instructors:

I do really love all the instructors but not ALL the classes they do. For example, I love Hannah’s barre and stretching classes but not her rides. I love Emma’s strength classes but not her rides. There are some instructors who I love any and everything they do and will pretty much jump at any class. Ally, Robin, Cody, Alex, Rebecca Kennedy are all super huge favorites of mine.

Things to know before you buy:

It is an investment. Yes but I look at things in a cost-per-use way. So for example in the first year of having Peloton, I did over 1000 workouts. Or rather I did 270 cycling classes. So if I JUST take the cycling classes it’s less than $20 per class. Where a studio charges around $35 for a class. But I am also getting strength, yoga, barre, running, etc. It’s also a monthly membership of around $42. Again, a gym membership is A LOT more than that so I do not think $42 a month is a huge investment. You do not NEED the cycling shoes. Andrew didn’t want to do them so we ordered cages from Amazon and use our regular sneakers. I don’t think it’s a huge difference. I also already had 3 lb weights so I opted to not do the packages that had weights, shoes, etc. We bought a mat on Amazon which was much cheaper as well.

Random Tips:

• You can Google Peloton and the class name on your phone and you should be able to click on it and open it in your app to save!
• Stacking classes the day before is the best way to just wake up and do a workout. No need to kill time scrolling through and trying to figure out what you want to do.
• If you want to do a cycling monthly challenge you can’t access it to join from the app like other challenges- you have to from the bike itself.

If you have never tried Peloton you can click here and get a 60-day guest pass for free! If you are interested in buying a Peloton please click this link and use my referral code

I know this is a pretty dense Peloton review but I really wanted to give the most information! I hope if you are on the fence about Peloton or even new to Peloton you found this helpful!

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I am so excited for the weekend! Especially since it’s going to be super warm all weekend! We have a pretty busy Saturday and a chill Sunday. Charlotte starts soccer on Saturday morning and Liam has tennis. Then we have a playdate for the incoming kinder kids at Liams elementary school on Saturday afternoon. But first, weekend reading!

Weekend Reading

What we’ve been up to: This week was a nice back to routine week here. The kids went back to school after spring break and we had their activities. I got a LOT done for work and Charlotte and I had some fun with friends on Tuesday. On Thursday we had some friends over in the afternoon to play with the kids. Ready for the weekend for sure!

Articles I loved this week:

100 greatest movies of the 90s (I have seen 79 of them)

I’m not going to lie I am into this Birkenstock X Manolo collab

15 unputdownable women’s history books

17 fun and easy Easter activities for kids

Love Is Blind season 3 is coming this year!

25 new releases over the next 2 weeks

Best air fryer recipes

Quality sleep is the simplest ingredient to a positive outlook

99 Mindful conversation topics for meaningful conversations

The best places to travel with kids in 2022

Which main character are you based on your enneagram?

On my wish list:

I love these light pink Veja sneakers!

Wish I had somewhere to wear this darling dress from Abercrombie

Blog posts you might have missed:

Books to read when you need a mental escape 

Currently loving March 2022

Spring 2022 transitional athleisure 

What are you up to this weekend?

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While it is technically now spring, it’s definitely weird weather, at least here in Texas. Some days it’s super warm, some days it’s still cold. So I feel like it’s hard to dress for spring all the time. Since I work from home and have two little ones I am almost always in athleisure. I love it, it’s easy and comfy! But it can be cute too! That’s why I rounded up some spring 2022 transitional athleisure to get us through for these weird in-between months!

Spring 2022 Transitional Athleisure

Tops:

Lululemon Love Tanks: These are THE BEST tanks for summer! They are great now with leggings and a cute pullover over them and then perfect to wear with shorts when it warms up.

Lululemon All Yours T-shirts: My friend, Hilary, told me about these and they have been my go-to t-shirt since. They are great to work out in or great to throw on with shorts and run errands in. They also look so cute with leggings, a cute sneaker, and a denim jacket.

Sweaty Betty Nestle Up Half Zip: My go-to in the cooler months and perfect for those days where it’s chilly in the morning. So easy to throw off in the afternoon.

Alo Accolade hoodie: I saw this recently and thought it would be so cute and perfect for spring! Such a fun, light layer and cute colors too!

Sweaty Betty Easy Peasy Long Sleeve: This is a great option to throw on for a cooler morning walk with leggings or shorts.

Bottoms:

Lululemon Tracker Shorts: My all-time favorite workout shorts. They are long enough so you don’t feel like you’re on display but not too long! They last forever too! I have had one pair for over 8 years.

Tennis skirts: Such a great option for spring and so so cute! I love this Lululemon one and this Addison Bay one.

Athleta Leggings: These are my favorite leggings right now. They have such cute colors that are perfect for spring too!

Lululemon Align Leggings: There is a reason these have a cult-like following. They are just the best! So comfy, so easy, and even work 9 months pregnant!

Accessories:

On Cloud sneakers: My absolute favorite sneakers! SO cute for working out or just running errands.

Veja sneakers: I love how these look with leggings, a cute t-shirt, and a denim jacket! They are so fun and comfy!

Belt bags: I love this belt bag so much. I have a whole review here and there are a few pretty spring colors! How great is this pink?

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Kind of crazy to think March is over soon. April is a super busy month for us but honestly I am excited for it to be here. There are a lot of things I’m currently loving so I wanted to share them with you guys!

Currently Loving: March 2022

My Stanley water bottle: Now that it’s getting warmer outside I feel like I am constantly drinking water and I love that I only have to refill this 3 times a day! Plus it fits in cup holders-big win!

Pilates Fusion: I have been taking this class at least once a week at my gym for about a year. It’s so much fun and such a challenging strength workout. I honestly look forward to it every week.

60-minute Peloton rides: I worked my way up to 60-minute Peloton rides and I am loving them! I feel like once I get past 20 minutes it no longer feels super challenging.

Family walks: Now that it’s warming up we have been taking a lot more walks as a family. I love spending the time outside and I feel like it puts us all in such a great mood.

Oranges: I have always loved oranges but lately I can’t get enough. Definitely helps that this is prime season.

Abercrombie: I do not know what’s going on lately at Abercrombie but the past few years they are killing it! I can’t even believe how much I have shopped there. A few things I have gotten lately are this dress, this t-shirt, this sweatshirt. I also LOVE their bodysuits!

Madewell Bag: I got myself this Madewell bag recently and it’s truly the perfect spring bag. I love the color and the size. It holds so much and the little details are so good!

Karen Walker sunnies: I have had these for a few years but I just started wearing them again recently. I forgot how cute they are and so perfect for spring!

Temptation Island: One of our favorite terrible reality shows is back. I love this one so much- it’s so bad it’s good.

Lululemon tank tops: These have been awesome for any kind of outside workout! Especially with how warm it’s gotten some days recently. They are so light and airy. Size down.

Westman Atelier highlighter: The creamiest and best highlight for your face. A little goes a long way.

What is something you’ve been currently loving lately?

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While I always feel like I’m reading something and even have a monthly reading goal each month I still go through phases. There are times I just want books that are distracting from the craziness of the world. If you are like me and want some books to read when you need a mental escape-this list is for you!

Books To Read When You Need A Mental Escape

The Idea Of You: Honestly one of my favorite books EVER. The premise may sound a bit crazy; a hot divorcee meets a 20-year-old boy band member and they start an affair. Their affair takes them all over the world and turns into a beautiful romance. I can’t suggest it enough. Perfect escape.

Anything Colleen Hoover: I am a huge Colleen Hoover fan. I would say some of her books aren’t really my favorites but lots of them are amazing. Ugly Love, All Your Perfects, and November 9 are the 3 I always recommend. But recently I read Reminders Of Him and Regretting You and LOVED them both!

Anything Taylor Jenkins Reid: OK so hear me out. I don’t think her two newest are her best. I personally LOVE her first 4 books and the writing style of them and Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo just were not my favorites. I read her first two books on our honeymoon: After I Do and Forever Interrupted and just loved them. Her next two: Maybe In Another Life and One True Loves were also excellent.

The One That Got Away: I randomly stumbled across this Bethany Chase book a few years ago and fell in love with the story. I found Sarina so relatable and just loved all the characters.

In Five Years: My most recent read on this list. The premise got me… waking up one day, five years in the future with a different ring on your finger, in a different apartment, with a different man? It was a book I could not put down and I really enjoyed it and the major twist got me.

One Day In December: This book is another perfect quarantined read! You can escape into this wonderful Josie Silver book about fate, love, and life.

Anything Christina Lauren: The first Christina Lauren (two people by the way) book I read was My Favorite Half Night Stand. I then plowed through every other book and each of them I have loved. Other favorites are The Unhoneymooners (probably the best one) and Love and Other Words.

Normal People: Let me just say the show is better and even though this is about books to read when you need a mental escape the show is an even better mental escape. Connell and Marianne’s love story goes throughout high school and college as their lives continually intertwine. It is a heartbreaking story and the show is INCREDIBLE!

I won’t lie I have re-read most of these books. Some multiple times. It’s like escaping into a fun world and right now I think we could all use that! Feel free to shop for these books and a few other favorites below!

What is your favorite book when you need a mental escape?

This post was originally published in 2020 and has been updated for 2022

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Just like that, spring break has come to an end and it was not at all how we thought it would go. More on that below. This weekend we have a birthday party Sunday and Liam has tennis tomorrow! Other than that not too much going on just normal weekend things. Oh and my mom’s birthday is Sunday!! But first, weekend reading!

Weekend Reading

What we’ve been up to: This week was really hard. Charlotte spiked a high fever Monday and got worse throughout the week. No Covid, No strep, no flu. She was diagnosed with Croup on Wednesday. The kids were on spring break so we tried to balance taking Liam to do fun things while taking care of Charlotte at home. Lots of park time, and neighborhood walks for us. Hoping she starts to feel better soon and we can enjoy our weekend!

Articles I loved this week:

I am SO EXCITED for the Stoney Clover Lane X Target launch

The 45 best 80s movies

The skin under your eyes is the first place to show signs of aging

How to navigate differences in friendships

23 books to celebrate spring time

8 organization hacks for toddler and baby closets

7 tips for dealing with burnout

How to splurge without having credit card debt

Self-care practices for your enneagram type

Internet Trolls aren’t like the rest of us

How to scent scape your home

Things on my wish list:

How cute are these Frame jeans? On sale for 60% off too!

I love the springy pattern of these Lululemon leggings

Blog posts you might have missed:

How to stay organized with two kids

38th birthday wish list

Current fitness and health routine

What are you up to this weekend?

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I haven’t done an update of my fitness and health routine in a LONG time! A lot has changed with it in the past year and I have had some people ask! I truly try to live my life in balance as much as possible so you will see a lot of that below!

Current Fitness and Health Routine

Fitness: We got a Peloton about a year ago (I have a full review coming soon) and that has been my main mode of fitness. I try to do 4-5 rides a week. I also do a lot of their strength, barre, and yoga classes. When I go to the gym I use the Peloton app and do runs pretty frequently. I also take Pilates fusion at my gym at least once a week. Plus walks with my kids or friends. I try to be active in some way every day and try to always make sure I get 10K steps in. Peloton even has yoga classes you can do with your kids and my kids LOVE doing that! Truly I think when it comes to fitness mixing it up and finding things you enjoy are key and that’s exactly what I do!

Food: For food, not a lot has changed. I really try to live by the 80/20 rule. I eat a very healthy breakfast each day (usually oatmeal and fruit). For lunch, I make an egg white scramble with veggies, chicken breast, or a chopped salad. I always have fruit with it too. For dinner, we eat lean protein almost every weeknight. On weekends we like to have a date night out or order in from a restaurant we love. I do love a dessert and will almost always have a cookie at night. I don’t like to restrict myself and really listen to what my body is asking for. I’ve been reading more on intuitive eating and I feel like that has helped a ton.

Everything else: I have really been working hard to drink more water. A few things I do for that are using Gohydrate packets. Full disclosure I did a sponsored Instagram set with them, but I really love the product and continue to use it! You can use my code NEELY for a 15% off discount. The fruit punch is my favorite! I also have a Stanley water bottle that I use and try to refill 3 times a day. But if I start to get a headache, or feel off I know I am not getting enough water.

Truly what I find the most helpful with everything is to listen to my body. If it tells me a walk sounds good I walk. If I need to do a stretching yoga workout I do one. If I need to eat more salt, I eat more salt. Your body will tell you what it craves and needs if you listen!

What is your current fitness and health routine?

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OK, so I will admit making a 38th birthday wish list seems a little silly. At 38 I can pretty buy myself whatever I want and I do not expect to get gifts. However, I guess these are things I wouldn’t mind buying myself or if someone WANTED to get me a gift these would be nice too!

38th Birthday Wish List

Lululemon Tank Tops: I just got 2 of these tank tops recently and they are perfect for summer! I would love to grab a few more.

Corkcicle Mug: I have 2 of these but would love this pretty pink one! These are honestly my favorite mugs for keeping my coffee hot!

Stuart Weitzman Sandals: I have the clear version and the black would be great to rotate in! Pretty much all I wear out on dates or out with girlfriends in the summer!

Loeffler Randall heels: We have a few things coming up that are cocktail attire and this would be so great! I have wanted them for years and I think now is the time to pull the trigger!

Denim Jacket: I have been on the hunt for an oversized denim jacket for months! I have tried and returned several and just can’t seem to find the perfect one! If you know of one please let me know in the comments!

A new bag: I need a new bag like I need a hole in my head but I wouldn’t mind this one. It’s been on my wish list for YEARS! I think it’s just a delight and the perfect size.

Again none of this is stuff I need but all things I may treat myself to!

What would be something on your wish list?

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Being a mom is A LOT. Work from home, work away from home, stay at home, whatever it is you do it’s hard! Thankfully for our family, we have a pretty good situation going. Liam is in school 5 days, Charlotte is in school 3 days, Andrew and I both work from home, and my schedule is obviously very flexible. But, as our kids have gotten older and start to do more activities, plus things we do for fun and volunteering it gets a little nuts. It takes a lot for how I stay organized with 2 kids and I hope you guys find this helpful!

How I Stay Organized With 2 Kids

Shared Calendars: Andrew and I have always had a shared Google Calendar and honestly I don’t know how people function without them. Between kids’ Dr appointments and school functions, our own appointments, meal planning, etc it’s all there. That way if I need to make one of the kids a Pediatrician appointment I know what days are good. Or if I want to get a babysitter for date nights I know when we are free.

Schedules: I mean for the kids. We are big believers in schedules and sleep training. No comments on this please it’s what works for us and we run everything by our Pediatrician first. We started implementing schedules around 4 weeks with both kids and sleep training around 8 weeks. I think it’s really important for EVERYONE in our house to be on a schedule and for everyone to sleep. We are VERY strict about schedules and I have no issue canceling plans because of them. That’s not to say we won’t skip a nap here or there if we need to.

Divide and Conquer: Parenting is a two-person job. It took two to create the baby and that’s our approach. Andrew does just as much parenting as I do. But that also means other stuff too. We divide up errands, housework, etc. Some weeks one of us is busier so that person maybe takes on less and less emotional labor. But I think it’s important to divide and conquer.

Check-ins: With everyone involved with my kids, my work, etc. Checking in with my photographer on deadlines. Checking in with Andrew on things that need to get done around the house or for appointments. Checking in with babysitters and teachers making sure both kids are doing great.

To-do lists: I am a HUGE to-do list person. I keep all my lists in my notes section of my phone or my to-do list app. I usually have longer-term lists in my notes section and daily/weekly in my to-do list app. EVERYTHING that needs to get done goes there and gets crossed off when done.

What do you do to stay organized as a busy mom?

This post was originally written in 2020 and has been updated for 2022

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Happy spring break Friday! My kids are officially on spring break so the next week is pretty free! I’m actually excited to have them home and hopefully get A LOT of time outside. This weekend we have a celebration with extended family for my grandparents. They both passed away in September. Then next week we are actually going to potty train Charlotte – send me your good vines. But first, weekend reading!

Weekend Reading

What we’ve been up to: This week was pretty crazy just trying to get things done before spring break. I had a lot of meetings for events coming up I am on boards for. The kids had their activities, Andrew and I had work and I got to see a few friends! So it was honestly a pretty great week!

Articles I loved this week:

5 good credit card habits

Ways to make time for your partner when you’re both busy

Signs you’re overdue for a mental health day

17 shows to watch if you liked love is blind

30 best and most anticipated books of 2022 so far

What is imposter syndrome?

Most anticipated books of March

99 budget hacks

Exactly how much exercise you need each week

Have we been thinking about burnout all wrong?

TV show inspired baby names

Items on my wish list:

I have these sandals in another color but I want the black so badly

Such a great light weight long sleeve t-shirt for spring

Blog posts you might have missed:

10 Kitchen items to splurge on

Holy grail clean beauty

7 Best travel tech items

What are you up to this weekend?

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I am so glad that we are finally able to travel a little more. Travel with kids though can definitely be tricky. There’s so much to remember to bring including tech items. Trust me you wouldn’t want to be on a plane or in a car with kids without a tablet! I thought I would share what we think are the 7 best travel tech items (kids stuff too) you might want to have on hand.

7 Best Travel Tech Items (Kids Too!)

Kindle Fire Kids Tablet: Both of my kids have these and they are so great! Liam loves his for learning games, watching YouTube Kids, and movies. Charlotte mostly watches movies and shows on hers.  Plus they are basically indestructible and Amazon will replace them if something happens to them.

Kids Headphones: These are the headphones we have for Liam to use! They are great! I actually may try this one for Charlotte though.

Anker Portable Chargers: Really necessary for EVERYONE. We can charge several things at once and make sure everyone’s devices are fully charged.

Cord organizer: With so many tablets, phones, computers, etc we have A LOT of chargers. This keeps them super organized and together so they are easy to find.

Anker multi-port wall charger: This is also key for any kind of travel. Being able to use one outlet and charge several things at once is so important when you need to charge everything at night.

Mobile Hotspot: Are you driving but your kids still want to watch Netflix or play a game? Then you need this!

Kids tablet stand: This is great for planes if your kids want to be able to prop their tablets up and be able to eat a snack or color etc.

What are the best travel tech items you’ve found?

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Clean beauty is something I am so passionate about. It can for sure be a splurge but you can find A LOT of it budget-friendly as well. I have tried a ton over the years and always come back to a few of the same things. I thought it would be fun to round up my holy grail clean beauty so you can see what I use the most.

Holy Grail Clean Beauty

ILIA Brow Gel: Probably my most used makeup item ever. I can’t even count the number of times I have repurchased this but it is the best tinted brow gel I have ever used.

Naturopathica Aloe Gel Cleanser: The cleanser I use every single day. It is so gentle and makes my face feel so clean.

Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum:  This is pricey but I have been using it for nearly 3 years and it is so worth it. My skin has never looked better. A bottle lasts me about 4-5 months!

Kosas Mascara: One of my favorite mascaras. I have A LOT. This is the one I use most every day when I leave the house. Gives you a good volume without it being TOO MUCH.

ILIA true serum concealer: THE BEST concealer! It goes on so smooth, doesn’t crease or cake.

Westman Atelier Highlighter: I do feel like this is a splurge but one that’s worth it! I love the Westman Atelier products but this is my favorite. The highlight is so good and a little goes a long way.

Tata Harper resurfacing mask: Best face mask ever! I use it at least once a week. I usually cleanse with the Tata Harper regenerating cleanser before and I feel like I got a facial.

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm: I probably have 5 of these going at a time in various purses, car, nightstand, and bathroom. It is so hydrating and the only thing that always works on my very chapped lips.

Westman Atelier lip gloss: I don’t love super pigmented lips. It’s just not for me. I do, however, like a bit of color. The Westman glosses do just that and you can easily build on them.

Wander Beauty under eye masks: These are so good for a little weekend masking. I always feel like my under eyes are more hydrated and more “awake” after.

Supergoop Superscreen: I use this EVERY SINGLE DAY on my face. SPF is so important and this one is the best.

What is one of your holy grail clean beauty items? Or just beauty items in general?

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I feel like deciding what items to get for your kitchen depends on what you use it for. When we got married, like most people we registered for A LOT of kitchen items. I wrote a post a while back about the wedding gifts we use the most and a lot of this may be overlap. There are also some things we’ve picked up over the years (9 plus years living together) that we use a ton as well. I think when it comes to your kitchen and the things you use a lot it’s great to find kitchen items to splurge on if you can!

10 Kitchen Items To Splurge On

Mixing Bowls: This is one thing when I registered for I don’t think I realized how much it would get used! I am fairly certain I pull at least one of these out every day for something.

Vitamix: This was a gift that when we registered for I didn’t think anyone would get us. A family friend was super generous to get it for us and we use it EVERY SINGLE DAY! The 3 of us have green smoothies each evening and we’ve really gotten its money’s worth!

Slow Cooker: I know so many people love the instant pot, but you know what it’s just not my thing. I love my slow cooker! We use it all the time for chicken which is used for lunches, salads, etc. We use it for soups, chili, stew, and more during the winter months. We use it for shredded chicken for quesadillas and tacos. I mean it’s just the best. Also if you have one you need these liners.

Automatic Salt and Pepper grinder: This is something I didn’t think we needed until we had it. My dad gave it to us as a housewarming gift when we moved in together almost 6 years ago and we use it multiple times a day!

Kitchenaid Mixer: So this is just what everyone registers for right? You pick a pretty color and think “won’t this look lovely in my kitchen.” Well, we actually use ours! I use it a ton for baking and every Friday night Andrew uses it to make our pizza dough! We have homemade pizza every Friday and it’s my favorite part of the week. We have a light blue one which I think looks great anywhere. Truth be told I wanted yellow for some reason and Andrew said no. I’m glad he vetoed that.

Rice Cooker: When we got married Andrew already had a rice cooker but sadly about a year ago it died and we had to get a new one. We make at least one meal a week that involves rice and this one is fantastic! The one we have is under $30 and had about 10k good reviews on Amazon!

Quality silverware/plates/glassware: We got our everyday plates and glasses from Crate and Barrel and purposely got ones that were quality but not expensive. We have had to replace the glasses a few times because someone (me) is not very gentle with putting things in the dishwasher. I also wanted ones that they would carry forever and not super trendy ones. This is a personal preference. For silverware, this one the ONE item Andrew insisted we see in person, as he is very picky about them.

Nice vases: I think having some really pretty nice vases is important. I tend to always have our flowers in the kitchen so that’s why I put them in the kitchen category! We were blessed to have received a few nicer vases for our wedding or gifts and this one is my favorite. I try to use it as often as I possibly can.

Good bakeware/silicon muffin liners: As I have mentioned I love love love baking! Especially muffins the last year or so. They are such an easy grab and go for breakfasts and snacks and Andrew and Liam both love them! This is the best bakeware set and for what you are getting and the quality the price is amazing. I also suggest grabbing silicone muffin liners. They involve very little clean up and keep your bakeware looking much nicer. I have the large and the mini sizes.

Always Pan: This is something that was sent to us about a year and a half ago. We have used it pretty much every day since. It is one of the best kitchen investments I think people can make. It truly does it all.

I would love to know what kitchen items to splurge on you think are worth it or maybe even not worth it! Chat below!

This post was originally published in 2019 and has been updated for 2022. 

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