My love for iconic earring styles especially hoop earrings began when I was a preteen. My grandmother gave me my Christmas present that year, probably a sweater, and then she presented me with a smaller box. She said, "This is from your grandfather." I had never received a gift from just him before. I had a feeling it was really her but I opened up the tiny gift-wrapped box with its miniature bow and found a delicate pair of gold hoop earrings. I gasped. Then I immediately put the beautiful hoops on and never looked back. I wore them almost daily for the next 6-7 years until I became obsessed with wearing pearl studs, which I can use with traditional mala bracelet for meditation as they look good and make me feel better. Courtesy @unsplash.com @gabrieldizzi Fast forward a few … [Read more...]
How to Plan for Your Future Today
Last spring my husband and I realized that we were in desperate need of some estate planning like the one on winrightlaw.com. Wills, a Trust, taking a second look at what type of life insurance we had and what the value of it was versus how much we were paying monthly for it. Did any of it make sense for our lives as they evolved? Would it do us any good? At the time we noticed that our term life insurance was wildly out of date. We had no real plan or details and needed some solid advice. We worked on it, created a plan that made sense for us and our budget such as a 401K to Gold Retirement Plan, and felt we were back on track. It is worth comparing retirement vehicles to determine which one is the most suitable option for you and your family. Well, things are changing again. … [Read more...]
Reasons to Take a Leap of Faith
Can you recall a time in your life when you had a gut instinct that you needed or wanted to do something new, but you felt hesitant? Taking a leap of faith, getting outside your comfort zone, and pushing yourself to greatness sometimes come with uncertainty or risk. Maybe you were worried that your gut instinct might be wrong, or maybe you were scared of the unknown. Whatever it was that held you back, think about why you were so hesitant. These critical (and scary) moments are pivot points in your life. There are times in our lives when our inner voice is asking us to make change happen, and if we do, then our lives can elevate to the next level. But fear often rears up so intensely that it threatens to kill that possibility. After all, you are taking a leap of faith and it is hard to … [Read more...]
Green Solutions to Protect your Family at Home
Living a greener lifestyle is an aspiration of families across the globe, but many of the most popularized methods to do so are too expensive or are intimidating to install. But there are still some options which are affordable. If you're contemplating making your home energy-efficient, have you considered solar panels? They are a practical solution, offering a myriad of benefits. Not only do you significantly lessen your dependence on the grid, but you also contribute to the fight against climate change. You may want to take a look at https://www.instagroup-homes.co.uk/solar-power/installing-solar-energy/, where you can learn more about the process and benefits of installing solar energy. You may also purchase reusable bottles for your family so you won't have to buy bottled … [Read more...]
Estate Planning Is More Necessary Than You Think
Last spring my husband and I decided to finally sit down and discuss estate planning or our lack thereof. Before this discussion, we had previously done this back in 2006 when we had one child, not three, and our lives and careers were very different than what they are now. It was a cringe-worthy moment when we realized that the draft of our will only included our first child. Our term life insurance was so out of date it didn't even make sense. We were severely lacking a big picture plan and any of the small details that made it make sense. We needed to have some detailed discussions, sit down with an expert, do our own research, and get quotes. Estate Planning and Term Life Insurance for Parents Estate planning, life insurance for parents, power of attorneys, and more are not … [Read more...]
Daily Self Care Tips Beyond The Holiday Season
Sometimes self-care can be the last thing you think about or make time for around the holidays. We want to give, prepare, and be unselfish during the holiday season, thinking of how we are going to feed our loved ones and what gifts to buy. This year, we insist that you take the time to think about yourself and your own health and happiness! There are several easy ways to make small adjustments to your daily routine that will give you the extra self-care you need this holiday season. You may take this time to relax and pamper yourself by going to a spa for services like facials, sugaring, massage. You may also pamper at the Sage Spa Ouray. Vaping may also help you relax and calm your mind. If you want to try vaping, you may order high-quality products online. Welcome to the world of … [Read more...]
My Christmas Wishlist
I'm not big on Christmas or any of the holidays that roll around in December. For me, Halloween and Thanksgiving are where it is at. I love the weather, the vibrant colors, and the food. The fact that I can usually wear something colorful, cute, and elegant without a coat is also a major plus in my book. However, I'm inevitably asked by my family what I want for Christmas. Honestly, I never know what to ask for or tell them. I should make a 'NO SHOPPING' moratorium on myself from August to December just so I can have something to add to a wishlist. *Note to self: DON'T SHOP next year. Either that or think of experiences you want. Nevertheless, here we are. Another year, another request for a wishlist. And a request to buy something that is not books or candles. That right … [Read more...]
Mother Daughter Weekend Fun
I just spent the weekend shopping, eating, and taking in the sights in Philadelphia with my oldest daughter. This blog started because I became her mother so many years ago. Now, we are doing mother-daughter weekends away that don't involve strollers. Instead, it's serial killer and psychopath tours while taking in historic sights. No more sippy cups instead we hunt for pastries and testing out new culinary delights. I remember thinking the sweet spot was elementary school but I have to say that staying up late and having conversations about real life and her future are a real treat and blessing too. It was a fun mother/daughter weekend complete with a show one night that swiped a bucket list item off for her. I love weekend trips like this in the fall. It's less hectic than summer … [Read more...]
Fall Favorites 2021
Fall is officially here! Unlike last year where I had zero desire to shop for fall looks or even care about the trends that might be happening, Fall 2021 is pure fun. I'm excited to dive back into my closet, dust off my booties, and start wearing clothes that go beyond athleisure once again. Bring on the collar necklace to wear under the perfect white button-down shirt or sweater dress. Sling that new crossbody or bucket bag over your shoulder and head out into the crisp fall weather. Here are some of my favorites pieces that I bought but probably never wore (thanks, worldwide pandemic) and some new ones. Alexander Wang Lane Black Boots/AuRate Gold Collar Necklace/J.Crew Plaid Pants (similar)/Shopbop Shacket/Lioness Palermo Black Blazer/Lola Mae Crossbody Mad for Plaid … [Read more...]
Best Ways to Motivate Yourself to Work Out Every Day
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that 1 in 4 adults aren’t getting the right amount of exercise and physical activity, with the percentages rising to 26% of men and 35% of women lacking physical activity in developed, high-income countries. Changing your routine isn’t always easy, but with the right amount of pre-planning and dedication, you can make working out every day something you look forward to! Frame your fitness goal First, take time to think about what your fitness goals will look like when you achieve them. Is weight loss your goal, or are you working towards participating in a marathon? Whatever your goals, frame them carefully, and then plan all the steps you will take to eventually meet these goals. Make sure you plan for some sort of exercise every day and … [Read more...]