The more I hustle, the more I crave clothing that’s comfortable and functional, so when I had the opportunity to partner with TEMA Athletics, it was a match made in heaven! The clothing from this brand can literally go from day to night with little to no effort. Plus all of the items are the highest quality and are available in sizes XS-3X. What do I love the most? TEMA is all about women empowerment and inclusivity no matter where you are in your fitness journey!
Spring Wardrobe Challenge Outfit #7 – Be the Change You Want to See
This series is part of the 10X10 Spring Challenge. For more information on what it is and how it works, click here.
This post is a deviation from my typical fashion post and capsule wardrobe series, but I felt like I wanted to share something a bit deeper today. Hope you enjoy!
For the past few weeks I have felt incredibly uninspired and depressed. Last month I turned 35, but I don’t really think the age thing is a factor (although I didn’t realize it until I saw it listed somewhere about a week and a half later and thought that I was 34). Oh brother! I seriously didn’t know and neither did my husband.
Pause & Reflect: Help! I Need My Beauty Sleep + Last Winter Outfit
You know that person that nods off in the middle of a meeting? Yep, that’s me! I didn’t even realize it until my co-worker mentioned it in passing. I was mortified and knew that my late-night tendencies were starting to take a toll. It’s just so hard to unwind from the hustle and bustle of a busy week!
On the flip side, 2018 is moving faster than a speeding bullet and I know you’re tired of the cold and gloomy weather. To help you beat the winter blues and increase your beauty sleep, I’ve rounded up a list of tips. By the time you’ve mastered these things, you’ll be recharged and ready for the warm sunshine!
Help! I Need My Beauty Sleep
Read a book. Opt for a kindle or an actual book. The blue light from your phone is stimulating and will keep you from getting adequate rest.
PRO-TIP: Steer clear of education or skill-building materials. You don’t want to be reading up on social media strategies when you’re trying to get your mind in a relaxed state. A book light is also helpful if your partner is already sleeping.
Drink something warm and soothing. I like a good sleepytime tea, hot toddy (when sick), or cocoa drink. Did you know that all-natural cocoa has no calories and is fat-free?! You add 2 tablespoons of a plant-based milk (I like unsweetened vanilla almond milk) and heat it in the microwave or on the stove until warm. Add the cocoa, a calorie-free sweetener like Truvia, and you have a delicious and soothing, low-calorie drink that’s also good for the heart.
Aid your sleep. Now, I prefer a natural sleep remedy like melatonin or Emergen-zzzz, but sometimes you need something a bit stronger. Tylenol PM has been my go-to lately and gets the job done.
Get in a dream state of mind. Purchase a diffuser. I just picked up one similar to this and love heating up the lavender melts about 30-60 mins before I go to sleep. It makes the room smell heavenly and the lavender makes you feel relaxed.
Jot down your to-do list and any concerns in a notebook. Clear your mind and know what you need to prioritize the next day or that week. This will also keep you from worrying about forgetting something important.
Get 20-30 mins of fresh air daily. Even on your laziest days, you can benefit from some fresh air. I like to walk around my neighborhood or take a walk during my lunch break. It’s amazing how inspired and calm I feel during and after. On days that I don’t do OrangeTheory, a low impact walk helps me sleep more soundly.
Get up and go to bed at the same time every day (including the weekends). Sounds crazy, but it works! I’ve tried this in the past and was shocked when I began to feel sleepy around the same time every night. This is a great way to reset your biological clock and will most likely help your REM cycle, allowing you to feel like you actually slept.
For more self-care tips read:
- Pause & Reflect: Celebrate Yourself aka Self-Care! 6 Ideas
- Bedtime Ritual with Pixi Beauty
- 6 Tips for Self-Care
Last Winter Outfit
Now that we are midway through March, you probably aren’t going to see too many winter outfits from me so I wanted to share this cute ruffle sweater!
Although this look is great for cold weather, don’t think that the ruffle trend is going away anytime soon. I’ve been seeing a lot of lightweight options popping up all over. It’s a great look for spring and fall, and when the cold front comes around again, just add a blouse or tee underneath. If you’re looking for a cute spring option, check out this one. I definitely need to snatch this up!
What tips do you have for getting your beauty sleep?
Shop the post:
Sweater: J.Crew (here & here)| Blouse: UNIQLO | Denim: J.Crew | Necklace: Lace & Pearl Jewelry | Earrings: J.Crew | Bracelet (old): J.Crew | Boots: Naturalizer (similar) | Purse: Club Monaco (old) | Lipstick: Neutrogena MoistureSmooth color stick (Rich Raisin) c/o
📷’s by Hello Rigby
Pause & Reflect: Celebrate Yourself aka Self-Care! 6 Ideas
Valentine’s Day can be a bit of a downer. Either you don’t have someone to spend it with, you want to do something extravagant and end up disappointed, or maybe you’re like myself and don’t really care much about it. Instead of feeling down and out, I want this Valentine’s Day to be your best one yet and make it all about you!
After taking a blogging break, I realized how important self-care really is. It can be so transformational! Rarely do people take time to celebrate the small wins or treat themselves just because. This is why corporate America invented vacations and paid time off. If you need a break from your usual gig, then you definitely need a break from everything else.
That’s why, for February, I challenge you to pause and do something thoughtful for yourself. It doesn’t have to be on the 14th, but anytime during the month.
Celebrate Yourself with Self-Care!
Keep in mind that treating yourself doesn’t need to be extravagant or cost a lot of money. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Take a bath. My absolute favorite form of self-care! I run the bath water, add in some Epsom salt, and tell my husband to pretend that I’m not there. If candles and wine are your thing, bring those too and give yourself 30-60 minutes to unwind with no interruptions. I personally like to watch Hulu when I’m in the tub, but closing your eyes and listening to soothing music or even nothing at all can do wonders.
Curl up with your blanket, furry friend, and a good book or show. I love snuggling on the couch with my heated blanket (the best gift ever) and my fur baby! It’s one of my favorite things to do and makes me feel so relaxed and loved. I always try to savor the moment and take a snapshot in my mind of that exact moment.
Pamper yourself at the spa or get a massage. I recently went to the spa and got my eyebrows waxed. They were beyond scary! Taking care of yourself, even when it’s something necessary, can provide an instant pick-me-up. Schedule your mani/pedi or that wax you’ve been neglecting and zone out for a bit.
Shopping date with your bestie or dinner and a movie. If staying in is more your thing (aka me), do a movie night at your place with popcorn and snacks. Party straws anyone?
Go for a walk and jam to your favorite tunes. This is probably my second favorite way to relax. I can’t even tell you the last time I listened to the radio because I’m always listening to a podcast or Spotify. Give your mind a rest and switch from a podcast or entertainment to some mellow tunes. On the flip side, if you’re always listening to music, change things up and find a good podcast. Whatever your interests are, I guarantee there is a podcast out there on the subject.
Learn something new. This one is huge! The primary reason that I stepped away from blogging was for health reasons. During the break, I began meal-prepping and learning how to cook. Eating healthy not only benefits my insides but also gives me a confidence boost. I highly recommend challenging yourself to try something new and get outside of your comfort zone!
If you enjoyed today’s post, leave a comment and let me know how you will be celebrating yourself this month.
Thanks for reading!
Shop the Post:
Cardigan: Madewell (similar) | Blouse: Vince (similar) | Denim: Jag Jeans c/o | Necklace: Ann Taylor (similar) | Ring: Fresh Tangerine | Booties: Report c/o Famous Footwear | Purse: Marshalls (similar) | Lipstick: Marc Jacobs Beauty (color Send Nudes) c/o
📷’s by Hello Rigby
Pause and Reflect: Keeping It Real + Blog Update
So I’ve been toying with the idea of introducing a new blog category. When I started blogging over three years ago, I would occasionally share a lifestyle post. As I went along, I ultimately decided to stop including them. Narrowing your blog focus is key, with the idea that if you’re talking to everyone, you’re talking to no one. I agree with this to a certain extent, but after talking with my blogger friends, and seeing a decline in Instagram engagement, it occurred to me that being unique and sharing more of who I am is the key to long and lasting relationships with my readers.
Keeping It Real + Blog Update
The blogging community is beginning to feel pretty stale and formulaic with the constant drive to sell and promote. Blogging used to be a means of sharing hobbies and interests rather than being so focused on business. These tactics keep things afloat and produce revenue, but it’s also important to remain authentic and mix in non-sponsored/brand-related content.
With that said, I want to be able to share more of myself and build upon our common interests. I know I can’t get behind a brand or person without knowing their back story so why should you?! I will still be sharing fashion and beauty posts but will be mixing in the occasional wellness or lifestyle post too. This new ad hoc series will be called Pause & Reflect and will be tagged under the lifestyle category.
The comparison game has been a hot topic in the online world lately. Remember, we are all unique and have so much to offer. It’s those who embrace their differences that stand out from the crowd and become the person that people want to follow, so be appreciative of your uniqueness and keep your head up.
If you’ve stuck around for this rant, thank you! And if you’re excited for more “real-life” posts, leave a comment. I love hearing from you and hope you will be inspired by this new series. And if you’re only here for the fashion, you can ignore these posts and just look at the pictures and shopping links. Win-win! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
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