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IN: Beauty

My Current Cruelty-Free Skincare Routine

July 20, 2018 By Melanie No Comments

My Current Cruelty Free Skincare Routine TulaThroughout my teens and early 20’s I had really horrible skin. A combination of whiteheads and angry cystic acne would dot my face, so much so that the dermatologist had to prescribe me all kinds of retinol creams in order to get it under control. Around the age of 23 things started to clear up for me but my skin still bared a few scars and would suffer the occasional acne flair up. It wasn’t until I really dove deep into my wellness journey when I was 27 that I started noticing a huge difference. Your skin is the largest organ on your body and greatly reflects your overall health. When you ensure that you are properly hydrated, stay away from processed foods and refined sugars (for the most part), exercise and eat healthy, you may start seeing dramatic differences in how your skin looks and feels. 

Of course — a proper skincare regimen doesn’t hurt! Thanks to living the #bloggerlife, I’ve been super fortunate to have tried many different natural and/or cruelty-free skincare brands throughout the past couple years. My skin has been put to the test and there are some brands that came out clear winners and others that, well, I just won’t talk about. 

The one you’ve probably seen the most on my Instagram is Tula. 

Let’s Talk TULA

Tula skincare

Tula is a probiotic skincare line that’s not only cruelty-free but also free from phthalates, parabens, propylene glycol, petrolatum, gluten and mineral oil. What they DO feature is powerful, natural probiotics, healthy superfoods like blueberries and tumeric, and targeted safe ingredients like AHAs, retinol (aka Vitamin A), and Vitamin C. Based on everything I’ve tried I feel like they’re safe for sensitive skin but probably work best on acne-prone skin like mine. If you aren’t sure what products to try, they do offer a nifty little skin quiz that can help! 

I’m actually taking over Tula’s Instagram Story for the day to share my skincare routine and how I live a healthy, happy life, so please feel free to tune in! There’s even a fun giveaway if you’d like to try it for yourself. And if you’re impatient and just want to order it right away, you can use my code “HEADSTANDS” for 20% off your purchase. You can find them at select Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus stores throughout the nation but it’s probably your best bet to buy them online. 

I’ve tried ALL of Tula’s products but these are my favorites: 

  • Purifying Facial Cleanser –  Light and refreshing probiotic gel cleanser removes impurities and helps condition skin, without over-drying
  • Exfoliating Treatment Mask – Detoxifying bentonite clay mask provides gentle exfoliation without stripping the skin of essential oils, making way for antioxidant-rich blueberry extract to hydrate and improve skin tone
  • Aqua Infusion Power Liquid  – Supercharged serum that provides intense hydration and the feeling of instant soothing
  • Hydrating Day and Night Cream – A nourishing cream, full of naturally derived probiotics and superfoods, that provides deep hydration while improving the clarity and texture of skin

Up next, I have another one of my favorite skincare brands, Biossance, which features two super important ingredients: SPF and Squalane. 

Why SPF + Squalane from Biossance?  

Biossance Cruelty Free Skincare

Squalane is essentially our bodies best naturally moisturizer! Our bodies actually already produce its own version of Squalane (known as squalene), but the amount made and retained in the skin decreases over time. It peaks in our teens and then starts to decline in our 20โ€™s, leaving skin rough, dry and vulnerable. Aside from the human body, you can also find Squalane in shark liver — but thankfully for the sharks and the environment, Biossance created their own. Their Squalane comes from 100% plant-based, renewable sugarcane, then bio-fermented to create a beautiful end result that’s sustainable and cruelty-free. 

The number one cause of skin damage is sun exposure and having lived in Florida for 12 years of my life, let’s just say my skin has been exposed to A LOT of sun. I wish I had worn more sunscreen growing up but since I can’t go back in time the least I can do is opt to apply a facial SPF every. single. day. 

I’m obsessed with Biossance’s Squalane + Mineral SPF 45. It goes on white but immediately blends without leaving an oily texture. The smell is completely neutral which I appreciate SO much (I can’t stand smelling like a pina colada). And the best part is I found that the SPF lotion actually doubles really nicely as a makeup primer. My foundation goes on so smoothly and lasts twice as long! You can pick up all Biossance products at Sephora or online. ๐Ÿ™‚

Hello FAB (First Aid Beauty)

First Aid Beauty Cruelty Free Skincare

It may be a relatively new addition to my skincare regimen but I’m already head over heels in love with First Aid Beauty. All of their skincare is super clean and is perfect for sensitive skin. I received such a lovely package from the FAB team with their entire skincare line and am still in the midst of testing them all out, but so far these really stood out to me: 

  • Facial Radiance Pads – A daily treatment pad that contains Lactic and Glycolic Acids to safely exfoliate, tone, and brighten skin. The look of them freaked me out because they reminded me of those super harsh acne pads I used in high school but I was pleasantly surprised at how gentle they are! 
  • Caffeine Matcha Wake Up Pads – Superfood-infused portable facial wipes remove dirt, excess oil and makeup. I’ve used this in the mornings to reduce puffiness and right after workouts for a quick refresh. 
  • Coconut Water Cream –  An oil-free light water cream moisturizer infused with Coconut Water and provides a burst of electrolyte-rich moisture. This is PERFECT for Summer!
  • Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum – Hydrating gel that instantly plumps skin and minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (because I’m almost 30 now and def need some anti-aging help)!
  • Intensive Lip Balm – Super rich, buttery balm with an incredible texture that delivers long-lasting hydration. My normally chapped lips have been oh so happy.

Love Me Some Face Masks

If you’ve perused my Instagram Story on occasion I’m sure it comes as no surprise that I’m a big big fan of face masks. I use them at least twice a week with major emphasis on #SelfCareSunday which is also when I treat myself to a flower bath  and other such luxuries.  I’ve already mentioned the one I use from Tula and FAB, but I also swap in Beautycounter’s Charcoal Mask and Mario Badescu’s Flower & Tonic Mask depending on what I think my skin needs most. The charcoal mask is really gentle on my skin and leaves it super soft and smooth without drying it out. On the other hand, the Flower & Tonic mask sucks up ALL the oil which is why I typically reserve it for hot summer days when I know my skin is going on overdrive with oil production.  

Other Favorites

Processed with VSCO with q5 preset

A few other products that I use regularly include Raw Sugar Living‘s Lemon Sugar hand wash and Pure Bath Soap (also in Lemon Sugar). It’s one of those products that I wish I had discovered earlier because they’re SUPER affordable (you can find them at Target) and they deliver on all the right notes of natural, cruelty-free, amazing smell and philanthropic. I really appreciate that for every bar of soap donated they give one to a family in need. I’ve also been using Rituals “The Ritual Of Sakura” foaming shower gel and it smells SO freakin good. It’s formulated with organic rice milk and cherry blossom and the texture is something very similar to whipped cream. I always smell like a Spring garden after showering with it.

And last but not least, I am obsessed with Wyld skincare’s Konjac facial cleansing sponges. They’re all natural (derived from the Konjac plant) and are super tough when you first take them out of the box. All you have to do is get them wet and then use them with your favorite cleanser for extra exfoliation. I noticed that I never need to double cleanse whenever I’m using the konjac sponge. The best part is you can reuse the sponge over and over again for up to 6 weeks, so you really get your moneys worth. If you’d like to try it out for yourself you can save 20% off with the code: MELANIET20.

Alright friends, I hope you found this helpful! I’ll update you with another skincare post if I end up finding more products that work for me — but for now you can assume that this will be my regimen for quite a long time. 

With love and light,

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New Meet Melanie

New Meet Melanie

Hi and welcome to Headstands & Heels! I’m Melanie — a Digital Strategist turned Wellness Entrepreneur, certified yoga instructor (RYT 200), dog mama, and content creator based in Denver. I hope to encourage others to follow their dreams and cultivate a healthy, balanced lifestyle filled with mindfulness and positivity. ๐Ÿ’• Send me a note at: mel@headstandsandheels.com or Read More

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Another day, another healthy habit ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ‹ . I ca
Another day, another healthy habit ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ‹ . I canโ€™t believe we only have a few more to go! In case youโ€™re new here, Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits and mindful practices that you can incorporate your routine to help you feel your best. 

DAY 12: Focus on Hydration ๐Ÿ’ง

Iโ€™m not going to laundry list all of the benefits of drinking more water because this is one habit we all KNOW we need to do โ€” however if you find yourself struggling with this one, here are some tips that may help: 

โœจ Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning 
โœจ Jazz up your water with lemon ๐Ÿ‹ 
โœจ Add electrolytes to your water post-workout 
โœจ Make homemade juices from hydrating veggies and fruit (this one is celery, cucumber + apple) 
โœจ Fill an extra large water bottle to keep track of how much youโ€™re drinking through the day 
โœจ Serve water with every meal
โœจ Drink unsweetened iced or hot tea
โœจ Set reminders on your phone or use a tracker (like the one in my Mindful Morning Planner) 

I used to struggle with this habit but ever since moving to Denver a couple years ago, the dry climate has forced me to focus on hydration daily and now I feel like Iโ€™m constantly drinking water and using all the hydrating skincare products ๐Ÿ˜…

Stay tuned for the final 3 healthy habits of the series coming soon! 

#wellness #mindfulroutines #morningroutine #healthyandhappy #morningvibes #wellnesslifestyle #colorfulaesthetic #mindfulroutine #happyandhealthy #morninghabits #healthylifestyle #iamwellandgood

โ€œLook to the sunlight above and smile. You are n
โ€œLook to the sunlight above and smile. You are never alone.โ€ ๐ŸŒป Swipe for more healing words. Save, share and take what you need ๐ŸคŽ

#selfcompassion #selflove #dailyreminders #positivemindset #littlereminders #wellbeing #mindfulness #findthelight #selfgrowth #wellnesswednesday


Can you count how many plants are in this video? ๐Ÿชด๐Ÿคช Welcome back to my Healthy Habit series, where Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits and mindful practices to incorporate into your daily routine to help you feel your best. 

DAY 11: Bring Nature Indoors 

There are numerous studies that have demonstrated the power of keeping houseplants in your home. Emotionally, the presence of plants help to decrease anxiety and stress. The act of caring for them requires patience and watching them grow provides a feeling of accomplishment. ๐Ÿชด๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ

Some houseplants help to purify the air and if you plant a small herb garden in your kitchen, youโ€™ll reap the benefits of fresh herbs all year round.

Other simple ways to invite nature indoors are:

๐ŸชŸ open your windows on a cool day
๐ŸคŽ choose earth tones for your decor
๐ŸŒŠ play soothing sounds like ocean waves or rain ๐Ÿ•ฏ๏ธ light candles or a fireplace
โ˜€๏ธ set up a reading nook in a very sunny corner of your home

Is this a habit youโ€™re already putting into practice? And if so, what is your favorite way to invite nature indoors? 

{well-being, wellness, self care, biophilia, healthy lifestyle, positive mindset, healthy tips, self growth} 

#wellbeing #healthyhabits #plantcare #houseplantlove #romanticizeyourlife #healthyathome #wellnesstips #wellnessblogger #healthyandhappy #mindfulhabits #morningroutine #mindfulroutine #selfcaretips

Embracing all the little moments of peace, beauty
Embracing all the little moments of peace, beauty and playfulness ๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿ’—

Dressed in head to toe @fpmovement including all the cozy layers for when hot, golden afternoons transition to crisp, chilly evenings. I for one am so ready to see these leaves start to change colors, are you? 

PS: linked this whole fit in my stories for ya ๐Ÿ’Œ

#FPmovementPartner #healthylifestyle #outdoorsygals #denverblogger #hikingclub #hikingoutfit #summertofall #outdoorfitness #happyandhealthy #wellnesslifestyle

โ€œTry not to think about what could have or shoul
โ€œTry not to think about what could have or should have been. Whatโ€™s done is done.โ€ โœจโค๏ธ

Itโ€™s day ten of my Healthy Habit series where Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits that you can incorporate daily to help you feel your best and I recommend turning the audio up for this one ๐Ÿฅน

DAY 10: Live In The Present 

The beauty of practicing daily mindfulness is that it helps us shift our mindset to the only thing that is guaranteed โ€” this very moment. Each day we are alive is such a blessing and by channeling that gratitude, we can learn to cultivate more joy in the present moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. 

Mindfulness allows us to regulate our emotions and is a reminder that everything in life is temporary. We will all face challenges and difficult seasons throughout our lifetime โ€” but cultivating this mindful habit of living in the present is a helpful tool as you wait for the hard times to pass. ๐Ÿค

 โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข

PS: if you want to make this pumpkin spice oatmeal here is the recipe: 

โœจ 1/2 cup rolled oats 
โœจ 1 cup almond milk 
โœจ 1/4 cup water 
โœจ 1/2 cup pumpkin purรฉe 
โœจ 1 tbsp maple syrup 
โœจ 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice 
โœจ 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
โœจ pinch of salt 

Bring almond milk and water to a boil and then add in all additional ingredients. Simmer for 8-10 min and top with bananas, chopped nuts, almond butter and a little drizzle of maple syrup 

{wellness, mindful living, intentional living, healthy mindset, positive thinking, self growth} 

#wellnesstips #mindfulhabit #mindfulroutine #morningroutine #cookwithme #romanticizeyourlife #liveinthepresent #selflove #selfgrowth #healthyliving #healthylifestyle #positivemindset #mindsetmatters #makebreakfastwithme #healthyroutines


โœจ ๐๐„๐– ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐›๐ฅ๐จ๐ : ๐Ÿ“ ๐–๐š๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐“๐จ ๐…๐š๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐š๐œ๐ค ๐ˆ๐ง ๐‹๐จ๐ฏ๐ž ๐–๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐–๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐‘๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ž (link in bio) โœจ
 #ad Iโ€™ve been struggling with motivation lately and wanted to share some of my tried and true tips that help me find joy in my fitness routine. 

One thing I know makes a difference for me is dressing the part and wearing activewear that is cute, fits like a dream and makes me feel confident. Thatโ€™s why Iโ€™m excited to share my newest activewear obsession โ€“ @neiwaiofficial ๐Ÿค

This Asian female-founded brand has some of the dreamiest, matching sets and these two from their Mousse Active Collection (swipe for a peep) are perfect for low-impact workouts like pilates, yoga and barre. I love the soft micro-suede material and know Iโ€™ll be wearing them all through Fall and Winter with some cozy layers. 

๐ˆโ€™๐ฏ๐ž ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ค๐ž๐ ๐›๐จ๐ญ๐ก ๐ฌ๐ž๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐‹๐“๐Š ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐œ๐š๐ง ๐ฌ๐š๐ฏ๐ž ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ% ๐จ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐œ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ ๐œ๐จ๐๐ž: ๐ฆ๐ž๐ข
{only valid through 9/15 so get yours quick!} 

Which is your fav: the emerald green or neutral mushroom? ๐Ÿ‘‡

#NEIWAI  #Active  #InhaleExhale  #MadeToLiveIn  #NEIWAIfriends #liketkit #LTKfitness #LTKSeasonal
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/4iwFl

Clean the house with me for Day 9/15 of my Healthy
Clean the house with me for Day 9/15 of my Healthy Habit Series ๐Ÿค

DAY 9: Clean your space ๐Ÿงน๐Ÿซง๐Ÿงบ๐Ÿงฝ

I wish I was one of those people that found cleaning to be enjoyable buuuut unfortunately thatโ€™s not usually the case. ๐Ÿ˜… I do however get very stressed out when thereโ€™s too much clutter or things start to feel like theyโ€™re piling up. So in reality, keeping my space organized and tidy is probably the most helpful mental health habit that I turn to over and over again ๐Ÿซง 

Weโ€™ve all heard the phrase โ€œclear space, clear mindโ€ and I ๐Ÿ’ฏ% believe that to be true. Eliminating clutter and keeping things tidy do wonders for mental clarity, creativity, and in my case โ€” a greater sense of ease. 

I find that even 10-15 min of cleaning/decluttering a day can really make a big difference but for when life happens and things build up a bit more, having a dedicated โ€œreset dayโ€ honestly is so worth it. ๐Ÿ’•

Stay tuned for six more simple, realistic habits into your routine to help you feel your best

{wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy mindset, self discipline, self growth, wellbeing, reset routine} 

#healthyhabits #wellnesstips #mindfulroutine #cleanwithme #resetroutine #iamwellandgood #morningroutine #wellnessblogger #cleaningroutine #healthymotivation

Stepping into the weekend ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ and this shift of
Stepping into the weekend ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ and  this shift of seasons is making me more excited to spend time outside. Which brings us to day 8/15 of my Healthy Habits series where Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits to incorporate into your daily routine to help you feel your best ๐Ÿค

DAY 8: GO ON A WALK 

Something about getting outside for even 15 min of fresh air and movement is so healing and lately Iโ€™ve been doing a lot of โ€œwalk and talksโ€ where I put on headphones and chat with friends as I get my steps in. 

Sometimes I listen to music or a podcast but many times I just walk without any distractions. There are so many mental and physical benefits of taking time to go on a walk, and right now, itโ€™s been an important tool for me to get out of the house and help reduce stress. 

And now with sweater weather approaching Iโ€™m so excited to get out for more morning walks with a hot cup of coffee in hand. โ˜•๏ธ 

{wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy mindset, self growth, self discipline, daily movement} 

#wellnessblogger #healthyhabits #morningroutine #morninghabits #dailyroutine #healthymotivation #iamwellandgood #morningwalk #hotgirlwalk #movementismedicine #mindfulroutine

#AD September is officially here and with it bring
#AD September is officially here and with it brings the promise of pumpkin spice and Fall vibes (which tbh Iโ€™m SO excited for!). ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿงก I figure thereโ€™s no better way to kick off the season than with a Pumpkin Cold Brew Smoothie featuring @silk Almondmilk! I picked up all these ingredients at my local @Target and think you all are going to LOVE this recipe.

Be sure to SAVE this to try later:

โœจ 1 frozen banana
โœจ ยฝ cup organic pumpkin puree
โœจ ยผ cup greek yogurt 
โœจ 1 medjool date
โœจ 1 tbsp almond butter
โœจ 1 tbsp flax seeds
โœจ ยฝ cup cold brew 
โœจ 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
โœจ ยฝ cup SILK Unsweetened Almondmilk 
โœจ ice

Blend all ingredients and pour into your fav glass! I love how smooth and creamy SILK Almondmilk is and itโ€™s such an easy, plant-based swap for any of your smoothies. Get 10% off Silk Almondmilk with the Target Circle app from 9/3-9/9! ๐ŸŽฏ 

Be sure to tag us if you recreate this pumpkin smoothie at home! 

#silkalmondmilk #silktarget #pumpkincoldbrew #pumpkinsmoothie #smoothierecipe #smoothietime #fallsmoothie #pumpkinrecipe

My Healthy Habits series has been on a hiatus but
My Healthy Habits series has been on a hiatus but Iโ€™m ready to finish what I started ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ. In many ways, these little habits are exactly what I need right now and have become โ€œhealing habitsโ€ that I always turn to when I need a mental or physical boost. 

My hope is that by the end of this 15 part series youโ€™ll be inspired to incorporate more of these simple, realistic habits into your own daily routines 

DAY 7: WRITE IN A JOURNAL โœ๏ธ

Iโ€™ve been keeping some form of diary or journal on and off since 2nd grade, which is kind of wild when I think about all the notebooks filled with memories stacked in my closet. Writing is such a therapeutic exercise and a great introspective tool to help work through different feelings and emotions. 

There are plenty of guided journals if free writing is intimidating and I share plenty of prompts on my blog and @mindfulmorningclub page ๐Ÿ“–

I always suggest starting with just 5-10 min of writing time in the morning or evening and expanding if/when your schedule allows. โœจ

Do you keep a journal? 

#healthyhabits #morningroutine #wellnesstips #journaling #iamwellandgood #healthylifestyle #healthymindset #morningrituals #selfcaretips #morningvibes #autumnmorning #wellnesslifestyle #mindfulroutine #smallmoments #fallvibes

Little things that nourished my soul lately ๐Ÿ’ซ

Little things that nourished my soul lately ๐Ÿ’ซ 

๐Ÿถ mountain views with my lil family 
๐ŸŒธ writing everything out in my journal 
๐Ÿฆ‹ starting to ease back into workouts I enjoy 
๐Ÿ’ beautiful flowers & plants from friends 
๐Ÿฆ sushi followed by ube ice cream 
๐Ÿ’‡๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ much needed hair color refresh 
โ˜•๏ธ matcha & a new book 
๐Ÿ’…๐Ÿป treating myself to a pedicure 

Healing is not a linear process and Iโ€™m giving myself grace to feel all the feelings as they come. Through every challenge, thereโ€™s beauty in knowing the heart has a capacity for holding space for it all โ€” for moments of small joys, pain and sorrow, and perhaps most importantly, so much space for hope. 

โœจHope that by sharing my story, other women will feel less alone 

โœจHope that it helps shines a light on how painful, emotionally and physically, pregnancy loss can be 

โœจHope that God will give us our rainbow baby soon 

To the hundreds of you who had the kindness and courage to share your own miscarriage stories with me and others who shared words of love, thank you. We have felt so supported this past week and it has given us a lot of strength. 

I am craving normalcy again, and that means Iโ€™m ready to dive back into work with branded content going live this week and continuing my Healthy Habits series. Life moves forward and even though this experience will stay with me forever, 
I am ready to leave the pain behind ๐Ÿค

#lifelately #miscarriageawareness #newbeginnings #cameraroll

This isnt the announcement I hoped to share. We we
This isnt the announcement I hoped to share. We were so excited to welcome our little baby into this world. Instead we gained an angel. ๐Ÿ‘ผ 

Last Friday, at 11 weeks and 2 days pregnant, we checked into the OB for an emergency ultrasound. We were just a week shy of our official 12 week apptโ€” the one where we would find out the gender and prepare to share the news with family and friends. Instead, they couldnโ€™t find a heartbeat. ๐Ÿ’” 

The first trimester hadnโ€™t been easy. At 6 weeks I ended up in the ER but heard the babyโ€™s heartbeat and left feeling hopeful. We saw the baby officially at our 8 week ultrasound and felt more assured that things would progress as we hoped. 

Time continued to move forward and by the 11 week mark, we were picking potential names, reading parenting books, and starting to take bump photos. 

They say the odds of a miscarriage at 11 weeks is so smallโ€ฆ yet here we are. I know we are not alone in this but it doesnโ€™t make the pain and heartbreak any easier.

Weโ€™ve been taking time to work through our grief and process this loss together. We are grateful to have such an incredible support system and I thank you all for providing a safe space to share my story. I kindly ask that you do not share any unsolicited medical advice or ask questions. 

I know there will be brighter days ahead and this experience has made me very aware of just how much we look forward to having a family. Itโ€™s not our time, but I know it will happen someday.

For now, this is goodbye, little one. You are forever in our hearts ๐Ÿ‘ผโค๏ธ ~ M & B


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Another day, another healthy habit ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ‹ . I ca Another day, another healthy habit ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ‹ . I canโ€™t believe we only have a few more to go! In case youโ€™re new here, Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits and mindful practices that you can incorporate your routine to help you feel your best. 

DAY 12: Focus on Hydration ๐Ÿ’ง

Iโ€™m not going to laundry list all of the benefits of drinking more water because this is one habit we all KNOW we need to do โ€” however if you find yourself struggling with this one, here are some tips that may help: 

โœจ Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning 
โœจ Jazz up your water with lemon ๐Ÿ‹ 
โœจ Add electrolytes to your water post-workout 
โœจ Make homemade juices from hydrating veggies and fruit (this one is celery, cucumber + apple) 
โœจ Fill an extra large water bottle to keep track of how much youโ€™re drinking through the day 
โœจ Serve water with every meal
โœจ Drink unsweetened iced or hot tea
โœจ Set reminders on your phone or use a tracker (like the one in my Mindful Morning Planner) 

I used to struggle with this habit but ever since moving to Denver a couple years ago, the dry climate has forced me to focus on hydration daily and now I feel like Iโ€™m constantly drinking water and using all the hydrating skincare products ๐Ÿ˜…

Stay tuned for the final 3 healthy habits of the series coming soon! 

#wellness #mindfulroutines #morningroutine #healthyandhappy #morningvibes #wellnesslifestyle #colorfulaesthetic #mindfulroutine #happyandhealthy #morninghabits #healthylifestyle #iamwellandgood
โ€œLook to the sunlight above and smile. You are n โ€œLook to the sunlight above and smile. You are never alone.โ€ ๐ŸŒป Swipe for more healing words. Save, share and take what you need ๐ŸคŽ

#selfcompassion #selflove #dailyreminders #positivemindset #littlereminders #wellbeing #mindfulness #findthelight #selfgrowth #wellnesswednesday
Can you count how many plants are in this video? ๐Ÿชด๐Ÿคช Welcome back to my Healthy Habit series, where Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits and mindful practices to incorporate into your daily routine to help you feel your best. 

DAY 11: Bring Nature Indoors 

There are numerous studies that have demonstrated the power of keeping houseplants in your home. Emotionally, the presence of plants help to decrease anxiety and stress. The act of caring for them requires patience and watching them grow provides a feeling of accomplishment. ๐Ÿชด๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ

Some houseplants help to purify the air and if you plant a small herb garden in your kitchen, youโ€™ll reap the benefits of fresh herbs all year round.

Other simple ways to invite nature indoors are:

๐ŸชŸ open your windows on a cool day
๐ŸคŽ choose earth tones for your decor
๐ŸŒŠ play soothing sounds like ocean waves or rain ๐Ÿ•ฏ๏ธ light candles or a fireplace
โ˜€๏ธ set up a reading nook in a very sunny corner of your home

Is this a habit youโ€™re already putting into practice? And if so, what is your favorite way to invite nature indoors? 

{well-being, wellness, self care, biophilia, healthy lifestyle, positive mindset, healthy tips, self growth} 

#wellbeing #healthyhabits #plantcare #houseplantlove #romanticizeyourlife #healthyathome #wellnesstips #wellnessblogger #healthyandhappy #mindfulhabits #morningroutine #mindfulroutine #selfcaretips
Embracing all the little moments of peace, beauty Embracing all the little moments of peace, beauty and playfulness ๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿ’—

Dressed in head to toe @fpmovement including all the cozy layers for when hot, golden afternoons transition to crisp, chilly evenings. I for one am so ready to see these leaves start to change colors, are you? 

PS: linked this whole fit in my stories for ya ๐Ÿ’Œ

#FPmovementPartner #healthylifestyle #outdoorsygals #denverblogger #hikingclub #hikingoutfit #summertofall #outdoorfitness #happyandhealthy #wellnesslifestyle
โ€œTry not to think about what could have or shoul โ€œTry not to think about what could have or should have been. Whatโ€™s done is done.โ€ โœจโค๏ธ

Itโ€™s day ten of my Healthy Habit series where Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits that you can incorporate daily to help you feel your best and I recommend turning the audio up for this one ๐Ÿฅน

DAY 10: Live In The Present 

The beauty of practicing daily mindfulness is that it helps us shift our mindset to the only thing that is guaranteed โ€” this very moment. Each day we are alive is such a blessing and by channeling that gratitude, we can learn to cultivate more joy in the present moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. 

Mindfulness allows us to regulate our emotions and is a reminder that everything in life is temporary. We will all face challenges and difficult seasons throughout our lifetime โ€” but cultivating this mindful habit of living in the present is a helpful tool as you wait for the hard times to pass. ๐Ÿค

 โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข

PS: if you want to make this pumpkin spice oatmeal here is the recipe: 

โœจ 1/2 cup rolled oats 
โœจ 1 cup almond milk 
โœจ 1/4 cup water 
โœจ 1/2 cup pumpkin purรฉe 
โœจ 1 tbsp maple syrup 
โœจ 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice 
โœจ 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
โœจ pinch of salt 

Bring almond milk and water to a boil and then add in all additional ingredients. Simmer for 8-10 min and top with bananas, chopped nuts, almond butter and a little drizzle of maple syrup 

{wellness, mindful living, intentional living, healthy mindset, positive thinking, self growth} 

#wellnesstips #mindfulhabit #mindfulroutine #morningroutine #cookwithme #romanticizeyourlife #liveinthepresent #selflove #selfgrowth #healthyliving #healthylifestyle #positivemindset #mindsetmatters #makebreakfastwithme #healthyroutines
โœจ ๐๐„๐– ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐›๐ฅ๐จ๐ : ๐Ÿ“ ๐–๐š๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐“๐จ ๐…๐š๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐š๐œ๐ค ๐ˆ๐ง ๐‹๐จ๐ฏ๐ž ๐–๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐–๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐‘๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ž (link in bio) โœจ
 #ad Iโ€™ve been struggling with motivation lately and wanted to share some of my tried and true tips that help me find joy in my fitness routine. 

One thing I know makes a difference for me is dressing the part and wearing activewear that is cute, fits like a dream and makes me feel confident. Thatโ€™s why Iโ€™m excited to share my newest activewear obsession โ€“ @neiwaiofficial ๐Ÿค

This Asian female-founded brand has some of the dreamiest, matching sets and these two from their Mousse Active Collection (swipe for a peep) are perfect for low-impact workouts like pilates, yoga and barre. I love the soft micro-suede material and know Iโ€™ll be wearing them all through Fall and Winter with some cozy layers. 

๐ˆโ€™๐ฏ๐ž ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ค๐ž๐ ๐›๐จ๐ญ๐ก ๐ฌ๐ž๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐‹๐“๐Š ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐œ๐š๐ง ๐ฌ๐š๐ฏ๐ž ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ% ๐จ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐œ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ ๐œ๐จ๐๐ž: ๐ฆ๐ž๐ข
{only valid through 9/15 so get yours quick!} 

Which is your fav: the emerald green or neutral mushroom? ๐Ÿ‘‡

#NEIWAI  #Active  #InhaleExhale  #MadeToLiveIn  #NEIWAIfriends #liketkit #LTKfitness #LTKSeasonal
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/4iwFl
Clean the house with me for Day 9/15 of my Healthy Clean the house with me for Day 9/15 of my Healthy Habit Series ๐Ÿค

DAY 9: Clean your space ๐Ÿงน๐Ÿซง๐Ÿงบ๐Ÿงฝ

I wish I was one of those people that found cleaning to be enjoyable buuuut unfortunately thatโ€™s not usually the case. ๐Ÿ˜… I do however get very stressed out when thereโ€™s too much clutter or things start to feel like theyโ€™re piling up. So in reality, keeping my space organized and tidy is probably the most helpful mental health habit that I turn to over and over again ๐Ÿซง 

Weโ€™ve all heard the phrase โ€œclear space, clear mindโ€ and I ๐Ÿ’ฏ% believe that to be true. Eliminating clutter and keeping things tidy do wonders for mental clarity, creativity, and in my case โ€” a greater sense of ease. 

I find that even 10-15 min of cleaning/decluttering a day can really make a big difference but for when life happens and things build up a bit more, having a dedicated โ€œreset dayโ€ honestly is so worth it. ๐Ÿ’•

Stay tuned for six more simple, realistic habits into your routine to help you feel your best

{wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy mindset, self discipline, self growth, wellbeing, reset routine} 

#healthyhabits #wellnesstips #mindfulroutine #cleanwithme #resetroutine #iamwellandgood #morningroutine #wellnessblogger #cleaningroutine #healthymotivation
Stepping into the weekend ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ and this shift of Stepping into the weekend ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ and  this shift of seasons is making me more excited to spend time outside. Which brings us to day 8/15 of my Healthy Habits series where Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits to incorporate into your daily routine to help you feel your best ๐Ÿค

DAY 8: GO ON A WALK 

Something about getting outside for even 15 min of fresh air and movement is so healing and lately Iโ€™ve been doing a lot of โ€œwalk and talksโ€ where I put on headphones and chat with friends as I get my steps in. 

Sometimes I listen to music or a podcast but many times I just walk without any distractions. There are so many mental and physical benefits of taking time to go on a walk, and right now, itโ€™s been an important tool for me to get out of the house and help reduce stress. 

And now with sweater weather approaching Iโ€™m so excited to get out for more morning walks with a hot cup of coffee in hand. โ˜•๏ธ 

{wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy mindset, self growth, self discipline, daily movement} 

#wellnessblogger #healthyhabits #morningroutine #morninghabits #dailyroutine #healthymotivation #iamwellandgood #morningwalk #hotgirlwalk #movementismedicine #mindfulroutine
#AD September is officially here and with it bring #AD September is officially here and with it brings the promise of pumpkin spice and Fall vibes (which tbh Iโ€™m SO excited for!). ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿงก I figure thereโ€™s no better way to kick off the season than with a Pumpkin Cold Brew Smoothie featuring @silk Almondmilk! I picked up all these ingredients at my local @Target and think you all are going to LOVE this recipe.

Be sure to SAVE this to try later:

โœจ 1 frozen banana
โœจ ยฝ cup organic pumpkin puree
โœจ ยผ cup greek yogurt 
โœจ 1 medjool date
โœจ 1 tbsp almond butter
โœจ 1 tbsp flax seeds
โœจ ยฝ cup cold brew 
โœจ 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
โœจ ยฝ cup SILK Unsweetened Almondmilk 
โœจ ice

Blend all ingredients and pour into your fav glass! I love how smooth and creamy SILK Almondmilk is and itโ€™s such an easy, plant-based swap for any of your smoothies. Get 10% off Silk Almondmilk with the Target Circle app from 9/3-9/9! ๐ŸŽฏ 

Be sure to tag us if you recreate this pumpkin smoothie at home! 

#silkalmondmilk #silktarget #pumpkincoldbrew #pumpkinsmoothie #smoothierecipe #smoothietime #fallsmoothie #pumpkinrecipe
My Healthy Habits series has been on a hiatus but My Healthy Habits series has been on a hiatus but Iโ€™m ready to finish what I started ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ. In many ways, these little habits are exactly what I need right now and have become โ€œhealing habitsโ€ that I always turn to when I need a mental or physical boost. 

My hope is that by the end of this 15 part series youโ€™ll be inspired to incorporate more of these simple, realistic habits into your own daily routines 

DAY 7: WRITE IN A JOURNAL โœ๏ธ

Iโ€™ve been keeping some form of diary or journal on and off since 2nd grade, which is kind of wild when I think about all the notebooks filled with memories stacked in my closet. Writing is such a therapeutic exercise and a great introspective tool to help work through different feelings and emotions. 

There are plenty of guided journals if free writing is intimidating and I share plenty of prompts on my blog and @mindfulmorningclub page ๐Ÿ“–

I always suggest starting with just 5-10 min of writing time in the morning or evening and expanding if/when your schedule allows. โœจ

Do you keep a journal? 

#healthyhabits #morningroutine #wellnesstips #journaling #iamwellandgood #healthylifestyle #healthymindset #morningrituals #selfcaretips #morningvibes #autumnmorning #wellnesslifestyle #mindfulroutine #smallmoments #fallvibes
Little things that nourished my soul lately ๐Ÿ’ซ Little things that nourished my soul lately ๐Ÿ’ซ 

๐Ÿถ mountain views with my lil family 
๐ŸŒธ writing everything out in my journal 
๐Ÿฆ‹ starting to ease back into workouts I enjoy 
๐Ÿ’ beautiful flowers & plants from friends 
๐Ÿฆ sushi followed by ube ice cream 
๐Ÿ’‡๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ much needed hair color refresh 
โ˜•๏ธ matcha & a new book 
๐Ÿ’…๐Ÿป treating myself to a pedicure 

Healing is not a linear process and Iโ€™m giving myself grace to feel all the feelings as they come. Through every challenge, thereโ€™s beauty in knowing the heart has a capacity for holding space for it all โ€” for moments of small joys, pain and sorrow, and perhaps most importantly, so much space for hope. 

โœจHope that by sharing my story, other women will feel less alone 

โœจHope that it helps shines a light on how painful, emotionally and physically, pregnancy loss can be 

โœจHope that God will give us our rainbow baby soon 

To the hundreds of you who had the kindness and courage to share your own miscarriage stories with me and others who shared words of love, thank you. We have felt so supported this past week and it has given us a lot of strength. 

I am craving normalcy again, and that means Iโ€™m ready to dive back into work with branded content going live this week and continuing my Healthy Habits series. Life moves forward and even though this experience will stay with me forever, 
I am ready to leave the pain behind ๐Ÿค

#lifelately #miscarriageawareness #newbeginnings #cameraroll
This isnt the announcement I hoped to share. We we This isnt the announcement I hoped to share. We were so excited to welcome our little baby into this world. Instead we gained an angel. ๐Ÿ‘ผ 

Last Friday, at 11 weeks and 2 days pregnant, we checked into the OB for an emergency ultrasound. We were just a week shy of our official 12 week apptโ€” the one where we would find out the gender and prepare to share the news with family and friends. Instead, they couldnโ€™t find a heartbeat. ๐Ÿ’” 

The first trimester hadnโ€™t been easy. At 6 weeks I ended up in the ER but heard the babyโ€™s heartbeat and left feeling hopeful. We saw the baby officially at our 8 week ultrasound and felt more assured that things would progress as we hoped. 

Time continued to move forward and by the 11 week mark, we were picking potential names, reading parenting books, and starting to take bump photos. 

They say the odds of a miscarriage at 11 weeks is so smallโ€ฆ yet here we are. I know we are not alone in this but it doesnโ€™t make the pain and heartbreak any easier.

Weโ€™ve been taking time to work through our grief and process this loss together. We are grateful to have such an incredible support system and I thank you all for providing a safe space to share my story. I kindly ask that you do not share any unsolicited medical advice or ask questions. 

I know there will be brighter days ahead and this experience has made me very aware of just how much we look forward to having a family. Itโ€™s not our time, but I know it will happen someday.

For now, this is goodbye, little one. You are forever in our hearts ๐Ÿ‘ผโค๏ธ ~ M & B
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