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IN: Beauty, Lifestyle

My Guide For Getting Wedding Ready

June 10, 2019 By Melanie 1 Comment

Wedding dress shoppingHello lovely bride-to-be and congratulations! Or at least I’m assuming if you’ve clicked open this blog post you’re about to tie the knot soon! If not, you’re of course welcome here too and I hope you find this BTS look at how I got wedding ready to be entertaining.

To be honest, this post has been on my to-do list for quite some time, mostly because when I was getting married I had plenty of messages asking lots of questions about the wedding prep process. I did my best to gather together a thorough guide of everything that I did to get wedding day ready. Below you’ll find everything from the beauty treatments I invested in before the big day, to where I shopped for my wedding dress, which platform I used for save the dates, and where I bought all my major accessories. 

If you’re in the middle of planning my biggest piece of advice is to relax and take things in strides. You’re planning the HAPPIEST most wonderful moment of your life and it should be all about you and your partner. Unfortunately drama is inevitable and sadly some relationships may be strained. Just know that it’s all going to work out and at the end of the day, this is a cause for celebration, not stress. 

With that said I think it’s time we take a deep breath and dive right in.

Planning Tools 

Oxford Exchange Wedding

Zola

Not going to lie, when it came to registering for gifts, managing our guest list and tracking RSVPs, Zola was a life saver. Although I did find their collection of Save the Dates and invitations to be no where near as robust as Minted, I do think they made up for this with many other features. Even now, 2 months after the wedding, I’m still using it to order thank you notes and to send all the gifts to Bay and my new apartment. 

Minted

When it comes to beautiful Save-the-dates and invitations, Minted has it all. All the designs are so beautiful and easily customizable. The only downside is that I definitely experienced some sticker shock when it came to purchasing stationary. They charge a premium for foil, two sides, pretty envelopes, thicker paper, etc. There are still plenty that won’t break the bank but be prepared to set aside some major $$ for this expense. I was honestly so tempted to send an e-vite instead but thought that may come off just a wee bit tacky. 

Wedding Wire

There were a few vendors that were on our venues preferred list, which made selection easy. For everything else I used Wedding Wire. As useful as I found it to be, I will say nothing beats a genuine referral and I wish I had done a little more due diligence with certain vendors like our DJ and officiant. Although they were nice enough and had great reviews, I wasn’t as happy with them on the day of. When it comes to DJs especially, pay close attention to the name listed in the reviews. For example, the owner of the company we selected received very high praise but there was very little mention of the member of his team who was available for our wedding day. I trusted that he would be just as good as the owner but despite his professionalism, his DJ abilities fell very short. 

Etsy

I’m pretty sure this is every bride’s go-to site when it comes to finding unique decor and accessories. I love supporting local designers and was so happy to find my earrings, bridesmaid robes, and the majority of my signage via multiple Etsy artists. My only tip would be to order your items far in advance. Since the majority of things are made to order it can take several months for your shipment to arrive. 

Pinterest

I mean, this is an obvious one but it would be a disservice to create a wedding planning guide without including Pinterest. When it came to creating a mood board, gathering inspiration for hair and makeup, and figuring out all the little details, Pinterest was my social network of choice. When Bay first proposed I had a different idea in my head for the wedding but once I started pinning things I realized that I kept coming back to the same aesthetic. White and black, lots of greenery, hints of blush and gold, and an overall modern fairytale aesthetic. I didn’t want bursts of color. I didn’t want shabby chic. I didn’t want it to feel DIY but I also didn’t need it to look grand. I just wanted something that felt fresh but classic, with a vibe that emulated NYC but in Florida… thankfully, our venue the Oxford Exchange checked all those boxes. 

Dress and Accessory Shopping

Kristen Weaver Photography

I did a fair amount of research on wedding dresses ahead of time and knew I wanted to go with something that would make me feel like a princess. I didn’t want anything with too much lace (in fear of looking like a doily) but when it came to a ballgown I didn’t want something that would overwhelm my small frame. At the end of the day, it was important for me to wear the dress, not for the dress to wear me… if you know what I mean. 

Wedding Atelier was the first place I looked and I’m so happy I did. Their studio is very beautiful and I was able to get a private section to try on dresses in front of my mother-in-law and bridesmaid, Brittany. You have to take your shoes off when you enter, which keeps the wedding gowns from getting trampled on and dirty. After trying on about 6 dresses, I decided to try on the Hayley Paige Andi gown that I originally had bookmarked on Pinterest. It was a bit out of my price range so I was reluctant to try it on but of course, as soon as I did, the three of us started crying. It was THE one. 

Thankfully, Wedding Atelier was about to have a Hayley Paige trunk show the following weekend and were willing to give me the discounted price for the dress. It was a done deal and I’m so happy with the way it looked! I ended up getting an affordable veil to complete the look and went shopping for my shoes at Saks. I knew I wanted shoes that I could wear again so opted to spend a little more money and treat myself to some blush pink Manolo Blahniks. 

I did venture to Lovely Bride in the same day since I had already set an appointment and I have to admit, I was a little disappointed in the experience. The gowns were all very lacy or heavily beaded, not my taste at all. All the employees were super kind and the space was very pretty. However, I think it’s better suited for those who are looking for a more bohemian style. 

Bridesmaid Attire

Bridesmaid dresses

In an effort to keep costs lower while also having my bridesmaids wear super lux evening gowns, I knew I needed to turn to Rent the Runway. I’m SO happy I did! I selected three different rose gold Badgley Mishka evening gowns and thought the girls looked absolutely stunning on the big day. The best part was that an otherwise $600+ dress ended up being less than $150 on RTR and they will never have to wear them again. 

For accessories, I turned to Etsy to find matching personalized earrings as well as blush pink robes from Sincerely Sofi Designs that they could wear while getting ready. Kate Whitcomb Shoes generously gifted all 6 girls personalized gold heels that had their names written on one shoe and “bride tribe” written on the other. 

I think the girls looked SO classy and elegant!! I took inspiration from old Hollywood glam for their hair and makeup. I definitely recommend printing out some inspiration photos to give to your hair and makeup artist. The more specific you can be the better! 

Dance Lessons

Bay and I decided to sign up for a private dance lesson with a local dance instructor. Maya choreographed a simple but beautiful dance to our song of choice, “I Get To Love You” by Ruelle. Honestly, this was one of my absolute favorite things that we did before the wedding day. We had 3 sessions and it was such a fun bonding experience. On the day of it made for a very lasting memory and I can’t wait to get the final video back from our videographer. 

If you have the opportunity to sign up for private dance lessons I highly recommend it. Even the simplest of choreography really adds a special element to your first dance as a married couple. 

My Pre-Wedding Beauty Routine

Wedding Planning

With the inevitable stress and busy schedules that go along with wedding planning, the quality of your skin and hair can take a toll. Regular exercise, lots of water, and eating a diet rich in fruits and veggies will obviously help tremendously — but sometimes you  can use an extra boost. I started a really strict skincare routine at home about 5 months out and then a month before the wedding indulged in a few spa beauty treatments. Here’s the rundown of what I used and loved! 

Skincare 

At Home: 

There are quite an array of products that I use and most can be found in THIS blog post (along with some discount codes for ya!). I also added Trilogy’s rose hip oil to my nightly routine as well as Eminence Marine Flower Peptide Serum. I also love Farmacy Beauty’s Honeymoon Glow resurfacing serum and Green Clean Makeup remover. 

Spa Treatments: 

One month out, I received a hydra facial at Organic Elements Spa here in NYC. It was such a great way to get all the gunk out of my pores without damaging my skin (the tool allows for painless extractions). I want to get these on a more regular basis because I noticed an instant change in my complexion. You can save 30% off your treatment if you mention my name at booking! 

About a week before the wedding I had the pleasure of receiving a gua sha facial in my hometown of Bradenton, Florida. Elizabeth, the owner of Pure Skin by Elizabeth, has the cutest little spa and the gua sha facial helped drain lymphatic fluids while also boosting blood circulation, allowing for an overall glow. Not to mention it was incredibly relaxing! 

Haircare

At Home:

If you follow me on Instagram you may remember that after a double process gone wrong, my hair was breaking off mid-shaft only 2 months from my wedding day! I was sooo sad but thankfully found a few things that really helped turn my hair health around. 

First, I really stepped away from heat tools for a good month. No hair dryer. No curling iron. Just good old fashion air drying. 

Second, I invested in some quality haircare products like Olaplex no 3 and the Olaplex shampoo (which is amazing btw). I used the Oribe Masque for Beautiful Color once a week and started taking Sugar Bear Hair vitamins along with HUM Red Carpet vitamins daily. Thankfully by the time my wedding came around my hair, was still fragile, but was no longer breaking off. I didn’t even need extensions since I opted for an elegant up-do. 

In Salon: 

I had the pleasure of getting a holistic hair healing treatment at ABL Hair Studio in Williamsburg. The experience was honestly unlike any other hair salon. The products are all cruelty-free and free of harsh chemicals. Not only was the appointment very personalized and relaxing, but it genuinely left my hair feeling 10x softer and more manageable. I was dealing with some extreme breakage so this was one of the best things I could do before the big day. 

About two weeks before my wedding I received a nano protein treatment at Fox & Jane Salon. Similar to an Olaplex bond strengthener, the Nano protein helps fill the gaps in individual hair strands and strengthen them from the inside out. There was a noticeable difference in my hair texture afterwards and I decided to start getting these regularly.  It’s SO helpful for anyone who regularly colors their hair. 

Final Beauty Treatments

Wedding planning

I definitely recommend getting a professional teeth cleaning and whitening at your dentist prior to the big day. I visited Dr. Lauren Becker about a week before I left for Florida and I had the best experience. The whitening process took about 45 minutes and left my teeth looking so pearly white. If you’re in Manhattan I highly recommend paying her a visit!

There are plenty of amazing nail salons in NYC but there is only ONE that I trust for big occasions. And that’s Paintbox in Soho. They only do manicures and they specialize in intricate designs. They’re definitely on the pricey side, which is why I’ve only been twice: once before I went to Europe (where Bay proposed) and the second time being right before my wedding day. Their gel designs lasted for a full month (both times) without chipping! 

The last thing I did was go to Benefit Brow Bar and get my brows and sideburns threaded. If you’ve never experienced threading before it’s not particularly enjoyable… but it allows for super clean lines and it’s way better for your skin than waxing. I’ve been going there every 2 months for the past 2 years and love it! 

Alright chicadees, that is all for now! I hope you found this post insightful and maybe gained a few ideas as you plan for your big day! Now that I’ve received the photos back from our amazing photographer, Kristen Weaver, I’m going to be doing a blog recap of my favorite wedding day moments. Stay tuned!

With love,

Filed Under: Beauty, Lifestyle

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Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    June 13, 2019 at 12:49 am

    Loved tiis sneak peek into your beautiful day!!

    Reply

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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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