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IN: Lifestyle, Wellness

2024 Cozy Girl Fall Challenge

September 5, 2024 By Melanie No Comments

 

I know we technically still have a few more weeks of summer left so if Fall is not the vibe for you right now, feel free to come back to this later! Personally, I’m very ready to start transitioning into cozy season, especially after a particularly scorching hot summer here in Colorado.

If you’re also craving hygge & healthy vibes, I have a new four week challenge for you to take you out of Healthy Girl Summer and into Cozy Girl Fall.

Put on a comfy sweater, light your favorite seasonal candle, make a pumpkin spice latte and let’s dive into the checklist for the upcoming weeks…

Cozy Girl Fall: Week One 

Bring on the cozy vibes

  • Light a scented candle that fills your space with the warm and comforting scents of fall, whether you’re into sweet scents like vanilla and cinnamon or woodsy scents like cedar and pine.
  • Treat yourself to a spa-like experience at home with a long, luxurious bath or shower. Here are some of my essentials for a truly decadent everything shower. 
  • Curl up with your favorite fuzzy blanket and a good book
  • Try a restorative yoga session and embrace the slower pace of the fall with gentle stretches and deep breathing exercises that will help you feel more connected to your body.
  • Pick one of your favorite fall films and invite a few friends over for a cozy movie night at home. Whether you’re going for spooky, magical, or romantic, you can really set the mood with lighting and a few themed snacks. Personally, I don’t think you can ever go wrong with a Harry Potter movie night!
  • Wear your comfiest clothes. Think soft sweaters, leggings, and your favorite pair of fuzzy socks. If you’re in the market for some new cozy pieces, I’ve got you covered!
  • Enjoy a cup of hot apple cider or your favorite tea, and take the time to truly savor each sip. 

Cozy Girl Fall: Week Two 

Nurture relationships

  • Cook for a loved one, because few things say I love you like a nourishing home-cooked meal
  • Snuggle with your pet 
  • Send a handwritten note to a friend to let them know you’re thinking about them. It’ll be such a lovely surprise for them to receive in the mail! Plus, it’s a great excuse to buy some really cute stationery. 
  • Come up with a fun new fall tradition for you and your loved ones. Traditions and rituals are a great way to bring people together and create lasting memories. It could be a weekly nature walk with your girlfriends to see how the colors change or an annual cozy baking party with your family.  
  • Meet up with a friend at a cute coffee shop or bookstore so you can catch up while enjoying the autumn coziness.
  • Bake something to share and get ready to be the most popular person at work (like this pumpkin bread or these chickpea blondies!)
  • Try a random act of kindness (don’t worry, I’ve got 50 ideas for you right here!). 

Cozy Girl Fall: Week Three 

Embrace change & let go

  • Shake up your workout routine by trying something new 
  • Take 3 things off your to-do list this week. That one task that you keep pushing back week after week is a good place to start. If it’s not important, aligned with your goals, or something that brings you joy, let it go. 
  • Spend 30 minutes learning something new. If your schedule’s extra tight, you can even break this up into 10-minute blocks across three days. Take the time to invest in that skill or hobby you’ve been wanting to try or simply learn about a topic you’re curious about. 
  • Declutter your closet as you switch out your seasonal clothes. Are there any summer items that never saw the light of day this year? Consider letting them go. 
  • Choose one small new habit to incorporate into your daily routine. 
  • Write a letter to your future self. Let them know how things are going and what your dreams are for them. What do you hope will be different or how do you want to evolve? Tuck the letter away for your future self to open at a later date. 
  • Identify 3 limiting beliefs that are holding you back and commit to letting them go. 

Cozy Girl Fall: Week Four

Savor the season

  • Go for a fall nature walk to enjoy the crisp air and the sound of the leaves crunching under your feet.
  • Take a scenic drive to see the changing leaves.  
  • Try a cozy hobby like embroidery or crocheting, something that feels relaxing and mindful. Hands-on hobbies get extra points for keeping your hands off your phone! 
  • Start a gratitude journal (or a gratitude jar if your partner or family want to join in!)
  • Make a mood board for the season to help you set your intentions for the fall.
  • Get yourself a pumpkin (or two or three).

Start the day with a fall smoothie. Who doesn’t want a healthy breakfast that tastes like apple pie or pumpkin spice? For more smoothie recipes, you can also download my free smoothie e-book!

I’ve started sharing a Cozy Girl Fall series on my Instagram that will include a mix of what you see here and some other mindful ideas of how to slow down and savor the season. Be sure to follow along and let me know if you’ll be joining in!

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Wellness

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Meet Melanie

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. 💕 Send me a note at: mel@headstandsandheels.com

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For all the women in your 30s — cheers to trying
For all the women in your 30s — cheers to trying new and old hobbies, connecting to your inner child, fully embracing all the things you love and feeling so much more confident in who you are 💕💫 

#romanticizeyourlife #lifeinyour30s 
#joyfulliving #smalljoys #cozyhobbies

One thing I know to be true when it comes to findi
One thing I know to be true when it comes to finding joy in movement is that when you’re short on time, you want something quick and convenient

That’s why having a dedicated space in your home that’s already set up for you to workout is so helpful! No commute. No reservations. Whether it’s a full home gym or a small corner in your bedroom, as long as it’s accessible it makes the whole process of getting to the workout so much easier, faster and a little more joyful than rushing to a studio or gym 

I have everything in my home gym listed on my LTK and a discount code for @shopstakt mats (all linked in my bio) in case you’re looking to build a space like this for yourself 💕

PS: and if you’re looking for an at home workout that actually makes strength training fun, my personal favorite is the Soundtrack Strength Club series by @calliegullickson on @onepeloton ✨🧜🏻‍♀️

#healthylifestyle #wellnesslifestyle #healthyliving #selfcaretips #movementislife #homeworkouts

Happy Monday! Here’s a gentle reminder that your
Happy Monday! Here’s a gentle reminder that your morning routine doesn’t have to take long for it to be impactful. Adding little moments of mindfulness can do wonders for your physical and emotional wellbeing and even 5 minutes of self-care can set the tone for the day 🦋💕

Since my mornings are a bit more chaotic now, following my 3 step formula to nourish, move, and practice self care has been SO helpful during this phase of life 💫. And I hope it does the same for you! 

Swipe through for some mindful exercises that take less than 5 minutes and comment WORKSHEET if you’d like to receive my free, printable Mindful Morning worksheet straight to your inbox 

Here’s to making our morning routine feel a little more special, even on those extra busy days ✨

#healthylifestyle #healthyhabits #romanticizeyourlife #happyandhealthylife #joyfulliving #softwellness

What, like it’s hard? 🤪

#momsbelike #nickimi
What, like it’s hard? 🤪

#momsbelike #nickiminajchallenge


Just in case you need a new book rec for your fina
Just in case you need a new book rec for your final summer vacay plans or trips to the beach, I’m sharing 7 of my favorite summer reads that I think you’re going to love! ☀️💕

Swipe through, save for later and let me know which ones are YOUR favorites orrrr even better, what would you add to this list? 

#girlswhoread #cozyhobbies #romanticizeyourlife #booklovers #selfcaresummer #igbookclub

Friendships in your 30s hit different and I’m so
Friendships in your 30s hit different and I’m so grateful for the people in my life, near & far, who fill my life with so much laughter and love 💛✨ 

#romanticizinglife #smalljoys #lifeinyour30s #girlhood

A little peek into some of my favorite parts of my
A little peek into some of my favorite parts of my morning with Lily 🌸

Don’t let this fool you, she’s been waking up at 5am lately 😫 so goes down for her first nap at 7:30am (which is NOT ideal). All of this was filmed between 7:30am - 10am, just in time for our nanny to arrive and for me to start my work day 

Needless to say, we are still figuring things out over here but I wouldn’t give up these precious moments for anything 💕✨ 

#romanticizeyourlife #newmomlife #morningroutine #morningslikethis

✨This and having my phone on dnd ✨

I’ve bee
✨This and having my phone on dnd ✨

I’ve been wanting to try the Japanese Head Spa treatment ever since I saw a video of one go viral a few years ago and earlier this week, @butterflybeauty.co made my #selfcare dreams come true! 🦋💕 {sound on for all the ASMR} 

This was hands down one of the most relaxing treatments I’ve ever had — starting with a scalp analysis, followed by a custom mini facial, arm & chest massage and full scalp treatment with lots of exfoliation, massage and herbal remedies 

After going through lots of postpartum hair loss, it was so nice to see regrowth happening in the scalp analysis videos and I love that the head spa treatment itself helps to improve scalp health and stimulate hair growth 💁🏻‍♀️

10/10 recommend and if you’re in Denver, you HAVE to book a session with Jennifer! I can’t wait to go back 

#selfcaresessions #wellbeing #healthylifestyle #headspa #selfcareideas #denverwellness


We may be new moms, in our 30s and happily married
We may be new moms, in our 30s and happily married, but we’re still just girls at heart 💕. 

Last night’s cozy evening in with a cutesy summer craft, s’mores, wine and a teenage romance drama will ALWAYS be my idea of a fun time 🐚🌊🏝️

Anyone else watching the new season of The Summer I Turned Pretty? Annnnd if so, what team are you on? 

PS: I’ll share a little bts of the making of these super cute shell trinket dishes soon!

ICED BANANA BREAD MATCHA LATTE coming in hot for #
ICED BANANA BREAD MATCHA LATTE coming in hot for #MatchaMonday! 🍌🍵 

This features the yummiest homemade banana bread syrup that you’re going to want to add to all of your matcha or coffee drinks! 

Banana bread syrup recipe:
✨ 2 ripe, mashed bananas
✨ 1 cup brown sugar
✨ 1 cup water 
✨ 2 tsp cinnamon
✨ 1 tsp vanilla 
✨ sprinkle of salt & nutmeg 

Simmer on stovetop for 10 minutes, mixing occasionally. Strain over jar and store in fridge

To make the banana bread matcha latte all you need are:

✨ 1 cup oat milk 
✨ 1-2 tbsp banana bread syrup 
✨ 1 tsp ceremonial grade matcha (I used @thematchamotto) whisked with 1/4 cup hot water
✨ Ice 

Let me know if you’ll be trying this! 💛

#matchatime #matcharecipe #summersips #healthylifestyle #morningmatcha

Filed under: July Joys 🌻

✨ flower picking wi
Filed under: July Joys 🌻

✨ flower picking with my flower girl 
✨ lemon blueberry cupcakes 🦋
✨ in my hot pilates era 
✨ ice cream on repeat 
✨ pool days 
✨ a little garden visitor 
✨ stopping to smell the flowers 
✨ sweet and slow mornings
✨ creekside hike with the pups 
✨ the best dinner dates 
✨ this cherry set 🍒 
✨ a fun summer read 

I hope you all are having a beautiful weekend 💕


It is up to us to make our lives beautiful 🌸

T
It is up to us to make our lives beautiful 🌸

The small joys are found in the mundane mornings, the unexpected laughter, the people who feel like sunshine 

The beauty of life is not that it’s perfect. It’s that every day you wake up with a new opportunity to grow, heal, love and find gratitude through it all 💕🦋

{audio: @malamalife} 

#romanticizeyourlife #romanticizinglife #smalljoys #gratitudepractice #pocketsofpeace #momentsofcalm


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For all the women in your 30s — cheers to trying For all the women in your 30s — cheers to trying new and old hobbies, connecting to your inner child, fully embracing all the things you love and feeling so much more confident in who you are 💕💫 

#romanticizeyourlife #lifeinyour30s 
#joyfulliving #smalljoys #cozyhobbies
One thing I know to be true when it comes to findi One thing I know to be true when it comes to finding joy in movement is that when you’re short on time, you want something quick and convenient

That’s why having a dedicated space in your home that’s already set up for you to workout is so helpful! No commute. No reservations. Whether it’s a full home gym or a small corner in your bedroom, as long as it’s accessible it makes the whole process of getting to the workout so much easier, faster and a little more joyful than rushing to a studio or gym 

I have everything in my home gym listed on my LTK and a discount code for @shopstakt mats (all linked in my bio) in case you’re looking to build a space like this for yourself 💕

PS: and if you’re looking for an at home workout that actually makes strength training fun, my personal favorite is the Soundtrack Strength Club series by @calliegullickson on @onepeloton ✨🧜🏻‍♀️

#healthylifestyle #wellnesslifestyle #healthyliving #selfcaretips #movementislife #homeworkouts
Happy Monday! Here’s a gentle reminder that your Happy Monday! Here’s a gentle reminder that your morning routine doesn’t have to take long for it to be impactful. Adding little moments of mindfulness can do wonders for your physical and emotional wellbeing and even 5 minutes of self-care can set the tone for the day 🦋💕

Since my mornings are a bit more chaotic now, following my 3 step formula to nourish, move, and practice self care has been SO helpful during this phase of life 💫. And I hope it does the same for you! 

Swipe through for some mindful exercises that take less than 5 minutes and comment WORKSHEET if you’d like to receive my free, printable Mindful Morning worksheet straight to your inbox 

Here’s to making our morning routine feel a little more special, even on those extra busy days ✨

#healthylifestyle #healthyhabits #romanticizeyourlife #happyandhealthylife #joyfulliving #softwellness
What, like it’s hard? 🤪 #momsbelike #nickimi What, like it’s hard? 🤪

#momsbelike #nickiminajchallenge
Just in case you need a new book rec for your fina Just in case you need a new book rec for your final summer vacay plans or trips to the beach, I’m sharing 7 of my favorite summer reads that I think you’re going to love! ☀️💕

Swipe through, save for later and let me know which ones are YOUR favorites orrrr even better, what would you add to this list? 

#girlswhoread #cozyhobbies #romanticizeyourlife #booklovers #selfcaresummer #igbookclub
Friendships in your 30s hit different and I’m so Friendships in your 30s hit different and I’m so grateful for the people in my life, near & far, who fill my life with so much laughter and love 💛✨ 

#romanticizinglife #smalljoys #lifeinyour30s #girlhood
A little peek into some of my favorite parts of my A little peek into some of my favorite parts of my morning with Lily 🌸

Don’t let this fool you, she’s been waking up at 5am lately 😫 so goes down for her first nap at 7:30am (which is NOT ideal). All of this was filmed between 7:30am - 10am, just in time for our nanny to arrive and for me to start my work day 

Needless to say, we are still figuring things out over here but I wouldn’t give up these precious moments for anything 💕✨ 

#romanticizeyourlife #newmomlife #morningroutine #morningslikethis
✨This and having my phone on dnd ✨ I’ve bee ✨This and having my phone on dnd ✨

I’ve been wanting to try the Japanese Head Spa treatment ever since I saw a video of one go viral a few years ago and earlier this week, @butterflybeauty.co made my #selfcare dreams come true! 🦋💕 {sound on for all the ASMR} 

This was hands down one of the most relaxing treatments I’ve ever had — starting with a scalp analysis, followed by a custom mini facial, arm & chest massage and full scalp treatment with lots of exfoliation, massage and herbal remedies 

After going through lots of postpartum hair loss, it was so nice to see regrowth happening in the scalp analysis videos and I love that the head spa treatment itself helps to improve scalp health and stimulate hair growth 💁🏻‍♀️

10/10 recommend and if you’re in Denver, you HAVE to book a session with Jennifer! I can’t wait to go back 

#selfcaresessions #wellbeing #healthylifestyle #headspa #selfcareideas #denverwellness
We may be new moms, in our 30s and happily married We may be new moms, in our 30s and happily married, but we’re still just girls at heart 💕. 

Last night’s cozy evening in with a cutesy summer craft, s’mores, wine and a teenage romance drama will ALWAYS be my idea of a fun time 🐚🌊🏝️

Anyone else watching the new season of The Summer I Turned Pretty? Annnnd if so, what team are you on? 

PS: I’ll share a little bts of the making of these super cute shell trinket dishes soon!
ICED BANANA BREAD MATCHA LATTE coming in hot for # ICED BANANA BREAD MATCHA LATTE coming in hot for #MatchaMonday! 🍌🍵 

This features the yummiest homemade banana bread syrup that you’re going to want to add to all of your matcha or coffee drinks! 

Banana bread syrup recipe:
✨ 2 ripe, mashed bananas
✨ 1 cup brown sugar
✨ 1 cup water 
✨ 2 tsp cinnamon
✨ 1 tsp vanilla 
✨ sprinkle of salt & nutmeg 

Simmer on stovetop for 10 minutes, mixing occasionally. Strain over jar and store in fridge

To make the banana bread matcha latte all you need are:

✨ 1 cup oat milk 
✨ 1-2 tbsp banana bread syrup 
✨ 1 tsp ceremonial grade matcha (I used @thematchamotto) whisked with 1/4 cup hot water
✨ Ice 

Let me know if you’ll be trying this! 💛

#matchatime #matcharecipe #summersips #healthylifestyle #morningmatcha
Filed under: July Joys 🌻 ✨ flower picking wi Filed under: July Joys 🌻

✨ flower picking with my flower girl 
✨ lemon blueberry cupcakes 🦋
✨ in my hot pilates era 
✨ ice cream on repeat 
✨ pool days 
✨ a little garden visitor 
✨ stopping to smell the flowers 
✨ sweet and slow mornings
✨ creekside hike with the pups 
✨ the best dinner dates 
✨ this cherry set 🍒 
✨ a fun summer read 

I hope you all are having a beautiful weekend 💕
It is up to us to make our lives beautiful 🌸 T It is up to us to make our lives beautiful 🌸

The small joys are found in the mundane mornings, the unexpected laughter, the people who feel like sunshine 

The beauty of life is not that it’s perfect. It’s that every day you wake up with a new opportunity to grow, heal, love and find gratitude through it all 💕🦋

{audio: @malamalife} 

#romanticizeyourlife #romanticizinglife #smalljoys #gratitudepractice #pocketsofpeace #momentsofcalm
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