Lifestyle

25 Black-Owned Small Businesses To Support

My Favorite Houseplants and How to Care for Them

My “Healthy at Home” Product Guide

Fun Virtual Activities to do with Friends

15 Magical Photo Spots in NYC at Christmas

How to Set Up a Festive Holiday Bar Cart

Healthy Holiday Gift Guide 2019

My Top 10 Favorite Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Products

Part 1 Of My New Office Reveal

30 Things I’ve Learned By 30

My Guide For Getting Wedding Ready

50 Ways to Add More Health and Happiness to Your Life

My Favorite Bags for Every Occasion

Confessions of a Christian Yogi: How I Balance Faith and Career

10 Festive Winter Date Ideas on a Budget

“The brightest people help others shine.” ✨

“The brightest people help others shine.” ✨ It’s been a long time since I’ve done one of these but I’d love to start a little POSITIVITY TRAIN!!
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I think everyone could use a little boost of encouragement and love these days, so here’s how this works:
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1️⃣ Tag someone who inspires you!
2️⃣ Share something you love about them or a kind compliment you want them to hear
3️⃣ If someone tags you, then YOU tag someone else in a new comment and share a compliment as well.
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How big can we get this train? 💕 #PositivityTrain

PEACH & TOMATO PANZANELLA RECIPE! 🍑 🍅
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You guys, peach and tomato season is at its peak right now and after picking up some fresh goodies at the Farmer’s Market, I knew I HAD to make a panzanella salad with them. 😋
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It’s seriously such a delicious, light and refreshing summer dish. 🥰
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SAVE THIS RECIPE FOR LATER
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Ingredients:
🍑 3 ripe peaches
🍅 3 small heirloom tomatoes of different colors and sizes
🌿 Handful of fresh basil and parsley
🧅 1/2 red onion
🥖 French baguette or in our case, 1/2 wheat Pullman loaf from a local bakery
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For dressing:
🍋 juice from 1/2 lemon
🍯 1 tsp honey
1 tsp red wine vinegar
6 TBSP olive oil
Salt and pepper
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DIRECTIONS:
1️⃣ Heat oven to 400 degrees
2️⃣ Cut bread into crouton sizes and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 10 min
3️⃣ Chop all produce and assemble in bowl
4️⃣ Make vinaigrette in small bowl, whisking in olive oil last to emulsify
5️⃣ Add toasted bread to bowl with chopped produce and herbs. Mix in vinaigrette and toss to coat
6️⃣ Garnish with basil leaves and edible flowers (if ya wanna get fancy)
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Give me a 🙋🏻‍♀️ if this is something you want to make!! #MelsMeals

If only getting set up for yoga was this easy. 🧘🏻‍♀️😉 {Turn sound on 🔈}
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It’s true that you don’t need anything fancy to practice yoga, but if you’re looking to deepen your home practice a few quality items can help! 💕
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𝐌𝐘 𝐅𝐀𝐕 𝐘𝐎𝐆𝐀 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: ⁣
✨ 𝐌𝐚𝐭: @aloyoga warrior mat (high quality + extra grippy) and @mandukayoga pro mat (extra cushion + life warranty) ⁣
✨ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐬: Cork blocks + a yoga strap!⁣
✨ 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬: @corepoweryoga sculpt, @omlifeliving by @janiceliou and @alomoves⁣
✨ 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫: my collection w/ @thecosmicproject 😉, @alala, @beyondyoga and @caliabycarrie⁣
✨ 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭: Find “Headstands & Heels” on Spotify for a few and I’ll be adding more! ⁣
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What are some of your yoga must-haves?? #MelDoesYoga #MyYogaLife

What is your favorite summer fruit? 🍋🍑 Mine

What is your favorite summer fruit? 🍋🍑 Mine is easily watermelon 🍉 and that's why I was so excited to test out @yesto 's NEW Watermelon collection just in time for #NationalWatermelonDay!! I'm a big fan of switching up my skincare per season, opting for thicker creams and oil based cleansers in the winter and lightly hydrating gel cleansers and moisturizers in the summer. ☀️ I've been using this #yesto Watermelon Facial Cleanser every evening for the past month and am officially obsessed. 🙌 It smells divine, is formulated with watermelon extract and vitamin C, and leaves my combination skin feeling smooth and lightly hydrated. 💦 Who else is all about these fresh, fruity and FUN summer vibes? 🍉 #yestoambassador

🌿A LITTLE JOYFUL CHECKLIST🌿 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

🌿A LITTLE JOYFUL CHECKLIST🌿
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For the days when staying “happy” seems pretty fricken impossible, here are a few things I like to do to change my mindset:
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✨ WRITE IT OUT: whether it’s a gratitude list, to-do list, stress list or just a jumble of thoughts. Seeing your thoughts on paper can be super therapeutic.
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✨ MOVE YOUR BODY: dance, walk, jump, run, or do whatever form of movement makes you feel powerful!
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✨ FOCUS ON YOUR BREATH: close your eyes and focus on your breath filling up your body. Imagine with each exhale you’re slowly letting go of whatever is hurting you
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✨ GET UPSIDE DOWN: no seriously, inversions help SO much with decreasing stress and clearing the mind. You don’t have to do a headstand! Even downward facing dog does the trick.
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✨ FOCUS ON SELF CARE: You don’t need fancy products for this. Self care is doing something for YOU. Whether it’s getting an extra hour of sleep, unplugging from social media, drinking wine 🍷 while reading a good book, etc.
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✨ GET OUTSIDE: sunshine ☀️ releases serotonin, a hormone that boosts our mood and makes us feel more calm and focused!
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✨ CONNECT WITH A FRIEND: send someone you love a text, set up a FaceTime happy hour, or have a socially distanced meetup.
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What is ONE thing you’re going to do this week to #LiveJoyfully and add a little happiness to your week? ✨☀️ #MelDoesYoga #MyYogaLife

Time to SHELLabrate because I have a fun little su

Time to SHELLabrate because I have a fun little surprise! 🧜🏻‍♀️ 🥂 Ever since moving into this apartment I've fallen in love with home decorating (as many of you know). 🥰
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I've come to realize that I love it SO much in fact, that I want to geek out about it a bit more and share tips, styling recs, product info, and DIY ideas... but that doesn't really fit on this wellness account. 🤷🏻‍♀️
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Sooo head on over to my NEW IG @headstandsandheelshome if you're interested in seeing more of my home decor recs, giveaways, apartment tour and more. 🏡
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First up -- I'll be sharing some tips on how to give your bar cart a little summer refresh, 🍍 with the help of @LaMarcaProsecco of course! 🥂✨
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Be sure to check out my stories for the refreshing 🍉 cocktail I made with my fav Prosecco! Cheers and happy Friday! 💕 #MakeEveryDaySparkle #Sponsored

Sometimes indoor workouts just don’t cut it and

Sometimes indoor workouts just don’t cut it and you need to squeeze in a morning walk before it gets too hot 🥵.
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Honestly though — finding motivation to workout has been kinda tough (I miss studios so much). 😭 After not working out at all last week I realized I need THREE things to Make. It. Happen. 👏🏻
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1️⃣ ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER! I have officially recruited my husband @bayphillips to workout w/ me. (We NEVER usually workout together so this is a big deal) 💪🏻
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2️⃣ A SCHEDULE: Well we’ve admittedly already messed this up 🙈 as it was supposed to be 9am M-F. But I’m willing to let the time be a bit more flexible.
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3️⃣ VARIETY WITH CONSISTENCY: We decided 30 min workouts were the most doable for both of us sooo we are working our way through that playlist on @popsugarfitness YouTube! 😊 That means we get different trainers and exercises daily, but all with the same time frame.
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Have you all transitioned from indoor virtual workouts to outdoor exercise activities 🏊‍♀️ 🚲 🏃🏻‍♀️?{PS: I always wear a mask outside 😷, just took it off briefly for this photo since no one was around.} #WellnessTips

GUESS WHAT? I’M OPENING AN ART SHOP! 🎨 🎉 S

GUESS WHAT? I’M OPENING AN ART SHOP! 🎨 🎉 Say hello to my passion project: @Pinklemonpress 🍋 and head over to my new account for a fun custom illustration giveaway! 🐶 🌱
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The official Etsy shop is still a work in progress but for now, if you’re interested in seeing more of my work I’ll be sharing updates, LIVE art sessions, and exclusive giveaways on the Pink Lemon Press Instagram. 💕 (This way I’m not spamming you all here 😉)
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I’m already dreaming up prints, painted planters, illustrations and stickers! 🥰 Honestly, all of this is suuuper intimidating but your support of my art over the past 5 months has pushed me to get out of my comfort zone with this. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤️
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Can’t wait for the official launch soon! 💕🎉 #PinkLemonPress

✨ CREATING HEALTHY HABITS ✨ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

✨ CREATING HEALTHY HABITS ✨
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Did you know it can take anywhere from 2-6 months to form a habit!? 😱 Idk about you but that totally explains why it can be so challenging to create “healthier” routines that actually stick. 🤷🏻‍♀️
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If you’re looking to add a new healthy habit to your routine, here are some tips that have helped me and hopefully will do the same for you!
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🌱 CONSISTENCY IS KEY! Create a schedule, buy a planner, write things out and refer back to your goals often.
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🌱 ATTACH A NEW HABIT TO AN EXISTING ONE. If you normally wake up and drink coffee, add a large glass of water with it. If you scroll through your phone before bed, try reading a book too!
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🌱 MAKE MOVEMENT FUN. Join a challenge or private FB group, workout with a friend, find a virtual class or instructor that gets you PUMPED up! And don’t be afraid to add some rewards. 🎁
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🌱 STOP LABELING FOOD AS “BAD”. Instead of looking at things to restrict yourself from, look at nutritious options you can have MORE of. More fruits and veggies. 🍎 More unprocessed food. More greens with each meal. You get the picture 😉
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🌱 DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. I’m all about trying new health trends but if you give it a go and you’re not digging it, don’t try to force anything!
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🌱 BE KIND TO YOURSELF. ❤️ Healthy living looks different for everyone and you don’t need to compare your journey to anyone else!
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Do you have any healthy habits you’re working on right now? I’d love to hear about them! 💯 #HealthyHabitsForLife

I’ve been dreaming of a #PoolDay for the past 5

I’ve been dreaming of a #PoolDay for the past 5 months and we finally made it happen. 💙
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✨I’ll be taking a week off of social media starting tomorrow, as I’m really in need of a chance to reset, unplug and focus on some creative projects I’ve been putting on hold. ✨
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I hope you all have a chance to unwind as well. 💕 Lots of love and see you next weekend!

[Ad] Really learning to enjoy these slower, more p

[Ad] Really learning to enjoy these slower, more peaceful mornings. ☀️I've talked a lot about how integrating more mindful habits have made such a difference for me. ✨ Today in partnership with @FAGE Greek Yogurt, I've shared a few tips on how to integrate more mindfulness and gratitude into your routine to start the day off with a positive mindset. You can read more on my blog (link in bio) ✨
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Taking the time to disconnect from technology while enjoying a nourishing breakfast is such a beautiful way to make this daily moment more enjoyable. 👏🏻
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This morning, I combined @FAGE Total 0% Plain Greek Yogurt with a tsp of matcha powder, then added homemade raspberry chia jam on top with granola, honey, pumpkin seeds and fresh raspberries. 😋 The yogurt is super creamy and doesn’t have any added sugar, which is wonderful because it allows me to control the sweetness. 🎉
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It makes a great base for my yogurt bowls but I also like to add a spoonful of yogurt to my smoothies and oats for extra protein + probiotics. 🙌🏻 I'd love to know, what is your go-to breakfast these days? 🍓🍊#PlainExtraordinary #FAGE

I discovered yoga during one of the most painful t

I discovered yoga during one of the most painful times of my adult life. 💔 At 24 years old, I was heartbroken and lost, not sure what the future had in store.
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Little did I know that it would be one of the biggest stepping stones God laid for me on the path that brought me to where I am today.
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Without that painful breakup, I never would have stumbled into my first yoga class, or felt an overwhelming desire to practice yoga regularly to help me heal.
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And even more importantly, I would have never met the love of my life ❤️, moved to nyc, created a wellness blog and have the career I have today.
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If you’re struggling right now, don’t lose hope. ✨ I truly believe everything happens for a reason, and I have faith that something better awaits you.
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You are stronger than you think. You are worthy of a life of abundance. And you are perfect, just the way you are. 💕 Sometimes we have to endure the darkness in order to see the stars. 💫
#MelDoesYoga #MyYogaLife

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