You guys are seriously the sweetest!  I’m giving each of you a big ole virtual hug around your neck for all the birthday wishes! I’m officially a big girl now, but for all of you readers in your thirties that feel a bit apprehensive about the 4o’s, I can tell you- it’s all good! I feels so much more comfortable in my own skin than I ever have before and I’m so much more aware of what’s important and it’s easier to let the little stuff go.  And, with good skincare and exercise and fashion, you can still rock your own personal style at any age!

Today’s post will catch you up on the latest #HappyHealthyYou series AND give you a recap of the event I did with Shanty2Chic at the At Home store a few weeks ago.

Have you been following #HappyHealthyYou on Instagram?? I joined two of my good friends (Veronika and Sara) to start an IG chat with y’all pertaining to all things health, beauty, and wellness. We’re excited to talk about these things that I know are important to all of us, keeping us feeling as good on the inside as we do on the outside! I have been amazed at how many of you have chimed in and offered your experiences and suggestions. Y’all are a smart bunch of women and I am so inspired by you!

Every week we also include a little giveaway as a way of saying thank you and as an incentive for you to join in the conversation!

We post our topic every other Wednesday night at 8:45 CST on Instagram and to enter the giveaway all you have to do is follow each of us, leave a comment on one of the posts, and tag your friend!

Below are the recent topics we’ve covered, along with your best tips and suggestions so that we have them here to refer back to, all in one place!  Please feel free to leave your own suggestion in the comments and join us again TONIGHT! You can follow me on Instagram here!

Many of you said you know you need to be taking vitamins or supplements – you just aren’t sure which ones! I highly suggest getting a physical or scheduling an appointment with a dietician to analyze what you’re missing in your daily routine and what they recommend for you personally. Definitely find a good multivitamin – but no one supplement is going to be suitable for everyone.

Most Popular Supplements

1. Multivitamin.  There are a multitude of Multivitamins out there to fit most any lifestyle (Active, over 50, new mom, etc.). There’s even a Petite Woman’s Multi-Vitamin! These are typically balanced and provide all the good stuff to help you maintain your optimum health!
2. Vitamin D.  Particularly in the winter months when the sun is scarce, many people take Vitamin D. Being out in the sunlight, even for just a few minutes a day, helps get us the Vitamin D our bodies need for bone and heart health and our immune systems!
3. Probiotics.  Gut health is important to our overall health. These can be found in foods like yogurt and fermented vegetables like pickles and sauerkraut. You can read about eight health benefits of Probiotics here.
4. Collagen. Adding more collagen to your diet promotes healthy skin, hair and nails. Skin is our largest organ – we really need to take care of it. For more information from someone who did some in depth research and also tried some, check this out.
5. Vitamin C. We all know that a good dose of vitamin C can help us stay healthy and fend off viruses. I don’t take just Vitamin C daily, outside of my multivitamin, but I do keep it on hand for when something’s going around!

There are a lot of mommas out there on Prenatal Vitamins. I took these when I was pregnant with Jordan at the suggestion of my doctor. Other popular ones were fish oil for overall wellness and turmeric for inflammation and workout recovery.

Giveaway: Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides 

I haven’t tried this collagen peptide yet, but I’m intrigued.  I’ve heard about it from several of my friends who take it (just dissolving the powder in their morning coffee without any taste) and it’s supposed to promote youthful skin, healthier hair, and stronger nails and help keep your bones healthy and strong while supporting joint health. 

This brand is : Pasture-Raised, Grass-Fed, Non-GMO, Kosher; Whole 30 ® Approved, Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Have you tried it?

Favorite Ways to Treat Yourself

This is a favorite topic of mine because it’s the backbone of my blog philosophy- that we need to take care of ourselves!  I was thrilled to hear from many of you that you do take time for yourselves, but a few people were stumped by the question and couldn’t answer.  I feel so sad for you! I hope you are inspired by hearing from these other women.

Beauty. Whether it’s manicures, massages, facials or just a haircut and style – you ladies value your time getting fabulous and I do not disagree. Something about a fresh manicure, someone else doing your hair and a good massage can really bring you back to life.

If you missed it on Stories, I posted my easy hair curling tutorial and how to fake a salon blowout and saved it to my IG Highlights!

Workout. We’ve talked about working out before and I am a true believer in working out to be your best self. You listed boxing, spinning, walking the dog, Orange Theory, yoga, strength training, running, walking and zumba. Improving your health and being able to spend time with the ones that we love requires some time and effort for sure!!

Alone Time. If you’re working all day, momming all day or just running around, the social interactions can be exhausting. It’s smart to take some time to refuel – you can relax in a bath, take a nap – even if it’s just 20 minutes, or take a whole day to do what YOU want to do. And it’s ok if you’re wanting to sit and binge watch something on Netflix or Bravo… I get that. This silent time is a good opportunity for prayers or affirmations that will push you through until the next time.

Retail therapy. Walking the aisles of your local Homegoods or Target can really give you the break that you need. Maybe shop the sale aisles, knock some things off the to-do list (item #3 here), or just make a list of what you want for the next gift-giving opportunity. Have you ever walked the aisles of an At Home store? I was introduced to this store recently and was blown away. It’s huge and could allow you to get lost for hours!!

Girl Time. You are not the only one who needs a break from your mom duties, your job, your household chores or just life in general. Call your friends and go get some food or some coffee or WINE!!! Some of you mentioned you like to pick a fabulous restaurant and get dressed up, some are fine wearing your stretchy pants at a local joint. My friends like to do BUNCO at each other’s houses every month which you may have seen on stories.

There are lots of ways to take care of yourself – but the number one rule is that you need to do it. Read a book – or listen to one on your commute. There’s also the important health benefits of taking care of yourself. Get your yearly check-ups, see if there’s anything supplements that you need, talk to a doctor about any questions you may have! Then go home and light a candle, put on some music and indulge in a treat of some kind to celebrate putting yourself first.

A few tips so that you don’t procrastinate on “you time.”

• Make it a priority – put it on the calendar and schedule appointments or reservations so you can’t overlook it. Add it to your goals – right next to lost 5 lbs or declutter master closet. Schedule it as a recurring event – every 6 weeks get a massage.
• Use it as a reward for achieving something!
• Don’t feel spoiled or guility by having multiple opportunities to do something for yourself.

One reader suggested this – and I like it! “Take a few minutes and look at the sky and deep breathe – consciously taking note of the cloud patters and the sky color – amazingly calming and energizing.”  I actually just did that with James over the weekend while laying in the bounce house! 

Giveaway: $100 Spa gift certificate 

You can’t pour from an empty cup – so make sure you take some time for you!

AT HOME EVENT with Shanty 2 Chic

My room BEFORE

 

The white candlesticks were an easy choice!! They add height to an otherwise low space and because they’re thin, they leave room to move on the table and actually pass the salt and pepper if you need it.  The lights would look even better above the table, but I’m sure you get the idea!

AFTER

I was so thrilled with how the space turned out!  It was so fun to play around and turn the simple before into a pretty and feminine after!

Tunic • Mid Rise Dark Wash Jeans • Nude Heels • Y Necklace

See the difference a rug, bench, chairs and accessories can make?!

While I was decorating the dining room, my friend Ashley decorated this bedroom and I adore how it turned out!  Our rooms were on opposite sides of the store, so we didn’t realize until we were done that we both chose the same rug and bench!

One of the most exciting parts of the day was getting to spend some time with Ashley and Whitney of Shanty2Chic. They are so cool and down to earth and just so absolutely creative. If you ever need a cool piece for your home – these ladies probably have designed something you could use. They use the most amazing details in all of their pieces. You can purchase products at an At Home store, or build your own #areyoukiddingme, with the plans they provide on their blog.

$250 GIVEAWAY TO AT HOME