#HappyHealthyYou & Styling a Dining Room with Shanty2Chic

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!

Supplements #HappyHealthyYou

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?

Taking Care of Yourself #HappyHealthyYou

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.

New Haircut

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

A few weekends ago I was invited to my local At Home decor store to style a space using the Shanty2Chic line of furniture and accessories designed exclusively for the store!

My room BEFORE

I was giving a dining room to style in under an hour.  In the before, there was a Shanty2Chic table, bench and this coffee cabinet. I was given free reign to choose anything in the store to style it up, which I have to admit was a bit overwhelming because this store is massive!!
 At home stores Shanty2chic dining room before
I brought my friend Shannon with me for moral support and to take pics! She’s been helping me lately with some things behind the scenes on my blog, so it was only natural to include her. She’s a great boomerang getter too! 😉
And just fun to be around!
At home stores Shanty2chic dining room before (1)
It was hard to stay on task because I kept seeing things in the store I wanted for my own home! I ended up bringing home 4 of those rainbow pinwheels for Jordan so she’d stop playing in other peoples’ yards!! She’s obsessed with them!
But, back to the room,  I quickly added some bigger pieces to the room – the chairs, an upholstered bench and a sideboard. Then came the statement rug. This beautiful rug is one of the gazillion options you can find in store.  This particular rug is gorgeous, but looks even better in person than it does online with all those colors!
Shanty2Chic dining room set up
To set the table, I went with a classic light grey dishes and silver utensils. I found a few pink napkins to match the pink table runner and bench and placed those in the goblets. There is a full selection of potted floor plants and trees to fill any space.
I probably spent the longest amount of time choosing the basket for under the console table! #somanyoptions Decorating the side table, it was hard to narrow it down to just the few decorative options that I wanted because there are so many!! The tray holding the pitcher and mugs was beautiful and the mirror on the wall was one of the many we tried – again #somanyoptions. I added the cake plate as a display for some height. The table has some little shelves at the legs too which were good for pops of color in the canisters and how cute is this little pineapple shaker?!

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!

At Home Shanty2Chic Dining Room

At Home dining room (1)

Shanty2Chic dining room

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

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

dining room before and after

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!

Shanty2Chic bedroom

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

Enter to win a $250 At Home gift card by following At Home on Instagram!
 
I had a really great opportunity to work with Shanty2Chic and At Home to highlight their new line of furniture and decor. I was given a dining room space complete with a table and a bench made by Shanty2Chic then accessorized the room all with things that I could find in the At Home store. I had 2 and half hours to get the room together, it was very “Supermarket Sweep.” The morning was designed as a challenge between myself and my friend Ashley to see who could come up with the best space. Ashley was given a bedroom space and without knowing even knowing it her and I chose a lot of the same items!
To take part in the challenge:
1. Visit your local At Home store this week. (I designed the space at the Katy store off of I-10 in Houston!!)
2. Post a picture of your store’s Shanty2Chic dining room to Instagram by this Friday.
3. Include the hashtag #athomewithshanty2chic in your caption.
4. Follow @athomestores on Instagram.
By posting pictures and using the #, you’ll be entered to win a $250 gift card to At Home!!

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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

10 Comments

  1. Loved this article today, very interesting. My question is should you take both of the Collagen’s? Or should you just choose which one is better for you?

    Love you blog each day and enjoying reading it.

  2. Happy belated birthday! I couldn’t agree more with your self-care tips, especially the reader’s tip you point out. In my own head, I like to remind myself of the motto “Always look up.” If I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed or unfocused, it helps so much to look up at the sky and be reminded of the great big world and how small this stressful moment is in the scheme of things.

  3. I love this reminder about how important it isn’t to take time for yourself. I have some mom friends who kind of take pride in the fact that they don’t take time for themselves and I think that is so unhealthy. It’s easy to feel guilty about self care, but I know for a fact I am a way better mom, wife and all around person when I take time to fill up my basket! Put your oxygen mask on first people! I have been taking collagen for a little over a year now and have definitely seen improvement in my joints, skin and nails. I still have wrinkles, but I do feel like they have been minimized. My girlfriend started her own company called True Marine Colagen and that’s the brand I use and swear by.
    So jealous of you getting to meet the fabulous Shanty2Chic ladies! I have admired them for years! That store looks amazing! I have to check and see if we have one in Canada-probably not…but a girl can dream!

  4. I am on my 3rd tub of the Vital Protiens Collagen Peptides. 1 scoop is tasteless but if you add 2 to your coffee it may be a little too much. You can add it to anything though which is great! I did notice my hair was shinier and was growing a little faster. Your nails will grow too but it is not overnight. You need to take it for about a month or 2 consistently to see a difference. I am 57 and exercise 4 -5 times a week. It has not really made a difference in my joints/muscle soreness or my skin. Still using it though! Can’t hurt!!

  5. I’ve just started really making myself a priority within the last year. Thank you for inspiring me to do that! I enjoy your blog so much! I have 2 sons (12 and 15) and had gone through a difficult divorce last year. My self confidence and self worth suffered for many years. I have decided that I am worth it and I am valuable. There has always been this “mom guilt” feeling, as I’m sure others can relate to at some point. You want to make sure the kids are taken care of first and are alright and then you’ll take care of yourself. But I have realized that when I focus on myself too, I am energized and a happier person, and can be the best mom I can be to my kids. I have started taking multivitamins along with probiotics and a skin vitamin (all of them Olly). Even something as simple as painting my nails makes me feel uplifted! I also downloaded the Holy Bible app and the Inspirations app to grow in my faith more and love to read first thing in the morning and before bed. I have pushed myself out of my shell and have even started volunteering more and that really makes me feel good when I know I’ve contributed and helped someone out. I have made a priority of also meeting with a couple of friends weekly or every other week for coffee or a walk. We moms have to stick together!

    Happy belated birthday!

    1. Jill! Thank you so much for your message. I have walked with two of my closest friends through divorce and they both have kids too. On the other side they have found so much peace and I wish that for you too. I’m going to check out that Holy Bible app so thank YOU for sharing that with me. I was just talking to my Grandma (she’ll be 92 in March) and I told her that her advice to me since I was 5 years old “take care of you” has become my blog (and life) mantra! She said, “well, it’s true. If you don’t take care of you, who will?” That girlfriend get together is so important too. Sometimes I feel to busy and even want to cancel when a date arrives, but I make myself go because I know I need it. I appreciate you being here, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

  6. Thank you?. Yes, I am finally finding peace and I know that God was there all along for me when I thought he abandoned me and didn’t answer prayers in that difficult time. He is truly amazing in my life. I hope you enjoy that app! I love the daily verses as well as reading the Bible by chapter! God bless!

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