A Mother's Beauty

My mom has been one of the most consistent examples in my life. I love that there is a day dedicated to celebrate her sweet sacrifices for being the most present mom, her deeply consistent love, and her nurturing spirit. She is a woman that not only represents class and femininity, but carries a passion to impart the importance of understanding who we are as women. It is such a beautiful quality that I will always hold near to me.

Growing up, I watched my mom so closely, and was enamored by her foundational beauty. Her character and her deep-hearted love for people radiate so much intention and joy. I also am amazed by her organically stunning physical appearance - she exudes peace and joy and seeks wellness is all things! Not to mention, she truly is a warrior. What she has so gracefully endured throughout her life has been enlightening to watch, and what I love about her most is that she is always growing in awareness of herself. She is willing to share her story. She is willing to engage in her own faults and shortcomings. She is willing to help others by sharing her mistakes. She is willing to grow and change and shift. What a blessing she is.

My mom was right when she taught us to dress in a way that reflects our self-value. She was right when she showed me the importance of following our passions without fear. She was right when she taught me how to create boundaries by teaching me that saying no is okay! She was right about journaling our prayers, thoughts, and disappointments. She was right about seeking wisdom from truth - the Bible and Jesus. She was right about finding time to rest. She was right about cooking with food that feeds our body with health. She was right about staying active! She was right about living in freedom. She was right about giving endless hugs! I love my mom so much, and I love that there is a day to recognize and celebrate her impact on my life! It was an extra joy getting to do this fun photo shoot together in the Eileen Fisher Spring Collection, too!

OUTFIT DETAILS

images by felicia lasala 

click here to shop my look | click here to shop my mom's look

*thank you to the Eileen Fisher brand for sponsoring this post and including us in their mother's day campaign

Showing the Love

Moms are the best, aren't they? There is truly nothing quite like the relationship between a mother and daughter; it is a bond that is so special and grows and develops over time with memories, happy times, arguments, experiences, phone calls, and so much more. This Mother's Day we are loving the idea of showing the love to mom through thoughtful gestures and experiences. Below are our ideas! We would love to hear from you in the comments section about what you are doing for your mom for Mother's Day.

*Cook the family dinner- plan to cook your mom (plus additional loved ones) her favorite meal. The act of preparing a meal that she loves will mean so much to her and having her loved ones gathered around the table will be a joyful experience for all.

*Plan a weekend getaway or staycation with her- this doesn't have to be extravagant at all, it can be as simple as just planning on staying the weekend at her house and doing things that the two of you love- going on walks, going out for coffee, making breakfast together, getting your nails done, staying in and watching a movie, or anything else. Or, if there is a town nearby that would be fun to visit, book a hotel room for the night and enjoy a girls getaway with her.

*Book her an appointment at her favorite spa- surprising her with this is such a thoughtful gesture. Not only will she love the time at the spa, but to know that you are treating her will mean so much!

*Write her a letter, include printed pictures of the two of you- for some reason, this idea makes me tear up! In the time of all things online, a handwritten letter expressing your love + printed pictures of memories shared together is truly a special gift.

OUTFIT DETAILS 

sunnies | top | denim | jacket (similar here, here, and here) | shoes (c/o)

images by felicia lasala 

Treasuring Downtime

Downtime is such an important part of healthy living and personal well-being. I can say with complete confidence that whenever I feel burnt out, too tired, and on edge, it is almost always because I am not resting enough. Finding and treasuring downtime can be hard when life gets busy, but these days I am making it a priority to not only find it, but to truly treasure it. My soul is so much happier after a good dose of rest, and because of that I am able to be my best and give my best to the people in my life. When I am well-rested, I am more gentle, kind, and loving; I don't take myself too seriously, I don't stress over the little things, and I can think more clearly. I am able to let go and let God when I come from a place of rest and relaxation, compared to a place of fatigue and worry. How do you like to enjoy and treasure downtime? For me, it is definitely a mug of herbal tea in the evening (this tea is my favorite), comfy clothes, worship music, and reading the Bible or a devotional. Doing this in the evening before bed is key for a sweet night of sleep and leads to a fresh, thankful, happy morning the next day. xx melissaclothing and images c/o ragdoll LA 

Spring Style Mood

Spring can be a tricky time of year with rainy days and cooler-than-expected temperatures, especially on the East Coast! However, once the sun is out, temps warm up, and summer is on the horizon, our spring style mood definitely heats up. Lo is loving two-piece sets (see below) + sunnies that make a statement. Wide leg crops, embellished sandals, and the modern Americana palette of red, white, and blue totally have her heart. For me, I am loving the classic combination of black + white as always, plus denim skirts, the bold color of red, easy sundresses, and two-piece sets as well. Lo and I are both fans of fedoras and wide brim hats, so we will definitely be reaching for those as we continue spring and go into summer. Bonus, hats also help with sun protection, so wearing one is a definite win-win. For more tips on staying safe in the sun, read this. Scroll down to see Lo style a top + short set and below that are a few style items that we are loving. xx

OUTFIT DETAILS

top | shorts | shoes | bag | sunnies **all c/o**

images by Felicia Lasala

SPRING STYLE MOOD BOARD 

Lo:

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Melissa:

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Two Healthy Weeknight Dinner Ideas

Hey guys! Lo and I are so excited to share two healthy weeknight dinner ideas that we find ourselves making almost once a week. We are all about healthy, wholesome ingredients + ease and simplicity. Below are two dinners that you will feel good about preparing, eating, and cleaning up! Easy to make, good for you, and a simple clean-up guaranteed. Scroll down for the details! xx image via MyDomaine

LO // The Forbidden Rice Bowl

*Forbidden rice

*Steamed or sauteed kale

*Fermented cabbage

*Sprouts

*Steamed broccoli

*Shredded carrots

*Sauteed chicken

*Avocado sauce: mix together one avocado, fresh lemon juice, and fresh garlic

--Mix ingredients + the avocado sauce in a bowl together and enjoy!!

MELIS // salmon + avo on rice

*serving size of baked salmon (6 oz) per person (bake 400 degrees for about 10 minutes)

*slices of avocado

*brown rice (I love the frozen organic brown rice from Trader Joe's- so easy)

*tamari sauce

-- Place salmon on rice, drizzle tamari sauce on top, and then put your avocado slices on top of that.

Another great addition would be some cilantro leaves. Enjoy!

Safe Fun In The Sun

Summer is such a fun season- full of travel, relaxation, and sunshine. There is no doubt though that the sun is super strong, so it is so important to stay safe while under the rays. We recently discovered the clean sunscreen brand, Coola, and love that it protects our skin from the sun while being free of toxins. Along with clean sunscreen, below are tips for having safe fun in the sun as we prepare to spend more time outside in the upcoming months. Enjoy! xx

*Big floppy hat: Not only will it help keep the sun off of your face, neck, and shoulders, but it is also a total style statement. Win-win!

*Safe sunscreen: Coola is a great brand for sunscreen that is free of harsh and dangerous chemicals. It is so important to use a clean sunscreen since you are literally rubbing it all over your skin!

*Re-apply: I am extremely guilty of not doing this. Putting on sunscreen in the morning isn't enough! Be sure to re-apply every few hours. That means if you are out for the day, throw it in your tote bag and don't forget about it.

*Quality sunnies: Investing in a quality pair of sunnies that protect against UV rays is so important. I have learned lately that investing in 1-2 pairs of quality sunnies is better than having more low-quality pairs.

*Rock a one-piece: Bikinis are so fun of course, but for a long day at the beach a one piece might not be a bad idea! Protect the tummy skin from the sun while also being totally cute and on-trend.

*Light layers: A cute tunic, or a light top + shorts, or flowy pants + a tank, are all great options to cover up when you are still outside, but have had enough sun.

the shoes (c/o) + the bag (c/o)

images by felicia lasala[show_shopthepost_widget id="2613696"]

Learning To Forgive

After many minimal circumstances on the daily and bigger life altering occurrences that I have encountered in life,  I have come to realize that forgiveness and freedom walk hand in hand. Strangely enough, the easy way out is to hold on tightly to the hurt and pain cause by someone close to us, or to focus on how that road rager on the way to work ruined our mood. It is so easy to live in a state of annoyance and play the blame game, when in reality, we can choose to forgive, rise above hostility, and live in gratefulness. Why is the positive solution the harder solution? It seems backwards that existing in negativity requires less effort than flourishing in a life of freedom. Why is this?I truly believe forgiveness derives from self-awareness. It stems from a humble spirit and a desire to step back and understand the full story. It requires the acceptance that we are all human, that we all share differing values and opinions that are neither right nor wrong, that we each have triggers from the past that ignite our present reactions. If we walk in surety of who we are, the temptation to walk in broken friendships and negativity disperses quickly. A new desire for fullness and life-giving relationships becomes the goal, and the effort to create that becomes a joyful practice. But digging into the heart of who we are is intimidating and one of the things that so many of us avoid, but if you step through the immediate discomfort, there is so much abundant life on the other side. It's ironic that forgiveness stems from us making a change, rather than someone else making a change.Are you holding a grudge against someone? What is keeping you from confronting the issue? I must mention that I want to run away from difficult conversations. I often assume the worst - that I will not communicate clearly, that I will lose a friend, that I will hurt my husband's feelings. Assumption often causes pain before it is even present. What I always come back to before I need to have a tough talk is that it is a loving gesture. If my intention is for fullness in relationships, hard honesty is key. It ultimately breaks down walls and ignites living genuine lives alongside each other. What is better than that? Vulnerable, but better. Also, remember that if you lovingly discuss a problem, and the reaction is friendship-threatening, know that their response is their own issue, and you have done all that you can. xoxo

This series is in collaboration with some stellar ladies.  Be sure and check out their posts on Self Care too: Kat Harris, Tutti del Monte, Danielle Bennett, Kate Labat, Joanne Encarnacion, Nikia Phoenix, and Chelsey Korus.

OUTFIT DETAILS

dress c/o (and here) | sunnies c/o | shoes

images by felicia lasala

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10 Good Reads That We Are Loving

Read on for links to 10 good reads that we are loving // xo

* making your closet a happy space (because I'm addicted)

* foods that help promote a healthy, beautiful glow (goop)

* the healthy dose of turmeric (well + good)

* eight healthy daily reminders (sakara)

* the working girl detox (goop)

* inspiration for an organized bathroom (my domaine)

* how to have hard conversations without conflict (goop)

* the benefits of vitamin D3 when it comes to autoimmune diseases (goop)

* making nontoxic sunscreen with Shiva Rose (marysia)

* an energizing anti-inflammatory facial massage (because I'm addicted)

Making Time For The Girls

Making time for the girls in our life is so important, but sometimes finding the time is hard. It's a reality that most of us face due to busy schedules. Things like work, precious family time, and other obligations such as that yoga class, the errands you need to run, or the honest desire to be a homebody are all real reasons to pass on plans. However, we know that we always feel so good after an evening with our best girlfriend. There is a fine balance between making plans and passing on plans and below are some tips to navigate through the planning. Lo's outfit details are at the bottom! xo

*Listen to your body - sometimes we go through seasons that are quite exhausting. Be aware of these seasons, and don't make as many plans during this time when your body needs rest. This will allow yourself a week or two to "recharge" and be your best self when you feel up to plans.

*Choose wisely - this might sound harsh, but it's really out of love. As we mature, we realize the girlfriends that are truly meant for us. These are the ones that we connect with on a deep, personal, and authentic level. Make time for these girls and really dedicate your time to nourishing these friendships.

*Stick to it - do your best to stick to plans once you have them. Take time to think through the planning and make sure you are committing to something that works before you say yes.

*Quality time - quality time is more important than length of time. An hour coffee date with your bestie on a Saturday morning can be the sweetest, even though it's short. Don't feel pressured to carve out hours on a weekend for girlfriend time if realistically it doesn't work.

*Be honest - following up on the above point, be honest and upfront with your girlfriend before making plans. Talk it out with her so you both know how much time the two of you have to hang out.

*Show the love - one of the sweetest things you can do after spending time with a girlfriend is to follow up with her. Send a text to just say thank you and express how good that hangout time was for your soul- it will mean so much to her!

OUTFIT DETAILS 

dress | sunnies (c/o) | bag | boots (and here)

images by felicia lasala