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morning routine + favorite bomber
the outfit: bomber (c/o) | skirt (c/o) | tank | sunnies (c/o)
shoes c/o (here, too) | necklace c/o (here, too)
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Hey guys! Lo and I both love our mornings, but spend them pretty differently. I live by myself in a one-bedroom apartment in Annapolis, MD and Lo obviously lives in LA with her husband, Jason! Below we are sharing a few details on a typical weekday morning for each of us.
lo
I really love mornings because I usually get up a little bit before Jase, so I have that peaceful alone time to go in my favorite chair in my office and read and maybe start a few emails if the time allows! Then I go into the kitchen to make a lemon water and our morning smoothies! By this time, Jase is usually awake, so we chat and snuggle and get ready for the day together!
melis
Mornings are my favorite. During the week I wake up at 5:30am. I have coffee first thing and make my bed. Two days a week I go to yoga at 6:15 and on the three days that I don’t, I go down to my apartment gym around 7 for 20-30 minutes. On gym days, I blog from 6-7am. I have to leave for work at 8:30, so I use the remaining time to shower, get ready, and make lunch and breakfast. It sounds like a lot, but somehow it all gets done and I feel super productive by the time I leave for work!
how do you spend your mornings? let us know in the comments below.
*images by felicia lasala
melissa's love for decluttering
I am crazy for decluttering. The farmhouse, my apartment, my wardrobe, my desk at work, my email inbox, photos on my phone, the kitchen pantry, the refrigerator, my handbag, my wallet, drawers at home and at work, my car, and so on. It's pretty amazing how a neat and tidy space translates (for me at least) to a peaceful heart and calm state of mind. Call me a neat freak, but one of my favorite things to do is declutter a space and organize it, because I know how good it feels after it is done.
I love clothes and home decor, but I definitely tend to lean toward the minimalism side of things. I have not and probably never will implement a capsule wardrobe, but I do fully believe in only owning things that you love and wear. If you live by that motto, only owning things you love, the number of things you own will definitely stay pretty tight. What to do with the rest? Consign it or donate it!
We've all heard it before and it's definitely true- owning less things makes life easier. Another mantra that I love is appreciate more, accumulate less. I have trained myself to keep this in mind before making purchases and it definitely helps reign in my shopping bug in at times. Another thing to consider if you want to lighten your load is to be creative when it comes to clothes and possessions. Certain things can be used more than one way, which will lead to needing less. I read this article recently that I really love from becoming minimalist. It will inspire you to tackle a place that needs some decluttering love. Share your thoughts on decluttering and owning less in the comments below // xo
The New Revlon ColorStay™ Eye Collection and Kiss™ Balm
Check out these amazing new ColorStay ™ Eye Collection products, and the Revlon Kiss™ Balm while you are at it! The Revlon Kiss™ Balm keep your lips super hydrated and kissable as we move from fall into the cool temps. What I love most about the Kiss™ Balm: it is filled with SPF 20 and the hydrating formula is infused with natural fruit oils.I have never been a big cake-on-makeup kind of girl. I love the beach vibe, all natural kind of glow, so my daily makeup routine reflects just that - a little on the eyes, a touch of sunscreen-filled foundation, and a bit on the lips. My top priority, though, I must admit, is a good brow + popping the eye in the most natural sense.
I can't get enough of the Revlon ColorStay™ Eye Collection. The ColorStay™ Brow Pencil is longwearing and waterproof (yes, please!) + it has the most perfect blending spoolie brush. The unique angled tip allows for fast and easy brow definition, too.
The ColorStay 2-in- 1 Angled Kajal™ Liner makes the smoky liner application oh so easy and oh so natural with the angled liner and the brush used for blending. Did I mention it’s waterproof? So. Much. Love.
To make the set even better, the ColorStay™ Crème Eye Shadow is waterproof and lasts up to 24 hours. No joke. My favorite colors are the Praline (for a natural, bronzy look) and the Cherry Blossom for a blush tone. Not to mention, these are so easily blendable! It stays! The brilliance of it all: there is a brush built into the cap for fast, easy, and mess-free application.This post is sponsored by Revlon through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write about Revlon, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Our Health Packed Smoothie Recipe
Good morning, friends! I hope you all have had the sweetest start to the day. I must start out by saying I am a nerd when it comes to health (I could live and breathe it!). This post is long, but it was hard to leave any of it out because it is all so important + mind blowing how diet alone effects our body!A lot of you have requested that I share my daily smoothie recipe that I make for Jase and I in the morning. I must warn you prior to that it is PACKED with potent ingredients, which can seem quite overwhelming seeing it on paper, but once you get the hang of throwing it all in, it's as easy as can be! I am going to share the exact links to the products I use + scroll down below the recipe to see the benefits of each ingredient {my favorite part}.Most of the ingredients I use in this smoothie are from Crucial Four, a hidden health gem of a place in Dallas. My old kick-boxing trainer introduced me, and it has become our family's go to spot. Not all of their products are online, but they make it super easy to call and order. Side note: this is not sponsored.
Why I love Crucial Four so much: "you can’t travel 12 hours by plane, two days by car and then climb a mountain in Ecuador to get the best heirloom cacao from eighty-foot trees in their natural environment. We can and do and that’s just one of the eighty wild heirloom ingredients we source globally and combine into our Meal Replacements & Shakes, Water Infusions, Oral Concentrates or Healthy Snacks. We have stable long-term relationships with reliable farmers, brokers and manufacturers across the globe to source the best wild heirloom varietal or certified organic products and deliver them in our products direct to your door."Also, I found an incredible naturopath here in California, and he has taken intensive and detailed blood tests to discover what I really need to shift in my body. I intentionally did a blood test before I started making these smoothies. My thyroid needed to shift a bit, my iron was low even with supplements, and there were a few more imbalances. I went back a month later to see if these ingredients were truly as beneficial to me as they say! He was confused as to why I came in after the results because my blood test was perfect. I was absolutely mind blown. These are life changers.Another fun fact: the reason why we crave sugar and junk food is because we are mineral sufficient. These fill those voids, which in turn, curbs the cravings. For those of you that know Jason, you know his two vices are ice cream and pizza. After a week of eating these smoothies, he could only eat a few bites of Salt & Straw because it didn't even sound good to him. Again, mind blown.
Ingredients (makes a smoothie for two):2 tsp fresh bee pollen1 tsp wild pine pollen2 packets of M Breakfast1 tbsp Collagen3 tsp ColostrumA pour of fresh pressed aloe1 heaping tbsp spirulina1 heaping tbsp chlorella1 heaping tbsp chia seeds1 tbsp cacao nibs (I love the crunch this adds!)4 tinctures of Stevia (cancels the green taste)1.5 frozen organic bananas1 bag frozen blueberries or strawberriesAlkaline waterFRESH BEE POLLENIt is extremely high in protein and amino acids. It is great to have in the morning for a quick pick-me-up. It’s also a good addition to pre- or post-workout snacks to add or restore protein. It’s actually been used in ancient cultures—like China—for decades as a natural energy source. On top of adding protein and energy, I’ve read benefits like: prevents the cold and flu, helps with cravings, improves vitality and endurance, regulates intestines, reduces inflammation, and helps relieves stress.WILD PINE POLLENIt is a potent aphrodisiac that offers dual-directional hormonal support. If you are high in estrogen, it lowers it; if you are low in testosterone, it brings it higher, and visa versa AKA it evens out your hormones naturally. Regular consumption supports healthy metabolism, regulates weight, improves immune response, and enhances whole body function. It also is a: common cold preventative, brain nourisher, and cholesterol reducer.M BREAKFASTEnergy, stress relief, immunity, and performance are critical for everyday life. Build your mind and body into balance for sustained energy that helps you thrive with Crucial Four’s mBreakfast. We formulated mBreakfast to contain 100% organic and wild sourced herbs, algaes, mushrooms, and biotic extracts.COLLAGENIt improves skin and hair, repairs joints, helps leaky gut, boosts metabolism, strengthens teeth and nails, helps detox, reduces cellulite and stretch marks.COLOSTRUMBuilds lean muscle mass, repairs tissue, increases vitality, accelerates healing, supports digestion, improves the immune systemFRESH ALOE VERA JUICEIt is alkalizing, it reduces inflammation, it is a digestive aid, promotes regularity, detoxifies the body, aids weight loss, helps maintain hydration, helps control blood glucose levels in diabetics, helps lower blood cholesterol, improves oral health, gives a vitamin and mineral boost, provides essential amino acidsSPIRULINAA powerful anti-inflammatory, activates many of the different immune cells, jam packed with vitamins, phytonutrients, and essential fatty acids, including macrophages, T-cells, B-cells, and natural killer cells. It also activates the organs involved with immune function such as the spleen, liver, and bone.CHLORELLADetoxifies heavy metals, supports your immune system, promotes weight loss, makes you look younger, fights cancer, lowers blood sugar and cholesterolCHIA SEEDSHigh in minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, protein, fiber, and omega 3's; helps skin and aging, aids in digestive health, keeps your heart healthy, helps treat diabetes, boosts your energy and metabolism, provides a lot of calcium for stronger bones, builds muscle and aids in weight loss, fights breast and cervical cancer, promotes dental healthCACAO NIBSMaintains muscle and nerve function, aids in weight loss, keeps you regular, prevents anemia, reduces risk of coronary disease and stroke, treats diarrhea, enhances mood, a cholesterol free saturated fat; an excellent source of minerals, fiber, and vitamins image credit: feature image via Casey Jade
melissa's minimal makeup routine
Keeping my makeup minimal, simple, natural looking, and safe is something that I am always striving for. I currently have a quick and easy everyday routine that is working really well, so I wanted to share it with you. Details on the products that I use are below // xo melissa
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concealer- it's taken me a while to find a blemish + under-eye concealer that worked well, but wasn't packed with harmful ingredients + wouldn't cause my chin/nose to break out. I finally came across this one from bareMinerals and it's awesome. The formula is light enough that it doesn't clog my pores, but it still covers blemishes and under-eye circles.
mascara- this mascara from bareMinerals is my current go-to for day and night. It lengthens, looks natural, and doesn't smudge or run.
brow- I use this everyday and cannot imagine my brows without glossier's boy brow. Brows still look still look very natural after filling them in with this product, which is so important. No one wants fake looking brows!
powder- I don't use this daily, but when I want more of a "finished" look I lightly brush on this powder from beautycounter.
bronzer- volition sent me and Lauren a few of their products to test out and I immediately fell in love with this creamy bronzer. It blends right in and gives my skin a natural, healthy glow. c/o
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avocado toast with honey
The day that I thought to randomly drizzle honey over my avocado toast was the day that everything changed for the better. At first I was skeptical, but it turned out to be a very sweet surprise! Somehow the avocado, pepper, and honey work together in perfect harmony and make for a wonderfully savory and naturally sweet breakfast treat. Have you ever tried avocado toast with honey? Let me know your initial thoughts in the comments below // xo melissa
carrot soup made with coconut milk
This creamy carrot soup with coconut milk has been on repeat at the farm for the past month. It's so tasty, simple, flavorful, full of good ingredients, totally comforting, and the perfect soup for a fall evening. I found the recipe from this food blog and am so thankful that I did! Head on over to wholesomelicious for ingredients + directions. Be sure to add cilantro on top too, if you like it! It adds a nice little bite. The soup is also extra good if served with warm, fresh, crusty bread. #YUM // xo melissa
Clean Skin Care: Goop.
Goop is my hero. A few months ago after much research, I felt the need to rid our home of all toxic products, everything from skin care to cleaning solutions. It was a tough move to throw out slightly used products that are said to be ultra-productive, but after I trashed all of the paraben and sulfate-filled items, it was the best feeling in the world.
I know that pure-ingredient filled skincare has a bad reputation - it's not effective, it clogs pores, it doesn't smell good, and the list goes on. Goop proves these statements completely wrong. The Luminous Melting Cleanser and Exfoliating Instant Facial are my new secret to glowing skin. To top it off, I conclude that in-shower treatment with the Enriching Face Oil and the Revitalizing Day Moisturizer. These products have made me excited to take care of my skin! What are your favorite healthy skin products?*thank you goop for these products![show_shopthepost_widget id="1993463"]
fall recipe box
Soups, chicken, beets, kale, sweet potatoes, rosemary, and so much more! Fall is my favorite time to cook and I always find myself wanting to stay home more and have people over for dinner, instead of going out. Hamilton’s farmhouse is extra-dreamy this time of year, so the pull to stay there more for dinner instead of going out to Annapolis or Washington DC is extra strong. Comfy clothes, wine, good company, + a home-cooked meal is my kind of happy. Below are recipes that I have on my list to try this fall, plus two that I have already tried and love. Instead of a physical recipe box, I email myself recipes that I find online or on Pinterest. I have a folder in gmail labeled RECIPES, where I file all of the emails that I send to myself. When it’s time to cook, that folder is the first place I go to for inspiration. To make it extra easy, sometimes in the body of the email in addition to the recipe link, I will copy & paste the ingredients and directions. That way, everything I need is right there when I open up the email. How do you guys keep track of recipes that you want to try or recipes that you love and always go back to? Let us know in the comments below!
recipe box
brown butter scallops + risotto
slow cooker chicken in coconut curry sauce
creamy carrot and ginger soup (*made it & love it!)
curried chicken wild rice soup (*made it & love it!)