Category: Family

The weather is changing for many of us. Cooler mornings and evenings and a new mood fills the air. This is a magical time where for many of us the leaves are going to burst into color and the temperature goes from hot and humid to jacket and sweater season. Fall is my favorite time of year. Many people are posting bucket list ideas that include their favorite activities which got me thinking. Bucket Lists are often filled with self-care ideas. So as we move through October, I encourage you to try a new idea every day. Maybe spread it out through the whole season.

DAY 1: REFRESH YOUR WARDROBE FOR FALL by picking out some cozy sweaters, a new top in the season’s color, or even a few pieces of jewelry. Sometimes the easiest way to lift your mood is to don something new. This fall, I’ve been shopping my own AVON store because everything mixes and matches together so well and the quality and affordability just cannot be beat.

DAY 2: UPDATE YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE as the season change. During the summer it is usually warmer out so you may be choosing a light moisture with SPF. As the weather cools, your skin might feel a bit drier. Maybe switch your moisturizer to something a bit thicker. Or you can add a really great serum that has hyuralonic acid or other premium ingredients that add moisture. I’m really loving more natural products these days. And my go to line is Farm Rx. The natural vegan based ingredients have really made a difference. For Fall, I’ve added the new serum and at night I’m using the Bakuchiol Cream to add moisture and a naturally derived retinol to keep those signs of aging on delay as long as I can.

DAY 3: DECORATE YOUR HOME with all of the pumpkins and gourds and new seasonal colors. Who says we can’t decorate for every season or holiday? I honestly love popping into some of my favorite places like Dollar Tree, Big Lots, and Target to look for inexpensive items. One of my favorite home fashion items are candles. And I just grabbed these holiday scesnts because they will take me from fall through the holidays.

DAY 4: VISIT THE FARMER’S MARKET and spread some small business love by shopping your local vendors. This is something my father and I loved to do here in Phoenix as the temps dropped. Bring home some fresh apples and seasonal favorites. Grab a warm beverage and maybe even stop somewhere for lunch on your way home. Make a day of it.

DAY 5: GET LOST IN A GOOD BOOK under your favorite throw on your sofa or outside in a park or on your porch or patio. Even better if it is something that makes you think of the magic of Halloween like a mystery or thriller full of edge of your seat suspense.

DAY 6: LIST OF GRATITUDE is a favorite for me. As we head into the holidays, what a great time to sit with a great cup of coffee and a journal to reflect on your year and all of the things that you are thankful for. I love going back through my journal during tough days to help reset my spirtis.

DAY 7: GRAB SOME MARKERS AND A COLORING BOOK! Even Dollar Tree has adult coloring books these days. And it doesn’t have to be markers. You can use pencils, crayons, or pens. Coloring can be such a calming activity. Toss it into your work tote and when you need a break in the day just pause and pull it out and let your mind escape for a bit.

DAY 8: PUT A RECORD ON and dance like nobody’s watching. Okay, not everyone has vinyl records these days. They are gaining popularity again and I’m here for that. However you choose to listen to music whether it is streaming, CDs, vinyls, or even cassettes, remember how freeing it can be to dance. I recently started playing music while doing my chores. I forgot how fun it can be to clean while you are dancing and singing. This isn’t about cleaning though. Remember self-care isn’t about getting the chores done. This is that moment where you just let go and dance to as many songs as you want.

DAY 9: TAKE A WALK outside and breathe in the cooler air. Whether around your neighborhood, in a park or through the woods, spending time in nature can help you reduce stress and depression.

DAY 10: APPLES. ENJOY THE APPLES. This is the time for all of the apples. I love slicing apples, sprinkling them with apple pie spices, and popping them in the microwave or oven until they are soft and warm. It is like a crustless applie pie. How about hot apple cider? Baked apples and apple cider are flavors that are comforting and relaxing. Imagine how great your house will smell too.

DAY 11: GO TO A FALL FESTIVAL. Here in Arizona, Prescott has an amazingly fun fall festival with artisans, crafts, treats, and amazing weather. There is something so amazzing about slowing down a bit to enjoy things. Whenever I’m there, I feel like I’m in one of those small town Hallmark movies. And I often find some great gifts for the holidays. I love when I find things that are unique and I’m supporting a small business.

DAY 12: ROADTRIP TO ANYWHERE and take in the scenic views of the drive. You don’t have to have a destination in mind. Driving can be a great way to process thoughts and feelings. Head somewhere that isn’t heavy traffic and offers great views of nature such as the changing leaves and other colors of the season.

DAY 13: PSL IS LIFE! Many people have already started filling up my social media feeds with their first or even fifteenth Pumpking Spice Latte. If PSL isn’t your thing, grab a different warm seasonal beverage and sit and sip it slowly. Enjoy it. Be in the moment.

DAY 14: OH MY GOURDS! Pumpkin patches are a must! Right? This is usually on most family fall bucket lists. This is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with friends and family and pick the perfect pumpkin. And don’t shy away from the other gourds. Decorate your home with all of the beauty you find at the patch.

DAY 15: CORN MAZES ARE AMAZING! Take yourself to a maze. What a great way to take your mind off of work or anything else that might be stressing you! Go all in body and mind! And take everyone with you so that you have good laughs as you find your way through the maze together.

DAY 16: DIG OUT YOUR RECIPES. As someone who lives in Phoenix, I can’t wait for fall and cooler temps. I’ve missed baking for months. Who wants to turn on the oven when the outdoor temperature is so crazy high? Not this girl. But fall means I can make soups and cakes and breads. So why not pull out some of your family favorites and make that pumpkin bread or butternut squash soup and invite some friends over to share.

DAY 17: CRAFT DAY can be a great stress reliever. Some great crafting ideas include knitting, carving pumpkins, making cards, making ornaments or gifts to give for the holidsy.

DAY 18: MAKE A HOLIDAY BUCKET LIST of everything you want to accomplish before the end of the year. Setting goals and planning the actions can help keep the busy holiday season stress free. Don’t forget to add some fun things to the list because self-care shouldn’t end in October.

DAY 19: CREATE YOUR VISION BOARD for fall of for any upcoming occaission. Cut out some inspiration photos and make a physical board or opt for a virtual version Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration and create a board virtually.

DAY 20: DON THE FUZZY SOCKS AND SLIPPERS since the nights are getting cooler. Nothing sets your mind to relaxation mode faster than fuzzy softness on your feet. After a long day at work, slip those fuzzy things on and put your feet up.

DAY 21: UNWIND WITH A FACE MASK. The perfect self-care activity that will always help you relax. When else are you required to sit with your head back for 10-20 minutes? Have you seen the fun and whimsical masks from The Creme Shop? Add a neck lift patch too while you are at it.

DAY 22: CLEAR AND ORGANIZE YOUR DESK OR VANITY. The two places I spend a large chunk of time are my desk and my bathroom. And those two places tend to get cluttered. One way to ease your mind is to tackle one of those spaces and clear the clutter and add a bit of organization. Imagine the peace of mind just waiting for you on the other side of this activity. You will smile the next time you are in the space and have so much more energy for that day’s agenda.

DAY 23: FIND A NEW FRAGRANCE FOR FALL. I’ve got a dresser vanity tray full of fragrances. I love to coordinate my outfit of the day with a fragrance of the day too. Add something new to your fragrance wardrobe. I’m loving LRYD Oud Rose for fall It is warm and indulgent. You can’t miss the saffron at the top. I love the combination of rose, coffee and amber as it dries down. Fragrance can give you a total mind shift in an instant.

DAY 24: STICKER BOMB! I love playing with stickers. Grab a pack of your favorite stickers and a journal or a water bottle and just get creative..

DAY 2S: END SOMEONE A CARD. Or several someones. Why wait for a special day like a birthday or holiday? Take a few minutes to let someone know you are thinking about them.

DAY 26: BUY A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS. Did you know that local florists often have a discount day where you can stop in a pick some flowers? Choose something bright and cheery or in autumnal tones and place them where you will see them every day.

DAY 27: RIDE A BIKE. Some of us have had some brutal summer days. Take time to enjoy the cooler weather but taking a bike ride through the neighborhood or go further out and bike a trail. Just like a long drive, this is a great way to clear your mind of all of the clutter.

DAY 28: FIREPLACES AND BONFIRES: Pick a cool evening and start that fire. Make s’mores or enjoy a glass of wine and let your senses enjoy.

DAY 29: MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT LIST: I start thinking about who I have already gotten gifts for and who I haven’t shopped for yet. This is a great time to sit and list out not only who and what you’ve gotten, but where you put it. Seriously. I was packing for a trip at the end of August and found a box of items that were supposed to be stocking stuffers last year. So why not take a bit of time to take inventory! Then you can figure out what is left to do. Then you can start your shopping early when you see the perfect gift at the right price for those special people in your life.

DAY 30: GOAL SETTING. It is this time of year that I’m thinking about what I’ve accomplished and what I want to do next. This is also the time I’m looking for calendars, planners and journals for the upcoming year. Why not start planning now? If you are wanting to work on health and wealth. Don’t wait for the New Year and the “resolutions” declarations. Start planning now.

DAY 31: MOVIE MARATHON DAY. Usually this is the time of year where some of my favorite movie are streaming somewhere. So I like to pick a day to watch some of them. October means Hocus Pocus, Beetlejuice and Harry Potter and maybe even something scary.

Fall is a magical season. With so many fun ways to take time for yourself to care for your physical and mental health. I hope these ideas help you find moments for you that matter. I hope you make new memories that bring you happiness this season.

It is Mother’s Day. And as a mother I began wondering, “How did this holiday ever come to be?” Why does it seem different now compared to when I was a child? Carnations were given to mothers at church and the focus on family and togetherness seemed so different.

Here I am, the youngest, in my favorite photo. Three generations of Moms (Well I wasn’t a mother yet but it certainly was my destiny.)

And here I am with my sweet and blessed destiny. (We really need an updated one.)

As I sip coffee and reflect, I remember as a child how eager I was for that time at Mass when all the mothers were honored as each of them approached the altar to receive a carnation. It was a symbol to the church family of all of the strength and love surrounding us. One year they let the church children present the flowers and I remember proudly handing one to my grandmother and mother along with so many other mothers.

Why did we do this every year? Why do most churches no longer practice this? Why has this tradition changed? And even more, when did it start?

Well, we can thank Anna Jarvis for this holiday. After her mother died, Anna wanted a day to honor the sacrifice mothers make for their children. And through her efforts she organized the first ever celebration in two locations: A Wanamaker Department store in Philadelphia and a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia. Mothers were given a white carnatoon to wear as a badge of recognition and the day was set aside to spend time together as a family honoring moms. Anna continued to champion her cause to gain national support. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure making it an official holiday.

Isn’t it ironic though that within a few years the holiday evolved from a carnation badge, visiting church services and and spending family time together to cards, gifts, and commercialism? In 1920, Anna reacted to this turn of events by denouncing the holiday and actively lobbying until her death in 1948 to have the holiday removed from the American calendar.

Today, over 100 years from the signed measure, we still celebrate moms. I wonder if Anna sees that many families are truer to her intention than she imagined. I so believe we can certainly simplify the day.

Some of my favorite Mother’s Day gifts have been crafts, handmade cards, and just being with my family.

I would really like to see all the carnation badges proudly worn as we celebrate the day. How cool would it be to be sitting at a church service and a restaurant and look around at all of the honor badges on the moms who have spent the majority of life showing up say in and day out for their children? An outward sign of love that is just so simple. Can we bring that back?

Happy Mother’s Day!

Resource for history lesson: History Channel