mid-week round-up

What are you up to this week? I returned home from a whirlwind trip to Indianapolis late Monday night. My friend, Katie, spoiled me with delicious meals (and wine pairings!) and hours of gossip. We also went to the My Favorite Murder live show on Sunday night which was of course hysterical. Hope everyone has a fabulous Wednesday, and here are some internet goodies I’ve enjoyed recently…

I’ve got my eye on a pair of these sandals.

Who was the lady with the alligator purse?

Half-male, half-female cardinal spotted.

Swiss cyclist Nicole Hanselmann’s face in this post is EVERYTHING.

“Some daddies can take better care of their babies than others because some daddies aren’t poor and some are. ”

Ten podcasts for freelance creatives.

Since her debut in 1959, Barbie has survived critique, censure, competition, and the advent of social media.

How one woman got her grocery budget under control.

The life-changing magic of the $15 minimum wage.

When your underwire bra is more dangerous than a bullet. Yikes!

Interchangeable ingredients list.

Has anyone read this series? (Kinda intrigued but kinda scared to commit to 13 books, lol.)

P.S. A few Finding Delight posts you may have missed — A round-up of resources on cycle syncing and 5 YouTube Meal Preps.

If you enjoy my blog content, please consider supporting what I do (and keeping me caffeinated). Thank you! xoxo ☕

I Have 5 Internal Monologue Responses to Every Social Media Post

Do you ever mindlessly scroll through social media at the end of a long day? It’s a habit I’m desperately trying to break (that’s a post for another day), yet a black hole I fall into far too often.

While I flick my phone upwards on my cell screen, all the posts I pause long enough to really consider seem to illicit one of five responses…

what?

As in, I don’t get it. 

lol whut?

As in, this is ridiculous. 

ok…

As in, why did this need to be put on the internet? 

same

As in, deeply relateable content. 

YAS!!!

As in, this post deserves a round of applause!

I’ve really been considering deleting my Facebook. I never post on that platform anymore and there is just so. much. nonsense. But now I’m thinking maybe I’ll unfollow everybody but the “same” and YAS!!!” posters? (Maybe the lol whut’s can stay too…)

Perhaps this will become my rule of thumb across ALL my social media platforms! 

How do you find your brain engages with social media? Does your internal response to certain posts govern how you choose to interact with certain platforms or accounts? Have you deleted social media and lived to tell the tale? What about a massive social media decluttering? I’d love to hear!

Book Club: Woman Code Pt. 2

Last week, I introduced you to the latest book in our Finding Delight book club — WomanCode: Perfect Your Cycle, Amplify Your Fertility, Supercharge Your Sex Drive, and Become a Power Source by Alisa Vitti. And the ladies in the crowd said, “YAAAS!” (Seriously; reactions from friends, comments on my IG, and replies to my emails all indicated that y’all are super down for this topic!)

Today, I thought I’d share some resources that I’ve found incredibly inspiring and informative on my own “menstrual cycle optimization” journey! If you’ve read WomanCode and want to dig deeper, these links are definitely for you. BUT — they’re also for those of you who HAVEN’T read the book. (My reading list is mile’s long and sometimes a topic interests me long before I have time to crack the spine of a book on the subject, ya dig?)

So, whether you’ve read WomanCode or just popped it on your Amazon wish-list for later, let’s dive in…

Continue Reading:

Books

Articles & Blogs

Continue Watching:

Instagram Accounts

Tuning in for the IG stories of a few “cycle awareness” accounts is a great reminder to take note of your own cycle!

Educational Videos

Continue Listening:

Podcasts

Playlists

Continue Experiencing:

  • Incorporate a new recipe for the different phases of your cycle — FOLLICULAR // MENSTRUAL // OVULATORY // LUTEAL (Note: There’s a specific recipe for each phase but each video also points out other optimal foods for the phase and the info is garnered straight from WomanCode!)  
  • Journal your cycle — HERE are some free resources to help!
  • …and for more experiences, stay tuned to FindingDelight.com. Part 3 of this series will feature a 3-day meal plan for each cycle phase and Part 4 will show you how to make a cycle syncing calendar!

Check out last week’s post HERE. ❤

If you enjoy my book club, please consider supporting what I do (and helping me keep my book-shelf stocked). Thank you! xoxo ☕

mid-week round-up

What are you up to this week? We had three of our dear friends down to visit this past weekend and I’m headed to Indianapolis next weekend to spend time with my bestie and podcasting co-host, Katie. We’ll be recording a live episode of our show and also seeing My Favorite Murder on tour. I’m so freaking excited!!! Suffice it to say, a work week book-ended by all this fun is not the easiest. ; ) Hope you have a great Wednesday, and here are a few things I’ve enjoyed reading this week…

Why people wait 10 days to do something that takes 10 minutes.

A bright kitchen makeover honoring vintage wares.

On a new luxury retreat and Silicon Valley ageism.

Yum! Hummus breakfast tacos.

Laughed out loud.

An interview with Aminatou Sow on all things financial.

See you later, post-vacation blues!

Every black woman deserves a doula.

How to turn a few ingredients into infinite possibilities.

Who is Billie Eilish?

The shift in Michelle Obama’s style.

We’ve always hated girls online.

P.S. A few Finding Delight posts you may have missed — Is Online Therapy for You? and 5 Ways to Cultivate a More Meaningful Life.

If you enjoy my blog content, please consider supporting what I do (and keeping me caffeinated). Thank you! xoxo ☕

Ballin’ on a Budget Mini Tips Pt. 2

I have a whole series on the blog that highlights strategies for BALLIN’ ON A BUDGET by way of ditching — ie) ditch the bare cupboards, ditch the gym membership, etc. Today, I’d like to build on this BALLIN’ ON A BUDGET theme with my new series — Ballin’ on a Budget Mini Tips (here’s post #1 from the series). The last series included posts that proposed something for all of us to ditch, in order to free up line items on our budgets, and offered a 4 week plan on how to implement. These mini tips are things you can implement RIGHT NOW. Like, straight away. As soon as you read them!

Whether you’re actively pinching pennies or simply want to re-direct some of those pennies to better serve you, this series is for you!

Here are 10 (more) MINI TIPS

1. Break Down Your Meat

If you’re going to eat meat, consider buying options that require you to do a little butcherin’ for yourself. This is a great cost saver. Buy a whole ham and slice it. Get the full chicken and split it up yourself. If you see a pork loin for sale, nab it and turn it into pork chops for the freezer. I’m lucky enough to have a former butcher in the household, but there are tons of video tutorials online for just about everything these days. 

2. Ditch the Printer

Being super diligent with electronic organization drastically reduces the need to print out documents. Consider printing at work or the library instead of keeping up with the costs of a printer (they always seem to run out of ink at the least convenient times!).

3. Repair Your Wardrobe Pieces

I’ve talked about ditching fast fashion and I still think investing in higher quality pieces is the right thing to do. However, if you’ve plunked down a good amount of money on your capsule wardrobe, you have to be willing to fix rather than throw out. Shave sweaters, fix hems, patch up holes, take your shoes to a cobbler, take clothing pieces needing alteration to a seamstress, etc. 

4. Identify Impulse Shopping Triggers

We’re only human. If you have a specific impulse shopping trigger, what can you do to help curb it? This could be as easy as sticking to the U-Scan so you don’t add a bunch of last minute candy and soda. Maybe you have a tendency to drop a fortune when you hit up book stores. Can you work weekly trips to the library into your schedule to scratch that itch?

5. Clean Your House Once a Week

If you stay on top of your cleaning you’re less likely to need to do deeper cleaning with more expensive cleaning products. It also will keep you from over-buying things because everything is put away and organized so you know what you have and what you need. This goes for laundry, too. Have you ever bought a shirt for an event just because you didn’t have anything clean? I sure have. 

6. Diversify Grocery Shopping

Different supermarkets will have better deals on certain items as well as different “loss leaders.” Make it a habit to check circulars and sales. If there’s a store with a consistent lower price on an item you frequently use, buy it in bulk once a month or once a quarter. 

7. Suit Maintenance

If you have to wear business apparel (read: suits) to work, maintenance is key if you want to avoid sending it out to the dry cleaner after every wear. After you’ve worn the suit, hang it up straight away. Twenty-four hours on a hanger will help the light creases to fall out and hopefully you won’t have to iron between wears. Invest in a good umbrella and rain-coat to keep your suits dry in rainy weather. And if you really wanna stretch things, grab a pack of Dryel

8. Grow a Garden

Even if it is just a windowsill lined with pots of basil, cilantro, and rosemary! Any ingredient you can grow yourself will cut down on that grocery bill. Do a little research to see what would do well in your area and go for it!

9. DIY Your Cleaning Supplies

Keeping a collection of baking soda, white vinegar, borax, and Dr. Bronners will save you TONS of money on commercial cleaning supplies. Just mix up your own! Pinterest is a great resource if you’ve never done this before. Glass cleaner to carpet cleaner to stain removal. Just do a quick search and you’re well on your way.

10. Drink at Home

The mark-up on alcohol at restaurants and bars is ridiculous. If you’re trying to save but still want to indulge in a glass of wine or a cocktail now and then? Buy your own bottles and drink at home. Wanna save even more? Skip the elaborate mixers and go for something simple like a vodka and soda or a gin and tonic. And if you’re looking for a cheap bottle of wine that’s still somm-approved — go Old World!

Thanks so much for reading! What small change have you implemented recently to save money? In mini tips that you think pack a huge punch? Share below!

P.S. How to have unique clothing style on a budget.

If you enjoy my blog content, please consider supporting what I do (and keeping me caffeinated). Thank you! xoxo ☕

3 Personal Characteristics to Work On This Spring

*This post may contain affiliate links.

If you’re the kind of person who is always seeking ways to improve your self, you are not alone. Self-improvement is a huge industry. As long as you approach it in the right way, it is a wonderful reminder to check your approach to life and make adjustments where necessary.

In this post, we are going to identify three personal characteristics to work on in the upcoming season. How can we audit our approach to these qualities in our own lives to identify ways we’re doing well and places we can approve? What strategies can help us develop these qualities in stronger ways?

Let’s take a look…

Resilience

Our first characteristic is resilience. So, why would you want to develop this particular quality? Well, for one thing, resilience and success go hand in hand. The more you are able to keep on going, even when things get difficult, the more likely it is that you will end up achieving your goals, whatever they might be. Fate may knock you around a little, but having the ability to carry on will help you in many ways.

Resilience is a quality which you can develop in yourself, no matter how lacking you might feel you are at present. If you want to develop resilience in yourself, the practice is in the name. Keep on trying. The very process of continuing to put forth effort is exercising your resilience. The more you do so, the better off you will be.

Action Item — 

What are 3 projects, goals, or hobbies you’ve let fall by the wayside because success seemed too difficult to achieve? 

Break them down in to bite-sized steps and get them on your calendar. 

Kindness

Self-improvement is all about focusing on those qualities which improve oneself, right? But what about the ones that also help others? If you are seeking to be a fully-rounded individual, you will want to put at least as much effort into those qualities that help others as the other kind. That is of course where kindness comes in. The more you can develop a sense of genuine kindness, the better off the people around you will be.

This will improve your quality of life in a few ways–you’ll feel good about your actions and you will be carrying out The Golden Rule. As you treat others the way you want to be treated, you will find the kindness comes back towards you twofold. Develop kindness, and you will never look back.

Action Item —

Think about ways you can help others. Is there a particular cause you’d like to invest more time in or a random act of kindness you’ve always been to shy to carry out?

Schedule time for kindness each week. 

Confidence

Finally, the big C: the one that everyone wants more of. It’s hardly surprising that people should want to be more confident. After all, confidence is something which can help to improve every aspect of your life. Once you feel you have plenty of it you will find that everything starts going to plan much more often.

You can develop confidence by stepping out of your comfort zone every now and then, and it will be one of the best things you ever did for yourself.

Action Item —

What is something that scares you? Public speaking, a blind date, the bold hair cut you’ve always wanted? 

Reflect on what it would look like for you to be more confident in each realm of your life: business, relationships, and personal. Then, choose a way to step outside your comfort zone this season in all of them.

What personal characteristics are you working to develop in your own life? Could you benefit from working on the three listed above? xoxo

Round Up: Throw Pillows

A new season is nigh! And if you’re anything like me, new seasons have you jonesing for a home decor switcheroo.

This call toward updated interiors is especially strong for me in the transition from winter to spring. Something about the temperatures rising, the days getting longer, and hearing birds chirping outside my window every morning makes me want to throw open the curtains a la Cinderella and get to work redoing my whole home with pretty colors, lighter fabrics, and dainty decor.

Unfortunately, I only want to spend a Cinderella budget on these updates (and I don’t have any adorable mice to help me)…so I’m always on the lookout for home decor pieces that pack a big visual punch without a big price tag. One of my favorite items for this? Throw pillows! Obviously we can’t change out our sofas for spring or buy brand new bed clothes every year…but pop a few new pillows around the home and VOILA! These pieces have a brand new look.

Below, I’ve scouted a few of my favorites…

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9

Which would you choose?

If you enjoy my blog content, please consider supporting what I do (and keeping me caffeinated). Thank you! xoxo ☕

Book Club: Woman Code Pt. 1

Hello, fellow bookworms! Today I’m unveiling Book #2 in the Finding Delight Book Club. If you haven’t heard, I’m reading 12 books and sharing about them with you here. I plan to post 4 times for each book. For this book, the posts are going to look something like this — 1) about the book, 2) extended reading/listening/watching, 3) extended eating, and 4) final takeaways. So, let’s dive in for more on WomanCode: Perfect Your Cycle, Amplify Your Fertility, Supercharge Your Sex Drive, and Become a Power Source by Alisa Vitti, HHC.

“Hormones affect everything. Have you ever struggled with acne, oily hair, dandruff, dry skin, cramps, headaches, irritability, exhaustion, constipation, irregular cycles, heavy bleeding, clotting, shedding hair, weight gain, anxiety, insomnia, infertility, lowered sex drive, or bizarre food cravings and felt like your body was just irrational? It’s not; it’s hormonal.” 

Synopsis

As a holistic health counselor, Alisa Vitti helps women. She founded the FLO Living Center in Manhattan because, after experiencing symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome for years, she was able to turn her health around through the power of foods and lifestyle changes and thought other women could benefit from what she found to be so life-changing.

Now, in WomanCode, Vitti shares the prescriptive program she used on herself and later with her countless clients. The book explains this proven set of guidelines that has helped thousands of women solve issues related to their cycle, skin, thyroid, mood, and fertility.

The program consists of five steps. Each step is mapped out in easy-to-understand detail so that readers can make changes as soon as they set down the book. Working through the program promises to help you:

  • Live in tune with your cycle
  • Learn how to reduce the impact of harmful ingredients found in your environment, food, and products
  • Lovingly support the function of your blood sugar, adrenals, systems of elimination, and reproductive organs
  • Use the power of your feminine energy

The information in WomanCode gives women a greater understanding of hormone health so they can naturally eliminate period problems, tap into the benefits of living cyclically, and feel great!

***

“Most women know very little about our hormonal biochemistry, and as a result,
we’re making choices about our menstrual care, fertility, and libido
that have long-term negative repercussions.” 

Initial Thoughts

I was first introduced to Alisa Vitti, and the idea of cycle syncing, when she was a guest on a podcast I listen to. The host of the podcast had recently adopted many of the changes outlined in WomanCode and wanted her audience to hear from the source. I’ll be honest, Vitti’s perspective really resonated with me. She discussed the hormonal peaks and valleys that occur throughout women’s cycles. How inherently cyclical we are.  While all the while, society so often asks us to exist in a linear fashion. What would happen if, instead, we tapped into that cyclicality? Or better yet–optimized it?

This optimization is what fascinated me most. Vitti went on to explain how she recommends different foods for each phase of a woman’s cycle. I’ve long believed in the idea of food as medicine. So this made a lot of sense. Why wouldn’t you choose foods that provide the nourishment your need at each point in your cycle? For example, foods rich in B vitamins are great for the Luteal Phase, while seafood and sea-based veggies during menstruation can help remineralize your body with iron and zinc. Sounds pretty interesting, right? And I love anything with the potential for meal plan creation…so her book went straight on my list.

That was several years ago, and in the interim I found (and became low-key obsessed with) another period coach. Claire’s Instagram stories really solidified WomanCode’s place on this book club’s reading list. How? She often shares cycle updates and talks about the different ways she adapts her self-care, business strategies, social life, and exercise to that specific cycle day. Honestly, mind blown! I knew that Vitti’s book would break down the science behind this type of holistic cycle syncing. So, here we are!

As you can probably tell, I’m deeply interested in alternative medicine, nutrition, and women’s health. WomanCode does not disappoint in these areas. I feel like it’s unlocking a whole new approach to my health & wellness and I’m so excited to get stuck in.

Next week, I’ll be sharing some really awesome websites, videos, Instagram accounts and all sorts of other goodies that will hopefully get you fired up about cycle syncing and menstruation! See you then!!

Read this if you’re interested in: Women’s Health, Nutrition, Chinese Medicine, Holistic Healing, Cycle Syncing

Read this if you loved: Moon Time by Lucy Pearce, The Optimized Woman by Miranda Gray, Adore Your Cycle by Claire Baker

Follow Alisa Vitti: Website, Instagram, Pinterest

Keep a lookout for Part 2! It’ll be hitting this site next week.

mid-week round-up

What are you up to this week? Yesterday was Mardi Gras and I celebrated with a plate of blueberry pancakes for breakfast and an evening out at our local parade. Even though by the end of the festivities I couldn’t feel my fingers or toes (BRR!), it was the sweetest small town event and I’m so happy we decided to take part. Did you do anything to mark the day? Hope the rest of your work week flies by, and now take a look at the links…

The race to build the world’s best bourbon barrel.

[Related: Take your hot toddy up a notch.]

Teen tells senate why he defied his mom to get vaccinated.

An added bonus to buying books used.

Thinking of picking up this hairbrush. (Thanks to a reader recommendation on this post.)

Could small doses of hallucinogenic drugs have therapeutic benefits?

At the crossroads of comfort tv and comfort food.

[Related: My Comfort Movies]

How DARLING is this pillow?

Alex Honnold breaks down iconic rock climbing scenes.

A study suggests that exposure to large home libraries may have a long-term impact on the mind.

The differences between Britney and Kim K’s houses.

[Related: Britney! Come back to Instagram. I miss you so much!]

Street style from Paris Fashion Week.

Sounds about right.

P.S. A few Finding Delight posts you may have missed — In Search of the Comfiest Bra and The Celebrity Instagram Accounts You Should Totally Follow.

If you enjoy my blog content, please consider supporting what I do (and keeping me caffeinated). Thank you! xoxo ☕

Let’s Talk About My Dry Scalp

You guys. I am so ready for Spring. But for sort of a weird (and embarrassing) reason…

My disgustingly dry scalp!

Now, I have a pretty dry scalp year-round but I find that it’s a bit more manageable in the warmer seasons. Which was great in Miami! Warm year-round. But moving up to Alabama? This minor (major to me, but PERSPECTIVE lol) annoyance came back with a vengeance as soon as temperatures started to dip below 65.

I feel like I’ve tried lots of remedies to no avail. It seems ridiculous to spend a bunch of money on every possibility under the sun when I know the tides will turn come May. (But I did cut my own hair this winter because I didn’t want to hear another hairdresser tell me, “Your scalp is so dry!” Oh REALLY?! Wow, I hadn’t noticed.)

I promise this post isn’t just me complaining. Ok, it mostly is. But I’d love to know if this is something you’ve dealt with. Do you have any remedies? What works for you? Any hair care routines or products you swear by (dry scalp or not)? Below are some of the things I’ve tried or still use regularly because they keep things in check in warmer months, as well as things I’ve been recommended before that I still need to try.

Over the years, I’ve tried:

T/Sal and T/Gel

Avalon Organics Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner

Tea Tree Oil

Coconut Leave-In Conditioner

Biolage Shampoo

and these are on my list:

Argan Oil

Tea Tree Hair and Scalp Treatment

Shampoo Brush (like this one or this one)

JASON Normalizing Shampoo

Davines Purifying Shampoo

This book, which is up next in the Finding Delight book club (!!!) says dry scalp can be a symptom of hormone imbalance so I’ll be exploring that further. I’ll keep y’all updated…not that you NEED to remain abreast on the sordid detail of my dry scalp saga, but maybe you want to! 😉

P.S. My favorite hairbrush and that time I wore extensions.

If you enjoy my blog content, please consider supporting what I do (and keeping me caffeinated). Thank you! xoxo ☕