Lifestle | Kylee's Korner

December 13, 2020 1 Comment

Starting The New Year Off Right

I think we can all agree on one thing- 2020 was quite the year. This year has been filled with ups, downs, twists and turns for pretty much the entire world. Unfortunately, I think there were more downs than anything. While that can be a tough thing to shake off, I want to do my best to enter 2021 with a heart filled with gratitude and optimism. There is always something to look forward to with new beginnings, especially a brand new year. Instead of dwelling on the things that were negative from 2020, try to take some time out to think of what you can do to make 2021 better. I know there will still be challenges to face but that is going to be true for every year. Life can be messy and is never perfect. However, I am still choosing to see the good things that 2020 brought me (my sweet baby boy is definitely at the top of my list) and try to make sure 2021 brings myself and my family even more joy. I have listed some ways I am going to start the new year off on a positive note. I hope you will join me in letting go of the things that brought you down this past year and move forward towards more love, light and happiness in 2021.

1. Use a Daily Gratitude Journal

A gratitude journal is a great way to remind yourself of all of the things that you are thankful for in your life. I know life can get stressful and throw curve balls constantly. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and forget all of the positive things that happen in your life on a daily basis. I like to write a few things down each day that happened to me recently that I am thankful for. This is such a helpful tool to use when I need a reminder of how blessed I am in this life.

2. Clean Out Old Clutter

Start your new year clutter free. If you have some extra time during your holiday break, clean out your pantry, drawers, cabinets and closets. You can plan a garage sale, give away stuff to family or friends, or donate old items. I always feel so much more organized and relieved when I get rid of clutter in my house that is taking up space.

3. Make Plans To Look Forward To

Plan something fun for yourself or family during 2021. It is always so much fun to have something fun planned that you are truly looking forward to doing. If you haven’t been on a vacation for awhile, try to plan one (even if it is a staycation)! You can also look up to see if any fun events are coming to your town within the new six months and try to secure tickets to it.

4. Pick One Thing For Yourself

I know how easy it is to get caught up in every day life responsibilities. I am always working hard to be the best wife, mom, daughter, friend, and business owner that I can be. There are definitely days that I wish I could duplicate myself or grow an extra set of hands! No matters how busy you are, try to give yourself time every single day that is dedicated to yourself. Take a twenty minute bath when your hubby gets home and can help with the kids. Take five minutes to scroll on your phone at something that makes you laugh or gives you peace. Call a friend and catch up for ten minutes. Whatever makes your heart happy and eases tension, make time for it every day. You will always be able to take better care of everyone you love, if you are taking care of yourself, too!

5. Make Health a Priority

If you found yourself stress eating during 2020 or being more relaxed about working out, don’t guilt yourself over it. Instead, make the new year a perfect time to refocus your energy on putting your health as a top priority. Try taking time to meal prep during the week, look up a fun short youtube video for a workout, or grab a friend and go on a walk. You do not have to devote a ton of time during the day to get yourself in a healthier routine.

6. Connect With a Loved One

If you found yourself busy last year and unable to stay connected with someone who brings you joy, try to make time for them during the new year. No matter how much we have going on every day, it is so important to stay connected with the people you love. Try taking ten minutes out during the week to send a quick text, email or call to someone who is on your mind. It will keep you connected in the new year and bring you some time to relax and smile.

November 19, 2020 Leave a Comment

Practicing Gratitude

I think it goes without saying that this has been a tough year on pretty much everyone I know in one way or another. The world has been hit with a pandemic that has left a trickling effect of bad consequences for so many people. Sometimes, it is easy to start looking at the glass as half empty when the going gets especially tough and you can find yourself forgetting the things in your life to be thankful for. We are all guilty of feeling sorry for ourselves from time to time and that’s ok. However, I try really hard to make sure I see the glass as half full most of the time and remember all of the amazing ways I have been blessed in my life. I find myself feeling better physically, emotionally and spiritually when I practice gratitude and keep a thankful heart. Gratitude can be such an empowering emotion to have and can truly make your life better. Check out some ways that I try to show my gratitude towards myself, my life and the people I am surrounded with every day. I truly believe once you start to remind yourself of all of the good things that you are surrounded by, even the things you might overlook at times, you will start to feel a weight lifted. Remember, there is always something to be grateful for every single day.

Keep A Gratitude Journal

Keep a journal in a safe place and start your day out by jotting down a few things you are grateful for each morning. It can be as detailed or as simple as you want it to be. On days that you find yourself feeling down, this will come in handy to remember all of the good that surrounds you.

Tell Someone Something Positive

I think people are quick to point out the negative in people more often than the positive. If someone does something well, tell them. If someone crosses your path at some point on any given day, try to think of a way to give them a compliment. It doesn’t take up a lot of your time and could make their day special for them. Everyone likes to be noticed for something good, so spread some kindness around. Hopefully other people will return the love to someone else and keep paying it forward.

Smile

Your facial expressions tell others what your current mood is. Try to smile throughout the day as much as you can, even on a phone call. I love catching up with someone on the phone and being able to imagine the smile they have on their face because I can hear it in their voice. Smiling is always going to make you feel better and could impact those around you because they can be contagious.

Volunteer

Volunteering is an awesome way to help out in your community and practice gratitude. I find myself being more thankful for all of the things I might take for granted when I am helping people who might have less then I do. It is a good reminder to appreciate all of the things you have in your life and how important it is to help those in need. There have also been studies that show people who volunteer by helping others increase their own well-being and end up being able to show gratitude easier.

Enjoy The Little Things

Even though it can be hard on some days, there are so many little things all around us to be thankful for. Try to appreciate a day where the weather is enjoyable. Get excited when your favorite seasonal drink has come back out. Watch the movie that is streaming that made you laugh as a kid. Enjoy the conversation with the friend who took the time to reach out and say hi. Try to be thankful you have a house to clean and clothes to wash, since some people might not. Cheer because you got a parking spot close to the door. These are all small things that happen in our daily lives that can be easy to overlook. Try to be mindful when they happen to you and enjoy them to the fullest!

July 14, 2020 Leave a Comment

How To Have A Staycation

We are definitely living in unusual times and dealing with unfamiliar territory so far in 2020. The pandemic felt across the globe has had so many impacts and made people change the way they do things in their daily lives. I feel like my family has dealt with the added stress as best as we can. I have always tried to remain positive in life and not let a lot of negativity in, because it can have so many damaging affects on your mind and body. I also think it’s important to try to maintain a positive attitude in front of my children. I don’t want them to be unable to cope with stressful situations in life and they are definitely at the age where they still look towards my husband and I to set a strong example. We love to go on family trips together, but that has obviously had to be put on hold for the upcoming summer. While I am definitely disappointed that we won’t be able to have a change of scenery, I decided not to let that stop us from creating some new awesome memories! So, my family and I are planing a staycation in the comfort of our own home! Who needs to deal with long car rides with bored kids? Who wants to go through the mundane process of packing every single thing for everyone in their family? Who wants to budget and stress over every dime? I can tell you who doesn’t- this girl! I have been coming up with tons of ways to enjoy a vacation vibe from our house for a long weekend and can’t wait to finally do it! Let me know if any of you plan on having a staycation this summer, too!

Splurge A Bit

Part of the fun on vacation is taking in all of the new scenery and decor at wherever you are staying. Don’t be afraid to spend a small amount of money to make a room in your house feel new and refreshed. Buy some tropical looking flowers, bright pillows and colorful dishes. This will brighten up your space and give you something new to enjoy. Think about upgrading your sheets so you can feel like your staying in a luxury hotel. Pick out some fun souvenirs that will be keepsakes for everyone in the family!

Eat For Pleasure

Everyone knows that I am big into living a healthy lifestyle. But, that does not mean that I never give myself an off day to enjoy all of the foods that I love. Usually when you are on vacation, you tend to not calorie count or workout as much. Don’t let your staycation be any different. Let yourself off the hook and pick up some of your favorite snacks and desserts. Now is also a perfect time to try making some new and exotic dishes that you have been wanting to try!

Unplug

Make a deal that electronics are going to be on a very limited basis for the duration of your vacation. With the exception of taking pictures or curling up to a movie at night, try to unplug from the electronic world and be present in your vacation.

Minimize Chores

I know that messes are never fun to deal with, but try to limit how many chores you and your family are doing during your vacation. Try to plan on having all of the yard work, laundry and errands done before your time begins. If you can, let everything else wait until your vacation is over and enjoy giving yourself and your family some much needed down time.

Go Outside

If the weather is cooperating, get outside! Now is a great time to invest in a fun sprinkler for your kids or new pool floats if you have a pool. Bring some fun music outside and have a fun beach day vibe. You can lay towels out and have a picnic lunch or go on a hike/walk around your surrounding area.

Play New Games

Pinterest always has a ton of ideas for kids games. Take some time to look up some things that are age appropriate for your family and games you have never played before!

Have A Spa Hour

I know a lot of ladies enjoy going to the spa while on vacation. So, bring the spa to your house! Pick out some funky new nail polish and give out mani/pedis to whoever wants one. Pick up some cheap face masks at Target and take a long bubble bath. You could also do family foot massages or get your kids to play hairdresser on you- no scissors of course!

Take Lots Of Pictures

No vacation is complete without tons pf pictures! If you feel like splurging a bit more, see how much it would cost to have a photographer come and take family photos. Set up a photo booth that the kids will have fun playing in. Take pictures of everything you are doing so you can enjoy all of the memories from your staycation for years to come!

June 22, 2020 Leave a Comment

Protecting Yourself From the Sun

Summer time is here and so is the HEAT! My family loves to spend our down time outside no matter what the season is. Unfortunately, with summer comes the strong sun that your skin should stay protected from. Now that I am in my 30’s, I no longer lay outside covered in baby oil chasing that beautiful sun kissed tan. The sun is not only harmful because of health risks it can cause, but it can also speed up the aging process on your skin. I don’t want to do anything that causes harm or ages me, so I’ll continue to invest my money in sunless tanning products when I want to rock a summer time glow. I think more then ever families are trying to stay busy outdoors and helps pass all of the extra free time that some people are experiencing.I have put together a list of some of my favorite sun blocks, and gear that will help your family get the protection they need this summer. Stay safe friends!

Sunblock

Kids Oil Free Water Resistant

I have always been a fan of Neutrogena products. This two pack of sunscreen for kids is perfect for days that they will be in and out of the water.

Tropic Silk Hydration

I love this super lightweight sunblock spray for myself. The texture is lightweight and it smells delicious. It also adds hydration to the skin while giving a radiant glow!

Neutrogena Sports Face

My husband is a big fan of this Neutrogena sunblock that is made specifically for your face. It is oil free, has a spa of 70 and works well on sensitive skin.

Hats

Wide Brim Sun Hat

I love this wide brimmed hat from Old Navy. The tan color will go with anything you have on and it has a sweat band on the inside to help you on hot days. It is currently on sale for only $20!

Men Sun Hat

This is a perfect hat for the man in your life to stay covered up when doing anything outdoors. It blocks 98% of sun rays, has mesh vents for cooling airflow and is under $19!

Unisex Baseball Cap

If you aren’t a fan of outdoor sun hats, try wearing a baseball hat to keep some of the sun off your face. This one is unisex, comes in three different colors, and cools when it is wet!

Lip Balm

Sport Sunscreen Lip Balm

Lip balm is also very important when outdoors in the sun since your lips can burn which is really painful. This is a great deal for a two pack from Target.

Banana Boat Ultra Sport Lip Balm

This lip balm not only protects from the sun, but it also helps keep your lips moisturized. In addition, it is water proof for up to 80 minutes!

Sun Bum Lip Balm

Sun bum lip balms include aloe, along with a delicious scent! It goes on smooth and is super hydrating when wearing it!

May 14, 2020 2 Comments

Keeping Your Mind And Heart At Peace

I have spoken before on my struggles with anxiety and depression. This can be a difficult conversation for many people to have, especially since there is a stigma on mental health and it is a very personal topic. However, I believe that we not only help each other when we have the courage to be honest about our fears and concerns, but also help ourselves. I have found over the years that it is therapeutic to be able to share my feelings with those around me. In doing so, I am hoping that I can help relate to others and give them the courage to share their situation with someone. The world is going through a very unusual pandemic that has swept panic and concern that is heard and felt around the world. I know that everyone has been dealing with the situation differently. I have also had people reach out to me seeking advice on how they can manage their stress during such an unprecedented time. I have developed different coping methods that have helped me deal with my anxiety and stay calm during a chaotic time. Hopefully one of these tips will help you get through your day with a calmer mind and heart. Hang in there- we are all in this together!

Coloring

Did you know that they make coloring books for adults? It may sound silly to some people, but I have found it to be a really soothing activity that allows me to focus on something other then my worries while letting out a bit of creative juice!

Move Around

If you are finding yourself feeling overly anxious, try to move your body around. Getting in a workout, going for a walk or dancing to music can be the perfect distraction!

Take Deep Breaths

Taking deep breaths can be a quick way to calm yourself. There are a lot of apps or videos that you can watch that will do specific breathing exercises with you, too. If you don’t feel like plugging into technology at that moment, try to find a quiet space, close your eyes and slowly count to 10 until you feel calmer.

Dab Yourself With Oil

A lot of people use essential oils for many different things. I love that it’s a natural remedy that can help fix something that is bothering you. Lavender oil has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety. Dab a bit on your wrists and take in a deep breath of the scent. They also make sprays that can be used on your pillow at night time.

Talk To Someone

Having someone that you feel you can open up to during a stressful moment can also be helpful. Not only can it be a simple distraction to have a conversation about something unrelated to your own thoughts, but it can also help to bounce how you are feeling off of them, too. Try to open up to someone and see if talking the problem out helps you feel more at ease.

Try Distracting Yourself

If moving around is not distracting enough, try to find something else that will distract you. You can start to organize a room, clean, watch a funny tv show, listen to music or start a project around the house that you have been putting off. If you get your mind focused on something else, you can usually feel some of the tension start to leave.