On the First Weeks of Motherhood... Again

So as I look back on the piece of garbage that the year 2016 was, I have to really just concentrate on one thing, the newest blessing to our family, Theodore Robin Light or "Teddy", who was born just a few days before Christmas. I have to concentrate on this one thing because at it's core, I could not find a ton to be grateful for this year. I did my very best to be positive after the death of David Bowie (a serious loss if you know me), through an exhausting pregnancy, after what was the most tumultuous and ultimately the most supremely disappointing election cycle on absolutely almost every personal level for me and a work project that went from one month of 50 hour work weeks to four months of working like a dog up until, literally my water broke... I'm sitting here, writing this, and even with my newborn sleeping like an angel by my side, I am still finding it really hard to be appreciative of what I have and how good I've got it- healthy family, great support system, blessed with a home and everything we need and the list goes on...

Perhaps you're saying to yourself "Amanda, maybe you shouldn't write blog posts with only one week under your belt with a newborn. You need perspective." To that, I say, I most certainly should be writing a blog post and I'll tell you why. Life with a newborn is motha effin' hard. Like super hard and I need to get this off of my chest. On one hand, you have this precious little creature who is dependent on you for every single thing at every hour of the day and on the other hand you have a precious little creature who is dependent on you for every single thing at every hour of the day. Besides the human child, there's everything happening in/on your postpartum body. I guess I don't remember being that irritated after Wes was born but my body is reacting all sorts of cray right now. Post labor healing aside (which is maje don't get me wrong), I have a rash on my chest and stomach. I've totally broken out on my face, like more than I ever have in my entire life. My hormones are manageable yet still all out of whack thus making me sad. I'm happy to have the baby living outside my body but I still look pregnant so that's a bummer to the already limping self esteem... You know, all these things add up when you're running on 3-4 hours of non-consecutive sleep a night at best. As if that wasn't enough, I have mastitis which, simply put, is a breast infection, that hurts like a mother, that you basically have to breast feed through with antibiotics. Yikes, that's a lot to deal with, right? But you have the help of your husband, no? Well, yes and no. Both my husband and toddler have been sick with the plague since we came home from the hospital so while my husband has been taking care of the two of them, I've been basically using my person to block my newborn from anything having to do with the other male peoples in order to hopefully keep him from getting sick... but all it's really doing is stressing me out. We've been to the pediatrician's four times this week because Teddy is/was jaundiced and has been monitored consistently. Each visit required an extensive blood draw which left a screaming 8lb munchkin melting in my arms. A nurse told me on the other day "this too shall pass"... that's the line I use, and it's not working this time, sistah! I'm kind of friggin' exhausted and can't help but live in my "now"!

I know myself and I'll get through this because this is peanuts compared to what some people have to deal with but I'm SO ready to say a big "SEE YA 2016! DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YA!" I already love my new family with our sassy little butterball as the newest addition. I know I love our little family despite being absolutely miserable otherwise... it's going to be a matter of workin' some stuff out on the homefront here. I feel like this post can be a cleansing breath that is much needed. 2016 wasn't ready to let me ease on out! I'm going to take this weekend, hopefully with a little more sleep, and really reflect on what I should be grateful for, what I am looking forward to this coming year and what I hope to achieve with this precious time that I've been given with my peoples. I know I've got some ass kicking to do in 2017 so it'll be time to mentally prepare for it! Now to swoon over my newborn because newborns, if nothing else, are just so sweet to look at, and hold, and smell, and love on ... and they also have no problem staring you down, wide awake at 2am lol.

Local Lovin': Seaduced Sea Glass

I was introduced to Seaduced Sea Glass through The Perpetual You Marketplace at the W.E.L.L. Summit.  I love Seaduced Sea Glass' ocean energized vibes! Each Seaduced Sea Glass piece is organically shaped by natural nautical properties, man-mined from sanctuaries in the sand, and infused with powerful ocean energy. Being drawn to beautiful things (I mean, take a look at this Lucia Nautical Twilight Necklace, swoooon) and learning that the lady behind SSG is based out of Connecticut, I knew that I wanted to reach out to have a chat with Jenn Skiba, owner and creator, Local Lovin' style!

Give us a little background as to how Seaduced Sea Glass came about. What initially drove you to start your brand? 

As a native to the Connecticut shores of Long Island Sound, the beach has always been an integral part of my life. From an early age my mom exposed me to the transformative powers of the ocean's energy; unique combinations of currents, wind patterns, moon phases, and sand rotations kinetically refine discarded glass into frozen sea crystals. I was mesmerized by the spiritual process of how something damaged and broken could be formed into something of such rare beauty. This also seemed symbolic with my journey in life and that being beautifully-broken was an extraordinary part of me that I needed to embrace. This provoked me to convert my sea glass into jewelry; wearable treasures that are infused with ocean-energy and captivate a sense of excitement.

When creating your products, where do you take inspiration from?

I've always felt that jewelry is a way to introduce someone to my mind. It tells the most intimate stories of who I am and what makes my soul shine. When creating jewelry I find inspiration in the harmonious state of being free; unconstrained from the demands of modern life, taking risks without fear, and drifting into the timeless state of flow. In order to transmit this feeling into a piece of jewelry I fuse eclectic elements with sea-sliced glass; retro expressions, rebellious compliments, and accents of wanderlust. For example, in June I visited the Amalfi Coast of Italy and experienced the Italians' passion for life. While by Capri I noticed jellyfish free-floating through the electric current of the Blue Grottos. When I arrived home from Italy I began creating my aura moon jelly design for a necklace. It consisted of a round piece of frosted-white sea glass (jellyfish's body) with a handmade chain-link tassel (the tentacles) that drifted below. The inspiration to specifically attach a chain-link tassel came from my lifelong relationship with vintage fashion jewelry.

I love that you have shaped your business to connect with the energy and elements of the ocean. Why is this important to you?

We live in a chaotic, fast-paced world that constantly sets standards for what we should do and how we should live. This many times can feel like we're drowning in our journey through life. I permanently felt like this at one point in my life and I would find solace in walking along the beach shores. There was something magnetic about the ocean and how I would visit it daily, but wasn't quite sure why. At some point during these walks and collecting sea glass, I thought about the existence of the glass and its individual life journey. Starting out as heated sand, it is manufactured into glass, sold to a consumer, who eventually no longer needs it so it's discarded (in the water), breaks into pieces, and drowns on the ocean floor (sound familiar?) During this period of drowning ocean elements begin to refine it. The glass tumbles through the surf in unpredictable ways continuing on its life journey. While this is happening, the ocean produces extraordinary combinations of energy that reshape, resize, recolor, and redefine the shard of litter into a nautical diamond. I began to find all sorts of life messages from the ocean that became a life preserver to that drowning feeling I had. Like glass in the sea, I realized how one breaks before they can shine, to embrace waves of change, and how the most beautiful things can come from what may appear to be a dark, blue place.

What do you love to do in New England, when you aren't busy running your business?

New England has this way of unintentionally blurring that line between business and pleasure for me. The various personalities of each season brings different activities, events, traditions, and of course, different tide tosses that make glitter-litter treasure hunts especially exciting! The fall and winter are my favorite New England seasons and I find a peacefulness in being outdoors. This primarily includes walking the shores of the beaches, but also includes hiking, snowboarding, riding my bike, rollerblading, reading, and meditating. I am easily bored by continuity and it surpasses my creativity, so it is important that I have variety and options for how to enjoy my personal time.

You have certainly found some fantastic early success! Where do you see Seaduced Sea Glass jewelry headed in the future?

Thank you! The early success of Seaduced Sea Glass can be contributed to many amazing people (both new and old) that have helped to support my dream over this past year. Continuing to maintain their support while also expanding this network are essential. In addition, it is my ultimate goal is that Seaduced Sea Glass jewelry grows as business, but also grows as a mindset- that of revolutionizing and empowering one's self. I find a deep sense of value in the concepts of handmade items, helping others, and breaking societal barriers. I'm not quite sure how these collectively connect to Seaduced Sea Glass jewelry in the moment, so the future will definitely include creatively exploring what this may look like.

You can catch up with Seaduced Sea Glass on their online shop and Instagram!

On Being a Woman of Power

You may have noticed that I went to the Massachusetts Conference for Women a couple weeks back. I've been percolating on some of the messages that I received and honestly, I've been pregnant to the point where motivating myself to write a motivational blog post has been a struggle... but here I am, wanting to share how this year's conference really resonated with me, not on a professional/career level but on a personal/woman of power level. Be forewarned that there's the possibility that I was affected, in part, by pregnancy hormones but I firmly believe that for the most part, I was moved by the incredible women that I had the honor to hear speak at this year's event.

I'd like to think that I am capable of keeping it together first thing in the morning, but I have to say that I teared up quite a bit before the clock struck 9am. The breakfast keynote speakers were uplifting but also told stories of strength, perseverance and ultimately, on being a woman of power. A woman who takes control of her own business and pushes her life on the trajectory that she was meant to be on. If you have a couple of minutes. I urge you to take a listen to both Anita Hill and Carla Harris' keynote speeches from the morning. I dare you not to be inspired to take some notes and to bring out your woman of power. Anita Hill, a pioneer against sexual harassment in the workplace and Carla Harris, a Wall Street banker, Gospel Singer, Author and motivational speaker started the morning by really, just making me proud to be in that room with 11,000 other women. Whether you need to hear the words or be moved by the emotions, I love to go into conferences or talks open to taking in what I need to hear, if that makes sense. You have to have a "game plan" but I also like to be led where I think I need to be on that day... and that instinct led me to some amazing sessions.

Marla Aufmuth/ Getty Images for The Massachusetts Conference for Women

Marla Aufmuth/ Getty Images for The Massachusetts Conference for Women

I knew that I wanted to get it on Glennon Doyle Melton's session. I was introduced to her site and writing by my friend Laura, who recommended her when I needed to feel somewhat uplifted. I know that there are a lot of women whose lives have been changed by Glennon and her writing, and that's nothing to sneeze at. Glennon talked about us all having pain and a lot of the time we run away from the battle because we think that we can't handle it... but news flash, we can handle it. Again, it was a part of the theme that I was building in my day, that we can and should take charge of our personal stories, be women of power and drive our own destinies in our decisions, big or small. Glennon had a nugget of truth that I completely appreciated. She noted that no matter what we do as women, we are going to be criticized and it's because we're likely doing something right. As a "people pleaser" who sadly, really hates being criticized, this was pearl of wisdom that I tucked away from the day because #Truth.

Marla Aufmuth/ Getty Images for The Massachusetts Conference for Women

Mallika Chopra was my treasure of the day, you know that one lady you didn't know you needed to hear from. I had sauntered/waddled over from Glennon's sesh and sat down front and center to get in on Mallika's Living with Intent: My Somewhat Messy Journey to Purpose, Peace and Joy. I'd not experienced any of Mallika's previous talks nor had I read any of her writing, whether in books, her site or on Intent.com.  I think this "blank canvas" of sorts helped me take the sweet, humble, friendly words that Mallika spoke and molded them to the current state of my life. It's easy to say that we want to live with intention, with purpose but it's a completely different animal living that in our everyday lives. I find myself struggling to keep on track, not getting mired down in the negativity and self imposed stress that can sometimes overtake my days. Mallika gave us some exercises, led a group meditation and overall inspired me to, yet again, take control of my business and move it in the direction that I want it to go. I snagged her book, got that bad boy signed obviously and told Mallika in the calmest manner that I could muster that I really appreciated her message and that it was something that I needed to hear. She seemed to genuinely enjoy that feedback and I went on with my day, gushing to anyone who would listen to me, because when you crush on someone immediately, it's usually for good reason.

Marla Aufmuth/ Getty Images for The Massachusetts Conference for Women

At the end of this long day at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, I was certainly glad that I went, despite being completely exhausted (hello, 8 months pregnant over here!). I didn't attend necessarily to further my career, get help with my resume or any of those professional tracks (which are great, don't get me wrong)... I attended with my personal development in mind and I left with a better sense of self and my inner woman of power. We all have the power to move the needle, whether it's in our careers or our every day lives. It's up to us to feel empowered and to do things that will keep us empowered to make a difference not just in our own lives but in those around us as well. I sincerely recommend attending events like this one, local to you, or even online because personal development is an awesome thing. I promise you that. Next on my woman of power to do list? Having this baby!

What's your favorite way to call out your "woman of power"?

Mass Mutual realPERSPECTIVES

*This post was sponsored by Massachusetts Mutual Financial Group (MassMutual). All opinions are my own.

When MassMutual reached out to me to take a personal look at my financial health, as a millennial with a young family already established, I thought it might be a little late at this point to discuss our finances in a major way. We own a home and have 401ks so we’re good, right? Well, not exactly. What I learned through the realPERSPECTIVES campaign is that it’s never too late to take your financial wellness into consideration and you can always improve… because yes, being confident with money, investments and your insurance is a form of wellness. That’s how I choose to look at it and I think you should as well.

Propah tip: Educate yourself. I started with the MassMutual Facebook quiz, to see how much I really knew, or rather how financially savvy I am, in 11 quick questions. I thought for sure I would ace it because I consider myself to be an intelligent woman. Well, I only scored 7 out of 11. I was actually kind of bummed that I didn’t do better. That being said, I knew where my knowledge was lacking and was able to tackle some new-ish topics that I didn’t know about except for on a basic level. Like I mentioned before, we have 401k’s but after viewing MassMutual’s Retirement To Do List, I was much more aware of the reasons behind what my husband has been telling me about my retirement contributions and financial priorities. If you’re reading this honey, I’m sorry I wasn’t a better student until now but am vowing to keep myself up on our financial health!

Propah tip: Don’t be discouraged by temporary setbacks or bumps in the road. We are parents of a feisty toddler and have our second baby on the way any day now. It’s an interesting position to be in, not super young any more but not close to retirement. We wanted what a lot of millennial home buyers wanted, to find our special place in the suburbs. We wanted to start a family somewhere cozy and secure. We wanted to save for retirement while also living comfortably. A very important part of this vision was to be financially stable and to make smart choices for our future, building our financial pyramid, if you will. One thing we are always talking about is how we need to start to put money aside for the kids’ education. We’re actually kind of disappointed in ourselves that we didn’t get our act together sooner but are now motivated to make it happen. Yes, we could have got the ball rolling earlier but when dealing with your finances, don’t get discouraged, we just have to keep on truckin’ towards our set goals, even if there are setbacks.

At the end of the day, you and only you can take responsibility for your financial goals. Whether you’re still paying off student loans, looking for financial security, searching for your first home or trying to build and protect a young family *raises hand*, it’s super important to know what decisions you have to make and more importantly the why behind those decisions. We eat healthy, exercise, try to lower stress so why not add the financial element into our personal wellness? It’s the smart thing to do and while not as zen as yoga, being financially strong will allow our family to be flexible now and in the future.

Did you take the quiz? How did you do? Like me, did you have areas to work on?

Cheat Sheet: Pregnancy Skincare Must Haves

You guys, pregnancy is not the most glamorous thing to ever happen to a woman's body. I know that they say that pregnant women have a "glow" and while that may be true for some, this Mama and Mama to be has needed to keep her skin in check throughout the course of the pregnancy. I have some of my normal skincare faves that have seen me through and I've had to supplement some new items into the rotation but I've found the perfect combination of items that have kept me looking the best I can at this point! 

To make note, every woman's skin is different and heck, it changes based on our hormones whether we're pregnant or not so sometimes it's best to try different things. A lot of brands will even give you samples if you ask them. You can also head into stores like Follain or Detox Market, if you live in those areas. They are always happy to help you find what works for you. OK so back to what I recommend? I love all of these brands, for real and I urge you to check them out regardless.

Organic Bath Co.'s PeaceFull Organic Body Butter and Stress Less Organic Body Oil: First of all, the smell. So glorious and full of lavender that I just can't help but be drawn to it... pregnancy is a funny thing though. Smells are like a major deal and if something smells even a bit "off", you just won't want to use it! Besides loving the smell, this duo has kept my skin super moisturized, especially as the seasons have changed and my usual preggo dry skin is getting Winterized. I keep a large jar of body butter in the bathroom and the travel size at my work desk for any spot treatments! Full Body Honorable Mention: Thesis Beauty Organic Lavender Fields Body Oil

Khaki's Bomb Balm Flower Power Healing Toner: Since starting to get regular facials, my esthetician has given me a routine to follow after cleansing. She's especially recommended things due to the discoloration that I've been experiencing on my face due to #PregnancyHormones so I've been really trying to work things in that may not have been there before... toner is one of those things. I met Khaki at the W.E.L.L. Summit so decided to give her toner a try... and I love it! She herself is an esthetician, makes her skincare in small batches and best of all, she's local and you know that I'm always on board for that. Toner Honorable Mention: Jacques Organics Balancing Carrot con Leche Face Toner.

Thesis Beauty Lullaby for Dry Skin: I think it's safe to assume that everything I am recommending comes with the same passing grade on "smell". This face oil, being directly under my nose, smells great and isn't overpowering. This face oil has been a part of my normal routine and has seamlessly remained in said routine because of it's ability to moisturize without leaving my face feeling greasy. It absorbs quickly so that I can move on with my facial routine and my day. Facial Serum Honorable Mention: Josh Rosebrook Herbal Infusion Serum

Splurge Skincare Melted Buttah Repair Balm: This is one of those handy little jars that I've been bringing with me everywhere, especially recently because #ColdSeason. I use this for my cuticles, I use this for my raw nose nostrils (from all the tissues, glamorous I know), I use this on a itchy scratch elbow. It really is very multi-purpose and has a light and sweet scent that I love... I really think it's the smell that has made this my pregnancy favorite all purpose balm. Repair Balm Honorable Mentions: Skincando Combat-Ready Balm (my usual go to) and Organic Bath Nourish Night Balm

Derma e Psorzema Body Wash: Itchy, Itchy, Itchy, Itchy... it's what can happen when your body is all like hey, we have to keep growing this baby so something's got to give. I, personally, felt WAY itchy this pregnancy so had to combat it from a couple of different angles. This derma e body wash is technically geared towards those with dermatitis and the like but it's a natural, gentle formula that cleanses away scaling and flaking skin while soothing itchiness, redness and irritation on the bod... so yeah, thumbs up.

True Moringa Calming Bath Soak: Taking a bath... it's a small luxury that I don't take advantage of quite enough but I did enjoy trying one of my fave local brands newest creations and used my delicate state as a reason to take the time out for the extra self care. This calming bath soak has THE MOST AMAZING smell (see a theme here?) and when you sprinkle this under your hot water, it makes for the most aromatic and relaxing bath that just calms and soothes the skin. I've also got it in my head that I can do a facial steam with this over the sink but haven't yet tried it... but me thinks it will be amazing. It's really one of my fave "new finds" and it's like creating a spa at home!

21 Drops Sleep Blend: I can't say enough about 21 Drops, especially the sleep blend. It's absolutely the best at calming me down at sleepy time. I've tried other essential oil blends and this one is my favorite. Roll a little on my wrists, under my nose and at my temples and breathing deeply as I lay down is a great calming routine in itself but I truly believe that there is power in essential oils.

What are some of your favorite recommendations for Mama's to Be? I'd love to get your feedback, though this may be the last time I'm personally pregnant! 

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Local Lovin': Boston Baubles

Have you heard of Boston Baubles? I had seen some girls about town sporting their goods so took a moment to reach out to them about what they were looking to do. As a lover of baubles, and girl power, and local love, they are just about my favorite kind of small business to discover! I had the chance to chat with Laura, the founder of Boston Baubles about what they've got cookin' over there and just as an FYI, they have the cutest, classy and perfect gifts for that special lady in your life (hint hint husband 😉). I love a dainty necklace that's as much a statement piece as something a little more colorful. The Boston Baubles team has got me covered, obviously.

Give us a little background as to how Boston Baubles came about. What initially drove you to start your brand? 

Boston Baubles started a long time ago, but products weren't sold publicly until recently.  I had a small studio in my parents basement where I would go to make jewelry in my spare time. It started as a hobby and then grew into a small business.  I don't make all the pieces anymore and now we offer a lot more products.  The original designs were all very custom and most of them had magnet clasps.  My mom and I were training for a triathlon at the time and we came up with this design for athletes who needed a way to take them on and off quickly.  Most of our earlier customers loved this aspect, but as the brand grew, we evolved to cover more styles and went with a more generic clasp.  It's been really fun trying different things and listening to what our customers want/love.  People reach out to us with ideas and we do our best to bring them to life.  Making something custom that means something - that's the best part!

When creating your products, where do you take inspiration from? 

Our inspiration comes from other people.  We have a group of ambassadors who inspire us with their style and ideas.  The most popular jewelry are pieces that mean something.  For example, a bar necklace with a grandparent's name or the coordinates of home.  It's inspiration you can wear with you all the time.

I love that you have shaped your business to connect with a simple yet classic design aesthetic. Why is this important to you?

I think minimalist designs work with every time of person and are easy to layer with more dramatic pieces.  We have a variety of all kinds, because we recognize that each person is different and has their own style.  We love how unique you can make a product with your own initials or name.  Customization is something we try to encourage as a brand.

What do you love to do in New England, when you aren't busy running your business?

My full time job is working as a financial analyst in healthcare.  It's not as exciting as fashion, but I do love it!  I get to crunch data and work with really amazing people.

You have certainly found some fantastic early success! Where do you see Boston Baubles headed in the future?

I love this question!  I think it's a hard one to answer, because I have so many hopes and dreams for the company.  Ideally, I'd love to find a way to create a community of women who inspire and empower each other.  From there, I'd like to figure out a way to give back to the community.  My mom is a two-time breast cancer survivor, so I'd really love to help raise money for cancer research and other charities in the area.

You can shop all their goodies here. More good news, they're on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Bonus: They're also accepting applications for ambassadors which seems so fun, right? So if you're a blogger or influencer, head over and introduce yourself!

Propah Prosperity Project, Day 40

For 40 days, I will make it a priority to wake up early or make the time at lunch to meditate and create with positive vibes. Taking the inspiration from my mala making session, I will meditate on my purpose for the day while also focusing on positive energy and the things that I am grateful for (which isn't always easy for me). Since I love the energy of "good vibes", I obviously want to share them with others, so for the 40 days of this practice, I will create a mala bracelet a day, focusing on what I love about them/how I appreciate them and send a note of positivity on to that specific person (and also literally using the USPS). I will also share with my readers about that person and in short what it is about them that I admire. My goal is to bring Prosperity, as in the state of good fortune, comfort and well-being to both myself and my people. I ordered some special beads that had meaning and also decided to incorporate ones that I have been collecting over the years from vintage vendors, flea markets and the like. I wanted these to be special and personal, so that if the recipient did want to use them as prayer beads or worry beads (more likely my use), they'd have something special to hold.

Today is the last day of the Propah Prosperity Project, can you believe it? I've kept on track with all 40 days and have managed to make it to the post office about 15-20 times in said 40 day Lol. I thought it would be special to do a three generational bracelet set for my Aunt Nancy, Cousin Ashley and Ashley's daughter Addy. They all live in North Carolina so I don't get to see them very often but that doesn't mean that I don't think of them all the time. They are three gals who are full of personality, are lovers of fun (I mean, they reeeeally get into Halloween) and are deserving of the love that I've sent along to them. I hope they know how much I miss them! For their bracelets, I used some wooden beads, glass beads, serpentine and green jasper. Jasper is a stone of grounding and stability, providing comfort and security, strength and healing.

Be sure to keep up with the entire series, all 40 days worth!

The Importance of Giving Back, Day Five

Every day this week, myself, along with other bloggers/content creators are banding together to show why it's important to each and every one of us to "give back". Giving back to your community or causes that are important to you and your family is something that not only leaves you feeling good but truly can make an impact in people's lives. We've all pooled together our own money to make donations to a different, very worthwhile charity each day this week. We aren't millionaires and we can all certainly say that we are busy but we thought it was important at this time of year to show that being charitable isn't something we do to be stylish, it's something we do because we care about others less fortunate than we are. Along with our donations, we encourage you to make small donations yourself (just click on through) because every little but counts. We promise, it will make you feel awesome... and because we like to have a little fun as well, there's a giveaway each day! You heard me- each day, a fantastic brand, who believed this was an amazingly cool and worthy project is offering up a giveaway to the readers who visited to learn about a great charity, some fabulous ladies and a cool brand. Today we are teaming up with The Third Piece to support Action Against Hunger! Make sure to click through each gal's picture to visit their site and maybe give them a shout out for being so awesome!

Today's donation was made to Action Against Hunger- USA, a great charity that is working hard to ensure that people's basic health and wellness needs are met. Action Against Hunger saves the lives of severely malnourished children while helping vulnerable communities become self-sufficient. With more than 6,500 staff in over 45 countries, their programs in nutrition, food security and livelihoods, and water, sanitation, and hygiene reached more than 14.9 million people last year. If that isn't a charity worth supporting, then I don't know what kind is!

So what else is amazing about this series? Besides the amazing women and their commitments to giving back? We're working with brands who wanted to be involved because, well, they are awesome too and wanted to get in on the fun of spreading good cheer, good vibes and bringing attention to charities that we've personally donated to! Today, Boston local, The Third Piece wants everyone to be snuggly for the cold weather! They are offering one of their new pieces, The Nantucket, in your choice of color, which is pretty dang amazing because it's gorgeous and hand-knit and so luxurious!

The girls with The Third Piece taught me how to knit but I'll tell you that it's probably a lot quicker to get one straight from someone who can give you the best of the best! Enter in the Rafflecopter below. Giveaway runs until 12/16.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Propah Prosperity Project, Day 39

For 40 days, I will make it a priority to wake up early or make the time at lunch to meditate and create with positive vibes. Taking the inspiration from my mala making session, I will meditate on my purpose for the day while also focusing on positive energy and the things that I am grateful for (which isn't always easy for me). Since I love the energy of "good vibes", I obviously want to share them with others, so for the 40 days of this practice, I will create a mala bracelet a day, focusing on what I love about them/how I appreciate them and send a note of positivity on to that specific person (and also literally using the USPS). I will also share with my readers about that person and in short what it is about them that I admire. My goal is to bring Prosperity, as in the state of good fortune, comfort and well-being to both myself and my people. I ordered some special beads that had meaning and also decided to incorporate ones that I have been collecting over the years from vintage vendors, flea markets and the like. I wanted these to be special and personal, so that if the recipient did want to use them as prayer beads or worry beads (more likely my use), they'd have something special to hold.

Only two days left, I can't believe it! I'm rounding the series out with family members who the positive vibes should always be flowing to. This bracelet is en route to my cousin Jessica, who is currently living in ATL, Holla! She's a sweet, smart, thoughtful and gorgeous girl who is probably one of the top three most stylish people that I know! I mean, a white shirt on her looks so much "cooler" than on me 😄 why, white shirt, whyyyyy?! But seriously, she's a doll and deserves all the positive vibes that I can send to her. For JJ's bracelet, I used a combination of glass, vintage and feldspar. Feldspar helps us to find unconventional and exciting ways to reach our goals. It supports us in issues relating to self-awareness and self-love. Also, interestingly, Feldspar assists in finding misplaced items.... so I hope JJ uses this bracelet when she can't find her keys!

Be sure to keep up with the entire series, all 40 days worth!

The Importance of Giving Back, Day Four

Every day this week, myself, along with other bloggers/content creators are banding together to show why it's important to each and every one of us to "give back". Giving back to your community or causes that are important to you and your family is something that not only leaves you feeling good but truly can make an impact in people's lives. We've all pooled together our own money to make donations to a different, very worthwhile charity each day this week. We aren't millionaires and we can all certainly say that we are busy but we thought it was important at this time of year to show that being charitable isn't something we do to be stylish, it's something we do because we care about others less fortunate than we are. Along with our donations, we encourage you to make small donations yourself (just click on through) because every little but counts. We promise, it will make you feel awesome... and because we like to have a little fun as well, there's a giveaway each day! You heard me- each day, a fantastic brand, who believed this was an amazingly cool and worthy project is offering up a giveaway to the readers who visited to learn about a great charity, some fabulous ladies and a cool brand. Today we are teaming up with Organic Bath Co to support Pajama Program! Make sure to click through each gal's picture to visit their site and maybe give them a shout out for being so awesome!

Today's donation was made to the Pajama Program. Millions of children in America are not able to experience what our own children take for granted. Sleeping in shelters and unfamiliar places, sometimes with no belongings of their own, they are vulnerable and scared. By distributing new pajamas and new books to children in need, the fine people at the Pajama Program are able to help provide children with a comforting, nurturing bedtime and literacy support. Their reading center helps to bridge the 30,000,000 word gap these kids have from their peers and gives these children the opportunity to read one on one with an adult, something they may not otherwise experience. They support children from birth to 18 years of age in foster care, shelters, who have been abused or neglected as well as children in headstart programs. Please take a look at what they're doing. They may not be the most recognized charity but what they are doing is very good work that has a real impact on real children. 

So what else is amazing about this series? Besides the amazing women and their commitments to giving back? We're working with brands who wanted to be involved because, well, they are awesome too and wanted to get in on the fun of spreading good cheer, good vibes and bringing attention to charities that we've personally donated to! Today, Organic Bath has offered some of their amazing, natural bath and body products to the series. You may know that I love Organic Bath products but what I love more so is the people behind the brand, equally passionate and charitable. They's giving away one of their limited edition Chocolate Lovers Gift sets, valued at $54 *fist pump*. OBC is a brand with heart so I am so happy that they were on board to help support a bunch of ladies looking to do good this Season! Enter in the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Propah Prosperity Project, Day 38

For 40 days, I will make it a priority to wake up early or make the time at lunch to meditate and create with positive vibes. Taking the inspiration from my mala making session, I will meditate on my purpose for the day while also focusing on positive energy and the things that I am grateful for (which isn't always easy for me). Since I love the energy of "good vibes", I obviously want to share them with others, so for the 40 days of this practice, I will create a mala bracelet a day, focusing on what I love about them/how I appreciate them and send a note of positivity on to that specific person (and also literally using the USPS). I will also share with my readers about that person and in short what it is about them that I admire. My goal is to bring Prosperity, as in the state of good fortune, comfort and well-being to both myself and my people. I ordered some special beads that had meaning and also decided to incorporate ones that I have been collecting over the years from vintage vendors, flea markets and the like. I wanted these to be special and personal, so that if the recipient did want to use them as prayer beads or worry beads (more likely my use), they'd have something special to hold.

I'm sending some positivity to my sweet cous Dani and her daughter Abby today. They live in Virginia and I only get to see them a couple times a year at best but I think of them super often. Dani is one of those gals who marches to the beat of her own drummer, seriously. We have long joked in our family about Dani saying it like it is but she's also so kind and funny, thoughtful and complimentary. She always lights up a room when she's around and to be honest, she makes me feel happy every single time I see her. That's the kind of lady that she is. For Dani and Abby's bracelets, I used some of the Czech glass beads I'd been hoarding as well as some Earth jasper. Supreme nurturing vibes over to you!

Be sure to keep up with the entire series, all 40 days worth!

The Importance of Giving Back, Day Three

Every day this week, myself, along with other bloggers/content creators are banding together to show why it's important to each and every one of us to "give back". Giving back to your community or causes that are important to you and your family is something that not only leaves you feeling good but truly can make an impact in people's lives. We've all pooled together our own money to make donations to a different, very worthwhile charity each day this week. We aren't millionaires and we can all certainly say that we are busy but we thought it was important at this time of year to show that being charitable isn't something we do to be stylish, it's something we do because we care about others less fortunate than we are. Along with our donations, we encourage you to make small donations yourself (just click on through) because every little but counts. We promise, it will make you feel awesome... and because we like to have a little fun as well, there's a giveaway each day! You heard me- each day, a fantastic brand, who believed this was an amazingly cool and worthy project is offering up a giveaway to the readers who visited to learn about a great charity, some fabulous ladies and a cool brand. Today we are teaming up with The Paper Store to support the Breast Cancer Foundation!

Today's donation was made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to achieving prevention and a cure for breast cancer. They provide critical funding for cancer research worldwide to fuel advances in tumor biology, genetics, prevention, treatment, metastasis and survivorship. In 2016-2017, the BCRF will award $57 million in annual grants to more than 250 scientists from top universities and medical institutions around the globe. In addition, BCRF has established the Evelyn H. Lauder Founder’s Fund, a multi-year international program dedicated to metastasis that is the first large-scale global effort to unravel the biology of metastasis, with more than $30 million earmarked to date. It is the largest privately funded project exclusively focused on metastasis in the world. But they still have more to work to do and that's why we support them today.

So what else is amazing about this series? Besides the amazing women and their commitments to giving back? We're working with brands who wanted to be involved because, well, they are awesome too and wanted to get in on the fun of spreading good cheer, good vibes and bringing attention to charities that we've personally donated to! Today, The Paper Store has offered one reader the opportunity to help out with their holiday gift giving by giving away a $100 gift card!

Dude, I love The Paper Store. I go in there and am always able to find something that I didn't know I needed but am so happy to have found. My friends at The Paper Store have graciously offered $100 to shop in store or online for greeting cards, ornaments, gifts, apparel, toys, accessories and so much more! I'm super excited for whoever wins this one! Enter in the Rafflecopter below, open to US/Canada residents. Giveaway closes 12/13.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to stop back by tomorrow for a new batch of ladies, a new charity and a great new giveaway!