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My family and I are in the thick of transitions right now, as we make our move to Columbus, OH, to be closer to family and an opportunity that came up. The big moving day is quickly approaching and while I feel fueled by adrenaline and excitement, I'm also someone who's easily influenced by overwhelm. And it's the moments like these, when I lean on my tools to ground down more than ever. The things that help us connect or bring us home are unique to each of us, but they are sacred and always worth protecting. Change is inevitable. And it shows up in large and small ways every day. Here's a few things that I've been leaning into through these big changes
While these tools may not be perfect to your needs, my hope is that they cause you to pause and listen to the things that do bring you connection and peace. And that you find the space to lean into those things and to protect your ground in the moments of big change, transition or overwhelm. xo Bailey  WHAT I'M REPEATING:
May we be happy May we be free May we ride the waves of life with grace and ease May we know peace
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This comes from one of my favorite kids books, Dear Boy. Personally, I find this reminder suiting for the new year. We're into a new decade now, you guys! Happy New Year! And oh my... it can feel BIG. Now I know I'm naturally sensitive to overwhelm, but the new year can bring up so much pressure to make a change, to have big plans and to determine all of our goals that we wish to accomplish in the coming year. Don't get me wrong, I am a HUGE advocate of goal setting. I know and have experienced the value of it, but only when the timing is right. When you are truly open to it. I don't know about you, but I typically need a good month to process the new year. I need time to recover from the holiday season, get my feet back on the ground and to really be curious about what arises. Sometimes it's comes in a visualization, sometimes a feeling, sometimes a mantra and sometimes a word that continues to cross my mind. What's the point of all this? My reminder to you that it's OK not to know what's ahead. It's OK to not have all the answers. It's OK to sit in the uncomfortable space between movement and reflection. I have learned, and continue to be reminded that the answers will come, time will tell and the Universe has your back. So what if we pushed the external pressures aside and gave ourselves [space] to be still and listen? To pursue our dreams and to always trust magic, as Paris Rosenthal states? xo Bailey
WHAT I'M EXCITED TO SHARE: I know it can be daunting to transition away from your favorite makeup brands, but I also know how important it is to make {safer} choices in what you put on your skin. If you have a clean brand you love - congrats! If you're still searching, I'd love to share the 'Flawless in Five' collection (above) from BeautyCounter. It's a six-piece customizable makeup set... AND it comes with a FREE retractable foundation brush until January 27! As always, I offer 10% back (via venmo or paypal) for first-time BeautyCounter customers and all members get free shipping + 10% back in product credit! WHAT I'M READING: Lately, I've been attempting to simultaneously read one book for fun and another for growth. This started when I was trying to read Daring Greatly last year before bed and I realized personal growth does not need to happen as my head hits the pillow. While it takes me longer to finish books, I'm loving this new rhythm and this is a favorite, as of late: REVOLUTION OF THE SOUL - Seane Corn If you're not familiar with Seane Corn, please get to know her. Not only is she a highly respected yoga teacher, but an activist who provides some raw honesty. It's incredibly interesting IMO.  IT'S BEEN A MINUTE! Well... this is the first time, in over three years, that I let three months pass between monthly newsletters! We'll call this the quarterly update - haha. A little about what I've been up to - TRUTH. I am so grateful for where this life has taken me and it also became apparent that I needed to be honest with myself. This summer demanded extra attention on myself, my sweet little boys, my {incredibly} supportive husband and my family, so I listened and did just that. I have worked to consistently reconnect to my own inner truth and from there, to determine what's next. It hasn't always been super clear, in fact it's been quite unsettling and frustrating at times, but it's been my personal commitment to myself. Where do I need to go next? While I can't predict the future, it's become apparent that it's time to reset, to shed some weight and to connect to the things that do feel true. The weight I speak of is the weight of the things that don't feel connected to my truth. To release the things that are no longer in service of my needs and to let go of the things I'm holding *so tightly* onto. Just as trees naturally shed the weight of their leaves each year, this season is that of letting go. F A L L And may I note, this practice of letting go is a necessary step towards growth. I truly believe that we, as humans, all strive to be better versions of ourselves and that we each deeply desire to be our best. With that, we need to let go of things that keep us comfortable and stagnant to do just that. Step by step - day by day ;) It's a beautiful thing! There's a great quote from Oprah (because you know I just adore her) that I'll leave you with and ask you to consider... Don’t hold anything too tightly Just wish for it Want it Let it come from the intention of real truth for you And then let it go - Oprah What do you have the space and willingness to leave behind? xo Bailey
BEAUTYCOUNTER FALL IS HERE!
My skin doesn't love the transition to Fall (hello dull, dry patches), does yours? There are some great {safer} options and brand new sets, now available through BeautyCounter! And who could ever go wrong with a little horoscope match? I love this one! As always, I offer 10% back (via venmo or paypal) for first-time BeautyCounter customers and all members get free shipping + 10% back in product credit! The hustle and bustle of life can catch up to us, over time or in a moment’s notice, and the options on how we seek relief can be endless. For some, a trip to the beach with a cocktail is just what’s needed, and for others, maybe it’s a yoga and wellness retreat that feels utterly relaxing and rejuvenating. If yoga and wellness is your thing, then Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health may need to be queued up as your next destination. Kripalu is an education and retreat space at its core and the largest of its kind in the United States. It’s nestled deep in the Berkshires in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and is filled with mindfulness, daily yoga and meditation offerings with notable Kripalu School of Yoga teachers, hiking trails and delicious food.  We're halfway through 2019 - can you believe it? This summer has been off to a quick start - full of adventures and new experiences - and just like that we're into July. I never understood the need for a giant whiteboard calendar for everyone in the house to see, but it's becoming more and more appealing these days. Ha. The summer season can bring up a lot of movement and so it can be helpful to consistently check in. And I'm not talking about the polite "How are you? Good." check in, but a deeper "How is my heart?" check in. You can look at this as a time to turn your attention internally and to get really clear and honest with whatever it is that shows up. From there, maybe you'll experience a little more clarity or connection as you march forward into the hot and sunny summer days ahead. So, how is your heart today? xo Bailey I'm coming to you after a week of R&R at Kripalu Yoga and Health Center. *exhale* This center is a retreat space at its core. It's nestled deep in the Berkshires in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, filled with mindfulness, daily yoga and meditation with some incredible teachers, hiking trails, zero phone/technology distraction, delicious food and silent breakfasts. It’s lovely. Although I did spend my final night here on the treadmill, blaring Lizzo through my AirPods and sweating up a storm (phew humidity, I’ve missed you) because sometimes a kick in the pants is what’s needed on a quiet and reflective getaway. Not sure if that’s the point? I am so grateful to have had this time (and more to come in the future on this magical place), but I've certainly been curious since being here... how can I sustain these practices that I've learned here in the "real" world. We’re zippers. What do I mean? There's a metaphor from psychologist and meditation teacher Tara Brach, that I read in Deep Listening by Jillian Pransky, which feels true from this moment of observation. "It's like we're in a motorboat noisily zipping around, trying to find a place that is quiet, peaceful, and still. We're solving a problem, responding to demands, preparing for what's next, improving ourselves. But we're just making more waves and noise wherever we go. It counters all our ambitious conditioning, but true freedom comes when we throttle back the motor and come naturally to stillness." So where can we throttle back the motor and resist the urge to 'seek' the stillness by making more waves? We live in a fast paced world, pulled in many directions with a lot of distractions. But there are always moments to pause. And maybe the pauses can become more about being, rather than doing. If there's one thing I take from this experience, it's what I leave you with today: a little + often = a lot xo Bailey  KRIPALU DAILY ROUTINES
As recommended here at Kripalu, I've experimented with these Ayurvedic inspired principles, some of which I've already practiced for years, and wanted to share them with you, too. Maybe you chose one or a few to begin and consider how you feel.
Moment of truth. I was either pregnant or nursing from 2014 - 2018 and in major avoidance of bra shopping from 2018 - 2019 as pregnancy and nursing both came to a close. While easy to avoid, this resulted in ill fitting undergarments and a lack of self confidence. Why the heck did I care so much about my bra size? I feel fairly confident about my body elsewhere and in truth, I have a personal dedication to being in love with my body as a whole, because I've spent much of my life beating my body down and wishing is was different. The more I thought about my bras, the more this became a more and more ridiculous. So I decided it was finally time to go in and trust in the experts with the tape measure. To get measured, to try on some new undergarments and start fresh. The result? It was what I expected - my body has changed. And in truth, I stood in front of the mirror in my new under garment for many moments nit picking, feeling uncomfortable and still unsure of what the big deal was. I even asked for the sweet sales associate's opinion... And then it sunk in. "Celebrate, Bailey. This body (YOUR body) has birthed and nurtured two healthy little boys. It has carried you through the past 33 years and will continue to carry you through the many years that lie ahead. Who freaking cares what bra size you wear? And inside... be happy with what is. Contentment. Santosha." So there I was in the fitting room, in my new under garments, repeating the niyama "Santosha" over and over in my head. I took a deep breath, I smiled and I chose to move forward in celebration with this body. What is Santosha? It's the second niyama (self-dicipline) and part of the second limb of the Eight Limbs of Yoga from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Santosha is an inner practice of peace and acceptance to what is. It is believed that from a practice of Santosha, happiness can become a choice we make. What we have is enough. Who we are is enough. I know I don't have all the answers and I'm certainly not perfect, but I'm hopeful that this story helps to guide some inner light into areas where the practice of Santosha can show up. Where the choice of happiness and your journey of inner peace can come alive, because I'm right there with you, in my own practice xo Bailey LEMON, LAVENDER, PEPPERMINT The trifecta. Did you know there are more than 101 WAYS to use these three essential oils? I know many of you have essential oils at home, so this month I wanted to share this sweet little guide that gives some easy, simple uses of these oils.  WHY • It started in 2005. I was in my junior year of college, not living my healthiest life by a long shot, but enjoying the moments the best I knew how to at the time. And then I went to the OBGYN for a routine visit and received my 2nd positive pap. It was time for what they call a LEEP procedure (a treatment which prevents cervical cancer and removes abnormal cells from your cervix). All cells came back benign (!) and I went about my early 20s, with the direction from my OBGYN to keep exercising, quit smoking and start using unscented body wash. What? Why did my body wash matter? No clue at the time, so I let it slide. Every 6 months, I went back to the Dr. Some tests were negative and some were positive, but we kept monitoring without much action. In that time, I kept exercising, stopped smoking, but never changed my body wash. During that time, I also experienced an enlarged lymph node in my neck that needed to be removed. Lymph nodes act as filters to remove germs from the body and they help fight infection. Though the nodes removed were also benign (!), I started getting curious about WHY this stuff kept happening. Fast forward to 2012 and two more positive pap tests in a row created the need for a 2nd LEEP procedure. How could this happen again?! We had just moved to Denver, so I entrusted in a brand new Dr to perform the procedure. All the cells came back benign (!) but I was now on a trek to put this to an end. I was about to be married to the love of my life, after all! I kept remembering my OBGYN's comment about switching to unscented body wash, so I got back on the train. I began learning about the ingredients I put in and on my body and stood to make a change for myself. I'm happy to say, two natural, healthy childbirths and ZERO positive tests have come back since making this choice. I'm not sure WHAT exactly changed to stop the trend, but SOMETHING did. And research now shows us the relation to some of those harmful body wash ingredients (ie: FRAGRANCE). And for that, I will continue to advocate for everyone in this world to know what they put into and onto their bodies and to have access to safer options 💗 
True or False?
TRUE TRUE TRUE TRUE! And if you don't yet believe this to be true, I'm here to tell you that now is your time to start believing it. And if you're still questioning it, repeat it to yourself every single day until you know it to be true. We are living in a time that makes it so easy to question our worthiness, our success and our reason for being. We can choose to get stuck down the rabbit hole of limiting beliefs or we can choose to get back in our rhythm. I have recently been gawking over the SuperSoul Conversations Podcast: Your Own Truth episode. Not only because I think Oprah is an incredible spirit guide, magic maker and woman, but because this episode reminds us each of the things we need to hear. It gives us the permission to be ourselves and the reminder we need that we are here on purpose. Period. Our being here matters. And with that, we each are designed with a flow and a rhythm that is all our own. It was designed just for us. And when things get stuck, feel out of sorts and against the flow, it's because they are. And it's our job to listen to these reminders and to get back into our flow and our divine rhythm. So my ask of you, is to listen to this podcast. And then to listen to it again. And then do yourself the favor of reminding yourself every single day, that your being here matters. xo Bailey
CITRUS UP YOUR CUP
So I've been having a love affair with Green Mandarin citrus oil in my water lately, so I wanted to share it with YOU (of course) and also understand WHAT this oil is helpful for. Uses: May help soothe the nervous system when taken internally.* Incorporate into your oral hygiene routine to promote healthy-looking teeth. Take one to two drops to help support healthy immune function and response.* Diffuse with Basil, Sandalwood, Lavender, or Spearmint to experience the positive emotional benefits All citrus oils, like Wild Orange and Lemon, have similar properties to Green Mandarin, which is a fun new spin on your H2O and super simple! I have been recently going through a slew of old photos, calendars, year books, memory boxes, you name it and it has surprisingly brought up some deep compassion for my younger self. You know that feeling when you take a step back into how you felt in certain moments of your life? These were the moments I've been connecting to. While I've explored some personal work with my younger self, as guided by dear mentors, this particular exercise of "tidying up" 3 copies of the same disposable camera photo, mini wallet photos of my middle school crushes and spring break memorabilia, I felt an overwhelming sense of compassion for the girl I was at those moments. It got me to thinking, if I could, what are some things I'd tell my younger self? Many different things have come to mind, but five things specifically keep coming up. 1. Make your own decisions. Looking back, I feel like more often than not, I was worrying about what other people thought of me and if I was going to fit in. I worried if my clothes would impress the kids at my new school, if anyone would notice my weight, if someone was talking about me behind my back... the list of worries go on. Many times this swayed the decisions I made. Dear Bailey - Do what you want. Follow your heart, do what you love and lead your own life. You are the only one who will be there with you through it all. Don't let other people make decisions for you or pressure you into something you don't believe in. 2. You can do hard things. I remember many times when things got hard and I didn't feel like I knew the answers, so I'd quit. Even if I loved what I was doing, it seemed easier to quit. I quit cheerleading, tap dancing, basketball, track & field, the list goes on. This is no way to experience the fear - instead I ran (hard and fast) from it all. Dear Bailey - See the fear in front of you? Move through it. You will make it through this because you are far stronger than you give yourself credit for. You can do hard things. Believe in yourself and know that your growth and strength will meet you on the other side. 3. Be grateful for what you have. I know for certain that I took many of my experiences, my health and privileges for granted. It wasn't until MUCH later in life that I have realized the power of gratitude. Dear Bailey - Take time to relax and reflect, every day. One the things that you are grateful for and allow yourself to feel the gratitude in your heart and in your body. This will forever change your outlook on life. 4. Cherish your healthy relationships. I see, as an adult, that it takes far more effort to build relationships than it did during my school years. I also know that the people in my life, now, are here with great purpose and because I want them to be. Dear Bailey - Only let people into your life who lift you up, who are cheering you on and who believe in you. All the others will find their own path. And the people who you choose to keep in your life, let them know often just how much they mean to you. 5. You are loved, more than enough and extremely special, JUST as you are. Dear Bailey - You are loved, more than enough and extremely special, JUST as you are. xo Bailey (33 years old)  LAUNDRY SOAP
Alright friends, this is literally the EASIEST laundry soap recipe to make and it lasts a long time! I love that there are simple, clean and effective ingredients that get out the deepest layers of snot and dirt from #toddlers. Ingredients: 1 cup Castile soap 1 cup baking soda 1/3 cup coarse salt 20 drops essential oils (I love On Guard + Citrus Bliss) 7.5 quarts of hot water Bucket Storage Containers Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together in bucket Pour into storage containers Use about 1/2 c per load Shake & Wash *I like to keep a shakeable juice container as my "active" container and then I store the remainder in glass covered containers; original recipe courtesy of HOL:FIT |
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