Favorites and Holiday Season Highlights So Far

Hi friend, and Happy December!

It’s officially here—the time of year when twinkling lights, gatherings, and endless to-do lists fill our calendars. As we step into this festive season, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the added celebrations, shopping and holiday treats. But hey, the good news is this space was created to take a pause, share lighthearted chatter and life tidbits and hopefully help you prepare for the weeks ahead in mindful way.

November was anything but a regular schedule in our neck of the woods, and it feels like we’re still in the midst of chaos … but in a beautiful way filled with milestone life events and celebrations. I’m here for it.

In today’s post, I’m sharing some favorite moments, practices and highlights from last month that are worth a feature. Grab your go-to cozy drink and let’s dive in!

Favorites and Holiday Season Highlights So Far

• 3 simple ways to reduce stress + stay balanced during the holidays

The holidays are here! With all the joy and excitement also comes a bit of extra hustle and stress. It’s easy to get swept up in the busy-ness of the season, but taking a few small steps to care for yourself can make a big difference in how you feel. Here are three simple tips to help you manage stress, stay energized and feel more balanced throughout the holiday season.

• Keep healthy snacks on hand – when you’re on the go, it’s easy to grab whatever’s nearby. Prepping a few balanced snacks (think nuts, fruit, dried fruit and veggies) can help keep your energy steady, so you’re less likely to crash or feel overwhelmed.

• Swap candles for an oil diffuser – essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus are perfect for setting a calming vibe without an open flame or exposure to harmful chemicals. Diffusing oils is an easy way to unwind and create a cozy, stress-free atmosphere at home. I’m loving this hand-blown glass diffuser that changes colors in the living room and this portable one by my desk in the bedroom.

• Take a 5-minute recharge break – Yes, it’s hectic, but even a few minutes of downtime can make a big difference in managing stress! Find a quiet corner to breathe, stretch or just sip your favorite warm drink with a few deep breaths. It may sound cheesy, but this really does wonders for me — why not give it a try.

These small changes add up to help you feel your best during the holidays.

[Shout out to NOW Foods for the go-to healthy snacks, essential oils and diffusers featured in this video! Use the code PEACE40 for $40 off $125 or more, and PEACE20 for $20 off $70 or more now through 12/9.]

Check out my video with more peeks into the products here and let me know which tip you’re trying first in the comments!

• celebratory girls’ weekend in Scottsdale, AZ

I landed from a very delayed redeye home from Phoenix last Monday morning, but it was one hundred percent worth the tired start to the week. One of my best and lifelong friends, Brittany, turned 40 and I was so thankful that it worked out in our schedules for me to fly out and spend the weekend with her.

This girls’ weekend was exactly what we all needed—a chance to celebrate our birthday girl and the incredible friendships that have stood the test of time. (I’ve known Brittany and Missy since we were in preschool and creative movement ballet classes together at the age of 3!) I don’t know how it’s possible that we’ve now been friends for 37 years, yet we’re all still 21 … but here we are. 😉 hehe.

From hiking adventures that got us moving and an taking in incredible mountain scenes (love Pinnacle Peak Trail), to nostalgic moments while flipping through old notes and yearbooks, every second felt special. Throw in great tickets to see Usher live (he never disappoints!) and some time by the pool and hot tub, and it was the perfect blend of fun, relaxation, and celebration.

Cheers to another decade of forever friendships, unforgettable laughs, and sweet memories that make life so much brighter with you all!

(Some restaurants and stops worth mentioning include a post-hike beverage at Arizona Frozé, light bites and happy hour specials at Postino WineCafe, and dinner at Wren and Wolf in Downtown Pheonix.)

• clean beauty Cyber Monday deals

Beautycounter announced their Cyber Monday discounts so I wanted to share the details of what you need to know and make sure you saw the perks.

(This recent blog post breaks down more details on the current status of the company and my status as a consultant, so go back and read that one if you’re interested in being in the loop.)

The most important thing to note is you can now shop your favorite Beautycounter products at 35% off, plus extra perks for a limited time! NOW – December 3rd @ 11:59 p.m. PST, you’ll have access to beloved products and even some holiday sets from previous years – all fresh and ready for gifting (or for treating yourself).

• get a free gift (or gifts) with your purchase – Spend $125 or more and get a free Mini Reflect Efffect AHA Smoothing Facial Mask, and spend $200 or more and and get a free Countertime Retinatural Plus Super Serum (this is the new product!).
• 35% off sitewide – this discount is now available for *today and tomorrow only* so take advantage.
• get 40% off fragrance products – and get a free rollerball of the same scent for every full-size fragrance purchased.
• free standard ground shipping – any order $50 or more will get you free standard ground shipping (normally $6.75).

Since the company is in the midst of re-launching, inventory isn’t as full as it will be next year, so I recommend shopping as soon as you’re ready. Please know I’m here to help with any questions, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

• celebratory weekend in St. Augustine + Jacksonville Beach, FL

We recently spent a few days in sunny Florida, and it was such a special trip!

The main event was Scott’s niece’s wedding at the Clay Theater in Green Cove Springs, and it was gorgeous. The venue was stunning, the ceremony was so heartfelt, and the reception was an absolute blast. There’s nothing like celebrating love with family, and this wedding was the cutest.

Two of my best friends from middle and high school live nearby, so we extended our trip to spend a few nights with each of them during this trip. It was so much fun catching up, staying up late laughing about old memories, and just enjoying some much-needed quality time. Friends who’ve known you since forever truly are the best.

We also spent a day at my aunt’s ranch in St. Augustine, and it was a treat to also see my immediate family who drove up (two hours north of Orlando) to hang with us. Wandering around her beautiful property, hanging out with her animals and soaking up the sunshine felt like a nice mid-November reset.

Between the wedding festivities, reconnecting with old friends, and spending time with both sides of the family, the trip was a little whirlwind of love and joy. It was exactly what my heart needed before diving into the wild holiday season in New York!

• Strength, Power & Stability Circuit Workout

Yesterday’s workout at the gym had me challenged in many different ways with stability, strength and power moves, so I wanted to share it with you. ⁣⁣

All you need for this one is a stability ball and a medium and medium-heavy set of dumbbells. You might need a lighter set for the skull crushers (I used 10s), but you can make it work with what you’ve got … you can always substitute an overhead triceps extension with one heavier dumbbell if you don’t have access to a lighter set.

⁣⁣Follow the reps as listed and complete the following exercises as one circuit for three rounds. The full workout took me just under 30 minutes to complete, but please rest when you need to and take your time. It’s okay if it takes you 45 minutes or longer!

EXERCISE BREAKDOWN

dumbbell press jacks

stability ball roll outs

single leg forward toe touches

stability ball dumbbell chest presses

single arm dumbbell rows

single leg dumbbell hammer curls

stability ball dumbbell skull crushers

dumbbell alternating curtsey lunges

wall sit (option to hold weight)

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Disclaimer: If you’re new to strength training, please make sure that you’re cleared by a doctor before you try this. Modify when needed, take breaks when your body needs them and reach out with any questions!⁣

• Thanksgiving 2024 in NYC

Speaking of the holidays, here’s a peek into our small and low-key Thanksgiving this year.

We planned to attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person, but the cold and rainy forecast encouraged otherwise. Instead of braving that, we bundled up with breakfast on the couch and watched the parade on television with zero regrets. I headed out to the West Village late-morning to teach a client and made lunch reservations to celebrate the holiday with Scott and Skyler afterwards.

There were plenty of places to choose from, and I booked a table for us at Pera Soho the day before. Other restaurants offered a pre-fix Thanksgiving Day menu, but I liked the style of this Mediterranean spot that gave the option of ordering off of the regular menu and/or the Thanksgiving menu à la carte.

(It was adorable and the food was delicious, so I’d recommend the restaurant for sure.)

After lunch we walked around Little Italy and Chinatown, found some great macaroons at Sweet Moment and then headed back home for an evening of holiday movies and popcorn on the pullout sofa. Finding and making time for calm and chill moments in between the big ones is important to balance it all out!

• thoughts on Wicked, Part I

Have you seen the Wicked movie yet?! We took Skyler the day I got back from Arizona and I wanted to share my thoughts on bringing him and if he enjoyed it as a six-year-old.

First of all, I loved it and will probably be seeing it again. Wizard of Oz was one of my favorite movies growing up, and I’ve seen the show On Broadway three times. (It’s so good!) The storyline stays incredibly true to the original show, capturing all the heart, complexity and magic that made the musical so iconic.

Second, the acting was great. Cynthia Erivo brought such depth to Elphaba, and Ariana Grande surprised me in the best way as Glinda, her comedic timing and charm were perfect. But what really floored me was finding out that all of the singing in the movie was done live on set! Yep, those stunning vocal performances weren’t pre-recorded, and it makes every note feel that much more raw and real.

Since watching, I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of “did you know?” content about the movie. There are so many clever ties to The Wizard of Oz woven in, and I love that the movie celebrates its roots while carving its own path. Knowing there’s a Part Two coming in 2025 gets me excited!

Something I wasn’t prepared for, however, was the 2 hour and 40 minute run time … and this just covered Part One, or Act I of the show! All of that said, there were a few moments where Skyler was anxious and sleepy, but he seemed to really enjoy the movie and is looking forward to Part Two as well. 10/10 recommend!

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All right, I’m going to wrap things up there for today and wish you a great week ahead filled with things to do, nothing to do and some solid holiday leftovers. Thanks for reading today!

You can follow along for more workout inspo, daily eats, outings, real talk and more over on Instagram in between posts over here.

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What’s one highlight or favorite thing you’ve celebrated lately?

Anything fun to share about Thanksgiving?

(Share below in the comments!)

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*Disclaimer: The first portion of this post is sponsored by NOW Foods. As always, all opinions remain my own, and I will only promote products and brands that fully align with the Life In Leggings mission of sharing simple and trusted healthy living advice. Also, I am a Beautycounter consultant and by using the links provided in this post to order products, you are supporting my business and family. 

I always appreciate you!