Latest Favorites :: Celebrations and Winter Highlights

Hi and Happy Spring!

It’s been a miiiinute since we’ve chatted over a new batch of favorites, and while it’s not exactly Friday, I figured it was as good of a time as ever to catch up a bit. It’s hard to believe that we are already into April already. Like, how?

This year has already flown by, and I’ve managed to document a few highlights on social and even the blog, but there’s always so much more to cover.

We’re in the era of being present with loved ones and checking in when we can, and hopefully providing some value for you along the way, too. I’m always grateful for you reading these posts, and there’s more to chat about on deck …

For now, here’s a look back at some of the notable events and things happening around here!

How have you been? Anything fun to share about the last month or so?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Latest Favorites :: Celebrations and Winter Highlights

• Easter Weekend

Skyler and I were solo this holiday weekend as Scott finished up a long (and exhausting) work trip. He tried his best to get home in time for Easter celebrations but had some trouble at the airport and didn’t arrive home until about Noon on Sunday. We were already at church, and made our way back home for a chill day to catch up and eat dinner together later on.

Backing up, however, our rainy Saturday highlight included dyeing and decorating eggs together in preparation for the Easter Bunny’s arrival and egg hunt the next morning.

It’s funny to see how our eggs turn out every year … it’s never quite how I picture it, but it’s a fun tradition I think we all appreciate every time. So cute and great job, Skyler!

• my first Peloton workout and experience in NY studios

Here’s a fun first … earlier in March, I was invited to attend a 30 Minute Vocal Legends Run at the Peloton Studios right here in New York!

I received an email asking if I’d like to attend, but by the time I clicked through to sign up I had to snag a spot on the waitlist. I put in all of my information and paid for the class to reserve the spot, but that credit would have rolled over back into my account if I wasn’t able to get a station in the work out.

Lucky enough, the next day I got a notification saying there was a spot available and I quickly grabbed it to plan my first official workout at Peloton!

They send you multiple emails with confirmations, rules and acknowledgements and ask you to arrive at least 45 minutes to an hour ahead of the class start time. This gives you plenty of wiggle room to check in, put your stuff in a locker, use the restroom, fill up your water bottle and get ready to enter the studio when called. (Doors opened about 20-25 minutes before the class start time, and they will not let you check in at all if you aren’t on studio property 30 minutes ahead of time.)

They have wonderful locker room space with self-locking cubbies, showers, towels, changing areas and getting ready stations equipped with high-quality products and styling tools. I’ll make sure to bring a full change of clothes next time to really enjoy those amenities.

You are allowed to bring your phone into the studio, but not allowed to use it for photos or whatnot once the live taping has started. They make a few overhead announcements as the different class times approach, and everyone makes their way into the lobby outside of their respective studio to wait and be called. You’re handed a class card upon checkin, and there are different “boarding levels” according to status like employee, member and drop-in participant.

Once you go into the studio, you can choose whatever station you’d like and warm up. I grabbed a treadmill in the middle of the left side, and you can catch little glimpses of me here and there throughout the run on demand (workout link here)!

The whole thing went by way too fast, and I had an absolute blast. It was the perfect way to celebrate International Women’s Day, and the playlist honored female vocal legends and songs I sang along to the entire time. Robin was incredible, super motivating and just as awesome as I expected her to be (more videos here). I already want to go back!

You can book your own spot into a live workout at the Peloton Studios here, but spots are very limited and competitive to get into. I’ve tried to book another session and haven’t had much luck so far. I’ll keep trying though, as I’m *itching* to take with Rebecca, Adrian and Cody.

By the way, I’m @lifenleggings over on the Peloton app, so let’s be friends and encourage each other if you’re over there working out, too. I do my own workouts at the gym, but I definitely supplement with treadmill runs, hikes, strength workouts and rides at home. You can always see which workouts I love and bookmark there.

• power 1/2 hour library work station

Skyler and I have been going to the library together for years, but we only recently started taking advantage of their kid’s computer section. Even though I’d rather keep him super limited on screen time, there are days in the solo parenting world where he gets a little more time here and there. (We just finished 11 days over here, and are getting ready for another round.)

After begging to play on the computers at the library a few times, I finally agreed a few visits ago and realized that this is the best hack to fit in thirty minutes of my own computer work, too.

He could just play on his tablet at home, yes, but there’s something different about going into the library, having that set time limit and parking my computer right next to his to knock tasks out next to each other. We did this yesterday, and I used some of the time to draft this post! Beautiful.

And don’t worry, we go over to the books section and always check out six new reads to take home with us. No more, no less.

• these pre-sleep rituals (and regularly including magnesium)

I recently shared this over on Instagram, but it’s a post I’m proud of and hope it helps you!

Do you currently have a consistent bedtime routine to help you get asleep and stay asleep at and within a reasonable amount of time?

If you’re never tried a nightly routine to wind yourself down, I highly recommend giving it a go. These daily actions can’t guarantee anything, but they will increase the probability of getting more and better sleep … so why not?

Everyone is different, so know this list includes personal go-tos that help *me* wind down and relax at night. If you’re someone who struggles with getting and staying asleep, I encourage you to keep trying different things in your own pre-sleep ritual until you find a combo that works best for you.

Here are my personal TOP TEN pre-sleep rituals ::

• cutting off caffeine/stimulants 8-10 hours before bedtime
• dimming the lights in the home at least an hour before you turn in
• taking a hot shower or bath (whatever is more relaxing for you)
• drinking non-caffeinated herbal tea, unless it’s too close to bedtime
• supplementing with magnesium* –  specifically this Magnesium Inositol Relax Powder (& I do also love their topical magnesium spray)
• keeping electronics and screens out of reach at least 30 mins. before bed
• journaling and doing a “brain dump” to help transfer worries out of your brain and onto paper
• deep breathing, meditation, stretching, or other body-calming exercises
• making the room you sleep in a comfortable temperature and as dark as possible before climbing into bed
• playing white noise or calming music on a low setting to help tune out

By the way, magnesium has been shown to promote relaxation and restful sleep!

If you’re not into supplements, you can also incorporate magnesium-rich foods into your diet such as dark leafy greens, nuts and seeds, beans and legumes, fish and whole grains. 

If you are, my favorite brand for natural supplements is NOW Foods — get 20% off at nowfoods.com with the code LIFEINLEGGINGS!

Did I miss anything currently in your bedtime routine?

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

• Skyler’s 6th birthday

Our sweet baby boy is officially a kid now … Skyler turned SIX mid-March, and I’m feeling all the feels. The days are long, but the years are short and I’ve never felt this in my soul more than this birthday.

This year – as we entered Kindergarten – specifically made me realize how fast he has become a determined and independent BIG KID who insists on doing everything himself. He is so smart, silly, and wild — and never stops keeping us (or our apartment) on our toes.

He has a heart of gold, the funniest jokes, and the best dance moves I think I’ve ever seen.

I haven’t posted as much about Skyler and his milestones throughout the last few years, and deciding how much to post and share about my family online is continuously an ongoing internal battle. Skyler is at the age where is now aware that I take pictures and share them, and he approves what I can put online and what I can’t. (Is this not the cutest?)

That said, we had a wonderful day celebrating him before and after school on his birthday while my mom was in town, followed by a FUN birthday party with his school and Pre-K friends the next day.

(The venue was the Food Haul in Industry City, Brooklyn for locals)

Celebrating his birthday is a whirlwind, but he deserves the best and then some. I still can’t believe I get to be his mom, and he is mine. *sigh*

• a new clean perfume … 10 years in the making!

And for the most random transition of the post, let’s talk about clean perfume and a long-awaited debut that hit the Beautycounter site last week. 😉

I tested out the holiday Eau De Parfum scents back in December and they were fantastic. I appreciated each scent separately, but also layered together as roll-ons.

The Fragrance Discovery Set includes a 1.8 ml tester of all 5 Eau De Parfum Scents, and the FULL LINE with (5) full size scent bottles and (5) rollerball tubes have launched and are now live on the site à la carte!

But, more importantly, let’s talk about the WHY.

Did you know …

Fragrance stands out as one of the most problematic elements within the beauty industry? Countless chemicals contribute to a single fragrance, with some linked to serious health concerns like hormone disruption, cancer, and skin allergies.

What I LOVE about Beautycounter (and a huge reason why I partner with them!) is the company is determined to challenge industry norms, particularly concerning “trade secret” laws, as highlighted in this 3 minute video on the fragrance loophole.

Recognizing the potential for change, Beautycounter embarked on a 10-year mission to create clean, high-quality scents free of undisclosed ingredients … and it’s finally here!

Confidence in offering the cleanest formula on the market stems from in-house expertise and a strict ban of over 2,800 harmful or questionable ingredients commonly found in fragrances. These substances include hormone disruptors, skin and eye irritants, and even known human carcinogens. To ensure transparency and safety, every ingredient is meticulously screened against 23 human health and environmental criteria.

While many fragrances opt for a vague “fragrance” label, Beautycounter takes pride in a detailed ingredient list, openly displaying each component used for all to see.

And that’s why this one is so important and AWESOME to me!

If you are brand new to Beautycounter, please enjoy 20% off your first order with code CLEANFORALL20 while shopping — and note that this code can be used on fragrances. If you have any questions in this area or you need help choosing products, please reply to this message (if you’re seeing it on email) or comment below, and I would be happy to help!

• coaching advice on intermittent fasting

In case you missed it, I took a deep dive and shared all about the practice of intermittent fasting on the blog last week — what is intermittent fasting, what are the pros and cons and is it for you?

This post covers what you should know before you decide if the practice is something you’d like to pursue, along with some frequently asked questions and answers!

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All right, I think we’re a little more caught up now. It’s been a busy few months around here, and I don’t see things slowing down any time soon. We’ve got several rounds of visitors coming through the city, and upcoming trip to Italy over Skyler’s Spring Break (!!!), and more before April is over.

I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to post here, but I’ll be back soon … promise.

In the mean time, see ya over on Instagram. 🙂

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What’s one highlight or favorite product/hack that has made you smile recently?

(Share below in the comments!)

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*Disclaimer: The sleep routine portion of this post is sponsored by NOW Foods. Also, I am a Beautycounter consultant and receive commission from affiliate links included in this post. 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.