The arrival of spring beckons a busyness like no other. Easter, Mother’s Day, graduation, birthdays, Teacher Appreciation Week – you name it, it’s happening in April or May.
And while the calendar may be filled, it’s still so important to make time for ourselves to recharge & reboot.
Today I want to share four simple & affordable ways to care for ourselves during the hustle & bustle of springtime!
1. Get some fresh air: Go for a walk while listening to your favorite podcast, read a book on the patio or simply listen to your favorite jams while walking around the ball fields at your kiddo’s practice. Simply moving our bodies & soaking up some vitamin D gives us a much-needed boost.
2. Buy yourself a bouquet of flowers: I say this time & time again, but purchasing fresh flowers is such a simple yet effective way to brighten our surroundings & our mood. Even a grocery store bouquet will do!
3. Get plenty of rest: When I feel over extended, I always make sure to still get plenty of sleep. Last year we tossed our old mattress & replaced it with a new mattress from Solay. It may be a financial commitment, but it has made such a difference in how we rest & how our bodies feel.
Solay is kindly offering natalie creates readers a FREE Solay pillow ($100 value) when they purchase a queen or king mattress with code “NATALIEPILLOW” at checkout! Click here to grab yours! Please note – your mattress must be in your cart with your pillow in order for the discount to work.
4. Go out on a coffee date: Sometimes all we need is a date with a friend to make our days feel a little less chaotic. Even when my week feels crazy, I always look forward to time spent in good conversation over coffee with a dear friend. It fills me up so I can serve others well.
Even with limited time & resources, let this be a reminder & inspiration to carve out a little time just for you no matter the season! With just a few bucks, you can grab a coffee with a girlfriend or purchase a bouquet of flowers from the grocery store. Even a good night’s rest & a walk can make such a difference!
Comment below & let me know how you extend kindness & love to yourself in seasons of busyness!
love,
natalie
This blog post is sponsored by Solay. Please note all thoughts & opinions are my own.
As a shop owner, a large part of my day is spent curating beautiful, unique & well-crafted goods for Freckled Hen Farmhouse. Gift giving is my love language so naturally, I love finding the perfect gifts to offer in our shop.
I search high & low for specific items to stock our shelves & when I come up short, I find a way to make it myself.
As I was creating Freckled Hen Farmhouse’s Mother’s Day Collection, it became very apparent that there was only one story being told – the simple, easy, predictable image of motherhood.
Where were the hundreds of stories of loss, infertility, difficulty & pain?
While Mother’s Day is beautiful for some, it’s hard, messy & painful for others. I wanted to create goods that spoke of – not silenced – the journeys of so many.
Here are just a few –
For the woman who has lost her mother – you are forever her daughter. Your grief is not silenced & your pain is not forgotten.
For the woman who longs for her own child – we see your pain, sister, & we save a seat for you at the table.
For the woman who’s love surpasses any title, we recognize & celebrate your sacrifices. You are truly incredible.
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Who are the women in your life that you can make time to sit with, honor & celebrate this Mother’s Day? I encourage you to grab a bouquet of flowers, a candle & coffee for these sisters. We should never walk alone.
Click here to shop the collection now & share your journey (if you feel comfortable) in the comments below.
love,
natalie
Let’s talk about something most of us avoid all summer long –
SHORTS.
You know what I am talking about. The pieces of fabric sewn together to hide your rear that never quite fit right, neglect to hide your jiggle & awaken your knees from hibernation.
Shorts & I used to be enemies. And based on conversations I’ve shared with a handful of my girlfriends, you’d prefer to keep shorts at a distance, too.
But here’s the thing, sisters – After about mid-May in the South, it gets real hot. And I can’t handle another summer of jeans in 100 degree weather. I know you can’t either.
So I am encouraging you this summer to Free the Knees! Embrace your thick thighs, rub some fake tanner on your legs if you have to & wear those darn shorts!
I have been where you are & I still struggle to embrace the jiggle sometimes.
Just last week I was debating on wearing shorts or leggings on my evening walk with my husband. I was picking apart every flaw in the mirror when my husband turned to me & said, “Dang, girl! Your legs look good.”
I kept the shorts on.
You know why? Because these legs are training for a 5k race. Because these legs are strong. Because no one picks apart our bodies quite like we pick apart our own. And because my husband sees my beauty when I see my flaws.
Sister, your legs are just fine the way they are right. now. – you deserve to feel comfortable & free this summer no matter your weight, your size or your cellulite.
If you’re still not convinced, here are some tried & true tricks I use to feel shorts ready:
+ Wear cotton or linen – It can be tough to find denim shorts that fit just right so I often lean toward cotton or linen shorts like the ones above. Shorts from American Eagle Outfitters have been my go-to for the last few years because they’re breezy & compliment the size of my thighs. I’ve linked some of my go-to styles here.
+ Go up a size – Don’t be afraid to go up a size. You know the denim shorts that practically stick to your inner thighs? You sit down & rolls just below the hem appear? That’s because those shorts suck, not you. Grab a bigger size – it’s just a number & that number does not define you or your worth.
+ Self-Tanner – I recently bought a bottle of Neutrogena self-tanner & since then, I’ve wondered where it’s been all of my life. It gives me a nice little glow & puts a pep in my step. Here’s the one I love & use every week.
+ Rock a heel – Date night or not, find a fun wedge to rock with your favorite pair of shorts. On days when I am feeling less than confident, I put on a cute pair of shoes with a slight heel & instantly feel better.
+ Just put the darn things on- As they say – fake it until you make it. I promise you, you’ll thank yourself for the gift of comfort. And soon, you may even learn to love the shorts – & body – you’re in.
I’d love to learn about your shorts journey & any tips you may have to feel short ready. Comment below & share!
love,
natalie