Tag: health

Manifestation Workshop

In this introductory 2.5-hour workshop, we will introduce to you the basic concepts of:

Focusing your energy

How your thoughts, beliefs, feelings, emotions, words and actions influence your life

Your conscious and subconscious mind and how they work together

Why you repeat the same patterns over and over again

How to break unwanted patterns and change your reality

Using the 3R’s (Refocus, Reframe, Replace) to create new mental and emotional states, thus
constructing a new manifestation of reality

Using mental rehearsal to turn obstacles into creative opportunities

Trusting your intuition to guide you

After the class, we will conduct an informative question and answer session, to further help you put the
principles you have just learned into practice in your daily life.

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How to pitch for collab’s?

by WeddingsbycourtneyLeave a Comment on How to pitch for collab’s?
How to pitch for collab’s?

The modern walking billboard is what? DING DING DING….

Social media, influencers, makers, were talking real people saying real things. Hands down the best kind of advertisement to date. It’s amazing to me we didn’t do this sooner.

Gone are the days of magazines, billboards, and yellow pages. (All though, yes they are still used for advertisement. The majority of companies are hopping on the collaborating train in some way and on some level.) They may still be around but let me share some fun stats with you. (I love researching numbers it’s truly fascinating to me and brings a tad more value.)

  • 70% of millennial consumers are influenced by the recommendations of their peers in purchasing decisions.
  • 30% of people are more likely to buy a product from a non-celebrity blogger.
  • Facebook is the most influenced social channel. 19% of consumer purchases come directly from facebook.
  • You tube is the second most influential platform bringing in 18% of purchases.
  • While shopping at a store over 60% of consumers were influenced by a social media post or blog review.
  • 40% of millennials said their social media muses understood them better than most of their friends.
  • According to NY times telecommuting has risen 79% in the past 5 years.

So what does this all mean? It means it’s your time to shine sister. If you are reading this or the title caught your eye, my guess is you are already in the position to start doing collaborations. Sometimes when first starting out it can be a scary big world though. Also the countless amount of information out there can be straight up overwhelming. With out further a due lets dive in this and get to pitching!!!!!!

What is a collaboration? The action of working with someone to produce or create something. 

So as the pitcher you are the creator. The job is in your hands to find a way to deliver what ever assignment you are given and do it authentically to your brand while still complimenting the company. Sounds simple enough right? (Insert giant no buzzer here.)

It can be intimidating.

Being totally transparent here….When I first started out I had no idea what I was doing. I look back at my first few jobs or first few emails and think “What in Gods name was I thinking? Why did companies come back?” You guys I even did a collaboration with a vagina cream company because I didn’t want to turn any thing down in fear of not getting the jobs I wanted.

First and for most…If it doesn’t fit with your brand you are building. Do not do it. It is okay to say no. So I thought I would put together a list of what I wish someone would have told me when I was getting started. (Remember I like to be open with my fall on the face moments so maybe one person reads and possibly not repeat.)

  1. Make sure the collaboration is in alignment with your brand. Are you a mom? Are you a nutritionist? Are you a style blogger? What ever that is you are chasing make sure you are chasing companies that also fall under that umbrella.
  2. When first starting out keep it short and simple. I would shoot a message to the IG of the company and say something complimenting. For example “Hi there, I am currently working on a blog for _____ and I think your company would be a fabulous fit for the ideas I have in mind. Is there an email I could send my media kit and ideas over too?” Keep in mind most major companies (Especially those with that little blue check) get thousands of DMs a day and do not have time physically to sit and read a three page DM keep it sweet and save the details for your email once you receive an address. If they never write back? Don’t sweat it girl. Thank you next.
  3. Once you receive an email address send an email promptly from your business email address. Make sure everything is on point before you send an email…Meaning your website, signature, contact information, etc. A general email example would go something like this…Hello Dave, I am writing about a possible collaboration I have in mind. Currently I am working on _________ I just love how your company_______and I think its the perfect fit and we could really compliment each other. My media kit is attached so you can see my stats, the blog I would publish this article on is http://www.youcandoit.com I can deliver this within 2 weeks and plan on highlighting a, b, c, d with a story highlight and IG post as well. Can’t wait to hear back from you soon. 
  4. Know your worth. Be confident. You carry value. You’r a rock star. Believe in Yourself.
  5. Be authentic and organic in your pitch. Research the company first, make sure its a good fit. Be sure you can deliver on your end with what you are promising.
  6. It’s okay to be rejected. Do not let it stop you or hold you back. I pitch to probably 5 companies a week and am constantly staying on top of different ideas and brain storming days to allow myself that creativity to offer to others.
  7. Once you work with a brand, maintain that relationship. It is so important to check in from time to time even if its just to say hey there! I have made some fabulous friends this way as well.

I know this is such a load of information but I hope it helps in gaining the confidence in knowing you are capable of anything you put your mind too. Never be afraid to chase your dreams.

 

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Self-Care is Critical for Health & Happiness

by WeddingsbycourtneyLeave a Comment on Self-Care is Critical for Health & Happiness
Self-Care is Critical for Health & Happiness

No matter how busy you are in your day-to-day life, it is important that you take time for yourself.  Spending the day focusing exclusively on potential stressors, like your commitments at work and chaotic schedule at home, without providing time to allow your mind to rest and recharge can cause you to develop dangerous conditions, like high blood pressure.  Neglecting your care routine can make it more likely that you will catch a cold.  It can also lead to severe anxiety, depression, and low self-worth.  Self-care is the term generally applied to the process of taking time for the simple things from day to day — even things as simple as getting enough sleep and reducing your stress can have positive consequences for your physical and mental health alike.  Here are some of the easiest ways you can start to incorporate self-care into your daily routine.

 

How to reduce stress

 

A huge part of self-care is reducing stress in general.  Since each piece of self-care works closely with the others, reducing your stress will make it easier for you to sleep, which in turn will reduce even more stress.  There are two major ways you can cut stress out from your life. First, if you feel yourself being overloaded with things to do, whether they are in your professional or private lives, practice saying “no.”  Your friends will understand if you miss an engagement or two, and the quality of your work will increase if you aren’t constantly worried about the amount of work that’s still on your plate.

 

Another way you can reduce stress is by making your environment as relaxing as possible.  At home, this means cutting out clutter. Clutter significantly adds to stress and reduces your home’s relaxing qualities — but a clean home helps foster calm moods.

 

How to fix your diet

 

Kicking bad eating habits isn’t as easy as some people might initially believe.  When it’s easier to swing by a fast-food restaurant on the way home from work than it is to spend an hour in the kitchen, convenience often trumps health.  However, there are several ways you can defeat those bad habits and embrace a healthier lifestyle. One way is to subscribe to a meal-delivery service, which will provide you with the ingredients you need to put together delicious dishes with little fuss.  And when you add an electric pressure cooker to the mix, which can make cooking food much easier, eating a homemade bowl of chili at instead of heading to the closest restaurant suddenly became much simpler — not to mention a lot healthier!

 

How to get enough sleep

 

Another critical step in your new self-care routine is getting enough sleep.  While it may seem trivial, getting a good amount of sleep each night is crucial because your nightly rest sets up the pattern of your entire next day.  If you wake up refreshed and energized, you will be able to jump into the tasks of the next day with more fervor, performing more efficiently, with heightened mental abilities and a greater ability to reason your way through and past potential problems.  However, if you did not get enough sleep the night before, it is likely that you will wake up feeling groggy or achy.  This inhibits your ability to get a move on in the mornings, which – in the short term — may make you late for work, but will also greatly affect your ability to process situations and be aware of your projects in general.  Even if you end up working at a decent pace throughout the day, it is likely that the quality of the work you produce will not be as high (or as quickly created) as if you had gotten a good night’s sleep.  

 

This is why sleep is so important, but an increasing number of adults say they have difficulty sleeping through the night.  There are several things that you can do that will help yourself fall asleep at the end of the day.  First, make sure that your bedroom is cool and dark.  Cover up your windows with blackout curtains if you need to (just remember to be diligent about setting your alarm in the morning!), and turn your thermostat down if the outdoor temperature is 70 or higher. If your bedroom is too dry, considering getting a humidifier because dry air can cause cold-like symptoms which can disrupt your sleep. You should also try to foster as quiet an environment as possible — turn off the television and don’t listen to music or a podcast, even if it helps you sleep.  If external noise typically interrupts your sleep, you may want to use a sound machine or a similar type of app on your phone to create a cushion of white noise.  

 

No matter how chaotic your schedule, it is important that you find time for self-care.  By getting more sleep and making your home more relaxing, you will help your physical and mental health.

Guest Article from Stephanie Haywood

Entrepreneur Tips

Want to Find Health & Happiness in 2019?

by WeddingsbycourtneyLeave a Comment on Want to Find Health & Happiness in 2019?
Want to Find Health & Happiness in 2019?

Want to Find Health and Happiness in 2019? Here’s Where to Start.

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It’s hard to believe that 2019 has already started! However, it’s never too late to set some healthy goals and resolutions. Here are some ideas for simple changes you can make to improve your life and find true happiness in the year ahead.

Take Better Care of Your Teeth

Your smile can say a lot about you, and your teeth can have a major impact on your overall health. If you have not been receiving the dental care you deserve, or if cost or location is an obstacle, you may need to think about switching to a new dentist. Use this guide to make the transition as painless as possible and to take more control of your oral health. Be sure to follow up with your new dentist regarding insurance and rates before you make the switch, and have your records sent to the new office before your initial appointment.

 

Resolve to Reinvent Your Career

Work can be a source of stress or a source of pride, so make 2019 the year you really discover your career passions. Mapping out your career year should include short-term goals, such as using productivity tools, as well as longer-term aspirations, like changing up your job completely. If you are a busy parent who works from home, you can set some work goals to help you thrive as well. Learning how to navigate challenges and deal with distractions can give you the boost you need to make your home-based business or career succeed this year.

 

Get a Better Handle on Your Finances

Money can be a major source of tension for many American families. In fact, financial worries have topped the list of the worst stressors for the last few years, beating out career pressures and relationship struggles. You can take more control of your finances in 2019 by following a few basic money tips. This is the perfect time to go over your financial goals and ensure that they still make sense. You will also be able to create a more effective budget and plan for small ways to grow your savings for your family’s future financial security.

 

Make More Time for Self-Care

Self-care is the foundation of any effective stress relief plan. So, if your schedule has made you skip out on self-care in the past, find ways to squeeze more of it into your routine during the coming year. Even simple tension relief can be a lifesaver, especially for moms and parents who are constantly busy and constantly stressed. A good tactic for fitting more relaxation into your days is to plan for some alone time in the morning before your kids wake up. Use this time to sip coffee, stretch out with yoga, or write worries in a journal.

 

Plan Adventures for Your Family

Spending more time with your family can create a lifetime of happy memories and feelings of genuine satisfaction. Traveling with your kids is one of the most exciting ways you can help your children bond with you while experiencing more of the world. Families who travel can work through problems easier and tend to have lower levels of stress. For those weekends when a road trip is not possible, find other meaningful ways to have fun with your family. Volunteer together in a community or experience exotic foods.

 

Spend More of Your Time Outside

When you need a major dose of stress relief and confidence in your life, there is no better cure than spending time in nature. All that fresh air and natural beauty acts as a natural antidepressant for your brain and can even chase anxieties away. You can get a good dose of the outdoors by planning some weekend hikes or even a family camping trip. A little exposure to sunlight outside can have some health benefits as well, but you should play it safe with toxin-free sunscreens if you plan on being outside longer than a few minutes.

The new year can offer the hope of change, so set some goals to make it happen this year! After all, 2020 will be here before we know it, and you could end the year as a brand new you!

 

Photo Credit: Pexels

Guest Writer: Stephanie Haywood

More Resources on this topic

 

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Five Tips to a Productive Week

by WeddingsbycourtneyLeave a Comment on Five Tips to a Productive Week
Five Tips to a Productive Week

We all love Sundays right? It has to be my favorite day of the week by far.

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For my family it’s a day to spend together baking, adventuring, exploring, or finishing projects. The freedom of this day leads to endless possibilities. Sometimes we cuddle up watching movies and some days we re arrange the entire house, either way, we are doing it as a family.

The most common question I get asked is “how do you do it all?” (Which is funny because as entrepreneurs we are so hard on ourselves.) I often think goodness I am so behind, I should have done this, I need to do that. Some times you just need a little grace and peace. This is where proper planning for your business is so crucial.

Boss babes need days off too!! Don’t get me wrong, rest is so important!

For me personally, I use Sunday evenings to plan my week ahead and I’m sharing all the secret tricks I use to navigate through and tackle it all with very little stress.

I am still not convinced “balance” of mommyhood and entrepreneurship is a real thing, but I think I have gotten pretty darn close to the secret recipe it takes to make it all go round with very few hiccups. Ready Mama Bears? Lets get to it…

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Plan your social media ahead of time. Yes this is totally doable. I use PLANN – an app that allows me to pre post for the week everything I want to talk about and deliver to my audience. The app also allows me to review my color schemes and appearance of all my content before my actual IG and Facebook post go live. Make sure you are delivering quality content that you would be wanting if you were a reader. Nine times out of ten your target audience is someone just like yourself (This means they most likely have the same interests, goals, and want to spend their time reading something valuable.)

Get a planner and write it down. I am all about hand to paper. I just feel connected and it helps me remember vs. typing it in my phone and forgetting about it til an alarm goes off. Call me old school but I am convinced pen to paper is the best way. I write down all of my kids practices, games, and schooling events first. Then I orchestrate around their schedules my work. When will I blog each week? What are my topics for the week? When will I complete my Etsy orders? How much time do I need this week to connect and reach out to companies for work collaborations? Respond to emails? Make appointments? What ever it is that is lingering on your plate – write it down.

Make a weekly goal list. Mine this week went a little something like this –

  • Finish painting kitchen and updating cabinets to all white. 
  • Create content for IG for the week.
  • Schedule September’s Home look photo shoot for blog.
  • Reach out to 10 new people about my book. 
  • Touch base with 5 companies about possible collabs for projects. 
  • Start building nerf obstacles for Liam’s birthday party.
  • Finish up volunteer project for Liam’s Library.
  • Learn something new on Pinterest Marketing – ( Okay totally squirreling over here….eeeeek I love learning new things and am totally including all of you as I learn to navigate traffic through pinterest this month!)
  • Finish all Etsy Orders.

Now that I have my goal sheet I have big things I can cross off and feel super accomplished through out the week as I put a check next to each one of those bad boys. I chizzle out time to multi task the best I can while my husband works. (I have the kids do crafts when I do Etsy, I’ll have them play out side while I do stuff in the garage.) It is SUPER IMPORTANT to have just time with your children and shut it all down, but running a business from home you also need to get creative with how to be present and in the moment while also tackling milestones on your business and not falling behind.

Finish your laundry. There is just something with mammas and laundry. DAMNIT. I am telling you what girlfriend, if you get the laundry done and put away during a great show Sunday night when the kids are in bed, the week goes smoother. You start out fresh and clean with no lingering giant “chores” at home deterring you from your work and mom goals. (I also try to squeeze in a quick clean up of the house to just start Monday off right.) It’s like Monday has a magic new beginning of whats in store for our stories. I love it!

Get some zzzz’s. Nothing has healing powers like water and sleep. For children, for adults, for animals, for any living thing. A good nights rest and h20 can fix pretty much anything. Make sure to get a solid eight hours and wake up feeling refreshed and energized. Grab your favorite book and get those eyes feeling heavy.

Take an hour and just plan, each week it gets easier and you will know how to navigate your time better and better. 

Heres to a Productive Second Week of September –

Who has their fall decor out?

Thats on my agenda as well!!!

 

 

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Hydration for your Skin, Lips & Body.

by Weddingsbycourtney1 Comment on Hydration for your Skin, Lips & Body.
Hydration for your Skin, Lips & Body.

Its summer time which means hot weather, chlorine, and dry locks!

Don’t settle for frizzy dried hair this season ladies, I have created a list of our favorite summer products to make sure your staying hydrated (not only through water intake but through your lips and hair as well.)

  1. Start with the inner body to create a glowing look – Drink your H20, start in the morning and keep it up all through out the day, try a glass every other hour starting out, you want to make sure your body is staying nice and hydrated through the heat. Water is used to flush out toxins and waste product which will clear your skin and also give you more energy. I am in California so its HOT, my favorite water bottle for keeping everything icy cool all day is right here41cU3Zi4alL._SL250_
  2.  Repair your hair in less than an hour with Nutrees Brazilian Botox Mask, this product will leave your hair feeling soft, shiny, and hydrated after just one use! If I have been in the pool a ton or out at sporting events with my littles, I use this magical gem and have amazing locks the same day that people are ooooing and awwwing over. (Fantastic hair just puts a pep in your step.) This mask helps with split ends, humidity, tough textures, unruly stray hairs, and dryness.image1 (17)

Dont forget those lips – they can get chapped, dried, and peely with just one burn. The rest of your body needs SPF protection from those harsh rays, so do your kissers. The best product I have found all summer for the kiddos and myself is Coola SPF 30 Our favorite flavor is the peppermint and vanilla. This product stays on taste delicious! 41bhdQ3vIWL._SL250_Keep it Simple, find your favorite products, and use them religiously to make sure fall comes with a glowing new you.

xoxo

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Morning Sickness Hacks

by WeddingsbycourtneyLeave a Comment on Morning Sickness Hacks

MAMAS! Oh em gee! I have never experienced the whole “horrible pregnancy puking thing” …. until now.

My first two pregnancies were a walk in the park, this third one is giving me a run for my money. Being desperate for answers I started doing research and reaching out to my doctor for help! I mean I do have two other minions to chase through this first trimester WOO!

The most natural and beneficial cure I have found is B6. (They say to mix it with Benadryl but I just feel weird doing that so I went for the straight B6 with my morning smoothie.) It is not a cure-all but my goodness it has saved me on more than one occasion.

I’ve always taken a B Complex but the direct B6 is so different, I have more energy, focus, and ability to get work done – which was a huge struggle. They are super easy to swallow and small (Which let’s be real is a big deal right now!)

Some other hacks I have found helpful

  • Preggie Pops
  • Seaband Mama
  • Pregnancy Morning Chews
  • Gingerale
  • Frozen Coke
  • Soda Crackers

These subside it, but the B6 has allowed me to continue to work through my first trimester and for that it was too good not to share! 

Get Yours Here

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The Power of Visualizing

by WeddingsbycourtneyLeave a Comment on The Power of Visualizing

This story was just too amazing to not share with you! When tiny miracles happen, no matter how silly they seem we have to praise them and appreciate them! In life, I truly am all about the little moments!

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About a month ago Liam and I decided to make vision boards. It had been 5 years since I made my last one. At the time I was driving a beat up Honda with no AC and living with my “boyfriend” who I knew I wanted to marry. (He is now my husband.) On my vision board I put a Denali (It happened to be white, but the only picture I could find in the magazine.) I put a picture of a happy family, the one picture I found a mom was lifting up a baby girl with a dad and little boy riding bikes behind them. (One month later I found out I was pregnant with my daughter) Shortly after my daughter was born we purchased a white Yukon Denali. WOAH RIGHT>! Okay fast forward 5 years, I wanted to share with my son the power of visualizing and believing in yourself so we sat down to make boards one afternoon as a mommy son date.

In our old house we had a kitten. For my sons fourth Christmas it was his BIG GIFT and all he wanted! We named her Trouble. We only had Trouble for about 6 months and she had gotten out and ran away. We thought for sure that a coyote, owl, hawk, etc. had gotten her and we were heart-broken. We put missing pictures and videos all over Facebook but nothing turned up.

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Fast forward 2 1/2 years. We purchased a home about 5 miles away from our rental a year and half ago and there happens to be a kitty in the coldasac we live in that looks similar to our long-lost Trouble. It made Liam miss Trouble extra! On his vision board he put a picture of a cat and said “the real Trouble is going to come home mom.” I bit my tongue not saying a word of negativity about the situation or what I thought had happened.

READY FOR THIS…….like oh em gee. Im sitting down one night scrolling FB and I see this picture of a Cat that’s been hanging out outside this house for a couple of years but needs a home because of the cold and rain California has had the past week. Our Trouble had a distinct M marking on her for head. This is the picture I see on FB…..Look closely at the forehead.

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We went to the house the cat was at that night, the cat who wont let anyone pet her head, hold her, etc. came running up to my son following him around. Lo and Behold….Troubles home.

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What you focus on, you attract.

The key to visualizing is to always visualize that you already have what you desire. This is a mental trick. Rather than hoping you will achieve it, or building confidence that one day it will happen, live and feel it as if it is happening to you now. On one level you know this is just a mental trick, but the subconscious mind cannot distinguish between what is real and what is imagined. Your subconscious will act upon the images you create within, whether they reflect your current reality or not.

 

Stay focused on Positive things and live a Positive Life.