Good Roots is a retail space located in downtown Glen Ellyn. A space designed by two women (Ashley & Lindsay) with big dreams of spreading the love and joy of houseplants into the homes of everyone.
They are both natural nurturers: both in their homes as wife and mothers and to their plant babies. With hearts full of gold, they love to watch both plants and humans grow. Knowing full well that everything stems from “good roots,” they decided to use that for the name of their space.
These two meeting was fate as they were two kindred spirits destined to pursue their passions together. So much so that in the heat of COVID, they decided to take the plunge and convert the playroom in Ashley’s home into a place where they sold plants on the weekends. How cool!
This passion project grew into a bigger purpose as they realized that their side hustle had more potential than they initially realized.
When I visited Good Roots for the first time, I was greeted with so much kindness and good energy. Ashley and Lindsay talk to their customers like they are old friends. I find that absolutely beautiful. Since then, I have been able to connect with them more on social media. When I asked them to go into depth about their Good Roots mission, they said:
“When we opened Good Roots, we wanted it to feel like a place people could visit as frequently as they wanted to – to unwind, relax, find inspiration, or escape. Our passion for design, plants, and people is really what drives Good Roots, and it absolutely feels like a home we built together with customers that feel and share with us like family.”
I’m not sure why, but something that has been on my bucket list for a while was Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta. It is the world’s largest hot air balloon festival where over 700 hot air balloons come for the week long fest. This fest generates the bulk of the revenue for New Mexico and hundreds of thousands of people visit during the event.
This was my first time in New Mexico. I got there on a Thursday and the first day of the fest wasn’t until Saturday so I was able to do some exploring during my trip. The first day I was there, I visited Old Town Albuquerque. It was a charming little town with beautiful architecture. There were tons of shops and street vendors selling handmade items.
Old Town Albuquerque San Felipe de Neri Church
Some of our family friends who have been to New Mexico told us there was nothing to do in Albuquerque and that we should make our way to Santa Fe. There’s even a train that will take you there from Albuquerque for $9! So we headed there for the day. And honestly… I wasn’t impressed. Santa Fe was too tourist-y for me. So we took the train back in hopes of getting to see the sunset from the tram back in Albuquerque. Unfortunately, the line to get on the tram was over an hour long, so we had to view the sunset from the visitors center.
Santa Fe, New Mexico Sandia Peak Tram
Now for the Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta, you need to choose AM or PM tickets. I chose the PM because of this thing called a Glowdeo. So we didn’t have to be at the shuttles until 3PM. Since the rest of the group arrived, we went back to Old Town so they could see it, too. When the time came, we got in the lines to take the shuttles (school buses) to the event. It was incredibly organized and we were there in no time.
The balloons were spectacular. So many colors and shapes. ALl of them lighting up in unison to put on a beautiful show. However, they were all on the ground instead of in the air. We all decided we wanted to see the Mass Ascension so even though we were leaving Sunday afternoon, we purchased tickets for Sunday morning to see the balloons in the air. Back in the security line at 4:30AM to see the balloons go up at sunrise.
What we witnessed was something I couldn’t explain if I tried and I would recommend it to everyone. There’s something about hundreds going up at once that makes it feel like magic. I’m thankful I was able to share the experience with my family and cross another adventure off my bucket list.
The goal of meditation isn’t to control your thoughts, it’s to stop letting them control you – The Age of Enlightenment
Floating is a form of meditation that has been used for centuries. It was actually known to be one of the original forms of meditation because that is how we all began. Floating in the womb of our mothers. A place where we felt safe, we felt love, we felt peace.
The Ancient Greeks, Cleopatra, King David, among many others used to travel to the Dead Sea in order to reap the benefits of floating. If you are unfamiliar with the Dead Sea, it is a salt lake in between Jordan and Israel. It is filled with more salt than the average body of water and allows your body to become weightless. The salt is incredibly beneficial for the skin. It is filled with magnesium, sodium and potassium that allows your body to retain more moisture to keep it healthy and rejuvenated.
Tourists make their way to the dead sea for meditation purposes as well. The weightlessness gives your body and mind a break from gravity thus allowing your mind to relax. Allowing your muscles to rest and recover.
Scientists decided to take this ancient form of healing to another level. They wanted to see what happens to brain function when we deprive our minds from using our senses. In 1954, scientists started to suspend people in water for period of time but realized that the suspension ended up putting more strain on the mind. Float tanks were created as a form of Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy, or REST, and also known as sensory deprivation. Between 1960-1970 Epsom salt water was added to a dark, soundproof chamber of water at skin temperature. They allowed patients to float freely and studied the effects on the brain.
In their research, they found that gravity, light, sound and touch accounted for 90% of the central nervous system’s workload. And floating gave the parasympathetic response a break. The parasympathetic response is how the body naturally regenerates itself and maintains chemical and metabolic balance.
So with floating, the brain gets a chance to relax and releases more endorphins that aid in well being and happiness. The brain is also given the opportunity to perform more efficiently because it goes into the theta state.
In the modern day, what is floating exactly? You are in an enclosed tank that is lightproof and sound proof in a pool of water that is about 10-12 inches deep. 30% of what you’re laying in is magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt). You become completely buoyant, aka you won’t sink!
Float tanks are known to have many benefits. Not only are they relaxing and meditative, but they also improve your quality of sleep. They have the power to increase your immune health, help with muscle recovery, heals wounds faster and helps body circulation and regulating blood pressure. On top of that, it helps relieve stress, can help with anxiety and depression, helps you to retain information and boost creativity.
I decided to try it out for myself to see how floating impacted my life. Would I notice differences or was this simply just a fad?
After tons of research, I decided I was going to make an appointment to float. I read other blogs about it and they all suggested going more than one time, so I bought a package of three floats at a place near where I live called Float Society.
Session 1:
I walked in without any expectations. I wanted to allow the experience to be what it was without me having to force anything or doubt anything. When I walked into Float Society, I thought “wow, this place is so aesthetically pleasing!” You walk into the waiting area and you are greeted by the friendly face of Dominic. He also designed the place to sort of look like a Speakeasy. The whole back wall looks like a book shelf but there is a “hidden door” that leads to the float tank room and a staircase.
I was told to put in my ear plugs and then shower with body wash and shampoo. This was to get all of the dirt and oils off your body before entering the tank. The tank itself was about the size of a queen size bed. Having control over that made me feel more at ease. I stepped in the water and shut the door behind me and laid in the water. Once I was pretty comfortable, I decided to shut off the lights. Eyes closed, music playing and concentrated on my breathing. After I felt my heart rate slow down, I decided to turn off the music. Focusing all of my attention on relaxation and slowing down my mind.
I spent the bulk of my hour trying to quiet my mind but my thoughts were going a mile a minute. By the time I finally started to feel like I had control, the music started playing again and the lights turned on. I got up, got out, and took my second shower to rinse off the salt. Then I walked upstairs to the relaxation room and a hot cup of tea was waiting for me.
I knew that the more I did the float tank, the more control I would have over my mind.
Session 2:
After my first session I had THE BEST sleep of my life! I slept through the night and woke up feeling refreshed. Then I decided to dedicate the Saturday after my float to writing posts for my website. I sat in the cafe of my local Whole Foods and I wrote. And wrote. And wrote more. My brain was working at a super speed. My brain was working in overdrive and next thing I knew, seven and a half HOURS went by. I didn’t want to overwork my brain, so I forced myself to stop so I could go home and relax.
I made an appointment for a Sunday afternoon instead of a night time appointment to see if it made a difference. The day before this appointment, I helped a friend move into her new house, which wore my body out. I needed this relaxation and recovery. I also started to feel like I was getting sick and wanted to see how floating would impact my immune health.
This time when I got in the tank, I shut off the music and lights immediately. As expected, I couldn’t hear anything but my heartbeat or see anything but darkness.
I laid there and thought, “Missy, your body needs you to take a break. Allow it to.” I fell asleep and the next thing I knew, the jets were on to wake me up. Now I was eager to see how the rest of my day would go.
Session 3:
After my last session, I realized my body was telling me to rest, so that is exactly what I did. I went home, drank more tea and read a personal development book.
My third session came after the craziness of Thanksgiving. I was needing an extra boost of relaxation. I decided to try another early appointment knowing I had a lot of work to do after my float.
The third time was definitely the easiest to get in a relaxed position right off the bat. I was able to get my breathing under control almost immediately. I was starting to feel like a pro at this whole floating thing! My mind quickly organized my chaos. Before I knew it, my session was over, the lights turned on and I was feeling more refreshed than ever before. I felt ready to take on the day with a rush of positive energy throughout my body. I knew I could accomplish everything I needed to without stressing.
So what did I learn from floating?
my mind thinks about way too many things at once and this definitely contributes to my anxiety issues
I need to learn to slow down sometimes
I am capable of managing my time
I have a lot to say and that writing really helps me to be creative
Where did Dominic’s love of floating start? Why did he pursue opening his own Float Tank business? Here was what he said:
“Float Society was built out of a desire to function better while remaining in tune with the natural world. I stumbled into the effects of floating on a trip to the Dead Sea in 2012. I had been suffering from Crohn’s Disease and floating in the Dead Sea seemed to relieve some of the pain. When I got home, I started to search for similar therapies and found Space Time float tanks in Chicago. They were one of the original companies in the city. Their float pods were quite small and lacking in upgraded tech but the relief of the tank was more powerful than ever. I sought out several other modalities in the years manifesting this center.
Meditating in Buddhist temples in Lush Rainforest in Thailand, working with plant medicine in the Andes, learning about ancient remedies from the Bedouin and working closely with the rhythms of nature with the Lakota. The journey has formed what is now Float Society. I will continue to grow and learn new modalities to share with our community.”
I highly recommend Float Society if you are looking for a float tank. It is located at 8695 Archer Ave, Unit 5 Willow Springs, IL 60480.
Every time I visit Arizona, I love going to fun restaurants and coffee shops. As someone who grew up in Chicago, I didn’t know what to expect from the Arizona Dining experience. Needless to say, I have been pleasantly surprised with numerous establishments. I have rounded up some that I personally love in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area to share with y’all.
The Canal Club – 4925 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Located inside of The Scott Resort. As someone who loves that plant bohemian vibe, this aesthetic was so pleasing. Honestly, I would decorate my future home like this place. Although there is a pool outside and a cute dining area, we opted for a quick coffee at the bar and some cute photos. You can never go wrong with an oat milk latte and some selfies, right?
Postino Kierland – 7030 E Greenway Pkwy Ste 185, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Press Coffee Roasters – 15257 N Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale Quarter Mall Building F, Ste 160, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
An Arizona staple for coffee. They believe in giving back to communities by not only supporting local charities, but supporting coffee farmers too. They definitely have one of the best vanilla oat milk lattes I have ever had.
Prep & Pastry – 7025 E Via Soleri Dr #175, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Located in Old Town Scottsdale. Not only did they have a fantastic selection of juices for the mimosa brunch, but they also had a wide variety of pastries and all of their food items on their menu had me salivating. I ended up ordering the Chicken & Toast which was a playful spinoff of Chicken & Waffles. It was chicken with herbed brioche french toast topped with fresh blueberry preserves. And the portion was HUGE!
This. Place. Is. So. GOOD! I tried something a little different here – a honey lavender latte. And, if you download the app called Ripples, you can add fun art to the top of your coffee drinks. How fun?!
The Henry – 4455 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Another fun, sophisticated place to dine. It is both elegant and also super industrial. Furniture is mismatched, beams are exposed and yet somehow everything works so well together. For lunch I got the Harvest Bowl which I highly recommend. It is full of sweet potato, ancient grains, cauliflower, snap peas, artichoke, asparagus, avocado, marcona almond pesto, cashew harissa and I added chicken. Still need to attempt to recreate this. It was seriously THAT good.
If you are a true sushi lover, you know that the little hole in the wall places beat out the big fancy places any day. This is a true hidden gem. I recommend the Jalapeno Bomb appetizer and the Spicy Garlic Albacore Roll. I. am. drooling. just thinking about them.
Jalapeno BombSpicy Albacore Roll
Hush Public House – 14202 N Scottsdale Rd #167, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Hush is an upscale dining experience in North Scottsdale but has a way of being incredibly inviting. The chef takes classic dishes but makes them more unique. The flavor combinations are insane and this place is a MUST try.
DUCK FRIED RICE Duck Confit, Sesame, Scallion, House Made Rayu, Fried EggCRISPY BRUSSELS SPROUTS Point Reyes Bleu Cheese, Nueske’s Bacon, Hot HoneyCACIO E PEPE Orzo, Pecorino Romano, Black TruffleGRILLED BROCCOLINI Calabrian Chili Vinaigrette, Toasted Bread Crumbs, Parmesan ReggianoDRAMA IN THE DESSERT Avocado Oil Washed Blanco Tequila, Ancho Chile, Basil Eea De Vie, Grapefruit, Lime
Humble Bistro is not your ordinary Italian cuisine. Fresh, homemade pastas, artisanal pizzas, and dishes crafted with an undeniable passion. The restaurant is the perfect atmosphere for a date night or a night out with friends, family, or colleagues.
Starbucks first opened in 1971 in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Presently, there are over 32,000 stores in 80 countries. It has quickly become a favorite to coffee lovers and tea enthusiasts while the average customer coming in about 6 times a month. Did you know that if a Starbucks employee wears a black apron it means that they are classified as a “coffee master?”
But back to why you are really here – the Starbucks hacks. Here are the 8 Starbucks hacks you need to know:
1.) Don’t limit yourself to the menu
Starbucks has what is known as a “secret menu” with drinks like the Matcha Pink Drink
You can also customize any drink on the menu to your liking
Under $5 – Iced coffee with milk in addition to flavor of choice
Iced vanilla Americano for an extra kick
2.) You can get your favorite drinks, cheaper
If you are willing to forgo foam, get a triple espresso over ice in a venti cup with room. Then use the milk/cream and make your own “latte”
3.) Take advantage of refills
Starbucks offers $0.50 refills on coffee and tea. *May be an additional charge for added flavor
4.) Bring your own cup
Not only is this better for the planet, but you save $0.10 on your drink. Might not seem like a lot, but hey, it adds up!
5.) The Rewards Program
When you sign up, every time you order, you receive points to use on future orders
You also get a Free Birthday Drink each year (any size, any customization)
6.) Order french press coffee
hanging out with friends at the cafe? share a french press in order to save a couple extra bucks!
7.) Get the most out of your drink
If you order an Iced Tea, ask for no water. Stronger brew that dilutes with the ice
Ask for light to no ice, especially in Cold Brew in order to get the most from your order. If you like a colder drink, get a separate cup off ice in addition to your order.
8.) Lastly, get specific about syrup
Tall: 3 pumps
Grande: 4 pumps
Venti: 5-6 pumps
Want your drink less sweet? Ask for less pumps of syrup!
In the market to buy or adopt a dog and curious about the most popular dog breeds in the U.S.? As Bill Murray once said, “I’m suspicious of people who don’t like dogs, but I trust a dog when it doesn’t like a person.” Dogs have been man’s best friend for centuries. These animals love us unconditionally. Each year the American Kennel Club ranks 197 dog breeds based on registered owners.
Here are the 20 most popular dog breeds in the U.S. for 2022:
1) Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are the most popular dog breed for the 31st year in a row!
2) French Bull Dog
One of the most popular breeds for celebritiesThe French Bulldog originated when English Bulldogs were bred with Pugs and Terriers after bull-baiting was banned in England in 1835. The smaller breed became a favorite companion for the Nottingham lace workers as the small Bulldogs loved to sit on laps and kept the workers warm.
3) Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever, an exuberant Scottish gundog of great beauty, stands among America’s most popular dog breeds. They are serious workers at hunting and field work, as guides for the blind, and in search-and-rescue, enjoy obedience and other competitive events, and have an endearing love of life when not at work.
4) German Shepherd
German Shepherds are famous for their intelligent, loyal, and hardworking natures. They are often used as guide, therapy, search-and-rescue, police, military, and narcotics and explosives detecting dogs. While they can come across as aloof to strangers, they are known to be wonderful family dogs.
5) Poodle
Poodles are extremely intelligent and are easily trained. They are agile and graceful as well as smart, and they enjoy and excel in a variety of canine sports, including agility, obedience, and tracking. They are excellent water-retrievers and also compete in dock diving and retriever hunt tests.
6) Bulldog
Dependable and predictable, the bulldog is a wonderful family pet and loving to most children. People-oriented as a breed, they actively solicit human attention. However, they have retained the courage that was originally bred into them for bull baiting, so they make fine watchdogs.
7) Beagle
The beagle is best known for rabbit hunting, although the breed also has been used to hunt animals as diverse as jackals and wild pigs. Although some beagles are still used individually or in packs for hunting, most beagles today are lovable house pets.
8) Rottweiler
This breed acquired its name from the old free city of Rottweil and was known as the “Rottweil butcher’s dog”. The butchers bred this type of dog purely for performance and usefulness. In due course, a first rate watch and driving dog evolved which could also be used as a draught do
9) German Short-Haired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointers are extremely versatile hunting dogs. Bred to be instinctive hunting all-rounders, these multitasking dogs can hunt, point, and retrieve, and have been used to hunt quarry of all kinds, including rabbits, raccoons, game birds, and even deer.
10) Dachshund
Despite their size, dachshunds are known for their courageous nature and will take on animals much larger than themselves. Some may be aggressive toward strangers and other dogs. As family dogs, dachshunds are loyal companions and good watchdogs. They are good with children if treated well.
11) Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is known as one of the most agreeable of small house dogs and is a loyal, loving pet for families. They also are known for their intelligence and enthusiasm for working. Many Pembrokes compete in dog sports, such as agility, herding, conformation, obedience, and more.
12) Australian Shepherd
The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train. Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners. True to their herding instincts, Aussies are very protective of their families and territory and will let you know if strangers approach, but they are not considered aggressive.
13) Yorkshire Terrior
Yorkshire Terriors are long-lived and hypoallergenic (the coat is more like human hair than animal fur), and they make fine little watchdogs. This is a true ‘personality breed,’ providing years of laughs, love, and close companionship.
14) Boxer
Loyalty, affection, intelligence, work ethic, and good looks: Boxers are the whole doggy package. Bright and alert, sometimes silly, but always courageous, the Boxer has been among America’s most popular dog breeds for a very long time
15) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is an enchantingly affectionate, playful, intelligent dog that eagerly indulges its guardians with endearing devotion. Shyness and aggression, fortunately, are not part of this breed’s behavioral milieu.
16) Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans are very intelligent, learn easily, respond quickly, and make loving and fun companions. However, they are very strong dogs and can become pushy, destructive, and unmanageable if not raised properly. Socialization starting in puppyhood is imperative, as is obedience training
17) Great Dane
Great Danes are considered gentle giants. They are moderately playful, affectionate and good with children. They will guard their home. Great Danes generally get along with other animals, particularly if raised with them, but some individuals in the breed can be aggressive with dogs they do not know.
18) Minature Schnauzer
Created to be all-around farm dogs and ratters, they are tough, muscular, and fearless without being aggressive. The Miniature Schnauzer is a bright, friendly, trainable companion, small enough to adapt to apartment life but tireless enough to patrol acres of farmland. They get along well with other animals and kids.
19) Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky, a thickly coated, compact sled dog of medium size and great endurance, was developed to work in packs, pulling light loads at moderate speeds over vast frozen expanses. This northern breed is friendly, fastidious, and dignified
20) Bernese Mountain Dog
Big, powerful, and built for hard work, the Bernese Mountain Dog is also strikingly beautiful and blessed with a sweet, affectionate nature. Berners are generally placid but are always up for a romp with the owner, whom they live to please.
Now while these are the most popular dog breeds in the U.S., that does not mean that we love the hundreds of other breeds any less.
If you liked this post on the most popular dog breeds in the U.S., in order to learn more about our furry friends come read other articles here.
You know the saying “practice makes perfect?” Well after 12 years of research and 35,000 sales calls, there is no denying that Neil Rackham has perfect the ultimate sales technique. Selling seems simple, in theory, basically because in this increasingly competitive market and with consumers having access to information at the drop of a hat, adopting a sales methodology can be challenging. ‘Spin Selling’ by Neil Rackham is a method that helps you ask the right questions at the right time when it comes to selling.
Let’s start with the basics. What is SPIN selling?
S: Situation – needs/wants/desires that stem from dissatisfaction
P: Problem – providing a solution
I: Implication – how it affects the customer in the long run
N: Need (payoff) – how useful are improvements
The point is to instill a sense of value into the customer’s minds.
Benefits/Advantages:
open communication/build trust
know problems/needs/why people buy
skill development: convince customers they need your product
Misconceptions/Disadvantages
slow, requires research/time
focus on improving existing product instead of new product
“closing” is the primary goal
Did you know that 30% of the Top 100 biggest companies worldwide use the SPIN selling method?
How to use SPIN selling:
Step 1: Warm up prospects
situation and thought provoking questions
Step 2: Investigate your prospect’s problems
what is their problem? urgency? indirectly introduce your product as a solution
Step 3: Seal the deal
If your product solves their problem, schedule a free demo/trial
30. Let me type that again. T H I R T Y ! At 32, I still cannot believe that I am in my thirties.
Turning thirty truly is a milestone in life. Your twenties are seen as the years where you are figuring out who you in order to “find yourself” while your thirties are seen as a time to really embrace who you have become as a person. Society puts a lot of pressure on people to figure their sh*t out by this age or that age.
Don’t get me wrong, I have fallen into that trap many times. Wondering if I am where I should be by 30. “I can’t believe I haven’t finished writing my first book,” “Ugh, why do I not own my own home yet?” “I wish my life was more like…..” STOP. Back it up. Let’s try this again…
Every year on my birthday, I like to reflect on my life in order to see how far I have come and how much growth I still have to look forward to. I treat my birthday like the New Year because my birthday is the beginning of another chapter of my life. And much like New Years, I tend to make intentions for the year ahead.
However, as I was approaching my 30th birthday, I realized that I have learned a lot of truly important life lessons that will hopefully be a good foundation for my future.
Lessons that allowed me to celebrate my victories and my failures, get to know myself on a deeper level and showed me that success is a matter of perspective.
All that being said, here are 30 lessons I learned before I turned 30:
Throw out the timeline
Honestly, my life is nowhere near where I thought it would be by 30. I thought I would be married with at least one kid, living in a house with a white picket fence all while juggling motherhood and my own business. We are conditioned to believe that we need to have this whole life thing figured out but the truth is, no one really knows what they are doing. Even the people that appear to have their sh*t together.
But here I am. 30, single, childless, without a home to call my own and you know what? That is OKAY! It doesn’t mean I failed or that I won’t someday have all of those things. It just means that the choices I have made up until this point led me on a different path. I am taking the scenic route to my dream life. And on the way I ended up following my passion for helping people, opening my heart to what else life has to offer, finding things out about myself that I never knew, filling my life with so many adventures and memories and truly living my best life.
2. Travel often
“Traveling leaves you speechless, then it turns you into a storyteller” – Ibn Battuta
I made a goal when I was 20 to see all 50 states before my 30th birthday. I didn’t reach that goal, however, I was able to see some incredible places. And every place I went, I felt like I found a new piece of myself. I found out more about myself and about how different and not so different people live throughout the country. The more I traveled, the more I learned. The more I learned, the more I craved to learn more. To explore more.
I think my favorite part about traveling is getting to know people. Having conversations with people who live and think or even look differently than you opens your world up to so many things. Life is so much more than the bubble you surround yourself with. This world is so much bigger than us and we need to explore it, learn about it and appreciate it.
3. Move your body
4. Get more sleep
5. Find 3 hobbies: one to make you money, one to keep you in shape and one to be creative
I am sure by now you have heard of the 5 Love Languages. But if you haven’t they are: Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, Quality Time, Gifts and Acts of Service.
Everyone gives and receives love in one of these five ways and it is important to not only understand how you receive love, but how the people you love receive love as well. When we understand the way others love to be shown love, we are able to love them better. We allow ourselves to fulfill other’s needs more effectively. When we understand how we need to be loved, we learn to not accept anything short of that kind of love.
7. Don’t lost your inner child
Ever heard the saying, “Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional?” Why is this one of my 30 lessons I learned before 30? Because I feel like that is the best way to approach life. There is nothing we can do about getting older, however, we are only as old as we feel. There is no age when you need to stop believing in the magic of Disney or avoid wearing matching Christmas pajamas. Life doesn’t have to be serious all of the time. Make sure that you are filling your life with laughter and joy.
8. Relationships are here for a reason, a season or a lifetime
This was probably one of the biggest lessons I learned, especially in the last 5 or so years. Relationships are weird. No matter how strong a relationship is at one point in time, there is always the possibility of thinks not working out how you hoped. A friend that felt like family might leave your side, a family member might not show up when you need them, a partner might fall out of love with you.
What is important to realize is that there are levels to relationships. Some are there for the long haul. Those are the people that, even if you don’t see or talk to every day, they are still always there for you. Then you have the people who are there temporarily during a certain stage of your life but you eventually outgrow each other because well…life happens. The ones that seem to sting the most are the ones that are meant to teach you a lesson. There is a reason those people came into your life and sometimes figuring out that reason is how you become a better version of yourself.
9. Deal with your trauma
This is one of the biggest of the 30 lessons I learned before 30. I used to bottle up absolutely everything by sweeping my issues under the rug and focusing more on listening than speaking. I figured they were out of sight, out of mind. But they always found their way to creep back into my life and haunt me worse than before.
I decided to start facing my trauma a little at a time. Reflect on what I had been through, accept it as my reality, and only then was I able to truly start to heal. Your problems won’t just go away just because you don’t talk about them. They just end up creating more anxiety within you until you can’t control it any longer.
10. Wash your face!!
Rachel Hollis had a point with this one. Girl, WASH YOUR FACE! But seriously, her book aside, wash your face. Take care of your damn skin when you’re young. Use clean, quality products. Your future skin will thank me. Beautycounter, perhaps?
11. Slow down & BREATHE
12. Save your money
13. Be grateful every day
14. Practice mindfulness
15. Spend time with the people you love
I don’t think this one needs a whole lot of explanation. Life is short. You never know how long you have with the people you love. Hug them. Cherish them.
Don’t let too much time go by without telling your parents that you love them or let a fight with a friend stop you from being friends. Don’t let your ego destroy a relationship with a partner. Find the people you love and don’t let them go.
16. Closure isn’t required
This is a tough one because at the end of the day, we all want to know why something didn’t work out. Unfortunately, more often than not, we don’t get that closure that we feel like we need. And sometimes, no response, is a response. And if someone can’t give us an explanation as to why they did or said something or ghosted us…do we really want those types of people in our lives anyways?
17. Failure isn’t a bad thing
Fail. Let me say it again. F A I L. I beg you. Fall on your a$$ and learn to be resilient. It is so much more important to try and fail than to never try at all. Will is hurt? Absolutely. Will you feel like giving up sometimes? Hell yes. But when you finally succeed, it will feel that much sweeter because you know that it took a heck of a lot of hard work and consistency. It took a lot of punches to the gut, blood, sweat and tears. In the end, all the failures will be worth it.
18. Balance is key
As a Libra, I am all about balance. Work-life balance. Structure and chaos. Yin and Yang. Never take life too seriously but never take it serious enough. Don’t spend your 20s and 30s busting your butt in the corporate world with hopes of retiring and kicking back and enjoying life by 40. Live life now and live life when you’re 40.
19. Decluttering your space, declutters your mind
Between Marie Kondo and The Home Edit, my organization and cleanliness has gotten more intense than ever before. Not only do I thoroughly enjoy having systems with my organization, but it is so practical and makes cleaning up a mess that much easier.
I started to realize I had too much stuff. I would purge here and there and donate my gently used items and realized that the more I did that, the easier it became to let things go. And the more materialistic things I let go, the more clutter was free from my mind. I didn’t hoard my thoughts anymore. I realized that by holding on to too many things, it was my crutch to hold onto too many things in my head as well. And I didn’t want to do that anymore. I wanted to be rid of the clutter and organize the chaos so I could feel light and free.
20. Always be curious & willing to learn
This was a life lesson I learned from my 6 year old niece. She asks “why” more than any human I have ever met. She asks us such intelligent questions completely, unintentionally. And I love that about her. She isn’t afraid to challenge things and form her own opinion. She isn’t afraid to educate herself. I feel like we were all like that at one point and somewhere along the way, we lost the motivation to be curious. She inspires me to live life more curiously. To try and see things from the lens of a 6 year old by letting life excite me and interest me and to learn about things that I do not know while not being afraid to ask questions.
21. Learn to love yourself
22. Health is wealth
23. Pick a career that aligns with your passion & money will follow
24. Trust you gut
25. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable
I have had my heart broken many times, especially in my twenties. The pain doesn’t last forever and it is so important that you keep putting yourself out there. Being vulnerable is scary as hell, but it can also be so exciting. Especially when that time comes that you find your special someone.
If you never try, you’ll never know. And I would rather have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. I am a hopeless romantic living in what seems to be a romantically hopeless world and yet, I never give up hope. I allow my heart to feel what it feels and no, feelings are not always reciprocated and that is okay. Just don’t stop trying, k?
26. Everyone knows something you don’t
If you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the WRONG room! Don’t get me wrong, I love learning things and teaching them to other people. But I also want to learn from other people. I like to have conversations with people who’s views differ from mine. People who experience life differently than me. People who learned things a different way. 2+2=4, but so does 3+1 or 4+0.
Seeing life from different perspectives allows you to develop your own thoughts and opinions beyond the what you may have thought you knew.
27. Manifestation works
Okay, maybe not 100% of what you say you want comes true, but I am a strong believer in what you put out into the world comes back to you. When you want something bad enough, you work for it. You fight for it. And by manifesting the life you want, you put it out into the universe that you are ready for it. And when things align, then you get what you asked for.
28. Small progress is still progress
29. Being kind is cool
30. It’s about the journey, not the destination
I never want to reach a point in life and think, “Okay, I crossed everything off my bucket list, now what?” I want to enjoy all the little moments, go on endless adventures, travel the world, find my love story. I want to keep growing as a person, change the world, see the beauty in each day and know I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
“The average woman applies 80 chemicals to her body before breakfast daily through 3 types of products: makeup, hair care and skincare…It’s the yuck in our life. We are in constant chemical exhaustion.” – Harnisch
Let’s talk facts, shall we?
The last time Congress passed a major bill to regulate the cosmetic industry was in 1938.
The European Union has banned nearly 1400 ingredients and the U.S. has only restricted about 30.
Although they strongly discourage the use of some of these products, the law does not stop the beauty industry from using ingredients that have been linked to health problems (cancer, infertility, hormone disruption and early puberty).
In 2012, 400 types of lipstick contained lead.
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers are in 1/5 of all cosmetic products in the U.S. And brands can market themselves as natural and still contain these harmful chemicals. Beauty companies are encouraged, but not enforced, to have less than 0.2% formaldehyde in cosmetic products.
There re a bunch of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in skincare that mess with hormones. These things mimic hormone molecules and cause chaos in the body: BPA and pythalates, dioxin, Atrazine, perchlorate, fire retardants, lead, arsenic, mecury, PFCs, organophosphate pesticides, glycol ethers and soy.
Also, you can’t trust products that claim to be chemical-free. That’s impossible. Matter = Chemicals.
That’s why I’m such a big fan of the brand Beautycounter. They have a mission statement that shows they share the same values about skincare as I do. “One by one, we are leading a movement to a future where all beauty is clean beauty. We are powered by people, and our collective mission is to get safer products into the hands of everyone. Formulate, advocate, and educate – that’s our motto for creating products that truly perform while holding ourselves to unparalleled standards of safety. Why? It’s really simple: beauty should be good for you.”
I tried BeautyCounter for the first time in 2019. Little by little I have been testing products. And honestly, I have loved every single product I have tried. My collection began with the cleansing oil, resurfacing peel and a lip sheer. It has since grown to oils, serums, cleansers, lip sheers, eye cream, eyeshadow, bronzer, blush, face wipes, eyeliner, foundation, and even under eye patches.
To this day, I continue to use BeautyCounter products in my everyday routine. The All Bright collection is a must, IMO. Also, I haven’t found a clean foundation that comes even close to theirs.
If you have any interest in beautycounter or even have questions about the brand, I would recommend talking to Amanda Seyfert on Instagram @amandaelaine6. She has been so informative about the products and definitely has a passion for clean beauty.
I won’t compromise when it comes to the health of my skin. Will you?
At least that’s what they say at this local Chicago restaurant. Honey Butter Fried Chicken. I know, I know. It sounds intriguing. Did you know that this delicious combination was a happy accident? Yep, a wonderfully, beautiful accident.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken 3361 N. Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 (Avondale)
The owners used to partake in this thing called Sunday Dinner Club. This started off as a once a month event that many people wanted to attend. Because of this, there are now Sunday Dinner Club meetings 10-15 times a month. No longer limited to only Sundays. They would prepare foods that the people really wanted. You know, things like pizza, pasta, and you guessed it…fried chicken.
The side dish for the fried chicken was corn cakes with honey butter. The honey butter melted off the corn cakes and onto the chicken despite these being two separate dishes. While unintentional, someone took a bite and realized how good of a match the two were. They realized that THIS was something people would want. And as soon as they realized that this could be a huge opportunity for them, they got to work.
This restaurant opened in September of 2013 by Chicago Chefs Christine Cikowski and Josh Kulp. At first, HBFC had 50+ people waiting outside the door ready to order the day that their doors opened. In addition, They have been featured on ABCs The Chew and was awarded a Chicago Tribune Dining Award.  Because of this, HBFC got the opportunity to become a part of the Caviar family. Â
Honey Butter Fried Chicken Sandwich on a biscuit. Available for brunch only.
On their menu you will find tons of ways that they incorporate their chicken into various dishes. Sandwiches, salads and also some plain ‘ol chicken strips. They even offer brunch options like fried chicken and french toast, or my favorite, the chicken sandwich on a biscuit (with honey butter of course). In addition, HBFC has a variety of sides including: Pimento Mac and Cheese, Garlic Grits, Slaw, or even some other occasional specials.
Check them out at 3361 N. Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 (Avondale)
Honey Butter Fried Chicken’s Menu
Enjoy!
For more Chicago Local Spots, visit the Chicago Local tab!
Old Town Albuquerque 
San Felipe de Neri Church
Santa Fe, New Mexico 
Sandia Peak Tram
