How my Morning Macchiato is a form of Mindful Meditation.

You might be asking, can a morning macchiato really be a form of mindful meditation? Let’s see!

This weekend, as I was sipping my macchiato and chatting with the Mr. I started to wax rhapsodically about my coffee, and why I love my weekend morning ritual. He pointed out how it sounded to him like mindful meditation. Ok Mr. smarty pants!

I, of course, being familiar with the concept of mindful meditation, had never correlated it with my love affair of my weekend coffee ritual. When I got home I decided to ask the Google for a clear definition of mindful meditation. Low and behold, the hubby was right.

Here is what Google said . . .

Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/mindfulness-exercises/art-20046356

So let me set the scene for you. I’m sitting in a courtyard flanked by several local establishments, one of them being my local coffee shop. The architecture is a charming colonial brick with a ton of windows and adorable awnings to boot. A flower & herb border, everywhere there can be one, and potted plants to fill in the gaps. The large oak tree that resides streetside shoots out like an umbrella providing abundant dappled shade throughout the courtyard at that time of the day.

The patio is speckled with wrought iron patio tables & chairs, along with green umbrellas to match the ‘green’ theme, it being nestled inside the town of Gruene and all. Situated in the center of the courtyard is a water fountain feature that was recently, and regrettably, turned into a flower bed. That being said, imagine the last nine years with this lovey fountain spouting water from the top and overflowing below into its reserved basins. Upon which birds would come, drink, bathe, and play, much to the delight of every onlooker and patron in attendance.

Visually, this setup is simply charming. Audibly it is equally the same. And, when the birds aren’t chirping, or the wind whistling through the trees, the local restaurant is playing some vintage and jazz mix through the exterior speakers.

I haven’t even mentioned the coffee – my sole purpose for being there. The shop, Kora Kora, has passed through three different owners since I have begun frequenting the establishment. And, for the most part, the coffee has remained pretty much consistent.

I initially found the shop shortly after my month in Italy, back in 2013. Quick story – upon arrival back in the USofA – and after a very sad & quick goodbye to starbucks – I came to this local coffee shop and explained to the master barista (specialist, magician, whatever you want to call him) Josh, what I had just experienced in Italy, and what I was looking for. When I first tasted the tiny cappuccino he made for me, I sighed with such relief and almost cried with utter joy. I also never looked back, and have been a loyal customer ever since.

Couple the courtyard scene, the coffee, and 9 years of nostalgia, and my weekend ritual is just that – a ritual. From first walking into the café – to greeting the barista’s behind the bar – to then being asked if we want our usuals – to sitting outside in the pleasant temps under the dappled shade – to inhaling the aromas of the espresso roast – to finally taking the first sip. Yeah, it’s totally mindful meditation!

My heart sings in ways I never would have imagined, all while smiling above the rim of a coffee cup. The experience of being present while enjoying the simple pleasures of life – that is bliss, and unapologetically so!

And this is how my morning macchiato is mindful meditation!

Port A Getaway

A couple weeks ago, we decided to skip town to the beach, for a Port A Getaway. So glad we did too, note to self though, two nights was not enough, three nights at the very least next time. 

We booked a stupid cute VACASA condo at the Palmilla Beach Resort, and the condo did not disappoint. Super adorable & coastal chic, whoever designed this space thank you, it was the perfect balance of coastal & comfort, and exactly the environment I needed to escape to.

The resort itself is utterly charming!  This tranquil and coastal community dazzled me with the sun bleached colors and its 50 shades of aqua & blue.

I think I found a few future beach vacation home possibilities. 😉

While we were there we decided to rent a beach/ golf cart to fully enjoy the 73 degree temps for our two days stay.  The cart allowed us to maneuver from condo to beach to town, then back to condo without sacrificing the scenery, the sun, and the salty air.  Cruising beach-side was pure bliss. 

We also enjoyed a few restaurants while there in Port A.  Funny enough, my “mad” food photography skills never reared themselves, oops – I, instead, simply dined with the others and soaked in the moments. 

However, the fish tacos were tasty at Fin’s and they paired well with the pirates punch I enjoyed. The second day, at Lelo’s, I savored my swiss portobello sandwich that truely rivaled my mango margarita, it was too close to call.  But, if you know me at all, my true delight was my single shot wet macchiato from Coffee Waves every morning. It was so yummy, thank you Coffee Waves.

Overall, it was an immensely successful getaway to Port Aransas. 

Next time we’ll stay for more days.  Enjoy an extra macchiato, or two. Dip our toes in the Gulf for a bit longer, breathe in an abundance of salty air, soak up as many sun rays as possible, and ultimately collect just a few more of life’s precious moments.

If you had 3 days to getaway, where would you go? Are you a beach fiend like me? Are you a mountain lover who wants to hike and explore nature? Or, are you pulled into the city with all the hustle and bustle of bright lights and people?

Leave a comment below, I’d love to know where you’d like to go to getaway?

Beauty Pie Haul

Eek! As promised, here is my mini haul from Beauty Pie. I’m kinda excited!

These products are such a wonderful addition to my current skincare routine. To start, most of their products are not only safe, but are recommended, for sensitive skin. The formulas are simply that clean.

In addition to them being extremely clean, they are also backed by science. These product are formulated within the same labs as most of the premium products that are out on the market today.

For instance, below is pictured my new Triple Hyaluronic Acid Deep Moisture Miracle Cream. This cream typically sales for $60, my membership price was $17.43 for 1.69 fl.oz. This cream claims that it is also suitable for all skin types but exceptionally effective on dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin. Bonus, it is likewise vegan and cruelty free.

Beauty Pie has brilliantly cut out the middleman, as well as unnecessary packaging, and subsequent marketing, thusly adding to their overall savings. These savings afford me the opportunity to splurge a little bit extra in the pampering department – who doesn’t want to treat themselves every once and awhile.

Just for the record – their packaging is some of my favorite out there (look at that pink).

As an online consumer, I have to say that Beauty Pie’s website’s user experience is refreshing. Beauty Pie makes it surprisingly friendly to navigate – finding answers to questions like: how to use, what is the full ingredient list, and even, what the trial results were.

Needless to say, I am eager to implement these products, and see how I get on with them. I’d love to know if you’ve tried Beauty Pie, and if you’d recommend any of their products specifically?

Surroundings & Personal Style

I love art, interior design, and all things aesthetic. I have been on a “surround myself with beauty” quest for decades, and I have been establishing my surroundings & personal style for just as long. It has been only with the addition of Pinterest that has aided me to finally solidify my own personal style. Which by the way, is constantly evolving.

I have been intentionally implementing my personal style within my surroundings for about a decade now. That being said, most of the larger purchases that I’ve accrued have been only in the last three years.

“No matter where you find yourself, you can begin to elevate the energy of your surroundings.”

– Tonya Leigh

Here are some of my inspiration images from my Pinterest h o m e board!

Photos via Pinterest | P I N S P I R A T I O N

Several years ago I read a great book – L’art de la Simplicité: How to Live More with Less by: Dominique Loreau. In one of her early chapters she writes about the importance of our surroundings, and their impact on our energy – from the actual pieces themselves, to their placements throughout your space. This exact thought would later be reiterated by my coach Tonya Leigh.

Late in 2019 as we were building our home, I decided to actualize my personal style that I’d been honing on Pinterest. So I decided to establish my overall color inspiration, thank you Cyprus (my calico cat). As you can see throughout the images below, I have pretty much held to that color scheme. However, the above inspiration images that reflect my personal style, have a classic, romantic, transitional, and an almost Parisian feel to them.

I first started reinventing my surroundings in very small ways. A coffee table book here, a candle and a decorative piece there, and eventually graduated to a side table here and piece of art over there. I DO NOT have this all figured out, I am still on my own discovery journey. I do find the process of defining my personal style to be so much fun though, just like life, I am practicing enjoying the ride.

If you are just beginning or midway through your journey, here is a great place to start. Ask yourself – are your surroundings elevating or draining your energy? Are your surroundings shaping you, or are you shaping your surroundings? Does your space elevate your dreams, your goals, or your life? After all, our surroundings tell a narrative about ourselves. Do you like the narrative?

Do the mental work and start believing you are worthy of beautiful surroundings that tell your personal story. Then, take responsibility for your current space and the narrative it tells. Question your thoughts, and beliefs about your surroundings. Don’t judge where you’re starting at, or your thoughts about what led to here, be kind to yourself. Do the work to love your current spatial situation unconditionally, then move forward from a place of love.

Lean into that next-level you. Make your space reflect you, the you you are aiming for – the future you. Figure out your true style match. Lose the descriptors that box you in. Throw away labels that feel dated. investigate your style, have your likes & interests outgrown your current setup? If the environment feels dated, try to up-level it.

Elevate your style! Get creative & conscious and create a new, or re-edit your old, home board on Pinterest. Look for recurring patterns and themes within the pins you pin. Allow room for your style to evolve. Notice what actually draws you in, as well as what pushes you away. Don’t deny your thoughts and feelings about your personal style, embrace them and allow them – and lean in!

Declutter! Sometimes this simple act can help uplift your energy and mood. It also can help get the snowball rolling in the direction you are heading. Start small with a drawer, or closet. Question if the items to keep are useful, beautiful, or align with your aesthetics. Would you buy this item again?

Don’t forget, an empty spot allows the mind to seek the right item to put there, in lieu of something that drains your energy and causes unwanted thoughts & feelings.

Think also in terms of a “capsule” approach. Make a list of staple items needed; dresser, dining room table, desk, etc.. Hierarchy the list by investment cost and prioritize what works best for you. Begin to bring in the best quality you can afford, it doesn’t have to be expensive. You can always find affordable items at Target, HomeGoods, World Market, and even Amazon.

And if you just can’t be bothered to shop, or wait around for those long delivery times, simply re-zhuzh what you already have. Repurpose its use. Paint it. Replace the hardware. Get creative. Move things around based on how it feels to you. Just like we evolve ourselves over time, some of what we already own can also be elevated.

Whatever you end up doing, have fun! A good rule of thumb is, if you aren’t having fun with it, you are probably doing it wrong. Keep it light, keep in functional, and definitely keep it fun. 😉

Aging Gracefully

If ‘quality has no fear of time‘ – then aging gracefully, doesn’t have to imply that one is in search of the fountain of youth.

This weekend I celebrated my 48th trip around the sun. Truthfully, with each passing year I fall more & more in love with my life, my journey, and the woman I am becoming.

While aging brings so much wisdom – let’s face it, it also brings wrinkles & sagging skin. Despite that, I believe I have “mostly” reconciled myself with my aging body and face. And when I am being intentional with my thoughts, my time, and my investments, I recognize that quality is paramount – after all, quality is an investment in the future. 

Quality has no fear of time.

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Let me preface, I, personally, am NOT attempting to “look younger” than I actually am – only to love & care for what I already have, and embrace the best possible version of me. And while, I can’t stop father time from marching across my face, or down neck for that matter – I can take advantage of the beautiful science & technology available right at my finger tips.

Welcome to my apothecary.

I love a good serum and creme. I also love a strong exfoliant and retinol. Unfortunately, this momma’s skin is hypersensitive. I have been on a quest for the perfect cocktail of ingredients suitable for my skin type for awhile now. But, like my personal development, these things take time, and trial & error.

So I continue to buy gadgets and gizmos of plenty, along with some whosits and whatsits galore. And while I am focused on topical treatments, for now, I am not swearing off Botox completely. Additionally, I support all women of all ages to decide what is best for their face, and skincare needs. I am all about governance of one’s own self. By all means – DO YOU!

Below I share a bit of my current skincare protocol, what I do regularly, and sometimes sporadically.

Cleanse – or just rinse with cool water.

Toner – needing to repurchase.

Vitamin C – I think this is causing some irritation, I am stepping away from it for a minute.

Serum – thinnest to thickest formulas

Eye Cream – I do this am & pm.

Moisturizer – I alternate rich in the colder/ dryer months and lightweight in the hotter/ humid months.

SPF – ALWAYS SPF!!

Cleanse – Cleansing balm to remove my waterproof mascara.

2nd Cleanse – same as the AM.

This is where I would use a mask, LED, or microneedling (this is new).

Retinol – Curology (2-4 times a week) – I am looking into their sister company Agency.

Serum – same as the am or a CoQ10

Moisturizer – alternating rich with lightweight depending on the season.

Lip mask – I loooooove this stuff and highly recommend it!

In full disclosure, my aging gracefully journey has not been a very ‘faithful’ or ‘diligent’ one. I’ve always cleansed, slapped on some serum and then moisturizer with spf. However, taking it up a notch to combat father time, well now, that is more of a recent endeavor.

I recently placed an order with Beauty Pie. As soon as I get that in I’ll share what I got and how I plan on integrating them into the routine, if you anyone is interested.

Remember, starting from the inside is vital – the quantity of water we drink, as well as the quality of foods we consume can add or subtract to the overall health of our skin. I also haven’t even touched on some of the gadgets I have that claim to aid in my skincare journey. I’ll get to that eventually, especially as I use them more regularly, all in hopes to generate a result or an opinion of sorts.

I will link everything I have mentioned, if possible. That being said, I’d also love to know what some of you middle aged goddesses use. I am always seeking new beauties – obviously.

Side note, some of my favorite resources can be found on YouTube.  They are the women I look to for answers to several of my skincare questions and needs.  Their content has been a wealth of knowledge! Click through if you have your own unanswered questions – Angie: HotandFlashy | Renée: Gothamista. | Penn: PENN.SMITH.SKINCARE

Remember, when you find value, quality, and gratitude in your everyday life, there is no fear of time, and that my dears is aging gracefully in my opinion. Cheers to aging, whether it’s aging gracefully, powerfully, or audaciously – just age – however you feel you want to!!