Happy Monday, y’all!
Today’s post is on the shorter side. After a long weekend of checking the boxes on my to do list, today is for mental health and self care!
With It being Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I am lucky enough to have my sweet husband home for the whole day. Since this doesn’t happen often given my husband’s job in the Army, we try to take advantage of it when it does!
What’s something you and your significant other like to do together when you have time together?
XOXO,
Leah
Now that winter is in full swing, I’m always on the lookout for pieces that follow the 3 C’s; comfy, cozy, and cute! Today, I’m going to tell you all about my new favorite pullover and joggers from Target!
If you’re like me, you don’t really go to Target needing anything specific. You go and Target tells you what you need! That was definitely the case on my most recent trip to what one of my favorite stores.
Most days when I’m just at home hanging out and getting some work done, you’ll find me in some variation of sweatpants or leggings and a sweater. With it being winter, I’m all about staying comfy and cozy, but I don’t necessarily want to give up looking cute to accomplish those. The Target Gods must have sensed this because they sent me straight to my new favorite pieces of loungewear!
This pullover has the cutest cowl-neck detail which I love since it’s not big and bulky! Instead of plain cotton drawstrings, they’re made of a velvet material that I think adds a nice contrast. The bell sleeves give it a fun and feminine touch that pairs perfectly with the high slits on both sides.
I love that it’s lightweight, but still keeps me warm on a chilly days! It’s so perfect to pair with a plain tee or tank top under it too! It also pairs well with jeans and a cute pair of shoes! I have the pullover in Charcoal Grey, but in certain lighting it reads a little more purple than grey. It also comes in several other colors!
Now, let’s talk about how awesome the matching joggers are! Just like the pullover, these are seriously a cozy, comfy, and cute addition to any wardrobe! They have a velvet drawstring waistline which is nice to make sure they stay up throughout whatever you’re doing. While they’re simple in looks, they will not disappoint!
I technically found these in the pajama section, but the simple design makes them perfect to wear to the gym, out running errands, or could even be dressed up a little with a cute top and jean jacket! Just like the pullover, these joggers are seriously soft! I have these in Grey.
If you’ve been on the hunt for a few great pieces to add to your wardrobe this winter, look no further! At $20 (pullover) and $17 (joggers) a piece, these really can’t be beat! If you’d like to see how they fit a little better, head over to my Instagram, @alongftride, to see!
XOXO.
Leah
Cheers to my first post of 2019!! I hope your year is off to a great start!
If you’re anything like me though, traveling can take its toll on your health, in more ways than one. The holidays always seem to be the time where this hits me the hardest too. While I try to stay on top of things with a well-balanced diet, drinking lots of water, exercise, etc., it can still be hard to fight off those pesky colds off!
Today, I’m sharing a few of my favorite ways to take back my health after getting knocked down!
It’s no secret that I feel my absolute best when I’m feeding my body well! For me, this often means whole foods; cooked, raw, frozen… You get the idea.
A few of my favorite snacks are baby carrots and cucumbers with hummus, roasted veggies, fresh fruit, and frozen grapes (they seriously taste like candy!). There have been days after traveling where I’ve been known to just eat trays of roasted veggies like it’s my job!
Along with feeding my body well is also staying hydrated! I love having fresh lemon and cucumber on hand to add to a big pitcher of water. It adds a little flavor, and I still get all of the benefits from it. You can really add whatever kinds of fruits you like!
I do throw in the occasional smoothie, juice, or tea to break it up too. Whoever said that variety is the spice of life was so true!! The more hydrated I am, the better my skin looks, the less headaches I get, and the less bloated I feel. It really is a win win!
If you’ve read previous posts of mine you’ll know that I’m all about treating myself, especially when it can help improve my mental and emotional health! After a long plane or car ride, there is nothing quite like a nice, hot bath with Epsom salt.
In addition to stretching, this really helps me get my muscles and joints feeling 100% again! There’s also just something so therapeutic about setting aside that time for myself to do nothing but relax! It’s also the perfect time to have a nice, hot cup of tea to sip on while you soak!
I’ve always been a big believer that mental and emotional health is just as important as physical health! If you follow me over on Instagram, you’ll have heard me talk about my love of journaling before.
Each day, I try to start the day off by writing down three things from the previous day that brought me joy. The beauty of this is that they can really be anything; nice weather, a hot cup of coffee, a dinner date, five extra minutes of sleep… The options are endless! It helps me keep the bad moments in perspective and to always remember that even what seems like the worst possible day had good moments in it too!
What are some ways you like to take care of yourself and get back to feeling well? Do we have any in common? Let me know down below!
XOXO,
Leah
Today’s post is short and sweet in honor of soaking up as much quality time as we all can this time of year!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I can tell y’all how thankful I am for each and everyone of you that has come along for the ride with me and supported me on this new adventure! It really does mean the world to me!
I hope your holiday season is merry and bright and that you are surrounded by so much love and light as 2018 comes to a close!
XOXO,
Leah
It’s the most wonderful time of the year; my whole little family gets to travel to our home state for the holidays!! To say we’re excited is an understatement, and I may or may not have a countdown going! Someone once said that “there’s no place like home for the holidays”, and they could not be more spot on.
In anticipation of all the traveling happening around this time of year, I’m sharing my number one hack when it comes to packing! So, weather you’re going for a long trip or just overnight getaway, your bag(s) will be all set to go!
With my husband being in the Army, I’ve mastered the art of rolling clothes. Everytime he goes away for training, our living room floor turns into a clothes rolling station! Not only does this help us save so much room in our suitcase, but I’ve also noticed that our clothes don’t seem to wrinkle quite as much this way which is a definite plus! I don’t know about you, but I’ll do anything I can to not have to iron something.
For things like shirts and sweaters, you’ll start with it laid out on a flat surface.
Next, you’ll fold the bottom of the shirt until you have a band that reaches about the middle of the shirt. I’ve really learned that this is a trial and error step since the thickness of tops varies, but halfway seems to work with most!
Fold the sides in about halfway, and then start rolling from the top of the shirt down towards the folded part.
Once you get to the top of the folded part of the shirt, you’ll stop rolling and unfold the bottom of the shirt so it is now wrapped around the rest of it. This will leave you with a nice and compact shirt. It’s also nice because, if your bag or suitcase is deep enough, you can stand things up so they’re easy to tell apart when you go to get dressed!
Even our socks get rolled up! With Ailey constantly wanting to “help” us pack, our socks can sometimes get unmatched or one will go missing altogether, but with them rolled up we never have to worry about only being able to find one!
For these, you’ll just lay one sock on top of the other but slightly lower.
Then, you’ll start rolling from the toes of the socks.
Once you get to the top of the first sock, fold the top of the second sock over the roll!
What’s your tried and true hack for packing for a trip? Do you use the rolling method too? Let me know down below!
To follow along with our road trip and adventures back home in the snow, follow me on Instagram at @alongftride!
XOXO,
Leah
As the days keep winding down until Christmas and the New Year, I’ve been thinking a lot more about 2018. It feels like the year flew by, but looking back there was actually so much packed into this one year!
My husband and I celebrated one year of marriage. We’ve worked to make our house feel more like a home, and we even go to host our first guests! We spent quite a bit of time apart, but we also had a lot of amazing moments together. I finally embarked on this blogging journey, and I could not be more grateful for every single one of you that reads my posts!
I’ve never been a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. Why put off until tomorrow what you could start today? Every day is really the best day to start working towards the future and best version of yourself that you can be! It’s not always about achieving the big things all at once, but also the building blocks that make them up.
As I sit and re-read through my journal where I write down three things that brought me joy each day or that I’m thankful for my heart is feeling so incredibly full, and I just have to share! In honor of the twenty-two days left of 2018, here are twenty-two things from the past year that I am so incredibly grateful for!
1. My wonderful husband.
2. Being wrapped up in love from family even though we’re hundreds of miles away.
3. My sweet Aussie pup and the absolute JOY she is in our lives.
4. One year of marriage in the books and all of the lessons learned along the way.
5. This house that we’re making a home out of. We may not own it, but it is just right for us. I definitely agree that love grows best in little houses like ours.
6. Good friends that have become family.
7. Lazy weekends at home with no one to see and nowhere to be,
8. Getting to explore this new state that we live in.
9. Date nights with my love.
10. Our cozy bed that we get to snuggle up in at the end of the day.
11. Coffee, all of the coffee.
12. Having my family a phone call, text, or FaceTime away. I’ve gotten home sick more times that I’d like to admit this past year away, but having a phone to connect helps make it seem not quite as bad.
13. Food in the fridge and pantry, lights, heat/air conditioning, and running water. I’m really trying to be better when it comes to appreciating these things that not everyone has access to!
14. Good health, both mine and my husbands.
15. The Army. As much as I hate it sometimes, it is not lost on me just how much my husband’s job provides for us. I will always be thankful for that aspect of it!
16. My job that allows me to work from where there is Wi-Fi.
17. Having money in our bank accounts. It truly is a blessing to have a safety net, especially when unexpected things come up.
18. All of the lessons that we’ve learned and have grown from in 2018.
19. Seeing just how far we’ve come this year. Looking every day, it didn’t seem like we were getting much closer to the big things we want to achieve. Now looking back over the months, it’s crazy to see just how far we really have come!
20. Realizing that I am capable of handling much more than I used to think.
21. My God. I know I would not be anywhere near where I am now without Him and His faithfulness in my life. The hardest times seemed a little easier knowing I was never truly alone.
22. This blog (and Instagram). It took a leap of faith, but I am so incredibly thankful for this chance to share a little bit of myself with y’all!
As the year draws to a close, what are you thankful for from 2018? Take the time and write them all out; the big and small things. I think it is so important to always remember just how lucky we really are and how much we truly do have to be thankful for and just how many moments of joy there really are in our everyday lives. Do we have any of the same things in common? Let me know down below!
XOXO,
Leah
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The time of the year where we get to reconnect and catch up with loved ones, eat yummy food, and make great memories, but what happens when it’s also the most stressful time of the year for you?
I’ve struggled with stress and anxiety, especially during the holidays, for as long as I can remember. I was always the girl that needed several hours tucked away in my room after any kind of family gathering to decompress. I still am that way.
Don’t get me wrong, I love all of the happy things that the holidays bring. Some of my best and fondest memories involve them, but I think it’s important to talk about the not so great feelings the holidays can bring with them, and most importantly, ways to help make things better.
1. I’m a people pleaser by nature. I don’t like confrontation, so I try to avoid it at all costs. The biggest thing for me around the holidays is knowing and respecting my own boundaries. It can be draining between all of the travel and going from party to party and worrying about what to get people for gifts. The older I get, the more I’m learning that it’s okay to politely say “no” when I need to. It’s not being rude, just me taking care of myself!
2. God bless my sweet husband! When someone has been in your life for a long time, chances are that they’ve picked up on when you’re getting overwhelmed and anxiety is kicking in too. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a good support system in place. Having my husband there with me helps tremendously since I have that peace of mind that I have a safe spot to land. If there isn’t someone that is physically there with you, don’t underestimate the power of a quick text exchange! Even having someone to call or text when you need a break can make a big difference!
3. Whoever planned the holiday season to happen right when cold and flu season happen wasn’t planning too well. With that being said, I really try to be mindful of my physical health as well as my mental and emotional. Have you ever noticed how your anxiety seems so much worse when you’re not feeling well? I know I have! This time of year, it’s so important to try and make sure to get enough sleep, eat foods that nourish your body, and stay hydrated to combat all of those illnesses that are going around.
4. If you’re like me and the holidays kick your anxiety up a notch, chances are that you already have a few tricks up your sleeve for when you can only take a few moments to yourself. It’s especially important around the holidays to know which of your coping skills are the most effective for you. I’m not ashamed to say I’ve found a spot away from all of the noise and commotion to take a few good, deeps breaths in. No, it doesn’t magically fix everything, but it does help for the time being. For the times that taking deep breaths doesn’t work, I check in with my husband to.
5. If I got to choose between playing with my niece and nephews over another “what are you doing with your life” talk with adults, I’d choose the little ones all day! At holiday parties, most kids are just thinking about playing and having fun, not having deep conversations about life. Join in on their game and tap into their easy and fun energy! This can also be applied to pets! It’s no secret that petting a cute puppy can help reduce your blood pressure, elevate your mood, and in turn release endorphins.
At the end of the day, you have to take care of yourself first! There is nothing selfish or rude about it; it’s just something that needs to happen, and there really is no time like the present! So this Holiday season, remember to be kind to yourself too!
XOXO,
Leah
I love everything about Christmas time; store fronts decorated with sparkling lights, snowmen, and snowflakes, mugs of hot chocolate with marshmallows, getting to see family and friends, and all of the festivities that the season brings.
While I love going out to dinner or a movie with my husband, we can go on those kinds of dates anytime of the year. As we get older, quality time spent together is that much more important to us and all the more special!
Today, I’m helping you get a jumpstart with 25 things that should be on your bucket list this holiday season!
1. Decorate the house and fill it with the holiday spirit!
2. Bake and decorate holiday themed cookies. This is a tradition that is still going strong in my family!
3. Attend a tree lighting ceremony.
4. Go skiing or snowboarding, even if it is just on a hill by your house!
5. Drive around to look at Christmas lights and decorations. Some neighborhoods really go all out!
6. Unleash your inner child and have a good old fashioned snowball fight.
7. Make homemade ornaments. They can be as simple or intricate, uniformed or sentimental as you want!
8. Binge watch all of the Christmas Movies!
9. Make homemade hot chocolate mix. Another tradition in my family, and it will always be one of my favorites!
10. Have an indoor picnic. Spread out a big comfy blanket, have the candles or fireplace burning, and enjoy!
11. Make peppermint bark, or any kind of chocolate bark for that matter! There’s no limit to the combinations you can create.
12. Make and decorate a gingerbread house! This is a lot easier nowadays since you can buy the kits at the store.
13. Build a snowman complete with a scarf, buttons, and a carrot nose!
14. Roast s’mores over a fire. If you don’t have access to a fireplace, there are some great indoor s’mores kits too!
15. Go on The Polar Express train ride. To find the one nearest to you, a simple Google search will do!
16. Make all of the winter comfort food; soups, casseroles, breads, etc.!
17. Volunteer at your favorite charity or organization. If time is limited for you, donations are always appreciated, especially around the holidays!
18. Take Christmas pictures to document the end of another year and to be able to look back in the years to come.
19. Go for a carriage ride on a snowy night.
20. Make a pillow and blanket fort. This would be a great place to watch all of the Christmas movies from too!
21. Bundle up and go window shopping. I’ve found some of the best and most unique Christmas gifts this way!
22. Go ice skating. I am by no means a great skater, but something about it just makes me think of the holiday season!
23. Host a game night! Sometimes there’s nothing better than good food, good company, and playing good old fashioned board games.
24. Make snow angels! I’ve loved doing this since I was little, and now that my siblings have little ones, it’s fun to keep the tradition going with them.
25. Dance around the house to Christmas music. Nothing puts me in the holiday spirit more than the songs I’ve been listening to all my life!
What are your favorite things to do during the holiday season?
XOXO,
Leah
I don’t’ know about you, but my skin can get to feel pretty rough during the winter if I don’t have a skincare routine in place and really stick to it. After growing up in Michigan and going through my fair share of winters, I have a tried and true routine that I can’t do without! Today I’m talking about my ride or dies when it comes to keeping my skin healthy and happy!
1. Grown Alchemist Polishing Facial Exfoliant. This is, by far, my favorite exfoliant that I’ve tried. It is a little on the pricier side, but a little of this goes a long way, and I really do notice a difference when I use it and when I don’t. It’s gentle on my face, but still effective in removing dry and dead skin cells. It always leaves my skin looking brighter and smoother after I use it. I’ve noticed that my moisturizer is also absorbed much better on the days I use this first! If that’s not a win, I don’t know what is.
2. Coco Shea Coconut 24-Hour Moisture. This moisturizer pulls double duty for me! Not only is it a great full body lotion, but I have also been loving using a tiny bit on my face! The coco and shea butters leave my skin feeling so soft and hydrated while the coconut oil helps to nourish and nurture my skin. The faint scent of coconut is also nice during the cold winter months as I’ve always associated it with warmer and more tropical weather! At least I can pretend that I’m not freezing with snow and frost around me!
3. Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe. Just like the last moisturizer, this lotion is also a great full body lotion. When I’m not really feeling the scent of coconut though, I opt out for this one by Vaseline. In my opinion, it’s just as good! The aloe in it is great for soothing my skin if it’s a little irritated from the cold wind outside. Even though there’s Vaseline jelly mixed in, I never feel like it leave my face oily or shiny looking. If you’re someone that loves being outside during the winter, it’ll also help relieve any wind burn or chafing from scarves, headbands, etc.
4. Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner. When my pores need a little help and I see the beginning signs of a breakout on my face, I always reach for this toner! It’s a great formula that helps cleanse my skin of impurities that would give me full blown breakouts. It also helps keep those excess oils from wreaking havoc! It’s also very cooling and refreshing! I love using it first thing in the morning to help wake me up a little. I just dab a little on a cotton round, wipe it all over my face, and go!
5. Breakout Box 3-In-1 Ace Treatment Kit. I received this complimentary of Influenster to test out in my latest VoxBox. Each kit comes with 24 Pimple Shrinking Salicylic Acid & Tea Tree Dots, 24 Whitehead-Absorbing Hydrocolloid Dots, and 3 Blackhead-Eliminating Nose Strips. The dots are my new favorite spot treatments! Their design makes them super easy and convenient to use. Just peel one of the dots and stick it where you need to. The nose strips are perfect to help get rid of dead skin, decongest and minimize pores. Peeling this off along with seeing and feeling just how deeply it reached was unlike any other strip I’ve tried before!
6. Shea Butter Hand Cream. Ever since I was little, this has been a product that my mom has sworn by. She always had a tube of it on her nightstand, and I felt so grown up when she’d let me use some too! Now that I’m older and appreciate good products, I understand why this has always been a favorite of hers! The quality and results don’t lie! A tiny pea size drop of this is all I need to use on my hands, but it leaves them feeling so soft and smooth without feeling oily. With colds being spread and caught so easily in the winter, I wash my hands tons which is not the best for my skin. This hand cream helps combat that while still letting me keep the germs away!
7. Energie de Vie The Smoothing & Plumping Water-Infused Cream. You know what they say, there’s no time like the present! I may only be in my twenties, but it’s never too soon to take care of your skin. Another product shared with me by my mom, and I love it just as much as the last! I use this twice a day; once in the morning and once before bed. I’m not going to lie and say I eat a perfectly balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and always wear sunscreen because I don’t. This cream helps me combat everyday life though. After using it for months, I definitely notice the bags under my eyes aren’t nearly as bad, the fine lines on my forehead have smoothed out, and even if I’m feeling tired, my skin doesn’t look it nearly as much as it used to!
What are your must have skin care products to make it through another winter?
XOXO,
Leah
For me, social media is all about creating a connection with people near and far! While I have so much more planned for the future in the way of lifestyle, fitness, fashion, and food, today I’m sharing ten fun facts! I feel like I’ve been asked about this for a while, and you know what they say… There’s no time like the present!
1. I was born in South Korea and adopted! I lived there for about four months before I was adopted and came over to the states to unite with my forever family. Other than the few small details that my parents were told, I know nothing about my birth mother or father. As I’ve gotten older though, I am so incredibly thankful to them for what must have been a difficult decision! Placing me up for adoption was so selfless, and I will always be thankful for that.
2. I can’t make it through a scary movie to save my life. I am seriously the biggest wimp when it comes to anything even remotely scary! Give me a romantic comedy or musical any day though!
3. I danced for 19 years! From around the age of 3 until I graduated college, I took dance classes. I even got the chance to study at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as part of their Professional Division!
4. I competed in the Miss America Organization! A girlfriend of mine had been competing and winning titles for a few years, and kept pushing me to take the plunge. I guess she saw the potential in me before I did! Once I did, there was no looking back. I was lucky enough to hold one local title and got to compete at Miss Michigan!
5. Exclamation points are my jam!! I probably overuse them, but oh well. Life is too short to not get excited about the little things!
6. 2017 was the biggest year for me thus far! I got to marry my best friend, welcomed a sweet Australian Shepherd puppy to our little family (Ailey), and moved several states away from family! My husband is also in the Army, so it was a whole new ball game of things to learn.
7. My family means the most to me. I grew up living in the same city as most of my cousins, aunts, and uncles. We were in the same schools, same recreational sports teams. I even had an aunt and one of my cousins for teachers! So I knew early on that family was something to cherish. For now, my little family is just my husband, pup, and myself.
8. First I drink the coffee, and then I do the things. With one look at my Instagram you can see that I really like my coffee! Most days it’s just a cup made at home, but once in a while I shake things up with a latte or hot cup of tea.
9. I can say the alphabet backwards. This is not super useful ever, but it always gets my niece and nephew giggling!
10. Food is the way to my heart! There’s just always been something about nourishing the body with good food and the soul with good company that I’ve always loved. Some of my best memories revolve around meals I’ve shared with people!
Do we have any random facts in common? Let me know down below!
XOXO,
Leah
Along for the Ride 