Tag: Lifestyle

How I Prepare For Guests: The Bathroom

Leah1 Comment

Now that my husband and I live hundreds of miles away from our families, when they are able to come visit it’s not just for an afternoon. This has really made me take a step back and think about the things I tend to forget when I’m packing my bag! I bet you’re already thinking about the one thing you always forget too!

Being the planner that I am, I love being ready for guests to be comfortable staying in our home!

Having a separate guest bathroom has given me the perfect opportunity to be able to have it stocked with the things that are so easy to forget!

I use a cute glass jar that I found at Target to help keep everything nice and organized!

img_3424

Fully stocked and ready to go, you’ll always find…

– Toothpaste
– Mouthwash
– Floss
– Shampoo
– Conditioner
– Hairspray
– Body Lotion
– Body Wash
– A Razor
– Deodorant
– Makeup Removing Wipes
– Hand Sanitizer
– Q Tips
– Contact Solution
– A Contact Lens Case
– A Nail File
– Band Aids
– Advil, Tylenol, or Aleve
– Hand Lotion

img_3423
Currently what the jar holds. I’m in the process of switching out and replacing a few products before our next guests come!

Unless they’re staying for an extended period of time, I normally just buy the travel size products, but full sized is always an option too! You can find these at most any store in a travel/trial size section in the health and beauty department.

In addition, there are always fresh towels, hand soap, toilet paper stocked, and a good smelling candle burning! Oh, and guests are always more than welcome to anything else in the house, but I’ll save those details for another day!

What’s a little way you like to make guests feel welcomed?

XOXO,
Leah

6 Dates to Treat Yourself This Valentine’s Day

LeahLeave a comment

With my husband being in the Army, spending holidays together can be hit or miss. The last two years we’ve missed out on our fair share! Just because he’s not home to celebrate doesn’t mean I skip the celebration all together though!

With Valentine’s Day coming up and the possibility that my husband may be gone again, I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite ways to treat myself!

1. Dinner for One. I’ve always been a big believer in having no shame with taking myself out to dinner at any one of my favorite restaurants! It’s a nice little twist on a traditional date night, and it gets me out of the house when my husband is away! I’m not going to lie though, the first time I went out by myself, I definitely felt a bit out of place.  At the end of the meal I was so glad I did! Now, I’m a pro at the game!

2. Go Exploring. If you’re someone that loves a good adventure, this will be right up your alley! I love getting to discover new things and places for myself. These trips make up some of my best memories! There is something so freeing about not having a set plan and just going with the flow. It could be a hike in a new place, going to a new city, or even just immersing yourself in something new! The possibilities are endless!

3. Buy the Outfit. Is there an outfit you’ve been eyeing from afar? This is your chance to buy it! Go all out; top, bottom, shoes, accessories, even new makeup to complete the look! Did you know that even just making an online wishlist of things you like can help reduce stress? I do this on a regular basis and definitely notice a difference from start to finish. Imagine what buying yourself a whole new outfit can do!

4. Visit Your Favorite Coffee Shop. If you follow me over on Instagram (@alongftride), you’ll know that I love having a good hot drink; coffee, tea, hot chocolate… My guilty pleasure is a hot vanilla latte! Have you ever gone to your favorite coffee shop with a good book and just enjoyed your drink and book? In our technology driven world, this idea may seem a little crazy, but I promise that unplugging for even just a half hour feels so good!

5. DIY Spa Day. I’m a big believe that treating myself can also involve things that are good for my mental health! I’m a whole package deal, so taking care of myself in this way is definitely high on my priorities. One of my favorite ways to do this is having an at home spa day. For me, this always includes a good bubble bath with Epsom salt, a hydrating lotion, fuzzy socks, a face mask, and a hot cup of tea! I love this because it can be whatever I need that day!

6. Netflix and Chill. Who says you need someone else for this? Personally, I think there’s nothing better than wearing my comfiest clothes and burrowing in a pile of blankets! Since my husband and I have very different tastes in what kinds of shows and movies we like to watch, when he’s gone is always a perfect opportunity to binge on the shows I normally wouldn’t or find a new series to watch! Add in your favorite snacks and drinks, and you’re all good to go!

What’s your favorite way to treat yourself when you’re flying solo for the day of love? Let me know down below!

XOXO,
Leah

3 Moments of Joy

LeahLeave a comment

If you’ve been following along with me on Instagram(@alongftride) you know that most days start out with me writing down three things from the previous day that brought me joy. It’s a great way to start the day out on a positive and thankful note!

Today, I wanted to share with you my three moments from yesterday (Sunday):

1. I got in a great workout!

2. It was nice enough to have the windows open in the afternoon and let some fresh air inside!

3. My husband and I got a head start on a little spring cleaning!

Moments of joy don’t always have to be the big and extravagant things like going on vacation. While those moments are nice, for me, it’s always the little things that really add up the most for me!

What’s something that brought you joy yesterday?

XOXO,

Leah

Mental Health Day

LeahLeave a comment

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

Getting Your Health Back On Track

LeahLeave a comment

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

Dealing with Holiday Anxiety

LeahLeave a comment

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

Why ‘Along for the Ride’?

LeahLeave a comment

When I scroll through any social media platform, I always come across pages where I’m intrigued by the name and the person behind it all. It stands out to me for one reason or another, and I want to learn about the why behind it and what it is that makes it special to them!

Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes and explaining why I choose “Along for the Ride” as mine!

It started when my now husband was in the process of enlisting in the Army. People kept asking me how I felt about him leaving and everything that was involved. I would always say how proud of him I was, and still am, and that I was going to support him 100%!  Marriage isn’t something you do half-heartedly, and ours is no different,

He went several hundred miles away for almost 6 months to complete various phases of training, and now people were saying how brave I was. In my eyes, I wasn’t doing anything extraordinary. I still don’t think I am. I’m just a girl loving my husband the best I can. It was during this time that my go to answer to most things was that I was just “along for the ride”.

Fast forward to almost two years of active duty service, several more phases of training, getting married, moving across the country to be with him, our first home together, and getting our sweet pup, Ailey, and I’m still just as along for the ride as ever!

This was never the kind of life I thought I would be living. Being the girl that loves a good list with accompanying sub-lists, I probably would have told you were crazy! Now that this is crazy and unpredictable life is ours, I wouldn’t want it any other way!

Thanks for coming along for the ride with me!

XOXO,
Leah

New Beginnings

LeahLeave a comment

Hey Y’all!

For those of you that have been following my ride through life over on Instagram (@alongftride) thank you so much for your love, support, and encouragement over the last year! It’s because of YOU that I finally got up the courage to start this new adventure!

This first week, I’m going all out and sharing a new post EVERYDAY!! Like I said, this has been in the works for a while now until I could build up enough courage to ut myself out there like this, so I want this first week up and running to be celebrated in a big way! After this week, I’ll be sharing a new post every Monday!

I am so excited for this new chapter in my life and super happy that you’re still coming along for the ride with me! I’ve always loved writing and the art of storytelling, so this and sharing bits and pieces of my life with y’all is really a dream come true! After lots of planning and much trial and error, I think I’ve finally found my groove.

Here’s to new beginnings and making dreams reality!

XOXO,
Leah