Weekend Sales!

Hope you all are having a great weekend. My parents came in for Hayden’s birthday, so ours is incredibly special. Looks v different than last year’s, though. (Take a peek HERE, but I need to go in and change a lot of old links, so please overlook for now). Today we remember that we get to walk freely on this land because of the brave that sacrificed for us. Today, we honor and never forget.

Not sure why today also became about sales. I always found that strange. But, if you are in the mood at some point, here are a few I found:

WOMEN’S SALE. It’s no secret I love NORDSTROM and their easy shopping policies. There are some very good sales going on right now! I love the dresses I posted below on sale.

SHOES FOR KIDDOS. Pediped has all your shoes needs for the little ones! I love these for the healthy development for Hayden’s little feet. And when Huck was living with me, he LOVED them, too.

We grabbed some “water shoes” as Hayden calls them. Shoes he can wear to the pool, beach, water parks, etc.

Use Code HONOR2020 an extra 20% anything on the site.

I’m looking for a few pieces for our place. Rugs, a new bed for Hayden, a dining table!!I LOL. I’m checking out Wayfair’s sale today. And if you subscribe, get an extra 10% off.

If you see anything great, lmk! These are just the ones I ran across this morning. Eclectic, I realize!

Hope you have a wonderful start to the week.

xoxo

AAJ

the NEVER ENDING MARATHON

They say write about what you know… what you are going through. Hmmm. Divorce and quarantine. Exciting! The stuff we’re all going through is not easy. I want to be positive. Even talk about simple things that can bring us all joy. Or affordable fashion finds, lifestyle ideas, etc. And I will again. It’s just not where I am today. Or where our world is today.

But, we will get back there. SOON.

It’s like a never-ending marathon that I didn’t train for and had no idea was starting.

My girlfriend sent me that message about her experience with quarantine. And it hit me hard because that is my personal life right now, too. 

I couldn’t have explained it better. But you know what she DIDN’t say? She didn’t complain about muscle cramps or fatigue. (I’m exhausting this metaphor, but stay with me here). She didn’t talk about QUITTING and dropping out of the race. 

She talked about asking God for help.

Sometimes the simplest things hit me at the right time and resonate. 

Tomorrow is Hayden’s birthday. We are celebrating today. I want to soak up his last day of being three. Hope we all find the joy in today. I’m thinking of creating some sort of birthday tradition for him between just the two of us. Ideas?

My little man after a day at the beach. (In his UV protection suit).

THE GLOW UP (adding TWO things to my daily routine)

I’m feeling like I’ve let quarantine get to me. Or it could be the divorce I’m going through. Either one, I needed to add in a bit of self care.  I guess it’s self care, but it could also just be vanity? If you’re anything like me, I get overwhelmed by too many ideas scrolling through instagram or facebook. I saw a meme that read, “expensive skincare doesn’t hold a candle to drinking more water and getting more sleep.” I agree. I’ve dedicated many a post on this blog to drinking more water, so first and foremost… do that. That’s more a part of the holistic wellness plan I keep referring to anyway.

BUT today I’m thinking more vanity. I know some parts of the country are opening up and you can get your hair done, etc. We are not there in LA yet.

So, I decided I could commit to TWO things a day extra at home. I wash my face and do my usual routine ( I still use IS clinical active serum at night), try to drink a lot of water, try to move my body. But I need to up my game with the least amount of effort. Paperwork all day everyday, quarantine, 3-year-old and anxiety don’t mix well for vanity! lol 

By the way, if you’ve seen my stories, I got a fitbit! If you’re like me and don’t want to pay for the apple watch right now, but you want to track your activity and get updates from your phone (texts, calls, etc), this is the way to go. I cannot believe I am just now using one. I love her….errrr it! Fair warning, she can be a bit judge-y. Like little annoying noises if you don’t move for a while. She does not tolerate laziness. I talk back to her and explain myself, but she holds her ground. She does, however, reward me with little badges when I make my goals throughout the day, so she ain’t so bad! Better than my ex! Walmart has these for under $100 right now, free, ridiculously fast deliver. In most cases, next day! And while you have free delivery, add a few necessities to the cart! Win, win.

Ok, back to my point of this post:

This is what I committed to for 7 days. I started last Saturday and I just now noticed a difference, hence the blog post.

1) Whitening my teeth every night. THIS IS NOT AN AD. Nothing in here is sponsored or brand gifted, they’re simply products I like. I like Crest White Strips. If you wanna add to your next day delivery cart for Walmart, these are the ones I’m using. Different price points and types are available all over…. see below.

2) Vitamin C serum on clean skin every morning, let it sink in before adding anything else. This particular serum is not inexpensive, but it is effective (check reviews). My sister is an aesthetician and recommended this one above all others. I started using and I already see a difference in 4 days. I am hoping all brown spots will be gone with this. But consistency is the key here.

That’s it. Just those two I’m adding. I ordered and evidently they are essential (ha!) cause they got here quickly.

This morning I noticed my skin looking a bit better. And I felt my a bit better about my teeth. You know what that makes me want to do? keep going. And share with you, obvi.

What are you doing for yourself today?  Would love to add a new element once my teeth whitening is over- ideas welcome!!

xoxo AAJ

HAVING A HEART-TO-HEART

This post was written in partnership with Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. and Take Cholesterol to Heart. All opinions, content and experiences written are my own. I am not a medical professional and am not qualified to give medical advice. Please talk with your doctor about your individual medical situation.

It’s National Women’s Health Week! You’ve heard me say it before and I will say it again: we must protect our hearts! One of the things this year has taught me so far is to stay as healthy as possible. Underlying issues can make us susceptible to illness. So, let’s carve out an overall wellness plan specific to our individual heart health needs starting with… 

KNOWLEDGE

After discussing heart health in previous posts and on social media, I noticed quite a few responses from you all saying you DO have high cholesterol, or it runs in your family. Being aware of your cholesterol levels is a first step, so I commend those of you that are taking control of your health. It’s not as scary when you know how to manage it under a doctor’s care. If you haven’t had a chance to discuss cholesterol with your doctor, please make this a priority as soon as possible (virtual appointments are available until you’re able to meet live again!). In partnership with Take Cholesterol to Heart, I’m having some of your most pressing questions about heart health answered on my Instagram Stories- so look for that today to ask your question! 

American Heart Association recommends getting cholesterol checked every 4-6 years starting at the age of 20. It’s easy to feel invincible when you’re active, eating mindfully and seemingly healthy, especially if there are no symptoms disrupting our lives. Some people have high cholesterol and don’t know it - that’s why smart lifestyle choices are imperative, but not necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution! 

Did you know that LDL, or bad cholesterol, can build up and cause plaque in the bloodstream? This plaque can build up along the walls of arteries, making it more difficult for blood to flow through the arteries and out to the body. This can lead to heart disease, which is the number one killer in America. That’s why it’s important for us to monitor our hearts. 

CHANGING HABITS 

Move your body, ideally for at least 40 minutes, 3-4 times a week.

Eat for your heart, higher fiber and less fatty diets can go a long way!

Rest. Relax. Reset.

Lately, I’ve been reading about people that live in the ‘Blue Zones’, which are said to be geographic regions where people live the longest – it’s fascinating! Their lifestyles follow many of the guidelines from the American Heart Association.

They move often because they walk more than drive. Of course, this is not always conducive to living in cities like Los Angeles, but parking further away, running after Hayden and walking to the park instead of driving are things I need to remind myself to do. Also, I’ve switched up the snacks we keep readily available, including healthier options such as sliced tomatoes and fruit slices instead of chips and cheese!

Gardening is another commonality of the ‘Blue Zones’, which improves mental health and gives us a sense of purpose and responsibility. Plus, we can grow some of the best foods for our heart: leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. That’s why one of the things I miss right now is a yard – but if you’re like Hayden and me, we find areas to “garden” in our condo. I’m realizing the benefits are the same regardless of the size (and a great activity to teach Hayden, too). 

MAKING TIME TO CONNECT

As a single mom, I know how often we juggle children, work and everyday life. I see my own mother still doing the same. She may no longer be teaching school and her children are grown, but she still juggles her adult children (and Hayden), church work and other family members. Although she’s good about seeing her doctors when needed, I still bring up the conversation often.

This National Women’s Health Week, can we not only check in with ourselves about our heart health, but also have a HEART-TO-HEART with a loved one? Ask how she is protecting her heart? A friend, sister, mother, aunt… sometimes a simple question can lead to great discussion – and proactive treatment plan. For some people, their plan might include a doctor prescribing cholesterol-reducing medication. For more information, please visit Take Cholesterol to Heart.

Would love to hear about these conversations… and in the meantime, what is your number one daily activity to protect your own heart?

xxo

AAJ

Laundry Clean Queen

When my mama was here helping me, she ordered some supplies she believes in for cleaning and laundry. I would’ve never ordered items like this on my own accord. But, now I’m hooked and SAVING MONEY in the long run. Reordering some bottles today and want to share why. FYI: not affiliated with the brands, not sponsored, just a new fan. Also, if you’re putting an amazon order today, products can be found HERE.

The Laundress is known for being some of the best cleaning products out there. Household and clothing, sheets and cashmere, I’m hooked. I love the light, lingering smell. And have grown to appreciate how well these products take care of my towels and sheets and clothing and house cleaning. And to boot,  they are eco-friendly , safe, cruelty free thanks to using only non-toxic, biodegradable, and allergen-free materials-also free of controversial ingredients like petroleum, SLS, phosphate, phthalates, and dyes. Again, not an ad!! Just a customer.

RAINY DAY SAVINGS

Let’s start with the saving money part. I love my dry-clean only sweaters and dresses. But, during the quarantine, I wasn’t going to keep taking them in (spending so much on each one) and dragging Hayden around with masks and gloves, etc. (I’m alone with my 3-year-od son in quarantine if you are new here). So, my mom said go ahead and wear my comfy cashmere ones and wash them all with the cashmere shampoo/ detergent on delicate and line dry. Oh my goodness- it worked so well. I will continue to do this long term. No more automatically drycleaning everything just because it says it on the label. I’m slowly adding other fabrics to figure out which ones work the best. Obviously, use your best judgement on which items should still only be dry-cleaned. Also, I often use the signature and delicate that work for a myriad of fabrics.

BETWEEN THE SHEETS

Sheets that last are a investment. Nice sheet can cost us a pretty penny and I want to preserve the fabric, the bright white look (I love white sheets), so that was our first conversation about changing detergent when cleaning certain things like my nicer towels and sheets. I now use the whites bottle. I invested in some nicer towels and they started turning yellow. I didn’t want to use bleach because it specifically says on the label not to!! Oxiclean wasn’t cutting it, but this detergent is keeping them white.

OUT DARNED SPOT, OUT!

Now, if something gets on them like makeup (ohhhh the accidental mascara stain or blood from a nick from shaving my legs (rarely, but it happens), or little munchkin eats strawberries and wipes it all over himself and the towel, I spray the MISS MOUTH’s on it first. Let it sit for a while and then rub the fabric together with a white cloth underneath to not transfer the stain.

Last time Huck was here, he showed up with newly dyed fuchsia hair. His mother had dyed his hair fuchsia pink hours before and recommended I wash it out that night. Despite washing really well- it still ended up getting on some pillows, white sheets and a good portion of my white linen headboard. It took a few days, but Miss Mouth’s did the trick!!

I haven’t tried the Stain Remover from the laundress, but the reviews are so good, I have to add it. Also, just to make it easier, I have it from different locations in case they are running out, which just happened (click HERE).

THE DARK SIDE

So, I’m testing out my darks with their dark detergent. I’ll let you know what I think…

Lastly, adding this little guide that is helping me! Source unknown.

IN THE MEANTIME, LMK WHAT YOU THINK… what are your tried and true home remedies for household accidents or maintenance? Please do share.

xox

Ashley Jones

HOW TO COPE IN QUARANTINE: 9 WAYS THAT HELP

NOT EVEN ONE POPPY WAS HARMED IN THE TAKING OF THIS PHOTO. PLEASE SCROLL FOR MORE INFO ON THIS. AND THE DRESS. LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA

HOW TO COPE IN QUARANTINE and BEYOND. Recently, there have been a lot of new visitors to the blog! Welcome. Thank you for being here. Please introduce yourself in comments;)

It seems almost everyone I’ve talked to has had some crummy days. Actually rotten, awful, no-good, very bad days. Even those of us with the HAPPY GENE. Can YOU relate? I don’t need to state the obvious, but will anyway cause I tend to do that.🤷🏼‍♀️  Just because the quarantine is happening doesn’t mean life is stopping. The natural storms of life still roll in at the most inopportune times: health issues, marital problems, infertility, financial stress, domestic abuse, job loss, divorce, etc, then layer on COVID-19 quarantine. And we don’t have the typical support usually afforded us. We feel more alone. I often tell myself- if I could just deal with ONE of the things going on, it would be manageable. This time has forced us ALL to create a new normal.  A new baseline for stress and managing life. I reckon by the time we become so good at this new normal, it’ll be over, then we will have to reconcile the “old” with the “new ways” of our lives. Do we shake hands again meeting new people? How do we handle massively public places like Disneyland and concerts? 

If you’re one of the new ones here and don’t know, everything changed for my son and me last August. I’m currently going through a divorce. It doesn’t ring true to keep so much private, but it’s necessary. 

It’s probably obvious I’m a single mom in quarantine with a three-year-old in an apartment tripping over Paw Patrol toys trying to make ends meet with lawyer bills. But another way for me to write that? I’m so blessed to have a  beautiful, HEALTHY, GOOD boy, while staying sane and afloat by the grace of God in a city with nearly perfect weather and a diehard loving support system that includes YOU. #Perspective. 

To those going through any major life changes during this time, please be gentle on yourself. I remind myself that every. single. day. This too shall pass. We will look back in amazement, knowing God carried us through the worst and we’re more than SURVIVORS. We will thrive.💪🏼💪🏼

Now, back to those over-whelming days where life nearly strangles you metaphorically and you feel like the house fell on you as the tornado drifted away.

I made a list today curated from trial and error, sermons, books, teachers.  I’ll reference on days where circumstances seem heavy, now or anytime in the future, ‘cause anxiety will not go away with the quarantine, sadly.

9 STEPS TO TRY FOR ANXIETY

1. Pray and breathe. Be specific. So grateful for the life I have and I’m requesting for myself (and those going through similar things) energy, stamina and wisdom today to get me through x, y and z, and to approach everyone with an open loving heart. 

2. Jot down thoughts as they come. Identify the mental road blocks and literally write them down. Work through them one by one.

3. Phone a confidant. Or zoom or FaceTime with a group.

4. I can’t see clearly what my blocks are if my world is cluttered. I need a clean environment. I know people that need to go for a run to clear their minds. Or COOK or BAKE (love seeing all the recipes!), or simply change up the scenery (hence our “road trip” 80minutes away to the California poppies pictured in this post). You know yourself well enough to know what can help, now you must do it.

5. Look at your situation from a third perspective. I picture myself as a friend coming in to help. What would I tell a friend/sister? How would I help her?

6. Help someone else. However big or small, it shifts gears in a good way.

7. Write down something to look forward to…. a hot bath, a good meal, book, even SLEEP

8. MUSIC. When I’m in a place of high anxiety, I need silence. But, once I get through the first hurdle, music can help me tremendously. Should I share my favorite playlists?

9. Visualize the other side… when your goals are met and you are over the hurdle? Tell yourself (or a friend) the story of how you OVERCAME the insurmountable and what it took to do it. This is a powerful exercise. HOW DOES IT FEEL?

Life can easily seem insurmountable, like a living nightmare. If you’re going through it today, be as gentle as you would be to your best friend. It’s okay to be exactly where you are. Even if that means shutting down and doing nothing! In fact, sometimes it’s necessary. How do you cope with anxiety? I’d love to know your steps. Please share with us.

XOXO

ASHLEY JONES

If you are experiencing thoughts of despair, please contact Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255, and if you are experiencing domestic abuse, please call 1-800-799-SAFE.

Right near the road, easy access to stand, or hunker down without hurting the poppies! ALL SOCIAL DISTANCING PROTOCOLS WERE OBSERVED.

This dress has been a favorite for years now. The slip in photo above got bunched up when I stood, but it is longer than pictured;) Buying pieces that last is part of the philosophy of sustainable fashion. I have worn this over and over (own a few colors that are on sale, too, see below). I’m in a size small for buying reference. Click photo below for more details and available colors ($89).

KIDS: USEFUL TOOLS AND TIPS

GIVEAWAY CLOSED! WINNERS ARE BEING CONTACTED. Everywhere turn we turn, we are reminded we’re all in this pandemic together, but each and every one of us has our own journey. Some are all alone, while others are juggling families. Some have small children, others have self-sufficient teenagers that have to be monitored in different ways. While many people are picking up new found hobbies, others are experiencing heartbreak and loss. Some are making elaborate meals; some are hungry (if you are, please reach out in the comments below or contact us and we can help asap or connect you with help).

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Thx @parenting for asking me to share some giggles with you... (you’ll hear when you play😆). J/k I’m really sharing some single mom quarantine finds: @odddotbooks @bestselfco @shop_PRI @lolleez_pops @eatmeatdistrict @brickseek @writetome and loungewear by @everlygrey ❤️💜 Your turn! Tell me some stuff helping YOU!?

A post shared by Ashley Jones (@ashleyaubra) on Apr 13, 2020 at 4:18pm PDT

This post (with some GIVEAWAYS from the Parenting.com video above) goes out to all the MAMAS and DADDIES. For those of you trying to work from home (like literally bring in money to live), be a manager of a restaurant (taking orders in your kitchen ALL DAY LONG), run a full service housekeeping business (gotta try to keep up with these copious amount of dishes and laundry) AND NOW HOMESCHOOL?? Plus, I have a special place in my heart for you full time single parents. It’s just Hayden and me- 24/7! I get it.

Here are some tools to order or print out TODAY to help run your homeschooling ship or bring in new ideas. And by “homeschooling,” I’m saying just keep our young ones stimulated and learning- even through summer, am I right? Some other ideas can be found in this post HERE. The majority of these ideas came from YOU GUYS commenting! Thank you. Please keep it up!

WORKBOOKS

My left-handed little man and I are big fans of Tinker Active Workbooks. (I know he should be using a different writing utensil, but he wanted to be like mama… and he traced pretty well!)

With all the computerized programs out there, we like still like tangible proof of what we’re doing. Perforated sheets make it easy to remove (and showcase on a board or fridge), or keep everything together. Math, Science (fun projects) and now English.

Check out their FREE downloadable printouts that Hayden’s been working on. We’ve printed them several times to work on our letters.

AND… I’M GIVING AWAY A SET OF BOOKS. MAYBE EVEN TWO SETS or THREE. Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade. Picking winners from comments here on the blog and on the instagram post!! Please give your handle on social or add in email address here.

COMMUNICATION

I’m looking forward to going LIVE with an expert very soon to discuss communication skills. I want to make sure I’m allowing Hayden to open up about as much as he can. We enjoy BEST SELF - LITTLE TALK CARDS at dinner. He gets to pick a card (if it’s too complicated, he picks another one). It works well for all ages of kids, so a perfect family deck. He thinks it’s fun and it gets him talking about his feelings and thoughts. Even simple things like worst/best. What’s the best part of your day? Worst part? How can we make tomorrow better?

FYI- if you order Best Self cards from BestSelf.co, you get FREE SHIPPING with a $45 order. I added the self-planner to my cart and have been using it a lot. You can also order HERE from Amazon.

AND I’M GIVING AWAY several DECKS and SELF PLANNERS!! FIVE- YES FIVE OF YOU will be picked from comments below and comments on instagram post! Please give your handle on social or add in email address here.

LIFE SKILLS

We’re all home cooking, mind as well teach them young! Here are some books that have been fun for us! COOKING CLASS for young chefs! Woo-hoo.

LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS

And have you tried 3D animals on your phone? This is fun activity, but if you’re kids are young (like Hayden, 3), I recommend not doing it before bedtime! Hayden had a million questions and was worried it might come back to his room. (UGH!) BUT, it’s so much fun to do! THIS CAME FROM YOU GUYS RECEOMMENDING ACTIVITIES. Thanks! Very simple:

1) Open google or a browser on your iPad or phone. For me, Safari didn’t work on my iPhone. I used Chrome.

2)Type in an animal. Try TIGER, ALLIGATOR, PANDA, etc. Scroll down a bit and you will see a square that says VIEW IN 3 D.

3)Click view. Make sure there is enough light in your room. Move your phone around and watch a 3D animal appear. You can pinch for smaller or make larger. They can jump on your bed!!

Another fun animal game: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS- check out their whole site, but we love taking the quizzes together!

COLORING BOOKS

My girl at Michele Bell Studio is at it again. I can’t get over how creative she has been during quarantine. And I’m still love here trying to get the gel off my nails. She created a COLORING IN THE TIME OF CORONA COLORING BOOK to open up discussion with your kids and let them creatively get their feelings out. YOU HAVE to see the WHOLE thing- this is just one page.… go check this out! She’s my friend that does the amazing leggings and photography…. plus the creative Elf on the Shelf at Christmas. Give her a follow @MicheleBellStudio!!

To download FOR FREE, visit her main page site: MICHELEBELLSTUDIO.COM 

Ok… gimme more ideas… I wanna keep doing these!! Next one I think will be about physical education- how to get the energy out of our kiddos faster! lol

I’m eyeing a tip from my friend Ali Manno. May click to buy today. Thoughts? Am I crazy?? This would fit indoors in my living room during the time of corona.

A JOY(ful) RIDE

This post is sponsored in part by Kelley Blue Book. I’ve been a longtime fan of using their services and am delighted to share my own thoughts and experiences with you. Note: for updates to see how you can save money on your car during covid-19, click HERE. Many insurance companies are offering refunds for people that are driving considerably less, too!

Can I share something that was so good for the soul recently? We piled in the car with snack and a blanket and went for a drive. Sounds basic, but it was glorious! Made me so pleased with my choice of a family vehicle that we could sit in the trunk and enjoy the view, lift our spirits safely and comfortably. It was a real JOY RIDE driving around finding puddles. #Thisis3. We played until his jeans were wet, never seeing anyone, just us with my car and a frog umbrella. It’s hard being a little energetic toddler quarantined on rainy weeks. We use our imagination!! It’s nice to remember there’s life outside of our home!!

Whether you’re still working or WFH, our world has halted for the most part. Many of us are reevaluating our priorities and necessities right now either forced or through choice. I mean—- milk is just milk now, am I right? I used to be really picky with a specific kind, percentage, organic, etc!! And LBH, I’m low on TP (yes, other spectrum, I did not hoard), so any roll I find is good enough for me. Being picky is not an option right now. At least not with those things….

Have you been able to inventory what things are disposable? During this time, it’s become more and more apparent to me what I really miss/need in my life, even WHO I really miss or need. Sounds harsh, but I bet a lot of you relate? It’s been a good time to consider how we want our life to look when LIFE opens back up. Practical and intentional are two words that keep coming up in my mind in all areas of life, including finances. The majority of us are looking at ways to be prudent, save and find the best deals for our families.

If you’ve been following, you may remember me talking about upgrading my car last year. (14 years in the making, but DID IT)! I had very specific qualifications including space and safety for towing kids. I’m fully embracing the soccer mom/carpool life. I love the choice I made, but I may be trading it in for a car even more specific for my current situation (also looking for less impact on environment/hybrid/etc).

On multiple occasions I’ve talked about relying on info from Kelley Blue Book. I tend to be a creature of habit especially if the habit is a good one ;) I sold my old car through KKB and found my new car using their tools. One of the things I appreciate is their consistent research and reputation after 90 years in business. Their list of Best Family Cars of 2020 is proving useful for me right now. I’m sure it will to you, too. This is where we CAN be picky!  (Some of you car buffs like seeing the latest research even if you’re not in the space to buy). Based on safety, value, driver-assist features, connectivity and technology, their list includes vehicles for various budgets and family sizes (from 2 door, 3 door to minivans!). This could be an excellent time to do your own research and take advantage of the low (to ZERO) interest rates in buying right now. Check recent updates for your convenience.

Obviously, right now, everyone is sheltering at home. I took that so literally that Hayden and I hardly left the house the first couple of weeks outside of a scooter ride to walk Oscar. But, venturing out for a ride has proven useful. Play eye-spy or pretend you’re a tourist in your own city and go sight-seeing. Just a change of pace helped us a lot. So no matter what, I want a vehicle that allows for these types of “pack ‘em up” trips and rides, rain or shine. We also went to just say hi to the ocean. Hayden asked to roll down the window to hear the waves, feel the breeze and open the sun roof to see the palm trees.

If you are looking to buy a car during the pandemic, please check KKB.com's updated coronavirus car news. They explain what dealerships are doing to help the virus, as well as what automakers are doing fiscally to help YOU! For instance, I just learned Mazda is offering healthcare workers FREE OIL CHANGES and enhanced cleaning -you do NOT need to own a Mazda. It is simply a thank you to those on the frontlines. More info HERE. Many companies are offering deferment of car notes… please call to see of you can have an extension if you need it. I appreciate the tips on car maintenance during this pandemic, even if you’re not driving your car at all! It’s an invaluable resource that answers a myriad of your questions. This could be an excellent time to get the best deal for investing in your family’s future. 

Ok. Your turn. Tell me about your joyrides you never would normally take but that are your saving grace now? I actually posted a “preview” on my instastory the day we went to the ocean. I simply said “took a drive today to see a bit of SoCal.” It made me SO HAPPY to read your responses. A good handful of you said after seeing that photo, you decided to take a drive and it was a mood lifter!

SUNDAY SERVICE FROM YOUR COUCH

PLEASE EXCUSE HIS HAIRCUT. MAMA TRIED HER BEST.

So many of you asked about links for the Sunday services we’ve been streaming. I’ve explored a few for Hayden and some new ones for me in addition to the service I go to regularly.  I will continue to add to this post for ideas each next week. I know this is not the spring Sundays we all envisioned, but it’s the one we have, so let’s practice gratitude and make the most of it- together!! The churches may be empty, but PRAISE GOD so is the tomb.

Service for Kids- new every Saturday/ different levels

Choose the appropriate service for your child’s age. Once you click the button below, you have to scroll down on the page that opens to see Pre-K, K-5, middle school, etc. There’s a video that first pops up, but I scrolled down past that. Hayden really likes his pre-K group. He watches the new ones available twice in a row. New ones available every Saturday. Usually 15-20 minutes long, perfect their attention span.

Service For Adults

Saddleback, Rick Warren preaching. I’m watching this one this morning.

Other Services

I’ve heard great things about this service, but haven’t listened yet. Just adding here due to it being highly recommended (by a younger generation), watch VOUS church below.

I’ve listened to both Max Lucado’s full sermons and his shorter servies. I find them easily on instagram and his IGTV.

Other Kids Content

Here is something a girlfriend recommended that Hayden has enjoyed. FYI to parents, the word stupid is said once. Also, we have not watched the entire series… please let me know if you watch more with your kids and any additional comments I may need to add.

Thanks to those of you that added link to my post last Sunday. If you’re interested in seeing what other people are streaming for servies, check out the comments in the post HERE. Also, please add your favorite in the comments below for us to check out.

Hayden likes to get dressed for the day! He picks his Sunday outfits! LOL. And I am not even kidding. I’m worshipping in PJs while he likes to dress as if we are leaving the house.

Have a great Sunday everybody.

xoxo

AAJ

The Foundation of a Holistic Wellness Plan

Amidst all the concerns caused by coronavirus, please remember to take care of the rest of your body.  This is a sponsored post I wrote for Invitae about heart health before Covid-19 became a pandemic, however it applies now more than ever. This time is teaching us to look at any underlining medical conditions and address them. And it goes without saying, our immune systems need to be on their A-game. All tests discussed below can be taken in the comfort of your home while most of us are in “shelter in place” mode. 

Last month, I got to attend a health conference called #BlogHer20 Health hosted by SHE Media. I was with a ton of like-minded women coming together to discuss all things health and wellness. I got a good amount of DMs requesting I share the info, so I’m looking forward to sharing some of the highlights with y’all. One of the events around the conference was a spin class a block away from the Pacific ocean hosted by Invitae, a medical genetics company.

While moving as fast as I could in my stationary bike, sweating in the dark with a room full of people from all walks of life, I asked myself what I really wanted out of this day. I was there to learn about heart health - and hopefully share what I learned with you all. Ideally, I’m hoping all these wellness chats and posts lead us to create our own personal Holistic Wellness Plan. The plan will look different for each of us, but the foundation will be the same: arming ourselves with knowledge to understand our own bodies and needs. We can come together to hold ourselves accountable.

Invitae was discussing heart health that day. Heart disease is still the number one killer of women in America and is by no means rare, yet it is under diagnosed. That’s what is so scary to me: we could be doing all the right things, but still be genetically prone to certain diseases or high cholesterol levels.

Back when we could workout in gyms, yoga studios, spin class:)

In the post I recently wrote about heart health, I asked us all to open up the conversation with our doctors (and make that appointment). My own research started a dialogue with professionals and my family. I was assured my parents and grandmother are seeing cardiologists and getting their checkups. Since heart issues run in my family, prevention and knowledge are paramount. For me to create my own holistic wellness plan, I wanted to take it a step further and get screened to know if I’m genetically prone to any disease.

A cardio health screen determines your cardio health risks, which can serve as the basis to any holistic wellness plan by giving you the information you need to prevent or treat diseases.

I became very interested in learning about genetic cancer and cardio screenings available to me. What Invitae is doing is unprecedented. Invitae’s screening tests are now available to consumers to initiate directly through their website at affordable costs (with the ability to use HSA or FSA).

I initiated the genetic cardio screening. I received a package with straightforward directions. A doctor had to look over my questionnaire to approve and order the test. My screening used DNA from saliva. I was emailed as soon as the test was received and approved by a doctor for further testing. The Invitae Cardio Screen looks at 77 genes to help determine your risk of developing an inherited form of cardiovascular disease. Then, I received an email with an alert the results were ready and ability to consult a genetic counselor to help answer any questions and understand my results.

I took a genetic screening test when I was pregnant with Hayden, but this is the only one I took to invest in the rest of my life. I’m very curious - have you taken one? I hope you will consider it.

It was fascinating to study my test results. I am negative for any serious risk which is a relief because some of my family members deal with heart conditions. Of course, there are many other factors that determine your heart health, but for now, I’m gathering info for the foundation of my holistic wellness plan. Oh and by the way, I’d love to find out any questions you have and get them answered for you… so comment away! Looking forward to discussing ideas for the ultimate HOLISTIC WELLNESS PLAN (like the Mediterranean diet). What does that look like for you? What would you want your goals to be? So, chime in and then stay tuned!! Now, excuse me while I go have my hot water with lemon and get ready for my daily walk with Hayden and Oscar!

xoxo

AAJ

B&B AIR DATE UPDATE

Hi EVERYONE…. HOW ARE YOU? I’m asking cause I really wanna know.

I am gonna make some time for Hayden and I to go outside today. We need that! I wrote a post recently about pausing or shifting…. little did I know at the time that many, many of us would be taking quite the pause in most areas of our lives due to #Covid19. I mentioned learning to be content at times. Really trying to practice that now! Also have a post up about some ideas for kids during this time. Also, while I’m here and may have your attention…. make sure we are paying attention to our regular health right now. Especially when it’s so easy to be home and snack so much!

California is at a “shelter in place” status. So, we’re connecting in different ways. Like…doing LIVES!

I got to chat live with some of you in Italy yesterday and I loved it. So unfortunate it takes a pandemic to make our world feel so connected and small. We are ALL going through this together. All our kids are home. Most of us are out of work. Those that are working are HELPING us now (thank you). Thank you to all of you that chimed in Roberta’s page!

Going LIVE here in LA at 11am Pacific Time. I’m going to split the screen and chat with some of YOU, hopefully. If you can’t chime in on this one, no worries, we’ll keep doing it!

So, episodes of BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL got pushed up from what we originally thought. Bridget is visiting next Thursday March 26th, 27th and 30th. What I’d like to say about these episodes is this: of course I love getting to be back at the studio, seeing my tv family and playing Bridget. I also appreciate getting to see these actors work together. So many lines, very emotional scenes and yet, these actors keep it raw, real and riveting. (Sorry if that sounds cheesy! lol). It's so impressive to watch. You’ll see… when you tune in. WHY DO YOU THINK BRIDGET IS BACK? Would love to hear your thoughts. Also, it’s nice to turn off the news for a moment and escape to a fantastical world;)

And the Lifetime movie I’m scheduled to film is still happening, just up in the air as to when… like most things in the world right now. Taking it a day at time. (It’s about CHEER;)

Plus, there’s another secret project happening. It’s been a long time in the making and #Covid19 is pausing it a bit, but we’re all making progress. Fingers crossed we get to share it soon.

Be well, everyone.

xoxo

AAJ

Pausing or Shapeshifiting?

Melissa Jones (the fitness and weightless guru I follow) recently caught my attention talking about PAUSING or SHIFTING in life. Her discussion stuck with me. I think it’s significant to understand the phases we may go through. If we are in one phase, but don’t acknowledge it, we get very frustrated and disappointed in ourselves not meeting expectations. Or at least I do.

I took Melissa’s thought and expanded quite a bit. So, the seed came from her, but follow her if you want her ideas… these are my interpretations. I’m pretty certain Melissa was referring to the journey with Faster Way to Fat Loss, but many of her weight loss tips apply to life as well, not just food;)

Right now, today, although life is shifting overall, I AM PAUSING. I’m run down, I’ve picked my life battles carefully and here I am (good thing), but I’m tired. That’s ok, though. I know I need to allow my body to rest and my mind to process. At yoga, no matter what kind of class I go to— an intense sculpt class or hot fusion (36 held poses) —the last few minutes of class everyone PAUSES. We are completely still. No fidgets.  We allow our bodies to take a pause and soak up all our efforts.

PAUSING doesn’t mean we don’t go about our day to day activities and take care of our lives. I’m not talking about pausing in front of a pool with someone waiting on you. LOL (Although that doesn’t sound so bad!) This is more of a mental acknowledgment of a season. It might be a season of maintenance or a season of rest. It could last a few days, or a few years. During this phase, we can renew our spirit. One of my favorite Bible verses talks about God renewing our spirit and strength. Isaiah 40:30-31. Also, a verse most of us have heard or know, Psalm 23. When reading this chapter, you can easily see the phases of life… a time for rest, a time for renewal, a time for battle, a time to feast and a time to give thanks.

I had a convo with a colleague/friend recently. She said she was “happy where her career was right this second” and felt she could relax. I know her and I know this won’t last long. Because it doesn’t need to. She will continue to move ahead, but it was special to hear her acknowledge where she was, how far she’d come and being content in the PAUSING mode for one moment, soaking up the efforts and refueling, waiting for clear direction for the next SHIFT.

I’m aiming to be shifting and moving forward soon. SHAPE-SHIFTING with life and work. I just typed, “I want to be more productive”, but I deleted it. Because I have been productive. What I am learning is that BOTH phases are significant and productive in their own ways. And understanding which one we are in helps relieve frustration. If we’re thinking we should have a better job, travel more, lose more weight, etc., but we are naturally in a pausing phase, this will frustrate us and not allow us to appreciate the benefits of where we are today.

Are you a shapeshifter or are you pausing right now? Have you thought about this lately? Thanks for reading all my babble today. And yes, I had to throw in the True Blood reference. Did you think I’d write a whole blog on shifting and not include “shapeshifter?” Made me smile;)

For those that are utterly confused, I played Daphne in the HBO show True Blood (see phone below). She was a shapeshifting waitress (shifted into a deer, a pig… you know the usual. ha!). And last but not least, thanks for listening to me babble. I’ll have more interesting, fun posts soon! Even my photos I’m using in the post are from last year… stay tuned for better. Love to you all.

Happy Weekend, all.

xoxo AAJ

Heart of the Matter

This post is sponsored by Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, and should not be construed to constitute medical advice. Personal opinions and thoughts are my own. I am not a medical professional and am not qualified to give medical advice. Please talk with your doctor about your individual medical situation.

I’m absolutely thrilled to bring you today’s post, written in partnership with Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. and the Take Cholesterol to Heart initiative. I loved learning new information to share with y’all. I thank Take Cholesterol to Heart for opening up the conversation about cholesterol and heart health, and sharing how we can make conscious healthy choices in time for February aka American Heart Month!

We are finally at a place in 2020 where our outside appearance is only a fraction of what we care about when we discuss “getting in shape.” (Or, perhaps I’m just getting older and have more perspective…either way, here we are!) We must spend more time getting our insides in shape. I talk about the wrinkles on my neck and chest and improving the condition of my skin plenty, but if my heart health is less than stellar, none of it will matter! 

It’s no secret that high cholesterol is not good, but did you know it’s a major risk factor for heart disease? Something that’s garnered a title that sounds like a Dateline episode: The Silent Killer. I know heart disease is the number one cause of death in America, and yet it still shocks me every time I read it. Not car wrecks, or guns, or plane crashes (things we worry about), but heart disease. Yet, most of us do have friends or family members that have passed away from a heart attack or heart disease. One set of my grandparents was taken too soon from this disease.

If you’re anything like me, you may have categorized heart disease as something to worry about when you’re much older. Well, I guess it creeped up on me, because now the “much older” time is here. Some of you may already lead a fairly healthy lifestyle like myself, so the question is “what else should we be doing?” I don’t want us ten years from now to wish we had done something TODAY! And not to make this too melancholy, but I had Hayden later in life and I want to be around to see him flourish!! 

A FEW FACTS

Cholesterol is a wax-like substance found naturally in the body and is essential for our bodies to function, but it gets a bad reputation from low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL-C. LDL-C (or “bad” cholesterol) can build up and cause plaque in our arteries. HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (or “good” cholesterol), is considered good because it picks up excess cholesterol in our bodies and takes it to the liver to be excreted or used. Our bodies make all the cholesterol we need, but we get added amounts from food. That’s why it is so important to discuss diet with your doctor. Cholesterol reminds me of the old saying – we can’t live with them, can’t live without them. (WINK, WINK) 

According to the American Heart Association, we should have our cholesterol checked by a doctor every 4-6 years starting at age 20. Hopefully, this is a conversation you’re already having with your doctor, but if not, it’s time to get checked! I learned there are a lot of pieces to this pie: diet, exercise, stress levels (YEP), toxins (smoking, drug and alcohol use) and hereditary aspects can all have an impact on our cholesterol levels.

So, that question I asked above…WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING TODAY?

A SIMPLE PACT 

Here is what I am asking all of you to do as soon as possible to start this decade off right: 

1. Make an appointment to discuss heart health with your doctor. Find out what your cholesterol levels are and if they need some attention! We all reminded each other to drink more water in 2019 (which helps with EVERYTHING), so we can do this too. 

2. Be honest with your doctor about your lifestyle and habits. IF YOU NEED MORE ASSISTANCE, your doctor can discuss cholesterol-reducing medications, called statins, with you. However, not all statins are processed in the body the same way and it varies from person to person, which is why a conversation with your doctor is key. 

And I wouldn’t ask you to do something that I wouldn’t do, so I JUST got a physical and discussed cholesterol. Here’s my pledge to myself in this new decade to make my levels even better

1. Follow the Mediterranean diet as closely as I can (see below), which is chock full of heart-healthy foods. I have a few tweaks to make!

2. Move more daily, not JUST in workouts. Park far away, chase Hayden at the park, take the stairs and walk-walk-walk!

3. Grill, bake or roast food.

4. Add more fiber and drink more water (this will forever be on any to-do list, lol). Adding soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream.

5. LET IT GO. Do my best to pray, meditate and give over what I can’t control. Because that leads to stress and stress is linked to heart disease. Yes, it is. Big time!

FOR THE FUN PART

A higher protein, heart-healthy dish. I’m adding one simple recipe below. Please add yours or tag me in posts because I’d love to start sharing more of these type of recipes. I chose it because it is SO easy and if I can make it, so can you!

Mediterranean Diet Overview*

Eat more: Vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, potatoes, whole grains, breads, herbs, spices, fish, seafood and extra virgin olive oil. Eat in moderation: Poultry, eggs, cheese and yogurt. Avoid: Sugar-sweetened beverages, added sugars, processed meat, refined grains, refined oils and other highly processed foods.

MEDITERRANEAN SALMON, finish this dish with couscous or steamed veggies 

• 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 4 (6-ounce) skinless salmon fillets (about 1 inch thick), cooking spray, 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved, 1/2 cup finely chopped zucchini, 2 tablespoons capers, undrained 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 (2 1/4-ounce) can sliced ripe olives (drained) 

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425°.

Step 2

Sprinkle salt and pepper over both sides of fish. Place fish in a single layer in an 11- x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Combine tomatoes and remaining ingredients in a bowl; spoon mixture over fish. Bake at 425° for 22 minutes.

And finally, I am not a doctor, I just play one on tv (Dr. Bridget Forrester is;) HA! But seriously, I’m hoping to start the conversation here today. Any medical questions or issues, please consult your personal doctor.

**Information sourced from Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.’s Take Cholesterol to Heart website – recommend checking out for more awesome resources! This post is sponsored by Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, and should not be construed to constitute medical advice. Personal opinions and thoughts are my own. I am not a medical professional and am not qualified to give medical advice. Please talk with your doctor about your individual medical situation.

I can remind you to drink your water today, though….

XOXO

AAJ

DECORATE WITH US! Valentine's Day decor ideas for kids

“What’s next, what’s next? What do we decorate for next?” Hayden begged to know when Christmas decor came down. Once he figured out Valentine’s day could include a few decorations- he’s been all about it. My mom sends packages for him full of Valentine’s day activities, so he hasn’t exactly been discouraged.

As the title describes, this is more of a post for the kids. Some fun things I had to share in case you wanted to amazon or order a few things online. Also, my mom managed to find some things that work for ALL holidays. She’s trying to keep my storage unit to a minimum. LOL. Last year, mom sent Huck and Hayden these singing and dancing stuffed animals… SEE POST HERE…..still a hit today. We’ve had them all year. More ideas coming, but wanted to get this up in case you wanted to get your click on today for a mid-week delivery;) Also, these are BASIC ideas. Nothing too hard. I’m not up for anything too elaborate…I’m more in a decluttering mode!

Starting with this lamp for you. I’ve talked about it before but never on the blog. This collector’s acrylic lamp (on sale right now!) that has proved brilliant for decorating for any season. So, if you get it in time or St. Patty’s day or Easter, you will use it year round for your child’s “collector’s items” of the month. It’s held cars, mini dinosaurs, “treasures” and now… we have heart stick-ons. If I had a girl, it’d be all sparkly things. lol. You’ll quickly realize this lamp is worth every penny after you use it for a few months. It was pretty genius during Elf on the Shelf. That Elf got sneaky leaving little prizes in there;)

The heart stick ons are just a given for your kids to have festive fun. Easy to apply, easy to peel right off. We have them on mirrors (bathroom mirror shown above) and windows and back of doors right now. I do NOT like things that are hard to remove. I’m crazy about that… these particular ones are tested. And there are so many, you’ll be sharing with neighbors. There’s also THIS SET that is a bit cheaper.

My family lives in Texas and BELIEVES in snail mail. So, Hayden receives many a note from his Aunt and Nana. We have this adorable note holder on his chair. This will stay here for a while cause Hayden just loves seeing if he gets mail!! I have the heart one, but the actual mailbox is adorable. 

We have banners and Valentine’s day Pez (duh, if you follow me) and he just loves it. My mom and I try to find prizes that are either 1) inexpensive, 2) durable, or 3) educational.  

She got him a Valentine’s day card tree, but it is sold out. However, a cute idea is to use a tree holder and let your child put their V-day cards or “love notes” on it. I also like the idea of a little lighted clothes pin string for hanging notes.

STAY TUNED:

Found this shaving cream activity off of pinterest. We’re trying it this week!

ANY IDEAS TO ADD? Please let me know… or send pinterest links;)

HAPPY MONDAY, HAPPY FEBRUARY. as my instagram post said today… “find the wonderful” this week.

XOXO

AAJ

MY BIGGEST WHAT IF

This time last year, I started using basic fertility tools and got some great advice from you.

I didn’t share something else at the time because I just wasn’t ready. I had recently miscarried. Truth be told, I’ve miscarried twice. That second time, I was further along. Over nine and a half weeks. We had tried IUI, but this time we were pregnant naturally! I thought it was a sign.

I went in for my appointment by myself. It was a check up to make sure the heart beat was strong and get blood work to find out the gender. I felt so deeply it was a little girl. She would be named after my Great Grandmother, also started with an “H,” like Huck and Hayden. I had already told my parents. I had Hayden wear a shirt that said “big brother” when I took him to visit them in Texas. These photos here were taken because we were about to announce at 12 weeks. I felt pretty “swollen” and couldn’t fit into much else but A line dresses like the one pictured.

That day, as I lay on my back looking at the ultrasound machine, my doctor kept moving the wand around inside me. He was silent. If I had been standing, I would have fainted. I felt like I went limp on the table anyway. Dear God, it’s ok, it’s ok, right?? I could hear myself pleading in my mind.

Then, I heard the words that 1 in 4 women hear: there is no heartbeat.

I actually didn’t believe my doctor. Tears flowed uncontrollably as his words became inaudible. Just noise in the room. Like I was underwater. I heard him say “D and C “ if the baby didn’t come out naturally. And then looking further into modern medicine and considering IVF.

As great as my doctor is, there is no great way to help someone like me in that moment. The nurses told me to take my time in the room, I didn’t have to rush out for another patient. I got the paperwork, which read “abortion.” I cried even harder. The technical term for a miscarriage is a spontaneous abortion, but I didn’t know that. I asked the nurse to change that because I didn’t have an abortion. She explained it is a medical term for insurance purposes.

Days after this, the baby didn’t come out naturally. I so badly wanted to believe the baby was still alive and the ultrasound just missed the heartbeat. I actually felt guilty drinking any wine because “what if” the baby had made it. I had to schedule a D and C, something I had heard of but knew nothing about. However, I know many, many of you know it all too well. I asked the doctor to look again in an ultrasound because I needed to know for sure I lost my baby. And there was the embryo, still inside me, no heartbeat.

Maybe someday I’ll share some notes I took about the D and C and that day. I took notes during the whole fertility process, actually. All the “what ifs” that came up. But that’s not exactly what this is about today. Today, I simply felt very strongly about opening up this space for women to not feel alone right around the new year. Women and men. Life can change so quickly. The plans and dreams we have for our family can shift so dramatically it is difficult to process.

But we must allow ourselves to go through the emotional cycles. The hormones that are rushing through you are intense. Seeing birth announcements come in the mail with New Year’s wishes can be hard. Of course, you are joyful for those around you, but take the time to care for yourself and know it’s OK to be sad. To be angry. I’ve seen posts with hopeful couples that say, “All I want for Christmas are two pink lines.” If you’re disappointed that you’re not announcing a pregnancy now, I SEE YOU. I get it. You are not alone. I play things around in my head sometimes. But, what If? Part of the grieving process is grieving what could’ve been. And it does get easier. I promise you that. One of the other things I had to learn (and remind myself of often) is not to compare my journey to anyone else’s. But if I’m honest with you, I struggle with twinges of jealous when I see families together. Couples that love each other unconditionally, support each other and are safe and sound, juggling their kids.

The definition of my family is different right now. I feel broken open. I have faith things happen the way they are meant to, I do. I’ve discussed secondary infertility, vitamins and supplements I was taking (and still am!). As this topic of conversation has come up, what heals me is to help someone else. I hope I can.

The unknown is the hardest part.... not knowing if you can conceive naturally. Then, waiting to find out if everything is ok if you DO conceive. If you don’t, then you look into modern medicine and have to process how financially depleting some of these treatments are. The stress is indescribable at times. Right now, I wish I had just frozen my eggs earlier.

At doctor’s office with my nurse.

In an interview recently, someone asked me what I would tell younger people about fertility. I would absolutely not give up if you feel the deep desire to have your own child— if finances are an issue, look into programs and insurance policies. I am doing that now. Lemme know if you are in my boat and want me to share my research. Thankfully there are other programs like LifeSpring, which help children of the future financially in case they experience infertility. If I had had access to insurance years ago, I would probably have a different story. New concept, I know, but something to think about. And specifically for my fellow Texans: LifeSpring policy is approved by the Texas Department of Insurance. Beneficiaries (children birth age to age 13) must be residents of the State of Texas at the time of purchase. Purchaser does not need to be a resident of Texas. As with all insurance, you hope you never need it. But what a blessing to have it if you do. Thank you to LifeSpring being a one time sponsor of this blog and encouraging me to tell my story. All experiences and opinions are my own.