how to get a better night's sleep

hey y'all! i am currently in san francisco on vacation, so i figured i'd use this week to introduce you to some other fabulous bloggers. today's post is brought to you by natalie of thirty-seventh avenue, a fellow birmingham blogger. natalie's blog features interior design, general well-being/lifestlye tips, recipes and much, much more. natalie is a pro on routine and being your best self, so i'm happy to pass along her tips on getting your best sleep. give natalie a follow on twitter and instagram!

hi! i’m natalie over at thirty-seventh avenue. meredith so kindly asked me to share with you all a little more in depth about the topic of establishing a morning routine. i recently shared with my readers about my personal morning routine and what works for me, and i got a lot of positive feedback. to keep from sounding redundant, i wanted to talk about what actually makes my morning routine work. it’s actually something that happens the night before.

for most of us, getting enough sleep at night is a constant struggle. there's always something else that needs to be done before we can hit the sheets. by the time you've done your afternoon routine of cooking, cleaning, folding, washing, etc. going to bed can seem like a hassle in its own. and the worst part is the alarm that goes off in the morning reminding us we didn’t get enough. it happens far too often.

humor me: from the moment we start kindergarten, we're trained by the sound of an alarm. there's a need of certainty, a call to do something when we hear one. a wake-up alarm, a reminder ding on your phone, a smoke detector, a police siren, a timer on the stove, they all have one thing in common: they make us react to something. what i’m getting at is, if we rely so heavily on the alarm to wake up every morning, how come we don’t use one to go to sleep each night?

so i tried it. i started setting an alarm for 9:30 pm. when it goes off, i force myself to stop whatever i'm doing and get ready for bed. i give myself thirty minutes to do whatever i need to do to get read (brush my teeth, wash my face, etc), but when that thirty minutes is up i need to be in the bed, phone on the charger (not in my hands!), and lights off. whether i fall asleep right that second or not, i do nothing else.

since i've started setting an alarm for bedtime, i have noticed:

• i'm more productive throughout the work day. 
• i don't get the 2:00 yawns, which means i'm more alert. 
• i eat around 350 less calories a day. 
• my stress level has dropped - which solves 90% of life's problems. 
• my immune system is working better than before. 
• i'm able to work out longer. 
• my skin feels relaxed instead of tight. 
• i'm not breaking out as much. 

i tend to thrive on routine, so if you don’t this may not be for you. even on the evenings that i’m not able to jump up and get ready to go to bed at 9:30 pm i’m far more conscious of that time passing and if the task that i'm doing is a good enough tradeoff. opportunity costs, people. on the odd week night i am doing something fun instead of going to bed, which happens because it’s summertime, it feels like a treat. ever other typical night, the alarm reminds me that the next day will be better if i let it send me to bed.

the bottom line: make sleep a priority. you must schedule sleep like any other daily activity, so put it on your "to-do list" and cross it off every night. but don’t make it the thing you do only after everything else is done – stop doing other things so you get the sleep you need.

have you ever tried setting an alarm for bed?

creating community with phlbloggers

hey y'all! i am currently in san francisco on vacation, so i figured i'd use this week to introduce you to some other fabulous bloggers. today's post is brought to you by chrystina of chrystina noel. chrystina and i "met" during the #nectarchat twitter chat and immediately got to talking about our shared experiences running local blogging communities. i wanted her to share her journey running phlbloggers in philidelphia, and discuss what it really means to cultivate a true community. enjoy!

since i was in middle school i’ve been bringing people together. i threw my first party in sixth grade and from there i was hooked. once i got to college i found out there was a name for people like me, resident assistants. i was an ra for three years and got the chance to plan a bunch of events for my little community of residents. i loved being there for them – and having somebody to bake dessert for all the time.

once i graduated from college i started my day job. that was around the same time that i started my blog. i spent all day with people who didn’t understand search engine optimization, lead magnets, or twitter. and for an extrovert like me, someone who gets energy from being around other people, i started to feel pretty lonely. i realized i needed to find a community with people who really understood me that i could bounce ideas off of and who wouldn’t look at me like i had three heads when took a picture of my lunch before i ate it.

i went to a blogging conference in philadelphia in search of my people in 2012, but i didn’t find anybody that i was really able to click with. in 2013 i went to a conference in austin, tx. i had done it, i had found my people. the only problem is they were 1,600 miles too far southwest. i had to find my people closer to home. in september 2014, i figured if i hadn’t found the community i was looking for yet it was about time to create it.

i’ve written a post about this before: how to start a blogger meet-up group in your city. what i haven’t written about yet is what it takes to create a community:

find the right people

there are certain people who are your people. you share the same things in common, you understand where each other are coming from, and because you feel emotionally attached to each other, you watch each other’s backs a little bit harder. how do you do this? create the group that you would want to be a part of. create the group that focuses on things you are already interested in. and this isn’t to say that you should be rejecting people if you don’t think they’re your people. if they’re sticking around for the events and good conversation, they might be more your people than you know.

help people get to know each other

one key to creating community as helping people actually get to know each other. make sure that everyone introduces themselves at the beginning of an event. always reach out to the new person at the event and say hello. ask real questions to get real answers (instead of “how are you” try “what are you working on right now”).

make people feel comfortable from the beginning

send people who are interested in the group the most recent communication you’ve sent out right at the beginning. add them to the group lists and forums. say hello to them when they come into an event and make sure you introduce yourself. talk about what it was like when you started out in the group. make sure to share all of the details of an event before the event so there are no logistical concerns about where to find the group or what to do when you get there. there was a group i applied to be a part of where i had to put down all of my blog stats right from the beginning, which made me feel incredibly intimidated. (of course, after the fact, i realized these are very useful numbers to have because it helps when you want to reach out to brands to work with, but i still don’t think i will ever ask people for these numbers right off the bat.)

create a space for people to ask questions

phlbloggers has a google plus group that is set up to ask questions, post event information, and introduce new members. i know that bham bloggers has a facebook group. i read recently that slack is pretty good as well for this. this has been a great resource for the phlbloggers to share their successes, organize link-ups, share sponsorship opportunities, and ask tech questions to people who have been there before.

i’m so incredibly glad that i started this group. i can honestly say that the people in this group are some of my favorite people to hang out with in the city these days. i have found a new group of friends, a group of people who understands how i spend the majority of my mental energy, and a group of people that i am constantly feeling inspired by.

if you haven’t found a community for yourself to be a part of yet, i absolutely recommend going in search of one – whether that’s in real life or on the interwebs. and if you can’t find one that looks like the group you’re trying to find, start one. it’s been a game changer in my life and hopefully it will inspire you as well.


chrystina blogs at chrystina noel and writes about greeting cards, wine & cheese, hosting parties, and all of life's random thoughts in between. you can find her on twitter, instagram, pinterest or helping people stay in touch on her newest site, notes by chrystina. you can also learn more about phlbloggers and past events here.

go-to green smoothie

hey y'all! today's post features guest blogger molly of heytheresunshine.com. she's not only a great blogger and talented graphic designer, but my wonderful friend and co-founder of birmingham bloggers. today she's sharing a super simple, healthy smoothie recipe with y'all. go check her blog out! enjoy!

i don't know about you, but i'm always looking for a quick, healthy breakfast and this one has been a go-to for me for a couple of years now. i know a bright green smoothie looks really strange, but it tastes deliciously peanut buttery and is still healthy! i always add a little ice at the end to thicken it up, but the frozen banana gives it a good, creamy texture if you don't add the ice. and obviously, PB2 is a favorite ingredient of mine to help keep things lightened up, plus it's wonderful as a substitute for regular peanut butter, too.

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 container chobani simply 100 vanilla (or other vanilla greek yogurt)
1 frozen ripe banana
2 tablespoons PB2 powder
1-2 handfuls of baby spinach
flaxseed (optional)
ice (optional)

add all ingredients to blender (i usually start with almond milk, PB2, and yogurt, then add the remaining ingredients on top of them). blend until smooth, add ice to thicken after ingredients are well blended. enjoy!

you can customize your smoothie by removing the PB2, adding your favorite frozen fruits, and replacing the vanilla greek yogurt with a complimentary fruit flavor.

visit molly's blog, hey there sunshine!

katie & julie from a cup of carolina

hey y'all! today, fellow birmingham bloggers katie & julie are going to fill you in on their brand new blog, a cup of carolina! enjoy!

Hi, friends! We are so excited to begin our journey in the Deep South and start our new lifestyle blog, A Cup of Carolina. What do you get when you mix two UNC Journalism School alumnae with a new apartment in Birmingham, Alabama? Well, three coffee pots, four different types of coffee (currently), two different types of tea and many, many, many new ideas. As new Birmingham residents, new college graduates and newbies to the professional world, we wanted to create something that allows us to share with everyone just what makes our coffee brew.

If there is one thing we’ve learned throughout our 20-something years of life, it would be that life is what you make it. Just like coffee, life can be a bitter at times (i.e. months and months of job searches). However, with a few added ingredients you can sweeten it right up! To us, a cup of coffee is a more than just a necessary start to the morning. For a brief moment every morning we take the time to gather our thoughts and prepare for the day accompanied by each other and a cup of coffee. It is our time of devotion. However, the definition goes further than that. Coffee is universal. No matter where we are or whom we’re with, coffee and that brief moment in time can be shared together. To us, that connection is the most important. As life takes us on a new journey in a new place, the single instant that connects us with each other (and with you!) reminds us that life is indeed sweeter than sugar.

We hope you will join us every morning over a cup of coffee as we talk through life. We will share with you our thoughts, ideas, experiences, troubles and triumphs. This blog is designed to remind us of everything we go through in life has an important value added, with a little taste of our opinion. Each day, one of us will be posting (some days even together), and we want you to indulge with us. Here is a little intro of who we are, and why we came to Alabama!

The College:

Where we met! We attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and majored in Journalism and Mass Communication. Our sequence was public relations. Side note: Freshman year, Katie was on track to be a biology major, and Julie thought she would be a reporter. As chance would have it, we both ended up studying PR.


                                             

The Sorority:

Okay, guilty as charged. We are sorority “sisters” of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Julie was President and Katie was Philanthropy Chair. Let’s just say that year of college we had our hands full.

                                             

The Hometown:

We are both North Carolina natives, though from very different places. Julie grew up in the capital city of Raleigh, while Katie spent her childhood in the small town of Reidsville.

The New Job:

What brings us to Birmingham? Well, that would be our jobs. Julie is an advertising/marketing fellow at Southern Living, and Katie is a public relations intern at Intermark Group. Ya have to start somewhere, right? That’s another bonus – follow along to see where we land full-time jobs! Trust us, we still work 40 hours a week.

So, now you have the basics! We want to use this blog as a way to introduce (or re-introduce for those family members and friends following along) you to who we are and how we got to where we are today. We are so excited for the opportunities that are ahead of us and cannot wait to explore this new chapter. Life is indeed very, very sweet.

Thank you Floral Frocks for having us today!

Katie and Julie

tamera's 5 ways to stay in shape this summer

hey y'all! today i've got another fabulous guest poster on floral frocks, and you're going to love her! tamera is a chic and super smart nyc blogger who blogs at plan t style on all things fashion, lifestyle & business. today she's sharing her tips on how to stay fit in the summer (it's so difficult with all the parties and the humid weather) so stay tuned! give her a follow on twitter as well.

I find myself negating all of the hard work I did in the Winter, in the Summer. With cookouts, outdoor brunches, and the occasional movie blockbuster, I'm tempted left and right with bad food choices! I know you've all been there too! Well, I will not be a victim of the Summer food coma. Here are some ways I'm maintaining the waistline that you can follow too.  

1. Drink Water. Surprisingly, people do not drink as much water as they should. The recommended is at least 8 ounces per day, but we can aim for higher than that, right? Drinking water keeps you hydrated and moreover, helps regulate how much you eat at the dinner/cookout/brunch table. Drinking water helps to prevent overeating. Try switching out sodas with water and you'll immediately notice a difference.  

2. Eat more fruit. For every hotdog you consume, you should be eating a banana or grapes to balance. Fruit has dietary fiber, which helps regulate digestion and a great way to get hydrated and full. Banana is high in fiber which combats bloating. So instead of those 3 scoops of ice cream and a belgium waffle (guilty) treat yourself to a small banana split to get some fiber and fun.  

3. Exercise. No surprise that adding high impact activity to your lifestyle will fight the bulge. But you do not have to spend $70/month for a gym membership. I am not about that life. When I was injured and could not run for about four months, I did strength and conditioning at home. In addition, you can find yoga you tube videos to help strengthen your core & lose weight. Quite honestly, that's what caused me to drop additional water weight and build lean muscle. Another way to get in a workout? Take a SoulCycle Class. Every week, Soul Cycle offers Community Rides. Free classes where all you pay is the $3 shoe rental. Spin your cookout woes away for free! To find a location near you, visit www.soul-cycle.com.  

4. Eat Breakfast. Eating the most important meal of the day is helpful to prevent overeating. You can have a filling 500 calorie breakfast to start you on your day. One example is mini pancakes 4" diameter, 1 egg with veggies & 2 stripes of turkey bacon, that is approx 500 calories and is a great balance.  

5. Cut Dining Out. Going out to eat is one of the easiest ways to gain weight and lose money. Instead try limiting dining out to only two meals a week. With one of them being brunch of course! Your waistline & wallet will thank you!

molly of make today lovely

hey y'all! i'm currently in denver, colorado for a little vacation, so i'm welcoming fellow birmingham bloggers member molly of make today lovely for a guest post! her blog is wonderful - my favorite recent post is for this cinnamon caramel peach pie. see y'all soon!

Hello there! My name is Molly-Brown from www.maketodaylovely.com. I am so happy to meet all of you, and thank you to my blogging friend Floral Frocks for welcoming me to her blog! I am a twenty something nursing student, and I currently reside in sweet home Alabama.

I chose to blog because I wanted to bring a little brightness to my readers' day by sharing everything that I find lovely. I believe in enjoying every moment, and Make Today Lovely allows me to share those special moments with all of you in hopes of inspiring your own zest for life. I never want the little things to pass without me noticing their true beauty. Through my blog this ordinary beauty is brought  to your day through style and good taste. Come by and visit Make Today Lovely to take a break from everything that is strictly business, and enjoy yourself through fabulous clothes, delicious food, and lovely sights. Make Today Lovely is a way for me to express my creative side in hopes of bringing smiles and joy to my readers.  Here are a few lovely loves of mine, and I hope to see you over at Make Today Lovely very soon! You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

         

                                            Fresh Food                                        Flowers                                     

My puppy Eden

XOXO