Need some help getting your winter skin under control for your next trip? I’ve got a Perfect Travel Pack from Bainbridge Island-based LilaJune Skincare to give away. Enter in this post!
Read MoreSeattle! Want to win two tix to Cider Summit SEA on September 8 - 9 in South Lake Union? Right this way!
Read MoreEnter to win a pair of tix to the world premiere of Romy & Michele's High School Reunion at The 5th Ave. Theatre!
Read MoreThe Pink Carpet Project: Seattle Stands with Planned Parenthood is happening on Inauguration Night - and you're invited! Enter to win two tickets in my post:
Read MoreA collection of random thoughts on traveling to Victoria, B.C. - what to pack, how to prep, and other things to know:
Read MoreExplore the perfect shopping weekend in Victoria, B.C. - and enter to win a round trip for two aboard the Victoria Clipper from Seattle!
Read MoreMy picks from Wildfang's big sale, and details on their Capitol Hill Block Party giveaway!
Read MoreGet Your Green On with organicgirl salads - and enter to win some!
Read MoreEnter to win Seahawks vs. Rams tickets in Verizon's #BetterHawksSweepstakes giveaway!
Read MoreEnter to win Yesler's new Technical Hoodie, perfect for the Pacific Northwest!
Read MoreShop Handmade at Amazon artisan crafts today!
Read MoreEnter to win The #52ListsProject by Moorea Seal!
Read MoreI live in my sports bras.
I've somehow amassed a sports bra collection that far outnumbers my 'regular' bras. It's not uncommon for me to wear one when I'm chillin' at home, or out running errands, or even to work. I have a variety of them, some for style & some with a specific workout in mind.
Just like normal bras, I think it's super important to find the right ones not just for the shape of your body, but for the kinds of workouts you do. No woman wants their boobies out of control when they're in the midst of a good run, a fast-paced Zumba class or the perfect yoga stretch.
Have you been fitted for your sports bras lately? If your answer is no, have I got a giveaway for you! Enter FitFest 2015 from Title Nine.
The bra experts at Title Nine are making it easier and a lot more fun to find the perfect bra by hosting "FitFest" events to help every athlete find her perfect bra and get on the road to a more comfortable and healthier workout.
At a FitFest event, you can expect:
RSVP at your friendly neighborhood local Title Nine store. Visit www.titlenine.com for a full list of cities and more information.
Want to win a free sports bra and personalized bra fitting from Title Nine? Enter below now through Tuesday, May 12th at 11:59p.m. PT. Enter as many times as you want each day!
Follow Title Nine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
On this last day of my Spark Notebook giveaway, I thought I'd give y'all a peek into how I've been using it myself! I wanted to film a video to walk you through my notebook, but I had my wisdom teeth removed on Friday and I'm just not feeling camera-ready :)
The Spark Notebook's the first notebook I've had that has a place for me to capture all of the various little tasks, big ideas and more in formats that make sense for me. I write everything down, and now I don't have to worry about scattered notes across different Post-Its, notebooks and apps.
Like lots of planners, the Spark Notebook has a monthly calendar for you to plug in appointments, reminders and important dates. What's unique to the Spark Notebook is that the monthly calendar view is immediately followed by space for your monthly goals and a 30-day challenge. It's awesome to see your goals broken down in this way!
One of my biggest priorities this year is to have a healthier relationship with my email - so I've made my March 30-day challenge to process all of the email I get in each day. I love that Kate's designed space for declaring your challenge, but also asks why you're doing it and prompts you to write down a cause of action. There's even a place to sign and make the challenge official, and numbers at the bottom to mark off each day you complete the challenge.
My yearly theme of simplifying? It's the first thing I see when I open up my Spark Notebook, along with my ways of being for the 2015. I worked on all of this during the Stratejoy Holiday Council, and now they live in a place I see every day. Easy access (and no excuse not) to revisit my year's intentions.
My 2015 resolutions live in the back of my Spark Notebook, where there's tons of blank & lined pages for random notes, sketches and brainstorming.
The stuff I have written out in the Project Planner section is confidential for the most part, but checklists and target deadlines are my steez. These pages are really helping me move my professional and blogging projects along smoothly, and help bubble up any tasks for my to-do list while keeping the big picture neat and clean.
The weekly time-blocking is my FAVORITE part of the Spark Notebook! Kate and the Popforms team were super generous with productivity tips during their Kickstarter campaign, and I really took to their blog posts / videos on time blocking and the ninja planning session. Now, instead of just saying "I'll organize my week on Sunday night / Monday morning," I actually have a framework with which to do it. It's worked really well the past few weeks in putting me on the straight and narrow for planning my week ahead.
I'm a sucker for quotes and journal prompts! As I reflect on my past week, I take some time to journal, free-write or answer these prompts. It's a nice, quick way to unwind for a few minutes.
Ready for a Spark Notebook of your own? Fill out this quick & easy feedback form for me and you'll enter to win!
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I'm a productivity junkie. I will save all the articles, add all the books to my wish list, and read all the tips I can get my hands on in the name of getting shit done. Still, finding that perfect mix of productivity tools and systems for my current lifestyle has eluded me. I'll find some new tips or processes and stick with them enthusiastically for awhile, but ultimately I always fall back in the cycle of getting overwhelmed by everything I need to do. A million things to do, a million different to-do lists, Post-Its, notebooks, planners, calendars and apps to keep track of them all.
My endless pursuit of the perfect productivity system has brought the Spark Notebook into my life. I'd been following Kate Matsudaira and her productivity-centric startup, PopForms on social media when my friend Sarah Lovrien asked if I'd be part of the video she was filming for Kate's Kickstarter campaign. Fast forward to now, with Kate's wildly successful campaign funded in 24 hours and the Spark Notebook completely sold out in its first edition!
What's the Spark Notebook, you ask?
In short, it's a planner on steroids. All of your notes, goals, big ideas and things to do now have one home, versus many different Post-Its. The Spark Notebook was meticulously designed by Kate and team to take your career and life to the next level.
Watch the video below - and visit the Kickstarter page for more insight into Kate's vision for the Notebook as well as how others are already using it. Kate also shares some of her other favorite Kickstarter projects in the updates - click through for more really cool ideas coming to life! There's some serious productivity and entrepreneur inspo going on over on the Kickstarter page!
Soooo I've got a Spark Notebook to give away!
GIVEAWAY CLOSED - Congrats Chloe for winning my Spark Notebook, and thanks so much to everyone who participated!
The gifts just keep on comin' from Fresh Jess this holiday season!
Last month, I had the honor of hanging out with Jessica (owner) and Mady (production assistant) in the Ampersand as Apostrophe studio. I love meeting small biz owners, and what a treat to see Jess in her element. Amidst giant rolls of leather hides and shelves full of chains of all kinds, we talked bags, business and life. Ampersand as Apostrophe is one of the most coveted bag brands on ShopBop, Revolve and boutiques across the world. We're so lucky to have Jess and AasA based right here in the Emerald City!
In the studio
Styling my one-of-a-kind grey Sideways Tote! Alive & Well off-white knit beanie // Zara leather jacket // old plaid flannel shirt // TopShop black skinny jeans // black boots found on Poshmark // J.Crew knit infinity scarf // Target gloves
With Jess at The Seattle Collective
Seattle ladies! I've got a treat for you. Australian active lifestyle brand Lorna Jane is coming to Seattle and Bellevue, and I have a $50 gift card to give away to one lucky reader!
Lorna Jane was founded by its namesake, Lorna Jane Clarkson over 25 years ago. In that time, LJ and team have been on a mission to empower every woman to lead her best life through active living. Producing monthly bespoke collections available in more than 150 stores in the United States and Australia, as well as stockists in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Lorna Jane garments provide each wearer with a distinct sense of energy, vitality and a “take on the world” approach to life. All for the love of health and wellness, the Lorna Jane sisterhood aspires to be their own personal best by embracing the daily practice of Move Nourish Believe.
The kind ladies at Lorna Jane sent me a care package a few weeks ago, and a few items have already made their way into my daily workout rotation. Below are a few shots of my favorite pieces - naturally a few notches up on the style factor and perfect for my everyday style.
So many covet-ready pieces on LornaJane.com, with new pieces added every month! Seattle, you have until Thursday August 28th to enter. That's when the Seattle store opens in Westlake Center. Hope to see you at the launch party! Good luck!
GIVEAWAY CLOSED
Disclosure: Product was provided by Lorna Jane. All opinions are my own!
The latest from Serene Sky - and a giveaway!
Read MoreI'm 31 today!
My first year in my thirties are behind me, and I'm thoroughly convinced this phase of my life is going to be the best yet. I've been reflecting over this past year lately, and while to some age might just be a number, 30 has had so much significance to me. I love being in my thirties; I embraced it wholeheartedly last year with 30 Fresh and since then, have lived every day like I never had before.
First off, some birthday barre at Pure Barre!
Love my girls
Probably my favorite thing about being 30 is my heightened sense of confidence. I don't know why or where it came from, but I feel it for sure.
Confidence sometimes has a negative connotation, but it's an essential trait in self-esteem and going after our dreams. More than ever, I know who/what I am, who I'm not, and what I'm capable of. Even if I'm wrong about something, I'm confident enough to accept that, learn from my experience, and charge forward. I have never cared less about what people think of me. Zero fucks. Most of them don't have an impact on my life as it is; while sometimes I get caught up on someone's actions or feelings, ultimately I work to spend as little time as possible on it and channel compassion to see where they're coming from. Your opinion and judgment of me has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with where you're at.
Annual family birthday brunch at Kona Kitchen
I think a lot about dedication. It's something I try hard to put into practice everyday. There's a lot of stuff we don't want to do, but have to. I always want to do the best I possibly can, and when it's something I'd rather not be doing, there's a lot more motivation that goes into that effort. I don't like waking up at 5a.m. to make my workout - but I do it because I love everything I get out of being there, including starting my day that much earlier.
Persistence and loyalty are two words related to dedication that also swim in my thoughts often. If I want something to truly change in my life, I have to keep working at it to make it happen. So I stay loyal to positive thoughts and people who are constantly in support of me and my dreams.
A very special 6am Glow Flow class with all the Beyonce & booty sculpt <3
Focus is another big theme of life in my thirties. Focus in practice can be so elusive! I get distracted easily in every sense of the word, so focus is another thing I try to practice every day. I think of my goals and what's important to me - and those are the only things I want to fill my day. This year has been a lot about 'trimming the fat', so to speak. I try only to write about things I really care about. Keep only the friends who are genuine and true about themselves, about me and about life around me. Cutting down on the number of blogs and sites I keep up with on Feedly. Cleaning out my closet every month and donating what doesn't appeal to me anymore (my closet is so much more sparse nowadays!)
A kale bouquet from Marie and more bee-themed birthday fare from Jenn
Energy is yet another thing that's important to me. The energy you put out there is so strong, so work to always keep it positive! Why do so many people use social media to talk about all the bad in their lives - most of the time with little balance of any good that's happening too? I have bad days and struggles just as often as everyone else, but I try always to stick to my rule of just stepping away from the computer/smartphone instead of blasting negativity out there. Just like focus, I want to expend my energy only on the people and goals that are important to me. When it feels like someone's only in the house for what they can get out of me, they gotta see their way immediately out the door.
Ube cheesecake from Food & Sh_t! courtesy of my Ate Madeline
Finally, taking care of myself has been a huge theme in my thirties, in case you haven't noticed :) I like to think of it as "hustling differently." There's a lot of actions and traits associated with hustle, productivity and working hard that just aren't me - and yet, here I am on my grind every moment of every day.
Hustle different to me means:
More than anything, gratitude is the attitude I approach everything with nowadays. I'm so thankful for the amazing souls who are in my life who've made my world so rich with opportunities, exciting challenges and honest friendship. No one ever gets anywhere by themselves, and for each of you, I'm eternally grateful!
Alright, enough waxing poetic about my reflections on 30! I've got giveaways from TCBY Bellevue in celebration of my birthday! Their grand opening is next Tuesday, April 29th, and while they've got A LOT planned for the big day, I've got some treats to whet your sweet palate in the meantime. One winner will receive a TCBY red velvet mousse cake, and five will be treated to a frozen yogurt w/toppings at TCBY.
Seattle/Bellevue and surrounding areas only, please!
Giveaway closes on Monday night, 11:59p.m. Good luck & have a wonderful weekend!
GIVEAWAY CLOSED
Sassoon Seattle invited me to host a night at the salon for fellow Seattle bloggers. It was basically like having a girls' night out at the coolest salon in the city! Special thanks to my favorites, Trophy Cupcakes, Skoah and Sarah Lovrien for being part of the night as well. Check out Sarah's photos from our night, my personal loyalty to Sassoon, and details on their fifth anniversary party next Tuesday below. You'll want to attend the party for some truly amazing giveaways!
Classic Rounded silk shirt c/o Everlane / Zara heels / Topshop 'Joni' high-waisted jean (on sale!) / vintage Dior belt / Nike FuelBand
Edward prepping Alexis for her blowout
Thanks again, Trophy and skoah! Our special treats for the night.
I am admittedly low-maintenance when it comes to my hair routine. My mane is thick and grows exponentially fast. I hate putting tons of product in it, and it's often up in a top bun thanks to workouts and just having it out of my face. Basically, I like it to look amazing without having to actually do too much to it. Impossible? Not at all, thanks to the magic hands and shears at Sassoon Seattle.
Alix getting the skoah makeup treatment
Gluten-free Cherry Jubilee! DIVINE
Hey Kate!
Back when I worked at the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, my colleagues and I were invited to come try out our new neighbor, Sassoon. It was the first and remains the only presence the legendary house of hair has in the Pacific Northwest, and I was so impressed by Todd, Sassoon Seattle's former salon director, that I have stayed pretty loyal to the salon in its five years.
skoah makeup
I'll occasionally try other salons out there just to see what it's like - mostly so I can say what I'm about to say in full confidence. Sassoon is the best in the city. Their attention to detail and shape is far and above anything else I've seen in the city. Their stylists are busy not only with loyal followings, but in teaching new and upcoming stylists here in the city as well. They are always down to give back to the community however they can, most recently hosting a Valentine's Day makeover for a local couple. Since I only get my hair cut a handful of times a year, and want to stay low-maintenance at that, I always head back to Sassoon Seattle for a haircut and style with staying power. Their staff is always so warm, friendly and accessible; which is hard to say for a lot of other salons who try to be as hip and stylish as the Sassoon Seattle team seems to exude so effortlessly.
Hi Darcy!
Before...
LOOK AT ALL THIS BEAUTY!
Top: Chanel, Seattle Fashion Blogger / Andrea, SkinnyPurse / Alix, AlixRose
Middle: Kate, All Things Kate / yours truly / Alexis, StyleLogical
Bottom: Darcy, Styled Seattle / Sydney, Seattle Boutique Blogspot / Ilse, The Ultimate Makeup
I didn't realize I'd cut so much off until others said so! Haha. I'm exploring different styles for this new shoulder-length 'do, and so far am loving both the sleek and tousled looks.
Thanks again to
,
,
, and
for making the night spectacular. Peep even more photos on the
, and on Sassoon's
,
and
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