Below I'm breaking down my routine for weekday mornings with micro details - the time I set my alarm for, what I put in my coffee, current makeup products, how I make my daily smoothie, etc. The first hour of my day is for me. After becoming a mom and turning 30, I have committed to carving out time for myself. For me, that means waking up earlier (I'm a morning person anyways) and devoting my evenings to family time to catch up with Jack and hear about his day, cook dinner and connect with Greg after Jack goes to bed.
First off, I should note, I shower in the evening after work and only wash my hair twice a week (typically Sunday and Thursday). Since showering is not part of my morning routine, styling my hair isn't a major time commitment since it naturally airdries straight. I haven't used a hairdryer in years!
Starting the Day
My alarm goes off at 5am. I'm not a snooze person - I get up immediately and go into the kitchen. I feed our cat Zoey and make my coffee. I prefer iced coffee and keep a lidded cup in the fridge with brewed coffee from the day before. I use oat milk creamer and a stainless steel straw (better for your teeth!). I refill the storage coffee cup with fresh, hot coffee and pop it into the fridge for the next day.
Since I had laparoscopy surgery in September and my daily workouts were on pause during recovery, I was searching for something to fill that void and provide a positive self care act to help with my mental state. I began meditating for 5-10 minutes. I use the Melissa Wood Health app for both guided meditations and yoga & pilates flows. I bring my coffee into the den, and sit comfortably on the daybed with the light dimmed all the way down. I practice mindful mediation, focusing on my breath, not holding onto the continuous thoughts that come up, and repeat a mantra in my head if I'm struggling with my to-do list popping up.
After meditating, comes movement. I workout in my bedroom and choose a flow on the Melissa Wood Health app - typically a 20-30 minute class. I listen to my body and decide which area I want to focus on (abs, arms, lower body, stretching, full body, etc). It's been almost 2 years since I started MWH and I'm still just as obsessed with the results, the way I feel during and after a flow, and how easy I can fit it into my schedule. One of the things I love most is that I'm consistently a little sore from using new muscles but don't even have to break a sweat to achieve those long, lean lines. I wrote more in depth about my relationship with exercise here.
Makeup, Hair, Clothes
After my workout, I do my makeup and sip coffee while listening to a podcast. Most work days, I keep my hair straight, but maybe once a week I'll curl my hair (tutorial here). Then, I check the weather on my phone and take a lap around my closet to narrow down options for the day. I make the bed and then lay out the clothes and shoes I decided on.
Makeup I'm currently using:
+ Wash face with Cetaphil Daily Cleanser.
+ Apply Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream with my ring finger under both eyes.
+ I mix Origins GinZing Moisturizer with IT Cosmetics CC Cream on my fingertips and apply all over my face and neck to even out my skintone.
+ I use 2 concealers (genetic dark circles are my worst enemy!) First up, I rub IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye between my ring fingers and dab under each eye. I then use Bobbi Brown Color Corrector on top of that. I finish with a dusting of translucent powder using a small brush to set it.
+ For blush I use the Ilia Multi Stick in the color "I Put a Spell on You." I swipe it on my cheekbones and lightly blend with my fingers.
+ Next, I use Bare Minerals matte powder foundation with a large brush and lightly cover all areas.
+ Benefit Hoola Bronzer is my favorite (no shimmer!) and I strategically brush a little on my forehead, cheekbones and neck. Don't forget a tiny bit on the eyelids, which is key to making it look like a natural tan, especially since my face is usually more fair than my body.
+ For eyes, I use the L'Oreal Brow Stylist eyebrown pencil and make small strokes to fill in my natural shape and then use the spoolie to brush them up.
+ I've tried every mascara but keep coming back to L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly in "Blackest Black." I'm not a big eyeshadow person (didn't even wear it on my wedding day) due to having hooded eyelids and I prefer the "no makeup-makeup look" with a natural face, long lashes and have fun with lip colors.
+ I change up my lip color daily but two of my favorites are MAC "Kinda Sexy" for a nice nude, and the Burt's Bees matte lip crayon in "Niagara Overlook" for a subtle coral that I always keep in my bag.
Green Smoothie
I've been drinking a green smoothie almost every single morning for the past 8 years. My current go-to is 2 handfuls of organic spinach, 1 frozen banana, 1 teaspoon of chia seeds, 1 scoop of peanut butter or PB2 (powdered peanut butter) and the last 1/3 cup of my iced coffee. Depending on what other fruit I have on hand, I'll sometimes throw in a few strawberries or dates to switch it up. As my bananas get freckled, I break them up into pieces and store in a plastic container in the freezer. Chia seeds have replaced the protein powder I used for years - they have protein, fiber and omega 3s to keep me feeling fuller for longer. I use a NutriBullet to blend it all up and re-use the stainless steel straw from my iced coffee.
I wake up Jack at 7am, get him dressed and make him a little bite to eat. We spend 30 minutes together while I drink my smoothie and he eats breakfast. I then brush our teeth, get myself dressed and grab my lunch box from the fridge. I bring lunch to work 4-5 days a week. I rotate chia pudding with fresh fruit and granola, leftovers from dinner or meal prep quinoa and veggies for the week on Sunday. Jack and I jump in the car to get him to school at 7:45. Then I call my mom to chat on my way to work, and get to the office by 8am.
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