Intentional Living

Something that I have really tried to focus on recently is living intentionally in all areas of life.  The past six months have been a busy whirlwind of travels, events, business growth, and new projects but lately have been feeling the urge to step back and really think about what my values are, what is most important, and how I can spend my time not just crossing things off my to-do list but actually focusing intentionally on the few things that matter most. 

It's funny that I picked today to write this post because I am actually in the process of preparing for a hurricane to hit the Hawaiian Islands later this week! There's nothing like preparing for a natural disaster to make yourself focus on the things that truly matter the most. 

Intentional living can truly have so many different meanings. For some people it has to do with finances and possessions and for others it relates to goals and ideals. For me, its a little bit of both. 

This month I spent some time going through my closet and getting rid of a ton of clothing items that I wasn't in love with. There have been so many times where I have purchased something just for a specific event or just because it was "trendy" and everyone was wearing it only to realize that I don't actually love it. This month I have really been trying to hone in on what my personal style truly is and so I can avoid those types of purchases and only get things I really love and will wear over and over again. 

I also have been keeping track on how I spend my time and I've been trying to be really intentional about what I say yes to and what I say no to. I really been trying to distinguish the difference between my strongest desires with my deepest desires. 

Your strongest desires are the things on your to-do list, the stuff you feel pressure to get done and the responsibilities on your plate. My strongest desires are cleaning, cooking, housework, social media, managing my skincare team, etc.

Your deepest desires are the things that truly light you up inside but oftentimes get put on the back burner. My deepest desires are writing, empowering female entrepreneurs, working one on one to help people find solutions for their skin, reading, etc. 

Most days it is so hard for me to distinguish between my desires. Oftentimes, my to-do list wins over my deepest desires. I'm trying to be really intentional about this, though, and focusing on how I can incorporate my deepest desires In every day life. 

Lastly, I want to live intentionally with how present I am. I am scatter-brained about 99% of the time and there's always a million ideas swirling through my head. I really want to focus on being more in the moment and present with the people I am with. I have been focussing on putting my phone down more and really being present. here. right now. 

I would love to know your thoughts on intentional living and how you try to live intentionally in your daily life! What is an area that you are aiming to be more intentional in? 

xo,

Lo

Summer Wardrobe Essentials: Part 1

Ahh, sweet, sweet Summertime! If you read my previous post on the anxiety I dealt with last summer, then you will understand how much it means for me to say that I am loving & appreciating this Summer season SO MUCH. It's been such a sweet time adventuring, BBQ-ing, and traveling with Danny and our friends!

I did a little shopping this Summer since I sold some of my clothing on Poshmark and my creative side was itching for some new pieces to wear! It was so fun browsing numerous different sites & boutiques and picking out some classic pieces that I know I will be able to wear in any season here in Hawaii! Since I was shopping anyways I thought, why not share my favorites with you all?! 

From my curated picks, its pretty easy to catch on to my style this summer, haha! I am LOVING anything denim, classic shapes, stripes, and all things red, white, and blue! I've never been a huge "red" person but recently I have been loving it! My style is definitely more on the classic side than trendy. If I know that I am going to be over a shirt after I wear it twice then it's a no-go for me. I'd rather have a few really great pieces that I know I will wear over and over again then trendy, poorly made pieces any day! 

I separated each item by category for convenience and I'll explain what I like about all the items and why they are perfect for Summer! I actually own most of these pieces and so don't just think that I am recommending random things! These are actually pieces that I LOVE and you will see me wear all Summer long! :) Let's get to it! 

I separated this into two blogposts because I wanted to make sure all of these widgets load for you!!!! Here is the tops, bottoms, and dresses and in my next post will have the shows, jewelry, and bags!! 

TOPS

Basic & Easy To Wear Tops: 

I wear a basic top 99% of the time! I'm alllll about a white v-neck and cut-off shorts. Also, the new Free People tanks are AMAZING and the perfect tank to wear over a bathing suit! Lastly, if you are looking for a basic tee, look no further than Madewell's pocket tee. The best $20 you will spend! I have them in a few colors and they wash super well & last forever! I wear them almost every day! 

Fun & Trendy Tops: 

I laughed at myself when I titled this "trendy" tops because to most people, these are still pretty basic! When I want to dress it up a bit, I will wear one of these with shorts or jeans! The first Madewell top? I. AM. OBSESSED.! All of these fit super well and I have worn them numerous times! Add some jeans, cute sandals, and a pair of statement earrings and you are instantly fancy! :) 

BOTTOMS

Denim evvverrryyything: 

This is pretty self-explanatory. Denim will always win in my book. ALWAYS. Denim cut-off's are my daily uniform for me but I just picked up a denim skirt that I am obsessed with! Bringing me back to grade school in the '90's! I am also loving jeans with frayed bottoms! I'm usually a dark wash jean kinda girl but recently I have been loving the lighter shades!

DRESSES

Easy to throw-on-and-go Summer Dresses:

When in doubt, throw on a Summer dress!! These are my go-to's to take from day-to-night and for all-day adventures. I love anything lightweight and breathable and all of these are super comfy! I am especially obsessed with the denim shirt dress- SWOON! I ordered mine but it actually hasn't come in yet and so stay-tuned because I'm pretty sure I will never take it off. 

PS- I added the navy jumpsuit at the end because I.AM.OBSESSED. and I think it falls under the same category as light, throw on, & comfy! ;) I will be living in it all Summer! 

Check out Part two for the bathing suits, shoes & accessories!! <3 

xo,

Lo

 

Recipe: Beet Berry Smoothie

I am a creature of habit when it comes to my daily smoothies but I've been experimenting with some different ingredients and wanted to share! I've been researching foods that are good for liver function since I have been trying to balance my hormones naturally and one of the best foods to help liver function are beets! Beets are bright red and don't have much flavor but they have a ton of nutrients! I picked up some beets from the farmers market a few weeks ago and I washed & cut them in small pieces and put them in the freezer! Adding beets to your morning smoothie won't only turn your smoothie the pretty shade of purple but you are also adding amazing nutrients and plant enzymes into your diet!! 

Beet Berry Smoothie

- 1 beet

-3-4 strawberries

-handful of blueberries

-handful of spinach

-1 tablespoon coconut butter

-2 scoops of collagen peptide powder

-1 tablespoon cacao nibs

-1 tablespoon flaxseed

*Blend & enjoy!!!

Xo,

Lo

Ingredients Mentioned:

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Wellness tip: Drink Water!

When it comes to healthy living, it seems like there are always new fads and trends that are coming out about the next best thing to keep you healthy. Today, I want to keep it simple and talk about the OG of healthy living… WATER. 

We are made of water. Our bodies are 80% water and we are constantly recycling that water by sweating, going to the restroom, and then drinking water to replenish it. Drinking an abundance of water is so crucial to overall health and well-being.

Water affects EVERYTHING. It affects our mood, appetite, energy, digestion, elimination, and detoxification. If we don’t drink enough water we can’t expect our bodies to function properly. Even worse, if we spend prolonged periods of time dehydrated, chronic health conditions can occur which can cause damage to the organs.

I was never a huge water drinker, but over the years I have trained myself to be really intentional about my water intake, especially when traveling, sick, or after a workout. 

I have seen huge improvements in my health since I have been drinking more water. I try to drink 75 ounces of water a day which is about 2 ½ fillings of my 32oz Hydroflask.  When I am hydrated, my head is clear, I feel energized, and my digestion is so much better. 

Some water rituals I live by:

-Drink 16 ounces of water as soon as you wake up in the morning

-Drink 32 ounces of water before any coffee/ tea/ breakfast

-Drink a large glass of water 30 minutes before every meal

-Drink room temperature water. Room temperature water is easier for your body to process since it is closer to your body’s natural temperature. For some people, cold water can give them a stomach ache. 

-Skip the fancy drinks at restaurants and drink…. Take a guess… WATER!

-Try to avoid plastic water bottles at all cost. Plastic water bottles can leak toxic chemicals into the water

Drinking water isn't a quick fix, but it is a lifestyle modification that will truly have a lasting impact on your health! 

Recently, I invested into the Berkey water filter system and I AM OBSSESED! The Berkey filter safely removes all the harmful chemicals and additives in tap water but also replenishing the water with minerals. It’s definitely an investment but if you are a health and water-freak like me, you might want to consider checking it out! 

Okay that’s officially all I know about water! I hope you found this helpful and I challenge you to go drink a big glass of water right now! ;) 

xo, Lo

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Summer Adventure Playlist

Summer is finally here!! I spent a couple hours putting together my favorite summer jams and I am excited to share them with you! My playlists are notoriously known for being very random. haha! There is dance jams, folk jams, pop jams, indie jams, and a little of everything in between in this mix. This playlist reminds me of long road trips, beach bonfires, warm sunny days, and never-ending laughter with loved ones. I hope you love it! 

To go along with my random playlist, here are some random photos that have me dreaming of endless summer adventures... Whats on your summer to-do list?!