Collaborate (with me!) in Style!

Collaborate (with me!) in Style

I am looking to team up with YOU! There are many ways we can team up with one another to create something AMAZING. If you have a blog, business, product, or expertise you want to share, consider this your invitation to collaborate with me!

Why Partner Up?! Collaborations are a great way to get noticed online and build your brand. You will have the opportunity to partner with other amazing businesses and/or bloggers and you will give yourselves the exposure to new audiences and attract new subscribers and potential customers.

Collaborations give you the outlet to share your expertise and or products with people that just may be looking for exactly what you have to offer!

Not sure how we may be able to partner up or what you would have to offer? Below are some ideas on how collaborations can work and how we can support one another:

1. Guest posting. Writing a guest post is probably the simplest of the blogger collaborations you can do, but one that is still very effective. This will allow you to get your writing in front of a new audience and get new readers to your site.

2. Webinar and Video Collaborations. I’ve seen many bloggers partnering to do webinars and live videos together lately. Video content is great because it allows your readers to get to see another side of you, instead of always just reading your content. And if you’re feeling nervous about doing a webinar, it can be great to have someone else hosting with you. This is perfect for promoting new products and services and you can each offer a discount to viewers who purchase both at the end!

3. Host a giveaway together. You’ve probably run a giveaway before, but this would be a means to get more interest and traffic to your site. It’s a great way to reward and incentive your followers!

4. Make a List Post with Your Favorite Bloggers. These types of posts are popular because it allows for introductions to the people you trust. This type of collaboration is simply just you telling people about the businesses, bloggers and products you like! You place yourself in a great position because you are giving the gift of publicity without any expectation of a return.

5. Interview each other. Another one of the simpler collaborations is to interview one another. Not only will you benefit from the thoughts they share with you, so will your audience! And your interviewee will likely share the interview with their audience, which gets more traffic to your website! A total win-win!

6. Create and sell a product. Share your knowledge with one another and join forces to create and sell an eBook or e-course.

7. Form a referral network/Mastermind Group. Work together to form a network where you can meet and connect to brainstorm and share ideas for continued success.

ARE YOU IN?! How do you feel that we can work with each other? I would love to hear from you if you’d like to team up and pick one of the collaborations listed above.

I am honored to have a few collaborations that I am currently working on! Stay tuned and make sure you are connected to me on social media to learn about  more great content, advice, businesses, products and tips! (Instagram  Facebook Page)

If you are interested, leave a comment or email me directly and let me know which of these you’d like to try. Let’s lift one another up and style the life we crave for ourselves in 2018!


xo
Gina

New Year...New Promises

Who is ready to step into 2018? Every New Year it seems brings the perfect opportunity for all of us to BE BETTER and DO BETTER than we were the year prior, right? I have always set goals versus resolutions each year with the hope of achieving them before the year ends- do you all set goals for yourselves? If so, what are yours for 2018?

This year I have decided that I’m not going to set ANY GOALS. No-sir-ee! Instead I am making PROMISES. Promises first and foremost to myself. My thought behind this is that I NEVER go back on a promise. I am a girl of my word. If I promise you that I will or won’t do something, you better believe I will follow through with it and won’t let you down. So why on earth would I make a promise to myself and let mySELF down? Not going to happen.  Makes you think differently, am I right?!

2018 is upon us, and so is the promise of what is to come. Promise yourself you’ll work towards being the best version of YOU-mind, body and soul. Then work on the promises you’ll make to keep for your loved ones, etc.

Last but not least, as we get ready to say goodbye to 2017 and hello to 2018, I just want to wish every single one of you a wonderful and amazing New Year. As we say goodbye to this year, and reflect on things that we accomplished / are grateful for- I just want to say thank you all so much for an amazing 2017- together you have helped me accomplish so many things far and beyond my dreams and I am so extremely grateful.
I can't wait to see all the awesome things that we will explore, experience and achieve in 2018 together. Have the most wonderful New Year. I promise I will do my absolute best to help make that happen for you in any way I can.

xo,

Gina

Holiday Self Care Challenge! Simple Ways to Take Care of yourSELF During the Holidays...and beyond.

Simple Ways to Take Care of YourSELF During the Holidays.

Most of us are in the throes of the season. With that unfortunately is us getting sick and feeling rundown due to the expectations and pressures that we put on ourselves to create the “best holiday ever”.  Unfortunately, the stress that comes with this magical time of year seems to be accepted by many and par for the course.

Tis the season to socialize more, spend more, do more, eat more, and sleep LESS. If taking care of yourself doesn’t come naturally, and you still insist on putting everything else before your own needs, you probably go into over-serving mode during the holidays. You go out of your way to make sure everything is ready, and neglect taking time out to care for yourself. Does this sound like you?

If you fall into this mode, or if you are just in need of some extra good TLC during this time, try one of these simple ways to take care of you during the holidays...and into 2018.

1. morning routine
If every day, you make a little time for yourself first thing, you can move through your day with more grace and intention. Your morning routine might only be 5 minutes long to start, but even that will help. Use the time to sit quietly with a cup of tea, meditate, journal, walk, or include other activities that feed your body, mind, heart, and soul.

2. candlelight
I love listening to music with candles burning or just sitting quietly in candlelight. As the days get darker, add light to your day.

3. take a walk
Go outside and take a walk. Bundle up if it’s cold and head out with the intention of noticing the magic of the season. Don’t worry about burning calories or tracking your activity, just enjoy yourself and the moment.

4. respect your budget
Once you figure out what you can spend on extras like holiday gifts, events, and other holiday things, honor that. If you splurge now, you pay even more later. And later comes sooner than you think. Why not invite those you usually exchange with to spend quality time versus gift giving. It eliminates the stress of what to buy and provides memories that will be priceless.

5. indulge and eat well
Indulge in your favorite holiday treats, but keep a balance by eating well during 85-90% of the time. Don’t eat the treats you don’t really care about just because it’s there, and savor the first few bites of your indulgences. It’s ok to give it all a try in smaller portion sizes and enjoy without the guilt.

6. live without a schedule
Make room for holiday magic to unfold and cancel some of your planned activities.

7. nap
Give your body and brain a chance to recharge on those go-go-go holiday marathon days. Even 15 minutes can make a big difference.

8. get lost in a book
Unplug. Close your computer and other digital devices and curl up with a good book. Instead of reading something for self-improvement or work, read something for your heart and escape into a good read.

9. laugh
Call or spend time with those that make you laugh harder than anyone else. Then laugh until you cry.

10. find the blessings in your messes
For some reason we really like to beat ourselves up at the end of the year for all that we’ve done and left undone. Sometimes it takes a big, heart wrenching mess to wake us up, to inspire change, and to finally release us from the guilt of getting there in the first place. Understand the lessons and the blessings and move forward.

11. forgive
It’s not too late. Your forgiveness will not only heal their hearts, it will heal yours.   P.S. You don’t need an apology to forgive someone.

12. be grateful
Directing more of our attention towards gratitude for the things that make our lives wonderful are scientifically proven to make us healthier, more energetic, less stressed and anxious, and help us get better sleep.

13. say goodbye to guilt
Usually guilt is not guilt at all, but instead it’s sadness that you couldn’t do more to help, disappointment that you didn’t achieve something you set out to do, or anger because you said “yes” to something that deserved a “no”. Let that go.

14. give
There are so many opportunities to give, so many people and organizations in need. Pick something close to heart and give the way you want to give instead of how you think you are supposed to give.

15. make something
Be creative. Write a poem, start a book, draw or paint, and express yourself. Make. Create. Enjoy the process with no expectations.

16. breathe
Frustrated? Breathe in. Breathe out. Worried? Breathe in. Breathe out. Overwhelmed? Breathe in. Breathe out. Confused? Breathe in. Breathe out. Exhausted? Breathe in. Breathe out. Start there and you can often avoid over-thinking and over-reacting.

17. let go
There are benefits to moving through life, work, and relationships with a lighter step, a lighter look, and a lighter heart. If we want to be light, we have to let go of what is weighing us down.

18. stop and drop
If you’ve already overdone it, consider a full stop. Sometimes backing off isn’t enough. Take a whole day to yourself and vow to do nothing more than take care of yourself all day long.

I hope that you will take care of yourself over the holidays. It’s the best gift you can give yourself and everyone you love.

Happy Holidays to You and Yours!

Xo

Gina

Need a HYGGE?

Lately I have been really wanting to ground myself and enjoy a more simplistic way of life.  I am often regarded as the girl that can do it all, I work full time, have a busy lifestyle and holistic coaching practice, three boys, one of which is a toddler, and life in general is just BUSY.  I find myself needing and wanting to slow things down. In this feat I have come across the Danish lifestyle practice of HYGGE and have been adapting it little by little into my daily life. I have made a more conscious effort to spend more time present with family and friends.  I have enjoyed that cup of coffee and savored that glass of whiskey for a little while longer.  My husband and I have been cooking home cooked meals together at least 3-4 nights a week and have made a more conscious effort to slow things down.  I have turned off the television and have read at least one book a week with a candle burning nearby while wrapped up in a cozy chunky-knit blanket.  I have lingered in the shower for a few extra minutes to enjoy the warmth on colder mornings.

So I have broken down what I have learned about Hygge and what I am starting to practice in hopes that in translating it here, you can adopt some of this practice and also enjoy your time alone, with family and friends and ultimately have more precious moments this holiday season.

What is HYGGE? How to embrace this cozy Life Style Concept:
In Danish, hygge is (pronounced “HUE-gah”). Though there are many ways to describe hygge, it is known simply as the Danish ritual of enjoying life's simple pleasures. Friends. Family. Graciousness. It is used when acknowledging a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary as cozy, charming or special.

Frequently described as ‘coziness’ or ‘togetherness’ in English, the term has no literal translation, making it almost impossible to pinpoint exactly what hygge means. Largely defined as more of a feeling or mood more than a specific word, the concept can be interpreted as a mental state rather than a physical one. 

Hygge is the art form of creating intimacy in any given moment. Normally a social occasion for loved ones to get together to experience the comradeship, warmth and contentment of the event, it can also be enjoyed alone to calm the nerves and sooth the senses. It is about appreciating the small joys in life at all times. 

How to Adapt to a Hygge Lifestyle

1. Light a Candle(s)
Whether scented or unscented, candlelight transforms an interior space into a flickering escape from chilly weather and a simple lit candle is seen as one of the most fundamental hygge moments to achieve. Give it a glow.

2. Add Textures to your Space
When you think of cozy and warming to create the perfect relaxing moment, think of lusciously soft textures for your décor such as chunky knit cushions, faux fur throws and pillows and fluffy woolen rugs. Not only does this create a modern and on trend styled look in any room, when combined with a roaring fire or soft candlelight, there is no setting more hygge.

3. Keep it Simple
You don’t need to overhaul your interior to make it more "hyggeligt", tiny additions to the home can transform any moment. Treating yourself to your favorite coffee or tea, indulging in new bubble bath and add some candlelight or finally putting your favorite photographs on the wall are all instant mood lifters whenever you use/see them, so take the time to enjoy them.

4. Hygge with Family & Friends
Why not invite your nearest and dearest over and get cooking, or enjoy a glass of wine (or whiskey) by a fire? Try hosting a Game Night. Not just reserved for staying inside, hygge can also be found in the great outdoors and joy can be found from simply putting on your warmest clothes and going on a winter walk with your favorite people. The notion of hygge can also be used to uplift others, so test out your baking skills and take your creation round to a friend’s house you haven’t seen in a while to indulge in a spot of hygge together.

5. Take Up a New Hobby or Practice an Old One
Taking up new hobbies to enjoy in the home allows you to switch off and refocus the mind. Turn off the TV and computers, put down the phones, and grow to love something new that you can nurture during your hygge moments in the home or pick up something you used to love to do but don’t have time for anymore. Curl up and read a good book or take on a new crafty hobby such as knitting or sewing.

6. Slow it Down
We are always rushing aren’t we? We always have somewhere to be and we are always thinking about the next thing we have to. To truly hygge you need to slow down a bit to take it all in, enjoy the small cozy moments. There will always be something else to think or worry about but this concept teaches you to take each moment as it is without rushing onto the next. Sleep in! Take the time to really enjoy the mug of coffee you have made, stay an extra ten minutes in the shower to ensure daily stresses have melted away and definitely savor that slice of cake – or you will regret it later.

7. Don't Overdo it
Hygge is never about overdoing it. It’s not about who you can impress or wow.  It is more about creating a warm and inviting space for friends and family to gather—or one that is your own unique haven.  Dinner gatherings should be simple and go back to basics for a more natural, laidback feel.

8. Enjoy the Space Around You
The key idea behind hygge is to enjoy the environment around you and feel that you have your own sanctuary to retreat to and escape and enjoy true relaxation. So whatever you are doing, take the time to revel in the tiny moments that make you smile and uplift the soul.

9. Remember to Hygge Year Round
Hygge is frequently associated with coziness, but it is a life style that can be enjoyed all year round. In warmer months, go to a local park for a picnic, sit out in the sun with a magazine, enjoy a BBQ outside with friends.  

10. Find the Hygge in a simple hug
Remember Hygge is more of a feeling than an activity.  It’s more about the connections made and the state of being.  If you look it up, it is appropriately linked to the word “hug”. 

So go ahead, pull someone close and start your Hygge lifestyle journey- one hug at a time. 

Xo
Gina

Your Life...Styled | Gratitude Challenge

Your Life...Styled | Gratitude Challenge

November is a month that is celebrated for giving thanks and reflecting on all that we are grateful for as we quickly find ourselves in the throes of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It is important to be thankful during this time, however more importantly we should practice gratitude daily.  I firmly believe that the simplest and most effortless habit for living a happier life is to take one or a few minutes every day to focus on what you are grateful for in your life.

Last year I posted something similar to this, but this year truly awakened me to the power of being grateful-as hard as it can be at times to find something to be thankful for. For the past year, I have sat down just about every night and wrote out 3 simple things that I was grateful for that day. I simply reflected upon my day and picked 3 things that stood out as something to be appreciative for no matter how small it may seem.

I give myself only ONE line for each item because I want this process to be quick and simple. No explanations or long drawn-out journal entries here… just a short and sweet log of the things that made me happy and appreciative that day.

At first, I had a hard time coming up with 3 items to write down each day. You see, I wasn’t in a gratitude mindset when I first started. Life can be HARD, very hard as I am sure you all know with the challenges you face regularly or from time to time.

Something however that is pretty unexplainable has happened to make me a firm believer in this practice and my perspective has permanently shifted.

First what happened was instead of staring at my 3 blank lines not knowing what to write, I somehow just knew what to write.

You see, by logging my gratitude each day, I began looking for more things to be grateful for. I woke up wondering what things life would put in my path that day that I’d be able to include in my gratitude log that night.

I found myself on a daily search for things to be grateful for, because there were so many things to focus on that were causing me pain. I started to notice all of the things that I had previously been taking for granted.

Do you know what gratitude really does, though?

It squashes your negative mindset. It challenges your thoughts. It changes your behavior. It allows for more positive to be attracted to you.

Keeping a log of all the things you are grateful for slowly conditions your mind to believe (and rightfully so) that you actually have a LOT to be grateful for. It takes all of those negative thoughts like “I don’t have enough _____ (you fill in the blank: time, money, friends, talent, fun) and turns them into positives.

Suddenly you find yourself constantly thinking about the things that are going well in your life. Even if they are super-tiny ones like a warm steamy shower, that hot cup of coffee that smells and tastes so good in the morning, a great new book, a hug.

This practice has shifted my perspective in a much more positive direction. It has granted me the ability to look at life with an abundance mentality, sometimes during the most difficult and trying times, and I know that it will do the same for you!

Don’t just keep the gratitude on the inside. Express it.

Make other people happier too – and help them to perhaps pay it forward later on – by expressing how you are grateful for having them in your life. Plus, their smile and the joy in their eyes when you tell them this will make you happier too.

Now, that gratitude could just be a small sentence. But it can have a big impact on someone’s day, week or even life sometimes.  I believe that we all have reasons to be grateful, some days, weeks and months it is harder than others to truly feel positive and grateful, but I am consciously making an effort to journal what I am grateful for each night before I go to bed.  This helps me keep things in perspective.  I also must stress, if we all get into more of this practice-you never know how your kindness, advice or love can make an impact and be what someone else records in their journal.

What are YOU grateful for? This month, I challenge you to start a life style of expressing gratitude.  

Write down 3 things that you are thankful for every day or evening. Tell the people in your life that you appreciate them.  Show yourself some love.  Enjoy that hot cup of coffee.  

Knowing how this could change your entire perspective on life, I really hope you’ll give it a try. If you accept-let me know!!! There will be something in store for you in return :).

I am grateful for all of you and I am wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season.   

Xo

Gina

Style Your Zenful Life: Tips for a Calmer Lifestyle

Style Your Zenful Life

Our lives can be busy, hectic and at times overwhelming-on the daily. Most of us start out with good intentions to bring a little more decompression and calmness into focus, but often times that seems like a wish more than an action we can accomplish.  It doesn’t have to be so hard.  What I’ve learned is that the smallest changes can add up over time and become more of our daily routine.

Here are some tips to Bring on the Zen…

1.     Don’t overcommit and set limits. If you find that your life is overfilled, you may need to set some limits. So stop doing some of the least important things, the things that honestly don’t matter that much. Set a limit for how many times you will check inboxes, Instagram, Twitter etc. per day. And say no to anything that will overextend you if you really don’t have the time.

2.     Find a way to decompress that works for you. I like working out to release tensions and curling up with a good book. Get in the car and drive with the tunes on high. What works for you? Long walks, or a run, yoga, meditation, going down to the water or taking a nice hot bath? Find out and do that.

3.     Get out of your own head. Don’t make mountains out of molehills. This can create a lot of unnecessary stress. When facing what looks like a mountain ask yourself questions like: Does someone on the planet have it worse than me right now? Will this matter in 5 years? These questions help you to zoom out and realize that things may not be that bad and that you can handle them.

4.     Slow it down. Your emotions can work backwards too. If you slow down while walking, moving your body or talking you can often start to feel less stressed (compared to if you move/talk fast). Slowing down to decrease stress goes for many other things you do in everyday life too like eating, working at your desk and having a conversation.

5.     Unclutter your space and unclutter your mind. Give yourself just 5 minutes to declutter your workspace or the room you’re in-or start smaller with a drawer at a time. A uncluttered, simplified and ordered space around you brings clarity and order to the mind. So don’t stop there. Declutter, simplify and organize your home and life too to live in a more relaxing environment.

6.     Use a minimalistic mindset. Eliminate the distractions. Once you have decluttered your space take pride in the simple things you surround yourself with. Rid yourself of distractions here. This will brings you a sense of peace and makes it easier to focus.

7.     Be 10 minutes early. It’s a small habit but it can transform much of your travel time during the year from a slightly or very stressful time to periods of relaxation and recharging.

8.     Ask instead of guessing. Reading minds is pretty much impossible. But still we often try it and create anxiety, uncertainty and misguided conclusions for ourselves. So ask and communicate instead. It may sometimes be a bit hard at first but it can save you and the people around you so much trouble in the long run. I can’t stress this one enough!

9.     Disconnect. Disconnect or at least limit your internet activity and the checking of your smart phone.  Spend more of your time and give undivided attention on your family, friends, hobby or maybe being out in nature.

10. Breathe. When stressed, lost in a problem or the past or future in your mind breathe with your belly for two minutes and just focus on the air going in and out. This will calm your body down and bring your mind back into the present moment again.

When implementing even a few of these tips, you should feel more grounded, less stressed and the presence of a zenful lifestyle beginning to take shape. Namaste.

(Hey and if all else fails--you can always enjoy a nice whiskey!)

How do you Style the Zenful life YOU Want?

Healing Your Whole SELF

“When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need” – Ayurvedic proverb

                         

I am excited to announce that I am officially a Certified Holistic Nutritionist! Many of my clients come to me for emotional support and advice, however during our sessions there is often a missing piece that I needed. Many clients struggle with health issues and I felt that I needed to have more training and information on how to offer solutions and guidance to support your goals.

I have always recognized that there is no “one size fits all” diet which is going to cure all illnesses. Through my insight and coaching with you, I focus on having a thorough understanding of your personal goals, needs, and lifestyle to create a food and life style that is tailored for YOU.

Let me help you get things back on track not only emotionally but physically as well so you can start thriving, rather than just surviving!

Food STYLE

Food has the power to nourish, heal and energize our bodies. As a society, we are no longer truly nourishing ourselves with food, usually because we are too busy to take the time to do so. Instead we opt for pre-packaged and processed “fake foods”, which cause us more harm than we could have ever imagined. To truly heal ourselves, we need to reconnect with real, whole, nutrient-dense foods and eat the way nature intended. 

Four simple food rules:

1. If you can grow it, pick it, hunt it; if it will rot; if it was once alive (plants as well) – eat it. If it is packaged and processed, don’t eat it

2. Food should always be enjoyed – “healthy” does not have to mean “tasteless”

3. Create an awareness and appreciation of how you eat and where the food you eat comes from

4. Choose quality over quantity


Active Life STYLE

Exercise is a form of stress on the body, which means a little can be of huge benefit to your wellbeing, but too much is just as detrimental as none at all. My key exercise principles:

1. Train smarter, not longer, doing a variety of exercises and movements that you enjoy and have fun!

2. Never view exercise as “punishment” for something else

3. Always allow adequate time for rest, recovery and regeneration and incorporate mindfulness in your routine to help with stress and decompression

My Life STYLE Approach

My philosophy is simple: Eat real food! Holistic nutrition addresses the whole person by determining and addressing the underlying causes of your health conditions rather than simply addressing the symptoms.Stress, negativity, lack of sleep and lack of play can undo all of the benefits we obtain from eating well and training smart. It’s true. 

So start being kind to yourSELF (and others) NOW by:
1. Try to get 7-8hrs of sleep each night to allow your body to adequately rejuvenate
2. Incorporate stress management into each and every day, such as meditation, deep breathing or simply going for a 10 minute walk (or sit) outside
3. Play! Do something fun with friends or family on a regular basis that is unrelated to work or exercise

Remember –

• 
Optimal wellness is so much more than simply eating good food, but food is an excellent starting point
• You can’t out-train a bad diet
•  Have fun with your new life style approach to wellness

Styling Your Personal Program:

I design personalized nutrition & wellness programs for my clients, who come to me with a variety of concerns such as stress, fatigue, aches and pains, weight gain and weight loss, digestive issues, hormonal balance, infertility, PMS, anxiety & mood swings, or direction with cleansing/detoxing.

My approach focuses on three main areas: nutrition, lifestyle/emotional wellness, and exercise/stress relief. I will design a meal plan, help you uncover hidden food allergies that may be causing some health problems, and aside from what I uncover during the consultation process, I use my insight and training to uncover areas of imbalance, and I’ll recommend various methods to help you achieve optimal health.

You deserve to be SELFishly Styled from the inside out and to live a life that is healthy and vibrant!

If you are interested in a FREE Holistic Nutrition Assessment, Contact Me Today or visit my website, www.ginaclapprood.com

xo

Gina