CW: body image stuff, food/diet talk For the last CW: body image stuff, food/diet talk

For the last couple of years I’ve worked hard on (mostly) being at peace with my body. I work out for my mental health and because it feels good, I stay off the scale, I don’t see any food as “bad” anymore.

The thing I haven’t been able to adjust is giving my body nutritious foods without diving into diet culture. If I don’t track foods I won’t eat veggies like....ever. If I do track foods, I start worrying about calories, losing weight, etc. So I’ve chosen not to worry about it, for fear of falling back into an unhealthy relationship with food and my body.

Smoothies have always been a good way for me to get fruits and veggies but it’s a lot of work and tbh making a good smoothie requires a LOT of ingredients and then I end up with a massive smoothie. That’s why when I first heard about @kencko, it seemed too good to be true. Freeze dried fruits that you mix in water or any milk, like a protein shake. 2.5 servings of fruits/veggies per packet. (The packets are compostable btw). LOADS of flavor options with various benefits.

I was sold.

I signed up for three months to get the best deal, PRAYING they would taste good and y’all......they are incredible. I am shocked at how much I love them, even the flavors I didn’t think I would be crazy about. I signed up for 20/month and will def be increasing that quantity.

Sorry this is soooo long winded but I wanted to share in case anyone else had similar struggles. They do have a referral code so if you want $10 off your first box just let me know 💕
“Every day is a gift.” That’s what I said t “Every day is a gift.”

That’s what I said to myself when I woke up on Monday. I got dressed in an outfit I loved and promised to make it a good day. And the universe said “okay let’s see how far we can push this gratitude thing” and threw A LOT of shit at me 😂 I still ended my day with a smile and a @onepeloton @jesskingnyc ride. Then I couldn’t sleep because I worked out too late but it’s fine.

Woke up today with the same attitude. Drove an hour to get my second vaccine, arrived for my appointment and they told me they didn’t have the vaccine I needed. Even though I had called to check last week to ensure this didn’t happen. 2.5 hours in the middle of the work day wasted. After working until 10:15 last night and getting four hours of sleep.

I’m still not going to let it break me. (And yes, I was able to find another appointment and I’m SURE it’s the right vaccine.) Life is so precious and I’m so grateful for what I have. I’m especially grateful that in just a few weeks I finally get to see my family for the first time in over a year. What a joy. Sometimes I never thought that moment would come - I shed a lot of tears over it. But it’s almost here.

The only bad thing is now I have to find another vaccine outfit because I wasted this one today.
I guess I’m posting outfit photos again! They wo I guess I’m posting outfit photos again! They won’t be very aesthetic but I’m excited to share and also document what I wear. I know a lot of y’all are here from my fashion blogging days so thanks for sticking around 💕

A wardrobe shift usually means having to buy a bunch of new stuff. For me, what I really “needed” more of was plain tees. I tried to look at sustainable brands but honestly they were just too pricey especially considering the sub-par reviews. So instead I went with my old standby...Target. Their shirts have always lasted me a really long time and the one I’m wearing here is linen 😍 I was very picky and took back a few that didn’t quite fit me properly. All in all I spent around $40 and now have a wardrobe that feels really filled out - here’s to hoping they last me a few years like my current Target shirts have!

I guess all this to say...sometimes you just have to make the best choice for you. I intend on keeping this shirts in my closet for a long long time and know they will get tons of love. Now I’m back on my super low/no buy and can’t wait to wear in my new goodies! 

Ps VERY excited to be wearing sandals! It’s finally spring (?????)
This feels extremely 2014 IG but I’m fine with t This feels extremely 2014 IG but I’m fine with that. My style has changed so much and this is where I’ve been living lately - simple neutrals, plus a couple of necklaces. Color correcting cream, mascara, brows, Fenty gloss bomb because it’s literally the only lip product that doesn’t make my lips crack the next day. 

Anyone else’s style completely change in the past year? My closet looks so different and past me would think it’s “boring” but I feel good and getting dressed is easy now so who cares. 

Ps @roseybeeme influenced me to buy this letter necklace and it makes me feel like a mobster and I love that.
Little Plop got an upgrade to his playpen today (a Little Plop got an upgrade to his playpen today (a pillow) and he is OBSESSED. 

I’m going to keep saying this, if you’re in the denver area and looking for a puppy...he is perfect. It’s going to be hard for me to let this little guy go. Message me if you’re interested in adopting him and feel free to tag someone!

He’s ten weeks, some kind of mix but definitely has wire hair like a terrier. Will probably be small/medium like 25-30 pounds. Very smart and spunky but has a neurological disorder that causes him to have a bit of weakness in his back legs.
Meet Duke, our newest foster puppy. He is a precio Meet Duke, our newest foster puppy. He is a precious brindle wiry haired pup, who also has a neurological condition that makes his legs a little wobbly. Duke doesn’t let that slow him down though. He is curious, playful, loving, and I can’t wait to spend the next week with him. He will be up for adoption next Saturday via @coloradopuppyrescue 💕
Current obsession: this weird little centerpiece I Current obsession: this weird little centerpiece I made using dried flowers that I used in a @brennancandleco shoot. Trying to be better about reusing and giving things a second life like this cute little fox(?) skull.
We are not fans 😩 We are not fans 😩
“Less is more” was a phrase that never resonat “Less is more” was a phrase that never resonated with me. I used to always jokingly say “more is more” and honestly, one of the most surprising outcomes of the pandemic is I’m….becoming a minimalist. I’ve decluttered LOADS of stuff (I wish I had documented it, honestly) - at least 50% of my wardrobe, probably more. I’ve been on a serious low buy since the start of 2020 with only a few additions. We’ve even sold off about 1/3 of our furniture! 

And I have to be honest….I love the breathing room. I feel more at peace. I feel lighter in the spaces where I’ve decluttered more. 

I still have a lot of work to do. And I want to be intentional about my minimalism - it’s not about the aesthetic. It’s about only having things that I love or that serve a purpose. I want to continue to minimize my carbon footprint by buying less. Minimalism for me is not purchasing a new capsule wardrobe every season. It’s finding a style I love and sticking with it, with a few additions here and there. It’s a “1 in 1 out” rule for clothing. It’s getting rid of things responsibly when I want to change things up. It’s a space that’s easier to clean because I don’t have to spend HOURS tidying up and trying to find a space for all of my stuff.

So anyway, here’s my new dining room - we got rid of a coffee table and relocated two big chairs. I’m sitting in one of them while I take this photo. I feel at peace.

Any other minimalists out there? Has the pandemic made you think more about your space since you’re in it more?
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Fashion · September 8, 2016

How to Care for Your Fall and Winter Wardrobe

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and/or make a purchase, I may earn a few cents at no additional cost to you. Any products gifted by a brand will be marked "c/o." Thanks for helping make this blog possible! <3

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ProtectYourEverything #CollectiveBias

care-for-fall-and-winter-clothes

Fall seems to be everyone’s favorite season…and for good reason! One of the best things about fall is a changing wardrobe – but you have to make sure your clothes are well taken care of! Here are some tips for keeping your fall and winter clothes in tip top shape so you can always look and feel your best.

1. Don’t overwash – Not everything you wear has to be washed with every wear. Things like jeans and sweaters and jackets you layer can go a few wears in between washes, as long as you didn’t spill anything on them. Of course, you’ll want to make sure they’re not smelly either 🙂
2. Protect your fabrics with Scotchgard™ Fabric & Upholstery Protector – You want to make sure your clothing is protected! I love using this Scotchgard™ Fabric Protector on my coats to help protect against inevitable stains (curse you, hot chocolate!) and make the spills easier to remove once I wash them. Plus it doesn’t affect how the fabric looks or feels – win win situation! I also use it on my favorite sneakers that are particularly prone to staining because crunching all those fall leaves always leaves me with dirty sneakers! You can use Scotchgard™ Fabric Protector on cotton, polyester, silk, wool, acrylic, nylon, and most other washable fabrics. Even if you’ve used it before, don’t forget to reapply after each cleaning or annually to ensure you’re getting the best protection possible.
dallas-blogger-valery-brennan601
3. Check the weather before you go out – If it’s going to rain, don’t wear your fur coat! Seriously, check the weather. You’ll be more comfortable (duh) and you’ll be able to leave your less “rain proof” items at home when there’s inclement weather.
4. Buy quality hangers – I can’t tell you how many tops I’ve ruined by hanging them on wire hangers. I finally threw out all my wire hangers and bought some nicer hangers to replace them and my clothes have been thanking me ever since.
dallas-blogger-valery-brennan572
5. Fold your sweaters – Sigh, another lesson I learned the hard way. I ruined several sweaters by hanging them – even with nice hangers, the shoulders can stretch out and totally ruin how a sweater looks. You’re much better off folding them, I promise.
dallas-blogger-valery-brennan578
6. Read your labels carefully – If an article of clothing is dry clean only….dry clean it. I know that’s not what you want to hear, but if you spent your hard earned money on clothes, you don’t want to ruin them by being lazy! The only time I break this rule is if it’s something I thrifted that I wouldn’t be heartbroken to lose – sometimes laziness prevails in those situations!
dallas-blogger-valery-brennan608
Don’t forget to grab some Scotchgard™ Fabric Protector on your next Target run – and save $2 by using this coupon (click here)! I found mine in the cleaning supplies aisle!
scotchgard-store-photo
Check out even more great ideas for using Scotchgard™ Fabric & Upholstery Protector here.
xoxo
Valery

In: Fashion

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Comments

  1. kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says

    September 9, 2016 at 2:18 PM

    Such great tips!! And yes, I learned the sweater folding tip the hard way, too! Yay for fall, though! [client]

  2. Andrea Handojo says

    September 15, 2016 at 12:28 PM

    The cold and damp weather can take a toll on your clothes! Such a great way to keep them protected!

    http://www.thebeautydojo.com

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CW: body image stuff, food/diet talk For the last CW: body image stuff, food/diet talk

For the last couple of years I’ve worked hard on (mostly) being at peace with my body. I work out for my mental health and because it feels good, I stay off the scale, I don’t see any food as “bad” anymore.

The thing I haven’t been able to adjust is giving my body nutritious foods without diving into diet culture. If I don’t track foods I won’t eat veggies like....ever. If I do track foods, I start worrying about calories, losing weight, etc. So I’ve chosen not to worry about it, for fear of falling back into an unhealthy relationship with food and my body.

Smoothies have always been a good way for me to get fruits and veggies but it’s a lot of work and tbh making a good smoothie requires a LOT of ingredients and then I end up with a massive smoothie. That’s why when I first heard about @kencko, it seemed too good to be true. Freeze dried fruits that you mix in water or any milk, like a protein shake. 2.5 servings of fruits/veggies per packet. (The packets are compostable btw). LOADS of flavor options with various benefits.

I was sold.

I signed up for three months to get the best deal, PRAYING they would taste good and y’all......they are incredible. I am shocked at how much I love them, even the flavors I didn’t think I would be crazy about. I signed up for 20/month and will def be increasing that quantity.

Sorry this is soooo long winded but I wanted to share in case anyone else had similar struggles. They do have a referral code so if you want $10 off your first box just let me know 💕
“Every day is a gift.” That’s what I said t “Every day is a gift.”

That’s what I said to myself when I woke up on Monday. I got dressed in an outfit I loved and promised to make it a good day. And the universe said “okay let’s see how far we can push this gratitude thing” and threw A LOT of shit at me 😂 I still ended my day with a smile and a @onepeloton @jesskingnyc ride. Then I couldn’t sleep because I worked out too late but it’s fine.

Woke up today with the same attitude. Drove an hour to get my second vaccine, arrived for my appointment and they told me they didn’t have the vaccine I needed. Even though I had called to check last week to ensure this didn’t happen. 2.5 hours in the middle of the work day wasted. After working until 10:15 last night and getting four hours of sleep.

I’m still not going to let it break me. (And yes, I was able to find another appointment and I’m SURE it’s the right vaccine.) Life is so precious and I’m so grateful for what I have. I’m especially grateful that in just a few weeks I finally get to see my family for the first time in over a year. What a joy. Sometimes I never thought that moment would come - I shed a lot of tears over it. But it’s almost here.

The only bad thing is now I have to find another vaccine outfit because I wasted this one today.
I guess I’m posting outfit photos again! They wo I guess I’m posting outfit photos again! They won’t be very aesthetic but I’m excited to share and also document what I wear. I know a lot of y’all are here from my fashion blogging days so thanks for sticking around 💕

A wardrobe shift usually means having to buy a bunch of new stuff. For me, what I really “needed” more of was plain tees. I tried to look at sustainable brands but honestly they were just too pricey especially considering the sub-par reviews. So instead I went with my old standby...Target. Their shirts have always lasted me a really long time and the one I’m wearing here is linen 😍 I was very picky and took back a few that didn’t quite fit me properly. All in all I spent around $40 and now have a wardrobe that feels really filled out - here’s to hoping they last me a few years like my current Target shirts have!

I guess all this to say...sometimes you just have to make the best choice for you. I intend on keeping this shirts in my closet for a long long time and know they will get tons of love. Now I’m back on my super low/no buy and can’t wait to wear in my new goodies! 

Ps VERY excited to be wearing sandals! It’s finally spring (?????)
This feels extremely 2014 IG but I’m fine with t This feels extremely 2014 IG but I’m fine with that. My style has changed so much and this is where I’ve been living lately - simple neutrals, plus a couple of necklaces. Color correcting cream, mascara, brows, Fenty gloss bomb because it’s literally the only lip product that doesn’t make my lips crack the next day. 

Anyone else’s style completely change in the past year? My closet looks so different and past me would think it’s “boring” but I feel good and getting dressed is easy now so who cares. 

Ps @roseybeeme influenced me to buy this letter necklace and it makes me feel like a mobster and I love that.
Little Plop got an upgrade to his playpen today (a Little Plop got an upgrade to his playpen today (a pillow) and he is OBSESSED. 

I’m going to keep saying this, if you’re in the denver area and looking for a puppy...he is perfect. It’s going to be hard for me to let this little guy go. Message me if you’re interested in adopting him and feel free to tag someone!

He’s ten weeks, some kind of mix but definitely has wire hair like a terrier. Will probably be small/medium like 25-30 pounds. Very smart and spunky but has a neurological disorder that causes him to have a bit of weakness in his back legs.
Meet Duke, our newest foster puppy. He is a precio Meet Duke, our newest foster puppy. He is a precious brindle wiry haired pup, who also has a neurological condition that makes his legs a little wobbly. Duke doesn’t let that slow him down though. He is curious, playful, loving, and I can’t wait to spend the next week with him. He will be up for adoption next Saturday via @coloradopuppyrescue 💕
Current obsession: this weird little centerpiece I Current obsession: this weird little centerpiece I made using dried flowers that I used in a @brennancandleco shoot. Trying to be better about reusing and giving things a second life like this cute little fox(?) skull.
We are not fans 😩 We are not fans 😩
“Less is more” was a phrase that never resonat “Less is more” was a phrase that never resonated with me. I used to always jokingly say “more is more” and honestly, one of the most surprising outcomes of the pandemic is I’m….becoming a minimalist. I’ve decluttered LOADS of stuff (I wish I had documented it, honestly) - at least 50% of my wardrobe, probably more. I’ve been on a serious low buy since the start of 2020 with only a few additions. We’ve even sold off about 1/3 of our furniture! 

And I have to be honest….I love the breathing room. I feel more at peace. I feel lighter in the spaces where I’ve decluttered more. 

I still have a lot of work to do. And I want to be intentional about my minimalism - it’s not about the aesthetic. It’s about only having things that I love or that serve a purpose. I want to continue to minimize my carbon footprint by buying less. Minimalism for me is not purchasing a new capsule wardrobe every season. It’s finding a style I love and sticking with it, with a few additions here and there. It’s a “1 in 1 out” rule for clothing. It’s getting rid of things responsibly when I want to change things up. It’s a space that’s easier to clean because I don’t have to spend HOURS tidying up and trying to find a space for all of my stuff.

So anyway, here’s my new dining room - we got rid of a coffee table and relocated two big chairs. I’m sitting in one of them while I take this photo. I feel at peace.

Any other minimalists out there? Has the pandemic made you think more about your space since you’re in it more?
Fuck yeah. 💪🏻 Fuck yeah. 💪🏻

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