The In Between Time For a Reader

My long book list awaits, and the next one is ready at the library… but what about that in-between time? The time I need to reflect on what I’ve experienced, the characters I’ve bonded with, and the story that still lingers in my mind as glimpses of it appear throughout daily life.

It’s hard to leave one world and immediately jump into another. That’s why I felt the need to start a book club – sometimes you just need to talk about it. To find closure, revisit the characters you’ve been through so much with, and give yourself time to process before filing them away in the library of your mind and moving on.

So, how can you make the most of the in-between time for a reader like yourself? Here are a few practices to help you savor the previous story while preparing for the next.

1. Reflection Timeframe

Take some time to reflect on the story. Even better if you know someone who has also read the book so you can talk about those lingering items or questions you might still have. Reflection time will definitely vary depending on how complex the book was. Start with a day and let the adjustment settle in before immediately switching over to a new story. You’ll also find that you’ve opened your mind up to take in a new world or topic if you give yourself a day’s separation from the previous book.

2. Journaling

Sometimes switching to a new book immediately can cause you to lose site of the details you loved so much from the previous book. Writing down thoughts, feelings or quotes from the book will help differentiate each novel on your list, allowing you to process the experience more and recall those details in conversations when the time comes. Goodreads allows you to take notes in the app while you are reading if you set the book up as currently reading.

3. Book Club Conversations

I cannot recommend enough starting a book club with a great group of people who love and enjoy reading as much as you do. The conversations and insights you get from discussing the books and topics is like nothing else I’ve experienced. It’s my personal favorite in between time for a reader. This coping method is great because I not only get to voice my opinions and thoughts, but I’m able to hear other’s perspectives and ideas I wouldn’t have thought of. It’s the ultimate closure of a novel, in my opinion.

4. Choosing the Next Book Wisely

Sometimes, when reading the same genre of book back-to-back, you can find yourself confused and merging the plot lines together later on, or even during the book—and then not remembering anything about it at all. One time, I checked out a book from the library, not realizing I had already read it! I was really into the mystery/thriller genre then and they can be very similar. The next book choice is definitely an important one. If you just read a long series, you can try a shorter one next to break it up before you dive back into another lengthy one. Or try a biography if you’ve been in the same world for the past 4 novels to break things up.

5. Research

Sometimes books can leave you wondering and yearning for more information. If a book has sparked your curiosity about a particular time period, location, or topic, give yourself permission to dive deeper. This time will help you adjust to what you’ve read, and understand the novel and what the author was trying to communicate at an even deeper level. Historical fiction often leaves me in a period of wonder and has me researching real events or cultures inspired by the story. Science fiction might lead me to articles about emerging technologies. This research enriches the reading experience and provides a sense of closure.

6. Goodreads Community

Goodreads is more than just a place to log your reads – it’s a vibrant community of book lovers. In the same vein as research, you can finish a story and find that you have very strong feelings about it. When that happens to me, I feel the need to find others in the group for the book I’ve just finished and see what discussions are happening. When you do this, you might be surprised at the different perspectives but also at ease that others understand exactly how you’re feeling. Those conversations can help you process your emotions and gain new insights.

I hope you have enjoyed this post about the in between time for a reader and have taken away some positive coping methods while on your reading adventure. It’s always nice to know that others are feeling the same way you are especially when it comes to the amazing world of reading.

If you’re interested to learn more about some of the books I’ve read in recent years, check out my book reviews from 2022, 2023 and 2024 and find inspiration for your next read! Also, join me and my book club by following along with this post, updated monthly with the books we are reading and discussing.

The post The In Between Time For a Reader appeared first on Jane Erica.

I’ve written before about the importance of date night and how it can keep your relationship and marriage strong. Life can get so busy, especially when you add kids into the mix, and taking care of your partner can fall by the wayside. In this blog post, I am going to remind you why routine dates nights are so important.

5 reasons why routine dates nights are so important

Valentine’s day is right around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to start getting those date nights scheduled routinely. So here are 5 reasons why routine dates nights are so important, for your health, happiness and relationship with your significant other.

1. You get to go to an actual restaurant.

Not a Chick-fil-a drive-through. Not a noisy, order-ahead burger joint. A restaurant with actual servers. Food you order off a printed menu. And wine. Yes, you can go out to eat with your children, but there is a huge difference between going to a place that YOU want to go to, and a place where it is acceptable for your kids to act like complete monsters. This is the intimate place, the new hot spot in town you have been dying to try, or a long food experience that you wouldn’t be able to enjoy while tending to your child’s every need.

2. Spending quality time with your significant other.

At date night, there are no distractions, no interruptions. It’s just the two of you. You can finally have the conversations you have been meaning to have with each other, without getting interrupted every five seconds by your kids, or social media, texts or anything else. You can really focus on each other for the evening, and I bet you would be surprised by how much you have to say to each other.

3. It’s something to look forward to at the end of a long week.

There’s nothing like a planned night out that can fuel you through your week and give you something to look forward to. With routine date nights, you can plan ahead all the things you want to do and mix it up so you aren’t always just going out to dinner. Maybe you want to be a bit more physical and head to Top Golf for beers and appetizers. Or maybe you want to keep it casual and head to a trivia night somewhere. It’s such a great thing to look forward to at the end of a long week.

4. Memories are made for you and your children.

Some of my fondest memories of childhood are when my brother and I had the night to ourselves with our favorite babysitter. It was a different experience for us, and time for learning from a new perspective and feeling a little more autonomous. Not only will your kids get to make memories of being home with the babysitter or grandparents, but you and your significant other will create your own stories as well. The days go by so fast and it can get hard to remember what happened yesterday, so adding in this special night on a regular basis can help break up the monotony and create new memories.

5. Time to appreciate what you have.

And the most important reason why routine date nights are so important, is that it gives you a chance to appreciate what you have. To truly enjoy being with the one you love and reviving the spirit that brought both of you together in the first place. It gives you a refreshed outlook on parenting, because let’s face it, we love our children, but it is a lot of work. So taking this small break to appreciate what you have will fill you with love for your partner and your children.

Don’t leave date nights unscheduled after this Valentine’s Day. Keep them going and get them on the calendar on a routine basis. Whether you’re dating, married, have children or not, schedule this time with your special someone and reap the benefits in your relationship.

Tell me what you think about routine date night in the comments below!

I would love to hear how they have helped you or what fun and exciting things you have planned!

The post 5 Reasons Why Routine Date Nights Are So Important appeared first on Jane Erica.

The Last Flight by Julie Clark

It’s about a women named Claire Cook, who’s the wife of a rich and powerful politician, spending her time contributing to the efforts of her husband’s legendary family, attending lavish events and fundraisers to help their cause. Or so it seems. It may look like they are a loving couple, committed to their work, but behind closed doors, she’s living in fear of her husband’s temper and control over her life. When she finds an opportunity to disappear, she takes it. In the airport, on the way to an event, she’s approached by another woman, Eva, with an equally strong urge to disappear. They decide to switch identities in hopes to start new lives, but Claire comes to find out, that Eva was keeping her own dark secrets.

Oktoberfest Book Club Meeting

The weather was so nice, so we decided to have our October book club meeting at our local brewery. Oktoberfest started that night and we thought it would be great to enjoy our meeting together and then have the families meet us up afterwards to enjoy the event.

We were super excited to talk about this one since we flew threw it and it was fresh in our minds.

Warning, spoilers below this point!

What We Thought of The Last Flight

The book started of strong and the first few chapters we could not put down. A few of us agreed that it got slow in the middle as the plot was starting to thicken, but it picked back up for the rest of the book. The character development was great and the relationships between all the characters felt genuine which made us like them right away. We all fell in love with Liz’s character immediately. The situations and the story felt thought out and realistic, which we appreciated. In our discussion, we talked about the girls switching identities in the bathroom and what it would be like to hand over everything, phone, wallet, purse, and that felt raw and real. There was also the tie in to Rory’s involvement in his ex’s murder that we felt was a good close to the story, although a bit abrupt, we liked it. We also loved that the story tied everything together and didn’t leave any holes. The ending, even though it was rough to read as we all wanted Eva make it, was also really beautiful and a great twist that kept us wondering throughout the story.

We’d rate this one a 4.5 out of 5.

The Last Flight Questions:

This book actually provided questions, which I thought was great! I love to tailor these questions based on how I see the conversation naturally flowing. We rarely ever go question by question, but they trigger conversations and thoughts and so I included some of my favorite questions from the book below, added a few of my own into the mix and reordered them based on how our discussion went.

1. How did you feel after reading Eva’s final chapter?
2. Did you believe she made it off the plane? Do you think there was anything different she could have done?
3. Claire and Eva are both women put into situations that stem from the actions of powerful men. In what ways does the story showcase this and affect the way their stories play out?
4. How do you feel about Eva’s decision to manipulate Claire?
5. Put yourself in Claire’s shoes. Would you have made the same decisions as she did when faced with the difficult obstacles in her way? What would you have done differently?
6. How do you think you would feel if you traded your life for someone who’s lost theirs? Would you feel guilty or fortunate? Why?
7. What do you think about the relationship between Liz and Eva? What did their friendship mean to Eva, especially during her final thoughts as she boarded the plane.
8. What did you think about Claire’s decision to go public with her story? Were you surprised by how she handled her situation? Would you have handled it differently?
9. There are a lot of influential women in this story—Danielle, Petra, Kelly, Liz, Eva, Claire. Was there a character that you felt you connected with the most?

Upcoming Book Club Picks

Our next few months of books have been selected and those picks are below. So get excited for our upcoming book club picks, and join in if you want!

• November Book Club Pick: My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabth Strout
• December Book Club Pick: Drowning by T.J. Newman

Past Book Club Posts

The Nightingale

The Sanatorium

The post October Book Club Pick – The Last Flight appeared first on Jane Erica.

Alright, superhero moms, let’s face it: life in the mom lane can be like a rollercoaster ride with no off switch. From carpooling to dinner prep, and everything in between, I’m sure your to-do list is longer than a CVS receipt. But guess what? Mindfulness is here to save the day, cape optional! This blog post is all about how to reduce stress for busy moms.

So read on to learn how you fabulous mamas can kick stress to the curb and rock the crown of well-being by incorporating the power of mindfulness in your daily routine.

Embrace Your Inner Zen Warrior

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, without judgment. It involves paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings in a non-reactive way. It isn’t about becoming a meditation guru on a mountain top (unless you’re into that kinda thing). It’s about tapping into your inner zen warrior while changing diapers or battling Lego minefields. By cultivating mindfulness, you can learn to manage your reactions to stressors and enhance your overall emotional well-being. To embrace mindfulness, try to be in the moment, minus the judgment – even if your living room is more like a battlefield.

Stress-Busting Benefits, Mama Style:

Interested in adding to your super powers, mamas? Mindfulness has been shown to reduce the body’s stress response by promoting relaxation and calming the mind. So you can turn down the dial on chaos and enjoy your coffee (while it’s still hot). As you start to practice mindfulness, enhance your aura with these amazing benefits.

Improved Mental Health

Regular mindfulness practice is associated with decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression, so you can maintain a positive mental state, even through those “Mom, where’s my [insert lost item here]?” meltdowns.

Enhanced Patience

Mindfulness encourages you to respond to situations with patience and understanding, rather than reacting impulsively in stressful moments. This is extremely beneficial when helping your kids with their homework.

Better Emotional Regulation

Rule over mood swings by acknowledging emotions, without the drama. Mindfulness can equip you with the tools to recognize and manage your emotions, turning you into the Queen of Calm.

Increased Self-Care

Mindfulness encourages self-care practices, reminding you to prioritize your own well-being without feeling guilty. It also reminds you that sanity matters too.

Magic Mindfulness Practices to Try:

If your excited to reap the benefits of mindfulness, but have no clue where to start, try some of these techniques that you can add to your routine.

Mindful Breathing

Taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breath can center your thoughts and induce relaxation. Where ever you can find a quiet place, choose your favorite yoga position and put away the cell phone to focus.

Body Scan Meditation

Turn your focus inward and say goodbye to tension. Imagining an invisible scan going over each part of your body, from head to toe, can help release tension and promote a sense of physical awareness.

Mindful Moments

Engage fully in everyday activities, like cooking or playing with your kids, by giving your complete attention to the task at hand. Being mindful while eating can also help you understand your body, let you know when you are full and help you make healthier choices.

Gratitude Journaling

Keep a journal of what rocks in your world and reflect on the positive aspects of your day in a journal. Banish negativity from your life with gratitude.

Mindful Parenting

Practice being fully present when interacting with your children, listening and engaging without distractions. Even when your kid’s trying to explain why unicorns are cool.

Integrating Mindfulness into Mom Life:

Taking things step by step can help make mindfulness a routine for you. As you discover the practices that you enjoy the most, integrate them how and when you can. Try some of these ideas to get you started.

Tiny Steps, Big Wins

Start small, like hiding in the pantry for two minutes. Gradually increase the duration of your practice as you become more comfortable.

Schedule Mommy Minutes

Dedicate specific times during the day to incorporate your mindfulness practice. Whether your sneaking away to your secret lair – aka the bathroom – or your little ones turn their imaginations in for nap time, a few minutes can be all you need.

Be Kind to Yourself

Mindfulness isn’t about perfection, it’s a skill that takes time to develop. So embrace your inner yogi, even if you can’t touch your toes.

Utilize Apps and Resources

There are so many mindfulness apps and online resources that offer guided sessions, making it easier to incorporate mindfulness into your routine. Now that’s magic.

Lead by Example

Teach your kids about mindfulness by practicing it together, creating a calming and connected environment for the whole family. Just pretend you’re at Hogwarts thinking up the next spell.

How to Reduce Stress for Busy Moms

Ladies, you’re the wizards of your realm, balancing strollers and laundry detergent like a boss. Mindfulness isn’t about adding more to your plate; it’s about savoring the feast of life and enjoying every step of the way. So, wave your wands, embrace the chaos, and let mindfulness sprinkle its fairy dust over your epic mom journey. Remember, every superhero needs a trusty sidekick, so make mindfulness your mantra and you can conquer anything – one breath at a time.

Namaste, my undercover heros.

The post The Power of Mindfulness: How to Reduce Stress for Busy Moms appeared first on Jane Erica.

Our Book Club

The thing that I love most about our book club, is that each person gets to pick a book that the club will read for the month in a rotation. So we get to read things we may not have chosen for ourselves, and it’s such a wonderful adventure to read new genres or learn something new. We meet once a month to discuss our book, and the conversations have been so amazing. Often times I finish reading a book and can’t stop thinking about it, so it’s great to have a group of friends to talk to about it.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

This month’s book was The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. It’s a historical fiction novel about two sisters living through the German occupation of France during World War II. While the men, and Vianne’s husband, are off fighting in the war, she and her little sister, Isabelle, are faced with challenges of their own. Although sisters, they both react very differently to their circumstances and showcase their bravery in their own ways. Isabelle is a young girl desperate for love and has an even more fierce desire to fight back. And Vianne is a mother and wife who’s quiet strength protects her family no matter the cost. It’s a beautifully written and heart-wrenching story that depicts another side of WWII.

We met for coffee at Prairie House Coffee Co. which is a cute little restored house in Oakland, Florida attached to a floral and gift shop.

It has a great outdoor seating area. We opted for sitting indoors, though, since it’s so hot out.

After we got our coffees, I handed out the questions. I like to provide print-outs so that anyone can start a conversation or ask a question and it’s a great resource for us to recall different parts of the book.

The conversations are my favorite part! Everyone has different insights and opinions to share. And some of the parts of the book that I was unsettled about or stuck with me, we got to hash out and share our thoughts, and I felt like I got some closure. I love these ladies!

I found some great questions for this book club, but there was so much to talk about and say that our conversation really flowed so naturally. As we started getting into the convo, I chose to read the last question first. And that just spiraled all of us to talk about all the emotional parts of the novel that hit us at our core. I posted our questions below.

The Nightingale Questions:

1. The Nightingale opens with an intriguing statement that lays out one of the major themes of the book: “If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are.” What do you think the narrator means by this? Is love the ideal and war the reality? How does war change the way these characters love?
2. Though sisters, Isabelle and Vianne react to conflict and war in very different ways. Do you identify more with Isabelle’s impetuous yet brave approach or Vianne’s quiet strength? Do you think you could have acted as heroically as Isabelle under such horrifying circumstances? Who is more heroic in your mind—Isabelle or Vianne?
3. Take a moment to talk about Beck. Did you find yourself feeling more sympathetic towards Beck as the novel progressed? Was he a good man? Did he deserve his fate?  
4. Perhaps one of the most chilling moments in the book is when Vianne provides Captain Beck with a list: Jews. Communists. Homosexuals. Freemasons. We know now how wrong it was to provide this list, but can you understand why Vianne did it? What do you think you would have done?
5. After her friend and neighbor, Rachel, is taken away, Vianne takes in Rachel’s young son, Ari, giving him a new identity as Daniel Mauriac, and forcing him to forget his old life. Is this unfair or justified given the danger he would face otherwise?
6. Each of the sisters experiences love in a different way. Vianne’s love is that of a mature woman, a wife and a mother; Isabelle’s love is youthful and impulsive, more of a girlish dream than a reality. How did Isabelle’s feelings of abandonment shape her personality and her life? How did Vianne’s maternal love lead to acts of heroism, saving the lives of Jewish children? How did love—and war—bring these two sisters closer together?
7. Isabelle’s father sacrifices his own life to save her. She realizes that he is “trying to make it up to her, asking for forgiveness and seeking redemption all at once.” In your opinion, did this act accomplish that?
8. Discuss the scene in which Ari is taken away. What do you believe is the right answer in this situation—if there is one? What would you have done in Vianne’s position? Do you think this is what Rachel would have wanted?
9. Vianne recalls her husband, Antoine, telling her that “we choose to see miracles.” What does he mean by this? Is it his way of telling his wife he knows the truth about their son’s biological father? Or is it his way of looking at life, of coping with the terrible events they’ve lived through? Is seeing the beauty in the world an active choice? Is it possible to find miracles in our lives, if we look for them?
10. Do you think Julien had a right to know who his real father was? Would you have made the same decision Vianne did?
11. What was your reaction to the final scene between the two sisters, and to finally discovering the identity of the story’s narrator? Was it in line with your expectations, or were you taken by surprise? Were you satisfied when you discovered who was narrating the novel?
12. Finally, a show of hands: Who cried—or at least got a little choked up—while reading this book? Which scenes moved you the most? Which character’s fate would you say was the most tragic? The most poignant? Did the book give you a better understanding of life under Nazi occupation during World War II? Did it move you, inspire you, haunt you? And finally, what will you remember most about The Nightingale?

Click Download for a printable version of these questions

Upcoming Book Club Picks

Our next few months of books have been selected and those picks are below. So get excited for our upcoming book club picks, and join in if you want!

• September Book Club: The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
• October Book Club: The Last Flight by Julie Clark

The post August Book Club Pick – The Nightingale appeared first on Jane Erica.

There are so many benefits to working out, but the stress of work, keeping the house sparkling clean, and taking the kids to and from their activities makes it super difficult to fit in a workout.

That’s where this blog post fits in. In this post I’m going to highlight how I approach each week when it comes to working out, why planning ahead is so important, and some workout ideas to help spark some inspiration for you to plan your own week.

How do working moms find time to workout?

It may be a fine line for some between caring for your children and taking time for yourself, but if it’s important to you, than it needs to be prioritized.

But listen, making it a priority and overcommitting then blaming yourself for not achieving your way-too-high goals are two completely different things. There is only so much time in the day, and so much to do, so go easy on yourself and be flexible.

If you’ve read my schedule tips for working out as a working mom post, but want to learn more, here’s what my week of workouts typically looks like.

How do I find time to exercise as a working parent?

Planning

For me, planning is so important. If I don’t think through what my week looks like ahead of time, I’ll just keep telling myself “I’ll go tomorrow.” And when I’m not fully committed to going, any little excuse—especially the “I’m too tired” one, is too easy to give in to. Looking at the calendar and making sure I can fit exercise in, whether it be in the morning, in between meetings or after work on days without activities, gives me the motivation I need to make it to the gym.

Sundays are great planning days. I usually plan my workouts during the same time I plan my meals and prepare my grocery list for the week. (I love my Happy Planner for planning everything. It’s like my own customizable planning notebook!)

Setting Expectations

I’ve learned—through planning—that going to the gym 5 days a week isn’t a realistic goal for me anymore. Nowadays, if I can make it 3 times a week I feel great about it. There are so many things that happen during a typical week when you are working full time and caring for your littles. Not only that, my kids have soccer, golf and dance during the week and between Brett and I splitting the drop-offs, there’s no time to workout and put dinner on the table on some nights.

What my week looks like

It’s been a struggle to find the time and motivation to workout since the very first day I went back to work after my oldest was born. Back then, I was still commuting to work for almost 2 hours a day in traffic. And although Covid changed things significantly, as I am able to work from home, with that comes another struggle. It’s hard to shut work off at the end of the day and it’s easier than ever to jump back in.

The one thing that has always helped me is scheduling my workouts around class times. Taking a gym class is the ideal workout for me, and that’s because:

• After a long day of work, I don’t have to think about what I am going to do at the gym
• It gives me variety because every class is different and I don’t get bored
• I can pencil them in and make a plan to be there for class time
• I get to try new things, which makes working out exciting for me

When I discovered HitFit, it was even better, because there is no specific class time. You can show up whenever and have a great workout already planned, on your schedule. And it’s an intense workout you can do in only 45 minutes.

Here’s what my typical week looks like:

• Monday – HitFit class after work
• Tuesday – Rylee Soccer, Reece Golf (split duties between Brett and I)
• Wednesday – Rylee Dance – HitFit class while Rylee is in dance from 6-8pm
• Thursday – Reece Soccer (off day, home with Rylee and prepping dinner)
• Friday – HitFit class or a run/walk on the trail if I don’t feel like driving there
• Saturday – Soccer games/off day (on the field almost all day and pooped after from being in the heat. Might do something at home, but typically it’s errands or hanging out with the family)
• Sunday – Walk on the trail or rest day. Plan schedule for the next week

Workout Ideas to add to your schedule

If your curious about trying a new gym with lots of class options, I’d highly recommend something like a Burn Bootcamp, which has times all throughout the day, or my current location, HitFit. The YMCA offers some classes as well, and there are others popping up like Hotworx and OrangeTheory. Check them out, try a free trial and see if any of them work for you and your schedule.

If those are not an option for you, there are also ways to get workouts done on your own. If your in a pinch and need some inspiration on how to keep your workouts fresh, here are some ideas. Add these to your next schedule during planning to mix things and try something new.

Treadmill / Trail Workout

If you have access to a treadmill at home or at the gym or even a trail, an interval sprint workout might be something to add to the mix to keep things interesting.

Sprint Intervals

How to do it:

• Warm up at an easy pace for 10-15 minutes
• Increase the speed to a challenging all-out effort and sprint for 30 seconds
• Recover at a moderate speed for 2-3 minutes
• Repeat these intervals 5 or 6 times
• Finish with a 10-minute cooldown

Cardio-Sprint Pyramid

How to do it:

• Warm up for 10-15 minutes
• Build and taper the workout like this:
  • 30 seconds sprint/30 seconds recover
  • 1 minute sprint/1 minute recover
  • 2 minutes sprint/2 minutes recover
  • 4 minutes sprint/4 minutes recover
  • 2 minutes sprint/2 minutes recover
  • 1 minute sprint/1 minute recover
  • 30 seconds sprint/30 seconds recover
• Finish with a 10-min cool down

Circuit Workouts

Here are some circuit workouts you can pin for later with and without equipment.

I hope this post was helpful and you found some tips to help working moms find time to workout. Everyone has different challenges and every week is completely different. So my best piece of advice is as long as you are taking time for yourself and prioritizing your health then you are on the right track. Your health is just as important as the health of your babies, and you’ll feel and treat them better when you are feeling good and taken care of.

For more on balance and healthy living, check out my Health & Fitness tab!

The post What A Typical Week of Workouts looks like for a Working Mom of Two appeared first on Jane Erica.

Sephora’s Spring Savings Event is happening right now through April 11th! I’ve had my eye on a few things as well as some old favorites I’m running out of, and now is the perfect time to purchase them.

This sale features 30% off the entire Sephora Collection for all members. And a tiered discount for members.

• Rouge members get to shop from 4/1-4/11 and get 20% off with code SAVESPRING
• VIB members get to shop from 4/5-4/11 and get 15% off with code SAVESPRING
• Insiders get to shop from 4/7-4/11 and get 10% off with code SAVESPRING

Here’s what’s in my cart this week for Sephora’s Spring Savings Event:

GOOPGLOW Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator

This GOOPGLOW Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator is a splurge for me. I feel like I am really missing an exfoliator in my skin routine and have heard really great things about this product, especially because it’s a clean product. Since a physical exfoliator is only needed once per week, I think it will last a long time and be worth it.

KVD Beauty – Tattoo Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

I got this KVD Beauty – Tattoo Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner as a sample from a previous purchase from Sephora, and am running out. I love how easy it is to put on, and it lasts a really long time. Definitely looking forward to the full size version. The sample size lasted forever so this one should last even longer.

Bobbi Brown – Skin Foundation SPF 15

I don’t go full coverage very often, but for special events and nights out, I love using this Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation. My color is Warm Neutral 4.5, and the match and coverage is perfect for me. It’s really light on as well, which is a must for me when choosing a foundation.

Biossance – Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel

I’m in need of an eye cream to add to my skin routine, and I read about this Biossance – Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel. It’s not only a clean product, but a mix of Squalane (moisturizer) and peptides (amino acids that signal the body to produce more collagen) to help reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles.

What’s in your cart this week?

If this interested you, check out my latest Fab Five Friday from last week!

The post Sephora’s Spring Savings Event – What’s in My Cart? appeared first on Jane Erica.

What is Balance?

So what is balance? Or should I ask, “What is balance to you?” Are you trying to find a balance between your family life and work life? Or your personal finances and social life?

Whatever balance you’re looking for, having it is what’s so important to your day-to-day happiness and wellbeing. And it can be hard to find a lot of times.

There is always so much to do from the little things like laundry and dishes, to kids’ doctors appointments, parent teacher conferences, work meetings and client presentations. When all of these things are on your list and on your mind, finding balance in the midst of all this stress can lead you into a very dark place.

What’s My Story?

It was very hard as a working mom to have to go back to work after only six weeks of having both my kids, which under our circumstances was necessary. I always knew I would work, so it was important for me to get back. But there was still tons of guilt as a new mom about not being able to do the things I wanted to do with my babies, and especially when I was ready to workout again.

On top of that, there was another challenge I was facing more than ever after having my first child, and again after the second. And that was finding balance. How could I give work my full attention when I knew I was missing my daughter’s school performance? Or be the best mom I could be when I knew I didn’t get everything I needed done at work that day. Was it possible to get a good workout in when all I could think about was everything I needed to do when I got home?

There is just no way to enjoy each day when your scale is constantly being tipped so far in one direction or the other.

What’s the Key to Living a Balanced Life?

I have found that the key to living a balanced life, is the ability to disconnect. At work, home and the gym. Or anywhere else you want or need to be in life.

Being able to disconnect while you are in one moment doesn’t mean you forget who you are. It doesn’t mean you are not a mom who is at work. What I mean is, if you are at work, put 100% of your energy and abilities into your goals at work and focus on them from 9am-5pm. Then, let yourself be 100% a mom when you get home and give your babies your all, work will be there tomorrow. There is something I need to tell myself a lot, and it’s that there are only so many hours in the day. You’ve done the best you can, and you will finish what you started tomorrow. But right now, you are a mom and your kids need you.

The same goes for the gym. The gym for me is a place I go to clear my head from the stresses of the day. To forget about my to do list at work and focus 100% of my energy on having the best workout I can have. It’s a transition time to go from work to home and time I need to take care of myself.

Finding Your Balance and Happiness

Being the best you can be physically at the gym, mentally at work, and all of the above at home, because you are able to give something your all and also disconnect from it when you need to play another role, is the key to finding balance in life. This can be applied to any lifestyle and with any roles you play in your life.

It’s OK to focus on yourself and not feel guilty. If it is something that makes you happy, you should be able to do it guilt-free. Your family and your mental health will be better for it, too. Allocate your time properly to include all of the things that make you happy and give them your all. Disconnect when you’re ready to transition into another role and enjoy every moment of laughing with your coworkers or cooking dinner for your children.

You’ll find your balance and in return your happiness and that is something to be proud of.

The post The Key to Living a Balanced Life appeared first on Jane Erica.

How It All Began

It was the week after Spring Break, and my family and I came home from a salvaged vacation where we tried to enjoy the beach as much as we possibly could as we felt the gigantic waves of isolation, remote work and distance learning start to wash over us. And we were not prepared for what was to come.

The coming days were long and completely unpredictable. I was helping my daughter finish out the first grade, while teaching the first grade, working full-time, and trying to keep my preschooler entertained all while stuck in the house with nowhere to go to escape.

Recess was playing outside with the neighborhood kids who live on either side of us—we called them the Quarantine Crew. We set boundaries for Rylee to be able to play safely outside on her own and help watch over Reece—who in another time I would have never let run around the neighborhood streets like a barefoot banshee. He was four years old and a rule-breaker. But what were my other options?

The stress was piling up, checking on them every 15 minutes in between calls. There was also that one time when I couldn’t find Reece anywhere in our boundary zone and went running frantically through the neighborhood to find him. When I did, he was outside the neighborhood, hiding in the landscaping by our entry gate with his buddy. Hence why the drinking.

My Health Was on the Back Burner

Needless to say, my health went to absolute crap. My husband and I were so stressed at the end of the workday, posted up at either end of the kitchen table with our daughter on Teams calls in the middle. So we’d have a glass of wine, or three, at the end of the night. It became such a habit for me to reach for the wine, at literally 5 o’clock on the dot, that eventually I was drinking an entire bottle a night without realizing it, just to get a buzz.

And when that wasn’t enough I was craving a dirty martini. Like who drinks a dirty martini at home on a Tuesday?

Working out was an afterthought; my energy was low from the long days—and bad hangovers—and with the gyms closed I had no motivation. At home workouts were an adjustment. I didn’t have the energy or time to think about planning them and when I did I was bombarded with kids who either wanted something from me, or hogged all the space to do the workouts on their own.

My eating habits started getting out of control and I would indulge in anything my kids were snacking on. And for dinners, we’d order whatever we wanted from UberEats. We were already two glasses of wine deep, exhausted, and it sounded like a great idea every time.

It was a vicious, miserable cycle of working, schooling, parenting, drinking, sleeping and repeating. We went so mad at one point that we completely converted our guest bedroom into a home office, just so we could create a space and separate ourselves from work and home.

The Beginning of a New Health Journey

I think that may have been the turning point for me.

We were getting the hang of the school schedule, for the most part, I had a place to “go” to work, we were learning how to give our kids freedom and boundaries in a whole new way, and things actually started to feel more like a doable routine.

My attitude shifted and I decided I didn’t like how I was feeling anymore. I remembered on one of the new podcasts I found in the beginning of the year, The Adulting Podcast, that they interviewed Kelly Leveque, a holistic nutritionist who works with celebrities like Jennifer Garner and Emmy Rossum.

She was so smart and talked so straightforward about the science behind food and why it is important to understand what we are putting in our bodies. They talked about her new book Body Love Every Day and it had been on my Amazon wishlist for weeks. And one fine quarantine day, I decided I had nothing better to do than to order it and start reading.

It changed everything for me. This is her second book, but she still explained the science behind blood sugar and why it is so important to maintain balance. She broke down The Fab 4, what they mean and how to get them at every meal—fat, fiber, protein and greens.

I started to understand food more and my body went through a complete transformation. I decided to stop drinking and really hone in on eating fresh, whole foods. After a month or two, my cravings for alcohol, sugar, and starchy carbs were completely gone. I felt full on natural, non-processed foods and recipes like her Fab 4 Smoothies. And I have not had even one beloved goldfish or kid snack food since I made the switch.

After reading her book, I started cooking more for myself instead of eating out. And I understood recipes in the healthy cookbooks I had on the shelf like Made Whole by Cristina Curp. Cristina is a chef who overcame her own health challenges and created anti-inflammatory recipes based off of the Whole3o, Keto, Paleo and AIP diets that are absolutely delicious. I knew these recipes were healthy when I got the book, but I never actually made them because they included strange ingredients like Coconut Aminos. After reading Kelly’s book I understood more fully why these ingredients make a difference, and it made cooking these dishes so much more inspiring.

After making changes to my diet, I had so much more energy and started working out again. I could feel that my body was becoming leaner from losing fat and started focusing on toning up.

I am so glad that I took this step in my health journey. I love it because it isn’t a diet. It’s a way of life and everyday can be what I decide to make it. Kelly talks about making choices, and that you don’t need to live such a restrictive life of eating in order to be healthy. I can indulge in my favorite foods when I want to and then make my next choice a healthier one. And that is exactly how I plan to continue my journey and how quarantine changed my diet habits for the better.

If anything good can come out of this pandemic, I hope this inspires you to take the next step in your health journey and come out on the other side happier and healthier than you ever thought you could be.

The post How Quarantine Changed My Diet Habits for the Better appeared first on Jane Erica.

Looking for a unique date night idea? Try planning a surprise traveling dinner date for your special someone! Instead of going to one restaurant, a traveling dinner date takes you on an adventurous tour of restaurants for every course of the meal.

Brett and I did something like this for our second wedding anniversary and had such an amazing time, I thought it would be a great opportunity to share our experience as a unique Valentine’s Day date idea.

I realize that some people may not be able to plan a night like this in the current situation as many states are still on lockdown, Florida has been open so I have to keep reminding myself of that! But when things are back to normal, it’s a great and exciting way to plan a night out.

Planning a Unique Traveling Dinner Date

There are so many variations for how this night could go, and planning the stops on the adventure is half the fun! You can start the night off with your go-to for crafted cocktails, then venture off to a great place known for starters. And don’t forget to choose an extra special place to enjoy dessert.

Here are my tips for planning a unique traveling dinner date!

Choose a location with multiple venues that are close by each other.

There are many destinations that have lots of dining options available in close proximity to each other. Finding a place like this with lots of options will make going from place to place more convenient by being able to walk to a few. When I planned this for Brett, I took him to a place in Orlando called Restaurant Row, which as you can imagine has tons of dining options. I definitely want to plan this again now that we are in Winter Garden—Plant Street would be the perfect place!

Find places that are meaningful to you and your significant other.

Restaurant Row was a special place for us because it was close by where we got our first apartment together. On our route we stopped at Melting Pot where we had our first date ever and Seasons52, where Brett proposed to me. Adding in special locations like this will really make the night feel extra special.

Choose tapas or smaller portions for the Main Course.

The great part about this date is you can experience a combination of foods you could never get at one place. And it’s so much fun to enjoy all different cuisines. When choosing the location for the main course, it’s also a good idea to try a place with smaller dinner portions or tapas so you can enjoy every stop, as it’s an indulgent night of good eats.

Try going off the beaten path.

This is a food adventure after all! Maybe there is a place in the general location that you picked that you would never have gone to if you weren’t there already. Do some research and pick a really unique and adventurous place for one of the courses that you can try out together.

A traveling dinner date is not an adventure without a map.

There’s plenty of ways you can draw a map of your adventure and leave hints for your loved one for the adventure ahead. You don’t need to be a graphic designer to put something together that will be unique and fun to follow. You can do it all for free with mymaps.google.com, PowerPoint and a little Google image search!

Be creative and have fun with it!

This is an example of a map with the route I made for our date night. You can even add a QR code with directions if you want your partner to drive!

Make it a surprise.

Not only is a map fun, keeps your special someone guessing, and is helpful for you to remember the stops you planned, but it’s also a great way to gift them your surprise. You can make it part of your card or put it in your card and leave it for them the morning of the date to keep them clueless all day and excited to find out more.

This Traveling Dinner Date idea was so much fun and we got to eat some of our favorite foods all in one night. Brett also said that this was such a great idea for a special event, because it made the night and the celebration feel like it lasted so much longer than a normal dinner date. I’m so happy that it turned out great and I can’t wait to plan my next Traveling Dinner Date!

For more on the blog about keeping your relationship healthy and happy check out my 5 Reasons Why Date Night is So Important blog post!

Thanks for reading!

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