Here we are a year (and some) later & I am FINALLY posting about the wedding. I did a little details post last summer that you can check out here, this one is the deep dive. I love photos & there are 850+ of our big day, so I thought it would be best to break it down. Welcome to part one, The Ceremony!

The day started bright & early. I woke up at 7 am to start getting ready. I did my own hair & makeup for my wedding day. It's a shocker to some people that I didn't hire anyone, but honestly, every time I get my makeup done by someone, I usually end up fixing it, or I just don't feel like my prettiest self. I've been playing around with eyeshadow since 6th grade & I am a pro at foundation from all my years of dealing with acne, SO, yes I did my own makeup & I'm so glad I did.

My hair was so easy. Just a low, slick bun. I would've loved to rock my natural curl but curly hair can be so unpredictable & it looks different throughout the day. (Check out my curly hair bridal pics here.) On a day like YOUR WEDDING, you want to make sure your hair looks amazing from all angles for basically 12 hours, so wearing my hair curly just sounded like setting myself up for failure. I love the slick look & think it worked beautifully with my dress & veil. 

Juvol & I got ready at my parents house & then left together to go to our venue at 8:30 am. We were married in the Bountiful, Utah Temple that morning. For more information on our religion & our temple sealing your can visit THIS website.

As I was freshening up to exit the temple & greet all our friends & family outside, I realized that I left my wedding shoes AT MY HOUSE!! I wore cute little sparkly slides into the temple so I didn't realize that I left my shoes at home. I was so bummed but quickly got over it because after 5 years of dating & being engaged, Juvol & I were finally MARRIED!

We exited the temple to meet our family & friends & take pictures with them. It was the beginning of a truly amazing day. One highlight of this part is, when I was exiting the temple, Juvol dipped me for a little photo op. As we walked down the line of loved ones, my brother Jackson, who has special needs, came up & gave me a hug & dipped me too. It was the sweetest, most tender moment! He doesn't always like to engage with our family, so that moment was so special to me. Very sacred actually.

We took pictures of just Juvol & I, and then made our way to the luncheon. We made a pit stop on the way to pick up my shoes. I spent months looking for the perfect pair of shoes that were the right color, style, GLAM, but also in my price range. A month before my wedding I found a gorgeous pair of creme Badgley Mischka shoes & there was no way I was spending the rest of my wedding day without those shoes!!

Stay tuned for PART 2, coming soon!!

Come join the Brides, Bridesmaids & Bachelorettes Facebook Group!!
xoxo, Lexie

If you see a girl walking down the street with a million beverages in her hand, it's probably me. Every morning before I leave for work I prep 3-4 drinks to carry around with me throughout the day. I always need to be sipping on something & if I don't prep a healthy option I'll probably end up with a 44 oz. diet Dr. Pepper in my hand at some point. One of my favorite drinks to make is a YUMMY, 10 calorie sparkling orange juice. I feel silly writing a "recipe" for it because it really is so simple.

I got the idea from my dad. We are avid soda drinkers in my family (oops, guilty pleasure.) & at the beginning of quarantine, after he drank 32 oz. of water, he would fill up his water bottle with his drink of choice, Mountain Dew, & then top it off with orange juice. The next morning after he told me this, I filled my tumbler up with citrus flavored seltzer water & topped it off with orange juice. SO delicious!! It really feels like a treat. 

Now I'm sure you could figure this all out on your own but here are the specifics:

• I use a 24 oz tumbler. Drinking out of a cute tumbler while I'm working just really makes me feel like I have my life together.
• My 24 oz tumbler fits 2 cans of seltzer water. My favorite flavors for this particular drink are orange, lemon, or grapefruit. You could even use unflavored sparkling water or mineral water too.
• The two cans fill my tumbler just about to the top. There's about a half inch left. I top the cup off with Trop50. It's 50 calorie orange juice & is one of my favorite discoveries. I learned about it a few years ago on a Whitney Simmons video. The ingredients in this aren't perfect but it's so easy to have on hand. If you have a juicer, you could use orange juice you juice yourself. 

Want more yummy recipes?? Check these out:
++ Healthy, Protein Packed, Orange Julius Copycat Recipe
++ Easy Pink Drink Copycat Recipe

xoxo, Lexie

Autumn is here!! The weather is cooling off, the leaves are changing & the grocery stores are full of all things pumpkin. It all just makes me want to sit at home, wrapped up in a blanket, with a hot pumpkin spice drink & some cinnamon ice cream. Am I alone here, or can you relate??

Last weekend my husband & I were in the mood to stay in. I was feeling the spooky vibes & decided to plan a little date night at home. I made a little video about it too. We watched some nostalgic Halloween movies & ate all the seasonal goodies from my recent Trader Joe's trip. I made a charcuterie board & it turned out so dang cute. I had to share with you!! I think you could totally do dinner & dessert on a charcuterie board while you & your fall cuddle bud watch some movies. Just throw your cute boards on the nearest coffee table & snack away!!

Here are all the things I used to make this board. Use this for inspiration & put your own twist on it!!

• ​pumpkin bagels with pumpkin cream cheese
• grilled cheese sandwhiches
• cinnamon sticks
• Halloween themed Oreos
• salted carmel popcorn
• pumpkin "tortilla" chips
• peach salsa
• potato chips shaped like bats & ghosts
• chocolate covered pretzels
• maple bread
• turkey slices
• cheddar cheese
• peanut butter cups
• grapes
• crackers

​I got most of the items listed above at Trader Joe's. I just bought anything I liked, or wanted to try that was apart of their fall seasonal items. Then I got home & put together the board.

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​ Now this is the fun part!! I made two different boards & it was so fun to experiment. I found it best to group bigger items in a straight or diagonal line & then cluster the smaller items around in groups. If you have little bowls you can use these to help keep things separated & make the board look more dynamic. There really is no wrong way to do this, so grab a board & have some fun!!

Try this at home & tag me in your photos on Instagram so I can see your creations!!! Check out the following posts for more Halloween content:
++ 4 Unique Halloween Costume Ideas
++ Easy Cat Costume

xoxo, Lexie

Growing up my mom always had a "gift closet." It was full of beautiful soaps, jewelry, candles & everything you would ever need to package a gift. After Juvol & I got married last summer, I started curating my own little gift closet. I love having meaningful gifts, ready to go & on hand for when someone in my life needs a little pick me up. One gift that is a perfect, go-to gift is a little "box of sunshine!!" This is not at all a new concept. I've seen people receive cute little themed gifts like this over the years but they are usually filled with really nasty, sugary foods & candies that just aren't my jam. Like name a fan favorite candy that comes in a yellow package?? Yeah, none come to mind.

At the beginning of 2020 my grandma passed away & my BFF Mckaila dropped off the sweetest little sunshine package on my doorstep that was full of all the functional items I love. She gave me a beautiful candle, a good, clean ingredient dish soap & some of my favorite drink packets. All the packaging was YELLOW. That gift inspired me to always have an array of yellow items so at a moments notice I can package up a thoughtful gift, even if it's 8pm after a busy work day. Here's everything you need:

So the first step is to find some packaging. I think it's fun to have a few different size options on hand to give you versatility. Here are a few ideas:

• Stay sustainable & hit the thrift store. Find some baskets, bins or crates & hit them with some yellow spray paint. Use tissue paper or crate paper at the bottom to add some fluff.
• The dollar store always has cute little storage bins & there is bound to be a yellow one. Don't forget the fluff lol!
• A classic yellow gift bag with some pastel yellow tissue paper. 

Really anything you pick will be amazing & so kind. It really is the thought that counts. However, I love specifics, so I'm going to give you SPECIFICS. These are my favorite yellow items:

• Mrs. Myers Honeysuckle product line
• Ever Spring Lemon & Mint product line
• Lemon sparking water
• Lemon Soy Candles
• Dr. Bronners Citrus
• Smart Sweets
• Drink Packets​

Don't forget to add a note. I'm all about a detail am just about as extra as they come. I live for great stationary, a perfect pen & a gorgeous wax seal. 

Now here's a little challenge. Spend some time today intentionally thinking about someone in your life that might need a little sunshine in your life. Maybe you know exactly who it is. Maybe someone you haven't talked to in a while comes to mind. Act on those promptings & send a little sunshine their way. We never know the impact a small act of kindness can make on someone's life. 

++ Why Candles are the Best Gifts
++ 5 Simple Stress Relievers

xoxo, Lexie

Halloween is right around the corner & I've never been THIS in the mood for Halloween. I think with everything in 2020 that has been so new, it's exciting to celebrate the traditions we know & love as the holidays approach. To stark SPOOKY SEASON off with a bang, I thought it would be so fun to give you guys as many Halloween costume ideas as possible. To make this possible I will be teaming up with a few of my favorite bloggers!

First up is Lauryn Hock of Lauryncakes. She is wicked smart & so creative. Lauryn is the founder and creative face of the Lauryncakes blog and social media. Since 2013, she has worked on hundreds of social media campaigns, organized various blogging events and workshops, and offered individual consultations for influencers and social media marketers. Like I said, she is so smart & really knows her stuff. Lauryn says, "Spooky season is one of my favorite times of the year! I love the ability to make yourself into anyone or anything that you want! It's empowering to create and execute a fashion look that transforms me into someone else for a day. Some of my favorite Halloween outfits have been DIY or thrifted, which makes it an even better challenge!"

Here are four of Lauryn's favorite Halloween looks. Cleopatra, Snake, Butterfly, & Ms. Frizzle:

I hope these amazing looks by Lauryn helped spark some ideas for your own Halloween costume. Which look was your favorite?? Tell me in the comments!

++ Easy Cat Costume
​++ Easy Cleopatra Costume

xoxo, Lexie

One of my favorite things to gift & receive as a gift is a classic candle. I LOOOVE them. My mom had a no flame rule growing up in our home so we never had candles in the house. It's like she thought we were going to burn the place down or something. So naturally when I moved out at 18 the first thing I stocked up on was candles!! I went to Bath & Body Works to spent my whole paycheck on those yummy candles. So nostalgic right?? 

Candles are the best gifts because they are perfect for everyone. Here are just a few scenarios of when I would gift a candle, to help you spark some ideas....

• The perfect house warming gift for a friend moving into a new home, apartment or a friend that is moving away from you.
• A thoughtful "thinking of you" gift. Like if someone showed up on your doorstep with your favorite candle you would be so obsessed, right??
• The perfect shower present. Go one step further & get a candle that has a personalized touch.
• A fan favorite birthday gift. Especially if their birthday is seasonal! Floral scents in the spring, pumpkin spice in the fall, & the perfect pine scent in the winter. Thoughtful & functional!
• Don't forget about the men in your life. Gift a masculine scent for a wedding gift, graduation presents, or his first bachelor pad house warming gift.

Now let's talk about my favorite brands of candles. This is important!! Like I said earlier, I used to live for a BOGO Bath & Body Works candle sale until I learned about the harmful effects of paraffin wax. What I learned through the book Cleanse to Heal by the Medical Medium is that when we inhale the scents from air fresheners & candles, it leaves an oily, waxy film on our lungs. So basically, you have wax in your lungs, YUCK!!! You could opt for essential oils & a diffuser but candles just feel so luxe & elevated, so I choose to burn soy candles instead. Here are a few of my favorites:

My first love & forever classic is the Volcano candle from Capri Blue. It smells like magic & is my favorite scent of all time. I love having one in my home & light it when I am feeling fancy or when we have guests coming over. I love giving this gift to important people in my life. 

Another favorite soy candle brand that is local to Utah is BlueLily Candles. I have met the owner Sarah. She is so sweet & kind. If you're looking for a small business to support, I highly recommend this one!!

Target has an affordable & accessible soy candle line by Opalhouse that I love to keep in my home & in my gift closet. They have so many fun colors & scents. The candle is a great volume for the killer price of $9.99!

Want to reuse your beautiful glass candle jars? A small business called Hive & Home has soy candle refill kits & guess what?? They have a volcano scent!!

Okay! So you've found your all time favorite scent & spent your hard earned money on a non-toxic soy candle that won't fill your lungs with wax LOL!! Now what?? Here are some tricks I have picked up over the years to keep my candles lasting long & in tip top shape!

• On the very first burn & every session after that, be sure to let the top layer of your candle liquify before blowing it out. This will avoid "tunneling."
• Keep your candle on a sturdy, even surface & away from moving air (like a vent or window.)
• Trim your candle wicks to be 1/4" before burning. You can do this with a nasty rat pair of scissors that you keep in a drawer or you can get a gorgeous candle trimmer & display it with your beautiful candles. Also, using scissors is an awkward angle so the candle trimmer is easier on the wrist. If you want to get real fancy you can get a whole candle trimmer set that comes with a snuffer. 
• Get the most out of that last 1/2" of wax with a candle warmer.
• Refill your gorgeous candle jar or repurpose it to be a little succulent planter, storage container, or little jewelry box.

There it is! I've spilled all I know about candles & I hope you caught a bit of my candle obsession! Now it's time for a little giveaway!! Leave a comment telling me your favorite candle, or your favorite tip you learned from this post to be entered to win a Capri Blue volcano candle along with other goodies! 
​

Other posts to elevate your home:
++ Why you need a white noise machine!!
++ 4 Amazing Kitchen Hacks!!

xoxo, Lexie

At the end of last summer I felt the urge to CHOP MY HAIR OFF. My long curly hair went down to my butt & I looooved it but it was so hard to take care of. Because I have course, curly hair, I try to only wash it once a week. Those wash days were loooong. I would be in the bathroom for 2+ hours combing & brushing out my hair & untangling knots. We spent the summer living in Atlanta & after we arrived back to SLC in our new apartment I stared at the shower, knowing I needed to wash my hair & just couldn't even think about untangling all the knots. So right then & there I booked an appointment & by Friday I had cut over 12 inches off my hair. & I LOVED IT!!! A year later & I still love it. If you're thinking about cutting your hair, here are a few things to think about before the chop:

GET REAL SIS!!! Have realistic expectations for your hair type. My initial inspo for the chop was the cute Kemper from @joandkemp on Instagram. I know that my hair will never & can never look like her's. She has thick straight hair!! Mine is thick & curly! Trying to do my hair like her's every day would be toe 2020 version of the iconic 90's Rachel look. So with this in mind, I looked up short curly hair styles too to get different ideas on how to style MY hair. A couple times a year when I get a blow out, of course I could rock that do, but it's not an every day thing. Setting realistic expectations is the first step to making sure you love your new look.

What is your go to hair style?? Would you still be able to do it (or a variation of it) if you cut your hair off?? What happens if you're running late? What do you do with your hair?? These were all important questions for me. My hair isn't always effortless. It takes a lot of attention & upkeep so really being intentional about this step was important for me.

Sit on it for a while!! No need to rush! I waited a whole season (all summer) trying to decide if I wanted to cut my hair & I'm so glad I did. I was so confident with my decision & loved every second of having short hair.

Go to a stylist you trust & set CRYSTAL clear expectations. Bring pictures to help show length, cut & color. Make sure the pictures are realistic too. Maybe bring a picture of your dream hair & then one of someone who has more of a similar hair type to you. 

WOW... you hair is now cut!! Take a pic for the gram, show your friends & family your new look & then immediately get to work on finding new styles for your hair. I did this & found 2-3 staples that I loved for the first few months. As your hair grows out you'll be able to get more & more creative & have more options. Make sure you experiment with new hair accessories. I never liked how clips or headbands looked in my long hair but LOVED how "the knot" headbands look with my short hair! Step out of your comfort zone & try new things with this new look!!

Follow all these steps & still end up with regrets?? Don't sweat it sis!! Hair grows!! You'll never know if you don't try it!! I hope these tips help anyone on the edge make a confident decision!! Have a tip you would add in the mix?? Tell us all in the comments!! Help a gal out!!

xoxo, Lexie

People who know me will tell you that I always have a million beverages in hand. I roll into the office & every single meeting with at least 3 drinks in hand. Always water with lemon, sometimes sparkling. A smoothie, a green juice & then a fun drink that tastes amazing & will help me stay away from the cookies & garbage that people bring into the office. I want to share with you one of my favorite "fun" drinks that really is so easy & so delicious!! It's not an exact copy cat recipe because (in my opinion) those take way too much time & too many ingredients. So this is like the step sister of pink drink recipes, ya know. So good!! You'll love it!!

Tumbler Cup: I prefer making these in a tumbler but you can do it with any cup & straw you have laying around. I feel like drinking it out of a Starbucks tumblr just really enhances the experience. Elevate your life where you can ya know?

True Lemon Packets: I love adding things into my water & the true lemon packets are some of my favorites. Awesome flavor & better ingredients than Crystal Light & all those other ones. For this recipe I like using theirenergy flavors because it gives me a little caffeine boost & I think the flavors taste the best.

Milk: The next ingredient you need is some sort of milk. I LOOOVE unsweetened coconut milk but you could useunsweetened almond milk, or oat milk. So delicious!!

Now you have all the ingredients, time to mix up this magic!! Fill your cup a little more than half way with cold water, then pour in your drink mix. Stir the drink mix into the water until it's completely dissolved. Once dissolved in the water you can top off your cup with the milk of your choice. Again, I just love the taste & creaminess of unsweetened coconut milk.

You can play with it. Find the water to milk ratio that works best for you. I prefer 3/4 water to 1/4 milk but that might be too much milk for you. You can also add lots of ice & fruit slices if your feeling boojie. My style is more, throw it in & go! 

Try this out & let me know what you think!! Ready for a little GIVEAWAY?? Mix up this magical drink & post it on your Instagram stories!! Be sure to tag me in it & I will pick a few of you to send a curation of my favorite drink packets to!! 

Enjoy your new sips!!
xoxo, Lexie

I'm pretty specific when it comes to the products I use on my face. Anyone who deals with acne will tell you that they don't mess around with their products!! When I find something that WORKS, I never let it go. I love drugstore products but I have found that once I find my tried & trues, they discontinue the products & launch something new. That leaves me with tons of trieds & not so many trues... SO, as I've gotten older & had a little more room in my budget for higher end products, I have once again found my favorites but luckily, these ones will be here to stay forever. Well, maybe not forever but at least a good 5 years or so. 

Here are my favorite products in my makeup bag that I've used all of 2020. I've repurchased these items over & over & hope this helps you on your quest to find the best products for you!

My one true love when it comes to foundation is the It Cosmetics CC+ Cream. I looked for a high coverage foundation all of my teenage years & found this gem when I was 19. The first thing I look for in a foundation is for it to be full coverage. I don't want anything tinted, I want 100% opaque!! & this is a 10/10 on the coverage scale for me! The best part is it is so light weight!! If I need a little extra coverage for my really bad cystic breakouts I just mix in a little concealer, which leads me to my next product...

CONCEALER! I have been loving the Born This Way Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer by Too Faced for years & it is still the one I come back to after trying out other options. I have tried the Born This Way foundation too. It's fine but doesn't compare to the texture & coverage of the It Cosmetics CC Cream in my opinion. My favorite thing to do with this concealer is mix equal parts concealer + foundation & apply it over break outs. Then I set it with my all timeFAVORITE translucent powder...

The No7 Translucent Powder is my all time favorite. The price is amazing for how much product you get! I reaaaally pack this stuff on my face!! I concentrate a lot of product in my oily zones & then go over my breakouts. If my breakouts are still catching my eye I will do one more step that just gives it a really flawless finish.

The MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation is a miracle worker. I first discovered this last year before my wedding. My mom had it & I would steal it to cover up my breakouts. When I put it over my translucent powder it gives this beautiful airbrushed finish that just makes my breakouts not seem as texturized. Yes, I do realize that I put 4 layers of "foundation" on but a girls gotta do, what a girls gotta do. Right??

In 6th grade I got my first ever high end makeup palette. That's when I started experimenting with smokey eyes. I've been a fan of a purple smokey eye since the young age of 12 but really locked it in as my classic look when I was 17. My free birthday gift from Ulta that year was a purple eyeshadow quad that they just discontinued this year but LUCKY FOR ME I found one I love more. I like the Shine Cosmetics Be True Palette because the colors are so pigmented & they last all day. I have really oily skin & am used to my eyeshadow creasing but this one doesn't crease or fade which was HUGE for me. I got this at the beginning of 2020 & instantly knew it was my new eyeshadow BFF. One bonus reason why I love supporting Shine is that it is a Utah based small business. You can use thecode LEXIE10 at Shine to get 10% off.

I have been buying tube after tube of the Maybelline Colossal Lash since 2013!! I never was a fan of the classic pink bottle formula or the spoolie so this is the nostalgic middle school mascara for me. I have long curly lashes so this mascara just helps fluff them out & give a little length. When I feel adventurous grocery shopping sometimes I will pick out a new kind of mascara just to try it & always have instant regret. I loooove this spoolie & formula!

99% of lip products break me out. I get these little breakouts along my lips that look like cold sores so this category will be short & snappy!! I feel like lip shades are so personal. It has to be the perfect shade that compliments your skin tone but doesn't make your teeth look yellow, you know?? My go-to lipstick is the MAC Lipstick Creme in Modesty.

My go-to lip gloss is from another Utah based small business. It's the Lip Plumping Gloss from Athia. It stays on but doesn't feel sticky or goopy. The perfect balance. I love putting this on before bed too for a little extra moisture.

Pick a few of these products & try them out. Remember that anything you get from Ulta or Sephora that you end up not liking, you can take back!! It makes trying new products less scary, especially when they aren't at the drugstore price! Let me know which of these products works for you!! 

Now it's time for a GIVEAWAY!! Leave a comment on this post & I will pick a few of you to send beauty goodies to!! Super fun right? I appreciate it so much when you guys leave comments! It helps me know what is helpful & what to create more of!! 

xoxo, Lexie

Fruit has been a big theme for me when making breakfast decisions in 2020. I have really leaned into eating more plant based this year & it has helped me cultivate a better relationship with food & just overall, it's helped me to feel my best. 

One of my go to recipes, especially this summer while we've been traveling, has been this dairy free yogurt bowl!! It's also great for when you are running late but aren't feeling cereal or oatmeal. I always make sure to have these ingredients on hand. Super easy to throw together!! Let's get into the recipe!

To start this yogurt bowl of you need the YOGURT!! The So Delicious Dairy-Free Unsweetened Coconut Yogurt is my favorite. I love to buy the bigger 24 oz. tub & keep it in my fridge however, the smaller, individual sizes are amazing for traveling. I have been taking those little ones camping all summer & they are a life saver for staying on track.

Frozen blueberries!! Not fresh, frozen!! & let me tell you why. At the beginning of this plant based journey I would spend aaaa lot of money on fresh fruit just to see it go moldy DAYS later in my fridge. So sad!! I have found that frozen blueberries in my yogurt bowl are just as enjoyable as fresh ones & they freeze your coconut yogurt a little bit which gives it an ice cream vibe. YUM! SO just buy the bulk size frozen blueberries & keep them in your freezer for these awesome bowls & yummy smoothies!

Next I slice up a whole banana. Another fruit that is really budget friendly. 

For toppings I always have coconut chunks, chia seeds & honey on hand. To throw this whole bowl together it really takes less than 5 minutes!! You can add in whatever you have on hand or whatever you are craving to give your bowl some extra goodness!!

I would love to see how create your own yogurt bowls!! Make one, post it on your Instagram stories & tag me (@lexiefaithdopp) & I will choose one person to send some wellness goodies to!! I can't wait to see what you create!!

xoxo, Lexie

^^^ Check out my favorite white bowls! I alternate between two sets. One from Target & one from Amazon! I'm a freak about having matching white dishes.

When it comes to food & cooking, I am all about keeping it simple. Especially when it comes to meals I can prep & have ready to eat. Whether I'm working from home or eating on the go, I think having easy prepped meals on hand is the key to staying on track & feeling healthy.

I love following food accounts & food blogs to get new ideas!! One blog I always have bookmarked is  My Own Meal Plan by Alex Daynes. She combines homestyle cooking with the healthy alternatives I love but also has KILLER baking recipes for my sweet tooth. I love following Alex on Instagram! I try to only follow 1-2 people in each industry so that I don't have too much noise & she is my go-to food blogger!! You can watch our Instagram Live that we did together HERE!! She makes cooking look so easy so I've asked her to come on the blog to teach us her magic meal prepping ways!! I'll let Alex take it from here:

Did I help answer your questions? Are you ready to start meal prepping? Are you excited about meal prepping? You should be! It's fun and easy! It's time consuming to do the prep, but the rewards are worth it!

Hi, it's Lexie again!! Just letting you know that it's GIVEAWAY TIME!!! Alex just launched a new amazing cookbook called Back to Basics & she wants to giveaway one to YOU!! Here's how to enter:

• Leave a comment on this guest post!!
• Follow @lexiefaithdopp on Instagram
• Follow @thealexdaynes on Instagram

Giveaway will run from Sept. 17th - Sept. 22, 2020. Winner will be announced on Instagram!!

xoxo, Lexie

The older I get, the more I value sleep!! I used to pride myself on being able to get 4 hours of sleep when I was a teenager. I could basically pull off a booming social life, straight A's & high school dance team without sleeping a wink, BUT NOT ANYMORE. Too be & feel my very best I need 8-10 hours. Anything less than 8 hours... it's realllllyyy hard for me to get out of bed. I know all of you with kids are laughing at me! Trust me, I'm terrified to be a sleep deprived mother.

One thing that helps me get to sleep faster & STAY sleeping until my alarm goes off is a white noise machine!! I have THIS specific noise maker & have been loving it for 5+ years. It has so many different sounds & you can control the volume. It even has a timer if you just need it to help you fall asleep but don't want it running all night long. I also love how compact it is. SO easy to travel with. I always throw it in my backpack with my laptop & bring it on trips with me. 

Let's talk about WHY you need to get a white noise machine TODAY!!!
Like I said earlier, it helps me get to sleep!! I am an avid over thinker & it has costed me many sleepless nights. I over think the deep stuff & silly things. For example, when I go on a big shopping spree, I'm so excited about all the things I bought that my creative brain just puts outfits together all night. Weird, I know! When I turn on my noise machine (my favorite sounds are stream, ocean & campfire) I am able to better tune into the sounds & my breathing, & then disconnect from my thoughts. It really helps me get to bed & fall asleep faster!

My noise machine also helps me STAY asleep!! I'm not a light sleeper by any means but my husband does snore. I've never woken up in the night when our noise machine has been on. If your partner or roommate snores, YOU NEED one of these!!! 

This tiny little noise maker is the best travel buddy. It fits in any bag (you really could even fit it in your purse) & helps me get to bed no matter where I'm sleeping. You can't always control your sleeping conditions or the noise around you when you are traveling so having a noise maker is always a safe bet & it saves your phone battery so you don't have to play sounds on an app or play music all night.

The last reason why I really feel like this little sound box is worth every penny is that it helps set the tone for your day. Your alarm goes off (make sure you pick an alarm sound that doesn't instantly spike your cortisol) & it's time to start your day. I love having these water sounds going in the background as I get up & get ready. It helps keep my mind calm & collected as I prepare for my day.

Want to elevate your experience further?? Get a diffuser going & flip on a salt rock lamp. Those are two other things that I just really feel like get me sleepy!! For my diffuser I always put in lavender oil at night. THIS is the diffuser that has been on my wish list for years so live my dream for me & pick it up. One day I'll make the plunge. My favorite essential oil brand is Butterfly Express!

We all deserve the best night sleep possible. Try out a white noise machine & let me know what you think!! Here are a few other wellness posts you may like:

• ​5 Simple Stress Relievers
• What I Eat in a Day
• Simple Protein Pancakes

xoxo, Lexie

It's no secret that I have acne prone skin that has been kicking my butt for the last decade! It's awful & I'm doing everything, trying everything I can to heal my skin & body from the inside out on top of all the topical treatments. BUT THE SHOW MUST GO ON!!! Right??

I get up everyday & cover up my acne FOR ME (cause I am not about to have a million convos every day when sally sue asks, "what happened to your face??" LOL.) I filmed a video last summer all about how I cover my cystic acne, check that out HERE!!!

But when I have big events like a party I want to look good for, a photo or video shoot, or I just want my skin to look really good the next day, here are some things I do a few nights before to prepare.

I love retinol products but it's definitely something I've had to experiment with to find what's right for me. I used to just get the retinol prescribed by my dermatologist & it would leave me soooo flakey. It wasn't painful & totally worked but in the process I feel so bad about my skin cause it's flakey & gross on top of all the acne. Try this out first if your insurance will cover it! All of my friends are able to use retinol every other night without this problem. Like I said, it takes some experimenting to see what will work best for you.

I have found that skincare products with retinol in them work best for me. I can use them almost nightly without peeling. Retinol helps promote cell turnover which in turn helps get rid of breakouts. Plus it has long term benefits that will keep my skin looking young foreverrrr, which I'm all about. The two products I have tried that work best for me are theImage Skincare AGELESS Total Repair Creme. I notice such a big difference with this. The only thing that keeps me from using it is it REALLY stings my skin for the first 5-10 minutes. I can't put it on right before I go to bed or else I just lay in bed focusing on the pain. I put it on & then do other things in my night time routine like moisturize my body, set my alarm, make food for the next day. Once I'm done with a little project, the pain is gone & I can go right to sleep. Beauty is pain & I like I said, I'll do anything for my skin to look as healthy as possible.

The other retinol product I reach for is the Athia Retinol Night Creme. This one doesn't sting my skin so if I'm super tired or just don't want to deal with the slight pain of the other product I will reach for this one. Fun fact, Athia is a small business out of SLC, UT & their office is just 20 minutes away from my home. If you love supporting small businesses, theirs is one I love!

My skin was so dry last winter & the thing that saved me was facial steaming. I have this cute pink one that I just grabbed on Amazon. I try to do this every day because my skin looks so much more healthy when it's hydrated but it does take 10 minutes so you really have to plan it. Before an event I go over the top & facial steam at night & in the morning. Especially the morning before the event. Grab a facial steamer right now!! Your winter skin will thank you!

I always do a sheet mask or two before an event. They hydrate my skin & my make up application is so amazing on a plump, hydrated face! My two favorite sheet masks that I always have on hand & love to give as gifts are the TONY MOLY Red Wine Sheet Mask & the Athia Sheet Masks. I love all of the TONY MOLY ones but the red wine one just makes my skin feel amazing. 

While we are on the subject of sheet masks, I have a little hack that I love to share. Make sure to squeeze out all of the product in the sheet mask package. It's basically a serum & if you throw away the package without squeezing out the product, you're basically throwing alway 2 more days of serum!

The easiest thing you can do for better skin is get hydrated!! DRINK SOME WATER SIS!! I won't dive deep into this cause I have a WHOLE blog post on how to up your water intake, plus a new YouTube video you can check out with a few more tips.

I hope these tips will help you get glam for your next big event!! I hope you will feel confident for your date, your job interview or photoshoot because sis!! You are amazing & so much more than your imperfections. Let me know which one of these tips was most helpful!!

xoxo, Lexie
Don't miss out on daily tips!! Be sure to follow me on Instagram - @lexiefaithdopp!

Did you miss my last posts about skin?? Check them out here:

• Randomly breaking out?? Maybe your stressed!! Stress triggers more than just acne in your body. Combat stress with THESE TIPS!! 5 Simple Stress Relievers!
• A free at home treatment to combat inflammation?? Yep, I have a post on it. Click HERE to read all about Ice Facials!!

You're in the right place if you want to feel ZEN AF but 2020 is beating you down!! Glad you're here! I feel like I can confidently say that 2020 has been quite the emotional rollercoaster for all of us. One thing I realized early in the year was that I wanted to be proactive about my stress & anxiety. I have realized over the years that I feel so much better when I practice little habits every day that help me stay proactive! Here are 6 things I try to do during the week to stay on top of my stress levels & anxiety:

Working out is such a great stress reliever for me. Every time I get my body moving I can physically feel the negative energy & stress leave my body. I think it's so important to do something to move your body every single day. Even on the days you don't feel like moving... which leads me to my next point...

One of my favorite ways to move is to go on a walk. A brisk 3 mile walk is like gold to me. Going on walks or hikes are a great way to lower your cortisol & get your 10,000 steps in for the day. I always feel so much more calm after a walk & my mind feels clear & focused. I have been obsessed with low impact workouts this year & have seen the biggest change in my body. I attribute that to walking. If you need help finding good trails in your area I highly recommend downloading the AllTrails app on your phone. I discovered the app this summer & LOVE using it to discover & plan hikes!!

Meditation is something I started practicing this summer & it has been a game changer for me. I know so many people who meditate in the mornings & can't live without it. For me, the mornings are too busy & it just doesn't work for me. I meditate at night before I go to bed. I have this long wind down/night routine that I do & meditation, breath work & prayer are a key part of that routine. I either look up a meditation on YouTube or use the Oak app. I love making it a little ritual by making my favorite bedtime tea or hot coco & lighting my favorite candle.

Stepping away & cooking a meal is something that really calms me down. I love to cook & eat in silence. It's a really amazing mindfulness practice for me. There's just something about cooking beautiful foods that respect my body & fuel it. I love sautéing veggies & cooking one ingredient pasta. I'm REALLY simple with my meals. Nothing crazy complicated. Then I love to sit & eat slowly in silence, which brings me to my 5th point...

Eating slowly in silence??? I'm sure that sounds so weird but really, you should try it on your next lunch break. This doesn't mean that I don't go out with friends, or never eat dinner with my husband, but when I can, I like to take a mental break & focus on my meal. When I do this I feel calm, I feel grateful for my body & for the food I eat, & I don't over eat. Most of the time I leave food on my plate. When that happens, I package it up & eat it as a snack if I feel hungry later or I will eat it for lunch the next day.

I hope you can take a tip or two away from this post & use it to relieve your own stress. Let me know what tips spoke the most to you!! Want me to do a post on my long & amazing night time/wind down routine??

Head to my Instagram to see little tips like this every single day!! I love sharing helpful hints that are full of value!!

Below are all the products I talked about on this post that help me reduce stress. Totally not necessary but I love little things to indulge myself. Treat yo self everyday ya know??

xoxo, Lexie

I was invited by the team at D-Ravel to write about my city & give their readers a Salt Lake City travel guide. These are my favorite things to do in Utah & the things I would do with a friend who was visiting for the first time. I have grown up in Utah & lived here the majority of my life. I love living here because of the mountains, the opportunities to be in nature, the energy Salt Lake City has & the creativity that lives here in the beehive state. 

Check out my travel guide & let me know what your favorite things to do in Utah are!!

Start the first day of your SLC stay off at Eva's Bakery in Downtowns Salt Lake. My favorite thing there is the Stuffed French Toast. It's to die for. I'm a sucker for anything with cream cheese! There are healthier items on the menu too if that sounds too heavy after a long flight, or road trip. The other reason why Eva's is the best is that it's one of the most "Instagrammable" places in SLC. Good vibes, good food & good social media content!

After brunch you can make your way downtown to some amazing shopping at City Creek. It's a beautiful outdoor/indoor mall that has the best range of stores. From big department stores & high fashion designers to your favorite fast fashion & Utah based boutiques. Some of the Utah based businesses you should check out are Bohme, DownEast, Form Spa, The Gem Studio, Roolee & Stance.

Nothing is worse than a hangry shopping date so if you or anyone you're traveling with get hungry, there are multiple places to eat at City Creek. Some of the dining there that started in Utah are Blue Lemon, Costa Vida, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory & Zeppes Italian Ice. All of these restaurants I love going to & highly recommend. There's something for everyone at each place.

I recently discovered this hike on a #STAYCATION with my husband this past summer. The trail is near Salt Lake City in the Brighton Ski Resort. The lake you hike to is breathtaking! I could do it once a week & never get sick of it, it's that pretty. The hike is 2.6 miles long & is the trail is best used from March to October. If you're a real go getter you can keep hiking the trail once you get to Lake Mary & make your way to the upper lake, Lake Catherine. 

I loooove pizza!! Thin crust & lots of basil just speaks to me. The vibe is great & the pizza is even better. 

Another pizza go-to I love to eat is Blaze Pizza. It's a little more accessible & affordable. I love all their vegan & gluten-free options. Do you have a Blaze Pizza where you live?

If you have an extra day, you have to make your way to our local amusement park Lagoon. Lagoon is only 15 minutes north of Salt Lake. I grew up 10 minutes away from this amusement park & have so many memories here. It's the nostalgia that really gets me but I think it's really fun for visitors too. The whole park is just CUTE! Lots of fun rides (something for everyone), yummy amusement park food & lot's of cute photo opportunities. 

Temple Square is currently under construction but it's still cool to see it while you're downtown. My favorite things to do while I'm in the area are grab a bite to eat. The Nauvoo Cafe is right across the street from the temple & my favorite sandwich their Turkey Cranberry Sandwich. Right down the street is the Lion House Bakery where you can get a yummy treat to share (or keep all to yourself). There's also a full lunch menu at Lion House too if you prefer home-style cooking. 

One reason I love temple square & the area around it is being able to learn about the history of Utah. My grandparents from the 1800's came to Utah & helped settle the land so I love learning about their journey & my heritage. It's the same reason I love visiting the East Coast. I am a sucker for history & love learning about people's stories & experiences.

Utah has so many soda shops & I love them!! They are all throughout Utah so make sure to get one during your stay!! My favorites are Twisted Sugar, Fiiz & Swig.

There is also a cookie shop in basically every big city in Utah. My two favorites are Cumbl or Chip! I love the Chip Chocolate Chip Cookies but Crumbl also has a good variety of fun cookies. Make sure to check out their Instagrams before you commit to one to see what cookies they have that week.

On a roadtrip?? Be sure to make your way to Southern Utah!! I've gone 3 times this summer on little #STAYCATIONS & it is so beautiful. Our recent favorite has been Bryce Canyon! You can get out & hike or simply just drive through the park with some good music & snacks. The views are so surreal. If you are driving to Vegas, make sure you stop in St. George for a Swig Drink & some lunch!! 

If you are planning a trip or coming to Utah I would love to know. Email me at lexiefaithcollab@gmail,com or DM me on Instagram - @lexiefaithdopp so we can chat!!

​xoxo, Lexie

I've been working from home for 2+ years & during that time, I have acquired a few tips!! These tips are about both productivity & how to have more work, life, balance. I think these tips can be helpful whether you are working from home, transitioning back into your office, or you're a busy mom with a lot of things to juggle.

​Check out this video & don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I would love to know which tip you found to be the most valuable.

xoxo, Lexie

Last summer I discovered the amazing ritual of doing a daily ice facial. I did it religiously every single day of summer 2019 & saw amazing results. My skin was glowing, my redness calmed down & my face never felt inflamed.

SIDE NOTE: The first time I was introduced to "icing" anything on my body was on my high school drill team. After a long day of choreography, our choreographer Whitney Bezzant taught us the benefits of icing & the transformative ways it can rehab your body & muscles. The deeper I get into my wellness journey, the more I realize how amazing ice (& cold showers) are for MY ENTIRE body. But cold showers... that's a whole other blog post.

Let's put on our nerd glasses & dive into the actual scientific benefits of icing your face:

• reduces swelling & inflammation
• minimizes pore size to reduce excess oil production
• reduce wrinkles & boost your skin's healthy glow
• speed up recovery by promoting soft tissue healing

There are a lot of gizmos & gadgets you can get for this treatment. There are ice rollers & ice globes. You can put your jade roller in the fridge to keep it cold. OR you can do it my way & just simply freeze water & throw it on your face. Totally free, anyone can start implementing this RIGHT NOW!

Let me take you step by step through my morning routine leading up to this EASY & very very FREE ice facial. I wake up, turn off my white noise machine & head into the bathroom. I scrape my tongue, brush my teeth & wash my face with a gentle cleanser. THIS is when I walk downstairs to my kitchen & get 2-3 ice cubes from the freezer.

I start the first ice cube under my eyes, sweeping it back & forth over the bags under my eyes & sometimes my eyelid. I take that same ice cube & start sweeping it down my cheek. I use a different ice cube to do circular motions over my jaw & the lower part of my face. I try & melt the whole ice cube over this part of my face to reduce swelling & do everything I can to attack the acne on my cheeks. The last ice cube I run over my nose & end on my forehead. I like to use multiple ice cubes to ensure I am not spreading the bacteria on my face to different areas.

I pat my face dry & carry on with the rest of my skincare routine. This is the simplest step that can make the biggest difference for you!! Try it out & let me know what your results are!!

xoxo, Lexie

One positive thing that has come from working from home & being quarantined is the elimination of excuses!! I no longer have excuses for not eating breakfast, or not drinking enough water, or not working out/moving my body each day. I have every single thing I need to reach my goals, right in my own home. I have found meals that are QUICK, yummy & so easy to make.

The video linked in this post was made in May but two months later, this is still an accurate representation of the foods I fuel my body with everyday. The video is only 4 minutes long & will hopefully give you some easy meal ideas to stay on track while you stay at home. Don't forget to subscribe to my youtube channel!

xoxo, Lexie

As promised, I am here to recap my wedding last year for you all! Before we dive into the details on this bridal session, make sure you check out these wedding posts first:
My Something Old, Something New Details
3 Bridal Outfit Ideas &
DIY Bridesmaids Proposal Boxes

​Onto the details for these gorgeous spring bridals...

​I cannot believe these photos were taken ONE YEAR AGO!!! My mom & I have always loved spring blooms so when I got engaged in December 2018 she asked if I was going to have our bridal photos taken in the spring with all the blossoms. Although it would’ve been lovely, it didn’t really fit my vision for the wedding.

The second the April blossoms bloomed I had knew I would regret it if I didn’t take bridal photos by the blossoms. So my mom & I raced up to the Salt Lake Capitol building with my camera & we took these gorgeous bridal photos. Pretty in pink, just how I like it haha!! Although these photos were for my wedding, they remind me of my sweet mama & our friendship.

My heart goes out to all the brides who are having to postpone their day or change their plans because of all this crazy Covid-19 mess. I would’ve been an actual TERROR, bridezilla. I cannot even imagine!!

My advice... Get out with your photographer (or your mom like I did lol) & take gorgeous photos. Document all the little accessories you worked so hard to find. Your shoes, your makeup, your hair. Create something beautiful out of all this madness!! 

Check out my favorite photos from this shoot below!! & HEY, all you brides-to-be... make sure you join my wedding themed Facebook Group. It's full of like minded women & it's full of the best wedding advice!

xoxo, Lexie

Productivity is not a new subject over here. It's something I love to research & implement in my own life. The tips & systems that I find successful, I always share with you guys! Today's post is written by a guest, Krychele Valenzuela! I met Krychele at an event a few years ago & have been following her on social media ever since. She started her blog just a few years ago & has totally KILLED it! She has tapped into her audience & knows exactly what she wants. She also works closely with a few of my social media clients too so I love getting to use her content on my clients social media. She is an amazing influencer that talks a lot about body positivity & has killer personal style. Follow her on Instagram @carnationsandlace & keep your eyes peeled for her on the gram. On top of everything she models for some pretty amazing companies. I'll let Krychele take it from here...

Hi! My name is Krychele and I am a curvy model, and body positive fashion blogger over at carnationsandlace.com and @carnationsandlace on Instagram. I'm so excited to be doing a guest post on Lexie's blog today, and even more excited to chat about how I manage working from home the majority of the time, while also juggling a toddler and house chores! After 3 years, I think I'm FINALLY getting it down. Here are a few things that help me stay productive:

My number one saving grace is staying organized with my time. I have a planner that never leaves my side, and every Sunday I sit down and plan my week out. On my calendar, I start with writing down photoshoots and other appointments, then fill in my time with things I'd like to get done. For example this week I am focusing on decluttering, so each day I block out a little bit of time to organize a closet or drawer in my house. Spacing it out helps me from getting overwhelmed! I also make it a goal to do just one load of laundry a day. That way it doesn't pile up! I'm also more likely to fold and put it away the same day when its only one basket haha!

My husband and I are both self-employed, so while we absolutely love the flexibility, being self motived is a must! If we aren't working we aren't getting a paycheck, so it can be a lot of pressure. We try and work hard, but also play hard with a few vacays a year! Taking time to recharge is really important, so we really try and make it a priority.

I used to have a hard time accepting help, but I realized I can't do it all, and more importantly I don't need to. Don't be afraid to ask for help! There are so many people who love you and want to help you succeed. When it comes to taking care of Kai, we are so lucky to have my mom and mother-in-law close by so they are able to help with him a lot and we're so grateful for that! Kai also has an amazing babysitter (who is also family) that I hire a few times a week as well. I'm so happy to have all these ladies helping me raise my baby!

Another hard lesson I had to learn was saying no. I am a people pleaser by nature so I want to say yes to every photoshoot, every playdate, and every blog campaign. It all sounds great on paper until the burnout hits. When I get burned out I just want to sink into a hole and do nothing, so preventing that is KEY for me. Your mental health is more important than anything else, so don't forget to take things day by day, and when that's too overwhelming, minute by minute.

A lot of people think since Instagram is a big part of my job, that I spend all day on it, but that would make anyone crazy! I usually try and pick a few times throughout the day to get on for a certain amount of time and work. I answer DM's, post, and engage with other accounts to help keep the algorithm happy. During my social media time, if Kai is home with me, he also gets screen time. That way we aren't both on devices constantly. I answer emails and write blog posts after Kai goes to bed that way I can give it my full attention!

I hope these little tips were helpful to any of you trying to juggle all the things as well. Life can get so busy and hectic, but don't forget to enjoy the chaos! Thank you so much for reading.
xx
-Krychele

FACIAL MASSAGE!! This is something I have been loving since August 2019. I started watching lots of tutorials about facial massage, rolling techniques & gua sha. I used my hands & pieces of ice to mimic the movements I learned & I got the same results I would've if I was using fancy tools. I finally invested in THIS Rose Quartz Roller & Gua Sha Tool. A lot of you had questions about it when I posted about it on Instagram so I thought I would shed some light on how AMAZING these little tools are. 

First matter of business, Rose Quartz or Jade?? These are generally the two stones that these types of rollers are made from. I prefer rose quartz to jade because of the energy it has. Rose quartz emits strong vibrations of unconditional love, joy & emotional healing. Both rose quartz & jade have grounding properties but I am drawn to the benefits of rose quartz more. Plus it's PINK & looks so cute on my vanity!

Now that you have your roller, what are the actual benefits?? I love using this tool to help me with lympatic drainage. When you are rolling or using a gua sha tool you can move the fluid in your face outward & down your neck to reduce puffiness. It seriously amazes me every time!! I start around my eyes, move down my cheeks & then pull the fluid down my neck. Using this roller on your neck is SERIOUSLY the best feeling. I love rolling my neck more than anything else. Keep your tool in the fridge to increase the effect while trying to depuff your face. 

Another benefit to rolling is that it stimulates collagen & blood flow to give you an amazing glow!! I am always searching for ways to help my body produce more collagen. From supplements, to bone broth, to chemical peels & micro needling. Rolling is just one more way to reduce aging & give my skin an amazing glow from the inside out. You do not have to use a lot of pressure to get the desired results. 

I did not learn all this information on my own so I want to share my 3 favorite tutorials that helped me learn & love these tools:
How to Gua Sha
How to use a Roller
Facial Massage Products at Home​

​I hope you guys enjoy these tips!! Let me know in the comments or on Instagram if you invest in your skin by purchasing one of these amazing tools!

xoxo, Lexie

As I've been recapping my wedding & sharing it with all of you, I thought it was important to also share some other perspectives. Throughout the next year as I continue to share my experience I am going to bring on other amazing women who had gorgeous wedding days, to spill the details & give you all the advice you brides to be are looking for!

If you are planning a wedding, are a bridesmaid, or love scrolling Pinterest, dreaming of your big day, I would love you to join my new Facebook Group "Brides, Bridesmaids & Bachelorettes" for more amazing tips & inside secrets! Now onto the guest post! Let me introduce you to Claire...

I invited Claire Anderson on the blog today to give us her 5 top take aways from planning her own wedding last fall. I watched Claire (via Instagram lol) plan her wedding & loved the way she made each piece of the day her own. She is insanely creative & multi-passionate so head over to her Instagram & see what she's all about. She posts about beach life in Hawaii (I know, how rad?) & has a lot of amazing fitness tips & healthy meal ideas. Fun fact, we went to the same high school & graduated together, GO LANCERS lol. Her style is super different than mine, especially when it comes to all the wedding details, but that is EXACTLY why I wanted to have her on the blog! I love the insight she gave & think that her advice can be applied to any event you are planning. I'll let Claire take it from here!!

I hope you enjoyed that guest post from Claire!! Let me know if there is anyone you would love to hear from. I would love to get new guests on the blog!
​xoxo, Lexie

Your environment makes a difference. Do what you can to create a space you love. I'm not saying move into your dream house or buy every piece of decor you see on Instagram. It could be a new coat of light paint. It could be a few photos & mementos displayed on a shelf. You might treat yourself to fresh flowers once a month if that's your thing.

For me, I love rooms with bright light. Our kitchen has a bay window & I love being in that room. I love burning candles & having my salt rock lamp on. I love having my food pantry organized & having all my skincare beautifully displayed on a shelf in my bathroom. Create a space you love with what you have. Don't focus on the negative. 

I find that scheduling my weeks in advance helps me get everything I need to done & have time to take care fo myself. Everyone gets 24 hours a day. Make time for what you want to have time for. If you want to go to the gym, cancel your Netflix subscription or put down your leisure read. I'm all about no excuses!

The most helpful things for me when I schedule my days are planning what time I will go to bed, what time I will wake up & when to go to the gym. It's like the start & stop time for each day & helps me see what time I have available to complete other tasks. My husband & I share our google calendars with each other so that we can plan together.

THIS!! I've changed my mindset around food to being fuel & it has helped me so much. It's important to me to eat well so that I can feel good on the inside. When I'm not sick & weighed down by feeling gross, it is easier for me to get up on time, get ready & start my day. I usually meal prep 3 days of breakfast & lunch on Sunday nights. Then on Wednesday night I prep food for Thursday & Friday. The weekends are more relaxed.

Create a morning routine & a night routine. This is something I started in the summer & it has changed the game for me. I never thought I was a morning person & struggled waking up on time every day.  I would get anxiety about going to bed knowing that I had to wake up the next morning. How exhausting! I discovered that creating a night routine helps me wind down & go to sleep so that I am ready to wake up on time the next morning. My morning routine gets me out of bed. These routines are kind of a lot so that's probably another blog post. Coming soon lol!

I hope some of these tips will help you have a productive winter full of moments of joy & happiness!
​xoxo, Lexie

Hey gals!! Here is a little bridal outfit breakdown. Some tips for finding fabulous bridal outfits on a budget! First I want to let you know that I've created an online space to share all things wedding! It's a Facebook Group called "Brides, Bridesmaids & Bachelorettes" & I hope you will join! When I was planning my wedding I was lucky enough to plan along one of my best friends who was also a bride-to-be. I want every girl to be able to have that kind of experience. Get awesome advice, tips & gain friends along the way. So anyway, onto the bridal outfit tips!

​I am super particular & very detail oriented. I knew that a lot of pictures would be taken at each bridal party or shower, so I wanted to have different outfits to set the events apart. 3 brand new outfits? That can add up quick! But if you know me, you know I am a bargain shopper! These outfits were less than $50 each! Let's get into the details...

One of my bridesmaids, Makenna, threw me a fun poolside bridal shower & invited all my girlfriends to come. I found this darling white dress at WAL-MART (of all places) for only $10!! I spotted it while grocery shopping one day & knew I could wear this to one of my wedding showers. Keep an eye out for white dresses, blouses & skirts! Especially during the upcoming spring months. Every time I wear this dress I get SO MANY compliments on it. 

I really dressed this look up with my accessories & the way I styled my hair. I found these pearl earrings at Target & tried to work them into as many wedding festivities as possible. They are by far my favorite & most worn pair of earrings. I added a feminine touch 

This was my bachelorette party outfit!! I wanted an all white workout look for our silks class. My first piece of advice is to text all your friends & have them send you pictures of all their white work out gear. Between all your friends there has to be a few pieces of white or pastel tops or leggings. I borrowed this white bra from my friend & then got the tie back halter top & light gray leggings from Kiava Clothing. I knew I would never wear white leggings again so I went with the light gray pair. 

This was the third & final wedding look before the big day. This is the look I wore for the shower my family threw for me. Every week I would get on ASOS & search for white dresses & accessories. They have the cutest stuff at the best price so don't forget to look for swimwear for honeymoon & lingerie too! I got this white dress for only $15! So darling!!

I hope these tips help you plan your next event outfits!!
​xoxo, Lexie

At the beginning of each new year, I pick a word to focus on. This year my word is ACTION!! During the second half of 2019 I discovered tools (through listening to podcasts) that helped me learn how to control my thoughts & build a life I love. I am so thankful that I discover these podcasts & online mentors. Their content & the value they have given to my life have truly shaped my mind & changed my perspective in so many areas of my life. I want to continue that learning & "ACTION" into the new year & want to share these tools with you as well. Here are 5 Podcasts that will change your life & why I love them so much!!

This is my all time favorite podcast! The hosts Lauryn Evarts & Michael Bosstick are such a power house team. They are so good at interviewing guests & I have loved every episode. They talk about EVERYTHING but a few constant themes are wellness, productivity, skincare & business. Their platform is much more cheeky than mine so as Lauryn says, "take what you like & leave what you don't." Listening to this podcast & following Lauryn on Instagram has influenced so many of my habits & has helped me work on so many skills.

The host of the RISE Podcast is the one & only Rachel Hollis!! I had seen raving reviews of Rachel's book "Girl Wash Your Face" floating around Instagram for a long time but never really understood her genius until listening to her interview on TSC Him & Her Podcast in Fall of 2019. I loved everything she said in that interview so I looked up RISE & immediately fell in love with her mind. Rachel has helped me learn how to show up on my worst days & stop making excuses for myself. Her podcast has helped me be more self aware & has helped me power through with some mental health struggles I have... but that's another blog post.

I discovered Jenna Kutcher's podcast in 2016 right after I graduated high school. The older I get, the more I love her content. Jenna is the cutest Christian new mom who puts her full heart in everything she does. She has helped me learn how to be more present in my friendships, romantic relationships, in my work & in my small business. She is a marketing wizard & has such a unique perspective on business. She is MEGA successful so this chick definitely knows what she is talking about! I love the free content she puts out on IG & her Podcast so much that I've even invested in a few of her digital courses. 

I stumbled upon this podcast when Rachel Parcell & Sarah Tripp posted that they were guests on the show. I've been apart of the RewardStyle platform since I was 14 years old right when it launched. I first searched through the episodes to listen to my favorite influencers. First Rachel, then Sarah, then Jamie O'banion. After I listened to those interviews I started from the top & made my way through each episode. I love hearing each story, their angles & how they grew their business. It's a fun personal insight into your favorite influencers & has helped me brainstorm new ways to create & scale my passions & businesses.

My friend introduced me to this podcast & recommended I start with the episode where he interviews TSC Him & Her hosts. That episode is where I first fell in love with all things TSC. Need some motivation or direction? Go listen to Ed's show. Especially his first episode of 2020! It's a good one!

I would love to know what your favorite podcasts are!! I am always looking to add new, valuable voices to my life. Let me know if these podcasts add value to your life, just as they've added SO MUCH to mine.
​xoxo, Lexie