How To Embrace Your You-niqueness

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”

— Marilyn Monroe

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Stop comparing yourself to others

It can be so easy to be down on yourself because you see all these people on social media living these “perfect lives” in boxes on Instagram. You were made different, you were made to create YOUR own path, not someone else’s. Limit constantly scrolling through social media and comparing yourself to other people. They only show the good, it’s not always greener on the other side.

Celebrate your achievements and successes no matter how big or small

I think it is so important to celebrate your wins whether it be for the hour, the day, the week, the month, etc. CELEBRATE! It’s so easy to get caught up in working, working, working towards the next best thing but it’s so important to take a step back, reflect and be proud of where you are standing right now in whatever circumstances you are in.

Do what you love without caring what other people will think of you

Stop living in fear of what other people will think of you. Do what you believe is right and pursue what makes you happy and the people who matter most will understand and accept it. Whoever has something negative to say or thinks badly of it, cut them out of your life. No one needs that negativity. It will only hinder you from becoming the best version of yourself.

Make time for your interests and passions

I see so many people who have these interests and passions that they want to pursue but don’t make time for them. You make time for what is important. Make a list of your priorities and make time for your hobbies, it not only enables your creativity but can help clear your mind and allow you to be happier. Express yourself through whichever outlet suits your best. For me, journaling, designing and crafting are all things I make time for.

Embrace your quirky side

Work with what ya mama gave ya! If you have a quirky side like myself, own it! It is a part of what makes you YOU. I am one of the goofiest people you would probable meet and I am proud of it. It keeps the childlike freedom and giddiness alive and well my friends.

What experiences have made you who you are today? Accept them and allow them to propel you forward!

The most important thing that has shaped who we are is what experiences we have dealt with. Some amazing and some horrible, but I always try to stay positive and find a silver lining within every situation no matter how bad it may be. Your story is unique, your story matters, YOU matter. Embrace each and every experience you GROW through and take the lessons with you to move on to new and better experiences.

What are your talents and skills? Keep learning and pursue them!

Your talents and skills make you unique. It is an ongoing process to keep learning about yourself and pursuing your gifts. For me, I am constantly learning more about graphic design, writing, and marketing as I consider those to be skills I am good at so I always want to better myself.

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Anyone who knows me personally knows I have a quirky sense of humor that just randomly comes out to play. It makes me so happy when I can put a smile on someones face or make them laugh. My sense of style is also another way I embrace my uniqueness. I don’t follow any specific trend and I love to mix match styles. One day I could be in a boho chic mood and the next day be in a laid back and sporty mood. My fun loving personality is also something I am very proud of. I always chose to see the positive in things and be optimistic as that has been one of the top aspects of what has gotten me through some of the hardest times of my life. Lighthearted, spirited and always looking for the silver lining!

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Comment below and tell me what makes you unique and how you embrace your uniqueness!

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7 Shoes Every Woman Needs in Her Wardrobe

Women and shoes go together like eggs & bacon, fish & chips, and salt & pepper.

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With so many great designs available – and so many ways to buy gorgeous shoes at the touch of a button – the temptation to pack your shoe rack with footwear is all too real. Some of us dream of having a walk-in closet that features fabulous footwear from floor to ceiling!

As budgets rarely stretch that far, let’s get serious and look at the seven shoes every girl needs (and wants) in her wardrobe.

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High heels

This is an option that can appear in great abundance in many shoe collections, and is often where your biggest investment lies!

However, every girl deserves at least one pair of heels bought for impact and the feel-good factor. They don’t have to be practical, but they do need to make you feel confident and glamorous.

Colour depends on the prevailing theme of your evening or event wear, but these days the design options are so extensive, why not go all the way and get bold colours for your statement shoes?

How far can you go for “stand out” shoes for special occasions? This blog looks at the shoes worn at the Royal Wedding and it gives tips on what’s in and what’s out.

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Black pumps

Flat pump shoes often go hand in hand (or foot in foot) with your impractical but stunningly beautiful high heels. Versatile pumps can sometimes fit snugly in purses and handbags to provide relief when “going out” shoes leave you sore or in peril.

Pumps are always a great fall back for brunch with the in-laws or days when comfort matters most. Owning them in black makes them highly versatile.

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Nude court shoe

These can, in fact, be any color, though nude is a great option to mix and match with a myriad of different outfits. The main aim is to have a pair of shoes that are perfect for days when you are “adulting”. For work meetings or job interviews, a smart court shoe can be ideal to flatter business skirts, dresses or trousers.

A firm heel can lift your posture (and your confidence), without giving you too much height that can causes a tripping hazard at the worst possible moment.

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Ankle boots

Whatever the climate is like where you live, a stylish but robust pair of ankle boots is a wardrobe essential. They can look great with jeans and trousers, or funky and fun with your favourite skirts and dresses.

Leather and suede – particularly in brown – are often the material of choice for a great pair of comfortable ankle boots. For vegan and vegetarian women (or anyone else who avoids animal by-products) there are also some great faux leather and suede boots out there on the market.

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Strappy sandals

For beach holidays – or simply to show off your pedicure on warmer days or at evening "dos" – a pretty pair of strappy sandals are a must. Heeled strappy sandals can look glamorous, but flatter versions can be really comfortable to walk in, too!

Team them with jeans or shorts and they can look casual, but you can add a splash of sophistication if you opt for embellished versions.

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Comfortable but stylish sneakers

Hooray for whoever decided that it’s a good idea to wear sports and leisure wear every day, and for every occasion! It means the list of essential shoes for women has to include a stylish pair of sneakers. These are super-comfy shoes that match a wide range of situations, such as Vanswomen can slip into whether they are wearing dresses or jeans.

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Gym/running shoes

We’re all more aware of the need to take care of our bodies these days, which means many women are hitting the gym, taking classes or running to get fit. Fortunately, gone are the days when your dodgy and whiffy sports shoes had to be pushed to the back of your wardrobe.

Though sneakers such as the Vans women range are comfortable for everyday use, for the gym, classes or running it’s advisable to opt for specialist shoes. The major manufacturers are making a science out of sports footwear these days, which means many offer built-in health features and super foot support.

Follow this link for a handy guide to choosing appropriate running shoes.

Would you add any shoes to this list? Let me know in the comments!

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My 7 Self-Care Essentials

“The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself.”

— Diane Von Furstenberg

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Taking care of yourself is vital to your mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health. In this crazy stress filled world, it is easy to get run down and feel like you’re chasing life instead of living in the moment, being present and taking necessary time for yourself.

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- My 7 Self-Care Essentials -

THE COMFY

I am ALWAYS cold and bundled up in multiple layers in order to stay warm. This past Christmas, my parents surprised my sister and I with these amazing inventions (almost upset I didn’t come up with this idea myself). It is literally a blanket hoodie and I couldn’t love it more; no matter how much I look like a pink marshmallow. On a cold night, it’s so nice to wrap yourself up catch up on TV shows, watch a movie or simply spend time with family. It is the coziest and comfiest item I have ever come across and practically live in it at night.

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 ESSENTIAL OILS

I have been hooked on essential oils for years. It wasn’t until a few months ago where I really immersed myself into the oily world of Dōterra and really learned about different oils, the uses for each and how there are limitless options when it comes to aiding in your health and wellbeing. My family and I have been trying to go as natural and organic as possible since not only do we deal with health issues but it is so much better for your body. Who wants to put nasty chemicals into your body that you can’t even pronounce?! After having friends raving about Dōterra and telling me all the benefits and seeing countless recipes on Instagram, I was hooked and signed up right away. I get 25% off wholesale and there are so many promos to get free oils and even learning modules to teach you about the essential oil world! I use essential oils to help fight getting sick, uplift my mood, fight headaches and other body aches as well as treating acne! You can check out my must have essential oils in this post here.

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YOGA MAT

Yoga has been a huge aspect of my self care routine. I find it so relaxing and instead of a crazy high intensity workout, you are slowly moving your body and stretching. Even though it may seem more “delicate” let me tell you, it is a workout. Yoga really allows you the freedom to work with your body and do what feels right for you. Breathing techniques also work well with the different yoga positions and helps you to relax and get your body moving while calming your mind. The key to starting and creating a routine is patience! My sister got me this extra thick yoga mat from Gaiam that I am OBSESSED with. If you suffer from achey or weak knees or joints, an extra thick mat like this will be a game changer!

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HEATED BLANKET

Heated blankets are one of the best inventions; at least in my mind. Like I said earlier, I am always cold so a heated blanket not only keeps me warm but I have seen an improvement with my sleep. I find I sleep deeper with a heated blanket than without it. Sleep is so vital to your well-being and any way you can help that is a win in my book!

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CARING CRATE BOX

 Caring Crate is “a unique, monthly subscription box service for those dealing with mental health issues, chronic illnesses - or anyone who needs a little extra self-care.”

As some of you may know I have been dealing with chronic illness for almost half my life. I have also experienced anxiety and depression over the years and work on bettering myself physically and mentally everyday. I received an email from Janelle from Caring Crate asking if I wanted to share this amazing box with my audience and I immediately was on board! I know so many people who deal with chronic illness, anxiety and depression as well and I think this is such an amazing idea to not only treat yourself but share the love with others and gift it to a friend who may need a little pick me up.

When I received my box, I was so excited to use the products and the items I received are incredible. I received a tea steeper, Mulled Cider tea, a roll on perfume to help ground myself (again the magic of aromatherapy), a reflections notepad and a Vanilla Chai sugar scrub (which is my favorite because not only does it work but it smells absolutely incredible, just like a Dunkin Donuts Vanilla Chai Latte!)

Janelle was kind enough to give me a coupon code for my audience!

Get 20% off your first order with code CALIJAE20

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HEADSPACE

Meditation has been a vital aspect in my self care routine and I try to do it everyday. We are all constantly on our phones, engulfed in other people’s lives, the news, and social media. I have come to find that the less time I spend on social media, the happier I am and the more positive my mindset is. Instead of scrolling through instagram, take some time to meditate. It’s a learning curve and takes a lot of patience but it really helps you to be more mindful, calm your mind, and help with anxiety. People are so afraid to be by themselves in silence and away from their phones, but that is where you find out so much about yourself and how you can work to achieve what you want in life. Headspace has been a current favorite of mine as they have an array of different meditations for different areas you’d like to focus on! Just 5 minutes a day could help you have a clearer mindset for your day ahead. As mentioned in a previous blog post here, my sweet friend Stella wrote about creating the best meditation space. Definitely a must read!

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JOURNALING + PRACTICING GRATITUDE

Since being in the planner world for a few years, bullet journaling and practicing gratitude has really been at the forefront lately. I have always had some form of a journal ever since I was little and found peace of mind by writing out my thoughts and ideas. Getting what’s in your head out on paper can be a huge stress reliever. Like I always say, if I don’t write it down it doesn’t happen because it will get lost amongst the millions of other thoughts and ideas in my mind. I put journaling and gratitude together because I keep a gratitude log in my journal/planner. No matter how crappy a situation may be there is always a silver lining no matter how small. Being grateful for the littlest things like breathing, walking, having a supportive family, etc. really makes a difference and your outlook on life can really change in a positive way.

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Leave me a comment below telling me how you practice self care!

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*This post is not sponsored. These are 100% my opinions and truly love these brands and items! Affiliate links are incorporated.