This scarf outfit guide doesn’t just cover fall outfits but also includes a few ways to wear a scarf in the summer and spring. Use this scarf guide as an inspiration to incorporate scarves into your outfits year round not just when the leaves start to turn color.

If you love scarves as much as I do, I know you’ll love this guide! Continue scrolling to read a ton of style tips and advice when it comes to wearing scarves!

WAYS TO WEAR A SCARF

1. Have your scarf be the center of the outfit

If you’re looking to wear a scarf in an attention-grabbing way don’t wrap it around your neck instead let is fall in front of you and add a skinny belt. This way to wear a scarf is best with a larger scarf. You want the scarf to end just above your knee and be large enough to make a statement. In this cute fall outfit, I went with a black and white look and added a gray and white plaid scarf to complete the look.

2. Wear an oversized knit scarf to soften up a look

Putting together a city chic outfit is always fun. To soften it up add a slightly oversized knit scarf. Pair your favorite black leather moto jacket with a scarf in the same color family to keep the cool vibe. In this fall outfit, I wore a gray knit scarf with a moto jacket, skinny jeans and leopard print heels. I also made sure I matched the color of the scarf with a clothing piece in my outfit, in this case, it was the long sleeve shirt under the moto jacket.

3. Wear a bright white scarf in a black and white outfit

In a time when everyone is wearing fall seasonal colors stand out by wearing black and white. In this fall outfit, I used the scarf as my starting point. I wanted to create a stylish outfit that made this scarf shine. I matched the white scarf with a white blazer. If you’re going to try this make sure the whites match. Don’t wear a jacket that is brighter than your scarf. To create a cohesive, look match your whites. I then added black leggings, a black tank top, and black heels.

4. Use a plaid scarf as the finishing touch in a stylish seasonal outfit

Have you ever put together an outfit and thought something is missing. Well, try adding a scarf! In this stylish fall outfit that I wore for a Thanksgiving family dinner paired dark wash jeans with riding boots, mustard sweater, and gray plaid scarf. I made sure the gray matched something else in the outfit so the gray cuffs on the sweater are the coordinating touch.

5. A jersey scarf can complete an outfit

If subtle is your signature look, go for a smaller scarf in a dark color that will blend into the entire outfit. You can wear a scarf with a blazer! I wore this outfit while sightseeing in Florence so I wanted to look dressy but still be comfortable. To add dimension to this outfit, I completed the outfit with a black jersey scarf.

6. Wear a scarf to keep you warm but look stylish as well

You can wear a scarf for its original purpose, to keep you warm. I wore this stylish winter outfit while in Venice and it was freezing there. I wrapped the scarf around my neck twice to keep me warm. This plaid scarf is the lighter item in the outfit. I wanted to add some dimension to this look so instead of wearing a black scarf I went for something light instead. Keep this in mind when putting together your outfit.

Click HERE to see 21 MORE creative ways!

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When I first started keeping a gratitude journal five years ago, I thought it was a crazy idea.

I had NOTHING to be grateful for … but I thought it was worth a try.

My gratitude journal began on January 1st as the first of many life changing techniques I discovered while beginning my Abundant Mama journey.

I was desperate to feel something other than bitter and sour. I was desperate to feel supported and connected even though I felt alone.

In the beginning, I truly struggled with what to write, and often felt that I was writing the same things day after day. I berated myself for never having enough to be grateful for in life.

I kept writing, hoping that what the author said would be true: It would pay off in the end. More would come back to me if I was more grateful.

And then in mid May of that same year — when my husband lost his job as a result of a merger — I could have easily given up completely. It would have been easy to close it up, toss it to the back of the night stand and never fill it out again.

I was that angry. It could have easily seemed as if there was no grace to find, no gratitude to offer.

I was angry at so many people at that time. We lost our security — as if the earth moved and the dirt crumbled beneath our feet, leaving us feeling unstable, uncertain. Never a good place to be. Never a good feeling. Never something I’d want anyone I love to deal with in their lifetime.

I could have given up that gratitude practice. At that point, to be honest, I wasn’t sure the gratitude concept was working. We were spinning with devastation and worry about our place in our town, our place in our friendship circle, our place in the world. Over the course of five months, we rewrote who our friends really were (they were the ones that checked in on us periodically, sent us job leads and asked how we were holding up). We rewrote what we wanted in life. We rewrote what it means to feel safe, secure and at peace in our hearts. We rewrote what living is about.

And, for me, I kept writing at least five things that I was thankful for in my life. Every day. Five more things. Then five more. Five and then five and then five.

Now, I lead hundreds of women around the world in not just starting a gratitude journal — but creating an Abundance practice that is so much more than just writing a few things in a journal each day.

Here’s what I learned from my first year with a gratitude practice:

1. When you experience such a loss, it might seem easier to just hate on everything. What came from the daily gratitude, however, was immense clarity. Life became about the ones who cared about us. I have released myself from those who I barely heard from, not even once.
2. While I did skip days here and there during that time, I kept writing each and every Grace into that little book with a little tree on the front that keeps me grounded. That keeps me still and centered. It’s almost like that little book has become a source of peace, a source of comfort.
3. What also happened during the past year is that I realized that I needed to reach out to others as I wished them to reach out to me. I loved Elissa Elliott’s post on this concept. In fact, I have now made it my mission to do simple acts of grace for others.
4. Now, nearly a year after it all began, some things have clearly started coming back to us.Gifts from strangers. Kindness in rare forms. A job. New friends. Perhaps we’re just more aware now of the little things that mean so much. Perhaps it’s a bit of karma. Perhaps giving is the one gift we all need in our lives.
5. And I can barely stop at 5 things now each night. I usually go beyond five. Maybe I’m just more aware. Maybe these gifts of gratitude were always here. Maybe they are new. Each one, though, is like a tiny snowflake — unique, different and precious.
6. That we do really have to listen to our own leaves rustling and be thankful for all that we do in a day.

And, perhaps more importantly, we have to listen carefully to the leaves of others rustling as well — and seek out the good all around us.

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There are many ways to green your wardrobe, and here are seven ways get you started. Your lust-worthy green wardrobe awaits!

There are a few affiliate links in this post for products that will help you live a sustainable life via your wardrobe.

1. BUY ORGANIC

You shop for organic food and read all the labels, which is great, but that non-organic t-shirt you buy is laden with pesticides that run-off to the same lakes and streams as the pesticides from our non-organic produce, damaging many ecosystems in the process.

So look to buy organic clothing. Online is the easiest place to start for now, but slowly bigger retail stores are producing lines made with organic cotton. Patagonia uses 100% organic cotton for many of its styles, and it was noted as the number 10 fastest-moving company in phasing in more sustainable synthetics in other categories.  H&M has an organic section in their stores – just ask the sales associate to point you to it. Alternative Apparel has organic cottons for their amazingly soft jerseys – I love their tees – and Aventura is a personal long time favorite for a wide array of organic and sustainable clothing choices. See a few of my favorite picks over the years.

2. BUY VINTAGE

Yes, that mysterious and beautiful yet sometimes dusty shop you walk past and never go in IS worth checking-out! You never know what you’re going to find. Along with recycling something that had a previous life, and saving it from the landfill, you have a great conversational piece to talk about.

3. BUY CLASSIC VS. TRENDY

Buying a well-made (although often more expensive) piece such as a trench coat is a much better choice than a jacket that you’ll get tired of after one season. Following the trends each season is fun -I’ve definitely fallen victim to it – but buying pieces that are well made and fit well, is always the more sustainable option. These are the pieces you will wear season after season and perhaps some day pass-down to someone you love.

Things to consider when buying pieces that will last:

– Always choose a classic silhouette in jackets and choose a basic color like black, navy, camel and brown. Leather jackets are always going to be in fashion and perhaps pick your favorite statement color (mine is red) for a little excitement.

– When you find a pair of jeans that make you feel as good as they look, buy them and stick with them! They will last for years to come, will fade perfectly and you get to rack-up tons of memories in them. My oldest pair of jeans is a vintage pair of Levis’ – care of my Dad.

– Stock-up on and relish in those amazing cashmere sweaters that will keep you warm for years to come. They can be belted, tucked into skirts, and worn over leggings with a great pair of boots. Have fun styling your favorite sweater!

– Color is so important and it’s all about knowing what works for you and knowing what you won’t get sick of. I’m always in black, and have a hard time leaving it, but it works for me and I feel great when I have it on. What colors are you drawn to?

– Consignment shops are no longer the thing you don’t share with your friends. Bring your friends along – you never know what amazing designer pieces you’ll find! If you have some cute designer pieces that you never wear, bring them in to sell and trade. Search your city for a consignment shop near you.

4. STOP DRYING YOUR CLOTHES

80% of the energy used in the life of your clothing is produced during the customer “use phase”. That’s a fancy way for Life-Cycle scientists to say that when you wash and dry your clothing it uses more energy than it takes to grow and manufacture the garment to begin with. So HOW you care for your clothing is really very important. If you can, wash everything in cold water (with biodegradable detergents of course, I love Seventh Generation!) and PLEASE consider against machine-drying your clothes. Instead hang them or lie them flat to dry to save energy… and money.

5. REUSE & RECYCLE

It seems like an innocent thing to take your unwanted clothing to the Salvation Army or Goodwill, but our second hand clothing represents a HUGE global commodity and a problem to overseas clothing and textile manufacturing industries that have been decimated by our overwhelming supply of used clothes. People in the developing world are losing their local cultural craft and artisan jobs, as our cheap second hand clothing floods their markets. Support your local designers and Fair Trade cooperatives when you see them.

Clothing swaps are a good alternative to exchange unwanted clothing and it’s no longer weird – it can be a lot of fun! Find an existing clothing swap in your area or start your own with your friends over wine and yummy organic food.

It wasn’t too long ago that we mended and repaired our clothing when a moth gnawed a hole in it or we found a tear. The act of mending and sewing is actually therapeutic, like many craft activities that are losing their power in our racing-speed digital media world. I often give my things to my dry cleaner for repair and they’re happy to provide this cheap and efficient service.

6. KNOW WHERE YOUR CLOTHES COME FROM

Do you know where your clothing was made? Have you looked at the little takes and thought about what country and laborers you are supporting? Your shopping choices determine whether you support a local designer in your community or country or an artisan in a developing country. At the very least, we should all care to look at clothing labels before we make a purchase, this way you can begin to think about supporting businesses that share your values. For example, if you value women’s labor rights, show your support by buying indigenous accessories from a women’s co-op. If you value a thriving local economy, support local designers in your community – you may even make a new friend!

7. BUY LESS, STYLE MORE

It almost pains me to say this, but it’s true, buying less can help us realize that 1) there are more important things than fashion and 2) you can do a lot with very little. Accessories like shoes, belts, bags and jewelry all can be used to spruce up your wardrobe. Going through my Mom and Aunt’s closet has always been fun, and with a little creativity you never know where you’ll find your next favorite dress!

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Yoga uses breathing techniques and poses to help encourage mental and physical well-being. Boasting several different health benefits, yoga is a fantastic choice when it comes to starting your journey to better health. It can be practiced almost anywhere and is great for people of all ages and experience levels.

If you are looking to attempt yoga for the first time, or take your beginner’s yoga to another level, there are several yoga apps for that.

Pocket Yoga

This handy little app allows you to carry your yoga routine in your pocket. With crisp and clear video instruction, this app helps you to learn new poses and perfect the ones you already know. You can also play your own music while doing the routines. Use pocket yoga to track your calories and practices, documenting your progress as you go. This app works well with your Apple products, allowing you to practice yoga no matter where you are.

Yoga Studio

Practice at your own pace with Yoga Studio. With over 80 different meditation and yoga programs to choose from, you will find something that works well for your skill level. You can also create your very own custom video class using your own music. With in-depth details of over 250 different yoga poses, you can stream these classes on Apple TV, iPhone or iPad.

5 Minute Yoga

Only have 5 minutes to squeeze in some yoga? This 5-minute yoga app helps you to get the ideal yoga work out in quickly. Perfect for beginners, this app gives detailed demonstrations and descriptions of each pose to make sure that you maintain proper form. This is a wonderful app for those beginners on the go.

Daily Yoga

The Daily Yoga app helps to make yoga part of your daily routine in a more concrete way. You will have access to more than 500 different classes. Practice mindfulness every day or spend time getting toned. No matter what you choose, you are sure to get the most out of your routine. This app also allows you to connect with others interested in yoga, allowing you to learn even more.

These yoga apps for beginners are the perfect choices when starting out on your yoga journey. Not only will these apps help you learn, but they allow you to customize your routine to what best suits your needs.  

Down Dog

With Down Dog, you get a brand new yoga practice every time you come to your mat. Unlike following pre-recorded videos, Down Dog won’t make you do the same workout over and over again. With over 30,000 configurations, Down Dog gives you the power to build a yoga practice you love. Beginner friendly!

Asana Rebel – HIT Yoga Workouts

Be the best version of yourself and begin your journey toward a healthy lifestyle by training your mind and body with Asana Rebel’s 5 different types of expertly designed workouts.  Choose the intensity you want, the length of your workout and the body part you want to tone. Looking for a full body workout or to target specific areas like your arms, core and lower body? Feel the burn with Asana Rebel today.

See our entire yoga collection with workouts, supplies and more!

One of our favorites:

Bedtime Yoga Routines for Beginners

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It is important that you find the best yoga equipment for beginners, ensuring that you are prepared to start your journey to relaxation, meditation, and strength.

Best Beginner Yoga Must-Haves

Links within this post will take you to online stores where you can purchase these products. We receive a small commission for suggesting these and it helps support our habit of creating great content for you. Enjoy this collection of best yoga equipment for beginners.

Yoga Mat

Choosing a good yoga mat is the first step you should take when getting your yoga journey started. A yoga mat should ideally be a healthy mixture of sturdy, sticky, durable and easy to transport. The Manduka PRO Yoga Mat is the perfect choice for beginners, especially when paired with a Manduka Journey ON Commuter Yoga Mat Strap to make it easy to carry.

Water Bottle

A high-quality water bottle is of the utmost importance when doing yoga. You will want to make sure that you stay hydrated, without worrying about it leaking into your yoga bag.  Choose a vacuum insulated stainless steel water bottle to ensure that you always have fresh water on hand.

Yoga Towel

One thing is guaranteed. No matter what type of yoga you are practicing, you will sweat. You are going to want to ensure that you have a Yoga Towel on hand at all times. This will help to keep you and your mat dry.

Yoga Pants

When looking for the right pair of yoga pants, there are a few things to note. You are going to want to make sure that they are stretchy and allow for a large range of motion. It’s an added bonus if the yoga pants are composed of a moisture-wicking fabric to draw sweat away from the body.

Yoga Pants are important to your workout as they are designed with comfort in mind. Some people like them to be form-fitting and others like something a little looser that flows with you and your movement. This collection will help you see the variety that is available and you can pick something that is right for you. Personally, I LOVE these from Beyond Yoga. They are so soft. Warning: You might be seen petting yourself because these are so silky, you just have to. Also, you will be seen wearing these in public because they will make you feel good and remember ladies, that is all that really matters. So wear them and be comfortable.

Yoga Top

A yoga top should be a staple in any beginner’s closet. Choose a comfortable, moisture-wicking fabric to draw sweat away from your body. It is also a good idea to seek out a yoga top with a built-in bra to ensure support. Nobody wants to feel unsupported in downward dog or while planking. Keep those girls cuddled up.

Yoga Bricks and Straps

Yoga Bricks help when you are in positions where you aren’t quite flexible just yet.

Your yoga strap helps you get a deeper stretch or extension in your poses. If you are practicing in a studio, they will most likely have these. However, if you are practicing at home this a a great tool to have at your finger tips.

Beginner Yoga Videos

There are several videos to watch before you start your yoga adventure. Watching these beginner yoga videos will help you to prepare yourself for what’s to come.

Starting a yoga journey doesn’t have to be scary just make sure you are ready with the best yoga equipment for beginners and it should be smooth sailing. Namaste.

See our entire collection of yoga videos and tips

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Participating in beginner yoga videos can help you develop an understanding of the basics of yoga. It can also get you prepared for classes and allow you to participate in yoga routines from the comfort of your own home.

Best Beginner Yoga Videos

Yoga For Complete Beginners – 20 Minute Home Yoga Workout

This video by Yoga With Adriene is a fantastic start for those wanting to begin their yoga journey. With easy to follow instructions combined with an easy 20 minute home yoga workout, this video is a great place to start your yogi adventure.

Flexibility and Range of Motion | Beginner Yoga With Tara Stiles

While this video with Tara Stiles is a little fast paced, it focuses on the important aspects of beginner yoga. Helping you to increase your flexibility and range of motion, this video is a great place to start when you want to take your beginner yoga just that little bit further.

Yoga For Beginners – The Basics – Yoga With Adriene

This yoga video is ideal for the yoga beginner but also wonderful for those seeking mindful, slow, back to basics yoga instruction. Yoga With Adriene gives you some excellent practice and allows you to get the most out of your yoga session by connecting you with your energies.

Beginner’s Yoga: 15-minute Relaxing Practice from Yoga Journal & Jason Crandell

This perfectly balanced yoga video will help you to work on your flexibility and physical strength all while unraveling stress and providing a comfortable and soothing introduction to yoga.

Yoga For Beginners – 40 Minute Home Yoga Workout

This beginner yoga video is perfect for those starting to build the foundation of their own yoga routines. With a heavy focus on flexibility and foundation, this 40 minute home workout will get you started. Including basic moves, you can do a great workout without having to leave the comfort of home.

These beginner yoga videos can be of great help to those just starting their yoga adventures. Not only that but they are great for those coming back to yoga after an extended break. If you are an experienced yogi, these videos are great if you are looking for a slower paced session. These videos are really fantastic for anyone, in any stage of their yoga journey.

SEE OUR ENTIRE YOGA COLLECTION or start here…

Bedtime Yoga Routines for Beginners

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It doesn’t have to be this way. A new wave of so-called “digital wellness” features designed to prevent screen overload is taking hold in some of the most popular tech tools. From operating systems including Apple’s iOS 12 and Google’s upcoming Android Pie update to social media like Snapchat and Instagram, you can see exactly how much time you’re spending online, set limits for yourself and your kids, and reduce distractions and interruptions from notifications.

You have the right to remain skeptical. The idea of tech companies trying to help us stay off their products — after using every trick in the book to keep us hooked — is pretty ironic. And there’s no proof that digital wellness features work — much less help mental health issues associated with technology use, such as anxiety, depression, and addiction. But if you’re concerned about your tech use, as well as about your kid’s, they’re certainly worth trying. Whether they help depends a lot on your family’s needs, your kids’ willingness to be on board, and the kinds of conversations you have around self-regulation. Take a look at some of the most popular platforms’ efforts to protect your digital well-being.

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iOS 12

Screen Time. You can enable Screen Time on your kid’s phone and password-protect the settings so they can’t change them. Or, you can also manage the settings remotely by setting up Family Sharing. We recommend using the features together with your kid. Work on using screens intentionally and mindfully, and help your kid learn to regulate their own use when you’re not around to do it for them. Key features:

• Usage report. A daily and weekly readout of the time you’re spending on your device. You can see exactly how much attention you and your kids pay to app categories such as social networking versus, say, reading and reference.
• Downtime. Turns the phone off during a specific period of time — for example, 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
• App Limits. Sets daily time limits for app categories such as games and entertainment as well as for individual apps.
• Always Allowed. Lets you choose which apps (for example, music apps) that never turn off — even during downtime.
• Content & Privacy Restrictions. Controls what your kids can see (such as mature content) and do (such as download and delete apps). Also puts limits on how much information third parties can access about your kid.

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Android Pie (available now on Pixel devices; rolling out to other users)

Digital Wellbeing. Unlike the Screen Time features in iOS 12, you can’t enable Digital Wellbeing settings on your kid’s phone and password-protect them. Instead, Digital Wellbeing is designed for individual users to customize their devices to their own needs. If you’re an Android family, you can discuss and try various features to make the phone work for you — instead of the other way around. (If you want to have more control over your kid’s Android phone, check out Google’s Family Link parental-control app, which allows remote monitoring.) Key features:

• Dashboard. Graphs the time you’ve spent in individual apps and lets you set daily time limits for apps that keep you hooked longer than you’d like (for example, 15 minutes tops on Snapchat).
• Do Not Disturb. Silences your device entirely or allows you to specify which alerts you want to see (or not).
• Notifications. Personalizes your alerts, so you can snooze them and schedule them at a convenient time.
• Wind Down. Automatically turns your phone grayscale and enables Do Not Disturb at a time you specify.

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YouTube

Account Settings. One of the most popular platforms for kids and adults, YouTube is easy to get lost in — or it used to be, anyway. Now you can see a full rundown of how much time you and your kids spend scrolling through videos, and if you think you’re overdoing it, you can enable settings to curb your use. You can’t password-protect the settings, though, so they’re mostly helpful for you if you let your kids use your phone or if you help your kid set them so they can regulate their own use. Key features:

• Time Watched. Available only on the app, these stats show how much time you’ve spent watching videos for the present day, the day before, and the past week. Within this feature, you can also set a reminder to take a break after a certain amount of time and disable autoplay so you won’t get sucked in to watching endless videos.
• Scheduled digest. Instead of random notifications about the latest video that distracts you at all hours, you can get all your alerts bundled together at one time.
• Disable sounds & vibrations. If you can’t see or hear your alerts, you’ll stay blissfully engaged in important stuff (such as talking with your kids) until you check your phone.
• Restricted Mode. Though it’s been around for a while, Restricted Mode can be a helpful additional setting to give you some peace of mind. It limits mature content from showing up in your kid’s feed (it’s not perfect, though).

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Instagram (available soon)

Digital Wellbeing. Running neck and neck with Snapchat as the most popular social media app among teens, Instagram is a key social lifeline. Its parent company (Facebook) has made an effort to help users manage their time and reduce exposure to cyberbullying by adding settings such as Comment Controls, which allow you to micromanage your friends’ replies, and All Caught Up, which lets you know you’ve seen every post since the last time you scrolled through your feed. Digital Wellbeing, which will roll out soon, will add even more functionality. You can check back for updates after the new version is released. Key features:

• Activity Dashboard. Displays a daily average of the time you’ve spent on the app for the week.
• Daily Reminder. Allows you to set a time limit and receive a notification when you’ve hit your limit.
• Mute Push Notifications. Silences push notifications (you can also turn them off entirely in the app’s settings or on your phone’s settings).

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Snapchat

Do Not Disturb. The pioneer of the disappearing message, Snapchat is now a full-fledged portal to friends, videos from around the world, current events, and much more. Needless to say, it can take up a lot of time. But you can cut down on the noise — a little bit. Key features:

• Do Not Disturb. Instead of disabling the phone or the app altogether, Snapchat lets you mute notifications from individual people. If you have a chronic oversharer on your friends list, you don’t have to block or remove them. Just “shush” them for a while and you won’t be alerted to their posts.
• Mute story. Muting a story pushes the friend down your contacts list, effectively making their posts the last in line.

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TikTok – Real Short Videos

Digital Wellbeing. TikTok serves up endlessly scrollable 15-second videos from people all over the world. Averaging 13 million video uploads per day, the app could certainly eat up a lot of your kid’s time. You can password-protect the Digital Wellbeing features on your kid’s phone so they can’t change them. Key features:

• Screen Time Management. Sets a two-hour daily viewing time limit. (The time limit isn’t customizable.)
• Restricted Mode. Filters out videos that may not be age-appropriate.

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Facebook (currently in development)

Your Time on Facebook. Though research shows teens prefer Snapchat and Instagram to Facebook, you’re probably on it more than you would like. The company is rumored to be creating some options to help you keep track of the time you spend on the platform, which in theory should help you cut down. You can check back for updates after the new version is released. Key features:

• Time on Facebook. Displays a daily average of the time you’ve spent on the app for the week.
• Manage Your Time. Allows you to set a time limit and receive a notification when you’ve hit your limit.
• Mute Push Notifications. Silences push notifications (you can also turn them off entirely in the app’s settings or on your phone’s settings) or choose which alerts you want to get.

 

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Syndicated with permission from Common Sense Media. Written by Caroline Knorr 10/25/2018.

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It isn’t uncommon for people to have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, especially with all the stresses of daily life. Bedtime yoga routines are developed to help you relax and center your mind and body, allowing you to prepare for a good night’s sleep.

Beginner Bedtime Yoga Routines

Yoga For Bedtime – 20 Minute Practice

This 20-minute practice video by Yoga with Adriene is a fantastic remedy for anyone dealing with anxiety, tension, and stress before bed. Simple and relaxing this bedtime yoga routine is perfect for those just starting out on their yoga adventures.

10-minute Bedtime Yoga IN BED | Relaxing Bedtime Yoga Routine

This 10-minute bedtime yoga routine is actually done in your bed. Providing a few gentle stretches and relaxation techniques, this video will have you drifting into dreamland in what feels like no time at all. Not only is this video great for beginners, but it’s also perfect for all experience levels.

7 Minute Bedtime Yoga – Yoga With Adriene

While this routine only takes 7 minutes to perform, it is extremely effective. Not only will it help you stretch, wind down and feel good but it will help you practice mindfulness. To prepare for a healthy night of rest, you will have to calm down your nervous system, and this bedtime yoga routine is perfect, especially for beginners.

Yoga for Beginners | Bedtime Yoga Practice (20 minutes)

This bedtime routine is perfect for yoga beginners. Using this slow and gentle approach combined with simple beginner yoga poses will help you to relax your mind and drift off to dreamland. This routine can also be completed from the comfort of your own bed.

Bedtime Yoga Sequence

This simple bedtime yoga sequence from Yoga with Adriene is a great way to calm yourself and prepare for a great rest. Perfect for yoga beginners, this routine will ease your mind, stretch your body and relax your soul.

There are many bedtime yoga routines for beginners, just make sure to find the ones that work best for you. In no time, you will be getting a peaceful sleep, preparing yourself for a positive day ahead.

CHECK OUT MORE OF THE YOGA ROUTINES WE HAVE GATHERED FOR YOU

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1.  Don’t move.

2.  Don’t scratch.

3.  Don’t invite your thoughts to tea.

Simple right? Not so much. Each rule, while simple in and of itself, encompasses an entire philosophy. Brilliant.

RULE #1 – DON’T MOVE

This one is fairly straightforward — sit in the meditation posture, breathe deeply and evenly and do not move. This means do not get up, fidget, change position, fix your hair, fix your outfit, adjust your bra, or anything similar. You are, however, able to sneeze, snort, cough, etc., as needed, and most of the monks at the Zen Center did just that at every meditation.

RULE #2 – DON’T SCRATCH

When I first heard this one, it sounded redundant with the first rule, but it is not. Don’t scratch means do not react. If you have an itch, (which you definitely will, especially as a beginner, when meditating for 20 minutes), notice it, but do not immediately scratch it. In other words, acknowledge the itch, but don’t react to it right away.

You might be surprised how often the itch dissipates on its own. This also applies to pain in your legs, hands, feet, hair in your face, and other physical discomforts. Once you have noticed it and given it a chance to subside on its own, if the pain/ discomfort/ annoyance becomes too much to bear, you may move efficiently into a new position, but then return to the meditation.

The hope is that over time, you can translate this behavior to the small annoyances of daily life. Someone cuts you off in traffic, notice it, but don’t react immediately by getting angry and unleashing a volley of curses. Your boss sends you a scathing email, acknowledge it, but don’t write something back in the heat of the moment. This doesn’t mean you cannot thoughtfully respond once you have had time to think it through.

RULE #3 – DON’T INVITE YOUR THOUGHTS TO TEA

This rule means don’t allow your thoughts to take over your mind during meditation. Instead, try to clear your mind and focus on simply breathing and sitting and being. This is a tough one, especially when you are new. I still spend much of my meditation time drifting into thought, but once I realize it, I acknowledge it and remind myself to refocus on my breathing.

Some days are better than others, but what I have come to realize is that this is part of the process. The act of noticing and bringing yourself back to focus is the point. It is the meditation. When you notice thoughts invading your mind during meditation, it doesn’t mean you are doing it “wrong,” it just means you are doing it.

The hope, again, is that you can begin to do this in your daily life. The more you can stay focused on your current activity rather than being distracted by every crazy thought that goes through your mind, the more enjoyment you will take from everyday life.

If you are at lunch with a friend, stay focused on him or her at that moment, rather than worrying about the emails you haven’t yet read or the meeting you have later in the day. When in Bikram Yoga class, stay focused on the dialogue and your body rather than pondering your to-do list for the rest of the day.

Now that you know the rules, will you give meditation a try? I have been meditating 20 minutes each day since I returned from the retreat, and I love it. I feel calmer, less reactive and more peaceful. I hope I can keep it up.

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If you’ve never done yoga before, or you’ve fallen off the bandwagon lately, the good news is you don’t need to spend an hour in a studio to feel some of the benefits of yoga. Here’s a 5-minute yoga routine to help you feel grounded and in-tune with your body when time is limited. Each pose is designed to be held for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Quick Yoga Practice for Beginners

Start with Child’s Pose

Start with child’s pose by coming to all fours on your mat, moving your knees slightly wider towards the edges of your mat and lowering yourself back onto your heels. Keep your arms reached out in front and focus your breathing into your lower back and hips. Hold this pose for 30 seconds or around 10 slow rounds of breathing in and out.

Cat Cow Pose

After child’s pose, move into cat cow pose to loosen up your back. Come to your hands and knees and keep your spine in a neutral position. On an inhale, look up and arch your back so your stomach points down to the mat. On an exhale, curve your spine starting at the base and up to your chest so your spine curves up towards the ceiling. Make sure you connect your breath to each movement in this pose. Repeat this movement for 10 breaths.

See an example: https://gfycat.com/ifr/SnivelingVerifiableGharial

Downward-Facing Dog

Come back to your hands and knees and make sure your spine is in a neutral position. Next, start to move your chest back towards your thighs as your knees and hips lift. The aim with downward-facing dog is to create an upside-down “V”. Remember to keep your lower back straight. If you can feel your lower spine beginning to curve, bend your knees slightly to keep your spine long and straight. Hold this post for 10 long breaths.

Cobra

Once you’ve held downward-facing dog for 10 long breaths, move through a plank position to lie on your stomach with your legs straight and hands either side of your chest. Make sure your legs are hip width apart as you lay on your stomach. Next, gently push up on your hands, moving your chest off the floor. Keep your neck long and look straight ahead. Hold this pose for 5 breaths before lowering your chest back to your mat. Repeat for three rounds of breathing.

Warrior 1

Stand up straight on your mat. Gently step your right foot back and position it at a 45-degree angle while keeping your front foot straight forward. Slowly bend into your front knee as you raise your arms above your head. Make sure you keep your shoulders relaxed and your front knee above your ankle. Hold this pose for 5 breaths before changing to your other leg.

If you have time at the end of this short sequence, come back into child’s pose for 10 deep breaths to finish your practice. The best part about this short yoga sequence is that it’s great for when you’re short on time and helps different parts of your body to strengthen and relax.

Helpful resources:

2016 Yoga in America study conducted by yoga journal and yoga alliance. (2016).  
yogajournal.com/page/yogainamericastudy

Crandell J. (2013). How to build a home practice. 
yogajournal.com/practice/if-you-build-it

Ipsos Public Affairs. (2016). 2016 Yoga in America study. 
yogaalliance.org/Portals/0/2016%20Yoga%20in%20America%20Study%20RESULTS.pdf

The benefits of yoga. (n.d.). 
osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-your-health/health-conditions-library/general-health/Pages/yoga.aspx

Yoga: In depth. (2017). 
nccih.nih.gov/health/yoga/introduction.htm

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The other day I had an epiphany. I may not have girls but I have nieces! Well, I have three beautiful real nieces and then there are my cousin’s daughters who are pretty much my nieces too. I can do cute girl hairstyles on them!

Meet Brooklynn. She’s going into 6th grade and loves beauty and fashion. I don’t know why I had never thought of this before, but meet my new assistant!

Well, not really an assistant, we just had a fun day doing hairstyles, making braids, playing with makeup and taking pictures. Since I had her with me and she’s starting school soon, I thought it would be fun to share Natalia’s 10 cute girl hairstyles for back to school! Check them out, they are REALLY adorable.

UPDATED: We were just visiting this post again and found a few more cute hairstyles for girls as well in YouTube land…

Twist Wrap Ponytail

Feather Waterfall and Braid Combo

Banded Twist Braid

A Playlist of 5-10 minute cute hairstyles for girls

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Thank you for supporting BonBon Break by using our links to purchase these Spring Perfect products via Rebecca’s Makeup Tips.

The Balm NudeTude Eye Shadow Palette This palette has actually been around for awhile. But if you aren’t familiar with it, you need to be soon! It’s nude, neutral and fun. 12 colors of both matte and pearl shadows that go on smoothly and feel like butter. I’m a collector of palettes. It’s kind of ridiculous actually. But when I find one with so many wearable colors and that I like the formula of, I have to get it.

MAC Mineralized Charged Water MAC is getting ‘mineralized’ more and more this season. New formulas of blush, eyeshadow and foundation that all promise the benefits of minerals are filling their shelves. One item that got my attention is this setting spray that has actual diamond powder in it. It’s great for setting your makeup or refreshing your complexion mid-day. Once the weather gets warmer and I’m outside more, I find I like a pick me up spray mid afternoon. It revitalizes the complexion.

My Konjac Sponge Have you heard of the latest facial cleansing tool? It’s not one of those fancy, expensive sonic or spinny things. It’s a simple plant based sponge called Konjac- (pronounced KOHN yak) that comes from a Japanese plant that’s been around for centuries in food preparation. Most familiar is a yam cake recipe or used in gelatin. The sponges are biodegradable, natural and gentle. They exfoliate beautifully, remove makeup and are reusable up to 3 months. I use mine with a little bit of cleanser. They are hard when dry but become squishy when moistened. Make sure the one you buy comes from the Konjac plant and is biodegradable, vegan, and all natural.

GLAMGLOW Hydrating Mask– There’s a good reason this mask is so popular. The GlamGlow line has been known for its ultra detox formulas that can rid black heads in a few uses. The newest of the series is this hydrating formula. Packed with Hyaluronic Acid and Citric Acid, it hydrates like an oasis. It’s full of other ingredients that provide instant complexion glammification. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Benefit Gimme Brow– I have been devoted to my brows for a good 20 years. Once I learned how they frame the face and complete your whole eye look, I never leave the house without my brows ‘on’. When I first tried this, I was skeptical. How can a brush-on brow product give my arches definition and not look fuzzy, sticky, or sparse? Ha! You won’t believe how this works! Little fibers grip on to your brow hairs and subtly fill in to make you look amazing. It’s fast, easy, doesn’t fade or flake. I am really light handed with my application and I can’t believe how well it works. If you want something easy and quick, or you need more brow power- this is for you.

Let me know if you have a favorite product or color you’re excited to try this spring. I always love new things to try.

Also if you want to see any of my makeup tutorials or product favorites from the past, check out my YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/user/frugalistablog

ABOUT REBECCA: Rebecca Gallagher is a SAHM to a teenager and a tweenager. A recovering aspiring actress, she laughs at herself on a daily basis. As Editor of The Bedroom, Rebecca delights our readers, just as she delights her own readers at Frugalista Blog. Rebecca has contributed to two Amazon bestsellers as well as being featured on Scary Mommy, In the Powder Room and was a one-time parent blog of the week on Huff Post. When she’s not writing, she enjoys donuts too often, and exercise too infrequently. She has an addiction to makeup and beauty products and an obsession with Daniel Craig.

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