Recently, I joined the social media platform TikTok— I know, I know. Aren’t I a little bit old for that? Well, considering the great over-25 and over-30 content I’ve found there, I’d say maybe not!

What does TikTok have to do with morning affirmations, you ask? Well, it seems there are a surprising amount of wholesome, uplifting affirmation, meditation and wellbeing-related videos on the platform, and I was inspired to share a few I found there (and a few I’ve found elsewhere/use otherwise.) So, if you’re a gal-on-the-go (or anyone on the go), these quick and easy affirmations are for you.

Affirmations to start your day on a high-note

One affirmation I’ve been hearing on TikTok comes from a song by Yung Baby tate called “I Am.” Essentially, it goes like this:

This one blew my mind, okay? It’s so simple and rhythmic, and it reminds me that yes, I am healthy, striving to be wealthy, rich, and that bitch. Pardon the bit of French in this one, but if you’re looking for an extra-powerful affirmation that packs a punch and reminds you who you are, this one is good stuff.

Another (not-from-Tik-Tok) affirmation I’ve said for a while is:

“Amazing people are drawn to my radiance and brilliance.”

That one definitely reminds you who you are, and who you deserve to attract/who you should (and really, shouldn’t) be entertaining in your life. You attract amazing people, situations, and emotional connections because you are a radiant, brilliant being. This simple, sentence-long affirmation is easy to remember and thus, easy to remind yourself on the daily (even when you’re on the go!)

Affirmations to end your day on a high-note

I believe ending your day on a high-note is just as important as starting your day on a high-note, and these are some easy, before-bed affirmations that can be powerful right before you doze off:

“I rejoice in what I’ve learned today.”

“Tomorrow is a new day FULL of possibilities!”

These affirmations can be quickly remembered before you close your eyes and lay down to sleep, and often help me reflect on what I’ve learned in a day (and how the next day can be anything I make it, after all!)

So, what are some of your favorite or most useful quick, powerful affirmations? Let’s discuss!

Xoxo, MM.

I’ll admit it— I own very few pieces of name-brand and designer clothing. I wasn’t raised to be particularly materialistic, and I’d rather spend any money I am able to save on travel and experiences, anyways, but occasionally I do enjoy dressing up (and if I can do it on the cheap, that’s even better!)

Recently I got some compliments on a couple of my outfits on Instagram, and I wanted to share some of my thoughts on dressing-up on the cheap with you all (and see if you all have any tips to share, as well!) Let’s dive right in—

Gucci belts— get the look without breaking the bank

A Gucci leather belt is something I’d particularly like to own someday (so far, I only own a Gucci bodysuit, and I cannot wait to wear it on a special occasion like Valentine’s Day or my birthday!), but they range in the hundreds-to-thousands of dollars. My solution? Ditch the interlocking-G logo for now and go with a simple, H&M brand knock-off to obtain the same look! I recently wore my own faux-leather H&M belt to copy the look, here:

Of course it’s not Gucci, but the effect on the outfit as a whole is the same. What’s more, if you actually want to splurge on an authentic, leather Gucci belt, I’ve seen them for just a hundred-or-so dollars (as opposed to five or six) on The Real Real (which I highly recommend browsing for sustainable fashion finds!) All in all? I probably spent $25 on this outfit, as the jeans were thrifted from a friend, the bodysuit was also from H&M ($15), the coat was thrifted from my mom (it was hers in the nineties!) and the belt was hella cheap. Bless up!

Bell-sleeve witchy-vibes (when you don’t have Stevie Nicks money to blow)

This one was another sweet thrifting-meets-knock-off-fashion find, and generated a lot of buzz on my socials. Every autumn I start feeling the Stevie Nicks vibes (don’t we all?) and when I saw this bell sleeve dress on sale at Urban Outfitters I nearly DIED. This is why you should always browse the clearance rack in the summer for your autumn/winter finds, y’all—

I got this dress for around $15. For Urban Outfitters, that’s a great deal. A dress that was like $75 – $80 while it was in-season was snagged for less than the price of a dinner out with just a little digging in the clearance section. What’s more? The stockings are around ~8 years old, because I never really throw anything away lol, and they were also a cheap find from Aeropostale at the time! The necklace was also Urban Outfitters (clearance jewelry, hell yeah!), and all in all this outfit probably also cost $25 total (but I didn’t buy everything all at once, so really it felt like even less!)

Designer bags without the hefty price tag? Yes, please!

One more tip I give to everyone who asks me “where (I) got that outfit from” is this— THRIFT, shop wholesale, and shop OUTLETS. My first Coach purse (a huge canvas-type bag which I can’t find a picture of, boo) was purchased for $50 at the Coach Outlet (as opposed to $200), and lasted for years. In fact, I still have it— but buying from the outlet store (instead of full-price at a regular Coach retailer) saved me mega bucks.

I also love wholesale/overstock stores like TJ Maxx, Michael’s, Burlington Coat Factory, etc., and have found hella cheap bags, accessories, and sometimes even clothes there, too! Recently I saw a Kate Spade purse (blush pink and black leather exterior, over-the-shoulder clutch look) which retails for $280 on sale for just $60 at TJ Maxx! I may or may not go back for that one soon, if it’s still available, since it’s literally less than a quarter of the price of the regular retail item.

So, what funds-saving fashion tips do you abide by? I’m a certified shop-a-holic but always on a budget, so I’d love to hear more about where you all like to shop on the cheap (while not compromising on cuteness, of course!) Let’s discuss—

Xoxo, MM.

Boy, oh boy— I am now realizing I’ve never written about (what has now become) mine and my husband’s infamous goat farm and Amsterdam adventure in 2018, and that just won’t do. I have told so many verbal stories about this awesome part of our 2018 two-week long European excursion, but I’ve never written about it here, and that I intend to change. If you’ve ever wondered if you should visit The Netherlands (and yes, you should) and how to do it, you’ve come to the right place.

Staying on a goat farm AirBNB in The Netherlands

First of all, we have to address what became the coolest part of mine and Andrew’s adventure— staying on a goat farm just outside of the city of Amsterdam that we’d found listed on AirBNB. Off to the west of the city, this goat farm was sort of a micro-oasis in its own right, with the owner (Johannes!) being the coolest person on earth, and his many gardens and goats only adding to the charm.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” you’re thinking, “A goat farm?!” Yes. Johannes’ AirBNB listed a guest house on his goat farm (which was remarkably close to Amsterdam— just a short bike ride away) and for less than $75 a night we were instantly intrigued. We read a few reviews and booked two nights (without much thought, admittedly), and we did not regret it.

Upon touching down in Amsterdam (we flew from Dublin to Amsterdam on the cheap thanks to RyanAir, then from Amsterdam to Paris on that trip— more on that later—) Andrew and I were exhausted and ready to rest in our tiny oasis outside of the city-center. We took an Uber to the spot (which was hard to find at first— the place is pretty well hidden in a small suburban neighborhood, which wasn’t a bad thing actually!) and upon arrival realized it was even better than we’d expected.

Andrew and I heard (and saw) the adorable baby goats in their pin as soon as we pulled up, as well as beautiful gardens full of growing food and flower beds, lovely patio settings around the property with fire-pits galore, and bicycles (which Johannes leant to us without hesitation) abundantly placed around outside the many buildings and sheds on-site. We were truly in a tiny, suburban-oasis just minutes outside of Amsterdam (one of the coolest cities in the world, mind you), and we were blown away!

How did we book it? It goes back to some of my earlier posts on travel— use AirBNB or VRBO, always. We’ve found so many great deals (seriously, this place was amazing and less than $75 a night)on AirBNB particularly, and meeting the owners of these amazing stays tends to always be a hoot, too (especially when you also meet their goat-friends and other animal pals!)

Hanging out in Amsterdam (and how we saw it all— mostly— in two days time)

When Andrew and I weren’t on the goat farm (which we were in the mornings and by most evenings over the weekend), we were off exploring the nearby city of Amsterdam. Amsterdam, first and foremost, is among the most beautiful, clean and well-preserved historic cities I’ve ever visited. Not to mention the whole city feels absolutely electric— so full of life around every corner, in every café, and in the gorgeous canals.

While in Amsterdam, we held true to our “do it on the cheap” ways, and ate a lovely picnic in a public park for lunch (takeaway grocery deli food is way cheaper than eating out— just saying!) and found a boat tour happening on the cheap via a brand-new tour company in Prinsengracht (one of the major canals in the city.) Opting to do the cheaper things earlier on, we actually had enough money on our last afternoon in the city to do one of the larger, more established boat tours at the end of the day (which was more expensive and less intimate, but just as fun as the smaller boat tour we’d done earlier for half the price.)

Other than that? We did what we always do— walked around and took in the beautiful sights! Amsterdam isn’t all the “Red Light District” (which was something to see but not a place I’d like to hang out in regularly— way too full of drunk tourists! :P), and much of the city and its historic row-homes and boathouses have been preserved by owners and city government with great care. In Amsterdam it’s a simple thing to just walk around and find beautiful buildings, artwork, and landscaping everywhere you go— and this is completely free of charge, and just as enchanting as anything else we did on our trip there.

By using our handy-dandy friends “iPhone” and “Google” (thanks, cafés that offer free WiFi!) we were able to plot walking courses through the city both of our two days there and see so many public art pieces and historic buildings, once again, free of charge. We spent very little money in the city and only spent money when we had to (or felt like splurging), which was great.

So, once more I tell you— travel doesn’t have to be expensive. It doesn’t have to be full of fancy meals (unless you feel like treating yourself to that sort of thing!) or five-star hotels; we had just as much fun with picnics and the goat farm, and at a fraction of the price. Looking for an amazing spot to visit in Europe that isn’t Paris or Rome? Then Amsterdam and the surrounding country it is. Seriously— the people are great (Johannes, you ruled!), the culture is rich, the landscape is beautiful and you won’t be disappointed!

One request I get often is to write more about mine and Andrew’s international travels. Many friends (and even family members) have asked “how” we do it; “how” do you afford it? “How” do you figure it out? And the like. Well, luckily, it’s not as difficult as it may seem to travel overseas, and in 2016 Andrew and I even took on Iceland (one of our favorite countries) on a college-kid budget.

Traveling on a college-kid budget: how to afford it

The first (and most common) question I receive is: “HOW on earth did you afford it?” Well, luckily, budget airlines are abundant in the modern-era and that drives the largest cost (airfare) down quite considerably. Long story short, skiplagged.com is incredibly cool and shows you multiple flights at once in real-time as prices fluctuate, so you can compare, choose what works best for you, etc. That said, in 2016 our Iceland trip happened thanks to IcelandAir and Skiplagged (where we found round-trip IcelandAir tickets for literally $450 a person!)

Affording the $450, then, was just a matter of scrimping and saving. Andrew and I both worked multiple jobs in college (and, I have to say, we were privileged enough to be covered by scholarships and student loans in terms of living-situations), so saving $450 was a matter of committing to it, and doing basically nothing else until we made Iceland happen. A typical “date night” for Andrew and I was streaming TV on the couch and eating snacks— not going out to restaurants or bars. We rarely went out to eat, and only started doing so after we got our “big-kid” jobs post-college. In college, we saved money by doing nothing, pretty much (lol!) We would content ourselves just taking walks outside and watching TV, because we knew that if we could do even one big trip a year it was worth the scrimping and saving. And, as you can see, it was so worth it.

Traveling overseas: passports, getting around, etc.

The question I get asked second most often is, “how do I get a passport?” Well, that’s one of the easiest parts! Essentially, your country courthouse handles most of the work after you simply provide the correct documentation. You can follow the instructions here, and it’s pretty straight-forward.

*Note: you cannot book an overseas flight, typically, until you have a valid passport (passport # is usually required upon flight booking.)

The question I get asked third most often? “How do you stay there on the cheap?” Well, that’s almost as simple as booking flights via Skiplagged, and usually the cheapest part of most of our trips! We generally just use AirBNB or VRBO to book our stays, and in Iceland we stayed hella-cheap in a studio-apartment AirBNB in the center of Reykjavik (the capital city and where we branched out from each day as we ventured out.)

I’m talking less than $50 a night, $200 total for our four-night stay. What’s more? We didn’t spend much money eating out. We bought (cheap) groceries, like we would at home, and cooked for ourselves in the AirBNB! We try to make sure our AirBNB or hostel always has at least a kitchenette, that way we can save $$$ on food by simply buying regularly priced groceries and whipping up some budget food in the room. This part especially saves money— you wouldn’t even believe it. Not having to pay to eat out 2-3 times a day makes a WORLD of difference in the travel-budget department.

Last but not least: what do you do when you’re in a foreign country (like Iceland) and how do you get around? Well, luckily, this is also relatively simple and can be done hella cheap. Fortunately for anyone with a valid US Driver’s license, you can usually rent a car and drive legally in other countries. Andrew and I have never had any trouble renting and driving a car with a US driver’s license in a foreign country (when we weren’t relying on public transit, which you can do in larger cities like London, Paris, etc.) and Iceland was no different.

Once we had rented a car, anywhere we couldn’t feasibly walk to became accessible, and walking-to and driving-to most free, outdoor destinations became our trip itinerary! From driving around the Highway One in Iceland (doing part of the “Golden Circle” drive and just taking in the sights: waterfalls, mountains, and geysers, oh my!) to driving out to the edge of Reykjavik to see the Northern Lights and beyond, we spent most of our trip taking in free, natural sights and just enjoying the landscape. We browsed some shops and cafes in the city-center, sure, but that wasn’t the main focus of our budget-conscious trip, and we learned so much about the landscape and Icelandic lifestyle just by driving around and taking in the sights.

So, where are you trying to go? We’ve been all over— from Iceland down to Morocco, from Paris and London to Barcelona and beyond. Let me know where you’d like to go, and I’ll tell you any tips, tricks, etc. we’ve used in the past that might be helpful. Bon voyage!

Xoxo, MM.

I’m a firm believer in goal-setting. While “resolutions” tend to make us think of life-altering or “major” changes we need to make to be a “better” person, goals are concrete ideas or aspirations that we can use practical tasks to actually achieve, as we are. 

For example, I’m setting goals for 2021 such as “get the COVID-19 vaccine” (as a health goal), because that’s a concrete step I can take to make my life better in the new year. In past years, we’ve had the goal to visit different countries, move to new places, etc., and all of these can actually *happen* if you take concrete steps (do “tasks” to work toward the goal) and did happen in past years. 

That said, here are my goals for 2021!

So, what are your goals this year? Do tried and true “resolutions” work for any of you? Let’s discuss!

Xoxo, MM.

Hello, friends! The holidays have come and gone and I want to talk about my recent experience with Restylane® Silk lip fillers. Yes, lip fillers— it’s something I’ve wanted for a long time (I had pouty lips but my top lip was always much thinner than the bottom) and since my step-sister works in dermatology and has a lot of experience I decided to go for it! If anyone has been wondering what lip fillers are all about (and if they’re worth the money, etc) this post is for you. Let’s dive in.

Getting lip fillers— the treatment itself

To begin, I’ll cover the basics:

• Where did you get your treatment done?

  My treatment was performed by Tonia Daniels RN, MSN, FNP-BC at Southern Wellness and Skin Center in Beckley, WV. They are highly professional and I would only go to them for anything, honestly.

• Did it hurt?

  It didn’t hurt actually! Tonia and team used a topical numbing cream ~40 minutes before the procedure and, even though having needles stuck in your lips isn’t super comfortable either way (lol), it didn’t hurt at all. It was more “wow, my mouth is numb, this is odd” sensations than anything, which was fine!

• Any immediate side-effects?

  Immediate side effects are, well, a numb mouth! Before the swelling after effect begins your mouth will feel numb and just a bit tender once feeling starts to return (in my experience.)

And now, let’s cover the rest:

• What were the longer-term side effects?

  About ~12 hours after treatment the swelling began, and 24-36 hours after were the worst, I think. The swelling and pain were most intense then, and I essentially just looked like someone had punched me in the mouth and given me a fat lip (lol!) for a couple days.

• When did they begin to look “normal” after swelling went down, etc?

  After the ~36 hour mark (with lots of icing them!) they could pass for normal with a bit of makeup to cover the bruising. After 48 hours they were about the same, and once we hit the 72 hour mark they started to look GREAT (as in: how I’d hoped they’d look) and had a natural, pouty look that wasn’t anything much exaggerated from how they were before; just a bit “enhanced,” so to speak.

• What do they look like now?

Well, just take a look for yourself! 😉 (I’m very happy with the “pouty” look I now have, which was a bit thinner before— see older posts for a good example, lol!)

• Would you do it again?

  YES! Once this treatment fades (they only last 6 – 9 months, depending on how fast your body metabolizes them) I would consider getting them again.

Long story short, this was my individual experience with Restylane and I am, personally, really happy with my results. Please do not do something like this without consulting a medical professional, of course, which I am not (lol), and most of all— love yourself with or without any cosmetics. These were just the “cherry-on-top” for me, and I’m glad I did them, but life is all about loving yourself no matter what and doing what makes you feel good about yourself. So, here’s to self-love, having fun with cosmetics if you’re into that sort of thing, and not shaming anyone for any reason either way.

Xoxo, MM.

No matter what winter holiday you celebrate, it’s likely time to get festive for you and yours. Even though 2020 has been a dumpster fire of a year, it’s still possible to find ways to keep the holidays safe, special and fun for everyone in your household.

Outdoor activities this holiday season

My family and I are all about Christmas lights, and we drive all over just to see some of the biggest and best light displays in the Southern WV (or Philly, in most other years) area year after year. This year we took in the super-close-by Lacy’s Lights in Fayette County Park, and they did not disappoint.

Driving around and looking at Christmas lights with Christmas music blaring definitely put us in the holiday spirit, and we never even had to leave our vehicles! Now that’s some safe and festive fun for you.

Stay-at-home holiday activities perfect for 2020

Thankfully, a lot of holiday traditions (likely due to winter timing) tend to take place in the home, like my personal favorite— baking! For some reason, nothing says “Christmas-time” to me as much as making gingerbread houses and baking (then decorating… then eating) sugar cookies, so this is a tradition my family never skips out on.

This year we’ve been staying cozy at home mostly, watching some holiday movies and baking goodies and treats like crazy. Even those pre-cut Pillsbury dough sugar cookies are so yummy (and festive!), so if baking isn’t your thing it’s easy to find something quick and easy to make and nosh on with the family this holiday season.

So, how are you keeping the holidays festive and fun this year? Even in 2020, it is possible. With a little creativity (and not even that much imagination), 2020’s holiday season can be just as special as ever.

Xoxo, MM.

It’s Monday, and that means it’s back to the ole’ grindstone. That said, I did have a lovely week at The Greenbrier Resort and (once again) Dobra Zupas with friends and fam. It’s nice to find fun, festive and safe activities to do this holiday season (outside of the home, at that) and I’m going to share a bit with you all about how I’ve been spending the last week or so in wild, wonderful WV!

Christmas season at The Greenbrier Resort

Okay, I’ll admit it— I’m a proud WV gal, but I’d never actually been to The Greenbrier until this year. Crazy, I know; but I’m glad I finally decided to go with my family (after seeing some other friends and family go and post beautiful photos of their stays there!)

Upon arrival our temperatures were all taken before we could even enter resort grounds, as well as masks having to be on the entire time we were indoors or around others in general (even in the courtyard rotunda, etc.) We felt super safe with all those precautions in place, as well as the fact that The Greenbrier is an absolutely massive building, so even at Christmastime one can spread out well beyond six feet apart from others not in their group.

From seeing Santa Claus with my niece and nephew to gazing at the forty Christmas trees inside and on the property, The Greenbrier definitely exceeded all my expectations and we had a lovely morning stroll, lunch at Draper’s, and evening tea there before the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 PM.

Brunch at Dobra Zupas in Beckley, WV

As if their dinner wasn’t splendid enough, Dobra Zupas (probably my favorite dining spot in Beckley, WV) has a brunch menu that’s out-of-this-world good (including bottomless mimosas, which we all know doesn’t hurt!)

From the bottomless mimosa and Bloody Mary options coming in at just $13 a pop (a total steal IMO) to the delicious crab fondue starter and multiple breakfast platter or fancy pancake options, Zupas brunch is seriously good. If you’re bored on a Sunday morning in Beckley (and want to eat something yummy,) this is definitely the spot to go!

So, what do you like to do on a WV weekend in 2020? What fun, safe activities have you found for friends and family? Let’s discuss!

Xoxo, MM.

Things are going to get a lot harder on the Internet, and soon. With the COVID vaccine coming soon (which I’m extremely thankful for, because science is awesome!), the holidays happening, and the country remaining largely divided, this is a stressful time to peruse social media. But, guess what? You don’t have to. Like I’ve said before (in this post), you don’t owe anyone your time, your attention or your peace. All of that belongs to you, and though I don’t advocate for baseless selfishness, I do advocate for self-care, and self-care is not selfish. Protecting your peace is not selfish. And here’s why…

You have the right to be happy, and no one has the right to take that from you

Especially on the Internet. Let’s face it, the Internet and social media are not natural parts of the human experience. We aren’t supposed to live our lives knowing what’s going on in the mind of others 24/7. This has also, of course, given way to cults of personality growing into full-blown conspiracy theorist driven cults, which can be seriously mentally draining to bare witness to (especially when you don’t fall for it, lol!) But, I’ll say it again— you don’t have to subject yourself to any of it.

You have the right to stop scrolling. To stop posting. To not engage on social media at all, if you don’t want to and if you find it’s negatively affecting your mental health. You have every right to turn it all off, and focus on protecting your peace in the real world, in tangible ways that make a real difference in your mental health and wellbeing.

I don’t have much more to say, but just know that in this season of my life I won’t be “scrolling” much on social media, anymore. Posting updates here and on other channels about what I’m doing? Sure— I like sharing with you all, and it makes me happy to share. Engaging with all the drama online at the moment? Nope— because I don’t owe anyone a thing and neither do you.

Protect your peace, especially during this crazy time, and take care of yourselves.

Xoxo, MM.

Recently, my husband and I have looked around our hometown (and surrounding areas) for travel-inspo, especially since COVID-19 has rendered travel virtually impossible for the large part of this year. Instead of jetting off to actual France this year like we’ve done in the past, we dove into some fine French cuisine in Lewisburg, WV and, let me just say, it was fantastic. Read on for more info on spending a nice evening in Lewisburg, WV and dining at The French Goat (my new favorite WV eatery!)

An evening in Lewisburg, WV: The French Goat and more!

Typically, an evening in Lewisburg, West Virginia would result in a trip to Hill & Holler Pizza or Food & Friends (which are both delish local flavors!), but seeking something different and a little “taste of France” in a virtually travel-less year (like I said), we turned our attention instead to the upscale bistro The French Goat.

Once (very safely, with masks on and all employees in masks, gloves, etc.) seated inside, my husband and I instantly fell in love with the “French-chateau-turned-bistro” style of the place, complete with sumptuous chateau-style decor, a lovely fireplace, and beautiful wainscoting that only a more classical building can provide. It felt like a little slice of France in my home state, and it was a welcome reminder of my favorite overseas vacation spot, for sure!

From a fine selection of wines and small-plates we chose a delicious Malbec to sip on while we munched on a selection of whipped goat cheese and various crostini, which made me (pretty clearly) excited for the entrees that were yet to come. Once they did arrive, they didn’t last long, as both my husband and I devoured every last bite of our salmon filet and Ahi tuna niçoise salad, respectively.

That left only dessert (a course we usually skip, since we tend to stuff ourselves on main courses, lol!) to be had, and have it we did. We chose a gateau de chocolat treat, which was essentially a delicate chocolate cake infused with raspberries, coated with fresh strawberries and cream to top it all off. We were in dessert heaven, to say the least.

Since The Greenbrier Valley Theatre is currently unable to put on productions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (and we’ve visited our other local favorite eateries quite a few times already), The French Goat was an awesome way for my husband and I to switch it up on date night an enjoy something a little out of the ordinary— and, in fact, I’d call it extraordinary. I’d definitely recommend checking it out when and if you’re able. This place is the real deal, and we’ll definitely be back!

That said, what do you like to do in Lewisburg, WV? Next weekend my husband and I plan to visit The Greenbrier, a historic (and somewhat renowned) resort in the area, as well as head up the mountain to Snowshoe later this month. How do you do tourist-ing in West Virginia? Let’s chat— I’m always up for ideas!

Xoxo, MM.