Best Online Reads

The ten stories from around the web that I am loving this week:

1. Seven things every mother and daughter should do together at least once via Southern Living.

2. How single life gets better with age via Psychology Today.

3. Fifteen beauty products you should own by the time you're 30 via Better Homes & Gardens.

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5 Ways To Love Your Workouts

It's been 2 years since I've started exercising regularly and consistently. Prior to turning 50, I started hitting the gym 4 times per week, and varying my routines. I started jogging, doing yoga regularly, and dipping my foot into different group exercise classes to see what I liked. After a few months, I had accidentally happened upon a consistent workout routine, and I was hooked. Today, almost 2 year laters, I am regularly hitting the the gym, sometimes 6 times per week, and have let go of my fear that everyone else there is better, fitter, thinner, and stronger than I am.

Building on the mistakes I've made in the past and how I hope to keep the momentum going in the future, I've put together this list of easy tips I use for establishing a love-love relationship with your workouts.

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Weekend Dispatch

Have you ever gone into a room in your house to do something and it suddenly turns into an entirely new project? Well, that happened this weekend when I went into Harper's closet to throw spare change in a bucket when, next thing I know, we are cleaning out the closet. That spilled over into disassembling her futon bunk bed (she's getting a new bed for her birthday next month) and cleaning out her entire room. That was how I spent most of my Saturday. On Sunday, the Hubs and I attended a wake for a friend's father who passed away at the hearty age of 91. He lived a wonderfully long and fulfilling life, and while it was a time for mourning, it was also a time for celebrating his life.

Since I  didn't have much down time last weekend, here's how I'll be spending this week and weekend.

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What We're Reading

My 2019 Goodreads reading challenge is off to a great start. This week I'm set to finish the 4th of 35 books. I already have my 5th book chosen and downloaded so I'll be ready to roll once I finish my current read. I've been reading at night before I fall asleep (but that never lasts long!) and I've been dedicating my last mile on the treadmill to strictly walking so that I can read while I walk as it's impossible for me to read while I run.

Here are the books we are currently enjoying:

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5 Fab Finds Under $50

featured:

hoodie | slides | straw bag | short robe | jumpsuit

On a budget but still want to look great? Here are 5 fab finds under $50 that won't break the bank but will keep you (or your home) looking cute.

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Best Online Reads

The ten stories from around the web that I am loving this week:

1. Fifteen novels by women that every woman should read via PureWow.

2. How to handle a relative whose political views you find offensive via NY Times.

3. This is what happens to your body when you hate your job via Huffington Post.

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Splurge vs. Save

Every once in a while a product comes along that when I see it, I just know I have to have it. And then I see the price, and I'm immediately disappointed. Why do some things have to cost so much? Such was the case when I spotted this mock neck cashmere sweater from Theory. But then I remembered seeing a similar sweater at J.Crew Factory.

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Weekend Dispatch

Anyone else having trouble getting motivated after the long holiday weekend? Whew! I am dragging today, and it doesn't help that I've been up since 4:15 am (damn you, menopause). On the plus side, I've accomplished a lot more by 2 pm today than I have in a long time. But I'm ready to crash for an hour or two...

I need to catch up on sleep so I can enjoy doing any or all of the below this weekend:

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Today We Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

It's been over 50 years since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. But his many famous words still ring true today. This may be a day off of work or school for many, but it's much more than that. As I go about my day today, I'll be remembering the many strides Dr. King made in civil rights and the many ways he defined leadership, compassion, and equality for everyone.

He was selfless in his pursuit for equality. He was passionate in his nonviolent activism. He was tenacious in his quest to end injustice.

Here are 31 MLK, Jr. quotes to inspire greatness today and always. ❤️

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Best Online Reads

The ten stories from around the web that I am loving this week:

1. The six vaccines you should get as an adult via Huffington Post.

2. How to forgive when you don't get an "I'm sorry" via Darling.

3. Five crucial stages that make or break a relationship via My Domaine.

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Three Ways To Live A Healthier Lifestyle

It was during my forties that I turned my focus to living a healthier lifestyle. My 20s and 30s were pretty carefree as far as my health goes. I was young and reckless and didn't think too much about taking the best care of myself. But now that I am in my fifties, I can't be as careless about my health. I have to prioritize exercising, eating right, and self-care. Here are the 3 ways I focus on a healthier lifestyle in mid-life.

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Weekend Dispatch

Last week was officially my first full week back to the grind. While it wasn't completely grueling, it wasn't all that easy either. In addition to the girls being back in school (hello, 6 am wake up calls), I was back to work and back to the gym. I spent most of the week literally dragging because I was so tired from daily life and sore from my workouts. I took it easy over the weekend by skipping the gym, catching up on podcasts, and preparing for the week ahead (which makes a huge difference).

Here's how I'll be spending this weekend.

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3 Healthy and Delicious Smoothie Bowl Recipes To Kickstart 2019

New year. New you. Amiright? That's all great and good, but how exactly do you get there? Taking the first step is overwhelming. Eating right, exercising regularly, practicing mindfulness. It's all so daunting.

I'll be the first to admit that from Halloween until New Year's Eve, it's a slippery slope. Lots of food and lots of booze makes for a not so favorable situation come January 1st. In addition to my regular exercise routine, I like to add in a few detox recipes that nourish my liver to rid me of toxins and help jumpstart my digestive system to help me reach my health goals.

A friendly recently shared her love of Reveri frozen treats with me, and at first, I was skeptical. It's been hard to find a non-dairy ice cream that I've loved whether I'm eating it alone or adding it to my favorite smoothies. She let me try it alone and she made a smoothie with it. One taste, and I was hooked.

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6 Cute Sweaters Under $50

Winter has finally shown up to the party. And while I'm not happy about the frigid temperatures, I am happy about these cute sweaters. Some can be layered over tees and tanks, and others are worn alone. They are stylish, cozy, and will keep you toasty all winter long.

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Best Online Reads

The ten stories from around the web that I am loving this week:

1. Twenty-two rules that will change your life for the better via Curious Mind Magazine.

2. Why it's necessary and good for you to grieve the loss of a pet via The Animal Rescue Site.

3. Ways to actually keep your resolutions via PureWow.

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Playing Favorites

Playing Favorites is a monthly series where I share my latest obsessions, favorite finds, and any kind of entertainment (books, movies, TV, podcasts, and magazines) that I am loving. Here's what I am loving this month.

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Weekend Dispatch

I'm settling into my first full week back at work, and it actually feels good. I took the holiday break slow and easy, just the way it should be. I didn't over commit or over exert and that meant coming back was something I actually looked forward to. I spent some time over the break de-cluttering and re-organizing (prior to Marie Kondo's series coming out on Netflix. Are you watching it?) I caught up on piles of old Sunday New York Times and got sucked into watching a fave from the '90s on Prime Video: Dawson's Creek (oh, teenage angst and love, how I don't miss you).

But now it's back to biz, and here are some of the ways I've been spending my time.

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My 2019 Reading Challenge and a Few of the Books I Plan To Read

I've always been an avid reader, but somewhere along the line, I veered off the reading path (kids, life, Netflix get in the way and leave little time for reading!). But over the summer I found my way back to reading consistently. For me, books are a great escape. They transport you to another world and give you a glimpse into a fictional life. Plus, they are a gateway to knowledge. So, the more you read, the more you know.

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Tips For Making Your House Your Home

photo via

You might own your home, but do you feel like you actually live in it, or does it seem like a burden to you at times? It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of buying your own home, falling in love with what it looks like, but later realize it’s not truly the one for you. The more time you spend in it, the more you grow to dislike it. Living in a house that you don’t consider a home can be a bit of a lonely and frustrating feeling. You might feel like you’re not happy when you come home from the a long day. You like to pick out all of the faults with it, and that’s such a negative environment to be in. Here are a few ways you can truly make a house your home, and the benefits you’re going to have from doing so.

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The Perfect Layering Pieces To Stay Warm In Winter

This post is sponsored by ClimateRight but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

We've had the pleasure of enjoying mild weather so far this winter. But the mild temperatures won't stick around much longer. When the winter cold finally decides to show up and stay a while, I want to be prepared with warm and comfortable clothes. But how do you dress warmly while staying comfortable (i.e., not drowning in bulk and layers of clothing) and still looking stylish?

ClimateRight by CuddlDuds at Walmart to the rescue! While picking up some essentials at Walmart this week, I came across this amazing brand of layering and lounging clothes that are perfect for staying warm, cozy, and comfortable. I love the versatility of the pieces. You can layer them for cold days outdoors or wear them alone while lounging indoors.

ClimateRight at Walmart offers both a base layer collection as well as a sleepwear collection. Since I'm all about layering and staying warm while out and about running errands, exploring the city, or walking on the boardwalk on a brisk winter day, I chose two pieces from the base layer collection. However, the sleepwear collection looks ultra comfy if you are in need of some new sleepwear.

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Best Online Reads

The ten stories from around the web that I am loving this week:

1. Fifty-five things it's time to finally get rid of via Good Housekeeping.

2. The best resolutions you can make according to therapists via Huffinton Post.

3. The 10 best organizing hacks to know via Apartment Therapy.

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Happy January ~ Letter From The Editor

It's 2019! Let's do this! While 2018 wasn't a particularly great year, it wasn't the worst either. So when the clock struck midnight, I was ready to put 2018 behind me and move on.

Whether you are starting over, fine tuning what you've already got, or staying with the status quo, a new year is a chance for all of us to do some reflecting and re-prioritizing. This month on the blog, I'll be doing a lot of that with posts that focus on setting you up for a successful year. We'll also focus on positive changes in the new year including exercise, clean eating, and focusing on yourself and what you love to do and want to do more of in 2019.

I love how a new year brings a clean slate and a fresh start. I've been thinking a lot about the direction of Pieces of a Mom, and part of that involves taking a look at my most popular content in the history of the blog. I'll give you a little hint. Fashion, fitness, and food are big hits around here, and you can expect to be seeing more of that in the coming months. I'll be sharing my word of the year, my reading challenge for 2019, and how I stick to my exercise goals within the next week.

In the meantime, enjoy these popular stories from December that you may have missed in all the chaos of the holiday season.

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