TGIF - thankful Friday

Like I mentioned on my Instagram, I am currently listening to the book, The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. In her book she mentions that on Fridays she creates a gratitude list and I really love this idea. Practicing gratitude is known to improve health, well being and happiness. There is a lot of research on the subject. If you're interested in learning more, check out my suggested reading list at the bottom of this post.

Here is what I am thankful for this week:

1. I'm thankful for the time this week I have had to bond and train my new dog, Max.
2. I'm thankful for the healthy body that I have.
3. I'm thankful for the sunshine and natural beauty that surrounds us in our neighborhood, especially the vibrant blue flowers that Max and I see on our walks.
4. I'm thankful for the opportunity to shoot with an awesome photographer this week, it was really fun!
5. I'm thankful for the opportunity to get settled in my new home with few distractions, and ample time.
6. I'm thankful for the time I've had this week to be creative and practice calligraphy and hand lettering.
7. I'm thankful for the fun times I've had with friends this week.

What are you thankful for today?

Suggested reading list:

How to get your Hygge on this spring

Oh my goodness, how is it MAY already and how did I only post ONCE in the entire month of April!? Things have been really crazy around here to say the least... what with getting engaged, throwing out my back, getting norovirus and being in bed for half the work week, my grandma having open heart surgery... flying to the east coast to see her and spend time with my family... I mean when it rains, it pours am I right?! My grandma is still in the hospital recovering from her second heart surgery but she is doing well and we are thankful and feeling hopeful that things will continue to look up.

So. Goodness knows I need a break!

One of my favorite concepts that a friend of mine introduced me to is "hygge" which has a lot of definitions but is basically the art of being comfy and cozy. I've always thought of myself as a hobbit, and this concept of hygge really speaks to me because it's basically all about self care, enjoying the little things, and being happy with what you have and where you're at.

Normally when people think of getting comfy and cozy they think of wrapping up in warm, soft blankets and cozying up by a fire with hot chocolate and fuzzy slippers. But you can get your hygge on in spring just as well.

To get your hygge on this spring I have the following tips:

- Keep your home stocked with fresh flowers. Change the vases, flowers and water often. Changing the water will help the flowers last longer. You probably have a beautiful vase shoved in a cupboard somewhere that you haven't used all winter that is just dying to be used! This is a great opportunity to use colorful vases and pitchers to brighten up your home and add some liveliness to every room. Pitchers double as great vases :)

- Wear some fun and funky socks. My feet are always cold even in spring! Fun and cute patterned summer socks are a nice way to "bundle" up on warm springy nights on the back porch sipping wine!

- Keep wine chilled in the fridge at all times :) Isn't a light white wine or rose just divine when the days are longer and the sun sets after 7:30?!

- Open your windows. Heck, open your doors if you can! Let that fresh air IN!

- Light some springy scented candles. I love candles that smell like fresh laundry for spring.

- Do some light spring cleaning. Out with the old! In with the new! If you have some wintery items you didn't wear all season that you don't love and that don't give you joy, get rid of them! Donate them! Give them to a friend! Sell them! Get rid of clutter and allow yourself to love every item in your home.

- Meditate. Hygge is all about slowing down and being in the moment. Even if you're new to meditation, take some deep breaths, focus on your food when you eat - really taste it, enjoy the flavors, feel the textures - (this is called mindful eating.) Try doing this at least once a day. You will feel rejuvenated and rejoice in the small pleasures of your life.

This Money Saving Coffee Switch

As SH will tell you, I have long stuck up my nose at McDonald's coffee. I guess it's because I associate McDonald's with fast food and fast food with not being healthful. Here's the thing - I've been indulging in Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Illy which are all about $2-$5 depending on what type of drink you get. Multiply that by multiple times a week... or day... and you might be spending $50 in one week on coffee. $50! That's crazy, right?

The obvious solution is to brew your own coffee at home. But if you're on the go, as we often are, stopping at McDonald's for a coffee that only costs $1.09 seems like a pretty good money saving on-the-go coffee switch. The craziest part? Whether you get the small or the large coffee, it still only costs $1.09. I got the large yesterday and sipped on it all morning and into the afternoon.

It doesn't taste like the most amazing cup of coffee I've ever had, but for $1.09, I'll take it and put the money I'm saving toward something I really want in the future.

Clear the Clutter 101: The Spring Purge

Does anyone else ever get overwhelmed by the amount of stuff they have accumulated over the years? I know that I'm not alone... but it seems that clutter isn't something people really like to talk about.

Clutter used to be a source of shame for me. I felt bad that I had so much in my life that I wasn't using, appreciating, or enjoying. I felt burdened by my stuff. I felt overwhelmed. Tired. Ashamed. Constantly bombarded by reminders that I wasn't using the things that I already had and that I had become a slave to papers.  I wasn't really hoarding, and my room wasn't dirty. But... it wasn't the epitomy of cleanliness, either. And who needs calendars, gifted lottery tickets, and receipts from six years ago?! Honestly. Finally one day, enough was enough. I tackled the clutter with the tremendous help from my mother. In fact, I highly recommend enlisting another person to help you tackle your clutter, because things that feel sentimental to you, ("how can I throw out this calendar from 2014? It shows me exactly what I did that year!") are seen as trash to the other person, and are discarded accordingly. (I took a picture of the calendar to reference whenever I need to. Though honestly.... I doubt I ever will!)

Clearing the clutter out of my life has been incredibly freeing. I got rid of that chair (lovingly nicknamed, "crap chair") in my bedroom that housed unpacked boxes from my move for nine. months. Nine months! We moved it to the downstairs living room where it can be actually used... ya know, for sitting on. What a concept!

I'm going out on a limb here... and showing you my very real "crap chair" More like, crap corner!

I threw out old papers, calendars, and planners. I donated organizing containers I wasn't using and no longer needed (oh the irony!) along with candles, jewelry I never wear that wasn't worth much, books I had never read and probably never would read, art supplies, etc. I sold clothing, shoes and more high end accessories online (a post about that coming soon.) I gifted items to people who would actually love and use them i.e. I gave my coworker a sweater of mine that I didn't love, but was in mint condition, that she had been eyeing when I wore it to work one day.

It felt so good to gift things to people who would actually love and use my stuff!

In addition to my "crap chair" I also moved my desk and desk chair out of my room. This created SO MUCH SPACE. So much space! My room is now empty enough that when you stand in the middle of it, it sort of creates an echo when you talk. I also have an empty drawer in my dresser, completely void of anything. Oh how liberating it is to have an empty drawer!

All in all, my spring purge has lifted me mentally in SUCH a big way, I feel freer, calmer, more organized and in control. I felt so weighed down CONSTANTLY by my clutter that it had become part of who I was and how I felt on a daily basis! I can now enjoy my room as the oasis it is. It was very important for me to move my desk out of my bedroom because quite frankly I don't like working in my room. My desk was another "crap pile" gatherer, housing clothes I'd worn earlier in the week, discarded jackets, papers, etc. It was an eyesore!

I know that I'm not alone in feeling down in the dumps because of my clutter. So, here are some helpful tips I have for anyone looking to clear the clutter and do their own spring purge:

1. Just start. 
You will always come up with excuses on why today isn't the best day to start. I recommend starting say, on a weekend when you have nothing else going on. That way you have two full days to dedicate to clearing the clutter. My mom and I spent about 8 hours a day (no joke) last weekend unpacking boxes, moving furniture, ripping apart rooms and then putting them back together. The end result was so worth it!

2. Have trash bags and boxes on hand. 
Get your trash bags ready. You'll need some boxes for donations, too. I made a few different piles - trash bag for trash, box for donations, pile on my bed for things to give friends, etc. When a trash bag is full, take it out immediately. That will help clear up the limited space on your floor or in your living room. Also take the donation box out to the car immediately once it's full. If it's already in your car, it will be more likely to make it to Goodwill as opposed to if it just sits in your garage or hallway for six months. It worked out nicely for us because trash day is Monday. Our trash bins were overflowing by the time I was done but it was okay because the trash trucks came the next day.

3. Figure out what the source of your clutter pain point is. 
Mine is/was paper clutter. It was everywhere. As mentioned previously, I had 6 years worth of old paper that I didn't need. I had never really needed a paper filing system before because I wasn't an adult doing adult things like paying credit card, car, and medical bills. Once you've identified your pain point, move on to step four...

4. Create a system to tackle this pain point.
I needed a filing system. We got out an old filing cabinet and a bunch of folders and I started labeling away. I got a handle on my papers by setting up a filing system and creating folders for things like manuals/instructions, taxes, health, self-improvement, etc. Now when a paper comes my way, I know exactly where it goes, or it goes straight to the shredder.

5. Touch (almost) everything you own.
This might seem like a daunting task and it's probably because it is. Try to touch every item of clothing in your closet and remove anything that a) doesn't bring you joy any more b) brings you negative emotions, like that expensive shirt you bought that still has a tag on it, that you're regretting buying c) doesn't serve you d) doesn't FIT! I got a handle on my closet by combing through what I own and sorting into donate, give away, sell, toss. I had to touch every single item of clothing I owned for this to be effective. Same thing with jewelry. If you aren't ready to part with something, that's okay. Try putting it in a "not sure" box, and then seal it. If you don't miss it in three months, get rid of it! This applies to almost anything you own!

6. Identify the problem and then pivot.
I had to rearrange furniture for me to feel fully comfortable and free in my downstairs living room space which has now essentially been turned into my office. Here was the problem: The teeny little desk in my bedroom wasn't serving me. So what did I need? A large table that could serve as a desk and craft table. How could I make this happen? I had to pivot and think outside the box. Instead of using a traditional desk I would use an Ikea dining table (without the leaf) for my craft table/ desk. Now I have a space to work that serves me and brings me joy.

7. Work with joy in mind. 
I took every single book off of my bookshelf, picked out the ones to donate, and then rearranged them all by color. Now when I walk into my living room I feel so. much. joy!! Looking at the books so beautifully organized on the shelves makes me happy. It's the little things, people! Do things that create joy in your space and in your life.

My amazing joyful bookcase that I love so so much!!

I hope you enjoyed these 7 tips to help you clear your own clutter. What will you get started on today?

Valentine's Day Gifts for Him and Her

Valentine's Day is only four days away! Whether you're celebrating with a loved one, friends, or just treatin' yoself, these gifts are sure to do the trick!

Shop the post by clicking the images above or clicking the links below:

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14 

I hope everybody has a great weekend!!

The 4 Best Ted Talks You'll Hear All Year

1. Robb Willer: How to Have Better Political Conversations - listen here
2. Deeyah Khan: What We Don't Know About Europe's Muslim Kids - listen here
3. Eduardo Briceno: How to Get Better at the Things You Care About - listen here
4. Sisonke Msimang: If a Story Moves You, Act On It - listen here

Because everyone loves a good Ted Talk, right? Most of these are right around the 12 minute mark, so you can listen on the treadmill, on the walk to your car or on your lunch break. They are in order (so if you can only listen to one, listen to number one.)

Fair Trade Sashka Co. Bracelets

Bracelets: c/o Sashka Co.  use code MAPLEANDMINT25 for 25% off and free shipping!

Bracelets: David Yurman cuff, old chain link bracelet

Hey everyone!! Happy Thursday! Man this week is flying by isn't it? My boyfriend comes to visit tomorrow which I'm super excited about. We are going camping this weekend (hopefully it doesn't rain too much!) and then I think I'm finally done being out of town for a little while? I have been nonstop on the go since right after Christmas! 

Ok so I am a huge jewelry person -- the items I wear daily have significant sentimental value. I really love bracelets because I feel like they can complete an outfit and speak volumes of your personality and what's important to you just by sitting pretty on your wrist. 

Today I want to introduce you to a brand I'm very happy to collaborate with called Sashka Co. which sells beautiful glass beaded bracelets handcrafted by artisans in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal, and these bracelets actually have a powerful message. Your purchases support a great cause: human rights, equality, transparency in business and the breaking of the cycle of poverty- all because they are fair trade bracelets. When you purchase a Sashka Co. bracelet, proceeds from your purchase empower artisans in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal to rise above poverty through fair trade. 

What is fair trade? 

Fair trade means that workers are paid a livable income covering their basic needs (food, shelter, education, health care) and they are paid promptly, too. Fair trade is invested in building direct, long-term, stable relationships between product producers and product importers, thereby providing artisans with consistent work and job security. Fair trade also empowers women by providing equal pay for equal work done by men and women. 70% of fair trade artisans are women, according to the Fair Trade Federation. Often these women are the sole wage earners in their home. Fair trade allows women to earn a living and have safe, healthy employment conditions without discrimination. Fair trade means no forced or exploited child labor. Fair trade terms are transparent. For more information about fair trade go to the Word Fair Trade Organization: http://www.wfto.com/ or the Fair Trade Federation http://www.fairtradefederation.org

This is a social movement to get behind and support. 

What are the bracelets made out of? 

Sashka Co. bracelets are handmade with the world's finest glass beads imported from Japan and the Czech Republic and cotton thread. They do not contain nickel and they roll onto your wrist to accommodate varying wrist sizes. The bracelets do not contain elastic - they are hand crocheted and will shrink to their original size when you put them in hot water.

I don't normally go into such heavy detail about the products I'm wearing but Sashka Co.'s mission really struck a cord with me! Anyway I hope you like the bracelets, they are seriously perfect for stacking. I love the message of empowerment, equality, human rights and breaking the cycle of poverty that they support. I am about to order a whole set (I really love the abstract nepal set.)

I know you're gonna love them! Don't forget to use code MAPLEANDMINT25 for 25% off and free shipping. Thanks as always for reading! 

Thank you to Sashka Co. for sponsoring this post. 

Wednesday Wishlist: Winter Basics

Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone is having a great week! These are some things I'm currently crushing on for Wishlist Wednesday... This leopard beanie sold out pretty fast last year so I'm excited it's back in stock.

So ladies, for on trend winter basics you need the following 8 items: 
1) a cute beanie - especially pom beanies!
2) Mittens
3) Cozy scarf that you'll wear everyday and goes with everything (the one I linked is $25 btw)
4) Uggs, Sorels or Bean Boots to keep your feet warm and dry in rain or snow
5) Running shoes for errands and your new year's resolutions ;)
6) Moto jacket - real suede or leather is best, but if those are too pricy there are some pretty good cheaper dupes out there
7) Off the shoulder sweater 
8) Bell Sleeve top!

I'm loving off the shoulder and bell sleeve trends even in the winter months, aren't you?
Click above to shop the post and thanks as always for reading!

5 Lovely Links

1. Body positivity!! Lena Dunham's cellulite is left on the cover of Glamour Magazine unedited and we love it! Why do we love it? Because it's her body! And she's not ashamed of it!

2. 10 Expert Tips to Make 2017 Your Most Productive Year Yet - read the article here
I love tips #3 and #10!

3. 26 Bucketlist ideas for 2017

4. 33 Simple Ways to Fall Back in Love With Your Life - it's a cute list! Read it here

5. Unexpected Looks at the Golden Globes

What Every New Home Kitchen Needs

As some of you know, my boyfriend recently moved to the Seattle area and is settling into a new home. I'm here with him now for the long weekend which has been so great! We just made grilled cheese and tomato soup (yum!) and while we were cooking we noticed that he's still missing some key kitchen items (like a plastic spatula.) So, he asked me to compile a kitchen shopping list for his new home. These are items every well-stocked kitchen should have!

Plates, Bowls, Cups, Mugs, Silverware, Napkins, Placemats
- This 18-piece dinnerware set is a good starter. You get 6 bowls, 6 dinner plates and 6 dessert plates for only $30! They are microwave, oven, freezer and dishwasher safe too.
- I also like this Rachael Ray set that comes with 4 bowls, 4 appetizer plates, 4 dinner plates and 4 mugs. They also come in a variety of pretty colors!
- Check out these 10 pub glasses for $17.99
- This is another best-seller on Amazon: 20-piece silverware set (for 4 people)
 
Mixing Bowls of All Sizes
- Stainless steel is preferred by many top chefs: this is a set of 6 for $22
- I prefer glass: this is a set of 10 for $23

Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Simply the best! Pyrex set of 3 measuring cups for $15 
- Another Amazon best-seller: stainless steel measuring spoons on sale for $10!

Whisk
- I love OXO products - we have their avocado slicer and it's pretty sweet! Here is the OXO whisk for $10 

Cutting Board
- I used to use bamboo cutting boards but I actually found that I don't love bamboo or wooden cutting boards because they can be hard to clean. I like this set of 4 OXO cutting boards because they're labelled for what you're cutting - chicken, fish, veggies and red meat. This is a great way to make sure your home and family stays healthy and also is nice for vegans, vegetarians or pescatarians to avoid cross-contamination.

Meat Thermometer
- Meat thermometers can be tricky -- this one is very highly rated with over 4,000 reviews. It's important to find one that you like!

Oven Mitts
- My boyfriend has these silicone pinch oven mitts -- I'm clumsy so I prefer oven mitts that cover the entirety of my hands like these. These are on sale for $11 (normally $20!)

Cookie Sheets and Cooling Racks
- 3 piece nonstick cookie sheets of all the crucial sizes (10x15, 9x13, 11x17) 
- Non stick cooling racks - crucial for baking!

Set of Kitchen Knives
- This Cuisinart 15-piece stainless steel set of knives is ON SALE FOR $45!! It's normally $156!

Can Opener
- $12 for this one

Rubber Spatula
- Technically this is called a turner and this is called a spatula (hint: you need both) 

Wooden Spoon
- You know I love me some OXO! Wooden Spoon here

A Blender
- If you're a smoothie lover like me, The Magic Bullet is AMAZING because you can make a smoothie and then take off the blender and voila you have your smoothie cup to go!
- Blenders can get really expensive but this one is reasonably priced at $27.

Silpat Cooking Mat
- Everybody needs a Silpat Cooking Mat -- you save a ton of time cleaning up and can turn any pan  into a nonstick surface

Lunch Box Kits
- Lunch box kits 
- 42 piece set for $24! 

Slow Cooker
- Well worth the $49! This 6-quart crock pot

Rice Cooker
- This is actually a pressure cooker but I use it to cook rice :) You can use it for lots of different things though like as a slow cooker or to steam/warm/brown etc. It even says you can make yogurt with it but I'm not sure how you would do that!! 

Collander
- These are collapsible which is sweet because collander's can take up a ton of room in your cupboard! Also they are on sale for $13 right now (down from $22)

Mixer
- Everyone needs a KitchenAid mixer!

Dutch Oven
- Dutch ovens can get expensive. This one is $36 and is cast iron!


Thanks for reading! I hope you like this list and that it helps you get settled into your new home!

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Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas

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Only four sleeps until Christmas! There still time to buy stocking stuffers and gifts before Christmas but you're running out of time to get it shipped to arrive by the 25th! Ok so first things first, everybody should own this famous Golden Monogram Mug - it's only $10 and seriously so cute! It's literally perfect for a coworker, friend, sister, aunt, you name it and you can't beat the price! If you're looking for a $5 stocking stuffer look no further than these Green Tea Eye Masks. They relax the skin around the eye to achieve a bright, revitalized look. For the sneaky expensive gift that is hiding in the Christmas stocking, go for the Tory Burch Crossbody Wallet. It's the perfect size and very high quality. I personally would love to own this Buffalo Plaid Scarf and how cute would this Tassel Velvet Crossbody be for NYE? Pair it with the Pom Pom Choker and you'll be super on trend. Good luck and happy shopping!

Mom Approved Guide to Gift Giving

Hey friends! Happy Wednesday! This post is up a little later than normal, (sorry about that) but it's a completely mom approved guide to gift-giving!

I asked my mom yesterday what she thinks moms like to get for Christmas and she had lots of wisdom to share. Here are her guidelines:

"Gift something that shows you how well you know the person and something the person doesn't like to spend money on."

If they are always cold, consider gifting a nice robe, pajamas, or a snuggly sweater. For an extra 20% off these adorable Christmas pajamas use code MERRY (they come out to be less than $24!) This robe is on sale and is less than $27 right now! It looks so super soft! (All the best robes are!) I am completely in love with this cashmere poncho which is normally $150 (!!)  and is on major sale right now for $54.99! This sale will expire in less than 7 hours so don't wait! It comes in four colors and is seriously so cute. Is there anything better than snuggling up at home in soft pajamas or a robe?! Or a cashmere sweater for that matter, which you can also wear outside and not look frumpy in unlike a robe?!

"Craft supplies that they use a lot are a great idea, too. A gift card to a yarn store if they like to knit, for example, a gift card to a class, or a gift card to their favorite supply place like Michael's or Jo-Ann Fabrics. "

One nugget of wisdom my mom had to share is to buy your mom a gift that she doesn't like to spend money on for herself. For example, my mom really likes this face cream, but it's like $40 so she HATES spending money on it! This would be the perfect gift because it's something I know she loves but feels uncomfortable buying for herself.

Another mom-approved gift is a gently scented candle. Voluspa is one of my favorite candle brands. It's so great because it comes in so many different scents and sizes, including cute mini candles!

Other items to consider that will vary on your mom's decor:
A nice frame (which a cute picture of the two of you in it!) like Olivia Frames
Jay Strongwater ornaments
Entertaining ware like Michael Aram's


Shop My Mom Approved Picks Below:

Seattle MoPop: Museum of Pop Culture, a Review

This past weekend I was in Seattle visiting SH and we had so much fun! Yesterday we went to the Museum of Pop Culture or MoPOP! We saw a really cool Star Trek exhibit with lots of Star Trek history, costumes, TV show clips, memorabilia, and more. It was crazy how shabby and dated the costumes looked up close (but then again, a lot of them are quite old!) I loved seeing Spock's outfit!

It was really fun seeing parts of the sets and learning about how the show got its start. The show is praised for tackling relevant social issues and Gene Roddenberry, the show's creator, strongly believed in racial and gender equality. Did you know the first on-screen interracial kiss was in a 1968 episode titled "Plato's Stephchildren" between William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols?

We also saw the Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction exhibit which had so many amazing movie props and costumes! We saw a ton of cool props and costumes from Terminator, Battlestar Galactica, Galaxy Quest, Alien, and many other famous films. There is a space weapons wall which is so cool too! I definitely recommend this exhibit! Oh and I can't forget the HOVER BOARDS from the Back to the Future films are here!!! I could not believe how shabby they looked up close haha but I LOVED THEM! :D If you love the films then you'll love them too! They look so much smaller in person though!

Then we went to the Can't Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film exhibit which wasn't my favorite. I don't really like horror movies but if you're into them this could be cool because again they have props and stuff from horror films.

For any fashion lovers out there, The World of Wearable Art will surely inspire and intrigue you! There were so many amazing creations, from dresses made of fiberglass, wood, and even plastic zip ties. The creations were truly amazing and so imaginative.

Last but not least there is a cool but small Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic exhibit. I was really hoping it would be bigger and that there might be some Harry Potter stuff but of course that is all owned by Warner Brothers, I guess. We did see some costumes from the Princess Bride (including the wedding dress that Buttercup almost marries Humperdink in) and Dorothy's costume from the Wizard of Oz which was awesome.

There are other exhibits too that we didn't visit: Nirvana, Hendrix, Seahawks, etc. Check the website for the exhibits if you want to see what else the museum offers.

All in all the visit was super awesome! We did those four exhibits in about three hours and we ate lunch beforehand at Culture Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck which is inside the museum before you reach any exhibits. We ate the spinach and artichoke dip (AMAZING!), a rosemary grilled cheese (meh - who puts mustard on grilled cheese?! If I knew they did that I would have asked for NO MUSTARD!) and a chicken cesar salad wrap which was pre-made but good and fresh.

It wasn't a cheap date, the tickets were $30 each (it would have been $25 but we paid the extra $5 for the Stark Trek exhibit) and lunch was $36 with tax and tip. But if you're movie and TV buffs or science fiction buffs like we are then I believe the cost is worth it! We had an awesome time and I'm super glad we went. We both thought it was well worth the money.

I give the Museum of Pop Culture a solid 4.5/5 rating! 

31 Acts of Kindness

Every year I create a list of 31 acts of kindness in the month of December to propel me in to the spirit of Christmas. You can read last year's list here. It's a really fun and reflective exercise that encourages you to stop and reflect on your life and areas in which you can improve and be kinder. Here is my list of 31 acts of kindness in no particular order:

1. Give someone the benefit of the doubt.
2. Email a friend you haven't talked to in a while and ask how they are.
3. Get together with someone you haven't seen in a long time and want to reconnect with.
4. Thank a coworker for all the hard work they've done this year, and give a specific compliment on something they do well.
5. Do something out of the ordinary for someone you love.
6. Do the dishes without complaining.
7. Support a friend in need.
8. Listen without interrupting.
9. Hug your family.
10. Be cheerful when you order your coffee.
11. Help out a coworker and counsel them in a way that helps them understand and improve.
12. Call your grandma and grandpa.
13. Return a phone call in a timely manner.
14. Leave a cute message.
15. Tweet, email, mail a letter, whatever - thanking a company you love for their great customer service.
16. Write a handwritten note to a friend telling them how much you appreciate their friendship and love them as a person.
17. Invite a friend out for a cup of coffee and treat them.
18. If you're a blogger, consider running a giveaway on your blog to thank your readers and followers.
19. Give your significant other a back and shoulder massage.
20. Do a neighborly deed like shoveling snow for an elderly neighbor.
21. Visit a retirement home and spend time with people who don't have anyone visiting them during the holidays.
22. Donate needed items to a homeless or women's shelter.
23. Give good advice to someone who needs it.
24. Help someone be the best version of themselves.
25. Leave a $5 Starbucks gift card somewhere for someone to find.
26. Offer to pay for someone in need's gas.
27. Carry a homeless kit in your car to give to someone in need when you see them.
28. Hold the door for a stranger.
29. Say please and thank you to your waiter(s) and give them a nice tip.
30. Take out the trash without complaining.
31. Don't forget to tell your family you love them and count your blessings!

Fall Beauty Favorites

Ok so one of the best things about fall is definitely getting to wear darker shades of lipstick :)

My absolute favorite lipstick right now is Butter Lipstick by NYX in the shade Moonlit Night and guess what... it's $6! You can get it at Nordstrom Rack, Target and Ulta! This is what it looks like on:

 I've been using this eye shadow palette daily (c/o Lancome):

 I like to use Voyage for my crease (5 in from the left,) Joie for my lid (4 in from the left,)

 and Audacious or Couture for outer corner (2 and 3 in from the right.) 

This is what the eye shadow palette (and the NYX Butter lipstick!) look like on:

These are the brushes (and sponge) I use daily: 

So I bought this five piece set which came with the sponge, four brushes (2 of which are pictured here) and a little zip pouch (not pictured) and I also bought this eight piece set which came with eight brushes specifically for applying eye shadow and eyeliner and a little zip pouch (1 brush pictured here, the rest not pictured.) From left to right (including the pink brush cleansing mat) : 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

This is the mascara and mascara primer I use daily (c/o L'Oreal): 

 Using a primer on the top and bottom lashes has totally changed my eye makeup game. I used to be afraid of clumping and spidery looking lashes but the primer lengthens my lashes without making them clump and gives a really nice full lash look. 

I wore false lashes to StyleCon, my favorite brand is Ardell. I'm wearing false lashes here:

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful! Seriously though go buy the $6 NYX lipstick, you'll love it! Also -- if you haven't already -- GO VOTE!

I Now Have a Podcast!

Good morning! I hope you all had a great weekend. What did you do? I was at StyleCon over the weekend and it was so much fun! I was so honored to be there as an Influencer. Thank you StyleCon! I made some new friends and met some ladies who I have only been in contact with online so that was great! If you follow me on Snapchat you saw some glimpses of the amazing speakers and vendors who were there. Stay tuned for some upcoming product reviews and check out my Snapchat (username: thepowerofimage) and Instagram @Mapleandmint if you don't follow me already!

So I have a very exciting announcement to make today... I have started a podcast!!! I'm SO excited that I finally took the plunge and started it. It's something I've been thinking about for a while but I wasn't really sure how to start. I was inspired over the weekend at StyleCon when I heard Meghan Lorine of eyehateheels.com speak about HER podcast and honestly I just did some googling and learned you could make a podcast on soundcloud and... there you go! I now have a podcast!

The podcast is called Say Yes to You and is dedicated to happiness, personal growth and living your best life. The first episode is about Joyful Rituals and you can listen to it by pressing the red play button in the upper left hand corner, below! Please listen to it and let me know what you think!! (PS sorry for the clicking sounds that you hear a couple of times... that's me clicking my computer. Lol.)

top 10 things to do this fall

1. Visit a haunted house
2. Watch a scary movie (or Halloweentown or Hocus Pocus, for the faint of heart ;))
3. Go apple picking
4. Visit a pumpkin patch
5. Bake an apple or pumpkin pie
6. Step on crunchy fallen leaves
7. Make mulled apple cider
8. Decorate your space with fall flair (scarecrows, bales of hay, carved pumpkins, etc.)
9. Re-read your favorite book
10. Bundle up and go on a walk, enjoying the crisp fall air

Apple Pie Recipe

 Photo by @wholehealthhabits

When I created my fall bucketlist, "bake an apple pie" was number two on my list! My friend Angela and I got together last weekend and baked the most delicious apple pie - not too sweet, nice and moist with a lovely latticed top. I hope you enjoy our recipe!

What You'll Need:
6 Granny Smith Apples
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup milk
1 stick butter
2 pie crust (1 package normally comes with two)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt 
2 teaspoons Vanilla


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take out pie crust to thaw (if frozen) so that it gets to room temperature. Set aside.

Cut the apples into 1/8ths and peel. Put the apples in a bowl and lightly dust with 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

To make the caramel sauce: In a pot, heat one stick of butter with 1 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 of milk or heavy whipping cream. Add 2 teaspoons of vanilla and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Continuously stir over medium heat for 12 minutes or until thickened.

Place one pie crust into pie pan. Put seasoned apples in the pie pan and pour caramel sauce over them.

To make the lattice top: Take second pie crust and cut into 1/2 inch strips. Use these strips to make the lattice top. Place one strip in the middle of the pie pan. Place two strips on either side of the middle strip (so that there's five strips on top, total.) Fold down strips 2 and 4 half way and place new strip across perpendicular. Unfold strips 2 and 4. You should start to see a weaving pattern. Fold down strips 1, 3 and 5 half way and place new strip across perpendicular. Keep doing this until you have a full lattice pattern. (Example here.)

Cover outer crust with foil (to keep it from burning.) Place pie in the oven and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes at 350. Remove foil after 1 hour.

Photo by @wholehealthhabits

My friend Angela helped me write this recipe, bake this delicious pie and take these photos! For more delicious food pictures, head to her instagram: @wholehealthhabits. Have a beautiful day!

Kentucky Mule Recipe

I've been wanting a pair of copper mugs for some time now, but I always thought they were too expensive. I finally found some beautiful hand-crafted mugs from a company based right here in California and they're actually affordable! Copper Mug Co. makes really gorgeous genuine copper products, from the barrel hammered (pictured) to wine cups to flasks.

To make a Kentucky Mule, you need:
1 Sprig Mint
Rye
Ginger Beer
1 Lime
Ice
If you're a proper bartender, a shaker (I'm not)

Directions: 
Fill your Copper Mug about halfway with ice. Pull some mint leaves off of the sprig and mash along the side of your mug. Leave the smaller bits and pieces of mint in the bottom of your mug for flavoring. For a strong drink, mix 2 oz of rye with 2 oz of ginger beer. Juice half a lime and add to your drink. Put the rest of the sprig of mint into the drink for a pretty garnish. Enjoy!

For a more diluted drink, mix 2 oz of rye with 4 oz of ginger beer and follow the rest of the recipe as is.

Photos by @wholehealthhabits

This post was sponsored by Copper Mug Co.

Top 5 Shampoos to Solve your Hair Problems

Happy Monday!! Today I'd like to introduce you to Miranda Hicks who is a guest blogger today on Maple and Mint! Miranda has some great hair care tips for us today so be sure to read on!

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Hi guys. My name is Miranda, and I am a professional hairstylist based in New York. I have been in the fashion industry for the past 10 years and have been graced to work with the some of the top ranking professionals in the field. For the latest information on hair straightening products, styling tips and more, check out my hair straightener reviews.

image source

Managing hair is a big concern for every woman. No woman wants to have to struggle with issues like hair fall, oily hair, dry hair, and dandruff. Every woman desires clean and well groomed hair. Maintaining the perfect hair is not easy and requires proper hair care including the application of the right shampoos to treat specific hair concerns.  For example, if you have oily hair, you need to use a certain type of shampoo that will treat your oily hair concerns. In this article, we will look at the top 5 shampoos from the Top hair care brands that treat various health care problems. Rest assured that by the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll know exactly which brand of shampoo you’ll need to combat your hair care problems and flaunt beautifully shinny hair.

1. Dessert Essence Organics Hair Care Shampoo For Oily Hair

If you have oily hair, the Dessert Essence Organics Hair Care Shampoo is a great option as it contains the goodness of tea tree oils and lemons. This shampoo comes with natural ingredients such as organic Jojoba seed oil which helps to get rid of excess hair oil while the tea tree oil provides the antiseptic qualities that ensure your hair stays clean and amazingly manageable. Moreover, the shampoo contains the goodness of coconut oil and sugar cleansers which help to clean the scalp and provide grease-free hair.

2. Matrix Biolege Ultra Hydrating Shampoo for Dry Hair

If your hair is dull and dry, it needs adequate nourishment. This can be achieved by use of proper oiling treatment. The Matrix Biolege Ultra Hydrating Shampoo is specially formulated to replenish and treat dry, brittle hair. It blends the goodness of all the natural ingredients like algae, wheat germ oil extracts, lemongrass and sage leaf which helps to cleanse and moisturize your hair and make them super soft and silky.

3. L’Oreal Professional Series Expert Extreme Volume Shampoo for Limp Hair

If you have thin hair, and you desire to add volume to your tresses, then you should consider using the L’Oreal Professional Series Expert Extreme Volume Shampoo. This remarkable shampoo is designed to provide the required volume to your hair. Moreover, it contains rich ingredients like wheat protein and ceramides that not only add volume to your hair but also provide nourishment to the ends to make them silky and bouncy.

4. Tresemme Split Remedy Shampoo for Split Hair

Get ready to say goodbye to the ever-recurring problem of split ends that makes your hair look messy and unmanageable. With the Tresemme Split Remedy Shampoo you can virtually say good riddance to split ends. This shampoo contains amino Vitamin blends which serve to nourish split ends and make your hair shiny and beautiful. The goodness of blended vitamins nourished the roots of your hair and provides adequate nourishment to make hair healthy and shiny.

5. BUMBLE AND BUMBLE Gentle Shampoo for Broken Hair

Suffering from broken hair? It’s time you switched to using the BUMBLE AND BUMBLE GENTLE SHAMPOO formulated for moisturizing and cleansing hair. It has got the goodness of Avocado oil and nettle extract that helps to nourish hair and make them soft and manageable. Moreover, even if you have colored hair, this shampoo provides adequate nourishment to them and rejuvenates them to make them beautiful and healthy.

Conclusion

Hair being the most treasured possession of a woman’s, needs to be kept health by oiling, shampooing and staying away from the excessive use of hot styling products. Thus, you need to choose the best shampoo for your hair that not only cleanses the hair but also caters to the specific requirements of your hair. It is relevant to buy the shampoo that is sulfate and paraben free and provides adequate nourishment to your tresses. By making use of the shampoos mentioned above you can ensure that your hair gets the best of Nature’s wonder house, and that you get the soft, silky and healthy hair you’ve always wanted.