Four Ways to Happier Days

I am not what you would call 'a morning person', and Mondays are especially hard. Adding simple things to our morning routine can make for a better wake up call and better days ahead.

//1// Stop hitting snooze.

Set two alarms, on in your bedroom and one in your bathroom. Set them for ten minutes apart. Having two alarms in separate room will keep you from repeated snoozes, but still gives you ten minutes of extra rest before you have to get up and turn off the second alarm.



//2// Open the curtains.

Light helps regulate melatonin, the hormone that tells our bodies when to wake and when to sleep. Leave the curtains or blinds cracked open when going to bed. This will  let the sunlight stream in in the morning, and you'll natural start to come out of sleep. If you have windows in your bathroom, open those curtains/blinds while you get ready for work. If you don't head to work, open up the window dressing of the rooms you will be spending the most time in.



//3// Exercise.

If you can get to the gym to start your day - great! But most of us can't or won't. Try simple stretches and exercise while your coffee is brewing and before your shower. Morning exercises can help improve your metabolism, improve focus and mental ability, and increase energy.



//4// Eat breakfast.

It's easy to skip breakfast as we're running out the door. Making time to grab breakfast in the morning can help with weight control,  help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol, help maintain blood glucose levels and control cravings throughout the day. Fresh fruit, oatmeal, whole grain breads, low-fat cheese, and hard boiled eggs are all healthy choices for a grab and go breakfast.






HAPPY MONDAY!





Business Spotlight: STAND

A Cute Angle, this little space of mine, is very female-centric and caters to an audience of women. As women we have the amazing opportunity and ability to build up and encourage the men in our life. I've come out on this blog as a feminist, and many people are confused with this term. Feminism is the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of equality of the sexes. Not only do I want to see the women in my life succeed, but also the men.

When Dwayne D. Hayes, the Founder and Managing Director, of STAND magazine approached me, I knew it was something I wanted my readers to know about.


STAND magazine takes a stand for a balanced and whole-hearted masculinity that embraces the expression of emotion as strength, promotes healthy body, mind and spirit, and appreciates style and good humor.


The literary magazine takes on topics such as the male body imagine crisis, fitness, fashion, addiction, mental health, and fatherhood. STAND also features interviews with business leaders, books reviews, and it's laced with essays, quotes, poetry, and ascetically pleasing photos.


STAND has the ability to change society's view on man and smash stereotypes. Start by checking out the STAND magazine website. See how it will reshape your mind.





Five on Friday 4.21.17




//1// Puppies love baby talk, but dogs don't.



Scout's almost 8. Does this mean I need to stop my baby talk?! Awww, my little smooshy whooshy!


//2// Rachel Lindsay's Bachelorette Promo material came out this week, and she looks AH-MAZING!


But there is already controversy other whether ABC lightened her skin or not. ::womp,womp::


//3// Nick and I love lemonade. We always used powder, but I want to try a homemade recipe as the weather starts to get warmer.

I'm excited to try this Homemade Pink Lemonade recipe.



//4// Queen Elizabeth is now the oldest reigning monarch. Today is her 91st birthday!


She took the thrown at the age of 21.


//5//






Toss or Keep? A Guide to Household Item Shelf Life

Your everyday household products are on a time clock. Items can become moldy and ridden with mildew and bacteria. It's important to know when it's time to toss out household products for the sake your health.




SHOWER CURTAINS

It's time to toss your shower curtain if mildew has traveled up  past the tub line, if the hook holes are torn, or if the curtain is ripped.

Spraying, wiping down, and rinsing your plastic shower curtain or liner with bath/tub/tile cleanser each time you clean the shower can give the curtain more longevity. For a deeper clean, use the washing machine. Place the curtain in a warm cycle along with detergent, half of a cup of bleach, and two white bath towels. The bleach will kill the mold and mildew.


SPONGES and SCRUB BRUSHES

Smell is a great indicator to know when to throw away these items. Odor indicates that bacteria has settled into the fibers. Throw them out!  Toss them if they are ripped, tattered, or torn. These tears create crevices where bacteria can grow.

You should allow your sponges to dry completely at least once a week. Sanitize sponges or brushes in the dishwasher on the top rack during a cycle. You can also microwave them for 1-2 minutes to help eliminate germs and bacteria.


SINK/TUB DRAINS/STOPPERS

Grab a new one if the build up and grime won't come off or if the material coating is rubbed away.

Sink/shower drains and the flaps of a garbage disposal are over run with bacteria. If the drain pops out - do so! Soak them in hot water and vinegar, and then scrub them with a toothbrush to remove food and hair. A metal or rubber stopper can be cleaned in the dishwasher on the top rack. In order to clean your garbage disposal, use gloves to open the flaps and use hot, soapy water to scrub underneath.


PLASTIC FOOD CONTAINERS

Tupperware containers are no longer food safe if they have started to bubble or blister. Get rid of them!

Make your container last longer by removing stains and odors with lemon juice or a combo of hot water and hot vinegar. Filling the container with lemon juice and water and letting it sit in the sun will help bleach out the stains.




Follow these tips for a healthier you!



Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp Copycat Recipe



What You'll Need:

12 oz of thawed, raw, deveined shrimp
1 to 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk
1/2 cup of cornstarch
2 tablespoons of bread crumbs
1 teaspoon of baking soda
green onions
lettuce
1/3 cup of mayonaise (or miracle whip for a sweeter taste)
3 tablespoons of sweet chili sauce
3 tablespoons of chili garlic sauce

What You'll Need to Do:

Mix together mayonaise, sweet chili sauce, and chili garlic sauce to form the sauce.
Set aside.

Place thawed shrimp in a bowl and cover with buttermilk.
Let soak for at least 30 minutes.
Mix bread crumps, cornstrach, and naking soda in a separate dish or bowl.
Place cooking oil in a 2 quart sauce pan and heat oil to 375°.
Remove 10 to 12 shrimp from the buttermilk and pat dry on paper towels.
Coat shrimp with dry ingredients mixture.
Place shrimp in a spider mesh basket and lower into hot oil.
Fry for 2 minutes or until the shrimp is medium browned.
Remove the shrimp and place on a cooling rack.
Repeat for the remaining shrimp.
Coat the shrimp with the sauce
May be served on a bed of chopped lettuce and garnish with chopped green onion.
ENJOY!




How to Save for Your Future (in 3 easy steps)

Saving for the future can sound overwhelming, and we often see our future selves a strangers. But, our future selves need attention now! These three simple steps will help take the stress out of retirement planning.



//1// Know what you already have and set goals.

401(k)s (or 403(b) if you work for a non profit), IRAs, and Roth IRAs are all great ways to save for retirement.  Most people in their 20s and early 30s only have a 401(k) for retirement, which is through the company you work for. Your human resources generalist can give you information on how your 401(k) is invested. Set a 30-year goals. Where do you see yourself and what do you want to be doing in 30 years? Having a goal in mind will give you motivation to save and max out your contributions.

//2// Open a Roth IRA.

Consider opening a Roth IRA on top of your 401(k). Any money contributed to a Roth IRA is automatically taxed. This is helpful because the money that you see in the account is what will be there when you cash it out at retirement. No paying taxes when you cash it out!  Plus, you pay Roth IRA taxes based on the tax bracket you are in when you open the account. We will likely be a higher tax bracket by the time we retire. #winning

//3// Save 1% more.

Upping your 401(k) contribution by 1% can add a healthy amount to your retirement savings. As an example, it means saving an additional $33 per month on a $40k per year salary. If your company matches your contributions, this could turn into a savings of $70,000 over a 35 year period. Even if your company only matches 50%, you still have the potential to save an additional $47,000 over 35 years.




Fall TV Talk

It may only be April, but we're already talking about your favorite television programs for Fall. Check out my guide to shows that have been renewed for the 2017-2018 television season.



ABC
The $100,000 Pyramid
Bachelor in Paradise
Celebrity Family Feud
Grey's Anatomy


How to Get Away with Murder
The Middle
Scandal


CBS
The Big Bang Theory
Big Brother
Blue Bloods
Bull
Hawaii 5-O
Kevin Can Wait
Life in Pieces
MacGuyver
Madam Secretary


Man With a Plan
Mom
NCIS
NCIS: Los Angeles
NCIS: New Orleans
Scorpian
Superior Donuts
Survivor
Zoo

The CW
The 100
Arrow
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
The Flash
Jane the Virgin


Legends of Tomorrow
Riverdale
SuperGirl
Whose Line is it Anyway?

Fox
America Grit


Bob's Burger
Leathal Weapon
Lucifer
The Mick
The Simpsons
So You Think You Can Dance
Star

NBC
American's Got Talent
American Ninja Warrior
The Carmichael Show
The Good Place
Hollywood Game Night
Night Shift
Shades of Blue
Superstore
This Is Us
The Voice



Did your favorite make the cut?








Five of Kate Middleton's Latest Looks

Kate has been on the scene from London to Paris and back again in the last month. Check out five of her latest looks!

//1// On March 17, Kate debuted a blue Jenny Packham gown for a gala on a two day trip to Paris.




//2// On March 23 the Duchess was back in the UK and wore Eponine London suit for a Heads Together event.



//3// Kate chose a green lace Temperley London for the National Portrait Gallery Gala on March 28.




//4// Kate stepped out in a designer, Marchesa, on April 4 for the opening night of 42nd Street at the Drury Theater.



//5// On April 5, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a Missoni coat for the Service of Hope at Westminster Abbey.



Which look is your favorite?





What's Up Wednesday

Reporting live from the rainy state of Michigan with an update of what's been going on around here.


Nick and I went on a date to the movies and we saw Hidden Figures. It was amazing. Talk about total #GirlPower!


Read The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand. I've read some her older stuff and it was just okay, but I really, really enjoyed this one!


I got a massage on Saturday and it was amazing. I try to treat myself to one a month. It really helps when you spend most of your day on your feet!


I finally, finally got my meet my new niece Liesel! After spending 15 days in the NICU she came home and I got to meet her on Sunday! She's such a little sweetie. I got to hold her for hours while she slept, and I just miss her and her mama already! (Not sharing pictures to respect my SILs privacy)

Orange soda  + whipped vodka is my favorite cocktail. It tastes just like a creamsicle. Mmmm.


We are approximately 6 weeks out from our European vacation. I.CAN'T.WAIT. Here's some throw backs to our trip in 2013 when we hit Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary.






I don't feature my dog Scout enough. So, here are photos to show how much I love him.





HAPPY HUMP DAY!



Four Flirty Floral Looks for Spring

My favorite thing about Spring is the clothes! I get so excited to pack away my parka and snow boots. Floral is prefect for Spring and I trend a I loving! Check out my favorite ways to wear floral.


Try an off the shoulder top with a pair of distressed jeans. Make your booties work for another season by pairing them with this outfit!







Go for a more causual look with a floral tee and your favorite pair of jeans. Add another pop of Spring with open-toed espadrilles, but keep a cute, bulky sweater on hand for cooler Spring days and nights.

tee // sweater // shoes // jeans // jewlery



For a dressy look try a floral skirt. Pairing it with a more casual, chambray shirt will put you right on trend. Add your favorite accesories and pair of shoes!





For a Spring night out try a flowy floral skirt with a crop top. Go for a heeled sandal and upscale accessories.




skirt // top // bracelet // bag // shoes



What do you love most about Spring fashion?