Mind Beauty Simplicity

I’m attempting a new series on the blog inspired by Life With Deanna. Moving forward, I want to expand my wrap up posts to more than just book reviews. I feel like these little life updates will be more interesting & you, my readers, will be able to get a better glimpse into my life on a more regular basis. May was filled with lots of activity. And the April showers didn’t seem to let up either. But this month is getting me more & more excited for summer time!

Wedding Anniversary Wash Out

We originally planned to take a sunset sailing tour in St. Michael’s, Maryland to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. We still managed to have a nice dinner at this waterfront bar & grille, staying inside of course – but the views were still beautiful from the window. And of course I had to pick up a slice of Smith Island Cake for the road from this local bakery. I still hope to rebook the sailing tour for sometime this summer on a much sunnier day. Fingers crossed!

Read: How To Have a Minimalist Wedding

Blackeyed Susan’s, Crabcakes & Horse Races

“That’s what Maryland does!” We attended the 148th annual Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course with a few friends. It was a beautiful day roaming the grounds, eating tasty foods & betting on horses. For Maryland, the Preakness Stakes is a popular tradition where guests from all over come in the best attire – hats being the main attraction. The event ended with a bit of a washout of a concert by no other than, Bruno Mars! Although I ended the night with a soaked dress & countless blisters ( side note: don’t wear wedges for 10 hours straight), I had a blast! Definitely a highlight of the month. And I can’t wait for next year.

A few other honorable mentions…

We tried out this new local coffee shop called The Human Bean. Even though I’m not the biggest fan of coffee, I do love a sweet tea or chai tea latte. My husband & I have an inside joke where we call one another human beans so clearly we found this comical.

It’s finally açaí bowl season! How pretty & delicious is this?!

sweet messages during my walks around the neighborhood 🫶🏻

What I’ve Been….

Reading

Although I was in a bit of a reading slump this month & managed to read 12 books! 🤯 A lot of them fell rather flat. But I still discovered some really great reads I’d like to mention. On a whim, I decided to pick up Happy Place by Emily Henry [ I told myself I wouldn’t get the hardcover] & I absolutely loved this book & is probably my favorite of her’s next to Beach Read. I love the found family aspect, the past & present POV’s of Wyn & Harriet’s relationship as well as the deeper topics of love, adulthood, friendships & the art of communication.

Another favorite is Six Scorched Roses, the novella to the Serpent & the Wings of Night duology. For a novella, the story was so captivating & a perfect introduction to a few of the characters that will be introduced in Ashes & The Star Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent. I’m sensing a fantasy era type of summer.

I’m of course still trucking along with the Wheel of Time series [ currently on book 11]. But I can already tell my other current read is going to be a 2023 favorite. And that is no other than, The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. I’ve been seeing everyone talk about this book & I just felt out of the loop. I had to order it on my Kindle because it’s basically sold out everywhere for the next few months! It’s the perfect adult fantasy with elements that remind me of Divergent & Hunger Games but with dragons.

I’ve also been trying to read more non fiction this year. Stephen King’s memoir on writing is a must read for all my fellow bloggers / writers. Especially if you have been lacking motivation & in a downright writing rut, this book was very inspiring. I loved the way King incorporated stories of his life to make it feel less bland & less textbookesque.

Follow Me on Goodreads to see my mini reviews & all 13 books I read this month. I successfully stuck to my physical TBR & read quite a few from my bookshelves.

Binge Watching

Ted Lasso: The love I have for this wholesome show is unmatched. I laugh, I cry, I gasp. If you are unfamiliar, Ted Lasso – a former football coach from the US is hired to travel across the globe & coach a UK soccer [ futbol] team. The final season 3 episode aired May 31st. And I’m praying it returns for a new season.

The Morning Show: Jennifer Aniston & Reese Witherspoon produce & star is this comedy- drama about the inside scoop of broadcast journalism & the real life events & movements that have occurred from 2019-2020 including The Me Too movement which is the center focus of the storyline. For someone who has been passionate about journalism her entire life, I was sucked into this show from the beginning. The acting is phenomenal in my opinion. And I can’t wait for the 3rd season.

Silo: based on the epic dystopian trilogy, Silo is a dark “end of the world” story about an underground society developed to save civilization & create a new. This new world has secrets though & what is believed may not be the visual truth. The question is whether you are safer inside or out.

Listening To

BookMarked Podcast by Destiny Sidwell & Sarah Carolli: One of my favorite down time activities is watching booktubers on Youtube. Destiny & Sarah are two of my favorites to watch & they recently announced their new book podcast. New episodes every Thursday!

Jonas Brothers The Album: I’m so excited to announce I’ll be seeing the Jonas Brothers in concert this fall for their Five Albums One Night Tour! Fun fact about me, when I was in high school, I absolutely loved the Jonas Brothers [ specifically Joe Jonas ] & listened to their music all the time. And I may or may not of had tons of magazine clippings taped to the inside of the closet doors. So, my inner child is estatic! Their new album has the most perfect summer jams! A few favorite songs of mine include Summer Baby, Sail Away, Little Bird & Vacation Eyes.

Blog Stats | Achievements

Twitter: over 6.5k followers strong & striving to possibly hit 7k. Twitter engagement has been a lot less compared to previous years, but is still one of my go-to platforms

Pinterest: 171 followers & 16.4k monthly views. I’ve been lacking a bit on this platform & want to bump up the monthly views to 25k.

Instagram: I recently created a new bookstagram & am currently 200 followers strong. I hope to find the motivation to post more frequently this summer & connect with more book lovers.

What I’m Looking Forward To Next …

I’m really looking forward to the weather getting warmer & our week long vacation to Virginia Beach. I’m itching to relax by the ocean, read a few good books & soak up that sun. I’m also hoping to get to at least one baseball game & possibly Top Golf.

I’m looking into writing more posts & submit work to other companies / sites. So, if you are offering freelance writing, editing or contributions – let a girl know. I’m also looking into review more books, so if you have any ARCs you’d like me to read, please send them my way.

A summer blogging collaboration coming your way in July featuring these incredible bloggers:

Examine This Moment, Environline, The Dating Bitch, This Brit’s Life, Vic St. Michael, Riyah Speaks & Headphone Thoughts

Thanks for catching up with me!

-B

Minimalism, organization

20 Items To Declutter to Prepare for Summer

May 17, 2023May 17, 2023 mindbeautysimplicity

Looking to downsize your home for summer? Here are 20 Items To Declutter to prepare for those hot & sunny days:

Worn Out Beach Towels

I like to keep up to five beach towels ( extras for guests). We are frequently going to the beach or the pool on weekends, so having a small collection of towels is crucial. Make sure they aren’t stained or worn out.

Expired Sunscreen

This is the perfect time to declutter any expired sunscreen & purchase new for the season. Protect your skin!

Ill Fitting / Worn Out Swimwear

Recently, I updated my swimwear collection & got rid of any damaged or ill fitting bikinis & one pieces. This is also includes accessories such as cover ups & hats.

Uncomfortable Sandals / Flipflops

There is no sense in keeping footwear that is uncomfortable & will potentially cause blisters. Some of my favorite brands include Havana, Reef & Sam Edelman.

Damaged Luggage

Summer means lots of travel. Be sure your luggage is up to par & durable.

Ill Fitting Shorts / Denim

A seasonal closet declutter is always a good idea. In the summer, I always go through my denim & shorts & make sure they are properly fitting. This season, I purchased a few new pairs from Loft & Levi.

Excess Water Bottles

I love carrying around my Hydroflask to the beach, hiking or running errands. Staying hydrated this time of year is so important. But we don’t need to hoard an array of options. Be sure you are only keeping ones you regularly use.

Vehicles

With all the road-trips & travels, it’s a good time to clean our cars. Trash any food wrappers & floating papers. I also end up having an array of winter jackets & winter hats hoarded in the back of the car that need stored. I also like to get the entire car detailed & vacuumed.

Sunglasses

A popular summer time accessory – go through your collection & declutter any pair that are warped, damaged or out of style.

Books / Kindle Library

Summer is my favorite time to read. Go through your shelves or kindle library & clean house. Check out this previous blog post on 5 Types of Books To Declutter From Your Shelves. Once you’ve decluttered, you can create your summer TBR.

Blankets

With the weather getting warmer, it’s time to put excess blankets in storage or closets. Go through your collection & declutter ones you no longer want.

Gardening / Yard Tools

damaged or broken tools need to be decluttered at this time. And if you lack proper outdoor storage, you may need to downsize your collection. We tend not to own many yard tools & simply borrow or rent when it’s needed.

Old Toys

This is a task that can be a regular routine. Make space for the toys they are using & will use for the summer season. Donate or store the rest.

Pool Toys

If you own a pool or visit your community pool regularly, you probably have an array of toys & floats. Downsize these items & keep the ones you know will be used this season.

Broken or Damaged Umbrellas

Protecting ourselves from the sun & keeping cool is important this season. Be sure the umbrella you own works properly. We tend to keep only one & sometimes simply rent one during our beach vacations.

Broken or Damaged Beach Chairs

Make sure the beach chairs you own are comfortable & durable. And rarely do you need a bunch of extras for guests. Instead, keep what you use & have guests bring their own.

Craft Supplies

Crafts are such fun ways to occupy your time during the summer. Be sure markers aren’t dried out, papers aren’t damaged & to throw away any trash or unwanted creations.

Papers

If you have school aged children, spend some time decluttering or organizing their past year school work & prepare for the next school year. You can also spend some time shredding old business papers or documents you no longer need.

Your Schedule

Summer is the perfect time to reflect & relax – possibly consider a slower summer with less commitments. Learn to say no more often & only agree to the events & obligations you want to attend. Leave people pleasing to the wayside & regain your time.

Your Expectations

Everyone’s summer can look different. You don’t necessarily need to travel far to have a proper summer. You can focus on resting at home, spending time with family or making time for home projects. Spend some time making a list of what you want your summer to look like & make that happen.

-B

Lifestyle

10 Reasons I’m Happier Without Alcohol | My Sober Curious Journey

May 10, 2023 mindbeautysimplicity

When I ventured into this minimalistic lifestyle, I had no idea it would lead me down the path of a sober curious journey. I’ve dabbled in dry Januaries [ or months ] before, which have become rather mainstream lately. But I never took it to a serious lifestyle change. Last summer, I decided – for my health, to go on this sober curious path for real & potentially give up alcohol for good. I would categorize myself as the “social drinker”, college being the forefront to this slight habit. I wouldn’t necessarily say I had a problem per say, but I didn’t like the way that I was when I drank, so I’ve decided to make a change. And this past year, I’ve noticed just how happy I am without it. Here’s 10 Reasons I’m Happier Without Alcohol:

I’m More Emotionally Aware

Alcohol really numbs certain emotions & can heighten others. One of the biggest reasons I enjoy living an alcohol free life is no longer feeling so anxious as I go to sleep & when I wake up. People say hangovers are bad, but I would say the alcohol induced anxiety is neck & neck. Not only this, but I think people tend to use alcohol to numb their feelings. This was evident with my grief journey after losing my dad a year ago. Instead of meeting my grief head on, I would drown it out with White Claws & glasses of wine. And you can’t put your grief on pause. It only makes it harder to cope with the longer you let it linger.

I Sleep Better

It’s scientifically proven that alcohol can alter your REM sleep. I remember countless nights out, coming home so restless & feeling so groggy the next day. Instead, I feel more rested & have much more productive & enjoyable days without alcohol in my system.

I’ve Discovered New Hobbies

I no longer spend my weekends at bars or breweries [ unless there’s tasty food ] which has lead me to discover tons of new hobbies. I’ve always been an avid reader. But thanks the book community online & the pandemic, reading has become such a wholesome part of my life. I honestly wouldn’t know what to do without books. It’s nice to have a hobby like this that is just for me. I’ve also been enjoying the outdoors a lot more [ even during the winter ]. Hiking has become such a relaxing & meditative practice for me. It’s one of my favorite activities to do with my family. The world is so beautiful. It’s so important to look up from our phones once & a while.

I’m More Present

I no longer go through the motions with blurred vision. I am more intentional with my time & recall moments much clearer. I try to really take in my tasks even if it’s simply eating breakfast. I think we all tend to get in the habit of rushing our days.

I Look for More Experiences

I seriously have the travel bug lately. I’m constantly looking up ideas for weekend getaways, vacations & events. We have so many fun things to look forward to this summer / this year. I tend to look outside the box more & really ask myself what I want to see if this life. A few travels / events we have on the books include Virginia Beach, a Caribbean Cruise, a weekend in New York City, a sunset sailing trip & the Preakness.

I Enjoy My Own Company

I’ve always considered myself an extroverted introvert. I enjoy social gatherings with the right company. Lately, I’ve been at peace with my own company. I’m always busying myself with writing, reading or solo outings. I think it’s so important to be content with our own company because it has really helped me grown as an individual. We know ourselves better than anyone else anyway.

I Have Better Relationships

In balance with my alone time, I have better relationships than I have ever had in the past. Unfortunately, it has lead to losing some & gaining others. But as Drake says, “I’m losing friends and finding peace.” When you make a lifestyle change such as this one, you start to realize who your real friends are.

I’ve Gained More Confidence

I am the most confident I have ever been with myself. Some of that comes with age, but when you decide to let go of something such as alcohol, you really have to learn to be good with yourself. It sounds silly, but my outward appearance has changed for the better which has seeped internally as well. I have more fashion inspiration, creativity & motivation for the future & meeting certain goals.

I No Longer Feed into Peer Pressure

The biggest reason you need more confidence is the peer pressure that comes with drinking. I’ve had to really stand my ground & say no a lot more than ever before. People will say, “oh just one won’t hurt.” or “just take a quick sip.” It’s ridiculous how powerful alcohol has on society.

I’ve Striving For Bigger & Better Things

Now that alcohol is no longer a focus, I am able to brainstorm more for myself. There is so much more to life than drinking & alcohol. I love how healthy I feel. I look forward to the next phases in my life like starting a family, motherhood, possibly adding a fur baby to the mix, moving & traveling around the world. I’m manifesting bigger & better things for me career wise & no longer selling myself short.

I’m not against drinking alcohol & I’m able to be around it just fine. This has simply been a choice I’ve made for myself & one I’m so happy I decided to make. The fact of the matter is, I wasn’t at my greatest potential with alcohol ruling my days. And at the moment, I don’t see myself going back.