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March 22, 2016 by Kiki E. Leave a Comment

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The world has lost one of the greatest men it has

The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known - and I have lost my dad.

My father was someone that people called a hero. He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man and leader. He created a powerful wave of positive influence wherever he went. The impact he had on others is something that I have never witnessed in any other person - there was something truly magical about him. This is how the world knew him.

I knew him as my dad - and what a heaven sent honor that has been. To me, he hung the moon.

My father was my world - and what an incredible world he created. He was strong and protective. He was brilliant and ridiculously funny. He was stoic and sensitive. He was dynamic and powerful. He was my role model and inspiration. He was humble and inherently received respect - the respect he so deserved.

My father’s life story was one of relentless perserverence, unending dedication to his family and friends, courage to do what was right, and willing sacrifice to facilitate the dreams of those he loved. It was also a story of joy and love - something everyone close to him had the privilege of experiencing. Once you knew my father’s love, the world grew to be a brighter and more meaningful place.

I am doing my best to walk this path of loss with the strength and grace that I know he would want for me. I picking up the pieces of my heart that feel like pieces of him - and cementing those firmly in place before I pick up the rest of the broken bits. It makes me feel like part of him is still here - and I need that - and the world needs that.

My greatest comfort is knowing that my dad is with my momma and my brother. It is also my greatest sadness because I miss them all so much that it’s etched into my soul. I will proudly carry all of my favorite pieces of them - lovingly cemented into my heart - until we all meet again.

| MORNING AFFIRMATIONS | Affirmations are one of

| MORNING AFFIRMATIONS |

Affirmations are one of the most important rituals in my life. An affirmation is a positive thought or statement, written or spoken, that challenges self-limiting beliefs and replaces patterns or negative thinking with patterns of positive thinking.

When something benefits me greatly, I feel compelled to share it. So - here is a video full of vulnerability: a peek into my morning routine which includes doing my makeup while saying affirmations.

You can see the profound effect the words had on me (even I was surprised after watching this) from the sleepy low-energy version of myself at the beginning of the video to the centered and focused joy-filled energy at the end.

If any of the affirmations in the video make you feel uncomfortable, I urge you to lean into that discomfort to discover what it is about that particular statement that impacted you. Perhaps it’s an insecurity or a feeling of shame. Maybe it’s a sense of unworthiness or a lack of self-love. Whatever it is - it can be addressed and healed by incorporating the affirmation into your daily routine.

Try saying, writing, and/or reading these affirmations and see how you feel afterwards. Bonus points if you look at yourself in a mirror while saying them.

All of the affirmations in this video are my personal favorites and the ones I use frequently. You can also find all of these affirmations in my book The Complete Guide to Self Care.

🤍 SAVE THIS POST so you can refer to these affirmations whenever you need them 🤍

#selflove #selfcare #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #affirmation #confidence #morningroutine #morningritual #meditate #joy #growth #peace #mentalwellbeing #deepwork #neuroplasticity #mindset #positivemindset #wellness #manifestation #manifest #innerpeace #purpose #perspective #thecompleteguidetoselfcare

| AUGUST PHOTO DUMP | This is a monthly gratitude

| AUGUST PHOTO DUMP |

This is a monthly gratitude practice of mine. I find 10 of my favorite pics/videos from the month and take time to acknowledge the blessed moment captured within.

The August gratitude roundup - in order:

1. The way I feel every time I step out of the house with my hunk of a husband.
2. Tomatoes. Everything about them.
3. Watching my nephew + niece grow into such funny, kind, + engaging people.
4. The “girl breakfast” tradition I have with my sister @sweetsoutherncalifornia + my niece. And the fact that this little loves butter as much (maybe more?!) than I do.
5. The way it feels to sit across the table from him.
6. Eating some incredible + innovative food at a local favorite @na_na_thai
7. How time with my sister is always magical, revitalizing, invigorating, and soul filling.
8. The feeling I get during the monthly fancy lunch tradition I have with my sister.
9. The rush of a great stand up comedy show - @nikkiglaser absolutely crushed it.
10. The fact that fresh well-made food can be found around every corner of this valley + my love of @vegavineyardandfarm

#gratitude #family #selfcare #losalamos #santaynez #santaynezvalley #photodump #august #celebrate #gratitudepractice #sister #husband #auntie #centralcoast #lifestyle #gratitudephotodump #summer #foodie #farmtotable #truelove #memories #summeralbum

| HOW TO START YOUR DAY | If you want to quickly

| HOW TO START YOUR DAY |

If you want to quickly change the way you feel, you can focus on incorporating these 3 things into your morning routine.

☀️ LIGHT - getting natural light first thing in the morning is important because it helps set your circadian rhythm. Your circadian rhythm is your internal clock that controls many biological functions + it manages when you feel alert and when you feel sleepy.

💧 HYDRATION - a lot of people feel foggy or out of it when they wake up. This is oftentimes a sign of dehydration. Have a big glass of water upon waking - bonus points for the liver cleansing benefits of a warm mug of lemon water - your brain will thank you.

💃🏼 MOVEMENT - after lying in bed for multiple hours, it’s important to get your body moving. If you have time, take a walk around your neighborhood or squeeze in a quick workout. If you’re pressed for time, put on your favorite song and dance to it from beginning to end.

You will feel an increase in clarity, motivation, energy, and mood the moment you add these three things to the beginning of your day.

What’s your favorite part of your morning routine?

#morningroutine #morningritual #light #hydration #movement #selfcare #wellness #mentalhealth #energy #perspective #motivation #mentalwellness #positivity #selflove #lemonwater #health #mindfulmorning #mindset

| SUMMER SQUASH FRITTATA | Frittatas are one of m

| SUMMER SQUASH FRITTATA |

Frittatas are one of my favorite things to make. Simple, delicious, nutritious, packed with protein, + you can use so many different ingredients.

For this frittata, I used caramelized onion, summer squash, bacon, + goat cheese.

Bonus: we have enough leftovers for 3 more days!

🍳 SAVE this recipe for a simple, impressive, cost-effective lunch (or dinner!) 🍳

INGREDIENTS
10 eggs
1 summer squash (can be zucchini or yellow squash)
1 white onion
4 pieces of cooked crumbled bacon
4 oz goat cheese
2 oz half and half
Olive oil
Minced garlic
Salt
Pepper

1. Slice your summer squash and onions into thin strips.
2. Sauté squash + onions (in two separate pans as they have different cooking times) in oil, garlic, + salt. Pull off heat when they’re caramelized.
3. Crack all of the eggs into a bowl with the half and half and some salt and pepper. Scramble the eggs well with a fork.
4. Preheat the oven to 425.
5. Pour the egg mixture into a cast iron pan over medium heat on the stove.
6. Sprinkle the bacon, sautéed squash, caramelized onions, and goat cheese onto the egg mixture.
7. Allow 5 minutes for eggs to set on the stove.
8. Put the cast iron pan into the oven for 7-10 minutes (until eggs rise and look fluffy).
8. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

I like to serve it with a simple side salad. Keeps in the fridge for about 3 days.

#recipe #proteinpacked #healthy #mealprep #delicious #frittata #homemade #homecooking #eggs #summersquash #local #organic #simplelunch #simplerecipe #costeffectivecooking

| JEWELRY ORGANIZATION | The best 90 minutes + $2

| JEWELRY ORGANIZATION |

The best 90 minutes + $25 I’ve spent on something in my home.

These jewelry organizers are a game changer. Affordable, customizable, + stackable.

I snagged these on @amazon . When they arrived, I immediately cleared out a drawer and placed them inside in a configuration I liked.

Then I grabbed all of my jewelry and dumped it on a white towel (easier to see + detangle this way). I organized the jewelry based on type - necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.

Starting with my very favorite + most-worn pieces, I began to fill in the jewelry trays.

The final result is jaw-dropping. I find myself opening that drawer with a gasp multiple times a day.

Bonus: I can now see everything I own - so I can easily style different jewelry looks quickly.

You can check out my Amazon storefront - link in bio - for these exact organizers + some of my current inexpensive jewelry favorites.

#jewelry #organization #jewelryorganizer #jewelrytray #neutralhome #goldjewelry #amazondeal #founditonamazon #organizationhack #lifehack #lifeupgrade #affordablejewelry

| 10 LOOKS I LOVE | I view the art of getting dre

| 10 LOOKS I LOVE |

I view the art of getting dressed as an act of self-care + an important part of self-expression.

Some recent summertime staples:

🤍 Denim on denim on denim on denim - I’m in my can’t-wear-enough-denim era. I think this era is here to stay.

🤍 Midi skirts - this skirt length just entered my wardrobe and I have no idea why it took me so long. Looks effortless and pairs with literally any type of footwear. Sandals, boots, sneakers, pumps… all equally chic.

🤍 Cuffed shorts - I’m all for an unfinished hem, but something about a cuff takes a casual look and makes it appear polished.

🤍 Vests - another wardrobe element that I am shocked I did not incorporate sooner. I love a good vest. Can be dressed up or down and is perfect for hot summer weather.

🤍 Boxer shorts - a recent trend that I swore months ago I would never try. I was wrong. So wrong. I love them.

Each of these looks make me feel like a different version of myself - and I love them all. Which one is your favorite?

#selfcare #fashion #neutral #capsulewardrobe #aviators #selflove #selfexpression #ootd #looks #looksilove #californiastyle #californiafashion #tomboy #feminine #dressup #expressyourself #summer #summertime #summerootd #summerfashion #summerstyle #boxershorts #summertrends #canadiantuxedo #denimondenim

| LEMONADE PIE | One of my absolute favorite summ

| LEMONADE PIE |

One of my absolute favorite summer desserts. Only takes 10 minutes and 5 ingredients to whip up.

🍋 SAVE this because - trust me - you’ll find yourself making it again + again. 🍋

There are a lot of lemonade pie recipes circulating on the internet, but this is my favorite version (because the cream cheese makes ALL the difference).

INGREDIENTS
Graham cracker crust
4 oz thawed cream cheese
8 oz slightly thawed frozen lemonade concentrate
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
8 oz Cool Whip

1. Put all ingredients (except the Graham cracker crust) in a bowl. Mix together until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into the Graham cracker crust.
3. Refrigerate or freeze* for 4 hours before serving.

*I prefer to freeze the pie because it gives it a cheesecake like consistently. Feel free to experiment to decide what you like best.

#lemonadepie #iceboxpie #summerdessert #lemondessert #homemade #lemonrecipe #bestlemonadepie #simplerecipe #10minuterecipe #bestdessert #birthdaypie #sweettreat #summertreat #lemonade #🍋

| ANGER | Anger is not discussed often enough. An

| ANGER |

Anger is not discussed often enough. Anger - specifically anger experienced by a woman - is something that our society frequently rejects or reframes (i.e. by calling a woman “crazy” or unhinged, etc.).

Anger is a very important emotion - one that demands to be acknowledged, especially within oneself. This is because anger is an indicator that a boundary you have has been violated. Anger is often fed from a deep place of self-protection.

Giving your anger the acknowledgment + respect it deserves helps you to process it and release it in ways that are healthy + promote growth.

Once you have acknowledged your anger, you have plenty of choices on how you want to release it. Here are a few suggestions:

• A long walk or run so the emotions don’t stay trapped in your physical body
• A thoughtful + respectful conversation - if one can be had safely + productively - with the person who you are feeling anger about or toward
• Screaming it out - on top of a mountain, into the ocean, into your pillow, etc.
• Writing it down. Sometimes I like to write it down to get it out + then to burn the paper as a sign of release.
• Thanking yourself for your innate sense of self-protection and stating the boundary you are now aware of with a sense of gratitude

What would you add to this list?

#selflove #selfcare #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #anger #release #angermanagement #growth #peace #boundaries #selfhelp #selfawareness #mentalwellbeing #deepwork #neuroplasticity #mindset #positivemindset #wellness

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The world has lost one of the greatest men it has

The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known - and I have lost my dad.

My father was someone that people called a hero. He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man and leader. He created a powerful wave of positive influence wherever he went. The impact he had on others is something that I have never witnessed in any other person - there was something truly magical about him. This is how the world knew him.

I knew him as my dad - and what a heaven sent honor that has been. To me, he hung the moon.

My father was my world - and what an incredible world he created. He was strong and protective. He was brilliant and ridiculously funny. He was stoic and sensitive. He was dynamic and powerful. He was my role model and inspiration. He was humble and inherently received respect - the respect he so deserved.

My father’s life story was one of relentless perserverence, unending dedication to his family and friends, courage to do what was right, and willing sacrifice to facilitate the dreams of those he loved. It was also a story of joy and love - something everyone close to him had the privilege of experiencing. Once you knew my father’s love, the world grew to be a brighter and more meaningful place.

I am doing my best to walk this path of loss with the strength and grace that I know he would want for me. I picking up the pieces of my heart that feel like pieces of him - and cementing those firmly in place before I pick up the rest of the broken bits. It makes me feel like part of him is still here - and I need that - and the world needs that.

My greatest comfort is knowing that my dad is with my momma and my brother. It is also my greatest sadness because I miss them all so much that it’s etched into my soul. I will proudly carry all of my favorite pieces of them - lovingly cemented into my heart - until we all meet again.

| MORNING AFFIRMATIONS | Affirmations are one of

| MORNING AFFIRMATIONS |

Affirmations are one of the most important rituals in my life. An affirmation is a positive thought or statement, written or spoken, that challenges self-limiting beliefs and replaces patterns or negative thinking with patterns of positive thinking.

When something benefits me greatly, I feel compelled to share it. So - here is a video full of vulnerability: a peek into my morning routine which includes doing my makeup while saying affirmations.

You can see the profound effect the words had on me (even I was surprised after watching this) from the sleepy low-energy version of myself at the beginning of the video to the centered and focused joy-filled energy at the end.

If any of the affirmations in the video make you feel uncomfortable, I urge you to lean into that discomfort to discover what it is about that particular statement that impacted you. Perhaps it’s an insecurity or a feeling of shame. Maybe it’s a sense of unworthiness or a lack of self-love. Whatever it is - it can be addressed and healed by incorporating the affirmation into your daily routine.

Try saying, writing, and/or reading these affirmations and see how you feel afterwards. Bonus points if you look at yourself in a mirror while saying them.

All of the affirmations in this video are my personal favorites and the ones I use frequently. You can also find all of these affirmations in my book The Complete Guide to Self Care.

🤍 SAVE THIS POST so you can refer to these affirmations whenever you need them 🤍

#selflove #selfcare #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #affirmation #confidence #morningroutine #morningritual #meditate #joy #growth #peace #mentalwellbeing #deepwork #neuroplasticity #mindset #positivemindset #wellness #manifestation #manifest #innerpeace #purpose #perspective #thecompleteguidetoselfcare

| AUGUST PHOTO DUMP | This is a monthly gratitude

| AUGUST PHOTO DUMP |

This is a monthly gratitude practice of mine. I find 10 of my favorite pics/videos from the month and take time to acknowledge the blessed moment captured within.

The August gratitude roundup - in order:

1. The way I feel every time I step out of the house with my hunk of a husband.
2. Tomatoes. Everything about them.
3. Watching my nephew + niece grow into such funny, kind, + engaging people.
4. The “girl breakfast” tradition I have with my sister @sweetsoutherncalifornia + my niece. And the fact that this little loves butter as much (maybe more?!) than I do.
5. The way it feels to sit across the table from him.
6. Eating some incredible + innovative food at a local favorite @na_na_thai
7. How time with my sister is always magical, revitalizing, invigorating, and soul filling.
8. The feeling I get during the monthly fancy lunch tradition I have with my sister.
9. The rush of a great stand up comedy show - @nikkiglaser absolutely crushed it.
10. The fact that fresh well-made food can be found around every corner of this valley + my love of @vegavineyardandfarm

#gratitude #family #selfcare #losalamos #santaynez #santaynezvalley #photodump #august #celebrate #gratitudepractice #sister #husband #auntie #centralcoast #lifestyle #gratitudephotodump #summer #foodie #farmtotable #truelove #memories #summeralbum

| HOW TO START YOUR DAY | If you want to quickly

| HOW TO START YOUR DAY |

If you want to quickly change the way you feel, you can focus on incorporating these 3 things into your morning routine.

☀️ LIGHT - getting natural light first thing in the morning is important because it helps set your circadian rhythm. Your circadian rhythm is your internal clock that controls many biological functions + it manages when you feel alert and when you feel sleepy.

💧 HYDRATION - a lot of people feel foggy or out of it when they wake up. This is oftentimes a sign of dehydration. Have a big glass of water upon waking - bonus points for the liver cleansing benefits of a warm mug of lemon water - your brain will thank you.

💃🏼 MOVEMENT - after lying in bed for multiple hours, it’s important to get your body moving. If you have time, take a walk around your neighborhood or squeeze in a quick workout. If you’re pressed for time, put on your favorite song and dance to it from beginning to end.

You will feel an increase in clarity, motivation, energy, and mood the moment you add these three things to the beginning of your day.

What’s your favorite part of your morning routine?

#morningroutine #morningritual #light #hydration #movement #selfcare #wellness #mentalhealth #energy #perspective #motivation #mentalwellness #positivity #selflove #lemonwater #health #mindfulmorning #mindset

| SUMMER SQUASH FRITTATA | Frittatas are one of m

| SUMMER SQUASH FRITTATA |

Frittatas are one of my favorite things to make. Simple, delicious, nutritious, packed with protein, + you can use so many different ingredients.

For this frittata, I used caramelized onion, summer squash, bacon, + goat cheese.

Bonus: we have enough leftovers for 3 more days!

🍳 SAVE this recipe for a simple, impressive, cost-effective lunch (or dinner!) 🍳

INGREDIENTS
10 eggs
1 summer squash (can be zucchini or yellow squash)
1 white onion
4 pieces of cooked crumbled bacon
4 oz goat cheese
2 oz half and half
Olive oil
Minced garlic
Salt
Pepper

1. Slice your summer squash and onions into thin strips.
2. Sauté squash + onions (in two separate pans as they have different cooking times) in oil, garlic, + salt. Pull off heat when they’re caramelized.
3. Crack all of the eggs into a bowl with the half and half and some salt and pepper. Scramble the eggs well with a fork.
4. Preheat the oven to 425.
5. Pour the egg mixture into a cast iron pan over medium heat on the stove.
6. Sprinkle the bacon, sautéed squash, caramelized onions, and goat cheese onto the egg mixture.
7. Allow 5 minutes for eggs to set on the stove.
8. Put the cast iron pan into the oven for 7-10 minutes (until eggs rise and look fluffy).
8. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

I like to serve it with a simple side salad. Keeps in the fridge for about 3 days.

#recipe #proteinpacked #healthy #mealprep #delicious #frittata #homemade #homecooking #eggs #summersquash #local #organic #simplelunch #simplerecipe #costeffectivecooking

| JEWELRY ORGANIZATION | The best 90 minutes + $2

| JEWELRY ORGANIZATION |

The best 90 minutes + $25 I’ve spent on something in my home.

These jewelry organizers are a game changer. Affordable, customizable, + stackable.

I snagged these on @amazon . When they arrived, I immediately cleared out a drawer and placed them inside in a configuration I liked.

Then I grabbed all of my jewelry and dumped it on a white towel (easier to see + detangle this way). I organized the jewelry based on type - necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.

Starting with my very favorite + most-worn pieces, I began to fill in the jewelry trays.

The final result is jaw-dropping. I find myself opening that drawer with a gasp multiple times a day.

Bonus: I can now see everything I own - so I can easily style different jewelry looks quickly.

You can check out my Amazon storefront - link in bio - for these exact organizers + some of my current inexpensive jewelry favorites.

#jewelry #organization #jewelryorganizer #jewelrytray #neutralhome #goldjewelry #amazondeal #founditonamazon #organizationhack #lifehack #lifeupgrade #affordablejewelry

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