Thanks for stopping by my sliver of the internet. For daily happenings in my life, follow along on Instagram! @MadisonCrowley
I have recently added gluten-free to the already present dairy-free in my life and things have CHANGED y’all. It’s hard out there for us food intolerant folks. Thankfully we are living in a time when healthy options are much more free-flowing (thank you TJ’s, Whole Foods, and LA!!!) so it isn’t as daunting as trying to eat this way years and years ago.
I am a foodie and I love beer. I love trying new foods and new places. So this is hard for me. But I figured if it would help my digestion, then it’s worth giving it a try. So far, SO GOOD. Which is bittersweet bc beer. While I love trying new foods, my daily go-to foods are pretty basic and honestly not as healthy as I once hoped that they would be. But I have gotten to the point where I no longer want to solely enjoy what I am eating, I want to not feel like crap afterward as well. Prioritizing quality of life, ya know?
So here is this recipe that is everything I wanted it to be and more. I honestly wasn’t even thinking about blogging this at all, but after I made it and tried it and LOVED it, I realized that there are ways to work around this food intolerance thing that I actually enjoy. Finding dairy-free cheese that actually tastes good AND melts is hard… until now. I knew I had to share with you guys. Welcome to my new fave, easy pizza recipe! Totally up to you to add more or fewer toppings, I just did what I knew I liked. I will probably try with different toppings next time, just to keep things new and interesting.
Delicious Gluten + Dairy Free Pizza
UDI’s gluten-free pizza crust (1)
SO Delicious Mozzarella dairy-free shreds
Large pepperoni
Olives
Basil leaves
Tomato paste
Oregano
Garlic Salt
Oil
Thanks for stopping by Vogue and a Latte – your place for all things lifestyle & blogging.
I receive questions on my Instagram weekly about how to start a blog and how I started mine, what my tips and tricks are, who I host with, etc. First, I will say that I am not an expert. I have been blogging for two years – crazy, I literally can’t believe it – and I might do a post summing up things that I learned over the past two years, but I am by no means the SEO and HTML expert. That being said, I want to start a mini-series highlighting all of the questions that I get about blogging and answer with the knowledge that I have currently.
This question / answer blog post will kind of cover just the BASICS of blogging. How do you start blogging? Where do I start blogging? How did I start blogging? How to start a blog?! All of those questions.
So, how do you start blogging? This is an excellent question! One that I had myself two years ago at about 11 PM in my room in Georgia after I found Payton Sartain’s blog while searching for an LA guide on Pinterest.
–> BLOG TIP: Pinterest is your literal best friend. I get more traffic to my blog from Pinterest than Instagram or Facebook. Pinterest is a search engine, not a social media platform.
I landed on her blog and started reading her other content and falling in love with her style. I then found her Instagram and was like omg this girl is so COOL.
I thought to myself, “Could I do this? Could I start my own blog?! Would anyone care what I have to say about denim?”, not knowing an ounce of what that meant or what my end goal was. And I think THAT is the key. I didn’t even know you could make money from blogging. I had no intention of taking this “all the way to the top” (I am nowhere near the top, or the middle lol) or that bloggers and influencers would start to take over Instagram and the fashion world. I simply wanted to share my love for style and photography combined with writing on a website. I have always loved writing and my friends have always come to me for fashion advice so I figured I could combine the two online.
I was just watching Payton’s latest Weekly Video on YouTube ( because being a blogger in this season means also having video because video is the way of the future – you must be adaptable ) and she made a few really good points about blogging and what it entails. You can’t start this if you want someone to do half of the work for you. I knew nothing, zero, about blogging when I started. I knew that I wanted to share my life and help others and I knew that I loved to write. And I knew that if I wanted to do it, I had to figure it out myself.
So, I headed straight to Google. I Google’d everything. I mean EVERYTHING. I said Pinterest is your best friend, and that is the truth, but so is Google. So, I am going to sum up a little bit of what I most likely Google’d and then found during those wee hours of the morning. If there is something you don’t understand, Google it! You have to be a self-starter and a self-motivator to be a blogger.
★ Hosting: (Definition: Hosting (also known as website hosting or Web hosting) is the business of housing, serving, and maintaining files for one or more websites. In a sense, you rent space on a computer to hold your website. Source. ) I host with Bluehost. This is where I bought my domain. Bluehost is also where my email inbox lives, which is important because having an email address at your domain ( ex: madison@vogueandalatte.com ) makes you seem professional. It’s a popular service and I know that you can buy through other hosting sites as well, Bluehost just came very recommended to me for blogging because of the email feature and the flexibility it gives you. It was also really helpful when my website got hacked. You can do your own research and figure out what hosting site works best for you and where you want to buy your domain. Google is your key!!!!
★ Platform: (Definition: A blogging platform is the software or service that you use to publish your content onto the internet in the form of a blog. A blog platform is a specific form of a content management system. Source.) I use WordPress.org ( not .com – there is a difference!!! ). This is where I am writing this post, where I upload all of my images, where I make my menu, where I instal plugins, where I create all of my pages, etc.
★ Domain: My domain is my blog name ( this is obvious but key ). Ex: www.vogueandalatte.com. Buy yours through your hosting site! ★ Theme: I used Bloom Blog Shop for my theme. You can find all kinds of free themes on WordPress or SquareSpace or wherever, I just wanted mine to not be a theme that everyone else was already using. Being unique is also key and sets you apart from everyone else.
★ Name: Make it something searchable that sums up what your blog is going to be about. I renamed my blog about a year in because I was tired of describing my name and telling people why I chose it. I loved the name and what it stood for but people couldn’t tell what they were getting from my blog by the name. I think that was an important step in my blogging journey though, diving more into what I wanted it to be about. So go with your gut. I started out by simply taking pictures of my outfits and describing them in detail. I can’t remember the last time I did that on my blog. Your blog evolves and changes with you, and that’s the point! I have learned so much about myself through blogging and I think that that is enough for me, even if I never get to do it full-time. You could also make your blog your full name. I know a lot of people who do that so if that is the direction you are leaning towards, more power to ya!
★ Find bloggers who inspire you and take notes: There are a few bloggers that I LOVE and I tried to get to the bottom of what I loved about them. Realness of every-day-life, authentically themselves, style inspiration, non-intimidating lifestyles, and then tried to replicate that in my blog. I always want me blog to be a real portrayal of my life and what I am going through. I always want to be authentic with my wording/verbage and how I talk about products. I want to inspire other peoples outfits that make them feel confident. I want to show the parts of my life that are glamorous and definitely not glamorous. What do YOU like reading about? Chances are that’s what you’re passionate about and will like writing about too. If not, you will figure out after you have realized what you hate writing about. I realized after a while that I didn’t want to just describe each detail of my outfit in posts and call it a day. I wanted to provide value. Be a place where people could gain something and find information beyond what shirt I am loving. Not that that doesn’t have value, it’s just not what I enjoyed writing in detail about anymore.
★ Get a few posts up and running before you launch so that you have a few things prepared to post: What are you going to blog about? I think this is a really important step to dive into early on.It’s always good to have a few posts up lined up when you first start a blog. Just like when you launch a new Instagram account or social media campaign, you always want to have a PLAN. Sit down and brainstorm the top 5 things that you want to talk about on your blog consistently. Write a post on each. I don’t have a specific day that I post because my full-time job is pretty time consuming ( yes, most bloggers have full-time jobs!!! ) and I write when I can, but if you can tell people exactly when you are going to be posting ( once a week, twice a week, etc. ) that is really helpful!
★ Social Media: Social media drives traffic to your blog. Simple as that. It is important to have a heavy social media presence to be a blogger. You can rely on SEO only, if that’s how you want to go, but make sure you do your research! Socials allow me to personally chat with and relate to my followers and readers. I get to be a micro-blogger in my captions and growing a social following means more eyes on your content that you have worked so hard on. I made my personal instagram into my blog/personal instagram. I know that most bloggers make their instagram handles ( Ex: @MadisonCrowley ) their blog names ( Ex: @VogueandaLatte – not a real thing lol ), that route just wasn’t for me. I really like the lifestyle/reality aspect of having my name be my Insta handle. Occasionally it has been confusing but never a huge issue.
★ Things to Google: SEO ( Search Engine Optimization ) Analytics ( Google Analytics, Jetpack plugin ) HTML Basics *Any term in this post that you didn’t understand!!!!
Depending on how detailed I plan on making this series, I may go into each of those topics individually or in a post. But they are some important things you need to know about before starting. Maybe not HTML basics, but for SURE SEO and analytics. I use JetPack with WordPress.org and I also have the Google Analytics Plugin installed so I can look at all of my analytics that way.
Don’t compare yourself. Your blogging journey is yours and no one else’s. You don’t know what you are doing that they aren’t and vice versa. You are never too old. You are never too young. You are never going to make your blog perfect. You are never going to feel like it is ready. You are never going to be 100% satisfied with a post or your homepage if you are a perfectionist like myself. DO NOT LET THAT STOP YOU. Find your niche and dive in. Blogging takes hard ass work and determination and if you are willing to put in the time and effort, you can reach your goals. You also need to grow thick skin to be a blogger. Haters are just a part of the biz. And you have to be able to laugh at yourself. Like I just said “biz”??? Who AM I!
Not everyone continues blogging. So if you are concerned about “over saturation of bloggers” ( not really a thing but people think it is ), don’t be. There are plenty of bloggers that started at the same time I did that are not still blogging anymore. Blogging is hard work and it is not for the faint of heart ( or the lazy ).
An important point to note: Eventually, those who don’t want to put in the work will fall off. Not everyone finishes the race. STAND ABOVE everyone else. Put in the extra hours. Be relentless.
Up next I am going to write about everything that goes into a blog post and then what you need to look for in your analytics. There will be more to come after that! Tell me if there are specific topics that you want me to touch on when it comes to blogging.
Follow along on Instagram ( @MadisonCrowley ) and comment on my latest post letting me know what questions you want me to answer in this series!
We all get into creative ruts as bloggers or entrepreneurs. It’s hard to continue creating new content when things in your life are off or you’re just not feeling it. SO, this is my go-to list. I love to write and sometimes I just need a little push in the creative direction. Follow me on Instagram for more day-to-day creativity tips and to see what I’m up to – @MadisonCrowley.
★ Go to spin class.
Are we surprised this is my first response? Nope! Spin class is my go-to for endorphins and a high. I am always ready to conquer the day after spin class.
★ Get off of Facebook. Go to Pinterest and search something SPECIFIC that you want to learn or write about.
For me lately, I have been searching “branding”. I love learning about the branding process and how I can take details of my brand to every aspect of my blog and Instagram or YouTube. I like learning about new fonts. I like seeing new color palettes. That gets me inspired to finish writing a blog post that I have been saving as a draft, and working hard so that I can expand my brand.
★ Go back to the page/website/person/Instagram/whatever that made you want to start blogging. For me, this is reading Payton Sartain’s blog or watching her YouTube videos.
I gain a lot of inspiration from other people. I think that if you want to learn how to be great at something, study other people who are succeeding in the area that you are trying to succeed in yourself. Take notes. Watch how they interact. How they post and when they post. If they are killing it, chances are you can learn from them. NOTE: This does not mean copy. Don’t plagiarize. Don’t steal people’s ideas. Don’t copy their outfits. Don’t make your blog or vlog the same as theirs. Simply gather ideas, see if you could do a similar post in your own voice that will speak to your own personal audience. And then remember why you’re doing that you are doing. Write down what you take from their blog. Write down how it makes you feel. Not figure out how to make your audience feel that.
★ Watch Danielle Carolan’s YouTube videos.
I have been watching Danielle Carolan’s videos for a while now and they bring so much light into my life!!! I love that she is in Athens and I get to reminisce about my days at UGA but I also just love her hustle. She inspires me to get my butt up and go after what I want. It’s not going to just be handed to you!!! I think what I love most about her vlogs and Insta is that it’s literally just her life. Payton’s life is kinda dreamy, like a goal or farfetched at times. Danielle is just a college gal living her life on trend and with passion. Kinda how I want to live my life. We can’t all be glamorous all of the time ( not that Payton claims to be, it’s just sometimes the pressure that I put on myself as a blogger ) and I think it’s important to not lose that.
★ Read The Skinny Confidentialor listen to The Him and Her Podcast. Lauryn Evarts is SO INSPIRING. Like everything that she does. Google her blog and podcast. You won’t regret it.
★ Go to a coffee shop.
Pretty sure nothing inspires me as much as going to a coffee shop. If you know me and have been following me for a while, you know that one of my favorite things to do is to find new, cute coffee shops. Coffee shops have an atmosphere that promotes hard work and the coolest vibes. I write some of my best posts and short stories in coffee shops.
We are continuing this Morning Routine series for a couple more weeks because there are so many awesome bloggers out there that I want to be able to share with you. This week’s is no exception! Today I am chatting with Faith from the blog Articles of Faith. Her blog has such a clean, pretty design. Her Instagram is always so beautiful and, you guessed it, REAL. I love following Faith because I get so many style ideas from her outfits and she shares so many fun parts of living in Atlanta.
Fun fact: Faith used to design wedding gowns! How cool, right?! She understands all of the sides of the fashion world which is super helpful as a blogger. Make sure you check out her blog to find out so much more about who she is and why I love following her!
Let’s get to the good stuff:
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Bedroom scene: I like white bedding and keep my room fairly organized. I can’t stand to wake up looking at a mess. My nightstand usually contains books I’m reading, nail polish, a water bottle, my phone, iPad, and a candle. I sleep in a tee and some soft shorts or leggings depending on the season. My 3 year old likes to climb in to bed with me in the middle of the night so I usually wake up to his foot in my face. Ha!
7:00 am: Alarm goes off. I wake up hungry so first thing I do is grab some breakfast. I like the kitchen to be clean in the mornings too, so the counters are usually clear and sink is emptied of dishes. It’s just so refreshing to have everything CLEAN in the morning! Some mornings are quick and I’ll do toast and banana or an RX Bar (chocolate coconut and chocolate sea salt are ALWAYS stocked in my pantry!) if I need to get out the door quick. If I’m working from home for the day, then I’ll make eggs, smoothie, oatmeal, or cereal. My toddler likes banana pancakes or toast with Nutella. I get bored and switch it up. I pair breakfast with a cup of coffee or iced chai latte that I make from a mix. It’s so yummy! I usually empty the dishwasher at this time too. I try to start my day with some quiet time and just setting my mind up for the craziness of the day. It doesn’t always happen but if I try to make it a priority.
7:30 am: I finish my coffee/tea while I get ready. First thing I do is wash my face. My bathroom is somewhat small and I keep everything stored away in a cabinet. My hair dryer and curling iron rest on a stand next to the sink. I do a more in depth skincare routine at night so mornings are just a quick cleanse. Again, I switch it up but right now I cleanse with Shea Moisture Sensitive Skin Facial Cleansing Oil, pat my face dry, apply Pixi Glow Tonic with a cotton pad, and finish with Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. I try to remember to apply a tad bit of eye cream but most of the time I forget. After my face is cleansed, I brush my teeth (and my 3 year old’s) and put my contacts in.
7:45 am: Time for makeup! I don’t like a heavy face so I try to stay minimal on my makeup unless I’m going in to work. Most of the time I’m home and stick to concealer (Elf), CC cream (IT Cosmetics), bronzer (varies – currently using Tarte), blush (Tarte), and mascara (varies – currently using L’Oreal). I have a hard time getting makeup to stay, so I always, always, always use a finishing spray (Elf – Clear).
8:00 am: If I’m going to be home for much of the day, I usually put a hat on or throw my hair up. If I’ll be working somewhere else or have other things to do, I’ll curl my hair next.
8:15 am: Get my toddler and myself dressed and either get to work at home or head out the door for the day.
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What a morning routine! Make sure to let her know if you loved this post by giving her some love on Instagram ( @ArticlesofFaith ) and on her blog.
I have loved getting to chat with so many bloggers and get to know them through this series! It has been a blast and I am excited to continue for a few more weeks.
Follow along with my weekend plans on my Instagram at @MadisonCrowley!
I posted a vlog about all of my favorite beauty items right now and I will link it here. If you’re into reading blog posts over watching YouTube videos, I am linking all of the products that I mention in the video in this blog post!
Mentioned in the vlog:
Your Favorite Things Podcast with Brandi Cyrus and Wells Adams
Happy Friday and welcome back to Vogue and a Latte! I am so happy you are here and I hope you have had a wonderful week. I am here to bring you another morning routine from one of my absolute FAVORITE babes to follow on Instagram and on her blog. Meet Sorelle from Autumn Sorelle!!
Okay, so I absolutely love Sorelle because her Instagram posts and stores are always super real ( seeing a pattern here people?? ). She is so focused on being mindful and in charge of your emotions/feelings/day/etc. But I also love that she is so open about the fact that not every day is going to be a good day. There are days that aren’t going to be perfect. There are days that you are going to not feel your best, and that is okay. She is also stunnnnning and has the best style tips and photos.
You can read all about her on her about me page and throughout her blog, Autumn Sorelle. This morning routine has to be one of my favorites so far – it’s SO detailed and specific and really gives us a glimpse at what an ideal morning looks like for Sorelle!
Let’s get to it.
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Despite the fact that I’m someone who likes routine and structure, every morning looks a little different for me right now! I’m a huge believer in maintaining balance and mindfully listening to what my body needs. For a while, I had a consistent routine in the mornings and although it was great (check it out on my blog here), I actually found myself getting worked up on the days I didn’t stick to it. That’s when I realized that things needed to change and I had to loosen up a little and go with the flow.
I work a full-time job in downtown Seattle and my commute is an hour each way, so that doesn’t leave a whole lot of time in the morning! That said, I do try my hardest to make sure that I either get in a workout, yoga class, and/or a quiet meditation/devotion time. All three of these things leave me feeling grounded and ready for the day so I try to fit in at least one. Today I’m going to share an example of what I would consider to be an ideal morning.
6:00 am: Alarm goes off (unfortunately). I’m really working on not pushing snooze, but realistically I usually push it once or twice.
6:10 am: Wake up forreal haha. There are a few things I do immediately after waking up… These habits took time to create!
I stretch out really big and think of a few things I’m grateful for, before letting my brain get all wrapped up in what I have to do that day.
Still half in bed, I drink the (entire) large glass of water that I set on my nightstand the night before. I highly recommend doing this, it’s so good for you! It rehydrates your body, kickstarts your metabolism, fuels your brain, and helps to flush out toxins.
The second I get out of bed I make it! I pull up my white sheets, fluff my huge white down comforter, and arrange all my boho inspired pillows from Home Goods hehe. I started doing this as a mini New Years’ resolution this year and I don’t think I’ve skipped a day – it’s just second nature by now. Love that it sets the tone for an organized day right off the bat!
6:15 am: All the fun stuff – pee, brush my teeth, quickly wash my face.
6:20 am: Get dressed for the gym! I have an obsession with activewear and sneakers (anyone else?!) so this is weirdly fun for me haha.
6:30 – 7:30 am: Luckily I only live 5 minutes from my gym, so I can get there pretty quickly! My workouts typically consist of a 5-10 minute warmup, 35 minutes of lifting weights, and a 15 minute HIIT (high intensity interval training) circuit! I love the mix of lifting and circuits because it’s a great way to get stronger, tone your muscles, AND get in some cardio.
7:35 am: Get back home and hop in the shower! Currently on the hunt for a great shampoo/conditioner, but I love Dr. Bronner’s for body wash. My face wash is part of Emme Diane’s Acne Skin Set.
7:45 am: Towel off, put on some cozy clothes (I love Target’s loungewear) and finish applying my Emme Diane skincare products.
8:05 am: Do something with my hair – I usually leave it down and natural, clip it back, or throw it in a low messy bun.
8:10 am: Get dressed! I try to think about this the night before as I’m falling asleep so usually it doesn’t take me too much time. My current job is pretty laid-back with what we wear so that makes it easier.
8:15 am: Head downstairs and make breakfast. I almost always eat one fried egg, a piece of whole wheat toast (I like Dave’s bread) and a kiwi. Kiwis have even more than daily amount of Vitamin C we’re supposed to get so they’re a great immune booster! I take my vitamins right after eating – green tea extract, super primrose, B12, D3, probiotic, and turmeric. I would list the benefits of all of these but that would take forever – Google if you’re curious. 🙂
8:25 am: If I’m bringing my lunch that day, I’ll throw that together super quick. My favorite is a salad with spring mix, fresh herbs, frozen veggies (they defrost by the time I eat it), cherry tomatoes, red pepper, avocado, chicken, adzuki beans, cayenne pepper, salt & pepper, and whatever else I can find haha. I also like to grab a few snacks like raw cashews, chili rice chips from Costco (SO BOMB), dark chocolate, berries or other fruit, and a Clif bar.
8:30 am: Head out the door! 8:30 is usually my goal, but it isn’t do or die for me. I don’t have a set schedule at work, so I can sort of come in when I want. I recently stopped drinking coffee every day because I was becoming too reliant on it, but sometimes I’ll grab Starbucks on the way to work if I’m really in the mood for it. I like white mochas with only 2 pumps of syrup and coconut milk! In the car, I either listen to the radio or podcasts to make the time go by faster.
9:30 am: My work day begins!!
There ya have it! That is what a lot of my mornings tend to look like, except sometimes that workout is switched out with yoga or meditation/quiet time. But a QUICK DISCLAIMER lol: Not every morning is like this for me! I’m not always productive, active, and healthy. I have my fair share of mornings where I sleep an hour longer than I wanted to, skip my workout, eat a crappy breakfast, and rush out the door. The important thing is to have grace for ourselves and just try our best to do what we need to do to stay happy and healthy.
Thanks so much, Madison for including me in this series… This was so fun!
XO Sorelle
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Y’all, shoutout to Sorelle for being so open about her morning routine and each step of the way! I love how she starts her mornings with some quiet time or a workout – working on your mind and body first thing, no matter what that looks like for you, is super important.
Go follow Sorelle on Instagram and check out her blog here. Your feed will be just a little bit brighter with her gorgeous pics and uplifting words.
I have a packed weekend full of blogging fun ( heading to the SIMPLY conference with Caitlyn which should be a blast!!! ) and lots of yummy food with good friends. Follow along on Instagram ( @MadisonCrowley ) if you don’t already!
Welcome to Vogue and a Latte! Thanks for stopping by my piece of the internet. Today I am bringing another boss babe to your screen and I am SO excited for you all to learn about one of my major blogger inspirations, Peyton Baxter.
Peyton is the creator of love ‘n’ labels, a lifestyle blog filled with bright colors, happiness, ideas, and transparency.
Peyton is SO inspiring and her words bring such truth. She recently wrote this post that brought me to tears! I am so grateful for bloggers who share the deep stuff, the real stuff that grabs you and makes you think. She also talks about her faith on her blog and that brings me so much joy! Jesus is light and he definitely shines through Peyton.
On top of being so real, she has the BEST outfits and photos. She mixes high-end and low-end, which is my kinda vibe. She has such a girly and fun style while still being on top of all of the latest trends. She is super active and engaging on Instagram, which is key. She also has lots of blog posts on how to become a successful blogger and what her personal journey has looked like so far. Basically, Peyton does it all and she is must-follow and must-read babe!!
Enough chit-chat, let’s dive into Peyton’s morning routine:
I’ve never been a huge morning person … Actually, when I was a little girl, I was a bear to try and wake up for school (LOL!). I’m a complete night owl, and my most productive hours are typically later in the day. That being said, I LOVE my mornings when I can just ease into the day with a hot cup of coffee in one hand and my devotion in the other, not having to be anywhere at the crack of dawn. My ideal morning consists of waking up around 8:15-8: 30 am and easing into the morning for about an hour before I get my work day started. Ideally, I’m in my favorite pajama set from Nordstrom. I’ve gotten out of bed to brush my teeth and wash my face with my favorite Tula products. I’ve made coffee for my husband, TJ, and kissed him goodbye as he’s out the door on his way to work. Then, I make myself a massive cup of coffee from our Keurig (I drink it black). While my coffee is brewing, I go around my house and open up ALL the blinds because I love nothing more than the natural morning light shining through. (I don’t even turn on any lights in my house because I love the natural daylight so much better. It’s so energizing!) During this time, I also light candles around my house and in my office (#candleobsessed). I, then, go back upstairs and cover up with my favorite blanket (#ALWAYScold!), turn on some light music (usually my favorite worship songs or instrumental playlist) and dive headfirst into my devotion for the day. I try to start every morning off with some quiet time and meditation, just to clear my head and get started in the right direction. It’s so easy to want to jump straight into my emails first thing, but I’ve found that on the days when I skip my morning quiet time and get straight to work, it’s like I can’t get ANYTHING done, and I just feel so anxious all day long. It’s sooo important for me to spend time in the Word before I start my workday. Since I became my own boss, I’ve learned just how important it is for me to allow myself a slow, easy hour of my morning to focus on ME and get my day started off of the right foot. Here’s a closer look into my step-by-step morning routine:
8:15-30 am: Wake up the same time that TJ gets up
8:30 am: Brush my teeth & wash my face (or shower)
8:45 am: Make TJ’s coffee
9:00 am: Send Teej off to work, start my coffee & open all blinds / light candles
9:15 am: Turn on light music, dive into my quiet time & sip on my coffee
9:45 am: Make a schedule for the rest of my day in my planner & schedule out each task’s time slot (I just recently started doing this & it really helps me to stay on track with the day’s most important ‘to-dos’ which leads me to getting all my work done in a timely manner. As my own boss and someone who works from home, it’s SO challenging to make myself stop working at the end of the day. There’s always more that could be done, and since my home is my office, there’s no “leaving the office at 5:00”. This is why it’s so important for me to take 15 minutes of my morning and schedule out exactly what I need to do for that day and exactly what time I need to be working on those particular tasks.)
10:00 am: Start with emails & begin my work day (which is pretty much different each day ha!)
Let’s all give a big shout out to Peyton for chatting with me about her morning routine so that I can share with all of you! Check her out on Instagram or on her blog.If you loved this post, let her know on her Instagram! She is seriously the sweetest human.
Let me know your thoughts on this post! Share it with friends, send it your bestie who loves morning routines, or post it on social media!
Follow along my jam-packed weekend on Instagram ( @MadisonCrowley ) – it’s going to be a fun one!
Happy Friday babes! Thanks for stopping by V&L! <3
This Friday’s Morning Routine Series is brought to you by Allie from Allie Wears! I have been following Allie for a while and I loooove her Instagram content. She is so transparent and open with all of her followers. Her blog is also TOO cute and she masters finding styles on a budget and is always chatting about other lifestyle topics like working from home! She created an awesome FAQ page on her blog that answers tons of questions from her followers so that you can learn more about her! You can also find her on Instagram at @AllieWears. Now, let’s get this morning started.
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My ideal morning would be waking up bright and early to get a head start on the day. I am a total morning person and prefer waking up super early (which means going to bed super early, too). I do work from home so I have the flexibility to sleep in if I want to, but my boyfriend gets up around 5:30 so I try my best to follow his lead. Not to mention, our mini pig, Willy, can be heard oinking around that time, ready for breakfast.
5:30 AM: I wake up and check my phone while Ry feeds Will and starts his shower.
6:00 AM: Once Ry heads downstairs, I head to the bathroom to start my morning routine. That includes scraping my tongue, brushing my teeth, washing my face (with Trader Joe’s Spa Face Wash with Tea Tree Oil) and swapping out my Warby Parker glasses for contacts. My vision is so bad! I need Lasik stat.
6:15 AM: I head downstairs and kiss Ry goodbye. I then sip on warm water with ACV while ice rolling my face using this $11 gadget from Amazon.
6:30 AM: I head back upstairs to change into work-out clothes. I’m quick.. in and out!
6:40 AM: I leave for my sweat session. It depends on the day but I am either headed to the gym or a class via ClassPass. I like to lift weights in the gym and save ClassPass for cardio sessions, like cycling or hot yoga. If I sign up for a class, I always get there 10 minutes early to settle in.
7:00 AM: I workout for 45 minutes to an hour and always aim to break a sweat. Always.
8 AM: My work-out is done and I swing by a coffee shop for a large black coffee. I add a splash of almond milk once I’m home!
8:30 AM: Time to shower! I use a shampoo and conditioner from Kerastase’s Resistance collection (it works wonders), Dr Bronner’s Peppermint Pure-Castile Soap as body wash, and alternate between Aveda’s Radiant Skin Refiner or Trader Joe’s Spa Face Wash (again).
9 AM: Post shower, I slip into my robe, throw my hair into a microfiber hair towel, and lotion my limbs. I clean my ears (is this TMI?) and then use Pixi’s Glow Toner on a cotton round to remove any excess dirt from my face and neck. I then pat TruSkin’s Vitamin C serum on my face, dab Clinique’s All About Eyes under my eyes, and let those sit for a few minutes before moisturizing my face with Raw Organics Oil Control Moisturizer.
9:15 AM: Time for breakfast, which lately has included NF Greek Yogurt, almond butter granola, banana slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
9:30 AM: I open my computer and check my email (work, blog, and personal) while eating breakfast. If I need to, I’ll draft an IG post for the day – I prefer to post after 5 PM.
10:00 AM: I usually head back upstairs to put on some make-up and get dressed. I keep it super casual and simple during the week. I don’t wear much make-up – a little Smashbox CC cream, NYX eyebrows, and Lancome Hypnose mascara. I also like my hair to air dry for those messy beach waves and wear cute, comfortable clothes (like this) if I’m working solo for the rest of the day.
10:30 AM: My work day starts! I either hide out in my office, get comfortable on the couch, or head to a local coffee shop.
& that’s that! If you’re not a morning person, I highly recommend you become one. I notice when I work-out in the morning, I set myself up for success for the rest of the day when it comes to making healthy food choices. I also love having the rest of the day to focus on what’s important, like work, quality time with bae, and/or blogging.
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Thanks for checking out Allie’s morning routine! I am LOVING this series. I love incorporating my favorites on V&L.
Well I have a jam packed weekend full of pizza and brunching, so follow along on Instagram ( @MadisonCrowley )
Hi everyone! Happy Friday and welcome back to V&L – SO glad you stopped by.
Today is one of my favorites because I get to share this incredible gal with you all. Becca Bristow is here on V&L today and I am stoked. I was introduced to Becca through the essential oil world and cannot believe that I had not found her before that. She is such a light on social media and the world needs more of that. Becca blogs and makes YouTube videos AND podcasts!!! She does it all. She chats allll about non-toxic beauty products, healthy eating, as well as style. She is so real and transparent ( I feel like all of the girls on this series have been this way… ) and I really appreciate that. Stop what you’re doing right now and go subscribe to her YouTube Channeland follow her on Instagram.
She is also a part of our amazing boss babe community that I get to dive into through Young Living. Our Facebook groups are constantly poppin’, it’s like a party in there. Oils have changed my life in more ways than I can say and these groups of uplifting and empowering women are just a part of it.
Becca is also having a BABY! How freaking exciting. If you go follow her on socials, make sure to say congratulations! I am so excited for her and her hubs, Matt. They share all about their journey on their podcast – The Bristow’s Made a Baby. I mean, how cute????
Becca totally dives in and gets SPECIFIC about her morning routine – my favorite thing. She takes us through her normal morning routine and gives details about each step of the process, including her oily faves. You guys I am SO excited for you all to read this morning routine! Let’s get to it:
Okay so my morning routine is way simpler nowadays that I’m pregnant haha but I will take you through a typical morning!
7:30: Now that I’m pregnant, I sleep in a little later. (And also wear a big t-shirt and my husband’s boxers to bed lol, so glam!) I used to be up well before 7am, and actually LOVE doing that because I’m the most productive in the morning, but I’m trying to get in all the sleep that I can before baby comes! My husband usually sets his alarm, and when it goes off we roll out of bed within a few minutes. He takes our doodle Rosie downstairs to feed her breakfast, and I head to the bathroom to get my day started. I start by washing my face – sometimes just splashing it with water, sometimes using my DIY, all natural cleanser. I then apply my fav non-toxic SPF lotion by Erin’s Faces, and then brush my teeth. I love the Thieves mouthwash & Aromabright toothpaste by Young Living – I use so many of their products. I usually will throw on a couple oils at this time too – always Endoflex (for thyroid support), and usually Joy, Idaho Blue Spruce, Valor, or one of the many rollers I have made up! Just whatever I’m feeling that day 🙂
7:50: I head downstairs, fill up my giant water bottle, and start drinking. I like to try and get in a full 30oz by the time I finish breakfast – hydrating right off the bat in the AM is key for me! I find when I skip this, I am so much less likely to drink water throughout the day. I will make myself something to eat, usually oatmeal. While I’m getting my breakfast together, I usually like to get the diffuser in my kitchen going – I typically diffuse something invigorating for the morning, lately, I’ve been loving Jade Lemon & Spearmint! My husband and I will usually eat together (he’s an oatmeal fan too!) and then after that, I’ll head back upstairs to change into workout clothes. While I’m changing, he takes Rosie out for a morning walk. This used to be part of my morning routine, but now that he’s home and working with me, he’s taken over that job! (Madison’s Sidenote: Her husband gets to stay at home and work with her because of OILS!!! Financial freedom is so dreamy.)
8:20: About this time, I either head out for a long walk or Matt and I head to the gym together. I was pretty sick for the first 15-16 weeks of pregnancy, so the gym was not a thing! But now that I’m finally feeling like myself again, it’s so nice to get a good workout in other than just walking.. although walking is pretty great too!
9:00: Around this time I’m usually done working out (maybe a little later if it’s a gym day) and I’m usually hungry again, so it’s time for a second breakfast #pregnancy. I will usually whip up some eggs & toast, and I will make myself a cup of coffee too. I did not want anything to do with coffee for many months but finally I can stomach it again, which is amazing!! I barely even drink half the cup, but that little bit of caffeine is so helpful to get me motivated and into my workflow.
9:40: Time to work! I head upstairs to our office, park myself at my computer, and work on responding to emails/messages, plan content, etc..basically all of the admin type stuff. I really like getting that completed while I’m fresh & alert in the morning. I also have a diffuser at my desk and LOVE diffusing while I work. It’s one of the best tools I have to keep me energized, focused, and motivated. It seriously works wonders!! I have so many favorites I like to diffuse while I work..but lately I’ve been loving Abundance & Orange, Gratitude & Lime, and Highest Potential. After I completed all my tasks, I will either get myself ready if I’m going to be filming later that day, or sometimes it’s more of a ‘behind the scenes’ type day and I just get a ton of work done at my computer and don’t even bother putting on makeup or anything!
Eeeeeek one of my favorite morning routines thus far! So grateful to Becca for taking a moment and sharing the details with us. Becca will absolutely light up your social feeds and channels AND will teach you some amazing info about how to stay healthy and put the right products on your skin.
If you have ANY questions about any of the oils she mentioned, feel free to DM me on Instagram or just shoot me an email at madison@vogueandalatte.com. <3
That’s all for this week everyone! I have been nonstop crazy busy with work and interning and life so I have only been able to get to these morning routines each week but I have so many ideas for blog posts that I will hopefully get to share with you all soon. Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Friday! Welcome to my morning routine series #3! I am absolutely THRILLED with the bloggers who have decided to jump on in and be a part of this series. I love chatting and community, it’s like two of my favorite things. And I also really like spreading the word about people who inspire me.
V&L readers, please welcome Danielle Gervino, the creator of Pineapple & Prosecco. Pineapple & Prosecco is a blog full of trend, beautiful photography, blogging tips, marketing, graphic design, and SO much more. I also love following Danielle on Instagram. Her stories are amazing! She is always doing try-on hauls and is so real when she chats about each piece. Her color theme and her edits and her pics flow seamlessly and I love her captions. I think her appreciation for her followers shines through and it is so evident that she loves what she gets to do every day.
I asked Danielle if she would share her morning routine all of you! Below are allll of the deets about how Danielle spends her morning and the products she uses! Enjoy <3
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7:30 am: Wake up and usually hit the snooze button on my phone once or twice. I’m not really a morning or a night person. My ideal wake-up would probably be around 8-8:30!
7:45 am: Always start my day with my favorite lactic acid treatment by Sunday Riley (smells like heaven) and a quick dry brush, which helps to wake me up and start my day on a positive note.
8:00 am: Morning makeup routine (which I’ll typically skip on weekends). My illuminizers are my best friends in the morning, because they give me that i’m-awake-even-though-i’m-not-so-awake look. I start with Mac’s Natural Radiance Primer, then mix Josie Maran’s Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer in with my foundation for a dewy glow, and finish with Becca’s Pressed Highlighter in Champagne Pop + The Multiple by NARS in shade Orgasm. My motto when it comes to morning make up is the brighter, the better!
8:30 am: Typical weekday breakfast, consisting of multi-grain cheerios with unsweetened vanilla almond milk with some fresh berries. Then, it’s off to work!
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So, so grateful to Danielle for sharing her morning routine – and all of those amazing products she uses! Y’all know if she’s sharing them, she truly loves them! Follow her on Instagram @PineappleandProsecco. She has an awesome #nsale review up now too, so check out her story!
I hope you all have a fantastic and fun weekend ahead! Let me know if you have anything super fun planned. As always, you can follow along with what I’m doing on Instagram @MadisonCrowley.
